International Journal of Plant Biology

435 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differences in Leaf Area, Trichome Density, and Xylem Structure between the Two Types of Theobroma cacao L. Cultivation: With or without Shade Plants

by Erma Prihastanti and Yulita Nurchayati

Int. J. Plant Biol. 2020, 11(1), 8790; https://doi.org/10.4081/pb.2020.8790 - 16 Nov 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 902

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the structure and density of non-glandular trichomes and the area of cocoa leaves, and the differences of xylem vessel structures on various shade tree composition. The leaf area and length, and trichomes were observed. The xylem vessel structure [...] Read more.

This study aimed to analyze the structure and density of non-glandular trichomes and the area of cocoa leaves, and the differences of xylem vessel structures on various shade tree composition. The leaf area and length, and trichomes were observed. The xylem vessel structure was observed from the root system. The result showed the area of cocoa plots without shade tree has more varied leaves size, in which upper canopy was smaller than the bottom. The area with various shade had a relatively equal size between the upper and the lower of the canopy. The three stellate-shaped non-glandular trichomes were found on the leaf venations only with the density in two plots increased with time. The xylem width area to the whole root width area ratio (k) in various shade trees was lower (k = 0.641) than that of without shade trees (k = 0.718). The higher k values indicated xylem structure without the shade tree had more xylem cells, and the pores was smaller compared to the plot with various shade trees. Full article

623 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Paradox of the Alien Plant Leucaena leucocephala subsp. glabrata (Rose) S. Zárate in Sicily: Another Threat for the Native Flora or a Valuable Resource?

by Emilio Badalamenti, Salvatore Pasta, Giovanna Sala, Valentina Catania, Paola Quatrini and Tommaso La Mantia

Int. J. Plant Biol. 2020, 11(1), 8637; https://doi.org/10.4081/pb.2020.8637 - 16 Nov 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 918

Abstract

With this contribution, an updated picture of the rapid expansion of Leucaena leucocephala subsp. glabrata in Sicily is provided. On the one hand, this is a quite worrying sign, as this woody species figures among the world’s worst invasive alien species. On the [...] Read more.

With this contribution, an updated picture of the rapid expansion of Leucaena leucocephala subsp. glabrata in Sicily is provided. On the one hand, this is a quite worrying sign, as this woody species figures among the world’s worst invasive alien species. On the other hand, the species shows interesting potential for production purposes (for wood, biomass and for feeding livestock), also considering its nitrogen fixation ability. Consequently, the two opposite options to cope with this species, i.e. cultivation and control/eradication, should accurately take into account the possible uses as well as its invasive behaviou. Full article

369 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimation of Biomass, Carbon Stocks and Leaf Litter Decomposition Rate in Teak Tectona grandis Linn Plantations in City Forest of Hasanuddin University, Makassar

by Slamet Santosa, Muhamad Ruslan Umar, Dody Priosambodo and Rizki Amalia P. Santosa

Int. J. Plant Biol. 2020, 11(1), 8541; https://doi.org/10.4081/pb.2020.8541 - 20 Sep 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1490

Abstract

Teak Tectona grandis Linn is still used as the main product in the form of wood, while other products, especially environmental services have not received much attention. This study analyzed biomass, carbon stocks and decomposition rate of leaf litter in teak plantations in [...] Read more.

Teak Tectona grandis Linn is still used as the main product in the form of wood, while other products, especially environmental services have not received much attention. This study analyzed biomass, carbon stocks and decomposition rate of leaf litter in teak plantations in city forest of Hasanuddin University, Makassar. The individual biomass of teak plants is calculated using the allometric equation Y = 0.11 × ρ × D^2.62. Carbon stocks were analyzed using a formulation C = 0.47 × B. The leaf litter decomposition rate is expressed as the ratio of the remaining litter dry weight, with the formulation X = (A − B)/A. The number of teak plants in 5 sample plots were 239 trees with an average stem diameter of 20.6 cm and an average height of 9.02 m. Total biomass in 5 sample plots was 51,712.61 g. Carbon stocks in 5 sample plots was 24,304.92 g. Decomposition rate average of leaf litter of 24.4 g during 60 days incubation. The existence of teak plantations is able to reduce CO₂ in the atmosphere by as much as 89,199.06 g CO₂ and resulting in a decomposition rate of teak leaf litter 0.4 g per day. Full article

956 KiB

Open AccessReview

Trends in the Use of Tissue Culture, Applications and Future Aspects

by Baan Munim Twaij, Zena H. Jazar and Md. Nazmul Hasan

Int. J. Plant Biol. 2020, 11(1), 8385; https://doi.org/10.4081/pb.2020.8385 - 07 Aug 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4026

Abstract

Plant tissue culture has developed widely incorporated into biotechnology, the agricultural systems being a key factor to support many pharmaceutical and industrial outcomes. Since 1902 there is vast progress in plant culture and its application has emerged having great diversity in the science [...] Read more.

