Gamma irradiation for enhancing active chemical compounds in leaf extracts of Libidibia ferrea (Leguminosae).

This research was designed to evaluate the influence of the irradiation process of the leaf extracts of Libidibia ferrea (Leguminosae) on the production of secondary chemical compounds, including their biological activity. Leaves were collected and prepared to obtain the crude extract, which was then aliquoted and separately exposed to a Co-60 source with different doses, namely: 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, and 30 kGy. From irradiated and control samples, tests of toxicity were carried out with the microcrustacea Artemia salina Leach at three moments: 24 h, 60 and 180 days after the irradiation of the samples. Bioassays showed an increase in the toxicity of the irradiated extracts, correlated with the dose. The toxicity level did not change with the storage time, indicating the excellent stability of the samples. To assess the phytochemical profile of the crude and irradiated extracts, three techniques were employed: thin-layer chromatography (TLC), liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The phytochemical results emphasized the presence of phenols, tannins, and triterpenes. The analytical tests confirmed the role of ionizing radiation in breaking down macromolecules into simpler chemical species responsible for increasing chemical activity of the extract. This report presents and discusses ionizing radiation as an outstanding tool for enhancing active chemical compounds in leaf extracts of Libidibia ferrea, which reflects on their biochemical properties.

Mimosine accumulation in Leucaena leucocephala in response to stress signaling molecules and acute UV exposure.

Mimosine is a non-protein amino acid of Fabaceae, such as Leucaena spp. and Mimosa spp. Several relevant biological activities have been described for this molecule, including cell cycle blocker, anticancer, antifungal, antimicrobial, herbivore deterrent and allelopathic activities, raising increased economic interest in its production. In addition, information on mimosine dynamics in planta remains limited. In order to address this topic and propose strategies to increase mimosine production aiming at economic uses, the effects of several stress-related elicitors of secondary metabolism and UV acute exposure were examined on mimosine accumulation in growth room-cultivated seedlings of Leucaena leucocephala spp. glabrata. Mimosine concentration was not significantly affected by 10 ppm salicylic acid (SA) treatment, but increased in roots and shoots of seedlings treated with 84 ppm jasmonic acid (JA) and 10 ppm Ethephon (an ethylene-releasing compound), and in shoots treated with UV-C radiation. Quantification of mimosine amidohydrolase (mimosinase) gene expression showed that ethephon yielded variable effect over time, whereas JA and UV-C did not show significant impact. Considering the strong induction of mimosine accumulation by acute UV-C exposure, additional in situ ROS localization, as well as in vitro antioxidant assays were performed, suggesting that, akin to several secondary metabolites, mimosine may be involved in general oxidative stress modulation, acting as a hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion quencher.

Polyphenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of legume-based swards are affected by light intensity in a Mediterranean agroforestry system.

BACKGROUND: In Mediterranean grazed woodlands, microclimate changes induced by trees influence the growth and development of the understory, although very little is known about its polyphenolic composition in relation to light intensity. We investigated the bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of different legume-based swards and variations as a result of full sunlight and partial shade. The research was carried out in a cork oak agrosilvopastoral system in Sardinia. RESULTS: The highest values of (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) (DPPH) reached 7 mmol Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity 100 g-1 dry weight (DW), total phenolics 67.1 g gallic acid equivalent kg-1 DW and total flavonoids 7.5 g catechin equivalent kg-1 DW. Compared to full sunlight, partial shade reduced DPPH values by 29% and 42%, and the total phenolic content by 23% and 53% in 100% legume mixture and semi-natural pasture, respectively. Twelve phenolic compounds were detected: chlorogenic acid in 80% legume mixture (partial shade) and verbascoside in pure sward of bladder clover (full sunlight) were the most abundant. CONCLUSION: Light intensity significantly affected antioxidant capacity, composition and levels of phenolic compounds. The results of the present study provide new insights into the effects of light intensity on plant secondary metabolites from legume-based swards, highlighting the important functions provided by agroforestry systems. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Pulsed Electric Fields-Modified Ferritin Realizes Loading of Rutin by a Moderate pH Transition.

