Germination of Leymus arenarius and its Significance for Land Reclamation in Iceland

Leymus arenarius is used to stabilize the extensive areas oferoded volcanic sand in Iceland, both inland and on the coast.It has been reported previously to produce seeds of generallylow viability. We investigated the potential for seed dormancyand the responses of germination to temperature, light and salinity,as part of a re-assessment aimed at improving reclamation procedures. Contrary to previous reports, high rates of germination couldbe obtained under certain conditions. All caryopses were soakedin water (24 h) and stratified for 2 weeks (5 °C) beforethe subsequent germination tests. Constant temperatures or exposureto light resulted in very poor germination. Close to 100% germinationcould be obtained within 2 weeks in continuous darkness, underalternating temperatures with an amplitude of 10-20 °C ona 12 h cycle; high day temperatures appear to be important.Diurnal fluctuations in temperature of this order occurred underaverage weather conditions in the black, volcanic sands in Icelandduring the growing season (May-Sep.). The dark requirement isinterpreted as a selective response to the adverse conditionsfor establishment at the surface of the sand; the alternatingtemperature requirement may be a response to ensure dormancyunder deep burial with accreting sand, although it could havea role in gap-sensing under established canopies. Scarification,surface sterilization and treatment with n -butanol or KNO₃were all generally ineffective in promoting germination. Nearlyall caryopses that did not germinate, in all treatments, remainedviable. Caryopses of coastal populations of Leymus arenarius showedsignificantly higher total germination and more rapid germinationin 100 mmol l^-1 and 300 mmol l^-1 NaCl solutions than inlandpopulations. The inhibition of germination by salinity was anosmotically enforced dormancy effect rather than a lethal, toxicone; caryopses that had not germinated in saline solution generallywere able to germinate subsequently, when transferred to non-salineconditions.Copyright 1994, 1999 Academic Press Germination, Leymus arenarius (lymegrass), Triticeae, survival analysis, fluctuating temperature, sand stabilization, salinity tolerance, Iceland     

Seed Mass and Germination Behaviour in Populations of the Dune-building Grass Leymus arenarius

The individual mean seed (caryopsis) mass of 34 natural populationsof Leymus arenarius widely distributed in Iceland and one eachfrom Scotland and England showed a six-fold variation. Phenotypicplasticity was a factor in the variation between populationsin different environments but there was also likely to havebeen genetic differentiation. Heavy-seeded populations tendedto come from early successional sites, where they also producedlonger spikes and more seeds per spike. Individual seed masswas also very variable on spikes within populations and withinspikes; lighter seeds were found consistently in the lower thirdof the spike and in the florets distal to the rachis in thespikelets. Germination was examined using the powerful methods of SurvivalAnalysis. There were striking asymptotic relationships betweenseed mass and germination: an inverse relationship between mediangermination time and seed mass and a positive relationship betweentotal germination percentage and seed mass. Samples from small-seededpopulations typically achieved half the total germination oflarge-seeded ones, with up to ten-fold longer median germinationtimes. Similar trends emerged from analysis of large- and small-seededspikes within populations and large- and small-seeded floretswithin spikelets. Natural stands of Leymus arenarius are harvested on a largescale in Iceland for sowing in reclamation programmes to combatunstable and eroding sands. The harvest period is short andsusceptible to autumn gales and grazing. Mean individual seedmass would provide a rapid and reliable measure of seed quality,in terms of rapid germination and high germination rate. Standsshould not be selected for harvest unless the individual seedmass averaged for whole spikes is at least 5 mg and such standsare most likely to be found in early-successional dune sites.Copyright1995, 1999 Academic Press Leymus arenarius, lymegrass, seed mass, germination, population differentiation, sand stabilization, dune succession, Survival Analysis     

Inoculation of grass and tree seedlings used for reclaiming eroded areas in Iceland with mycorrhizal fungi

