Effect of mefluidide on growth and heading ofTriticum aestivum L.

Previous studies have shown that N-[2,4-dimethyl-5[[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]amino]phenyl]acetamide (mefluidide) represses seedhead formation in gramineae. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of mefluidide on growth and reproduction of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv TAM 105). Mefluidide was applied to field grown wheat at 140 and 280 g/ha on March 4, 1985 and at 70, 140, and 280 g/ha on March 18, 1985. Mefluidide suppressed heading to a greater extent when applied 6 weeks after the onset of spring growth than when applied 2 weeks earlier. Leaf area index was reduced by the higher application rates at the second date of application but not the first. Total biomass was reduced to a greater extent at the second application date. Both seed weight and number of seeds per spike were reduced with the higher rates of mefluidide especially at the second application date.     

Root development of bermudagrass and tall fescue as affected by cutting interval and growth regulators

A study was conducted to characterize changes in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) root development over time and with depth, and to determine the effects of defoliation interval and chemical seedhead suppression on root and shoot growth. Field plots were established on a fine-silty, mixed mesic Typic Fragiudult soil in Fayetteville, AR, USA, and each plot contained three minirhizotrons (plexiglass observation tubes) to a depth of 40 cm. Images of roots in 10-cm depth increments were periodically videorecorded, and total root length (RL) and root length density (RLD) were measured with a computer-interfaced tracing probe. Treatments consisted of two cutting intervals, 3 and 6 weeks, and two plant growth regulator (PGR) treatments, an untreated control and either 300 g ha^-1 mefluidide on tall fescue in early spring of both years or 10 g ha^-1 each of metsulfuron methyl (MSM) and sulfometuron methyl (SMM) applied in late May of both post-establishment years. Data were analyzed separately for the establishment period (planting to the first date of PGR application) and the subsequent post-establishment period. Bermulagrass exhibited a two-stage root establishment pattern characterized first by minimal root development in conjunction with stolon proliferation and soil surface colonization, followed by accumulation of total RL over two subsequent forage production seasons. There was a net accumulation of root mass during the winter dormancy period of 1986–87. Total RL of tall fescue peaked one and a half years after planting. Cutting interval had no influence on RL and RLD. Application of a PGR did not affect RL but did alter RLD of both species. Application of mefluidide to tall fescue stimulated RLD 64 days after application, whereas bermudagrass RLD was retarded by MSM and SMM up to 50 days after application. Trends in root growth did not closely follow patterns of shoot growth. Published with the approval of the Director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. Published with the approval of the Director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Influence of mefluidide on growth,development, and cell wall digestibility of sorghum

Application of mefluidide (N-[2,4-dimethyl-5-([(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]amino) phenyl]acetamide) inhibits plant development in perennial grasses. This study examined the effect of mefluidide on the morphological development and digestibility of sorghum. In the greenhouse, 5.9 × 10^–5 g active ingredient (a.i.) plant^–1 applied at the seedling, eight-leaf and boot stages reduced mean plant height 70%, 59%, and 2%, respectively. Heights were also reduced 14%, 15% and 35% by 5.9 × 10^–8, 5.9 × 10^–7 and 5.9 × 10^–6 gram a.i. plant^–1 applied at the eight-leaf stage. Field application of 0.26 or 0.52 kg ha^–1 mefluidide at either the eight-leaf or flagleaf stage reduced mean plant height of all cultivars. Basal tiller numbers increased 319% 28 d, and dry matter production was reduced 65% 42 d following mefluidide application at the eight-leaf stage. Treated stems were 34% higher and treated leaves were 7% higher in cellulase dry matter digestibility than control plants following mefluidide application at the eight-leaf stage. These results indicate that mefluidide application to vegetative stages in sorghum may enhance the forage value of the plants while it inhibits normal plant growth.     

