Effect of Plant Growth Regulators and Different Nitrogen Sources on Glutamate Dehydrogenase Activity

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seedlings, treated with various plant growth regulators (PGRs) [viz. kinetin (KiN), gibberellic acid (GA), and abscisic acid(ABA)] were exposed to different nitrogen (N) sources in light and dark condition, and aminative (NADH) and deaminative (NAD⁺) glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activities were measured in cotyledons. A differential effect of nitrogen sources, plant growth regulators, and light or dark condition was observed in all the treatments. The NAD‐GDH (deaminating) activity in radish seedlings was only about 10% of aminating activity (irrespective of the PGR treatment). Except with abscisic acid, in all other treatments, either NAD‐GDH or NADH‐GDH activities were more in dark than in light. The amination and deamination reactions also showed different ratios of activity under different N sources (KNO3, NH₄Cl and NH₄NO₃). These data suggest the presence of isoenzymes or conformers of GDH, specific for each tissue, whose activities vary depending on the physiological condition of the tissue. Different energy status of the seedlings during light or dark condition or with PGR treatments may affect the GDH activity differently.     

Effects of gibberellin A3 and 2,4-D on plant and root exudate lipids and susceptibility to Pythium myriotylum

Gibberellin A₃ or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid were applied to the foliage of peanut plants under axenic culture and in the greenhouse. Leaves, roots and exudates from axenically grown plants were analyzed for total lipids, free sterols, free fatty acids and paraffinic hydrocarbons. The total lipid concentrations of leaves, roots and root exudates were not altered. The free sterol of roots, and the paraffinie hydrocarbon concentrations of both leaves and roots increased, but the free fatty acid of root exudates decreased. Plants treated in the greenhouse were rated for disease severity after soil infestation with Pythium myriotylum. Roots of treated plants exhibited less rot than roots of non-treated plants. We believe there are possibilites of altering disease susceptibility using foliar applications of growth regulators through their effects on root lipids and root-lipid exudation patterns.     

Azospirillum brasilense Az39 and Bradyrhizobium japonicum E109, inoculated singly or in combination,promote seed germination and early seedling growth in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.)

Inoculants are biological formulations that combine a stable microorganism population and various types of compounds produced and released during fermentation, such as phytohormones and plant growth regulators. Azospirillum brasilense strain Az39 and Brayrhizobium japonicum strain E109 were previously shown to produce indole 3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA₃) and zeatin (Z). We tested the hypothesis that such compounds are responsible for early growth promotion in inoculated corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings. Seeds were inoculated with Az39, E109, or both, and kept in a chamber at 20–30 °C under a controlled photoperiod to evaluate seed germination. To evaluate root and shoot length and dry weight, and number of nodules and percentage of nodulated seedlings, in soybean, seedlings were kept in a growth chamber for 14 days under similar photoperiod and temperature conditions. Az39 and E109, singly or in combination, showed the capacity to promote seed germination, nodule formation, and early development of corn and soybean seedlings. Both strains were able to excrete IAA, GA₃ and Z into the culture medium, at a concentration sufficient to produce morphological and physiological changes in young seed tissues.     

Exogenous easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein improves drought tolerance of trifoliate orange

Mycorrhiza-released glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) influences rhizosphere properties, but it is not clear whether exogenous GRSP enhances drought tolerance of plants. In this work, easily extracted GRSP (EE-GRSP) was isolated from Satsuma mandarin soil, and half-strength EE-GRSP (0.007 mg protein mL^?1) was weekly applied into rhizosphere of potted trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) exposed to well watered (WW) and drought stress (DS). After four months, EE-GRSP-treated seedlings exhibited significantly higher plant growth (plant height, leaf number and fresh weight) and root growth-related parameters (lateral root numbers and root morphology) than non-EE-GRSP-treated seedlings under both WW and DS conditions. Exogenous EE-GRSP generally significantly increased leaf water potential, net photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and intercellular CO₂ concentration, while dramatically decreased leaf temperature, regardless of soil water status. The seedlings treated with exogenous EE-GRSP observed significantly higher activities of leaf Fe-SOD and root Mn-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD, and Fe-SOD than untreated control under DS. Leaf abscisic acid, indole-acetic acid and methyl jasmonate concentrations were significantly higher in EE-GRSP-treated seedlings than untreated control under DS. This work firstly reported that exogenous application of EE-GRSP improved drought tolerance of trifoliate orange, thereby, offering a strong possibility in favour of EE-GRSP to be used as a plant growth regulator.     

