Biological degradation of tannins in sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) by the white rot fungi Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Cyathus stercoreus analyzed by solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Leaves of sericea lespedeza exhibit a high proportion of condensed tannin, resulting in poor forage quality. The white rot fungi Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Cyathus sterocoreus are known to preferentially degrade lignin in a variety of plants and were evaluated for their ability to degrade condensed tannin from sericea leaves with the aim of improving digestibility. Relative levels of condensed tannin, cutin, pectin, and cellulose were monitored as a function of fungal treatment by solid-state cross-polarization and magic angle spinning 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Total soluble phenolics, soluble tannins, and soluble and insoluble proanthocyanidin levels in fungus-treated and control samples were measured by established chemical techniques. Results indicate that both species of fungus preferentially degrade condensed tannin and that C. subvermispora is markedly superior to C. stercoreus in this capacity.     

Reaction of Field-grown Sericea Lespedeza to Selected Meloidogyne spp.

Five sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata [Dumont] G. Don) breeding lines resistant to Meloidogyne incognita, M. incognita acrita, and M. hapla as seedlings in greenhouse tests and two varieties were resistant to M. incognita acrita in field experiments. Root-knot galling and larvae numbers were less for resistant entries than for the susceptible check when grown in root-knot infested field soil for three growing seasons. Forage yields were as much as 57 times greater for resistant entries than for susceptible check. Lines resistant to M. incognita acrita generally appeared more tolerant to M. javanica than the susceptible check in the field. A population predominantly M. incognita acrita built up on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L.) shifted to M. javanica under sericea lespedeza.     

Dry Matter Partitioning in a Determinate and an Indeterminate Cultivar of Vicia faba L. Under Contrasting Plant Distributions and Densities

Models for root: shoot, vegetative: generative and stem: leafpartitioning are presented to quantify dry matter partitioningof two contrasting genotypes of Vicia faba, an indeterminateand a ‘topless’. A third plant type, a determinateof which two to three inflorescences had been removed, was alsoincluded but behaved similarly to the intact plant. The root:shoot partitioning model predicts linear relationships betweenroot proportion and the product of air vapour pressure deficitand relative growth rate. Data from field experiments were consistentwith model prediction and coefficients estimated were similarfor both genotypes. Partitioning into pods was modelled as proportionalto the number of actively growing pods younger than 1000°Cd. Coefficients estimated were similar in both genotypes butdifferent between densities and years. In the indeterminategenotype, stem: leaf ratio was allometric throughout, whereasleaf growth ceased but stem growth continued in the determinateafter formation of the terminal inflorescence. Relatively moredry matter was allocated to stems than to leaves in high thanin low densities. In conclusion, the main differences in drymatter partitioning between genotypes concern leaf: stem partitioningduring early pod filling and pod partitioning due to pod numberdifferences. Partitioning, root, shoot, leaf, stem, Vicia faba L.     

模拟昆虫取食对牛膝菊防御特征的影响

为了解入侵植物牛膝菊的入侵机理,研究其应对昆虫取食的响应,在开花前喷洒不同浓度(5、10、20 mmol·L-1)的茉莉酸甲酯(MeJA)来模拟不同程度的昆虫取食,试验结束时测定其株高、叶片数、花序数、生物量、比叶面积、叶上表皮毛密度,以及叶和花序中的缩合单宁、总酚、黄酮含量.结果表明:5 mmol·L-1 MeJA处...     

Photosynthesis, Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase and Leaf Characteristics of Nicotiana tabacum L. Genotypes Selected by Survival at Low CO2 Concentrations

