Polyamines and Plant Morphogenesis

R.K. Kakkar, P.K. Nagar, P.S. Ahuja, V.K. Rai

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:1-11 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026582308902

Alterations in free and conjugated polyamines (PAs) and the enzymes involved in their biosynthesis, namely arginine decarboxylase, ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosyl methionine decarboxylase have been reported to occur during cell division, growth, embryogenesis and rhizogenesis in an array of plant materials. However, the relationship, if any, between them and all these processes has not yet been established. It seems that specific PAs at specific concentration ranges are required during critical stages of growth and morphogenetic events. Furthermore, the effects of PA biosynthesis inhibitors vary considerably at different developmental stages...

Lerner, H.R. (ed.): Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses. From Phytohormones to Genome Reorganization

J. Pospíšilová

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:12 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026540021623

Molecular Characterization of a Hybrid Zone between Orchis mascula and O. pauciflora in Southern Italy

G. Pellegrino, P. Caputo, S. Cozzolino, B. Menale, A. Musacchio

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:13-18 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026534425741

A small population (16 individuals) of Orchis × colemanii Cortesi, a natural hybrid between O. mascula (L.) L. and O. pauciflora Ten. was sampled from a locality near Sassano (National Park of Cilento, province of Salerno, Southern Italy) in order to assess its genetic structure. Filter hybridizations of O. × colemanii, O. mascula and O. pauciflora DNAs against a PCR-amplified ribosomal fragment indicated that all the hybrid individuals in study have the ribosomal repeats of both parents, even if not always combined in equal proportions, and that no specimen morphologically identified as O....

Are the T-DNA Mutants Amenable to Standard Recombination Analysis?

J. Relichová, J. Řepková

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:19-23 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026586409811

Genetic analysis with T-DNA mutants often brings difficulties resulting from instability of the transgenic phenotype. In this work three different Arabidopsis thaliana T-DNA embryonic lethals and one T-DNA morphological mutant were analyzed in F2 progeny after 15 different crosses with marker lines for individual chromosomes. F2 analysis of 44 segregation ratios revealed segregation distortion of similar character consisting in abnormal excess of nontransgenic plants to the detriment of transgenic ones. We quantified this phenotypic drift (d) on the basis of phenotypic ratios given the respective formulas. The d values indicate...

Schieving, F.: Plato's Plant. On the Mathematical Structure of Simple Plants and Canopies

J. Gloser

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:24 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026592005693

Changes in Parameters of the Plasmalemma ATPase during Peach Vegetative Bud Dormancy

H.-L. Aue, I. Lecomte, G. Pétel

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:25-29 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026538526649

Plant dormancy and dormancy breaking depend, at least partially, on close relationships between buds and tissues underlying bud (bud stands). In Prunus persica, the dormancy was related to high nutrient absorption in bud stands linked to high plasmalemma ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) activity. Two plasmalemma fractions was isolated from peach vegetative buds and bud stands using aqueous phase partitioning and ultracentrifugation. Results of markers enzyme assays indicated that both plasmalemma enriched fractions obtained were highly purified. During the dormancy period plasma membrane ATPase amount and activity were higher in bud stands than in buds....

Scholthof, K.-B. G., Shaw, J.G., Zaitlin, M. (Ed.): Tobacco Mosaic Virus. One Hundred Years of Contributions to Virology

L. Šindelář

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:30 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026544106602

The Shoot Apex as a Marker of the Responsivity to Photoperiodic Treatment Inducing Flowering of Chenopodium rubrum L.

A. Blažková, Z. Vondráková, J. Krekule

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:31-34 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026590510719

Two maxima in flowering response to one inductive dark period of 13 h were found in the short day plant Chenopodium rubrum within three weeks of cultivation under continuous illumination either in vitro or in vivo. These maxima correlated with the number of leaf primordia and their relation to the size of the apical meristem. The first maximum in flowering responsivity corresponded with the stage when primordia of the second leaf pair had not yet overtopped the apical meristem, the second one when the primordia of the fourth leaf overgrew the meristem. Maximum responsivity to flowering reached by a mother plant was reflected in...

