In vitro plant regeneration from leaf callus of Grindelia robusta Nutt

Abstract

A regeneration protocol from leaf explants of Grindelia robusta Nutt. was developed. The combination of 0.5 mg l^?1 IBA plus 0.5 mg l^?1 or 1 mg l^?1 BA added to Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium resulted in the best callus induction frequency; the combination of 0.4 or 0.9 mg l^?1 BA plus 1.2 mg l^?1 GA₃ resulted in the best shoot regeneration. Rooting was successful on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l^?1 IBA. Hardening of G. robusta plants was accomplished in 30 days with 85% survival rate.     

Allelopathic hormesis and potent allelochemicals from multipurpose tree Moringa oleifera leaf extract

Abstract

The secondary metabolites produced by higher plants may act as allelochemicals to stimulate or inhibit growth of other plant species. Moringa oleifera is a multipurpose tree which have been reported, in separate studies, to promote growth of other plant species at low concentrations and inhibit the growth at high concentrations. However, allelopathic hormesis and allelochemicals from Moringa oleifera has not been reported. The present studies were conducted to evaluate hormesis, allelopathic potential and allelochemicals from Moringa oleifera leaf extract using Lepidium sativum as a test species. The results revealed that aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera promoted the shoot growth of Lepidium sativum by 41% at lowest tested concentration of 2.5%, while the highest tested concentration (10%) of leaf extract inhibited shoot length and root length of Lepidium sativum by 38% and 85%, respectively, showing allelopathic hormesis. Twelve allelochemicals (p-coumaric acid, salicylic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, m-coumaric acid, protocatechuic acid, ferulic acid, p-hydroxysalicylic acid, syringic acid, vanillic acid, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, m-hydroxybenzaldehyde and gallic acid) were identified from leaf extract of Moringa oleifera. The results suggest that Moringa oleifera exhibit allelopathic hormesis which may have critical impact on defence, survival and invasion of plants in natural as well as agroecosystems.     

Physiological,biochemical, and fluorescence parameters of senescing sugar beet leaves in the vegetative phase of growth

The phase of vegetative growth of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L., single-sprout form) was conditionally subdivided into four periods according to leaf number and size (including already withered leaves): (A) 8 ± 1 weeks after seedling emergence (wase) (5–7 leaves); (B) 11 ± 1 wase (10–12 leaves); (C) 14 wase (13–15 leaves); (D) 15 wase (15–18 leaves). It took each next leaf about 1 week to come into view. In the course of leaf senescence, palisade parenchyma became less ordered; cells, vacuoles, and intercellular spaces expanded; leaf area and thickness increased. Chloroplasts became swollen, starch grains (and later osmiophilic globules) accumulated and degraded. In every growth period, the highest levels of soluble carbohydrates (sCH), chlorophyll (Chl (a + b)), soluble protein, and the highest activities of rubisco and soluble carboanhydrase usually preceded the full leaf expansion. In unfolded leaves at the growth period B, the maximum values of biochemical characteristics were as a rule higher than at the growth periods A and C and especially D. The only exception was Chl (a + b) with its peak level somewhat increased with plant age. Occurrence of peak values of individual characteristics depended on plant growth period. These characteristics started diminishing asynchronously, with a minimum in old operational leaves. Only the sCH content in the leaves at the periods C and D was stable. Changes in quantum yield at PSII and nonphotochemical fluorescence quenching reflected the age-associated differences in biochemical characteristics. The results are discussed in the light of the idea that leaf senescence is a normal stage of development directly related to the changes in source-sink relations. Biochemically, this stage comprises the degradation of temporarily stored products and partial utilization of the breakdown products for maintenance of the growth of newly formed leaves and root.     

Cytokinin-Regulated Mesophyll Cell Division and Expansion during Development of Cucurbita pepo Leaves

The role of cytokinins in the development of mesophyll structure was studied in developing pumpkin Cucurbita pepo L. leaves. Leaves were treated with cytokinins at different stages of growth: when they reached 25 or 50% of their final size (S _max), immediately after leaf growth ceased, and during senescence. At the early stages of leaf development, treatment with exogenous benzyladenine accelerated division of mesophyll cells. At the later stages of development, BA treatment activated expansion of growing cells and those, which have just accomplished their growth. The exogenous cytokinin did not affect the senescent leaf cells. The content of endogenous cytokinins changed during mesophyll development. The juvenile leaves (25% of S _max) were characterized by low level of these phytohormones. In the expanding leaves (50% of S _max), the content of phytohormones increased and decreased when leaf growth ceased. In the senescent leaves, the cytokinin content decreased markedly. It was concluded that the response of mesophyll cells to cytokinin depended on the cell growth phase at the moment of hormone action. Furthermore, in the young leaves, lower cytokinin concentrations were required for division of mesophyll cells in vivo than for cell expansion at the final stage of leaf development.     

