SPORULATION OF THE YEAST, HANSENULA SATURNUS: II. INFLUENCE OF CARBON-NITROGEN RATIO OF CULTURE MEDIUM

1. Several factors affecting sporulation of a wild yeast, Hansenulasaturnus, especially carbon sources and the carbon-nitrogenratio of sporulation medium were studied.
2. The sporulationis stimulated at a certain definite C/N ratioof glucose medium.
3. Several carbon sources such as ethanol, acetate, lactate,glycerol,succinate, glucose, gluconate and citrate are utilizedby theorganism both for growth and sporulation.
4. The numberof spores in an ascus depends on the C/N ratio ofthe medium.An increase in the ratio stimulates the yield of2-and 3-sporedasci, especially of the former. One-spored ascibecome abundantas this ratio decreases.
5. Lysine promotes sporulation in anacetate medium, and its presencein a large amount in glucosemedium also stimulates sporulation,while a small amount isinhibitory. When lysine was employedas the sole nitrogen source,most of the asci were 1-spored.
6. It is discussed that sporulationof yeast is induced by a balanceof metabolism, rather thanby one definite "sporulation substrate".

¹ Present address: Laboratory of Microbiology, Department ofAgriculture, T{circumflex}hoku University, Sendai. (Received May 23, 1961; )     

Further Observations on Root--Shoot Equilibria in Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Plants of Lolium perenne L. (cv. S. 23) were grown in a heatedglasshouse. Two experiments were performed, both during earlysummer. One used a sand/solution rooting medium and includedlow-nitrogen (0.17 parts per 10⁶) and shade (20.2 per cent illumination)treatments; the other used aerated solution culture and involvedtwo levels of shading (20.2 and 6.1 per cent illumination),in addition to controls. In both experiments growth and ratesof potassium, magnesium and calcium uptake were studied throughthe calculation of various growth-functions from fitted curves. Despite the effects of treatment and environment, a constantinverse relationship was found between the mass ratio of rootsand shoots and their activity ratio. These new results wereadded to some previously published to form a combined model:mass ratio = 0.051 + 45.7 (1/activity ratio) where activityratio is expressed as specific absorption rate for potassium(in µg K mg root^–1 day^–1)/unit shoot rate(rate of increase of whole-plant dry weight per unit shoot weight,mg mg^–1 day^–1). The implications of this relationshipare discussed and a further model is put forward in which rootactivity is expressed in terms of the uptake of the sum of thepotassium, magnesium and calcium contents of the plant.     

Osmotic adjustment in marine yeast

The effect of environmental salinity on cell growth, and onthe composition and accumulation of compatible solutes, or osmotica,of five yeast strains (Aureobasidium pullulans, Candida sp.,Cryptococcus albidus var. albidus, Debaryomyces hansenii andRhodotorula rubra) was compared. All these yeast were isolatedfrom manne environments, but were able to grow in the absenceof salt and should therefore be considered as halotolerant strains.According to their specific cell growth rates at different saltconcentrations, these strains vary in their capacity to osmoticallyadjust to modifications in external salinity. Candida sp. appearsto be the most sensitive since the maximum salt concentrationat which it can grow is 1.54 mol 1^-1 NaCl; however, it showedthe highest specific cell growth in the range of 0 to 1.54 mol1^-1 NaCl. Aureobasidium pullulans, on the other hand, showedthe lowest specific growth rate, but the highest halotolerancerange from 0 to 5.13 mol 1^-1 NaCl. Debaryomyces hansenii, incontrast, showed higher specific growth at this salinity rangeCryptococcus albidus var. albidus and Rhodotorula rubra showedsimilar specific cell growth rate values and halotolerance between0 and 2.45 mol 1^-1 NaCl. The protein and carbohydrate contentof the biomass of the different yeast cells, as a result ofexternal salinity vanation, remained practically constant. Themost important effects of the increase in salt concentrationin the culture medium were the reduction of cell volume andthe accumulation of low-molecular-weight metabolites (LMWM).which appear to act as osmoregulators. Glycerol was found asthe major compatible solute in the different marine yeasts studiedherein with a total contribution of 64–96% of the internalcell osmolarity. Other LMWM, like carbohydrates and amino acids,contributed to a lesser extent to compensate for the rise inosmotic pressure promoted by the salinity of the external environment.     

