Temperature and Antarctic plankton community respiration

Antarctic plankton community respiration rates were determinedfrom in vitro changes in dissolved oxygen. Oxygen consumptionrates, measured at in situ temperatures between 0 and 6°C,were found to lie in the range 0.3–3.7 µmol O₂ l^–1per 24 h. Water samples were collected between East FalklandIsland and South Georgia, South Atlantic Ocean, and incubatedshipboard in the dark at up to 36 temperatures between –2and 14–C. A respiration rate at each temperature was thendetermined and used to calculate the temperature coefficient(Q₁₀) of Antarctic planktonic community respiration from theArrhenius equation. Fourteen Q₀ values lay in the range 1–3,with four further values >5. This range of temperature coefficientvalues for community respiration is comparable to the publishedrange of values for plankton photosynthesis. Frequency distributionsof temperature coefficients for the two processes show similarmodal Q₁₀5 of 2–3. Thus, this study does not lend supportto the hypothesis of a differential response of photosynthesisand community respiration to low temperature.     

Effects of Low Temperature on Growth and Nutrient Accumulation in Rye (Secale cereale) and Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Rye (Secale cereale cv. Rheidol) and wheat (Triticum aestivumcv. Mardler) were grown at shoot/root temperatures of 20/20°C (warm grown, WG plants), 8/8 °C (cold grown, CG plants)and 20/8 °C (differential grown, DG plants). Plants fromcontrasting growth temperature regimes were standardized andcompared using a developmental timescale based on accumulatedthermal time (°C d) at the shoot meristem. Accumulationof dry matter, nitrogen and potassium were exponential overthe time period studied (150–550 °C d). In rye, therates of plant dry matter and f. wt accumulation were linearlyrelated to the temperature of the shoot meristem. However, inwheat, although the rates of plant dry matter and f. wt accumulationwere temperature dependent, the linear relationship with shootmeristem temperature was weaker than in rye. The shoot/rootratio of rye was stable irrespective of growth temperature treatment,but the shoot/root ratio of wheat varied with growth temperaturetreatment. The shoot/root ratio of DG wheat was 50% greaterthan WG wheat. In both cereals, nutrient concentrations anddry matter content tended to be greater in organs exposed directlyto low temperatures. The mean specific absorption rates of nutrientswere calculated for the whole period studied for each species/temperaturecombination and were positively correlated with both plant shoot/rootratio and relative growth rate. The data suggest that nutrientuptake rates were influenced primarily by plant demand, withno indication of specific nutrient limitations at low temperatures. Nutrient accumulation, relative growth rate (RGR), rye, Secale cereale cv. Rheidol, temperature, thermal time, Triticum aestivum cv. Mardler, wheat     

A Quantitative Study of Environmental Factors Influencing the Seasonal Onset of Reproductive Behaviour in the South American Apple-snail Pomacea canaliculata (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae)

Two laboratory experiments were carried out on sets of winter(inactive) pairs of Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck), one to studythe influence of water temperature (either 18°C or 25°C,corresponding to late winter and summer temperatures in Mendoza, respectively)and day length (either 10 h light/day or 14 h light/day, correspondingto the shortest and the longest day of the year in Mendoza,respectively), and the other to determine the effects of foodavailability (ad libitum feeding vs. restriction to 25% of thead libitum requirements) on the frequency of copulation andspawning, on spawn measurements (number and volume of eggs,and spawn volume), and on an index of the reproductive effort.Animals in all experimental groups were observed during 4 weeks,after seven days of acclimation to the experimental aquaria(under low water temperature and short photoperiod). Low watertemperatures induced a lesser and later activation of copulationand spawning than that induced by warm temperatures. Day lengthwas without effect on both behaviours. Both the frequency ofspawning and the reproductive effort index decreased under restrictedfeeding, without altering the spawn measurements. The latencyperiods for both copulatory and spawning behaviours were similarin both ad libitum and restrictedly fed groups. We concludethat water temperature may be the critical factor that causesthe seasonal onset of copulatory and spawning behaviour in theseapple-snails. However, food availability may also be a determiningfactor, mainly to trigger spawning activity. These results suggestthat the factors that control the seasonal onset of the sexualactivities in Pomacea canaliculata are similar to those thatcontrol the seasonal arrest, thereby establishing the annualpattern of reproduction in this species. (Received 26 January 1998; accepted 23 July 1998)     

