Micropropagation of Coleus blumei from nodal segments and shoot tips

G. Rani, D. Talwar, A. Nagpal, G. S. Virk

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:496-500 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0078-1

A rapid and highly-effective method for micropropagation from nodal segment and shoot tip explants was established for Coleus blumei Benth. Nodal segments and shoot tips were inoculated on MS medium containing 0.7 % agar, 3 % commercial sugar, and different combinations of 6-benzyladenine (BA) with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Hundred percent shoot induction from both explants was achieved on the medium containing BA (2 mg dm^-3) and NAA (1 mg dm^-3). Shoot tips were proved to be the better explant in comparison to nodal segments in having high rate of shoot...

In vitro shoot bud differentiation and plantlet regeneration in Celastrus paniculatus Willd

M. S. Rao, S. D. Purohit

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:501-506 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0079-0

Multiple shoot buds could be induced directly from internode explants of Celastrus paniculatus inoculated on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium containing different growth regulators. The best response was obtained when 4.44 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) was incorporated in the medium. Incorporation of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) did not improve response, rather promoted callusing. Adventitious shoot buds could be multiplied and elongated on MS medium containing 2.22 μM BAP. Rooting of shoots (80 %) was obtained when their bases were dipped in pre-autoclaved indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) solution (2.45...

In vitro culture of Gypsophila paniculata L. and random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of the propagated plants

M. R. Rady

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:507-513 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0080-7

A protocol is established for regeneration of the economically important cut flower plant, Gypsophila paniculata L., using shoot tips explants. Multiple shoots were obtained on Murashige and Skoog medium fortified with 0.5 mg dm^-3 each of α-naphthaleneacetic acid and 6-benzyladenine. Addition of 10 g dm^-3 agar promoted shoot proliferation and reduced the degree of shoot vitrification. Transfer to 3 mg dm^-3 indole^-3-butyric acid containing medium produced optimum root initiation and development. The produced plants as well as intact plants were subjected to the random amplified polymorphic DNA...

Genetic transformation of Rhamnus fallax and hairy roots as a source of anthraquinones

N. Rosić, I. Momčilović, N. Kovačević, D. Grubišić

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:514-518 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0081-6

Hairy roots of Rhamnus fallax Boiss. were induced using Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain A4M70GUS. The culture established on Woody plant media (WPM) showed a typical hairy root phenotype: rapid growth, reduced apical dominance and root plagiotropism. Seven clones of R. fallax were selected on the basis of their differences in colour and the root branching. The growth of hairy root culture, measured through gain in fresh mass, was done under 16-h photoperiod or in the dark. An increase in anthraquinone (AQ) content was obtained in clones with yellow and less branched roots, like clone 1 [16.43 mg g^-1(d.m.)] and clone...

Identification of a novel elite genotype for in vitro culture and genetic transformation of cotton

S. Jin, X. Zhang, Y. Nie, X. Guo, S. Liang, H. Zhu

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:519-524 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0082-5

Hypocotyls of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars cv. YZ-1, Coker 312 and Coker 201 were inoculated on Murashige and Skoog callus induction medium. YZ-1 exhibited a very high regeneration potential, with 81.9 % of the explants inoculated differentiated into embryogenic callus within 8-10 weeks. During the process of callus maintenance (subculture for 1 to 3 years), the total embryos number in Coker 312 and Coker 201 calli dropped sharply, and the percentage of embryo germination decreased. On the contrary, the callus of YZ-1 consistently maintains a high frequency of plant regeneration after long-time subculture. Transgenic kanamycin-resistant...

Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation of Brassica oleracea var. sabauda and B. oleracea var. capitata

T. Sretenović-Rajičić, S. Ninković, J. Miljuš-Đukić, B. Vinterhalter, D. Vinterhalter

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:525-530 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0083-4

Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4M70GUS-mediated transformation of Savoy cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. sabauda) and two local lines of cabbage (B. oleracea L. var. capitata) was obtained using hypocotyl and cotyledon explants. The percentage of explants which formed roots was very high in all genotypes: 92.3 % in Savoy Gg-1, 64.4 % in cabbage P₂₂I₅, and 87.2 % in P₃₄I₅. Spontaneous shoot regeneration of excised root cultures grown on the hormone-free medium occurred in all three genotypes. In cabbage lines P₂₂I₅ and P₃₄I₅ shoot...

Stability of RAPD fingerprints in potato: Effect of source tissue and primers

S. K. Chakrabarti, D. Pattanayak, D. Sarkar, V. P. Chimote, P. S. Naik

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:531-536 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0084-3

Variations in random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles from leaf, stem, root, and tuber tissues were observed in case of two glasshouse grown potato cultivars using 40 decamer primers suggesting possible danger of cultivar misidentification. Genomic DNA extracted from the above four tissues of four in vitro grown potato cultivars, however, produced more uniform RAPD fingerprints. A significant effect of random primers on fingerprint uniformity was observed in case of both glasshouse and in vitro grown samples. A new concept of stability index for random primers based on homogeneity of RAPD profiles obtained from different tissues...

Regulations of granule-bound starch synthase I gene expression in rice leaves by temperature and drought stress

S. J. Wang, L. F. Liu, C. K. Chen, L. W. Chen

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:537-541 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0085-2

Effects of temperature (15/10, 25/20, 30/25, and 35/30 °C) and drought stresses on the expression of granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) gene were examined in rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings. The GBSSI expression was higher at the low temperature (15/10 °C), and the transcript level decreased at temperatures higher than 30 °C. Protein phosphorylation was involved in the low temperature-stimulated signal transduction of GBSSI regulation. The expression of GBSSI in rice seedling was reduced under a drought stress. Even though exogenous ABA played a role to reduce the GBSSI transcript accumulation under non-stress...

