Book reviews

M. Kamínek, J. Toman, Helena Benešová, V. Škrdleta

Biologia plantarum 26:238-240, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895058

The effect of some micronutrients and heavy metals on phosphate absorption by maize root cortex segments

Ivana Macháčková, Z. Zmrhal

Biologia plantarum 26:161, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895040

The effect of salts (nitrates, chlorides, and sulfates) of microelements, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co²⁺ and the effect of boric acid and ammonium molybdate on phosphate uptake by maize root cortex segments were tested.Higher concentration (0.1 mM) of Cu²⁺ salts caused enhancement of phosphate efflux to the extent that efflux was higher than influx.Inhibitory action on phosphate uptake by maize root cortex segments was exerted by following salts: 0.01 mM Cu²⁺ salts (20-30% inhibition), 0.5 mM ZnSO₄ (9.7%), 0.5 and 0.05 mM ZnCl₂ (34.3% and 20.8%), 0.1 mM salts of Cd²⁺,...

Polyethylene glycol 6000 priming effect on germination of aged wheat seed lots

A. Dell'Aquila, D. Pignone, G. Carella

Biologia plantarum 26:166, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895042

The effects of PEG 6000 priming on germination performance of aged wheat seed lots have been studied. A correct application of osmopriming treatment indicated a relationship between the pattern of water absorption, the reactivation of mitotic activity and the start and synchronization of germination. The possibility of controlling pregerminative events by means of this treatment is discussed on the physiological basis of seed germination.

Levels of deoxyribonucleic acid and of deoxyribonucleolytic activity in ragi leaves during senescence

K. B. Kumar, P. A. Khan

Biologia plantarum 26:174, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895044

There was a slow and gradual rise in the deoxyribonucleolytic activity of both excised and attached first leaf of ragi (Eleusine coracana Gaertn. cv. PR 202) during senescence. The decline in DNA content is correlated with the rise in deoxyribonucleolytic activity; but both DNA and deoxyribonucleolytic enzyme were photo-insensitive and did not respond to the application of senescence retardants - benzimidazole and gibberellic acid. Increase in deoxyribonucleolytic activity in excised leaves was not affected by actinomycin D; it was, however, wholly or partially prevented by cycloheximide. The effect of the translation inhibitor depended on the...

Hormonal autonomy ofArabidopsis thaliana calli

M. Ondřej, K. Pešina, Daniela Pavingerová

Biologia plantarum 26:181-188, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895046

The growth ofArabidopsis thaliana calli on media without growth regulators was studied Calli under study showed autonomy for cytokmms independently whether cultivated on the light or m the dark When cultivated in intense light, they were able to grow, either transiently or permanently, on the medium without any growth regulators In the dark, they were strictly dependent on 2,4 D m the medium Both the intensity of growth and the duration of the transient growth on the medium without growth regulators m the light decreased with the duration of the previous cultivation on the medium with growth regulators The intensity of growth on the medium without...

Do volvocal algae form their cultures as autonomous systems?

J. Nečas

Biologia plantarum 26:189, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895048

A low reproducibility of some characteristics in the life cycle of the volvocal algaChlamydomonas geitleri was observed in repeated experiments. The sets of the cultures were very similar in the number of the studied characteristics, but some of them differed significantly in one or several characteristics whereas the others agreed in a whole set. This is documented by the growth in a nitrogenless medium, the formation of zygotes, and their maturation and germination. The results of a small representative set of experiments were treated by an analysis of variance. Some possible explanations are discussed.

The study of morphological and histological changes in tissue cultures ofmatricaria inodora L

Margita Rychlová, Eva Čellárová, R. Hončariv

Biologia plantarum 26:197, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895049

This paper deals with some morphological and histological changes observed during regular intervals inMatricaria inodora L. tissue cultures derived from leaf expiants. The expiants were cultivated on Murashige-Skoog's culture medium supplemented with 1.0 mg 1^-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The callus formation started about a week after isolation. During the second week the meristematic centers were differentiated from which root and shoot apices were later formed. During long term cultivation under the same culture conditions the inhibition of development of shoot apices took place. Only roots of unorganized growth have been regenerated....

