Leaf Sugar Content Research Articles

Effects of nitrogen stress on the photosynthetic CO2 assimilation, chlorophyll fluorescence, and sugar-nitrogen ratio in corn.

A field experiment was conducted using three corn cultivars (Jingyu7, Nongda80, and Tangyu10) and three nitrogen (N) application rates (0, 75, and 150 kg N ha−1). The objectives of this study were to investigate the responses of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation (Ph), the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), leaf dry weight (LDW), leaf nitrogen concentration (LNC), leaf sugar concentration (LSC), and the sugar-to-nitrogen concentration ratio (S/N) to N levels in three different field-grown corn cultivars on three sampling dates. The results showed that the LDW, Fv/Fm, Ph, LNC, and LSC increased with increasing N levels, and the variation patterns of Fv/Fm, Ph, and LNC were “low-high-low”. In contrast, S/N decreased with increasing N levels, and its variation pattern was “high-low-high”. The values of LDW, Fv/Fm, Ph, LNC, LSC, and S/N were greatest under high N conditions, followed by medium N conditions, and finally low N conditions. Significant interactions occurred between Ph, Fv/Fm, LNC, LSC, LDW, and S/N, with the exception of the interaction between LSC and S/N and between LSC and LDW. The correlation coefficients between Ph and S/N and between Fv/Fm and S/N were −0.714 and −0.798, respectively.

Accumulation and remobilisation of sugar and starch in the leaves of young tomato plants in response to temperature

Temperature integration strategies are a method for decreasing the amount of energy consumed in greenhouse plant production. These strategies are based on the hypothesis that plants can accumulate carbohydrates such as soluble sugars and starch during periods when growth is limited by low temperature for later use when the temperature rises. However, little is known about the storage capacity of non-structural carbohydrates in plants. Therefore, three experiments with tomato plants were carried out in growth chambers where the temperature was changed from warm (dark: 24°C, light: 26°C) to cool (dark: 14°C, light: 16°C) or from cool to warm. Leaf dry matter content and leaf sugar and starch concentrations were significantly higher when plants were grown at a low rather than at high temperature. Soluble sugar and starch concentrations in the leaves increased or decreased immediately after the temperature was reduced or raised. A strong gradient of changes was observed for up to 36h and 60h in soluble sugars and starch, respectively. Over the next four days, sugar concentrations remained in the range observed at 36hpost temperature change; the starch concentration continued to increase or decrease slightly. The time courses of dry matter content corresponded to those of sugar and starch concentrations. Data indicates that young tomato plants can accumulate and store carbohydrates in the form of soluble sugars and starch for at least one week when growth is limited by low temperatures. They can remobilise these carbohydrates when growth is forced again by high temperatures.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis can mitigate the negative effects of night warming on physiological traits of Medicago truncatula L

Elevated night temperature, one of the main climate warming scenarios, can have profound effects on plant growth and metabolism. However, little attention has been paid to the potential role of mycorrhizal associations in plant responses to night warming, although it is well known that symbiotic fungi can protect host plants against various environmental stresses. In the present study, physiological traits of Medicago truncatula L. in association with the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Rhizophagus irregularis were investigated under simulated night warming. A constant increase in night temperature of 1.53°C significantly reduced plant shoot and root biomass, flower and seed number, leaf sugar concentration, and shoot Zn and root P concentrations. However, the AM association essentially mitigated these negative effects of night warming by improving plant growth, especially through increased root biomass, root to shoot ratio, and shoot Zn and root P concentrations. A significant interaction was observed between R. irregularis inoculation and night warming in influencing both root sucrose concentration and expression of sucrose synthase (SusS) genes, suggesting that AM symbiosis and increased night temperature jointly regulated plant sugar metabolism. Night warming stimulated AM fungal colonization but did not influence arbuscule abundance, symbiosis-related plant or fungal gene expression, or growth of extraradical mycelium, indicating little effect of night warming on the development or functioning of AM symbiosis. These findings highlight the importance of mycorrhizal symbiosis in assisting plant resilience to climate warming.

