Survival and reproduction in some algae under stress conditions

Pithophora oedogonia and Cladophora glomerata survived lowest 60 and 58%, respectively, in June when the pond diurnal water temperature (PDWT) increased to a maximum of 28 degrees C. The lowering of PDWT only by 1 degrees C in July improved survivability of both algae to their almost maximum level of 100 and 96%, respectively. Further lowering of PDWT to 17-22 degrees C in November initiated akinete formation in P. oedogonia. The process of akinete initiation, maturation and germination continued till April when PDWT increased to 20-24 degrees C, but not beyond that in May when PDWT was 21-26 degrees C. By this time, probably all akinetes have germinated in situ, and the alga was entirely vegetative. P. oedogonia population is not synchronous in nature, since during the 5-6-month reproductive season, some filaments were in active vegetative stage, some had akinete initiation, some had completed akinete formation, and some had akinetes germinating. C. glomerata grew dense vegetative in November and initiated (zoo)sporangial primordia formation (to some extent) in February (when PDWT was lowest, viz. 10-14 degrees C) till April. Meanwhile, no (zoo)-sporangial primordia either produced any zoospore or germinated into a germ tube; and all released their cytoplasmic content and died (along with some vegetative cells) with an increase in PDWT to 21-26 degrees C in May. Vaucheria geminata vegetative patches appeared on the soil surface, 2nd week of January by lowering of atmospheric diurnal temperature (ADT) to 9-16 degrees C in the 1st week. The alga started sexual reproduction by the 2nd week of March (when ADT increased to 20-23 degrees C) and completed the process of reproduction by the 1st week of April (when ADT increased to 24-26 degrees C) and died thereafter. P. oedogonia, C. glomerata and V. geminata survived better and longer in submerged conditions than air-exposed (which was true for P. oedogonia and C. glomerata aquatic habitat and also indicated that the soil alga V. geminata could survive to some extent if submerged in rain water). P. oedogonia formed akinetes and C. glomerata (zoo)sporangial primordia only in submerged condition and not when air-exposed on moist soil surface. V. geminata did not complete the life cycle both under submerged and air-exposed conditions. Vegetative survival in P. oedogonia, C. glomerata, V. geminata, Aphanothece pallida, Gloeocapsa atrata, Scytonema millei, Myxosarcina burmensis, Phormidium bohneri, Oscillatoria animalis, O. subbrevis, Lyngbya birgei, L. major, Microcoleus chthonoplastes and Rhizoclonium crassipellitum, reproduction in P. oedogonia, C. glomerata and V. geminata, cell division in A. pallida and G. atrata, heterocyst and false branch formation in S. millei, all, were adversely affected at approximately 28.5 degrees C for t12 h at light intensity of approximately 160 micromol m(-2) s(-1); high intensity does not ameliorate high temperature damage to any algae. The presence of liquid water, than its absence, outside the different algae moderated the severity of heat to some extent but not when the heat was severe.     

Vegetative survival of some wall and soil blue-green algae under stress conditions

Lyngbya major (a wall alga), survived throughout year, maximally to >80 % at atmospheric temperature (AT) of 17-36 degrees C and relative humidity (RH) 60-100 % in rainy and spring seasons, but the survival was 43-64 % in winter when AT decreased to 5 degrees C and RH was 65-98 %, and 15-23 % in summer when AT reached 48 degrees C and RH was 23-60 %. All soil algae (Lyngbya birgei, Aphanothece pallida, Gloeocapsa atrata, Oscillatoria subbrevis, O. animalis) survived >90 % in rainy season when soil moisture content (SMC) was 89-100 %. Lowering of SMC to a minimum of 55 % in spring and 39 % in winter led L. birgei, O. subbrevis and O. animalis to survive from 75, 66, and 65 %, respectively, in spring and 12, 14, and 20 % in winter, and A. pallida and G. atrata not at all in both seasons. All soil algae did not survive in summer when SMC was 12-30 %. Myxosarcina burmensis survived only in rainy and spring seasons when pond water temperature (PWT) was 19-25 degrees C and 18-26 degrees C, respectively, and not in winter and summer when PWT was 2-14 degrees C and 25-36 degrees C, respectively. L. major and A. pallida survived almost equally well under both submerged and air-exposed conditions for 15 d but less if submerged for more time than air-exposed on moist soil surface, while L. birgei, G. atrata, O. subbrevis, and O. animalis survived submergence in liquid medium better and longer than air-exposure on moist soil surface. Pond alga M. burmensis survived submergence better than air-exposure, true to its aquatic habitat. All algae survived less and died without forming any resistant cells when exposed to physical and physiological water stress (imposed by growing them on highly agarized media or in salinized liquid media), light stress (at 0, 2 and 10 mumol m(-2) s(-1) light intensity) or following UV shock (0.96-3.84 kJ/m(2)). A. pallida and G. atrata cells did not divide on 8 % agarized solid media, in >/=0.3 mol/L salinized liquid media, and in darkness. The presence of sheath over L. major and L. birgei filament cells and mucilage cover over A. pallida and G. atrata cells protect them against physical desiccation to some extent but not against UV shock.     

