Role of HSP101 in the stimulation of nodal root development from the coleoptilar node by light and temperature in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings

Nodal roots (NRs) constitute the prevalent root system of adult maize plants. NRs emerge from stem nodes located below or above ground, and little is known about their inducing factors. Here, it is shown that precocious development of NRs at the coleoptilar node (NRCNs) occurred in maize seedlings when: (i) dark grown and stimulated by the concurrent action of a single light shock of low intensity white light (2 μmol m(-2) s(-1)) and a single heat shock; (ii) grown under a photoperiod of low intensity light (0.1 μmol m(-2) s(-1)); or (iii) grown in the dark under a thermoperiod (28 °C/34 °C). The light shock effects were synergistic with heat shock and with the photoperiod, whereas the thermoperiodical and photoperiodical effects were additive. Dissection of the primary root or the root cap, to mimic the fatal consequences of severe heat shock, caused negligible effects on NRCN formation, indicating that the shoot is directly involved in perception of the heat shock-inducible signal that triggered NRCN formation. A comparison between hsp101-m5::Mu1/hsp101-m5::Mu1 and Hsp101/Hsp101 seedlings indicated that the heat shock protein 101 (HSP101) chaperone inhibited NRCN formation in the light and in the dark. Stimulation of precocious NRCN formation by light and heat shocks was affected by genetic background and by the stage of seedling development. HSP101 protein levels increased in the coleoptilar node of induced wild-type plants, particularly in the procambial region, where NRCN formation originated. The adaptive relevance of development of NRCNs in response to these environmental cues and hypothetical mechanisms of regulation by HSP101 are discussed.     

Effect of light intensity on the relative dominance of toxigenic and nontoxigenic strains of Microcystis aeruginosa

In aquatic ecosystems, the factors that regulate the dominance of toxin-producing cyanobacteria over non-toxin-producing strains of the same species are largely unknown. One possible hypothesis is that limiting resources lead to the dominance of the latter because of the metabolic costs associated with toxin production. In this study, we tested the effect of light intensity on the performance of a microcystin-producing strain of Microcystis aeruginosa (UTCC 300) when grown in mixed cultures with non-microcystin-producing strains with similar intrinsic growth rates (UTCC 632 and UTCC 633). The endpoints measured included culture growth rates, microcystin concentrations and composition, and mcyD gene copy numbers determined using quantitative PCR (Q-PCR). In contrast to the predicted results, under conditions of low light intensity (20 μmol·m(-2)·s(-1)), the toxigenic strain became dominant in both of the mixed cultures based on gene copy numbers and microcystin concentrations. When grown under conditions of high light intensity (80 μmol·m(-2)·s(-1)), the toxigenic strain still appeared to dominate over nontoxigenic strain UTCC 632 but less so over strain UTCC 633. Microcystins may not be so costly to produce that toxigenic cyanobacteria are at a disadvantage in competition for limiting resources.     

蓝光调节高粱突变体har1幼苗的去黄化反应

以航空诱变高粱突变体har1为材料,对其幼苗去黄化过程进行研究。萌发的种子在远红光下预培养6小时后,置于12小时蓝光/2小时黑暗条件下培养。测量幼苗的各器官伸长,结果表明,与野生型R111相比,harl的胚芽鞘、中胚轴、第一叶鞘以及第二叶鞘的伸长均受到蓝光的明显抑制,而蓝光对叶片生长影响不明显。3天龄har1黄化苗在连续蓝光下中胚轴花色素苷的积累明显增高,红光和远红光无此效应。此外,蓝光促进har1叶片叶绿体发育,且在蓝光照射24小时后叶片中叶绿素含量升高。Westernblot检测结果显示,7天龄R111和har1幼苗隐花色素SbCRY1b蛋白水平呈现蓝光下低、黑暗中高的变化趋势,har1的SbCRY1b蛋白水平在黑暗中高于R111。研究结果表明,高粱har1在去黄化过程中具有蓝光超敏感表型,SbCRY1b的作用值得进一步深入研究。     

