Root influence on shoot development in tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) following shoot pruning

The physiological interaction between the factors controlling the development of new shoots in pruned tea plants was investigated in an experiment using a widely cultivated TRI clone growing at low elevation in Sri Lanka. The functional importance during new shoot growth of root reserves, feeder roots and leaves and buds on unpruned branches (lung-shoots) is critically evaluated. A scheme for their interaction is presented, which highlights the need to maintain feeder roots alive during new shoot development, for which a large proportion of both reserve and current assimilates seem to be utilized. Mature leaves on lung-shoots, besides supplementing carbohydrate supply by current photosynthesis, may also serve to maintain the flow of metabolites from feeder roots to developing shoots and also function as ‘sinks’ for excess, toxic levels of root metabolites. Removing all mature leaves, as is done during ‘clean pruning’, leads to the depletion of reserves below the critical level for feeder root survival, resulting in death of feeder roots and failure of new buds to form shoots.     

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) root growth and its relation to shoot growth in response to nitrogen

Summary

The main objective of this work was to investigate shoot and root morphology of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) (cvs Early Calwonder, Keystone Resistant Giant, Jupiter, Shamrock and Gator Belle) grown in sand culture at three N-levels, 56,84 and 112 mg l^?1. Shoot, root, and root components were evaluated 40, 50 and 60 days after seeding. Tap, basal and lateral root accounted for 1%, 40% and 53%, respectively, of the total root dry weight. Shoot: root ratios did not differ between cultivars. Basal root length, basal root number and first-order lateral root number increased with increasing N. Cultivars with either long lateral roots or basal roots had short basal roots or lateral roots respectively, although only small differences were observed in other root and shoot characteristics. In this greenhouse environment, shoot/root ratio was constant. Nitrogen stimulated root and shoot growth, and this effect was significantly different for the root components.     

Genetic variation for the time of first flower and shoot length in Hybrid Tea-rose seedling populations under a range of temperatures

Seedlings of 30 Hybrid Tea-rose populations were grown at 6 constant temperatures (10, 14, 17, 20, 23 and 26°C) under natural light conditions in greenhouses of the IVT-phytotron. Significant differences only occurred between populations in the number of days to first flower or shoot length at first flower. The two characteristics were not affected by genotype-temperature interactions. Several populations occurred that combined a short number of days to first flower with a long shoot. Selection for adaptation to low growing-temperatures is discussed.     

Factors affecting the shoot multiplication of Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.)

A number of experiments were conducted to identify suitable procedure for in vitro shoot multiplication of Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.). Three different nutrient media (DKW, MS and WPM) and three different gelling agents (Phytagel, Difco Bacto agar and a mixture of Phytagel and Difco Bacto agar) were studied in the first experiment. Driver and Kuniyuki walnut (DKW) medium solidified with 2.2 g l⁻¹ Phytagel was found optimum. Performance of explants was better on DKW medium than on MS and WPM. The DKW and MS media were not significantly different from each other, but both of them were significantly better than WPM, which was a very poor medium for this species. Phytagel alone was significantly better than Difco Bacto agar or Phytagel combined with Difco Bacto agar. In another experiment different concentrations of BA were studied. Medium containing 1.0 mg l⁻¹ BA and 0.01 mg l⁻¹ IBA was the best, although medium containing 0.6 and 0.8 mg l⁻¹ BA were also successful, and utilisation of 0.4 mg l⁻¹ BA and 0.01 mg l⁻¹ IBA was optimum for shoot elongation. Application of different kinds of auxins (IAA, IBA and NAA at 0.01 or 0.1 mg l⁻¹) with 1.0 mg l⁻¹ BA were also studied. Media containing IBA were significantly better than media containing IAA for shoot fresh weight, but neither of them was significantly different from media containing NAA. Application of 0.01 mg l⁻¹ or 0.1 mg l⁻¹ auxin, with 1.0 mg l⁻¹ BA, was not significantly different for shoot multiplication of Persian walnut. The morphology of shoots on media containing 0.01 mg l⁻¹ IBA was the best.     

