Flax Plants Research Articles

The Synthesis of Guanosine 5′-Diphosphate l-Fucose from Guanosine 5′-Diphosphate 3,5-d-[3H]Mannose Catalyzed by an Enzyme Extract from Fruits of the Flax

An enzyme system from fruits of the flax plant is described that catalyzes the synthesis of the sugar nucleotide guanosine 5'-diphosphate l-fucose from guanosine 5'-diphosphate d-mannose with the intermediate formation of guanosine 5'-diphosphate 4-keto-6-deoxy-d-mannose. Tritium from-[(3)H]H(2)O was incorporated into the l-fucose portion of the sugar nucleotide in the course of the reaction, and tritium at the 3,5-carbons of the d-mannose moiety of GDP-d-mannose was exchanged with protons in the medium. These results support a mechanism of synthesis analogous to that proposed for the formation of l-rhamnose and other 6-deoxy sugars.

Distribution of selected elements within flax plants as affected by FeEDDHA

Flax growing on a calcareous soil in the greenhouse developed Mn toxicity symptoms. The toxicity was eliminated by application of 2 ppm FeEDDHA-Fe. FeEDDHA had major effects on distribution of Mn, Zn, Fe and P among selected plant parts. Application of the chelate reduced Mn concentration in older leaves, the tissue most susceptible to Mn toxicity, associated stem tissue, plant tops, and roots from 2295 to 133 ppm, 62 to 7 ppm, 550 to 34 ppm, and 42 to 34 ppm, respectively. Analysis of older leaves is recommended for diagnosing Mn toxicity in flax.

Changes in dry weight and mineral composition of some oil producing plants over a range of salinity stresses

Using water culture technique, some experiments have been performed to investigate the effect of 60 days salinization treatments (0.0–100 meq 1−1 NaCl) on dry weight and on the content of some nutrient elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, N) in castor bean, sunflower and flax plants. In general the content of sodium increased progressively with the rise of salinity level. The relatively low and moderate salinization levels (20 and 40 meq I−1 NaCl) resulted in a promotion rather than inhibition of the dry weight and in the content of most of the investigated elements in the different organs of the test plants. However with the rise of salinization level from 60 to 100 meq l−1, the dry weight and the content of these nutrient elements were mostly reduced.

Changes in some plant-water relation parameters of some oil producing plants over a range of salinity stresses

When cultivated in culture solutions salinized with different concentrations (0 to 100 meq I-1), of either NaCl or Na2SO4, the oil producing castor bean, flax and sunflower plants exhibited significant changes in their water relationship parameters (stomatal frequency, rate of transpiration and water content). Although the trend of these changes was nearly the same, their magnitudes depended on the plant treated as well as on the type and level of the salinizing agent. In this respect the values of the stomatal frequency and the rates of transpiration increased significantly with the rise of salinization up to the level 40 meq I-1. Above this the values of these parameters were generally reduced with the rise of salinization up to the highest level used. In addition a considerable number of stomata in either the lower or upper epidermis was found to be closed at the levels ranging from 60–100 meq l-1. The water content of leaves of either castor bean or sunflower subjected to low or moderate salinization levels, remained more or less constant, but with a general tendency to decrease at high levels. However, in the case of flax the leaf water content was generally elevated at nearly all salinization levels.

Detrimental and Protective Effects of Rust in Flax Plants of Varying Age

Detrimental and Protective Effects of Rust in Flax Plants of Varying Age

Influence of FeEDDHA on Growth and Manganese Accumulation in Flax

AbstractA lower leaf‐scorch abnormality, resembling Mn toxicity, was observed in flax (Linum usitatissium L.) plants growing on certain calcareous soils. The cause of this problem was studied in greenhouse experiments using a naturally occurring, slightly calcareous (pH 8.1) soil. Above‐ground parts, but not roots, of afflicted plants contained relatively high levels of Mn. Addition of 2 ppm FeEDDHA‐Fe eliminated the appearance of brownish spots on the distal portions of older leaves and subsequent leaf necrosis, decreased Mn accumulation in above‐ground plant parts, and increased yields. Ammonium molybdate (0.05 and 0.5 ppm Mo) had no effect on the severity of the abnormality or on Mn accumulation. Cytological examination of brown spots showed distortion of chloroplast membranes, absence of starch, decrease in grana membranes, absence of plastid ribosomes, and increase in plastoglobuli. It is hypothesized that the lower leaf scorch was caused by Mn toxicity. Flax, in the absence of FeEDDHA, was a Mn‐accumulator plant even though the soil in question was calcareous. Available soil Fe level appeared to be a dominant factor influencing Mn accumulation by flax.

