Effect of High Temperature Stress on 14CO2 Assimilation and Partitioning in Indian Mustard

Effect of heat stress on ¹⁴CO₂ assimilation and translocation by different parts was investigated in Indian mustard ( Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.]. Heat stress reduced ¹⁴CO₂ assimilation by leaves, stem and pods. Export of radioactive carbon from upper and lower leaves, upper and lower stem and stem of terminal raceme was inhibited in response to heat stress. Import of ¹⁴C-photosynthates into pods was also inhibited by heat stress indicating reduction in sink strength of the developing pods.     

Plant Growth Regulators Influence 14CO2 Assimilation and Translocation of Assimilates in Indian Mustard

Effect of plant growth regulators Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), Gibberellic acid (GA₃) and Kinetin on ¹⁴CO₂ assimilation, partitioning of ¹⁴C into major biochemical fractions and translocation of assimilates was studied in different parts of Indian Mustard ( Brassica juncea ) at late ripening stage. Leaves, stem and pod walls are photosynthetically active and are important sources for seed filling. NAA and kinetin increased the ¹⁴CO₂ assimilation rate in all the three photosynthetically active parts. All the three growth regulators increased the export of ¹⁴assimilates out of source organs and increased the movement of assimilates into the reproductive parts (pods). The increased movement of photoassimilates into the developing pods may be due to the stimulation of sink activity by the growth regulators which resulted in the higher demand for photoassimilates. It was suggested that growth regulators may increase yield by altering distribution of assimilates in the mustard plants.     

High Temperature Influence 14CO2 Assimilation and Allocation of 14C into Different Biochemical Fractions in the Leaves of Indian Mustard

Influence of high temperature stress on photosynthesis and allocation of carbon into different biochemical fractions in mature leaves of Indian mustard [ Brassica juncea (L) Czern] was investigated. Heat stress reduced ¹⁴CO₂ fixation and inhibited the translocation of carbon from the leaves. Allocation of ¹⁴C into starch and residue fractions was significantly lower in heat stressed plant leaves. Starch content was significantly reduced in heat stressed plants.     

14C-labelled Assimilate Distribution in Flowering Maize Plants

Maize ( Zea mays L.) plants were grown in the field and labelled with ¹⁴CO₂ at four leaf positions from silking up to maturity. The ear leaf was the most important source of labelled photosynthates to the ear, followed by the first leaf blade above and below the ear. The movement of labelled assimilates from the second leaf blade below the ear was predominantly downwards. The ear became an important sink soon after silking and continued in importance till harvest.
Initially assimilates were partitioned within the ear as husk < cob < grains but at harvest as grains < cob < husk. There was considerable remobilization of assimilates from the husk and stem. Removal of leaves drastically altered the pattern of distribution of labelled photosynthates and the direction of movement was determined by the position of the source leaf blade and the defoliation treatment. Darkening the leaf blades did not much alter the translocation of the labelled photosynthate and increased slightly its proportion to the grains. The removal of the ear severely altered the pattern of distribution of ¹⁴C, which was mostly deposited in the stem.     

Assimilation, Dissimilation and Accumulation of 14C in Two Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids of Different Drought Tolerance

The effects of exposure in the vegetative phase of growth to 5- or 10-day spells of soil drought (30% field water capacity) on assimilation, dissimilation and accumulation of ¹⁴C and on dry matter growth were studied in two maize hybrids, nos. 8344 and 8388 (Garst Seed Co.) of high and low drought tolerance. Under control water regime in soil there was no difference in ¹⁴CO₂ uptake and dry matter growth between hybrids. After five days of drought ¹⁴CO₂ assimilation dropped by about 75% referred to unit weight of dry matter in hybrid 8344 and by 56% in hybrid 8388. After 10 days of drought ¹⁴CO₂ assimilation rate was reduced by 75% in both hybrids. Soil drought increased the ¹⁴C dissimilation. There were no significant differences between hybrids in all treatments, with the exception of 5 days drought; after this treatment the dissimilation rate of hybrid 8344 was higher than that of 8388. Changes of translocation of ¹⁴C and its accumulation in particular organs occurred in drought treated plants; the amount of ¹⁴C accumulated in roots of plants of hybrid 8344 increased, while that of hybrid 8388 decreased. Changes of ¹⁴C accumulation in roots were positively correlated to changes of dry matter of those organs. One day after 10 days of drought assimilation and dissimilation rates in both hybrids were about 60% of controls.     

