Pollen Embryogenesis - The Stress Mediated Switch from Gametophytic to Sporophytic Development. Current Status and Future Prospects

P. Smýkal

Biologia plantarum 43:481-489, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002835330799

Embryogenesis can be initiated directly from microspores or pollen grains. This is known as androgenesis and refers to the process of redirection of normal pollen development (gametophytic pathway) towards the embryo formation (sporophytic). This review mainly deals with the current knowledge of stress and developmental aspects of induction of androgenesis. The crucial role of stress inductive treatment together with changes in cell polarity are discussed in relation to other relevant biological systems. The intriguing speculations are made on the basis of these comparisons which may point out the direction of future investigations.

Møller, I.M., Gardeström, P., Glimelius, K., Glaser, E. (Ed.): Plant Mitochondria: From Gene to Function

N. Wilhelmová

Biologia plantarum 43:490, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002828806575

Nitrogen Containing Compounds and Adaptation of Plants to Salinity Stress

M.M.F. Mansour

Biologia plantarum 43:491-500, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002873531707

A number of nitrogen containing compounds (NCC) accumulate in plants exposed to salinity stress. The most frequently accumulating NCC include amino acids, amids, imino acids, proteins, quarternary ammonium compounds (QAC) and polyamines. The specific NCC that accumulate in saline environment vary with the plant species. Osmotic adjustment, protection of cellular macromolecules, storage form of nitrogen, maintaining cellular pH, detoxification of the cells, and scavenging of free radicals are proposed functions for these compounds under stress conditions. NCC accumulation is usually correlated with plant salt tolerance, even though this correlation...

Solanum Nigrum is a Model System in Plant Tissue and Protoplast Cultures

A.M. Hassanein, D.M. Soltan

Biologia plantarum 43:501-509, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002877602574

Solanum nigrum is a model system especially for newcomer to the subject of plant tissue culture. Shoot culture has been easily established from shoot cutting of germinated seeds on Gamborg (B5), or Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium without phytohormones. Direct regeneration was possible using basal media B5, B5C (B5 supplemented with 5 % coconut endosperm milk), Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH), and MS, leaf, stem, shoot tip as explants, cytokinins benzylaminopurine (BAP) or kinetin (KIN) at concentrations from 0.25 to 2 mg dm^-3, and different light treatments (dark, dim and normal light). The best culture condition for shoot formation was...

Tuba, Z., Nagy, Z., Szente, K., Raschi, A.: Grassland Ecology and Ecophysiology under Elevated Atmospheric CO₂ and Temperature

E. Masarovičová

Biologia plantarum 43:510, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002884924322

Effect of Photoperiod and Nitrogen Supply on Basal Shoots Development in Rhododendron Catawbiense

J. Fustec, F. Beaujard

Biologia plantarum 43:511-515, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002894019412

In order to control young plant form by modifying culture conditions, plants of Rhododendron catawbiense from in vitro culture were grown in a greenhouse under different photoperiodic treatments (long or short days) combined or not with a several-week nitrogen starvation. After 12 weeks of culture under long days (16 h) with nitrogen supply, plants showed a rhythmic acrotonous development. When long days were combined with a six-week nitrogen starvation, the apical growth pause was extended leading to an increase of the number of acrotonous lateral ramifications. Short-day (8 h) treatment affected distal burst potential and moreover when...

Soh, W.-Y., Bhojwani, S.S. (Ed.): Morphogenesis in Plant Tissue Cultures

Z. Opatrný

Biologia plantarum 43:516, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002841108393

Temporal Changes in the RNA Distribution between Polysomes and Postpolysomal Ribonucleoprotein Particles in Tobacco Male Gametophyte

D. Honys, V. Čapková

Biologia plantarum 43:517-522, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002846105299

Growth of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) pollen tube is controlled by post-transcriptionally regulated protein synthesis. Stored mRNA was found to be present in the form of messenger ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNPs) in both maturing and germinating pollen. During pollen dehydration in the anthers content of mRNPs strongly increased during dissociation of polysomes suggesting a transfer of mRNA liberated from polysomal structures into mRNP particles. Pollen germination and initial pollen tube growth characterized by rapid reassociation of ribosomes was accompanied by decrease of mRNPs indicating an involvement of mRNA of these particles in...