The photosynthetic characteristics (responses to CO₂ and light),ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco) properties,and the size and number of cells of the mesophyll of Nicotianatabacum L. leaves of genotypes selected for survival at lowatmospheric CO₂ concentrations are described. When grown inthe greenhouse with nutrient solutions, the total dry matterproduction of the selected genotypes was 23% greater than thatof the parent genotype; this increase was related to a greaternumber of mesophyll cells of smaller size in the selected plantscompared to the parent. However, it was not related to changesin the photosynthetic characteristics nor to Rubisco properties.These results suggest that the increased dry matter accumulationof the selected genotypes is not due to a reduction in photorespirationnor an increase in the CO₂ assimilation rates. Rather, the selectionof haploid tobacco plantlets in low CO₂ has resulted in plantswith greater leaf area (shown in previous work), due to theproduction of more cells of smaller size and to lower respirationrates per unit of leaf dry mass (previous work), thus increasinglight capture, reducing the loss of assimilates and increasingtotal plant dry matter production. Key words: Photosynthesis, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase, leaf anatomy, tobacco, genotypes     

Influence of Leaf Age, Soil Moisture, VPD and Time of Day on Leaf Conductance of Various Musa Genotypes in a Humid Forest-Moist Savanna Transition Site

Leaf age effects on the leaf conductance to water vapour diffusionof the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces were measured in themorning and in the afternoon on 17 different plantain and banana(Musa spp.) genotypes. The irradiance levels increased three-foldwhile leaf to air vapour pressure deficit levels increased two-to four-fold from morning to afternoon during the sampling periodin a field site located in the humid forest-moist savanna transitionzone of Nigeria. Conductance values were reduced in older, andsenescing leaves relative to the young and mature leaves bothin the morning and in the afternoon. Conductances were higherfor the abaxial leaf surfaces than the adaxial surface and higherin the afternoon than in the morning, with some genotypic differences.Lower values of leaf conductance to water vapour in the afternoonunder a short dry spell was sufficiently variable (P 0·05)among the test genotypes to indicate potential adaptation totransient dry conditions. Differential and relative leaf conductanceadjustments were noted among genotypes experiencing a shortdry spell versus non-limiting soil moisture conditions. Significantgenotypic differences were observed for leaf conductance amongthe 17 genotypes during the afternoon on the lower leaf surfaceof younger leaves. ABB cooking banana cultivars 'Fougamou' and'Bluggoe' might be potentially promising cultivars for transientdry conditions while AAB plantain 'Bobby Tannap' and one ofits hybrids TMPx 582-4 could be very sensitive to short dryspells according to this evaluation.Copyright 1994, 1999 AcademicPress Musa spp., Musa hybrids, adaxial leaf surface, abaxial leaf surface, stomatal response     

A Partially Permineralized Lepidophloios from the Early Upper Carboniferous of Scotland

A terminal shoot of Lepidophloios with both external morphologyand anatomy preserved is described. It is compared to the compressionspecies L. scoticus and the permineralized species L. scottiiand L. wuenschianus, all from the Lower Carboniferous of Scotland.It is characterized by the leaves having been abscissed rightup to the stem apex and by the occurrence of deflected and overlappingleaf cushions near the apex. These features are in contradictionwith current concepts about the growth of these plants. Lepidophloios, anatomy, arborescent lycopod, Carboniferous, leaf growth, terminal shoot     

Effects of soil resistance to root penetration on leaf expansion in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): composition, number and size of epidermal cells in mature blades

Wheat seedlings {Triticum aestivum L.) were grown on soils withcontrasted resistances to root penetration (measured as penetrometerresistance, R_s. High R_s reduced the rates of leaf appearanceand expansion. Although the duration of expansion was increased,mature leaves were smaller. Underlying changes in leaf anatomywere investigated on cleared mature leaves, focusing on theepidermes. Three leaves were analysed: leaves 1 and 3 whichstarted their development in the embryo, and leaf 5 which wasinitiated on the seedling, after imposition of contrasted soilconditions. In all leaves, high R_s, caused a reduction in maturecell sizes, lengths and widths, and a shift in the relativeproportions of functionally different cell types, with a decreasein the relative proportions of stomata and associated cell types(interstomatal and sister cells) and an increase in the proportionsof unspecialized elongated epidermal cells and of trichomes.In leaves 3 and 5 the number of cellular files across the bladewas also reduced, while in leaf 1 it was similar at the twoR_s. These differences between leaves are attributed to differencesin their developmental stage when root stress was first perceived.Remarkably, R_s had no effect (leaf 1) or relatively small effects(leaves 3 and 5) on the total number of cells per file, suggestingthat this parameter is either largely insensitive to variationin root environment, or is programmed at the outset before stresswas perceived at the apex. Key words: Wheat, anatomy, mature epidermis, root impedance     