Influence of Soil Drought on Plant Growth, Assimilation and Dissimilation of CO2 and Accumulation of Photosynthates in Field Bean (Vicia faba L. minor) During Pod Formation and Rapid Pod Growth

Field bean planes cultivar Nadwiślański were submitted to soil drought (30 % of field soil water capacity) for 5 days at the stage of pod formation (A) and of rapid pod growth (B) and then exposed for 20 minutes to ¹⁴CO₂. Radioactivity of leaves, stems, roots, and pods or pod shells and seeds was measured 1, 5, 24 and 48 hours after exposition.
In both stages soil drought reduced by about five times total CO₂ assimilation, mainly owing to lower activity of the photosynthetic apparatus and also, though less so, to reduced leaf growth. Photosynthetic activity referred to the dry weight of the leaves dropped to 22-35% of controls. Accumulation of photosynthetates in generative organs was much less depressed than ¹⁴CO₂ assimilation. 48 hours after exposition to ¹⁴CO₂ of drought treated plants, the contents of ¹⁴C of pods in phase A, and seeds in phase B, amounted to respectively 24% and 36% of assimilated ¹⁴C and equalled 91.5% and 74% of the corresponding values for controls.
The progressive decline of radioactivity in leaves and stems after ¹⁴CO₂ exposition was distinctly correlated to the rise of radioactivity of generative organs both in soil drought treated plants and in controls. Slightly lower values of correlation coefficients in drought treated plants may indicate impairment under drought conditions of synchronization in processes of unloading and accumulation of assimilates.
In plants drought treated in phase A the ability to dissimilate ¹⁴C was reduced to about 59% of that in controls, but when drought was applied in phase B, dissimilation rate was about three times as high.     

Effect of Low Soil Temperature on Weight Increase, Gas Exchange and Distribution of 14C-Assimilates in Seedlings of a Maize Hybrid

Seedlings of a maize hybrid sensitive to chilling initially grew in the growth chamber of the phytotron at 20/ 17°C (day/night) and after the formation of the fourth leaf, the soil temperature was lowered to 5°C. Under such growth conditions the dynamics of dry weight change, gas exchange and the distribution of ¹⁴C-assimilates in seedlings were examined. The low soil temperature inhibited daily growth of dry weight of whole seedlings more than their photosynthesis. Simultaneously, it was also responsible for a greater increase in dissimilative losses.
During 37 hours (day-night-day), following exposure to ¹⁴CO₂, dissimilation in seedlings in cool soil (5°C) and in non-chilling conditions amounted to 35.1 % and 23.4 % of assimilated ¹⁴C (AC), respectively. At lower soil temperature relatively high dissimilative losses were observed on the first day after exposure (23.5 %), lower at night (9.9 %) and the lowest on the following day - merely 1.7 % AC. Higher losses of ¹⁴C under chilling conditions occurring on the first day were a result of limited photosynthetic refixation of ¹⁴CO₂ At night, however, they were associated with a prolonged period of intensive translocation of assimilates to the stem. It was assumed that an excessive accumulation of assimilates in leaf blades might be an additional factor responsible for increased dissimilative losses at low temperature during the first twenty-four hours. In the third period of measurements, as a result of a limited transport of ¹⁴C, dissimilative losses were lower than in previous ones and were not dependent upon soil temperature.     

Pflanzenwachstum durch CO2/HCO3-Eintrag über die Wurzel

Plant Growth after Application of CO₂/HCO₃ to the Roots
After applying H¹⁴CO₃ to the root system of summer wheat in hermetically sealed pots, absorption and incorporation of HCO₃ in the sugar-, starch-, and fibre-fraction (approximately 50 % of the absorped ¹⁴C) could be shown. This fraction reached 0.44–1.21 % of total C-assimilation of the shoot during growing stage F9/F10 on the Feeke-scala. 1/3 of the HCO₃-fraction resting in the soil was bound organically indicating that microorganisms may be able to utilize exogenous anorganic CO₂/HCO₃ for their photosynthesis.     

The Translocation of 14C-Sucrose and 14C-Benzyl Adenine in Winter Wheat (Tritkum aestivum L.) in the Period of Kernel Formation

The transport and distribution of ^14C-sucrose and ^14C-BA were studied in internode segments with ear of two winter wheat cultivars with a different mass of kernels in the period of kernel formation. While ^MC-sucrose was transported and accumulated intensively in the developing ear, ^14C-BA was transported much less and only a small part of it was found in the ear. With the ear development the accumulation of both ¹⁴C-sucrose and ¹⁴C-BA in the ear increased but the ¹⁴C-BA distribution pattern (ratio of the internode/kernel and the rest of the ear) did not change significantly. In the period of one to two weeks after anthesis the accumulation of ¹⁴C-sucrose and ¹⁴C-BA was higher in the kernels of the Slavia cv., i.e. in the cultivar with a higher mass of kernels.     