不同光环境下烟草光合特性及同化产物的积累与分配机制

为了解烟草光合特性与光合作用同化产物的积累与分配对不同光环境的适应,以盆栽烟草为试验对象,于人工气候室中设置3种光照强度[遮阴(400±15)～(500±15) μmol·m^-2·s^-1;自然光强:(800±15)～(1000±15) μmol·m^-2·s^-1;高光强:(1500±15)～(1800±15) μmol·m^-2·s^-1]系统研究光照条件对烟草光合特性及光合作用同化产物在烟株-土壤系统分配的影响.结果表明: 随着光照强度的降低,烟草各组分生物量逐渐减小,根冠比降低.净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(g_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)均随光照强度的减弱呈下降趋势,胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)升高;在强光条件下烟草最大净光合速率(A_max)、光饱和点(LSP)、光补偿点(LCP)、暗呼吸速率(R_d)均达到最大值,弱光条件则具有较大的表观量子效率.光照强度影响烟草对¹³C的吸收、积累与分配,弱光条件下,烟草富集的¹³C进入到根部的比例明显较少,更多的分配到地上部.由此可知,外界光环境的变化不仅显著影响烟草叶片的光合特性与生物量积累,也使光合碳在烟株-土壤系统的分配格局发生变化.     

Xylem and cell turgor pressure probe measurements in intact roots of glycophytes: transpiration induces a change in the radial and cellular reflection coefficients

Xylem probe measurements in the roots of intact plants of wheat and barley revealed that the xylem pressure decreased rapidly when the roots were subjected to osmotic stress (NaCl or sucrose). The magnitude of the xylem pressure response and, in turn, that of the radial reflection coefficients (σ_r) depended on the transpiration rate. Under very low transpiration conditions (darkness and high relative humidity), σ_r assumed values of the order of about 0·2–0·4. The σ_r values of excised roots were also found to be rather low, in agreement with data obtained using the root pressure probe of Steudle. For transpiring plants (light intensities at least 10 μmol m^?2 s^?1; relative humidity 20–40%) the response was nearly 1:1, corresponding to radial reflection coefficients of σ_r= 1. Further increase of the light intensity to about 400 μmol m^?2 s^?1 resulted in a slight but significant decrease of the σ_r values to about 0·8. Similar measurements on maize roots confirmed our previous results (Zhu et al. 1995, Plant, Cell and Environment 18, 906–912) that, in intact transpiring plants at low light intensities of about 10 μmol m^?2 s^?1 and at relative humidities of 20–40% as well as in excised roots, the xylem pressure response was much less than expected from the external osmotic pressure (σ_r values 0·3–0·5). In contrast to wheat and barley, very high light intensities (about 700 μmol m^?2 s^?1) were needed to shift the radial reflection coefficients of maize roots to values of about 0·9. Osmotically induced xylem pressure changes were apparently linked to changes in turgor pressure in the root cortical parenchyma cells, as shown by simultaneous measurements of xylem and cell turgor pressure. In analogy to the σ_r values of the respective glycophytes, the σ_c values of the root cortical cells of wheat and barley were close to unity, whereas σ_c for maize was significantly smaller (about 0·7) under laboratory conditions. When the light intensity was increased up to about 700 μmol m^?2 s^?1 the cellular reflection coefficient of maize roots increased to about 0·95. In contrast to the σ_r values, the σ_c values of the three species investigated remained almost unchanged when the leaves were exposed to darkness and humidified air or when the roots were cut. The transpiration-dependent (species-specific) pattern of the cellular and radial reflection coefficients of the root compartment of the three glycophytes apparently resulted from (flow-dependent) concentration-polarization and sweep-away effects in the roots of intact plants. The data could be explained straightforwardly terms of theoretical considerations outlined previously by Dainty (1985, Acta Horticulturae 171, 21–31). The far-reaching consequences of this finding for root pressure probe measurements on excised roots, for the occurrence of pressure gradients under transpiring conditions, and for the non-linear flow-force relationships in roots found by other investigators are discussed.     

