Assimilate Transport in Cucurbits

The long-distance transport of sugars has been investigatedin cucurbits. ¹⁴C-labelled sugars were applied to an abradedleaf surface and the content of ¹⁴C in various fractions ofextracts from leaf blade, petiolar tissue, and phloem exudatesubsequently determined. Nearly one half of the ¹⁴C activitydetermined in the phloem sap was in amino and organic acids,the other half in sugars, whereas in leaf and petiolar tissuemost of the ¹⁴C activity was found in the neutral sugar fraction.As the solute concentration of cucurbit phloem sap is relativelylow the calculated rate of mass transfer would require hightransport velocities and large areas of phloem. However, thedriving force for such translocation is not known. Key words: Phloem transport, Cucurbits, Specific mass transfer     

Stress Tolerance Parameters in Different Genotypes of Soybean

Free proline content, superoxide-dismutase activity, and lipid peroxidation were measured in sixteen Yugoslav and introduced genotypes of soybean. More tolerant genotypes with higher free proline content and high superoxide-dismutase activity, and low lipid peroxidation were chosen. The selected genotypes could be used in field production, as well as in breeding.     

Assimilate Transport in Phloem: Regulation and Mechanism

The Münch hypothesis of phloem transport has been significantly modified in the past 50 years and is now widely accepted. The short and therefore noncomprehensive survey remembers earlier data verifying the dependency of mass flow on metabolic control. Speed measurements and other strong arguments for the validity of the Münch hypothesis are examined, physicochemical obstacles still persist, but molecular detection and localization of sucrose transporters inside the sieve-tube system are in accordance with the mass flow mechanism. Taking into account source–sink control, the lateral sinks pose new problems, unless acceptance of a continuous control along the conduits improves the theory. A view into future research is advised: the gymnosperm sieve cell system seems to act as a super relay system consisting of a chain of micro-Münch-systems.     

Tuber Blight Development in Potato Cultivars in Response to Different Genotypes of Phytophthora infestans

Migrations or introduction of new genotypes of Phytophthora infestans to a specific region imposes a different perspective for potato production. During 2009–2010, a late blight epidemic affected the Northeastern United States, which quickly spread through several states. The epidemic was characterized by the appearance of a new genotype of P. infestans designated US‐22, which was isolated from tomato and potato. Potato tubers are an essential component of late blight epidemics where the pathogen cannot overwinter on Solanaceous plants. Six potato cultivars were inoculated with 12 isolates of P. infestans (five different genotypes), including isolates of the genotype US‐22. Tuber blight development was characterized in terms of tissue darkening expressed as area under the disease progress curve values and lenticel infection. The responses indicated that US‐8 was more aggressive than US‐22, but US‐22 isolates obtained from potato were more aggressive on potato than those acquired from tomato. Tuber periderm responses to infection were limited, yet US‐8 isolates infected the periderm more often than US‐22 isolates. There were significant differences among the cultivars tested but cv. Jacqueline Lee was the most resistant overall. Although isolates of P. infestans genotype US‐22 were less aggressive in comparison with US‐8 isolates, US‐22 isolates still infected potato tubers and were as aggressive us US‐8 isolates on some cultivars. Management of late blight caused by isolates of US‐22 through host resistance may be feasible but imposes a different set of criteria for consideration from those that US‐8 imposed.     

Effects of Temperature and Photoperiod on Assimilate Partitioning in Potato Plants

The effects of temperature and photoperiod on d. wt partitioningand ¹⁴C translocation were studied in three potato varieties.High temperatures and long days enhanced plant growth in termsof plant height and number of leaves, and also affected d. wtpartitioning between the plant organs. However, no temperatureeffect was noted on total plant d. wt, nor on the export of¹⁴C from the source leaf. Translocation of ¹⁴C to the vegetativeorgans (leaves and stems) was greater at higher temperatures,while translocation to the tubers was less under these conditions.We suggest that, under the temperature regimes studied, themain effect of high temperature is on assimilate partitioningand not on total plant productivity. Differences in responseto high temperatures were observed among varieties, with Norchipshowing the least and Up-to-Date showing the most sensitivity. High temperature, partitioning of assimilates, ¹⁴C-translocation, potato, Solanum tuberosum var. Desirèe, Solanum tuberosum var. Norchip, Solanum tuberosum var. Up-to-Date     

Defoliation,Photosynthetic Rates,and Assimilate Transport in Grapevine Plants

The source-sink relations in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L., var. Rkatsiteli) plants were disturbed by defoliation at different stages of vegetative growth in order to investigate changes in photosynthetic activity and assimilate partitioning. Defoliation was shown to stimulate photosynthesis in the remaining source leaves, enhance the assimilate export, and diminish the midday suppression of photosynthesis. Defoliation created a powerful sink for assimilates, and stimulated their delivery to the affected zone. It is hypothesized that defoliation-induced stress is accompanied by a substantial enhancement of photosynthetic activity and by redistribution of assimilate flows, which enables a sustained supply of assimilates to the sink organs of grapevine plants.__________Translated from Fiziologiya Rastenii, Vol. 52, No. 4, 2005, pp. 507–512.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Chanishvili, Badridze, Barblishvili, Dolidze.     

