Promotion of Hypocotyl Elongation in Watermelc Seedlings by 6-Benzyladenine

Hypocotyl elongation under white fluorescent light was aboutdoubled in dwarf watermelon (Citrullus lanatus0 (Thunb.) Matsu.and Nakai) seedlings treated with 0.1 to 0.3 µg apicaland 3 x 10–6 to 10.3 M root applications of 6-benzyladenine(BA). BA-enhancement of growth occurred primarily during thefirst 48 h after treatment. Increased hypocotyl length in BA-treatedseedlings was attributed more to longer cells than to an increasein cell number. Early hypocotyl growth of normal seedlings wasalso significantly enhanced by BA although final hypocotyl lengthwas not substantially affected. Benzyladenine caused expansion of cotyledons and, at higherdoses, lateral expansion of hypocotyls. BA-induced increasesin fresh weight of cotyledons and hypocotyls were accompaniedby an increase in dry weight of hypocotyls at the expense ofroots which had less dry matter than untreated seedlings.     

Salinity-induced changes in peroxidase activity and cell-wall polysaccharides in<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vigna</Emphasis>

We investigated the effect of salinity on the development of seedlings of Vigna unguiculata. At various time intervals, the hypocotyls were measured to estimate the effect of salt concentration on growth parameters. Control plants were tallest and had the greatest fresh weights, whereas these values were lowest in seedlings treated with high levels of salt. Three hydrogen donors -- caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and pyrogalol - were studied to determine the changes in peroxidase activity for both cytoplasmic and wall-bound fractions. Activity was inversely correlated with hypocotyl elongation. A clear concentration effect was also observed for contents of pectic polysaccharides, low-molecular-weight xyloglucan, and high-molecular-weight xyloglucan, with control seedlings showing lower levels of those wall components than that recorded in the salt-treated seedlings. Here, we also discuss the role of peroxidase and wall components in hypocotyl elongation and growth ofVigna when seedlings undergo saline stress.     

Effect of salinity stress on growth,peroxidase and IAA oxidase activities in vigna seedlings

The present work was carried out with the aim of studying the effect of salinity stress on growth and IAA oxidizing system (i.e. peroxidase and IAA oxidase) in vigna (Vigna unguiculata L.) seedlings. The seedlings were treated with two concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) 0.1 M and 0.25 M. Length, fresh and dry weight were the parameters considered for growth. Salinity effect was distinct in fresh weight and dry weight of different organs. Peroxidase and IAA oxidase activities were measured at different time intervals for both cytoplasmic and wall bound fractions. Peroxidase activity was maximum at higher stress conditions bringing about the hypocotyl growth restriction. Thus there was a clear inverse correlation between elongation and peroxidase activity. IAA oxidase activity also showed a similar trend for both cytoplasmic and wall bound fractions. The role of IAA oxidizing system in defense mechanism in response to salinity stress is discussed.     

Water Deficit and Abscisic Acid Cause Differential Inhibition of Shoot versus Root Growth in Soybean Seedlings : Analysis of Growth, Sugar Accumulation, and Gene Expression

Roots often continue to elongate while shoot growth is inhibited in plants subjected to low-water potentials. The cause of this differential response to water deficit was investigated. We examined hypocotyl and root growth, polysome status and mRNA populations, and abscisic acid (ABA) content in etiolated soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr. cv Williams) seedlings whose growth was inhibited by transfer to low-water potential vermiculite or exogenous ABA. Both treatments affected growth and dry weight in a similar fashion. Maximum inhibition of hypocotyl growth occurred when internal ABA levels (modulated by ABA application) reached the endogenous level found in the elongating zone of seedlings grown in water-deficient vermiculite. Conversely, root growth was affected to only a slight extent in low-water potential seedlings and by most ABA treatments (in some, growth was promoted). In every seedling section examined, transfer of seedlings into low-water potential vermiculite caused ABA levels to increase approximately 5- to 10-fold over that found in well-watered seedlings. Changes in soluble sugar content, polysome status, and polysome mRNA translation products seen in low-water potential seedlings did not occur with ABA treatments sufficient to cause significant inhibition of hypocotyl elongation. These data suggest that both variation in endogenous ABA levels, and differing sensitivity to ABA in hypocotyls and roots can modulate root/shoot growth ratios. However, exogenous ABA did not induce changes in sugar accumulation, polysome status, and mRNA populations seen after transfer into low-water potential vermiculite.     

