种子大小和干旱胁迫对辽东栎幼苗生长和生理特性的影响

在温室内遮阴条件下,设置80%、60%、40%和20%田间持水量(对照、轻度、中度和重度干旱)4个处理,研究种子大小和干旱胁迫对盆栽辽东栎幼苗生长和生理特性的影响。结果表明: 大种子(3.05±0.38 g)幼苗的单株叶面积、总干质量和根冠比在所有处理均显著大于小种子(1.46±0.27 g)幼苗,前者的株高、基径、叶片数、比叶面积、相对生长率和净同化率等生长参数在轻度、中度和重度干旱处理均不同程度大于后者。大种子幼苗叶片过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性均高于小种子幼苗,前者叶片丙二醛(MDA)、可溶性蛋白、游离脯氨酸含量和叶绿素总量在部分干旱处理显著大于后者。除根冠比外,其他生长参数均随干旱胁迫增强逐渐减小,重度干旱处理大、小种子幼苗总干质量分别比对照降低19.4%和20.0%。POD、CAT和SOD活性均随干旱胁迫增强先升后降,在中度干旱处理,大、小种子幼苗POD活性分别显著高于对照126.7%和142.1%,CAT活性分别显著高于对照170.0%和151.9%。在重度干旱处理,大、小种子幼苗MDA含量分别显著高于对照86.5%和68.9%。可溶性蛋白、游离脯氨酸含量和叶绿素总量均随干旱胁迫增强先升后降,在中度干旱处理,大、小种子幼苗可溶性蛋白含量分别显著高于对照320.7%和352.7%。辽东栎大种子幼苗可依赖其生长和生理方面的优势比小种子幼苗具有更强的干旱耐受性,在退化次生林人工辅助实生更新中应优先选用抗逆性更强的大种子幼苗。     

模拟动物取食子叶对辽东栎种子萌发和幼苗早期生长的影响

在实验室人工气候箱和玻璃温室盆播条件下,研究了不同程度子叶切除处理(切除1/4、1/2和3/4子叶,以不切除子叶为对照)对辽东栎(Quercus wutaishanica)种子萌发和幼苗早期生长的影响。结果表明:在人工气候箱培养条件下,子叶切除处理后种子的萌发率均高于对照,其中切除1/4子叶处理与对照间差异显著;子叶切除处理加快了种子萌发进程,即萌发速率系数减小,各处理及其与对照间差异不显著;萌发指数在切除1/4子叶处理显著大于对照,其他切除处理与对照间无显著差异;子叶切除处理对活力指数无显著影响。在玻璃温室盆播条件下,尽管不同程度子叶切除处理种子的萌发率无显著提高,但子叶切除后,种子的萌发进程加快,萌发指数增大;活力指数在切除1/4子叶处理略高于对照,而切除1/2和3/4子叶处理均大幅减小。切除子叶处理的幼苗株高、基径、主根长、侧根数、最大侧根长、叶片数、单株叶面积和总干质量等生长参数均不同程度的减小,其中株高在各处理及其与对照间均差异显著,其他生长参数在2个重度子叶切除处理(切除1/2和3/4子叶)均显著小于对照;幼苗根冠比受子叶切除处理的影响较小,各处理及与对照间均差异不显著;切除子叶处理增大了幼苗的比叶面积、比枝长和比根长,其中比叶面积在切除1/2子叶处理显著大于对照,比枝长在各切除处理均显著大于对照,切除1/2子叶和切除3/4子叶处理幼苗的比根长显著大于切除1/4子叶处理和对照幼苗。     

