Influence of Carbohydrates on Photosynthesis in Single, Rooted Soybean Leaves Used as a Source-Sink Model

The single rooted leaf of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) wasused to study source-sink relationships in photosynthesis. Whenthe leaves were kept under a regime of 10 h light (410–480µmol photons m^–2, 400–700 nm)–14 h dark,they did not expand, the increase in leaf dry weight almoststopped, and photosynthetic activity remained at a high andconstant level for 8 d while the dry weight of the roots increasedat a constant rate throughout the period. Thus, under this conditionthe leaf and the root system served as the only source and sinkorgans, respectively. When leaves grown for 7 d under this conditionwere placed under continuous light to alter the source/sinkbalance in photosynthate, the root dry weight increased at aconstant rate equal to that found under the 10 h light–14h dark condition. The leaf dry weight markedly increased andby day 5 of continuous light had increased 1.6-fold, mainlyas a consequence of accumulation of starch and sucrose, whichwere not translocated for root growth. The continuous lightcaused an abrupt decrease in the photosynthetic activity (40%of initial value by day 5). However, the activity recoveredalmost completely after a 32-h transfer to darkness. Significantnegative correlations existed between photosynthetic activityand the sucrose and starch contents in the rooted leaves placedunder continuous light. When the plants were treated with variouslight conditions, there was no significant difference (p<0.01)among the regression line slopes for photosynthetic activityon the sucrose content, but there was some deviation among thosefor the photosynthetic activity on the starch content. Thisresult suggests that sucrose accumulated in the leaf has a moredirect influence on photosynthetic activity when the source/sinkbalance was altered. (Received September 9, 1985; Accepted February 21, 1986)     

Growth and Dry-weight Distribution in Callistephus chinensis as Influenced by Lighting Treatment

Plants of two cultivars of Callistephus chinensis (Queen ofthe Market and Johannistag) were grown in 8 h of daylight perday with one of the following treatments given during the 16h dark period: (a) darkness—‘uninterrupted night’,(b) I h of light in the middle of the dark period—a ‘nightbreak’, (c) I min of light in every hour of the dark period—‘cycliclighting’, (d) light throughout—‘continuouslight’. The plants receiving uninterrupted dark periods remained compactand rosetted in habit with small leaves, while leaf expansion,stem extension, and flower initiation were promoted in all threeillumination treatments (b, c, d). Although these three treatmentsproduced similar increases in leaf area, continuous light wasthe most effective for the promotion of both stem growth andflower initiation while cyclic lighting was generally more effectivethan a I-h night break. Continuous light also caused more dry matter to be divertedto stems at any given vegetative dry weight and it was shownthat the stem weight ratio of both varieties was correlatedwith stem length.     

Detection and Characterization of Abscission-Inhibiting Substances in Leaves of Malformin-Treated Cuttings

Malformin, which induces resistance to dark leaf abscissionfollowing treatment in the light, did not alter the course ofdark aging (loss of chlorophyll, wet and dry weight) in Vigna.Peroxydisulfate, which destroys IAA, did not influence malformininducedabscission resistance. Leaf blades from cuttings treated withmalformin in the light contained higher levels of abscissioninhibitors, which could be divided into ethanolsoluble and water-solublefractions. The inhibitors appeared to be heat stable anionsthat are insoluble in ether. Although malformin also increasedthe amount of abscission inhibitors in leaves when applied inthe dark, where malformin stimulates abscission, a parallelincrease in abscission stimulators may explain the failure ofthese inhibitors to function in the dark. (Received June 25, 1984; Accepted August 20, 1984)     

Variation in the Soluble Carbohydrate Content of Climatic Races of Dactylis Glomerata (Cocksfoot) at Different Temperatures

The soluble carbohydrate content of a Mediterranean and a NorthEuropean population of cocksfoot was studied at four temperaturesduring a 16-h light and an 8-h dark period. Ethyl alcohol andwater extractions were made of leaf blades and leaf sheaths.The extracts showed significant effects of temperature, population,and time of harvest. Fructosans in the leaf sheaths showed themost marked effect of temperature and population in that risingtemperature rapidly reduced the fructosan content which in theNorth European population was significantly higher at low temperatures.The greatest diurnal fluctuations of carbohydrates occurredin alcohol extracts from the leaf blades, with a rise in theirconcentration during the light period and a rapid fall in thedark.     

