Meiotic recombination in sexual diploid and apomictic triploid dandelions (Taraxacum officinale L.).

Taraxacum officinale L. (dandelion) is a vigorous weed in Europe with diploid sexual populations in the southern regions and partially overlapping populations of diploid sexuals and triploid or tetraploid apomicts in the central and northern regions. Previous studies have demonstrated unexpectedly high levels of genetic variation in the apomictic populations, suggesting the occurrence of genetic segregation in the apomicts and (or) hybridization between sexual and apomictic individuals. In this study we analysed meiosis in both sexual diploid and apomictic triploid plants to find mechanisms that could account for the high levels of genetic variation in the apomicts. Microscopic study of microsporocytes in the triploid apomicts revealed that the levels of chromosome pairing and chiasma formation at meiotic prophase I were lower than in that of the sexual diploids, but still sufficient to assume recombination between the homologues. Nomarski DIC (differential interference contrast) microscopy of optically cleared megasporocytes in the apomicts demonstrated incidental formation of tetrads, which suggests that hybridization can occur in triploid apomicts.     

Comparative cyto-embryological investigations of sexual and apomictic dandelions (Taraxacum) and their apomictic hybrids

. In the autonomous apomictic Taraxacum officinale (common dandelion), parthenogenetic egg cells develop into embryos and central cells into endosperm without prior fertilisation. Unreduced (2n) megaspores are formed via meiotic diplospory, a nonreductional type of meiosis. In this paper, we describe the normal developmental pathways of sexual and apomictic reproduction and compare these with the development observed in the apomictic hybrids. In sexual diploids, a standard type of megasporogenesis and embryo sac development is synchronised between florets in individual capitula. In contrast, we observed that megasporogenesis and gametogenesis proceeded asynchronously between florets within a single capitulum of natural triploid apomicts. In addition, autonomous endosperm and embryo development initiated independently within individual florets. Parthenogenetic initiation of embryo development in outdoor apomicts was found to be temperature-dependent. Egg cells produced in natural apomicts were not fertilised after pollination with haploid pollen grains although pollen tubes were observed to grow into their embryo sacs. Both reductional and diplosporous megasporogenesis were observed in individual inflorescences of triploid apomictic hybrids. Embryo and endosperm development initiated independently in natural and hybrid apomicts.     

Detecting small-scale genotype-environment interactions in apomictic dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) populations

Studies of genotype × environment interactions (G × E) and local adaptation provide critical tests of natural selection’s ability to counter opposing forces such as gene flow. Such studies may be greatly facilitated in asexual species, given the possibility for experimental replication at the level of true genotypes (rather than populations) and the possibility of using molecular markers to assess genotype–environment associations in the field (neither of which is possible for most sexual species). Here, we tested for G × E in asexual dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) by subjecting six genotypes to experimental drought, mown and benign (control) conditions and subsequently using microsatellites to assess genotype–environment associations in the field. We found strong G × E, with genotypes that performed poorly under benign conditions showing the highest performance under stressful conditions (drought or mown). Our six focal genotypes comprise > 80% of plants in local populations. The most common genotype in the field showed its highest relative performance under mown conditions (the most common habitat in our study area), and almost all plants of this genotype in the field were found growing in mowed lawns. Genotypes performing best under benign experimental conditions were found most frequently in unmown conditions in the field. These results are strongly indicative of local adaptation at a very small scale, with unmown microsites of only a few square metres typically embedded within larger mown lawns. By studying an asexual species, we were able to map genotypes with known ecological characteristics to environments with high spatial precision.     

Allozyme variation in sexual and apomictic Taraxacum and Pilosella (Asteraceae) populations

Allozyme spectra of peroxidase, esterase, superoxid dismutase, tyrosinase, alcohol dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, and acid phosphatase were examined in populations of sexual (Taraxacum serotinum and Pilosella echioides) and apomictic (T. officinalis and P. officinarum) plant species. The heterozygosity in these populations (0.455-0.620) proved to be considerably higher than the average level characteristic of plant populations (0.058-0.185). The populations examined did not differ in the mean phenotype number mu, i.e., they exhibited the same diversity (3.213-3.380). The proportion of rare phenotypes h also did not differ between the sexual and apomictic species of the same genus, whereas this parameter in the Pilosella populations (0.150-0.174) was significantly higher than in the Taraxacum ones (0.093-0.114). The populations were characterized by numerous isozyme spectra (more than 11 per populations) and displayed multiple allelism (the mean allele frequency was 3.63-4.38 per locus). They exhibited a high percentage of rare (occurring at a frequency lower than 5%) spectra (35-80%). This indicates that agamic complexes, to which these populations belong, may have a more complicated genetic structure of both apomictic and sexual populations than the species that do not belong to agamic complexes.     

