Accumulation of essential oils in relation to root differentiation in Angelica archangelica L

The accumulation of essential oils in Angelica archangelica subsp. archangelica roots at different developmental stages was investigated through histochemical and chemical analyses. Roots less than 1 mm in diameter showed a primary diarch structure and two primary secretory ducts in the pericycle. These ducts were ephemeral and probably became dysfunctional early on. Oil accumulation was observed only in the secondary secretory ducts formed by cambium activity and located in the secondary phloem. Gas chromatographic analyses revealed that only taproots exceeding 5 mm in diameter contained a high concentration of alpha- and beta-phellandrene, which appreciably influence the oil's aroma.     

Morphoregulatory role of thidiazuron: morphogenesis of root outgrowths in thidiazuron-treated geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey)

Summary Root outgrowths formed on the root tissue of geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey cv. Kim and cv. Shone Helena) plants in response to treatment with the phenylurea derivative, thidiazuron (N-phenyl-N-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-ylurea; TDZ). Treatment with the cytokinin N⁶-benzylaminopurine (BAP) or the auxin -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) did not result in stimulation of similar abnormal structures on the root tissue. Significantly more outgrowths developed on roots of plants treated with 10 M and 20 M TDZ than on control plants or those treated with 1 M TDZ for the eight-week treatment period. Some outgrowths produced shoots and plantlets while still attached to roots, and regenerants were easily separated from the root tissue and transferred to soil in the greenhouse where they grew to maturity. Histological observations suggested these outgrowths originated from the vascular cambium region of the root.     

Propagation of Angelica archangelica Plants in an Air-Sparged Bioreactor from a Novel Embryogenic Cell Line, and their Production of Coumarins

A spontaneously embryogenic cell line of the coumarin producing angelica [Angelica archangelica (L.) subsp. archangelica] was established via callus formation from seedlings grown from sterilized seeds on semi-solid, hormone-free modified B5 medium. The cell line has retained its embryogenic capacity for 5 years. The highest coumarin production for the cell line after 3 weeks of cultivation was achieved in the medium containing 3.0 % sucrose. Jasmonic acid had no statistically significant effect on the biomass or coumarin production. The established embryogenic cell line could be stored using cryopreservation. Plantlets grown in an air-sparged bioreactor were transferred directly to soil and vermiculite, and 63 % of them grew to maturity through two growth seasons. The coumarin content in the regenerated plants was comparable to that in wild plants. Thus this cell line could be used for in vitro propagation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

In vitro plant regeneration from embryogenic cultures of a diploid and a triploid,Cavendish banana

Plant regeneration by somatic embryogenesis was attempted with diploid (Musa acuminata ssp. malaccensis) and triploid ('Grand Nain') bananas. Explants inoculated in vitro were, respectively, immature zygotic embryos and male flower bud primordia. An histological study showed that the embryogenic process involves a sequence of similar events for both species. A yellow-green compact callus was initiated, which consisted of an actively dividing meristematic zone surrounded by several layers of starchy cells. A white and friable callus, characterized by the presence of proembryonic cells, bicellular proembryos and proembryonal masses in its periphery gradually appeared, which finally gave rise to somatic embryos from which plants were recovered. Induction media contained 2,4-D (and also NAA and IAA for the triploid); zeatin and kinetin were necessary for embryo maturation and 6-BA and IAA were used for germination. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

In vitro root cultures of Panax ginseng and P. quinquefolium

The paper describes a procedure for the initiation, subculture and continued proliferation of adventitious roots of Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolium, which resemble hairy roots. The technique took advantage of the high powerful activity of a new synthetic auxin: benzo[b]selenienyl acetic acid (BSAA). Such initiation from root explants was dependent upon the season, the type and concentration of auxin. The hairy-like roots of ginseng could be subcultured by transfer every 4 weeks to fresh liquid medium either in agitated Erlenmeyer flasks or in bioreactors. Optimal conditions for a continued multiplication (up to 14 per month) were determined. The only practical problem was the limitation of the fresh mass as inoculum: the multiplication rate decreased with the increased quantity of roots. It is postulated that a root growth inhibiting substance was released into the media by the proliferating ginseng hairy roots.     

