Nitrogenase Activity in Response to Darkening and Defoliation of Alnus incana

Huss-Danell, K. and Sellstedt, A. 1985. Nitrogenase activityin response to darkening and defoliation of Alnus incana. —J.exp. Bot. 36: 1352–1358 In the Alnus-Frankia symbiosis the nitrogen-fixing root nodulesare one of the sinks for carbon compounds newly formed in photosynthesisand exported from the leaves (source). The source-sink ratioof cloned plants of Alnus incana was reduced by darkening orby total or partial defoliation and the resulting nitrogenaseactivity (C₂H₂-reduction) was measured. Nitrogenase activityhad nearly ceased 5 h after total defoliation but not untilca. 5 d after total darkening. Most of the activity was lostduring the initial hours and days, respectively. When leaf areawas reduced approximately by half nitrogenase activity decreasedslightly less than by half. Removal of upper leaves seemed lessharmful than removal of lower leaves one day after defoliation.On the following 2 d the treatments appeared to be similar.Thus, nitrogenase activity was largely dependent on newly formedassimilates but could also depend on stored reserves that weremobilized. Measurements of in vitro nitrogenase activity inroot nodule homogenates from darkened plants indicated thatnitrogenase gradually became inactivated and/or depleted after1 and 2 d in darkness Key words: Carbon supply, Frankia, nitrogen fixation     

Specificity of Distribution of Venation-Anastomosis Patterns in Petals of Phaseoleae (Leguminosae)

Frequency of anastomosis, types of vein anastomosis, and theirpattern of distribution in the standard, wing, and keel of fourspecies (Butea frondosa Wall., Cajanus cajan (Linn.) Millsp.,Dolichos lablab Linn., and Erythrina indica Zoll.), from fourdifferent subtribes of the tribe Phaseoleae (Leguminosae) havebeen analysed. It has been found that the species differ considerablyin these respects. The differences have been found to be significantand species-specific, having a very small range of variationwithin a species. It is suggested that this specificity in thedistribution of vein anastomosis pattern in petal sectors maybe useful in tracing phylogeny.     

Development of Leaf Forms in Ipomoea reptans (Linn.) Poir

Development of leaves of two chromosomal biotypes of Ipomoeareptans, one with broad leaves and the other with narrow leaves,was studied. Early development of the ‘narrow’ typeinvolves a rapid multiplication of cells without expansion.This phase is followed by cell enlargement with a negligibleamount of multiplication. In the ‘broad’ type onthe other hand, multiplication and enlargement are simultaneousand proceed slowly, but steadily. The lamina shape of both thebiotypes is primarily related to a difference of cell multiplicationrate in the basal, median and apical parts. Some gradient influencingcell multiplication probably exists from the base to the tipof lamina, the optimum point being in the middle. Maturationand enlargement of cells is basipetal and continuous. The wavynature of the leaf margin is related to a very accurate geometricaladjustment of cell number variation in depressions and mounds,which may be controlled by a product of the lateral veins.     

THE ASSOCIATED GROWTH OF STREPTOCOCCUS LACTIS AND ESCHERICHIA COLI

SUMMARY: The possibility that contamination of farmhouse starters by coli-aerogenes bacteria may be a factor in producing the subtle flavour of farmhouse Cheddar cheese has been discussed. The associated growth of Strep. lactis and E. coli I at 30° and 37° resulted in the rapid disappearance of E. coli from the mixtures, even though it had been the dominant organism in some of them originally. Mixtures containing Strep. lactis and an anaerogenic strain of E. coli still contained this variant at the end of a month, although in no definite ratio and in a very much reduced proportion. It is concluded that the components of coli-lactic starters to be used in the manufacture of cheese should be combined together in the vats.