Jiří Velemínský - Member of Editorial Board of Biologia Plantarum - septuagenarian

J. Krekule

Biologia plantarum 46:I-II, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023915.86634.84

New Roles for MADS-box Genes in Higher Plants

F. García-Maroto, M.-J. Carmona, J.-A. Garrido, M. Vilches-Ferrón, J. Rodríguez-Ruiz, D. López Alonso

Biologia plantarum 46:321-330, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024353514081

Putative transcription factors bearing a particular DNA-binding domain called "MADS-box", have been mainly involved in processes related to flower development. It is generally accepted that MADS-box genes may have played a central role in the evolution of plant reproductive structures. During the last years increasing evidence points to more general roles of these factors that spans to the control of the flowering time, but also to other non-reproductive processes. Moreover, sequencing of the Arabidopsis genome has led to the recognition of above hundred MADS-box genes in this model organism, most of them still uncharacterized. This opens the...

Simultaneous Regeneration of Different Morphogenic Structures from Quince Leaves as Affected by Growth Regulator Combination and Treatment Length

C. D'Onofrio, S. Morini

Biologia plantarum 46:321-325, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023872.61646.95

Experiments were performed to evaluate the capacity of quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) leaves to regenerate somatic embryos and shoots and/or roots simultaneously. Leaves, treated for 2 d in liquid medium containing 2.5 mg dm^-3 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid were cultured for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 d on a gelled medium supplemented with 1 mg dm^-3 kinetin (Kin) and 0.1 mg dm^-3 naphthalenacetic acid (NAA) and were transferred to a medium either without growth regulator (GR-) or containing 0.6 mg dm^-3 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) + 0.2 mg dm^-3 gibberellic acid (GA₃) + 0.06 mg dm^-3...

Petr, J.: Klonování. Hrozba nebo naděje? [Cloning. Threat or Hope?]

I. Macháčková

Biologia plantarum 46:326, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023916.52157.ba

Multiple Shoot Regeneration from Immature Embryo Explants of Papaya

J. Bhattacharya, N.N. Renukdas, S.S. Khuspe, S.K. Rawal

Biologia plantarum 46:327-331, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023873.55327.fe

A simple and rapid method for multiple shoot formation in vitro from immature embryo axis explants of Carica papaya L. cvs. Honey Dew, Washington and Co2 is described. Multiple shoot regeneration was achieved by culture of the explants on modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented either with thidiazuron (TDZ; 0.45-22.7 μM) or a combination of benzylaminopurine (BAP; 0.2 - 8.84 μM) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA; 0.5 - 2.64 μM). Highest frequency of shoot regeneration occurred on medium supplemented either with 2.25 μM TDZ or a combination of BAP (4.4 μM) and NAA (0.5 μM). Composition of the basal media...

In vitro Culture of Immature Embryos of Cytisus laburnum

F. Paolicchi, P. Picciarelli, R. Lorenzi

Biologia plantarum 46:331-336, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024305630919

Immature embryos of Cytisus laburnum L. were cultivated in vitro and four culture media, different techniques of substrate preparation, sucrose concentration and the effect of suspensor removal were tested. The best results were obtained with N6 medium supplemented with 2 mg dm^-3 glycine and set up using a double-layer culture system, in which the top layer had a higher osmotic potential than the bottom one. These conditions allowed normal embryogenic development in up to 45 % of early globular embryos, that were able to develop until a complete maturity. Osmotic potential and mineral nutrients of the medium demonstrated to...

Delmer, D.P., Bohnert, H.J., Merchant, S. (ed.): Annual Review of Plant Biology. Vol. 53, 2002

Z. Šesták

Biologia plantarum 46:332,340, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023917.04080.49

Effect of Chilling on DNA Endoreplication in Root Cortex Cells and Root Hairs of Soybean Seedlings

D. Stępiński

Biologia plantarum 46:333-339, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023874.59655.be

Relative nuclear DNA contents in cortex parenchyma cells in root segments of 3- and 7-d-old soybean seedlings grown at 25 °C and in plants grown for 3 d at 25 °C, and then for 4 d at 10 °C, were determined with cytophotometry. Measurements revealed that in each variant the cortex cell nuclei with DNA content between 2C and 8C were in all the examined segments and nuclei with 8C - 16C DNA appeared in higher parts of roots. However, in chilled plant cells the number of 8C - 16C DNA nuclei was very low. Therefore, chilling inhibited endoreplication in comparison with plants grown at 25 °C for 7 d, and even reduced endopolyploidy level as compared to the...

Effect of Cytokinins and Cytokinin Antagonists on in vitro Cultured Gypsophila paniculata L.

V. Kapchina-Toteva, D. Stoyanova

Biologia plantarum 46:337-341, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024357614990

This study deals with the effects of two cytokinins [kinetin (Kin) and N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N-phenylurea (CPPU)] and cytokinin antagonists [2-chloro-4-cyclobutyl-amino-6-ethylamino-1,3,5-triazine (ACK1) and N-(4-pyridyl)-O-(4-chlorophenyl)carbamate (ACK2)] in concentration of 1 μM on in vitro cultured Gypsophila. The application of Kin and CPPU stimulated bud opening and increased fresh and dry masses. Cytokinin antagonists reduced the number of sprouted buds and bud fresh and dry masses. In plants treated with CPPU the chloroplasts possessed well developed membrane system, which covered almost the entire chloroplasts volume. In...

