不同产地美花石斛内生细菌分离及促生潜力比较

对采自广西、云南和广东的美花石斛(Dendrobium loddigesii Rolfe)野生植株根、茎和叶内的内生细菌进行分离并测定其促生特性,采用扩增核糖体DNA限制性酶切分析(ARDRA)与UPGMA聚类分析相结合的方法对内生细菌菌株进行分类并确定优势属;在此基础上,对具有解磷、解钾和产生长素能力的菌株进行促生潜力评价。结果显示:从不同产地美花石斛植株不同部位共分离得到67株内生细菌菌株,其分布呈现出组织与地区的特异性;其中,来源于广西的植株中菌株数量最多(42株),分离自茎的菌株数量最多(34株)。67株内生细菌菌株可分为31个ARDRA簇,经16S rDNA序列比对鉴定为12个属,包括假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、微杆菌属(Microbacterium)、肠杆菌属(Enterobacter)、芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)、鞘氨醇单胞菌属(Sphingomonas)、葡萄球菌属(Staphylococcus)、嗜冷杆菌属(Psychrobacter)、短波单胞菌属(Brevundimonas)、涅斯捷连科氏菌属(Nesterenkonia)、副球菌属(Paracoccus)、泛菌属(Pantoea)和沙雷氏菌属(Serratia),其中芽孢杆菌属、微杆菌属和肠杆菌属为优势属;来源于广西的植株中内生细菌的丰度与多样性均高于其他两地。在67株内生细菌菌株中,有30株菌株具有解无机磷和解有机磷的双重能力、22株具有解钾能力、24株具有产生长素能力,其中仅8株菌株兼具3种促生能力。组培实验结果显示:在培养基中接种1×106CFU·mL-1芽孢杆菌DLB20菌株,对株高2~3 cm和3~4 cm的美花石斛试管苗生长有促进作用,且更有利于株高3~4 cm试管苗的生根,表明具有解磷、解钾和产生长素能力的菌株对美花石斛试管苗有一定的促生潜力。     

浑源黄芪内生细菌的菌群组成及其功能

【目的】分离、鉴定浑源黄芪内生细菌,筛选潜在促生菌,并研究绿叶挥发物对其生长的影响。【方法】以山西浑源7年生传统采收期黄芪为材料,采用平板培养法分离内生菌,16S rRNA基因序列进行菌株鉴定;通过培养基中添加1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸(1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate,ACC)、色氨酸及缺氮素培养的方式进行含ACC脱氨酶、吲哚乙酸产生及固氮菌初筛;通过培养基中添加Ca_3(PO_4)_2、钾长石的方式进行解磷、解钾菌初筛;电感耦合等离子体质谱等方法进行定量;通过液体培养基中添加绿叶挥发物的方式,研究其对含ACC脱氨酶菌株的影响;利用顶空气相色谱-质谱法测定黄芪绿叶挥发物含量。【结果】从浑源黄芪根中分离得85株代表性内生菌株,分别属于变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)和拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)的13个属,其中假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、泛菌属(Pantoea)和葡萄球菌属(Staphylococcus)菌株数量较高,占分离菌株总数的80.00%。筛选获得的促生菌中,具有吲哚乙酸合成能力的菌株所占比例最高(69.41%),其次为含ACC脱氨酶和具有固氮活性的菌株,分别占分离菌株的40.00%和31.76%,而解磷、解钾菌株所占比例较低(分别为14.12%、7.06%);双重促生效应菌株中,兼具吲哚乙酸合成与含ACC脱氨酶菌株所占比例最高(37.65%),其次为兼具吲哚乙酸合成和固氮活性、兼具含ACC脱氨酶和固氮活性的菌株,分别占分离菌株的28.24%和24.71%,兼具含ACC脱氨酶和解钾活性的菌株占比最低(1.18%)。2–50μmol/L正己醛和Z-3-己烯醛、5–125μmol/L正己醇具有促进部分含ACC脱氨酶内生菌株生长的作用。【结论】吲哚乙酸产生和含ACC脱氨酶的内生菌株占比高、绿叶挥发物促生菌的存在很可能是浑源黄芪内生菌群适应栖息地独特生境的产物,绿叶挥发物很可能是影响浑源黄芪内生菌群组成与功能的重要因素之一。     

