Minimal growth conservation of potato microplants: silver thiosulfate reduces ethylene-induced growth abnormalities during prolonged storage in vitro

 Efficacy of silver thiosulfate (STS) in reducing ethylene-induced culture abnormalities during minimal growth conservation of microplants was studied in seven potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) genotypes. Different concentrations of STS (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, 7.5 and 9.0 μg ml^–1) were tested in minimal growth medium based on MS medium supplemented with 20 g l^–1 mannitol and 40 g l^–1 sucrose. STS improved the microplant growth and reduced the culture abnormalities during prolonged maintenance of potato shoot cultures in vitro. The beneficial effect of STS was most prominent for number of green leaves per microplant and leaf senescence. After 16 months of storage, desirable microplant growth was observed in cultures conserved in medium containing 6.0–9.0 μg ml^–1 STS. The profile of the peroxidase isozymes of conserved cultures did not show any apparent genetic variation due to the presence of STS in the conservation medium. Received: 2 September 1998 / Revision received: 20 November 1998 / Accepted: 12 December 1998     

Influence of the Numbers of Rhizobium supplied on the Subsequent Nodulation of the Legume Host Plant

The effect of numbers of Rhizobium supplied on the subsequentnumbers of nodules formed was tested with Phaseolus radiatusvar. aurea in water culture. Nine weeks after inoculation plants supplied with from 88,700to 887,000 bacteria per c.c. of culture solution bore significantlymore nodules than those given from 89 to 887 per c.c. An inoculumof 44,350 per c.c. produced intermediate numbers of nodules. One week after inoculation, the percentage of curled and ofinfected root-hairs on the seedlings was roughly proportionalto the logarithm of the bacterial numbers supplied, while thenumbers of nodules produced at this stage already showed a significantdifference between extreme doses of inoculum. Nine weeks after inoculation the final nodule numbers were relatedto the percentages of curled and of infected root-hairs afterone week. The final nodule numbers are related to the growth of the rootsystem since the final number of nodules per gramme of rootis independent of the initial dose of inoculum, the effect ofwhich was mainly to cause an increase in root growth.     

Significance of inoculation density control in production of polysaccharide and ganoderic acid by submerged culture of Ganoderma lucidum

Control of inoculation density was significant for cell growth, morphology, and production of polysaccharide and ganoderic acid in submerged culture of the higher fungus Ganoderma lucidum. A maximal cell concentration of 15.7 g dry cell weight (DW)/l was obtained at an inoculation density of 330 mg DW/l. For inoculation density within the range of 70–670 mg DW/l, a large inoculation density led to a small pellet size and high production of extracellular and intracellular polysaccharides, while a relatively big pellet size and high accumulation of ganoderic acid were observed at a low inoculation density. It was also shown that small pellet size resulted in high polysaccharide production, while large pellet size led to high production of ganoderic acid.     

南方根结线虫初始接种密度对生姜生长的影响

在盆栽条件下,研究了南方根结线虫不同初始接种密度对生姜生长的影响.结果表明,南方根结线虫的侵染,降低生姜株高、茎粗、分枝数、茎叶鲜重和根系鲜重,最终降低生姜的产量,且随着接种密度的增加,生姜生长所受到的危害也随之增加.每100 g干土接种0、100和200个卵,可使生姜分别减产27.91%、37.73%和42.14%.初始接种密度对南方根结线虫繁殖速率也有很大影响.一般初始接种密度低时繁殖速率高,接种密度高时繁殖速率低,其在生姜上的平衡密度为每100 g干土746.20个.     

Influences of medium consistency and shoot density on in vitro shoot proliferation of Populus alba × P. grandidentata

The in vitro shoot proliferation of Populus alba × P. grandidentata was affected by the medium consistency and shoot density, but not by three sizes of vessels. After 4 weeks of culture, the fresh weight and number of shoots per explant on liquid medium were significantly greater than those on agar-solidified medium. In particular, 3.2 shoots, 7 mm or longer per explant, were produced on liquid medium compared with 1.6 shoots per explant or agar-solidified medium. The fresh weight per explant after 4 weeks of culture on liquid medium and agar-solidified medium were 0.68 and 0.25 g, respectively. Increasing the number of shoots per vessel slowed the growth of the explants as measured by fresh weight and the number of shoots produced. There was little difference in the number of shoots produced between vessels with 1 or 2 shoots per vessel, but there were many fewer shoots produced when 3 shoots were placed in each vessel.Journal Paper No. J-11977 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. Project 2210.     