Characterization of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate synthase gene from Camptotheca acuminata

Y. Gong, Z. Liao, M. Chen, B. Guo, H. Jin, X. Sun, K. Tang

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:542-550 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0086-1

5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS; 3-phosphoshikimate 1-carboxyvinyl-transferase; EC 2.5.1.19) is a critical enzyme in the shikimate pathway. The full-length EPSPS cDNA sequence (CaEPSPS, GenBank accession number: AY639815) was cloned and characterized for the first time from woody plant, Camptotheca acuminata, using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique. The full-length cDNA of CaEPSPS was 1778 bp containing a 1557 bp ORF (open reading frame) encoding a polypeptide of 519 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 55.6 kDa and an isoelectric point of 8.22. Comparative and bioinformatic analyses...

Differential distribution of transcripts from genes involved in polyamine biosynthesis in bean plants

J. F. Jiménez-Bremont, E. Hernández-Lucero, A. G. Alpuche-Solís, S. Casas-Flores, A. P. Barba De La Rosa

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:551-558 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0087-0

Partial cDNAs sequences for arginine decarboxylase (Pvadc), S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (Pvsamdc) and spermidine synthase (Pvspds) were isolated from the bean Phaseolus vulgaris using primers designed from conserved regions of enzymes belonging to plant species. Sequence analysis showed that the Pvadc, Pvsamdc and Pvspds genes were most closely related to the orthologous genes from Glycine max, Phaseolus lunatus and Pisum sativum, respectively. The expression patterns of the genes, together with that of ornithine decarboxylase (Pvodc), were analysed in young and mature leaves, stems,...

Changes in nonpolar aldehydes in bean cotyledons during ageing

N. Wilhelmová, P. M. D. N. Domingues, M. Srbová, H. Fuksová, J. Wilhelm

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:559-564 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0088-z

Ageing of plant organs is accompanied by an increased production of free radicals what results in membrane lipid peroxidation. Non-polar aldehydes originating from this process interact with the cellular material to form the fluorescent end-products, lipofuscin-like pigments (LFP). Their formation was studied both qualitatively and quantitatively in ageing of bean cotyledons. The concentration of lipofuscin-like pigments increased 9-fold in 14-d-old (senescent) cotyledons in relation to 8-d-old (young) cotyledons. HPLC fractionation patterns indicate changes in their composition during ageing. The LFP increase in old cotyledons was accompanied by elevated...

Morphological, histochemical and ultrastructural indicators of maize and barley leaf senescence

I. Kołodziejek, M. Wałęza, A. Mostowska

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:565-573 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0089-y

In this study we report on morphological and histochemical indicators of maize and barley leaf senescence. We determined how the traits such as distribution of stomata and hairs, presence of epicuticular wax, staining of tissues with toluidine blue, change with leaf age and within the leaf blade. We identified regions of young, non-mature leaves as exhibiting juvenile phase, regions with features typical for mature and fully differentiated leaves-as an adult phase and regions with traits of age damage as a senescing phase. Ultrastructural analysis of these regions of leaves gives a clear picture of the time development of the senescence process. Appearance...

Polyamine contents, ethylene synthesis, and BrACO2 expression during turnip germination

M. I. Puga-Hermida, M. Gallardo, M. C. Rodriguez-Gacio, A. J. Matilla

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:574-580 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0090-5

Contents of total free [PA(S)] and conjugated polyamines [PA(SH), PA(PH)] were higher in turnip (Brassica rapa L. cv. Rapa) seeds during imbibition (0-36 h) and radicle protrusion (36-48 h) than during the further growth (10 d). Ethylene production was activated with the protrusion, reaching a maximum at the second day of germination and dropping afterwards. The application of ethrel accelerated radicle emergence but the direct intervention of ethylene in the breaking of the seed coat was not clear from the use of ethylene-biosynthesis inhibitors (CoCl₂ and AVG). Finally, in this work the gene BrACO2 was characterized. Although...

Changes in abscisic acid and flower pigments during floral senescence of petunia

A. Ferrante, P. Vernieri, F. Tognoni, G. Serra

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:581-585 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0091-4

The present work was focused on abscisic acid (ABA) changes in three differently coloured petunias during flower development and senescence. The ABA content was studied in correlation with changes of flower pigments and other phytohormones. The variations of anthocyanins and endogenous hormones were induced by treatments with 1 or 2 mM amino-oxyacetic acid (AOA), 50, 100 μM thidiazuron (TDZ) and 50 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA). ABA content decreased during bud development and increased during senescence. The AOA reduced the anthocyanins content and avoided ABA increase, while the cytokinins (BA and TDZ) did not significantly affected anthocyanin contents...

Cyclic electron flow around photosystem 1 is required for adaptation to salt stress in wild soybean species Glycine cyrtoloba ACC547

Y. Yang, D.-A. Jiang, H.-X. Xu, C.-Q. Yan, S.-R. Hao

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:586-590 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0092-3

A wild soybean species Glycine cyrtoloba ACC547 was found to possess a high salinity resistance trait. It maintained higher net photosynthetic rate (PN) and maximal photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m) than the soybean Glycine max cultivar Melrose under salt stress. Saline treatment enlarged the post-illumination transient increase in chlorophyll fluorescence in ACC547 much more than that in Melrose, indicating that its cyclic electron flow around photosystem 1 (CEF1) was accelerated more by salt stress. Additionally, ACC547 maintained higher nonphotochemical dissipation of excitation energy than Melrose under salt stress....

