蚕豆籽粒内的~(14)C同化物的运转和卸出动态

通过向蚕豆叶片饲喂~(14)CO_2,应用液闪和显微放射性自显影技术表明标记同化物经叶脉和果荚韧皮部筛管快速运输至蚕豆种皮。种皮吸收营养、生长,后期逐步降解、供养子叶。种皮内的两类维管束系统同时输送营养并卸出到种皮内侧的质外体空间里。种皮里的反向维管束韧皮部卸出以共质体方式为主。并提供养分供种皮生长,而大部分的同化物由正向完整维管束韧皮部的筛分子一传递细胞进行质外体方式卸出。膨大中的子叶在早期即已成为生理上十分活跃的库。它对标记同化物的摄入随时间进程而急剧上升。     

Formation of the vascular system of developing bean (Phaseolus limensis L.) seeds according to nuclear magnetic resonance microtomography

1H magnetic resonance microtomography imaging was applied to study vascular systems in developing bean (Phaseolus limensis L.) seeds. Using the gradient echo method, we recorded 2D tomographic sections in the sagittal and axial planes of the fruits sampled from a vegetating plant on days 10, 17, 24, and 31 after fertilization. Any vascular connection between the tissues of maternal plant (bean pod and seed coat) and the embryo were undetectable. The embryo has an autonomous branched network of procambial strands in the cotyledons, converging to the embryonic axis. The bean pods are covered with a network of vascular bundles; large vascular strands run along the dorsal and ventral sutures. The seed coat vascular bundles are formed in the process of seed ripening and are represented by a developed vascular system multiply branching in the middle part of the ground parenchyma at the stage of physiological maturity. They are connected with the source of assimilates via the lateral pod veins and a large vascular bundle, entering the seed below the hilum via the placenta. Assimilates enter the external part of the seed coat, which contains no vascular bundles, via the funiculus vascular bundles and hilum tissue.     

Formation of the vascular system of developing bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus limensis</Emphasis> L.) seeds according to nuclear magnetic resonance microtomography

¹H magnetic resonance microtomography imaging was applied to study vascular systems in developing bean (Phaseolus limensis L.) seeds. Using the gradient echo method, we recorded 2D tomographic sections in the sagittal and axial planes of the fruits sampled from a vegetating plant on days 10, 17, 24, and 31 after fertilization. Any vascular connection between the tissues of maternal plant (bean pod and seed coat) and the embryo were undetectable. The embryo has an autonomous branched network of procambial strands in the cotyledons, converging to the embryonic axis. The bean pods are covered with a network of vascular bundles; large vascular strands run along the dorsal and ventral sutures. The seed coat vascular bundles are formed in the process of seed ripening and are represented by a developed vascular system multiply branching in the middle part of the ground parenchyma at the stage of physiological maturity. They are connected with the source of assimilates via the lateral pod veins and a large vascular bundle, entering the seed below the hilum via the placenta. Assimilates enter the external part of the seed coat, which contains no vascular bundles, via the funiculus vascular bundles and hilum tissue.     

Structure of the developing pea seed coat and the post-phloem transport pathway of nutrients

An important function of the seed coat is to deliver nutrients to the embryo. To relate this function to anatomical characteristics, the developing seed coat of pea (Pisum sativum L.) was examined by light- and cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) from the late pre-storage phase until the end of seed filling. During this time the apparently undifferentiated seed coat tissues evolve into the epidermal macrosclereids, the hypodermal hourglass cells, chlorenchyma, ground parenchyma and branched parenchyma. Using the fluorescent symplast tracer 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid, it could be demonstrated that solutes imported by the phloem move into the chlorenchyma and ground parenchyma, but not into the branched parenchyma. From a comparison with literature data of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and broad bean (Vicia faba L.), it is concluded that in the three species different parenchyma layers, but not the branched parenchyma, may be involved in the post-phloem symplasmic transport of nutrients in the seed coat. In pea, the branched parenchyma dies during the storage phase, and its cell wall remnants then form the boundary layer between the living seed coat parenchyma cells and the cotyledons. Using cryo-SEM, clear images were obtained of this boundary layer which showed that many intracellular spaces in the seed coat parenchyma are filled with an aqueous solution. This is suggested to facilitate the diffusion of nutrients from the site of unloading towards the cotyledons.     

