Ultrastructure of Oryza glumaepatula, a wild rice species endemic of tropical America

Orv'za gluniaepatula is a perennial wild rice species, endemic to tropical America, previously known as the Latin American race of Orrza rufipogon. In Costa Rica, it is found in the northern region of the country, mainly in the wetland of the Medio Queso River, Los Chiles, Alajuela. It is diploid, of AA type genome and because of its genetic relatedness to cultivated rice it is included in the O. saliva complex. We describe the ultrastructure of leaf blade, spikelet, ligule and auricles. Special emphasis is given to those traits of major taxonomic value for O. glumaepatula and to those characters that distinguish this species from O. rufipogon and O. sativa. O. glumaepatula has a leaf blade covered with tombstone-shaped, oblong and spheroid epicuticular wax papillae. It has diamond-shaped stomata surrounded by spherical papillae, rows of zipper-like silica cells, bulky prickle trichomes of ca. 40 microm in length and small hirsute trichomes of ca. 32 tpm in length. The central vein is covered with large, globular papillae of ca. 146 microm in length, a characteristic that distinguishes this species from O. rufipogon and O. sativa. The border of the leaf blade exhibits a row of even-sized bulky prickle trichomes of ca. 42.5 microm in length. Auricles have attenuated trichomes of ca. 5.5 mm in length on the edges and small bicellular trichomes of 120 microm in length on the surface. The ligule has a large number of short attenuated trichomes on its surface of 100 microm in length. These latter two traits have important taxonomic value since they were found in O. glumaepatula but not found in O. sativa or in O. rufipogon. The spikelet has the typical morphology of the Oryza genus. Fertile lemmas have abundant spines, a trait shared with O. rufipogon but not with O. sativa. The sterile lemmas are wing-shaped with serrated borders, a characteristic that distinguishes this species from O. rufipogon and O. sativa. All the ultrastructure characters observed in O. glumaepatula from Costa Rica are also common to the specimens from Brazil.     

Epidermal Structure in the Ligule of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The structure of the abaxial epidermis of the ligule of rice(Oryza sativa L.) as seen in the light and scanning electronmicroscope is described. Long cells, silica cells, cork cells,prickle hairs, microhairs and stomata-like structures were found.Reasons for considering these latter structures to be true stomataare given. Results of an X-ray analysis for silicon are presentedand the distribution of silica discussed in relation to itsfunctional role in the ligule. Oryza sativa L, rice, Gramineae, ligule, epidermis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray analysis, silica, stomata     

菰属系统与演化研究——孕花外稃表皮微形态

应用扫描电子显微镜对禾本科菰属及其有关9属14种3变种1变型的孕花外稃顶端及其芒基部的表皮微形态进行观察比较研究。研究结果基本符合E.E.Terrell与W.P.Wergin的研究报道,但我们不仅种类收集齐全而且增加研究了与菰属有关的属种,及菰属下的一些变种及混淆种,更有利于探讨菰属的系统位置及其演化关系。菰属以其稻型的双胞微毛与硅质体应隶属于稻族。又根据它们所具硅质体形状及硅质乳突的数量,除揭示它为单性花一支与稻属、假稻属、水禾属等两性花一支在稻族中存在平行演化现象外,也揭示了在菰属中共有4种、2亚种,其中以菰最为原始。     

The ligules of green leaves of cock's-foot grass, Dactylis glomerata L., are a micro-habitat for bacteria and fungi

Microbial populations on the ligule and leaf blade of cock's-foot grass, Dactylis glomerata L., were examined by three different methods. The ligule was identified as an important microbial niche for both bacteria and fungi. Microbial populations on the ligule increased after emergence and declined again as it approached senescence. The area of leaf blade adjacent to the ligule also had a rich microbial flora. This contrasts with the remainder of the leaf blade which is sparsely populated. However, the tip can also support a rich microbial population.     