Translocation of 14C-sucrose within the Ear in Durum and Aestivum Wheat Varieties

Excised ears of Triticum durum (HD 4502 and B 449) and T. aestivum (Kalyansona and Kundan) varieties were cultured in ¹⁴C-sucrose, and the uptake and distribution of ¹⁴C within the ear was examined. Species-level differences in the distribution of ¹⁴C to spikelets at basal, middle and apical positions in the wheat ear (vertical distribution) were observed. T. aestivum var. Kalyansona and Kundan showed no limitation in vertical translocation of ¹⁴C-sucrose, whereas in T. durum there was a decrease in the distribution of ¹⁴C to apical spikelets. Within a spikelet, the distribution of ¹⁴C-sucrose to distal grains was significantly less than that to proximal grains in all the genotypes.     

Conversion of SO2−4-S and Changes in Glucosinolate Content in Leaves of Rape Seedlings Transplanted

The conversion of SO^2-₄ -S and changes in content of S in various constituents in leaves of rape seedlings transplanted were investigated by using (NH₄)₂³⁵SO₄ as a tracer to exploit formation and accumulation of glucosinolates in oilseed rape. Seedlings grown under sandy culture absorbed ³⁵SO^2-₄ which was added to the cultural solution and incorporated into amino acids, glucosinolates and proteins rapidly. Distribution of extractable ³⁵S with 70 % methanol in glucosinolates in leaves declined with time from labelling, while those in amino acids rised correspondingly. Per cents of ³⁵S incorporated into bound form in total ³⁵S increased linearly and those of ³⁵S into glucosinolates and amino acids decreased with time within five days from labelling. After that the relative amounts of ^3SS in three constituents was basically constant. Content on dry weight basis of labelled glucosinolates and amino acids expressed as μmol S/g.d.w. increased linearly with time from labelling with absorption of ³⁵SO^2-₄from soil by the seedlings under soil culture. Compared with seedlings grown under sandy culture, more ³⁵S was incorporated into glucosinolates in leaves of seedlings grown under soil culture.     

Effects during Period of Siliqua Developing of KH2PO4 and MgSO4 Application on Nitrogen Transportation in Pods of Oilseed Rape(Brassica napus L.)

An experiment was conducted in field experiment plot to investigate nitrogen transportation from hulls of pods in different periods at early stage of siliqua developing and effect of KH₂PO₄ and MgSO₄ application on it using ¹⁵N-urea.
More than 80 % of ¹⁵N applied on the surface of pods at lower terminal during flowering was recovered from all pods one month after flowering, most of them were still in the hulls of labelled pods, 17-27 % of ^l5N applied was transported into seeds, a small amount was transported to pods at upper terminal, a little amount was found in pods at branch. More ^l5N applied in middle period of flowering was transported to pods at upper terminal and branch than those applied in early period of flowering. It should be further investigated to conclude how will be going on transportation of nitrogen from hulls as preceding of siliqua developing towards maturity of seeds and its difference between ¹⁵N applied in more different periods.
Application of KH₂PO₄ and MgSO₄ with ¹⁵N-urea of surface of pods promoted transportation of ¹⁵N into seeds from hulls, effect of MgSO₄ was more notable.     

Transport of 14C-Sucrose and 14C-Benzyl Adenine in Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Pre-Anthesis Period

A lysimeter trial is described in which the fate of ¹⁵N was monitored in a sand, loam and clay soil by using it over a period of 6 years. The following results were obtained.
1. The uptake of fertilizer nitrogen by plants, determined by using ¹⁵N, is lower than by using the conventional method ("difference method"). Nitrate ¹⁵N is better utilized by the plants than is ammonium ¹⁵N. The total nitrogen uptake only gives hints of these differences.
2. The extent to which plants utilize fertilizer ¹⁵N is between 38 and 58%; in the case of the method of differences this figure is between 48 and 68%.
3. Plants remove more nitrogen from the soil when fertilizer N is applied than when without fertilization. The influence of these two nutrient forms is of subordinate significance.
4. After a trial period of six years between 26 and 54 % of the fertilizer ¹⁵N remains in the soil. The resulting sequences are clay > loam > sand > and ammonium > nitrate.
5. The immobilization of the fertilizer ¹⁵N is most pronounced in the first four years but then decreased considerably; in the case of the sandy soil it is then even slightly regressive.
6. The biggest part of the ¹⁵N is deposited in the uppermost layer of the soil. The amount of ¹⁵N in the deeper layers is diminished appreciably. The type of soil has a greater influence than the form of nitrogen.
7. If the amount of fertilizer N left in the soil is compared with the N losses from the soil's reservoir (plants' uptake, leaching) there is a negative balance for the soil nitrogen which mainly is determined by the type of soil.     

