Profiling of Coumarins in Peucedanum palustre (L.) Moench Populations Growing in Finland

The coumarin composition of Peucedanum palustre (L.) Moench populations growing in Finland was investigated. A total of 132 flowering P. palustre specimens from 43 locations in southern and central Finland were collected, divided into root, stem, leaf, and umbel samples, and analyzed by HPLC. HPLC coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry was used to aid the identification of coumarins. A total of 13 coumarin‐structured compounds were quantitatively analyzed from the samples. The coumarin profile of root samples was found to differ from the aerial plant parts. The main coumarins in roots were oxypeucedanin and columbianadin. In aerial parts, peulustrin isomers were the most abundant coumarin components. Umbels and leaves also contained a considerable amount of umbelliprenin, which was only found in traces in roots. Based on hierarchical cluster analysis of the coumarin profiles, some populations shared common characteristics. The most distinct property connecting certain populations was their high peulustrin content. Another notable common property between some populations was the high umbelliprenin content in aerial plant parts. Some populations were clustered together due to their low overall coumarin content.     

Growth Regulators in Populus tremula IV. Apical Dominance and Suckering in Young Plants

Experiments with small plants of Populus tremula L. growing in solution culture indicate that polarly transported auxin is an important factor in the control of axillary bud growth. If the auxin supply from the growing apex is eliminated, the number of buds released is influenced by factors translocated in the transpiration stream from the roots. Suckers may be induced to develop from aspen roots, the age of which is six weeks or more. Removal of the growing apex and the axillary buds or stoppage of shoot growth by short day treatment were effective in inducing abundant suckering in small aspen plants. Some mature leaves had to be maintained, indicating the dependence of sucker formation on carbohydrate supply. These treatments are known to decrease auxin production in the shoots. Extraction and biological assay showed a decrease in the content of auxin in the roots as a consequence of removal of growing shoot parts. The results indicate that suckering in roots of intact aspen plants is prevented by auxin transported into the roots from growing shoot parts.     

Secondary metabolite content in Fabiana imbricata plants and in vitro cultures

A rapid in vitro propagation system leading to the formation of shoots, calli, roots, cell suspensions and plantlets was developed for the Andean medicinal plant Fabiana imbricata (Solanaceae). Massive propagation of shoots and roots was achieved by the temporary immersion system (TIS), morphogenesis and maintenance of cell suspensions by standard in vitro culture techniques. Oleanolic acid (OA), rutin, chlorogenic acid (CA) and scopoletin content in aerial parts of wild growing Fabiana imbricata plants as well as in plantlets regenerated in vitro, callus cultures, cell suspensions and biomass, obtained by the TIS system was assessed by HPLC. On a dry weight basis, the OA content in the aerial parts of the plant ranged between 2.26 and 3.47% while in vitro plantlets, callus and root cultures presented values ranging from not detected up to 0.14%. The rutin content of the samples presented a similar trend with maxima between 0.99 and 3.35% for the aerial parts of the plants to 0.02 to 0.20% for plantlets, 0.12% for cell suspensions and 0.28% for callus. Rutin was not detected in the roots grown by the TIS principle. The CA and scopoletin content in the aerial parts of F. imbricata ranged between 0.22-1.15 and < 0.01-0.55%, respectively. In the plantlets, the concentration of CA was 0.29 to 1.48% with scopoletin in the range 0.09 to 0.64% while in the callus sample, the CA and scopoletin content were 0.46 and 0.66%, respectively. A very different result was found in roots grown by TIS, where both OA and rutin were not detected and its main secondary metabolite, scopoletin was found between a range of 0.99 and 1.41% with CA between of 0.11 and 0.42%.     

傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)技术对滇龙胆组织培养的研究

野生药用植物资源的不断减少,使得寻找其原植物的合适替代品显得尤为重要。利用组培材料代替野生药用植物作为药源已取得重大进展,但利用傅里叶变换红外光谱(Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,FTIR)技术筛选合适的组培材料作为野生药用植物替代资源方面的应用鲜有报道。本研究采用FTIR结合偏最小二乘判别分析(partial least squares discriminant analysis,PLS-DA)对滇龙胆组织培养形成的愈伤组织(肉质部、茎、叶)、增殖苗(肉质部、茎、叶)、生根苗(根、茎、叶)进行比较。结果显示:(1)从原始FTIR光谱图上看,滇龙胆肉质部和根部峰形相似,茎和叶峰形相似;(2)二阶导数光谱图扩大了样品间的差异。在龙胆苦苷的主要吸收峰1612 cm-1附近,吸收峰强度依次为:生根苗叶增殖苗叶和生根苗茎增殖苗茎愈伤组织叶,愈伤组织茎及肉质部、增殖苗肉质部和生根苗根部在该处无吸收峰;(3)PLS-DA得分图表明,同一组培阶段相同组织部位样品聚集在一起,而愈伤组织、增殖苗、生根苗及其各组织部位能够较好的分开。其中:肉质部、根部与茎叶之间距离较远,表明其化学成分和含量可能差异较大;肉质部和根部样品间距离较近,茎和叶样品间距离也较近。二阶导数光谱图显示,组培材料有望代替其原植物满足药用需求;若以龙胆苦苷含量为评价对象,生根苗叶则可能具有更大的开发潜能,有望代替野生滇龙胆以缓解其资源稀缺局面。本研究结果表明,采用傅里叶变换红外光谱法可以简便有效地对药用植物不同组培阶段不同组织部位的替代潜力及开发利用进行初步评估。     

Habitat‐Dependent Variations in Berberine Content of Berberis asiatica Roxb. ex. DC. in Kumaon,Western Himalaya

The variation of the berberine content in roots and stem bark of Berberis asiatica with altitude and edaphic conditions in the western Himalaya was estimated by HPLC. The comparative assessment revealed a significantly higher berberine content in roots than in stem barks. Moreover, the berberine content varied significantly with altitude and edaphic conditions both in root and stem bark samples. The populations growing at low altitude contained significantly more berberine than the ones growing at high altitude. Also the moisture and potassium (K) percentage of the soil significantly influenced the berberine content.     

Influence of N-Deficiency on the Abscisic Acid Content of Sunflower Plants

Sunflower plants (7 weeks old) were transferred from a modified Hoagland solution to a N-free nutrient medium and kept there for 7 days. Abscisic acid (ABA) was determined in several parts of the plants and in exudates collected from the roots of some of these plants. N-deficiency considerably increased the ABA content of the leaves, especially the older ones, and also considerably increased the ABA content of the upper parts of the stem when compared to the control plants. In the roots and the exudates of these plants no ABA could be detected. After dissecting the stems the ABA content in the roots of the control plants with normal N supply dropped quickly, probably due to rapid metabolization. Judging by results obtained, it seems unlikely that the roots are responsible for the remarkable increase of the ABA content in the shoots caused by N-deficiency.     

Role of roots and shoots in the regulation of the Fe efficiency responses in sunflower and cucumber

Several experimental approaches were used to study the role of roots and shoots in the regulation of the Fe efficiency responses in the roots of Fe deficient plants of sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L., inbred line RHA 274) and cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L., cv. Burpee pickler). The presence of the shoot apex and the youngest leaves in sunflower and cucumber plants was not indispensable to the development of the responses. In split-root experiments with sunflower plants, with either one or two shoots obtained by grafting, different parts of the root system could receive different Fe additions. Roots growing in a medium without Fe developed Fe efficiency re-sponses even when the other part of the root system was growing with Fe. Also, the part of the root system that was growing in a medium with Fe, developed some Fe efficiency responses, although delayed and at a lower level as compared with the root without external Fe. The results are discussed in relation to the idea that the development of the responses in the roots is controlled not only by the Fe content in the root, but also by some information transmitted between parts of a root system that differ in their Fe nutritional status.     

Growth and metabolism of Typha species in relation to cutting treatments

Container and field experiments, in which Typha latifolia L. and Typha angustifolia L. were cut either above or below the water level, were conducted to determine the physiological basis for reports that the latter treatment was more effective as a control measure. In containers, measurements of oxygen concentrations within the aerenchyma of the rhizome both with an oxygen electrode and by gas chromatography showed that oxygen could diffuse very readily to plant parts growing in an anoxic environment if there was a small amount of leaf or cut plant stem growing above the water level. When all shoots were cut below water, the oxygen in submersed plant parts was rapidly consumed and anaerobic respiration resulted in the production of ethanol. Lactate or elevated malate levels were not found. The below-water biomass decayed rapidly under these conditions and the plants had a much lower regenerative ability than plants cut above water where oxygen continued to reach the roots and rhizomes. In the field, three cuts during the growing season below water were sufficient to kill nearly all the underwater biomass; similar cuts above water reduced the total biomass compared with uncut plants, but much of the underwater biomass remained healthy and able to regenerate.     