Ferritin shares a conserved 24-subunit spherical structure and a unique reversible self-assembly characteristic. In the present work, pulsed electric fields (PEF) technology was used to treat red bean seed ferritin deprived of iron (apoRBF) to fabricate a PEF-modified apoRBF (PEFF). Results indicated that PEF treatment at 20 kV/cm for 7.05 ms retained the spherical structure but decreased the α-helix/ß-sheet contents of ferritin. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and UV-vis analyses proved that the thermal stability of the PEFF was decreased. Consequently, PEFF disassembled at pH 3.6 and reassembled when the pH was restored to 7.0, exhibiting a more moderate condition relevant to the traditional approach. Using the pH 3.6/7.0 transition routine, rutin molecules were successfully loaded within PEFF nanoparticle. The rutin-loaded PEFF showed a diameter of 12 nm with an encapsulation ratio of 13.7% (w/w). Moreover, PEFF played a role in protecting the encapsulated rutin molecules upon thermal treatment (20-70 °C). This work will be beneficial for extension of PEF application in protein modification and will improve ferritin functionalization as a carrier for food bioactive molecules by a moderate pH transition method.

Connectivity between electron transport complexes and modulation of photosystem II activity in chloroplasts.

In chloroplasts, photosynthetic electron transport complexes interact with each other via the mobile electron carriers (plastoquinone and plastocyanin) which are in surplus amounts with respect to photosystem I and photosystem II (PSI and PSII), and the cytochrome b 6 f complex. In this work, we analyze experimental data on the light-induced redox transients of photoreaction center P700 in chloroplasts within the framework of our mathematical model. This analysis suggests that during the action of a strong actinic light, even significant attenuation of PSII [for instance, in the result of inhibition of a part of PSII complexes by DCMU or due to non-photochemical quenching (NPQ)] will not cause drastic shortage of electron flow through PSI. This can be explained by "electronic" and/or "excitonic" connectivity between different PSII units. At strong AL, the overall flux of electrons between PSII and PSI will maintain at a high level even with the attenuation of PSII activity, provided the rate-limiting step of electron transfer is beyond the stage of PQH2 formation. Results of our study are briefly discussed in the context of NPQ-dependent mechanism of chloroplast protection against light stress.

Effects of soil type and light on height growth, biomass partitioning, and nitrogen dynamics on 22 species of tropical dry forest tree seedlings: Comparisons between legumes and nonlegumes.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: The seedling stage is particularly vulnerable to resource limitation, with potential consequences for community composition. We investigated how light and soil variation affected early growth, biomass partitioning, morphology, and physiology of 22 tree species common in tropical dry forest, including eight legumes. Our hypothesis was that legume seedlings are better at taking advantage of increased resource availability, which contributes to their successful regeneration in tropical dry forests. METHODS: We grew seedlings in a full-factorial design under two light levels in two soil types that differed in nutrient concentrations and soil moisture. We measured height biweekly and, at final harvest, biomass partitioning, internode segments, leaf carbon, nitrogen, δ13C, and δ15N. KEY RESULTS: Legumes initially grew taller and maintained that height advantage over time under all experimental conditions. Legumes also had the highest final total biomass and water-use efficiency in the high-light and high-resource soil. For nitrogen-fixing legumes, the amount of nitrogen derived from fixation was highest in the richer soil. Although seed mass tended to be larger in legumes, seed size alone did not account for all the differences between legumes and nonlegumes. Both belowground and aboveground resources were limiting to early seedling growth and function. CONCLUSIONS: Legumes may have a different regeneration niche, in that they germinate rapidly and grow taller than other species immediately after germination, maximizing their performance when light and belowground resources are readily available, and potentially permitting them to take advantage of high light, nutrient, and water availability at the beginning of the wet season.

Physiological responses of the M1 sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop) plants to gamma radiation.

