Altered membrane lipase expression delays leaf senescence

A cDNA clone encoding a lipase that is up-regulated in senescing leaves and flower petals has been isolated by screening an expression library. The abundance of the lipase mRNA increases as flowers and leaves begin to senesce, and expression of the gene is also induced by treatment with ethylene. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants in which levels of the senescence-induced lipase protein have been reduced show delayed leaf senescence.     

Hyponastic leaf growth decreases the photoprotective demand, prevents damage to photosystem II and delays leaf senescence in Salvia broussonetii plants

The influence of leaf angle on the response of plants to high light was studied in Salvia broussonetii, a species endemic of the Canary Islands that shows hyponastic leaf growth. The response of vertical, naturally oriented leaves was compared with that of horizontal, artificially held leaves for 1, 13, 24 and 29 days in terms of photoinhibition [efficiency of photosystem II (PSII)], photoprotection (by the xanthophyll cycle, alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene) and progression of leaf senescence. Vertical leaves not only showed a decreased photoprotective demand compared with horizontal leaves but also kept the maximum efficiency of PSII (F(v)/F(m) ratio) constant throughout the experiment, thus reflecting the capacity of naturally oriented leaves to avoid photooxidative stress in the field. By contrast, horizontal leaves, which were exposed to higher light intensities, showed a higher photoprotective demand (reflected by a higher de-epoxidation of the xanthophyll cycle, carotenoid losses and increases in alpha-tocopherol), damage to PSII (as indicated by decreases in the F(v)/F(m) ratio) and accelerated leaf senescence, which was associated with cell death after 24 days of high light exposure. It is concluded that hyponastic leaf growth prevents photoinhibition and decreases the photoprotective demand of leaves by reducing the incident light, which helps maintaining leaf vigor and delaying the progression of leaf senescence in S. broussonetii plants. Hyponastic leaf growth is therefore one of the first photoprotection mechanisms activated in this species to avoid the negative impact of high-light stress in the field.     

镉诱导油菜叶片氧化胁迫及硫化物的络合作用

研究了不同浓度Cd(0、10、20、30、40μmol／L)对油菜(Brassica napus L．)“油研—8号”叶片H2O2积累、膜脂过氧化作用以及与硫代谢有关的抗镉机制。结果表明,随着Cd处理浓度的增加,叶片中H2O2及MDA的积累量均较对照显著增加,但对缺硫处理组( Cd—S)与未缺硫处理组( Cd S)无显著差异。10～30μmol／L Cd诱导过氧化氢酶(Catalase,CdT)、过氧化物酶(Guaiacol peroxidase,POD)的活力提高,40μmol／L Cd对CdT活力有抑制作用。 Cd—S组的POD活力显著高于 Cd S组。在Cd的诱导下,根部非蛋白巯基及酸不稳定性硫的含量大幅度增加。缺硫处理可明显阻碍上述含硫化合物的合成,从而加重Cd对叶片的伤害。上述结果表明,Cd对活性氧清除酶活性的诱导提高并非是抗镉关键途径,而与硫代谢有关的对Cd的络合作用才是油菜抗镉的重要机制。     

Genotypic variation in nitrogen utilization efficiency in oilseed rape is related to the coordination of leaf senescence and root N uptake during reproductive stage

Plant and Soil - Due to their low nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE) oilseed rape (OSR) crops require large quantities of nitrogen (N) fertilizer to achieve acceptable economic yields. To...     

Nitrogen efficiency and leaf nitrogen remobilisation of oilseed rape lines and hybrids

Improved nitrogen (N) efficiency of oilseed rape is crucial for reducing environmental N surpluses. In this study, a 2‐year field experiment as well as a hydroponic experiment were performed with four hybrids and their corresponding lines. Seed yield and N efficiency parameters of oilseed rape cultivars grown at low N (0 kg N ha^?1) and high N (150 kg N ha^?1) supply were investigated in the field experiments. Hybrids showed higher seed yield than lines, especially at low N supply, because of a superior N uptake. Moreover, hybrids showed higher N harvest index (NHI) across N rates, which also contributed to higher seed yields. Results from the hydroponic experiment showed significant genotypic variation in leaf N remobilisation efficiency (NRE), but no hybrid‐versus‐line difference was found. Cultivars differed significantly in specific N content in senescent leaves, and leaf NRE was negatively correlated with specific N content in senescent leaves. When linking the hydroponic results with the field results, no relationship was found between leaf NRE and NHI. In conclusion, hybrids were superior to their corresponding lines in N efficiency because of higher N uptake and NHI. The higher NHI was, however, not related to genotypic variation in leaf NRE.     