Effect of NaCl on biomass, protein and proline contents, and antioxidant enzymes in seedlings and calli of two Trigonella species

V. Niknam, N. Razavi, H. Ebrahimzadeh, B. Sharifizadeh

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:591-596 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0093-2

The effects of NaCl on growth, contents of proteins and proline, and activities of catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were investigated in seedlings and calli of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. and T. aphanoneura Rech. f. Seeds and hypocotyl explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM NaCl. Seed germination and the fresh and dry mass of the seedlings decreased significantly under salinity. In both species significant increases in protein content of seedlings over that of control were observed at 150 and 200 mM NaCl. Protein content in calli decreased at 200 mM NaCl over that...

Effect of water stress on photosystem 2 in two wheat cultivars

W. -J. Liu, S. Yuan, N. -H. Zhang, T. Lei, H. -G. Duan, H. -G. Liang, H. -H. Lin

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:597-602 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0094-1

The effects of osmotic dehydration on the photochemical activity, gene transcription, and protein content of photosystem 2 (PS 2) in leaves of two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars Miannnong No. 4 and No. 5 were studied. Roots of both cultivars were submerged into polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions with an osmotic potential of -0.5 MPa for 0, 24, 48, and 72 h. Relative water content (RWC) decreased markedly after 48 and 72 h. Simultaneously, marked increase in electrolyte leakage, decrease in contents of chlorophylls (Chl) a and b, and inhibition in PS 2 activity were observed. Northern hybridization indicated that progressive...

Water relations in Norway spruce trees growing at ambient and elevated CO₂ concentrations

P. Kupper, A. Sellin, Z. Klimánková, R. Pokorný, J. Puértolas

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:603-609 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0095-0

Water relations were studied in Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] trees grown at ambient (AC, 350 μmol mol^-1) and elevated (EC, 700 μmol mol^-1) CO₂ concentrations under temperate water stress. The results suggested that both crown position and variability in atmospheric CO₂ concentration are responsible for different patterns of crown water relations. Mean hourly sap flux density (FSA) showed higher values in upper crown position in comparison with the whole crown in both AC and EC treatments. Mean soil-to-leaf hydraulic conductance (G_Tsa) was 1.4 times higher for the upper crown...

Water relations and photosynthesis in Cucumis sativus L. leaves under salt stress

P. Stępień, G. Kłbus

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:610-616 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0096-z

Hydroponically grown cucumber plants were exposed to 14-d period of salinity (0, 50, 100 mM NaCl). NaCl caused reduction in the relative water content in the leaves. The Na⁺ content increased and the K⁺ content decreased. The net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate were markedly decreased by all of the salt treatments. Salinity decreased also the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem 2 (PS 2) determined as the variable to maximum fluorescence ratio, the photochemical quantum yield of PS 2 and the photochemical fluorescence quenching, while the non-photochemical quenching increased. Above results...

Short-term effect of elevated CO₂ concentration and high irradiance on the antioxidant enzymes in bean plants

M. Lambreva, K. Christov, T. Tsonev

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:617-623 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0097-y

The effect of short-term exposure to elevated CO₂ concentration and high irradiance on the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidases (GPX) and catalase (CAT), and on the extent of the lipid peroxidation was studied in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants. Plants were exposed for 4 d (8 h a day) to irradiance of 100 (LI) or 1000 (HI) μmol m^-2 s^-1 at ambient (CA, 350 μmol mol^-1) or elevated (CE, 1300 μmol mol^-1) CO₂ concentration. Four-day exposure to CE increased the leaf dry mass in HI plants and RuBPC activity and chlorophyll...

Inhibition of photosynthetic processes in foliose lichens induced by temperature and osmotic stress

J. Hájek, M. Barták, J. Dubová

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:624-634 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0098-x

Negative effects of osmotically-induced dehydration of two foliose lichen species, Lasallia pustulata and Umbilicaria hirsuta, was studied at physiological (22 °C), low (5 °C) and freezing temperature (-10 °C), using chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence. In both species, exposure to increasing sucrose concentrations led to a pronounced decrease in potential (F_V/F_M), and actual (Φ₂) quantum yields of photochemical processes in photosystem 2. L. pustulata was more sensitive to osmotic stress, because comparable osmotic dehydration inhibited F_V/F_M and Φ₂ more than...

Response of alfalfa to putrescine treatment under drought stress

I. M. Zeid, Z. A. Shedeed

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:635-640 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0099-9

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Siwa 1) seeds were germinated in polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) of different concentrations and with or without putrescine. The decrease in water potential of the PEG solution reduced germination rate, germination percentage, and growth criteria (e.g., hypocotyl length, fresh and dry masses of shoot and root), while the root length was increased. The decrease in water potential also reduced the contents of total soluble and reducing sugars, and proteins, and activities of α-and β-amylases and invertase, while increased protease activity. Putrescine treatment improved germination and all growth...

