Plant Growth Regulator Treatments Research Articles

Seed Germination of Huagaimu, a Critically Endangered Plant Endemic to Southeastern Yunnan, China

As a critically endangered tree in the Magnoliaceae family, huagaimu (Manglietiastrum sinicum) is represented by only 10 mature individuals in evergreen broadleaved montane forests of southeastern Yunnan Province, China. Our previous work revealed the existence of a seed dormancy period for this species. The current study was performed to evaluate the effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and moist chilling on breaking seed dormancy in this species. Germination of seeds pretreated for 24 h with gibberellic acid (GA3), α-naphthaleneacetic acid, 6-benzyladenine, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid indicated that only GA3, at concentrations of 300 and 500 mg·L−1, can significantly break the seed dormancy of huagaimu after 50 days of incubation, with about 66% germination under 500 mg·L−1 GA3. Moist chilling at 4 °C for 3 weeks can also effectively break the seed dormancy of the species, with 56% of seeds treated in this way germinating after 30 days of incubation. The combined treatments of PGRs followed by moist chilling were also conducted. Based on germination results after 30 days of incubation, the seed germination of combined treatments was significantly higher than that of PGR treatments. However, the seeds treated only with moist chilling presented the highest germination percentage among all the treatments.

Traditional and non-traditional plant growth regulators alters phytochemical constituents in Catharanthus roseus

The effect of different plant growth regulators (PGR) and elicitor treatments on the alkaloid profile variation of Catharanthus roseus was investigated in the present study. The PGR used were paclobutrazol (PBZ), gibberellic acid (GA 3) and Pseudomonas fluorescens elicitors (PF Elicitors). The estimated alkaloids were ajmalicine, catharanthine, tabersonine, serpentine and vindoline. In roots, the ajmalicine content increased significantly under all the treatments on all sampling days. In roots, the catharanthine contents increased with the age in control and growth regulator treatments, but the increase was not prominent and significant in PGR treatments when compared to controls. The serpentine contents of the plant increased with PGR treatments, but the increase was more prominent in PBZ treatments when compared to other treatments. The increase was in the order PBZ > PF Elicitors > GA 3. C. roseus never showed any significant increase in tabersonine contents in the roots under GA 3 treatments, but it increased significantly under PBZ and PF Elicitors when compared to control plants. The root vindoline contents increased with PBZ and PF Elicitors treatments but the decreased under GA 3 treatments when compared to control plants. Our results have good significance, as these increases the secondary metabolites of this traditional medicinal plant.

Morphogenetic Response of Lilium michiganense to Four Auxin-type Plant Growth Regulators In Vitro

Shoot, root, and callus induction were examined in the North American lily Lilium michiganense in response to treatment with four auxin-type plant growth regulators (PGR). Seed from controlled crosses were aseptically excised from slightly immature capsules and cultured in vitro on Murashige and Skoog basal medium and vitamins with 30 g·L−1 sucrose, 7.0 g·L−1 agar, and a pH = 5.7. Seed were maintained at 20 °C with a 14-h photoperiod. After 5.0 to 5.5 months, leaves and roots were removed from seedlings, the bulbs transversely sectioned, then the bulb sections cultured cut-surface down on the identical medium supplemented with 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, or 8.0 μm dicamba, picloram, K-NAA, or 2,4-D. Morphogenetic response was tabulated 4 months after treatment. Shoot formation was promoted by treatment with dicamba, picloram, and K-NAA in comparison with the control (2.5 shoots/explant). Shoot formation varied significantly in response to individual dicamba, picloram, and 2,4-D concentrations. A maximum of 7.9 shoots per explant was promoted by 4.0 μm K-NAA and 1.0 μm dicamba, respectively. Root and callus formation also varied significantly between PGR treatments. Root formation was inhibited by dicamba, picloram, and 2,4-D treatments in comparison with the control (100% rooting); callus formation was promoted by dicamba, picloram, and K-NAA treatments in comparison with the control (15% callusing).

