Effects of irradiation level on leaf growth of sunflower

Sunflower, Helianthus annuus L. cv. INRA 6501, plants were grown in a gravel culture subirrigated with Hoagland nutrient solution, at photosynthetically active radiation levels of 15, 30 and 60 W m^-2 at a daylength of 16 h, a temperature of 20°C and a relative humidity of 60% throughout. Development of the plant and growth of the leaves were measured. High irradiance accelerated development proportionally in all phases from germination, through leaf initiation, primordial flower formation and the maturation of all plant organs until anthesis. High irradiance levels stimulated the expansion of the growing shoot, which produced more and larger primordia. Under constant conditions the ratio between leaf initiation rate and mature length of a leaf remained constant, although the growth patterns [relationship between relative growth rate (RGR) and organ age] of successive leaves were not similar. Consequently, it may be assumed that, as in poplar, the increasing size of the growing shoot reflects the increase of the vascular system of sunflower. The growth patterns of the leaves depend on the developmental stage of the plant and, in the young primordial stage, also on irradiance level. In the linear phase of growth the growth pattern is independent of irradiance level.     

Senescence of attached leaves: Regulation by developing pods

Analysis of total nitrogen, chlorophyll content, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity and net photosynthesis rate was carried out on the leaves that support the developing pods in pigeon pea [ Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. cv. Prabhat] at several stages during pod filling. A continuous loss in all the above-mentioned parameters was observed during the course of pod development. When no pods were allowed to develop by continuous flower removal treatment, there was a considerable delay in loss of all these metabolic parameters. Excision of pods after their mid-development resulted not only in no further loss, but also in a significant recovery both of total nitrogen and of other investigated characteristics.     

Response of potatoes to N fertilizer: Quantitative relations for components of growth

Summary Quantitative relationships for key processes influencing N response were derived from measurements of inorganic N in soil, the weights and N contents of foliage and tubers made at intervals during growth of maincrop potatoes in 11 N fertilizer experiments.Apparent mineralization rates (calculated from measurements of N uptake and inorganic N in the top metre and averaged over the growth period) were remarkably similar from site to site despite wide differences in the textures, water contents and organic matter contents of the soils. They were mostly about 0.78 kg N ha^–1 m^–1 d^–1.Inorganic N in the top 50 cm of soil was rapidly removed by the crop until it fell on all sites to a low value (about 4 g N cm^–3) which was maintained for the remainder of the growth period. When N fertilizer was applied, growth rate until at least the end of July was always well defined by a single coefficient in a previously derived equation. Average values of this coefficient for each of the soil types and for each of the years in which the experiments were carried out were within 20% of each other.The minimum %N in the dry matter needed to permit maximum growth rate declined with increase in plant weight in a similar manner to that previously found for other crops.Equations were found for the partition of assimilate and of nitrogen between the foliage and tubers. The coefficients in them were little affected by whether or not N fertilizer was applied.According to these relationships the maximum potential dry weight yield of tubers is 20 t ha^–1 and requires the crop to contain at least 290 kg N ha^–1.     

Aspects of the numerical and functional respones of the aphid parasite, Aphidius sonchi, in the laboratory

The fecundity, reproductive rates, and adult survival of Aphidius sonchi Marshall (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) parasitizing second and third instar nymphs of the sowthistle aphid, Hyperomyzus lactucae (L.) (Homoptera: Aphididae) were measured at six different host densities under constant laboratory conditions. At host densities of less than 50 aphids per flowering shoot per female per day, oviposition constraints resulting from the lack of hosts reduced the number of eggs laid, enhanced the extent of superparasitization and, as a result, effectively lowered the fecundity and reproductive rates of the parasites. Above this host density the parasites laid on average 220–230 eggs, but the effective fecundity and reproductive rates continued to increase with the host density. By contrast, the survivorship of the parasites seemed unaffected by host density, with an average adult life span of 4–5 days at all densities. Analysis of the data showed that the intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) of the parasite varied with the host density and could reach values higher than that of the host under identical conditions. The response of r_m to changes in host density and parasite sex ratio is illustrated.Overall, A. sonchi showed a typical convex functional response, to host density. However, the response showed obvious changes through the parasite's adult life and, furthermore, the rates of changes were not consistent at all host densities. The frequency distributions of parasite eggs were generally indistinguishable from random, and the number of hosts parasitized were predicted satisfactorily by the random oviposition equation.