牛肾细胞在两种不同载体中培养效果的比较

目的通过牛肾细胞在两种不同载体中培养效果的比较,为牛肾细胞在细胞工厂中规模化生产提供真实的、有力的支持。方法不同代次牛肾细胞在两种载体中经过相同培养条件进行培养。结果实验中原代牛肾细胞在细胞工厂接种密度为5.5×104/cm2左右,在15 L转瓶接种密度为9.0×104/cm2左右。一代牛肾细胞在细胞工厂接种密度为6.5×104/cm2左右,在15 L转瓶接种密度为10×104/cm2左右。二代牛肾细胞在细胞工厂接种密度为7.0×104/cm2左右,在15 L转瓶接种密度为14×104/cm2左右。两种载体中牛肾细胞生长状况均能达到培养要求。结论细胞工厂能在有限的空间内利用最大限度的培养表面培养牛肾细胞,不仅节约了传代前的细胞用量,而且提高了培养后的细胞产量。     

Growing of potato microplants in the presence of alginate-silverthiosulfate capsules reduces ethylene-induced culture abnormalities during minimal growth conservation in vitro

Alginate capsules containing anionic complex silverthiosulfate (STS) [Ag(S₂O₃)₂ ^3-] were placed in the culture tubes over minimal growth media for studying whether STS could be used at higher concentrations to sustain ethylene-inhibiting effect during conservation of microplants in six potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) genotypes in vitro. Different concentrations of STS (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mM) were incorporated into the alginate capsules, and 12 alginate-STS capsules were tested in semisolid (7 g l^–1 agar) minimal growth medium containing 20 g l^–1 mannitol and 40 g l^–1 sucrose. This indirect supplementation of STS through alginate capsules rendered reduced total availability of STS in the minimal growth medium as compared to when it was directly supplemented in the medium at a given concentration. Growing of microplants in the presence of alginate-STS capsules improved the microplant growth and reduced the culture abnormalities over a period of 16 months under minimal growth conditions. Most significant improvement in microplant growth was in terms of green leaf production and leaf senescence. Vitrification, flaccidity and other growth abnormalities, viz., leaf loss, abnormal stem swelling and necrosis were not observed when the microplants were conserved in the presence of alginate-STS capsules. To foster optimum microplant growth and reduce culture abnormalities, potato microplants could favourably be maintained in the presence of 0.5–1.0 mM alginate-STS capsules during minimal growth conservation. Higher concentrations of alginate-STS capsules (>1.0 mM) were in general detrimental to potato microplant growth and survival during prolonged storage in vitro. Release kinetics of STS from the alginate-STS capsules, its distribution in the medium and accumulation of silver in potato microplants were studied using ^110mAg. The release rate of STS from the capsules was found to be directly proportional to the concentrations of alginate-STS capsules. A distinct concentration gradient of ^110mAg in the medium with increasing depth from top to bottom, and its accumulation in the potato microplants may be attributed to the improved anti-ethylene action of STS at higher concentrations through alginate capsules.     

Effect of low inoculation density in the scale-up of insect cell cultures

The scale-up of insect cell cultures and the production of baculovirus with these cultures is dependent on the inoculation density applied. The effect of applying a low inoculation on the specific growth rate and on the duration of the lag phase was tested. Three different cell lines, HzAm1, Ha2302, and Sf21 were tested in a total of five cell line/medium combinations. Growth in suspension culture was examined, and data obtained were fitted with the Gompertz equation. A significant decline in specific growth rate with decreasing inoculation density was observed in all cell line/medium combinations, except for HzAm1. No critical inoculation density, below which no growth would occur, was found. In suspension culture in shake flasks, an inoculation density of 5 x 10(4) cells/mL is achievable, without severely influencing the overall growth rate. A lower inoculation density in suspension culture results in less steps in the scale-up process and might be a tool in bypassing the viral passage effect.     

