Foliar Lamina Research Articles

First record and verification of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae) causing direct damage on anthurium plants cultivated in vitro

The population size at which Tyrophagus putrescentiae can produce damage on anthurium plants (Anthurium sp.), cultivated in vitro, was determined. Symptoms caused by these mites on the plants are described. Two anthurium varieties coded as ANMIRO and ANWHGE, were cultivated in a Murashige and Skoog medium for four weeks. The treatments for each variety were as follows: a) Absolute Control (AC), b) fungus inoculated in the cultured medium (CF), c) fungus on leaves + mites (FLM), d) fungus in medium + mites (FMM), and e) only mites (OM). Mite density within the vessels increased through time. Fifty-five days after the first evaluation, the highest amount of injury was observed in the treatments FLM, FMM, and OM. The observed symptoms were holes on the foliar lamina produced by the feeding of mites until complete plant deterioration. According to the prediction model, when there is an average population close to 62 mites per vessel, it would be expected to find 20% damaged. The probability of observing damage on the variety ANWHGE was 1.7 times higher than on the variety ANMIRO. Although T. putrescentiae is a known contaminant in tissue culture laboratories as it carries bacteria and fungi on its body, this is the first record of this species causing direct damage to plants cultivated in vitro.

Two new species of Cotoneaster (Rosaceae, subgen. Chaenopetalum) for the flora of Iran

Cotoneaster nima-yushiji and C. mazandaranicus (sect. Chaenopetalum), two new species of the genus Cotoneaster (Rosaceae) from northern Iran, are described and illustrated. Cotoneaster nima-yushiji is closely related to C. discolor Pojark. (1954: 16) but differs by larger leaves, indumentum of leaves, number of flowers per inflorescence, longer inflorescence, dark red and succulent fruit (vs. light red and non-succulent). C. mazandaranicus is morphologically similar to C. multiflorus C. A. Mey. (1831: 171), but is distinguished by foliar lamina with base narrowly cuneate to cuneate, shape and size of leaves, indumentum of leaves, color of leaves and fruit.

First evidence of insect herbivory on Albian aquatic angiosperms of the NE Iberian Peninsula

ABSTRACTEvidence of herbivory on Laurasian Nymphaeaceae leaves from Lower Cretaceous (Upper Albian) deposits is presented for the first time. The types of damage on leaves consist of both hole feeding and margin feeding, which were found on foliar remains of the taxa Ploufolia cerciforme and Aquatifolia cf. fluitans. Within the first category of damage, the Damage Type 78 (DT78) type on Ploufolia leaves and type DT02 on Aquatifolia foliar lamina were recorded. The second category of damage has only been identified in Ploufolia leaves, and it corresponds to type DT12. The subsequent palaeoichnologic interpretation made it possible to compare these records with damage caused by the extant water lily pest to make a possible palaeoecological interpretation.

<I>Pourouma amacayacuensis</I> (Urticaceae), a New Species from Colombia

During a taxonomic revision of Pourouma (Urticaceae), a new species was discovered. Pourouma amacayacuensis, endemic to the municipality of Leticia, Amazonas, Colombia is here described and illustrated. This species is morphologically similar to P. floccosa, but is distinguished by foliar lamina with apex acute to acuminate, adaxial surface scabrous, abaxial surface of stipules with indument yellowish, hirsute, and fruiting perianth with indument brown-yellowish, velutinous.

Cork-warts on the leaf epidermis of four genera of Celastroidea-Celastraceae

The presence of cork-warts on foliar lamina was first described at end of the 19th century, and since then these warts have been considered an additional taxonomic character for different taxa. In Celastraceae cork-warts have been reported so far only for the genus Euonymus. The objective of this study was to document the presence and morphology of cork-warts in Celastroideae-Celastraceae . The occurrence of cork-warts was investigated by paradermal and transversal views of the leaf epidermis of 15 species from five genera of the Celastroideae subfamily, using histological techniques and optical and scanning electron microscopy. The structures observed in paradermal view are characterized by suberin-incrusted areas forming layers of juxtaposed rectangular cells that originate through tangential divisions and form concentric structures. These structures were classified as either ordinary or stomatal cork-warts. Cork-warts are reported for the first time on Celastrus, Goniodiscus, Maytenus and Plenckia. Among the studied genera, only Fraunhofera lacked cork-warts.

