Growth rates and auxin effects in graviresponding gynophores of the peanut, Arachis hypogaea (Fabaceae)

The gynophore of the peanut plant (Arachis hypogaea) is a specialized organ that carries and buries the fertilized ovules into the soil in order for seed and fruit development to occur underground. The rates of growth of vertically and horizontally oriented gynophores were measured using a time-lapse video imaging system. We found that the region of maximum extension growth due to elongation (termed the Central Elongation Zone) is located on average at 2-5 mm from the tip. In the first 0-4 h after horizontal reorientation (gravistimulation), new zones of growth emerge on the upper surface, while the elongation zone of the lower side decreases in size and magnitude. Four to six hours after reorientation the zones of maximum growth are almost equal in size and location on the upper and lower sides. The growth rate and the gravitropic response decreased dramatically, upon the excision of the ovule region (terminal 1.5 mm), but a gravitropic growth response could be restored by applying the auxin indole-3-acetic acid exogenously to the excised tip. The addition of napthylphthalamic acid (an auxin transport inhibitor) at the ovule region allowed some growth to occur, but the gynophores do not respond normally to gravity, upon horizontal reorientation. We discuss the role of auxin in the gravitropic response of the gynophore.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from leaflets of peanut,Arachis hypogaea

Somatic embryos were induced on peanut (Arachis hypogaea) leaflets from aseptically germinated embryo axes. Leaflet size influenced percent somatic embryogenesis; 5–8 mm long cut leaflets were superior to 2–3 mm long uncut leaflets. Maximum embryogenesis of 14.6% was obtained after a 15 d incubation on induction medium (modified MS with B5 vitamins, 30 g/l sucrose, 4 g/l Gel-Gro, 40 mg/l 2,4-D +0.2 mg/l kinetin) followed by transfer to a secondary medium with 5 mg/l 2,4-D+0.2 mg/l kinetin. Primary somatic embryos were fused along the axes with no distinct cotyledons, but secondary embryos had single axes with two cotyledons. Other treatments had lower percent embryogenesis, no secondary embryogenesis, and embryos with single axes with two cotyledons. Some somatic embryos converted into normal plants capable of greenhouse survival.Abbreviations MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium - B5 Gamborg et al. (1968) B5 medium - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - BAP 6benzylaminopurine - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid     

花生衰老进程的研究

通过对鲁花11号和辐8707 2个高产花生品种的衰老进程研究表明：花生衰老具有地上部（叶片）渐进衰老和整株衰老的双重特点。花生从始花至花后60d左右为地上部（叶片）渐进衰老期：此期主茎高、侧枝长、分枝数、主茎、侧枝绿叶数、叶面积、茎、叶干重迅速增加,并接近或达到最大值,主茎及侧枝基部叶片逐渐由下向上开始衰老死亡,饱果开始出现,根系活力、固氮酶活性逐渐升高至接近最大值,始花后60－90d为整株缓衰期,此期地上部茎叶生长基因停止,逐渐开始衰老死亡,主茎、侧枝绿叶数开始减少,生殖体（荚果）干重迅速增长,根系活力、固氮酶活性缓慢降低;始花后90d以后称为整株速衰期,此期主茎、侧枝绿叶迅速减少,地上部迅速衰老死亡,生殖体（荚果）干重缓慢增长,根系活力、固氮酶活性迅速降低。地上部（叶片）渐进衰老期与开花及大量荚果形成相对应,整株缓衰期伴随着荚果迅速增重,整株速衰期与荚果缓慢增重一致。     