Comparison of some endogenous hormone levels in different parts of chickpea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cicer arietinum</Emphasis> L.)

The objective of this study was to detect plant hormone levels in different plant parts of chickpea, and to compare cultivars with different characteristics such as simple leaf vs. normal leaves, simple leaf vs. bipinnate leaf, kabuli type vs. desi types, double-podded vs. single-podded. It was found that there was a great variation in basic plant hormone levels among genotypes, and plant hormone concentrations varied according to leaf type, pod and seed characteristics in these genotypes. IAA level in leaves was the highest in ICC 6119 (bipinnate leaf) and followed by ICC 552 (double-pod) and Kusmen 99 (simple leaf), while it was highest level in pods of ICC 552 (double-pod). Zeatin concentration in leaves and pods was the highest level in ICC 6119 (bipinnate leaf). GA₃ concentration was the highest in leaves of ICC 6119 (bipinnate leaf). ICC 552 (double-pod) has the highest GA₃ in leaves. It was postulated that leaf type and pod characteristics may be related to hormones induced growth and development.     

Differences in Root Exudation Among Phosphorus‐Starved Genotypes of Maize and Green Gram and Its Relationship with Phosphorus Uptake

Abstract

Availability of phosphorus (P) in soil and its acquisition by plants is affected by the release of high and low molecular weight root exudates. A study was carried out to ascertain the qualitative and quantitative differences in root exudation among the genotypes of maize (Zea mays L.) and green gram (Vigna radiata L.) under P‐stress. Results showed that both inter‐ and intra‐species differences do exist among maize and green gram in terms of root exudation, P uptake, and shoot and root P content. In general, green gram, a legume crop, had greater root exudation compared to maize. However, the amino acid content of the total root exudates in maize was two‐fold as compared to green gram. The maize and green gram genotypes possessed genetic variability in root exudation. Irrespective of the species or genotypes, a positive relationship was found among P uptake rates, total root exudation, and shoot and root ³²P content. The amount of sugars and amino acid present in the root exudates of P‐starved seedlings also add to the variation in P uptake efficiency of genotypes.     

Effects of Plant and Soil Factors on Growth of Young Apple and Blackcurrant Plants

Abstract

Shoot growth as affected by plant size at planting, peat application in the planting hole, pruning, drip-irrigation and, for apple, specific apple replant disease (SARD) was investigated in apple (cv. Elstar) and blackcurrant (cvs Ben Lomond and Ben Nevis), using a multifactorial design. In the first year after planting, peat application and drip-irrigation enhanced shoot growth in both species, with a further interactional increase when both treatments were applied. The extension growth of apple, in contrast to blackcurrant, was positively related to plant size, and the strength of the relationship was distinctly improved when growth conditions were good. Pruning had only small effects on total shoot growth, with a trend towards an increase when growth conditions were poor.     

钾营养对棉花苗期生长和叶片生理特性的影响

在田间试验条件下,研究了施钾对棉花苗期生长和功能叶片生理特性的影响。试验设2个品种,4个施钾量。结果表明,施钾增加了棉花株高和单株叶片数,而对单株叶面积的影响不同,当施钾(K2O)量为180.kg/hm2时,叶面积达最大值,继续增施钾肥叶面积减小;施钾促进了叶绿素的合成,同时增加了叶绿素荧光动力学参数Fv/Fo、Fv/Fm和qP值,降低了qN值,增加了PSⅡ的实际量子效率(ФPSⅡ)和光合电子传递速率(ETR),从而提高了棉花功能叶的光合功能;施钾还增加了叶片中生长素(IAA)、玉米素核苷(ZR)、赤霉素(GA3)的含量,降低了脱落酸(ABA)的含量,提高了IAA/ABA、ZR/ABA、GA3     

Der Einfluß von Ancymidol und Ethrel auf den Gibberellinsäuregehalt (GA3) von Getreidepflanzen

Influence of Ancymidol and Ethrel on the synthesis of gibberellic acid (GA₃) in cereal plants. In pot experiments with oat, barley and rye both growth regulators Ancymidol and Ethrel considerably reduced the GA₃ content in the 3 plant species. Ancymidol was approximately 10 times more effective than Ethrel. This higher effectivity of Ancymidol on the GA₃ content and the different structure of the Ancymidol molecule compared to Ethrel makes it probable that Ancymidol inhibits the GA synthesis in a different way than Ethrel (or CCC). Although Ethrel was less effective in reducing the GA content it decreased the stalk length more than Ancymidol. It is concluded that Ethrel not only influences the GA induced growth but also other processes which regulate the length growth of plants.     