Effect of chilling on growth and nitrogen assimilation in Azolla caroliniana

E. M. Mostafa, A. M. A. Hassan

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:641-646 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0100-7

Azolla caroliniana was exposed to 5 °C in darkness for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 d and then recovered for 7 d. Plants previously chilled for 2 or 3 d exhibited higher growth rates when transferred to normal temperature than either the control plants or those previously chilled for 5 or 7 d. Increased plant growth may be related to increased contents of chlorophyll, sucrose, and reducing sugars, due to increased photosynthetic capacity. In another experiment Azolla plants were chilled at 5 °C for 7 d and then transferred for 0, 4, 8, 12, or 16 d recovery to the N-free Hoagland solution or Hoagland solution containing 5 mM KNO₃. In previously...

Interactions between calcium and copper or cadmium in Norway spruce

A. H. Österås, M. Greger

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:647-652 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0101-6

The accumulation of calcium (Ca), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) in roots and stem of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst) was examined. Two-year-old Norway spruce seedlings were treated with elevated concentrations of Ca, Cd or Cu, or as combinations of Ca with Cu or Cd in nutrient solutions for three months. The stem was divided into bark, wood formed during the treatment period (new wood), and wood formed before the treatment period (old wood). The accumulation of the metals in stem and roots increased with addition of the respective metal into nutrient solution. Addition of Cu decreased the accumulation of Ca in roots and wood, and Ca addition...

Effect of nickel on antioxidative enzyme activities, proline and chlorophyll contents in wheat shoots

E. Gajewska, M. Skłodowska, M. Słaba, J. Mazur

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:653-659 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0102-5

Effect of two Ni concentrations (10 and 200 μM) on growth, Ni accumulation, chlorophyll and proline contents, relative water content (RWC) as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were studied in shoots of wheat plants. Treatments caused a considerable accumulation of Ni in the shoots. However, exposure of plants to 10 μM Ni did not lead to significant alterations in shoot growth except for a slight increase in fresh mass. The other parameters studied were not affected by treatment of plants with 10 μM Ni. In contrast, 200 μM Ni caused inhibition of shoot...

Variability in sequence of Strawberry vein banding virus

D. Hanzliková Vašková^*, J. Špak, K. Petrzik

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:660-666 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0103-4

The variability of the Strawberry vein banding virus (SVBV) isolates was investigated. In total 267 strawberry plants from 6 European countries and North America were tested for the presence of SVBV. Only 4 plants were positive. Partial genomic sequences of the capsid protein gene of three North American SVBV isolates were determined. Only minor sequence variability (0.7 %) was observed during a comparison with existing nucleotide data of the European and the North American isolates (9 isolates). No variability at all could be found in the annealing regions of primers and probes used for molecular detection of SVBV for these isolates. However,...

Protection of apple against fire blight induced by an hrpL mutant of Erwinia amylovora

M. Faize, M. N. Brisset, C. Perino, B. Vian, M. A. Barny, J. P. Paulin, M. Tharaud

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:667-674 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0104-3

A regulatory hrpL non-virulent mutant of Erwinia amylovora is effective in controlling fire blight disease when inoculated on apple seedlings simultaneously with the pathogenic parental strain. Mechanisms involved in this protective effect were investigated. The use of two marker genes, uidA and lacZ, expressed in the hrpL mutant and the pathogenic strain, respectively, allowed to localize simultaneously the two inoculated strains in plant tissue. An anti-β-glucuronidase antibody was also used to detect the hrpL mutant. Both techniques indicated that the two strains localized mainly in separate areas of...

Peroxidase, catalase, amine oxidase and acid phosphatase activities in Pisum sativum during infection with Fusarium oxysporum and F. solani

L. Luhová, A. Lebeda, E. Kutrová, D. Hedererová, P. Peč

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:675-682 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0105-2

Two genotypes (cv. Smaragd and line DP1059) of Pisum sativum with different susceptibility to Fusarium oxysporum and F. solani and influence of pathogenesis on enzyme activities were studied. The increase of activity of studied enzymes was mostly observed in both roots and shoots during pathogenesis. Only activity of acid phosphatase decreased in the root and increased in shoots. The correlation between enzyme activity change and susceptibility of pea cultivars to F. oxysporum or F. solani was observed.

Generation of white mold disease-resistant sunflower plants expressing human lysozyme gene

W. Sawahel, A. Hagran

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:683-687 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0106-1

Sunflower plants were transformed via co-cultivation of previously bombarded hypocotyl explants with Agrobacterium tumefaciens harboring the plasmid pNGL that contains the human lysozyme gene. The transformed shoots were selected using kanamycin and regenerated plants were analyzed using histochemical β-glucuronidase assay. Southern, Western and Northern blot analyses indicated the transfer, expression and stable integration of the foreign DNA into the sunflower genome. Resistance against the phytopathogenic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which causes white mold disease, was confirmed using a phytopathogenic test and microscopic...

Transgenic plants with improved dehydration-stress tolerance: Progress and future prospects

S. Cherian, M. P. Reddy, R. B. Ferreira

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:481-495 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0141-y

This review summarizes the recent progress made towards the development of transgenic plants with improved tolerance to water stress and salinity. Of the various strategies employed, emphasis has been given to the genes engineered for the biosynthesis of osmoprotectants and osmolytes. This review also briefly discusses the importance of the use of specific stress inducible promoters and the future prospects of transgenic plants with improved agronomic traits.

