Amelioration of chilling stress by paclobutrazol in watermelon seedlings

Paclobutrazol (PBZ) is a member of the triazole plant-growth inhibitor group that is responsible for inducing tolerance to number of biotic and abiotic stresses. An experiment was, therefore, conducted to test whether PBZ application at various concentrations (0, 25, 50 and 75 mg L⁻¹) through seed soaking or foliar spray would protect watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seedlings, subjected to chilling stress. Thirty-five-day old plants were exposed to chilling 5 h/day at 4 °C for 5 days. PBZ improved growth rate of watermelon seedling subjected to chilling stress and increased relative leaf chlorophyll content (RLCC) and chlorophyll fluorescence ratio (Fv/Fm) compared with the control at the end of chilling stress. PBZ ameliorated the injury caused by chilling stress by inhibiting increases in proline and leaf electrolyte leakage, which suggested that PBZ ameliorated the negative effect of chilling stress. PBZ was most effective in increased chilling tolerance of watermelon seedling when applied using the seed soak method than as a foliar spray. The best protection appeared to be obtained from seedlings seed soaked with PBZ at 50 and 75 mg L⁻¹.     

The influence of exogenously applied 2,4-D and NAA on fruit drop reduction in pummelo cv. Thong Dee

ABSTRACT

Effect of 2,4-D and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) on fruit drop reduction in pummelo cv. Thong Dee was investigated in the pummelo growing areas of Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand. Five similar sized and aged of pummelo trees were selected to set up the experiment. Ten mature branches with the same size from each pummelo tree were randomly selected around the canopy for 2,4-D (20 and 40 mg L^?1), NAA (20 and 40 mg L^?1) application and control. All treatments were applied to selected pummelo branches 2 times at full bloom and 2 months after fruit set. The results showed that 20 mg L^?1 NAA (14.84%) and 40 mg L^?1 NAA (12.26%) gave significantly higher percent of fruit retention at 6 months after fruit set. However, leaf total nonstructural carbohydrate concentration analysis showed that 40 mg L^?1 2,4-D (104.86 mg g^?1) and 20 mg L^?1 2,4-D (96.55 mg g^?1) gave significantly higher total nonstructural carbohydrate than those in control (78.44 mg g^?1). For fruit quality, 40 mg L^?1 2,4-D and 20 mg L^?1 2,4-D gave the highest peel weight with 435.55 and 358.57 g, respectively, and 40 mg L^?1 2,4-D gave the highest peel thickness with 20.25 mm, while 20 mg L^?1 NAA gave statistically higher total soluble solid than those in 20 mg L^?1 2,4-D and 40 mg L^?1 2,4-D. Therefore, 20 mg L^?1 of NAA sprayed 2 times at full bloom and 2 month after fruit set effectively reduced fruit drop and increased percentage of fruit retention in pummelo cv. Thong Dee.     

In vitro Germination of Early Ripening Sweet Cherry Varieties (Prunus avium L.) at Different Fruit Ripening Stages

In vitro embryo culture enabled satisfactory germination of immature seeds produced in crosses from early ripening sweet cherry varieties (Prunus avium L.). Three varieties —‘Rita’, ‘Bigarreau Burlat’ and ‘Carmen’— were crossed with ‘Early Star’ as male parent. Germination rate was affected by the developmental stage of both fruit and embryo. Fruit ripening stage was a critical factor for culture infection rate that increased with maturity. In-ovule embryo culture on Murashige and Skoog medium without hormones improved the embryo size but did not increase the germination rate due to a further increase in infection rate. Ex-ovule embryo culture on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with BA 1 mg L^?1, NAA 0.5 mg L^?1, 20 g L^?1sucrose, 10 g L^?1 sorbitol and 6 g L^?1agar during the stratification time increased embryo length. Germination was performed on Brooks and Hough medium at the 22?±?1?°C with 16/8 h light/dark photoperiod. The highest germination rate (75?%) was reached in embryos that were 3?4 mm in length, after 30-days stratification at 4?°C. Embryos in fruits at green-yellow stage that were 3?4 mm long were morpho-physiologically developed to produce bipolar seedlings, without combined application of embryo culture and micropropagation.     

