Influence of CuSO4 spectral filters,daminozide, and exogenous gibberellic acid on growth ofDendranthema Xgrandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura ‘bright golden anne’

The response of chrysanthemum plants to gibberellic acid (GA₃) and daminozide, grown under 6% CuSO₄ and water (control) spectral filters, was evaluated to determine the involvement of gibberellins in regulation of plant height under CuSO₄ filters. The CuSO₄ filter increased the red (R)/farred (FR), and blue (B)/R ratio (R=600–700 nm; FR =700–800 nm; B=400–500 nm) of transmitted light. PPF under 6% CuSO₄ filter was reduced by about 34% compared to PPF under water filter which averaged about 750 μM·m^?2·s^?1. Control plants were shaded with Saran Wrap to ensure equal PPF as in the CuSO₄ chamber. GA₃ application increased plant height under both the control and CuSO₄ filter, but the height increase under the CuSO₄ filter was about 20% greater than that under the control filter. Daminozide treatment reduced plant height under the control and CuSO₄ filter, but the height reduction in control plants was slightly greater than under the CuSO₄ filter. The height reduction caused by daminozide was prevented by GA₃ application in plants grown under the control or CuSO₄ filter. The results suggest that GA₃ may be partially involved in height reduction under CuSO₄ filters.     

The spectral distribution of biologically active solar radiation at Miami,Florida, USA

The spectral distribution of solar radiation was studied under different sky conditions during a 15-month period in Miami, Florida (USA), and over a latitudinal gradient at solar maximum. Spectroradiometric scans were characterized for total irradiance (300–3000 nm) and the relative energetic and photon contributions of the following wavelength regions: UV-B (300–320 nm); UV-A (320–400 nm); B (400–500 nm); PAR (400–700 nm); R (600–700 nm); and FR (728–732 nm). Notable results include: (i) significantly higher UV-A energy fluxes than currently in use for laboratory experiments involving the biological effects of this band-width (values ranged from 33.6 to 55.4 W/m² in Miami over the year); (ii) marked diurnal shifts in B:R and R:FR, with elevated R:FR values in early morning: (iii) a strong correlation between R:FR and atmospheric water content; and (iv) unusually high PAR values under direct sunlight with cloudy skies (2484 mol/² per s).     

Distribution of endogenous gibberellins in dwarf and giant off-types banana (Musa AAA,cv.‘Grand nain’) plants from in vitro propagation

GA₃ and GA₂₀ were quantified in leaf extracts from true-to-type and somaclonal variants (dwarf and giant) of Musa AAA cv. Grand nain by GC-MS-SIM after purification on reverse- and normal-phase HPLC and detection by ELISA with GA₃ antibodies and by a dwarf rice bioassay. GA₃ concentration in dwarf plants was 811 ng g^–1 dry weight. For normal and giant plants, the endogeneous GA₃ levels were respectively 3.6 and 4.6 times higher. The GA₂₀ concentration in the giant plant was 68 ng g^–1 of dry weight. This concentration was, respectively, 4.6 and 7.3 times higher than those of normal and dwarf plants. These results suggest that the somaclonal variations affecting banana plant height are associated with modifications in GA metabolism.Abbreviations HPLC High Performance Liquid Chromatography - GC-MS Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry - SIM Selected Ion Monitoring - GA Gibberellin - BSA Bovine Serum Albumin - PB Phosphate Buffer     

The lipid composition,fluidity, and Mg2+-ATPase activity of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Bahia) shoot plasma membranes: effects of ABA and GA3

Six-day-old rice plants (Oryza sativa L., cv Bahia) were grown for 5 days more in nutrient solution culture containing 10^–5 M abscisic acid (ABA) or gibberellic acid (GA₃) (treated plants). Plasma membrane (PM) vesicles were isolated from the shoots of treated or control plants, and ATPase hydrolytic and proton-pumping activity, fluidity, and free sterol and phospholipid composition were determined. Both treatments resulted in modified plant growth and increases in PM fluidity. The ATPase hydrolytic activity was decreased by 25% of control values with ABA treatment and by 35% with GA₃. Both treatments reduced proton-pumping by 23%. GA₃ treatment reduced the relative amount (%) of stigmasterol in the PM from 38–34%, and increased ⁵-avenasterol from 4–7%. ABA and GA₃ did affect the percentage composition of the fatty acyl chains of phosphatidylinositol (PI). GA₃ treatment also resulted in a reduction of the total amount of PI from 73–37 mg mg^–1 protein, as well as a decrease in the overall PM C₁₆/C₁₈ ratio and an increase in the degree of unsaturation. Our results show that there is no common link between a specific change in lipid composition and fluidity in these membranes. On the other hand, the reduction in Mg²⁺-ATPase activity found with both hormones suggests that there is no relationship between membrane-bound enzyme activity and membrane fluidity.     

