VASCULAR ORGANIZATION IN SHOOTS OF CACTACEAE. I. DEVELOPMENT AND MORPHOLOGY OF PRIMARY VASCULATURE IN PERESKIOIDEAE AND OPUNTIOIDEAE

Primary shoot vasculature has been studied for 31 species of Pereskioideae and Opuntioideae from serial transections and stained, decorticated shoot tips. The eustele of all species is interpreted as consisting of sympodia, one for each orthostichy. A sympodium is composed of a vertically continuous axial bundle from which arise leaf- and areole-trace bundles and, in many species, accessory bundles and bridges between axial bundles. Provascular strands for leaf traces and axial bundles are initiated acropetally and continuously within the residual meristem, but differentiation of procambium for areole traces and bridges is delayed until primordia form on axillary buds. The differentiation patterns of primary phloem and xylem are those typically found in other dicotyledons. In all species vascular supply for a leaf is principally derived from only one procambial bundle that arises from axial bundles, whereas traces from two axial bundles supply the axillary bud. Two structural patterns of primary vasculature are found in the species examined. In four species of Pereskia that possess the least specialized wood in the stem, primary vascular systems are open, and leaf traces are mostly multipartite, arising from one axial bundle. In other Pereskioideae and Opuntioideae the vascular systems are closed through a bridge at each node that arises near the base of each leaf, and leaf traces are generally bipartite or single. Vascular systems in Pereskiopsis are relatively simple as compared to the complex vasculature of Opuntia, in which a vascular network is formed at each node by fusion of two sympodia and a leaf trace with areole traces and numerous accessory bundles. Variations in nodal structure correlate well with differences in external shoot morphology. Previous reports that cacti have typical 2-trace, unilacunar nodal structure are probably incorrect. Pereskioideae and Opuntioideae have no additional medullary or cortical systems.     

LEAF DEVELOPMENT AND PRIMARY VASCULAR ORGANIZATION IN SHOOTS OF ANISOPHYLLEA DISTICH A

Anisophyllea disticha is characterized by strong shoot dimorphism. Orthotropic shoots with helically arranged scale leaves produce tiers of plagiotropic shoots, while plagiotropic shoots are anisophyllous and bear dorsal scale and ventral foliage leaves arranged in a unique tetrastichous system. In this study we compare the patterns of leaf development and primary vascular organization in the two types of shoots. Orthotropic shoots have an open vascular system with five sympodia. Expansion of orthotropic shoot scale leaves occurs from P1 to P10–12, and leaf tissues mature precociously. Plagiotropic shoots have a closed vascular system with six sympodia. Leaves in ventral and dorsal orthostichies do not differ significantly in size until ca. P15, but ventral leaves are distinct histologically from the second node in an orthostichy, P4–6. Ventral foliage leaves have a diffuse plate meristem, and leaf expansion continues until ca. P30. Differentiation of ventral and dorsal leaf trace procambium parallels the divergent patterns of leaf expansion. These observations demonstrate the strong correlation among shoot symmetry, leaf development, and vascular differentiation within dimorphic shoots of one species.     

NODAL SEPTA AND THE RIGIDITY OF AERIAL SHOOTS OF EQUISETUM HYEMALE

The biomechanical role of septate nodes (points of leaf attachment with transverse diaphragms of tissue) in the otherwise hollow aerial stems of Equisetum hyemale L. is examined by means of multiple resonance frequency spectra. Resonance frequencies were determined for intact shoots, as well as the same shoots through which metal needles were inserted to destroy septa at nodes. The elastic modulus (E) of shoots, before and after surgical manipulation, was calculated. Shoots with perforated septa had E values from 17 to 32% less than intact shoots. During winter months with subfreezing temperatures, shoots with intact nodal septa accumulated water (in the form of ice) in their internodal pith canals. Values of E calculated for a shoot with intact septa and internodal water, and for the same shoot without septa do not differ significantly. Calculations indicate that the mass of internodal water is a significant fraction of the mass sufficient to deflect and buckle shoots. The added mass of internodal water is sufficient to mask the actual elastic modulus of shoots. The data indicate that nodes with septa significantly influence the flexural rigidity of shoots, but that this influence changes as a function of the quantity of water found in pith cavities.     

ONTOGENY AND PHYLLOTAXIS OF THE TERMINAL VEGETATIVE SHOOTS OF MICHELIA FUSCATA

Tucker Shirley C. (Northwestern U., Evanston, Ill.) Ontogeny and phyllotaxis of the terminal vegetative shoots of Michelia fuscata. Amer. Jour. Bot. 49(7): 722–737. Illus. 1962.—Two patterns of symmetry occur in Michelia fuscata In the lead shoots, leaves arise in a 2/5 spiral arrangement which may be either clockwise or counterclockwise. Other shoots are dorsiventrally organized; these shoots produce leaves in a modified ½ phyllotaxis in which the angle between the 2 files of leaves lies between 100° and 150°, according to the particular branch. Both types of shoot have a zonate apical meristem with a biseriate tunica a central initial zone, and a peripheral zone. The apical configuration of cells does not change appreciably during the plastochron. The flat to low-convex outline of the shoot apex is maintained by initiation of the leaves close to the summit of the apex; the diameter of the meristem diminishes greatly after such an initiation. Leaf inception in the subsurface tunica layer is followed by precocious activity of the marginal meristems which extend the stipular flanges completely around the base of the apical meristem. The stipular margins then fuse laterally and form a hood over the apex. A subapical initial meanwhile is active in the leaf blade, where it persists up to the time the leaf is 2 mm high. The most recent primordium is 300 μ high before another leaf is initiated. The vascular system of the stem is a cylindrical network of leaf traces, with 6–12 traces per leaf. The procambium develops acropetally from preexisting vascular strands in the stem below. Elements of the diverse sclereid system differ in shape in different tissues, according to the availability of intercellular space. Goebel's term “Pendelsymmetrie” is discussed with reference to apical activity in Michelia.     

