D-VITAMINS AND THEIR PRECURSORS AS GROWTH REGULATORS IN AXENICALLY CULTIVATED MARINE MACROALGAE1

Light petroleum extracts from thalli of Fucus vesiculosus (L.) and Laminaria digitata (Huds.) Lamour. stimulate growth of axenically cultured Fucus spiralis L. and Enteromorpha compressa (L.) Grev. in amounts per litre culture medium corresponding to one to 10 mg wet weight of the brown algae. This indicates the presence of a lipophilic, very active growth regulator in the blades. Extracts from the meristematic zone of Laminaria are much less active. Vitamins D₃, D₂ and 1,25-(OH)₂-D₃ at 1·10^?8– 1·10^?7 M increase the fresh weight of Enteromorpha compressa and Fucus spiralis up to 100% or more. The dry weight of Nemalion helminthoides (Veil, in With.) Batt. is also increased under the same conditions. Ergosterol and cholesterol are also growth-stimulating but higher concentrations (e.g. 1·10^?6 M) are necessary. The effects of the D vitamins manifest themselves without any auxins being added to the medium.     

SEASONAL VARIATION OF P CONTENT AND MAJOR N POOLS IN PALMARIA PALMATA (RHODOPHYTA)1

The annual variation of major nitrogen pools, phosphorus, carbon, ash, and thallus water content in relation to seasonal environmental changes was studied in two northern Spanish populations of the edible seaweed Palmaria palmata (Linnaeus) Kuntze. Observed patterns were investigated using Spearman rank order correlation coefficients. There were significant relationships between thallus nutrient content and nitrate and orthophosphate seawater concentration, irradiance, temperature, and wave force. The highest levels of total N and P and nitrogenous compounds were observed during autumn and winter because the thallus stored N‐ and P‐rich compounds in response to high nutrient seawater concentration when growth was limited by low light and temperature. Phycoerythrin and other proteins were the main N reserves. Thallus P content was higher in algae from the eutrophic site. During spring, reduced N and P thallus content and increased ash, water, and C content were observed in the growing fronds. N and P seawater concentrations were undetectable during summer when nutrient reserves were low and growth was reduced and eventually suppressed, suggesting nutrient limiting conditions. Palmaria palmata clearly could take advantage of elevated N and P concentrations to create storage reserves in winter to support early summer growth. This storage response reduced the dependence of algal nutrition on the external nutrient supply and supports the use of pulse fertilization to diminish summer nutrient limitation of cultured algae.     

SELENIUM STIMULATES GROWTH OF MARINE MACROALGAE IN AXENIC CULTURE1

The marine brown alga Fucus spiralis L. and the red alga Goniotrichum alsidii (Zanard) increase their growth upon the, addition of SeO₃^2- or SeO₄^2- when cultivated axenically in the artificial seawater ASP6 F2. In the concentration range 1 · 10^?10-1 · 10^?7 M there are two optima, one at 3.3 · 10^?10 M and another at 3.3 · 10^?8 M. α-To-copherol, often administered together with selenium to mammals suffering from selenium deficiency, gives no additive effect with selenium, but α-tocopherol in the concentration range 1 × 10^?7-1 × 10^?6 M does influence the morphology of the Fucus plants. Organically bound selenium has no effect.     

Intra‐thallus differentiation of fatty acid and pigment profiles in some temperate Fucales and Laminariales

Intra‐thallus variation in fatty acid and pigment contents and profiles was investigated in five species of Laminariales (Alaria esculenta, Laminaria digitata, Laminaria hyperborea, Saccharina latissima, and Saccorhiza polyschides), and three Fucales (Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus serratus, and Himanthalia elongata). Significant variation occurred across all species and compounds examined. Total fatty acids were generally higher in the fronds, with highest levels and largest variability observed in A. nodosum (1.5% of dry weight (DW) in the base, 6.3% of DW in frond tips). Percentages of the omega‐3 fatty acids 18:4 n‐3 and 20:5 n‐3 were generally higher in more distal parts, while 20:4 n‐6 exhibited a contrasting pattern, with higher levels in basal structures and holdfasts. Trends for pigments were similar to those for fatty acids in Laminariales. In the Fucales, highest levels were detected in the mid‐fronds, with lower concentrations in meristematic areas. Highest levels and greatest variability in pigments (e.g., chl a) was observed in F. serratus (1.07 mg · g^?1 DW in the base, 3.04 mg · g^?1 DW in the mid frond). Intra‐thallus variability was attributed to physiological functions of the respective thallus sections, e.g., photosynthetic activity, meristematic tissue, and to variations in physical attributes of the structures investigated. Regarding potential commercial nutritional applications, fronds appeared to represent most suitable source materials, due to higher levels of pigments, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and more preferable omega‐3/omega‐6 ratios.     

