Showing papers on "Plant morphology published in 2007"

Colchicine-induced chromosome doubling in Platanus acerifolia and its effect on plant morphology

Abstract: We report the production of tetraploid plants of Platanus acerifolia, with the ultimate aim of improving the ornamental qualities of this important urban landscaping tree. Chromosome doubling was achieved by the application of colchicine to either pre-soaked seed or to the apical meristems of young seedlings. Treatment of the ungerminated seed was the more efficient method in terms of numbers of tetraploid seedlings (up to 40%, as determined by chromosome counting of the root-tip nuclei) but this method produced no mature tetraploid plants due to the deleterious effect of colchicine on subsequent root growth. When colchicine was applied directly to the apical growing tip of cotyledon-stage seedlings, leaf and stem growth was temporarily affected but the plants eventually recovered. We conducted a preliminary screen for putative tetraploids based on the observation in other plant species of a correlation of stomatal size and distribution with ploidy. Plants containing significantly larger stomata and at a lower density across the lower leaf epidermis, were selected for further analysis by flow cytometry and chromosome counting. These techniques confirmed that, of the 12 putative polyploids, four were tetraploid, five were mixoploid and three were, in fact, diploid. Morphological differences of the tetraploids included a more compact growth habit and broader, thicker leaves. These plants are being grown to full maturity in order to test their potential for use in a breeding programme aimed at producing sterile triploid lines.

Developmental Genes Have Pleiotropic Effects on Plant Morphology and Source Capacity, Eventually Impacting on Seed Protein Content and Productivity in Pea

Abstract: Increasing pea (Pisum sativum) seed nutritional value and particularly seed protein content, while maintaining yield, is an important challenge for further development of this crop Seed protein content and yield are complex and unstable traits, integrating all the processes occurring during the plant life cycle During filling, seeds are the main sink to which assimilates are preferentially allocated at the expense of vegetative organs Nitrogen seed demand is satisfied partly by nitrogen acquired by the roots, but also by nitrogen remobilized from vegetative organs In this study, we evaluated the respective roles of nitrogen source capacity and sink strength in the genetic variability of seed protein content and yield We showed in eight genotypes of diverse origins that both the maximal rate of nitrogen accumulation in the seeds and nitrogen source capacity varied among genotypes Then, to identify the genetic factors responsible for seed protein content and yield variation, we searched for quantitative trait loci (QTL) for seed traits and for indicators of sink strength and source nitrogen capacity We detected 261 QTL across five environments for all traits measured Most QTL for seed and plant traits mapped in clusters, raising the possibility of common underlying processes and candidate genes In most environments, the genes Le and Afila, which control internode length and the switch between leaflets and tendrils, respectively, determined plant nitrogen status Depending on the environment, these genes were linked to QTL of seed protein content and yield, suggesting that source-sink adjustments depend on growing conditions

Induced mutagenesis to augment the natural genetic variability of melon (Cucumis melo L.)

Abstract: Induced mutagenesis of agricultural crops creates new variation in genes, including those affecting agriculturally important traits such as plant morphology and fruit quality. Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a diploid species (2n = 24) with a small genome, estimated as 450 Mb, but with relatively high levels of sequence and fruit shape polymorphism. We treated seeds of ‘Noy Yizre'el’, a ‘Galia’ melon-type parental line, with the chemical mutagen EMS (ethyl methane sulfonate). The resulting M1 plants were self-pollinated to produce about 3,000 M2 families, segregating for the induced mutations that we regard as a "mutation library". Phenotypic analyses revealed newly induced variation, mostly governed by single recessive mutations, affecting different plant organs, including cotyledon, leaves, flowers, and fruit, at different growth stages, from emergence to mature fruit. Several mutations show phenotypic similarities to mutations found in other plant species. Further studies are required to determine whether t...

Silphium trifoliatum L. – a new alternative cultivation herbal plant?

Abstract: Observations upon the growth and development of Silphium trifoliatum during the first three years of cultivation are presented. Plant morphology, green biomass production, and dry matter content were evaluated. Studies revealed that S. trifoliatum is easy to cultivate and up to 28.8 t/ha of biomass dry weight, on average, could be achieved. Thus, the plant could be potentially utilized for various purposes. Determinations of secondary metabolite contents (essential oil, flavonoids, oleanosides, and phenolic acids) were carried out using leaves, inflorescences, and rhizomes of Silphium trifoliatum during the ontogenesis stage. It was found that the plant's rhizomes contained the highest level of essential oils (up to 0.46% v/w), and thus, they are the most promising raw material. Leaves contained the highest level of flavonoids (up to 0.90%). However, oleanosides were present in greatest abundance in leaves at the budding stage (6.02%). Inflorescences were characterized by the largest amounts of p...

The impact of the living mulch on plant growth and selected features of sweet corn yield.