INTERACTION OF CULTIVAR AND SEEDING RATE ON VARIOUS AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FLAX

Three flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) cultivars, Linott, Noralta and Nored, were grown in the field in 1971, 1972 and 1973 at seeding rates of 100, 250, 400, 550, 700, 850, and 1,000 seeds/m2. Certain interactions between cultivar and seeding rate occurred but none was consistent from year to year. Soil moisture and weather played an important role in yearly yield patterns. Lodging in 1973 reduced yield, weight per seed and oil percentage. The stage of maturity when wind and heavy rain occurred markedly affected the degree of lodging. Lodging increased with increase in seeding rate and corresponded to a decrease in the number of basal branches per plant. Nored branched more profusely than Noralta and Linott. Seed yields in 1971 and 1972 were relatively stable over a fourfold increase in seeding rate, showing the remarkable ability of the flax plant to compensate for low plant stands.

Surgical studies on growth and xylem differentiation in the cotyledonary shoots of flax

Growth and xylem differentiation in cotyledonary shoots were studied by partially isolating one shoot surgically in nondecapitated and decapitated flax plants (Linum usitatissimum var. noralta). Three types of cuts were made. The first type separated the shoot from the hypocotyl and the second from the epicotyl. The third type of cut was made at the node separating the two shoots, which, however, remained independently connected with the hypocotyl and epicotyl. In nondecapitated plants, the lateral shoots were inhibited. They had at their bases primary xylem strands, some of which were connected with the hypocotylary stele; the strands contained predominantly tracheids. In decapitated plants, the separated shoot grew vigorously when it was connected with both hypocotyl and epicotyl or hypocotyl alone. Such shoots contained at their bases abundant secondary xylem strands which were connected with the hypocotylary stele; the strands included predominantly vessels. The shoot that was isolated from the hypocotyl but connected with the epicotyl was inhibited even though it had abundant secondary xylem strands at its base. Results of this study suggest that growth of the cotyledonary shoot is dependent on the prior development of adequate xylem connections with the hypocotylary stele.

Zur Mineralstoffkonkurrenz zwischen Linum und Camelina: III. Aufnahme von 35S-Snlfat unter Einfluß von Herbiziden

Summary The competitive condition in the sulphate uptake of flax ( Linum usitatisimum L.) and Camelinasativa (L.) Crantz was influenced by the herbicides MCPA, fenuron, alachlor and chloropham. Those herbicides (10 −4 M in each case) inhibited the uptake of sulphate of the plants. 12 h after exposing the plants in a solution deficient in sulphate flax plants in mixed culture took up less sulphate under the influence of MCPA, fenuron and chlorpropham. Camelina plants, however, also in mixed culture, with the exception of the MCPA variant, took up more of those ions than in monoculture. Under these conditions no essential change of the competitive conditions was found. In mixed culture, however, the sulphate uptake of Camelina plants - in percent of the untreated variant-was lower than in monoculture. In contrast to the untreated variants the sulphate uptake of Camelina plants decreased under the influence of alachlor in mixture, whereas there was no decrease found with Linum plants, both compared with the monoculture controls. Under influence of chlorpropham (10 −4 M) with an increased level of sulphate no essential decrease of sulphate uptake of Linum plants in mixture was found. With Camelina plants, however, a decrease of uptake in mixed culture was examined, both compared again with uptake in monoculture

Zur Mineralstoff-Konkurrenz zwischen Linum und Camelina II. Aufnahme von 32P-Phosphat und 86Rubidium

The uptake of 32 P-phosphate and 86 rubidium through the roots into 20-day-old plants of flax ( Linurn usitatissimum L.) and Camelina sativa (L.) C rantz was examined, both in monoculture and mixed culture. After periods of one hour the Camelina plants had already taken up essentially more phosphate and rubidium ions than the Linum plants. In mixed cultures of the two species, the Linum plants absorbed less, the Camelina plants more phosphate and rubidium ions than in the respective monocultures. These differences may be explained as the consequence of a competition of the species taking up ions to a varied extent. As under the conditions of competition for sulphate ions (KRANZ and JACOB 1977), the Camelina plants, in spite of considerably minor root volume, proved to be the superior partner with regard to the integration of mineral substances. We can assume, therefore, that the smaller harvest of the flax when associated with Camelina is caused to a decisive extent by competition and not by allelopathic phenomena.

