Does flooding favour galling insects?

New Perspectives is intended to allow the communication of comments, viewpoints, and speculative interpretation of issues in ecology pertinent to entomology. Comments, viewpoints, or suggestions arising from published papers intended to fuel discussion and debate are also welcome. Contributions should be as concise as possible, normally not exceeding two thousand words. Formal research reports will not be acceptable, but summarized novel data, suitably supported by statistics, may be allowed. The use of the active voice will be permitted.     

Spatiotemporal dynamic models of plant populations and communities

The idea of relating spatial patterns and temporal processes in plant community dynamics is not new, but its transformation into realistic spatiotemporal models is the result of quite recent methodological developments. There are now two classes of analytical model and a broad class of simulation models pertaining to the role of spatial structure in vegetation dynamics. They indicate that any community-dynamical theory intended to be predictive should not omit the spatial aspects of plant population dynamics, because these may radically change the conditions of persistence and coexistence.     

On the study of plant defence and herbivory using comparative approaches: how important are secondary plant compounds

Species comparisons are a cornerstone of biology and there is a long tradition of using the comparative framework to study the ecology and evolution of plant defensive traits. Early comparative studies led to the hypothesis that plant chemistry plays a central role in plant defence, and the evolution of plant secondary chemistry in response to insect herbivory remains a classic example of coevolution. However, recent comparative work has disagreed with this paradigm, reporting little connection between plant secondary chemicals and herbivory across distantly related plant taxa. One conclusion of this new work is that the importance of secondary chemistry in plant defence may have been generally overstated in earlier research. Here, we attempt to reconcile these contradicting viewpoints on the role of plant chemistry in defence by critically evaluating the use and interpretation of species correlations as a means to study defence–herbivory relationships. We conclude that the notion that plant primary metabolites (e.g. leaf nitrogen content) are the principal determinants of herbivory (or the target of natural selection by herbivores) is not likely to be correct. Despite the inference of recent community‐wide studies of herbivory, strong evidence remains for a prime role of secondary compounds in plant defence against herbivores.     

Studies on plant growth-regulating substances. XXX. The plant growth-regulating activity of substituted phenols

The growth-regulating activity of a number of substituted monophenols and related compounds has been assessed in the wheat cylinder, pea segment, pea curvature and tomato-leaf epinasty tests and the effect on activity of position, size and electronic nature of the substituents has been studied. The results indicate that, for high auxin activity, electron-attracting substituents, having certain steric properties must be substituted in the 2- and 6-positions. Furthermore, at least one of these ortho-substituents must be capable of intramolecular bonding with the hydrogen of the phenolic hydroxyl group. Any substituent in the para-position to the hydroxyl group leads to complete loss of activity and activity is reduced by meta-substitution. This new group of phenolic plant growth regulators is considered in relation to other synthetic auxins from the viewpoints of structural requirements for activity and current theories on mode of action.     

A plant transformation vector with a minimal T-DNA

Plant transformation, viaAgrobacterium tumefaciens, is usually performed with binary vectors. Most of the available binary vectors contain within the T-DNA (which is transferred to the plant genome) components not required for the intended modification. These additional sequences may cause potential risks during field testing of the transgenic plants or even more in the case of commercialization. The aim of this study was to produce a plant transformation vector which only contains a selectable and screenable marker gene and a multiple cloning site for insertion of promoter::foreign gene::terminator cassettes from other plasmids.     

Grazing-induced changes in plant species composition affect plant and soil properties of grassland mesocosms

Grazing-induced floristic changes in plant communities may accelerate or reduce plant and soil processes through changes in litter quality. Here, we intended to elucidate if the joint action of live and senescing plant tissue of palatable and non-palatable species differentially influences soil processes and properties. We conducted a 1-year experiment with mesocosms from a subhumid grassland. Mesocosms were monocultures of palatable or non-palatable species and a multispecific control. Palatable species included a legume and annual and perennial grasses, whereas non-palatable species included a perennial grass and annual and perennial forbs. Palatable monocultures showed greater soil mineral nitrogen, soil bacterial diversity, and lower soil pH than non-palatable monocultures. These differences were not accounted for by differences in plant biomass. The multispecific control treatment only exhibited greater shoot biomass than the monocultures, and lower root biomass than the palatable monocultures. Our results suggest that the whole (live + dead plant tissue) had a specific imprint on soil system even when variation was not very apparent in terms of plant biomass, and that this effect was associated with plant palatability to domestic large herbivores.     

