Lathyrus Japonicus Research Articles

Latitudinal trends in the responses of growth respiration and maintenance respiration to temperature in the beach pea, Lathyrus japonicus

The response of dark respiration to temperature was measured for populations of Lathyrus japonicus collected from 39–56° N latitude. Carbon loss in dark respiration increases with latitude at all temperatures. This increased respiratory activity is attributable to concomitant increases in both the growth and maintenance components of total dark respiration. The possible adaptive significance of these respiratory responses is discussed.

Adaptation and acclimation of higher plants at the enzyme level: Speed of acclimation for apparent energy of activation of NAD malate dehydrogenase in Lathyrus Japonicus Willd. (Leguminosae)

Abstract The speed of acclimatory changes in apparent energy of activation (Ea) of NAD malate dehydrogenase was analysed in four clones of Lathyms japonicus Willd. collected over a 16° latitudinal gradient in eastern North America. Plants were grown initially for six months at either 7° night/15° day or 22° night/30° days. Following reciprocal switches in these two contrasting thermo‐periods, energy of activation was relatively stable for 12 h, then oscillated until 48 h, and stabilized in about 72 h. The results suggest that the acclimation response in Ea is not due to near‐instantaneous conformational changes in isozymes, but is directed primarily by temperature‐mediated structural and/or functional modifications during de novo synthesis of the forms of the enzymes.

Adaptation and acclimation of higher plants at the enzyme level: temperature-dependent substrate binding ability of NAD malate dehydrogenase in four populations of Lathyrus japonicus willd. (Leguminosae)

The substrate-binding ability of NAD malate dehydrogenase for oxaloacetic acid was analysed in four clonal populations of Lathyrus japonicus collected from sites of contrasting climates and acclimated to three experimentally-induced thermoperiods. The K m values and Q 10 estimates at different substrate concentrations indicate that enzyme-substrate affinity is temperature dependent and is modified by acclimation in a pattern which suggests efficient compensatory regulation for this enzyme property. Positive thermal modulation was observed for plants of all clones acclimated at 7°/15°C and 15°/25°C and for plants of the two cold-adapted clones grown at a 22°/30°C thermo-period. At the high temperature regime, plants from the two warm summer sites showed negative thermal modulation, suggesting that adaptational modifications of K m-temperature relationships are not compensated completely by acclimation.

Adaptation and acclimation of higher plants at the enzyme level: Latitudinal variations of thermal properties of NAD malate dehydrogenase in Lathyrus japonicus Willd. (Leguminosae).

Thermal properties of NAD malate dehydrogenase were investigated in 8 clonal populations of Lathyrus japonicus Willd. collected over a 16° latitudinal gradient in eastern North America. Clones from warmer summer sites had higher activation energies (E a) and enhanced thermostability for the enzyme under three contrasting growth temperature regimes. A strong component of acclimation was associated with E a, but not with thermostability. Activity levels of the enzyme were higher in warm-adapted genotypes but cold-acclimated plants had similar low levels of specific activity. The clones were differentiated by ordination in a pattern related to climatic origin.

Coastal sand dune stabilization in the Pacific Northwest

Coastal dunes are stabilized in three stages: (1) The initial stage uses sand-stilling grasses established vegetatively. For this purpose, European beachgrass,Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link., is most used, followed by American beachgrass,A. breviligulata Fern., or American dunegrass,Elymus mollis Trin. Large solid plantings must be made with the spacing and number of plants per hill adjusted to the site conditions. Plantings, using Nitrogen fertilizer, are made during the dormant season. (2) Secondary permanent grasses and legumes are seeded 2 years later when sand movement slows and the initial grasses begin to lose their vigor. Most used are seaside lupine,Lupinus littoralis Dougl., purple beachpea,Lathyrus japonicus Willd., seashore bluegrass,Poa macrantha Vasey., and native red fescue,Festuca rubra L. (3) Final control is with woody plants that are well adapted to rough areas. Scotch broom,Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link. Hooker willow,Salix hookeriana Barratt, Nootka rose,Rosa nutkana Prese., and shore pine Pinus contorta Dougl., have been extensively used.

Cis-5-hydroxy-L-pipecolic acid from Morus alba and Lathyrus japonicus

Abstract cis-5-Hydroxy- L -pipecolic acid was isolated and characterized from the leaves of Morus alba and the seeds of Lathyrus japonicus. The trans-form was also obtained from the former.

