Genetic analysis of developmental mechanisms in hydra. X. Morphogenetic potentials of a regeneration-deficient strain (reg-16)

Morphogenetic potentials of hydra tissue involved in head or foot formation were examined in a standard wild-type strain (105) and a mutant strain (reg-16) which has a very low head regenerative but a nearly normal foot regenerative capacity (T. Sugiyama and T. Fujisawa, 1977, J. Embryol. Exp. Morphol. 42, 65-77). Hydra tissue has two types of morphogenetic potentials to control head formation: the potential to form head structure (head-activation potential) and the potential to inhibit head formation (head-inhibition potential). It also has two types of morphogenetic potentials to control foot formation: foot-activation and foot-inhibition potentials. A lateral tissue grafting procedure (G. Webster and L. Wolpert, 1966, J. Embryol. Exp. Morphol. 16, 91-104), was used to examine and compare the relative levels of these potentials in the normal and the mutant strains. The potential levels were examined along the body axis of the intact animals and also in the regenerating animals after head removal. The results obtained show that the potentials involved in head formation are highly abnormal, whereas the potentials involved in foot formation are apparently normal in the mutant strain (reg-16). This suggests that the abnormal potentials are related in some way to, and may be responsible for, the reduced head regenerative capacity in the mutant strain reg-16.     

Genetic Analysis of Developmental Mechanisms in Hydra. XV. Nematocyte Differentiation in Strains with Altered Developmental Gradients*

Nematocyte differentiation from the interstitial stem cells in hydra occurs non-uniformly along the body column. The relative ratios of the 4 nematocyte types produced vary gradually from head to foot along the body axis (Bode and Smith, 1977). To find out whether this regional variation in nematocyte differentiation along the body column is related to the gradients of the head-activation and head-inhibition potentials, nematocyte differentiation patterns were examined in strains which have significantly different developmental gradients along their body columns. Five strains of hydra, including a wild-type, two mutant strains and two chimeric (mutnt/wild-type) strains, were investigated. It was found that the regional variations in the nematocyte differentiation were similar in all the strains examined, and that no significant differences of the variation existed that could be attributed to the differences of the developmental gradients in these strains. This suggests that nematocyte differentiation is strongly affected by the axial position along the body column, but that the gradients of the morphogenetic potentials involved in head formation are not involved in this effect. Instead, some other parameter(s) of axial position not directly associated with these gradients must be responsible for the positional effect on nematocyte differentiation.     

Water potentials for developing cladodes and fruits of a succulent plant, including xylem-versus-phloem implications for water movement

Developing cladodes had lower water potentials and developingfruits had higher water potentials than the underlying cladodesof the widely cultivated prickly pear cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica.The 0.06 MPa lower value in 4-week-old daughter cladodes indicateda typical water potential gradient from the underlying clad-odealong the xylem of –0.2 MPa m^–1; the 0.17 MPa highervalue in 4-week-old fruits, which decreased to 0.07 MPa by 10weeks, implicated the phloem as their supplier of water. Thephloem sap of the underlying cladodes had an osmotic pressureof only 0.90 to 0.98 MPa, so the phloem could supply a relativelydilute solution to the photosynthetically dependent fruits (daughtercladodes of O. ficus-indica are photosynthetically independentat 4 weeks). Although the water potentials were similar foradjacent tissues, the osmotic pressures were lower for the water-storagecompared with the photosynthetic tissue; the osmotic pressureswere higher for xylem sap from fruits, for which xylary flowapparently occurred toward the underlying cladodes, than fordaughter cladodes. The relative capacitance (change in relativewater content divided by change in tissue water potential) wasapproximately 0.71 MPa^–1 for the water-storage tissueand the photosynthetic tissue of both daughter cladodes andfruits at 4 weeks of age. When these organs approached maturityat 10 weeks, the relative capacitance increased about 40% fortheir water-storage tissue, but decreased 30% for their photosynthetictissue. As the plant water content decreases during drought,about twice as much water will thus be lost per unit volumeof the water-storage tissue compared with the photosynthetictissue of maturing fruits and cladodes. Key words: Opuntia ficus-indica, phloem, relative water content, water capacitance, water potential     

