Evaluation of tuber bearing Solanum species belonging to different ploidy levels for its yielding potential at low soil fertility

Virus free tubers from thirty-six clones of tuber bearing Solanum species belonging to different ploidy levels, from the world gene bank at the International Potato Center, were cultivated under field conditions at low and high fertilizer rates. Nine of the clones were chosen for their high yielding potential (advanced group) and twenty-seven for their extensiveness (native group). The tuber yields of the thirty-six clones at the two fertilizer levels were positively correlated and the advanced group yielded more than the native group, even under conditions of low soil fertility.A broad genetic variation in root size at both fertilizer levels was apparent. Although some native clones showed rather large root systems as a group, the advanced clones had a similar root dry weight to the native clones.Tuber dry weight was significantly correlated with root dry weight but the advanced clones had a higher tuber yield per unit of root dry matter produced.     

Effects of potato leafroll virus on the crop processes leading to tuber yield in potato cultivars which differ in tolerance of infection

The effects of infection with potato leafroll virus (PLRV) on the four crop processes leading to tuber fresh weight yield were examined in field plots of four cultivars (Montana, Pentland Crown, Maris Piper and King Edward) differing in tolerance to infection. Averaged across cultivars, infection decreased yield by 50%. This decrease was equally due to less light (total solar radiation) being intercepted, a lower efficiency with which intercepted light was converted into dry weight, and a smaller proportion of dry weight being partitioned to tubers. Dry matter content of the tubers was also diminished but to a lesser extent. The main difference between the cultivars in their response to infection was in the partitioning of dry weight. In Montana and Pentland Crown, harvest index was decreased by 15% in infected plants, whereas in the less tolerant cultivars, Maris Piper and King Edward, it was decreased by 25%. The decline in photosynthetic performance of Montana, a cultivar with slightly earlier maturity than the other three, was delayed in PLRV-infected plants. Effects on number of daughter tubers essentially reflected those on yield to the extent that average tuber weight did not change in Maris Piper, was one third less in King Edward, and the change was intermediate in Montana and Pentland Crown.     

Biochemical characterisation during seed development of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis)

Developmental biochemical information is a vital base for the elucidation of seed physiology and metabolism. However, no data regarding the biochemical profile of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) seed development has been reported thus far. In this study, the biochemical changes in the developing oil palm seed were investigated to study their developmental pattern. The biochemical composition found in the seed differed significantly among the developmental stages. During early seed development, the water, hexose (glucose and fructose), calcium and manganese contents were present in significantly high levels compared to the late developmental stage. Remarkable changes in the biochemical composition were observed at 10 weeks after anthesis (WAA): the dry weight and sucrose content increased significantly, whereas the water content and hexose content declined. The switch from a high to low hexose/sucrose ratio could be used to identify the onset of the maturation phase. At the late stage, dramatic water loss occurred, whereas the content of storage reserves increased progressively. Lauric acid was the most abundant fatty acid found in oil palm seed starting from 10 WAA.     

Some effects of seed source on early growth in Maris Peer potatoes

Potato seed tubers cv. Maris Peer obtained from a number of sources in England and Scotland were graded into a range of weights and after storage for approximately 3 or 7 months in 1971 or 3 months in 1972 they were planted to determine the effect of seed source on early foliage growth. In both years there were large differences between seed sources on the effect of seed tuber weight on the dry weight of foliage produced in a glasshouse from seed stored for 3 months. In some instances small seed from one source produced the same weight of foliage as large seed from another source. In 1971 after seed storage for 7 months there was no effect of source on foliage dry weight produced in the field. There was, however, no consistent effect of the site of production of the parent seed, of fertilizer treatments of the seed crop, or of N content of the seed tubers. Seed tuber N content increased, though not proportionally, with an increase in seed weight. It was unaffected by source except for seed tubers from one site m 1972.     

