Endogenous Hormone Profile and Sugars Display Differential Distribution in Leaves and Pseudobulbs of Laelia anceps Plants Induced and Non-Induced to Flowering by Exogenous Gibberellic Acid.

A profile of endogenous hormones and sugars in leaves and pseudobulbs of Laelia anceps subsp. anceps (Orchidaceae) plants induced and non-induced to flowering by the effect of different doses of exogenous gibberellic acid (GA3), considering the current and back growth structures (CGS and BGS), were investigated. A factorial experiment with five doses of GA3 and two growth structures was designed. Adult plants with undifferentiated vegetative buds were selected and sprayed with doses of 0, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 mg GA3 L-1. The main results showed a strong interaction between GA3 dose and growth structures, which promoted the highest kinetin (KIN) concentration in CGS. Exogenous GA3 increased endogenous GA3 in leaves and pseudobulbs induced (I-Leaf and I-PSB) and non-induced (NI-Leaf and NI-PSB) to flowering. For sugar concentration, the 400 mg L-1 GA3 dose promotes significant interaction with the CGS in NI-PSB. In general, the hormone profile revealed opposite balances of endogenous hormone concentrations for KIN, zeatin (ZEA), trans-zeatin (T-ZEA), indoleacetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and GA3, not only for growth structures but also for vegetative organs analyzed, depending on whether the plants were induced or not induced to flowering, with the highest concentration of endogenous hormones in pseudobulbs. Likewise, different sugar concentration balances were observed. These balances of both endogenous hormones and sugars are likely to be involved in the flowering of L. anceps.

A Reference List of Phenolic Compounds (Including Stilbenes) in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Roots, Woods, Canes, Stems, and Leaves.

Due to their biological activities, both in plants and in humans, there is a great interest in finding natural sources of phenolic compounds or ways to artificially manipulate their levels. During the last decade, a significant amount of these compounds has been reported in the vegetative organs of the vine plant. In the roots, woods, canes, stems, and leaves, at least 183 phenolic compounds have been identified, including 78 stilbenes (23 monomers, 30 dimers, 8 trimers, 16 tetramers, and 1 hexamer), 15 hydroxycinnamic acids, 9 hydroxybenzoic acids, 17 flavan-3-ols (of which 9 are proanthocyanidins), 14 anthocyanins, 8 flavanones, 35 flavonols, 2 flavones, and 5 coumarins. There is great variability in the distribution of these chemicals along the vine plant, with leaves and stems/canes having flavonols (83.43% of total phenolic levels) and flavan-3-ols (61.63%) as their main compounds, respectively. In light of the pattern described from the same organs, quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, quercetin-3-O-galactoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, and caftaric acid are the main flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acids in the leaves; the most commonly represented flavan-3-ols and flavonols in the stems and canes are catechin, epicatechin, procyanidin B1, and quercetin-3-O-galactoside. The main stilbenes (trans-ε-viniferin, trans-resveratrol, isohopeaphenol/hopeaphenol, vitisin B, and ampelopsins) accumulate primarily in the woods, followed by the roots, the canes, and the stems, whereas the leaves, which are more exposed to environmental stresses, have a low concentration of these compounds. Data provided in this review could be used as (i) a metabolomic tool for screening in targeted and untargeted analyses and (ii) a reference list in studies aimed at finding ways to induce naturally occurring polyphenols on an industrial scale for pant and human disease control.

Comparative anatomy on the vegetative organs of genus Ziziphora L. (Lamiaceae) from Turkey.

The genus Ziziphora L. (Lamiaceae) is represented by five species (nine taxa) in the Turkish Flora. These taxa are Z. clinopodioides Lam. (subsp. elbursensis, subsp. filicaulis, subsp. kurdica, subsp. rigida), Z. capitata L., Z. persica Bunge, Z. tenuior L., Z. taurica Bieb. subsp. taurica, and Z. taurica Bieb. subsp. cleonioides (Boiss.) Davis which to be an endemic taxon for Turkey. They are strongly aromatic herbs which contain rich pulegone and used as herbal teas and spices and for this reason. In this study, comparative anatomy of the genus Ziziphora growing in Turkey is presented for the first time. In anatomical studies, cross sections of vegetative organs such as the root, stem, and leaf (lamina and petiole) were examined. In addition, to exhibit stomatal distribution and anatomy on adaxial and abaxial leaves were taken surface sections of the lamina and calculated stomatal index. Lamina and petiole anatomy were shown to be of great importance in the taxonomy of the Ziziphora taxa. The presence or absence of sclerenchyma in midrib of lamina and petiole, cortex parenchyma layer, mesophyll structure, and epidermal surface were found to be important characters for identification of Ziziphora taxa.