Auxin redistributes upwards in graviresponding gynophores of the peanut plant

The peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) produces flowers aerially, but buries the recently fertilized ovules into the soil, where fruit and seed development occur. The young seeds are carried down into the soil at the tip of a specialized organ called the gynophore. Although the gynophore has a typical shoot anatomy, it responds positively to gravity like a root. In this study, we explore the role of the plant growth regulator indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in the growth and the gravitropic response of the peanut gynophore. With an immunolocalization technique using an IAA monoclonal antibody, we localized IAA within the tissues of vertically oriented and gravistimulated gynophores. We found that in vertically oriented gynophores, IAA labeling occurs in the periphery of the gynophore, in the entire cortex and epidermis. Within 20 min of horizontal reorientation, the IAA signal gradually increases in the upper cortex/epidermis and diminishes in the lower cortex/epidermis. At 1.5 h after gravistimulation, all of the IAA immunolocalization signal is detected in the upper cortex and epidermis – none is detected in the lower side. Growth rate measurements also indicate that after 1–2 h of reorientation, the growth rate maximum on the upper side corresponds temporally and spatially to the growth rate minimum on the lower side. Experiments using radioactively labeled IAA corroborate an upper-side redistribution of this hormone upon horizontal reorientation. These results are analyzed with respect to the current theories of plant gravitropic response, and a model for a possible gravity-induced IAA redistribution from the lower to the upper side of the peanut gynophore is proposed. Received: 25 January 1999 / Accepted: 24 February 1999     

Role of carbohydrate moieties in peanut (Arachis hypogaea) peroxidases.

The activities of a cationic (C.PRX) and an anionic peroxidase isolated from peanut (Arachis hypogaea)-cell suspension culture were drastically reduced when they were deglycosylated with glycopeptidase F or oxidized by 10 mM-periodate. In contrast with the controls, the deglycosylated or the oxidized peroxidases were much more susceptible to proteolytic degradation. In radiolabelling experiments with [35S]methionine, the non-glycosylated C.PRX was synthesized in the tunicamycin-treated cultures and secreted into the medium. Examination of the C.PRX polypeptides by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis followed by fluorography showed that the non-glycosylated form had an Mr of approx. 31,000, which is about 78% of that of the glycosylated form. Our results suggest that carbohydrates may not be essential for peroxidase secretion, but that stabilization of the peroxidase molecules and acquisition by these isoenzymes of a catalytically active conformation is linked directly or indirectly to glycosylation.     

花生镉污染研究进展

花生既是世界主要的油料作物,又是重要的植物蛋白来源和食品加工原料.随着花生直接食用和食品加工的不断增加,国际上对花生籽粒Cd含量问题越来越关注.我国是世界上重要的花生生产国和出口国.近年来,花生Cd含量偏高已经成为制约我国出口贸易的重要因素.本文从花生籽粒Cd富集能力、花生Cd含量的种内差异、籽粒中Cd的分布规律、影响花生籽粒Cd积累的机制和降低花生籽粒Cd含量技术等方面,对花生Cd污染研究的现状与问题进行了论述.指出在花生Cd污染控制方面有2种策略可以考虑,一是降低花生对土壤Cd的吸收;二是控制Cd向籽粒的迁移富集.为此需要从3个方面加强对花生籽粒Cd积累机制的研究,即花生根系活性特征参数及其与籽粒Cd积累的关系;花生果荚Cd吸收机制及其对籽粒Cd含量的贡献;花生植株体内Cd迁移机制及其与籽粒Cd含量的关系.     

花生镉污染研究进展

花生既是世界主要的油料作物,又是重要的植物蛋白来源和食品加工原料．随着花生直接食用和食品加工的不断增加,国际上对花生籽粒Cd含量问题越来越关注．我国是世界上重要的花生生产国和出口国．近年来,花生Cd含量偏高已经成为制约我国出口贸易的重要因素．本文从花生籽粒Cd富集能力、花生Cd含量的种内差异、籽粒中Cd的分布规律、影响花生籽粒Cd积累的机制和降低花生籽粒Cd含量技术等方面,对花生Cd污染研究的现状与问题进行了论述．指出在花生cd污染控制方面有2种策略可以考虑,一是降低花生对土壤Cd的吸收;二是控制Cd向籽粒的迁移富集．为此需要从3个方面加强对花生籽粒Cd积累机制的研究,即花生根系活性特征参数及其与籽粒Cd积累的关系;花生果荚Cd吸收机制及其对籽粒Cd含量的贡献;花生植株体内Cd迁移机制及其与籽粒Cd含量的关系．     

Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Somatic embryos were induced from immature cotyledons and immature embryonal axis ofArachis hypogaea L. on L-6 basal medium supplemented with NAA, picloram or 2,4-D at 5–50 mg 1^-1. Immature embryonal axis produced a higher number of somatic embryos in comparison with immature cotyledons. The highest number of responding cultures was produced on medium supplemented with NAA (50 mg 1^-1), while the highest average number of somatic embryos per culture was produced on medium with 2,4-D (10 or 20 mg 1^-1) and picloram (30 mg 1^-1) from cotyledons. The somatic embryos developed into plants on basal medium supplemented with activated charcoal and about 100 plants were successfully transferred to the field. Acknowledgement: The authors wish to thank Nuclear Agriculture Division, BARC for supplyingA. hypogaea seeds and Mr. R.M. Mudliar for photography.     

Pterocarpenes elicited by Aspergillus caelatus in peanut (Arachis hypogaea) seeds

The substituted pterocarpenes named aracarpene-1 (1) and aracarpene-2 (2) were isolated from wounded peanut seeds challenged by a strain of Aspergillus caelatus. The structures of these putative phytoalexins were determined by interpretation of NMR and MS data. The aracarpenes were investigated for their antifungal and antibacterial activities as well as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities in mammalian cells. Aracarpene-2 demonstrated high antibacterial properties against tested gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, whereas aracarpene-1 displayed low antibacterial properties against the same bacteria. Both compounds had no antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus. Together with peanut stilbenoids that are also produced in the challenged seeds, these compounds may represent a class of low-molecular weight peanut metabolites with a defensive role(s) against pathogenic microorganisms.     

Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated gene transfer in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Transgenic peanut plants were produced using Agrobacterium mediated gene transfer. Primary leaf explants of peanut were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA 4404 harbouring the binary plasmid pBI 121 (conferring -glucuronidase activity and resistance to kanamycin) and cultured on regeneration medium supplemented with kanamycin to select putatively transformed shoots. They were rooted and plants were transferred to soil. Stable integration and expression of the transgenes were confirmed by NPT II assay, Southern blot hybridization and GUS assay.Abbreviations BA 6-benzyladenine - GUS -glucuronidase - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - NOS nopaline synthase - NPT II neomycin phosphotransferase II - SDS Lauryl sulfate     

Somatic embryogenesis from the axillary meristems of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Developmental anomalies in the plumule meristem of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) somatic embryos resulted in poor shoot differentiation and reduced plant recovery. Existing meristems with caulogenic potential have never been tested for embryogenesis in peanut. The present experiment was designed to test the mature zygotic embryo axis derived plumule with three meristems for somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic masses and embryos developed from the caulogenic meristems in the axils. Exposure of 2 weeks in primary medium with 90.5 μM 2,4-D suppressed the shoot tip differentiation temporarily which then regained the ability to form the shoot on withdrawal of 2,4-D. Exposure of 4 weeks in primary medium with 90.5 μM 2,4-D suppressed the shoot tip differentiation irreversibly. No shoot formation was noted from the tips in any of the cultures which were in secondary medium with 13.6 μM 2,4-D. Development of somatic embryos directly from axillary meristems was confirmed histologically. Conversion frequency of these embryos was 11%. Thus, in this report, we describe a method to obtain somatic embryos from the determined organogenic buds of the axillary meristem, by culturing the nodal explant vertically on embryo induction medium. It also displays the possibility of obtaining both embryogenic and organogenic potential in two parts of the same explant simultaneously. The possibility of extending this approach for genetic transformation in in vivo system through direct DNA delivery or Agrobacterium injection in meristems can also be explored. Using Agrobacterium rhizogenes, we have demonstrated the possibility of gene transfer in the axillary meristems of seed-derived plumule explant.     

