Glandular Hairs and Essential Oil in Developing Leaves of Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae)

The types of glandular hairs and their pattern of distributionon leaves of Ocimum basilicum L. at different stages, were investigated.Their essential oil at the various stages was chemically analysed.The density of the glandular hairs appears to be very high onyoung meristematic leaves and on meristematic regions of olderleaves. When the leaf regions start to expand no new glandularhairs are produced and their density decreases. The essentialoil differs in the percentage of some of its components betweenyoung and mature leaf regions.Copyright 1993, 1999 AcademicPress Ocimum basilicum, sweet basil, glandular hairs, leaf development, essential oil, cugenol, methyl chavicol, 1,8-cineole     

Extrafloral Nectaries in Cipadessa (Meliaceae)

This is the first report of an extrafloral nectary (EFN) fromAsian Meliaceae and from subfamily Melioideae. The pinnatelycompound leaf of Cipadessa baccifera has 25–35 small,ellipsoidal EFNs abaxially on the rachis, with occasional EFNson leaflets. EFNs secrete nectar until leaf maturity, then graduallywither. Each convex, ellipsoidal EFN is parenchymatous, withouta palisade epidermis, a delimiting nectary sheath, or any vascularaffiliation. This EFN differs markedly from the typical ‘Flachnektarien’EFN described earlier from neotropical Swietenia species. Cipadessa baccifera (Roth.) Miq., extrafloral nectary, Meliaceae, nectary anatomy     

The Subcellular Localization of Isoperoxidases in Capsicum annuum Leaves and their Different Expression in Vegetative and Flowered Plants

The subcellular localization of leaf peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.7)and their expression in vegetative and flowered plants has beenstudied in Capsicum annuum (var. annuum) in order to assesswhether the expression of new peroxidase isoenzymes can characterizethe floral state which determines the beginning of reproductivedevelopment. The results showed that floral development is accompaniedby a significant increase in the level of soluble (non-sedimentable)leaf peroxidase, independently of leaf position along the internodes,and therefore independently of the leaf age. An analysis ofthe leaf peroxidase isoenzyme patterns along the internodesfor vegetative and flowered plants shows that the increase inperoxidase activity is due to a general increase in the activityof all the pre-existing peroxidase isoenzymes, although isoenzymeB₂ and, especially, isoenzyme A₁ showed a distinctive and majorincrease in activity. These two isoenzymes are mainly ionically-boundto cell walls, probably in equilibrium with the same isoenzymesmoving freely in the cell-wall free spaces. The differs fromother peroxidase isoenzymes, such as isoperoxidase B₆, whichis mainly located in the covalently-bound cell-wall fractionand in mesophyll vacuoles. These results are discussed in thelight of a possible role of cell wall peroxidases as markersof the floral state in Capsicum annuum morphogenesis.Copyright1993, 1999 Academic Press Capsicum, floral state, leaf peroxidases, subcellular localization, vegetative state     

Studies on Triassic Fossil Plants from Argentina: II. Michelilloa waltonii nov. gen. et spec. from the Ischigualasto Formation

A silicified stem from the Ischigualasto Formation (Trias) innorthern Argentina, is described and named Michelilloa waltoniinov. gen. et spec. It is compared with fossil stems of the generaCycadeoidea and Bucklandia, and with the living Cycadales. Acombination of characters (in particular the indumentum of longfilamentous hairs, multiseriate bordered pitting of the xylemtracheids, and the structure of the leaf gap and leaf tracebundle which are exactly similar to those of the cycad Dioonspinulosum) suggests that Michelilloa is an early representativeof the Cycadales.     

