Effect of boron on soluble protein and sugar contents of tomato roots

Summary In relation to a biochemical diagnosis of B-affected plants, the influence of boron on soluble protein and sugar contents in roots of tomato plants was investigated. Differences in protein and sugar contents occur throughout the culture period of tomato plant. Boron deficiency results in an accumulation of proteins and both total and reducing sugars.     

Uranyl action on sugar transport across rat jejunum

The effect of uranyl on sugar transport across rat jejunum has been studied in vitro and in vivo. D-glucose and D-galactose accumulation in jejunum rings at pH 6.0 is inhibited about 40-65% by 1 mM uranyl nitrate. This inhibition is lower than that produced by 0.5 mM phlorizin. The effect was very similar when the incubation of the rings with the sugar was made in the absence of uranyl, after preincubation with the inhibitor. Washing with 10 mM EDTA reverted uranyl inhibition only slightly. D-fructose entry was weakly inhibited by uranyl. Glucose absorption in vivo along perfusion periods of 1 min was not affected by the presence of uranyl (0.001 to 1 mM) in the sugar solution, but the exposure of the mucosa to 0.1 mM uranyl at pH 6.5 for 10 min inhibited sugar absorption at the same pH in the subsequent periods of perfusion. Results suggest that uranyl impairs sugar transport by binding to protein chemical groups at the surface or in deeper sites of enterocyte membranes, a process that requires some minutes to be accomplished.     

Influence of phloem transport, N-fertilization and ion accumulation on sucrose storage in the taproots of fodder beet and sugar beet

To investigate the factors governing the accumulation of sucroseand amino acids in the taproots of sugar beet, their contentswere measured in the leaves, phloem sap and the taproots ofsugar beet, fodder beet and a hybrid between both, grown oneither 3.0 or 0.5 mM nitrate. In the taproots the contents ofmalate, citrate and inorganic ions were also determined. Forthe high sucrose accumulation in sugar beet as compared to theother varieties three factors were found. (a) In sugar beet,less amino acids and more sucrose are taken up into the phloemthan in fodder beet. (b) In sugar beet, the sucrose and aminoacid syntheses are less sensitive to the nitrate concentrationsthat are required for optimal plant growth than in other varieties.In fodder beet, upon raising the nitrate concentration from0.5 mM to 3 mM, the synthesis and storage of sucrose is decreasedand that of amino acids increased. The corresponding valuesin sugar beet (0.5 mM) are similar to those in fodder beet andare not much affected by an increase of nitrate. (c) The sucroseaccumulation is limited by the accumulation of inorganic ionsin the taproots. The sucrose content in the taproots is negativelycorrelated to the total ion content. Whereas sucrose representstwo-third of all solutes in the taproots of sugar beet, it amountsto only one-third of the solutes in fodder beet taproots. Key words: Amino acids, Beta vulgans L, phloem sap, potassium, sucrose storage, sugar beet, taproots, transport     

Specificity of sugar cane trehalase

An extract containing trehalase and invertase was prepared from apical internodes of sugar cane. The extract hydrolysed three glucosides: maltose, trehalose and sucrose. By reprecipitation with ammonium sulphate, maltase and trehalase activities appear to be due to different enzymes. As was also shown by differential inhibition and activation and by studies on the behaviour of both enzymes during growth, invertase and trehalase activities are attributed to different enzymes whose activities do not overlap. Invertase-free preparations confirm these results. Sucrose is a simple competitive inhibitor of sugar cane trehalase, excluding a regulatory role for this sugar. Sucrose was found at inhibitory levels in the first four apical internodes. A close correlation between sugar cane growth and invertase and trehalase levels was found in the apical internodes. Invertase has the greatest activity during growing, and trehalase reaches a maximum at maturity, prior to the flowering process. The high levels of trehalase in the flower suggest that the enzyme is involved in flowering or in related processes linked to seed formation.     

Involvement of cellular cyclic AMP in theophylline-induced sugar accumulation in chicken intestinal epithelial cells

We have studied the possible involvement of cellular cyclic AMP in theophylline-induced sugar gradient enhancement in isolated chicken enterocytes. Theophylline increases 3-O-methylglucose accumulation 3-fold after 30 min incubation. Exogenous cyclic AMP enhances sugar accumulation by 48%. Adenylyl cyclase inhibitor RMI 12 330A reduces theophylline-induced sugar gradients by 22% and theophylline-induced cyclic AMP levels by 24.5%. At the concentration used, RMI 12 330A has no effect on 3-O-methylglucose accumulation or basal cellular cyclic AMP. Since theophylline has a rapid inhibitory effect on Na+-independent sugar permeability, we conclude that the effects of the drug on sugar gradients are the result of its acting by both direct - surface membrane - and indirect - cyclic AMP mediated - mechanisms. The effect of theophylline and exogenous cyclic AMP on sugar accumulation is independent of external chloride.     

