Regulation of Vicia faba L. Response and Its Effect on Megoura crassicauda Reproduction under Zinc Stress

Abstract

The heavy metal zinc (Zn) is known to be transmitted in the food chain; however, the effect of Zn stress on beans and herbivorous insects is largely unclear. This study aimed to investigate the resistance of broad bean plants to Zn stress and the consequent changes in their physiological and biochemical metabolism by simulating heavy metal pollution in soil. Simultaneously, the effects of aphid progeny treated with different Zn concentrations on the expression of carbohydrate and related genes were analyzed. The results showed that Zn had no effect on the germination rate of broad beans, but other effects mainly manifested as follows. (1) Chlorophyll content decreased. (2) The total soluble sugar and Zn content in stems and leaves increased with increasing Zn content. (3) The proline content first increased and then decreased with increasing Zn content. (4) The height of the seedlings indicates that low concentrations promote growth and high concentrations inhibit growth. In addition, only the first-generation fecundity decreased significantly when aphids fed on heavy metal broad beans. Continuous high Zn levels increase the trehalose content of aphid F1 and F2, while F3 decreases. These results can not only provide a theoretical basis for exploring the impact of soil heavy metal pollution on ecosystems but also preliminarily evaluate the possibility of broad beans as a means of pollution remediation.

Changes in the Biology and Susceptibility of Weevil (Cylas formicarius) to the Insecticide Spinetoram as a Response to Cadmium Contamination

“…However, in this study, the cadmium contents in sweet potato chips and weevils were not determined for all treatments, which need to be further clarified in the subsequent studies on Cd accumulation. In addition to appetite, heavy metals have other toxic effects on insects; in severe cases, they have adverse effects on the growth index, development duration, and mortality rate [ 15 , 46 , 47 ]. Exposure of insects to Cd 2+ can delay development [ 28 , 32 ].…”

Response of Carrot (Daucus carota L.) to Multi-Contaminated Soil from Historic Mining and Smelting Activities

“…In contrast to this trend, a decrease in this group was determined in leaves of the Multi variant, indicating a change in the regulation of N metabolism and a higher sensitivity of carrot leaves than roots to TEs in the soil. Additionally, the accumulation of other free AAs, such as PRO, ORN, GLY and MET, as well as specific free AAs-HYP and SAR-may reflect the higher sensitivity of carrot leaves to Cd, Pb and Zn in comparison to roots [89]. HYP, along with SAR, was below the detection limit in the roots.…”