BIOMASS AND DYNAMICS OF GROWTH OF ULVA SPECIES IN PALMONES RIVER ESTUARY1

During the last decade, the Palmones River estuary has undergone severe eutrophication followed by a green tide episode; two species of Ulva, rotundata Blid. and Ulva curvata (Kütz.) De Toni, were the main macroalgae responsible for this bloom. From November 1993 to December 1994, we followed the biomass, the growth dynamics, and tissue elemental composition (C:N:P)of Ulva species, as well as some physicochemical variables in the estuary. Maximum biomass (up to 375 g dry wt·m^?2 in some spots, corresponding to a thallus area index of nearly 17 m²Ulva·m^?2 sediment) were observed in June and December. However, the biomass varied among the sampling stations. Water nitrate, ammonia, and phosphate showed high concentrations throughout the year, with extremely high transient pulses, sustaining the high growth rates observed. Growth rates were estimated directly in the field. The rates were generally higher in Ulva discs maintained in net cages than those estimated by changes in biomass standing stock between two consecutive samplings. The difference between both estimates was used to quantify the importance of the processes causing loss of biomass, which were attributable to grazing, exported biomass, and thallus decomposition under anaerobic conditions resulting from extreme self-shading. Maximum chlorophyll content was found in winter, whereas the minimum was in spring. Atomic N:P ratios were generally higher in the algae than in the water. However, the absolute concentrations of tissue N and P were always higher than the critical levels for maximum growth, which suggests that growth was not limited by inorganic N or P availability. The results suggested that the increase in nutrient loading in the river may have triggered the massive development of green algae and that light limitation and temperature stress in summer seem to be the main factors controlling the abundance of Ulva in the estuary. In addition to light availability and thermal stress, the different loss processes may have a decisive role in the dynamics of Ulva biomass.     

CHANGES IN NUTRIENT CONTENT OF PALMARIA PALMATA IN RESPONSE TO VARIABLE LIGHT AND UPWELLING IN NORTHERN SPAIN1

Light has been identified as one of the main factors affecting seaweed ecophysiology. We investigated the dependence of nutrient metabolism on sun and shade light conditions and whether episodes of upwelling of nutrient‐rich subsuperficial water could reduce the summer nutrient limitation driving physiological changes in Palmaria palmata (L.) Kuntze. We measured the major nutrient pools, photosynthetic pigments, and light curves, under sun and shade conditions during a summer period when one upwelling was recorded. The redundancy analysis (RDA) produced two clear groups: sun‐ and shade‐acclimated algae. Light was the major predictive factor. Sun‐acclimated algae exhibited higher carbon (C) and lower nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content in association with the storage of floridoside (main C reserve) to benefit from higher irradiance (under nutrient limitation). Among N pools, N reserves (phycoerythrin, nitrate) were a lower proportion of the total N in sun‐acclimated algae, suggesting their degradation to fulfill the N demands of the cell. The orthophosphate content was also lower in sun‐acclimated algae, indicating its utilization as a nutrient reserve. In contrast, N within cell walls and membranes and chl a contributed to a similar proportion of the total N in sun‐ and shade‐acclimated algae, suggesting a response to sustain cell integrity. Transient high nutrient concentration due to the upwelling was unrelated to the nutrient content of the thallus. The storage of C as floridoside from high light exposure was shown to be the driving force for the metabolic adjustment of P. palmata at the end of summer before the onset of dormancy.     

