PLASTOCHRON2 regulates leaf initiation and maturation in rice

In higher plants, leaves initiate in constant spatial and temporal patterns. Although the pattern of leaf initiation is a key element of plant shoot architecture, little is known about how the time interval between initiation events, termed plastochron, is regulated. Here, we present a detailed analysis of plastochron2 (pla2), a rice (Oryza sativa) mutant that exhibits shortened plastochron and precocious maturation of leaves during the vegetative phase and ectopic shoot formation during the reproductive phase. The corresponding PLA2 gene is revealed to be an orthologue of terminal ear1, a maize (Zea mays) gene that encodes a MEI2-like RNA binding protein. PLA2 is expressed predominantly in young leaf primordia. We show that PLA2 normally acts to retard the rate of leaf maturation but does so independently of PLA1, which encodes a member of the P450 family. Based on these analyses, we propose a model in which plastochron is determined by signals from immature leaves that act non-cell-autonomously in the shoot apical meristem to inhibit the initiation of new leaves.     

水稻主茎叶片出生与温度关系

水稻叶片生长与分蘖、根系、穗分化、节间伸长存在规律性的同伸规律［２，３．９］。水稻主茎每出一张叶片都形成和生长相应的器官。因此，可根据叶龄预报分蘖发生与成穗、节间伸长时间、穗分化进程。以此为依据可指导水稻高产栽培和杂交水稻制种的父母本播栽期。但目前水...     

Influence of day length and temperature on number of main stem leaves and time to flowering in lupin

A growth chamber experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of day length and temperature on the development of flowering in eight varieties of the three grain lupin species Lupinus albus (Wat and C3396), L. angustifolius (Gungurru, Polonez and W26) and L. luteus, (Juno, Radames and Teo). The plants were grown at two temperatures, 10°C and 18°C, in combination with five daylength regimes: 10, 14, 18, 24 h day at full light intensity and 10 h full light extended with 8 h low intensity light. Increased daylength decreased days from sowing to flowering in all varieties, but had little effect on thermal time to flowering in most varieties. However, C3396, W26 and Radames had a significantly longer thermal time to flowering at high, non‐vernalising temperature (18°C) at short daylengths. Low light intensity daylength extension did not significantly influence thermal time to flowering. For flower initiation, measured as number of leaves on the main stem three types of response were found. All varieties formed fewer leaves on the main stem at 10°C than at 18°C, although the two thermo‐neutral varieties of L. luteus, Juno and Teo, gave only a small response to temperature and daylength. In Polonez, Gungurru and Wat, low temperature decreased leaf number, but there was only a small response to changes in daylength. Three varieties, C3396, W26 and Radames, showed longer thermal time to flowering at 18°C with short daylengths. This could be explained by a greater number of main stem leaves formed at short daylength at non‐vernalising temperatures. Increased daylength decreased leaf number in these varieties, but never to a smaller number than for plants grown at 10°C. In these varieties, low intensity extension of the daylength had a similar (W26, Radames) or decreased (C3396) effect compared to full light extension. The hastening of time to flowering by long days could be separated into two effects: a high light energy effect hastened development by increasing the rate of leaf appearance in all varieties, while low light energy in thermo‐sensitive varieties was able to substitute for vernalisation by decreasing leaf number.     

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.     

Coordination between plant and apex development in Hordeum vulgare ssp. distichum

Developmental scales for cereals describe apex and plant morphology separately. In order to link crucial steps of internal and external development, in three varieties of Hordeum vulgare spp. distichum L., sown in autumn and in spring, we recorded plant, leaf and apex stage, following the scales of Zadoks, Haun, and Banerjee and Wienhues, the number of primordia, culm and spike length, and the final number of leaves and spikelets. Primordia initiation was coordinated with leaf appearance and the relative rate was constant for the initiation of productive primordia. The maximum number of primordia was achieved just before the first node became detectable, but development was completed only by those initiated before floret differentiation and internode distension started. The first spikelet was initiated when the third leaf tip became visible, and the last one when plants were at the pseudo stem erection stage and five leaves had still to appear.     

