Datura Plants Research Articles

Henbane mosaic potyvirus pathogenic to wild and cultivated potato

A virus isolated from severely diseased wild plants ofDatura stramonium in Hungary was identified as a strain of henbane mosaic potyvirus (HeMV) by its host range, vector transmissibility, electron microscopy and serology. This W/H isolate of HeMV induced necrotic local lesions onChenopodium quinoa and characteristic systemic symptoms in species ofDatura, Nicotiana andPhysalis but it was apathogenic to species ofCapsicum, Cucumis andPhaseolus. The virus is transmissible by aphids,Myzus persicae, in a non-persistent manner. Electron microscopy showed that it consisted of flexuous filaments, c. 180×12 nm. In plants ofDatura andNicotiana spontaneously infected by and artificially inoculated with HeMV-W/H, pinwheel structures typical of the potyvirus group were found. Serological examinations confirmed the identity of HeMV-W/H with the standard strain of the virus, HeMV-R. Plants of the potato cultivars Desiree and Gracia, graft-inoculated with HeMV-W/H, were latently infected. Inoculated plants of wildSolanum species responded to the virus with systemic symptoms.

Effects of gibberellin on tropan alkaloid synthesis in Datura plants transformed with Riplasmids.

Effects of gibberellin on tropan alkaloid synthesis in Datura plants transformed with Riplasmids.

The uptake of3H-thymidine and its transport inDatura stramonium L.

Exogenous3H-thymidine is absorbed by the primary root of young plants ofDatura stramonium L. and gradually translocated into shoots: following a 3 to 72-h application of3H-thymidine the radioactivity was revealed, using the autoradiographic technique, especially in the region of primary and secondary meristems and in proximity to vascular bundles of the primary root, stem, hypocotyl and leaves. These regions may be considered as the sites of active DNA synthesis. The intensity of incorporation was dependent on the time of plant incubation in labelled thymidine.

Etiology of grape crown gall in Ontario

Crown gall was found mostly on vinifera grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars in Ontario vineyards. The galls were usually small and aggregated along the trunk and cane; large woody galls were less common. Vines affected by crown gall died back in 3–4 years after planting. All the nine strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens (Smith and Townsend) Conn isolated from galls corresponded to biotype 3 in determinative tests and were pathogenic on Datura, tobacco, tomato, and sunflower plants. Eight strains were sensitive to agrocin 84 on amended Stonier's medium. They were suppressed if inoculation was preceded 6 h earlier by Agrobacterium radiobacter strain K84 at wound sites on Datura and tomato plants.

Radioimmunoassay for the quantitative determination of scopolamine

A radioimmunoassay for the determination of pmol amounts of the tropane alkaloid scopolamine has been developed. The assay uses tritiated [ N-C 3H 3]scopolamine of high specific activity (0.67 Ci/mmol) as tracer. The measuring range of the assay extends from 0.5 to 50 ng of scopolamine, and as little as 200 pg may be detected. The antiserum raised against a conjugate of scopolamine- N-β-propionic acid-human serum albumin is highly specific, and neither hyoscyamine, 6-hydroxyhyoscyamine, scopine, tropic acid nor other related alkaloids interfere in the scopolamine determination in crude plant extracts. This assay allows for the first time the rapid, sensitive and precise (CV = 2.5 %) determination of this alkaloid in unpurified extracts of scopolamine-containing plants. The distribution of scopolamine in Datura plants, as well as its diurnal changes in leaf concentrations, has been investigated in detail and a preliminary survey on the variability of scopolamine leaf concentrations in a population of Datura sanguinea plants is given.

Alkaloid Content in Leaves of Diploid and Haploid Datura Species

Alkaloid content in leaves of haploid Datura plants (D. innoxia Mill., D. meteloides Dun., D. wrightii Regel) in the vegetative state is less than in diploid plants.

Isoenzyme patterns in androgenic, haploidDatura meteloides (Solanaceae)

Leaf tissue isoenzyme patterns of androgenically derived, haploid plants ofDatura meteloides were compared with patterns from diploid parental plants. No isoenzyme patterns unique to the haploid palnts were detected among 5 enzymes studied.

Activité néformatrice d'acides ribonucléiques extraits de tumeurs végétales

AbstractRNAs extracted from crown‐gall tumors, induced by Agrobacterium tumefaciens (strain B6) on stems of Datura stramonium L., have been isolated by the phenol method and purified through Biogel P 60 columns. These RNAs have been transformed into complexes with l‐amino acids by incubation in a medium containing: Tris HCI buffer, pH 7.6, ATP, MgCl2, a mixture of l‐amino acids and a polypeptide synthetase purified from Alcaligenes faecalis. The inoculation of stems of Datura plants with these complexes induces the development of nodular outgrowths, whereas other complexes made from RNAs isolated from healthy Datura plants, from Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Escherichia coli and Alcaligenes faecalis do not cause any hyperplasia under our experimental conditions. The analysis of the results obtained, supported by histological studies of the outgrowths, suggests that these neoformations should be of tumoral nature.