A Comparative Study ofMiscanthus floridulus(Labill) Warb andM. transmorrisonensisHayata: Photosynthetic Gas Exchange, Leaf Characteristics and Growth in Controlled Environments

The relationship between temperature and the distribution ofMiscanthusfloridulus(Labill) Warb andM. transmorrisonensisHayata alongaltitudinal gradients in central Taiwan was examined. Responsesof biomass accumulation, leaf characteristics and photosyntheticgas exchange to growth temperature (from 10 to 30 °C) ofM.floridulusfrom an altitude of 390 m and ofM. transmorrisonensisfrom2700 m were determined. There were differences between the twospecies in above-ground biomass, CO₂uptake characteristics andleaf chlorophyll contents in response to growth temperature.The optimal temperatures for biomass accumulation were 30/25(day/night temperature) and 25/20 °C forM. floridulusandM.transmorrisonensis,respectively. Light saturated photosyntheticrates (A_max) were largest in plants grown at the optimal temperature.Growth at 15/10 and 10/10 °C compared to the optima reducedaccumulated biomass, leaf chlorophyll content and photosyntheticrate in both species with a greater reduction inM. floridulusthaninM. transmorrisonensis.We concluded that growth ofM. floridulusathigh altitude is limited by an inability to grow at temperatureslower than 15 °C, whileM. transmorrisonensisis able to growin chilling temperatures at higher altitudes.Copyright 1998Annals of Botany Company Miscanthus floridulus;M. transmorrisonensis; C₄plants; chlorophyll content; leaf growth; photosynthetic gas exchange; biomass accumulation; temperature response.     

The abundance cycle and influence factors on red tide phenomena of Noctiluca scintillans (Dinophyceae) in Dapeng Bay, the South China Sea

The seasonal occurrence of Noctiluca scintillans and the causativemechanisms of red tide phenomena were investigated in the northwesternpart of Dapeng Bay, the South China Sea, from March 1990 toJune 1992. It occurred in the plankton usually from Januarythrough May/June with peak abundance from March to early May.At least eight red tides of this organism, when the surfacewater was covered with the pink patches and slicks, were observedduring the investigation period, and all of them took placebetween March and early May. Noctiluca occurred at temperaturesfrom 15.8 to 2.8.6°C, and the population density was thehighest at temperatures between 19 and 25°C. It disappearedfrom the plankton in summer and fall when the temperature warmedto lethal level of     

Low Temperature Treatments Induce an Increase in the Relative Content of Both Linolenic and {lambda}3-Hexadecenoic Acids in Thylakoid Membrane Phosphatidylglycerol of Squash Cotyledons

The effect of low temperatures on the fatty acid compositionof phosphatidylglycerol (PG) in thylakoid membranes, in particularon the ratios of nmol% 16:1(3t) (mg fresh weight)^–1 ofcotyledons and nmol 16:1(3t) (mg chlo rophyll)^–1 weremeasured during squash seedling growth. Plants were germinatedand grown for one day at 30°C then were either kept at 30°C(control plants) or trans ferred to low temperatures (18, 14or 10°C). When plant were transferred from 30°C to lowtemperatures, the increase in fresh weight was gradually limited.The lowe the temperature, the smaller was the fresh weight.In contrast, the relative content of 16:1(3t) and 18:3, as wella the ratios of nmol 16:1(3t) (mg chlorophyll)^–1 and mol%16:1(3t) (mg cotyledon fresh weight)^–1 increased indicatingthat the increase of fresh weight and chlorophyll was mor sensitiveto low temperature than PG desaturation in thyla-koid membranes.Furthermore, low temperatures inducei an increase in 16:1(3t)and 18:3 (the final products of PC synthesis) at the expenseof 16:0 and 18:1 (the initial products of PG synthesis). However,within a range of temperature from 10 to 18°C, the extentof these changes (nmol% of 18:3 or 16:1(3t) per day) was graduallylimited by lower temperatures. We therefore propose that lowtemperature inhibit both fatty acid synthesis and desaturationactivities. However, at low temperatures the fatty acid synthesisis likely to be more strongly inhibited than the desaturationactivities, thus explaining the observed increase in the relativecontent of PG-18:3 and PG-16:l(3t). Results an discussed interms of the mechanism which could be in volved in the metabolismof PG in squash cotyledons. (Received July 5, 1996; Accepted March 10, 1997)     

