Cytokinins and Water Stress

J. Pospíšilová, H. Synková, J. Rulcová

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:321-328 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026754404857

It is almost impossible to find a single process in plant life that is not affected by both stress and hormones directly or indirectly. This minireview is focused on the interactions between water stress and cytokinins (CKs). The attention was paid mainly to changes in endogenous CK content and composition under water stress, involvement of CK in plant responses to water stress mainly in stomatal regulation of gas exchange, water relations of transgenic plants with elevated CK content, and possibilities to ameliorate the negative effects of water stress by application of exogenous CKs.

Protein Bodies in the Pine Megagametophyte in vitro Culture: Ultrastructural, Histochemical and Electrophoretic Observations

J. Hřib, R. Janisch, B. Vooková, J. Nahálková, P. Gemeiner, M. Hajduch

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:329-336 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026795506674

The megagametophytes of the European black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) were cultured on modified MS medium. After 10 d, protein bodies showed well-marked degradation on freeze-etched replicas and in preparations observed by scanning electron microscopy. After 20 d of cultivation, the megagametophyte cells were completely empty. Proteins secreted into the agar medium were determined by electrophoresis and 15 different proteins, in the range of 6.5 to 71 kDa, were identified.

Linkage Mapping of DNA Markers Generated with Specific and Non-Specific Gene Primers in Soybean

K.M. Soliman, M. Paladugu, T.E. Devine

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:337-346 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026703823512

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used extensively in the construction of linkage maps for many cultivated crops including soybean, [Glycine max (L.) Merr]. In this study, four sets of oligonucleotide primer pairs of known genes (pearl millet Adh 1, nodule specific proline-rich protein, Drosophila homeobox, heat shock protein), several different combinations from kits A, D, E, and J of arbitrary primers and five primer pairs of soybean simple sequence repeats of varying length (Satt 9, Satt 20, Satt 42, Satt 64, and Satt 30) were utilized in PCR to identify molecular markers which were then used to construct a genetic linkage...

Detection of Somaclonal Variations in Tissue Culture-Derived Date Palm Plants Using Isoenzyme Analysis and RAPD Fingerprints

M.M. Saker, S.A. Bekheet, H.S. Taha, A.S. Fahmy, H.A. Moursy

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:347-351 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026755913034

Isoenzyme analysis and activities of peroxidase (PER), polyphenol oxidase (POD) and glutamate oxaloacetate (GOT) and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprints were used to analyze somaclonal variations in tissue culture-derived date palm plants. The frequency of somaclonal variations was found to be age dependent. Similar isoenzyme patterns for PER and GOT were detected in all analyzed plants. However, variations in activities of the three enzymes studied and in POD isoenzymes were detected. RAPD analysis showed genetic variations in approximately 4 % of the analyzed plants (70 regenerants). The genetic variations were only detected in...

Wilson, J.W., Booth, C., Potten, C.S. (Ed.): Apoptosis Genes

J. Wilhelm

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:352 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026720611159

Burst Potential Characterisation by Capacity for Nucleotide Accumulation in Rhododendron Catawbiense Apical Buds

J. Fustec, F. Beaujard, J.D. Viémont, M. Gendraud

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:353-357 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026732618486

Rhododendron catawbiense cv. Album propagated in vitro were transferred ex vitro and grown in a greenhouse, under long or short days. Under long days, the rhythmic growth led to an acrotonous development. In contrast, under short days, the upper buds were unable to burst, allowing basitony. In both photoperiodic conditions, the apical buds were sampled at different stages of the experiment. Growth capacities of the isolated buds were estimated by measuring their abilities to increase and diversify their non-adenylic nucleotide pool (NTP) after supplying adenosine as a precursor. Under long days, during the growth pause, the apical...

Singh B.K. (Ed.): Plant Amino Acids. Biochemistry and Biotechnology

L. Šindelář

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:358 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026772627998

Relationship between Calcium and Pyruvate Kinase

J.M. Ruiz, I. López-Cantarero, L. Romero

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:359-362 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026757320303

Tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Sevilla) were grown under controlled conditions. The leaf content of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and K⁺, and the activity of the pyruvate kinase were analyzed. The increased application of Ca²⁺ diminished the content of K⁺ and Mg²⁺ in leaves, and decreased the activity of pyruvate kinase. Taking into account these results, we suggest the pyruvate kinase activity as an bioindicator of the contents of the Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and K⁺.