Chlorophyll breakdown in oilseed rape

Chlorophyll catabolism accompanying leaf senescence is one of the most spectacular natural phenomena. Despite this fact, the metabolism of chlorophyll has been largely neglegted until recently. Oilseed rape has been used extensively as a model plant for the recent elucidating of structures of chlorophyll catabolites and for investigation of the enzymic reactions of the chlorophyll breakdown pathway. The key reaction which causes loss of green color is catalyzed in a two-step reaction by pheophorbide a oxygenase and red chlorophyll catabolite reductase. In this Minireview, we summarize the actual knowledge about catabolites and enzymes of chlorophyll catabolism in oilseed rape and discuss the significance of this pathway in respect to chlorophyll degradation during Brassica napus seed development. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The superior nitrogen efficiency of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) hybrids is not related to delayed nitrogen starvation-induced leaf senescence

Aims

Winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivation causes high nitrogen (N) balance surpluses. The breeding and cultivation of N-efficient cultivars (high grain yield under low N supply) can contribute to the reduction of the crop-specific N surpluses. Comparing line cultivars with hybrids and dwarfs the hypothesis was tested if stay-green into reproductive growth contributes to superior N efficiency of hybrids and dwarfs.

Methods

The present work comprised two years field experiments with ten line, five hybrid and three dwarf cultivars and hydroponic experiments with three hybrid and nine line cultivars.

Results

Hybrids were superior in yield formation independent of the N supply. The greater N efficiency of the hybrids was related to a higher N uptake until maturity, but not to stay-green. This was in agreement with a hydroponic experiment in which the hybrids were particularly responsive in N starvation-induced leaf senescence of older leaves as revealed by SPAD, photosynthesis and the expression of the senescence-specific cysteine protease gene SAG12-1. Additionally, hybrids were characterized by an efficient N retranslocation from vegetative to reproductive plant organs in combination with a lower grain-N concentration.

Conclusions

Both, N uptake and N utilization efficiency were decisive for the superior N efficiency of the hybrids.     

Physiological mechanisms of enhancing salt tolerance of oilseed rape plants with brassinosteroids

The ability of brassinosteroids, such as 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) to increase the resistance of oilseed rape plants (Brassica napus L.) to salt stress (175 mM NaCl) was investigated along with the possible mechanisms of their protective action. Seedlings were grown for three weeks on the Hoagland-Snyder medium under controlled conditions. The experimental plants were treated with either (1) 175 mM NaCl, or (2) 10^?10 M EBL, or (3) 175 mM NaCl plus 10^?10 M EBL by adding the corresponding components to the growth medium. The exposure was 7 and 14 days. As compared to the control, salinization inhibited plant height by 33–35%, reduced leaf area by 2.0–2.5 times, reduced 2.5- and 2-fold plant fresh and dry weight, respectively, reduced water content of plant tissues by 26–31% and, twofold, the content of chlorophylls a and b. Plants responded to NaCl by developing oxidative stress conditions, lowering the osmotic potential of the cell contents down to ?2 MPa, accumulating proline (by 43–52 times) and low-molecular-weight phenolics (by 1.9–2.7 times). Oilseed rape plants were shown to respond to salinization with an increase of endogenous content of steroid hormones: 24-epibrassinosteroids (24-epibrassinolide and 24-epicastasterone), 24S-methyl-brassinosteroids (brassinolide and castasterone), and 28-homobrassinosteroids (28-homobrassinolide and 28-homocastasterone); such evidence indirectly confirms the involvement of brassinosteroids in the development of salt tolerance. Adding EBL to the nutrient medium under optimal growth conditions did not significantly affect the indices under study. Under salt stress, EBL showed a pronounced protective effect: stem growth was fully restored, plant assimilation area increased by as much as 67–76% as compared to the control index, fresh and dry weight largely recovered (up to 85–92% of the control values), and the inhibitory effect of NaCl on photosynthetic pigments was diminished. Exogenous EBL impeded the development of NaCl-dependent lipid peroxidation and increased the osmotic potential of the leaf cell contents. The protective effect of EBL under salt stress was probably associated with EBL antioxidant effect, rather than the hormone-induced accumulation of proline and of low-molecula-weight phenolics, as well as with the ability to regulate water status by maintaining intracellular ion homeostasis.     