Abolition of Heavy Metal Toxicity on Kirchneriella lunaris (Chlorophyta) by Calcium

The green alga Kirchneriella lunaris was incubated with variousheavy metals (Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺) in presence/absence ofcalcium (Ca²⁺). The uptake of heavy metal was affected by Ca²⁺.Growth rate was inhibited by all heavy metals applied. In allCa²⁺-containing cultures Kirchneriella exhibited higher ratesof growth than those containing heavy metal alone. Photosynthesis/respirationratio of K. lunaris cells seems to be the determinant in thiswork. Ca²⁺ variably abolished the effects of the heavy metalsstudied. Maximal positive effect of Ca²⁺ was found with Cd²⁺while with Ni²⁺ it was negligible.Copyright 1995, 1999 AcademicPress Cadmium, cobalt, manganese, nickel, calcium, heavy metals, growth, photosynthesis, Kirchneriella lunaris     

Effects of Aluminium on Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos L.) Seedlings in Solution Culture

Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos L.) seedlings were grownin solution culture at pH 4.0) with 50, 150, 600 and 1500 mmolm^–3 aluminium. All levels of aiuminium reduced the sizeand weight of roots, shoots and leaves with the exception ofroot elongation at 50 mmol m^–3 Al. Aluminium content ofroots was 50 to 100 times that of shoots. With increasing concentrationof aluminium, aluminium content of leaves and roots increasedexponentially while a linear increase was observed for stems.The nutrient content of seedlings was improved in 50 mmol m^–3where increases in shoot calcium, magnesium, and phosphorusconcentrations were observed. Aluminium concentrations greaterthan 50 mmol m^–3 reduced shoot nutrient content. Presenceof aluminium increased the root phosphorus and calcium levelsbut had no effect on potassium and magnesium concentrations.Results show that honeylocust is an aluminium sensitive treespecies whose growth may be reduced by high soil Al levels. Key words: Aluminium toxicity, Gleditsia triacanthos, nutrient solution     

The Effect of Ions on Growth and Leaf Succulence of Atriplex hortensis var. cupreata

When plants of Atriplex hortensis var. cupreata were grown insolutions containing at least 100 mmoll^–1 of various saltsit was found that sodium was the ion most effective in stimulatingleaf succulence, irrespective of whether the anion was chloride,bromide or sulphate. Potassium was the next most effective ion.Magnesium and calcium were without effect. Dry weight productioncould be greatly reduced by sodium and potassium but stimulatedby magnesium. The results are compared with those previouslyreported for C₄ species of Atriplex.     