Abstract: The experiment was conducted in Garlica Murowana near Kraków in 1999 – 2001. Five living mulch treatments were investigated: white clover, mulch of white clover desiccated in mid July with Roundup, lucerne, mixture of living mulches of rye and clover, and rye, which were compared to two controls: the weeded and the twice – weeded. The living mulches were sown in the middle of April in 50 cm wide strips. Corn ‘Sweet Trophy F1’ was sown on 9 May in bare ground rows. The living mulches decreased the height of sweet corn plants. The effect of using mulches of rye and rye mixed with clover was highest, whereas that of clover lowest. In result of mulching morphological features of ear were worse: weight, length, diameter, kernel row number and ear feell. All mulches decreased marketable yield: clover by 21%, clover desiccated with herbicide by 26%, lucerne by 32%, mixture of rye with clover by 56%, and rye by 64% according to the control objects. Mulching with the mixture of rye and clover in comparison with clover alone caused deterioration of ear morphological features and yield lowering. Total sugars and starch content in kernels increased in the mulched objects. Elżbieta Jędrszczyk, Małgorzata Poniedziałek 4

Morfología del arbusto nativo Mulinum spinosum en sectores quemados de pastizales del NO de la Patagonia

Abstract: Morphology of native shrub Mulinum spinosum in burned sectors of NW Patagonia grasslands: The aerial plant morphology of Mulinum spinosum shrubs resprouted at a grassland sector burned four years ago and those of shrubs growing without fires at least during the previous ten years (controls) were compared. The linear shoot extension during the four post- fire years and the number and biomass of shoots, leaves and flowers in the last annual growth layer (UCC) was studied in burned plants and controls. Only during the first post-fire year, the shoots of the burned plants grew more than those of controls. Four years after the fire the burned plants exhibited lower height, basal area, total and UCC volume than control plants. The number and biomass of shoots, leaves and flowers of the UCC were similar in both compared plant groups. During the four years after fire, the burned plants recovered the biomass partitioning of the UCC to similar values than those of plants that did not suffer the fire effects by near ten years. This fast recovery of the aerial plant biomass would explain in part the M. spinosum plant dominance in disturbed areas of NW Patagonia grasslands. (Keywords: aerial biomass, annual shoot types, fire, grasslands, Mulinum spinosum, Patagonia, resprout, shoot growth) ComunicaciUn breve

Paraphalaenopsis Laycockii (M. R. Henderson) a. D. Hawkes: Tinjauan Terhadap Morfologi Tanaman Dan Anatomi Daun

Abstract: Porophaloenopsis laycockii is an epiphytic orchid, endemic to Borneo The orchid is not widely known since this orchid is rare and the trade of this species is restricted by the law An observation was made to provide information on plant morphology and leaf anatomy of the species Among various characters recorded, it was noted that the pencil-or-rat-tail-like leaf is about 566 mm in diameter and up to 1 m in length It has relatively large stomata measuring 668 x 573 pm with low stomata density of 163 stomata per mm ° of leaf surface area These characters may influence its water management so that the plant should be grown and maintained in shade for better establishment

Complementary description of the botanical morphology of Eriobotrya

Abstract: Based on the exploration of the germplasm of Eriobotrya Lindl. in China and observation and comparison of the plant morphology of collected species and varieties, the description of the characteristics of leaf, shoot, branch, flower and fruit of different species of Eriobotrya was supplemented or renewed. The main characteristics of the leaf, flower and fruit of E. kwangsiensis Chun was also briefly described. At the same time, some index on leaf in Eriobotrya plants were investigated, recorded and statistically analyzed, and the means of leaf traits investigation and date record were discussed.

"Goethe's Plant Morphology: The Seeds of Evolution"

Abstract: It has long been debated whether the scientific writing of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) provided the seeds for the theory of evolution. Scholars have argued both sides with equal passion. German biologist and philosopher, Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919) wrote, “Jean and Lamarck and Wolfgang Goethe stand at the head of all the great philosophers of nature who first established a theory of organic development, and who are the illustrious fellow workers of Darwin.” Taking the opposite stance was Chancellor of Berlin University, Emil du Bois Reymond (1818-1896). Du Bois was embarrassed by Goethe’s forays into science. He wrote, “Beside the poet, the scientist Goethe fades into the background. Let us at long last put him to rest.” I argue that Goethe’s scientific writings carry in them the seeds of the theory of evolution. Goethe’s works on plant morphology reflects the conflicting ideas of his era on the discreteness and on the stability of species. Goethe’s theory of plant morphology provides a link between the discontinuous view of nature, as exemplified in works of the Swedish

Morphological character of plants and fruits quality in cucumber after recurrent regeneration in in vitro culture.

Abstract: Borszczagowski line (B), destined to field cultivation and its line derived in the course of recurrent regenerations in in vitro culture (BRR) were used in the study. Cucumber plants were grown at 30 × 120 cm, thirty plants on each plot. During vegetation, length measurements of shoots were made and female and male flowers were counted. Fruits were collected several times. Total and marketable yields and fruits quality were estimated. The results of three-year study indicate that cucumber plants regenerated in vitro show variability on a molecular level comparing to Borszczagowski line. Multiple regeneration in vitro significantly affected both permanent variability of developmental and field parameters and physical and chemical traits of line (BRR) cucumber fruits. Janina Gajc-Wolska, Maria Szwacka, Stefan Malepszy, Anna Seroczynska 4