Book reviews

T. Gichner

Biologia plantarum 36:266, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921098

Book review

M. Cvikrová, I. Tichá

Biologia plantarum 36:276, 1994

Constitutive expression of extracellular peroxidase isoenzymes capable of oxidizing 4-hydroxystilbenes during the growth cycle of grapevine suspension cell cultures

A. A. Calderón, J. M. Zapata, M. A. Pedreño, A. Ros Barceló

Biologia plantarum 36:161, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921080

The constitutive expression of peroxidase isoenzymes which are capable of oxidizing 4-hydroxystilbenes was studied during the growth cycle of suspension cell cultures from grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Monastrell) berries. the results showed that the growth of suspension cell cultures is accompanied by the constitutive expression of the peroxidase isoenzymes HSPrx 1 and HSPrx 2, previously characterised by their properties for oxidizing 4-hydroxystilbene, the expression of these isoenzymes being characteristic of Monastrell vines brought to a resistant state. However, although the differential catalytic properties of these grapevine isoenzymes...

Effect of growth regulators onin vitro propagation ofFicus benjamina cv. Exotica

J. B. del Amo-Marco, I. Picazo

Biologia plantarum 36:167-173, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921081

Stem internodes with axillary buds were excised from 5-year old trees ofFicus benjamina cv. Exotica. The effect of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), gibberellic acid (GA₃), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on shoot growth and proliferationin vitro was investigated. Multiple shoots were developed after 3-4 weeks from stem internodes with axillary buds incubated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with phloroglucinol (PG) and BAP. Optimum shoot proliferation took place in the presence of 1.0 mg l^-1 BAP. Shoots obtained could be elongated in a...

Peroxidase activities and contents of phenolic acids in embryogenic and nonembryogenic alfalfa cell suspension cultures

M. Hrubcová, M. Cvikrová, J. Eder

Biologia plantarum 36:175, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921083

Contents of phenolic acids, peroxidase activities and growth curves showed significant differences in embryogenic (EC) and nonembryogenic (NEC) suspension cultures ofMedicago sativa L. NEC gave a typical growth curve while in EC the distinct phases were absent. The total content of phenolic acids was higher in NEC (related to EC), changed during the growth cycle and most of the acids occurred in ester-bound methanol soluble form. The level of phenolic acids in EC was significantly lower and did not change during 12-d cultivation. The major fraction was formed by phenolic acids ester-bound to the cell wall. The cytoplasmic peroxidase activity...

Increase of callus and embryoid production from hypocotyl protoplasts of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) by culture in microdrops

J. Šamaj, A. Okolot, M. Bobak, Yu. Gleba

Biologia plantarum 36:183, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921084

Hypocotyls of seedling plants of the sunflower inbred line HNK-81 were used as a source of protoplasts. Optimal conditions of isolation and culture of protoplasts were established. Using the method of individual culture in microdrops, a 77% final plating efficiency was achieved. Cytokinins, especially zeatin, showed a significant influence on the formation of globular embryo-like structures, but these failed to develop into mature embryos. Calli obtained in liquid media containing auxins and cytokinins grew on agar solidified media without growth regulators.

Direct organogenesis in hop - a prerequisite for an application ofA. tumefaciens-mediated transformation

S. Rakouský, J. Matoušek

Biologia plantarum 36:191-200, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921085

The regeneration ability of primary explants derived from mericlones of two commercial Bohemian hops was investigated. It was found that these hops are able to regenerate shoots by direct organogenesis on media containing BAP or zeatin at concentrations 0.5-2 mg dm^-3. The highest regeneration of shoots was achieved from either petioles or internodes at frequencies 21% and 52%, respectively, on the medium containing zeatin (2 mg dm^-3), while relatively low amount of regenerated shoots (1.3%) was observed for leaf blade explants. On the other hand, more efficient rooting occurred on the leaf blades then on other explants. A similar...