High efficiency shoot regeneration from calluses of strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa Duch.) stipules of in vitro shoot cultures

A highly efficient method of shoot regeneration was developed from calluses of four culti- vars of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.), ‘Addie’, ‘Dana’, ‘Gea’ and ‘Santana’, grown in vitro. Optimum shoot regeneration (84-96% of the explants), with four to eight shoots was obtained from calluses developed from stipules near the internal zone between petiole and stipule, on Murashige and Skoog (1962) or Gamborg et al. (1968) media, supplemented with 3% (w/v) glucose, 10 [iM BAP and 2.5 IBA and 0.8% agar. The calluses continued to produce shoots for at least six subsequent subcultures. This has been reported, up to now, only in juvenile explants. Microscopic observation showed no preformed buds or meristematic groups of cells in the connecting zone of petiole and stipule prior to culture. However, there were several layers of cells in this area containing higher amounts of starch, which were not observed in the cells of the bottom or in the external side of the stipule. Regeneration from stipules occurred five to six days earlier in whole leaves (stipule + petiole + lamina) than in leaves without laminae, but the final percentage was the same in the cases of all explants. The percentage of regenerating calli from the other explant sources (leaf lamina, petiole and root) was low and dependent on cultivar. Cv. Gea, which showed the highest regeneration capacity, regenerated 32% from leaf laminae, 16% from petiole and root calluses, followed by cv. Addie with 12% from leaf laminae only; the others failed to regenerate from calluses derived from these tissues. The regenerated shoots were successfully rooted and hardened for further observations on eventual somaclonal variation.     

Medium-term conservation of redwood (Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don.) Endl.) in vitro shoot cultures and encapsulated buds

This study evaluated the survival and recovery of non-encapsulated and encapsulated shoots of Sequoia sempervirens after storage at 4 °C in the dark for up to 15 months on four different culture media. Survival and regrowth of encapsulated shoots declined within 3 months, regardless of the storage medium composition. By contrast, no significant decrease in survival and regrowth was noted with non-encapsulated shoots after 12 months of storage on Quoirin and Lepoivre medium supplemented, or not, with 1 mg l⁻¹ benzyladenine. Regrowth dropped to 60–61% after 15 months of storage on the same media. Medium-term conservation of S. sempervirens germplasm is therefore possible using in vitro storage of non-encapsulated shoot cultures.     

水分胁迫对荔枝幼树根系与梢生长的影响

以盆栽沙培1年生荔枝空中压条苗为试材,研究了水分胁迫对荔枝幼树根系和梢生长的影响以及二者的相互关系。3个处理为:沙体积含水量为7.5%(严重缺水),15.0%(一般缺水),22.5%(充分供水)。结果表明:水分胁迫严重抑制荔枝幼树地上部分和各级侧根的生长,使地上部枝梢生长严重受阻,叶片数量、平均叶面积、叶片厚度均显著变小;根总干重、侧根长度、根表面积显著减少。水分胁迫下促进须根的生长,须根的长度、根表面积比水分充足时显著增加。水分胁迫时叶片淀粉含量下降,而根系积累更多的淀粉。比较不同处理的根梢比发现,干旱对根系生长的抑制作用比枝梢更显著。     

The influence of preplanting dips and postplanting temperatures on root growth and development of nonprecooled tulips,daffodils and hyacinths

The effects of preplanting dips and postplanting temperatures were studied, using nonprecooled bulbs of Tulipa gesneriana L. ‘Paul Richter’, Narcissus pseudonarcissus L. ‘Explorer’ and Hyacinthus orientalis L. ‘Pink Pearl’, for 2 consecutive years. Preplanting treatments consisted of a non-dip control, and 30-min dips of either tap water or benomyl—ethazol. After planting, the tulips and daffodils received temperatures of 5, 9, 13, 17 or 21° C for a 5-week period. Hyacinths received temperatures of 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29 or 33° C for 5 weeks in the first year and for 25 days in the second year.It was determined that 17° C for 3 weeks and 17° C for 3–4 weeks were the optimal temperatures and periods of time for root development of tulips and daffodils, respectively. For hyacinths, a range of from 17 to 25° C for 10–14 days was optimal. Under these conditions, a minimum root length of 70 mm was obtained and all bulbs of each species had rooted.The benomyl-ethazol and water preplanting dips stimulated root growth for the first 2 weeks for tulips. This effect was not observed for daffodils and hyacinths.     

