Ethylene accelerates the breakdown of cytokinins and thereby stimulates rooting in Norway spruce hypocotyl cuttings

Cuttings were taken from 4-week-old seedlings of Norway spruce ( Picea abies L. Karst.) raised at two different irradiation levels. Rooting experiments showed that root formation was increased by the ethylene formed by adding 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid ACC or Ethrel, especially in the slowly rooting cuttings grown under high light (HL). Cobaltousion. an ethylene synthesis inhibitor, delayed rooting, especially in the easily rooted cuttings grown under low light (LL).
Compounds isolated from the cuttings using immunoaffinity chromatography, on a column with antibodies against cytokinins, and separated by HPLC decreased in amount during the first week of the rooting period. An increase in ethylene production accelerated this process, especially in cuttings grown under HL, whereas cobaltous ion delayed it. We suggest that ethylene stimulates rooting by enhancing the degradation of cytokinins.     

Water stress,CO2 and photoperiod influence hormone levels in wheat

'Super Dwarf' wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants have been grown from seed to maturity in the Mir space station where they were periodically exposed, because of microgravity and other constraints, to water deficit, waterlogging, high CO2 levels, and low light intensities. The plants produced many tillers, but none of them produced viable seed. Studies have been initiated to determine why the plants responded in these ways. In the present study, effects of the listed stresses on abscisic acid (ABA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and isopentenyl adenosine ([9R]iP) levels in roots and leaves of plants grown under otherwise near optimal conditions on earth were measured. Hormones were extracted, purified by HPLC, and quantified by noncompetitive indirect ELISA. In response to water deficit, ABA levels increased in roots and leaves, IAA levels decreased in roots and leaves, and [9R]iP levels increased in leaves but decreased in roots. In response to waterlogging, ABA, IAA and [9R]iP levels briefly increased in roots and leaves and then decreased. When portions of the root system were exposed to waterlogging and/or water deficit, ABA levels in leaves increased while [9R]iP and IAA levels decreased. These responses were correlated with the percentage of the root system stressed. At a low photosynthetic photon flux (100 micromoles m-2 s-1), plants grown in continuous light had higher leaf ABA levels than plants grown using an 18 or 21 h photoperiod.     

Plant growth regulators as putative physiological markers of developmental stage in Prunus persica

Prunus persica plants of different ages and statesof maturation were analysed to compare their phytohormonal status. Endogenouslevels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), and severalcytokinins (Cks): zeatin (Z), zeatin riboside ([9R]Z), dihydrozeatin ((diH)Z),dihydrozeatin riboside ((diH)Z[9R]), isopentenyl adenine (iP) and isopentenyladenosine ([9R]iP), were measured in order to determine their possible use asphysiological indices of phase change and maturation. A decrease in Ck levels(Z, [9R]Z, (diH)Z, (diH)[9R]Z, and iP, [9RiP) was found from the embryonic tojuvenile stage as well as a decrease in the ratio of iP-type (iP and[9R]iP)/Z-type Cks paralleling the increase in tree age. ABA levels increasedduring maturation in Prunus persica and the ratio ofCks/IAA decreased with tree age. From our results, we propose that the balancesof Cks/IAA and iP-type/Z-type Cks are good indices of different developmentalstates in Prunus persica.     

Quantification by ELISA of Cytokinins in Root-Pressure Exudates of Urtica dioica Plants Grown under Different Nitrogen Levels

ELISAs for [9R]iP, [9R]Z and (diH) [9R]Z have been worked out which, in combination with HPLC., allow the quantitative determination of cytokinins of the isopentenyladenin-, zeatin- and dihydrozeatin-type in samples of plant material. The three ELISAs are optimally applicable in the range from 0.5 to 20 pmoles of cytokinins per assay but reliable measurements can still be performed down to 0.05 pmoles. The assay has been applied to root pressure exudates obtained from Urtica dioica plants grown under controlled conditions and at different nitrogen (nitrate) levels. The predominant cytokinins of the xylem exudate were Z, Z-nucleotide, iP, [9R]iP and iP-nucleotide, while (diH)Z was present to a minor extent. The concentrations of these compounds were found to range between 0.2 and 3 pmoles per ml exudate. Interestingly, no effect of the different nitrogen nutrition on the pattern and concentration of cytokinins in the xylem exudate could be established.     