种子特征和播种深度对辽东栎种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

该文在玻璃温室内的遮阴环境下,采用盆播方法研究了辽东栎种子特征(大小和种皮)和播种深度(0、3、6、10 cm)对种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:(1)辽东栎大种子萌发率、萌发速率、萌发值和萌发指数在所有播种深度均高于小种子。其中非去皮种子萌发率、萌发速率和萌发指数在0 cm播种深度的不同大小种子间差异显著,去皮种子所有萌发参数在6和10 cm播种深度的不同大小种子间均差异显著;去皮可促进大种子萌发,但抑制小种子萌发;不同大小种子所有萌发参数均在0 cm播种深度最大,在10cm播种深度最小。(2)不论有无种皮,大种子萌发幼苗的叶片数、单株叶面积、总干物质质量和根冠比在所有播种深度均大于小种子萌发幼苗;去皮种子萌发幼苗的株高、基径、叶片数、单株叶面积和总干物质质量在所有播种深度均不同程度地小于非去皮种子萌发幼苗,但前者根冠比在0、3、6 cm播种深度大于后者;随着播种深度增大,幼苗株高、叶片数、单株叶面积、总干物质质量和根冠比等生长参数均呈减小趋势,但基径随播种深度增大而增大。     

不同遮光处理对川西柳叶菜部分形态、生长和生理指标的影响

以自然光照为对照,对轻度、中度和重度遮光条件下(遮光率分别为24%、48%和72%)川西柳叶菜( Epilobium fangii C. J. Chen et al.)的部分形态、生长和生理指标进行比较分析。分析结果显示：遮光处理对川西柳叶菜的MDA含量无显著影响,对叶长、花冠宽、叶干质量分配比例以及叶绿素a( Chla)、叶绿素b( Chlb)和类胡萝卜素(Car)含量及Chla/Chlb值有显著影响(P<0.05),对其余指标有极显著影响(P<0.01)。与对照相比,3个遮光处理组的单株根数、株高、主茎长和基径总体上显著下降,根长在轻度和中度遮光条件下略升高、在重度遮光条件下显著升高;3个遮光处理组的单株叶片数和叶长总体上显著下降,叶宽在轻度和中度遮光条件下略下降、在重度遮光条件下显著升高,叶厚在轻度遮光条件下显著升高、在中度遮光条件下略下降、在重度遮光条件下显著下降;3个遮光处理组的花柄长、花管长和花冠高显著升高,单株开花数在轻度遮光条件下略下降、在中度遮光条件下显著升高、在重度遮光条件下显著下降,花冠宽在轻度和中度遮光条件下略升高、在重度遮光条件下显著升高。与对照相比,3个遮光处理组的全株干质量和茎干质量分配比例均显著下降;根干质量分配比例和根冠比在轻度遮光条件下显著升高、在中度和重度遮光条件下略下降;地上部干质量分配比例在轻度遮光条件下显著下降、在中度和重度遮光条件下略升高;叶干质量分配比例在轻度和中度遮光条件下略下降、在重度遮光条件下略升高。在轻度和中度遮光条件下,叶片的Chla、Chlb和Car含量基本上显著高于对照,Chla/Chlb值分别略低于或显著低于对照;而在重度遮光条件下这4个指标均略高于对照。与对照相比,轻度和中度遮光条件下叶片的H2 O2含量和SOD活性略升高,MDA含量和总抗氧化能力略下降;总酚含量在轻度遮光条件下略下降、在中度遮光条件下略升高;重度遮光条件下这5个指标均显著升高。随着遮光程度的增强,川西柳叶菜的单株根数、株高、主茎长、基径和叶厚逐渐下降,而叶宽、全株干质量、叶干质量分配比例、H2 O2含量、SOD活性和总酚含量逐渐升高;其中,在中度遮光条件下,其单株开花数、花柄长、花管长、花冠高、花冠宽和花干质量分配比例最高。结果表明：在遮光条件下,川西柳叶菜可在形态、生长和生理上调整生长策略,完成发育过程;并且,中度遮光有利于其生殖分配,提高其观赏价值。     

