Mineral partitioning in the phloem during autumn senescence of beech leaves

Summary During the period of leaf senescence in fall, the minerals Mg, Ca, K, P, Cl, S, and Si were compared for occurrence and density in tissue compartments of leaf blade, petiole, and subtending stem of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). Measurements were made by energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. The plant material was collected on 2,9, 16 and 23 October, and showed green, greenyellow, yellow, and red-brown autumn leaf coloration. Mg, K, and P were retrieved from the leaf blade prior to shedding, and deposited mainly in cortex and pith tissues of the stem. S and Ca remained in the leaf, and Si and Cl appeared to accumulate in the leaf prior to shedding. During the four stages of leaf senescence, the phloem compartments of the petiole showed considerable changes in mineral content. In addition, leaf senescence in several cases was accompanied by ion shifting from symplastic to apoplastic compartments and vice versa.     

Chilling-induced changes in the antioxidant status of basil plants

Six cultivars of basil, ‘Genovese’, ‘Purpurascens’, ‘Cinnamon’, ‘Crispum’, ‘Citriodora’, and ‘Siam Queen’, at the age of 8 weeks, were subjected to low temperature (6 °C for 8 days) or 18 °C (control). Content of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA), total phenolics, and l-ascorbic acid were assessed in basil leaves after low temperature exposure. Activity of peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) enzymes and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^·) radical scavenging activity were also determined. The greatest increase in H₂O₂ was observed for lettuce leaf basil, by 104 % in comparison to the control, while most noticeable increase in the content of MDA was noted for lemon basil (by 77 %). Chilling treatment resulted in higher POD activity in two cultivars: Thai and green basil, changes in CAT activity was negligible for almost all tested genotypes, with an exception of Thai basil, for which activity of this enzyme dropped. Chilling induced the increase of l-ascorbic acid in most tested basil cultivars, but total phenolic content increased significantly only in lettuce leaf basil. Higher ability in scavenging free radicals was shown in basil treated with 6 °C, especially the red basil cultivar. For this genotype, DPPH^· radical scavenging activity was the highest among tested cultivars and was parallel to the highest content of phenolics. The results indicated overproduction of H₂O₂, deterioration of membrane integrity, and activation of enzymatic and/or non-enzymatic defence mechanisms in basil with an evidence of genotypic variation as the response to low temperature.     

The changes in the antioxidant status of heart during experimental hypomagnesemia in balb/c mice

The present experiment was performed to assess if hypomagnesemia can influence antioxidant status in mice heart. The results could explain possibly a free radical theory of heart damage in magnesium deficiency. We used a rodent model of hypomagnesemia. The magnesium sufficient group received a standard diet whereas a magnesium deficient group received the diet containing a trace amount of magnesium. The activities of the most important antioxidant enzymes – catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were assessed in mice heart and liver in a time dependent manner, on the 10th and the 20th day of experiment. The level of magnesium in plasma of animals receiving the magnesium deficient diet dropped twice after the 8th day and four times after the 13th day and then reached a plateau value. The activity of catalase in heart in the magnesium deficient group increased gradually and was significantly (P<0.05) elevated by 27% on the 20th day of experiment whereas the superoxide dismutase activity was significantly decreased by 17% on the 20th day. Glutathione peroxidase activity was insignificantly elevated. The alterations of antioxidant enzyme activities in the heart indicate cardiomyocytes's exposure to oxidative stress, which can be responsible for the cardiac lesions observed during hypomagnesemia.     

Modulation of osmotic adjustment and antioxidant status in salt-stressed leaves of Thermopsis turcica