Effect of Low Temperature on the Protein Metabolism of Wheat Leaves

M.L. Pinedo, G.F. Hernández, R.D. Conde, J.A. Tognetti

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:363-367 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026765504374

The effect of low temperature on the protein metabolism of wheat primary leaves was examined. In seedlings transferred from 25 to 5 °C, total soluble protein accumulation, in vivo protein synthesis and breakdown, in vitro protein breakdown, and SDS-PAGE profiles of proteinases in gelatine-containing gels were analysed. Leaf protein content increased within a 7-d period (70 % over the initial value) in plants exposed to 5 °C. The fast protein accumulation observed on days 0 - 2 was mainly attributed to a decreased breakdown. In further days, parallelly to a slowdown in the rate of protein accumulation, the leaf proteolytic activity increased....

Agrawal, A.A., Tuzun, S., Bent, E.: Induced Plant Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores

L. Šindelář

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:368 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026724712068

Content of Gibberellic Acid in Apical Parts of Male and Female Thalli of Chara Tomentosa in Relation to the Content of Sugars and Dry Mass

A. Kaźmierczak, M. Rosiak

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:369-372 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026717723029

The contents of gibberellic acid (GA₃), glucose and starch, and dry mass in four nodes of apical parts of male and female thalli of Chara tomentosa were measured. The GA₃ concentration was about 4 times higher in male than in female thallus and about 10 times higher in the first node than in the next three nodes of both thalli. The apical part of male thallus contains 2.5 times less glucose and 1.7 times less starch than female one. The average amount of dry mass of male and female thallus was similar: 9.9 and 9.8 % of fresh mass. The findings of this investigation demonstrate the interdependence of gibberellic acid and...

Characterization of Muskmelon Fruit Peroxidases at Different Developmental Stages

C.L. Biles, B.D. Bruton, J.X. Zhang, V. Russo

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:373-379 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026777907099

An increase in exocarp peroxidase activity was observed in fruit at 5 to 30 days post pollination (DPP), and decreased at 40 and 50 DPP. Total peroxidase activity of the mesocarp was significantly lower than the exocarp in all developmental stages. Mesocarp peroxidase activity decreased consecutively from outer, to middle and, to inner tissue at every developmental stage. Total activity in the mesocarp peaked at 20 DPP. Native-PAGE of exocarp tissue showed at least two cathodic (basic) peroxidases and two anionic (acidic) peroxidases. The number of isozymes was greatest and bands most intense at 30 DPP. IEF-PAGE of the 5 to 50 DPP fruit exocarp showed...

Induction of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Activity by Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment in Tolerant and Susceptible Wheat Genotypes

R.K. Sairam, G.C. Srivastava

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:381-386 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026730008917

We induced an oxidative stress by means of exogenous hydrogen peroxide in two wheat genotypes, C 306 (tolerant to water stress) and Hira (susceptible to water stress), and investigated oxidative injury and changes in antioxidant enzymes activity. H₂O₂ treatment caused chlorophyll degradation, lipid peroxidation, decreased membrane stability and activity of nitrate reductase. Hydrogen peroxide increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, glutathione reductase and catalase. These effects increased with increasing H₂O₂ concentrations. However, no change was observed in the activity of superoxide dismutase...

Acclimation Potential to High Irradiance of Two Cultivars of Watermelon

A. Calatayud, V.I. Deltoro, E. Alexandre, E. Barreno

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:387-391 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026738225755

The acclimation potential to high irradiance of two cultivars of watermelon, Reina de Corazones and Toro, calculated as the ratio of sun vs. shade activities of O₂^- and H₂O₂ scavenging enzymes and non-radiative energy dissipation, was similar. However, Reina de Corazones exhibited a higher capacity in absolute terms for photoprotection (harmless dissipation of absorbed light energy at PS 2 and ascorbate and O₂^- and H₂O₂ scavenging enzymes) suggesting a larger resistance of this cultivar to high irradiance. This could be seen as smaller decreases in fruit...

Effects of Photoperiod and Plant Developmental Stage on NADH Dehydrogenase and Photosystem Activities of Isolated Chloroplasts

J. Cuello, M.J. Quiles

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:393-398 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026790227572

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Hassan) leaves were used to study the effects of developmental stage and photoperiod on the NAD(P)H-ferricyanide oxidoreductase (NAD(P)H-FeCNR) and on the photosystem (PS) 1 and 2 activities of isolated chloroplasts. From day 6 to day 12, both the PS 1 and NADH-FeCNR activities decreased while NADPH-FeCNR activity remained almost unchanged. Methyl jasmonate had no significant effect on the NAD(P)H-FeCNR activity changes. In 6- to 7- and 14- to 15-d-old plants, the NADH-FeCNR activity was higher during the photoperiod than during the dark period and, in the 14- to 15-d-old plants, the PS 1 activity increased during...