Evaluation of reflectance spectroscopy indices for estimation of chlorophyll content in leaves of a tropical tree species

The effectiveness of eight spectral reflectance indices for estimating chlorophyll (Chl) content in leaves of Eugenia uniflora L., a tropical tree species widely distributed throughout the world and a key species for ecosystem restoration projects, was evaluated. Spectral reflectance indices were tested using sun and shade leaves with a broad variation in leaf mass per area (LMA). Shortly after plants were exposed to chilling temperatures, there was a dramatic visible change in some sun leaves from green to red. Prior to testing Chl-related reflectance indices, the green and red leaves were separated according to the anthocyanin reflectance index (ARI). Slightly green to dark green leaves corresponded to an ARI value less than 0.11 (n = 107), whereas slightly red to red leaves corresponded to an ARI value greater than 0.11 (n = 35). To estimate leaf Chl, two simple reflectance indices (SR₆₈₀ and SR₇₀₅), two normalized difference indices (ND₆₈₀ and ND₇₀₅), two modified reflectance indices (mSR₇₀₅ and mND705), a modified Chl absorption ratio index (mCARI₇₀₅) and an index insensitive to the presence of anthocyanins (CI_re) were evaluated. Good estimates of leaf Chl content were obtained using the reflectance indices tested regardless of the presence of anthocyanins and changes in LMA. Based on the coefficients of determination (r ²) and the root mean square errors (RMS?_c) the best results were obtained with reflectance indices measured at wavelengths of 750 and 705 nm. Considering the performance of the models the best reflectance indices to estimate Chl contents in E. uniflora leaves with a broad variation in LMA and anthocyanin contents was SR₇₀₅ and mCARI₇₀₅.     

Mathematical models of bacterial growth,inhibition and death under combined stress conditions

Summary In this report we review the history of growth theories. We show how classical growth models may be derived as special cases of a generic growth rate equation. We show how growth models may be modified to represent survival data. We use linear combinations of growth and survival models to represent complex growth/survival curves and give practical examples utilizing nonlinear regression analysis. We show that traditional methods of estimating D values are inappropriate for complex, multiphasic growth/survival data. We show how such data may be modeled mathematically and illustrate methods for estimating true D values from such data.     

干旱胁迫下雷竹叶片叶绿素的高光谱响应特征及含量估算

植物叶片的反射光谱特征与叶绿素含量密切相关。以重要的笋用竹种雷竹(Phyllostachys violascens)为研究对象,采用盆栽及控水试验方法研究了2年生雷竹在干旱胁迫条件下冠层叶片反射光谱的响应特征,分析了叶片叶绿素含量与不同波段光谱反射率一阶微分值以及光谱特征参数之间的相关关系,并以雷竹叶绿素含量敏感波段及构建的植被指数与叶绿素含量进行了拟合。结果表明,重度缺水处理后雷竹叶片叶绿素含量显著降低,在可见光区叶片光谱反射率随叶绿素含量的降低而增加,以波长493、639、693、756 nm等处的光谱反射率一阶微分值与叶绿素含量的相关性较高。雷竹叶片叶绿素含量与光谱特征参数如绿峰反射率、红谷反射率、蓝边面积、绿峰面积之间的相关性较高。与已有的植被指数相比基于雷竹叶绿素含量敏感波段修正后的植被指数与叶绿素含量相关性优于原植被指数。基于反射率一阶微分值构建的多元回归方程以及修正的绿色归一化植被指数(m GNDVI)构建的回归方程拟合效果较好,为雷竹叶绿素含量的较优估算方程。研究结果可以为雷竹叶绿素含量的快速无损测定以及季节性干旱条件下雷竹林的科学经营及灾后评估提供依据。     

