Effects of Water Deficiency and Kinetin on Growth and Nitrogen Metabolism of Cowpea Plants

Cowpea plants ( Vigna sinensis Savi.) were grown in pots for two successive years. These plants were daily maintained water holding capacities (15, 25, 45, 65 %).
The foliage of plants grown at every level of soil moisture was sprayed till dripping with kinetin solutions (0, 10, 20, 40 mg/1) three times after, 3, 6 and 9 weeks from sowing. Samples were taken at the two physiological stages before flowering and during flowering for growth measurements and determination of nitrogen fractions.
Water shortage led to retardation of stem length, number of internodes, number of leaves and dry weight of shoots. Kinetin reduced stem length of cowpea shoots. On the other hand, it exhibited stimulative effect when applied at concentrations 10 and 20 mg/1 on number of internodes, and dry weight of shoots.
Water stress decreased total–N and protein–N contents of cowpea shoots. On the other hand total soluble–N content was increased under the same conditions. Kinetin increased total–N and protein–N contents of cowpea shoots. Meanwhile, the same growth regulator decreased total soluble–N when applied at 45 %, 25 % and 15 % W.H.C. levels.     

Combined Effect of Soil Water Availability and Growth Substances on Some Aspects of Chemical Composition of Cowpea Plants

Cowpea plant ( Vigna sinensis Savi) were grown in pots for two successive years. These plants were daily maintained at water holding capacities (15, 25, 45 and 65 %). The foliage of plants grown at every level of soil moisture was sprayed till dripping with either IAA solutions 0, 10, 50 and 100 mg/1 or kinetin solutions 0, 10, 20 and 40 mg/1 three times after 3, 6 and 9 weeks from sowing. Samples were taken at two physiological stages before flowering and during flowering for determination of photosynthetic pigments and carbohydrate fractions.
Water stress decreased all photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll "a", chlorophyll "b" and carotenoids). Meanwhile, it increased the ratios of "a/b" and (a + b)/carotenoids. IAA and kinetin at all concentrations increased photosynthetic pigments. In addition, the same treatments led to decrease in the ratios of "a/b" and a + b/carotenoids.
Total carbohydrate content was decreased by decreasing soil moisture content. Meanwhile, reducing sugars as well as sucrose contents were increased. IAA and kinetin increased total carbohydrate, reducing sugars and sucrose of cowpea shoots comparing with respective controls.     

外源激素对鸡冠花离体培养及试管成花的影响

本文以鸡冠花试管苗去顶芽茎段为试料,探讨了MS培养基中添加5种外源激素（IAA、NAA、6-BA、KT、GA3）对鸡冠花试管成花的生物学效应。结果表明：生长激素IAA与NAA对鸡冠花的生根和成花有促进作用,IAA 0.5 mg/L、NAA 1.0 mg/L时成花率均可达到100%,且以IAA 0.5 mg/L时单株成花数最高;KT对植物的分化和开花有促进作用,1.0 mg/L时开花率达到100%,而6-BA对鸡冠花生根与成花有抑制作用;GA3有利于鸡冠花试管苗花芽诱导形成,当浓度为0.5~1.5 mg/L时,成花率均为100%。鸡冠花试管苗的生根状况对其成花有一定的影响,生根率与成花率、平均单株花数呈极显著正相关。     

Growth and Yields of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) as Influenced by Seed Characters, Soil Moisture and Season of Planting

Cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is an important food legume grown under rainfed conditions in the tropics. However, the yield of this crop varies widely in most tropical ecosystems due to crop and environmental factors. Experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of seed characteristics, soil moisture at planting and the season of crop establishment on growth and yield parameters of cowpea as these influence the productivity of the crop. Growth and yield of cowpea plants grown from small seeds with a high conductivity of their lea-chates were significantly lower than those grown from large seeds. Root growth of seedlings was most prominent under moderate soil moisture levels. Low soil moisture retarded root growth by reducing dry weights and suppressing the development of laterals. Shoot growth was more sensitive to increasing soil moisture stress than root growth. Planting cowpea in the wet season produced the highest yields. Within a season, growth and yield were higher when the crop was planted early. Establishment of the crop later in the season produced better quality seeds measured in terms of germination after controlled deterioration.     