Thermopsis turcica is distributed naturally in saline soils. Interestingly, how T. turcica can live in harsh salt conditions is unknown. To study its defense responses under salinity, T. turcica was grown in a medium containing 100 and 200 mM NaCl for 7 and 14 days. Physiological parameters, ion contents, reactive oxygen species accumulation, activities of antioxidant enzymes/isozymes, NADPH oxidase enzyme/isozyme, lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and osmolyte contents were investigated. Stress caused a rapid decline in relative growth rate, relative water content and chlorophyll fluorescence (F _v/F _m) under both NaCl treatments. These traits were more suppressed at 200 mM NaCl. The decline in osmotic potential (Ψ _Π) with salinity increased the gradient for water flux into the cell and assisted in turgor maintenance. The increased membrane permeability under stress caused the entrance of excess Na⁺ and K⁺ into the cell. Stress decreased superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase after 14 days of growth in 200 mM NaCl, whereas glutathione reductase (GR) increased throughout the experiment. While ascorbate peroxidase (APX) increased by 44 % at 7 days, it decreased after 14 days exposure to 200 mM NaCl. 200 mM NaCl caused the highest increase in TBARS at 14 days, indicating a decrease in OH^· scavenging activity. Increasing concentrations of salinity caused an increase in glycine betaine (GB) and choline (Cho), though an increase in proline was only observed at 200 mM NaCl for 14 days. Briefly, H₂O₂ was more efficiently eliminated in 100 mM-treated plants by the ascorbate–glutathione cycle in which APX acts a strong catalyst together with GR. Also, Cho and GB help to maintain osmotic adjustment and cytoplasmic function.     

Reactions of birch leaves to changes in light during early ontogeny: comparison between in vivo and in vitro techniques to measure carbon uptake

Trends in several photosynthetic parameters and their responseto changed growth light were followed for 15 d in leaves ofyoung birch saplings using a rapid-response gas exchange measuringequipment. These in vivo measurements were compared to biochemicalassays that were made from the same leaves after the gas exchangestudies. The measurements were made on leaves that were selectedprior to the study and were at that time of similar age. Forthe first 7 d the photosynthetic parameters were followed fromthe growth conditions of moderate light (200 µmol m^–2s^–1; referred to as controls later in the text). On day7 some of the saplings were transferred to grow either underhigh (450 µmol m^–2 s^–1; referred to as highlight plants) or low (75 µmol m^–2 s^–1; referredto as low light plants) light and the capability of the preselectedleaves for acclimation was followed for 6 d. For comparison,at the end of the experiment the measurements were made on bothcontrols and on young leaves that had developed under high andlow light. Generally the in vivo measured rate of CO₂ uptake (gross photosynthesis)both at 310 ppm CO₂ and 2000 ppm CO₂ corresponded very wellto the biochemically determined CO₂ fixation capacity in vitroafter rapid extraction (measured as the initial and total activityof Rubisco, respectively). However, if the flux of CO₂ intothe chloroplasts was limited by the closure of the stomata,as was the case of the high light plants, then the in vitromeasured Rubisco activity was greater than the in vivo measuredCO₂ uptake. V_max, calculated from the mesophyll conductanceat 1% O₂, exceeded the initial activity of Rubisco (assayedat saturating RuBP and CO₂) constantly by 60%. The catalyticactivity of Rubisco in birch leaves was overall very low, evenwhen calculated from the total activity of Rubisco (K_cat 0.63–1.18 s^–1), when compared to herbaceous C₃ species. Signs of light acclimation were not observed in most of thephotosynthetic parameters and in chloroplast structure whenmature birch leaves were subjected to changes in growth lightfor 6 d. However, the change of the growth light either to highor low light caused day-to-day fluctuations in most of the measuredphotosynthetic parameters and in the case of the high lightplants signs of photoinhibition and photodestruction were alsoobserved (decrease in the amount of chlorophyll and increasein chlorophyll a/b ratio). As a result of these fluctuationsthese plants achieved a new and lower steady-state conditionbetween the light and dark reactions, as judged from the molarratio of RuBP to Rubisco binding site. Key words: Acclimation, photosynthesis, light, Rubisco, birch     

Met-enkephalin modulation of age-related changes in red cell antioxidant status

Opioid peptides have been recognized as modulators of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mouse macrophages and human neutrophils. Since the effect cannot be ascribed to its direct scavenger properties, in this study, we tested the hypothesis that methionine-enkephalin (MENK) modulates ROS by alteration of antioxidant enzyme activity (AOE). For this purpose superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) are measured in red blood cells of 1, 4, 10, and 18-month-old CBA mice of both sexes injected with 10 mg/kg MENK. The results indicate that MENK-affected antioxidant enzyme activity of red blood cells is age- but not sex-related. The most abundant effects were observed at the reproductive stage. Increased sensitivity to oxidative stress by opioid peptides was in both sexes mainly due to increased SOD activity followed by GPX decrease. Thus, the damage ascribed to opioid peptides might be, at least partly, ascribed to deleterious effects of accumulated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).     