THE EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES ON THE OXYGEN CONSUMPTION OF THE PROTOBRANCH BIVALVE NUCULA TURGIDA (LECKENBY AND MARSHALL)

The oxygen consumption of the protobranch bivalve Nucula turgidawas measured in relation to size and to variation in temperatureand ambient oxygen tension. The slope of the line relating logsize and log oxygen uptake varied from 0.539 to 0.884 over therange 5°C to 40°C in summer – conditioned (S)animals but for winter – conditioned (W) animals the slopevaried from 0.561 to 0.762 over the range 5°C to 15°Conly; from 20°C to 35°C the values for the slope fellfrom 0.298 to 0.092. There was evidence of reverse acclimation,since the absolute rate of oxygen consumption was greater inS animals than in W over the temperature range studied. Thelethal limit for both groups appeared to be between 30°Cand 35°C. At all temperatures (5°C–25°C) N. turgida wasfound to be a near complete oxyconformer with b₂ x 10³ valuesranging from +0.0754 to –0.0234. The responses to temperature differ little from those of eulamellibranchbivalves, but the lack of ability to oxyregulate does demonstratea difference which may be linked to the different gill structure. (Received 13 January 1983;     

Thermostability of the Photosynthetic System of the Thermoacidophilic Alga Cyanidium caldarium in Continuous Culture

Ford, T. W. 1986. Thermostability of the photosynthetic systemof the thermoaadophilic alga Cyanidium caldarium in continuousculture.—J. exp. Bot. 37: 1698–1707. Cyanidium caldarium, when exposed to gradual increases in temperaturein continuous culture, exhibits a growth temperature maximumof 55 °C. This correlates with the thermostability of themembrane-located photosynthetic electron transport system butnot with in vivo ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RUBP) carboxylaseactivity, which retained full activity after 1 h at 60 °C.Pigment content and phycocyanin: chlorophyll a ratios were relativelyconstant at growth temperatures up to 50 °C, but both declinedin cells cultured at 55 °C. Some modification of the photosyntheticsystem of the alga, in response to growth temperature, was detectedwith both oxygen evolution and RUBP carboxylase activity showingimproved thermostability in cells grown at 50 °C or 55 °Ccompared with those cultured at lower temperatures. However,this enhanced thermostability was at the expense of total pigmentcontent and overall photosynthetic capacity which were considerablyreduced in high temperature cells, as was the temperature spectrumfor efficient RUBP carboxylase operation. The contributionsof membrane and macromolecular components of the cell to theimposition of optimum and maximum growth temperatures are discussed. Key words: Cyanidium, photosynthesis, RUBP carboxylase     

INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE ON SURVIVAL AND GROWTH OF TWO FRESHWATER PLANORBID SPECIES, PLANORBARIUS CORNEUS (L.) AND PLANORBIS PLANORBIS (L.)

The survivorships and growth rates ofPlanorbarius corneus andPlanorbis planorbis were measured during the whole life spanof the snails at constant temperatures of 5, 10, 15, 20 and25°C. Life expectancy tables were constructed. The maximumlongevities for P. corneus (231 weeks) and P. planorbis (175weeks) occurred at 15°C and 10°C respectively. The extremetemperatures were particularly unfavourable. Snail growth which was expressed logarithmically was most sensitiveto temperature during the exponential stage. However, if weconsider a given species duringjts entire life span, there wereno significant differences between temperature groups whichwere in order of decreasing suitability: —P. corneus: 25, 20 and 15°C; 10°C; 5°C; —P.planorbis: 20 and 15°C; 25 and 10°C; 5°C. Using the growth constants from the Von Berta-lanffy's modeladjusted to give a gaussian curve, it was calculated that theoptimum temperatures for the growth of P. planorbis and P. corneuswere 19 and 20.5°C respectively. A mathematical model basedon spline functions makes it possible to predict the growthof snails over a wide range of temperatures. (Received 2 June 1993; accepted 18 November 1993)     

