Critical oxygen pressure for growth and respiration of excised and intact roots

A method based on the measurement of ATP/ADP ratios is described. It permits the determination of the critical respiratory oxygen pressure of any organ, or part of any organ, of an intact plant. The data obtained by this method with intact maize (Zea mays L. INRA 508) root tips are compared with polarographic determinations on similar excised tissues.

When internal O₂ transport from the aerial part was prevented, the critical oxygen pressure found for the respiration of intact tips was similar to that found with excised tips. It was close to 10 kilopascals in a humid atmosphere and about 30 kilopascals in a liquid medium. Flooding of the gas spaces by vacuum infiltration did not modify these results. When internal O₂ transport from the aerial parts of the plant occurred, significantly lower values were obtained in liquid medium for the critical oxygen pressure, which shifted from more than 21 to 6 kilopascals. The higher values observed with excised root tips, compared to those obtained with intact tissues, can be explained by the lack of internal O₂ transport, rather than by the flooding of gas spaces.

Data are presented which show that root growth started to be limited at a significantly higher pressure than the respiration. These results are attributed to nonrespiratory oxidative processes with a low affinity for O₂ involved in root elongation.

     

Ventilation and respiration in roots of one-year-old seedlings of grey mangrove Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh.

Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. was grown from seed for 12 months in artificially tidal tanks providing a range of duration and depth of inundation. Plant growth characteristics were measured at harvest. Root aerenchyma development was estimated by pycnometry, root respiration rates by manometry, and the oxygen supply capacity of the above-ground portions of the plant was determined using oxygen electrode chambers. The mass per plant at harvest was influenced by the extent of inundation during growth with maximal growth at intermediate-length (1.5 to 6.5 h per tide) inundation periods. Those plants that had been submerged the longest (8.5 h per tide) had the least root tissue. The oxygen conductance of the stem base plus any pneumatophores showed a maximum in plants grown under intermediate inundation. Oxygen demand and internal gas space per unit dry weight of root were independent of extent of inundation. During high tide the plants grown at inundation periods of more than about 3–5 hours per tide were likely to become anaerobic. This may constitute a physiological limit for this species at the bottom of the tidal range.     

Improved scale-up strategies of bioreactors

Effective scale-up is essential for successful bioprocessing. While it is desirable to keep as many operating parameters constant as possible during the scale-up, the number of constant parameters realizable is limited by the degrees of freedom in designing the large-scale operation. Scale-up of aerobic fermentations is often carried out on the basis of a constant oxygen transfer coefficient, k _L a, to ensure the same oxygen supply rate to support normal growth and metabolism of the desired high cell populations. In this paper, it is proposed to replace the scale-up criterion of constant k _L by a more direct and meaningful criterion of equal oxygen transfer rate at a predetermined value of dissolved oxygen concentration. This can be achieved by using different oxygen partial pressures in the influent gas streams for different scales of operation. One more degree of freedom, i.e., gas-phase oxygen partial pressure, is thus added to the process of scale-up. Accordingly, one more operating factor can be maintained constant during scale-up. It can be used to regulate the power consumption in large-scale fermentors for economical considerations or to describe the fluid mixing more precisely. Examples are given to show that the results of optimization achieved in the bench-scale study can be translated to the production-scale fermentor more successfully with only a small change in the gas-phase oxygen partial pressure employed in the bench-scale operation.List of Symbols a m²/m³ Specific gas/liquid interfacial area - C _L mole/m³ Dissolved oxygen concentration in bulk liquid phase - C ^* mole/m³ Equilibrium oxygen concentration at gas/liquid interface - D _i m Impeller diameter - D _T m Bioreactor diameter - H _L mole/m³ · atm Henry's-law constant - k _L m/s Liquid-phase mass transfer coefficient - N 1/s Impeller agitation speed - N _i Number of impellers - OTR mole/s · m³ Oxygen transfer rate per unit volume of the medium - P _g kW Power input in aerated fermentation - P _o kW Power input in non-gassed fermentation - p _g atm Gas-phase oxygen partial pressure - Q m³/s Volumetric gas flow rate - Re _i Impeller Reynolds number - T _Q Joule Torque applied to the mixer shaft - V m³ Liquid volume - v _s m/s Superficial gas velocity - kg/m · s Liquid viscosity - kg/m³ Liquid density     

The effect of cadmium on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) shoot culture growth

The uptake of cadmium and its effect on the growth of potato shoot tips grownin vitro were followed in dependence on cadmium concentration in nutrient medium. Concentration of 10 ⁻⁶ M Cd ²⁺ did not substantially affect potato plantlet growth dynamics; but the concentration of 10⁻³ M Cd²⁺ showed a strong growth inhibitory effect accompanied with increased cadmium accumulation in both root and shoot tissues.     