The relationships between ethylene production and germination ofCicer arietinum seeds

M. Gallardo, P. Muñoz de Rueda, A. Matilla, I. M. Sanchez-Calle

Biologia plantarum 36:201, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921086

The germination percentage of chick-pea (Cicer arietinum) Seeds was greatly reduced by temperatures of 30°C and 35°C. This thermoinhibition was overcome by ethylene (ethrel). Both ABA and PEG diminished ethylene production and germination percentage in a parallel way. FC, MGBG and CHA stimulated both ethylene production and germination. AVG reduced ethylene production to some extent but did not inhibit germination. CoCl₂ and PG completely prevented both ethylene production and germination; this effect was reversed by ethylene but not by its immediate precursor ACC. NBE prevented both germination and ethylene production. Our results...

Influence of water stress on photosynthesis and variable chlorophyll fluorescence of potato leaves

J. Zrůst, K. Vacek, J. Hála, I. Janáčková, F. Adamec, M. Ambrož, J. Dian, M. Vácha

Biologia plantarum 36:209-214, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921088

Net photosynthetic rate (P_N), productivity and the first phases of the fluorescence induction curve were investigated in leaves of two potato cultivars exposed to water stress. Water stress applied to potato plants at the beginning of their development (planting-bud formation) increased productivity but decreased P_N and variable fluorescence (F_v) of leaves. The short-term influence of water stress on the same plants also diminished the F_v.

The use of a micronucleus test to characterise adaptation ofVicia faba root tip cells to gamma-radiation

P. Kuglík, R. Veselská

Biologia plantarum 36:215-220, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921089

Pretreatment ofVicia faba root tip cells with low doses of⁶⁰Co γ-radiation can reduce the yield of micronuclei induced by a subsequent high dose of γ-radiation (1.5 Gy). This adaptation to γ-radiation possesses the following characteristics: (1) this phenomenon can be induced by an optimal range of low doses of γ-radiation applied acutely or fractionally; (2) the expression of this response seems to be transitory and depends on the time interval between adapting and challenging doses of γ-radiation.

The effect of gamma irradiation on growth characteristics and arbutin content of bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, cv. arbuta)

M. Sovová, J. Opatrná, L. Jahodář

Biologia plantarum 36:221-228, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921090

Between 1986 and 1989 we studied the influence of γ-irradiation (2.5-80 Gy) on growth processes and the content of arbutin glycoside. Bearberry [Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Sprengel] shows polycyclic characteristics of growth; the vegetation period is divided by summer dormancy (June) into periods of spring and summer growth. As plants age the summer dormancy gets longer and the period of summer growth is shorter. Irradiation with a dose of 80 Gy was lethal and a dose of 60 Gy damaged plants so much that they were not able to grow in the first spring after irradiation. Significant growth stimulation (both in the height of plants and in...

Superoxide dismutase level in response to paraquat and high temperature in the cyanobacteriumGloeocapsa sp

O. H. E. Hammouda

Biologia plantarum 36:229-236, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921091

Paraquat (methylviologen) at concentrations above 0.05 mM inhibited the growth of photoautotrophic cyanobacteriumGleeocapsa sp. in axenic cultures. The growth rate was not affected by concentrations of 0.01 mM or less. This concentration resulted after a lag period in a moderate increase in superoxide dismutase level. After removal of paraquat, the cyanobacterium continued to generate higher levels of superoxide dismutase. There was a lag period of one hour before resumption of normal enzyme activity. Addition of puromycin at concentration of 0.5 mg cm^-3 had no effect on cell survival, but greatly enhanced the sensitivity of the culture...

Biochemical changes in low-irradiance tolerant and susceptible rice cultivars

P. K. Chowdhury, M. Thangaraj, M. Jayapragasam

Biologia plantarum 36:237, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921092

In the topmost leaves of low-irradiance (LI) tolerant CO 43 and LI susceptible IR 20 rice cultivars, the contents of chlorophyll (chl)a andb and carotenoids and the Hill reaction activity increased under LI. The increase was greater in cv. CO 43 than that in cv. IR 20, and in Chlb than in Chla. The contents of soluble proteins and reducing sugars and nitrate reductase activity of the leaves decreased while the content of non-reducing sugars increased due to shading. The decrease in reducing sugars was greater in cv. CO 43 than in cv. IR 20. On the other hand, the decrease in soluble proteins and nitrate reductase was much...