Engineering of carbon distribution between glycolysis and sugar nucleotide biosynthesis in Lactococcus lactis

We describe the effects of modulating the activities of glucokinase, phosphofructokinase, and phosphoglucomutase on the branching point between sugar degradation and the biosynthesis of sugar nucleotides involved in the production of exopolysaccharide biosynthesis by Lactococcus lactis. This was realized by using a described isogenic L. lactis mutant with reduced enzyme activities or by controlled expression of the well-characterized genes for phosphoglucomutase or glucokinase from Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtilis, respectively. The role of decreased metabolic flux was studied in L. lactis strains with decreased phosphofructokinase activities. The concomitant reduction of the activities of phosphofructokinase and other enzymes encoded by the las operon (lactate dehydrogenase and pyruvate kinase) resulted in significant changes in the concentrations of sugar-phosphates. In contrast, a >25-fold overproduction of glucokinase resulted in 7-fold-increased fructose-6-phosphate levels and 2-fold-reduced glucose-1-phosphate and glucose-6-phosphate levels. However, these increased sugar-phosphate concentrations did not affect the levels of sugar nucleotides. Finally, an approximately 100-fold overproduction of phosphoglucomutase resulted in 5-fold-increased levels of both UDP-glucose and UDP-galactose. While the increased concentrations of sugar-phosphates or sugar nucleotides did not significantly affect the production of exopolysaccharides, they demonstrate the metabolic flexibility of L. lactis.     

锌肥对日光温室西芹硝酸盐及营养品质研究

利用日光温室西芹不同锌水平的试验,研究了以氮,钾肥作基肥时,不同锌水平对西芹的硝酸盐累积,营养品质及产量的影响,结果表明,当施用硫酸锌30kg/hm2,西芹的产量达到最高,而硝态氮含量与CK相比,叶片和叶柄分别降低28．6％和29．5％,施用锌肥可以提高Vc的含量,对可溶性糖的影响不大。     

硼对大白菜生长发育及若干生理生化指标的影响

研究了不同水平的硼对大白菜生长发育及若干生理生化指标的影响。结果表明,缺硼明显抑制大白菜植株生长、抽薹和开花,导致花粉活力下降、叶绿素含量降低、可溶性糖含量增加、膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)含量增加、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性下降、过氧化物酶(POD)活性上升,最终导致植株代谢紊乱,生长发育受抑制。     

Bruising of sugar beet roots and consequential sugar loss: current understanding and research needs

Bruising of sugar beet roots and the consequential sugar loss do not receive the attention they deserve within the sugar beet industry. Recent harvester tests have indicated that current levels of bruising damage could be decreased with existing technology. There is, however, little understanding of biological factors affecting susceptibility to bruising of sugar beet roots. This paper examines the available information on causes of bruising, the significance of some tissue characteristics, the processes of sugar loss following bruising and agronomic, physiological and biochemical considerations relevant to bruising and the sugar loss that follows. Some research needs are identified in conclusion.     

Dual effect of adrenalin on sugar transport in rat diaphragm muscle

The effect of adrenalin on the membrane transport of the non-metabolized sugar, 3-methylglucose, was studied in isolated "intact" rat hemidiaphragms and related to simultaneously occurring changes in the internal levels of Na+, ATP, glucose-6-P, glycerol formation and 45Ca uptake and loss. Basal sugar transport was inhibited by low (10-8-10-5 M) concentrations of adrenalin; this was antagonized by propranolol and practolol. High concentrations (10-4-10-3 M) stimulated sugar transport, and this was blocked by propranolol and butoxamine and was dependent on external Ca2+. These results suggest interaction with two different classes of adrenergic receptors, possibly of beta 1 and beta 2 types. Both low and high concentrations increases Na+ and K+ gradients by a practolol-sensitive effect. Isoproterenol behaved identically but phenylephrine had only the two practolol-sensitive effects on sugar and ion transport. Insulin did not interfere with inhibition of sugar transport and decrease in internal Na+ but prevented stimulation of sugar transport. Under anoxia adrenalin had no effect on sugar transport but led to greater Na+ gain by tissue. Addition of 3.0 mM palmitate decreased inhibition of sugar transport without changing receptor specificity. ATP was decreased and lipolysis enchanged by high adrenalin but glucose-6-P was increased by the low concentration as well. Influx of 45 Ca was decreased by low and increased by high adrenalin; 45Ca efflux was also differentially affected. The results indicate that inhibition and stimulation of sugar transport depend on different receptors and that the latter response may override the former. The data are consistent with the earlier postulated regulatory role of sarcoplasmic Ca2+ on sugar transport in muscle, with adrenalin affecting Ca2+ fluxes and distribution both directly and indirectly.     

