Cellular Damage to the Callus Cells of Potato Subjected to Freezing

M.A. Anjum

Biologia plantarum 46:1-6, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022337411944

Callus cells of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Désirée were exposed to various subzero temperatures and examined for the freezing damage. In the cells subjected to -3 °C, plasma membranes appeared to be intact, while tonoplast seemed to be damaged and organelles to be swollen. After freezing at -6 °C, the damage became severe and plasma membranes were ruptured. After exposure to -10 °C, the damage was so severe that the cell organelles could not be recognised and cytoplasm became fragmented.

Restart of Lignification in Micropropagated Walnut Shoots Coincides with Rooting Induction

B. Bisbis, C. Kevers, M. Crevecoeur, J. Dommes, T. Gaspar

Biologia plantarum 46:1-5, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027360326886

The lignin content of walnut shoots did not change during in vitro shoot multiplication. Lignin content started to increase as soon as shoots were passed to a rooting medium with auxin. Exogenous auxin (applied for rooting) caused a transient elevation of the endogenous free indoleacetic acid (IAA) content with a simultaneous decrease of peroxidase activity. These events typically marked the completion of the rooting inductive phase (before any visible histological event, that is before the cell divisions beginning the rooting initiation phase). This meant that either the given exogenous auxin or the endogenous IAA has served as signal for the...

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

T. Gichner

Biologia plantarum 46:6, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027370023677

Changes in Sugars, Sucrose Synthase Activity and Proteins in Salinity Tolerant Callus and Cell Suspension Cultures of Brassica oleracea L.

O.C. Elavumoottil, J.P. Martín, M.L. Moreno

Biologia plantarum 46:7-12, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022389428782

Salt tolerant callus and cell suspension cultures of Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis were obtained by the selection of cells from cultures growing in medium supplemented with 85, 170, and 255 mM NaCl. Salt adapted calli and cell suspensions differed in their RNA and protein concentrations. These concentrations tend to diminish in calli and increase in cell suspensions, both at one or three weeks periods of growth in NaCl. Contents of sucrose and reducing sugars, however, accumulate similarly both in calli and cell suspensions after NaCl treatments. The activity of sucrose synthase was higher in salt adapted cells than in controls....

Somatic Embryo Formation on Mature Abies alba × Abies cephalonica Zygotic Embryo Explants

T. Salaj, J. Salaj

Biologia plantarum 46:7-11, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027312410957

Somatic embryogenesis was achieved from mature embryos excised from stored hybrid Abies alba × Abies cephalonica seeds. Embryogenic tissue formation occurred on SH medium supplemented with 1 mg dm^-3 benzyladenine. The formation of embryogenic tissue was influenced by the time of storage of seeds. Initiation frequencies 27.2 - 29.0 % were obtained in embryos isolated from 6 month and 1 year stored seeds. Embryos excised from 4-year stored seeds showed no response. Embryogenic structures appeared on the surface of hypocotyl. They originated without previous callus formation. Embryogenic tissues were maintained in long-term cultures....

Campbell, A., Anderson, W.W., Jones, E.W. (ed.): Annual Review of Genetics

T. Gichner

Biologia plantarum 46:12, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027322107747

Molecular Evidence for the Occurrence of H⁺-Transporting V-ATPase Subunit D and Two Different Forms of Subunit E in Leaves of the Obligate CAM Species Kalanchoë daigremontiana

R. Ratajczak, T. Pfeifer, M. Drobny, M. Schnölzer, U. Lüttge

Biologia plantarum 46:13-21, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022341612852

Membrane proteins of purified tonoplast vesicles from leaves of Kalanchoë daigremontiana Hamet et Perrier were solubilized by the non-ionic detergent Triton X-114 and subsequently separated by MonoQ® anion-exchange chromatography. Special attention was given to the range of molecular masses around 30 kDa comprising the central stalk subunit peptides of the H⁺-transporting V-ATPase. Three polypeptides of apparent molecular masses of 32, 33 and 34 kDa were separated. Proteolytic fragments were obtained by trypsin digestion. Analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry of tryptic fragments...

In vitro Plant Regeneration of Melia azedarach L.: Shoot Organogenesis from Leaf Explants

S.K. Vila, A.M. Gonzalez, H.Y. Rey, L.A. Mroginski

Biologia plantarum 46:13-19, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027364427795

In vitro regeneration of Melia azedarach L. was studied. Shoots were regenerated from calli initiated from leaflets of in vitro growing plants. The best medium for establishment of cultures was Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 4.44 μM benzylaminopurine (BAP) + 0.46 μM kinetin (KIN) + 16.29 μM adenine sulphate (ADE). Regenerated shoots were multiplied in MS + 0.44 μM BAP + 0.37 μM KIN + 3.26 μM ADE. Maximal rooting of 89 % was achieved by culture of regenerated shoots in MS + 12.26 μM indole-3-butyric acid for 3 d and subsequently in MS lacking growth regulators for 27 d. Rooted shoots were acclimatized...

Rengel, Z.: Handbook of Plant Growth. pH as the Master Variable

N. Wilhelmová

Biologia plantarum 46:20, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027374124586

Optimisation of Protoplast Production in White Lupin

A. Sinha, A.C. Wetten, P.D.S. Caligari

Biologia plantarum 46:21-25, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027316511865

The influence, was investigated, of abiotic parameters on the isolation of protoplasts from in vitro seedling cotyledons of white lupin. The protoplasts were found to be competent in withstanding a wide range of osmotic potentials of the enzyme medium, however, -2.25 MPa (0.5 M mannitol), resulted in the highest yield of protoplasts. The pH of the isolation medium also had a profound effect on protoplast production. Vacuum infiltration of the enzyme solution into the cotyledon tissue resulted in a progressive drop in the yield of protoplasts. The speed and duration of orbital agitation of the cotyledon tissue played a significant role in the...