Growth of free-cell suspension and plantlet regeneration in the legumeIndigofera enneaphylla Linn

Shashi Bharal, A. Rashid

Biologia plantarum 26:202-205, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895050

Regeneration of complete plants is possible from free-cell derived colonies ofIndigofera enneaphylla. In addition to factors such as plating density and composition of the nutrient medium, carbon dioxide is essential for the growth of free-cells whereas changing the light intensity had no effect. Cell colonies were obtained at a plating density of 2.5 × 10³ cells/ml on medium containing benzylaminopurine, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and casein hydrolysate and plantlets were obtained on medium containing only BAP.

Photosynthetic CO₂ uptake byZea mays leaves as influenced by unilateral irradiation of adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces

J. Václavík

Biologia plantarum 26:206, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895051

A study was made on the effect of increasing photon fluence rate (I) at a unilateral irradiation of adaxial (normal leaf position) and abaxial (inverse leaf position) blade surface of maize leaves of various insertion levels on net photosynthetic CO₂ uptake (P _n ) by the leaves, as well as the contribution of individual surfaces toP _n of the leaves, and the significance of, or relationship between the stomatal (g _s ) and intracellular (gm) conductances at the CO₂ transport.P _n of leaves of various age according...

Purple pigmentation in leaves of some tropical weed species

K. Veeranjaneyulu, V. S. R. Das

Biologia plantarum 26:215, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895052

The photoacoustic spectroscopic studies of purple pigmented leaves revealed the occurrence of anthocyanins and betalains in some local weed species growing on soils with low moisture levels. The pigmentation intensities were higher in C₄ plants than in C₃ plants. An inverse correlation was observed between pigmentation intensities and soil moisture levels.

Phosphorus uptake suppression in maize seedlings as related to humate supply

V. Tichý

Biologia plantarum 26:221-229, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895054

The effect of sodium humate on phosphorus uptake by maize seedlings devoid of the endosperm was studied. Short-term experiments have shown that a suppression of phosphate ion absorption occurs under the described conditions in the presence of humate without decreasing the weight of experimental plants. The effect reported is delayed and is enhanced by prolonging the preliminary phase of starvation. It varies with the pH of the medium and reduces under extreme conditions the phosphate release from the root to the medium.

High altitude acclimatization in fourArtemisia species: Changes in free amino acids and nitrogen contents in leaves

S. Nautiyal

Biologia plantarum 26:230, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895055

During high altitude acclimatization the highest number of amino acids were found in temperateArtemisia species (A. vestita) and the lowest one in tropical species (A. scoparia). The amount of free amino acids in temperateArtemisia species was higher when this was grown at 3600 m altitude. InA. scoparia, A. vulnaris andA. parviflora, the higher amount of individual amino acids was ascertained in plants grown at lower altitudes.InA. vestita, the nitrogen contents per unit dry matter was lower in plants grown at high altitude. In the other three species, the contents were significantly higher in the...

The effect of ethanol on germination of aleppo pine seeds (Pinus halepensis Mill.)

L. Petruzzelli

Biologia plantarum 26:235, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895057

Ethanol can influence germination of seeds ofPinus halepensis. When supplied by the appropriate procedure, the anaesthetic is able to mimic light in stimulating seed germination. This action is interpreted in terms of changes in membrane properties.

Zimmermann, M. H.: Xylem Structure and the Ascent of Sap

Jana Pospíšilová

Biologia plantarum 26:165, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895041

Gottschalk, W., Wolff, G.: Induced Mutations in Plant Breeding

J. Velemínský

Biologia plantarum 26:173, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895043

Hassall, K. A.: The Chemistry of Pesticides. Their Metabolism, Mode of Action and Uses in Crop Protection

J. Velemínský

Biologia plantarum 26:180, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895045

Danovich, K. N., Sobolev, A. M., Zhdanova, L. P., Illi, I. E., Nikolaeva, M. G., Askochenskaya, H. A., Obrucheva, N. V., Khavkin, E, E.: Fiziologiya Semyan. [Physiology of Seeds.]

Věra Hadačová

Biologia plantarum 26:188, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895047

Lyons, J. M., Valentine, R. C., Phillips, D. A., Rains, D. W., Huffaker, R. C. (ed.): Genetic Engineering of Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation and Conservation of Fixed Nitrogen

J. Šatava

Biologia plantarum 26:220, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895053

Jones, D. G., Davies, D. R. (ed.): Temperate Legumes: Physiology, Genetics and Nodulation

V. Škrdleta

Biologia plantarum 26:234, 1984 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02895056