Genotypic Differences in the Temperature Responses of Tropical Crops: I. GERMINATION CHARACTERISTICS OF GROUNDNUT (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L.) AND PEARL MILLET (PENNISETUM TYPHOIDES S. & H.)

Mohamed, H. A., Clark, J. A. and Ong, C. K. 1988. Genotypicdifferences in the temperature responses of tropical crops.I. Germination characteristics of groundnut (Arachis hypogaeaL.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. & H.).—J.exp. Bot. 39: 1121–1128. The germination at constant temperature of several genotypesof groundnut and pearl millet was investigated between 0?C and50?C on a thermal gradient plate. Large differences in bothgermination rate and percentage germination were observed inboth species. Base temperatures vary from 8–11.5?C and 8–13.5?Cin groundnut and millet, respectively and optimum temperaturesfrom about 29–36.5?C in both. Maximum temperatures forgermination ranged from 41–47?C. The results are discussedin terms of adaptation to high soil temperature and crop establishmentin the semi-arid tropics. Key words: Temperature, germination, millet, groundnut     

Genotypic Differences in the Temperature Responses of Tropical Crops: II. SEEDLING EMERGENCE AND LEAF GROWTH OF GROUNDNUT (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L.) AND PEARL MILLET (PENNISETUM TYPHOIDES S. & H.)

Mohamed, H. A., Clark, J. A. and Ong, C. K. 1988. Genotypicdifferences in the temperature responses of tropical crops.II. Seedling emergence and leaf growth of groundnut (Arachishypogaea L.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. &H.).—J. exp. Bot. 39: 1129-1135. Measurements of seedling emergence and leaf growth of five milletand seven groundnut genotypes were made at soil temperaturesranging from 7 to 27?C. The rate of seedling emergence (R_e)varied greatly between millet genotypes but R_e was remarkablysimilar in groundnut genotypes. In pearl millet there is a strongcorrelation between the rate of germination and the rate ofleaf production, hourly leaf extension and seedling emergence.The results are discussed in terms of the thermal time requirementsof various processes. Key words: Temperature, emergence, groundnut, millet     

Response to Temperature in a Stand of Pearl Millet: VI. LIGHT INTERCEPTION AND DRY MATTER PRODUCTION

Stands of pearl millet were grown in glasshouses in which meanair temperature was controlled to 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31 ?C withan amplitude of ?5 ?C. During the main growth period, leaf areaindex increased at a constant rate which was proportional tomean temperature above a base of 10 ?C. The warmest stand, therefore,intercepted more radiation before anthesis but the transmissioncoefficient was independent of temperature (K 0.3). Based ondry weight at final harvest, the efficiency of conversion forintercepted radiation ranged from about 2.1–2.4 g MJ^–1consistent with field experience. Combining this informationwith figures for the duration of growth in relation to temperaturesuggests that growth rate should be maximal at 25–27 ?Cand total dry weight at 20–22 ?C. Key words: Temperature, Pearl millet, Growth rate, Light     

Response to Temperature in a Stand of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. & H.): III. ROOT DEVELOPMENT

This paper examines the use of thermal time (accumulated temperature)to analyse the effects of temperature on the development ofpearl millet. The plants were grown in columns of soil withinstands of millet growing in controlled environment glasshouses.A range of almost constant soil temperatures was maintainedat a number of air temperatures that were allowed to vary sinusoidallythroughout the day. The number of root axes and lateral rootswere counted on several occasions for young plants by destructivesampling of the columns. The results show that root axis and lateral development is relatedto the thermal time measured at the shoot meristem using a basetemperature of 12 ° C. The shoot meristem temperature consistentlyproved to be more closely related to root development than soiltemperature at a depth of 5.0 cm. The difficulty of relating root development to temperature ata particular depth is discussed, together with the problemsof selecting an appropriate base temperature. For the conceptof thermal time to provide a clearer understanding of temperatureeffects on root development, it will be necessary to take accountof possible differences in the thermal response of differentparts of the root system and of other environmental factors,particularly soil water status. Key words: Pennisetum typhotdes, Temperature, Thermal time, Root development     

Response to Temperature in a Stand of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. & H.): V. DEVELOPMENT AND FATE OF TILLERS

The development of individual tillers in stands of pearl milletwas investigated in a suite of temperature-controlled glasshousesmaintained at mean air temperatures of 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31?C. The rate of leaf appearance of individual tillers was similarto that on the main culm but later tillers produced fewer leaves.Apical dissection revealed that 2–5 leaf primordia failedto emerge from some tillers and the cessation of developmentpreceded any external signs of premature senescence by 3–4weeks. The concept of thermal time is used to determine when leaf appearanceceased on individual tillers. Tiller development stopped synchronouslyat about 430 ?Cd in all treatments, indicating that it was relatedto a common physiological or environmental condition. This periodcorresponded to the start of stem elongation and closure ofcrop canopy but because temperature has a major influence onboth it was impossible to reach a firm conclusion about themechanisms responsible for the cessation of tiller development.The yield and fate of individual tillers are also presented. Key words: Tiller development, Millet, Temperature     