Nitric oxide regulates DELLA content and PIF expression to promote photomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis

The transition from etiolated to green seedlings involves a shift from hypocotyl growth-promoting conditions to growth restraint. These changes occur through a complex light-driven process involving multiple and tightly coordinated hormonal signaling pathways. Nitric oxide (NO) has been lately characterized as a regulator of plant development interacting with hormone signaling. Here, we show that Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) NO-deficient mutant hypocotyls are longer than those from wild-type seedlings under red light but not under blue or far-red light. Accordingly, exogenous treatment with the NO donor sodium nitroprusside and mutant plants with increased endogenous NO levels resulted in reduced hypocotyl length. In addition to increased hypocotyl elongation, NO deficiency led to increased anthocyanin levels and reduced PHYB content under red light, all processes governed by phytochrome-interacting factors (PIFs). NO-deficient plants accordingly showed an enhanced expression of PIF3, PIF1, and PIF4. Moreover, exogenous NO increased the levels of the gibberellin (GA)-regulated DELLA proteins and shortened hypocotyls, likely through the negative regulation of the GA Insensitive Dwarf1 (GID1)-Sleepy1 (SLY1) module. Consequently, NO-deficient seedlings displayed up-regulation of SLY1, defective DELLA accumulation, and altered GA sensitivity, thus resulting in defective deetiolation under red light. Accumulation of NO in wild-type seedlings undergoing red light-triggered deetiolation and elevated levels of NO in the GA-deficient ga1-3 mutant in darkness suggest a mutual NO-GA antagonism in controlling photomorphogenesis. PHYB-dependent NO production promotes photomorphogenesis by a GID1-GA-SLY1-mediated mechanism based on the coordinated repression of growth-promoting PIF genes and the increase in the content of DELLA proteins.     

Growth of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings under water deficit studied by control of water potential in nutrient-agar media

We have characterized the growth responses of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings to water deficit. To manipulate the water potential, we developed a method whereby the nutrient-agar medium could be supplemented with polyethylene glycol (PEG 8000); PEG was introduced into gelled media by diffusion, which produced media with water potential as low as -1.6 MPa. For dark-grown plants, hypocotyl growth had a hyperbolic dependence on water potential, and was virtually stopped by -1 MPa. In contrast, primary root elongation was stimulated by moderate deficit and even at -1.6 MPa was not significantly less than the control. That these results did not depend on a direct effect of PEG was attested by obtaining indistinguishable results when a dialysis membrane impermeable to PEG was placed between the medium and the seedlings. For light-grown seedlings, moderate deficit also stimulated primary root elongation and severe deficit reduced elongation only partially. These changes in elongation were paralleled by changes in root system dry weight. At moderate deficit, lateral root elongation and initiation were unaffected and at higher stress levels both were inhibited. Primary root diameter increased steadily with time in well-watered controls and under water deficit increased transiently before stabilizing at a diameter that was inversely proportional to the deficit. Along with stimulated primary root elongation, moderate water deficit also stimulated the rate of cell production. Thus, A. thaliana responds to water deficit vigorously, which enhances its use as a model to uncover mechanisms underlying plant responses to water deficit.     

