The acclimation of carnivorous roundleaved

sundew
(Drosera
rotundifolia L.) to solar radiation
Abstract
Round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia L.) is a carnivorous plant which inhabits
nutrient-poor, moist, and sun-exposed areas such as peat bogs and sandpits. These
habitats are threatened by succession which could lead to substantial shading of
sundews. Nevertheless, D. rotundifolia can also grow in shaded environment within
a layer of dwarf shrubs, indicating great photosynthetic plasticity whose mechanism
still remains largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this experiment was to
investigate physiological responses involved in D. rotundifolia acclimation to
different light levels. Photosynthetic pigment content, photochemical efficiency, and
content of phenolic compounds were studied in plants acclimated to sunlight
conditions (outdoor-growing plants) as well as in those acclimated to low-light
conditions (indoor-growing plants) before and after sudden exposure to highintensity solar radiation for 5 h per day during 7-day period. Outdoor-growing plants
were larger in size, had higher F v/F 0 ratio, reddish leaves, and they flowered. Also,
they had higher content of phenolic compounds including flavonoids and
anthocyanins, as well as higher Car/Chl ratio, while indoor-growing plants showed
higher chlorophyll a and b content. There was no significant difference in the
photochemical efficiency of PSII between indoor- and outdoor-growing plants. The
indoor-growing plants that were exposed to solar radiation showed initial
photoinhibition of photosynthesis. However, after 7-day exposure, the chlorophyll
content significantly decreased while contents of carotenoids, flavonoids, and
anthocyanins, as well as Car/Chl ratio increased, leading to the restoration of PSII
activity. In conclusion, our results revealed that sundews can successfully acclimate
to both low- and high-light intensities by changing content and composition of the
photosynthetic pigments and phenolic compounds.

Evaluation of agronomic and physiological traits associated with high temperature

stress tolerance in the winter wheat cultivars

Abstract
Post-anthesis high temperature stress is a major concern for the winter wheat
producing areas in east China, especially in Shandong province. Fourteen agronomic
and physiological traits were studied in 58 Chinese wheat accessions under hightemperature conditions in 2012 and 2013. High temperature stress led to reduction
in grain yield and other yield component traits. Significant variations were observed
for grain yield per plant (GYPP), grain weight per spike (GWS), thousand kernel
weight (TKW), grain number of the main-spike, spikelet number and biological yield
per plant. Among the physiological traits measured, chlorophyll content and
normalized difference vegetation index showed significant variation under high
temperature stress. The results indicate that heat susceptibility index estimated for
TKW, GYPP, GWS and flag leaf senescence scale (FLSS) could be used as selection
criteria for identifying heat tolerant genotypes for the Shandong province. The

results also suggest that FLSS is a good, quick visual indicator of stay-green for field
selection for heat tolerance. After harvest, TKW can be measured as final indicator
of heat tolerance. The varieties Gaoyou 9415, Hemai 13, Jimai 22, Kexin 9,
Shannong 8355, Taishan 23, Yannong 5286 and Zimai 7 were heat tolerant and
potential germplasm for heat tolerance breeding in Shandong province and other
parts of China. The results could be useful for breeding climate resilient varieties for
China or other countries in the world suffering high temperature stresses during
grain filling period.

Relationships between ultrastructure of embryo cells and biochemical variations

during ageing of oat (Avena sativa L.) seeds with different moisture content

Abstract
This experiment was designed to determine the relationship between the
ultrastructure of the embryo cells and the changes in antioxidant enzymatic
activities and lipid peroxidation in oat (Avena sativa L.) seeds with different
moisture contents (4, 10 and 16 %) that were aged for 0, 8, 16, 24, 32 and 40 days
in 45 C. The results showed that the declining in the germination percentage and
integrity of cell ultrastructure in oat aged seeds were presented during the aged
process, and these changes would be enhanced by the higher moisture content.
There were consequent changes for biochemical reactions and lipid peroxidation
exhibited. For oat seeds with 4 and 10 % moisture content, SOD and CAT were much
more sensitive than APX at the early stages of imbibition after mild ageing, the
activities of SOD, CAT, APX and MDHAR at 4 h of imbibition decreased significantly
(P < 0.05) after being aged from 32 to 40 days. On the contrary, MDA and
H2O2 contents both did not increase further. Upon imbibition the activities of DHAR
and GR increased after mild ageing, declined after further ageing and maintained a
stable level after ageing from 24 to 40 days at those moisture levels. Both activities
were higher after ageing at 4 % moisture content than at 10 %. The decline in
integrity of ultrastructural cells was related with accumulation of H 2O2 during seed
ageing, and favoured by the decrease of SOD, CAT, APX and MDHAR activities after
imbibition. The activities of antioxidant enzymes and contents of MDA and H 2O2 in
oat seeds with 16 % moisture content all gradually decreased after ageing from 8 to
40 days, also the ultrastructure of embryo cells was severely damaged. Its
ultrastructure was destroyed much more quickly in the seeds with higher moisture
content. The level of moisture content could accelerate the seed deterioration, and
mitochondrial damages were probably the main reason for oat seed ageing.
However, the activities of antioxidant enzymes were the key factor to repair the
damage from lipid peroxidation and to maintain the integrity of cell ultrastructure
for oat aged seeds during imbibition.