Stomatal Reactions of Two Different Maize Lines to Osmotically Induced Drought Stress

R. Stikić, W.J. Davies

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:399-405 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026798528481

Two maize lines differing in drought resistance were grown at different drought stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG 10 000) solutions with osmotic potentials of -0.20, -0.40 and -0.80 MPa in the semipermeable membrane system. During the five days soil water content decreased (from 0.43 to 0.29, 0.25 and 0.23 g cm^-3 for three PEG solutions, respectively) as well as leaf water potentials (ψ_w; from - 0.54 to -0.76, -1.06 and -1.46 MPa). These values were not significantly different between the investigated lines, indicating that a controlled and consistent soil moisture stress was achieved. Soil drying induced an increase...

Effect of Osmotic Stress on Abscisic Acid Efflux and Compartmentation in the Roots of Two Maize Lines Differing in Drought Susceptibility

Lj. Jovanović, R. Stikić, W. Hartung

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:407-411 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026702729389

Roots of two Zea mays L. lines (drought-resistant Polj 17, and drought-susceptible F-2) were exposed to osmotic stress induced by sorbitol (osmotic potential -1.0 MPa). The following parameters were determined in cortex cells: membrane permeability for abscisic acid (ABA), ABA fluxes across membranes, pH values and ABA content in cytoplasm and vacuole. Osmotic stress induced different distribution of ABA within cell compartments in the investigated lines. ABA transport in the F-2 line occurred according to the intracellular pH gradient and the anion trap concept. In Polj 17, however, osmotic stress did not cause any significant effect on pH...

Growth and Water Relations of Lotus Creticus Creticus Plants as Affected by Salinity

M.A. Morales, J.J. Alarcón, A. Torrecillas, M.J. Sánchez-Blanco

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:413-417 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026706831207

Young plants of Lotus creticus creticus growing in a hydroponic culture were submitted to 0, 70 and 140 mM NaCl treatments for 28 d and the growth and ecophysiological characteristics of these plants have been studied. The growth of Lotus plants was not affected by salinity when applied for a short period (about 15 d); however, 140 mM NaCl induced a decrease in shoot RGR at the end of the treatment. The root growth was not decreased, even it was stimulated by 140 mM NaCl. The osmotic adjustment of Lotus plants at 70 and 140 mM NaCl maintained constant pressure potential, avoiding the visual wilting. For a similar leaf water potential,...

Amelioration of NaCl Stress by Arginine in Rice Seedlings: Changes in Endogenous Polyamines

R.K. Kakkar, S. Bhaduri, V.K. Rai, S. Kumar

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:419-422 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026715032115

Effects of NaCl (0.1 - 0.2 M) alone or in combination with 1 mM arginine on growth and endogenous polyamine (PA) content have been observed in two cultivars of rice differing in NaCl stress tolerance. The germination, seedlings fresh mass and water content decreased with increase in salinity in both the cultivars. This inhibition was partially alleviated by application of arginine. Cv. CSR-27 exhibited relatively better germination than cv. Bas-370 at different salinities. Total PA content increased in both the cultivars under NaCl stress alone and in combination with arginine. Putrescine to spermidine and spermine ratio was higher in NaCl-treated...

Vigna Radiata Seed Germination under Salinity

K. Promila, S. Kumar

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:423-426 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026719100256

Salinity reduced mung bean (Vigna radiata Wilczek) radicle and root elongation, delayed and inhibited hypocotyl elongation and mobilization of reserves from the cotyledons to the embryo axis. Fresh and dry masses and water content of the embryo axes were reduced. Under salinity, a net leakage of K to the media increased with time and increasing NaCl concentrations. Sugars present in the cotyledons of seeds were of primary importance for growth of the embryo axis upto 18 h after sowing whereas breakdown of starch by amylase contributed later, the contribution being delayed and reduced with increasing NaCl concentration. Even when amylase activity...

