[Effect of nano-rutile TiO2 and multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the growth of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings and the relevant antioxidant response].

The effects of nano-rutile TiO2 and multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the growth and antioxidant enzymes of maize (Zea mays L. ) seedlings were investigated under hydroponic conditions. Nano-rutile TiO2 ( > or =50 mg/L) significantly decreased root and shoot growth (p < 0.

Effects of cadmium stress on alternative oxidase and photosystem II in three wheat cultivars.

The effects of Cd stress (200 micromol/L, 8 days) on respiration and photosynthesis of three wheat cultivars were investigated: Chuanyu 12 (CY12), Chuanmai 42 (CM42), and Chuanmai 47 (CM47). Fifteen-day-old seedlings were exposed to 200 micromol/L CdCl2 for 4 days and 8 days, respectively. The results indicated that Cd was accumulated largely in roots, but little in leaves of all three cultivars.

[Effect of different N, P and K fertilizers on soil pH and available Cd under waterlogged conditions].

In order to tackle the problem of Cd pollution in paddy soils and investigate soil available Cd as affected by different fertilizers, incubation experiments were carried out to study the effects of different N, P and K fertilizers and pH by adding acid or base on soil available Cd under waterlogged conditions. Results revealed that soil pH increased sharply after the soil was flooded, especially at the beginning of incubation, and gradually decreased with incubation time and finally tended to approach the neutral values. The patterns of soil pH change were just opposite to those of soil available Cd, a negative correlation observed between the two.

[Methodology improvement in background elimination in plant Cd measurement by graphite furnace atom absorption].

A problem of higher background value and lower measured Cd value exists when Cd is digested by conventional dry digestion method, measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption, and calculated with peak height numeration. This problem results in difficulty for evaluating samples with Cd contents in the neighborhood of critical values. In order to solve the problem, the present paper focused on background measurement with graphite furnace atomic absorption, modified the pre-preparation procedures of the traditional method, and screened the optimal concentration of the modifier.