光照强度对小麦苗期草酸氧化酶活性的影响

以小麦品种‘烟优361’(Triticum aestivum L.cv.Yanyou 361)萌发4 d幼苗为试验材料,分析了草酸氧化酶(OxO)在幼苗中的定位和表达,以及光照强度处理对小麦幼苗OxO活性的影响。实验结果显示,萌发后小麦幼苗的OxO分布在子叶与根的连接处和成熟的根中,其活性随光照强度的增加而下降;200μmol.m-2.s-1的强光显著抑制了OxO活性,该处理培养4 d幼苗的OxO活性仅为40μmol.m-2.s-1光照培养条件下的18.7%;强光还缩短OxO在苗期的表达时间,抑制了OxO的mRNA表达量。同时,光照强度还能影响小麦幼苗中H2O2的含量,200μmol.m-2.s-1处理幼苗的H2O2的含量显著下降,其培养4 d的幼苗H2O2含量仅为40μmol.m-2.s-1光照强度培养条件下的18.0%。研究发现,光照强度可通过调节OxO的活性和表达量来控制H2O2的产量,从而影响幼苗的生长发育。     

赤霉素GA3调节黄芩组织培养中芽和根的形成

应用组织培养技术对黄芩进行外源激素调控研究。在培养不同时间进行的不同培养基之间的转移培养研究表明,组织培养条件下,在培养基中添加赤霉素,可显著刺激黄芩外植体芽的形成,同时抑制根的生长。在加有GA3的IAA培养基上,GA3显著影响黄芩组织培养物中的黄酮含量。在黑暗条件下,开始在2.5μmol/LIAA培养基中培养6d,随后转移到5μmol/LGA3培养基上培养,黄芩外植体中黄岑苷、黄岑素和汉黄芩苷的含量最高,分别为14.90,2.70和0.54μgmg-1(干重)。     

水稻幼苗根对羧基化多壁碳纳米管复合镉胁迫的生长生理响应

为了探究羧基化多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs-COOH)复合镉(Cd)胁迫对植物生长生理的影响,采用液体培养方法,以水稻(Oryza sativa L.)为受试作物,测定了0~12.0 mg·L^-1MWCNTs-COOH、10μmol·L-1Cd单一和复合处理水稻幼苗21天后根生长、氧化损伤、抗氧化酶活性及根中Cd含量的变化。结果表明:(1)MWCNTs-COOH单一处理,根长、根鲜重均低于对照,并表现出先升高后降低的趋势,当其浓度达到12.0 mg·L^-1时,较对照分别下降了9.3%和15.2%,且低于10μmol·L^-1Cd单一处理;而复合处理组水稻幼苗根长、根鲜重、干重皆低于对应的单一处理;(2)MWCNTs-COOH单一胁迫下,水稻根的超氧自由基(O2-·)明显积累,并伴随着超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)及过氧化物酶(POD)活性升高,3.0和6.0mg·L^-1MWCNTs-COOH处理下,SOD、POD活性最高;(3)MWCNTs-COOH复合Cd胁迫下,水稻根的SOD、POD活性大均低于单一处理组,而丙二醛(MDA)及羰基化蛋白含量均显著高于单一处理;(4)MWCNTs-COOH复合Cd后,水稻幼苗根尖细胞死亡加剧,其中,10μmol·L-1Cd与12.0 mg·L^-1MWCNTs-COOH复合处理的根尖根冠区细胞伊文斯蓝染色最深;(5)1.5~6.0 mg·L^-1MWCNTs-COOH复合Cd处理水稻幼苗后,其根中Cd含量呈上升趋势,且在6.0 mg·L^-1浓度处理时达到最大值303.30μg·g-1;高浓度MWCNTs-COOH及其与Cd的复合均对水稻根产生毒性效应。     

Aquatic adventitious roots of the wetland plant Meionectes brownii can photosynthesize: implications for root function during flooding

