Stem anatomy of Dolichos lablab Linn (Fabaceae): Origin of cambium and reverse orientation of vascular bundles

Secondary growth in the stem of Dolichos lablab is achieved by the formation of eccentric successive rings of vascular bundles. The stem is composed of parenchymatous ground tissue and xylem and phloem confined to portions of small cambial segments. However, development of new cambial segments can be observed from the obliterating ray parenchyma, the outermost phloem parenchyma and the secondary cortical parenchyma. Initially cambium develops as small segments, which latter become joined to form a complete cylinder of vascular cambium. Each cambial ring is functionally divided into two distinct regions. The one segment of cambium produces thick-walled lignified xylem derivatives in centripetal direction and phloem elements centrifugally. The other segment produces only thin-walled parenchyma on both xylem and phloem side. In mature stems, some of the axial parenchyma embedded deep inside the xylem acquires meristematic activity and leads to the formation of thick-walled xylem derivatives centrifugally and phloem elements centripetally. The secondary xylem comprises vessel elements, tracheids, fibres and axial parenchyma. Rays are uni-multiseriate in the region of cambium that produces xylem and phloem derivatives, while in some of the regions of cambium large multiseriate, compound, aggregate and polycentric rays can be noticed.     

Stem anatomy and development of inter- and intraxylary phloem in Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne. (Asclepiadaceae)

Modification of external morphology and internal structure of plants is a key feature of their successful survival in extreme habitats. They adapt to arid habitats not only by modifying their leaves, but also show several modifications in their conducting system. Therefore, the present study is aimed to investigate the pattern of secondary growth in Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne., (Asclepiadaceae), one such species growing in Kachchh district, an arid region of Gujarat State. A single ring of vascular cambium, responsible for radial growth, divided bidirectionally and formed the secondary xylem centripetally and the phloem centrifugally. After a short period of secondary xylem differentiation, small arcs of cambium began to form secondary phloem centripetally instead of secondary xylem. After a short duration of such secondary phloem formation, these segments of cambium resumed their normal function to produce secondary xylem internally. Thus, the phloem strands became embedded within the secondary xylem and formed interxylary phloem islands. Such a recurrent behavior of the vascular cambium resulted in the formation of several patches of interxylary phloem islands. In thick stems the earlier formed non-conducting interxylary phloem showed heavy accumulation of callose on the sieve plates followed by their crushing in response to the addition of new sieve elements. Development of intraxylary phloem is also observed from the cells situated on the pith margin. As secondary growth progresses further, small arcs of internal cambium get initiated between the protoxylem and intraxylary phloem. In the secondary xylem, some of the vessels are exceptionally thick-walled, which may be associated with dry habitats in order to protect the vessel from collapsing during the dryer part of the year. The inter- and intraxylary phloem may also be an adaptive feature to prevent the sieve elements to become non-conducting during summer when the temperature is much higher.     

DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES IN THE VASCULAR CAMBIUM OF POLYGONUM LAPATHIFOLIUM

Developmental changes in the vascular cambium of Polygonum lapathifolium were determined primarily by an analysis of the secondary xylem. The cambium and xylem consist of fascicular and interfascicular regions in this herbaceous dicotyledon. Near the pith vessels are restricted to the fascicular regions of the xylem. During secondary growth vessels are formed in some radial files in the interfascicular regions. Anticlinal divisions are of two types, oblique and lateral. In interfascicular files consisting of fibers only, about two-thirds of the anticlinal divisions are oblique. The oblique partition averages 31% of the length of the dividing initials. In interfascicular files consisting of vessel elements and fibers, there are almost equal numbers of oblique and lateral divisions. The oblique partition averages 37% of the length of the dividing initials in these files. Lateral divisions account for approximately three-fifths of the anticlinal divisions in the fascicular regions, consisting of vessel elements and fibers. The partitions formed in oblique anticlinal divisions average 64% of the length of the dividing cells in the fascicular regions. The frequency of anticlinal division is much higher in files consisting of vessel elements and fibers than in those consisting of fibers only. There is no loss of fusiform initials, except by ray formation. Ray initiation occurs by simple subdivision of fusiform initials. The findings are discussed in relation to the developmental changes in the vascular cambium in plants of different habits.     

