Effects of microwave treatment on growth,photosynthetic pigments and some metabolites of wheat

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. Sakha 61) grains were exposed to microwave radiation of a wavelength 2.85 cm and frequency 10.525 GHz for 15, 45, or 75 min. The exposed grains were germinated and then harvested after 7 and 14 d. While 15-and 45-min exposure of the grains stimulated seedling shoot length and fresh and dry masses, the exposure for 75 min had no pronounced effects. 15 and 75-min irradiation increased succulence and pigment contents in 7-and 14-d-old seedlings. While the ratios chlorophyll (Chl) a/b, carotenoids (Car)/Chl were higher in 7-d-old seedlings than in the control ones for all doses, they decreased in 14-d-old seedlings. The microwave radiation increased protein and amino acid contents, but decreased the contents of saccharides, nucleic acids, and phenolic compounds. Low dose (15 min) stimulated proline synthesis, whereas the other doses showed negative effect on its production.     

Gas exchange and antioxidative compounds in young beech trees under free-air ozone exposure and comparisons to adult trees

Three-year-old beech (Fagus sylvatica) seedlings growing in containers were placed into the sun and shade crown of a mature beech stand exposed to ambient (1 x O(3)) and double ambient (2 x O(3)) ozone concentrations at a free-air exposure system ("Kranzberg Forst", Germany). Pigments, alpha-tocopherol, glutathione, ascorbate, and gas exchange were measured in leaves during 2003 (a drought year) and 2004 (an average year). Sun-exposed seedlings showed higher contents of antioxidants, xanthophylls, and beta-carotene and lower contents of chlorophyll, alpha-carotene, and neoxanthin than shade-exposed seedlings. In 2003 sun-exposed seedlings showed higher contents of carotenoids and total glutathione and lower net photosynthesis rates (A(max)) compared to 2004. O(3) exposure generally affected the content of chlorophyll, the xanthophyll cycle, and the intercellular CO(2) concentration (c(i)). Seedlings differed from the adjacent adult trees in most biochemical and physiological parameters investigated: Sun exposed seedlings showed higher contents of alpha-tocopherol and xanthophylls and lower contents of ascorbate, chlorophyll, neoxanthin, and alpha-carotene compared to adult trees. Shade exposed seedlings had lower contents of xanthophylls, alpha-carotene, and alpha-tocopherol than shade leaves of old-growth trees. In 2003, seedlings had higher A(max), stomatal conductance (g(s)), and c(i) under 2 x O(3) than adult trees. The results showed that shade acclimated beech seedlings are more sensitive to O(3), possibly due to a lower antioxidative capacity per O(3) uptake. We conclude that beech seedlings are uncertain surrogates for adult beech trees.     

The influence of antimycin A on pigment composition and functional activity of photosynthetic apparatus in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L. under high temperature

The purpose of the current investigation was to evaluate the influence of antimycin A (AA) as an activator of the alternative respiratory pathway (AP) on photosynthetic pigment composition and functional activity of the photosynthetic apparatus of wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) under exposure to high temperature as well as their acclimation. Our results indicated that a significant decrease (44–74%) of photosynthetic pigment contents was caused by a long-term exposure to high temperature (42°C), while the short-term exposure resulted in 20–46% decline. However, a combined effect of AA and long-term high temperature reduced the total pigment contents by 28–41%. Our results demonstrated that the reduction of the chlorophyll a/b ratio was less significant under the combined effect of AA and high temperature than that under the stressful condition without AA. We observed that short-term and long-term high temperature modified PSII functionality of the first leaves in wheat seedlings, which was manifested by the low maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, maximum fluorescence yield in the dark-adapted state, and by high minimum fluorescence yield in the dark-adapted state. The quantum yield of PSII photochemistry decreased rapidly by 16–24% under the combination of AA and high temperature. Overall, these results suggest that the activation of the alternative pathway, induced by AA, contributed to the stabilization of the photosynthetic apparatus in wheat seedlings under high temperature.     

UV-B response of green and etiolated barley seedlings

7-d-old etiolated and green barley seedlings (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Alfa) were irradiated with UV-B for 30 min and then kept for 24 h in light or darkness. Chlorophyll (Chl) synthesis was inhibited by about 30 % as a result of UV-B irradiation, but there were no significant changes in photochemical activity measured by variable to maximum fluorescence ratio (F_v/F_m), quantum yield (Φ_PS2) and oxygen evolution rate. Electron transport of etiolated seedlings was similar to that of green ones, nevertheless, the Chl content was more then 2-fold lower. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large and small subunits were diminished as a result of UV-B irradiation in etiolated and green plants, especially in those kept in the darkness. Catalase activity decreased and total superoxide dismutase activity increased in green and etiolated plants following UV-B treatment. When benzidine was used as a substrate, an isoform located between guaiacol peroxidases 2 and 3 (guaiacol peroxidase X) appeared, which was specific for UV-B treatment. As a result of irradiation, the contents of UV-B absorbing and UV-B induced compounds increased in green seedlings but not in etiolated seedlings.     