In vitro adventitious root induction in Antirrhinum majus L.

A broadly applicable method for the successful induction of root systems in a number of cultivars of A. majus has been determined. This involves a double filter-paper bridge with a liquid medium for root induction and allows the transfer of culture-grown plantlets to a glasshouse environment with minimal disturbance to the plant as a whole. 100% survival of transferred plantlets has been achieved with the inclusion of a few simple precautions upon shoot transfer and during the initial stages of plant establishment in vivo.     

In vitro regeneration of shoot buds and plantlets from seedling root segments of Brassica napus L.

Root segments obtained from aseptically germinated seedlings of Brassica napus cv. Westar were used to optimize conditions for high-frequency shoot bud differentiation. The presence of low kinetin (0.5 M) and relatively high indole-butyric acid (1.0 M) levels facilitated optimum shoot bud differentiation. Modified MS medium (MMS) was superior to the other three basal media tested (MS, B5 and White's). Elevated sodium dihydrogen phosphate levels increased the differentiation of shoot buds. Increasing or decreasing the level of sucrose from 3% reduced the frequency of explants forming shoot buds. Addition of glutamine enhanced both the frequency of responding explants, as well as the number of shoots per responding explant. Root segments from 13-day-old seedlings produced the highest response (58%) in the presence of 100 mg l^-1 glutamine. The position of the segment on the main root, size, and the presence or absence of lateral roots altered the morphogenic response. Sealing of the donor seedling cultures with Parafilm^® instead of Stretch' n seal^® resulted in a higher production of shoot buds, although root segment cultures were not affected by the type of sealing. Spontaneous rooting occurred on all developed shoots.Dedicated to Dr. Friedrch Constabel on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Pluripotency of Arabidopsis xylem pericycle underlies shoot regeneration from root and hypocotyl explants grown in vitro

We have established a detailed framework for the process of shoot regeneration from Arabidopsis root and hypocotyl explants grown in vitro . Using transgenic plant lines in which the GUS or GFP genes were fused to promoters of developmental genes ( WUS , CLV1 , CLV3 , STM , CUC1 , PLT1 , RCH1 , QC25 ), or to promoters of genes encoding indicators of the auxin response ( DR5 ) or transport ( PIN1 ), cytokinin (CK) response ( ARR5 ) or synthesis ( IPT5 ), or mitotic activity ( CYCB1 ), we showed that regenerated shoots originated directly or indirectly from the pericycle cells adjacent to xylem poles. In addition, shoot regeneration appeared to be partly similar to the formation of lateral root meristems (LRMs). During pre-culture on a 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D)-rich callus-inducing medium (CIM), xylem pericycle reactivation established outgrowths that were not true calli but had many characteristics of LRMs. Transfer to a CK-rich shoot-inducing medium (SIM) resulted in early LRM-like primordia changing to shoot meristems. Direct origin of shoots from the xylem pericycle occurred upon direct culture on CK-containing media without prior growth on CIM. Thus, it appeared that the xylem pericycle is more pluripotent than previously thought. This pluripotency was accompanied by the ability of pericycle derivatives to retain diploidy, even after several rounds of cell division. In contrast, the phloem pericycle did not display such developmental plasticity, and responded to CKs with only periclinal divisions. Such observations reinforce the view that the pericycle is an 'extended meristem' that comprises two types of cell populations. They also suggest that the founder cells for LRM initiation are not initially fully specified for this developmental pathway.     