Aspects of the Water Relations of Ileostylus micranthus (Hook. f.) Tieghem, a New Zealand Mistletoe

Leaf water potentials in the mistletoe, Ileostylus micranthusgrowing outdoors decreased rapidly during the early part ofthe day but remained relatively steady in the early afternoondespite increases in atmospheric vapour pressure deficit (vpd).Minimum water potentials of the mistletoe were relatively constant.They were held at values lower than those of hosts when thelatter maintained high water potentials but approached or evenexceeded those of hosts when they developed low water potentials.In contrast, cut shoots of Ileostylus usually maintained higherwater contents and leaf water potentials than those of its hostswhen both were desiccated separately in the laboratory. Pressure-volumeanalyses indicated that Ileostylus had lower water potentialat full turgor, a lower water potential but higher relativewater content at turgor loss, and a higher bulk modulus of elasticitythan the following four hosts: the native Kunzea ericoides andCoprosmapropinqua, and the introduced Ribes sanguineum and Teline monspessulana.Water potential at turgor loss (_tlp) was strongly correlatedwith the minimum field water potential of both mistletoes andhosts. When _tlpof mistletoe and host is similar (as on Kunzeaand Ribes) field water potentials are also similar, but when_tlpis lower in the mistletoe (as on Coprosma and Teline), thefield water potential of the mistletoe is lower than that ofits host. Consequently, I. micranthus is likely to be more frequenton hosts that maintain high field water potentials than on hoststhat develop low water potentials. Copyright 1999 Annals ofBotany Company Water relations, water potential, osmotic potential, pressure-volume, Ileostylus micranthus , mistletoe, New Zealand.     

Mucilage in Cacti: Its Apoplastic Capacitance, Associated Solutes, and Influence on Tissue 5

Mucilage content in the stems of four sympatric cactus speciesvaried from none for Ferocactus acanthodes, 19% by dry weightfor Opuntia basilaris, 26% for Opuntia acanthocarpa, and 35%for Echinocereus engelmannii. Although the mucilage differedchemically among the species (the arabinose content ranged from17% to 51% of the sugar monomers), its relative capacitance(change in relative water content per unit change in water potential)remained about 15 Mpa^–1. The relative capacitance of thewater-storage parenchyma averaged 1·04 Mpa^–1 andwas consistent with the mucilage content, being lowest for F.acanthodes and highest for E. engelmannii. Mucilage isolatedfrom hydrated tissue was accompanied by solutes with an osmoticpressure of about 0·2 MPa. Such associated solutes influencethe water-release characteristics of mucilage and hence itsrole as an apoplastic capacitor. In particular, extracellularsolutes can facilitate the release of appreciable mucilage-boundwater to the cells at tissue water potentials occurring duringthe initial phases of drought. Key words: Echinocereus engelmannii, Ferocactus acanthodes, Opuntia acanthocarpa, Opuntia basilaris, water potential isotherms     

Action Potentials in Lupinus angustifolius L. Shoots: IV. APPLICATION OF THERMAL STIMULI AND INVESTIGATIONS ON THE CONDUCTION PATHWAYS OF THE EXCITATION

The character of action potentials induced by thermal or electricalstimulation and their blocking by removal of a ring of tissuefrom the shoot as well as the spread of these potentials inthe Lupinus shoot were investigated. The appearance of anothertype of excitation was noted as a graded response occurringlocally. This potential was termed graded potential (GP). Itappears in tissues in which action potentials (AP) are not observed. It is proposed that two interrelated types of reaction to stimulioccur in various types of plant tissue.     

