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P Content (p + content)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Earth and Environmental Science	44%
Life Sciences	41%
Chemistry	10%

Selected Abstracts

Toxicity of arsenic species to Lemna gibba L. and the influence of phosphate on arsenic bioavailability

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 1 2004
Martin Mkandawire
Abstract The toxicity of arsenic (As) species to Lemna gibba L. and the influence of PO on As bioavailability and uptake were tested in batch culture. L. gibba were exposed to six test concentrations of NaHAsO4 · 7H2O and NaAsO3, with 0, 0.0136, 13.6, and 40 mg L,1 KH2PO4. In batch culture As toxicity to L. gibba did not relate linearly to As concentration. The growth rate, related to frond number as recommended by OECD and ISO/DIN, was significantly inhibited in fronds exposed to 20,50 ,g L,1 As(III) compared with fronds exposed to As(V). The growth rate was stimulated when plants were exposed to 50,250 ,g L,1 of both As(III) and As(V). After exposure to 300,800 ,g L,1 growth inhibition was significantly higher for As(III) than for As(V), whereas above 800 ,g L,1 As(V) was inhibited the most. The bioaccumulation of As(III) and As(V) was significantly higher for P-deficient cultures (0.98 ± 0.08 and 1.02 ± 0.19 g kg,1, respectively for 0.0136 mg L,1 PO) than for P-sufficient cultures (243 and 343 mg kg,1 for 40 mg L,1, respectively). Plants exposed to As(V) had uptake and accumulation values slightly higher than did plants exposed to As(III). No significant differences in bioaccumulation were found between plants exposed to a concentration of As(III) >1 mg L,1 and those exposed to As(V) at the same concentration. This indicates a direct relationship to P content in the culture. Toxicity may result from the uptake of As(V) instead of PO as a result of ion competition during uptake because of close thermodynamic properties, which may change the interaction among components in the media. The toxicity pattern is interpreted as a manifestation of changing speciation in the batch culture and of the oxidation of As(III) to As(V) in an oxygen-rich environment. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 19: 26,34, 2004. [source]

Influence of former agricultural land use on net nitrate production in forest soils

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 3 2002
J. H. Jussy
Summary Except where nitrate is added to the soil artificially, nitrate is leached from forest soils only if it is produced. Although the factors influencing nitrification have been widely studied, nitrification activity still cannot be simply predicted from ecosystem characteristics. In France, about half of the present forest area was agricultural in 1850. Previous work suggested that former cultivation could be a major factor influencing nitrogen availability in forest soils. Using laboratory incubations, we compared the net production of ammonium and nitrate in soils from formerly manured lands planted with conifers 70,100 years ago with that in soils of surrounding ancient coniferous forests. Net nitrate production, available P content, and natural abundance of nitrogen 15, ,15N, were greater in soils from formerly manured plots than other land, whereas the C:N ratio of the soil was less. The difference in net nitrate production between previously manured sites and adjacent ancient forests was related to differences in ,15N values in the soil but not evidently to other soil properties. Because soil ,15N increases with the intensity of organic manuring, these results suggest that nitrification in forest soils depends on previous manurial practices under agriculture. In this context, the soil ,15N might be used as an indicator of both previous agricultural land use and potential nitrification. Because a significant proportion of West European forests grow on previously cultivated soils, past land use should be taken into account when evaluating the risks of nitrate leaching from forests. [source]

Phosphorus-limited growth dynamics in two Baltic Sea cyanobacteria, Nodularia sp. and Aphanizomenon sp.

FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2006
Jenny Degerholm
Abstract Rates of carbon (C) specific growth and nitrogen (N2) fixation were monitored in cultures of Baltic Sea Nodularia and Aphanizomenon exposed to gradual limitation by inorganic phosphorus (P). Both cyanobacteria responded by decreased cellular P content followed by lowered rates of growth and N2 fixation. C-specific growth and cellular N content changed faster in Aphanizomenon both when inorganic P was lowered as well as during reintroduction of P. Aphanizomenon also showed a more rapid increase in N-specific N2 fixation associated with increased C-specific growth. When ambient concentrations of inorganic P declined, both cyanobacteria displayed higher rates of alkaline phosphatase (APase) activity. Lower substrate half-saturation constants (KM) and higher Vmax : KM ratio of the APase enzyme associated with Nodularia suggest a higher affinity for dissolved organic P (DOP) substrate than Aphanizomenon. Aphanizomenon, which appears more sensitive to changes in ambient dissolved inorganic P, may be adapted to environments with elevated concentrations of P or repeated intrusions of nutrient-rich water. Nodularia on the other hand, with its higher tolerance to increased P starvation may have an ecological advantage in stratified surface waters of the Baltic Sea during periods of low P availability. [source]

Calcium balance in Daphnia grown on diets differing in food quantity, phosphorus and calcium

FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 11 2009
XUE-JIA HE
Summary 1.,The influences of dietary phosphorus (P) and food concentration on the calcium (Ca) balance in Daphnia magna were examined in this study at two different ambient Ca concentrations (0.5 and 10 mg Ca L,1). Daphnia were grown by feeding the young adults differentially under contrasting dietary P conditions [molar C : P ratio = c. 900 and c. 90 as low P (LP) and high P (HP), respectively], ambient Ca concentrations [0.5 mg and 10 mg Ca L,1 as low Ca (LCa) or high Ca (HCa), respectively] and food levels [0.15 or 1.5 mg C L,1 as low food (LF) or high food (HF), respectively] for 5 days. 2.,The specific Ca contents of daphniids (1.9,6.5% of dry weight,1) increased with increasing Ca concentration, food level and dietary P content, although the food level did not affect the Ca content in the HPHCa treatment. A radioactive tracer method showed that the food level did not affect the influx of Ca from the water under LP conditions, but the Ca influx under HP conditions doubled with a HF level. A LP condition also led to a decrease in Ca influx with a HF level. 3.,During the 3 days of efflux, generally only a small proportion of Ca (2.6,3.3%) was retained by the daphniids, but this retention increased (14,23%) under low ambient Ca concentrations and under P-limitation. Excretion was the most important pathway for Ca loss (accounting for 50,60% of body Ca), followed by moulting (20,47%), but the relative contribution of these two pathways (excretion and moulting) did not vary among all the different treatments. The absolute loss of Ca through excretion and moulting, on the contrary, differed with different ambient Ca concentrations and dietary P conditions. A HF level led to an increase in the loss rates in most cases. 4.,Our study strongly suggested that there is an interaction between an essential metal (Ca) and macronutrients (C and P) in freshwater crustaceans with HCa and P contents. The results imply that variation in environmental nutrient conditions may change the Ca budget in crustaceans and may affect the dynamics of Ca in the epilimnion of freshwaters. [source]

Food quality for Daphnia in humic and clear water lakes

FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
KELLY GUTSEIT
Summary 1. Growth and reproduction of Daphnia fed lake seston were measured in two categories of meso- to eutrophic lakes differing with respect to terrestrial organic matter influence (humic and clear water lakes). The content of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), P and N, as well as the taxonomical composition of seston were analysed. 2. Seston HUFA and C : P ratios were similar between lake categories, whereas C : N ratios were lower in the clear water lakes in both spring and summer. Despite the similarity in HUFA and P content of seston, Daphnia growth rate, clutch size and the proportion of gravid females were, respectively, about 1.5, 3 and 6 times higher in the clear water lakes. 3. Differences in growth and reproduction were related to a combination of higher N content and good fatty acid quality of the seston in the clear water lakes. Relatively high biomass of edible algae, such as Rhodomonas sp. and Cryptomonas sp., in the clear water lakes, and differences in water pH likely contributed to the observed differences in Daphnia growth and reproduction between lake categories. Additionally, it is possible that Daphnia was energy limited in the humic lakes despite high particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations, as the contribution of non-algal and detrital C to the POC pool was high. 4. Our results suggest that dietary HUFA content has the potential to improve herbivore growth and reproduction if N and P are not limiting. N merits more attention in studies of zooplankton nutrition. [source]

Preparation of phosphorus and carbohydrate microcapsules for manipulating dietary C : P ratio for aquatic suspension-feeders

FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2003
Daniel A. Kreeger
SUMMARY 1.,Dietary phosphorus can be limiting for aquatic animals such as suspension-feeders. However, our understanding has been limited by the difficulty of manipulating dietary P without altering other aspects of food quality. We microencapsulated various forms of bioavailable P with carbohydrate to manipulate dietary C : P ratio for suspension-feeders. 2.,Calcium phosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate and tetrasodium pyrophosphate were each mixed with a concentrated solution of a carbohydrate base (either maltodextrin or potato starch) and microencapsulated using an interfacial polymerisation technique. Each of the 10 types of capsules produced had a particle size ideal for suspension-feeders (3,10 ,m). 3.,Leakage rates were low (<12% of capsule weight per day). Relative enzymatic breakdown in vitro by carbohydrases (amylase or cellulase) was similar among the 10 capsule types and was always at least 15 times the comparable leakage rate. 4.,Release of dissolved P from enzyme-treated capsules varied depending on capsule P content. Liberation of P from capsules prepared from 20% w/w sodium hexametaphosphate in maltodextrin (molar C : P = 1.8) was three times greater than all other types, and this combination appears most suitable as a dietary supplement for zooplankton. 5.,Although P content and capsule integrity were greatly influenced by choice of carbohydrate, choice of P compound, and the mixing ratio of the two, P-rich artificial microparticles can be produced that have low leakiness, high digestibility, and a physical size suitable for aquatic suspension-feeders. Therefore, microcapsules represent promising tools for manipulating dietary C : P for suspension feeders. [source]

Drought changes phosphorus and potassium accumulation patterns in an evergreen Mediterranean forest

FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
J. SARDANS
Summary 1Climate models predict more extreme weather in Mediterranean ecosystems, with more frequent drought periods and torrential rainfall. These expected changes may affect major process in ecosystems such as mineral cycling. However, there is a lack of experimental data regarding the effects of prolonged drought on nutrient cycling and content in Mediterranean ecosystems. 2A 6-year drought manipulation experiment was conducted in a Quercus ilex Mediterranean forest. The aim was to investigate the effects of drought conditions expected to occur over the coming decades, on the contents and concentrations of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in stand biomass, and P and K content and availability in soils. 3Drought (an average reduction of 15% in soil moisture) increased P leaf concentration by 18·2% and reduced P wood and root concentrations (30·9% and 39·8%, respectively) in the dominant tree species Quercus ilex, suggesting a process of mobilization of P from wood towards leaves. The decrease in P wood concentrations in Quercus ilex, together with a decrease in forest biomass growth, led to an overall decrease (by approximately one-third) of the total P content in above-ground biomass. In control plots, the total P content in the above-ground biomass increased 54 kg ha,1 from 1999 to 2005, whereas in drought plots there was no increase in P levels in above-ground biomass. Drought had no effects on either K above-ground contents or concentrations. 4Drought increased total soil soluble P by increasing soil soluble organic P, which is the soil soluble P not directly available to plant capture. Drought reduced the ratio of soil soluble inorganic P : soil soluble organic P by 50% showing a decrease of inorganic P release from P bound to organic matter. Drought increased by 10% the total K content in the soil, but reduced the soil soluble K by 20·4%. 5Drought led to diminished plant uptake of mineral nutrients and to greater recalcitrance of minerals in soil. This will lead to a reduction in P and K in the ecosystem, due to losses in P and K through leaching and erosion, if the heavy rainfalls predicted by IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) models occur. As P is currently a limiting factor in many Mediterranean terrestrial ecosystems, and given that P and K are necessary for high water-use efficiency and stomata control, the negative effects of drought on P and K content in the ecosystem may well have additional indirect negative effects on plant fitness. [source]

Stoichiometric impacts of increased carbon dioxide on a planktonic herbivore

GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2003
JOTARO URABE
Abstract The partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) in lake ecosystems varies over four orders of magnitude and is affected by local and global environmental perturbations associated with both natural and anthropogenic processes. Little is known, however, about how changes in pCO2 extend into the function and structure of food webs in freshwater ecosystems. To fill this gap, we performed laboratory experiments using the ecologically important planktonic herbivore Daphnia and its algal prey under a natural range of pCO2 with low light and phosphorus supplies. The experiment showed that increased pCO2 stimulated algal growth but reduced algal P : C ratio. When feeding on algae grown under high pCO2, herbivore growth decreased regardless of algal abundance. Thus, high CO2 -raised algae were poor food for Daphnia. Short-term experimental supplementation of PO4 raised the P content of the high CO2 -raised algae and improved Daphnia growth, indicating that low Daphnia growth rates under high pCO2 conditions were due to lowered P content in the algal food. These results suggest that, in freshwater ecosystems with low nutrient supplies, natural processes as well as anthropogenic perturbations resulting in increased pCO2 enhance algal production but reduce energy and mass transfer efficiency to herbivores by decreasing algal nutritional quality. [source]

Neotyphodium endophyte infection affects the performance of tall fescue in temperate region Andisols

GRASSLAND SCIENCE, Issue 1 2006
M. Hasinur Rahman
Abstract A pot experiment was conducted for 75 days to observe the effect of Neotyphodium coenophialum endophyte on three tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) ecotypes grown in two Andisols viz. Black Andisol and Red Andisol. Black Andisol with a naturally low content of P was high in other nutrients such as N, K, while Red Andisol, with a naturally high content of P, was low in other nutrients. Tiller number, plant height, chlorophyll content, shoot dry weight and agronomic efficiency of water use (WUEag) showed higher values in endophyte-infected (E+) plants than noninfected (E,) plants. Plants growing in Black Andisol performed better than those in Red Andisol. Among the three tall fescue ecotypes, one of them (ecotype Showa) had the best performance regardless of soils and endophyte infection. When considering the effect of endophyte infection in different soil conditions, higher WUEag was observed in endophyte-infected plants grown in Black Andisol. Endophyte infection significantly enhanced all plant parameters in Black Andisol but they were reduced in Red Andisol. Our results indicate that infected plants grew better in soil that was naturally low in P whereas uninfected plants had increased vegetative growth in soil that was naturally high in P. In nutrient poor soil with comparatively high P content (Red Andisol) the cost of endophyte infection may override its benefit. The presence of endophyte had a variable impact on plant performance and the effect of endophyte varied with ecotype of grass it infected into. [source]

Tetrakis(trimethysilyl)hypophosphate P2O2(OTMS)4: Synthesis, reactivity and application as flame retardant

HETEROATOM CHEMISTRY, Issue 7 2007
Catherine Ruflin
The preparation of tetrakis(trimethy- silyl)hypophosphate, P2O2(OTMS)4 (TMS = SiMe3), which is easily obtained from cheap starting materials, is reported. Reaction with protic substrates (H2O, alcohols) proceeds under stepwise cleavage of silylethers, ROTMS, and formation of hypophosphoric acid, P2O2(OH)4. Amines in the presence of molecular sieves lead to desilylation and formation of ammonium salts of the [P2O2(OTMS)2(O,)2] dianion. On cotton fabrics, P2O2(OTMS)4 hydrolyzes to give P2O2(OH)4 within about 1 h when exposed to air, and this compound acts as an efficient flame retardant (limiting oxygen index >26%) even at low loadings (P content <3%). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 18:721,731, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20373 [source]

Response of Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) to Phosphorus Application

JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE, Issue 3 2000
M. M. A. Khan
A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of phosphorus (P) on the vegetative and reproductive growth of black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.). Single superphosphate was applied at 0, 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, 0.60 and 0.75 g P/pot containing 3.5 kg of soil. Seeds were sown directly in pots and plant samples were taken at fortnightly intervals for recording growth and yield parameters. In addition, the solasodine content in fruit and N, P and K levels in leaves were also estimated. Most parameters were significantly influenced by P, with0.45 g/pot generally proving optimal. The data also established that the berries should be harvested between 160 and 190 days (days after sowing), preferably at 175 days for maximum fruit yield and solasodine production. Most parameters showed consistent and positive correlations with leaf P content. Interestingly, the correlation between leaf P content at 40 days and solasodine yield at 175 days was highly significant (r = 0.888), implying that the former is predictive of the latter. Thus, if low leaf P content was noted at 40 days corrective measures like foliar application or top dressing may be adopted to increase the leaf P content to ensure maximum solasodine at harvest. Zusammenfassung Es wurde ein Gefäßexperiment mit Nachtschatten (Solanum nigrum L.) durchgeführt, um den Einfluß von Phosphor (P) auf das vegetative und reproduktive Wachstum zu untersuchen. Einfach-Superphosphat wurde mit Mengen von 0, 0,15, 0,30, 0,45, 0,60 und 0,75 gP/Gefäß mit 3,5 kg Boden angewendet. Die Samen wurden direkt in die Gefäße ausgesät und die Pflanzenproben wurden 14-tägig für Untersuchungen hinsichtlich Wachstum und Ertragsparameter genommen. Zusätzlich wurde der Solasodine-Gehalt in der Frucht sowie N, P und K in den Blättern bestimmt. Die meisten Parameter waren sig-nifikant beeinflußt durch P, wobei sich 0,45 g/Gefäß als optimal erwies. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß die Beeren 160,190 d (Tage nach der Aussaat), am günstigsten 175 Tage, für maximalen Fruchtertrag und Solasodine-Produktion zu ernten sind. Die meisten Parameter zeigten konsistente und positive Korrelationen mit dem Blatt-P-Gehalt. Es ist interessant, daß die Korrelation zwischen Blatt-P-Gehalt nach 40 Tagen sowie Solasodine-Ertrag nach 175 Tagen hochsignifikant war (r = 0,888), was für eine Zeitvoraussage genutzt werden kann. Es erscheint daher möglich, falls geringer Blatt-P-Gehalt nach 40 Tagen festgestellt wird, Blattanwendungen oder Düngungen zur Erhöhung des Blatt-P-Gehaltes vorzunehmen, um ein Maximum an Solasodine zur Ernte zu erreichen. [source]

Effect of an organic acid blend and phytase added to a rapeseed cake-containing diet on performance, intestinal morphology, caecal microflora activity and thyroid status of broiler chickens

JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 1 2010
S. Smulikowska
Summary The experiment was carried out on 96 female broilers, allocated to eight groups of 12 birds kept in individual cages. Two basal wheat- and soyabean meal-based diets containing 150 g/kg of rapeseed expeller cake were formulated, differing in the level of P: 7.1 g/kg in diet H or 5.9 g/kg in diet L. Rapeseed cake supplied 3.15 ,mol alkenyl glucosinolates per gram of diet. The eight treatments were: basal diets only, basal diets + phytase (1000 U/kg), basal diets + organic acid blend (OA, 6 g/kg), or basal diets + both additives. Diets were fed from day 8 to 28 of life. The results showed that the lower dietary P content and OA supplementation did not significantly affect feed intake or BWG, while both increased (p < 0.001) after phytase supplementation. Tibia ash content as well as tibia ultimate strength were lower (p < 0.001) in birds fed diets L compared with diets H, and increased (p < 0.01) with phytase supplementation of diet L, while OA had no influence on either parameter. Dietary P levels and OA supplementation had no influence on the pH of gut digesta, but the pH of jejunal digesta increased following phytase supplementation (p < 0.01). Morphological measurements of the small intestinal mucosa of chicks indicated that OA added to diet L depressed villi height (p < 0.001) and crypt depth (p < 0.001); both parameters increased after phytase supplementation (p < 0.01). The lower total SCFA as well as acetic, propionic and butyric acid concentrations in caecal digesta indicated lower activity of caecal microflora in birds fed diets L compared with H. OA supplementation had no influence, while phytase supplementation increased the concentration of acetic acid in caecal digesta. Supplementation of diets with either phytase or OA increased thyroid weight by 16% (p < 0.01) and 11% (p < 0.05) respectively. The increase in thyroid weight because of phytase supplementation was greater at the lower dietary P level, and the greatest when both phytase and OA were added to the diet. [source]

Influence of different phosphorus levels and phytase supplementation in gestation diets on sow performance

JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 7-8 2007
K. Lyberg
Summary A total of 104 sows of different parities were studied. They were fed four diets with different phosphorus (P) levels during gestation for two reproductive cycles, while the same diet was fed during lactation. The aim was to decrease the total P level in the diet during gestation and to evaluate the effect on sow performance. The gestation treatments were low P (LP,; 3.7 g P/kg feed), low P with phytase (LP+, Ronozyme® P; 765 FTU/kg feed), medium P (MP; 4.5 g P/kg feed) and high P (HP; 6.0 g P/kg feed). Daily feed allowances were 2.6 kg during gestation and 9.2 kg during lactation. Number of born piglets and piglet mortality were higher (p < 0.05) in the LP treatments than in the MP and HP treatments. No difference (p > 0.05) in the numbers of live-born piglets, piglet birthweights, sow weights or piglet weight gains was found between the treatments. Phosphorus level in sow milk was the highest (p < 0.05) in the MP treatment, while no effects (p > 0.05) of treatment were found on milk Ca levels, P and Ca levels in serum of sows and piglets, nor on the analysed mineral, fat and protein contents of piglets. The estimated average requirement of P for the entire gestation period was 4.4,4.5 g/day. In conclusion, a reduction of dietary total P content during gestation did not result in negative effects on sow or piglet performance. This suggests that it should be possible to lower the dietary P content for gestating sows, compared with earlier recommendations, and thereby reduce the environmental P pollution. [source]