Scion and Rootstock Effects on ABA-mediated Plant Growth Regulation and Salt Tolerance of Acclimated and Unacclimated Potato Genotypes

Tolerance of salt stress in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) increased when the plants were pre-exposed to low concentrations of salt (salt acclimation). This acclimation was accompanied by increased levels of abscisic acid (ABA) in the shoot. To further study the role of roots and shoots in this acclimation process, reciprocal grafts were made between a salt-tolerant (9506) and salt-sensitive ABA(−) mutant and its ABA(+) normal sibling potato genotype. The grafted plants were acclimated with 75 or 100 mM NaCl for 3 weeks and then exposed to 150–180 mM NaCl, depending on the salt tolerance of the rootstock. After 2 weeks of exposure to the salt stress, the acclimated and unacclimated plants were compared for physiologic and morphologic parameters. The response to the salt stress was strongly influenced by the rootstock. The salt-tolerant 9506 rootstock increased the salt tolerance of scions of both the ABA-deficient mutant and its ABA(+) sibling. This salt tolerance induced by the rootstock was primarily modulated by salt acclimation and manifested in the scion via increased plant water content, stem diameter, dry matter accumulation, stomatal conductivity, and osmotic potential, and is associated with a reduction in leaf necrosis. There was also a pronounced scion effect on the rootstock. Using 9506 as a scion significantly increased root fresh and dry weights, stem diameter, and root water content of ABA(−) mutant rootstocks. Specific evidence was found of the role of exogenous ABA in the enhancement of water status in grafted plants under salt stress beyond that of grafting alone. This was verified by more positive stomatal conductivity and upward water flow in ABA-treated grafted and nongrafted plants and the absence of upward water flow in nontreated grafted plants through NMR imaging. Grafting using either salt-tolerant scions or rootstocks with inherently high ABA levels may positively modify subsequent responses of the plant under salt stress.     

夜间低温对薄皮甜瓜糖运转途径上各器官糖含量的影响

以薄皮甜瓜(Cucumis melo L.)品种'玉美人'为试材,通过高效液相色谱法测定薄皮甜瓜糖运转途径上各器官不同种类糖的含量.以分析夜间低温对薄皮甜瓜糖运转途径上各器官糖含量的影响.结果显示,甜瓜从"源"到"库"糖运转途径上各器官糖含量差异很大.叶片中葡萄糖含量最高,其次是果糖,而肌醇半乳糖苷、棉籽糖和水苏糖含量很低;子蔓和果柄维管柬中积累了大量的蔗糖、果糖、葡萄糖、棉籽糖和水苏糖,及少量的肌醇半乳糖苷;果实则以果糖、葡萄糖为主,而肌醇半乳糖苷、棉籽糖和水苏糖含量很低.夜间9℃低温处理后,叶片、子蔓和果柄维管束糖的积累明显高于相应对照,而果实中糖含量明显低于对照;夜间12℃低温处理后糖运转途径上各器官糖含量无明显变化.研究表明,夜间9"C低温使薄皮甜瓜叶片中糖大量积累,并限制了糖的运输,严重影响果实糖分积累,而夜间12℃低温并未对其产生明显的影响;果柄维管束中可能存在运转糖的分解,且夜间9℃低温可能会对其起到一定的促进作用.     

Effect of Water Stress on Photosynthesis in Two Mulberry Genotypes with Different drought Tolerance

Three-month-old mulberry (Morus alba L.) cultivars (drought tolerant S13 and drought sensitive S54) were subjected to water stress for 15 d. Water stress decreased the leaf water potential, net photosynthetic rate (PN), and stomatal conductance (gs) in both the cultivars. However, the magnitude of decline was comparatively greater in the sensitive cultivar (S54). Intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) was unaltered during mild stress, but significantly increased at severe stress in both cultivars. The photosystem 2 activity significantly declined only at a severe stress in both cultivars. The Ci/gs ratio representing the mesophyll efficiency was greater in the tolerant cultivar S13. Involvement of stomatal and/or non-stomatal components in declining PN depended on the severity and duration of stress. However, the degree of non-stomatal limitations was relatively less in the drought tolerant cultivar.     

