Ba Uptake Research Articles

Lead contents of S-type granites and their petrogenetic significance

An evaluation of Pb and Ba contents in S-type granites can provide important information on the processes of crustal partial melting. Primary low-T S-type granites, which form mainly by fluid-absent muscovite melting, may acquire a significant enrichment in Pb when compared to higher-T S-type granites for a given Ba content. We consider the following factors are responsible for this enrichment: Muscovite is a major carrier of Pb in amphibolite facies metapelites, and thus large quantities of Pb can be liberated upon its breakdown. The typical restite assemblage of Qz + Bt + Sil ± Pl ± Grt ± Kfsp that forms during low-T, fluid-absent muscovite melting can take up only minor amounts of this Pb. This is because the crystal/melt Pb distribution coefficients for these restite minerals are low to very low. Only K-feldspar is moderately compatible for Pb, with a crystal/melt distribution coefficient of ~3, but its modal content in restites is usually low. At the same time, the restite assemblage will retain much Ba owing to the very high Ba uptake in both biotite and K-feldspar, which is an order of magnitude higher than for Pb. Thus, during a low-T anatectic event involving a low degree of crustal melting, Pb (as an incompatible element) can become strongly enriched in the partial melt relative to Ba and also relative to source rock values. In the case of higher-T anatexis and larger partial melt amounts, the Pb becomes less enriched and the Ba less depleted or even enriched relative to source rock values. During fractional crystallization of a S-type granite magma, Ba behaves strongly compatibly and Pb weakly compatibly. The concentrations of both elements decrease along the liquid line of decent. Owing to this sympathetic fractionation behavior, the primary, source-related Pb–Ba fingerprint (with weak or strong Pb enrichment) remains in evolved S-type granites. This facilitates a distinction between primary low-T S-type granites, which are related to muscovite melting, and secondary low-T S-type granites that evolve through fractional crystallization from a higher-T parental magma. We show in this paper that a simple logarithmic Pb versus Ba diagram can be a valuable aid for interpreting the petrogenesis of S-type granite suites.

Planktic foraminifers as recorders of seawater Ba/Ca

Recent studies have used the Ba/Ca ratio of planktic foraminifer shells as a proxy for river run-off at oceanic sites near estuaries. Such studies assume that the Ba/Ca ratio in planktic foraminifer shells is primarily controlled by the Ba/Ca concentration of seawater and that other parameters such as salinity, temperature and pH do not compromise the primary Ba concentration relationship. Here we provide new insights from culture experiments and review published studies to confirm that environmental parameters including pH, temperature, salinity, and symbiont photosynthesis do not affect Ba substitution into planktic foraminiferal calcite. The partition coefficient for Ba in spinose planktic foraminifers is estimated as D Ba = 0.15 ± 0.05 (95% confidence limits). The same factor also seems applicable to the non-spinose genus Neogloboquadrina but not to specimens of the non-spinose genus Globorotalia . ► Ba/Ca ratios in planktic foraminifer shells are used as a proxy for river runoff. ► Culture experiments were performed to test secondary effects. ► pH, temperature, salinity, and symbiont photosynthesis do not affect Ba uptake. ► Seawater Ba concentrations can be estimated from spinose planktic foraminifer shells.

High frequency Barium profiles in shells of the Great Scallop <i>Pecten maximus</i>: a methodical long-term and multi-site survey in Western Europe