Lal, R. (ed.): Soil Carbon Sequestration and the Greenhouse Effect

J. Pospíšilová

Biologia plantarum 46:22, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022313522816

Histone H4 Acetylation Patterns During Seed Germination and Early Plant Development

J. Hodurková, B. Vyskot

Biologia plantarum 46:23-28, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022393629691

Here we studied whether early development of Silene latifolia is accompanied with changes in acetylation of nucleosomal histones H4. Using acid-urea-triton polyacrylamide gel and immunoblotting with specific antisera the histone acetylation in relationship with transcriptional activity, measured by [¹⁴C]-uridine incorporation, was analysed in dry and germinating seeds, seedlings, and adult leaves. We show that quiescent and germinating seeds, until the root tip is released from testa, are characterised by an absence of transcriptional activity and by a low H4 acetylation level: only mono-acetylated isoforms were present. During the...

Isolation of Resistance Gene Analogs in Pepper Using Modified AFLPs

C. Egea-Gilabert, M.J. Dickinson, G. Bilotti, M.E. Candela

Biologia plantarum 46:27-32, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027368528704

An efficient technique for isolation of resistant gene analogs (RGAs) in pepper from silver stained denaturing polyacrylamide gel was developed using a modified amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) strategy. Pepper DNA was digested, ligated and pre-amplified as in a normal AFLP method. The selective amplification was made by using combinations with oligonucleotide primers based on conserved motifs in and around nucleotide binding site (NBS) of known NBS-leucine-rich repeats resistance proteins from known resistant genes. The amplified products were separated by using denaturing polyacrylamide gels and silver staining instead of radioactive...

Partial Purification and N-Terminal Amino Acid Sequencing of a β-1,3-Glucanase from Sorghum Leaves

R. Velazhahan, J. Jayaraj, G.H. Liang, S. Muthukrishnan

Biologia plantarum 46:29-33, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022345713761

A protein with an apparent molecular mass of 30 kDa that cross-reacts with barley glucanase antiserum was detected in healthy leaves of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). When sorghum leaves were infected with Exserohilum turcicum, the causal agent of leaf blight, the 30-kDa glucanase was substantially induced. The 30-kDa glucanase was partially purified from sorghum leaves using ammonium sulfate fractionation and anion exchange chromatography on DEAE-sephacel. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 30-kDa glucanase shows homology to glucanases of maize, barley, bean, soybean, tobacco and pea. The purified 30-kDa glucanase showed...

Changes in the Content of Modified Nucleotides in Wheat rRNA during Greening

I. Parádi, E. Páldi, S. Rudnóy, Z. Bratek, G. Kovács, I. Rácz, D. Lásztity

Biologia plantarum 46:33-38, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027320612774

The modified nucleotide content of the ribosomal RNAs in wheat is greatly influenced by light. The rRNAs of etiolated seedlings contain far fewer modified derivatives. The modified nucleotide composition characteristic of green plants develops gradually as a result of irradiation. In the course of the experiments changes in the state of modification of 5.8S and 18S rRNAs were examined during the greening of etiolated wheat seedlings. Three types of minor nucleotides, O^2'-methyladenosine, O^2'-methylguanosine and pseudouridine were found in the 5.8S rRNA of green wheat leaves, none of which was detected in etiolated wheat. The minor...

Caemmerer, S. von: Biochemical Models of Leaf Photosynthesis.(Techniques in Plant Science No. 2)

J. Pospíšilová

Biologia plantarum 46:34, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022388107795

Responses of Rice Cultivars to the Elevated CO₂

D.C. Uprety, N. Dwivedi, V. Jain, R. Mohan, D.C. Saxena, M. Jolly, G. Paswan

Biologia plantarum 46:35-39, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022349814670

The effect of CO₂ concentration elevated to 575 - 620 µmol mol^-1 on growth, tillering, grain yield, net photosynthetic rate, dark respiration rate, stomatal conductance, sugar content and protein profile of two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars Pusa Basmati-1 and Pusa-677 at flowering stage was studied using open top chambers. The cultivar Pusa Basmati-1 responded more markedly for most of the growth and physiological parameters compared to Pusa-677. The increase in grain yield in Pusa Basmati-1 attributed largely to increased grain number. The increased net photosynthetic rate and greater accumulation of sugar contributed...

Improved Performance of Transgenic Glycinebetaine-Accumulating Rice Plants under Drought Stress

W. Sawahel

Biologia plantarum 46:39-44, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027372629612

Plasmid DNA (pChlCOD), containing the selectable hygromycin phosphotransferase hpt gene for hygromycin B resistance and the Arthrobacter globiformis codA gene for choline oxidase which catalyzes the direct conversion of choline to glycinebetaine, was delivered into rice plants using Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer via scutellum-derived calli. Southern, Northern and Western blot analyses demonstrated that the foreign gene had been transferred, integrated into rice chromosomal DNA and expressed. Drought test indicated that glycinebetaine acts as an osmoprotectant and its production in transgenic rice plant helped the...