广西药用野生稻内生细菌多样性及促生作用

以广西药用野生稻为材料,采用两种选择性的无氮培养基进行内生细菌的分离,应用IS-PCR指纹图谱方法对所分离到的内生细菌进行聚类分析。选取每个类群的代表菌株进行16S rRNA基因序列测定及生理生化鉴定,通过菌株接种水稻对所分离的内生固氮菌进行促生作用的分析。结果表明,从药用野生稻中分离纯化69株内生细菌,其中有26株内生固氮菌,其固氮酶活性在0.60~46.71μmol C2H4·m L-1·h-1。通过IS-PCR指纹图谱分析将所有供试菌株聚为11个类群及1个单菌株。16S rRNA基因序列分析及生理生化鉴定表明,所分离的内生固氮菌属于艾德昂菌属(Ideonella spp.)、阿氏肠杆菌(Enterobacter asburiae)及固氮螺菌(Azospirillum largimobile),植物内生细菌有短小芽孢杆菌(Bacillus pumilus)、蜡样芽胞杆菌(Bacillus cereus)、大田根瘤菌(Rhizobium daejeonense)、沙芬西芽孢杆菌(Bacillus safensis)、纺锤形赖氨酸芽孢杆菌(Lysinibacillus fusiformis)、过氧微杆菌(Microbacterium paraoxydans)、类芽孢杆菌(Paenibacillus barcinonensis)及粘质沙雷菌(Serratia marcescens)等,表明广西药用野生稻内生细菌具有多样性。各内生细菌的代表菌株均具有溶磷解钾能力,其中yy34具有很强的溶磷能力,yy19、yy26及yy29具有较强的解钾能力。此外,yy05、yy16、yy19、yy25、yy29、yy34及yy49共7株菌能分泌生长素。将各内生固氮菌的代表菌株接种水稻后对水稻有着明显的促生作用,其中叶长增加了23.0%~45.2%,根长增加了19.8%~36.2%,分蘖数增加了59.9%~119.8%,全株鲜重增加了101.4%~257.0%,全株干重增加了68.4%~101.7%,根重增加了122.2%~188.9%。     

一株产1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸脱氨酶的氢氧化细菌的分离鉴定及酶活力测定

[目的]以结瘤豆科植物紫花苜蓿根际土壤为研究材料,筛选具有ACC脱氨酶活力的氢氧化细菌,探索氢氧化细菌植物促生作用机制.[方法]利用持续通H2 的气体循环培养体系、矿质盐固体培养基,分离、培养氢氧化细菌,观察菌株形态并测定生理生化特征;16S rDNA序列分析法构建系统发育树;采用薄层层析法筛选ACC脱氨酶阳性菌株,茚三酮显色法测定ACC脱氨酶活力.[结果]分离的37株细菌中有8株菌氧化氢和自养生长能力较强,初步确定为氢氧化细菌,从中筛选出1株ACC脱氨酶阳性菌株WMQ-7.菌株WMQ-7的形态特征、生理生化特征与恶臭假单胞菌(Pseudomonas putida)的特征基本一致;16s rDNA序列(GenBank登录号为EU807744)在系统发育树中与恶臭假单胞菌同属一个类群,序列同源性99%.鉴定菌株WMQ-7为恶臭假单胞菌,其ACE脱氨酶活力为0.671 U/μg[结论]采用气体循环培养体系分离氢氧化细菌,克服了传统配气法的局限.ACC脱氨酶阳性菌株的筛选,为深入研究氢氧化细菌作为植物根际促生菌的菌株特性和促生机制提供理论依据.     