Preliminary Studies on the Photosynthetic Structures of Trifolium alpinum L. as Related to Productivity

Trifolium alpinum L. is a high-quality alpine forage plant growingspontaneously from 1900 to 2800 m above sea level and is widelydistributed in Piedmont and the Valle d'Aosta (Italy), whereit can reach population frequencies of 90 per cent. Yields weredetermined on forage harvested in the Valle dell'Orco (Piedmont)and were comparable to cultivated clovers from higher latitudes;yields decreased progressively as the elevation increased. Thechemical and nutritional characteristics of the forage, thoughcomparable to clovers cultivated in the Po valley (Italy), were,however, more constant. The structure of the leaf lamina asrelated to elevation was investigated using light microscopy,TEM and SEM. This is complemented by data on chlorophyll concentration,succulence, specific leaf weight and area. At all elevationsT. alpinum lacks, apart from bundle sheath cell chloroplastsin a centrifugal arrangement, the structural characteristicsof C₄ plants. The chlorophyll a:b ratio (less than four) istypical of a C₂ plant. Succulence indices (S and S_m) were verylow, making CAM pathway photosynthesis unlikely. Unusual anddifficult to interpret structures included: small functionalchloroplasts in both the epidermises, stomata present almostexclusively in the upper epidermis and mitochondria enveloped(or enclosed) by chloroplasts. It was observed that, as theelevation increases, populations are selected which are well-adaptedfor gas exchange (increase in specific leaf area, stomatal densityand intercellular spaces) and characterized by a decrease inthe grana thylacoid:integrana thylacoid ratio (consistent withthe increase in the chlorophyll a:b ratio), the per cent water,S_m and the specific leaf weight. Trifolium alpinum L., alpine trefoil, leaf structures, photosynthesis, yield, elevation, C₂, C₄     

PHYSIOLOGICAL.STUDIES OF A CHIMAERA FORMED BY GRAFTING NIGHTSHADE UPON TOMATO I. RESPIRATORY ACTIVITY OF LEAVES

1. Leaves of a chimaera which are composed of the tissues fromLycopersicum esculentum var. kinnari (L. e.) covered by twolayers of cells from Solatium villosum (S. v.) were comparedwith those of control plants, L. e. and S. v. with respect tothe respiratory activity. 2. As for the respiratory activity of leaf strips, the chimaerawas more active than either L. e.. or S. v. 3. To respiratory inhibitors examined leaf strips of the chimaeraresponded rather similarly to those of S. v. but differentlyfrom those of L. e. 4. Of various substrates tested, glycolic, ascorbic and chlorogenicacids were actively oxidized by cell-free extracts of leavesfrom every plant. The first two were especially good substratesfor S. v.: L. e. attacked most the third, and the chimaera oxidizedjust as well the first two as S. v. did and the third as L.e. did. 5. Ascorbic acid and chlorogenic acid contents of the leaf extractswere not correlated with the activities of the extracts of oxidizingthese substances. 6. Physiological interactions were suggested between the twotissues of different origins in the chimaera. (Received December 2, 1963; )     

Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Growth of Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc

The growth of Polygonum cuspidatum in sand culture was analysedunder varying nutrient conditions. Nitrogen availability influencednitrogen uptake of plants through the uptake rate per unit rootweight rather than the amount of root. In turn, the differentamounts of nitrogen taken up affected plant growth through theireffects on the rate of leaf expansion. Net assimilation rate (NAR) increased with nitrogen contentper unit leaf area (C), but further increase in leaf nitrogencaused diminishing returns of NAR Optimal nitrogen content perunit leaf area (C_opt) to maximize dry-matter production of aleaf could be determined by drawing a tangent from the onginto a curvilinear relation between NAR and C. This optimal contentdivides a nitrogen-limiting range (C < C_opt) from a carbon-limitingone (C> C_opt) along the axis of nitrogen content. Under nitrogenlimitation, efficiency of nitrogen use in dry-matter productioncould increase if the plant had a larger carbon sink. This givesa qualitative explanation to reduced shoot-to-root ratio underlimited availability of nitrogen. Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc, Japanese knotweed, carbon sink, growth analysis, leaf nitrogen, net assimilation rate, nitrogen use efficiency     

Somatic Hybrids of the Forage Legumes Medicago sativa L. and M. falcata L.

