Tolerance of plants to air pollutants. Shokubutsu no taiki osen taisei

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kondo, N.; Saji, H. (National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba (Japan))

1992-11-10

Attempts have been made to improve tolerance of plants to air pollutants by changing activities in detoxifying enzymes against toxic substances attributable to air pollutants, through gene manipulation. An air pollutant, absorbed in a plant through its stomata, produces toxic substances in the cells and damages the organism. Detailed discussions were given on the following: Stoma opening action and reaction; injuries attributable to air pollutants and detoxifying metabolism systems; ethylene and toxic enzymes of secondary toxic substances in an organism; different detoxifying mechanisms and active enzymes; and activation of detoxifying enzymes using genes. Pollution tolerance in plants is governed by inherent plant natures and environmental conditions. Plants that have two opposing functions of emerging damages from toxicity and preventing them with detoxifying capability are controlled with a complex and delicate balance. Changing pollution tolerance in plants may be possible by manipulating genes, but the importance is to elucidate what the tolerating enzymes are, and obtain their genes. Genes that could be used are very few in number. Expectations are placed on the future development. 122 refs., 4 figs.

Image diagnosis of plant function under environmental pollution. Shokubutsu de kankyo osen wo shindansuru

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Omasa, K. (National Inst. for Environmental studies, Tsukuba (Japan))

1993-12-20

Various physiological reaction of plants would be obstructed and troubles of their growth would be met under environmental pollution. There are also cases that the polluted materials as nutritious components are absorbed by plants. Consequently, if plant's reaction on this environmental pollution would be used, indexes of environmental pollution and environment can be improved. For examples, Ipomoea Nil and Petunia having high reaction on photochemical oxidate are widely used as index plant of air pollution. Zelkova trees and poplars planted as street trees can also greatly absorbed the polluted gas and have a function to clear air. In this paper, a diagnosis method by visualizing plant's reaction on environmental pollution by using technique of image measurement was explained. As devices of usable image measurement, a thermal camera, a solid measuring cameras, an ultrasonic camera, a multi-spectral camera and an X-ray TV camera were given. 6 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.

Appearance of rapid carbon on hydrogasification of coal; Suiten gas ka ni okeru kokassei tanso no hatsugen

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Soneda, Y.; Makino, M. [National Institute for Resources and Environment, Tsukuba (Japan)9] Xu, W. [New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, Tokyo, (Japan)

1998-09-20

The technology of hydrogasification of coal now under development under a State project aims to produce light oil as well as methane-rich high calorie gas through the direct reaction between coal and hydrogen, and is expected to deal with the difficult natural gas demand/supply relationship anticipated for the future. Although it is mandatory to fully understand the reaction between coal and hydrogen for the completion of this technology, yet there are many tasks to be fulfilled. One of the tasks is the elucidation of the behavior of what is named rapid carbon that appears upon the rapid heating of coal in a high-pressure hydrogen environment. In this paper, some interesting findings about the appearance of rapid carbon are reported. When coal is placed in such an environment, volatile components are lost first of all and then the active carbon reaction occurs. When the behavior of active carbon in the reaction is observed, it is found that active carbon is not so small in quantity, and the result of observation of its appearance and deactivation during the reaction justifies an inference that the reaction is regarded as one of the primary reactions in the process of hydrogasification. Accordingly, systematic studies of its physical and chemical features from various viewpoints are necessary. 5 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.

Plant growth regulation by the light of LEDs; LED ko wo tsukatta shokubutsu saibai gijutsu

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Watanabe, H. [Mitsubishi Chemical Co., Tokyo (Japan). Yokohama Research Center

1996-03-01

Light Emitting Diode (LED) has not only an excellent display function for the luminescent device but also a superior feature without other lamps as light source for plant growth. It was National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to find out such merit for this light source for plant growth and try at first to use for plant growth at the space. They began to examine the LED application to the light source for the plant growth at the space since a stage at high cost of the LED, to develop some researches centered at cultivation of lettuce, wheat, and others. Finding out future possibility of cost-down of the LEDs on the cost/performance and large merits of the LEDs for control of the plant growth and plant physiology, authors have conducted some cultivation experiments of the plants using the LEDs for light source some years ago. In this papers, characterizations, actual possibility, and future developments of the LEDs for the light sources of the plant growth, are introduced. 5 refs., 4 figs.

