Exudation

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences

Kinds of Exudation

  • plasma exudation
  • root exudation


  • Selected Abstracts


    Silicone Gel Sheeting for the Management and Prevention of Onychocryptosis

    DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 3 2003
    A. Burhan Aksakal MD
    BACKGROUND Onychocryptosis, commonly referred to as ingrown nails, has many therapeutic alternatives for its management. Although mild cases can be treated conservatively, in severe cases, surgical treatment is preferred. Silicone gel sheeting is found to be effective in the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids. OBJECTIVE To document the effectiveness of silicone gel sheeting in the management of patients with onychocryptosis and in the prevention of the recurrences by breaking the devil's circle, which usually took place after the surgical procedures used in the treatment of the onychocryptosis. METHODS Fourteen patients were enrolled in the study. Entry criteria required the presence of slight (2 patients), moderate (2 patients), or severe (10 patients) onychocryptosis. The simple technique used in the study was the excision of the one-quarter part of the lesional side of the nail plate without excising the granulation tissue. After 24 hours, the silicone was placed on the granulation tissue and the exposed nail bed. Silicone gel sheet was bandaged loosely without applying any pressure. Patients entering the study were given detailed instructions in applying and using the gel for 12 hours during the daytime. The study lasted for 14 months and was composed of a treatment period of 4 months and a follow-up period of 10 months. The patients were evaluated every 2 weeks in the first month and then monthly. The change in thickness of granulation tissue was evaluated by comparing them with the baseline photographs and those taken at each visit. RESULTS The management and prevention of onychocryptosis were achieved in 12 of 14 patients (85.71%). The silicone gel sheeting treatment was well tolerated except for an occasional transient exudation, which was resolved when the treatment was withdrawn. CONCLUSION The results show that the new method that we used for the treatment of onychocryptosis is successful in reducing the thickness of the hypertrophic nail fold and prevents the recurrence of the condition during the regrowth of the nail plate by breaking the devil's circle. The advantage of this method is that it is not destructive to the nail matrix and the adjacent tissue. [source]


    Evolution of latex and its constituent defensive chemistry in milkweeds (Asclepias): a phylogenetic test of plant defense escalation

    ENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 1 2008
    Anurag A. Agrawal
    Abstract A tremendous diversity of plants exude sticky and toxic latex upon tissue damage, and its production has been widely studied as a defensive adaptation against insect herbivores. Here, we address variation in latex production and its constituent chemical properties (cardenolides and cysteine proteases) in 53 milkweeds [Asclepias spp. (Apocynaceae)], employing a phylogenetic approach to test macroevolutionary hypotheses of defense evolution. Species were highly variable for all three traits, and they showed little evidence for strong phylogenetic conservatism. Latex production and the constituent chemical defenses are thus evolutionarily labile and may evolve rapidly. Nonetheless, in phylogenetically independent analyses, we show that the three traits show some correlations (and thus share a correlated evolutionary history), including a positive correlation between latex exudation and cysteine protease activity. Conversely, latex exudation and cysteine protease activity both showed a trade-off with cardenolide concentrations in latex. We also tested whether these traits have increased in their phenotypic values as the milkweeds diversified, as predicted by plant defense escalation theory. Alternative methods of testing this prediction gave conflicting results , there was an overall negative correlation between amount of evolutionary change and amount of latex exudation; however, ancestral state reconstructions indicated that most speciation events were associated with increases in latex. We conclude by (i) summarizing the evidence of milkweed latex itself as a multivariate defense including the amount exuded and toxin concentrations within, (ii) assessing the coordinated evolution of latex traits and how this fits with our previous notion of ,plant defense syndromes', and finally, (iii) proposing a novel hypothesis that includes an ,evolving community of herbivores' that may promote the escalation or decline of particular defensive strategies as plant lineages diversify. [source]


    Two similar enhanced root-colonizing Pseudomonas strains differ largely in their colonization strategies of avocado roots and Rosellinia necatrix hyphae

    ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 12 2008
    Clara Pliego
    Summary Pseudomonas alcaligenes AVO73 and Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes AVO110 were selected previously as efficient avocado root tip colonizers, displaying in vitro antagonism towards Rosellinia necatrix, causal agent of avocado white root rot. Despite the higher number of antagonistic properties shown in vitro by AVO73, only AVO110 demonstrated significant protection against avocado white root rot. As both strains are enhanced root colonizers, and as colonization is crucial for the most likely biocontrol mechanisms used by these strains, namely production of non-antibiotic antifungal compounds and competition for nutrients and niches, we decided to compare the interactions of the bacterial strains with avocado roots as well as with R. necatrix hyphae. The results indicate that strain AVO110 is superior in biocontrol trait swimming motility and establishes on the root tip of avocado plants faster than AVO73. Visualization studies, using Gfp-labelled derivatives of these strains, showed that AVO110, in contrast to AVO73, colonizes intercellular crevices between neighbouring plant root epidermal cells, a microhabitat of enhanced exudation. Moreover, AVO110, but not AVO73, also colonizes root wounds, described to be preferential penetration sites for R. necatrix infection. This result strongly suggests that AVO110 meets, and can attack, the pathogen on the root. Finally, when co-inoculated with the pathogen, AVO110 utilizes hyphal exudates more efficiently for proliferation than AVO73 does, and colonizes the hyphae more abundantly than AVO73. We conclude that the differences between the strains in colonization levels and strategies are likely to contribute to, and even can explain, the difference in disease-controlling abilities between the strains. This is the first report that shows that two similar bacterial strains, selected by their ability to colonize avocado root, use strongly different root colonization strategies and suggests that in addition to the total bacterial root colonization level, the sites occupied on the root are important for biocontrol. [source]


    The responses of photosynthesis and oxygen consumption to short-term changes in temperature and irradiance in a cyanobacterial mat (Ebro Delta, Spain)

    ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2000
    Eric Epping
    We have evaluated the effects of short-term changes in incident irradiance and temperature on oxygenic photosynthesis and oxygen consumption in a hypersaline cyanobacterial mat from the Ebro Delta, Spain, in which Microcoleus chthonoplastes was the dominant phototrophic organism. The mat was incubated in the laboratory at 15, 20, 25 and 30°C at incident irradiances ranging from 0 to 1000 µmol photons m,2 s,1. Oxygen microsensors were used to measure steady-state oxygen profiles and the rates of gross photosynthesis, which allowed the calculation of areal gross photosynthesis, areal net oxygen production, and oxygen consumption in the aphotic layer of the mat. The lowest surface irradiance that resulted in detectable rates of gross photosynthesis increased with increasing temperature from 50 µmol photons m,2 s,1 at 15°C to 500 µmol photons m,2 s,1 at 30°C. These threshold irradiances were also apparent from the areal rates of net oxygen production and point to the shift of M. chthonoplastes from anoxygenic to oxygenic photosynthesis and stimulation of sulphide production and oxidation rates at elevated temperatures. The rate of net oxygen production per unit area of mat at maximum irradiance, J0, did not change with temperature, whereas, JZphot, the flux of oxygen across the lower boundary of the euphotic zone increased linearly with temperature. The rate of oxygen consumption per volume of aphotic mat increased with temperature. This increase occurred in darkness, but was strongly enhanced at high irradiances, probably as a consequence of increased rates of photosynthate exudation, stimulating respiratory processes in the mat. The compensation irradiance (Ec) marking the change of the mat from a heterotrophic to an autotrophic community, increased exponentially in this range of temperatures. [source]


    Importance of rhizodeposition in the coupling of plant and microbial productivity

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2003
    Eric Paterson
    Summary Plant roots influence the biological, chemical and physical properties of rhizosphere soil. These effects are a consequence of their growth, their activity and the exudation of organic compounds from them. In natural ecosystems, the linkages between inputs of carbon from plants and microbial activity driven by these inputs are central to our understanding of nutrient cycling in soil and the productivity of these systems. This coupling of plant and microbial productivity is also of increasing importance in agriculture, where the shift towards low-input systems increases the dependence of plant production on nutrient cycling, as opposed to fertilizers. This review considers the processes by which plants can influence the cycling of nutrients in soil, and in particular the importance of organic inputs from roots in driving microbially mediated transformations of N. This coupling of plant inputs to the functioning of the microbial community is beneficial for acquisition of N by plants, particularly in low-input systems. This occurs through stimulation of microbes that produce exoenzymes that degrade organic matter, and by promoting cycling of N immobilized in the microbial biomass via predation by protozoa. Also, plants increase the cycling of N by changes in exudation in response to nitrogen supply around roots, and in response to browsing by herbivores. Plants can release compounds in exudates that directly affect the expression of genes in microbes, and this may be an important way of controlling their function to the benefit of the plant. [source]


    Effects of transgenic glufosinate-tolerant oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and the associated herbicide application on eubacterial and Pseudomonas communities in the rhizosphere

    FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2002
    Stephen Gyamfi
    Abstract A containment experiment was carried out in order to evaluate possible shifts in eubacterial and Pseudomonas rhizosphere community structures due to the release of genetically modified Basta-tolerant oilseed rape and the associated herbicide application. Treatments included cultivation of the transgenic plant as well as of the wild-type cultivar in combination with mechanical removal of weeds and the application of the herbicides Basta (active ingredient: glufosinate) and Butisan S (active ingredient: metazachlor). Rhizosphere soil was sampled from early and late flowering plants as well as from senescent plants. A culture-independent approach was chosen to characterize microbial communities based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of 16S rRNA gene fragments amplified from rhizosphere DNA using eubacterial and Pseudomonas -specific PCR primers. Dominant pseudomonads in the rhizosphere were analyzed by sequence analysis. Whole community and Pseudomonas electrophoresis fingerprints revealed slightly altered microbial communities in the rhizosphere of transgenic plants; however, effects were minor as compared to the plant developmental stage-dependent shifts. Both herbicides caused transient changes in the eubacterial and Pseudomonas population structure, whereas differences due to the genetic modification were still detected at the senescent growth stage. The observed differences between transgenic and wild-type lines were most likely due to unintentionally modified plant characteristics such as altered root exudation. [source]


    Seasonal resin canal formation and necroses expansion in resinous stem canker-affected Chamaecyparis obtusa

    FOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 4-5 2002
    T. YAMADA
    Summary The season of disease development on the basis of two major internal symptoms, resin canal formation and necrotic lesion expansion in phloem, were anatomically determined in Chamaecyparis obtusa (Hinoki cypress) affected by resinous stem canker. Newly formed resin canals were mostly observed at first from July to August in samples of the canker-affected C. obtusa phloem. This result indicates the occurrence of stimuli causing resin canal formation and the beginning of the formation from May to July of the same year. This and the beginning of resin exudation observed in May or June indicated that resin, exuded at least before August, originated from resin canals formed in the previous year(s). The expansion of phloem necrotic lesions began in June and continued until October, and was conspicuous in the August samples. Stimuli causing necrotic lesion development were also suggested to occur from May to August of the same year. It is hypothesized that excess resin production induces lesion development and that expansion of necrotic lesion induces both resin exudation from previously formed resin canals and new resin canal formation. The causal agent of the disease could be activated in the late spring or summer season. Résumé Formation saisonnière de canaux résinifères et extension des nécroses chez Chamaecyparis obtusa atteint par le chancre résineux du tronc Chez Chamaecyparis obtusa affecté par le chancre résineux du tronc, la saison de développement de la maladie a été déterminée anatomiquement en se basant sur deux symptômes internes majeurs: la formation de canaux résinifères et l'extension des nécroses au niveau du phloème. Des canaux résinifères récemment formés ont surtout été observés à partir de juillet et en août dans le phloème de C. obtusa atteint par la maladie. Ce résultat montre l'existence de stimuli de la formation de canaux résinifères, ceux-ci commençant à se former en mai jusqu'en juillet. Jointe au fait que l'exsudation de résine a lieu en mai ou juin, cette observation montre que la résine (au moins celle exsudée avant août) provient des canaux formés au cours de la ou des années précédentes. L'extension de la nécrose du phloème débutait en juin, était forte en août et se poursuivait jusqu'en octobre. Il est suggéré que les stimuli du développement de la nécrose ont lieu entre mai et août de la même année. Il est supposé, d'une part que la production excessive de résine induit le développement des lésions, et d'autre part que l'extension des nécroses induit l'exsudation de résine à partir des canaux antérieurement formés ainsi que la formation de nouveaux canaux. L'agent causal de la maladie pourrait être activéà la fin du printemps ou en été. Zusammenfassung Saisonale Harzkanalbildung und Entwicklung der Nekrosen bei Chamaecyparis obtusa mit ,HarzigemStammkrebs' Bei Chamaecyparis obtusa mit Befall durch den ,Harzigen Stammkrebs' wurde die Phänologie der Krankheitsentwicklung anhand der Harzkanalbildung und der Ausbreitung der Nekrosen im Phloem anatomisch erfasst. Im krebsbefallenen Phloem wurden neu gebildete Harzkanäle zuerst im Juli und August beobachtet. Dies weist darauf hin, dass die Stimulation für die Harzkanalbildung und die Entwicklung der Harzkanäle in der Zeit von Mai bis Juli des laufenden Jahres erfolgt. Diese Beobachtung und der Beginn des Harzflusses, welcher im Mai und Juni auftritt, deuten darauf hin, dass der Harzfluss vor dem August aus Harzkanälen stammt, die bereits im Vorjahr oder noch früher angelegt worden waren. Die Expansion der Phloem-Nekrosen begann im Juni und hielt bis Oktober an, im August war sie besonders stark ausgeprägt. Der Reiz für die Ausdehnung der Nekrosen dürfte somit von Mai bis August des laufenden Jahres vorhanden sein. Es wird die Hypothese aufgestellt, dass die stark gesteigerte Harzproduktion die Nekrosenentwicklung fördert und dass die Expansion der Nekrosen sowohl den Harzfluss aus den früher gebildeten Harzkanälen anregt als auch die Bildung neuer Harzkanäle induziert. Der ursächliche Faktor für diese Krankheit dürfte im späten Frühjahr oder im Sommer aktiv sein. [source]