Biological nitrogen fixation associated with sugar cane

A recent¹⁵N dilution/N balance study confirmed that certain sugar cane varieties are capable of obtaining large contributions of nitrogen from plant-associated N₂ fixation. It was estimated that up to 60 to 80% of plant N could be derived from this source, and under good conditions of water and mineral nutrient supply, it may be possible to dispense with N fertilization of these varieties altogether. The recently discovered bacterium,Acetobacter diazotrophicus, apparently responsible for this N₂ fixation associated with the plants, has unique physiological properties for a diazotroph, such as tolerance to low pH, and high sugar and salt concentrations, lack of nitrate reductase, and nitrogenase activity which tolerates short-term exposure to ammonium. Furthermore, it also behaves as an endophyte, in that it is unable to infect sugar cane plants unless through damaged tissue or by means of VA mycorrhizae and is propagated via the planting material (stem pieces).     

Control of Pythium damping-off of sugar beet by seed treatment with crop straw powders and a biocontrol agent

Seed treatment with non-sterilized powdered straws from 39 crops was tested for the control of Pythium damping-off of sugar beet. Four straws, including flax, coriander, pea, and lentil were effective in controlling the disease in soil artificially infested with Pythium sp. “group G.” Sterilizing flax and pea straws eliminated the efficacy of these straws. Wheat straw powder coated on sugar beet seeds increased the incidence of Pythium damping-off but this effect was reversed by the co-inoculation of wheat straws with the biocontrol agent Pseudomonas fluorescens 708. Coating sugar beet seeds with P. fluorescens 708 and flax or pea straws also increased the efficiency of the bacterial strain for the control of Pythium damping-off. Pea straws and to a lesser extent lentil straws produced volatile substances that affected mycelial growth of Pythium sp. “group G” on potato dextrose agar in Petri plates when the straws were mixed with water and left to ferment for two days. Fermentation of pea straws led to the accumulation of volatile ammonia, which was produced by the reduction of the large amount of nitrate stored in the straw. Reduction of nitrate and therefore the release of volatile ammonia did not occur in sterilized pea straws. However, fermenting sterile pea straws with bacteria from different genera restored nitrate reduction and the release of volatile ammonia, suggesting that microorganisms associated with pea straws are responsible for the conversion of nitrate into volatile ammonia which in turn control Pythium damping-off disease in sugar beet.     

Adenylate patterns of autumn-sown sugar beet differ from spring-sown sugar beet. Implications for root quality

Sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris L) is generally cultivated using two different planting and harvest patterns. In northern zones, spring sugar beet is sown in spring and harvested in autumn, whereas in subtropical latitudes, autumn sugar beet is sown in autumn and harvested in summer. The industrial quality of the root is frequently higher in spring-sown sugar beet crops. In order to explore physiological changes associated with this fact, this study has been focused on the seasonal changes of adenosine 5'-triphosphate and adenosine 5'-diphosphate levels in the storage roots of sugar beet plants, as an index of its metabolic status. The results obtained correspond to a different metabolic status of spring and autumn sugar beet at the moment of harvest. The adenylate patterns of autumn beets suggested a functional and active respiratory system. On the contrary, the patterns shown by spring beets corresponded to those we would expect to see in plants becoming dormant. The proline and glucose contents, which decrease the industrial quality of the root, and the respiratory rate measured in autumn-sown sugar beets, were nearly twice those of spring-sown sugar beets. The combination of an active respiratory system, which allows the carbohydrate catabolism and the synthesis of stress molecules, with the environmental factors at the time of the harvest, could be the underlying physiological mechanism causing some of the differences between spring- and autumn-sown sugar beet crops.     