Influence of Soil Moisture and Fertilizer Potassium on the Vegetative Growth of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) and Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

Tropical food legumes are grown in a wide range of environments, and water stress is considered the principal environmental factor limiting growth and yield. Potassium fertilizer mitigates the impact of water stress in plants. However, the benefits of potassium in overcoming stress in tropical food legumes have not been investigated in comparative studies. The purpose of this study was to determine the benefits of potassium in overcoming water stress in mungbean and cowpea, two important tropical food legumes with different adaptabilities to soil moisture regimes. The experiment carried out under controlled conditions placed emphasis on vegetative growth and selected physiological parameters. The impact of potassium was different in the two legumes grown at optimal and suboptimal soil moisture. Potassium increased shoot growth of mungbean to a greater extent than in cowpea under suboptimal moisture conditions. The roots of cowpea showed a greater response to potassium fertilizer than in mungbean under suboptimal soil moisture. The plant water relations and photosynthetic rates of mungbean were improved to a greater extent by potassium under suboptimal soil moisture than those of cowpea. Although differences were observed in the responses of the vegetative growth of these species to moisture and potassium, in overall terms potassium promoted growth of both species when subject to suboptimal soil moisture. While field studies are required to validate the results, the application of potassium fertilizer can be considered a significant factor in overcoming soil moisture stress in these legumes commonly grown in tropical cropping systems.     

High frequency direct plant regeneration,micropropagation and Shikonin induction in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arnebia hispidissima</Emphasis>

The data presented herein reports a rapid and efficient method for direct plant regeneration at high frequency without intervening callus formation from shoot tip (93%) and nodal segment (60%) cultured on MS media supplemented with 0.5 mg l⁻¹ KIN, 0.25 mg l⁻¹ BAP, 0.1 mg l⁻¹ IAA and 100 mg l⁻¹ CH. Conversely, leaf and internodal explants were poorly responsive. Adventitious shoot buds arose not only from the cut ends but all along the surface of the explants leading to the formation of clusters with multiple shoots. Multiple shoots upon transfer to MS media supplemented with 2.0 mg l⁻¹ IBA induced efficient rooting (80%). In vitro flowering was observed when tissue culture-raised plantlets were maintained for extended period in culture. Shikonin was induced in roots of regenerated plants which often exudates in the culture medium was quantified spectrophotometerically by recording absorbance at 620 nm and estimated to be 0.50 mg g⁻¹ fresh weight of tissue at the end of the 50 days of culture. The regenerated plants were successfully acclimatized, hardened, and transferred to soil in green house for micropropagation. The protocol developed here will be very useful for the supply of Arnebia hispidissima all year as a raw product necessary for obtaining Shikonin for the cosmetic, dyeing, food, and pharmaceutical industries.     

Variation over time and environments in resistance to Erysiphe graminis hordei in samples from a barley germplasm collection

Summary Twenty carnation genotypes of diverse origin were planted in September and were kept under an 8h day and a light intensity of 15 W/m² visible radiation in a phytotron from 30 November to 24 February. Long photoperiods (24 h; LD) were applied in December-January for 25 days. In addition to flowering dates of individual shoots, records wer kept on shoot development (number of visible leaf pairs) on four dates: (1) six weeks after pinching, (2) at the beginning of the LD treatment in December, (3) when plants were transferred from the phytotron to the glasshouse in February and (4) at the time of flowering of individual shoots.The genetic variation in number of visible leaf pairs on each of these dates, in relation to shoot position and rate of unfolding of leaf pairs, was analysed.On the basis of these analyses, the between and within-genotype variation in time of flowering, yield distribution and LD response could be, at least partly, related to variation in the above-mentioned parameters. It was established that relevant genetic variation exists in (1) the initial development of the axillary bud from which a primary shoot is produced after pinching; (2) the rate of leaf unfolding; (3) the minimum number of leaf pairs required for flower initiation and (4) the within-plant variation in the above three characters in relation to shoot position.     

