Rhythmic Growth Rings of Wood and Their Relationship with the Foliage in Oak Seedlings Grown in a Favourable Environment

The anatomy of wood was studied inQuercus roburL. andQuercussuberL. seedlings exhibiting 3–8 units of extension, eachwith a tier of photosynthesizing leaves in their upper parts,generated as the result of rhythmic shoot growth under favourableconditions. At all the axis levels examined (i.e. the base ofeach of the different units of extension, four other equidistantlevels within the first unit of extension and the upper partof the taproot), the wood displayed rings when treated withWiesner reagents. This indicated cinnamaldehyde groups presentin lignins. No rings appeared when the Maüle reaction wasused for specific detection of syringyl subunits in lignins.A trend towards a periodical arrangement of xylem parenchymabands was also found when sections were treated with I₂/KI.The number of rings coincided with the number of leaf tiersabove the level of measurement, and did not vary inside thefirst unit of extension. Thus, the rings are called rhythmicgrowth rings. In sections of the first and the second unitsof extension, and in the taproot, the area and width of a givenrhythmic growth ring were highly correlated with the total areaof leaves present above the level of measurement at the presumedtime of growth ring formation. Moreover, stem diameter at thebase of the units of extension was highly correlated with theleaf area above. These results indicate that differentiationof xylem, particularly its lignification, varies rhythmicallyin oak seedlings. They imply that wood production is linkedto the photosynthesizing and/or transpiring area of the plant.Thus, during a growth cycle ofQ. roburandQ. suberseedlings,there appears to be integration of the primary metabolic activitieswith the laying down of rhythmic growth rings.Copyright 1998Annals of Botany Company Allometric relationship, juvenile wood, leaf area, lignification, oak seedling, periodic structure,Quercus roburL.,Quercus suberL., rhythmic growth ring, unit of extension.     

Influence of temperature on the infradian growth rhythm in Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta)

The vegetative growth of Ulva lactuca was studied to determine if the growth rate of the alga is driven by infradian rhythmicity. The influence of temperature on the infradian rhythm of growth was also investigated. Discs of Ulva were grown in controlled laboratory conditions at different combinations of temperature (5, 10, 15, 20°С) and irradiance (40 and 60 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1) under 12 : 12 h light : dark cycles. The growth rates exhibited a rhythmic pattern with one major peak every 2 or 3 days. Growth at 5 or 10°С increased the prevalence of 3-day cycles and maintained U. lactuca in the vegetative growth stage. In contrast, growth at 15 or 20°С provoked a predominance of the 2-day cycle and induced reproduction. The 2- or 3-day cycles were combined in longer cycles having a period close to 6 days. We suppose that the 2-, 3- and 6-day rhythms of physiological processes are related to large-scale Rossby and Kelvin waves, which produce oscillations in the geomagnetic field and seawater temperature with the same periods. The predominance of 2-day or 3-day fluctuations of the geomagnetic field and temperature probably determine the prevalence of reproduction and vegetative growth, respectively, in Ulva.     

Growth Pattern and Movement of Epidermal Cells within Leaves of Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav.

The pattern of growth (velocity field) in the intercalary growthzones of monocotyledon leaves can be determined from patternsof cell number density (number per unit length of cell file)and leaf elongation rates using theory based on a cell numberconservation equation. The case where elongation rate is non-steadywhile the pattern of cell number density is steady is discussedand a method for extending calculations into the meristem usingobservations of numbers of mitotic cells is outlined. Applicationof these methods is illustrated using data for epidermal cellsin the first leaf of Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. During earlyleaf development, leaf elongation rate increased exponentiallybut cell number density and mitotic number density were steady.Cells 0.1 mm from the base of the leaf when leaves were 3.2mm long took 8.3 d to move through the growth zone. In leavesthat were 4 d older, similar cells took 5.1 d to traverse thegrowth zone. Increases in the rates of leaf elongation and ofcell movement appeared to be associated mainly with increasesin total rates of cell production in the epidermal meristem. Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav., Asphodelus fistulosus L., velocity field, meristem, mitotic cell number density, extension-only zone     