Genotypische Unterschiede in der Translokation von zwischengelagertem 14C aus dem Halm in die Körner bei Sommerweizen (Triticum aestivum L.)

Genotypic differences in the translocation of temporarily stored ¹⁴C from the stem to the grains in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
In three field experiments with two spring wheat genotypes (Kolibri and breeding line 93117 ), changes in the total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) of the stem were observed after anthesis. Maximum values were measured in the third or fourth week following anthesis when stems contained 300 to 400 mg TNC. Thereafter TNC content declined up to maturity.
Flag leaves of individual shoots or all plants in micro-plots were labelled with ¹⁴C 5 days prior to anthesis, at anthesis or 5 days after anthesis to observe long term movements of assimilates during grain filling. After a chase period of two to three days, 60 to 80 % of total ¹⁴C recovered in the shoot was in the stem. From total ^l4C recovered two to three days after labelling, Kolibri had translocated 12.5 to 27.0 % into the grains by maturity whereas this portion was significantly higher for the breeding line 93117 (22.5 to 43.9 %). It was concluded that genotypes differ in the translocation of soluble carbohydrates from the stem to the grains. These differences were not related to parameters describing the 'source-sink' relationship, such as leaf area, grain number or grain size. However, the lower translocation rates of Kolibri coincided with a lower TNC concentration in the stem dry matter. This was due to a higher stem weight at anthesis, a longer period of stem elongation and a higher incorporation of assimilates into structural carbohydrates in non elongating stem parts after anthesis. It was therefore suggested that the accumulation of TNC in the stem and the remobilisation of these reserves for grain filling are determined partly by factors related to the carbohydrate metabolism in the stem.     

Nachweis des Strohabbaues über die Stickstoffreisetzung aus 15N-markiertem Stroh

Ten charges of ¹⁵N-labelled straw with different C/N ratios were incubated with lightly loamed sand at 25 °C and 50 % of the maximum water capacity. At the start of the 18-week incubation, mineral nitrogen was added and the ¹⁵N_min (NH₄ and NO₃-N) content was determined six times during the course of the experiment. A slow release of ¹⁵N was observed. After 111 days, between 2.5 and 13.0% of the total applied ¹⁵N was mineralized. The addition of ammonium sulphate caused an increasing degradation of organic N compounds of the straw material even during the first weeks. Finally, between 6.4 and 33.3 %¹⁵N was released. The ¹⁵N release only partially shows the straw degradation.     

Pre-anthesis Interaction of Cytokinins and ABA in the Transport of 14C-sucrose to the Ear of Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The effect of the application of abscisic acid (ABA, 10⁻⁴ mol 1⁻¹), benzyl adenine (BA, 10⁻⁶ mol - 1⁻¹), N⁶-m-hydroxybenzyl-adenosine (HBA, 10⁻⁶ mol - 1⁻¹) and combinations of these cytokinins with ABA on the transport of ¹⁴C-sucrose into the developing kernels of winter wheat, their number and mass, was studied. Growth substances were applied in the period 10 to 5 days before anthesis and their effects were examined 4 and 18 days after anthesis on ears that were detached 10 days before anthesis and then cultivated on a complete nutrient solution. The stimulating effect of HBA on the transport of ¹⁴C-sucrose, number of kernels and their mass was higher than that of BA. ABA partly decreased the stimulating effect of cytokinins and reduced up to several days after anthesis the transport of ¹⁴C-sucrose to the developing kernels, their number and mass. The results revealed that a higher level of cytokinins in the period before anthesis could effectively interact with the inhibiting effect of ABA in that period and influence the accumulation of assimilates in the kernels.     

