Influence of Acid and Salt Sprays on Furanocoumarin Concentrations on the Ruta graveolens Leaf Surface

Ruta graveotens subshrubs, known to contain a large fractionof their furanocoumarins on the leaf surface, were used forinvestigation of salt and acid rain effects on the plant surfaceand substances occurring there. Groups of shoots on each plantcovered by plastic bags were sprayed with either sulphuric acid,pII 2.5, saturated sodium chloride solution, or a distilledwater control. Uncovered shoots, an additional control, hadthe highest concentrations of furanocoumarins both on the surfaceand in the whole leaf. The upper leaves contained less furanocoumarinsin absolute amounts but were similar to the lower leaves ona percentage basis. Spraying caused a decrease in total furanocoumarinconcentrations, slight in the case of distilled water and greaterfor acid and salt, but the percentage on the surface after sprayingincreased. The upper and lower leaves reacted differently tosalt than to sulphuric acid and water: with salt, the percentagesof furanocoumarins on the surface of both kinds of leaves showedsimilar increases; with the other two sprays, upper leaves showeda similar increase, but the lower leaves had a much higher percentageon the surface owing to a high rate of extrusion. Simulated acid rain, salt sprays, plant surface, furanocoumarins, Ruta graveolens     

The Internode of Sambucus racemosa L. Originates from a Single Cell Layer

The internodes of Sambucus racemosa L. shoot apices originatefrom a single layer of cells in which mononucleate mother tannincells are present. The mother tannin cells increase in lengthand differentiate together with the internodal growth. Sambucus racemosa L., shoot apices, internode, mother tannin cells, tannin coenocytes     

Origin of Nodes and lnternodes in Plant Shoots. I. Transverse Zonation of Apical Parts of the Shoot

Several plant species possessing at least two leaves at eachnode, or well anatomically distinguished nodes, were examinedfor potential differences in node and internode construction,and unusual histological features were sought as markers ofthe nodes and internodes. In this capacity idioblastic cellsfilled with phenolic compounds can serve, in either node (Polygonum)or internode (Sambucus). When constructed in a special way intercellularspaces can also be markers, e.g. in Rumex, as can glands innodes and internodes (Angelica, Ugustrum, Astrantia). Such histologicaldifferences exist exclusively in internodes or nodes examined,permitting inferences to be made about the origins of theseplant parts. Idioblasts, node, internode, intercellular spaces, phenolics     

Accumulation of Phenolic Compounds in the Necrotic Areas of Austrian and Red Pine Needles Due to Salt Spray

Austrian pine (Pinus nigra) and red pine (P resinosa) were testedfor needle damage caused by salt spray. Morphology and histologyof newly grown needles were compared in 3- and 6-year-old plantsgrowing in the greenhouse under controlled conditions. Pottedplants covered with plastic bags were sprayed daily either withdistilled H₂O or saturated salt solution. Needle tips, mid-partsand bases were fixed after 1, 3 and 24 h, and 3, 7 and 30 din glutaraldehyde+0·1 % caffeine for precipitation ofphenolics. Histochemical reactions and electron microscope observationsshowed that the morphological damage is linked to increasedphenolic compound deposition in mesophyll cells, beginning directlyunder the stomata. Disorganization of membranes leads to deathof the mesophyll cells, even before morphological damage isrecognizable as brown spots on the needle surface. Thus thehistochemical reactions and observations of cell structure revealeddamage earlier than macroscopic observations. Salt injury, phenolic compounds, histological damage, ultrastructural damage, salt spray, Pinus nigra, Austrian pine, Pinus resinosa, red pine     

Ontogenesis of Tannin Coenocytes in Sambucus racemosa L. I. Development of the Coenocytes from Mononucleate Tannin Cells

Tannin coenocytes in shoots of Sambucus racemosa L. developfrom mono-nucleate tannin cells which can be distinguished amongthe cells of the first internode, and which keep on growing.After karyokinesis without cytokinesis bi-nucleate tannin cellsoccur which yield a synchronous karyokinesis leading to 4 nucleiin the tube. The number of nuclei in the coenocyte is 2ⁿ wheren equals the number of karyokineses that have occurred. Sometimesthe number of nuclei is different and one nucleus is bigeerthan the rest indicating that a previous fusion of nuclei hasoccurred. The distribution of nuclei in the coenocyte supportsthe possibility of fusion of chromosome sets at the moment ofnuclear envelope dispersion. Sambucus racemosa L., coenocytes, synchronous karyokinesis, development     

Ontogenesis of Tannin Coenocytes in Sambucus racemosa L. II. Mother Tannin Cells

Tannin coenocytes develop from mononucleate tannin mother cells.The process occurs within the whole of the first (youngest)internode and its development can be divided into three stages.In stage I the MTC is isodiametric and similar to the surroundingcells of the flank meristem, being present in the ninth celllayer from the apex surface. The nucleus becomes lanceolateand elongates, and large cytoplasmic vacuoles appear. A twofoldelongation of both the cell and nucleus continues in the secondstage, the cell-nucleus ratio indicating that it is due to theenlarged vacuole, which pushes a thin layer of cytoplasm closeto the cell wall. In this layer of cytoplasm dilated ER cisternaoccur together with small and large vacuoles, a fusion of thevacuoles increasing their volume. Such cells are diploid inspite of larger nuclear volume and rough structure of its chromatin. Sambucus racemosa L., tannin cells, development, ontogenesis     

Cytoplasmic and Apoplastic Location of Phenolic Compounds in the Covering Tissue of the Brassica napus Radicle Between Embryogenesis and Germination

The localization and intensity of cytoplasmic and apoplasticdeposits of phenolic compounds in Brassica napus L. change betweenembryogenesis and 36 h after seed germination. In the late stageof embryogenesis there were no phenolic compounds that wouldbe precipitated with caffeine, located either in the cytoplasmor outside the plasmalemma. Seeds collected at this stage rotduring germination. During seed maturation phenolic compoundswere localized in small vesicles which correspond to vesicular-shapedendoplasmic reticulum (ER) characteristic of this stage. Thiswas followed by slightly larger deposits in vacuoles, and inmature seed dark deposits accumulated outside the plasmalemma.In these dormant seeds the deposits were thus mostly betweenthe plasmalemma and the cell wall. After 3 h in water such darkdeposits appeared outside the cell wall on the embryo surface.After 6 h the cytoplasmic deposits were very few, and after24 h deposits reappeared in the round vesicles and long ER cisternae.After 36 h, when the emerging radicle and hypocotyl were 3 mmlong, there were large deposits of phenolic compounds in thevacuoles of various sizes. The occurrence of these depositsparalleled the previously demonstrated waves of embryo activityat the same stages of development, such as mitoses, synthesisof DNA, RNA, and protein, and mobilization of storage material. Embryogenesis, phenolic compounds, germination, seedling     

Chalcone Synthase Localization in Shoot Apices of Fagopyrum, Brassica and Pisum

Chalcone synthase (CHS), a key enzyme of flavonoid synthesis,was localized in shoot apices of Fagopyrum, Brassica and Pisum.The enzyme was detected in initial cells of the shoot apex,which gives rise to the whole plant body. In Fagopyrum and BrassicaCHS was located in the rib and flank meristems, whereas in theArgenteum mutant of Pisum this enzyme was localized at an earlierstage in the ontogenesis of the shoot. It occurs in a few cellsof the tunica, which gives rise to the protoderm, and then tothe epidermis which contains anthocyanins in these plants. Chalcone synthase, immunogold labelling, promeristem, shoot apex, Brassica, Fagopyrum, Pisum