荒漠生境下柠条幼苗存活与生长对水分添加和沙埋的响应

为了解柠条幼苗生长与存活对荒漠生境下沙埋和水分添加的响应,在宁夏灵武白芨滩国家级自然保护区南部荒漠灌丛群落,通过水分添加和持续沙埋处理,研究了柠条幼苗的存活与生长对水分添加和沙埋的响应。结果表明:水分添加有利于柠条幼苗的存活与生长,幼苗最终留存率显著提高(P0.05),且幼苗株高、单株叶面积和总干质量显著增大(P0.05),侧根数、小叶数、相对生长率和净同化率也均有不同程度增大。沙埋抑制柠条幼苗的存活与生长,试验结束时,沙埋幼苗在水分添加条件下的最终留存率显著低于无沙埋幼苗(P0.05);除株高外,沙埋幼苗的基径、小叶数、单株叶面积、总干质量、相对生长率等均显著减小(P0.05),主根长、侧根数和净同化率也不同程度减小。沙埋幼苗的比叶面积、比根长和比枝长均显著大于无沙埋幼苗(P0.05),但前者的根冠比显著小于后者(P0.05);沙埋幼苗的比根长在水分添加条件下显著减小(P0.05),但不论是否沙埋,幼苗根冠比、比叶面积和比枝长在有无水分添加间均差异不显著。     

不同光照条件下三七幼苗形态及生长指标的变化

用遮阳网设置不同透光率(自然全光照的1%、3%、8%、12%和22%)处理,对不同光照条件下三七〔Panax notoginseng(Burk.)F.H.Chen〕幼苗形态指标(株高、冠幅、块根长、主根长、块根直径、茎基径、单株须根数和单株须根长)、干物质积累(不同器官干质量)和分配以及叶片性状(单株叶面积、比叶面积和叶绿素相对含量SPAD值)的变化进行了研究。结果表明:在透光率不同的条件下三七幼苗的形态指标、不同器官干质量及分配以及叶片性状均有明显变化。其中,块根直径、单株须根长、单株须根数、不同器官(块根、须根、根、叶片和茎)干质量和植株总干质量均随透光率增大逐渐提高;株高在透光率22%条件下最高;冠幅和单株叶面积在透光率3%条件下最大;主根长、茎基径、根冠比、根质比及SPAD值均在透光率8%条件下最高;茎质比和叶质比在透光率3%和1%条件下较大;比叶面积随透光率增大逐渐降低。综合分析结果揭示:三七是一种典型的喜阴植物,种植过程中适当遮阳有利于其生长和干物质积累,其中透光率8%对三七幼苗生长较为适宜。     

不同光照梯度的遮荫处理对绒毛番龙眼幼苗生长的影响

在不同光照梯度,即100%自然全光照(natural sunlight,NS)、37.3%NS、15.5%NS、4.2%NS、1.6%NS和0.6%NS的人工遮荫条件下,研究了西双版纳季节雨林冠层树种绒毛番龙眼(Pometia tomentosa)幼苗的早期生长和定居后的生长特点。结果表明,光照是影响幼苗生长的重要环境因子。生长早期的幼苗基径和复叶数随遮荫程度的增加而降低;主根长、根冠比、总干重和单株叶面积均以37.3%NS处理最大;比叶面积随遮荫程度的增加而增大,而相对生长率则降低;幼苗株高在0.6%NS下增长最快,表明种子中贮藏的营养物质对幼苗的早期生长可能具有重要作用。37.3%NS处理对定居后绒毛番龙眼幼苗的生长最有利,幼苗的株高、基径、复叶数、叶轴长、复叶最多小叶数、单株叶面积、相对生长率和净同化率均在37.3%NS处理下获得最大增长;幼苗总干重随光照强度的减弱而降低;比叶面积在15.5%NS处理时最大。幼苗比叶面积和根冠比在生长过程中的波动可能是光照和土壤水分共同作用的结果。     

