Stimulation of adventitious root formation in non-woody stem cuttings by uridine

Uridine strongly stimulated adventitious root formation in stem cuttings of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). A dose response curve of uridine induced rooting showed that the optimum concentration of uridine was 0.1 µM. At all concentrations employed, uridine had no significant effect on root elongation. The rooting response of stem cuttings to the optimal concentration of indole-3-butyric acid (10 µM) in combination with 0.1 µM uridine did not significantly differ from their response to either of these compounds when applied alone. However, the rooting response of the cuttings to sub-optimal IBA (0.01 µM) was significantly stimulated by uridine. These findings suggested that uridine may have stimulated rooting by increasing the sensitivity of the rooting tissue to auxin.     

Methyl jasmonate and bean leaf abscission

The effect of rac-methyl jasmonate, both in solution and as a vapour, on the separation of pulvinar and petiolar tissues in explants containing the distal abscission zone of primary leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris var. Contender was investigated. The effects of rac-methyl jasmonate were compared to those of (±)-abscisic acid, -naphthalene acetic acid, ethylene and 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid. Abscission times were determined in explants prepared from 14-day-old control plants and in explants prepared from plants that had been pretreated for 24h with the ethylene-action inhibitor, silver thiosulphate. While silver-pretreatment, or treatment with -naphthalene acetic acid delayed abscission, treatment with ethylene or 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid accelerated tissue separation. However, (±)-abscisic acid delayed abscission under these conditions. In all instances, treatment with rac-methyl jasmonate had no apparent effect on abscission. The loss of chlorophyll from bean leaf discs incubated in the dark was enhanced by treatment with 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid or (±)-abscisic acid and was retarded in discs incubated in benzyl adenine. While incubation in -naphthalene acetic acid was without effect, incubation in solution of rac-methyl jasmonate also retarded chlorophyll loss when compared to water controls.     

The effect of 6-benzyladenine derivatives on the rooting of Phaseolus vulgaris L. primary leaf cuttings

The effects of 6-benzyladenine (BA), its 3-glucoside (BA-3-G) and 9-glucoside (BA-9-G), and its riboside (BA-R) on the rooting of primary leaf explants of Phaseolus vulgaris L. were compared, alone or in combination with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). At all except the lowest concentration used (4.4 × 10^–7 M), BA and BA-3-G reduced the number of roots and their averge length relative to a distilled water control. Addition of IBA (4.4 × 10^–5 M) increased rooting beyond the control, but not to the level of IBA alone. This contrasted with BA-9-G where a response very similar to that of the control was recorded. The riboside of BA was more inhibitory than the free base, its effect extending to the lowest concentration used (4.4 × 10^–7 M).     

Utilizing the potential for increased nitrogen fixation in common bean

Many variables affect the amount of N₂ fixation that occurs in field-grown common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). When environmental conditions are optimized, genetically superior plants that are nodulated with efficient rhizobia are able to fix enough N₂ to support grain yields of up to 2000 kg ha^–1. All of the required components are available for common bean to fulfill its potential as a nitrogen-fixing food crop. However, these components must be assembled and presented to growers in a usable package that is economically attractive.     

The effect of indole-3-acetylaspartic acid on adventitious root formation on bean cuttings

The influence of indole-3-acetylaspartic acid (IAAsp) on rooting of stem cuttings from bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) of different ages, cultivated at different temperatures (17°, 21° and 25°C) was studied and compared to that of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). At a concentration of 10^–4 M, IAAsp only nonsignificantly stimulated adventitious root formation, approximately to the same level as IAA in all treatments. IAAsp at 5×10^–4 M further enhanced rooting, by up 200% of control values, with little influence of temperature conditions and stock plant age. This concentration of IAA usually stimulated rooting more than the conjugate. The largest differences between the effects of IAAsp and IAA occured at the highest cultivation temperature of 25°C where stock plant age also influenced the response. The number of roots produced in comparison with the control, was enhanced from 350% on cuttings from the youngest plants to more than 600% on cuttings from the oldest. In contrast to the conjugate, 5×10^–4 M IAA induced hypocotyl swelling and injury of the epidermis at the base of cuttings, in all treatments.     