Correlations between Soluble Sugar and Phenol Contents in Leaves and Pear Scab Resistance

Pear scab caused by Venturia nashicola is one of the most important diseases in pears in China. Better understanding of the relationships between soluble sugar and phenol contents in the leaves and pear scab will assist in developing resistant cultivars for management of this disease. However, such relationships were poorly understood. In this study, we determined soluble sugar and total phenol contents in the leaves of 29 pear cultivars with varying levels of scab resistance in May, June, August and September of 2012 and related their levels to pear scab resistance. Results of this study demonstrated that: 1) the changes in soluble sugar and total phenol contents in the leaves of interspecific pears appeared to be relatively stable in May, June and August. In September, however, significant changes in their levels were observed. The levels of soluble sugar content in the leaves of Pyrus bretschnrideri and P. communis were significantly lower. Total phenol content in the P. communis leaves reached the highest. 2) Differences in soluble sugar and total phenol contents in the leaves of pear cultivars with varying levels of scab resistance were insignificant in May, June, August, and September. Total phenol content in pear cultivars that were immune to scab was slightly higher than that in other resistant cultivars in May, June, August, and September. 3) Soluble sugar and total phenol contents in the leaves of different interspecific and scab-resistant cultivars had no significant correlations with scab incidence in May, June, August and September. 4) There was a negatively correlation (p=0.039, r=-0.386) between soluble sugar content in the leaves of different cultivars and scab incidence in August.

Effects of presowing gamma irradiation on the photosynthetic pigments, sugar content and carbon gain of Cullen corylifolium (L.) Medik

To determine the effects of gamma radiation on the photosynthetic pigments, sugar content and total carbon gain, seeds of Cullen corylifolium (L.) Medik. were irradiated with variable doses (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20 kGy) at the rate of 1.65 kGy h-1 from 60Co gamma source. Cullen corylifolium represents an important Chinese medicine with adequate levels of secondary metabolites, thus we hypothesized that gamma irradiation could modulate primary metabolites which could supplement secondary metabolite levels. The seeds were then transferred to field for biochemical analysis at different developmental stages; pre-flowering, flowering and post-flowering. Gamma dosage at 10 kGy resulted in a significant increase in concentration of chlorophyll a (61.17%), chlorophyll b (93.18%) and total chlorophyll (71.66%), suggesting that low doses of radiation could activate photosynthetic pigment system while at 15 and 20 kGy dose resulted in depletion of such parameters. Sugar and total C analysis of plants irradiated at 10 kGy demonstrated significantly maximum (216.01%) sugar content in leaves at all developmental stages and significantly minimum (46.13%) and (57.81%) in plants raised from seeds irradiated at 15 and 20 kGy respectively. Effective stimulatory dose for C. corylifolium ‘11062’ is 10 kGy. In contrast, the carotenoid content of the plants exposed to 15 and 20 kGy was maximum than control. Significance of such stimulation correlated with increasing C mass of the plant concerned is discussed in the light of newer aspects in research.

Phyllosphere Bacterial Population of Woody Species in Subtropical Forest at Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park, Nepal Himalaya

Seasonal variation of phyllospheric bacteria and their leaf traits of four woody species of subtropical environment were studied at Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. The four species examined were Alnus nepalensis D. Don., Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth., Rhododendron arboreum Smith. and Gaultheria fragrantissima Wall. The first species is deciduous, second is semi-deciduous and other two are evergreen. The leaf samples were collected during summer and winter seasons in 2010. The estimation of bacterial population was done by the serial dilution plating method using Nutrient Agar Glycerol Medium. The leaf traits such as leaf water content, nitrogen content, phosphorous content, sugar content and specific leaf mass were also estimated. The bacterial population of four woody species ranges from 2.87 to 5.48 log CFU per g f.w. The epiphytic bacterial populations differed among seasons and among species. In subtropical environment bacterial population was found to be limited to leaf phosphorous content.