Assimilate Conversion in Potato Tubers in Relation to Starch Deposition and Cell Growth

The activity of enzymes involved in the conversion of sucrose to starch together with the distribution of ¹⁴C-labelled photosynthate and ⁴C-sucrose was studied in potato tubers showing a range of growth rates and growth patterns. Within a particular tuber the uptake of ¹⁴C from labelled photosynthate and the conversion to ethanol-insoluble ¹⁴C was greatest in the apical tissue where both the rate of production of new storage cells and starch synthesis were likely to be greatest. Uptake and conversion of ¹⁴C was lowest in the older tissue of the tuber base. Pre-treatment of tubers with gibberellic acid reduced the total input of ¹⁴C from labelled photosynthate, reversed the gradient in ¹⁴C uptake between apical and basal tuber tissue, increased the amount of ¹⁴C per g fresh weight in the basal tissue and decreased the conversion of labelled sugars to starch. For tubers with different growth rates both the total uptake of ¹⁴C from labelled photosynthate and the ratio ethanol-insoluble ¹⁴C/ethanol-soluble ¹⁴C appeared to be correlated with growth rate. In contrast when tubers were fed directly with ¹⁴C-sucrose via the tuber surface, total uptake was independent of growth rate but the correlation between growth rate and the ratio ethanol-insoluble ¹⁴C/ethanol-soluble ¹⁴C persisted. Within a particular tuber there was a decreasing gradient in sucrose synthetase activity between youngest tissue of the tuber apex and the older tissue at the tuber base but there was no clear correlation between mean enzyme activity and tuber growth rate. ADPG-pyrophosphorylase and the ratio ADPG-pyrophosphorylase/starch phosphorylase showed some correlation with tuber growth rate. Starch synthase, starch phosphorylase and UDPG-pyro-phosphorylase activities per g fresh weight of tuber tissue appeared to be relatively constant. The results suggest that the transport of sugar from the phloem sieve tubes to the tuber storage parenchyma cells, in particular the phloem unloading step, and the conversion of sugar into starch are subject to separate regulation in the potato tuber.     

Effect of Heat Stress on Assimilate Partitioning in Tomato

Differences in assimilate partitioning in response to heat stresswere observed between the heat-sensitive tomato cultivar, RomaVF and the heat-tolerant cultivar, Saladette. Transport of carbonto the trusses and apex was inhibited in both cultivars, particularlyin Roma VF. Basipetal transport to the roots was inhibited inRoma VF only. Assimilate partitioning within the young trusswas also affected by heat stress in both cultivars, but wasmore pronounced in Roma VF: at higher temperatures more ¹⁴Cwas found in the peduncle and in the older flower buds thanin the younger flower buds. The youngest flower buds were moresensitive than other parts of the truss to heat stress. Theuptake of [¹⁴C]sucrose by detached flower buds from agar mediumwas lower at higher temperatures. Alteration of assimilate partitioningwas also observed following the application of GA₃+Kinetin tothe first truss. The possible relationship between flower-setin tomato and carbohydrate stress is discussed. Lyeopersicon esculentum Mill., carbon translocation, starch     

Increased Antioxidant Activity under Elevated Temperatures: A Mechanism of Heat Stress Tolerance in Wheat Genotypes

An experiment was conducted with three wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes C 306, HD 2285 and HD 2329 (differently susceptible to water and temperature stress) to study the extent of oxidative injury and activities of antioxidant enzymes in relation to heat stress induced by manipulating dates of sowing. Increase in temperature by late sowing significantly decreased leaf relative water content (RWC), ascorbic acid content, and increased H₂O₂ content and lipid peroxidation in all the genotypes at 8 and 23 d after anthesis. Temperature tolerant genotypes C 306, closely followed by HD 2285 were superior to HD 2329 in maintaining high RWC, ascorbic acid content, and lower H₂O₂ content and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde content) under high temperature (late sowing) at the two stages. Activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were highest in HD 2285 followed by C 306 and minimum in HD 2329 while ascorbate peroxidase activity was highest in C 306.     

