Soil ResearcherPhD - The Hebrew University of JerusalemResearch interests:Plant NutritionMicroelementsSoil RemediationSoil and Water SalinitySustainable Agriculture
Relatively elevated concentrations of naturally occurring radium isotopes ((226)Ra, (228)Ra and (... more Relatively elevated concentrations of naturally occurring radium isotopes ((226)Ra, (228)Ra and (224)Ra) are found in two main aquifers in the arid southern part of Israel, in activity concentrations frequently exceeding the limits set in the drinking water quality regulations. We aimed to explore the environmental implications of using water containing Ra for irrigation. Several crops (cucumbers, melons, radish, lettuce, alfalfa and wheat), grown in weighing lysimeters were irrigated at 3 levels of (226)Ra activity concentration: Low Radium Water (LRW)<0.04 Bq L(-1); High Radium Water (HRW) at 1.8 Bq L(-1) and (3) Radium Enriched Water (REW) at 50 times the concentration in HRW. The HYDRUS 1-D software package was used to simulate the long-term (226)Ra distribution in a soil irrigated with HRW for 15 years. Radium uptake by plants was found to be controlled by its activity in the irrigation water and in the soil solution, the physical properties of the soil and the potential evapotranspiration. The (226)Ra apeared to accumulate mainly in the leaves of crops following the evapotranspiration current, while its accumulation in the edible parts (fruits and roots) was minimal. The simulation of 15 years of crop irrigation by HYDERUS 1-D, showed a low Ra activity concentration in the soil solution of the root zone and a limited downward mobility. It was therefore concluded that the crops investigated in this study can be irrigated with the natural occurring activity concentration of (226)Ra of 0.6-1.6 Bq L(-1). This should be accompanied by a continuous monitoring of radium in the edible parts of the crops.
Relatively elevated concentrations of naturally occurring radium isotopes are found in the two ma... more Relatively elevated concentrations of naturally occurring radium isotopes are found in the two main aquifers of the arid southern part of Israel. Radium is found in the groundwater as three isotopes (Ra, Ra and Ra), in activity concentrations frequently exceeding the limits set in the drinking water quality regulations. The purpose of this paper is to report the results of ongoing experiments testing the feasibility of using the water for irrigation. A controlled experimental system was designed consisting of lysimeters filled with local sandy loam soil. The lysimeters were irrigated at 3 levels of Ra activity concentration in the water: low-radium water (<0.04 Bq·l), high-radium water (1.8 Bq·l), and water enriched at 50 times the concentration in high-radium water (in order to simulate long-term irrigation with high-radium water). Several crops (cucumbers, melons, radish, lettuce, alfalfa, wheat and tomatoes) were grown. It was found that radium uptake by plants is mainly contr...
The siderophore rhizoferrin, produced by the fungus Rhizopus arrhizus, was previously found to be... more The siderophore rhizoferrin, produced by the fungus Rhizopus arrhizus, was previously found to be as an efficient Fe source as Fe-ethylenediamine-di(o-hydroxphenylacetic acid) to strategy I plants. The role of this microbial siderophore in Fe uptake by strategy II plants is the focus of this research. Fe-rhizoferrin was found to be an efficient Fe source for barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and corn (Zea mays L.). The mechanisms by which these Gramineae utilize Fe from Fe-rhizoferrin and from other chelators were studied. Fe uptake from 59Fe-rhizoferrin, 59Fe-ferrioxamine B, 59Fe-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and 59Fe-2[prime]-deoxymugineic acid by barley plants grown in nutrient solution at pH 6.0 was examined during periods of high (morning) and low (evening) phytosiderophore release. Uptake and translocation rates from Fe chelates paralleled the diurnal rhythm of phytosiderophore release. In corn, however, similar uptake and translocation rates were observed both in the morning and...
The siderophore rhizoferrin, produced by the fungus Rhizopus arrhizus, was previously found to be... more The siderophore rhizoferrin, produced by the fungus Rhizopus arrhizus, was previously found to be as an efficient Fe source as Fe-ethylenediamine-di(o-hydroxphenylacetic acid) to strategy I plants. The role of this microbial siderophore in Fe uptake by strategy II plants is the focus of this research. Fe-rhizoferrin was found to be an efficient Fe source for barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and
ABSTRACT Iron chelators are the most effective Fe fertilizers known to date. However, due to thei... more ABSTRACT Iron chelators are the most effective Fe fertilizers known to date. However, due to their negative charge they are easily leached out of the root zone. Besides the risk of groundwater contamination with organic compounds and metals, repeated applications of expensive Fe chelates are often required. With the aim to reduce leaching, desferrioxamine B (DFOB) and ethylenediaminedihydroxyphenylacetic acid (EDDHA) were immobilized on Sepharose and tested as Fe sources to plants. Two cultivars of cucumber (Dlila and Kfir) grown in hydroponic cultures at pH 7.3, efficiently utilized Fe from immobilized FeDFOB, and immobilized FeEDDHA. In general, plant response to the immobilized fertilizers became comparable to that of soluble chelates within a period of 17 to 26 days. The kinetics of alleviating Fe induced chlorosis in plants treated with the immobilized chelates was slower than that obtained with soluble chelates. Moreover, the Fe reduction rates obtained for immobilized FeDFOB were slower than those measured for soluble FeDFOB. Our observations suggest that immobilized FeDFOB can serve as a slow release Fe fertilizer. The slow kinetics of reduction and uptake from the immobilized as compared to the soluble chelates can be attributed to the lower accessibility to the plant&#39;s roots.
