Bi-parental cytoplasmic DNA inheritance in Wisteria (Fabaceae): evidence from a natural experiment

Cytoplasmic inheritance was investigated in interspecific hybrids of Wisteria sinensis and W. floribunda. Species-specific nuclear, mitochondrial and plastid DNA markers were identified from wild-collected plants of each species in its native range. These markers provide evidence for the bi-parental transmission of plastids in hybrid swarms of these two species in the southeastern USA. These population level molecular data corroborate previous cytological evidence of this phenomenon in Wisteria.     

Mycorrhizae between black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and Terfezia terfezioides

 In the present paper we report a mycorrhizal association between the hypogeous white truffle Terfezia terfezioides and the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) growing at various sites in Hungary. The mycorrhiza can be considered as being of the endo- or ectendo-type, since both mantle and Hartig net are absent. Morphological features of the septate hyphae colonizing cortical root cells were investigated by light microscopy on cryosections and on ultra-thin sections studied by transmission electron microscopy. Artificial infection of micropropagated black locust plantlets with the mycelium of the fungus was successful and had the same characteristics as naturally occurring associations. Accepted: 8 March 1996     

Forest plant diversity is threatened by Robinia pseudoacacia (black-locust) invasion

The effects of black-locust invasion on plant forest diversity are still poorly investigated. Vascular plants are likely to be influenced by increasing nutrient availability associated with the nitrogen-fixing activity of black-locust, whereas it is not clear if, along with stand aging, black-locust formations regain forest species. The main aim of the present study was to test whether the increase of black-locust stand age promoted a plant variation in mature stands leading to assemblages similar to those of native forests. Therefore, plant richness and composition of stands dominated by native trees were compared with pure black-locust stands of different successional stages. Our study confirmed that the replacement of native forests by pure black-locust stands causes both plant richness loss and shifts in species composition. In black-locust stands plant communities are dominated by nitrophilous species and lack many of the oligothrophic and acidophilus species typical of native forests. Plant communities of native forests are more diverse with respect to pure black-locust stands, suggesting that black-locust invasion also causes a homogenization of the plant forest biota. We did not detect differences across the successional gradient of black-locust stands, and mature stands do not recover the diversity of plant species which are lost by the replacement of the native forests by black-locust. Accordingly some efforts in reducing the negative impacts of black-locust invasion on plant forest biota should be focused at least in those areas where conservation is among management priorities, such in the case of habitats included in the Habitat Directive (92/43 ECE).     

Potential for biparental cytoplasmic inheritance in Jasminum officinale and Jasminum nudiflorum

 Mature Jasminum officinale and J. nudiflorum pollen grains were stained with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and examined by epifluorescence microscopy. The pollen grains were found to be trinucleate, and the sperm cells in both species contained a large number of epifluorescent spots that corresponded to cytoplasmic DNA aggregates (nucleoids). The nucleoids of J. nudiflorum were observed to be dimorphic under the epifluorescence microscope, indicating that the sperm cells might contain both plastid and mitochondrial DNA. The nucleoids of J. officinale presented a similar appearance when stained with DAPI, but electron microscopic examination of the sperm cells revealed that they contained both plastids and mitochondria. When analyzed by DNA immunogold electron microscopy, gold particles were detected on both plastids and mitochondria. These findings demonstrated the preservation of plastid and mitochondrial DNA in mature sperm cells and thus the potential for biparental cytoplasmic inheritance in J. officinale and J. nudiflorum. Received: 8 August 1997 / Revision accepted: 25 February 1998     

Translocation of nitrogen and expression of nodule-specific uricase (nodulin-35) in Robinia pseudoacacia

Uricase (urate oxidase, EC 1.7.3.3) activity and nodule-specific uricase II (nodulin-35) were detected in the nodules from a number of legume: Rhizobium symbioses ( Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., Phaseolus vulgaris L., and Kennedia coccinea Vent.) in the Phaseoleae, as well as in those of Robinia pseudoacacia L. which belongs to the tribe Robineae. Neither uricase activity nor nodulin-35 was detected in nodules from Lupinus angustifolius L., an amide-forming symbiosis of the tribe Genisteae. Nodules of R. pseudoacacia also showed high levels of allantoinase (EC 3.5.2.5) activity but activity of enzymes earlier in the pathway of ureide synthesis (xanthine dehydrogenase, EC 1.2.1.37; inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, EC 1.2.1.14; and xanthosine nucleosidase, EC 3.2.2.1) could not be detected. Analysis of transport fluids (xylem, phloem and nodule exudates) from R. pseudoacacia found that asparagine, and, to a lesser extent, glutamine were the major translocated nitrogenous solutes. Ureides accounted for, at most, 2.6% of the N in transport fluids (tracheal xylem sap) and in nodule exudate, 0.1%. In common with nodules of the ureide-forming symbioses, those of R. pseudoacacia contained a high proportion of uninfected interstitial cells (53.7 ± 2.3%) in the central N₂-fixing tissue whereas in L. angustifolius only 2.5 ± 0.4% of cells in this tissue were uninfected. These data have been interpreted to indicate that expression of nodule-specific uricase is related to the differentiation of uninfected interstitial cells in nodules and not to the synthesis of ureides.     