The Ecological Significance of Allelopathy in the Community Organization of Alhagi Graecorum Boiss

A.A. El-Khatib

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:427-431 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026723217094

Field study revealed that species diversity index of the community was 0.597. The data of interspecific association index of Alhagi graecorum and each of its associates, Chenopodium murale, Glinus lotoides and Malva parviflora, were 0.35, 0.41 and 0.33, respectively. Therefore, a net negative association and low diversity among the species were the main characters of the community. Laboratory experiments verified the role played by competition and allelopathy in this community organization. The bioassay results indicated that A. graecorum exhibited phytotoxic activity on the tested species. Accordingly, water-borne allelopathic...

Effects of High Temperature Exposure of Spinach Intact Plants and Isolated Thylakoids on Light-Harvesting Complex 2 Protein Phosphorylation

M. Satpathy, P. Mohanty

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:433-435 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026775202073

After a 6 min exposure of isolated thylakoids to 43 °C, the extent of phosphorylation of light-harvesting complex of photosystem 2 (LHC2) was higher than in control thylakoids kept at 25 °C. Similarly, the exposure of intact spinach plants to 43 °C in dark for 11 h induced higher extent of thylakoid LHC2 phosphorylation than in control plants kept at 25 °C. The induced ability of LHC2 for enhanced phosphorylation may enable better energy distribution in favour of photosystem 1.

Plant Growth Regulating Activity of Orotic Acid and Its 1-Cyclohexyl and 1-Phenyl Derivatives

M.D. Shopova, D. Moskova-Simeonova

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:437-439 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026731502982

Cytokinin-like activity of orotic acid and its 1-cyclohexyl and 1-phenyl derivatives was tested estimating the anthocyanin accumulation and inhibition of root formation in isolated buckwheat cotyledons (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.). The anthocyanin content was stimulated most by 1-phenylorotic acid. Strong synergetic effect of the phenylurea cytokinin 4PU-30 was found.

Effect of Increasing Concentrations of Lead and Cadmium on Cucumber Seedlings

V.V. Talanova, A.F. Titov, N.P. Boeva

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:441-444 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026735603890

The effect of lead and cadmium on biomass accumulation of cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L.) as well as the contents of abscisic acid (ABA), free proline and soluble proteins in leaves were studied. Seedlings were subjected to lead nitrate or cadmium bromide in low concentrations (1 - 5 µM) for 1, 4 or 7 d, and then to the action of the same substances in high concentrations (500 - 1000 µM). The pretreatments of the seedlings with heavy metals in low concentrations enabled them to tolerate the subsequent high concentrations of cadmium and lead without injury. The plant responses to heavy metal treatment were accompanied by the...

Application of Esterase Isozymes for Garlic Ecotype Identification

N. Cholakova

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:445-446 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026739704799

Expression of esterase isozymes from cloves of bolting and non-bolting garlic clones belonging to winter and summer ecotypes were analyzed. The isozyme patterns were obtained by means of vertical block electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels. Quantitative and qualitative differences between loci of winter and summer garlic ecotype were found. This fact substantiates application of the isoesterases for identification of garlic clones.

Micropropagation in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

T. Radhakrishnan, T.G.K. Murthy, K. Chandran, A. Bandyopadhyay

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:447-450 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026743822546

Multiple shoots in Arachis hypogaea L. could be induced from the de-embryonated cotyledons (DC), embryo-axes (EA) and mature whole seeds (MWS) in MS medium supplemented with different levels of benzylaminopurine (BAP). DC was the most suitable explant with 57.9 % induction and more than 40 shoots per explant in 31.6 % of cases. Though EA and MWS had high percent induction at or above 30 mg dm^-3 BAP, only 10 - 14 shoots per explant were observed. In DC, multiple shoots were confined to the proximal end and in EA they originated from the axillary bud region. Histological studies on DC confirmed the origin of shoots from the region of...

The Effects of Growth Regulators on Flowering of Chenopodium murale Plants in vitro

A. Mitrović, B. Živanović, Lj. Ćulafić

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:451-454 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026799906616

In vitro culture of Chenopodium murale L. (ecotype 197) green and herbicide SAN 9789 - treated "white" plants was established and the effects of benzylaminopurine (BAP), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA₃) on growth and flowering were tested. Green plants did not flower on glucose free media, while 17 % of plants flowered on 5 % glucose-containing medium. SAN 9789 (10^-5 M) inhibited growth and flowering. BAP and IAA (0.1 - 5 mg dm^-3) also inhibited growth and flowering of green and "white" plants. GA₃ (10 mg dm^-3) stimulated leaf development in green plants, but...