Enhancement of secondary xylem cell proliferation by Arabidopsis cyclin D overexpression in tobacco plants

Secondary xylem is composed of daughter cells produced by the vascular cambium in the stem. Cell proliferation of the secondary xylem is the result of long-range cell division in the vascular cambium. Most xylem cells have a thickened secondary cell wall, representing a large amount of biomass storage. Therefore, regulation of cell division in the vascular cambium and differentiation into secondary xylem is important for biomass production. Cell division is regulated by cell cycle regulators. In this study, we confirm that cell cycle regulators influence cell division in the vascular cambium in tobacco. We produced transgenic tobacco that expresses Arabidopsis thaliana cyclin D2;1 (AtcycD2;1) and AtE2Fa-DPa under the control of the CaMV35S promoter. Each gene is a positive regulator of the cell cycle, and is known to influence the transition from G1 phase to S phase. AtcycD2;1-overexpressing tobacco had more secondary xylem cells when compared with control plants. In order to evaluate cell division activity in the vascular cambium, we prepared a Populus trichocarpa cycB1;1 (PtcycB1;1) promoter containing a destruction box motif for ubiquitination and a β-glucuronidase-encoding gene (PtcycB1;1pro:GUS). In transgenic tobacco containing PtcycB1;1pro:GUS, GUS staining was specifically observed in meristem tissues, such as the root apical meristem and vascular cambium. In addition, mitosis-monitoring plants containing AtcycD2;1 had stronger GUS staining in the cambium when compared with control plants. Our results indicated that overexpression of AtcycD enhances cell division in the vascular cambium and increases secondary xylem differentiation in tobacco. Key message We succeeded in inducing cell proliferation of cambium and enlargement of secondary xylem region by AtcycD overexpression. We also evaluated mitotic activity in cambium using cyclin-GUS fusion protein from poplar.     

THE VASCULAR CAMBIUM AND XYLEM DEVELOPMENT IN HIBISCUS LASIOCARPUS

Cumbie, B. G. (U. Missouri, Columbia.) The vascular cambium and xylem development in Hibiscus lasiocarpus. Amer. Jour. Bot. 50(9): 944–951. Illus. 1963.—Circumferential growth of the vascular cambium, as determined primarily by an analysis of the secondary xylem, in Hibiscus lasiocarpus, an herbaceous dicotyledon, occurred through both radial and oblique anticlinal divisions. Divisions to produce segments were less frequent. Although the fusiform initials usually elongated somewhat between successive divisions, this accounted for very little increase in circumference of the cambium. A fusiform initial underwent a specific pattern of anticlinal divisions, determined primarily by its length, at the beginning of cambial activity. There was no loss of fusiform initials, except by ray formation. Most new rays originated only after considerable secondary xylem had been formed. The findings are discussed in relation to circumferential growth of the vascular cambium in woody dicotyledons.     

Hormonal signals involved in the regulation of cambial activity, xylogenesis and vessel patterning in trees

The radial growth of plant stem is based on the development of cribro-vascular cambium tissues. It affects the transport efficiency of water, mineral nutrients and photoassimilates and, ultimately, also plant height. The rate of cambial cell divisions for the assembly of new xylem and phloem tissue primordia and the rate of differentiation of the primordia into mature tissues determine the amount of biomass produced and, in the case of woody species, the wood quality. These complex physiological processes proceed at a rate which depends on several factors, acting at various levels: growth regulators, resource availability and environmental factors. Several hormonal signals and, more recently, further regulatory molecules, have been shown to be involved in the induction and maintenance of cambium and the formation of secondary vascular tissues. The control of xylem cell patterning is of particular interest, because it determines the diameter of xylem vessels, which is central to the efficiency of water and nutrient transport from roots to leaves through the stem and may strongly influence the growth in height of the tree. Increasing scientific evidence have proved the role of other hormones in cambial cell activities and the study of the hormonal signals and their crosstalking in cambial cells may foster our understanding of the dynamics of xylogenesis and of the mechanism of vessel size control along the stem. In this article, the role of the hormonal signals involved in the control of cambium and xylem development in trees and their crosstalking are reviewed.     

Flowering as a condition for xylem expansion in Arabidopsis hypocotyl and root

In dicotyledons, biomass predominantly represents cell-wall material of xylem, which is formed during the genetically poorly characterized secondary growth of the vasculature. In Arabidopsis hypocotyls, initially proportional secondary growth of all tissues is followed by a phase of xylem expansion and fiber differentiation. The factors that control this transition are unknown. We observed natural variation in Arabidopsis hypocotyl secondary growth and its coordination with root secondary growth. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analyses of a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population demonstrated separate genetic control of developmentally synchronized secondary-growth parameters. However, major QTL for xylem expansion and fiber differentiation correlated tightly and coincided with major flowering time QTL. Correlation between xylem expansion and flowering was confirmed in another RIL population and also found across Arabidopsis accessions. Gene-expression analyses suggest that xylem expansion is initiated after flowering induction but before inflorescence emergence. Consistent with this idea, transient activation of an inducer of flowering at the rosette stage promoted xylem expansion. Although the shoot was needed to trigger xylem expansion and can control it in a graft-transmissible fashion, the inflorescence stem was not required to sustain it. Collectively, our results suggest that flowering induction is the condition for xylem expansion in hypocotyl and root secondary growth.     