Effects of gamma radiation on physiological responses of the M1 sainfoin plants were investigated. Seeds of sainfoin ecotype 'Koças' were exposed to 0, 400, 500 and 600Gy from a 60Co source at a dose rate of 0.483 kGyh-1. Irradiated and unirradiated seeds were sown into culture vessels containing MS-basal medium to be cultured for 30 days under in vitro conditions. At the end of this period, seedlings, which germinated from the radiated and unirradiated seeds, were transferred into pots in a growth chamber for 30 days more. Chlorophyll contents, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as contents of monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDA) and proline were examined in unirradiated and irradiated 60-day-old seedlings. Overall, the activities of the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and GR) and contents of chlorophyll and proline in the leaves tended to increase after irradiation in a dose-dependent manner. By contrast, the activity of APX decreased. The lipid peroxidation characterized by the MDA content remained unchanged, except after irradiation to 500Gy. The highest CAT activity and the highest proline content were observed after irradiation to the highest dose of 600Gy. The highest SOD and GR activities were observed after irradiation to the lowest tested dose of 400Gy. This is the first study that provided basic information on the impact of gamma radiation on physiological responses of sainfoin and its radiosensitivity. These findings will be useful in development of a mutation breeding program of sainfoin.

Anthocyanins and flavonols are responsible for purple color of Lablab purpureus (L.) sweet pods.

Lablab pods, as dietary vegetable, have high nutritional values similar to most of edible legumes. Moreover, our studies confirmed that purple lablab pods contain the natural pigments of anthocyanins and flavonols. Compared to green pods, five kinds of anthocyanins (malvidin, delphinidin and petunidin derivatives) were found in purple pods by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and the major contents were delphinidin derivatives. Besides, nine kinds of polyphenol derivatives (quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol and apigenin derivatives) were detected by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS and the major components were quercetin and myricetin derivatives. In order to discover their molecular mechanism, expression patterns of biosynthesis and regulatory gens of anthocyanins and flavonols were investigated. Experimental results showed that LpPAL, LpF3H, LpF3'H, LpDFR, LpANS and LpPAP1 expressions were significantly induced in purple pods compared to green ones. Meanwhile, transcripts of LpFLS were more abundant in purple pods than green or yellow ones, suggestind that co-pigments of anthocyanins and flavonols are accumulated in purple pods. Under continuously dark condition, no anthocyanin accumulation was detected in purple pods and transcripts of LpCHS, LpANS, LpFLS and LpPAP1 were remarkably repressed, indicating that anthocyanins and flavonols biosynthesis in purple pods was regulated in light-dependent manner. These results indicate that co-pigments of anthocyanins and flavonols contribute to purple pigmentations of pods.

Evidence for the role of cyclic electron flow in photoprotection for oxygen-evolving complex.

Cyclic electron flow (CEF) alleviates PSII photo-inhibition under high light by at least two different mechanisms: one is liked to thermal energy dissipation (qE) and the other one is independent of qE. However, the latter mechanism is unclear. Because the photodamage to PSII primarily occurred at the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC), and the stability of OEC is dependent on proton gradient across thylakoid membrane (ΔpH), we hypothesize that the CEF-dependent generation of ΔpH can alleviate photodamage to OEC. To test this hypothesis, we determined the effects of antimycin A (AA), methyl viologen (MV), chloramphenicol (CM), nigericin (Nig) on PSII activity and the stability of OEC for leaves of a light-demanding tropical tree species Erythrophleum guineense by the analysis of OKJIP chlorophyll a fluorescence transient. After high light treatment, the stronger decrease in Fv/Fm in the AA-, CM-, MV-, and Nig-treated samples was accompanied with larger photo damage of OEC. The AA-treated samples significantly showed lower CEF activity than the H2O-treated samples. Although the AA-treated leaves significantly showed stronger PSII photo-inhibition and photo-damage of OEC compared to the H2O-treated leaves, the value of non-photochemical quenching did not differ between them. Therefore, CEF activity was partly inhibited in the AA-treated samples, and the stronger PSII photo-inhibition in the AA-treated leaves was independent of qE. Taking together, we propose a hypothesis that CEF-dependent generation of ΔpH under high light plays an important role in photoprotection for the OEC activity.

Quantification of the In Vitro Radiosensitivity of Mung Bean Sprout Elongation to 6MV X-Ray: A Revised Target Model Study.