小麦的穗领在系统演化和个体发育中形成过程的初步探讨

小麦的穗领有三种类型:领腹完全敞开的U形穗领、领腹完全闭合的O形穗领和领腹呈V型交叉的V形穗领。穗领是系统演化中顶生叶叶鞘减化后的遗迹,也是个体发育中穗轴基部第一侧生小穗下苞叶原始体的痕迹。在一定条件下,从穗领可以长出叶鞘和叶片,穗轴基部节间可以变为茎节间,穗领腋内的小穗可以变为腋芽、带柄分枝穗或分枝花序。其余侧生小穗下都有一个领腹完全敞开的U形小穗领,其形态与U形穗领相似。它们是系统演化中二次轴分枝花序的苞叶叶鞘减化后的遗迹,也是个体发育中苞原始体的痕迹。一定条件下,从小穗领也可以长出叶鞘和叶片。穗轴基部节间变茎的同时,基部几个小穗若发生向圆锥花序的部分返祖变异,随着变异程度加深,从穗领和小穗领逐渐形成叶鞘和叶片。说明在系统演化中。顶生叶和苞叶先减化叶片,后减化叶鞘,最后形成穗领和小穗领。小麦祖先的花序与茎叶之间没有明显的界限。     

不同海拔生境条件下水稻叶片及茎鞘氮素含量的变化

本文报道生长在不同海拔生境条件下(云南省元江、玉溪、昆明、大理、丽江)的水稻叶片及茎鞘氮素含量的变化。所获得的主要结果如下: 1.自然生境条件下,水稻叶片和茎鞘的氮素含量随着生育期的进展而变化,有一个由高到低的下降趋势。而前期低海拔地区的含量比高海拔地区的高,成熟期则是海拔越高其叶片含氮量也越高,茎鞘含氮量的情形与叶片相反。 2.穗肥施用时期不同,对叶片和茎鞘氮素含量的影响不同,在低和较低海拔地区施用时期越晚,成熟期残存于叶片及茎鞘的氮素就越多;而且海拔高的地区的含量也高。在冷凉的高海拔地区丽江以颖花分化期追肥比幼穗分化和减数分裂期施用则黄熟期保持较高的含氮量。     

中华水韭叶舌和缘膜的发生及其发育进程研究

采用石蜡切片技术,以人工培养的中华水韭幼苗的最初几枚叶至成熟植株的叶为实验材料,连续解剖观察其叶舌和缘膜的发生、发育进程,并分析其发育进程与孢子囊和叶片的关系.结果显示:(1)中华水韭叶舌与叶片在其个体发育早期来自于同一原基,但叶舌最初的发育速度快于叶片.(2)中华水韭的苗龄达到15枚叶时开始有孢子囊发生,此时的叶舌下方有明显的缘膜结构.(3)当中华水韭的孢子体达到30枚叶片以上时,早期产生于植株外围的孢子囊已经发育成熟,可以清楚地区分出大、小孢子囊,其中在已经成熟的大孢子叶上,叶舌相对于孢子囊的长度变短,下唇萎缩,缘膜消失;成熟小孢子叶的叶舌比大孢子叶的叶舌长,上翻程度大,下唇萎缩程度不如大孢子叶明显,缘膜也退化消失.研究认为,缘膜是水韭系统发育早期的普遍结构,而演化后期一些地区的缘膜则显著退化甚至消失;对于系统发育初期的中华水韭,其叶舌与叶片的差异并不像现代水韭那么明显.     

Silicon Deposition in the Roots, Culm and Leaf of Phalaris canariensis L

Silicon deposition in the roots, culm and leaf of canary grass(Phalaris canariensis L.) was investigated using light microscopy,scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis. In adventitious roots grown in solution silicon was concentratedin four endodermal walls. Silicon was not detected in the endodermisof aerial adventitious roots, but was present in the epidermisand outer cortical cell layers. Silicon deposition in the culm mainly took place in the epidermis,and particularly in epidermal papillae. The silica deposition pattern in the leaf was typical of thesub-group Festucoideae. The leaf blade showed deposits in costalprickle hairs and wavy rods, but few intercostal deposits. Inthe ligule deposition was confined to isolated groups of pricklehairs on the abaxial surface. The major sites of silica depositionin the leaf sheath were the stomatal subsidiary cells, papillaeand intercostal idioblasts. Prickle hairs were much less commonin the sheath than the blade, and costal wavy rods appearedto be absent in the sheath. Phalaris canariensis L., canary grass, silicification, root, culm, leaf, electron probe microanalysis     