番茄再生体系优化以及ProDH干扰载体的遗传转化

【目的】为了进一步探究番茄再生体系,对番茄再生体系进行优化,并利用筛选出的最优体系,将脯氨酸脱氢酶的干扰表达载体进行遗传转化,抗生素筛选获得再生植株。【方法】以44号和65号番茄品种为试验材料,外植体的选择有下胚轴和子叶,以MS为基本培养基,加入不同浓度比的6-BA和IAA,筛选合适的浓度比,来提高遗传转化率。【结果】结果表明：最适的愈伤培养基为MS + 2 mg?L-1 6-BA + 0.2 mg?L-1 IAA,最适分化培养基为MS + 2.0 mg?L-1 6-BA + 0.1 mg?L-1 IAA,最适生根培养基为MS + 0.2 mg?L-1 IAA;最适培养基浓度下,子叶的出愈率、分化率和生根率较下胚轴分别高25%、42%和20%,所以外植体选择子叶为宜,而在两个品种间也有差异,65号番茄总体比44号番茄再生率高。【结论】利用筛选出的最优再生体系,将脯氨酸脱氢酶的干扰表达载体对65号番茄遗传转化,获得抗性植株,以期为番茄抗寒性分子育种提供更多基础材料。     

Foliar application of the exogenous plant hormones at pre-blooming stage improves flowering and fruiting in cashew (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Anacardium occidentale</Emphasis> L.)

The problem of declining tree yield has led to an investigation into the effectiveness of foliar application of exogenous hormones to improve flowering, fruit set, and fruit retention in cashew. Five exogenous hormones, one Gibberellic Acid (GA₃) and four Auxins (IAA, IBA, NAA, and 2,4-D) at seven different rates of application (0 mg L⁻¹, 10 mg L⁻¹, 25 mg L⁻¹, 50 mg L⁻¹, 100 mg L⁻¹, 250 mg L⁻¹, and 500 mg L⁻¹) were tested on six yield-related components of the two Brazilian cashew genotypes. This trial was a factorial split-split-plot design with each treatment replicated five times within a tree and three replications (three trees) per genotype. Responses varied significantly between exogenous hormones, concentrations and genotypes. The cashew plants used showed hormone-specific and optimum concentration response patterns. Of the five exogenous hormones tested, GA₃ was most effective as its application at 50–100 mg L⁻¹ gave five-fold improvements in flowering (precocity and number of hermaphrodite flowers) and fruiting, and about 69% increase in fruit retention ability and 25% in nut size. Panicles treated with GA₃ also produced relatively bigger nuts compared to the untreated. Days to flowering was found to be hormone sensitive, while production of hermaphrodite flowers, fruit set, and nut development tended to be concentration specific. The GA₃ exhibited a broad concentration tolerance among the five exogenous hormones investigated. Our data showed that using GA₃ at 50 mg L⁻¹ will enhance flowering precocity, shorten flowering duration, increase production of hermaphrodite flowers and fruit set significantly, and resultant nuts develop optimally with high percentage retention. Thus, it suggests cashew yield could be increased by exogenous foliar application of GA₃ at 50–100 mg L⁻¹ at pre-blooming stage.     

Growth, Yield and Nodule Activity of Phaseolus vulgaris L. as Affected by Soil Moisture

A study evaluated the response of two varieties of beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to different soil moisture levels during a dry season. The soil moisture regimes maintained throughout the growth period were field capacity, 70–75 %, 50–55 % or 20–25 % available soil moisture.
Plant growth, yield and nodulation were optimal when plants grew at high soil moisture levels. With increasing stress, all measured parameters of both varieties were reduced. However, polebeans, with its vine type of growth was affected to a greater degree than bushbeans. In contrast, nodulation and nodule activity of both variables was affected by moisture stress.
A second experiment evaluated the effects of different soil moisture levels over the growth cycle of bushbeans, which produce greater yields under drier conditions. The highest yields were obtained at higher moisture levels throughout the growth cycle. Moisture stress up to flowering reduced yields to a greater extent than when the plants were subjected to reduced soil moisture after flowering appearance. Some casual mechanisms of the results of the experiments and possible implications for incorporating this popular vegetable legume in rainfed agricultural systems are presented.     