落地生根内生固氮菌多样性和促生特性

【背景】内生固氮菌可以定殖于植物体内为植物提供营养物质,还能通过代谢促进植物生长,目前对于落地生根内生菌的研究鲜见报道。【目的】研究落地生根中内生固氮菌多样性。【方法】从表面消毒的植物组织中分离纯化内生菌,并通过乙炔还原法测定菌株的固氮酶活性。采用SDS-PAGE全细胞蛋白电泳和IS指纹图谱对菌株聚类,各类群代表菌株进行16S rRNA基因系统发育分析和生理生化鉴定。测定菌株固氮、分泌生长素和ACC脱氨酶、产铁载体、溶磷和解钾等促生特性。【结果】从落地生根中分离纯化出26株内生固氮菌,聚为5个类群,隶属于4个属的5个菌种,且各类群代表菌株具有多种促生功能。【结论】从落地生根中分离获得的内生菌具有丰富的遗传多样性和促生特性,并且存在新的微生物资源,有待开发利用。     

具溶磷能力的植物内生促生细菌的分离筛选及其生物多样性

【目的】具溶磷能力的植物内生促生细菌的分离筛选及生物多样性的研究将有助于扩大溶磷微生物来源、丰富功能内生细菌资源库及开发新的改善土壤磷素营养途径。【方法】结合内生细菌分离方法从油菜和玉米体内分离筛选具溶磷能力的内生细菌,测定菌株摇瓶条件下的溶磷能力,并研究其产生吲哚乙酸(IAA)、铁载体、1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸(ACC)脱氨酶等的特性,采用16SrDNA限制性酶切片段长度多态性分析(RFLP)研究了具溶磷能力的植物内生促生细菌的遗传多样性,并挑选典型菌株进行了鉴定。【结果】分离筛选到32株具稳定溶磷能力的植物内生细菌,所有菌株都能从磷酸钙中释放出有效磷并使培养液pH值降低,释放的有效磷浓度最高达到537.6mg/L。分离自油菜的供试细菌都能产生吲哚乙酸和铁载体,分离自玉米的供试细菌中有68.4%的菌株产生吲哚乙酸,63.2%的菌株产生铁载体,63.2%的菌株具ACC脱氨酶活性。分离菌株在76%相似性水平上可聚类分为8个群。11株典型菌株归属于泛菌属(Pantoea)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、伯克霍尔德氏菌属(Burkholderia)、不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter)及罗尔斯顿菌属(Ralstonia)等5个属。【结论】油菜和玉米体内溶磷细菌具有丰富多样的生物学特性和遗传多样性。     

具ACC脱氨酶活性大豆根瘤内生菌的筛选、抗性及促生作用北大核心CSCD

【目的】从大豆根瘤中筛选具ACC(1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧基)脱氨酶活性的内生细菌,对活性菌株的抗盐碱性、系统分类地位以及代表菌株的促生长作用进行研究,为发掘和应用抗逆、促生优良菌种资源提供理论基础。【方法】以ACC作为唯一氮源测定菌株产ACC脱氨酶特性,采用标准曲线法测定α-丁酮酸含量,比色法定量测定ACC脱氨酶活力,固体平板筛选法对活性菌株进行抗性分析,通过菌体形态及生理生化特性测定、16S rRNA基因序列同源性分析鉴定菌株分类地位,采用盆栽试验验证代表菌株的促生作用。【结果】从河南省13个市(地区)36个点采集的大豆根瘤中筛选出8株ACC脱氨酶内生细菌,其中菌株DD132的酶活性最高(15.712 U/mg)。筛选菌株可耐受4%–6%NaCl,其中菌株DD165、DD132可耐受9%NaCl盐浓度。在pH 11时5株(DD14、DD132、DD67、DD141、DD131)生长良好,说明这些菌株有较强耐碱性。8株产ACC脱氨酶菌株分属于4属,即芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)、肠杆菌属(Enterobacter)、寡养单胞菌属(Stenotrophomonas)和泛菌属(Pantoea)。接种试验表明内生菌DD132对小麦幼苗生长具有明显促生长作用。【结论】大豆根瘤内具ACC脱氨酶高活性菌株有较强耐盐碱性,其中菌株DD132对小麦幼苗生长有明显促生长作用。为发掘和应用抗逆、促生的优良菌种资源提供理论基础。     

