Being sessile organisms, plants cannot escape unwanted changes in the environment. The rapid human population explosion caused significant environmental problems. Heavy metals produced through various sources can cause severe damage to living organisms. The study was planned to evaluate four grass species’ morpho-physiological growth characteristics and phytoremediation capabilities under chromium (Cr) and lead stress (Pb) in the arid climate. Typha angustifolia, Tragus roxburghii, Aeluropus logopoides, and Cenchrus ciliaris grass species were used for the study. One-year-old stubbles from the Cholistan desert were used for the experiment. Cr treatments in the form of K2Cr2O7 were applied at 0, 20, 40, and 80 mg L–1, whereas Pb was applied as PbCl2 at 0, 50, 200, and 500 mg L–1 as control, low, moderate and high-stress, respectively. After 6 weeks of heavy metals treatments, plants were harvested and analyzed for growth performance and phytoremediation capabilities. Results depicted that, regarding morphological attributes, T. angustifolia performed better, followed by C. ciliaris; no clear pattern was observed for T. roxburghii and A. logopoides. The CO2 assimilation rate (Co2d) and water use efficiency (WUE) increased as the heavy metal stress increased in all species under both metals. In contrast, total chlorophyll content was higher under low stress. Other physiological parameters, such as relative humidity (RHd), net photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (Gs), leaf internal CO2 concentration (Ci) and membrane stability index (MSI) gradually decreased as the Cr, and Pb stress levels increased among all the species. Moreover, Cr and Pb absorption contents of T. angustifolia were higher than the other three species at each stress level. Overall, T. angustifolia thrived against heavy metals stress and showed higher biomass, maximum photosynthetic measurements, WUE and higher metal absorption among all the selected species. Results concluded that although all the selected species behaved fine under stress conditions, T. angustifolia performance was better; thus, it can be used to remediate the soil near industrial estates.

/pdf/morpho-physiological-growth-performance-and-phytoremediation-2zx8lsbj.pdf

Morpho-physiological growth performance and phytoremediation capabilities of selected xerophyte grass species toward Cr and Pb stress

Natural isotopic abundance in soil and foliar can provide integrated information related to the long-term alterations of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles in forest ecosystems. We evaluated total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), and isotopic natural abundance of C (δ13C) and N (δ15N) in soil and foliar of coniferous plantation (CPF), natural broadleaved forest (NBF), and mixed forest stands at three different soil depths (i.e., 0–10, 10–20, and 20–40 cm). This study also explored how soil available nutrients are affected by different forest types. Lutou forest research station, located in Hunan Province, central China, was used as the study area. Results demonstrated that the topsoil layer had higher TC and TN content in the mixed forest stand, resulting in a better quality of organic materials in the topsoil layer in the mixed forest than NBF and CPF. In general, soil TC, TN, and δ15N varied significantly in different soil depths and forest types. However, the forest type did not exhibit any significant effect on δ13C. Overall, soil δ13C was significantly enriched in CPF, and δ15N values were enriched in mixed forest. Foliar C content varied significantly among forest types, whereas foliar N content was not significantly different. No big differences were observed for foliar δ15N and δ13C across forest types. However, foliar δ13C and δ15N were positively related to soil δ13C and δ15N, respectively. Foliar N, soil and foliar C:N ratio, soil moisture content (SMC), and forest type were observed as the major influential factors affecting isotopic natural abundance, whereas soil pH was not significantly correlated. In addition, forest type change and soil depth increment had a significant effect on soil nutrient availability. In general, soil nutrient availability was higher in mixed forest. Our findings implied that forest type and soil depth alter TC, TN, and soil δ15N, whereas δ13C was only driven by soil depth. Moreover, plantations led to a decline in soil available nutrient content compared with NBF and mixed forest stands.

https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/8/1499/pdf

Unraveling the Influence of Land-Use Change on δ13C, δ15N, and Soil Nutritional Status in Coniferous, Broadleaved, and Mixed Forests in Southern China: A Field Investigation.

Soil microorganisms provide valuable ecosystem services, such as nutrient cycling, soil remediation, and biotic and abiotic stress resistance. There is increasing interest in exploring total belowground biodiversity across ecological scales to understand better how different ecological aspects, such as stand density, soil properties, soil depth, and plant growth parameters, influence belowground communities. In various environments, microbial components of belowground communities, such as soil fungi, respond differently to soil features; however, little is known about their response to standing density and vertical soil profiles in a Chinese fir monoculture plantation. This research examined the assemblage of soil fungal communities in different density stands (high, intermediate, and low) and soil depth profiles (0–20 cm and 20–40 cm). This research also looked into the relationship between soil fungi and tree canopy characteristics (mean tilt angle of the leaf (MTA), leaf area index (LAI), and canopy openness index (DIFN)), and general growth parameters, such as diameter, height, and biomass. The results showed that low-density stand soil had higher fungal alpha diversity than intermediate- and high-density stand soils. Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Mucromycota, and Mortierellomycota were the most common phyla of the soil fungal communities, in that order. Saitozyma, Penicillium, Umbelopsis, and Talaromyces were the most abundant fungal genera. Stand density composition was the dominant factor in changing fungal community structure compared to soil properties and soil depth profiles. The most significant soil elements in soil fungal community alterations were macronutrients. In addition, the canopy openness index and fungal community structure have a positive association in the low-density stand. Soil biota is a nutrient cycling driver that can promote better plant growth in forest ecosystems by supporting nutrient cycling. Hence, this research will be critical in understanding soil fungal dynamics, improving stand growth and productivity, and improving soil quality in intensively managed Chinese fir plantations.