Growth and Protein Pattern in Cowpea Seedlings Subjected to Salinity

M.F. Sousa, F.A.P. Campos, J.T. Prisco, J. Enéas-Filho, E. Gomes-Filho

Biologia plantarum 46:341-346, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023875.63226.67

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds were put to germinate on filter paper under control (distilled water) and salt stress (100 mM MaCl) conditions. Seeds and seedlings were classified in eight developmental stages (DS), according to their morphological traits. Under control conditions, 7 d after planting, 100 % of the seedlings reached DS VIII (seedlings with radicles measuring more than 5 cm, cotyledons leaving the filter paper, hypocotyls straight and cotyledonary leaves fully open) and under NaCl stress conditions, 11 d after planting only 68 % of the seedlings were at DS VIII. The length of the main root and of shoot has decreased 23 and 44...

Howe, S., Hendriksson, K.: PhraseBook for Writing Papers and Research. 2^nd Ed.

Z. Šesták

Biologia plantarum 46:342, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024323529527

Propagation of Angelica archangelica Plants in an Air-Sparged Bioreactor from a Novel Embryogenic Cell Line, and their Production of Coumarins

M. Eeva, T. Ojala, P. Tammela, B. Galambosi, H. Vuorela, R. Hiltunen, K. Fagerstedt, P. Vuorela

Biologia plantarum 46:343-347, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024309731828

A spontaneously embryogenic cell line of the coumarin producing angelica [Angelica archangelica (L.) subsp. archangelica] was established via callus formation from seedlings grown from sterilized seeds on semi-solid, hormone-free modified B5 medium. The cell line has retained its embryogenic capacity for 5 years. The highest coumarin production for the cell line after 3 weeks of cultivation was achieved in the medium containing 3.0 % sucrose. Jasmonic acid had no statistically significant effect on the biomass or coumarin production. The established embryogenic cell line could be stored using cryopreservation. Plantlets grown in...

Transgenic Tobacco Plants Constitutively Overexpressing a Rice Thaumatin-like Protein (PR-5) Show Enhanced Resistance to Alternaria alternata

R. Velazhahan, S. Muthukrishnan

Biologia plantarum 46:347-354, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023876.55053.5e

Overexpression of antifungal pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins in crop plants has the potential for enhancing resistance against fungal pathogens. Thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) are one group (PR-5, permatins) of antifungal PR-proteins isolated from various plants. In the present study, a plasmid containing a cDNA of rice tlp (D34) under the control of the CaMV-35S promoter was introduced into tobacco plants through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system. A considerable overproduction of TLP was observed in transformed tobacco plants by Western blot analysis. There was a large accumulation of tlp mRNA in transgenic plants...

Schnell, D.E.: Carnivorous Plants of the United States and Canada.Second Edition

L. Adamec

Biologia plantarum 46:348, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024361715898

Rapid Micropropagation of Five Cultivars of Mulberry

B.S. Bhau, A.K. Wakhlu

Biologia plantarum 46:349-355, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024313832737

Multiple shoots were initiated from nodal and shoot tip explants collected from mature trees of Morus alba L. cultivars Chinese White, Kokuso-27 and Ichinose, and M. multicaulis Perr. cultivars Goshoerami and Rokokuyaso after 2 weeks of culture. Nodal explants were more responsive than shoot tip explants. Murashige and Skoog basal medium was found to be most suitable medium and 6-benzylaminopurine was the most effective cytokinin for shoot induction. Explants collected between April and September evoked better response than the explants collected between October and March. Shoots were multiplied by transferring nodal explants excised...

The Influence of Ammonium Nitrate, pH and Indole Butyric Acid on Root Induction and Survival in Soil of Micropropagated Eucalyptus globulus

I.J. Bennett, D.A.J. McDavid, J.A. McComb

Biologia plantarum 46:355-360, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023877.21262.a5

Rooting of Eucalyptus globulus shoots was influenced by the concentration of the indole butyric acid (IBA) and NH₄ ⁺ in the root-induction medium. Optimum plantlet vigor and survival were achieved using low concentrations (1 - 2.5 μM) of IBA and when NH₄NO₃ was removed. Removal of NH₄ ⁺ also had a significant effect on medium pH, its presence caused a decrease in pH as the culture period proceeded. When different nitrate compounds (excluding NH₄NO₃) were used as the nitrogen source, the medium pH was more stable and this was associated with higher root...

Nátr, L.: Fotosyntetická Produkce a Výživa Lidstva.[Photosynthetic Production and Nutrition of Mankind.]

J. Čatský

Biologia plantarum 46:356, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024365816807

Phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride Inhibits the Formation of Jasmonate-Induced Proteins in Cotyledons of Cucurbita pepo (zucchini)

K.I. Ananieva, E.D. Ananiev

Biologia plantarum 46:357-362, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024317900877

Phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (PMSF), a well known inhibitor of both thiol- and serine-type proteases, in aqueous solutions either alone or with the plant growth regulators, methyl ester of jasmonic acid (MeJA) and N⁶-benzyl-aminopurine (BAP), significantly inhibited the growth of excised Cucurbita pepo L. (zucchini) cotyledons. SDS-PAGE analysis of the protein profiles showed that PMSF suppressed the gradual decline of the main 20 - 25 kDa polypeptide group and the low molecular mass polypeptides (below 15 kDa) while leupeptine was not able to affect the electrophoretic pattern of cotyledon proteins. On the other hand, in the presence...

Changes in Tomato Leaves Induced by NaCl Stress: Leaf Organization and Cell Ultrastructure

O. Sam, C. Ramírez, M.J. Coronado, P.S. Testillano, M.C. Risueño

Biologia plantarum 46:361-366, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023878.58899.88

The alterations of organization of leaf tissues and cell ultrastructure as a consequence of salt stress (75 and 150 mM NaCl) were studied in two tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) cultivars showing different salinity tolerance. The salinity brought changes in cell shape, volume of intercellular spaces and chloroplast number, shape and size. These characteristics were specific in each cultivar. The ultrastructural changes were also different in the two tomato cultivars studied and the most important ones were in the number and size of starch granules in chloroplasts, the number of electron-dense corpuscules in the cytoplasm, the structure...