Assessing biological activity of agricultural biostimulants: Bioassays for plant growth regulators in three soil additives

Abstract

Laboratory bioassays were used to investigate plant growth‐regulating effects of three different experimental soil additives, designated EXP95, W91, and Z96. A yeast growth test was used as a general assay of bioactivity, responses to soil additives were compared to those of known plant growth regulators [indoleacetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA₃), and kinetin]. A corn coleoptile elongation test was used to assay for auxin‐like activity and a dwarf pea bioassay was used for gibberellin‐like activity. The three soil additives were tested at five solution concentrations ranging from 1 to 10,000 ppm (by volume). All three soil additives stimulated yeast growth, depending on the concentration of the test solutions. However, all three soil additives inhibited plant growth in the two plant bioassays. Although this study clearly demonstrated that the three soil additives had significant biological activity at very low concentrations, there was little evidence for auxin‐like or gibberellin‐like activity.     

Plant responses to drought and phosphorus deficiency: contribution of phytohormones in root‐related processes

Environmental stresses are one of the most limiting factors in agricultural productivity. A large portion of the annual crop yield is lost to pathogens (biotic stress) or the detrimental effects of abiotic‐stress conditions. There are numerous reports about chemical characterization of quantitatively significant substrate fluxes in plant responses to stress factors in the root‐rhizosphere system, e.g., nutrient mobilization, heavy‐metal and aluminum immobilization, or establishment of plant‐growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) by exudation of organic anions, phytosiderophores, or carbohydrates into the soil, respectively. The hormonal regulation of these responses is not well understood. This paper highlights this complex process, stressing the involvement of phytohormones in plant responses to drought and phosphorus deficiency as examples. Beside ethylene, abscisic acid (ABA) plays an important role in drought‐stress adaptation of plants. This hormone causes morphological and chemical changes in plants, ensuring plant survival under water‐limited conditions. For example, ABA induces stomata closure, reduction in leaf surface, and increase in root : shoot ratio and, thus, reduction in transpiration and increase in soil volume for water uptake. Furthermore, it supports water uptake in soil with decreasing water potential by osmotic adjustment. Suitability of hormonal parameters in the selection for improving stress resistance is discussed. Auxins, ethylene, and cytokinins are involved in morphological adaption processes to phosphorus (P) deficiency (increase in root surface, e.g., by the formation of more dense root hairs or cluster roots). Furthermore, indole‐3‐acetic acid increases root exudation for direct and indirect phosphorus mobilization in soil. Nevertheless, the direct use of the trait “hormone content” of a particular plant organ or tissue, for example the use of the drought‐stress‐induced ABA content of detached leaves in plant breeding for drought‐stress‐resistant crops, seems to be questionable, because this procedure does not consider the systemic principle of hormonal regulation in plants.     

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of water‐soluble root exudates in relation to plant species and development

The composition of root‐derived substances is of great importance for the understanding of processes in the rhizosphere. Therefore, methods allowing a comprehensive collection and chemical analysis of the organic root exudates are necessary. In this study, we compare different methods with regard to their suitability to collect and characterize root exudates. Because the percolation or water logging method failed to quantitatively extract root exudates, a dipping method was developed which allowed an almost complete sampling of coldwater‐soluble root exudates. By ¹⁴CO₂ labeling of the shoots the composition of root exudates was found to be influenced by plant species and growth stage. In comparison to pea plants maize plants had a higher share of carboxylic acids and a lower share of sugars. Younger maize plants exuded considerably higher amounts of ¹⁴C labeled organic substances per g root dry matter than older ones. During plant development the relative amount of sugars decreased at the expense of carboxylic acids. The described methods are well suited for the elucidation of the influence of growth factors on root exudation.     