    Towards a predictive understanding of belowground process responses to climate change: have we moved any closer?

    FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2008
    Elise Pendall
    Summary 1Belowground processes, including root production and exudation, microbial activity and community dynamics, and biogeochemical cycling interact to help regulate climate change. Feedbacks associated with these processes, such as warming-enhanced decomposition rates, give rise to major uncertainties in predictions of future climate. 2Uncertainties associated with these processes are more likely to be reduced if two key challenges can be met: increasing interdisciplinarity among researchers, and measuring belowground ecosystem structure and function at relevant spatial and temporal scales. For instance, recognizing the relationship between belowground primary production and soil respiration enhances modelling of global-scale C cycle temperature responses. At the opposite end of the spectrum, applying genomic techniques at the scale of microns improves mechanistic understanding of root,microbe interactions. 3Progress has been made in understanding interactions of belowground processes with climate change, although challenges remain. We highlight some of these advances and provide directions for key research needs in this Special Feature of Functional Ecology, which results from a symposium that was convened at the Soil Science Society of America National Meeting in November, 2006. [source]


    The influence of below-ground herbivory and defoliation of a legume on nitrogen transfer to neighbouring plants

    FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
    E. AYRES
    Summary 1Both foliar and root herbivory can alter the exudation of carbon from plant roots, which in turn can affect nitrogen availability in the soil. However, few studies have investigated the effects of herbivory on N fluxes from roots, which can directly increase N availability in the soil and uptake by neighbouring plants. Moreover, the combined effects of foliar and root herbivory on N fluxes remains unexplored. 2We subjected the legume white clover (Trifolium repens L.) to defoliation (through clipping) and root herbivory (by an obligate root-feeding nematode, Heterodera trifolii Goggart) to examine how these stresses individually, and simultaneously, affected the transfer of T. repens -derived N to neighbouring perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) plants using 15N stable-isotope techniques. We also examined the effects of defoliation and root herbivory on the size of the soil microbial community and the growth response of L. perenne. 3Neither defoliation nor root herbivory negatively affected T. repens biomass. On the contrary, defoliation increased root biomass (34%) and total shoot production by T. repens (100%). Furthermore, defoliation resulted in a fivefold increase in T. repens -derived 15N recovered in L. perenne roots, and increased the size of the soil microbial biomass (77%). In contrast, root herbivory by H. trifolii slightly reduced 15N transfer from T. repens to L. perenne when T. repens root 15N concentration was included as a covariate, and root herbivory did not affect microbial biomass. Growth of L. perenne was not affected by any of the treatments. 4Our findings demonstrate that defoliation of a common grassland legume can substantially increase the transfer of its N to neighbouring plants by directly affecting below-ground N fluxes. These finding require further examination under field conditions but, given the prevalence of N-limitation of plant productivity in terrestrial ecosystems, increased transfer of N from legumes to non-N-fixing species could alter competitive interactions, with implications for plant community structure. [source]


    Chronic expanding hematoma in the psoas muscle

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 12 2005
    TOSHINARI YAMASAKI
    Abstract, We report an unusual case of chronic expanding hematoma in the psoas muscle. A 53-year-old man was admitted for evaluation of a mass shadow in the left lower lung field on chest X-rays. He had also been suffering from dull left back pain. A computed tomography scan showed a cystic lesion with a rim enhancement in the left retroperitoneal space. Mixed signal intensity in a mosaic pattern was seen on a T2-weighted magnetic resonance image. We could not rule out a suspicion of a neoplastic intratumoral hemorrhage. Due to increased pain and the definite diagnosis, surgery was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of chronic expanding hematoma. The expansion process is thought to be due to the irritant effects of blood and its breakdown products, which cause repeated exudation and bleeding from capillaries in the granulation tissues. [source]


    Secretory products of the haptoral reservoirs and peduncular glands in two species of Bravohollisia (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae)

    INVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
    Wey-Lim Wong
    Abstract. Light and electron microscopy were used to characterize the structure of secretory cells and their products involved in attachment of two monogenean parasites of fish, in order to understand their role in the attachment process. In Bravohollisia rosetta and Bravohollisia gussevi, peduncular gland cells with two nuclei, granular endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi bodies produce dual electron-dense (DED) secretory bodies with a homogenous electron-dense rind and a less electron-dense fibrillar core (oval and concave in B. rosetta and oval in B. gussevi). The DED secretory bodies are altered as they migrate from the gland cell to the haptoral reservoir, the superficial anchor grooves, and into the gill tissues. The contents of the DED secretory bodies are exocytosed into the reservoirs, fibrillar cores persisting in the matrix, some of which condense, forming highly electron-dense spherical bodies. Small, oval, electron-dense bodies occur in the grooves, while no inclusions are visible in the homogenous exudate within the gill tissues. The single tubular extension of the reservoir enters a bifurcate channel within the anchor via a concealed, crevice-like opening on one side of the anchor. The channel directs secretions into the left and the right grooves via concealed apertures. The secretions, introduced into the tissues by the anchors, probably assist in attachment. The secretions are manifested externally as net-like structures and observed in some cases to be still attached to the point of exudation, on anchors detached from the gill tissues. This suggests that despite having the anchors detached, the worms can still remain anchored to the gill tissues via these net-like structures. Based on this, it is postulated that the net-like secretions probably function as a safety line to anchor the worm during the onset of locomotion and in doing so reduce the risk of tearing host tissues. [source]


    Commentary on Vermeulen H, Ubbink DT, Schreuder SM and Lubbers MJ (2007) Inter- and intra-observer (dis)agreement among nurses and doctors to classify colour and exudation of open surgical wounds according to the Red,Yellow,Black scheme.

    JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 12 2008
    Journal of Clinical Nursing1, Kitagawa A (2007) A study of the efficiency, Konya C, Matsui Y, Okuwa M, Sanada H, Sugama J, convenience of an advanced portable wound measurement system (VISITRAKTM).
    [source]


    Effects of High Pressure on Texture and Microstructure of Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) Fillets

    JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 8 2005
    Romuald Chéret
    ABSTRACT High pressure is an innovative non-thermal food-preservation technology. We studied the effect of high-pressure treatment up to 500 MPa for 5 min on physical characteristics of sea bass fillets after 0, 7, and 14 d of refrigerated storage. Color results exhibited an increase of lightness and a slight change of hue, which might be imperceptible in cooked fish. High-pressure treatment induced a decrease of exudation and water-holding capacity. Pressure treatment above 300 MPa provoked higher fish hardness after storage than in untreated sample, proving the ability of high pressure to improve textural quality of chilled, stored fish fillet. These assessments were corroborated with microstructure observations. We showed that high-pressure treatment at 500 MPa allowed, after 7 d of storage, a total aerobic count equivalent to that of untreated fresh fish fillet to be obtained. Thus, high pressure might be considered to be a technology able to improve safety and textural quality of fresh fish fillets. [source]


    The anti-inflammatory modulatory role of Solidago chilensis Meyen in the murine model of the air pouch

    JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2008
    Rafael Liz
    The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of an aqueous extract (AE), and its butanolic (BuOH) and aqueous residual (AR) fractions, derived from the rhizome of Solidago chilensis in inflammation caused by carrageenan in mice. Solidago chilensis Meyen rhizome was extracted using hot water at 90°C under infusion. The extract was filtered and lyophilized. Part of the aqueous extract was fractionated with n-BuOH, resulting in butanolic (BuOH) and aqueous residual (AR) fractions. Adult Swiss mice were used in the in-vivo experiments. We evaluated the effect of rhizome aqueous extract of Solidago chilensis and these two derived fractions on the inflammation induced by carrageenan in the mouse model of the air pouch. The aqueous extract and its derived fractions significantly inhibited leucocytes, neutrophils, exudation, myeloperoxidase and adenosine deaminase activity, as well as nitric oxide, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1,), neutrophil chemokine (KC) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-,) levels (P < 0.05). Indometacin and dexamethasone inhibited all the studied inflammatory parameters (P < 0.01) with the exceptions that indometacin did not inhibit TNF-, levels and dexamethasone did not inhibit KC levels (P > 0.05). These results indicate that Solidago chilensis has a significant anti-inflammatory action on acute inflammatory responses and that its inhibitory activity may be due not only to the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators, but also to the inhibition of leucocyte infiltration. [source]


    The significance of organic-anion exudation for the aluminum resistance of primary triticale derived from wheat and rye parents differing in aluminum resistance

    JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2008
    Angelika Stass
    Abstract Eight primary octoploid triticale genotypes (xTriticosecale Wittmack) derived from four wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) and two rye inbred lines (Secale cereale L.) differing in aluminum (Al) resistance were investigated with respect to their response to Al supply. Aluminum-induced inhibition of root elongation (48 h, 25 µM Al supply), callose formation, and the accumulation of Al in root tips (4 h, 25 µM Al supply) were used as parameters to assess Al resistance. Using these parameters, the existing information on Al resistance of the wheat and rye cultivars was generally confirmed. The triticale cultivars showed a wide range of Al resistance amongst the Al-sensitive wheat and the Al-resistant rye cultivars. The rye parents and the Al-resistant wheat parent Carazinho were characterized by Al-induced exudation particularly of citrate but also of malate from whole root systems of 14 d old seedlings (8 h, 50 µM Al supply). Regression analysis revealed that the degree of Al resistance of the triticale genotypes was closely related to the Al-induced citrate exudation, which was mainly controlled by the Al resistance of the wheat parent. [source]


    Plant responses to drought and phosphorus deficiency: contribution of phytohormones in root-related processes

    JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2005
    Lutz Wittenmayer
    Abstract Environmental stresses are one of the most limiting factors in agricultural productivity. A large portion of the annual crop yield is lost to pathogens (biotic stress) or the detrimental effects of abiotic-stress conditions. There are numerous reports about chemical characterization of quantitatively significant substrate fluxes in plant responses to stress factors in the root-rhizosphere system, e.g., nutrient mobilization, heavy-metal and aluminum immobilization, or establishment of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) by exudation of organic anions, phytosiderophores, or carbohydrates into the soil, respectively. The hormonal regulation of these responses is not well understood. This paper highlights this complex process, stressing the involvement of phytohormones in plant responses to drought and phosphorus deficiency as examples. Beside ethylene, abscisic acid (ABA) plays an important role in drought-stress adaptation of plants. This hormone causes morphological and chemical changes in plants, ensuring plant survival under water-limited conditions. For example, ABA induces stomata closure, reduction in leaf surface, and increase in root : shoot ratio and, thus, reduction in transpiration and increase in soil volume for water uptake. Furthermore, it supports water uptake in soil with decreasing water potential by osmotic adjustment. Suitability of hormonal parameters in the selection for improving stress resistance is discussed. Auxins, ethylene, and cytokinins are involved in morphological adaption processes to phosphorus (P) deficiency (increase in root surface, e.g., by the formation of more dense root hairs or cluster roots). Furthermore, indole-3-acetic acid increases root exudation for direct and indirect phosphorus mobilization in soil. Nevertheless, the direct use of the trait "hormone content" of a particular plant organ or tissue, for example the use of the drought-stress-induced ABA content of detached leaves in plant breeding for drought-stress-resistant crops, seems to be questionable, because this procedure does not consider the systemic principle of hormonal regulation in plants. Reaktionen von Pflanzen auf Trockenstress und Phosphormangel: Die Rolle von Phytohormonen in wurzelbezogenen Prozessen Umweltstress stellt den wesentlichsten Limitierungsfaktor für die landwirtschaftliche Produktion dar. Ein erheblicher Teil der jährlichen Ernten geht durch pathogene Organismen (biotischer Stress) oder durch die verheerende Wirkung abiotischer Stressoren verloren (v. a. Trockenstress und Nährstoffmangel). Es gibt zahlreiche Untersuchungen zur stofflichen Charakterisierung der pflanzlichen Stressreaktion an der Wurzel, z.,B. Nährstoffmobilisierung, Schadstoffimmobilisierung oder Etablierung von wachstumsfördernden Rhizobakterien durch Wurzelabscheidungen. Die hormonelle Steuerung dieser Prozesse ist bisher weniger erforscht. Der Artikel geht dieser Problematik am Beispiel von Trockenstress und Phosphormangel unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Phytohormonen nach. Bei der Anpassung von Pflanzen an Wassermangelbedingungen spielt neben Ethylen das Phytohormon Abscisinsäure (ABA) eine wichtige Rolle. Es induziert morphologische und chemische Veränderungen in der Pflanze, die ein Überleben unter Wassermangelbedingungen ermöglichen. Beispielsweise induziert die ABA den Stomataschluss, eine Verringerung der Blattoberfläche sowie eine Erhöhung des Wurzel:Spross-Verhältnisses und bewirkt dadurch eine verringerte Transpiration und Vergrößerung des Bodenvolumens zur Erschließung von Wasservorräten. Darüber hinaus kann eine ABA-induzierte Anreicherung von osmotisch wirksamen Verbindungen zur Wasseraufnahme bei sinkendem Wasserpotential im Boden beitragen. Bei Phosphat (P)-Mangel sind vor allem Auxine, Cytokine und Ethylen an der morphologischen Anpassung der Wurzeln (Vergrößerung der Wurzeloberfläche durch verstärkte Bildung von Wurzelhaaren oder Proteoidwurzeln) beteiligt. Darüber hinaus bewirkt Indolyl-3-Essigäure eine Intensivierung der Abgabe von Wurzelabscheidungen zur direkten oder indirekten P-Mobilisierung in der Rhizosphäre. Trotzdem wird die unmittelbare Verwendung des Indikators "Hormongehalt" eines bestimmten Pflanzenorganes, beispielsweise der trockenstressinduzierte ABA-Gehalt von abgeschnittenen Blättern, für die Züchtung auf Stressresistenz als problematisch angesehen, da sie das systemische Prinzip der Hormonregulation nicht berücksichtigt. [source]


    Increased metal allergy in patients with failed metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty and peri-implant T-lymphocytic inflammation

    ALLERGY, Issue 8 2009
    P. Thomas
    Background:, In 16 patients with revised metal-on-metal arthroplasty and peri-implant lymphocytic inflammation, we verified the role of metal hypersensitivity by patch testing (PT) and lymphocyte transformation test (LTT). Methods:, In the 16 patients with lymphocyte dominated periprosthetic inflammation, allergy history was obtained by a questionnaire, specific serum IgE to aeroallergens was measured to assess atopy, PT to standard and metal series was performed and metal sensitivity was further assessed by LTT using blood mononuclear cells. Results:, Revision surgery was performed because of pain (8/16), osteolysis (4/16), dislocation (3/16) and loosening of the stem (1/16). Histological examination showed perivascular infiltrates of T lymphocytes, high endothelial venules, fibrin exudation and accumulation of macrophages with drop-like inclusions. Five patients had a history of cutaneous metal allergy and atopy was found in 25% of the patients. In 13/16 patients (81%), systemic metal sensitivity was found based on PT and/or LTT. Patch test reactions were seen in 11/16 patients (69%; partly multiple reactions/patient): 7/16 to Cobalt (Co), 7/16 to Chromium (Cr), 4/16 to Nickel (Ni), and one each to Molybdenum (Mo) and Manganese (Mn). Ten of 16 patients (62%) showed enhanced LTT reactivity to metals: 7/16 to Ni, 7/16 to Co, 5/16 to Cr, 5/16 to Mo and 4/16 to Mn. Conclusions:, The lymphocyte dominated peri-implant inflammation may well reflect an allergic hyper-reactivity in these patients, given the high rate of concomitantly found metal allergy. Despite the overall incidence of metal implant allergy being low, allergic reactions should be included as differential diagnosis in failed metal-on-metal arthroplasty. [source]


    Oxalate exudation into the root-tip water free space confers protection from aluminum toxicity and allows aluminum accumulation in the symplast in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)

    NEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 2 2010
    Benjamin Klug
    Summary ,A better understanding of aluminum (Al) uptake and transport is expected to contribute to unravel the apparent contradiction between Al exclusion and Al accumulation in buckwheat. ,We studied the effect of Al supply on the root-tip Al and oxalate concentrations of the apoplastic water free space fluid (WFSF) and the symplast as affected by temperature, oxalate supply and the anion-channel blocker phenylglyoxal (PG). ,Aluminum supply rapidly activated the release of oxalate to the WFSF to establish a 1 : 1 Al to oxalate ratio. In the symplast, the Al concentration was 100 times higher than in the external solution, and the Al to oxalate ratio was 1 : 2. Loading and unloading of Al, but not of oxalate, into and from the symplast were reduced at low temperature and are thus under metabolic control. Application of PG reduced the constitutive and the Al-enhanced WFSF oxalate concentrations and enhanced Al-induced root-growth inhibition. Unlike a 1 : 3 Al to oxalate ratio, a 1 : 1 ratio ameliorated only partly Al-induced root-growth inhibition without affecting root-tip Al contents or WFSF Al concentrations. ,We present a hypothesis with an Al oxalate (Ox)+ plasma-membrane transporter in the root cortex and a xylem-loading Al citrate (Cit)n, transporter in the xylem parenchyma cells as key elements of Al accumulation in buckwheat. [source]


    Citrate exudation from white lupin induced by phosphorus deficiency differs from that induced by aluminum

    NEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 3 2007
    B. L. Wang
    Summary ,,Both phosphorus (P) deficiency and aluminum (Al) toxicity induce root exudation of carboxylates, but the relationship between these two effects is not fully understood. Here, carboxylate exudation induced by Al in Lupinus albus (white lupin) was characterized and compared with that induced by P deficiency. ,,Aluminum treatments were applied to whole root systems or selected root zones of plants with limited (1 µm) or sufficient (50 µm) P supply. ,,Aluminum stimulated citrate efflux after 1,2 h; this response was not mimicked by a similar trivalent cation, La3+. P deficiency triggered citrate release from mature cluster roots, whereas Al stimulated citrate exudation from the 5- to 10-mm subapical root zones of lateral roots and from mature and senescent cluster roots. Al-induced citrate exudation was inhibited by P limitation at the seedling stage, but was stimulated at later growth stages. Citrate exudation was sensitive to anion-channel blockers. Al treatments did not affect primary root elongation, but inhibited the elongation of lateral roots. ,,The data demonstrate differential patterns of citrate exudation in L. albus, depending on root zone, developmental stage, P nutritional status and Al stress. These findings are discussed in terms of possible functions and underlying mechanisms. [source]


    Two mire species respond differently to enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation: effects on biomass allocation and root exudation

    NEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 4 2006
    Riikka Rinnan
    Summary ,,Increased ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation arising from stratospheric ozone depletion may influence soil microbial communities via effects on plant carbon allocation and root exudation. ,,Eriophorum angustifolium and Narthecium ossifragum plants, grown in peatland mesocosms consisting of Sphagnum peat, peat pore water and natural microbial communities, were exposed outdoors to enhanced UV-B radiation simulating 15% ozone depletion in southern Scandinavia for 8 wk. ,,Enhanced UV-B increased rhizome biomass and tended to decrease the biomass of the largest root fraction of N. ossifragum and furthermore decreased dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and monocarboxylic acid concentration, which serves as an estimate of net root exudation, in the pore water of the N. ossifragum mesocosms. Monocarboxylic acid concentration was negatively related to the total carbon concentration of N. ossifragum leaves, which was increased by enhanced UV-B. By contrast, enhanced UV-B tended to increase monocarboxylic acid concentration in the rhizosphere of E. angustifolium and its root : shoot ratio. Microbial biomass carbon was increased by enhanced UV-B in the surface water of the E. angustifolium mesocosms. ,,Increased UV-B radiation appears to alter below-ground biomass of the mire plants in species-specific patterns, which in turn leads to a change in the net efflux of root exudates. [source]


    Evaluation of biocompatibility of a pectin/polyvinyl alcohol composite hydrogel as a new nucleus material

    ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY, Issue 3 2009
    Nv-zhao Yao MD
    Objective:, To evaluate the biocompatibility of a new kind of prosthetic nucleus: a pectin/polyvinyl alcohol composite (CoPP) hydrogel. Methods:, According to Chinese national standard GB/-T16886 documents, the toxicity of the CoPP prosthetic nucleus material was examined by cytotoxicity, sensitization, Ames, mice marrow micronucleus, chromosome aberration test of mammalian cell and implantation tests. Results:, Cell growth was similar in the CoPP culture and control groups. No significant difference was found between the CoPP culture and control groups at each time point (P > 0.05). The cell proliferation rate was greater than 100%. In accordance with the relationship between cytotoxicity to proliferation rate, it was confirmed that the cytotoxicity of CoPP was 0 grade. Mice had no allergic reaction when injected with an extract of CoPP. A reverse mutation test with Salmonella typhimurium showed that no significant effect on the number of histidine revertants of TA97, TA98, TA100 and TA102 strains after CoPP was added. The micronucleus rate in bone marrow cells was less than 5%; there was no significant difference compared with the negative control group (P > 0.05). The rate of chromosome aberration was less than 5%; no significant difference was found between the CoPP culture and the control groups. All experimental animal wounds achieved primary healing without exudation, infection or sinus formation. On macroscopic observation, no abscess or hematoma formed at the implantation site. Conclusion:, The CoPP prosthetic nucleus has good biocompatibility and can potentially be used as an implant material. [source]


    Steroid-sensitive indices of airway inflammation in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis

    PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2003
    Peter Meyer
    Previous studies involving adults have demonstrated that airway glucocorticosteroids inhibit plasma exudation and eosinophil activity in allergic rhinitis. This study explores the possibility that plasma exudation, exudative responsiveness, and the occurrence of eosinophil activity-related proteins are glucocorticosteroid-sensitive nasal mucosal indices in allergic children. Using a placebo-controlled, parallel-group design effects of nasal budesonide (64 µg per nasal cavity b.i.d) were determined in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Nasal lavage fluid levels of eotaxin, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and ,2 -macroglobulin, indicating plasma exudation, were determined, the latter with and without challenge with topical histamine. Nasal lavage fluid levels of ,2 -macroglobulin and ECP increased significantly during the pollen season, and the acute plasma exudation response to histamine was significantly greater during than outside the season. There was a trend towards a seasonal increase in nasal lavage fluid levels of eotaxin. Budesonide significantly inhibited the seasonal increase in ,2 -macroglobulin as well as the exudative hyperresponsiveness to histamine. Any tendency of increases in mucosal output of eotaxin and ECP was abolished by the glucocorticosteroid treatment. We conclude that mucosal exudation of plasma, as a global sign of active inflammatory processes, is a glucocorticosteroid-sensitive facet of allergic rhinitis in children. Exudative hyperresponsiveness, potentially caused by several weeks of mucosal inflammation, emerges as a significant feature of allergic rhinitis in children, and its development is prevented by local treatment with a glucocorticosteroid drug. The seasonal increase in ECP and the trend for an increase in eotaxin were absent in the glucocorticosteroid-treated subjects. [source]


