Stimulatory and Inhibitory Effects of Sucrose Concentration on Xylogenesis in Lettuce Pith Explants; Possible Mediation by Ethylene Biosynthesis

Numbers of tracheary elements differentiating in lettuce pithexplants rose with increase in concentration of sucrose in themedium up to an optimal concentration of 0·2%, and fellwith further increase in concentration to about one-tenth maximalat 3% sucrose. Although a few tracheary elements formed withoutexogenous sucrose, a very low concentration of sucrose (0·001%)was sufficient to stimulate additional xylogenesis. Pretreatmentof explants with 3% sucrose caused a persisting inhibition ofxylogenesis, especially in tissue that had been near the siteof sucrose application (sandwich technique). The requirementfor adequate, but not inhibitory, concentrations of sucrosefor xylogenesis may underlie the development of xylem alongsidethe sucrose-rich phloem in normal apical morphogenesis. For callus growth the response to sucrose was different: theoptimal concentration was 3%, with a broad plateau from 1 to4% sucrose. Sucrose concentrations of 2 to 3%, used in manytissue culture media, are thus roughly optimal for callus growth,but ten times the optimum for xylogenesis in lettuce pith explants. It is surprising that 0·001% (0·03 mM) sucrose,applied exogenously, can stimulate xylogenesis: endogenous sugarconcentrations are normally higher. Perhaps the stimulationis mediated by ethylene biosynthesis, which is known to be xylogenic.Rates of ethylene production per explant rose with increasingsucrose concentration from about 0·1 nl h^-1 at 0% sucroseto a slightly (significantly) higher level at 0·004%sucrose and to about 0·5 nl h^-1 at 3% sucrose. D -glucoseresembled sucrose in its effects on xylogenesis and ethyleneproduction, but L-glucose yielded no xylogenesis and littlestimulation of ethylene biosynthesis.Copyright 1994, 1999 AcademicPress Lactuca sativa, Coleus blumei, Nicotiana tabacum, lettuce pith explants, tracheary element differentiation, sucrose, glucose, ethylene     

Control of Seed Growth in Soya Beans [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]

The seed is the primary sink for photosynthate during reproductivegrowth and an understanding of the mechanisms controlling therate of seed growth is necessary to understand completely theyield production process. The growth rate of individual seedsof seven soya bean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] cultivars withgenetic differences in seed size varied from 10.8 to 3.9 mgseed^–1 day^–1. The growth rates were highly correlatedwith final seed size. The growth rate of cotyledons culturedin a complete nutrient medium was highly correlated with thegrowth rate of seeds developing on the plant and with finalseed size. The number of cells per seed in the cotyledons variedfrom 10.2 to 5.7 x 10⁶ across the seven cultivars. The numberof cells per seed in the cotyledons was significantly correlatedwith final seed size and the seed growth rate both on the plantand in the culture medium. The data suggest that genetic differencesin seed growth rates are controlled by the cotyledons and thenumber of cells in the cotyledons may be the mechanism of control. Glycine max L., soya bean, seed size, growth rate, cell number, sink activity     

Synthesis and Turnover of {alpha}-Amylase in Cotyledons of Germinating Vigna mungo Seeds: Effects of Exogenously Applied End-Products and Plant Hormones

Pulse-chase experiments indicated that the higher levels ofa-amylase in detached and incubated cotyledons of Vigna mungothan those in cotyledons attached to the embryonic axis weredue to both faster synthesis and slower degradation of the enzymein the detached cotyledons than in the attached cotyledons.Levels of a-amylase in the cotyledons were examined in termsof possible effects of end-products and the effects of exogenouslyapplied plant hormones and growth regulators. Levels of a-amylaseactivity and content were reduced by high concentrations ofglucose and sucrose, and it is suggested that this effect wascaused mostly by osmotic stress and partly by end-product repression.The level of a-amylase was nearly twice that in controls after1 to 10µM GA₃ had been applied to the cotyledons. In addition,0.1 mM kinetin, 0.1 mM 2,4-D and 0.1 to 0.S mM naphthaleneaceticacid also increased the level by 34% to 66% as compared to thecontrol. ABA and uniconazole both prevented the synthesis ofa-amylase. (Received July 4, 1994; Accepted November 14, 1994)     