Action Potential in Luffa cylindlica and its Effects on Elongation Growth

The action potential of the non-seismonastic plant, Luffa cylindrica,was studied and characterized. Single action potentials of 30to 60 mV were evoked by electrical or cooling stimuli appliedto the stem internode. Action potentials were transmitted withoutdiminution along stimulated internodes shorter than 40 mm inlength. No difference in velocity between acropetal and basipetaltransmission was observed. This behavior is very similar tothat of Mimosa and Biophytum. The velocity of transmission ofaction potentials along internodes of Luffa was dependent upondistance from the point of stimulation; 10 to 20 mm sec^–1upto 40 mm, and 70 mm sec^–1 at around 50 mm from the pointof stimulation. The action potential was not transmitted tothe neighboring internode. Action potentials were also observedin the petiole and leaf. Beyond the threshold stimulus, theamplitude of the transmitted action potential depended on thestrength of the stimulus. The absolute and relative refractoryperiods for the transmission of action potentials were 2 minand 2 to 5 min, respectively. Elongation growth of the stem, recorded using a differentialtransformer, decreased after the generation of a single actionpotential in the upper most internode. This decreased growthrate continued for more than 5 min. (Received March 10, 1986; Accepted June 11, 1986)     

Analysis of Pressure-Volume Curves of Leaves of Rosa hybrida cv. Sonia

By analysing the relationship between inverse water potential(^–1), and relative water content (RWC) measured on leavesof roses (Rosa hybrida cv. Sonia), grown soilless, it was foundthat a non-linear (NL) model was better suited than a linearmodel to reproduce values observed in the non-turgid region.To explain this apparent curvature, it is assumed that a reductionof the non-osmotic water fraction (A_p) takes place when decreases.Osmotic potentials () measured on fresh and frozen leaf discstend to support this hypothesis. A method for exploiting PVcurves, which takes into account the variation of A_p, is described.It delivers values for the turgor pressure (_p), the relativeosmotic water content, and the mean bulk volumetric elasticitycoefficient, lower than those given by the linear model. Onthe other hand, it gives higher estimates for A_p and for . Whenapplying the traditional model to obtain estimates for waterrelations characteristics of rose leaves, and comparing resultsfrom two distinct salinity treatments (electrical conductivitiesof 1·8 mS cm^–1 and 3·8 mS cm^–1, respectively),one deduces a significant reduction of at turgor-loss in thehigh salinity treatment. The NL method is, in addition, ablesimultaneously to reveal a reduction of and a significant increasein _p at RWC=100% this proves that soilless–grown roseplants are able to osmoregulate when subjected to a constantand relatively high degree of salinity. Key words: Apoplastic water, non-linear regression, pressure-volume curves, tissue-water relations     

Effects of Temperature and Water Potential on Germination, Radicle Elongation and Emergence of Mungbean

Controlled environment experiments were performed to determinethe effects of temperature and water potential on germination,radicle elongation and emergence of mungbean (Vigna radiata(L.) Wilczek cv. IPB-M79-17-79). The effects of a range of constant temperatures (15–45°C) and water potentials (0 to –2.2 MPa) on germinationand radicle elongation rates were studied using an osmoticumtechnique, in which seeds were held against a semi-permeablemembrane sac containing a polyethylene glycol solution. Linearrelationships were established between median germination time(Gt₅₀) and water potential at different temperatures, and betweenreciprocal Gt₅₀ (germination rate) and temperature at differentwater potentials. Germination occurred at potentials as lowas –2.2 MPa at favourable temperatures (30–40 °C),but was fastest at 40 °C when water was not limiting, withan estimated base temperature (T_b) of about 10 °C. Subsequentradicle elongation, however, was restricted to a slightly narrowertemperature range and was fastest at 35 °C. The conceptof thermal time was used to develop an equation to model thecombined effects of water potential and temperature on germination.Predictions made using this model were compared with the actualgermination obtained in a related series of experiments in columnsof soil. Some differences observed suggested the additionalimportance of the seed/soil/water contact zone in influencingseed germination in soil. Seedling emergence appeared to reflectfurther the radicle elongation results by occurring within anarrower range of temperatures and water potentials than germination.Emergence had an estimated T_b of 12.6 °C and was fastestat 35 °C. A soil matric potential of not less than about–0.5 MPa at sowing was required to obtain 50% or moreseedling emergence. Key words: Germination, temperature, water potential     