Induction of drought tolerance by salicylic acid in seedlings of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Summary

Salicylic acid (SA) is a common, plant-produced signal molecule that is responsible for inducing tolerance to a number of biotic and abiotic stresses. An experiment was therefore conducted to test whether the application of SA at various concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, or 1.00 mM) by seed soaking, or as a foliar spray would protect cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings subjected to drought stress. Thirty-six-day-old seedlings (n = 12 seedlings per treatment) were exposed to drought stress for 14 d. Pretreatment with SA improved the majority of the physiological (e.g., relative chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence ratio) and morphological parameters (e.g., shoot and root fresh and dry weights) measured in cucumber seedlings subjected to drought stress. SA ameliorated the injuries caused by drought stress by increasing shoot tissue proline contents and preventing an increase in leaf electrolyte leakage. SA was more effective at increasing the drought tolerance of cucumber seedlings when applied using the seed-soaking method, rather than as a foliar spray. The best drought protection appeared to be obtained when seeds were soaked in 0.50 mM SA.     

An efficient method for immature embryo rescue and plant regeneration from the Calli of Ziziphus jujuba ‘Lengbaiyu’

Hybrid breeding of Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujube) is limited by embryo abortion. Improving the success of embryogenic progeny and immature embryo culture techniques could increase the breeding efficiency of new jujube varieties. We optimised the current immature embryo culture techniques by using immature embryos before the globular stage of Chinese jujube variety Lengbaiyu. The optimal growth media were as follows: for 30-day-old immature embryo growth, MS + IBA 0.8 mg·L^?1 + ZT 0.5 mg·L^?1 + GA₃ 7.0 mg·L^?1 + NAA 0.2 mg·L^?1 + LH 0.5 mg·L^?1 + 5% sucrose, with 22.22% embryonic growth rate and 0.41% plantlet formation rate; and for young embryo differentiation, MS + TDZ (0.8 mg·L^?1) + IAA (0.5 mg·L^?1) + sucrose (3%), with 81.12% differentiation rate. Thus, regeneration via callus induction effectively improved the efficiency of embryo rescue from young immature embryos in Lengbaiyu, which might provide new approaches for breeding Chinese jujube.     

Optimisation of a highly efficient shoot regeneration system using leaf explants of Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) by response surface methodology

Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is a major fruit crop in Asia. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was successfully employed to establish a highly efficient in vitro propagation and regeneration system for the ‘Teapot’ jujube via shoot organogenesis. Among the tested factors, gibberellic acid (GA₃) concentration showed the most significant positive effect. The pre-culture darkness timing and medium were also important factors for highly efficient shoot regeneration of the ‘Teapot’ jujube. The highest regeneration (> 75%) was achieved by 1 week in darkness and culture on wood plant medium (WPM) containing 0.25 mg·L^?1 GA₃, 0.5 mg·L^?1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.1 mg·L^?1 3-indoleacetic acid (IAA). In vitro-derived shoots rooted very well in the modified ¹/₂ Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.4 mg·L^?1 3-indolebutyric acid (IBA), resulting in a 100% rooting rate. These findings suggest that the RSM can be employed to optimise the protocols needed for successful in vitro plant regeneration of jujube cultivars, with potential applications in plant genetic transformation practices, polyploidy induction and germplasm preservation.     