? Many wetland plants produce aquatic adventitious roots from submerged stems. Aquatic roots can form chloroplasts, potentially producing endogenous carbon and oxygen. Here, aquatic root photosynthesis was evaluated in the wetland plant Meionectes brownii, which grows extensive stem-borne aquatic roots during submergence. ? Underwater photosynthetic light and CO(2) response curves were determined for aquatic-adapted leaves, stems and aquatic roots of M. brownii. Oxygen microelectrode and (14)CO(2)-uptake experiments determined shoot inputs of O(2) and photosynthate into aquatic roots. ? Aquatic adventitious roots contain a complete photosynthetic pathway. Underwater photosynthetic rates are similar to those of stems, with a maximum net photosynthetic rate (P(max)) of 0.38 μmol O(2) m(-2) s(-1); however, this is c. 30-fold lower than that of aquatic-adapted leaves. Under saturating light with 300 mmol m(-3) dissolved CO(2), aquatic roots fix carbon at 0.016 μmol CO(2) g(-1) DM s(-1). Illuminated aquatic roots do not rely on exogenous inputs of O(2). ? The photosynthetic ability of aquatic roots presumably offers an advantage to submerged M. brownii as aquatic roots, unlike sediment roots, need little O(2) and carbohydrate inputs from the shoot when illuminated.     

蓝光胁迫对金线莲游离氨基酸组分的影响

以金线莲(Anoectochilus roxburghii)为试材,在光密度30 μmol·m–2s–1的白光基础上补充60 μmol·m–2·s–1、120 μmol·m–2·s–1和180 μmol·m–2·s–1三个强度蓝光胁迫56 d,采用氨基喹啉-N-羟基丁二酰氨基甲酸酯(AQC)柱前衍生结合超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定游离氨基酸组分含量变化,分析金线莲游离氨基酸组分对蓝光胁迫的响应特征。共稳定检测出22种氨基酸,苏氨酸、丙氨酸、谷氨酰胺、缬氨酸、肌氨酸、组氨酸、天冬酰胺和酪氨酸是金线莲的特征氨基酸,游离氨基酸总量随着胁迫时间延长呈先增加后减少的趋势,在14 d 时含量最高。综合结果表明,蓝光胁迫14?d对金线莲中多种游离氨基酸的合成有促进作用,在补充180 μmol·m–2·s–1强度蓝光时效果最好。     

Quaternary ammonium compounds in plants in relation to salt resistance

Fourteen plant species exhibiting a wide range of salt resistance as halophytes, semi-resistant glycophytes and sensitive glycophytes, have been grown in nutrient solution culture under low and high salt conditions. Inorganic analyses and shoot sap osmotic pressure values of these plants confirm that osmotic compensation at high salt levels is largely achieved by the accumulation of Na salts. Choline was found in shoots and roots in the range 1.0-0.2 μmol g fr. wt^?1 and varied little following salt stress. Trigonelline was found in some of the sensitive glycophytes and did not increase significantly in stressed plants. Betaine levels were high (10 μmol g fr. wt^?1) in the shoot of the halophytes at low salt conditions, lower values (1–10 μmol g fr. wt^?1) were found in the semi-resistant glycophytes and none detected in the sensitive glycophytes. In the two resistant groups betaine accumulated to higher levels following NaCl stress. Shoot betaine levels always exceeded root levels. Proline occurred in all plants and in all cases was accumulated following NaCl stress.     

Study of Diurnal Changes in Photosynthetic Rate and Quantum Efficiency of Grapevine Leaves and Their Utilization in Canopy Management

