Expression of Vernalization Requirement and Spikelet Number in Synthetic Hexaploid Wheats and their Triticum tauschii and Tetraploid Wheat Parents

Vernalization requirement, as measured by days from sowing toear emergence (plants grown under an 18-h photoperiod), andspikelet number per ear were recorded for 17 synthetic hexaploidwheats and the six tetraploid (Triticum durum) and the ninediploid T. tauschii parents used to synthesize them. The tetraploid parents and the synthetic hexaploids had springphenotypes (little or no vernalization requirement) whereasthe T. tauschii parents were all winter types (strong vernalizationrequirement). The tetraploid wheats and the synthetic hexaploidsreached ear emergence 50·3 to 63·8 d and 58·2to 75·3 d after sowing, respectively, while the T. tauschiilines reached ear emergence 114·3 to 179·5 d aftersowing. The spring habit of the synthetic hexaploids demonstrates theepistasis of spring over winter habit. It is considered thatwith a presumed single vrn locus in the diploid species T. tauschiithe range of ear emergence in these lines is consistent withthe action of multiple alleles at that locus. Although there was no general epistasis for spikelet number,the tetraploid parents appear to be exerting more influenceover spikelet number in the synthetic hexaploids than T. tauschii.The well established association between the duration from sowingto ear emergence and spikelet number was not evident eitherwithin each ploidy group or when the 32 lines were consideredtogether. Triticum tauschii, Triticum durum, hexaploid wheat, spikelet number, vernalization requirement     

The oxidation of thiols by ionizing radiations

Thiol compounds, such as glutathione, 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL), propane-1,3-dithiol, and N-phenylaminopropanedithiol, were readily oxidized by x-rays, beta rays, and gamma rays. The ionic yield for this oxidation was about the same, 3 at pH 7, on irradiation with x-rays and with beta rays; it was 23 per cent less on irradiation with gamma rays. The ionic yield varied with the hydrogen ion concentration, increasing as the pH value increased. There was no reduction of oxidized glutathione on irradiation with dosages of x-rays and gamma rays which produced oxidation of the reduced compound. In the absence of oxygen, the oxidation of thiols by ionizing radiations was only 33 per cent of that obtained in the presence of dissolved oxygen. When the thiol solutions were irradiated in the presence of dissolved oxygen, catalase protected them from oxidation by 17 to 27 per cent.     

Measurement of free space and sorption of large molecules by cereal roots

Abstract. Large molecular weight solutes that do not penetrate the root have been used to correct for the surface film in measurements with mannitol of the volume of the Apparent Free Space (FS) in bailey roots. The results are compared with those obtained using other correction techniques for elimination of the surface film. Large molecules seem to be adsorbed on the root surface and the kinetics of adsorption differ between the polyhydric alcohol mannitol or the polysaccharide dextran on the one hand, and the polyether polyethylene glycol (PEG-4000) on the other. The significance of this difference in kinetics is discussed in relation to the use of PEG as an osmoticum in studies on root water relations and its effect on ion uptake. Although smaller molecular weight PEG's penetrate the FS and diminish sodium uptake from 10 mol m⁻³ NaCl, more dilute solutions of mannitol and larger PEG polymers are unlikely to affect ion uptake from dilute nutrient solutions. Use of these substances along with labelled nutrients in kinetic studies of the compartmentation of ions in roots can help to distinguish between ions associated with the surface film, those in the FS and those that have crossed the cell membranes into the protoplast.     

The Organic Acid Metabolism of Cox's Orange Pippin Apples: I. SOME EFFECTS OF THE ADDITION OF ORGANIC ACIDS TO THE PEEL OF THE FRUIT

1. The basic respirations (CO₂-output and O₂-uptake) of Cox'sOrangePippin apples and of the peel tissue prepared from themwerecompared in fruit in various stages of development, bothinitiallyand after storage at 12°C. Both show the samegeneral trend,although as the apples become mature the peakvalue of the respirationclimacteric tends to rise in the wholefruit and fall in thepeel.
2. The effect of adding malate orcitrate on the respiration ofthe same samples of peel was studied.
3. Three broad stages of development were observed. During thefirst stage (petal fall to 60 days after) the metabolic patternappears to be different from the two later stages. Here O₂-uptakeas well as C₂-output are influenced by the addition of bothmalate and, to a considerably less extent, citrate. In stage2 (60–125 days from petal fall), the malate effect (CO₂-output)is small until after detachment from the tree, when it risessharply. In stage 3 (125 days to full maturity) the malate effectfollows the course expected for earlier work, namely, it developsat the same time as the climacteric rise in respiration. Thepossible reasons for the different behaviour of the peel atthe three stages is discussed.
4. Results were similar in generaltrend for Cox's Orange Pippinapples grown on different rootstocksand under different culturalconditions.
5. It is suggested thatthe malate effect is most active in theepidermal and hypodermaltissues of the fruit.

     

The Nature and Duration of Gene Action for Vernalization Response in Wheat

Four near-isogenic lines of wheat were studied to determinethe nature and duration of gene action for vernalization responseunder 2 weekly vernalization periods from 0 to 10 weeks. With time to floral initiation the Vrn 1 Vrn 2 and Vrn 1 vrn2 genotypes showed a cumulative response whereby days to floralinitiation decreased as the period of vernalization increased.The vrn 1 Vrn 2 and the vrn 1 vrn 2 genotypes also showed acumulative response for periods of vernalization less than 6weeks for the former and 8 weeks for the latter. Days to earemergence was closely related to days to floral initiation dueto the constancy of the period from floral initiation to earemergence across all lines and treatments and, consequently,they gave similar measures of the relative strength of vernalizationresponse. It appears that genes for vernalization response ceaseto act after floral initiation. The implications of these findings to breeding for increasedadaptability and yield in wheat are discussed. Triticum aestivum, wheat isogenic lines, vernalization, floral initiation, ear emergence, gene action     

The effect of 3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxyphenylmethylsulphone (ioxysone) on Phaseolus vulgaris: absorption and translocation studies

The herbicide 3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxyphenylmethylsulphone (ioxysone) is shown to be absorbed by the roots of dwarf bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) and readily translocated. No evidence was obtained that iodide becomes released from the herbicide within the plant. This behaviour is discussed and contrasted with that of the corresponding nitrile (ioxynil), a widely used contact herbicide which is not readily translocated in the plant and whose mode of action is different from that of ioxysone.     

Studies on plant growth-regulating substances XLVII. Ultrastructural studies on emergent leaves of Avena sativa treated with 3,5-(diiodo and dibromo)-4-hydroxyphenylmethylsulphone

Treatment of oat plants with the pre-emergence herbicides ioxysone and bromoxysone leads to the production of albino leaves. Ultrastructural studies have indicated that this effect is associated with lipid-like material outside the chloroplasts which themselves are in a proplastid state. The significance of these observations is discussed in terms of the possible mode of action of these chemicals.