Promotion of adventitious root formation by 4-chlororesorcinol: A polyphenol oxidase inhibitor

The extent of rooting in cuttings of Phaseolus vulgaris L., and Vigna radiata Wilcz. was affected by 4-chlororesorcinol, a polyphenol oxidase inhibitor. More root primordia and more roots were formed after 4-chlororesorcinol treatment both with and without 10^-5M Indole butyric acid. Promotion of rooting was observed also in cuttings of Elaeagnus pungens, Gypsophilia elegans and Kalanchoe blossfeldiana. The enhancement in bean and mung bean was accompanied by a concomitant wider spatial distribution of the primordia and the resulting adventitious roots. The formation of primordia in the treated cuttings was delayed by 12–24 hours, compared to untreated cuttings. The treatment was effective only when given during the first hours after the preparation of the cutting of bean and mung bean, suggesting involvement in the initiation stage. Hypocotyl extracts of mung bean cuttings, pretreated with 4-chlororesorcinol, exhibited reduced polyphenol oxidase activity. The inhibition was not reversed by washing of the treated extract in 50% acetone or by an overnight dialysis, suggesting tight or maybe even irreversible binding of the inhibitor to the enzyme.Abbreviations 4-CR 4-chlororesorcinol - IBA Indole butyric acid - PPO polyphenol oxidase     

Enhancement of adventitious root formation in mung bean cuttings by 3,5-dihalo-4-hydroxybenzoic acids and 2,4-dinitrophenol

3,5-Dihalo-4-hydroxybenzoic acids enhanced adventitious root formation in mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) cuttings. 3,5-Diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid was more active than 3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxybenzoic acid, increasing the number of roots formed by about 4-fold. 2,4-Dinitrophenol also enhanced significantly adventitious root formation in mung bean cuttings. The phenolic compounds were active with or without indole-3-acetic acid. The possible mechanism by which these phenolic compounds enhance rooting is discussed.Abbreviations CCCP carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone - DIHB 3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid - DNP 2,4-dinitrophenol     

Chemical induction of adventitious root formation in Taxus baccata cuttings

The effect of some auxins (IBA and NAA), phenolic compounds (phloroglucinol, gentisic acid and coumarin), a combination of auxins and phenolics, and a systemic fungicide (Bavistin) have been examined for stimulatory effects on adventitious root formation in stem cuttings (current season's growth) of Taxus baccata L. In general lower concentration (0.25 mM) of both IBA and NAA was more effective in inducing rooting of cuttings taken from both male and female trees. The combined treatment of IBA+NAA (0.25 mM each) showed some success in cuttings from male trees only (55%, compared to 15% rooting in cuttings from female trees). Generally, the callus formation was quite high (70%) in all auxin treatments (alone or in combination). Among the phenolics, 40% rooting success was achieved with phloroglucinol only, while coumarin and gentisic acid were ineffective. The combined treatment of auxins and phenolics also failed to promote rooting. On the other hand, Bavistin was extremely effective for callusing (90%) as well as rooting (80%). The effectiveness of various compounds tested for rooting of young stem cuttings declined in the order: 0.25 mM IBA>0.05% Bavistin>0.25 mM NAA>1.25 mM IBA>15 mM phloroglucinol>IBA+NAA (0.25 mM each). In addition to the auxins, IBA and NAA that are widely used for commercial propagation, the auxin-like properties of the fungicide Bavistin could be exploited for adventitious rooting in T. baccata, and in other plant species.     

Methyl gallate and its 3-glucoside promote rooting in bean cuttings

Methyl gallate stimulated adventitious root formation in cuttings of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). This polyphenol was quickly metabolized into 3-glucosyl methyl gallate to such an extent that 4 h after application no methyl gallate was detected. The isolated glucoside when supplied exogenously at 0.5 mM also enhanced rooting; the effect was 2-fold greater than that of methyl gallate. The glucoside persisted in the cuttings for 72 h after treatment. Because methyl gallate is rapidly transformed to a stable glucoside, we suggest that the root stimulation effect could be ascribed to its glucoside.     

Nitrate or ammonium nutrition in french bean

Summary Bean Plants were grown in a greenhouse in sand irrigated with nutrient solutions containing either 2 mM NO ₃ ^– or 2 mM NH ₄ ⁺ . After 45 days fresh weight of NH ₄ ⁺ plants was half that of NO ₃ ^– plants. Cation concentration in NH ₄ ⁺ plants was 30% less than in NO ₃ ^– plants. Amino acids (SER, ASN, GLN) accummulated 3 to 10 times more in NH ₄ ⁺ plants. The concentration of organic acids (malic, malonic, citric) was 10 to 30 times higher in NO ₃ ^– plants. The ATP-costings for the synthesis of amino acids and organic acids in NH ₄ ⁺ plants was half that of NO ₃ ^– ones: therefore it could not account for the reduction of growth in the ammonium-fed plants.     