Seasonal Fluctuations of Lectins in Barks of Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) agglutinins, which are abundantly present in the bark of both species, display seasonal fluctuations with regard to their content in this tissue. These seasonal changes result apparently from a circa-annual rhythm of lectin accumulation and depletion during autumn and spring, respectively. Because the bark of trees can be considered as a type of vegetative storage tissue, the results suggest that bark lectins behave as typical storage proteins.     

Intracellular localization of phytochrome in Robinia pseudoacacia pulvini

The intracellular localization of phytochrome in the pulvini of Robinia pseudoacacia L. was analyzed by immunogold electron microscopy after red (R; 15 min) and far-red (FR; 5 min) irradiation 2 h after the beginning of the photoperiod. Screening of the available antibodies by immunoblotting demonstrated that none of the oat (Avena sativa L.) anti-phytochrome A (phy A) monoclonal antibodies) (MAbs) detected Robinia phytochrome. A putative Robinia phy A was detected by immunoblotting using a MAb to mustard (Sinapis alba L.) phy A (CP 2/9). No cross-reactivity was observed in blots probed with a MAb against Cucumis sativus L. phy B (mAT1). Ultrathin sections of LR White resin-embedded pulvini were immunolabelled with CP 2/9 MAb. The labelling was restricted to cortical cells and there was no evidence of labelling either in the vascular system or in the epidermis. The pattern of labelling was the same in both extensor and flexor cells irrespective of whether phytochrome was in the far-red-absorbing (Pfr) state or had reverted to the red-absorbing (Pr) form. Isolated labels and clusters of labels were randomly distributed throughout the cytoplasm. Gold particles were also found in the interior of nuclei, chloroplasts and mitochondria.     

Robinlin: a novel bioactive homo-monoterpene from Robinia pseudoacacia L. (Fabaceae)

A bioactivity-directed fractionation of the ethanolic extracts of Robinia pseudoacacia L. (Fabaceae) afforded robinlin (1), a novel homo-monoterpene. The structure of 1 was elucidated by spectral analyses of the parent compound as well as its derivatives; 1 showed strong bioactivity in the brine shrimp lethality test (BST).     

The influence of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) flower and leaf fall on soil phosphate

To investigate the influence of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) flower and leaf fall on soil phosphate, we monitored litterfall, litter decomposition, and soil membrane phosphate in a R. pseudoacacia forest on Mt. Ilzasan, Seoul, Korea. R. pseudoacacia flower litter was 30–50% of total litter production in May and the flowers decomposed rapidly. More than 11% of R. pseudoacacia leaf litter decomposed from February to May, while that of Quercus spp. decomposed very little. Fast decomposition of R. pseudoacacia flower and leaf litter significantly increased membrane phosphate in the soil. The rapid nutrient-cycling of R. pseudoacacia through flower litterfall and rapid decomposition benefits the plant itself in the growing season when nutrients demand is increasing. Rapid nutrient-cycling might be a strategy that helps R. pseudoacacia to persist in poor soil environments.     

Differential responses to in vitro bud culture in mature Robinia pseudoacacia L. (black locust)

Buds excised from the stems of five dormant, mature (20- to 30-year old) black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) trees were placed on MS basal medium with various levels of 6-benzylaminopurine. In all treatments, bud explants from two of the trees produced shoots which could be subcultured. Whole plants were obtained from cultures of these two trees. Explants from two other trees became vitrified or produced callus, respectively, when cultured on medium containing between 0.032 and 1.0 M 6-benzylaminopurine; subculturable shoots were only obtained when the buds from these trees were cultured on medium containing 3.2 M 6-benzylaminopurine. No shoot cultures which could be subcultured were obtained from the fifth tree used in these experiments. The whole plants produced in these experiments were transferred to a greenhouse, and were phenotypically normal five months after culture initiation (three months after transfer to the greenhouse).Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - IBA indole-3-butyric acid Michigan Ag. Exp. Station Journal Article No. 12351     

