Influence of Gibberellic Acid and Gibrel on Fruit Set and Yield in Vaccinium macro-carpon cv. Early Black

The influence of gibberellic acid (GA) and Gibrel on the parthenocarpic development of cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon cv. Early Black) was investigated. Application of GA or Gibrel at 25 % bloom, 50 % bloom, 100 % bloom and after bloom resulted in a much higher than normal percentage fruit set and large increases in yield. However, treatment of cranberry vines with these compounds also resulted in an abundance of small, commercially undesirable berries. In addition, application of GA caused abnormal elongation of the vines and inthibited terminal bud development. Gibrel caused only slight vine elongation and did not retard terminal bud development. The possible use of Gibrel in the commercial production of cranberries is discussed.     

Sex Reversal and Fruit Formation on the Male Plants of Morus nigra L. by 2-Chloroethylphosphonic Acid

Ethrel treatment at 960, 1920, and 3840 parts 10–6 tomale plants of M. nigra produced intersex and female flowers.The intersexual flowers showed various degrees of transformationof male sex organs into female. The complete female flowersproduced were similar to female controls. Fruit setting occurredin inflorescences having both types of flowers which were similarin appearance but smaller in size than the untreated control.     

Effects of 2-Chloroethylphosphonic Acid and Gibberellic Acid on Sex Expression and Growth of Pumpkins

Treatment of pumpkin plants with 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (CEPHA) induced a greater production of female flowers, shorter internodes and earlier fruit set while treatment with gibberellic acid (GA) induced a greater production of male flowers, longer internodes and later fruit set. Although CEPHA induced the production of a greater number of female flowers, the bulk of the flowers aborted and only a slight increase in the number of fruits per pumpkin plant occurred. The addition of equal concentrations of CEPHA and GA resulted in pumpkin plants with longer internodes and a greater number of female flowers than the untreated plants, although GA partially overcame the effect of CEPHA. The mode of action of CEPHA and GA on sex expression is discussed.     

Effects of 2-Chloroethylphosphonic Acid on Growth, Plastid Pigments, and Sucrose Translocation in Radish

2-Chloroethylphosphonic acid (CEPA) caused a significant declinein chlorophyll content of radish plant within 5 d of treatment.Such effects were greater when plants were treated at the two-than at the four-leaf stage. In early treated plants, concentrationof CEPA increasing from 20 mg/1 progressively increased leafweight, while decreasing root (radish) weight. A concentrationof 10 mg/1, applied at the three-leaf stage, increased leafand root weights by 27 and 30 per cent respectively in the cultivar‘Cavalier’. Similar responses were obtained withthe cultivar ‘Cherry Belle’. While Cavalier showeda discrete 10 mg/1 optimum, ‘Cherry Belle’ exhibiteda range of concentrations (10-40 mg/1) optimal for growth. At relatively high concentrations, early application of CEPAcaused inverse changes in sucrose-¹⁴C in the leaves and theroot, so that decreased retention by leaves was accompaniedby increased transport to roots. Low concentrations of CEPAappear promising for growth stimulation in root-crop plants.     

Isolation of lectin and albumin from Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon ser. cv. sugar snap

A mannose- and glucose-binding lectin bearing considerable sequence similarity to other legume lectins was isolated using a simple procedure, from legumes of the sugar snap Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon. The lectin was unadsorbed on Affi-gel blue gel and Q-Sepharose in 10 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.2) and adsorbed on SP-Toyopearl in 50 mM NaOAc buffer (pH 5). An albumin could also be purified at the same time. It was unadsorbed on Affi-gel Blue gel, adsorbed on Q-Sepharose and unadsorbed on SP-Toyopearl under the aforementioned chromatographic conditions. The lectin was almost identical in N-terminal sequences of its alpha- and beta-subunit to lectin from P. sativum L. var. Feltham First except for the 19th N-terminal residue of the beta-subunit. The lectin was devoid of antifungal activity. Out of the 15 N-terminal amino acids examined in pea albumin, three were different between the two varieties of P. sativum.     

