Volume 4 Number 1 2010

CONTENTS AND ABSTRACTS

Vladimir Kuznetsov, Lily Polyakova (Russia) The Role of Professor Boris B. Vartapetian in the Foundation of the International Society for Plant Anaerobiosis and a New Avenue in Ecological Biology (pp 1-4)

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Dedication: This paper is dedicated to Professor Boris Vartapetian’s 85^th anniversary. Special attention is paid to the scientific contribution of Prof. Vartapetian in investigating plant hypoxic and anoxic stresses. The authors also emphasize the role of Prof. Vartapetian in the foundation of the International Society for Plant Anaerobiosis and in facilitating its successful activities at the international level over 30 years.

Marina I. Sysoeva, Eugenia F. Markovskaya, Tatjana G. Shibaeva (Russia) Plants under Continuous Light: A Review (pp 5-17)

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Review: In this review an attempt has been made to analyze the results of the studies that explored the changes in the growth and development of plants exposed to continuous light published since the 1930s, including papers that are available in Russian only. Potential benefits of using a 24-h photoperiod for the production of greenhouse crops, transplant production in closed controlled environment systems and the culture of plants in controlled ecological life support systems are reviewed. Continuous lighting is shown to be a useful tool for speeding up the selection of crops. The mechanisms involved in a plant’s response to continuous light and causes of negative effects of continuous light (foliar chlorosis, limited or reduced plant growth and productivity) are discussed. Plant response to continuous light depends on plant tolerance and can be modified by alterations in temperature, light intensity, CO₂ level, humidity, mineral nutrition and other environmental factors.

Nalini Pandey, Girish Chandra Pathak, Amit Kumar Singh (India) Differential Sensitivity of Maize to Zinc and High Light Intensity (pp 18-24)

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Original Research Paper: The interactive effects of Zinc (Zn) deficiency and light intensity were studied on non-enzymatic and enzymatic components of the antioxidative system in maize lines CM 115 and CM 120 differing in tolerance to Zn deficiency. Compared to plants receiving normal Zn supply (1 µM Zn), plants grown with deficient (0.10 µM Zn) Zn supply showed growth depression, reduced dry matter and visual symptoms of Zn deficiency like white necrotic patches that appeared earlier and were more severe in Zn inefficient line CM 120 than in moderately efficient maize line CM 115. Zinc-deficient plants showed a decrease in carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity which was more pronounced in CM 120 than in CM 115. Accumulation of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide and a decrease in pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoids) was observed in Zn-deficient plants, which was less pronounced in CM 115 than in CM 120. In CM 120 ascorbate (ASA) concentration and glutathione reductase (GR) activity decreased while the levels of ASA, DHA (dehydroascorbate), APX (ascorbate peroxidase) and GR activity increased in CM 115. Although the activity of SOD (superoxide dismutase) and the expression of Cu/Zn SOD were reduced in both CM 115 and CM 120 plants, the decrease was more severe in the latter. Exposure of plants to high intensity of light accentuated these Zn-deficiency effects more so in CM 120. Our results suggest that the efficient utilization of Zn in CM 115 plants contributes to enhanced tolerance to oxidative damage from Zn deficiency and high light intensity by upregulating the antioxidative defense mechanism.

Sotiria Stavrianakou, Georgios Liakopoulos, Despoina Miltiadou, Anastasios N. Markoglou, Basil N. Ziogas, George Karabourniotis (Greece) Antifungal and Antibacterial Capacity of Extracted Material from non-Glandular and Glandular Leaf Hairs Applied at Physiological Concentrations (pp 25-30)

