Effects of Exogenous Spermidine on Antioxidant System Responses of Typha latifolia L. Under Cd^2＋ Stress

The effects of foliar spraying with spermidine (Spd), ranging in concentration from 0.25 to 0.50 mmol/L, on the antioxidant system under Cd^2 stress (range 0.1- 0.2 mmol/L Cd^2 ) in Typha latifolia L. grown hydroponically were investigated in order to offer a referenced evidence for an understanding of the mechanism by which polyamines (PAs) relieve the damage to plants by heavy metal and improve the phytoremediation efficiency of heavy metal-contaminated water. The results showed that Cd^2 stress induced oxidative injury, as evidenced by an increase in the generation of superoxide anion (O2), as well as the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in both leaves and caudices. With the exception of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the leaves, an increase in the activities of catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GR) was observed in both leaves and caudices, SOD activity was increased in caudices, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity was increased in leaves following Cd^2 treatment. The reduced glutathione (GSH) content in both leaves and caudices and the reductive ascorbate content in leaves was obviously increased, which were prompted by the application of exogenous Spd. Spraying with Spd increased the activity of GR and APX in both leaves and caudices, whereas the activity of SOD, CAT, and GPX was increased only in caudices following spraying with Spd. The generation of O2 and the H2O2 and MDA content in both leaves and caudices decreased after spraying with Spd. The decrease in MDA was more obvious following the application of 0.25 than 0.50 mmol/L Spd. It is supposed that exogenous Spd elevated the tolerance of T. latifolia under Cd^2 stress primarily by increasing GR activity and the GSH level.     

Application of in vitro pollination of opened ovaries to obtain Brassica oleracea L. × B. rapa L. hybrids

This study presents the results of experiments concerning: (1) interspecific hybridization of Brassica oleracea × Brassica rapa via application of in vitro placental pollination and (2) embryological analysis of the process of resynthesis of Brassica napus. In order to overcome certain stigma/style barriers, B. rapa pollen was placed in vitro on an opened B. oleracea ovary (with style removed). Pollinated ovaries were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. After 24-d culture, the developing embryos were isolated from immature seeds and transferred onto MS medium supplemented with 0.47 μM kinetin, 0.49 μM 1-naphthaleneacetic acid, and 10% (v/v) coconut water. When the embryos had turned green, they were immediately placed onto MS medium with 100 μM kinetin. After development of the seedling, plantlets were transferred to soil. Chromosome doubling was achieved after another week. Cytometric analysis of nuclear DNA confirmed the hybrid nature of the plants. Resynthesis of B. napus can be performed through interspecific hybridization of B. oleracea × B. rapa followed by embryo rescue and genome doubling.     

Studies on synthetic hybrids of british species of Senecio: I Senecio viscosus L. × S. vulgaris L.

Summary

Four aquatic hyphomycetes and one terrestrial fungus were examined for their responses to the phenoxy herbicides (±)-MCPP and 2,4-D as both single and binary preparations with respect to hyphal extension, sporulation and respiration. Hyphal extension of all species was unaffected at concentrations less than 100 mg l^?1. At higher concentrations there was a variable inhibitory response to the herbicides but no clear pattern was observed between the five fungi. The binary herbicide mixture had a weak synergistic effect on inhibition of growth rate. For the four aquatic hyphomycetes sporulation was reduced at several herbicide concentrations, but there was no consistent reduction over the experimental period. Flagellospora curvula and Clavariopsis aquatica showed increased sporulation at 100 and 1000 mg l^?1 for only some herbicide combinations. The respiration rates of the fungi varied with species and herbicide concentration and ranged between stimulation at 100 mg l^?1 to inhibition at 4000 mg l^?1. The results indicate that the five fungi are not likely to be severely effected by the phenoxy herbicides at concentrations normally occurring in the field. The possible effects of these herbicides on nutrient cycling are briefly discussed.     

Brief Biography of Dr. Gbor L. LVEI, Editor-in-Chief

1. Contact Information Aarhus University, Department ofAgroecology & Environment, Flakkebjerg Research Centre, DK-4200 Slagelse, Denmark and Department of Biological Invasions, Plant Protection Institute, CAAS, #12 South Street of Zhong-Guan-Cun, Beijing, 100081, China Phone: +45-87158224 / +45-87156082 E-mail: gabor.lovei@agrs     

Hydrodynamic properties of α-globulin fromSesamum indicum L.

The protein α-globulin fromSesamum indicum L. has been characterised for its size and shape using αarious chemical, physico-chemical and hydrodynamic properties. The protein has an S_20,w ⁰ of 12.8, D_20,w °f 4.9 × 10^-7 cm²/sec and a partial specific αolume of 0.725 ml/g in the natiαe state. The intrinsic αiscosity of the protein was determined to be 3 0 ml/g indicating it to be globular in shape. The molecular weight of the protein as determined by αarious approaches in analytical ultracentrifugation αaries from 2.6–2.74 × 10⁵. The molecular weight from sedimentation equilibrium yields a αalue of 2.74 × 10⁵ in the natiαe state and a αalue of 19000 in the dissociated and denatured state in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride. The eαaluation of frictional ratios using Stokes radius and results from electron microscopy confirms the protein to be globular in shape. The protein consists of at least 12–14 subunits. The eαaluation of hydrophobic parameters and energetics of interaction of subunits indicate that the protein is stabilized predominantly by hydrophobic interactions.     

