The Growth of the Shoot Apex of Chenopodium rubrum L. Treated with a Florigenic Extract from Flowering Tobacco Plants: Preliminary Anatomical Observations

Anatomical changes in the shoot apex of Chenopodium rubrum L.treated with an extract from flowering tobacco plants and cultivatedin non-inductive conditions are described. They are comparedwith the anatomy of non-treated vegetative apices and with apicesof plants induced with a short day. Treatment with the extractresulted in both activation of cell division in the upper partof the apex and in apex elongation. Acceleration of leaf primordiainitiation and stimulation of branching took place. The effectcorresponds to the sequence of changes in photoperiodically-inducedplants but is more pronounced. Elongation following 10^–4M GA₃ treatment was of a differentnature; there was only a slight stimulation in the upper partof the apex in contrast with a strong stimulation of growthin length in the lower internodes. These preliminary resultssuggest a similarity between apical changes evoked by a stimulusproduced by short days and an exogenously applied floral stimulus.The changes differed from those caused by exogenous phytohormones. Key words: Chenopodium rubrum, florigen, shoot apex     

Identification of Shoot Apical Meristem Cells Committed to Form Vascular Elements in Pisum sativum L. and Vicia faba L.

A cytochemical study of naphthol AS-D esterases in vegetativeshoot apices of Pisum sativum and Vicia faba L. has shown thepresence of carboxyl esterases (E.C. 3.1.1.1 [EC] .) in those meristemcells already committed to form vascular elements. These cellsform a sequence linking the morphologically identifiable procambiumto the cells of the tunica layers at a site either already identifiableas the next primordium or which will form the next primordium.The implications of this result are briefly discussed in relationto the control of primordia formation and procambial cell development. Pisum sativum, Vicia faba, determination, vascular tissue, shoot apex, cytochemistry     

Characterization of Stelar Initiation in Shoot Apices of Ferns

Procambium is commonly recognized as a vascular meristem inshoot apices of vascular plants. Prestelar tissue comprisingprovascular tissue (PVT) and pith mother cells (PMCs) immediatelysubjacent to the single cell layer of promeristem has been consideredto represent the initial stage of stelar differentiation precedingprocambium and rib meristem in ferns. In addition to characterizationof PVT and PMCs on the basis of cell morphology, cytologicalfeatures and developmental continuity with procambium and ribmeristem, four lines of evidence from studies of shoot apicesof Matteuccia struthiopteris and Osmunda cinnamomea supportthis interpretation of initial differentiation. (1) Differentialstaining by safranin-fast green and crystal violet-erythrosinshows that PVT and PMCs differ in colour reactions from promeristemand resemble procambium and pith meristem, respectively. (2)Comparative ultrastructural study reveals qualitative differencesin the cell membrane system, nuclei, cytoplasm, vacuoles andplastids between promeristem and PVT but similarity of PVT toprocambium. (3) Large droplets of tannins occur in promeristembut not in PVT, PMCs and procambium. (4) Cytochemical studyof the shoot apex of Osmunda shows that carboxylesterase activityis strongly demonstrated in PVT and procambial cells but notin promeristem cells and PMCs. These observations further substantiatethe interpretation that PVT represents initial vascular differentiationand PMCs reflect a commitment to pith development.Copyright1995, 1999 Academic Press Initial vascular differentiation, provascular tissue, differential staining, ultrastructure, tannins, carboxylesterase, shoot apex, Matteuccia struthiopteris, Osmunda cinnamomea     

The Internode of Sambucus racemosa L. Originates from a Single Cell Layer

The internodes of Sambucus racemosa L. shoot apices originatefrom a single layer of cells in which mononucleate mother tannincells are present. The mother tannin cells increase in lengthand differentiate together with the internodal growth. Sambucus racemosa L., shoot apices, internode, mother tannin cells, tannin coenocytes     

Changes in Apical Growth and Phyllotaxis on Flowering and Reversion in Impatiens balsamina L.