The Influence of Three Plant Growth Regulators on Susceptibility to Cold Injury Following Warm Winter Spells in Fraser Fir [Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir] and Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)

The effects of three plant growth regulators (PGRs) (prohexadione–calcium, paclobutrazol, and flurprimidol) on the resistance of Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) and Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) to cold injuries were investigated. Treated and untreated seedlings were first allowed to harden before exposure to warm temperatures in a greenhouse. The seedlings were then subjected to an artificial freezing test to simulate the return to normal winter conditions. Chlorophyll fluorescence, relative electrolyte leakage, bud survival, and posttreatment plant survival were recorded to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments. Results showed that treatments with paclobutrazol and flurprimidol maintained the photosynthetic ability of the plants and reduced the extent of needle cold injuries. There was no effect on bud and plant survival, possibly as a result of the timing of the PGR application. Further studies with adjustment of the timing and rates of PGR treatments are needed to validate these results.

The effects of exogenous plant growth regulators in the phytoextraction of heavy metals

The term “assisted phytoextraction” usually refers to the process of applying a chemical additive to contaminated soil in order to increase the metal uptake by crop plants. In this study three commercially available plant growth regulators (PGRs) based on cytokinins (CKs) were used to boost the assisted phytoextraction of Pb and Zn in contaminated soil collected from a former manufactured gas-plant site. The effects of EDTA treatment in soil and PGR treatment in leaves of Helianthus annuus were investigated in terms of dry weight biomass, Pb and Zn accumulation in the upper parts of the plants, Pb and Zn phytoextraction efficiency and transpiration rate. Metal solubility in soil and its subsequent accumulation in shoots were markedly enhanced by EDTA. The combined effects of EDTA and cytokine resulted in an increase in the Pb and Zn phytoextraction efficiency (up to 890% and 330%, respectively, compared to untreated plants) and up to a 50% increase in foliar transpiration. Our results indicate that exogenous PGRs based on CKs can positively assist the phytoextraction increasing the biomass production, the metal accumulation in shoots and the plant transpiration. The observed increase in biomass could be related to its action in stimulation of cell division and shoot initiation. On the other hand, the increase in metal accumulation in upper parts of plant could be related to both the role of PGRs in the enhancement of plant resistance to stress (as toxic metals) and the increase in transpiration rate, i.e. flux of water-soluble soil components and contaminants by the regulation of stomatal opening.

Micropropagation of Lilium ledebourii (Baker) Boiss as affected by plant growth regulator, sucrose concentration, harvesting season and cold treatments

A protocol for the micropropagation in different harvesting time of Lilium ledebourii (Baker) Boiss, an endangered rare species endemic to Iran has been developed. In vitro scale culture of this species, using bulbs from three harvesting seasons (spring, summer and winter), was attempted. Among the various treatments tested, the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.1 mg l -1 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) + 0.1 mg l -1 benzyladenin (BA) and 6% sucrose in all harvesting seasons proved to be superior to others. The best results for fresh weight of bulblets, rooting parameters and the survival rate after transplantation to greenhouse were obtained from early winter-harvested bulbs. Summer-harvested bulbs had the highest number of bulblets per explant. The bulblets at the end of the culture period were given cold treatment at 4oC for 2-8 weeks at a 2-weeks interval and then transplanted to a potting mixture of sand, leaf mold and peat moss (1:1:1 v/v). The best emergence rate (90%) was achieved at 8 weeks cold treatment for winter harvested bulbs.

The effect of the time and mode of application of gibberellic acid and inhibitors of gibberellin biosynthesis on the dormancy of potato tubers grown from true potato seed

AbstractGibberellic acid (GA3) and inhibitors of gibberellin biosynthesis (daminozide and chlormequat chloride) were applied to the foliage of potato plants grown from true seed (TPS) either once at two stages of plant development, 40 and 60 days after transplantation (DAT), or repeatedly at 10 day intervals starting from the same growth stages. When GA3 was applied towards the end of the vegetative cycle (either singly 60 DAT or repeatedly from the same date), it induced rapid breakage of tuber dormancy, a reduction in specific weight, a higher rate of respiration and increased weight loss during storage. Single applications of GA3 early in the vegetative cycle (40 DAT) had no effect on the weight loss and specific weight of tubers during storage, whereas repeated foliar applications of GA3 starting from the same stage resulted in the formation of tubers with a low specific weight and a high rate of weight loss during storage. However, the tubers from these treatments did not break dormancy uniformly, and, although in the early stages of storage they exhibited a high rate of respiration, this declined to the level of the control (no growth regulator applied). Although daminozide and chlormequat chloride did not affect the duration of tuber dormancy and had little or no effect on any of the other metabolic indicators studied, gibberellin is nevertheless implicated in dormancy breakage, and its application late in the growth cycle may be of practical value in cases where tubers are required for planting soon after harvest. Overall, tubers from TPS respond to plant growth regulator treatment in a similar way to those from plants grown from seed tubers. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry

Abcisic acid and gibberellic acid cause increased lipid peroxidation and fluctuated antioxidant defense systems of various tissues in rats

The study was aimed at demonstrating changes in the antioxidant defense systems [Reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT)] forming an antioxidative barrier and oxidative stress parameter (Malondialdehyde = MDA) in the various tissues of Sprague–Dawley rats which were administrated plant growth regulators (PGRs) [Abcisic acid (ABA) and Gibberellic acid (GA 3)] during 25 days. Seventy five parts per million of ABA and GA 3 as drinking water were administered orally to rats (Sprague–Dawley albino) ad libitum for 25 days continuously. The PGRs treatments caused different effects on antioxidant defense systems and MDA content of experimented rats compared to controls. The lipid peroxidation end product MDA significantly increased in the spleen and lungs of rats treated with ABA and GA 3 without significantly change in the other tissues. The GSH levels were significantly increased in the lungs and stomach of rats treated with ABA without any change in the tissues of rats treated with GA 3. Antioxidant enzyme activities such as SOD significantly increased in the spleen of rats treated with ABA and GA 3. Meanwhile, SOD significantly increased in the kidney of rats treated with GA. CAT significantly decreased in the lungs treated with ABA but did not change significantly in all the rest of rat tissues treated with both the PGRs. On the other hand, the ancillary enzyme GR activity decreased in the spleen and increased in the kidney with GA 3 treatment. The drug metabolizing enzyme GST activity significantly decreased in the heart of rats treated with GA 3 but increased in the spleen and lungs of rats treated with both PGRs. The observations presented led us to conclude that administration of subacute ABA and GA 3 promotes lipid peroxidatin content and alters in the antioxidative systems in the rat's various tissues. These data, along with changes, suggest that the PGRs produced oxidative stress in rats during the period of a 25-day subchronic exposure.

Trinexapac‐ethyl and Paclobutrazol Affect Kentucky Bluegrass Single‐Leaf Carbon Exchange Rates and Plant Growth

ABSTRACTTrinexapac‐ethyl (TE) [4‐(cyclopropyl‐α‐hydroxy‐methylene)‐3,5‐dioxocyclohexanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester] and paclobutrazol (PAC) [(2RS,3RS)‐1‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐4,4‐dimethyl‐2‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)pentan‐3‐ol] are routinely used to suppress clipping production. Single‐leaf turfgrass C exchange rates (CERs) in response to plant growth regulator (PGR) treatment have not been characterized. Individual Kentucky bluegrass (KBG, Poa pratensis L.) plants received label rates of TE or PAC and were placed in growth chambers at 23/18 or 30/25°C. Photosynthetic efficiency and CER measurements were recorded every 4 d for 44 d. Total root length (TRL), root surface area (SA), and average root diameter were measured at the end of the study. Reductions in CERs of TE‐ or PAC‐treated plants were short lived with CERs suppressed 17 to 29% of control (POC) at 4 and 12 days after treatment (DAT), respectively. Plants treated at 23/18°C with PGRs typically had short‐lived increases in CERs following CER suppression. A similar pattern of CER response to PGR treatment was observed at the 30/25°C temperature regime. Quantum efficiency was unaffected, but plants treated with PGRs had reduced root growth. PAC caused the greatest reduction in TRL and SA while increasing root diameter. A decline in TRL and SA in conjunction with increased tillering indicates that PGR reduced TRL and SA on a tiller basis. Changes in single‐leaf CERs do not fully explain PGR‐induced changes in plant growth.