外源GA3对高原夏季胡萝卜肉质根发育的影响

为了揭示外源GA3对胡萝卜肉质根发育的影响机理,并为高原夏季胡萝卜安全高效栽培技术研究提供参考理论,本试验以耐先期抽薹的胡萝卜品种为试材,采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA),研究了外源GA3对高原夏季胡萝卜肉质根膨大、木质化及其内源激素含量的影响。结果表明,在叶片旺盛生长期和肉质根迅速膨大期分别喷施5.78×10-4 mol·L-1外源GA3 1次,或在苗期、叶片旺盛生长期和肉质根迅速膨大期喷施5.78×10-4 mol·L-1外源GA3 1~3次,能显著降低高原夏季胡萝卜苗期肉质根日鲜重增长速率与库活力,促进肉质根木质化。与对照相比,喷施外源GA3,可显著降低苗期肉质根内源GA3、IAA、GA4、ABA、DHZR与IPA含量,显著提高肉质根内源ZR含量;显著降低叶片旺盛生长期肉质根内源GA3、IAA、GA4、IPA含量,显著提高内源ZR含量;显著提高迅速膨大期肉质根内源IAA、GA4、ZR含量;显著降低肉质根迅速膨大期之前的IAA/ZR和GA4/ZR比值。随着外源GA3喷施次数的增多,IAA/ZR和GA4/ZR比值在肉质根迅速膨大期有逐渐增高的趋势。外源GA3通过改变内源激素含量及其平衡状态来影响高原夏季胡萝卜肉质根的发育。     

Methods of collection of plant root exudates in relation to plant metabolism and purpose: A review

The aim of this work is to review the current knowledge on the effects of plant metabolism (C₃, C₄, and CAM) on root exudation and on the methods of exudate collection as well as the use of such exudates for analyses, testing of microbial response, degradation of pollutants, enzymatic activities, and occurrence of allelochemicals. We examine the advantages and disadvantages of each method as related to the downstream use of the exudates. The use of continuous percolation of solid cultivation medium with adjustment of nutrient‐solution strength appears to be a promising methodology for the determination of root exudation rates and qualitative composition of exuded compounds. The method mimics rhizosphere conditions, minimizing the artificial accumulation of compounds, alteration of plasma‐membrane permeability, ATPase activity, and the impacts of inhibitors or stimulators of root enzymes. Of particular significance is the fact that the adjustment of strength of nutrient solution and percolation enables universal and also long‐term use of the method, allowing high exudation yield by minimizing influx and maximizing efflux rates of exuded compounds at high nutrient‐solution strength. Furthermore, it facilitates assessment of the effect on soil microbial populations and their ability to degrade pollutants. Enzymatic activities can be assessed when a low strength of nutrient solution is used, with percolation of the exudates directly into tested soils. Composition of root exudates, regulation of root enzymes, and plant response to nutrient deficiency can be assessed by measuring net efflux or influx rates. The impact of heavy metals and other type of mechanical, chemical, and biological stresses differs according to the type of plant metabolism. This has significant consequences on transformations in plant communities, both structurally and functionally, and impacts upon crop nutrition, with respect to global climate change, and the use of plants for phytoremediation purposes. Understanding the effects of different types of plant metabolism on root exudation with respect to genetic regulation of synthetic pathways through root enzymes and transport systems presents an important direction for future research.     

Calcium deficiency and gibberellic acid enhance susceptibility of pumpkin and sunflower seedlings to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infection

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings were grown in culture deficient in calcium and inoculated with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary. Three days after inoculation the seedlings showed a susceptibility to the pathogen that was inversely proportional to the calcium content of the nutrient solution. Plants treated with gibberellic acid (GA₃) became more susceptible to infection by S. sclerotiorum. Increased addition of GA₃ resulted in increases in infection both in rate and severity. Sunflower was more susceptible to the pathogen than was pumpkin. GA₃ treatment consistently decreased the calcium content in both species. The effect of calcium deficiency on infection by S. sclerotiorum was greatly amplified by GA₃ addition.     

