Widening of xylem conduits in a conifer tree depends on the longer time of cell expansion downwards along the stem

The diameter of vascular conduits increases towards the stem base. It has been suggested that this profile is an efficient anatomical feature for reducing the hydraulic resistance when trees grow taller. However, the mechanism that controls the cell diameter along the plant is not fully understood. The timing of cell differentiation along the stem was investigated. Cambial activity and cell differentiation were investigated in a Picea abies tree (11.5 m in height) collecting microsamples at nine different heights (from 1 to 9 m) along the stem with a 4 d time interval. Wood sections (8-12 μm thick) were stained and observed under a light microscope with polarized light to differentiate the developing xylem cells. Cell wall lignification was detected using cresyl violet acetate. The first enlarging cells appeared almost simultaneously along the tree axis indicating that cambium activation is not height-dependent. A significant increase in the duration of the cell expansion phase was observed towards the tree base: at 9 m from the ground, xylem cells expanded for 7 d, at 6 m for 14 d, and at 3 m for 19 d. The duration of the expansion phase is positively correlated with the lumen area of the tracheids (r(2)=0.68, P < 0.01) at the same height. By contrast, thickness of the cell wall of the earlywood did not show any trend with height. The lumen area of the conduits down the stem appeared linearly dependent on time during which differentiating cells remained in the expansion phase. However, the inductive signal of such long-distance patterned differentiation remains to be identified.     

Leaf demography and growth of the tree-fern Cyathea pubescens Mett. ex Kuhn in Jamaica

Leaf demography and growth of the tree-fern Cyathea pubescens Mett. ex Kuhn in Jamaica. A demographic study of the fronds of Cyathea pubescens has been made at c. 1550 m altitude in the mountains of Jamaica; a smaller study has been made for C. furfuracea and C. woodwardioides. Leaves were tagged on 119 C. pubescens in August 1979 and inspected at intervals until September 1980. Leaf scars were counted on the trunks of 39 of the 119 trees. There were many individuals < 0.4 m tall (mostly without trunks) and much smaller numbers in all other size classes (to 9.0 m tall).
Leaf production increased after periods of higher rainfall, but the mortality rate was much less variable. Mean leaf-life was about 525 days in C. pubescens , about 328 days in C. furfuracea and about 730 days in C. woodwardioides.
With increasing distance from the stem apex the numbers of leaf scars per 0.2 m of trunk decreases, and the mean length of an individual leaf scar increases, irrespective of absolute trunk height. This may indicate extension growth throughout the length of the trunk, though measurements to date have not confirmed this.
Height is a poor predictor of time for trunk growth (total age cannot be calculated because the time for establishment has not been measured). The mean rate of trunk growth, once it has started, is about 1.0 m every 15 years.     

Morphological changes and transversal growth kinetics along the apical meristem in the pericycle cell types of the onion adventitious root

Summary In the apical meristem of the adventitious root ofAllium cepa, all pericycle cells show a marked increase in cross-sectional area between 400 and 800 m behind the tip, this transversal growth ceasing in the 1,200–1,400 m interval. However, different pericycle cell types (opposite xylem, intervening and opposite phloem) show different transversal growth kinetics. Along the meristem, the opposite xylem cells are narrower than both the intervening and opposite phloem cells, and these latter are similar in cross-sectional area. Another relevant difference is in the polarity of the transversal expansion, which in turn gives rise to changes in cell shape. In fact, in apical most portions of the meristem, the opposite phloem cells mainly expand tangentially, while the intervening cells do so radially, and the opposite xylem cells undergo a similar tangential and radial expansion. By contrast, in basal most portions of the meristem, radial expansion continues in the opposite phloem cells when it has ceased in the intervening cells. These latter expand tangentially once again when tangential expansion has ceased in the opposite phloem cells. As a consequence of this transversal growth, the opposite xylem cells, which can initiate lateral root primordia, retain their isodiametric transversal shape along the meristem, whereas the transversal shape of the opposite phloem and intervening cells initially changes from isodiametric to markedly enlarged tangentially (opposite phloem) or radially (intervening), after which both cell types tend to become more rounded in shape.     