Varying evapotranspiration and salinity level of irrigation water influence soil quality and performance of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Increasing use of recycled water that is often high in salinity warrants further examination of irrigation practices for turfgrass health and salinity management. A study was conducted during 2011–2012 in Riverside, CA to evaluate the response of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) ‘SR 4550’ turf to varying quality and quantity of irrigation water. A modified line-source sprinkler irrigation system provided a salinity gradient (EC_w ∼0.6–4.2 dS m⁻¹) in between lines. Irrigation was scheduled in four separate irrigation zones perpendicular to the irrigation lines according to 80, 100, 120, and 140% ET_o. Changes in turf quality (R² = 0.30***), were primarily driven by the number of days that the area had been irrigated with saline water. When data were separated by irrigation amount, both time and water quality accounted for 54% and 46% of the variability (P < 0.001) in quality and cover, respectively at 80% ET_o. A model was created to quantify decline in turf quality in relationship to %ET_o replacement and salinity accumulation in the rootzone (R² = 0.57). Our results suggest that perennial ryegrass requires irrigation scheduling at 140% ET_o, irrigation water quality below EC_w ∼1.7 dS m⁻¹, and EC_e below 3.8 dS m⁻¹ to maintain acceptable quality for 442 d in Riverside, CA.     

土壤高温处理对连作草莓根系呼吸代谢及植株发育的影响

为探讨草莓连作障碍机理,模拟太阳能消毒设置5个连作土壤高温灭菌处理,研究不同处理对草莓根系呼吸代谢及植株生长发育的影响。结果表明,连作土壤经高温灭菌后,各处理土壤中细菌和真菌数量都显著降低,经70℃高温连续20 d处理的土壤中真菌甚至消失,且对草莓根系呼吸代谢及植株发育的促进效果最明显;70℃高温连续10 d处理及55℃高温连续20 d处理对草莓植株生长、根系活力和根系总呼吸速率都具有不同程度促进作用,前者依然以PPP呼吸途径为主,后者的TCA呼吸途径是PPP呼吸途径的1.34倍;连作土壤55℃高温连续10 d处理作用效果最差。可见连作土壤高温灭菌后,土壤微生物数量减少,促进草莓根系呼吸代谢及植株生长,减轻了草莓的连作障碍,进而证明了土壤微生物是引起草莓连作障碍的重要因素之一。     

Effect of phytohormones on in vitro shoot multiplication and rooting of lime Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swing

Multiple shoots were produced from node explants of lime (Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swing) on MS medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 6-furfurylaminopurine (kinetin) and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The highest number of shoots, nine shoots per node, were produced on a medium containing 2 mg l⁻¹ BAP (8.8 μM), 1 mg l⁻¹ kinetin (4.6 μM) and 1 mg l⁻¹ NAA (5.4 μM). Depending on the concentration of BAP and kinetin, NAA either inhibited, stimulated or did not affect shoot multiplication, which also depended on the cytokinin level. Maximum shoot length was obtained from treatments containing 0.5 mg l⁻¹ BAP (2.2 μM) combined with 1 mg l⁻¹ kinetin (4.6 μM) and 0.5 mg l⁻¹ NAA (2.7 μM). The largest leaves of resultant shoots were produced on a medium containing 0.5 mg l⁻¹ each of kinetin (2.3 μM) and NAA (2.7 μM). Transferring in vitro shoots to rooting media containing indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and NAA produced complete plantlets. The highest rooting percentage was obtained on a medium containing either 1 mg l⁻¹ NAA (5.4 μM) alone or 0.5 mg l⁻¹ NAA (2.7 μM) combined with 2 mg l⁻¹ IBA (9.6 μM), whereas the highest number of roots were produced on a treatment containing both 2 mg l⁻¹ NAA (10.8 μM) and 2 mg l⁻¹ IBA (9.6 μM). Roots elongated most on treatments containing 0.5 mg l⁻¹ of either NAA (2.7 μM) or IBA (2.4 μM). Shoot growth associated with the rooting phase was the highest in response to 2 mg l⁻¹ IBA (9.6 μM) or 0.5 mg l⁻¹ NAA (2.7 μM). Plantlets that survived acclimatization, 82%, exhibited normal growth in soil under greenhouse conditions.     