When plants of Impatiens balsamina L were subjected to 5 shortdays and then re-placed in long days, they began to form a terminalflower and then reverted to vegetative growth at this terminalshoot apex The onset of flowering was accompanied by an increasein the rate of initiation of primordia, an increase in the growthrate of the apex, a change in primordium arrangement from spiralto whorled or pseudo-whorled, a lack of internodes, and a reductionm the size at initiation of the primordia and also of the stemfrusta which give rise to nodal and internodal tissues On reversion,parts intermediate between petals and leaves were formed, followedby leaves, although in reverted apices the size at initiationand the arrangement of primordia remained the same as in thefloweing apex The apical growth rate and the rate of primordiuminitiation were less in the reverted apices than in floral apicesbut remained higher than in the original vegetative apex Sincethe changes in apical growth which occur on the transition toflowering are not reversed on reversion, the development oforgans as leaves or petals is not directly related to the growthrate of the apex, or the arrangement, rate of initiation orsize at initiation of primordia Impatiens balsamina L, flower reversion, evocation, phyllotaxis, shoot meristem     

The anatomy of the shoot apex ofHyoscyamus niger L. reversed from the generative to the vegetative state

A study was made of the anatomical structure of the shoot apices ofHyoscyamus niger L. in plants which were transferred from a long-day to a short-day regime after the initiation of the inflorescence. After a certain time these plants are reverted to the vegetative stage with the inhibition of the development of further flower buds and the renewed production of rosette leaves. The inflorescence apex consisted of a few superficial layers of cells and a corpus composed of slightly elongated cells. The anatomical structure of the apices which were reverted into the vegetative state resembled that of shoot apices in the intermediate stage. The apex had several layers of small cells, under which there was a group of small but irregularly arranged cells which passed into the rib meristem. The shoot apices of plants transferred from a long to a short-day regime at different time intervals after fulfilling the requirements of minimal photoperiodic induction thus, on the short day, display morphological and anatomical characteristics of various degrees of transition from generative to vegetative stage.     

Cell Cycle Responses to Red or Far-red Light, or Darkness, in the Shoot Apex of Silene coeli-rosa L. During Floral Induction

Twenty-eight-day-old plants of Silene coeli-rosa L. were maintainedin short days (SD) for 9 d (0–8) or exposed to 7 longdays (LD), or 7 SD with a 5 min exposure at 1700 h of each dayto far-red (FR), red (R) or 5 min FR/5 min R, or 7 dark-interrupted(di = 1700–1720 h) LD. Treatments were followed by twofurther SD. The mitotic index and G1 and G2 proportions weremeasured in the shoot apices of plants sampled at 2000 h ofeach day of each replicated treatment. Exposure to 7 LD (= 100per cent flowering) resulted in significant increases, relativeto the SD controls, in both the G2 proportion and the mitoticindex on d 0 to 3, 7 and 8. Five minute FR (= 0 per cent flowering)resulted in cell cycle responses similar to those in LD onlyfrom d 0 to 2. R and FR/R (both = 0 per cent flowering) didnot result in any increases in the G2 proportion in the apexapart from d 3 of FR/R. However 5 min FR/5 min R, and to a lesserextent 5 min R, did result in significant increases in the mitoticindex on d 0, 1, 7, and 8. diLD (= 8–10 per cent flowering)also prevented any significant increases in the G2 proportionon d 0 to 3, and 5 to 8 but the mitotic index was again higheron these days compared with control data. Thus the transitionto floral growth for 90 per cent of the plants is associatedwith changes in the cell cycle in the shoot apex measured asincreases in the G2 proportion at 2000 h of LD 0 to 3 and 7to 8. Silene coeli-rosa L., cell cycle, flowering, phytochrome, shoot apex     

Chalcone Synthase Localization in Shoot Apices of Fagopyrum, Brassica and Pisum

Chalcone synthase (CHS), a key enzyme of flavonoid synthesis,was localized in shoot apices of Fagopyrum, Brassica and Pisum.The enzyme was detected in initial cells of the shoot apex,which gives rise to the whole plant body. In Fagopyrum and BrassicaCHS was located in the rib and flank meristems, whereas in theArgenteum mutant of Pisum this enzyme was localized at an earlierstage in the ontogenesis of the shoot. It occurs in a few cellsof the tunica, which gives rise to the protoderm, and then tothe epidermis which contains anthocyanins in these plants. Chalcone synthase, immunogold labelling, promeristem, shoot apex, Brassica, Fagopyrum, Pisum     

The Growth and Development of the Wheat Apex: The Effects of Photoperiod on Spikelet Production and Sucrose Concentration in the Apex

Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Warimba) plants were grownin a controlled environment (20°C) in two photoperiods (8or 16 h). In the first instance, plants were maintained in eachof the photoperiods from germination onwards at the same irradiance(375 µE m^–2 s^–1). In the second case, allplants were grown in a long photoperiod until 4 days after double-ridgeinitiation when half the plants were transferred to a shortphotoperiod with double the irradiance (16 h photoperiod at225 or 8 h at 475 µE ^–2 s^–1). The rates of growth and development of the apices were promotedby the longer photoperiod in both experiments. Shoot dry weightgain was proportional to the total light energy received perday whereas the dry weight of the shoot apex increased withincreasing photoperiod even when the total daily irradiancewas constant. The principal soluble carbohydrate present in the shoot apexwas sucrose, although low concentrations of glucose and fructosewere found in the apices of long photoperiod plants late indevelopment. Sucrose concentration was invariably greater inthe slow-growing apices of short photoperiod plants, but roseto approach this level in the long photoperiod plants when theterminal spikelet had been initiated. Triticum aestivum, wheat, apex, spikelet initiation, photoperiod, flower initiation     

Changes in the Pattern of Cell Division in the Shoot and Root Meristems of Lolium perenne during the Transition from Vegetative to Floral Growth

For Lolium perenne cv. Cropper, a system which resulted in 100%flowering comprised 90 short days (SD) at 4 ?C (vernalization)and 30 SD at 18 ?C followed by 8 long days (LD). The mitoticindex and G1 and G2 percentages were measured in the shoot androot apices of plants following 2, 5 or 8 LD and in SD controlssampled at the beginning and end of induction. Identical measurementswere made in plants given 48 SD at 18 ?C followed by 2, 5 or8 LD; plants remained vegetative in response to this treatmentlacking vernalization. Significant increases in both mitoticindex and meristem size occurred in the shoot apex in LD followingthe vernalizing, but not the non-vernalizing, treatment. A clusterof mitoses in the apical dome of the shoot apex was unique tothe vernalized plants given 5 or 8 LD. However, an increasein root meristem size occurred regardless of vernalization,but a significant increase in the mitotic index was limitedto vernalized plants given 5 or 8 LD. Whilst the vernalization-LDtreatment resulted in an increase in the G2 percentage in theshoot apex following 2, 5 or 8 LD, no such alteration was observedin the root meristem. Thus, the changes to the cell cycle whichcorrelated with flowering were increased mitotic indices andG2 percentages in the shoot apex at each sampling time and increasedmitotic indices in the root apex following 5 and 8 LD. Key words: Cell division, flowering, Lolium perenne L.     

RNA Synthesis in the Shoot Apex of Polytrichum formosum Hedw.

RNA metabolism in the cells of the gametophyte shoot apex ofPolytrichum formosum was investigated using both microspectrophotometricand autoradiographic methods along with an accurate measurementof surfaces and volumes of nuclei, nucleoli, free cytoplasmand vacuolar systems. On a per cell basis, the amount of RNAand the rate of RNA synthesis were shown to be highest in theapical cell. On the other hand, both RNA concentration and rateof synthesis for a unit quantity of cytoplasm were found tobe higher in leaf initials and in the cells of young leavesthan in theapical cell, the segments and the segmental derivatives.For the various types of cells in the shoot apex it was establishedthat the more voluminous the nucleolus, the higher the RNA syntheticrate per cell. These results were correlated with the data previouslyobtained on the mitotic cycles in Polytrichum. It is concludedthat in the apical cell, notwithstanding its differentiatedfeatures, RNA metabolism must be considered on the whole tobe very active. These various data are compared with those obtainedon angiosperm shoot apices.     

RNA AND PROTEIN METABOLISM IN SENESCENT SHOOT APICES OF ‘ALASKA’ PEAS

Senescence of shoot apices of Pisum sativum L. ‘Alaska’ as measured by cessation of stem elongation was delayed by removal of flowers. Analyses of total RNA, nitrogen, protein and inorganic phosphorus in shoot tips of deflowered and control (flower- and fruit-bearing) plants throughout ontogeny revealed that the levels of all these metabolites declined during senescence. Also throughout ontogeny shoot tips of control and deflowered plants were compared with respect to their ability to enzymically degrade RNA and to take up and incorporate P³²-orthophosphate into RNA. The specific activity of ribonuclease increased as senescence progressed while the absolute activity appeared to decrease in correlation with a decrease in total nitrogen content. Compared with nonsenescing shoot tips, senescing shoot tips accumulated less P³² but exhibited an apparent enhancement of P³² incorporation into RNA, which was attributed to a reduction in the endogenous phosphorus pool causing a smaller dilution of the accumulated P³². It is concluded that decreases in the levels of RNA, protein and inorganic phosphorus and in the tran-spirational uptake of nutrients are factors correlated with senescence of the shoot apex.     