蓝光调节高粱突变体har1幼苗的去黄化反应

以航空诱变高粱突变体har1为材料,对其幼苗去黄化过程进行研究。萌发的种子在远红光下预培养6小时后,置于12小时蓝光/2小时黑暗条件下培养。测量幼苗的各器官伸长,结果表明,与野生型R111相比,harl的胚芽鞘、中胚轴、第一叶鞘以及第二叶鞘的伸长均受到蓝光的明显抑制,而蓝光对叶片生长影响不明显。3天龄har1黄化苗在连续蓝光下中胚轴花色素苷的积累明显增高,红光和远红光无此效应。此外,蓝光促进har1叶片叶绿体发育,且在蓝光照射24小时后叶片中叶绿素含量升高。Westernblot检测结果显示,7天龄R111和har1幼苗隐花色素SbCRY1b蛋白水平呈现蓝光下低、黑暗中高的变化趋势,har1的SbCRY1b蛋白水平在黑暗中高于R111。研究结果表明,高粱har1在去黄化过程中具有蓝光超敏感表型,SbCRY1b的作用值得进一步深入研究。     

蓝光调节高粱突变体har1 幼苗的去黄化反应

以航空诱变高粱突变体har1为材料, 对其幼苗去黄化过程进行研究。萌发的种子在远红光下预培养6小时后, 置于12小时蓝光/12小时黑暗条件下培养。测量幼苗的各器官伸长, 结果表明, 与野生型R111相比, har1的胚芽鞘、中胚轴、第一叶鞘以及第二叶鞘的伸长均受到蓝光的明显抑制, 而蓝光对叶片生长影响不明显。3天龄har1黄化苗在连续蓝光下中胚轴花色素苷的积累明显增高, 红光和远红光无此效应。此外, 蓝光促进har1叶片叶绿体发育, 且在蓝光照射24小时后叶片中叶绿素含量升高。Western blot检测结果显示, 7天龄R111和har1幼苗隐花色素SbCRY1b蛋白水平呈现蓝光下低、黑暗中高的变化趋势, har1的SbCRY1b蛋白水平在黑暗中高于R111。研究结果表明, 高粱har1在去黄化过程中具有蓝光超敏感表型,SbCRY1b的作用值得进一步深入研究。     

Cell Shape in Leaves of Drought-stressed Barley Examined by Low Temperature Scanning Electron Microscopy

Cells in leaves of well-watered and slowly drought-stressedbarley seedlings were examined by low temperature scanning electronmicroscopy, when the leaves were turgid, when just wilting,and when sufficiently stressed to prevent either regain of turgor(leaf blades) or regrowth (leaf sheath bases) after rewatering.Deformation of the cell surface was a major response to cellvolume reduction during stress. Folds occurred in the wallsof cells in leaf blades which were just wilting. In severelystressed and damaged plants a range of cell shapes and deformationsoccurred characteristic of a particular cell type and oftenunlike the control cell shape. Cell shape, drought, frost, barley, Hordeum     

Studies on the Photoreceptors for the Promotion and Inhibition of Flowering in Dark-Grown Seedlings of Pharbitis nil Choisy

Three-day-old etiolated seedlings of Pharbitis nil were exposedto red light for 10 min and sprayed with N⁶-benzyladenine beforetransfer to a 48-h inductive dark period, after which they weregrown under continuous white light. A second red irradiationpromoted flowering when given at the 5 and 24th hour of theinductive dark period but inhibited flowering at the 10 and15th hour. Far-red light inhibited flowering when given at anytime during the first 24 h of the dark period. Red/far-red reversibilitywas clearly observed at the 0, 5, 10 and 24th hour, but notat the 15th hour when both red and far-red lights completelyinhibited flowering. The action spectrum for the inhibition of flowering at the 15thhour of the inductive dark period had a sharply defined peakat 660 nm and closely resembled the absorption spectrum of theP_R form of phytochrome. The photoreceptors involved in thesephotoreactions are discussed. (Received June 10, 1983; Accepted July 6, 1983)     

The Mode of Flower-Inhibiting Action of Ethylene in Pharbitis nil

The inhibitory effect of ethylene on photoperiodic flower inductionin Pharbitis nil was investigated in relation to the time ofethylene application. Ethylene applied during an 18-h dark periodnot only made the dark period non-inductive, but also greatlyinhibited the flower-inducing effect of the 2nd 18-h dark periodgiven 6 h after the end of the first dark period. The seconddark period was inductive when it was given 30 h after the endof the first dark period, during which ethylene was applied.Ethylene applied during the light period prior to an inductivedark period had no inhibitory effect, suggesting that ethylenegiven during the dark period produces some flower-inhibitingentity. (Received April 17, 1987; Accepted June 17, 1987)     

Flower-Inducing Activity of Phloem Exudates from Pharbitis cotyledons Exposed to Various Photoperiods