Breeding Bird Distribution and Abundance in the Barren Islands, Alaska

Tidal currents of considerable velocity occur in the Barren Islands with the flood current setting approximately northwestward and the ebb southeastward (U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey 1964). Severe tide rips and strong winds occur in the vicinity of the islands and are frequently dangerous for small vessels. The wind and ocean currents among the islands are usually much stronger than a few miles away. Tide rips produce upwellings where food for marine birds and mammals is more readily available. Slack waters do not occur in the Barrens at the change of tides, and tidal vicissitudes exceed 20 feet at certain times of the year. Although Homer is only 55 miles from the Barren Islands, the climate in the Barrens is probably more similar to that of Kodiak, 80 miles distant. Homer is in the lee of the Kenai Mountains and thus receives an average of only 23.06 inches of precipitation compared to 56.71 inches per year in Kodiak. The annual mean temperature for the Barren Islands is probably about 40°F, as annual means for Kodiak and Homer are 40.7 F and 36.5 F, respectively. The annual mean wind velocity in the Barrens is surely considerably higher than that of Kodiak where it is 10.1 mph. The prevailing wind direction most of the year is northwest in Kodiak and northeast in Homer. Cloud cover, mainly fog, is most extensive in the Barren Islands region during spring and summer. Sky obscuration in Kodiak ranges from an average of 61 percent in January to 84 percent in May. Beach plant communities in the Barren Islands are composed mainly of Elymus arenarius mollis, Honckenya peploides, Mertensia maritima, Lathyrus maritimus, and Senecio

INTRODUCTION TO CULTURE AND PROSPECTS FOR USING LEGUMINOUS HERBS IN SELECTION OF THE NORTHERN ECOTYPE

Introduction to the culture of new species of legumes, allocated from the native wild flora and creating high-protein varieties, fully used bioclimatic resources, adapted to the extreme conditions of the North, can solve the problem of overcoming the typical for the northern territories of protein deficiency of the bulky feed. To assess the potential productivity, the forage quality and the usefulness of using in the selection, within three years the biological, morphological, economically-valuable traits of the aboriginal ecotype Lathyrus maritimus Bigelow have been studied under conditions of natural grassland and the test field. Indicator of the potential productivity of green mass of the ecotype under conditions of natural grassland exceeded 200 c/hectare against the backdrop of fertilizers in dose P60K60. The forage is characterized by good quality: crude protein-17,5-21,7%. The period of adaptation of the specimens in new conditions, regardless of the method of introduction, amounted to three years. Besides, only 38 of collectible 150 samples yielded a productivity equal to the natural analogues. According to the authors, method of vegetative propagation has proved more effective in comparison with seed reproduction, due to the Rhizobiums, carried over with rhizosphere of the rhizomes into the test field. In the options of the experience with the vegetative reproduction the effect of biological symbiosis was achieved due to the individual characteristics of the interacting organisms, which formed the optimum combination in vivo growth. In support of this hypothesis, the authors cite the comparative analysis of the basic physical parameters of virgin and arable alluvial soils, which defines the specificity of the transformation of the top organic and accumulative part of the profile and organic matter, and, therefore, the nature of the microflora. The arable soils composition of microbial cenosis does not contain effective strains for the north ecotype Lathyrus maritimus Bigelow. This leads to low efficiency of the seed propagation and slowly development of the introduced plants in the new conditions. In order to enhance the capabilities of plants to adapt and realize the potential agronomic traits at a higher level, identified priorities for further work in the selection of the varieties and complementary for them strains of the Rhizobiums.

Identification of γ-methylglutamic acid in Lathyrus maritimus

From Lathyrus maritimus seeds a non-protein amino acid has been isolated by ion-exchange chromatography and identified as erythro-γ-methyl- l-glutamic acid. The compound is estimated to constitute about 0·5 and 1 per cent of the dry matter of L. maritimus and L. aphaca seeds, respectively.

