CYTOLOGY,SEED-SET,AND BREEDING BEHAVIOR OF THE PUTATIVE INTER-GENERIC HYBRID,AGROELYMUS TURNERI

Nielsen , Etlar L. (U. Wisconsin, Madison.) Cytology, seed-set, and breeding behavior of the putative inter-generic hybrid, Agroelymus turneri. Amer. Jour. Bot. 48(4): 340–344. Illus. 1961.—The estimated frequency of fertile florets in the natural hybrid, Agroelymus turneri, was 1 viable seed formed in every 277 and 240 florets in colonies grown at Madison, Wisconsin, and Fort Saskatchewan, Canada, respectively. Plant progenies propagated from seed taken from different colonies were: (1) uniformly similar to Agropyron repens; (2) uniformly similar to Elymus; or (3) segregating for Agropyron repens-like, Elymus-like, and Agropyron sp. characters. The parentage of the putative hybrid appears to be Agropyron dasystachyum × Elymus innovatus. This is based upon breeding behavior and cytological studies. The interpretation is at variance with the original proposal by l'abbe LePage that Agropyron smithii was a donor to the hybrid combination.     

Root cap specific expression of an endo-β-1,4--glucanase (cellulase): a new marker to study root development in Arabidopsis

The sloughing of root cap cells from the root tip is important because it assists the growing root in penetrating the soil. Using a promoter–reporter (GUS) and RT-PCR analysis, we identified an endo--1,4-glucanase (AtCel5) of Arabidopsis thaliana that is expressed exclusively in root cap cells of both primary and secondary roots. Expression is inhibited by high concentrations of IAA, both exogenous and internal, as well as by ABA. AtCel5 expression begins once the mature tissue pattern is established and continues for 3weeks. GUS staining is observed in both root cap cells that are still attached and cells that have already been shed. Using AtCel5-GUS as a marker, we observed that the root cap cells begin to separate at the sides of the tip while the cells of the central region of the tip separate last. Separation involves sequential tiers of intact cells that separate from the periphery of the root tip. A homozygous T-DNA insertion mutant that does not express AtCel5 forms the root cap and sheds root cap cells but sloughing is less efficient compared to wild type. The reduction in sloughing in the mutant does not affect the overall growth performance of the plant in loose media. The modest effect of abolishing AtCel5 expression suggests that there are multiple redundant genes regulating the process of sloughing of the root cap, including AtCel3/At1g71380, the paralog of the AtCel5 gene that is also expressed in the root cap cells. Thus, these two endo-1,4--d-glucanases may have a role in the sloughing of border cells from the root tip. We propose that AtCel5, provides a new molecular marker to further analyze the process of root cap cell separation and a root cap specific promoter for targeting to the environment genes with beneficial properties for plant growth.     

OBSERVATIONS ON CHYTRIDIACEOUS PARASITES OF PHANEROGAMS. XI. A PHYSODERMA ON AGROPYRON REPENS

Sparrow , Frederick K. (U. Michigan, Ann Arbor), Joyce E. Griffin , and Robert M. Johns . Observations on chytridiaceous parasites of phanerogams. XI. A Physoderma on Agropyron repens. Amer. Jour. Bot. 48(9): 850–858. Illus. 1961.—A Physoderma has been found in Michigan on Agropyron repens, which produces dark-brown, non-erumpent streaks up to 20 mm (usually 4–6 mm) in length by 0.5 mm in width and very local discoloration of the leaf blades and sheaths. There is no systemic infection, and plants parasitized are normal in size and bear flowers. Resting spores upon germination produce zoospores which may develop either into the endobiotic, poly-centric, resting spore-bearing thallus or into monocentric, epibiotic, ephemeral sporangia. The latter bear either colorless or orange globuled zoospores. These zoospores may give rise to new epibiotic sporangia, or, apparently without fusing in pairs, to the endobiotic system. Comparison with other congeneric fungi reported on Agropyron repens reveals the Michigan fungus to be distinct from them. Whether it can be embraced within Physoderma graminis (Büsgen) de Wild. or other described taxa on grasses awaits the results of future cross-inoculation studies.     

