title: Characteristics and mechanisms of acrylate polymer damage to maize seedlings.
abstract: Superabsorbent acrylate polymers (SAPs) have been widely used to maintain soil moisture in agricultural management, but they may cause damage to plants, and the mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, seed germination, soil pot culture, hydroponic experiments, and SAPs degradation were conducted to investigate damage characteristics and mechanisms associated with SAPs application. The Results showed that SAPs inhibited maize growth and altered root morphology (irregular and loose arrangement of cells and breakage of cortex parenchyma), and the inhibitory effects were enhanced at higher SAPs rates. After 1h SAP hydrogels treatment, root malondialdehyde (MDA) content was significantly increased, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) content were significantly decreased. Hydroponics experiment indicated that root and shoot growth was inhibited at 2.5mgL(-1) acrylic acid (AA), and the inhibition was enhanced with increasing AA rates. This effect was exacerbated by the presence of Na(+) at a high concentration in the hydrogels. Release and degradation of AA were enhanced at higher soil moisture levels. A complete degradation of AA occurred between 15 and 20 days after incubation (DAI), but it took longer for Na(+) concentration to decrease to a safe level. These results indicate that high concentration of both AA and Na(+) present in the SAPs inhibits plant growth. The finding of this study may provide a guideline for appropriate application of SAPs in agriculture.
authors.affiliation: College of Resource and Environmental Sciences, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
authors.forename: Xian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: College of Resource and Environmental Sciences, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, China. Electronic address: xymao@scau.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Xiaoyun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: College of Resource and Environmental Sciences, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: College of Resource and Environmental Sciences, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
authors.forename: Zongwen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: Indian River Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Fort Pierce, FL 34945-3138, USA.
authors.forename: Zhenli
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D000179:Acrylates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects; D018527:Hydroponics; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D036226:Seedlings / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D003313:Zea mays / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000179:Acrylates; D011108:Polymers; D012987:Soil; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase
keywords: Acrylic acid; Adverse effect; Degradation; Na(+); SAP