Acclimation of photosynthesis in Zea mays to low water potentials involves alterations in protoplast volume reduction

Effects of water-stress treatment of Zea mays L. plants on protoplast volume and photosynthesis in leaf slices exposed to solutions of different osmotic potential ( _s) were studied. Decreased photosynthetic capacity in the leaf slices at low tissue _w was associated with dehydration-induced protoplast-volume reduction. Leaf slices from plants exposed to in-situ water deficits exhibited greater photosynthetic capacity and relative protoplast volume at low water potential ( _w) invitro than tissue from control plants.In-situ water stress induced osmotic adjustment of the leaf tissue as determined by pressure/volume analysis. It is concluded that plant acclimation to low leaf _w may involve a reduced degree of cell shrinkage at a given _w. This acclimation would allow for the maintenance of relatively higher photosynthetic capacity at low water protentials.Symbols _s Osmotic potential - _w water potential New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Publication No. 12149-6-87     

Taxonomic re-evaluation of the Azolla genus in Portugal

ABSTRACT

The Portuguese and the European Flora refer to the presence of two or three Azolla species in Portugal: A. filiculoides Lam., A. caroliniana Willd. and/or Azolla mexicana Presl., the latter included in the last edition of Flora Europaea. In the present work, the taxonomy of Azolla species is reviewed using the two most important characters that can distinguish between these two/three species: papillae in the dorsal leaf lobe and perine architecture of the megaspore apparatus. Other characteristics, such as the hyaline border cells of the dorsal leaf lobes and the number of glochidia septa in microsporangium massulae, are also used. All the Azolla specimens, collected from several locations in Portugal, were identified as Azolla filiculoides Lam. This identification disagrees with previous published reports on Azolla taxonomy in Portugal as well as with herbarium identification.     

Studies on the genus Mastigolejeunea (Marchantiophyta: Lejeuneaceae): Mastigolejeunea gradsteinii Sukkharak sp. nov.

Abstract

The liverwort Mastigolejeunea gradsteinii Sukkharak sp. nov. (Lejeuneaceae) is described from Malaysia. The new species is characterised by (1) rigid stem with epidermal cells as large as medullary cells, (2) apiculate leaf apex, (3) curved lobules without teeth, and (4) perianths with 7–8 keels.     

The role of phytochrome B,D and E in thermoperiodic responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis>

The objective of this work was to study the role of the phytochromes (phy) B, D and E in the thermoperiodic control of elongation and flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana. WT, and phyB, phyD and phyE single mutants, and phyB phyD and phyB phyE double mutants, were grown under day/night temperatures (DT/NT) of 12/22°C, 17/17°C or 22/12°C (negative, zero and positive DIF, respectively) for inflorescence stem length measurements, and under DT/NT 17/25°C or 25/17°C (negative and positive DIF, respectively) for leaf morphology and flowering time measurements. In WT final length of the stem, petiole and leaf blade were longer under positive DIF compared to negative DIF. The temperature effect was stronger in the leaf petiole than the stem, whereas only a slight change was seen in the leaf blade length direction and none in the width direction. The temperature effect on stem and petiole elongation was reduced or nearly eliminated in the genotypes lacking phyB, while a phyD or a phyE mutation had no influence or a slightly positive influence on the temperature effect, respectively. These results suggest that phyB, and not phyD or phyE, is needed for a complete thermoperiodic control of elongation growth in A. thaliana. For all genotypes tested, plants flowered earlier at negative DIF than positive DIF, suggesting that none of the three phytochromes B, D, or E is needed for a thermoperiodic control of flowering time in A. thaliana.     

A comparison of vegetative features of Ditrichum cylindricarpum and Ditrichum punctulatum

Abstract

Vegetative plants of Ditrichum cylindricarpum and D. punctulatum may be distinguished by the presence in the former of more stereid cells in the leaf subula and sheath, a bistratose shoulder region to the leaf, and a thin-walled stem cortex.     

Proliferazione e Rizogenesi in Frammenti Fogliari di Cichorium Intybus L.: Osservazioni Istologiche

Abstract

Proliferation and formation of roots in leaf fragments of «Cichorium intybus» L.: histological observations. — Leaf fragments of Cichorium intybus grown in vitro, from radical stocks, are cultivated in aseptic media. They are taken from different leaf areas and planted into the substratum with their distal or proximal part, or else put down horizontally on it. The frequency of proliferation is influenced only by the position of the fragments in relation to the substratum. Histological variations connected with the arising and the development of callus and roots are studied. The proliferation of the callus as well as the formation of roots by the leaf fragments take place in the area of the veins; the callus, in its turn, may give rise to other callus or roots. The callus obtained consist either of more or less homogeneous parenchima with vascular nodules, or of untidy masses of tracheids, parenchimal cells and little dividing cells. The roots have a structure similar to that of roots directly cultivated in vitro from radical stocks of chicory and to that of the roots in the natural state.     