Stoffbildung, CO2-Gaswechsel, Kohlenhydrat- und Stickstoffgehalt von Winterweizen bei erhöhter CO2-Konzentration und Trocken-streß

Dry Matter Production, CO₂ Exchange, Carbohydrate and Nitrogen Content of Winter Wheat at Elevated CO₂ Concentration and Drought Stress
Methods of mathematical modelling and simulation are being used to an increasing degree in estimating the effects of rising atmospheric CO₂ concentration and changing climatic conditions on agricultural ecosystems. In this context, detailed knowledge is required about the possible effects on crop growth and physiological processes. To this aim, the influence of an elevated CO₂ concentration and of drought stress on dry matter production, CO₂ exchange, and on carbohydrate and nitrogen content was studied in two winter wheat varieties from shooting to milk ripeness. Elevated CO₂ concentration leads to a compensation of drought stress and at optimal water supply to an increase of vegetative dry matter and of yield to the fourfold value. This effects were caused by enhanced growth of secondary tillers which were reduced in plants cultivated at atmospheric CO₂ concentration. Analogous effects in the development of ear organs were influenced additionally by competitive interactions between the developing organs. The content and the mass of ethanol soluble carbohydrates in leaves and stems were increased after the CO₂ treatment and exhausted more completely during the grain filling period after drought stress. Plants cultivated from shooting to milk ripeness at elevated CO₂ concentration showed a reduced response of net photosynthesis rate to increasing CO₂ concentration by comparison with untreated plants. The rate of dark respiration was increased in this plants.     

Untersuchungen zur Assimilatverteilung in Ackerbohnen (Vicia faba L.) während der Blühphase

Investigations about the distribution of assimilates during flowering in broad beans ( Vicia faba L.)
The distribution of assimilates during flowering was studied on single plants exposed to ¹⁴CO₂ in the field. The plants were harvested 1, 3, 15 days after exposition and at ripening. Results:
1. At the begin of flowering the nodes with flowers assimilated much ¹⁴C with a tendency of higher contents in the more above situated nodes. The concentration of ¹⁴C was similar in blades, stalks and flowers.
2. The assimilates incorporated after 24 hours were only to a small amount translocated afterwards. Only 3 % went to the apical region. An intensive restorement out of the blades took place at the time of ripening.
3. In the midst of flowering the concentration of ¹⁴C was lower in the nodes with open flowers than in those with shut or with pods. At that time pods are already strong sinks that withdraw assimilates from blades and stalks.
4. At the time when large and small pods are growing on the lower and middle nodes, the nodes in the apical region will be deprived of assimilates (effects of dominance).
5. Roots and nodules had low but stable contents and concentrations of ¹⁴C during flowering. These descended distinctly at ripening.     

N-Aufnahme und -Verwertung verschiedener N-Düngerformen durch Winterweizen – Gefäßversuche mit 15N

N-uptake and N utilization of different fertilizer types by winter wheat – pot experiments with ¹⁵N
The efficiency of top dressing urea, ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate fertilizers on winter wheat grown on loamy sand and loessial black soil was studied. At a rate of 0.5 g N per pot on the loamy sand 20 % volatilization losses of NH₃ occurred with urea and 10 % on the loessial black soil with urea resp. ammonium sulphate.
The grain yields an N removal correspond to these results. At an amount of 1.6 g N per pot the N-uptake of ¹⁵N ranged from 0.589 g (urea) on sandy soils to 1.279 g (ammonium nitrate) which agrees with 76 % an 91 % of the total N uptake. On black soil 0.675 g (urea) and 1.038 g (ammonium nitrate) or 44 % and 51 % of the total uptake are found.     

The Effect of Chilling Temperature on the Permeability of Membranes to K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ ions and on the Electric Potential of Leaves in the Seedlings of Maize (Zea mays L.)

The relations between the extent of injuries in seedlings caused by a few day-long exposures to chill (5°C) and the leakage of K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions from the leaves as well as the electric potential in seven maize hybrids, were investigated. The permeability of cells to ions was defined based on their absolute concentration in a water diffusate (C_t) and concentration expressed in relation to the total ion content in the leaves (IL index).
At lowered temperature the hybrids of higher resistance to chilling temperature were characterized by a lower value of the IL index for K⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions than the chill-sensitive hybrids. On the other hand, absolute concentration of the ions (C_t) Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ leaking from the leaves before chill exposure of the seedlings was positively and highly correlated with the extent of injuries in hybrids caused by 4 day-long exposures to chill. This observation is evidence that the chill injuries were predetermined through increased cell permeability to the mentioned ions at room temperature.
Changes in the electric potential of leaves in conditions of lowered temperature preceded the injuries of leaves, which became apparent after a longer period of exposure to chill. Thus, as the leakage of Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions occurs, changes in the electric potential may supply early information about the predisposition of the particular maize hybrids to chilling injuries. Leakage measurements of Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions from the leaves at room temperature may find application in the selection of chill-tolerant maize genotypes.