Photosynthetic rate and quatum efficiency of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Sauvignon blanc) leaves were measured under the field with ample soil water supply, and in phytotron with ample supply of water and mineral nutrients, constant air humidity and CO2 concentration, and optimum air temperature, respectively. Under field conditions CO2 assimilation quantum efficiency of leaves reached its maximum in the morning, which was followed by continuous decrease and midday depression. The leaves intercepting more light energy in the morning showed a higher quantum efficiency. Those leaves subjected continuously to strong irradiance exhibited a more obvious and longer midday depression. Reduction of leaf light interception around midday could reduce midday depression. Shaded leaves had a higher quantum efficiency than leaves under direct sunlight. The diurnal changes in photosynthetic rate and quantum efficiency of leaves were shown to be closely related to the variations in mesophyll resistance to CO2. In phytotron experiments the photosynthetic quantum efficiency of leaves was reduced after a certain period of illumination not only at 1200 μmol · m-2 · s-1 PFD, higher than the saturating light of vine leaves (≈1000 μmol · m-2 · s-1), which was caused by "photoinhibition”, but also at 800 and 200μmol · m-2 · s-1, which was similar to "photoinhibition”. But photosynthetic quantum efficiency of leaves exposed continuously to a very weak PFD (100 μmol · m -2 · s-1) remained contant. The diurnal changes in mesophyll resistance to CO2 of vine leaves could be partly related to photoinhibition. It is considered that, under field conditions without soil water limitation, midday depression of vine leaf photosynthesis could be a result of an increase of the mesophyll resistance induced by multiple effects of strong light, high temperature and low humidity. A higher light interception by canopy plane in the morning may be advantageous to exploit higher photosynthetic potentiality of leaves, but a lower light interception in the middle of day may reduce midday depression. The north-south orientation plane can provide optimum light regime and improve photosynthetic environment in vineyards.     

Light effects on in vitro adventitious root formation in axillary shoots of mature Prunus serotina

Light effects on in vitro adventitious root formation in axillary shoots of a 95-year-old black cherry ( Prunus serotina Ehrh.) were examined using microcuttings derived from cultured vegetative buds. Three studies were performed: 1) complete darkness and 4 levels of continuous white light irradiance were tested at 70, 278, 555 and 833 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹; 2) white, red, yellow and blue light were tested to assess the importance of spectral quality; and 3) the effect of blue light at intensities of 7,15, 22 and 30 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ was also studied, Measurements included rooting percentage, total number of roots per shoot, and shoot and root dry weight. There was a strong negative effect of white light intensity upon root formation. Blue light between 15 and 22 μmol m⁻²: s⁻¹ significantly retarded root formation and completely inhibited it at 36 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. Shoots treated with yellow light exhibited the highest rooting percentage, mean number of roots per shoot, and root dry weight.     

The combined effects of CO2 concentration and enhanced UV-B radiation on faba bean. 3. Leaf optical properties,pigments, stomatal index and epidermal cell density

Seedlings of Vicia faba L. (cv. Minica) were grown in a factorial experiment in a greenhouse. The purpose of the study was to determine whether CO₂ enrichment and supplemental UV-B radiation affect leaf optical properties and whether the combined effects differ from single factor effects. Seedlings were grown at either 380 mol mol^-1 or 750 mol mol^-1 CO₂ and at four levels of UV-B radiation. After 20 and 40 days of treatment, absorptance, transmittance and reflectance of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were measured on the youngest fully developed leaf. On the same leaf, the specific leaf area on a fresh weight basis (SLA_fw), chlorophyll content, UV-B absorbance, transmittance of UV light and stomatal index were measured. UV-B radiation significantly increased PAR absorptance and decreased PAR transmittance. The increased PAR absorptance can be explained by an increased chlorophyll content in response to UV-B radiation. Leaf transmittance of UV radiation decreased with increasing UV-B levels mainly caused by increased absorbance of UV absorbing compounds. UV-B radiation decreased both the stomatal density and epidermal cell density of the abaxial leaf surface, leaving the stomatal index unchanged. Effects of CO₂ enrichment were less pronounced than those of UV-B radiation. The most important CO₂ effect was an increase in stomatal density and epidermal cell density of the adaxial leaf surface. The stomatal index was not affected. No interaction between CO₂ and UV-B radiation was found. The results are discussed in relation to the internal light environment of the leaf.     