Evalution of toxicity of abcisic acid and gibberellic acid in rats: 50 days drinking water study

In the present study, the influence of subchronic effects of two plant growth regulators (PGRs) [Abcisic acid (ABA) and Gibberellic acid (GA3)] on antioxidant defense systems [reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT)] and lipid peroxidation level (malondialdehyde = MDA) in various tissues of the rat were investigated during treatment as a drinking water model. 75 ppm of ABA and GA3 in drinking water were continuously administered orally to rats (Sprague-Dawley albino) ad libitum for 50 days. The PGRs treatments caused different effects on the antioxidant defense systems and MDA content of dosed rats compared to controls. The lipid peroxidation end product MDA significantly increased in the lungs, heart and kidney of rats treated with GA3 without significant change in the spleen. ABA caused also a significant increase in MDA content in the spleen, lungs, heart and kidney. The GSH levels were significantly depleted in the spleen, lungs and stomach of rats treated with ABA without any change in the tissues of rats treated with GA3 except the kidney where it increased. Antioxidant enzyme activities such as SOD significantly increased in the lungs and stomach and decreased in the spleen and heart tissues of rats treated with GA3. Meanwhile, SOD significantly decreased in the spleen, heart and kidney and increased in the lungs of rats treated with ABA. While CAT activity significantly decreased in the lungs of rats treated with GA3, a significant increase occurred in the heart of rats treated with both PGRs. On the other hand, the ancillary enzyme GR activity in the tissues were either significantly depleted or not changed with PGRs treatment. The drug metabolizing enzyme GST activity significantly decreased in the lungs of rats treated with ABA but increased in the stomach of rats treated with both PGRs.As a conclusion, the rats resisted oxidative stress via the antioxidant mechanism. But the antioxidant mechanism could not prevent the increases in lipid peroxidation in rat's tissues. This data, along with changes, suggests that PGRs produced substantial systemic organ toxicity in the spleen, lungs, stomach, heart and kidney during a 50-day period of subchronic exposure.

Effects of the Combined Application of Ethephon and Gibberellin on Growth of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Seedlings

Improvement of early seedling growth, such as seedling emergence and vigor is one of the most important agronomic traits in direct seeding rice cultivation. The effects of two plant growth regulators (PGRs), gibberellic acid (GA3) and ethephon (ET), on seedling growth under flooded soil conditions at different temperatures and water depths were investigated. The PGRs were applied during the seed soaking process. A single treatment with GA3 or ET increased seedling growth. However, combined application of GA3 and ET was more effective than that of GA3 or ET alone in many cases at both growing temperatures (15 and 20ºC). The growth of different organs in the rice seedlings, such as the coleoptiles, first leaves, and second leaves was also increased by PGR treatment. The nitrogen concentration of the shoot and the ratio of shoot dry weight to shoot length did not differ significantly among the treatments. The results of our study show that rice seedling growth in direct seeding cultivation may be improved by treatment with GA3 and ET in combination.

Mass propagation of Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker by in vitro regeneration

SummaryAn efficient micropropagation protocol for a potential medicinal plant, Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker, was established. We investigated the effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and the duration of PGR treatment on shoot regeneration.Terminal buds were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 35.52 µM 6-benzylaminopurine for 8 weeks then transferred to PGR-free MS for a further 4 weeks. After a second cycle, we obtained 47.3 ± 3.4 shoots per initial explant, after a total of 24 weeks of culture. Rooting was spontaneous. Approx. 20,000 regenerants were successfully transferred to soil and subsequently grown in the field.

Responses of developmental yield formation processes in oats to variety, nitrogen, seed rate and plant growth regulator and their relationship to quality

Outcomes of developmental yield formation processes in oats, namely number of panicles/m2, number of grains/panicle, mean grain weight and incidences of aborted and tertiary grains, were measured in a series of experiments in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in 1997/98 and 1998/99. Seed rate (200 and 300 seeds/m2), nitrogen (0–200 kg/ha) and plant growth regulator (chlormequat chloride) treatments were applied to the spring oat varieties Aberglen and Barra in one spring- and two autumn-sown experiments, and to the winter varieties Gerald and Image in one autumn-sown experiment. Large variation in number of panicles/m2 and grains/panicle was observed between the experiments and varieties and in response to seed rate, with number of grains/panicle generally being inversely related to number of panicles/m2. At the higher rates of nitrogen rate both number of panicles/m2 and grains per panicle increased. Mean grain weights were relatively constant and were largely determined by variety. Chlormequat chloride had relatively little effect on the yield components, the most consistent being small reductions in mean grain weight.Tertiary grains occurred rarely in the varieties and agronomic treatments used in the programme but were more frequent at higher rates of nitrogen in most of the experiments. Numbers of aborted grains were usually higher where grain numbers were higher although the effects of variety, seed rate and nitrogen on aborted grains were not consistent. Structure of the grain population, i.e. the relative proportions of primary and secondary grain, was stable despite the large differences in number of panicles/m2, spikelet numbers and mean grain weight.The greater yield and growth enhancing effects of nitrogen compared with seed rate and plant growth regulator were apparent in responses by developmental processes active later in the life cycle, namely production of tertiary grains and grain filling.Wide variation in number of panicles/m2 (c. 200–450) and number of grains/panicle (c. 55–145) produced in the crops grown under a very full expression of agro-ecological conditions in this programme was accompanied by small variation in mean grain weight (c. 38–47 mg/primary grain and c. 22–29 mg/secondary grain) and in numbers of tertiary (<2/panicle) and aborted grains (<10/panicle). Plasticity of development throughout the life cycle, manifested both as the established yield components and in numbers of tertiary and aborted grains, was largely effective in ensuring stability of mean grain weight and quality in oats.