Adventitious Bud Formation from Mature Embryos of Picea chihuahuana Martinez, an Endangered Mexican Spruce Tree

Zygotic embryos of Picea chihuahuana Martínez were cultivatedin vitro to determine the time of organogenic competence andto maximize adventitious bud induction. The induction mediumconsisted of modified B5 substrate supplemented with N⁶-benzyladenine(with or without naphthalene acetic acid) or kinetin (with orwithout 2-4, dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) at different concentrationsand induction times. The minimum induction time required forbud formation was 14 d with kinetin and 17 d with N⁶-benzyladenine.After induction embryos were transferred to the proliferationmedium (modified B5 substrate with 50% of its components andwithout growth regulators) for 30 d. The subsequent buds weretransferred every 15 d to Schenk and Hildebrandt medium at halfits concentration without growth regulators. The most effectivetreatments were 3 and 5 mg l^-1kinetin or N⁶-benzyladenine whichproduced five to seven buds per embryo. The largest shoots weresubjected to rooting trials with pulses of different concentrationsof indole butyric acid resulting in only one bud developinga root. Histological analysis revealed clusters of three tofour cells that became more evident as induction time increased.Kinetin promoted the development of an organized structure priorto adventitious buds formation sooner than N⁶-benzyladenine.Copyright 2000 Annals of Botany Company Competence, plant tissue culture, micropropagation, Picea chihuahuana, endangered species, spruce     

In-Vitro Selection for Salt Tolerance of Taro (Colocasia esculenta var antiquorum)

Cultures of taro, Colocasia esculenta var antiquorum (L.) Schott,established from shoot tip explants were used to select forsalt tolerance. Presently, cultures are being maintained andproduce plantlets in 10–70 per cent artificial seawater.The results indicate that in vitro selection techniques forsalinity tolerance may prove useful in the development of salttolerant taro cultivars. In vitro selection, callus culture, micropropagation, salt tolerance, Colocasia esculenta, taro     

Circatrigintan Cycle of Salivary Testosterone in Human Male

Background. Circadian and circannual cycles of testosterone (T) in men are known. The results of our previous study have shown indices for the existence of a male circalunar cycle of T similar to the female one. Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate possible infradian rhythms of salivary T in young healthy men. Subjects & Methods. Saliva samples from 31 healthy men (18–25 years of age) were collected every second day (for 1 month) and every third day (during the following 1.5 months). T levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. Data were statistically analyzed for infradian rhythmic changes using two different methods: moving averages – zones of extremes, and analysis of rhythmic variance. Results. The data showed rhythmic variations with 2 different infradian periods. The differences between extreme values of the circatrigintan (period of 30 days) and circavigintan (period of 20 days) cycles were found to be highly significant (p < 1E-9; p < 1E-8). Conclusion. We believe that this is the first study demonstrating the existence of circatrigintan and circavigintan rhythms of testosterone in human males. Our findings might have implications in human physiology and pathophysiology.     

Transformation of the Root System by Agrobacterium rhizogenes Changes Rhythmic Growth of the Shoot of Ericaxdarleyensis In Vitro

Erica x darleyensis grows rhythmically when plants are propagatedin vitro on a medium with nitrate nitrogen. The aim of thisstudy was to determine if transforming the root system withAgrobacterium rhizogenes (strain A4) alters the rhythmic developmentof the aerial shoots of Erica x darleyensis. Morphological analysisof the chimeric plants compared to the control show that thetransformed genetic information not only modifies the root systembut also dampens the morphogenetic rhythm of the apical bud.Copyright1994, 1999 Academic Press Erica x darleyensis, Agrobacterium rhizogenes, root, rhythmic growth, tissue culture     

Influence of Growth Regulators on Shoot Proliferation in Quercus suber L.