Effect of Azotobacter strains on sugar beet callus proliferation and nitrogen metabolism enzymes

The effect of five Azotobacter chroococcum strains and nitrogen content in nutrient media on callus growth of two Beta vulgaris L. cultivars were investigated, as well as the activity of nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in inoculated callus tissue. On medium with full nitrogen content (1 N) the inoculation with A. chroococcum strain A2 resulted in the highest calli mass, while strains A8 and A14 maximally increased NR activity. On media with 1/8 N the highest effect on calli growth, GS and GDH activity had the strain A8. The strain A2/1 significantly increased callus proliferation on medium without N. Asymbiotic association between sugar beet calli and Azotobacter depended on genotype/strain interaction and was realised in presence of different nitrogen levels. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of sugar level on phleinase induction in stem base of orchardgrass after defoliation

Yamamoto, S. and Mino, Y. 1987. Effect of sugar level on phleinase induction in stem base of orchardgrass after defoliation.
The induction of phleinase (β-D-fructan fructohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.80) in stem base of orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata L. clone N-377) after defoliation was studied in relation to the concomitant changes in sugar and protein levels. Phleinase activity in the stubble increased accompanied by a decrease in sucrose and glucose levels. This activity also increased under shading conditions without cutting. The induction of phleinase in excised stem base was suppressed by exogenously supplied glucose, fructose or sucrose. The suppression increased with increasing concentrations of glucose and it was not overcome by cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate. Protein level in the stem base decreased after defoliation and the decrease was reversed by exogenous glucose. Some hypotheses concerning the induction mechanism of phleinase are discussed.     

黄土高原甜菜叶片生长特性及其对块根产量、含糖量的影响

通过对旱地甜菜叶片生长特性及摘除不同叶组对块根产量,含糖量,显微结构的影响研究,结果表明：甜菜第10-20片叶的叶龄最长,积温最高,是甜菜的主要功能叶;甜菜从第20片叶期起进入块根,糖份增长期,从第55叶期起进入糖份积累期;摘除不同叶组的叶片对甜菜块根产量,含糖量及显微结构均有不同程度降低作用,摘除前期叶组对甜菜块根产量,产糖量,根径减幅较大,摘除后期叶组对块根含糖量,维管束环数,维管束环密度减幅较大;摘除第1-30片叶对甜菜影响最大。     

Synergistic roles of leaf boron and calcium during the growing season in affecting sugar and starch accumulation in ripening apple fruit

Fruit sugar content is one of the most important flavor quality traits in the fresh market. Minerals, such as boron (B) and calcium (Ca), are associated with fruit sugar and starch accumulation in many plant species. To better understand the roles of B and Ca in affecting sugar and starch accumulation in apples, 2 g L^?1 Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O or 10 g L^?1 CaCl₂ was supplied by foliar spray to 20-year-old ‘Fuji’ (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Fuji) trees at four developmental stages (fruit set, onset of rapid fruit growth, rapid fruit growth and the end of rapid fruit growth), in 2010–2011. The most effective treatment significantly increasing soluble sugar and starch levels in ripening fruit was the foliar application of 2 g L^?1 Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O during rapid fruit growth, and the robustness of the effects was confirmed for two cultivars, ‘Fuji’ and ‘Orin’, at three orchards in 2011. Foliar applications of B during the onset of rapid fruit growth and rapid fruit growth, as well as the foliar application of Ca at fruit set, significantly increased the soluble sugar content in ripening fruit. In addition, the B application was effective in increasing the fruit starch content, but Ca was not. Both B and Ca treatments significantly increased the leaf concentrations of the other element at least transiently. However, B and Ca effects on fruit sugar/starch did not seem to depend on higher leaf B or Ca levels. In conclusion, B and Ca interact in enhancing fruit sugar and starch contents at the fruit ripening stage.     

氮磷钾、硼水平对不同基因型油菜硼吸收及某些生物学性状的影响

采用温室土培试验,研究了不同氮磷钾复合型（NPK肥）施用水平下,油菜对B的吸收及其耐缺B机理以及缺B对某些生物学性状的影响,结果表明,缺B时,随NPK肥施用量的增加,油菜植株缺B症状加重,苗期叶面积及其生长速率减小,叶绿素含量增加,硝酸还原酶活性下降,成熟期单株有效分枝,有效角果数减少,籽粒产量降低,可以认为,油菜大苗期最新展开叶（YOL）与最新成熟叶（YML）的B浓度比值可作为不同基因型油菜植株体内B移动性大小的判氟指标,B移动性及B利用率的大小是不同基因型油菜耐缺B的重要营养机理之一。