Trace gases generated in closed plant cultivation systems and their effects on plant growth.

Interactions between plants and trace gases, especially ethylene, were investigated from two different viewpoints; ethylene is toxic for plant growth, whereas the ethylene release rate of plants can be utilized as a plant growth indicator. When lettuce plants and shiitake mushroom mycelium were cultivated in closed chambers, ethylene concentration increased with time. Ethylene was released both from lettuce plant and from shiitake mushroom mycelium. Dioctyl phthalate (DOP) and Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) were detected, and these concentrations reached 3.7 ngL-1 for DOP and 2.4 ngL-1 for DBP 4 days after closing. Organic solvents such as xylene and toluene and organic siloxane were detected with GCMS. Visible injury was observed in lettuce plants cultivated in the chambers and it seemed to result from trace contaminants such as DOP, DBP, organic solvents, dimethylsiloxane polymer, and ethylene. In order to obtain basic data of ethylene evolution from plants, ethylene concentration in a closed chamber in which the plants were cultivated under a controlled environment (25 degrees C air temperature, 60-70% relative humidity, 250-300 micromoles m-2 s-1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD)) was measured. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Okayama) released ethylene more than Brassica rapa var. pervidis, Brassica campestris var. communis, and Brassica campestris var. narinosa. Ethylene release rate of intact lettuce plant was highly correlated with plant growth parameters such as dry weight, leaf area and photosynthetic rate. Ethylene release rates of intact lettuce plant were affected by cultivation conditions such as ambient CO2 concentration, light intensity and light/dark period. Increase in ambient ethylene level influenced lettuce growth even at the concentration of 0.1 microliter L-1. The level of ethylene inhibited leaf expansion and slightly accelerated chlorophyll degradation. It did not affect photosynthesis and transpiration, and also little affected dry matter accumulation. Thus, ethylene release characteristics were clarified and an effect of ethylene on lettuce growth was revealed. These findings are useful for determination of a threshold level of ethylene and a capacity of ethylene removal system in CELSS. On the other hand, a possibility of plant growth diagnosis by measuring ethylene concentrations was evaluated. As a result, it became clear that the measurement of ethylene concentration in CELSS is one of the useful non-destructive measurement methods for plant growth diagnosis. Further research is needed to investigate the applicability of the method to environmental stresses other than Ni and Co in nutrient solution.     

New research horizons in vector-transmission of plant viruses

Understanding the mechanisms controlling vector-transmission of plant viruses requires integrating information from at least three different viewpoints: virus-vector interactions, plant-vector interactions and virus-plant interactions. While some of these aspects have been covered by past and present investigations, others have been bypassed completely, because of technical bottlenecks or conceptual lacunas. Here, we highlight recent advances and needs in hitherto poorly documented aspects of vector transmission, such as characterization of the vector molecules responsible for initial viral recognition, and the role of vector saliva in inoculation and initial onset of infection in a new plant. We also propose and discuss some novel conceptual and complementary questions that are opening up fascinating new horizons in this field. We explore the possible existence of viral morphs with specific properties that facilitate acquisition by vectors, and discuss the dynamics/genetics of such viral subpopulations, which could differentiate and specialize in different host compartments.     

Assessing the risk of potentially invasive plant species in central Europe

A risk assessment system was developed to assess the invasion potential of new environmental weeds in central Europe. A pre-evaluation step excludes species that are officially controlled, widespread, or intended for use in protected cultures only. Species eligible for risk assessment are classified into three categories (high risk, further observation required, low risk) by rating them according to various biogeographical and ecological aspects. The rating system was validated by testing 47 well-known invasive plant species of temperate Europe and 193 exotic plants which have failed to establish themselves in Switzerland. The overall accuracy was 65%. Accuracy of correctly predicting invasive species was 77%, while accuracy of correctly predicting non-invasive species was 62%. The proposed risk assessment protocol should be understood as a first attempt for a European country and needs modifications. These can only be achieved by applying the system in practice.     

