Lesion mimic mutants commonly display spontaneous cell death in pre-senescent green leaves under normal conditions, without pathogen attack. Despite molecular and phenotypic characterization of several lesion mimic mutants, the mechanisms of the spontaneous formation of cell death lesions remain largely unknown. Here, we examined the rice lesion mimic mutant spotted leaf3 (spl3). In mutants grown under a light/dark cycle, spl3 mutants appeared similar to wild type at early developmental stages, but lesions gradually appeared in the mature leaves close to heading stage. By contrast, in mutants grown under continuous light, severe cell death lesions formed in developing leaves, even at the seedling stage. Histochemical analysis showed that hydrogen peroxide accumulated in the mutants, likely causing the cell death phenotype. By map-based cloning and complementation, we showed that a 1-bp deletion in the first exon of Oryza sativa Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase1 (OsMAPKKK1)/OsEDR1/ OsACDR1 causes the spl3 mutant phenotype. We found that the spl3 mutants were insensitive to abscisic acid (ABA), showing normal root growth in ABA-containing media and delayed leaf yellowing during dark-induced and natural senescence. Expression of ABA signaling-associated genes was also less responsive to ABA treatment in the mutants. Furthermore, the spl3 mutants had lower transcript levels and activities of catalases, which scavenge hydrogen peroxide, probably due to impairment of ABA-responsive signaling. Finally we discuss a possible molecular mechanism of lesion formation in the mature leaves of spl3 mutants.

A stabilization/solidification (S/S) process for lead (Pb) contaminated soils was evaluated using waste cow bone containing apatite like compounds. Soil samples obtained form firing range were treated with waste cow bone. The effectiveness of stabilization was evaluated based on the Korean Standard Leaching Test (KSLT) and soil pH. The leached concentration reduced with increased in dose of waste cow bone. Overall, the KSLT results showed that Pb concentration in soils are significantly affected by amount of waste cow bone. When soil amended with 20 % of waste cow bone, less than 0.1 mg/kg was leached, and soil pH was increased from 6.5 to 8.4. Same results were obtained when finer waste cow bone was applied. The reachable concentration of Pb in soil showed in inversely proportional to solid/liquid ratio. Aging periods indicate improving mix design was applied. Relatively high lead concentrations was observed at the first 1 days, however leaching profile are reduced significantly over time for all mix designs.

This study was carried out to investigate the antioxidative enzymes and isozymes between chilling-tolerant and -susceptible varieties at the booting stage under cold water stress (13~circC) in japonica rice. Total SOD, CAT, POX, and GR activities on the basis of protein were found to be important factors to defend cold water stress. Especially, SOD and CAT activities showed distinctive differences between chilling-tolerant and -susceptible varieties. Chilling-tolerant varieties were higher than chilling-susceptible varieties for SOD and CAT activities. One of eight isozyme bands for SOD was a inducible isoform. Three isozymes for CAT and one isozyme for POX were closely correlated with defense to cold water stress. Total GR activities except Stejaree 45 on the basis fresh weight and POX were increased by cold water stress, but there was no difference between chilling-tolerant and -sus­ceptible varieties.