Effects of aluminium on the peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)/ Bradyrhizobium symbiosis

The effects of low activities of the monomeric Al species, Al³⁺, Al(OH)₂ ⁺ and Al(OH)²⁺, on the peanut/Bradyrhizobium symbiosis were examined in solution culture. In flowing solution culture, growth of the host plant was depressed at activities ≥5 μM. Neither shoot dry weight, root dry weight nor root length were inhibited by 3 μM Al, an activity which reduced nodule number by 70%. Low nodule number was compensated for, at this activity, by an increase in weight per nodule. In non-flowing solution culture of similar composition, survival of a streptomycin resistant mutant of Bradyrhizobium spp. NC92 in the bulk solution or in the rhizosphere of peanut roots was unaffected by 20 μM Al. The site of infection by Bradyrhizobium was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Lateral root axils of plants exposed to ≥2 μM Al did not display the rosette of multicellular root hairs which is characteristic in normal plants. The detrimental effects of Al on nodulation appear to be related to structural changes at the site of infection which are observed at Al activities too low to cause any depression in growth of the host plant, including root length, and at activities of Al which do not affect survival of the free-living Bradyrhizobium.     

Gene transfer into peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) by Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Introduction of foreign genes into plant tissues via Agrobacterium tumefaciens based vectors requires specific knowledge of Agrobacterium-host compatibility. Therefore, to develop a transformation protocol for peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), five Brazilian cultivars were screened with four wild-type A.tumefaciens strains. Successful transformation was dependent on specific bacterial strain-plant cultivar interactions and strain A281 was the most effective for tumor induction. Tumors displayed hormone autonomous growth, were opine positive and contained DNA that was homologous to the T-DNA of the inciting strain. Tumors induced on seed and seedling explants by A281 (pTD02) also expressed the reporter genes gus and npt-II contained in the binary vector. These results show that peanut is a permissive host for the acceptance of genes from specific A.tumefaciens gene vectors.Abbreviations GUS ß-glucuronidase (EC 3.2.1.31) - NPT-II neomycin phosphotransferase II (EC 2.7.1.95) - EDTA ethylene-diamine-tetracetic acid     

Growth promotion and yield enhancement of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) by application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria

Although plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been reported to influence plant growth, yield and nutrient uptake by an array of mechanisms, the specific traits by which PGPR promote plant growth, yield and nutrient uptake were limited to the expression of one or more of the traits expressed at a given environment of plant–microbe interaction. We selected nine different isolates of PGPR from a pool of 233 rhizobacterial isolates obtained from the peanut rhizosphere on the basis of ACC-deaminase activity. The nine isolates were selected, initially, on the basis of germinating seed bioassay in which the root length of the seedling was enhanced significantly over the untreated control. All the nine isolates were identified as Pseudomonas spp. Four of these isolates, viz. PGPR1, PGPR2, PGPR4 and PGPR7 (all fluorescent pseudomonads), were the best in producing siderophore and indole acetic acid (IAA). In addition to IAA and siderophore-producing attributes, Pseudomonas fluorescens PGPR1 also possessed the characters like tri-calcium phosphate solubilization, ammonification and inhibited Aspergillus niger and A. flavus in vitro. P. fluorescens PGPR2 differed from PGPR1 in the sense that it did not show ammonification. In addition to the traits exhibited by PGPR1, PGPR4 showed strong in vitro inhibition to Sclerotium rolfsii. The performances of these selected plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial isolates were repeatedly evaluated for 3 years in pot and field trials. Seed inoculation of these three isolates, viz. PGPR1, PGPR2 and PGPR4, resulted in a significantly higher pod yield than the control, in pots, during rainy and post-rainy seasons. The contents of nitrogen and phosphorus in soil, shoot and kernel were also enhanced significantly in treatments inoculated with these rhizobacterial isolates in pots during both the seasons. In the field trials, however, there was wide variation in the performance of the PGPR isolates in enhancing the growth and yield of peanut in different years. Plant growth-promoting fluorescent pseudomonad isolates, viz. PGPR1, PGPR2 and PGPR4, significantly enhanced pod yield (23–26%, 24–28% and 18–24%, respectively), haulm yield and nodule dry weight over the control in 3 years. Other attributes like root length, pod number, 100-kernel mass, shelling out-turn and nodule number were also enhanced. Seed bacterization with plant growth-promoting P. fluorescens isolates, viz. PGPR1, PGPR2 and PGPR4, suppressed the soil-borne fungal diseases like collar rot of peanut caused by A. niger and PGPR4 also suppressed stem rot caused by S. rolfsii. Studies on the growth patterns of PGPR isolates utilizing the seed leachate as the sole source of C and N indicated that PGPR4 isolate was the best in utilizing the seed leachate of peanut, cultivar JL24. Studies on the rhizosphere competence of the PGPR isolates, evaluated on the basis of spontaneous rifampicin resistance, indicated that PGPR7 was the best rhizoplane colonizer and PGPR1 was the best rhizosphere colonizer. Although the presence of growth-promoting traits in vitro does not guarantee that an isolate will be plant growth promoting in nature, results suggested that besides ACC-deaminase activity of the PGPR isolates, expression of one or more of the traits like suppression of phytopathogens, solubilization of tri-calcium phosphate, production of siderophore and/or nodulation promotion might have contributed to the enhancement of growth, yield and nutrient uptake of peanut.     

