Characterization of ethylene/gibberellic acid control of germination in Lactuca sativa L.

Ethylene production during germination of lettuce seeds (Lactucasativa L., cv. Premier Great Lakes) occurred at two distinctlydifferent rates. A very low rate of ethylene release was observedprior to the 12th hour of incubation at 22?C. The rate of ethyleneproduction, however, increased 100 fold between the 12th and16th hour of incubation. This high rate of ethylene productiononly occurred in the presence of seeds which exhibited a visibleprotrusion of the radicle. The duration of exposure to a supraoptimaltemperature (32?C) was inversely proportional to the percentgermination at 32?C. Ethylene production and growth were notblocked by incubating visibly germinated seeds at 32?C. Exogenous ethylene partially restored germination at 32?C, butonly in the light. Gibberellic acid partially substituted forthe induced light requirement but not for ethylene. It was concludedthat the supraoptimal temperature raised the threshold concentrationof ethylene required for germination. This threshold requirementwas satisfied in the presence of exogenous ethylene. Germinationat 32?C was abo dependent upon the presence of GA. With exogenousethylene present, the GA-mediated system was presumably reinstatedor bypassed by exposing the seeds to either light or GA. Theinitial low rate of ethylene production apparently regulatessubsequent germination but only when present at a minimum thresholdconcentration. Those events initiating germination have obviouslyoccurred prior to the time of radicle emergence. Post-germinationethylene production, therefore, did not break thermodormancy,but occurred simultaneously with radicle emergence. (Received November 29, 1976; )     

Inhibitory effects of full daylight on the germination of Lactuca sativa L.

Using glass filters that transmit various spectral bands and different intensities of natural daylight, experiments with achenes of lettuce cv. Vanquard were performed. Germination during prolonged treatment depended both on the far red/red radiation ratio and on the irradiance. The promotive effect of red radiation present in natural light prevailed at low irradiances, the inhibitory effect of far red radiation at high irradiances. The dormancy imposed by prolonged white light of high intensity can be cancelled by transferring the achenes to darkness or to diffuse weak white light. The effects are obviously of the high irradiance response type; they are exerted by the same mechanism that causes seed dormancy under leaf canopies. Some considerations on the ecological significance of seed behaviour are given.Abbreviations FR far red radiation - R red radiation - HIR high irradiance response - P_fr the far red absorbing form of phytochrome - P_r the red absorbing form of phytochrome     

外来入侵植物牛膝菊和野茼蒿水浸提液化感作用的生物测定

采用培养皿滤纸法,以小麦(Triticum aestivum L. )和玉米(Zea mays L. )为实验材料,以种子的发芽率、发芽指数、活力指数以及幼苗的株高和根长为测定指标,结合化感效应指数的综合效应值,对外来入侵植物野茼蒿[Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth. ) S. Moore]和牛膝菊(Galinsoga parviflora Cav. )茎叶水浸提液的化感活性分别进行了测定.结果表明,随野茼蒿和牛膝菊水浸提液质量浓度(0.01～0.10 g·mL-1)的提高,小麦和玉米种子的发芽率、发芽指数、活力指数以及幼苗的株高和根长总体上逐渐减小;与对照组相比,0.01 g·mL-1牛膝菊水浸提液对小麦的幼苗株高以及玉米的种子发芽率和幼苗株高具有一定的促进作用,但对小麦和玉米的幼苗根长有显著抑制作用;而0.01 g·mL-1野茼蒿水浸提液仅对小麦种子的发芽率略有促进作用.0.04～0.10 g·mL-1野茼蒿和牛膝菊水浸提液对小麦和玉米种子萌发及幼苗生长的各项指标基本上均有显著的抑制作用;野茼蒿和牛膝菊水浸提液对玉米种子萌发和幼苗生长的抑制作用大于小麦.0.01～0.10 g·mL-1野茼蒿和牛膝菊水浸提液对小麦和玉米种子萌发和幼苗生长的化感效应指数的综合效应值均小于0,表现为抑制作用,并随2种植物水浸提液质量浓度的提高综合效应值逐渐降低,且前者的化感效应指数的综合效应值大于后者.研究结果显示,野茼蒿和牛膝菊水浸提液对小麦和玉米的化感活性均表现为抑制作用,且化感作用的强度与水浸提液的质量浓度相关;野茼蒿水浸提液的化感作用效应大于牛膝菊.     