PS2001 Proceedings. 12^th International Congress on Photosynthesis

J. Čatský

Biologia plantarum 46:40, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022349428720

Comparison Between Different Methods for Measuring Transpiration in Potted Apple Trees

G. Ferrara, J.A. Flore

Biologia plantarum 46:41-47, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022301931508

Five different methods for measuring transpiration, which include gravimetric analysis (control), heat pulse velocity (HPV), time domain reflectometry (TDR), single leaf and whole plant infrared gas-exchange measurements, have been tested on two cultivars (Redcort and Empire) of young apple trees (Malus communis L.). The objective was to compare these methods and establish the most affordable one to be used in greenhouse conditions in order to determine and/or estimate the amount of water for an efficient irrigation management. Results obtained with TDR were particularly accurate and not statistically different with respect to the control (-4.2...

Biomass Enhancement in Maize and Soybean in Response to Glutamate Dehydrogenase Isomerization

G.O. Osuji, A.S. Mangaroo, J. Reyes, A. Bulgin, V. Wright

Biologia plantarum 46:45-52, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027324713682

The relationship between nutrient composition, crop biomass, and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) isoenzyme pattern was investigated in soybean (Glycine max) and maize (Zea mays) by monitoring the nutrient induced isomerization of the enzyme from the seedling stage to the mature crop. GDH was extracted from the leaves of the plants, and the isoenzymes were fractionated by isoelectric focusing followed by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The isomerization V_max values for soybean GDH, similar to maize GDH increased curvilinearly from 200 - 400 μmol mg^-1 min^-1 as the inorganic phosphate nutrient...

Kumar, A., Srivastava, A.K.: Advanced Topics in Molecular Biology

V. Žárský

Biologia plantarum 46:48, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022370312010

Quercus ilex Transpiration as Affected by a Prolonged Drought Period

J.M. Infante, F. Domingo, R. Fernández Alés, R. Joffre, S. Rambal

Biologia plantarum 46:49-55, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022353915578

The effect of an extended drought (from 1992 to 1995) on water relations was assessed on evergreen oak (Quercus ilex L.) in a dehesa ecosystem (Seville, Southern Spain). Diurnal and seasonal transpiration patterns were analysed at leaf (porometry) and whole-tree level (sap flow), focusing on the relationship between tree transpiration rates (E_t) and potential evapotranspiration rates (PET). Daily maximum E_t varied over the year, becoming higher between May and August, and lower between November and April. Annual E_t (169 - 205 mm y^-1) accounted for less than 40 % of annual rainfall. The prolonged drought...

Free Amino Acid, Protein and Water Content Changes Associated with Seed Development in Araucaria angustifolia

L.V. Astarita, E.I.S. Floh, W. Handro

Biologia plantarum 46:53-59, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027376730521

The free amino acid, protein, water and dry matter contents were determined during the seed development of Araucaria angustifolia. Soluble and insoluble proteins in the mature seed represent 4.2 % of the fresh matter. The embryonic axis stored the greatest amount of soluble proteins, while cotyledons both with the embryonic axis showed the largest quantities of insoluble proteins in the mature seed. The greatest concentration of free amino acids was detected during the stage when cotyledons start to develop. Glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine and serine were predominant in the whole seed while arginine, lysine and γ-aminobutyric acid...

Kiss, S., Simihăian, M.: Improving Efficiency of Urea Fertilizers by Inhibition of Soil Urease Activity

V. Čatská

Biologia plantarum 46:56, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022392012919

Rehydration of Sugar Beet Plants after Water Stress: Effect of Cytokinins

L. Vomáčka, J. Pospíšilová

Biologia plantarum 46:57-62, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022306032416

The possibility to improve the recovery of sugar beet plants after water stress by application of synthetic cytokinins N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) or N⁶-(m-hydroxybenzyl)adenosine (HBA) was tested. Relative water content (RWC), net photosynthetic rate (P_N), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (g_s), chlorophyll (Chl) a and Chl b contents, and photosystem 2 efficiency characterized by variable to maximal fluorescence ratio (F_v/F_m) were measured in control plants, in water-stressed plants, and after rehydration (4, 8, 24, and 48 h). Water stress markedly decreased...

Changes in Activities of Antioxidant Enzymes in Sunflower Leaves of Different Ages

R.K. Sairam, D.V. Singh, G.C. Srivastava

Biologia plantarum 46:61-66, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027328814591

Role of superoxide dismutase isozymes and other antioxidant enzymes was studied in relation to leaf age in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. ACC 1508) at pre-flowering and grain filling stages. Relative water content (RWC) did not change much in leaves of different age and at the two stages. Protein content declined continuously from the youngest to the oldest leaf, while chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoids (Car) contents increased down to 7^th/9^th leaf and declined in subsequent older leaves. Protein, Chl and Car contents were higher at pre-flowering than at seed filling stage. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), its isozymes,...

Effect of Phytohormone Pretreatment on Nitrogen Metabolism in Vigna radiata Under Salt Stress

N. Chakrabarti, S. Mukherji

Biologia plantarum 46:63-66, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022358016487

Application of NaCl (electrical conductivity 4.0 mS cm^-1) resulted in about 52, 50 and 55 % reduction in total nitrogen contents in mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] leaf, root and nodule, respectively. In nodule, nitrogenase activity was reduced by about 84 % under stress as compared with the control set. Glutamine synthetase activity was reduced by about 31, 16 and 23 %, glutamate oxoglutarate aminotransferase activity was reduced by 78, 57 and 42 % and glutamate dehydrogenase activity was reduced by 9, 8 and 42 % in leaf, root and nodule, respectively, under salt stress. The pretreatment with indole-3-acetic acid, gibberellic...