One-Leaf Cuttings as a Model to Study Second Growth in the Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Plant

Second growth is an important physiological disorder of thepotato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plant. A model system to studysecond growth was developed using one-leaf cuttings. Photoperiod,temperature, decapitation and leaf removal treatments were carriedout on the plants from which the cuttings were taken and onthe cuttings themselves. Tuberized, one-leaf cuttings takenfrom moderately-induced plants and exposed to 35 °C afterleaf removal showed 95% second growth within 10 d after treatmentinitiation. Conditions that promoted second growth also reducedstarch and dry-matter content, even in tubers that did not developsecond growth. Cuttings, second growth, potato, Solanum tuberosum L, cv, Bintje, Solanum tuberosum L. cv., Désirée, Solanum tuberosum L. cv., Russet Burbank, tuberization, starch content, dry-matter, heat, photoperiod, decapitation, leaf removal     

Growth Analysis of Soybean Seedlings During the Lifespan of the Cotyledons

Patterns of seedling growth of Glycine max in light and darknesswere compared during the period from germination to cotyledonabscission. Fitted growth curves and the derived functions,relative growth rate, unit leaf rate, leaf area ratio and specificleaf area, were used to assess the relative importance in seedlinggrowth of cotyledon storage reserves, cotyledon photosynthesisand leaf photosynthesis. The cotyledons are of an intermediatetype with a predominant storage and a minimal photosyntheticfunction. Cotyledon reserves support seedling growth until theprimary leaves expand, after which growth depends on leaf photosynthesis. Glycine max (L.) Merr., soybean, cotyledons, growth analysis, seedling development     

Inhibition of Zeatin-Induced Growth of Cucumber Cotyledons by Sulfite Ions

The inhibitory effects of sulfite ions on zeatin-induced cellexpansion in cotyledons excised from dark-grown seedlings ofcucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) were examined. With 50 µMzeatin the growth rate in white light was about twice that ofthe control. Addition of Na₂SO₃ in the growth medium inhibitedthe zeatin-induced growth of cotyledons. Zeatin-treatment increasedthe osmotic potential in cell sap of cotyledons, while sulfitedecreased it. These treatments had no significant effect onpotassium concentration. Sulfite inhibited the zeatin-inducedincrease in contents of fructose and glucose, but did not affectsucrose content. The relative contents of non-cellulosic constituentsof cell walls fell with the advance of culture. This decreasewas repressed by sulfite, indicating that inhibition of expansiongrowth in cucumber cotyledons by sulfite ions was the resultof alterations in the cell wall structure due to changes inthe cell wall metabolism. (Received June 12, 1984; Accepted October 24, 1984)     

Seed Germination and Seedling Growth in Sopubia delphinifolia - a Hemi-root Parasite: Germination Requirements

Requirements for seed germination (emergence of radicle) andseedling formation (emergence of both radicle and cotyledons)of a hemi-root parasite Sopubia delphinifolia were studied inthe absence of any host stimulus, in Petri dish and asepticcultures. Both water washing in trickling tap water as wellas cold treatment were effective in inducing/stimulating germinationand seedling formation in the light. Although ethrel, an ethylenereleasing compound, stimulated radicle emergence it inhibitedthe emergence of the cotyledons. Light was found to be essentialfor germination; none of the growth substances could replacethe light requirement. Light responses seem to be mediated throughthe phytochrome system. The results indicate that the emergenceof the radicle, its further growth into the root and the emergenceof cotyledons are controlled by different factors. Sopubia delphinifolia, hemi-root parasite, seed germination requirements, pretreatment, seedling formation     

Early Cellular Events During Direct Somatic Embryogenesis in Cotyledon Explants of Solanum aviculare Forst.

