Increase In Fresh Mass Research Articles

Micropropagation of Grapevine and Strawberry from South Russia: Rapid Production and Genetic Uniformity

Grapes and strawberries are major fruit crops with a dynamic, fast-growing global market. In addition to conventional techniques, biotechnological tools allow the preservation of valuable genotypes of both crops and the large-scale propagation of high-quality material. We have developed new protocols for expeditious and reliable micropropagation of grapes and strawberries cultivated in south Russia. In vitro cultivation on semisolid media was combined with rapid propagation in bioreactors. A six-week cycle of propagation in a bioreactor resulted in a 300-fold increase in fresh mass, with a propagation rate of ~5 in grapes and ~20 in strawberries. Genetic analysis using the inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) DNA fingerprinting technique confirmed the full uniformity of the regenerants. The results of this research will support the local horticultural industry with fast and efficient propagation systems of new breeding lines, introduced varieties, and elite cultivars.

Effect of sewage sludge-based fertilizers on biomass growth and heavy metal accumulation in plants

This study was focused on an assessment of the agronomic efficiency of organo-mineral fertilizers based on sewage sludge and possible accumulation of heavy metals in plant biomass. Fertilizers optimized for industrial crops (rape, maize, sunflower) were used in the study. The impact of fertilizers based on sewage sludge on early stage plant growth was assessed using germination tests, and the impact on further growth and development was assessed using pot trials. The germination index of cress, sorghum and mustard was in the range of 50–92% depending on the type and dose of fertilizer and on the plant tested, which corresponded to moderate to zero toxicity. The results of pot trials showed a significant impact of fertilizers based on sewage sludge on the biomass growth of selected plants. The use of fertilizers caused an increase in fresh mass of 75–138% for rape, 96–138% for maize and 23–54% for sunflower with respect to the control sample. An increase in the dose of fertilizers for rape did not significantly affect the heavy metal content in plants, except for the content of Ni. In the case of fertilizers optimized for maize and sunflower, an increase in the dose caused an accumulation of Cd, Ni, Pb and Cr in the biomass of the tested plants. However, it should be noted that the pollution level of plant biomass for all treatments was zero to medium (1.00–1.66).

Inibidores de tripsina em calos de Enterolobium contortisiliquum cultivados na presença de reguladores de crescimento de plantas

Abstract The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of plant growth regulators (PGR) on the induction of calli from cotyledons of Enterolobium contortisiliquum grown in vitro, as well as to evaluate the inhibitory activity of trypsin in these calli. Cotyledons of E. contortisiliquum were cultivated in culture medium supplemented with dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), picloram (PIC), kinetin (KIN), and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Callus mass, inhibitory activity of trypsin, morphogenetic and cytochemical observations, and biological activity were measured after 60 days. The Pareto diagram showed that only 0.5 mg L-1 PIC influenced the increase of fresh mass, whereas 0.5 mg L-1 BAP influenced dry mass. The principal component analysis plot showed the formation of two clear clusters. The inhibitory activity of trypsin is achieved at a higher intensity in the treatment with 0.5 mg L-1 2,4-D + 2.0 mg L-1 PIC + 0.5 mg L-1 KIN + 2.0 mg L-1 BAP. The combination of PGR at different rates causes an intense callus formation. Low concentrations of PGR result in a higher fresh mass, dry mass, and biological activity. The use of PGR is efficient in obtaining E. contortisiliquum calli with a satisfactory inhibitory activity of trypsin.

Atributos de qualidade, compostos bioativos e atividade antioxidante de frutos de uvaieira durante a maturação

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as mudanças nos aspectos de qualidade, compostos bioativos e atividade antioxidante de frutos de uvaieira (Eugenia pyriformis Cambess) em diferentes estádios de maturação. Os frutos foram avaliados quanto à massa fresca, comprimento e diâmetro, rendimento de polpa, sólidos solúveis (SS), acidez titulável (TA), relação SS/TA, ácido ascórbico, carotenoides totais, flavonoides amarelos e atividade antioxidante (DPPH). O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado. Os frutos da uvaieira apresentam aumento na massa fresca e rendimento de polpa durante a maturação, atingindo médias de 11,69 g e 65,49% ao final, respectivamente. A uvaia é um fruto de elevada acidez, a qual diminui com a maturação, paralelamente ao aumento nos sólidos solúveis. A capacidade antioxidante total aumenta com o avanço da maturação da uvaia, em paralelo ao aumento dos teores de carotenoides e flavonoides, caracterizando as mudanças mais marcantes dos estádios finais da maturação.