准噶尔荒漠早春短命植物的光合特性及生物量分配特点

准噶尔荒漠分布的早春短命植物不仅具有十分独特的生物学特点,而且在荒漠植物群落演替、物种多样性维持及土壤改良与防治水土流失等方面具有重要的生态学价值。该文运用Li-6400开放式气体交换光合作用测定系统,对分布于准噶尔荒漠的16种早春短命植物生长盛期的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、水分利用效率(WUE)等特征进行了测定,并对其中7种植物与生长相关的生物量分配特征进行了分析。结果表明:1)16种植物的最大P_n、 最大T_r及WUE分别为8.07~35.96 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1、3.16~29.64 mmol H₂O·m^-2·s^-1、0.54~4.26 μmol CO₂·mmol^-1H₂O;种间最大P_n与最大气孔导度(Stomatal conductance, G_s)之间存在正相关关系,其相关系数为0.77(p<0.05),线性回归斜率为26.36 μmol·mmol^-1;从光合速率对胞间CO₂浓度及光量子通量密度的响应曲线来看,这类植物的表观CO₂补偿点均在4~5 Pa之间(28~30 ℃),表观羧化效率为0.64~1.86 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1·Pa^-1,表观量子效率为0.05~0.06。2)从生物量分配来看,所测植物的个体生物量为0.05~0.39 g;单株总叶面积为 3.24~51.40 cm²;单位叶面积干重为0.40~0.77 g·m^-2,根在总生物量中所占比例为5.72%~19.43%,单株叶面积比在2.92~9.00 m²·kg^-1之间。种间根所占生物量的比与对应的WUE之间的比较分析结果表明,二者之间存在显著的正相关关系,其相关系数r为0.93(p<0.01)。这些结果表明,所观测的早春短命植物具有典型的C₃植物特征,相比其它类型的荒漠植物具有较高的单位叶面积P_n、高T_r及低WUE,并且在生长发育过程中表现出很低的根/地上生物量比、较高的叶面积比和单位叶面积干重,说明它们具有相对高的生长速率,这与其生长发育节律相一致,反映了它们与准噶尔荒漠环境相适应的特点。     

Promotion of crown-gall tumor initiation on primary pinto bean leaves by certain inorganic salts

Crown-gall tumor initiation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens (SMITHand TOWN.) CONN, strain B6, on Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. "Pinto"was found to be sensitive to the addition of various salts tothe freshly inoculated primary leaves. Calcium, magnesium, zincand ammonium sulfates, cobalt and nickel chlorides and potassiumnitrate increased the number of tumors on inoculated leavesby 100 to 200 percent. Maximal promotions were obtained at concentrationsof 10^–7 to 10^–5 M with all of these salts exceptpotassium nitrate which was most active at 10^–2M. Sodium,potassium, calcium, magnesium and aluminum chlorides, and sodium,potassium and nickel sulfates had little or no effect on tumorinitiation. The combination of sodium sulfate with magnesiumchloride gave promotions comparable to those obtained with magnesiumsulfate, indicating that both the magnesium and sulfate ionswere necessary for the promotion obtained with this latter salt.Combining any two of the active salts at their optimum concentrationsfor promotion resulted in a reciprocal inhibition of the promotionobtained with either salt alone, suggesting these salts to beactive by different and potentially antagonistic mechanisms.The possible nature of these promotions is discussed, but theyremain too obscure to warrant a specific proposal for theirmode of action. ¹Present adress: Department of Botany, University of Khartoum,Khartoum, Sudan.     

The Effect of Calcium Starvation on Assimilate Partitioning and Mineral Distribution of the Phloem

Populus plants were grown in a medium lacking calcium and exposedto ¹⁴CO₂. In contrast to plants in the complete nutrient medium,the percentage amount of ¹⁴C-assimilates increased in the leavesof calcium-deficient plants and decreased in the stem and theroots. When plants were grown without potassium or magnesiumno differences in the amount of ¹⁴C-label occurred in comparisonwith plants in the complete nutrient medium. Translocation wasrecorded by microautoradiography. It was observed that considerableamounts of labelled photoassimilates were unloaded from thephloem in the middle part of the stem in plants of the completenutrient medium. In contrast, during calcium starvation ¹⁴C-labelwas restricted to the phloem of the stem. In addition, the concentrationsof magnesium and phosphorus showed a remarkable increase instem sieve tubes of calcium-deficient plants. When sieve tubesof source leaves from Populus, barley and maize were comparedwith those of sink leaves, the latter showed higher calciumconcentrations. The results suggest that calcium is a necessaryfactor in the regulation of phloem translocation. Key words: Calcium deficiency, phloem translocation, sieve element loading and unloading, X-ray microanalysis     