The Effects of Growth Regulators on Flowering of Chenopodium murale Plants in vitro

In vitro culture of Chenopodium murale L. (ecotype 197) green and herbicide SAN 9789 - treated "white" plants was established and the effects of benzylaminopurine (BAP), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA₃) on growth and flowering were tested. Green plants did not flower on glucose free media, while 17 % of plants flowered on 5 % glucose-containing medium. SAN 9789 (10^–5 M) inhibited growth and flowering. BAP and IAA (0.1 – 5 mg dm^–3) also inhibited growth and flowering of green and "white" plants. GA₃ (10 mg dm^–3) stimulated leaf development in green plants, but had no significant effect on "white" plants, and stimulated flowering of green (41 %) and "white" (33 %) plants.     

The influence of gibberellic acid and sulfur fertilization rate on growth and S-use efficiency of mustard (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica juncea</Emphasis>)

Earlier research has shown that exogenous gibberellic acid (GA₃) application increases shoot growth, photosynthesis and soil nitrogen (N) utilisation in mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss.). Mustard has a high sulfur (S) requirement. Its assimilatory pathway is well coordinated with N and dependent on photosynthesis. Thus, the higher photosynthate production and an efficient use of N with the use of GA₃ could result in an increase in S-use efficiency of the crop. The research was, therefore, carried out to study the effects of 10~M GA₃ spray on specific leaf area, plant dry mass, leaf carbon dioxide exchange rate (CER), plant growth rate (PGR), relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and S-use efficiency (SUE) of mustard treated with 0, 100 or 200 mg S kg^–1 soil levels. Plants treated with 100~mg S kg^–1 soil and receiving GA₃ treatment showed increased specific leaf area and dry mass accumulation compared to the control. At 0~mg S kg^–1 soil, N and S concentrations were reduced. They increased with increasing S supply. GA₃ application significantly increased N and S concentrations further. A two-fold increase in SUE in GA₃-treated plants at 100~mg S kg^–1 soil was noted in comparison to the control. SUE was not increased under excess S conditions beyond 100~mg S kg^–1 soil. The increase in SUE was through increase in the growth, CER and use efficiency of N by the crop due to GA₃ application.     

Narrow-band light regulation of ethylene and gibberellin levels in hydroponically-grown <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus annuus</Emphasis> hypocotyls and roots

Both hypocotyl and root growth of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) were examined in response to a range of narrow-band width light treatments. Changes in two growth-regulating hormones, ethylene and gibberellins (GAs) were followed in an attempt to better understand the interaction of light and hormonal signaling in the growth of these two important plant organs. Hydroponically-grown 6-day-old sunflower seedlings had significantly elongated hypocotyls and primary roots when grown under far-red (FR) light produced by light emitting diodes (LEDs), compared to narrow-band red (R) and blue (B) light. However, hypocotyl and primary root lengths of seedlings given FR light were still shorter than was seen for dark-grown seedlings. Light treatment in general (compared to dark) increased lateral root formation and FR light induced massive lateral root formation, relative to treatment with R or B light. Levels of ethylene evolution (roots and hypocotyls) and concentrations of endogenous GAs (hypocotyls) were assessed from both 6-day-old sunflower plants either grown in the dark, or treated with FR, R or B light. Both R and B light had similar effects on hypocotyl and root growth as well as on ethylene and on hypocotyl GA levels. Dark treatment resulted in the highest ethylene levels, whereas FR treatment significantly reduced ethylene evolution for both hypocotyls and roots. R- and B-light treatments elevated ethylene evolution relative to FR light. Endogenous GA₅₃ and GA₁₉ levels in hypocotyls were significantly higher and GA₄₄, GA₂₀ and GA₁ levels significantly lower, for dark and FR light treatments compared to R and B light-treatments. The patterns seen for changes in GA concentrations indicate FR-, R- and B-light-mediated effects [differences] in the metabolism of the early C₂₀ GAs, GA₅₃ → GA₄₄ → GA_19. Surprisingly, GA₂₀, GA₁ and GA₈ levels in hypocotyls were very much reduced by treatment of the plants with FR light, relative to B and R-light treatments, e.g. the increased hypocotyl elongation induced by FR light was correlated with reduced levels of all three of the downstream C₁₉ GAs. The best explanation, albeit speculative, is that a more rapid metabolism, i.e. GA₂₀ → GA₁ → GA₈ → GA₈ conjugates occurs under FR light. Although this study provided no evidence that elevated ethylene evolution by roots or hypocotyls of sunflower is controlling growth via endogenous GA biosynthesis, there are differences between soil-grown and hydroponically-grown sunflower seedlings with regard to trends seen for hypocotyl GA concentrations and both root and hypocotyl ethylene evolution in response to narrow band width R and FR light signaling.     