Quantification of the geocarposphere and rhizosphere effect of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Roots and pods of field-grown peanut (groundnut) (Arachis hypogaea L.) were sampled at the R3, R5, and R7 developmental stages and examined in comparison to root- and pod-free soil for microbial population densities to assess the geocarposphere and rhizosphere effects. G/ S (no. geocarposphere microorganisms/no. soil microorganisms) and R/S (no. rhizosphere microorganisms/no. soil microorganisms) ratios were calculated for total fungi,Asperigillus flavus, spore-forming bacilli, coryneform bacteria, fluorescent pseudomonads, and total bacteria isolated on low- and high-nutrient media. A clear geocarposphere effect was evidenced by increased population densities of bacteria and fungi associated with developing pods compared to soil. G/S and R/S ratios were generally greater than 1.0 for all groups of microorganisms except bacilli. G/S ratios were greater for total bacteria than for total fungi at two of the three sample times, suggesting that bacteria were stimulated more than fungi in the zone around developing pods. In contrast, R/S ratios, were higher for total fungi than for total bacteria at two of three sample times. The preferential association of fungi and bacteria with early developmental stages of the pod indicates that some microorganisms are particularly well adapted for colonization of the peanut geocarposphere. These microorganisms are logical candidates for evaluation as biological control candiates forA. flavus.     

Diniconazole's effect on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) growth and development

Greenhouse nutrient solution studies demonstrated that diniconazole will decrease peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) shoot growth when either root or shoot applied. Root growth and development were decreased by root and, to a lesser extent, by shoot uptake of diniconazole. Diniconazole is apparently xylem translocated, but not phloem translocated. Concentrations of 200 ppb ES isomer of diniconazole in nutrient solution (root uptake) increased specific leaf weight and starch deposits in the leaf. Field applications of 193 g ES isomer ha^–1 of diniconazole reduced main stem height by 33%, leaf area index by 16%, and total vegetative dry weight by 19%, but had no effect on average leaf size. Decreased germination of seeds from plants treated with 1435 g ha^–1 diaminozide was associated with increased seed dormancy. Seed dormancy was counteracted by either ethylene gas or storage for 150 days after harvest. Soil applications of diniconazole were more effective than foliar appliations in reducing vine growth. Diniconazole's ER isomer is a broad spectrum fungicide that reduced damage (when compared to the control) bySclerotium rolfsii andRhizoctonia solani. The reduced damage by these diseases was thought to be the primary reason for the significant pod yield increase (when compared to the control) observed with the diniconazole treatments. In drought-stressed plots, populations of the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) were increased by diniconazole.Mention of a trademark, proprietary product, or vendor does not constitute a guarantee by the University of Georgia or the U.S. Department of Agriculture and does not imply UGA or USDA approval to the exclusion of other products or vendors that also may be suitable.     