Leaf water status, osmoregulation and secondary metabolism as a model for

depicting drought tolerance in Argania spinosa

Abstract
The present investigation was undertaken to characterise and to distinguish four
contrasting Argania spinosa ecotypes in terms of drought tolerance by exploring the
changes of leaf water status, osmoregulation and secondary metabolism. A.
spinosa plants corresponding to four contrasting ecotypes (Lks, Alz, Rab and Adm)
were subjected to drought stress. The results exhibited that there was a significant

decrease in predawn leaf water potential (pd), stomatal conductance (g s) and leaf
relative water content under the influence of the intensity and duration of drought
stress. Negative and significant correlations were recorded between epicuticular
wax load (EWL) and residual transpiration rate. Electrolyte leakage (EL) increased
significantly in leaves of plants under drought stress treatment compared to control
plants. Furthermore, our data revealed that drought stress can induce shikimate and
phenylpropanoid pathways in A. spinosa. A significant induction of phenylalanine
ammonium lyase (PAL), shikimate dehydrogenase (SKDH) and cinnamate 4hydroxylase (C4H) enzymes and an increase in polyphenol content were recorded,
of which Lks showed the highest induction and accumulation among ecotypes.
Accumulation of polyphenols was positively correlated with the SKDH, PAL and C4H
activities. The strong induction of secondary metabolism in Lks might be linked to
its better ability of drought tolerance. The proline and soluble sugar content in
leaves of all ecotypes increased substantially in parallel with the severity of stressinduced. According to canonical discriminant analysis of our data, the four ecotypes
were separated by the following physiological and biochemical parameters: EL, g s,
EWL, soluble sugars and polyphenols.

Characteristics of Na + uptake in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) seedlings under mild
salt conditions

Abstract
Salinity is one of the major environmental factors, which limits crop productivity
worldwide. To investigate sodium (Na+) uptake pathways in sugar beet (Beta
vulgaris L.) under mild salt conditions, in the present work, Na + and potassium (K+)
accumulation, Na+/K+ ratio, and Na+ and K+net uptake rate in plants exposed to
various concentrations of NaCl (050 mM) were analyzed in the absence or presence
of KCl (10 and 50 mM) and K+ channel inhibitors Tetraethylammonium-Cl (TEA+, 5
and 10 mM), CsCl (Cs+, 3 and 6 mM) and BaCl2 (Ba2+, 5 and 10 mM). The results
showed that high concentration (50 mM) of KCl significantly reduced Na +/K+ ratios in
shoot and root of sugar beet in the absence or presence of NaCl. 10 or 50 mM KCl
also decreased Na+ net uptake rate, or had no effects on it at 5, 10, and 50 mM
NaCl, while enhanced K+ net uptake rate with external NaCl concentration at 5 and
25 mM. It seemed that high external K+ levels could maintain lower Na+/K+ratio in
sugar beet by enhancing K+ uptake and restricting Na+ uptake. Both 5 and 10 mM
TEA+, which are considered to be a blocker of K + channels, had no significant effects
on net uptake rates of Na+ and K+ in sugar beet in the absence or presence of NaCl.
However, 3 or 6 mM Cs+, which is also known to be an inhibitor of the K + inwardrectifying channel (AKT1), led to significant reduction of K + net uptake rate but did
not affect Na+ net uptake rate in the presence of NaCl. 5 or 10 mM Ba2+, which is
known as another blocker of K + channel and transporter (HKT), not only reduced
Na+net uptake rate but also decreased K + net uptake rate (except at 25 mM NaCl) in
sugar beet at 550 mM NaCl. It is clear that Na+ uptake in sugar beet is very
sensitive to Ba2+ but insensitive to TEA+ or Cs+, and that K+ uptake is sensitive to
Cs+ or Ba2+, whereas it is insensitive to TEA +. We proposed that the AKT1 may
mediate K+ uptake and HKT1 may mediate Na+ uptake in sugar beet at 550 mM
NaCl.

