Study on the Chemical Constituens of Mucuna pruriens var. utilis (With Black seed Coat)

Five compounds were first isolated from the legumes of Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. utilis (Wall. ex Wight) Baker ex Burck (M. atrocarpum Metcalf) with black seed coat. They were identified as L-dopa, stizolamine, D-erythro-neopterin, 6-hydroxymethylpterin and isoxanthopterin.     

Tolerance and avoidance of Al toxicity by Mucuna pruriens var. utilis at different levels of P supply

Previous laboratory experiments showed that velvet bean Mucuna pruriens is moderately tolerant to the presence of Al (up to 185 µM) in the root environment, but that it only develops a shallow root system in acid soils. Field experiments showed that Mucuna can tolerate acid subsoil conditions in a homogeneous root environment, but avoids subsoil if topsoil is present. Subsequent split-root experiments with a recirculating nutrient solution showed that this subsoil avoidance may be based on an Al avoidance mechanism in the root system. This Al avoidance mechanism, however, was not evident when phosphorus (P) supply to the whole plant was adequate. We thus hypothesized that surface application of P may help to overcome Al avoidance in the subsoil.In a field experiment on an ultisol in Lampung (Indonesia), only a moderate increase in aboveground biomass production was found for a wide range of P application rates, although the soil was low in available P, and the P adsorption isotherm was very steep. An increased P status of the topsoil and an increased P concentration in the aboveground biomass (from 50 to 75 mmol kg^-1) had no effect on root development in the subsoil.     

高效液相色谱法测定猫豆中左旋多巴的含量

本文用高效液相色谱法测定了猫豆中主旋多巴［Ｌｅｖｏｄｏｐａ］的含量。考察了加样回收率为９８．７０％,变异系数为１．９９％。     

Plant growth promotion and suppression of charcoal‐rot fungus (Macrophomina phaseolina) in velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens L.) by root nodule bacteria

Root‐nodulating bacteria are intimate associates of legumes. From a pool of rhizobia isolated from root nodules of Mucuna pruriens (Velvet bean/Kaunch), RMP66 and BMP17 were found to be capable of promoting siderophore and IAA production and phosphate solubilization (insoluble tri‐calcium). Both symbionts were studied further to determine their abilities to promote plant growth and to control root‐rot in Mucuna pruriens caused by the pathogenic plant fungus Macrophomina phaseolina. RMP66 and BMP17 were selected based on their excellent inhibitory activities against M. phaseolina (by 78% and 71%, respectively) in dual culture and in agar‐well assays using cell‐free culture filtrate (CFCF) (by 76% and 62%, respectively). Both strains inhibited fungal growth to a greater extent in iron‐deficient medium (51% and 69%) than in iron‐supplemented medium (37% and 0%), respectively. CFCFs of RMP66 and BMP17 obtained from Pikovskaya's broth and tryptophan‐amended YEM broth inhibited fungal growth by 80%‐55% and 70%‐43%, respectively, and were identified as Sinorhizobium meliloti RMP66 and Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens BMP17 by 16S rDNA sequencing. Centrifuged and pelleted cells harvested from exponentially grown cultures of S. meliloti RMP66 and B. diazoefficiens BMP17 were used to bacterize seeds of M. pruriens, which then showed enhanced seed germination (by up to 17% and 12%, respectively), and subsequent increases in other plant growth parameters in field trials. Considerable increases in seedling vigour indices (62%: 53% and 110%: 130%) and biomass (8%: 13% and 25%: 28%) were also observed for bacterial treatments. Tn5‐mediated antibiotic‐resistant marker strains showed enhanced nodule occupancy by up to 72% and 68%, respectively. This study describes a multifunctional legume nodule rhizobia that could be utilized in multicropping systems under different agroclimatic conditions as a bioinoculant and alternative to fertilizers.     