Water stress, shoot growth and storage of non-structural carbohydrates along a tree height gradient in a tall conifer

We analysed concentrations of starch, sucrose, glucose and fructose in upper branch wood, foliage and trunk sapwood of Douglas-fir trees in height classes ranging from ~2 to ~57 m. Mean concentrations of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) for all tissues were highest in the tallest height class and lowest in the lowest height class, and height-related trends in NSC were most pronounced in branches. Throughout a 17-month sampling period, mean values of branch NSC from the 57 m trees ranged between 30 and 377% greater than the 2 m trees. Branch NSC was inversely correlated with midday shoot water potential (Ψ(l)), shoot osmotic potential at full turgor (Ψ) and shoot extension. Temporal fluctuation in branch NSC was inversely correlated with height, and positively correlated with midday Ψ(l) , Ψ and shoot extension. The positive correlation between height and storage of NSC, and the negative correlation between NSC storage and shoot extension provide evidence that size-related growth decline in trees is not strongly associated with constraints on photosynthesis. The negative correlation between height and fluctuation in NSC suggests that mobilization of photosynthate in taller trees is constrained by some factor such as reductions in turgor-driven cell expansion or constraints on phloem transport.     

香椿优树子代早期生长差异分析及初步选择

来自12个种源的70个香椿(Toona sinensis)优树子代在福建省永春县和华安县进行造林测定试验,调查2年生香椿优树子代测定林生长情况。结果表明,华安2年生香椿优树子代树高1.10～2.80 m,地径1.24～3.72 cm,永春2年生香椿优树子代树高0.91～2.71 m,地径1.18～3.68 cm,华安和永春两个试验点内不同香椿家系的树高和地径差异达到极显著水平(P<0.01)。华安试验点树高和地径的变异系数分别为20.22%和23.68%,初步选出6个早期生长表现优秀的家系,平均树高和地径分别为2.55 m和3.44 cm,平均遗传增益分别为23.70%和30.16%;永春试验点树高和地径的变异系数分别为26.44%和26.48%,初步选出19个早期生长表现优秀的家系,平均树高和地径分别为2.52 m和3.34 cm,平均遗传增益分别为25.07%和24.96%。通过树高和地径的聚类分析与生长比较,70个参试家系可分为优、良、中、差和极差5个类别。综合2个试验点生长表现,初步认定4号、23号、53号和65号等4个家系为优良家系。     

Dynamics of a stand of Scalesia pedunculata Hooker fil., Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

A seven-year study of a stand of the endemic Scalesia pedunculata (Asteraceae), which is the dominant tier ill the humid forest on the island oS Santa Cruz, Galápagos, reveals a characteristic pattern of growth and survival. The Scalesia trees initially show a rapid increase in both height and girth. After approximately 34–56 years the trees may reach 7–8 m in height and start producing flowers; the relative increase in girth then becomes more pronounced. The mortality rate is very high during the first 4–5 years, decreasing thereafter as the individuals age. It is suggested that the growth and survival pattern of S. pedunculata is an expression of an adaptive strategy fitted for a pioneer or early-successional tree. This tree is simultaneously able to persist in the community by the means of a large reproductive effort and a rapid population turnover. The method of seed-dispersal in the genus discussed in relation to the growth pattern.     