Water use efficiency inFlaveria andMoricandia species

P. Apel

Biologia plantarum 36:243, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921093

The water use efficiency (WUE) of the C₃-C₄ intermediate speciesFlaveria anomala andF. pubescens was similar to that found inF. cronquistii (C₃). Compared to this values, the value inF. brownii (C₄-like) was significantly increased and was doubled inF. trinervia (C₄).Moricandia arvensis, a species with an enhanced CO₂ reassimilation potential has a very similar water use efficiency asM. moricandioides (C₃ but a lower transpiration rate.

Osmotic adjustment in leaves ofLycopersicon esculentum andL. pennellii in response to saline water irrigation

A. Torrecillas, J. J. Alarcon, M. J. Sanchez-Blanco, M. C. Bolarin

Biologia plantarum 36:247-254, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921094

Two tomato species (Lycopersicon esculentum andL. pennellii) were grown under unheated plastic greenhouse and irrigated with 0 or 140 mM NaCl. Salinity induces a more important reduction in predawn leaf water potential (ψ_pd) inL. esculentum than inL. pennellii. In both species the osmotic adjustment was achieved by active solute accumulation. The leaf water potential at turgor loss point (ψ_tlp) seemed to be controlled by leaf osmotic potential (ψ_os). The results revealed the existence of limits to the accumulation of osmotic solutes in leaf tissues and the existence of an ontogenetic...

Organic substances responsible for salt tolerance inEruca sativa

M. Ashraf

Biologia plantarum 36:255-259, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921095

Responses of a salt tolerant and a normal population of an oilseed crop,Eruca sativa Mill. were assessed after four weeks growth in sand culture salinized with 0 (control), 100, 200, or 300 mol m^-3 NaCl. The salt tolerant plants produced significantly greater dry biomass than the normal population. The populations did not differ significantly in leaf osmotic potential, relative water content and leaf soluble proteins. However, the tolerant population accumulated significantly greater amounts of soluble sugars, proline and free amino acids in the leaves compared with the non-tolerant population. It is established that leaf soluble...

Influence of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on chemical composition and activity of some enzymes in celery during its growth

E. Gurgul, B. Herman

Biologia plantarum 36:261-265, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921097

The influence of N, P, K supply on the contents of dry mass, chlorophyll (a+b), vitamin C, saccharides and the activities of peroxidase (E.C. 1.11.1.7), catalase (E.C. 1.11.1.6), and acid phosphatase (E.C.3.1.3.2) in leaves of celery plants during their growth stages was investigated. A correlation between the amount of N, P, K and the chemical composition and catalytic activities of enzymes was found.

Effects of metribuzin herbicide on nitrogen, pigments, protease and nitrate reductase activity of normal and NaCl-stressed castor bean and maize plants

H. M. El-Saht, M. N. A. Hasaneen, F. M. Bassyoni

Biologia plantarum 36:267, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921099

Addition of 0.5 and 2.5 gm^-3 of metribuzin into Hoagland nutrient media, either alone or in combination with NaCl, induced significant decreases in nitrate-, amino-, ammonia-, and total soluble-N contents, whereas significant increases in these nitrogen fractions were apparent in maize and castor bean seedlings and plants treated with high concentrations (5 and 10 g m^-3) of the herbicide, again either alone or in combination with NaCl. Protein- and total-N contents increased and decreased at low and high concentrations of the herbicide, respectively. The contents of chlorophyllsa andb, as well as carotenoids of both...

Proline metabolic pathways in calli fromLycopersicon esculentum andL. pennellii under salt stress

A. Rus-Alvarez, G. Guerrier

Biologia plantarum 36:277-284, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921101

The enzyme activities of the proline metabolic pathways were determined in control and satt-treated (140 M NaCl) calli derived from cotyledons of the domestic saltsensitive tomatoLycopersicon esculentum and the wild salt-tolerantL. pennellii. Glutamate, glutamine, asparagine, and aspartate levels increased in both genotypes under salt stress, while proline accumulation increased markedly only in the salt sensitive tomato. Activity of glutamine synthetase (GS) decreased in the salt-treated calli of the domestic species, whereas both NADH- and NADPH-glutamate synthase (GOGAT) activities increased; GS and NADPH-GOGAT decreased together in...