Abstract. Skeletal barium/calcium ([Ba]/[Ca])shell ratios were measured every third daily striae in 39 flat valves of the Great Scallop Pecten maximus collected in temperate coastal environments of Western Europe. A methodical evaluation of the ([Ba]/[Ca])shell ratio was performed for the first time and demonstrates that ([Ba]/[Ca])shell profiles are reproducible for several scallop individuals from the same population (2-year old; 3 shells/year), over a 7-year period (1998–2004), and from different coastal environments in France (42–49° N). As previously determined in the shells of other bivalve species, ([Ba]/[Ca])shell profiles generally exhibited a background ratio punctuated by two transient maxima occurring in early and late summer. Background partition coefficient (DBa=0.11±0.03, in 2000) was similar to that previously reported in P. maximus shells, suggesting a direct shell uptake of dissolved seawater Ba (Gillikin et al., 2008). The 7-year survey in the Bay of Brest of the high frequency ([Ba]/[Ca])shell profiles in the scallop's shell was exploited to better constrain both the occurrence and the amplitude of the summer Ba relative enrichments as influenced by environmental processes. Seawater Ba contents in 2000 underlined significant particulate Ba inputs at the sediment water interface (SWI) during ([Ba]/[Ca])shell peak events. These Ba inputs are thus suggested to be subsequently induced by a pelagic biogenic process, which mainly occurs under summer post-bloom conditions in relationship to the cycling of particulate organic matter and associated Ba. The long term survey reveals that such pelagic Ba cycling processes are responsible for particulate Ba inputs to the sediment water interface (SWI). Subsequent indirect Ba uptake by the bivalve results in higher ([Ba]/[Ca])shell ratios, in that archived Ba within the shell cannot be used as a direct paleo productivity tracer. Our methodical approach, based on a multi-year and multi-site-survey of ([Ba]/[Ca])shell ratio in Scallop bivalves, allows us to establish the potential application of such high frequency archives for further biogeochemical and ecological investigations of bivalves in the coastal environment.

Influence of Silicon on Sunflower Cultivars under Drought Stress, II: Essential and Nonessential Element Uptake determined by Polarized Energy Dispersive X‐ray Fluorescence

: There is no information regarding genotypic variation in essential and nonessential nutrient accumulation of sunflower grown under drought stress with the presence or absence of supplemental silicon (Si) despite the role of this element in improving growth of some cultivars under drought conditions. Accumulation of elements in sunflower cultivars might be important for the genetic improvement of the crop's response to drought. An experiment under controlled conditions was carried out to study the genotypic response of 12 sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivars to drought and Si and the relationship to the uptake of elements [phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), chloride (Cl), molybdenum (Mo), Si, sodium (Na), vanadium (V), aluminum (Al), strontium (Sr), rubidium (Rb), titanium (Ti), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), bromine (Br), and barium (Ba)]. This was determined by polarized energy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (PEDXRF). It was observed that uptake of nutrient and nonessential elements by sunflower cultivars were differentiated in response to applied Si and drought stress. Drought stress decreased mineral uptake of all the cultivars, and generally, application of Si under drought stress significantly improved Si, K, S, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Na, Cl, V, Al, Sr, Rb, Ti, Cr, and Ba uptake whereas Zn, Mo, Ni, and Br uptake were not affected.

Dual regulation of the cardiac L-type calcium channel in L6 cells by protein kinase C

The role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of cardiac L-type Ca(2+) channel activity (LCC) was investigated in L6 rat neonatal myoblasts. Depolarization of fura-2 loaded cells with 140mM KCl activated a Ba(2+) influx pathway that was blocked by nifedipine and stimulated by (-) Bay K 8644. At least two splice variants of the alpha(1C) subunit of the cardiac LCC were identified by PCR; the alpha(1S) subunit of the skeletal muscle LCC was not detected. Peptides that specifically inhibit translocation of the novel, Ca(2+)-independent delta and epsilon PKC isozymes reduced Ba(2+) influx by 27% and 19%, respectively, whereas a corresponding peptide directed against translocation of classical PKC alpha had no effect. Ingenol 3,20-dibenzoate, an agent reported to selectively activate novel PKCs, increased Ba(2+) uptake by 31% while ethanol, a PKC epsilon agonist, enhanced uptake by 38%. In contrast, selective activation of classical PKCs with thymeleatoxin or an agonist peptide reduced Ba(2+) influx by 23-33%. Ba(2+) influx was reduced by 30-40% when cells were treated with either a PKC inhibitor (Gö 6983, bisindolylmaleimide) or the PKC activator phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate. We propose that novel, Ca(2+)-insensitive PKC(s) enhance cardiac Ca(2+) channel activity in L6 cells under basal conditions while activation of the classical, Ca(2+)-sensitive PKC(s) inhibits channel activity. These findings provide the first evidence that different PKC isozymes exert class-specific opposing effects on cardiac L-type Ca(2+) channel activity in L6 myoblasts.

