Leaf Senescence and Abscisic Acid in Leaves of Field-grown Soybean

Leaf senescence in field-grown soybean (Merrill) as defined by the period after full expansion, was studied by measuring abscisic acid (ABA), total soluble protein, and chlorophyll in leaves through the later part of the growing season. ABA concentrations increased significantly at the end of the season when leaves had started to turn yellow, well after total soluble protein and chlorophyll had started to decline. The results indicate that events occurring before leaf yellowing are more significant in evaluating leaf senescence since the yellowing condition and rise in ABA are effects of changes in physiological activity beginning when leaves are still green.     

Effects of Abscisic Acid and Water Stress on the Senescence of Detached Rice Leaves

The effects of abscisic acid (ABA) and water stress on senescence and enzyme activities of oxygen scavenging enzymes of detached rice leaves were compared. Exogenously applied ABA exhibited water stress-like effects by promoting senescence, by decreasing the activities of catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. It seems that the effects of water stress on senescence and enzyme activities are possibly mediated through increased content of endogenous ABA. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Control of Ribonuclease and Acid Phosphatase by Auxin and Abscisic Acid during Senescence of Rhoeo Leaf Sections

We report the effects of abscisic acid and auxin (α-naphthalene acetic acid) on regulation of enzyme synthesis during senescence of leaf sections of Rhoeo discolor Hance. Abscisic acid always accelerates the onset of and enhances the magnitude of the increase in activity of acid phosphatase; this is followed by an acceleration of the onset of a rapid increase in free space.     

Abscisic Acid and Water Relations of Rice (Oryza sativa L.): Effects of Drought Conditioning on Abscisic Acid Accumulation in the Leaf and Stomatal Response

The effects of a period of water stress (drought conditioning)on responses to a second (challenge) stress were examined inyoung vegetative rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants. Drought conditioningdid not affect the rate of subsequent stress development, nor,in a first experiment, did it influence relations between turgor(_p) and total () leaf water potential. However, conditioningdid extend the range of _p over which stomata remained open andsignificantly reduced the amount of ABA which accumulated inthe leaf at a given _p. The change in stomatal behaviour (stomataladjustment) was quantitatively accounted for by the change inleaf ABA accumulation. The reduction in ABA accumulation due to conditioning did notinvolve a change in the potential capacity to produce ABA, asABA accumulation in partially dehydrated detached leaves wasnot reduced by conditioning. It is suggested that effects ofconditioning on leaf ABA content in the intact plant involvechanges in the rate of ABA export from the leaf. Oryza sativa L, rice, drought conditioning, stomata, water stress, abscisic acid     

Effects of Cycloheximide and Light on Leaf Senescence in Maize and Hydrangea

The senescence of maize and hydrangea leaves after detachmentand darkening was studied in terms of the loss of chlorophylland protein. Chlorophyll contents of the detached leaves decreasedin the dark in both plants. Cycloheximide at 0.1 mM effectivelyinhibited the loss of chlorophyll in maize, but did not do soin hydrangea. Continuous irradiation with white light of 4.6Wm^–2 prevented the loss of chlorophyll in hydrangea leaves,while it caused bleaching of maize leaves. Reducing agents suchas ascorbic acid and glutathione did not prevent the bleachingby light. In maize leaves, the amount of protein decreased inthe dark more slowly than that of chlorophyll, and cycloheximideslightly prevented the protein decrease. Continuous light irradiationof 4.6 Wm^–2 delayed the loss of protein more effectivelythan cycloheximide did. (Received January 31, 1981; Accepted May 21, 1981)     

Retardation of Leaf Senescence by Ascorbic Acid

Leaf discs of Solatium melongena were floated on various concentrationsof ascorbic acid (AA), gibberellic acid (GA₃), and kinetin inorder to study their effect on senescence. AA was highly effectivein retarding senescence as shown by the arrest of the fall inlevels of chlorophyll, DNA, RNA, and proteins. AA was effectiveat a lower concentration than that of GA₃ or kinetin.     

The Role of Abscisic Acid in Senescence of Detached Tobacco Leaves

The role of abscisic acid in the regulation of senescence was investigated in detached tobacco leaves (Nicotiana rustica L.). Leaves senesced in darkness showed a sharp rise in abscisic acid level in the early stage of aging, followed by a rapid decline later. The same trend was found when leaves were aged in light, but the rise in abscisic acid occurred four days later than in darkness. Senescence was slower in light than in darkness, while salt stress accelerated the processes. Leaves treated with kinetin which senesced in light and darkness, did not show an increase in abscisic acid. Application of kinetin led to a transformation from free to bound ABA. These results may indicate that ABA and cytokinin are involved in a trigger mechanism which regulates senescence; the stage at which this trigger is activated determines the rate of senescence.     