Acaulon eremicola,a new moss from the Australian arid zone

Abstract

A new species, Acaulon eremicola is described from aridcentral Australia. It differs from A. muticum and A. integrifolium in the leaf with longer cells and longer usually downwardly curved acuminate apex with twisted arista, the strongly incurled leaf margins when dry, and different spore pattern.     

Indopottia zanderi (Bryophyta,Pottiaceae) gen. et sp. nov. from the Western Ghats of India

Abstract

Indopottia zanderi, a new genus and species of the Pottiaceae, is described from the Silent Valley National Park in the Western Ghats in Peninsular India. The distinctive features of Indopottia are the leaf cells being weakly convex on both surfaces, costal stereid-band semicircular in cross-section, guide cells rounded-ovate or semicircular, seta short and operculum very long. The affinities of the allied genera, Ganguleea, Tortula and Weisiopsis, are discussed. The new genus Indopottia may be placed in the tribe Hyophileae.     

Bryophyte flora of Uganda. 3. Lophoziaceae

Abstract

We studied infraspecific morphological variation within European Dicranum majus Sm. A principal components analysis based on six leaf characters scored in 82 specimens revealed two distinct plant types. Plants with bistratose submarginal upper leaf lamina cells, numerous spine-like dorsal lamina projections, a costa that is dorsally rough far down and has two layers of guide cells in its basal part, and falcate or strongly falcate, long leaves are mainly of a relatively southern origin. Specimens with a unistratose, smooth upper leaf lamina, a costa that is dorsally rough only above and has one layer of guide cells, and with slightly curved to straight, short leaves were only collected in northern Europe. Even if most authors do not formally recognize variation within D. majus, our results suggest that the two kinds of plants should be recognized at least at the variety level. In view of the confusing nomenclature in Dicranum it is beyond the scope of this paper to find a name for the northern plant. Type material of D. majus var. orthophyllum A. Braun ex Milde, a name that was frequently used for northern North American plants, belongs to the southern phenotype.     

Two new species of Lejeunea Lib. (Hepaticae: Lejeuneaceae) from Sikkim,India

Abstract

Two new species of Lejeunea Lib., L. kashyapii sp. nov. and L. mehrana sp. nov. are described from Sikkim, India. The former is characterized by sub-orbicular leaves; first tooth of leaf lobule, 1–3 cells long 1–2 cells wide at base; reniform underleaves slightly wider than long; monoicous sexuality; 2–3-paired male bracts; obcordate perianth with 4–5 smooth keels (2 lateral, auriculate; 2 ventral; 0–1 dorsal, indistinct). Whereas, the latter is characterized by oblong – ovate leaves; lobule 1/6–1/5 as long as lobe; distant – contiguous underleaves with 1–3 teeth on each lobe; dioicous (?) sexuality; 2–4-paired male bracts and 1–2 male bracteoles present near the base of androecia. A key to the Indian species of the genus are provided.     

ORIGIN OF ADVENTITIOUS SHOOTS REGENERATED FROM CULTURED TOBACCO LEAF TISSUE

Leaf discs from Nicotiana tabacum L., N. glauca Grahm., and a series of interspecific periclinal chimeras were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing either 2.5 mg/1 6-benzylaminopurine(BA) or 3.0 mg/16-furfurylaminopurine (kinetin). Most shoots regenerated from chimeral leaf discs were non-chimeral but 51 of 658 shoots were chimeral. The histogenic composition of plants regenerated from leaf discs of periclinal chimeras indicated that any cell layer in a leaf can be the ultimate source of shoots, and that shoots can be multicellular in origin. Certain periclinal arrangements were recovered more frequently and their chimeral nature was more stable during subsequent shoot growth. While N. tabacum leaf discs regenerated shoots on MS medium supplemented with either BA or with kinetin, N. glauca leaf discs did not form shoots on the medium containing kinetin. However, chimeras which possessed cells of both species arose on medium containing BA or kinetin, indicating that the morphogenetically competent (i.e., able to produce shoots in culture), N. tabacum cells either interacted with N. glauca cells leading to their competence or incorporated non-competent N. glauca cells into nascent shoot apical meristems.     

Plant growth regulators from the fruiting bodies of Tricholoma flavovirens

A novel indole derivative (1) and three known compounds (2–4) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Tricholoma flavovirens. Their structures were determined or identified by the interpretation of spectroscopic data. Compounds 1 and 2 promoted root growth of lettuce and inhibited hypocotyl growth at 1 μmol/paper. Compound 3 inhibited hypocotyl and root growth at 100 nmol/paper.     

