Diurnal and Seasonal Changes in Photosynthetic Characteristics in Different Olive (Olea europaea L.) Cultivars

Diurnal and seasonal changes in photosynthetic characteristics, leaf area dry mass (ADM), and reducing sugar and total chlorophyll (Chl) contents of leaves of Frantoio, Leccino, and Maurino olive cultivars were investigated in Central Italy. Leaf net photosynthetic rate (P _N) per unit leaf area changed during the growing season and during the day, but the cultivar did not significantly influence the changes. In both young and one-year-old leaves the highest P _N values were observed in October, while the lowest values were recorded in August and December; during the day the highest P _N values were generally found in the morning. The pattern of photosynthetic response to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of leaves was similar in the three genotypes. Sub-stomatal CO₂ concentration (C _I) tended to increase when P _N decreased. The increase in C _I was accompanied by a stomatal conductance to water vapor (g _S) decrease. In general, P _N and dark respiration rate (R _D) were correlated. Transpiration rate (E), with no differences between the cultivars, increased from April to July, decreased greatly in August, then increased in October and finally decreased again in December. Leaf water content increased from April to June, remained high until mid July, decreased significantly in August, remaining constant until December with no differences associated with the cultivar. In both young and one-year-old leaves, the leaf water content per unit leaf area was slightly greater in Frantoio than in the other two cultivars. The one-year-old leaves had a higher Chl content than the young ones. The cultivar did not substantially influence the leaf reducing sugar content which decreased from April to August, when it reached the lowest level, then increased rapidly until October. During the day the reducing sugar content did not change significantly. The leaf ADM was slightly higher in Frantoio than in the other cultivars and one-year-old leaves had higher values than the young ones. Leaf ADM decreased from April to June and then tended to increase until December. During the day there were no substantial variations.     

Passage of lanthanum through the pollen grain wall of Olea europaea L. during development

Summary In order to study the behavior of the exine as a site of passage of material from the locule of the anther, lanthanum nitrate was used to locate the possible routes of communication between the Olea europaea L. pollen grain and its external environment from the period of exine consolidation until dehiscence of the anther. In all four stages of development studied, dense lanthanum deposits occupied microchannel-like orifices, whereas these dense deposits occupied the apertural regions only in the first stages of development. Lanthanum precipitate is also present in the endexine, intine and cytoplasmic vesicles of mature pollen. The transportational function of the apertures is discussed in relation to the presence of dense lanthanum deposits in some stages of pollen grain.     

On the origin of the invasive olives (Olea europaea L., Oleaceae)

The olive tree (Olea europaea) has successfully invaded several regions in Australia and Pacific islands. Two olive subspecies (subspp. europaea and cuspidata) were first introduced in these areas during the nineteenth century. In the present study, we determine the origin of invasive olives and investigate the importance of historical effects on the genetic diversity of populations. Four invasive populations from Australia and Hawaii were characterized using eight nuclear DNA microsatellites, plastid DNA markers as well as ITS-1 sequences. Based on these data, their genetic similarity with native populations was investigated, and it was determined that East Australian and Hawaiian populations (subsp. cuspidata) have originated from southern Africa while South Australian populations (subsp. europaea) have mostly derived from western or central Mediterranean cultivars. Invasive populations of subsp. cuspidata showed significant loss of genetic diversity in comparison to a putative source population, and a recent bottleneck was evidenced in Hawaii. Conversely, invasive populations of subsp. europaea did not display significant loss of genetic diversity in comparison to a native Mediterranean population. Different histories of invasion were inferred for these two taxa with multiple cultivars introduced restoring gene diversity for europaea and a single successful founder event and sequential introductions to East Australia and then Hawaii for cuspidata. Furthermore, one hybrid (cuspidata x europaea) was identified in East Australia. The importance of hybridizations in the future evolution of the olive invasiveness remains to be investigated.     

Production of total and stainable pollen grains in Olea europaea L

The production of the total and stainable number of pollen grains per flower and per inflorescence of 13 olive cultivars (Olea europaea L.) has been investigated. Grains stainability was evaluated by using the acetic carmine staining method whereas the production of pollen grains was calculated by using a Bürker haemocytometer. All pollen characteristics taken into account varied significantly among the cultivars. The number of flowers per inflorescence ranged from a maximum of 31.3 (‘Cipressino’) to a minimum of 13.0 (‘Leccino’), the number of pollen grains per anther ranged from 123?346 (‘Arbequina’) to 40?975 (‘Sant'Agostino’), and the pollen stainability from 97.6% (‘Cipressino’) to 48.0% (‘Cellina di Nardò’). The number of stainable pollen grains per inflorescence averaged 2?559?512, ranging from a maximum of 3?913?678 (‘Nociara’) to a minimum of 940?143 (‘Sant'Agostino’). All parameters were positively correlated, whereas a linear negative correlation was found between stainability and total pollen grains both per anther and per inflorescence.     

