Stimulation of generative development in partly vernalized winter wheat by animal sex hormones

The influence of selected animal steroid sex hormones, on generative development of winter wheat var. Grana was investigated. Wheat plants of this variety necessitate 63-day long vernalization. Mature, isolated embryos of wheat were cultured in vitro on media containing androsterone, androstenedione, estriol, estrone, 17β-estradiol and progesterone in concentrations 10⁻⁵ and 10⁻⁶ M. They were not vernalized or vernalized for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days (5 °C, 8 h photoperiod). Investigated steroids stimulated the generative development of winter wheat by an increasing in the percentage of heading plants and accelerating the heading. The strongest effect was observed when plants were treated with steroids during the suboptimal, 21 and 28 day, vernalization. After 28 days of vernalization, 100 % heading were observed in plants obtained on the media containing androsterone and androstenedione in concentrations 10⁻⁵ and 10⁻⁶ M or estrone, 17β-estradiol and progesterone in concentration 10⁻⁵ M. Control plants showed only 8 % heading. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Endogenous abscisic acid and wheat germ agglutinin content in wheat grains during development

Abscisic acid (ABA) and wheat germ agglutinin content of immature wheat grains and embryos was determined by immunoassay throughout the development of a field-grown wheat crop ( Triticum aestivum cv. Timmo). Wheat germ agglutinin accumulation in the embryo was not preceded by an increase in endogenous abscisic acid amount or concentration in either embryos or grains. At a later stage in development the endogenous concentration of abscisic acid in both embryos and grains was found to be two orders of magnitude lower than the endogenous levels required to inhibit precocious germination and promote wheat germ agglutinin accumulation in excised embryos cultured in vitro. These findings are discussed in the context of the control of embryo development in vivo by both ABA and the water status of the grain and embryo.     

Effect of red light on activity of cAMP phosphodiesterases in photoperiodically different cereals and vernalized winter wheat

Red light illumination of seedlings of photoperiodically different cereals had a different effect on the activity of multiple cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterases. The response of all phosphodiesterase forms was reversed in fully vernalized winter wheat Triticum aestivum L.     

The β-amylase polymorphism of winter common wheat grains

The polymorphism of winter common wheat with respect to β-amylase isoenzymes has been analyzed using electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel (PAAG) buffered with a Tris-glycine system (pH 8.3). Seven β-amylase isoenzymes have been found in wheat varieties and the breeding stocks. Isoenzymes A, B, and C are the most frequent in Russian and Ukrainian varieties (51.7 ± 4.7, 30.7 ± 3.8, and 11.9 ± 2.5%, respectively). Two alleles of the β-Amy-D1 locus of the long arm of chromosome 4D have been identified. The substrate-enzyme affine effect can be used to locate the zones of activity of this enzyme by means of staining for proteins. It has been determined that β-amylase isoenzymes may play a role in the aggregating capacity of the grain protein complex via the formation of S-S bonds.     

Endogenous cytokinins in vegetative shoots of peas

In G2 peas senescence only takes place in long days. In order to determine the role of cytokinins in this process the endogenous cytokinins from vegetative shoots of G2 peas were characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy following purification by HPLC. Cytokinins were extracted and purified with and without the addition of ¹⁵N labelled internal standards of several cytokinins to estimate cytokin content by isotope dilution in the mass spectra. Samples without internal standards were bioassayed after HPLC. Bioassays showed the presence of zeatin, zeatin riboside and zeatin-0-glucoside. The presence of zeatin was confirmed by its mass spectrum of its permethylated derivative. Tentative identification of zeatin riboside, zeatin-0-glucoside, dihydrozeatin, and dihydrozeatin-0-glucoside was obtained by the coincidence of the major ion for the permethylated natural and ¹⁵N labelled internal standards on GC-MS, and the similar coincidence of ions for permethylated zeatin riboside-0-glucoside by direct probe MS. There was no indication of the presence of significant quantities of zeatin-7-glucoside or zeatin-9-glucoside. The amounts in the tissue ranged from 200–1000 ng/kg fresh weight for each cytokinin and about 2–4 g/kg fresh weight for total cytokinins. There was no apparent difference in the levels in mature but pre-senescent shoots grown in long days and short days indicating that apical senesecence in G2 peas does not appear to be induced by a decline in cytokinin level in the shoots.Cytokinin abbreviations CK Cytokinin - Z trans zeatin - [9R]Z t-zeatin riboside - [9R-5P] Z t-zeatin riboside-5-monophosphate - (OG)Z t-zeatin-0-glucoside - (OG)[9R]Z t-zeatin riboside-0-glucoside - [7Z]G t-zeatin-7-glucoside - [9G]Z t-zeatin-9-glucoside - (diH)Z dihydrozeatin - (diH)[9R]Z dihydrozeatin riboside - iP N6(²-isopentenyl) adenine - [9R]iP N6(²-isopentenyl) adenosine Work performed while PJD was on leave at the University College of Wales at Aberystwyth.     