Allelopathic activity of different plant parts of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Peganum harmala</Emphasis> L. and identification of their growth inhibitors substances

This study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory potential of P. harmala leaf, stem and root extract on germination and growth of Avena fatua L. and Convolvulus arvensis L., as well as identification of the phytotoxic substances responsible for this activity. According to our results, the degree of toxicity of different P. harmala plant parts can be arranged in the following order: leaves > stems > roots. The two test species differed in their sensitivity to P. harmala extracts. Inhibitory effect on shoot length and seedling dry weight was more pronounced in C. arvensis, whereas higher reduction in germination, root length and total chlorophyll content occurred in A. fatua. A significant amount of water-soluble phenolic acids were found in P. harmala plant extracts. Total phenolic acids content was higher in leaf extracts when compared to that of stem or root extracts. Seven phenolic acids including gallic acid, vanillic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid and ferulic acid were found in P. harmala leaf extracts. On the other hand, we identified four phenolic acids from stem (galllic acid, vanillic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and caffeic acid) and root (galllic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid and cinnamic acid) extracts. The greater number of growth inhibitors detected in the leaves might explain the stronger inhibitory activity. Overall, our results suggest that P. harmala might be used as a natural herbicide for weed control and consequently reduce dependence on synthetic herbicides.     

The ability of the biological control agent Bacillus subtilis, strain BB, to colonise vegetable brassicas endophytically following seed inoculation

The ability of Bacillus subtilis, strain BB, to colonise cabbage seedlings endophytically was examined following seed inoculation. Strain BB was recovered from different plant parts including leaves (cotyledons), stem (hypocotyl) and roots. While high bacterial populations persisted in the roots and lower stem, they were lower in the upper stem and leaves through time. In addition to cabbage, strain BB colonised endophytically the roots of 5 other vegetable brassicas. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and PCR fingerprinting analysis confirmed the reliability of the detection method. Studies conducted with transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed that BB mainly colonised intercellular spaces of cortical tissues including intercellular spaces close to the conducting elements of roots and stem of cabbage seedlings. Gold labelling was specifically associated with BB and the fibrillar material filling the intercellular spaces where bacterial cells were found.     

氯离子在土壤水分与作物生长关系研究中的指示作用

以小麦为试材,采用盆栽试验和氯离子指示技术,研究了不同土壤水分条件下,小麦在苗期对氯离子的吸收与累积特性和同期土壤中氯离子迁移特征。结果表明:(1)氯离子在小麦体内的累积与土壤含水量的关系密切,小麦苗期根系中氯离子累积量决定于根系与氯离子的接触几率,在植物地上部分的分配依赖于蒸腾强度;(2)在土壤含水量较低条件下,氯离子在根部累积明显,向地上部分移动不强,而在高含水量(18%)情况下,向地上部移动累积较为明显,氯离子在植物体中累积与分配关系很好地指示了土壤水分条件与植物生长之间关系;(3)在生长发育期间,当土壤含水量低于18%时小麦根系以伸长主动觅水,满足蒸腾需要为主;高于18%时,土壤水分移动以补偿根际蒸腾为主,土壤水分强烈的液态迁移存在着明显的临界含水量,可以用土壤剖面上氯离子含量的变化过程确定小麦根系水分利用的有效土层深度,以便准确地计算水分生产效率。因此,氯离子作为指示元素,在研究旱地土壤水分条件、水分移动能力等与作物生长的关系方面具有一定的可行性。     

人为扰动对乌拉尔甘草不同部位甘草酸与总黄酮含量的影响

人为扰动对甘草不同部位甘草酸含量和总黄酮含量均有较大的影响。即使是轻度的人为扰动 (土壤翻松 1次 )也会导致野生甘草的甘草酸含量明显下降 ,尤其对地下根茎 (兼有运输和储存功能 )中的甘草酸的积累影响最大。重度扰动栽培甘草各部位的甘草酸含量均较低 ,相对而言黄酮类物质的积累速率高于甘草酸 ,表明土壤扰动因素对甘草酸的形成与积累的影响大于总黄酮的形成与积累。无扰动野生甘草和轻度扰动野生甘草总黄酮含量从地上到地下呈下降趋势 ,而重度扰动栽培甘草的叶和不定根各有一个含量较高的部位 ,据此推断叶和不定根 (含毛状根 )是黄酮类物质的主要产生部位 ;具有输导功能的地上茎、复叶柄中总黄酮含量较低且波动较大。人为扰动对不同土壤深度甘草主根中甘草酸含量和甘草总黄酮含量的变化规律影响较小。无扰动野生甘草和轻度扰动野生甘草主根在 1.0～ 2 .0 m深度甘草酸含量分布较高是对该生境不同土壤深度长期适应的结果 ,而重度扰动栽培甘草主根可能尚未达到相应的土壤深度 ,因而表现为 1.0 m以下深层土壤中甘草酸含量较高。总之 ,旨在改善甘草生长条件的人为扰动对甘草酸和总黄酮的积累具有消极影响 ,适当的胁迫环境条件对提高药用植物的品质有益     