Effects of Some Growth Regulators on Young Iron Deficient Maize Plants

V.R. Nenova, I.G. Stoyanov

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:35-39 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026542727558

Young maize plants, grown hydroponically, were supplied with 1/10 the optimal amount of iron (0.75 mg dm^-3). Foliar treatments with solutions, containing N⁶-benzyladenine (BA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or (2-chloroethyl)-trimethylammoniumchloride (CCC) were conducted after chlorosis had been well manifested. Changes in growth, chlorophyll content, rate of photosynthesis, catalase and peroxidase activities in leaves, and the contents of Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, and P in leaves were recorded. Growth regulators improved (CCC, IAA) or aggravated (BA) the physiological state of chlorotic plants. Their effect might be explained by changes...

Smallwood, M.F., Calvert, C.M., Bowles, D.J. (Ed.): Plant Responses to Environmental Stress

J. Pospíšilová

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:40 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026548223440

Long-Term Effects of Elevated CO2 on Woody Tissues Respiration of Norway Spruce Studied in Open-Top Chambers

D. Janouš, R. Pokorný, J. Brossaud, M.V. Marek

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:41-46 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026594711628

In an open-top chamber experiment located in a mountain stand of 14-years-old Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.), trees were continuously exposed to either ambient CO₂ concentration (A), or ambient + 350 µmol mol^-1 (E) over four growing seasons. Respiration rates of different woody parts (stem, branches, coarse roots) were measured during the last growing season. The calculated increase in the respiration rate related to a 10 °C temperature change (Q₁₀) was different in stem compared to branches and roots. Differences between the E and A variants were statistically significant only for roots in the...

Effects of a Severe Drought on Water and Nitrogen Use by Quercus ilex and Phyllyrea latifolia

J. Peñuelas, I. Filella, F. Lloret, J. Piñol, D. Siscart

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:47-53 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026546828466

A severe drought that took place in Spain and other Mediterranean countries in 1994 produced a dieback of Quercus ilex trees on south-facing conglomerates but only minor defoliations in trees on north-facing schists. The foliar Δ¹³C of damaged trees continued to decrease in the next two wet years probably indicating increasing water use efficiency, and their δ¹⁵N continued to increase indicating progressive ecosystem N saturation and/or N losses whereas there were no significant changes in undamaged trees. Pre-drought Δ¹³C values were reached in the third year after the drought, but δ¹⁵N...

De Kok, L.J., Stulen, I. (Ed.).: Responses of Plant Metabolism to Air Pollution and Global Change

N. Wilhelmová

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:54 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026500307510

Dynamics of Seed Protein Biosynthesis in Two Soybean Genotypes Differing in Drought Susceptibility

T. Blanuša, R. Stikić, B. Vucelić-Radović, M. Barać, D. Veličković

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:55-59 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026598812537

The dynamics of seed storage protein biosynthesis was studied under field conditions during two vegetative seasons. Two soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) genotypes were examined: BOSA (drought tolerant) and L 121 (drought susceptible). Seed samples were taken from plants at three stages of seed maturation (50 and 70 d after flowering, and at full maturity). The earlier synthesis of the β-subunit of the 7S protein occurred in the drought susceptible cultivar. We have not found such differences in the synthesis of the α- and α'-subunits of the 7S protein. Our results did not confirm significant genotypic differences in protein composition...

Bellows, T.S., Fisher, T.W. (Ed.): Handbook of Biological Control. Principles and Applications of Biological Control

V. Čatská

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:60 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026552324349

NaCl Effects on Root Plasma Membrane ATPase of Salt Tolerant Wheat

M.M.F. Mansour, P.R. Van Hasselt, P.J.C. Kuiper

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:61-66 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026550929375

Wheat seedlings of a salt tolerant cultivar were grown hydroponically in presence and absence of 100 mM NaCl. Roots were harvested, and the plasma membrane (PM) fraction was purified. PM ATPase required a divalent cations for activity (Mg > Mn > Ca > Co > Zn > Ni > Cu), and it was further stimulated by monovalent cations (K > Rb > NH₄ > Li > choline > Cs). The pH optima were 6.0 and 5.6 in absence and presence of 25 mM KCl, respectively. The enzyme was sensitive to vanadate and DCCD but insensitive to azide, oligomycine and nitrate. The enzyme displayed a high preference for ATP but was also able to hydrolyze...