Endogenous cytokinins in maturing manzanillo olive fruits

Cytokinin activity was found in mature black olive fruits while in green fruits the activity was markedly lower. The substances with cytokinin activity showed chromatographic properties similar to those of nucleotides. Acid hydrolysis caused a shift of the active zone in the organic phase of 1-butanol-acetic acid-water (4:1:5) from R_F 0.1 to R_F 0.8. The possible relation of these endogenously appearing cytokinins to anthocyanin accumulation and aging of the fruit is discussed.     

Endogenous cytokinins in rose petals and the effect of exogenously applied cytokinins on flower senescence

In extracts from rose petals cytokinin activity was detected by Amaranthus bioassay in HPLC eluates corresponding to the standards: Z, ZR, 2iP and 2iPA; subsequently, the presence of two groups of endogenous cytokinins was confirmed by ELISA.Measurements of senesence indicators (cell sap osmolarity and conductivity) and observations of flower vase-life indicated that when the above cytokinins were applied as holding solutions they delayed flower senescence by 34–56% and prolonged rose longevity.Abbreviations B.H.T. 2.6-di-t-buytl-4-methyl phenol - ELISA Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay - HPLC High Performance Liquid Chromatography - 2iP isopentenyladenine - 2iPA isopentenyladenosine - Z trans-zeatin - ZR trans-zeatin riboside     

Endogenous cytokinins in the ribosomal RNA of higher plants

Endogenous cytokinin-active ribonucleosides were isolated from the rRNA and tRNA of pea epicotyls (Pisum sativum L., var Alaska) and of wheat germ (Triticum aestivum). The RNA preparations were analyzed for cytokinins by enzymic hydrolysis, ethyl acetate extraction, and Sephadex LH-20 fractionation in several solvents. Tentative identification of the cytokinins was based on cochromatography with synthetic cytokinin standards in several systems and on activity in the tobacco bioassay. Both the rRNA and tRNA from 10 day old pea epicotyls contained ribosylzeatin, isopentenyladenosine, and 2-methylthioribosylzeatin. The latter compound was the most active fraction in the pea rRNA, but was the least active fraction in the tRNA, where isopentenyladenosine activity was predominant. The 2-methylthioribosylzeatin from pea rRNA was identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Wheat germ rRNA contained cis and trans ribosylzeatin and 2-methylthioribosylzeatin. The tRNA contained isopentenyladenosine in addition. The specific cytokinin activity (activity per A₂₆₀ unit) of the tRNA was over forty times that of the rRNA. Significant contamination of the rRNA preparations by cytokinin-containing tRNA is considered unlikely on the basis of quantitative differences in the cytokinin content of the rRNA and tRNA preparations, electrophoretic analysis of rRNA purity and cytokinin analysis of fractionated oligonucleotide digests.     

不同pH模拟酸雨对冬小麦籽粒营养品质的影响

在大田试验条件下研究了不同pH模拟酸雨对冬小麦籽粒氨基酸、蛋白质、可溶性糖、还原糖、淀粉以及总酸度的胁迫效应,以期为防治我国农作物的酸雨灾害提供基础理论依据。结果表明,pH≤4.5酸雨处理会抑制总游离氨基酸的合成,且酸度越强,抑制越明显。蛋白质(可溶性蛋白质、总蛋白)含量随着酸雨酸度的增强逐步下降,且在极酸性条件下降低较明显。pH≤4.5酸雨处理对可溶性糖的合成会有较强的抑制作用。pH≤2.5时还原糖的合成明显受抑。随着酸雨酸度的增强,总酸度和酸糖比均表现出先增加后下降的变化趋势,且在pH=3.5处达到最大值。pH≤3.5酸雨处理显著抑制淀粉的合成,且对支链淀粉的影响较明显,致使淀粉支/直比下降。     

