Schlegel, R.H.J.: Concise Encyclopedia of Crop Development

K. Pánková

Biologia plantarum 52:100, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0017-4

Effects of agar concentration and vessel closure on the organogenesis and hyperhydricity of adventitious carnation shoots

E. Casanova, L. Moysset, M. I. Trillas

Biologia plantarum 52:1-8, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0001-z

Carnation plantlets (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) cultured in vitro often develop morphological and physiological anomalies, a phenomenon called hyperhydricity, which impairs their survival ex vitro. When the agar concentration of the growth medium was increased (from 0 to 12 g dm^-3), thereby reducing water availability, the hyperhydricity of those adventitious shoots regenerated from carnation petals decreased. This was accompanied by a progressive fall in the water content of shoots (94.9 to 91.4 %), fresh mass (from 57.2 to 1.8 mg), number of leaf parenchyma cell layers (from 9.3 to 7.7), and the size of these cells...

Chloroplast ultrastructure, photosynthetic apparatus activities and production of steviol glycosides in Stevia rebaudiana in vivo and in vitro

V. G. Ladygin, N. I. Bondarev, G. A. Semenova, A. A. Smolov, O. V. Reshetnyak, A. M. Nosov

Biologia plantarum 52:9-16, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0002-y

The accumulation of steviol glycosides (SGs) in cells of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni both in vivo and in vitro was related to the extent of the development of the membrane system of chloroplasts and the content of photosynthetic pigments. Chloroplasts of the in vitro plants, unlike those of the intact plants, had poorly developed membrane system. The callus cells grown in the light contained proplastids of almost round shape and their thylakoid system was represented by short thylakoids sometimes forming a little number of grana consisting of 2-3 thylakoids. In cells of the etiolated in vitro regenerants and the callus...

Somatic organogenesis and plant regeneration in Ricinus communis

K. Ganesh Kumari, M. Ganesan, N. Jayabalan

Biologia plantarum 52:17-25, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0003-x

An in vitro propagation system was developed for castor-bean (Ricinus communis L. cv. TMV 6) through cotyledon derived callus cultures. The impact of different concentrations of auxins, cytokinins, additives, amino acids and sugars were evaluated for callus induction and shoot proliferation. Green compact nodular organogenic callus was obtained on the medium fortified with Murashige and Skoog (MS) salts, B5 vitamins, 2.0 mg dm^-3 6-benzyladenine and 0.8 mg dm^-3 α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Multiple shoot proliferation from the callus cultures was achieved on the medium with MS salts, B5 vitamins, 2.5 mg...

Agrobacterium rhizogenes mediated transformation of Scutellaria baicalensis and production of flavonoids in hairy roots

R. K. Tiwari, M. Trivedi, Z.-C. Guang, G.-Q. Guo, G.-C. Zheng

Biologia plantarum 52:26-35, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0004-9

Using different explants of in vitro seed grown Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi plantlets, hairy roots were induced following inoculation of Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains A₄GUS, R1000 LBA 9402 and ATCC11325. The A₄GUS proved to be more competent than other strains and the highest transformation rates were observed in cotyledonary leaf explant (42.6 %). The transformed roots appeared after 15-20 d of incubation on hormone free Murashige and Skoog medium. Growth of hairy roots was assessed on the basis of total root elongation, lateral root density and biomass accumulation. Maximum growth rate was recorded...

Phytochrome A as a functional marker of phyletic relationships in Nicotiana genus

M. C. Intrieri, R. Muleo, M. Buiatti

Biologia plantarum 52:36-41, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0005-8

Nicotiana is a small and well characterized genus of Solanaceae and in this study we have used polymorphisms in phytochrome A coding sequence (phyA) and promoter to asses the phylogenetic relationships among species representative of all the sections of the genus. Allopolyploid species kept the two copies of the gene derived from each of the progenitors as resulted from the analyses of the coding region and promoter. Moreover, both copies of phyA present in tetraploids are transcribed, indicating that are properly regulated and do not undergo silencing.

The effect of irradiance and redox-modifying reagents on the 52 kDa protein disulfide isomerase of Arabidopsis chloroplasts

D.-P. Lu, D. A. Christopher

Biologia plantarum 52:42-48, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0006-7

Immunoblot analysis was used to assess the effects of light and redox-modifying chemicals on the 52 kDa protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) from chloroplasts of Arabidopsis thaliana. A monoclonal antiserum was used that preferentially cross-reacts with the 52 kDa relative to the 65 kDa isoform of PDI. The PDI-52 was most abundant in leaves, flowers, stems and seeds, but was undetected in roots. PDI-52 formed a ∼220 kDa protein complex on blue native gels, indicating that it associates with either itself or other proteins in chloroplasts. Light decreased the levels of PDI-52 by 80 %, relative to the control protein (the CF1 subunit of chloroplast...

