Showing papers on "Plant morphology published in 1991"

Plant Form: An Illustrated Guide to Flowering Plant Morphology

Abstract: The diverse external shapes and structures that make up flowering plants can be bewildering and even daunting, as can the terminology used to describe them. An understanding of plant form - plant morphology - is essential to appreciating the wonders of the plant world and to the study of botany and horticulture at every level. In this ingeniously designed volume, the complex subject becomes both accessible and manageable. The first part of the book describes and clearly illustrates the major plant structures that can be seen with the naked eye or a hand lens: leaf, root, stem, reproductive organs, and seedlings; special sections focus on vegetative propagation, and the morphology of grasses, orchids, and cacti. However, plants are dynamic organisms, constantly growing, changing, and becoming more elaborate, and understanding the development of a plant or plant part is as important as describing its final form. Part II focuses on how plants grow: bud development, the growth of reproductive organs, leaf arrangement, branching patterns, and the accumulation and loss of structures. This classic book, now revised and expanded to include the latest information on plant morphology, more than 1000 exquisite line drawings including 119 that are new to this edition, and nearly twice as many photographs as the previous edition, is remarkable for its user-friendly organization, high-quality illustrations, and extensive cross-referencing. Aimed at students of botany and horticulture, enthusiastic gardeners and amateur naturalists, it functions as an illustrated dictionary, a basic course in plant morphology, and an intriguing and enlightening book to dip into.

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., cv. «Better Bush») plant response to root restriction. I, Alteration of plant morphology

Abstract: Our earlier observations ot root-restricted tomato plants indicated that alterations in plant morphology occurred lrom day 18 to 32 of a 46 d culture period. Here, root-respiration capacity and root-ethylene production were measured to determine if these parameters were correlated with the observed changes in plant morphology. Plants were cultured in a flow-through hydroponic system. Roots in large containers (1500 cm3, control), exhibited a gradual decline in respiration capacities, from 9009 to 2147 mm3 02 g 1 (DW) h-1. A significant decline in respiration capacity was observed for roots grown in small containers (25 cm3, root-restriction treatment) after 18 d in culture. Once treated root systems attained a maximum weight (c. 1-59 g DW), their respiration capacity remained relatively constant (c. 1212 mm3 02 g ~ 1 (DW) h_1). The observed change in root respiration, for the restricted plants, was closely correlated with alterations in root : shoot ratio. We conclude that the decline in root respiration capacity represents a significant indicator of reduced root metabolism. Thus, root energetics plays a role that influences the growth habit of root-restricted plants. Slight increases in ethylene production were observed for treated roots on days 22, 25 and 30. This increase in production appeared at a time when adventitious rooting was initiated. Overall, control and treated roots produced ethylene within a range of 6-1 to 10-2 mm3 kg-1 (FW) h"1. Preliminary sampling of leaf tissues suggests that ethylene production rates did not differ for mature leaves of the two plant groups.

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., cv. «Better Bush») plant response to root restriction. II, Root respiration and ethylene generation

Abstract: Our earlier observations ot root-restricted tomato plants indicated that alterations in plant morphology occurred lrom day 18 to 32 of a 46 d culture period. Here, root-respiration capacity and root-ethylene production were measured to determine if these parameters were correlated with the observed changes in plant morphology. Plants were cultured in a flow-through hydroponic system. Roots in large containers (1500 cm3, control), exhibited a gradual decline in respiration capacities, from 9009 to 2147 mm3 02 g 1 (DW) h-1. A significant decline in respiration capacity was observed for roots grown in small containers (25 cm3, root-restriction treatment) after 18 d in culture. Once treated root systems attained a maximum weight (c. 1-59 g DW), their respiration capacity remained relatively constant (c. 1212 mm3 02 g ~ 1 (DW) h_1). The observed change in root respiration, for the restricted plants, was closely correlated with alterations in root : shoot ratio. We conclude that the decline in root respiration capacity represents a significant indicator of reduced root metabolism. Thus, root energetics plays a role that influences the growth habit of root-restricted plants. Slight increases in ethylene production were observed for treated roots on days 22, 25 and 30. This increase in production appeared at a time when adventitious rooting was initiated. Overall, control and treated roots produced ethylene within a range of 6-1 to 10-2 mm3 kg-1 (FW) h"1. Preliminary sampling of leaf tissues suggests that ethylene production rates did not differ for mature leaves of the two plant groups.

Effects of plant population density on determinate and indeterminate forms of winter field beans (Vicia faba) 1. Yield and yield components

Abstract: Using an indeterminate cultivar, Bourdon, and a determinate selection, 858 (provided by Plant Breeding International, Cambridge), of winter field bean, the effect of plant population density on yield was investigated in field trials at the University of Nottingham at Sutton Bonington in three consecutive seasons beginning in 1985/86.Plant morphology had no effect on the optimum plant density, which for both entries lay between 10 and 20 plants/m2. Bourdon yielded significantly more (2 t/ha, on average) than 858 and this was attributable to more pods/pod-bearing stem, more seeds/pod and heavier seeds. Selection 858 was also less winter hardy.Yield was most closely correlated with number of seeds/plant, but other components were almost as important, highlighting the plasticity of yield in Vicia faba and the difficulties in attempting to increase yield by selecting for particular components of yield.In contrast to spring beans, the indeterminate cultivar of winter field bean produced as many branches as the determinate entry and both produced fewer branches at higher densities. There was no difference between the two growth habits in the relative contribution of each stem class to the yield of the whole plant. Higher-order branches contributed less than the main stem to final yield.