Within-population genetic diversity of Taraxacum officinale (Asteraceae): differential genotype response and effect on interspecific competition

Clonal offspring of five morphologically distinct individuals of Taraxacum officinale were planted in a greenhouse experiment with each of three competitors, Plantago major, Poa pratensis and Trifolium pratense. The competitors were chosen to represent a series of competitive environments experienced by a natural population of T. officinale through the year. Differences in size, morphology, and response to the competitive environments were found among clones and support classification of the five individuals as distinct genotypes. Both differential competitive responses (alteration in performance) and competitive effects (impediment by competitor performance) were exhibited among genotypes. The differential response by the T. officinale genotypes to the competitors indicates that the biotic environment may influence the genetic structure of a population. The biotic environment in this case is determined by the sequential appearance and dominance of competitors in a field rather than the spatial distribution of these competitors. Since competitors change in relative dominance across seasons, competition is likely to be a component of the genotype by season interaction that had been observed in the natural population. Thus, differential responses among genotypes to a temporally and spatially fluctuating biotic environment may contribute to the maintenance of within-population genetic diversity.     

In vitro morphogenetic responses from obligatory apomictic Taraxacum belorussicum Val. N. Tikhom seedlings explants

Taraxacum belorussicum Val. N. Tikhom, a poorly known and obligatory apomictic species, is an attractive plant material for studying the embryological, genetic and molecular mechanisms of apomixis. This work aims to obtain an efficient protocol for Taraxacum belorussicum regeneration. Four types of explants (cotyledons, hypocotyls, meristems and roots) that were taken from 2-weeks-old seedlings were used for in vitro cultures, and a fast and efficient protocol of T. belorussicum regeneration was obtained. Various ½ MS-based media containing IAA (5.71 µM), TDZ (4.54 µM) and PSK (100 nM) were chosen to assess the morphogenetic abilities of selected T. belorussicum explants. Studies on the role of PSK were done in three independent experiments, where the most significant factors were always light and darkness. All explants produced callus by the third day of culture and adventitious shoots after 7 days, although in an asynchronous indirect manner, and with different intensities for all explant types. The most preferred medium culture for hypocotyl, cotyledon and meristem explants was ½ MS?+?TDZ, and ½ MS?+?IAA?+?TDZ?+?PSK for roots which were the only explant sensitive to PSK. A short darkness pretreatment (8 days) in PSK medium was found suitable to enhance organogenesis. Secondary organogenesis was observed for regenerated plants on meristem explants from the ½ MS?+?IAA?+?TDZ?+?PSK medium. A weak somatic embryogenesis was observed for hypocotyl and cotyledon explants from ½ MS?+?IAA?+?TDZ and ½ MS?+?IAA?+?TDZ?+?PSK media. Histological and scanning electron microscope images (SEM) of T. belorussicum confirmed indirect organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis. Plant material treated with aniline blue solution revealed the presence of callose in the cell walls of cotyledon and hypocotyl explants. The presence of extracellular matrix (ECM) and heterogenic structure of callus was also verified by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, confirming the high morphogenetic ability of T. belorussicum.

     

Selection on apomictic lineages of Taraxacum at establishment in a mixed sexual–apomictic population

A species’ mode of reproduction, sexual or asexual, will affect its ecology and evolution. In many species, asexuality is related to polyploidy. In Taraxacum, apomicts are triploid, and sexuals are diploid. To disentangle the effects of ploidy level and reproductive mode on life‐history traits, we compared established apomictic Taraxacum genotypes with newly synthesized apomictic genotypes, obtained from diploid–triploid crosses. Diploid–triploid crossing is probably the way that most apomictic lineages originate. New genotypes had on average a much lower seed set than established genotypes. Established genotypes differed on average from new genotypes, in particular under shaded conditions: the established genotypes had longer leaves and flowered later. The differences between new and established triploids resembled the differences that have been found between sexual diploids and established apomictic triploids. We conclude that ploidy differences alone are not directly responsible for observed differences between sexual diploid and apomictic triploid dandelions.     