Merchant, S., Briggs, W.R., Chander, V.L. (ed.): Annual Review of Plant Biology. Volume 56 (2005).-Annual Reviews

Z. Šesták

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:797 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0135-9

Campbell, A., Anderson, W.W., Jones, E.W. (ed.): Annual Review of Genetics. Volume 39.-Annual Reviews

T. Gichner

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:797-798 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0136-8

Royo, C., Nachit, M.M., Di Fonzo, N., Araus, J.L., Pfeiffer, W.H., Slafer, G.A. (ed.): Durum Wheat Breeding. Current Approaches and Future Strategies

M. Kubaláková

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:798 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0137-7

Weising, K., Nybom, H., Wolf, K., Kahl, G.: DNA Fingerprinting in Plants. Principles, Methods and Applications, 2^nd Edition

P. Smýkal

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:799 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0138-6

Kang, M.S. (ed.): Genetic and Production Innovations in Field Crop Technology: New Developments in Theory and Practice

L. Nátr

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:799-800 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0139-5

Darby, I.A., Hewitson, T.D. (ed.): In Situ Hybridization Protocols

H. Plchová

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:800 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0140-z

Cadmium effects on growth and antioxidant enzymes activities in Miscanthus sinensis

F. Scebba, I. Arduini, L. Ercoli, L. Sebastiani

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:688-692 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0107-0

Plants of Miscanthus sinensis (cv. Giganteus) were grown in hydroponics for three months in nutrient solution with 0, 2.2, 4.4 and 6.6 μM CdNO₃. Growth parameters, catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were analysed in leaves and roots collected after 1-and 3-month exposure. Dry biomass of all miscanthus organs was affected by Cd concentration both after 1-and 3-month exposure. No visible symptoms of Cd toxicity were observed in shoots and rhizomes of plants grown in presence of Cd. In contrast, roots became shorter and thicker and the whole root system more...

In vitro regeneration of Trifolium glomeratum

P. Kaushal, A. Tiwari, A. K. Roy, D. R. Malaviya, B. Kumar

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:693-696 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0108-z

In vitro regeneration of Trifolium glomeratum, a leguminous forage species, was attempted through leaf, petiole, cotyledon, hypocotyl, collar and root explants and two media combinations. Root and collar explants showed no callus induction. Medium with 0.05 mg dm^-3 α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.10 mg dm^-3 N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) was more effective for hypocotyl explant whereas cotyledon and petiole explant were more responsive to 5.0 mg dm^-3 NAA and 1.0 mg dm^-3 BA. Friable, green calli obtained from petiole explant on this medium showed organogenetic potential. Modified...

Suppression of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity elicited in date palm by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis hyphal wall elicitor

C. El Modafar, E. El Boustani, B. Rahioui, A. El Meziane, Z. El Alaoui-Talibi

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:697-700 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0109-y

The inoculation of the seedling roots of the resistant (Bousthami Noir) and susceptible (Jihel) date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) cultivars by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis induced an increase in phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity. The response of the PAL activity in the resistant cultivar was faster and higher than in the susceptible one. However, the elicitation of the seedlings with the hyphal wall elicitor (HWE) of the pathogen induced identical PAL activity in both cultivars. In the resistant cultivar, the the PAL activity elicited with the HWE was not influenced by the addition of the fungal culture filtrate (FCF)...

Improved plant regeneration in Capsicum annuum L. from nodal segments

N. Ahmad, I. Siddique, M. Anis

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:701-704 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0110-5

Multiple shoots were induced by culturing nodal explants excised from 1-month-old aseptic seedlings of red pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Pusa Jwala) on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with (0.1-10 μM) thidiazuron (TDZ). The rate of multiple shoot induction per explant was maximum (14.4 ± 0.06) on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 μM TDZ. Regenerated shoots were elongated well on growth regulator free MS medium. Adventitious roots were induced two weeks after transfer of elongated shoots to MS medium supplemented with auxins (IAA, IBA or NAA) in different concentrations. Optimum root formation frequency was obtained in...

Gender-specific responses of Piper betle L. to low temperature stress: changes in chlorophyllase activity

N. Kumar, S. Gupta, A. N. Tripathi

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:705-708 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0111-4

Gender based differences in response to low temperature stress in leaf chlorophyll (Chl), and carotenoids (Car) contents and chlorophyllase (Chlase) activity were monitored in male (Kapoori Vellaikodi and Madras Pan Kapoori) and female (Bangla Mahoba, Desi Bangla and Kaker) betel vine landraces. Although female plants contained nearly two fold more Chl than male counterparts, the low temperature induced Chl loss was comparable, however, male plants showed higher Chl a/b ratio than females. Chlase activity increased due to cold stress in all the landraces. Male plants always showed higher activities of Chlase, which may be one of the reasons...

Interactive effects of UV-B irradiation and triadimefon on nodulation and nitrogen metabolism in Vigna radiata plants

K. Rajendiran, M. P. Ramanujam

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:709-712 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0112-3

Supply of aqueous solution of triadimefon (20 mg dm^-3) to unstressed green gram plants increased the contents of soluble proteins, amino acids, nitrate and nitrite, and the activity of nitrate reductase in the leaves and nitrate reductase in nodules. The nitrogenase activity in nodules and roots was also increased. Number and fresh mass of nodules and their nitrate and nitrite contents were also higher than those of the controls. In contrast, the UV-B stress (12.2 kJ m^-2 d^-1) suppressed nodulation and nitrogen metabolism in leaves and roots compared to plants under natural UV-B (10 kJ m^-2 d^-1)....