Anatomia foliar com implicações taxonômicas em espécies de ipês

Tendo em vista a dificuldade de identificação dos ipês brasileiros em estado vegetativo, este trabalho objetivou levantar caracteres que possibilitassem reconhecê-los pela anatomia foliar (lâmina foliar e pecíolo). Folhas de seis espécies de Handroanthus (ipês amarelos: H. chrysotrichus, H. ochraceus e H. serratifolius; ipê branco: H. roseo-albus; ipês roxos: H. heptaphyllus e H. impetiginosus) e de uma espécie de Tabebuia (ipês amarelo: T. aurea) foram preparadas para observação em microscopias de luz (exame histológico) e eletrônica de varredura (exame de superfície). Caracteres provenientes da anatomia foliar possibilitaram a diagnose dos ipês, sendo mais relevantes na lâmina foliar, o número de camadas da epiderme, a posição dos estômatos em relação às demais células epidérmicas, a presença de domácias, a presença de espessamento de parede das células parenquimáticas na margem, o tipo de mesofilo e a presença de parênquima paravenal; no pecíolo, destacaram-se seu formato, a forma das células epidérmicas e a presença de fibras na região interna do floema.

Produção, composição da uva e teores de nitrogênio na folha e no pecíolo em videiras submetidas à adubação nitrogenada

The vine has an economic importance in the South of Brazil, but its productivity is associated with the utilization of fertilizers, especially nitrogen (N) ones, which affects the productivity and the composition of the grapes. Its nutritional state can be evaluated by the N content in the foliar lamina and petiole. Two experiments were carried out in 2006/07 to evaluate the effect of the N fertilization in the N content of the foliar lamina and petiole, which is used for the N recommendation, yield and grape composition of vine, at Haplumbrept soil in Southern Brazil, Planalto city. Bordo vines of the experiment 1 and Couderc 13 ones of the experiment 2 were submitted to applications of 0, 30, 60 and 90kg ha-1 of N as follow: 50% was applied after the beginning of bud burst, 25% during bud burst and 25% during the flowering. Samples of the foliar lamina and petiole were collected in the flowering and verasion. The samples were dried, grinded and prepared to the total N analysis. By the time of the grape maturation, five bunches were collected randomly in the center and in the external part of the plant, which were weighted and submitted to length and wide measurements. Sequentially, 100 grapes were taken from these bunches, weighted and reserved. Following, the other bunches were collected and weighted, in order to determine the yield per plant and per hectare. Berries reserved were triturated and N-total, P and K were evaluated. The results clearly showed that the samples of foliar lamina collected in the flowering of the 'Bordo' and 'Courdec 13' cultivars were suitable to evaluate the availability of N in the plant. The N fertilization had increased the yield of grape in the Bordo cultivar and the total N in the grapes of both cultivars.

A New Species of Lycianthes (Solanaceae) from the Pacific Region of Colombia

ABSTRACT A new species of Lycianthes (Dunal) Hassler (Solanaceae, Capsiceae) is described and illustrated. Lycianthes bullata C. I. Orozco, C. A. Vargas & Serralde is found at low altitudes in the Pacific region of Colombia. This species belongs to the subgenus Polymeris (Dunal) Bitter; it is a vine and exhibits stellate and stalked ferruginous hairs and unifoliate sympodia. It is related to L. ferruginea Bitter but can be distinguished from this species by the intense ferruginous color of its indument; its larger foliar lamina (6.5–19 × 5–9 cm), elliptic to ovate, with adaxial surface glossy and bullate, and abaxial surface extremely reticulate; its larger flowers (15–17 mm long); the presence of five or six stamens; and its larger fruits (16–30 mm in diam.).