Effect of elevated nitrogen levels on endogenous gibberellin and jasmonic acid contents of three rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars

Three rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars ( cv. Daesanbyeo, cv. Dongjinbyeo, cv. Junambyeo) were analyzed for endogenous gibberellin (GA) and jasmonic acid (JA) contents and their changes in response to elevated nitrogen (N) levels. The N fertilizer was applied in the form of urea [(NH₂)₂CO] at three rates (0, 36.8, 73.6 kg N ha^–1). Plant growth (height and dry weight) was enhanced by the first N rate but not further enhanced by the highest rate. The endogenous GA contents were analyzed through high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry–selected ion monitoring (GC‐MS‐SIM) while that of JA with GC‐MS‐SIM. They were analyzed one week after N application and were significantly increased with elevated N levels in all rice cultivars. The bioactive GA₁ markedly increased, but its concentration differed in different rice cultivars. Similar fluctuations were observed for endogenous GA₈, GA₁₂, GA₁₉, GA₂₀, and GA₅₃ in response to elevated N levels, showing that the rates of biosynthesis of GAs were differently affected by elevated N levels within different rice cultivars. The level of GA₂₀, a precursor of GA₁ biosynthesis, was not significantly increased, though GA₁₉, a precursor of GA₂₀, was found to be the most abundant GA type in all rice cultivars. Jasmonic acid content in the plants increased with the basic urea application (36.8 kg N ha^–1), but significantly decreased with the double urea level (73.6 kg N ha^–1). The results demonstrate that GA and JA are differentially affected in response to elevated N application in rice.     

Relationship Between Iron Deficiency Stress and Endogenous Hormones in Iron-Efficient versus Inefficient Apple Genotypes

In solution culture at different iron (Fe) concentrations, both contents of endogenous hormones or the IAA oxidase activities in the roots and the diffusive IAA contents in the stem apex were analyzed for Malus xiaojinensis (an Fe-efficient apple genotype) or M. baccata (an Fe-inefficient apple genotype). The results showed that higher amounts of IAA in M. xiaojinensis were transported from the stem apex into roots under Fe deficiency stress, which resulted in a great enhancement of the root IAA content, being 4–5 times higher at Fe deficiency than at a normal Fe level. Root IAA content of M. baccata did not show any obvious change at both deficiency and normal level of Fe. When the appearance of leaf chlorosis was used as the test point by the time, there was no remarked difference in fluctuation of the root GA₃ or ABA contents between M. xiaojinensis and M. baccata, although the developing trends of the root GA₃ or ABA contents were slightly lagging for M. xiaojinensis. The results obtained in this experiment suggested that IAA might be a signal factor of inducing Fe deficiency response in plant of genus Malus.     

Enhancing growth,yield, biochemical,and hormonal contents of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) sprayed with moringa leaf extract

Increasing growth and productivity of food crops via safe biostimulants is a very important issue in the current years. This study aimed to investigate the potential of moringa leaf extract (MLE) in improving the performance of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cv. ‘Paulista’ under field conditions. Hormonal analysis of MLE revealed its richness of various classes of phytohormones particularly salicylates. The results revealed that all MLE concentrations had a positive effect on growth, biochemical, yield, and yield related traits as well as yield quality of snap bean compared to control, and the effect was dose-dependent. Moreover, increasing pods yield of snap bean may be related to gibberellins (GA₇) content than other plant hormones. In conclusion, the leaf extract of moringa provides a good source of phytohormones that have a positive role to stimulate growth and productivity of snap bean plants.     

Boron stress inhibits beet (Beta vulgaris L.) growth through influencing endogenous hormones and oxidative stress response

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the pleiotropic effects of boron stress on beet (Beta vulgaris L.) growth.

Methods: Beet seedlings were treated with varying concentrations of H₃BO₃ (0.05, 0.5, 2, and 30 mg/L) for 30 d for evaluation of diverse morphological parameters related to shoot and root growth. Transverse sections of beet leaves were observed under a microscope, and the leaf thickness was measured. Photosynthesis in beet was evaluated by measuring the photosynthetic rate, intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, and chlorophyll content; chloroplast morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the levels of diverse endogenous hormones, as well as oxidative stress parameters, were also analyzed in beet leaves.

Results: We found that boron accumulated in different beet tissues but was observed mainly in mature leaves, followed by young leaves, mature petioles, young petioles, and roots. Boron stress (boron toxicity, 30 mg/L; boron deficiency, 0.05 mg/L) significantly inhibited beet shoot, root growth, and leaf expansion while promoting leaf thickening. Additionally, the levels of indole-3-acetic acid, gibberellin A3, and zeatin in beet leaves decreased significantly under boron stress, whereas the level of abscisic acid increased. Moreover, the levels of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, malondialdehyde, and proline in beet leaves increased significantly under boron stress.

Conclusion: Together, our results indicate that boron stress significantly inhibited normal beet growth via the influence of endogenous hormone levels and oxidative stress responses.