Long-Distance Transport of Alkali Metals in Maturing Wheat

S. Zeller, U. Feller

Biologia plantarum 43:523-528, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002806522138

The alkali metals cesium, rubidium, lithium and sodium were introduced together with strontium via flaps into leaf laminas or into the stem of maturing, intact winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Arina) grown in a field. Long-distance transport of these elements and the influence of the application date and of different application positions were investigated. The phloem-immobile Sr served as a marker for the distribution of the xylem sap in the plants. Dry matter accumulation in the grains and the transpiration per shoot were not markedly affected by the treatments as compared to control plants. The phloem mobility was rather high for Cs...

Specifity of Genetic Determination of Content of Photosynthetic Pigments in Triticale

S.N. Kabanova, L.F. Kabashnikova, M.T. Chaïka

Biologia plantarum 43:529-535, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002858523046

Lines of winter hexaploid Triticale and their F₁ and F₂ hybrids differing in morphological structure, pigment contents, photosynthetic productivity, and grain crops were studied. F₁ hybrids received by crossing of Triticale lines contrasting in pigment contents showed in some cases a heterosis effect for chlorophyll (Chl) content per unit leaf area. Variation analysis demonstrated a polygenic control of Triticale pigment contents, and different rate of increase in F₂ generation. We found maternal type of heritability of Chl b content and Chl content in light-harvesting complex...

Kirkbride, J.H., Jr., Gunn, C.R., Weitzman, A.L., Dallwitz, M.J.: Legume (Fabaceae) Fruits and Seeds. (Interactive Identification and Information Retrieval Runs Under MS-Windows 95, 98, or NT)

M. Griga

Biologia plantarum 43:536, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002893125231

Test of Accuracy of LAI Estimation by LAI-2000 under Artificially Changed Leaf to Wood Area Proportions

R. Pokorný, M.V. Marek

Biologia plantarum 43:537-544, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002862611176

The accuracy of LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Analyzer for leaf (LAI) and plant (PAI) area indexes measurements was tested in 20-year-old Norway spruce stand using the reduction of canopy biomass. Needle and branch areas were reduced progressively upward every one meter. Values of effective leaf area index (LAI_e), as an uncorrected product of LAI-2000, were compared with directly estimated LAI and PAI values after each reduction step. LAI-2000 underestimates PAI and LAI values according to LAI-2000 rings readings, and varied proportions between leaf and wood areas. The values of LAI_c have been increased with...

Physiological and Biochemical Changes during Seed Filling in Relation to Leaf Senescence in Soybean

J. Fu, B. Huang, G. Zhang

Biologia plantarum 43:545-548, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002857328923

Field experiments with Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Ludou 11 and Ludou 4 were conducted to evaluate changes in photosynthetic rate, antioxidative enzyme activity, soluble protein, chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid (Car) contents in relation to leaf senescence during seed filling period. Photosynthetic rate, soluble protein content, catalase and peroxidase activities were the highest at 25 days after flowering (DAF). Chl a, Chl b and Car contents reached the maximum at 15 DAF and rapidly decreased after 33 DAF.

The Substrate Preference and Histochemical Localization Argue against the Direct Role of Cucumber Stress-Related Anionic Peroxidase in Lignification

V. Repka, D. Štetková, I. Fischerová

Biologia plantarum 43:549-558, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002813530741

The substrate preference and the localization of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) stress-related anionic peroxidase (srPRX) were investigated in order to assess whether this activity correlates with the lignification. The results showed that none of the purified srPRX isoenzymes (PRX 1 -3) could oxidize the lignin monomer analog syringaldazine. The srPRX immunospecific signal was found to be highly abundant in both the extrafascicular and fascicular phloem regions in cucumber stem and leaf petiole. In Nicotiana, Petunia and Dahlia, the srPRX homologs were specifically deposited in both outer and inner phloem elements of stem...

The Role of Peroxidase and Polyphenol Oxidase Isozymes in Wheat Resistance to Alternaria triticina

M. Tyagi, Arvind M. Kayastha, B. Sinha

Biologia plantarum 43:559-562, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002821715719

Polyphenol oxidase activity was higher in resistant wheat cultivar ACC-8226 than in susceptible cultivar MP-845 in control sets and after inoculation of Alternaria triticina. However, similar polyphenol oxidase isozyme pattern was found in control and inoculated sets of both the cultivars, but the band intensity was higher after inoculation. Three and four peroxidase isozymes were found in ACC-8226 and MP-845, respectively. An extra peroxidase isozyme band was observed in both the cultivars after inoculation. The results suggest an active role of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase in defence mechanism of wheat plants.

