Turnover of Storage Protein in Seeds of Soya Bean and Pea

We were interested in determining whether the low protein contentof pea seeds (Pisum sativum L.) as compared to soya bean seeds(Glycine max L. Merrill) might be due to faster degradationof the pea storage proteins during development of the seed.Pea and soya bean cotyledons were subjected to a ‘pulse-chase’experiment using [³H]glycine in in-vitro cultures. In peas,legumin had a half-life of 146 days, while vicilin had a half-lifeof 39 days. There was no measureable degradation of soya beanstorage proteins. Even with the pea storage proteins, the half-liveswere so much longer than the maturation time of seeds that degradationof storage proteins could not account for the lower proteincontent of peas as compared to soya beans. The validity of theseresults was indicated by the finding that non-storage proteinshad much shorter half-lives and that omission of a carbon ora nitrogen source greatly accelerated degradation. Labelledglycine was found to be a good probe for protein turnover studiesbecause it was very rapidly metabolized. Glycine max L. Merrill, soya bean, Pisum sativum, L. pea, protein turnover, storage proteins, legumin, vicilin     

Starch Deposition and Carbohydrase Activities in Developing and Germinating Soya Bean Seeds

Immature soya bean seeds accumulate starch as a transient reservematerial which is utilized later in development. Germinatingseeds also accumulate starch reserves, probably as a resultof gluconeogenesis from storage lipid. Developing beans showa rapid increase in ß-amylase activity which continuesinto early germination before declining. Distribution of ß-amylaseactivity is not consistent with its supposed role in starchdegradation. Soya bean seeds also contain -amylase and -glucosidaseactivities which could be responsible for starch mobilization. Glycine max (L.) Merr., soya bean, starch, carbohydrase, amylase, -glucosidase     

Starch Metabolism in Developing and Germinating Soya Bean Seeds is Independent of {beta}-Amylase Activity

Developing seeds of soya bean cultivars Chestnut and Altonahave only trace amounts of ß-amylase activity. Comparedto a standard variety, Wells, ß-amylase activitieswere 200–300 times lower in Chestnut and Altona. Nevertheless,Chestnut and Altona accumulate starch as a transient reservematerial which is utilized later in development. Seeds of Chestnutand Altona also produce starch early in germination which subsequentlydeclines after the 4th day of germination. Throughout germinationß-amylase levels in these cultivars are about 300-foldlower than that observed in Wells, which has a similar patternof starch metabolism. Widely varying levels of ß-amylasein both developing and germinating seeds appear to be unrelatedto starch metabolism which is very similar in all cultivarsstudied. Consequently, ß-amylase activity seems irrelevantto starch metabolism in the soya bean seed. starch, ß-amylase, Glycine max. (L.), Merr, soya bean     

Proline Accumulation and Relative Water Content in Soya Bean (Glycine max) Varieties under Water Stress

The effects of water stress on proline accumulation and relativewater content of four soya bean varieties were studied. Twolocal strains, Kalitur and T-49, showed a smaller increase inproline content and greater reduction in relative water contentthan did JS-2 or Bragg under the same conditions of stress. Glycine max, proline accumulation, relative water content, water stress     

Characterization of Common Carbohydrate Antigenic Determinants on Soya Bean Cell-Wall Enzymes

Three soya-bean (Glycine max) cell-wall enzymes (ß-glucosidase,pectin methyl esterase and phosphatase) have been found to beglycoproteins. The polyclonal antibodies raised against pectinmethyl esterase and ß-glucosidase lacked specificity,cross-reacted highly with native enzymes and also both reactedwith pure soya-bean phosphatase, horseradish peroxidase andhoneybee venom phospholipase A2. They did not react with eithernon-glycosylated bacterial phosphatase or deglycosylated cell-wallenzymes. The two antisera contained both non-specific anti-glycanantibodies and specific anti-polypeptide antibodies that werequantified. Antiglycan antibodies specific to 1–3 fucoseand ß1–2 xylose were detected in both antiseraand were separated and quantified. The occurrence of terminalfucose (and mannose) was confirmed with specific lectins. Theseresults indicate that most of the common glycan epitopes probablycorrespond to the asparagine-linked complex glycan previouslydetected in several glycoproteins of plants as well as in thoseof molluscs and insects. (Received March 10, 1993; Accepted November 5, 1993)     