Development of the Fifth Leaf is Indicative for Whole Plant Performance at Low Temperature in Tomato

In the search for early-detectable selection criteria for growthat low temperature conditions in tomato, first the initiationand growth of individual leaves was analysed. Scanning electronmicroscopy revealed that the first four primordia had alreadydeveloped during the germination period at 25°C. The primordiumof the fifth leaf, however, was initiated after the transferof seedlings to the experimental conditions. The increase inlength of the first three leaves, and to a lesser extent ofthe fourth leaf, was considerably smaller in comparison withthat of later formed leaves. Moreover, the morphology of thefirst three to four leaves was deviant, whereas the others showedthe normal compound leaf architecture. All these results indicatedthat the fifth leaf was the earliest formed leaf with growthcharacteristics that might reflect the growth potential of thewhole plant. Development of the fifth leaf was tested as a marker for wholeplant growth. At three temperature, 18, 15 and 12°C, growthresponses of the fifth leaf were similar to that of whole plantsin four tomato genotypes: Line A, Line B, Premier and MXXIV-13.Significant differences in relative growth rate of dry weightof whole plants and fifth leaves (RGR_W)and of leaf area of thefifth leaves (RGR_LA between two fast growing and two slow growinggenotypes were found. No genotype by temperature interactionfor RGR_W and RGR_LA was found, indicating that the effect oftemperature decrease was similar for the four genotypes. The structure of the mature fifth leaf of one fast and one slowgrowing genotype, Line A and MXXIV-13, was analysed. For bothgenotypes, leaves were small and thick at low temperature, 12°C.The total number of epidermis and palisade parenchyma cellsper leaf was smaller but the size of the cells developed at12°C was larger than at 18°C. Consequently, the slowgrowth at 12°C was due to a low rate of cell division. Atboth temperatures, the fifth leaf to MXXIV-13 was smaller comparedto that of line A. Since the size of the cells were similar,the smaller leaf size was due to lower number of leaf cells. The results confirm the suitability of the growth, especiallyexpressed as RGR_LA , of the fifth leaf as a nondestructive marketfor vegetative development of tomato at low temperature. Growthdifferences between genotypes were mainly reflected by differencesin cell number of leaves, which might be correlated with geneticallydetermined differences in cell number of leaf primordia.Copyright1993, 1999 Academic Press Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. genotypes, plant growth, selection criteria, low temperature, leaf initiation, leaf development, RGR, leaf structure, cell expansion     

Paraveinal Mesophyll of Soybean Leaves in Relation to Assimilate Transfer and Compartmentation : III. Immunohistochemical Localization of Specific Glycopeptides in the Vacuole after Depodding

Immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the cellular distribution of two glycosylated polypeptides (molecular weights of 27 and 29 kilodaltons) which are normally present at low levels in soybean (Glycine max var `Wye') leaves but which markedly accumulate after depodding. These polypeptides, which comprise a substantial portion of the total leaf soluble protein of depodded plants, were exclusively located in the vacuoles of paraveinal mesophyll and associated bundle sheath cells. These results support the unique role of the soybean leaf paraveinal mesophyll in the transport and spatial compartmentation of nitrogen reserves in relation to seed filling.     