黄土高原剌槐水土保持林防护成熟与更新研究

在分析乔木水土保持林防护机理的基础上 ,通过对渭北黄土高原剌槐水土保持林调查、分析 ,确定该区剌槐水土保持林在常规密度下的初始防护成熟龄为 11～ 16年 (平均为 12年 ) ;最大防护成熟龄为 2 5年 ;更新龄为 4 2年 ;防护成熟期 (更新龄与初始防护成熟龄之差 )为2 6～ 31年。以防护成熟龄为基础 ,确定剌槐水土保持林的三个经营阶段 :成熟前期、防护成熟期和更新期。这些结果将为水土保持林的合理经营提供参考。     

New combinations and one new variety among the genera Indigofera,Robinia, and Tephrosia (Leguminosae)

This report includes: a new variety,Indigofera miniata var.florida, and five new combinations.I. mucronata var.keyensis, Robinia hispida var.kelseyi, Tephrosia angustissima var.corallicola, T. angustissima var.curtissii, andT. × floridana.     

Advances in somatic embryogenesis and plant production of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.)

Summary Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) immature seeds of different developmental stages were tested for the ability to initiate embryogenic cultures. Best results (average of 12% embryogenic cultures) were obtained when seeds collected 2–3 weeks post-anthesis were cultured for 3 weeks on modified Finer and Nagasawa medium containing 2,4-D (45–90 M) and BA (2.2 M) and then transferred to the same medium without growth regulators. Embryo conversion was obtained from naked or encapsulated somatic embryos derived from a long-term embryogenic line. Without cold treatment, 71% of naked embryos and 41% of the encapsulated embryos converted into plants. Fifteen days of cold treatment increased conversion rates up to 95% for naked embryos and 80% for encapsulated embryos. Recovered plantlets were acclimatized and grown in the greenhouse.Abbreviations BA 6-benzyladenine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - FM modified Finer & Nagasawa (1988) medium - MS modified Murashige & Skoog (1962) medium - PEM proembryogenic mass - SH modified Schenck & Hildebrandt (1972) medium     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers from Robinia pseudoacacia L

Microsatellite markers were isolated from Robinia pseudoacacia L. using an enrichment method. Eleven of the 23 primer pairs designed successfully amplified unambiguous and polymorphic single loci among 39 individual R. pseudoacacia L. from northeastern Japan. The observed and expected heterozygosities of the 11 microsatellite markers ranged from 0.333 to 0.821 and from 0.489 to 0.867, respectively. The polymorphisms observed at the 11 microsatellite loci are useful genetic data for forest ecological studies involving R. pseudoacacia L.     

Mendelian inheritance, linkage and genotypic disequilibrium in microsatellite loci isolated from Hymenaea courbaril (Leguminosae)

The Neotropical tree Hymenaea courbaril, locally known as Jatobá, is a valuable source of lumber and also produces comestible and medicinal fruit. We characterized Mendelian inheritance, linkage and genotypic disequilibrium at nine microsatellite loci isolated from H. courbaril, in order to determine if they would provide accurate estimates of population genetic parameters of this important Amazon species. The study was made on 250 open-pollinated offspring originated from 14 seed trees. Only one of nine loci presented significant deviation from the expected Mendelian segregation (1:1). Genotypic disequilibrium between pairwise loci was investigated based on samples from 55 adult and 56 juvenile trees. No genetic linkage between any paired loci was observed. After Bonferroni's corrections for multiple tests, we found no evidence of genotypic disequilibrium between pairs of loci. We conclude that this set of loci can be used for genetic diversity/ structure, mating system, gene flow, and parentage analyses in H. courbaril populations.     

