Comparative cytogenetic study of the tetraploid Matricaria chamomilla L. and Matricaria inodora L.

A comparative cytogenetic study of the autotetraploid breed of Matricaria chamomilla L. (M. recutita L.) and Matricaria inodora L. was carried out by DAPI-banding, fluorescent hybridization in situ (FISH) with 26S and 5S rDNA probes, and analysis of meiosis. All chromosomes were identified in both karyotypes on the basis of DAPI-banding images and 26S and 5S rDNA distribution, and species-specific idiograms were composed for both M. chamomilla and M. indora taking into account the polymorphous variants of DAPI-banding images, showing the location of the 26S and 5S rDNA sites.     

Induction of growth and antioxidant defense mechanisms in Matricaria chamomilla L. callus by vibration

In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant - Effect of sinusoidal vibration on the activity of some antioxidative enzymes, pigments, membrane stability, and total phenolic was...     

Induction of cell division and antioxidative enzyme activity of Matricaria chamomilla L. cell line under clino-rotation

This study represents an optimized protocol for cell line culture of Matricaria chamomilla and the impact of clino-rotation on cell division, cell growth, and antioxidant enzyme activities for the first time. The cell suspension was transferred in the solid MS medium supplied with 2, 4-D, and KIN. Then the calli produced from a cell line were selected for callus subculture and clino-rotation treatment for 7 days by a 2D-clinostat. A significant rise of fresh and dry weights, cell division, total soluble sugar, reducing sugar, and starch contents were detected under clino-rotation. Protein content approximately unchanged in microgravity-treated calli. Antioxidant enzymes activities, such as peroxidase, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase were elevated in calli exposed to microgravity. CAT activity showed a more than three-fold increase than that of control. According to native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, all the antioxidant enzymes isoforms were stronger in clino-rotated calli than that of the untreated control. Microgravity also stimulated H₂O₂ production and markedly adjusted lipid peroxidation in calli exposed to clino-rotation. These findings suggest that clino-rotation with stimulation of carbohydrate accumulation and antioxidant enzymes mitigates oxidative stress and improves growth and cell division.

     

FTIR spectroscopy demonstrates biochemical differences in mammalian cell cultures at different growth stages

We have observed differences in the infrared spectra of viable fibroblast cells depending on whether the cells were in the exponential (proliferating) or plateau (nonproliferating) phase of growth. The spectral changes were observed even after correcting for cell number and volume, ruling out these trivial explanations. Several of the changes occurred for both transformed and normal cell lines and were greater for the normal cell line. The biochemical basis of the spectral changes was estimated by fitting the cell spectra to a linear superposition of spectra for the major biochemical components of mammalian cells (DNA, RNA, protein, lipids, and glycogen). The ratios of RNA/lipid and protein/lipid increased when the cells were in the exponential phase compared to the plateau phase of growth. The fits of cell spectra to individual biochemical components also demonstrated that DNA is a relatively minor spectroscopic component as would be expected biochemically. Contrary to other reports in the literature, our data demonstrate that determining DNA content or structure using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data is difficult due to the relatively small amount of DNA and the overlap of DNA bands with the absorption bands of other biochemical components.     

Comparison of cadmium and copper effect on phenolic metabolism, mineral nutrients and stress-related parameters in Matricaria chamomilla plants

Cadmium and copper uptake and its consequence for activity of selected enzymes of phenolic metabolism, phenolic acids accumulation, quantity of mineral nutrients and stress-related parameters in Matricaria chamomilla plants exposed to 60 μM and 120 μM for 7 days has been studied. Cu content in the above-ground biomass was ca. 10-fold lower compared to Cd and amount of Cd in the methanol-soluble fraction was lower than in the water-soluble fraction. “Intra-root” Cd represented 68% and 63% of total Cd content at 60 μM and 120 μM, but no difference was observed in Cu-exposed roots. Cu excess had more pronounced effect on shikimate dehydrogenase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, polyphenol oxidase and ascorbate peroxidase activity mainly in the roots. Among eight detected benzoic acid derivatives and four cinnamic acid derivatives, the latter were preferentially accumulated in response to Cd excess. Content of salicylic acid increased in all variants. Amount of superoxide was elevated in both the rosettes (preferentially by Cu) and roots (preferentially by Cd). Accumulation of Ca and Mg was not affected by excess of metals, while potassium decreased in both the rosettes and roots (Cu caused stronger depletion). Amount of Fe increased in the roots in response to both metals (more expressively in Cu-treated ones). Present study using other metabolic parameters (and supplementing our previous studies) has confirmed higher Cu toxicity for chamomile plants, to support its strong pro-oxidant properties. These observations as complex metabolic responses are discussed.     