Micropropagation of fastigiate bird cherry (Prunus padus L.) and adventitious shoot formation from leaves

A shoot tip of a mature clone of fastigiate bird cherry (Prunus padus L.) was successfully established in vitro. Culture of shoot tip explants on a Murashige and Skoog (MS) based medium with phloroglucinol (PG) resulted in micropropagation, but the clonal line gradually became hyperhydric on this medium. This problem was overcome using PG- free medium based on either MS or Driver and Kuniyuki Walnut medium (DKW). Heavier cultures with more shoots were obtained on DKW medium with fructose or glucose rather than sucrose or sorbitol. Leaf explants placed on DKW basal medium with benzyladenine (BA) produced adventitious shoots. Addition of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid to media with BA increased regeneration. More leaves produced shoots on medium with sucrose or sorbitol rather than glucose or fructose. Adventitious shoots were excised and micropropagated. Shoots were rooted by insertion into DKW medium with indol-3yl- butyric acid, followed by transfer to hormone-free DKW. PG increased the proportion of shoots that produced adventitious roots.     

Comparing encapsulation-dehydration and droplet-vitrification for cryopreservation of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) shoot tips

In this study, in vitro shoot tips of two sugarcane clones were successfully cryopreserved using encapsulation-dehydration and droplet-vitrification with two vitrification solutions, PVS2 and PVS3. For both clones, encapsulation-dehydration induced significantly higher recovery, reaching 60% for clone H70-144 and 53% for clone CP68-1026, compared with droplet-vitrification in which recovery was 33–37% for clone H70-144 and 20–27% for clone CP68-1026. Optimal conditions included preculture of encapsulated shoot apices for 24 h in liquid medium with 0.75 M sucrose and dehydration with silica gel to 20% moisture content (fresh weight basis) before direct immersion in liquid nitrogen. With both protocols employed, regrowth of cryopreserved samples, as followed by visual observation, was always rapid and direct.     

Interaction of source-plant age and shoot ringing on rooting of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) cuttings

Summary

IBA-treated cuttings rooted only when prepared fom bark-ringed shoots. The response to ringing declined with increasing age of the tree. However, on marcotting, the ringed shoots of four year old trees showed more and earlier rooting.     

Factors affecting shoot proliferation and root initiation in organ cultures of the apple ‘Northern Spy’

Factors affecting the establishment, proliferation and adventitious root initiation of ‘Northern Spy’ are described. Shoot-tips established best in Linsmaier and Skoog medium with 5 μM BAP and 1 μM IBA supplemented with 1 mM phloroglucinol, but after the fourth sub-culture, proliferation was similar in media without phloroglucinol. Shoot proliferation was influenced by cytokinin type and concentration, light level and ex-plant type. Of the cytokinins tested, BAP was superior to zeatin, kinetin and 2iP. Proliferation was better with 10 μM BAP than with 5 or 1 μM BAP, but at 10 μM shoots were dwarfed. Single nodes and basal mass expiants produced significantly more shoots than did shoot-tips. Shoot proliferation was maximum at photon flux densities of 75 μmolm^?2s^?1. Roots can be readily induced with IBA, but salt concentration and the physical support on which shoot-tips are grown influence both root initiation and growth. Half-strength salts and 1 μM IBA gave best root initiation. With agar, coarse sand, perlite and rotated liquid medium, 90–100% root initiation occurs, but root growth was poor in agar.     

Effects of air and soil temperatures on the growth of gerbera

The effect on gerbera cultivar ‘Fredaisy’ of air and soil temperatures in the range 11–21°C has been studied in home-made growth-cabinets providing a sufficient thermal insulation between air and soil. Certain characteristics of the plants in cabinets were compared to those in a greenhouse.Amongst the growth characteristics, the length of the maturation period of the flower and the elongation rate during the early stage of the stem growth were more influenced by air temperature; the interval of appearance of new buds, the final stem length, and the elongation rate at the end of the stem growth, were more influenced by soil temperature.The elongation rates allowed a reasonably accurate prediction of the thermal zero of vegetation.     