Growth and stomata development of Arabidopsis hypocotyls are controlled by gibberellins and modulated by ethylene and auxins

The plant hormones gibberellin (GA), ethylene and auxin can promote hypocotyl elongation of Arabidopsis seedlings grown in the light on a low nutrient medium (LNM). In this study, we used hypocotyl elongation as a system to investigate interactions between GA and ethylene or auxin and analysed their influence on the development of stomata in the hypocotyl. When applied together, GA and ethylene or auxin exerted a synergistic effect on hypocotyl elongation. Stimulated cell elongation is the main cause of hypocotyl elongation. Furthermore, hypocotyls treated with GA plus either ethylene or auxin show an increased endoreduplication. In addition, a small but significant increase in cell number was observed in the cortical cell files of hypocotyls treated with ethylene and GA together. However, studies with transgenic seedlings expressing CycB1::uidA genes revealed that cell division in the hypocotyl occurs only in the epidermis and mainly to form stomata, a process strictly regulated by hormones. Stomata formation in the hypocotyl is induced by the treatment with either GA or ethylene. The effect of GA could be strongly enhanced by the simultaneous addition of ethylene or auxin to the growth medium. Gibberellin is the main signal inducing stomata formation in the hypocotyl. In addition, this signal regulates hypocotyl elongation and is modulated by ethylene and auxin. The implication of these three hormones in relation to cell division and stomata formation is discussed.     

外源赤霉素对心里美萝卜幼苗花青素的影响

花青素是植物体内广泛存在的一类天然色素,具有重要的生理功能。花青素合成途径可受多种因素调控,其中植物生长激素赤霉素（gibberellic acid,GA）对其的调控作用报道较少。本文用不同浓度的赤霉素处理心里美萝卜幼苗,以探讨它对花青素含量的影响。结果表明,外源GA3处理显著增加了萝卜幼苗的下胚轴长度,并提高了下胚轴中α-淀粉酶活性;显著降低下胚轴中花青素的含量。1 μmol/L GA3处理效果较好;处理后第3 d和第5 d,花青素合成的关键酶查尔酮合酶、查尔酮异构酶和花青素还原酶编码基因的表达水平均低于对照组。同时,外源GA3显著诱导过氧化物酶活性的升高。上述结果表明,外源赤霉素可能通过下调花青素合成基因的表达,提高过氧化物酶活性和促进下胚轴伸长生长降低花青素的水平。     

Evolution and distribution of growth in etiolated hypocotyls ofLupinus albus

The variations in length and fresh and dry mass of etiolated hypocotyls of lupin during the growth have been studied. The growth exhibited by the different zones delimited along the hypocotyl was dependent on the localization of the zone as well as on the age of seedlings, but in both cases the pattern of growth was similar. During the period of growth studied (seedlings 7 to 21 d old), the growth of hypocotyl was basically due to cell elongation, since the relative elongation of cells was positively correlated with the relative elongation of the hypocotyl.     

Effects of Gibberellin and Growth-retarding Chemicals on Respiration and Catalase Activity in Various Organs of Cucumber Seedlings

Cucumber seedlings were grown in darkness on filter paper saturatedwith water, gibberellin (GA), growth-retarding chemicals (mainlyAmo-1618) or both GA and Amo-1618. The effects on oxygen consumptionand catalase activity were studied on cotyledons, radicles,and hypocotyl tips. GA increased respiration and catalase activity of hypocotyland cotyledons, decreased radicle respiration, and had no significanteffect on its catalase activity. Amo-1618 decreased respirationof hypocotyl and cotyledons and increased that of the radicles.It stimulated catalase activity in all three organs. The inverse effects of GA and Amo-1618 on oxygen uptake andcatalase activity were mutually antagonized when both compoundswere applied at concentrations counteracting their oppositeeffects on hypocotyl elongation. No stimulating effect on catalase activity was found with mostother growth-retarding chemicals. Some of them had no significanteffect on the enzyme, and one even decreased its activity.     

