Transfer cells in trichomatous nectary in Adenocalymma magnificum (Bignoniaceae).

Transfer cells are specialized cells that play an important role where there are high energy costs due to facilitation of transmembrane flow of solutes. This study aimed to investigate the ontogenesis, histochemistry and ultrastructure of glandular trichomes focusing on stalk cells and their possible transfer function. Samples of prophylls of axillary buds, calyces of flowers in anthesis, and flower buds in different stages of development were collected, fixed and processed according to the common methods of microscopy. The glandular trichomes are composed of a secretory head with its cells in columnar format. The stalk is formed by two layers of cells, with the upper layer composed of cuboidal cells where the wall starts to thicken at the beginning of the pre-secretory phase. The secretion is heterogeneous, releasing glucose, other carbohydrates, lipids and phenolic compounds, with two types of release - eccrine and granulocrine. These trichomes are functionally termed as nectaries. The stalk cells appear as transfer cells since they have a thicker anticlinal wall with irregular ingrowths. The presence of transfer cells in the nectaries suggests a high specialization because it improves transport capacity of nectar and compensation in the high energy expenditure for its production and release.

A new pyrene based highly sensitive fluorescence probe for copper(II) and fluoride with living cell application.

A new pyrene based fluorescence probe has been synthesized for fluorogenic detection of Cu(2+) in acetonitrile-aqueous media (7 : 3 CH3CN-HEPES buffer, v/v, at pH 7.5) with bioimaging in both prokaryotic (Candida albicans cells) and eukaryotic (Tecoma stans pollen cells) living cells. The anion recognition properties of the sensor have also been studied in acetonitrile by fluorescence methods which show remarkable sensitivity toward fluoride over other anions examined.

Histological features, starch accumulation and sprouting in the early root development of Jacaranda ulei (Bignoniaceae).

The plant species occurring in the savanna region of the Cerrado biome in Brazil present typical morphological and physiological adaptations to a dry climate with seasonal occurrence of wildfires. In this study, the histological features of the root system, the main sites of synthesis and storage of starch and the initial phases of the bud development were characterized in Jacaranda ulei. The anatomical features observed in the root system of J. ulei are related to the needs of the species to survive in the Cerrado. The histochemical analyses demonstrated high synthesis of glucose and glycoprotein after the third day of in vitro culture, in the proximal cells of the cortical parenchyma of the exoderm. Meristematic primordia were observed in the ninth day and the beginning of the meristem formation was observed after 21 days of in vitro culture. Jacaranda ulei displays morphological, anatomical and storage features typical from resprouter species. However, it may be vulnerable to unsustainable exploitation. Considering the importance of this species for local people, more studies regarding its therapeutic properties should be performed, including the planning of appropriate programs for the species management and the production of selected clones through in vitro micropropagation.

The complex leaves of the monkey's comb (Amphilophium crucigerum, Bignoniaceae): a climbing strategy without glue.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Monkey's comb (Amphilophium crucigerum) is a widely spread neotropical leaf climber that develops attachment pads for anchorage. A single complex leaf of the species comprises a basal pair of foliate, assimilating leaflets and apical, attaching leaflet tendrils. This study aims to analyze these leaves and their ontogenetic development for a better understanding of the attachment process, the form-structure-function relationships involved, and the overall maturation of the leaves. METHODS: Thorough morphometrical, morphological, and anatomical analyses incorporated high-resolution microscopy, various staining techniques, SEM, and photographic recordings over the entire ontogenetic course of leaf development. KEY RESULTS: The foliate, assimilating leaflets and the anchorage of the more apical leaflet tendrils acted independently of each other. Attachment was achieved by coiling of the leaflet tendrils and/or development of attachment pads at the tendril apices that grow opportunistically into gaps and fissures of the substrate. In contact zones with the substrate, the cells of the pads differentiate into a vessel element-like tissue. During the entire attachment process of the plant, no glue was excreted. CONCLUSION: The complex leaves of monkey's comb are highly differentiated organs with specialized leaf parts whose functions-photosynthesis or attachment-work independently of each other. The function of attachment includes coiling and maturation process of the leaflet tendrils and the formation of attachment pads, resulting in a biomechanically sound and persistent anchorage of the plant without the need of glue excretion. This kind of glue-less attachment is not only of interest in the framework of analyzing the functional variety of attachment structures evolved in climbing plants, but also for the development of innovative biomimetic attachment structures for manifold technical applications.