Leaves of Citrus aurantifolia exhibit a different sensibility to solar UV-B radiation according to development stage in relation to photosynthetic pigments and UV-B absorbing compounds production

Plants of Citrus aurantifolia grown in a greenhouse without solar UV radiation (UVR) were transferred outdoors to evaluate the effect of solar UV-B radiation (UVBR, 280–315 nm) in prior-developed leaves, constituted by apical bud and those fully expanded before being taken outdoors, and post-developed leaves, formed by those expanded outdoors. Results demonstrated that over a 40 d outdoor period leaf chlorophyll content and distribution pattern were different with and without solar UVBR. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents in both treatments were higher in prior-developed leaves than in post-developed ones. However, highest values were observed in prior-developed leaves under solar UVBR, whereas in post-developed leaves an opposite trend was observed. Carotenoids content in prior-developed leaves was higher with solar UVBR, whereas in post-developed leaves there were no significant differences in both with and without solar UVBR. In addition, prior-developed leaves under solar UVBR accumulated flavonoids, but not anthocyanins. Growth parameters (e.g. DW, DW/FW ratio, LMA, plant height, length and width of foliar lamina) did not show significant differences between plants grown with and without solar UVBR. Thus, our results demonstrated that C. aurantifolia leaves exhibited a different sensibility to solar UVBR according to development stage in relation to photosynthetic pigments and UV-B absorbing compounds production. In addition, the solar UVBR was not necessary as inductor of photosynthetic protection mechanisms in a short-time growth period. On the other hand, our results also demonstrated that solar UVBR acted as an effective feeding deterrent against citrus leafminer.

Anatomia foliar e caulinar de Chamaecrista trichopoda (Caesalpinioideae) e histoquímica do nectário extrafloral

Nectários são comuns dentre as Leguminosae, estando freqüentemente localizados nas folhas. Objetivou-se caracterizar anatomicamente o caule, a folha e o nectário extrafloral de Chamaecrista trichopoda, bem como investigar a natureza química do secretado do nectário dessa espécie. As amostras foram submetidas a testes histoquímicos e técnicas usuais em anatomia vegetal, sendo analisadas ao microscópio de luz e eletrônico de varredura. Os folíolos são anfiestomáticos e dorsiventrais, apresentando feixes vasculares colaterais com fibras associadas. Nas células da bainha do feixe é comum a ocorrência de monocristais. Tricomas tectores unisseriados e multicelulares ocorrem na lâmina foliar e no caule. O caule apresenta epiderme unisseriada, com três a quatro camadas de colênquima subepidérmico, seguido internamente por duas a três camadas de colênquima. Na camada mais interna do córtex destacam-se idioblastos cristalíferos contendo monocristais, o feixe vascular é delimitado por fibras e a medula é parenquimática. As características anatômicas foliares e caulinares corroboram os dados existentes para a subfamília Caesalpinioideae. O nectário situa-se na parte adaxial do pecíolo e apresenta coloração alaranjada, com o ápice formando uma concavidade, bordas levemente abauladas e pedúnculo com cerca de 1 mm de altura. É comum a ocorrência de pequenas aberturas na superfície do nectário e hifas fúngicas na fase pós-secretora. Anatomicamente, confirmou-se uma estrutura semelhante à de um nectário, o qual é vascularizado por floema e xilema; o parênquima nectarífero ocorre abaixo da epiderme que apresenta cutícula espessa. Caracteres anatômicos do nectário podem auxiliar na taxonomia do gênero. As análises histoquímicas evidenciaram o acúmulo de tanino nas células do parênquima nectarífero, que pode funcionar como uma proteção à herbivoria. Observou-se a presença de poros na superfície do nectário, que podem ser sítios preferenciais de eliminação do néctar. Entretanto, futuras análises ao microscópio eletrônico de transmissão serão fundamentais para elucidar o processo de eliminação do néctar.