The effect of nitrogen on growth and key thallus components in the two tripartite lichens, Nephroma arcticum and Peltigera aphthosa

Relationships between growth, nitrogen and concentration of unique biont components were investigated for the tripartite lichens Nephroma arcticum (L.) Torss. and Peltigera aphthosa (L.) Willd. Nitrogen availability was manipulated during 4 summer months by removing cephalodia and their associated N₂ fixation activity, or by weekly irrigation with NH₄NO₃. Chlorophyll and ribulose 1·5‐biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), and chitin and ergosterol were used as photobiont and mycobiont markers, respectively. Nitrogen concentrations were similar in older and newer parts of the same thallus, varying between 2 and 5 g m^?2, with P. aphthosa having higher concentrations than N. arcticum. Both chlorophyll (Chl a) and chitin were linearly correlated with thallus N, but N. arcticum invested more in fungal biomass and had lower Chl a concentrations in comparison with P. aphthosa at equal thallus N. During the 4 months, control and N‐fertilized thalli of N. arcticum increased in area by 0·2 m² m^?2 and P. aphthosa by 0·4 m² m^?2. Thallus expansion was significantly inhibited in samples without cephalodia, but there was no effect on lichen weight gain. Mean relative growth rate (RGR; mg g^?1 d^?1) was 3·8 for N. arcticum and 8·4 for P. aphthosa, when time (d) reflected the lichen wet periods. RGR was 2–3 times lower when based on the whole time, i.e. when including dry periods. The efficiency (e) of converting incident irradiance into lichen biomass was positively and linearly correlated with thallus Chl a concentration to the same extent in both species. The slower growth rates of N. arcticum, in comparison with P. aphthosa, could then be explained by their lower nitrogen and Chl a concentrations and a subsequently lower light energy conversion efficiency. Functional and dynamic aspects of resource allocation patterns of the two lichens are discussed in relation to the above findings.     

Physiological responses of intertidal marine brown algae to nitrogen deprivation and resupply of nitrate and ammonium

Intertidal macroalgae Fucus and Laminaria experience seasonally fluctuating inorganic N supply. This study examined the effects of long‐term N deprivation, recovery following N resupply, and effects of elevated ammonium and nitrate exposure on N acquisition in intertidal algae using manipulations of N supply in tank culture. Over 15 weeks of N deprivation, internal N and nitrate reductase activity (NRA) declined, but maximum quantum yield of PSII was unaffected in Fucus serratus and Fucus vesiculosus. Low NRA was maintained despite no external nitrate availability and depletion of internal pools, suggesting a constitutive NRA, insensitive to N supply. Nitrate resupplied to N‐starved thalli was rapidly taken up and internal nitrate pools and NRA increased. Exposure to elevated (50 μM) nitrate over 4 days stimulated nitrate uptake and NRA in Laminaria digitata and F. serratus. Exposure to elevated ammonium suppressed NRA in L. digitata but not in F. serratus. This novel insensitivity of NRA to ammonium in Fucus contrasts with regulation of NRA in other algae and higher plants. Ammonium suppression of NRA in L. digitata was not via inhibition of nitrate uptake and was independent of nitrate availability. L. digitata showed a higher capacity for internal nitrate storage when exposed to elevated ambient nitrate, but NRA was lower than in Fucus. All species maintained nitrate assimilation capacity in excess of nitrate uptake capacity. N uptake and storage strategies of these intertidal macroalgae are adaptive to life in fluctuating N supply, and distinct regulation of N metabolism in Fucus vs Laminaria may relate to position in the intertidal zone.     

Nutrient uptake and growth kinetics in brown seaweeds: Response to continuous and single additions of ammonium

The brown seaweeds Fucus distichus Linnaeus subsp. edentatus (de la Pylaie) Powell, a perennial, and Chordaria flagelliformis (O.F. Mueller) C. Agardh, a summer annual, were grown in continuous-flow greenhouse cultures. In winter, the growth of Fucus distichus ( μ = 0.01 · day^?1 ) in culture was not stimulated by added ammonium. Nitrogen in excess of the growth requirement was accumulated in the thallus ( 1.34–2.18 % N by dry wt, depending on the N-loading). In summer, the growth of both species in continuous cultures was stimulated by added ammonium. Chordaria flagelliformis showed higher rates of both growth (μ_max = 0.109 · day^?1) and ammonium uptake $\text{(V}{}_{\max }\text{= 23.2 μmol NH}{}_4{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{· h}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{· g dry wt}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{)}$ than Fucus distichus (μ_max = 0.074 · day^?1, V_max = 13.9 μmolNH₄⁺ · h^?1 · gdrywt^?1). Calculated nitrogen subsistence quotas were similar in the two species (0.7% N in Chordaria, 0.6% N in Fucus). In those continuous cultures which did not receive added ammonium, Chordaria stored less nitrogen in excess of the subsistence quota than Fucus, although both species accumulated nitrogen at increased N-loading. Transient uptake rates were measured in response to single additions of ammonium. At any given initial concentration, short-term (30 min) uptake rates were a decreasing function of the thallus nitrogen quota and were higher for Chordaria than for Fucus. In N-depleted plants, short-term ammonium uptake rates exceeded both the uptake rates predicted from continuous cultures and the nitrogen requirements for growth. Chordaria flagelliformis, in particular, is able to scavenge efficiently low ambient N-nutrient concentrations and to sequester rapidly transient ammonium pulses. In comparison with Fucus distichus, Chordaria flagelliformis appears to be better adapted to short-term fluctuations in nutrient availability (on a scale of minutes to hours). Their N-storage capability allows both of these seaweeds to buffer the effect of fluctuations in external N-nutrient concentrations on their growth rates over periods of days to several weeks.     

