Temperature Effects upon Inflorescence and Seed Development in Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)

The effects of three temperatures 15, 20, and 25 °C uponinflorescence and seed development in tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceaSchreb) between inflorescence emergence and seed maturity werestudied. Increasing temperature over this range reduced culmlength and the number of florets per spikelet, hastened theonset of anthesis and pollen release, increased relative growth-rateof the florets 9 days after peak anthesis, reduced the periodof seed development and 1000 seed weight No large effects oftemperature upon the percentage of florets setting seed werefound. The practical implications of these results are discussed.     

光温对3种醉鱼草属植物种子萌发的影响

密蒙花、七里香和大序醉鱼草3种醉鱼草的种子细小,千粒重仅12～58 mg,但形态有差异,可以进行种类区分.种子充分吸水后,在20～25℃条件下于5～10 d内就能迅速萌发,15 d时发芽率达到75%以上.光照强度21.6～32.4μmol·m-2·s-1和光照时间12～16 h·d-1均可显著提高七里香种子的发芽率,但光照抑制密蒙花种子萌发,而对大序醉鱼草种子萌发没有明显影响.种子苗移栽后3～5 d,真叶转绿,90%的幼苗可形成健壮植株.     

Infection Biology of Bacterial Wilt of Forage Grasses

Infection of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), Italian ryegrass (Loliummultiflorum L.), and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) by Xanthomonas campestris pv. graminis and Xanthomonas campestris pv. phlei occurred mainly via wounds rather than natural openings. Nevertheless, bacteria were detected by isolation and immunofluorescence in plants sprayed with the pathogen without prior wounding and in plants in which intact ears had been dipped in inocula. High concentrations of bacteria were observed around the stomata of perennial ryegrass and timothy by scanning electron microscopy 48 h after inoculation. Perennial ryegrass and Italian ryegrass and individual plants of ryegrass and timothy differedin susceptibility to the pathogens.     

三种甘草属植物的种间杂交亲和性及杂交种子活力

通过新疆分布的3种甘草属植物——乌拉尔甘草（Glycyrrhiza uralensis）、光果甘草（G．glabra）和黄甘草（G．eurycarpa）的人工杂交试验,比较了杂交结果率、杂交种子的萌发参数、幼苗成活率等指标,并对杂交授粉后花粉管萌发、生长过程进行荧光观察,旨在探讨3种甘草属植物的种间杂交亲和性及杂交后代种子活力。结果表明：（1）种间杂交结果率最高为96．67％,最低为55．62％,说明3种甘草种间杂交配子亲和性较高;（2）荧光显微观察表明,各杂交组合在授粉后0．5～2h内花粉均可在柱头上大量萌发,在授粉后48h内花粉管均可到达子房与胚珠受精,说明三种甘草种间杂交不存在配子隔离障碍;（3）杂交种子萌发率、发芽指数、平均萌发时间和幼苗成活率与自然结实种子无显著差异,种间杂交种子活力较高,幼苗成活率均为75％以上。以上结果表明3种甘草属植物的同域分布区,在相同传粉途径下,这三种甘草属植物的种间隔离机制不完善。有发生自然杂交并形成杂交区的可能。     

Sodium Absorption and Distribution in Forage Grasses of Different Potassium Status

The absorption and distribution of sodium were examined in threegrasses grown in flowing solution culture with different suppliesof potassium. There were marked differences between the speciesin the rate of absorption by their roots, timothy absorbingat a much slower rate than either ryegrass or cocksfoot. Inall species, the rate of Na absorption was greatest when therewas a maintained supply of K and/or when the K contents of theplants were high. Transport of Na from roots to shoots of timothywas restricted; it was less restricted in the other speciesand large proportions of the Na moved from roots to shoots whenK was not supplied to the plants. Sodium transported from theroots accumulated in old leaves and not in the younger leaves.When K was no longer supplied, the growth of ryegrass was maintainedin the plants previously grown with Na plus K; Na supplied insteadof K, however, did not maintain growth. Cocksfoot grown withNa grew less well than when grown without Na when plants wereno longer supplied with K; the growth of timothy was unaffectedby Na. Dactylis glomerata L., Lolium perenne L., Phleum pratense L., cocksfoot, ryegrass, timothy, absorption of ions, distribution of ions, potassium, sodium     