Some properties of pea cholinesterase and its activity in plant parts at different growth stages

Cholinesterase activity was studied in 2 to 10-week-old pea plants cultivated under artificial illumination. Free and membrane-bound forms of the enzyme were separated by extracting the enzyme from pea shoots with buffers differing in ionic strength. The ratio of the free cholinesterase to the membrane-bound one fluctuated between 1 : 1 and 1 : 2.5. The free cholinesterase was inhibited by neostigmine (0.1mmoll^-1) by 50%, the membrane-bound enzyme by 90%. The pH optimum of cholinesterase activity was 8.5, the temperature optimum 37 °C. The enzyme activity was increased by some cations in this order: Mg²⁺ < < K⁺. The K^m value for the substrate S-acetylthiocholine iodide was 250 μmoll^-1, the enzyme activity being inhibited by concentrations higher than 3 mmoll^-1 of this substrate. The activity of the membrane-bound enzyme was demonstrated in the roots, leaves, stems, fruits, seeds and carpels, but could not be reliably detected in the blossoms. The highest activity expressed per fresh matter was found in older leaves and in the fruits, the lowest in the roots and stems. Cholinesterase activity in plant parts markedly varied during the investigated growth period.     

Assessment of the genetic variation of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) populations using phytochemical,morphological and ISSR markers

Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to assess the genetic diversity of 23 populations of chamomile. Ten primers were applied, producing 193 polymorphic bands. The polymorphic bands were analysed using Simple Matching (SM) similarity index and UPGMA cluster analysis. The resulting dendrogram consisted of four major groups which were in accordance to the geographical regions from which the populations had originated. Populations from North-western (NW), South-Eastern (SE), Central (C) Iran and Europe tended to be classified separately into groups. The highest gene diversity was observed in populations from the Central regions of Iran (0.25). Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) confirmed the results of cluster analysis, while morphological classification was not related to molecular results. The population from Hungary had the greatest yield of essential oil (0.88 gr/dw), whereas for Iranian ones the greatest and the lowest essential oil yields belonged to NW (Aza = 0.6 and Ard = 0.7) and C (Isf 4, Isf 5 and Isf 6 = 0.44) regions, respectively. The results of the present study could contribute to a better understanding and management of conservation and exploitation of the chamomile germplasm.     

长白山温带森林不同演替阶段土壤化学性质及微生物群落结构的变化

土壤微生物是生态系统物质循环和能量流动的驱动者,其群落结构可以用来表征土壤生态过程及其对地上植被变化的响应机制。本研究采用时空替代法在长白山地区选取了阔叶红松林演替序列的5个不同阶段:杨桦幼龄林、杨桦中龄林、杨桦成熟林、阔叶红松成熟林和阔叶红松过熟林,采用磷脂脂肪酸法(PLFA)测定了土壤微生物群落组成和结构,分析了其随地上植被演替过程的变化,同时比较了不同演替阶段土壤化学性质差异。结果表明:随着演替的正向进行,土壤总有机碳、全碳、全氮、全磷含量显著提高,碳氮比逐渐下降。土壤微生物生物量、群落结构及组成发生明显变化:土壤微生物总PLFAs、细菌PLFAs、革兰氏阳性菌PLFAs、革兰氏阴性菌PLFAs含量显著增加;真菌PLFAs(18:2ω6c)先增加后减少,中期阶段的杨桦成熟林土壤真菌PLFA含量最高,同时细菌/真菌最小;革兰氏阳性菌/革兰氏阴性菌(G+/G-)随着演替的进行逐渐增大。土壤微生物生物量与土壤全碳、总有机碳、全氮、全磷含量呈显著正相关,与碳氮比呈显著负相关;冗余分析(RDA)结果显示,全碳、总有机碳、全氮和碳氮比是影响土壤微生物群落结构的主要因素。本研究表明,随着植被演替的正向进行,土壤质量逐渐提高;土壤微生物群落组成明显改变;土壤微生物群落结构与土壤理化性质显著相关。     