THE EFFECT OF GROWTH IRRADIANCE ON THE COUPLING OF CARBON AND NITROGEN METABOLISM IN CHAETOMORPHA LINUM (CHLOROPHYTA)

The influence of growth irradiance on the non-steady-state relationship between photosynthesis and tissue carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools in Chaetomorpha linum (Muller) Kutzing in response to abrupt changes in external nitrogen (N) availability was determined in laboratory experiments. For a given thallus N content, algae acclimated to low irradiance consistently had a higher rate of light-saturated photosynthesis (P_max normalized to dry weight) than algae acclimated to saturating irradiance; for both treatments, P_max was correlated to thallus N. Both P_max and the photosynthetic efficiency (α_dw) were correlated in C. linum grown at either saturating or limiting irradiance over the range of experimental conditions, indicating that variations in electron transport were coupled to variations in C-fixation capacity despite the large range of tissue N content from 1.1% to 4.8%. Optimizing both α and P_max and thereby acclimating to an intermediate light level may be a general characteristic of thin-structured opportunistic algae that confers a competitive advantage in estuarine environments in which both light and nutrient conditions are highly variable. Nitrogen-saturated algae had the same photosynthesis–irradiance relationship regardless of light level. When deprived of an external N supply, photosynthetic rates did not change in C. linum acclimated to low irradiance despite a two-fold decrease in tissue N content, suggesting that the active pools of chlorophyll and Rubisco remained constant. Both α and P_max decreased immediately and continuously in algae acclimated to high irradiance on removal of the N supply even though tissue N content was relatively high during most of the N-starvation period, indicating a diversion of energy and reductant away from C fixation to support high growth rates. Carbon and nitrogen assimilation were equally balanced in algae in both light treatments throughout the N-saturation and -depletion phases, except when protein synthesis was limited by the depletion of internal N reserves in severely N-starved high-light algae and excess C accumulated as starch stores. This suggests that the ability for short-term adjustment of internal allocation to acquire N andC in almost constant proportions may be especially beneficial to macroalgae living in environments characterized by high variability in light levels and nutrient supply.     

N/P imbalance as a key driver for the invasion of oligotrophic dune systems by a woody legume

Oligotrophic ecosystems, previously considered to be more resilient to invasive plants, are now recognised to be highly vulnerable to invasions. In these systems, woody legumes show belowground ecosystem engineering characteristics that enable invasion, however, the underlying processes are not well understood. Using a Portuguese primary dune ecosystem as an oligotrophic model system, belowground biomass pools, turnover rates and stoichiometry of a native (Stauracanthus spectabilis) and an invasive legume (Acacia longifolia) were compared and related to changes in the foliage of the surrounding native (Corema album) vegetation. We hypothesized that the invasive legume requires less phosphorus per unit of biomass produced and exhibits an enhanced nutrient turnover compared to the native vegetation, which could drive invasion by inducing a systemic N/P imbalance. Compared with the native legumes, A. longifolia plants had larger canopies, higher SOM levels and lower tissue P concentrations. These attributes were strongly related to legume influence as measured by increased foliar N content and less depleted δ¹⁵N signatures in the surrounding C. album vegetation. Furthermore, higher root N concentration and increased nutrient turnover in the rhizosphere of the invader were associated with depleted foliar P in C. album. Our results emphasize that while A. longifolia itself maintains an efficient phosphorus use in biomass production, at the same time it exerts a strong impact on the N/P balance of the native system. Moreover, this study highlights the engineering of a belowground structure of roots and rhizosphere as a crucial driver for invasion, due to its central role in nutrient turnover. These findings provide new evidence that, under nutrient‐limited conditions, considering co‐limitation and nutrient cycling in oligotrophic systems is essential to understand the engineering character of invasive woody legumes.     