Retardation of leaf senescence by benzyladenine in intact bean plants

Summary Benzyladenine (BA) applied to primary leaves of intact bean plants delayed the senescence of both the leaves and the entire shoot. The retardation of senescence was manifested in higher levels of chlorophyll, protein, RNA and ribonuclease activity at all stages of development. Also, the levels of incorporation of labelled precursors into protein and RNA were enhanced. The effect of BA was largely independent of light intensity and the compound did not act merely as a nitrogen source.     

Photosynthetic acclimation during low-light-induced leaf senescence in post-anthesis maize plants

Photosynthesis Research - Low light conditions not only induce leaf senescence, but also photosynthetic acclimation. This study aimed to determine whether plants exhibit photosynthetic acclimation...     

Cadmium induces senescence symptoms in leaf peroxisomes of pea plants

The effect of growing pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants with a toxic CdCl₂ concentration (50 µm ) on the metabolism and proteolytic activity of leaf peroxisomes was studied. In peroxisomes purified from plants treated with cadmium, an increase in the total protein concentration and in the activity and protein level of the photorespiratory enzyme glycolate oxidase was found. The glyoxylate cycle enzymes, malate synthase and isocitrate lyase, whose activity is normally very low in leaf peroxisomes, were enhanced by Cd treatment. The activity of the endogenous proteases of leaf peroxisomes was determined. Two leucine‐aminopeptidase isozymes (AP1‐AP2) were detected, and their activity was slightly higher in Cd‐treated plants. Five endopeptidases (EP1‐EP5) were present in pea leaf peroxisomes, and in plants grown with Cd the activity of isozymes EP1‐EP4 was increased. The ultrastructural analysis of pea leaves showed that Cd produced a disorganization of the chloroplast structure, with an increase in the number of plastoglobuli, and the formation of vesicles in the vacuoles. Taken together, these results indicate that Cd induces senescence symptoms in leaf peroxisomes, and probably a metabolic transition of leaf peroxisomes into glyoxysomes, and suggest that the peroxisomal proteases could participate in the metabolic changes produced by Cd.     

Competitiveness of transgenic oilseed rape

The competitiveness of two transgenic oilseed rape (Brassica napus ssp.napus) lines and their fertile transgenic hybrid was tested in field trials in Belgium and Denmark. The lines contained genes for male sterility, restoration of fertility and herbicide resistance. The competitiveness of the three transgenic lines was related to three non-transformed commercially-grown oilseed rape varieties: Drakkar, Topas and Line. As a reference of a more aggressive crucifer, white mustard (Sinapis alba) was also included in the experiment. The experimental design was a complete block design with two locations, monocultures and mixtures with barley (Hordeum vulgare), three plant densities, four harvest times and four blocks. The yield density relationship of the transgenic oilseed rape lines was not different from that of the non-transgenic varieties in either location. The first harvest times showed a vigorous biomass production of white mustard, which in turn produced a significant difference in the competitive ability between oilseed rape and white mustard. Later, this difference decreased, and in Belgium there was no difference at the last harvest time. Variations within populations may blur actual differences between lines and varieties, and it is argued that unless the experimental design covers a range of competitiveness for which it is possible to detect significant differences, test results reporting a lack of difference between transgenic and non-transgenic plants are of little value.     