Effects of Combinations of Different Day-length Conditions during the Growth of Flax Plants (Linum usitatissium L.) on Their Growth and Development : II. The Effects of Transfer from Short Day to Natural Long Day

Flax plants (var. Saginaw No. 1) were grown in pots under conditions of combinations of various day-lengths as follows: transfer from natural day (14h : 20m-14h : 40m) to short day (8h : 00m) was conducted at the third week (CS1 plot), the fourth week (CS2 plot), and the fifth week (CS3 plot) after germination. The control plot grown in the natural day (C plot) and also the one grown in the short day (S plot) were provided. The results obtained are summarized as follows : 1) In the case of the flax plants which were transferred from the long natural day to the short day, the effects of the short day were not recognized in both the date of anthesis and growth of the basal branches from dicotyledonal axilla, on account of the after effects of long natural day during 3∼5 weeks after germination; though the date of anthesis was delayed and basal branches of the plant became larger in the short day than in the long natural day. 2) In the case of the plants which were transferred from the long natural day to the short day at the later time during the 3∼5 weeks, the after effects of the long natural day were recognized in the growth of length of the plants, the contents of crude fibers in dry stems, the diameter of the fiber-cells and the contents of crude-cellulose, but in the case of the plants which were transferred to the short day at the earlier time during these weeks, the after effects were not recognized. These values in the short day plot became smaller than those of the long natural day, while in the case of the plants which were transferred to the short day at the earlier time, these values became just the same as those of the plants of the short day plot. 3) In the case of the plants which were transferred from the long natural day to the short day, the effects of the short day were recognized in the dry weight of the bolls, the diameter of the fiber-cells and the contents of lignin. The dry weight of the bolls and the diameter of the fiber-cells in the short day plot became smaller than those of the long natural day, while in the case of the plants which were transferred to the short day at the later time these values became smaller than those of the plants of the long natural day. The contents of lignin became larger in the plants of both the short day plot and the plots transferred from the long natural day to the short day than in the plants of the long natural day. 4) Growth in the diameter of the stems, the dry weight of the above-ground parts and the contents of α-cellulose in the flax plants which were transferred from the long natural day to the short day became smaller than those grown in the long natural day. These facts seem to depend upon the decrease of photosynthetic products owing to the transfer to the short day, because in the short day the hours of the sunshine per day were shorter than in the long natural day.

Effect of Soil Water and Aeration on Fe and Mn Utilization by Flax1

AbstractFlax (Linum usitatissimum) plants usually become chlorotic when grown on wet or waterlogged Manitoba soils. Chlorosis has been associated with Fe and Mn concentrations in plants. Reports on levels of Fe and Mn in chlorotic flax plants or factors affecting the utilization of these nutrients by flax were not found in the literature. Thus, experiments were conducted to determine the effects of soil water and aeration on yield and Fe and Mn concentrations in the plant. Plants were grown at 100 and 150% of field capacity. Flax plants became chlorotic on four of six soils when grown at 150% of field capacity. Chlorotic plants had lower yields, contained lower concentrations of iron and higher concentrations of Mn than did non‐chlorotic plants. The ratio of Mn to Fe in chlorotic plants was four or greater. Yields of flax, measured after 35 days of growth decreased with increase in Mn concentration and Mn:Fe ratio of plants. The r values for the relation between yield and Mn concentration and yield and Mn:Fe ratio were −0.73 and −0.76, respectively. Yield of flax increased with increases in the Fe concentration of the plants (r = 0.57).The effect of soil water (100, 120 or 150% of field capacity) and aeration (soil at 100 or 150% of field capacity with N2, air or no N2 or air passed through the soil) on the Fe and Mn concentrations of flax tops and roots were also investigated. Irrespective of treatment exceedingly large amounts of Fe and only small amounts of Mn accumulated in flax roots. Fe concentration or uptake was not directly related to aeration or oxygen supply in the soil. The ratio of the concentration of Fe in the roots to tops of flax grown on a soil showing chlorosis was lower at field capacity than at 150%. of field capacity. Thus, the reduction in translocation of Fe from roots to tops contributed to chlorosis when soil water content was increased.