X-Ray Micro-Analysis of Cells and Cell Compartments of Atripiex spongiosa: II. ROOTS

Atripiex spongiosa was grown in hydroponic culture with additionof 0, 50, 200, 400 and 600 mM NaCl. Frozen, hydrated cells ofthe roots were analysed by X-ray micro-analysis. Comparisonswere made of meristematic cells at the root apex and vacuolatedcells 5.0 mm from the apex. High selectivitiy for K relativeto Na was found for the cytoplasm of meristematic cells andthere was little effect of increasing salinity on the ratiosNa/K, Cl/K, Na/P and CI/P. In the cell vacuoles of the cortex,selective uptake of K relative to Na also occurred, but to alesser extent than in the meristematic cells. Gradients werefound of decreasing ratio of Na/K from the epidermis to thestele. Measurements of chemical content of the roots and shoots ofthese plants showed that the ratio of Na/K was higher in theshoot than in the cortical cell vacuoles and higher again thanin the stele or meristematic cytoplasm. It is suggested thattransport of ions to the shoot of Atripiex spongiosa involvesselective exclusion of Na from the xylem parenchyma into thexylem, and that this may be general to other halophytes. Key words: Micro-analysis, X-ray, Cells, Atripiex spongiosa     

Cell Cycle Patterns in the Shoot Apex of Lolium temulentum L. cv. Ceres During the Transition to Flowering Following a Single Long Day

Six-week-old Lolium temulentum cv. Ceres plants were inducedto flower by a single long day (day 1). The ‘double ridge’stage was reached on days 4/5. A detailed analysis of apicesevery 4 h on days 3 to 5 demonstrated synchronized cell divisionin the apex. However, this synchronized cell division occurredonly in the apical summit and axillary bud sites, i.e. onlyin those regions of the apex which give rise to the spikelets.This indicates a specific activation of the cells in these regions,rather than a general activation of the whole apex. Key words: Cell cycle, flowering, Lolium, shoot apex, spikelet     

The Natural Philosophy of Plant Form: Cellular Autoreproduction as a Component of a Structural Explanation of Plant Form

A map-L-system is described which simulates the developmentof the two-dimensional patterns of cell walls displayed at thesurfaces of shoot apices of Psilotum nudum. The simulation ofthese cellular patterns commences with the division of a triangularcell and continues until a complete set of ten different cells,including new triangular cells, is formed amongst the descendantsof each merophyte. The triangular cells generated by means ofthis division pathway, P1, are, in their three-dimensional aspect,four-sided apical cells. In the plant, they have the potentialityto support the development of a shoot apex. The generation ofnew triangular cells by pathway P1 therefore seems to be a preconditionfor the branching of the shoot. Observed variations upon thecellular pattern developed by pathway P1 have also been analysed.Two of these variant pathways, P2 and P3, suggest the typesof controls which are required to bring about all three (P1–P3)patterns of cells. These controls may involve the participationof the plant cytoskeleton and may also require an influencefrom the apical cell itself. The triangular shoot apical cellsof Psilotum are autoreproductive cells: that is, at each division,one of the daughters is a new triangular cell, the other daughterhas some other shape. This example of triangular cell autoreproductionand self-maintenance and its relation to organogenesis is discussedin light of the views on reproduction and self-maintenance expressedby Agnes Arber (1950) in her book The natural philosophy ofplant form(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press). Copyright2001 Annals of Botany Company Agnes Arber, apical cell, cell division patterns, computer simulation, cytoskeleton, L-systems, Living Systems Theory, meristems, Psilotum, shoot apex, stem cell     