Biological seed priming mitigates the effects of water stress in sunflower seedlings

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. PAC 36) seedlings were inoculated with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), viz. Azotobacter chroococcum (A+), Bacillus polymyxa (B+), separately and in combination of the two (AB+). Relative water content and seedling growth were maximum in AB+ seedlings under control. Water stress significantly decreased the RWC, growth and dry mass of non-inoculated seedlings. However, inoculated seedlings maintained higher growth even under water stress. Pigments and protein contents decreased under water stress, but higher amount of the same was observed in stressed AB+ seedlings. Enhanced activity of nitrate reductase was recorded in AB+ seedlings with maximum in control. Water stress significantly decreased the nitrate reductase activity. A significant increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in leaves was recorded under water stress except in B+ with maximum increase in non-inoculated seedlings. Catalase (CAT) activity decreased in stressed non-inoculated seedlings while increased in the leaves of A+ and AB+ seedlings. Almost similar trends were recorded for both leaves and cotyledons. PGPR improved the water status in stressed seedlings and thereby physiological and biochemical parameters and thus ameliorated the severe effects of water stress.     

Flowering Response in Relation to C and N Contents of Pharbitis nil Plants Cultured in Nitrogen-Poor Media

Flowering of seedlings of Pharbitis nil, strains Violet andTendan, cultured in modified White's medium, was promoted bymedium dilution, the critical dark period being shortened byabout 15 min. Dilution of the N source alone was enough to causethe medium-dilution effect. Dilution of the culture medium duringthe day before and on the day of exposure to the dark-period(a total of two days) caused the maximum dilution effect. TheC and N contents of the cotyledons and of the shoot apices changedrapidly in response to medium dilution. In 1/2-strength White'smedium with 1/1,000 strength NO₃^– which was most effectivefor flower promotion, the C-N ratio was highest. In 1/2-strengthmodified White's medium, in which flowering was lowest withthe longest critical dark period, the C-N ratio was lowest.Thus, there is a close relation between flowering response andthe C-N ratio in cotyledons or shoot apices of Pharbitis nil. (Received September 14, 1984; Accepted January 26, 1985)     

重金属Cr6+胁迫下小麦幼苗DNA 5-MeC含量的改变

运用高效液相色谱法(HPLC)研究了3d龄和10 d龄小麦幼苗在5～100mg/L Cr6+胁迫下根系和地上部分DNA 5-甲基胞嘧啶(5-MeC)含量的变化.方法:色谱柱为Hypersil BDS-C18键合柱(5μm,150×4.6 mm I.D.);流动相由5％甲醇,4.75 mmol/L己烷磺酸钠,0.2％三乙醇胺组成,三蒸水配制,pH值为5.5;流速为0.7 mL/min;检测波长为273 nm.结果发现:除100 mg/L Cr6+降低了3d龄小麦幼苗根系DNA 5-MeC的百分含量外,所试不同浓度Cr6+均引起两苗龄幼苗叶片和根系DNA甲基化水平的上升;3d龄幼苗对Cr6+胁迫比10 d龄幼苗敏感,根系比地上部分敏感.结论:Cr6+胁迫引起的DNA甲基化水平改变可能影响到小麦幼苗的正常生长发育.     

Effects of 0.4 T rotating magnetic field exposure on density, strength, calcium and metabolism of rat thigh bones

The current study investigated the effects of 0.4 T rotary non-uniform magnetic field (RMF) exposure on bone density in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Results showed that many bone indexes are significantly elevated after RMF exposure compared to the control OVX group and confirmed mechanistic evidence that strong magnetic field (MF) exposure could effectively increase bone density and might be used to treat osteoporosis. Synergy of daily RMF exposure (30 min a day for 30 days using an 8 Hz rotary 0.4 T MF) with calcium supplement tended to increase the indexes of thigh bone density, energy absorption, maximum load, maximum flexibility, and elastic deformation as compared to those of untreated OVX control group. Results also revealed that the indexes of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum phosphate, and serum calcium were higher in rats exposed to RMF with calcium than in the untreated OVX control group. Changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were observed in rats for three months including the first month RMF exposure. Bone density in rats exposed each day for 60 min increased during 1-month exposure and continued to increase during the post-exposure period. Furthermore, bone density and calcium content in rats exposed for 90 min daily decreased initially in the exposure month; however, ratio of increase was well above the control values by the end of the post-exposure period suggesting possible window and delayed effects. The study indicated that RMF exposure to both male and OVX female rats for 120 min a day over 15 day period should effectively promote increase of bone calcium contents (BCC) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) in rats thigh bone as well as a corresponding decrease in deoxypyridinoline crosslinks (DPD).     

