Flower Development

Background and Aims: Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a valuable medicinal plant from Asteraceae family with various pharmacological and therapeutic properties. In this article we reviewed the various aspects of feverfew including botanical characteristics, cultivation and production and medicinal and clinical uses.Material and Methods: Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCO, Directory of open access journals (DOAJ), EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched using the keywords feverfew and parthenolide. Results: The essential oil of feverfew is frequently used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Parthenolide is the most important active component of feverfew that is used for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases such as fever, migraine headache, and rheumatoid arthritis.Conclusion: Feverfew has several positive clinical uses and has the potential to be considered as a new drug for the treatment of some diseases.

Leaves and glumes act as lateral organs and have essential effects on photosynthesis and seed morphology, thus affecting yield.  However, the molecular mechanisms controlling their polarity development in rice still need further study.  Here, we isolated a polarity defect of lateral organs 1 (pdl1) mutant in rice, which exhibits twisted/filamentous-shaped leaves and cracked/filamentous-shaped lemmas caused by defects in polarity development.  PDL1 encodes a SUPPRESSOR OF GENE SILENCING 3 protein localized in the cytoplasmic granules.  PDL1 is expressed in the shoot apical meristem, inflorescence meristem, floral meristem, and lateral organs including leaves and floral organs.  PDL1 is involved in the synthesis of tasiR-ARF, which may subsequently modulate the expression of OsARFs.  Meanwhile, the expression levels of abaxial miR165/166 and the adaxial identity genes OSHBs were respectively increased and reduced significantly.  The results of this study clarify the molecular mechanism by which PDL1-mediated tasiR-ARF synthesis regulates the lateral organ polarity development in rice.

Members of the AGAMOUS subfamily of MADS-box transcription factors play an important role in regulating the development of reproductive organs in flowering plants. To help understand the mechanism of floral development in black cherry (Prunus serotina), PsAG (a putative flower homeotic identity gene) was isolated, and its MIKC-type structure was shown to be a homolog of the Arabidopsis thaliana AG gene. It was a single-copy gene in black cherry. A phylogenetic tree derived from the protein sequence indicated PsAG to be a C-function flower homeotic gene with a high similarity to other AG homologs, such as those from Prunus persica and Prunus mume. PsAG met the criteria for AG subfamily gene structure with a typical MIKC structure. In situ hybridization showed that PsAG was expressed mainly in the floral meristem, such as stamen and carpel primordia during the early stage of floral development, and transcript of PsAG accumulated in the tissues of the ovary, stigma, style, and stamens. When the flowers matured, PsAG had enhanced expression in ovary, style, and stigma, with decreased expression in the stamen. PsAG continued to be expressed in the ovule at the late stage of flower development. The developmental patterns of expression were consistent with those of AG and homologs from other species. Both phylogenetic analysis and expression-pattern data suggest that PsAG was the black cherry homolog of Arabidopsis AG. An RNAi construct with a partial PsAG gene was constructed for black cherry transformation.

Calendula officinalis (Marigold), besides extensive use in ornamentation, is famously known for its valued medicines used in cancer treatments, eye and skin care. It is cultivated in more than 145 countries. It has a multimillion-dollar floriculture industry alone. It has a wide variety of uses ranging from commercial, religious, social, medicinal and ornamental. Being a stress resistant flowering plant grown in all agroecological regions of Pakistan. However, its preferers relatively cold ecological zones including provinces of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pukhtoon Khaw. This study has attempted to assess the impact of varied climatic conditions (slope, sunshine, day length, moisture and temperature) on the growth (leaves, sepals, petals, stamens and carpels) of Calendula officinalis. Samples (N=100) were collected from three different locations in the study area (East, North and West facing). The elevation was kept the same. Results revealed that coloration (gene expression) is independent of any change in the climatic factors. flowers can be found in orange, yellow and a mix of these colors. The mean area of sepals was 0.73 mm (R² = 0.066), petals 4.84 mm (R² = 0.0229), stamen 0.085 mm (R² = 0.837), carpel 7.73 mm (R² = 0.2728), and leaves 485.22 mm (R² = 0.0902). The size of petals is 85.5% larger than sepals. Similarly, carpel is 98.9% bigger than the stamens. Sizes of different parts studied showed almost least dependencies on the climatic conditions.

Transcription factors (TF) are key cellular components that control gene expression. They recognize specific DNA sequences, the TF binding sites (TFBS), and thus are targeted to specific regions of the genome where they can recruit transcriptional cofactors and/or chromatin regulators for fine-tuning spatiotemporal gene regulation. Therefore, the identification of TFBS in genomic sequences and their subsequent quantitative modeling is of crucial importance for understanding and predicting gene expression. Here, we review how TFBS can be determined experimentally, how the TFBS models can be constructed in silico, and how they can be optimized by taking into account features such as position interdependence within TFBSs, DNA shape and/or by introducing state-of-the-art computational algorithms such as deep learning methods. In addition, we discuss the integration of context variables into the TFBS modeling, including nucleosome positioning, chromatin states, methylation patterns, 3D genome architectures and TF cooperative binding, in order to better predict TF binding under cellular contexts. Finally, we explore the possibilities of combining the optimized TFBS model with technological advances such as targeted TFBS perturbation by CRISPR to better understand gene regulation, evolution and plant diversity.