Silica and Ash Content and Depositional Patterns in Tissues of Mature Zea mays L. Plants

Ash and silica content and their depositional patterns in differenttissues of the mature corn plant (Zea mays L.) were determined.Ash and silica were highest in the leaf blades (up to 16.6 and10.9 per cent, respectively) followed by the leaf sheath, tassel,roots, stem epidermis and pith, and ear husk. The percentageof ash as silica was also highest in the leaves. Silica wasextremely low in the kernels. The upper stem epidermis and pithcontained nearly twice the silica content as did the lower portion.The patterns of ash and silica distribution were similar inplants grown in two different areas of Kansas, but were in lowerconcentration in the leaves and leaf sheaths from the area withlower soluble silica in the soil. Silica was deposited in theepidermis in a continuous matrix with cell walls showing serratedinterlocking margins in both leaves and stem. Rows of lobedphytoliths of denser silica were found in the epidermis as wellas highly silicified guard cells and trichomes. The silica matrixof the epidermis appears smooth on the outer surface and porousor spongy on the inner surface. Zea mays L. Corn, maize, ash content, silica deposition, scanning electron microscopy     

NaCl-induced Senescence in Leaves of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars Differing in Salinity Resistance

The influence of NaCl on senescence-related parameters (proteinand chlorophyll concentrations, membrane permeability and chlorophyllfluorescence) was investigated in young and old leaves of fiverice cultivars differing in salt resistance. NaCl hastened thenaturally-occurring senescence of rice leaves which normallyappears during leaf ontogeny: it decreased chlorophyll and proteinconcentrations and increased membrane permeability and malondialdehydesynthesis. Such an acceleration of deteriorative processes affectedall leaves in salt-sensitive cultivars while it was more markedin oldest than in youngest leaves of salt-resistant genotypes.NaCl-induced senescence also involved specific modifications,such as an increase in basal non-variable chlorophyll fluorescence(F ₀) recorded in all cultivars or a transient increase in solubleprotein concentration recorded in salt-resistant genotypes only.Alteration of membrane permeability appeared as one of the firstsymptoms of senescence in rice leaves and allowed discriminationamong cultivars after only 7 d of stress. In contrast, F _v/F _mratio (variable fluorescence/maximal fluorescence) was thesame for all cultivars during the first 18 d of stress and thuscould not be used for identifying salt-resistant rice exposedto normal light conditions. Relationships between parametersinvolved in leaf senescence are discussed in relation to salinityresistance of rice cultivars. Chlorophyll concentration; chlorophyll fluorescence; electrolyte leakage; magnesium; malondialdehyde; membrane permeability; NaCl; Oryza sativa L.; protein; rice; salinity resistance; senescence; UV absorbing substances     

Temporal and Spatial Development of the Cells of the Expanding First Leaf of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh

The three-dimensional quantitative leaf anatomy in developingyoung (9–22 d) first leaves of wild type Arabidopsis thalianacv. Landsberg erecta from mitosis through cell and leaf expansionto the cessation of lamina growth has been studied. The domainsof cell division, the relative proportion of the cell typespresent during development and the production of intercellularspace in the developing leaf have been determined by image analysisof entire leaves sectioned in three planes. Mitotic activityoccurs throughout the youngest leaves prior to unfolding andcell expansion is initiated firstly at the leaf tip with a persistentzone of mitotic cells at the leaf base resulting in a gradientof development along the leaf axis, which persists in the olderleaves. Major anatomical changes which occur during the developmentare, a rapid increase in mesophyll volume, an increase in thevein network, and expansion of the intercellular spaces. Thepattern of cell expansion results in a 10-fold variation inmesophyll cell size in mature leaves. In the youngest leavesthe plan area of mesophyll cells varies between 100 µm²and 400 µm² whereas in mature leaves mesophyll cells rangein plan area from 800 µm² to 9500 µm². The volumesof mesophyll tissue and airspace under unit leaf area increase3-fold and 35-fold, respectively, during leaf expansion. Thevolume proportions of tissue types mesophyll:airspace:epiderrnal:vascularin the mature leaf are 61:26:12:1, respectively. This studyprovides comparative information for future identification andanalysis of leaf development mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana. Key words: Arabidopsis, quantitative leaf anatomy, leaf expansion, image analysis     

The control of chloroplast division in Funaria hygrometrica II. The effects of kinetin and indole-acetic acid on nucleic acids