Signal 3 availability limits the CD8 T cell response to a solid tumor

CD8 T cells need a third signal, along with Ag and costimulation, for effective survival and development of effector functions, and this can be provided by IL-12 or type I IFN. Adoptively transferred OT-I T cells, specific for H-2K(b) and OVA, encounter Ag in the draining lymph nodes of mice with the OVA-expressing E.G7 tumor growing at a s.c. site. The OT-I cells respond by undergoing limited clonal expansion and development of effector functions (granzyme B expression and IFN-gamma production), and they migrate to the tumor where they persist but fail to control tumor growth. In contrast, OT-I T cells deficient for both the IL-12 and type I IFN receptors expand only transiently and rapidly disappear. These results suggested that some signal 3 cytokine is available, but that it is insufficient to support a CTL response that can control tumor growth. Consistent with this, administration of IL-12 at day 10 of tumor growth resulted in a large and sustained expansion of wild-type OT-I cells with enhanced effector functions, and tumor growth was controlled. This did not occur when the OT-I cells lacked the IL-12 and type I IFN receptors, demonstrating that the therapeutic effect of IL-12 results from direct delivery of signal 3 to the CD8 T cells responding to tumor Ag in the signal 3-deficient environment of the tumor.     

Characterization of Growth-Retardant Effects on Vegetative Growth of Date Palm Seedlings

The leaves, inflorescences, and fruit bunches of date palm trees develop at the crown, which is the apex of a single trunk that can be up to 25 m tall. Because palm trees are monocots, the leaves and inflorescences are generated deep within the trunk from a single meristem—the palm heart—and are inaccessible for direct bioregulator treatments. We followed the effects of two growth regulators, paclobutrazol and uniconazole-P, on the vegetative growth of young date palm seedlings. Both growth regulators constrained the elongation rate of the leaves and reduced the leaf length. Microscopic analysis of dissected palm hearts revealed that the growth retardants did not affect the generation of new leaves. However, the treatments did change the dimensions of the developing embryonic leaves as well as the shape of the apical meristem. The results suggest the possible future use of growth retardants to reduce trunk height, enabling cheaper, safer, and more efficient management of date palm trees.     

On the detection of dynamic responses in a drought-perturbed tropical rainforest in Borneo

The dynamics of aseasonal lowland dipterocarp forest in Borneo is influenced by perturbation from droughts. These events might be increasing in frequency and intensity in the future. This paper describes drought-affected dynamics between 1986 and 2001 in Sabah, Malaysia, and considers how it is possible, reliably and accurately, to measure both coarse- and fine-scale responses of the forest. Some fundamental concerns about methodology and data analysis emerge. In two plots forming 8 ha, mortality, recruitment, and stem growth rates of trees ≥10 cm gbh (girth at breast height) were measured in a ‘pre-drought’ period (1986–1996), and in a period (1996–2001) including the 1997–1998 ENSO-drought. For 2.56 ha of subplots, mortality and growth rates of small trees (10–<50 cm gbh) were found also for two sub-periods (1996–1999, 1999–2001). A total of c. 19 K trees were recorded. Mortality rate increased by 25% while both recruitment and relative growth rates increased by 12% for all trees at the coarse scale. For small trees, at the fine scale, mortality increased by 6% and 9% from pre-drought to drought and on to ‘post-drought’ sub-periods. Relative growth rates correspondingly decreased by 38% and increased by 98%. Tree size and topography interacted in a complex manner with between-plot differences. The forest appears to have been sustained by off-setting elevated tree mortality by highly resilient stem growth. This last is seen as the key integrating tree variable which links the external driver (drought causing water stress) and population dynamics recorded as mortality and recruitment. Suitably sound measurements of stem girth, leading to valid growth rates, are needed to understand and model tree dynamic responses to perturbations. The proportion of sound data, however, is in part determined by the drought itself. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

慈姑匍匐茎的起源和球茎的膨大研究

匍匐茎的发生一般见于主茎倒二或倒三叶原基的叶腋部位。在匍匐茎发生区域的主茎一侧,匍匐茎原始细胞的基部形成壳状区;壳状区的形成对匍匐茎原基的外凸起一定作用。匍匐茎无居间分生组织;它的伸长依靠顶端分生组织细胞的横向分裂,使轴向细胞数目增多,并使细胞的轴向延伸。球茎的膨大是通过匍匐茎第8—10节基本分生组织的细胞有丝分裂,增加细胞数目,然后细胞体积的扩大来实现的。球茎中的淀粉一般为单粒淀粉;匍匐茎中的淀粉由单粒和复合两种淀粉粒组成。     