A detailed light and electron microscope study of early cellularevents at the onset of somatic embryogenesis in cotyledon explantsof Solanum aviculare Forst., cultured on MS medium supplementedwith 1 mg l^–1 2,4-dichloro-phenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)for periods of 0–12 d in darkness, is described. Examinationsof longitudinal sections in a plane offset from the centralveins indicated that the earliest embryogenic events in explantstook place within the first 3–4 d of culture in the parenchymacells associated with the vascular traces closest to the cutbasal ends of cotyledons. Thereafter, parenchyma associatedwith more distal vascular traces became active in an apparentlysequential manner such that, by the second week of culture,progressive stages of embryogenesis could be observed alongthe lengths of cotyledon sections. Despite the fact that epidermalcells and palisade tissues were exposed directly to the 2,4-Dmedium, initiation of embryogenic development was never observedin cells other than those directly associated with vasculartraces. None of the embryogenic events characterized at theultrastructural level were observed in cotyledons cultured onMS medium in the absence of 2,4-D with the exception that starchaccumulated in decreasing amounts from the wounded basal endto the distal end of each cotyledon. This system provides a valuable model with which to study earlybiochemical and molecular events occurring in explants duringthe onset of somatic embryogenesis because they occur in a predictablefashion at sequentially situated sites along the explant tissues. Somatic embryogenesis, Solanum aviculare, cotyledon explants, cellular changes     

Effects of Exogenous Growth Regulators on Fruit Development in Citrus unshiu

The effects of applied growth regulators on fruit developmenthave been determined in the parthenocarpic Satsuma mandarin(Citrus unshiu Marc.). The application of either gibberellicacid or benzyladenine at flower opening, caused a transientincrease in cell division in the ovary wall, but had no significanteffect on final fruit size. Late fruit growth and final fruitsize were increased by the application of the synthetic auxin2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, which had a specific effecton the enlargement of the juice vesicles. The three growth regulators enhanced vascularization in thepedicel, but the growth effects observed were unrelated to theirinfluence on the transport capacity of the phloem but causedby their direct effects on the fruit tissues. The sensitivityof the fruit tissues to the applied growth regulators changedmarkedly during early fruitlet development, and was characterizedculturing the fruit tissues in vitro.Copyright 1993, 1999 AcademicPress Citrus unshiu Marc., fruit growth, hormone treatment, in vitro culture, phloem formation, phloem transport, xylogenesis     

Importance of Endosperm for Nutrition of Fraxinus pennsylvanica Seedlings

Contact between endosperm and cotyledons of germinating Fraxinuspennsylvanica Marsh. seedlings was not essential for continuationof seedling growth or adaptation of cotyledons for photosynthesis.However, when cotyledons were in contact with endosperm, thecotyledons had faster rates of elongation and dry weight increase,slower depletion of reserves, and higher chlorophyll contents.Photosynthetic contributions by cotyledons may be enhanced ifenviron mental conditions support rapid emergence of cotyledonsfrom surrounding seed structures.     

Cytokinins in Germinating Seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris L. I. Changes in Endogenous Levels Within the Cotyledons

Ethanolic extracts from the cotyledons of mature dry Phaseolusvulgaris L. seed yielded cytokinin-like activity which co-chromatographedwith zeatin and ribosylzeatin. Under conditions which stimulatedgermination and cotyledon expansion, the level of these cytokininsdecreased rapidly in both intact embryos and excised cotyledons.In the excised cotyledons the decrease was continuous, resultingin very low levels of cytokinin being detected after 4 daysof incubation. With the embryonic axis present, however, theinitial decrease was arrested and reversed after 3 days. Thissuggests that the cotyledons do not synthesize cytokinins butthat these hormones are imported from the embryonic axis, particularlyonce radicle growth is well under way. Phaseolus vulgaris, bean, cotyledons, cytokinins, germination     

Solasodine Yield in Callus Cultures of Solanum Iaciniatum Ait. Selected for Growth on Hormone-free Medium

Callus autotrophic for both auxin and cytokinin was selectedfrom a hormone-requiring culture of Solanum laciniatum Ait.The control of solasodine yield, callus growth and adventitiousshoot initiation by some exogenous growth regulators and/orlight in the habituated culture was determined. Solasodine concentrationvaried from 0.3 to 1.4 mg g^–1 d.wt. Solanum laciniatum, callus, habituation, solasodine     

Effect of Cytokinin and Moisture Stress on Cell Expansion Growth of Etiolated Cotyledons of Sponge-gourd (Luffa cylindrica) Roxb.