Environmental and physiological controls on shell microgrowth pattern of Ruditapes philippinarum (Bivalvia: Veneridae) from Japan

The reproductive cycle and shell microgrowth patterns of thevenerid bivalve Ruditapes philippinarum from Matsukawa-ura,a small inlet facing the Pacific Ocean, northeastern Japan wereexamined. Histological examination of the gonads revealed thatspawning in this species occurred twice in 2005, once betweenlate June and early August and the other between late Septemberand early October. Comparison of the shell microgrowth patternswith the developmental stages of the gonad in each individualrevealed that in spawning individuals (mature and spawning stages),the mean lunar-day growth rates were significantly smaller thanthose in individuals which were not in spawning condition (spent,recovery and growing stages). In non-spawning individuals, themean lunar-day growth rates were positively correlated withseawater temperature up to 20°C. However, in spawning individuals,no correlation was observed between shell growth and seawatertemperatures >16°C. These facts suggest that physiologicalstress during reproduction has a negative influence on shellgrowth and results in spawning breaks. The present study indicatethat spawning breaks can be used to identify the timing of sexualmaturity and to count the number of spawning events occurringper year in extant and fossil bivalves.     

The Growth and Development of Maize (Zea mays L.) at Five Temperatures

The objectives of this work were to measure growth and developmentrates over a range of temperatures and to identify processeswhich may limit vegetative yield of maize (Zea mays L.). Twosingle cross Corn Belt Dent maize hybrids were grown from sowingin a diurnal temperature regime of 16/6 °C day/night andin constant temperature environments of 16, 20, 24 and 28 °C.The 16/6 °C environment was close to the minimum for sustainedgrowth and 28 °C was near the optimum. Entire plants wereharvested at stages with 4, 6, 7 and 8 mature leaves in alltemperature treatments except 20 °C in which the final twoharvests were carried out at 9 and 10 mature leaves. Mean totalleaf number varied between 19.5 and 16.0 with the maximum occurringat 16/6 °C. Although harvests were carried out at comparableleaf numbers, and hence at similar developmental stages, thetime interval between sowing and harvest decreased considerablyas temperatures increased. The relative rates of dry weight and leaf area accumulationwith time increased with a Q₁₀ of 2.4 between 16 and 28 °C,while leaf appearance rate increased with a Q₁₀ of 2.9 overthe same range; both rates were highest at 28 °C. Althoughdry matter partitioning to the shoots increased with temperature,the area of individual leaves varied in a systematic patternwhich resulted in maximum leaf area, leaf area duration andconsequently dry weight being realized at 20 °C for anygiven stage of development. Zea mays, corn, low temperature stress, temperature response, growth, development     

Appendicularian assemblages in a shelf area and their relationship with temperature

The structure of the community of appendicularians was describedby multivariate analyses throughout a seasonal cycle on thecentral Cantabrian coast. It is shown by correlation and principalcomponents analysis that the appendicularian species may bearranged in a successional sequence in relative abundance thatis closely coupled to a temperature gradient. This sequencestarts with Fritillaria borealis, which exhibits highest relativeabundance during January, being sequentially followed by Oikopleuradioica, Fritillaria pellucida, Oikopleura fusiformis and Oikopleuralongicauda. This species numerically dominated the communityfrom September to December. Sea surface temperature and thetemperature at the depth of the chlorophyll maximum were bothreliable predictors of the species composition of the community.However, only the latter provided an adequate explanation forthe persistence of cryophilic communities in stratified oceanicenvironments and the dominance of thermophilic communities afterthe autumn mixing period. Under stratified conditions, surfacetemperatures are high (up to 21°C), but temperatures atthe depth of the chlorophyll maximum are low (<15°C).These differences disappear after the autumn mixing, when thewater column exhibits a uniform temperature profile (16°C).Critically, however, although there is a sharp decline in surfacetemperature, water at the depth of the chlorophyll maximum iswarmer than during stratification. A simple conceptual modelis proposed to account for these features and predictions aremade regarding the vertical distribution of appendiculariansduring stratification. The relevance of non-anthropomorphictemperature measures, such as the temperature at the depth ofthe chlorophyll maximum, for other zooplankton groups is alsodiscussed.     