    Allelopathy in crop/weed interactions , an update

    PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 4 2007
    Regina G Belz
    Abstract Since varietal differences in allelopathy of crops against weeds were discovered in the 1970s, much research has documented the potential that allelopathic crops offer for integrated weed management with substantially reduced herbicide rates. Research groups worldwide have identified several crop species possessing potent allelopathic interference mediated by root exudation of allelochemicals. Rice, wheat, barley and sorghum have attracted most attention. Past research focused on germplasm screening for elite allelopathic cultivars and the identification of the allelochemicals involved. Based on this, traditional breeding efforts were initiated in rice and wheat to breed agronomically acceptable, weed-suppressive cultivars with improved allelopathic interference. Promising suppressive crosses are under investigation. Molecular approaches have elucidated the genetics of allelopathy by QTL mapping which associated the trait in rice and wheat with several chromosomes and suggested the involvement of several allelochemicals. Potentially important compounds that are constitutively secreted from roots have been identified in all crop species under investigation. Biosynthesis and exudation of these metabolites follow a distinct temporal pattern and can be induced by biotic and abiotic factors. The current state of knowledge suggests that allelopathy involves fluctuating mixtures of allelochemicals and their metabolites as regulated by genotype and developmental stage of the producing plant, environment, cultivation and signalling effects, as well as the chemical or microbial turnover of compounds in the rhizosphere. Functional genomics is being applied to identify genes involved in biosynthesis of several identified allelochemicals, providing the potential to improve allelopathy by molecular breeding. The dynamics of crop allelopathy, inducible processes and plant signalling is gaining growing attention; however, future research should also consider allelochemical release mechanisms, persistence, selectivity and modes of action, as well as consequences of improved crop allelopathy on plant physiology, the environment and management strategies. Creation of weed-suppressive cultivars with improved allelopathic interference is still a challenge, but traditional breeding or biotechnology should pave the way. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Crops and genotypes differ in efficiency of potassium uptake and use

    PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, Issue 4 2008
    Zed Rengel
    Cultivars with increased efficiency of uptake and utilization of soil nutrients are likely to have positive environmental effects through reduced usage of chemicals in agriculture. This review assesses the available literature on differential uptake and utilization efficiency of K in farming systems. Large areas of agricultural land in the world are deficient in K (e.g. 3/4 of paddy soils in China, 2/3 of the wheatbelt in Southern Australia), with export in agricultural produce (especially hay) and leaching (especially in sandy soils) contributing to lowering of K content in the soil. The capacity of a genotype to grow and yield well in soils low in available K is K efficiency. Genotypic differences in efficiency of K uptake and utilization have been reported for all major economically important plants. The K-efficient phenotype is a complex one comprising a mixture of uptake and utilization efficiency mechanisms. Differential exudation of organic compounds to facilitate release of non-exchangeable K is one of the mechanisms of differential K uptake efficiency. Genotypes efficient in K uptake may have a larger surface area of contact between roots and soil and increased uptake at the root,soil interface to maintain a larger diffusive gradient towards roots. Better translocation of K into different organs, greater capacity to maintain cytosolic K+ concentration within optimal ranges and increased capacity to substitute Na+ for K+ are the main mechanisms underlying K utilization efficiency. Further breeding for increased K efficiency will be dependent on identification of suitable markers and compounding of efficiency mechanisms into locally adapted germplasm. [source]


    Effect of boron on the expression of aluminium toxicity in Phaseolus vulgaris

    PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, Issue 2 2007
    Angelika Stass
    The interaction of boron (B) and aluminium (Al) was investigated in 5-day-old seedlings of soybean cv. Maple Arrow. Al treatment inhibited root elongation and callose formation in root tips particularly after 4-h Al treatment. After 10 and 24 h, both parameters indicated increasing recovery from Al stress. B deficiency aggravated Al toxicity compared with B sufficiency. B deficiency did lead to an increase in unmethylated pectin in the first 3 mm of the root tip. This increase in potential binding sites is reflected in generally higher Al contents in root tips of B-deficient plants. A fractionated extraction of Al from the root tips showed that citrate-exchangeable and non-exchangeable Al steeply increased up to 4 h, but then decreased after 10- and 24-h Al treatment faster in B-sufficient than in B-deficient plants. This decrease of Al contents can be explained by an Al-enhanced release of citrate from the root tips after 10-h Al treatment. However, the citrate exudation rate was the same (after 10 h) or even lower (after 24 h) in B-sufficient plants and thus cannot explain the faster decrease in Al contents of the root tips compared with the B-deficient plants. We, therefore, propose that under B deficiency, Al is more strongly bound by the pectic network of the cell wall of the root tips, which delays or prevents the recovery from initial Al stress through exudation of citrate, and thus explains the greater Al sensitivity of B-deficient common bean roots. [source]


    Physiological girdling of pine trees via phloem chilling: proof of concept

    PLANT CELL & ENVIRONMENT, Issue 1 2007
    KURT JOHNSEN
    ABSTRACT Quantifying below-ground carbon (C) allocation is particularly difficult as methods usually disturb the root,mycorrhizal,soil continuum. We reduced C allocation below ground of loblolly pine trees by: (1) physically girdling trees and (2) physiologically girdling pine trees by chilling the phloem. Chilling reduced cambium temperatures by approximately 18 °C. Both methods rapidly reduced soil CO2 efflux, and after approximately 10 days decreased net photosynthesis (Pn), the latter indicating feedback inhibition. Chilling decreased soil-soluble C, indicating that decreased soil CO2 efflux may have been mediated by a decrease in root C exudation that was rapidly respired by microbes. These effects were only observed in late summer/early autumn when above-ground growth was minimal, and not in the spring when above-ground growth was rapid. All of the effects were rapidly reversed when chilling was ceased. In fertilized plots, both chilling and physical girdling methods reduced soil CO2 efflux by approximately 8%. Physical girdling reduced soil CO2 efflux by 26% in non-fertilized plots. This work demonstrates that phloem chilling provides a non-destructive alternative to reducing the movement of recent photosynthate below the point of chilling to estimate C allocation below ground on large trees. [source]