Some Optical Properties of Leaves of Eight Temperate Forage Grasses

Two instruments are described for the measurement of the reflectionand transmission of radiation by grass leaves. The first ofthese was used to measure the spatial distribution of reflectedand transmitted light. It was demonstrated that reflection wasinfluenced by the epidermal structure of a leaf, and that theimportance of this layer increased with increasing angle ofincidence. The second instrument was used to compare the reflectance andtransmittance of leaves of different ages taken from eight temperategrasses. There were significant differences between the grassesin leaf transmittance, and generally the young emerging leafhad a greater transmittance than the fully-expanded leaves.The differences in leaf transmittance could be related to differencesin specific leaf weight. There were no significant differencesbetween the species and varieties in leaf reflectance.     

Phytostabilization of Acidic Soils with Heavy Metal Contamination Using Three Forage Grasses in Combination with Organic and Inorganic Amendments

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of organic and inorganic amendments on metal stabilization and the potential of three forage grasses, i.e., Pennisetum americanum × Pennisetum, Euchlaena mexicana, and Sorghum dochna, for phytostabilization of acidic heavy metal-contaminated soils. The three grasses died 5 days after transplanting into the contaminated soils. Organic fertilizer (pig slurry and plant ash) only or combined with lime, NPK fertilizer, and sewage sludge resulted in adequate grass growth in the contaminated soils through a significant increase in the soil pH, N, P, K, and organic matter contents, and a decrease in the metal concentrations. The shoot biomass of P. americanum×P. purpureum and S. dochna was 1.92 and 2.00 times higher than that of E. Mexicana. The solubility of Cd, Pb, and Zn strongly depends on organic matter, while the solubility of Cu strongly depends on both soil organic matter and pH. The concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in plant shoots growing in soil with a mixed amendment were significantly lower than plants growing in soil amended with an organic fertilizer only, whereas the Cu concentrations in plant shoots exhibited the opposite trend. The results indicated that 5% organic fertilizer only or combined with 5% sewage sludge were appropriate amendments and S. dochna and P. americanum × Pennisetum are suitable plants for phytostabilization of acidic heavy metal-polluted soils.     

青海省三种茄科植物种子微形态特征

运用扫描电镜对青藏高原地区3种茄科重要药用植物马尿泡(Przewalskia tangutica)、曼陀罗(Datura stramonium)和山莨菪(Anisodus tanguticus)18个自然居群的种子微形态进行了观察.种子的种皮纹饰在3个不同的物种之间具有显著的差异,可以分为4种类型.与山莨菪和马尿泡在植株、花、叶等形态差异较大不同,种子大小、颜色、形状及表面纹饰等在两个物种间非常相似,说明与曼陀罗属相比,山莨菪属和马尿泡属间可能具有较近的亲缘关系.结果说明种子微形态这一稳定的性状可以作为青藏高原茄科这3个属间的分类依据,具有重要的系统学意义,但是分类决策必须要包括形态学、细胞学、孢粉学、分子生物学等证据.     

Interaction Effects of Seed Mass and Temperature on Germination in Australian Species of Frankenia (Frankeniaceae)

The seed size and number theories have been proposed to explain the advantages of having many small versus a few large seeds in plants. In particular, seed germination is predicted to be shaped by temperature, and may differ for small and large seeds. In this study, we experimentally test germination at different temperatures in 12 species of arid zone plants in the genus Frankenia L. that differ in seed mass. Seed mass was categorized as “smaller-seeded species” versus “larger-seeded species” for analysis (six species per category). Many of these species co-occur geographically and hence experience similar abiotic conditions (unpredictable rainfall, extremes in temperature, poor soil conditions). The results demonstrated differences in germination as a result of the temperature*seed mass(species) interaction effect. There were significant differences in germination rates across seed mass categories during the first eight days of germination. Germination rates were higher in the larger-seeded species than the smaller-seeded species. Smaller-seeded species had lower germination success but had higher germination rates at lower temperatures, and had a more stringent temperature as a germination cue. These findings are discussed in the context of life-history strategies in arid zone plants.     

