Antagonistic action of low-fluence and high-irradiance modes of response of phytochrome on germination and beta-mannanase activity in Datura ferox seeds

Seed germination is often induced by a pulse of red light perceived by phytochrome and cancelled by a subsequent pulse of far-red light. When the pulse of red light is followed by several hours of darkness, a pulse of far-red light is no longer effective and prolonged far-red is necessary to block germination. The aim was to investigate whether the red light pulse and prolonged far-red light act on the same or different processes during germination of Datura ferox seeds. Forty-five hours after the inductive red light pulse, germination could not be blocked by one pulse or six hourly pulses of far-red light, but was significantly reduced by 6 h of continuous far-red light. The pulse of red light increased embryo growth potential and the activities of beta-mannanase and beta-mannosidase extracted from the micropylar region of the endosperm. Continuous far-red light had no effect on embryo growth potential or beta-mannosidase activity, but severely reduced the activity of beta-mannanase. The effect of far-red light had the features of a high-irradiance response of phytochrome. Both germination and beta-mannanase activity were restored by a pulse of red light given after the end of the continuous far-red treatment. It is concluded that the low-fluence response and the high-irradiance response modes of phytochrome have antagonistic effects on seed germination and that the control of beta-mannanase activity is one process where this antagonism is established.     

The fate of Datura ferox seeds in the soil as affected by cultivation, depth of burial and degree of maturity

Seeds of Datura ferox were collected in soybean fields, grouped into four categories according to the degree of fruit maturity and placed just level with the soil surface or buried to a depth of 7 or 15 cm. Seed survival after 8 months was c. 30% when the seeds were left on the soil surface, but between 40 and 90% when the seeds were buried. The riper seeds were the more persistent. A similar pattern was observed after 20 months. Seedling emergence was negatively related with the degree of seed maturity and depth of burial, but it was never great enough to explain seed losses. In another experiment seeds from ripe capsules were superficially sown and the soil was: (0) left undisturbed, (1) cultivated in late winter or (2) cultivated in late winter and late spring. In all cases there was a small flush of seedlings at the beginning of the first spring; other flushes occurred only after soil cultivation and were larger during the second spring than during the first. In the plots cultivated twice a year (2) the seedlings that emerged in the first spring represented c. 4% of the initial seed bank. Survival after 20 months was about 25% in all treatments. In an arable field under soybean cropping the seedling flushes during the spring months were related to the pattern of soil cultivation. The seedlings that emerged after crop drilling represented c. 18% of the seed bank (estimated before drilling). Implications for weed management are discussed.     

The VLF loci, polymorphic between ecotypes Landsberg erecta and Columbia, dissect two branches of phytochrome A signal transduction that correspond to very-low-fluence and high-irradiance responses

Phytochromes play a key role in the perception of light signals by plants. In this study, the three classical phytochrome action modes, i.e. very-low-fluence responses (VLFR), low-fluence responses (LFR) and high-irradiance responses (HIR), were genetically dissected using phyA and phyB mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana (respectively lacking phytochrome A or phytochrome B) and a polymorphism between ecotypes Landsberg erecta and Columbia. Seed germination and potentiation of greening, hypocotyl growth inhibition and cotyledon unfolding in etiolated seedlings of the ecotype Landsberg erecta showed biphasic responses to the calculated proportion of active phytochrome established by one light pulse or repeated light pulses. The first phase, i.e. the VLFR, was absent in the phyA mutant, normal in the phyB mutant (both in the Landsberg erecta background) and severely deficient in Columbia. The second phase, i.e. the LFR, was present in the phyA mutant, deficient in the phyB mutant and normal in Columbia. Under continuous far-red light, HIR of etiolated seedlings were absent in phyA and normal in phyB and Columbia. The segregation of VLFR in recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between Landsberg erecta and Columbia was analysed by MAPMAKER/QTL. Two quantitative trait loci, one on chromosome 2 ( VLF1 ) and another on chromosome 5 ( VLF2 ), were identified as responsible for the polymorphism. Phytochrome A is proposed to initiate two transduction pathways, VLFR and HIR, involving different cells and/or different molecular steps. This is the first application of the analysis of quantitative trait loci polymorphic between ecotypes to dissect transduction chains of environmental signals.     