Drought-induced changes in the actin cytoskeleton of barley (Hordeum vulgareL.)

leaves

Abstract
Plants have developed different strategies to adapt to various stress conditions
including drought. In the present study the drought-induced changes in the actin
filament (AFs) network was studied, for the first time, in two barley cultivars of
contrasting drought tolerance level. Detached leaves of drought-tolerant (cv.
CAM/B1/CI) and drought-susceptible (cv. Maresi) cultivars were dried under
controlled conditions. The water relations as well as the transcript accumulation of
actin (ACT11), actin depolymerization factor (ADF1) and dehydrine (HVA1) encoding
genes were studied using qRT-PCR. Quantitative (the relative fluorescence index;
RFI) and qualitative drought-induced changes in AF cytoskeleton were observed
following staining with phalloidin. It was noticed that tolerant cultivar was
characterized with relative water content decreased during drought treatment
which was accompanied by increase in HVA1 expression together with decrease
in ACT11 andADF1 transcripts accumulation induced by drought. In droughtsusceptible cultivar the expressions of both ACT11 and ADF1 were slightly lower
than those in the control. Drought triggered an extensive AF cytoskeleton
reorganization within different types of leaf-blade cells. Remarkable changes in AF
configuration and its increased amount (fluorescence intensity) were observed
mainly in drought-tolerant cultivar. In addition, drought-induced changes in AFs
were closely associated with chloroplasts. Those AFs probably controlled droughtinduced intracellular chloroplast positioning in mesophyll. Based on the results
obtained in the present study, the possible role of AF rearrangements in drought
response is discussed.

Changes in activities of antioxidant enzymes and photosynthetic attributes in

triticale (Triticosecale Wittmack) genotypes in response to long-term salt stress
at two distinct growth stages

Abstract
To examine the impact of long-term salinity on triticale, two salt-tolerant (ET-84-15
and ET-86-9) and two salt-sensitive (ET-85-17 and Jouvanilo) genotypes were grown
in a sand culture containing Hoagland solution with 200 mM NaCl. Lipid peroxidation
(LPO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), photosynthetic parameters, and antioxidant
enzymes including catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPOD), superoxide
dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were analyzed at the late tillering
(LT) and flowering (FL) stages. A substantial reduction was found in the net
photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate of the triticale
genotypes due to salt stress, with a more noticeable decline in the sensitive ones.
Salt-treated plants indicated the presence of high amounts of H 2O2 and LPO with a
subsequent increase in the activities of the enzymes SOD, CAT, and GPOD in
comparison with the control treatment. Conversely, APX activities remained
unaltered or decreased slightly by salt stress. The salt-tolerant genotypes exhibited
lower H2O2 and LPO, and displayed increased activities of the enzymes participating
in the reactive oxygen scavenging system except for APX. The activities of the
antioxidant enzymes under both the saline and non-saline conditions were found to
be higher at the FL stage than at the LT one. This may explain partly the reason for
why triticale is more tolerant at the FL stage. These results clearly demonstrate that

the activation of SOD, CAT, and GPOD could contribute to the salt-stress tolerance in
triticale.

Comparative proteomic analysis of leaves, leaf sheaths, and roots of droughtcontrasting sugarcane cultivars in response to drought stress

Abstract
A better understanding of drought response proteins may improve our
understanding of the mechanisms underlying drought tolerance in sugarcane. In
this research, drought-tolerant (K86-161) and drought-sensitive (B34-164)
sugarcane cultivars were grown and exposed to drought stress. The changes in
protein expression in leafs, leaf sheaths and roots were analyzed using proteomics
techniques. Proteins that responded to drought in both cultivars could be classified
into four major categories, including energy and metabolism, photosynthesis,
antioxidant, and defense protein. Interestingly, an increased abundance of fructosebisphosphate aldolase under drought was observed in all three organs of K86-161.
Elevated expression of oxygen-evolving enhancer protein was also found in leaves
and leaf sheaths of K86-161, when compared with their controls. Additionally, SOD
was abundant in the leaves and roots of K86-161. Importantly, the expression level
of these proteins decreased in B34-164 under drought stress. These contrasting
results suggest that these proteins were inhibited by drought stress in the droughtsensitive cultivar. This proteomic research is the first to combine analyses of leaves,
leaf sheaths and roots in sugarcane, which may enhance our understanding of
drought responses at the molecular level and lead to selective breeding for
enhanced drought tolerance.