Effects of High Temperature and Water Stress on Seed Germination of the Invasive Species Mexican Sunflower

Mexican sunflower is native to Mexico and Central America and was introduced into China early last century. Now it has widely naturalized and is exhibiting increasing invasiveness in South China. As this species often dominates bare ground, a habitat characterized by extreme fluctuation in temperature and water, it is reasonable to hypothesize that it has special adaptations to high temperature and water stress. Using laboratory experiments to simulate these stresses, this study investigated the response of Mexican sunflower seed germination to temperature and water stress, and compared these responses with those previously reported for another invasive, bamboo piper, which is confined to relatively cool and moist habitats in Xishuangbanna. As expected, Mexican sunflower seeds exhibited higher tolerance to these stresses than bamboo piper. Germination of Mexican sunflower seeds was highest at 15–30°C, but significant numbers of seeds germinated and formed seedlings at 10°C and 35°C, at which no bamboo piper seeds formed seedlings, indicating a wider temperature range for germination than the latter. Roughly half the seeds survived 240 h continuous heat treatment and up to 15 h daily periodical heat treatment at 40°C, while bamboo piper seeds were mostly killed by these treatments. About 20% of Mexican sunflower but no bamboo piper seeds germinated after heat treatment for 30 min at 80°C. Germination was completely inhibited in bamboo piper seeds at -0.6 mPa, while 20–60% of Mexican sunflower seeds germinated depending on PEG or NaCl as osmoticum. This higher tolerance in Mexican sunflower seeds accords with its stronger invasiveness in this area. This comparison between two plant invaders demonstrates that invasiveness is not an all-or-nothing situation, and that adaptation to local habitats is a critical determinant of successful invasiveness for an alien plant.     

Canopy Photosynthesis and Crop Growth Rate of Eight Temperate Forage Grasses

The rates of canopy and individual leaf photosynthesis, ratesof growth of shoots and roots, and the extinction coefficientfor light of eight temperate forage grasses were determinedin the field during early autumn. Canopy gross photosynthesiswas calculated as net photosynthesis plus dark respiration adjustedfor temperature using a Q₁₀ = 2. The relationships between canopygross photosynthesis and light intensity were hyperbolic, andthe initial slopes of these curves indicated that light wasbeing utilized efficiently at low light intensities. The initialslope depended on the distribution of light in the canopy andthe quantum efficiency of the individual leaves. The maximumrate of canopy gross photosynthesis reflected the maximum rateof individual leaf photosynthesis. Although the maximum rateof canopy gross photosynthesis was correlated with crop growthrate, there was no significant relationship between daily grossphotosynthesis and crop growth rate. Indeed, daily gross photosynthesisvaried by only 22 per cent, whereas the daily growth of shootsand roots varied by 120 per cent. This poor correlation is influencedby a negative correlation (P < 0.01) between the maximumrate of canopy gross photosynthesis and the initial slope ofthe curve relating canopy gross photosynthesis and light intensity.Difficulties in the interpretation of measurements of dark respirationappeared to confound attempts to relate daily net photosynthesisto crop growth rate, individual leaf photosynthesis, and theextinction coefficient for light.     

Partitioning Water Potential and Specific Salt Effects on Seed Germination of Four Grasses

In this study water potential (     

Changes in Gibberellin Content during Seed Ripening in Grasses

Floret samples of Aberystwyth S. 321 perennial ryegrass andS. 352 timothy were analysed for gibberellin content at 2–5day intervals from inflorescence emergence to seed harvest.Both species had a high gibberellin content at emergence whichdiminished during anther formation. After anthesis there wasa sharp increase in gibberellin content with maxima of 256 and116 GA3 µ equivalents/Kg dry matter occurring in S. 321and S. 352 respectively. During the final stages of seed maturation,the level fell steadily to reach a stable content prior to harvest.Biological activity in ryegrass extracts was always identifiedchromatographically as gibberellin A₃, (GA₃), but in timothy,GA₃ was replaced after anthesis by a more mobile component,chromatographically similar to gibberellin A₃. The relationshipof these observations to seed formation and ripening is discussed.     