Sensitivity of the Entomogenous Fungus Beauveria bassiana to Selected Plant Growth Regulators and Spray Additives

Mefluidide was the only one of four plant growth regulators that caused little to no significant inhibition of in vitro germination and growth of the entomogenous fungus Beauveria bassiana. Silaid, paclobutrazol, and flurprimidol significantly inhibited germination and growth. Mortality of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, resulting from B. bassiana was significantly reduced when larvae were exposed to conidia plus soil treated with paclobutrazol. Larval mortality resulting from conidia plus soil treated with mefluidide did not differ significantly from mortality resulting from untreated conidia. Triton CS-7 was the only one of eight spray adjuvants that significantly inhibited germination of B. bassiana conidia.     

Relationship between Mefluidide Treatment and Abscisic Acid Metabolism in Chilled Corn Leaves

Mefluidide, N-(2,4-dimethyl-5[([trifluoromethyl]sulfonyl) amino] phenyl)acetamide, a synthetic plant growth regulator, was capable of triggering an increase in endogenous free abscisic acid content when corn (Zea mays L.) plants were grown in a nonstress, day/night, temperature regime (26°C) with sufficient moisture supply. The relevance of such an abscisic acid increase prior to chilling exposure and the water relations during chilling are discussed in reference to the mefluidide protection of the chilled corn plants.     

模拟氮沉降对华西雨屏区天然常绿阔叶林凋落叶分解过程中基质质量的影响

为理解氮沉降对华西雨屏区天然常绿阔叶林凋落物分解过程的影响,采用立地控制实验和凋落物分解袋法,研究了低氮沉降(L,50 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1))、中氮沉降(M,150 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1))和高氮沉降(H,300 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1))对华西雨屏区天然常绿阔叶林凋落叶分解过程中基质质量的影响。结果表明:N沉降抑制了凋落叶的分解,并随着N沉降量的增加,抑制作用增强。N沉降遏制了凋落叶的C、N释放和纤维素降解,促进了P释放。N沉降提高了凋落叶的C/P比,中氮和高氮处理提高了凋落叶C/N比。N沉降显著增加了凋落叶N、木质素和纤维素的含量,分解1年后,各N沉降处理的木质素/N和纤维素/N均显著高于对照。N沉降提高了质量残留率与C/N、木质素/N和纤维素/N的相关性,降低了与C/P的相关性。可见,模拟N沉降显著影响了华西雨屏区天然常绿阔叶林凋落叶分解过程中的基质质量,进而影响了凋落叶的分解过程。     

Phytotoxic effects,regrowth, and 14C-sucrose translocation in Canada thistle treated with mefluidide,flurprimidol, and systemic herbicides

Foliar applications of the plant growth regulators (PGRs) flurprimidol and mefluidide suppressed shoot elongation and regrowth and enhanced shoot injury caused by selected herbicides in Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense L.). Flurprimidol stimulated movement of ¹⁴C-sucrose from leaves to roots. However, the stimulation was nullified when glyphosate, chlorsulfuron, or clopyralid was applied to foliage 1 week after application of the PGR. Herbicide-induced root injury was not enhanced by PGR application but these PGRs may be useful in decreasing weed competition among crops not similarly inhibited.     

种植密度与施氮量对麦茬复种饲料油菜土壤微生物活性的影响

通过田间小区试验,研究了不同油菜种植密度与施氮肥对麦茬复种饲料油菜耕层土壤(0～5 cm)微生物活性的影响.结果表明,复种油菜能显著或极显著性提高耕层土壤微生物量碳(C_mic)、土壤微生物量氮(N_mic)、土壤细菌数(SBN)、土壤真菌数(SFN)和土壤放线菌数(SAN),而显著降低土壤微生物量碳/氮比(C_mic/N_mic).随油菜种植密度的提高,耕层C_mic、C_mic/N_mic、SBN呈逐渐增加态势,而N_mic、SAN呈降低趋势.随着施氮肥梯度增加,耕层SFN显著提高,C_mic和N_mic呈先降低后增加再降低趋势,以1 000 kg·hm^-2施肥处理最高.SFN和收获期SAN为先降低后升高,苗期SAN则为先升高后降低.相同处理油菜收获期各土壤微生物活性指标均高于苗期,而600 kg·hm^-2苗期SAN则相反.SBN和SAN与C_mic、N_mic呈正相关,与C_mic/N_mic呈负相关,SFN与C_mic、N_mic及C_mic/N_mic之间均无明显相关性.     