Response of vacuolar processing enzyme in Malus hupehensis and MhVPEoverexpressing Arabidopsis to high temperature stress

Abstract
Malus hupehensis Rehd. is often used as rootstock of apple trees. Vacuolar
processing enzyme (VPE) is one type of cysteine protease with substrate specificity
to residues of asparagine and aspartic acid. The VPE activity, MhVPE gene
(GenBank number: FJ891065) expression and the amount of cell death in seedlings
of M. hupehensis Rehd. all gradually increased with the increase of temperature
from 26 to 42 C. To explore the function of VPE response to temperature stress, the
overexpressing vector of MhVPE was constructed and transformed into wildtype Arabidopsis thaliana Columbia. The responses of VPE, MhVPE and apoptosis to
high temperature stress were determined in the Arabidopsis seedlings of wildtype, MhVPE-overexpressing lines and the VPE-null mutant. The leaves of MhVPEoverexpressing lines were smaller and VPE activity andMhVPE expression level
were both obviously higher than the levels found in the wild-type and VPE-null
mutant
seedlings.
Under
high
temperature
treatment,
VPE
activity
and MhVPEexpression level significantly increased accompanied by leaf withering,
shorter roots, lipid peroxidation and increased cell death and apoptosis rate in all
types of plants. The changes of these indicators were highest in MhVPE-

overexpressing transgenic plants, followed by the wild-type and were lowest in VPEnull
mutant
plants.
These
results
suggest
that MhVPEoverexpression
in Arabidopsis accelerated cell membrane lipid peroxidation, promoted cell death
and reduced the tolerance to high temperature stress compared with wild-type
plants.

Jasmonate-induced tolerance of Hassawi okra seedlings to salinity in brackish

water

Abstract
Jasmonic acid (JA) critically participates in modulating plant responses to salt stress.
Here, the protective role of JA against dilute seawater stress was investigated for
Hassawi okra seedlings in pot experiments under controlled growth conditions.
Seeds were soaked in 50 M JA. The seedlings were irrigated with different dilutions
of seawater (040 %) for 3 weeks. Okra seedlings pretreated with JA tolerated
brackish water up to the level of 10 %, and survived up to 40 %, while they
exhibited damage and finally death if untreated. On the other hand, the level of 5 %
seawater favorably affected the growth parameters compared to the fresh water
control. The beneficial effect of JA was manifested by higher biomass,
photosynthetic pigment and osmoprotectant levels, and decreased general stress
markers such as ion leakage and lipid peroxidation. In addition, mineral composition
was altered and the activity of some antioxidant enzymes improved. In conclusion,
our results indicate that JA affects plant acclimation to sublethal salinity stress by
brackish water. Since seed germination and seedling establishment are critical steps
in plant growth, it is recommended to consider priming with JA as measure to
ameliorate the detrimental effects of seawater stress and to improve Hassawi okra
seedlings tolerance when irrigating with brackish water.

Nitric oxide delays chlorophyll degradation and enhances antioxidant activity in

banana fruits after cold storage

Abstract
The effect of nitric oxide (NO) on chlorophyll degradation and antioxidant response
in banana fruits after cold storage was investigated. Pre-climacteric green banana
fruit treated with NO donor sodium nitroprusside of 0.05 mM was stored at 7 C for
15 days and then ripened at 22 C for 6 days. Chilling injury (CI) index, color,
chlorophyll, total phenolics, activities of chlorophyllase, Mg-dechelatase, catalase
(CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), phenylalanine
ammonia-lyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) of the banana peel, together
with firmness, titratable acidity (TA) and total soluble sugar (TSS) of the banana
pulp were analyzed in this research. NO treatment improved chilling tolerance of
banana fruits as shown by the reduced CI index. The retarded color change of the
peel and higher firmness, TA and TSS content of the pulp showed that ripening
process of NO-treated banana fruit was delayed by 2 days. The activities of
chlorophyllase and Mg-dechelatase were significantly inhibited by NO, resulting in
the retention of chlorophyll content. Further investigation showed that activities of

CAT, APX and POD were enhanced in NO-treated banana fruits. Compared to control
fruits, NO treatment significantly promoted PAL activity and inhibited PPO activity,
and thus led to higher levels of total phenolics content. Results suggested that NO
could enhance both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant system, and thus
retarded chlorophyll degradation of banana fruits. Due to its effect on inhibition of
chlorophyll degradation enzyme activities and promotion of the antioxidant defense
system, NO is suggested as a potential approach to preserve chlorophyll content
and maintain fruit quality of banana fruits after cold storage.

