Changes in Content of Glucosinolates and its Accumulation in Siliquae and Seeds of Oilrape (Brassica napus L.)

Rape plants were labelled by applying (NH⁴)₂³⁵SO₄ to soil. Changes in content of ³⁵S in various constituents in pods and grains were determined during siliquae development to exploit formation and accumulation of glucosinolates in oilseed rape. Content of ³⁵S in glucosinolates expressed as μmol S/g.d.w. and its relative amounts in extractable forms in young siliquae were in constant level within one week after flowering, but either absolute content or relative content of ³⁵S in glucosinolates increased largely by two weeks after flowering, thereafter the distribution of extractable ³⁵S in glucosinolates of siliquae and grains increased linearly as proceeding of its development, ³⁵S in extracts of grains almost was in form of glucosinolates after 8 weeks from flowering. Amounts of both ³⁵S in glucosinolates and dry matter per pod increased linearly with time after flowering. According to the changes of amounts of ³⁵S in other constituents per pod, it could be supposed that glucosinolates accumulated in seeds might be transported from other organs together with nutrients.     

14CO2 Assimilation and Translocation of 14C-Photosynthates by Different Parts of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

The role of leaves, stem and reproductive parts in ¹⁴CO₂ fixation and subsequent photosynthate translocation was studied in Indian mustard ( Brassica juncea L.) at three growth stages. The data indicated that leaves, stem and pods are important sources of photosynthates for seed filling. At bud emergence stage leaves are the principle site of ¹⁴CO₂, fixation. The contribution of leaves declines at subsequent stages, where as the contribution of pod walls increased from bud emergence stage to ripening stage. The contribution of the stem remains more or less constant at all three growth stages studied. Although stem can fix ¹⁴CO², at bud emergence and flowering stages it imported ¹⁴C-photosynthates from leaves. However, stem exported photosynthates during subsequent growth stages.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Nitrogen Transportation in Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.) Plant during Flowering and Early Siliqua Developing

Nitrogen transportation from different organs was investigated by labelling pods, leaves and internodes of upper stem with ¹⁵N-urea during flowering. Labelled plants were harvested one month after flowering and determined the amount of ¹⁵N in relative parts. The results of the experiment show the directions of ¹⁵N applied in different organs during flowering. Transportation of ¹⁵N applied in pods of lower terminal of the main stem and first branch was mainly directed to seeds inside the labelled pods, about 17 % of ¹⁵N entered into seeds 7 days after last labelling, a little transportation each other between the branch and terminal was found, more than 80 % of ¹⁵N applied on leaves during flowering was transported out of the leaves after flowering, 35 % and 67.93 % on average was translocated in pods for early and late flowering, respectively, while 55.97 % of ¹⁵N applied on surface of internodes of upper stem below terminal was found in pods. It was corroborated that nitrogen transportation also occurs within pods by labelling different parts of pods, much greater amount of nitrogen was transported from lower part to upper part of pods than those in opposite direction.     

Relationship of Root and Shoot Characters in Parent, F1 and F2 Populations of Rice

The direct and indirect contributions of root characters — root length, roots/plant, fresh and dry root weight on grain yield/plant were worked out from a 7 × 7 diallel set of rice hybrids. The materials were grown in pots with four replications. Path analysis was done at genotypic level of correlation.
The grain yield/plant showed positive correlation with all the root characters in parent, F₁ and F₂ except with roots/plant in F₁ population. Fresh root weight demonstrated positive direct effect on grain yield/plant in all the three generations. Roots/plant had highly positive direct effect in F₂. Direct effects were negative in respect of root length and dry root weight in F₂ generation.     

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.     

Molecular mapping of genic male-sterile genes ms15, ms5 and ms6 in tetraploid cotton

Two genic male sterile (GMS) lines, Lang-A conditioned by ms ₁₅ and Zhongkang-A conditioned by ms ₅ ms ₆ duplicate recessive genes in Gossypium hirsutum L., were chosen to map GMS genes. These two lines were crossed with Gossypium barbadense cv. 'Hai7124' to produce segregating populations. The ms ₁₅ gene was mapped on chromosome 12, and was flanked by two simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, NAU2176 and NAU1278, with a genetic distance of 0.8 and 1.9 cM respectively. The ms ₅ and ms ₆ genes were mapped to one pair of homoeologous chromosomes, ms ₅ on chromosome 12 flanked by three SSR markers, NAU3561, NAU2176 and NAU2096, with genetic distances of 1.4, 1.8 and 1.8 cM, respectively, and ms ₆ on chromosome 26 flanked by two SSR markers, BNL1227 and NAU460, with a genetic distance of 1.4 and 1.7 cM respectively. These tightly linked markers with the ms ₁₅ , ms ₅ and ms ₆ genes can be used in the marker-assisted selection among segregating populations in a breeding programme, and provide the foundation for gene isolation by map-based cloning for these three genes.     

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.