Inhibition of phosphoglucomutase activity by lithium alters cellular calcium homeostasis and signaling in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Phosphoglucomutase is a key enzyme of glucose metabolism that interconverts glucose-1-phosphate and glucose-6-phosphate. Loss of the major isoform of phosphoglucomutase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae results in a significant increase in the cellular glucose-1-phosphate-to-glucose-6-phosphate ratio when cells are grown in medium containing galactose as carbon source. This imbalance in glucose metabolites was recently shown to also cause a six- to ninefold increase in cellular Ca²⁺ accumulation. We found that Li⁺ inhibition of phosphoglucomutase causes a similar elevation of total cellular Ca²⁺ and an increase in ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake in a wild-type yeast strain grown in medium containing galactose, but not glucose, as sole carbon source. Li⁺ treatment also reduced the transient elevation of cytosolic Ca²⁺ response that is triggered by exposure to external CaCl₂ or by the addition of galactose to yeast cells starved of a carbon source. Finally, we found that the Ca²⁺ overaccumulation induced by Li⁺ exposure was significantly reduced in a strain lacking the vacuolar Ca²⁺-ATPase Pmc1p. These observations suggest that Li⁺ inhibition of phosphoglucomutase results in an increased glucose-1-phosphate-to-glucose-6-phosphate ratio, which results in an accelerated rate of vacuolar Ca²⁺ uptake via the Ca²⁺-ATPase Pmc1p. calcium influx; calcium signal; galactose; glucose phosphate     

Kinetics of Maize Leaf Elongation: II. RESPONSES OF A NA-EXCLUDING CULTIVAR AND A NA-INCLUDING CULTIVAR TO VARYING NA/CA SALINITIES

Salinity causes physiological and morphological changes in plantsand calcium can mitigate many of these effects. In this study,the effects of salinity (75 mol m^–3 NaCl) with or withoutsupplemental Ca (10 mol m^–3) on the kinetics of maize(Zea mays L.) leaf elongation were examined using Linear VariableDifferential Transformers (LVDTs). Short-term growth responsesof two cultivars (Dekalb hybrid XL75 and Pioneer hybrid 3906)differing in salt tolerance were compared. Salinity caused animmediate reduction in the leaf elongation rate (LER). Within2 h, elongation rates had increased and reached new steady rates.Significant differences between salinity treatments with highand low Ca could be detected within the first 2 h after impositionof salinity for Dekalb hybrid XL75, but not for Pioneer hybrid3906. After 24 h, distinct differences for both cultivars weredetected. Dekalb hybrid XL75, a Na-includer, was more salt-sensitiveand responsive to supplemental Ca (10 mol m^–3) than Pioneerhybrid 3906, a Na-excluder. Turgor was not reduced 24 h aftersalinization because there was complete osmotic adjustment inthe elongation zone of the leaves. Analysis of the growth parameterslimiting LER indicated that the yield threshold (Y) was increasedfor salt-stressed plants. In addition, both the cell wall extensibilityand hydraulic conductance were reduced 24 h after salinization.Supplemental Ca increased LER of salt-stressed plants by increasinghydraulic conductance. The differences in LER of the two cultivarsunder saline conditions was attributed to differences in theincrease of Y caused by salinity. Key words: Calcium, growth, salinity, sodium, Zea mays L.     

The Sporulation of Penicillium notatum Westling in Submerged Liquid Culture: I. THE EFFECT OF CALCIUM AND NUTRIENTS ON SPORULATION INTENSITY

The growth and sporulation of Penicillium notatum Westling inshaken submerged culture has been studied. Sporulation occurredonly when calcium ions were added to the basal sucrose-mineralsalts medium. Concentrations of 5 p.p.m. or less of calciumwere ineffective and at least 35 p.p.m was necessary for themaximum degree of sporulation. The replacement of calcium inthe medium by strontium or barium enabled sporulation to occur,although these metal ions were less effective than calcium inthe order. The calcium requirement for sporulation diminishedas the total nutrient concentration was lowered and was similarlyreduced if the concentration of the nitrogen source alone (sodiumnitrate) was lowered, whereas reductions in the levels of othersingle nutrients caused relatively small alterations in thecalcium requirement. Lowering the concentration of the nitrogensource caused increased sporulation in the presence of bothlimiting and non-limiting levels of calcium.     