枫香秋季变色期叶色变化及其生理基础

为探究秋季枫叶呈色的关键生理因素,该文以转色期叶色为绿色、黄色和红色的枫香单株为试材,研究了L^*、a^*、b^*值变化与叶片色素、可溶性糖及可溶性蛋白质含量变化的相关性。结果表明:(1)在变色期,3种色彩枫香叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b、总叶绿素和类胡萝卜素均大量降解,花色素苷不同程度积累。(2)绿色叶单株叶绿素和类胡萝卜素始终保持较高含量,花色素苷含量上升4.2倍,叶片内色素含量比值始终保持稳定; 黄色叶单株叶绿素和类胡萝卜素含量最低,花色素苷含量上升4.4倍,b^*值与叶绿素含量极显著负相关,与类胡萝卜素含量显著负相关,与花色素苷/类胡萝卜素含量比值极显著正相关; 红色叶单株叶绿素和类胡萝卜素含量略高于黄色叶单株,花色素苷含量上升27.2倍,a^*值与叶绿素含量、类胡萝卜素含量极显著负相关,与花色素苷含量显著正相关,与色素含量比值无显著相关性。(3)红色叶单株具有较高的可溶性糖含量和可溶性蛋白质含量。因此,在枫香叶片变色期,保持较高的叶绿素和类胡萝卜素含量,维持色素含量比值稳定使叶片呈现绿色; 叶绿素和类胡萝卜素的大量降解,以及花色素苷/类胡萝卜素含量比值的升高使叶片呈现黄色; 叶绿素的降解和花色素苷的大量合成使叶片呈现红色。     

Photosynthesis,antioxidant status and gas-exchange are altered by glyphosate application in peanut leaves

Glyphosate herbicide caused oxidative stress and exhibited negative effects on photosynthesis and gas exchange of peanut [Arachis hypogaea L. cv. Giza (G) 5 and 6] leaves. We demonstrated that glyphosate caused various morphological symptoms, such as chlorosis, yellowing, and appearance of curly edges in leaves treated with high doses of herbicide in both cultivars; however, the G5 cultivar was more sensitive and showed severer symptoms. Glyphosate lowered photosynthesis and reduced contents of pigments and proteins as well as free amino acids in both cultivars. The gas-exchange parameters, such as photosynthetic (P_N) and transpiration rate (E), were highly altered by the glyphosate application. For example, P_N and E were reduced by 65 and 61%, respectively, in G5 treated with high dose of glyphosate compared with control. Antioxidant enzymes, such as peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase were induced by both low and high concentrations in the glyphosate-treated leaves. Moreover, the level of lipid peroxidation, indicated by a malondialdehyde content, as well as the hydrogen peroxide content increased in the glyphosate-treated leaves. However, an increase in total antioxidant activity was detected in leaves and this reflected changes in the antioxidant status and accumulation of antioxidants as a defense mechanism against glyphosate toxicity in peanut.     

Plant-parasitic nematodes and yellowing of leaves associated with black pepper plants in Vietnam

Thirty-five nematode species belonging to 19 genera were extracted from 432 soil and root samples collected in 19 districts in six provinces in the North Central Coast, Central Highlands and Phu Quoc Island. Based on our study, the predominant nematode species associated with black pepper plants in Vietnam is Meloidogyne incognita: almost every soil and root sample examined during our study was infected with this root-knot nematode species. No difference in frequency of occurrence of M. incognita among the three agro-ecological regions surveyed was observed. However, the root population density of M. incognita in black pepper plants was on average about five times higher in the North Central Coast and Central Highlands than in Phu Quoc Island. Large differences in root population density of M. incognita on black pepper plants were observed in different districts within the same agro-ecological region. Black pepper roots infected with M. incognita showed the same type of galls as described in the literature. The percentage of root galling averaged about 40% in all the three agro-ecological regions. The percentage of black pepper plants with yellow leaves was on average about 20–25% in the North Central Coast and Central Highlands, which was somewhat higher compared to Phu Quoc Island (16.9%). Large differences in percentage of black pepper plants with yellow leaves were observed in different districts within the same agro-ecological region. The same type of yellow leaves as described in the literature for black pepper plants infected with Meloidogyne species was observed in our study. In general, a positive relationship between the soil and root population densities of M. incognita on black pepper plants and percentage of plants with yellow leaves was observed. However, in one district (Quang Tri) a relatively low nematode population density was associated with a high percentage of plants with yellow leaves. Five nematode species were recorded for the first time on black pepper plants in Vietnam. Our study reconfirms previous reports that Radopholus similis does not occur in Vietnam.     