In vitro regeneration of Salix nigra from adventitious shoots

Black willow (Salix nigra Marsh.) is the largest and only commercially important willow species in North America. It is a candidate for phytoremediation of polluted soils because it is fast-growing and thrives on floodplains throughout eastern USA. Our objective was to develop a protocol for the in vitro regeneration of black willow plants that could serve as target material for gene transformation. Unexpanded inflorescence explants were excised from dormant buds collected from three source trees and cultured on woody plant medium (WPM) supplemented with one of: (1) 0.1 mg l(-1) thidiazuron (TDZ); (2) 0.5 mg l(-1) 6-benzoaminopurine (BAP); or (3) 1 mg l(-1) BAP. All plant growth regulator (PGR) treatments induced direct adventitious bud formation from the genotypes. The percentage of explants producing buds ranged from 20 to 92%, depending on genotype and treatment. Although most of the TDZ-treated inflorescences produced buds, these buds failed to elongate into shoots. Buds on explants treated with BAP elongated into shoots that were easily rooted in vitro and further established in potting mix in high humidity. The PGR treatments significantly affected shoot regeneration frequency (P < 0.01). The highest shoot regeneration frequency (36%) was achieved with Genotype 3 cultured on 0.5 mg l(-1) BAP. Mean number of shoots per explant varied from one to five. The ability of black willow inflorescences to produce adventitious shoots makes them potential targets for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation with heavy-metal-resistant genes for phytoremediation.

Influence of subacute and subchronic treatment of abcisic acid and gibberellic acid on serum marker enzymes and erythrocyte and tissue antioxidant defense systems and lipid peroxidation in rats

This study describes the subacute and subchronic effects of two plant growth regulators (PGRs) [abcisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA 3)] on serum marker enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), γ-glutamil transpeptidase (GGT)], antioxidant defense systems [reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione- S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT)] and lipid peroxidation level (Malondialdehyde = MDA) in various tissues of rats. Rats (Sprague–Dawley albino) were exposed to 75 ppm (parts per million) of ABA and GA 3. Seventy-five parts per million of PGRs as drinking water was administered orally ad libitum for 25 and 50 days continuously. The PGRs treatments caused different effect on the serum marker enzymes, antioxidant defense systems and the content of MDA in comparison to those of control rats. Results show that ABA caused a significant decrease in serum LDH and CPK activity with both periods. Also, GA 3 significantly decreased serum AST, CPK, and LDH activity with subacute and decreased serum ALT, CPK, LDH, and GGT treated with subchronic periods. The lipid peroxidation end product MDA significantly increased in the erythrocyte, liver, brain, and muscle of rats treated with both the period of GA 3 without significantly change in the erythrocyte and muscle of rats treated with the subacute period of ABA. The GSH levels were significantly depleted in the erythrocyte and brain of rats treated with both the period of GA 3 without any change in the erythrocyte, liver, brain, and muscle of rats treated with both the period of ABA. Also GSH levels in the muscle significantly depleted with the subchronic period of GA 3. Antioxidant enzyme activities such as SOD significantly decreased in the erythrocyte, liver and brain tissues but increased in the muscle tissue of rats treated with both the periods of GA 3. Meanwhile, SOD significantly decreased in liver and brain, and increased in muscle of rats treated with both the period of ABA. While CAT significantly decreased in the all tissues of rats treated with both the period of GA 3, decreased in the liver and muscle of rats treated with both the periods of ABA too. On the other hand, the ancillary enzyme GPx and GR activity in the erythrocytes, liver, brain and muscle were either significantly depleted or not changed with two periods of PGRs. The drug metabolizing enzyme GST activity significantly decreased in the brain of rats treated with subacute period of PGRs but increased in the erythrocytes of rats treated with subacute period of GA 3. As a conclusion, ABA and GA 3 had significantly increased the activity of hepatic damage enzymes. Also the rats resisted to oxidative stress via antioxidant mechanism. However, the antioxidant mechanism could not prevent the increases in lipid peroxidation in rat’s tissues. These data, along with changes, suggest that PGRs produced substantial systemic organ toxicity in the erythrocyte, liver, brain, and muscle during the period of a 25-day subacute and 50-day subchronic exposure.

