Book reviews

J. Tupý, M. Kamínek, Ingrid Tichá, T. Gichner, J. Šatava, Jiřina Slavíková

Biologia plantarum 28:316-320, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902303

Localization of axillary meristems during different stages of radish ontogenesis

Zofia Michno-Zatorska, Teresa Szcześniak, Sławomira Ciesielska

Biologia plantarum 28:241, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902285

An analysis of axillary meristem (axillary bud) localization of radish (Raphanus sativus L. cv. Tetra-Iłówiecka) was undertaken on vernalized (flowering) and unvernalized (vegetative) plants. It has been shown that the localization of these meristems can be different on successive nodes of the same plant and is connected with the development stages of the plants. The axillary meristems can arise on the stem as well as in the leaf axil or on the base of the subtending leaf. The localization of axillary meristems has been discussed in relation to growth directions and growth correlations inside the meristematic region of the shoot apex.

Water relations of the upper and lower surfaces of maize leaves

M. B. Kirkham

Biologia plantarum 28:249, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902287

The objective of this study was to determine if the two surfaces of a leaf had different, or the same, water potentials. Maize (Zea mays L. cv. Cargill 805) was the test plant. During an 11 day period, the water potentials of the upper and lower surfaces of the maize leaves were measured daily with anin situ thermocouple psychrometer under growth-room conditions. Plants were grown in pots with a well-watered, commercial greenhouse soil. Stomatal resistance also was measured. The water potential of the upper surface was less negative (more wet) than that of the lower surface. The overall average of the water potential of the upper and...

The role of seed coat in early stages of soybean germination

I. F. M. Valio

Biologia plantarum 28:258, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902289

The presence of the seed coat delays the early stages of germination of soybean embryos. This retardation seems to be due to the seed coat acting as a mechanical barrier to seedling. Although entire soybean seeds are insensitive to light, removal of the seed coat induces a light requiring condition. The early germination of naked seeds or isolated embryonic axes is enhanced by darkness. Red light produced a similar effect as white, providing evidence for the effective wavelength of the photo-inhibition. Far-red light acted similarly to darkness in promoting the early germination of the embryos. It is suggested that possibly light may act through phytochrome...

Binary plant vector based on Ri plasmid and part of T-DNA of the Ti plasmid

M. Ondřej, Růzena Bísková, J. Vlasák

Biologia plantarum 28:265, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902290

A binary vector system inA. tumefaciens for the introduction of foreign genes into the plant genome was developed. The first component is the Ri plasmid and the second component is a small vector plasmid, replicating inAgrobacterium, which carries the 25 bp terminal sequence of the Ti plasmid, theNos gene as the selectable marker and neighbouring sequences of the Ti plasmid. Functions necessary for integration are providedin trans by the virulence region of the Ri plasmid. Transformed cells are selected on the basis of hairy root tumor proliferation and agropine synthesis. They also showNos activity coded by the gene...

Localization of acid phosphatase activity in maize root under phosphorus deficiency

Marie Kummerová

Biologia plantarum 28:270, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902291

The effect of phosphorus deficiency on acid phosphatase activity in the apical, middle and basal parts of the root of maize plants was followed. The supernatant obtained by centrifuging the homogenate of plant tissue at 1500 ×g was further centrifuged at 18 000 ×g, the sediment being marked as fraction II and the supernatant as fraction III. The results obtained document the fact that acid phosphatase activity of the two fractions of all analyzed root segments was higher in plants cultured in nutrient medium without phosphate than in those containing phosphorus in nutrient medium. In most cases this difference was significant to highly...

Salt tolerance ofChamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert tissue cultures

Eva Čellárová, Klára Repčáková, R. Hončariv

Biologia plantarum 28:275, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902293

The salt tolerance was studied according to both fresh and dry matter increases of callus cultivated on the media supplemented with various sodium chloride concentrations as well as a high amount of K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ ions as found in the East Slovakia salt soil lowland. The cells tolerate salinity at least up to 85 mM. According to statistical evaluation the salt concentrations used did not inhibit growth rate and development of tissue cultures.

Respiration rates of some greenhouse cultivated tropical and subtropical species

N. P. Todaria

Biologia plantarum 28:280, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902294

A comparative study of dark respiration and effects of high and low temperature on dark respiration in five greenhouse cultivated tropical and sub-tropical species was made. The respiration rates determined manometrically were low in all species. Respiration rates increased with increasing temperature. Low temperature treatment accelerated the rate of respiration at 25 °G except in two species. An attempt has been made to determine the critical and optimum temperature for these species. The respiratory behaviour of these species has been discussed with respect to their original habitats and prevailing environmental conditions.

