Effects of quercetin and enhanced UV-B radiation on the soybean (Glycine max) leaves

The possible ameliorative effects of quercetin on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] leaves exposed to UV-B radiation were conducted in greenhouse. The symmetrical leaves supplied with quercetin solution (0.2%, 1%) were exposed to UV-B radiation (0, 3.5, 6.5 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹). 0.2% quercetin ameliorated leaf photosynthesis, improved leaf water content (LWC), and decreased lipid oxidation. The unfavorable effect on photosynthetic parameter was displayed in 1% quercetin treatment. The effect of quercetin on phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity varied with the quercetin concentration, UV-B radiation intensity and leaf development. In the later development polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity was increased significantly by quercetin treatments. We suggested that quercetin with suitable concentration could serve as UV-B protective agent partly due to its antioxidant capacity.     

Inhibition of stem elongation in spinach by theobroxide

In the current study, we investigated the influences of theobroxide on stem elongation in spinach (Spinacia oleracea). Our results showed that stem elongation and flower formation were inhibited by spraying spinach plants with theobroxide under inductive, long day conditions (16 h light/8 h dark), while application of exogenous applied GA3 prevented the effect of theobroxide. Quantitative analysis showed that theobroxide suppressed GA1 biosynthesis, whereas the endogenous content of jasmonic acid was unchanged. However, under short day conditions (10 h light/14 h dark), there were no differences in stem length between treated and untreated plants. These results suggest that the inhibition of stem elongation by theobroxide is probably due to the suppression of gibberellin biosynthesis.     

蓝桉凋落叶分解对菠菜生长及光合特性的影响

通过盆栽试验,模拟蓝桉(Eucalyptus globulus)凋落叶在土壤中分解对受体植物菠菜(Spinacia oleracea)生长及光合特性的影响,设置L30(30 g/盆)、L60(60 g/盆)、L90(90 g/盆)和L120(120 g/盆)4个凋落叶施用水平,对照(CK)不加凋落叶。结果表明:(1)在分解30 d时,低量的凋落叶(L30)未抑制菠菜生物量的积累,而中量和高量处理(L60、L90和L120)下其生物量显著降低(P0.05);在凋落叶分解50 d后,蓝桉凋落叶的化感抑制效应已经减弱,仅L120仍然抑制菠菜生物量的积累;(2)一定量的凋落叶(L30和L60)对菠菜叶绿素的合成有促进作用,而凋落叶超过一定量时(L120)转为抑制作用,在凋落叶分解28 d时相对不明显,40 d后逐渐显现;(3)经凋落叶处理的菠菜叶片胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、气孔导度(Gs)及蒸腾速率(Tr)均显著高于对照(CK)(P0.05),而净光合速率(Pn)在L30处理下最高,L60和L90处理与CK差异不显著,仅L120处理显著低于CK(P0.05);(4)光响应与CO2响应曲线的特征参数表观量子效率(AQY)、最大净光合速率(Pmax)、光饱和点(Lsp)、光补偿点(Lcp)、暗呼吸速率(Rd)、Ru BP表观羧化效率(CE)和光呼吸速率(Rp)在L30处理下高于CK,其余凋落叶处理均低于CK,而CO2饱和点(Csp)、CO2补偿点(Ccp)随凋落叶量的增加而升高。综合各指标可见,少量的蓝桉凋落叶分解(L30)可通过增加叶绿素含量,提高对光和CO2的利用能力促进菠菜的光合作用,进而促进其生长,而凋落叶超过一定量时(L90—L120)则起到相反的作用。     

Embryogenesis and plant regeneration of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) from hypocotyl segments

A system for somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of spinach from hypocotyl segments has been established. Callus was induced on solid media supplemented with 8.5–15.0 mg.l⁻¹ of indole-3-acetic acid and 3.46–34.64 mg.l⁻¹ gibberellic acid. Callus was then subcultured on different media (solid or liquid) with or without IAA, or continuously maintained on the initiating media. Somatic embryos were obtained in subcultures on IAA-containing media as well as in long-term cultures on initiating media. The best results were achieved in liquid subcultures. About 60% of plantlets survived after transplanting in pots.     

The role of the gas phase in the greening and growth of illuminated cell suspension cultures of spinach (Spinacia oleracea,L.)

Summary The gas phase developed above spinach suspension cultures critically affected their growth and greening. Ethylene accumulation inhibited greening; this effect of ethylene was antagonised when the culture gas phase was enriched with carbon dioxide. Greening was enhanced by reducing the partial pressure of oxygen below the air level; this effect was observed when oxygen supply did not restrict growth. One of the authors (C.C.D.) was supported by an S.R.C. studentship grant during this work.     