桉树叶片光合色素含量高光谱估算模型

色素在植物的生理生态过程中非常重要,利用高光谱数据,揭示光谱反射率上特征波段与光合色素含量间的关系将有助于理解光合色素光谱反射特征的规律,同时为利用高光谱遥感技术快速无损监测植物叶片光合色素提供了技术支持.利用野外采集的桉树叶片样本,在实验室内测定了叶片的高光谱反射率及对应的叶绿素、类胡萝卜素含量.利用光谱分析技术和统计学方法对光谱数据进行处理分析,提取了光谱特征参量,并建立叶绿素、类胡萝卜素含量与光谱特征参量间的估算模型.通过精度检验,研究结果表明以(SDr-SDb)/(SDr+SDb)为变量建立的指数模型估算效果最佳.     

Spatial-temporal variations in rose leaves under water stress conditions studied by chlorophyll fluorescence imaging.

Spatial-temporal changes were examined by imaging chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence in four leaf areas, two central and two external of rose plants (Rosa x hybrida) cv. Grand Gala for 9 days, under progressive water stress. New fluorescence parameters based on the lake model have recently been used to determine Q(A) redox state and excitation energy fluxes in order to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms that occur under drought stress. Chlorophyll fluorescence images showed a spatial variation in the leaves. The lower values for F(o), F(M), phi(2), q(P) and q(L) were found in the internal leaf area while higher values of non-photochemical quenching calculated from Stern-Volmer quenching (NPQ) and phi(NPQ). phi(Po) were more homogeneous throughout leaf. Temporal changes were also observed during the experiment, a 10% decrease in relative water content (RWC) (between day 1 and 2), led to a decrease in photochemical quenching and an increase in non-photochemical processes. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were more or less constant till day 8. At the end of the experiment (day 9), energy dissipation by downregulation, electron transport and Q(A) redox state, decreased and phi(NO) increased to compensate the change. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters based on the lake model q(L), phi(NPQ) and phi(NO) have been found more appropriate for estimating the fraction of open centres, the quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation in photosystem II (PSII) and the quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation in PSII, respectively. The F(s)/F(o) ratio is strongly correlated with NPQ and phi(NPQ) up to a RWC of 20%. This coincides with a greater decrease in photochemical quenching and non-photochemical quenching and an increase in phi(NO).     

Proteome analysis of tobacco leaves under salt stress

The mechanisms responsible for the effects of salt stress on tobacco plants were examined by means of proteomic analysis. Tobacco plants were exposed to 0, 150, 250, 300, or 400 mM NaCl. At 150 mM NaCl or above, the plants showed a reduction in fresh weight and an increase in proline levels. Proteins extracted from the leaves of tobacco plants exposed to 150 mM NaCl were separated by 2-DE. Of 205 protein spots that were detected reproducibly in each gel, 18 were differentially expressed under NaCl treatment. Up-regulated proteins belonged to the photosynthesis category, whereas down-regulated proteins correspond to defense-related functions. Dose- and time-dependent studies showed that a stromal 70-kDa heat shock-related protein was markedly down-regulated by NaCl. Thus, down-regulation of the stromal 70-kDa heat shock protein in response to salt stress is likely the cause of failure to protect cells against salt stress of tobacco plants.     