Replication of chloroplast DNA is an initial stage in chloroplastdivision during regeneration of isolated moss leaves. Variousconcentrations and combinations of growth substances have beenused to ascertain their effects on initiation of cellular dedifferentiation.Results indicate that during early stages of dedifferentiationof cells of isolated leaves of the moss Funaria hygrometricaa .change in the concentration balance between indole-aceticacid (IAA) and kinetin is effective in controlling the initiationof DNA replication in nuclei and chloroplasts. One of the waysthe balance between growth substances changes in by rapid lossof IAA from the cut leaf surface after isolation of the leaf (Received January 8, 1971; )     

A Comparison of Leaf Anatomy in Field-grown Gossypium hirsutum and G. barbadense

Gossypium hirsutum L. (upland cotton) and G. barbadense L. (Pimacotton) are two of the most important fibre producing cottonspecies in cultivation. When grown side-by-side in the field,G.hirsutum has higher photosynthetic and transpiration rates (Luet al., 1997. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology24: 693–700).The present study was undertaken to determine if the differencesin physiology can be explained by leaf and canopy morphologyand anatomy. Scanning electron microscopy was used to comparethe leaf anatomy of field-grown upland (‘Delta’and ‘Pine Land 50’) and Pima (‘S6’)cotton. Compared to G. hirsutum, mature leaves of G. barbadenseare larger and thinner, with a thinner palisade layer. G. barbadenseleaves show significant cupping or curling which allows fora more even absorption of insolation over the course of theday and much more light penetration into the canopy. AlthoughG. barbadense leaves have a 70–78% higher stomatal densityon both the abaxial and the adaxial surfaces, its stomates areonly one third the size of those of G. hirsutum. This resultsin G. barbadense having only about 60% of the stomatal surfacearea per leaf surface area compared to G. hirsutum. These resultsare indicative of the anatomical and physiological differencesthat may limit the yield potential of G. barbadense in certaingrowing environments. Copyright 2000 Annals of Botany Company Cotton, leaf anatomy, leaf development, photosynthesis, Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium barbadense, stomatal density     

Vegetative Architecture of Elaeocarpus hookerianus. Transition from Juvenile to Adult

Elaeocarpus hookerianus Raoul is a profoundly heteroblastictree native to New Zealand. We describe and quantify changesin leaf morphology and anatomy, and in branching pattern atdifferent levels of insertion. Discrete juvenile, adolescentand adult phases were identified. The divaricating juvenilebore small leaves with thin laminae and an anatomy typical ofshade-plants. Juveniles had dense canopies, many thin horizontaland vertical axes, wide branch angles and highly variable branchingpatterns. Adolescents had larger leaves, fewer horizontal axeson a single, leading vertical axis, and a more consistent branchingpattern. Adults were arborescent, producing the largest, mostdifferentiated leaves on the stoutest and longest horizontalbranches. Data indicate a three-phased strategy for: (a ) providingresponsive, energy-efficient shoot systems under low-light regimes;(b ) growing rapidly to the forest canopy; and (c ) exploitingfor the forest canopy environment. Elaeocarpus hookerianus Raoul; heteroblasty; leaf morphology; leaf anatomy; branching pattern     

Abnormal Stomatal Behaviour and Leaf Anatomy in Capsicum annuum, scabrous diminutive, a Wilty Mutant of Pepper

An attempt is made to explain the tendency to excessive wiltingin scabrous diminutive, a pepper mutant. For this, mutant andnormal plants were compared with respect to leaf anatomy, transpirationof whole plants and detached drying leaves, density and openingof stomata, staining of potassium in epidermal cells and rootpressure. A much greater proportion of intracellular space was found inthe mutant leaf which contains fewer and smaller mesophyll cellsthan the normal plant. The anticlinal walls of the epidermisof the mutant leaf were almost straight whereas those of thenormal were wavy. Transpiration per unit leaf area of wholeplants, percentage of stomata open both day and night, and waterloss from detached drying leaves were all higher in the mutant.Potassium staining in guard cells was similar in both planttypes, slightly less in darkness and marginally higher in light.The subsidiary cells of normal leaves did not stain at all,but those of the mutant leaves stained heavily in both lightand darkness. Root pressure was lower in the mutant. Possible explanations for the tendency of the pepper mutantto wilt are discussed.     