Assessment of field fertilization success in the infaunal polychaete Arenicola marina (L.)

Summary

Previous studies on the fertilization rates in externally fertilizing marine invertebrates have been concerned principally with free spawning epifaunal organisms (e.g., Babcock et al., 1992). A technique has been developed to investigate fertilization success in the intertidal infaunal polychaete Arenicola marina. The spawning period at the East Sands, St Andrews, is predictable from previous data, and this facilitates the study of spawning behaviour. Female worms spawn within their burrows, where the eggs may remain for several days. Male worms release sperm puddles on to the surface of the sediment at low water. The sperm is carried on the incoming tide over the surface of the sediment where it is actively drawn into female burrows by pumping. The decrease in sperm concentration as the tide comes in has been measured, and it is estimated that there are typically about 10⁶ sperm.ml^?1 in the water column and available to the female at 1 min after covering by the incoming tide. By placing the worms into artificial plastic burrows with removable stoppers, they can be transplanted into the field prior to spawning, and removed afterwards whilst retaining all the contents of the tube (worms, gametes, sediment and water).Preliminary data on the fertilization success suggests that it is highly variable (between 0% and 90%), with typical values of 40–60% for Arenicola marina. Laboratory assays investigating fertilization rate with varying sperm concentration have shown that there is a marked increase in success at 10⁴ and 10⁵ sperm per ml, with values of 30–70%. The field data therefore appear to be consistent with laboratory studies.     

Temporal dynamics of dissolved oxygen in a floating–leaved macrophyte bed

1. Oxygen concentrations in shallow vegetated areas of aquatic systems can be extremely dynamic. In these waters, characterizing the average oxygen content or frequency of low oxygen events (hypoxia) may require high frequency measurements that span seasons and even years. In this study, moored sondes were used to collect 15‐min interval dissolved oxygen (DO) readings in an embayment of the tidal Hudson River with dense coverage by an invasive floating leaved plant (Trapa natans) and in adjacent open waters. Measurements were made from late spring to summer over a 2‐year period (2005, 2006). 2. Oxygen concentrations were far more dynamic in the vegetated embayment than in the adjacent open waters and while hypoxic conditions never occurred in the open waters, they occurred frequently in the vegetated site. Overall the vegetated site was hypoxic (DO < 2.5 mg L^?1) 30% of the time and had an average oxygen concentration of 5.1 mg L^?1. Oxygen concentration was significantly (P < 0.0001, anova ) related to season, year and tide. Low tide periods during summer of 2006 had the lowest average oxygen concentration and the highest frequency of hypoxia. 3. The greater hypoxia in summer than spring is related to changes in plant morphology. In the spring and early summer when plants are submersed hypoxia occurs at lower frequency and duration than in the summer when dense floating vegetation covers the water. The tidal pattern in oxygen is related to hydrologic exchange with the non‐vegetated open waters. Year‐to‐year variation may be related to relatively small changes in plant biomass between years. 4. Oxygen concentrations in aquatic systems can be critical to habitat quality and can have cascading impacts on redox sensitive nutrient and metal cycling. For some systems with dynamic oxygen patterns neither weekly spot sampling nor short‐duration, high‐frequency measurements may be sufficient to characterize oxygen conditions of the system.     

Ricerche Sulla Rigenerazione in Coltura Di Pterocladia Capillacea (Gmel.) Born. Et Thur