The effect of rhizoctonia root disease and applied nitrogen on growth,nitrogen uptake and nutrient concentrations in spring wheat

Root disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani is a common problem of spring wheat in South Australia. There are reports that nitrogen applications can reduce the incidence and severity of the disease. A glasshouse trail in pots examined the effects of disease and of applied nitrogen on wheat growth, and evaluated the utility of the basal stem nitrate concentration in diagnosing deficiency in plants with and without root disease. Plants were harvested at the mid-tillering stage. Shoot growth was increased by applied nitrogen until a maximum yield was attained, after which additional N had no effect on shoot yield. Root growth, however, responded positively only to low levels of applied N, after which it declined, and in the highest N treatment root mass was less than in the plants without applied N. Root disease caused severe reductions in plant growth, and both root and shoot mass were affected similarly. Even though growth of diseased plants responded positively to applied nitrogen the response was less than that of disease-free plants. The critical concentration of basal stem nitrate-N did not appear to be affected by root disease, and was estimated at 1200 mg kg^-1, consistent with other glasshouse data. The basal stem nitrate-N concentration, either in fresh or dried tissue, appeared a better diagnostic tool of N stress than did total shoot N concentration or content, because of sharper definition of critical concentrations. Concentrations of other nutrients in shoot tissue were affected differentially by both applied nitrogen and root disease, but generally did not reach critical levels, although phosphorus and magnesium appeared deficient in very disease-stressed plants.     

Carbon Dioxide Exchange Rate and Chlorophyll Content of Turfgrasses Treated with Flurprimidol or Mefluidide

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are being used increasingly for high maintenance turf production. A greenhouse and growth chamber study was conducted to determine the effect of two PGRs, mefluidide and flurprimidol, on the carbon dioxide exchange rate, chlorophyll content, and specific leaf weight of annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass. Rate-response and time course studies were conducted. In the rate-response study, increasing flurprimidol rates caused a linear decrease in the carbon dioxide exchange rate (CER). Mefluidide had no effect on the CER in the rate-response experiment but did cause a significant drop in the CER at 4 and 8 days after treatment (DAT) in the time course study. Both PGRs increased chlorophyll content at 16 DAT in the time course study. In the rate-response study, chlorophyll content displayed a quadratic response to an increasing mefluidide rate. The 0.28 kg ha⁻¹ rate of mefluidide increased the chlorophyll content to 46 μg cm⁻² from 21.5 μg cm⁻² for control plants. Both PGRs increased specific leaf weight, although for flurprimidol the effect was significant only at the 0.1 level of probability. PGRs decreased the CER and increased the chlorophyll content and specific leaf weight for both species tested. The physiologic effects measured were short lived, and so the physiologic significance of these changes is difficult to determine without further research. Received September 19, 1996; accepted January 22, 1997     

分期施氮与CO2浓度升高对小麦光合及其物质积累和产量的互作效应

采用开顶式气室和盆栽方法,以冬小麦品种‘小偃22’为材料,探讨了分期施氮与CO2浓度升高对小麦抽穗期和灌浆中期旗叶光合、地上部物质积累和产量的互作效应.结果显示:(1)不施氮条件下CO2浓度升高对小麦旗叶叶绿素含量(SPAD)和可溶性蛋白含量、光合能力、地上部花后干物质和氮素累积量、籽粒产量的影响不明显(P>0.05)或产生显著负效应;在施氮(300mg/kg土)条件下各指标均不同程度增加,且大多数达到显著水平.(2)与氮肥全部基施相比,分期施氮时CO2浓度升高使灌浆期旗叶光合能力、地上部花后干物质和氮素累积以及产量增加的幅度较大,其中以播前、返青期和孕穗期施氮比例为5∶3∶2时最明显.研究表明,适当分期施氮可能更有利于发挥CO2浓度升高对冬小麦的增产作用.     

