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Cereals are the main dietary source of cadmium (Cd). Rice grains often contain higher levels of Cd than other cereals, but the reasons are unknown. The aim
Polyploidy is a prominent feature for genome evolution in many animals and all flowering plants. Plant polyploids often show enhanced fitness in diverse and extreme environments, but the molecular basis for this remains elusive. Soil salinity presents challenges for many plants including agricultural crops. Here we report that salt tolerance is enhanced in tetraploid rice through lower sodium uptake and correlates with epigenetic regulation of jasmonic acid (JA)-related genes. Polyploidy induces DNA hypomethylation and potentiates genomic loci coexistent with many stress-responsive genes, which are generally associated with proximal transposable elements (TEs). Under salt stress, the stress-responsive genes including those in the JA pathway are more rapidly induced and expressed at higher levels in tetraploid than in diploid rice, which is concurrent with increased jasmonoyl isoleucine (JA-Ile) content and JA signaling to confer stress tolerance. After stress, elevated expression of stress-responsive genes in tetraploid rice can induce hypermethylation and suppression of the TEs adjacent to stress-responsive genes. These induced responses are reproducible in a recurring round of salt stress and shared between two japonica tetraploid rice lines. The data collectively suggest a feedback relationship between polyploidy-induced hypomethylation in rapid and strong stress response and stress-induced hypermethylation to repress proximal TEs and/or TE-associated stress-responsive genes. This feedback regulation may provide a molecular basis for selection to enhance adaptation of polyploid plants and crops during evolution and domestication.
This work set out to test the hypothesis that uptake of metals by hyperaccumulator (HA) plants is more likely to be diffusion limited than uptake by nonhyperaccumulator (NHA) plants. Two circumneutral soils, with different contents of organic matter (0.8 and 5.8%), were amended with Cd (0.5 to 5 mg kg−1) and Ni (10 to 100 mg kg−1). A Cd HA plant, Thlaspi caerulescens, was grown in pots containing the Cd amended soils, and a Ni HA, Thlaspi goesingense, was grown in pots containing the Ni amended soils. A NHA plant of the same family, Thlaspi arvense, was grown in the same soils. Metals were measured in both roots and shoots of all plants. Concentrations of Cd and Ni were measured in soil solution and using the technique of diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT). The dependencies of metal measured by DGT, [M]DGT, and in soil solution, [M]ss, on the amended metal concentration, [M]add, were consistent with fast supply of Cd but a slower rate of release of Ni from solid phase to solution at lower [Ni]add. Detailed consideration of the dependence of Ni and Cd in shoots and roots on [M]add, [M]ss, and [M]DGT allowed assessment of the supply mechanism. The weight of evidence suggested that diffusion limitation applies for uptake of Cd by both HA and NHA plants and for uptake of Ni by the HA. However, uptake of Ni by the NHA is not limited by diffusion and the biotic ligand model is probably appropriate.
No abstract is provided for this article.
No abstract is provided for this article.
Neo-tetraploid Arabidopsis thaliana have elevated leaf potassium (K) driven by processes within the root. The root transcriptome of neo-tetraploids is distinct from diploids, with evidence of altered K homeostasis. Mutational analysis revealed that the canonical K-uptake transporters AKT1 and HAK5 are not required for this elevated leaf K in neo-tetraploids, while the endodermis, root hairs, and SOS signaling are. Contrasting the root transcriptomes of neo-tetraploids and diploids of mutants that block the neo-tetraploid K phenotype, allowed us to identify 91 differentially expressed genes associated with elevated leaf K in neo-tetraploids. This set of genes connects WGD to elevated leaf K, and is enriched in functions such as cell wall and Casparian strip development, and ion-transport, in the endodermis, root hairs, and procambium. This gene set provides tools to test the intriguing idea of recreating the physiological effects of WGD within a diploid genome.
No abstract is provided for this article.
No abstract is provided for this article.
The removal of inorganic contaminants by plants is termed phytoextraction. Recent studies have looked at the feasibility of phytoextraction, and demonstrate that both good biomass yields and metal hyperaccumulation are required to make the process efficient. Adding chelating agents to soil to increase the bioavailability of contaminants can sometimes induce hyperaccumulation in normal plants, but may produce undesirable environmental risks. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the mechanisms responsible for hyperaccumulation, using natural hyperaccumulators as model plant species. Recent advances have been made in understanding the mechanisms responsible for hyperaccumulation of Zn, Cd, Ni and As by plants. Attempts to engineer metal tolerance and accumulation have so far been limited to Hg, As and Cd, and although promising results have been obtained they may be some way from practical application. More fundamental understanding of the traits and mechanisms involved in hyperaccumulation are needed so that phytoextraction can be optimised.
Contamination of soils with heavy metals and metalloids is a widespread problem all over the world. Low cost, non-invasive, in situ technologies are required for remediation processes. We investigated the efficiency of a bauxite residue (red mud) to fix heavy metals in two soils, one contaminated by industrial activities (French soil), and one by sewage sludge applications (UK soil). This Fe-oxide rich material was compared with lime, or beringite, a modified aluminosilicate that has been used for in situ fixation processes. Four different crop species were successively grown in pots. Metal concentrations in the soil pore waters were analyzed during the growing cycles. At the end of the experiment fluxes of heavy metals were measured using a diffusive gradient in thin film technique (DGT). Furthermore, a sequential extraction procedure (SEP) and an acidification test were performed to investigate the mechanisms of metal fixation by different soil amendments. In both soils, the concentrations of metals in the soil pore water and metal fluxes were greatly decreased by the amendments. An application of 2% red mud performed as well as beringite applied at 5%. Increasing soil pH was a common mechanism of action for all the amendments. However, the red mud amendment shifted metals from the exchangeable to the Fe-oxide fraction, and decreased acid extractability of metals. The results suggest that specific chemisorption, and possibly metal diffusion into oxide particles could also be the mechanisms responsible for the fixation of metals by red mud.
Phytoremediation is a developing technology that can potentially address the problems of contaminated agricultural land or more intensely polluted areas affected by urban or industrial activities. Three main strategies currently exist to phytoextract inorganic substances from soils using plants:(1) use of natural hyperaccumulators; (2) enhancement of element uptake of high biomass species by chemical additions to soil and plants; and (3) phytovolatilization of elements, which often involves alteration of their chemical form within the plant prior to volatilization to the atmosphere. Concentrating on the techniques that potentially remove inorganic pollutants such as Ni, Zn, Cd, Cu, Co, Pb, Hg, As, Se, and radionuclides, we review the progress in the understanding of the processes involved and the development of the technology. This includes the advances made in the study of the physiology and biochemistry of metal uptake, transport and sequestration by hyperaccumulator plants, as well as the investigation of the processes occurring in soil and plant systems subject to the chemical enhancement approach. Enough work has been carried out in the last decade to allow some assessment of the situations and elements in which phytoremediation is likely to be most successful. However, we also identify where there is lack of knowledge. Finally, the likely future directions for research and application are discussed.
This chapter will discuss possible strategies to minimize arsenic accumulation in rice. Where grain arsenic concentration is elevated due to ongoing contamination, the ideal scenario is to stop the contamination at the source. However, this may not be practical due...