The ROP2 GTPase controls the formation of cortical fine F-actin and the early phase of directional cell expansion during Arabidopsis organogenesis

Polar cell expansion in differentiating tissues is critical for the development and morphogenesis of plant organs and is modulated by hormonal and developmental signals, yet little is known about signaling in this fundamental process in plants. In contrast to tip-growing cells, such as pollen tubes and root hairs, cells in developing tissues are thought to expand by diffuse growth. In this study, we provide evidence that these cells expand in two phases with distinct mechanisms. In the early phase, cell expansion can occur in both longitudinal and radial or lateral directions and is mediated by Rop GTPase signaling, a mechanism known to control tip growth. The expression of a dominant-negative mutant for ROP2 (DN-rop2) inhibited polar cell expansion, whereas the expression of a constitutively active mutant (CA-rop2) caused isotropic expansion in the early phase. In the late phase, expansion occurs only in the longitudinal direction and is not affected by DN-rop2 or CA-rop2 expression. The transition from the early to the late phase coincides with the reorientation of cortical microtubules from random to transverse arrangements. Thus, cell expansion in the late phase is consistent with polar diffuse growth, in which polarity probably is defined by transverse cortical microtubules. We show that the direction of cell expansion in the early phase is associated with the localization of diffuse fine cortical F-actin in leaf epidermal cells. DN-rop2 expression specifically inhibited the formation of this F-actin, but not actin cables, whereas CA-rop2 expression caused delocalized distribution of this fine F-actin throughout the cell cortex. Furthermore, green fluorescent protein-ROP2 was localized preferentially to the cortical region of the cell, where expansion apparently occurs. These observations suggest that ROP2 control of the polar expansion of cells within tissues is analogous to the Rop control of tip growth and of tip-localized F-actin in pollen tubes and root hairs and that the tip growth mechanism also may modulate polar cell expansion in differentiating tissues.     

Hydrodynamics and cell volume oscillations in the pollen tube apical region are integral components of the biomechanics of Nicotiana tabacum pollen tube growth

Pollen tube growth is localized at the apex and displays oscillatory dynamics. It is thought that a balance between intracellular turgor pressure (hydrostatic pressure, reflected by the cell volume) and cell wall loosening is a critical factor driving pollen tube growth. We previously demonstrated that water flows freely into and out of the pollen tube apical region dependent on the extracellular osmotic potential, that cell volume changes reflect changes in the intracellular pressure, and that cell volume changes differentially induce, increases or decreases in specific phospholipid signals. This article shows that manipulation of the extracellular osmotic potential rapidly induces modulations in pollen tube growth rate frequencies, demonstrating that changes in the intracellular pressure are sufficient to reset the pollen tube growth oscillator. This indicates a direct link between intracellular hydrostatic pressure and pollen tube growth. Altering hydrodynamic flow through the pollen tube by replacing extracellular H₂O with ²H₂O adversely affects both cell volume and growth rate oscillations and induces aberrant morphologies. Normal growth and cell morphology are rescued by replacing ²H₂O with H₂O. Further studies revealed that the cell volume oscillates in the pollen tube apical region. These cell volume oscillations were not from changes in cell shape at the tip and were detectable up to 30 μm distal to the tip (the longest length measured). Cell volume in the apical region oscillates with the same frequency as growth rate oscillations but surprisingly the cycles are phase-shifted by 180°. Raman microscopy yields evidence that hydrodynamic flow out of the apex may be part of the biomechanics that drive cellular expansion. The combined results suggest that hydrodynamic loading/unloading in the apical region induces cell volume oscillations and has a role in driving cell elongation and pollen tube growth.     