Effects of solar ultraviolet radiation on the potential efficiency of photosystem II in leaves of tropical plants

The effects of solar ultraviolet (UV)-B and UV-A radiation on the potential efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) in leaves of tropical plants were investigated in Panama (9°N). Shade-grown tree seedlings or detached sun leaves from the outer crown of mature trees were exposed for short periods (up to 75 min) to direct sunlight filtered through plastic or glass filters that absorbed either UV-B or UV-A+B radiation, or transmitted the complete solar spectrum. Persistent changes in potential PSII efficiency were monitored by means of the dark-adapted ratio of variable to maximum chlorophyll a fluorescence. In leaves of shade-grown tree seedlings, exposure to the complete solar spectrum resulted in a strong decrease in potential PSII efficiency, probably involving protein damage. A substantially smaller decline in the dark-adapted ratio of variable to maximum chlorophyll a fluorescence was observed when UV-B irradiation was excluded. The loss in PSII efficiency was further reduced by excluding both UV-B and UV-A light. The photoinactivation of PSII was reversible under shade conditions, but restoration of nearly full activity required at least 10 d. Repeated exposure to direct sunlight induced an increase in the pool size of xanthophyll cycle pigments and in the content of UV-absorbing vacuolar compounds. In sun leaves of mature trees, which contained high levels of UV-absorbing compounds, effects of UV-B on PSII efficiency were observed in several cases and varied with developmental age and acclimation state of the leaves. The results show that natural UV-B and UV-A radiation in the tropics may significantly contribute to photoinhibition of PSII during sun exposure in situ, particularly in shade leaves exposed to full sunlight.     

高温胁迫下番茄幼苗对冷激的响应

高温逆境是影响夏秋季蔬菜设施集约化育苗质量的主要因素之一,利用温度逆境诱导植物产生交叉适应是植物获得抗逆性的一种有效手段.为探索冷激强度对番茄幼苗高温胁迫的缓解效应,试验采用人工气候箱模拟夏季设施中的高温胁迫,研究了不同冷激温度(5、10、15 ℃)和冷激持续时间(10、20、30 min)对番茄幼苗生长、生物膜保护系统的影响,并研究了单次适宜冷激处理对番茄小分子热激蛋白LeHSP23.8和CaHSP18基因表达的影响.结果表明： 在高温胁迫前对番茄幼苗进行冷激处理可以抑制其下胚轴的伸长和株高的生长.冷激缓解番茄幼苗高温胁迫的效应在不同冷激温度下表现出不同的变化趋势;5 ℃冷激处理抑制了番茄幼苗抗氧化酶活性的升高,使细胞膜透性增大,对幼苗产生伤害;10 ℃冷激处理对番茄幼苗高温胁迫的缓解效应随冷激时间的延长呈降低趋势;而15 ℃冷激处理缓解番茄幼苗高温胁迫的效应随冷激时间的延长呈增加趋势.适宜冷激温度和冷激持续时间能够诱导番茄幼苗对高温逆境的交叉适应性,在高温胁迫前将番茄幼苗进行温度为10 ℃、持续10 min的冷激处理效果最佳,与对照相比,显著提高了高温胁迫下番茄幼苗植株单株干质量和壮苗指数,降低了番茄幼苗叶片相对电导率和丙二醛含量,促进了脯氨酸和可溶性蛋白的积累,提高了番茄幼苗叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT) 3种抗氧化酶活性,并诱导了小分子热激蛋白基因LeHSP23.8和CaHSP18在常温条件下的上调表达.
     