Characterization of phosphate esters in the shoots and roots of alfalfa plants susceptible and resistant to bacterial wilt

I. Hanker, Anna Kůdelová

Biologia plantarum 28:288, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902295

Acid-soluble phosphate esters were determined in extracts of plant material after a 24 h exposure of the roots of intact alfalfa plants to nutrient media labelled with³²P_i. Similar phosphate ester patterns were found in 2-, 3-, 8-, and 9-week-old plants with the exception of Gra-P which could be detected only in shoot extracts. However, phosphate ester levels differed in the shoots and roots. Whereas Fru-P₂, Glc-6-P, Fru-6-P, and adenine nucleotides were more abundant in the shoots, Grn-P and P-choline levels were higher in the roots. Certain differences in the levels of P-esters were also recorded between plants susceptible...

Pattern of dry matter accumulation in developing fruit parts of early- and late-maturing pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan (L.)Millsp.)

Savita S. Khatra, Vijay Kumar, P. S. Sidhu

Biologia plantarum 28:297, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902297

Pigeon pea cultivars AL 15 (early-) and T₂₁ (late-maturing) were compared for dry matter accumulation in fruit parts pod wall (PW), seed coats (SC) and seed at various seed developmental stages. Significant water loss and dry matter accumulation in the fruit parts commenced much earlier in cv. AL 15 as compared with cv. T₂₁. The pod wall accumulated starch, reducing sugars and N-substances up to 21 and 28 days after anthesis (DAA) in cultivars AL 15 and T₂₁, respectively, which was later distributed to the seed. Growth of pod wall and seed was sequential, not concurrent, as the pod wall lost significant dry matter when...

Rooting, endogenous root-inducing cofactors and proanthocyanidins in chestnut

Adelina Vázquez, Dolores V. Gesto

Biologia plantarum 28:303, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902299

Rooting cofactors and proanthocyanidins were studied in cuttings ofCastanea sativa Mill. from a natural mutant Nana and juvenile plants, both of which are easy to root, and from adult plants that do not root. Rooting cofactors and a high amount of proanthocyanidins were found in the easy-to-root cuttings, whereas in the adult plants no rooting cofactors were detected and the amount of proanthocyanidins was very low.

Changes in pigments and total phenolics inArtemisia species grown at different altitudes in the Garhwal Himalaya

N. P. Todaria

Biologia plantarum 28:307-309, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902300

With increasing altitude, the concentrations of chlorophyll (chl), carotenoids and phenolics decreased but the chla :b ratio increased in the fourArtemisia species grown at four altitudes. The increase in chla : b ratio was due to a reduction in chlb content. The changes in anthocyanin content were irregular. Thus phenolics and anthocyanin pools may be differently regulated along an altitudinal gradient.

Callus formation and plant regeneration from protonemal protoplasts of the moss Anoectangium thomsonii Mitt.

Praveen K. Saxena, R. Gill

Biologia plantarum 28:310-312, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902301

The protoplasts of the moss Anoectangium thomsonii, isolated from protonemal cells underwent divisions in 48-72 hours on modified MS medium enriched with growth regulators, 2,4-D and kinetin, 10 % sucrose and coconut water (5 %). Subculture of protoplast derived cells in a medium of relatively low osmotic potential (5 % sucrose) produced dark green calli which could be maintained completely undifferentiated.

Removal of browning and growth enhancement by polyvinylpolypyrrolidone in protoplast cultures ofCyamopsis tetragonoloba L.

Praveen K. Saxena, R. Gill

Biologia plantarum 28:313-315, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902302

The occurrence of browning in protoplast cultures ofCyamopsis tetragonoloba completely inhibited the growth of protoplast derived colonies. Of the various additives employed to counteract the problem of browning and subsequent necrosis, polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) was found most effective. Simultaneous addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to the protoplast culture medium accentuated the effect of PVPP and also improved the frequency of protoplast division.

Randall, D. D., Blevins, D. G., Larson, R. L., (ed.):Current topics in plant biochemistry and physiology

Helena Benešová

Biologia plantarum 28:248, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902286

O'neill, I. K., von Borstel, R. C., Miller, C. T., Long, J., Bartsch, H. (ed.): N-Nitroso compounds: Occurence, biological effects and relevance to human cancer

T. Gichner

Biologia plantarum 28:257, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902288

Hoppe, W., Lohmann, W., Markl, H., Ziegler, H. (ed.): Biophysics

Helena Benešová

Biologia plantarum 28:274, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902292

Mantell, S. H., Smith, H. (ed.): Plant Biotechnology

Helena Benešová

Biologia plantarum 28:296, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902296

Huntley, B., Birks, H. J. B.: An atlas of past and present pollen maps for Europe: 0-13 000 years ago

J. Tupý

Biologia plantarum 28:302, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902298

Errata

S. Strother, R. Vatta

Biologia plantarum 28:320, 1986 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02902304