Non-structural carbohydrate: Analysis by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy and its importance as an indicator of plant growth

Plant shoot samples are frequently analysed to assess if crops require additional nitrogen or mineral elements to maintain satisfactory growth. If plant growth is limited by temperature, water stress, disease, lodging or a mineral deficiency, non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) may be accumulated in, or depleted from, tissues especially those in the lower stems. Plant testing laboratories do not routinely analyse NSC to assist in the identification of plant stress probably because skilled technicians and time are required for the wet chemical determination. In this paper we report that routine determination of NSC is possible using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy; the errors of determination are comparable with traditional chemical methods.The concentration of NSC in the shoots of rice grown in south eastern Australia ranges from 1.6 to 22.8%, as starch. In the shoots of wheat grown in eastern Australia the range is from 2.4 to 35.2%, as fructans. In both crops the NSC content is highly inversely correlated with the shoot nitrogen content. Based on data from commercial wheat and rice crops we suggest that the ratio between nitrogen and NSC can be used to identify crops in which growth has been limited by a stress other than nitrogen and so are unlikely to show the predicted response to an application of nitrogen fertilizer.     

模拟氮沉降对华西雨屏区苦竹林凋落物基质质量的影响

凋凋落物基质质量是影响凋落物分解速率的决定性因子之一,本研究旨在探究模拟氮沉降对苦竹林凋落物基质质量的影响。2007年11月至2010年12月每月一次连续对华西雨屏区苦竹人工林进行了模拟氮沉降试验,施氮水平分别为：低氮（5 g N?m–2?a–1）,中氮（15 g N?m–2?a–1）和高氮（30 g N?m–2?a–1）。在施氮2 a后,于2010年1月开始收集各样方的凋落物样品,连续收集12个月,分析测定凋落物基质质量。结果表明：施氮显著增加了凋落叶中N、P元素含量,中氮处理显著增加了凋落枝中N元素含量,中氮和高氮处理均显著增加了凋落枝中P元素含量;施氮对凋落物中C元素含量影响很微弱,显著降低了凋落叶中的C/N,中氮处理显著降低了凋落枝中的C/N,对木质素和纤维素含量均未造成显著影响。由于模拟氮沉降增加了苦竹凋落物的N、P含量,降低了其C/N,因此氮沉降可能会促进苦竹凋落物的初期分解速率。     

Abscisic Acid and the maturation of cacao embryos in vitro

Abscisic acid (ABA) was tested for its ability to affect development of immature zygotic embryos of cacao (Theobroma cacao) in vitro, by adding exogenous ABA, fluridone, or mefluidide to cultured embryos. Endogenous ABA levels, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, were increased by exogenous ABA or by culture on sucrose increasing to 21%, and were decreased by fluridone and, to a lesser extent, by mefluidide. The effects of these on maturation were measured as effects on anthocyanins, lipids, and fatty acid saturation, all of which increase with maturation of the cacao embryo. Maturation was stimulated by increasing sucrose and, to a lesser degree, the addition of ABA, but decreasing endogenous ABA by treating with fluridone significantly inhibited all maturation parameters. Although desiccation tolerance does not develop in cacao embryos, these results suggest that ABA and sucrose are both needed for the initiation of events associated with maturation in vitro.     