IN SITU UPTAKE KINETICS OF AMMONIUM AND PHOSPHATE AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE RED SEAWEED GRACILARIA TIKVAHIAE1

The uptake kinetics of ammonium and phosphate by Gracilaria tikvahiae McLachlan were studied under field conditions. Seaweeds, pulse fed once a week for 6 h over a 4-week period, had maximum uptake rates of 19 μmol·g fwt^?1·h^?1 for ammonium and 0.28 μmol·g fwt^?1·h^?1 for phosphate. For both nutrients there was a positive linear correlation between uptake rate (v) and concentration (S) over the entire range of concentration tested. In a nutrient depletion experiment, the phosphate uptake curve determined over a wide range of concentrations consisted of two stages of saturation at low concentrations, and a linear phase at high concentrations. Ash free dry weight, chlorophyll a, phycoerythrin, and protein content were higher in pulse fed plants than in control plants receiving no nutrient additions, while the reverse held true for carbohydrate contents and the C/N ratios. The C/N ratio inversely correlated with ammonium and phosphate uptake rate as well as protein and phycoerythrin content, and positively with carbohydrate content.     

PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN NUTRITION IN CHONDRUS CRISPUS (RHODOPHYTA): EFFECTS ON TOTAL PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN CONTENT,CARRAGEENAN PRODUCTION,AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENTS AND METABOLISM1

The existence of a phenomenon in phosphorus (P) nutrition comparable to the “Neish effect” in nitrogen (N) nutrition (an inverse relation between seawater N enrichment and carrageenan content) was investigated in the temperate red alga Chondrus crispus Stackhouse. Plants were preconditioned for 17 d and then cultured under varying enrichments of P (0, 3, 6, 10, 15 μM P·wk^?1) and a constant N enrichment (53.5 μM N·wk^?1) for 5 wk. Tissue total P, tissue total N, and carrageenan contents were then determined. Identical experiments were performed using C. crispus collected during the fall, winter, spring, and summer seasons. The procedure was repeated using material collected during the following fall season and cultured under constant P (6 μM P·wk^?1) and varying N enrichments (0, 3, 6, 10, 25 μM N·wk^?1). In the fall (P) experiment, carrageenan content was the highest [53.1 ± 0.3% DW (dry weight)], and tissue total P content was the lowest (1.71 ± 0.27 mg P·g DW^?1) in plants that received no P enrichment. Carrageenan content was stable (46.1 ± 1.8% DW) for plants given enrichments of 3 μM P·wk^?1 and greater. Thus, a decrease in carrageenan content, concomitant with an increase in tissue total P content, was observed, but only at tissue total P levels below 2 mg P·g DW^?1. As these levels were always higher than 2 mg P·g DW^?1 in the winter, spring, and summer experiments, carrageenan content remained constant within each season at 46.2 ± 1.3, 43.1 m 0.7, and 44.5 ± 0.6% DW, respectively. Nitrogen enrichment of plants collected in the fall did not affect carrageenan content, which was stable at 49.3 ± 0.9% DW. When these plants were compared with those of the previous fall experiment (6 μM P·wk^?1 and 53.5 μM N·wk^?1), a slight increase in carrageenan content was noted. Thus, at sufficiently high concentration, N also decreased carrageenan content in C. crispus. Phosphorus nutrition had no significant effect on photosynthesis versus irradiance parameters (P_max, α, R_d, I_c, and I_k), the contents of the photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll-a, phycoerythrin (PE), phycocyanin (PC), and allophycocyanin (APC), and the ratios PE:APC and PC:APC. In contrast, N nutrition affected both P_maxand the photosynthetic pigment contents. The data indicate that N limitation reduces the number of phycobilisomes but not their size. The greater reduction in phycobiliprotein than chlorophyll-acontent corroborates the natural bleaching phenomenon regularly observed in C. crispus populations during summer when N levels are generally low in seawater. These results suggest that C. crispus in the temperate waters of the Bay of Fundy may experience N limitation, but P limitation is unlikely.     