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Résumé L'étude a porté sure l'influence de 6 densités différentes d'Hyperomyzus lactucae (L.) (Homoptera: Aphididae), en conditions constantes de laboratoire, sur la fécondité, le taux de reproduction et la survie des adultes d'Aphidius sonchi Marshall (Hym. Aphidiidae, parasite des larves de 2e et 3e stades. A des densités inférieures à 50 pucerons par tige fleurie de Sonchus oleraceus L, par femelle et par jour, la limitation de la ponte due à l'absence d'hôtes a réduit le nombre d'oeufs émis, élevé le taux de superparasitisme et, en conséquence, diminué la fécondité et le taux de reproduction des parasites. Aux densités d'hôtes supérieures, les parasites ont pondu, en moyenne, 220 à 230 oeufs, mais la fécondité réelle et les taux de reproduction ont continué à augmenter avec la densité des pucerons. Par contre, la longévité des parasites n'a pas été affectée par la densité des hôtes, avec une durée moyenne de vie de 4 à 6 jours. L'analyse des données a montré que le taux d'accroissement intrinsèque (r_m) du parasite a changé avec la densité des hôtes, et pourrait atteindre des valeurs supérieures à celles de l'ôte sous des conditions identiques. Les réponses de r_m aux changements de densité des hôtes et au taux sexuel du parasite sont expliquées.Globalement, A. sonchi a présenté une réponse fonctionnelle convexe typique à la densité des hôtes. Cependant, cette réponse a changé au cours de la vie des images et, de plus, les taux de changement ne sont pas logiques à toutes les densités d'hôtes La fréquence de distribution des oeufs n'est généralement pas séparable d'une distribution au hasard, et le nombre d'hôtes parasites peut être prédit d'une façon satisfaisante en utilisant une équation de ponte au hasard.

     

Clearance rates of sessile rotifers: in vitro determinations

We measured laboratory clearance rates of 10 rotifer and one unidentified bryozoan species from 3 different lakes using ³²P labeled algae (Chlamydomonas) or yeast (Rhodotorula). Clearance rates for all rotifers fed yeast ranged from < 2.0 to > 260 µl · animal^–1 · h^–1 depending on species. The in vitro clearance rates of two sessile rotifers (Ptygura crystallina and P. pilula) were not significantly different from previously measured in situ rates (Wallace and Starkweather 1983). Clearance rates for 5 rotifers fed algae ranged from < 5.0 to > 90.0 µl · animal^–1 · h^–1. Ptygura beauchampi, P. crystallina, P. pilula, Floscularia conifera, and F. melicerta ingested both cell types but their clearance rates varied substantially among species and between cell types. There was a substantial time-dependent loss of 32P from formalin-fixed animals (Sinantherina socialis) awaiting processing. This loss stabilized at approximately 20 hours and was estimated to be about 40% of the initial ingested label. Clearance rates for the bryozoan fed yeast or algae were highly variable, ranging from < 1.0 to > 3 000 µl · animal^–1 · h^–1.     

Cardiovascular responses to intrathecal administration of arginine vasopressin in rats

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) has been localized in numerous extrahypothalamic brain regions and in the spinal cord. The results of intracerebroventricular AVP injections and microinjection of AVP into the brain stem suggest that this peptide, acting centrally at higher levels, may influence cardiovascular function. No function for the AVP occurring at spinal levels has been reported. In this study we report that AVP, in picomole quantities, increased arterial blood pressure and integrated heart rate in a dose-dependent manner following intrathecal application to the thoracic region in the rat. This response was not blocked by intravenous administration of the AVP antagonist d(CH₂)₅-d-Tyr-VAVP. These results suggest that AVP, acting within the spinal cord, may alter neural outflow regulating blood pressure and heart rate.     