Immunochemical studies on the specificity of the peanut (Arachis hypogaea) agglutinin.

The specificity of purified, peanut agglutinin has been studied immunochemically by quantitative precipitin and inhibition assays. The lectin showed substantial differences in precipitating with blood-group substances of the same specificity. Of the B substances tested, horse 4 25% completely precipitated the lectin, Beach phenol insoluble failed to interact, and PM phenol insoluble gave an intermediate reaction. The lectin did not precipitate with A1 substances, with hog gastric mucin A + H substance, or with A2 substance WG phenol insoluble. Another A2 substance, cyst 14 phenol insoluble, precipitated approximately 2/3 of the lectin. Of the H substances, Tighe phenol insoluble was inactive, JS phenol insoluble precipitated poorly, and morgan standard H precipitated about 80% of the lectin. However, first stage of Smith degradation, as well as Pl fractions obtained by mild acid hydrolysis of blood-group substances, gave products which precipitated strongly. The lectin was also completely precipitated by all precursor blood-group substances, as well as by cows 21 and 26, all having strong I-Ma, I-Ort, I-Step, and I-Da activities. Cow 18, which does not possess significant blood-group I activity, precipitated very slightly. Fractions of blood-group substances N-1 (Lea) and Tij (B) obtained by precipitation from 90 percent phenol at higher concentrations of ethanol interacted better with peanut agglutinin. These differences in activity are ascribable to a heterogeneity resulting from incomplete biosynthesis of carbohydrate side-chains of blood-group substances, particularly resulting in variations in the numbers of DGalbeta1 leads to 3DGalNAc or DGalbeta1 leads to 4DGlcNAc determinants. The agglutinin reacted with the hydatid cyst P1 glycoprotein, as well as with the previously studied antifreeze and sialic acid-free alpha1 acid glycoproteins, but not with pneumococcus type XIV polysaccharide. Inhibition of precipitation showed the lectin to be most specific for the disaccharide DGalbeta1 leads to 3DGalNAc, which is 14, 55, and 90 times as active as DGalbeta1 leads to 4DGlcNAc, DGal, and DGalbeta1 leads to 3DGlcNAc, respectively. DGalbeta1 leads to 3N-acetyl-D-galactosaminitol has approximately 1/25th the activity of DGalbeta1 leads to 3DGalNAc. Substitutions of DGlcNAc or LFuc on the DGal of active inhibitors completely blocked the activity, in line with the assumption that the combining site of the peanut lectin is a partial cavity. The oligosaccharides DGalbeta1 leads to 4DGlcNAcbeta1 leads to 6-hexane-1,2,4,5,6-pentol(s) and DGalbeta1 leads to 3[DGalbeta1 leads to 4DGlcNAcbeta1 leads to 6]N-acetyl-D-galactosaminitol showed the same inhibitory activity as DGalbeta1 leads to 4DGlcNAc, suggesting that the combining site of the peanut agglutinin may not be complementary to more than a disaccharide...     

RFLP variability in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars and wild species

Summary RFLP variability was studied in eight U.S. peanut cultivars, representing the four market types, and in 14 wild Arachis species accessions, using random genomic clones from a PstI library. Very low levels of RFLP variability were found among the allotetraploids, which included the U.S. cultivars and Arachis monticola, a wild species. The diploid wild species were very diverse, however. RFLP patterns of the allotetraploids were more complex than the diploids, and the two constituent genomes could usually be distinguished. On the basis of RFLP band sharing, A. ipaensis, A. duranensis, and A. spegazzinii appeared most closely related to the diploid progenitor species of the allotetraploids. A dendrogram of relationships among the diploid wild species was constructed based on band sharing.