城隍竹——福建竹亚科一新种

报道了竹亚科（Bambusoideae）少穗竹属（Oligostachyum Z.P.Wang et G.H.Ye）一新种——城隍竹（O. heterophyllum M.M.Lin）。该新种分布于我国福建西部,它与糙花少穗竹[O.scabriflorum（McClure） Z.P.Wang et G.H.Ye]相似或近缘,但秆小,直径不超过1.5 cm;秆箨淡紫绿色,背面具有瘤基刺毛,无斑点,无白粉,亦无焦边,基部密被细刚毛;箨片直立,基部不收缩;箨舌淡禾秆色;叶鞘被细微柔毛而与后者相区别。     

THE CUTICULAR ANATOMY OF FRENELOPSIS VARIANS FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF CENTRAL TEXAS

Stem fragments identified as Frenelopsis varions Fontaine have been found in the Lower Cretaceous (Albian) of central Texas. The cuticle is extremely thick and characterized by 5–6 subsidiary cells with papillae overarching the stomatal chamber. Guard cells are deeply sunken below the epidermis. Stomatal complexes are arranged in axial rows extending from the base of an internode to its apex. The rows of stomata continue into the sheathing leaf where the rows curve towards the leaf apex. The epidermis of F. varions was apparently long persistent and underwent prolonged growth. Axial rows of stomata are frequently disrupted resulting in a random pattern of stomata. A single, highly reduced, sheathing leaf is present at each node. The margin of the leaf has numerous unicellular trichomes and extends to form a slightly triangular blade.     

A model co-ordinating the elongation of all leaves of a sorghum cultivar was applied to both Mediterranean and Sahelian conditions

Sorghum leaf development was analysed at plant level by analysing the time-course of elongation and identifying the beginning and end of the elongation phases of each leaf blade. This was done with destructive and non-destructive measurements in 14 experiments carried out during several growing periods in Southern France and Sahelian Africa. Elongation of each blade was characterized by the succession of a nearly exponential phase and a linear phase. For a given blade and provided that time was expressed in thermal units, initiation, beginning and end of the linear phase, and time-courses of elongation rate were strikingly similar in all experiments, except in environments with a maximum air temperature close to 40 degrees C and a maximum vapour pressure deficit close to 6 kPa. The relative elongation rate during the exponential phase declined with leaf number from 0.08 to 0.02 degrees Cd(-1), while the duration of this phase increased from 140 to 320 degrees Cd. By contrast, the absolute elongation rate during the linear phase was nearly constant from leaf 8 onwards. This phase was shorter than the exponential phase regardless of leaf position, but accounted for the largest part of blade length. A strict pattern of leaf development was observed at the whole plant level, whereby dates of elongation events and leaf and ligule appearance, represented on a thermal time scale, were linearly related to phytomer number. This pattern exhibited a simultaneous elongation cessation of the last-formed leaves and a mismatch between real and apparent (from leaf to ligule appearance) elongation duration.     

Scanning electron microscopy of silica bodies and other epidermal features in Gibasis (Tradescantia) leaf

The scanning electron microscope is used to examine epidermal preparations belonging to three species of Gibasis , a genus allied to Tradescantia. The surface topography of the leaf is exposed for investigation at high magnifications, the observations add new information about structural projections from the surface and contribute to an understanding of silica deposition and its organization. Hairs of three main types occur: (1) short two-celled trichomes, hook or prickle hairs, (2) long uniseriate hairs consisting of four to six cells, (3) three-celled glandular micro-hairs. The arrangement and shape of epidermal cells and stomata are reported. Epidermal papillae were observed for the first time in two of the three species; their morphology is described in detail and their spacing expressed mathematically. Variations in the structure and distribution of silica cells are depicted, and new aspects of the silica bodies are displayed in relief. The taxonomic significance of these anatomical characters is discussed in relation to species and chromosome numbers.     