Sensitivity to far-red radiation in stomata of Phaseolus vulgaris L.: Rhythmic effects on conductance and photosynthesis

The influence of far-red (FR; 700–800 nm) radiation on steady-state stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis in P. vulgaris has been studied. Whereas FR radiation alone was relatively ineffective, addition of FR to a background of white light (WL; predominantly 400–700 nm) resulted in increased stomatal conductance. Stomata exhibited a marked diurnal sensitivity to FR. The action maximum for enhancing stomatal conductance was near 714 nm. A combination of FR and infra-red (IR; >800 nm) enhanced net photosynthesis when added to a background of WL. When IR alone was added to WL, there was a net decrease in photosynthesis, indicating that it is the FR waveband which is responsible for the observed photosynthetic effects. Naturally occurring levels of FR radiation (235 mol·m^-2·s^-1) in vegetation-canopy shade enhanced net photosynthetic CO₂ gain by 28% when added to a background of 55 mol·m^-2·s^-1 WL.Abbreviations BL blue - FR far-red - IR infra-red - PAR photosynthetically active radiation - R red - WL white light     

Interactive effects of gibberellic acid (GA3) and salt stress on growth, ion accumulation and photosynthetic capacity of two spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars differing in salt tolerance

A sand culture experiment assessed whether gibberellic acid(GA₃) could alleviate the adverse effects of salt stress on thegrowth, ion accumulation and photosynthetic capacity of two spring wheatcultivars, Barani-83 (salt sensitive) and SARC-I (salt tolerant).Three-week-oldplants of both cultivars were exposed to 0, 100 and 200 molm^–3 NaCl in Hoagland's nutrient solution. Threeweeks after the initiation of salt treatments, half of the plants of eachcultivar were sprayed overall with 100 mg L^–1GA₃ solution. Plants were harvested 3 weeks after theapplication of GA₃. Fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots, plantheight and leaf area were decreased with increasing supply of salt, butgibberellic acid treatment caused a significant ameliorative effect on both thecultivars with respect to these growth attributes. However, GA₃caused no significant change in grain yields but increased grain size in boththe cultivars. Saline growth medium caused a marked increase in theconcentrations of Na⁺ and Cl^– in shoots androots of both the lines. However, with the application of GA₃accumulation of Na⁺ and Cl^– was enhanced inboth shoots and roots of both wheat lines, but more ions accumulated in saltsensitive Barani-83 than in salt tolerant SARC-1. Net CO₂assimilation rate (A) of both wheat lines decreased consistently withincreasingsupply of NaCl, but application of GA₃ alleviated the effect of saltstress on this variable in both the cultivars. However, the ameliorative effectof the hormone was more pronounced in Barani-83 than in SARC-1. Althoughwater-use efficiency (A/E=CO₂assimilation/transpiration) and intrinsic water use efficiency(A/g_s=CO₂ assimilation/stomatalconductance) decreased significantly with increasing salt concentration of thegrowth medium in both the cultivars, GA₃ was more effective inenhancing both the water-use attributes in Barani-83 than in SARC-1. Overall,GA₃ treatment stimulated the vegetative growth of both cultivars ofwheat under salt stress, but it caused a slight reduction in grain yield.GA₃ treatment enhanced the accumulation of Na⁺ andCl^– in both shoots and roots of wheat plants under saltstress.It also caused a significant increase in photosynthetic capacity in both linesat the vegetative stage under both saline and non-saline media.     

Effect of gibberellins and the growth retardant CCC on the nodulation of soya

Summary The effect of exogenous applications of gibberellins (GAs) or the growth retardant -chloroethyltrimethylammonium chloride (CCC) on root nodule formation and activity (C₂H₂-reduction) in soya was studied. Daily foliar application of GA₃ (2.89×10^–6 M) delayed the formation of nodule initials and reduced the numbers mass nodule^–1 and specific activity of nodules by 43%, 31% and 47% respectively, without affecting plant growth. Similar effects on nodulation were produced by foliar application of GA₄ (3.01×10^–5 M) or GA₇ (3.03×10^–5 M), or by the addition of GA₃ (2.89×10^–6 M) to the rooting medium. GA effectiveness in reducing nodule numbers was decreased by delaying its application until after the initial infection process had occurred, but the nodules formed were smaller and less active than those of the untreated control plants. The GA effect on nodulation and nodule activity was not associated with alterations in root exudate or due to a direct inhibitory effect of the hormone on the nitrogenase system. When the endogenous root content of GA-like substances was reduced (86% decrease) by foliar application of CCC (6.30×10^–5 M), nodule numbers were increased by 56%, but nodule size and total nodule activity were similar to those of control plants. The GA and CCC treatments had no effect on rhizobial growth in liquid culture nor on root colonisation by rhizobia.The results suggest that the endogenous content of root GA may have a regulatory role in both the infection process and in subsequent nodule morphogenesis, thus controlling both the number and effectiveness of the root nodules formed.