Effect of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus mosseae, and a rock-phosphate-solubilizing fungus, Penicillium thomii, on Mentha piperita growth in a soilless medium

JOURNAL OF BASIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005
Marta Cabello Dr.
Rock phosphate effect on English mint (Mentha piperitaL.) grown on steamed perlite:vermiculite (1:1, v:v) substrate, with and without rock phosphate, was evaluated in greenhouse experiments. Five treatments were carried out by inoculation with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae and a phosphorus solubilizing microorganism Penicillium thomii. Plant aerial biomass, phosphorus concentration in plant tissue, and P available in the substrate, were evaluated upon two harvests. After the first harvest, plant aerial biomass did not show significant differences between treatments using rock phosphate as fertilizer, although P content in plants inoculated with P. thomii was higher. The second harvest revealed a higher biomass and plant tissue P content in treatments inoculated with G. mosseae. P. thomii increased P available in the substrate, whereas in the absence of G. mosseae, it did not enhance plant tissue P content. Mycorrhizal colonization was not affected by P. thomii. Microbial inoculation effect on English mint growth was also evaluated. The microbial effect was positive in all treatments when compared with the control without rock phosphate. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]

Level of trace elements in Pteridophytes growing on serpentine and metalliferous soils

JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007
Laura Cornara
Abstract A screening of Pteridophytes growing on serpentine and metalliferous soils in Northern Italy was carried out to assess the ability of these plants to tolerate or accumulate trace elements of toxicological interest. Few data are available on metal tolerance/accumulation of terrestrial ferns growing in the Mediterranean region, and several species presented here have never been investigated for this purpose. The trace-element composition (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn) and P content of aerial parts of plants (12 fern and 2 horsetail species) and of their associated soils were measured. An analysis of the relationship between element concentrations in soil and in shoot revealed a significant correlation only for Zn (p < 0.05). Hierarchical cluster analysis based on element concentrations in plant aerial parts showed two outliers, viz. Equisetum ramosissimum Desf., showing the highest levels of Cr, Fe, Cu, Ni, and As, and Nephrolepis cordifolia C. Presl., showing the highest Pb value. The bioaccumulation factor exceeded 1 only for Cd in two species, Athyrium filix-femina and Dryopteris filix-mas. However, also in these cases the corresponding values of the metal in the shoots were below the thresholds for hyperaccumulators. The examined Pteridophytes seem to have developed their adaptation prevalently through mechanisms of tolerance based on metal exclusion. None of these plant species seem suitable for phytoextraction, but N. cordifolia, Pteridium aquilinum ssp. aquilinum, and E. ramosissimum have potential to be used for stabilization and restoration of soils rich in heavy metals. [source]

Effects of phosphate supply and elevated CO2 on root acid phosphatase activity in Pinus densiflora seedlings

JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2006
Mariko Norisada
Abstract The exudation of root acid phosphatase (APase) is a plant response mechanism to phosphorus (P) deficiency. Under conditions of elevated CO2, P demand increases and possibly further enhances APase activity. We examined the activity of APase in 1-year-old ectomycorrhizal Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. seedlings grown in potted sand in the greenhouse under ambient (400 ,mol mol,1) and elevated (700 ,mol mol,1) CO2 with three modes of P supply: inorganic (NaH2PO4; Pin), organic (inositol hexaphosphate dodecasodium salt; Porg), and no phosphate (P0) for 78 d. Phosphorus limitations decreased P content in leaves and roots with lowest P content in P0 treatments, irrespective of CO2 conditions. However, P limitations decreased plant biomass at elevated CO2 levels, but not at ambient CO2 levels. The content in leaves of nutrients other than P was mostly unaffected by P supply, but decreased under elevated CO2. This observation was attributed to starch accumulation in leaves at elevated CO2, especially in the P0 treatment. The photosynthetic activity (expressed per unit of chlorophyll) was unaffected by P supply, but tended to be less at elevated CO2. There was no increase in root APase activity of Pinus densifolia in response to the P shortage caused by elevated CO2. [source]

Potential role of phosphate buffering capacity of soils in fertilizer management strategies fitted to environmental goals,

JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2003
Phillip Ehlert
Abstract Sorption behavior and buffering of phosphorus (P) are important, both from an agricultural and an environmental point of view. The objectives of this study were to investigate: (1) the kinetics of the transfer of P from soil to soil solution and assessing P buffering capacity of soils (PBC), as a function of soil solution P; (2) the effect of PBC on soil P status fitted to environmental targets for water quality; (3) the effect of PBC on crop response. PBC was derived from the non-linear Q-I curve describing the time-dependent relationship between plant-available reserve of soil P (Q) versus soil solution P (I). The Q-I curve was determined in soil suspension using sorption and isotopic dilution methods for soil samples from French, Swedish, and Dutch field trials. Soils with low PBC values were more sensitive to the loss of P to the environment, required higher critical value in soil solution P to comply with P demand of maize, and had higher change in soil solution P per unit of P budget. In different soils, both the critical soil solution P for maize and the change in soil solution P per unit of P balance varied inversely with PBC. It is concluded that (1) PBC plays a key role in determining the agronomic and environmental threshold levels of available P content in the soils, and (2) PBC is a prerequisite for the development of more environmentally oriented fertilization recommendation systems. Potenzielle Bedeutung der Phosphat-Pufferkapazität des Bodens für umweltgerechte Düngungsstategien Bindungsverhalten und Pufferkapazität des Phosphors (P) im Boden ist wichtig, sowohl aus Sicht der Landwirtschaft als auch des Umweltschutzes. In dieser Untersuchung sollten folgende Probleme untersucht werden: (1) Kinetik des P-Transfers von der Festphase in die Bodenlösung und Abschätzung der P-Pufferkapazität (PBC) als Funktion der P-Konzentration in der Bodenlösung; (2) die Wirkung der PBC auf den Boden-P-Status im Hinblick auf Qualitätsziele für Wasser; (3) Wirkung der PBC auf die P-Aufnahme der Pflanze. Die PBC wurde abgeleitet aus der nichtlinearen Q-I-Kurve, die die zeitabhängige Beziehung zwischen dem Gehalt an pflanzenverfügbarem Boden-P (Q) und der P-Konzentration in der Bodenlösung (I) beschreibt. Die Q-I-Kurve wurde in Bodensupensionen mit Sorptions- und Isotopen-Verdünnungsmethoden an Bodenproben aus Feldversuchen in Frankreich, Schweden und den Niederlanden bestimmt. Böden mit niedriger PBC waren sensitiver für P-Austräge in die Umwelt, erforderten höhere Grenzkonzentrationen in der Bodenlösung zur Bedarfsdeckung bei Mais und zeigten größere Konzentrationsveränderungen in der Bodenlösung je Einheit der P-Bilanz. Die Grenzkonzentrationen in der Bodenlösung zur Bedarfsdeckung bei Mais und Konzentrationsveränderungen in der Bodenlösung je Einheit der P-Bilanz variierten in unterschiedlichen Böden invers mit Variation der PBC. Aus den Untersuchungen folgte, dass (1) die PBC ein Schlüssel-Parameter zur Bestimmung agronomischer und umweltrelevanter Grenzwerte der Gehalte an verfügbarem P im Boden ist und (2) somit eine Voraussetzung für die Entwicklung mehr umweltorientierter Systeme der Düngungsempfehlungen. [source]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in smoked cheese

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 8 2008
Marie Suchanová
Abstract BACKGROUND: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent a group of organic compounds containing two or more aromatic rings. Their control in the human food chain is required due to the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential, exhibited in vertebrates. In the present study, the occurrence of PAHs in 36 cheeses smoked by various processes was investigated. RESULTS: PAH concentrations (sum of 15 US EPA PAHs) found in samples smoked under controlled industrial conditions were at level 0.11 µg kg,1, whereas in ,home-made' cheeses, the PAH content was up to 10 times higher. A similar trend was observed for B[a]P, a marker compound representing carcinogenic PAHs. While its levels in commercial products prepared by controlled smoking technologies were close to the limit of quantification (0.03 µg kg,1); in household samples, the B[a]P content ranged from 0.6 to 0.9 µg kg,1. Significantly higher amounts of PAHs (up to three to six times) were found in surface layers as compared to internal parts of cheese. CONCLUSION: Although smoked cheese is a popular food, only several papers have focused on PAH levels in these products. This paper evaluates the contribution of different smoking technologies to PAH contamination of several cheeses and thus can help in a risk assessment associated with their consumption. Moreover, the study shows the concentration ratios of selected PAHs, from which the type of smoking technology can be indicated. The results obtained in this study also supported the suggestion of the EU Scientific Committee on Food to use benzo[a]pyrene as an indicator of the occurrence of higher-molecular mass PAHs. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source]

Soil chemical quality changes and implications for fertilizer management after 11 years of no-tillage wheat production systems in semiarid Morocco

LAND DEGRADATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2001
R. Mrabet
Abstract A long-term experiment comparing no-till with conventional tillage systems across five rotations was evaluated 11 years after initiation. The objectives of the present paper are (1) to report differences in soil chemical properties (namely soil organic matter, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and pH) that have resulted by converting from conventional to no-till under contrasting cropping systems and (2) to draw tentative conclusions and recommendations on fertility status and fertilizer use and management. Soil in the no-till system had increased surface soil organic C levels relative to conventional tillage regardless of rotation. In addition, depending on the rotation, the N and P content of the soil improved with no-till compared with conventional tillage. In other words, no-till has helped to retain soil organic matter (SOM), conserved more N, and resulted in increased extractable P and exchangeable K concentrations in the upper root-zone. Hence, wheat produced in a no-till system may receive more nutrients from decomposition of SOM and acidification of the seed zone. It is possible that lesser amounts of fertilizer nutrients will be needed because of the greater efficiency of nutrient cycling in no-till systems relative to conventional systems. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

The metallographic cooling rate method revised: Application to iron meteorites and mesosiderites

METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE, Issue 1 2001
W. D. HOPFE
This revision incorporates a better fit to the ,/, + , phase boundary and to the ,/, + , phase boundary particularly below the monotectoid temperature of 400 °C. A reevaluation of the latest diffusivities for the Fe-Ni system as a function of Ni and P content and temperature is made, particularly for kamacite diffusivity below the paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition. The revised simulation model is applied to several iron meteorites and several mesosiderites. For the mesosiderites we obtain a cooling rate of 0.2 °C/Ma, about 10x higher than the most recent measured cooling rates. The cooling rate curves from the current model do not accurately predict the central nickel content of taenite halfwidths smaller than ,10 ,m. This result calls into question the use of conventional kamacite growth models to explain the microstructure of the mesosiderites. Kamacite regions in mesosiderites may have formed by the same process as decomposed duplex plessite in iron meteorites. [source]