The Influence of Temperature on Root Hair Infection of Trifolium parviflorum and T. glomeratum by Root Nodule Bacteria: I. THE EFFECTS OF CONSTANT ROOT TEMPERATURE ON INFECTION AND RELATED ASPECTS OF PLANT DEVELOPMENT

The onset and rate of infection in root hairs of T. parviflorumand T. glomeratum inoculated with Rhizobium trifolli strain5 varied much with root temperature. At moderate root temperature(18, 24, and 30 °C) infections were initiated earlier andin larger numbers than at low (6 and 12 °C) or moderatelyhigh (36 °C) temperatures. Both species showed a broad temperatureoptimum between 18 and 30 °C. The site of thread initiation(apically or laterally in a hair) was independent of temperature,as was also the proportion of successful threads penetratingthe root cortex, which increased with seedling age. Threadsgrew more slowly at low temperatures. The size of hair nucleinear infection threads remained unaffected by temperature, butnuclei associated with laterally originating threads were largerthan those associated with apical threads. Infection was non-randomly distributed along the main root atall temperatures. More zones of infection were found at moderatetemperatures than at temperature extremes (6–12 or 36°C). Probit plots of numbers of infections for individualplants were steplike, the linear sloping parts correspondingto normal distributions of infection within zones. Between 18 and 30 °C numbers of infections increased exponentiallyin two phases, the first more rapid phase ending at about thetime nodules appeared. A model devised for the infection processand fitted to the data suggested the existence of two kindsof infections: primary ones occuring randomly at a slow rateand probably not affected by temperature and secondary infectionsthat appeared to increase with rising temperatures in the range12 to 30 °C. Nodule numbers were relatively more sensitive to high and lowtemperatures than infection. The numbers of infections and nodulesand the root lengths of T. parviflorum were twice those of T.glomeratum except at the temperature extremes. Numbers of infectionswere otherwise unrelated to root length or cotyledon or leafareas. The development of lateral organs (primordia, lateralroots, and nodules) was reduced at temperatures below 18 °Cand above 30 °C.     

COMPARISONS OF THE BIOLOGY OF THE INTERTIDAL SUBANTARCTIC LIMPETS NACELLA CONCINNA AND KERGUELENELLA LATERALIS

Two limpet species occur intertidally on subantarctic SouthGeorgia, the patellid Nacella concinna and the siphonarlid Kerguelenellalateralis. N. concinna is confined to the lower shore closeto LWS; K. lateralis occurs in middle shore pools, so theirdistributions do not overlap. N. concinna has a much narrowerthermal niche (–12.9°C to +15.6°C) than K. lateralis(–17.8°C to +31.8°C). Environmental data are presentedto show that the upper lethal temperature of N. concinna islow enough to prevent the limpet living higher on the shore.Both limpet species are slow-moving, but K. lateralis showsincreasing speed with rising temperature, peaking at 15–20°C.In contrast, N. concinna moves actively down to –1.9°C(when sea water freezes), but there is a steady decrease inspeed of locomotion above +2°C. Locomotion ceases at 14°Cin N. concinna (c.f. 30°C in K. lateralis). Both speciesexhibit very low tenacities, but in N. concinna tenacity decreaseswith increasing shell length. In K. lateralis there is no effectof temperature on tenacity. Both species show a positive allometricrelationship between foot area and shell length. N. concinnafeeds upon microbial films and microepiflora, but K. lateraliseats colonial diatoms and Enteromorpha bulbosa. Observationson shell middens of the kelp gull Larus dominicanus showed thatthe gulls did not eat K. lateralis, though they ate great quantitiesof the less accessible N. concinna. Gulls ate N. concinna assmall as 11 mm shell length (within the size range of K. lateralis).Experiments on gulls demonstrated an unwillingness to eat K.lateralis, probably because the siphonariid extrudes a viscidwhite mucus when the foot is touched. (Received 9 May 1996; accepted 8 July 1996)     