Cloning and expression analysis of SKn-type dehydrin gene from bean in response to heavy metals

A heavy metal responsive gene PvSR3 (GenBank accession number U54703) encoding an acid dehydrin was isolated from a mercuric chloride-treated bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) leaf cDNA library by differential screening using cDNAs derived from treated and untreated plants. The PvSR3 cDNA is 981-bp long and has a 606-bp open-reading frame with a 202-residue-deduced amino acid sequence. The PvSR3 sequence contains two conserved repeats of the characteristic lysine-rich K segment (EKKGIMDKIKEKLPG) preceded by an 8-serine residue stretch, whereas the Y segment (DEYGNP) conserved motif is absent. The deduced protein has a calculated molecular weight of 23 kDa and an isoelectric point of 5.2. Sequence similarity and comparative analysis showed that PvSR3 shares 70 and 73% similarity with the dehydrin of poplar and pepper, respectively. Southern hybridizations indicated that PvSR3 was a low copy-number gene. Northern blot analysis revealed that PvSR3 mRNA was weakly detected in seedling leaves. However, the gene expression was strongly stimulated by heavy metals, such as mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and coppper, whereas virus infection and salt had little effect on it. In contrast, PvSR3 was not responsive to drought or abscisic acid (ABA), and was downregulated by UV radiation. Furthermore, PvSR3 was upregulated by the exogenous signaling molecules, including salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). It is suggested that PvSR3 is extremely related to heavy metal stress, and might play an important role in metal detoxification and resistance to the damage caused by heavy metals.     

Breding common bean for improved biological nitrogen fixation

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), which is an important food crop in the Americas, Africa and Asia, usually is thought to fix only small amounts of atmospheric nitrogen. However, field data indicate considerable genetic variability for total N₂ fixation and traits associated with fixation. Studies have shown that selection to increase N₂ fixation will be successful if: (1) discriminating traits (selection criteria) are measured precisely, (2) variability in germplasm is heritable, (3) selected parents are also agronomically suitable, (4) units of selection facilitate quantification of selection criteria, and (5) a breeding procedure that allows maximum genetic gain for N₂ fixation and recombination with essential agronomic traits is chosen. Breeding lines capable of fixing enough atmospheric N₂ to support seed yields of 1000–2000 kg ha^–1 have been identified and new cultivars with high N₂ fixation potential are being released.     

Abscisic acid (ABA) inhibition of lateral root formation involves endogenous ABA biosynthesis in Arachis hypogaea L.

ABA has been found to play a significant role in post-embryonic developmental in peanut seedlings. The results from the current study indicate that in the presence of exogenous 10 μmol l⁻¹ ABA, lateral roots (LRs) number decreased and seedling development was delayed. This effect was eliminated by 25 μmol l⁻¹ naproxen, an inhibitor of ABA biosynthesis. The Arabidopsis mutant deficient in ABA biosynthesis, nced3, displays a phenotype with more and longer LRs. We found that ABA decreased root-branching in peanut in a dose-dependent way. ABA-treated seedlings showed higher endogenous ABA levels than the control and naproxen-treated seedlings. RT-PCR results indicated that the expression of AhNCED1, a key gene in the ABA biosynthetic pathway, was significantly up-regulated by exogenous ABA in peanut. The mRNA levels of AhNCED1 began to increase 2 days after ABA treatment. The results from the current study show that ABA inhibits peanut LR development by increasing endogenous ABA contents.     

Effects of acifluorfen on auxin translocation in bean seedlings

The effect of 5-(2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoic acid (acifluorfen) on the translocation of the¹⁴C-labeled auxins 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T-1-¹⁴C) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA-1-¹⁴C) was determined. The auxins and acifluorfen were injected into the stem at the cotyledonary node of 9-day-old bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv Tenderpod) seedlings. The plants were harvested 4 h after treatment and analyses of¹⁴C were made of various plant parts. Acifluorfen increased 2,4,5-T,-1-¹⁴C translocation out of the treated area and especially into the large primary leaves. This translocation pattern is indicative of apoplastic translocation and suggests that acifluorfen inhibited vein loading of the auxins. Acifluorfen affected auxin translocation in the dark as effectively as in the light even though the herbicidal effects of acifluorfen are known to be expressed only after light treatment.Journal article no. 4403 of the Agric. Exp. Stn., Oklahoma State Univ.     

The effect of the civil war on Rwandas bean seed systems and unusual bean diversity

The Rwandan civil war escalated in 1994, killing 800 000 people and displacing another 2 million. Agriculture, the occupation of over 90% of the Rwandans was acutely affected as violence peaked in the middle of the growing season. This article analyses the effects of the war on bean varietal diversity as, pre-war, Rwandan farmers grew the greatest range of varieties in active use anywhere and maintaining such diversity was central to sustainable production. Extensive pre- and post-war assessments show the current bean varietal situation to be relatively promising. The war had lesser effects than anticipated: fighting was staggered, harvests were better than expected, and local seed channels generally continued functioning. However, changes in varietal profiles were noted over the longer term due to two trends: farmers' needs to intensify production and to respond to swift and widespread root rot pressures. The article ends with five methodological reflections on how to assess varietal erosion in sites of acute disruption.     

