Temperature-dependent Response to Indoleacetic Acid Is Altered by NH(4) in Cultured Cotton Ovules

Cut carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus L. cv. `Improved White Sim') were exposed to ultra high purity ¹⁴C₂H₄ (20 μl/1) during flower opening and senescence to study its incorporation and metabolism. During treatment precautions were taken to exclude inhibitory volatiles from rubber serum stoppers which were identified as CS₂ and COS. As with the pea seedling (Nature 1975, 255:144-147), cut carnations incorporated ¹⁴C₂H₄ into ethanol-soluble tissue metabolites and oxidized the hormone to ¹⁴CO₂. Oxidation increased from 0.5 to 3 dpm · mg dry wt⁻¹·6 hr⁻¹ during the period of flower opening and early petal wilt. As severe petal wilt set in, and the ovary increased in size and dry weight, oxidation increased to a peak of nearly 29 dpm · mg dry wt⁻¹·6 hr⁻¹. Concomitant with this peak was a similar rise in the rate of ¹⁴C₂H₄ incorporation into the petals, peduncle, bracts, and sepals. Much higher rates of incorporation were found for the reproductive and receptacle tissues. Incorporation into these tissues steadily increased during flower opening reaching a peak of over 160 dpm · mg dry wt⁻¹ · 6 hr⁻¹ just before full bloom. This peak preceded a peak of endogenous ethylene production while the ¹⁴C₂H₄ oxidation peak followed it.     

Effect of (2-Chloroethyl)phosphonic Acid on Flower Induction in Juvenile Mango (Mangifera indica) Seedlings

Spray applications of 1000 mg/l (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid (CEPA) five times, at weekly intervals, during November and early December induced heavy flowering in ringed and nonringed juvenile mango seedlings. The treated plants produced flower buds which opened by the end of December, while the control and ringed seedlings produced only a new flush of vegetative growth. The results show that CEPA could be profitably used for early evaluation of hybrid seedlings in mango breeding programme.     

Callus Induction by Optically Active Auxin, R-(+)-2-(2-Naphthoxy) propionic Acid

R-(+)-2-(2-naphthoxy)propionic acid [(+)-NOP], but not (–)-NOP,was active in inducing calli from peel tissues of cucumber fruits.The callus-inducing activity of (+)-NOP was comparable to thatof 1-naphthylacetic acid. Activities of alcohol dehydrogenaseand lipoxygenase increased during callus induction. (Received August 22, 1984; Accepted January 9, 1985)     

Cultured Ovules as Models for Cotton Fiber Development under Low Temperatures

Cotton fibers (Gossypium hirsutum L.) developing in vitro responded to cyclic temperature change similarly to those of field-grown plants under diumal temperature fluctuations. Absolute temperatures and rates of temperature change were similar under both conditions. In vitro fibers exhibited a “growth ring” for each time the temperature cycled to 22 or 15°C. Rings were rarely detected when the low point was 28°C. The rings seemed to correspond to alternating regions of high and low cellulose accumulation. Fibers developed in vitro under 34°C/22°C cycling developed similarly to constant 34°C controls, but 34°C/22°C and 34°C/15°C cycling caused delayed onset and prolonged periods of elongation and secondary wall thickening. Control fiber length and weight were finally achieved under 34°C/22°C cycling, but both parameters were reduced at the end of the experiment under 34°C/15°C cycling. Fibers developed under all conditions had equal bundle tensile strength. These results demonstrate that: (a) cool temperature effects on fiber development are at least partly fiber/ovule-specific events; they do not depend on whole-plant physiology; and (b) cultured ovules are valid models for research on the regulation of the field cool temperature response.     