Relatively elevated concentrations of naturally occurring radium isotopes ((226)Ra, (228)Ra and (... more Relatively elevated concentrations of naturally occurring radium isotopes ((226)Ra, (228)Ra and (224)Ra) are found in two main aquifers in the arid southern part of Israel, in activity concentrations frequently exceeding the limits set in the drinking water quality regulations. We aimed to explore the environmental implications of using water containing Ra for irrigation. Several crops (cucumbers, melons, radish, lettuce, alfalfa and wheat), grown in weighing lysimeters were irrigated at 3 levels of (226)Ra activity concentration: Low Radium Water (LRW)&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.04 Bq L(-1); High Radium Water (HRW) at 1.8 Bq L(-1) and (3) Radium Enriched Water (REW) at 50 times the concentration in HRW. The HYDRUS 1-D software package was used to simulate the long-term (226)Ra distribution in a soil irrigated with HRW for 15 years. Radium uptake by plants was found to be controlled by its activity in the irrigation water and in the soil solution, the physical properties of the soil and the potential evapotranspiration. The (226)Ra apeared to accumulate mainly in the leaves of crops following the evapotranspiration current, while its accumulation in the edible parts (fruits and roots) was minimal. The simulation of 15 years of crop irrigation by HYDERUS 1-D, showed a low Ra activity concentration in the soil solution of the root zone and a limited downward mobility. It was therefore concluded that the crops investigated in this study can be irrigated with the natural occurring activity concentration of (226)Ra of 0.6-1.6 Bq L(-1). This should be accompanied by a continuous monitoring of radium in the edible parts of the crops.
Relatively elevated concentrations of naturally occurring radium isotopes are found in the two ma... more Relatively elevated concentrations of naturally occurring radium isotopes are found in the two main aquifers of the arid southern part of Israel. Radium is found in the groundwater as three isotopes (Ra, Ra and Ra), in activity concentrations frequently exceeding the limits set in the drinking water quality regulations. The purpose of this paper is to report the results of ongoing experiments testing the feasibility of using the water for irrigation. A controlled experimental system was designed consisting of lysimeters filled with local sandy loam soil. The lysimeters were irrigated at 3 levels of Ra activity concentration in the water: low-radium water (<0.04 Bq·l), high-radium water (1.8 Bq·l), and water enriched at 50 times the concentration in high-radium water (in order to simulate long-term irrigation with high-radium water). Several crops (cucumbers, melons, radish, lettuce, alfalfa, wheat and tomatoes) were grown. It was found that radium uptake by plants is mainly contr...
The siderophore rhizoferrin, produced by the fungus Rhizopus arrhizus, was previously found to be... more The siderophore rhizoferrin, produced by the fungus Rhizopus arrhizus, was previously found to be as an efficient Fe source as Fe-ethylenediamine-di(o-hydroxphenylacetic acid) to strategy I plants. The role of this microbial siderophore in Fe uptake by strategy II plants is the focus of this research. Fe-rhizoferrin was found to be an efficient Fe source for barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and corn (Zea mays L.). The mechanisms by which these Gramineae utilize Fe from Fe-rhizoferrin and from other chelators were studied. Fe uptake from 59Fe-rhizoferrin, 59Fe-ferrioxamine B, 59Fe-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and 59Fe-2[prime]-deoxymugineic acid by barley plants grown in nutrient solution at pH 6.0 was examined during periods of high (morning) and low (evening) phytosiderophore release. Uptake and translocation rates from Fe chelates paralleled the diurnal rhythm of phytosiderophore release. In corn, however, similar uptake and translocation rates were observed both in the morning and...
The siderophore rhizoferrin, produced by the fungus Rhizopus arrhizus, was previously found to be... more The siderophore rhizoferrin, produced by the fungus Rhizopus arrhizus, was previously found to be as an efficient Fe source as Fe-ethylenediamine-di(o-hydroxphenylacetic acid) to strategy I plants. The role of this microbial siderophore in Fe uptake by strategy II plants is the focus of this research. Fe-rhizoferrin was found to be an efficient Fe source for barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and
ABSTRACT Iron chelators are the most effective Fe fertilizers known to date. However, due to thei... more ABSTRACT Iron chelators are the most effective Fe fertilizers known to date. However, due to their negative charge they are easily leached out of the root zone. Besides the risk of groundwater contamination with organic compounds and metals, repeated applications of expensive Fe chelates are often required. With the aim to reduce leaching, desferrioxamine B (DFOB) and ethylenediaminedihydroxyphenylacetic acid (EDDHA) were immobilized on Sepharose and tested as Fe sources to plants. Two cultivars of cucumber (Dlila and Kfir) grown in hydroponic cultures at pH 7.3, efficiently utilized Fe from immobilized FeDFOB, and immobilized FeEDDHA. In general, plant response to the immobilized fertilizers became comparable to that of soluble chelates within a period of 17 to 26 days. The kinetics of alleviating Fe induced chlorosis in plants treated with the immobilized chelates was slower than that obtained with soluble chelates. Moreover, the Fe reduction rates obtained for immobilized FeDFOB were slower than those measured for soluble FeDFOB. Our observations suggest that immobilized FeDFOB can serve as a slow release Fe fertilizer. The slow kinetics of reduction and uptake from the immobilized as compared to the soluble chelates can be attributed to the lower accessibility to the plant&#39;s roots.
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