Abstract

Research on the regeneration in «Pterocladia capillacea» (Gmel.) Born, et Thur. cultured «in vitro». – It has been show that small segments (even 0,3 cm. long) of the thallus of «Pterocladia capillacea» undergo the regeneration «in vitro» of adventitious buds. Sea water enriched according to MIQUEL'S formula (1890) was used for the culture. Adventitious buds were present on both the cut-surfaces of the intercalary segments. Both surfaces regenerated, suggesting the absence of clear polarity for regeneration; howewer, usually one cut-surface showed more vigorous adventitious branches than the other one. The possibility that the predominance of one surface could be related to a polarization of the flow of nutrients from the parent segment has been discussed. The thallus originated «in vitro» is very similar to the creeping axes and the formation «in vitro» of thallus similar to that of the erect frond was never observed. 0,1γ/ml. IAA promoted regeneration and stimulated the growth of adventitious buds. IAA stimulated also the growth of the apical portion of the erect fronds. 10^?5M 2-chloro-ethyl trimethyl-ammonium chloride (CCC) stimulated regeneration and the growth of the tips of the main axis and lateral branches of apical segments. Higher CCC concentrations (10^?3M) inhibit regeneration and at the same time all the tips were necrotized; consequently some outgrowths appeared along the original axes. Such phenomenon was interpreted as a new type of regeneration obtained without any injury. Data reported in this preliminary communication represent a good approach for new study on the biochemical aspects of regeneration.     

Rapid changes in cell wall pectic polysaccharides are closely associated with early stages of aerenchyma formation, a spatially localized form of programmed cell death in roots of maize (Zea mays L.) promoted by ethylene

Aerenchyma formation in roots of maize (Zea mays L.) involves programmed death of cortical cells that is promoted by exogenous ethylene (1 µL L⁻¹) or by endogenous ethylene produced in response to external oxygen shortage (3%, v/v). In this study, evidence that degeneration of the cell wall accompanies apoptotic-like changes previously observed in the cytoplasm and nucleus (Gunawardena et al. Planta 212, 205–214, 2001), has been sought by examining de-esterified pectins (revealed by monoclonal antibody JIM 5), and esterified pectins (revealed by monoclonal antibody JIM 7). In controls, de-esterified wall pectins were found at the vertices of triangular junctions between cortical cells (untreated roots). Esterified pectins in control roots were present in the three walls bounding triangular cell-to-cell junctions. After treatment with 3% oxygen or 1 µL L⁻¹ ethylene, this pattern was lost but walls surrounding aerenchyma gas spaces became strongly stained. The results showed that cell wall changes commenced within 0·5 d and evidently were initiated by ethylene in parallel with cytoplasmic and nucleoplasmic events associated with classic intracellular processes of programmed cell death.     

Tidal cycling and parental behavior of the cichlid fish,Biotodoma cupido

Synopsis Parental behavior of the substrate-brooding cichlid, Biotodoma cupido, was studied in a small creek entering the lower Essequibo River, Guyana, where the freshwaters are affected by semi-diurnal tides. Physico-chemical variables of the tidal cycle were associated with the parental behavior of B. cupido. During late ebb and early flood tides, while off-spring were nest dependent, parents displayed intense aggression toward brood predators, mainly characins. At low tide, when the concentration of dissolved oxygen decreased to about 4 mg 1^–1 and that of free carbon dioxide increased to 28 mg 1^–1, parents entered a state of somnolence and brood predators vanished. Early flood tide brought an immediate and dramatic reversal of hypoxic and hypercarbic conditions and an associated renewal of aggressive and predatory activity. At very low tide, parents orally transferred the brood to a secondary nest depression in deeper water. The significance of water-level fluctuation to the evolution of this behavior, as well as that of parent-brood itineracy and the related phenomena of oral incubation and movable nests, is discussed.     

Relationship between intracellular pH and N metabolism in maize (Zea mays L.) roots

In vivo ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to characterize the effect of the N form (NO₃ vs. NH₄) and the external pH (4, 6, and 8), on the intracellular pH of root tips (0–5 mm) and root segments (5–30 mm). Ammonium-grown root tips were the most sensitive to changes in the external pH. In vivo ¹⁵N NMR was used to characterize the pathway of primary ammonium assimilation in the ammonium-grown roots and to compare the activity of the apical and more-basal root parts. The kinetics of ¹⁵NH₄ ⁺ incorporation showed that primary assimilation in both root tips and root segments followed the glutamine synthetase (GS) pathway. In agreement with the reported gradient of GS along the seminal root of maize, incorporation of label into glutamine amide was more rapid in tips than in segments. It is suggested that this higher GS activity increases the endogenous proton production and thus contributes to the greater dependence of the cytoplasmic pH on the external pH in the ammonium-treated root tips.     