Notes on Economic Plants

Abstract: The ethnobotany of Musella lasiocarpa (Musaceae), an endemic plant of southwest China.-Musella lasiocarpa (Franch.) C. Y Wu ex H. W. Li is endemic to conifer-oak mixed forests at 1500-2500 m in southwestern China (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). This species was recognized by modern botanists in 1889 (7) and elevated to generic rank in 1978 (1), but had been precisely illustrated and described much earlier in Wu Chi-Chun's (8) Zhi-Wu Ming-shi Tu-Kao (1844) and also in Lan Mao's (9) Dian Nan Ben-Cao (herb medicine in Southern Yunnan) (18871888). Musella has been used by local people for many centuries in southwestern China although its customary use has been very poorly reported in ethnobotanical literature. Wild populations are as yet unknown as a result of the highly fragmented habitats and intensely cultivated regions where it is now known to occur. Here we describe the local use of Musella lasiocarpa in southwestern China and draw attention to its present state of conservation. Musella lasiocarpa is a large, perennial herb with rhizomatous growth. The pseudostem is composed of closely packed, persistent leaf sheaths and grows to 120 cm tall and 20 cm diam. at base. The entire leaf blades are pinnately veined. The erect, terminal inflorescence is born directly at the apex of the pseudostem and is composed of congested, spathe-like, yellow or bright yellow orange persistent bracts (see http:llwww.ftg.org/horticulture/musellalasiocarpa and Fig. IA and B). The flowers are arranged in \"lines\" or \"hands\" above each bract of the inflorescence with female flowers at the base and male flowers in the middle and at the top of the inflorescence. The berry-like fruits are trigonous, ovoid, and densely hirsute. The dark brown to black seeds are numerous, oblate, 6-8 mm diam., and glabrous. Flowering occurs year-round but is concentrated between February and August (5). The development of fruit and seed usually requires about six months after pollination. Unlike other members of the tropical banana family (Musaceae), this plant is restricted to relatively dry and cool environments where it propagates naturally by rhizomes and seeds (6). Musella is known locally by the Yi ethnic group as \"A-de,\" \"Ngadau,\" or \"Ngaptisao\" and by the Han and other ethnic groups as \"Aibajiao\" (short banana), \"Di-bajiao\" (ground banana), or \"Shan-bajiao\" (rock banana). Usually, different names are applied in the same village due to the presence of different ethnic groups. In the literature, Musella has been recorded as \"Ngay-tsiao\" (\"rock banana,\" 7), \"Di-Yun-JinLian\" (\"Golden lotus rising from the ground,\" 1, 2, 3, 4), and \"Jin-Lian-Bao-Xiang\" (\"Golden Holly Lotus,\" 8). The main use of Musella has been reported as a medicine (1, 2, 3), food, and fodder (10), but detailed accounts of its usage are still poorly known. Based on our extensive field investigations and local interviews, we provide here a description of the use of this plant in local communities in China.

The pasture ryegrass plant, what is it?

Abstract: Detailed studies of plant growth processes are important in understanding the performance and persistence of species in pastures, particularly in response to uncharacteristic environmental stress. The morphology of perennial ryegrass plants in mixed sheep grazed pastures was determined in self contained farmlets undercontrasting managements of rotational grazing, set stocking or a combination of both. Average size was 90 mg total DW, with 4- 5 tillers and 12-13 leaves, little different to white clover. Ryegrass exhibits strong clonal growth, with extension at the apex and death of the basal stem releasing branches to form new plants at regular intervals, maintaining a stable population structure of small plants all year. The normally short internodes on ryegrass stems can elongate to form stolon and elevate the apex to a more favourable position if survival is threatened. On average only 2530% of plants contained stolon at any one time. Because of high plant density the quantities of ryegrass stem present was often in excess of that produced by white clover in the same swards. Grazing management did not affect plant structure (numbers of tillers, leaves etc) only their size (dry weight), but had marked effects on pasture structure and subsequent survival of plants under stress. Keywords perennial ryegrass, plant morphology, grazing management, seasonal variation, plant survival, stolon formation

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., cv. 'Better Bush') Plant Response to Root

Abstract: Our earlier observations ot root-restricted tomato plants indicated that alterations in plant morphology occurred lrom day 18 to 32 of a 46 d culture period. Here, root-respiration capacity and root-ethylene production were measured to determine if these parameters were correlated with the observed changes in plant morphology. Plants were cultured in a flow-through hydroponic system. Roots in large containers (1500 cm3, control), exhibited a gradual decline in respiration capacities, from 9009 to 2147 mm3 02 g 1 (DW) h-1. A significant decline in respiration capacity was observed for roots grown in small containers (25 cm3, root-restriction treatment) after 18 d in culture. Once treated root systems attained a maximum weight (c. 1-59 g DW), their respiration capacity remained relatively constant (c. 1212 mm3 02 g ~ 1 (DW) h_1). The observed change in root respiration, for the restricted plants, was closely correlated with alterations in root : shoot ratio. We conclude that the decline in root respiration capacity represents a significant indicator of reduced root metabolism. Thus, root energetics plays a role that influences the growth habit of root-restricted plants. Slight increases in ethylene production were observed for treated roots on days 22, 25 and 30. This increase in production appeared at a time when adventitious rooting was initiated. Overall, control and treated roots produced ethylene within a range of 6-1 to 10-2 mm3 kg-1 (FW) h"1. Preliminary sampling of leaf tissues suggests that ethylene production rates did not differ for mature leaves of the two plant groups.

xChiranthofremontia, An Intergeneric Hybrid of Chiranthodendron Pentadactylon and Fremontodendron 'Pacific Sunset'

Abstract: x Chiranthofremontia lenzii, an intergeneric hybrid between Chiranthodendron pentadactylon and Fremontodendron 'Pacific Sunset' (Sterculiaceae: Fremontodendreae), was made artifically and is described as a hybrid genus. It shows distinctive intermediacy in floral (particularly androecial) characteristics between the parental taxa.