The timing and degree of root proliferation in fertile-soil microsites for three cold-desert perennials

Summary Root proliferation in nutrient-rich soil patches is an important mechanism facilitating nutrient capture by plants. Although the phenomenon of root proliferation is well documented, the specific timing of this proliferation has not been investigated. We studied the timing and degree of root proliferation for three perennial species common to the Great Basin region of North America: a shrub, Artemisia tridentata, a native tussock grass, Agropyron spicatum, and an introduced tussock grass, Agropyron desertorum. One day after we applied nutrient solution to small soil patches, the mean relative growth rate of Agropyron desertorum roots in these soil patches was two to four times greater than for roots of the same plants in soil patches reated with distilled water. Most of the increased root growth came from thin, laterally branching roots within the patches. This rapid and striking root proliferation by Agropyron desertorum occurred in response to N-P-K enrichment as well as to P or N enrichment alone. A less competitive bunchgrass, Agrophyron spicatum, showed no tendency to proliferate roots in enriched soil patches during these two-week experiments. The shrub Artemisia tridentata proliferated roots within one day of initial solution injection in the N-enrichment experiment, but root proliferation of this species was more gradual and less consistent in the N-P-K and P-enrichment experiments, respectively. The ability of Agropyron desertorum to proliferate roots rapidly may partly explain both its general competitive success and its superior ability to exploit soil nutrients compared to Agropyron spicatum in Great Basin rangelands of North America.     

Pathogenicity to Wheat of Isolates of Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides (Fron) Deighton from Five Graminaceous Hosts

Eleven isolates of Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides were obtained from field material of the Gramineae Agropyron repens, Alopecurus myosuroides, Apera spica-venti, Hordeum vulgare and Triticum aestivum. Four of these isolates belonged to the variety acuformis and 7 isolates to the variety herpotrichoides of the fungus. In a greenhouse experiment, winter wheat was inoculated with these isolates. All isolates were pathogenic on wheat. They differed in virulence, but these differences could not be related to the nature of their original hosts nor to their classification as variety acuformis or herpotrichoides.     

Effects of Al<Superscript>3+</Superscript> on the biological characteristics of cowpea root border cells

Root border cells (RBC) are cells surrounding the root apex. They are functionally different from the apex and are considered to play a role in the protection of the root tip from biotic and abiotic stresses. We investigated RBC viability, formation, and pectin methylesterase (PME) activity of the root caps during RBC development in cowpea (Vigna ungniculata ssp. sesquipedalis) under aeroponic culture. The results showed that the border cells formed almost synchronously with the emergence of the root tip. The number of border cells reached the maximum when roots were approximately 15 mm long. Pectin methylesterase (PME) activity of the root cap peaked at a root length of 1 mm. Root border cells separated from the root cap died within 24 h under Al³⁺ stress while those still attached to the root cap maintained 85% viability at 48 h after treatment. The PME activity did not differ significantly under different Al³⁺ treatments.     

AGD1, a class 1 ARF-GAP, acts in common signaling pathways with phosphoinositide metabolism and the actin cytoskeleton in controlling Arabidopsis root hair polarity

The Arabidopsis thaliana AGD1 gene encodes a class 1 adenosine diphosphate ribosylation factor‐gtpase‐activating protein (ARF‐GAP). Previously, we found that agd1 mutants have root hairs that exhibit wavy growth and have two tips that originate from a single initiation point. To gain new insights into how AGD1 modulates root hair polarity we analyzed double mutants of agd1 and other loci involved in root hair development, and evaluated dynamics of various components of root hair tip growth in agd1 by live cell microscopy. Because AGD1 contains a phosphoinositide (PI) binding pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, we focused on genetic interactions between agd1 and root hair mutants altered in PI metabolism. Rhd4, which is knocked‐out in a gene encoding a phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate (PI‐4P) phosphatase, was epistatic to agd1. In contrast, mutations to PIP5K3 and COW1, which encode a type B phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate 5‐kinase 3 and a phosphatidylinositol transfer protein, respectively, enhanced the root hair defects of agd1. Enhanced root hair defects were also observed in double mutants to AGD1 and ACT2, a root hair‐expressed vegetative actin isoform. Consistent with our double‐mutant studies, targeting of tip growth components involved in PI signaling (PI‐4P), secretion (RABA4b) and actin regulation (ROP2), were altered in agd1 root hairs. Furthermore, tip cytosolic calcium ([Ca²⁺]_cyt) oscillations were disrupted in root hairs of agd1. Taken together, our results indicate that AGD1 links PI signaling to cytoskeletal‐, [Ca²⁺]_cyt?, ROP2‐, and RABA4b‐mediated root hair development.     

