Quantitation of endogenous levels of IAA,IAAsp and IBA in micro-propagated shoots of hybrid chestnut pre-treated with IBA

Endogenous levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-acetylaspartic acid (IAAsp) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) were measured during the first 8 d of in vitro rooting of rootstock from the chestnut ‘M3’ hybrid by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Rooting was induced either by dipping the basal ends of the shoots into a 4.92-mM IBA solution for 1 min or by sub-culturing the shoots on solid rooting medium supplemented with 14.8-μM IBA for 5 d. For root development, the induced shoots were transferred to auxin-free solid medium. Auxins were measured in the apical and basal parts of the shoots by means of HPLC. Endogenous levels of IAA and IAAsp were found to be greater in IBA-treated shoots than in control shoots. In extracts of the basal parts of the shoots, the concentration of free IAA showed a significant peak 2 d after either root inductive method and a subsequent gradual decrease for the remainder of the time course. The concentration of IAAsp peaked at day 6 in extracts of the basal parts of shoots induced with 14.8-μM IBA for 5 d, whereas shoots induced by dipping showed an initial increase until day 2 and then remained stable. In extracts from basal shoot portions induced by dipping, IBA concentration showed a transient peak at day 1 and a plateau between day 2 and 4, in contrast to the profile of shoots induced on auxin-containing medium, which showed a significant reduction between 4 and 6 d after transferred to auxin-free medium. All quantified auxins remained at a relatively low level, virtually constant, in extracts from apical shoot portions, as well as in extracts from control non-rooting shoots. In conclusion, the natural auxin IAA is the signal responsible for root induction, although it is driven by exogenous IBA independently of the adding conditions.     

Effects of growth regulators on light-dependent anthocyanin production in Zea mays seedlings

Rengel, Z. and Kordan, H. A. 1987. Effects of growth regulators on light-dependent anthocyanin production in Zea mays seedlings.
The effects of ethylene, indolyl- and naphthylacetic acids, zeatin, benzyladenine, gib-berellic acid and triiodobenzoic acid on anthocyanin production in seedlings of Zea mays L. cv. Golden Bantam were investigated. Endogenously produced and exogen-ously supplied ethylene, as well as the other growth regulators tested markedly suppressed anthocyanin formation. Except for triiodobenzoic acid, the other growth regulators stimulated ethylene production, the amounts produced in the light being larger than those in the dark. Absorption of ethylene by permanganate as well as inhibition of ethylene production or action by Co²⁺ or Ag⁺ increased anthocyanin formation in maize seedlings above the level found in the control plants. The inhibiting effect of auxins and cytokinins on anthocyanin production was reversed by Co²⁺ or Ag⁺. In contrast, decreased anthocyanin formation caused by gibberellic acid or triiodobenzoic acid seemed unrelated to ethylene and could not be alleviated by Co²⁺ or Ag+.     

A novel approach to differentiated embryos in the absence of endosperm

Summary In all of the Poaceae tested (Bromus, Festuca, Hordeum, Lolium, Poa, Triticum) the formation of grains without endosperm was induced from unpollinated ovules by treatment with the following synthetic auxins: DIG; 2,4-D; 2,4,5-T; or CPAA. Cytokinins (BAP, ZTN) as well as adenine or gibberellic acid (GA₃) alone were ineffective. In parthenogenetic lines auxin treatment resulted in grains with mature embryos without endosperm. Differences in embryo differentiation were found, which were dependent on the synthetic auxins used, their concentrations, and the developmental stages of the treated spikes or panicles. Thus, the regulation of embryogenesis by the endosperm can be replaced by exogenous auxin application. The developing proembryos of grasses did not need nutritive support from the endosperm.Auxin treatment to give mature embryos without endosperm enables the screening of apomictic species for sexual plants and sexual species for parthenogenetic individuals. It opens ways for inducing haploid parthenogenesis and improves methods for overcoming interspecific crossing barriers.     