Changes in glutathione and phytochelatins in roots of maize seedlings exposed to cadmium

The effects of excess Cd on the contents of free cysteine, total glutathione and phytochelatin (PC) were measured in roots of intact maize seedlings. Exposure to 3 /tmM Cd for 15 min caused PCs to appe substrates for formation of longer PCs. Total glutathione levels declined with PC synthesis, free cysteine contents changed little. The reactions to excess Cd differed along the length of roots. In the 1 cm apical region a high production of PCs occurred with a moderate loss of total glutathione. In the mature region, PC content was 2.5-fold less than in apices, several unidentified thiols accumulated, and total glutathione levels declined drastically. Exposure to 0.05 μM Cd for 24 h induced PCs, the contents rose as Cd concentrations were increased. The roots produced PCs in excess of that required to chelate the Cd present, as if some PCs were compartmentalized or had not yet formed Cd-PC complexes. Phytochelatin formation was stimulated most effectively by Cd, less by Zn and Cu and negligibly by Ni. Total glutathione declined with Cd and Zn exposure, however, with excess Cu the roots contained 45% more total glutathione than did the controls.     

Effects of ozone and mild drought stress on gas exchange, antioxidants and chloroplast pigments in current-year needles of young Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.]

 To investigate the effects of ozone exposure and soil drought, singly and in combination, on gas exchange, antioxidant contents and pigments in current-year needles of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] 4-year-old seedlings were fumigated in growth chambers with either charcoal-filtered air or with 100 nl l^–1 ozone for 106 days. After 3 weeks a 20% reduction in gas exchange was observed in ozone-treated seedlings. However, no further decrease occurred in spite of continued ozone exposure. Whole needle ascorbate and apoplastic ascorbate increased until the end of the experiment and contents were 62% and 82%, respectively, higher than in ozone-free controls. This increase in ascorbate might have protected net photosynthesis from further decline. Ozone pre-treated plants and ozone-free controls were subjected to soil drought for 38 days which caused stomatal narrowing. Thereby ozone uptake was reduced when compared to well watered seedlings. At the end of the experiment drought alone, and even more in combination with ozone, had also caused an increase in ascorbate. Glutathione increased only in drought-stressed seedlings. The redox states of the ascorbate and the glutathione pools were not affected by any treatment. Superoxide dismutase activity declined under both stresses but was most reduced by ozone alone. While chlorophyll and neoxanthin contents remained unchanged, carotenes were significantly decreased upon drought. The combination of O₃ and drought induced increased lutein contents, an increased pool size of the xanthophyll cycle as well as an increased epoxidation status of the xanthophyll cycle. These results suggest that spruce needles seem to be able to acclimate to ozone stress but also to drought stress by increasing their ascorbate pools and protecting pigments. Received: 15 September 1997 / Accepted: 24 March 1998     

土壤石砾含量对掌叶木幼苗生长和根系特征的影响

为探讨土壤石砾含量对珍稀濒危植物掌叶木幼苗生长和根系的影响,该研究以1个月生掌叶木幼苗为试验材料,进行5种不同土壤石砾含量[0(CK),20%,40%,60%和80%]盆栽试验,筛选最适宜掌叶木幼苗生长的土壤石砾含量。结果表明:(1)土壤石砾含量对掌叶木幼苗生长有极显著影响,其中幼苗苗高和地径相对增长率、叶面积、苗木质量指数、生物量(根、叶和全株)和根冠比均在土壤石砾含量为40%时最大。(2)土壤石砾含量对掌叶木幼苗根系形态具有极显著影响,总根长和根表面积在土壤石砾含量为40%时最大; 而根系平均直径随石砾含量增加逐渐减小,当土壤石砾含量高达80%时,根系平均直径最小。(3)土壤石砾含量对掌叶木幼苗根系拓扑结构和分形特征无显著影响,而对根系平均连接长度和分叉数有极显著影响,其中各处理根系拓扑指数(TI)、修正拓扑指数(q_a和q_b)均趋近于1,即掌叶木幼苗根系在不同土壤石砾含量中分支模式更趋近于鱼尾形分支; 根系平均连接长度随石砾含量增加先增大后减小,在土壤石砾含量40%时最大; 根系分叉数随石砾含量增加逐渐减小。(4)综合评价幼苗生长和根系形态与构型指标表明,掌叶木幼苗在40%土壤石砾含量中地下根系和地上茎叶生长状况最好。因此,土壤添加适量石砾能促进掌叶木幼苗生长,当石砾含量为40%时幼苗生长效果最好,苗木质量指数最高,最适宜掌叶木幼苗生长。     

The Relationship Between Temperature Stress Resistance and Changes of the Endogenous Scavengers of Activated Oxygen in Hybrid Rice

