Spectrophotometric characterization of phytochromes in dimorphic cocklebur seeds in relation to capacity for germination

Phytochrome was measured spectrophotometrically in different tissues of the upper (positively photoblastic) and lower (negatively photoblastic) seeds of the cocklebur (Xanthium pennsylvanicum Wallr.). Axial parts of the seeds, in particular parts of the radicle, contained high levels of phytochrome, while cotyledonary parts contained only low levels. These results were consistent with the distribution of the light-sensitive areas of the seeds that were associated with germination. Phytochrome levels in both types of dimorphic seeds increased gradually with increasing duration of dark imbibition for 4–8 h, then the rates of increase in levels of phytochrome accelerated. In both types of seed, some phytochrome was measurable even before imbibition. In the lower seeds, up to 20% of the phytochrome was occasionally observed as P_fr in samples imbibed in darkness for a short time (up to 12 h). A slight blue shift of the peak of P_T in the difference spectrum of phytochrome was observed in the case of lower seeds imbibed for 0–2 h. These results suggest that, to some extent, the lower axes contain dehydrated P_fr or intermediate(s) in the photoconversion of phytochrome. The dark reactions of P_fr were also examined in excised axes of both types of dimorphic seed after they had been pre-imbibed for 16 h in darkness. Dark destruction of P_fr was observed in both types of seed. In addition, net increases in levels of P_r were observed in the dark controls and in the samples irradiated with red light after the level of P_fr diminished. No ‘inverse’ dark reversion from P_r to P_fr was detected. Thus, after 16 h of imbibition, there were no differences in terms of properties of phytochrome between the two types of seed, and the different responses to light of upper and lower seeds might depend mainly on a difference in the physiological state of the two types of seed rather than the properties of phytochrome.     

Endogenous evolution of HCN during pre-germination periods in many seed species

Both cyanogenic ( Malus pumila Mill) and acyanogenic ( Oryza sativa L., Hordeum vulgare L., Zea mays L., Glycine max Merr., Lactuca sativa L., and Xanthium pennsylvanicum Wallr. etc.) seeds evolve HCN gas during the early periods of water imbibition. All tested seeds contained reserve cyanogens which liberated HCN upon hydrolysis with H₂SO₄ and with β-glucosidase and/or lipase. The amounts of liberated HCN were roughly comparable to those of unidentified cyanogens. It is thus conceivable that the cyanogens within seeds are available as precursors for free HCN evolved in the pre-germination period. The amounts of HCN evolved in the acyanogenic seeds were only 0.002 to 1% of that in apple, but the contents of the cyanogenic compounds in rice and cocklebur increased temporarily during the pre-germination period, then decreased and, finally, disappeared completely with the start of germination.     

A bimodal germination response to temperature in cocklebur seeds. II. ATP and adenylate pool

Abstract. The mechanism involved in a bimodal germination-temperature response in pre-soaked cocklebur (Xanthium pennsylvanicum Wallr.) seeds was studied with special reference to adenylate metabolism. Exposure to either low (optimal at 8°C) or high (optimal at 34°C) temperature which was effective in inducing the germination of the seeds brought about the accumulation of ATP in them. The ATP level remained unchanged at temperatures around 23°C. Pretreatment with KCN, stimulating germination even at 23°C, subsequently increased the ATP content, total adenylate pool and energy charge (EC) in the axial tissue prior to germination above those of the untreated controls. The lower the treatment temperature, the greater the inhibitory effect of KCN on ATP formation. An increase in germination following an increasing duration of pre-soaking at 8°C was comparable to increasing both the ATP content and total adenylate pool of axes, but not the EC value. Similarly, changes in germination following an increased exposure duration at 8°C correlated with changes in ATP content rather than EC value in the axes. Unlike the case of chilling, an increase in ATP level in response to 34°C was greater in the early period of water imbibition, during which times its germination-stimulating effect appeared more striking than in the later period, and it occurred without a concomitant rise in EC value because of the increased supply of AMP. Such a supply of AMP was reduced in the presence of benzohydroxamic acid or propyl gallale, inhibitors of an alternative respiratory pathway. It was thus concluded that both low temperature, coupled with warm temperature, and high temperature, by itself, can induce seed germination by increasing the ATP level as well as the total adenylate pool, but not the EC value, in the axial tissue. Further, that increases in both the ATP level and the adenylate pool especially are required for seed germination to proceed, probably depending on the activities of the cytochrome and alternative respiration pathways, respectively.     

