Phytotechnologies for Sustainable Development 12th International Conference International Phytotechnology Society 2015 September 27-30 Hilton Garden Inn - Manhattan, KS Hosted by the International Phytotechnology Society and Kansas State University ABSTRACT BOOK Abstract Book 12th International Phytotechnologies Conference Organized by: International Phytotechnology Society Hosted by: Kansas State University Editor: Larry E. Erickson ISBN 178-0-692-50825-1 Published by: Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Table of Contents Platform Abstracts 4 – 97 Poster Abstracts 98 – 139 Author Index 140 – 143 PLATFORM ABSTRACTS 12th International Conference | International Phytotechnology Society PLATFORM ABSTRACTS 2. Ahammed, Golam Jalal Interplay between Brassinosteroids and Abascisic Acid notabilis (not) to investigate the interactive effects of BR Confers Cadmium Tolerance in Tomato and ABA under Cd stress. Results show that a basal level of endogenous BR or ABA is essential for Cd tolerance. Either Golam Jalal Ahammed*, Department of Horticulture, BR or ABA could confer Cd tolerance in wild-type plants Zhejiang University, Hangzhou-310058, P.R. China; Yan-Hong which was associated with an increase in endogenous Zhou, Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, ABA level. Meanwhile, both dim and not plants were more Hangzhou-310058, P.R. China; Jing-Quan Yu, Department sensitive to Cd stress; however, pre-treatment with ABA could of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou-310058, P.R. improve Cd tolerance in both dim and not plants. Moreover, China exogenous application of BR could improve Cd tolerance in dim plants, but not in not plants. Further investigation shows Environmental pollution by heavy metals such as cadmium that ABA could complement BR-deficiency for Cd tolerance (Cd) is a serious problem worldwide. We observed that in dim plants. Inhibition of ABA biosynthesis by fluridone Cd-induced high concentration of reactive oxygen species aggravated Cd phytoxicity; however, ABA supplementation caused oxidative damage to photosynthetic pigments, but not BR, could reverse fluridone effect, which indicated electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation and photoinhibition that BR might function upstream of ABA to confer Cd in tomato. Brassinosteroids (BRs) and abscisic acid (ABA) tolerance in tomato. are two key plant hormones play critical role in plant stress responses. Previously, we demonstrated that BR could Keywords: abscisic acid, brassinosteroids, cadmium, effectively ameliorate Cd stress in tomato; however, its phytotoxicity, tomato interaction with ABA in Cd tolerance still remains elusive. Here, we used tomato genotypes Condine red (CR, wild- Golam Jalal Ahammed, Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang type) and its partially BR synthesis mutant dim, and Ailsa University, Hangzhou-310058, P.R. China, [email protected]. Craig (AC, wild-type) and its partially ABA-deficient mutant cn 3. Ahmad, Rafiq Phytoremediation potential of Cannabis sativa and results revealed that both these plants have the ability to Parthenium hysterophorus: accumulate heavy metals in their leaves and could be used in Identification and characterization of GR and PLDα genes phytoremediation technology. Moreover, GR and PLDα genes Rafiq Ahmad*, Zara Tehsin, Sabaz Ali Khan, Mohammad were present in P. hysterophorus and C. sativa plants and Maroof Shah, could help plants to survive in heavy metal stress conditions. Bioinformatic analysis of GSR and PLDα genes exhibit 60-80% Soil pollution caused by heavy metals is one of the major sequence identity to previously reported genes in other problems throughout the world. To maintain a safe and plant species. In conclusion, these results will help to improve healthy environment for human beings, there is a dire our understanding about the phytoremediation potential of need to identify hyperaccumulator plants. This study was P. hysterophorus and C. sativa as well as in manipulating GSR designed to explore the potential of Cannabis sativa and and PLDα genes in breeding programs to produce transgenic Parthenium hysterophorus to accumulate the toxic metals heavy metals tolerant varieties. such as Pb, Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, and Cr in plant samples collected from industrial area of Rawalpindi, Pakistan. In addition, this Keywords: soil, phytoextraction, P. hysterophorus, C. sativa, research was conducted to identify two important heavy genes, GSR, PLDα metals tolerant genes, glutathione-disulfide reductase (GSR) and phospholipase D-α (PLDα) in both plants. Our results *presenting author: Dr. Rafiq Ahmad showed that C. sativa plants collected from heavy metals Email: [email protected] contaminated site accumulated toxic metal concentrations Phone: + 92 3007297761 significantly and in this pattern: Cu>Cd>Ni>Pb. In addition, Address: Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS the accumulation pattern of heavy metals in another Institute of Information Technology, 22060, Abbottabad, plant P. hysterophorus leaves was: Cr>Cu>Pb>Ni. These Pakistan 4. Ahmad, Syed Shakeel Phytoremediation of heavy metals by Lemna gibba in a Co > Cr > Ni > Cd. The EF of the different heavy metals in Kashmir Himalayan Ramsar site this species indicates that Fe is the most transferred metal Syed Shakeel Ahmad* University of Kashmir, Zafar A. Reshi into this species followed by Cd and Mn thus reducing University of Kashmir, Manzoor Ahmad Shah University of the supply of Fe, Cd and Mn to marsh detrivores, avifauna, Kashmir, Irfan Rashid University of Kashmir other bioaccumulators and surface waters. The highest BCF Heavy metals are important class of contaminants having of Lemna gibba also corresponded to Fe metal which also hazardous impact on plants animals and humans. Wetland supports the good phytoremediation ability of this species. macrophytes offer important, cheap and natural alternatives Thus our results suggest that Lemna gibba is potent wetland for the removal of heavy metals from the contaminated macrophytes that can be used for removal of Fe from the environment. Diferent macrophytes vary in their potential to contaminated soils. remove heavy metals from the surrounding environment. In this context the present study was carried out to investigate Key words: Lemna gibba, Heavy metal, wetland, removal, the metal removal capability of Lemna gibba growing avifauna. densely in the Hokersar wetland of the Kashmir, an imporant Ramsar site of Kashmir Himalayas. The order of heavy *Presenting author: Syed Shakeel Ahmad, University of metals in Lemna gibba was Fe > Al > Mn > Pb > Cu > Zn > Kashmir E mail: [email protected] 5. Ahmad, Waqar Interaction of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and Se L-1. Gibberellic acid at the rate of 10 μM was applied at gibberellic acid to facilitate the hyperaccumulation of 5, 10 and 15 days after sowing in each jar. All the jars were selenium in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) arranged by following the completely randomized design Waqar Ahmad*, Hafiz Naeem Asghar, Muhammad Saleem, with three replications under controlled conditions in growth Muhammad Yayha Khan, Zahir Ahmad Zahir chamber. Crop was harvested after 40 days. Study revealed Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of that plant growth was suppressed significantly (53.4% Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan compared to plant growing in non-contaminated sand) due to selenium toxicity. However, inoculation with different Se Selenium (Se) is ubiquitous in the environment. It is an tolerant PGPR without application of GA improved growth essential nutrient for human and animals, however, it and physiological parameters in selenium contamination. is also toxic at higher concentrations. The aim of this But more improvement in biomass (up to 76%), physiological study was to check the effectiveness of Se tolerant plant parameters and Se accumulation in plants were observed by growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) alone as well as in inoculation of PGPR in combination with GA as compared combination with gibberellic acid (GA) for enhancing Se to plants growing in sand neither treated with GA, nor hyperaccumulation in Indian mustard. Bacteria were isolated inoculated with PGPR. from rhizosphere of Indian mustard. These rhizobacteria were tested for Se tolerance capability and efficient Se Keywords: PGPR, phytohormone, selenium, rhizosphere tolerant rhizobacteria were used as inoculum. Plants were irrigated with Hoagland solution contaminated with 20 μM *Waqar Ahmad, Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, sodium selenite in Se contaminated treatments. The total University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan. concentration applied till harvesting in each jar was 14.4 mg [email protected] 6. Aiyesanmi, Ademola Festus Assessing the Potential of Goat Weed (Ageratum acid (EDTA) and Oxalic acid-modified soils with maximum Conyzoidies) for the Phytoremediation of Lead-Polluted Soils values (Root:84.98.mg/kg, Shoot: 85.19 mg/kg) and (Root: Ademola F. Aiyesanmi*; Afamefuna E. Okoronkwo; Iyalabake 81.89 mg/kg, Shoot: 80.16 mg/kg) respectively. The plant O. Ajayi, Department of Chemistry, The Federal University of growth was not affected by the increase in concentration Technology, Akure, Nigeria of lead absorbed by the roots and shoots. This implies that Ageratum conyzoides exhibited a moderate tolerance for Remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil has been a lead-contaminated soils and that of lead-contaminated soil serious chanllege to most developing nations of the World. amended with EDTA and Oxalic acid.