干旱-复水-再干旱处理对玉米光合能力和生长的影响

为了探求玉米(Zea mays)光合作用和生长对重复干旱的响应机制, 采用盆栽试验, 分别测定了不同程度土壤干旱处理3周时、随后复水1周时以及再次不同程度干旱处理3周时玉米幼苗光合参数和生长的变化。第一次土壤干旱处理后, 重度干旱处理显著降低玉米株高、单株总叶面积、地上部分及根系生物量以及叶片的蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)、胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)、净光合速率(P_n)和最大净光合速率(A_max), 但显著提高光补偿点和暗呼吸速率; 中度干旱处理同样显著降低玉米株高、叶面积和地上部分生物量, 但对根系生物量无影响, 因而根冠比增大, 对上述光合参数的负效应也不具有显著性。复水可使前期经受中度和重度干旱处理的玉米植株的光合能力和生长速率恢复到正常水分条件下生长的植株的水平, 但株高和叶面积没有恢复到对照水平。当玉米再次经受水分亏缺处理时, 与只遭受第二次中度或重度干旱处理的植株相比, 经历过前期中度干旱处理的植株的株高、生物量和光合参数没有显著变化, 但叶面积显著下降; 经历过前期重度干旱处理植株的T_r、G_s、C_i、P_n、A_max和表观量子效率显著升高, 而株高、叶面积和生物量显著降低。综上所述, 第一次重度干旱处理显著降低玉米叶片的光合能力和生长, 复水可使光合能力和生长速率恢复到正常水分条件下生长植株的水平, 但不能消除前期干旱对生长产生的不利影响。前期中度干旱可以刺激玉米根系的生长和显著提高根冠比, 有利于提高对二次干旱的抵抗能力, 并使总的生物量保持在对照水平, 而前期重度干旱处理虽然在光合作用上能提高植株对二次干旱的抵御能力, 但不能弥补前期干旱处理对生长的不利影响。因此, 在生产实践中, 如果进行抗旱锻炼, 应限制在中度干旱水平, 避免重度干旱。     

光照条件对蒙古栎幼苗生长特性和光合特征的影响

为了研究不同光照条件下蒙古栎幼苗的生长过程,本文通过控制实验,模拟设计4种不同的光照条件:全光照(FS)、轻度遮荫(LS)、中度遮荫(MS)和重度遮荫(SS),对蒙古栎幼苗的形态特征、光合特性和生物量分配进行比较研究。结果表明:中度遮荫和重度遮荫条件下蒙古栎幼苗的比叶面积显著大于全光照和轻度遮荫,不同光照条件下苗高无显著差异,全光照条件下蒙古栎幼苗的地径显著大于中度遮荫和重度遮荫,同时,全光照条件下的主根长度和根径显著大于3种遮荫条件,而轻度遮荫和中度遮荫又显著大于重度遮荫;最大净光合速率表现为轻度遮荫全光照中度遮荫重度遮荫的趋势,表观量子效率在全光照与轻度遮荫时显著大于中度遮荫和重度遮荫,暗呼吸速率无显著差异;全光照下单株总生物量和根系生物量最高,轻度遮荫和中度遮荫次之,重度遮荫最低;叶片生物量和茎生物量差异较小;不同器官生物量分配表现为根叶茎,并且根生物量所占比重在68%~76%之前;全光照、轻度遮荫和中度遮荫的根冠比显著高于重度遮荫。     

种皮和播种深度对辽东栎种子萌发和幼苗早期生长的影响

在玻璃温室内遮荫条件下,研究种皮和播种深度(0、2、5、10和15 cm)对辽东栎种子萌发和幼苗早期生长的影响.结果表明： 种皮对辽东栎种子萌发具有明显的抑制作用,去除种皮后,种子萌发率显著升高,不同播种深度处理种子萌发率平均升高19.4%,且萌发指数和活力指数显著增大,萌发进程加快.去皮种子和非去皮种子的萌发率均在2 cm播种深度下最大,分别为78.9%和62.2%;萌发指数和活力指数均在2 cm播种深度下最大,而萌发速率系数在5 cm播种深度下最大.去皮处理幼苗的单株叶面积和干质量与非去皮处理相比均显著增大,但比根长显著减小.去皮和非去皮处理幼苗株高均在5 cm播种深度下最大,分别为13.8和14.2 cm;基径随播种深度增加逐渐增大,而主根长、侧根数和最大侧根长均减小;幼苗干质量受播种深度影响较小.     