New Mechanism of Melanosomes Transport into Hair of Lambs of Different Breeds and Genotypes

By light microscopic investigation of skin and wool specimens of newborn lambs, we discovered a previously unknown mechanism for melanosomes transport in the process of dermal papilla melanocytes regular mitosis and migration into the hair shaft. This mechanism plays a great role in hair pigmentation especially in dominant (E^D/E^D) and recessive (A^a/A^a) black lambs of all investigated breeds. The rate of pigment cell mitosis, proliferation, and migration differs greatly in lambs of investigated color genotypes. In black genotypes the rate of melanocyte mitosis is very high and is approximately the same as in the hair bulb matrix cells, whereas in brown and red genotypes this rate is much lower. Melanocyte mitosis in the light red and tan groups was not found.     

Effect of Heat Stress on Assimilate Metabolism in Tomato Flower Buds

Assimilate import by flower buds in two cultivars of tomato(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was inhibited by heat stress.With increasing temperature, levels of sucrose in the sourceorgan increased while levels of starch decreased. The transportof radioactive carbon was correlated with the starch contentof the flower buds. In Saladette, a heat-tolerant cultivar,conversion of the imported carbon to starch occurred to a greaterextent than in Roma VF, a heat-sensitive cultivar. Uptake ofsucrose from agar medium by detached flower buds was negativelycorrelated with their internal ratio of sucrose to hexoses.Glucose uptake from agar medium by detached flower buds decreasedwith increasing temperatures. Sucrose hydrolysis was negativelyaffected by high temperatures, and this was more pronouncedin the heat-sensitive than in the heat-tolerant cultivar. Theeffect of heat stress on assimilate translocation from the leavesto the sink organ is discussed. Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., starch, sucrose, heat stress     

Anatomy, Ultrastructure and Assimilate Concentrations of Roots of Citrus Genotypes Differing in Ability for Salt Exclusion

Seedlings of Rangpur lime (Citrus reticulata var. austera hybrid?)and Etrog citron (C. medica) were treated in water culture with0, 25, 50 or 100 mol m^–3 NaCl, and in sand culture with0 or 100 mol m^–3 NaCl. Leaf chloride analyses indicatedthat Etrog citron accumulated the most chloride at all levelsof salinity. The structure, ultrastructure and concentrationsof chloride and reserve assimilates of the primary root up to50 mm back from the tip were compared between genotypes andbetween salt treatments. There were no differences in root anatomy in the absence ofsalt between the two genotypes. The hypodermal cells developedlignified and suberized walls which blocked the plasmodesmataand resulted in degeneration of the cell contents. Frequentthin-walled passage cells in the hypodermis had living contentsand may represent major sites of ion uptake into the symplasm,which was connected with the stele via plasmodesmatal connectionswith and between the cortical cells. The primary endodermalcells had lignified casparian strips and plasmodesmata in othercell wall areas. These connections were blocked by secondarysuberization of all except the endodermal passage cells oppositethe protoxylem arcs. Suberization of the hypodermis and endodermis and the appearanceof granular deposits in the vacuole occurred closer to the roottip of both genotypes after treatment with 100 mol m^–3NaCl. Levels of starch and triglyceride in 10 mm serial segmentswere similar between roots of control and salt-treated plantsand increased with distance back from the root tip. Chlorideconcentrations increased with salt treatment but values (ona tissue water basis) were similar between genotypes and betweenthe apical and proximal ends of the root. Reducing sugar concentrationsdecreased with salt treatment to a similar extent in roots ofboth genotypes. Key words: Citrus, Roots, Salinity     

The Role of Plastids and Assimilate Transport System in the Control of Plant Development

Phylogenetic and ontogenetic relationships between the plastids, cell endoplasmic reticulum, and plant transport communication have been reviewed. The initiating role of plastids (endosymbionts) in the origin of endoplasmic reticulum (buffer zone of endosymbiogenesis) has been shown, as well as a similar role of endoplasmic reticulum in the development of transport communication of xylem and phloem. Plastids, sugars and transport system for their distribution can be interpreted as leading sections in the mechanism of developmental control: gene expression of nuclear genome and genome of organelles, cell and tissue differentiation, and plant morphogenesis. The conflict between the bulk of plant genome and low percentage of its realization is explained as a result of limitation of the nuclear genome realization by plastid genome. The concept of development as applied to plant ontogenesis has been critically analyzed. The possibilities of the concept correction by with the help of symbiogenetic hypothesis are discussed.__________Translated from Ontogenez, Vol. 36, No. 3, 2005, pp. 165–181.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Gamalei.     

