Abscisic acid-deficient plants do not accumulate proteinase inhibitor II following systemin treatment

The role of systemin inPin2 gene expression was analyzed in wild-type plants of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), as well as in abscisic acid (ABA)-deficient tomato (sitiens) and potato (droopy) plants. The results showed that systemin initiates Pin2 mRNA accumulation only in wildtype tomato and potato plants. As in the situation after mechanical wounding,Pin2 gene expression in ABA-deficient plants was not activated by systemin. Increased endogenous levels of jasmonic acid (JA) and accumulation of Pin2 mRNA were observed following treatment with α-linolenic acid, the precursor of JA biosynthesis, suggesting that these ABA mutants still have the capability to synthesize de novo JA. Measurement of endogenous levels of ABA and JA showed that systemin leads to an increase of both phytohormones (ABA and JA) only in wild-type but not in ABA-deficient plants.     

Theobroxide Triggers Jasmonic Acid Production to Induce Potato Tuberization in vitro

Theobroxide, a novel compound isolated from fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae culture, stimulates potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber formation in vitro and in vivo, and induces flowering of Japanese morning glory (Pharbitis nil) under non-inductive long day conditions. To assess the mode of action of theobroxide in the tuberization process we measured endogenous levels of jasmonic acid and lipoxygenase activity in the cultures after the treatment with theobroxide. The results showed that theobroxide not only stimulated microtuber formation alone, but also enhanced the inductive effect of jasmonic acid when they were used in combination. The endogenous JA content increased in response to theobroxide in both old and new tissues. Moreover, theobroxide increased lipoxygenase activity in the cultures, at 2 and 3 week after culture initiation. Additionally, histological observations indicated that theobroxide might play a role in the swelling of micro-tubers formed in vitro in a similar manner as that of jasmonic acid. These results suggest that the inductive effect of theobroxide on potato micro-tuber formation might be achieved through triggering jasmonic acid production.     

Biosynthesis of jasmonic Acid by several plant species

Six plant species metabolized ¹⁸O-labeled 12-oxo-cis,cis-10,15-phytodienoic acid (12-oxo-PDA) to short chain cyclic fatty acids. The plant species were corn (Zea mays L.), eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Among the products was jasmonic acid, a natural plant constituent with growth-regulating properties. The pathway is the same as the one recently reported by us for jasmonic acid synthesis in Vicia faba L. pericarp. First, the ring double bond of 12-oxo-PDA is saturated; then β-oxidation enzymes remove six carbons from the carboxyl side chain of the ring. Substrate specificity studies indicated that neither the stereochemistry of the side chain at carbon 13 of 12-oxo-PDA nor the presence of the double bond at carbon 15 was crucial for either enzyme step. The presence of enzymes which convert 12-oxo-PDA to jasmonic acid in several plant species indicates that this may be a general metabolic pathway in plants.     

Activation of elicitor defensive properties by systemic signal molecules during the interaction between potato and the late blight agent

The elicitor arachidonic acid in combination with jasmonic acid (JA) induced a higher level of defense against the late blight agent in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tissues than in combination with salicylic acid (SA). On the contrary, the elicitor chitosan displayed a higher inductive effect in combination with SA as compared with JA. The optimal concentrations of tested compounds were selected for designing the compositions activating wound repair, induction of proteinase inhibitors, and resistance to the biotrophic pathogen Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary. It was demonstrated that the compositions of elicitor and systemic signal molecules provided a faster spreading of an inducing effect in the potato tissues.     