Growth and photosynthetic responses of the federally endangered shrub, Lindera melissifolia (Lauraceae), to varied light environments

Photosynthetic, morphological, and growth responses to light environment can be useful measurements to determine favorable habitat conditions for the conservation of endangered species. For Lindera melissifolia (Walt.) Blume, we compared morphological and photosynthetic responses under natural and controlled light regimes, and growth under three light treatments: 100%, 42%, and 19% full sunlight. Typical sun-shade morphological responses to decreasing light levels included decreased stomatal density, increased specific leaf area, and increased leaf area ratio. Photosynthetic capacity (3-6 μmol CO(2) · m(-2) · s(-1)) was consistent with other shade-tolerant species. Light-saturated rates of photosynthesis of experimental plants increased with increasing light up to 42% sunlight, but declined at 100% sunlight. The 100% light treatment also resulted in lower plant biomass, primarily from a reduction in root biomass. Results indicate that canopy conditions at levels below 40% sunlight are optimal for plant growth and should be considered in management and reintroduction efforts for this species.     

The effect of the phenolic compounds exuded by pea roots in darkness on the reproduction of Rhizobium

The exudation, composition, and biological activity of the phenolic compounds (PC) of pea (Pisum sativum L.) roots in the light and darkness were studied. The roots of leguminous plants grown for 5 days in darkness exuded a smaller amount of PC that displayed a weaker stimulation of Rhizobium reproduction. Moreover, the root exudates contained antimicrobial compounds, stilbenes. It is assumed that a lower PC exudation by roots and the specific features of PC composition influencing the biological activity are among the reasons causing a delayed nodulation of legumes grown in darkness.     

Light-responsive subtilisin-related protease in soybean seedling leaves.

Protease C1 (E.C. 3.4.21.25), the soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) proteolytic enzyme responsible for initiating the degradation of soybean storage proteins in seedling cotyledons appears at even higher levels in seedling leaves. This was manifested at the mRNA level through northern blot analysis, at the protein level through western blot analysis, through determination of enzyme activity, and also through isolation and partial sequencing of active leaf enzyme. Comparison of cDNA and amino acid sequences, as well as characterization of enzyme activity, is consistent with the leaf enzyme being identical to or highly similar to the cotyledon enzyme. Protease C1 mRNA and protein are also present in stems of soybean seedlings, but is very low to absent in the roots. This presence in the aerial tissues is consistent with the higher steady state level of gene expression at both the mRNA and protein levels when the seedlings are grown in a 12-h light: 12-h dark photoperiod as compared to seedlings grown in continuous darkness. Transfer of dark-grown seedlings to light is followed by marked elevation in protease C1 protein as seen in western blots.     

Essential oils enhanced by ultra-high carbon dioxide levels from Lamiaceae species grown in vitro and in vivo