Thigmomorphogenesis: XXIII. Promotion of foliar senescence by mechanical perturbation of Avena sativa and four other species

Mechanical perturbation (MP, gentle tubbing) promoted the senescence of detached oat ( Avena sativa L. cv. Victory) leaf segments in the dark. The promotion of senescence increased with increase in the number of rubbings and could be seen after 24 h of dark incubation; the maximum effect was reached on day 3. The effect (% of control) of MP on the loss of protein was greater than the effect on chlorophyll (Chl) loss on day 1. However, on day 3 the effect of MP on the loss of Chl became greater than the effect on the loss of protein. Ethephon and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) marginally promoted the loss of Chl by both control and rubbed oat leaf segments, and the effect was additive with MP. Chloramphenicol (CAP), spermine, aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and Ca²⁺ marginally delayed the loss of Chl and protein in both control and rubbed segments. Kinetin greatly retarded the senescence of all segments. Even in the presence of these substances, the amounts of Chl and protein in the rubbed segments were always less than in their respective controls, thus retaining the effect of the MP. However, abscisic acid (ABA) and cycloheximide (CHI) caused the rubbed oat leaf segments to retain more Chl and protein than their respective control segments. The effect of CHI was actually enhanced by MP. Rubbing promoted the senescence of attached leaves of oats ( Avena sativa L. cv. Victory), maize ( Zea mays L. cv. Early Belle) and pumpkin ( Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Jack-o-lantern) cotyledons in the dark. Rubbing promoted the senescence of oat leaf segments even in light, although to a lesser extent compared to the effect in the dark. The senescence of leaves of pumpkin and cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium Wallr. var. Pennsylvanicum ) in situ was also enhanced by MP.     

苍耳Xanthium strumarium L. 染色体数目和核型的观察

苍耳Xanthium strumarium L.(X. sibiricum Patr. ex Widder, X. iaponicum Widder)为菊科苍耳属的一年生草本,广布于欧亚大陆和北美洲;我国各地也均有分布。苍耳为常用中药,其果实入药,能发汗通窍、祛风湿,解表镇痛,用于治风湿性关节痛及鼻炎等症。     

镉胁迫对瘤突苍耳、苍耳及其杂合体种子萌发与幼苗生长的影响

入侵种与本地种杂交可能会改变其某些性状,影响其生理生化过程,增强其对一些重金属的耐受性。镉是目前造成土壤污染的主要重金属元素之一,为探讨杂交是否能够增强植物对重金属镉的耐受性,采用培养皿滤纸法比较了不同浓度镉(0,10,40,80和120 mg/L)处理下瘤突苍耳(Xanthium strumarium)、苍耳(Xanthium sibiricum)及二者杂合体(X.strumarium♀×X.sibiricum♂,X.sibiricum♀×X.strumarium♂)种子萌发与幼苗生长情况。结果表明:1)入侵种瘤突苍耳与本地种苍耳之间存在杂交现象;2)镉促进了杂交瘤突苍耳(X.strumarium♀×X.sibiricum♂)种子的萌发,当镉浓度为80 mg/L时,其萌发率、发芽势、发芽指数最高;3)杂交瘤突苍耳在80、120 mg/L镉处理下根长和叶绿素含量低于瘤突苍耳,但子叶受到的氧化胁迫并未高于瘤突苍耳。研究结果显示,杂交有可能提高了瘤突苍耳在高浓度镉胁迫时对重金属镉的转运能力,幼苗根系吸收大量的镉并向上运输给子叶,导致根系生长受到抑制、子叶叶绿素含量下降,抗氧化酶系统可能在降低子叶氧化程度上发挥了作用。     

Two Phytotoxins Isolated from the Pathogenic Fungus of the Invasive Weed Xanthium italicum