Cambial activity,annual rhythm of xylem production in relation to phenology and climatic factors and lignification pattern during xylogenesis in drum-stick tree (Moringa oleifera)

The interrelationship among seasonality of cambium, wood formation, cell size variation, lignification, tree phenology and climatic factors has been examined in Moringa oleifera, a tropical evergreen tree. The vascular cambium in Moringa is a storied with a distinct seasonal variation in its structure due to dimensional changes in rays. Though cambium remains active throughout the year it is sensitive to water availability. Peak cambial cell division and rate of xylem differentiation are influenced by average rainfall during the monsoon period. Cambial cell division reaches higher up in the tree trunk when it is supporting a high number of branches and leaves. Statistical analysis of cell size variation and climate factors revealed that xylem cell development is greatly influenced by rainfall and rarely by temperature. Lengths of fusiform initials and vessel elements are positively correlated. The pattern of lignification during xylogenesis shows that the vessels are the first element to develop lignified walls and ray cells are the last elements to become lignified. Fiber cell walls show more syringyl lignin, while the cell walls of other xylem elements are characterized by relatively more guaiacyl lignin units.     

A Genomic and Molecular View of Wood Formation

Wood formation is a process derived from plant secondary growth. Different from primary growth, plant secondary growth is derived from cambium meristem cells in the vascular and cork cambia and leads to the girth increase of the plant trunk. In the secondary growth process, plants convert most of photosynthesized products into various biopolymers for use in the formation of woody tissues. This article summarizes the new developments of genomic and genetic characterization of wood formation in herbaceous model plant and tree plant systems. Genomic studies have categorized a collection of the genes for which expression is associated with secondary growth. During wood formation, the expression of many genes is regulated in a stage-specific manner. The function of many genes involved in wood biosyntheses and xylem differentiation has been characterized. Although great progress has been achieved in the molecular and genomic understanding of plant secondary growth in recent years, the profound genetic mechanisms underlying this plant development remain to be investigated. Completion of the first tree genome sequence (Populus genome) provides a valuable genomic resource for characterization of plant secondary growth.     

银州柴胡根的发育解剖学研究

本研究采用常规石蜡切片结合荧光显微镜技术对银州柴胡根的发育解剖学进行了研究。结果表明:（1）银州柴胡根顶端分生组织由原分生组织及其衍生的初生分生组织组成。原生分生组织细胞体积小、排列紧密、细胞质浓厚、细胞核大而明显，具有典型的分生组织的特点；（2）初生分生组织由根冠原、表皮原、皮层原和中柱原组成。在根发育过程中，表皮、皮层和维管柱共同组成其初生结构。银州柴胡根初生木质部为二原型或三原型，外始式；同时在根表皮细胞的径向壁观察到径向壁的细胞壁加厚；（3）在根次生生长过程中，位于初生木质部和初生韧皮部之间的原形成层恢复分裂能力产生维管形成层，维管形成层不断地向外产生次生韧皮部，向内产生次生木质部；同时位于根内皮层内方的中柱鞘细胞恢复分裂能力产生木栓形成层，木栓形成层向外形成木栓层，向内形成栓内层。在维管形成层和木栓形成层分裂的过程中，在次生韧皮部和中柱鞘组织中产生形态大小不同的分泌道，均为次生的裂生型分泌道。研究认为，银州柴胡根的结构类似于药典收录的北柴胡和红柴胡根的结构特点，但其根表皮细胞径向壁加厚、木纤维的分布、分泌道的大小和数量等有别于柴胡属其它植物，可作为柴胡属植物重要的分类鉴定依据。     

Changes in content and composition of phenolic acids during growth of xylem cells of Scots pine