The 26S Proteasome of the Resurrection Plant Tortula ruralis: Cloning and Characterization of the TrRPT2 Subunit

X. Chen, A.J. Wood

Biologia plantarum 46:363-368, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024369917715

Tortula ruralis is an important experimental system for the study of plant desiccation tolerance. EST gene discovery efforts utilizing desiccated gametophytes have identified a cDNA TrRpt2 encoding a predicted polypeptide with significant similarity to the 26S proteasome regulatory subunit IV. TrRPT2, the 446 amino acid deduced polypeptide, has a predicted molecular mass of 49.6 kDa, and a predicted pI of 8.15. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that previously characterized RPT2 polypeptide sequences could be reproducibly grouped into 3 major clades and that TrRPT2 forms a discrete evolutionary group. RNA blot hybridizations were used...

Stress-Induced Changes in Peptidyl-Prolyl cis-trans Isomerase Activity of Sorghum bicolor Seedlings

A.D. Sharma, N. Wajapeyee, V. Yadav, P. Singh

Biologia plantarum 46:367-371, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023879.74558.48

Developmental changes and effects of various abiotic stresses on peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) activity were studied in the seedlings of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench cv. CSH-6]. The PPIase activity of sorghum seedlings markedly decreased after two days of germination. Up to 90 % of the PPIase activity was inhibited by cyclosporin-A. Maximal increase in specific PPIase activity in the 3-d-old seedlings was observed in response to osmotic stress and it was transient in nature. The stress-induced enhancement in PPIase activity, depending upon tissue and stress treatment, was due to induction of cyclophilins as well...

Preparation of HMW DNA from Plant Nuclei and Chromosomes Isolated from Root Tips

H. Šimková, J. Číhalíková, J. Vrána, M.A Lysák, J. Doležel

Biologia plantarum 46:369-373, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024322001786

Simple, fast and cost-effective method for preparation of DNA with high molecular weight (HMW DNA) from plant nuclei and mitotic chromosomes has been developed. The technique involves mechanical homogenization of formaldehyde-fixed root tips, purification of nuclei and/or chromosomes on sucrose gradient, embedding in low-melting-point agarose, and DNA isolation in agarose plugs. Alternatively, nuclei and chromosomes may be purified using flow cytometry. Majority of DNA obtained is megabase-sized and well digestible by restriction endonucleases. The method is highly efficient as microgram amounts of DNA can be obtained from only several milligrams of...

Effect of Short-Term Salinity on Lipid Metabolism and Ion Accumulation in Tomato Roots

G. Racagni, H. Pedranzani, S. Alemano, E. Taleisnik, G. Abdala, E. Machado-Domenech

Biologia plantarum 46:373-377, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023880.33075.41

To examine the ion accumulation and membrane lipid metabolism in response to salinity we compared two tomato cvs. Pera and Hellfrucht Fruhstamm (HF), considered to be salt-tolerant and sensitive respectively. Na⁺ and K⁺ accumulation was significantly higher in roots of cv. Pera after 24 h and 72 h of 100 mM NaCl. While in cv. HF, a temporary increase in K⁺ accumulation at 24 h was accompanied by a sustained increase in Na⁺ content. Both cultivars enhanced incorporation of [³²P]orthophosphate into phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate at 24 h and 72 h of NaCl. In parallel to the increase of phosphatidylinositol...

Razdan, M.K., Cocking, E.C. (ed.): Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources in Vitro. Volume 1: General Aspects

J. Zámečník

Biologia plantarum 46:374, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024374018624

Valerophenone synthase-like chalcone synthase homologues in Humulus lupulus

P. Novák, J. Matoušek, J. Bříza

Biologia plantarum 46:375-381, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024326102694

Valerophenone synthase homologue of chalcone synthase (CHS) is the first key enzyme described to be involved in the biosynthesis of bitter acids, the compounds produced in hop lupulin glands valuable for the taste of beer. The complete sequence of a novel homologue of CHS chs 4 was isolated from hop. Protein predicted from chs 4 cDNA has 43.45 kDa and length 395 amino acids. It was found by the analysis of chs 4 flanking sequences that this gene is in the cluster with other CHS homologues - chs 3 and vps. The intron identified in chs 4 has been found to be homological to vps and chs 3 introns....

Inter-Specific Differences in Cotton for Nutrient Partitioning from Subtending Leaves to Reproductive Parts at Various Developmental Stages: Consequences for Fruit Growth and Yield

A. Wahid, S. Bukhari, E. Rasul

Biologia plantarum 46:379-385, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023881.42896.89

A field study was carried out to unravel the inter-specific differences in cotton for the partitioning of N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Na and Cl from the subtending leaves to the reproductive parts of Gossypium hirsutum, G. barbadense and G. arboreum at various developmental stages. Results revealed significant differences among the species for the various parameters studied. Overall there was a greater fresh and dry matter yield of various reproductive parts and subtending leaves of G. hirsutum and G. barbadense than G. arboreum, although the leaf photosynthetic rate was similar. Age-dependent increase in leaf area/leaf mass...

Aro, E.-M., Andersson, B. (ed.): Regulation of Photosynthesis.(Advances in Photosythesis and Respiration. Volume 11.)