The objective of this study was to investigate the response of plant species used for reclamation of eroded areas in Iceland to inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi. In a greenhouse trial,Leymus arenarius andDeschampsia beringensis were grown in pots with volcanic ash collected from a site near the Mt. Hekla volcano in Iceland and were inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) isolatesGlomus mosseae BEG25 orGlomus intraradices BEG75. In two field experiments conducted on volcanic tephra fields near Mt. Hekla, a native soil inoculum or commercial inocula TerraVital-D and Terra Vital-G Ecto Mix were compared for efficacy onL. arenarius andBetula pubescens. After four months of growth, the presence of AMF in the pot experiment significantly increased the capacity of grass root systems to bind soil particles. In the field, inoculation significantly increased the number ofL. arenarius plants, which emerged from seed and their subsequent survival and growth. Seedlings ofB. pubescens grew best following inoculation with ectomycorrhizal fungal (ECMF) inoculum and a subsequent application of inorganic NP-fertilizer. The addition of native soil inoculum had almost no effect on growth of either grass or trees. Our results indicate that reclamation of eroded areas in Iceland could benefit from the use of a ppropriate mycorrhizal fungi, which might improve plant establishment and growth and increase soil aggregation and stability.     

Salt Tolerance in the Triticeae: Leymus sabulosus

Elymus dahuhcus, Leymus giganteus, L. angustus, L. sabulosusand, to a lesser extent, L. triticoides, were found to tolerate200 mol m^–3 NaCl in solution culture. Elymus dahuricusdiffered from the Leymus species in its ion-uptake characteristics,showing a greater uptake of Cl and Na and a greater loss ofK from the shoots. In a more detailed experiment on Leymus sabulosusit was found that transpiration rates altered rapidly in responseto changes in external salinity whereas the accumulation ofNa and Cl in the leaves exhibited a lag of several days. Insalt stressed L. sabulosus Cl partially replaced the high levelsof nitrate found in the leaves of control plants. Glycinebetainelevels increased in the leaves from 8.0 mol m^–3 plantsap in the controls to 28 mol m^–3 plant sap at 250 molm^–3 NaCl. Key words: Salt stress, Transpiration, Solute accumulation, Leymus     

Relation between Sex Expression Types and Cotyledon Etiolation of Cucumber in vitro I. On the Role of Ethylene Evolved from Seedlings

Cucumber seedlings, when cultured in vitro, showed differencesin cotyledon etiolation rates among cultivars with differentgenetic backgrounds for sex expression. The chlorophyll contentin gynoecious cultivars (acr^F/acr^F) decreased rapidly whilethat in monoecious ones (acr⁺/acr⁺) decreased more slowly, andthat in mono-gynoecious ones (acr¹/acr¹) decreased at an intermediaterate. Etiolation was suppressed even in early-etiolating cultivarswhen the flask remained unsealed or endogenously evolved ethylenewas removed. Cotyledon etiolation was enhanced even in late-etiolatingcultivars when ethephon was added to the flask. The rate ofetiolation corresponded to the ethylene concentration in theflask; much more ethylene was detected in early-etiolating cultivarsthan in late-etiolating ones. Ethylene accumulation is one of the important factors involvedin the cotyledon etiolation observed in in vitro cultures. Thedifference in etiolation rates among seedlings with differentgenetic backgrounds for sex expression corresponds to theirability for ethylene evolution, in the order of acr^F>acr¹>acr⁺. (Received January 6, 1981; Accepted March 23, 1981)     

Effects of photon flux density on carbon partitioning and rhizosphere carbon flow of Lolium perenne

The distribution and partitioning of dry matter and photoassimilateof Lolium perenne was investigated under two light regimes providingphotosynthetically active radiation of 350 µmol m^–2s^–1 (low light treatment) or 1000 µmol m^–2s^–1 (high light treatment). Plants were grown at specificgrowth conditions in either soil or sand microcosm units tofollow the subsequent release of carbon into the rhizosphereand its consequent incorporation into the microbial biomass(soil system) or recovery as exudates (sand system). The distributionof recent assimilate between the plant and root released carbonpools was determined using ¹⁴CO₂ pulse-chase methodology atboth light treatments and for both sand- and soil-grown seedlings.A significant (P     