The Development of the Shoot Apex of Agropyron repens (L.)Beauv.

During the phase of growth between the production of one and10 mature leaves the primary shoot apex of Agropyron repensundergoes first an increase and then a decrease in size. Theapical dome was found to attain a maximum size at the six leafstage. The changes are attributable to changes in cell number,mean cell size remaining constant after an initial decrease.The zonation pattern, and particularly the number of tunicalayers, varies with the size of the dome. The apex as a wholeundergoes a greater increase in height than in diameter, withcommensurate changes in the number of leaf primordia presentupon it. Similar changes occur in the tiller but no such obvioustrends were found in the rhizome. In an experiment in whichall axillary buds were excised from the primary shoot it wasfound that the apex continued to increase in size well beyondthe maximum attained by that of an intact plant. On this evidenceit is suggested that the eventual decline of the primary shootand tiller apices is due to an inhibitory effect on the mainshoot by the developing axillary shoots.     

DEVELOPMENTAL ANATOMY OF THE STEM OF WELFIA GEORGII,IRIARTEA GIGANTEA,AND OTHER ARBORESCENT PALMS: IMPLICATIONS FOR MECHANICAL SUPPORT

Changes in stem anatomy with radial position and height were studied for the arborescent palms Welfia georgii, Iriartea gigantea, Socratea durissima, Euterpe macrospadix, Prestoea decurrens, and Cryosophila albida. Vascular bundles are concentrated toward the stem periphery and peripheral bundles contain more fibers than central bundles. Expansion and cell wall thickening of fibers within vascular bundles continues throughout the life of a palm, even in the oldest tissue. Within individual vascular bundles, the fibers nearest the phloem expand first and fiber cell walls become heavily thickened. A front of expanding fibers moves outward from the phloem until all fibers within a vascular bundle are fully expanded and have thick cell walls. Peripheral vascular bundles differentiate first and inner bundles later. In the stem beneath the crown, vascular bundles and ground tissue cells show little or no size increase, but marked cell wall thickening during development for Welfia georgii. Beneath the crown, diameters of peripheral vascular bundles increase more than twofold for Iriartea gigantea, while diameters of central bundles do not increase. In Iriartea stems, ground tissue cells at the periphery elongate to accommodate expanding vascular bundles and cell walls become thickened to a lesser degree than in fibers; central ground tissue cells elongate markedly, but cell walls do not become thickened; and large lacunae form between central parenchyma cells. For Iriartea, Socratea, and Euterpe, sustained cell expansion results in limited, but significant increases in stem diameter. For all species, sustained cell wall thickening results in dramatic increases in stem stiffness and strength.     

Colchicine-induced expansion ofVaucheria cell apex. Alteration from isotropic to transversally anisotropic growth

The tip-growth ofVaucheria geminata was analyzed. The elemental rate of surface expansion (RERE) at the very apex of this alga cell reaches ca. 100% min⁻¹. The expansion is almost isotropic; i.e. the both meridional and latitudinal components of RERE are almost equal. An antimicrotubular reagent, colchicine, caused expansion at the actively growing cell apex of this alga. This drug did not change the surface expansion rate, but altered the polarity of cell wall expansion from isotropic to transversally anisotropic. The orientation of cell wall microfibrils is random at the apex but axial at the basal cylindrical part of the cell. Colchicine did not change the fluence-response relationship for the first positive phototropism.     

