Effect of Bacillus thuringiensis naturally colonising Brassica campestris var. chinensis leaves on neonate larvae of Pieris brassicae

The feeding of neonate larvae of Pieris brassicae (Order Lepidoptera) on leaves of brassica plants that had been colonised by Bacillus thuringiensis resulted in the death of 35% of the population within 72 h. The bacteria multiplied in the cadavers, resulting in an increase of about 50-fold compared to the living insects. Surviving insects showed no ill effects during the time of the study. There was negligible multiplication of B. thuringiensis in the frass.     

中国黄耆属簇毛黄耆亚属的叶表皮特征及其系统学意义

在光学显微镜和扫描电镜下,观察了国产黄耆属簇毛黄耆亚属16种1变种的叶表皮特征。结果表明,气孔器在各种植物的上、下表皮均有分布,多为无规则型,也有不等细胞型;叶表皮细胞形状有不规则形与多边形,表皮细胞垂周壁有平直、浅波状、波状或深波状。叶表皮细胞形状与垂周壁的式样可以分为四种类型,这四种类型与亚属的分组有一定的对应关系。在扫描电镜下可见表皮细胞上有角质层,气孔下陷,气孔的外拱盖及其内缘特征在亚属内都比较一致。表皮细胞角质层的纹饰在个别类群中有一定的变异,对种类的鉴定有一定的意义。     

Yellow leaf syndrome modifies the composition of sugarcane juices in polysaccharides, phenols and polyamines

Some ultrastructural changes can be observed in diseased Saccharum officinarum L. (cv. Cuba 120-78) plants with visual symptoms of yellow leaf syndrome (YLS), used to discriminate between healthy and diseased plants. Abaxial epidermis of diseased leaves shows a large amount of adhered superficial bodies, which partially occluded some stomata. Bundle sheath cells surrounding the bottom of phloem of diseased leaves are separated from the conducting tissues by a large layer of an amorphous matrix similar to wax. Debris of the end wall can be observed in large xylem vessels. Sometimes, spherical bodies similar to phytoplasma can be observed in the intercellular spaces of bundle sheath cells. These particles have never been observed in healthy plants. YLS was also associated to an increase of the concentration of reducing sugars, glucose index, and glycoproteins recovered in juices whereas the amount of sucrose decreases. Sugarcane juices obtained from both healthy and YLS-affected Cuba 120-78 cultivars of sugarcane contained putrescine (PUT), cadaverine (CAD), spermidine and spermine (SPM) as free and macromolecules-conjugated compounds. Only CAD and SPM appeared as acid-soluble conjugates to small molecules whereas PUT and CAD are the major polyamines (PAs) conjugated to macromolecules, mainly to high molecular mass glycoproteins. The disease was associated to an increase in total PA fraction. Arginase and ornithine decarboxylase activities, responsible for the synthesis of PUT, were higher in YLS juices than in those obtained from healthy plants. CAD and SPM presumably conjugated mostly to chlorogenic, syringic and ferulic acids in juices from YLS plants.     

杜鹃花属照山白叶表皮及花粉形态的研究

利用光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜对杜鹃花属植物照山白的叶表皮及花粉形态进行了观察,该种的叶表皮细胞表面光滑,胞间界限明显;叶上下表皮均有盾状鳞,上表皮仅有针状毛;气孔器仅见于下表皮,分布稀疏,副卫细胞和保卫细胞表面光滑。扫描电镜下可见该种的花粉为四合花粉,呈正四面体排列,具三沟,表面纹饰为负网状雕纹,局部区域有大颗粒状突起。     

不同烟草品种叶下表皮微形态学特征的研究

利用扫描电镜及光学显微镜对烤烟、晒烟及野生烟共29个品种叶下表皮微形态学特征进行了观察,发现相同类型的烟草品种间表现出一些共同特征,但不同类型的烟草品种间其叶下表皮微形态学特征又存在一定的差异。烤烟气孔外拱盖内缘较丰富,晒烟次之,野生烟在所观察的品种中只有1种类型;烤烟气孔密度和长度的变幅比较大,晒烟则比较稳定;烤烟、晒烟细胞间多有突起,保卫细胞极区常见“T”型加厚,绝大多数有角质环边;而所观察的两个野生烟品种均无细胞间突起,无保卫细胞极区加厚,亦无角质环边。这些观察结果为烟草分类研究提供了有价值的参考依据。同时本文还探讨了烟草亲本与子代之间在叶下表皮微形态学特征上的关联性。     