多功能固氮菌筛选及其在土壤生态修复中的应用

以固氮酶和ACC(1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate,1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸)脱氨酶活性为指标筛选功能菌株,研制菌剂,用于修复生荒地土壤生态。采用乙炔还原法测定菌株固氮酶活性;比色法定量测定ACC脱氨酶活性;PCR扩增得到菌株16S r RNA,通过序列分析、比对研究菌株的系统发育地位;通过形态、生理生化特征和16S r DNA序列比对鉴定菌种。结果显示,筛选到固氮酶活性大于9 nmol/(h·mg)的菌株共计47株,其中43株的固氮酶活性大于阳性对照固氮菌剂生产菌株圆褐固氮菌ACCC11103。筛选到产生ACC脱氨酶的菌株20株,ACC脱氨酶活性为0.326-21.980μmol/(h·mg)。将筛选到的功能菌株接种小白菜测试促生效应,其中47株使普通白菜(Brassica campestris)鲜重增加。16S r RNA测序鉴定显示筛选到的51株功能菌株系统发育地位上属于农杆菌、节杆菌、芽孢杆菌、伯克氏菌、鞘氨醇杆菌、屈挠杆菌、剑菌、肠杆菌、溶杆菌、微球菌、类芽孢杆菌、叶杆菌、假单胞菌、根瘤菌、中华根瘤菌、芽孢乳杆菌等16属31种。选取高效菌株7012、7134、7144和7164作为核心菌株制备了固氮多功能菌剂,应用于生荒地,试验地土壤微生物数量显著提高,土壤蔗糖酶、过氧化氢酶、脲酶、磷酸酶、纤维素酶、木聚糖酶活性极显著高于未施用菌剂的对照处理。多功能固氮菌制剂对于提高生荒地土壤生物活性、改善土壤生态环境具有重要作用和应用价值。     

广西葛根内生细菌的分离鉴定及其促生特性

【背景】植物内生菌长期与宿主共生,对宿主生长发育产生影响。葛根作为重要的药食两用作物,葛根内生菌的研究具有重要实践意义。【目的】对广西葛根根部内生细菌进行分离、鉴定及促植物生长特性分析,旨在了解该药食同源植物内生细菌种群结构及其促生特性,为分析内生菌群体在药食同源植物产量和品质形成的作用及其内生细菌资源的开发利用提供参考。【方法】采用6种不同的培养基从广西葛根的根瘤、根系和根愈伤组织分离内生细菌,16S rRNA基因测序和系统发育分析内生细菌的分布特征和遗传多样性,采用生理生化方法测定分离菌株的固氮活性、溶磷特性、产生嗜铁素、分泌吲哚乙酸(indole-3-aceticacid,IAA)等促生特性。【结果】从葛根根瘤、根系和根部愈伤组织中共分离得到223个菌株,16S rRNA基因测序鉴定这些菌株隶属于2门4纲10科19属,其中芽孢杆菌属、假单胞菌属、土壤杆菌属、肠杆菌属为葛根优势菌群;内生细菌数量和群落组成存在明显的组织特异性,其数量表现为根瘤>根系>根愈伤组织,但其种群多样性表现为根愈伤组织>根系>根瘤。不同培养基分离出的细菌种群丰富度有差异。从供试菌株中筛...     