Effect of Gibberellic Acid, (2-Chloroethyl) Phosphonic Acid, Actinomycin-D and Cycloheximide on the Activity and Leaching of Some Hydrolases in Pollen Suspension Cultures of Crotalaria juncea

Gibberellic acid (GA₃) 20 mg 1^?1 and (2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid (Ethephon) 10 mg 1^?1 enhanced pollen tube length in Crotalaria juncea L. GA₃ markedly increased the activity of amylase, acid phosphatase and β-glucosidase and enhanced leaching of amylase and acid phosphatase enzymes. The rise in the activity level and leaching of amylase and acid phosphatase after Ethephon treatment was comparatively less than that of GA₃ and the response to Ethephon was restricted to the 45 and 90 min period of culturing. Ethephon did not affect the activity/leaching of β-glucosidase significantly. Actinomycin-D (Act.D) 25 mg l^?1 and Cycloheximide (CH) 10 mg 1^?1 reduced the tube growth as well as activity of these enzymes suggesting their de novo synthesis during pollen tube growth.     

Effect of (2-Chloroethyl)phosphonic Acid on CCC-Induced Delay of Fruit Ripening

(2-Chloroethyl)phosphonic acid (CEPA) which is known to releaseethylene in plant tissue, and (2-chloroethyl)trimethylammoniumchloride (CCC) were applied to ripening tomato and red pepperfruits. CEPA enhanced and CCC inhibited chlorophyll degradationand carotenoid formation. The inhibitory effects of CCC on fruitripening were counteracted by CEPA treatment. These resultsand those of other authors on gibberellin action in fruit ripeningsuggested that both CCC and gibberellin may interfere with theaction of ethylene in ripening fruit.     

Rooting of Chrysanthemum Stem Cuttings as Affected by (2-chloroethyl) Phosphonic Acid and Indolebutyric Acid

Stem cuttings of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ram. were treatedwith aqueous solutions of (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid (Ethrel)and indolebutyric acid (IBA). Ethrel (1 mg per 1) as a dip oras two foliar sprays, promoted root length and branching inMrs. Roy and Clipper which are difficult-to-root cultivars,but had no effect on Improved Mefo, an easy-to-root cultivar.IBA increased root number in both Clipper and Improved Mefo.The results suggest that IBA and Ethrel act at different stagesof the rooting process, with IBA promoting initiation and Ethrelstimulating elongation and branching. Increases in root numberwith IBA treatment, and in root length with Ethrel treatment,were accompanied by decreases in the soluble carbohydrate concentration,particularly in stem bases.     

Partial Reversal by Cytokinin and (2-Chloroethyl)-Trimethylammonium Chloride of Near-Ultraviolet Inhibited Growth and Morphogenesis in Callus Cultures

Callus cultures of Haplopappus gracilis, Nicotiana tabacum and Allium cepa var. proliferum were in varying degrees inhibited by blue to near-UV light obtained from fluorescent tubes. The inhibition was considerably reduced for Haplopappus cultures by 6-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-ylamino)-purine (2 iP) and (2-chloro-ethyl)-trimethylammonium chloride (CCC) in combination. Even separately these compounds stimulated growth in blue but not in white light. A high concentration of 2 iP reduced the inhibiting effects of near-UV on tobacco tissue cultures, and a synergism was observed between 2 iP and CCC in respect to shoot formation in blue light. Allium callus was not significantly affected by CCC. It was also observed that the concentration of indol-3-acetic acid (IAA) was more important for the growth of tobacco cultures in blue than in white light. It is believed that the light-inhibition of growth is partly due to a photoinactivation of IAA and that 2 iP and CCC might be active through processes controlling the levels of IAA and other growth hormones.     

The Interaction of (2-Chloroethyl) trimethylammonium Chloride and Gibberellic Acid in Strawberry

Applications of (2-chloroethyl) trimethylammonium chloride (CCC), by foliar spray or to the soil, shortened petioles and decreased top and root growth of strawberry plants. Application of gibberellic acid increased petiole length and fresh weights of tops but not of roots. Applied together gibberellic acid overcame the depression of growth in weight of tops induced by CCC and countered the depression in petiole lengths. Gibberellic acid induced elongation of internodes of the vegetative stem and the elongation was increased substantially by concurrent application of CCC. This synergism in stem growth indicates a lack of antagonism between CCC and exogenous gibberellic acid in strawberry. The implications are discussed.     