冬小麦对不同海拔气候条件的反应 Ⅲ.植株光合作用特征

我们在原地测量了840米和2150米两地种植的冬小麦“凤麦13”苗期、拔节期、抽穗期和灌浆初期的光合作用速率的日变化,光合作用速率对光量子通量密度的反应和CO_2补偿点。结果表明生育前期(苗期和拔节期)和后期(抽穗期和灌浆初期)光合作用速率的一日内变化形式相反,而且低地种植的冬小麦其光合速率在前期高于高地种植的,后期高地种植的冬小麦有比低地高的光合速率。光饱和点基本相同。光补偿点在生育前期高地小麦比低地小麦低,而后期低地小麦的的光补偿点减低,并低于高地小麦的。高地小麦的光补偿点比较稳定。CO_2补偿点高地小麦比低地的较低。并就两地气候条件讨论了上述差异。     

Effects of photoperiodicity and light irradiance on phosphate-limited Oscillatoria agardhii in chemostat cultures

The cyanobacterium Oscillatoria agardhii was grown in continuous culture under various light conditions in order to study the interactions of light on phosphorus-limited growth. Under severe P-limiting (light-saturating) conditions, a low chlorophyll a and C-phycocyanin content was found. In addition, the light-harvesting capacity, reflected in the values of P _max (maximum light-saturated oxygen production rate) and (photosynthetic affinity), were low compared to light-limited cultures.Reduction of the light climate, either by reduction of the length of the photoperiod or light-intensity, resulted in an increase in light-harvesting capacity (higher pigment content, P _m and ) during growth under P-limiting conditions. Light-induced changes in P _max and could be related to the relative growth rate, being the actual growth rate as a fraction of the growth rate which would be observed under light-limiting conditions.Under P-limiting conditions, reduction of the light-climate caused a reduction in dry weight of the culture. This decrease was mainly due to a decrease in carbohydrate content of the cells. Under all conditions tested, carbohydrates were found to accumulate during the light-period and to be consumed during the dark-period.Evaluation of carbohydrate consumption in the dark yielded a specific maintenance rate constant of 0.001 h^-1. This observation leads to the conclusion that the specific maintenance rate constant is independent on the character of the growth rate limiting nutrient for O. agardhii.     

Regulation of the loss of frost hardiness in Pinus radiata by photoperiod and temperature

Abstract. In controlled environments, the interactive effects of warm (16: 8°C, day: night) and cool (12: 4°C, day: night) temperatures and long (13.5 h) and short (10 h) photoperiods on the dehardening of seedlings of Pinus radiata D. Don were investigated. In another experiment, the effect of four photoperiods from 9 to 14 h was examined. In a third, dehardening at constant temperatures from 5 to 17°C was followed. There was no evidence for an interaction between photoperiod and temperature. Dehardening was temporarily delayed by photoperiods below about 10 h, but there was no other quantitative effect of photoperiod. At constant temperatures, the rate of dehardening was initially constant but declined as the minimum summer frost hardiness was reached. In the initial phase the rate of dehardening was a linear function of temperature, increasing from 0.05°C day⁻¹ at 8°C to 0.30 °C day⁻¹ at 17°C. Temperature controlled the loss of frost hardiness by regulating the rate of dehardening.     

刺激家兔颈交感神经对颈动脉窦反射的影响

在36只麻醉家兔观察了电刺激颈交感神经(CSN)对颈动脉窦压力感受器(CSB)活动的影响。所得结果如下:(1)电刺激 CSN 可使夹闭颈动脉引起的加压反射消失或倒转,△BP 从刺激前的 39.5±3.6mmHg 变为刺激时的-0.31±5.4mmHg(P<0.001)。(2)在电刺激CSN 时,静注新福林所诱发的颈动脉窦压力感受器-心率反射增强,表现为反射性心率减慢较刺激前更为明显。(3)在以50—200mmHg 的压力充胀两侧颈动脉窦的条件下,刺激 CSN 引起窦内压与平均动脉压的关系曲线下移,与刺激前曲线相比有明显差异(P<0.01)。(4)切断 CSN 后,动脉血压有所升高,提示 CSN 对 CSB 活动有紧张性调节作用。以上结果比较明确地表明家兔 CSN 对 CSB 活动有调节作用。此作用可能是 CSN 作用于窦壁平滑肌而间接引起的。