Age, Fluence Rate, and Anthocyanin Production in Zea mays Seedlings

Increase in fluence rates of white light over the range of 5to 80 µmol m^–2 s^–1 brought about a correspondingincrease in amounts of anthocyanin production in shoots of Zeamays L. seedlings. Roots also exhibited a similar relationshipbetween increased fluence rate and increased anthocyanin productionover the range of 5 to 40 µmol m^–2 s^–1 whereasfluence rates above 40 µmol m^–2 s^–1 broughtabout decreases in anthocyanin production. Rates of productionand amounts of accumulation of anthocyanin in both shoots androots were found to vary with the age of the seedlings at thetime of exposure to light. Age, fluence rates, anthocyanin, seedlings, Zea mays     

Biomass and size structure of the scyphomedusa Aurelia aurita in the northwestern Black Sea during spring and summer

The abundance, biomass and size structure of the scyphomedusa,Aurelia aurita, was measured during two research cruises tothe northwestern Black Sea (July–August 1995 and April–May1997). Average biomass of Aurelia was relatively constant (132–179g wwt m^–2) throughout the investigation period and similarto previous years. Abundance and biomass at individual stationsappeared to be unrelated to temperature and salinity when thelatter exceeded ~13. Biomass was low at coastal stations inthe plume of the Danube where depth was <20 m and salinitydropped to <11. The spring cruise (April–May) coincidedwith, or just followed the peak of strobilation. The summercruise (July–August) took place near the beginning ofplanulae larvae release. The population size structure was dominatedby small individuals in spring, while large medusae prevailedmainly in late summer. Aurelia was, on average, larger at deepwater stations during summer, suggesting that per capita foodsupply was higher further offshore. The individual body massincreased from spring through summer. Accordingly, the volume(wet wt) to length (bell diameter) relation changed significantly.If all medusae measured throughout the seasons were pooled,volume (V, in cm³) was related to length (L, in cm) accordingto V = 0.08 L^2.71, which is similar to measurements conductedin other coastal areas. In contrast to the common conjecture,we did not find inverse relations between biomasses of Aureliaand the combjelly Mnemiopsis leidyi. Preliminary feeding experimentsindicate that Aurelia may feed upon small Mnemiopsis. The significanceof indirect trophic relations and direct feeding interactionsamong the gelatinous zooplankton in the Black Sea has importantconsequences for the energy flow along the food web and, therefore,needs further study.     

Shoot and Plantlet Formation in Organ and Callus Cultures of Albizzia lebbek Benth

Plantlets were produced in vitro from root and hypocotyl explantstaken from seedlings of the tree legume, Albizzia lebbek. Theseexplants formed shoots when cultured with 5.0 mg l^–1 kinetinand 1.0 mg l^–1 IAA in MS medium. Shoots were also inducedin large numbers from callus treated with benzylaminopurine.About 20 per cent of the shoots rooted and were grown into plants. Albizzia lebbek Benth, tree legume, hypocotyl, root, in vitro cultures, shoot-plantlet induction     

Measurement of the Rates of Oxindole-3-Acetic Acid Turnover, and Indole-3-Acetic Acid Oxidation in Zea mays Seedlings