Effects of silicon sources on its deposition, chlorophyll content, and disease and pest resistance in rice

S. Ranganathan, V. Suvarchala, Y. B. R. D. Rajesh, M. Srinivasa Prasad, A. P. Padmakumari, S. R. Voleti

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:713-716 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0113-2

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) was grown in pots with pyridine N-oxide (PNO), 4-morpholino pyridine N-oxide (MNO), and sodium meta silicate as the sources for silicon. Aliquots of these were added in fortnightly intervals to seedlings through anthesis stage. The plants were monitored for plant growth characteristics, chlorophyll content (SPAD values), photosystem 2 activity (variable to maximum fluorescence ratio of dark adapted leaves), and for blast and yellow stem borer resistance. Deposition of silica in the leaves was monitored by scanning electron microscopy and silicon mapping. PNO or MNO application resulted in significant silicon accumulation...

Influence of salinity and abscisic acid on the O₂ uptake by N₂-fixing nodules of common bean

M. Jebara, S. Harzalli-Jebara, H. Payré, M. E. Aouani, J. J. Drevon

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:717-721 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0114-1

The effects of NaCl and ABA on the respiration of N₂-fixing nodules were analysed in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) inoculated with Rhizobium tropici the reference strain CIAT899. Shoot and nodule growth was more inhibited by NaCl than root growth. The O₂ uptake by nodulated roots at 21 kPa O₂ was significantly inhibited by salinity. Raising pO₂ stimulated nodule respiration more under NaCl treatment than for the control, although it did not compensate totally for the inhibitory effect of NaCl. Short NaCl application was less destructive than long term application. Also, the external application...

Effect of alginate matrix composition on regrowth of in vitro-derived encapsulated apical microcuttings of hybrid aspen

I. Tsvetkov, L. Jouve, J. -F. Hausman

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:722-724 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0115-0

Effect of alginate matrix composition on regrowth performance of encapsulated microcuttings of hybrid aspen (Populus tremula L. × P. tremuloides Mincx.) was studied. Both high regrowth frequency and viability of explants were registered in all encapsulation mixtures tested. Some ingredients of the matrix (nutrient medium salts, sugars, growth regulators) significantly affected the initial development of the microcuttings. Sucrose appeared to play an important role in the starting stage of the regrowth event.

Establishment of Camptotheca acuminata regeneration from leaf explants

H. -M. Wang, Y. -G. Zu, W. -J. Wang, S. -X. Wu, F. -L. Dong

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:725-728 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0116-z

Plantlet regeneration through shoot formation from young leaf explant-derived callus of Camptotheca acuminata is described. Calli were obtained by placing leaf explants on Woody plant medium (WPM) supplemented with various concentrations of 6-benzyladenine (BA) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Callus induction was observed in all media evaluated. On the shoot induction medium, the callus induced on the WPM medium containing 19.8 μM BA and 5.8 μM NAA was the most effective, providing high shoot regeneration frequency (70.3 %) as well as the highest number of shoots (11.2 shoots explant^-1)....

Direct shoot organogenesis and plant regeneration in Fortunella crassifolia

L. Yang, C. -J. Xu, G. -B. Hu, K. -S. Chen

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:729-732 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0117-y

An efficient in vitro regeneration system in kumquats (Fortunella crassifolia Swingle) was established. Explant types and orientations, concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators were evaluated for their influences on efficiency of plant regeneration. It was found that the optimum explant and its orientation was epicotyl planted vertically with upper part upward, and a shoot regeneration frequency of 1.48 shoots per explant was obtained on Murashige and Skoog (1962; MS) medium supplemented with 22.19 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA). A rooting percentage as high as 74 % was obtained on 1/2 MS supplemented with 0.54 μM 1-naphthaleneacetic...

Rapid micropropagation of mature wild cherry

J. Ďurkovič

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:733-736 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0118-x

Explants taken from the mature vigorous tree of wild cherry (Prunus avium L.) were assayed for their organogenic capacity under various phytohormonal treatments. The highest rate of adventitious shoot multiplication was recorded at a combination of 0.5 mg dm^-3 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.05 mg dm^-3 thidiazuron (6.83 shoots per explant). No differences in multiplication rates were found among media supplemented with BAP, BAP + α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or BAP + indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Shoot elongation was significantly affected by the concentration of BAP, regardless of auxin addition to medium. Up to...

Photosynthetic characteristics and growth of Mosla hangchowensis and M. dianthera under different irradiances

J. -X. Liao, Y. Ge, B. -H. Guan, Y. -P. Jiang, J. Chang

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:737-740 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0119-9

The photosynthetic and growth characteristics of Mosla hangchowensis, an endangered species and M. dianthera, a weed, were compared under three irradiances (PPFD) similar to shaded forest understory, forest edge and open land. Both species grown at lower PPFD had lower PPFD-saturated photosynthetic rate (P_max), saturation PPFD, compensation PPFD, apparent quantum yield, total mass and root/shoot ratio and higher specific leaf area, leaf area ratio and height ratio. At the same PPFD treatment, however, specific leaf area and leaf area ratio of M. hangchowensis were higher than those of M. dianthera, other above...