The sodium‐calcium exchanger is a mechanosensitive transporter

This report describes the influence of fluid flow and osmotically induced volume changes on Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange (NCX) activity in transfected CHO cells. Exchange activity was measured as Na(+)-dependent Ca(2+) or Ba(2+) fluxes using the fluorescent probe fura-2. When exchange activity was initiated by superfusing Ba(2+)-containing solutions over the cells for a 20 s interval, a high rate of Ba(2+) uptake was observed while the solution was being applied but the rate of Ba(2+) uptake declined > 10-fold when the solution flow ceased. Ba(2+) efflux in exchange for extracellular Na(+) or Ca(2+) (Ba(2+)-Ca(2+) exchange) was similarly biphasic. During NCX-mediated Ca(2+) uptake, a rapid increase in cytosolic [Ca(2+)] to a peak value occurred, followed by a decline in [Ca(2+)](i) to a lower steady-state value after solution flow ceased. When NCX activity was initiated by an alternate procedure that minimized the duration of solution flow, the rapid phase of Ba(2+) influx was greatly reduced in magnitude and Ca(2+) uptake became nearly monophasic. Solution superfusion did not produce any obvious changes in cell shape or volume. NCX-mediated Ba(2+) and Ca(2+) influx were also sensitive to osmotically induced changes in cell volume. NCX activity was stimulated in hypotonic media and inhibited in hypertonic media; the osmotically induced changes in activity occurred within seconds and were rapidly reversible. We conclude that NCX activity is modulated by both solution flow and osmotically induced volume changes.

Can barium and strontium be used as tracers for radium in soil–plant transfer studies?

Radium is one of the prominent potential contaminants linked with industries extracting or processing material containing naturally occurring radionuclides. In this study we investigate if 133Ba and 85Sr can be used as tracers for predicting 226Ra soil-to-plant transfer. Three soil types were artificially contaminated with these radionuclides and transfer to ryegrass and clover was studied. Barium is considered a better tracer for radium than strontium, given the significant linear correlation found between the Ra and Ba-TF. For strontium, no such correlation was found. The relationship between soil characteristics and transfer factors was investigated. Cation exchange capacity, exchangeable Ca + Mg content and soil pH did not seem to influence Ra, Ba or Sr uptake in any clear way. A significant relation (negative power function) was found between the bivalent (Ca + Mg) concentration in the soil solution and the Ra-TF. A similar dependency was found for the Sr and Ba-TF, although less significant.

Organogenic responses of Pinus pinea cotyledons to hormonal treatments: BA metabolism and cytokinin content

Isolated cotyledons from mature Pinus pinea L. embryos were cultured in vitro in a factorial combination of 4.4, 10 and 44.4 microM N6-benzyladenine (BA) for 2, 4, 8, 16 and 35 days to optimize shoot regeneration. Incubation of explants in 44.4 microM BA for 4 days, in place of the standard incubation in 4.4 microM BA for 35 days, reduced the entire culture period to 4 weeks. Shortening the culture period had no significant effect on the caulogenic response or the number of buds formed per cotyledon. To establish the relationship between key moments in the caulogenic process induced by 4.4 microM BA and the endogenous concentrations of the active forms of BA and other isoprenoid-type cytokinins (CKs), we examined uptake, metabolism and amount of BA, as well as the amounts of zeatin, dihydrozeatin and their ribosides in P. pinea cotyledons after 1, 2, 6, 12 and 24 h, and 2, 4, 8, 16 and 35 days of exposure to 8-[14C]BA. Uptake and release of BA were associated with water movement between explants and the medium during the first 8 days of culture. The interconvertible forms of BA were the main metabolites formed in the tissues. Inactivation of BA as a result of conjugation or oxidation was insignificant. The endogenous concentration of BA + N6-benzyladenosine was 20-fold higher than the exogenously applied BA during the competence acquisition phase (Days 0-3). The concentration of isoprenoid-type CKs also increased 16-fold and then decreased during this time. Induction of shoot buds (Days 4-8) was characterized by a second peak of BA uptake by explants that triggered the synthesis of N6-benzyladenosine-5 -monophosphate and by the maintenance of isoprenoid-type CKs. Reestablishment of CK homeostasis marked the shift from the induction phase to the shoot development phase in this organogenic process (Days 8-12).