Developmental changes in enzymes involved in the conversion of hexose phosphate and its subsequent metabolites during early tuberization of potato

A highly synchronized in vitro tuberization system, based on single-node cuttings containing an axillary bud, was used to investigate the activity patterns of enzymes involved in the conversion of hexose phosphates and related products during stolon-to-tuber transition of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). At tuberization the activity of enzymes involved in glycolysis and the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (OPPP) showed a small but clear increase. This increase reflects a higher capacity of respiratory(-related) metabolism, presumably due to the onset of rapid cell division in the apical part of the tuberizing stolon. During the phase of successive tuber growth these enzymes decreased in activity, suggesting that the concomitant massive starch accumulation is not accompanied by a large increase in respiration. A high degree of positive correlation between the activities of these enzymes could be observed, implying that the level of respiratory metabolism-related enzymes is co-ordinately regulated by the same mechanism of coarse control. The activity pattern of pyrophosphate:fructose-6-phosphate phosphotransferase (PFP) showed no developmental change and does not resemble the activity pattern of the enzymes participating in respiratory(-related) metabolism. Instead, its level of activity is very likely the result of metabolic regulation. The level of the content of the metabolites UDP-glucose (UDPGlc) and glucose-6-phosphate (Glc6P) decreased after the onset of tuberization. This decline indicates that tuber induction is not accompanied by an appreciable increase in the level of the cytosolic hexose phosphate (hexose-P) content but that it rather remains on a low level, which might be a prerequisite in order to maintain a high net rate of sucrose degradation during tuber development. In contrast to UDPGlc and Glc6P, the content of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (Fru1,6bisP) showed an increase after tuber induction. The overall activities of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) and starch phosphorylase (STP) both showed a large increase after tuber initiation, which is consistent with their presumed role in the process of starch synthesis and accumulation during rapid tuber growth.     

Control of the hexose content of potato tubers

The amounts of glucose and fructose in a range of harvested tubers of Solanum tuberosum were compared with the labelling of these hexoses by [U-¹⁴C]sucrose supplied to the tubers. Hexose content varied. Fructose was more heavily labelled than glucose. There was no correlation between the amounts of glucose and fructose in the tuber and their labelling. The maximum catalytic activities of α-glucan phosphorylase, acid invertase, alkaline invertase, sucrose synthase, α-amylase and β-amylase in tubers stored for 17 weeks at 5° and at 10° were estimated. The values showed no clear correlation with hexose content, but provided sound evidence that starch breakdown was phosphorolytic. It is suggested that the amounts of glucose and fructose in mature harvested tubers may be determined more by the partitioning of the translocated sucrose during the development of the tubers than by the metabolism of the harvested tuber.     

Genetic variation in Solanum tuberosum group Andigena haploids

Summary A random sample of haploids, derived from 28 parental introductions from Solarium tuberosum Gp. Andigena, was used to estimate the quantitative genetic variation for six traits within this group. The six traits analyzed on a plot mean basis were: total tuber weight, fresh vine weight, total fresh weight (tuber+vine), dry vine weight, total dry matter (tuber+vine) and specific gravity. Progenies were obtained following the North Carolina mating Design I and were evaluated along with the female parental clones at two locations. Components of variance and narrow sense heritabilities were calculated by two methods: Design I and female parent-offspring regression. Heritability estimates calculated by the two procedures were in close agreement for most traits. The estimates for total tuber weight from the Design I procedure were twice that from parent offspring regression. The genetic coefficient of variation for these traits indicated a large amount of total genetic variance in this population. Genetic variability for total tuber weight was mostly additive, while both additive and dominant genetic variances were equally important for the remaining traits.     

Effects of growth regulators, CCC and B9, on some potato varieties

The effects of CCC and B 9 on the growth habit of potato differed between varieties. CCC diminished stem lengths and dry weight more than Bo because CCC was applied early when shoots emerged from the soil, but B 9 was applied about 3 weeks later when several leaves had formed. In some varieties lateral stem growth was increased by treatment and in others decreased. There was an inverse relation between main stem and lateral stem growth so that varieties with vigorous main stem growth had poor lateral growth and vice-versa. Treatment with the growth-regulators diminished leaf dry weight of main stem leaves less than leaf area, but the degree of magnitudes of the changes depended on the variety. Both regulators lessened net assimilation rate. Net assimilation rate and dry matter per unit area of leaf were inversely related, possibly because accumulation of substances in leaves decreases photosynthesis. Stolon dry weight was positively correlated with main stem leaf area. There was a direct relation between stem length and tuber dry weight, suggesting that tuber initiation occurs at different stem lengths in different varieties. Tubering was earliest in Epicure and latest in King Edward. Epicure had the greatest tuber weight and smallest stem length.     