Effect of plant characteristics of jute varieties on incidence of pests in West Bengal,India

This study was conducted with a view to understand the effect of plant characteristics on the incidence of pests on most popular jute varieties, viz. JRO-524, JRO-632, JRO-878, JRO-7835 of olitorius jute and JRC-212, JRC-321, JRC-4444, JRC-7447 of capsularis jute. Correlation studies of plant characteristics with pest incidence in jute (Corchorus spp.) revealed that the basal girth of plant exhibited a positive significant relationship with the incidence of Apion corchori Marshall but not with other pests such as jute semilooper (Anomis sabulifera Guen.), Bihar hairy caterpillar (Spilarctia obliqua Wlk.), grey weevil (Myllocerus discolor Bohemus) and yellow mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks). However, plant height showed positive correlation with the incidence of all the major pests of jute. Leaf characteristics (number of leaves/plant, leaf area, leaf thickness, moisture and chlorophyll content of leaves of all the varieties recorded at three different growth stages, i.e. at 50, 80 and 110 days after sowing), number of leaves/plant had positive and significant relationship with the incidence of all the pests except stem weevil. However, leaf area and moisture content of leaves showed significant positive relationship with the incidence of yellow mite. Leaf moisture also showed a positive role on the infestation of grey weevil. Leaf thickness and chlorophyll content of leaves and stem, fibre thickness and moisture content of stem did show any significant effect on pest's incidence. Upon comparing the plant characteristics between the two jute species, olitorius varieties had greater fibre thickness than that of capsularis varieties but fibre thickness had no significant impact on incidence of pests.     

肥叶碱蓬叶和茎的解剖结构研究

应用光学显微镜对生长在宁夏中卫盐碱荒漠的肥叶碱蓬的茎和叶解剖结构进行了观察和研究,结果表明:该植物表现出许多适应干旱和盐碱土环境的特点,其基本特征为:叶为肉棒状的等面叶,茎叶表皮细胞具有较厚的角质层,个别表皮细胞形成乳凸状的泌盐细胞。栅栏组织为环栅形,叶内有大的贮水细胞,在贮水细胞之间散布有晶体细胞。叶脉维管束不发达。茎有少量的次生生长,它的结构中髓部发达,并有贮水功能,茎发育后期产生异常结构等。同时肥叶碱蓬的茎和叶结构还有三点特殊之处:(1)叶表皮下有一层排列相当疏松的薄壁细胞;(2)栅栏组织里侧是一层贮藏细胞,在贮藏细胞中细胞核和液泡分布于外侧,内含物沉积于内侧。(3)叶脉维管束导管末端不深入到栅栏组织中。上述结构和特征反映出肥叶碱蓬对干旱、盐碱土生境适应的多样性,也为旱生和盐生植物的生理学研究提供新的实验证据。     

Some Effects of Photoperiod on Barley

Fourteen barley varieties originating in areas of differinglatitude were grown in controlled-environment rooms. Three treatmentswere given viz. 12, 15, and 18 hours light per day, and measurementswere made of time to flowering and leaf development. An analysisof the rate of leaf appearance and leaf size was made by themethods described. The effect of lengthening photoperiod wasto hasten flowering, reduce the leaf number before flowering,increase the rate of leaf emergence, and change the patternof leaf size up the stem, though varieties differed in the magnitudeof their response. The correlated changes found appear to conformto an hypothesis of internal competition for nutrients withinthe plant. Differences between these results and those of otherworkers are discussed in the light of this hypothesis.     

Intracellular localization of sucrose-phosphate phosphatase in storage cells

The intracellular location of sucrose-phosphate phosphatase (SPP; EC 3.1, 3.24) was investigated by comparing the ratios of SPP to vacuolar and cytosolic markers in protoplasts and vacuoles from storage tissues of red beet ( Beta vulgaris ) and turnip ( Brassica rapa L. var. rapa ) hypocotyl, and carrot ( Daucus carota ) root. In all three instances, SPP activity was found not to be associated with vacuolar markers ß-acetyl-glucosaminidase and α-mannosidase, but proportionally associated with the cytosolic marker alcohol dehydrogenase. It was determined that in storage cells of red beet and turnip hypocotyl, as well as in carrot root, SPP is located in the cytoplasm. Discrepancies with earlier reports indicating SPP of vacuolar origin are discussed.     