Physiological and biochemical characteristics of Vigna species for Al stress

tolerance

Abstract
The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate Al tolerance in
three Vigna species viz.V. radiata (Pusa-672), V. mungo (Mash-114) and V.
umbellata (RBL-6) under Al stress conditions. All three Vigna species were
assessed in hydroponic assay in various concentration of Al (0, 74 and 185 M) for
48 h. Variations in the Al tolerance were analysed based on various traits such as
root elongation rate, re-growth after hematoxylin staining, accumulation of
aluminium and callose and their localization, H 2O2, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant
enzymes activity. Aluminium stress caused inhibition in root elongation rate and root
re-growth and increased accumulation of aluminium, callose, H 2O2 and lipid
peroxidation in all three Vigna species. However, accumulation of aluminium,
callose, H2O2 and lipid peroxidation was more in V. radiata (Pusa-672) than in V.
mungo (Mash-114) and V. umbellata (RBL-6). Higher activity of superoxide
dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX; EC 1.11.1.7) and
ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11) was observed in V. umbellata than in V.
mungo and V. radiata. Transverse sections of roots were examined to confirm the
localization of Al in the apoplastic or symplastic regions using fluorescent
microscopy. In V. umbellata (RBL-6) and V. mungo (Mash-114), most of the Al was
localised in the epidermal and cortical tissues indicating restricted movement of Al
to the upper layers. In V. radiata, (Pusa-672) more Al was localised in epidermal,
cortical, and even endodermal tissues, suggesting its inability to restrict the Al in
upper layers. Our findings suggest that V. umbellata as a potential genetic resource
for Al tolerance and this trait can be introgressed through breeding programme to
develop Al-tolerant genotypes in V. mungo and V. radiata.

Photosynthetic characteristics of the subtending leaf and the relationships with lint
yield and fiber quality in the late-planted cotton

Abstract
To investigate the photosynthetic characteristics in the subtending leaf of cotton
(Gossypium hirsutum L.) boll (LSCB), and their relationships with lint yield and fiber
quality under cool temperature due to late planting, field experiments during 2009

to 2011 were conducted using two different cool temperature-tolerant cultivars,

Kemian 1 (temperature-tolerate) and Sumian 15 (temperature-sensitive), at three
planting date (25 April, 25 May and 10 June) in Nanjing (11850E, 4 3202N),
China. First, the chlorophyll components in LSCB decreased with days post-anthesis,
as well as soluble sugar content, amino acid content and C/N ratio. In
addition, Pn, PS II and F v/F msignificantly decreased, indicating that Pn depression in
LSCB was due to non-stomata closure. Second, under cool temperature due to late
planting (from 25 April to 25 May and/or 10 June), Pndepression was due to stomata
closure. Compared to Sumian 15, Kemian 1 demonstrated superior photosynthetic
capacity. Furthermore, under cool temperature, lint biomass and seed biomass
significantly decreased in parallel with the lint distribution rate, seed distribution
rate and lint/seed ratio, whereas carpel distribution rate increased. These changes
under cool temperature led to low lint yield and fiber strength. According to CVs and
variance among three planting dates, Sumian 15 was more sensitive to cool
temperature than Kemian 1.