金属离子对黑米花青苷色素吸收光谱的影响

以黑糯B糙米皮为实验材料 ,用 1 .5mol/L盐酸— 95 %乙醇 (V/V :1 5 / 85 )溶液提取黑米花青苷色素(BRAP) ,采用紫外可见分光光度法研究了 1 1种金属离子以及 (NH4 ) 1+ 离子对BRAP的作用。结果表明 ,未加离子条件下色素溶液可见光区λmax5 35nm ,紫外光区λmax2 80nm ,加入Al3 + 、Fe3 + 、Fe2 + 、Cu2 + 、Mn2 + 、Zn2 + 、Sn2 + 对其吸收光谱有显性影响。其中Al3 + 、Fe3 + 使 5 35nm特征吸收峰发生蓝移 ,Sn2 + 使其发生明显红移 ;Al3 + ,Fe2 + ,Mn2 + ,Zn2 +在 5 35nm附近有增加ABS值作用 ,Fe3 + 有减小ABS值作用 ;延长作用时间 ,Cu2 + 对BRAP吸收光谱的影响表现为λmax5 35nm发生蓝移 ,ABS值减小     

Relationships between Bulb Size, Apex Size and Flowering in Bulbous Iris cv. Ideal

Large, retarded bulbs of the Iris cv. Ideal flower readily after exposure to appropriate preplanting conditions, whereas smaller bulbs flower with decreased frequency. Flower initiation occurs when apices from large, retarded bulbs are cultured on either Murashige-Skoog medium supplemented with gibberellic acid, or on the same medium without gibberellic acid on which scales from large bulbs have been incubated. Since floral initiation seldom occurs in explants from small bulbs, it is likely that reduced flowering of small bulbs relates in part to characteristics of the apical meristem. Apical dome diameter is one characteristic of retarded (and freshly dug) bulbs that is positively correlated with bulb size. However, whereas prolonged storage at retarding temperature increases the frequency of flowering of smaller bulbs, there is not a concomitant increase in apical dome diameter. Moreover, the ratio of apical dome diameter to bulb size in freshly dug bulbs does not increase measurably with later digging date indicating that apical dome size is not correlated with bulb maturity.     

Reproductive Biology of Selaginella: I. Determination of Megasporangia by 2-Chloroethylphosphonic Acid, an Ethylene-releasing Compound

Control clumps of Selaginella wallacei Heiron., sprayed with distilled water with Tween 20, produced a high proportion of microsporangia. Similar clumps sprayed with 2-chlorethyl-phosphonic acid, and ethylene-releasing compound (Ethephon), at 7.65 and 76.5 mg/liter produced almost exclusively megasporangia. Treatment of Selaginella pallescens (Presl) Spring with Ethephon at 34 mg/liter caused the production of megasporangia in the microsporangiate files of the strobili. The possibility that ethylene may be involved in the regulation of heterospory in Selaginella is discussed.     

Metabolism of 2-Chloroethylphosphonic Acid (Ethephon) in Suspension Cultures of Hevea brasiliensis

Suspension cultures of Hevea brasiliensis cells can metabolizethe growth regulator 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid to producea number of compounds, one of which appears to be an acid-labileconjugate. The general metabolic pattern closely resembles thatfound previously using Hevea leaves. Evidence that the compoundsformed are not chromatographic artefacts of a type describedby other authors is presented.     

Influence of Gibberellic Acid on Nucleolar Size Changes in Storage-tissue 3

The nucleoli of tissue discs cut from stem tubers of Helianthustuberosus L. or roots of Daucus carota L. increase in size whenthe discs are shaken in aerated distilled water. The size increaseof up to several hundred per cent which occurs within 24 h isfollowed by a significant decrease in size within the next 24h. Addition of 10^-5M gibberellic acid to the system acceleratesthe beginning of the size increase and finally results in alarger nucleolus.     