Synergids and filiform apparatus in the sexual and apomictic dandelions from section Palustria (Taraxacum, Asteraceae)

An evolutionary trend to reduce “unnecessary costs” associated with the sexual reproduction of their amphimictic ancestors, which may result in greater reproductive success, has been observed among the obligatory apomicts. However, in the case of the female gametophyte, knowledge about this trend in apomicts is not sufficient because most of the ultrastructural studies of the female gametophyte have dealt with amphimictic angiosperms. In this paper, we tested the hypothesis that, in contrast to amphimictic plants, synergids in apomictic embryo sacs do not form a filiform apparatus. We compared the synergid structure in two dandelions from sect. Palustria: the amphimictic diploid Taraxacum tenuifolium and the apomictic tetraploid, male-sterile Taraxacum brandenburgicum. Synergids in both species possessed a filiform apparatus. In T. brandenburgicum, both synergids persisted for a long time without any degeneration, in spite of the presence of an embryo and endosperm. We propose that the persistent synergids in apomicts may play a role in the transport of nutrients to the embryo.     

Endogenous gibberellin levels and senescence in Taraxacum officinale

Summary The level of endogenous gibberellins (GAs) in leaf tissue of Taraxacum officinale was high during leaf growth and expansion but declined progressively during leaf senescence. In the chromatographic system used, most of the GA from Taraxacum leaves moves with the R_f of GA₃. However, several other GAs were also effective in retarding senescence in Taraxacum leaves. It is concluded that ageing of dandelion leaves is associated with a deficiency of endogenous GA.     

药蒲公英(Taraxacum officinale Weber)耐1.5% NaCl变异体的筛选及特性分析

为提高药蒲公英的耐盐性, 用20~30 d大小的药蒲公英叶片诱导愈伤, 获得的愈伤以NaCl作为选择因子, 用直接筛选的方法, 每3周进行一次继代培养, 经3个月继代筛选获得了耐1.5% NaCl的药蒲公英愈伤组织, 将耐1.5% NaCl的药蒲公英愈伤组织接种在分化培养基上分化出芽, 之后将再生芽转接到生根培养基中进行生根培养, 经4个月得到了12株耐1.5% NaCl的药蒲公英再生植株。与野生型相比, 耐盐植株叶片宽大、叶柄粗短、叶表面覆盖白色细毛, 根粗壮较短, 花茎中部具2 cm左右的苞叶。RAPD(Random amplified polymorphic DNA , 随机扩增的多态性DNA)和SDS-PAGE检测表明, 耐盐植株与对照植株在DNA及蛋白水平上均存在明显差异。1.5% NaCl处理后, 与普通再生植株相比, 耐盐株系的抗氧化酶活性明显提高, 脯氨酸含量上升幅度更为显著, 而丙二醛(MDA)含量降低, 其主要药用成分黄酮的含量显著增加。这些结果说明耐盐植株的抗氧化防御能力明显增强。以上结果表明耐1.5% NaCl的药蒲公英再生植株为耐1.5% NaCl药蒲公英变异体, 这些耐盐变异体有望成为抗盐耐海水蔬菜家族的新成员。同时, 这些耐盐变异体植株比普通植株具有更高的医用商业价值。耐1.5% NaCl的药蒲公英再生变异体遗传稳定性的研究正在进行中。     

药蒲公英(Taraxacum officinale Weber)耐1.5% NaCl变异体的筛选及特性分析

为提高药蒲公英的耐盐性, 用20~30 d大小的药蒲公英叶片诱导愈伤, 获得的愈伤以NaCl作为选择因子, 用直接筛选的方法, 每3周进行一次继代培养, 经3个月继代筛选获得了耐1.5% NaCl的药蒲公英愈伤组织, 将耐1.5% NaCl的药蒲公英愈伤组织接种在分化培养基上分化出芽, 之后将再生芽转接到生根培养基中进行生根培养, 经4个月得到了12株耐1.5% NaCl的药蒲公英再生植株。与野生型相比, 耐盐植株叶片宽大、叶柄粗短、叶表面覆盖白色细毛, 根粗壮较短, 花茎中部具2 cm左右的苞叶。RAPD(Random amplified polymorphic DNA , 随机扩增的多态性DNA)和SDS-PAGE检测表明, 耐盐植株与对照植株在DNA及蛋白水平上均存在明显差异。1.5% NaCl处理后, 与普通再生植株相比, 耐盐株系的抗氧化酶活性明显提高, 脯氨酸含量上升幅度更为显著, 而丙二醛(MDA)含量降低, 其主要药用成分黄酮的含量显著增加。这些结果说明耐盐植株的抗氧化防御能力明显增强。以上结果表明耐1.5% NaCl的药蒲公英再生植株为耐1.5% NaCl药蒲公英变异体, 这些耐盐变异体有望成为抗盐耐海水蔬菜家族的新成员。同时, 这些耐盐变异体植株比普通植株具有更高的医用商业价值。耐1.5% NaCl的药蒲公英再生变异体遗传稳定性的研究正在进行中。     