北京市幼儿园2—6岁儿童生长情况

1985年5月—8月,作者对北京市幼儿园833名2—6岁儿童进行了人体测量调查,并对所获得的数据进行了统计分析。结果表明2—6岁儿童身高增长较快,平均每年增加70毫米,身体各部分的长度变化基本与身高的增长相协调;围度的变异范围大于长度的变异范围。同1975年调查结果相比,儿童的体重、身高、胸围等项目数值都有所增加,但身高的增加速度已减慢。     

How to shape a cylinder: pollen tube as a model system for the generation of complex cellular geometry

Expansive growth in plant cells is a formidable problem for biophysical studies, and the mechanical principles governing the generation of complex cellular geometries are still poorly understood. Pollen, the male gametophyte stage of the flowering plants, is an excellent model system for the investigation of the mechanics of complex growth processes. The initiation of pollen tube growth requires first of all, the spatially confined formation of a protuberance. This process must be controlled by the mechanical properties of the cell wall, since turgor is a non-vectorial force. In the elongating tube, cell wall expansion is confined to the apex of the cell, requiring the tubular region to be stabilized against turgor-induced tensile stress. Tip focused surface expansion must be coordinated with the supply of cell wall material to this region requiring the precise, logistical control of intracellular transport processes. The advantage of such a demanding mechanism is the high efficiency it confers on the pollen tube in leading an invasive way of life.     

CENTRIFUGAL STAMEN INITIATION IN PHYTELEPHANTOID PALMS

The phytelephantoid group, considered very highly specialized among the 15 major groups of palms, includes only three dioecious genera which are distinguished by multipartite flowers. Staminate flowers of these genera have from 120 to over 900 stamens, the largest number known in palms. Developmental material shows centrifugal inception of stamens in Palandra and Phytelephas, and the course of the trunk bundles indicates centrifugal initiation of stamens in Ammandra. Stamens of all three genera are supplied by large trunk bundles that develop acropetally following the different centrifugal expansion of the floral apex in each genus. Branches of the trunk bundles form later to supply stamen primordia as they develop. Polyandric androecia occur in ten of the major groups of palms. Other multistaminate genera show expansion and change in shape of the floral apex before stamen initiation. Centrifugal development appears to represent a different method of expansion of the floral apex to accommodate increase in stamen number in this group. Centrifugal inception of stamens in monocotyledons has previously been established only for two genera of Butomaceae.     

马尾松三代选择群体生长性状变异及选择研究

以浙江省淳安县姥山林场的6×6半双列遗传交配设计的三代测定幼林为对象,分析幼林期（2、3和5 a）的生长性状的遗传参数和育种值,及2 a生时生物量的累积与分配。结果表明,马尾松幼林期不同杂交组合间的树高、地径、冠幅和活枝数均存在显著的遗传差异,且生物量在2 a生亦存在显著的遗传差异。杂交组合2 a生的地上生物量占植株总生物量的87.17%。幼林期生长性状以树高的增长量最大,5 a生较2 a生增长了4.23倍。采用综合育种值法,依据预测的树高（H）育种值为主,结合地径（D₀）和2 a生茎干生物量（B_s）指标的配合选择方式,以入选率20%优选出杂交组合分别为22×44、33×22、40×44。以5 a生时树高、地径的单株育种值为依据,2%的入选率优选出16个单株,其树高、地径、冠幅及活枝数平均增益分别为1.07 m、1.58 cm、0.32 m和4.67个。     

Unstable F-actin specifies the area and microtubule direction of cell expansion in Arabidopsis root hairs

Plant cells expand by exocytosis of wall material contained in Golgi-derived vesicles. We examined the role of local instability of the actin cytoskeleton in specifying the exocytosis site in Arabidopsis root hairs. During root hair growth, a specific actin cytoskeleton configuration is present in the cell's subapex, which consists of fine bundles of actin filaments that become more and more fine toward the apex, where they may be absent. Pulse application of low concentrations of the actin-depolymerizing drugs cytochalasin D and latrunculin A broadened growing root hair tips (i.e., they increased the area of cell expansion). Interestingly, recovery from cytochalasin D led to new growth in the original growth direction, whereas in the presence of oryzalin, a microtubule-depolymerizing drug, this direction was altered. Oryzalin alone, at the same concentration, had no influence on root hair elongation. These results represent an important step toward understanding the spatial and directional regulation of root hair growth.