Alternariol and altenuisol were isolated as the major phytotoxins produced by an Alternaria sp. pathogenic fungus of the invasive weed Xanthium italicum. Altenuisol exhibited stronger phytotoxic effect compared with alternariol. At 10 μg/mL, alternariol and altenuisol promoted root growth of the monocot plant Pennisetum alopecuroides by 11.1 % and 75.2 %, respectively, however, inhibitory activity was triggered by the increase of concentration, with root elongation being suppressed by 35.5 % and 52.0 % with alternariol and altenuisol at 1000 μg/mL, respectively. Alternariol slightly inhibited root length of the dicot plant Medicago sativa at 10–1000 μg/mL, whereas altenuisol stimulated root growth by 51.0 % at 10 μg/mL and inhibited root length by 43.4 % at 200 μg/mL. Alternariol and altenuisol did not exert strong regulatory activity on another dicot plant, Amaranthus retroflexus, when tested concentration was low, however, when the concentration reached 1000 μg/mL, they reduced root length by 68.1 % and 51.0 %, respectively. Alternariol and altenuisol exerted similar effect on shoot growth of three tested plants but to a lesser extent. It is noteworthy to mention that this is the first report on the phytotoxicity of altenuisol.     

入侵植物刺苍耳在新疆的分布及其群落特征

刺苍耳是原产于南美洲的菊科植物,2009年首次在新疆的伊宁县发现。于2010～2011年对新疆南北疆近40个县(市)中刺苍耳可能出现的区域进行调查,并采用样方法,对不同生境中刺苍耳分布相对集中的23个样地所有物种的多度、频度和重要值进行了观测和分析,以明确刺苍耳在新疆的分布区及其群落特征,为有效防治其扩散提供依据。结果显示:(1)刺苍耳分布于新疆的昌吉市、伊宁市、伊宁县、巩留县、特克斯县、新源县、察布查尔县、霍城县和尼勒克县,分布区海拔597～1 834m,生境类型包括荒漠草原和绿洲。(2)刺苍耳在荒漠草原和绿洲生境中的相对多度均处于首位,且在绿洲中达到最大值,为入侵区域最重要的物种;刺苍耳在2种生境中的相对盖度均为第一,且绿洲(46.83%)大于荒漠草原(43.00%)。(3)刺苍耳在2种生境中的综合适应力均最强,在绿洲中尤为突出,是其最易入侵的区域。研究表明,刺苍耳在新疆荒漠草原生境中尚处于局部危害阶段,但在绿洲中已处于蔓延期。     

Studies on the long-day inhibition of flowering in Xanthium and Kalanchoe

It is well known in short-day plants that a leaf held in non-inductive photoperiods inhibits flowering when interposed between the induced leaf and the apical meristem, in an analogous manner to the basal half of a leaf induced by short-day in its distal half. This has often been explained by the inhibiting leaf or basal part of an induced leaf becoming the major source of carbohydrates to the apex, rather than the induced leaf itself; i.e. by preventing thus the co-transported stimulus from reaching the apex. Experiments with Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Poellniz and Xanthium strumarium L. in which carbon dioxide levels were lowered or increased, or 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea injected, or sugar fed to the petioles of a debladed interposed leaf, or night-breaks given as well as other photoperiodic treatments, all pointed to 'carbohydrate diversion' not being the major cause of failure of the short-day stimulus reaching the target apex. It is tentatively concluded that instead an inhibitory action occurs in the vascular passage of the stimulus preventing co-transport with the carrier molecule.     

Stress avoidance in a common annual: reproductive timing is important for local adaptation and geographic distribution

Adaptation to local environments may be an important determinant of species' geographic range. However, little is known about which traits contribute to adaptation or whether their further evolution would facilitate range expansion. In this study, we assessed the adaptive value of stress avoidance traits in the common annual Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) by performing a reciprocal transplant across a broad latitudinal gradient extending to the species' northern border. Populations were locally adapted and stress avoidance traits accounted for most fitness differences between populations. At the northern border where growing seasons are cooler and shorter, native populations had evolved to reproduce earlier than native populations in the lower latitude gardens. This clinal pattern in reproductive timing corresponded to a shift in selection from favouring later to earlier reproduction. Thus, earlier reproduction is an important adaptation to northern latitudes and constraint on the further evolution of this trait in marginal populations could potentially limit distribution.