耐盐药蒲公英(Taraxacum officinale Weber)愈伤组织筛选及生理生化特性分析

为获得耐1.5% NaCl的药蒲公英(Taraxacum officinale Weber)愈伤组织, 以药蒲公英叶片外植体为材料诱导愈伤组织。以NaCl为选择因子, 从愈伤组织直接筛选。在选择培养基上, 大部分愈伤组织褐化死亡, 个别褐化死亡的愈伤组织周围有少量新的细胞团长出, 将其转接到新鲜的选择培养基上, 每3周继代一次, 经3个月继代筛选获得了耐1.5% NaCl的药蒲公英细胞团。以普通愈伤组织为对照, 发现随着NaCl浓度升高, 耐盐愈伤组织的相对生长率下降但显著高于对照; 且随着盐胁迫处理时间延长持续升高, 而普通愈伤组织对照几乎停止生长, 说明耐盐愈伤组织具有相对稳定的耐盐性。在蛋白水平上, 耐盐愈伤组织与对照愈伤组织差异明显, SDS-PAGE分析显示: 耐盐愈伤组织比对照多出一条34 kD大小的蛋白带, 且30 kD、18 kD左右的蛋白带明显上调。相同处理条件下耐盐愈伤组织脯氨酸的增加幅度高于对照。盐胁迫条件下, 耐盐愈伤组织的超氧化物歧化酶(Super oxidase dimutase, SOD)、过氧化物酶(Peroxidase, POD)和过氧化氢酶(Catalase, CAT)活性明显高于对照,且随着处理时间的延长和盐浓度的增加呈现升高的趋势, 而对照则呈现先升高后下降的趋势。结果说明耐盐愈伤组织一方面通过小分子有机溶质如脯氨酸的方式调节其渗透平衡, 另一方面还可通过提高抗氧化能力降低盐分造成的次级伤害。积累蛋白也可能是耐盐愈伤组织调节渗透平衡的一种方式。通过生理生化分析确定我们获得的耐盐愈伤组织为耐盐变异体。     

The occurrence of shoot teratomata in tissue cultures of Taraxacum officinale

Summary Tissue cultures of Taraxacum officinale have been isolated showing either normal organogenesis, callus growth only, or teratological shoots. The latter are apparently stable and the teratomata range from tumerous outgrowths, to flattened thalloid forms and short shoots with strap shaped leaves. The proximal regions of such shoots are tumerous and no distinction between apex, leaf and bud primordia is possible.     

Morphological, developmental and electrophoretic variation within and between obligately apomictic Taraxacum species

Interclonal variation in six morphometric characters and in the onset and rate of capitulum production, together with inter-and intra-clonal variation in esterase zymograms was examined in each of the two obligately apomictic species, Taraxacum pseudohamatum (section Hamata ) and T. unguilobum (section Naevosa ). Interclonal and interspecific variation in esterase zymograms was also examined within and between seven additional obligately apomictic species within the section Hamata. Within T. pseudohamatum , interclonal variation in the morphometric and electrophoretic characters was extensive; no variation was recorded in the onset and rate of capitulum production. Within T. unguilobum , interclonal variation in the morphometric characters and in the onset and rate of capitulum production was recorded; five of the six clones electrophoretically assayed shared the same esterase zymogram but one of these clones contained an individual which exhibited an aberrant zymogram. Within the section Hamata , considerable variation in esterase zymograms was recorded; this variation was both inter-and intra-specific although one zymogram predominated, being represented in each species and in 65% of the clones.     

Differential effect of inter- and intraspecific competition on the performance of invasive and native Taraxacum species

Inter- and intraspecific competitive abilities are significant determinants of invasive success and the ecological impact of non-native plants. We tested two major hypotheses on the competitive ability of invasive species using invasive (Taraxacum officinale) and native (T. platycarpum) dandelions: differential interspecific competitive ability between invasive and native species and the kin recognition of invasive species. We collected seeds from two field sites where the two dandelion species occurred nearby. Plants were grown alone, with kin (plants from the same maternal genotype) or strangers (plants from different populations) of the same species, or with different species in a growth chamber, and the performance at the early developmental stage between species and treatments was compared. The invasive dandelions outcompeted the native dandelions when competing against each other, although no difference between species was detected without competition or with intraspecific competition. Populations of native species responded to interspecific competition differently. The effect of kinship on plant performance differed between the tested populations in both species. A population produced more biomass than the other populations when grown with a stranger, and this trend was manifested more in native species. Our results support the hypothesis that invasive plants have better competitive ability than native plants, which potentially contributes to the establishment and the range expansion of T. officinale in the introduced range. Although kin recognition is expected to evolve in invasive species, the competitive ability of populations rather than kinship seems to affect plant growth of invasive T. officinale under intraspecific competition.