QUANTITATIVE CHANGES IN GIBBERELLIN AND RNA CORRELATED WITH SENESCENCE OF THE SHOOT APEX IN THE ‘ALASKA’ PEA

Senescence of shoot apices of Pisum sativum L. ‘Alaska’ as measured by cessation of stem elongation was delayed by removal of flowers and by treatment with gibberellin A₃ and was hastened by treatment with AMO-1618 (2 isopropyl-4-dimethylamino-5-methylphenyl-1-piperi-dinecarboxylate methyl chloride). Ontogenetic changes in relative endogenous gibberellin levels and in capability of gibberellin biosynthesis in deflowered and control plants were determined indirectly by studying time-course changes in the sensitivity, as indicated by the growth response, of these plants to applied gibberellin and AMO-1618. The results of these experiments suggest that the endogenous gibberellin level varies directly with the growth rate. Analyses of total RNA and protein in shoot tips of deflowered and control plants revealed that the levels of these substances also vary directly with growth rate throughout ontogeny. It is concluded that decreases in endogenous gibberellin, RNA and protein are factors correlated with senescence of the shoot apex.     

INFLORESCENCE DEVELOPMENT IN BRASSICA CAMPESTRIS L.

Vegetative seedlings of the Ceres strain Brassica campestris L., a quantitative, long-day plant, were induced to flower by exposure to a 16-hr, long-day cycle. Cytohistological and cytohistochemical changes associated with inflorescence development were examined. Developing shoot apices were classified in vegetative, transitional, and reproductive stages. The vegetative apex possessed a biseriate tunica, central zone, peripheral zone and pith-rib meristem. The transitional stage at 48 hr was marked by an increase in size and by a stratification of the upper cell layers of the shoot apex with a concurrent decrease of apical cytohistochemical zonation. The reproductive stage was initiated at 58 hr by periclinal cell divisions in the 3rd and 4th cell layers of the flank region. Cytohistochemical zonation in the vegetative apical meristem was restored in the floral apex. An “intermediate developmental” phase was not observed between the vegetative and reproductive stage.     

The Role of the Stem in Phloem Loading of Minerals in Lupinus albus L. cv. Ultra

Collections of phloem sap made over a 40-day period from a varietyof locations on nodulated white lupin plants (Lupinus albusL. cv. ultra) showed considerable enrichment with K⁺ and Mg²⁺in the phloem streams destined for the shoot apices or fruitsrelative to the streams arising from the leaflets (up to 5.5times). Sodium showed enrichment in the streams destined forthe roots (up to 2.5 times) but only when present in the watersupply at a high level (3 mM). The stem, in view of its centrallocation in the transport pathway, is seen as an organ capableof redistributing minerals in the phloem independently of photosynthate. Lupinus albus L., lupin, phloem loading, magnesium, potassium, sodium, mineral elements     

Exit from the Mitotic Cycle in Root Meristems of Zea mays L.

The choice between two modes of exit from the mitotic cycleat the margins of meristems has been made easier by surveyingthe range of the numbers of cell contacts between contiguousfiles in root apices of Zea mays L. The range shows that somecells must go out of cycle while others remain in cycle forat least three further generations. The view that cycling endsby a fall in the proliferative fraction is supported by theexistence of pulse-labelled telophases in the proximal regionof the menstem. These are most likely due to acceleration ofthe mitotic cycle which has to be contrasted with decelerationof the overall rate of cell proliferation. The work is discussedin relation to patterns of cycling in the different tissuesof the apex. mitotic cycle, cell size, meristem, proliferative fraction, Zea mays L, maize     

Ontogenesis of Tannin Coenocytes in Sambucus racemosa L. II. Mother Tannin Cells

Tannin coenocytes develop from mononucleate tannin mother cells.The process occurs within the whole of the first (youngest)internode and its development can be divided into three stages.In stage I the MTC is isodiametric and similar to the surroundingcells of the flank meristem, being present in the ninth celllayer from the apex surface. The nucleus becomes lanceolateand elongates, and large cytoplasmic vacuoles appear. A twofoldelongation of both the cell and nucleus continues in the secondstage, the cell-nucleus ratio indicating that it is due to theenlarged vacuole, which pushes a thin layer of cytoplasm closeto the cell wall. In this layer of cytoplasm dilated ER cisternaoccur together with small and large vacuoles, a fusion of thevacuoles increasing their volume. Such cells are diploid inspite of larger nuclear volume and rough structure of its chromatin. Sambucus racemosa L., tannin cells, development, ontogenesis