Submitted for the MAR14 Meeting of The American Physical Society Structure and DNA-binding of meiosis-specific protein Hop2 DONGHUA ZHOU, HEM MOKTAN, Oklahoma State University, ROBERTO PEZZA, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation — Here we report structure elucidation of the DNA binding domain of homologous pairing protein 2 (Hop2), which is important to gene diversity when sperms and eggs are produced. Together with another protein Mnd1, Hop2 enhances the strand invasion activity of recombinase Dmc1 by over 30 times, facilitating proper synapsis of homologous chromosomes. However, the structural and biochemical bases for the function of Hop2 and Mnd1 have not been well understood. As a first step toward such understanding, we recently solved the structure for the N-terminus of Hop2 (1-84) using solution NMR. This fragment shows a typical winged-head conformation with recognized DNA binding activity. DNA interacting sites were then investigated by chemical shift perturbations in a ti...

Narcissus tazetta bulbs were fertilized at 0, 4, 8 and 12 kg/da with DAP (diamonium phosphate) and the effects on bulb growth and flower quality criteria were studied. The highest dose applied in fertilization, 12 kg/da, yielded 3.93 bulb efficiency, 36.82 mm of bulb diameter, 212.45 mm of flower height, 18.38 mm of bunch height, 5.56 mm of stem thickness and 196.85 mm of leaf length,while the highest value of average bunch number, 2.69, was obtained at 0 kg/da of fertilization dose and the highest main bulb weight of 27.68 g was yielded at 4 kg/da.

Flowering in plants is synchronized by both environmental cues and internal regulatory factors. Previous studies have shown that the endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica promotes the growth and early flowering in Coleus forskohlii (a medicinal plant) and Arabidopsis. To further dissect the impact of P. indica on pathways responsible for flowering time in Arabidopsis, we co-cultivated Arabidopsis with P. indica and used RT-qPCR to analyze the main gene regulation networks involved in flowering. Our results revealed that the symbiotic interaction of Arabidopsis with P. indica promotes early flower development and the number of siliques. In addition, expression of the core flowering regulatory gene FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), of genes controlling the photoperiod [CRYPTOCHROMES (CRY1, CRY2) and PHYTOCHROME B (PHYB)] and those related to gibberellin (GA) functions (RGA1, AGL24, GA3, and MYB5) were induced by the fungus, while key genes controlling the age and autonomous pathways remained unchanged. Moreover, early flowering promotion conferred by P. indica was promoted by exogenous GA and inhabited by GA inhibitor, and this effect could be observed under long day and neutral day photoperiod. Therefore, our data suggested that P. indica promotes early flowering in Arabidopsis likely through photoperiod and GA rather than age or the autonomous pathway.

Flowering in plants is synchronized by both environmental cues and internal regulatory factors. Previous studies have shown that the endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica promotes the growth and early flowering in Coleus forskohlii (a medicinal plant) and Arabidopsis. To further dissect the impact of P. indica on pathways responsible for flowering time in Arabidopsis, we co-cultivated Arabidopsis with P. indica and used RT-qPCR to analyze the main gene regulation networks involved in flowering. Our results revealed that the symbiotic interaction of Arabidopsis with P. indica promotes early flower development and the number of siliques. In addition, expression of the core flowering regulatory gene FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), of genes controlling the photoperiod [CRYPTOCHROMES (CRY1, CRY2) and PHYTOCHROME B (PHYB)] and those related to gibberellin (GA) functions (RGA1, AGL24, GA3, and MYB5) were induced by the fungus, while key genes controlling the age and autonomous pathways remained unchanged. Moreover, early flowering promotion conferred by P. indica was promoted by exogenous GA and inhabited by GA inhibitor, and this effect could be observed under long day and neutral day photoperiod. Therefore, our data suggested that P. indica promotes early flowering in Arabidopsis likely through photoperiod and GA rather than age or the autonomous pathway.

coincides with the climacteric rise in respiration (Biale and Young, 1981). As has been remarked by Saltveit (19931, classification of fruit as climacteric is based on experiments with harvested fruit, and a rise in respiration and ethylene production are considered climacteric only if both coincide with ripening. However, there are characteristic differences between attached and detached tomato fruits. Although detached and attached tomatoes both demonstrate the Same ripening ScOre and strong increase of ethylene production, the emission of co, for harvested fruit shows a The function of the coronet region of the cherry tomato (LYCOpersicon esculentum Cherry) as the main emission channel for ethylene was investigated. Ethylene was measured employing two laser-based detection systems, the photothermal deflection instrument and the photoacoustic detection setup. It is possible to detect minimum ethylene concentrations of 1 nL L-' locally and rapidly with the first instrument and concentrations of 6 pL L-' in a continuous flow system with the second setup. The continuous flow system makes it possible to change the air composition and to monitor its influence on the ethvlene oroduction of the tomato. The I . We thank C. Sikkens and H. Schoutissen for technical support.

Rafflesia is a biologically enigmatic species that is very rare in occurrence and possesses an extraordinary morphology. This parasitic plant produces a gigantic flower up to one metre in diameter with no leaves, stem or roots. However, little is known about the floral biology of this species especially at the molecular level. In an effort to address this issue, we have generated and characterised the transcriptome of the Rafflesia cantleyi flower, and performed a comparison with the transcriptome of its floral bud to predict genes that are expressed and regulated during flower development. Approximately 40 million sequencing reads were generated and assembled de novo into 18,053 transcripts with an average length of 641 bp. Of these, more than 79% of the transcripts had significant matches to annotated sequences in the public protein database. A total of 11,756 and 7,891 transcripts were assigned to Gene Ontology categories and clusters of orthologous groups respectively. In addition, 6,019 transcripts could be mapped to 129 pathways in Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway database. Digital abundance analysis identified 52 transcripts with very high expression in the flower transcriptome of R. cantleyi. Subsequently, analysis of differential expression between developing flower and the floral bud revealed a set of 105 transcripts with potential role in flower development. Our work presents a deep transcriptome resource analysis for the developing flower of R. cantleyi. Genes potentially involved in the growth and development of the R. cantleyi flower were identified and provide insights into biological processes that occur during flower development.