Variability of phyllochron, plastochron and rate of increase in height in photoperiod-sensitive sorghum varieties

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: West African sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) varieties are generally highly photoperiod-sensitive, which is a necessary adaptation to the variable onset date of the rainy season and the variable dates of sowing in the savannah zone. Depending on sowing date, plants can produce from 12 to >40 leaves on the main culm, with height varying from 1 m to more than 5 m. The present study aimed to better understand the complex phenology of these variables. METHODS: A 2-year series of monthly sowings of three West African sorghum varieties was conducted near Bamako, Mali. Drought stress was avoided by supplemental irrigation. Rate of initiation of primordia at the stem apex was recorded, together with rate of leaf emergence and increase in plant height. KEY RESULTS: Leaf initiation and appearance rates (plastochron(-1) and phyllochron(-1)) were constant for a given sowing date in cases where less than 20 leaves were produced (generally observed with late sowing dates). In contrast, rates were bilinear for early sowing dates, for which plants produced more than 20 leaves. The secondary rates, which occurred from the 20th leaf onwards, were only half of the initial rate. Plastochron and phyllochron showed large variations among sowing dates, and were correlated with the rate of plant height increase. The initial plastochron and phyllochron were positively correlated with soil temperature and negatively correlated with both day length and day-to-day change of day length prevailing at plant emergence, but these factors explained only half of the variation observed. CONCLUSIONS: Although they belong to different genetic groups and have different height and photoperiod sensitivity, the three varieties studied exhibited similar response patterns of development rates among phenological phases and seasons, with the local landrace showing the greatest variation due to its longer vegetative phase and longer stem internodes. The possible adaptive advantages in African savannah environments of bilinear development rates and the associated limitation in height increase are discussed.     

田间不同品种蔬菜对萝卜蚜种群的影响(英文)

本试验通过利用５个品种蔬菜（萝卜,芥蓝,芥菜,菜芯和白菜）研究萝卜蚜（Ｌｉｐａｐｈｉｓ ｅｒｙｓｉｍｉ）在不同蔬菜上的种群动态以及对寄生于萝卜蚜的菜蚜茧蜂（Ｄｉａｅｒｅｔｉｅｌｌａ　ｒａｐａｅ）种群的影响。研究结果显示,在３０天研究期间,有翅萝卜蚜的平均虫口（蚜虫数／苗）在萝卜、芥蓝、芥菜、菜芯和白菜苗上分别为３．９１８、０．８３１、１．１４９、１．７４３和５．２３头,表明降落在萝卜苗上的有翅蚜数量显著地比在其它蔬菜苗上的高;而无翅萝卜蚜的中均虫口分别为６３．４２１、１０．０４１、２４．９２８、２３．３２３和１１４．３０８头,说明萝卜蚜无翅蚜在白菜上的种群显著地高于其它品种蔬菜上的。由于萝卜蚜在不同品种蔬菜上的种群不同,导致菜蚜茧峰种群在不同品种蔬菜上也不同,其僵蚜虫口分别为１．０５６、０．２５１、０．２７７、０．６５１和１．４４头,显示了在萝卜和白菜上的僵蚜数量显著地比其它蔬菜上的高。分析结果表明,萝卜蚜的种群（ｘ）与菜蚜茧峰的种群（ｙ）呈显著的相关关系：ｙ＝０．１１８８＋０．０１４３ｘ（ｒ＝０．９７３９）。本研究还利用试验结果提出了萝卜蚜无翅蚜种群从蔬菜在田间种植后达到防治指标（５０头／苗）的临界天数（ｃ     

Preservation of sorghum plant portions harvested,processed and ensiled at ten stages of maturity

Two varieties of grain sorghum were harvested at 10 intervals from 35–189 days post planting. Leaf, stem and head portions were separated before being prepared for chemical analysis or ensiled for 30 days in 1-1 silos with or without preservatives. The taller variety (FS-1b) accumulated 60% more dry matter than ORO-T with advancing plant maturity, while whole plant crude protein content decreased from near 20 to less than 7% for both varieties. Dry matter ensiling loss (DMEL) was different (P < 0.05) for each plant portion, but was lower and less variable after the 77-day harvest. Immature leaves and heads resulted in the greatest average DMEL of 31 and 24%, respectively. Propionic acid decreased DMEL, while an ammonia solution was ineffective when compared to control leaf, stem and heads. The DMEL of leaves was influenced (P < 0.05) by a varietal × modulus of fineness interaction while the stem exhibited an interaction with plant maturity × modulus of fineness. Modulus of fineness was not associated with levels of organic acid production in silages, but plant maturity significantly influenced acetic, propionic and butyric acid production in heads. These data indicated that numerous combinations of silage preservation techniques affected DMEL of sorghum plant portions at different maturities.     