Differential staining of tannin in sections of epoxy-embedded plant cells.

A staining procedure is described for the light microscopic localization of ergastic tannins in epoxy sections of plant cells embedded for study by transmission electron microscopy. Callus and cell suspensions of Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus taeda fixed in glutaraldehyde:acrolein and then OsO4, followed by epoxy embedding, were sectioned 0.5 mum thick, stained on a glass slide with ethanolic Sudan black B at 60 C as described by Bronner, and then mounted in Karo syrup. Tannin deposits stained brownish-orange and were easily distinguished from lipid bodies of similar size, which stained dark blue to black, and from starch grains, which were unstained. The significance of this differential polychromasia was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. This staining procedure should prove valuable in the cytoplasmic evaluation of the plant cell ergastics (especially tannins) via light microscopy whether or not electroc microscopic examination is intended.     

Modelling as a tool to redesign livestock farming systems: a literature review

Livestock farming has recently come under close scrutiny, in response especially to environmental issues. Farmers are encouraged to redesign their livestock farming systems in depth to improve their sustainability. Assuming that modelling can be a relevant tool to address such systemic changes, we sought to answer the following question: ‘How can livestock farming systems be modelled to help farmers redesign their whole farming systems?’ To this end, we made a literature review of the models of livestock farming systems published from 2000 to mid-2009 (n = 79). We used an analysis grid based on three considerations: (i) system definition, (ii) the intended use of the model and (iii) the way in which farmers’ decision-making processes were represented and how agricultural experts and farmers were involved in the modelling processes. Consistent rationales in approaches to supporting changes in livestock farming were identified in three different groups of models, covering 83% of the whole set. These could be defined according to (i) the way in which farmers’ decisions were represented and (ii) the model's type of contribution to supporting changes. The first type gathered models that dynamically simulated the system according to different management options; the farmers’ decision-making processes are assumed to consist in choosing certain values for management factors. Such models allow long-term simulations and endorse different disciplinary viewpoints, but the farmers are weakly involved in their design. Models of the second type can indicate the best combination of farm activities under given constraints, provided the farmers’ objectives are profit maximisation. However, when used to support redesigning processes, they address neither how to implement the optimal solution nor its long-term consequences. Models of the third type enable users to dynamically simulate different options for the farming system, the management of which is assumed to be planned according to the farmers’ general objectives. Although more comprehensive, these models do not easily integrate different disciplinary viewpoints and different subsystems, which limits their usefulness as support tools for redesigning processes. Finally, we concluded about what specific requirements should be for modelling approaches if farmers were to be supported in redesigning their whole livestock farming systems using models.     

Rice plant development: from zygote to spikelet

Rice is becoming a model plant in monocotyledons and a model cereal crop. For better understanding of the rice plant, it is essential to elucidate the developmental programs of the life cycle. To date, several attempts have been made in rice to categorize the developmental processes of some organs into substages. These studies are based exclusively on the morphological and anatomical viewpoints. Recent advancement in genetics and molecular biology has given us new aspects of developmental processes. In this review, we first describe the phasic development of the rice plant, and then describe in detail the developmental courses of major organs, leaf, root and spikelet, and specific organs/tissues. Also, for the facility of future studies, we propose a staging system for each organ.     

A biochemically semi-detailed model of auxin-mediated vein formation in plant leaves

We present here a model intended to capture the biochemistry of vein formation in plant leaves. The model consists of three modules. Two of these modules, those describing auxin signaling and transport in plant cells, are biochemically detailed. We couple these modules to a simple model for PIN (auxin efflux carrier) protein localization based on an extracellular auxin sensor. We study the single-cell responses of this combined model in order to verify proper functioning of the modeled biochemical network. We then assemble a multicellular model from the single-cell building blocks. We find that the model can, under some conditions, generate files of polarized cells, but not true veins.     

On the discussion of the wing venation of (Archae)Orthoptera (Insecta)

Alternative current approaches to homology and nomenclature of the insect wing venation are discussed. The differences between the opposing viewpoints are found to be not as deep as they have sometimes been supposed to be, and more so, there are some observations that could help to smooth current contradictions. However, this requires an understanding of the evidence presented by the disputants and, particularly, an understanding of their terminology.     