The Role of Roots in Control of Bean Shoot Growth

Restriction of root growth by growing bean plants (Phaseolusvulgaris L.) in very small pots led to the development of dwarfplants. The leaves of those plants were smaller and their internodesshorter than those of control plants which were grown in largerpots and had developed a more extensive root system. A largequantity of starch—much more than in control plants —accumulated in the leaves and shoots of the dwarf plants. Increasingthe amount of minerals which was supplied to the roots, enhancedleaf growth of the control plants but failed to affect the dwarfones, in spite of the fact that in both cases the treatmentincreased the content of N, P and K in all the plant organs.The leaf water content was similar in both treatments, but theleaf water potential was higher in the dwarf plants. Exogenousapplication of gibberellic acid (GA₃) to the dwarf plants overcamethe reduction of stem growth completely, and that of the leavespartially. Application of the cytokinin, benzyladenine (BA)did not affect stem growth, but increased that of the primaryleaves. A combined supply of GA₂ + BA restored completely thegrowth of the stem and the primary leaves, and partially thatof the trifoliate leaves. It is concluded that a limited rootsystem restricts shoot growth through an hormonal system inwhich at least gibberellins and cytokinins are involved, andthat the dwarfing is not a consequence of mineral or assimilatedeficiency, or due to water stress. Phaseolus vulgaris L., leaf growth, stem growth, root restriction, gibberellic acid, benzyladenine, cytokinin     

Coal-smoke pollution modifies physio-chemical characteristics of tissues during the ontogeny of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Peristrophe bicalyculata</Emphasis>

Coal-smoke emissions of a thermal power plant affected the physio-chemical status of Peristrophe bicalyculata (Reth) Nees, as observed at the pre-flowering, flowering and post-flowering stages of plant growth. The nitrate level was raised while nitrate reductase activity, and the soluble protein content of leaf declined heavily at the polluted site during different stages of plant growth, compared to the control. The rate of photosynthesis also decreased under the pollution stress. Sugar level in root, stem and leaves increased with growing age of the plant but was always lower at the polluted site than at the reference site. In roots, the difference was marginal till flowering stage and quite conspicuous afterwards; stems showed a reverse pattern of variation. Sulphur content was higher at the polluted site in all the organs and at each stage of the plant life. The Zn and Fe concentrations were reduced in all plant parts under the pollution stress. Copper content in root was consistently low at the polluted site. In the stem and leaves, however, it was almost equal on both the sites at the pre-flowering stage but showed a wide difference during the later part of plant ontogeny.     

Abscisic acid accumulation in the roots of nutrient-limited plants: its impact on the differential growth of roots and shoots

We describe the involvement of abscisic acid (ABA) in the control of differential growth of roots and shoots of nutrient limited durum wheat plants. A ten-fold dilution of the optimal concentration of nutrient solution inhibited shoot growth, while root growth remained unchanged, resulting in a decreased shoot/root ratio. Addition of fluridone (inhibitor of ABA synthesis) prevented growth allocation in favour of the roots. This suggests the involvement of ABA in the redirecting of growth in favour of roots under limited nutrient supply. The ABA content was greater in shoots and growing apical root parts of starved plants than in nutrient sufficient plants. Accumulation of ABA in shoots of nutrient deficient plants was linked to a decrease in leaf turgor. Increased flow of ABA in the phloem apparently contributed to the accumulation of ABA in the apical part of the roots. Thus, partitioning of growth between roots and shoots of wheat plants limited in mineral nutrients appears to be modulated by accumulation of ABA in roots. This ABA may originate in the shoots, where its synthesis is stimulated by the loss of leaf turgor.     