Behavioral Response of Nothanguina phyllobia to Selected Plant Species

The silver-leaf nightshade nenmtode, Nothanguina phyllobia, is a promising biological control agent for its only reported host, Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. When infective larvae of N. phyllobia and stem tissue of 39 econmnically important plant species were suspended in 0.5% water agar, nematodes aggregated about S. elaeagnifolium, Solanum carolinense L., Solanum melongena L., Solanum tuberosum L., and Prunus caroliniana (Mill.) Ait. Nematodes responded to Solanum spp. via positive chemotaxis and/or klinokinesis, but aggregated near tissue of P. caroliniana as a result of orthokinetic effects. Nematodes aggregated away from tissue of Hibiscus esculentus L., Triticum aestivum L., Santolina sp., Rosa sp., and Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad. in the absence of orthokinetic effects. Experiments that excluded light and maintained relative humidity at 100% showed N. phyllobia to ascend the stems of 35 plant species to a height of > 9 cm within 12 h. Differences in stem ascension were not attributable to stem surface characteristics.     

Jasmonic Acid induces tuberization of potato stolons cultured in vitro

The aim of the study was to assess the potential in vitro effects of jasmonic acid and kinetin on tuberization of potato (Solanum tuberosum). Of the two, the former was by far the stronger in vitro promoter of stolon tuberization. Number of tubers induced per stolon, tuberization rate, and final tuber weight were higher by factors of 2.8, 2.3, and 6.4, respectively. Bioassay sensitivity of jasmonic acid, measured in terms of the point at which the concentration for inducing tuberization was saturating, was more than 20 times greater than that of kinetin. Tuberization in both cases was associated with a decrease in rooting ability. Jasmonic acid also triggered a general state of induction throughout the stolon.     

Efficiency of endozoochorous seed dispersal in six dry-fruited species (Cistaceae): from seed ingestion to early seedling establishment

We combined laboratory and nursery experiments to analyse the effectiveness of sheep as endozoochorous seed dispersers of six native shrubby Cistaceae species collected in SE Spain (Helianthemum apenninum (L.) Mill., H. violaceum (Cav.) Pers., Fumana ericoides (Cav.) Grand., F. thymifolia (L.) Spach, Cistus monspeliensis L. and C. laurifolius L.), considering the main stages after seed ingestion, i.e. seed recovery, seed germination, seedling emergence and early seedling establishment. Seed recovery after gut passage was high (around 40%) for all the species, except F. thymifolia (12%). Most seeds (ca. 90%) were recovered within 48 h after ingestion for all the species, although seeds were still recovered up to 96 h after ingestion. Gut passage increased germination up to seven-fold compared to non-ingested seeds. Furthermore, seedling emergence from seeds contained in pellets was overall similar (intact pellets) to or higher (crumbled pellets) than emergence from seeds without dung. Survival of emerged seedlings and mass of seedlings after 20 days were not reduced by dung. Sheep act therefore as effective dispersers of these Cistaceae species by scattering seeds and promoting germination, while faeces do not hamper seedling establishment. We conclude that the interaction between herbivorous ungulates and these dry-fruited species may be considered a mutualism qualitatively similar to the mutualism between frugivorous vertebrates and fleshy-fruited plants.     

Characterisation of a gene that is expressed in leaves at higher levels upon tuberisation in potato and upon flowering in tobacco

A partial cDNA clone has been isolated which represents a gene that is induced in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) leaves upon tuber initiation. The gene is also present in tobacco (Nicotiana tobacum L.) where it is induced upon flowering, and in tomato (Lycopericon esculentum, L.) where it is induced when the plant starts to form fruit. This provides further evidence for the similarity of the floral-induction and tuber-induction pathways, and raises the possibility that this gene may be involved in a common step in both of these pathways. Alternatively, it could be involved in a secondary process that is induced during tuberisation, flowering and fruit development.     