MODELLING THE EFFECT OF XYLEM AND PHLOEM TRANSPORT ON LEAF GAS EXCHANGE

Whole tree water and carbon relations are mediated between the leaves and carbon sinks in the form of water potential and osmotic concentration through long distance xylem and phloem transport within the tree. Here we present a whole tree level model which couples these source, sink and transport processes. We demonstrate how xylem and phloem transport capacity, together with soil water and sink sugar status, set limits to the maximum leaf gas exchange that can be sustained by a plant in steady state. We further show that when down-regulation of photosynthetic capacity depending on leaf sugar concentration is added to the model formulation, the typically observed stomatal behaviour in relation to environmental drivers and sink status can be qualitatively understood by maximization of the simultaneous photosynthesis production. In our steady state formulation, the rate of photosynthetic production equals the phloem transport rate, and the rate of sugar utilization in the sinks.

The Influence of 1-Triacontanol on the Growth, Flowering, and Quality of PottedBougainvilleaPlants (Bougainvillea glabravar. “Elizabeth Angus”) under Natural Conditions

Selected physiological and biochemical parameters were monitored at the vegetative and reproductive growth stages in potted Bougainvillea plants treated with five different concentrations of TRIA. Advanced flowering, flower bud number, and blooming rate increased significantly with 0.5 and 1.0 mg/L TRIA treatments. Similarly, photosynthetic rate, pigment content, quantum yield, and stomatal conductance increased significantly with 2.5, 1.0, and 5.0 mg/L TRIA treatments. Higher levels of N, P, and K, as well as increased total soluble solids (TSS) and higher sugar and protein contents, were recorded in treated plants. Furthermore, 46% more flowers, a 1.5-fold increase in bract weight, increased longevity, and 40% less leaf abscission were recorded following 2.5 mg/L TRIA treatment. Phenol and flavonoid contents, sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), and antioxidant activities were also markedly increased with 2.5 and 1.0 mg/L TRIA treatments. However, ethylene production was significantly lower in the treated plants. Positive correlations were observed between leaf TSS and flowering time and flower number, between leaf sugar content and bract weight, and between net photosynthesis and bract growth and dry matter production. It can be concluded that the foliar spray of TRIA stimulates growth, enhances flowering, and improves the quality of potted Bougainvillea plants.

Screening a cucumber crop during leaf area development reduces yield

AbstractIn order to reduce heat energy consumption in greenhouse cucumber production, (transparent) screens may be used also during the day, particularly in the early growth phase when high temperatures are required to achieve rapid leaf area development. However, energy savings must be optimised against light reduction‐induced yield loss. For this reason, two experiments were conducted to quantify the effect on photosynthesis and growth of screening cucumber plants during their early growth phase, and on yield in the following generative phase. Screening with different light transmission coefficients was simulated using shading nets. Shading the plants during the first 5 weeks under Central European winter conditions reduced the leaf area by 0.40% per 1% reduction in photosynthetic active radiation (PAR). Moreover, potential leaf net photosynthesis decreased by 0.46% per 1% PAR reduction. A major impact was that the leaf dry matter content, leaf starch content and leaf sugar content of shaded plants diminished significantly. In the course of the following 2 weeks under full light, the leaf photosynthesis of the plants previously shaded recovered fully and the leaf area index rose to 3.3 m2 m−2, considered sufficient for optimal crop photosynthesis. The yield from plants previously shaded diminished slightly as early as from the first harvest week on. These yield losses increased further over the next few weeks, measuring approximately 0.8 kg m−2 per 1 mol m−2 day−1 PAR reduction in the early growth phase. The effect of PAR on plant growth was proportional when relating the PAR integral over the entire experimental period to the total yield and to the total dry matter production, respectively.