Effect of Kinetin on Starch and Sucrose Metabolising Enzymes in Salt Stressed Chickpea Seedlings

S. Kaur, A.K. Gupta, N. Kaur

Biologia plantarum 46:67-72, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022310100557

Higher amylase activity in cotyledons of kinetin treated salt stressed (75 mM NaCl) chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. cv. PBG-1) seedlings, as compared to salt stressed seedlings was observed during a growth period of 7 d. The activities of acid and alkaline invertases were maximum in shoots and minimum in cotyledons under all conditions. The reduced shoot invertase activities under salt stress were enhanced by kinetin with a simultaneous increase in reducing sugar content. Kinetin increased the activities of sucrose synthase (SS) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) in both the cotyledons and shoots of stressed seedlings. Kinetin appears to increase...

Influence of a Brassinosteroid Analogue on Antioxidant Enzymes in Rice Grown in Culture Medium with NaCl

M. Núñez, P. Mazzafera, L.M. Mazorra, W.J. Siqueira, M.A.T. Zullo

Biologia plantarum 46:67-70, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027380831429

We studied the effects of a polyhydroxylated spirostanic brassinosteroid analogue (BB-16) on the activities of antioxidant enzymes in rice seedlings grown in vitro in culture medium supplemented with NaCl. Seedlings were grown in medium with 75 mM NaCl and 0.001 or 0.01 mg dm^-3 BB-16 for 16 d or 3-d-old seedlings were exposed for 4 d to 0, 0.001 or 0.01 mg dm^-3 BB-16 then further grown in medium with 75 mM NaCl without BB-16. Seedlings exposed to 0.01 mg dm^-3 BB-16 for 16 d showed significant increase in the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) and a slight increase...

The Activity of the Antioxidative System in Cadmium-Treated Arabidopsis thaliana

E. Skórzyńska-Polit, M. Drążkiewicz, Z. Krupa

Biologia plantarum 46:71-78, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027332915500

Changes in the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activity of the antioxidant system were measured in leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh exposed to Cd²⁺. Mature plants growing in the nutrient solution were treated with Cd²⁺ at different concentrations (0, 5, 25, 50, 100 μM). An increase of O₂^.- content in leaves was observed at 5, 25 and 50 μM Cd²⁺. A strong accumulation of H₂O₂ was found only at the lowest Cd²⁺ concentration. The content of OH^*. was high at 50 and 100 μM Cd²⁺. Superoxide dismutase (SOD)...

The Effect of Polyethylene Glycol on Proline Accumulation in Rice Leaves

S.Y. Hsu, Y.T. Hsu, C.H. Kao

Biologia plantarum 46:73-78, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022362117395

The regulation of proline accumulation in polyethylene glycol (PEG, -1.5 MPa) treated rice leaves was investigated. PEG treatment resulted in a decrease in relative water content, indicating that PEG treatment caused water stress in rice leaves. Proline accumulation caused by PEG was related to protein hydrolysis, an increase in ornithine-δ-amino- transferase activity, an increase in the content of ammonia, and an increase in the contents of the precursors of proline biosynthesis, glutamic acid, ornithine, and arginine. Results also show that abscisic acid accumulation is not required for proline accumulation in PEG-treated rice leaves.

Response of Wild Type of Arabidopsis thaliana to Copper Stress

M. Wójcik, A. Tukiendorf

Biologia plantarum 46:79-84, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022314201466

Wild type of Arabidopsis thaliana plants were cultivated hydroponically in Hoagland and Arnon nutrient solution and treated with copper (5 - 100 µM) for 2, 4, 7 and 14 d. A progressive decrease of the root length and biomass was observed at increasing Cu concentration in the nutrient solution. Roots accumulated higher amounts of Cu than shoots at all Cu treatments. Changes of cell and chloroplast ultrastructure of Cu-treated plants were also observed. Cu application did not induce formation of Cu-phytochelatin complexes. Changes in glutathione and glutathione disulfide content observed in roots and shoots of Cu-treated plants suggest their...

Effects of Cadmium on Root Growth, Cell Division and Nucleoli in Root Tip Cells of Garlic

D. Liu, W. Jiang, X. Gao

Biologia plantarum 46:79-83, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027384932338

The effects of different concentrations (10^-7 to 10^-2 M) of cadmium chloride on root growth, cell division and nucleoli in root tip cells of Allium sativum L. were investigated. At lower concentrations of Cd²⁺ (10^-7 to 10^-6 M), Cd²⁺ did not influence the root growth, even had a stimulation effects during a short treatment. The results showed that the rate of root growth per day at the treatment groups (10^-4 to 10^-2 M Cd²⁺) decreased with increasing duration of the treatment and increasing Cd²⁺ concentration. Cd²⁺ induced c-mitosis,...

Dynamics of Cadmium Distribution in the Intercellular Space and Inside Cells in Soybean Roots, Stems and Leaves

S. Kevrešan, S. Kiršek, J. Kandrač, N. Petrović, Dj. Kelemen

Biologia plantarum 46:85-88, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022366218304

Soybean (Glycine max L.) plants grown in nutrient solution were exposed to 1 mM Cd(NO₃)₂ for 24 h. Dynamics of distribution of cadmium among its different forms (water soluble, Ca-exchangeable and complexed) in the intercellular space and the ratio of the intercellular and intracellular cadmium in roots, stems and leaves were studied. In roots, in the beginning of treatment the largest portion of Cd was found in the intercellular space and 1 h later Cd content started to decrease, so that between 13- and 24-h treatment an equilibrium was reached in which about 70 % of Cd was found inside cells. In stems, already after 1-h...