Micropropagation of Romulea minutiflora, Sisyrinchium laxum and Tritonia gladiolaris — Iridaceae with ornamental potential

Three species of the Iridaceae with ornamental potential were micropropagated with the intention of producing propagules more rapidly for possible commercialization. Shoot induction from in vitro germinated seedlings of Romulea minutiflora was obtained with 5.4 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 23.2 μM kinetin. Shoot explants formed corms best with 3.4 or 17 μM paclobutrazol, and one incidence of in vitro flowering was observed. Sisyrinchium laxum shoot explants produced more and healthier multiple shoots with meta-topolin (mT) than with 6-benzyladenine (BA). Rooting was best in control (no hormone) cultures, and addition of NAA and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) inhibited root formation and growth of shoot explants, and formed short, stunted roots. Roots produced by indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) were morphologically most similar to those produced in control cultures. Liquid-shake culture of shoots did not lead to meristemoid formation, despite supplementation with various growth regulators (mT, GA₃ or paclobutrazol). Low temperature (10-20 °C) induced corm formation in Tritonia gladiolaris shoot cultures, while corm formation was completely inhibited above 20 °C. Increasing temperature from 10 °C to 15 °C and from 15 °C to 20 °C increased corm mass significantly. Paclobutrazol (3.4 μM), GA₃ (2.9 μM), NAA (5.4 μM ) or methyl jasmonate (4.5 μM ) could not induce corm formation at 25 °C, while at 15 °C, NAA and methyl jasmonate inhibited corm formation. These experiments successfully demonstrate the ease with which different genera of the Iridaceae can be multiplied in in vitro systems.     

Maize heterosis affects the structure and dynamics of indigenous rhizospheric auxins-producing Pseudomonas populations

A rhizobacterial population of 2430 Pseudomonas isolates, originating from one maize hybrid and from its parents, was screened for auxins production. Four hundred and twelve isolates were found to be auxin producers (aia+), and 27 of them were also part of a previously described PhlD+ sub-population. Interestingly, most part of the aia(+)-PhlD+ isolates came from the hybrid. This finding indicates that heterosis allows an increased colonisation by multi-beneficial PGPR strains. Furthermore, results on the abundance and genetic diversity of aia+ isolates gave evidence that maize root colonisation by aia+ Pseudomonas is an inherited trait regulated by heterosis. In fact, two times more aia+ isolates were obtained from the rhizosphere of the hybrid than from the rhizospheres of the parents, and an amplified rDNA restriction analysis showed that the hybrid increases the genetic diversity of aia+ populations when compared to its parents.     

One for All and All for One: Cross-Talk of Multiple Signals Controlling the Plant Phenotype

The plant hormone ethylene plays a pivotal role in steering various processes by regulating the biosynthesis, distribution, or signal transduction of other hormones. Ethylene also mediates the effects of other hormones. Similarly, hormones control the ethylene synthesis and signalling pathway. Eventually, integration of this network of signals leads to an appropriate morphological or biochemical response. Consequently, this cross-talk results in the characteristic plasticity associated with plant development. Here, the interplay of ethylene with other hormones is described for germination and seedling growth, stomatal control, and tissue elongation. The mechanisms by which this occurs are discussed in more detail.     

The role of oxidative stress induced by growth regulators in the regeneration process of wheat

As part of work to optimize the regeneration processes of winter wheat callus culture the effects of two auxins (2,4-D, IAA), two cytokinins (kinetin, zeatin), and the fungal mycotoxin zearalenone, were tested individually in vitro using embryo-, and inflorescence-derived callus. To determine the role of oxidative stress in cell regeneration, changes in the basic antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidases (PODs) were investigated. In general, zearalenone (ZEN) was found to be more effective than cytokinin treatments for inducing shoot production, whereas auxins suppressed the regeneration process. Regenerating callus showed higher induction of these antioxidant enzymes in comparison with non-regenerating callus. SOD, CAT and POD activities were higher in callus derived from inflorescence than in callus derived from immature embryo. Activities of SOD, CAT and POD in culture derived from immature embryos were depending on type of growth regulator in medium. The highest enzyme activities were observed in non-regenerating tissues after auxins treatment and in regenerating tissues after cytokinins treatment. The effect of ZEN was similar to that of cytokinins. One MnSOD band and two Cu/ZnSOD bands were detected in all cultures. Changes in SOD izoform patterns occurred in callus culture on media with auxins and ZEN, but not on media with cytokinins. Our results suggest that callus regeneration is associated with reactive oxygen species production induced by specific growth regulators. Reactive oxygen species under the control of cellular antioxidant machinery can mediate signalling pathways between exogenously applied growth regulators and the induction and/or creation of the direction of morphogenesis.     