Phytoremediation of Contaminated Soil with Sulfentrazone by Different Density of Crotalaria juncea

ABSTRACT: In phytoremediation programs of contaminated soil with herbicides, it is necessary to determine the appropriate density of phytoremediation species, since this practice will contribute to the efficiency of the process. The aim of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the influence of density in Crotalaria juncea on the phytoremediation of contaminated soils with the sulfentrazone herbicide. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using plastics pots. The treatments were the combination of density of C. juncea, (0, 60, 120 and 240 plants m-2) and doses of sulfentrazone (0, 200 and 400 g i.a. ha-1). The herbicide was applied on the pots and then the species used for phytoremediation were sown. At 75 days after emergence, the plants were cut close to the ground and discarded. Posteriorly, the bioindicator species for sulfentrazone, Pennisetum glaucum, was planted in each pot. In the absence of previous cultivation of C. juncea, the fresh mass and dry mass of shoot and root of P. glaucum were lower than those obtained with the previous cultivation. As the density of C. juncea increased, there was an increase in fresh mass and dry mass, regardless of the sulfentrazone dose applied to the soil. The earlier cultivation of C. juncea led to the remediation of the soil contaminated with sulfentrazone. The minimum density of C. juncea which allows P. glaucum to develop is 120 plants m-2.

In vitro micropropagation of Anthurium andraeanum through thin cell layer culture

Anthurium is a kind of major cut flower species and economically important genera in the family Araceae. A regeneration system of Anthurium andreanum from callus culture is studied along with improving propagation process. Optimal medium for callus formation from the longitudinal thin cell layer leaf culture was ½ MS (Murashige, Skoog, 1962) supplemented with 30 g/l sucrose, 1 g/l casein hydrolysate (CH), 8 g/l agar, 1.5 mg/1 BA and 0.2 mg/1 2,4-D (the induction callus rate of 77.33%). Calli multiplied with 21.45-fold fresh mass increase when they were subcultured once 60 days on the ½ MS supplemented with 1 g/l CH, 30 g/l sucrose, 1,5 mg/l BA and 8 g/l agar. The highest ratio of shoot induced from callus culture was also on this medium (18.54 shoots per explants). The medium ½ MS supplemented with 20 g/l sucrose, 1 g/l AC, 8 g/l agar and without plant growth regulators is the most suitable one for root formation of these multiple-shoots. The highest survival rate is observed with substrate mixture of fern moss and rice husk ash in the ratio of 1:1 (gave the best regeneration rate of 100% in the ex vitro culture) and no morphological variations were observed in these plantlets after about thirty days,acclimatized in the greenhouse. Histological observation showed that these calli contained embryogenic cells with their fast growth.It could be an alternative tool for propagation and preservation of Anthurium andreanum, a valuable cultivar.

Using Tannery Sludge to Manage Soybean Cyst Nematodes in Soybean Crops

Soybean crop (Glicyne max) is host to a range of pathogens, among them phytonematoids, with emphasis on the soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines), which has recently caused great damages to the crop and compromised its productivity. Alternatives to the management of diseases, caused by phytonematoids, that are effective and less harmful to the environment, are increasingly being sought. Thus, the incorporation of organic compounds into the soil, such as tannery sludge (bovine chain by-product), presents great potential in the management of soil-borne pathogens, as well as reducing environmental impacts caused by the release into the environment. Thus, the aim of present study had as objective to evaluate the effect of different tannery sludge doses on the management of H. glycines in greenhouse. The study used a nematode-susceptible cultivar (BRS Valiosa RR) and followed a completely randomized experimental design, with 5 repetitions. The nematode penetration in the roots was assessed 10 days after inoculation (DAI), whereas the fresh root mass, the number of females per root gram, and the number of eggs per female were assessed 30 DAI. The tannery sludge is efficient in the management of H. glycines in nematode-susceptible soybean cultivars, reducing the number of females per gram of root, the number of juveniles of the second stage (J2) of the nematoid per root system and promoting increases in fresh mass of the roots. However, more studies are needed to understand the dynamics of the nematode reduction in the presence of the organic compound, since nematode reproduction was not affected by the presence of tannery sludge.