黑果枸杞种子萌发及幼苗生长对盐胁迫的响应

研究不同浓度(0、1、2、3、6、9、14、18g.L-1)的盐溶液(NaCl、MgSO4、盐渍土壤)对河西走廊中部荒漠边缘的黑果枸杞种子吸胀、萌发和幼苗生长的影响,并观察胁迫解除后种子的反应。结果表明:黑果枸杞种子吸胀速率随NaCl、MgSO4和土壤溶液浓度的增大呈先升后降的趋势,吸水速度随胁迫时间的延长而减慢;种子萌发率随3种盐浓度的增大而降低,盐胁迫解除后种子仍具有较高的萌发率;发芽指数、活力指数、根长、下胚轴随3种盐浓度的增大而降低或先升后降,根轴比随盐胁迫的增强先升后降;随3种盐浓度的增大,种苗损害率增大,3种盐的胁迫效应依次NaCl>MgSO4>盐渍土壤溶液。黑果枸杞种子萌发和幼苗生长对NaCl胁迫较为敏感,其耐受的临界阈值是6g.L-1;种子萌发能耐受较高浓度的MgSO4的胁迫,幼苗生长对MgSO4胁迫较敏感,其耐受的临界阈值是9g.L-1;种子萌发和幼苗生长对生境盐渍土壤具有较强的耐受能力和适应性。     

Irreversible Effects of Water Stress on Growth and Stomatal Development in Cotyledons of Etiolated Squash Seedlings

Growth of etiolated squash cotyledons and hypocotyls was suppressedwhen the seedlings were subjected to 60 mM polyethylene glycol(PEG) in 1/5 strength of Hoagland solution. The fresh weightof the hypocotyl completely recovered when the water stresswas relieved after one day of PEG treatment. The fresh weightof the cotyledons, however, did not completely recover eventhree days after the relief of water stress. The transpiration rate of the cotyledons was substantially reducedby the water stress, and it also did not completely recoverafter the water stress was relieved. Microscopic observationof stomata of the cotyledons by a replica method revealed thatthe water stress reduced the increase in both stomatal widthand density, and this reduction did not completely recover afterthe water stress was relieved. After one day of water stress, the endogenous ABA content ofthe cotyledon was increased from 68 to 114 ng/g fr wt. Afterthe water stress was relieved, the increased ABA content decreasedlinearly over two days to 20 ng/sg fr wt, the same value asin unstressed cotyledons. These results indicate that the effect of water stress on thehypocotyl growth was reversible but that the effect on the cotyledonswas irreversible. The irreversible effect of water stress onthe growth of the cotyledons probably resulted from the inhibitionof stomatal development, but endogenous ABA did not appear toinhibit the development. (Received March 24, 1986; Accepted June 25, 1986)     

Water deficit-induced changes in abscisic Acid, growth, polysomes, and translatable RNA in soybean hypocotyls

Soybean seedlings (Glycine max L.) were germinated and dark-grown in water-saturated vermiculite (water potential = −0.01 megapascal) for 48 hours, then transferred either to water-saturated vermiculite or to low water potential vermiculite (water potential = −0.30 megapascal). A decrease in growth rate was detectable within 0.8 hour post-transfer to low water potential vermiculite. A fourfold increase in the abscisic acid content of the elongating region was observed within 0.5 hour. At 24 hours post-transfer, hypocotyl elongation was severely arrested and abscisic acid reached its highest measured level: 3.7 nanograms per milligram dry weight (74-fold increase). A comparison of the polyA⁺ RNA populations isolated at 24 hours post-transfer from the elongating region of water-saturated and low water potential vermiculite-grown seedlings was made by two-dimensional (isoelectric focusing-sodium dodecyl sulfate) polyacrylamide gel analysis of in vitro translation products. It revealed both increases and decreases in the relative amounts of a number of translation products. Rewatering seedlings grown in low water potential vermiculite at 24 hours post-transfer led to a total recovery in growth rate within 0.5 hour, while abscisic acid in the elongating hypocotyl region required 1 to 2 hours to return to uninduced levels. Application of 1.0 millimolar (±) abscisic acid to well-watered seedlings resulted in a 48% reduction in hypocotyl growth rate during the first 2 hours after treatment. Plants treated with abscisic acid for 24 hours had a lower polysome content than control plants. However, hypocotyl growth inhibition in abscisic acid-treated seedlings preceded the decline in polysome content.     