Studies on artificial light type vegetation plant using fluorescent lamps. Keikoto wo mochiita jinko kogata shokubutsu kojo no kenkyu

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Iwao, K [Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc., Nagoya (Japan)

1991-11-01

This paper describes the contents of studies carried out for four years on a fluorescent lamp type vegetation plant. The equipment consists of a chiller unit with 5 HP, a motive power board of three-phase 200 V/feeder with an annual power capacity of 20 kW at maximum, and a micro-computer to control the culture environmental conditions. Discussions were given on the equipment performance, profitability, production capacity for salads and lettuces, and related data. Although the system has some disadvantage in the economy, it provided effective results on the know-hows in culturing high-class vegetables and fruits under season-free and chemical-free conditions. Since the natural light is also required, the professional knowledges and know-hows in this area were incorporated in the development. Fluorescent lamps emitting three primary colors of red, green and blue were devised and used. Because insufficient light intensity would raise the temperature only up to 42{degree}C when the ambient temperature is 25{degree}C, a proximity illumination system was adopted, which provided 45KIx high light intensity as well as the working spectra over an wide area. Tomato cultivation has also become possible, which is an epoch-making success. The system yielded better than hydroponic cultivation in solar greenhouse of the same size. 11 refs., 16 figs., 2 tabs.

Improvement of the expression character of sand quality thing for pot SN; Shuka SN yo keisashitsu tsumemono no hatsugen tokusei no kaizen

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Matsui, R.

1999-02-01

It guessed the occurrence mechanism of the hole in, and thing, which a un-barrier hole didn`t happen easily in, was developed the slight structure analysis of sand quality thing, which became a un-barrier hole with an actual opportunity, too. The influence of the metamorphosis of the quartz grows big as a result of the heat dynamics calculation when there are a few R{sub 2}O too much though the amount of liquid phase to form by reducing R{sub 2}O content in thing decreased and it could be estimated that a hole could be prevented. So, the influence of the metamorphosis was added by choosing the place of production of the quartz, and sand quality various things, which could prevent a hole, was developed. (translated by NEDO)

Survey of pollution-resistant plants and their cultivating techniques; Osen busshitsu taisei shokubutsu to sono shokusai gijutsu ni kansuru chosa

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1997-03-01

The reduction of forests due to environmental pollution has been surveyed, to investigate the pollution-resistant plants and solid microorganisms. In Japan, the blight of needle-leaf trees (pine and momi fir) and of Japanese oak has occurred, and blight of some other trees, such as wild cherry trees, Japanese apricot trees, birch, Japanese cedar, cypress and bamboo, has been reported from various regions. In this article, plants reported to be resistant to pollutants are listed, and the physiological features of these plants are described. Furthermore, to develop pollution-resistant plants, reports relating to clarification of the mechanism of resistance development and the genes involved are reviewed. Microorganisms which symbioses for roots support these root functions. They also suppress the activity of pathogenic microorganisms and improve the environment around the roots, thus helping plants to grow normally. The roles played by symbiotic microorganisms and how to utilize these organisms are discussed. Their functions in coping with acid rain and heavy metal pollution, and how to utilize such functions are also discussed. 707 refs., 13 figs., 13 tabs.