Heat Tolerance and Assimilate Transport in Different Potato Genotypes

Six potato genotypes with different degrees of heat tolerancewere grown in pots at 38/25 'b0C maximum/minimum temperatureat 14 h daylength under natural light glasshouse conditions.Prior to sampling, the plants were given a 14 h dark period.Photosynthesis was measured at 28 'b0C and at a saturating lightintensity of more than 1200 µEm^-2 s^-1. During the optimumphotosynthetic period (09.00–12.30 h), the leaves of heat-tolerantpotato genotypes (DTO-28, Norchip, and Desiree) had 4–5times more soluble sugars (mainly sucrose) and higher sucrose-phosphatesynthase activity than the leaves of the heat-susceptible genotypes(Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Chandramukhi, and Kufri Muthu). However,starch accumulation in leaves of susceptible genotypes was abouttwice that in tolerant genotypes. All susceptible genotypesshowed a low rate of assimilate transport from leaves and ahigher shoot/root ratio which indicated that the shoot remainedthe predominant sink for photosynthate. Activities of amylaseand invertase in leaves were also higher in susceptible genotypes.It is suggested that the poor yield of heat-susceptible genotypesat high temperature and long day conditions is related to insufficientavailability of the transportable sugar, sucrose. Key words: Solarium tuberosum, carbon partitioning, heat stress     

Rolling round bottle culture of HmLu-1 cells and the production of bovine ephemeral fever virus.

An attempt was made to cultivate HmLu-1 cells in a rolling round bottle. As a result, the optimum conditions of cultivation were found to consist in the number of cells transplanted per bottle being 1 X 10(8), the volume of growth medium per bottle being 250 ml, and the velocity of rolling being 6 revolutions per hour. It was possible to make a monolayer of cells develop all over the glass surface under these conditions. A preliminary experiment was carried out to clarify the production of virus in the tube culture. In it, the highest virus titer was obtained two days after inoculation of a 4-day-old culture with a 1:100 dilution of stock virus. On the other hand, when the 4-day-old culture cells in the rolling round bottle were inoculated with virus suspension and when 100, 500, or 800 ml of maintenance medium was added to each bottle, there was little difference in virus titer obtained among the culture bottles. Then the virus yield per cell was compared between the rolling round bottle culture method and the stationary square bottle culture method. The highest virus titer was reached two days after virus inoculation, regardless of the culture method. The virus yield was 1.9 times as high in the rolling method as in the stationary method. From the results mentioned above, it was clarified that the rolling round bottle culture method made it possible to obtain a large amount of bovine ephemeral fever virus at a high titer in a labor-saving manner.     

Genetic variation for in vitro sesame pollen germination and tube growth

  In vitro pollen germination and tube length studies are valuable in elucidating mechanisms (germination capacity and rate, tube growth rate) possibly associated with genetic differences in male transmission. On each of two collection dates, the percentage germination and tube length of the binucleate pollen grains from five diverse sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) genotypes were determined at eight times (30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 240, 300 min) after inoculation on a semisolid medium containing 10% (100 g l^-1) sucrose (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁), 0.4% (4 g l^-1) purified agar (Fisher Lot 914409), 0.1% (1 g l^-1) calcium nitrate [Ca(NO₃)₂ ⋅ 4H₂O] and 0.01% (100 mg l^-1) boric acid (H₃BO₃). Before heating, the pH of the medium was adjusted to 7.0 with a 0.1 N potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution. Over the five genotypes, 5% germination was found 30 min after inoculation and a maximum of 37% germination 120 min after inoculation with no significant changes thereafter. As indicated by the highly significant genotype×time after inoculation interaction, the genotypes differed in the time at which germination was initiated and maximum germination attained. Over all five genotypes, the tube length was 91 μm 30 min after inoculation, reaching a maximum of 1000 μm 300 min after inoculation. As shown by the highly significant genotype×time after inoculation interaction, the genotypes differed in the time at which tube length was observed and the maximum tube length was attained. Little or no relationship between percent germination and tube length was observed among the genotypes. For both percent germination and tube length, the statistical significance of collection date and its interactions with genotype and time after inoculation indicated that environment in the form of collection date was also an influencing factor. These results indicated that genetic differences among genotypes were present for in vitro germination capacity, germination rate and tube growth rate and that these factors singly or in combination could alter male transmission of genetic elements. Received: 5 February 1997 / Accepted: 23 June 1997     

Growth and competitive ability of a highly plastic and a marginally plastic genotype of Plantago major in a fluctuating environment

The hypothesis was tested that a physiologically highly plastic genotype is better adapted to a fluctuating environment than a marginally plastic genotype. For that purpose, two inbred lines of Plantago major L., which differ in their degree of physiological plasticity, were grown in tubes with quartz sand, either singly or in combination. Four treatments were applied with a different frequency of fluctuations in nutrient level. When grown singly, the relative growth rate of both genotypes reacted in the same way to the different treatments. The genotypes showed similar reactions when grown in monoculture with two plants per tube. In mixed culture (also two plants per tube) the response was different. With increasing frequency of fluctuations in nutrient level, the inbred line with the high plasticity grew faster at the expense of the marginally plastic line, whose growth was reduced.     