The effects of SAN 9789 and light on phytochrome and the germination of lettuce seeds

Photoblastic seeds (akenes) of lettuce (Lactuca sativa (L.) cv. Grand Rapids) were treated with SAN 9789 [4-chloro-5-(methylamine)-2-a, a, a,-trifluoro-m-tolyl-3-(2H)-pyridasinone]. The seeds weere placed in Petri dishes on filter paper soaked with water or SAN solution. The treatment increased the germination in darkness from 17% for water to 78% for SAN treated seeds. An irradiation with 5 min red light gave a germination of 98% both in water and in SAN. In water the effect of red irradiation could be reversed with a short irradiation (8 min) of far red light (17% germination), while in SAN solution the far red reversibility was poor (92% germination). If the far red light was given repeatedly (5 min per h) it had a slightly larger effect. If given continuously for 24 hours, the germination in water was decreased to 0.3% and in SAN solution to 9%. Possible mechanisms for the SAN effect are discussed.     

Interactive effects of GAs,CKs and growth retardants on the germination of celery seeds

The germination of whole seeds of celery (Apium graveolens L.) was inhibited by paclobutrazol, ancymidol and lower concentrations of uniconazole. The growth retardants daminozide, AMO 1618 and chlormequat chloride inhibited the germination of cut seeds only, indicating that the seed coat prevents the penetration of these compounds at the examined concentrations. Application of a mixture of the gibberellins A4 and A7 (GA 4/7) reversed the inhibition of all the examined growth retardants. Cytokinins (artificial or natural) had no effect when applied alone and did not interact with GA4/7 in the light. However, in the dark the cytokinins at some concentrations and GA4/7 had a synergistic effect in reversing the inhibition caused by growth retardants to whole seeds or in promoting the germination of whole seeds. It is therefore suggested that the major effect on seed of exogenous cytokinins when applied together with GA's is to increase the uptake of gibberellins by the seeds.Abbreviations AMO 1618 (2 isopropyl-5-methyl-4-trimethylammonium chloride-phenyl-1-Piperidinium-carboxylate - ancymidol -cyclopropyl-[4-methoxyphenyl]-5-pyrimidinemeth anol] - chlormequat chloride 2-chloroethyltrimethylommonium chloride - daminozide succinin acid 2,2-diamethyl hydrazide - paclobutrazol [2 RS, 3 RS]-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1 H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) pentan-3-ol - uniconazole (E)-1-(P-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4 triazol-1-yl)-1 penten-3-ol     

Gibberellins in seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana: biological activities,identification and effects of light and chilling on endogenous levels

The activities of several gibberellins in stimulating germination of wild-type and GA-deficient gal seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana were compared. Of the six compounds tested GA₄ and GA₇-isolactone had the highest activity and GA₇ and GA₉ the lowest; activities of GA₁ and GA₃ were intermediate. Combined application of pure GAs presented no indications that more than one GA receptor is involved. Four GAs were identified in extracts from wild-type and GA-insensitive gai seeds by combined gas chromatography mass spectrometry: GA₁, GA₃, GA₄ and GA₉. Effects of light and chilling on levels of GA₁, GA₄ and GA₉ were studied using deuterated standards. Light increased both GA levels and germination in unchilled wild-type and gai seeds. As a result of irradiation GA levels in gai seeds were 7–10 times as high as in wild-type seeds. In the dark germination was 0%, in the light 14% of gai seeds and 95% of wild-type seeds germinated. A chilling pre-treatment of 7 days at 2°C was required to enhance further the germination of gai seeds in the light. Light did not increase GA levels of chilled seeds of either genotype; levels of GA₄ and GA₉ of chilled gai seeds, in the light were respectively 7 and 12 times lower than in non-chilled seeds, whereas the latter seeds germinated better. Slightly elevated levels of GA₄ were detected in darkness after chilling, but germination capacity was still 0%. These results strengthened the conclusion that GAs are required for germination of A. thaliana seeds, whereby GA₄ has intrinsic biological activity. However, it is unlikely that light and chilling stimulate germination primarily by increasing levels of GA. Instead GA sensitivity is a possible alternative.     