The Influence of Resaturation Method and Tissue 3Quercus alba L. Seedlings

Parker, W. C. and Pallardy, S. G. 1987. The influence of resaturationmethod and tissue type on pressure-volume analysis of Quercusalba L. seedlings.—J. exp. Bot. 38: 535–549. The effect of resaturation method and amount of woody tissueon pressure-volume analysis was investigated using materialcollected from Quercus alba L. seedlings. Leaves excised fromwell-irrigated, intact plants had lower initial xylem pressurepotentials than did leaves resaturated by two artificial methods.Differential capacity for tissue rehydration among the threemethods was linked to shifts in the relative position of pressure-volumecurves, and differences in the osmotic potential and relativewater content at which turgor loss occurred were observed. Pressure-volumecurves from leaves resaturated by all three methods contained‘plateaus’ near full turgor, where xylem pressurepotential declined only slightly with relative water content.These plateaus were apparently associated with apoplastic waterthat accumulated in intercellular spaces of the leaf near fullturgidity, and acted to buffer changes in leaf xylem pressurepotential as tissues dehydrated. The presence of this waterhas implications for derived water relations parameter estimates.Pressure-volume curves for excised shoots also exhibited plateaus,but the relationship between xylem pressure potential and relativewater content over this region was steeper than was found forleaves. Shoot osmotic potentials were somewhat lower than thosefor leaves. The slope of the linear portion of shoot pressure-volumecurves was more shallow than for single leaves, a response associatedwith comparatively lower values of the symplastic water fractionin shoots. Key words: Pressure-volume curve, tissue-water relations, elasticity     

Comparison of Osmotic Adjustment Responses to Water and Temperature Stresses in Spring Wheat and Sudangrass

This study explores the mechanisms of osmotic adjustment bycomparing the growth of spring wheat and sudangrass, which exhibitdifferent degrees of osmotic adjustment, under soil water andtemperature stresses. Leaf water potential ( ₁), osmotic potential(), and rate of leaf area growth of spring wheat and sudangrassseedlings were measured at combinations of five soil water potentials,from -0·03 to -0·25 MPa, and six root temperatures,from 14 to 36°C. Spring wheat exhibit little osmotic adjustment.The leaf osmotic potential was not affected by either soil wateror root temperature stress. Osmotic potential of sudangrassdecreased in parallel with the decreasing leaf water potentialas a result of osmotic adjustment. As soil water potential decreasedfrom -0·03 to -0·25 MPa, the rates of growth andphotosynthesis of spring wheat both decreased by about 30%.For sudangrass with the same range of soil water potential,the photosynthesis rate decreased by only 10% while the leafarea growth rate decreased by 49%. We introduce a dimensionlessindex (R) to quantify the degree to which environmental stressesalter the balance between production of photosynthates and theiruse for growth. The index, R, is equal to 1 when stress reducesgrowth and photosynthesis by the same degree, i.e. the balancebetween production and consumption of photosynthate is not disturbed.R is smaller than 1 when growth is reduced more than photosynthesis.R was equal to 1 for spring wheat where there was no osmoticadjustment. For sudangrass, R decreased from 1 to 0·25as osmotic potential decreased from -1·10 to -1·63MPa. These findings lead to the hypothesis that osmotic adjustmentcould result from an imbalance between production, consumptionand translocation of photosynthates under stressed conditions.Copyright1993, 1999 Academic Press Osmotic adjustment, water stress, root temperature     

The Membrane Potential of Enzymatically Isolated Nitella expansa Protoplasts as Compared with their Intact Cells