Nutrient-encapsulation of potato nodal segments for germplasm exchange and distribution

Nutrient-encapsulation technique using in vitro grown nodal segments was developed as an alternative method for distribution of potato germplasm. The nodal cuttings of two potato genotypes, Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Lauvkar, were encapsulated in calcium-free Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium containing either 2 or 3 % sodium alginate and 0, 1, 2 or 3 % saccharose. The encapsulated segments were stored in tubes with or without semisolid MS medium, and incubated in the dark at 25 ± °C for 3 to 6 weeks. Presence of saccharose in the beads was found detrimental for regrowth of new shoots. In absence of saccharose, about 82 % and 53 % encapsulated segments initiated regrowth after 3 and 6 weeks of dark storage, respectively, in tubes containing MS medium. Storage in empty tubes deteriorated the encapsulated segments, and depressed shoot formation. For potato germplasm distribution, the encapsulated segments can be transported in small tubes containing semisolid MS medium. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Co-limitation of potato growth by Potato Cyst Nematode (Globodera rostochiensis) and Rhizoctonia solani

Globodera rostochiensis and Rhizoctonia solani are the most important growth limiting factors influencing potato production in Iran. The effects of inoculation with Potato Cyst Nematodes (PCN) (0, 50, 75 and 100 cysts/3.5?kg soil) and R. solani (with or without inoculation) on potato growth and development were investigated in cultivars Santé and Marfona. Inoculation with R. solani induced severe damage, especially when inoculation was accompanied with high density of PCN. The damage caused by R. solani tended to increase with an increase in PCN density, especially in Marfona. In Santé, number of stems or branches per plant significantly increased by inoculation with R. solani, while in Marfona it was significantly affected either by R. solani inoculation or PCN density. In Santé, number of stolons per plant was significantly increased by PCN, but not by R. solani. In Marfona, however, the number of stolons per plant was significantly affected either by R. solani inoculation or by presence of PCN, but not affected by PCN density. The general effect of R. solani or PCN inoculation treatments on shoot, below-ground and total dry weight of potato was significant, but strongly affected by cultivar. In general, our study supports the synergistic interaction between R. solani and PCN and its moderation by the use of a resistant cultivar such as Santé.     

Further Studies on in vitro Development of Eimeria bovis and Attempts to Obtain Second-Generation Schizonts*

SYNOPSIS. Eimeria bovis merozoites occurred in tissue culture medium removed from Leighton tube cultures of embryonic bovine tracheal cells beginning 12-14 days after inoculation with 270,000-369,000 sporozoites per tube. The number of merozoites produced in these cultures increased daily until a peak was reached 18-21 days after inoculation. In 3 experiments an average of 2.0–15.6 million merozoites per tube was produced during the 20-day observation period. When such merozoites were frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored 26–42 days, some were motile upon thawing. These merozoites as well as others freshly obtained from cell cultures and from calves were inoculated into 11 different types of cultured mammalian cells including primary, cell line and established cell line cultures. Some merozoites were exposed to substances normally found in the lumen of the gut, before or at the time of inoculation. Altho small numbers of intracellular merozoites were found, no further development was observed. Gametocytes were observed in the cecum of a calf 4 days after merozoites from cell cultures were introduced into a ligated cecum of the calf.     

Effect of moisture stress, plant population density and pathogen inoculation on charcoal stalk rot of sorghum

The effects of moisture deficit stress, plant population density and pathogen inoculation technique on charcoal stalk rot in the sorghum hybrid CSH 6 were studied in the 1980–81 and 1981–82 post-rainy seasons at three locations in India. Incidence and severity of charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina were compared in three plant population densities, subjected to different moisture stress regimes created by withholding irrigation at various plant growth stages. Natural infections were compared to artificial inoculation with M. phaseolina. Combinations of moisture stress, plant population and inoculation treatments were compared to identify the combination most likely to develop maximum disease. Lodging, the first external symptom of charcoal rot, was significantly correlated with other disease symptoms used to measure charcoal rot, such as soft stalk, number of nodes crossed by M. phaseolina infection, root damage and plant senescence. In both seasons the highest incidence of lodging occurred when moisture stress was induced at the 'flag leaf visible in the whorl' growth stage. The greatest incidence of the disease was recorded in the highest plant population (266 700 plant ha^-) at all three locations. No significant differences were found between artificially and naturally inoculated treatments. The maximum number of lodged plants was found at a density of 266 700 plants ha^-1 when moisture stress was induced at the 'flag leaf visible in the whorl' growth stage.     