    Physiological changes in white lupin associated with variation in root-zone CO2 concentration and cluster-root P mobilization

    PLANT CELL & ENVIRONMENT, Issue 10 2005
    M. D. CRAMER
    ABSTRACT White lupin (Lupinus albus L.) mobilizes insoluble soil phosphorus through exudation of organic acids from ,cluster' roots. Organic acid synthesis requires anaplerotic carbon derived from dark CO2 fixation involving PEP-carboxylase. We tested the hypothesis that variation in root-zone CO2 concentration would influence organic acid synthesis and thus P mobilization. Root-zone CO2 concentrations and soil FePO4 concentrations supplied to sand-grown white lupin (cv. Kiev Mutant) were varied. More biomass accumulated in plants supplied with 360 µL L,1 CO2 to the root-zone, compared with those aerated with either 100 or 6000 µL L,1 CO2. Increased FePO4 in the sand resulted in greater leaf P concentrations, but root-zone [CO2] did not influence leaf P concentration. Suppression of cluster-root development in plants supplied with 100 µL L,1 root-zone CO2 was correlated with increased leaf [P]. However, at both 360 and 6000 µL L,1 CO2, cluster-root development was suppressed only at the highest leaf P concentration. Phloem sap [P] was significantly increased by greater [FePO4] in the sand, but was reduced with increased root-zone [CO2], and this may have triggered increased cluster-root initiation. Succinate was the major organic acid (carboxylate) in the phloem sap (minor components included malate, citrate, fumarate) and was increased at greater [FePO4], suggesting that this shoot-derived carboxylate might provide an important source of organic acids for root metabolism. Since cluster root development was inhibited by increasing concentrations of FePO4 in the sand, it is possible that succinate was utilized for the functioning of the root-nodules. [source]


    Interactions between atmospheric CO2 concentration and phosphorus nutrition on the formation of proteoid roots in white lupin (Lupinus albus L.)

    PLANT CELL & ENVIRONMENT, Issue 8 2002
    C. D. Campbell
    Abstract Atmospheric [CO2] affects photosynthesis and therefore should affect the supply of carbon to roots. To evaluate interactions between carbon supply and nutrient acquisition, the [CO2] effects on root growth, proteoid root formation and phosphorus (P) uptake capacity were studied in white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) grown hydroponically at 200, 410 and 750 µmol mol,1 CO2, under sufficient (0·25 mm P) and deficient (0·69 µm P) phosphorus. Plant size increased with increasing [CO2] only at high P. Both P deficiency and increasing [CO2] increased the production of proteoid clusters; the increase in response to increased [CO2] was proportionally greater from low to ambient [CO2] than from ambient to high. The activity of phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase in the proteoid root, the exudation of organic acids from the roots, and the specific uptake of P increased with P deficiency, but were unaffected by [CO2]. Increasing [CO2] from Pleistocene levels to those predicted for the next century increased plant size and allocation to proteoid roots, but did not change the specific P uptake capacity per unit root mass. Hence, rising [CO2] should promote nutrient uptake by allowing lupins to mine greater volumes of soil. [source]


    Phytophthora pinifolia sp. nov. associated with a serious needle disease of Pinus radiata in Chile

    PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2008
    A. Durán
    During the course of the past three years, a new disease of Pinus radiata, referred to as ,Daño Foliar del Pino' (DFP) has appeared in the Arauco province of Chile and subsequently spread to other areas. The disease is typified by needle infections, exudation of resin at the bases of the needle brachyblasts and, in younger trees, necrotic lesions in the cambium, which eventually girdle the branches. The disease causes the death of young seedlings and mature trees can also succumb after a few years of successive infection, probably hastened by opportunistic fungi such as Diplodia pinea. Isolations on selective medium for Phytophthora spp. led to the consistent isolation of a Phytophthora sp. from needle tissue. DNA sequence comparisons for the ITS rDNA and cox II gene regions, and morphological observation showed that this oomycete represents a previously undescribed species for which the name Phytophthora pinifolia sp. nov. is provided. This new species is characterized by unbranched sporangiophores, and non-papillate, sub-globose to ovoid sporangia that are occasionally free from the sporangiophore with medium length pedicels. Despite using a number of oospore inducing techniques, oogonia/antheridia were not observed in isolates of P. pinifolia. Pathogenicity trials with P. pinifolia showed that it is pathogenic to P. radiata and causes rapid death of the succulent apical parts of young plants. Phytophthora pinifolia is the first Phytophthora known to be associated with needles and shoots of a Pinus sp. and its aerial habit is well matched with the occurrence and symptoms of DFP in Chile. [source]


    Humic acids crossinteractions with root and organic acids

    ANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
    L.P. Canellas
    Abstract The apparent high molecular mass of humic acids (HAs) hardly seems compatible with their direct effects in plant physiology. However, previous evidence has indicated that HAs are non-covalent associations of relatively small molecules, which can be broken down by the action of organic acids. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of organic acids on the structure of HAs by spectroscopy and on their bioactivity by following the responses of maize root growth. Changes in the exudation of organic acids from maize seedlings treated with HAs at 50 mg C L,1 were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results are in agreement with the concept that HAs are chemical aggregates that acquire characteristics typical of low-molecular-mass humic substances when exposed to organic acids exuded by the roots. Maize seedlings grown in solutions supplemented with HAs plus citric acid at 0.0005, 0.005 and 0.05 mM exhibited significant changes in their root area, primary root length, number of lateral roots and lateral root density and increases in plasma membrane H+ -ATPase activity. Furthermore, the root exudation profile of plants treated with HAs exhibited an increase in the efflux of oxalic and citric acids, with a concurrent decrease in malic and succinic acids. These data reveal a crosstalk between HAs and plants where the exudation of organic acids from the roots influences and is influenced by bioactive molecules released from HAs during root development. [source]