Sedum alfredii Hance has been reported to be a Zn-hyperaccumulator plant species. In this study, root morphological and physiological response of the hyperaccumulating ecotype of S. alfredii H. (HE) from the mined area and the non-hyperaccumulating ecotype of S. alfredii H. (NHE) from the agricultural area to supplied levels of Zn and Pb were investigated. The results showed that Zn concentrations in the leaves and the stems of the HE were 34 and 41 times higher, whereas lead concentrations were 1.9 and 2.4 times greater, respectively, than those of the NHE when grown at 1224 microM Zn and/or 200 microM Pb. At combined supply of 1224 microM Zn with 200 microM Pb, however, zinc concentrations in the stems and leaves of the, HE decreased, while lead concentrations in the stems increased significantly, as compared with those of single metal treatment. Lead uptake of the HE was enhanced by Zn addition. Root activity of the HE decreased by Pb treatment in the first two days, but recovered afterward and close to the control at day 10 of the treatment. However, root activity of the NHE decreased by each metal treatment, and was not recovered with the advance of treatment time. Root length, root surface area, and root volumes increased obviously due to Zn and/or Pb/Zn combined treatments for the HE, but significantly decreased due to Pb, Zn, or Pb/Zn combined treatment for the NHE. Zinc and Pb concentrations in both ecotypes of S. alfredii H. were positively correlated with root length, root surface area, and root volumes. Root exudates of the HE, especially treated with Zn, increased the extractability of Pb and Zn from the mined soil. At the Zn supply level of 1224microM, the extractability of root exudates on soil Pb was 3-12 times greater for the HE than for the NHE. These results imply that the tolerance and hyperaccumulation of the hyperaccumulating ecotype of S. alfredii H. to Zn and Pb appear to be closely related to its high adaptation of root growth, morphology, and physiology to Pb and Zn toxicity, and through its root excretion of some special substances that can activate Pb and Zn in the mined soil, thus increasing their mobilization and bioavailability.

Transport of phosphorus (P) through surface runoff from agriculture is suspected to contribute to the eutrophication of surface waters in South Florida and elsewhere. There is minimal quantitative information on the concentrations and loads of various P forms in surface runoff water on a field‐scale. The objective of this study was to evaluate the annual loads of various P forms in runoff water from citrus and vegetable crop production systems in sandy soil regions in Florida and their relations to soil P status, fertilizer P input, and environmental conditions. Eleven field sites (four on vegetable farms and seven in citrus groves) were selected for this monitoring study over a 2‐yr period. The concentrations of total P (TP) in the runoff water samples varied widely from 0.01 to 22.74 mg L−1, with approximately half of the samples having the TP over 1 mg L−1 Eighty‐three percent of the samples had orthophosphate (PO4–P) higher than 0.02 mg L−1 The mean proportion of total dissolved P (TDP) in the TP was higher than that of the total particulate P (TPP). The TDP constituted the major proportion of P in runoff water from most of the sites. The PO4–P accounted for approximately 64% of the TDP. The annual median concentrations of various P forms in the runoff water varied spatially and temporally and were correlated with total and labile P in the soils (water‐P, Olsen‐P, Mehlich 1‐P, and Mehlich 3‐P) as well as fertilizer P rate. The vegetable farms had higher concentrations of P in the runoff water than citrus groves due to their more severe soil erosion and higher fertilizer P input, which resulted in higher soil P accumulation and availability. The annual loads of TP, TDP, and PO4–P varied among the field sites and between the 2 yr. The TP loads were significantly correlated with soil labile P estimated by the four extraction procedures, but the Olsen‐P was best related to runoff P. Runoff P concentrations and the annual discharge rate accounted for 55 to 64% of the variance in the annual P loads. These results indicate that P transport through surface runoff from agriculture is affected by soil P status and water management, and merits attention in the development of best management practices.

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The relationship of root size to seed yield and lodging of two black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars, ‘Black Turtle Soup’ (BTS) and ‘Strain 39,’ was compared with that of four black‐seeded lines (70001, 70002, 70003, and 70004) under both field and greenhouse conditions at different growth stages. Root weight was significantly higher for the four lines than for the two cultivars in the field, but not in the greenhouse. Shoot:root ratios were significantly lower for all the lines than for BTS in both environments and for Strain 39 under field conditions.Combined field data for 2 years showed all four lines had significantly higher seed and biological yields than the two cultivars, although no differences were measured for harvest index. In both years the four lines lodged less than the two cultivars.Uprooting resistance of all lines was significantly higher than for BTS and Strain 39. None of the parameters measured showed a stage ✕ genotype interaction, except for shoot:root ratio in the greenhouse.Our results suggest that a larger root biomas may be an important component of lodging resistance in black beans. Erect plant types would result in decreased yield losses by direct harvesters.