Soya Bean Seed Growth and Maturation In vitro without Pods

Immature Glycine max (L.) Merrill seeds, initially between 50and 450 mg f. wt, were grown and matured successfully in vitro.Excised seeds were floated in a liquid medium containing 5 percent sucrose, minerals and glutamine in flasks incubated at25 °C under 300 to 350 µE m^–2 s^–1 fluorescentlight. During 16 to 21 d in culture, seeds grew to a matured. wt of 100 to 600 mg per seed at an average rate of 5 to 25mg d. wt per seed d^–1 depending on initial size. Growthrates were maximal during the first 8 to 10 d in vitro but declinedwith loss of green colour in the cotyledons. Seed coats rupturedwith rapid cotyledon expansion during the first 2 d in culture.Embryos were tolerant to desiccation and 80 to 90 per cent germinatedif removed from culture before complete loss of green colour.The growth of excised seeds in vitro exceeded the growth ofseeds in detached pods, but when windows were cut in pods topermit direct exposure of seeds to the medium, seed growth wascomparable. Glycine max (L.) Merrill, soya bean, seed culture, seed growth, seed maturation, germination     

Responses of Proteolytic Enzymes in Embryonic Axes of Germinating Bean Seeds under Copper Stress

The changes in protease activities in embryonic axes during the first days of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed germination were investigated in response to copper stress. Synthetic substrates and specific protease inhibitors have been used to define qualitatively and quantitatively different catalytic classes, particularly endoproteases (EP), carboxypeptidases (CP) and aminopeptidases (AP), then identify which ones were affected in the presence of copper. In fact, a failure in storage proteins mobilization and a disorder of nitrogen supply at enzymatic level occurred in Cu. In fact, Cu inhibited azocaseinolytic activity (ACA) and cysteine-, aspartic-, serine-, and metallo-endopeptidases activities (Cys-EP, Asp-EP, Ser-Ep, and Met-EP, respectively). Besides, Cu affected leucine- and proline-aminopeptidases (LAP and PAP, respectively) and glycine-carboxypeptidases (Gly-CP). The proteolytic responses might also be associated with the decrease in defense capacity in the Cu-treated embryos.     

The Metabolism of Zeatin and Zeatin Riboside by Soya Bean Callus

Five cell division inducing compounds were found in soya beancallus irrespective of whether it wes grown on a zeatin or zeatinriboside containing basal medium. In both cases the major metaboliteseems to be zeatin glucoside. The significance of this metabolicstep in plant tissue is discussed.     

The Gibberellins of Developing Bean Seeds

Properties of gibberellin-like substances extracted from Frenchbean seeds during their development were studied. Two zonesof gibberellin-like activity were detected on paper chromatograms. Changes in activity of one of the zones correlated with changesin growth-rate of the seed. From considerations of Rf on paperchromatograms, and differential activity on dwarf peas, dwarf-1and dwarf-5 corn, it was deduced that activity of this zonewas due to substances resembling gibberellin A₁ and gibberellinA₅. Gibberellin A₅-like activity was highest in young seedsand disappeared after cell division in the cotyledons had ceased.Gibberellin A₁-like activity rose to its highest level duringthe period of rapid cell expansion in the cotyledons, afterthe disappearance of gibberellin A₅-like activity. The second zone of gibberellin-like activity was due mainlyto a non-acidic substance, which disappeared at the time GAj-likeactivity was rising to its highest level. A non-acidic substance that stimulated lateral bud growth ofdwarf peas also was detected in the extracts. It is presumedto be a cytokinin.     