Combined action of an antioxidant defence system and osmolytes on drought

tolerance and post-drought recovery ofPhoebe zhennan S. Lee saplings

Abstract
Nanmu (Phoebe zhennan S. Lee) is a well-known rare tree species in China that is
valued as an ornamental garden plant and for its high timber quality. Recently, the
cultivation of nanmu has gained attention for use in tree resource conservation and
ecological restoration projects. Drought is a major environmental factor that affects
the growth and development of plants. In this study, the drought tolerance and
post-drought recovery of nanmu, which is associated with antioxidative enzymes
and osmotic adjustment, were examined by exposing nanmu saplings to drought for
30 days followed by 10 days of re-watering in a greenhouse. Drought stress resulted
in increased levels of osmolytes, sugars and proteins in nanmu leaves compared
with the well-watered controls as well as higher concentrations of superoxide
radicals and hydrogen peroxide, leading to lipid peroxidation and significantly
higher activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and guaiacol peroxidase and
higher levels of ascorbic acid. After re-watering for 5 days, most of the antioxidant
enzymes and ascorbic acid were restored to their original levels, whereas the
activity of guaiacol peroxidase and the levels of soluble sugar and soluble protein
remained markedly high. Moreover, nanmu saplings maintained normal turgor
pressure under mild and moderate drought conditions, indicating the presence of a
mechanism that affects osmotic adjustment and growth restriction, thus enabling
the plant to adjust to drought stress. These results suggested that an antioxidant
defence system and osmolytes play important roles in nanmu during drought stress
and recovery.

Beneficial effects of silicon in alleviating salinity stress of tomato seedlings grown

under sand culture

Abstract
Sand culture experiments were designed to investigate the effect and mechanism of
exogenous silicon on salt tolerance of tomato plants. Plant growth, photosynthetic
gas exchange, water status, ion accumulation, root morphological traits, root water
uptake and antioxidant defense were analyzed under 150 mM NaCl without or with
application of 2 mM silicon. Application of silicon improved tomato growth,
photosynthetic pigment and soluble protein contents, net photosynthetic rate and
root morphological traits under salt stress. The leaf transpiration rate and stomatal
conductance were not decreased, but increased by application of silicon under salt
stress. Meanwhile, silicon decreased the concentrations of Na and Cl in the roots,
stem and leaves, but without any sign of decrease in the root-to-shoot
translocations. Leaf water status, root hydraulic conductance and antioxidant ability
were all improved by exogenous silicon under salt stress. Results suggest that
silicon application could decrease Na and Cl accumulation and increase antioxidant
defense in tomato roots, which improved the root growth and hydraulic
conductance, and therefore improved leaf water status and shoot growth. The study
also suggests a potential value of silicon application in soilless culture (sand culture)
in tomato production.

Structure, expression profile, and evolution of the sucrose synthase gene family in
peach (Prunus persica)

Abstract
Key message
SUS
gene
family
is
comprised
of
six
genes
in
peach, PpSus1 to PpSus6. PpSus1
to
PpSus6
were
categorized
to
represent three groups, group I, II, and III. PpSus showed conservative
characteristics with Sus in other plants. PpSus exhibited distinct
expression patterns in tissues at four development stages.

Abstract
Sucrose synthase (SUS) has been suggested to play a key role in plant sucrose
metabolism with recent studies reporting that a small number of genes encoding
different isozymes of Sus exist in most plant species. Despite this, information on
genes encoding different isozymes of Sus in peach (Prunus persica) is scanty. In this
study, we report the prediction, isolation, structural characteristics, phylogenetic
connections and expression outline of six Sus genes in peach (PpSus1 to 6). The
six PpSus genes were found distributed across scaffolds 1, 3, 5, 7, and 8. Analysis of
the exons/introns revealed that PpSus genes contain multiple introns that range
from 11 to 13 and displayed a high degree of conservation with
corresponding Sus genes in other plant species. The comparative screening of
motifs in PpSus proteins indicated high conservation in terms of number, width and
order of motifs among PpSus proteins, which indirectly indicates that the six PpSus
proteins are indeed members of the SUS family. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that
PpSus2 to PpSus4 belonged to group II of the Sus family, PpSus5 and PpSus6 were
clustered into group III, and group I contained only one peach gene (PpSus1)

together with members from 10 other plant species. Analysis of expression levels of
the six PpSus genes revealed that transcripts ofPpSus1 were almost undetectable in
leaves and in older phloem, while PpSus2 and PpSus4 were almost undetectable in
flowers. The other three PpSus genes appeared differentially expressed in all tissues
examined and were detected at different stages of tissue development. The results
obtained from this study will be useful in selecting candidate PpSus genes for
further functional analysis in the pathway of sucrose metabolism in peach and
specifically in characterizing the knockout/knockdown mutants of PpSus genes.