Phosphorus requirement of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L) based on growth and mineralization

AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 3 2010
L C Nwanna
Abstract The effect of diets supplemented with varied levels of inorganic phosphorus (P) (NaH2PO4) on the growth, body composition, nutrient digestibility and mineralization in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L) was evaluated to determine the optimum P requirements. The six diets used were DPO, as the basal diet with a total P content of 1.30 g kg,1, and DP1, DP2, DP3, DP4 and DP5, which contained 4.10, 6.70, 11.6, 14.9 and 23.4 g P kg,1 respectively. Weight gain, SGR, apparent digestibility coefficient of organic matter and P, whole body ash, P, Ca and Mg increased significantly with increasing dietary P levels while dry matter (DM), fat and Zn content decreased. Feed conversion ratio was the poorest (P<0.05) in fish fed DPO, suggesting P deficiency. The apparent digestibility coefficient of P was 18% in the DPO-fed group, which increased from 69% in DP1 to 92% in DP5 after P supplementation, revealing lower digestibility of the native P than that in NaH2PO4. Broken-line analyses based on weight gain, P content of fish bones and whole body against total dietary and digestible P (data in brackets) contents showed the optimum P requirement for the growth of common carp to be 6.87 (5.55) g kg,1 DM, and the requirement for optimum mineralization in bones and whole body to be 9.10 (7.62) and 14.7 (13.2) g kg,1. [source]

Calcium balance in Daphnia grown on diets differing in food quantity, phosphorus and calcium

Effects of Fertilizer Phosphorus on Yield Traits of Dekoko (Pisum sativum var. abyssinicum) Under Field Conditions

JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE, Issue 1 2003
A. Yemane
Abstract Cool-season food legumes (CSFLs) are important supplementary protein sources and soil fertility restorers for subsistence farmers in Ethiopia. Yields of CSFLs, however, are limited by low soil fertility, as they are grown in poor soils, often without fertilizer. Dekoko (Pisum sativum var. abyssinicum) is one of the CSFLs cultivated in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. It is highly appreciated by the local people for its taste. This paper reports on the effect of phosphorus (P) on the yield and nutrition value of Dekoko under field conditions, and compares the results with those obtained for Ater (Pisum sativum var. sativum). The experiment was conducted in the 1998 and 1999 growing seasons. Three rates of P equivalent to zero, 30, and 60 kg ha,1 P2O5 were tested. Biomass, leaf area index, branches/plant, pods/m2 and yield responded positively while seeds/pod and seed weight were not significantly affected by P. Tissue P contents in shoots and roots increased with an increase in P application rate, while P in the nodules was not affected. Crude protein (CP) content increased from 24.9 % of dry matter (DM) at P0 to 26.2 % at P2, and from 24.3 % at P0 to 25.2 % at P2, in Dekoko and Ater seeds, respectively, while total sugars decreased with an increase in P application rate. Cysteine in Dekoko and asparagine and threonine in both varieties decreased, while lysine and other amino acids were not significantly affected by P. P improved seed yield and CP content without greatly affecting the amino acid profile of Dekoko, when compared with that of the FAO/WHO (1991, Protein Quality Evaluation. Food and Nutrition, Paper 51. FAO/WHO, Rome) standard pattern of amino acid for children 2,5 years of age. Thus, improving yield through fertilization may help to improve nutritional quality and household food security for subsistence farmers. [source]

Amino Acid, Fatty Acid, and Mineral Profiles of Materials Recovered from Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Processing By-Products Using Isoelectric Solubilization/Precipitation

JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 9 2007
Y.-C. Chen
ABSTRACT:, Protein, lipid, and insolubles (bones, skin, scales, fins, insoluble protein, and more) were recovered from rainbow trout processing by-products by means of isoelectric solubilization/precipitation at basic pH and acidic pH. Isoelectric solubilization/precipitation of the trout processing by-products resulted in the recovery of protein that was higher (P < 0.05) in essential amino acids (EAAs), non-EAAs, and total EAA/total AA ratio when compared to the processing by-products. Basic pH treatments yielded a higher (P < 0.05) content of EAAs than the acidic pH treatments. Nutritional quality of the recovered protein was high based on EAAs meeting the FAO/WHO/UNU recommendations for adults. The presence of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (,-3, ,-6 FAs) and the ,-3/,-6 ratio in the recovered lipids were similar to the trout processing by-products, indicating that the pH treatments had no effect on these FAs. Ca and P contents of the processing by-products exceeded the recommended dietary allowances (RDA), but Fe and Mg did not. Basic pH treatments yielded protein with the lowest (P < 0.05) amount of minerals and the highest (P < 0.05) amount of Ca, P, and Mg in the insolubles when compared to acidic pH. The isoelectric solubilization/precipitation of the processing by-products effectively removed minerals from the recovered protein without removal of the bones, skin, scales, fins, and so on, prior to processing. The results indicated that isoelectric solubilization/precipitation, particularly at basic pH, permitted recovery of high-quality protein and lipids from fish processing by-products for human food uses; also, the recovered insolubles may be used in animal feeds as a source of minerals. [source]