Allometry was used to compare differential growth of the floral organs in seven species of the Marantaceae and in Ca nn a in dica. Di fferent relati ve sizes of the floral parts arose throu gh changes in the allometric growth rates, not by extension or truncation of the period of allometric growth. Correlations were found b etween the allometric growth rates of the various floral organs and the relative sizes of these organs. Relative size of the floral parts that function in pollination showed the best correlations with their growth rates, suggesting that selection for the relative sizes of floral organs can influence the allometric growth rates of these organs. Principal component analysis showed that growth rates of those floral members that function i n pollination do n ot change independently. Two methods of pollinator action are suggested to account for this phenomenon. Similarity in allometric growth rates did not reflect the traditional tax onomic treatment of the Marantaceae at the generic level.

A new method for working with morphological characters is described and explored in experiments using human participants. The method uses direct comparison and sorting of images to produce hierarchical character-cladograms. A character-cladogram is a graphical representation of a single character that serves as a hypothesis of phylogeny based on that character. Each dichotomy in the character-cladogram represents a character state. Character states are unnamed, thus avoiding problems that arise through the application of verbal labels. Experiments with human participants are used to explore the conditions under which direct comparison produces reliable (consistent from investigator to investigator) and valid (in agreement with an independent estimate of phylogeny) characters. Participants were drawn from students taking a course in plant diversity at UNC Greensboro, and professional plant morphologists attending the Botany 2004 meetings. The students were randomly assigned to trained and untrained groups. Training was carried out using a method that has been shown to change a participant's mode of visual processing from analytic (the mode used by visual novices) to holistic (an additional mode only employed by visual experts). Morphologists (no specialists of the taxonomic group) were included in the study to investigate the effects of disciplinary expertise on the ability to describe character-cladograms. They received no additional training beyond that available to them as disciplinary experts. The results suggest an improvement in both reliability and validity after the training regime. We found no support for the idea that the morphologists differed from untrained students in their ability to produce reliable or valid character-cladograms. Disciplinary expertise may not translate into the ability to make reliable and valid assessments of similarity in an unfamiliar visual domain. Based on these results, we suggest a method for creating morphological characters and character states.

The inflorescence of Costus scaber terminates an erect axis of a sympodial rhizome system. Primary bracts are borne on the inflorescence in spiral monostichous phyllotaxy. One-flowered cincinni occur in the axils of these bracts. Each cincinnus consists of an axis bearing a terminal flower and a secondary bract on the anodic side of the flower. A tertiary bud forms in the axil of this bract but does not complete development. The inflorescence terminates by cessation of growth of the apex and precocious development of the primary bracts. Floral organs are formed sequentially beginning with the calyx, and continuing with the corolla and inner androecial whorl, outer androecial whorl, and gynoecium. All flower parts, except for the calyx, originate from a ring primordium. Regions of this primordium separate to form the corolla and inner androecial members. It was not possible to determine the sequence of androecial member formation. The labellum is composed of five androecial members, three from the outer whorl and two from the inner. The third member of the inner whorl forms the stamen and its petaloid appendage. The gynoecium forms from three conduplicate primordia. The margins of two of these primordia are the product of phyletic fusion. L' inflorescence du Costus scaber termine un axe dressé d'un systeme de rhizome sympodique. Les bractées primaires sont portées sur [inflorescence selon une phyllotaxie spirale monostique. Des cincinnus unillores sont presents dans l'aisselle de ces bractées. Chaque cincinnus est constitué d'un axe portant une fleur terminale et une bractée secondaire sur Ie cote anodique de la fleur. Un bourgeon tertiaire nait dans l'aisselle de cette bractée mail ne se développe pas completement. L'inflorescence terrine par un arret de la croissance de l'apex et le développement précoce des bractées primaires. Les organs floraux sont formes de fawn séquentielle, débutant avec le calice et continuant, dans l'ordre, avec la corolle et lc verticille stamina) interne, le verticille staminal exteme et Ie gynécée. Toutes les pièces hurdles, a l'exception du calice, naissent d'un primordium annulaire. Des regions de ce primordium se distinguent pour former la corolle et les pièces internes de l'androcée. II n'a pas été possible de déterminer la séquence de formation des membres de l'androcée. Le labelle est form& de cinq membres de l'androcée, trois du verticille exteme et deux du verticille interne. Le troisième membre du verticille interne forme l'étamine et son appendice pétaloide. Le gynécée provient de trois primordiums condupliqués. Les marges de deux de ces primordiums montrent une fusion congénitale.