Variation between genotypes of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus cultivars and interspecific hybrids) in time of flowering and response to long days. I. Variation in yield distribution

Summary Early flowering carnation cultivars, responding to artificial long days, can assist the grower to plant the onset of flowering and achieve a better distribution of flower production over the year.A comparative trial is described of 20 carnation genotypes (cultivars and backcrosses of interspecific hybrids), representing a wide variation in flowering time and response to long days. The trial was planted in September in a phytotron under a winter light intensity of 15 W/m² for eight hours per day. In one half of the trial, daylength was increased to 24 hours for 25 days in December-January. At the end of February the plants were transferred to a glasshouse where they were observed until all primary shoots had flowered. The main purpose of the experiment was to analyse the genetic factors responsible for the large differences in flowering behaviour between genotypes. Average flowering dates varied from 132 days from pinching in a Dianthus chinensis hybrid to 181 days in the mediterranean cultivar Raggio di Sole. LD response was most pronounced in the earliest flowering Diantini selections and least in the traditional commercial cultivars. In the former the LD effect was evident in all shoots of a plant, but mostly so in the lower (older) shoots; in the traditional cultivars only the higher placed shoots responded to LD. As a result, the proportion of the shoots actually responding to LD varied from 28% in the traditional cultivars to 54% in the Diantini x D. Allwoodii cv Doris group of genotypes.     

水分胁迫对棉花不同部位主茎叶14C同化、分配的影响

以新棉33B为试验材料,在防雨棚中设置严重干旱、中度干旱和正常供水3个处理(土壤水分分别为田间持水量的35%～45%、45%～65%、65%～85%),利用14CO2同位素示踪技术研究了水分胁迫对棉花不同层次主茎叶光合同化物运转分配的影响.结果表明:干旱胁迫使叶片光合产物合成受阻,降低了叶片14C的同化量.并且随着干旱...     

夏玉米粒收质量及水分利用效率的化学调控效应研究

解析不同水分处理条件下,夏玉米粒收质量及水分利用效率的化学调控效应。以登海605和豫单9953为供试品种,设置植物生长调节剂（HK: 8~9片叶喷施植物生长调节剂,CK: 喷施同量清水）和灌水量25（W1）、45（W2）和65mm（W3）两因素试验,采用随机区组试验设计,分析比较调节剂下玉米粒收质量和水分利用效率的差异。结果表明,与CK相比,2个品种HK处理的秃尖长和总损失率均值分别下降12.08%和7.78%,百粒重和产量水分利用效率（WUE_Y）分别增加4.88%和3.65%。灌水量对2个品种的产量、WUE_Y、总损失量和总损失率影响极显著。植物生长调节剂和灌水量对豫单9953的破碎率表现出明显互作效应。籽粒含水率与耗水量呈极显著正相关（登海605,r=0.885^**;豫单9953,r=0.872^**）,与土壤含水率呈显著或极显著相关（登海605，r=0.527^*;豫单9953,r=0.683^**）。兼顾节水增产和粒收质量,推荐8~9片叶时喷施植物生长调节剂、土壤水分下限设置为田间持水率的65%~70%、喷灌定额45mm作为黄淮平原井灌区夏玉米适宜田间栽培及灌水管理方案。     

水分胁迫对冬小麦抗性物质可溶性糖与脯氨酸的影响

利用盆栽方法,通过人工调控土壤含水率,设置轻度T1（相对含水率65%~70%）、中度T2（相对含水率55%~60%）和重度T3（相对含水率45%~50%）三个水分胁迫水平,研究不同生育期水分胁迫对冬小麦脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量的变化。通过测定与分析,认为冬小麦旗叶可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量的变化与水分胁迫密切相关,是保障冬小麦在干旱条件下正常生长的抗性物质。轻度水分胁迫对可溶性糖的影响主要集中在生长前期,中度和重度水分胁迫全生育期可显著提高可溶性糖含量,特别是乳熟期,中度和重度水分处理分别比CK增加78.6%和144.0%,因此可溶性糖可能是对种子成熟有特别作用的抗性物质。水分胁迫加强游离脯氨酸含量显著增加,说明脯氨酸也是重要的抵抗干旱的活性物质。在冬小麦全生育期中,开花期脯氨酸含量比正常含量高1倍左右,说明脯氨酸可能是保障正常开花的活性物质。     