Interaction between 2,4‐Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid and Vitamin K in Datura stramonium

AbstractPlants of the cross Datura stramonium L. var. stramonium×Datura stramonium L. var. inermis (Juss. ex Jacq.) Timm. were sprayed either with a water solution of the sodium salt of 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) or with a combination of 2,4‐D (sodium salt) and the vitamin K compound menadione sodium bisulfite in water solution. The plants were found to differ in one of their responses to the treatments, namely the development of necrotic spots on the leaf blades. Many necroses appeared on the plants treated with 2,4‐D plus menadione sodium bisulfite while only a few necroses or none at all developed on the plants treated with 2,4‐D alone. Furthermore, 2,4‐D in combination with menadione sodium bisulfite induced much larger necrotic spots than did 2,4‐D by itself. Spraying with menadione sodium bisulfite in water solution did not produce any observable effects upon Datura plants. The great increase in necrotic lesion formation was probably due to an interaction between 2,4‐D and menadione sodium bisulfite (or a metabolite of this compound) within leaf cells.

Changes in the activities of ornithine decarboxylase, putrescine N-methyltransferase and N-methylputrescine oxidase in tobacco roots in relation to nicotine biosynthesis<xref ref-type="fn" rid="fn1"><sup>1</sup></xref>

Changes in ornithine decarboxylase, putrescine N-methyltransferase and N-methylputrescine oxidase activities in response to some treatments were investigated using hydroponically grown tobacco plants. Decapitation of shoots brought about marked elevation of the three enzyme activities, which reached their peaks 24 hr after decapitation, then declined. An excellent correlation was observed between the accumulation of nicotine and changes in the three root enzyme activities. Administration of IAA at 2.5 to 5 μconcentration significandy increased these enzyme activities in roots of decapitated plants but higher concentrations of IAA prevented the rise in enzyme activities promoted by decapitation. Nicotine strongly inhibited the rise in enzyme activities in roots of decapitated plants in all cases. The results suggest that these enzymes are under the control of a common regulatory system, in which auxin and nicotine are important components. Ornithine decarboxylase was present in all the plants examined, but putrescine N-methyltransferase and N-mediylputrescine oxidase were detected only in the roots of tobacco, Datura and Atropa plants.

Species of RNA extracted from tobacco and Datura plants and their differential sensitivity to actinomycin D

RNA was extracted from leaves of tobacco with phenol and sodium codecyl sulfate (SDS) and analyzed on sucrose gradients. A 13s RNA component was found to be associated with the light ribosomal RNA peak, shifting this peak towards the 13s region. The synthesis of this 13s RNA species is relatively resistant to actinomycin D, and is almost absent from RNA preparations extracted without SDS. A similar peak was found in sucrose gradient profiles of Datura stramonium RNA, but at the 11s region of the gradient. RNA synthesis in Datura leaves is blocked following detachment of the leaves from the plant, but the synthesis of this particular 11s RNA component does not cease, either in detached leaves or in actinomycin-treated leaves. The RNA nature of this AMD-resistant peak was established by its sensitivity to ribonuclease, by its insensitivity to deoxyribonuclease, as well as by electrophoresis and radioactive scanning of polyacrylamide gels.

Reactions of the Three-Lined Potato Beetle, Lema trilineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), to Its Host and Certain Nonhost Plants

The mechanisms of host-plant selection pertaining to phytophagous insects have been widely studied, but investigations have been limited principally to those insects damaging valuable crop plants. It is suggested that host-selection habits of weed-feeding insects be studied also, since the latter are certainly of economic importance. The feeding and oviposition behavior of the three-lined potato beetle, Lema trilineata (Olivier), was studied. Normally the host plants of this insect, an oligophagous chrysomelid, are solanaceous plants of the genus Datura . Larvae attempted to feed on any solanaceous or non-solanaceous plant offered even though some plants were toxic and others unsuitable for larval growth and development. Adults were more fastidious in selecting hosts for feeding and oviposition. Neither larvae nor adults responded to synthetic nutrient or nonnutrient diets containing Datura leaf extracts or leaf powder as readily as they responded to a fresh leaf. All evidence indicated that the feeding behavior of this insect is conditioned by a combination of factors in the food medium. Adult beetle feeding and oviposition behavior in several types of cages showed that the insect is influenced more by the physical environment within the cage than by its size or shape. These studies pointed out the need for additional basic research into plant-insect relationships for a better understanding of host-plant specificity.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON THE CULTIVATION OF EXCISED ANTHERS IN NUTRIENT SOLUTION

EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON THE CULTIVATION OF EXCISED ANTHERS IN NUTRIENT SOLUTION