Salicylic acid may be involved in the regulation of drought-induced leaf senescence in perennials: A case study in field-grown Salvia officinalis L. plants

Leaf senescence is a highly regulated physiological process that contributes to nutrient remobilization during stress, thus allowing the rest of the plant to benefit from the nutrients accumulated during the life span of the leaf. Here we studied drought-induced leaf senescence in a perennial plant, common sage (Salvia officinalis L.) grown under Mediterranean field conditions, with an emphasis on the possible involvement of the phytohormones, salicylic acid and jasmonic acid in the process. The initial stages of leaf senescence (0–27 days of water deficit) were characterized by salicylic acid accumulation (by 80%) and decrease of jasmonic acid levels (by 40%), which occurred in parallel with a severe loss of photosynthetic pigments (up to 65%) and increases in the de-epoxidation state (DPS) of the xanthophyll cycle (by 55%), while the maximum efficiency of photosystem II (F_v/F_m ratio) was maintained above 0.80, thus indicating the absence of damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. The latest stages of leaf senescence (until 42 days of water deficit) were instead characterized by maintenance of the levels of jasmonic acid and salicylic acid, while β-carotene and the F_v/F_m ratio decreased significantly, which was followed by cell death. Exogenous applications of methyl salicylic acid in leaves of water-stressed plants led to reductions in chlorophyll levels, thus confirming the promoting effects of salicylic acid on leaf senescence. It is therefore concluded that salicylic acid may be involved, together with other phytohormones, in the regulation of drought-induced leaf senescence in perennials.     

Jasmonic acid-inducible gene expression of a Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitor in potato tuber disks

Messenger RNAs of a potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitor(s) (PKPI) were present in potato disks excised from tubers stored for 14 months (old tubers) or 2 months (young tubers) after harvest, and disappeared during the aseptic culture. The PKPI mRNA accumulation was found to be induced in potato disks from the old tubers by the addition of jasmonic acid (JA) [3-oxo-2-(2-cis-pentenyl)-cyclopentane-1-acetic acid].     

Identification of a β-glucosidase hydrolyzing tuberonic acid glucoside in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Tuberonic acid (TA) and its glucoside (TAG) have been isolated from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) leaflets and shown to exhibit tuber-inducing properties. These compounds were reported to be biosynthesized from jasmonic acid (JA) by hydroxylation and subsequent glycosylation, and to be contained in various plant species. Here we describe the in vivo hydrolytic activity of TAG in rice. In this study, the TA resulting from TAG was not converted into JA. Tuberonic acid glucoside (TAG)-hydrolyzing β-glucosidase, designated OsTAGG1, was purified from rice by six purification steps with an ～4300-fold purification. The purified enzyme migrated as a single band on native PAGE, but as two bands with molecular masses of 42 and 26 kDa on SDS–PAGE. Results from N-terminal sequencing and peptide mass fingerprinting of both polypeptides suggested that both bands were derived from a single polypeptide, which is a member of the glycosyl hydrolase family 1. In the native enzyme, the K_m and V_max values of TAG were 31.7 μM and 0.25 μkatal/mg protein, OsTAGG1 preferentially hydrolyzed TAG and methyl TAG. Here we report that OsTAGG1 is a specific β-glucosidase hydrolyzing TAG, which releases the physiologically active TA.     

Boron uptake by ectomycorrhizas of silver birch

Boron (B) is an essential micronutrient for plants but it is thought not to be essential for fungi. We studied whether the extraradical mycelia of Paxillus involutus in symbiosis with silver birch (Betula pendula) take up B and transport it to the host plant. We grew mycorrhizal plants in flat microcosms with a partitioning wall, below which there was only extraradical mycelium. A boric acid solution enriched in ¹⁰B was applied to these mycelia. Increased ¹⁰B/¹¹B isotope ratios were subsequently measured in birch leaves, stems, and roots plus mycorrhizas in the upper compartment. Boron was therefore taken up by the mycorrhizal mycelia and transported to the host plant in this species combination.     