Study on photosynthetic responses and chlorophyll fluorescence in Rhizophora mucronata seedlings under shade regimes

The photosynthetic performance of mangrove Rhizophora mucronata seedlings grown under seasonally full light (HL), 50 % shade (ML), and 80 % shade (LL) conditions was characterized by gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence. The carboxylation efficiency significantly affected the seasonal change of the photosynthetic capacity. Temperature and light might have synergic effect on the carboxylation efficiency. The photosynthetic rate (PN) of R. mucronata seedlings under shade regimes, however, could not be attributed to variability in chlorophyll, C _i , ΦPSII, ETR or qP values but more to differences in carboxylation efficiency, g _max, and E _max. HL and ML plants had higher PN, g _s and E than the LL ones. Nevertheless, LL leaves exhibited low photoinhibition susceptibility. The high non-photochemical quenching in HL leaves may show that applied light intensity probably exceeded the photosynthetic capability. The findings indicate that ML treatments provided the best condition to obtain such carbon fixation capacity.     

Chlorophyll a fluorescence of typical desert plant Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. at two light levels

Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. is exposed to a high-irradiance environment as the main vegetation found in the forelands of the Taklamakan Desert. We investigated chlorophyll a fluorescence emission of A. sparsifolia seedlings grown under ambient (HL) and shade (LL) conditions. Our results indicated that the fluorescence intensity in the leaves was significantly higher for LL-grown plants than that under HL. High values of the maximum quantum yield of PSII for primary photochemistry (φP_o) and the quantum yield that an electron moves further than Q_A - (φE_o) in the plants under LL conditions suggested that the electron flow from Q_A - (primary quinone electron acceptors of PSII) to Q_B (secondary quinone acceptor of PSII) or Q_B - was enhanced at LL compared to natural HL conditions. The efficiency/probability with which an electron from the intersystem electron carriers was transferred to reduce end electron acceptors at the PSI acceptor side and the quantum yield for the reduction of end electron acceptors at the PSI acceptor side were opposite to φP_o, and φE_o. Thus, we concluded that the electron transport on the donor side of PSII was blocked under LL conditions, while acceptor side was inhibited at the HL conditions. The PSII activity of electron transport in the plants grown in shade was enhanced, while the energy transport from PSII to PSI was blocked compared to the plants grown at HL conditions. Furthermore, PSII activity under HL was seriously affected in midday, while the plants grown in shade enhanced their energy transport.     

Chloroplast Response in Dunaliella salina to Irradiance Stress (Effect on Thylakoid Membrane Protein Assembly and Function)

The chloroplast response in the green alga Dunaliella salina to irradiance stress was investigated. Cells were grown under low light (LL) at 100 [mu]mol photons m-2 s-1 or high light (HL) at 2000 [mu]mol photons m-2 s-1 incident intensity. LL-grown cells had a low chlorophyll (Chl) a/b ratio, an abundance of light-harvesting complex II proteins (LHC-II), and a large Chl antenna size. HL-grown cells had a higher Chl a/b ratio, relatively fewer LHC-II, and a small Chl antenna size. The more abundant higher molecular mass subunits of the LHC-II (approximately 31 kD) were selectively depleted from the thylakoid membrane of HL-grown cells. Light-shift experiments defined the kinetics of change in the subunit composition of the LHC-II and suggested distinct mechanisms in the acclimation of thylakoids to HL or LL conditions. The results showed that irradiance exerts a differential regulation on the expression of various Lhcb genes. The specific polyclonal antibodies used in this work, raised against the purified LHC-II, cross-reacted with a polypeptide of approximately 20 kD in HL-grown samples. In this work we examined the dynamics of induction of this novel protein and discuss its function in terms of a chloroplast response to the level of irradiance.     