Effect of water stress on seed germination and seedling growth inOryza sativa L.

The effect of water stress induced by application of polyethylene glycol 6000 during seed germination and seedling growth ofOryza sativa L. cv. IAC 165 was analysed. The seed germination was inhibited by the decrease in the water potential of the medium, the inhibition being greater under white light than under continuous darkness. When the seedling was submitted to water stress (-0.51 MPa) white light inhibited growth of root, coleoptile-and leaf, while under no stress conditions white light caused increase in growth of root and leaf and only inhibition of coleoptile growth.     

Contribution of six arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal isolates to water uptake by Lactuca sativa plants under drought stress

It is currently accepted that, along with nutrients, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi also transport water to their host plant. However, the quantity of water supplied and its significance for plant water relations remain controversial. The objective of this work was to evaluate and compare the ability of six AM fungi to alter rates of root water uptake under drought stress conditions. Soil drying rates of uninoculated control plants of comparable size and nutritional status and mycorrhizal plants were recorded daily. Lactuca sativa plants colonized by Glomus coronatum , G. intraradices , G. claroideum and G. mosseae depleted soil water to a higher extent than comparably sized uninoculated control plants or plants colonized by G. constrictum or G. geosporum . The differences ranged from 0.6% volumetric soil moisture for G. mosseae -colonized plants to 0.95% volumetric soil moisture for G. intraradices -colonized plants. These differences in soil moisture were equivalent to 3–4.75 ml plant⁻¹ day⁻¹, respectively, and could not be ascribed to differences in plant size, but to the activity of AM fungi. The AM fungi tested in this study differed in their effectiveness to enhance plant water uptake from soil. This ability seems to be related to the amount of external mycelium produced by each AM fungus and to the frequency of root colonization in terms of live and active fungal structures.     

Effect of Cannabis sativa L. root,leaf and inflorescence ethanol extracts on the chemotrophic response of entomopathogenic nematodes

Plant and Soil - Soils represent the natural habitat of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). When moving in soil, EPNs are oriented to follow a chemical signal (chemotaxis). Cannabis sativa L. is...     

The effect of silicon on the leaf proteome of rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants under cadmium-stress

The best known silicon (Si)-accumulating plant, rice (Oryza sativa L.), stores most of its Si in leaves, but the importance of Si has been limited to a mechanical role. Our initial studies showed that Si-induced cadmium (Cd) tolerance is mediated by the enhancement of instantaneous water-use-efficiency, carboxylation efficiency of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (RuBisCO), and light-use-efficiency in leaves of rice plants. In this study, we investigated changes in the rice leaf proteome in order to identify molecular mechanisms involved in Si-induced Cd tolerance. Our study identified 60 protein spots that were differentially regulated due to Cd and/or Si treatments. Among them, 50 were significantly regulated by Si, including proteins associated with photosynthesis, redox homeostasis, regulation/protein synthesis, pathogen response and chaperone activity. Interestingly, we observed a Si-induced up-regulation of a class III peroxidase and a thaumatin-like protein irrespective of Cd treatment, in addition to a Cd-induced up-regulation of protein disulfide isomerase, a HSP70 homologue, a NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase, and a putative phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, especially in the presence of Si. Taken together, our study sheds light on molecular mechanisms involved in Si-induced Cd tolerance in rice leaves and suggests a more active involvement of Si in plant physiological processes than previously proposed.     