菰属系统与演化研究－－叶片表皮微形态

菰属叶片表皮微形态以其具有稻型的硅质体,指状的双胞微毛,三角形的副卫细胞,应位在禾本科(Gramineae)稻族(Oryzeae)内,但因其硅质体不整齐排列于脉上,而且有时呈现十字形或浅节结形,双胞微毛的顶细胞较粗壮等独特性状,结合染色体2n=2x=30,34,而区别于稻族中其他各属(x=12),且其所具竹亚科(Bambusoideae)的胚型(F+PP)在稻族中也鲜有,故应在稻族中独立成菰亚族(subtribeZizaniinae)。其属下种间的叶表皮微形态特征,大都吻合孢粉、外稃表皮微形态特征的研究结果,揭示菰属在全世界有4种,2亚种。     

伯乐树不同发育阶段叶片表面附属结构特征

利用石蜡切片及电子显微镜扫描技术,对伯乐树（Bretschneidera sinensis）不同发育阶段的叶表面表皮毛、角质层、乳突和气孔器4种附属结构进行了观察。结果显示：伯乐树叶的上、下表面和叶脉处分布着单细胞或多细胞的单列表皮毛,表皮毛的密度随着叶片的生长发育逐渐稀疏;叶片上表面覆盖着条纹状的角质层;叶片的下表面有鲜花状乳突,密度随叶片的生长逐渐稀疏;气孔仅见于下表面,气孔器类型为无规则型。伯乐树和叠珠树叶片具有相似的乳突结构,结合形态学、解剖学及分子证据,在一定程度上显示了伯乐树与叠珠树科可能存在较密切的关系;叶表面附属结构的特点反映了伯乐树对环境的长期适应。     

Leaf epidermis of Quercus subgen. Cyclobalanopsis (Oerst.) Schneid. (Fagaceae)

The characters of leaf epidermis (mainly epidermal cells, stomata, trichomes) have been examined in 48 species of Quercus subgen. Cyclobalanopsis of the Fagaceae. The adaxial leaf epidermis was investigated under light microscope. The epidermal cells of this surface are of two types in terms of the outline of their anticlinal wall. One type is characterized by having straight wall, and this type has been observed in most of the species studied, while the other is characterized by having sinuate or sinuolate wall, and this type has been found only in eight species, such as Q. blakei and Q. hui. There exist two types of trichome-bases on this surface: in one type the bases are singlecelled, and this type has been found in most of the species studied, such as Q. oxyodon and Q. augustinii; while in the other the bases consist of a group of cells, and this type has been found only in nine species, such as Q. thorelii and Q. chungii. The abaxial leaf epidermis was investigated under light microscope and scanning electron microscope. The epidermal cells and the trichome-bases on this surface under LM are in morphology essentially similar to those on the adaxial surface. The stomata under LM include three types: cyclocytic, subcyclocytic and anomocytic. The stomatal density is of some diagnostic value to distinguish between closely related species, e.g. the stomatal density in Q. glauca is higher than that in Q. schottkyana. Under SEM the stomata are elliptical or roundish. The most noteworthy feature of the adaxial leaf epidermis is the trichomes. Eight types of trichomes have been observed under SEM: simple-uniseriate, solitary, papillae, stellate, fused-stellate, stipitate-fasciculate, multiradiate and jellyfish-like. The first type, i.e. the simple-uniseriate trichome, is glandular, other six types, i.e. the solitary, papillae, stellate, fused-stellate, stipitate-fasciculate and multiradiate trichomes, are non-glandular, and the last one, i.e. the jellyfish-like trichome, may represent an intermediate type in structure between the glandular and the non-glandular trichomes. Papillae are very common in subgen. Cyclobalanopsis although in the Fagaceae they were previously reported only in a few species of Lithocarpus. The jellyfish-like trichome, observed only in Q. sichouensis, is reported in the Fagaceae for the first time. The evolutionary trends of trichomes are discussed. The trichomes seem to evolve toward the direction of increasing complexity in structure. Papillae are considered as the pedomorphism of trichomes. From papillae the solitary trichomes and then the stellate ones have evolved. The complicated trichome types with more arms may be produced from relatively simple ones with fewer arms by means of varions fusion: several stellate trichomes are fused to form the fused-stellate ones by basal fusion, and by the same way the fused-stellate ones to form the stipitate-fasciculate ones; the multiradiate trichomes are formed by the stellate ones, in which the arms emerge in a variety of seemingly random directions from a typically rounded common base. Based on the above results, it is considered that the trichome features are of important significance for a better understanding of the infrageneric division of Quercus and the phylogenetic relationships between this genus and the other genera in the Fagaceae. The very common presence of papillae in Quercus subgen. Cyclobalanopsis and in a few species of Lithocarpus may indicate that subgen. Cyclobalanopsis is a quite natural group on the one hand, and may have close relationship with Lithocarpus on the other hand. The thin-walled, jellyfish-like trichomes found in Q. sichouensis are in structure similar to the “glandular” peltate trichomes in Trigonobalanus, a genus generally regarded as the most primitive in subfam. Quercoideae, indicating that the affinity between subgen. Cyclobalanopsis and Trigonobalanus may becloser than that between subgen. Quercus and Trigonobalanus.     