Soya Bean Seed Growth and Maturation by In Vitro Pod Culture

Immature Glycine max (L.) Merr. seeds initially at 50–70mg fresh weight were successfully grown and matured in vitroin detached pods. Surface sterilized pods were floated in aliquid medium containing 5 per cent sucrose, minerals, and glutaminein 125 ml Erlenmeyer flasks and incubated at 25 °C under350–400 µE m^–1 s^–1 white light. Seedswhich were matured in vitro increased tenfold in dry weight,were visually similar to commercial seeds of the same size,were tolerant to desiccation and germinated with normal seedlinggrowth. Excised pods transported dye from the pedicel to thegrowing seed within 120 min. Soya bean pod culture is a usefultechnique to study the influence of single or combinations ofchemical or environmental parameters on regulation of seed growth,seed maturation, and subsequent germination events without theconfounding interactions with the mother plant. Glycine max (L.) Merr., soya bean, pod culture, seed culture, seed growth, seed maturation, germination     

Evaluation of Pesticide EVects on Arthropod Predator Populations in Soya Bean in Farmers' Fields

The impact of two insecticides applied at locally practised frequencies on the population fluctuations of soya bean arthropods was studied at two farmers' field sites in Indonesia. Temporal recovery was determined from observations taken consecutively at short intervals. Spatial recovery was determined from observations taken at diVerent distances from the unsprayed surroundings. Monocrotophos suppressed predaceous ants, spiders and beetles, but did not reduce all phytophages. Lambda-cyhalothrin had a large impact on generalist predators and suppressed phytophages. Multiple regression analysis showed that temporal recovery was low for generalist predators and highest for lepidopterous larvae, indicating a potential to resurge after spraying. Spatial recover was observed for spiders, beetles, crickets and lepidopterous larvae (Galerucinae and Empoasca sp.), indicating that the presence of refuge areas may encourage recovery. To reduce the dependency on insecticides, farmers require training in phytophage-predator-insecticide interactions through field exercises.     

Alcohol Dehydrogenases from Strawberry Seeds

Two alcohol dehydrogenases (alcohol: NAD oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.1 and alcohol: NADP oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.2) were partially purified from extracts of strawberry seeds by conventional methods. Some of physical, chemical and kinetic properties of the enzymes are described. On the basis of gel filtration, the molecular weights were estimated to be approximately 78,000 for NAD-dependent enzyme and 82,000 for NADP-dependent enzyme. Thiol-reacting compounds inhibited both enzymes. NAD-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase reacted only with aliphatic alcohols and aldehydes, while aromatic and terpene alcohols and aldehydes were the better substrates for NADP-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase than aliphatic alcohols and aldehydes.     

Metabolism of N-(purin-6-yl)glycine by Soya Bean Callus

The growth of cytokinin-dependent soya bean callus has beenshown to be accelerated by adding N-(purin-6-yl)glycine to themedium. Two biologically active peaks were detected when thecallus was cultured with N-(purin-6-yl)glycine. These two peaksco-chromatographed with 6-(2, 3, 4-trihydroxy-3-methylbutylamino)purineand zeatin respectively. When ¹⁴C labelled N-(purin-6-yl)glycinewas applied to the callus, radioactivity was found with boththese compounds irrespective of whether or not the N-(purin-6-yl)glycinewas labelled in the side chain or in the 8-position of the purinering. Small amounts of zeatin appear to be produced from N-(purin-6-yl)glycinewhich could explain why this compound stimulates the divisionof soya bean callus. N-(purin-6-yl)glycine, soya bean callus, metabolism, radioactivity, cytokinins     

The Role of Cotyledons in Vegetative Growth and Nitrogen Assimilation by Soya Bean