Dormancy and germination responses of halophyte seeds to the application of ethylene

Ethylene is invariably produced during seed germination but its role in regulating seed dormancy and germination is poorly understood. Seeds of 22 halophytic species having different life forms – salt secreting dicots, salt secreting monocots, stem succulents and leaf succulents were germinated in Petri dishes kept in a growth chamber set at 20/30 °C (night/day) temperature and a 12 hr light period. Sodium chloride and ethephon were added to the medium from the beginning of the experiment. Seed germination was recorded every other day for twenty days. Application of ethylene did not have any significant effect on releasing seeds from innate dormancy. However, it appeared to have a role in alleviation of salinity effects which varied from negative in certain species to almost complete alleviation of high salinity effects in others.Our data indicates that ethylene appears to have little role in breaking innate seed dormancy however, in most halophyte seeds studied, application of ethylene alleviate the salinity effect to various degrees. Halophyte seeds which could germinate under saline conditions approaching twice the salinity of seawater may offer clues to understand management of seed germination under highly saline conditions. To cite this article: M.A. Khan et al., C. R. Biologies 332 (2009).     

芳香族化合物对斑玉蕈菌丝生物量、漆酶活性及其转录水平的影响

芳香族化合物适当时间适当浓度添加到培养基中,可提高真菌漆酶活性,有助于增强其对木质纤维素的利用效率。为了增强斑玉蕈漆酶活性,本文研究了8种芳香族化合物对其酶活的影响及其与菌丝生物量的相关性。研究发现在无诱导物条件下,斑玉蕈漆酶活性和菌丝生物量相关系数r为0.9956,说明它们呈正相关,但是整个培养过程漆酶活性相对较低;供试的芳香族化合物对漆酶活性都有不同程度的诱导作用,其中添加0.1mmol/L的愈创木酚对斑玉蕈漆酶活性诱导作用最大,达到3倍以上,同时提高了斑玉蕈菌丝生长速度和菌丝生物量;而随着添加时间的延长,部分化合物对漆酶活性和菌丝生物量都产生不同程度的抑制作用,这可能因为化合物对菌丝毒性的延长导致菌丝生长变慢或死亡;进一步研究发现,斑玉蕈3个漆酶同工酶基因lcc2、lcc3和lcc4在诱导剂愈创木酚的影响下转录水平都不同程度地上调。研究结果表明诱导漆酶活性可以提高斑玉蕈菌丝生长速度和生物量,暗示可能通过提高漆酶活性的方法,提高斑玉蕈的培养基利用效率。     

Effects of temperature, water potential, and light on germination responses of redroot pigweed seeds to ethylene

The responses of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) seeds to nine ethylene concentrations between 0.5 and 50 microliters per liter were assessed at different temperatures and water potentials and in either continuous white light or darkness. Under all experimental treatments, the probit-transformed percentages increased linearly with the log of the ethylene concentration. In dormant seeds, the slope of the response line was unaffected by either light or water potential but increased with decreasing temperature. Conversely, the slope increased with increasing temperature in a partially afterripened seed lot.     