Temperature and Water Relations for Sun and Shade Leaves of a Desert Broadleaf, Hyptis emoryi

The temperature and water relations of sun versus shade leavesof Hyptis emoryi Torr. were evaluated from field measurementsmade in late summer. Throughout most of the day sun leaves hadhigher temperatures and higher resistances to water vapour diffusion,but lower transpiration rates and lower stem water potentials,than did shade leaves. Leaf absorptivity to solar irradiationwas less for 1.5-cm-long sun leaves (0.44) than for 4.0-cm shadeleaves (0.56). For both leaf types the stomatal resistance increasedas the water vapour concentration drop from the leaf to theair increased. Energy balance equations were used together with the measuredtemperature dependence of photosynthesis to predict the effectof variations in leaf absorptivity, length, and resistance onnet photosynthesis. The influence of leaf dimorphism on wholeplants was determined by calculating daily photosynthesis andtranspiration for plants with various percentages of sun andshade leaves. A hypothetical plant with all sun leaves in thesun had about twice the photosynthesis and half the transpirationratio as did plants with sun leaves in the shade or shade leavesin the sun or shade. Plants with both sun and shade leaves hadthe highest predicted photosynthesis per unit ground area. Thepossible adaptive significance of the seasonal variation insun and shade leaf percentages observed for individual H. emoryibushes is discussed in terms of water economy and photosynthesi     

Leaf Blade Dimensions of Rice (Oryza sativa L. and Oryza glaberrima Steud.). Relationships between Tillers and the Main Stem

The effects of genotype and environment on the leaf area indexof rice are well documented, but the rules governing leaf areadistribution among main stem and tillers are less well understood.This study investigated the ontogenetic patterns of leaf bladearea and dimensions on the main stem and tillers of three ricecultivars, IAC47, Javaé (Oryza sativa L.) and CG14 (O.glaberrima Steud.) grown in pots without competition among plants.No differences in phyllochron were observed among culms, butleaves on tillers appeared 0.5 to 0.8 phyllochrons earlier thanthe genealogically corresponding leaves on the main stem (systemof Katayama). Cohorts were thus not fully synchronized. Allculms produced their largest leaves soon after panicle initiation(PI), despite differences in tiller age. Leaves that appearedsubsequently were smaller owing to reduced length but not width,which remained constant. Three different hypothetical rulesgoverning the behaviour of culms were tested: (1) tillers behaveas clones of the main stem; (2) cohorts behave uniformly, and(3) behaviour is determined by leaf position (sum of genealogicalleaf and tiller indices). The results were best explained byhypotheses (2) and (3), with leaf blade width and length showingmarkedly different patterns. Copyright 2001 Annals of BotanyCompany Phenology, phyllochron, leaf area, leaf position, leaf cohorts, summed leaf position, leaf blade length and width     

Distribution of Metabolites and Enzymes of Nitrogen Metabolism between the Mesophyll and Paraveinal Mesophyll of Non-Nodulated Glycine max

The distribution of amino acids and key enzymes involved innitrogen metabolism was determined in mesophyll cells (MC),mesophyll protoplasts (MP), and paraveinal mesophyll protoplasts(PVMP) isolated from fully expanded trifoliolate leaves of non-nodulatedsoybean. Qualitative and quantitative differences were foundin the distribution of amino acids, with MP containing the highestconcentrations. Activity of nitrate reductase, glycolate oxidase,glutamine synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase was measuredin both tissue types and differences in activities between thetissue types were seen. PVMP had high glutamate dehydrogenaseactivity when compared to MP. Activities of glycolate oxidaseand glutamine synthetase were much higher in MP on a protoplastbasis while nitrate reductase activity was similar between thetwo protoplast types. These results, on the distribution ofmetabolites and associated enzymes, are discussed as to theirpossible significance to nitrogen metabolism in the soybeanleaf. Key words: Amino acids, glutamate dehydrogenase, Glycine max, nitrate reductase, nitrogen metabolism, paraveinal mesophyll, protoplasts