Continuous measurement of electrical characteristics in plants. 3. Shokubutsu seitai no denki tokusei sokuteiho. 3. ; Suikoeki pH chosei heno tekiyo

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sekiyama, T; Haniyu, H; Saiki, H

1989-09-01

Controlling pH of nutrient solution and keeping the other conditions unchanged, measurements of variation in electric potential difference between leaf and hypocotyl of a bush bean plant was performed for about seven days. Silver electrodes 0.3mm in diameter were glued on the surface of the plant using conductive paste prepared by dissolving gelatine in Ringel {prime} s solution. The results obtained are summarized as follws: first, when pH of the solution is suddenly increased or decreased, the potential of leave becomes high or low with respect to that of hypocotyl respectively; second, the variation in potential difference between them is affected by the rate at which pH of the solution is adjusted, although the total variation of pH is controlled to be the same, and in particular by mild adjustment (0.02 - 0.05pH/min) it is reduced to 1/2 - 1/4 of that produced by sudden change; third, abrupt change in pH of the solution cause to the plant the temporary suppression of its water absorption having a duration of 7 - 15 minutes. A short account is given of a non-contact type measurement of bioelectric potential performanced by making use of a Faraday {prime} s cage. 11 refs., 12 figs.

Solar energy and ecosystem. ; Botanical factory which utilizes the solar energy. Taiyo energy to ecosystem. ; Taiyo energy wo riyoshita shokubutsu kojo

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Okano, T [Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Tokyo (Japan)

1992-11-30

The present paper explains the present development status and future problem of botanical factory. As a lightening method in the factory, there are artificial light type, solar light type, and combined solar and artificial light type. Each of all the types has both advantages and disadvantages. Development history is explained of a combined solar and artificial light type botanical factory. An NFT (nutrient film technique) nutrient liquid cultivator was developed in order to stabilize the vegetable production. Further, the air conditioner was modified. Heat storage tank for the night power utilization use and simple duct type heat exchanger for the air conditioning use in the cultivating room underwent associated works for both the thermal insulation and prevention of water bakage, which resulted in heightening in efficiency of both floor area utilization and air conditioning. As for the botanical growth, spinach cultivated with a CO2 concentration which was about three times as high as that outdoors gave a 60% heavier harvest and hardly differed in nutritive quality from that cultivated in the farm. A continuous cultivation test in summer, 1990 resulted in about 224g/day and 250g/day in production rate per 1m[sup 2] of cultivation area for the spinach and lettuce, respectively, which makes the factory cultivation profitable by economizing both the construction and maintenance (expenses for light and fuel). Future problem is about how to put it to practical use. 5 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.

Fiscal 1998 'Plant Biotechnology in the 21st Century' workshop report; '21 seiki no shokubutsu biotechnology' workshop 1998 nendo seika hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-03-01

The workshop was opened with the opening remarks by Yamada (President of Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NIST)), the overview of plant biotechnology in the 21st century from academia by Shinmyo (Professor of NIST), and the overview of such technology from Ministry of International Trade and Industry by Katao (Chief of Chemical Industry Division). Lectures and discussions of various topics were conducted for 2 days as follows. The effectiveness of a genomic DNA array method for obtaining the genes for switching genes according to daytime, nighttime, drying, salt, high temperature and low temperature for every plant. Current transfer technology of large DNA fragments into plant cell nuclei and chloroplast. Biological evaluation of the physiological functions and complex stress tolerance capacity transformed by transferring complex stress tolerance genes and useful genes for productivity improvement and value addition. Discussion was also held on the importance of a basic research for biotechnology in the 21st century. (NEDO)

Fiscal 1999 achievement report on research and development project on intellectual infrastructure creation and utilization technologies. Development of efficient protein expression system (Development of efficient protein expression system utilizing protein folding mechanism of hyperthermophilic bacteria); 1999 nendo kokoritsu tanpakushitsu hatsugen system no kaihatsu seika hokokusho. Chokonetsukin no tanpakushitsu oritatami kiko wo riyoshita kokoritsu tanpakushitsu hatsugen system no kaihatsu