Procedures have been developed to standardize the multiplicationstage during mature cork-oak (Quercus suber L.) micropropagation.Axillary and terminal buds were established on Gresshoff andDoy basal medium containing 1 mg I^–1 of 6-benzylaminopurine(BAP). Initiation of cultures was possible all over the year.The effects of BAP, Z, IBA, 1AA and NAA and various nutrientformulae on shoot growth and proliferation was investigated.BAP was more suitable than zeatin. Shoot proliferation and elongationwere strongly improved by the combination BAP/IAA in the presenceof low salt media, like Gresshoff and Doy or Woody Plant medium.Both rates were significantly increased when a double-phaseculture system was used. Shoots have been multiplied for 1 yearat the rate of three to four-fold every 4 weeks without anydecline of vigour. Rooting was achieved by briefly dipping thebasal ends of in vitro regenerated shoots in an IBA concentratedsolution. The results here reported constitute a promising steptowards large scale in vitro propagation of a species in whichconventional vegetative propagation by cuttings is very difficult. Auxins, browning, cytokinins, cork-oak, forestry, multiplication, Quercus suber L., re-multiplication, re-invigoration, two-phase medium     

Micropropagation of Betula celtiberica

Plantlets were successfully regenerated from shoot segmentsof Betula celtiberica excised from young seedlings. Initiationand elongation of multiple shoot-buds were obtained after 20d culture in MS-modified medium plus BAP 0.6 mg l^–1 followedby 20 d culture in the same medium in the presence of a reducedBAP concentration (0.1 mg l^–1). Rooting was achieved 7d after having transplanted the isolated shoots to fresh medium,supplemented with IBA (0.2 mg l^–1). Betula celtiberica, birch, micropropagation, organogenesis     

From Ultradian to Infradian Rhythms: LH Releases Patterns In Vitro

In the present study, we examined in vitro luteinizing hormone (LH) release patterns from pituitaries and from pituitary cell cultures (3 and 7 days in culture) to elucidate the endogenous period generated by the gonadotroph cell population and to evaluate the relationship between the basic period generated at the cellular level and the output pattern observed at the organ level. In addition, we examined the effect of photic environmental signals perceived by the animals on LH release patterns from pituitaries in vitro. When the animals were exposed to circadian photoperiodic signals, the in vitro LH release pattern from the pituitaries exhibited ultradian, circadian, and infra-dian frequencies. When the animals were exposed to continuous illumination, the in vitro patterns exhibited only ultradian and infradian frequencies. Furthermore, free running is a process, not a state. This process is driven by a change in the relative dominance of different frequencies that construct the pattern without changing the basic period length. Evaluation of the relative dominance of the different frequencies that construct the pattern indicates that, although infradian oscillators may take part in shaping the output pattern, the basic rhythm generated by the pituitary cells is in the ultradian domain. The results obtained from the examined system suggest that an endogenous oscillator is a cellular entity with ultradian periodicity, and that the rhythmic output of many biological variables is structured by various ultradian components that construct the circadian and infradian output rhythms.     

From Ultradian to Infradian Rhythms: LH Releases Patterns In Vitro

In the present study, we examined in vitro luteinizing hormone (LH) release patterns from pituitaries and from pituitary cell cultures (3 and 7 days in culture) to elucidate the endogenous period generated by the gonadotroph cell population and to evaluate the relationship between the basic period generated at the cellular level and the output pattern observed at the organ level. In addition, we examined the effect of photic environmental signals perceived by the animals on LH release patterns from pituitaries in vitro. When the animals were exposed to circadian photoperiodic signals, the in vitro LH release pattern from the pituitaries exhibited ultradian, circadian, and infra-dian frequencies. When the animals were exposed to continuous illumination, the in vitro patterns exhibited only ultradian and infradian frequencies. Furthermore, free running is a process, not a state. This process is driven by a change in the relative dominance of different frequencies that construct the pattern without changing the basic period length. Evaluation of the relative dominance of the different frequencies that construct the pattern indicates that, although infradian oscillators may take part in shaping the output pattern, the basic rhythm generated by the pituitary cells is in the ultradian domain. The results obtained from the examined system suggest that an endogenous oscillator is a cellular entity with ultradian periodicity, and that the rhythmic output of many biological variables is structured by various ultradian components that construct the circadian and infradian output rhythms.     