The content and composition of alcohol soluble phenolic acids (PhAs) were studied during cell xylem growth in course of wood annual increment formation in the trunks of Scots pine. Cells of the cambium zone, two stages of expansion growth, and outset of secondary thickening zone (before lignification) within the period of formation of early wood xylem were subsequently isolated from trunk segments of 25-year-old trees with constant anatomical and histochemical control. The amount of free and bound forms of phenolic acids extracted from tissues by 80% ethanol, as well as their ethers and esters, were calculated both per dry weight and per cells. The substantial alteration in content, proportion of fractions and composition of acids has been found between the cambium zone and the outset of secondary thickening of tracheids, and the character of variation depended on the calculation method. The amount of free and bound PhAs and esters and especially ethers calculated per cell had increased at the first stage of extension growth, reduced at the second, and increased in the outset of secondary wall deposition. The pool of bound acids was more than acids by 2–5 times depending on the stage of development of the cells. Sinapic and ferulic acids dominate among free hydroxycinnamic acids. The composition and the content of hydroxycinnamic acids in esters and ethers also depended on the stage of development of the cells. p-Coumaric and sinapic acids were the main aglycons in ethers in the cambium and sinapic and caffeic acids were in the other stages. The esters from cambium included mostly p-coumaric acid and those at other stages of development were sinapic and ferulic acids. The esters included benzoic acid at the first stages of growth. The pool of these esters decreased from the first phase of growth until the outset of cell wall thickening. The level of free benzoic acid increased respectively.     

Seasonal development of phloem in Scots pine stems

The formation of phloem was studied for two years in stems of 50 to 60 year old trees of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing in nature. The development of phloem of the current year begins 10 to 20 days before the xylem formation and is completed with the termination of shoot growth in the end of June. Observations over the seasonal activity of cambium producing sieve-like cells of phloem and duration of their differentiation as compared to the xylem derivatives of cambium have shown that the maxima of formation of phloem and xylem cells could coincide or not coincide by season, while the activities of their differentiation were always at antiphase. The sieve-like cells of early phloem were separated from those of late phloem by a layer of tannin-containing cells, which are formed simultaneously with the formation of late xylem cells by the cambium. Seasonal dynamics of accumulation of starch grain in structural elements of the phloem is related to the xylem development. The content of metabolites in differentiating and mature phloem elements, in the cambium zone, and in the xylem cells growing in the radial direction depended on cell specificity, stage of their development, and type of forming wood, early or late, which differ in the cell wall parameters and, hence, requirement of assimilates. Significant differences were described between the content of low molecular weigh carbohydrates, amino acids, organic acids, and phenol compounds using two methods of calculation: per dry weight and per cell.     

Seasonal development of phloem in scots pine stems

The formation of phloem was studied for two years in stems of 50 to 60 year old trees of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing in nature. The development of phloem of the current year begins 10 to 20 days before the xylem formation and is completed with the termination of shoot growth in the end of June. Observations over the seasonal activity of cambium producing sieve cells of phloem and duration of their differentiation as compared to the xylem derivatives of cambium have shown that the maxima of formation of phloem and xylem cells could coincide or not coincide by season, while the activities of their differentiation were always in antiphase. The sieve cells of early phloem were separated from those of late phloem by a layer of tannin-containing cells, which are formed simultaneously with the formation of late xylem cells by the cambium. Seasonal dynamics of accumulation of starch grain in structural elements of the phloem is related to the xylem development. The content of metabolites in differentiating and mature phloem elements, in the cambium zone, and in the xylem cells growing in the radial direction depended on cell specificity, stage of their development, and type of forming wood, early or late, which differ in the cell wall parameters and, hence, requirement of assimilates. Significant differences were described between the content of low molecular weigh carbohydrates, amino acids, organic acids, and phenol compounds using two methods of calculation: per dry weight and per cell.     

Rays,intrusive growth,and storied cambium in the inflorescence stems of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis> (L.) Heynh

Arabidopsis thaliana is a model plant used in analysis of different aspects of plant growth and development. Under suitable conditions, secondary growth takes place in the hypocotyl of Arabidopsis plants, a finding which helps in understanding many aspects of xylogenesis. However, not all developmental processes of secondary tissue can be studied here, as no secondary rays and intrusive growth have been detected in hypocotyl. However, results presented here concerning the secondary growth in inflorescence stems of Arabidopsis shows that both secondary rays and intrusive growth of cambial cells can be detected, and that, in the interfascicular regions, a storied cambium can be developed.     

药用植物商陆(Phytolacca acinosa Roxb.)根中异常次生结构的发育解剖学研究

本文报道了药用植物商陆根中异常次生结构的发生和发育过程。商陆根的初生结构和早期的次生结构都是正常的。但是,后来在维管柱的外围以离心的顺序先后产生5-7轮异常形成层.第一轮异常形成层起源于次生韧皮薄壁细胞和射线细胞。后一轮异常形成层在前一轮异常形成层向外产生的薄壁结合组织中发生。各轮异常形成层都以正常的活动方式产生同心环状排列的异常维管束以及它们之间丰富的薄壁结合组织,从而使根变成肉质状。薄壁结合组织细胞以及异常维管束内的薄壁组织细胞中贮藏有淀粉粒。