Response of Alfalfa Genotypes to Saline Water Irrigation

A. Anand, M.J. Baig, P.K. Mandal

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:455-457 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026752023454

The influence of saline water (4, 8, 12 dS m^-1) irrigation on gas exchange and growth response of alfalfa genotypes Anand-2, T-9 and IL-112 was studied. T-9 and IL-112 showed a significant increase in net photosynthetic rate (P_N) at low salinity (4 dS m^-1) compared to the control whereas Anand-2 maintained an unaltered P_N. Reduction in P_N at higher salinities was primarily due to reduction of stomatal conductance. There was a greater reduction in transpiration rate as compared to P_N rate, which resulted in an increase in water use efficiency (WUE). High WUE may serve as one of the strategies...

Nodule Functioning in Trifoliate and Pentafoliate Mungbean Genotypes as Influenced by Salinity

A.S. Nandwal, M. Godara, D.V. Kamboj, B.S. Kundu, A. Mann, B. Kumar, S.K. Sharma

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:459-462 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026704107525

Two genotypes of mungbean differing in the leaf shape, K-851 (trifoliate) and a mutant (pentafoliate), were exposed to salinity (0, 2.5, 5, 10 dS m^-1) for 3, 6 and 9 d at flowering stage (40 - 45 d after sowing) to see the effect of salinity on nodule functioning. In both the genotypes, osmotic potential (ψ_s) and relative water content (RWC) of nodules decreased significantly, and proline content increased with increasing the salinity. The ψ_s of nodules was more decreased in the mutant than in genotype K-851, while reverse was true for RWC and proline accumulation. A remarkable increase in ethylene evolution...

Activity of Some Aminopeptidases in Immobilized Cells of Daucus carota

L. Hegedus, J. Vojtaššák, L. Bilisics, N.V. Borovkov, P. Siekel

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:463-466 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026756124363

Carrot cell suspension culture prior to immobilization by glutaraldehyde was permeabilised by Tween 80. The values of pH optimum for L-alanine aminopeptidase, L-proline iminopeptidase, and L-arginine aminopeptidase were 8.2, 7.4, and 7.9, respectively. The immobilized cells showed significantly lower aminopeptidase activity when compared to untreated cells. Alginate hydrogel was successfully used for immobilization of carrot cells retaining the activity of some aminopeptidases.

Influence of Auxin-Like Herbicides on Tobacco Mosaic Virus Multiplication

M. Šindelářová, L. Šindelář, L. Burketová

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:467-470 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026708225272

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L., cv. Samsun) leaf discs inoculated with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) were treated with auxin-like herbicides 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA), 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol (Amitrol) and 6-chloro-2-ethylamino-4-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine (Atrazin). All herbicides in the concentration of 10^-7 M enhanced the virus content (MCPA to 227.4 %, Amitrol to 218.1 % and Atrazin to 257.3 % of values found in TMV-infected, herbicide untreated discs). The 2,4-D alone did not affect the activity of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and ribonucleases, but the 2,4-D treatment...

Effect of Glycinebetaine on Chloroplast Ultrastructure, Chlorophyll and Protein Content, and RuBPCO Activities in Tomato Grown under Drought or Salinity

P. Mäkelä, J. Kärkkäinen, S. Somersalo

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:471-475 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026712426180

The effect of foliar-applied glycinebetaine (GB) on chloroplast ultrastructure, the amount of chlorophyll and proteins and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) activity in stressed tomato leaves were analysed. Initial, and total activity and activation state state of RuBPCO were also measured. RuBPCO activities, chloroplast area, and the number of plastoglobuli remained unaffected, while the relative area of starch granules increased in GB-treated, salt-stressed tomato leaflets. Under drought-stress, the relative area of plastoglobuli increased upon GB application. The primary effect of GB was, however, the increased protein and...

In Vitro Selection for Salt Tolerance in Rice

D. Shankhdhar, S.C. Shankhdhar, S.C. Mani, R.C. Pant

Biologia plantarum 2000, 43:477-480 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1026716527089

In six cultivars of rice (Oryza sativa L.), Pusa Basmati 1, Basmati 370, Type III, Pant Dhan 4, CSR 10 and Pokkali, embryogenic callus growth, plant regeneration, and proline and total protein contents were studied under salt stress (on agar solidified media containing 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 % NaCl). Four weeks after inoculation the callus fresh mass decreased with increasing salt concentration in all the six cultivars. The regeneration frequency in salt stressed callus was also lower as compared to control. 15 d and 30 d after inoculation proline content increased several fold whereas total protein content decreased markedly with increase...