黑龙江省西部乌拉尔甘草总黄酮含量的动态变化研究

采用超声提取和分光光度法对黑龙江省西部地区乌拉尔甘草不同部位的总黄酮含量进行测定,并对其季节变化进行了分析,研究结果表明:采用50%甲醇溶液提取,超声45 min对甘草总黄酮提取效果较好,适于进行大批量样品的提取测定.无论是野生甘草还是栽培甘草,在一个生长季中,叶的总黄酮含量最高,而地下部分含量则相对较低.在5～10月期间,叶的总黄酮含量逐渐下降,而地下部分总黄酮含量如根和根茎具有上升的趋势.甘草各部位总黄酮含量在不同生长季存在波动现象,尤其在具有运输功能的部位如复叶柄、地上茎表现更为明显.野生甘草不同部位的总黄酮含量的波动可能与有性繁殖有关,而栽培甘草的总黄酮含量的波动可能与无性生殖有关.     

野生与栽培甘草不同部位甘草酸分布特点及其意义

研究了乌拉尔甘草(Glycyrrhiza uralensis)不同部位的甘草酸分布特点及动态变化。野生及栽培甘草地下部分甘草酸含量较高, 其中不定根中甘草酸含量与主根接近。野生甘草与栽培甘草地下部分甘草酸含量的月变化规律相似, 且根茎中甘草酸含量比主根、不定根变化幅度大。在一个生长季中, 栽培甘草主根甘草酸以10月份含量最高, 表明秋末是最佳采收期。栽培甘草主根在1.0 m土壤深度甘草酸含量较高且有继续增加的趋势, 故直接播种方式种植甘草不利于根系采收, 造成资源浪费, 需要探索更有效的甘草栽培技术。     

野生与栽培甘草不同部位甘草酸分布特点及其意义

研究了乌拉尔甘草（Glycyrrhiza uralensis）不同部位的甘草酸分布特点及动态变化。野生及栽培甘草地下部分甘草酸含量较高,其中不定根中甘草酸含量与主根接近。野生甘草与栽培甘草地下部分甘草酸含量的月变化规律相似,且根茎中甘草酸含量比主根、不定根变化幅度大。在一个生长季中,栽培甘草主根甘草酸以10月份含量最高,表明秋末是最佳采收期。栽培甘草主根在1．0m土壤深度甘草酸含量较高且有继续增加的趋势,故直接播种方式种植甘草不利于根系采收,造成资源浪费,需要探索更有效的甘草栽培技术。     

UV-C照射对苦荞芽生长及品质的影响

以苦荞为材料,研究了不同时间UV.C照射对苦荞芽生长及品质的影响,结果表明：UV-C照射对苦荞芽株高有一定的抑制作用;UV-C照射可以增加苦荞芽的茎粗,平均增粗4.25%;UV-C照射对苦荞芽根长的抑制作用不明显;短时间UV-C照射抑制苦荞芽鲜重的效应不明显;短时间UV-C照射可以提高苦荞芽叶绿素的含量,平均比对照提高24.58%;UV-C照射可以提高苦荞芽总黄酮和Vc的含量,平均分别提高11.42%和23.38%;短时间UV-C照射可以促进苦养芽氨基酸含量的提高,平均挺高22.52%,长时间照射降低苦养芽氨基酸的含量.     

Differential growth and hormone redistribution in gravireacting maize roots

When growing roots are placed in a horizontal position gravity induces a positive curvature. It is classically considered to be the consequence of a faster elongation rate by the upper side compared to the lower side. A critical examination indicates that the gravireaction is caused by differential cell extension depending on several processes. Some of the endogenous regulators which may control the growth and gravitropism of elongating roots are briefly presented. The growth inhibitors produced or released from the root cap move preferentially in a basipetal direction and accumulate in the lower side of the elongation zone of horizontally maintained roots. The identity of these compounds is far from clear, but one of these inhibitors could be abscisic acid (ABA). However, indol-3y1 acetic acid (IAA) is also important for root growth and gravitropism. ABA may interact with IAA. Two other aspects of root cell extension have also to be carefully considered. An elongation gradient measured from the tip to the base of the root was found to be important for the growth of both vertical and horizontal gravireactive roots. It was changed significantly during the gravipresentation and can be considered as the origin of the differential elongation. Sephadex beads have been used as both growth markers and as monitors of surface pH changes when they contain some pH indicator. This technique has shown that the distribution of cell extension along the main root axis is related to a pH gradient, the proton efflux being larger for faster growing parts of roots. A lateral movement of calcium is obtained when Ca2+ is applied across the tips of horizontally placed roots with a preferential transport towards the lower side. Endogenous calcium, which may accumulate inside the endoplasmic reticulum of some cap cells, may also act in the gravireception. These observations and several others strongly suggest that calcium may play an essential role in controlling root growth and several steps of the root gravireaction.