J. Čatský

Biologia plantarum 46:382, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024378119533

Lack of Mitotic Delays at the Onset of Proliferation in Dormant Root Primordia Challenged by Ionizing Radiation

S. Pérez-Talavera, J.A. Carballo, C. de la Torre

Biologia plantarum 46:383-387, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024330303603

X-rays at doses between 2.5 and 20 Gy were applied to Allium cepa L. bulbs containing either dormant root primordia (before water imbibition) or actively proliferating meristems. Irradiation of the primordia that were enriched in G₀ cells neither delayed proliferation onset nor root sprouting. Under both protocols, irradiation decreased the final length of the roots to about 60 % (at 20 Gy) of that reached by the unirradiated controls. Irradiation of the proliferating meristems increased the mitotic index at some fixation times. This could not be due to a rise in the cell entry into mitosis, as the rate of root growth decreased simultaneously....

The Ascorbate System in Two Bryophytes: Brachythecium velutinum and Marchantia polymorpha

C. Paciolla, F. Tommasi

Biologia plantarum 46:387-393, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023882.24490.51

The ascorbate system, one of the major antioxidant systems, has been studied in two bryophytes; a moss, Brachythecium velutinum (Hedw.) B., S. & G., and a liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha L. The moss and liverwort gametophytes contain ascorbate both in the reduced and oxidized form; utilize ascorbate in removing hydrogen peroxide by means of ascorbate peroxidase and reconvert to ascorbate its oxidation products by means of dehydroascorbate reductase and monodehydroascorbate reductase. Ascorbate oxidase activity was measured in the cytosolic fraction suggesting a localization of the enzyme different from more evolved organisms. The...

Pasternak, D., Schlissel, A. (ed.): Combating Desertification with Plants

J. Pospíšilová

Biologia plantarum 46:388, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024382320441

Influence of Spectral Range and Carbon and Nitrogen Sources on Oxygen Evolution and Emerson Enhancement in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

E.A.M. Hamada, S.M.A. Dowiadar, T. Punnet

Biologia plantarum 46:389-397, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024334404512

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was grown in medium with different carbon (acetate, CO₂, or both), and nitrogen (ammonium chloride, peptone, urea) sources and under light of different spectral composition. The light-dark cycles were found more suitable for mixotrophic growth than continuous irradiation. Both blue (BR) and red (RR) radiations decreased photosynthetic capacity of mixotrophic cells compared to "white light" (WL). Effect of RR was associated with photon distribution favouring photosystem 1 (PS1) suggesting increased cyclic phosphorylation. Mixotrophic growth in 10 mM NH₄Cl increased photosynthetic oxygen evolution...

Ecophysiological Characterization of Dormancy States in Turions of the Aquatic Carnivorous Plant Aldrovanda vesiculosa

L. Adamec

Biologia plantarum 46:395-402, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023883.62127.5e

Two main dormancy states, innate and imposed dormancy, were characterized in turions (winter buds) of the aquatic carnivorous plant Aldrovanda vesiculosa L. (Droseraceae) kept at 3 ± 1 °C in a refrigerator over the winter. As a result of the breaking of imposed dormancy by a temperature increase (at 15 - 20 °C), some of the turions rose to the water surface within 1 - 3 d and germinated. Turion leaves contained large lacunae with a slimy reticulum and were filled by water over winter. As a result of breaking imposed dormancy, the proportion of gas volume in inner turion leaves rose from 10 - 20 % to 100 % of leaf lacunae volume....

Diurnal Variations in the Activity of Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase and NADP-Malic Enzyme During the Early Steps of Interaction between Glycine max and Bradyrhizobium japonicum

M. Geneva, Y. Markovska, V. Vassileva, G. Ignatov

Biologia plantarum 46:399-403, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024386421350

Two important enzyme in organic acid metabolism, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME), show marked diurnal rhythms in their activities during the establishment of the soybean - B. japonicum symbiosis. The pH of the nutrient solution changes in parallel with NADP-ME activity, being maximal during the night periods, whereas activity of PEPC was highest during the day periods. The results from the experiments with stem girdled plants indicated that the activity of root PEPC is modulated to a great extent by the supply of photosynthates from the shoots. It was also established that succinate application in the nutrient...

Comparison of Cadmium Effect on Willow and Poplar in Response to Different Cultivation Conditions

L. Lunáčková, A. Šottníková, E. Masarovičová, A. Lux, V. Streško

Biologia plantarum 46:403-411, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023884.54709.09

Salix alba L. and Populus×euroamericana cv. Robusta cuttings were grown in 10 μM Cd(NO₃)₂ (direct treatment) or in Knop solution and afterwards in Cd(NO₃)₂ (indirect treatment). Cd impact on rooting of directly treated plants and its impact on normally formed roots and shoots of indirectly treated plants were studied. The cumulative length, number and biomass of willow roots, pigment and starch contents, leaf net photosynthetic rate and dry mass/leaf area ratio of willow leaves were positively influenced by indirect treatment. However, indirectly treated poplars were more sensitive...

Trigonelline Concentration in Field-Grown Soybean in Response to Irrigation

Y. Cho, V.N. Njiti, X. Chen, D.A. Lightfoot, A.J. Wood

Biologia plantarum 46:405-410, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024390522259

Trigonelline (TRG) is a conjugate of nicotinic acid, and is postulated to function as a compatible solute in response to salinity- and water deficit-stresses. TRG concentrations and several agronomic characteristics were measured under irrigated field and non-irrigated field conditions within 18 soybean (Glycine max) genotypes using leaves taken from different growth stages (vegetative, flowering and pod development). Under irrigation, relative water content (RWC) ranged from 90.0 to 99.6 %. Under non-irrigation, RWC ranged from 86.3 to 97.5 %. TRG concentration ranged from 364 to 555 μg g^-1(d.m.) under irrigation, and from 404...