红薯水提物对外来入侵植物喜旱莲子草生长的化感影响

从植物化感作用的角度,探索利用具有较高经济价值的本地植物或伴生的本地物种对入侵植物进行抑制和清除,是一种控制外来入侵植物行之有效的方法。本研究以本地作物红薯和入侵植物喜旱莲子草为试验对象,探究红薯不同部位(根、茎、叶)3个浓度(0.025、0.05、0.1 g·mL^-1)的水提物对喜旱莲子草的化感作用。以形态学指标(无性系小株个数、节数、叶片数、叶面积、株高、总干重和根数)、化感响应指数、性状比值(肉质化程度、根冠比、比叶面积、叶生物量比、茎生物量比、根生物量比)、新生叶片中过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)、丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)等作为衡量红薯对喜旱莲子草根状茎生长影响程度的参数。结果表明: 1)不同浓度不同部位红薯水提物对喜旱莲子草生长有不同影响。0.1 g·mL^-1根水提物显著抑制所有形态学指标,除总干重和根数外,其他形态学指标均随不同部位水提物浓度的升高而显著降低。2)所有处理的综合化感响应指数均为负值,说明红薯水提物对喜旱莲子草各指标具有负效应,抑制其正常生长。在所有处理中,0.1 g·mL^-1根水提物的化感抑制作用最强,化感响应指数为-0.73,其次为0.1 g·mL^-1茎水提物和0.05 g·mL^-1根水提物,化感响应指数均为-0.44。3)从性状比值可以看出,红薯水提物对肉质化程度、根冠比、比叶面积和叶生物量比有显著抑制作用,而对茎生物量比和根生物量比无显著性影响。4)红薯水提物显著增加新生叶片中丙二醛含量,显著降低超氧化物歧化酶含量,但对过氧化氢酶和过氧化物酶无显著影响。表明红薯水提物对喜旱莲子草根状茎生长有显著抑制作用。     

Performance of seedlings of the invasive alien tree Schinus molle L. under indigenous and alien host trees in semi-arid savanna

We assessed the importance of host trees in influencing invasion patterns of the alien tree Schinus molle L. ( Anacardiaceae ) in semi-arid savanna in South Africa. Recruitment of S. molle is dependent on trees in its invaded habitat, particularly Acacia tortilis Hayne. Another leguminous tree, the invasive alien mesquite ( Prosopis sp.), has become common in the area recently, but S. molle rarely recruits under canopies of this species. Understanding of the association between these species is needed to predict invasion dynamics in the region. We conducted experiments to test whether: (i) seedling survival of S. molle is better beneath A. tortilis than beneath mesquite canopies; (ii) growth rates of S. molle seedlings are higher beneath A. tortilis than beneath mesquite. Results showed that growth and survival of S. molle did not differ significantly beneath the native A. tortilis and the alien Prosopis species. This suggests that microsites provided by canopies of mesquite are as good for S. molle establishment as those provided by the native acacia. Other factors, such as the failure of propagules to arrive beneath mesquite trees, must be sought to explain the lack of recruitment beneath mesquite.     

Effect of Salicylhydroxamic Acid on Endosperm Strength and Embryo Growth of Lactuca sativa L. cv Waldmann''s Green Seeds

Salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) stimulated germination of photosensitive lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv Waldmann's Green) seeds in darkness. To determine whether SHAM acts on the embryo or the endosperm, we investigated separately effects of SHAM on growth potential of isolated embryos as well as on endosperm strength. Embryo growth potential was quantified by incubating decoated embryos in various concentrations of osmoticum and measuring subsequent radicle elongation. Growth potential of embryos isolated from seeds pretreated with 4 millimolar SHAM was equal to that of untreated controls. Rupture strength of endosperm tissue excised from seeds pretreated with SHAM was 33% less than that of controls in the micropylar region. To determine if the embryo must be in contact with the endosperm for SHAM to weaken the endosperm, some endosperms were incubated with SHAM only after dissection from seeds. Rupture strength of SHAM-treated, isolated endosperms in the micropylar region was 25% less than that of untreated controls. There was no difference in rupture strength in the cotyledonary region of endosperm isolated from seeds treated with SHAM in buffer or buffer alone. SHAM therefore stimulates germination not by enhancing embryo growth potential, but by weakening the micropylar region of the endosperm enclosing the embryo.     

L-Lactate dehydrogenase from leaves of higher plants. Kinetics and regulation of the enzyme from lettuce (Lactuca sativa L).

1. L-Lactate dehydrogenase from lettuce (Lactuca sativa) leaves was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by affinity chromatography. 2. In addition to its NAD(H)-dependent activity with L-lactate and pyruvate, the enzyme also catalyses the reduction of hydroxypyruvate and glyoxylate. The latter activities are not due to a contamination of the enzyme preparations with hydroxypyruvate reductase. 3. The enzyme shows allosteric properties that are markedly by the pH. 4. ATP is a potent inhibitor of the enzyme. The kinetic data suggest that the inhibition by ATP is competitive with respect to NADH at pH 7.0 and 6.2. The existence of regulatory binding sites for ATP and NADH is discussed. 5. Bivalent metal cations and fructose 6-phosphate relieve the ATP inhibition of the enzyme. 6. A function of leaf L-lactate dehydrogenase is proposed as a component of the systems regulating the cellular pH and/or controlling the concentration of reducing equivalents in the cytoplasm of leaf cells.     