Distribution Dynamics and Roles of Starch in Non-photosynthetic Vegetative Organs of Santalum album Linn., a Hemiparasitic Tree.

Allocation dynamics of stored starch plays essential roles in the development and growth of trees. Previous studies focused on the dynamics and the characteristics of starch in autotrophic trees. However, although starch granules have been detected in the organs or tissues of some parasitic plants, studies on the allocation dynamics and roles of storage starch in them are limited. Therefore, we determined and estimated the allocation dynamics and roles of starch in Santalum album Linn., a hemiparasitic tree, using morphological and physiological methods. Our findings showed abundant starch in the stem and root of S. album at the early seedling stage. Although S. album seedlings attached to the host showed no significant changes in starch levels throughout the experiment, unattached and host-removed seedlings exhibited a gradual decrease in the starch content over time. When the starch content of unattached seedlings was less than 1%, they started to die. Starch accumulated to high levels in developing and active haustoria; however, starch levels were low in the inactive haustoria. The present study suggests that starch may provide energy to seedlings that have no host, allowing them to survive during the unattached phase, thus increasing their chance to attach to host roots by extending their survival duration. In addition, we speculate that storage starch is potentially involved in the development of haustoria and in the physiological processes of S. album related to the absorption and transportation of water and nutrients from its host.

Morphoagronomic characterization of sweet potato accessions from the germplasm bank of Embrapa hortaliças / Caracterização morfológica de acessos de batata-doce mantidos no banco de germoplasma da Embrapa Hortaliças

Studies on the determination of genetic divergence among genotypes are important tools in breeding programs, contributing to the identification of parents with considerable productive potential. However, little is known about the combinatorial capacity of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) accessions and its adaptation to the different regions of Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morpho-agronomic traits from 102 sweet potato accessions from the Germplasm Bank of Embrapa Hortaliças. The experiment was laid out as an augmented block design comprised of 102 treatments. Nineteen above ground traits were measured using descriptors for the respective parts. Estimated values of broad sense heritability were high for the traits mean branch length (95.75%), immature leaf color (85.06%), and predominant branch color (90.57%). Coefficients of environmental variation were below 30.00% for all variables, except for branch weight (51.62%). The 102 clones analyzed presented broad genetic variability for the different traits evaluated, especially for branch weight, and branch length, and mature leaf color.

Estudos de determinação de divergência genética entre genótipos são ferramentas de grande importância em programas de melhoramento, auxiliando na identificação de genitores com considerável potencial produtivo. No entanto, pouco ainda se sabe sobre a capacidade combinatória de acessos de batata-doce (Ipomoea batatas) e sobre a adaptação a diferentes regiões do Brasil. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar características agronômicas de 102 acessos de batata-doce mantidos no Banco de Germoplasma da Embrapa Hortaliças. O experimento foi instalado utilizando o delineamento em blocos aumentados, com 102 tratamentos. Foram mensuradas 19 características da parte aérea utilizando-se descritores das respectivas partes. Os valores das estimativas de herdabilidade no sentido amplo foram altos para as características comprimento médio das ramas (95,75%), cor da folha imatura (85,06%) e cor predominante da rama (90,57%). Os coeficientes de variação foram inferiores a 30 % para todas as variáveis, exceto para peso das ramas (51.62%). Os 102 clones analisados apresentaram ampla variabilidade genética para as diferentes características avaliadas, principalmente para peso das ramas, comprimento das ramas e cor da folha madura

Characterization of AtWRI1 in fatty acids and starch synthesis in rice.

WRINKLED1 (WRI1) belongs to AP2/EREBP transcription factor. Its function in dicots for fatty acids synthesis has been deeply studied, but its role in monocot, especially in rice, is still poorly understood. Here, with the overexpression of AtWRI1 in rice, we found its overexpression increased fatty acids content in vegetative organs and seed coat including aleurone layer (SCAL) but decreased fatty acids content in endosperm. Meanwhile, the overexpression of AtWRI1 increased starch content in endosperm. These results provide a new insight into the function of AtWRI1in monocot and make a previous basement for the study of the connection of fatty acids and starch synthesis in rice.

Immunocytochemical localization of saikosaponin-d in vegetative organs of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd.