An evaluation of the role of cytokinins in the development of abnormal inflorescences in oil palms (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) regenerated from tissue culture

Tissue cultures and regenerant plants from cell lines producing palms with normal and abnormal flowers were analyzed for cytokinin content and compared with zygotic embryos and seedlings. Immature inflorescences at the critical stage of flower development dissected from normal and abnormal palms were also analyzed. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/radioimmunoassay and HPLC/enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods were used over a period of several years to measure the isoprenoid cytokinins. The results of analyses of endogenous aromatic cytokinins, present at comparable levels, will be reported separately. Oil palm cultures and regenerant plants contained relatively high concentrations of the 9-glucosides of isopentenyladenine ([9G]iP) and zeatin ([9G]Z). The predominant biologically active isoprenoid cytokinin present was zeatin riboside ([9R]Z), with lesser amounts of isopentenyladenine (iP) and isopentenyladenosine ([9R]iP). There was evidence of small amounts of dihydrozeatin compounds, but high concentrations (mainly as dihydrozeatin-9-glucoside ([9G]DHZ)) were confined to the haustorium of the zygotic embryo. Callus tissue contained very low concentrations of cytokinin. Frequently only [9G]iP could be detected, at about 1 pmol · g^-1 fresh weight, with [9R]Z at less than 0.05 pmol · g^-1. In comparison, nodular embryogenic tissues in vitro contained between 30 and 1,500 pmol · g^-1 of [9G]iP, 5–50 pmol · g^-1 of [9G]Z, and up to 12 pmol · g^-1 of [9R]Z. Shoots of regenerant plantlets and seedlings contained lower concentrations of [9G]iP (3–30 pmol · g^-1), although this was still the predominant cytokinin. [9R]Z and [9G]Z were present at between 2 and 15 pmol · g^-1, with iP at 1–5 pmol · g^-1 and [9R]iP at between 1 and 12 pmol · g^-1. Seedlings contained similar amounts with the exception of a lower [9G]iP content (5–10 pmol · g^-1) and more [9R]iP (10–20 pmol · g^-1). Root tissues of ramets contained significantly higher concentrations of [9G]iP than shoots. Comparison of two isogenic lines of one clone giving rise to normal and abnormal palms showed significantly higher concentrations of [9R]Z and [9G]Z in the normal than in the abnormal line and, in embryoids only, higher [9G]iP in the normal line. In all other cases the between-done differences were greater than any normal/abnormal differences. There was a general tendency for increased concentrations of [9G]iP in abnormal lines and for this compound to be in a higher concentration in embryoids and plants derived from culture than in zygotic embryos and seedlings. Analysis of cytokinins in immature female inflorescences of normal and abnormal palms of a single clone showed the abnormal inflorescences to have higher concentrations of [9R]Z and [9R]DHZ and less [9G]Z than the normal inflorescences at comparable stages of development.Abbreviations HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - [9G]iP 9-glucoside of isopentenyladenine - [9G]Z 9-glucoside of zeatin - [9R]Z zeatin riboside - iP isopentenyladenine - [9R]iP isopentenyladenosine - [9G]DHZ dihydrozeation-9-glucoside - ELISA enzyme-linked radioimmunosorbentassay - ANOVAR analysis of variance     

High light intensity protects photosynthetic apparatus of pea plants against exposure to lead.

The electron transport rates and coupling factor activity in the chloroplasts; adenylate contents, rates of photosynthesis and respiration in the leaves as well as activity of isolated mitochondria were investigated in Pisum sativum L. leaves of plants grown under low or high light intensity and exposed after detachment to 5 mM Pb(NO(3))(2). The presence of Pb(2+) reduced rate of photosynthesis in the leaves from plants grown under the high light (HL) and low light (LL) conditions, whereas the respiration was enhanced in the leaves from HL plants. Mitochondria from Pb(2+) treated HL-leaves oxidized glycine at a higher rate than those isolated from LL leaves. ATP content in the Pb-treated leaves increased to a greater extend in the HL than LL grown plants. Similarly ATP synthase activity increased markedly when chloroplasts isolated from control and Pb-treated leaves of HL and LL grown plants were subjected to high intensity light. The presence of Pb ions was found inhibit ATP synthase activity only in chloroplasts from LL grown plants or those illuminated with low intensity light. Low light intensity during growth also lowered PSI electron transport rates and the Pb(2+) induced changes in photochemical activity of this photosystem were visible only in the chloroplasts isolated from LL grown plants. The activity of PSII was influenced by Pb ions on similar manner in both light conditions. This study demonstrates that leaves from plants grown under HL conditions were more resistant to lead toxicity than those obtained from the LL grown plants. The data indicate that light conditions during growth might play a role in regulation of photosynthetic and respiratory energy conservation in heavy metal stressed plants by increasing the flexibility of the stoichiometry of ATP to ADP production.     