不同品种葡萄对高温的生理响应及耐热性评价

以新疆农业科学院吐鲁番农业科学研究所葡萄资源圃中选取的19个具有代表性葡萄品种作为试验材料,在当地自然高温期中段(7月份,日最高温＞35 ℃),对葡萄叶片气体交换参数、叶绿素含量、抗氧化酶活性、脯氨酸含量等12个生理指标进行测定,采用模糊隶属函数分析法结合有序样本最优分割聚类法对不同品种耐热性进行评价,考察不同葡萄品种对高温的生理响应差异,为葡萄高温逆境栽培和耐热品种选育提供参考。结果表明：(1)在自然高温条件下,19个品种葡萄的耐热性表现存在差异,‘红地球’、‘藤稔’、‘贝达’、‘和田黄’耐热性较强,而‘无核白’、‘红旗特早玫瑰’、‘水晶无核’、‘维多利亚’、‘矢富罗莎’、‘克瑞森无核’耐热性较弱。(2)不同品种叶片丙二醛含量和抗氧化酶活性变化对高温响应差异较大,耐热性较强的‘红地球’和‘藤稔’的丙二醛含量相对较低,而‘贝达’、‘和田黄’的丙二醛含量相对较高,但其抗氧化酶活性均较高。(3)模糊隶属函数法分析结果表明,各品种生理指标的隶属函数值(AR)大小与其耐热性直观表现基本一致,AR可作为评价葡萄品种耐热性评价的综合指标;进一步聚类分析结果将参试品种划分为耐热性强、中、弱3个类型,并筛选出‘红地球’、‘藤稔’、‘贝达’、‘和田黄’等4个耐热性较强的品种。     

Assimilate Transport and Partitioning in Plants: Approaches,Methods, and Facets of Research

This review, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of A.L. Kursanov's date of birth, considers the development of phloem transport studies since his book, Assimilate Transport in the Plant, was published in 1976. This book and several other fundamental publications on phloem structure and functions basically shaped this physiological issue; as a result, several international meetings by scientists working in the area were induced, and the proceedings of these meetings were published at regular intervals. Six conferences have been held to date, and six corresponding collections of papers have been published and are reviewed here along with other experimental communications and reviews. This review considers the following topics: (1) the phloem structure and the ultrastructure of specialized phloem cells, (2) the physiological functions of phloem and their regulation, (3) photosynthesis and phloem loading with assimilates, (4) phloem unloading and the related processes of plant growth and development, (5) the mechanisms of sugar and amino acid transport, (6) the levels of transport, (7) transport compartments; (8) xylem–phloem and symplast–apoplast communication; (9) phloem transport vs. the integral plant physiology, (10) transport of xenobiotics, and (11) the trophic transport networks in symbionts.     

Transport 14C-markierter Assimilate im Phloem von Pelargonium zonale und Phaseolus vulgaris

Zusammenfassung 6–10 min nach Beginn der ¹⁴CO₂-Assimilation befindet sich ¹⁴C-Aktivität im Stiel des ¹⁴CO₂-exponierten Blattes belichteter Pflanzen von Pelargonium zonale und Phaseolus vulgaris. Die Verteilungsrichtung der Assimilate im Sproß scheint vor allem durch das Alter des ¹⁴C-assimilierenden Blattes bestimmt, jedoch nicht einseitig festgelegt zu sein; geringe, aber faßbare Mengen an ¹⁴C-Saccharose wereden innerhalb von 20 min (bei Phaseolus) und 180 min (bei Pelargonium) auch aus relativ jüngeren in ältere Blätter transportiert.Neben ¹⁴C-Saccharose wurden im Blattstiel-und Stengelgewebe stets markierte Zuckerphosphate, Hexosen und organische Säuren nachgewiesen. Stärke war nur zu einem verschwindend geringen Anteil an der Gesamtmarkierung der analysierten Transportstrecken beteiligt.

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Translocation of ¹⁴C-labelled assimilates in the phloem of Pelargonium zonale and Phaseolus vulgaris

Summary After the laminae of leaves of intact plants had been exposed to ¹⁴CO₂ the translocation of ¹⁴C-labelled assimilates across the petioles starts very quickly: 6 to 10 min later ¹⁴C-activity could be detected in the basal part of the petioles. The way of distribution within the plant seems to be influenced mainly by the age of the ¹⁴CO₂-assimilating leaf, however, but not in the sense of an unidirectional movement; little but distinct amounts of ¹⁴C were carried also from younger yet full expanded leaves down to older leaves, within 20 min (in Phaseolus) or 180 min (in Pelargonium). Besides sucrose, which was shown by paper chromatography to be the main form of assimilates translocated in these species, we identified sugar phosphates, hexoses, and some organic acids in the petiole and stem tissue as being radioactive also. In our experiments, the petiole segments did not contain any remarkable amount of ¹⁴C-labelled starch.