Endogenous cytokinins in the fruits of ripening and non-ripening tomatoes

Ripening fruits of a normal strain (Rutgers) of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were found to contain lower levels of endogenous cytokinins than fruits of a non-ripening mutant rin. The cytokinin content of both strains was high at the light green (breaker) stage and decreased as the fruits senesced. This decrease was more pronounced in the normal fruits. The non-ripening rin not only contained higher levels of the free base cytokinins, zeatin and zeatin riboside, but also high levels of zeatin glucoside, a storage cytokinin. It is suggested that the high levels of endogenous cytokinins in rin fruits are involved in delaying the ripening process.     

施钾时期对冬小麦旗叶光合特性和籽粒淀粉积累的影响

在相同施钾量的基础上。采用一次性基施,1／2基施、1／2于拔节期追施。研究施钾时期对小麦旗叶光合特性和籽粒淀粉积累的影响．结果表明。分期施钾比一次性施钾提高了小麦开花后旗叶的光合速率、旗叶中磷酸蔗糖合成酶(SPS)和籽粒中腺苷二磷酸葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶(ADPGPPase)的活性,提高了籽粒中蔗糖的供应强度和淀粉积累速率。增加了籽粒产量．研究还表明。两个施钾处理均提高了小麦叶片中蔗糖的合成能力和其在籽粒中转化为淀粉的能力,施钾提高产量的主要原因是施钾较好地协调了光合物质合成、运输与转化,即较好地协调了淀粉合成的源库关系．     

Endogenous cytokinins mediate growth-stimulating and protective action of the HUMI preparation on wheat plants inoculated with Tilletia caries

Humic substances (HS) and preparations created on their basis are known to be effective in growth stimulation and improvement of resistance and productivity of different plant species. We have revealed that the presowing semidry treatment of wheat seeds with preparation HUMI (NVP ‘BashIncom’, Ufa, Bashkortostan, Russia) promoted seedling growth and increased wheat yield. This effect is likely to be due to the shifts induced by HUMI in the hormonal system of plants associated with a 1.5-fold persistent accumulation of cytokinins (CKs) without any changes in the contents of indoleacetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA). Meanwhile, presowing treatment with HUMI had a stabilizing effect on the state of the hormonal system in the course of ontogenesis of wheat inoculated with teliospores Tilletia caries. Obtained data about prevention of the decline in the cytokinin content in HUMI-treated infected wheat is fundamental in the implementation of immuno-stimulatory effect of HUMI resulting in the suppression of the growth and development of pathogens.     

Effects of decreasing the number of grains in ears of cvs Hobbit and Maris Huntsman winter wheat

At 6 days after anthesis, grain numbers in ears of Maris Huntsman and Hobbit winter wheat growing in the field were decreased either by removing the two lower grains in each spikelet (degraining) or by removing the top half of the ear (halving). At maturity, degraining increased the dry weight of the third grains in each spikelet of Maris Huntsman by 11% and of Hobbit by 40%, compared with third grains in intact ears. Halving increased the mean dry weight of all the grains in the lower six spikelets of the ear slightly less; it increased the number of grains in Hobbit but not in Maris Huntsman. The responses to halving in Hobbit were greater with additional nitrogen fertiliser. At 28 days after anthesis in both varieties, degraining increased grain dry weight and the amount of water, reducing sugar, amino acids and total nitrogen in third grains. Effects of halving on these properties of the two lower grains of each spikelet were much less or nil. The increases in nitrogen content of grains at 28 days and at maturity caused by degraining or halving were relatively greater than the increases in dry weight and were similar in the two varieties.     

