LIGHT AND HORMONAL CONTROL OF ROOT FORMATION IN ZEA MAYS CALLUS CULTURES

Callus cultures of Zea mays were used to study the interaction of light with exogenous cytokinin/auxin levels in the initiation, growth and development of roots. Three auxins, indoleacetic acid (IAA), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4 D) were remarkably different in their effects on callus growth and root initiation. NAA at concentrations of 5 and 25 μM produced the highest combined yields of callus and roots under low light conditions. No significant morphological effects on roots were observed with the three auxins tested nor did low and intermediate light intensities alter root development.
At intermediate light levels the addition of the cytokinin, zeatin, was also able to influence the differentiation of the callus tissue. Increasing the cytokinin/auxin ratio from low to high shifted the development from callus growth to abundant root formation. High light caused the formation of short, thick roots. This effect could be counteracted in part by zeatin which promoted elongation. These observations suggest that both, the cytokinin/auxin ratio and light play an important role in the development of monocotyledonous roots.     

SOLUTE CONCENTRATIONS IN THE PHLOEM AND APEX OF THE ROOT OF ZEA MAYS

Plasmolytic studies utilizing a graded series of mannitol solutions (0.1–1.4 M in 0.1 M increments) were conducted on adventitious roots of Zea mays to determine solute concentrations of cell types at various locations in the root. Results indicated that mature sieve-tube members had the highest solute concentration as determined by their C₅₀ (the estimated mannitol concentration plasmolyzing an average of 50% of a given cell type) of any cell type in the root. In tissue 12 cm from the tip, C₅₀ values calculated for proto- and metaphloem sieve-tube members were 1.15 and 1.19 M, respectively, while in tissue 0.5 cm from the root tip, values for the same cell types were 0.68 and 0.46 M, respectively. The C₅₀ values for sieve elements in tissue 5 cm from the tip were intermediate (1.08 and 1.11 M). Although the companion cells generally plasmolyzed at nearly the same concentrations of mannitol as the sieve elements, their C₅₀ values were slightly lower than adjacent mature sieve elements. The lowest C₅₀ (0.35 M) for any cell type examined was associated with meristematic cells in tissue 0.1 cm from the root tip. Taken collectively, the results indicate that positive concentration gradients exist between mature sieve tubes and meristematic cells of the root apex of maize.     

Ca2+对小麦种根及其根毛生长发育的影响

低浓度的ＣａＣｌ２对小麦种根生长、根毛发生和生长无明显影响,高浓度的ＣａＣｌ２（０．１ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）对种根和根毛生长有抑制作用,但不影响根毛的发生。Ｃａ２＋专一性螯合剂ＥＧＴＡ抑制种根生长和根毛的发生及生长,添加一定浓度的外源ＣａＣｌ２,这种抑制作用可被消除。ＣａＭ抑制剂ＴＦＰ（三氟拉嗪）和ＣＰＺ（氯丙嗪）对种根生长、根毛发生和生长均有抑制作用,添加外源ＣａＭ可减弱或消除这种抑制作用。     

CELLULAR VOLUME AND TISSUE PARTITIONING IN CAPS OF PRIMARY ROOTS OF ZEA MAYS

Cellular and tissue volumes were measured in caps of primary roots of Zea mays. There is an 850% increase in cellular volume as cellular function changes from that of being meristematic (i.e., calyptrogen cells) to graviperception (i.e., columella cells), and a 22% increase in cellular volume during the functional transition from graviperception to the production and secretion of mucilage. Cellular volume does not change significantly after cells cease mucilage production and are sloughed from the cap. Root caps of Z. mays allocate 7.5% of their volume for regeneration, 14.9% for graviperception, 24.3% for the transition of function from graviperception to mucilage production and secretion, and 38.7% for the production and secretion of mucilage. The remaining 14.5% of the cap volume is comprised of cells being sloughed from the cap.     