Tolerance to acid soil conditions of the velvet beans Mucuna pruriens var. utilis and M. deeringiana

Fast growing, climbing leguminous cover crops such as the velvet beans can be used to reclaim weed-infested, degraded soils in the humid tropics, especially land covered by the grass Imperata cylindrica; they climb over the grass leaves and shade the grass out if their cover lasts long enough. Tolerance of two species of velvet bean to eroded soils was investigated by removing topsoil and directly sowing into the subsoil; plots where topsoil was not removed were used as a control. The response to small amounts of P fertilizer and lime was also tested. Removal of the topsoil resulted in retarded growth of both species, in increased dry matter content of the shoot, in decreased specific leaf area and in increased leaf weight ratio, due to shorter internodes. Six weeks after planting the leaf area index (LAI) was about 1.2 where topsoil was retained, sufficient for a shading effect on Imperata. Where topsoil had been removed, the LAI was only 0.6. Mucuna pruriens var. utilis showed a faster aboveground growth than M. deeringiana; the species did not differ in tolerance to eroded soil. Small amounts of P fertilizer had no significant effect on the growth of both Mucuna species. Shoot: root ratios, on a dry weight basis, were much lower when topsoil had been removed, about 3.7 and 2.4 for M. p. utilis and M. deeringiana respectively, compared to 6.2 and 3.3 where topsoil was retained. Removal of topsoil led to reduced Mg and to increased Al concentrations in roots, and to increased levels of Mn and Al in shoots. In the second year no effect of lime or residual effect of P application was found on growth of Mucuna or Imperata. Removal of the topsoil had little effect on the growth of weeds after the cover crop had been harvested. Due to the high Al tolerance of Imperata, reclamation by Mucuna will be less effective if the topsoil has been lost by erosion.     

Bioconversion of bi- and tri-cyclic monophenols by alginate-entrapped cells of Mucuna pruriens L. and by the partially purified Mucuna-phenoloxidase

Although alginate-entrapped cells of Mucuna pruriens L. possess a low substrate specificity, only para-substituted monocyclic phenols have been ortho-hydroxylated into catechols so far. In this study, compounds with more complex chemical structures were found to be substrates using entrapped cells of M. pruriens as well as the partially purified Mucuna-phenoloxidase. Thus, 5-, 6- and 7-hydroxylated 2-aminotetralins and a tricyclic compound, 9-hydroxy N-n-propyl hexahydronaphthoxazine, were converted into catechols. After isolation using preparative HPLC, the identity of the products was confirmed by MS. In general, for the entrapped cells and the enzyme preparation identical substrate specificities were found.This publication is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Alan S. Horn, Ph.D., who deceased at January 2, 1990     

Aluminium and phosphate uptake by Phragmites australis: the role of Fe,Mn and Al root plaques

Aluminium, a potentially phytotoxic metal, is an important constituent of many mine water discharges but has largely been neglected in the literature. The behaviour of this element in the rhizosphere of the wetland plant Phragmites australis was investigated in the laboratory in the presence and absence of Mn and Fe root plaques. Electron microscopy and chemical extraction techniques were utilized to determine the physico-chemical properties of the plaques and any association of Al. Both Mn and Fe plaques occurred as amorphous coatings on root surfaces with uneven distributions. Al was not adsorbed onto the surface of either plaque type but formed a separate phosphate deposit closely resembling the Fe and Mn plaques. Phosphorus was also found to be adsorbed to the surface of the Fe plaques (but not the Mn plaques). Both mechanisms were found to immobilize P at the root surface but this did not significantly reduce the concentration of P in aerial plant tissues that was sufficient to ensure adequate growth.     

