The effects of different copper concentrations on percentage germination, increase in fresh weight and radicle growth of Vicia sativa L. seeds were studied. Physiological studies showed that the germination rate was not affected up to a concentration of 5 × 10−3 M, but already at 10−3 M the copper stopped root elongation. Structural and ultrastructural observations of embryo and cotyledon reserve mobilization showed that inhibition of radicle growth at 10−3 M Cu concentration cannot be ascribed to nutrient shortage but probably to an effect of copper on radicle cell division and elongation. In seeds treated with 5 × 10−3 M CuBr2, the copper completely inhibited cotyledon protein mobilization, so that embryo protein mobilization supported normal growth of the radicle up to 30 h after imbibition. The particular protein content of adjacent cotyledon cells is also discussed.

The focus of this article was to explore the translocation of¹⁰⁹Cd,⁵⁷Co,⁶⁵Zn,⁶³Ni, and¹³⁴Cs via xylem and phloem in the newly found hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. Two experiments with the uptake via the roots and transport of¹⁰⁹Cd,⁵⁷Co, and⁶⁵Zn labeled by roots, and the redistribution of¹⁰⁹Cd,⁶⁵Zn,⁵⁷Co,⁶³Ni, and¹³⁴Cs using flap label in S. nigrum in a hydroponic culture with a standard nutrient solution were conducted. The results showed that¹⁰⁹Cd added for 24 h to the nutrient medium of young plants was rapidly taken up, transferred to the shoot, and accumulated in the cotyledons and the oldest leaves but was not efficiently redistributed within the shoot afterward leading to a rather low content in the fruits. In contrast,⁵⁷Co was more slowly taken up and released to the shoot, but afterward, this element was redistributed from older leaves to younger leaves and maturing fruits.⁶⁵Zn was rapidly taken up and transferred to the shoot (mainly to the youngest leaves and not to the cotyledons). Afterward, this radionuclide was redistributed within the shoot to the youngest organs and finally accumulated in the maturing fruits. After flap labeling, all five heavy metals tested (¹⁰⁹Cd,⁵⁷Co,⁶⁵Zn,⁶³Ni,¹³⁴Cs) were exported from the labeled leaf and redistributed within the plant. The accumulation in the fruits was most pronounced for⁶³Ni and⁶⁵Zn, while a relatively high percentage of⁵⁷Co was finally found in the roots.¹³⁴Cs was roughly in the middle of them. The transport of¹⁰⁹Cd differed from that previously reported for wheat or lupin and might be important for the potential of S. nigrum to hyperaccumulate cadmium.

We determined the length, volume, dry biomass, and density in seeds of five castor bean cultivars and verified notable physicochemical trait differences. Seeds were then subjected to different toxic aluminum (Al) concentrations to evaluate germination, relative root elongation, and the role of root apices’ rhizosphere mucilage layer. Seeds’ physicochemical traits were associated with Al toxicity responses, and the absence of Al in cotyledons near to the embryo was revealed by Al-hematoxylin staining, indicating that Al did not induce significant germination reduction rates between cultivars. However, in the more sensitive cultivar, Al was found around the embryo, contributing to subsequent growth inhibition. After this, to investigate the role of mucilage in Al tolerance, an assay was conducted using NH₄Cl to remove root mucilage before or after exposure to different Al concentrations. Sequentially, the roots were stained with hematoxylin and a quantitative analysis of staining intensity was obtained. These results revealed the significant contribution of the mucilage layer to Al toxicity responses in castor bean seedlings. Root growth elongation under Al toxicity confirmed the role of the mucilage layer, which jointly indicated the differential Al tolerance between cultivars and an efficient Al-exclusion mechanism in the tolerant cultivar.

Due to its prolific growth, oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) can be grown successfully for phytoremediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soils. Nowadays, use of plant growth regulators against heavy metals stress is one of the major objectives of researchers. The present study evaluates the ameliorate effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA, 0, 0.4, 2, and 10 mg/l) on the growth of oilseed rape (B. napus L. cv. ZS 758) seedlings under Cd stress (0, 100, and 500 μM). Results have shown that Cd stress hampered the seedling growth by decreasing the radical and hypocotyls length, shoot and root biomass, chlorophyll content, and antioxidants enzymes. On the other hand, Cd stress increased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and production of H2O2 and accumulation of Cd in the shoots. The microscopic study of leaf mesophyll cells showed that toxicity of Cd totally destroyed the whole cell structure, and accumulation of Cd also appeared in micrographs. Application of ALA at lower dosage (2 mg/l) enhanced the seedling growth and biomass. The results showed that 2 mg/l ALA significantly improved chlorophyll content under Cd stress and decreased the level of Cd contents in shoots. Application of ALA reduced the MDA and H2O2 levels in the cotyledons. The antioxidants enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase) enhanced their activities significantly with the application of 2 mg/l ALA under Cd stress. This study also indicated that higher dosage of ALA (10 mg/l) imposed the negative effect on the growth of oilseed rape. Microscopic study showed that application of ALA alleviated the toxic effects of Cd in the mesophyll cell and improved the cell structure. Use of 2 mg/l ALA under 500 μM Cd was found to be more effective, and under this dosage, cell structure was clear, with obvious cell wall and cell membrane as well as a big nucleus, which was found with well-developed two or more nucleoli. Chloroplast was almost round in shape and contained thylakoids membranes and grana, but starch grains were not found in chloroplast comparatively to other treatments. On the basis of our results, we can conclude that ALA has a promotive effect which could improve plant survival under Cd stress.

Seed-borne endophytes could be transmitted into sprouts. Whether this happened in peanuts and the difference between microbial taxa in peanut germs and cotyledons remain unknown. In this research, Illumina-based sequencing was employed to investigate the microbial taxa in peanut germs, cotyledons, and sprouts. Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria was isolated and inoculated into peanut sprouts, and then, the growth of peanut seedlings was measured. The results illustrated that diverse bacteria and fungi were detected in peanut germs, cotyledons, and sprouts. The number of bacterial OTUs declined with the germination from germs and cotyledons to sprouts. However, the number of fungal OTUs increased during the seedling procedure. Seed-borne dominant bacterial genera Halothiobacillus and Synechococcus and fungal genera Humicola, Emericella, and Penicillium were detected in sprouts. Based on the endophytic community information, the Halothiobacillus strains were isolated from sprouts. Pot experiments that illustrated the growth of peanut seedlings inoculated with the strain were promoted. These results provide new understanding into plant-microbe interactions in peanut and suggest that the selection for biocontrol agents based on mycobiome and bacteriome analysis is reliable and feasible compared with the present greenhouse selection.