STIMULATIVE EFFECT OF HALOGENATED TYROSINE ON ROOT GROWTH OF RICE SEEDLING

The effect of iodotyrosine and its related compounds on theroot elongation was studied using intact roots of rice seedlingsgrown on an agar medium and in a culture solution. MIT (3-monoiodotyrosine), DIT (3,5-diiodotyrosine) markedlystimulated the growth of seminal root, but tyrosine itself wasnot active. Both iodinated amino acids doubled the length ofseminal root in comparison with the control when used at theconcentration of 10^–5M, where the growth of shoot andcrown root was not affected. And above 10^–5M, the developmentof lateral root and root hairs was inhibited. DBT (3,5-dibromotyrosine) also notably increased the lengthof seminal root. Potassium iodide did not accelerate the growthof root. (Received September 18, 1964; )     

VOLATILE GROWTH INHIBITORS PRODUCED BY SALVIA LEUCOPHYLLA: EFFECTS ON SEEDLING ROOT TIP ULTRASTRUCTURE

Volatile monoterpenes emanating from leaves of Salvia leucophylla (Labiatae) are responsible for anatomical and physiological changes occurring in herb seedlings which were exposed to the vapors. Examination of treated root tip cells from Cucumis sativus by electron microscopy revealed widespread systemic disturbances. These included the accumulation of globules which appear to be lipid in nature in the cytoplasm, a drastic reduction in the number of a variety of intact organelles including mitochondria, and a disruption of membranes surrounding nuclei, mitochondria, and dictyosomes. These effects, coupled with the effects of environmental stress, may account for the failure of herb seedlings to survive in the areas adjacent to Salvia thickets.     

A MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF CELLULAR DIFFERENTIATION IN THE ROOT CAP OF ZEA MAYS

In order to quantify the ultrastructural changes associated with cellular differentiation, we have performed a morphometric analysis of the ultrastructure of the calyptrogen, columella, and peripheral cells of the root cap of Zea mays. The relative volumes of the nucleus, nucleolus, and mitochondria in the protoplasm gradually decrease as a cell moves through the root cap. The relative volume of plastids increases 240% during the differentiation of calyptrogen cells into columella cells. This increase is transient, however, since the relative volume of plastids as well as starch in plastids decreases markedly as columella cells differentiate into peripheral cells. Dictyosomes and spherosomes increase more gradually than plastids, peaking in relative volume in the innermost peripheral cells (PCI). The relative volume of the vacuome decreases as calyptrogen cells differentiate into columella cells, after which it increases during the differentiation of peripheral cells. By the time the outermost peripheral cells (PCIII) are sloughed from the cap, the relative volume of the vacuome has almost tripled. These results indicate that each cell type comprising the root cap of Zea mays is characterized by a distinctive ultrastructure. Furthermore, the ultrastructural changes associated with the differentiation of these cells are organelle specific. The results of this study are discussed relative to the function of the various cell types of the root cap.     

THE EFFECTS OF GENOTYPE AND PLOIDY LEVEL ON POLLEN SURFACE SCULPTURING IN MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.)

Pollen exine sculpturing is a consistent feature of seed plant taxa, yet no mechanism for control of sculpturing pattern has been found. On grass pollen, exine sculpturing takes the form of closely packed spinules. Exine spinules on pollen grains from six maize populations representing all combinations of three genetic backgrounds (single cross hybrids W22 W23, N6 W23, R75 W23) and two ploidy levels (2x, 4x) were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Doubling ploidy levels from 2x to 4x increased pollen diameter (minor axis) with the magnitude of increase related to genetic background. For spinule density, only the effect of genetic background was statistically significant. Spinule density was altered by the genotype of the plant on which the pollen was produced but not by the ploidy level, including genome number and difference in surface area and cytoplasmic volume resulting from chromosome doubling.     