Changes in phenology of the locust tree (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) in Hungary

 Intense research is being carried out on climate variability and change and the estimation and detection of anthropogenic effects. In addition to statistical methods, the use of plants, as biological indicators is becoming more popular as they are sensitive to environmental conditions. In this article we compare maps of the flowering dates of the locust tree (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) for three different time intervals between 1851 and 1994. The maps revealed noticeable shifts of dates, of approximately 3–8 days, towards earlier flowering. This change is related to the average temperature of spring (15 March–15 May), via a simple statistical model that is accurate enough to be able to quantify phenological changes and to calculate the corresponding warming. The model developed can estimate spring mean temperature using phenological data from R. pseudoacacia L. with an accuracy of 0.2° C. Estimates of mean temperature based on phenological changes are compared to climatic series. This comparison emphasizes the possibility of using R. pseudoacacia. L. as a bio-indicator. Estimates of temperature changes are also given. Received: 5 August 1996 / Revised: 14 April 1997 / Accepted: 11 November 1997     

黄土高原刺槐人工林幼林生态系统碳吸存

为了解黄土高原生态林的固碳作用,以刺槐人工林幼林（8年生）和对照荒地为研究对象,比较了两种土地利用方式下,土壤、凋落物和植物各部分的有机碳密度(OCD)和生态系统碳吸存的变化.结果表明:刺槐人工林林地土壤OCD比荒地减少0.26 kg·m^-2,其中0～10 cm层土壤OCD显著提高,10～30 cm土层降低,而在30～80 cm层土壤中则变化不明显.与荒地相比,刺槐人工林林地凋落物、植物根系和植物地上部分的OCD分别增加了121.1%、202.0%和656.7%,每年总有机碳吸存率增加3.3%,说明黄土高原营造刺槐人工林具有明显的碳吸存效应.     

Biosynthesis of 2-aminobenzaldehyde in flowers of Robinia pseudoacacia and Philadelphus coronarius

Feeding experiments with 13C- and fluorine-labelled precursors were performed to reveal the biosynthesis of 2-aminobenzaldehyde in flowers of Robinia pseudoacacia and Philadelphus coronarius. The results are in agreement with the transformation of anthranilic acid to indole followed by oxidative ring opening and hydrolysis of the resulting N-formyl-2-aminobenzaldehyde. This route differs from that observed in Hebeloma sacchariolens (Basidiomycetes) in which anthranilic acid is directly reduced to 2-aminobenzaldehyde.     

The effects of clonal integration on morphological plasticity and placement of daughter ramets in black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

We studied the field response of Robinia pseudoacacia L. to light, total soil nitrogen, available soil phosphorus and soil pH. Results indicated that there was very strong clonal integration between mother and daughter ramets. Mother ramets can provide nitrogen and phosphorus to daughter ramets sufficient for their continued growth through strong clonal integration, but cannot provide enough photosynthate. With clonal integration, soil nitrogen and phosphorus availability had no effect on biomass allocation to roots, number of ramets and length of connection roots. Biomass allocation to roots increased markedly and responded to nitrogen and phosphorus availability, when the connections were severed. Light had a significant effect on the percent of biomass allocation to leaves and number of ramets, but no effect on the length of connection roots. Daughter ramets allocated more resources to leaves, and clones placed more daughter ramets in high light patches than in low light patches. Soil pH had a significant effect on ramet number and connection root length. Clones concentrated in alkaline patches and escaped from acid patches through selective placement of daughter ramets and changing the length of connection roots. We suggest that the clonal integration may be very strong and provide sufficient soil resources to daughter ramets, then affect the daughter ramets’ morphology and placement, if the size of a specific ramet is significantly larger than the other ramets in an arbor clone.     

Morphology and General Characteristics of Bacteriophages Infectious to Robinia pseudoacacia Mesorhizobia

Four phages infectious to Mesorhizobium strains were identified in soil samples taken from local Robinia pseudoacacia stands. Based on their polyhedral heads and short noncontractile tails, three of the phages, Mlo30, Mam12, and Mam20, were assigned to group C of Bradley’s classification, the Podoviridae family, while phage Mlo1, with its elongated hexagonal head and a long flexible tail represented subgroup B2 bacteriophages, the Siphoviridae family. The phages were homogeneous in respect of their virulence, as they only lysed Mesorhizobium strains, but did not affect strains of Rhizobium or Bradyrhizobium. On the basis of one-step growth experiments, the average virus yield was calculated as approximately 10–25 phage particles for phages Mlo30, Mam12 and Mam20, and as many as 100–120 for phage Mlo1. The rate of phage adsorption to heat-treated cells showed differences in the nature of their receptors, which seemed to be thermal sensitive, thermal resistant, or a combination of the two. Only the receptor for phage Mlo30 was likely to be an LPS molecule, which was supported by a neutralization test. The smooth LPS with O-antigenic chains of the phage-sensitive M. loti strain completely reduced the bactericidal activity of virions at a concentration of 1 μg/ml. The molecular weights of phage DNAs estimated from restriction endonuclease cleavage patterns were in the range from ~39 kb for group C phages to ~80 kb for B2.