THE DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF EXPERIMENTS. By Oscar Kempthorne. New York, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1952. 631 pp. $8.50. This book by a teacher of statistics (as well as a consultant for \"experimenters\") is a comprehensive study of the philosophical background for the statistical design of experiment. It is necessary to have some facility with algebraic notation and manipulation to be able to use the volume intelligently. The problems are presented from the theoretical point of view, without such practical examples as would be helpful for those not acquainted with mathematics. The mathematical justification for the techniques is given. As a somewhat advanced treatment of the design and analysis of experiments, this volume will be interesting and helpful for many who approach statistics theoretically as well as practically. With emphasis on the \"why,\" and with description given broadly, the author relates the subject matter to the general theory of statistics and to the general problem of experimental inference. MARGARET J. ROBERTSON

The Design and Analysis of Experiments

Contents
I. Introduction  424
II. The phosphorus conundrum 424
III. Adaptations to low P 424
IV. Uptake of P  424
V. P deficiency alters root development and function 426
VI. P deficiency modifies carbon metabolism 431
VII. Acid phosphatase 436
VIII. Genetic regulation of P responsive genes 437
IX. Improving P acquisition 439
X. Synopsis  440


Summary
Phosphorus (P) is limiting for crop yield on > 30% of the world's arable land and, by some estimates, world resources of inexpensive P may be depleted by 2050. Improvement of P acquisition and use by plants is critical for economic, humanitarian and environmental reasons. Plants have evolved a diverse array of strategies to obtain adequate P under limiting conditions, including modifications to root architecture, carbon metabolism and membrane structure, exudation of low molecular weight organic acids, protons and enzymes, and enhanced expression of the numerous genes involved in low-P adaptation. These adaptations may be less pronounced in mycorrhizal-associated plants. The formation of cluster roots under P-stress by the nonmycorrhizal species white lupin (Lupinus albus), and the accompanying biochemical changes exemplify many of the plant adaptations that enhance P acquisition and use. Physiological, biochemical, and molecular studies of white lupin and other species response to P-deficiency have identified targets that may be useful for plant improvement. Genomic approaches involving identification of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) found under low-P stress may also yield target sites for plant improvement. Interdisciplinary studies uniting plant breeding, biochemistry, soil science, and genetics under the large umbrella of genomics are prerequisite for rapid progress in improving nutrient acquisition and use in plants.

/pdf/phosphorus-acquisition-and-use-critical-adaptations-by-56im8qzi8m.pdf

Phosphorus acquisition and use: critical adaptations by plants for securing a nonrenewable resource

Plant gene responses to changing carbohydrate status can vary markedly Some genes are induced, some are repressed, and others are minimally affected As in microorganisms, sugar-sensitive plant genes are part of an ancient system of cellular adjustment to critical nutrient availability However, in multicellular plants, sugar-regulated expression also provides a mechanism for control of resource distribution among tissues and organs Carbohydrate depletion upregulates genes for photosynthesis, remobilization, and export, while decreasing mRNAs for storage and utilization Abundant sugar levels exert opposite effects through a combination of gene repression and induction Long-term changes in metabolic activity, resource partitioning, and plant form result Sensitivity of carbohydrate-responsive gene expression to environmental and developmental signals further enhances its potential to aid acclimation The review addresses the above from molecular to whole-plant levels and considers emerging models for sensing and transducing carbohydrate signals to responsive genes

Carbohydrate-modulated gene expression in plants.