Nitrogen and Carbon Concentrations, and Stable Isotope Ratios in Mediterranean Shrubs Growing in the Proximity of a CO₂ spring

R. Tognetti, J. Peñuelas

Biologia plantarum 46:411-418, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024342606329

Seasonal changes in foliage nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) concentrations and δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C ratios were monitored during a year in Erica arborea, Myrtus communis and Juniperus communis co-occurring at a natural CO₂ spring (elevated [CO₂], about 700 μmol mol^-1) and at a nearby control site (ambient [CO₂], 360 μmol mol^-1) in a Mediterranean environment. Leaf N concentration was lower in elevated [CO₂] than in ambient [CO₂] for M. communis, higher for J. communis, and dependent on the season for E. arborea....

Hexokinases of Tobacco Leaves: Changes in the Cytosolic and Non-Cytosolic Isozyme Complexes Induced by Tobacco Mosaic Virus Infection

L. Šindelář, M. Šindelářová

Biologia plantarum 46:413-419, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023885.99970.30

Changes in the cytosotic (soluble) and the non-cytosolic (particulate) isozyme composition of hexokinases and in their properties were studied by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE cellulose after the subcellular fractionation both in the healthy and the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infected tobacco leaves. Three main isozyme complexes were obtained: one particulate fraction (the particulate hexokinase phosphorylating both glucose and fructose, EC 2.7.1.1), and two soluble fractions (the soluble hexokinase phosphorylating both the glucose and the fructose, and the soluble fructokinase, which phosphorylates primarily fructose, EC 2.7.1.4). The total...

Inhibition of α-Amylase Acting in Hexaploid Triticale Lines by Exogenous Abscisic Acid

W. Sodkiewicz, T. Sodkiewicz

Biologia plantarum 46:419-422, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024333723167

Hexaploid triticale introgressive lines developed after recombination of A-genome with A^m-genome of diploid wheat (Triticum monococcum) were analysed in respect of grains responsiveness to exogenous ABA treatment. This was assessed by in vivo bioassay as grain germination indices, and by α-amylase assay as quantity of synthesised α-amylase measured with the technique of radial diffusion in agarose gel. The results showed an important diminishing of seedling length caused by ABA (variable in different lines) as well as genotype dependant variability of α-amylase synthesis inhibition. The differences of ABA...

Esterase as a Marker to Study the Genetic Fidelity of Micropropagated Banana

Y. Ramalakshmi Dutta, G. Gangopadhyay, S. Das, B.K. Dutta, K.K. Mukherjee

Biologia plantarum 46:421-424, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023886.93651.b4

Isozymic profiles of different micropropagated banana (Musa spp.) cultivars (Giant Governor, Dwarf Cavendish, Robusta, Champa, Kachakel and Chatim) of West Bengal, India were assessed at different subcultural passages. Variation with respect to the banding pattern was noticed only in esterase but not in peroxidase and acid phosphatase. Of the six cultivars, four showed variation both at isozymic and yield level. Two cultivars (Kachakel and Chatim) maintained their esterase profile and genetic stability even after twenty subcultural passages.

Growth and Nitrate Reductase Activity of Chlorella fusca Cells as Affected by Long Term Salinity

A.A. Shafea

Biologia plantarum 46:423-427, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024316107237

Influence of various saline media on Chlorella fusca growth, contents of photosynthetic pigments, and activity of the nitrate reductase (NRA) was determined. KCl, CaCl₂, and MgCl₂ in concentrations relative to NaCl as 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 promote cell number, dry mass, and contents of photosynthetic pigments. The activity of NR was enhanced by Mg²⁺ and K⁺ and in some cases by Ca²⁺ at all ratios applied.

Effects of Antibiotics and Bialaphos on the Growth and Development of Embryogenic Callus Cultures of Muscari armeniacum

S. Suzuki, M. Nakano

Biologia plantarum 46:425-427, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023887.16716.f7

Effects of 4 potentially selective agents for transformed cells, 3 antibiotics [kanamycin, geneticin (G418) and hygromycin] and bialaphos, as well as 2 antibiotics for eliminating Agrobacterium, carbenicillin and cefotaxime on growth and somatic embryogenesis of embryogenic calli of Muscari armeniacum cv. Blue Pearl were evaluated. Callus growth was completely inhibited by 75 mg dm^-3 hygromycin or 4 mg dm^-3 bialaphos, and somatic embryos were never produced on media containing 25 mg dm^-3 hygromycin or 3 mg dm^-3 bialaphos. Kanamycin and G418 less inhibited growth and somatic embryogenesis of...

Lipid Peroxidation and Peroxide-Scavenging Enzymes in Cotton Seeds Under Natural Ageing

A. Goel, I.S. Sheoran

Biologia plantarum 46:429-434, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024398724076

The present study was carried out to contribute to our knowledge of the mechanism of seed deterioration in two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars (HS6 and H1098) during natural ageing. The seeds were sealed in polythene bags and stored at 25 ± 1 °C for 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months. In both the cultivars, germinability decreased whereas membrane deterioration assayed as electrical conductivity of the seed leachates increased with storage period. The decrease in germinability was well correlated with increased accumulation of H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde content. The activities of peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase,...

Somatic Embryogenesis, Plantlet Regeneration and Micropropagation of Cultivars and F₁ Hybrids of Manihot esculenta

M.N. Ogburia

Biologia plantarum 46:429-432, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023888.82993.b1

Explants of four F₁ hybrids (OMR 36-41/1, OMR 36-41/2, OMR 36-41/4 and OMR 36-41/5) and two cultivars (Rayong 1 and Rayong 60) of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) were subjected to different combinations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), kinetin (KIN) and N⁶-benzylaminopurine (BAP) to induce somatic embryogenesis, organogenesis and micropropagation. Shoot apices of the F₁ hybrids exhibited higher frequency (62 - 74 %) of proliferation of somatic embryos than the cultivars (21 - 43 %) in Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with 8 mg dm^-3 2,4-D and...