栎属青冈亚属（壳斗科）的叶表皮研究

利用光镜和扫描电镜观察了栎属青冈亚属Quercus subgen. Cyclobalanopsis 48种植物的叶表皮,尤以对叶下表皮的毛被特征观察较为仔细。共观察到8种不同类型的叶表皮毛：单列毛、单毛、乳突、星状毛、溶和星状毛、具柄束毛、多出毛和水母状毛。其中乳突在青冈亚属中较常见,而在壳斗科其他属中仅在石栎属 Lithocarpus 少数种类中有报道;水母状毛首次在壳斗科中发现。毛被可能遵循以下的演化规律：乳突→单毛→星状毛;星状毛依照从简单→复杂的演化途径,分化出各种形态各异和结构复杂的毛系。初步讨论了毛被以及叶表皮其他特征(如毛基细胞和表皮细胞的形态、气孔的类型和密度等)的分类和系统学意义。     

Mutant characters of knotted maize leaves are determined in the innermost tissue layers

Knotted (Kn1), a dominant mutation in maize, perturbs normal leaf development. Mutant leaves have localized regions of extra growth called knots and, in addition to the normal ligule, ectopic fringes of ligule are found on the leaf blade. Previous clonal analysis showed that the epidermal genotype was immaterial in knot formation. To establish which inner leaf layer was required for formation of knots and ectopic ligule we used a closely linked albino mutation to mark X-ray-induced clonal sectors of wild type (kn) tissue in Kn1 plants. The sectors examined frequently changed in composition of layers in the leaf both transversely and longitudinally. We present results that show that both mutant characters are determined in the middle mesophyll-bundle sheath (MMBS) layer. We show that a lateral vein can produce a knot when only half the MMBS layer around the lateral vein contains the mutant gene. We also show that the ectopic ligule in Kn1 has contributions from both the adaxial epidermal and adaxial mesophyll layer.     

THE ABSORPTIVE CAPACITIES OF BROMELIAD TRICHOMES

Tritiated glycine and leucine and microautoradiographic techniques were employed to determine whether various bromeliad species produce foliar trichomes capable of absorbing these two solutes from solutions placed on intact leaf surfaces. All trichomes borne by members of subfamily Tillandsioideae, whether on the leaf blade or sheath, accumulated both amino acids in substantial quantities. Trichomes located on the leaf sheaths of tank-forming members of Bromelioideae absorbed much smaller quantities while trichomes located on the blades of the same tank-producing bromelioids, as well as those of nontank-forming members of Pitcairnioideae and Bromelioideae, took up little or none at all. The evolution of the bromeliad trichome is considered in the light of these results.