Interspecific hybridization between Cicer arietinum and C. pinnatifidum

An interspecific hybrid between Cicer arietinum cv. GL 769 and a wild species C. pinnatifidum was obtained after emasculation, pollination and application of growth regulators. Ovules were cultured and embryos were later dissected to obtain hybrid plants. These plants were albinos and morphologically resembled C. pinnatifidum. Shrivelled seeds were also obtained in 2% of the crosses, which on germination gave rise to albino plants. These plants did not survive beyond 20 days. The hybrid nature of these plants was confirmed by esterase isozyme studies. Hybrid shoots obtained from germinating embryos were cultured on modified ML-6 medium with BAP 2 mg/1, IAA 0.5 mg/1, where they turned green after 3–4 weeks. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies on leaf sections from green hybrid shoots showed an improvement in the chloroplast structure, with better organized grana.     

Factors affecting in vitro flowering and fruiting of green pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Multiple shoots were efficiently regenerated from cotyledonary node and shoot tip explants of Pisum sativum within 15 days on MS medium containing B₅ vitamins and supplelmented with 2.0 mgl^-1 6-benzylaminopurine. The elongated shoots produced on the same medium were excised and transferred to MS medium containing half strength ammonium nitrate (8.25 gml^-1) and supplemented with auxins (indole-3-butyric acid or naphthalene acetic acid) either alone or in combinations with gibberellic acid. Rooting and flowering were observed on the 7th and 15th day after their transfer to rooting medium. The flowers self-fertilised in vitro and produced mature pods within 25 days of rooting. These seeds were germinable both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro seeds sown in pots under field conditions developed into flowering plants, and subsequently produced pods with viable seeds. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

普通小麦×东方旱麦草属间杂种长期保存技术及稳定性研究

对普通小麦×东方旱麦草这一完全不育属间杂种F1的无性系在培养基组成、 外植体大小对诱导率的影响和接种方法等方面进行了系统研究, 建立了对其进行长期保存的技术体系： 选择2n=35的F1正常植株为培养对象, 以1.1～3.0 cm的幼穗为外植体, 剪切足够细碎后接种于MS诱导培养基(MS无机元素+W14有机成分+400 mg/L LH+150 mg/L     

低温促进白菜开花的效应分析

为了研究低温对白菜开花的效应,以普通白菜品种杭州油冬儿为试材,研究了萌动种子和幼苗低温处理对白菜开花及处理过程中可溶性糖、淀粉、可溶性蛋白质和内源激素含量的变化.结果表明,无论萌动种子还是幼苗低温处理都促进白菜植株开花;处理过程中,萌动种子与幼苗植株叶片的可溶性糖含量均升高,淀粉和可溶性蛋白质含量均下降,总的C/N值升高;萌动种子低温处理后植株的GA_3、IAA含量升高,而ABA含量下降,同时GA/ABA、IAA/ABA的值也升高,而GA/IAA的值却先下降后上升;幼苗低温处理使植株的GA_3、IAA和ABA三者的含量均升高,而且GA/ABA、GA_3/IAA,IAA/ABA的值也都升高.说明GA_3,IAA相对含量的增加有利于白菜的开花.     

Clonal propagation of Triticum durum Desf. from immature embryos and shoot base explants

Summary Immature embryos from five durum wheat cultivars were grown on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with two concentrations of kinetin or 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). The embryos cultured on the medium containing 5 mg/l of BAP proliferated several axillary shoots. Shoot base segments subcultured on the same medium gave more shoot proliferation. The shoots developed into ear-bearing plants. This technique could be used for clonal propagation of wheat.     

Methods for evaluation of soybean chilling tolerance at the reproductive stage under artificial climatic conditions

Several evaluation methods for soybean chilling tolerance at the reproductive stage were examined under artificial climatic conditions. Comparisons were made on plants in control and treated plots using three cultivars differing in the level of chilling tolerance. In all methods, plants were grown at 22/17°C (day/night) until first flowering, and then transferred to growth chambers at 24/17°C for control and 15/15°C for chilling treatment, respectively. A method, in which plants were grown at 20/16°C after 4 weeks of the different temperature treatments, proved comparable to the conventional one, in which chilling tolerance at the flowering stage is evaluated using natural and artificial conditions. Another method, in which the plants in chilling treatment plots were grown at 15°C until maturity, also proved usable to evaluate genotypic differences in chilling tolerance independently of maturity time.