Influence of Triadimefon on the Metabolism of NaCl Stressed Radish

M. Muthukumarasamy, S. Dutta Gupta, R. Panneerselvam

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:67-72 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026503013445

The effect of triadimefon (TDM) on various biochemical parameters was studied in NaCl stressed radish (Raphanus sativus L.). Stress imposed by 80 mM NaCl decreased the protein content and proline oxidase activity, and increased the proline and glycine betaine contents, and protease, γ-glutamyl kinase and ATPase activities. The TDM treatment alleviated the stress by increasing protein, and glycine betaine contents, and by decreasing proline accumulation, and proline oxidase and ATPase activities.

Effect of Calcium and Zinc on the Activity and Thermostability of Superoxide Dismutase

N.T. Bakardjieva, K.N. Christov, N.V. Christova

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:73-78 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026555030284

The effect of calcium and zinc ions on superoxide dismutase (SOD) from four plant species (Taxus baccata, Pinus sylvestris, Medicago rigidula, and Zea mays) was followed at three temperatures: optimal (20 °C), increased (50 °C), and high, inhibiting temperature (70 - 80 °C). At 20 and 50 °C in vitro added calcium increases SOD activity, but the degree was different for the plants investigated. The effect of zinc ions at the same temperatures varied in the investigated plants from activation to inhibition. An inhibiting effect of high temperature on SOD activity was diminished in the presence of calcium or zinc ions....

Differential Effect of Cd2+ and Ni2+ on Amino Acid Metabolism in Soybean Seedlings

F. El-Shintinawy, A. El-Ansary

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:79-84 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026507114354

In 10-d-old soybean seedlings, the growth of roots and shoots was significantly inhibited at 50 and 100 μM and more Cd²⁺, respectively, and by 50 μM or more Ni²⁺. Although total protein content of roots exposed to 200 μM Cd²⁺ or Ni²⁺ was similarly decreased compared to the control, the activity of nitrate reductase was much more inhibited by Cd²⁺. Ni²⁺-treatment (200 μM) induced an accumulation of all free amino acids in roots associated with a decrease in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities reflecting the accumulation of both alanine...

Quantitative Changes in Maize Membrane Proteins Induced by Aluminium

I. Mistrík, L. Tamás, J. Huttová

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:85-91 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026559131192

Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was used for monitoring Al-induced changes in polypeptide composition of membrane proteins isolated from 3-d-old maize seedlings subjected to aluminium stress. Analysis of peripheral membrane proteins isolated from maize root showed an Al-induced increase in accumulation of 14 polypeptides with apparent molecular mass from 10 to 135 kDa. Qualitative differences were found between peripheral membrane proteins isolated from root tip (increased accumulation of 4 polypeptides with M_r 42 000 - 135 000) and from root base (increased accumulation of 10 polypeptides with M_r...

Cotter, T.G., Martin, S.J. (Ed.): Techniques in Apoptosis. A User's Guide

J. Wilhelm

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:92 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026504408419

Wall Thickenings - Moss Protonema Apical Cell Reaction to Lead

M. Krzesłowska, A. Woźny

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:93-98 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026511215263

Two-days-old protonemata of Funaria hygrometrica Hedw. growing in in vitro conditions were treated with 4 μM PbCl₂ for 48 h. After this time grey or brown colour thickenings of the cell wall appeared in protonemata cells. They were then localized in tip parts of apical cells. Electron microscopical (TEM) observations showed that the thickenings were structurally connected with the wall and sometimes they included lead deposits. Cytochemically it was found that they contained pectic polysaccharides, callose, lipid substances (probably suberin or sporopollenin) and only few cellulose. Other compounds of cell wall, e.g....