Alkaline earth cation exchange with novel Na-3-mica: kinetics and thermodynamic selectivities

The cation-exchange kinetics and thermodynamic equilibria for alkaline-earth metals by Na-3-mica [chemical composition of Na2.94(Mg5.55Ti0.07Fe0.04)oct(Al2.07Si5.83)tetO20F4·1.72H2O] with a high layer charge were investigated at room temperature. The Ba, Sr, Ca and Mg uptake kinetics were determined and first-order, modified Freundlich, parabolic diffusion and Elovich kinetic models were examined for the experimental data. The first-order model gave a relatively good fit throughout for these cations and indicated a kinetic selectivity order of Ca2+ < Mg2+ < Sr2+ < Ba2+. The cation exchange isotherms for Ba, Sr, Ca and Mg uptakes with the Na-3-mica were also determined. The Kielland plots evaluated from the cation exchange isotherms showed a thermodynamic selectivity order of Ba2+ ≫ Sr2+ ≫ Ca2+ > Mg2+. The above basic studies on the selective cation exchange of the highly charged ion exchanger are of relevance in the separation, immobilization and disposal of 90Sr from aqueous nuclear wastes.

Effects of coal fly ash amended soils on trace element uptake in plants

Variations in As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Th, Tl, U, W, and Zn uptake were evaluated in young, middle-aged, and mature basil, tomato, zucchini, and sunflower plants grown in soils amended with 5, 10, and 20% by weight fly ash. Elements susceptible to uptake with increasing fly ash were As and Tl, with As exceeding potentially toxic levels in basil and zucchini. Temporal variations in element uptake included (1) increasing Ba and Cd concentrations in tomato and As, Ba, Cd, and Tl in zucchini, (2) decreasing Co concentrations in tomato, zucchini, and sunflower, Ni in zucchini, and Tl in basil, and (3) increasing As and Ni concentrations in basil and Pb in zucchini and sunflower during early growth followed by decreasing concentrations at maturity. Although most of the trace elements were below reported toxic levels, the elevated concentrations of As in plant tissue suggests that fly ash treatment programs can lead to potentially toxic accumulations of As, and thus, should be carefully monitored.

Uptake and metabolism of N6‐benzyladenine and 1‐naphthaleneacetic acid and dynamics of indole‐3‐acetic acid and cytokinins in two callus lines of Actinidia deliciosa differing in growth and shoot organogenesis

Uptake, metabolism and accumulation of N6‐benzyladenine (BA) and 1‐naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) as well as changes in endogenous indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) and several isoprenoid‐type cytokinins (Cks) were characterized in two callus lines of Actinidia deliciosa cv. Hayward showing different growth and shoot organogenic responses to exogenously applied 2.7 µM NAA and 4.4 µM BA. Studies were carried out in callus 0, 1, 12, 24 and 48 h after the onset of their fifth subculture on a medium containing [3H]NAA or 8‐[14C]BA. Kiwifruit callus of line A presented high caulogenic response and lower growth that was positively associated with faster BA uptake, with transient accumulation of BA and isoprenoid‐type Cks, mainly zeatin, exceeding three‐ and four‐fold that of the non‐caulogenic callus, and with values of the BA/NAA ratio exceeding 1, in fact higher than the BA/NAA ratio in the culture medium. The accumulation of BA took place in both callus lines during the first 24 h of subculture and before the re‐initiating of callus proliferation. The higher growth and the low or null caulogenic response shown by line B callus were correlated with faster NAA uptake, with endogenous NAA levels two‐fold higher than in A calli, with higher IAA amounts and with values of the BA/NAA ratio below 1. Moreover, at 48 h free NAA in both kinds of callus reached levels close to those found after 35 days of subculture. Results suggest that temporal accumulation of BA and endogenous Cks is involved in the initiation of cell division leading to callus growth, whereas the maintenance of high NAA and IAA levels are related to the support of long‐term callus development. It also appears that for callus cells to become committed to shoot organogenesis, they must have a concentration of active Cks higher than a threshold value during the first 2 days of culture on fresh medium, while at the same time the concentration of auxins must not exceed a certain maximum.