GABA shunt deficiencies and accumulation of reactive oxygen species under UV

treatments: insight fromArabidopsis thaliana calmodulin mutants

Abstract
Environmental stimuli such as UV, paraquat, and H 2O2 can induce reactive oxygen
species (ROS) production and impair the cellular redox equilibrium. ROS are
controlled by a complex network of ROS metabolizing enzymes and play a major
signaling role in different compartments of plants cell.GABA, alanine, and glutamate
are all GABA shunt-related metabolites that are accumulated in response to
oxidative stress. In this study, T-DNA insertion mutants of 7 calmodulin genes (CAM)
in Arabidopsis thaliana were used to determine the role of specific CaM in tolerance
of plants to oxidative stress induced by ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) treatments.
Seedlings growth, seeds germination, reactive oxygen species accumulation, and
changes in GABA shunt metabolites levels were determined. Only cam4 mutants
showed significant tolerance to UVA and UVB treatments over the
other cam mutants during seed germination. Oxidative damage measured as level
of MDA caused by UV treatment was found in root and shoot tissues
of cam1, cam4, cam5-4, and cam6-1of Arabidopsis cam mutants. In response to
UVA treatment, the shunt metabolites accumulated in root and shoot tissues after
30 min. As a result of UVB treatment, GABA accumulated after 30 min while alanine
and glutamate accumulated after 60 min only in root tissue. There was a significant
increase in GABA, alanine, and glutamate levels after 30, 60, and 90 min UVA
treatments in root and shoot tissue of cam1, cam3-2, cam4, cam5-1, cam5-2, cam61, cam7-1 mutants. On the other hand, all shunt metabolites levels were
significantly accumulated in root of cam1, cam4, cam5-4, and cam6-1 and only in
shoot tissue of cam5-4 and cam6-1 mutants in response to 30, 60, and 90 min UVB
treatment. Our results show that cam mutants are sensitive to induced-oxidative
stress in response to both UV treatments especially cam1, cam4, cam5-4, cam6-1,
and cam7-1 mutants for seed germination and ROS accumulation. Accumulation
of GABA shunt metabolites under induced-oxidative stress via UV treatments
demonstrates that GABA shunt pathway, GABAmetabolites accumulation, and
Ca+2/CaM-mediating signaling mechanisms are major components of antioxidant
machinery associated with ROS scavenging, H 2O2 equilibrium, maintaining balance
of cellular redox state, and acquiring tolerance in cellular signaling in response to
UV stress inArabidopsis seedlings.

Salinity and drought tolerance conferred by in planta transformation

of SNAC1transcription factor into a high-yielding rice variety of Bangladesh

Abstract
Abiotic stresses such as drought and high salinity unfavorably affect the growth and
productivity of crop plants. Therefore, the development of stress-tolerant crops is
essential for the affected cultivable areas. It has been shown in the current study
that the overexpression of stress-responsive NAC1 (SNAC1) transcription factor (TF)
significantly increases salinity and drought tolerance in a farmer-popular highyielding, transgenic rice. The indica rice variety BRRIdhan 55, which was poorly
responsive to tissue culture was transformed with the SNAC1 TF from the rice
landrace Pokkali by the in planta method. Addition of acetosyringone in
the Agrobacteriumsuspension and co-culture media increased previously reported
transformation efficiencies by four-folds. Integration of foreign genes into the
genome of transgenic plants was confirmed by gene-specific PCR and Southern blot
analysis. The level of transgene expression (SNAC1) was also quantified by real-time
PCR. Genetic segregation ratio for T1 progenies was calculated and found to follow
the law of Mendelian inheritance. Phenotypic screening was conducted at T 2 and
T3 seedling stages where the transgenic lines exhibited much better tolerance
compared to their control non-transgenic plants at 120 mM (NaCl) salt as well as
drought stress implemented by withholding water for 20 days.