Sites of accumulation in excised Phloem and vascular tissues

Excised pieces of vascular bundle and phloem tissue were allowed to accumulate radioactive phosphate and sulfate, and were then sectioned and autoradiographed so as to detect the sites of accumulation. Special methods were needed to prevent any diffusion of the radioisotope. Some autoradiographs obtained are presented. In excised celery vascular bundles, the most radioactive area and hence the most actively accumulating tissue was the young secondary phloem at the sides of the bundle. In intact plants, the same tissue was the most active in translocating. In excised apple phloem there was some variation in behavior, but again the young secondary phloem was generally the most actively accumulating tissue. Accumulation activities of individual cells in the phloem and vascular tissue were compared. It appeared that all cell types, ray, phloem and xylem parenchyma, cambial cells and sieve tubes, accumulated at least 5 times more actively than did the cortical parenchyma cells. The sieve tubes were among the most actively accumulating cells present, accumulating 20 times more actively than the cortical parenchyma cells. It is concluded that accumulation processes have a primary role to play in the mechanism of phloem transport.     

芦荟维管束的结构与芦荟素积累的相关性

应用半薄切片、组织化学、荧光显微镜观察和薄层层析 (TLC)相结合的方法研究了中华芦荟 (Aloeve-ra L.var.chinensis)、木立芦荟 (Aloe arborescens)叶和茎内维管束的结构及其与芦荟素积累的关系。结果表明 ,木立芦荟叶内维管束和中华芦荟叶内外轮的维管束中有大型韧皮薄壁细胞 ,而木立芦荟茎和中华芦荟叶中内轮维管束无大型韧皮薄壁细胞。组织化学结果表明 ,用醋酸铅处理过的上述材料 ,大型韧皮薄壁细胞内出现沉淀物 ;在荧光显微镜下经蓝光激发 ,大型韧皮薄壁细胞发出桔黄色荧光 ,都显示出芦荟素反应。薄层层析(TLC)结果证明 ,木立芦荟和中华芦荟叶含有大型韧皮薄壁细胞的维管束都含芦荟素 ,而木立芦荟茎及中华芦荟叶中内轮维管束都不含芦荟素。为此 ,维管束中的大型韧皮薄壁细胞与芦荟素的积累密切相关 ,维管束中是否有大型韧皮薄壁细胞可作为判断是否含有芦荟素的解剖学指标。     

Cortical Bundles in the Persistent, Photosynthetic Stems of Cacti

We examined 62 species in 45 genera of the cactus subfamilyCactoideae; all had collateral cortical bundles that permeatedthe broad, water-storing inner cortex and extended to the baseof the outer, photosynthetic palisade cortex. Mean distancebetween cortical bundles was 0.75 mm, similar to the mean spacing(0.74 mm) of veins in leaves of Pereskia, a genus of relictleaf-bearing cacti. In 16 species, both young and extremelyold stem cortex was available for study: in all of these, olderbundles had larger amounts of phloem than did younger bundles,indicating that phloem had been produced for many years. Inten species, older bundles also had more xylem than youngerbundles. In two genera (Rhipsalis and Selenicereus) there werecaps of primary phloem fibres, and in a single species (Pilosocereusmortensenii) cortical bundle xylem contained libriform fibres.All cortical bundle tracheary elements were narrow (radius range,0.91–8.2 µm; mode, 1.8–2.7 µm), similarto Pereskia leaf vein elements (radius range, 1.8–2.7µm); this was much narrower than stem wood vessels (radiusrange, 10–42 um; mode, 23–28 µm). Longitudinalconduction of water and nutrients probably occurs predominantlyin stem wood, with cortical bundles maintaining the broad, voluminouscortex, the outer part of which is the plant's photosynthetictissue and the inner part of which stores water and starch.The cortex of the Cactordeae contains numerous leaflike characters;homeotic genes may be involved in its morphogenesis. Cactaceae, cortical bundles, homeotic, xylem, phloem, evolution     

芦荟叶内芦荟素细胞的发育和蒽醌类物质的积累

应用石蜡切片、半薄切片、组织化学和荧光显微镜观察相结合的方法研究了木立芦荟叶内芦荟素细胞的发生、发育以及其蒽醌类物质的积累过程。结果表明,在叶内原形成层束分化成维管束初期,原形成层束外侧的一层细胞发育成维管束鞘。原生韧皮部筛管产生时,其外方尚保留1-2层原形成层细胞,当后生韧皮部和木质部开始分化时,此层细胞分裂。在后生韧皮部和木质部发育成熟过程中,这些细胞体积逐渐增大,并液泡化,发育成为大型薄壁细胞(芦荟素细胞),位于筛管外侧。据此,芦荟叶维管束内的大型薄壁细胞的来源与韧皮部相同,属于特化的韧皮部薄壁组织细胞。用醋酸铅处理过的上述材料的切片观察表明,芦荟素细胞在细胞体积增大,并液泡化时,在液泡内出现蒽醌类物质沉淀物,在成熟细胞的大液泡中充满沉淀物,此时,在荧光显微镜下芦荟素细胞发出桔黄色荧光。可见,此种芦荟素细胞是芦荟叶内蒽醌类物质的主要储存场所。     