The impact of trans-zeatin O-glucosyltransferase gene over-expression in tobacco on pigment content and gas exchange

D. Haisel, R. Vaňková, H. Synková, J. Pospíšilová

Biologia plantarum 52:49-58, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0007-6

The responses of tobacco plants over-expressing trans-zeatin O-glucosyltransferase gene under constitutive or senescence-inducible promoter (35S:ZOG1 and SAG12:ZOG1) and of wild type (WT) plants to water stress and subsequent rehydration were compared. In plants sufficiently supplied with water, both transgenics have higher net photosynthetic rate (P_N) in upper and middle leaves and higher stomatal conductance (g_s) in middle leaves than WT. Water use efficiency (WUE = P_N/E) was higher in both transgenics than in WT. During prolonged water stress, both P_N and E declined to a similar...

Effects of high night temperature on lipid and protein compositions in tonoplasts isolated from Ananas comosus and Kalanchoë pinnata leaves

Q. Lin, Y. M. Wang, A. Nose, H. T. K. Hong, S. Agarie

Biologia plantarum 52:59-65, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0008-5

Effects of high night temperature on the lipid and protein compositions in the tonoplasts isolated from the leaves of two Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants, Ananas comosus (pineapple) and Kalanchoë pinnata were studied. The results showed that the phospholipids/protein ratios in the tonoplasts isolated from pineapple and K. pinnata leaves decreased from 1.82 to 1.21 and 2.63 to 1.50, respectively, as the night temperature increased from 20 to 37 °C. Under high night temperature, relative amount of total unsaturated fatty acids in K. pinnata was increased by 6 %, which was mainly caused by increased C18:2 and C18:3,...

Induction of alternative oxidase chain under salt stress conditions

A. L. Ferreira, J. D. Arrabaça, V. Vaz-Pinto, M. E. Lima-Costa

Biologia plantarum 52:66-71, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0009-4

This paper describes the effect of NaCl on the respiration of Citrus cell suspensions namely on the induction of the alternative oxidase. The exposure of two Citrus (cvs. Carvalhal tangor and Valencia late) cell suspensions to 200 or 400 mM NaCl lead to a reduction on cell respiration rates. Under these conditions, the respiration rate decreased less in the presence of KCN indicating a stimulation of the capacity of the alternative oxidase (AOX). In addition, immunoblots showed an increase on the amount of AOX protein. Antibodies raised against the Sauromatum guttatum enzyme recognized the reduced form of the enzyme near the 35...

Osmotic versus toxic effects of NaCl on pepper plants

C. Silva, V. Martínez, M. Carvajal

Biologia plantarum 52:72-79, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0010-y

Water relations, mineral composition, growth and root morphology were studied in pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L. cv California Wonder). Two NaCl concentrations (30 and 60 mM) and two nutrient solutions in which the concentrations of macronutrients were increased were used to assess the ionic and osmotic effects of NaCl in these plants. The hydraulic conductivity (L_o), stomatal conductance (g_s), percentage of open stomata and pressure potential (Ψ_p) decreased with all treatments, in a similar way for 30 mM NaCl and for its iso-osmotic solution of macronutrients, however, the decrease was higher for 60 mM...

Effect of Pb ions on superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in leaves of pea plants grown in high and low irradiance

E. Romanowska, B. Wróblewska, A. Drożak, M. Zienkiewicz, M. Siedlecka

Biologia plantarum 52:80-86, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0012-9

The role of irradiance on the activity of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) was examined in the leaves of Pisum sativum L. plants grown under low (LL) or high (HL) irradiance (PPFD 50 or 600 µmol m^-2 s^-1) and exposed after detachment to 5 mM Pb (NO₃)₂ for 24 h. The activities of both enzymes increased in response to LL compared with HL and no effect of Pb ions was observed. Photosystem (PS) 1 and PS 2 activities were also investigated in chloroplasts isolated from these leaves. LL lowered PS 1 electron transport rate and changes in photochemical activity of PS...