Identification of ancient Olea europaea L. and Cornus mas L. seeds by DNA barcoding

The analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA) provides archaeologists and anthropologists with innovative, scientific and accurate data to study and understand the past. In this work, ancient seeds, found in the "Mora Cavorso" archaeological site (Latium, Central Italy), were analyzed to increase information about Italian Neolithic populations (plant use, agriculture, diet, trades, customs and ecology). We performed morphological and genetic techniques to identify fossil botanical species. In particular, this study also suggests and emphasizes the use of DNA barcode method for ancient plant sample analysis. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations showed seed compact structure and irregular surface but they did not permit a precise nor empirical classification: so, a molecular approach was necessary. DNA was extracted from ancient seeds and then it was used, as template, for PCR amplifications of standardized barcode genes. Although aDNA could be highly degraded by the time, successful PCR products were obtained, sequenced and compared to nucleotide sequence databases. Positive outcomes (supported by morphological comparison with modern seeds, geographical distribution and historical data) indicated that seeds could be identified as belonging to two plant species: Olea europaea L. and Cornus mas L.     

Inhibition of photosynthesis in olive trees (Olea europaea L.) during water stress and rewatering

The effect of high levels of natural light on leaf photosynthesisin olive trees (Olea europaea L. var. Coratina), grown in potsoutdoors in the summer and subjected to water, stress, was studied.Net photosynthetic rates reached maximum values early in themorning in both control and stressed plants and subsequentlydeclined gradually. This inactivation of photosynthetic activitywas accompanied by changes in the fluorescence characteristicsof the upper intact leaf surface. The maximum fluorescence yield(Fp) and the ratio Fv/Fp decreased at midday especially in water-stressedplants, but the initial fluorescence (Fo) rose to a maximumvalue at midday and declined again in the afternoon. In controlplants the values of maximum fluorescence Fp and the ratio Fv/Fpincreased again in the afternoon and had recovered almost completelyby 8 p.m. as the leaf water potential recovered. In stressedplants this diurnal recovery was not complete, so that the photosyntheticrates and the ratio Fv/Fp declined gradually during the developmentof water stress. These results indicate that in olive treessubjected to severe water stress the non-stomatal componentof photosynthesis was affected and perhaps a light-dependentinactivation of the primary photochemistry associated with photosystemII (PSII) occurred. Four to five days after rewatering severelystressed plants, the predawn leaf water potential, net photosyntheticrates and chlorophyll fluorescence indices recovered only partially. Key words: Olea europaea, photosynthesis, water stress, chlorophyll a fluorescence, inhibition of photosynthesis     

Advances in the pollination biology of olive (Olea europaea L.)

The olive originated in the Mediterranean region, and is most extensively cultivated oleiferous tree species in the world due to its high economic value. The olive has been introduced to China for more than 50 years, and some cultivars have showed good ecological suitability. The plantation of olive in China is increasing rapidly. However, many olive trees during the fruiting age showed the low fruit-setting rates and unstable fruit yields. Studies on pollination biology of olive are important to improve olive fruit-setting rates, genetic resources, and clonal selection and cross-breeding. Overseas much have been done about studies on pollination biology of olive, which are still scarce in China. In this paper, we presented a review of the recent advances in the pollination biology of olive, with the emphasis on blossom phenological characteristics, floral morphology, pollen germination, mating system, as well as their impacts on the fruit set of olive. The future researches in China were subsequently suggested as follows: (1) Strengthen the basic researches of olive pollination biology, including the ratio between monoecious and andromonoecious flowers in main introduced cultivars, the mechanisms for the maintenance of the olive sexual system, and the functional differences between monoecious and andromonoecious flowers and their relationship with wind-pollination, (2) Both field artificial pollination and molecular technology should be combined to elucidate the olive breeding system of cultivars, to explore the genetic and physiological mechanisms of self-infertility and cross-pollination, and to find the determinative factors of affecting the pollination compatibility of various cultivars, and (3) Studies on both olive pollination biology and breeding system should be combined to analyze comprehensively the effects of pollination and fertilization processes on fruit setting and early fruit development.     

Cytohistological Studies on the Tissue Culture of Olea europaea L. II. Histogenesis and Organogenesis

After the calli derived from Olea europaea stem tissue have been introduced to the subculture on the solid medium for differentiation, a periderm was partially formed from the wound cambium in the outer region of the callus. At the same time, some scattered tracheids and vascular bundles were differentiated in the inside of the callus. These vascular bundles did not form a vascular system and also had no rela- tion to the organogenesis. In addition, there were some embryonic cells induced at random from parenchymatous cells in the callus, and these embryonic cells were characterized as the meristematic cells. Two types of meristematic tissues, namely, meristematic cellular mass and meristematic nodule, were produced by different types of mitotic division respectively. The meristematic nodules formed a growth center without any differentiation, but later, they were differentiated tracheids in the inner surrounded by the cambium-like cells. With monopolarity the root primordia were produced from this type of nodules. But the adventitious buds were derived from the meristematic cellular masses. Therefore, realize that the process of differentiation and dedifferentiation all occurs in the callus tissue. The structural differences among the nodules with tracheids, and the origin of buds and root primordia are also briefly discussed.     