Multiple Shoot Induction and Plant Regeneration from Embryo Axes of Six Cultivars of Gossypium hirsutum

A.K. Banerjee, D.C. Agrawal, S.M. Nalawade, S. Hazra, K.V. Krishnamurthy

Biologia plantarum 46:433-436, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023889.20631.92

The report describes in vitro plant regeneration from embryo axis explants of six cultivars of cotton. Induction of a maximum number of multiple shoots in all six cultivars could be achieved on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) salts and Gamborg's (B5) vitamins supplemented with 0.4 μM benzyladenine (BA) and 0.1 μM napthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Elongated shoots could be rooted on half strength medium supplemented with 0.5 μM NAA. Rooted shoots survived (92 %) after hardening in the greenhouse and grew to maturity (100 %) after transfer to field.

Fractionation and Electrophoretic Patterns of Storage Proteins of Ebenus cretica. A preliminary Survey as a Tool in Taxonomy

T. Syros, T. Yupsanis, A. Economou

Biologia plantarum 46:435-443, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024350808146

Seed storage proteins of Ebenus cretica were fractionated to albumins, globulins, prolamins and glutelins according to their solubility in water, 0.5 M NaCl solution, 55 % propanol-2 and 0.125 M sodium borate (pH 9.0) containing 0.5 % SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) solution, respectively. Glutelins consist of the major (about 81 %) fraction of the total extracted proteins. Analysis by SDS-PAGE revealed that the total extracted protein patterns from different racemes of the same plant were similar, while those from seeds of different plants were different. In addition, distinct differences were observed within protein patterns of alkaline extractable...

NaCl-Inhibited Chlorophyll Synthesis and Associated Changes in Ethylene Evolution and Antioxidative Enzyme Activities in Wheat

N.A. Khan

Biologia plantarum 46:437-440, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023890.01126.43

Effect of NaCl was studied on chlorophyll (Chl) synthesis and its intermediates (protoporphyrin IX, Mg-protoporphyrin IX, and protochlorophyllide), dry mass, ethylene evolution, and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (APX) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings at 24, 48, and 72 h after germination. A conspicuous decrease in Chl synthesis, associated with increase in ethylene evolution and SOD and APX activities, was noted as NaCl concentration was increased from 0 to 100 mM.

Mannose: A Potential Selection System for Genetic Transformation of Annatto

V.B. Paiva Neto, C.R. Carvalho, W.C. Otoni

Biologia plantarum 46:441-444, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023891.16785.fc

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the feasibility of mannose as a selection system for the future genetic transformation of annatto (Bixa orellana L.). Hypocotyl segments, inverted hypocotyls and immature zygotic embryos were inoculated onto a Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with B5 vitamins, 87.6 mM sucrose and mannose in different combinations, 2.8 g dm^-3 Phytagel®, and 4.56 μM zeatin (organogenesis) or 2.26 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 4.52 μM kinetin (somatic embryogenesis). Annatto explants did not regenerate on medium with mannose as the only carbon source when inverted hypocotyls...

The Decrease of Extracted Apoplast Protein in Soybean Root Tip by Aluminium Treatment

T. Kataoka, J. Furukawa, T.M. Nakanishi

Biologia plantarum 46:445-449, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024302924984

Aluminium effect on the mobility of apoplast protein in root tips was studied. Two-day seedlings of soybean (Glycine max. (L.) Merr. cv. Tsurunoko) were treated with 50 μM AlCl₃ for 2 h. Using infiltration method, the apoplast protein in root tips was extracted with 20 or 100 mM MgCl₂. When 20 mM MgCl₂ was used to collect weakly bound protein to apoplast, the amount of protein extracted was reduced to be about 20 % compared with that of control and the band of 97 kDa disappeared in SDS-PAGE gel. However, the 97 kDa protein could be extracted by 100 mM MgCl₂, which were used for extraction of more...

Molecular Characterization of Three Heritiera Species Using AFLP Markers

A.K. Mukherjee, L.K. Acharya, I. Mattagajasingh, P.C. Panda, T. Mohapatra, P. Das

Biologia plantarum 46:445-448, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023892.82238.f8

In the present study three species of Heritiera Aiton (Sterculiaceae) were characterized using 9 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primer combinations and the genetic relationship among these three species was assessed, Nine AFLP primer combinations yielded 445 bands out of which 210 were monomorphic and 235 were polymorphic. Out of the 235 polymorphic bands 79 were present only in a single species. Among the total amplified bands 255 were shared between H. fomes and H. littoralis, 225 were shared between H. fomes and H. macrophylla and 306 bands were shared between H. littoralis and H....

Physiological Response of Maize to Arsenic Contamination

N. Stoeva, M. Berova, Z. Zlatev

Biologia plantarum 46:449-452, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023893.12939.48

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of As on some physiological parameters of maize in the early growth phases. Seedlings grown in a climatic box in a Hoagland-Arnon nutrient solution were treated with 0, 2 and 5 mg(As) dm^-3 (pH 5.5). After 5 d of As treatment the changes in growth, leaf gas-exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) content, Chl fluorescence, peroxidase activity and lipid peroxidation in roots were recorded. The applied As decreased the growth, leaf area, and biomass accumulation, induced lipid peroxidation and increased peroxidase activity, especially at concentration 5 mg(As) dm^-3. It also decreased the...