Effects of Na2SO4, K2SO4 and KCl on Growth and Ion Uptake of Callus Cultures of Vaccinium corymbosum L. cv. Blue Crop

Non-selected and Na₂SO-, K₂SO₄- or KCl-selected callus culturesof Vaccinium corymbosum L. cv. Blue Crop were grown on mediasupplemented with 0, 25 and 50 mM Na₂SO₄ (non-selected and Na₂SO(-selectedonly), 0, 25 and 50mMK₂SO₄ (non-selected and K₂SO₄-selectedonly) or 0, 50 and 100 mM KCl (non-selected and KCl-selectedonly). On all media, growth of selected callus (on a fresh-weightor dry-weight basis) was greater than that of non-selected callus,and selected callus grew optimally on the level and type ofsalt on which it was selected. Selected callus was friable andmaintained a higher f. wt:d. wt ratio. Tissue water potentialin selected callus was more negative than in non-selected callus. Flame photometry and chloridometry showed Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl^–accumulated in callus to concentrations equal to or greaterthan the initial concentration in the medium. Turbidometry showedthat tissue SO₄^2- concentration was lower than the concentrationin the medium. In most cases selected callus accumulated moreNa⁺, K^sup, SO₄^2– or Cl^– than non-selected callus.Vacuolar ion concentration was measured by electronprobe X-raymicroanalysis, and on most media selected callus had highervacuolar ion concentrations than non-selected callus. SO₄^2–and Cl^– were accumulated in the vacuoles at concentrationshigher than the external medium, but vacuolar Na⁺ concentrationdid not reach external concentration on Na₂SO₄ and on potassiumsalts was maintained between 12 and 17 mM. Vacuolar K⁺ concentration(approx. 142–191 mM on no salt) decreased on Na₂SO₄ andincreased on K₂SO₄ and KCl. There was no precise correlation between total or specific ionaccumulation (Na⁺, K⁺, SO₄^2– and Cl^– and fresh-weightyield. Results suggest that selection results in adaptationin response to decreased water potential of the medium. Vaccinium corymbosum, blueberry, electronprobe X-ray microanalysis, callus, in vitro selection, salt tolerance, KCl, K₂SO₄, Na₂SO₄     

Modification of Sunlight Radiation through Colored Photo-Selective Nets Affects Anthocyanin Profile in Vaccinium spp. Berries

Objectives

In recent years, the interest on the effects of the specific wavelengths of the light spectrum on growth and metabolism of plants has been increasing markedly. The present study covers the effect of modified sunlight conditions on the accumulation of anthocyanin pigments in two Vaccinium species: the European wild bilberry (V. myrtillus L.) and the cultivated highbush blueberry (V. corymbosum L.).

Methods

The two Vaccinium species were grown in the same test field in the Alps of Trentino (Northern Italy) under modified light environment. The modification of sunlight radiation was carried out in field, through the use of colored photo-selective nets throughout the berry ripening during two consecutive growing seasons. The anthocyanin profile was then assessed in berries at ripeness.

Results

The results indicated that the light responses of the two Vaccinium species studied were different. Although both studied species are shade-adapted plants, 90% shading of sunlight radiation was beneficial only for bilberry plants, which accumulated the highest content of anthocyanins in both seasons. The same condition, instead, was not favorable for blueberries, whose maturation was delayed for at least two weeks, and anthocyanin accumulation was significantly decreased compared to berries grown under sunlight conditions. Moreover, the growing season had strong influence on the anthocyanin accumulation in both species, in relation to temperature flow and sunlight spectra composition during the berry ripening period.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the use of colored photo-selective nets may be a complementary agricultural practice for cultivation of Vaccinium species. However, further studies are needed to analyze the effect of the light spectra modifications to other nutritional properties, and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind the detected differences between the two relative Vaccinium species.     