Growth and Mitochondrial Respiration of Mungbeans (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.) Germinated at Low Pressure

Mungbean (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.) seedlings were grown hypobarically to assess the effects of low pressure (21-24 kilopascals) on growth and mitochondrial respiration. Control seedlings grown at ambient pressure (101 kilopascals) were provided amounts of O₂ equivalent to those provided experimental seedlings at reduced pressure to factor out responses to O₂ concentration and to total pressure. Respiration was assayed using washed mitochondria, and was found to respond only to O₂ concentration. Regardless of total pressure, seedlings grown at 2 millimoles O₂ per liter had higher state 3 respiration rates and decreased percentages of alternative respiration compared to ambient (8.4 millimoles O₂ per liter) controls. In contrast, seedling growth responded to total pressure but not to O₂ concentration. Seedlings were significantly larger when grown under low pressure. While low O₂ (2 millimoles O₂ per liter) diminished growth at ambient pressure, growth at low pressure in the same oxygen concentration was enhanced. Respiratory development and growth of mungbean seedlings under low pressure is unimpaired whether oxygen or air is used as the chamber gas, and further, low pressure can improve growth under conditions of poor aeration.     

Breeding waterbird wetland habitat availability and response to water-level management in Saint John River floodplain wetlands, New Brunswick

Vegetated areas of rivers and estuaries are capable of affecting the concentration of dissolved and particulate matter in water masses traversing those plant beds. We examined whether different sizes of water chestnut (Trapa natans) beds in the Hudson River, USA, alter dissolved oxygen, nutrients and turbidity of water masses. Ebb–tide water was sampled from four water chestnut beds in the tidal freshwater portion of the Hudson River estuary and each site was sampled multiple times during the growing season and once following plant senescence. Water quality variables included dissolved oxygen, turbidity, dissolved organic carbon, and inorganic nutrients. Samples from the small beds (575 m² and 624 m²) were compared with large beds (16 600 m² and 24 820 m²). Dissolved oxygen of water flooding vegetated beds in the hour before high tide was 7.18±1.03 mg/l (mean±standard deviation) with a range of 5.5–9.8 mg/l throughout the growing season. Water samples collected as water ebbed from the plant beds showed that only the large beds had an effect on dissolved oxygen with the largest declines in oxygen exhibited by the largest bed. Decline of dissolved oxygen in the water ebbing from the largest bed averaged 1.5±0.4 mg/l/h with a minimum of 4.5 mg/l, equivalent to 54% of saturation, a level at which sensitive fauna are negatively affected. There were no significant relationships between bed size or plant presence and inorganic nutrients, turbidity or DOC. Ebb–tide nitrate was never lower than 87% of flood tide means. Effective management of invasive plants must consider both the variability in effects among plant beds and the areal coverage of plant bed sizes.     

Picloram-induced somatic embryogenesis in pejibaye palm (Bactris gasipaes H.B.K.)

Somatic embryogenesis in pejibaye or peach palm (Bactris gasipaes H.B.K.) was induced from callus derived from in vitro cultured shoot tips of young field-grown plants using a modified Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 5 mg L^–1 of N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.06 mg L^–1 of picloram for three months in the dark; this was followed by an additional three months with the same medium and incubation conditions, but using 0.03 mg L^–1 of picloram. The cultures were then transferred to light on a medium without hormones. This led to the formation of morphogenic callus, in which somatic embryos, as well as shoot primordia, and finally complete plantlets were formed. These plantlets continued to grow on transfer to the greenhouse.     

A novel approach to the in situ measurement of oxygen concentrations in the sapwood of woody plants

A novel technique for the physico‐chemical analysis of xylem sap by underwater access to the sapwood of trees is described. In situ measurements of dissolved oxygen in the sapwood are performed by combining this technique with a novel optical method for oxygen detection. In early spring, the oxygen concentration of the sapwood of Betula pendula was in the range of 80–230 µmol O₂ L^?1, corresponding to an oxygen deficit of 40–75% of air saturation. Oxygen concentration maxima and minima occurred early in the morning and in the afternoon, respectively, whereas xylem sap temperatures showed the reverse pattern. In the sapwood, hypoxia increased from the beginning of bud break until frondescence, when a deficit of 86% of air saturation marked the upper limit of oxygen depletion. There seemed to be no relationship between daily variations of oxygen concentration and xylem sap pressure. In summer, sap flow was a major determinant for the diurnal variation of dissolved oxygen concentration. Oxygen supply to the sapwood was determined by both radial influx into the trunk through intercellular gas spaces and transport of dissolved oxygen via xylem sap flow. Radial influx seemed to be favoured during night‐time, when the trunk was warmer than ambient air. During daytime, the hypoxia of the sapwood rose and increased sharply in the evening, when sap flow velocity approximated zero. High temperature in the sapwood enhanced the respiratory oxygen consumption of the wood parenchyma while the supply of dissolved oxygen via the transpiration stream became ineffective.     