Pigment Diverse Mutants of Pseudomonas sp.: Inhibition of Fungal Growth and Stimulation of Growth of Cicer arietinum

A.K. Goel, S.S. Sindhu, K.R. Dadarwal

Biologia plantarum 43:563-569, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002877917537

A Pseudomonas strain MRS16 inhibited growth of different pathogenic fungi (Aspergillus sp., Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium aphanidermatum and Rhizoctonia solani) in vitro. Larger inhibition zones were obtained on nutrient agar and King's B media compared to potato dextrose agar and pigment production media. Mutants altered in production of fluorescent pigment were derived by nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis. The pigment overproducer mutant MRS16M-1 was more inhibitory whereas nonproducer mutant MRS16M-5 was less inhibitory than parent strain on nutrient agar medium. Addition of iron (100 µM FeCl₃)...

Reddy, K.R., Hodges, H.F. (Ed.): Climate Change and Global Crop Productivity

J. Pospíšilová

Biologia plantarum 43:570, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002845227048

Relationship between Cell Wall Susceptibility to Cellulases and Pectinases of Fusarium oxysporum and Susceptibility of Date Palm Cultivars

C. El Modafar, E. El Boustani

Biologia plantarum 43:571-576, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002886104333

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis, the bayoud disease agent of date palm, grows on a mineral medium containing the cell walls of date palm roots as a sole carbohydrate source. The growth and development of pathogen under these conditions was related to the production of extracellular cell wall-degrading enzymes (CWDE): cellulases, polygalacturonases, polygalacturonate transeliminases, and pectinmethylesterases. The mycelial growth and the sporulation of pathogen were higher in the presence of cell walls of susceptible cultivars (BFG, JHL, BSK) than in the presence of those of resistant cultivars (IKL, SLY, BSTN). After 8 d of fungal...

Growth and Protein Content in Colletotrichum circinans, Fusarium solani and Rhizoctonia solani in Liquid Culture

M. Juarez, D. Juarez, V.M. Russo

Biologia plantarum 43:577-582, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002850522080

The phytopathogenic fungi Colletotrichum circinans, Fusarium solani, and Rhizoctonia solani were incubated in aerated (0, 0.5, 1 dm³ min^-1) potato dextrose broth (PDB) or Czapek-Dox broth (CDB), under 0-, 12- or 24-h photoperiods. Greater dry mass was produced in PDB. Higher air flows improved dry mass of F. solani and R. solani. The 24-h photoperiod improved F. solani dry mass. Except for F. solani, which was not affected, incubation in PDB increased protein content. The no air treatment increased protein content in F. solani, 0.5 dm³ min^-1 produced the highest...

Concentrations of Trace Metals in Dominant Aquatic Plants of the Lake Provala (Vojvodina, Yugoslavia)

Ž. Stanković, S. Pajević, M. Vučković, S. Stojanović

Biologia plantarum 43:583-585, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002806822988

The trace metal (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Sr, and Cr) contents in the most common submerged and floating aquatic plants Ceratophyllum demersum L., Myriophyllum spicatum L., and Nymphoides flava Hill. of Provala Lake were evaluated. Considerable higher contents of iron, manganese, zinc, nickel, lead and strontium were found in submerged species than in the floating ones. The presence of cadmium and lead in plant tissues points to a certain degree of lake water pollution.

Siegenthaler, P.-A., Murata, N. (Ed.): Lipids in Photosynthesis: Structure, Function and Genetics.(Advances in Photosynthesis. Vol. 6)

N. Wilhelmová

Biologia plantarum 43:586, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002853511118

Maintenance Respiration of Oryza sativa Leaves at Different Growth Stages as Influenced by Nitrogen Supply

P. Swain, M.J. Baig, S.K. Nayak

Biologia plantarum 43:587-590, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002810923897

Maintenance respiration rate, R_M, irrespective of growth stages, increased with increase in nitrogen supply. The R_M increased almost in proportion with net photosynthetic rate, P_N, and biomass production during early growth stages, while it declined after anthesis. Significant positive correlation was observed between biomass production and P_N at all growth stages except tillering. Though R_M was positively correlated with biomass production during early growth stages, it was negatively correlated with the rate of increase in shoot biomass after flowering, which could indicate a possibility to identify...

Effect of Combined Salt and Heat Treatments on Germination and Heat-Shock Protein Synthesis in Lentil Seeds

A. Dell'Aquila

Biologia plantarum 43:591-594, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002815015236

The germination of lentil seeds was gradually reduced when seeds were exposed to temperature of 30 or 40 °C, either alone or combined with 0.1, 0.2 or 0.3 M NaCl or 34.1 % (m/v) PEG 8000, during 6 -12 h imbibition. [³⁵S]-methionine incorporation in 12 h imbibed lentil axes also decreased with increasing NaCl concentration at 20 and 40 °C, whereas at 30 °C only 0.3 M NaCl treatment partially inhibited protein synthesis. An analysis of newly synthesized proteins by 1-D SDS PAGE, showed that the expression of most polypeptides decreased following increasing stress. Among these, low molecular mass heat-shock proteins declining, higher in 40...