Leaf senescence and N uptake parameters as selection traits for nitrogen efficiency of oilseed rape cultivars

The cultivation of N-efficient oilseed rape cultivars could contribute to a reduction of the large N balance surpluses of this crop. To facilitate the breeding process of N-efficient cultivars, the identification of secondary plant traits correlating with N efficiency is necessary. The objectives of this study were to investigate leaf senescence and N uptake parameters of oilseed rape cultivars and doubled haploid (DH) lines with contrasting N efficiency in a short-term nutrient solution experiment and to relate these results to their performance in field experiments. In the nutrient solution experiment, genotypes differed in leaf senescence of fully expanded leaves and maximum N uptake rate per unit root length under low N supply. A high maximum N uptake rate seemed to have contributed to delayed leaf senescence by enhancing N accumulation in leaves. Also in the field experiments, genotypes differed in leaf senescence after flowering at limiting N supply. Additionally, the most N-efficient DH line was able to adapt leaf photosynthetic capacity to the low-light conditions in the canopy during flowering. N efficiency (grain yield at limiting N supply) was positively correlated with delayed leaf senescence both in nutrient solution and field experiments. It is concluded that important leaf and root traits of N-efficient cultivars are expressed in short-term nutrient solution experiments, which may facilitate the selection of N-efficient cultivars.     

Polyamines and leaf senescence in pyrrolizidine alkaloid-bearing Heliotropium plants

Putrescine, spermidine and spermine were found in leaves and inflorescences of H. angiospermum and H. indicum plants; the levels of these amines declined with leaf age. In addition, homospermidine was identified in the inflorescence axes and youngest leaves of H. indicum. The youngest tissues exhibited the highest levels of both putrescine and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The detection of homospermidine in the plants supports the theory that the pyrrolizidine moiety is derived from two molecules of putrescine with homospermidine as an intermediate. In the youngest organs, the pyrrolizidines represented over 5% of the total nitrogen content. Their level was 50–100 fold higher than that of the polyamines, including putrescine. When detached and kept in the dark for 100–120 hr, mature older Heliotropium leaves, with a very low polyamine content, exhibited only a weak senescence syndrome. By contrast, in detached, darkened leaves of Avena sativa and Nicotiana alata having high polyamine levels, the chlorophyll and protein degradation and increases in free amino acids were very pronounced.     

Yellow fields-mustard or oilseed rape?

The causes and effects of the recent increase in the proportion of arable land in the UK devoted to oilseed rape are outlined and the implications pointed out. A suggested investigation for schools is described.     

Nucleotide pools in leaf and root tissue of tobacco plants: Influence of leaf senescence

The content of the different ribonucleotides, nucleoside diphosphate sugars, NAD⁺ and NADP⁺ was determined in the leaves and roots of single plants of Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Samsun using a new procedure. The determination makes use of extraction with HClO₄ followed by extract purification and separation by a combination of anion-exchange and reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. The largest pools were the adenine nucleotides and the uracil nucleotides with nucleoside diphosphate sugars as the main fraction. Leaf senescence was accompanied by a strong reduction of the nucleotide content of the leaves, but the adenine nucleotide-derived energy charge remained at a high level and even increased at the later stages of senescence. This indicates a balanced metabolism also in the older leaves and excludes the possibility that leaf senescence is triggered by the energy charge.     

Lipid biosynthesis in cultures of oilseed rape

Summary This review focuses on how microspore-derived (MD) embros and cell suspension cultures of oilseed rape have been used to advance our understanding of the biochemistry and molecular biology of lipid biosynthesis in plants. Both types of cultures are easily maintained and circumvent the difficulties associated with using developing seeds for investigations of lipid biosynthesis. Developing MD embryos exhibit a similar storage lipid accumulation profile and fatty acid composition to developing seed. The use of dihaploids derived from plantlets of MD embryos have accelerated breeding programs and have proven useful in the detection of recessive mutations. MD embryos and MD cell suspension cultures have been particularly useful in investigating the properties of key enzymes involved in triacylglycerol (TG) bioassembly. MD cell suspension cultures, however, offer the advantage of being able to study lipid metabolism in the absence of cellular differentiation. TG accumulation can be induced in MD cell suspension cultures by increasing the sucrose concentration of the growth medium thereby providing a useful system to investigate gene expression and the proteomics of lipid biosynthesis.