The phloem exudate prepared from the cotyledons of Pharbitisseedlings that had been exposed to a single dark period (oflonger than 10 h) induced flowering in cultured apices excisedfrom non-induced seedlings. The flower-inducing activity ofthe exudate increased as the seedlings were exposed to longerperiods of darkness. The highest activity was associated withthe exudate taken from cotyledons exposed to a single 16-h darkperiod. The activity of the exudate taken from cotyledons exposedto an inductive dark period was clearly reduced by interruptionof the dark period. The addition of exudate taken from threecotyledons to 10 ml of medium resulted in the highest flower-inducingactivity. About 50% of cultured apex explants formed floralbuds, even when the concentration of the exudate was reducedto 0.1 cotyledon equivalents per 10 ml of medium. The flower-inducingactivity of the exudate appeared to be heat-stable. (Received December 13, 1991; )     

Effect of Exogenous D-Alanine on D-Alanyl-D-alanine Content in Leaf Blades of Oryza australiensis Domin

In seedlings of Oryza australiensis Domin (W0008), most of theD-alanyl-D-alanine was distributed in the leaf blades. In excisedleaf blades of W0008, exogenous D-alanine was incorporated intoD-alanyl-D-alanine irrespective of the light condition as inSasanishiki. With cultivation in D-alanine medium for severaldays, the D-alanyl-D-alanine content in W0008 leaf blades wasfound to increase, but no other D-alanine-containing dipeptidessuch as D-alanylglycine or D-alanyl-L-alanine were detected (Received August 7, 1985; Accepted January 30, 1986)     

Diurnal Expansion and Contraction of Leaves and Fruits of English Morello Cherry

Changes in leaf thickness and fruit diameter were measured ingrowth chambers under varying conditions of light, humidity,temperature, and soil moisture for potted trees of English Morellocherry (Prunus cerasus L. grafted on Prunus mahaleb root stock).Decrease in leaf thickness of well-watered plants was inducedby illumination following a period of darkness. In the light,leaf thickness decreased when vapour-pressure deficit (VPD)was rising or high. The magnitude of diurnal change in leafthickness was related to amount of change in VPD of the air.Leaf thickness increased in the dark when stomata were closed.When changes in VPD were minimized, leaves under 8-h days and16-h nights still decreased in thickness during the day andexpanded at night, but the degree of change was not as greatas when VPD also fluctuated diurnally. When severe internal water deficits developed in trees duringprolonged droughts the correlations of changes in leaf thicknesswith VPD and light intensity were low. Marked decline in leafthickness resulted with little re-expansion in the dark at lowVPD. Soil irrigation resulted in rapid hydration and expansionof leaves. Changes in fruit diameter in contrast were positivelycorrelated with VPD fluctuations and were not influenced byphotoperiod.     

An Analysis of Growth of Oil Palms under Nursery Conditions: I. Establishment and Growth in the Wet Season

Growth of oil palm seedlings over the period 2–31 weeksafter planting in the nursery was studied using growth-analysistechniques. Curves of the Gompertz type were fitted to the basicdata of plant dry weight and leaf area, and from the equationsof the fitted curves, net assimilation rate (E_A), relative growth-rate(Rw), and relative leaf growth-rate (R_A) were calculated. The low values of E_A (0.16-0–31 g/dm²/week) and Rw (1.4–2.2per cent./per day) confirm earlier work on oil palm seedlings.The time trend of increasing E_A and R_W over the period studiedis associated with steadily increasing solar radiation overthe second half of the period. Leaf-area ratio is markedly affected by transplanting, and asthis unbalance of leaf area/total dry weight has been shownto be associated with low rates of EA in seedlings, it is suggestedthat the low values of E_A and R_W in the first half of the experimentalperiod are due to the effect of transplanting. These findings are discussed in relation to current nurserypractice.     

Studies in the Nutrition of Apple Rootstocks: II. Effects of Concentration of Iron in the Nutrient Solution on Growth and Chlorophyll Content