Evaluation of the biological activity of birch buds and leaves in model investigations

Lead and cadmium migration was studied in the system: biologically active plant raw material-extract. Antioxidant activity and detoxication ability of the extracts of birch buds and leaves was studied in pattern experiments with rats.     

冬季融冻过程中白三叶叶片抗氧化酶活力和渗透调节物含量变化与抗冻性的关系

入冬气温大幅变化引起的冻融既是抗冻植物抗冻力形成的重要阶段也是非抗冻植物大量死亡的主要原因,但是抗冻植物为何能在冬季融冻条件下生存的生理机理尚不清楚。以生长在烟台地区抗冻白三叶(Trifolium repens)为材料,分析研究了不同微生态环境下生长的白三叶在冬季融冻过程中叶片抗氧化物酶活性、渗透调节物含量、丙二醛和细胞膜透性的变化,以了解它们在白三叶抗冻中的作用。结果表明:在气温突然下降至零度以下(融-冻阶段),三样地白三叶叶片冻结,叶片细胞膜透性在经历短暂下降后迅速急剧增加2倍,MDA含量增加85%,叶片中脯氨酸和蛋白质含量、抗氧化酶(过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD))活力增加。在气温上升至日均温零度以上(冻-融阶段), 叶片开始融化,白三叶叶片膜透性、丙二醛和脯氨酸含量、POD和CAT活力先增加后降低,SOD活力和蛋白质含量持续增加。由此可见,快速增强的抗氧化物酶活力和快速增加的渗透调节物及时清除氧自由基防止细胞内膜脂过氧化保护了细胞膜的完整性而使细胞能在冷冻条件下生存,这可能是白三叶能在反复融冻过程中正常生长的重要生理机理。     

Fungal endophyte diversity and community patterns in healthy and yellowing leaves of Citrus limon

Fungal endophytes on citrus plants have been little studied, and the effects of citrus diseases on their incidence and diversity have not been addressed. In this study, we examined the foliar fungal endophytes of Citrus limon in the vicinity of Yaoundé, Cameroon, with emphasis on the differences between endophyte communities in healthy and yellowing leaves. From 82.3 % of the 480 leaf fragments, a total of 482 isolates were recovered and analysis of ITS sequences revealed 20 phylotypes. All fungal endophytes were ascomycetes and, except for one species, were common plant pathogens. Mycosphaerella and its anamorphs (34.2 % of all isolates), and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (50.4 % of all isolates), were isolated most frequently. Mycosphaerellaceous species dominated in healthy leaves, and were absent from yellowing leaves. C. gloeosporioides was isolated significantly more frequently from yellowing than healthy leaves. Yellowing leaves had a significantly higher overall infection frequency but, in contrast, the least species diversity. Difference in the endophyte assemblages of healthy and yellowing leaves suggests that yellowing of leaves may facilitate the incidence of certain endophytes and impose growth inhibition on others.     

Biochemical changes in primary wheat leaves during growth and senescence

Changes in the different forms of the total activity of peroxidases (soluble, ionically and covalently bound), in the soluble isoperoxidase composition, and in the content of protein and chlorophyll during growth and senescence of the intact primary leaves of spring wheat were studied. The forms of peroxidases are in inverse relationship to the growth and increase during development and senescence, especially towards the end of senescence. The activity of peroxidases does not follow the physiological age of wheat leaves during the whole period of vegetation unlike the contents of protein and chlorophyll. The intensity of anodic and cathodic peroxidase isoenzyme bands 1 and 5 increases during senescence, but anodic bands number 2 and 4, cathodic bands 2 and 3 decrease. Changes in the activity of peroxidases and in the content of protein and chlorophyll as indicators of senescence are discussed.