Phytotoxic naphthopyranone derivatives from the coprophilous fungus Guanomyces polythrix.

Reinvestigation of the fermentation broth and mycelium of the coprophilous fungus Guanomyces polythrix, grown in static conditions, led to the isolation of several phytotoxic compounds, including two new naphthopyranone derivatives, namely (2S, 3R)-5-hydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy-2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-naphtho[2,3-b]-pyran-4-one and (2S, 3R)-5-hydroxy-6,8,10-trimethoxy-2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-naphtho[2,3-b]-pyran-4-one. The structures of the new compounds were established by spectral and chiroptical methods. In addition, the structure of 8-hydroxy-6-methyl-9-oxo-9H-xanthene-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester was unambiguously determined by X-ray analysis. The isolates caused significant inhibition of radicle growth of two weed seedlings (Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Echinochloa crusgalli) and interacted with both spinach and bovine brain calmodulins.     

Occurrence of aromatic cytokinins in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

The natural occurrence of 6-benzylaminopurine, 6-(2-hydroxybenzylamino)purine (ortho-topolin), 6-(3-hydroxybenzylamino)purine (meta-topolin), their ribosides and 9-glucosides is reported using specific antibodies to these groups of compounds in high performance liquid chromatography/enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (HPLC/ELISA). Compounds were identified by their retention times and differential cross-reactivities with six antisera in analyses carried out in two laboratories using different HPLC gradient systems. Identities were confirmed by immunoaffinity purification followed by HPLC with on-line UV spectrum analysis. Further confirmation of the occurrence of ortho-topolin riboside and isopentenyladenine-9-glucoside was obtained from gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of permethylated HPLC fractions of an extract of oil palm tissues. The aromatic cytokinins, and in particular, ortho-topolin riboside, were found in a variety of oil palm tissues at concentrations exceeding those of the isoprenoid cytokinins, zeatin, isopentenyladenine, dihydrozeatin, and their ribosides. The 9-glucosides of isopentenyladenine and zeatin were more abundant than those of the aromatic types. The cross-reactivity of benzyladenine compounds with antibodies to isopentenyladosine is discussed in relation to the interpretation of ELISA data.Abbreviations BA N ⁶-benzyladenine - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - GC-MS gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry - mT meta-topolin - oT ortho-topolin - TEAA triethylammonium acetate - IAC immunoaffinity chromatography - SPD spectral photodiode     

Abscisic acid, indole-3-acetic acid and cytokinin changes in buds of Pseudotsuga menziesii during bud quiescence release

Bud quiescence release, considered as the ultimate dormancy breaking phase, was achieved in Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco by a 9-week cold (5°C) treatment, under short daylength (9 h) followed by a transfer to mild temperature (22°C) under long daylength (16 h). Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), zeatin-type (Z) and isopentenyladenine-type (iPA) cytokinin (CK) levels were measured by means of an ELISA technique performed on HPLC-fractionated extracts of terminal and axillary buds. During the cold period, all hormones except IP-type CK levels decreased, whereas the opposite observation was made after transfer to mild temperature and long daylength, when buds started to grow. Some other immunoreactive compounds were also detected and quantified. The ABA-glucosyl ester (ABA-GE) level pattern was similar to that of ABA, but no accumulation occurred at mild temperatures. A putative IAA conjugate, more polar than IAA, was also detected. Its level increased transiently like IAA in terminal buds and, to a lesser extent, in axillary buds during the 10th week of the experiment. In terminal buds, isopentenyladenosine ([9R]-iP) was released by alkaline hydrolysis of a polar immunoreactive compound detected with anti-[9R]iP antibodies. This compound accumulated during the cold period and quickly dropped at 22°C. Relationships between environmental conditions and endogenous hormones are discussed.     

