Effect of Lincocin Treatment on the Greening Process in Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Leaves

The effect of lincocin (a plastid protein synthesis inhibitor) treatment on the greening process of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) leaves have been studied. In comparison with control leaves treated ones had a decreased rate of chloroplast development. They had a marked chlorophyll deficiency and a decreased chlorophyll a/b ratio. Some long and short wavelength forms of chlorophyll a were lacking as evidenced from the absorption spectra at 25°C and the fluorescence spectra at 77°K. The –¹⁴CO₂ fixation was inhibited by 80–90% in treated leaves. The fluorescence induced by the measuring light was greater in the treated leaves than in the control ones, and the kinetics of the decline of the relative fluorescence intensity were also different. Electron microscopic studies showed macrogranum-like structures and incomplete membrane vesicles in the treated plastids. After longer treatment a destruction of membranes was observed. The results indicate some structural and functional membrane deficiencies and instability of the membranes.     

Lecithotrophic development and metamorphosis in the Indo-West Pacific brittle star Ophiomastix venosa (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea)

Summary

The larval development of the ophiocomid ophiuroid Ophiomastix venosais described using SEM. The gastrula transforms into a uniformly ciliated early larva which progressively changes into a lecithotrophic late premetamorphic larva with a continuous bilateral ciliated band. This stage is short-lived and equivalent to a highly reduced ophiopluteus. Comparisons between O. venosa and other ophiuroid species whose development has been investigated suggest that, whatever the developmental mode (lecithotrophic or planktotrophic), a pluteus stage always occurs in ophiuroids with planktonic development. Two metamorphic stages were identified, the late metamorphic larva differing from the early one by the closure of the larval mouth. The appearance of the permanent mouth marks the end of the metamorphosis. The postlarva still possesses remnants of larval features. The transformation of the reduced ophiopluteus into a barrel-shaped metamorphic larva with transverse ciliated bands, a vitellaria larva, is followed. The possible occurrence of a unique type of metamorphic larva in non-brooding ophiuroids is discussed. Verification of this, however, needs further SEM investigations on metamorphic larva from species having “regular” planktotrophic development.     

Development of an extended shelf-life,liquid formulation of the biofungicide <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma asperellum</Emphasis>

The formulation of microbial biomass represents a critical step in advancing the commercial development of prospective biological control products. Trichoderma asperellum has demonstrated biological control capability against Fusarium head blight. In the present studies, Trichoderma asperellum was grown in liquid media of differing composition. The effect of various amendments on the preservation of the viability and competitiveness, in vitro, of fungal mycelium and spores in a liquid paste was determined. The amendments with greatest effect were the addition of starch as a food base, reduction of metabolic activity by lowering the pH of the biomass paste and the addition of small amounts of copper. Oxygen availability was also shown to be important in maintaining biomass viability and competitiveness. Optimization of these factors produces a biomass paste formulation of T. asperellum that remains active, in vitro, for at least 6 months at room temperature.     

Basic phenomena of “macroscopic fluctuations” are repeated on light beams generated by lasers or light-emitting diodes

Basic phenomena of the “macroscopic fluctuations” are repeated on the light beams generated by lasers or light-emitting diodes. Study of the light beams fluctuations look promissory.     

Discrete macroscopic fluctuations in processes of various nature

The data of 30-year investigations of macroscopic fluctuations are generalized in this review. The results of measuring processes of different nature (from biochemical reactions to radioactive decay) fluctuate. They are presented by certain discrete values. The discreteness of corresponding spectra of states can be probably explained by both pure mathematical causes and cosmophysical factors. The fluctuation amplitude and the shape of the spectrum of the states of objects with different nature depend on the universal external cosmophysical factors. General problems arising in connection with the analysis of the "scatter in the results" and "nonreproducibility of measurements" are discussed.