Structural Modifications of the Female Gametophyte Induced by Temperature in Nicotiana tabacum

N. Enaleeva, L. Lobanova

Biologia plantarum 46:85-90, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027337116408

Effect of environmental conditions on formation of Nicotiana tabacum L. megagametophyte was studied. It was established, that unfavorable temperatures can specifically modify the structure of embryo sacs (ES). At low temperature (9/5 °C), ES with a reduced number of cells or with egg-like synergide(s) can be formed; at high variable (40/25 °C) or constant (37 °C) temperatures, ES with excessive numbers of cells or with synergide-like egg cells arise. Total frequencies of the changed ES patterns varied from 8 up to 35 % per plant and depended on the plant genotype and conditions of exposure.

Changes in Sugar Content and Activities of Sucrose Metabolizing Enzymes in Roots and Nodules of Lentil

J. Chopra, N. Kaur, A.K. Gupta

Biologia plantarum 46:89-93, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022318302374

Activities of acid and alkaline invertases and sucrose synthase were determined in roots and nodules of lentil at various stages of development. Alkaline invertase and sucrose synthase were both involved in sucrose metabolism in the nodule cytosol, but there was only a small amount of acid invertase present. Activity of sucrose metabolizing enzymes in roots was significantly less than that observed in the nodules. Amongst sugars, sucrose was found to be the main component in the host cytosol. Lentil neutral invertase (LNI) was partially purified from nodules at 50 days after sowing (DAS). Two forms of invertase were identified, i.e., a major...

Growth and Differentiation of Root Endodermis in Primula acaulis Jacq.

A. Lux, M. Luxová

Biologia plantarum 46:91-97, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027389100479

Adventitious roots of Primula acaulis Jacq. are characterized by broad cortex and narrow stele during the primary development. Secondary thickening of roots occurs through limited cambial growth together with secondary dilatation growth of the persisting cortex. Close to the root tip, at a distance of ca. 4 mm from the apex, Casparian bands (state I of endodermal development) within endodermal cells develop synchronously. During late, asynchronous deposition of suberin lamellae (state II of endodermal development), a positional effect is clearly expressed - suberization starts in the cells opposite to the phloem sectors of the vascular...

Influence of Antiviral Factor on Tobacco Mosaic Virus RNA Biosynthesis in Tobacco

M. Šindelářová, L. Šindelář

Biologia plantarum 46:95-100, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022370319213

An antiviral factor (AVF) was separated by removing virus particles from extracts of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infected leaves using calcium phosphate gel and by column chromatography on DEAE cellulose. AVF was not found in the extracts from healthy plants. The AVF restricted the virus infectivity "in vivo" and significantly decreased the activity of key enzymes of metabolic pathways tending to the purine and pyrimidine nucleotides biosynthesis of viral- RNA (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, ribonucleases, phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase). No inhibition of these enzymes was observed "in vitro" when the effect of different...

Changes in Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase, Ribonucleases, Esterases and Contents of Viruses in Potato Virus Y Infected Tobacco Superinfected with Tobacco Mosaic Virus

M. Šindelářová, L. Šindelář

Biologia plantarum 46:99-104, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027341217317

Effects of the superinfection with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) on susceptible tobacco plants infected with potato virus Y (PVY) were determined. Dynamic changes in the TMV and/or PVY contents, the ribonucleases (RNases), the phosphomonoesterase (PME), the phosphodiesterase (PDE) and the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6P DH) activities were studied. The PVY infection caused a substantial reduction in the multiplication of TMV. The content of TMV in the PVY inoculated leaves amounts to 6 and 9 % in the PVY systemically infected leaves when compared with single TMV. Surprisingly, the challenging virus (TMV) enhanced the content of inducing virus (PVY)...

Growth and Enzyme Activity in Roots and Calli of Resistant and Susceptible Allium Lines as Influenced by Sterile Culture Filtrates of Phoma terrestris

D. Zappacosta, R. Delhey, N. Curvetto

Biologia plantarum 46:101-105, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022322403283

Growth and activities of peroxidases, chitinases and glucanases were studied in order to evaluate the response of calli and roots of pink root-susceptible Allium cepa cvs. Valcatorce and T-412 and resistant A. fistulosum cv. Nogiwa Negi, to sterile culture filtrates of Phoma terrestris. Untreated calli and roots of A. fistulosum exhibited higher activity of peroxidases and glucanases than that of Valcatorce and T-412. Enzyme activities and growth of roots and calli were not affected in filtrate-treated A. fistulosum. The growth of calli and roots of A. cepa cultivars decreased significantly after exposure to...

The Role of Ammonium Assimilating Enzymes in Lentil Roots and Nodules

J. Chopra, N. Kaur, A.K. Gupta

Biologia plantarum 46:105-109, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027393201387

Activities of ammonium assimilating enzymes glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate synthase (GOGAT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as well as the amino acid content were higher in nodules compared to roots. Their activities increased at 40 and 60 d after sowing, with a peak at 90 d, a time of maximum nitrogenase activity. The GS/GOGAT ratio had a positive correlation with the amino acid content in nodules. Higher activities of AST than ALT may be due to lower glutamine and higher asparagine content in xylem. The data indicated that glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase function...

The Effect of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense on Induction of Defense Enzymes and Phenolics in Banana

R. Thangavelu, A. Palaniswami, S. Doraiswamy, R. Velazhahan

Biologia plantarum 46:107-112, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022374520121

The effect of Pseudomonas fluorescens treatment and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense inoculation on induction of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POX), chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase and accumulation of phenolics in banana (Musa sp.) was studied. When banana roots were treated with P. fluorescens strain Pf10, a two-fold increase in phenolic content in leaf tissues was recorded 3 - 6 d after treatment. Challenge inoculation with F. oxysporum, the wilt pathogen, steeply increased the phenolic content in P. fluorescens-treated banana plants. Significant increase in POX activity was detected...