Blue light control of hypocotyl elongation in etiolated seedlings of Lactuca sativa (L.) cv. Grand Rapids related to exogenous growth regulators and endogenous IAA, GA3 and abscisic acid

Results of studies on the interaction of blue light (B) and exogenous applied plant hormones (IAA, GA3 and ABA) as well as inhibitors of their synthesis on the control of hypocotyl elongation in etiolated seedlings of Lactuca sativa (L.) cv. Grand Rapids are presented, and compared with endogenous GA3, IAA and ABA levels measured by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-selected ion monitoring (GC-MS-SIM). Hypocotyl elongation of etiolated seedlings was linearly inhibited by increasing the B fluence rate between 0 and 18.3 mol m–2 s–1. Both GA3 and IAA added to the incubation medium at different concentrations were able to eliminate partially the inhibition of growth caused by 7.2 mol m–2 s–1 B. When dark (D)-grown seedlings were treated with Ca-prohexadione, a specific inhibitor of gibberellin 3-hydroxylation, they showed a growth inhibition similar to under B. Also, a suppression of growth as in B was obtained when D-grown seedlings were treated with ABA 380 M. By lowering ABA levels with fluridone (an inhibitor of ABA synthesis) a partial reversion of hypocotyl growth inhibition was obtained in B-grown seedlings. While none of the growth promoters used were able to reverse completely the growth inhibition caused by B, a proper combination of GA3, IAA and (eventually) fluridone, abolished the B effects. Correspondingly, lower levels of GA3 and IAA and a higher concentration of ABA were measured by GC-MS-SIM in B-grown hypocotyls than in D-grown ones. These results support the hypothesis that hormones are implicated in mediation of B light-dependent inhibition of hypocotyl elongation, which seems to be the result of a balance among endogenous levels of growth promoting and growth inhibiting hormones.     

SPINDLY and GIGANTEA interact and act in Arabidopsis thaliana pathways involved in light responses, flowering, and rhythms in cotyledon movements

SPINDLY (SPY) is a negative regulator of gibberellin signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana that also functions in previously undefined pathways. The N terminus of SPY contains a protein-protein interaction domain consisting of 10 tetratricopeptide repeats (TPRs). GIGANTEA (GI) was recovered from a yeast two-hybrid screen for proteins that interact with the TPR domain. GI and SPY also interacted in Escherichia coli and in vitro pull-down assays. The phenotypes of spy and spy-4 gi-2 plants support the hypothesis that SPY functions with GI in pathways controlling flowering, circadian cotyledon movements, and hypocotyl elongation. GI acts in the long-day flowering pathway upstream of CONSTANS (CO) and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT). Loss of GI function causes late flowering and reduces CO and FT RNA levels. Consistent with SPY functioning in the long-day flowering pathway upstream of CO, spy-4 partially suppressed the reduced abundance of CO and FT RNA and the late flowering of gi-2 plants. Like gi, spy affects the free-running period of cotyledon movements. The free-running period was lengthened in spy-4 mutants and shortened in plants that overexpress SPY under the control of the 35S promoter of Cauliflower mosaic virus. When grown under red light, gi-2 plants have a long hypocotyl. This hypocotyl phenotype was suppressed in spy-4 gi-2 double mutants. Additionally, dark-grown and far-red-light-grown spy-4 seedlings were found to have short and long hypocotyls, respectively. The different hypocotyl length phenotypes of spy-4 seedlings grown under different light conditions are consistent with SPY acting in the GA pathway to inhibit hypocotyl elongation and also acting as a light-regulated promoter of elongation.     

Similarity between Cytokinin and Blue Light Inhibition of Cucumber Hypocotyl Elongation

The cytokinin benzyladenine inhibited endogenous hypocotyl elongation in intact etiolated seedlings of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). In hypocotyl segments, the inhibitory effect of benzyladenine on growth was clearly detectable in the presence of indoleacetic acid. Fusicoccin-induced elongation was unaffected by the presence of cytokinin. The effect of cytokinin on elongation of the segments was determined by measuring changes in fresh weight, a linear function of extension growth. The effect of benzyladenine on hypocotyl growth was at least as large in segments prepared from red-light-grown seedlings as in those from seedlings grown in total darkness. A comparison was made between the inhibitory effects of cytokinin and blue light. The use of the calcium chelator ethyleneglycol-bis(β-aminoethyl ether)-N, N′-tetraacetic acid indicated that calcium ions are required for manifestation of benzyladenine-induced inhibition.     