Effect of aluminum on cell wall, plasma membrane, antioxidants and root elongation in triticale

Q. Liu, J. L. Yang, L. S. He, Y. Y. Li, S. J. Zheng

Biologia plantarum 52:87-92, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0014-7

Two triticale cultivars ZC 237 (Al-resistant) and ZC 1890 (Al-sensitive) were used to investigate the effects of 30 to 100 µM Al on antioxidative enzyme activity, lipid peroxidation and cell wall composition. In ZC 1890, the root elongation was significantly inhibited after 1-h exposure to 50 µM Al, the changes in hemicellulose fraction were clearly detected after 2-h Al exposure, while the peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities significantly increased after 6-h exposure, and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content after 12-h exposure. The similar patterns were also found in ZC 237. Treatment of ZC 1890 with 1 mM citrate for...

Callus production, somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of Lycium barbarum root explants

Z. Hu, Y. Hu, H. H. Gao, X. Q. Guan, D. H. Zhuang

Biologia plantarum 52:93-96, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0015-6

A new micropropagation system for Lycium barbarum (L.) was developed using root explants as starting material. Callus can be produced from root explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.2 mg dm^-3 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. After three subcultures on the same medium, callus was then transferred onto the MS medium supplemented with 500 mg dm^-3 lactalbumin hydrolysate to induce somatic embryogenesis (SE). After 20 d, about 60 somatic embryos per 0.25 g(f.m.) of embryogenic callus were obtained but only about 10 % of embryos converted into plantlets. After acclimated in the greenhouse, all of the randomly...

In vitro multiplication of heavy metals hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens

J. Xu, Y. X. Zhang, T. Y. Chai, Z. Q. Guan, W. Wei, L. Han, L. Cong

Biologia plantarum 52:97-100, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0016-5

A micropropagation protocol through multiple shoot formation was developed for Thlaspi caerulescens L., one of the most important heavy metals hyperaccumulator plants. In vitro seed-derived young seedlings were used for the initiation of multiple shoots on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with combinations of benzylaminopurine (BA; 0.5-1.0 mg dm^-3), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA; 0-0.2 mg dm^-3), gibberellic acid (GA₃; 0-1.0 mg dm^-3) and riboflavin (0-3.0 mg dm^-3). The maximum number of shoots was developed on medium containing 1.0 mg dm^-3 BA and 0.2 mg dm^-3 NAA....

Endogenous abscisic acid and protein contents during seed development of Araucaria angustifolia

V. Silveira, C. Santa-Catarina, T. S. Balbuena, F. M. S. Moraes, C. A. O. Ricart, M. V. Sousa, M. P. Guerra, W. Handro, E. I. S. Floh

Biologia plantarum 52:101-104, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0018-3

This paper describes a proteome analysis and changes in endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) contents during seed development of Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze. Megagametophytes and embryonic axis tissues exhibited a similar ABA variation pattern during seed development, reaching maximum values at the pre-cotyledonary stage. The embryonic axis protein content increased until the cotyledonary stage with following stabilization at mature seed. The two-dimensional electrophoresis at the torpedo developmental stage showed approximately 230 polypeptides against 340 in the mature stage. Peptide mass fingerprinting analyses identified three polypeptides,...

Pepper morphological traits related with resistance to Phytophthora capsici

C. Egea-Gilabert, G. Bilotti, M. E. Requena, M. Ezziyyani, J. M. Vivo-Molina, M. E. Candela

Biologia plantarum 52:105-109, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0019-2

Inheritance of 10 morphological and quantitative traits related to plant and fruit development and resistance to the pathogen Phytophthora capsici was studied in an intraspecific cross between a non-pungent, susceptible Capsicum annuum parent (cv. Americano) and a wild, pungent and resistant line (Serrano Criollo de Morelos-334). Data were obtained from the segregation of 166 F₂ plants and 50 F₃ plants in four years. Three of the traits analyzed (necrosis length, leaf width and leaf length) exhibited a transgressive segregation. A multiple linear regression analysis was applied in order to establish a relationship...

Successful micropropagation protocol of Piper methysticum

Z. Zhang, L. Zhao, X. Chen, X. Zheng

Biologia plantarum 52:110-112, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0020-9

An efficient in vitro propagation of kava (Piper methysticum) was established. Utilizing 15-d-old tender shoots from dormant auxiliary buds as explants, significant induction of vigorous aseptic cluster shoots was achieved in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.5 mg dm^-3 6-benzyladenine (BA), 0.5 mg dm^-3 indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and antibiotics after 30 d. In vitro rooting was achieved at 100 % efficiency in MS medium containing 0.75 to 1.00 mg dm^-3 IAA or indole-3-butyric acid and 3 % sucrose. The most robust and long roots were observed in medium with IBA. Moreover, the embryonic callus...