Co-regulation Of ear growth and internode elongation in corn

Ear is the harvest part of corn (Zea mays L.) and we are interested in studying its growth and development in our effort in corn yield improvement. In our current study, we examined the relationship between ear growth and internode characteristics using different approaches. Correlations between stem growth rate and number of ears per plant (prolificacy) were assessed among several genotypes. Internode elongation of 2 genotypes was modified by plant hormones and by population density manipulations. Among the 7 genotypes examined that have different prolificacy levels, there was a general correlation of slower stem elongation at middle growth stages and larger ear number. When the internode elongation was enhanced by application of gibberellic acid (GA), ear growth was suppressed; and when a GA synthesis inhibitor uniconazole was applied at early stages, internode length was reduced and ear growth was promoted in terms of both ear size and visible ear number at silking stage. Higher population density caused longer internodes and fewer ears per plant and the effect of lower density was the opposite. Our results suggested that internode elongation in the middle section of corn plants was linked to suppression of ear development in corn.     

低密度和条件培养对红豆杉细胞生长的影响

红豆杉种胚来源的细胞,在改良Ｂ５液体培养基中继代培养的临界接种密度为鲜重４０ｇ／Ｌ．低密度培养下,１０－１６ｄ的条件培养液（ＣＭ）与新鲜培养液按５７：４３的比例混合时,能显著缩短细胞生长的延迟期,提高生长率,１００Ｌ生物反应器中,按４５．５％体积分数添加条件培养液,在鲜重２７ｇ／Ｌ低接种密度下培养５周,生物量增长９倍,达干重１４．３ｇ／Ｌ．对内源植物激素、精胺、维生素和氨基酸等的比较分析表明,吲哚     

Factors regulating the emergence of spontaneous and X-ray-induced variants in primary rat tracheal epithelial cell cultures

Summary A series of experiments have been carried out to identify those factors that affect the number of altered populations detected in control, nonexposed, and radiation-exposed primary cultures of rat tracheal epithelial cells. The number of colony forming cells per milliliter of culture medium and the frequency with which the culture medium is changed seemed to be the most critical factors regulating the emergence of induced and spontaneous variants. Increasing the number of cells plated so that of colony forming cells increase from 25 to 200 per ml, regardless of the dish size used, was associated with a 200-fold decline in the frequency of spontaneous variants and a 40-fold decline in X-ray-induced variants. Increasing the interval between medium changes from 3 to 7 days after the first week of culture was associated with a 10-fold decrease in the frequency of spontaneous variants. The frequency of spontaneous and induced variants is markedly less dependent on culture density at densities between 150 and 600 colony forming cells per ml. The type of medium used to establish primary cultures had little effect on the frequency of variants detected. Similarly, when assays were performed at densities in excess of 150 colony forming cells per ml the frequency of spontaneous and x-ray-induced variants was not affected by the absence of epidermal growth factor, increased levels of calcium (final concentration, 0.8 mM), or by removal of pyruvate from the selection medium.     

Influence of inoculum density of two vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and temperature/light intensity on Trifolium repens

The influence of three inoculum densities of Glomus caledonius and G. epigaeus and two temperature/light intensity conditions was investigated on Trifolium repens. The significance of inoculation was compared to the significance of naturally occurring vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi and to application of soluble phosphate fertilizer. Increasing density of inoculum and the highest temperature/light intensity condition tested increased VAM infection, whereas only small differences were found between efficiency of the two introduced VAM fungi. The presence of naturally occurring VAM fungi proved as efficient in establishing infection as the most successful inoculations. Some interactions among the investigated parameters were found for several recordings. The increase in VAM infection was followed by an increase in number of nodules; in uptake of phosphorus, nitrogen, zinc, and copper; and in growth of roots and shoots. The calculated inflow of phosphate, zinc, and copper into roots was not associated with inoculum density, VAM species or temperature/light conditions. Compared to an uninoculated control without application of phosphate, inoculation with the highest spore density increased (after 18 weeks growth) the dry weight of shoot 52 fold and 7 fold for G. caledonius , and 121 fold and 9 fold for G. epigaeus at low and high temperature/light conditions, respectively. It was also found that VAM increased weight per nodule 52% when roots with no or sparse VAM infection were compared to roots with low to maximal VAM infection and 98% when roots with low VAM infection were excluded. Application of phosphate fertilizer enhanced nodulation and growth of non–mycorrhizal plants to a level similar to that of the most heavily VAM infected plants.