The paired flowers of all species of the Marantaceae studied, except Monotagma plurispicatum, are produced through the division of an apical meristem with a tunica-corpus structure. The solitary flowers of M. plurispicatum develop from a similar meristem which does not bifurcate. The paired flowers of Canna indica are produced in the axil of a florescence bract through the formation of a bract and an axillary flower on the side of the primordium which gives rise to the largest flower of the pair. The sequence of organ initiation for both families is: calyx, corolla and inner androecial whorl, outer androecial whorl, gynoecium. The sequence of sepal formation is opposite in the two families. In the Cannaceae it leads directly int o the spiral ereated by the formation of the other organs, while in the Marantaceae the sequence of sepal formation follows a spiral opposite to that of the other floral organs. The members of the corolla and inner androecial whorl separate from common primordia. In general these common primordia separate into a petal and an inner androecial member through the initiation of two growth centers, at the same level, in the dorsal and ventral flanks of the primordium. In Ischnosiphon elegans and Pleiostachya pruinosa the stamen is initiated at a lower position than the petal in the ventral flank of the common primordium. A similar pattern of initiation is described for the callose staminode in Marantochloa purpurea and Canna indica. This pattern is interpreted as a variation on the more generalized pattern of inner androecial formation found in the other genera. FLoRAL oRGANoGENESIS and floral growth in five genera of the Marantaceae, and one species of Canna (Cannaceae) will be explored in a series of two papers of which this is the first. The species under study include: Calathea leopardinia, Calathea lancifolia, Calathea vinosa, Ischnosiphon elegans, Marantochloa purpurea, Monotagma plurispicatum, Pleiostachya pruinosa (all Marantaceae), and Canna indica (Cannaceae). This paper presents a description and comparison of the patterns of organogenesis found in these species. The Marantaceae and Cannaceae are well circumscribed pan-tropical groups of plants some of whose members are of economic importance (Maranta arundinaceaarrowroot '

The spiromonostichous phyllotaxy of Costus, and other Costaceae, is characterized by low divergence angles, often as low as (30°-) 50°. This constrasts with the main series Fibonacci (divergence angles approximating 137.5 °) or distichous phyllotaxy found in all other Zingiberales. A morphological and developmental study of three species of Costus revealed a number of facts about this unusual phyllotactic pattern. In C. scaber and C. woodsonii the divergence angles gradually change along a shoot, from 140 °-100° in the region of the cataphylls to 60°-45° in the inflorescence. In C. cuspidatus, the divergence angles change from 40°-100° in the cataphyll region to ca. 137 ° in the inflorescence. In all three species, the cataphylls and foliage leaves have tubular sheaths, while the inflorescence bracts are nonsheathing. Thus, spiromonostichy is only loosely correlated with closed leaf sheaths.

Hofmeister's rule is an empirical heuristic derived from the observation that new leaf primordia are formed in the largest space between the existing flanks of the older primordia. These observations have been repeatedly validated in studies of leaf arrangement, but there has been little attempt to extend them to inflorescence and floral organs. This investigation demonstrates the validity of Hofmeister's observations to cincinnus and early flower development in Phenakospermum guyannense (Strelitziaceae) and Heliconia latispatha (Heliconiaceae) and relates these results to Paul Green's work on the biophysics of organ formation. The cincinni of Phenakospermum and Heliconia arise in the axils of primary bracts and produce a prophyll, continuation apex, and flower in regular succession. The shapes and orientations of the apical regions of the cincinni are correlated with the placement of these organs, which in turn effect the positions of the sepals and their sequence of formation. The result is two rows of mirror-image flowers. The mirror-image symmetry of the flowers is a direct result of Hofmeister's rule in connection with the shape of the apical region. These two factors create a self-sustaining developmental system that produces prophylls, continuation apices, flowers, and sepals in regular succession. Although the cincinni and flowers of these species are built on a common plan, slight differences in apical shape and orientation produce differences in mature floral orientation. Understanding these orientations, and identifying the sequence of sepal formation, allows a proper identification of organ homologies. A study of Green's results and theories shows that Hofmeister's rule can be considered as an empirical condensation of the biophysical factors that influence organ position. These biophysical factors are widely applicable to organ formation in many species.

Primary inflorescence bracts are initiated in a spiral phyllotactic pattern on the flanks of the inflorescence apex. A cincinnus primordium forms in the axil of each primary bract. A prophyll is initiated in the transverse plane and later extends around the periphery of the cincinnus to produce a sheathing, but not tubular, bract. The apex of the cincinnus forms a flower. Flower development begins with the enlargement and flattening of the floral apex. Sepal initiation is sequential but differs in the first two flowers of a cincinnus. The different sequences are likely the result of developmental constraints that operate at the time of sepal initiation. After initiation, the margins of the sepals become confluent and intercalary growth produces the synsepalous calyx. The periphery of the flower, interior to the sepals, now rises to form a ring primordium composed of three common petallandroecial primordia. The common primordia enlarge, flatten, and separate to produce a petal to the exterior and an and roecial member to the interior. The outer androecium forms in the regions of the ring primordium left vacant by the formation of the other floral parts. The anterior outer androecial member soon ceases growth and contributes only initially to the formation of the labellum. The gynoecium shows heterochrony in its time of initiation, which occurs much earlier than in other species of Zingiberaceae. Gynoecial initiation takes place on the margins of the central flora cup, at the time of the separation of the c ommon primordia. Three gyn oecial primordia from i n antipetalous positions. Septa development di ffers in the basal and apical p ortions of the ovary. At the base, the primordia grow inward and fuse to form the central axis of the ovary. At the apex, there is little radial growth of the primordia. They cease growth soon after initiation and produce a unilocular cavity. Ovules form at the junction of these two regions and project up into the cavity. Epigynous nectaries form after all other floral organs.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a non-carcinogenic, water-soluble polymer of ethylene oxide that has found wide applicability in industry and medicine, and has been used to embed and section small animal and plant tissues. Here we investigate the use of PEG for the rapid embedding of larger plant tissues. Ovaries of Musa velutina, Heliconia psittacorum and eight other species were embedded with a mixture of PEG 1450 and PEG 4000. It was found that tissues up to 6.5 × 10 mm could easily be embedded and sectioned in PEG. Embedded tissues could be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days with no detrimental effects. Sections were easily cut at 8–15 μm on a rotary microtome. PEG embedding resulted in equal or better tissue differentiation, better retention of cell inclusions, and reduced shrinkage compared with paraffin embedding. The process was also faster, requiring only 3–6 h compared with the 2 days needed for paraffin embedding. PEG is a rapid-embedding medium suitable for use wit...