Summary
The diets of over two-thirds of the world's population lack one or more essential mineral elements. This can be remedied through dietary diversification, mineral supplementation, food fortification, or increasing the concentrations and/or bioavailability of mineral elements in produce (biofortification). This article reviews aspects of soil science, plant physiology and genetics underpinning crop biofortification strategies, as well as agronomic and genetic approaches currently taken to biofortify food crops with the mineral elements most commonly lacking in human diets: iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iodine (I) and selenium (Se). Two complementary approaches have been successfully adopted to increase the concentrations of bioavailable mineral elements in food crops. First, agronomic approaches optimizing the application of mineral fertilizers and/or improving the solubilization and mobilization of mineral elements in the soil have been implemented. Secondly, crops have been developed with: increased abilities to acquire mineral elements and accumulate them in edible tissues; increased concentrations of ‘promoter’ substances, such as ascorbate, β-carotene and cysteine-rich polypeptides which stimulate the absorption of essential mineral elements by the gut; and reduced concentrations of ‘antinutrients’, such as oxalate, polyphenolics or phytate, which interfere with their absorption. These approaches are addressing mineral malnutrition in humans globally.

/pdf/biofortification-of-crops-with-seven-mineral-elements-often-3g2xc3trnk.pdf

Biofortification of crops with seven mineral elements often lacking in human diets--iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, selenium and iodine.

Most agriculturally important traits are regulated by genes known as quantitative trait loci (QTLs) derived from natural allelic variations. We here show that a QTL that increases grain productivity in rice, Gn1a, is a gene for cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (OsCKX2), an enzyme that degrades the phytohormone cytokinin. Reduced expression of OsCKX2 causes cytokinin accumulation in inflorescence meristems and increases the number of reproductive organs, resulting in enhanced grain yield. QTL pyramiding to combine loci for grain number and plant height in the same genetic background generated lines exhibiting both beneficial traits. These results provide a strategy for tailormade crop improvement.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/309/5735/741.full.pdf

Cytokinin Oxidase Regulates Rice Grain Production

■ Abstract Cytokinins are structurally diverse and biologically versatile. The chemistry and physiology of cytokinin have been studied extensively, but the regulation of cytokinin biosynthesis, metabolism, and signal transduction is still largely undefined. Recent advances in cloning metabolic genes and identifying putative receptors portend more rapid progress based on molecular techniques. This review centers on cytokinin metabolism with connecting discussions on biosynthesis and signal transduction. Important findings are summarized with emphasis on metabolic enzymes and genes. Based on the information generated to date, implications and future research directions are presented.

Cytokinin metabolism and action

Cytokinins are hormones involved in all aspects of plant growth and development and are essential for in vitro manipulation of plant cells and tissues. Much information has been gathered regarding the chemistry and biology of cytokinins, while recent studies have focused on the genetics and cytokinin-related genes. This text focuses on key subject areas of cytokinin - chemistry, biosynthesis, metabolism, activity, function, genetics and analyses. These areas are comprehensively reviewed in individual chapters by experts in the field. In addition, a personal history of the discovery of cytokinin is presented by Professor Folke Skoog.

Cytokinins: Chemistry, Activity, and Function

The effects of a highly cytokinin-active urea derivative, N-phenyl-N′-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-ylurea (Thidiazuron), and zeatin on cytokinin-autonomous growth and the metabolism of N6-(Δ2-isopentenyl)[8-14C]adenosine ([14C]i6 Ado) were examined in callus tissues of two Phaseolus lunatus genotypes, cv Jackson Wonder and P.I. 260415. Tissues of cv Jackson Wonder maintained on any concentration of Thidiazuron became cytokinin autonomous, whereas only tissues exposed to suboptimal concentrations of zeatin displayed cytokinin-autonomous growth. Tissues of P.I. 260415 remained cytokinin dependent under all these conditions. The metabolism of [14C]i6 Ado was similar for the two genotypes, but differed with the medium used. [14C]i6 Ado was rapidly converted to N6-(Δ2-isopentenyl)[8-14C]adenosine 5′-P ([14C]i6 AMP) by tissues grown on zeatin-containing medium, whereas only traces of the nucleotide were formed in tissues grown on medium with Thidiazuron. Incubation with [14C] i6 AMP of tissues grown in the presence of Thidiazuron resulted in rapid conversion to [14C]i6 Ado, while [14C]i6 AMP persisted in tissues maintained on zeatin. Thus, Thidiazuron appears to stimulate enzyme activity converting the ribonucleotide to ribonucleoside. Although the cytokininactive phenylureas and adenine derivatives differ in their effects on cytokinin autonomy as well as nucleotide formation, the two types of effects do not seem to be related.