Effects of auxin and irradiance on the rooting of cuttings of Pinus sylvestris

Abstract Seedlings of Pinus sylvestris L. were grown under controlled conditions (temperature 20°C, photoperiod 17 h) at two irradiances, 8 or 40 W m^-2. Hypocotyl cuttings were excised and rooted at different irradiances in tap water solutions of indolebutyric acid (IBA). The fastest rooting and highest rooting percentage were obtained with cuttings from stock plants grown at 8 W m^-2 and treated with 10^-5M IBA for 21 days. The concentration of 10^-4M IBA inhibited root formation. In comparable treatments rooting was always better in cuttings from stock plants grown at 8 W m^-2 than in cuttings from stock plants grown at 40 W m^-2. The irradiance during the rooting period had only a minor influence on rooting. When cuttings from plants irradiated with 40 W m^-2 were treated with 10^-5M IBA for 21 days the rooting percentage almost reached the same level as in untreated cuttings from stock plants given 8 W m^-2. In cuttings treated with IBA during the whole rooting period, rooting was depressed in comparison to untreated cuttings. Aeration of the 10^-4M IBA solution increased the rooting percentage, but aeration had no effect on untreated cuttings and on cuttings treated with lower IBA concentrations.     

New synthesis of immunogenic N6-isopent-2-enyladenosine-protein conjugate. Preparation, purification, and specificity of related antibodies.

An original procedure which preserves the structure of the sugar ring is described to link a plant hormone as N6-isopent-2-enyladenosine [( 9R]iP) onto a protein carrier to prepare a more specific immunogen. This cytokinin is bound to bovine serum albumin (BSA) and ovalbumin by a five-step procedure. These [9R]iP-protein conjugates have a maximal absorption at 269 nm and show molar ratios of hormone bound to proteins in the range of 12:1 and 18:1 for BSA and ovalbumin, respectively. Polyclonal antibodies were raised in rabbits against [9R]iP-BSA and were purified by affinity chromatography. Titers and specificity of the antisera and purified antibodies were determined by ELISA and RIA. These antibodies are highly specific for [9R]iP and do not cross-react with zeatin and ribosylzeatin. An immunoaffinity matrix was prepared with a capacity of 1 microgram of [9R]iP/mL of gel.     

Root Formation in Ethylene-Insensitive Plants

Experiments with ethylene-insensitive tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and petunia (Petunia x hybrida) plants were conducted to determine if normal or adventitious root formation is affected by ethylene insensitivity. Ethylene-insensitive Never ripe (NR) tomato plants produced more below-ground root mass but fewer above-ground adventitious roots than wild-type Pearson plants. Applied auxin (indole-3-butyric acid) increased adventitious root formation on vegetative stem cuttings of wild-type plants but had little or no effect on rooting of NR plants. Reduced adventitious root formation was also observed in ethylene-insensitive transgenic petunia plants. Applied 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid increased adventitious root formation on vegetative stem cuttings from NR and wild-type plants, but NR cuttings produced fewer adventitious roots than wild-type cuttings. These data suggest that the promotive effect of auxin on adventitious rooting is influenced by ethylene responsiveness. Seedling root growth of tomato in response to mechanical impedance was also influenced by ethylene sensitivity. Ninety-six percent of wild-type seedlings germinated and grown on sand for 7 d grew normal roots into the medium, whereas 47% of NR seedlings displayed elongated tap-roots, shortened hypocotyls, and did not penetrate the medium. These data indicate that ethylene has a critical role in various responses of roots to environmental stimuli.     

Isolation of two cytokinin metabolites from the rhizosphere of Norway spruce seedlings (Picea abies L. Karst.)