Cytokinins and auxins in plant-pathogen interactions – An overview

Alterations in plant development are frequently observed following pathogen infection. Infection by virus frequently results in stunting of growth, and the chlorosis and abscission of leaves; infection by fungi is often notable for green island formation and growth malformations; and infection by some bacteria results in the formation of galls. While the area of plant-pathogen interactions is currently receiving considerable attention and some plant-pathogen interactions are well characterised with both cytokinins and auxins being implicated (infection by Agrobacterium tumefaciens being the obvious example), there has been relatively little published in the recent literature pertaining to the involvement of cytokinins and auxins in viral, fungal and other forms of bacterial pathogenesis. This overview focuses on what is known concerning the strategies utilised by gall-forming bacteria, and fungal and viral phytopathogens to manipulate the endogenous cytokinin and/or auxin content of their host plant.     

In vitro regeneration through organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis in pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] cv. JKR105

In vitro regeneration of pigeon pea through organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis was demonstrated with pigeon pea cv. JKR105. Embryonic axes explants of pigeon pea showed greater regeneration of shoot buds on 2.5 mg L⁻¹ 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) in the medium, followed by further elongation at lower concentrations. Rooting of shoots was observed on half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 2 % sucrose and 0.5 mg L⁻¹ 3-indolebutyric acid (IBA). On the other hand, the regeneration of globular embryos from cotyledon explant was faster and greater with thidiazuron (TDZ) than BAP with sucrose as carbohydrate source. These globular embryos were maturated on MS medium with abscisic acid (ABA) and finally germinated on half-strength MS medium at lower concentrations of BAP. Comparison of regeneration pathways in pigeon pea cv. JKR105 showed that the turnover of successful establishment of plants achieved through organogenesis was more compared to somatic embryogenesis, despite the production of more embryos than shoot buds.     

Fruit misshapen in strawberry cultivars (Fragaria×ananassa) is related to achenes functionality

Fruit deformation is a phenomenon commonly observed in commercial strawberry cultivars (Fragaria×ananassa) with a negative impact on the economic benefit of crop production. To better understand this physiopathy, we evaluated fruit size and the relative amount of ‘small’ (<0.4 mm) and ‘big’ achenes (>0.6 mm) in misshapen (MF) and well‐formed (WF) fruits from ‘Camarosa’, ‘Ventana’ and ‘Medina’ strawberry cultivars growing in the field. In ‘Camarosa’, size‐dependent achenes functionality was assessed by analysing achenes germinability and differences in time to ripening between MF and WF. We found that the occurrence of fruit deformation was not only strongly dependent on the cultivar (i.e. genetic factor) but also was promoted by low temperatures (i.e. environmental factor). Regardless of the cultivar, MF showed higher percentage of ‘small’ non‐functional achenes than WF, indicating a failure in achene development, which could be related to the functional integrity of reproductive structures. To test this hypothesis, we performed an experiment by pollinating strawberry flowers with pollen developed under low and mild temperatures. Low temperatures reduced pollen viability, and flowers pollinated with low quality pollen led to a higher amount of MF. However, fruit deformation was not completely explained by differences in pollen quality, neither by differences in pistil maturity and receptivity nor ovule viability, suggesting that non‐functional achenes might result from a disruption in postfertilisation processes such as embryo abortion as a consequence of low temperatures.