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

Efforts were exerted to achieve efficient expression of proteins of hyperthermophilic bacteria, hyperthermophilic archaeabacteria in particular, using a heterogene expression system in which Escherichia coli was the host. In an effort to search for genes related to protein folding and to elucidate the mechanism of folding, chaperonin and prefoldin subunit genes, out of various factors participating in protein folding in hyperthermophilic archaeabacteria, were cloned, and expressed in Escherichia coli. As a system for analyzing protein folding reaction, an experimental system was established on a substrate comprising isopropyl malate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, glucose dehydrogenase, and a green fluorescent protein. Studies were further conducted to elucidate the mechanism of expression of enzyme genes in Escherichia coli for the establishment of a mass production method for useful enzymes. Also carried out was the research and development of an element technology evaluation system involving protein expression. (NEDO)

Petrographic Changes in Compaction Thermal Treatment of Recent Plant Materials, Peat and Coals; Shokubutsu, deitan oyobi sekitan no atsumitsu kanetsu shoributsu no kenbikyo kansatsu

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sugimoto, Yoshikazu. [National Institute of Materials and Chemical Research, Ibaraki (Japan); Okada, Kiyofumi. [Coal Energy Centre, Saitama (Japan); Suzuki, Yuichiro. [Geological Survey of Japan (Japan)

1999-03-20

Recent plant materials, peat and coals were compressed and thermally treated at various temperatures (200-400degreeC ) for 25 hours. The compaction pyrolysis products were observed with a microscope in both reflected and fluorescent lights, and their vitrinite reflectance (R{sub o}) were also measured. The R{sub o} values of the original samples varied from 0.1 of peat to 0.7 of Miike bituminous coal. After the thermal treatment at 300, 350 and 400degreeC, the R{sub o} values increased to 0.7-1.0, 1.2-1.4 and 1.7-2.1, respectively, in spite of the kind of the original material. The compaction pyrolysis products abtained from plant materials at 200degreeC showed sprcific textures which are often observed in natural low rank coals. Those textures became homogeneous with the increasing temperatures of the thermal treatment. Petrographic characteristice of the xylems of Morwell coal and red pine changed similarly during the thermal treatment. Because peat and humus soil sontained a large amount of mineral matter, they provided the pyrolysis products with different textures from other materials. The fluorercent material of leaf (metasequoia) after the thermal treatment at 200degreeC was considered as cutinite, and it stated to melt around 250degreeC and disappeared around 300degreeC , whereas thet of Miike bituminous coal did not melt and disappear even around 300degreeC. There still remain quite a few coal macerals of which origin and formation are unclear, and the artificial maturation followed by the microsopic investigation is one of effective approaches to elucidate them. (author)

Preliminary experiments on the growth of plants exposed to DC corona discharge in a hydroponics. Chokuryu corona hodenkadeno suiko sanbaini yoru shokubutsu seiikuno yobiteki kento

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shigemitsu, Tsukasa; Watanabe, Yasunori

1988-01-01

For the purpose of utilizing electrical phenomena to agriculture fields, preliminary experiments were carried out hydroponically to evaluate especially the effects of ion by DC corona discharge on the growth of plants such as lettuce or radish. The influences of various shapes of discharge electrodes on a water evaporation rate, ozone production rate and ion current change were studied, and the indirect stimulation effects on plants by more water evaporation under discharge, and the direct stimulation effects on plants with discharge by the electrode fixed 45cm above plants were studied. As a result, the water evaporation rate was 2 or 3 times more than that of control plots by positive or negative corona discharge, however, for the growth of plants, no remarkable direct or indirect stimulation effects by discharge were observed. As subjects, the clarification of water behavior change under discharge and of effects on plants in cellular level were pointed out to be necessary. (14 figs, 12 tabs, 12 refs)

Fiscal 1998 'Plant Biotechnology in the 21st Century' workshop report; '21 seiki no shokubutsu biotechnology' workshop 1998 nendo seika hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-03-01

The workshop was opened with the opening remarks by Yamada (President of Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NIST)), the overview of plant biotechnology in the 21st century from academia by Shinmyo (Professor of NIST), and the overview of such technology from Ministry of International Trade and Industry by Katao (Chief of Chemical Industry Division). Lectures and discussions of various topics were conducted for 2 days as follows. The effectiveness of a genomic DNA array method for obtaining the genes for switching genes according to daytime, nighttime, drying, salt, high temperature and low temperature for every plant. Current transfer technology of large DNA fragments into plant cell nuclei and chloroplast. Biological evaluation of the physiological functions and complex stress tolerance capacity transformed by transferring complex stress tolerance genes and useful genes for productivity improvement and value addition. Discussion was also held on the importance of a basic research for biotechnology in the 21st century. (NEDO)