不同产地华中五味子叶表皮结构和导管分子的解剖学特征及其与环境因子的关系

在光学显微镜下观察了不同产地华中五味子(Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd.et Wils．)叶表皮结构和导管分子特征,应用多元回归方法对不同产地华中五味子的叶表皮特征及导管分子特征与环境因子的关系进行了分析。观察的指标有叶表皮特征(气孔器密度、气孔器指数、气孔器长宽、气孔器面积、气孔极区角质加厚、气孔器类型、表皮细胞垂周壁形状、分泌细胞密度及叶表面角质条纹)和导管分子特征(导管分子长度、直径、长／直径比值及穿孔板类型)。观察结果：上表皮有极少量气孔器和分泌细胞分布。在下表皮,气孔器类型为平列型和侧列型,气孔器指数为15．05％-22．53％,气孔器长59．2—74．2μm,气孔器宽37．9—46．8μm,分泌细胞密度为1．45／mm^2-3．99／mm^2。导管分子以具缘纹孔导管为主,穿孔板包含单穿孔和梯状穿孔板。导管分子长957．8—1270．2μm,导管分子直径85．0—136．7μm。随着产地的不同,华中五味子叶下表皮结构和导管分子的解剖特征有明显的差异。分析结果显示：年均气温与气孔器面积和气孔器长度,年降水量与气孔器宽度以及相对湿度与分泌细胞密度之间关系密切。随着年平均气温的升高,气孔器面积、气孔器长度呈减少的趋势,R^2值分别为0．74、0．71。随着年降水量的增加,气孔器宽呈减小的趋势,R^2值为0．64;导管分子长／直径比值增加,R^2值为0．46。相对湿度与分泌细胞密度呈正相关,R^2为0．63。     

Abscisic add levels of individual leaf cells

Abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations of guard cells, subsidiary cells and epidermis cells of Comrnelina communis L. and Tradescantia virginiana L. were determined in cell sap samples extracted by means of micro glass capillaries. Concentrations up to 6.7 m M were indicated by commercial immunoassay test kits. A gradient of ABA concentration was found between guard cells (2,49 ± 1.81 m M , n = 25), subsidiary cells (1.25 ± 1.46 m M , n = 21) and epidermis cells (0.86 ± 0.76 m M , n = 20; mean values ± SD).     

The Effects of Gibberellin4+7 on the Vase Life and Flower Quality of Alstroemeria Cut Flowers

Leaf yellowing is a major problem in Alstroemeria and absence of leaf senescence symptoms is an important quality attribute. Two Alstroemeria cultivars ‘Yellow King’ and ‘Marina’ were sourced from a commercial farm and harvested when sepals began to reflex. Stems were re-cut under water and kept in vase solutions of gibberellin A₄₊₇ (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5 or 15.0 mg l⁻¹ [Provide^r]). Treatments and cultivars were combined in a factorial fashion and arranged in a completely randomised design. Application of GA₄₊₇ in the holding solution at 2.5–10.0 mg l⁻¹ significantly delayed the onset of leaf senescence by around 7 days and significantly increased days to 50% petal fall by ca. 2 days. Additionally, these GA₄₊₇ concentrations resulted in higher retention of leaf nitrogen, leaf chlorophyll and also increased leaf water content, while reducing leaf dry weight, all relative to untreated controls. Cultivar ‘Yellow King’ had significantly longer vase life and a better retention of leaf quality than ‘Marina’. Our results suggest that a concentration of 10 mg l⁻¹ GA₄₊₇ can be used to prolong vase life, delay leaf senescence and enhance post-harvest quality of Alstroemeria cut flowers during their transport to market.     

The foliar micromorphology of Solanum pseudocapsicum

Foliar micromorphology of Solanum pseudocapsicum was investigated by electron microscopical examination. The leaves are characterized by anisocytic stomata which are more abundant on the abaxial surfaces. The leaves have short multicellular glandular trichomes sparsely distributed over the entire leaf surfaces. Crystal deposits were also observed on the surfaces above the stomata. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy-SEM showed that Al, K, Na and Si were the major constituents of the crystals analyzed. The presence of glandular trichomes in this plant could be the source of poisonous compounds that are characteristic of this species.