Influence of water stress on endogenous hormone contents and cell damage of maize seedlings

Phytohormones play critical roles In regulating plant responses to stress. We Investigated the effects of water stress Induced by adding 12% (w/v) polyethylene glycol to the root medium on the levels of abscisic acid (ABA), indole-3-acid (IAA), zeatin (ZT), and gibberellin3 (GA3) in maize leaves. The results suggested that water stress had significant effects on the four hormone levels. There was a transient increase in the IAA content during the initial stage of adaptation to water stress in maize leaves, but it dropped sharply thereafter in response to water stress. ABA content increased dramatically in maize leaves after 24 h of exposure to water stress, and then the high levels of ABA were maintained to the end, The contents Of ZT and GA3 rapidly declined in maize leaves subjected to water stress. The effects of water stress on chlorophyll content, electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde levels in maize leaves were also studied. The variation of cell damage was negatively correlated with ZT and GA3 levels in maize leaves under water stress. Thus, we explored the roles of ZT and GA3 on the growth of maize seedlings under water stress by exogenous application. It is possible that both ZT and GA3 were effective in protecting maize seedlings from water stress, which would be of great importance for the improvement of drought tolerance in maize by genetic manipulation.     

Downregulation of the Basic Peroxidase Isoenzyme from Zinnia elegans by Gibberellic Acid

Hypocotyl formation during the epigeal germination of seedlings is under strict hormonal regulation. In a 3 d old Zinnia elegans seedling system, gibberellic acid (GA3) exerts an opposite effect to that exerted by light on hypocotyl photomorphogenesis because GA3 promotes an etiolated-like growth with an inhibition of radial (secondary) growth. For this reason, the effect of GA3 on the basic peroxidase isoenzyme from Z. elegans (ZePrx), an enzyme involved in hypocotyl lignin biosynthesis, was studied. The r...     

Genetic Variation of Hypocotyl Length in the Brussels Sprout

A study was made of variation in the hypocotyl length of twoinbred lines of Brassica oleracea gemmifera (Brussels sprout).The pattern of means and variances obtained from parental, F₁,F₂ and backcross generations suggested polygenic control ofhypocotyl length. Measurements of parental seed weights, embryocell numbers, and the growth of seedlings from seeds of knownweight support the view that variation between the lines inhypocotyl length, when the seedlings were exposed to light,was determined by differential extension rather than by initialdifferences in seed weight. The effect of reduction in lightintensity on hypocotyl extension was studied and the differencesbetween the lines was maintained under all light intensities.Differential reaction of the lines was only observed when theperiod allowed for growth was short. The inbred line with thelonger hypocotyl was shown to suppress the other under competitiveconditions.     

Effects of Age and Water Stress on Endogenous Levels of Plant Growth Regulators in Euphorbia lathyrus L.

The effect of droughting and waterlogging on changes in endogenouslevels of hormones have been studied in Euphorbia lathyrus L.with particular reference to plant age and leaf age. Younger tissues (i.e. immature leaves and young plants) synthesizedsignificantly greater amounts of ABA per unit fresh weight thandid corresponding older tissue. The increased ABA levels correlatedwell with corresponding increases in water saturation deficit(WSD) and stomatal resistance in a given treatment but the relationshipbetween the absolute values of these three parameters variedgreatly between seedlings of different ages. Endogenous ethylenelevels in leaves and stems were unaffected by droughting irrespectiveof age. Imposition of waterlogging led to marked increases in ABA levelsin young plants though this was not strictly related to changesin WSD or stomatal resistance. Endogenous levels of ethyleneincreased in response to waterlogging, this being marked inthe older seedlings which also had a higher incidence of senescenceand abscission. The more complex effects of waterlogging, the significance ofage of tissue on hormonal responses to stress, and the adaptivevalue of such responses to younger tissues are discussed.