Responses of growth and phlorotannins in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fucus vesiculosus</Emphasis> to nutrient enrichment and herbivory

Discharge from anthropogenic sources may modify both macroalgal growth patterns and resource allocation to carbon based secondary compounds, thereby affecting their susceptibility for herbivory. We tested the effect of eutrophication in terms of nutrient enhancement on growth and phlorotannin concentration of Fucus vesiculosus by conducting manipulative experiments in the field and mesocosms. In the field experiment we utilised fish farms as nutrient sources and in the mesocosm-experiment we manipulated ambient nutrient levels and occurrence of the herbivorous isopod Idotea baltica. Vicinity of a fish farm affected neither growth nor the phlorotannin concentration of Fucus but increased the amount of epiphytes growing on Fucus. Other organisms such as epiphytic filamentous algae and periphyton, which are more capable of quickly utilizing excess nutrients, may restrain the direct effects of nutrient enhancement on Fucus. In a manipulative mesocosm experiment, neither nutrient enrichment nor occurrence of herbivores affected phlorotannin concentration implying lack of induced defences, at least in terms of increasing phlorotannin concentration. Feeding of thallus decreased the growth rate of algae, but the number of reproductive organs, receptacles, was not affected by herbivory. The negative effect of herbivory on the amount of apical tips tended to be stronger under nutrient enriched conditions. We conclude that eutrophication processes, in terms of nutrient enrichment, does not have strong direct effect on growth or phlorotannin production of F. vesiculosus. However, there may be important indirect consequences. First, herbivory may be targeted more to apical parts of the thallus under eutrophicated conditions. Second, the result that Fucus growing close to nutrient sources were smaller than those in control areas may reflect differences in mortality schedules of algae between eutrophicated and control areas.     

Factors controlling the upper limits of fucoid algae on the shore

Year-round observations on the condition of intertidal seaweeds growing in situ on the shore, show that the upper limits of the zones characterized by Pelvetia canaliculata (L.) Done et Thur., Fucus spiralis L. and Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jol. were periodically pruned back by environmental conditions. The uppermost plants of each species showed clear signs of tissue damage 21 to 28 days after a time when drying conditions coincided with neap tides which exposed the plant to aerial conditions for long periods. High air temperatures aggravated the damage, but neither frost nor prolonged rain had any obvious adverse effects. On spring tides the plants were wetted every day and no damage resulted regardless of the weather.These species clearly all reach up to their physiological limits on the shore investigated, but presumably Fucus vesiculosus L. and F. serratus L. do not, for they were never observed to show signs of tissue damage attributable to exposure to air. Transplant experiments did, however, prove that F. serratus cannot survive in the F. spiralis zone and nor can F. spiralis persist in the Pelvetia canaliculata zone.Laboratory experiments also demonstrated that the ability to tolerate desiccation and then to resume photosynthesis and growth when re-submerged was greatest in P. canaliculata, the species found highest on the shore, and was progressively less in species inhabiting successively lower levels.     

Effect of gibberellin and kinetin on the regeneration ability ofFucus vesiculosus L.

The influence of gibberellic acid (GA³) and kinetin (6-furfurylaminopurine) on the regeneration ability of the basal and apical thallus fragments ofFucus vesiculosus L. was examined. The naturally occurring gibberellin and kinetin-like substances in these thallus fragments were also studied. It was found that exogenously applied GA³ markedly increased the number of adventitious branches formed on the cut surface of the thallus fragments taken from the apical parts of plants. The concentration of 0.001 mg GA³ I-1 proved to be the most effective. The growth promoting effect of GA³ was increased by simultaneous action with kinetin. In experiments in which the fragments of the basal parts of the thallus were treated with GA³, as a rule a slight growth inhibition was observed. The growth responses of the investigated plant tissues to gibberellin and kinetin varied according to season. Usually their susceptibility to the applied plant hormones was greater in spring than is summer. The shifts in growth reaction were related to the seasonal changes in the content of endogenous gibberellin and kinetin-like substances in the investigated parts of the thallus. It is suggested that growth regulators of the gibberellin and cytokinin type are involved in the regeneration processes inFucus.     