Succession of benthos and nutrient removal rate in the hydroponic culture system; Shokubutsu suiko saibaikei ni okeru konken seibutsu no henka to eiyoen no jokyo

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Aizaki, M [National Inst. for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba (Japan); Nakazato, H [Biox Corp., Tokyo (Japan)

1995-08-10

Such nutrients as nitrogen and phosphorus discharged into lakes and rivers can cause organic contamination as a result of eutrophication in water areas if they are left as they are. However, they can be re-utilized as resources if they are utilized more effectively. This paper reports a hydroponic organism filtering method as a promising method of utilization thereof. It also explains transition in organism phase in rhizosphere and a water purification experiment. Such suspended matters as phytoplanktons in raw water are filtered and captured by roots of plants; such small animals as tendipedidae and physia live symbiotically in the rhizosphere; their excrements and nutrients are absorbed into and utilized by plants; and coexistence is made possible between diverse water-front environments including terrestrial systems and diverse living organisms. Cresson cultivation, observation on transition in the benthos composition, and a lake water purification experiment were carried out at the Kasumigaura Lake experimental facility. Various findings were acquired such that, in order to attain diverse coexistences including those with natural enemies and well-ventilated environments, a water channel of larger than a certain size is required. Results were also obtained that can be expected as an effective technique that may be used in public water areas. 3 refs., 4 figs.

Report on achievements in fiscal 1998. Development of useful substance production technology utilizing gene combination technology; 1998 nendo idenshi kumikae gijutsu wo riyoshita yuyo busshitsu seisan gijutsu kaihatsu seika hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

In developing a useful substance producing technology utilizing gene combination technology, plants are taken as a kind of useful substance producing arena, wherein useful protein genes of animals are introduced and manifested in the plants. Thereupon, technological development was carried out for the following items with regard to mass production of useful substances that can be utilized industrially, such as cytokine, by means of plant and cell cultivation: 1. Development of a useful substance producing technology utilizing gene combination technology, and 2. Comprehensive surveys and researches. For the technology to obtain and design useful substance producing genes originated from animals, development of a technology to search and acquire useful genes originated from animals, and a design and modification technology for useful genes. For the technology to introduce genes into gene combined plants, creation of plants combined with useful substance producing genes, and development of an introduction technology using plant virus vector. For the technology to produce high-function chemical substances in the gene combined plants, establishment of technologies for mass breeding and activity analysis of gene combined plants and cultivated cells, and for extraction and refinement of useful substances from the gene combined plants. In the comprehensive surveys and researches, technologies were surveyed and items of information were collected inside and outside the country. (NEDO)

Research report for fiscal 1998. Study of utilization of biomass including foods in energy industry; 1998 nendo shokubutsu nado no biomass no energy riyo ni kansuru chosa hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-03-01

Rice being produced as food is taken up out of various types of biomass, and a feasibility study from the viewpoints of technology and economy is conducted as to its use in the energy industry. The production of ethanol from rice, though it has no past record worth discussion, is similar to the production of ethanol from other biomass resources in terms of technology and economy. The problem is that the production cost of rice is far higher than those of other materials. It is expected, however, that there will a large-scale production cost reduction and an increase in the yield when novel cultivation techniques are introduced in the future. It is also expected that alcohol from rice will be sufficiently competitive with alcohol from molasses or the like when the exploitation of cellulose-family by-products such as husks becomes feasible. The study on this occasion deals solely with the effective use of farmland and the surplus rice. A confrontation between rice as a biomass resource and rice as a food has to be avoided as much as possible in the long term because it may cause a price rise and compromise the security of food supply. That is, in discussing this matter, it is mandatory to draw a very definite line between rice as a food and rice as an alcohol production material. (NEDO)