With the enzymatically isolated Nitella protoplasts, sufficientinsertions of micro-electrodes to make a stable measurementof the membrane potential by the conventional method could notbe made because of an ‘elasticity’ of the outermembrane. We developed an effective method in which a micro-electrodecould be inserted after the outer membrane was punctured bypassing an electrical impulse through the micro-electrode. Inthis method, Ca ions play a crucial role in the ‘punching’and ‘healing’ processes of the protoplast membrane. The effects of the cations K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺ and the anions Cl^–,, , on the membrane potentials of Nitella expansa protoplasts were compared with those of intactcells. The membrane potential of protoplasts was less negativethan that of intact cells when concentrations of Na or K, inthe presence of Ca, were below certain levels which increasedwith increasing Ca concentration; and it tended to become identicalto that of intact cells when Na or K concentrations were beyondthose levels. Beyond those levels for K the membrane potentialsof both protoplasts and intact cells typically seemed to bethe Nernst potentials in the presence of 0•1 to 30 molm^–3 Ca²⁺. However, for Na, the difference in potentialsbetween intact cells and protoplasts decreased at much higherconcentrations than for K. Increase of Ca always gave less negativeprotoplast potentials than those in intact cells. Replacementof Ca by Mg did not change the membrane potential of intactcells, although it was deleterious to protoplasts. The cellwall potential of intact cells was also measured by the micro-electrodetechnique and was revealed as a simple Donnan potential, assumingthe fixed negative charge density of 0•8 equivalent perdm³. The membrane potential of intact cells seems to be a significantreflection of the plasmalemma potential which is thought tobe measured directly in their protoplasts in terms of ionicselectivity and concentration dependency of the ion speciesexamined. In addition, increased sensitivity to calcium in protoplastpotentials compared to intact cells is suggested, though themembrane potential of intact cells seems to be largely preservedin their enzymatically isolated protoplasts. Key words: Membrane potential, protoplasts, Nitella expansa, cell wall potential     

A critical re-examination of pressure-volume analysis of conifer shoots: comparison of three procedures for generating PV curves on shoots of Pinus resinosa Ait. seedlings

Prediction of water relations attributes for red pine (Pinusresinosa Ait.) derived from pressure-volume (PV) curves varieddepending on which of three methods was used. The sap expressionmethod entailed the enclosure of a shoot in a pressure chamberand expression of xylem sap by applying a constant selectedpressure until sap flow ceased, at which point xylem water potentialand shoot weight were measured. A sap expression PV curve wasformed by aggregating pairs of water potential-weight measurements,each pair supplied by one of 25 shoots. The repeat pressurizationmethod involved repeatedly measuring xylem water potential andshoot weight on a single shoot drying on a laboratory bench.Repeat pressurization PV curves were constructed from data providedby a single shoot. The composite method utilized single measurementsof xylem water potential and shoot weight on 25-30 differentshoots ranging in relative water content from about 1.0 to 0.5achieved by bench drying. Composite PV curves were constructedfrom aggregate data supplied by a population of shoots. Therewas close agreement in all PV attributes generated using repeatpressurization and sap expression methods. In contrast, withthe composite PV method, there was a fundamental differencein the slope of the linear region of the PV curves, causingosmotic potentials at full turgor and turgor loss to be morenegative, and relative water content at turgor loss to be lowerand symplast fraction to be higher. Comparison of compositeand repeat pressurization PV curves over the same ranges inwater content did not eliminate differences in derived waterrelations attributes. Differences in water potential isothermsrelated to the PV procedures used suggest that prolongedor repeatedexposure to gas at high pressure may introduce errors in theestimation of water relations attributes. Key words: Pinus resinosa, pressure chamber, pressure volume, tissue water relations     

Oscillations of the Membrane Potential of Pulvinar Motor Cells In Situ in Relation to Leaflet Movements of Desmodium motorium