Characterization of Polyphenol Oxidase from the Latex of Opium Poppy

F. Bilka, A. Balažová, A. Bilková, Z. Šubr, M. Pšenák

Biologia plantarum 46:111-115, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027345318226

Polyphenol oxidase from the latex of opium poppy was purified to the electrophoretic homogeneity by affinity chromatography using p-aminobenzoic acid as a ligand coupled to Sepharose CL-4B by divinyl sulphone activation method. The purified enzyme was used to prepare the polyclonal antibodies. The purified latex PPO exhibited high diphenolase activity in comparison with almost unmeassurable monophenolase activity. Both of these activities were sensitive to the activation with sodium dodecyl sulphate. Two isoforms (65 and 40 kDa) of latex PPO were separated by the gel filtration. There were no differences in substrate specifity (weak monophenolase...

Emergence, Growth and Nutrient Composition of Sugarcane Sprouts Under NaCl Salinity

S. Akhtar, A. Wahid, E. Rasul

Biologia plantarum 46:113-116, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022326604192

The changes induced by 80 and 120 mM NaCl during emergence and growth of sprouts in salt-tolerant (CPF-213) and sensitive (L-116) genotypes of sugarcane were determined. The rate and percentage of emergence of sprouts, length and dry mass of shoot and root, and number of nodal roots decreased under salinity. Concentrations of Na and Cl increased and those of K, Ca, N and P decreased with a rise in substrate salinity. A greater salinity tolerance ability of CPF-213 than L-116 was attributable to greater root mass and higher nutrient concentrations in the sprouts of the former genotype.

Involvement of Nitric Oxide in the Mechanism for Stomatal Opening in Vicia faba Leaves

Y. Sakihama, S. Murakami, H. Yamasaki

Biologia plantarum 46:117-119, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022378621030

Nitrite, as well as the nitric oxide (NO) donor S-nitroso-N-acethylpenisilamine (SNAP), was found to increase the aperture of stoma on Vicia faba leaf peels. The results demonstrated here suggest that the nitrite-dependent NO production pathway would be involved in the signal transduction for stomatal movements.

In vitro Micropropagation of a Medicinal Plant Species Sophora flavescens

D.L. Zhao, G.Q. Guo, X.Y. Wang, G.C. Zheng

Biologia plantarum 46:117-120, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027397302296

A micro-propagating system based on the young stem node segments of Sophora flavescens Ait. (Fabaceae) was established. Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 8.88 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA) plus 2.69 μM α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and that with only 5.37 μM NAA were found the best in promoting proliferation of shoots and induction of root, respectively. Percentages of shoot induction and number of shoot per explant were up to 93.4 % and 4.2 and rooting rate to 82.4 %, respectively. The segments of the regenerated shoots could be continuously induced to reproduce new shoots through subculture on the same...

Volatile Monoterpenes from Prinsepia utilis L. Leaves Inhibit Stomatal Opening in Vicia faba L.

V.K. Rai, S.C. Gupta, B. Singh

Biologia plantarum 46:121-124, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022397730599

Volatile essential oils from Prinsepia utilis L. have been shown to inhibit stomatal opening in Vicia faba L. epidermal peels as well as whole leaves as shown by measurement of pore width and stomatal conductance (g_s). The stomatal closure was associated with inhibition of K⁺ influx in the guard cells. Gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy analysis of the steam distillate from P. utilis L. leaves showed the presence of over twenty compounds; of which thirteen compounds have been identified.

Micropropagation of Sesbania sesban from the Mature Tree-Derived Explants

A. K. Jha, S. Prakash, N. Jain, K. Nanda, S.C. Gupta

Biologia plantarum 46:121-124, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027349419134

The nodal and internodal explants excised from the orthotropic shoots of Sesbania sesban var. bicolor elicited the development of shoots directly from the explants as well as via an intervening callus phase on Nitsch (N) medium. On benzyladenine (BA) supplemented media, the adventitious shoot buds developed involving a callus phase. An average of 8.9 ± 4.1 shoots developed per nodal explant on N medium containing 0.5 mg dm^-3 BA in 95 % cultures, whereas 65 % cultures of internodal explants developed shoots with an average of 5.9 ± 3.6 shoots per explant on N medium supplemented with 1.0 mg dm^-3...

Chlorophyllase Activity and Chlorophyll Content in Wild and Mutant Plants of Arabidopsis thaliana

D.T. Todorov, E.N. Karanov, A.R. Smith, M.A. Hall

Biologia plantarum 46:125-127, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022355525907

The activity of chlorophyllase in wild type (WT) was higher than in ethylene insensitive mutant (eti 5) of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh plants during the vegetative period. Chlorophyll content in eti 5 leaves was higher than in WT but the difference decreased by the end of the experimental period.

Heat Shock Proteins in the Terrestrial Epilithic Cyanobacterium Tolypothrix byssoidea

S.P. Adhikary

Biologia plantarum 46:125-128, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027301503204

The cyanobacterial crust occurring in desiccated state exposed to high temperature and solar radiation on the rock surface contained several low molecular mass (LMM) proteins (10.5, 13, and 25 kDa), water stress protein (wsp, 39 kDa), additional proteins (43 and 49 kDa), a chaperonin (58 kDa), and a stress-induced protein (84 kDa). When the crust was exposed to UV-C radiation, it counteracted the UV-B damage by overproduction of certain proteins and synthesis of two high molecular mass (HMM) proteins. Exposure of the crust to heat had an adverse effect on the survival of the organism there-in which was due to repression of few proteins. Unlike the...