水稻叶片衰老相关基因的研究进展

水稻叶片的衰老是制约杂交稻产量提高的主要因素之一,有数据表明水稻籽粒灌浆所需营养物质的60%～80%来自叶片的光合作用,实践证明叶片每推迟1天衰老,产量可提高产1%左右.因此,对叶片衰老的形态、生理生化及其相关分子机理等进行研究具有重要的现实意义.近年来水稻叶片衰老的相关研究表明,叶片的衰老是一个受众多因素影响的复杂过程,在这个过程中叶片发生了巨大的形态与生理生化变化,而这些变化均离不开基因的调控作用.大量实验结果表明:在衰老过程中,叶片细胞有选择地启动或增强某些基因(叶片衰老相关基因)的表达,而关闭或减弱另一些基因(衰老下调基因)的表达,由此来调控叶片衰老的进程.目前研究者已在研究衰老突变体等相关的材料中发现了许多与水稻叶片衰老有关的基因.本文重点概述了近年来水稻叶片衰老相关基因的研究状况,并对未来研究方向等问题做了思考与探讨,以期能为开展进一步的研究工作提供参考.     

Modification of Leaf Size in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) and its Effects on Water Stress-induced Abscisic Acid Accumulation

The ability of detached leaves of the rice cultivars IR20 and63–83 and their F₂ progeny to accumulate ABA in responseto water stress is negatively correlated with leaf size. Itwas shown that this association was not an artifact of incubationconditions following the imposition of stress. Also, it waspossible to break the correlation by selecting plants in segregatingpopulations which differed in ABA yet had similar leaf size. In further experiments, leaf size was altered phenotypicallyby various treatments; either being increased by gibberellinapplication or periodic removal of tillers, or reduced by priorexposure to water stress or ABA. Although responses to thesetreatments were complex, the results demonstrated that leafsize and accumulation capacity were at least partially independent.It is suggested that the correlations observed previously inF₂ populations from the cross IR20 x 63–83 were a resultof genetic linkage. Oryza saliva L., rice, leaf size, abscisic acid, water stress     

杂交水稻开花结实期间叶片衰老

在杂交水稻开花期间,通过剪去穗部部分枝梗和叶片等处理,形成不同的库源比,叶片衰老的生理生化指标变化和结实率的测定表明,杂交水稻组合的库源矛盾大,叶片衰老快;但谷粒数与旗叶面积比不一定高,降低库源比,能明显减缓杂交水稻叶片中蛋白质、叶绿素含量及倒3、4、5片叶叶绿素含量的平均值与旗叶叶绿素含量的比率的下降和丙二醇含量的升高。这些都说明杂交水稻叶片功能早衰与其库源矛盾较大有关。     

Effects of Abscisic Acid on Senescence, Permeability and Ribosomal Patterns in Mimosa Hypocotyl Callus Tissue

Abscisie acid effects on ³²P uptake, polysomal patterns and senescence in mimosa (Albizzia julibrissin Durazzini) hypocotyl callus tissues were compared. Incubation of hypocotyl callus tissue with, abscisic acid for 4.5 h significantly decreased tissue uptake of ³²P, and quantitatively, but not significantly, decreased incorporation of ³²P into ribosomal fractions after adjusting for uptake. Abscisic acid accelerated senescence in the callus tissues. Abscisic acid inhibition of ³²P uptake is presented as a possible source of misinterpretation of ribosomal ³²P incorporation data.     

Changes in Abscisic Acid During Leaf Yellowing of Cut Stock Flowers

Leaf pigments, such as chlorophyll and carotenoids, are essential plant molecules. They provide carbohydrates and energy during all plant life. Leaf pigments are also important parameters of decorative plants, such as floriculture items, cut foliage and flowers. Leaf yellowing is a form of senescence caused by an internal hormone imbalance, such as a lack of cytokinins. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in total carotenoids and endogenous ABA in cut flower stock leaves during post-harvest life. The effect of pulse treatment with 5 or 10 M thidiazuron (TDZ), 150 mg l^–1 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate (8-HQS) and combinations of TDZ with 8-HQS on total carotenoids and ABA concentration was also investigated. Results showed that total carotenoids drastically decreased from 1548 g cm^–2, until reaching 565 g cm_–2 at the end of vase life. Endogenous ABA strongly increased at the same time, going from 167 ng g^–1 DW at the beginning of the experiment to 1322 ng g^–1 DW at the end of vase life. The TDZ inhibited carotenoid degradation, but did not affect the ABA concentration, while the 8-HQS did not prevent carotenoid degradation and the ABA concentration was only slightly affected. ABA seems to be a secondary senescence bio-product that may have a synergic effect with other senescence inducers dramatically accelerating leaf senescence.     