芦荟叶内芦荟素细胞的发育和蒽醌类物质的积累

应用石蜡切片、半薄切片、组织化学和荧光显微镜观察相结合的方法研究了木立芦荟叶内芦荟素细胞的发生、发育以及其蒽醌类物质的积累过程。结果表明,在叶内原形成层束分化成维管束初期,原形成层束外侧的一层细胞发育成维管束鞘。原生韧皮部筛管产生时,其外方尚保留1—2层原形成层细胞,当后生韧皮部和木质部开始分化时,此层细胞分裂。在后生韧皮部和木质部发育成熟过程中,这些细胞体积逐渐增大,并液泡化,发育成为大型薄壁细胞(芦荟素细胞),位于筛管外侧。据此,芦荟叶维管束内的大型薄壁细胞的来源与韧皮部相同,属于特化的韧皮部薄壁组织细胞。用醋酸铅处理过的上述材料的切片观察表明,芦荟素细胞在细胞体积增大,并液泡化时,在液泡内出现蒽醌类物质沉淀物,在成熟细胞的大液泡中充满沉淀物,此时,在荧光显微镜下芦荟素细胞发出桔黄色荧光。可见,此种芦荟素细胞是芦荟叶内蒽醌类物质的主要储存场所。     

The unusual vascular structure of the corm of Eriophorum vaginatum: implications for efficient retranslocation of nutrients

Eriophorum spp. are abundant perennial graminoids in the Arctic tundra and boreal peatlands. Because ecological studies indicated that some plants are unusually productive on infertile and cold sites, the anatomy of the overwintering corms of Eriophorum vaginatum (L.) and Eriophorum scheuchzeri (Hoppe) were examined to determine their involvement in nutrient uptake and storage. Components of the long-distance transport pathways were identified within the plants by using histochemical techniques and transport of apoplastic and symplastic dyes. E. scheuchzeri produced a rhizome that consisted mainly of storage parenchyma cells within which collateral vascular bundles were centrally located and arranged in a circle. By contrast, E. vaginatum developed a ring of horizontally arranged xylem and phloem, in addition to axial amphivasal vascular bundles leading to the leaves, all of which were bordered by transfer cells. As shown by the transport of fluorescein in the phloem and Safranine O in the xylem, each axial bundle and adventitious root contacted the horizontal ring of vascular tissues so that solutes from one vascular bundle were translocated into the vascular ring and circulated to another vascular bundle and/or to the roots. In addition, special groups of sclereids that functioned in both phloem and xylem transport were found at the base of the leaf traces and within junctions of senescing roots. These sclereids were named 'vascular sclerenchyma' and it was hypothesized that they provide a moving end for the vascular system because the corm dies progressively from the distal end as it grows upward from the apical meristem. It was concluded that this unusual vascular system of E. vaginatum is efficient in recycling nutrients internally, which may account for its competitive advantage in infertile and cold sites.     

Anatomical diversity of funicles in Leguminosae

To clarify the diversity in funicular internal structures in Leguminosae, 59 legume species (classified into 46 genera, 20 tribes, and 3 subfamilies) were examined by a paraffin-sectioning method. The vascular bundles of legume funicles were clarified as collateral, amphicribral, or amphivasal. In species in which the funicular vascular bundle was collateral throughout the funicle, the xylem is positioned at the pericarpial side in the basal part of the funicle, and the xylem was always positioned at the micropylar side of the phloem in the apical end of the funicles. Whenever the seed direction (from hilum to the micropyle) faces the stylar side, the funicular vascular bundle appears to twist between the basal and the apical part of the funicle. This twist would involve a rotation of the seeds (ovules) during seed (ovule) development. This also may mean that the direction (from hilum to the micropyle) of legume seeds originally faces the pericarp.     