Growth enhancement of soybean (Glycine max) upon exclusion of UV-B and UV-B/A components of solar radiation: characterization of photosynthetic parameters in leaves

Exclusion of UV (280–380 nm) radiation from the solar spectrum can be an important tool to assess the impact of ambient UV radiation on plant growth and performance of crop plants. The effect of exclusion of UV-B and UV-A from solar radiation on the growth and photosynthetic components in soybean (Glycine max) leaves were investigated. Exclusion of solar UV-B and UV-B/A radiation, enhanced the fresh weight, dry weight, leaf area as well as induced a dramatic increase in plant height, which reflected a net increase in biomass. Dry weight increase per unit leaf area was quite significant upon both UV-B and UV-B/A exclusion from the solar spectrum. However, no changes in chlorophyll a and b contents were observed by exclusion of solar UV radiation but the content of carotenoids was significantly (34–46%) lowered. Analysis of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence transient parameters of leaf segments suggested no change in the F _v/F _m value due to UV-B or UV-B/A exclusion. Only a small reduction in photo-oxidized signal I (P700⁺)/unit Chl was noted. Interestingly the total soluble protein content per unit leaf area increased by 18% in UV-B/A and 40% in UV-B excluded samples, suggesting a unique upregulation of biosynthesis and accumulation of biomass. Solar UV radiation thus seems to primarily affect the photomorphogenic regulatory system that leads to an enhanced growth of leaves and an enhanced rate of net photosynthesis in soybean, a crop plant of economic importance. The presence of ultra-violet components in sunlight seems to arrest carbon sequestration in plants. An erratum to this article can be found at     

UV-B辐射对南方红豆杉生活史型和紫杉烷类含量的影响

运用植物生活史型的理论与方法,研究了UV-B辐射增强对南方红豆杉Taxus chinensis var. mairei表型性状和紫杉烷类次生代谢产物的影响。结果表明,随UV-B辐射强度增加,南方红豆杉无性生殖表型性状(C)明显增强(z值由0.18增加到0.52),营养生长表型性状(V)相应降低(x值由0.82降低至0.48);3.25 μW · cm^-2 · nm^-1UV-B辐射处理较对照组和9.76 μW · cm^-2 · nm^-1 UV-B辐射处理组生物量增量更高;增补UV-B辐射处理显著促进了南方红豆杉叶片中紫杉醇(Taxol)的积累,但对10-去乙酰基巴卡亭Ⅲ(10-deacetylbaccatin Ⅲ,10-DAB)、7-木糖-10-去乙酰基紫杉醇(7-xylosyl-10-deacetyltaxol,7-xyl-10-DAT)有一定的抑制效应,其中3.25 μW · cm^-2 · nm^-1UV-B辐射处理对紫杉醇诱导效果最为明显。结果表明,在南方红豆杉田间栽培中应注意上层树种搭配、修剪,从而形成适当的UV-B辐射胁迫以诱导紫杉醇含量及生物量增量,达到高产、优质的生态培植目标。     

The effects of altered levels of UV-B radiation on an Antarctic grass and lichen

We report a long-term experiment on the photosynthetic response of natural vegetation of Deschampsia antarctica (Poaceae) and Turgidosculum complicatulum (Lichenes) to altered UV-B levels on Léonie Island, Antarctica.UV-B above the vegetation was reduced by filter screens during two seasons. Half of the screens were transparent to UV-A and UV-B (ambient treatment) or absorbing UV-B and part of the UV-A (below-ambient treatment). Half of the wedge- shaped filters had side walls leading to an enhancement of the daily mean temperature in summer by 2–4 °C, simulating rising mean air temperature on the Antarctic Peninsula. The other half of the filters were without side walls resulting in close-to-ambient temperature underneath. Plots without filters served as controls.UV-B supplementation of an extra 1.3 kJ UV-B_BE was achieved using UV-mini-lamp systems during 15 days in the second season.We found no evidence that altered incident UV-B levels and temperature had an effect on maximum photosystem II efficiency (F _v/F _m) and effective photosystem II efficiency (F/F _m) in both species. UV-B reduction did not influence contents of chlorophyll, carotenoids and methanol-soluble UV absorbing compounds in D. antarctica.Flowering shoot length of D. antarctica was not affected by UV-B reduction. Temperature enhancement tended to result in longer inflorescence axes. Results of two austral summer seasons of UV- reduction in natural stands of D. antarctica and T. complicatulum suggest that current ambient levels of UV-B do not have a direct effect on the photosynthetic performance and pigment contents of these species. Cumulative effects on growth have not been recorded after two years but can not be excluded on a longer term.     