Plant tissue culture has developed widely incorporated into biotechnology, the agricultural systems being a key factor to support many pharmaceutical and industrial outcomes. Since 1902 there is vast progress in plant culture and its application has emerged having great diversity in the science filed. Due to development and desire to grow on high scale production in the past few decades, tissue culture techniques were manipulated for improvement of plant growth, biological activities, transformation, and secondary metabolites production. A significant advance in techniques has been sought to deal with problems of low concentrations of secondary metabolites in whole plants. The augmented use of plant culture is due to a superior perceptive of plant oriented compounds and secondary metabolites from economically important plants. Due to development in modern techniques, several particular protocols have been developed for the production of a wide array of secondary metabolites of plants on a commercial scale. Plant tissue culture has to lead to significant contributions in recent times and today they constitute an indispensable tool in the advancement of agricultural sciences and modern agriculture. This review would enable us to have an analysis of plant tissue culture development for agriculture, human health and wellbeing in general. Full article

366 KiB

Open AccessArticle

UV-C Rays to Simulate the Exposition of Photosynthetic Organisms to Solar Radiation in Space Environments

by Adriano Sofo

Int. J. Plant Biol. 2020, 11(1), 8379; https://doi.org/10.4081/pb.2020.8379 - 07 Aug 2020

Viewed by 793

Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) is a component of the solar radiation with a wavelength in the range of 100 ≤ λ ≤ 390 nm that is almost entirely shielded by the terrestrial atmosphere, but not in space. The effects of UV-C (100 ≤ λ ≤ [...] Read more.

Ultraviolet (UV) is a component of the solar radiation with a wavelength in the range of 100 ≤ λ ≤ 390 nm that is almost entirely shielded by the terrestrial atmosphere, but not in space. The effects of UV-C (100 ≤ λ ≤ 280 nm) on plants mainly depend on: (i) the applied UV-C radiation dose and quality, (ii) the different plant species and varieties used, and (iii) the phenological phase of irradiated plants. UV-C radiation can be extremely dangerous also at low exposition times. On the other side, considering that terrestrial plants under sunlight are naturally exposed to low doses of UV-C, the question is how much UV-C could be beneficial for plants cultivated in space, in relation to (i) protection of plants from pathogens, (ii) increase of the concentration of important dietary supplements, and (iii) regulation of some physiological processes. The research on UV-C should be more addressed to better evaluate the damages and benefits in UV-C-exposed photosynthetic organisms, involving plants useful for Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSSs). Full article

510 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intraspecific Genetic Variation within and between Improved Cultivars and Landraces of Durum Wheat in Germination and Root Architectural Traits under Saline Conditions

by Nidal Odat

Int. J. Plant Biol. 2020, 11(1), 7413; https://doi.org/10.4081/pb.2020.7413 - 07 Aug 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 779

Abstract

Although the effect of salinity on plants is well established, yet evaluating genetic variation in yield-related traits under salinity stress remains useful. This study was conducted to investigate the genetic variation within and between two subgroups of durum wheat in Jordan, i.e., cultivars [...] Read more.

Although the effect of salinity on plants is well established, yet evaluating genetic variation in yield-related traits under salinity stress remains useful. This study was conducted to investigate the genetic variation within and between two subgroups of durum wheat in Jordan, i.e., cultivars and landraces, in germination and root architectural traits at three salinity concentrations (50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl). The results indicate that salinity significantly impacted most traits investigated. A multivariate discriminant analysis (DA) revealed large variations (~85%) between genotypes, with significant ranking in maximum root length, total root length, seminal root length, coleoptile length, germination percentage, and total and seminal root number over the three salinities. Within the cultivar subgroup, salinity significantly influenced the germination percentage and most root traits of durum genotypes, with variable magnitudes depending on NaCl concentration and within-variety intraspecific genetic variation (ANOVAs; p < 0.05). However, within the landrace subgroup, only a salinity of 150 mM NaCl significantly affected the studied traits, and the effect of salinity on germination percentage was highly genotype dependent. Additionally, the durum genotypes in the landrace subgroup were more affected by salinity and showed more genetic variation than those in the cultivar subgroup. Full article

442 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Different Behaviour between Autotrophic and Heterotrophic Galdieria sulphuraria (Rhodophyta) Cells to Nitrogen Starvation and Restoration. Impact on Pigment and Free Amino Acid Contents

by Giovanna Salbitani and Simona Carfagna

Int. J. Plant Biol. 2020, 11(1), 8567; https://doi.org/10.4081/pb.2020.8567 - 30 Jul 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 995

Abstract

The unicellular red alga Galdieria sulphuraria is a polyextremophilic organism with a metabolic flexibility to grow autotrophically or heterotrophically. Galdieria can also produce and accumulate biotechnologically attractive products such as pigments (phycocyanin) and proteins. In this research we studied the effects of nitrogen [...] Read more.

The unicellular red alga Galdieria sulphuraria is a polyextremophilic organism with a metabolic flexibility to grow autotrophically or heterotrophically. Galdieria can also produce and accumulate biotechnologically attractive products such as pigments (phycocyanin) and proteins. In this research we studied the effects of nitrogen starvation and its subsequent restoration on pigment and free amino acid contents both in photoautotrophic and heterotrophic cells. Following the nitrogen starvation, the levels of the primary photosynthetic pigments decreased both in autotrophic and heterotrophic cells, except for the chlorophyll a marginally diminished in heterotrophic cells. Ammonium supply to G. sulphuraria N starved cells caused a significant increase of total chlorophylls both in autotrophic and heterotrophic cells. It was observed how such increase was more rapid and marked in heterotrophic cells than in the autotrophic ones. Under N starvation, phycocyanin contents decreased in both autotrophic and in heterotrophic cells; however, after a time-lapse of 24 hours, they resulted significantly higher in heterotrophic cells. In Galdieria sulphuraria, like in other microalgae, free amino acid contents were profoundly dependent on nitrogen status of the cells but heterotrophic cells maintained much higher levels, especially of glutamate, respect to autotrophic ones. In general, cells grown in the presence and absence of light showed different responses toward N availability; in particular heterotrophic cells seemed to respond quicker to the ammonium restoration compared to autotrophic ones. Full article

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Int. J. Plant Biol., Volume 11, Issue 1 (July 2020) – 7 articles

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