Effects of supplement with sanitary landfill leachate in gas exchange of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings under drought stress.

Sanitary landfill leachate is one of the major problems arising from disposal of urban waste. Sanitary landfill leachate may, however, have use in agriculture. This study, therefore, aimed to analyze initial plant growth and gas exchange in sunflower seedlings supplemented with sanitary landfill leachate and subjected to drought stress through variables of root fresh mass (RFM), shoot fresh mass (SFM), total fresh mass (TFM), relative chlorophyll content (CL), stomatal conductance (g s ), transpiration rate (E), net photosynthetic rate (A), ratio of internal to external CO2 concentration (Ci/Ca),water use efficiency (EUA), instantaneous carboxylation efficiency (A/Ci), and electron transport rate (ETR). The experimental design was a completely randomized 2 (irrigated and non-irrigated)×4 (sand, sand + 100kg Nha-1 organic fertilizer, sand + 100kg Nha-1 sanitary landfill leachate, and sand + 150kg Nha-1 sanitary landfill leachate) factorial with five replicates. Under drought stress conditions, leachate treatment supplemented with 100kg Nha-1 exhibited higher plant fresh weights than those of the treatment containing 150kg Nha-1. Increases in fresh mass in plant treatments supplemented with 100 and 150kgN ha-1 sanitary landfill leachate were related to higher photosynthetic rates.

Global DNA Methylation Levels During the Development of Nodule Cluster Cultures and Assessment of Genetic Fidelity of In Vitro-Regenerated Pineapple Plants (Ananas comosus var. comosus)

Pineapple presents a significant portion of the global fruit market. Recently, a micropropagation protocol was established based on nodule cluster cultures (NC), which showed high regenerative efficiency. Aiming to expand the understanding of gene regulation in this protocol, global DNA methylation levels (GDML) and fresh mass increase ratio (FMIR) during NC multiplication and differentiation to microshoots were evaluated after 0, 9, 18, 27, and 36 days in culture. In addition, genetic fidelity of randomly chosen regenerated plants was analyzed by means of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), flow cytometric analysis of ploidy level, as well as observation of phenotypic features. An association between GDML and the density of new shoot apical meristems formed in cultures was observed, which was, in turn, related to FMIR and the age of each subculture. The analysis by means of AFLP and DNA ploidy level, as well as phenotypic observations indicated the homogeneity of regenerated plantlets.

Influência da nutrição mineral foliar sobre doenças da parte aérea da cultura do trigo

A utilização de fungicida para o controle de doenças foliares na cultura do trigo é prática comum entre os triticultores. Contudo, devido ao impacto ambiental provocado pelo seu uso generalizado, buscam-se alternativas para controle dos fitopatógenos. Sendo assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da nutrição mineral foliar sobre as doenças foliares do trigo, bem como seu efeito sobre o desenvolvimento da planta. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições e quatro tratamentos: 1- testemunha; 2- adubação foliar aos 30 dias após a emergência (DAE) e aos 75 DAE; 3- fungicida aos 30 e 75 DAE; e 4- adubação foliar aos 30 DAE e adubação foliar mais fungicida aos 75 DAE. Foram realizadas nove avaliações da incidência e da severidade do oídio, cujos dados foram utilizados para o cálculo das áreas abaixo das curvas de progresso da doença; três avaliações da severidade da ferrugem e da mancha da gluma; e duas avaliações da mancha amarela. Foram determinadas a massa de matéria fresca e seca da parte aérea e do sistema radicular e a produtividade da cultura. Foi observada redução da incidência e da severidade de oídio em função da adubação foliar, apenas na primeira avaliação de incidência e nas segunda e quinta avaliações de severidade da doença. O efeito complementar dos nutrientes com o fungicida para redução das doenças foi observado apenas para a mancha amarela, com redução de aproximadamente 11,16 % da severidade. Os maiores valores de produtividade foram observados para os tratamentos apenas com fungicida e, com fungicida mais nutrientes. A adubação foliar proporcionou aumento da massa fresca de raízes e massa seca de raízes. Apesar disso, não houve aumento da massa fresca da parte aérea em função da adubação foliar.