麝香石竹玻璃苗与正常苗的生理特性差异

诱导麝香石竹茎段外植体产生不定芽的分化,所得到的正常苗与玻璃苗的生理特性明显有差异。表现在玻璃苗的鲜重、干重、粗纤维和叶绿素含量与正常苗相比显著降低;玻璃苗的可溶性糖含量增加38％,而蔗糖含量下降63%,束缚水含量显著增高,自由水含量明显降低;玻璃苗的淀粉酶总活性也明显升高,碱性和中性区过氧化物酶同工酶活性显著提高而酸性区的同工酶活性有所下降。然而,玻璃苗和正常苗形成时的芽分化频率以及伸长生长量之间无明显区别。结果表明,麝香石竹试管苗的玻璃化可能是在碳水化合物代谢、氮代谢和水分存在状况等发生生理异常的情况下在芽分化启动后的生长过程中发生的,而不是在芽分化启动时已经决定的。     

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY ENDOSYMBIOSIS AND THE ORIGIN OF PLASTIDS

The theory of endosymbiosis describes the origin of plastids from cyanobacterial-like prokaryotes living within eukaryotic host cells. The endosymbionts are much reduced, but morphological, biochemical, and molecular studies provide clear evidence of a prokaryotic ancestry for plastids. There appears to have been a single (primary) endosymbiosis that produced plastids with two bounding membranes, such as those in green algae, plants, red algae, and glaucophytes. A subsequent round of endosymbioses, in which red or green algae were engulfed and retained by eukaryotic hosts, transferred photosynthesis into other eukaryotic lineages. These endosymbiotic plastid acquisitions from eukaryotic algae are referred to as secondary endosymbioses, and the resulting plastids classically have three or four bounding membranes. Secondary endosymbioses have been a potent factor in eukaryotic evolution, producing much of the modern diversity of life.     

菊科植物的系统分类与区系地理的初步探讨

本文论述了菊科系统分类与区系地理特点。作者将菊科区分为二亚科、5超族、12族,同时将菊科世界区系分4大区、27亚区加以讨论。     

不同施肥水平对龙眼秋梢结果母枝和产量的影响

1983—1986年,作者开展了不同施肥水平对龙眼秋梢结果母枝及产量效应的研完。试验结果表明,适当增加施肥量可促进龙眼秋梢结果母枝的生长发育,且明显提高产量。研究结果还表明,不同品种对施肥的反应存在差异,水涨品种对肥料的效应较为明显,而赤壳品种则不明显。作者推荐,红壤丘陵地的水涨龙眼适宜的年株施肥量为:N1.24公斤,P_2O_50.63公斤,K_2O1.15公斤。上列施肥水平可供生产上参考应用。     

INFLUENCE OF AMMONIUM AND NITRATE ON THE PROTEIN- AND FREE AMINO ACIDS IN SHOOTS OF WHEAT SEEDLINGS

Weissman , Gerard S. (Rutgers U., Camden, N. J.) Influence of ammonium and nitrate on the protein- and amino acids in shoots of wheat seedlings. Amer. Jour. Bot. 46(5): 339–346. 1959.—Total and protein nitrogen per shoot of wheat seedlings grown with endosperm attached increased at a steady rate during a 96-hr. growth period, and protein nitrogen, as a percentage of total nitrogen, remained constant at about 53%. Total and protein nitrogen concentration was greatest for 24-hr. shoots and declined as the shoots became older. Total and protein nitrogen were determined in 96-hr. shoots of seedlings grown with endosperm attached but also supplied with ammonium, nitrate, or both in the culture solution. Total nitrogen was greatest in shoots supplied with ammonium, but only 38% was in the form of protein. Maximum protein synthesis occurred in shoots grown in both ammonium and nitrate and protein nitrogen as a percentage of total nitrogen approximated that achieved in shoots lacking nitrogen in the culture solution. The protein amino acid composition of 48-, 72-, and 96-hr. shoots was very similar but differed from 24-hr. shoots which contained higher percentages of arginine and lysine and lower percentages of alanine and threonine. This may be correlated with the higher proportion of meristematic cells in 24-hr. shoots. The protein amino acids in shoots grown with ammonium resembled that of shoots lacking nitrogen in the culture solution, but nitrate shoot protein contained a higher percentage of arginine and a lower percentage of lysine. Nitrate may stimulate the formation of enzymes, possibly of a nitrate-reducing system, with high arginine- low lysine content. Free asparagine and glutamine were both at a maximum in ammonium shoots and at a minimum in nitrate shoots, but asparagine predominated in shoots supplied with ammonium while glutamine was greatest in nitrate shoots. Aspartic acid, asparagine, and glutamine appeared to have ammonia-storage functions, but glutamic acid appeared to be primarily concerned with protein synthesis. Amino acid accumulation was greatest in shoots supplied with both ammonium and nitrate. Protein synthesis in these appeared to be limited by inadequate concentrations of glutamic acid and proline. A hypothesis is proposed in explanation of the high glutamic acid concentration in shoots provided with ammonium and nitrate.