EVIDENCE FOR INHIBITORS OF SPORANGIUM FORMATION IN LAMINARIA DIGITATA (PHAEOPHYCEAE) DURING THE SEASON OF RAPID GROWTH

The pathway from the intercalary frond meristem to distal frond portions was blocked in experimental sporophytes of Laminaria digitata (Huds.) Lamour. in January by cutting 2 or 3 holes (15–25 mm diameter) 5 cm from the base of the frond. This procedure resulted in the formation of sori adjacent to the distal edge of the holes within 5–10 weeks. Frond portions that were cut at least 20 cm away from the stipe–frond transition readily formed sori within 5–7 weeks after isolation from the rest of the thallus. These findings suggest that the basal actively dividing and expanding part of the laminarian frond is the source of inhibitors of sporangium formation that move in a distal direction and keep the young frond free of sori during the season of rapid growth (i.e. during the first part of the year). The natural occurrence of sori during the season of slow growth (i.e. the second part of the year in the Northern Hemisphere) may be due to reduced synthesis and export of inhibitors of sporangium formation from the more or less resting basal meristem.     

AUXIN,AN ENDOGENOUS REGULATOR OF GROWTH IN ALGAE?1,2

The effects of 5 pairs of synthetic auxins and chemically related, but biologically inactive, derivatives (e.g., 2,4- and 3,5-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, respectively) on blade growth of the brown alga, Alaria esculenta (L.) Grev.(Laminariales) were studied. The significant result was the inability to divide the growth responses into auxin and non-auxin groups. At high concentrations (10^?3 M) 9 test substances inhibited blade growth; lower concentrations (<10^?3 M) were either slightly inhibitory or showed no effect. The data suggest that a higher plant auxin-specific recognition mechanism is lacking in this alga. As this mechanism is central to higher plant concepts of growth control by auxin, the role of auxin as an endogenous regulator of growth in Alaria, and perhaps other algae as well, seems unlikely. This interpretation is consistent with recent negative biochemical data from auxin binding studies using subcellular preparations from algae.     

Circannual Growth Rhythm in a Brown Alga,Pterygophora californica

A circannual rhythm was found in the kelp Pterygophora californica which forms a new blade with a free running period of 7 ? 8 months under constant conditions. Individual plants exposed to cycles of daylength with T = 12, 6, or 3 months performed 1, 2, or 4 growth cycles, respectively, in one calendar year showing the entrainment of the endogenous circannual rhythm. The annual growth cycle also followed a phase shift of the annual cycle of daylength (T = 12 months) by 3 or 6 months.     

CIRCANNUAL GROWTH RHYTHM AND PHOTOPERIODIC SORUS INDUCTION IN THE KELP LAMINARIA SETCHELLII (PHAEOPHYTA)1

Growth and reproduction of laboratory-grown sporophytes of Laminaria setchellii Silva were investigated in a tank system with controlled conditions of daylength, temperature, and nutrients (N and P). A circannual growth rhythm of the frond was detected under constant laboratory conditions. In continuous long-day and night-break conditions the period τ of the free-running rhythm varied between 11.3 and 17.3 months; in short-day conditions the frond grew indefinitely. The growth rhythm of individual plants could be synchronized by a simulated annual cycle of day-length with a period of T = 12 months. The four seasons of the year were simultaneously simulated by phase shifting the annual cycle of daylength by 3, 6, or 9 months in three out of four tanks. The annual growth cycle followed these phase shifts, and initiation of the new blade always started just after the winter daylength minimum. The formation of sori was induced by a genuine photoperiodic short-day reaction in 1- to 2-year-old plants. Sori became, visible 9–14 weeks after transfer of individual plants from long-day to short-day conditions, whereas plants cultured in continuous long-day or night-break conditions remained sterile. Sporophytes with or without blades were able to continue growth or produce new blades in continuous darkness.     

SOURCE-SINK RELATIONSHIPS IN THE BLADE OF ALARIA ESCULENTA (LAMINARIALES,PHAEOPHYCEAE)1

The translocation of ¹⁴C-labelled photoassimilate was studied in blades of the kelp, Alaria esculenta (L.) Grev., which had been surgically modified to produce source and sink regions of various sizes. Thirty cm above the blade base a 2.5 cm dia. section of the blade received a 1 h pulse of H¹⁴CO₃^?. Efflux of ¹⁴C-labelled photoassimilate from this “source disc” was monitored over the next 8 days using a Geiger-Müller detector probe. Accumulation of ¹⁴C-labelled solutes by a “sink disc” of similar diameter, 20 cm below the source disc, was also monitored. Rate of ^l4C efflux from the source disc was governed by two factors: (1) total sink size and (2) feed-back from competing sources. In the latter case, source export was depressed if the portion of the blade, just distal to the source disc, was present. While the initial ¹⁴C influx rate into the sink disc was greater when competing sinks were present, the total accumulation of ¹⁴C-photoassimilates was 2–3 times higher in the sink disc when competing sources were not present. Basipetal translocation velocity (1.3–1.7 cm h^?1) was unaffected by competing sources and sinks.     