The inflorescence of Orchidantha maxillarioides is similar to a richly branched, polytelic truncate synflorescence. It consists of two to three paracladia borne in the axils of the uppermost phyllomes of the shoot. Each paracladium consists of six bracts. The lowermost bract is the sterile prophyll. The second and third bracts subtend paracladia of the next higher order. The fourth bract subtends a single flower. The fifth and sixth bracts are initiated but do not complete development. Initiation of the paracladia in the axils of bracts 2 and 3 is acropetal, but their differentiation is basipetal. The flowers ar e trimerous, with a perianth differentiated into sepals and petals. One petal is enlarged to form a labellum. There are five stamens, one inserted opposite each perianth member except the labellum. The ovary is inferior and is closed by a prolongation many times the length of the locular region of the ovary. Floral organ initiation begins with the posterior sepals. The anterior sepal is formed slightly later, at the same time as the initiation of the corolla. The anterior petals arise from primordia that produce only these organs, while the posterior petal (the labellum) arises from a common petal/stamen primordium. The petal/stamen primordium separates into the labellum and the two posterior outer stamens. The anterior outer stamen is initiated slightly later, in the region between the anterior petals. Throughout these stages a floral cup forms below the floral parts. The two inner stamens are initiated simultaneously on the inner surface of this cup, near the insertion of the anterior petals. Three gynoecial primordia are initiated at the top of the floral cup in the region that will form the prolongation. The primordia extend proximally to form the ovary proper and distally to form the style and stigma. The prolongation is formed through intercalary growth. Based on structural and functional similarities in the prolongation and inflorescence, we support placement of the Lowiaceae as the sister group of the Strelitziaceae.

Sanguisuga caesarea, a new genus and species of Cytinaceae from Colombia and the first record of this family in South America, is described and illustrated. Sanguisuga is close to Bdallophytum but differs from it by exhibiting andromonoecia, with male flowers only at the base of the inflorescence, flowers zygomorphic, semiclosed, and dorsoventrally compressed. The tongue-shaped tepals are arched, curved inwards and include a ventral, sigmoid, nectar-secreting tepal. The elongated seeds are obpyriform with a length/width ratio of 1,5-1,8.

With nearly 140 α-glycosidases in 14 different families, plants are well equipped with enzymes that can break the α-glucosidic bonds in a large diversity of molecules. Here, we introduce activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) of α-glycosidases in plants using α-configured cyclophellitol aziridine probes carrying various fluorophores or biotin. In Arabidopsis (), these probes label members of the GH31 family of glycosyl hydrolases, including endoplasmic reticulum-resident α-glucosidase-II Radial Swelling3/Priority for Sweet Life5 (RSW3/PSL5) and Golgi-resident α-mannosidase-II Hybrid Glycosylation1 (HGL1), both of which trim -glycans on glycoproteins. We detected the active state of extracellular α-glycosidases such as α-xylosidase XYL1, which acts on xyloglucans in the cell wall to promote cell expansion, and α-glucosidase AGLU1, which acts in starch hydrolysis and can suppress fungal invasion. Labeling of α-glycosidases generates pH-dependent signals that can be suppressed by α-gl...

Morphological concepts are used in plant evo-devo (evolutionary developmental biology) and other disciplines of plant biology, and therefore plant morphology is relevant to all of these disciplines. Many plant biologists still rely on classical morphology, according to which there are only three mutually exclusive organ categories in vascular plants such as flowering plants: root, stem (caulome), and leaf (phyllome). Continuum morphology recognizes a continuum between these organ categories. Instead of Aristotelian identity and either/or logic, it is based on fuzzy logic, according to which membership in a category is a matter of degree. Hence, an organ in flowering plants may be a root, stem, or leaf to some degree. Homology then also becomes a matter of degree. Process morphology supersedes structure/process dualism. Hence, structures do not have processes, they are processes, which means they are process combinations. These process combinations may change during ontogeny and phylogeny. Although classical morphology on the one hand and continuum and process morphology on the other use different kinds of logic, they can be considered complementary and thus together they present a more inclusive picture of the diversity of plant form than any one of the three alone. However, continuum and process morphology are more comprehensive than classical morphology. Insights gained from continuum and process morphology can inspire research in plant morphology and plant evo-devo, especially MorphoEvoDevo.

The constitutive expression of an antisense chalcone synthase (CHS) gene in transgenic petunia plants results with high frequency in a reduced flower pigmentation due to a reduction in the CHS mRNA steady-state level in floral tissue. Here we show that this reduction is specific for CHS mRNA; chalcone flavanone isomerase (CHI) and dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR) mRNA steady-state levels are unaffected. However, in white floral tissue a severe reduction in CHI specific activity is found, accompanied by an altered signal for CHI protein on western blots. We find no correlation between the phenotypic effect of the antisense CHS gene and its chromosomal position. For some of the antisense CHS transformants the flower phenotype is highly variable. We demonstrate that pigmentation in these plants can be influenced by gibberellic acid and light, suggesting that the variable flower phenotype is caused by changes in physiological conditions during flower development. The results not only indicate that flower pigmentation in these plants reveals the variable expression of the antisense transgene, but also show that genomic sequences flanking the transgene may render its expression extremely susceptible to physiological conditions.

Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult., popularly known as desert rose, has become a valuable ornamental plant. In floriculture, the production of hybrids is prioritized. Hence, knowledge on floral biology and sexual reproduction of the target species is fundamental. The objectives of this study were: (1) to test sucrose concentrations and temperatures for in vitro germination of A. obesum pollen grains; (2) to identify the effect of temperature on the viability of A. obesum pollen grains; and (3) to evaluate the viability of pollen grains and stigma receptivity in pre-anthesis, at flower opening, and 72 h post-flower opening in three accessions of A. obesum. A significant relationship between temperatures and sucrose concentrations was observed in the in vitro germination test. The highest percentage of in vitro germination of pollen grains, 39.81%, was observed at an estimated temperature of 26.05 °C. Desert rose accessions maintained in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) chambers ...

Attached filed, a revised version of the article. Hopefully, I will published soon. best regards agus susatya [Kutipan teks disembunyikan] 2 lampiran M-4563-Article Text-12254-1-4-20191004-revised 1agus susatya.doc 8729K Revisions and corrections AGUS SUSATYA.docx 24K

The cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor (CPSF) is an important multi-subunit component of the mRNA 3¢-end processing apparatus in eukaryotes. The Arabidopsis genome contains five genes encoding CPSF homologues (AtCPSF160, At-CPSF100, AtCPSF73-I, AtCPSF73-II and AtCPSF30). These CPSF homologues interact with each other in a way that is analogous to the mammalian CPSF complex or their yeast counterparts, and also interact with the Arabidopsis poly(A) polymerase (PAP). There are two CPSF73 like proteins (AtCPSF73-I and At-CPSF73-II) that share homology with the 73 kD subunit of the mammalian CPSF complex. AtCPSF73-I appears to correspond to the functionally characterized mammalian CPSF73 and its yeast counterpart. AtCPSF73-II was identified as a novel protein with uncharacterized protein homologues in other multicellular organisms, but not in yeast. Both of the AtCPSF73 proteins are targeted in the nucleus and were found to interact with AtCPSF100. They are also essential since knockout or knockdown mutants are lethal. In addition, the expression level of AtCPSF73-I is critical for Arabidopsis development because overexpression of AtCPSF73-I is lethal. Interestingly, transgenic plants carrying an additional copy of the AtCPSF73-I gene, that is, the full-length cDNA under the control of its native promoter, appeared normal but were male sterile due to delayed anther dehiscence. In contrast, we previously demonstrated that a mutation in the AtCPSF73-II gene was detrimental to the genetic transmission of female gametes. Thus, two 73 kD subunits of the AtCPSF complex appear to have special functions during flower development. The important roles of mRNA 3¢-end processing machinery in modulating plant development are discussed.

The present study investigates the morphology of floral parts adapted towards the mode of pollination by bees in a lesser-known shrub, Crotalaria paniculata Willd of the family Fabaceae. The morphology and orientation of flowers, colour, shape, size and number of each floral part were recorded. The floral odour was assessed qualitatively at various stages of flowers manually and the quantity of nectar produced per flower was also measured. The flowering individuals were regularly monitored to observe the floral visitors and their foraging activity on a series of aged flowers. The performance of each floral visitors like visitation frequency, handling time, relative abundance, activity rate, visitation rate index and visitor activity index was calculated. The flowers of C. paniculata are typical papilionaceous and keel-blossom types that function as floral advertisement and nectar and pollen grains are served as floral rewards. The standard petal serves an advertisement whereas the wing-keel complex acts as a landing platform for floral visitors. The large-bodied bees tend to break the wing-keel complex which facilitates cross-pollination. Xylocopa latipes (Apidae) was observed as the most effective pollinator due to their higher frequency of visits, activity rate, visitation rate index and visitor activity index. Due to the pressure applied by large-bodied bees like Xylocopa latipes by landing on the wing-keel complex, the reproductive parts become exposed and the stigma brushes the pollen load in the body of the visitors and effect cross-pollination. The study concludes that large-bodied bees are effective floral visitors of C. paniculata which effect crosspollination.

Olive trees have a plentiful bloom but a low percentage of normal fruit set. To improve fruit set, numerous investigations have sought to identify the obstacles that prevent full production. In this work, flower development in five DOP Umbria cultivars (Leccino, Frantoio, Moraiolo, Dolce Agogia and San Felice) was studied throughout different developmental phases, from before microsporogenesis and megasporogenesis to post-anthesis, by morphological and cytohistological observations. Dolce Agogia was the most precocious cultivar, while full flowering was simultaneous in Leccino, Frantoio, Moraiolo and San Felice. Frantoio and Leccino were also good pollen producers, having the highest percentage of pollen viability and germinability. Dolce Agogia can also be considered a good pollen producer in terms of the high quantity of released pollen, but it had the lowest levels of pollen viability and germinability and the highest percentage of aborted flowers and ovaries. Morphological and cytohistological observations on the number of flowers per inflorescence and the number of aborted flowers and ovaries suggest that fruit set was not influenced by the number of flowers per inflorescence, but rather by the number of inflorescences, which depends on the global fruiting potential of the tree.