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Original Research Paper: Non-glandular hairs are epidermal appendages that have been considered as a potential mechanical barrier for non-specific plant resistance to pathogens. We investigate if the occurrence of mixtures of secondary metabolites in these structures may also provide a potential chemical line of defence of plant surfaces against pathogens. Methanolic extracts from isolated non-glandular leaf hairs of Olea europaea and Quercus ilex were assessed against a number of phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi at concentrations resembling those of the leaf surface. Moreover, isolated exudates of glandular hairs of Dittrichia viscosa and Cistus creticus, containing mixtures of secondary metabolites of known antimicrobial activity, were tested. According to the bioassays, the non-glandular hairs materials inhibited the growth of the majority of the bacterial as well as the spore germination and growth of the fungal species tested. The inhibitory effect was plant species- and pathogen species-dependent but in all cases was weaker than that observed using exudates of glandular hairs. The results support the hypothesis that the secondary metabolites contained within non-glandular hair layers may create a chemically adverse environment against the entrance and spreading of pathogens in the leaf interior.

Tatiana V. Veselova, Vladimir A. Veselovsky (Russia) Post-hypoxic Oxidative Stress in Aging Pea Seeds: II. Post-hypoxic Events (pp 31-35)

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Original Research Paper: A lot of air-dry seeds with lowered germination percentage can be subdivided on the basis of room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) into three fractions: I – strong seeds, II – weak seeds, and III – dead seeds. Using fraction II weak seeds separated from the seed lot according to RTP level, we have shown previously that seed imbibition is accompanied by the onset of oxygen deficiency, i.e., hypoxic conditions for the embryo. Oxygen deficiency originates from a higher respiration rate and greater limitation to oxygen diffusion through seed coats in fraction II seeds. Severe oxygen deficiency leads to seed death during the imbibition. The seeds with radicle protruded gave rise to morphologically defective seedlings, because of cell division disturbances in meristematic cells of embryo axis. Neither the high imbibition rate in fraction II seeds nor hypoxic conditions under seed coat impaired the DNA replication in the root tips of embryo axes. Both the сеssation of DNA replication and DNA degradation took place only after radicle protrusion and aeration of imbibed fraction II seeds. Chemiluminescence measurements indicated an increase in the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mainly H₂O₂, generated by embryo axes. All observations were consistent with the idea that it is the post-hypoxic oxidative stress that caused the damage of cell division and appearance of abnormal seedlings from fraction II seeds. Various antioxidants decreased DNA degradation and increased seed lot germination capacity.

Tariq Aftab, M. Masroor A. Khan, Mohd. Idrees, M. Naeem, Nadeem Hashmi, Moinuddin (India) Effect of Salt Stress on Growth, Membrane Damage, Antioxidant Metabolism and Artemisinin Accumulation in Artemisia annua L. (pp 36-43)

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Original Research Paper: Salinity in soil and irrigation water is one of the major factors that limit crop productivity. The effects of salinity on growth, lipid peroxidation, the antioxidant defence system and changes in artemisinin content were studied in Artemisia annua L. Salinity treatments were established by adding 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM of sodium chloride (NaCl) to the soil. Salt stress negatively affected the growth of plants, measured in terms of shoot and root length and dry weight. Photosynthetic attributes and total chlorophyll content were also reduced by salinity stress. Salinity treatments inhibited the activity of carbonic anhydrase and significantly increased electrolyte leakage and proline content. Moreover, salt stress induced oxidative stress, as indicated by the level of lipid peroxidation. The activities of antioxidant enzymes viz. catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were upregulated by salt stress. Most importantly, a synergistic relationship was noted between endogenous H₂O₂ and artemisinin content i.e. both contents increased under low levels of salinity (50 and 100 mM) and thereafter decreased. Thus, it can be concluded that A. annua species is very sensitive to soil salinity; however, moderate saline conditions can be utilized to obtain more artemisinin.

Alexander S. Lukatkin, Tatjana E. Kistenjova (Russia), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan) Oxidative Stress in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Leaf Cells: Short-Term Influence of Heavy Metals (Lead and Copper) (pp 44-49)

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Original Research Paper: The patterns of oxidative stress expression in the short-term (up to 4 hrs) influenced by heavy metals (lead and copper) was investigated in experiments with cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. ‘Vjaznikovskij 37’) leaf disks. Both metals caused a non-linear intensification of superoxide anion and an increase of TBA-reacting products.