Efficient plant regeneration from shoot apices of sorghum

M. Maheswari, N. Jyothi Lakshmi, S. K. Yadav, Y. Varalaxmi, A. Vijaya Lakshmi, M. Vanaja, B. Venkateswarlu

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:741-744 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0120-3

An efficient and rapid regeneration protocol was developed using shoot apices from germinating seedlings of two cultivars of sorghum, SPV-462 and M35-1, as explants. A vertical slit given from the base of each dissected apex enhanced the efficiency of callusing response by two fold. MS medium containing 0.5 mg dm^-3 each of 2,4-D and kinetin was most effective in producing friable and embryogenic calli. Scanning electron microscopy of these calli detected somatic embryogenesis. Calli thus induced gave rise to approximately 42 green shoots per callus in both the genotypes when transferred to regeneration medium containing 1.5 mg dm^-3...

Effect of salt stress on lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities of Lycopersicon esculentum and L. pennellii

H. Koca, F. Ozdemir, I. Turkan

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:745-748 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0121-2

In this study, a relationship between lipid peroxidation, the antioxidant defense system and salt stress in salt-sensitive cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and its salt-tolerant wild relative (L. pennellii) was established. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were significantly higher in the leaves of L. pennellii than those of L. esculentum after 12 and 84 d. POX activity showed a gradual increase in both cultivars under 70 mM NaCl. POX activity in L. pennellii significantly increased after 6 and 84 d whereas showed no remarkable change in leaves of L. esculentum under 140 mM NaCl. A higher salinity...

The influence of ammoniates on ¹⁴CO₂ assimilation in flax

V. I. Chikov, G. G. Bakirova, S. N. Batasheva, A. A. Sergeeva

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:749-751 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0122-1

A 1 μM solution of ammoniates [ZnCu(NH₃)_n]²⁺(CO₃)^2- was inserted into a cut shoot of flax with the transpiration stream of water. Analysis of the ¹⁴C content after ¹⁴CO₂ assimilation by the shoot showed that ammoniates increased radioactive label contents in the tissues (especially in the young leaves and stem). In the leaves the higher sucrose to hexoses ratio, an increased radioactivity of glycerate and malate and decreased incorporation of ¹⁴C into oligosaccharides and pigments were observed. These effects were more pronounced in the young leaves....

Effect of carbon dioxide on cell growth and saponin production in suspension cultures of Panax ginseng

N. T. Thanh, H. N. Murthy, D. M. Pandey, K. W. Yu, E. J. Hahn, K. Y. Paek

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:752-754 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0123-0

The effects of carbon dioxide supply within the range of 1-5 % (along with purified air), on cell culture of Panax ginseng were investigated in a balloon type bubble bioreactor containing 4 dm³ of Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 7.0 mg dm^-3 indolebutyric acid, 0.5 mg dm^-3 kinetin and 30 g dm^-3 sucrose. A 1 % CO₂ supply was found beneficial for the production of cell mass; however, increasing CO₂ concentration to 2.5 and 5 % decreased the biomass accumulation. CO₂ enrichment was not beneficial for saponin production and 1, 2.5, and 5 % CO₂...

Identification of RAPD markers linked to the karnal bunt resistance genes in wheat

M. Kumar, O. P. Luthra, V. Chawla, L. Chaudhary, N. Saini, A. Poonia, R. Kumar, A. P. Singh

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:755-758 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0124-z

A set of 104 wheat recombinant inbred lines (RILs) obtained from a cross between parents resistant (HD 29) and susceptible (WH 542) to karnal bunt (KB) (caused by Neovossia indica) were screened and used to identify random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked with resistance to karnal bunt as these would allow indirect marker assisted selection of KB resistant genotypes. The two parents were analysed with 92 RAPD primers. A total of 65 primers proved functional by giving scorable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. Of these, 21 (32 %) primers detected polymorphism between the two parental genotypes. Using these primers, bulked...

Protein profile in the transgenic kiwifruit overexpressing a transcription factor gene, OSH1

M. Kita, C. Honda, S. Komatsu, S. Kusaba, Y. Fujii, T. Moriguchi

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:759-762 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0125-y

The aim of this study was to investigate the protein alterations in the transgenic kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) overexpressing a transcription factor gene, OSH1. Although transgenic plant with introduced OSH1 indicates suppression of gibberellin (GA)-20 oxidase activity, application of GA to transgenic kiwifruit could not completely recover plant morphology and protein profiles. Eleven proteins decreased in the transgenic kiwifruit detected by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed homologies to kiwifruit hypothetical protein, osmotin I and photosynthesis related protein. These results suggest that introduction...

Proline accumulation in two bean cultivars under salt stress and the effect of polyamines and ornithine

J. F. Jiménez-Bremont, A. Becerra-Flora, E. Hernández-Lucero, M. Rodríguez-Kessler, J. A. Acosta-Gallegos, J. G. Ramírez-Pimentel

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:763-766 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0126-x

Proline accumulation in two different bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars, one drought-sensitive (Canario 60) and one drought-resistant (Pinto Villa) was investigated. Both tolerated salt concentrations up to 150 mM NaCl, but the sensitive Canario 60 did not survive at 400 mM NaCl. In response to salt stress, both cvs. accumulated proline in all the analyzed tissues, the lowest contents were detected in roots. Pinto Villa accumulated higher proline concentrations than Canario 60 only at 400 mM NaCl. The addition of polyamines or ornithine increased proline content in plant tissues without stress, while they decreased it under salt stress.

Shoot and root culture of Hypericum perforatum L. transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4M70GUS

B. Vinterhalter, S. Ninković, A. Cingel, D. Vinterhalter

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:767-770 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0127-9

Hairy root cultures of Hypericum perforatum were obtained following inoculation of aseptically germinated seedlings with A. rhizogenes strain A4M70GUS. Effect of sucrose on the growth and biomass production of hairy root cultures was investigated. Hairy root cultures spontaneously regenerated shoots buds from which a number of shoot culture clones was established. Transformed shoot cultures exhibited good shoot multiplication, elongation and rooting on a hormone-free woody plant medium. Plants regenerated from hairy roots were similar in appearance to the normal, nontransformed plants.