Physiological and Ecological Studies in the Analysis of Plant Environment

In a further analysis of the effects of varying light intensity on growth and development in the vegetative phase the reactions of thirteen herbaceous species have been recorded. In some experiments the degree of shading has been extended to 0.055 daylight, a level near or below the compensation point. For Lathyrus maritimus, Trifolium pratense, and Vicia faba, the net assimilation rate is directly related to the logarithm of the light intensity, but for Helianthus annuus, T. repent, T. hybridum, Medicago sativa, Phaseolus multiflorus, and Lolium multiflorum the relationship, though curvilinear, is not logarithmic. It is concluded that for all species the assimilation rate of unshaded plants was limited by light even though in high summer the recorded light energy between 4,000–7,000 A averaged 1,900–2,200 foot-candles. For all these species between daylight and 0.12 daylight the leaf-area ratio rises as the intensity decreases and in general the trend is logarithmic. When the degree of shading is increased to 0.055 daylight the logarithmic relationship still holds for L. maritimus and V. faba though this level is below the compensation point. For other species, such as P. multiflorus andH. annuus the trend may be reversed below 0.12 daylight and the ratio then falls. When the light intensity is reduced from daylight to 0.5 daylight, then for the species already cited and for Lolium perenne, Phleum pratcnse, and Festuca pratensis the relative growth-rate is invariably depressed. At 0.055 daylight the relative growth-rate never exceeded 1 per cent. per day. For L. perennet, P. pratense, and Dactylis glomerata the reactions to shading of ‘hay’ and ‘grazing’ strains were different. The ecological and physiological implications of these findings are discussed.

Sulfuric Acid Seed Treatment of Beach Pea, Lathyrus Maritimus, and Silvery Pea, L. Littoralis, to Increase Germination, Seedling Establishment, and Field Stands1

Sulfuric Acid Seed Treatment of Beach Pea, Lathyrus Maritimus, and Silvery Pea, L. Littoralis, to Increase Germination, Seedling Establishment, and Field Stands¹

The Distribution of Beach Plants

1. The plants on the lower and middle beaches of some of the coasts of the Elizabethan Islands and Falmouth are found to have in general definite zonal distribution. 2. The shores may be divided into sea beach and sea cliff types; the latter may be subdivided into cliff types with Zostera marina and those without. 3. The following plants were selected as most representative of the beach type: Ammophila arenaria, Atriplex arenaria, Salsola Kali, Chenopodium rubrum, Arenaria peploides, Cakile edentula, Artemisia Stelleriana, Solidago sempervirens, Euphorbia polygonifolia, Lathyrus maritimus, and Suaeda maritima. Salicornia europaea, Limonium carolinianum, Ligusticum scoticum, Zostera marina, and Spartina glabra pilosa were taken as representatives of the sea cliff type. 4. The upper half of the middle beach is called the transitional zone. 5. When the lower beach is covered most of the time by water, Suaeda maritima, Salicornia europaea, and Limonium carolinianum are found in the order given, from ocean to shore. 6. The forms of the middle beach are found in definite zones, and when not present their places are not filled; for instance, Atriplex arenaria, Salsola Kali, Chenopodium rubrum, and Arenaria peploides are always found in the order given on the lower half of the middle beach, while Cakile edentula, Artemisia Stelleriana, Solidago sempervirens, and Euphorbia polygonifolia are related to Ammophila in distribution. 7. As to the cause of this distribution I hope to offer some suggestions in the near future.

Vegetation and Mobile Ground as Illustrated by Suaeda Fruticosa on Shingle

The materials of a shingle beach froniting the open sea are liable to two distinct,effects from the play of waves and currents. There is the alongshore effect or longitudinal drift of the shingle between tide marks on the seaward face depending on the co-operation of wave agitation and currents; it is to control this movement of the materials that groynes are contrived. In contrast to this there is the eff'ect produced when onshore gales accompany very high tides and waves break over the crest. Under these circunmstances shingle from the front is carried above ordinary tidal limits often in great quantities, and in the case of beaches like, spits and bars which stand away from the lanld these materials are propelled down the lee slope as the sea water runs off. In this way the salt-marsh, estuary or lagoon which commonly separates the beach from the land suffers gradual encroachment. This transverse or landward drift of the beach is of course an intermittent phenomenon, the brief and occasional periods of active advancee being separated as a rule by long intervals of rest. Whilst the alongshore drift is of no particular interest to the botanist-a rolling stone gathers no moss-the crest and back of the beach on the contrary enjoy intervals of rel)ose whereby the establishment of a vegetation is permitted. We propose in the present article to consider in some detail the circumstances of establishment and maintenance of a vegetation on an intermittently active beach -employing Suaeda fruticosa as our type -and, further, to consider the effect of the presence of plants upon the landward movement of the shingle. Finally, in the light of our observations, an attempt is rnade to deduce the probable results that may be expected to follow the systematic plantiing or afforestation of mobile beaches. On those shingle beaches upon which it is found, Suaeda fruticosa fromi its stature and density of occurrence is undoubtedly the most important plant; at the same time there are a number of other common forms such as Silene maritirna, Arenaria peploides, Crambe maritima, Rurnex trigranulatus, Lathyrus maritimus, Solanum Dulcamara and Glaucium luteum, all of which in their several ways cope successfully with the habitat and would fully repay detailed study.