In this study, a revised target model for quantifying the in vitro radiosensitivity of mung bean sprout elongation to 6-MV X-rays was developed. The revised target model, which incorporated the Poisson prediction for a low probability of success, provided theoretical estimates that were highly consistent with the actual data measured in this study. The revised target model correlated different in vitro radiosensitivities to various effective target volumes and was successfully confirmed by exposing mung beans in various elongation states to various doses of 6-MV X-rays. For the experiment, 5,000 fresh mung beans were randomly distributed into 100 petri dishes, which were randomly divided into ten groups. Each group received an initial watering at a different time point prior to X-ray exposure, resulting in different effective target volumes. The bean sprouts were measured 70 hr after X-ray exposure, and the average length of the bean sprouts in each group was recorded as an index of the mung bean in vitro radiosensitivity. Mung beans that received an initial watering either six or sixteen hours before X-ray exposure had the shortest sprout length, indicating that the maximum effective target volume was formed within that specific time period. The revised target model could be also expanded to interpret the "two-hit" model of target theory, although the experimental data supported the "one-hit" model. If the "two-hit" model was sustained, theoretically, the target size would be 2.14 times larger than its original size to produce the same results.

Lack of divergence in seed ecology of two Amphicarpaea (Fabaceae) species disjunct between eastern Asia and eastern North America.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Many congeneric species are disjunct between eastern Asia and eastern North America. No previous study has compared the seed biology of closely related disjunct taxa of legumes or of a diaspore-heteromorphic species. Our objective was to compare seed dormancy in two such sister species in the genus Amphicarpaea (Fabaceae). METHODS: We investigated the ecology and ecophysiology of aerial and subterranean seeds of the amphicarpic species Amphicarpaea edgeworthii from China and compared the results to those published for its sister species A. bracteata from eastern North America. KEY RESULTS: The seed coat of aerial seeds of A. edgeworthii is well developed, whereas the seed coat of subterranean seeds is not. Aerial seeds have combinational dormancy (physical dormancy [PY] + physiological dormancy [PD]) broken by scarification followed by cold stratification or by after-ripening and scarification; whereas subterranean seeds have PD broken by cold stratification. Aerial seeds formed a persistent soil seed bank, and subterranean seeds a transient soil seed bank. Aerial seeds of A. bracteata also have PY+PD and subterranean seeds PD. Subterranean seeds of both species are desiccation intolerant. CONCLUSION: Dormancy in neither aerial nor subterranean seeds of both species has diverged over geological time. Compared to subterranean seeds, aerial seeds of both species dispersed over longer distances. Seed dispersal ability and degree of dormancy of neither species fits the high-risk/low-risk (H-H/L-L) strategy found in many diaspore-dimorphic species. Rather, both species have an H-L/L-H strategy for these two life history traits.

Pulsed light decontamination of endive salad and mung bean sprouts and impact on color and respiration activity.

The objective of this study was the determination of the efficiency of pulsed light (PL) treatments for the decontamination of endive salad and mung bean sprouts, as well as the assessment of quality changes in relation to discoloration and alteration of respiration activity. Produce samples were artificially inoculated with two bacterial test strains Escherichia coli (DSM 498) and Listeria innocua (DSM 20649) and exposed to PL at different energy doses. The inactivation efficiency with regard to the naturally occurring microbiota was also investigated. Besides microbiological investigations, color changes were determined as well as the produce respiration during chilled storage. The results indicated that inactivation of more than 2 log was possible with one flash in the case of fresh-cut salad, while the reduction on mung bean sprouts was limited to approximately 1.6 log with one flash, irrespective if the natural flora or inoculated E. coli or L. innocua were considered. The UV part of the PL proved to be exclusively responsible for the inactivation of microorganisms. Significant lower levels of microbial counts of treated compared with untreated samples were maintained for up to 6 days. In the case of endive salad, a dose-dependent progressive discoloration and increase in respiration was diminished by applying optical bandpass filters, which only slightly affected the inactivation efficiency. In contrast, PL treatments showed a positive effect on color and general appearance of mung bean sprouts, while the respiration was almost unaffected. However, care must be taken with regard to efficiency-limiting matrix effects and impact on food quality. These aspects have to be assessed for each treated product. The integration of PL in industrial food processing plants could be an alternative way to improve the microbial quality of fresh produce, and therefore have a positive impact on public health by reducing the risk of contaminations with pathogenic bacteria.