紫茎泽兰叶片水浸液对蚕豆的化感效应

外来入侵植物可以通过淋溶、自然挥发、根系分泌和植株凋落物分解等途径向周围环境释放化感物质,抑制伴生植物的生长、发育。该研究以不同浓度紫茎泽兰(Eupatorium adenophorum)叶片水浸液处理蚕豆(Vicia faba)种子,研究紫茎泽兰叶片水浸液对蚕豆根尖细胞微核、染色体畸变、细胞凋亡、蚕豆幼苗叶片叶绿素和N含量、光合生理特性、生物量的影响。结果表明:(1)紫茎泽兰叶片水浸液处理显著抑制蚕豆根尖的伸长和细胞的有丝分裂,并诱导蚕豆根尖细胞染色体畸变和细胞微核的产生,有丝分裂指数随着叶片水浸液浓度增加而减小,根尖细胞微核率随叶片水浸液浓度增加而增大,高浓度叶片水浸液处理对蚕豆根尖细胞的凋亡及坏死有明显影响。(2)紫茎泽兰叶片水浸液处理引起蚕豆幼苗叶片的叶绿素和N含量显著降低,并导致蚕豆幼苗最大净光合速率和生物量的显著下降。总之,紫茎泽兰叶片水浸液可能引起蚕豆根尖的氧化损伤和抑制根尖的伸长,且叶片水浸液的抑制作用呈现一定的剂量效应。紫茎泽兰叶片水浸液对蚕豆根尖的损伤和抑制作用可能影响了植株对氮素的吸收,进而对蚕豆幼苗光合生理表现以及生物量积累产生显著负面效应。     

Fractionation and characterization of cellular membranes from root tips of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.)

The first step in the gravitropic reaction chain, i.e. perception, is known to occur in the statenchyma of the root cap. Because of the importance of the root tip in graviperception, a procedure has been developed to isolate root tips from garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.). The root tip fraction contains the tissues of the root cap plus the lower half of the meristem zone, but is clearly separated from the tissues of the elongation zone, the zone of gravitropic response. Membranes from the root tip and root base fractions have been centrifuged on sucrose density gradients and the marker enzyme profiles analyzed. These results show that the marker enzyme profiles for vacuoles, dictyosomes, mitochondria, and plasma membranes are similar in the root tip or root base fractions. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has a shoulder of cytochrome c reductase activity at a density of 1.16 g cm^-3 which is distinct from the other enzyme activities and is only observed in root tip preparations. The specific enzyme activity for ER, cytochrome c reductase, was enriched in root tip membranes 1.7 fold. This latter increase is interpreted as at least in part an increased ER content in the root tip.Abbreviations ASG 6-acyl-steryl glucoside - ER endoplasmic reticulum - IDP inosine-5-diphosphate - INT 2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyltetrazolium chloride - PM plasma membrane - SG steryl glucoside     

The effect of abscisic acid on cell turgor pressures,solute content and growth of wheat roots

Abscisic acid (ABA) was shown to influence turgor pressure and growth in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) roots. At a concentrations of 25 mmol·m^-3, ABA increased the turgor pressure of cells located within 1 cm of the tip by up to 450 kPa. At 4 to 5 cm from the root tip this concentration of ABA reduced the turgor pressure of peripheral cells (epidermis and the first few cortical cell layers) to zero or close to zero while that of the inner cells was increased. Increases in sap osmolality were dependent on the concentration of ABA and the effect saturated at 5 mmol·m^-3 ABA. The increase in osmolality took about 4 h and was partly the result of reducing-sugar accumulation. Levels of inorganic cations were not affected by ABA. Root growth was inhibited at ABA concentrations that caused a turgor-pressure increase. The results show that while ABA can affect root cell turgor pressures, this effect does not result in increased root growth.Abbreviation ABA abscisic acid     

Colonization of Tomato Root Seedling by Pseudomonas fluorescens 92rkG5: Spatio–temporal Dynamics, Localization, Organization, Viability, and Culturability

The localization, viability, and culturability of Pseudomonas fluorescens 92rkG5 were analyzed on three morphological root zones (root tip + elongation, root hair, and collar) of 3-, 5-, and 7-day-old tomato plants. Qualitative information about the localization and viability was collected by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Quantitative data concerning the distribution, viability, and culturability were obtained through combined dilution plating and flow cytometry. Colonization by P. fluorescens affected root development in a complex way, causing a general increase in the length of the collar and early stimulation of the primary root growth (3rd day), followed by a reduction in length (7th day). The three root zones showed different distribution, organization, and viability of the bacterial cells, but the distribution pattern within each zone did not change with time. Root tips were always devoid of bacteria, whereas with increasing distance from the apex, microcolonies or strings of cells became more and more prominent. Viability was high in the elongation zone, but it declined in the older parts of the roots. The so-called viable but not culturable cells were observed on the root, and their proportion in the distal (root tip + elongation) zone dramatically increased with time. These results suggest the existence of a specific temporal and spatial pattern of root colonization, related to cell viability and culturability, expressed by the plant-beneficial strain P. fluorescens 92rkG5.     