Effects of foliar application of nitrogen on the photosynthetic performance and growth of two fescue cultivars under heat stress

W. Y. Zhao, S. Xu, J. L. Li, L. J. Cui, Y. N. Chen, J. Z. Wang

Biologia plantarum 52:113-116, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0021-8

The effects of nitrogen fertilization on the growth, photosynthetic pigment contents, gas exchange, and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters in two tall fescue cultivars (Festuca arundinacea cv. Barlexas and Crossfire II) were investigated under heat stress at 38/30 °C (day/night) for two weeks. Shoot growth rate of two tall fescue cultivars declined significantly under heat stress, and N supply can improved the growth rates, especially for the Barlexas. Chl content, leaf net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, and the maximal efficiency of photosystem 2 photochemistry (F_v/F_m) also decreased...

ISSR primer screening and preliminary evaluation of genetic diversity in wild populations of Gycyrrhiza uralensis

H. Yao, Y. Zhao, D. F. Chen, J. K. Chen, T. S. Zhou

Biologia plantarum 52:117-120, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0022-7

Fourteen efficient inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers were screened and optimized for detecting the genetic diversity in wild populations of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. By using these primers, 249 polymorphic bands out of a total of 270 (92.2 %) were generated from 70 individuals of 4 wild G. uralensis populations sampled from Inner Mongolia Province of China. Nei's gene diversity (h) and Shannon index (I) calculated from the data matrix of the ISSR phenotypes revealed a high level of genetic diversity with h = 0.268 and I = 0.415 within this plant. Analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) showed...

Improvement of in vitro androgenesis in niger using amino acids and polyamines

B. P. Hema, H. N. Murthy

Biologia plantarum 52:121-125, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0024-5

The effects of amino acids (arginine, aspargine, cysteine, glutamine, glycine and proline) and polyamines (putrescine and spermidine) on embryogenesis and plant regeneration from cultured anthers of Guizotia abyssinica (L. f.) Cass. cv. Ootacamund was studied. Supplementation of amino acids (0.5-5.0 mM) to the induction medium individually and in combination, improved embryo yield. B5 medium supplemented with 2 mM proline, 10 µM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2 µM kinetin and 0.2 M sucrose induced highest number of embryos (63 per 60 anthers cultured). Addition of polyamines (5-200 µM) to the same medium also enhanced the...

Seed protein diversity among lentil cultivars

E. Yüzbaşioğlu, L. Açik, S. Özcan

Biologia plantarum 52:126-128, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0025-4

Seed protein diversity of fourteen lentil cultivars grown in Turkey was studied by using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A distance matrix was produced based on five polymorphic protein bands, scored for their absence as 0 and presence as 1. Seed protein distances among the cultivars ranged from 0.00 to 0.80. The dendrogram based on the distance matrix indicated two distinct clusters. The first cluster includes the cultivars Sultan 1, Meyveci 2001 and Kayi 91. The second cluster contains the cultivars Pul 11, Ozbek, Emre 20, Malazgirt 89, Ciftci, Seyran 96, AliDayi, Firat 87, Sazak, Erzurum 89 and YerliKirmizi.

Growth and ultrastructural characteristics of Citrus cells grown in medium containing NaCl

A. L. Ferreira, M. E. Lima-Costa

Biologia plantarum 52:129-132, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0026-3

Changes in growth and structural properties of Citrus cell line Carvalhal acclimated to 100 mM NaCl in the medium were compared to unacclimated control cells and cells exposed to 100 mM NaCl. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed presence of ring-shaped mitochondria, increase in the number of amyloplasts and lipid bodies, higher cell wall thickness and partitioned vacuoles in acclimated cells.

Headspace-SPME of in vitro shoot-cultures and micropropagated plants of Lavandula viridis

S. Gonçalves, H. Serra, J. M. F. Nogueira, R. Almeida, L. Custódio, A. Romano

Biologia plantarum 52:133-136, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0027-2

In this work the volatiles emitted from in vitro shoot-cultures and micropropagated plants of Lavandula viridis L'Hér. were characterized and compared with those obtained from the field-grown mother-plant, using headspace solid phase micro-extraction following by capillary gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS). The headspace composition consisted mainly in oxygenated monoterpenes (66.7-79.2 %), where the major constituents emitted by the mature field-grown mother-plant, in vitro shoot-cultures and micropropagated plants were 1,8-cineole (74.0, 51.9 and 57.8 %) and camphor (2.9, 15.3 and 8.7 %), respectively....