The Freezing Response of an Arctic Cushion Plant, Saxifraga caespitosa L.: Acclimation, Freezing Tolerance and Ice Nucleation

Cold hardiness in actively growing plants of Saxifraga caespitosaL., an arctic and subarctic cushion plant, was examined. Plantscollected from subarctic and arctic sites were cultivated ina phytotron at temperatures of 3, 9, 12 and 21 °C undera 24-h photoperiod, and examined for freezing tolerance usingcontrolled freezing at a cooling rate of 3–4 °C eitherin air or in moist sand. Post-freezing injury was assessed byvisual inspection and with chlorophyll fluorescence, which appearedto be well suited for the evaluation of injury in Saxifragaleaves. Freezing of excised leaves in moist sand distinguishedwell among the various treatments, but the differences werepartly masked by significant supercooling when the tissue wasfrozen in air. Excised leaves, meristems, stem tissue and flowerssupercooled to –9 to –15 °C, but in rosettesand in intact plants ice nucleation was initiated at –4to –7 °C. The arctic plants tended to be more coldhardy than the subarctic plants, but in plants from both locationscold hardiness increased significantly with decreasing growthtemperature. Plants grown at 12 °C or less developed resistanceto freezing, and excised leaves of arctic Saxifraga grown at3 °C survived temperatures down to about –20 °C.Exposure to –3 °C temperature for up to 5 d did notsignificantly enhance the hardiness obtained at 3 °C. Whenwhole plants of arctic Saxifraga were frozen, with roots protectedfrom freezing, they survived –15 °C and –25°C when cultivated at 12 and 3 °C, respectively, althougha high percentage of the leaves were killed. The basal levelof freezing tolerance maintained in these plants throughoutperiods of active growth may have adaptive significance in subarcticand arctic environments. Saxifraga caespitosa L., arctic, chlorophyll fluorescence, cold acclimation, cushion plant, freezing stress, freezing tolerance, ice nucleation, supercooling     

Leaf Extension in Zea mays: II. LEAF EXTENSION IN RESPONSE TO INDEPENDENT VARIATION OF THE TEMPERATURE OF THE APICAL MERISTEM, OF THE AIR AROUND THE LEAVES, AND OF THE ROOT-ZONE

The temperatures of the roots, the apical meristem, and theshoots of Zea mays plants were varied independently of eachother and the rates of leaf extension were measured. When thetemperature of the apical meristem and region of cell expansionat the base of the leaf was kept at 25 °C, changes of leafextension in response to changes of root and shoot temperatureswere less pronounced. When the temperature of the meristematicregion was changed by increments of 5 or 10 °C from 0 to40 °C, and the root and shoot temperatures were kept at25 °C, rapid changes in leaf extension occurred. It was concluded that the rates of leaf extension were controlledat root-zone temperatures of 5 to 35 °C by heating or coolingof the meristematic region. Changes in rates of leaf extensionin response to changes in air temperature were attributed todirect effects on the temperature of the meristematic regionand on the physiology of the leaf.     

Overwintering of Microcystis aeruginosa Kutz. in a shallow lake

The standing crop and photosynthetic activity of Microcystisaeruginosa Kütz. in both the plankton and sediment wereinvestigated from November 1979 to May 1982 in Lake Kasumigaura,Japan. The number of planktonic colonies of this species decreasedfrom early autumn to early spring, but increased in the sedimentduring late summer and autumn. The overwintering colonies inthe sediment were –100–1000 times greater per unitarea than those in lake water. No photoinhibition of photosynthesiscould be observed in overwintering Microcystis. The values ofthe initial slopes of photosynthesis-light (P-I) curves weresimilar to those of the summer population, although the maximumphotosynthetic rate (P_max) measured at 20°C was lower thanthat of the summer planktonic population. In winter the valuesof initial slope of the P-I curve, and the ratio of phycobilinto chlorophyll a sorted from sediment were higher than in coloniesfrom the plankton.     