Priming of Nicotiana benthamiana antioxidant defences using brown seaweed extracts

Extracts from the brown seaweeds Cystoseira myriophylloides, Laminaria digitata and Fucus spiralis were evaluated as plant defence inducers against the wild fire disease of Nicotiana benthamiana. Seeds’ imbibition in aqueous seaweed extracts (SE) results in plants with reduced disease severity. In addition, bacterial populations were significantly reduced in these plants when compared to those germinated in sterile distilled water. They primed N. benthamiana for H₂O₂ accumulation and for enhanced activity of several antioxidant enzymes including catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. These results revealed that soaking of seeds in SE before sowing allows N. benthamiana to reduce pathogen attack and can be easily applied in practice.     

鄱阳湖湿地灰化苔草生长季氮磷含量与储量的变化

湿地植物在营养元素生物地球化学循环过程中起着重要作用,研究植物氮磷元素的吸收、分配和积累特征对于正确理解氮磷循环关键过程及其生态作用具有重要意义。基于野外实地观测和室内实验分析,研究了鄱阳湖淡水湿地灰化苔草春草生长季内不同部位生物量、氮磷含量及氮磷储量的动态变化。结果表明:在生长季内,灰化苔草各部位生物量随时间推移而增加,地上部分生物量在各生长期均高于地下部分,地下部分生物量积累速率相对稳定,而地上部分和总体平均积累速率表现为生长前期高于生长后期;各部位氮磷含量经历了先减少再增加的变化过程,其中地上部分氮元素在灰化苔草生长的中后期显著高于地下部分,而磷元素在中前期两者差异更为显著;生物量与氮磷储量均呈显著正相关,是灰化苔草氮磷储量动态变化的主导因子,氮磷元素主要储存在灰化苔草的地上部分;研究期间灰化苔草平均氮磷比介于3.32—3.83之间,按营养限制理论进行判断,氮元素可能是灰化苔草生长的限制性营养因子。     

The transition from vegetative to fertile tissue in Fucus vesiculosus

At various stages of receptacle development, segments of Fucus vesiculosus thallus subtending the fertile tips have been grown in culture. At the times of gamete maturation and gamete shedding a number of both reproductive and vegetative branches are regenerated from the wound callus. This is the only region of the Fucus thallus which has been found capable of regenerating fertile receptacles. The effects of a number of growth regulatory substances were studied. 1-naphthoxyacetic acid stimulated budding but no substance increased the proportion of fertile branches. Extracts prepared from mature receptacles did not induce the regeneration of fertile branches from vegetative thallus, but they markedly inhibited the regeneration of any branches. Subsequent estimations of the growth regulatory substances in the receptacles showed that there was a marked increase in growth inhibitors during gamete development. Growth stimulatory substances were also present but these were masked in crude extracts by the amount of inhibitors.     

不同基因型甘蔗种质资源的表型遗传多样性

为探明甘蔗原种和地方种的遗传多样性和亲缘关系,以期筛选出优良甘蔗种质和优良杂交亲本.该研究对18份甘蔗原种和地方种的14个数量性状进行了表型遗传多样性分析.结果表明：通过14个数量性状的变异系数(coefficient of variance,CV)和性状之间的相关分析,18份甘蔗原种和地方种的数量性状遗传变异主要来自甘蔗蔗糖分、单茎重、叶宽、茎径和纤维分;对14个数量性状进行主成分分析提取获得了4个主成分因子,分别命名为“品质因子”、“生长因子”、“成熟度因子”和“光合因子”,主成分因子累积贡献率达83．482％;进一步通过对主成分因子开展综合评价分析,获得数量性状综合表型高于平均水平的10份材料,依次为 Sampana→甜圪塔→合庆草甘蔗→桂林竹蔗→坦桑尼亚→芒戈→古芝蔗→大岛再来→托江红→春尼;聚类分析基于不同的遗传距离可将18份种质聚为5个类别,潜在的优良杂交组合是 Sampana 和甜圪塔或 Sampana 和合庆草甘蔗,表明在甘蔗遗传育种亲本选择上既要考虑各性状主要因子的互补,又要保持一定的遗传距离.该研究认为,在甘蔗育种工作中,利用因子分析法进行表型遗传多样性分析,将更加有助于亲本和杂交组合的选择.