Expression of P2X7 purinoceptors on human lymphocytes and monocytes: evidence for nonfunctional P2X7 receptors

Lymphocytes from normal subjects and patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) show functional responses to extracellular ATP characteristic of the P2X(7) receptor (previously termed P2Z). These responses include opening of a cation-selective channel/pore that allows entry of the fluorescent dye ethidium and activation of a membrane metalloprotease that sheds the adhesion molecule L-selectin. The surface expression of P2X(7) receptors was measured in normal leucocytes, platelets, and B-CLL lymphocytes and correlated with their functional responses. Monocytes showed four- to fivefold greater expression of P2X(7) than B, T, and NK lymphocytes, whereas P2X(7) expression on neutrophils and platelets was weak. All cell types demonstrated abundant intracellular expression of this receptor. All 12 subjects with B-CLL expressed lymphocyte P2X(7) at about the same level as B lymphocytes from normal subjects. P2X(7) function, measured by ATP-induced uptake of ethidium, correlated closely with surface expression of this receptor in normal and B-CLL lymphocytes and monocytes (n = 47, r = 0.70; P < 0.0001). However, in three patients the ATP-induced uptake of ethidium into the malignant B lymphocytes was low or absent. The lack of P2X(7) function in these B lymphocytes was confirmed by the failure of ATP to induce Ba(2+) uptake into their lymphocytes. This lack of function of the P2X(7) receptor resulted in a failure of ATP-induced shedding of L-selectin, an adhesion molecule that directs the recirculation of lymphocytes from blood into the lymph node.

Na-4-mica: simplified synthesis from kaolinite, characterization and Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu and Ba uptake kinetics

A swelling Na-4-mica of the brittle mica type (ideal chemical composition of Na4Mg6Al4Si4O20F4·xH2O) was prepared by a simplified one-step synthetic process from kaolinite at or below 800 °C. Hydrated and well-dispersed Na-4-mica particles of about 2 µm in size were prepared at 800 °C. The 27Al MAS-NMR spectrum of this mica showed that almost all Al was in tetrahedral coordination while the 29Si MAS-NMR spectrum showed that the nearest neighbor environment of Si was mainly Si(3Al), as expected based on the Si ∶ Al molar ratio of 1 ∶ 1 in the Na-4-mica. The CEC of the mica was determined to be 447 mequiv (100 g)−1. With this Na-4-mica, the Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu and Ba uptake kinetics were investigated in a 0.5 M NaCl background solution at room temperature and were found to be quite rapid.

Endogenous cytokinin accumulation and cytokinin oxidase activity during shoot organogenesis of Petunia hybrida

Changes in endogenous cytokinin content and cytokinin oxidase activity were characterized in leaf explants from two Petunia hybrida Vilm. genetic lines which differed in their shoot organogenic response to exogenous N6‐benzyladenine (BA). Endogenous cytokinin content in leaf explants of the highly shoot organogenic line, St40, increased 1.7‐fold during the shoot induction phase (days 6–10) and had an additional 2.6‐fold cytokinin increase correlated with the shift from induction to the shoot development phase. The cytokinins isopentenyl adenine (iP) and isopentenyl adenosine (iPAR) increased, while the cytokinins zeatin, zeatin riboside and dihydrozeatin remained at consistently low levels. In contrast, isoprenoid cytokinins did not accumulate in petunia TLV1 leaf explants which were incapable of shoot induction during 12 days of culture with BA. Cytokinin oxidase activity continuously increased in leaf explants of both petunia genotypes in response to BA, with a larger increase in St40. These results suggest that the differences in organogenic response in the two petunia genotypes may be the result of differences in BA uptake and metabolism which subsequently affects the accumulation of isoprenoid cytokinins and the activity of cytokinin oxidase in the early stages of shoot development.