Instability of potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) cDNA inAgrobacterium tumefaciens

J. Matoušek, L. Trněná, S. Rakouský, D. Riesner

Biologia plantarum 36:285, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921102

Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd, severe strain) was isolated from tobacco plants transformed with a dimeric infectious expression construct which was maintained for a long time inAgrobacterium tumefaciens. Afterin vitro hybridization of PSTVd to complete minus transcripts of PSTVd (lethal), the resulting heteroduplexes were analyzed by electrophoresis under native conditions. Electrophoretic analysis revealed an appearence of electrophoretically distinguishable heteroduplexes, suggesting an accumulation of mutated sequence variants of PSTVd had occurred in the plant transformants. TGGE analysis of PSTVd cDNA, re-cloned from the original...

Enhancement of faba bean nodulation, nitrogen fixation and growth by different microorganisms

S. A. Omar, M. H. Abd-Alla

Biologia plantarum 36:295-300, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921103

The effect of four bacterial and six fungal species on nodulation and growth ofVicia faba cv. Giza 3 inoculated withRhizobium leguminosarum biovarviceae strain RCR 1001 were assessed in a pot experiment.Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Aspergillus niger andA. quadriliniatus either alive cells or sterile filtrate significantly promoted nodulation, growth and nitrogen accumulation. Heat-killed cells had no effect.

Cellular and whole plant responses ofVigna radiata to NaCl stress

A. Gulati, P. K. Jaiwal

Biologia plantarum 36:301-307, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921104

The effect of different NaCl regimes was examined on the growth and ion accumulation in whole plants and callus cultures ofVigna radiata. Whole plants grown in sand culture were watered with Hoagland's solution supplemented with 0-350 mol m^-3 of NaCl. Callus cultures were initiated from leaves of 7-d old seedlings of the same seed stock and grown in modified PC-L2 medium containing the same levels of NaCl as in Hoagland's solution. Callus showed the same tolerance to salt as did the whole plant suggesting thatV. radiata appears to have a mechanism(s) for salt tolerance which operates at the cellular level. Ion analysis of whole...

Different regeneration potential of various sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes in meristem culture

J. Šamaj, O. Auxtová, M. Bobák

Biologia plantarum 36:309-311, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921106

Eleven genotypes of sunflower were used to screen their regeneration potential in a meristem regeneration test. The inbred line HNK-81 showed the best regeneration of shoots directly from apical meristems and meristem derived calli, and rarely also the formation of adventious shoots from leaves of regenerated shoots.

Correlation between physico-chemical properties of quaternary ammonium salts of heptacaine and their inhibitory activity against photosynthesizing organisms

K. Kráľová, D. Loos, F. Šeršeň, J. Čižmárik

Biologia plantarum 36:313, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921107

Photosynthesis inhibition in algae (Chlorella) and plant (spinach) chloroplasts by quaternary ammonium salts of heptacaine {N-[2-(2-heptyloxyphenylcarbamoyloxy)-ethyl]-N-alkylpiperidinium bromides} depended on the alkyl chain length of the alkyl substituent and showed good correlations with theoretical hydrophobic fragment constants as well as with experimentally determined physico-chemical parameters, namely extraction constants and surface activities.

Methyl jasmonate inhibits growth and flowering inChenopodium rubrum

J. T. P. Albrechtová, J. Ullmann

Biologia plantarum 36:317, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921108

C. rubrum plants of different age were treated with methyl jasmonate (JA-Me), in some cases in combination with photoperiodic flower induction. Plants treated with JA-Me (3×10^-4, 3×10^-5 and 5×10^-7M) showed inhibition of growth and flowering. No effect of JA-Me application on ethylene formation was observed.

Briggs, W.R., Jones, R.L., Walbot, V. (ed.):Annual review of plant physiology and plant Molecular biology. Vol. 43, 1992

Z. Šesták

Biologia plantarum 36:174, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921082

Lampert, W., Sommer, U.: Limnoökologie

M. Straškraba

Biologia plantarum 36:208, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921087

Rychnovská, M. (ed.). Structure and functioning of seminatural meadows

J. Pospíšilová

Biologia plantarum 36:260, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921096

Smith, J.A.C., Griffiths, H. (ed.): Water deficits. Plant responses from cell to community. (Environmental plant biology series)

J. Pospíšilová

Biologia plantarum 36:308, 1994 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02921105