The Cornubian Batholith: an Example of Magmatic Fractionation on a Crustal Scale

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, Issue 3 2006
Bruce W. Chappell
Abstract. The Cornubian Batholith comprises six major and several smaller bodies of S-type granite in southwestern England. These late-Variscan granites comprise two-mica granites, and much less abundant Li-mica granites that are restricted to one of the major bodies (St Austell) and smaller bodies. Some of these intrusive rocks are associated with major Sn mineralization. This paper is concerned with the geochemistry of the two-mica granites, which are felsic, strongly peraluminous, and have a high total alkali content and low Na:K. Rocks with very similar compositions to these granites occur elsewhere, including the Variscan granites of continental Europe, and in southeastern Australia. In detail all of the major plutons of this batholith have distinctive compositions, except for Bodmin Moor and Carnmenellis which cannot be discriminated from each other compositionally. A comparison with experimental data shows that the granites attained their major element composition under conditions of crystal-liquid equilibrium, with the final melt being saturated in H2O, at temperatures close to 770d,C and pressures about 50 MPa. That temperature estimate is in good agreement with values obtained from zircon saturation thermometry. The specific minimum-temperature composition excludes the possibility of widespread transfer of elements during hydrothermal alteration. Minor elements that are relatively very abundant are Li, B, Cs and U, while F, Ga, Ge, Rb, Sn, Ta, W and Tl are quite abundant and P is high for felsic rocks. Sr, Ba, and the trace transition metals Sc to Zn, are low, but not as low as they commonly are in very felsic granites. These trace element abundances, and the EL2O-saturation, resulted from the fractional crystallization of a melt derived by the partial melting of feldspathic greywackes in the crust. The Cornubian granites have compositions very similar to the more felsic rocks of the Koetong Suite of southeastern Australia, where a full range of granites formed at the various stages of magmatic fractionation postulated for the Cornubian granites, can be observed. The operation of fractional crystallization in the Cornubian granites is confirmed by the high P abundances in the feldspars, with P contents of the plagioclase crystals correlating with Ab-con-tent Most of the granites represent solidified melt compositions but within the Dartmoor pluton there is a significant component of granites that are cumulative, shown by their higher Ca contents. The Cornubian plutons define areas of high heat flow, of a magnitude which requires that fractionated magmas were transported laterally from their sources and concentrated in the exposed plutons. The generation of these granite plutons therefore involved magmatic fractionation during the stages of partial melting, removal of unmelted material from that melt, and fractional crystallization. During the later stages of those processes, movement of those magmas occurred on a crustal scale. [source]

Identification of mutants in phosphorus metabolism

ANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2001
JULIE C LLOYD
Summary Phosphorus availability is often limiting for plant growth. However, little is known of the pathways and mechanisms that regulate phosphorus (P) uptake and distribution in plants. We have developed a screen based on the induction of secreted root acid phosphatase activity by low-P stress to identify mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana with defects in P metabolism. Acid phosphatase activity was detected visually in the roots of A. thaliana seedlings grown in vitro on low-P medium, using the chromogenic substrate, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-phosphate (BCIP). In low-P stress conditions the roots of wild-type plants stained blue, as the induced root acid phosphatase cleaved BCIP to release the coloured product. Potential mutants were identified as having white, or pale blue, roots under these conditions. Out of approximately 79 000 T-DNA mutagenised seedlings screened, two mutants with reduced acid phosphatase staining were further characterised. Both exhibited reduced growth and differences in their P contents when compared to wild-type A. thaliana. The mutant with the most severe phenotype, pho3, accumulated high levels of anthocyanins and starch in a distinctive visual pattern within the leaves. The phenotypes of these mutants are distinct from two previously identified phosphorus mutants (phol and pho2) and from an acid phosphatase deficient mutant (pupl) of A. thaliana. This suggested that the screening method was robust and might lead to the identification of further mutants with the potential for increasing our understanding of P nutrition. [source]

Mineral status of Pangasius pangasius (Hamilton) fingerlings in relation to supplemental phytase: absorption, whole-body and bone mineral content

AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 4 2005
Dipesh Debnath
Abstract A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to quantify the effects of microbial phytase supplementation on apparent absorption, whole body and bone contents of minerals in Pangasius pangasius fingerlings. Seven isoprotein (35.67%) and isocaloric (3870 kcal kg,1) diets were prepared with graded levels of supplemental phytase at 0 (T1), 150 (T2), 250 (T3), 350 (T4), 500 (T5), 1000 (T6) and 2000 (T7) FTU (Phytase Units) kg,1. Three hundred and fifteen fingerlings of P. pangasius (1.97,2.05 g) were randomly distributed in seven treatments with three replicates each. There was significant increase (P<0.05) in tissue protein content in phytase-supplemented groups compared with the control. Apparent absorptions of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), potassium (K), copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the phytase-supplemented groups than the control group. Faecal ash and P contents were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the control (T1) than the phytase-supplemented groups. Whole-body contents of Ca, P, Zn, Fe, Cu and Co were significantly (P<0.05) improved by the dietary supplementation of phytase-barring Mg and Mn. Concentrations of bone Ca, P, K, Cu and Co were significantly (P<0.05) higher in phytase-supplemented groups. Bone ash contents (40.77,44.85%) were increased concomitantly with the increased level of phytase inclusion upto 500 FTU kg,1 diet. It was observed that a minimum dose of 250 FTU phytase kg,1 diet improved the mineral absorption and utilization in P. pangasius fingerlings. [source]