Introduction of OsglyII gene into Oryza sativa for increasing salinity tolerance

Mature seed-derived embryogenic calli of indica rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. PAU201) were induced on semisolid Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 2.5 mg dm -3 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid + 0.5 mg dm -3 kinetin + 560 mg dm -3 proline + 30 g dm -3 sucrose + 8 g dm -3 agar. Using OsglyII gene, out of 3180 calli bombarded, 32 plants were regenerated on medium containing hygromycin (30 mg dm -3 ). Histochemical GUS assay of the hygromycin selected calli revealed GUS expression in 50 % calli. Among the regenerants, 46.87 % were GUS positive. PCR analysis confirmed the presence of the transgene of 1 kb in 60 % of independent plants. Further, these plants have been grown to maturity in glasshouse. In vitro screening for salt tolerance showed increase in fresh mass of OsglyII putative transgenic calli (185.4 mg) as compared to control calli (84.2 mg) on 90 mM NaCl after 15 d. When exposed to 150 mM NaCl, OsglyII putative transgenic plantlets showed normal growth while the non-transgenic control plantlets turned yellow and finally did not survive.

Bromide Tolerance in Salicornia brachiata Roxb, an Obligate Halophyte

In coastal marshy lands, halogen bromide concentration is reported to be generally higher than in the inland soils where, annual halophytic species naturally grow. The effect of bromide on plant responses is relatively less known. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of sodium bromide (NaBr) on growth, photosynthetic pigments, tissue ions content and changes in enzymes activity in Salicornia brachiata, a salt marsh halophyte. Presence of NaBr in the root medium induced 200 percent increase in fresh mass and 30% increase in dry mass, compared to untreated control. Relative water content also increased significantly with NaBr treatment. Increase in fresh and dry mass was not associated with high photosynthetic efficiency as evidenced by decrease in photosynthetic pigments accumulation. However, inorganic ion analysis revealed that S. brachiata accumulated Na+ as a primary osmotica. The concentration of Na+ in NaBr treated plants was ∼4 fold higher than that measured in untreated controls and this was associated with significant reduction in K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ contents. Bromide content also increased significantly and accounted for 20 to 50 percent of dry weight. In addition, significant differences in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT) and ATPase were observed in bromide treated plants. For the first time bromide tolerance in coastal halophyte was reported and the results suggest that bromide was not toxic to S. brachiata for growth and metabolism even at 600 mM. concentration and suggest that the species can be used in phytoremediation of bromide contaminated soils.

Determination of leaf fresh mass after storage between moist paper towels: constraints and reliability of the method

To ensure comparability among leaf fresh mass measurements it is important to handle the leaves in a standardized manner. In the present work constraints of a commonly used method to achieve full turgor, storage between damp paper towels, were investigated. After overnight rehydration in a saturated atmosphere, the fresh mass of leaves of 14 species was measured, and the leaves were stored between paper towels (two treatments: moist and wet) at 4 °C. Their mass was measured after 24, 48, and 72 h. Leaf fresh mass increased during the first 24 h of storage between moist paper towels by an average of 1.8%, between wet towels by 3.3%. Among the species, the increase of leaf fresh mass between moist towels correlated with the species' desiccation propensity, indicating that it was rehydration from water loss during initial handling. On the other hand, between wet towels the fresh mass increase was associated with the species' leaf tissue structure, and it continued to increase beyond 24 h, indicating that the increase was a result of water penetration into the leaf air spaces. It is concluded that storage between moist paper towels results in reliable values of leaf fresh mass, and that desiccated leaves rehydrate well between moist towels. However, care has to be taken to avoid too wet conditions as they may lead to erroneously high fresh mass values, especially in species with large air spaces. Furthermore, exposure to unsaturated atmospheric conditions during handling has to be minimized.