Decreased sucrose content triggers starch breakdown and respiration in stored potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum)

To change the hexose-to-sucrose ratio within phloem cells, yeast-derived cytosolic invertase was expressed in transgenic potato (Solanum tuberosum cv. Desirée) plants under control of the rolC promoter. Vascular tissue specific expression of the transgene was verified by histochemical detection of invertase activity in tuber cross-sections. Vegetative growth and tuber yield of transgenic plants was unaltered as compared to wild-type plants. However, the sprout growth of stored tubers was much delayed, indicating impaired phloem-transport of sucrose towards the developing bud. Biochemical analysis of growing tubers revealed that, in contrast to sucrose levels, which rapidly declined in growing invertase-expressing tubers, hexose and starch levels remained unchanged as compared to wild-type controls. During storage, sucrose and starch content declined in wild-type tubers, whereas glucose and fructose levels remained unchanged. A similar response was found in transgenic tubers with the exception that starch degradation was accelerated and fructose levels increased slightly. Furthermore, changes in carbohydrate metabolism were accompanied by an elevated level of phosphorylated intermediates, and a stimulated rate of respiration. Considering that sucrose breakdown was restricted to phloem cells it is concluded that, in response to phloem-associated sucrose depletion or hexose elevation, starch degradation and respiration is triggered in parenchyma cells. To study further whether elevated hexose and/or hexose-phosphates or decreased sucrose levels are responsible for the metabolic changes observed, sucrose content was decreased by tuber-specific expression of a bacterial sucrose isomerase. Sucrose isomerase catalyses the reversible conversion of sucrose into palatinose, which is not further metabolizable by plant cells. Tubers harvested from these plants were found to accumulate high levels of palatinose at the expense of sucrose. In addition, starch content decreased slightly, while hexose levels remained unaltered, compared with the wild-type controls. Similar to low sucrose-containing invertase tubers, respiration and starch breakdown were found to be accelerated during storage in palatinose-accumulating potato tubers. In contrast to invertase transgenics, however, no accumulation of phosphorylated intermediates was observed. Therefore, it is concluded that sucrose depletion rather than increased hexose metabolism triggers reserve mobilization and respiration in stored potato tubers.     

Absorption of hexose and pentose sugars in vivo in perfused intestinal segments in the fowl.

1. Rates of absorption of two hexose (D-glucose and D-galactose) and two pentose (D-xylose and D-arabinose) sugars were measured by in vivo perfusion, in jejunum, ileum and (distal) caecum, in immature hens conditioned to either a standard (ST) or "high fibre" (ST + 20% grass) diet. 2. Each bird was tested in one intestinal segment with all four (U-14C-labelled, 10 mM) sugars, with either the hexoses preceding the pentoses or vice versa. 3. With all treatments, absorption rates of the hexoses were alike, as were those of the pentoses. Hexose absorption was twice as fast as pentose absorption in jejunum and ileum with both dietary pretreatments, whereas in caecum hexose and pentose rates were similarly high, except when pentose (and its associated fluid transfer) was apparently inhibited by prior hexose absorption with the ST diet. 4. With the ST diet, hexose absorption (per unit length and dry weight) was faster in caecum than in jejunum and ileum, and pentose absorption was also fastest in caecum when all pentose data from testing after hexose were excluded. 5. With the ST/grass diet, hexose absorption was faster in jejunum than in ileum and caecum when expressed per unit length, and pentose absorption was fastest in caecum on a dry weight basis. 6. Hexose absorption was faster in jejunum and slower in caecum with the ST/grass pretreatment than with ST. However, the dietary comparison was not conclusive because it involved birds form (two) different hatches (of similar age and weight) tested at different times.     