Diallel analysis of tiller number at different growth stages in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary The genetics of tiller number at different development stages in rice was studied in a 6 x 6 diallel cross set involving six indica rice varieties in which a large difference of phenotypes existed. Estimates of genetic parameters following Hayman's method showed significant additive and nonadditive gene action, and the latter appeared to be solely due to dominance. High tillering ability was inherited as a partial dominant character conditioned by two or more blocks of genes, and var H1459 had more dominant genes, whereas Zhu-Yun-Luo had more recessive ones. Combining ability analysis by Griffing's method also indicated significance of both additive and nonadditive effects, but the former was more important than the latter. H1459 and Bi-Yu-Zao-Luo were good general combiners, and their hybrids H1459 x Le-Yi and Zhu-Yun-Luo x Bi-Yu-Zao-Luo were better crosses for combining an optimum tiller number with high percentage of productive tiller. An identical polygenic system appeared to be responsible for the genetic control of both tiller number at the different growth stages and the terminal character, productive tiller number. However, with growth of the plant, relative contributions of nonadditive gene action and environmental factors to the variation decreased, while those of additive gene action increased. Selection for high tillering ability, therefore, should be exercised at peak tillering or later stages.     

Geraniol is a potent inducer of apoptosis-like cell death in the cultured shoot primordia of Matricaria chamomilla.

We screened various isoprenoids to search for inducers of apoptosis-like cell death ("apoptosis") in the shoot primordia of Matricaria chamomilla and found that geraniol has the most potent apoptosis-inducing activity among terpenoids, as judged from DNA fragmentation in the cells. The apoptosis-inducing activity of geraniol is concentration and time dependent. Morphologically, the nuclei of the cells treated with 5 mM geraniol were condensed and fragmented.     

Photosynthesis and growth of winter wheat in response to waterlogging at different growth stages

A study on photosynthetic and yield effects of waterlogging of winter wheat at four stages of growth was conducted in specially designed experimental tanks during the 2007–2008 and 2008–2009 seasons. Compared with the control, waterlogging treatments at tillering and jointing-booting stages reduced photosynthetic rate (P _N) and transpiration (E) significantly, it also decreased average leaf water-use efficiency (WUE, defined as the ratio of P _N to E) by 3.3% and 3.4% in both years. All parameters returned quickly to the control level after soil was drained. Damage to the photosynthetic apparatus during waterlogging resulted in a lower F_v/F_m ratio, especially at the first two stages. A strong reduction in root length, root mass, root/shoot ratio, total dry mass, and leaf area index were observed. The responses from vegetative plants at tillering and jointing-booting stages were greater than in generative plants at onset of flowering and at milky stages. The number of panicles per hectare at tillering stage and the spikelet per panicle at the stages of jointing-booting and at onset of flowering were also significantly reduced by waterlogging, giving 8.2–11.3% decrease of the grain yield relative to the control in both years. No significant difference in yield components and a grain yield was observed between the control and treatments applied at milky stages. These responses, modulated by the environmental conditions prevailing during and after waterlogging, included negative effects on the growth, photosynthetic apparatus, and the grain yield in winter wheat, but the effect was strongly stage-dependent.     

Influence of lead,cadmium, and nickel on the growth ofMedicago sativa (L.)

Summary Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), cv. Iroquois, was grown in the greenhouse in soils amended with additions of either lead, cadmium, or nickel. Metals, at rates varying from 0–250 ppm, were not uniformly mixed but were placed close to the soil surface so as to simulate surface deposition. In one series of experiments the sulphate salt of each metal and two soils were used. In a second series of experiments the nitrate salts and one soil were used. Neither salt of lead significantly depressed alfalfa yields. Both salts of either cadmium or nickel significantly depressed yields. Additions of all metals to the soil resulted in both increased metal uptake and concentrations in alfalfa tissue, particularly for cadmium and nickel. The highest tissue concentrations of cadmium and nickel were associated with plant stunting and necrosis. However, at rates of 125 ppm and less, substantial increases in cadmium and nickel concentrations were obtained frequently without serious yield reductions. Generally, metal concentrations were greatest in the first harvest following metal application. Concentration and uptake of lead and cadmium were greater when the metal was applied to the soil as nitrate than when applied as the sulphate salt.     

Development of mycorrhized vitroplants of Jatropha curcas L. at different rooting stages

In this work, we attempted to assess the effects of inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), Glomus clarum, on the survival and development of micropropagated Jatropha curcas plantlets at different rooting stages. Elongated shoots (average 3?cm) of J. curcas, maintained for 0, 14, or 21?days on rooting medium in the presence or absence of 1?mg?L^?1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), were transferred to a sand:soil:vermiculite (1:1/2:1) (v:v:v) substrate. At the time of transplantation, the plantlets were either inoculated or not inoculated with G. clarum that had been monoaxenically produced in Ri-transformed carrot roots. After a 2-week acclimatization period, 100?% of the plants kept for 0 or 14?days in rooting medium survived. However, those that remained for 21?days in rooting medium displayed post-acclimatization survival rates of 93 and 89?% for plants inoculated and non-inoculated with G. clarum, respectively. Colonization rates ranged from 70 to 93?%, and the stimulatory effects of AMF were evidenced by increased phosphorus uptake by plants and increases in all evaluated growth parameters, except plant height. Plants that were not subjected to the rooting stage showed growth similar to or higher than those subjected to the rooting stage, regardless of the addition of IBA. It can be concluded that stimulatory effects of mycorrhizal fungi were observed, and that the inoculation of J. curcas proved effective during the initial period of the acclimatization phase.     