Protoplasts isolated from embryogenic cell suspensions of tetraploidMedicago sativa cv. Europe (2n= 4? = 32) and M. falcata (2n=4? = 32) were fused using polyethylene glycol (PEG). Heterokaryonswere isolated by micromanipulation and cultured in the presenceof nurse protoplasts from albino or embryogenic cell suspensionsof M. sativa, to give free-floating embryos and embryogeniccalli. Ninety-nine plants were regenerated from somatic embryos.Fifteen of the plants exhibited leaf abnormalities and did notsurvive transfer from culture to the glasshouse. The remainingphenotypically normal plants were established ex vitro and floweredat maturity. Morphological and biochemical analyses confirmedthat 12 of the phenotypically normal plants were somatic hybrids.Morphological characteristics of the hybrids, including plantstature, internode length, leaf size, flower colour, and podshape, were intermediate compared with those of the purple floweredM. sativa and yellow flowered M. falcata parents. Flowers ofthe hybrids were yellow traced with purple-blue veins. Isoenzymebanding patterns for esterase showed bands additional to thoseof M. sativa and M. falcata. The chromosome complements of individualhybrids varied from (2n= 4? = 32) to 58.     

A Comparison of Leaf Anatomy in Field-grown Gossypium hirsutum and G. barbadense

Gossypium hirsutum L. (upland cotton) and G. barbadense L. (Pimacotton) are two of the most important fibre producing cottonspecies in cultivation. When grown side-by-side in the field,G.hirsutum has higher photosynthetic and transpiration rates (Luet al., 1997. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology24: 693–700).The present study was undertaken to determine if the differencesin physiology can be explained by leaf and canopy morphologyand anatomy. Scanning electron microscopy was used to comparethe leaf anatomy of field-grown upland (‘Delta’and ‘Pine Land 50’) and Pima (‘S6’)cotton. Compared to G. hirsutum, mature leaves of G. barbadenseare larger and thinner, with a thinner palisade layer. G. barbadenseleaves show significant cupping or curling which allows fora more even absorption of insolation over the course of theday and much more light penetration into the canopy. AlthoughG. barbadense leaves have a 70–78% higher stomatal densityon both the abaxial and the adaxial surfaces, its stomates areonly one third the size of those of G. hirsutum. This resultsin G. barbadense having only about 60% of the stomatal surfacearea per leaf surface area compared to G. hirsutum. These resultsare indicative of the anatomical and physiological differencesthat may limit the yield potential of G. barbadense in certaingrowing environments. Copyright 2000 Annals of Botany Company Cotton, leaf anatomy, leaf development, photosynthesis, Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium barbadense, stomatal density     

Recovery after Chilling: An Assessment of Chill-Tolerance in Phaseolus spp.

Guye, M. G, Vigh, L. and Wilson, J. M. 1987. Recovery afterchilling: an assessment of chill-tolerance in Phaseolus spp.—J.exp. BoL, 38: 691–701. The chill-sensitivity of three Phaseolus spp. (eight cultivars)was assessed by measuring five different physiological parameters(leaf pigment loss, leaf diffusion resistance, relative growthrate recovery, change in leaf water content and the severityof leaf necrosis) on return to the warmth (23 ?C/18 ?C) followinga brief but severe chilling treatment (24 h at 5 ?C). In thisway the genotypes could be ranked in order of increasing chill-sensitivityas follows: P. coccineus cvs Prizewinner and Streamline, P.vulgaris cv. 251 < P. vulgaris cvs 194, 222 and Seafarer< P. vulgaris cv. Tendergreen < P. aweus cv. Berken. Key words: Chill-tolerance ranking, chlorophyll, leaf diffusion resistance, leaf water content, growth rate, carotenoid, Phaseolus     