猴面包树种子萌发及苗期生长规律研究

在3种处理条件下对猴面包树Adansonia digitata种子进行播种育苗,观察记录种子萌发特性、苗高和地径,以及连续观察两年物候。结果表明：(1)70 ℃热水浸种发芽率和发芽势最高,分别为18.72%、6.20%。(2)苗高和地径增长呈“S”型,苗木生长分为缓慢期、速生期和停滞期;苗高和地径的速生期起点均为7月上旬,一直持续至9月上旬,在8月中旬出现苗高和地径速生点。1年生猴面包树苗高和地径可达81.9 cm和12.6 mm,苗木整齐度较好,苗木质量较高,苗木移栽成活率高达90%以上。(3)在云南元阳县干热河谷地区,2年内猴面包树苗期的物候无显著差异,生长发育正常,证明该地区是猴面包树理想的引种栽培区域之一。     

Compensatory growth of the kelp Macrocystis integrifolia (Phaeophyceae, Laminariales) against grazing of Peramphithoe femorata (Amphipoda, Ampithoidae) in northern-central Chile

Compensation of tissue loss has been considered an alternative strategy for seaweeds that have no or only minor chemical or structural defense against herbivory. Compensatory responses are facilitated by resource transfer among different tissues and have been suggested for large kelps. Macrocystis integrifolia (Bory) is a common kelp species from northern-central Chile, which is characterized by high growth rates and the absence of lipophilic chemical defenses against herbivore grazing. Herein, we used the giant kelp M. integrifolia to test for compensatory growth in response to grazing by the nest-dwelling amphipod Peramphithoe femorata (Krøyer). Amphipods were allowed to graze inside nests on subapical blades of M. integrifolia sporophytes for 14 days. We measured growth and chemical composition (C, N, laminaran and mannitol) of apical and subapical blades of grazed and ungrazed (control) sporophytes. Our results revealed the capability of M. integrifolia to maintain elongation rates in grazed subapical blades, which were similar to those of subapical blades from ungrazed sporophytes. Apical blades grew slower in grazed than in ungrazed sporophytes indicating a trade-off between apical and subapical blades when herbivores were present. Thus, compensation occurs in blades directly attacked by grazers and is probably mediated by vertical resource allocation within sporophytes to subapical blades, a suggestion supported by the fact that stipe internodes in these regions grew more on grazed sporophytes. In general, our study indicates that M. integrifolia exhibits compensatory growth against the herbivore amphipod P. femorata, and we suggest that this could be an important strategy of large kelp species to tolerate moderate grazing intensities.     

THE RATE OF TRANSLOCATION IN ALARIA ESCULENTA (LAMINARIALES,PHAEOPHYCEAE)12

The rate of translocation of organic carbon in blades of Alaria esculenta (L.) Grev. (Laminariales) was calculated from blade growth data. The cross sectional area of sieve filaments in the midrib medulla was estimated from light microscopic examination of fresh material. Files of these filaments form a perimedullar ring occupying ca. 2/3 of the medulla. Values computed for specific mass transfer of carbon into the blade meristem ranged from 36.2 to 60.8 mg C.wk^?1.0.1 mm^?2 sieve filaments.     

Seasonal growth pattern of an Icelandic Laminaria population (section Simplices,Laminariaceae, Phaeophyta) containing solid- and hollow-stiped plants

Lamina elongation and content of mannitol, laminaran and nitrate were measured during one year in Laminaria saccharina sensu lato from Iceland. The population contained both solid- and hollow-stiped plants. Growth rate was at its minimum from October to December, and started to increase in mid-winter, slightly earlier at 3 m than at 5 m. The increase in growth rate coincided with a strong reduction in stored carbohydrates and an increase in nitrate content of the laminae, indicating that stored mannitol and laminaran provided extra energy for increased lamina growth and/or for nitrate uptake. The results showed that stored mannitol was utilised before laminaran. The growth rate was at its maximum from April to June, and was reduced from June to July. The ambient nitrate concentration at the locality was low from May to August. The nitrate content of the lamina tissue in relation to dry weight was high during spring but was reduced to low values by July, indicating that nitrate levels limited growth during summer. However, high nitrate concentration of the sea-water and high levels of storage carbohydrates in the plants during autumn indicate that the low growth rate at this time cannot be attributed to lack of nitrate or energy in the form of stored carbon. The Laminaria population in Iceland that was examined showed morphological similarity with L. longicruris populations in Canada (hollow stipe), while the growth pattern corresponds with European L. saccharina populations.     

An improved culture tube for axenic cultures of microalgae

The culture tube described consists of a Jena glass tube with tapering bottom and a glass head, which are held together by means of an autoclavable screw-connector. This tube has already been successfully used in extended axenic turbidostat or chemostat experiments.     

Spore classification in the genera Bangia and Porphyra

Prior to the presentation by Drew (1956) of a system of classification for spores involved in the life histories of members of the Bangiophyceae, there was no uniform scheme. With the increased attention given to field and culture studies, particularly within the Bangiaceae, it is essential that a more comprehensive terminology be developed that considers experimental data on spore production. Drew's definition of Type II spores is re-examined and a system of classification based on cell fate and cell function as defined by studies on the photobiology of the Bangiaceae is proposed.