Interaction of phytohormones and synthetic growth regulator melafen in the control of Ca2+ translocation across the plasma membrane of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber cells

Interference of phytohormones (jasmonic, gibberellic, and abscisic acids) and synthetic growth regulator melafen on Ca²⁺ translocation across the membrane of plasma membrane vesicles prepared from dormant potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers was studied. The activity of plasma membrane Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-ATPase was stimulated by melafen and jasmonic and gibberellic acids and suppressed by abscisic acid. These substrances did not change the passive membrane permeability for Ca²⁺. The pattern of the effect of melafen on the activity of Ca²⁺,Mg²⁺-ATPase depended on the presence of phytohormones in incubation medium. When melafen and each phytohormone were simultaneously added to incubation medium, their effects were not additive, which indicates that the effects of the tested compounds on the Ca²⁺ uptake into the plasma membrane vesicles are interdependent. Apparently, the interaction between the phytohormones and plasma membrane components modulates the response to melafen.     

Effect of jasmonic acid on Ca<Superscript>+2</Superscript> transport through the plasmalemma of potato tuber cells

The rate of Ca²⁺ accumulation in plasmalemma vesicles isolated from quiescent and sprouting potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers and the effect of 10^?5–10^?10 M jasmonic acid on the accumulation of Ca⁺² in plasmalemma vesicles and its efflux were studied. It was found that potato tuber plasmalemma contains a Ca⁺²,Mg⁺²-ATPase whose activity decreases upon the transition from forced quiescence to growth. The direction of the effect of jasmonic acid on Ca⁺²,Mg⁺²-ATPase (stimulation or suppression) depends on the physiological state of tubers and the phytohormone concentration.     

Diurnal changes in the chilling sensitivity of seedlings

Seedlings of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill.) varied diurnally in their sensitivity to chilling temperatures. If chilled near the end of the dark period when they were most sensitive, the time taken to kill half of the seedlings was approximately 3 days, whereas in samples taken 4 hours after the onset of dark, a period of 6 days of chilling was required. Sensitivity dropped rapidly after the onset of the light period. This rhythm was exogenously controlled by the diurnal changes in light, rather than in the temperature. The susceptibility of predawn seedlings could be reduced by exposure to light, by water stress, or by abscisic acid applied to the leaves. However, the subsequent changes in sensitivity to chilling did not correlate with stomatal aperture. Six other chilling-sensitive species showed similar diurnal changes in their chilling sensitivity.     

The uptake and the transport of14C-labeled epibrassinolide in intact seedlings of cucumber and wheat

The uptake and the transport of exogenously applied epibrassinolide (EBR) in seedlings of cucumber and wheat were examined by autoradiography using¹⁴C-EBR.¹⁴C-EBR was applied to roots, young and mature leaves, and the shoot apex. When applied to roots,¹⁴C-EBR was readily taken up and was swiftly transported throughout both plant species. When¹⁴C-EBR was applied to the adaxial surface of a young cucumber leaf, it was readily taken up, but was very slowly transported. In cucumber leaves,¹⁴C-EBR was transported throughout the treated leaf after 3 days of treatment, and then it was transported to upper leaves from the treated leaf after 7 days. Some 6.3% of applied¹⁴C-EBR was transported to the newly expanded leaves. In wheat leaves,¹⁴C-EBR was transported only in the apical direction from the treated spot after 3 days of treatment, but it was not transported from the treated leaf to the other leaves or organs even after 7 days. Some 1.3% of applied¹⁴C-EBR was transported to the tip area of the treated leaf. These results indicate that exogenous EBR applied to intact plants is acropetally transported.     

Inhibition of growth and synchronised cell division in the shoot apex in relation to flowering in Silene

When plants of Silene coeli-rosa (L.) Godron were induced by seven long days, then exposed to darkness for 48 h before being returned to short days, they went on to initiate flowers with a delay of about 2 d. The synchronisation of cell division which normally occurs before flower initiation was suppressed, showing that it is not essential for flowering. Periods of darkness of up to 240 h inhibited apical growth and leaf initiation but did not prevent eventual flowering in short days. The commitment of the apex to flower was therefore maintained while apical growth was inhibited.Abbreviations SD short day(s) - LD long day(s)