BACKGROUND: Saikosaponin-d (SSd) is an important active component of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd., a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. Thus far, the biosynthetic pathway and biosynthetic site of saikosaponins in Bupleurum are largely unknown. The cellular localization of SSd will help in understanding saikosaponin biosynthesis and regulation. RESULTS: In this study, we characterize for the first time the localization of SSd in B. scorzonerifolium tissues and cells using histochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy. The results show that the saikosaponin distribution in different plant organs changes as they mature. The number of SSd gold particles distinctly differed among the roots, stems, and leaves, with the particles mainly concentrated in the roots. The gold particles were mainly observed in vacuoles, with a few particles in the protoplasm; hence, SSd is mainly stored in vacuoles. CONCLUSIONS: We speculate that saikosaponins are mainly synthesized via the mevalonate pathway in the protoplasm in young organs, and then transported to the central vacuole by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or the fusion of vacuoles, to protect plants from self-poisoning with the accumulation of more saikosaponins.

Caracterização morfoanatômica de Ageratum fastigiatum (Asteraceae) / Morpho-anatomical characterization of Ageratum fastigiatum (Asteraceae)

Ageratum fastigiatum (Gardn.) R. M. King et H. Rob. (Asteraceae), conhecido como "matapasto", é uma planta usada na medicina popular como cicatrizante e antimicrobiano. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar caracterização morfoanatômica da folha, dos ramos e da raiz de A. fastigiatum. Secções transversais e paradérmicas, coradas com safranina/azul de astra e azul de toluidina foram analisadas ao microscópio. As folhas são alternas ou fasciculadas; a inflorescência é constituída de capítulos; as flores com corola lilás; ausência de pápus. A raiz apresenta crescimento secundário na zona de ramificação com estruturas secretoras. O caule possui epiderme uniestratificada, estômatos, tricomas tectores simples e tricomas glandulares capitados. O pecíolo exibe contorno côncavo-convexo e a epiderme é unisseriada. A lâmina foliar é anfiestomática e o mesófilo dorsiventral. A epiderme possui células de contorno sinuoso e os estômatos são do tipo anomocítico. Os caracteres morfoanatômicos permitiram estabelecer parâmetros para identificação do A. fastigiatum.

Ageratum fastigiatum (Gardn.) R. M. King et H. Rob. (Asteraceae), known as "matapasto", is a plant used in the popular medicine as cicatrizant and antimicrobial. The aim of this work was to perform a morpho-anatomical characterization of the leaves, the stems and the roots from A. fastigiatum. Transversal and paradermic sections, stained with astra safranin/blue and toluidine blue were analyzed under a microscope. The leaves are alternate or fasciculate; the inflorescence is constituted of chapters; the flowers with lilac corolla; papus is absence. The root presents secondary growth in the ramification area with secretor structures. The stem possesses epidermis unistratified, stomata, simple non-glandular trichomes and capitates glandular trichomes. The petiole exhibits concave-convex outline and the epidermis is uniseriate. The blade leaf is hypostomatic; the mesophyll is dorsiventral. The epidermis possesses cells of sinuous outline and the stomata of the anomocytic type. The morpho-anatomical characters allowed establishing parameters for identification of A. fastigiatum.

Estudo morfoanatômico preliminar do caule e da folha de Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.) Kuntze (Asteraceae-Heliantheae) / A preliminary morphological and anatomical study of the stem and leaf of Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.) Kuntze (Asteraceae-Heliantheae)

Descrições morfoanatômicas preliminares do caule e da folha de Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.) Kuntze foram realizadas a partir de material vegetal fresco e fixado. Secções transversais e paradérmicas, coradas com safranina/azul de astra e azul de toluidina foram analisadas ao microscópio. As superfícies do caule e da folha foram observadas através de microscopia eletrônica de varredura. A. australe apresenta, tanto no caule quanto na folha, tricomas tectores pluricelulares, unisseriados e de extremidades afiladas, e glandulares discóides, com pedúnculo curto unicelular, no qual se prendem cinco séries de células. A folha é anfiestomática e os estômatos são do tipo anomocítico, levemente proeminentes em relação ao nível das demais células epidérmicas. O caule apresenta crescimento secundário inicial, destacando-se os ductos secretores no parênquima cortical e medular.

Preliminary morphological and anatomical descriptions of stem and leaf of Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.) Kuntze were made in fresh and fixed material. Cross and superficial sections, stained with safranin/astra blue and Toluidine blue were analyzed at the light microscopic and the images were acquired by means the program Image Pro-Plus, version 4.0 (Media Cybertecnics). The surface of the stem and leaf were observed through scanning electronic microscopy. The species presents in the stem and leaf surface multicellular nonglandular trichome, uniseriate with a pointed edge and multicellular glandular trichome like a disk with a unicellular peduncle, in which is attached a series of five cells. The leaf presents anomocytic stomata in both surfaces a little prominent in relation to the level of the epidermal cells. The stem presents an initial secondary growth with evident secretory ducts in the cortex and pith.