The Effects of CO2 Enrichment, Increased Light Irradiance, and Reduced Sucrose Concentration on Acclimatization of Micropropagated American Ginseng Plantlets

ABSTRACT American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) plantlets produced by somatic embryogenesis were pre-acclimatized for four weeks inside growth chambers in a factorial design. The three factors of the experiment were CO2 concentration (400 and 3000 μL L−1), photosynthetic photon flux (30 and 50 μmol m−2 s−1) and sucrose concentration (0 and 15 g L−1) in the culture medium. The plantlets were subsequently transferred into a greenhouse where they were acclimatized for two weeks. Regardless of photosynthetic photon flux and sucrose levels, CO2 enrichment during the pre-acclimatization phase significantly increased (6.3%) the fresh mass of American ginseng plantlets in the growth chambers. This positive effect resulted in a 26.4% increase in fresh mass after the acclimatization phase in the greenhouse. CO2 enrichment during the pre-acclimatization phase also significantly increased (32%) leaf area after acclimatization, but had no significant effect on dry mass, height nor survival. Increased light irradiance and reduced sucrose concentration had no significant effects on the growth parameters and survival of American ginseng plantlets. Despite the biological and ecological constraints that limit growth and development of this species, CO2 enrichment could enhance its acclimatization.

Fosfato de sódio e cloreto de potássio na micropropagação de videira e amoreira-preta

This work aimed to test different concentrations of sodium phosphate (NaH 2 PO 4 .H 2 O) and potassium chloride (KCl) taken from the White medium and added to the Knudson culture medium, in the in vitro multiplication of grapevine rootstocks and blackberry. The culture medium was constituted of Knudson salts, added of 25 g L -1 of sucrose and 6 g L -1 of agar, and the adjusted pH to 5.8 before the sterilization at 121oC and 1 atm for 20 minutes. The treatments consisted of concentrations of NaH 2 PO 4 .H 2 O(0, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg L -1 ) and of KCl (0, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg L -1 ), in all possible combinations, and of grapevine rootstocks ‘R110’ and blackberry cv. Cherokee. Nodal segments originated from in vitro pre-established plants were excised and introduced in test tubes containing 15 mL of culture medium. Subsequently, the tubes were transferred into a growth room at 25 ± 2oC, irradiance of 32 umol m -2 s -1 and photoperiod of 16 hours. The experiment design was completely randomized, with 4 repetitions and 12 plants each. The experiment was evaluated after 60 days of in vitro cultivation. The largest length of the aerial part and fresh weight of the callus were verified in the Knudson culture medium, in the absence of potassium chloride. The addition of potassium chloride in the Knudson culture medium did not influence length increase of the aerial part in both fruit trees; neither did it influence the increase of fresh mass of callus of grapevine rootstocks ‘R110’. It is not necessary to add sodium phosphate to Knudson in order to obtain larger fresh mass in the aerial part of both fruit trees.

Effect of nickel on antioxidative enzyme activities, proline and chlorophyll contents in wheat shoots

Effect of two Ni concentrations (10 and 200 μM) on growth, Ni accumulation, chlorophyll and proline contents, relative water content (RWC) as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were studied in shoots of wheat plants. Treatments caused a considerable accumulation of Ni in the shoots. However, exposure of plants to 10 μM Ni did not lead to significant alterations in shoot growth except for a slight increase in fresh mass. The other parameters studied were not affected by treatment of plants with 10 μM Ni. In contrast, 200 μM Ni caused inhibition of shoot growth, a decline in RWC and chlorophyll content, accumulation of proline and occurrence of visible symptoms of Ni toxicity. The activities of SOD and CAT decreased in response to 200 μM Ni. Conversely, several-fold enhancements of POD and GST activities were observed following the 3rd day of 200 μM Ni treatment.