An Anatomical Study of Rhizome Bud Formation Induced by Paclobutrazol and Adventitious Root Formation in In Vitro Cultures of Lapageria rosea (Ruiz et Pav.)

An anatomical study was made of bud dimorphism in in vitro shootcultures of Lapageria rosea cv. Nashcourt, utilizing the presenceand absence of the gibberellin-biosynthesis inhibitor paclobutrazol(10 µM) in the medium to control the development of axillarybuds. Patterns of axillary bud development differed betweenthe aerial pattern of shoot extension (in the absence of paclobutrazol)and rhizome bud formation (in the presence of paclobutrazol),with respect to planes of cell division, cell expansion andthe formation of adventitious root primordia. These differencesare examined and discussed. Lapageria rosea cv. Nashcourt, Chilean Bellflower, rhizome bud, paclobutrazol, gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor, micropropagation     

Increased root growth in elevated CO2: a biophysical analysis of root cell elongation

A biophysical analysis of root expansion was conducted in fourchalk downland herbs (Sanguisorba minor Scop., Lotus corniculatusL., Anthyllis vul-neraria L. and Plantago media L.) exposedto either ambient or elevated CO₂in controlled environment cabinets.Measurements of fine (F) and extra-fine (EF) root extensionrate (RER), water relations, and cell wall tensiometric extensibilityrevealed differences in the diurnal pattern of root growth betweenspecies. After 35 d of exposure to elevated CO₂, RER of bothF and EF roots increased significantly in darkness and on illuminationfor S. minor, whilst for A. vulneraria (EF roots only) and L.corniculatus a significant increase occurred at night whereasfor P. media a significant increase occurred during the day.Cells measured in the zone of elongation were longer in allspecies exposed to elevated CO₂. Water potential (     

Morphological, Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Epicuticular Wax on Ornamental Plants Regenerated In Vitro

The morphological and physical characteristics of epicuticularwax of Maranta, Dieffenbachia, Chrysanthemum, Spathiphyllum,and Gerbera grown in a greenhouse, growth chamber, or in vitro,were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and gravimetricanalysis. Morphological characteristics varied among the differentspecies ranging from ridges in Dieffenbachia to smooth surfacesin Chrysanthemum and Gerbera. There was no consistent appearanceof wax of plants grown in vitro. Gravimetric analysis was necessaryto determine the amounts of wax accurately. Thin-layer chromatographyand gas-liquid chromatography revealed chemical differencesin the wax from different treatments within each species. Therewas no correlation between survival in the greenhouse or amountof leaf damage and the amounts of epicuticular wax present onplants at time of transfer. A comparison of results from gravimetricanalysis and SEM indicated that SEM alone cannot be used withconfidence in determining either the presence or the relativeamounts of epicuticular wax present. In addition, morphologicaldifferences in epicuticular wax of greenhouse, growth chamber,and cultured plants cannot be predicted from the growth environmentof plants and must be determined individually for each speciesunder study. Dieffenbachia maculata, Maranta leuconeura, Chrysanthemum morifolium, Gerbera jamesonii, Spathiphyllum wallissii, micropropagation, epicuticular wax     

Rates of Hydrogen Ion Efflux by Nodulated Legumes Grown in Flowing Solution Culture with Continuous pH Monitoring and Adjustment