Influence of subacute treatment of some plant growth regulators on serum marker enzymes and erythrocyte and tissue antioxidant defense and lipid peroxidation in rats

This study aims to investigate the effects of the plant growth regulators (PGRs) (2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA), Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and 2,4-dichlorofenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)) on serum marker enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanin aminotransferase (ALT), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)), antioxidant defense systems (reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and catalase (CAT)), and lipid peroxidation content (malondialdehyde = MDA) in various tissues of rats. 50 and 100 ppm of PGRs as drinking water were administered orally to rats (Sprague-Dawley albino) ad libitum for 25 days continuously. The PGRs treatment caused different effects on the serum marker enzymes, antioxidant defense systems, and the MDA content in experimented rats compared to controls. Results showed that TIBA caused a significant decrease in serum AST activity with both the dosage whereas serum CPK was significantly increased with 100 ppm dosage of TIBA. Meanwhile, serum AST, CPK, and LDH activities were significantly increased with both dosage of NAA and 2,4-D. The lipid peroxidation end-product MDA significantly increased in the all tissues treated with both dosages of PGRs without any change in the brain and erythrocyte of rats treated with both the dosages of 2,4-D. The GSH depletion in the kidney and brain tissues of rats treated with both dosages of PGRs was found to be significant. Furthermore, the GSH depletion in the erythrocyte of rats treated with both dosages of PGRs except 50 ppm dosage of 2,4-D was significant too. Also, the GSH level in the liver was significantly depleted with 50 ppm of 2,4-D and NAA, whereas the GSH depletion in the same tissue did not significantly change with the treatment. The activity of antioxidant enzymes was also seriously affected by PGRs; SOD significantly decreased in the liver, heart, kidney, and brain of rats treated with both dosages of NAA, whereas the SOD activity in the erythrocytes, liver, and heart was either significantly decreased or not changed with two doses of 2,4-D and TIBA. Although the CAT activity significantly increased in the erythrocyte and brain of rats treated with both doses of PGRs, it was not changed in the liver, heart, and kidney. Meanwhile, the ancillary enzyme GR activity significantly increased in the brain, heart, and liver but decreased in the erythrocyte and kidney of rats treated with both doses of PGRs. The drug-metabolizing enzyme GST activity significantly increased in the heart and kidney but decreased in the brain and erythrocytes of rats treated with both dosages of PGRs. As a conclusion, the results indicate that PGRs might affect antioxidant potential enzymes, the activity of hepatic damage enzymes, and lipid peroxidation dose independently. Also, the rats resisted to oxidative stress via antioxidant mechanism but the antioxidant mechanism could not prevent the increases in lipid peroxidation in rat's tissues. These data, along with the determined changes, suggest that PGRs produced substantial systemic organ toxicity in the erythrocyte, liver, brain, heart, and kidney during the period of a 25-day subacute exposure.

Effects of auxins on organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis from juvenile explants of Eucalyptus erythronema, E. stricklandii, and two inter-specific hybrids

SummaryOrganogenesis and somatic embryogenesis were investigated in apex and cotyledon explants of Eucalyptus erythronema, E. stricklandii and their inter-specific hybrids Eucalyptus erythronema E. stricklandii cv. ‘Urrbrae Gem’ and ‘Hybrid 2.5’, following exposure to 1 mg 1–1 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) plus 1 mg 1–1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), or 3, 5 or 15 mg 1–1 NAA alone. Somatic embryogenesis was not observed macroscopically; however, structures characteristic of globular somatic embryos or root primordia were observed using light microscopy of apex explants of ‘Urrbrae Gem’ seedlings after 14 d on Murashige and Skoog (1962) (MS) medium supplemented with 3 mg 1–1 NAA. Root development was associated with explant vascular tissue and observed in all plant growth regulator (PGR) treatments, but was less on explants treated with 1 mg 1–1 NAA plus 1 mg 1–1 2,4-D than in all NAA-alone treatments. Shoot development was observed on apex explants after sub-culture on PGR-free medium, but was less after treatment with 1 mg 1–1 NAA plus 1 mg 1–1 2,4-D compared to all NAA-only treatments. Roots and shoots developed simultaneously on apex explants after culture for 1 week on MS medium supplemented with 15 mg 1–1 NAA.