(2-Chloroethyl)phosphonic Acid Promotes Germination of Immature Spores of Ceratopteris richardii Brongn

Freshly collected spores of strain Hn-n of Ceratopteris richardii Brongn. require storage for several months before attaining maximum germination rate. Treatments using (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid increased germination rate in freshly collected spores and decreased germination rate in older spores.     

The Effects of N-1-Naphthylphthalamic Acid and (2-Chloroethyl)-phosphonic Acid on the Gravity-induced Lateral Transport of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

N-1-Naphthylphthalamic acid markedly reduced the polar lateralmovement of 2, 4-D-[1-¹⁴C] induced by gravity in horizontalsegments of Helianthus hypocotyl. The pattern of this inhibitionresembled the inhibition of basipetal polar transport, suggestingthat both polar movements are operated by essentially the samephysiological mechanisms though there are indications of sensitivitydifferences between the two systems. Ethrel pretreatment of segments, though inhibiting the basipetaltransport of 2, 4-D by 33 per cent over the concentration range0.2 to 2.0 per cent, has little significant effect on gravity-inducedlateral polarity of movement, suggesting that ethylene doesnot act directly on the auxin transport system.     

Boron Deficiency in Unfertilized Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) Ovules Grown in Vitro

Boron deficiency and phytohormone interactions have been studied in unfertilized cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) ovules grown in vitro. Such ovules required exogenous indoleacetic acid and/or gibberellic acid for fiber elongation. Boron also was required for maintenance of fiber elongation and normal morphogenesis throughout 14 days of culture. The amount of exogenous boron necessary for maximum fiber elongation varied among experiments, presumably in relation to endogenous boron levels at anthesis. Some ovular epidermal cells distant from the liquid medium could be induced to elongate into fiber even after 6 days in boron-deficient medium in response to the later addition of boron.     

Morphogenetic Effects on Vegetative Plants of Poa pratensis L. of 6-Azauracil, (2-Chloroethyl)- phosphonic acid, and (2-Chloroethyl) trimethyl-ammonium chloride and their Interaction with Gibberellic Acid

Fresh and dry weights and leaf size of Poa pratensis were reducedwhen treated with 6-azauracil (AzU), (2-chloroethyl)phosphonicacid (CEPA), or (2-chloroethyl)trimethylammonium chloride (CCC).AzU and CEPA inhibited epidermal cell division without inhibitingcell elongation, while CCC inhibited mainly cell elongationand cell division to a small extent. The ratio of blade lengthto sheath length and the blade length/width ratio were reduced,but leaf emergence and tillering were increased by AzU and CEPA.CCC affected only the latter three features. Like GA₃, CEPAinduced stem formation, but internodes were shorter. GA₃ was ineffective in preventing leaf-growth inhibition byAzU, which inhibited Ga₃-induced cell elongation. The inhibitoryeffect of CEPA on leaf growth was apparently reversed by GA₃,but this was due solely to increased cell elongation, the reductionin cell number being unaffected. Ga₃ reversed the effect ofCCC on leaf length, as well as on cell size and number. Simultaneousapplication of the inhibitors produced a complex interactionin reducing leaf length and number and size of epidermis cells.It is postulated that AzU, CEPA, and CCC have different modesof action because they have specific effects on plant growthand different effects on GA₃-induced cell elongation.     

Synthesis of Phosphonic Acid Analogs of Acyclovir (ACV) and Canciclovir (DHPG)

Abstract

Isosteric Phosphonic acid analogs of acyclovir and ganciclovir have been synthesized for evaluation for antiviral activity.     

Callus Formation and Morphogenesis of Cultured Mustard (Brassica juncea) Protoplasts

Protoplasts from mustard seedling cotyledons were suspended in Nitsch medium and cultured at 26℃ under low intensity illumination. When colonies were observed in the cultures, fresh medium (3% sucrose replaced mannitol) was added by equalvolume. When protoplasts developed into small callus the cultures were transfered to modified MS agar medium, in which some of them produced roots while an others gave rise to green spots. Shoot-differentiation experiment is in progress.     