Effects of ethylene and inhibitors of ethylene synthesis and action on nodulation in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The ethylene releasing compound, 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon) inhibited nodule development in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants. In contrast, inhibitors of ethylene synthesis or its physiological activity enhanced nodulation. In a co-culture of bean seeds and rhizobia, ethephon inhibited rhizobial growth while inhibitors of ethylene synthesis or action did not influence the growth and proliferation of rhizobia. These data emphasize the role of ethylene as a regulator of nodulation in determinate nodulators and indicate that the ethylene signaling pathway involved in the nodulation process is not limited to the plant host but also involves the bacterial symbiont.     

Five primary trisomics from translocation heterozygote progenies in common bean,Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Summary Twelve distinct phenotypic groups of plants were isolated from nondisjunction progenies of 11 translocation heterozygote stocks. All the plants in these phenotypic groups originated in the light weight seed class. Five of the 12 phenotypic groups of plants have been verified as primary trisomics. They are all phenotypically distinguishable from each other and from disomics. One of the five primary trisomic groups, puckered leaf, was directly recovered as a primary trisomic from the original translocation heterozygote progenies. Three of the five trisomics — weak stem, dark green leaf, and convex leaf — originated first as tertiary trisomics. The related primary trisomics were isolated later from progenies of selfed tertiary trisomics. The fifth group, chlorotic leaf, originated at a low frequency among the progenies of three other trisomics: puckered leaf, convex leaf, and dark green leaf. The chlorotic leaf did not set seed under field conditions. The remaining four groups — puckered leaf, dark green leaf, convex leaf, and weak stem — are fertile, though sensitive to high temperature conditions. The transmission rate of the extra chromosome on selfing ranges from 28% to 41%. Physical identification of the extra chromosome has not been achieved for any of the five trisomic groups. Two trisomic groups, dark green leaf and convex leaf, have produced tetrasomics at low frequency. The phenotypes of these two tetrasomics are similar to the corresponding trisomics but more exaggerated.Fla. Agr. Expt. Stn. Journal Series No. 7137     

Endogenous indole-3-acetic acid and abscisic acid in apple microcuttings in relation to adventitious root formation

The effects of applying indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for periods up to 48 h were examined in difficult-to-root microcuttings (from newly-established cultures) and in easy-to-root microcuttings (from long-term subcultures) of Jonathan apple (Malus X domestica Borkh). In easy-to-root material, 20% of the microcuttings produced roots in the absence of IBA, while 6 h exposure to 10 M IBA gave 100% rooting of microcuttings. In contrast, root formation in difficult-to-root material was IBA-dependent. Maximum rooting of these microcuttings (50%) required 24 h exposure to 10 M IBA.Variation in the endogenous levels of free indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) during the course of root induction was similar in microcuttings of both types but there were marked differences in endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) levels. In easy-to-root microcuttings ABA remained at a constant low level, but in difficult-to-root material ABA exhibited marked fluctuations and was present at higher concentrations than in easy-to-root microcuttings.     

Influence of phosphate rock sources and rates on rice and common bean production in an Oxisol

A field experiment was conducted for five consecutive years to determine upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) response to eight P sources at three P rates in an Oxisol of Central Brazil. The P sources tested were triple superphosphate (TSP), Arafertil phosphate partially acidulated (APPA), phosphate of Patos partially acidulated (PPPA), phosphate of Araxa concentrated (PAC), phosphate of Catalao (PC), phosphate of Jacupiranga (PJ), phosphate of Patos de Minas (PPM), and phosphate of Abaete (PA). All phosphate rock sources were of Brazilian origin. The P rates used were 87, 174 and 262 kg P ha^-1. Yield response to P sources and rates varied from crop to crop. Rice and bean yields were significantly correlated with Bray 1 P, but not Mehlich 1 P. In the first year, TSP and the two partially acidulated phosphate rocks (APPA, PPPA) produced higher grain yields. In the second year and all remaining years of the experiment, the efficiency of phosphate rock sources as measured by grain yield was equivalent to TSP or partially acidulated P sources. The results suggest that these phosphate rock sources could be used in rice-bean rotations on Brazilian Oxisols. Yield losses in the first year could be partially offset by the addition of a small amount of soluble P.     

Heritable variation in the phaseolin protein of nondomesticated common bean,Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Summary Crude protein extracts from single seeds of nondomesticated Mexican bean accessions were analysed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for variability in phaseolin protein. Six new phaseolin types; M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, which contained polypeptides within the same range of molecular weights (51,000 to 45,000 daltons) as occur in the S, T and C phaseolin types of cultivated beans were identified. No T and C types were found among the non-domesticated Mexican accessions, and the S type occurred in less than 7% of the seeds screened. Genetic analyses of F₂ progenies from crosses between Sanilac (S), and five of the M types showed that each M phaseolin phenotype was allelic to the S type and expressed codominantly.