Seedling tolerance to cotyledon removal varies with seed size: A case of five legume species

It is generally accepted that seedlings from large seeds are more tolerant to defoliation than those from small seeds due to the additional metabolic reserves present in the large seeds. However, information on the effects of amount of seed reserves (cotyledon removal) from seedlings resulting from large vs. small seeds on seedling growth and long‐term survival in the field is limited. Five legume species with different sizes of seeds were sown in the field and none, one, or both cotyledons removed 7 days after seedling emergence. Seedling biomass, relative growth rate (RGR) and survival were determined at different time. Cotyledon removal, species, and their interaction had significant effects on seedling growth and survival. During the period between 33 and 70 days, seedlings from large seeds had a significantly lower RGR than those from small seeds. Biomass, RGR, and survival of seedlings from large seeds were significantly reduced by removal one or both cotyledons, whereas those of seedlings from small seeds were not affected. Seed energy reserves are more important for the early growth of seedlings from large seeds than for those from small seeds. The overall effect of cotyledon removal on growth and survival varies with seed size (i.e., energy reserves) with seedlings from small seeds being less sensitive than those from large seeds under field conditions.     

Influence of the Embryonic Axis on Protein Hydrolysis in Cotyledons of Cucurbita maxima

Four-day time course studies of the hydrolysis of cotyledonal storage protein were conducted on intact seeds, seed cotyledons detached from their embryonic axes and on detached cotyledon pairs germinated in the presence of three excised embryonic axes of Cucurbita maxima Duch., cv. Chicago Worted Hubbard. Detached cotyledons germinated alone showed little hydrolysis of the storage protein. However, the amount of protein hydrolysis of the detached cotyledon pairs germinated in the presence of three excised embryonic axes was comparable to the amount hydrolyzed in the cotyledons of intact germinating seeds. Visual growth differences among these treatments were also evident. The size and yellow color intensity of the fourth day treatments were shown to increase in the following order: detached cotyledon pairs alone, intact seedlings, detached cotyledon pairs in the presence of three excised axes. The growth of the hypocotyl and radical was also modified by removal of the cotyledons. These findings suggest that storage protein degradation and cotyledonal growth are controled by the axis. They also indicate that the cotyledons have some influence on the growth of the axes. Time-course studies were made on the hydrolysis of storage protein in the cotyledons of squash and on the distribution of the hydrolytic products during the germination of light- and dark-grown plants. The storage protein was not hydrolyzed during the first 24 hours. It was hydrolyzed at a uniform rate from 1 to 5 days and at a slightly decreased rate from 5 to 7 days. Most of the hydrolytic products were transported to the axial tissue. Proteinase activity in the cotyledons rapidly increased during germination to a maximum level at 2 to 3 days. This was followed by a decline to about the initial value after 7 days.     

The effects of seed size, cotyledon reserves, and herbivory on seedling survival and growth in Quercus rugosa and Q. laurina (Fagaceae)

In a greenhouse experiment, seedling survival of two oak species (Quercus rugosa and Q. laurina) was greatly affected by the excision of cotyledons 1 mo after germination, with a greater impact on Q. laurina. The effect of seed size was also significant for both species, with a positive correlation between seed mass and survival and growth. The effect of cotyledon excision on seedling growth persisted throughout the first growing season in Q. rugosa and was not analyzed for Q. laurina due to the low number of seedlings that survived cotyledon excision. Seed size significantly affected seedling height, diameter, leaf area, and biomass at 6 mo. Seed size and cotyledon retention affected the ability of Q. rugosa to recover from herbivory, as both factors had a significant effect on relative growth rates after aerial biomass removal. The results show that seedlings originating from large seeds can better endure loss of cotyledons and aerial biomass and thus are better equipped to confront stress early in their lives.     