二烷氨基乙醇羧酸酯对草莓光合作用和果实品质的影响

 以草莓为试材,研究不同浓度的二烷氨基乙醇羧酸酯对草莓叶片光合作用和果实品质的影响。结果表明,与对照相比,10 、20 mg·L^-1的DA-6提高了叶片的Pn和Gs,同时还提高叶片叶绿素含量、Rubisco活性和叶片中可溶性蛋白含量。在处理后7-21d,20 mg·L^-1的DA-6显著提高叶片的Pn、Rubisco活性和叶片中可溶性蛋白含量。在整个处理过程中,40 mg·L^-1的DA-6对叶片Pn、叶绿素含量和Rubisco活性有抑制作用,但是和对照间的差异不显著。所有的DA-6处理都能提高果实的品质,其中20 mg·L^-1处理显著提高了果实的品质。这表明,适当浓度的DA-6可调节草莓叶片光合能力,并最终提高果实品质和产量。     

Fruit Growth,Fruit Carbohydrate Concentration and Fruit Nutrient Concentration in Dropped Pummelo (Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck) Fruit cv. Thong Dee

The research was conducted in the pummelo growing areas of Thailand. The results showed that the dropped fruits had a statistically smaller fruit size (7.25 cm) than the retained fruit (9.35 cm; P < 0.05) at 4 months after fruit set. Moreover, the dropped fruits had an abnormal fruit shape when compared to the retained fruits. Consideration of fruit and leaf carbohydrate concentrations showed that the retained fruits had statistically higher carbohydrate concentrations (262 mg g^?1) than the dropped fruits (203 mg g^?1; P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the dropped fruits had statistically lower leaf carbohydrate concentrations (55 mg g^?1) than those in the retained fruits (85 mg g^?1; P < 0.05). The retained fruits also had statistically higher N, P, and K concentrations (1.6%, 1.1%, and 1.3%, respectively) than the dropped fruits (1.1%, 0.5%, and 1.0%, respectively; P < 0.05). Therefore, the causes of early fruit drop in pummelo could be insufficient carbohydrate and plant nutrients supplied for fruit growth and development.     

Modification of chilling susceptibility in seedlings of cucumber and zucchini squash by the bioregulator paclobutrazol (PP333)

Application of paclobutrazol at 1, 5 or 10 mg 1^?1 by soil drench inhibited growth and increased chlorophyll content of leaf discs of cucumber and zucchini squash. The treatments also significantly postponed symptoms of chilling injury of seedlings at 5°C. The degree of protection from injury sustained at low temperature increased with increasing duration of the paclobutrazol treatment. Cucumber seedlings were more sensitive to chilling injury and were more responsive to the paclobutrazol treatment than seedlings of zucchini squash.     

Energy Analysis and Emissions of Greenhouse Gases of Pomegranate Production in Antalya Province of Turkey

In this study, energy use patterns and the functional relationship between energy inputs and output for pomegranate production were investigated in Antalya province in Turkey. It further objective to identify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in pomegranate production. Data were obtained from 75 farms using face-to-face interview method. The results indicated that 50,605.5?MJ ? ha^?1 of total energy input was required for 76,252.3?MG ? ha^?1 pomegranate energy output. 1.51 unit energy output was provided by using 1 unit energy input. 1 unit energy output and 1?kg pomegranate require 0.66 unit and 2.57?MJ energy input, respectively. The average CO₂ emission amounts were also calculated to be 1.73?t CO₂ per hectare and 88.1?kg CO₂ per 1000?kg pomegranate production. Electricity, fertilizers and pesticides were the highest contributors to GHG emissions. Both total energy input usage and GHG emission amounts have been found to be decreasing as the farm size increases. Increasing scale of pomegranates orchards will not only increase energy efficiency and productivity but also decrease environmental pollution and damages. The regression analysis revealed that, excessive use of machinery and fuel inputs results in a decline in energy production in pomegranate.     

Effect of paclobutrazol and salinity on ion leakage,proline content and activities of antioxidant enzymes in mango (Mangifera indica L.)