Participation of GA3, ethylene,NO and HCN in germination of Amaranthus retroflexus L. seeds with various dormancy levels

Amaranthus retroflexus seeds were dormant at 25 °C in the darkness and in the light, and also at 35 °C in the darkness. GA₃ and ethylene partially removed dormancy at 35 °C in the darkness and at 25 °C in the light. Dormancy was removed by 1–5 days of treatment with nitric oxide or cyanide. The effect of NO and HCN was inhibited by cPTIO, thus the effect of HCN was NO dependent. Dry storage for 16 weeks could partially release dormancy only at 35 °C, but not at 25 °C. Dry storage increased the response to light, GA₃ and ethylene. The response to GA₃ and ethylene at 25 °C was enhanced with increasing storage temperature. GA₃, ethylene and nitric oxide could substitute dry storage and stratification in partially dormant seeds.     

Opposing effects of strychnine and brucine on the germination and growth of lettuce seeds

Strychnine and brucine, two related alkaloids that occur in plants belonging to theStrychnos species, were shown to have opposing effects on the elongation of the radicle of lettuce seeds. Strychnine was found to be inhibitory, whereas brucine was found to be stimulating to radicle elongation. Alkaloids, generally, are more commonly known for their inhibitory effects on plant growth rather than on their stimulating effects.Paper No. 2435 of the Journal Series of the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, Brookings, South Dakota, USA.     

Opposing effects of strychnine and brucine on the germination and growth of lettuce seeds

Strychnine and brucine, two related alkaloids that occur in plants belonging to theStrychnos species, were shown to have opposing effects on the elongation of the radicle of lettuce seeds. Strychnine was found to be inhibitory, whereas brucine was found to be stimulating to radicle elongation. Alkaloids, generally, are more commonly known for their inhibitory effects on plant growth rather than on their stimulating effects.     

Metabolically active glucosides in oleaceae seeds: I. The effects of germination, growth, and hormone treatments

The seeds of six woody species of Oleaceae representing three genera, contain high concentrations of water-soluble glucosides, with major absorption maxima below 240 nanometers. In Fraxinus americana seeds three of these compounds, designated GL-3, GL-5, and GL-6, account for almost 10% of the dry weight. They are found in the endosperm and embryo but not in the pericarp. While the level of GL-5 is not particularly influenced by the physiological state of the embryo, that of GL-3 and GL-6 decreases as a result of germination and growth during a 10-day period. As the concentrations of GL-3 and GL-6 decrease, new ultraviolet-absorbing compounds are formed. The changes in the concentration of the ultraviolet-absorbing glucosides during cold temperature after-ripening, prior to germination, are small. When germination of dormant embryos is induced with gibberellic acid, the concentrations of GL-3 and GL-6 decrease in a manner similar to that observed with nondormant embryos. In the presence of abscisic acid no losses of GL-3 and GL-6 were observed. It is suggested that GL-3 and GL-6 fulfill some definite functions in the germination and growth of F. americana embryos, and that gibberellic acid and abscisic acid can exert a regulatory effect on the metabolism of these glucosides.     

Additive and synergistic effects of kinetin and ethrel on germination, thermodormany, and polyribosome formation in lettuce seeds

The inhibition of germination of Grand Rapids lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seeds at 35 C was removed to a marked extent by kinetin and 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethrel). When both compounds were used together, an additive effect was observed. A synergistic effect was, however, noted when ethrel promoted the kinetin reversal of abscisic acid inhibition of seed germination (light- as well as gibberellic acid-, induced). Both kinetin and ethrel increased the total ribosomal material and the percentage of polyribosomes in lettuce seeds imbibed in the light for 24 hours. A combination of the two compounds showed a synergism in polyribosome formation only at high ethrel concentration. The inability of ethrel to reverse abscisic acid inhibition indicates that kinetin action cannot always be substituted by ethrel. The possible mechanisms involved in the enhanced response by a combination of kinetin and ethrel are discussed.     