OsPIN2, which encodes a member of the auxin efflux carrier proteins,is involved in root elongation growth and lateral root formation patterns via the regulation of auxin distribution in rice

Auxin flow is important for different root developmental processes such as root formation, emergence, elongation and gravitropism. However, the detailed information about the mechanisms regulating the auxin flow is less well understood in rice. We characterized the auxin transport‐related mutants, Ospin‐formed2‐1 (Ospin2‐1) and Ospin2‐2, which exhibited curly root phenotypes and altered lateral root formation patterns in rice. The OsPIN2 gene encodes a member of the auxin efflux carrier proteins that possibly regulates the basipetal auxin flow from the root tip toward the root elongation zone. According to DR5‐driven GUS expression, there is an asymmetric auxin distribution in the mutants that corresponded with the asymmetric cell elongation pattern in the mutant root tip. Auxin transport inhibitor, N‐1‐naphthylphthalamic acid and Ospin2‐1 Osiaa13 double mutant rescued the curly root phenotype indicating that this phenotype results from a defect in proper auxin distribution. The typical curly root phenotype was not observed when Ospin2‐1 was grown in distilled water as an alternative to tap water, although higher auxin levels were found at the root tip region of the mutant than that of the wild‐type. Therefore, the lateral root formation zone in the mutant was shifted basipetally compared with the wild‐type. These results reflect that an altered auxin flow in the root tip region is responsible for root elongation growth and lateral root formation patterns in rice.     

Radial and axial turgor pressure measurements in individual root cells of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum grown under various saline conditions

Abstract. Radial and axial turgor pressure profiles were measured with the pressure probe in untreated and salt-treated intact roots of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum. The microcapillary of the pressure probe was inserted step-wise into the root tissue 5, 25 and 50 mm away from the root cap. For evaluation of the data, only those recordings on a given root were used in which four discontinuous increases in turgor pressure occurred. These four turgor pressure increases could be related to the rhizodermal cells and to the cells in the three cortical layers. The measurements showed that a radial turgor pressure gradient of the same magnitude (directed from the third cortical layer to the external medium) existed along the root axis. The magnitude of this turgor pressure gradient decreased with increasing salinity (up to 400 mol m^-3 NaCl) in the growth medium. Addition of 10 mol m^-3 CaCl₂ to the 400 mol m^-3 NaCl medium partly reduced the salt-induced decrease in turgor pressure, but only in cells 25–50 mm away from the root tip. Combined with this effect, a small axial turgor pressure gradient was generated, therefore, in the cortex layers which was directed to the root tip. Measurements of the volumetric elastic modulus, ?, of the wall of the individual cells showed that the presence of salt considerably reduced the magnitude of this parameter and that addition of Ca²⁺ to the strongly saline medium partially diminished this decrease. This effect was strongest in cells 50 mm away from the root tip. The magnitude of ? of rhizodermal and cortical cells increased along the root axis both in untreated and in salt-treated roots. The ? value was significantly smaller for rhizodermal cells compared to the cortical cells, with the exception of cells 50 mm from the tip. In this tissue, rhizodermal and cortical cells exhibited nearly the same values. The decrease of the ?-values with salt and the increase along the root axis under the various growth conditions could be correlated with corresponding changes in cell volume. Diurnal changes in turgor pressure could not be detected in the individual root cells, with the notable exception of the rhizodermal and cortical cells located in the region 50 mm away from the root tip of the control plants. In these cells, an increase in turgor pressure was observed during the morning hours. Determination of the average osmotic pressure in tissue sections along the roots of control and salt-treated plants revealed that at 400 mol m^-3 NaCl the osmotic pressure gradient between the tissue and the medium is exo-directed, provided that the water is not (partly) immobilized.     

Distribution of VA mycorrhiza on halophytes on inland salt playas

The value of mycorrhizal association for higher plants has been well established. However, the impact of high salinity on the mycorrhizal relationship has not been investigated to any great extent. Inland salt playas represent an opportunity to test the impact of salinity because it is possible to obtain a gradient by following a transect from the centre of the salt playa to the higher outer zones. In a salt playa near Goshen, Utah, the sodium concentration ranged from 27,150 ppm in the centre to 25 ppm in the outer zone. In the playas with sodium concentrations of 20,000 ppm, no mycorrhiza were detected on the halophytes and no spores of mycorrhizal fungi were found in the soil. One percent of the roots of salt grass in soils containing 8,450 ppm of sodium were mycorrhizal. In soils containing 622 ppm of 45 percent of the roots of a salt-tolerant grass (hybrid ofAgropyron repens × Agropyron spicatum) were mycorrhizal. Halophytes such asSalicornia pacifica var.utahensis which are among the most salt tolerant halophytes of the inland salt playas rarely had mycorrhizal roots. The mycorrhizal associations appear to be very limited in inland salt playas with sodium content.     