The removal of both cotyledons from soya bean seedlings 10 daysafter sowing, when the primary leaves were unfolded, reducedtheir stem height, branching, leaf production and dry weightat flowering by a similar proportion whether they were nodulatedor nitrate-dependent. Nitrogen assimilation by the shoots ofnitrate-dependent plants was increased by the removal of onecotyledon and reduced by the removal of both cotyledons althoughthese effects were not significant. Both these treatments significantlyincreased the amount of nitrogen in the shoots of nodulatedplants at flowering, mainly by more than doubling the nitrogencontent of their leaves. In contrast, the proportion of thetotal plant nitrogen in the leaves of nitrate-dependent plantswas almost constant. These results suggest that the cotyledonsmarkedly inhibit nitrogen assimilation by nodulated plants butdo not appreciably affect nitrogen assimilation by plants dependentsolely on inorganic nitrogen for their nitrogen supply. Glycine mux (L) Merr., soya bean, cotyledons, nitrogen assimilation, growth     

无机染发剂对绿豆种子萌发的影响

探究了染发剂对绿豆种子萌发生长的影响。染发剂对生物存在负面影响是肯定的,浓度越大,影响亦越大。综合3组实验进行分析,双氧奶对生物的危害最大,染色剂与双氧奶混合后对生物的危害次之,染色剂对生物的危害是3者中最小的。     

NADP-Dependent Alcohol Dehydrogenase from Tea Seeds

d-Coronamic acid was deaminated by 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACPC) deaminase to produce α-keto-n-caproic acid. This deaminase which was purified from Pseudomonas sp. ACP was active to only d-coronamic acid among its stereoisomers. l-Coronamic acid or dl-allocoronamic acid was inactive or negligibly poor as the substrate. In addition, both deamination of ACPC and d-coronamic acid were inhibited by l-alanine, not by d-isomer and the inhibition of ACPC deamination by l-alanine was competitive. On the basis of these results, stereoselectivity of the enzymatic deamination was discussed.     

Assumptions of Plastochron Index: Evaluation With Soya Bean Under Field Drought Conditions

Erickson and Michelini (1957) derived the plastochron index(PI) and a term sometimes referred to as the plastochron ratio(PR), as quantitative expressions of the vegetative developmentof plants. With the stable plant growth in environmental chambersand glasshouses, the assumptions used to derive these termshave been validated. However, more recently these expressionsare being used to characterize growth under the unstable conditionsresulting from the imposition of stress. This study examinesthe validity of the assumptions used to derive PI and PR forfield-grown soya beans [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] subjectedto drought stress. Under stress conditions, the assumptionswere not satisfied. In fact, observing change in PR appearedto be a good method for detecting drought stress in these plants.An alternate method for calculating PI based on a single, youngleaf was developed. This alternate method appeared to be a moresensitive indicator of changes in leaf emergence rate underunstable conditions. Plastochron index, plastochron ratio, Glycine max (L.), soya bean, drought, leaf growth     

NAD-dependent Alcohol Dehydrogenase and NADP-dependent Alcohol Dehydrogenase from Strawberry Seeds

Strawberry seeds are shown to contain at least two alcohol dehydrogenases; one is NAD specific and reacts with ethanol and allyl alcohol, and the other is NADP specific and reacts with benzyl alcohol and geraniol. These two alcohol dehydrogenases were distinguished on disc electrophoresis. Their properties were different each other in ammonium sulfate fractionation, optimum reaction pH and thermostability.     

Losses of Alcohol and Alcohol Dehydrogenase Activity in Germinating Seeds

Losses of alcohol, which had accumulated under anaerobic conditions,occurred during the germination of several species of seedswhich could not be attributed to the volatility of the alcohol.It is suggested that utilization of the alcohol by the seedsmay occur. From the seeds, an active alcohol dehydrogenase,which is mainly confined to the cotyledons in pea seeds, canbe extracted. The activity of the enzyme decreases as the cotyledonsgrow older during germination. The properties of the enzymehave been investigated.