Plasmodesmatal frequency in relation to short-distance transport and phloem loading in leaves of barley (Hordeum vulgare). Phloem is not loaded directly from the symplast

We investigated the phloem loading pathway in barley, by determining plasmodesmatal frequencies at the electron microscope level for both intermediate and small blade bundles of mature barley leaves. Lucifer yellow was injected intercellularly into bundle sheath, vascular parenchyma, and thin-walled sieve tubes. Passage of this symplastically transported dye was monitored with an epifluorescence microscope under blue light. Low plasmodesmatal frequencies endarch to the bundle sheath cells are relatively low for most interfaces terminating at the thin- and thick-walled sieve tubes within this C₃ species. Lack of connections between vascular parenchyma and sieve tubes, and low frequencies (0.5% plasmodesmata per μm cell wall interface) of connections between vascular parenchyma and companion cells, as well as the very low frequency of pore-plasmodesmatal connections between companion cells and sieve tubes in small bundles (0.2% plasmodesmata per μm cell wall interface), suggest that the companion cell-sieve tube complex is symplastically isolated from other vascular parenchyma cells in small bundles. The degree of cellular connectivity and the potential isolation of the companion cell-sieve tube complex was determined electrophysiologically, using an electrometer coupled to microcapillary electrodes. The less negative cell potential (average –52 mV) from mesophyll to the vascular parenchyma cells contrasted sharply with the more negative potential (–122.5 mV) recorded for the companion cell-thin-walled sieve tube complex. Although intercellular injection of lucifer yellow clearly demonstrated rapid (0.75 μm s^-1) longitudinal and radial transport in the bundle sheath-vascular parenchyma complex, as well as from the bundle sheath through transverse veins to adjacent longitudinal veins, we were neither able to detect nor present unequivocal evidence in support of the symplastic connectivity of the sieve tubes to the vascular parenchyma. Injection of the companion cell-sieve tube complex, did not demonstrate backward connectivity to the bundle sheath. We conclude that the low plasmodesmatal frequencies, coupled with a two-domain electropotential zonation configuration, and the negative transport experiments using lucifer yellow, precludes symplastic phloem loading in barley leaves.     

Transformation of the collateral vascular bundles into amphivasal vascular bundles in an Arabidopsis mutant.

Arabidopsis inflorescence stems develop a vascular pattern similar to that found in most dicots. The arrangement of vascular tissues within the bundle is collateral, and vascular bundles in the stele are arranged in a ring. Although auxin has been shown to be an inducer of vascular differentiation, little is known about the molecular mechanisms controlling vascular pattern formation. By screening ethyl methanesufonate-mutagenized populations of Arabidopsis, we have isolated an avb1 (amphivasal vascular bundle) mutant with a novel vascular pattern. Unlike the collateral vascular bundles seen in the wild-type stems, the vascular bundles in the avb1 stems were similar to amphivasal bundles, i.e. the xylem completely surrounded the phloem. Furthermore, branching vascular bundles in the avb1 stems abnormally penetrated into the pith, which resulted in a disruption in the ring-like arrangement of vascular bundles in the stele. The avb1 mutation did not affect leaf venation pattern and root vascular organization. Auxin polar transport assay indicated that the avb1 mutation did not disrupt the auxin polar transport activity in inflorescence stems. The avb1 mutation also exhibited pleiotropic phenotypes, including curled stems and extra cauline branches. Genetic analysis indicated that the avb1 mutation was monogenic and partially dominant. The avb1 locus was mapped to a region between markers mi69 and ASB2, which is covered by a yeast artificial chromosome clone, CIC9E2, on chromosome 5. Isolation of the avb1 mutant provides a novel means to study the evolutionary mechanisms controlling the arrangement of vascular tissues within the bundle, as well as the mechanisms controlling the arrangement of vascular bundles in the stele.     