Effects of defoliation at different growth stages and in different grain-filling environments on the growth and yield of spring barley

The yield of spring barley grown outside was little affected by the removal of all fully expanded leaves during late tillering or early stem extension but was decreased by defoliation either earlier or later. Removal of all except the top two leaves when 50% of the ears were fully emerged also had relatively little effect on yield but damage was increased if only the flag leaf was retained, especially if the leaves apart from the flag leaf were removed 10 days earlier when the first awns were visible. Defoliation treatments, including those which had little effect on barley grown outside, generally had proportionately greater effects if the plants were moved to a warm glasshouse at the start of grain filling.     

Mapping QTLs for root system architecture of maize (Zea mays L.) in the field at different developmental stages

Root system architecture (RSA) is seldom considered as a selection criterion to improve yield in maize breeding, mainly because of the practical difficulties with their evaluation under field conditions. In the present study, phenotypic profiling of 187 advanced-backcross BC(4)F(3) maize lines (Ye478?×?Wu312) was conducted at different developmental stages under field conditions at two locations (Dongbeiwang in 2007 and Shangzhuang in 2008) for five quantitative root traits. The aims were to (1) understand the genetic basis of root growth in the field; (2) investigate the contribution of root traits to grain yield (GY); and (3) detect QTLs controlling root traits at the seedling (I), silking (II) and maturation (III) stages. Axial root (AR)-related traits showed higher heritability than lateral root (LR)-related traits, which indicated stronger environmental effects on LR growth. Among the three developmental stages, root establishment at stage I showed the closest relationship with GY (r?=?0.33-0.43, P?相似文献   

Study of streptococcal L forms in the scanning electron microscope. II. Dynamics of the development of structural elements of L colonies at different stages of growth]

The method of scanning electron microscopy showed that the L-colonies of streptococcus were formed by the spherical structures 0.1--1.5 micronm in diameter, elements of polygonal shape (large bodies) 10--30 micronm in size, filamentous structures 01--7 micronm in diameter and structureless matrix. A regular replacement of one form by another was observed in the process of the L-colonies development. Thus, the spherical elements appeared in the lag-phase, and polygonal elements were found mostly at the initial stages of the L-colonies formation; as to the filamentous structures -- they were present at all the developmental stages, but their diameter increased, and their structure and number changed at different growth phases. The spherical elements of the L-colonies formed evenly both on the structureless depth matrix of the colonies, on the filamentous structures in the form of buds on the "large bodies", and the disintegration of the latter. The role of the filamentous structures in the development of the L-colonies is discussed.     

A study of the biochemical and microbiological changes during the decomposition ofCrotolaria juncea (sann hemp) at different stages of growth in soil

Summary 1. The common Indian green-manure cropCrotolaria juncea (sann hemp) was used for studying the biochemical and microbiological changes during its decomposition in a calcareous soil.2. The composition of sann hemp plants at various stages of growth (3, 4, 5, and 7 weeks) has been reported and the course of decomposition of these plants was followed by measuring the losses undergone by major plant constituents and determining the variations in the number of micro-organisms both under optimum laboratory and field conditions.3. The bacterial population registered a sudden increase in the beginning and a similar decrease later. With immature plants and during earlier stages of decomposition the bacterial number was high, whereas fungi and actinomycetes were more active with mature plants and during the later stages of decomposition utilizing the complex carbonaceous matter.4. Proteins of young plants — 3 and 4 weeks old — mineralized rapidly and a considerable amount of total nitrogen was lost, whereas proteins of mature plants were not readily mineralized in which case little nitrogen was lost.5. During the early periods of decomposition considerable amounts of water-soluble organic matter, pentosans, and cellulose were lost, while lignin, fats and waxes decomposed slowly.6. The role of bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi in the decomposition of various plant constituents has been discussed.7. The decomposition of various plant constituents, nitrogen transformation and microbial activity under field and laboratory conditions has been compared and notable difference has been observed in the nature of the two processes.