Changes in the Rooting and Growth of Willows and Poplars Induced by Cadmium

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

Biologia plantarum 46:129-131, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022395118998

Growth parameters of six fast growing trees showed that the roots responded to Cd treatment more sensitively than the shoots. Cd-treatment suppressed rooting and root growth (length and biomass production) as well as its development in all tested species. Root systems of Salix cinerea, Salix alba, and Populus cv. Robusta were more tolerant to Cd stress than the root system of the other studied species. Shoot growth parameters of Salix species were significantly reduced unlike Populus species, which were not affected by Cd treatment.

Influence of Boron on Somatic Embryogenesis in Papaya

N. Renukdas, M.L. Mohan, S.S. Khuspe, S.K. Rawal

Biologia plantarum 46:129-132, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027353520043

Influence of boron on somatic embryogenesis in papaya (Carica papaya L.) cv. Honey Dew was investigated. Immature zygotic embryos were grown in the induction medium containing Murashige and Skoog basal salts, with B₅ vitamins, picloram (1 mg dm^-3) or 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2 mg dm^-3) and different concentrations of boric acid (30 to 500 mg dm^-3). Maximum somatic embryo initiation was observed at 62 mg dm^-3 boric acid irrespective of the growth regulator used. The cotyledonary stage somatic embryos were germinated on MS basal medium devoid of growth regulators. The regenerated plantlets...

Physiological Response of Paclobutrazol-Treated Triticale Plants to Water Stress

M. Berova, Z. Zlatev

Biologia plantarum 46:133-136, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022360809008

Gas exchange in paclobutrazol-treated triticale plants during water stress and rehydration was studied. Seed treatments with the retardant (1 and 25 mg dm^-3) alleviate negative effect of PEG-induced water stress. Net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, relative water content, and leaf water potential were higher while peroxidase activity and free proline concentration were lower in the paclobutrazol-treated plants than in control plants. This confirmed our assumption that paclobutrazol possessed a protective effect against water stress.

Effect of Carbon Source on the Shoot Proliferation Potential of Epicotyl Explants of Syzygium cuminii

N. Jain, S.B. Babbar

Biologia plantarum 46:133-136, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027305604113

Black plum (Syzygium cuminii) explants were grown in vitro on Murashige and Skoog medium. Among the various saccharides tested, the best caulogenic response was afforded by sucrose both in terms of explant response and shoot developing potential. Within monosaccharides, mannose was totally inhibitory as on the medium supplemented with this the shoot buds failed to develop, while, fructose and xylose completely inhibited the opening as well as the elongation of shoot buds. Glucose and galactose did not completely inhibit the caulogenic response. Among disaccharides, other than sucrose, maltose totally inhibited the elongation of the developed...

Osmotically Active Compounds and their Localization in the Marine Halophyte Eelgrass

C.J. Ye, K.F. Zhao

Biologia plantarum 46:137-140, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022380824938

Contents of various organic and inorganic osmotica in the leaves, shoots and roots of Zostera marina L. were determined and their contributions to the osmotic adjustment to seawater were calculated. The inorganic ions, especially Na⁺, were the main osmotica. X-ray microanalysis indicated that vacuoles in the parenchymatous cells are the main sites in leaves accumulating toxic ions.

Efficient Genetic Transformation of Lotus corniculatus L. and Growth of Transformed Plants in Field

R. Nikolić, N. Mitić, S. Ninković, J. Miljuš-Djukić, M. Nešković

Biologia plantarum 46:137-140, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027357620951

An efficient protocol for shoot regeneration and genetic transformation was applied to root segments of a new Lotus corniculatus L. cultivar Bokor. The shoots, that regenerated on root segments, were inoculated with Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4M70GUS, and produced hairy roots, which on media with 0.2 mg dm^-3 benzylaminopurine, regenerated shoots. After rooting and acclimation, the transformed plants were planted in the experimental field. Their morphological traits were compared to controls. No signs of the rol genes phenotype were present. The transformants were significantly taller than controls, while there were no...

Stress Tolerance Parameters in Different Genotypes of Soybean

Dj. Malenčić, M. Popović, J. Miladinović

Biologia plantarum 46:141-143, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022384600538

Free proline content, superoxide-dismutase activity, and lipid peroxidation were measured in sixteen Yugoslav and introduced genotypes of soybean. More tolerant genotypes with higher free proline content and high superoxide-dismutase activity, and low lipid peroxidation were chosen. The selected genotypes could be used in field production, as well as in breeding.

Fe-EDDHA Promotes Rooting of Rootstock GF-677 (Prunus amygdalus × P. persica) Explants in vitro

A.N. Molassiotis, K. Dimassi, I. Therios, G. Diamantidis

Biologia plantarum 46:141-144, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027309705022

The effect of organic (Fe-EDTA and Fe-EDDHA) and inorganic (FeCl₃) iron substances on rooting of the rootstock GF-677 (Prunus amygdalus × Prunus persica) in vitro was studied. Full rooting (100 %) was observed in explants nourished with Fe-EDDHA, while less rooting was found in the absence of iron or in the presence of FeCl₃. On the contrary, no root formation was observed in explants nourished with Fe-EDTA, which showed extremely lower chlorophyll and high iron contents at the end of the experiment.