Effects of Gibberellic Acid, Benzyladenine and 2-Chloroethylphosphonic acid (CEPA) on Growth and Fruit Abscission in the Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)

Cowpea cultivars, Adzuki, Ife Brown and New Era, were raisedin a pot-soil experiment, under greenhouse conditions. Whenapplied as a foliar spray, none of the three growth regulators,gibberellic acid (GA), benzyladenine (BA) and 2-chloroethylphosphonicacid (CEPA), had any significant effects on the vegetative growthof either Adzuki or Ife Brown, CEPA, however, suppressed stemelongation and root dry weight, and also caused defoliation,in New Era. GA had no significant effect on fertility (defined as the proportionof the number of floral buds to those developing into mature,functional, seed-bearing pods). GA also had no significant effecton harvest index (expressed as the percentage of whole plantdry weight represented by seed dry weight) in the three cultivars.BA suppressed fertility in both Ife Brown and New Era, but hadno influence on Adzuki. CEPA was effective in controlling abscission in cowpea by reducingthe number of floral buds initiated, but enhancing the numberof functional pods set, in New Era. CEPA also enhanced harvestindex in this cultivar by increasing the absolute seed weightwithout affecting total plant dry weight. The implications ofthese observations on the physiology of the cultivars are discussedin relation to the problem of fruit abscission in the cowpeaplant. Vigna unguiculata L., cowpea, abscission, gibberellic acid, benzyladenine, 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid     

Cell Number and Cell Size in Parthenocarpicvs. Pollinated Blueberry (Vaccinium ashei) Fruits

Gibberellic acid (GA₃) promotes parthenocarpic fruit developmentand is used commercially to increase fruit set in many crops.However, fruit size is usually smaller than that of pollinatedfruit. The purpose of this work was to determine the anatomicalbasis for differences in fruit size between pollinated and GA₃-inducedparthenocarpic blueberry (Vaccinium asheiReade) fruits. Freshweights at ripening averaged 1.6 and 2.5 g for GA₃-treatedvs.pollinated fruits, respectively. In both pollinated and GA₃-treatedfruits, mesocarp cell number comprised about 75% of the totalpericarp cell number, and increased from     

Effects of Treatment with a Composite Preparation (2-Chloroethylphosphonic Acid and Methacide) or Butylated Hydroxyanisole on Ethylene Release in Apples

We studied the effect of a Russian composite preparation (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid and methacide) and butylated hydroxyanisole on ethylene release in whole fruit and peel disks of two apple cultivars, Antonovka obyknovennaya (Antonovka) and Simirenko's rennet (Simirenko). Treatment with the composite preparation was followed by an increase in ethylene release from both the whole apples and peel disks. The development of microbial infection (fruit rot) in the whole apples became less pronounced after the treatment. Treatment of whole apples with the antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) increased the intensity of ethylene release during the first subsequent days; thereafter, ethylene release decreased and was 10–15% lower than in the control on days 10–12. In model experiments, BHA decreased ethylene release from apple peel disks below control levels as early as on the first day after treatment. Antonovka apples gave quick responses to the treatment. In the late-ripening Simirenko apples, the response persisted for a longer period. Our results suggest that treatment with physiologically active preparations affects the ethylene release, ripening, and preservation of apples in storage.     

Enhancement of Growth and Fruit Maturity in 2-year-old Grapevines cv. Delaware by 5-Aminolevulinic Acid