Evaluating variability of root size system and its constitutive traits in hot pepper (Capsicum annum L.) under water stress

The importance of root size system has long been recognized as crucial to cope with drought conditions. This investigation was conducted to: (i) evaluate the variability in root size system of hot pepper at maturity; (ii) estimate the effect of root size system on yield under drought conditions; and (iii) effect of water stress on xylem vessel development and total xylem cross-sectional area in roots of hot pepper cultivars. Twelve diverse hot pepper cultivars were grown in wooden boxes with two different water treatments, normal and in 50% water application as water deficit condition. Mean primary root length (PRL) showed a significant positive correlation with final fruit yield at normal as well as stressed condition. Total dry mass of fruit was reduced by 34.7% in drought treatments (DI) compared to full watered treatment (FI). At harvest, water-stressed plants had 21% lower root dry weight mass but higher root:shoot ratio other than FI. PRL, lateral root density, total xylem area per root cross-section showed a significant positive relationship with fruit yield. Also, lateral root density was higher in cultivars with higher xylem density, particularly in tolerant cultivars. Lateral root density (r = 0.847, P < 0.001) and total xylem cross-sectional area in root (r = 0.926, P < 0.001) were tightly related with total biomass production. The importance of root traits contributing to withstand drought in hot pepper is discussed.     

Multiple shoot regeneration in seed-derived immature leaflet explants of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

A protocol was developed for organogenesis from immature leaflet explants derived from mature seeds of peanut. Immature leaflets pre-incubated on MS medium supplemented with 13.32 μM BAP + 4.95 μM NAA for 7 days, turned green and enlarged. The enlarged green leaflets produced multiple shoot buds after 1–2 cycles of sub-culture on MS medium supplemented with 13.32 μM BAP. Three cycles of shoot buds on the elongation medium (13.32 μM BAP) produced 6.17 ± 0.47 elongated shoots per explant. The shoot bud formation was genotype independent. All elongated shoots rooted on the medium containing 4.95 μM NAA. The complete protocol gave efficient (>81%) direct organogenesis, leading to the development of plantlets within 4 months.     

Transpiration efficiency of Amaranth (Amaranthus sp.) in response to drought stress

Drought is a major abiotic stress responsible for severe crop losses worldwide. Development of new crop varieties with increased drought tolerance is one way to increase crop productivity. The aim of this study was to characterise the diversity of nine accessions belonging to Amaranthus tricolor and A. cruentus, in response to drought stress using a dry-down protocol to characterise the transpiration efficiency (TE). Plants were subjected to either a gradual dry down or well-watered conditions. Results showed that TE was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in water-deficient (WD) plants compared to water-sufficient (WS) plants, 2.40 g kg^?1–7.13 g kg^?1 and 2.19 g kg^?1–4.84 g kg^?1, respectively. There was no significant difference in the fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSW) threshold decline between the amaranth genotypes. TE was highly correlated with yield under both WS (r = 0.89, P < 0.001) and WD conditions (r = 0.662, P < 0.001), and negatively correlated with root-to-shoot ratio under both WS (r = ?0.488, P < 0.05) and WD conditions (r = ?0.460, P < 0.05). Significant genotypic differences were seen for growth rate and stress susceptibility index (SSI). The result obtained in this investigation underline the need to identify genotypic variation in water use efficiency in amaranth.

Abbreviations: FTSW: Fraction of transpirable soil water; NTR: normalised transpiration rate; SSI: Stress susceptibility index; TE: transpiration efficiency; WHC: water holding capacity; WD: water-deficient; WS: water-sufficient.     

宝珠梨疫腐病发病规律研究

宝珠梨是云南省地方优良品种 ,主要分布在该省呈贡县和会泽县。 1994年在会泽县金钟乡石鼓村宝珠梨园中发现一种云南省尚未报道过的病害———梨疫腐病。 1994年只有个别单株的少量枝条和果实发病 ,1995年病害扩展到整株及附近植株 ,1996年该园 70 %植株受害 ,5 0 %以上果实受害。该病害除为害果实和叶片外 ,主要为害枝干 ,传染较快。 1997年会泽县农业局水果站组织人员 ,对石鼓、以礼、边河和土城等地 7个梨园 (共 13 3ｈｍ2 )进行调查 ,发病面积 5 7% ,病株率 80 % ,呈蔓延趋势 ,对全县 2 6 7ｈｍ2 新植梨园和 6 0ｈｍ2 老梨园构成严重威…