In vitro induction of multiple shoots and plant regeneration inVigna

Summary Cotyledonary nodes, excised cotyledons, and hypocotyl segments of six varieties ofVigna mungo andV. radiata have been tested for their morphogenic potential on media containing a range of hormonal combinations including benzyladenine, kinetin, thidiazuron (TDZ), and zeatin. Multiple shoots developed on cotyledonary node explants in all varieties tested on basal medium containing cytokinin. Presence of both the cotyledons, either full or half, resulted in a maximum number of shoots produced. Shoot bud regeneration was achieved via meristem formation on excised cotyledons on Murashige-skoog basal medium with B₅ vitamins supplemented with TDZ. Mature plants had normal phenotypes.V. mungo var. PS1 andV. radiata var. Pusa 105 were found to be the most responsive varieties for shoot regneration. The histology ofin vitro organogenesis was studied.     

In vitro Regeneration and Transformation of Blackstonia perfoliata

In vitro root culture of yellow wort (Blackstonia perfoliata (L.) Huds.) was initiated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. In the presence of benzylaminopurine (BAP) numerous adventitious buds formed, which developed into shoots. Presence of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) in media significantly decreased number of buds, but increased development of lateral roots. On hormone-free medium shoots successfully rooted and developed flowers and viable seeds that formed another generation. Shoot cultures of B. perfoliata inoculated with suspension of Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain A4M70GUS developed hairy roots at 3 weeks and they were cultured on hormone-free MS medium. Spontaneous shoot regeneration occurred in 3 clones.     

Role of cytokinin and auxin in shaping root architecture: regulating vascular differentiation, lateral root initiation, root apical dominance and root gravitropism

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Development and architecture of plant roots are regulated by phytohormones. Cytokinin (CK), synthesized in the root cap, promotes cytokinesis, vascular cambium sensitivity, vascular differentiation and root apical dominance. Auxin (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA), produced in young shoot organs, promotes root development and induces vascular differentiation. Both IAA and CK regulate root gravitropism. The aims of this study were to analyse the hormonal mechanisms that induce the root's primary vascular system, explain how differentiating-protoxylem vessels promote lateral root initiation, propose the concept of CK-dependent root apical dominance, and visualize the CK and IAA regulation of root gravitropiosm. KEY ISSUES: The hormonal analysis and proposed mechanisms yield new insights and extend previous concepts: how the radial pattern of the root protoxylem vs. protophloem strands is induced by alternating polar streams of high IAA vs. low IAA concentrations, respectively; how differentiating-protoxylem vessel elements stimulate lateral root initiation by auxin-ethylene-auxin signalling; and how root apical dominance is regulated by the root-cap-synthesized CK, which gives priority to the primary root in competition with its own lateral roots. CONCLUSIONS: CK and IAA are key hormones that regulate root development, its vascular differentiation and root gravitropism; these two hormones, together with ethylene, regulate lateral root initiation.     

野生与栽培白头翁药用部位解剖结构和皂苷组织化学定位

利用解剖学和组织化学的方法,研究了野生和栽培白头翁（Pulsatilla chinensis）主根的解剖结构和皂苷组织化学定位。结果表明：野生白头翁根部韧皮纤维散在,而栽培白头翁的则多个聚集成环状或其它形状;栽培白头翁根的次生木质部导管管腔内富含侵填体;野生白头翁根中分泌腔和分泌道丰富;分泌腔与分泌道的数量及大小是决定白头翁皂苷物质含量高低的主要因子。因此,分泌腔与分泌道大小和数量的多寡可以作为判断所选育的白头翁品种是否优良的结构性指标。     

Growth patterns and alkaloid accumulation in hairy root and untransformed root cultures of Datura stramonium

The aim of this work was to study the possible relationship between alkaloid production and growth measured as: biomass increase and cellular division frequency, in Datura stramonium in vitro root cultures (hairy root and normal cultures). A comparison of growth values on a fresh and dry weight basis showed that there were differences between transformed and non-transformed lines. The differential growth between lines occurred due to a real biomass increase and not because of water accumulation. On the other hand, the rate of cell division showed a similar pattern for all lines studied. Therefore, the differences in growth are not due to different cell division rates, nor to the presence of larger meristems, but to the development and growth of lateral roots and the presence of active intercalary meristematic zones in each line. The maximum alkaloid production occurred when the cultures were not growing. This suggests an inverse relationship. Finally, the data support a specific model of growth at the level of cell division in root cultures which has not been described before in the literature. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Correlation between the presence of membrane-bound auxin binding and root regeneration in cultured tobacco cells