Soil Pollution Alters ATP and Chlorophyll Contents in Pisum sativum Seedlings

A.E.A. Päivöke

Biologia plantarum 46:145-148, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022311902355

Pisum sativum L. cv. Phenomen plants were grown in pots in greenhouse and their growth, and ATP and chlorophyll (Chl) a and b contents were assessed after 9-d exposure to sodium arsenate [0.04 and 0.07 mmol kg^-1(soil)], or to lead acetate [2.0 and 4.0 mmol kg^-1(soil)], or zinc acetate [5.3 and 9.3 mmol kg^-1(soil)]. The luciferin-luciferase method was used for ATP analyses. Soil pollution reduced significantly the growth, but the low toxicant concentrations elevated the cotyledon and shoot ATP concentrations per fresh matter content. The ATP/Chl ratio was increased in the zinc-treated seedlings as...

Effect of 6-benzyladenine and Casein Hydrolysate on Micropropagation of Amorpha fruticosa

H.H. Gao, W. Li, J. Yang, Y. Wang, G.Q. Guo, G.C. Zheng

Biologia plantarum 46:145-148, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027361721860

Using apical and axillary nodes as explants, a rapid and efficient method for propagation of Amorpha fruticosa L. has been developed. When grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 8 mg dm^-3 benzyladenine, 100 % explants responded with 4.94 shoots per explant after 6-weeks culture, and explants taken from the in vitro proliferated shoots subsequently produced multiple shoots when cultured on the same medium. The addition of casein hydrolysate (200 mg dm^-3) enhanced the number of shoots up to 8.77 per subculture, and coconut milk was found to promote the shoot elongation and make them grow more vigorously,...

Aluminum Effects on Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidative Enzyme Activities in Rice Leaves

M.C. Kuo, C.H. Kao

Biologia plantarum 46:149-152, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022356322373

The effects of aluminum on lipid peroxidation and activities of antioxidative enzymes were investigated in detached rice leaves treated with 0 to 5 mM AlCl₃ at pH 4.0 in the light. AlCl₃ enhanced the content of malondialdehyde but not the content of H₂O₂. Superoxide dismutase activity was reduced by AlCl₃, while catalase and glutathione reductase activities were increased. Peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase activities were increased only after prolonged treatment, when toxicity occurred. The results give evidence that Al treatment caused oxidative stress and in turn, it caused lipid peroxidation.

Induction of Betalain Pigmentation in Hairy Roots of Red Beet under Different Radiation Sources

K.S. Shin, H.N. Murthy, J.W. Heo, K.Y. Paek

Biologia plantarum 46:149-152, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027313805930

The effect of different radiation sources - blue (B), red (R), R plus B (RB), B plus far red (BFr), R plus far red (RFr) - was tested on the growth of hairy roots and betalain accumulation in Beta vulgaris L. (red beet). Light emitting diodes were used as radiation sources. The growth of hairy roots under different radiation treatments depended on radiation quality. Highest biomass accumulation was under the BFr treatment. BFr treatment efficiently induced betalain pigmentation in hairy roots. Total sugar and sucrose contents of hairy roots were also greater in this treatment. Thus, the betalain pigmentation in the cultured hairy roots can be...

Preferential Induction of Alcohol Dehydrogenase in Coleoptiles of Rice Seedlings Germinated in Submergence Condition

H. Kato-Noguchi, T. Kugimiya

Biologia plantarum 46:153-155, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022389707352

Difference in the growth response to submergence between coleoptiles and roots of rice (Oryza sativa L.) was investigated in 9-d-old rice seedlings. The coleoptile length in the submergence condition was much greater than that in aerobic condition, whereas the root length in the submergence condition was less than that in the aerobic condition. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity in the coleoptiles in the submergence condition was much greater than that in the aerobic condition, but ADH activity in the roots in the submergence condition increased slightly. These results suggest that the preferential ADH induction in rice seedlings may contribute...

Mutation in Flower Colour and Shape of Chrysanthemum morifolium Induced by γ-Radiation

P. Misra, S.K. Datta, D. Chakrabarty

Biologia plantarum 46:153-156, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027365822769

Flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat cv. Lalima were greyed red and florets were flat spoon shaped. Ray florets after inoculation on the Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 1.07 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid and 8.87 μM benzyladenine were irradiated with γ-radiation (0.5 Gy and 1 Gy). All the regenerated shoots either from control or from γ-irradiated florets were isolated, rooted and transplanted in the field after hardening. Two mutants were obtained in the γ-irradiated plants (0.5 Gy). Both the mutants were yellow coloured but one having flat spoon shaped ray florets similar to the original cultivar,...

Rice Seedlings Release Allelopathic Substances

H. Kato-Noguchi, T. Ino

Biologia plantarum 46:157-159, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1022337706443

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings inhibited the growth of hypocotyls and roots of cress (Lepidium sativum L.) seedlings when both seedlings were grown together. Two growth inhibiting substances were found in the culture solution in which rice seedlings were hydroponically grown for 14 d. One growth inhibitor was further purified. This suggests that the rice seedlings may produce growth inhibiting substances, acting as allelochemicals to other plants, and release them from their roots into the environment.

Effects of Capsaicin on Plant Growth

H. Kato-Noguchi, Y. Tanaka

Biologia plantarum 46:157-159, 2003 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1027317906839

Capsaicin, a possible allelochemical, caused growth inhibition of roots and shoots of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), cress (Lepidium sativum), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis), timothy (Phleum pratense) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), and suppressed their germination. Increasing the dose of capsaicin increased the inhibition. The concentrations for 50 % inhibition of the root growth were 2.7, 0.32, 2.1, 0.27, 0.29 and 0.57 mM for alfalfa, cress, lettuce, crabgrass, timothy and ryegrass, respectively, and the concentrations for 50 % inhibition of the shoot growth were 17, 0.87, 6.7,...