Anatomy and ultrastructure of epidermal cells in the haustorium of a parasitic flowering plant,Cuscuta japonica, during attachment to the host

Changes of epidermal cells in the haustorium of the parasiticCuscuta japonica during its attachment to the host plantimpatiens balsamina were studied with light and electron microscopy. In the transverse sections of dodder stems not in contact with the host, epidermal cells had rounded outlines. However, when haustorial initials developed in the cortex of the parasite stem at the contact site, the epidermal cells had more dense cytoplasm and conspicuous nuclei than before, and their outline was flat in the longitudinal section. As meristem cells developed from those initials, the epidermal cells became more elongated. When the haustorium was fully matured, the apical tips of the elongated epidermal cells at the contact site branched like toes, producing numerous projections via cell wall invaginations. This event caused spaces to form between the projections; coincidently, the surface area of the apical ends of the epidermal cells increased. The dense cytoplasm at those projections contained prominent nuclei and abundant other organelles, suggesting a active metabolism. Osmiophilic particles, releasing into the cell walls from the cytoplasm, were though to be associated with the loosening and elongating of the epidermal cell walls. Dense and homogeneous materials were secreted within the spaces between the projections. These materials could play an important role in cementing the haustorium onto the surface of the host organ.     

Mycoparasitism within the Zygomycetes

The Zygomycetes includes a number of mycoparasitic genera, which differ in their strategies of parasitism. Piptocephalis, Dispira, Dimargaris and Tieghemiomyces are typical biotrophs, and display many features associated with this mode of infection, such as the formation of haustoria. Dicranophora, Spinellus and Sylgiles, on the other hand, apparently form necrotrophic associations with moribund toadstools, although it is difficult to define the boundary between mycoparasitism and competitive saprophytism. There are also zygomycetes, such as Chaetocladium and Syncephalis, which have modes of infection which do not fit neatly into either category above, but apparently share necrotrophic and biotrophic characteristics. Initially the infection process of Syncephalis resembles that of Piptocephalis, but it is followed by a rapid internal growth of parasitic hyphae and concomitant destruction of host cytoplasm. Chaetocladium forms gall-like structures on suitable host fungi and its growth is enhanced by this association. Circumstantial evidence suggests that these galls are functionally different from those formed by Parasitella during a pseudo-sexual response to the presence of another fungus. Zygomycetes also act as hosts for several other mycoparasitic fungi.     

中国桑寄生科植物化学分类学研究

用薄层层析 (TLC)方法对中国产桑寄生科植物的 2 7个分类种 (包括变种 )进行了初步的化学分类研究。TLC结果表明 :槲寄生类植物各种均具有齐墩果酸 ,且在Rf=0 .5附近存在特征性斑点群 ,桑寄生类植物均存在槲皮素。根据TLC图谱 ,采用SPSS系统进行了聚类分析研究     

Miscellaneous mistletoe notes, 48–60: Descriptions of twelve new species of Loranthaceae and Viscaceae

Twelve new South American species of Loranthaceae (Aetanthus, Cladocolea, Oryctanthus, and Struthanthus) and Viscaceae (Dendrophthora and Phoradendron) are described and illustrated: Aetanthus trifolius, Cladocolea rostrifolia, Dendrophthora lanceolata, Dendrophthora rotundata, Dendrophthora tenuis, Dendrophthora werffii, Oryctanthus minor, Phoradendron pascoi, Phoradendron vasquezianum, Struthanthus apiculatus, Struthanthus schultesii, and Struthanthus sessiliflorus. Additionally, Cladocolea alternifolia, previously thought to be probably extinct, is reported to occur on Ilha Grande, just west of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.     