Ultrastructure of and plasmodesmatal frequency in mature leaves of sugarcane

Vascular bundles and contiguous tissues of leaf blades of sugarcane (Saccharum interspecific hybrid L62–96) were examined with light and transmission electron microscopes to determine their cellular composition and the frequency of plasmodesmata between the various cell combinations. The large vascular bundles typically are surrounded by two bundle sheaths, an outer chlorenchymatous bundle sheath and an inner mestome sheath. In addition to a chlorenchymatous bundle sheath, a partial mestome sheath borders the phloem of the intermediate vascular bundles, and at least some mestome-sheath cells border the phloem of the small vascular bundles. Both the walls of the chlorenchymatous bundlesheath cells and of the mestome-sheath cells possess suberin lamellae. The phloem of all small and intermediate vascular bundles contains both thick- and thin-walled sieve tubes. Only the thin-walled sieve tubes have companion cells, with which they are united symplastically by pore-plasmodesmata connections. Plasmodesmata are abundant at the Kranz mesophyll-cell-bundlesheath-cell interface associated with all sized bundles. Plasmodesmata are also abundant at the bundle-sheathcell-vascular-parenchyma-cell, vascular-parenchyma-cellvascular-parenchyma-cell, and mestome-sheath-cell-vascular-parenchyma-cell interfaces in small and intermediate bundles. The thin-walled sieve tubes and companion cells of the large vascular bundles are symplastically isolated from all other cell types of the leaf. The same condition is essentially present in the sieve-tube-companion-cell complexes of the small and intermediate vascular bundles. Although few plasmodesmata connect either the thin-walled sieve tubes or their companion cells to the mestome sheath of small and intermediate bundles, plasmodesmata are somewhat more numerous between the companion cells and vascular-parenchyma cells. The thick-walled sieve tubes are united with vascular-parenchyma cells by pore-plasmodesmata connections. The vascular-parenchyma cells, in turn, have numerous plasmodesmatal connections with the bundle-sheath cells.This study was supported by National Science Foundation grants DCB 87-01116 and DCB 90-01759 to R.F.E. and a University of Wisconsin-Madison Dean's Fellowship to K. R.-B. We also thank Claudia Lipke and Kandis Elliot for photographic and artistic assistance, respectively.     

木立芦荟叶内维管束发育过程的研究

采用半薄切片和组织化学方法研究了木立芦荟（Aloe arhorescetzs）叶内维管束的发育过程,并着重于维管束鞘细胞和芦荟素细胞的来源及组织类型。结果表明：维管束由原形成层发育而来,但在分化原生韧皮部筛管时,其外侧仍保留一层原形成层细胞,以后分裂、增大成为特殊的大型薄壁细胞（芦荟素细胞）,芦荟索细胞啦属于韧皮部的一部分。而维管束鞘细胞则来源于基本分生组织,属于基本组织的范畴,与维管束不同源。     

Oyxgen and temperature effects on soybean seed coat respiration rates

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) seed coat respiration rates in response to changing O₂ concentration and temperature were examined experimentally and with a mathematical analysis. The experimental observations showed seed coat respiration rates were sensitive to O₂ concentration below 0.25 micromole O₂ cm⁻³. There was a steady decline in respiration rates from the saturating O₂ concentration down to about 0 to 0.03 micromole O₂ per cubic centimeter. Seed coat respiration rates were found to change linearly with temperature between 8 and 28°C. The explanation for these results was sought by examining the diffusion of O₂ into the vascular bundles of the soybean seed coat. Differential equations describing O₂ uptake in two distinct zones of the vascular bundle were solved. The outer zone was assumed to be O₂ saturated and respiration proceeded at a constant rate per unit volume. The inner zone was assumed to have respiration rates which were linearly dependent on O₂ concentration. The solution of this mathematical model showed considerable similarity with the experimental results. Respiration rates were predicted to saturate at about 0.31 micromole O₂ per cubic centimeter and to decrease curvilinearly below that concentration. While the mathematical model predicted an exponential response in respiration rate to temperature, it was found that the exponential response is difficult to distinguish from a linear response in the temperature range studied experimentally. Consequently, both the experimental and theoretical studies showed the importance of O₂ diffusion into soybean seed coat vascular bundles as a potential restriction on respiration rates. In particular, it was suggested that increases in the total length of the vascular bundles in the soybean seed coat was the major option for increasing the total respiratory capability.     

Characterization of resistance to three bruchid species (Callosobruchus spp., Coleoptera,Bruchidae) in cultivated rice bean (Vigna umbellata)

Resistance of wild and cultivated rice bean (Vigna umbellata [Thunberg] Ohwi and Ohashi) to three bruchid species, Callosobruchus chinensis L., Callosobruchus maculatus F., and Callosobruchus analis F., was evaluated. All but three accessions of cultivated, and all wild rice bean accessions tested, exhibited complete resistance to all three bruchid species. Rice bean seeds with seed coat removed also showed complete resistance to the three bruchid species. Results indicate that physical attributes and/or chemical(s) present in the seed coat of rice bean are not the main factors responsible for resistance. Feeding tests were performed by using artificial beans prepared with varying proportions of rice bean (resistant) and azuki bean (susceptible) flour. Number of bruchid adults that emerged decreased, and larval developmental period (days) was extended, when artificial beans with an increasing proportion of rice bean flour were used. These tests revealed that a chemical compound(s) contained in the cotyledon of rice bean has an inhibitory effect on the growth of these bruchid species. The results also indicate that the chemical(s) in rice bean cotyledon is most effective against C. maculatus.     