Uno studio citofotometrico delle proteine durante la mitosi nel meristema radicale di Allium cepa L.

Abstract

A cytophotometric study of proteins during mitosis in root tip meristematic cells of «Allium cepa L.». — Spectrophotometric analyses of the amount of Fast-green stainable proteins at different pH values (8,1; 6; 4; 2) have been accomplished in Allium cepa root tip meristematic cells during the four phases of mitosis. The results seem to indicate that: a) the highest absorption is detectable in correspondence of metaphase at each of the four pH values; b) the transition from prophase to metaphase is characterized by an increase of both proteins reacting at pH 8,1 (histones) and between pH 6 and pH 8,1 (neutral proteins); c) the transition from metaphase to anaphase is characterized by a loss of histones and of proteins reacting between pH 4 and pH 6 (acid proteins); d) the transition from anaphase to telophase is characterized by a loss of neutral proteins. The data are discussed in relation to the problem of chromosome coiling.     

Wide hybridization experiments in cereals

Summary Wide hybridization is a useful tool in plant breeding, but little is known about its possible range. For the cereals, wheat, barley and rye, this was tested with 15 different species of the Poaceae and Panicoideae. Embryo formation could be obtained with Agropyron repens, Alopecurus agrestis, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca glauca, Hordeum bulbosum, Lolium perenne, Pennisetum americanum, and Zea mays. As well, haploid as diploid embryos occurred. New embryo culture techniques should enable these embryos to grow to plants.     

The importance of anatomical structural study of roots for the understanding of physiological processes

Abstract

Besides being species‐specific, the inner structure of the root is influenced by the place and time of origin during the growth period. From the root tip up to the base of a particular root, the zones of cell division, cell elongation, formation of root hairs and root branching can be distinguished. The root tip that is covered by a root cap and mucilage is protected against evaporation and water contact. From the end of the lateral parts of the root cap, the cells become exposed to the surrounding environment. The cells can elongate by water uptake or can shrink by water loss. All processes of geotropic growth take place there. In this study, some differences are illustrated using Zea mays plants. Radicle and roots emerging from several nodes of the shoot as well as lateral roots are compared. The distances from the tip and from the base of the root are also very important for characterization of particular root functions. Distinctive features such as root diameter, size of the stele and of the cortex, ratio of cortex to stele, number and width of the xylem vessels, size of cells, special thickenings and stage of lignification as well as symptoms of maturation are observed.     

紫茎泽兰提取物对3种杂草的化感胁迫作用

为探讨紫茎泽兰(Eupatorium adenophorum)提取物对植物种子萌发和早期幼苗生长的影响及其生理机理,以稗草(Echinochloa crusgalli)、灰绿藜(Chenopodium glaucum)和反枝苋(Amaranthus retroflexus)3种常见的田间杂草为材料,采用根悬空培养等方法,研究了不同浓度紫茎泽兰提取物对3种杂草种子萌发和幼苗生长、根尖组织结构、根系边缘细胞(root border cell,RBC)生理特性和根冠果胶甲基酯酶(pectin methyl esterase,PME)活性的影响。结果发现:紫茎泽兰提取物对3种植物种子萌发均具有明显的抑制作用;1000 mg/L紫茎泽兰提取物处理后,3种杂草幼苗的根尖均有不同程度的伤害,如根尖肿胀、抽缩或变形;根尖表层细胞脱落、内层细胞排列混乱。紫茎泽兰提取物处理能显著抑制3种杂草幼苗根尖RBC的数量(分别比对照降低了44.5%、48.3%和64.0%);诱导RBC凋亡(凋亡率分别达到81.7%、91.3%和97.1%)并显著增加RBC的黏胶层厚度(分别比对照增加了99.0%、65.5%和61.1%)及诱导PME活性升高。这些结果表明:紫茎泽兰提取物抑制了3种杂草根边缘细胞的产生,并诱导了根尖边缘细胞凋亡,因而破坏了根边缘细胞对根尖的保护系统,最终抑制了根系的生长发育。研究为将紫茎泽兰提取物用于植物源除草剂的开发提供了理论依据。     

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.