Cell enlargement was studied in the isolated cotyledons of sponge-gourd(Luffa cylindrica) to evaluate the effects of benzyladenineand moisture stress, singly and in combination, on the componentsof cell-expansion growth in darkness. In cytokinin-treated cotyledons,growth at the maximum elongation phase was found to be closelyrelated to a distinct acidification of the incubation medium,increase in cell-wall extensibility and a drop in turgor pressure.Benzyladenine proved antagonistic to moisture stress which inhibitedgrowth of the cotyledons by restricting proton extrusion aswell as cell-wall extensibility. The results of the presentinvestigations are consistent with the ‘acid growth’theory, and provide the experimental evidence that cytokinin,contrary to moisture stress, accelerates cell expansion in thedark by an acid-growth mechanism. Cucurbits, cell enlargement, cell-wall extensibility, acid growth     

Regulation of Tracheary Element Differentiation by Exogenous L-Methionine in Callus of Soya Bean Cultivars

The relationship between the induction of tracheary elementdifferentiation and exogenous L-methionine was examined in agar-growncultures of soya bean callus initiated from Glycine max L. ‘Wayne’and ‘Clark 63’. Although Wayne is a normal cultivarsoya bean, seedlings of Clark 63 exhibit abnormal growth at25 °C due to exessive ethylene biosynthesis at this temperature.Wayne callus showed increased xylogenesis in the presence ofexogenous L-methionine (3.7 µg 1^–1) in comparisonto IAA–KN controls at both 20 and 25 °C. Clark 63callus produced greater numbers of tracheary elements in responseto exogenous L-methionine only at 25 °C. The induction ofxylem differentiation was independent of the maintenance temperatureof the stock cultures of both cultivars. Xylogenesis initiatedbyan IAA–KN medium was inhibited by the addition of AgNO₃(20 mg 1^–1) to the extent of 76.5 per cent in cv. Wayneand 6 per cent in cv. Clark 63. The inhibitory effect was partiallyreversed by the addition of L-methionine (3.7 µg 1^–1)to the IAA–KN–AgNO₂ medium. These data support thehypothesis that xylogenesis in vitro involves auxin, cytokininand ethylene. differentiation, xylogenesis, L-methionine, ethylene, Glycine max L., soya bean, callus culture, auxin, kinetin     

Seasonal Rhythms of Structure and Behaviour of Vascular Cambium in Ficus rumphii

Cambial structure and activity of Ficus rumphii Blume vary withthe changes in local climate. The cambial cells start swellingearly in April prior to the onset of periclinal divisions whichare most frequent in August. Cell division stops in October.During the growth season, initiation as well as cessation ofthe phloem production precedes that of xylem. A moderately hightemperature is correlated with the cambial reactivation. Onceinitiated, the activity continues at relatively low temperatures.Hot and dry environment favours the phloem production, whereashot and moderately humid conditions induce xylogenesis. Thesize and relative proportion of cambial initials also changewith season. Fusiform initials are shorter and broader duringthe rainy season (July–September) than for the rest ofthe year. Multiseriate and triseriate rays, as also the tallrays, outnumber the other types of rays throughout the year. Ficus rumphii, vascular cambium, phenology, climatic variation     

Chloroplast Degradation in Agcing Cotyledons of Pumpkin

The cotyledons of Cucurbita maxima provide a system which permitsthe isolation of chloro-plasts in various states of structuraldisintegration. These states are defined and corrlated withthe morphological appearance of the cotyledon and its electronmicroscopic and biochemical parameters. Removal of growth abovethe cotyledons results in cotyledons whose chloroplasts do notchange in pigment composition. The connection between light-harvestingapparatus and electron transport components remains intact inthese plastids while the electron transport chain undergoesage-induced alterations. The implications of these observationson studies of structure-function relationships in photosynthesisare discussed.     