二氢血根碱对莴苣幼苗根生长及其细胞分裂的影响

以莴苣幼苗为受体,用培养皿法检测从细果角茴香中分离得到的二氢血根碱对莴苣幼苗根生长和根毛发育的影响,并采用根尖细胞有丝分裂检测和单细胞凝胶电泳法对其可能的作用机制进行了初步研究.结果显示:较低浓度(25、50μmol/L)二氢血根碱能显著促进莴苣根的生长,较高浓度(200、300μmol/L)二氢血根碱显著抑制根的生长;二氢血根碱(10、20、30、40、50μmol/L)对莴苣幼苗根毛发育有极显著的抑制作用,且两者均表现了浓度依赖性.较低浓度(25、50μmol/L)二氢血根碱使根尖细胞有丝分裂指数显著增加,而对根尖细胞DNA没有显著影响;较高浓度(200、300μmol/L)二氢血根碱使根尖细胞有丝分裂指数显著下降,同时根尖细胞DNA受到显著性损伤.研究发现,低浓度的二氢血根碱对莴苣幼苗根生长的促进作用主要是由于根尖细胞有丝分裂活力增加所致;而高浓度二氢血根碱对莴苣幼苗根的抑制作用极可能是由于根尖细胞DNA受到损伤,使得细胞分裂活力降低,分裂期细胞数目减少,从而导致根生长受到抑制.     

入侵植物野胡萝卜浸提液对4种草坪草的化感效应

【目的】明确入侵植物野胡萝卜水浸提液对4种草坪草的化感效应。【方法】采用培养皿滤纸法,观察记录不同浓度(0、10、20、30、40 g·L^-1)的野胡萝卜根、茎、叶水浸提液对4种草坪草种子萌发的影响,根据化感综合效应指数分析野胡萝卜水浸提液的化感作用。【结果】野胡萝卜不同部位浸提液对受体种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数、根长和芽长均有一定的影响。化感综合效应指数表明,随着野胡萝卜浸提液浓度的增加,对白三叶、黑麦草、翦股颖的化感抑制作用均增强,对高羊茅的化感作用表现为“低促高抑”的双重效应。4种草坪草的耐受强弱顺序为:高羊茅＞黑麦草＞翦股颖＞白三叶;野胡萝卜叶浸提液对4种草坪草的化感作用强于根和茎。【结论】入侵植物野胡萝卜浸提液对4种草坪草的化感效应较为显著,在入侵严重地区,可选用耐受力强的草坪草建坪。     

Identification of quantitative trait loci for four morphologic traits under water stress in rice （Oryza sativa L.）

Late season drought coinciding with the rice booting to heading stage affects the development of plant height,panicle exsertion,and flag leaf size,and causes significant yield loss.In this study,a recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross between paddy and upland cultivars was used for data collection of the morphologic traits under well water and drought stress conditions.bought stress was applied at the stage of panicle initiation in the field in 2002 and at the booting stage in PVC pipes in 2003.The data from stress con ditions and their ratios(tait measured under stress condition/trait measured under well water condition)or differences(trait measured under stress condition minus trait measured under well water condition)were used for OTL analysis.Totally,17 and 36 QTLs for these traits were identified in 2002 and 2003,respectively,which explained a range of 2.58%-29.82%Of the phenotypic variation.Among them,six QTLs were commonly identified in the two years,suggesting that the drought stress in the two years was different.The genetic basis of these traits will provide useful information for improving rice late season drought resistance,and their application as indirect indices in rice late season drought resistance screening was also discussed.     

Shoot growth, root growth and resource capture under limiting water and N supply for two cultivars of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

Background and aims

To improve vegetable crops adapted to low input and variable resource availability, better understanding is needed of root system functioning, including nitrogen and water capture.

Methods

This study quantified shoot and root development and patterns of water and nitrate capture of two lettuce cultivars subjected to temporary drought at two development stages (Trial 1) or to continuous, localized drought and/or nitrate shortage (Trial 2).

Results

In Trial 1, early drought slowed down shoot and root growth, whereas late drought enhanced root proliferation in the top 0.1 m. Nitrate capture during drought was sustained by increased nitrate inflow from deeper layers. Plants did not recover fully from drought after re-watering. In Trial 2, root proliferation was stimulated in the drier soil compartment partially compensating reduced water availability and nitrate mobility. Under nitrate shortage, root proliferation was enhanced in the compartment where nitrate was more abundant, irrespective of water availability.