The identification of hybrids ofPhaseolus vulgar is L. ×Phaseolus coccineus L. Using immunoehemical methods

F₁ generace hybrid?Ph. vulgaris L. XPh. coccineus L. je v bílkovinných znacích zhruba intermedierní. V F₂ generaci se objevuje ?těpení a r?zné stupně matro- ?i patroklinity.     

Differences in the floral anthocyanin content of violet–blue flowers of Vinca minor L. and V. major L. (Apocynaceae)

Two novel delphinidin 3-(tri or di)-glycoside-7-glycosides were isolated from the violet–blue flowers of Vinca minor L. and V. major L. (Family: Apocynaceae), and determined to be delphinidin 3-O-[2-O-(β-xylopyranosyl)-6-O-(α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-galactopyranoside]-7-O-(α-rhamnopyranoside) [= delpphinidin 3-(2^G-xylosylrobinobioside)-7-rhamnoside] as major floral anthocyanin of V. minor and delphinidin 3-O-[6-O-(α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-galactopyranoside]-7-O-(α-rhamnopyranoside) [= delpphinidin 3-robinobioside-7-rhamnoside] as major floral anthocyanin of V. major by chemical and spectroscopic methods. In addition, chlorogenic acid and kaempferol 3-O-[6-O-(α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-galactopyranoside]-7-O-(α-rhamnopyranoside) [= kaempferol 3-robinobioside-7-rhamnoside (robinin)] were identified in these flowers. In this paper, the relation between the structure of floral anthocyanins and classification of Vinca species was discussed.     

Effect of tropospheric ozone on morphological characteristics of Nicotiana tabacum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Petunia×Hybrida L. in ambient air conditions

The cumulative ozone effect on morphological parameters (visible leaf injury, plant height and leaf growth, number of bean pods, petunia flowers and stalks) was examined in this study. Well-known ozonesensitive (Bel W3) and ozone-resistant (Bel B) tobacco cultivars as well as bean cv. Nerina and petunia cv. White cascade, both recognized as ozone sensitive, were used in the experiment. Investigations were carried out at two exposure sites varying in tropospheric ozone levels. Ozone negatively affected the leaf growth of both tobacco cultivars and bean. A negative relation was also found for ozone concentration and tobacco plant height. Number of petunia flowers and stalks and bean pods was positively correlated with ozone concentration. This could have been connected with earlier plant maturation due to faster generative development of plants in ozone-stress conditions.     

Influence of climatic factors upon tree rings of Larix decidua and L. decidua × L. kaempferi from Pulawy,Poland

Summary Dendroclimatological techniques are used to assess the impact of climatic factors on tree-ring width of Larix decidua and L. decidua × L. kaempferi (= L. x eurolepis) growing in two experimental plots established in 1914 in south-west Poland. One plot included F₁ progeny grown from seeds of an artificial crossing between European and Japanese larch. The other plot included progeny from maternal trees of European larch. Total ring width, earlywood width and latewood widths were dated, standardized and related to monthly climatic data using response function and stepwise multiple regression analyses. Wide rings in larch are associated with high precipitation in May–July, cool conditions in July–September of the preceding year, and cool dry conditions in August. Ring widths in L. x eurolepis are more dependent upon precipitation than ring widths in L. decidua. Latewood widths in L. x eurolepis are more dependent on high temperatures in June and July than latewood in L. decidua as well as total width and earlywood measurements. Variations in latewood were relatively independent of variations in earlywood and total wood. The variability of ring widths in these larches was greater than the variability reported for larches in many alpine sites and for other conifer species in some regions of North America.     

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Solanum tuberosum L. cv. ‘Russet Burbank’

Stem sections from shoot cultures maintained in vitro were used to produce transgenic plants of the potato, Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Russet Burbank. Stem internode pieces inoculated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens containing coat protein genes from potato virus X and potato virus Y, produced shoots with a frequency of 60% in the absence of selection and 10% on medium containing 100 mg/l kanamycin monosulfate. Regenerated shoots were assayed for kanamycin resistance by placing stem segments on callus induction medium containing an increased level of kanamycin. Of a total 255 regenerated shoots, 47 (18%) were kanamycin resistant. Of the kanamycin resistant shoots, 25 (53%) expressed the PVX or PVY coat protein genes as assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or Western immunoblot analysis.     

On the Fertilization of Oryza sativa L. × Sorghum vulgare Pets.