Uptake, distribution and metabolism of 6-Benzyladenine and cytokinin content during callus initiation from actinidia deliciosa tissues

6-benzyladenine (BA) uptake and metabolism, and cytokinin content were examined in Actinidia deliciosa petioles in relation to callus formation at the basal end of expiants. The samples were divided into apical, middle and basal portions after 1, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 h of exposure to 8-[14C]BA added to the callus induction medium. Initially, the petioles took up the BA actively, which remained as free-hormone in the tissues with the exception of a small portion that was transformed into nucleotide forms. From 12–24 h, the BA uptake decreased and the BA metabolism was triggered in the expiants, the 9-glycosylation being the main pathway of BA inactivation. The highest free BA levels in the tissue were reached at 24 and 48 h, coinciding with the induction period of cell division. Also at this time a high zeatin-type cytokinin amount was measured. The data suggest a direct relation between the cytokinin content in the expiants, mainly BA, and the induction and initiation of basal callus in kiwi petioles. The results do not show differences in cytokinin levels, which could explain the different proliferation ability of the petiolar portions: this fact could be associated with the maturation and differentiation state of the basal and apical cells.

Longitudinal distributions of dissolved barium, silica and alkalinity in the western and southern Indian Ocean

Dissolved Ba, Si and alkalinity contents are reported for 11 vertical profiles along a longitudinal section in the western Indian and Southern Oceans, sampled during 1985, 1986 and 1987 in the French expedition INDIGO. Barium concentrations increase from 30 nmol/kg at the surface to 100 nmol/kg at depth in the Southern Ocean. North of the Polar Front, Ba values range from 40 nmol/kg at the surface to 120 nmol/kg in the bottom waters. These vertical variations result from mixing of water masses as well as biologically controlled uptake/regeneration processes. By means of a water-mass mixing model, the non-conservative Ba signal was determined and compared to that of silica. The Δ Ba Δ Si uptake/regeneration molar ratio is 0.15 × 10 −3 in the south and 0.45 × 10 −3 in the north. In the south, curiously, no release of Ba is observed in Circumpolar Deep Waters, whereas Ba appears to be regenerated in the underlying Antarctic Bottom Waters. Thermodynamic calculations show that Ba is somewhat supersaturated with respect to barite in the upper 3000 m of the southern waters. Thus, whereas surface Ba uptake is probably governed by the biological activity, Ba regeneration in deep waters appears to be controlled by saturation. Barium is correlated linearly with alkalinity at each station, but the slopes of the regression line vary by a factor greater than 2 along the section. The variability of the Δ Ba Δ Alk ratio between the Southern Ocean and the subtropical and tropical areas raises questions about the validity of applying Δ Ba Δ Alk values established on a global scale to reconstruct paleo-alkalinity distributions in the Southern Ocean.

Assessing the reliability of paleochemical tracers: Barium uptake in the shells of planktonic foraminifera