Photosynthetic traits around budbreak in pre-existing needles of Sakhalin spruce (Picea glehnii) seedlings grown under elevated CO2 concentration assessed by chlorophyll fluorescence measurements

To assess the effects of elevated CO(2) concentration ([CO(2)]) on the photosynthetic properties around spring budbreak, we monitored the total leaf sugar and starch content, and chlorophyll fluorescence in 1-year-old needles of Sakhalin spruce (Picea glehnii Masters) seedlings in relation to the timing of budbreak, grown in a phytotron under natural daylight at two [CO(2)] levels (ambient: 360 μmol mol(-1) and elevated: 720 μmol mol(-1)). Budbreak was accelerated by elevated [CO(2)] accompanied with earlier temporal declines in the quantum yield of PSII electron transport (Φ(PSII)) and photochemical quenching (q(L)). Plants grown under elevated [CO(2)] showed pre-budbreak leaf starch content twice as high with no significant difference in Φ(PSII) from ambient-CO(2)-grown plants when compared at the same measurement [CO(2)], i.e., 360 or 720 μmol mol(-1), suggesting that the enhanced pre-budbreak leaf starch accumulation might not cause down-regulation of photosynthesis in pre-existing needles under elevated [CO(2)]. Conversely, lower excitation pressure adjusted for the efficiency of PSII photochemistry ((1 - q(P)) F(v)'/F(m)') was observed in plants grown under elevated [CO(2)] around budbreak when compared at their growth [CO(2)] (i.e., comparing (1 - q(P)) F(v)'/F(m)' measured at 720 μmol mol(-1) in elevated-CO(2)-grown plants with that at 360 μmol mol(-1) in ambient-CO(2)-grown plants), which suggests lower rate of photoinactivation of PSII in the elevated-CO(2)-grown plants around spring budbreak. The degree of photoinhibition, as indicated by the overnight-dark-adapted F(v)/F(m), however, showed no difference between CO(2) treatments, thereby suggesting that photoprotection during the daytime or the repair of PSII at night was sufficient to alleviate differences in the rate of photoinactivation.

Partial Leaf Chemical Profiles of a Desert Watermelon Species (Citrullus colocynthis) and Heirloom Watermelon Cultivars (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus)

Whiteflies [Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)] and aphids [Aphis gossypii Glover and Myzus persicae (Sulzer)] are serious threats to watermelon by direct feeding and by transmitting viruses of important virus diseases. The desert watermelon Citrullus colocynthis (L.) has been shown to exhibit resistance to these insect pests and could be a useful source for breeding resistance into watermelon [Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus (Thunbs) Matsum & Nakai]. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), we found differences among the chemical profiles of two U.S. PIs of C. colocynthis, one PI of C. lanatus var. citroides, and two heirloom watermelon (C. lanatus var. lanatus) cultivars (‘Charleston Gray’ and ‘Mickey Lee’). Flavonoid and caffeic acid derivatives were identified in the leaf extracts by a combination of ultraviolet (UV) and mass spectrometry (MS) spectral analyses. Four phenolic derivatives of caffeic and/or ferulic acid were found to be essentially unique to C. colocynthis. Total flavonoid content was found to be approximately four to 18 times higher in C. colocynthis accessions and seven to nine times higher in C. lanatus var. citroides as compared with watermelon cultivars. Caffeoyl-glucose was also identified in the leaves of watermelon cultivars for the first time. Leaf sugar concentrations (198 to 211 mg·dL−1), read from a glucometer, were statistically the same among the various germplasm entries. These results will help in the development of pest-resistant watermelon.

Leaf physiology and sugar concentrations of transplanted Quercus rubra seedlings in relation to nutrient and water availability