Differential Expression of Peroxidase Isoenzymes in Soybean Roots Treated with the Benzothiadiazole

L.V. Hoffmann, M.T.V. Carvalho, E.J.B. Nogueira Cardoso

Biologia plantarum 46:451-453, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024354909055

The protection compound benzo-(1,2,3)-thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester (BTH) was applied to soybean roots or leaves in a dose of 20 cm³ of a solution containing 25 μg g^-1 of the active ingredient. Electrophoretic profiles of chitinase and superoxide dismutase were not altered by the product. Increased activity of two root anionic peroxidases and three differential isoforms of these enzymes were observed in plants with roots treated by BTH, which can be used as biochemical markers of the BTH effect.

Effects of Jasmonic Acid on Groundnut During Early Seedling growth

G. Jyothsna Kumari, C. Sudhakar

Biologia plantarum 46:453-456, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023894.72554.b2

Exposure of groundnut seeds and seedlings to 25, 100, and 250 μM concentrations of jasmonic acid resulted in a reduction of germination percentage, growth, fresh mass, dry mass, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll stability index, proteins and an increase in free proline content and cell membrane injury. The results suggest the inhibitory effect of jasmonic acid on growth of the groundnut seedlings.

1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid Enhanced Direct Somatic Embryogenesis from Oncidium Leaf Cultures

J.T. Chen, W.C. Chang

Biologia plantarum 46:455-458, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024307025893

Influence of the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and two ethylene inhibitors, silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and cobalt chloride (CoCl₂), on direct somatic embryogenesis were tested in vitro using leaf cultures of Oncidium cv. Gower Ramsey. Leaf cells of tips, adaxial sides and cut ends could directly form somatic embryos on a hormone-free 1/2-strength MS medium. The frequency of embryo-producing explants was 55, 52.5 and 30 %, respectively. The embryo numbers per embryo-producing explant was 20.3. ACC at lower concentrations (5 and 10 μM) significantly retarded direct embryo formation from...

Variability and Bimodal Distribution of Size in Microspores of Aesculus hippocastanum

D. Ćalić, S. Zdravković-Korać, D. Pemac, Lj. Radojević

Biologia plantarum 46:457-458, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023895.50095.d8

Size variability of uninucleate microspores was studied in horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.). Microspores were isolated from buds of different size (3, 4, and 5 mm) taken from lower, middle and upper segments of inflorescences. All analyzed buds showed bimodal distribution of microspore size which confirmed the presence of pollen dimorphism.

Estimation of Genetic Variability in Plantago ovata Cultivars

M. Das née Pal, S.S. Raychaudhuri

Biologia plantarum 46:459-462, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023896.08612.f2

Five cultivars of Plantago ovata Forsk. (medicinal plant) have been developed by different agricultural universities in India. Genetic variability of these cultivars was estimated using RAPD markers. The data were correlated to morphological characters and a dendrogram was obtained from Jaccard's coefficient.

Micropropagation of Tectona grandis: Assessment of Genetic Fidelity

G. Gangopadhyay, S. Basu Gangopadhyay, R. Poddar, S. Gupta, K.K. Mukherjee

Biologia plantarum 46:459-461, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024359126802

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to analyze genetic fidelity of micropropagated teak (Tectona grandis L.) clones with respect to subcultural passage. Of the twenty primers screened, no variation in RAPD profiles was noticed in the in vitro clones of fifth, tenth, fifteenth and twentieth passage in comparison to the in vivo mother plants. Only one micropropagated plant of twenty-fifth subcultural passage, however, differed from the in vivo ones. It revealed the appearance of a new polymorphic DNA fragment (molecular mass 379 kb) in case of primer OPB-08. This primer, manifesting detectable variation,...

In vitro Shoot Regeneration from Flower and Leaf Explants in Rhododendron

S. Tomsone, D. Gertnere

Biologia plantarum 46:463-465, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024363210872

Rhododendron shoot regeneration was accomplished using either flower explants (each consisting of ovary with pedicel) of Rhododendron cvs. Nova Zembla and Irina or leaves isolated from in vitro grown Rhododendron catawbiense Michx. Multiple shoot tip clumps were obtained on Anderson's medium containing 0.5 to 1.5 mg dm^-3 thidiazuron (TDZ) in combination with 12 to 15 mg dm^-3 N⁶-[2-isopentenyl]adenine (2iP) and 1 to 3 mg dm^-3 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). After 16 weeks on the regeneration media, explants with shoot tip clumps were transferred for shoot elongation to Anderson's medium...

Contents of Macroelements and Growth of Sweet Cherry Rootstock in vitro

Đ. Ružić, M. Sarić, R. Cerović, Lj. Ćulafić

Biologia plantarum 46:463-465, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023897.84367.41

Rootstocks for sweet cherry (Prunus canescens Bois) Camil GM 79 were grown in vitro on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, and on MS medium with double- and half-strength macroelements. All the media contained 4.4 μM 6-benzyladenine, 0.5 μM α-naphthylacetic acid, 0.3 μM gibberellic acid, 20 g dm^-3 sucrose and 7 g dm^-3 agar. The chemical analyses were monitored on day 0 and 40 of culturing in callus, stem and leaves. Fresh and dry mass of shoots increased linearly up to the end of culture. The highest fresh and dry masses and also the content of Ca and Mg were registered in shoots grown on half-strength...