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of paclobutrazol (PBZ) on ion leakage (IL), proline content and activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) of 1-year-old ‘Olour’ mango plants subjected to NaCl stress. Plants were treated with two levels of salt, i.e., 0.0 g NaCl (control) and 25 g NaCl/25 kg soil and three levels of paclobutrazol (PBZ) solution (0.0 (control), 750 and 1500 mg/l). Ion leakage, proline content and activities of antioxidant enzymes were significantly altered by both salinity and PBZ treatments. Results indicated that PBZ (1500 mg/l) mitigated the salinity stress and reduced ion leakage of mango seedlings by 64% over non-PBZ-treated salinised plants. PBZ upregulated the endogenous proline content and salinised plants treated with PBZ (1500 mg/l) had 17% higher proline content than salinised plants without PBZ treatment. Higher antioxidant enzyme activity was also observed in salinised plants treated by PBZ than salinised plants without PBZ treatments. Moreover, higher dose of PBZ (1500 mg/l) resulted in higher activity of these enzymes in mango leaves. In comparison to salinised plants without PBZ treatment, salinised plants treated with PBZ (1500 mg/l) had higher SOD (24%), CAT (46%) and POD (163%) activities. Our results suggest that PBZ application under salt stress conditions alters the equilibrium between free radical production and enzymatic defense reactions in mango by enhancing the proline content and free radical scavenging capacity.     

Induction of drought tolerance by paclobutrazol and irrigation deficit in Phillyrea angustifolia during the nursery period

Phillyrea angustifolia is a native Mediterranean species, which has recently been considered suitable for landscaping purposes. We hypothesize that hardening plants in the nursery could increase their tolerance of drought after transplanting. The effects of paclobutrazol (PBZ) and different irrigation regimes applied to seedlings planted in 4.5-L plastic pots were investigated. PBZ was applied as a substrate drench at 0 mL L⁻¹ (untreated control), 30 mL L⁻¹ and 40 mL L⁻¹ per plant and three drip irrigation treatments were used: I100, plants watered at water-holding capacity, I60, plants watered to 60% of I100, and I40, plants watered to 40% of I100. Plants were pot-grown in an unheated greenhouse near the Mediterranean coast of SE Spain. A reduction in plant height and stem diameter was observed one month after being drenched by PBZ. The irrigation regime significantly affected plant height after three months of cultivation and did not affect stem diameter during the nursery period. Significant interaction between the irrigation regime and PBZ dose was evident for plant height during the nursery period. I100 and untreated PBZ plants had the lowest stomata density. PBZ doses significantly reduced canopy weight and leaf area compared with the control. I60 plants showed the greatest leaf area and canopy dry weight, and the highest root length, dry weight, volume and number of forks. Both I60 and I40 treatments showed an equally high water use efficiency (WUE) (calculated as the total plant dry matter divided by the total amount of water supplied by the irrigation treatments). In general, PBZ induced a suite of morphological adaptations (increased root-to-shoot ratio and stomata density, decreased leaf area reduction, fine roots, etc.) that might allow the plants to tolerate drought after transplanting.     

Postharvest UV-C treatment combined with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), followed by storage in continuous low-level ethylene atmosphere,improves the quality of tomatoes

Mature green tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv Neang Pich) were exposed to 13.6 kJ m^?2 UV-C or 0.5 μL L^?1 1-MCP or combination of 13.6 kJ m^?2 UV-C and 0.5 μL L^?1 1-MCP, with appropriate untreated controls. After treatment, tomatoes were stored in air containing 0.1 μL L^?1 ethylene at 20°C and 100% RH. The untreated fruit ripened significantly faster than those of all other treatments. UV-C treatment alone was able to delay fruit ripening by up to 5 days longer compared to untreated fruits whilst the additional of 1-MCP further delayed fruit ripening. UV-C and 1-MCP treatments alone or in combination had significantly slower ethylene production rates throughout the storage period. The fruit treated with the combination of 1-MCP and UV-C was significantly firmer and had higher total phenolic content compared to that of the other treatments. However, there was no difference between treatments in soluble solids content/titratable acids ratio, chlorophyll content, lycopene content and total antioxidant activity. These results show that UV-C and 1-MCP treatment delay ripening and improve the quality of tomatoes in the presence of low-level ethylene during storage. This new treatment could be used to extend the shelf-life of mature green tomatoes through the supply chain without the use of refrigeration.     