Molecular characterization and identification of a group of local Olea europaea L. varieties

There is an urgent need for a rapid and accurate procedure to evaluate the degree of genetic diversity in Olea europaea L. In this research work, we used simple sequence repeat markers for the characterization and identification of the genetic profiles of a group of ancient olive trees, using clustering analysis (dendrogram analysis, Bayesian method) to estimate the genetic distance and relationships among individuals and “random forests” to evaluate the importance of the applied markers and create the differential profiles. As a result, by the use of ten microsatellite loci, we were able to separate 142 samples into homogeneous groups. Our results indicate a high genetic diversity within the group of local accessions. Most accessions seem to have a foreign origin, particularly from neighbouring zones, but a discrete number of them appear to be of unknown origin. We have expressed the differential genetic profiles of the identified groups in terms of “if-then-else” rules. This paper, after a comparison with classical methods, proposes a rigorous methodological approach to the purpose of characterizing olive trees. It also introduces for the olive the concept of differential genetic profiles as complementary to classic ones.     

干旱和复水对崖柏光合特性及水分利用效率的影响

以4年生崖柏(Thuja sutchuenensis Franch.)盆栽实生苗为材料,试验干旱和复水对崖柏光合特性及水分利用效率的影响。结果显示,在自然干旱处理过程中,叶片相对含水量(LRWC)在土壤相对含水量(SRWC)降至30%之后开始出现下降;净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)、光饱和点(LSP)和最大光合速率(P_max)随着土壤可利用水分的减少而逐渐降低;而表观量子效率(Q)、表观量子需要量(1/Q)及光补偿点(LCP)未发生明显变化;水分利用效率(WUE)则随着SRWC的下降而逐渐提高。在停止浇水50 d后(SRWC下降约95%),叶片萎蔫,净光合速率接近零,复水后3 d,净光合速率(P_n)恢复至对照的88.59%,WUE降至对照的88.63%。通过干旱-复水一系列生理指标的变化分析认为,崖柏为干旱避免型植物。     

Behavior of storage lipids during development and germination of olive ( Olea europaea L.) pollen

Summary.  The presence of abundant oil bodies in the mature olive pollen grain has led us to focus on the behavior of these lipid bodies during pollen development and in vitro pollen germination. The appearance, increase, and accumulation of lipid bodies have been determined by following the sequential development of the pollen grain. Semithin slices of anthers and pollen grains were stained with Sudan Black B in order to identify neutral lipids. Ultrastructural studies were also carried out. Our results show a notable increase in lipid bodies between the young-pollen-grain stage and the mature-pollen-grain stage. Substantial polarization of lipid bodies was observed after 1 or 2 h of pollen incubation in germination medium. During pollen tube growth, the lipid bodies are located near the germinative aperture after 3 h of incubation, as well as inside the pollen tube, thus suggesting that the lipid bodies move from the pollen grain to the pollen tube. After 7 h of germination the presence of lipid bodies inside the pollen tube is no longer substantial. Our results support the idea that lipid bodies are involved in pollen germination, stigma penetration, and pollen tube growth. These results are discussed in connection with their implications for the pollen germination process. Received June 4, 2002; accepted October 29, 2002; published online April 8, 2003 RID="*" ID="*" Correspondence and reprints: Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Celular y Molecular de Plantas, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Profesor Albareda 1, 18008 Granada, Spain.     

Ultrastructural and cytochemical examination of the nuclear crystalloid inclusions of Olea europaea L. mesophyll cells

Summary The nuclei of mesophyll cells of olive trees contain numerous sizeable crystalloid inclusions. Cytochemical examination using epoxy resin-embedded, semithin-sectioned tissue indicated the presence of proteins and oligoor polysaccharides in these inclusions. Their electron microscopical analysis revealed a crystalline substructure consisting of intersected subunits of high order. The spacing of the lattice fibrils and the angles of intersection were determined and used to establish a model of the unit cell of crystallization. It is suggested that the nuclear crystalloids of olive trees consist of glycoprotein molecules. They differ from the intranuclear crystalloids observed in other species predominantly in the high density of their subunit arrangement.     

Water-Stress and Leaf Growth in Field-grown Crops of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

The appearance and growth of individual leaves were examinedin crops of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown either fullyirrigated or droughted from plant emergence. The rate of appearance of leaves was increased and the durationof growth decreased in leaves of the droughted crop in 1986but not in 1987. In droughted crops, leaf growth rate was correlatedwith afternoon measurements of leaf water potential (₁) andturgor (P), being reduced in comparison with that in irrigatedcrops when ₁ and P were less than –0.28 and 0.5 MPa respectively.Leaf growth was highly correlated to soil moisture deficit (SMD)and declined rapidly when the SMD was greater than 16 mm. Key words: Solanum tuberosum, leaf growth, leaf appearance, drought, irrigation