Sucrose effects on in vitro fruiting and seed production of Centaurium pulchellum

S. Todorović, D. Grubišić, Z. Giba, D. Mišić, R. Konjević

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:771-774 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0128-8

The effect of sucrose on fruiting, seed production, and seed germination of lesser centaury [Centaurium pulchellum (Sw.) Druce] was examined using explants of flowers and flower buds. Sucrose concentrations in the culture medium ranged from 0.003 to 0.3 M. It has been shown that the number of auxiliary buds, capsules dimension, number of viable seeds per capsule and seed dimensions increased with the increase of sucrose concentrations. The highest values were recorded at sucrose concentrations higher than 0.03 M, except for seeds size, which were larger at sucrose concentration ranging from 0.003 to 0.1 M. The germination of in vitro...

Nitric oxide treatment alleviates drought stress in wheat seedlings

X. Tian, Y. Lei

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:775-778 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0129-7

The effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP; nitric oxide donor) treatment on drought stress induced by PEG for different periods of time in wheat seedlings were investigated. Our results suggested that treatment for 2, 4 and 6 d with 15 % PEG could be termed as mild, moderate and severe stress, respectively. Drought stress induced accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and resulted in lipid peroxidation. On the other hand, activities of SOD, CAT and PAL increased under mild stress to counteract the oxidative injury and then decreased when the stress became severe (6 d). As the effect of SNP treatment, 0.2 mM enhanced wheat seedlings growth and kept high relative...

Response of the pear rootstock to boron and salinity in vitro

T. E. Sotiropoulos, S. Fotopoulos, K. N. Dimassi, V. Tsirakoglou, I. N. Therios

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:779-781 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0130-1

The effects of boron and NaCl induced salinity on growth and mineral composition of the pear (Pyrus communis L.) rootstock OH × F 333 shoots cultured in vitro were investigated. Shoots were grown in vitro for seven weeks on a Murashige and Skoog medium containing two B concentrations (0.1 and 2 mM) combined with five NaCl concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mM). The longest shoots were produced at 0.1 mM B and 80 mM NaCl, but highest number of shoots were produced at 0.1 mM B and 0-20 mM NaCl. Inclusion of 20 and 40 mM NaCl in the culture medium significantly increased fresh mass of cultures compared to 0 mM NaCl for all B concentrations...

Effects of carbon sources and auxins on in vitro propagation of banana

P. Madhulatha, S. I. Kirubakaran, N. Sakthivel

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:782-784 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0131-0

The effects of carbon sources (sucrose, glucose, fructose and mannitol) and auxins [indolebutyric acid (IBA) and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)] on in vitro propagation of banana (Musa spp. AAA) were studied. Over all carbon sources tested, sucrose induced highest frequency of shoot proliferation. Optimal shoot proliferation rates were achieved on the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with sucrose and glucose combination (1:1) at the concentration of 30 g dm^-3. Similarly, higher frequency of root induction was obtained at IBA and NAA combination (1:1; concentration of 2 mg dm^-3) than at other concentrations...

Comparison of induction frequency, maturation capacity and germination of Abies numidica during secondary somatic embryogenesis

B. Vooková, A. Kormuťák

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:785-788 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0132-z

Efficiency of the method for improving repetitive somatic embryogenesis and plant recovery of Algerian fir (Abies numidica De Lann.) was investigated by evaluating of induction frequency, maturation capacity and germination. Individual zygotic embryos differed only slightly in induction frequencies (6.8 %) from somatic embryos of the first (5.7 %) and second cycle (5.5-9.0 %). The yield of mature embryos differed significantly among the cell lines of the same cycle and among cell lines of the different cycles. Percentage of abnormalities was lowest in the first cycle of somatic embryos, whereas the second and the third cycles of somatic embryos...

Thidiazuron induced somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Capsicum annuum

H. Khan, I. Siddique, M. Anis

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:789-792 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0133-y

An efficient protocol of direct somatic embryogenesis (without involving intermediate callus) has been developed from stem segments and shoot tips of Capsicum annuum L. Explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ). Among the various concentration of TDZ tested, 0.5 μM was proved to be best for induction of somatic embryos. Induction, maturation and germination were achieved on the same medium. The shoots developed from somatic embryos were transferred for rooting to MS medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). All the regenerated plants with 85 % survival rate were normal with respect...

Stress-induced changes in the free amino acid composition in transgenic soybean plants having increased proline content

L. Simon-Sarkadi, G. Kocsy, Á. Várhegyi, G. Galiba, J. A. De Ronde

Biologia plantarum 2006, 50:793-796 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-006-0134-x

Following drought stress at supraoptimal temperature the increase in proline (Pro) content in transgenic (T) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Ibis] plants overexpressing the gene coding for the last enzyme of Pro biosynthesis, L-Δ¹-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase, was much greater than in wild type (W) plants (105-fold versus 19-fold after 7 d). Under control conditions arginine accounted for nearly 60 % of the total free amino acid content. After stress treatment the content of Pro was more than 50 % in both T and W genotypes, and at the end of recovery the γ-aminobutyrate content reached 27 and 53 % in the W and...