Salinity stress induced physiological and biochemical changes in Azolla pinnata

On brief exposure of Azolla fronds to salinity stress, a significant decrease in photosynthetic pigment like chlorophyll and carotenoid with a decrease in ascorbate and glutathione content was observed. Lipid peroxidation increases with doses of NaCl stress resulting a greater membrane damage supported by increase in superoxide radical. However, increase in activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, guaiacol peroxidase and glutathione reductase showed the development of biochemical defence mechanism against free radicals generated during exposure to short-term salinity stress. K+ ion was found to be decreased with increasing NaCl concentration, with a decrease in relative water content. An increase in fresh mass was observed, with a significant increase in dry mass suggested a development of salt tolerance in Azolla exposed to short-term salinity stress.

Effect of abscisic acid on the mobilisation of galactomannan and embryo development of Sesbania virgata (Cav.) Pers. (Leguminosae - Faboideae)

Galactomannans (GM) are storage cell wall polysaccharides present in endospermic seeds of legumes. They are thought to be storage polymers, since it has been observed for a few species (among them Sesbania virgata) that they are completely broken down after germination and their products are transferred to the growing embryo. We examined the effect of 10-4 M abscisic acid (ABA) on the degradation of galactomannan in isolated endosperms and intact seeds of S. virgata. We found that after seed germination the initial embryo growth was retarded. Ultrastructural analysis showed that the embryo is completely surrounded by an endosperm which displays very thick galactomannan-containing cell walls. Although an inhibitory effect has been observed on the increase of fresh mass of the embryo, the effect of ABA on the dry mass was weaker and transitory (from 48 to 96 h). Endosperm dry mass and galactomannan degradation were significantly inhibited and the activity of a-galactosidase was strongly affected. The addition of ABA before and/or after the start of mobilisation in intact seeds or isolated endosperms, showed that whereas addition before mobilisation did not affect dry mass decrease in intact seeds, it was strongly affected in isolated endosperms. On the other hand, whereas it affected embryo fresh mass increase in intact seeds, but not in isolated embryos, no significant effect was observed on dry mass. These results suggest that ABA affects galactomannan degradation and by doing so, prevents water absorption by the embryo, rather than affect its dry mass. As ABA has been detected in the endosperm of seeds of S. virgata, it is proposed that it probably acts as a modulator of galactomannan mobilisation and consequently synchronises it with early growth of the embryo.

Water vapour uptake and drought resistance in immobile instars of Parasitengona (Acari: Prostigmata)

Eggs and protonymphs of a number of terrestrial Parasitengona were tested for drought resistance and their ability to take up atmospheric moisture. Species of the Erythraeoidea display higher drought resistance in both instars than species of the Trombidioidea. This is achieved by evolutionary modifications of the ground plan of the Parasitengona, including reduction of body openings and additional sealing of others with lipids, resulting in reduced water loss. Water vapour uptake is not evident in erythraeoid eggs or protonymphs but has been observed in the Trombidioidea and probably constitutes a characteristic of at least the stem species of the terrestrial Parasitengona. The resulting increase in fresh mass is about 50% before the protonymph stage begins; its role is probably not related to drought resistance or osmotic regulation. Instead, it presumably serves to extend the cuticle and thus provides more space for the development of the subsequent instar.

Analysis of the growth kinetic of fruits of Actinidia deliciosa

Growth rate of fruit of Actinidia deliciosa (A. Chev.) Liang and Fergusoncv. Hayward, measured as increase in fresh mass, followed a simple sigmoidal trend showing two stages in all the seasons studied (1987 - 1989). However, growth profiles were statistically different from year to year in both shape and mean reached. The data suggest an important effect of climatic factors on growth, mainly rainfall, which may explain the differences in growth curves between seasons. Significant correlations between relative growth index and length and/or diameter were found which can be used for a non-destructive determination of Actinidia deliciosa fruit growth.