Assessment of Phytotoxicity of α-Aminoalkanephosphonic Acids Derivatives

K. Bielecki, A. Dziamska, J. Sarapuk

Biologia plantarum 46:467-470, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024315327710

Newly synthesized derivatives of α-aminoalkanephosphonic acids (aminophosphonates) differ in the substituents at the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus atoms. They modified in different degree the properties of cucumber (Cucumis sativus cv. Wisconsin) cotyledon membranes, physiological activity of some enzymes (guaiacol and pyrogallol peroxidases, and catalase), chlorophyll content, and cellular membrane lipid peroxidation. Most active modifiers were those possessing sufficiently long hydrocarbon substituents at the nitrogen atom (C₁₀H₂₁) or isopropyl chain at the phosphorus atom. The branched tertbutyl group at the...

Developmental Histology of Organogenic and Embryogenic Tissue in Picea omorika Culture

S. Budimir

Biologia plantarum 46:467-470, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023898.83886.7d

The histological events during adventitious bud and somatic embryo development in explants from Picea omorika seedlings cultivated in vitro have been examined. Meristematic activity in the superficial layers of cotyledons led to bud primordia formation. Bud primordia had characteristic zonal organization with needle primordia arising on the flanks of the meristem. Somatic embryo initial was formed on the cotyledon surface after an unequal transversal division of a cell. The smaller, apical cell gave rise to apical dome and later on secondary, filamentous suspensor while the larger vacuolated cell presented primary suspensor.

Effect of Darkness on Growth and Flowering of Chenopodium rubrum and C. murale Plants in vitro

A. Mitrović, B. Živanović, Lj. Ćulafić

Biologia plantarum 46:471-474, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024367311781

Chenopodium rubrum, a short-day plant, and C. murale, a long-day plant, were grown in vitro in continuous darkness. Control C. rubrum plants exposed to continuous darkness for 15 d at cotyledonary phase, did not flower, while 80 % of plants flowered on the medium with 5 % glucose and 10 mg dm^-3 GA₃. Control C. murale plants exposed to continuous darkness for 10 d at the age of 4^th pair of leaves, did not flower, while GA₃ (1 - 5 mg dm^-3) stimulated flowering up to 65 %.

Allelopathic Potential of Pueraria thunbergiana

H. Kato-Noguchi

Biologia plantarum 46:471-473, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023899.52362.f3

The allelopathic potential of Pueraria thunbergiana was investigated under laboratory conditions. The powder of freeze-dried leaves of P. thunbergiana inhibited the germination and the growth of roots and shoots of cress, lettuce, timothy and ryegrass. Significant reductions in the germination and growth of roots and shoots were observed as the powder concentration increased in all bioassays. The putative compounds causing the inhibitory effect of the powder were isolated and determined by their spectral data as cis.trans- and trans,trans-xanthoxin

The Mitotic Activity of Norway Spruce Polyembryonic Culture Oscillates During the Synodic Lunar Cycle

H. Vlašínová, M. Mikulecký, L. Havel

Biologia plantarum 46:475-476, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023900.49134.2d

The present paper tests the hypothesis, that a periodic fluctuation of mitotic activity of the embryonal tissue of the Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) is synchronnous with synodic lunar cycling. The increased mitotic index (MI) was observed under full moon, and the decreased MI around the first and third quarter.

Effects of Protein Phosphatase Inhibitors and Calcium Antagonists on Self-Incompatible Reaction in Buckwheat

J. Miljuš-Đukić, S. Ninković, M. Nešković

Biologia plantarum 46:475-478, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024319428619

Isolated pistils of dimorphic buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) flowers were treated with phosphatase inhibitors (ocadaic acid and cantharidin) and with calcium antagonists (verapamil, La³⁺, and A23187). They were subsequently cross- or self-pollinated, and the growth of pollen tubes was observed under the fluorescence microscope. All treatments suppressed inhibition of pollen tubes growth suggesting that protein phosphatases and calcium signaling may be involved in self-incompatibility signal transduction in buckwheat.

Activities of Soluble and Microsomal Farnesyl Diphosphatases in Datura stramonium

S.B. Ha, D.E. Lee, H.J. Lee, S.J. Song, K. Back

Biologia plantarum 46:477-479, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/B:BIOP.0000023901.49409.7b

Farnesyl diphosphatase (FDPase; EC 3.1.7.1) produces farnesol from farnesyl diphosphate (FDP) in a reaction that does not require Mg²⁺. This report shows that FDPase is constitutively expressed at a high level in the soluble and the microsomal fractions of Datura stramonium. Soluble and microsomal FDPase have a similar pH optimum (5.0 - 6.0) and a similar substrate specificity. Geranyl diphosphate (GDP) and geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGDP) compete for FDP, but isopentenyl diphosphate (IDP), ATP, and para-nitrophenyl phosphate do not. Soluble FDPase activity was highest in fruit and flower followed by root, and leaf.

Copper Toxicity Tolerance in Aegilops and Haynaldia Seedlings

S. Landjeva, M. Merakchijska-Nikolova, G. Ganeva

Biologia plantarum 46:479-480, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024371412689

The seedling response to high Cu concentrations (1 and 10 μM CuSO₄ . 5 H₂O) was studied in Aegilops triuncialis, Ae. geniculata, Ae. cylindrica and Haynaldia villosa. The negative effect of Cu on the root growth was recorded at both concentrations, while the shoot growth was inhibited at 10 μM. The most tolerant was Ae. triuncialis, followed by Ae. geniculata. Ae. cylindrica and H. villosa were more sensitive.

Singo Nakazawa

N. Tanno, Y. Yamazaki

Biologia plantarum 46:I-II, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024397230011

Erratum: Ranade, S.A., Verma, A., Gupta, M., Kumar, N.: RAPD Profile Analysis of Betel Vine Cultivars. - Biologia Plantarum 45(4): 523-527, 2002

Biologia plantarum 46:404, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1024338505420