Aerenchyma formation and porosity in root of a mangrove plant,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Sonneratia alba</Emphasis> (Lythraceae)

Aerenchyma gas spaces are important for plants that grow in flooded and anaerobic sites or habitats, because these gas spaces provide an internal pathway for oxygen transport. The objective of this study is to characterize the development of aerenchyma gas spaces and observe the porosity in roots of Sonneratia alba. Tissue at different developmental stages was collected from four root types, i.e. cable root, pneumatophore, feeding root and anchor root, of S. alba. In S. alba, gas space is schizogenously produced in all root types, and increases in volume from the root meristem to mature root tissues. The aerenchyma formation takes place immediately, or 3–5 mm behind the root apex. At first, cortical cells are relatively round in cross sections (near the root apex); they then become two kinds of cells, rounded and armed, which combine together, forming intercellular spaces behind the root apex. The average dimensions of cortical cells increased more than 1.3 times in the vertical direction and over 3.3 times in the horizontal direction. At maturity, aerenchyma gas spaces are long tuberous structures without diaphragms and with numerous small pores on the lateral walls. Within the aerenchyma, many sclereids grow intrusively. Root porosity in all root types ranged from 0–60%. Pneumatophores and cable roots had the highest aerenchyma area (50–60%).     

Physiological effects of the presence and absence of gas vacuoles in the blue-green alga,Microcystis aeruginosa Kuetz. emend. Elenkin

Physiological evidence was obtained for a light shielding role for gas vacuoles inMicrocystis aeruginosa Kuetz. emend. Elenkin, by comparing photosynthetic oxygen evolution, growth behaviour and pigment composition of cells with intact or collapsed gas vacuoles. The oxygen evolution rates were strongly dependent on cell concentration, a maximum rate for cells with intact gas vacuoles occurring at about 1.4×10⁹ cells/ml and for cells with collapsed gas vacuoles at about 2.5×10⁹ cells/ml. By using light saturation curves for oxygen evolution, it was estimated that at low light intensities up to 30% of the photosynthetically useable light was shielded at a cell concentration of 6×10⁸ cells/ml. Collapsing the gas vacuoles twice daily did not alter the initial growth rate of the cultures, but enabled them to reach a higher final cell density. Collapsing of gas vacuoles during growth for about four generations resulted in a lower level of all acetone soluble pigments with a greater relative reduction in carotenoids than in chlorophyll a. Collapse of the gas vacuoles does not alter the cell volume. Various optical interactions which could account for light shielding are discussed.     

An energy budget for Simocephalus vetulus (O. F. Muller) (Crustacea : Cladocera)

We discuss the energetics of a cladoceran, Simocephalus vetulus at different temperatures (8.0 ± 1.0, 15.0 ± 1.0, 21.0 ± 1.0 and 28.0 ± 1.0 °C) and food (Chlamydomonas sp.) concentrations (25 × 10³, 50 × 10³, 75 × 10³ and 100 × 10³ cells ml⁻¹). Increase in temperature accelerated ingestion and, to some extent, oxygen consumption. The study revealed a high reproduction efficiency in S. vetulus. Net growth efficiency (ECI) was higher (13.17–41.18%) in pre-adults than in adults (2.71–8.40%). The assimilated energy (A) increased with increasing food concentration at all temperatures. Assimilation efficiency (AD) decreased with increasing food concentrations. The energy used for growth (P) was nearly constant at all food levels because the egested energy increased and assimilation efficiency decreased as food concentration increased.     