具有ACC脱氨酶活性的麻疯树根际促生菌(PGPR)的分离筛选及系统发育分析

[目的]获得具有产ACC、IAA,铁载体,能固氮或解磷的潜在促生菌株.[方法]通过稀释涂布的方法,从麻疯树根际土壤中分离得到98株细菌,从中选取28株以产l-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸(ACC)脱氨酶为主要促生指标进行筛选,同时检测了其产吲哚乙酸(IAA)、固氮、解磷及铁载体等促生指标的能力.[结果]结果显示,46％的菌株能产ACC脱氨酶,其含量最高可达到128.308 μmol α-KA/(mg.h),68％的菌株能产生IAA,54％的菌株有固氮的能力,32％的菌株有解磷的能力.少量菌株同时具有产ACC脱氨酶、IAA,固氮,解磷等能力.挑选代表性菌株进行16S rRNA序列分析,这些菌株属于芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)、节杆菌属(Arthrobacter)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)和产碱杆菌属(Advenella)等8个属,其中多数菌株(50％)属于芽孢杆菌属,系统发育分析表明菌株KLBMP 4817、KLBMP 4821和KLBMP 4824为窄食单胞菌属(Stenotrophomonas)和类芽孢杆菌属(Paenibacillus)的潜在新种.[结论]攀枝花麻疯树根际土壤细菌中含有丰富的遗传多样性,且存在大量的促生菌株.其中,菌株KLBMP 4804产ACC脱氨酶含量最高.菌株KLBMP4820产IAA含量最显著.     

Uptake of isolated plant chromosomes by plant protoplasts

For mass isolation of plant metaphase chromosomes, cultured cells of wheat (Triticum monococcum) and parsley (Petroselinum hortense) were synchronized by hydroxyurea and colchicine treatment. This synchronization procedure resulted in high mitotic synchrony, especially in suspension cultures of parsley in which 80% of the cells were found to be at the metaphase stage. Mitotic protoplasts isolated from these synchronized cell cultures served as a source for isolation of chromosomes. The described isolation and purification method yielded relatively pure chromosome suspension. The uptake of the isolated plant chromosomes into recipient wheat, parsley, and maize protoplasts was induced by polyethylene-glycol treatment. Cytological studies provided evidences for uptake of plant chromosomes into plant protoplasts.Abbreviations PEG polyethylene glycol - HU hydroxyruea - C colchicine - HUC hydroxyurea and colchicine - CIM chromosome isolation medium - TCM Tris chromosome medium     

Mixtures of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria for induction of systemic resistance against multiple plant diseases

Studies of induced systemic resistance using strains of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have concentrated on the use of individual PGPR as inducers against multiple diseases of a single crop. To date, few reports have examined the potential of PGPR strain mixtures to induce systemic resistance against diseases of several different plant hosts. The objective of this study was to select mixtures of compatible PGPR strains with the capacity to elicit induced systemic resistance in four hosts. The specific diseases and hosts tested in this study included: bacterial wilt of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, anthracnose of long cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum var. acuminatum) caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, damping off of green kuang futsoi (Brassica chinensis var. parachinensis) caused by Rhizoctonia solani, and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) on cucumber (Cucumis sativus). To examine compatibility, seven selected PGPR strains were individually tested for in vitro antibiosis against all other PGPR strains and against three of the tested pathogens (R. solanacearum, C. gloeosporioides, and R. solani). No in vitro antibiosis was observed among PGPR strains or against pathogens. Twenty-one combinations of PGPR and seven individual PGPR were tested in the greenhouse for induced resistance activity. Results indicated that four mixtures of PGPR and one individual strain treatment significantly reduced the severity of all four diseases compared to the nonbacterized control: 11 mixtures reduced CMV of cucumber, 16 mixtures reduced bacterial wilt of tomato, 18 mixtures reduced anthracnose of long cayenne pepper, and 7 mixtures reduced damping off of green kuang futsoi. Most mixtures of PGPR provided a greater disease suppression than individual PGPR strains. These results suggest that mixtures of PGPR can elicit induced systemic resistance to fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases in the four hosts tested.     