Influence of Intraspecific Competition Stress on Soil Fungal Diversity and Composition in Relation to Tree Growth and Soil Fertility in Sub-Tropical Soils under Chinese Fir Monoculture

Nutrient distribution among tree tissues influence the growth, yield, and persistence of trees. One of the factors which can affect the nutrient concentrations can be stand density because competition for growth space and below-ground resources play a significant role in the productivity of plantation forests. This study analyzed the impact of planting density and soil quality indicators on the annual growth process, nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency, and carbon storage in mid-aged Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) stands established at low, intermediate, and high-density. Stem density was 1450 trees hm2 (2.36 × 2.36 m spacing), 2460 trees hm2 (1.83 × 1.83 m spacing), and 3950 trees hm2 (1.44 × 1.44 m spacing) in low-, intermediate-, and high-density stands, respectively. Stand density (R2 = 0.812) was the primal factor responsible for altering nutrients dynamics in tree components, while soil quality (R2 = 0.572) indicators play a secondary role. Across the years, the diameter and volume annual growth increment were more significant in the low-density, whereas height growth increment was more prominent in the intermediate-density. The highest carbon storage (33.78 t hm−2) was observed in the intermediate-density stand. Plant nutrient concentrations and nutrient use efficiency varied significantly among different densities (p < 0.05). Significant associations of soil properties with biomass, height, and diameter were observed in intermediate-density. These patterns were co-regulated by planting density, tree growth rate, and soil nutrient status and reflected the plant tissue’s nutrient status, which could provide valuable information for sustainable nutrient management practices in tree plantations for maximizing productivity, yield, and long-term sustainability.

Annual Growth Progression, Nutrient Transformation, and Carbon Storage in Tissues of Cunninghamia lanceolata Monoculture in Relation to Soil Quality Indicators Influenced by Intraspecific Competition Intensity

Inorganic resources can be detrimental to the environment when exploited. In comparison, organic resources help balance the soil's carbon and nitrogen (C/N) ratio, enhance soil fertility and benefit ecological protection. Current climate crises, rapid urbanization, and fast population growth are causing many natural forests to be converted to agricultural and industrial lands to fulfill ever-increasing food and developmental requirements. Application of different bio-resources becomes necessary for sustainable productivity of available lands. This study explores the effects of various organic amendments on the growth, morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes of three leguminous tree species: Dalbergia sissoo, Vachellia nilotica, and Acacia ampliceps, concerning sustainable productivity. One-year-old healthy, disease-free, and homogenous seedlings were used as study material in a greenhouse pot experiment. Four organic amendments, i.e., compost (CMP), cow dung (CD), poultry manure (PM), and biochar (BC), along with a control (CK) treatment, were applied. Results showed that all the organic amendments performed significantly better (P < 0.05) than CK. CD produced the most significant results, followed by BC application, while PM influence was the least. Among all treatments and species, the maximum values of root length, root biomass, chlorophyll content, carotenoids, catalase, and total phenolic content were recorded under the CD treatment. Whereas for plant height and collar diameter, no big differences were observed between CD and BC (P= 0.054). While comparing species, V. nilotica growth was significantly enhanced under organic amendments, followed by A. ampliceps. Combined and comparative results of studied parameters conclude that CD and BC were the most effective organic amendments, which greatly improved the growth of experimental leguminous tree species; this makes these two biofertilizers a powerful tool for sustainable agricultural productivity. Our study contributes toward an enhanced understanding of plant's morpho-physiological responses, biochemical growth patterns, controls, and activities under different bio-fertilizers. 

Divergent consequences of bio-resources on morphological plasticity and biochemical responses in early-stage leguminous species: Sustainable productivity approaches

Forests play a vital role in supporting life on earth. Diversification in industrialization, urbanization and overpopulation make it challenging to eliminate the impurities from the environment and to conserve our flora and fauna for basic ecological services. To enhance forest cover and growth of a plant, vegetative propagation plays a vital role. Cuttings are important plant parts that affect the growth of the plant in asexual propagation. This study aimed to observe growth response and biomass production of Tamarix aphylla with and without Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) treatments at different cutting lengths. By analyzing the effect of IAA, different morphological factors were observed such as root, shoot and leaves fresh and dry weight, whole plant biomass, root and shoot length, root to shoot ratio and moisture content availability. Results showed that by increasing the cutting lengths, the growth of cuttings increased by applying IAA treatment. Overall, IAA produced a positive effect on T. aphylla cuttings growth as compared to IAA non-treated. According to the findings, indole acetic is a worthwhile option to get a good quality of seedling production. For that reason, understanding of this mechanism can help to make future decisions for plant growth and biomass production.

Role of indole acetic acid on growth and biomass production of athel tree (tamarix aphylla) by using different cutting lengths

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Role of indole acetic acid on growth and biomass production of athel tree (tamarix aphylla) by using different cutting lengths