Induction of Medicarpin Biosynthesis in Ladino Clover Callus by p-Chloromercuribenzoic Acid Is Reversed by Dithiothreitol

Treatment of Ladino clover (Trifolium repens L.) callus with 1 millimolar p-chloromercuribenzoic acid (PCMBA) stimulated the biosynthesis of the phytoalexin medicarpin. Increased medicarpin concentration was detected at 6 hours, and maximum level was achieved by 36 hours. Dithiothreitol (DTT), added to callus at 2, 6, 10, and 18 hours following addition of PCMBA, partially counteracted the effect of PCMBA in the cells. The greatest effect on reversal of medicarpin accumulation was found at the earlier times for DTT addition. Compared to a 24-hour PCMBA control, final medicarpin concentrations were 9 to 19%, 37 to 45%, and 92 to 105% of the control value when DTT was added at 0.5, 1 or 2 hours, 3 or 4 hours, and 6, 8, 10, or 12 hours, respectively, after PCMBA addition. The results indicate that stimulation of medicarpin biosynthesis is reversible, but once activated, the pathway is not shut down by removal of elicitor.     

Effects of 2-Chloroethyl Trimethylammonium Chloride (CCC) and 2-Chloroethylphosphonic Acid (CEPA) on Dry Matter Distribution in the Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata L.)

Effects of foliar applications of CCC and CEPA on dry matterdistribution in two cowpea cultivars which exhibit differentdegrees of premature abscission of fruits were investigated.At the concentration of 0-1 mg1^–1, CCC increased stemweight in the cultivar Adzuki, but had no effect on the cv.Mala (which exhibits a relatively high degree of premature abscission).While CCC did not significantly influence root weight in Adzuki,the concentrations of 1 and 10 mg 1^–1 increased root weightin Mala. In both cultivars, the 1000 mg1^–1 treatment decreasedseed weight, with a greater decrease in Adzuki. All concentrations of CEPA, up to 1000 mg 1^–1, decreasedstem and root weights in Mala, and leaf weight in Adzuki. The10 mg1^–1 concentration increased seed weight in Mala by100 percent, and leaf weight by 28 percent, without any significanteffect on pod weight, or on the weight of the whole plant. Therewas also no increase in pod number. Overall, Mala was more responsive than Adzuki to the growthregulators, particularly CEPA. In the low concentration responses,CEPA increased seed weight not by increasing gross plant weight,but mainly by causing a change in distribution of dry matter.     

Biodegradation of Bis(2-Chloroethyl) Ether by Xanthobacter sp. Strain ENV481

Degradation of bis(2-chloroethyl) ether (BCEE) was observed to occur in two bacterial strains. Strain ENV481, a Xanthobacter sp. strain, was isolated by enrichment culturing of samples from a Superfund site located in the northeastern United States. The strain was able to grow on BCEE or 2-chloroethylethyl ether as the sole source of carbon and energy. BCEE degradation in strain ENV481 was facilitated by sequential dehalogenation reactions resulting in the formation of 2-(2-chloroethoxy)ethanol and diethylene glycol (DEG), respectively. 2-Hydroxyethoxyacetic acid was detected as a product of DEG catabolism by the strain. Degradation of BCEE by strain ENV481 was independent of oxygen, and the strain was not able to grow on a mixture of benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylenes, other prevalent contaminants at the site. Another bacterial isolate, Pseudonocardia sp. strain ENV478 (S. Vainberg et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 72:5218-5224, 2006), degraded BCEE after growth on tetrahydrofuran or propane but was not able to grow on BCEE as a sole carbon source. BCEE degradation by strain ENV478 appeared to be facilitated by a monooxygenase-mediated O-dealkylation mechanism, and it resulted in the accumulation of 2-chloroacetic acid that was not readily degraded by the strain.