/pdf/effects-of-thidiazuron-on-cytokinin-autonomy-and-the-z6113gn9uq.pdf

Effects of Thidiazuron on Cytokinin Autonomy and the Metabolism of N6-(Δ2-Isopentenyl)[8-14C]Adenosine in Callus Tissues of Phaseolus lunatus L.

trans-Zeatin is a major and ubiquitous cytokinin in higher plants. cis-Zeatin has traditionally been viewed as an adjunct with low activity and rare occurrence. Recent reports of cis-zeatin and its derivatives as the predominant cytokinin components in some plant tissues may call for a different perspective on cis-isomers. The existence of a maize (Zea mays) gene (cisZOG1) encoding an O-glucosyltransferase specific to cis-zeatin (R.C. Martin, M.C. Mok, J.E. Habben, D.W.S. Mok [2001] Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 98: 5922-5926) lends further support to this view. Results described here include the isolation of a second maize cisZOG gene, differential expression of cisZOG1 and cisZOG2, and identification of substantial amounts of cis-isomers in maize tissues. The open reading frame of cisZOG2 has 98.3% identity to cisZOG1 at the nucleotide level and 97.8% at the amino acid level. The upstream regions contain common and unique segments. The recombinant enzymes have similar properties, K(m) values of 46 and 96 microM, respectively, for cis-zeatin and a pH optimum of 7.5. Other cytokinins, including N(6)-(delta(2)-isopentenyl)adenine, trans-zeatin, benzyladenine, kinetin, and thidiazuron inhibited the reaction. Expression of cisZOG1 was high in maize roots and kernels, whereas cisZOG2 expression was high in roots but low in kernels. cis-Zeatin, cis-zeatin riboside, and their O-glucosides were detected in all maize tissues, with immature kernels containing very high levels of the O-glucoside of cis-zeatin riboside. The results are a clear indication that O-glucosylation of cis-zeatin is a natural metabolic process in maize. Whether cis-zeatin serves as a precursor to the active trans-isomer or has any other unique function remains to be demonstrated.

http://www.plantphysiol.org/content/plantphysiol/131/3/1374.full.pdf

O -Glucosylation of cis-Zeatin in Maize. Characterization of Genes, Enzymes, and Endogenous Cytokinins

Zeatin is the most active and ubiquitous of the naturally occurring cytokinins. The O-glucoside of zeatin, found in all plants examined, is considered to be important in cytokinin transport, storage, and protection against cytokinin oxidases. The enzyme UDPglucose:zeatin O-glucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.203) was previously isolated from Phaseolus lunatus seeds. Immunoscreening of an expression library with monospecific antibody resulted in the isolation of a cDNA encoding the enzyme. The recombinant protein efficiently converts labeled zeatin to O-glucosylzeatin and has properties similar to the native enzyme. The cDNA of 1.5 kb contains an ORF encoding a 51.4-kDa polypeptide of 459 amino acids. The sequence is unique based on a blast search of data bases. The genomic sequence, isolated with PCR using specific primers based on the cDNA sequence, does not contain introns. The cloning of this gene provides the tools for further study of the regulation of cytokinin metabolism and analysis of the precise role of O-glucosylzeatin in plant development.

https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/96/1/284.full.pdf

Machteld C. Mok

Papers

Cytokinin metabolism and action

Cytokinins: Chemistry, Activity, and Function

Effects of Thidiazuron on Cytokinin Autonomy and the Metabolism of N6-(Δ2-Isopentenyl)[8-14C]Adenosine in Callus Tissues of Phaseolus lunatus L.

O -Glucosylation of cis-Zeatin in Maize. Characterization of Genes, Enzymes, and Endogenous Cytokinins

Isolation of a cytokinin gene, ZOG1, encoding zeatin O-glucosyltransferase from Phaseolus lunatus