The net efflux of H⁺ from lucerne (Medicago saliva L.), redclover (Trifolium pratense L.) and white clover (Trifolium repensL.) growing in flowing solution culture and dependent upon symbioticfixation of atmospheric N, was measured over a 75 d experimentalperiod. Considerable and rapid increases in acidity of the nutrientsolution of up to 1.45 pH units were recorded when the pH wasriot held constant over a 30 h period. There was little differencein H⁺ efflux when solution pH was held constant at 4.75, 5.75or 6.75, but there was an immediate cessation when it was adjustedto 3.75. Differences in the daily net efflux of H⁺ closely followedthe pattern of daily differences in incoming radiation, andthere was also evidence of a diurnal pattern of H⁺ efflux. Althoughthere were initially distinct differences between the speciesin the calculated rate of net H⁺ efflux (µg H⁺ g^–1dry shoot d^–), by day 75 these had diminished. In allspecies, however, the maximum rate of efflux per unit of shootsoccurred during the earlier rapid phases of growth. The measuredefflux of H⁺ was well equated with the plant content of excesscations (as measured by ash alkalinity) and, on average, theratio of acidity produced to N assimilated (expressed as anequivalent) was 0-24. Medicago sativa L., Trifolium pratense L., Trifolium repens L., lucerne, red clover, white clover, acidification, cation/anion balance, flowing solution culture, H⁺ efflux, nitrogen fixation     

Diurnal change in bioelectric potential of Phaseolus plant in relation to the leaf movement and light condition

A regular pattern of diurnal change in electric potentials developedrepeatedly from the pulvinus in the Phaseolus plant. Four kindsof bioelectric waves were discerned in the pattern; p-waves,a photoelectric response; l-waves, long and slow waves of negativepotential; e- and f-waves, rhythmic change in electric potentialswith high frequencies. ³ Present address: Tanagura High School, Tanagura 961, Japan. (Received May 8, 1975; )     

Energetics of Plant Growth Under Anoxia: Metabolic Adaptations of Oryza sativa and Echinochloa phyllopogon

Unlike most plant species, Oryza sativa L. cv. S-201 and Echinochloaphyllopogon (Stev.) Koss germinate and grow under anaerobicconditions. In both species, the radicle or shoot emerged byday 3 when the seeds were germinated in air or N₂. Under eithercondition, shoot and/or root dry weight (d. wt) increased linearlyfrom day 3 to day 7, with a corresponding decrease in seed d.wt. In anaerobically grown O. sativa, d. wt accumulation wasreduced to 7% of that in air whereas d. wt lost from the seedwas reduced to only 37%. No root growth occurred during anaerobicgermination and shoot d. wt accumulation accounted for 10% ofthe d. wt lost from the seed. In E. phyllopogon, d. wt accumulationduring anoxia was 25% of that in air, but loss of d. wt fromthe seed was 44% of the aerobic rate. In air, 48% of the d.wt lost from the seed was converted to shoot or root d. wt.Like O. sativa, E. phyllopogon does not produce a root underN₂, but shoot growth accounted for 27% of the d. wt lost fromthe seed. Thus, either in air or N₂, E. phyllopogon was moreefficient at converting seed reserves to shoot/root structuraldry matter than O. sativa . Based on changes in metabolite pools,O. sativa appeared to shift exclusively to fermentation duringanaerobic growth. In E. phyllopogon, however, fermentation alonecannot satisfy the energy requirement for growth without O₂.Rather, fermentation, coupled with limited tricarboxylic acid(TCA) cycle operation could supply sufficient ATP for growthunder anaerobic conditions. An active oxidative pentose phosphatepathway and lipid synthesis were discussed as important mechanismsfor converting NADH to NAD, a necessary cofactor for fermentationand TCA cycle activity.Copyright 1994, 1999 Academic Press Anaerobiosis, Echinochloa phyllopogon, energetics model, fermentation, mitochondrial activity, Oryza sativa, rice, tricarboxylic acid cycle, watergrass     

THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE AND SEXUALITY OF THE GREEN MUSSEL PERNA VIRIDIS (L.) (BIVALVIA: MYTILACEA) IN VICTORIA HARBOUR, HONG KONG