Flower colour is inherited as a semi-qualitative trait in azalea. A two-gene model is used to explain the phenotypic variation between white, brick red and carmine red colour: W for anthocyanins and Q for the co-pigmentation of flavonols. However, the presence of the latter in white flowers cannot be detected visually. Also, the existence of pink flowers is not explained by this model. Therefore, flower colour was determined on a crossing population using image analysis software. Integration of the image analysis data as QTLs on a genetic map could be enlightening, hence a map of 16 linkage groups was constructed. Besides AFLP and SSR markers also a set of functional markers was used. EST-markers were developed for 4 genes coding for enzymes in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. MYB-profiling generated 15 dominant markers. In this way, phenotypic and genetic data were both integrated on the genetic map of azalea. In case both are located at the same position, the genes are assumed to be directly involved in the creation of the phenotype. Nevertheless, not the genes themselves but transcription factors are often the switches for phenotypic variation. In that case phenotype is expected to map together with gene expression. Therefore, expression profiles of 5 flavonoid biosynthesis genes were generated in petals of part of the crossing population using RT-qPCR and eQTL mapping integrated these data with the genetic map.

Evaluations of the floral behaviour of four mango cultivars submited to different pruning intensities and paclobutrazol aplications were made over four production cycles and through climatic registers relationships between previous and present climatic conditions during flowering were established. The cultivars Haden, Tommy Atkins, Springfels and Edward grafted on "Criollo" stalks were planted at 6x6 m (278 trees ha-1) to evaluate the pruning effect at a height of 2m, the Paclobutrazol (PBZ) effect when applied to the soil (2,5 g. ai per tree) and flowering promoter Potassium Nitrate (KNO3), at 6% on the vegetative growth, flowering and yield of mango cultivars. The treatments were: Checker (T), T + PBZ, Pruning (P) and P + PBZ. P + lateral branches pruning of radius at 2 m (P+L) and P + pruning of internal primary branches (P+E). The results indicated that innitiation of flowering is associated with the increment of the number of days with night temperatures under or equal to 20oC; also they suggest the existence of different requirement of number of days under 20oC among cultivars, independent of the annual-production cycle. With the exception of the 1998-1999 cycle, the flowering started first in the treatment T and T + PBZ in Edward with an anticipation of 2-3 weeks in relation to the other cultivars and treatments considered. The pruning aplication delayed (P) the beginning of flowering, regardles of its intensity and the cultivar. The ocurrence in all cycles of a marked disminishing of rain, which preceded the beginning of flowering, propiciated a lower vegetative development and leaf maduration, which created a conditions that favoured the leaf maturing process.

The structure and histogenesis of the stigma of Datura stramonium was investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy to determine the developmental origin of the transmitting tissue and "wet stigma". Four developmental stages were defined on the basis of bud length. Stage one, the histogenesis stage, was comprised of buds 2-15 mm in length. Stage two, signified by the growth and development of the stigma was comprised of buds 15-40 mm long. Stage three, with buds of 40-60 mm in length, represented a receptive and mature stigma. Stage four started with self pollination (occurs prior to anthesis) and ended with stigma senescence. A developing stigma showed a bilobed, papillated surface, covered with sticky secretion. The stigma consisted of two distinct zones; 1) Superficial zone; formed by papillae and 5-8 layers of secretory cells immediately beneath them. This zone was subjected to a gradual lysis in the ontogeny of the stigma. 2) Internal zone; formed by the transmitting tissue of the style. This zone remained intact throughout the development. Transmitting tissue and stigma both originated from the epidermis of the carpels. Similarities in structural organization of the stigma of Datura to those reported in Solanum tuberosum were considerable.

Apple replant disease is a complex soil syndrome that occurs when the same fields are repeatedly utilized for apple orchard cultivation.  It can be caused by various pathogens, and Fusarium solani is the main pathogen.  Fusarium solani disrupts the structure and function of the orchard soil ecosystem and inhibits the growth and development of apple trees, significantly impacting the quality and yield of apples.  In this study, we conducted a transcriptome comparison between uninoculated apple saplings and those inoculated with F. solani.  The differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in processes such as response to symbiotic fungus.  Plant defensins are antimicrobial peptides, but their roles during F. solani infection remain unclear.  We performed a genome-wide identification of apple defensin genes and identified 25 genes with the conserved motif of eight cysteine residues.  In wild-type apple rootstock inoculated with F. solani, the root surface cells experienced severe damage, and showed significant differences in the total root length, total root projection area, root tips, root forks, and total root surface area compared to the control group.  qRT-PCR analysis revealed that MdDEF3 and MdDEF25 were triggered in response to F. solani infection in apples.  Subcellular localization showed specific expression of the MdDEF3-YFP and MdDEF25-YFP proteins on the cell membrane.  Overexpressing the MdDEF25-YFP fusion gene enhanced resistance against F. solani in apple, providing a new strategy for the future prevention and biological control of apple replant disease.

Arabidopsis thaliana floral meristems are determinate structures that produce a defined number of organs, after which cell division ceases. A new recessive mutant, carpel factory (caf), converts the floral meristems to an indeterminate state. They produce extra whorls of stamens, and an indefinite number of carpels. Thus, CAF appears to suppress cell division in floral meristems. The function of CAF is partially redundant with the function of the CLAVATA (CLV) and SUPERMAN (SUP) genes, as caf clv and caf sup double mutants show dramatically enhanced floral meristem over-proliferation. caf mutant plants also show other defects, including absence of axillary inflorescence meristems, and abnormally shaped leaves and floral organs. The CAF gene was cloned and found to encode a putative protein of 1909 amino acids containing an N-terminal DExH/DEAD-box type RNA helicase domain attached to a C-terminal RNaseIII-like domain. A very similar protein of unknown function is encoded by a fungal...