Seasonal changes in some photosynthetic properties of Ceratonia siliqua (carob tree) leaves under natural conditions

Rates of photosynthesis and leaf conductance of the leaves of carob trees ( Ceratonia siliqua L.) growing in natural conditions were measured during the course of the seasons to define the effects of the main climatic factors limiting growth in the region: temperature during the winter and water in the summer. The highest photosynthetic rates were measured in spring and autumn and could reach 25 μmol m₋₂ s₋₁ with optimal temperature and available water. Due to lower temperatures (4 to 6°C in the night) these values were frequently around 15 μmol m₋₂ s₋₁ during winter, but the strongest depression was due to prolonged drought in summer. However a reduction in photosynthesis rate down to 5 μmol m₋₂ s₋₁ occurred only after depletion of all the available water in the soil layer up to a depth of 50 cm. In the end of the summer, leaf conductance and water potential were in the order of 20 mmol m₋₂ s₋₁ and −3 MPa respectively. Compared to other trees that make up the Mediterranean sclerophyll forest, the photosynthetic activity of carob is high, and the tree tolerates a considerable depletion of soil water.     

Hydrogen peroxide concentrations in leaves under natural conditions

While H2O2 has been implicated in numerous plant environmental responses, normal levels and variabilities are poorly established, and estimates of leaf tissue concentrations span more than three orders of magnitude, even in a single species under similar conditions. Here, leaf tissue H2O2 contents under natural conditions are reported after determining (i) that H2O2 in extracts was stable with time, (ii) that H2O2 added to the extract was recovered quantitatively, and (iii) that the H2O2 calibration curve was unaffected (or quantifiably affected) by the extract. The broad applicability of the protocol and variability in leaf concentrations were demonstrated using tissue collected from several habitats in association with three, more extensive, experiments. The first involved nychthemeral studies of the mangrove, Rhizophora mangle L. Lowest H2O2 levels occurred in the early morning and near sunset, with higher levels both at midday and at night. Second, using five temperate species in Spring, concentrations were compared on a warm, sunny day and a cool, cloudy day. Higher concentrations were found on the warm day for Aesculus glabra Willd., Glechoma hederacea L., Plantago major L., and Viola soraria Willd., while there were no differences in Quercus macrocarpa Michx. Finally, the effects of elevated CO2 and ozone were examined in soybean, Glycine max L. Pioneer 93B15 under Free Air gas Concentration Enrichment (FACE) conditions. Both supplements led to elevated H2O2. Overall, mean leaf, midday, and mid-summer H2O2 concentrations ranged from 0.67 micromol (gFW)(-1) in mangrove to 3.6 micromol (gFW)(-1) in A. glabra Willd. Greatest within-species differences were only 2.5-fold in any of the studies.     

Seasonal fluctuations in the concentration of UV-absorbing compounds in the leaves of some Mediterranean plants under field conditions

Leaves of 14 representative Mediterranean plant species were collected on a monthly basis and assayed for UV-absorbing compounds concentration, either on an area or a dry mass basis, from 1995 to 1997. Strong seasonal fluctuations were observed in eight species (all evergreens, two phrygana, one deciduous, one summer perennial and one winter perennial). Two different patterns of changing concentrations of UV-absorbing compounds were observed. In the first, concentration of these compounds was higher in young developing leaves and concentration declined during maturation, whereas in other plants, the opposite trend was observed. These differences could be attributed to the particular leaf surface morphology of each plant. The observed seasonal fluctuations of UV-absorbing compounds seem to be more correlated to developmental processes, than to seasonal fluctuations of the naturally occurring UV-B radiation. Most of the winter perennials did not show strong fluctuations during the period of development. The concentration of these compounds varied not only on a seasonal basis among the examined plants, but between different life forms as well: during winter, examination of the leaves of 13 species showed that evergreen sclerophylls and phrygana had at least two-fold higher concentration of UV-B-absorbing compounds on a leaf area basis than winter perennials. In addition, during the same season and irrespective of life form and species, the absorbance at 300 nm per unit of mature leaf area followed an asymptotic exponential decrease when specific leaf area increased. The UV-B radiation screening capacity of the leaves of these plants is discussed in relation to each adaptive strategy.     