Nonhcbcl, H. M. 1986. Measurement of the rates of oxindole-3-aceticacid turnover and indole-3-acetic acid oxidation in Zea maysseedlings.—J. exp. Bat. 37: 1691–1697. Oxindole-3-acetic acid is the pnncipal catabolite of indole-3-aceticacid in Zea mays seedlings. In this paper measurements of theturnover of oxindole-3-acetic acid are presented and used tocalculate the rate of indole-3-acetic acid oxidation. [³H]Oxindolc-3-acetic acid was applied to the endosperm of Zeamays seedlings and allowed to equilibrate for 24 h before thestart of the experiment. The subsequent decrease in its specificactivity was used to calculate the turnover rate. The averagehalf-life of oxindole-3-acetic acid in the shoots was foundto be 30 h while that in the kernels had an average half-lifeof 35 h. Using previously published values of the pool sizesof oxindole-3-acetic acid in shoots and kernels from seedlingsof the same age and variety, and grown under the same conditions,the rate of indole-3-acetic acid oxidation was calculated tobe I-I pmol plant^–1 h^–1 in the shoots and 7·1pmol plant^–1 h^–1 in the kernels. Key words: Oxindole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, turnover, Zea mays     

In Vitro Culture and Plant Regeneration in Vicia faba subsp. Equina (var. Spring Blaze)

Explants of stem, leaves, roots, and cotyledons from etiolatedaxenically grown Vicia faba seedlings were cultured on a rangeof media. Shoot organogenesis was only obtained with nodal stemand cotyledonary node explants when cultured on MS medium with3% sucrose, 2.0 mg 1^–1 BAP and 02 mg 1^–1 NAA. Callusproliferation accompanied shoot organogenesis from nodal stemexplants. Successive subculture of nodal stem callus resultedin proliferation of regenerative callus which contained severalshoot bud initials. The capacity for shoot regeneration fromthis callus was maintained for 9 months. Histological studiesreveal de novo formation of meristematic centres in callus andtheir further development into bud primordia. High frequencyrooting of these adventitious shoots was obtained on half-strengthMS medium with 1.5% sucrose, 0.1 mg 1^–1 NAA and 0.5 mg1^–1 kinetin. Key words: Vicia faba, adventitious shoots, axillary shoots, de novomeristem formation, organogenesis, tissue culture     

The Growth and Development of Simulated Swards of Perennial Ryegrass: I. Leaf Growth and Dry Weight Change as Related to the Ceiling Yield of a Seedling Sward

The leaf growth, tiller production, light interception, anddry weight increase of a simulated sward of S24 perennial ryegrass(Lolium perenne) were followed during the development of thesward from a collection of two-leaved seedlings to a closedcanopy with an LAI of 23, of which 15 consisted of green leaflaminae. The dry weight of live shoots increased exponentiallyat first, but then entered a long linear phase of increase.This was equivalent to a crop growth rate of 200 Kg ha^–1day^–1 and a conversion efficiency of radiant energy (400–700nm) of 7.2 per cent. Towards the end of the growth period therate of increase of live shoots declined rapidly to zero anda ceiling yield was reached equivalent to 10 metric tons ha^–1.Leaf growth continued at a high rate, but was equalled by therate of leaf death, so that the weight of live leaf tissue remainedconstant. By this time the swards had achieved a stable tillerpopulation (about 1 cm^–1), each tiller bore a constantnumber of live leaves (about three), and the length of eachnewly expanded leaf equalled the length of the old leaf it replaced(about 70 cm). The swards were grown in Perlite so that in theabsence of soil fauna dead leaves accumulated at the base ofthe sward where, after 12 weeks, they accounted for 19 per centof the total weight of dry matter produced.     

Effects of Aluminium on Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos L.) Seedlings in Solution Culture

Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos L.) seedlings were grownin solution culture at pH 4.0) with 50, 150, 600 and 1500 mmolm^–3 aluminium. All levels of aiuminium reduced the sizeand weight of roots, shoots and leaves with the exception ofroot elongation at 50 mmol m^–3 Al. Aluminium content ofroots was 50 to 100 times that of shoots. With increasing concentrationof aluminium, aluminium content of leaves and roots increasedexponentially while a linear increase was observed for stems.The nutrient content of seedlings was improved in 50 mmol m^–3where increases in shoot calcium, magnesium, and phosphorusconcentrations were observed. Aluminium concentrations greaterthan 50 mmol m^–3 reduced shoot nutrient content. Presenceof aluminium increased the root phosphorus and calcium levelsbut had no effect on potassium and magnesium concentrations.Results show that honeylocust is an aluminium sensitive treespecies whose growth may be reduced by high soil Al levels. Key words: Aluminium toxicity, Gleditsia triacanthos, nutrient solution     