Is thermal time adequate for expressing the effects of temperature on sunflower leaf development?

We have tested whether the effects of temperature on sunflower leaf growth could be documented by using thermal time. The rates of leaf expansion and of cell division were analysed in leaves located at two positions on the stem, and a spatial analysis of expansion rate was carried out. Experiments were performed in growth chamber (stable conditions), in the field or in a greenhouse (fluctuating conditions). We compared three methods for characterizing the rate and the duration of expansion. Responses to leaf temperature were consistent only when expansion was characterized as a two-phase process — a period of exponential expansion (constant relative expansion rate, RER ) followed by a decrease in RER . RER and relative cell division rate ( RDR ) responded linearly to temperature with a common response curve for all studied conditions. This response curve was also common to all studied zones within a leaf and to leaves at two positions on the stem. The reciprocals of the durations of the periods of exponential expansion, non-zero expansion and non-zero division were also linearly related to leaf temperature with common response curves in a given leaf zone. The x -intercepts of all these response curves and of the response curve of leaf initiation rate to temperature did not significantly differ in an analysis of covariance, with a common value of 4·8 °C. The expression of time in cumulative degree days, with a base temperature of 4·8 °C, resulted in a unique time course of RER and cell division rate regardless of temperature. These results suggest that a powerful 'program' of leaf development exists in a sunflower plant.     

Analysis of salinity effects on basil leaf surface area, photosynthetic activity, and growth

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) seedlings were cultured on liquid medium in controlled conditions. Two varieties differing in leaf size were compared. When plants were 30?days old, the medium was supplemented with 50?mM NaCl. After 15?days of treatment, root, stem and leaf biomass, leaf number, and leaf surface area were measured. Ion accumulation was determined in roots, stems, and leaves. Photosynthetic parameters (CO₂ fixation rate, internal CO₂ concentration, stomatal conductance) as well as transpiration rate were determined on separate leaves. Electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde content were used to estimate damage to membranes and lipid peroxidation, respectively. Several antioxidant enzymatic activities were used as proxies of oxidative stress. High Na⁺ concentration was reached in leaf tissues. Salt restricted whole plant biomass deposition rate by diminishing leaf number and leaf expansion, as well as photosynthetic activity were estimated from whole plant biomass production per unit leaf surface area. Diminished stomatal conductance restricted CO₂ fixation rate, and decrease in chlorophyll content presumably limited photosynthetic activity. Lipid peroxidation revealed damages to membranes. The magnitude of these responses differed between the two varieties, indicating that an intraspecific variability in salt response exists in basil.     

稻鸭共生系统中鸭品种对水稻生长特性的影响

鸭子品种间的差异对稻鸭共生系统中水稻的生长特性可能有重要影响.为了探究鸭子品种对水稻生长特性的影响,选取水鸭(SY)、洋鸭(YY)和绿头鸭(LTY)3个常见鸭品种作为处理,以水稻常规单作(CK)为对照,采用随机区组设计的方法进行田间小区试验,研究其对水稻根部、茎部、叶部性状及水稻产量的影响.结果 表明:YY和LTY处理...     

EFFECTS OF HOST PLANTS ON POPULATION DYNAMICS OF LIPAPHIS ERYSIMI (KALT.) IN THE FIELD

Abstract The population dynamics of alates and apterous of turnip aphid (TA) Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) together with the incidence of parasitism by Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh) on five host vegetable varieties in the field were evaluated. The results showed that the average populations of TA apterous on host vegetable varieties turnip, Chinese kale, leaf mustard, flowering cabbage and Chinese cabbage were 63. 425, 10. 041, 24. 928, 23. 323 and 114. 308 aphids/plant, respectively. The 'critical day' was used to estimate the date when TA population density on host vegetable varieties reaches its economic threshold. The relationship between TA apterous population ( x ) and mummy aphids parasitized by parasitoid D. rapae was significant, and the regression formula is y = 0. 1211 + 0. 01431 (r=0. 9739**).     