Salt Tolerance in the Triticeae: Growth and Solute Accumulation in Leaves of Thinopyrum bessarabicum

Gorham, J., McDonnell, E., Budrewicz, E. and Wyn Jones, R. G.1985. Salt tolerance in the Triticeae: growth and solute accumulationin leaves of Thinopyrum bessarabicum.—J. exp. Bot. 36:1021–1031. The diploid wheatgrass Thinopyrum bessarabicum was found towithstand prolonged exposure to 350 mol m^–3 NaCl in hydroponicculture. During the gradual addition of salt to the externalmedium, osmotic adjustment was rapidly achieved by the accumulationof Na and Cl. Following osmotic adjustment constant leaf Naand Cl concentrations were maintained, and K was retained ata high level. Thinopyrum bessarabicum may be described as anosmoconformer, adjusting its internal osmotic pressure to 400–500mOsmol kg^–1 above that of the external medium in hydroponicculture. Both slower shoot initiation and reduced leaf lengthcontributed to the reduced growth rates at higher salinities.Leaf width was not affected. Increasing salinity resulted inincreases in leaf concentrations of phosphate, glycinebetaine,sucrose and proline, and in decreases in the concentrationsof nitrate, sulphate, magnesium, calcium, total amino acidsand organic acids. Thinopyrum bessarabicum exhibits salt tolerancecharacters which may be useful in wheat breeding. Key words: Salt stress, solute accumulation, osmotic adjustment, Thinopyrum     

Studies on Chloroplast Degradation in vivo: III. THE EFFECT OF MAGNESIUM ON ELECTRON TRANSPORT AND PHOSPHORYLATIQN IN PLASTIDS ISOLATED FROM YOUNG AND AGEING COTYLEDONS

The magnesium dependence of NADP-reduction, oxygen evolutionand concomitant ATP-formation was studied as a function of theage of the Cucurbita cotyledons from which the chloroplastswere isolated. Whereas NADP-reduction under alkaline assay conditionsalways exhibits a stimulation upon addition of Mg⁺⁺, measurementsin an acidic medium show an age-dependent reversal to inhibition.The data for oxygen evolution are more complex in nature, dueto participation of consecutive reactions. The Mg⁺⁺ concentrationfor optimal ATP formation decreases with the age of the cotyledonarymaterial. The results are discussed from the viewpoint of apossible control of essential photosynthetic functions in vivoby magnesium.     

Nitrogen Utilization in N-limited Barley during Vegetative and Generative Growth: I. GROWTH AND NITRATE UPTAKE KINETICS IN VEGETATIVE CULTURES GROWN AT DIFFERENT RELATIVE ADDITION RATES OF NITRATE-N

Growth and nitrate uptake kinetics in vegetatively growing barley(Hordeum vulgare L., cvs Laevigatum, Golf, and Mette) were investigatedin solution culture under long-term limitations of externalnitrogen availability. Nitrate was fed to the cultures at relativeaddition rates (RA) ranging from 0.02 to 0.2 d^–1. Therelative growth rate (RG, calculated for total plant dry weight)correlated well with RA in the range 0.02 to 0.07 d^–1.In the RA range from 0.07 to 0.2 d^–1 RG continued to increase,but an increasing fraction of nitrogen, added and absorbed,was apparently stored rather than used for structural growth.The RG of the roots was less affected by RA. V_max, for net nitrateuptake increased with RA up to 0.11 d^–1, but decreasedat higher RA. The decline in V_max coincided with a build-upof nitrate stores in both roots and shoots. V_max, expressedper unit nitrogen in the plants (the relative V_max, was higherthan required for maintenance of growth (up to 30-fold) at lowRA, whereas at higher RA the relative V_max decreased. Kineticpredictions of steady-state external nitrate concentrationsduring N-limited growth ranged from 0.2 to 5.0 mmol m^–3over the RG range 0.02 to 0.11 d_–1. It is suggested thatthe nitrate uptake system is not under specific regulation atlow RA, but co-ordinated with root protein synthesis and growthin general. At RA higher than 0.11 d_–1, however, specificregulation of nitrate uptake, possibly via root nitrate pools,become important. The three cultivars showed very similar growthand nitrate uptake characteristics. Key words: Barley, growth, nitrogen limitation, nitrate uptake, kinetics     