Influence of Temperature on the Effects of Water Stress on Quercus Species

Quercus coccifera L. and Q. ilex L. leaves, collected in winter,when the plants were in full turgor, were treated with polyethyleneglycol (PEG) with a water potential of –48 and –65bar, at 15 °C and at 30 °C, for 2 days. The responseof each species differs with temperature as far as the plastidpigment, anthocyanin and soluble sugar content is concerned.Thus Q. ilex is affected more at 15 °C rather than at 30°C, while in Q. coccifera, apart from a small increase inanthocyanins, no significant change was observed at 15 °C.On the contrary, at 30 °C significant changes were observedin all studied parameters. Chloroplast pigments decreased generallyon the first day and their content either dropped further orincreased to reach the control values on the second day. Alltreatments resulted in an increase in anthocyanin content. Solublesugar content raised in Q. ilex at 15 °C and decreased inboth species at 30 °C. Quercus coccifera, Quercus ilex, oak, temperature, water stress, anthocyanin, chlorophyll, carotenoids     

Effect of Root and Shoot Meristem Temperature on Shoot to Root Dry Matter Partitioning and the Internal Concentrations of Nitrogen and Carbohydrates in Maize and Wheat

Maize (Zea mays L.) and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)were grown in nutrient solution at uniformly high air temperature(20 °C), but different root zone temperatures (RZT 20, 16,12 °C). To manipulate the ratio of shoot activity to rootactivity, the plants were grown with their shoot base includingthe apical meristem either above (i.e. at 20 °C) or withinthe nutrient solution (i.e. at 20, 16 or 12 °C). In wheat, the ratio of shoot:root dry matter partitioning decreasedat low RZT, whereas the opposite was true for maize. In bothspecies, dry matter partitioning to the shoot was one-sidedlyincreased when the shoot base temperature, and thus shoot activity,were increased at low RZT. The concentrations of non-structuralcarbohydrates (NSC) in the shoots and roots were higher at lowin comparison to high RZT in both species, irrespective of theshoot base temperature. The concentrations of nitrogen (N) inthe shoot and root fresh matter also increased at low RZT withthe exception of maize grown at 12 °C RZT and 20 °Cshoot base temperature. The ratio of NSC:N was increased inboth species at low RZT. However this ratio was negatively correlatedwith the ratio of shoot:root dry matter partitioning in wheat,but positively correlated in maize. It is suggested that dry matter partitioning between shoot androots at low RZT is not causally related to the internal nitrogenor carbohydrate status of the plants. Furthermore, balancedactivity between shoot and roots is maintained by adaptationsin specific shoot and root activity, rather than by an alteredratio of biomass allocation between shoot and roots.Copyright1994, 1999 Academic Press Wheat, Triticum aestivum, maize, Zea mays, root temperature, shoot meristem temperature, biomass allocation, shoot:root ratio, carbohydrate status, nitrogen status, functional equilibrium     

Differential Inhibition of Shootvs.Root Growth at Low Temperature and its Relationship with Carbohydrate Accumulation in Different Wheat Cultivars

Shoot and root growth rate, carbohydrate accumulation (includingfructan), reducing sugar content and dry matter percentage weremeasured in six wheat cultivars, ranging from winter to springtypes, grown at either 5 or 25 °C. At 5 °C (comparedwith 25 °C), the relative growth rate (RGR) of shoots wassimilarly reduced in all cultivars, but the RGR of shoots wasmore affected in winter wheats. This difference resulted insmaller root:shoot ratios than in spring wheats, which alsodeveloped more first-order lateral roots. A direct relationshipbetween carbohydrate accumulation at low temperatures and reductionin root growth was established. These results suggest that differentialshootvs.root growth inhibition at low temperature may play akey role in carbohydrate accumulation at chilling temperatures.This differential response might lead to improvements in survivalat temperatures below 0 °C, regrowth during spring, andwater and nutrient absorption at low temperatures.Copyright1997 Annals of Botany Company Wheat; Triticum aestivum; low temperatures; root growth; root: shoot ratio; sugar accumulation