Colonization of the root zone ofAmmophila arenaria by harmful soil organisms

The role of harmful soil organisms in the degeneration ofAmmophila arenaria at coastal foredunes was examined by the growing of seedlings ofA. arenaria in soil samples collected from its root zone. Three sites, each representing a successive stage in foredune succession were examined: (1) a highly mobile dune (sand accretion of 80 cm year⁻¹) with vigorousA. arenaria, colonizing only the upper 30-cm of the annually deposited layer of sand, (2) a mobile dune with vigorousA. arenaria (sand accretion of 22 cm year⁻¹) and a 1-metre soil profile completely colonized by roots and (3) a stable dune (no sand accretion) with degeneratedA. arenaria and young roots mainly present in the upper 0–10 cm. In the upper part of the highly mobile site, the presence of harmful soil organisms was confined to the root layers and at the mobile site for all depth layers a significant growth reduction ofA. arenaria was observed due to the activity of harmful soil organisms. At the stable site, however, growth had only been reduced in some of the depth layers. At all sites newly formed roots ofA. arenaria had been colonized by harmful soil organisms within one year. If present in sand prior to root growth harmful soil organisms reduced root length and root hair formation severely and they enhanced branching of the roots. It is concluded that harmful soil organisms initiate degeneration ofA. arenaria in stable dunes by attack of the root system, which makes the plants suffer from abiotic stress.     

Arbuscular Mycorrhizae of Leymus arenarius on Coastal Sands and Reclamation Sites in Iceland and Response to Inoculation

The occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) was examined in natural and reclaimed sand dunes in Iceland. On the coastal sand‐plain of Myrdalssandur no spores of AMF were found on barren sand, and very few were found in 1‐ and 5‐year‐old reclamation sites of Leymus arenarius (lymegrass). A significantly higher number of AMF spores and root colonization were found in a 10‐year‐old reclamation site and in a natural old dune system of L. arenarius. AMF spores showed seasonal variation with higher occurrence in the fall than in the spring. On the volcanic island Surtsey, no AMF spores or root colonization were found on L. arenarius in 6‐ and 10‐year‐old dunes. However, AMF spores and root colonization were found in the 22‐year‐old Leymus dune. On Surtsey, a colonization pattern was found where AMF non‐dependent plants were the first colonizers followed by AMF facultative plants, then by AMF‐dependent plants. Today AMF facultative plants have the highest number of species but AMF non‐dependent plants have the largest population size. Three different AMF inocula were tested on L. arenarius; growth of seedlings was improved significantly by an indigenous AMF inoculum compared with commercial inocula. Inoculation of nursery grown seedlings of L. arenarius followed by transplantation into barren sand seeded with L. arenarius is recommended because this method will ensure establishment of the plant and enhance succession.     

Salt tolerance in the Triticeae: K/Na discrimination in some perennial wheatgrasses and their amphiploids with wheat

Perennial wheatgrasses of the genera Thinopynim, Leymus andPsathyrostachys were subjected to high and low salinities todetermine whether the enhanced K/Na discrimination trait wasexpressed in these members of the Triticeae. At low salinities,where the enhanced K/Na discrimination trait is most evident,the leaf cation concentrations were consistent with the operationof the trait. At higher salinities sodium exclusion and potassiumretention were greater than in tetraploid wheat. Experimentswith hexaploid or octoploid wheat x Thinopynim amphidiploidsshowed that the presence of the D genome of wheat greatly affectedcation discrimination, and pointed to the absence of enhancedK/Na discrimination in the perennial wheatgrasses. Results obtainedwith Thinopynim elongatum addition lines, and the uptake of²²Na into 'low-salt' amphiploid seedlings, are consistent withthe absence of the trait in Thinopynim. Key words: Wheat, Thinopyrum, Leymus, amphiploids, salt     