Water Use Characteristics of Dactylis glomerata L., Lolium perenne L. and L. multiflorum Lam. Plants

Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.). perennial ryegrass (Loliumperenne L.) and Italian ryegrass (L. multiflorum Lam.) plantswere grown on deep (75–95 cm) columns of soil in glasshousesand growth rooms with and without irrigation. The species inwhich growth declined least rapidly after water had been withheldwere those which transpired most slowly. During early establishmentin the glasshouse cocksfoot transpired least because of slowroot growth. In the growth room, when root systems were deeperand denser, perennial ryegrass transpired least because of lowleaf water conductance. Results are discussed in relation to(a) drought resistance in the three species; (b) breeding forincreased drought resistance through modifying root distributionand leaf water conductance; and (c) the use of isolated soilcolumns in water relations studies. Dactylis glomerata L., Lolium perenne L., Lolium multiflorum Lam., cocksfoot, perennial ryegrass, Italian ryegrass, transpiration, roots, leaf water conductance     

Leaf Growth in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) 1. Growth in Area of Main-stem and Sympodial Leaves

A model is presented for growth of individual and successivemain-stem leaves of cotton, based on a series of indoor experimentsand data sets from the literature. Three variable parametersare used to describe individual leaf growth: relative growthrate of meristematic tissue (R¹), relative rate of approachof final area (R₂) and a ‘position parameter’ (t_0.5)which governs the transition from meristematic to extensiongrowth. Final area of a leaf does not occur in the model asa deterministic quantity but it is a result of the processesduring growth. The model generates successive mainstem leavesand sympodial leaves as an integrated system. Assimilate shortagesoccurring in the plant operate on R₁ leading to the characteristicchange of final leaf area along the mainstem. Gossypium hirsutumL., cotton, leaf growth, relative growth rate, meristematic tissue, extension growth, mathematical model     

Genetic Variation in Potato Cv. Record: Evidence from In Vitro 'Regeneration Ability'

Regeneration ability in vitro was studied in 170 individualtubers putatively derived from several or many parent plantsof the potato cv. Record. Of these, 120 were sprouted and thesprouts used to establish in vitro shoot cultures for leaf discproduction. The other 50 were grown in a glasshouse for theproduction of leaf discs. The reliable regeneration of somaclonesfrom leaf disc calluses was successful from only 11 parentaltubers. In ten of these, somaclones were derived from in vitroshoot cultures, and from a glasshouse-grown plant in the other.Four parental tubers gave the majority of somaclones, and one,R149, produced 85% of all somaclones at 15 months from initiationof leaf disc cultures. This differential regeneration abilitymay be due to genetic differences between tubers in this potatocultivar as it was found to be maintained in subsequent tubergenerations. The results are discussed in terms of seed potatoproduction and in vitro genetic conservation of vegetativelypropagated species. Potato, Solanum tuberosum cv. Record, regeneration ability, leaf disc culture, somaclonal variation     

Water Stress in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) 3. Responses of Cypsela Size

Six water stress treatments were applied before, during andafter anthesis of the sunflower inflorescence. The effects ofthese stresses on leaf and inflorescence size, cypsela number,pericarp and embryo weight were examined. Water stress accelerated leaf senescence and reduced leaf number.Leaf area and inflorescence diameter were reduced in some treatments.Total cypsela weight may be related to leaf area. All stresstreatments reduced pericarp weight at all positions. Embryoweight at central positions was similarly affected. Post-anthesisstress did not affect embryo weight at peripheral positions.The effects of water stress on embryo weight may involve a criticalstage in development but this differs from that envisaged forleaves. Helianthus annuus L., sunflower, water stress, cypsela, inflorescence, embryo, pericarp     

Early Leaf Development and Leaf Sheath Formation of Botrychium strictum and B. virginianum (Ophioglossaceae)