Effects of Aluminium on Pigments and Pigment-Protein Complexes of Soybean

D.B. Milivojević, D.Đ. Stojanović, S.D. Drinić

Biologia plantarum 43:595-597, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002899932075

The effect of aluminium (0.5 -1.0 mM) on contents of phosphorus, pigments, and pigment-protein complexes was studied in soybean (Glycine max Merril.) grown in different nutrient medium with and without P. Increased Al concentrations led to the decrease in the contents of chlorophylls (Chl) a and b, and carotenoids (Car) in soybean leaves, but Chl a/b ratio did not vary significantly. In long-term experiments, P ameliorates the negative effects of Al.

Ne'eman, G., Trabaud, L. (Ed.): Ecology, Biogeography and Management of Pinus Halepensis and P. Brutia Forest Ecosystems in the Mediterranean Basin

J. Čermák

Biologia plantarum 43:598, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002805627957

Influence of Cadmium and Zinc on Growth and Photosynthesis of Bacopa monniera Cultivated in vitro

G. Ali, P.S. Srivastava, M. Iqbal

Biologia plantarum 43:599-601, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002852016145

This study evaluates the impact of cadmium and zinc interaction on the amount of soluble proteins, CO₂ fixati stomatal conductance and intercellular CO₂ contents in regenerants of B. monniera. The regenerants were grown 16 weeks on MS medium containing cadmium and zinc in various concentrations. Cadmium decreased the stom conductance, photosynthetic rate and root growth but increased the protein content. Additional supply of zinc in medium reduced the adverse effects of cadmium on these parameters.

Dashek, W.V. (Ed.): Methods in Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

H. Synková

Biologia plantarum 43:602, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002857612027

Hyperaccumulation of Lead by Roots, Hypocotyls, and Shoots of Brassica juncea

W. Jiang, D. Liu, W. Hou

Biologia plantarum 43:603-606, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002804100215

The effects of different concentrations of lead nitrate (10^-5 to 10^-3 M) on root, hypocotyl, and shoot growth of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. var. megarrhiza), and the uptake and accumulation of Pb²⁺ by its roots, hypocotyls, and shoots were investigated. Lead had no significant inhibitory effect on the root growth at concentrations of 10^-5 to 10^-4 M during the entire treatment, while at 10^-3 M, Pb slightly inhibited the root and shoot growth. B. juncea has ability to take up Pb from solutions and accumulate it in its roots, and transport and concentrate it....

Improving the Mineral Nutrition in Grafted Watermelon Plants: Nitrogen Metabolism

G. Pulgar, G. Villora, D.A. Moreno, L. Romero

Biologia plantarum 43:607-609, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002856117053

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus [Trumb.] Mansfeld cv. Early Star), was used as scion grafted onto three cultivars of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L. cvs. Brava, Shintoza and Kamel) used as rootstocks and ungrafted Early Star plants were used as control. The rootstocks showed a high capacity for N uptake and transport to the scion where N reduction and assimilation improved growth of the scion in grafted plants with respect to the control.

Stacey, G., Keen, N.T. (Ed.): Plant-Microbe Interactions. Vol. 4

L. Burketová

Biologia plantarum 43:610, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002809712936

Respiration Rate and Chemical Composition of Karwinskia Roots as Affected by Temperature

L. Lunáčková, E. Masarovičová, A. Lux

Biologia plantarum 43:611-613, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002808201124

Two-year-old plants of Karwinskia humboldtiana Zucc. and Karwinskia parvifolia Rose grown from the seeds in greenhouse were transferred to the growth cabinet and cultivated for two months under different temperature regimes (35/20 °C - the summer temperature regime, SR, and 20/5 °C - the winter temperature regime, WR). These temperatures were similar to the temperature conditions in the natural areas of the species studied (Nuevo León, Mexico). The root respiration rate was higher in the plants cultivated under SR than in those under WR. Roots of K. parvifolia res faster in both temperature regimes than roots of K. humboldtiana....