Arabidopsis thaliana floral meristems are determinate structures that produce a defined number of organs, after which cell division ceases. A new recessive mutant, carpel factory (caf), converts the floral meristems to an indeterminate state. They produce extra whorls of stamens, and an indefinite number of carpels. Thus, CAF appears to suppress cell division in floral meristems. The function of CAF is partially redundant with the function of the CLAVATA (CLV) and SUPERMAN (SUP) genes, as caf clv and caf sup double mutants show dramatically enhanced floral meristem over-proliferation. caf mutant plants also show other defects, including absence of axillary inflorescence meristems, and abnormally shaped leaves and floral organs. The CAF gene was cloned and found to encode a putative protein of 1909 amino acids containing an N-terminal DExH/DEAD-box type RNA helicase domain attached to a C-terminal RNaseIII-like domain. A very similar protein of unknown function is encoded by a fungal...

It has been suggested that the evolutionary analysis of floral development genes could explain the divergences between the rates of morphological and molecular evolution. The LEAFY (LFY) gene of Arabidopsis thaliana is one of the central regulatory genes in the control of flower development. We have identified the homologue of this gene (OrcLFY) in Orchis italica using 5V/3VRACE and primer walking, and compared the coding sequences of several orchid species. We analyzed nonsynonymous and synonymous substitution rates between the OrcLFY coding regions of 14 species, and performed a McDonald -Kreitman test on Orchis morio and Orchis laxiflora populations, showing that purifying selection is acting on this gene in these orchids. We have performed a phylogenetic analysis showing that OrcLFY is a new useful marker to reconstruct molecular phylogenies at low taxonomic levels.

OrcPI is a class B MADS-box gene of Orchis italica (Orchidaceae), homologous of the PISTILLATA/GLOBOSA gene isolated in Arabidopsis and Antirrhinum. Its role in determining petals and stamens is conserved in orchids, where it seems to be involved also in other functions, such as flower longevity and ovary development. The present study reports the genomic characterization of the OrcPI locus in O. italica including coding and noncoding regions (introns, 5′-and 3′ untranslated regions, and putative promoter). Nucleotide polymorphism distribution confirmed that this gene is subjected to different evolutionary forces, phylogenetic and distance analyses demonstrated that OrcPI is a useful nuclear marker at low taxonomic level in orchids. The expression pattern analysis showed that OrcPI transcripts are present in all the floral structures, undetected in the vegetative tissues, and decreased in the natural senescent flower. Finally, micro-RNAs putative target sites were identified within the OrcPI gene, conserved among orchids.

The establishment of the species-specific floral organ body plan involves many coordinated spatiotemporal processes, which include the perception of positional information that specifies floral meristem and floral organ founder cells, coordinated organ outgrowth coupled with the generation and maintenance of inter-organ and inter-whorl boundaries, and the termination of meristem activity. Auxin is integrated within the gene regulatory networks that control these processes and plays instructive roles at the level of tissue-specific biosynthesis and polar transport to generate local maxima, perception, and signaling. Key features of auxin function in several floral contexts include cell nonautonomy, interaction with cytokinin gradients, and the central role of MONOPTEROS and ETTIN to regulate canonical and noncanonical auxin response pathways, respectively. Arabidopsis flowers are not representative of the enormous angiosperm floral diversity; therefore, comparative studies are required to understand how auxin underlies these developmental differences. It will be of great interest to compare the conservation of auxin pathways among flowering plants and to discuss the evolutionary role of auxin in floral development.

Onion and garlic are economically important vegetable crops cultivated worldwide. Numerous pests and diseases affect the quality and yield of these crops. In addition to diseases and pests, several physiological disorders affect onion and garlic. The physiological disorders are abnormalities caused by intercultural operations, nutrient management, environmental factors, genetic regulation, etc. These physiological disorders significantly affect the yield and quality of onion and garlic, leading to monetary losses to the farmers. The following physiological disorders are commonly reported in onion: premature bolting, sprouting in storage, watery scale, doubling/twins, basal plate split, and thick neck. Premature sprouting and rubberization are the main physiological anomalies observed in garlic. The present review described the symptoms of these physiological abnormalities, the factors responsible, and ways to avoid or minimise the occurrence of these abnormalities to subsequently reduce the losses of the growers. Further, we also performed bibliometric analysis using the SCOPUS database. This is the first review that describes the progress of research on physiological disorders in onion and garlic in detail, which will positively increase awareness about such important aspects of onion and garlic. Further, it will provide insight to researchers for developing innovative strategies, cultural practices, and varieties to control these physiological abnormalities of onion and garlic.

Objectives: Analysis of Plant Galls at their cellular level is one of the technique, which helps a researcher who intends to study the mechanism underlying the growth and development of the plant either in vivo or in vitro. Methods / Statistical Analysis: The present study on the foliar galls deals with the histology of mature galls on two host plants caused by unknown Diptera insect species. Findings: Researchers value galls for their intrinsic biological interest, their use as model systems for physiological and other studies and their potential applications in disciplines such as biological control and plant breeding. Application / Improvements: Inaccessibility of sophisticated instruments and techniques for the in-depth study are regrettable limitations for our investigation. However, it did not detract the efficacy of the studies, because some of the customary instruments and the techniques, if employed with some precision, prove to be sufficiently satisfactory, especially for the studies of fundamental nature as the present one.