Calcium-dependent signaling pathway in the heat-induced oxidative injury in Amaranthus lividus

S. Bhattacharjee

Biologia plantarum 52:137-140, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0028-1

Heat caused reduction in membrane protein thiol content, increased accumulation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and reduced germination rate and early growth in germinating Amaranthus lividus seeds. Imposition of heat stress during early germination also causes accumulation of reactive oxygen species like superoxide and hydrogen peroxide while activities of antioxidative enzymes catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase decreased. Calcium chelator (EGTA), calcium channel blocker (LaCl₃) and calmodulin inhibitor (trifluroperazine) aggravated these effects. Added calcium reversed the effect of heat, implying...

In vitro plant regeneration in six cultivars of Capsicum spp. using different explants

K. Sanatombi, G. J. Sharma

Biologia plantarum 52:141-145, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0029-0

In vitro regeneration from leaf, cotyledon and hypocotyl explants of six cultivars belonging to three species of Capsicum was achieved by direct organogenesis. The cultivar Umorok showed the best response while Meiteimorok, Haomorok, Mashingkha and Uchithi showed intermediate response and the cultivar Chiengpi was the least responsive. Leaf and cotyledon explants regenerated more shoots than hypocotyl explants and the maximum number of shoots were produced on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium containing 8.8 µM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) with 11.4 µM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Elongation of shoot buds derived from different...

Micropropagation of Ailanthus altissima and in vitro heavy metal tolerance

E. Gatti

Biologia plantarum 52:146-148, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0030-7

Ailanthus altissima, a fast-growing and contamination-resistant species is investigated for its use in areas contaminated by heavy metals. A micropropagation protocol for A. altissima was developed, cultured shoots were tested for in vitro heavy metals tolerance. Proliferation rate and shoot length were affected by 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and Murashige and Skoog's (MS) salt concentrations, best results were obtained in full strength MS medium supplemented with 1.32 or 2.64 µM BAP. Rooting percentage was strongly influenced by indole-3-butyric acid. Cultures of A. altissima exposed to heavy metals demonstrated a tolerance...

Limited variability of CTG/CAG repeats in Lycopersicon nuclear DNA

D. Dimitrova, O. Georgiev, C. Valkova, B. Atanassova, L. Karagyozov

Biologia plantarum 52:149-152, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0031-6

Seven clones containing (CTG)_n/(CAG)_n repeats (n ≥ 4) were isolated by screening Lycopersicon esculentum genomic DNA. Four of the clones contained more than one simple sequence repeat (SSR). The SSRs were analyzed in several L. esculentum cultivars after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. No length variations were observed, suggesting considerable locus stability. Five clones are from transcribed regions, which might explain the lack of cultivar variations. However the conservation of CTG repeats was limited as differences in some transcribed loci were registered between L. pennellii and other...

Effects of the timing of calcium application on the alleviation of salt stress in the maize, tall fescue, and reed canarygrass seedlings

Y. Maeda, R. Nakazawa

Biologia plantarum 52:153-156, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0033-4

Calcium chloride (0.3 or 10 mM) was applied to the growth medium before, together with, or after sodium chloride application, and the effect of the timing of Ca application on the alleviation of salt stress was investigated. Seedlings of maize, tall fescue, and reed canarygrass were grown in medium with 0 and 200 mM NaCl for 5 d. Regardless of the plant species the maximum alleviation of NaCl stress was achieved when CaCl₂ and NaCl coexisted in the growth medium. The effects of Ca application were connected with the decrease in the Na content in the plant roots and shoots and increased ATPase activity in the roots.

Effects of silicon on photosynthesis, water relations and nutrient uptake of Phaseolus vulgaris under NaCl stress

P. Zuccarini

Biologia plantarum 52:157-160, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0034-3

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of silicon application on Phaseolus vulgaris L. under two levels of salt stress (30 and 60 mM NaCl in the irrigation water). Salinity significantly reduced growth, stomatal conductance and net photosynthetic rate, and increased Na⁺ and Cl^- content mainly in roots. Silicon application enhanced growth of salt stressed plants, significantly reduced Na⁺ content especially in leaves and counterbalanced the effects of NaCl on gas exchange; the effect was more evident at 30 mM NaCl. Cl^- content in shoots and roots was not significantly modified...