Dimethoate modifies enhanced UV-B effects on growth, photosynthesis and oxidative stress in mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) seedlings: implication of salicylic acid.

The present study is aimed to investigate implication of salicylic acid (SA) in regulation of dimethoate (30 and 150 ppm designated as D1 and D2, respectively) and enhanced UV-B radiation (ambient + supplemental; ambient + 4.0 kJ m(-2) and ambient + 8.0 kJ m(-2), designated as UV-B1 and UV-B2, respectively) induced responses in mung bean seedlings. Seeds of Vigna radiata L. cv. Narendra 1 were surface sterilized, washed thoroughly and soaked for 24 h in sterilized distilled water. Soaked seeds were sown in acid washed sterilized sand filled in plastic trays, and incubated in dark at 26 ± 2 °C for 2 days. The seedlings were grown in growth chamber at 26 ± 2 °C with 12 h photoperiod (350 µmol photons m(-2 )s(-1), PAR) and watered regularly. Six day old seedlings of equal size were gently transferred in 0.2 strength Rorison nutrient medium (pH 6.8) for acclimatization. Thereafter, dimethoate (30 and 150 ppm designated as D1 and D2, respectively) and enhanced UV-B radiation treatments were given. On the 12th day, seedlings of each set were harvested and various parameters related to growth, pigments, photosynthesis, oxidative stress and antioxidant system were analyzed. The D2 dose of dimethoate and UV-B1 and UV-B2 alone and together significantly (P < 0.05) declined growth, photosynthetic pigments and photosynthesis (Fv/Fm and qP except NPQ) which were accompanied by significant decrease in SA level. Similarly, D2 and UV-B also enhanced (P < 0.05) accumulation of reactive oxygen species and concomitantly damaging effects on lipids, proteins and membrane stability were observed. In contrast, in SA-pretreated seedlings damaging impacts of D2, UV-B1 and UV-B2 alone and together were significantly (P < 0.05) alleviated. Besides this, interestingly D1 dose of dimethoate alone had stimulatory effect on growth and it also ameliorated damaging effects of both the doses of UV-B. The activity of superoxide dismutase was stimulated by all the combinations. However, catalase, glutathione reductase and dehydroascorbate reductase activities were significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited by D2, UV-B1 and UV-B2 while SA-pretreatment ameliorated D2 and UV-B-induced inhibitions in activities of these enzymes. Total ascorbate and glutathione pools also decreased by D2 and both doses of UV-B; however, in SA-pretreated seedlings their amounts were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than D2, UV-B1 and UV-B2 alone. Interestingly, D1 also alleviated damaging impact of UV-B1 and UV-B2 on total ascorbate and glutathione pools. Results revealed that D2, UV-B1 and UV-B2 might alter SA biosynthesis that results into declined SA level which might be related with their toxicity. However, SA-pretreatment might act as a signal that reduces oxidative stress by triggering up-regulation of antioxidants hence improved growth and photosynthesis noticed. Alleviation of UV-B toxicity by D1 suggests about hormesis that triggers SA biosynthesis and hence protection against both doses of UV-B was observed.

Biological effect of audible sound control on mung bean (Vigna radiate) sprout.

Audible sound (20-20000 Hz) widely exists in natural world. However, the interaction between audible sound and the growth of plants is usually neglected in biophysics research. Not much effort has been put forth in studying the relation of plant and audible sound. In this work, the effect of audible sound on germination and growth of mung bean (Vigna radiate) was studied under laboratory condition. Audible sound ranging 1000-1500 Hz, 1500-2000 Hz, and 2000-2500 Hz and intensities [80 dB (A), 90 dB (A), 100 dB (A)] were used to stimulate mung bean for 72 hours. The growth of mung bean was evaluated in terms of mean germination time, total length, and total fresh weight. Experimental results indicated that the sound wave can reduce the germination period of mung bean and the mung bean under treatments of sound with intensity around 90 dB and frequency around 2000 Hz and significant increase in growth. Audible sound treatment can promote the growth of mung bean differently for distinct frequency and intensity. The study provides us with a way to understand the effects and rules of sound field on plant growth and a new way to improve the production of mung bean.