Anatomy of the endophyte of Viscum album L. (Loranthaceae)

Anatomy of the endophyte of Viscum album L. (Loranthaceae). An anatomical investigation into the nature of the host-parasite interaction of V. album and several of its phanerogamic hosts using SEM and light microscopy was conducted. Three kinds of parasite cell (haustorial parenchyma cells, cells resembling transfer cells and haustorial tracheids) were identified at the host-parasite interface. The terms haustorial parenchyma and haustorial tracheid are defined. Haustorial tracheids were seen to have penetrated the walls of host vessel elements and it is suggested that V. album is able to establish on a wide range of hosts because of the anatomically plastic nature of its haustorium. The development of the haustorium depends to a large extent on the nature of the surrounding host tissues. Parasite-induced host abnormalities including hypertrophy, distorted xylem elements, vessel-wall penetration and tylosis-occluded vessels were observed. The macroanatomical features observed are discussed and interpreted by-proposing a new theory for the ontogenesis of the V. album haustorium. Cortical strands with 'chisel' and 'pencil' shaped apices were both found to be present at the same time on one plant and thus were not seasonally separated.     

氨基寡糖素对黄瓜白粉病菌侵染的抑制作用*

用透射电子显微镜,研究了寡聚糖类药剂中科6号(2%氨基寡糖素)处理黄瓜Cucumis sativus 植株叶片后对白粉病菌Sphaerotheca fuliginea侵染的抑制作用。超微结构观察表明,病菌发育受到明显抑制,表现为白粉菌菌丝细胞质凝聚,细胞器解体和细胞组织崩解;吸器内的原生质电子致密度加深,吸器畸形,吸器壁增厚,细胞器解体,最终吸器坏死。     

On the macro-micro-morphology of organs of host invasion in hemiparasite Helicanthes elasticus (Desv.) Danser

Loranthaceae family includes hemiparasitic members which are seen invading a wide range of commercial crops. Helicanthes elasticus (Desv.) Danser is very common on mango trees. Though parasitic in nature, this mistletoe is also medicinally important as fetoprotective, against vesicular calculi and kidney infections. This study is an attempt to document macro-microscopical features of parasitic root, fruit and host-mistletoe tissue interaction in the haustorium of H. elasticus growing on mango stems. Collection, preservation, sectioning, staining and photomicrography of the root, fruit and host-mistletoe union were done as per standard methodologies of anatomical studies. Though there is resemblance to the normal roots in morphology as well as anatomy, the microscopic finding of large number of branched stone cells in the roots is interesting. The morpho-anatomical features recorded would help in understanding the infection biology of this mistletoe. The eradication during the earlier stages of its establishment from seed or from the root creeping over the surface of the host can help in controlling this parasite infection on commercially important host plants.     

桔梗胚乳吸器的细胞化学研究

对桔梗的胚乳吸器进行了细胞化学研究,结果显示,胚乳吸器的细胞质、胚乳吸器周围解体的珠心细胞和珠被细胞均呈强ＰＡＳ正反应。随着胚乳吸器的发育,吸器附近的珠心细胞和珠被细胞中贮存的大量淀粉粒逐渐减少和消失。胚乳吸器的细胞质,尤其是与胚乳本体细胞交界处的细胞质富含蛋白质。在球形胚前期,胚乳细胞中已积累大量的蛋白质颗粒。结果表明胚乳吸器起营养物质的吸收和转运作用,向胚乳提供养料。     

中国桑寄生科Loranthaceae药用植物研究

本文通过市场调查、民间考察及文献考证,发现我国桑寄生科植物共有３９种（包括变种）作药用,并对它们的药效功能及市场情况作了系统总结。     

一种刺激肉苁蓉种子萌发和吸器发育的方法

以3种肉苁蓉属（Cistanche）植物种子为材料,研究了氟啶酮对肉苁蓉种子萌发和吸器发育的影响。结果表明：氟啶酮处理10天后种子开始萌发,然后,胚根顶端膨大,发育出吸器。管花肉苁蓉种子萌发率最高,达到82％;盐生肉苁蓉吸器诱导率最高,达到52％;对照处理的种子不萌发。这说明氟啶酮是有效刺激肉苁蓉种子萌发和吸器发育的信号物质。