Inhibition of saturated very-long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis by mefluidide and perfluidone,selective inhibitors of 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthases

The trifluoromethanesulphonanilides mefluidide and perfluidone are used in agriculture as plant growth regulators and herbicides. Despite the fact that mefluidide and perfluidone have been investigated experimentally for decades, their mode of action is still unknown. In this study, we used a cascade approach of different methods to clarify the mode of action and target site of mefluidide and perfluidone. Physiological profiling using an array of biotests and metabolic profiling in treated plants of Lemna paucicostata suggested a common mode of action in very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) synthesis similar to the known 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS) inhibitor metazachlor. Detailed analysis of fatty acid composition in Lemna plants showed a decrease of saturated VLCFAs after treatment with mefluidide and perfluidone. To study compound effects on enzyme level, recombinant KCSs from Arabidopsis thaliana were expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Enzyme activities of seven KCS proteins from 17 tested were characterized by their fatty acid substrate and product spectrum. For the KCS CER6, the VLCFA product spectrum in vivo, which consists of tetracosanoic acid, hexacosanoic acid and octacosanoic acid, is reported here for the first time. Similar to metazachlor, mefluidide and perfluidone were able to inhibit KCS1, CER6 and CER60 enzyme activities in vivo. FAE1 and KCS2 were inhibited by mefluidide only slightly, whereas metazachlor and perfluidone were strong inhibitors of these enzymes with IC₅₀ values in μM range. This suggests that KCS enzymes in VLCFA synthesis are the primary herbicide target of mefluidide and perfluidone.     

Involvement of Abscisic Acid in Mesocotyl Growth in Etiolated Seedlings of a Foxtail Millet Dwarf Mutant

Etiolated seedlings of foxtail millet (Setaria italica Beauv.) dwarf mutant CH84113 were treated with various concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA), mefluidide, mannitol, or polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000. It was found that these chemicals, at suitable concentrations, could increase mesocotyl length significantly, whereas these chemicals at higher concentrations had an inhibitory effect. Endogenous levels of ABA in mesocotyl were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It was found that endogenous ABA increased progressively in a chemical (ABA, mefluidide, mannitol, or PEG 6000) concentration-dependent manner, indicating that the effects of these chemicals on mesocotyl growth may be mediated by increased endogenous ABA levels. On the other hand, S-3307, an inhibitor of the oxidative reactions in gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis, inhibited the elongation of mesocotyl significantly. When ABA and GA₃ were applied simultaneously, the effect on mesocotyl growth was additive. These results imply that ABA and GA may control different processes in the regulation of mesocotyl growth. Received October 27, 1997; accepted May 11, 1998     

夜间增温对冬小麦根系生长和土壤养分有效性的影响

气候变暖存在明显的昼夜不对称性,夜间气温升高幅度显著高于白天.本研究采用夜间被动式增温系统,于2009-2010年在我国冬小麦主产区（石家庄、徐州、许昌和镇江）进行全生育期田间增温试验,研究了土壤pH值、速效养分和抽穗期冬小麦根系对夜间增温的响应.结果表明： 与不增温对照相比,夜间增温显著降低了土壤pH值和速效养分含量,并在一定程度上提高了根系干质量和根冠比.冬小麦整个生育期,夜间增温分别使石家庄、徐州、许昌和镇江试验点土壤pH值平均降低0.4%、0.4%、0.7%和0.9%,碱解氮含量平均降低8.1%、8.1%、7.1%和6.0%,速效磷含量平均降低15.7%、12.1%、19.6%和25.8%;速效钾含量平均降低11.5%、7.6%、7.6%和10.1%.增温处理下,石家庄、徐州和镇江试验点抽穗期冬小麦根系干质量分别平均增加31.5%、27.0%和14.5%;石家庄、许昌和镇江试验点抽穗期冬小麦根冠比分别平均提高23.8%、13.7%和9.7%.夜间增温可能通过改变土壤化学特性影响土壤养分供应和冬小麦生长     