EFFECTS OF ULTRAVIOLET-B IRRADIATION ON SEEDLING GROWTH IN THE PINACEAE

Ten conifer species were grown in an unshaded greenhouse at the University of Maryland under 3 levels of biologically effective ultraviolet-B radiation. Ultraviolet-B radiation was supplied by Westinghouse FS-40 sunlamps and effective daily doses were 0, 12.4, and 19.1 kJ m^–2. During the irradiation period, seedling growth and the development of stress symptoms were monitored. After 22 weeks of irradiation, seedlings were harvested and morphological characteristics analyzed. Visual symptoms included needle discoloration and stunting in three of the ten species tested. Seedling height was significantly reduced by supplemental UV-B in Pinus contorta (lodgepole pine), Pinus resinosa (red pine), and Pinus taeda (loblolly pine). Biomass increased in Picea engelmannii (Engelmann spruce). Abies fraseri (Fraser fir), Pinus edulus (pinyon pine), and Pinus nigra (black pine) were unaffected by UV-B while biomass reductions exceeding 5% were observed in all other species tested. These deleterious effects occurred despite the presence of morphological characteristics which would tend to reduce UV-B effectiveness. Generally, the effects of supplemental UV-B dose were less for those species native to higher elevations, implying the presence of natural adaptations to UV-B.     

稀土元素对甜菜种子萌发,幼苗生长及块根产量的影响

本文研究了稀土元素对甜菜的生物效应。结果表明,稀土元素可显著地提高种子萌发率,促进幼苗生长,增加幼苗根系活力、叶片净光合速率与块根产量,并明显地降低了甜菜叶片细胞膜在低温下的透性,即提高了叶片的抗寒力。     

EFFECT OF METAL TOLERANT PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING BACTERIA ON GROWTH AND METAL ACCUMULATION IN ZEA MAYS PLANTS GROWN IN FLY ASH AMENDED SOIL

The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of the application of fly ash (FA) into Garden soil (GS), with and without inoculation of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB), on the growth and metal uptake by Zea mays plants. Three FA tolerant PGPB strains, Pseudomonas sp. PS5, PS14, and Bacillus sp. BC29 were isolated from FA contaminated soils and assessed for their plant growth promoting features on the Z. mays plants. All three strains were also examined for their ability to solubilize phosphate and to produce Indole Acetic Acid (IAA), siderophores, and hydrogencynide acid (HCN) production. Although inoculation of all strains significantly enhanced the growth of plants at both the concentration of FA but maximum growth was observed in plants inoculated with BC29 and PS14 at low level (25%) of FA concentration. The experimental results explored the plant growth promoting features of selected strains which not only enhanced growth and biomass of plants but also protected them from toxicity of FA.     

钾局部供应对玉米根系生长和钾吸收速率的影响

采用自制培养装置,在玉米种子根的局部根段供应含钾营养液。研究证明钾局部供应不影响地上部和总根系干物质的积累。试验开始后第１０ 天钾局部供应使供钾区的根系总长明显增加,这是由于二次侧根长度和数量的增加,但一次侧根生长增加不明显。试验开始第３ 天起,钾供应区的钾吸收速率明显加快。因此,早期可能主要通过钾吸收速率的加快来补偿由于钾局部供应的不足,二次侧根长出以后,根系生长的增加可能部分补偿供钾的不足。１４ Ｃ示踪试验表明,钾局部供应时,植株中的光合产物运向供钾根区的量多于无钾根区     

GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF BIRD-DISPERSED PLANTS: EFFECTS OF SEED SIZE AND LIGHT ON SEEDLING VIGOR AND BIOMASS ALLOCATION

I examined germination and seedling growth in nine species of fleshy-fruited plants from Washington and Idaho to assess their relative responses to sun and shade. I allowed seeds to germinate over a period of 500 days, and grew the seedlings in a greenhouse for 35 days prior to harvest. Cumulative percentage germination of six species approximated logistic curves. Species with larger seeds were more shade-tolerant, which resulted largely from greater biomass allocation to roots by these species. Seedlings of Rosa gymnocarpa, Sorbus scopulina, Symphoricarpos albus, Clintonia uniflora, and Streptopus amplexifolius grew larger in open sun than in shade (35% open sun), whereas those of Actaea rubra, Disporum trachycarpum, Smilacina racemosa, and Smilacina stellata showed no differences. Percentage root biomass was higher in sun than in shade for R. gymnocarpa, S. scopulina, S. albus, C. uniflora, and S. amplexifolius, but lower for S. stellata. In C. uniflora, S. racemosa, and S. stellata, seeds from unripe fruits failed to germinate. The results suggest that light gaps resulting from periodic disturbance of canopy influence recruitment of bird-dispersed species differentially and thereby contribute to maintaining high species richness and diversity in understories of temperate coniferous forests.