Micropropagation of Betula celtiberica

Plantlets were successfully regenerated from shoot segmentsof Betula celtiberica excised from young seedlings. Initiationand elongation of multiple shoot-buds were obtained after 20d culture in MS-modified medium plus BAP 0.6 mg l^–1 followedby 20 d culture in the same medium in the presence of a reducedBAP concentration (0.1 mg l^–1). Rooting was achieved 7d after having transplanted the isolated shoots to fresh medium,supplemented with IBA (0.2 mg l^–1). Betula celtiberica, birch, micropropagation, organogenesis     

Multiplication In Vitro of Limonium estevei Fdez. Casas

Plantlets of Limonium estevei Fdez. Casas, an endangered Spanishspecies, were successfully regenerated from nodal segments excisedfrom young seedlings. Initiation of multiple adventitious budswere obtained in MS modified medium plus 1 mg l^–1 IBAand 0·1 mg l^–1 BAP. Rooting was achieved by transferof the isolated shoots to fresh MS medium without plant growthregulators. Fully grown plants were established in a pottingmix and are growing well in a greenhouse. Limonium estevei, in vitro multiplication, adventitious regeneration     

盐胁迫对不同生境盐地碱蓬光合及离子积累的影响

为了探讨盐地碱蓬(Suaeda salsa)适应不同生境的生理机制, 研究了盐处理(1、200和600 mmol·L^-1 NaCl)对盐碱地和潮间带两种生境盐地碱蓬地上部分及根系有机干重、叶片叶绿素含量及光合放氧速率、叶片和根中离子积累的影响。结果表明: 200 mmol·L^-1 NaCl对两种生境盐地碱蓬地上部分及根系的有机干重无显著影响, 说明两种生境盐地碱蓬均具有较强的抗盐性; NaCl处理显著降低了两种生境盐地碱蓬叶片的光合放氧速率; 各浓度NaCl处理下, 盐碱地生境盐地碱蓬叶片的光合放氧速率均高于潮间带生境的, 潮间带生境盐地碱蓬叶片中叶绿素a与叶绿素b的比值均高于盐碱地生境的; 各浓度NaCl处理下, 潮间带生境盐地碱蓬叶片中的Cl^-含量均低于盐碱地生境的; 与叶片中情况相反, 高盐处理下, 潮间带生境盐地碱蓬根中的Cl^-含量均高于盐碱地生境的。说明与盐碱地生境盐地碱蓬相比, 潮间带生境盐地碱蓬的根系可能对Cl^-具有较强的积累或限制其向地上部分运输的能力, 这些特征可能是盐地碱蓬适应不同生境的结果。     

Environmental Anoxia is Unnecessary for Inhibiting Chloroplast Photomorphogenesis in Rice Coleoptiles (Oryza sativa L.)

High population densities of germinating rice seedlings in initiallyair-saturated sealed aquatic environments exhibited d^–seedling growth consisting solely of coleoptile emergence inlight and dark environments. Residual oxygen tensions of 17–23%of the initially air-saturated water containing the d^–seedlings were evident after 15 d in both the light and dark.Coleoptiles of all d^– seedlings were stark white in appearance,lacked protochlorophyllide, and contained proplastids and amyloplasts,there being no evidence of normal etioplast development in thelight or dark and no chloroplast development in the light. Thus,complete environmental anoxia was observed to be unnecessaryfor inhibiting normal chloroplast photomorphogenesis in coleoptilesof light-germinated rice seedlings. Increasing the oxygen tensionsof the 15-d-old aquatic environments of light- and dark-germinatedd^– seedlings placed in the light resulted in normal chloroplastphotomorphogenesis in coleoptiles, shoots, and roots. Key words: Oryza sativa, environmental anoxia, chloroplast photomorphogenesis, rice coleoptiles