The seedlings of hybrid rice were exposed to low(l℃) and high (40℃) temperatures and the permeability of plasma membrane, the activities of SOD, catalase, and peroxidase were assayed and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), ascorbic acid and glutathione were estimated. The ability of the seedlings to scavenge activated oxygen progresively decreased with the time of exposure to low temperature, concurrently MDA gradually accumulated and the permeability of the plasma membrane decreased. The amounts of MDA increased were different in the two hybrid combinations and were not in accordance with the ability of cold resistance. Comparing the more resistant variety “Wei-you 287” with the less resistant variety “Wei-you 49”, it was found that the leakage of electrolytes, the activities of SOD, peroxidase and catalase and the content of glutathione were all higher in the more resistant variety, but the accumulation of MDA was more in the less resistant variety. Higher temperature was less harmful than lower one to the seedlings of hybrid rice. Both enzymic and non-enzymic systems scavenging activated oxygen were similarly important in protecting the seedlings from damage by such oxygen.     

不同pH值下丛枝菌根真菌对枳生长及铁吸收的影响

摘要：【目的】本文对营养液不同pH值下丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhiza)真菌地表球囊霉（Glomus versiforme）对枳[Poncirus trifoliata]实生苗生长及植株铁营养状况的影响进行了初步研究。【方法】采用盆栽砂培试验,分别施浇pH 5.0、6.0、7.0和8.0的霍格兰营养液（含50 μM Fe-EDTA）;常规方法测定植株生长指标;曲利苯蓝染色法测定菌根侵染率;分光光度法测定叶绿素含量和根系三价铁螯合物还原酶活性;原子吸收分光光度法测定叶片钾和活性铁含量;钒     

EFFECT OF AIR IONS ON IAA CONTENT OF BARLEY SEEDLINGS

Exposure of barley seedlings (Hordeum vulgaris) growing in sandand liquid cultures to either negatively- or positively-ionizedair results in increased growth in terms of integral elongation,and fresh and dry weight increase. Using large quantities oftissue and a modified method it was found that free and boundIAA contents were not significantly modified by exposure ofseedlings to ionized air. It might be supposed that an equilibriumbetween free and bound IAA was not modified by exposure to airions. (Received August 3, 1965; )     

Phenolic acclimation to ultraviolet-A irradiation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus nitens</Emphasis> seedlings raised across a nutrient environment gradient

We investigated the effects of long-term acclimation of Eucalyptus nitens seedlings to ultraviolet-A (UV-A) irradiation (320–400 nm) on phenolic compounds (gallotannins, stilbenes, and flavonols), photochemical efficiency, and chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. Seedlings were raised under four nutrient regimes, ranging from low to high application rates, in an environment that included or excluded UV-A irradiance. Our aims were: to classify phenolic compounds that absorb in the UV-A and their relative contribution to total UV-A absorption; to identify how phenolic compounds respond to UV-A exposure and exclusion, and to determine how plant nutrient status affects acclimation of photo-and pigment-chemistry to UV-A exposure and exclusion. Gallotannins contributed to only a minor fraction of total absorption within the lower range (320–360 nm) of the UV-A spectrum. Stilbene and flavonol compounds dominated absorption within the 320–360 and 360–400 nm ranges, respectively. Contents of gallotannin were generally high in UV-A-exposed seedlings. Although there was a significant effect of UV-A on contents of stilbenes, a general response (across nutrient treatment comparisons) was not evident. Contents of flavonols were not affected by UV-A exposure. Contents of gallotannin, stilbene, and flavonols decreased from low to high nutrient-application treatments. There were no effects of UV-A on photochemical efficiency or pigment-chemistry.     

水分胁迫对脂松幼苗叶绿素荧光特征的影响

以2年生盆栽脂松苗木为材料,研究了不同土壤含水量（干旱和水渍胁迫及解除胁迫后）对脂松幼苗的叶绿素荧光参数的影响,旨在为脂松的扩大栽培和管理提供理论依据。结果表明：（1）土壤水分胁迫对脂松苗木针叶初始荧光(F_o)、最大荧光(F_m)、可变荧光（F_v）、PSⅡ最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、PSⅡ电子传递量子产率（Φ_PSⅡ）有显著影响（p<0.05）;（2）干旱和淹水胁迫中脂松针叶光化学效率（F_v/F_m）均表现为随胁迫强度增大和时间的延长而降低,总体表现为FC60>FC80>FC>FC40>FC20>FL,解除胁迫后有不同程度的升高,且干旱处理比水淹处理恢复快。（3）60%土壤含水量叶绿素荧光参数水平最佳,据此认为中等轻度干旱立地较适宜脂松苗木生长。