夜间增温对冬小麦根系生长和土壤养分有效性的影响

气候变暖存在明显的昼夜不对称性,夜间气温升高幅度显著高于白天.本研究采用夜间被动式增温系统,于2009-2010年在我国冬小麦主产区（石家庄、徐州、许昌和镇江）进行全生育期田间增温试验,研究了土壤pH值、速效养分和抽穗期冬小麦根系对夜间增温的响应.结果表明： 与不增温对照相比,夜间增温显著降低了土壤pH值和速效养分含量,并在一定程度上提高了根系干质量和根冠比.冬小麦整个生育期,夜间增温分别使石家庄、徐州、许昌和镇江试验点土壤pH值平均降低0.4%、0.4%、0.7%和0.9%,碱解氮含量平均降低8.1%、8.1%、7.1%和6.0%,速效磷含量平均降低15.7%、12.1%、19.6%和25.8%;速效钾含量平均降低11.5%、7.6%、7.6%和10.1%.增温处理下,石家庄、徐州和镇江试验点抽穗期冬小麦根系干质量分别平均增加31.5%、27.0%和14.5%;石家庄、许昌和镇江试验点抽穗期冬小麦根冠比分别平均提高23.8%、13.7%和9.7%.夜间增温可能通过改变土壤化学特性影响土壤养分供应和冬小麦生长     

Relationships among vernalization, shoot apex development and frost tolerance in wheat

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Frost tolerance of wheat depends primarily upon a strong vernalization requirement, delaying the transition to the reproductive phase. The aim of the present study was to learn how saturation of the vernalization requirement and apical development stage are related to frost tolerance in wheat. METHODS: 'Mironovskaya 808', a winter variety with a long vernalization requirement, and 'Leguan', a spring variety without a vernalization requirement, were acclimated at 2 degrees C at different stages of development. Plant development (morphological stage of the shoot apex), vernalization requirement (days to heading) and frost tolerance (survival of the plants exposed to freezing conditions) were evaluated. KEY RESULTS: 'Mironovskaya 808' increased its frost tolerance more rapidly; it reached a higher level of tolerance and after a longer duration of acclimation at 2 degrees C than was found in 'Leguan'. The frost tolerance of 'Mironovskaya 808' decreased and its ability to re-acclimate a high tolerance was lost after saturation of its vernalization requirement, but before its shoot apex had reached the double-ridge stage. The frost tolerance of 'Leguan' decreased after the plants had reached the floret initiation stage. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the hypothesis that genes for vernalization requirement act as a master switch regulating the duration of low temperature induced frost tolerance. In winter wheat, due to a longer vegetative phase, frost tolerance is maintained for a longer time and at a higher level than in spring wheat. After the saturation of vernalization requirement, winter wheat (as in spring wheat) established only a low level of frost tolerance.     

Effects of mefluidide and dicamba on in vitro growth and embryogenesis ofDactylis glomerata (orchard grass)

The effects of N-(2,4-dimethyl-5-(((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)amino)phenyl)acetamide (mefluidide) and 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid (dicamba) on in vitro growth and somatic embryogenesis ofDactylis glomerata L. (orchard grass) were studied using suspension cultures and explanted leaf bases. All experiments employed modified Schenk and Hildebrandt medium amended with concentrations of dicamba ranging from 15 to 120 M (SH-15 to SH-120) and of mefluidide ranging from 1 to 100 M. SH medium without either growth regulator was used for embryo germination. Embyro production in suspension cultures with SH-30 medium plus 3 g/L casein hydrolysate was significantly reduced by 1 M mefluidide. Only 15% of these embryos germinated and produced plants compared to 84% from controls. Growth, as measured by dry weight, was significantly reduced by 50 or 100 M mefluidide. The number of embryos formed on leaf sections was significantly reduced by 20 or 25 M mefluidide. Embryos that formed with 10 M or more mefluidide were callused on both SH-15 and SH-30 media. Shoot formation was inhibited from individual embryos and embryo/callus masses that developed on either SH-15 or SH-30 medium containing 5 M or more mefluidide. Radicle emergence was significantly reduced with 10 M mefluidide regardless of 15 or 30 M dicamba. Histological examination revealed that mefluidide inhibited both shoot and root meristem development with shoot development being the more sensitive. Inhibition of both was independent of dicamba concentrations. Shoot formation was also reduced from embryos that had developed on SH-30 medium without mefluidide when transferred to medium containing mefluidide without dicamba.