Newly planted seedlings incur transplant stress resulting from poor root-soil contact, which limits access to soil moisture and nutrients and reduces growth for one or more growing seasons. Controlled release fertilizer (CRF) applied at planting may reduce transplant stress by augmenting rhizosphere nutrient availability yet with potential risk of root system damage due to elevated fertilizer salt concentrations, which may be further exacerbated by drought. Under controlled conditions, we examined northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) leaf physiological parameters and soluble sugar concentrations in response to varying nutrient levels (via CRF application) and moisture availability gradients ranging from drought to flooding. Net photosynthetic rates, transpiration rates, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters responded positively to CRF application, and no interactions were observed between CRF and moisture availability; however, CRF did not increase soluble sugar concentrations. No effects of short-term drought were observed, but flooding exerted a rapid negative influence on net photosynthetic rates, transpiration rates, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters; flooding also elevated soluble sugar concentrations, indicative of disrupted carbon partitioning and a much greater sensitivity to root-zone hypoxia than to drought in this species. Lack of interactions between CRF application and soil moisture availability indicates relatively similar responses of fertilized seedlings across moisture gradients.

Microclima e produção de videiras 'Niágara rosada' em cultivo orgânico sob cobertura plástica

O uso de coberturas plásticas sobre vinhedos tem aumentado no Sul do Brasil, visando a atenuar limitações climáticas. Este estudo objetivou quantificar alterações micrometeorológicas causadas por cobertura plástica e seus efeitos no desenvolvimento e na produção de videiras 'Niágara Rosada', em cultivo orgânico. O estudo foi realizado em Bento Gonçalves-RS, num vinhedo conduzido em sistema latada e submetido a dois ambientes: em céu aberto e coberto por plástico transparente (160µm) em arcos descontínuos. Nos dois ambientes, foram monitoradas radiação fotossinteticamente ativa (RFA) e temperatura do ar. Avaliaram-se fenologia, índice de área foliar (IAF), peso e diâmetro de bagas, teor de sólidos solúveis e acidez total titulável, incidência de doenças fúngicas e rendimento. A cobertura reduziu em um terço a RFA incidente (-34%) e aumentou as temperaturas máximas do ar (+3,1ºC). Ela acelerou o ciclo vegetativo das videiras até a maturação, mas retardou a queda de folhas. A cobertura promoveu incrementos de IAF, duração da área foliar e produção de uvas, de 12,3 para 27,1 t ha-1. Não foi observada incidência de doenças fúngicas no vinhedo coberto. Portanto, a cobertura plástica sobre vinhedos é uma alternativa importante na produção de uvas de mesa no Sul do Brasil, em cultivo orgânico.

Temperature responses of dark respiration in relation to leaf sugar concentration

Changes in leaf sugar concentrations are a possible mechanism of short-term adaptation to temperature changes, with natural fluctuations in sugar concentrations in the field expected to modify the heat sensitivity of respiration. We studied temperature-response curves of leaf dark respiration in the temperate tree Populus tremula (L.) in relation to leaf sugar concentration (1) under natural conditions or (2) leaves with artificially enhanced sugar concentration. Temperature-response curves were obtained by increasing the leaf temperature at a rate of 1°C min⁻¹. We demonstrate that respiration, similarly to chlorophyll fluorescence, has a break-point at high temperature, where respiration starts to increase with a faster rate. The average break-point temperature (T(RD) ) was 48.6 ± 0.7°C at natural sugar concentration. Pulse-chase experiments with ¹⁴CO₂ demonstrated that substrates of respiration were derived mainly from the products of starch degradation. Starch degradation exhibited a similar temperature-response curve as respiration with a break-point at high temperatures. Acceleration of starch breakdown may be one of the reasons for the observed high-temperature rise in respiration. We also demonstrate that enhanced leaf sugar concentrations or enhanced osmotic potential may protect leaf cells from heat stress, i.e. higher sugar concentrations significantly modify the temperature-response curve of respiration, abolishing the fast increase of respiration. Sugars or enhanced osmotic potential may non-specifically protect respiratory membranes or may block the high-temperature increase in starch degradation and consumption in respiratory processes, thus eliminating the break-points in temperature curves of respiration in sugar-fed leaves.