Response to Temperature in a Stand of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. & H.): VII. FINAL NUMBER OF SPIKELETS AND GRAINS

An index which incorporates rates of plant growth and of development—athermal interception rate (TIR)/is used to analyse final spikeletand grain number in pearl millet. Growth rate was assumed proportionalto solar radiation intercepted (MJ per plant per day) and developmentalrate to the accumulation of degree days above a previously determinedbase of 10 °C. Measurements were assembled from experimentsin glasshouses with precise temperature control and from a fieldstudy in the tropics. The final number of spikelets was less sensitive to TIR thanthe final number of grains per plant. The critical period forthe determination of grain number is from floral initiationto anthesis (GS2 period). Key words: Temperature, Spikelets, Grains, Pearl millet     

Time, Temperature and Germination of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. & H.): III. INHIBITION OF GERMINATION BY SHORT EXPOSURE TO HIGH TEMPERATURE

Seeds of pearl millet were germinated on wet filter paper attemperatures up to 50 ?C. In one experiment, the temperaturewas held at 50 ?C during imbibition and was then lowered to32 ?C or 25 ?C. Germination rate and the maximum fraction ofseeds germinating (G_m) both decreased as the time of exposureto 50 ?C increased. In contrast, exposure to 50 ?C after imbibitionfor 8 h slowed germination but did not significantly reduceG_m. When the ‘high’ temperature imposed after imbibitionwas reduced from 50 ?C to 45 ?C, there was a small reductionin the rate of germination but not in G_m. The responses haveimplications for the optimum time of sowing in the tropics whenmaximum daytime soil temperature at the depth of sowing is inthe range of 45–50 ?C. Key words: Pennisetum typhoides, Temperature, Germination     

Response to Temperature in a Stand of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. & H.): 4. EXTENSION OF INDIVIDUAL LEAVES

The leaf extension rate of millet plants was measured with auxanometersin temperature-controlled glasshouses. Temperature was the dominantenvironmental factor governing the rate of leaf extension. Theobserved linear relation between extension rate and meristemtemperature had a base temperature of 10 ?C and a less clearlydefined optimum of about 30–32 ?C. Leaf growth was expressed as extension per unit thermal time,mm (?C h)^–1, to examine the influence of saturation deficit,irradiance and ontogeny at different temperatures. Leaf extensionwas independent of saturation deficit below 3.0 kPA. Irradiance,ranging from 4–16 MJ m^–2 d^–1, had a greaterinfluence on the first five leaves than the subsequent onesbut there was a large effect of leaf position. The results arediscussed in relation to the growth of crop leaves in a tropicalclimate. Key words: Leaf extension, Millet, Temperature     

Time, Temperature and Germination of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. & H.): I. CONSTANT TEMPERATURE

The germination of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. &H.) seeds was investigated at constant temperatures between12 ?C and 47 ?C on a thermal gradient plate. The rate of germination increased linearly with temperaturefrom a base T_b to a sharply defined optimum T_o beyond whichthe rate decreased linearly with temperature, reaching zeroat T_m. The linearity of the response both above and below T_oallowed time and temperature to be combined in a thermal timeat which a specified fraction of the seeds germinated. Withinthe population T_b and T_m were constant.     

Response to Temperature in a Stand of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. & H.): VIII. ROOT GROWTH

P J. Gregory. 1986. Response to temperature in a stand of pearlmillet (Pennisetum typhoides S. & H.). VIII. Root growth—J.exp. Bot. 37: 379–388. Two experiments were made in controlled glasshouscs to investigatethe growth of roots of pearl millet at different air and soiltemperatures. The experimental plants were grown in columnsof soil within stands of millet for 3 to 4 weeks and destructivelysampled at regular intervals to estimate the length of individualroot axes and of the root system. The length of individual rootaxes increased exponentially with time and at any particulartime the rate of extension was faster the higher the soil temperature.Clear ontogenctic effects on the rates of elongation were detected,with each succeeding axis elongating faster than its predecessor.Total root length was longer the higher the soil temperature(at a particular air temperature) and increased exponentiallywith time and with thermal time assessed from temperatures measuredat 2·0 cm depth. Whereas length at a particular timehad a 10-fold range, length at a particular thermal time hadonly a 3-fold range. Mean irradiance differed between the twoexperiments and as a means of exploring the importance of carbohydrateresources for root extension, relations between root length,leaf area and the amount of radiation intercepted were sought. Root length and leaf area were linearly related for all temperaturetreatments in both years as were root length and interceptedradiation. However, whilst the former relation was the samein both years, the latter was different. Root dry weight andintercepted radiation were also linearly related with the samerelation for both years so that the root length: weight ratiosdiffered between years because of factors not controlled inthese experiments. The results show the close relation between root and shoot growthand that thermal time together with the amount of radiationintercepted by the leaves might be used as the basis for quantifyingthe effects of temperature on root growth. Key words: Pearl millet, temperature, thermal time, root extension, root growth     

Growth and Dormancy in Lunularia cruciata (L.) Dum.: III. THE WAVELENGTHS OF LIGHT EFFECTIVE IN PHOTOPERIODIC CONTROL

Growth and dormancy in Lunularia are controlled by daylength,short-day promoting active growth, long-day or light-break treatmentinducing dormancy. Light-breaks of red light are highly effectivein inducing dormancy, while irradiation with other wavebandsis much less inhibitory to growth. Far-red light given afterred irradiation causes substantial reversal of the red-lighteffect, suggesting strongly that phytochrome is involved inthe photoperiodic response mechanism of Lunularia. However,even short(15 sec.) exposures to far-red light alone cause significantgrowth inhibition, and it is considered possible that far-redirradiation also leads to the formation of some of the P 730form of phytochrome.     