1.The pollen germination of Sorghum vulgate appeared normal on the stigma of the Oryza sativa, but the pollen tubes grew slowly in the style. Some of the pollen tubes may become enlarged in their tips or sometimes bursting, while others have continued to grow and entered the embryo sacs. 2. The growth rate of the pollen tubes varied widely. A few pollen tubes were observed in the embryo sacs of the materials 2 hours after pollination, but most of them entered the embryo sacs much later. 3. The zygote associated with a paucity of endosperm nuclei was observed in the materials 1 day after pollination. The double fertilization and 8–12-celled proembryo associated with a number of the free nuclei of the endosperm appeared with a rather high frequency (10.3%) in the materials 3 days after pollination. Some of them are normal in appearance and others may show more or less abnormalities. 4. No division figure was found except in one single case in which mitoses have occurred in both the proembryo and the endosperm. It is most likely that in such case the proembryo and the endosperm if left intact might develop further. 5. A 80-celled embryo was the biggest one which appeared in the materials 5 days after pollination. In general, no cells were ever formed in the endosperm, except in one instance among the 7 days materials the endosperm became cellular in micropylar end. In all other cases the endosperm either ceased to develop early or disorganized. The disorganized endosperm materials are considered to be utilized by the embryo. 6. In certain instances the free nuclei of the endosperm were not distributed at random. They were not equal in size and might fuse into giant nuclelei. 7. The most striking feature is that in the embryo sacs, in which double fertilization or proembryo and endosperm have occurred, a dark stained pollen tube was commonly present. This fact leads us to the conviction that in general only if a healthy pollen tube entered the embryo sac, double fertilization can take place and further development can proceed. 8. In certain cases the protoplasm of the embryo cells appeared scanty. It is apparently that the normal metabolism of the embryo was disturbed owing to the lack of nutrient, and the death of the embryo ensued. 9. No differentiated embryo was observed and no mature seeds were produced. The materials fixed 12 days after pollination showed a variety of abnormalities and collapses. The authors believe that the failure of seed production of rice X kaoliang was primarily due to the fact that the pollen tubes in the style grew too slowly to reach the embryo sacs in time. The consequence is that the double fertilization took place only in a late stage while the male and female gametes may have already become unhealthy. In addition, in this late stage the stored starch in the maternal tissues having gradually disappeared, the nutrient supply to the embryo sac was therefore limited and the young embryo and endosperm were finally in starvation.     

The identity of Alpinia jianganfeng T.L.Wu（Zingiberaceae）

Alpinia jianganfeng T.L.Wu is conspecific with A.sichuanensis Z.Y. Zhu,and thus is reduced to synonymy.     

Composition and properties of pectin polysaccharides of St. John’s wort Hypericum Perforatum L.

Three fractions of acidic water-soluble polysaccharides (concentration of glucuronic acid 10?C65%) were obtained from the above-ground part of St. Johns wort Hypericum perforatum L. by serial extraction with water and 0.7% aqueous solution of ammonium oxalate. Enzymatic hydrolysis of these polysaccharides using endo-polygalacturonase indicates that their carbohydrate chains contain the units of galacturone formed by 1,4-??-linked residues of non-substituted D-galacturonic acid. The extracted polysaccharides have been purified by means of gel filtration. It has been shown that water-soluble polysaccharides obtained by extraction with water manly contain the residues of galactose, mannose, glucose, and arabinose (the concentration of glucuronic acid being 10?C27%) while the polysaccharide fraction extracted using 0.7% aqueous solution of ammonium oxalate is presented by pectin polysaccharides. Only the residues of galacturonic acid (55?C72%) have been identified among glucuronic acids in its composition using chromatography/mass spectrometry of trimethylsilyl derivatives. In addition, this fraction contains the residues of the neutral monosaccharides which are typical for pectins: arabinoses, galactoses, rhamnoses, and glucose; there are also minor concentrations of residues of xylose and mannose. IR spectra of pectin polysaccharides of St. John??s wort have absorption bands in the ranges 1740, 1640?C1620, 1236?C1200, and 1200?C1000 cm^?1 which are typical for pectins. It has been demonstrated that aqueous solutions of pectin polysaccharides of St. John??s wort (2 mg/mL) have pronounced antioxidant activity (44% of the activity of trolox taken for 100%).     

Toxicity and removal efficiency of pharmaceutical metabolite clofibric acid by Typha spp. – Potential use for phytoremediation?

A study was conducted to assess Typha spp.'s ability to withstand and remove, from water, a metabolite of blood lipid regulator drugs, clofibric acid (CA). At a concentration of 20 microg L(-1), Typha had removed >50% of CA within the first 48h, reaching a maximum of 80% by the end of the assay. Experimental conditions assured that photodegradation, adsorption to vessel walls and microbial degradation did not contribute to the removal. Exposure to higher CA concentrations did not affect Typha's photosynthetic pigments but the overall increase in enzyme activity (ascorbate and guaiacol peroxidases, catalase, superoxide dismutase) indicates that both roots and leaves were affected by the xenobiotic. Eventually, Typha seemed able to cope with the CA's induced oxidative damage suggesting its ability for phytoremediation of CA contaminated waters.