Aluminium toxicity in rye (Secale cereale): root growth and dynamics of cytoplasmic Ca2+ in intact root tips

Aluminium (Al) toxicity in rye (Secale cereale L.), an Al-resistant crop, was examined by measuring root elongation and cytoplasmic free activity of calcium ([Ca2+]cyt) in intact root apical cells. Measurement of [Ca2+]cyt, was achieved by loading a Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent probe. Fluo-3/AM ester, into root apical cells followed by detection of intracellular fluorescence using a confocal laser scanning microscope. After 20 min of exposure to 50 microM Al (pH 4-2) a slight increase in [Ca2+]cyt of root apical cells was observed, while the response of [Ca2+]cyt to 100 microM Al (pH 4.2) was faster and larger ([Ca2+]cyt increased by 46% in 10 min). Increases in [Ca2+]cyt were correlated with inhibition of root growth, generally measurable after 2 h. Addition of 400 microM malic acid (pH 4.2) largely ameliorated the effect of 100 microM Al on [Ca2+]cyt in root apical cells and protected root growth from Al toxicity. These results suggest that an increase in [Ca2+]cyt in root apical cells in rye is an early effect of Al toxicity and is followed by the secondary effect on root elongation.     

Sucrose absorption and synthesis by excised Lycopersicon esculentum roots

Asymmetrically-labelled sucrose was absorbed intact by excised roots of tomato, grown in sucrose. Glucose-grown roots possessed sucrose synthetase and sucrose phosphate synthetase activity.     

Aluminium alleviates manganese toxicity to rice by decreasing root symplastic Mn uptake and reducing availability to shoots of Mn stored in roots

Background and Aims Manganese (Mn) and aluminium (Al) phytotoxicities occur mainly in acid soils. In some plant species, Al alleviates Mn toxicity, but the mechanisms underlying this effect are obscure.Methods Rice (Oryza sativa) seedlings (11 d old) were grown in nutrient solution containing different concentrations of Mn²⁺ and Al³⁺ in short-term (24 h) and long-term (3 weeks) treatments. Measurements were taken of root symplastic sap, root Mn plaques, cell membrane electrical surface potential and Mn activity, root morphology and plant growth.Key Results In the 3-week treatment, addition of Al resulted in increased root and shoot dry weight for plants under toxic levels of Mn. This was associated with decreased Mn concentration in the shoots and increased Mn concentration in the roots. In the 24-h treatment, addition of Al resulted in decreased Mn accumulation in the root symplasts and in the shoots. This was attributed to higher cell membrane surface electrical potential and lower Mn²⁺ activity at the cell membrane surface. The increased Mn accumulation in roots from the 3-week treatment was attributed to the formation of Mn plaques, which were probably related to the Al-induced increase in root aerenchyma.Conclusions The results show that Al alleviated Mn toxicity in rice, and this could be attributed to decreased shoot Mn accumulation resulting from an Al-induced decrease in root symplastic Mn uptake. The decrease in root symplastic Mn uptake resulted from an Al-induced change in cell membrane potential. In addition, Al increased Mn plaques in the roots and changed the binding properties of the cell wall, resulting in accumulation of non-available Mn in roots.     

Colonisation of barley roots by endophytic Fusarium equiseti and Pochonia chlamydosporia: Effects on plant growth and disease

Colonisation of plant roots by endophytic fungi may confer benefits to the host such as protection against abiotic or biotic stresses or plant growth promotion. The exploitation of these properties is of great relevance at an applied level, either to increase yields of agricultural crops or in reforestation activities. Fusarium equiseti is a naturally occurring endophyte in vegetation under stress in Mediterranean ecosystems. Pochonia chlamydosporia is a nematode egg-parasitic fungus with a worldwide distribution. Both fungi have the capacity to colonise roots of non-host plants endophytically and to protect them against phytopathogenic fungi under laboratory conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the root population dynamics of these fungi under non-axenic practical conditions. Both fungal species were inoculated into barley roots. Their presence in roots and effects on plant growth and incidence of disease caused by the pathogen Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici were monitored periodically. Both fungi colonised barley roots endophytically over the duration of the experiment and competed with other existing fungal root colonisers. Furthermore, colonisation of roots by P. chlamydosporia promoted plant growth. Although a clear suppressive effect on disease could not be detected, F. equiseti isolates reduced the mean root lesion length caused by the pathogen. Results of this work suggest that both F. equiseti and P. chlamydosporia are long-term root endophytes that confer beneficial effects to the host plant.