Quantification of endogenous gibberellins in exudates from fruits of Malus domestica

In exudates from developing apple fruits GA₁, GA₃, GA₄, GA₇, GA₂₀ and GA₃₄ could be identified and subsequently quantified by LC-ESI-MS selected-ion-monitoring analyses on the basis of internal standards. This is the first evidence obtained by mass spectrometrical analysis which demonstrates export of endogenous GAs from the fruits during the period when flower induction occurs. The observed differences in GA₄ export are discussed in connection with biennial bearing.     

根系分泌物研究方法(综述)

根系分泌物是植物与土壤进行物质、能量与信息交流的重要载体物质.研究根系分泌物的种类、数量对了解植物与土壤及根际微生物相互作用机理具有重要指导意义,根系分泌物研究方法的选择对研究结果有重要的影响.本文着重讨论根系分泌物收集、分离纯化及鉴定的常用方法,并列举特定根系分泌物的研究方法,旨在为根系分泌物的研究提供借鉴和参考.     

The gum exudates from Chloroxylon swietenia,Sclerocarya caffra,Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera

Analytical data are presented for the polysaccharide and proteinaceous components of the gum exudates from Chloroxylon swietenia and Sclerocarya caffra, and for the amino acid compositions of the exudates from Azadirachta indica (two specimens) and Moringa oleifera. The gums from C. swietenia and S. caffra contain 4-O-methylglucuronic acid, glucuronic acid, galactose and arabinose; rhamnose is absent. Amino acid analysis shows that proteinaceous material is present in the gums from C. swietenia, S. caffra and M. oleifera despite their low nitrogen content. Hydroxyproline accounts for 28 % of the amino acid content of S. caffra gum. In contrast, A. indica gum has a high nitrogen content but contains very little hydroxyproline.     

Effects of soil compaction on the microbial populations of melon and maize rhizoplane

Effects of soil compaction on the microbial populations of melon and maize rhizoplane were investigated in quantity and quality. The numbers of culturable bacteria and fluorescent pseudomonads on the rhizoplane were higher when plants were grown in more compacted soil and the relative increase was larger in fluorescent pseudomonads. Total bacterial counts, however, did not appear to be affected by soil compaction, resulting in the increase in the culturable bacteria among total counts in more compacted soil. The determination of extracellular enzymatic properties (pectinase, -glucosidase, -glucosidase and -galactosidase) of each 100 isolates from bulk soil and root samples suggested that the microbial populations on the rhizoplane, especially when plants were grown in highly, compacted soil, were composed of high ratios of bacteria with abilities to utilize root exudates efficiently. The microbial community structure estimated from the colony forming curves of bulk soil and root samples suggested that the microbial populations on the rhizoplane, especially when plants were grown in compacted soil, were likely to be composed of more r-strategists which were defined as those who formed colonies within 2 days.     

Studies on groundnut hypocotyl exudates and the behaviour ofRhizoctonia solani in influencing the disease

Summary The behaviour ofRhizoctonia solani on the surface of groundnut seedling hypocotyls was studied at different stages of growth. Characteristic variation in the growth and production on infection cushions was observed. No infection cushions were observed as the seedling reaches the age of three weeks. Hypocotyl exudates were collected at various stages of growth and analysed for total phenols, carbohydrates and ninhydrin positive compounds. The exudates were also analysed for individual amino acids, sugars and organic acids. Gradual decline in the total quantities of various compounds was observed with age. Quantitative and qualitative change in the individual compounds was also evident and some of the compounds were not at all detected as age increases. The possible correlation between the exudation and behaviour of the fungus on host surface is discussed.     

Increased solar UV-B radiation may reduce infection by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in dune grassland plants: evidence from five years of field exposure

An area of coastal dune grassland, dominated by the gramineous species Calamagrostis epigeios and Carex arenaria, was exposed to enhanced levels of UV-B radiation during a five year period. These species showed reduced AM-fungal infection percentages in their roots. In C. epigeios AM infection was reduced by 18%, C. arenaria showed a reduction by 20%. The major effect of enhanced UV-B on AM associations was a reduction of the number of arbuscules. This indicates a reduction in the exchange of nutrients between the symbionts. Since the effect of UV-B on AM associations may result from altered flavonoid levels in the root exudates of the host plants, flavonoid levels in the roots were investigated. No detectable flavonoid concentrations were found in the roots of C. epigeios and C. arenaria. Less effective AM associations can have pronounced negative effects on biodiversity and nutrient dynamics of the dune grassland ecosystem. The possible mechanisms causing these indirect effects of elevated UV-B on below ground AM associations are discussed. We conclude that UV-B induced changes in plant hormone levels are more likely to be the mechanism reducing AMF infection than UV-B induced alterations in flavonoid concentrations in the root exudates of the host plant.     