Reversal of auxin induced inhibition by ethrel

The interaction between exogenous 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (Ethrel, CEPA) and auxin (both native and synthetic—IAA) was studied on pea and bean seedlings, potato tubers, and processed flax plants. After the addition of ethrel the inhibiting effect of IAA was decreased in all objects and it was found that the concentration of the growth of the regulators played an important role. The growth response of a part of flax hypocotyl, as induced by exogenous auxin produced in the cotyledon, was reversed by ethrel, too. The application of ethrel on the epicotyl apex in beans resulted in the lost of apical dominance of epicotyl and in the growth of lateral buds together with the epicotyl. When stimulating the growth, ethrel reverses the inhibitions through the decrease in the auxin content (from an inhibiting, supraoptimum level to an optimum one which already stimulates growth). In objects with a low content of endogenous auxin the ethrel induced the decrease in the auxin content and shows an inhibiting effect on growth.

VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION OF FLAX BY STEM CUTTINGS

Stem cuttings of Redwood 65 flax plants (Linum usitatissimum L.) of various lengths and from different locations on the plants were rooted under four environments. The resulting plants were evaluated for vigor, root development, seed quality, and seed yield. Treating cuttings with indole-3-butyric acid and rooting in a chamber with intermittent mist stimulated root development and produced vigorous plants. The addition of CO2 to the mist had no significant affect on rooting or seed production. Cuttings 5 cm long produced more vigorous plants with greater seed yield per plant than from cuttings 2 cm long. The shorter cuttings, however, produced a larger number of total seeds and larger total seed weight from a single original plant. Cuttings from the terminal 4 cm of stems or tillers produced the most seed which consistently had a higher oil and linolenic acid content but a lower oleic acid content than cuttings from other positions on the plant. To maintain low intraplant standard deviations, this portion of the plant should not be used. The standard deviation, among plants produced from cuttings, for oil content and fatty acid composition is considerably lower than between individual plants grown from seed. Thus, the use of cuttings is particularly applicable in studies where small numbers of uniform plants are required or where a maximum number of seeds from a single plant is desired.

Über die zwischenartliche Konkurrenz von Linum usitatissimum L. und Camelina-Arten

Recent investigations about the influence of Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz and C. alyssum (Mill.) Thell. on flax ( Linum usitatissimum ) confirm the result from previous experiments, that the lower yield of flax is caused by competition for edaphic and climatic factors. The competition begin at an early stage of development in which the weed shows a higher production of substance than the flax. Most importent for the suppression of flax-growth is the common influence of edaphic and climatic factors during the stage of stem-extension. The growth of flax is more disturbed by violent variations of temperature than the growth of weed. In mixture seeds the stem-extension of flax is promoted by the alternation of microclimatic factors in the environment of Camelina plants. In soils with normal content of nutrients the false flax was found to be the stronger partner of competition. In conditions of a high supply of nutrients, particulary nitrogen compounds such as ammonium nitrate, the flax predominated over the false flax. The following facts argue against the view stated by G rümmer (1958), that toxic substances (colines, allelopathic substances) derived from the leaves of Camelina were the main causes for the decrease of flax-growth: — Cold water infusion of Camelina leaves sprayed on leaves of flax and examined by a root-growth test had no effect (B alschun and J acob 1961). — In a high stand-density the flax will be influenced by intraspecific competition and will show the same effect as when influenced by interspecific competition (ibid.). — Species of annual plants other than Camelina , whose development is also synchronous with Linum, have a similar and partly even stronger influence on growth, dry weight and morphology of flax than Camelina species (B alschun and J acob 1966). — The suppression of flax plants surrounded by dotter can be revoked by supplying a high amount of nutrients.