The morphogenesis of the leaf sheath was studied in Botrychiumstrictum and B. virginianum of subgenus Osmundopteris. In thetwo species, the leaf primordium is initiated on the lowestpart of a ridge which is formed by partial growth of the shootapex. The leaf primordium first grows to cover the shoot apexalmost entirely except for a slit-like opening. The openingis formed by the frontal rim of the growing leaf primordium,i.e. the leaf margin, and the rear part of the shoot apex. Asthe leaf grows, the leaf margin elongates and takes a reverseV-shape. On both lateral edges of the leaf margin, marginalgrowth occurs to form the lobes of the leaf sheath. Such marginalgrowth and a small amount of growth on the uppermost portionof the sheath is involved in the leaf sheath formation in B.cirginianum, while only marginal growth takes place in B. strictum.The leaf sheath of Botrychium virginianum, in comparison tothat of B. strictum, has a morphogenesis which is more similarto the completely covering leaf sheath of subgenera Botrychiumand Sceptridhim. Based on the morphogenesis of the leaf sheath,systematic relationships in subgenus Osmundopteris are discussed Botrychium virginianum, B. strictum, subgenus Osmundopteris, leaf ontogeny, leaf sheath formation, scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy     

Effects of elevated CO2 concentrations on three montane grass species: III. Source leaf metabolism and whole plant carbon partitioning

Agrostis capillaris L.⁵, Festuca vivipara L. and Poaalpina L.were grown in outdoor open-top chambers at either ambient (340 3µmol mol^–1) or elevated (6804µmol mol^–1)concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) for periodsfrom 79–189 d. Photosynthetic capacity of source leaves of plants grown atboth ambient and elevated CO₂ concentrations was measured atsaturating light and 5% CO₂. Dark respiration of leaves wasmeasured using a liquid phase oxygen electrode with the buffersolution in equilibrium with air (21% O₂, 0.034% CO₂). Photo-syntheticcapacity of P. alpina was reduced by growth at 680 µmolmol^–1 CO₂ by 105 d, and that of F. vivipara was reducedat 65 d and 189 d after CO₂ enrichment began, suggesting down-regulationor acclimation. Dark respiration of successive leaf blades ofall three species was unaltered by growth at 680 relative to340 µmol mol^–1 CO₂. In F. vivipara, leaf respirationrate was markedly lower at 189 d than at either 0 d or 65 d,irrespective of growth CO₂ concentration. There was a significantlylower total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) concentrationin the leaf blades and leaf sheaths of A. capillaris grown at680µmol mol^–1 CO₂. TNC of roots of A. capillariswas unaltered by CO₂ treatment. TNC concentration was increasedin both leaves and sheaths of P. alpina and F. vivipara after105 d and 65 d growth, respectively. A 4-fold increase in thewater-soluble fraction (fructan) in P. alpina and in all carbohydratefractions in F. vivipara accounted for the increased TNC content. In F. vivipara the relationship between leaf photosyn-theticcapacity and leaf carbohydrate concentration was such that therewas a strong positive correlation between photosynthetic capacityand total leaf N concentration (expressed on a per unit structuraldry weight basis), and total nitrogen concentration of successivemature leaves reduced with time. Multiple regression of leafphotosynthetic capacity upon leaf nitrogen and carbohydrateconcentrations further confirmed that leaf photosynthetic capacitywas mainly determined by leaf N concentration. In P. alpina,leaf photosynthetic capacity was mainly determined by leaf CHOconcentration. Thus there is evidence for down-regulation ofphotosynthetic capacity in P. alpina resulting from increasedcarbohydrate accumulation in source leaves. Leaf dark respiration and total N concentration were positivelycorrelated in P. alpina and F. vivipara. Leaf dark respirationand soluble carbohydrate concentration of source leaves werepositively correlated in A. capillaris. Changes in source leafphotosynthetic capacity and carbohydrate concentration of plantsgrown at ambient or elevated CO₂ are discussed in relation toplant growth, nutrient relations and availability of sinks forcarbon. Key words: Elevated CO₂, Climate change, grasses, carbohydrate partitioning, photosynthesis, respiration     

Effect of Temperature on Growth of Crotalaria juncea L. and Crotalaria sericea Retz.

