Activity of the Pentose Phosphate Pathway and Changes in Nicotinamide Nucleotide Content during Germination of Seeds of Cicer arietinum L.

Changes in the level of nicotinamide nucleotides, rate of ¹⁴CO₂output from [1^–14C] or [6¹⁴ C₆/C₁ ratios, glucose-6-phosphatedehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and NAD kinaseactivities were determined during the first 72 h of germinationof seeds of Cicer arietinum L. The level of oxidized and reducedforms of nicotinamide nucleotides, together with the activityof glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase,NAD kinase, and C₆/C₁ ratios, suggest that the pentose phosphatepathway is activated during early germination in cotyledonsof chick pea seeds. The results obtained in embryonic axes seemsto indicate a lower participation of the PP pathway, probablydue to the development of the activity of the glycolytic-TCApathway.     

Effects of DIMBOA levels in wheat on the susceptibility of the grain aphid (Sitobion avenue) to deltamethrin

The effects of DIMBOA in cultivars of wheat on aphid antibiosis and tolerance to the insecticide deltamethrin were investigated for the aphid Sitobion auenae. Over 48 hours the mean relative growth rate differed significantly between nymphs of S. auenae reared on wheat cultivars containing different levels of DIMBOA. Nymphs on the resistant cv. Altar showed a significantly greater susceptibility to deltamethrin, with nearly a three-fold increase in the relative toxicity of deltamethrin, compared with the susceptible cv. Dollarbird. The LC₅₀, adjusted for weight, was reduced by 91% for nymphs reared on the high DIMBOA cultivar. The potential for the enhancement of predation under a reduced pesticide régime is discussed in relation to this research.