Rooted one-year shoots were grown for one season by sprayingtheir roots with nutrient solution. Iron supplied as Fe-EDTAat four concentrations resulted in plants which were respectively(a) severely chlorotic, (b) mildly chlorotic, (c) dark greenand healthy (controls), and (d) dark green but with slight reductionin growth. Severely deficient plants showed 40–70 per cent reductionsin growth as measured by fresh weight, shoot length, diameterincrease, leaf area, net assimilation and relative growth-rates.Dry weights were reduced 70–80 per cent and of the totaldry-weight increment a greater proportion remained in the leaves,which had a lower dry weight and higher water content per unitarea. However, because the initial old stem formed a greaterproportion of the total dry weight, the leaf area ratio remainedabout 11 per cent lower than in the controls. Severely deficientplants had, per unit of chlorophyll, a higher dry-weight increaseand net assimilation rate than the controls. Mild deficiency caused 10–20 per cent reductions in growthand net assimilation rate; the leaf area ratio was normal. Possible mechanisms of the effects of low iron supply are discussed,while the small growth reduction at the highest Fe-EDTA concentrationis attributed to chelate toxicity     

Nutrient Supply, Dry-matter Production and Nutrient Uptake of Forest Tree Seedlings

The dry-matter production and nutrient uptake of forest-treeseedlings grown under controlled levels of nutrition in sub-irrigatedsand culture were investigated. Hardwood seedlings attainedgreater dry weight than conifer seedlings, and Pinus radiataa greater dry weight than P. contorta and P. nigra, but thesegreater dry weights were not related to greater leaf/weightratios, although seed size may have been an important influenceon final seedling dry weight. P. radiata was found to have alower requirement for P than P. contorta and P. nigra in oneexperiment. The demand (total nutrient uptake per unit of time) made bythree species for nutrients upon a site was shown to dependmore upon growth-rate per annum than on efficiency (quantityof nutrients required to produce a unit of dry matter). It isconcluded that the ability of tree species to grow satisfactorilyon soils of low nutrient status depends largely on their abilityfor relatively slow growth. On the other hand, species showinggood response to favourable sites may also make satisfactorygrowth on poor sites.     

Endogenous alpha-ketol linolenic acid levels in short day-induced cotyledons are closely related to flower induction in Pharbitis nil

Alpha-ketol linolenic acid [KODA, 9,10-ketol-octadecadienoic acid, that is 9-hydroxy-10-oxo-12(Z),15(Z)-octadecadienoic acid] is a signal compound found in Lemna paucicostata after exposure to stress, such as drought, heat or osmotic stress. KODA reacts with catecholamines to generate products that strongly induce flowering, although KODA itself is inactive [Yokoyama et al. (2000) Plant Cell Physiol. 41: 110; Yamaguchi et al. (2001) Plant Cell Physiol. 42: 1201]. We examined the role of KODA in the flower-induction process of Pharbitis nil (violet). KODA was identified for the first time in seedlings of P. nil grown under a flower-inductive condition (16-h dark exposure), by means of LC-SIM and LC-MS/MS. In addition, the changes in endogenous KODA levels (evaluated after esterification of KODA with 9-anthryldiazomethane) during the flower-inductive phase in short day-induced cotyledons were closely related to flower induction. The KODA concentration sharply increased in seedlings during the last 2 h of a 16-h dark period, while the KODA level showed no significant elevation under continuous light. The increase of KODA level occurred in cotyledonal blades, but not in other parts (petiole, hypocotyls and shoot tip). When the 16-h dark period was interrupted with a 10-min light exposure at the 8th h, flower induction was blocked and KODA level also failed to increase. The degree of elevation of KODA concentration in response to 16-h dark exposure was the highest when the cotyledons had just unfolded, and gradually decreased in seedlings grown under continuous light for longer periods, reaching the basal level at the 3rd day after unfolding. Flower-inducing ability also decreased in a similar manner. These results suggest that KODA may be involved in flower induction in P. nil.     

A Quantitative Analysis of The Endosperm-Dependent Seedling Growth in Grasses

The growth of the organs of etiolated seedlings of Lolium perennecv. S24 during the period of endospermdependent growth is described.The lengths and the weights of the organs of L. perenne cv.S24 after 10 days growth in the dark and in daylight from heavyand light-weight caryopses are compared. The lengths of theetiolated seedling organs of six species of grasses are comparedand discussed in relation to seed weight.     

Effects of Temperature Variation at Different Times on Growth and Yield of Sugar Beet and Barley