白骨壤幼苗的形态特征及其生物量

白骨壤1年生幼苗的株高、基径、根长、呼吸根高、叶面积以及根、茎、枝、叶、胎生苗和全株生物量等计量指标,呈现算术平均值>中值>众值组段中点的规律,符合正偏态分布节数、叶数、呼吸根数、胎生苗数等计数指标的算术平均值和中值相等,二者大于或等于众值组段中点.研究发现白骨壤1年生幼苗能生长指状呼吸根以及开花、结果和发育胎生苗,而且胎生苗成熟后直接萌发形成新的幼苗.根据实测的数据,采用一元线性回归、多元线性回归和非线性回归拟合了白骨壤1年生幼苗主要形态因子和生物量的回归模型.     

Epidemiology of Leptosphaeria maculans in relation to forecasting stem canker severity on winter oilseed rape in the UK

In the UK, ascospores of Leptosphaeria maculans first infect leaves of oilseed rape in the autumn to cause phoma leaf spots, from which the fungus can grow to cause stem cankers in the spring. Yield losses due to early senescence and lodging result if the stem cankers become severe before harvest. The risk of severe stem canker epidemics needs to be forecast in the autumn when the pathogen is still in the leaves, since early infections cause the greatest yield losses and fungicides have limited curative activity. Currently, the most effective way to forecast severe stem canker is to monitor the onset of phoma leaf spotting in winter oilseed rape crops, although this does not allow much time in which to apply a fungicide. Early warnings of risks of severe stem canker epidemics could be provided at the beginning of the season through regional forecasts based on disease survey and weather data, with options for input of crop-specific information and for updating forecasts during the winter. The accuracy of such forecasts could be improved by including factors relating to the maturation of ascospores in pseudothecia, the release of ascospores and the occurrence of infection conditions, as they affect the onset, intensity and duration of the phoma leaf spotting phase. Accurate forecasting of severe stem canker epidemics can improve disease control and optimise fungicide use.     

Evidence that polygalacturonase is a virulence determinant in Erwinia carotovora.

Polygalacturonase (PG) was purified from Erwinia carotovora EC. A hybrid cosmid, pSH711, that encodes PG activity but not pectate lyase activity was identified from an E. carotovora genomic library by an immunological screening method. A cell extract of Escherichia coli cells containing pSH711 was able to produce plant tissue maceration when spotted on carrot, potato, or turnip slices. In addition, the E. coli strain containing this plasmid was able to macerate carrot, potato, and turnip slices. Our results suggest that PG plays an important role in soft-rot disease.     

Short feeding period of carrot psyllid (Trioza apicalis) females at early growth stages of carrot reduces yield and causes leaf discolouration

Overwintered adult carrot psyllids [Trioza apicalis Förster (Homoptera: Psylloidea: Triozidae)] damage carrot [(Daucus carota ssp. sativum L.) (Apiaceae)] seedlings by phloem feeding on the leaves. The aim of this study was to investigate the carrot root and shoot growth in relation to carrot psyllid density during early growth stages. One, two, or three carrot psyllids were allowed to feed on carrot seedlings for 3 days. Leaf damage was measured at the 8‐leaf stage, and root, leaf fresh weight, and number of true leaves were measured at harvest. Both the age of the carrot seedling at infestation and the psyllid density had a significant effect on leaf damage at the 8‐leaf stage: seedlings damaged at the cotyledon stage exhibited more leaf damage than seedlings damaged at the 1‐leaf stage. A higher psyllid density significantly reduced the carrot root weight at harvest. The significant interaction of psyllid density with seedling age indicates that differently aged carrot seedlings responded differently to feeding: one psyllid feeding for 3 days at the cotyledon stage caused a significant yield loss, whereas three psyllids were needed to cause the same impact at the 1‐leaf stage. Carrot leaf weight at harvest was not reduced by carrot psyllid feeding: leaves recovered from the damage but roots did not. Our results confirm the farmers’ observations that a trap replacement period of 1 week for carrot psyllid monitoring is too long, especially at the cotyledon stage. Severe leaf discolouration on damaged carrots was observed at harvest. The possible reasons for this discolouration, such as toxin excreted in psyllid saliva or plant pathogenic mycoplasma infection, are discussed.