Sandip A. Ghuge, Archana N. Rai, G. B. Khandagale, Penna Suprasanna (India) Comparative Effects of NaCl, PEG and Mannitol Iso-osmotic Stress on Solute Accumulation and Antioxidant Enzyme System in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) (pp 50-55)

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Original Research Paper: Osmotic and oxidative stress responses to iso-osmotic (-0.4 Mpa) NaCl, PEG-6000 and mannitol stress were studied in 15-day old plants of three potato cultivars viz. ‘Kufri Kufri Bahar’ ‘Jyoti’ and ‘Chandramukhi’. After 2-weeks of treatment, plants were analyzed for biochemical and physiological determinants of stress. Relative water content (RWC) and membrane damage rate (MDR) were significantly affected in all the cultivars in all the treatments. Decrease in RWC was significant in plants subjected to PEG while significant increase in MDR was observed in NaCl-treated plants. Among the treatments, NaCl treatment showed significant MDR (78.57%) over PEG (69.29%) and mannitol (62.90%) treatments. Proline, glycine betaine and total soluble sugar accumulation increased in the stressed plants than controls. Increased SOD activity was observed under NaCl stress compared to PEG/mannitol stress in all the cultivars. Comparison of different iso-osmotic stresses indicates a positive relationship between proline accumulation and tissue hydration.

Patil Pradip Pandit, Ghane Savaliram Goga, Barmukh Rajkumar Baban (India), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan), Nikam Tukaram Dayaram (India) Differential Response of Niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) Cultivars to Salinity Stress in Relation to Seed Germination, Oxidative Stress, Osmotic Adjustment and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities (pp 56-63)

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Original Research Paper: Guizotia abyssinica Cass. (niger, Asteraceae) is an important but neglected edible oil seed crop. It is cultivated in the Indian subcontinent, Ethiopia and East African countries. Meager information is available on its physiology as compared to other crops. The present investigation reports the influence of NaCl stress (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mM) on seed germination, growth, chlorophyll content, osmolyte accumulation and antioxidant enzyme activity in four cultivars (‘IGP-76’, ‘GA-10’, ‘No. 71’ and ‘IGPN-2004’) of niger. The observations were recorded on the 7^th day after salt treatment. Increasing salt stress greatly reduced the seed germination percentage in ‘GA-10’ than ‘No. 71’ and ‘IGPN-2004’, whereas ‘IGP-76’ was least affected. A similar pattern was observed for growth (shoot and root length), formation of biomass and total chlorophyll content. Maximum damage to the cellular membrane, as evidenced by a higher accumulation of malondialdehyde, occurred in ‘GA-10’, whereas least damage to cellular membranes was observed in ‘IGP-76’. GB content and catalase activity were higher in ‘IGP-76’ than ‘No.71’, ‘IGPN-2004’ and ‘GA-10’. Therefore, ‘IGP-76’ is a salt-tolerant cultivar and ‘GA-10’ is more sensitive to salt stress than ‘No. 71’ and ‘IGPN-2004’.

Mohammed A. Rasheed, Refat A. Youssef, El-Sayed I. Gaber, Abd El Kader A. A. (Egypt), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan), Nesreen H. Abou-Baker (Egypt) The Combined Effect of Organic and Chemical Fertilizers under Water Stress on Nutrient Uptake of Corn and Bean Plants (pp 64-71)