The Effect of Gibberellic Acid on Starch Breakdown in Sprouting Tubers of Solanum tuberosum L.

The treatment of potato tubers with 150 µmol dm^–3gibberellic acid (GA₃) stimulated starch breakdown and hexoseaccumulation in tuber tissues and the transfer of dry matterto stems. These effects could not be accounted for by enhancedactivities of starch phosphorylase, amylase and acid invertase.Indeed enzyme activities either declined or remained relativelyconstant as starch degradation and hexose accumulation proceeded.Changes in the rate of starch depletion were related to changesin sink strength and sink type, the onset of tuber initiationin controls causing the rate of starch degradation to exceedthat in GA₃-treated tissues, in which tuberization was inhibited. Solanum tuberosum L., gibberellic acid, starch breakdown     

Fructan Hydrolysis Drives Petal Expansion in the Ephemeral Daylily Flower

Dry weight, water content, soluble carbohydrate content, and carbohydrate composition of daylily (Hemerocallis hybrid cv Cradle Song) flower petals were monitored in the 3 d leading up to full opening and in the first day of senescence. Timing of events was related to the time (hour 0) when flower expansion was 60% complete. Petal dry weight increased linearly from hour -62 (tight bud) to hour 10 (fully developed flower), then fell rapidly to hour 34 as senescence advanced. Increase in water content was proportional to dry weight increase from hour -62 to hour -14, but was more rapid as the bud cracked and the flower opened, giving an increase in fresh weight/dry weight ratio. Soluble carbohydrate was 50% of petal dry weight up to hour 10, then decreased during senescence to reach 4% by hour 34. Up until hour -14, fructan accounted for 80% of the soluble carbohydrate in the petals, whereas hexose accounted for only 2%. Fructan hydrolysis started just prior to bud crack at hour -14, reaching completion by hour 10 when no detectable fructan remained, and fructose plus glucose accounted for more than 80% of the total soluble carbohydrate. The proportion of sucrose remained constant throughout development. Osmolality of petal cell sap increased significantly during fructan hydrolysis, from 0.300 to 0.340 osmolal. Cycloheximide applied to excised buds between hour -38 and hour -14 halted both fructan hydrolysis and flower expansion. The findings suggest that onset of fructan hydrolysis, with the concomitant large increase in osmoticum, is an important event driving flower expansion in daylily.     

Effect of Zinc Sulfate and Boric Acid on the Hormonal Status of Potato Plants in Relation to Tuberization

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants were grown in a greenhouse using zinc- and boron-deficient soil. The effects of seed-tuber treatment with 3 mM zinc sulfate and 8 mM boric acid on the content and ratio of phytohormones in the leaves and mature tubers, the indices of photosynthetic activity, the rate and NaF-sensitivity of respiration, and the tuber growth were studied. Zinc-sulfate treatment shifted the hormonal balance toward a substantial increase in the cytokinin content and the cytokinin/ABA ratio, as well as a decrease in the IAA/cytokinin ratio. Boric-acid treatment resulted in an increase in the IAA content and IAA/cytokinin ratio. Zinc-sulfate treatment abolished the apical dominance and increased the tuber weight due to their increased number and the number of phellem (cork) cell layers. Boric-acid treatment increased cell diameter in the tuber perimedullary zone; an increase in tuber weight per plant was related to tuber growth. A relationship between changes in the plant hormonal status induced by zinc-sulfate and boric-acid treatments and the activity of physiological processes is discussed.     