Anion effects on the structural organization of spinach thylakoid membranes

Changes in the conformation of spinach thylakoid membranes were monitored in 5-doxyl stearic acid (SAL)-treated thylakoid membranes in the presence of various anions (Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, NO₂ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, PO₄ ³⁻). The presence of anions made the thylakoid membrane more fluid. The extent of change in membrane fluidity differed with different anion and was reversible.     

海水胁迫对菠菜叶绿素代谢的影响

以耐海水品种‘荷兰3号’和海水敏感品种‘圆叶菠菜’为试验材料,采用营养液栽培,研究海水胁迫对菠菜叶绿素代谢的影响。结果表明,海水胁迫下,2个菠菜品种叶片的叶绿素a(Chl a)、叶绿素b(Chl b)和总叶绿素含量以及叶绿素合成前体———原叶绿素酸(Pchl)、镁原卟啉IX(Mg-proto IX)、原卟啉IX(Proto IX)和尿卟啉原III(UroIII)含量均明显降低,而胆色素原(PBG)和δ-氨基酮戊酸(ALA)积累,‘圆叶菠菜’的变化幅度大于‘荷兰3号’。海水胁迫下,‘荷兰3号’叶片的叶绿素酶(Chlase)活性无显著变化,胆色素原脱氨酶(PBGD)和尿卟啉原III合酶(UROS)活性在胁迫第3天显著下降,而‘圆叶菠菜’Chlase活性显著上升,PBGD和UROS活性显著下降。研究发现,在海水胁迫条件下,菠菜叶片的叶绿素合成代谢受阻,受阻位点位于PBG→UroIII的转化过程,其中‘圆叶菠菜’的受阻程度大于‘荷兰3号’;耐海水品种‘荷兰3号’叶片叶绿素含量降低主要由叶绿素合成代谢受阻引起,而海水敏感品种‘圆叶菠菜’叶绿素含量的降低则是由叶绿素合成受阻和叶绿素降解共同作用的结果。     

UV-B辐射对神农香菊萜类物质合成 及其相关基因表达的影响

该研究以神农香菊为材料,用强度为400μw·cm~(-2)的紫外光UV-B对其进行辐射处理,辐射时间分别为0、0.5、1、2、4 h,探讨了UV-B辐射对神农香菊萜类物质合成及其相关基因表达的影响。结果表明:(1)较短时间的UV-B辐射对神农香菊萜类物质合成相关基因表达量有明显的促进作用。与对照相比,0.5、1、2、4 h处理对相关基因表达量均有不同程度的提高;在2 h处理下HMGR、DXR、TPS、GPS基因的相对表达量达到最大值,在4 h处理下FPS和DXS的相对表达量达到最大值,其中FPS基因表达量变化最显著,为对照的69倍。(2) MVA途径中,去氢白菖烯、杜松萜烯的含量与FPS基因表达量4 h内持续上升的变化趋势保持一致,1-石竹烯与HMGR的变化趋势保持一致,表现为先升高后降低。(3) MEP合成途径中,α-侧柏酮、崖柏酮、β-侧柏酮的含量呈现与DXR、GPS、TPS基因表达量相同的变化趋势,桉树脑在UV-B辐射4 h内持续上升,与DXS基因的变化一致。由此可以推断,UV-B辐射通过影响各自途径中一些关键基因的表达量,进而影响了神农香菊萜类物质的合成量。     

Production and partial characterization of alkaline feruloyl esterases by Fusarium oxysporum during submerged batch cultivation

Production of feruloyl esterases (FAEs) by Fusarium oxysporum was enhanced by optimization of initial pH of the culture medium, the type and concentration of nitrogen and carbon source. Submerged batch cultivation in a laboratory bioreactor (17 l) produced activity at 82 nkat g⁻¹ dry substrate (corn cobs) which compared favorably to those reported for the other microorganisms. Use of de-esterified corn cobs as carbon source decreased FAE production by 5.5-fold compared to untreated corn cobs even though ferulic acid (FA) was added to the concentration found in alkali-extracts of corn cobs. Production of FAE does not therefore, require FA, however, production is diminished by the removal of esterified FA from the growth substrate. Optimal FAE activity was observed at pH 7 and 50 °C with 68 and 55% activity at pH 8 and pH 9, respectively. The esterase was fully stable at pH 5–8 and up to 40 °C and retained 72 and 40% of its activity after 6 h at pH 9 and pH 10, respectively. After separation by isoelectric focusing electrophoresis, a zymogram indicated one major FAE activity exhibiting pI value of 10.5. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Response of barley seedlings to UV-B radiation as affected by NaCl

The response of barley seedlings, subjected to 150 mmol/L NaCl for 4 days at different light regimes (4 d in the light, 4 d in darkness and a 12 h light/dark cycle) before UV-B radiation was investigated. NaCl treatment resulted in a decrease of total chlorophyll content and an increase in H2O2, free proline and lipid peroxidation, as quantified by measurement of malondialdehyde. Significantly more proline was accumulated in the light than in darkness. The combination of UV-B and NaCl treatment produced an additive effect on most of the parameters studied. UV-B radiation reduced the chlorophyll/carotenoids ratio and photochemical efficiency of PSII as estimated by chlorophyll fluorescence. NaCl pre-exposure decreased H2O2 generation and lipid peroxidation and alleviated the inhibitory effect of UV-B on PSII activity. Proline accumulated under salt stress conditions might be one of the reasons for the observed tolerance of barley seedlings to UV-B radiation.     