Calcium limitation in Daphnia magna

The role of ambient calcium concentrations on survival, moulting,growth and egg production was assessed in the cladoceran Daphniamagna. A threshold for survival was found in the range 0.1–0.5mg Ca l^–1, even when ionic strength of the medium waskept constant. Accumulated length and length specific dry weightwas retarded at low Ca (0.5–1.0 mg Ca l^–1) at foodconcentrations above incipient limiting level. For lower foodlevels, the effect of Ca on growth was less clear. The effectof low Ca on growth rate was most manifest during the firstdays after hatching, reflecting the higher Ca demands of theearly juveniles. Age-specific egg production was strongly reducedat Ca concentrations <10 mg Ca l^–1. This was partlyan indirect effect of reduced growth rates, but could also bean effect of higher energetic costs associated with Ca uptakein a Ca-poor medium. The high Ca demands in D.magna may notbe representative of other Daphnia species. Nevertheless, highspecific Ca content seems to be a common property of Daphniaspp. and Ca deficiency could be a major determinant of speciessuccess and community structure among crustacean zooplankton;it also puts constraints on carbon sequestration in the pelagicfood web of softwater lakes.     

Effect of Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and Tetraethylammonium on the Transient Voltage Response to a Galvanostatic Step and of the Temperature on the Steady Membrane Conductance of Chara corallina: a Further Evidence for the Involvement of Potassium Channels in the Fast Time Variant Conductance

Homble F. 1985. Effect of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesiumand tetraethylammonium on the transient voltage response toa galvanostatic step and of the temperature on the steady membraneconductance of Chara corallina: A further evidence for the involvementof potassium in the fast time variant conductance.—J.exp. Bot. 36: 1603–1611. Potassium channels of Chara corallina have an activation energyof 36±1 kJ mol^–1 and 50±2 kJ mol^–1at temperatures higher and lower than 15°C respectively.The fast time variant conductance property of potassium channelsis insensitive to sodium and magnesium ions and is depressedby the presence of calcium, potassium and tetraethylammoniumions. It is suggested that in Chara two different kinds of potassiumchannels exist, each kind being distinguished by their kineticsand their response to calcium and magnesium ions. Key words: —Chara corallina, membrane conductance, potassium channels, temperature     

Nutrient Cycling in an Age Sequence of Western Washington Douglas-fir Stands

The cycling of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium andpotassium in a series of western Washington Douglas-fir [Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco] stands ranging in age from 9 to 95years has been described. The stands were of relatively lowproductivity being limited by low nitrogen. The content of nitrogen,phosphorus, magnesium and potassium in tree foliage all tendedto stabilize at about 40 years whereas calcium continued toincrease. The content of all nutrients in the wood continuedto increase with stand age. Nitrogen in the forest floor accumulatedconstantly at about 5.7 kg ha^–1 year^–1 and thistogether with the above-ground tree accumulation meant about10.5 kg ha^–1 year^–1 nitrogen was immobilized. Calciumalso increased with time in the forest floor with age whereasthe other nutrients were fairly constant after about 30 years.Understorey nutrient content reached a peak at about 20 years,while understorey litter-fall was significant throughout theage sequence. Internal redistribution, especially of nitrogen,represented an increasingly greater proportion of stand requirementwith increasing stand maturity. Pseudotsuga menziesti (Mirb.) Franco, Douglas-fir, biomass, litter-fall, nutrient content, nutrient cycling     