Water stress induced changes in the leaf lipid composition of four grapevine genotypes with different drought tolerance

I. Toumi, M. Gargouri, I. Nouairi, P. N. Moschou, A. Ben Salem-Fnayou, A. Mliki, M. Zarrouk, A. Ghorbel

Biologia plantarum 52:161-164, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0035-2

To dissect differences in both lipid accumulation and composition and the role of these modifications during drought stress, four grapevine cultivars exhibiting differential tolerance to drought were subjected to water shortage. Tolerant cultivars, Kahli Kerkennah and Cardinal, exhibited higher leaf water potential (Ψ_w), and lower lipid peroxidation compared to the sensitive cultivars Guelb Sardouk and Superior Seedless during stress. Total lipid amounts increased during stress only in the leaves of the tolerant cultivars. Drought induced increases in the ratios digalactosyldiacylglycerol/monogalactosyldiacylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine/phoshatidylethanolamine...

Interactive effects of cadmium and aluminum on growth and antioxidative enzymes in soybean

I. H. Shamsi, K. Wei, G. P. Zhang, G. H. Jilani, M. J. Hassan

Biologia plantarum 52:165-169, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0036-1

The effects of Al, Cd and pH on growth, photosynthesis, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and some antioxidant enzyme activities of the two soybean cultivars with different Al tolerance were determined using a hydroponic culture. There were six treatments as follows: pH 6.5; pH 4.0; pH 6.5 + 1.0 µM Cd; pH 4.0 + 1.0 µM Cd; pH 4.0 + 150 µM Al; pH 4.0 + 1.0 µM Cd + 150 µM Al. The results showed that the low pH (4.0) and Al treatments caused marked reduction in the growth (root and shoot length and dry mass), chlorophyll content (SPAD value) and net photosynthetic rate. Higher malondialdehyde content, superoxide dismutase (SOD)...

The effects of salicylic acid on pigment contents in ultraviolet radiation stressed pepper plants

K. Mahdavian, K. M. Kalantari, M. Ghorbanli, M. Torkzade

Biologia plantarum 52:170-172, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0037-0

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants were sprayed with salicylic acid (SA) and treated with ultraviolet radiation UV-A (320-390 nm), UV-B (312 nm), and UV-C (254 nm) of 6.1, 5.8, and 5.7 W m^-2, respectively. UV significantly reduced contents of chlorophyll (Chl) a and b, and carotenoids (Car). SA treatment moderated Chl and Car reduction in plants treated with UV-B and UV-C. The quantity of antocyanins, flavonoids, rutin, and UV-absorbing compounds in plants that were treated with UV-B, UV-C, and SA were significantly increased. Foliar spray of SA counteracted the UV effects on pepper.

Seed germination and in vitro propagation of Maytenus canariensis through regeneration of adventitious shoots from axillary and apical buds

F. Gutiérrez-Nicolás, Á. G. Ravelo, R. Zárate

Biologia plantarum 52:173-176, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0038-z

Seed germination and micropropagation protocols of the medicinal species Maytenus canariensis (Loes.) G. Kunkel & Sunding were optimized. In vitro seed germination occurred (86 to 94.7 %) only after treatment of the seeds with H₂SO₄, followed by surface sterilization and culture on solid nutrient medium without any growth regulators. Micropropagation failed when explants were taken from mature trees, and browning of the nutrient medium frequently occurred despite testing many growth media. Nonetheless, adventitious shoot regeneration was achieved employing axillary or apical buds taken from 2-2.5 months old plantlets...

Trichloroacetic acid of different origin in Norway spruce needles and chloroplasts

S. T. Forczek, P. Schröder, L. Weissflog, G. Krüger, J. Rohlenová, M. Matucha

Biologia plantarum 52:177-180, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0039-y

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA), a secondary atmospheric pollutant, is also formed in forest soil and thus ranked among natural organohalogens. The observed biooxidation of atmospheric tetrachloroethene (PER) to TCA in chloroplasts has led to the investigation of the mode of action of TCA in spruce needles, since TCA is also accumulated in the needles after its rapid uptake from soil by roots. Being phytotoxic, TCA considerably influences conifers by affecting their photosynthetic apparatus. We examined the transport of TCA from soil into chloroplasts in order to compare the effects of TCA on conifers from both sources, i.e. endogenously produced...