Sugar-beet and barley were grown in pots outdoors (environmentN) and, for five successive 4-week periods starting at sowing,batches of plants were transferred to three growth rooms whosetemperatures were either similar to the outdoor mean (environment^M), or 3° C hotter (environment H) or 3° C colder (environmentC). Some plants were harvested immediately after treatment;others were returned to environment N and harvested when mature. At the end of period 1, sugar-beet plants from environment Mhad more dry weight and leaf area than those outdoors. Immediatelyafter spending later periods in environment M, plants had smallerleaves and similar dry weight to those continuously outdoors.These differences disappeared by maturity. Warmth in the growthrooms (i.e. the difference H—C) during periods 1, 2, and3, while leaf area was increasing, increased the number andsize of leaves and usually also dry weight; in later periodsit had no effect. The effects induced during periods 2 and 3,but not period 1, persisted to maturity to give greater totaland root dry weight and yield of sugar. The final effects ondry weight were much larger than those immediately after treatment,and were the result of differences in growth outdoors aftertreatment which depended on differences in leaf area; the efficiencyof the leaves was not affected by previous treatment. Transferring barley to environment M from N had inconsistentimmediate effects on leaf area and dry weight which disappearedby the final harvest. Transfer during periods 2 and 3, beforethe ears had started emerging, increased shoot number and delayeddevelopment. The proportion of the ears that ripened and theyield of grain were usually less for plants that had spent aperiod in environment M than for plants permanently outdoors,which also had some green ears. Warmth in the growth rooms duringperiods 1 and 2 increased dry weight and leaf area immediately,but had negligible effects at maturity because the increasesin leaf area did not persist after ear emergence. Warmth laterhastened death of leaves, decreased total dry weight immediatelyand also at maturity, but increased the proportion of ears thatripened and hence usually grain weight. Variation in leaf areaduration after ear emergence (D), determined by effects on thetime the ears emerged and the rate the leaves died, accountedfor most of the variation in grain yield, but warmth after theears emerged decreased grain yield less than proportionallyto the decrease in D. Net assimilation rate (E) of sugar-beet was greater than ofbarley, and decreased less with age. E of both species was usuallygreater in environment M than outdoors in spite of less radiation.It was only slightly affected by temperature. Nitrogen and potassium uptake were increased by treatments thatincreased dry weight. The percentage contents suggest that extrauptake was a consequence and not a cause of the increase indry weight.     

Effects of Light Illumination on the Population of Translatable mRNA in Radish Cotyledons during Dark-Induced Senescence

The population of translatable mRNA in radish cotyledons hasbeen shown to change strikingly during dark-induced senescenceby analyzing cell-free translation products from polyadenylatedRNA using two-dimensional electrophoresis (Kawakami and Watanabe1988, Plant Cell Physiol. 29: 33–42). In the present study,the translatable mRNAs in the cotyledons were studied afterre-illumination of seedlings which had been induced to senesceby dark treatment. All of the mRNA species which showed relativeincrease or decrease during a 24-h dark treatment returned totheir initial levels after a subsequent 24-h illumination withwhite light. When seedlings were kept in the dark for 48 h,21 mRNA species increased, but the increase in some of themwas no longer reversible; 9 out of the 21 mRNA species remainedat the same level even after 48 h of re-illumination. All ofthe 18 mRNA species which decreased during 48 h in the darkreturned to their initial levels upon re-illumination. The mRNAspecies that showed irreversible increase were also found toaccumulate in cotyledons senesced after a lengthy growth periodunder light. There were also some mRNA species whose contentwas not affected by dark treatment, but increased transientlyafter re-illumination of the seedlings. These observations arediscussed in relation to the progress of senescence in the cotyledons. (Received September 24, 1987; Accepted December 19, 1987)     

Interactive effects of salinity, nitrogen and sulphur on the organic solutes in Spartina alterniflora leaf blades

Glycinebetaine, proline, asparagine, sucrose, glucose, and dimethylsulphoniopropionate(DMSP) were the major organic solutes in Spartina alternifloraleaf blades. To investigate the physiological role(s) of thesesolutes, the effects of salinity, nitrogen, and sulphur treatmentson leaf blade solute levels were examined. Glycinebetaine wasthe major organic solute accumulated in leaf blades grown at500 mol m^–3 NaCl, although asparagine and proline alsoaccumulated when the supply of nitrogen was sufficient. Thesesolutes may play a role in osmotic adjustment. In contrast,DMSP levels either did not change or were reduced in responseto the 500 mol m^–3 NaCl treatment. Furthermore, elevatednitrogen supply decreased leaf blade DMSP levels, which wasopposite to the response of glycinebetaine, proline, and asparagine.A 1000-fold increase in external sulphate concentration hadno effect on the leaf blade levels of DMSP, glycinebetaine,proline, or asparagine. These findings suggest that the majorphysiological role of DMSP in S. alterniflora leaf blades isnot for osmotic adjustment, even under conditions of nitrogendeficit and excess sulphur. Instead, DMSP which was presentat 45—130 µmol g^–1 dry weight, may play arole as a constitutive organic osmoticum. Key words: Spartina alterniflora, dimethylsulphoniopropionate, glycinebetaine, nitrogen, salinity