Kruger, N.J., Hill, S.A., Ratcliffe, R.G. (Ed.): Regulation of Primary Metabolic Pathways in Plants

H. Synková

Biologia plantarum 43:614, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002813813844

Combination Effect of NaCl Salinity and Nitrogen Form on Mineral Composition of Sunflower Plants

M. Ashraf, R. Sultana

Biologia plantarum 43:615-619, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002860202032

The effect of two N-forms (NH₄⁺ and NO₃^-) and NaCl on pattern of accumulation of some essential inorganic nutrients was examined in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cv. Hisun 33. Eight-day-old plants of were subjected for 21 d to Hoagland's nutrient solution containing 8 mM N as NH₄⁺ or NO₃^., and salinized with and addition of NaCl to the growth medium had no significant effect on total leaf N. However, root N of NH₄-supplied plants decreased significantly with increase in NaCl concentration, whereas that of NO₃-supplied plants remained...

Osmotic Stress Increases Alcohol Dehydrogenase Activity in Maize Seedlings

H. Kato-Noguchi

Biologia plantarum 43:621-624, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002864318871

Maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings were exposed to osmotic stress, and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity and abscisic acid (ABA) concentration were determined. The osmotic stress increased ADH activities in both roots and shoots, whereas the increase was 2-fold greater in roots than the shoots. The stress also increased ABA concentration in both roots and shoots and the increase was greater in the roots than in the shoots.

Response of Scenedesmus Incrassatulus to Salt Stress as Affected by Methyl Jasmonate

I.S. Fedina, K.M. Benderliev

Biologia plantarum 43:625-627, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002816502941

Exposure of the freshwater green alga Scenedesmus incrassatulus Bohl, strain R-83 to salt stress (175 mM NaCl) resulted in a reduction of its growth and ¹⁴CO₂ fixation and in an increase of accumulation of free proline and malondialdehyde (MDA). The accumulation of proline in the light was higher than in dark. NaCl significantly inhibited the Fe-induced release of organic chelators from the cells. Exogenously supplied 10^-4M methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) did not considerably change the ¹⁴CO₂ fixation, but increased proline and MDA accumulation in the cells and moderately inhibited the release...

Short-Term Salinity Induced Changes in Two Wheat Cultivars at Different Growth Stages

D. Khatkar, M.S. Kuhad

Biologia plantarum 43:629-632, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002868519779

Soluble sugars, proline, total chlorophyll contents and electrolyte leakage were measured in two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars KRL 1-4 and HD 2009 at different growth stages [crown root initiation (CRI), flowering, and soft dough] under short term salinity (NaCl, CaCl₂ and Na₂SO₄). In control plants sugar contents were maximum at flowering stage. Proline and sugar concentrations increased in both cultivars under salinity with a maximum increase at CRI. Electrolyte leakage increased and chlorophyll content decreased with the plant age. A sharp increase of electrolyte leakage was noticed at salinity of...

Leaf Structure of Tobacco In Vitro Grown Plantlets as Affected by Saccharose and Irradiance

B. Radochová, A. Vičánková, J. Kutík, I. Tichá

Biologia plantarum 43:633-636, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002820620688

Tobacco plantlets were cultured in vitro under high (200 µmol m^-2 s^-1) or low (60 µmol m^-2 s^-1) irradiance with or without saccharose in the medium. Light microscopy and image analysis were used to evaluate the effect of these culture conditions on leaf anatomy. Addition of saccharose resulted in thicker leaves (all leaf layers) and larger mesophyll cells under both growth irradiances. Various irradiance affected leaf anatomy differently when plantlets had been cultivated in presence or absence of saccharose in the medium. While under high irradiance in presence of saccharose leaf thickness...

Effects of Cold Acclimation and Salicylic Acid on Changes in ACC and MACC Contents in Maize during Chilling

G. Szalai, I. Tari, T. Janda, A. Pestenácz, E. Páldi

Biologia plantarum 43:637-640, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002824721597

The effect of 0.5 mM salicylic acid (SA) pretreatment and of growing at hardening temperatures on chilling-induced changes in 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and malonyl 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (MACC) was investigated in young maize (Zea mays L.) plants grown in hydroponic solution at 22/20 °C. Chilling at 5 °C caused an increase in ACC content;however, this increase was less pronounced in plants cold acclimated at 13/11 °C 4 d before the chilling treatment, and in those which were pretreated with SA for 1 d before the cold stress. Changes in MACC at low temperature showed no correlation with chilling tolerance in maize.

Zdeněk Sladký

J. Šebánek

Biologia plantarum 43:3, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1017373423900

Jaroslav Pazourek

I. Tichá, J. Kutík

Biologia plantarum 43:4, 2000 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1002888124808