The reproductive cycle and sexuality of the green mussel Pernaviridis (L.) in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong, were investigatedfrom July 1982 to May 1984. Histological studies showed thatthe cyde could be divided into 4 stages occurring in a highlyseasonal pattern. The very low (<0.1%) occurrence of functionalhermaphrodites indicates that P. viridis is gonochoristic. Pastreports of protandric rhythmic hermaphroditism may have resultedfrom reliance on fluctuations in sex ratio and sex identificationby gonad colour. These criteria are, however, considered invalidfor P. viridis because differences exist between the developmentalpatterns of the male and female gonads and, further, colourof the female gonad at the early proliferation stage resemblesthe male. Temperature was found to correlate positively withgonad development and with the lower threshold at 24°C.Temperature was not, however, limiting at some sites in HongKong. A joint Principal Component Analysis-Stepwise multipleregression procedure suggested that hypertrophication mightinhibit gonadal development in Victoria Harbour (Received 2 November 1987; accepted 30 December 1987)     

Reversible Structural Changes Associated With Callus Formation and Plantlet Development from Aseptically Cultured Shoots of Taro (Colocasia esculenta var antiquorum)

Taro callus maintained on Knop's medium with 2, 0·2 or0·02 mg l^–1 2,4,5-trichiorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T)or Linsmaier-Skoog (LS) containing 1 mgl^–1 of the cytokininadenine-N-benzyl-9-tetrahydro-2H- pyran-2-yl (SD8339) or 6 dimethylaininopurineand 0·1 mgl^–1 -naphthaleneacetic acid underwenta transition to a stable organized growth form which is referredto as a calloid. On transfer to LS medium th 0·2 mgl^–12,4,5-T in the absence of cytokinin the calloid reverts backto callus. Colocasia esculenta(L.)Schott, taro, callus, calloid, in vitro selection, histology, micropropagation, tissue culture, cytokinin     

Shoot Growth and Mortality Patterns of Urtica dioica, a Clonal Forb

The growth and mortality patterns of the clonal forb Urticadioica were investigated at the level of the individual shootin two growing seasons, 1991 and 1992, in a natural stand. Shootheight and diameter at ground level of each shoot tagged inspring were measured repeatedly five times during the growingseason. Dry weights of these repeatedly measured shoots wereestimated using an allometric relationship between dry weight,height and diameter of harvested shoots. A large decrease inshoot density occurred with stand development from the beginningof the growing season in both the years: (1) shoot survivalrate was about 30% at the end of the growing season; (2) shootmortality rate per 10 x 10 cm subplot between censuses was positivelydependent on shoot density per subplot; (3) the mortality rateof individual shoots was negatively dependent on shoot size(height, diameter and weight) at each growing stage, suggestingone-sided competition between living and dying shoots; (4) shootsize (height, diameter and weight) variability in terms of thecoefficient of variation and skewness decreased in accordancewith shoot mortality. Symmetric competition between living shootswas detected by regression analysis based on a model for individualshoot growth considering the degree of competitive asymmetry.However, the competitive effect on individual shoot growth wasvery small (nearly absent). The mortality pattern of Urticadioica indicates that shoot self-thinning occurred from theearly growing stage as in non-clonal crowded monospecific stands,and contrasts with many clonal plants where shoot self-thinningrarely occurs or, if any, is confined only to a short periodof the later growing stage. The pattern of growth and competitionbetween living shoots of Urtica dioica contrasts with non-clonalcrowded plants undergoing intense competition (usually asymmetric)between individuals, but is a common feature of many clonalplants where shoot competition is supposed to be reduced by'physiological integration' between shoots. These form a newpattern not reported yet for clonal plants. It is pointed outthat clonal plants show a wider spectrum of the growth, competitionand mortality patterns of shoots than non-clonals. Some possiblemechanisms for the pattern of Urtica dioica are discussed.Copyright1995, 1999 Academic Press Shoot competition, diffusion model, individual shoot growth, shoot self-thinning, shoot size variability, Urtica dioica L