Microclimate, Canopy Structure and Photosynthesis in Canopies of Three Contrasting Temperate Forage Grasses: I. Canopy Structure and Growth

The crop growth rates and structures of three temperate foragegrasses Lolium perenne cv. S24, L. perenne cv. Reveille andFestuca arundinacea cv. S170, were examined in the field duringa summer growth period. The growth rates of the varieties wereremarkably similar at 7 g DM m^–2 day^–1. The angularstructures of the varieties were different and they varied duringthe experiment. However, these differences did not seem to affectcrop growth rates. Nevertheless, a decrease in the efficiencyof light energy conversion of approximately 24 per cent wasobserved after a change to a more prostrate form of canopy dueto lodging. There appeared to be an inverse relationship betweenthe number of tillers per unit ground area and the weight ofan individual stem. There were large numbers of relatively lighttillers in S24 whereas S1 70 had fewer but heavier tillers.Furthermore, S24 had many small leaves per unit ground areacompared with SI70 which had fewer longer leaves per groundarea and a slower rate of leaf appearance. There were diurnalchanges in the rates of leaf extension for all the varieties.The mean daily extension rates declined as the canopies developed.     

Microclimate, Canopy Structure and Photosynthesis in Canopies of Three Contrasting Temperate Forage Grasses: II. Microclimate and Canopy Structure

Profiles of shortwave radiation, net radiation and temperaturewere measured in swards of three grasses of contrasting structureLolium perenne cv. S24, L. perenne cv. Reveille and Festucaarundinacea cv. S170. Measurements were also made of the reflectionof shortwave radiation, leaf water potential and stomatal resistance.Differences in canopy structure influenced the absorption andreflection of radiation by the varieties. The absorption ofnet radiation and its influence on air temperature inside thecanopy was shown to vary with canopy structure. Calculationsshowed that diurnal changes in the reflection and transmissionof light (400–700 nm) would have little effect on canopyphotosynthesis. No clear relationship between leaf extensionrate, temperature and leaf water potential could be established,although decreases in water potential did appear to reduce thepotential response of leaf extension rate to temperature.     

Supraoptimal Temperature Effects upon Agrostis palustris

Agrostis palustris turfs cut weekly at 1.3 cm were subjected to successive four-week periods with day-night temperature regimes of 20–10, 25–15, 30–20, 35–25 and 40–30°C. Plants grown at 40–30°C exhibited a growth character distinctly different from those grown at 20–10°C. They were more upright and bristle-like in growth habit. The percentage dry weight of leaf blade tissue increased 67% and weight per unit area increased 53% between 20–10 and 40–30°C. Reduced leaf blade width was noted first at 30–20°C while leaf blade length reduction first occurred at 35–25°C. Weekly yields were significantly reduced at the supraoptimal temperature regimes of 35–25 and 40–30°C. Chlorophyll content was lowest at 20–10 and 40–30°C, the lowest and highest temperature regimes studied. Shoot density appeared to decrease under the 35–25°C regime, but no dead plants were observed. The apparent decrease in shoot density was attributed to the upright growth habit. Density decreased at 40–30°C upon death of individual plants. A community of grass plants maintained as a turf was found to change in form quite rapidly in response to temperature.     

Recalcitrant Seed Storage Physiology in Three Aquatic Grasses (Zizania palustris, Spartina anglica and Porteresia coarctata)

The moisture content/probit viability relationship for storedseeds of Zizania palustris L. and Spartina anglica C. E. Hubbardwas linear and independent of the rate of embryo drying. Theseresults provide firm evidence of recalcitrant storage physiologyin these taxa. Preliminary tests strongly suggest that freshseeds of Porteresia coarctata (Roxb.) Tateoka are also intolerantof desiccation In Z. palustris apparent differences in desiccation tolerancebetween individuals can be partly explained by wide variationin individual embryo moisture contents during desiccation. Long-termstorage experiments in solutions of polyethylene glycol 6000(PEG) suggest that the actual variation in desiccation toleranceis confined to a narrow range of embryo water potentials inthe range –2 to –3 MPa. Despite the presence of prolonged dormancy in seeds of Z. palustrisand S. anglica there is no evidence of a significant effectof dormancy or storage period (up to the point of visible germination)on the limits of desiccation tolerance Aquatic grasses, seeds, storage, desiccation intolerance