Interrelationship between Abscisic Acid and Ethylene in the Control of Senescence Processes in Carnation Flowers

The involvement of abscisic acid (ABA) in senescence of carnationflowers, in the presence of silver ions (which inhibit ethyleneaction), and aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) (an inhibitor ofethylene synthesis) was studied. ABA stimulated senescence asseen by advancement of ethylene surge, and time to the developmentof in-rolling of petal margins. ABA also increased the sensitivityof the flowers to ethylene. Silver ions did not affect the timeor extent of the ethylene surge, but prevented the appearanceof visual senescence symptoms, and lowered the sensitivity toethylene. AVG delayed the ethylene surge and lowered the maximumrate of ethylene production. Also, AVG delayed the developmentof visible senscence. In the presence of silver ions, ABA advanced the ethylene surgebut senescence symptoms did not develop. The effect of ABA onthe parameters measured was prevented by AVG. Thus it is suggestedthat ABA exerts its effect on senescence via ethylene. The possibleinvolvement of an ABA-ethylene sequence as a mediator of waterstress-promoted senescence is discussed.     

The Intracellular Location of Abscisic Acid in Stressed and Non-Stressed Leaf Tissue

The intra-cellular location of ABA was investigated in relation to its sites of synthesis. Chloroplasts were isolated from stressed and non-stressed spinach leaves and their ABA content determined. Virtually all of the ABA from non-stressed leaves was contained in the chloroplasts compared with only a small fraction of ABA isolated from stressed leaves. Chloroplasts prepared from turgid leaves and subsequently lysed in vitro retained most of their ABA and phaseic acid (PA) complement but this was removed with organic solvents. While the possibility of extra-chloroplastic synthesis cannot be discounted the data indicate that stress-induced ABA synthesis occurs in the chloroplast and that the ABA readily migrates from there to other parts of the plant.     

Heterophylly in Ranunculus flabellaris: The Effect of Abscisic Acid on Leaf Anatomy

Ranunculus flabellaris Raf., the yellow water crowfoot, exhibitsstriking heterophylly between submerged and terrestrial leaves.Leaves produced under water are highly divided with numerousnarrow lobes and deep sinuses, whereas terrestrial leaves havefew broad lobes and shallow sinuses. When plants are submergedin a 25 µM solution of ABA, the typical transition fromterrestrial to submerged leaves is completely suppressed and,instead, terrestrial-like leaves are produced. Image analysistechniques show that, in addition to this modification of leafmorphology, leaves produced under ABA treatment possess surfaceand internal features characteristic of terrestrial leaf anatomy.This study provides evidence that the environmental factorsthat influence the morphological and anatomical expression ofheterophylly may act through endogenous ABA. Ranunculus flabellaris, yellow water crowfoot, ABA, heterophylly, leaf anatomy     

Heterophylly in Ranunculus flabellaris: The Effect of Abscisic Acid on Leaf Ultrastructure

Ranunculus flabellaris Rafin., an aquatic buttercup, exhibitsheterophylly at the level of cellular ultrastructure. Comparedto terrestrial leaves, underwater leaves have thinner epidermalcell walls and more numerous paramural bodies per epidermaland mesophyll cell cross-section. The number of chloroplastsand mitochondria in cell cross-sections also contrasts betweenthe two leaf types. Despite within-and between-leaf variations,different patterns of organelle distribution for the two leafforms were found using principal coordinates analysis. In addition,underwater leaf chloroplasts are smaller, have fewer grana,a greater number of thylakoids/granum, and less starch comparedto chloroplasts from terrestrial leaves. At the ultrastructurallevel, submergence in ABA solution does not produce a leaf withas many characteristics of the terrestrial environment, as shownin previous studies of leaf morphology and anatomy. While numberand distribution of organelles in ABA-treated leaves are similarto terrestrial leaves, some features of chloroplast internalstructure and paramural body number and distribution resembleunderwater leaves. It is postulated that ABA acts as a morphogeninvolved in guiding the irreversible processes of leaf development,but certain subcellular characteristics may be determined directlyby the physical environment. Difficulties encountered in quantitativeanalyses of cellular ultrastructure are discussed. Ranunculus flabellaris, ABA, heterophylly, leaf ultrastructure, principal coordinates analysis     

Interaction of Kinetin and Abscisic Acid in the Avena Straight-Growth Test

Different amounts of abscisic acid, 2.7 × 10^?9? 5 × 10^?8 moles, were chromatographed in isopropanol: ammonia: water (100:14:6), firstly alone and secondly together with 5 × 10^?8 moles kinetin. The same amount of kinetin was also chromatographed alone. The chromatograms were tested biologically with the Avena straight-growth test. Whereas a large part of the chromatograms of kinetin gives growth stimulation, the Rf region 0.4–0.6 of abscisic acid chromatograms is strongly growth-inhibiting. The inhibition within this Rf region does not become less if abscisic acid and kinetin are chromatographed together.