Changes in Abscisic Acid Content in Axis and Cotyledons of Developing Phaseolus vulgaris Embryos and their Physiological Consequences

Prevost, I. and Le Page–Degivry, M. Th. 1985. Changesin absicisic acid content in axis and cotyledons of developingPhaseolus vulgaris embryos and their physiological consequences.—J.exp. Bot. 36: 1900–1905.Changes in abscisic acid (ABA)content with time were measured in embryonic axes and in cotyledonsof Phaseolus vulgaris embryos using a radio–immunoassay.During embryogenesis, a similar pattern was observed in bothtissues: ABA increased to a maximum 29 d after an thesis, followedby a decrease as the seed matured. The level of ABA in the cotyledonswas always much higher than that in the axes. In in vitro cultures,the duration of the lag phase before germination of isolatedembryonic axes increased with ABA content. The presence of cotyledonsalways lengthened the lag phase; longer lag phases were associatedwith greater concentrations of ABA in the cotyledons. Moreoverthe presence of cotyledons stimulated the growth of seedlings. Key words: ABA distribution, embryo maturation, axis and embryo germinability     

Some Effects of Potassium Deficiency on Seedling Development

Seedlings with leaf-like photosynthetic cotyledons such as Cucumissativus, Sinapis alba and Trifolium pratense have higher growthrates and a greater requirement for an external supply of potassiumthan hypogeal species (Pisum sativum, Vicia faba) or epigealspecies with very fleshy cotyledons (Phaseolus vulgaris, Lupinusalbus, Lupinus angustifolius). The initial stages of seedlingdevelopment in the latter two groups involve mainly transferof reserves from cotyledons to axis and a relatively small increasein total seedling dry weight takes place during the first 2to 3 weeks. Potassium may be drawn either from the supply already presentin the cotyledons or from an external source. Species with expandingphotosynthetic cotyledons utilize the reserve potassium duringcotyledon development and it is not transported to the epicotyl.Thus, in these species an external supply of potassium is essentialfor full development of the photosynthetic system and the roots.In species whose cotyledons are not major photosynthetic organsthe reserve potassium is transported from the cotyledons tothe developing axis. In these species culture in a nutrientsolution deficient in potassium or in distilled water increasesroot dry weight but reduces plumule weight (although to a lesserextent than in species with leaf-like cotyledons). In general,the response of seedlings to culture in a nutrient solutiondeficient in potassium was very similar to culture in distilledwater only. Thus, although all the species studied had similar levels ofpotassium in the seed (µg potassium/mg dry weight) itssite of utilization differs. It appears that seedlings withleaf-like cotyledons are more susceptible during early seedlinggrowth to deficiencies in external factors, such as potassium,than are species with fleshy cotyledons.     

Structural Observations on the Growth of Potato Shoot-tip Cultures after Thawing from Liquid Nitrogen

High levels of plantlet regeneration can be achieved from shoot-tipcultures of the Andean potato Solanum goniocalyx thawed fromliquid nitrogen. A rapid rate of cooling and the presence ofdimethyl sulphoxide as a cryoprotectant appear to be necessary.Microscopical examination of surviving shoot-tip cultures showsthem to contain considerable numbers of damaged cells afterthawing. Structural aspects of this damage have been detailedusing transmission electron microscopy. The presence of a numberof such damaged cells in a surviving, thawed shoot-tip neednot prevent its subsequent organised growth directly into acultured plantlet. Solanum goniocalyx, potato, shoot-tip cultures, cryopreservation, plantlet regeneration     

Empirical Models for Xylogenesis in Populus deltoides

Empirical quantitative models were constructed for Populus deltoidesdescribing temporal and spatial changes in vessel characteristicsof metaxylem, both within individual central leaf traces andwithin all central leaf traces considered as a morphologicalunit at a given transverse level in the stem (the central tracesympodia). Similar models were constructed for secondary vesselcharacteristics. The growth processes of the stem segment throughwhich the vasculature extended were incorporated in these modelsto illustrate how a functional vascular system is maintainedin the stem as a whole. The central trace sympodia representedthe integrals of the temporal and spatial functions for individualcentral leaf traces. Metaxylem vessel production ceased in individualleaf traces two plastochrons before the cessation was reflectedin the central trace sympodia because of the integrative natureof the sympodial complex. A functional continuum of developmentwas apparent between metaxylem vessels of the central tracesympodia and secondary vessels of the stem. The transition betweenmetaxylem and secondary xylem production in the central tracesympodia corresponded with cessation of leaf and internode elongation. Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh., cottonwood, primary xylem, secondary xylem, primary-secondary vascular transition, leaf growth, xylogenesis