The influence of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on the growth, photosynthesis, and fruit quality of gibberellin-induced seedless 2-year-old “Delaware“ grapevine was examined. The result of soil treatment (0.1–10 mg l⁻¹) and foliar spray treatment (30–300 mg l⁻¹) with ALA after flowering was significant growth improvement, up to 55% in the lateral shoot, and up to 38% in leaf area. Optimal doses were 1 mg l⁻¹ soil treatment and 100 mg l⁻¹ foliar treatment. The photosynthetic rate of plants treated with ALA increased by a significant 9.2%–22.5%. Relative to the control, based on measurements of the 5th leaf of each shoot in the ripening period, the optimum concentrations for growth and photosynthesis enhancement in grapevines were 100 mg l⁻¹ (foliar treatment) and 1 mg l⁻¹ (soil treatment). Total plant weight at harvest increased a significant 13% at the optimal treatment doses. In terms of fruit quality, the cluster fresh weight increased a significant 44.9%–53% and fruit colour showed a tendency to become darker in all plants treated with ALA. The °Brix value in the plant treated with 100 mg l⁻¹ ALA was a significant 2.7% higher than that of the control. We consider that leaf area and photosynthetic rates during cultivation are important for the acquisition of photoassimilates and that these are likely to be causally associated with improvement of total dry weight and advance of fruit quality. In addition, a possibility of advancing the harvest time of grapes by ALA treatment was shown.     

Influence of cytokinins, auxins and polyamines on in vitro mass multiplication of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. SVPR2)

In the present investigation, the influence of different forms of cytokinins, auxins and polyamines were tested for mass multiplication and regeneration of cotton. Initially, for the identification of effective concentration for multiple shoot induction, various concentrations of BAP, Kin and 2iP along with IAA and NAA were tested. Among tested concentrations, media fortified with MS salts; B5 vitamins; 30 g/l, glucose; 2.0 mg/l, 2iP; 2.0 mg/l, IAA and 0.7 % agar showed best response for multiplication of shoot tip explants (20 shoots per shoot tip explants). In nodal explants, maximum of 18.6 shoots were obtained in the media fortified with MS salts, B5 vitamins, 30 g/l, glucose, 2.0 mg/l, 2iP, 1.0 mg/l, NAA and 0.7 % agar. Effect of different concentrations of polyamines like spermidine and putrescine were also tested along with the above said multiplication media. Among the various treatments, 20 mg/l of putrescine showed best response and the multiple of shoots were increased to 26.5 shoots per shoot tip explants and 24.5 shoots per nodal explants. Elongation of shoots was achieved on multiple shoot induction medium. Significant number of roots were initiated in the medium supplemented with MS salts, vitamin B5 and IBA (2.0 mg/l). The frequency of root induction was increased by addition of, PVP (10 mg/l) along with root induction medium and after 2 weeks, the roots reached the maximum length of 22 cm. Further, these plantlets were hardened by using sand, soil and vermiculate in 1:1:1 ratio. The hardened plants were transferred to the environmental growth chamber for proper acclimatization. The hardened plants were then transferred to field for boll yielding and they exhibited 100% survival.     

Initiation of Early Bolting by Pre-Enhancing Anthocyanin and Catalase Activity in Angelica sinensis Tender Leaf during Medicine Formation Cultivation Year

Russian Journal of Plant Physiology - To explore physiological roles associated with early bolting (EB) of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, 48 re-green plants transplanted by two sources of...     

Influence of root-zone temperature on growth,development and yield of cucumber plants cv. Toska

Summary In a first experiment, cucumber transplants (cucumis sativa L. cv. Toska) were grwon at five root-zone temperatures (RZT) ranging from 12° to 36°C. Maximum shoot growth and total leaf area were obtained at 24° and 30°C (RZT). In a second experiment, cucumber transplants were submitted to five RZT (12, 18, 24, 30 and 36°C) and five night air temperatures (NAT) that were maintained either constant at 9°, 13° and 17°C or splitted (in two halfs) at midnight (17°/12°C, 17°/9°C). Root-zone warming to 24° or 30°C increased cucumber plant growth and leaf development, but did not compensate completely the loss of productivity induced by low NAT. Split-night temperature had greater effects under the lowest NAT (17°/9°C) and at high RZT (24° or 30°C). In a third experiment, soil warming caused large increase in yields when cucumber plants were grown in the spring, but had very little effects in the fall.