The trace metal composition of foraminiferal shells preserved in deep‐sea sediments is a critical source of data used in reconstructing the physical and chemical characteristics of ancient oceans. However, paleoceanographic information derived from these tracers is limited by the accuracy with which calcite shells record ambient seawater chemistry and the question of whether changing environmental conditions or interspecific differences affect shell chemistry. Experiments with living foraminifera are one of the most direct ways to quantitatively evaluate the relationship between shell and seawater chemistry and the influence, if any, of environmental variables. Here we present results from laboratory experiments on the living planktonic foraminifers Globigerina sacculifer and Orbulina universa that demonstrate that precipitated shells provide an accurate record of seawater barium, a tracer used in reconstructing nutrient and alkalinity distributions in past oceans. On the basis of culturing data at 29°C, 36.7‰ salinity, the best estimate of the partition coefficient D relating foraminifera shell Ba/Ca to seawater Ba/Ca is 0.147 ± 0.004. Data show that when environmental conditions are held constant, there is no significant variability in Ba uptake between individual shells of one or both species. Results also demonstrate that temperature varying over a 7°C range and salinity varying over a 3‰ range do not appreciably influence Ba uptake.

Effect of temperature, gel concentration and cytokinins on vitrification of Olearia microdisca (J.M. Black) in vitro shoot cultures

The interaction between gel concentration, cytokinin levels and temperature in vitrification of Olearia microdisca in vitro has been investigated. Vitrified plants displayed tissue hypertrophy and reduced lignification. Cytokinin in the medium was essential for vitrification. Increasing gel concentration or reducing temperature reduced the vitrification in the presence of 20 µM BA. The observed responses were consistent with indirect effects on BA uptake. Alternatively an indirect effect of BA on shoot multiplication rate and hence on lignification of cell walls may be involved.

BENZYL ADENINE UPTAKE AND METABOLISM DURING PETUNIA SHOOT ORGANOGENESIS

The uptake and metabolism of exogenous tritium-labelled benzyl adenine was studied during the shoot induction period of petunia leaf explants in tissue culture. Transfer experiments with Petunia `MD1' leaf explants (1 cm2) on MS media with 2.2 uM BA show that 27% and 100% of the leaf explants are committed to shoot induction on days 6 and 10, respectively. To study BA uptake and metabolism, leaf explants were placed on media containing tritium-labled BA for 1, 3, 6 and 10 days. BA was taken up from the media on days 1-6. BA metabolizes were analyzed using HPLC, a UV absorbancc detector and enzymatic techniques. Metabolizes produced include: BA, BAdo, BA 7G, BA 9G, BAdoMP, BAdoDP, BAdoTP and 3 unidentified compounds. BA and BAdo were detected on days 1 and 3 but not during day 6-10, the time of shoot induction. The pool of ribotide metabolites decreased from days 1 to 10, from 26.5% of all metabolites to 1.6%. Glucosylated compounds, BA 7G and BA 9G, increased continuously from 24.9% to 69.8% between days 1 and 10. An unidentified compound C increased from 13% on day 3 to 24.8% on day 10. In separate experiments, BA uptake and metabolism were compared in two Petunia hybrida lines, St40 and TLV1, with different shoot organogenic responses in tissue culture. These data show interesting patterns of BA metabolism in relationship to shoot induction and organogenesis.

In vitro [14C]-labelled 6-benzyladenine uptake and14CO2 evolution in two Japanese plum cultivars

Japanese plum cultivars ‘Obilnaga’ and ‘Santa Rosa’ showed different proliferation responses when grown in similar conditions in vitro. This led us to investigate BA uptake by shoots of both cultivars grown for different times (15 hrs, 1, 3, 6, 9, 13, 16 and 20 days) on an incubation medium enriched with 10μCi (370 kBq) 8-[14C]BA/250 ml. The decrease of radioactivity in the medium and its increase in the EtOH-soluble and-insoluble fractions of shoots of both cultivars grown for different times (15 h, 1, 3, 6, 9, 13, 16 and 20 days) on cultivars. Increasing amounts of14CO2 were detected in the culture atmosphere when shoots were grown in gas-tight vials. The type of container closure strongly affected proliferation. From the results reported here it is not possible to state whether different optimal subculture intervals and different proliferation responses of ‘Santa Rosa’ and ‘Obilnaja’ cultures are due to different tissue sensitivity to the cytokinin and/or to different metabolic activities. Nevertheless the highest proliferation rates of both plums are clearly related to a drop of EtOH-soluble radioactivity of shoots by the end of subculture.