Plasma membrane H+-ATPase-dependent citrate exudation from cluster roots of phosphate-deficient white lupin

White lupin ( Lupinus albus L.) is able to grow on soils with sparingly available phosphate (P) by producing specialized structures called cluster roots. To mobilize sparingly soluble P forms in soils, cluster roots release substantial amounts of carboxylates and concomitantly acidify the rhizosphere. The relationship between acidification and carboxylate exudation is still largely unknown. In the present work, we studied the linkage between organic acids (malate and citrate) and proton exudations in cluster roots of P-deficient white lupin. After the illumination started, citrate exudation increased transiently and reached a maximum after 5 h. This effect was accompanied by a strong acidification of the external medium and alkalinization of the cytosol, as evidenced by in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. Fusicoccin, an activator of the plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPase, stimulated citrate exudation, whereas vanadate, an inhibitor of the H⁺-ATPase, reduced citrate exudation. The burst of citrate exudation was associated with an increase in expression of the LHA1 PM H⁺-ATPase gene, an increased amount of H⁺-ATPase protein, a shift in pH optimum of the enzyme and post-translational modification of an H⁺-ATPase protein involving binding of activating 14-3-3 protein. Taken together, our results indicate a close link in cluster roots of P-deficient white lupin between the burst of citrate exudation and PM H⁺-ATPase-catalysed proton efflux.     

Biochemical Investigations of Sclerotial Exudates of Sclerotium rolfsii and their Antifungal Activity

Exudates from sclerotia of two Sclerotium rolfsii isolates (one causing collar rot in Cicer arietinum, isolate VC971, and the other leaf spots in Rauvolfia serpentina, isolate VL016) were assayed for their antifungal activity against 26 fungi consisting of plant parasites as well as saprophytes. Spore germination of all the test fungi was affected by the exudates reaching 100% in some cases. Foliar spray with exudates of isolate VL016 significantly reduced disease incidence of balsam (Impatiens balsamina) powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe cichoracearum and pea (Pisum sativum) powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe pisi, under field conditions. Characterization of exudates from 25 isolates of S. rolfsii revealed pH ranging from 3.8 to 5.3 and colour from light yellow to deep yellow. Among the phenolic acids found in the exudates were tannic, gallic, caffeic, vanillic, ferulic, chlorogenic and cinnamic acids. Oxalic acid was also found in varied amounts. Among the phenolic acids, ferulic acid was found to be present at high concentration in exudates of most isolates (3.9–153.4 μg/ml). The antioxidant properties of phenolics, which generally inhibit fungal morphogenesis including spore germination along with the antifungal nature of some phenolics are chiefly attributed to the inhibitory effect of sclerotial exudates of S. rolfsii. Additionally, both the isolates VC971 and VL016 showed almost similar antifungal activities despite they are of different origin and thereby demonstrate the antifungal nature of sclerotial exudates.     

Foraging for space and avoidance of physical obstructions by plant roots: a comparative study of grasses from contrasting habitats

Physical obstructions that reduce space for root growth can profoundly affect plant performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of roots to avoid obstructions and forage for usable space, and to reveal the mechanism involved. Eight grass species from four genera were examined. Each genus included species characteristic of habitats with high and low nutrient availability. The ability to limit root mass and to adjust morphology within substrate containing obstructions in the form of gravel was investigated. A treatment with activated carbon, which adsorbs organic compounds, was used to examine the possible involvement of root exudates in responses to obstructions. Only species characteristic of nutrient-poor habitats restricted placement of root mass in substrate containing obstructions, and this response disappeared in the presence of activated carbon. Root morphological responses to obstructions differed from those shown in response to nutrient-poor conditions or compacted soil. These results suggest that the ability to avoid obstructions is dependent on the sensitivity of roots to their own exudates accumulating in the vicinity of obstructions. This is similar to other behavioural responses in which cues or signals are used to adjust growth before stressful conditions are encountered.