Ovidiana

Ars Am. 3. 627-30tuta quoque est fallitque oculos e lacte recentilittera (carbonis puluere tange: leges),fallet et umiduli quae fiet acumine lini,et feret occultas pura tabella notas.‘Also safe and invisible is a letter written with fresh milk (sprinkle charcoal dust over it and it will become legible), and invisible, too, will be the letter which will be made with the point of moist flax, and an unmarked tablet will bear the hidden message.’No one has ever explained how or why a letter should be written ‘with the point of moist flax’. Mr Kenney records sympathetically in his critical note Burman's declaration ‘locus sine dubio corruptas’, though he does not apply the obelus. Burman himself diffidently conjectured alumine limini in emulation of Heinsius' equally unhappy alumine nitri. Burman's note is not very illuminating, but it offers the only serious attempt I have seen to confront the problems of the passage. He assumes – and no one has questioned the assumption, which I shall later suggest may be false – that the first couplet alludes to the use of milk on paper; and he assumes, rightly, that the second couplet alludes to the use of a wax tablet. But when he suggests that the occultae notae may have been written on wood and then concealed beneath an overlay of wax, he forfeits conviction. Crispinus, the Delphin editor, expressed the opinion, which prevails in modern translations,3 that the words acumine lini allude to the use of the stalk of the flax plant in the manner of a pen; it is small wonder that he added ‘sed potiora habemus nos, quibus chartas nostras inficimus, succum puta ceparum, citreo-rum, immo lotium’. P. Brandt in his edition of 1902 contributes a mixture of irrelevance and evasion.

Effects of chronic and acute irradiation on morphological characters and seed yield in flax

The effect of chronic irradiation was studied on flax plants subjected to exposure rates ranging from 100 R to 1000 R per 20-hr day throughout their life cycle in the 60 Co gamma field. There was a significant increase in plant height at exposure rates from 400 R to 800 R/day, and in the number of primary branches at exposure rates from 300 R/day to 1000 R/day. The seed yield per plant at 100 R/day and 200 R/day was significantly higher than that of the non-irradiated plants, and this increase was due to an increase in the number of capsules per plant, although the number of seeds per capsule decreased constantly with increasing radiation exposures. Dry seeds of flax were subjected to 60 Co gamma irradiation with exposures ranging from 10 kR to 250 kR, and the effects on morphological characters and yield performance were studied in the M 1 and M 2 generations along with the M 1 and M 2 generations of the chronically irradiated plants. There was a considerable increase of variability in morphological characters and seed yield in the progenies of both chronically and seed irradiated plants. A high yielding, yellow seeded mutant plant appeared in the M 2 progeny of a 600 R/day irradiated plant. About twice as much exposure of acute seed irradiation was found to produce similar damage at maturity as that produced by an accumulated exposure to chronic irradiation over the entire life cycle of the flax plants.

Effects of Combinations of Different Day-Length Conditions during the Growth of Flax Plants (Linum usitatissimum L.) on Their Growth and Development : I. The effects of transfer from natural day to short day

Effects of Combinations of Different Day-Length Conditions during the Growth of Flax Plants (Linum usitatissimum L.) on Their Growth and Development : I. The effects of transfer from natural day to short day

EFFECTS OF BORON AND CALCIUM NUTRITION OF FLAX ON FUSARIUM WILT

Flax plants inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f. lini when 21 days old were more extensively colonized than plants inoculated at 28 days. Plants exposed to boron deficiency before inoculation developed more severe wilt than those moved to boron-deficient solutions after inoculation. High calcium level after inoculation lessened wilt severity; calcium level before inoculation had less effect.

Effect of 2,3,5‐Triiodobenzoic Acid on Flax1

Two varieties of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), ‘Summit’ and ‘Nored,’ were treated with 2,3,5‐triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) in an attempt to increase lateral branching and seed yield. Rates of 100 ppm to 300 ppm TIBA successfully inhibited apical dominance and broke lateral bud dormancy; however, timing of treatment was critical for maximum bud breakage with minimum injury to the flax plant. The only significant effects on seed yield were decreases, but indications are that TIBA has the potential of increasing yield in flax when certain critical environmental factors are present.