FIELD DEFICIENCY OF NICKEL IN TREES: SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES

This communication reports that the mouse-ear or little-leaf disorder and the associated replant disease of pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] is a Ni deficiency and is cured by timely foliar application of Ni (at 100 mg L-1); thus documenting the first known example of Ni deficiency in orchard crops. Deficiency is inducible on soils with adequate Ni content by a) excessively high soil Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Ca, or Mg; b) root damage by root-knot nematodes; or c) dry and or cool soils at time of bud break. Symptoms associated with Ni deficiency, but varying with severity of deficiency, include early-season leaf chlorosis, dwarfing of foliage, blunting of leaf/leaflet tips, necrosis of leaf or leaflet tips, curled leaf/leaflet margins, dwarfed internodes, distorted bud shape, brittle shoots, cold-injury-like death of over-wintering shoots, diminished root system with dead fibrous roots, failure of foliar lamina to develop, rosetting and loss of apical dominance, dwarfed trees, and tree death. In addition to pecan, Ni deficiency is exhibited by river birch; and based on symptoms and soil characteristics; it also appears to occur in other woody perennial crops (e.g. plum, peach and Pyracantha sp., and citrus). Its occurrence in two prominent ureide transporting hydrophiles, raises the possibility that such species are most likely to experience Ni associated disorders than are other species. Observations implicate excessive soil accumulation of light metals from long-term fertilizer usage as a primary cause of Ni deficiency. These results raise the possibility that Ni is a contributing factor in certain recalcitrant maladies and replant disorders of certain woody perennial crops and support the role of Ni as an essential nutrient element for higher plants. Ni deficiency in field situations appears to be far more common than generally recognized; thus, meriting greater attention in horticultural production strategies and greater awareness by horticulturalists.

Interaction between Esca-Associated Fungi, Grapevine Calli and Micropropagated Shoot Cultures of Grapevine

Callus of the grapevine cv. Italia, micropropagated shoot cultures of the cv. Italia, Matilde and Sangiovese and callus of the tobacco cv. White Burley were cultivated on modified LS and MS-media. Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (Pch), Phaeoacremonium aleophilum (Pal) and Fomitiporia punctata (Fop) grew well in the presence of calli and vitroplants of all the grapevine cultivars which stimulated the growth of the fungi, but growth of the calli and vitroplants was reduced. All three fungi inhibited callus growth more strongly in grapevine than in tobacco. Fop had the greatest inhibitory effect on grapevine callus. Symptom severity also differed between cultivars. All three fungi invaded callus tissue after entirely overgrowing its surface. Hyphae were observed within the callus mass, where several cellular aggregates showed melanin-like deposits, particularly when invaded by Pal. On the foliar lamina of vitroplants symptoms were produced before and after the invasion of the plantlets by each fungus. Symptoms consisted in light green or chlorotic, rounded or irregular spots between the veins or along the leaf margin. The combination Pal vs. vitroplant gave the fastest host-pathogen response. The susceptibility or resistance of calli or vitroplants to escaassociated fungi could be a means to select grapevine for resistance to these fungi.

Electroporation of intact embryonic leaflets of peanut: Gene transfer and stimulation of regeneration capacity

Direct gene transfer into peanut intact embryonic leaflets was performed through electroporation. In transient β-glucuronidase expression assays, maximal expression was obtained by using pulses of 625 V cm−1 in EPRm (modified electroporation) buffer supplemented with 75 μM NaCl. Kanamycin-resistant plants were obtained, and the presence of the nptII gene was demonstrated by PCR analysis. The positive effect of electroporation on the efficiency of in vitro regeneration was demonstrated. Explants submitted to field strengths between 500 and 625 V cm−1 displayed a significantly increased number of shoots and originated faster growing calluses relative to control explants. Whereas in control explants callus formation occurred only at the petiolule, electroporated leaflets developed additional organogenic calluses on the foliar lamina.