Growth performances of Crotalaria juncea L. and C. sericea Retz.have been compared at two controlled temperatures, 16–20°C, and 28–32 °C, with respect to increase ind. wt and leaf area, relative growth rate, leaf area ratio,specific leaf area, leaf weight ratio, net assimilation rate,the ratio of mean relative growth rate to mean relative rateof leaf area increase () and shoot/root ratios. Both the speciesgrew better at the higher temperature; however the relativegrowth rate was more affected by temperature in C. sericea thanin C. juncea. Further, it was observed to be more dependenton net assimilation rate than on the leaf area ratio. Crotalaria juncea L., Crotalaria sericea Retz., relative growth rate, leaf area ratio, specific leaf area, leaf weight ratio, leaf area increase, net assimilation rate, shoot/root ratio     

A Modified Self-thinning Equation to Describe Size/Density Relationships for Defoliated Swards

Use of the self-thinning rule to describe size/density compensation(SDC) in defoliated swards is examined. It is shown that defoliationrelated variation in leaf area and associated morphogeneticchanges in plant structure necessitate slope corrections, designatedC_a and C_r , respectively. The theory predicts that reduced leafarea in more heavily defoliated swards will result in SDC atslopes more negative than -3/2 (variable leaf area SDC), andthat there will be a transition to -3/2 (constant leaf area)SDC at higher herbage mass. Empirical data from previous experiments with Lolium perenneL. and Medicago sativa L. are examined, and appear to confirmthe theoretical predictions, including the slope change at thepoint of transition from variable to constant leaf area SDC.This transition point, designated d_i , is subject to interspecificvariation and is related to the mature shoot size of a particularspecies. Some applications of this theory are discussed, andin particular a sward productivity index is proposed.Copyright1995, 1999 Academic Press Variable leaf area self-thinning, size/density compensation, Lolium perenne, Medicago sativa, sward productivity index     

Studies on Foliar Penetration: IX. PATTERNS OF PENETRATION OF 2,4-DICHLOROPHENOXYACETIC ACID INTO THE LEAVES OF DIFFERENT SPECIES

The comparative patterns of penetration of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyaceticacid (2,4-D) into the leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris, Zea mays,Pisum sativum, Beta wlgaris, Helianthus annuus and Gossypiumhirsuium have been examined. Save for Zea and Gossypium where there is little change withthe stage of leaf development the rates of penetration intoboth surfaces decrease as the leaf matures. The relative ratesare dependent on the species and the age of the leaf but thereare differences between the surfaces. In Phaseolus the characteristicsof primary leaves differ from those of trifoliate leaves sinceonly in immature trifoliate leaves is penetration into the adaxialsurface greater. In darkness the rates of penetration over 24 h remain constantor fall but slightly for all species. Light consistently promotespenetration but with Beta there is a lag before entry is acceleratedinto the abaxial surface as has previously been reported foryoung primary leaves of Phaseolus. For the remaining speciesthe courses of penetration in both light and darkness into bothsurfaces follow similar patterns. As the light intensity isincreased entry is enhanced but the limit of response variesbetween species, between surfaces within species, and in trifoliateleaves of Phaseolus with age. For the six species the order of the relative rates of entryis closely similar whether comparisons are made in light ordarkness or between abaxial and adaxial surfaces: viz. Zea >Helianthus > Phaseolus (primary) > Phaseolus (trifoliate)> Pisum = Beta = Gossypium. The observed specific differencesare discussed in relation to variations in leaf structure, theproperties and thickness of the cuticle and the physiologicaland metabolic processes which influence transport within theepidermal tissues after it has passed through the cuticle bydiffusion.