Response of Tolerant and Wild Strains of Scenedesmus Biguja to Copper

A.A. Fathi, A.M. El-Shahed

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:99-103 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026563232101

Copper tolerance in Scenedesmus biguja was studied by comparing the physiological properties and Cu uptake in wild type and copper tolerant strain. A concentration dependent reduction in growth rate, pigment, protein, sugar, and amino acid contents, oxygen evolution, and alkaline phosphatase activities was noticed in both strains at 1 and 200 μg(Cu) dm^-3. The reduction in all parameters was higher in the wild type than in the tolerant strain. The tolerant strain showed also enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity, and insignificant loss of potassium and sodium. The Cu uptake was influenced by the Cu concentrations the algae had...

Storey, K.B. (Ed.): Environmental Stress and Gene Regulation

J. Wilhelm

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:104 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026556525257

Serologically-Related Anionic Peroxidases from Petunia and Cucumber can Substitute Flavonoid Antioxidants

V. Repka, I. Fischerová

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:105-112 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026515316171

In this study we have investigated whether naturally occurring flavonoid-deficient mutant Red Star of Petunia hybrida is capable of metabolizing H₂O₂ by invoking other antioxidant enzyme system. We demonstrated that reduced flower pigmentation due to a reduction in the chalcone synthase mRNA expression results in strong H₂O₂ accumulation accompanied by the induction of a specific set of anionic peroxidase (PRX), serologically-related to main cucumber srPRX. We found correlation between rate of H₂O₂ accumulation and qualitative, as well as quantitative changes in the srPRX expression...

Rootless Aquatic Plant Aldrovanda Vesiculosa: Physiological Polarity, Mineral Nutrition, and Importance of Carnivory

L. Adamec

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:113-119 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026567300241

Various ecophysiological investigations are presented in Aldrovanda vesiculosa, a rootless aquatic carnivorous plant. A distinct polarity of N, P, and Ca tissue content per dry mass (DM) unit was found along Aldrovanda shoots. Due to effective re-utilization, relatively small proportions of N (10 - 13 %) and P (33 - 43 %) are probably lost with senescent leaf whorls, while there is complete loss of all Ca, K, and Mg. The total content of starch and free sugars was 26 - 47 % DM along adult shoots, with the maximum in the 7^th - 10^th whorls. About 30 % of the total maximum sugar content was probably lost with dead whorls....

Effect of Auxins on in vitro Rooting of Plumbago Zeylanica: Peroxidase Activity as a Marker for Root Induction

C. Saxena, S. Samantaray, G.R. Rout, P. Das

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:121-124 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026519417080

Induction of rooting in the microshoots of Plumbago zeylanica was achieved on halfstrength basal Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 0.25 mg dm^-3 indole-3-butyric acid. Rooting was totally inhibited when the microshoots were cultured in vitro under continuous light, however, maximum percentage of microshoots rooted when incubated in continuous light for 4 weeks before transfer to the rooting media. Peroxidase activity increased markedly during root induction indicating a key role of peroxidase in rooting of microshoots of Plumbago zeylanica in vitro.

Effect of Different Saccharides on Viability of Isolated Microspores and Androgenic Induction in Zea Mays

B. Obert, A. Preťová, B. Büter, J.E. Schmid

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:125-128 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026571401150

Sucrose, glucose, fructose, and melibiose in different concentrations and combinations in the induction media influenced the viability of the isolated maize microspores and the formation of multinuclear structures. The induction of multinuclear structures on media containing combination of sucrose, fructose and glucose was lower than on media only with sucrose. In media containing melibiose alone or in combination with sucrose, no induction of multinuclear structures was found, however, microspore viability was improved.

Responses of Pea and Triticale Photosynthesis and Growth to Long-wave UV-B Radiation

E. Skórska

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:129-131 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026523617988

Pea plants were more susceptible to long-wave UV-B irradiation (305 - 320 nm, 7.7 kJ m^-2 d^-1, 4 weeks) in comparison with the triticale. This difference was more apparent from the changes in total area of leaves and dry mass of shoots, rather than from the parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence and net photosynthetic rate.

Karyotype Analysis of Hypericum Perforatum L.

