Flower structure and developmental stages of the capitulum of Smallanthus sonchifolius (Asteraceae): reproductive implications.

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius, Asteraceae) is an ancient andean crop that has numerous dietary and medicinal properties. Morphological and anatomical features and developmental changes of the capitulum were studied. A ray floret is a pistillate, female flower, while a disc floret is a staminate male flower, and the former opens before the latter, being pseudanthium protogynous. The capitulum presents interesting attributes for pollinators such as flower structure, nectaries and pollenkitt. Gynoecial nectaries were found on undeveloped ovary in the disc floret, but not in the ray floret. Glandular trichomes were observed on the abaxial epidermis of corolla in the ray floret, but not in the disc floret. Capitulum development was divided into eight stages. Stigma receptivity varied with these stages. Pollen viability was low (15%). In accordance with low viability, pollen grains exhibit diverse sizes and shapes, reduction in length of spines, and abnormal protoplasm. Examination of ovary development in the ray floret showed that a mature ovule was formed, but fertilization did not occur. In advanced developmental stages, the capitulum showed proliferation of the endothelium, degeneration of the embryo sac, and all harvested cypselae had aborted seeds. Problems found in pollen viability and aborted cypselae could be the result of a history of vegetative propagation in the domestication process.

Effect of biosynthetic intermediates and citrate on the phenyllactic and hydroxyphenyllactic acids production by Lactobacillus plantarum CRL 778.

AIM: To evaluate the influence of biosynthetic precursors, intermediates and electron acceptors on the production of antifungal compounds [phenyllactic acid (PLA) and hydroxyphenyllactic acid (OH-PLA)] by Lactobacillus plantarum CRL 778, a strain isolated from home-made sourdough. METHODS AND RESULTS: Growth of fermentative activity and antifungal compounds production by Lact. plantarum CRL 778 were evaluated in a chemically defined medium (CDM) supplemented with biosynthetic precursors [phenylalanine (Phe), tyrosine (Tyr)], intermediates [glutamate (Glu), alpha-ketoglutarate (α-KG)] and electron acceptors [citrate (Cit)]. Results showed that the highest PLA production (0.26 mmol l(-1)), the main antifungal compound produced by Lact. plantarum CRL 778, occurred when greater concentrations of Phe than Tyr were present. Both PLA and OH-PLA yields were increased 2-folds when Cit was combined with α-KG instead of Glu at similar Tyr/Phe molar ratio. Similarly, glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity was significantly (P < 0.01) stimulated by α-KG and Cit in Glu-free medium. CONCLUSION: Phe was the major stimulant for PLA formation; however, Cit could increase both PLA and OH-PLA synthesis by Lact. plantarum CRL 778 probably due to an increase in oxidized NAD(+). This effect, as well as the GDH activity, was enhanced by α-KG and down regulated by Glu. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first study where the role of Glu and GDH activity in the PLA and OH-PLA synthesis was evidenced in sourdough lactic acid bacteria (LAB) using a CDM. These results contribute to the knowledge on the antifungal compounds production by sourdough LAB with potential applications on the baked goods.

Characterization of Feeding Injuries Caused by Ceresa nigripectus Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Membracidae) on Alfalfa Stems.

Piercing-sucking insects cause mechanical and physiological injury to plants. Ceresa nigripectus Remes Lenicov is a pest of alfalfa in subtropical regions of South America and a carrier of the ArAWB phytoplasma. The aim of this study was to determine the feeding habits of this treehopper and to describe the effects of the feeding injuries on stem vascular tissues in alfalfa. Adults and nymphs of C. nigripectus inserted their stylets repeatedly girdling the stem. One week after feeding, alfalfa stems exhibited numerous feeding canals with salivary deposits, most of which reached the phloem. Two weeks after feeding, cortex and phloem cells next to the salivary sheath collapsed, mature tracheal elements became sparse and appeared with an increased cross-section area, and phenolic compounds increased in cells and cell walls compared to undamaged plants. Three weeks after feeding, an annular callus, formed by abnormal cell division and hypertrophy of preexisting cortex and vascular cambium cells, appeared immediately above the stem girdle. Parenchyma cells from the outer layers of the callus differentiated to form secondary anomalous amphicribal bundles in the wound. The aerial parts above the stem girdle eventually withered and died.