Expression of a bacterial xylose isomerase in potato tubers results in an altered hexose composition and a consequent induction of metabolism

Here we investigate the role of hexoses in the metabolism of the developing potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber by the expression of a bacterial xylose isomerase which catalyzes the interconversion of glucose and fructose. Previously, we found that glycolysis was induced in transgenic tubers expressing a yeast invertase in the cytosol and postulated that this was due either to the decreased levels of sucrose or to effects downstream of the sucrose cleavage. In the present study xylose isomerase was expressed under the control of the tuber-specific patatin promoter. Selected transformants exhibited minor changes in the levels of tuber glucose and fructose but not in sucrose. Analysis of the enzyme activities of the glycolytic pathway revealed minor yet significant increases in the maximal catalytic activities of aldolase and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase but no increase in the activities of other enzymes of glycolysis. These lines were also characterized by an elevated tuber number, glycolytic and sucrose synthetic fluxes and in some metabolite levels downstream of glycolysis. When considered together these data suggest that the perturbation of hexose levels can result in increased glycolytic and sucrose (re)synthetic fluxes in the potato tuber even in the absence of changes in the level of sucrose. The consequences of altering hexose levels in the tuber are, however, not as severe as those observed following perturbation of the level of tuber sucrose.     

Sucrose‐cleaving enzymes and carbohydrate pools in Lilium longiflorum floral organs

The activities of soluble invertase (EC 3.2.1.26), cell wall invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) and sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) were determined in Easter lily ( Lilium longiflorum Thunb. cv. Nellie White) floral organs during flower development. These enzyme activities were correlated with dry weight gains and carbohydrate pools to investigate the importance of their expression in maintaining sink strength of floral organs. In the early stages of flower bud development, anthers exhibited the highest rates of dry weight gain and activity of sucrolytic enzymes. Once anther growth was completed, the dry weight gain of tepal, filament, stigma and style increased with a concomitant increase in hexose concentrations and invertase activity. Although all three enzymes capable of catalyzing sucrose cleavage were present in every flower organ of L. longiflorum , soluble invertase was the predominant enzyme in all flower organs except stigma where cell wall invertase dominated. Soluble invertase activity was highly correlated with dry weight gain in most of the flower organs.     

Changes in antioxidant potential and sink-organ dry matter with pigment accumulation induced by hexaconazole in Plectranthus forskholii Briq

An investigation was conducted in Plectranthus forskholii by giving it different concentrations (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mg L(-1)) of hexaconazole, a fungicide cum plant-growth regulator, in order to find out its effects on growth, pigment composition, and antioxidant potential. The treatments were given as soil drenching on different growth stages. All the concentrations of hexaconazole used significantly decreased the stem length and leaf area, whereas side branches, fresh and dry matter content, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant potential were increased. The number of tubers, length and girth of tubers, fresh and dry weight of tubers and tuber pigments were found to be the highest at a 25 mg L(-1) concentration of hexaconazole. Hexaconazole application at 25 mg L(-1) concentration was found to be more effective than 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mg L(-1) in promoting fresh and dry weight of root tuber over 165 days after planting. The pigments like chlorophyll, carotenoid; anthocyanins, xanthophylls and antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione and total phenol were significantly increased under hexaconazole treatment when compared to untreated control plants.     

不同光照条件下三七幼苗形态及生长指标的变化

用遮阳网设置不同透光率(自然全光照的1%、3%、8%、12%和22%)处理,对不同光照条件下三七〔Panax notoginseng(Burk.)F.H.Chen〕幼苗形态指标(株高、冠幅、块根长、主根长、块根直径、茎基径、单株须根数和单株须根长)、干物质积累(不同器官干质量)和分配以及叶片性状(单株叶面积、比叶面积和叶绿素相对含量SPAD值)的变化进行了研究。结果表明:在透光率不同的条件下三七幼苗的形态指标、不同器官干质量及分配以及叶片性状均有明显变化。其中,块根直径、单株须根长、单株须根数、不同器官(块根、须根、根、叶片和茎)干质量和植株总干质量均随透光率增大逐渐提高;株高在透光率22%条件下最高;冠幅和单株叶面积在透光率3%条件下最大;主根长、茎基径、根冠比、根质比及SPAD值均在透光率8%条件下最高;茎质比和叶质比在透光率3%和1%条件下较大;比叶面积随透光率增大逐渐降低。综合分析结果揭示:三七是一种典型的喜阴植物,种植过程中适当遮阳有利于其生长和干物质积累,其中透光率8%对三七幼苗生长较为适宜。