Gas permeability of plant cuticles

Cuticles from the adaxial surface of Citrus aurantium L. leaves and from the pericarp of Lycopersicon esculentum L. and Capsicum annuum L. were isolated enzymatically and their oxygen permeability was determined. Isolated cuticles were mounted between a gaseous and an aqueous compartment with the physiological outer side of the membrane facing the gaseous compartment. Permeability for oxygen was characterized by permeability (P) and diffusion (D) coefficients. P and D were independent of the driving force (gradient of oxygen concentration) across the cuticle, thus, Henry's law was obeyed. P values for the diffusion of oxygen varied between 3·10^-7 (Citrus), 1.4·10^-6 (Capsicum), and 1.1·10^-6 (Lycopersicon) m·s^-1. Extraction of soluble lipids from the cuticles increased the permeability. By treating the cutin matrix and the soluble lipids as resistances in series, it could be demonstrated that the soluble lipids were the main resistance for oxygen permeability in Citrus cuticles. However, in Lycopersicon and Capsicum, both the cutin matrix and the soluble lipids determined the total resistance. P values were not affected by either the proton concentration (pH 3–9) or the cations (Na⁺, Ca²⁺) present at the morphological inner side of the cuticles. It is concluded that the water content of cuticles does not affect the permeability properties for oxygen. Partition coefficients indicated a high solubility of oxygen in the cuticle of Citrus. The data suggest a solubility process in the cuticle of Citrus with respect to oxygen permeation.Abbreviations CM cuticular membrane - MX cutin polymer matrix - SCL soluble cuticular lipids     

Concanavalin A-mediated agglutination of plant plastids

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and pear (Pyrus domestica Medik.) fruit proplastids, and pea (Pisum sativum L., cv. Meteor) leaf chloroplasts, extracted by osmotic rupture of protoplasts isolated after degradation of the cell walls by cellulase and pectinase, agglutinated in the presence of Con A. Agglutination of cucumber proplastids was inhibited by anti-Con A and by methyl D-gluco/manno pyranosides but not by methyl D-galactopyranoside. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Con A (FITC-Con A) rendered agglutinated clumps fluorescent. If cellulase was omitted from the macerating medium, Con A-mediated agglutination did not occur even if proplatids were subsequently incubated with cellulase. Proplastids and chloroplasts extracted by conventional mechanical disruption methods were not agglutinated by Con A and did not acquire fluorescence with FITC-Con A. However, cucumber proplastids so extracted could be agglutinated by Con A if incubated with cellulase after preparation.Abbreviation Con A Concanavalin A (Jackbean phytohemagglutinin)     

Effects of genotype and plant growth regulator on callus induction and plant regeneration in four important turegrass genera: A comparative study

Summary Turfgrass, like other major crop species, is recalcitrant to manipulation in vitro. To perform efficient genetic transformation of turfgrass, it is necessary to optimize tissue culture conditions. In most reports, plant tissue culture techniques have been applied to propagate a single cultivar or several cultivars in one species of turfgrass. In this experiment, four turfgrass genera were used, namely common bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers. (California origin); red fescue, Festuca rubra L. var. rubra ‘Shadow’; perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L. ‘Barbal’; and Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis L. ‘Merion.’ Mature seeds were surface-sterilized and cultured on basal Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 30–250 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) for callus induction. Regeneration media consisted of MS supplemented with 5–10 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA). Among the genera, Poa had the higest callus induction percentage (CIP) regardless of 2,4-D concentration, followed by Cynodon, Lolium, and Festuca, respectively. Cynodon and Lolium had the highest callus regeneration percentage (CRP) and overall regeneration rate (ORR). Festuca had a poor CIP, CRP, and ORR compared to other studied genera. Cynodon produced the highest shoot number per explant. Based on the results of the present study, MS medium supplemented with 60 μM 2,4-D (for callus induction) and 7.5 μM BA (for regeneration) can be used in multi-generic transformation studies with the genera used.     