Effects of culture conditions on in vitro bulblet induction in the medicinal plant Amana edulis (Miq.) Honda

Amana edulis (Miq.) Honda is an important medicinal plant with a variety of anti-cancer properties, and it is of great importance to improve its reproductive rate through micropropagation technology to meet increasing demand. In the present study, in order to establish a rapid in vitro bulblet propagation protocol for A. edulis, an L₁₆ (4⁵) orthogonal design was used to investigate the effects of sucrose, 6-benzyladenine (6-BA), α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and macro-elements on bulblet induction. The results show that the sucrose concentration was the crucial factor for A. edulis bulblet initiation, followed by 6-BA and macro-elements, while NAA had the weakest effect. The optimal medium for in vitro bulblet induction was Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 0.1 mg·L^?1 6-BA, 0.01 mg·L^?1 NAA, and 100 g·L^?1 or 80 g·L^?1 sucrose (pH 5.8), in which A. edulis shoot clusters (without roots) were cultured at 5(±2)°C for 35 d or 60 d and then incubated at 23(±2)°C for 90 d. The entire cultivation process occurred in the dark. The present study demonstrates that this protocol can be used for the propagation of A. edulis.     

Effects of Iron Sulfate,Zinc Sulfate,Iron Chelate,Powder Sulphur and Humic Acid Applications on Vegetative Growth of Sweet Cherry (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus avium</Emphasis> L.)

This study was carried out in ?scehisar district of Afyonkarahisar on ‘0900-Ziraat’ sweet cherry cultivar for two successive years in 2011 and 2012. Ten different applications consisting of 80?g FeSO₄.7H₂O tree^?1, 20?g FeEDDHA tree^?1, 420?mL TK?-Hümas tree^?1, 80?g FeSO₄.7H₂O + 420?mL TK?-Hümas tree^?1, 200?g powder sulphur (S) tree^?1, 80?g FeSO₄.7H₂O + 200?g powder S tree^?1, 25?g ZnSO₄.7H₂O tree^?1, 25?g ZnSO₄.7H₂O + 420?mL TK?-Hümas tree^?1 and 25?g ZnSO₄.7H₂O + 200?g powder S tree^?1 were subjected for determination of their effect on vegetative growth of sweet cherry. In this study, shoot diameter, shoot length, leaf total chlorophyll content, leaf area and leaf iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) contents were obtained. Shoot length, shoot diameter and leaf area showed general increases in 80?g FeSO₄.7H₂O + 200?g powder S tree^?1 and 25?g ZnSO₄.7H₂O + 200?g powder S tree^?1 treatments.The results clearly indicated that he treatments had different effects on the shoot length and shoot diameter although there was a differences between the experimental years. Particularly, significantly positive effects of the treatments on leaf total chlorophyll was apparent for the second year’s observations. In addition, Fe and Zn concentrations in leaf were markedly increased in response to the treatments.     

抗坏血酸提高月季切花失水胁迫耐性与增加APX活性的关系

 以‘Samantha’品种为试材, 确定了适宜的抗坏血酸(AsA) 预处理浓度, 探讨了AsA和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX) 抑制剂(对氨基酚, β-aminophenol) 预处理对花瓣中相对电导率、AsA含量以及APX活性的影响。与未经失水胁迫的切花月季相比较, 失水胁迫处理抑制切花的开放进程, 缩短了瓶插寿命。AsA 1 000 mg·L ^{- 1}预处理可有效地改善花朵的开放状况, 显著降低花瓣中相对电导率的增加, 明显提高花瓣中AsA的含量和APX活性。500 mg·L ^{- 1} β-aminophenol预处理则起到相反的效应。结果说明,AsA对‘Samantha’月季切花失水胁迫耐性的改善与花瓣中APX活性的提高相联系。     