The ultradian rhythmic movement of the lateral leaflets of Desmodiummotorium is accompanied by rhythmic changes of the extra- andintracellular electrical potentials in the pulvinus, which aremeasured in situ in the pulvinus against the bathing solutionof the petiole. Extra- and intracellular potentials oscillatewith 180'b0 phase difference to each other, as shown by simultaneousmeasurements of both types of potentials in the abaxial partof the pulvinus. Light-induced changes of these potentials movein opposite directions. The in situ membrane potential of themotor cells of the pulvinus was calculated from the differencebetween the extra- and intracellular potentials. It was foundto oscillate between –136 and –36 mV, in phase withthe intracellular and inverse to the extracellular potential.The phase relationship between the leaflet movement rhythm andthe in situ membrane potential rhythm was as follows: downwardmovement is preceded and accompanied by a strong depolarization,upward movement by hyperpolarization. Our results suggest that membrane depolarization in pulvinarmotor cells of Desmodium motorium drives and controls potassiumefflux and hyperpolarization potassium influx via potassiumchannels. Key words: Desmodium pulvinus, leaf movement, pulvinar motor cells, electrical potential     

Lotus japonicus Nodulates and Fixes Nitrogen with the Broad Host Range Rhizobium sp. NGR234

Lotus japonicus possesses major advantages as a model legumefor the study of plant-microbe interactions. The relative absenceof genetic information on its normal microbial partner (i.e.,Mesorhizobium loti) could limit its utility in research. Herewe show for the first time that the broad host range Rhizobiumstrain NGR234 nodulates and fixes nitrogen in symbiosis withLotus japonicus ecotypes "Gifu" and "Funakura". We demonstratethat bacterial mutants deficient in nodulation or nitrogen fixationpossess the expected phenotype with L.japonicus. Nodulationof L.japonicus was sensitive to nitrate. Vermiculite was anefficient synthetic growth substrate, allowing axenic growthin Magenta jars. The genetic analysis of the Lotus japonicus-Mesorhizobiuminteraction should be accelerated through the use of this well-definedmicrosymbiont. (Received December 5, 1998; Accepted April 26, 1999)     

Spontaneous Action Potential Initiation and Propagation in Regenerating Cell Segments of Acetabularia mediterranea

Thavarungkul, P., Lertsithichai, S. and Sherlock, R. A. 1987.Spontaneous action potential initiation and propagation in regeneratingcell segments of Acetabularia mediterranea.—J. exp. Bot.38: 1541–1556. The spontaneous action potentials which occur during the regenerationof anucleate isolated stalk segments (ISS's) of the unicellularalga Acetabulana mediterranea have been studied using a novelnon-invasive technique. This involved measurement of spatialsamples of the time dependent potential in the external medium(sea water) and an inverse transformation to give the currentdistribution at the cell surface. The initiation region andsubsequent propagation (if any) of each action potential wasthen analysed from the computed transmembrane currents. Theresults showed that the occurrences of the spontaneous actionpotentials followed a rhythm which had a period of approximately24–30 h. These action potentials initiated more frequentlyat the ends of the ISS's than in the middle region. Our resultsshowed no firm correlation between the regions of action potentialinitiation and the site of the regenerating apex. Generallyboth propagating and non-propagating action potentials wereobserved in the same ISS, the ratio of which seems to dependon the length of the cell. The analysed initiation sites andthe propagating behaviour of the spontaneous action potentialgenerated by the ISS's during the regeneration process do notprovide any clear support to the symmetry breaking role of thepropagating action potentials as proposed by some workers. Key words: Acetabularia, regeneration, action potential     

Resting membrane potential and action potential of Nitella expansa protoplasts

Inside negative membrane potentials were observed for protoplastsobtained from Nitella expansa leaf internodal cells in mediacontaining 1 to 100 mM CaCl₂ using the microelectrode technique.The potential values were less negative than the membrane potentialof intact N. expansa leaf internodal cells. In addition, anaction potential consisting of two components—a fast componentand a slow component—was induced by electrical stimulationfor the protoplasts as well as the intact cells. (Received December 18, 1979; )     

Glucose Induced H+ Influx and Transient Currents in Excised Roots: particularly those of Zea mays