中国早熟禾属植物部分种叶下表皮微形态的研究

通过光学显微镜及扫描电子显微镜对中国早熟禾属20种、6亚种及2变种植物的叶下表皮微形态特征进行了观察, 以明确叶表皮微形态特征在早熟禾属植物中的分类学意义。结果显示：(1)早熟禾属植物的叶下表皮长细胞多为长筒状或纺锤形,少数短筒状,细胞壁波状弯曲或近平直;脉间具有短细胞或缺如;气孔器多数常见,副卫细胞平行形至低圆屋顶形;脉上具有刺细胞或缺如,脉间刺细胞多为缺如;脉上硅细胞单生或对生,椭圆形、肾形、新月形、近方形、长方形边缘波状弯曲或结节形;部分早熟禾属植物叶下表皮存在冠细胞。(2)早熟禾属植物叶下表皮微形态特征在长细胞的形状及其细胞壁的弯曲与否、短细胞的有无及其形状、气孔器的分布与副卫细胞的形状、刺细胞的分布、脉上硅细胞的形状、冠细胞的有无这些方面存在着一定的差异,可为该属植物种间分类提供参考依据。叶表皮微形态证据支持高原早熟禾、细叶早熟禾作为草地早熟禾亚种的处理意见。     

Survival and nutritional requirements of three bacteria isolated from ultrapure water

Bacteria isolated previously from ultrapure water (UPW) systems were examined for their ability to survive in UPW, with the ultimate goal of elucidating potential carbon and energy sources for the bacteria. Two strains of Ralstonia pickettii isolated from different areas within the UPW system (pretreatment and polishing loop, and referred to as strains 3A1 and MF254A, respectively) and a strain of Bradyrhizobium sp. were compared to increase our understanding of the fundamental behavior of bacteria contaminating UPW. R. pickettii (3A1) grew significantly slower in R2A medium, with a final cell yield much lower than the isolate from the polishing loop. In addition, R. pickettii MF254A showed a broader substrate range than either strain 3A1 or Bradyrhizobium sp. In UPW, there appears to be a threshold cell concentration (approximately 10⁶ colony-forming units/ml), whereby the cell numbers remain constant for a prolonged period of 6 months or more. Below this concentration, rapid proliferation is observed until the threshold concentration is attained. Preliminary experiments suggested that nitrogen gas (frequently added to UPW storage tanks) may contribute to growth of Bradyrhizobium sp. Above the threshold concentration, the strain of Ralstonia sp. isolated from the polishing loop was capable of cryptic growth with heat-killed cells in UPW. However, cryptic growth was not observed when the cells supplied as nutrients were killed using UV254 light. Furthermore, cryptic growth did not appear to contribute significantly to proliferation of Bradyrhizobium sp. or Ralstonia sp. 3A1 (isolated from the pretreatment loop). We believe that cryptic growth may aid survival of the bacteria in UPW, but further experiments are warranted to prove this phenomenon conclusively. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2002) 29, 75–82 doi:10.1038/sj.jim.7000273 Received 23 January 2002/ Accepted in revised form 29 April 2002     

Does an antagonistic relationship between ABA and ethylene mediate shoot growth when tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants encounter compacted soil?

This study tested the hypothesis that antagonistic interactions between abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene mediate the effects of soil compaction on shoot growth. Isogenic wild‐type (Ailsa Craig), ABA‐deficient (notabilis) and a transgenic (ACO1_AS) tomato genotype with a reduced capacity to synthesize ethylene were examined. Exogenous ABA was also applied. Leaf area was comparable when Ailsa Craig and ACO1_AS were grown in uncompacted (1·1 g cm^?3) or compacted (1·5 g cm^?3) soil, but was lower in notabilis. However, a 1·1/1·5 g cm^?3 split‐pot treatment invoked marked genotypic differences, whereby leaf area was comparable to 1·1 g cm^?3 control plants in ACO1_AS but was intermediate between the 1·1 and 1·5 g cm^?3 treatments in Ailsa Craig and notabilis. ABA may be discounted as the root‐sourced signal responsible for reducing leaf area when the roots encountered compacted soil as Ailsa Craig and ACO1_AS showed differing responses despite similar increases in xylem sap ABA concentration; leaf area was invariably lower in notabilis. These genotypic differences were correlated with ethylene evolution; thus the greater leaf area in ACO1_AS was associated with its reduced ability to synthesize ethylene, whereas the reductions in leaf expansion observed when Ailsa Craig and notabilis encountered compacted soil were accompanied by increased ethylene production. Application of ABA had little effect on ACO1_AS, but promoted a recovery of leaf expansion in notabilis, and more surprisingly in Ailsa Craig. These results suggest that antagonistic interactions between ABA and ethylene may regulate leaf expansion when the root system simultaneously encounters uncompacted and compacted soil.