Somatic hybridization in Citrus: navel orange (C. sinensis Osb.) and grapefruit (C. paradisi Macf.)

Summary Protoplasts of navel orange, isolated from embryogenic nucellar cell suspension culture, were fused with protoplasts of grapefruit isolated from leaf tissue. The fusion products were cultured in the hormone-free medium containing 0.6 M sucrose. Under the culture conditions, somatic embryogenesis of navel orange protoplasts was suppressed, while cell division of grapefruit mesophyll protoplasts was not induced. Six embryoids were obtained and three lines regenerated to complete plants through embryogenesis. Two of the regenerated lines exhibited intermediate morphological characteristics of the parents in the leaf shape. Chromosome counts showed that these regenerated plants had expected 36 chromosomes (2n=2x=18 for each parent). The rDNA analysis using biotin-labeled rRNA probes confirmed the presence of genomes from both parents in these plants. This somatic hybridization system would be useful for the practical Citrus breeding.     

Taxonomic notes on Cheilothela (Lindb.) Broth. and Dicranella (C. Muell.) Schimp.

Abstract

The widespread occurrence of a number of bryophytes on British saltmarshes is reported. The communities in which bryophytes are most frequently found are discussed. These communities are more common on marshes on the west coast of Britain. Differences between moss assemblages on salt marshes in England and Wales and in Scotland are emphasised and the greater range of habitat preference demonstrated by Grimmia maritima in Scotland is commented upon.     

Ein antennenloses Catasetum (C. Russellianum Hook.)

Ohne ZusammenfassungMit 6 Textabbildungen.     

Antibacterial activity of extracts and neolignans from Piper regnellii (Miq.) C. DC. var. pallescens (C. DC.) Yunck

The evaluation of the activity of the aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves of Piper regnellii was tested against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The aqueous extract displayed a weak activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 1000 micrograms/ml. The ethyl acetate extract presented a good activity against S. aureus and B. subtilis with MIC and MBC at 15.62 micrograms/ml. In contrast to the relative low MICs for gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria were not inhibited by the extracts at concentrations < or = 1000 mg/ml. The ethyl acetate extract was fractionated on silica gel into nine fractions. The hexane and chloroform fractions were active against S. aureus (MIC at 3.9 micrograms/ml) and B. subtilis (MIC at 3.9 and 7.8 micrograms/ml, respectively). Using bioactivity-directed fractionation, the hexane fraction was rechromatographed to yield the antimicrobial compounds 1, 2, 5, and 6 identified as eupomatenoid-6, eupomatenoid-5, eupomatenoid-3, and conocarpan, respectively. The pure compounds 1 and 2 showed a good activity against S. aureus with MIC of 1.56 micrograms/ml and 3.12 micrograms/ml, respectively. Both compounds presented MIC of 3.12 micrograms/ml against B. subtilis. The pure compound 6 named as conocarpan was quite active against S. aureus and B. subtilis with MIC of 6.25 micrograms/ml. The antibacterial properties of P. regnellii justify its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of wounds, contaminated through bacteria infections.     

Experimentell erzeugte Bastarde zwischenDryopteris Filix-mas (L.) Schott undD. paleacea (Sw.) C. Chr.

Ohne ZusammenfassungMit 14 Textabbildungen.     

1072. Breynia vitis-idaea (Burm.f.) C.E.C.Fisch: Phyllanthaceae

Breynia vitis-idaea (Burm.f.) C.E.C.Fisch. is illustrated and its remarkable mutualism with a seed-parasitic moth pollinator is described. The species is cultivated in the glasshouse of Koishikawa Botanical Garden together with its specific moth pollinator, which helps the plant to produce showy red fruits throughout the year.     

Notes on Stictocardia campanulata (L.) Merrill and S. Jucunda (Thw.) C. R. Gunn (Convolvulaceae)

The generic concept ofStictocardia is evaluated and accepted. Two species, whose nomenclature is interwoven withIpomoea alba andI. macrantha, are described, discussed, and illustrated.     

Irregular antibody screening by Groupamatic at the Paris (C.N.T.S.) and Toulouse (C.R.T.S.) blood transfusion centers

We report here the experience of 3 years of irregular antibody automated screening with Groupamatic, that is to say of 661,511 samples tested in Paris and 269, 162 samples tested in Toulouse. The positive reactions in Paris were 16,296 (2.46%) out of which 2,021 irregular antibodies were identified (0.30%). The positive reactions in Toulouse were 8,266 (3.07%) out of which 2,138 irregular antibodies were identified (0,79%). The difference between the number of screened positive reactions and the identified one is due to false positive reactions (half of the cases) and to autoantibodies whose number is roughly the same than the number of identified alloantibodies. During the years 1970, 1971 and 1972, the irregular antibodies were systematically screened in Toulouse on all blood donors with a manual technique on opaline plate using enzyme treated red cell tests (papain). 7,147 positive reactions were detected, out of 240,080 tests (2.98%). 1,954 (0,81%) were alloantibodies and 1,529 (0.64%) autoantibodies; 3.455 were false positive reactions and 209 were non identified antibodies. These figures are superimposed with those obtained with Groupamatic during the following years, thus pointing out the interest of this equipment.     

Embryological Studies on Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.)

Embrylogical studies of ginseng were carried out systematically. The main results were as follows: 1. The anther is tetralocular. Meiosis of the microspore mother cells was accompanied by simultaneous cytokinesis, and resulting in tetrahedral tetrad. The mature pollen grains are three-celled type. 2. The megasporocyte undergoes meiosis and gives rise to a linear or a "T" shaped tetrad of megaspore, the chalazal megaspore was functional. The development of female gametophyte was of the Polygonum type. 3. In the same flower, the corresponding developmental stages of the stamen and pistil are observed; and we also related them with the outer flower mophology. 4. The double fertilization of ginseng referred to the type of the premitotic syngamy. About 7–10 hours after pollination, most of the female and male nuclei begin to fuse with each other. 5. The primary endosperm nucleus begins the first mitotic division within 36 hours after pollenation, the resting period of the zygote is about 15–20 days long. The endosperm belonged to the nuclear type. When there are about three hundreds free nuclei cell walls begain to appear thus forming cells in the endosperm.