The potential for and constraints on the evolution of compensatory ability in Asclepias syriaca

To investigate the potential for and constraints on the evolution of compensatory ability, we performed a greenhouse experiment using Asclepias syriaca in which foliar damage and soil nutrient concentration were manipulated. Under low nutrient conditions, significant genetic variation was detected for allocation patterns and for compensatory ability. Furthermore, resource allocation to storage was positively, genetically correlated both with compensatory ability and biomass when damaged, the last two being positively, genetically correlated with each other. Thus, in the low nutrient environment, compensatory ability via resource allocation to storage provided greater biomass when damaged. A negative genetic correlation between compensatory ability and plant biomass when undamaged suggests that this mechanism entailed an allocation cost, which would constrain the evolution of greater compensatory ability when nutrients are limited. Under high nutrient conditions, neither compensatory ability nor allocation patterns predicted biomass when damaged, even though genetic variation in compensatory ability existed. Instead, plant biomass when undamaged predicted biomass when damaged. The differences in outcomes between the two nutrient treatments highlight the importance of considering the possible range of environmental conditions that a genotype may experience. Furthermore, traits that conferred compensatory ability did not necessarily contribute to biomass when damaged, demonstrating that it is critical to examine both compensatory ability and biomass when damaged to determine whether selection by herbivores can favor the evolution of increased compensation. Received: 2 April 1999 / Accepted: 21 September 1999     

Induction of high-frequency somatic embryos in cassava for cryopreservation

Methods for inducing high-frequency somatic embryos in cassava on cotyledons and 33 clonal accessions by the addition of supplementary copper sulphate to the induction medium were investigated. The addition of copper sulphate enhanced primary embryo induction and significantly increased secondary embryo production. All accessions from Latin America (CIAT) were embryogenically competent on medium supplemented with 8 mg l^-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) plus 1 µM copper sulphate as were 15 of the 18 accessions from Africa. The percentage of calli producing somatic embryos ranged from 7.5% in M. Bra 12 to 100% in M. Col. 1505, while the number of embryos produced per callus ranged from 0.3 in M. Bra 383 to 13.5 in TEK. The frequency of embryo production was dependent on the concentration of copper sulphate. The number of primary embryos produced per callus was also comparatively higher in the medium supplemented with copper sulphate than in the controls. The optimal concentration of copper sulphate for number of embryos produced in most accessions was 5 µM, and at this concentration the number of embryos produced was double that of the controls. Copper sulphate also reduced the maturation time of somatic embryos to 25 days from embryo initiation. High levels of 2,4-D were detrimental to embryo production. Similarly, fragmented embryos incubated in the dark produced more embryos tan those incubated under light conditions. On the basis of these results, the use of cassava somatic embryo micropropagules for germplasm conservation and synthetic seed development seems to be a strong possibility.     

The effects of androgens on the β-glands of the tokay (Gekko gecko): Modification of an hypothesis

Study of the posterior abdominal epidermis in hypophysectomized/thyroidectomized male and female tokays following surgery, and subsequent androgen therapy, indicates that, contrary to a previous model, all aspects of β-gland differentiation are under direct androgenic control. On the other hand, another epidermal specialization, the digital foot-pad, shows a pattern of histogenesis directly comparable to that of β-glands, but is unaffected by androgens. These data are discussed with respect to the evolution of glandular epidermal specializations in gekkonid lizards and the possible role of androgens in modifying the control of cell differentiation in lizard epidermis.     

Purple pigmentation in leaves of some tropical weed species

The photoacoustic spectroscopic studies of purple pigmented leaves revealed the occurrence of anthocyanins and betalains in some local weed species growing on soils with low moisture levels. The pigmentation intensities were higher in C₄ plants than in C₃ plants. An inverse correlation was observed between pigmentation intensities and soil moisture levels. This work is a part of the UNEP Research Project granted to Prof. D. O. Hall, UNEP Coordinator, Department of Plant Sciences, King’s College; London.     

Oxidised glutathione reductase activity in mouse epidermis: TPA induced change and its modulation by vitamin A

Single cutaneous application of 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) increased epidermal oxidised glutathione reductase activity in adult mouse by almost 100%. Pretreatment of animals with vitamin A for a week resulted in 75% inhibition of TPA induced change in the enzyme activity which remained unaffected in skin treated with vitamin A alone. This biochemical change in skin induced by TPA and modulated by vitamin A has been discussed in relation to epidermal hyperplasia.     

Drought resistance in pearl millet

The influence of wilting on the levels of free proline, soluble proteins, reducing sugars, starch and on the activities of nitrate reductase, invertase, amylase and pyrophosphatases have been studied in the leaf tissue of five cultivars of pearl millet at their vegetative stage under pot culture conditions. The metabolic changes could not be correlated with the yield behaviour of the cultivars under a drought condition in the field.     

Relation of mechanical noise in the rat papillary muscle to the level of its contraction

The existence of mechanical noise (MN) has been demonstrated in isolated papillary muscles of rats at rest. The mean amplitude of the MN was about 1 mg, the mean frequency 1.5 Hz (t 22 degrees C). A good agreement was found between the MN amplitude and the contracture level of the muscle. However, during long contractures, the correlation between the noise and contracture magnitude was disturbed. There was no relationship between the MN amplitude and contracture magnitude during exposures inducing metabolic alterations (hypoxia, NaCN) and upsetting the work of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (caffeine). It is believed that the MN amplitude is in a good agreement with the contracture magnitude and, therefore, with the concentration of intracellular Ca2+, if the sarcoplasmic reticulum and contractile elements of the cells are intact.