Fiscal 2000 achievement report on project for research and development of technologies for intelligent infrastructure creation and utilization. 'Development of high-efficiency protein expression system - 1 Development of system capable of high-efficiency expression of hyperthermophile-derived protein'; 2000 nendo chiteki kiban sose riyo gijutsu kenkyu kaihatsu gyomu seika hokokusho. Kokoritsu tanpakushitsu hatsugen system no kaihatsu -1 (Cho konetsukin yurai tanpakushitsu wo kokoritsu ni hatsugen suru system no kaihatsu)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

Research and development was conducted aiming at the establishment of a system to enable the high-efficiency expression of the gene products of P. horikoshii OT3 and A. pernix K1. In an effort to develop a high-efficiency protein expression system with Escherichia coli acting as the host, studies were made about the expression of hyperthermophile protein by arginine rare codon elimination, and Ph FEN (flap endonuclease) was successfully overexpressed. In the development of Bacillus strains, screening was conducted for novel hosts, and a library was constructed for a screening task suitable for hyperthermophile-derived protein production. A system was also constructed capable of the high-throughput expression of various kinds of genes using Bacillus brevis. In the study of the expression of hyperthermophile-derived genes using T. thermophilus, promoter replacement resulted in an approximately 2-fold increase in representation at the maximum. Moreover, studies were made about the length at which foreign genes were efficiently incorporated into the T. thermophilus genome. (NEDO)

Dependence of leaf surface potential response of a plant (Ficus Elastica) to light irradiation on room temperature; Shokubutsu (gomunoki) hamen den`i no hikari shosha oto no shitsuon izonsei

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ishii, H; Kenmoku, Y; Sakakibara, T [Toyohashi University of Technology, Aichi (Japan); Nakagawa, S [Maizuru National College of Technology, Kyoto (Japan); Kawamoto, T [Shizuoka University, Shizuoka (Japan)

1997-11-25

In order to clarify plant body potential information, study was made on a leaf surface potential response to light irradiation. The leaf surface potential change, total transpiration and transpiration rate of Ficus Elastica were measured using light irradiation period and room temperature as parameters. The leaf surface potential change shows a positive peak after the start of light irradiation, while a negative peak after its end. Arrival time to both peaks is constant regardless of the light irradiation period, while decrease with an increase in room temperature. Although the total transpiration increases with room temperature, this tendency disappears with an increase in light irradiation period. The transpiration rate shows its peak after the start of light irradiation. Arrival time to the peak is saturated with the light irradiation period of 60min, while decreases with an increase in room temperature. These results suggest that opening of stomata becomes active with an increase in room temperature, and the peak of the leaf surface potential after the start of light irradiation relates to the opening. 3 refs., 11 figs.

Research on effective botanical production technology. Method established for the qualitative evaluation of hydroponically cultivated teat; Shokubutsu seisan gijutsu no koritsuka kenkyu. Suiko saibaicha no hinshitsu hyokaho no kakuritsu

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ota, T; Harada, K [Hokkaido Electric Power Co. Inc., Sapporo (Japan)

1995-06-14

In case of cultivation on the ground, the tea is produced about five years after the transplantation. In case of hydroponic cultivation, however, it can start in about two years. Against difficulties due to the high temperature in summer, the cool summer climate of Hokkaido is good for putting the hydroponic cultivation to practical use. As the tea is a nonessential grocery item, its quality is regarded as very important, and determined by its theanine and other free amino acid content. Therefore, a new measurement method by high-speed liquid chromatography was studied to establish the method of quantitatively analyzing the free amino acid. By applying this method established, the hydroponically cultivated tea was qualitatively evaluated through classifying it and measuring its free amino acid content at each of its foliage heights. The main free amino acid contained was known to be theanine, glutamine, arginine, threonine and alamine. The theanine accounted for about 70% of all the free amino acid, and with a decrease in foliage height, its content fell. 15 refs., 20 figs., 2 tabs.