木立芦荟叶的发育解剖学研究

应用植物解剖学方法研究了木立芦荟（Aloe arborescens Mill.)叶的发育过程。研究结果表明,叶原基在发育早期其形态是不对称的,内部为同形细胞组成,但很快分化成原表皮,原形成层束和基本分生组织。以后,原表皮发育成表皮,位于原表皮下的2－5层基本分生组织细胞发民同化薄壁组织,而位于中央的基本分生组织细胞则发育成储水薄壁组织,原形成层束发育成维管束。维管束由维管束鞘、木质部、韧皮部和大型薄壁细胞组成。大型薄壁细胞起源于原形成层束,位于韧皮部内,其发育迟于筛管、伴胞,为芦荟属植物叶的结构特征。     

盾叶薯蓣根状茎的发育解剖学和组织化学研究

盾叶薯蓣根状茎顶端的生长点由鳞片包被,其衍生细胞分化为原表皮、基本分生组织和散生的原形成层束,以后分化为表皮、基本组织和散生的维管束构成的初生结构。根状茎顶端下方的原表皮内存在初生增厚分生组织,其细胞不断向内分裂和其衍生细胞的体积增大使根状茎能够迅速增粗。分化完成的根状茎主要由周皮、基本组织和散生的维管束构成。周皮由木栓层、木栓形成层和栓内层组成;基本组织由薄壁细胞组成;维管束属于有限维管束。薯蓣皂甙主要存在于基本组织薄壁细胞中。原分生组织和原形成层不含薯蓣皂甙,维管束的木质部和韧皮部中的韧皮纤维也无薯蓣皂甙的分布,韧皮部的生活细胞和维管束鞘细胞有薯蓣皂甙的积累。近顶端的基本分生组织细胞内薯蓣皂甙不形成液滴,随着细胞分裂逐渐停止,细胞内开始形成含薯蓣皂甙的液滴,反映皂甙是在成熟细胞内积累。其中,有小型维管束分布的基本组织中薯蓣皂甙的积累与分布最丰富,两年生根状茎中薯蓣皂甙的含量比一年生的高。     

ONTOGENY AND CORRELATIVE RELATIONSHIPS OF THE PRIMARY THICKENING MERISTEM IN FOUR-O'CLOCK PLANTS (NYCTAGINACEAE) MAINTAINED UNDER LONG AND SHORT PHOTOPERIODS

The developmental anatomy of Mirabilis jalapa was investigated during the first 90 days of growth. The primary thickening meristem (PTM) initially differentiates in the pericycle at the top of the cotyledonary node 18 days after germination, then basipetally in the pericycle through the hypocotyl. The PTM differentiates acropetally into the stem and in the pericycle of the primaiy root, commencing 22 days after germination. Endodermis is easily identifiable in hypocotyls as well as in primary roots because of Casparian thickenings in its cells. It has not been definitely identified in stems. There are three rings of primary vascular bundles in the stem. The PTM differentiates as segments of cambium in a layer of cells (probably in the pericycle) on an arc between vascular bundles of the outer bundle ring. Later, arcs of PTM differentiate externally to the phloem of each bundle. Each arc forms a connection between original segments of PTM lying on either side of each vascular bundle. Thus, the PTM becomes a continuous cylinder. The PTM differentiates in the pericycle outside vascular tissue in the hypocotyl and root. Differentiation of the PTM and the mode of secondary thickening is similar in plants exposed to short (8-hr) and to long (18-hr) photoperiods, but some differences were observed. The PTM differentiates closer to the stem apex in all plants over 18 clays of age growing vegetatively under long photoperiods. That is, the diffuse lateral meristem, in whose cells the PTM differentiates in young intemodes, is shorter in nearly all investigated plants growing in long photoperiods. The hypocotyl and base of the primary root of 40-day-old plants in short photoperiods were more enlarged than those of the same age plants in long photoperiods; but, at the end of 64 days, the hypocotyl and primaiy root base were larger in plants growing under short photoperiods. Thirty-four days after seed germination, flower initiation occurs in plants exposed to short photoperiods. One hundred fifty days after seed germination, flowers differentiate on plants exposed to long photoperiods.