Cell and Tissue Journal

Abstract

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to  investigate the effect of different concentrations of Aluminum oxide nano-particles on seed germination, root length, and the amounts of photosynthetic pigments, total protein content, and changes in activity of some antioxidant enzymes and carbohydrates content in Phaseolus vulgaris. Material and methods: Experiment was performed under greenhouse conditions and completely randomized designed with four replications. Plants were exposed to different concentrations (0.01, 0.5 and 1 g/L) of nano-Aluminum oxide and the physiological and biochemical characteristics of treated plants were compared with control ones. Results: The results showed that treatment by Aluminium oxide nano-particles had a positive impact on the seed germination, root length, total chlorophyll and chlorophyll b content and also sugar content. Decrease in the content of chlorophyll a, protein and catalase activity was observed in the treated plants in comparison to control. Aluminium oxide nano-particle didn’t have a significant effect on seed germination speed and peroxidase activity. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, nano-particles are able to have a positive effect on some developmental and physiological characteristics of Phaseolus vulgaris L. This indicated that applied nano-particles are not toxic in the used concentrations. Decreasing in characteristics (chlorophyll a, total protein and catalase activity) was observed that could be related to plant resistance.

Abstract Aim: Cadmium is one of the air pollutants and a part of diesel exhaust particles. The aim of this study was determination of the effects of cadmium on developmental process and protein pattern of anther and pollen grains in Petunia hybridia that is a common decorative plant in landscapes and parks.
Material and methods: Petunia plants were grown in experimental pots and treated with the different concentrations of CdCl₂ as spray. Flowers and young buds were collected, fixed in FAA₇₀ (formalin: acetic acid: ethanol with a ratio of 2: 1: 17) and subjected to developmental studies. Pollen grains of different groups were also collected and their proteins were studied using electrophoresis method. Statistical analysis was done using statistical software SAS (version 9.1) and one-way ANOVA analysis.
Results: The developmental process of anther and pollen grains in control plants were followed from the pattern of dicotyledonous plants, but some changes and abnormalities were observed in Cd-treated plants. Irregularity in anther wall, formation of wrinkled and vacuolated pollen grains, decreasing of pollen viability, damaged exine and formation of new protein bands are the effect of Cd treatment.  
Conclusion:Cadmium, as an atmospheric pollutant, influences developmental stages of anther and pollen grains. It causes to form different abnormalities and reduction of pollen viability. Formation of new proteins, detoxifying proteins, is a response to pollution stress. 

Abstract Aim:The contamination of soil by crude oil is an important environmental problem. Bioremediation have gained more attention in recent years as a low-cost technique for pollutant removal. The aim of this research was to investigate the ability of rhizospheral fungal strains collected from plants grown in a petroleum-polluted soil using different concentrations of pollutant. Material and Methods: In this research rhizospheral fungal strains were collected from the plants grown in the Tehran refinery area and cultured on the PDA media containing different concentrations (0-15%) of crude oil.   Efficiency of removal for each isolated fungi was determined after one month. Results: Results showed that, all fungi were able to remove petroleum at the concentrations of 1, 2, 4 and 6% (P≤0.01). In addition all the fungi except Diplosporium sp. and Penicillium sp., were able to decrease crude oil at the concentrations of 8, 10 and 15% (P≤0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that the studied fungi were able to remove the crude oil from the growth media. Since Aspergillus sp < /em>. was relatively more effective therefore this fungus has the highest bioremediation potency of petroleum polluted environments.