Ferritins, bacterial virulence and plant defence

The enterobacterial pathogen Erwinia chrysanthemi causes soft rot diseases on a wide range of plants, including the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. This bacterium proliferates in the host by secreting a set of pectin degrading enzymes responsible for symptom development. In addition, survival of this bacterium in planta requires two high-affinity iron acquisition systems mediated by siderophores and protective systems against oxidative damages, suggesting the implication by both partners of accurate mechanisms controlling their iron homeostasis under conditions of infection. In this review, we address this question and we show that ferritins both from the pathogen and the host are subtly implicated in the control of this interplay.     

The proportion of calcium-bound pectin in plant cell walls

The amount of pectin held in cell walls by ionic bonds only was determined by extraction with cyclohexanediamine tetraacetic acid (CDTA) at room temperature, to remove calcium ions without degrading the galacturonan chains. Enzymic degradation was avoided by extracting the cell walls with phenol-acetic acid-water during preparation. From cell walls of celery petioles, cress hypocotyls and tomato and cucumber pericarp CDTA extracted 64–100 mg g^-1 pectin, leaving 80–167 mg g^-1 uronic acid in the residue. An additional extraction at high ionic strength was used to make the galacturonan chains more flexible and thus detach any pectins held by steric interactions, but the amount released in this way was small. Most of the residual uronic acid polymers could be extracted by cold alkali and remained soluble on neutralisation, showing that it was not water-insolubility that prevented their extraction with CDTA. Covalent bonding was thought more likely.     

Reduced soil compaction enhances establishment of non-native plant species

Many studies have shown that soil disturbance facilitates establishment of invasive, non-native plant species, and a number of mechanisms have been isolated that contribute to the process. To our knowledge no studies have isolated the role of altered soil compaction, a likely correlate of many types of soil disturbance, in facilitating invasion. To address this, we measured the response of seeded non-native and native plant species to four levels of soil compaction in mesocosms placed in an abandoned agricultural field in the Methow Valley, Washington, USA. Soil compaction levels reflected the range of resistance to penetration (0.1–3.0 kg cm⁻²) measured on disturbed soils throughout the study system prior to the experiment. Percent cover of non-native species, namely Bromus tectorum and Centaurea diffusa, decreased by 34% from the least to the most compacted treatments, whereas percent cover of native species, mostly Pseudoroegneria spicata and Lupinus spp., did not respond to compaction treatments. Experimental results were supported by a survey of soil penetration resistance and percent cover by species in 18 abandoned agricultural fields. Percent cover of B. tectorum was negatively related to soil compaction levels, whereas none of the native species showed any response to soil compaction. These results highlight a potentially important, though overlooked, aspect of soil disturbance that may contribute to subsequent non-native plant establishment.     

Photothermal model of plant development

The development of plants depends on the photoperiod length, light intensity, temperature, and length of light day integral. The reaction of a plant to the day length or daily light integral can depend on both the range of studied light intensities and photoperiod. Based on the data concerning the effects of light and thermal integrals on the developmental rate of plants of different photoperiodic groups, a photothermal model of plant development was proposed. The model was used to calculate the lengths of optimal photoperiods and ranges of daily temperature gradients ensuring the highest developmental rate of some plants, such as soybean, wheat, cucumber, and barley.     

Cyanide-induced death of cells in plant leaves

Destruction of guard cell nuclei in epidermis isolated from leaves of pea, maize, sunflower, and haricot bean, as well as destruction of cell nuclei in leaves of the aquatic plants waterweed and eelgrass were induced by cyanide. Destruction of nuclei was strengthened by illumination, prevented by the antioxidant alpha-tocopherol and an electron acceptor N,N,N ,N -tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine, and removed by quinacrine. Photosynthetic O2 evolution by the leaf slices of a C3 plant (pea), or a C4 plant (maize) was inhibited by CN- inactivating ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase, and was renewed by subsequent addition of the electron acceptor p-benzoquinone.