R. Brutovská, P. Kušniriková, E. Bogyiová, E. Čellárová

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:133-136 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026575602059

A karyotype study was made on Hypericum perforatum using plants differentiated in vitro with different ploidy level. The chromosomes of this species are small, morphologically similar, median and submedian. In the basic chromosome set the most distinguishable is chromosome number 1 which was subjected to detail analysis. It was found that there are two types of this chromosome which contribute differentially in diploid, triploid and tetraploid plants.

Effect of Paclobutrazol on Soluble Sugars and Starch Content of de novo Regenerating Potato Stem Explants

M. Grospietsch, H. Lipavská, J. Opatrná

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:137-139 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026527718897

Changes in the content of soluble sugars and starch were determined during the first phase of de novo organogenesis in stem internode segments (SIS), taken either from control plants or from the plants grown on medium with 10^-8 M paclobutrazol (PBZ). Transient accumulation of soluble sugars was observed in both variants during the first two days. Control SIS accumulated higher amount [22.0 mg g^-1(f.m.)] of soluble sugars than the PBZ pretreated SIS [15.2 mg g^-1(f.m.)]. PBZ variant showed four times higher starch content at the start of experiment in comparison with the control. Both variants accumulated starch...

Involvement of Lipid Peroxidation in Water Stress-Promoted Senescence of Detached Rice Leaves

J.-N. Lin, C. H. Kao

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:141-144 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026579702967

Role of lipid peroxidation and antioxidative enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase) in water stress-promoted senescence of detached rice leaves was investigated. The senescence was followed by measuring the decrease in protein content. Increased lipid peroxidation was closely correlated with senescence in water stressed leaves. Decrease in superoxide dismutase activity was evident 8 h after beginning of water stress. However, decreased catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase activity was observed only when senescence was observed. Glutathione reductase was not affected by water stress....

A Low Transmissibility of Hop Latent Viroid through a Generative Phase of Humulus lupulus L.

J. Matoušek, J. Patzak

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:145-148 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026531819806

A significant reduction of hop latent viroid (HLVd) content during the generative phase of hop was detected using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) and molecular hybridisation methods. A low transmissibility of HLVd through seed may be a feature valuable for the selection and maintenance of viroid-free hybrid hops.

Iron Mediated Nitrate Reductase Activity in Different Parts of Young Maize Seedlings

S. Pandey

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:149-151 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026583803876

Incubation of 5-d-old maize seedlings in the half-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution containing 10 mM KNO₃ with FeCl₃ or FeSO₄ (0.5 or 2.0 mM) caused a significant increase in nitrate reductase (NR) activity and slightly increased total protein content in root, shoot and scutellum. In case of root, NADPH:NR activity was inhibited contrary to the NADH:NR activity. In spite of NR activity, nitrate uptake was inhibited from 13 to 37 % by the iron. The results presented demonstrate an isoform specific, organ specific, and to some extent salt specific responses of NR to iron.

Primer Design and Optimization for RAPD Analysis of Nepenthes

S.H. Lim, D.C.Y. Phua, H.T.W. Tan

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:153-155 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026535920714

Primers with higher G+C content produced better random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles in Nepenthes. The occurrence of clustered G's and C's in the center of the primer seemed also to influence the banding patterns. It was also observed that for certain polymerases, the use of different buffers other than that recommended by the manufacturer provided a better amplification profile for Nepenthes.

Differential Morphogenetic Responses of Cotyledonary Explants of Vigna mungo

G. Franklin, P.K. Pius, S. Ignacimuthu

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:157-160 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026587904785

The morphogenetic responses of cotyledonary nodal explants of Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper cv. VBN1 cultured on the same Murashige and Skoog's medium, B5 vitamins, and 13.31 µM N⁶-benzylaminopurine showed variations in the pattern of multiple shooting and morphology of leaves in dependence on initial explants (presence/absence of cotyledons). The regenerated shoots elongated in the initial medium and most of them rooted in the presence of 2.41 µM indole-3-butyric acid, and flowered in vitro. Rooted plants could be transferred to the field after hardening.

Alan Longman

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022382715839