Pollination biology of Jacaranda oxyphylla with an emphasis on staminode function.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Bignoniaceae is a Neotropical family with >100 genera, only two of which, Jacaranda and Digomphia, have a developed staminode. Jacaranda oxyphylla, whose flowers possess a conspicuous glandular staminode, is a zoophilous cerrado species. Here, the composition of the secretion of the glandular trichome and the influence of the staminode on the pollination biology and reproductive success of J. oxyphylla were studied. METHODS: The floral morphology, pollen viability, stigma receptivity, nectar volume and nectar concentration were studied. Compatibility system experiments were performed and floral visitors were observed and identified. Experiments comparing the effect of staminode presence and absence on pollen removal and pollen deposition efficiency were conducted in open-pollinated flowers. Histochemistry, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization detection (GC-FID) analyses were performed to determine the main chemical components of the staminode's glandular trichome secretion. KEY RESULTS: Flower anthesis lasted 2 d and, despite the low frequency of flower visitation, pollination seemed to be effected mainly by medium-sized Eulaema nigrita and Bombus morio bees, by the small bee Exomalopsis fulvofasciata and occasionally by hummingbirds. Small bees belonging to the genera Ceratina, Augochlora and Trigona were frequent visitors, collecting pollen. Jacaranda oxyphylla is predominantly allogamous. Staminode removal resulted in fewer pollen grains deposited on stigmas but did not affect total pollen removal. The secretion of capitate glandular trichome occurs continually; the main chemical compounds detected histochemically were phenolic and terpenoid (essential oils and resins). Monoterpene cineole, pentacyclic triterpenes and steroids were identified by TLC and GC-FID. CONCLUSIONS: The staminode of J. oxyphyllla is multifunctional and its importance for female reproductive success was attributed mainly to the secretion produced by capitate glandular trichomes. This secretion is involved in complex chemical interactions with pollinating bees, including the solitary bees Euglossini. These bees are common pollinators of various species of Jacaranda.

Phloem loading. A reevaluation of the relationship between plasmodesmatal frequencies and loading strategies.

The incidence of plasmodesmata in the minor vein phloem of leaves varies widely between species. On this basis, two pathways of phloem loading have been proposed: symplastic where frequencies are high, and apoplastic where they are low. However, putative symplastic-loading species fall into at least two categories. In one, the plants translocate raffinose-family oligosaccharides (RFOs). In the other, the primary sugar in the phloem sap is sucrose (Suc). While a thermodynamically feasible mechanism of symplastic loading has been postulated for species that transport RFOs, no such mechanism is known for Suc transporters. We used p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid inhibition of apoplastic loading to distinguish between the two pathways in three species that have abundant minor vein plasmodesmata and are therefore putative symplastic loaders. Clethra barbinervis and Liquidambar styraciflua transport Suc, while Catalpa speciosa transports RFOs. The results indicate that, contrary to the hypothesis that all species with abundant minor vein plasmodesmata load symplastically, C. barbinervis and L. styraciflua load from the apoplast. C. speciosa, being an RFO transporter, loads from the symplast, as expected. Data from these three species, and from the literature, also indicate that plants with abundant plasmodesmata in the minor vein phloem have abundant plasmodesmata between mesophyll cells. Thus, plasmodesmatal frequencies in the minor veins may be a reflection of overall frequencies in the lamina and may have limited relevance to phloem loading. We suggest that symplastic loading is restricted to plants that translocate oligosaccharides larger than Suc, such as RFOs, and that other plants, no matter how many plasmodesmata they have in the minor vein phloem, load via the apoplast.

Role of phenolics and boron in reproductive success in seasonally transient sterile Tecoma stans L.

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of phenolics and boron in stigma of transient sterile Tecoma stans L. during seedless (May-July), partially seedbearing (August-November, April) and seedbearing periods (December-March) was made. UV absorption profile of stigmatic exudates indicated the presence of simple phenolics. Total phenolics were higher in stigma during seedless period. Thin layer chromatographic analysis of stigmatic extracts exhibited only three principal spots. Mass spectrophotometry showed the presence of derivatives of cinnamic acid, namely, caffeic acid in these spots. Quantity of boron in stigma during seedless period was lowest but the difference with other periods was not significant. It was suggested that the accumulation of higher quantity of caffeic acid in the stigma during seedless period due to high temperature (40 degrees-45 degrees C) could lead to inhibition of pollen germination in vivo, thereby rendering the plants seedless. This was confirmed by inhibition of in vitro pollen germination in the basal medium containing higher quantity of caffeic acid.

Histological study of post-pollination events in Spathodea campanulata beauv. (Bignoniaceae), a species with late-acting self-incompatibility.

The reproductive biology of Spathodea campanulata was investigated by means of hand-pollination experiments, observations of pollen tube growth using fluorescence microscopy, and serial sections of ovules in selfed and crossed pistils. Only cross-pollinated flowers developed fruits, and all selfed flowers abscised within 3-4 d. However, self pollen tubes grew successfully to the ovary, penetrating and fertilizing the majority of ovules by 48 h, indicating that S. campanulata is a species with late-acting self-incompatibility. The incidences of ovule penetration, fertilization and endosperm initiation were all significantly slower in selfed vs. crossed pistils, although no other signs of malfunctioning were detected. The possible role of such slow self pollen tube effectiveness as a recognition event is discussed within the context of the slow but not entirely suppressed self pollen tube growth reported for some species with conventional homomorphic self-incompatibility.