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Original Research Paper: A field experiment was carried out at El Nubaria (North of the Nile Delta). The experiment included the following treatments: A) water regime treatments: I₁ = 100% of WR (water requirement), I₂ = 80% of WR and I₃ = 60% of WR; B) fertilizer treatments included: F₀ (control), F₁ (150% compost), F₂ (100% compost ≈10 ton/fed; 1 fed = 4200 m²), F₃ (75% compost + 25% NPK), F₄ (50% compost + 50% NPK) and F₅ (full recommended NPK). Corn plants (Zea mays L. Single cross 129 white) were grown under these treatments and followed by bean (Vicia faba L. Nubaria 1) to evaluate the residual effect of such treatments. I₂ was considered to be best as it produced high corn grain yield. About 20% of irrigation water could be saved when only 80% of calculated WR of corn plants was applied. Also, corn grain yield increased with increasing mineral fertilizer rate. Reducing the water application rate from 100 to 80% ETc reduced bean seed yield by 35.38 and 5.32% compared with I₁ in first and second season, respectively. Seed yield was significantly increased at all rates of compost compared with the control in two consecutive seasons. Phosphorus (P) concentration in green and ear leaves and corn grain increased as the amount of water increased in the following order F₅ < F₄ < F₃ < F₂ < F₁, irrespective of the control treatment. Residual effect of compost alone or in combination with mineral fertilizer produced a more remarkable uptake of P by bean seeds than 100% chemical fertilizer treatment (F₅). Potassium concentration in new leaves, ear leaf and corn grain increased in the order F₂ > F₁ > F₃ > F₄ > F₅, irrespective of the control treatment, although K% in bean seeds increased in the order F₅ > F₄ > F₃ > F₂ > F₁. A high amount of irrigation (I₁) enhanced P and K availability more than I₂ and I₃. The combination of 50 or 25% mineral P fertilizer with compost increased available P more than applying 100% mineral fertilizers.

Nemat Adly Naguib, Eman Anwar Ibrahim Mohamed, Yasser Mohamed Abdel-Tawab (Egypt) Laboratory Evaluation of Some Barley Genotypes under Drought and Salinity Stresses (pp 72-78)

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Original Research Paper: Laboratory evaluation of crop seeds is considered a technique which would be suitable for screening large populations to improve tolerance to adverse conditions such as drought and salinity prior to yield testing. Therefore, this study was conducted on six barley genotypes (‘Giza 123’, ‘Giza 124’, ‘Giza 126’, ‘Giza 129’, ‘Giza 130’ and ‘Giza 2000’) for general and specific evaluation under drought and salinity stresses. Drought stress was induced using polyethylene glycol (PEG) at three levels (5, 7.5 and 10 mg L^-1), while salinity stress was induced using mannitol at three levels (5, 7.5 and 10 mg L^-1). No germination of any genotype was observed with 10 mg L^-1 PEG. Results indicate that there were clear and significant differences among genotypes in shoot length, root length, germination percentage, dry weight and seedling vigor index under the treatments of drought and salinity. There was a strong linear relationship between proline content and drought and salinity tolerance. As proline content increased tolerance to drought and salinity stresses increased. Results showed significant differences among genotypes for chemical composition, electrical conductivity (EC), accelerated ageing (AA) and 1000-kernel weight. Data of a phenol test indicated that barley genotypes can be divided into three categories; category 1 includes ‘Giza 126’, ‘Giza 130’ and ‘Giza 2000’, category 2 includes ‘Giza 123’, and category 3 includes ‘Giza 124’ and ‘Giza 129’. The results of SDS-PAGE showed changes in the protein-banding pattern and band density under different treatments of drought and salinity. ‘Giza 126’ surpassed other genotypes in terms of drought and salinity tolerance, and hence it can be used in a barley breeding program for drought and salinity tolerance.

Dmitriy V. Tereshonok, Anna Yu. Stepanova, Yulia I. Dolgikh, Ekaterina S. Osipova, Denis V. Belyaev, Boris B. Vartapetian (Russia) Tolerance to Root Flooding of Wheat Plants (Triticum aestivum L.) Produced with Biotechnological Approaches (pp 79-82)

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Research Note: Tolerance to soil flooding of wheat plants produced by in vitro selection of cells more tolerant to anoxia and regeneration of plants from such cells and transgenic wheat plants harboring the ipt gene encoding isopentenyltransferase, a key enzyme of cytokinin synthesis, was studied. On the basis of preliminary data, it was concluded that these biotechnological approaches are promising for improving tolerance to anaerobic stress of plants, which, like wheat, are highly sensitive to hypoxia and anoxia.