The application of D-glucose to solutions bathing excised maize,wheat, pea and bean roots causes a rapid depolarization of theelectrical potentials between the cut tops of the roots andthe bathing solutions. Similar effects are observed for theplasma membrane potentials of maize lateral roots. A flow cell apparatus was used to demonstrate qualitative andquantitative relations between glucose induced H⁺ influx andthe transient decrease in current through the root. The currentchanges appear to be due entirely to H⁺ fluxes. Current andH⁺ fluxes are strongly influenced by external pH, the optimumpH for glucose induced current change being about 4.0. A similarpH optimum was found for 3-O-methyl-D-glucopyranoside but 1-O-methyl--D-glucopyranosidedid not significantly affect the trans-root potential at anypH, suggesting a significant role for the anomeric hydroxylgroup of glucose. Compounds which depolarize the trans-root potential also inhibitthe glucose induced depolarization. Surface -SH groups are probablynot involved in the glucose/H⁺ cotransport. Eadie-Hofstee plots relating the depolarization of trans-rootpotential to the concentrations of D-glucose or 3-O-methyl-D-glucopyranosidehave shown that K_m values increase with increasing monosaccharideconcentration and are very similar to reported values of 3-O-methyl-D-glucopyranosideuptake in maize root segments. K_m values for a similar rangeof D-glucose concentrations do not vary significantly with pHor with membrane depolarization due to a 10-fold increase ofKCl concentration. However, V_max is lowered by an increase inexternal pH or a decrease in trans-root potential. It appearsthat both proton and electrical gradients can affect glucoseinduced H⁺ influx. The auxin herbicide, 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyethanoic acid (0.01mM) stimulates the glucose induced depolarizations in a mannerconsistent with an increase in cytoplasmic pH. This is discussedin relation to the reported action of indole-3-acetic acid andfusicoccin on maize root tissue.     

Leaf Growth in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) 1. Growth in Area of Main-stem and Sympodial Leaves

A model is presented for growth of individual and successivemain-stem leaves of cotton, based on a series of indoor experimentsand data sets from the literature. Three variable parametersare used to describe individual leaf growth: relative growthrate of meristematic tissue (R¹), relative rate of approachof final area (R₂) and a ‘position parameter’ (t_0.5)which governs the transition from meristematic to extensiongrowth. Final area of a leaf does not occur in the model asa deterministic quantity but it is a result of the processesduring growth. The model generates successive mainstem leavesand sympodial leaves as an integrated system. Assimilate shortagesoccurring in the plant operate on R₁ leading to the characteristicchange of final leaf area along the mainstem. Gossypium hirsutumL., cotton, leaf growth, relative growth rate, meristematic tissue, extension growth, mathematical model     

棉铃虫P450基因CYP6AE12和CYP9A18的克隆与mRNA表达水平

采用RT-PCR和RACE技术克隆到2个新的棉铃虫细胞色素P450基因：CYP6AE12和CYP9A18。CYP6AE12的cDNA编码区长1 569 bp,编码523个氨基酸;CYP9A18的cDNA编码区长1 590 bp,编码530个氨基酸。用实时定量PCR技术分析了这2个基因在棉铃虫YS敏感品系和YS-FP抗性品系(由氰戊菊酯加辛硫磷混剂筛选YS品系而得) 6龄幼虫脂肪体和中肠中mRNA的表达水平。结果表明：CYP6AE12和CYP9A18的mRNA表达具有组织特异性,CYP6AE12在脂肪体中表达量较高,而CYP9A18在中肠中的表达量较高。与相对敏感品系YS相比,CYP6AE12在YS-FP抗性品系中肠和脂肪体中的mRNA表达量分别为YS品系的3.6倍和1.3倍;CYP9A18在YS-FP品系中肠和脂肪体的mRNA表达量分别为YS品系的0.3倍和1.0倍。CYP6AE12的过量表达与YS-FP品系棉铃虫的抗药性可能有一定关系。