Effects of indoleacetic acid and kinetin on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense in various tissues of rats

This study aims to investigate the effects of indoleacetic acid (IAA) and kinetin (Kn), which are plant growth regulators (PGRs), on antioxidant defense systems [reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione- S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT)], and lipid peroxidation level (malondialdehyde, MDA) various tissues of rats. Rats (Sprague–Dawley albino) were exposed to 100 ppm IAA and Kn. One hundred parts per million of PGRs was administered orally to rats ad libitum for 21 days continuously. The PGRs treatments caused different effects on the content of MDA and antioxidant defense system in comparison to those of control rats. According to the results, the subchronic treatments of IAA caused significant decrease in the GSH concentration and CAT activity in erythrocyte. Kn decreased GSH concentration in erythrocyte too. While the MDA concentration in brain was increased significantly by IAA and Kn, Kn decreased significantly brain CAT and GST activity. The liver GST activity was decreased by IAA and Kn. But, liver CAT activity was increased by IAA. On the other hand, while IAA treatment caused a significant decrease kidney GST activity, Kn caused a significant decrease both kidney GST and CAT activity. Also, while heart CAT activity was decreased by IAA, heart GST activity was decreased by both IAA and Kn. Moreover, MDA concentration in heart was increased by Kn treatment. It was concluded that IAA might effect MDA and antioxidant defense on the animals at subchronic treatment.

Interactions of Clethodim and Sethoxydim with Selected Agrichemicals Applied to Peanut

Experiments were conducted in North Carolina during 2002 and 2003 to evaluate broadleaf signalgrass and large crabgrass control by clethodim and sethoxydim applied in two-, three-, or four-way mixtures with fungicides, insecticides, and foliar fertilizer–plant growth regulator treatments. Broadleaf signalgrass and large crabgrass control by clethodim and sethoxydim was not reduced by the insecticides esfenvalerate, indoxacarb, or lambda-cyhalothrin. The fungicides azoxystrobin, chlorothalonil, pyraclostrobin, and tebuconazole reduced large crabgrass control by clethodim or sethoxydim in one or more of three experiments for each herbicide. Disodium octaborate and the plant growth regulator prohexadione calcium plus urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) mixed with clethodim and fungicides improved large crabgrass control in some experiments. In contrast, prohexadione calcium plus UAN and disodium octaborate did not affect broadleaf signalgrass or large crabgrass control by sethoxydim.

Peroxidases during adventitious rooting in cuttings of Arbutus unedo and Taxus baccata as affected by plant genotype and growth regulator treatment

Cuttings of Arbutus unedo (strawberry tree) and Taxus baccata (yew) were treated with 8.0 and 10.0 g l−1, respectively, of KIBA, IBA, IAA, NAA and Paclobutrazol. No rooting occurred without growth regulator treatment. The effect of growth regulators on percentage of rooting followed the order KIBA > IBA > IAA = NAA = Paclobutrazol = 0% (for A. unedo) and KIBA > IBA > IAA > NAA > Paclobutrazol = 0% (for T. baccata). Genotypes of the above plant species had significant effects on the number and length of roots, percentage of rooting and peroxidase specific activity (PA) on KIBA-treated cuttings. High PA seems to be related with low percentage of rooting in the case of A. unedo cuttings while no similar results were noticed in the case of T. baccata. Electrophoretic analysis revealed the appearance of two to three anionic and one cationic peroxidase isoforms in A. unedo cuttings, while six to nine anionic and no cationic peroxidases isoforms appeared in the case of T. baccata genotypes. During adventitious rooting, the PA showed the three interdependent phases (induction, initiation, expression) in both K-IBA treated cuttings of A. unedo and T. baccata, but in a different time course.