5-氨基乙酰丙酸对弱光下甜瓜幼苗光合作用和抗冷性的促进效应

 5-氨基乙酰丙酸(ALA)10 mg·L 处理能够明显提高弱光下生长的甜瓜幼苗叶片净光合速率(Pn)，而低温胁迫明显降低甜瓜幼苗叶片光合能力。经ALA处理过的甜瓜幼苗光合表观量子效率、羧化效率、气孔开度、叶片叶绿素(特别是叶绿素b)和可溶性糖含量均显著增加。在ALA处理3 d之后将幼苗转移到8℃低温条件下4 h，对照叶片光合能力基本丧失，而ALA处理叶片仍能维持一定的光合能力，并在20 h内基本恢复至对照水平。若幼苗在低温下处理6 h，对照植株完全死亡，而ALA预处理植株仅出现少量伤害症状。本研究结果表明，ALA处理可以提高植物耐弱光性和抗冷性。     

低盐锻炼对苗期番茄生长及抗氧化酶活性的影响

摘要：为了探究低盐锻炼对盐胁迫环境下番茄幼苗生长及抗氧化酶活性的影响，以“KT636”番茄品种为供试材料，设置5个低盐锻炼水平，NaCl浓度分别为0、25、50、75、100 mmol/L，7 d后模拟重度盐胁迫（NaCl浓度为100 mmol/L），分别标记为NS-100、T25-100、T50-100、T75-100、T100-100，以1/2霍格兰德营养液正常培养的幼苗为对照，分析番茄幼苗的生长指标和抗氧化酶活性。结果表明：与未经低盐锻炼处理相比较，低盐锻炼各处理番茄幼苗的株高、茎粗、叶片干质量均无显著变化；25 mmol/L的低盐锻炼可以提高盐胁迫下植株的株高和茎粗，且显著提高了叶面积、地上部干质量、地下部干质量、植株干质量以及叶片过氧化物歧化酶（POD）、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）、谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）的活性，在一定程度上提高了番茄幼苗的耐盐性。     

外源褪黑素对盐胁迫下香椿种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

为探究褪黑素对盐胁迫环境下香椿(Toona sinensis)种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响,以香椿为试材,采用清水处理为对照,利用NaCl模拟盐胁迫环境,分别用0、50、100、200、300μmol·L^-1的褪黑素处理香椿种子及幼苗,测定种子萌发后的各项生理指标。结果表明,盐胁迫处理显著抑制了香椿种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数和根长,以及幼苗叶片的叶长、叶宽。与盐胁迫处理相比,100μmol·L^-1褪黑素预处理的香椿种子萌发和幼苗生长均得到显著改善,发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数分别显著提高了15.56%、18.89%、12.21%,叶长和叶宽提高了9.26、10.10 mm。盐胁迫导致香椿幼苗丙二醛含量和过氧化物酶活性显著高于对照,而超氧化物歧化酶活性显著低于对照。低浓度褪黑素预处理则显著降低了盐胁迫下丙二醛含量和过氧化物酶活性,提高了超氧化物酶活性。其中,提高香椿幼苗耐盐性的最适褪黑素浓度为100μmol·L^-1,与盐胁迫相比,丙二醛含量和过氧化物酶活性分别降低了6.19μmol·g^-1、6292.57 U·g^-1,超氧化物酶活性提高了22.16 U·g^-1。     

外源水杨酸对‘Pra to’百合切花瓶插效果的影响

 以亚洲杂种系百合‘Prato’为试材, 在基本保鲜剂成分( 20 g·L^-1蔗糖、250 mg·L^-18 - 羟基喹啉、1 g·L^-1 CaCl₂ ) 的基础上加水杨酸进行瓶插处理, 研究其保鲜效应。结果表明, 用含水杨酸的保鲜液能延长瓶插寿命、单花寿命, 增加花枝鲜样质量和花瓣中可溶性蛋白质的含量, 推迟呼吸和乙烯峰的到来并降低峰值, 减少花瓣中丙二醛和游离脯氨酸的积累。两种保鲜剂处理对百合切花叶片都有较好的保绿效果。