Transposable elements in the fungal plant pathogenFusarium oxysporum

The genome of the fungal plant pathogenFusarium oxysporum contains at least six different families of transposable elements. Representatives of both DNA transposons and retrotransposons have been identified, either by cloning of dispersed repetitive sequences (Foret andpalm) or by trapping in the nitrate reductase gene (Fot1, Fot2 Impala andHop).Fot1 andImpala elements are related to theTc1 andmariner class of transposons. These transposable elements can affect gene structure and function in several ways: inactivation of the target gene through insertion, diversification of the nucleotide sequence by imprecise excisions, and probably chromosomal rearrangements as suggested by the extensive karyotype variation observed among field isolates. Comparisons of the distribution of these elements inFusarium populations have improved our understanding of population structure and epidemiology and provided support for horizontal genetic transfer. Also they could be developed as genetic tools for tagging genes, a cloning strategy that is particularly promising in imperfect fungi.     

Effects of High Temperature Exposure of Spinach Intact Plants and Isolated Thylakoids on Light-Harvesting Complex 2 Protein Phosphorylation

After a 6 min exposure of isolated thylakoids to 43 °C, the extent of phosphorylation of light-harvesting complex of photosystem 2 (LHC2) was higher than in control thylakoids kept at 25 °C. Similarly, the exposure of intact spinach plants to 43 °C in dark for 11 h induced higher extent of thylakoid LHC2 phosphorylation than in control plants kept at 25 °C. The induced ability of LHC2 for enhanced phosphorylation may enable better energy distribution in favour of photosystem 1.     

Intraspecific variation in the response of the cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena to moderate UV-B radiation

Floating and nodularin-producing strains of Nodularia spumigena from the Baltic Sea are regarded as belonging to one species. However, intraspecific variation in the response of N. spumigena to environmental factors has been commonly overlooked. As blooms of N. spumigena occur in late summer, a period with strong light and stable water-column stratification, the cells can be expected to also be exposed to ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B, 280–320 nm). The UV-B tolerance of four different strains of N. spumigena, isolated from the Baltic Sea, was investigated in the laboratory for 8 days, by measuring photosynthesis, growth and pigment composition. Variables included maximum quantum yield of photosynthesis (F_v/F_m, PAM fluorometry), growth rate (cell counts) and photosynthetic pigments, as well as mycosporine-like amino acids (HPLC). Intraspecific differences regardless of treatment were found for cell dimension, growth rate, F_v/F_m and pigment concentrations. UV-B related effects differed between strains. By Day 8 one of the four strains showed a lower F_v/F_m when treated with UV-B; in another strain the growth rate and cell numbers were lower. In three strains, UV-B exposure resulted in higher cell concentrations of carotenoids and chlorophyll a. In all strains, the concentrations of total mycosporine-like amino acids were 60–130% higher in the UV-B treated samples compared with samples shielded from UV-B. Although strain-specific differences in UV-B tolerance were observed, it is concluded that N. spumigena is a species that is not generally negatively affected by moderate levels of UV-B radiation.     

UV－B辐射增强对长白山五种藓类植物生长的影响

对生长在中国长白山的5种藓类植物——垂枝藓、拟垂枝藓、塔藓、星塔藓和高山金发藓分别以辐射强度为0.2(自然光照,对照)、3.0(紫外线中等辐射强度)和6.0kJ.m-2.d-1(高剂量辐射强度)的UV-B照射40d后,测定其株高、生物量及叶绿素含量.结果表明:中等和高强度的UV-B辐射使拟垂枝藓和塔藓的株高、生物量和叶绿素含量分别下降了32.3%、62.4%、81.3%和21.4%、59.4%、62.8%,其相对生长速率均为负值;高剂量UV-B辐射处理下垂枝藓的生物量稍有上升,而高山金发藓地下部分的生物量增加1倍,但叶绿素含量变化不明显.高山金发藓和垂枝藓抵抗UV-B辐射的能力较强,拟垂枝藓和塔藓对UV-B辐射较敏感.