Stimulatory effects of gamma irradiation on phytochemical properties, mitotic behaviour, and nutritional composition of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.).

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop. Syn. Onobrychis sativa L.) is a bloat-safe forage crop with high levels of tannins, which is renowned for its medicinal qualities in grazing animals. Mutagenesis technique was applied to investigate the influence of gamma irradiation at 30, 60, 90, and 120 Gy on mitotic behavior, in vitro growth factors, phytochemical and nutritional constituents of sainfoin. Although a percentage of plant necrosis and non-growing seed were enhanced by irradiation increment, the germination speed was significantly decreased. It was observed that gamma irradiated seeds had higher value of crude protein and dry matter digestibility compared to control seeds. Toxicity of copper was reduced in sainfoin irradiated seeds at different doses of gamma rays. Anthocyanin content also decreased in inverse proportion to irradiation intensity. Accumulation of phenolic and flavonoid compounds was enhanced by gamma irradiation exposure in leaf cells. HPLC profiles differed in peak areas of the two important alkaloids, Berberine and Sanguinarine, in 120 Gy irradiated seeds compared to control seeds. There were positive correlations between irradiation dose and some abnormality divisions such as laggard chromosome, micronucleus, binucleated cells, chromosome bridge, and cytomixis. In reality, radiocytological evaluation was proven to be essential in deducing the effectiveness of gamma irradiation to induce somaclonal variation in sainfoin.

Diverse biological effects of electromagnetic-treated water.

The effects of water treated with an electromagnetic field (EMF) were investigated on two biological systems, humans and plants. Purified de-ionised water was treated by (1) boiling, (2) exposure to microwave radiation, and (3) low frequency electromagnetic oscillation molecular resonance effect technology (MRET), before being used to prepare media for culturing human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from three healthy females. Our results indicated that PBMC culture in MRET-activated medium showed significantly less oxidative metabolism when compared to media prepared from other types of water. As for the effects on soybean, our results indicated that both MRET- and microwave-treated water greatly enhanced the length of the root. These results suggested that electromagnetic-treated water can have diverse biological effects on both animal and plant cells. Since these effects are related to the 'Memory of Water', hypothesis which has been suggested as an explanation of the action of high homeopathic dilutions, our finding warrant a further investigation on the mechanisms of various types of physically conditioned water on specific cellular activities.

Coping with drought-induced xylem cavitation: coordination of embolism repair and ionic effects in three Mediterranean evergreens.

Embolism repair and ionic effects on xylem hydraulic conductance have been documented in different tree species. However, the diurnal and seasonal patterns of both phenomena and their actual role in plants' responses to drought-induced xylem cavitation have not been thoroughly investigated. This study provides experimental evidence of the ability of three Mediterranean species to maintain hydraulic function under drought stress by coordinating the refilling of xylem conduits and ion-mediated enhancement of stem hydraulic conductance (K stem). Vessel grouping indices and starch content in vessel-associated parenchyma cells were quantified to verify eventual correlations with ionic effects and refilling, respectively. Experiments were performed on stems of Ceratonia siliqua L., Olea europaea L. and Laurus nobilis L. Seasonal, ion-mediated changes in K stem (ΔK stem) and diurnal and/or seasonal embolism repair were recorded for all three species, although with different temporal patterns. Field measurements of leaf specific stem hydraulic conductivity showed that it remained quite constant during the year, despite changes in the levels of embolism. Starch content in vessel-associated parenchyma cells changed on diurnal and seasonal scales in L. nobilis and O. europaea but not in C. siliqua. Values of ΔK stem were significantly correlated with vessel multiple fraction values (the ratio of grouped vessels to total number of vessels). Our data suggest that the regulation of xylem water transport in Mediterranean plants relies on a close integration between xylem refilling and ionic effects. These functional traits apparently play important roles in plants' responses to drought-induced xylem cavitation.

Ionizing radiation induced changes in phenotype, photosynthetic pigments and free polyamine levels in Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek.