When cell-suspension cultures and callus tissue from Nicotiana tabacum are grown on medium containing -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and kinetin, three classes of auxin-binding proteins can be detected. When the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid is used instead of both NAA and kinetin, one of these sites, which is membranebound, disappears. After retransferring cells to medium containing NAA and kinetin, this membrane-bound site reappears after four to eight weeks. This reappearance is correlated with the ability of the cells to regenerate roots.Abbreviations IAA indole-3-acetic acid - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

臭椿茎中分泌道的发育及其组织化学研究

利用植物解剖学方法研究臭椿茎和叶柄中分泌道的结构、分布和发育过程.结果表明:臭椿茎和叶柄中的分泌道分布于髓的周缘,次生木质部中无分泌道.分泌道是由一层分泌细胞围绕分泌腔而构成,分泌细胞外有1～2层鞘细胞.分泌道以裂生方式形成,其发育过程可分为3个阶段:原始细胞阶段、形成阶段和成熟阶段.在原始细胞阶段,一群原始细胞具浓厚细胞质,细胞核清晰可见;形成阶段,原始细胞的中央细胞间细胞壁中层降解,细胞壁分离,形成腔隙,随着分泌细胞数量的增加,分泌腔体积扩大;成熟阶段的分泌道具有12～16个分泌细胞,1～2层鞘细胞,分泌腔直径为30～50μm.组织化学研究表明,分泌细胞及分泌道内含物中含大量的萜类、多糖和脂类物质.机械创伤能够诱导次生木质部中产生创伤分泌道.臭椿茎中的分泌道和创伤性分泌道在抵御生物和非生物胁迫中起重要作用.     

Enhanced neuronal regeneration by retinoic acid of murine dorsal root ganglia and of fetal murine and human spinal cord in vitro

Summary This study demonstrates that retinoic acid (RA), an active metabolite of vitamin A, can act to enhance regeneration of neurites, at physiologic concentrations, in vitro. Explanted fragments of mouse dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and mouse and human spinal cord (SC) were maintained, in vitro, for periods up to 11 d. Murine DRG neurons were exposed to RA concentrations ranging from 100 μM to 1 nM, whereas neurons within murine and human SC explants were exposed to 10 μM to 10 nM RA. Results show that RA significantly (P<0.001) increases mean neurite length but not neurite number. Specifically, murine DRG neurons showed increases in mean neurite length of 30.7% with individual explants showing increases of up to 133.5%. Murine and human SC showed mean enhancements of 43.4 and 58.1%, respectively, but did so at lower concentrations of RA. The results indicate that RA may play a potentially critical role in neuronal regeneration.     

In vitro plantlet regeneration from cotyledon, hypocotyl and root explants of hybrid seed geranium

In vitro plantlet regeneration systems for the seed geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey) using cotyledon, hypocotyl and root explants were optimized by studying the influence of seedling age, growth regulators and excision orientation on organogenesis. Indole-3-acetic acid combined with zeatin yielded the highest rate of shoot production on cotyledon explants (0.2–2 shoots per explant). More shoots were produced on explants cut from the most basal region of cotyledons from 2 to 4-day-old seedlings than from older seedlings or more distal cut sites. Hypocotyl explants produced the highest number of shoots, up to 40 shoots per explant, on indole-3-acetic acid (2.8–5.6 mM) + zeatin (4.6 mM) or thidiazuron (4.5 mM). Maximum shoot formation (0.3–1.4 shoots per explant) on root explants occurred when they were cultured on medium containing zeatin. Regenerated shoots rooted best on a basal medium containing no growth regulators. There were substantial differences among cultivars in shoot formation from each of the explant systems.Abbreviations BA 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - TDZ thidiazuron