不同密度下辽东栎幼苗子叶丢失及其对幼苗存活和生长的影响

在宁夏六盘山区龙潭林区华北落叶松(Larix principis-rupprechtii )人工林的不同样带, 按6个密度梯度(3.24、2.56、1.96、1.44、1.00和0.64株·m^-2)移栽萌发生根的辽东栎(Quercus wutaishanica)幼苗, 研究了啮齿动物对幼苗子叶取食的密度效应及其对幼苗存活与生长的影响。结果表明, 辽东栎幼苗的子叶留存率随着幼苗密度的增大而减小。2个高密度处理(3.24和2.56株·m^-2)的幼苗子叶留存率分别在移栽6周和5周后稳定在最低水平, 分别为8.64%和7.81%; 而2个较低密度处理(1.44和0.64株·m^-2)的幼苗在最后一次观测时子叶留存率仍很高, 分别为44.44%和31.25%, 且二者均显著高于其他密度处理(p < 0.05)。受啮齿动物取食的影响, 在从高到低的不同密度处理下, 幼苗的主根留存率分别为64.16%、80.46%、87.23%、80.25%、69.84%和69.84%; 在1.44株·m^-2处理下, 顶芽留存率最高(25.23%), 显著大于3.24株·m^-2处理(4.19%) (p < 0.05), 其他密度处理的顶芽留存率均不足20%。子叶被动物取食的幼苗和子叶完整幼苗的最终留存率基本一致, 仅在个别密度处理的某一观测时期差异显著; 顶芽被动物取食的幼苗留存率略低于顶芽完整幼苗的留存率, 但个别密度处理完全相反; 不同类型幼苗的留存率随时间推移而上下波动, 可能与幼苗顶芽被动物取食后萌生形成新芽有关。幼苗的株高、基径、叶片数和单株叶面积均随密度的减小而略有增大, 但除株高外, 其他3个生长参数均在1.44株·m^-2处理时最大, 与子叶是否被动物取食有一定的对应关系, 即高密度下更多的幼苗丢失了供应其生长所需营养物质的子叶, 从而影响了幼苗的早期生长。研究结果不仅丰富了“负密度效应”理论和种群更新的“增补限制”理论, 也可为六盘山区退化辽东栎灌丛和辽东栎次生林的恢复及生态系统管理提供 参考。     

Effects of the embryonic axis and exogenous growth regulators on sunflower cotyledon storage protein mobilization

Cotyledons of sunflower seedlings ( Helianthus annuus L. cv. Giant gray stripe) expand and their protein content first rises then begins to decrease during the first three days of growth. Storage protein structures, which are visible with scanning electron microscopy, undergo modification that leads to storage protein disappearance by day 4 post-imbibition. Expansion of cotyledons detached from seeds prior to imbibition is greatly reduced, total protein levels remain high, and storage protein structures remain visible in cells of these cotyledons. Incubation of excised cotyledons in 1.0 μM benzyladenine or kinetin increases the rates of cotyledon expansion and storage protein loss to levels higher than in intact seedling cotyledons, Incubation in 10 μM indole-3-acetic acid inhibits cotyledon expansion and protein mobilization. More rapid hydrolysis of storage proteins in cotyledons of intact seedlings or detached cotyledons treated with cytokinin is further indicated in day 2 specimens by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These results suggest a possible mechanism for regulation of cotyledon development by interactions of the promotive effects of cytokinin and inhibitory effects of auxin.     