Effects of gamma rays on the free polyamine (PA) levels were studied in Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek. Seeds exposed to different doses of gamma rays were checked for damage on phenotype, germination frequency and alteration in photosynthetic pigments. Free polyamine levels were estimated from seeds irradiated in dry and water imbibed conditions. Polyamine levels of seedlings grown from irradiated seeds, and irradiated seedlings from unexposed seeds were also measured. Damage caused by gamma irradiation resulted in decrease in final germination percentage and seedling height. Photosynthetic pigments decreased in a dose dependent manner as marker of stress. Polyamines decreased in irradiated dry seeds and in seedlings grown from irradiated seeds. Radiation stress induced increase in free polyamines was seen in irradiated imbibed seeds and irradiated seedlings. Response of polyamines towards gamma rays is dependent on the stage of the life cycle of the plant.

Transgressive physiological and transcriptomic responses to light stress in allopolyploid Glycine dolichocarpa (Leguminosae).

Allopolyploidy is often associated with increased photosynthetic capacity as well as enhanced stress tolerance. Excess light is a ubiquitous plant stress associated with photosynthetic light harvesting. We show that under chronic excess light, the capacity for non-photochemical quenching (NPQ(max)), a photoprotective mechanism, was higher in a recently formed natural allotetraploid (Glycine dolichocarpa, designated 'T2') than in its diploid progenitors (G. tomentella, 'D3'; and G. syndetika, 'D4'). This enhancement in NPQ(max) was due to an increase in energy-dependent quenching (qE) relative to D3, combined with an increase in zeaxanthin-dependent quenching (qZ) relative to D4. To explore the genetic basis for this phenotype, we profiled D3, D4 and T2 leaf transcriptomes and found that T2 overexpressed genes of the water-water cycle relative to both diploid progenitors, as well as genes involved in cyclic electron flow around photosystem I (CEF-PSI) and the xanthophyll cycle, relative to D4. Xanthophyll pigments have critical roles in NPQ, and the water-water cycle and CEF-PSI are non-photosynthetic electron transport pathways believed to facilitate NPQ formation. In the absence of CO(2), T2 also exhibited greater quantum yield of photosystem II than either diploid, indicating a greater capacity for non-photosynthetic electron transport. We postulate that, relative to its diploid progenitors, T2 is able to achieve higher NPQ(max) due to an increase in xanthophyll pigments coupled with enhanced electron flow through the water-water cycle and CEF-PSI.

Effects of ultraviolet-B irradiance on intraspecific competition and facilitation of plants: self-thinning, size inequality, and phenotypic plasticity.

(1) The effects of facilitation on the structure and dynamics of plant populations have not been studied so widely as competition. The UV-B radiation, as a typical environmental factor causing stress, may result in direct stress and facilitation. (2) The effects of UV-B radiation on intraspecific competition and facilitation were investigated based on the following three predictions on self-thinning, size inequality, and phenotypic plasticity: i) Self-thinning is the reduction in density that results from the increase in the mean biomass of individuals in crowded populations, and is driven by competition. In this study, the mortality rate of the population is predicted to decrease from UV-B irradiance. ii) The size inequality of a population increases with competition intensity because larger individuals receive a disproportionate share of resources, thereby leaving limited resources for smaller individuals. The second hypothesis assumes that direct stress decreases the size inequality of the population. iii) Phenotypic plasticity is the ability to alter one's morphology in response to environmental changes. The third hypothesis assumes that certain morphological indices can change among the trade-offs between competition, facilitation, and stress. These predictions were tested by conducting a field pot experiment using mung beans, and were supported by the following results: (3) UV-B radiation increased the survival rate of the population at the end of self-thinning. However, this result was mainly due to direct stress rather than facilitation. (4) Just as competitor, facilitation was also asymmetric. It increased the size inequality of populations during self-thinning, whereas stress decreased the size inequality. (5) Direct stress and facilitation influence plants differently on various scales. Stress inhibited plant growth, whereas facilitation showed the opposite on an individual scale. Stress increased survival rate, whereas facilitation increased individual variability on the population scale. (6) Trade-offs between competitions, facilitation, and direct stress varied in different growing stages.