Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins have been identified in a wide range of organisms and are believed to play a role in the adaptation of plants to stress conditions. In this study, we performed genome-wide identification of LEA proteins and their coding genes in Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) of Poaceae. A total of 23 genes encoding LEA proteins (PeLEAs) were found in P. edulis that could be classified to six groups based on Pfam protein family and homologous analysis. Further in silico analyses of the structures, gene amount, and biochemical characteristics were conducted and compared with those of O. sativa (OsLEAs), B. distachyon (BdLEAs), Z. mays (ZmLEAs), S. bicolor (SbLEAs), Arabidopsis, and Populus trichocarpa. The less number of PeLEAs was found. Evolutionary analysis revealed orthologous relationship and colinearity between P. edulis, O. sativa, B. distachyon, Z. mays, and S. bicolor. Analyses of the non-synonymous (Ka) and synonymous (Ks)substitution rates and their ratios indicated that the duplication of PeLEAs may have occurred around 18.8 million years ago (MYA), and divergence time of LEA family among the P. edulis-O. sativa and P. edulis–B. distachyon, P. edulis-S. bicolor, and P. edulis-Z. mays was approximately 30 MYA, 36 MYA, 48 MYA, and 53 MYA, respectively. Almost all PeLEAs contain ABA- and (or) stress-responsive regulatory elements. Further RNA-seq analysis revealed approximately 78% of PeLEAs could be up-regulated by dehydration and cold stresses. The present study makes insights into the LEA family in P. edulis and provides inventory of stress-responsive genes for further functional validation and transgenic research aiming to plant genetic improvement of abiotic stress tolerance.
In order to evaluate roof greening plants in Chengdu city,field survey was adopted to study species diversity and the growth state by the five-point grading scale.The results showed that among 169 species applied in Chengdu roof greening,more than 83% species grew well.There were 76 flower plants,11 aromatic plants,14 lianas and 9 colored-leaf species in Chengdu and they all grew well.The problems existed in roof greening in Chengdu and suggestions were also disscussed.
The urban water environment is seriously affected by human activities. Rivers in highly industrialized areas, which often carry various types of industrial pollutants, such as metals and nutrients, are especially affected. In this study, the water quality of the Pi River, an industrial base that flows through Chengdu, a large city in Southwest China, was tested for one year. Heavy metal concentrations in the water, sediment, and macrobenthic and algal communities in the river were examined. The water pollution index (WPI) and trophic level index (TLI) were employed to measure the water pollution degree and eutrophication status, respectively. The Shannon—Wiener index (H’) and Margalef’s index (dM) were determined to represent the diversity and richness of macroinvertebrates. The principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to define the main heavy metal influencing factors in the Pi River. Our study showed that the eutrophication status increased with spatial change, and the eutrophication status was the most serious in the downstream reach, which was moderately eutrophic. The water body of the Pi River was seriously polluted by heavy metals, and the content of chromium (Cr) in the sediment and cadmium (Cd) in the water/sediment was far beyond the prescribed limit. In addition, we found that Cd had a serious impact on both the benthic and algal communities, and the benthic community structure was completely changed, destroying the original aquatic environment. We explored the mechanisms of the influence of Cd on aquatic fauna, and this information is of great significance for the future conservation of industrial urban rivers. In this study, the spatial–temporal variations in water quality and aquatic communities revealed the pollution status of a river flowing through industrial areas, which provided a basis for future river conservation and restoration.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is one of the most effective chelating agents for enhancing lead (Pb) accumulation in various plant organs. However, it has a higher risk of causing secondary pollution than other chelating agents. To reduce such environmental risks and increase remediation efficiency, EDTA can be combined with degradable chelating agents for use in phytoremediation, but there are few reports on the combination of EDTA and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA). This study evaluated the effects of combined EDTA and NTA application at different concentrations (900, 1200, or 1500 mg/kg) and with different methods (1 application or 3 applications) on dwarf bamboo (Sasa argenteostriata (Regel) E.G. Camus) growth and phytoremediation efficiency and on the soil environment in pot experiments with Pb-contaminated soil. Applying EDTA and NTA together resulted in lower soil water-soluble Pb concentrations than applying EDTA alone and therefore resulted in lower environmental risk. The increased availability of soil Pb produced a stress response in the dwarf bamboo plants, which increased their biomass significantly. Moreover, under the chelating treatments, the soil Pb availability increased, which promoted Pb translocation in plants. The Pb content in the aerial parts of the dwarf bamboo increased significantly in all treatments (translocation factors increased by 300~1500% compared with that in CK). The Pb content increase in the aerial parts caused high proline accumulation in dwarf bamboo leaves, to alleviate Pb toxicity. Maximum Pb accumulation was observed in the EN1500 treatment, which was significantly higher than that in the other treatments except the EN900 treatment. This study elucidates the choice of remediation techniques and the physiological characteristics of the plants used in such studies. In conclusion, the EN900 treatment resulted in the lowest environmental risk, greatest biomass production, and highest phytoremediation efficiency of all treatments, indicating that it has great potential for application in phytoremediation with dwarf bamboo in Pb-contaminated soil.
Forest thermal environments and health-related factors have a significant impact on user experience and physical benefits. Therefore, it is important to study changes in the thermal environment and health-related factors in recreational forests. Clustered bamboo forests have unique structures featuring high canopy density and extensive understory spaces suitable for recreational activities. However, there is no relevant report on the recreational use of these forests. This study investigated seasonal characteristics in the thermal comfort and health-related factors in two clustered bamboo forests in Southwest China. Microenvironmental parameters and health-related factors (negative air oxygen ions (NAI), airborne particulate matter, airborne microorganisms, and biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs)) were measured in four seasons. The microenvironmental parameters were converted into a physiological equivalent temperature (PET) for each period. The results showed that (1) most of the time, the thermal comfort, air particle, NAI, and bacteria concentrations in the two bamboo forests were superior to the controls and met the standard for recreational activities; (2) thermal comfort environments and health-related factors levels varied between two bamboo forests; and (3) the most abundant compounds in the two bamboo forests in each season were leaf alcohol and 2-hexenal. The two clustered bamboo forests provided a comfortable thermal environment and had clean air and bactericidal abilities in all seasons. The forests emitted BVOCs with fresh grass and leaf fragrances, helping to alleviate the sense of depression among visitors. The results confirm that clustered bamboo forests can provide suitable recreational conditions. The results can be used to guide the management of recreational forests and provide support for the development of bamboo forests.
In order to evaluate the role of scenic-spot bamboo ecosystem in carbon sequestration,the study had been made on the carbon storage and allocation of Phyllostachys edulis ecosystem in the scenic spot within the Southern Sichuan Bamboo Sea.The results indicated that the carbon content of every parts in P.edulis was between 0.451 2~0.531 3 g/g,the sequence of which was stem(0.531 3 g/g) brance(0.517 3 g/g) below-ground stem(0.503 1 g/g) leaf(0.489 2 g/g) stump(0.459 0 g/g) root(0.451 2 g/g).The mean carbon content of mao bamboo at different ages was Ⅳ(7 a,0.521 5 g/g) Ⅲ(5—6 a,0.514 0 g/g) Ⅰ(1—2 a,0.508 9 g/g) Ⅱ(3—4 a,0.487 5 g/g).The carbon storage of mao bamboo ecosystem was about 105.07 t/hm2,which was allocated in the tree layer(40.88 t/hm2,38.91% of the total),soil(61.0 t/hm2,58.06% of the total) and litter(3.19 t/hm2,3.91%of the total).Therefore,it is highlighted that the scenic spot plays a key role in maintaining CO2 content of the atmosphere.