Light-stimulated cotyledon expansion in the blu3 and hy4 mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Cotyledon expansion in response to blue light was compared for wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. and the mutants blu3 and hy4, which show reduced inhibition of hypocotyl growth in blue light. White, blue, and red light stimulated cotyledon expansion in both intact and excised cotyledons of wild-type seedlings (ecotypes No-0, WS, Co-0, La-er). Cotyledons on intact blu3 and hy4 seedlings did not grow as well as those on the wild type in response to blue light, but pretreatment of blu3 seedlings with low fluence rates of red light increased their responsiveness to blue light. Excision of cotyledons alleviated the mutant phenotype so that both mutant and wild-type cotyledons grew equally well in blue light. The loss of the mutant cotyledon phenotype upon excision indicates that the blu3 and hy4 lesions affect cotyledon expansion indirectly via a whole-plant response to light. Furthermore, the ability of excised, mutant cotyledons to grow normally in blue light shows that this growth response to blue light is mediated by a photosystem other than the ones impaired by the blu3 and hy4 lesions.     

Transport of Benzyladenine and Gibberellin A(1) from Roots in Relation to the Dominance between the Axillary Buds of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Cotyledons

In etiolated, 5-day-old pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings a significantly more intensive growth of buds situated in the axil of the excised cotyledons was observed as early as 4 hours after decapitation and excision of one cotyledon of each pair. If [8-¹⁴C]benzyladenine ([¹⁴C]BA) was applied to roots of intact plants 10 hours prior to such decapitation and excision, significantly higher both total and specific ¹⁴C activities were observed in buds situated on the side of the excised cotyledons as early as 4 hours after decapitation and excision. Although the removal of a substantial part of the root system carried out simultaneously with decapitation and excision of one cotyledon resulted in a decrease in total ¹⁴C activity of buds, nevertheless a higher accumulation of ¹⁴C activity was maintained in buds situated on the side of excised cotyledon. If [¹⁴C]BA was applied to roots of seedlings after they were decapitated and deprived of one cotyledon, both total and specific ¹⁴C activities of buds situated on the side of excised cotyledons were significantly higher as early as the end of uptake of [¹⁴C]BA by roots, i.e. after 10 hours. On the other hand, [1,2-³H]gibberellin A₁ applied to roots of intact and/or decapitated and one-cotyledon-deprived seedlings in the same way as [¹⁴C]BA did not appear in the buds until very much later and only in negligible amounts (i.e.³H activity). This indicates that the release of buds from apical dominance represents an active and selective process which can result from the ability of buds to utilize and/or synthesize only certain growth substances within a certain time interval.     

THE EFFECT OF COTYLEDON EXCISION ON THE GROWTH OF PEA SEEDLINGS

Pea plants grown under controlled conditions for 28 days were sampled nine times during this growth period. On each sampling day 80 plants were harvested. Cotyledons were excised from 40 plants and the root-shoot axis allowed to continue growth. The other 40 plants were divided into roots, shoots, and cotyledons; the dry weights of alcohol-water extracts and residues from these organs were determined. Shoot lengths, numbers of nodes, buds, flowers, and fruits of 28-day-old plants, whose cotyledons were excised at different times, were determined. These data indicate that cotyledon excision after the 13th day has no apparent effect on seedling growth, whereas excision before the 13th day reduces growth. Glucose-U-C¹⁴ supplied to attached cotyledons of 6- and 16-day-old seedlings resulted in no major difference in the distribution pattern of recovered label throughout the plant even though 16-day-old cotyledons were depleted of their normal endogenous food reserve.     

Efficient plant regeneration from cotyledon explants of bottle gourd (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lagenaria siceraria</Emphasis> Standl.)

Using cotyledon explants excised from seedlings germinated in vitro, an efficient plant regeneration system via organogenesis was established for bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria Standl.). Maximum shoot regeneration was obtained when the proximal parts of cotyledons from 4-day-old seedlings were cultured on MS medium with 3 mg/l BA and 0.5 mg/l AgNO₃ under a 16-h photoperiod. After 3–4 weeks of culture, 21.9–80.7% of explants from the five cultivars regenerated shoots. Adventitious shoots were successfully rooted on a half-strength MS medium with 0.1 mg/l IAA for 2–3 weeks. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that most of the regenerated plants derived from culture on medium with AgNO₃ were diploid.