Nitrogen Utilization in N-limited Barley During Vegetative and Generative Growth: III. POST-ANTHESIS KINETICS OF NET NITRATE UPTAKE AND THE ROLE OF THE RELATIVE ROOT SIZE IN DETERMINING THE CAPACITY FOR NITRATE ACQUISITION

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L., cvs Golf, Mette, and Laevigatum)was grown under nitrogen limitation in solution culture untilnear maturity. Three different nitrogen addition regimes wereused: in the ‘HN’ culture the relative rate of nitrate-Naddition (RA) was 0·08 d^–1 until day 48 and thendecreased stepwise to, finally, 0·005 d^–1 duringgrain-filling; the ‘LN’ culture received 45% ofthe nitrogen added in HN; the ‘CN’ culture was maintainedat RA 0·0375 d^–1 throughout. Kinetics of net nitrateuptake were measured during ontogeny at 30 to 150 mmol m^–3external nitrate. V_max (which is argued to reflect the maximuminflux rate in these plants) declined with age in both HN andLN cultures. A pronounced transient drop was observed just beforeanthesis, which correlated in time with a peak in root nitrateconcentration. Similar, but less pronounced, trends were observedin CN. The relative V_max (unit nitrogen taken up per unit nitrogenin plants and day) in all three cultures declined from 1·3–2·3d^–1 during vegetative growth to 0·1–0·7d^–1 during generative growth. These values are in HN andLN cultures 15- to more than 100-fold in excess of the demandset by growth rates throughout ontogeny. Predicted balancingnitrate concentrations (defined as the nitrate concentrationrequired to support the observed rate of growth) were below6·0 mmol m^–3 in HN and LN cultures before anthesisand then decreased during ontogeny. In CN cultures the balancingnitrate concentration increased during grain-filling. Apartfrom the transient decline during anthesis, most of the effectof ageing on relative V_max can be explained in terms of reducedcontribution of roots to total biomass (R:T). The loss in uptakeper unit root weight is largely compensated for by the declinewith time in average tissue nitrogen concentrations. The quantitativerelationships between relative V_max and R:T in ageing plantsare similar to those observed for vegetative plants culturedat different RAs. The data support the contention that the capacity for nitrateacquisition in N-limited plants is under general growth control,rather than controlled by specific regulation of the biochemicalpathway of nitrate assimilation. Key words: Barley, nitrogen concentration, root: total plant biomass ratio, V_max     

The Role of Cell Calcium in the Contraction of Single Cannulated Muscle Fibers

Intracellular injections of the calcium-binding agent, EGTA,into single cannulated fibers of Balanus and Maia were ableto suppress, almost completely, the contractions induced byvarious contractile agents. The amount oE EGTA required in Maia fibers for the suppressionof the contractile response produced by caffeine and high-Ksaline, as has already been reported, was similar to the meanfiber calcium level. In Balanus fibers, however, although theamount of EGTA needed for the suppression of the caffeine-salineresponse was similar to the estimated level of fiber calcium,the amount required in the raised-K-saline experiments was considerablygreater. It has been suggested that membrane depolarizationunder these conditions allows calcium to enter the fiber fromthe external saline, the amount entering being related, at leastin part, to a large effective sarcolemmal surface area and thepresence of binding agent internally. The results of intracellularand plate-electrode stimulation of Belanus fibers also suggestedthat the fiber under certain conditions could utilize externalcalcium ions, while the results of plate-electrode stimulationof Maia fibers could be explained most easily in terms of mobilizationof mainly intracellular calcium for the process of contraction. Efflux of Sr⁸⁹ ions from Balanus fibers under various conditionssuggested that this ion is bound and mobilized internally ina manner similar to calcium. The results are seen not to contradict a chanelled-current theoryfor e-c coupling of the type proposed for crayfish fibers.