Effect of abscisic acid and proline on in vitro flowering in Vigna aconitifolia

S. N. Saxena, N. Kaushik, R. Sharma

Biologia plantarum 52:181-183, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0040-5

An experiment was taken up to find out possibilities of manipulating the in vitro flowering in moth bean. Abscisic acid (ABA) and proline both alone and in combination influenced days to flower induction, number of flowers per plant, number of pods per plant and seeds per pod. Frequency of flowering plants approached 100 % at 1 and 3 µM ABA and 800 µM proline. The range of flowering period (3 to 23.6 d) has also been influenced by various treatments.

Optimum storage conditions for product of transiently expressed epitopes of Human papillomavirus using Potato virus X-based vector

N. Čeřovská, H. Hoffmeisterová, T. Moravec, H. Plchová, J. Folwarczna, R. Hadámková

Biologia plantarum 52:184-186, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0041-4

We describe the optimized storage conditions of recombinant Potato virus A coat protein (ACP) carrying two different epitopes from Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16). Epitope derived from minor capsid protein L2 was expressed as N-terminal fusion with ACP while an epitope derived from E7 oncoprotein was fused to its C-termini. The construct was cloned into Potato X potexvirus (PVX) based vector and transiently expressed in plants using Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated inoculation. The effect of storage conditions on the serological activity of L2ACPE7 was studied by ELISA using IgG anti PVX, PVA and L2. Purified L2ACPE7...

Plant regeneration in Robinia pseudoacacia from cell suspension cultures

K. Kanwar, B. Kaushal, S. Abrol, Raj Deepika

Biologia plantarum 52:187-190, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0042-3

A method for plant regeneration in Robinia pseudoacacia L. from cell suspension culture was established. Non regenerative friable callus from hypocotyls and cotyledon explants from in vitro raised seedling induced on solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.05 mg dm^-3 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was used for initiation of cell suspension cultures on same MS medium but without agar. Single cells were isolated after 3 d and the optimum cell density was 1-3 × 10⁴ cells per cm³ of the liquid MS medium. Plating efficiency was 29.6 % and callus formed within 4 weeks was subcultured...

Micropropagation of Harpagophytum procumbens

S. Kaliamoorthy, G. Naidoo, P. Achar

Biologia plantarum 52:191-194, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0043-2

An efficient protocol for micropropagation of Harpagophytum procumbens DC., an endangered African medicinal plant, was developed. Maximum shoot multiplication without callus was obtained from nodal explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal salts plus Gamborg's (B₅) vitamins supplemented with 0.1 mg dm^-3 indole-3-acetic acid and 5.0 mg dm^-3 kinetin. The shoots were subsequently subcultured every 3 weeks on the same medium. Detached axillary shoots were transferred to MS basal salts plus B₅ vitamins supplemented with various concentrations of α-naphthalene-acetic acid or indole-3-butyric...

Somatic embryogenesis in Araucaria angustifolia

A. L. Wendt dos Santos, N. Steiner, M. P. Guerra, K. Zoglauer, B. M. Moerschbacher

Biologia plantarum 52:195-199, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0044-1

Immature and mature zygotic embryos were used as source of explants for induction of somatic embryogenesis in Araucaria angustifolia. Embryogenic cultures (EC) were only obtained from immature zygotic embryos. Basic medium, carbon source, and genotype showed a significant influence on the formation of stage I somatic embryos (SE). When EC were submitted to maturation conditions, SE continued their individual development until stage II, but mature embryos were not obtained. Proteins secreted by embryogenic cultures were, to a certain degree, genotype specific and included an extracellular class IV chitinase and β-1-3-glucanase.

Larceny, R.K., Koebner, R.M.D. (ed.): Model Plants and Crop Improvement

J. Safar

Biologia plantarum 52:79, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0011-x

Schekman, R., Goldstein L., Rossant, J. (ed.): Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology. Vol. 23

T. Gichner

Biologia plantarum 52:86, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0013-8

Pugnaire, F.I., Valladares, F. (ed.): Functional Plant Ecology

J. Gloser

Biologia plantarum 52:120, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0023-6

Quest-Ritson, C.: Climbing Roses of the World

V. Větvička

Biologia plantarum 52:152, 2008 | DOI: 10.1007/s10535-008-0032-5