Endogenous cytokinins in shoots of Aloe polyphylla cultured in vitro in relation to hyperhydricity, exogenous cytokinins and gelling agents

The process of hyperhydricity in tissue cultured plants of Aloe polyphylla is affected by both applied cytokinins (CKs) and the type of gelling agent used to solidify the medium. Shoots were grown on media with agar or gelrite and supplemented with different concentrations of N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) or zeatin (0, 5 and 15 μM). Endogenous CKs were measured in in vitro regenerants after an 8-weeks cycle to examine whether the hyperhydricity-inducing effect of exogenous CKs and gelling agents is associated with changes in the endogenous CK content. On media with agar a reduction in hyperhydricity occurred, while the gelrite treatment produced both normal and hyperhydric shoots (HS). The content of endogenous CKs, determined by HPLC-mass spectrometry, in the shoots grown on CK-free media comprised isopentenyladenine-, trans-zeatin- and cis-zeatin-type CKs. The application of exogenous CKs resulted in an increase in the CK content of the shoots. Following application of zeatin, dihydrozeatin-type CKs were also detected in the newly-formed shoots. Application of BA to the media led to a transition from isoprenoid CKs to aromatic CKs in the shoots. Shoots grown on gelrite media contained higher levels of endogenous CKs compared to those on agar media. Total CK content of HS was higher than that of normal shoots grown on the same medium. We suggest that the ability of exogenous CKs and gelrite to induce hyperhydricity in shoots of Aloe polyphylla is at least partially due to up-regulation of endogenous CK levels. However, hyperhydricity is a multifactor process in which different factors intervene.     

Phosphofructokinase from immature wheat grains

Levels of phosphofructokinase and metabolites known to affect its activity were monitored at different stages of wheat grain development. Phosphofructokinase activity peaked at 28 days after anthesis, declining thereafter. The amount of citrate increased up to 14 days after anthesis. PEP, ATP, ADP and AMP showed peak values at 28 days after anthesis. Phosphofructokinase from 28-day-old grains was purified × 23 with 49% recovery by ammonium sulphate fractionation and chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-50. A normal hyperbolic curve was observed with F-6-P. ATP inhibited the enzyme above 0.75 mM. ADP, citrate and 2-P-glycolate inhibited the enzyme noncooperatively; K_i values being 2.2, 1.6 and 5.0 mM, respectively. PEP and AMP failed to inhibit the enzyme activity     

Sterols in hardening winter wheat

The main sterols in winter wheat crowns and roots were sitosterol and campesterol, with significant amounts of stigmasterol and traces of cholesterol. The main groups of sterol-containing lipids were free sterols, steryl glucosides, steryl esters and esterified steryl glucosides. Sterol analysis within each group showed little difference between them. Steryl esters were relatively rich in cholesterol and poor in stigmasterol. Free sterols were rich in stigmasterol. Low temperature caused an increase in sterol content but had little effect on sterol composition and sterol to lipid P ratio. There was some increase in steryl esters and some decrease in free sterols. Cholesterol and stigmasterol decreased in the steryl ester and free sterol fractions, respectively. There was little evidence for involvement of sterols in winter wheat frost hardening.     

Long-term in vitro culture of wheat grains

Wheat (Triticum aestivum, Triticum durum) grains were excised immediately following fertilization and cultured until maturity. A rachis fragment attached to the grain was required to ensure an increase in grain size for the first 10 days following fertilization. A ¹⁴C-labeling study revealed that 8-day-old grains accumulated more dry matter into the ethanol-insoluble fraction when grown on agar rather than when immersed in liquid medium. Light enhanced the absorption of sucrose from the medium only in the latter case. In agar-based culture, when no contact was made between the grain surface and the medium, peeling off the outer pericarp layers increased sugar absorption, leading to a threefold increase in the amount of accumulated dry matter in the ethanol-insoluble fraction. Culturing of wheat grains with attached rachis fragment and peeled pericarp is recommended for maximum in vitro growth.     

Changes in ethylene production of vernalized plants

The rate of ethylene production (seed/day) in sprouted seedsof radish and pea increased during the first 9 and 13 days,respectively, after the start of low temperature treatment,and decreased thereafter. Ethylene production of vernalizedplants after transfer to high temperature was compared withthat of nonvernalized plants at nearly the same developmentalstage. In all three vernalizable plants, radish, pea and wheat,vernalized seedlings showed decreased rates of ethylene production.After vernalization, a new peak of an unidentified volatile,which was slightly slower than that of ethylene in its retentiontime on gas-chromatography, appeared in all three vernalizableplants. This new peak in radish appeared after about 6 daysof chilling which corresponds to the minimum chilling periodrequired for flower promotion. (Received February 8, 1977; )