Water regulated effects of photosynthetic substrate supply on soil respiration in a semiarid steppe

Soil respiration is an important part of the global carbon (C) cycle and the largest component of C flux from terrestrial ecosystems to the atmosphere. Here, we investigated possible effects of photosynthetic substrate supply on soil respiration in a semiarid ecosystem. A field experiment combining water addition and shading (low and high shading) treatments was conducted to manipulate photosynthetic substrate supply in a temperate semiarid steppe in two growing seasons. Our result showed that water addition and/or low shading significantly increased net primary productivity (ecosystem-level photosynthetic substrate supply) and soil respiration in both two growing seasons. However, the effects of high shading on net primary productivity and soil respiration depended on soil water condition, which were negative in wet year (2008) but positive in dry year (2009). On the diel timescale, soil respiration was out of phase with soil temperature and leaf net photosynthesis, but in phase with leaf sugar and starch contents (leaf-level photosynthetic substrate production). The results indicated that photosynthetic substrate supply was an important factor in regulating soil respiration on both daily and seasonal timescales. Moreover, its effect on soil respiration increased with increasing water availability in this region. The predominant role of C assimilate supply on soil respiration indicates that the predicted positive influence of rising temperature on soil respiration will be simultaneously mediated by substrate supply and water availability in semiarid steppe ecosystems.

Drought-induced photosynthetic inhibition and autumn recovery in two Mediterranean oak species (Quercus ilex and Quercus suber)

Responses of leaf water relations and photosynthesis to summer drought and autumn rewetting were studied in two evergreen Mediterranean oak species, Quercus ilex spp. rotundifolia and Quercus suber. The predawn leaf water potential (Ψ(lPD)), stomatal conductance (gs) and photosynthetic rate (A) at ambient conditions were measured seasonally over a 3-year period. We also measured the photosynthetic response to light and to intercellular CO₂ (A/PPFD and A/C(i) response curves) under water stress (summer) and after recovery due to autumn rainfall. Photosynthetic parameters, Vc(max), J(max) and triose phosphate utilization (TPU) rate, were estimated using the Farquhar model. RuBisCo activity, leaf chlorophyll, leaf nitrogen concentration and leaf carbohydrate concentration were also measured. All measurements were performed in the spring leaves of the current year. In both species, the predawn leaf water potential, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate peaked in spring, progressively declined throughout the summer and recovered upon autumn rainfall. During the drought period, Q. ilex maintained a higher predawn leaf water potential and stomatal conductance than Q. suber. During this period, we found that photosynthesis was not only limited by stomatal closure, but was also downregulated as a consequence of a decrease in the maximum carboxylation rate (Vc(max)) and the light-saturated rate of photosynthetic electron transport (J(max)) in both species. The Vc(max) and J(max) increased after the first autumnal rains and this increase was related to RuBisCo activity, leaf nitrogen concentration and chlorophyll concentration. In addition, an increase in the TPU rate and in soluble leaf sugar concentration was observed in this period. The results obtained indicate a high resilience of the photosynthetic apparatus to summer drought as well as good recovery in the following autumn rains of these evergreen oak species.

Are Sunflower chlorotic mottle virus infection symptoms modulated by early increases in leaf sugar concentration?

Symptom development in a susceptible sunflower line inoculated with Sunflower chlorotic mottle virus (SuCMoV) was followed in the second pair of leaves at different post-inoculation times: before symptom expression (BS), at early (ES) and late (LS) symptom expression. Sugar and starch increases and photoinhibition were observed as early effects BS, and were maintained or enhanced later on, however, chlorophyll loss was detected only at LS. Photoinhibition correlated with a drastic decrease in D1 protein level. The progress of infection was accompanied by decreasing levels of apoplastic reactive oxygen species (ROS). In infected leaves, higher antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, SOD; ascorbate peroxidase, APX; glutathione reductase, GR) were observed from BS. The purpose of this work was to evaluate whether the early increases in carbohydrate accumulation may participate in SuCMoV symptom expression. Similar effects on photoinhibition, apoplastic ROS generation and antioxidant activity were generated when healthy leaves were treated with sugars. These results suggest that photoinhibitory processes and lower apoplastic superoxide levels induced by SuCMoV infection may be modulated by sugar increases.