The relationship between beta-mannosidase and endo-beta-mannanase activities in tomato seeds during and following germination: a comparison of seed populations and individual seeds

beta-Mannosidase and endo-beta-mannanase are involved in the mobilization of the mannan-containing cell walls of the tomato seed endosperm. The activities of both enzymes increase in a similar temporal manner in the micropylar and lateral endosperm during and following germination. This increase in enzyme activities in the micropylar endosperm is not markedly reduced in seeds imbibed in abscisic acid although, in the lateral endosperm, endo-beta-mannanase activity is more suppressed by this inhibitor than is the activity of beta-mannosidase. Gibberellin-deficient (gib-1) mutants of tomato do not germinate unless imbibed in gibberellin; low beta-mannosidase activity, and no endo-beta-mannanase activity is present in seeds imbibed in water, but both enzymes increase strongly in activity in the seeds imbibed in the growth regulator. For production of full activity of both beta-mannosidase and endo-beta-mannanase in the endosperm, this tissue must be in contact with the embryo for at least the first 6 h of imbibition, which is indicative of a stimulus diffusing from the embryo to the endosperm during this time. These results suggest some correlation between the activities of beta-mannosidase and endo-beta-mannanase, particularly in the micropylar endosperm, in populations of tomato seeds imbibed in water, abscisic acid and gibberellin. However, when individual micropylar endosperm parts are used to examine the effect of the growth regulators and of imbibition in water on the production of the two enzymes, it is apparent that within these individual seed parts there may be large differences in the amount of enzyme activity present. Micropylar endosperms with high endo-beta-mannanase activity do not necessarily have high beta-mannosidase activity, and vice versa, which is indicative of a lack of co-ordination of the activities of these two enzymes within individuals of a population.     

The effects of different soil water potentials, temperature and salinity on germination of seeds of the desert shrub Zygophyllum dumosum

The effects of different soil water potentials, temperature and NaCl concentration on seed germination of Zygophyllum dumosum Boiss., a common shrub in Israeli deserts, was investigated. Seeds had to be exposed to constant field capacity conditions (–0.0316 MPa) for a minimal period of two days before germination could start. Maximal germination under such conditions occurred after four days or more. Under simulated conditions of gradual dehydration of the soil, seeds were inhibited either at low soil water potentials (–0.10 to –10.00 MPa) or at high ones (–0.002 to –0.0398 MPa). Germination of Z. dumosum was independent of temperature in the range of 10–25°C, but strongly inhibited at 30 and 35°C. At 20°C germination was inhibited by salinity of the medium but still occurred (0.5%) even at a concentration of 0.5 M NaCl.     

Sex differences in immune responses: Hormonal effects,antagonistic selection,and evolutionary consequences

Males and females differ in both parasite load and the strength of immune responses and these effects have been verified in humans and other vertebrates. Sex hormones act as important modulators of immune responses; the male sex hormone testosterone is generally immunosuppressive while the female sex hormone estrogen tends to be immunoenhancing. Different sets of T-helper cells (Th) have important roles in adaptive immunity, e.g. Th1 cells trigger type 1 responses which are primarily cell-mediated, and Th2 cells trigger type 2 responses which are primarily humoral responses. In our review of the literature, we find that estrogen and progesterone enhance type 2 and suppress type 1 responses in females, whereas testosterone suppresses type 2 responses and shows an inconsistent pattern for type 1 responses in males. When we combine these patterns of generally immunosuppressive and immunoenhancing effects of the sex hormones, our results imply that the sex differences in immune responses should be particularly strong in immune functions associated with type 2 responses, and less pronounced with type 1 responses. In general the hormone-mediated sex differences in immune responses may lead to genetic sexual conflicts on immunity. Thus, we propose the novel hypothesis that sexually antagonistic selection may act on immune genes shared by the sexes, and that the strength of this sexually antagonistic selection should be stronger for type 2- as compared with type 1-associated immune genes. Finally, we put the consequences of sex hormone-induced effects on immune responses into behavioral and ecological contexts, considering social mating system, sexual selection, geographical distribution of hosts, and parasite abundance.