Growth and Dormancy in Lunularia cruciata (L.) Dum.: IV. LIGHT AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL OF RHIZOID FORMATION IN GEMMAE

The first sign of initiation of growth in dormant gemmae ofL. cruciata is the formation of rhizoids. Gemmae in the cupcannot ‘germinate‘ until exposed to substrate conditionsallowing the outward diffusion of a growth inhibitor. Rhizoidproduction depends on temperature and light. With long lightperiods rhizoids are formed over a wide range of temperatures.Transference to darkness after 2 h white light causes about50 per cent of gemmae to produce rhizoids, and these are formedonly between 20 and 25 °C. Outside these temperature limitsthe percentage of gemmae with rhizoids soon drops to zero. Althoughrhizoid production is prevented in total darkness, gemmae remainalive for well over 6 months. Red light for as little as 5 spromoted, and far-red light inhibited, rhizoid formation inthe dark. Coumarin and indol-3yl-acetic acid can substitutefor light and partly reverse the effect of far-red irradiation.     

LIGHT AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDIES OF MYCOBACTERIUM—MYCOBACTERIOPHAGE INTERACTIONS : III. Further Studies on the Ultrathin Sections

The process of multiplication of mycobacteriophage B-1 in its host cell was studied by means of an improved technic of ultrathin sectioning. The appearance of the nuclear apparatus was not altered throughout the latent period. Phage-shaped dense particles appeared about 30 minutes after infection in less dense areas neighboring the nuclear apparatus and occasionally at the margin of the nuclear apparatus. The less dense areas, which may correspond to the phage multiplication foci according to the authors' interpretation, were not filled with such arrays of fine-stranded fibrils as are seen in the nuclear apparatus. Empty phage heads could frequently be seen within and outside the lysed cells, along with the mature phage particles, at the end of the latent period. Moreover, it was indicated that empty head membranes may possibly exist within the cells during the latent period     

Response to Saturation Deficit of Leaf Extension in a Stand of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. & H.)II: II. DEPENDENCE ON LEAF WATER STATUS AND IRRADIANCE

This paper describes how the dominant relation between leafextension and temperature in pearl millet is modified by atmosphericsaturation vapour pressure deficit (SD) and irradiance. Standsof plants were grown at two levels of SD and soil moisture content.Leaf extension, water potential (₁) and stomatal conductancewere all reduced at high SD, ₁ was more closely related to transpirationrate than to SD itself. Leaf extension rate (R) was poorly correlatedwith ₁, even after correction for temperature differences, owingto variation in solute potential between leaves. However, Rin individual leaves was linearly related to turgor potential,except after periods of low irradiance. The thermal time conceptwas modified to incorporate turgor potential and used to showthat the ‘turgor thermal rate of extension’ decreasedsharply at low irradiances, presumably due to assimilate shortage. Key words: Extension, Saturation deficit, Millet     

Response to Saturation Deficit of Leaf Extension in a Stand of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. & H.)I: I. INTERACTION WITH TEMPERATURE

Thermal time is used to analyse hourly differences in leaf extensionrate of pearl millet. The procedure enables the effects of theenvironment on leaf extension to be examined when temperatureis varying. The analysis was made on the results of two experimentsin which saturation vapour pressure deficit (SD) was controlledor allowed to vary with air temperature. In all treatments,temperature was the major environmental factor governing therate of leaf extension. The effect of SD was small in one experimentand negligible in the other. In the former, leaf extension wasalso limited by another factor, probably irradiance. Key words: Extension, Saturation deficit, Millet     

THE FINE STRUCTURE OF STREPTOMYCES VIOLACEORUBER (S. COELICOLOR) : III. The Walls of the Mycelium and Spores

A study of thin sections of hyphae of Streptomyces violaceoruber in the electron microscope showed that the structure of the walls and the mode of formation of cross-walls are similar to those of Gram-positive bacteria. A beaded structure was seen in some regions of the wall, and the significance of this observation is discussed in relation to previous studies of the fine structure of bacterial cell walls. Elements of the intracytoplasmic membrane system appear to be involved in the process of cross-wall formation. The walls of the hyphae of the aerial mycelium divide into two layers before the spores are formed, and only the inner component of the wall grows inwards to form the cross-walls and so delimit the spores. The outer component remains intact for a time and acts as a sheath around the developing spores. Finally the sheath breaks and the spores are liberated. This process is contrasted with the formation of endospores in eubacteria. When the spores germinate, the walls of the germ tubes are continuous with those of the spores.