海岸不同生态断带植物根叶抗逆生理变化与其Na+含量的关系

以烟台海岸生态断带滨麦(Leymus mollis)和肾叶打碗花(Calystegia soldanella)为材料,在远离高潮线不同位置上取土样和植物材料,通过测定土壤Na+和两植物根叶Na+含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量、抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、CAT)活性和渗透调节物含量,以揭示滨麦和肾叶打碗花根叶中Na+在其适应海岸盐环境中的生理调控机制。结果表明,在高潮线土壤Na+含量最高,滨麦根叶Na+含量较高,两植物根叶中MDA和水分含量、抗氧化酶活力均较低,但渗透调节物含量均较高。随远离高潮线土壤Na+含量下降,滨麦根叶Na+含量下降,而肾叶打碗花根中Na+含量上升,其根叶Na+含量较滨麦分别高637%和319%。同时两植物根叶MDA含量、叶片含水量增加;两植物根中POD和SOD活力增加;两植物根叶可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量下降。但不同生态断带滨麦叶片平均含水量相对较低,MDA含量、POD和CAT和SOD活力、脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量相对较高。在盐土环境中滨麦通过降低Na+的吸收和提高抗氧化酶活力和有机渗透调节物含量维持氧自由基代谢平衡和水分平衡。而肾叶打碗花是泌盐植物,在不同生态断带其叶片Na+含量、平均含水量相对较高,叶MDA含量、POD和CAT活力、脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量均相对较低。泌盐植物的肾叶打碗花依赖根叶中积累的Na+作为无机渗透调节剂维护其离子平衡和水分平衡及正常生长。因此,积累在根叶中的Na+离子既作为无机渗透调节剂维护细胞离子平衡和水分平衡,又引发细胞生理干旱促进有机渗透调节物合成;另外还作为氧自由基诱发剂促使活性氧自由基(ROS)积累,通过积累的ROS激活抗氧化保护酶系统抑制膜脂过氧化、维护氧自由基代谢平衡。海岸沙地土壤中高浓度Na+是海滨滨麦和肾叶打碗花能长期在盐土环境中生存的依靠元素,其对植物的生理调控作用可能是滨麦和肾叶打碗花适应盐土生存的重要生理适应机理。     

Gas exchange and blood gases of Puna teal (Anas versicolor puna) embryos in the Peruvian Andes

Oxygen consumption, air cell gases, hematology, blood gases and pH of Puna teal (Anas versicolor puna) embryos were measured at the altitude at which the eggs were laid (4150 m) in the Peruvian Andes. In contrast to the metabolic depression described by other studies on avian embryos incubated above 3700 m, O₂ consumption of Puna teal embryos was higher than even that of some lowland avian embryos at equivalent body masses. Air cell O₂ tensions dropped from about 80 toor in eggs with small embryos to about 45 toor in eggs containing a 14-g embryo; simultaneously air cell CO₂ tension rose from virtually negligible amounts to around 26 torr. Arterial and venous O₂ tensions (32–38 and 10–12 toor, respectively, in 12- to 14-g embryos) were lower than described previously in similarly-sized lowland wild avian embryos or chicken embryos incubated in shells with restricted gas exchange. The difference between air cell and arterial O₂ tensions dropped significantly during incubation to a minimum of 11 torr, the lowest value recorded in any avian egg. Blood pH (mean 7.49) did not vary significantly during incubation. Hemoglobin concentration and hematocrits rose steadily throughout incubation to 11.5 g · 100 ml^-1 and 39.9%, respectively, in 14-g embryos.Abbreviations PO₂ partial pressure gradient of O₂ - BM body mass - D diffusion coefficient - G gas conductance (cm³·s^-1·torr^-1) - conductance to water vapor - IP internal pipping of embryos - P _ACO₂ partial pressure of carbon dioxide in air cell - P _AO₂ partial pressure of oxygen in air cell - P _aCO₂ partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood - P _aCO₂ partial pressure of oxygen in arteries - P _H barometric pressure (torr) - PCO₂ partial pressure of carbon dioxide - P _IO₂ partial pressure in ambiant air - PO₂ partial pressure of oxygen - P _VCO₂ venous carbon dioxide partial pressure - P _VO₂ mixed venous oxygen partial pressure - SE standard error - VO ₂ oxygen consumption     

Abscisic Acid Response of Corn (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) Roots and Protoplasts to Lanthanum

Lanthanum ions antagonize calcium and are used as a Ca²⁺ channel blocker but their direct effects are unknown. We investigated lanthanum effects on endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) levels in protoplasts and intact primary roots of Zea mays L. Application of 1 mM La³⁺ reduced primary root elongation, caused swelling of root tips, and essentially doubled the ABA content in intact roots but decreased ABA in root protoplasts in a concentration-dependent manner. Osmotic stress increased ABA level in protoplasts more than in intact roots. Temporal ABA changes in response to La³⁺ treatment indicate that La³⁺ affects root growth at least partially via ABA pathway.