Roots of young Norway spruce seedlings were incubated under hydroculture conditions in a synthetic nutrient medium containing either ³H-isopentenyladenosine, isopentenyladenosine or zeatin riboside. When feeding with ³H-isopentenyladenosine a new radiaolabelled metabolite was found in the feeding solution as well as in root extracts. Isopentenyladenosine and zeatin riboside were metabolised and for both compounds an unknown metabolite was detected in the feeding solution. The metabolites were purified by solid phase extraction, HPLC and partially characterised. A major characteristic of the metabolites is their reactivity in the presence of NH₄OH, which results in the formation of the cytokinin bases isopentenyladenine or zeatin, respectively. UV-spectra and the chemical characteristics indicate that the new metabolites are closely related. The GC-MS analysis revealed, that the metabolites are true derivatives of isopentenyladenine and zeatin. The biogenesis of the new metabolites is discussed with regard to plant microbial interactions.Abbreviations Ck(s) = cytokinin(s) - GC-MS = gas chromatography-mass spectrometry - iP = isopentenyladenine - [9R]iP = isopentenyladenosine - [9G]iP = isopentenyladenine-9-glucoside - [9R-MP]iP = isopentenyladenosine-5-monophosphate - Z = trans-zeatin - [9R]Z = trans-zeatin riboside     

On the nature of the activating enzyme of the inactive form of delta-aminolevulinate synthetase in Rhodopseudomonas spheroides.

The activating enzyme of the inactive form of Fraction I of delta-aminolevulinate (ALA) synthetase [EC 2.3.1.37] in Rhodopseudomonas (R.) spheroides was purified about 1,000-fold from an extract of R. spheroides cells grown anaerobically in the light. The purification of the activating enzyme was achieved by fractionating the 100,000 X g supernatant fraction of the crude extract with ammonium sulfate and acetone, followed by Sephadex G-200 chromatography, pyridoxamine phosphate-Sepharose 4B chromatography, and preparative gel electrophoresis. The final preparation of the activating enzyme still contained a minor contaminant (less than 20%) as judged by disc gel electrophoresis. The activating enzyme exhibited cystathionase [EC 4.4.1.1] activity throughout the purification. These two enzyme activities were not separated at all during any step of the purification. An apparently homogeneous preparation of cystathionase [EC 4.4.1.8] purified from rat liver also exhibited activating activity in the presence of L-cystine. It was concluded that the activating enzyme is a cystathionase.     

光照强度对紫茉莉生长和镉积累的影响

采用土培实验研究了25mg／kg镉处理下全光照（HL）、50％全光照（ML）和10％全光照（LL）三种生长光强对紫茉莉生长、光合作用和镉积累相关指标的影响,结果表明,紫茉莉对镉具有较高的耐性,ML对紫茉莉的生长最为有利。镉胁迫下紫茉莉净光合速率和最大光化学效率降低,暗呼吸速率增高,生物量减小。特别在高光强条件下。ML植株镉积累量最大,对镉污染土壤的植物修复效果较好。     

An enhancing effect of visible light and UV radiation on phenolic compounds and various antioxidants in broad bean seedlings

Exposure of dark- or ambient visible light-grown broad bean seedlings to low (LL) and high (HL) visible light intensities, UV-A or UV-C, either alone or in combination, induced significant increases in total phenolic compounds as well as in anthocyanins content, throughout the germination period, as compared with the respective levels in control seedlings. In general, as compared with control levels, exposure of both dark- or light-grown broad bean seedlings to LL, HL, UV-A or UV-C, induced significant increases in the contents of non-enzymatic antioxidants (total ascorbate; ASA-DASA and total glutathione; GSSG-GSH) and enzymatic antioxidant activities (superoxide dismutase; SOD, catalase; CAT, ascorbate peroxidase; APO and glutathione reductase; GR). The obtained results are discussed in relation to induced mechanisms of protection and repair from the inevitable exposure to damaging visible light and UV radiation.Key words: Vicia faba, anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, total ascorbate, total glutathione, SOD, APO, CAT, GR