Conclusions

Changes observed in the root system are ‘feed-forward’ mechanisms to sustain resource capture in a limiting growing environment. The type of stress (drought or nitrate shortage) affects coping strategies; nitrate concentration in the soil solution, combined with the nutritional status of the plant will determine the stress response.     

Further investigation of the biosynthesis of caffeine in tea plants (Camellia sinensis L.). Methylation of transfer ribonucleic acid by tea leaf extracts.

1. The tRNA methyltransferase activity in vitro of leaves, cotyledons and roots of 85-day-old tea seedlings was studied. 2. The activity of extracts prepared from tea leaves with Polycar AT (insoluble polyvinylpyrrolidine) had optimum pH7.7 and was greatly influenced by thiol compounds, but only slightly by metal ions and ammonium acetate. 3. The activities of extracts, expressed per mg of protein, were as follows: roots greater than leaves greater than cotyledons. The only methylated base isolated after incubation with these preparations was 1-methyladenine. 4. The results did not support the view of involvement of methylation of nucleic acids in caffeine biosynthesis in tea plants. In contrast, it is suggested that theophylline is synthesized from the specific methylated precursor in nucleic acids, namely 1-methyladenylic acid, via 1-methylxanthine.     

Occurrence of Amoebae on Oak Leaf Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) and Boston Lettuce (L. sativa var. capitata)1

The colonization, distribution, population density, and species diversity of amoebae on leaves of Oak Leaf lettuce, Lactuca sativa var. crispa, and Boston lettuce, L. sativa var. capitata, were investigated. The role of soil in the colonization of Oak Leaf lettuce was determined by comparing numbers of amoebae present on basal leaves (those that pass through soil) with numbers on wrapped leaves (those that do not pass through soil). Amoebae were present in ten samples of basal leaves and ranged from 154–1510/g of leaf tissue. Wrapped leaves failed to yield amoebae in seven of ten trials and contained <4 amoebae/g of tissue. Mean values for the population density of amoebae on Oak Leaf basal leaves and Boston lettuce leaves were 484 ± 133 and 453 ± 93, respectively. The distribution of amoebae on green and white parts of leaves from both kinds of lettuce was studied. The occurrence of amoebae on rinsed, unrinsed, visibly clean, and visibly dirty samples of Boston lettuce leaves was established.     

温水浸种对蒙古黄芪种子萌发特性的影响

研究温水浸种破除蒙古黄芪（Astragalus membranaceus Bge.var.mongholicus（Bge.） Hsiao）种子休眠的适宜条件,采用恒温和变温2种浸种方式,测定蒙古黄芪种子在不同时间、不同温度梯度条件下的发芽率、发芽势和发芽指数。结果表明,温水浸种破除蒙古黄芪种子休眠的效果显著,变温浸种效果略优于恒温浸种。不同温度破除休眠效果排序依次为60℃> 70℃> 80℃,其中60℃变温浸种2 min和5 min的发芽率分别为对照的2.87倍和2.31倍。浸种时间、浸种温度均可显著影响蒙古黄芪种子萌发,与对照相比,随着浸种时间增加,发芽率总体呈现出先急速升高后逐渐降低的趋势;发芽指数与浸种温度极显著正相关;浸种温度与发芽势和发芽指数均显著正相关。本研究结果表明温水浸种可以提高种子发芽率,保持种子活力。     

入侵植物青葙叶片提取物对红脉穗螟体重及蛹发育的影响

【背景】青葙是我国的传统中草药,有关其次生物质对植物病害的活性已有报道,但其在害虫防控方面的研究还较少。【方法】为明确青葙体内次生物质对害虫的生物活性,研究了青葙叶片4种溶剂提取物对红脉穗螟幼虫体重及蛹发育的影响。【结果】除石油醚提取物外,其余3种溶剂(甲醇、正丁醇、去离子水)提取物均会对红脉穗螟体重和成虫羽化造成影响,其中,甲醇提取物影响最大;各提取物中,仅甲醇提取物对虫体蛹发育造成影响,对蛹重的抑制率达到39.35%,对蛹长的抑制率达到29.05%。【结论与意义】青葙植株体内存在对昆虫生长发育起调控作用的次生物质。