Polyamines and plant disease

The diamine putrescine and the polyamines spermidine and spermine are found in a wide range of organisms from bacteria to plants and animals. They are basic, small molecules implicated in the promotion of plant growth and development by activating the synthesis of nucleic acids. Polyamine metabolism has long been known to be altered in plants responding to abiotic environmental stress and to undergo profound changes in plants interacting with fungal and viral pathogens. Polyamines conjugated to phenolic compounds, hydroxycinnamic acid amides (HCAAs), have been shown to accumulate in incompatible interactions between plants and a variety of pathogens, while changes in the diamine catabolic enzyme diamine oxidase suggest a role for this enzyme in the production of hydrogen peroxide during plant defence responses. More recent work has suggested a role for the free polyamine spermine in the hypersensitive response of barley to powdery mildew and particularly in tobacco to TMV. The prospects for the genetic manipulation of HCAA levels in plants as a means of both defining their role in plant defence and in the generation of disease resistant plants is discussed briefly.     

Immunological techniques used with fungal plant pathogens: aspects of antigens, antibodies and assays for diagnosis

The present review surveys serological work with phytopathogenic fungi. Knowledge of antigenic determinants of fungi and the possibilities and problems of selecting and using fungal structures and metabolic products for the production of specific antibodies are considered. The paper is intended to be a source of practical information and literature for the active research worker.     

Effects of explants and growth regulators in garlic callus formation and plant regeneration

We intended to evaluate the effects of different explants and growth regulators on callus induction and plant regeneration in garlic (Allium sativum L.). Furthermore, we intended to differentiate among different morphological types of callus by light microscopy and to relate them with their abilities to regenerate plants in the red-garlic cultivar 069. A factorial design with BDS—basal Dunstan and Short (1977)—medium, as a control and supplemented with 0.042, 0.42 and 4.24 μM picloram or with 0.045, 0.45 and 4.5 μM 2,4-D, in both cases with and without 4.43 μM N⁶-benzylaminopurine (BAP), was used. The cultures were grown in darkness at 25 ± 2°C and they were subcultured over a 6-month period. Basal plates and meristems were highly responsive explants, while immature umbels and root-tips were less responsive ones, as indicated by percentage of induced callus, growing callus and regenerating callus. The best response was 41% regenerating callus with 0.045 μM 2,4-D and BAP from basal plates while 57, 56 and 20% regenerating callus were obtained with 0.45 μM 2,4-D from meristems, root-tips and immature umbels, respectively. Also, these treatments showed a higher percentage of nodular and embryogenic callus (type I). Thus, it can be concluded that the use of meristems and 2,4-D will enhance callus production and quality, increase plant regeneration and allows to develop a protocol suitable for further transformation experiments in garlic.     

硅在植物体内的分布和吸收及其在病害逆境胁迫中的抗性作用

硅在地壳中含量位居第二位,尽管还没有被列为植物生长的必需营养元素,但它在促进植物生长发育和营养吸收、提高植物对非生物逆境胁迫和生物逆境胁迫的抗性等方面都具有重要作用。综述了近些年来国内外关于硅在植物体内的分布、吸收及其生理效应,重点介绍了硅在病害逆境胁迫中的抗性作用机理。高等植物以单硅酸[Si(OH)4]的形式吸收硅,存在硅的主动吸收和被动吸收机制。硅主要沉积在叶片及叶鞘表皮细胞,形成硅化细胞和角质-硅双层结构,能增强寄主植物细胞壁的机械强度和稳固性,从而延缓和抵御病菌的侵入和扩展。更多的证据表明,硅处理能增加植物叶片保护酶(过氧化物酶、多酚氧化酶、苯丙氨酸解氨酶等)活性和诱导寄主产生次生代谢抗性物质(如植保素、多酚类化合物、木质素),从而激活植物的防御系统,增强对病原菌的抵抗能力。分子水平上的研究显示,硅能诱导与植物防御机制相关的基因表达,参与抗病信号分子(如水杨酸、茉莉酸和乙烯)在信号传导中的作用。