Photoinhibition of photosynthesis in willow leaves under field conditions

Chlorophyll fluorescence of leaves of a willow (Salix sp.) stand grown in the field in northern Sweden was measured on several occasions during the growing season of 1987. For leaves that received mostly full daylight, the F _V/F _P ratio declined roughtly 15% in the afternoon on cloudless days in July (F _P is the fluorescence at the peak of the induction curve obtained at the prevailing air temperature after 45 min of dark adaptation, and F _V is variable fluoresence, F _V=F _P-F _O, where F _O is minimal fluorescence). There was no decrease in the F _V/F _P ratio on cloudy days, while the effect was intermediate on changeable days. In view of this light dependence, together with the fact that the decline in the F _V/F _P ratio was paralleled with an equal decline in the corresponding fluorescence ratio F _V/F _M at 77K, and a similar decline in the maximum quantum yield of O₂ evolution, it is suggested that the decline in the F _V/F _P ratio represents a damage in photosyntem II attributable to photoinhibition. Recovery of the F _V/F _P ratio in dim light following a decline on a cloudless day took 7–16 h to go to completion; the F _V/F _P ratio was fully restored the following morning. When all active leaves of a peripheral shoot were compared, the F _V/F _P ratio in the afternoon of a day of bright light varied greatly from leaf to leaf, though the majority of leaves showed a decline. This variation was matched by a pronounced variation in intercepted photon flux density. When leaves developed in the shade were exposed to full sunlight by trimming of the stand an increased sensitivity to photoinhibition was observed as compared to peripheral leaves. The present study indicates that peripheral willow shoots experienced in the order of 10–20% photoinhibition during an appreciable part of their life. This occurred even though the environmental conditions were within the optimal range of photosynthesis and growth.Abbreviations and symbols F _O minimum fluorescence - F _P fluorescence at the peak of the induction curve obtained at normal ambient temperatures - F _V variable fluorescence - F _M maximum fluorescence obtained at 77K - PPFD photosynthetic photon flux density     

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation under stress conditions

Summary An outline is given of the possibility selecting Rhizobium strains capable of performing a relatively good symbiosis with leguminous plants, growing under stress conditions. A Rhizobium strain capable of nodulating pea plants in acid soils is described. A pea cultivar, resistant to the majority of Rhizobium strains when growing at 20°C, is found to require a short period of a higher temperature for successful nodulation. The effect of non-photosynthetic light and its possible significance under natural conditions is discussed.     

Functioning of malate dehydrogenase system in mesophyll and bundle sheath cells of maize leaves under salt stress conditions

The formation of adaptive response to salt stress in mesophyll and bundle sheath cells of maize (Zea mays L.) leaves was studied at the level of operation of enzyme systems that participate in oxidation of malate. Functioning of four malate dehydrogenases (MDH), the components of this system, was studied and found to maintain malate and pyruvate pools, which are required for operation of the Hatch-Slack cycle and actively used for neutralization of salt treatment. The increase in activity of NAD-MDH was related to salt-induced synthesis of the additional isoform of MDH in mesophyll cells. Such changes in the isozyme pattern were not found in bundle sheath cells.     

Proteome analysis of sugar beet leaves under drought stress

Drought is one of the major factors limiting the yield of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). The identification of candidate genes for marker-assisted selection (MAS) could greatly improve the efficiency of breeding for increased drought tolerance. Drought-induced changes in the proteome could highlight important genes. Two genotypes of sugar beet (7112 and 7219-P.69) differing in genetic background were cultivated in the field. A line-source sprinkler irrigation system was used to apply irrigated and water deficit treatments beginning at the four-leaf stage. At 157 days after sowing, leaf samples were collected from well-watered and drought-stressed plants for protein extraction and to measure shoot biomass and leaf relative water content. Changes induced in leaf proteins were studied by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and quantitatively analyzed using image analysis software. Out of more than 500 protein spots reproducibly detected and analyzed, 79 spots showed significant changes under drought. Some proteins showed genotype-specific patterns of up- or downregulation in response to drought. Twenty protein spots were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), leading to identification of Rubisco and 11 other proteins involved in redox regulation, oxidative stress, signal transduction, and chaperone activities. Some of these proteins could contribute a physiological advantage under drought, making them potential targets for MAS.