Mulberry nutrient management for silk production in Hubei Province of China

AbstractThe silk industry is important for south China's rural economy. Leaves of mulberry (Morus spp.) are used for silkworm production. Hubei province is one of the main silk‐producing provinces in China. The objectives of this research were to survey the fertilization practices in the mulberry‐producing regions in the province and to determine the best nutrition‐management practice for mulberry plantations. A survey and a series of field experiments with N, P, K, and micronutrients were conducted from 2001 to 2002. In addition, a silkworm‐growth experiment was also conducted by feeding leaves harvested from various fertilization treatments. The results indicate that poor soil fertility and unbalanced fertilization were the main factors limiting mulberry‐leaf yield and quality in Hubei province. Nitrogen fertilization of mulberry has reached a high level (454 kg ha–1 y–1) in Hubei province, but P‐ and K‐fertilization rates have not been matched with N‐fertilization rates as farmers are not aware of the significance of P and K. Balanced fertilization showed positive nutrient interactions with respect to mulberry yield and quality. Potassium application increased yield and quality (protein and sugar concentration) of mulberry leaves. Silkworm growth and cocoon quality were improved when silkworms were fed with the leaves derived from K‐fertilized plants in comparison with those taken from control plots. Application of Mg, S, and B also significantly improved leaf sugar, essential and total amino acid concentrations, but did not increase leaf yield significantly. It is concluded that a fertilizer dose of 375 kg N ha–1, 66 kg P ha–1, and 125 kg K ha–1 is suitable for the cultivation of mulberry in the Hubei province along with Mg, S, and B, wherever necessary, for the improvement of yield and quality of mulberry leaves.

Stem girdling manipulates leaf sugar concentrations and anthocyanin expression in sugar maple trees during autumn

To better understand the effects of sugar accumulation on red color development of foliage during autumn, we compared carbohydrate concentration, anthocyanin expression and xylem pressure potential of foliage on girdled versus non-girled (control) branches of 12 mature, open-grown sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) trees. Half of the study trees were known to exhibit mostly yellow foliar coloration and half historically displayed red coloration. Leaves from both girdled and control branches were harvested at peak color expression (i.e., little or no chlorophyll present). Disruption of phloem export by girdling increased foliar sucrose, glucose and fructose concentrations regardless of historical tree color patterns. Branch girdling also increased foliar anthocyanin expression from 50.4 to 66.7% in historically red trees and from 11.7 to 54.2% in historically yellow trees, the latter representing about a fivefold increase compared with control branches. Correlation analyses indicated a strong and consistent relationship between foliar red coloration and sugar concentrations, particularly glucose and fructose, in both girdled and control branches. Measures of xylem pressure potentials confirmed that girdling was a phloem-specific treatment and had no effect on water transport to distal leaves. Results indicate that stem girdling increased foliar sugar concentrations and enhanced anthocyanin expression during autumn in sugar maple foliage. Native environmental stresses (e.g., low autumn temperatures) that reduce phloem transport may promote similar physiological outcomes.

Dynamics of Soluble Sugar and ABA Contents in Leaves and Roots of Catharanthus roseus Seedlings Subjected to Natural Drought Condition

Slow rate of water loss(RWL) in leaf surface is induced by removal of plants from soil,leading to drought stress to some extent.In the present paper,Catharanthus roseus with strong desiccation tolerance was conducted to investigate the dynamics of ABA and soluble sugar contents in leaves and roots.The ABA content in roots of seedlings was lower than that in leaves in control condition,while dehydration treatment promoted its accumulation in roots,arriving at the peak value at 6h.The activity of acid invertase(AI) may be activated by elevated ABA and increased by 30% after 6h treatment.Total soluble sugar content in control leaves was observed to be very stable,but when exerted in stress,they appeared to increase linear with prolong of stress time(r2=0.964).At the same time,sucrose and hexose also exhibited the trend of enhancement due to drought stress,to play a role of osmotic adjustment.