The growth (fresh weight), morphogenesis (leaves, roots and shoots) and essential oil composition of mint (Mentha sp. L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) plants were determined after 8 weeks under 350, 1,500, 3,000, 10,000 and 30,000 µmol mol^-1 CO₂. Plants were grown in vitro on basal medium (BM) consisting of Murashige and Skoog salts and 0.8% agar that contained either 0 or 3% sucrose under a 16-h (day)/8-h (night) photoperiod at a light intensity of 180 µmol s^-1 m^-2 or in soil in a greenhouse under conditions of natural sunlight. Ultra-high CO₂ levels (i.e. ́,000 µmol mol^-1 CO₂) substantially increased fresh weights, leaves, shoots and roots for all plants compared to plants grown under ambient air (350 µmol mol^-1 CO₂) both in vivo and in vitro. For both species, 10,000 µmol mol^-1 CO₂ was the optimum concentration to obtain the largest growth and morphogenesis responses under in vitro conditions, while the 3,000- to 10,000-µmol mol^-1 CO₂ range provided the largest yields for soil-grown plants. Essential oil composition (i.e. monoterpenes, piperitonone oxide and limonene from mint and aromatic phenol and thymol from thyme) from the shoot portion of plants grown at all CO₂ levels was analyzed in CH₂Cl₂ extracts via gas chromatography. Higher levels of secondary compounds occurred in vitro when cultures were grown under ultra-high CO₂ levels than in ambient air. The concentration of thymol, a major secondary compound in thyme plants grown on BM containing sucrose, was 317-fold higher at 10,000 µmol mol^-1 CO₂ than in plants grown under ambient air conditions with the same BM. The levels of secondary compound in in-vitro-grown plantlets exposed to ultra-high CO₂ concentrations exceeded those occurring in plants grown in the greenhouse under the same CO₂ levels. Substantially higher levels of secondary compound occurred in plants under ultra-high CO₂ levels on BM containing sucrose than on BM lacking sucrose or in soil. Thymol levels in thyme plants grown on BM containing sucrose were 3.9-fold higher at 10,000 µmol mol^-1 CO₂ than in shoots grown on BM without sucrose under the same CO₂ levels. High positive correlations occurred between thymol concentrations and CO₂ levels, fresh weights, shoots, roots and leaves when thyme shoots were grown on BM with sucrose. High positive correlations for thyme shoots grown on BM without sucrose only occurred between thymol concentrations and CO₂ levels, fresh weights, shoots and leaves. No positive correlations between thymol concentrations and CO₂ levels or any growth or morphogenesis responses occurred for thyme shoots when grown in soil.     

The role of light and polar auxin transport in root regeneration from hypocotyls of tomato seedling cuttings

A relationship between light conditions, auxin transport and adventitious root formation by hypocotyls of tomato seedling cuttings was demonstrated. Effective rooting of tomato seedling cuttings was observed under continuous white light (WL) irradiation. However, root formation was reduced in darkness or under red (RL) or blue light (BL). At least 3/4-day-long irradiation treatment with (WL) was necessary to increase the number of roots formed in comparison with control cuttings grown in darkness. Light was most effective if applied during the first half of the 13-day-long rooting period. The role of photoreceptor-dependent light perception in the light-regulation of rooting was tested using tomato photomorphogenic mutants: aurea (au) and high pigment (hp). When exposed to WL both mutants generated fewer roots then their isogenic wild type (WT). In darkness or under BL and RL less roots were formed on all plants and no difference was observed between mutants and WT plants. TIBA (2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid) inhibited rooting in a dose-dependent manner both in darkness and under WL. However, although rooting was suppressed by 0.75 M TIBA in the dark, 8 M TIBA was necessary to block root formation in continuous WL. Inhibition of rooting by TIBA was most efficient when applied at the initial period of rooting, a 1-day-long treatment with TIBA being sufficient to suppress rooting if given during the first 2 days of culture. Later treatment had much less effect on the root formation.     

Growth and nutrient responses of Eloecharis cellulosa (Cyperaceae) to phosphate level and redox intensity

Phosphorus (P) availability limits plant growth in many ecosystems. The ability of plants to explore for soil P is often impaired by nonresource stressors. Understanding the effects of these stressors on P acquisition in oligotrophic environments is critical in predicting species dominance. Growth and nutrient responses of Eleocharis cellulosa to redox intensity and phosphate level were evaluated under three redox potentials (Eh) and three phosphate (PO(4)) levels (P). Although low Eh (-150 mV) decreased root length at low P, Eh did not affect shoot height, relative growth rate (RGR), shoot elongation, photosynthesis, or biomass of E. cellulosa. Low PO(4) (10 μg P?·?L(-1)) strongly inhibited growth. Shoot height, RGR, elongation, photosynthesis, and biomass were lower at 10 μg P?·?L(-1) than at 80 or 500 μg P?·?L(-1). None of the growth variables, except the ratio of root-supported biomass to root biomass, significantly differed between the 80 and 500 μg P?·?L(-1) treatments. At low P, plants allocated relatively more biomass to roots than to shoots, compared to the medium and high P levels. Eleocharis cellulosa is well adapted to flooded conditions that lower soil Eh, and elevated PO(4) levels further promote its growth potential.