Root-applied brassinolide can alleviate the NaCl injuries on cotton

Abstract
Brassinolide (BL) is a plant growth regulator. This study analyzes the effects of BL on
cotton growth, Na+ accumulation, proline content, MDA content, antioxidant enzyme
activities, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of cotton roots under NaCl
stress. We grew two cotton cultivars, Sumian 12 (salt sensitive) and Sumian 22 (salt
tolerant), in continuously aerated Hoaglands nutrient solution supplemented with
200 mM NaCl. NaCl stress increased the Na +, proline, and MDA content and
decreased root activity and protein content in the roots of Sumian 12 and 22, and
the change rang of Sumian 12 was higher than that of Sumian 22. The application of
BL counteracted the NaCl stress-induced growth inhibition in the two tested cotton
cultivars. It reduced the accumulation of Na +, enhanced proline content, and
resulted in an overall change in the activities of antioxidant enzymes causing a
decrease in the MDA content of NaCl-stressed roots, and the influence of BL on saltstressed Sumian 12 plants was more pronounced than that on Sumian 22. The
digital gene expression analysis in Sumian 12 indicated that BL application
significantly influenced the gene expression in NaCl-stressed roots. The majority of
7659 (3661 up-regulated/3998 down-regulated) DEGs of NaCl/CK in roots of Sumian
12 were regulated by BL, and the gene expression pattern as a result of the rootapplied BL on NaCl-stressed cotton treatment (BL + NaCl) was similar to the control.
Our results indicate that the root-applied brassinolide alleviates NaCl stress on
cotton through improving root activity, physiology, and gene expression.

Effect of bending on the dynamic changes of endogenous hormones in shoot

terminals of Fuji and Gala apple trees

Abstract
Branch bending has been practiced for decades as an effective means of inducing
floral buds in Fuji apple in China. Endogenous hormones play an important role in
apple flowering. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the hormone
concentrations (ABA, ZR, IAA and GA) in spurs, medium and long shoot terminals of
Fuji and Gala apple trees subjected to bending of different angles (70, 90 or
110). In both cultivars, the proportion of floral buds and spurs increased, but that
of medium and long shoots decreased with increasing bending angles. The ABA and
ZR concentrations in shoot terminals increased, but the IAA and GA concentrations
decreased as the bending angles increased from 70 to 110. The ZR concentration
increased monotonically in spurs apexes, but in medium and long shoot terminals it
increased from a minimum on May 10 to a maximum on June 20 for Fuji apple
trees or on July 20 for Gala apple trees, and then decreased thereafter. It was also
observed that the Gala apple trees had a higher ABA concentration but a lower IAA
concentration in shoot terminals than the Fuji apple trees. The ZR concentration in
spurs apexes of Gala apple trees was higher before July 1, and the GA
concentration was higher before June 20, but lower after July 20 than the Fuji. The
(IAA + GA + ZR)/ABA ratio of spurs apexes in Fuji apple trees decreased with
increasing bending angles during the whole growth season, with a significant
difference between those bent at 110 and those bent at 70. There was no
significant difference for the Gala apple trees. The (IAA + GA + ZR)/ABA ratio
peaked on June 20, and it was higher in Fuji than in Gala apple trees throughout
the study period.

Propyl gallate promotes salt stress tolerance in green microalga Dunaliella

salina by reducing free radical oxidants and enhancing -carotene production

Abstract
The objective of present work was to study the role of n-propyl gallate (PG), a
synthetic antioxidant, in antioxidative responses and salinity tolerance in Dunaliella
salina. Algal cultures containing three level of salinity (1, 2 and 3 M NaCl) were
treated with two level of 0 and 1 mM of PG for 48 h. 3 M NaCl-grown cells exhibited
a minor increase in cell density in comparison to other salt treatments. PG
treatment had no effect on cell growth under different salinities. However, the
chlorophyll and -carotene contents significantly increased in PG-incubated cells.
Protein concentration clearly reduced in PG-incubated cells grown at 1 and 2 M NaCl
compared with those of PG-free, whereas, no significant change influenced by PG
was obtained at 3 M NaCl. Ascorbate peroxidase assay showed a minor increase at
3 M NaCl compared with 1 and 2 M NaCl-grown cells. Catalase activity decreased
concurrently with salt concentrations, while superoxide dismutase activity
pronouncedly increased in response to 2 M NaCl accompanied by a statistically
equal increase at 1 and 3 M NaCl. However, the activity of all three enzymes
significantly decreased in all PG-incubated algae compared with PG-free ones. Along
with increase in total and reduced ascorbate in response to salinity and PG
treatments, oxidized ascorbate content was significantly decreased. Hydrogen
peroxide and malonyldialdehyde accumulation increased concomitantly with
salinity. However, a large decrease in these metabolites occurred in response to PG
added into the algal cultures. The results suggest that antioxidant enzymes are not

pivotal in improving salinity tolerance and only have short-term adjustment effects
to protect against salt stress in D. salina. These data also provide the first direct
evidence that PG pretreatment ameliorates salinity stress by electron donation to
free radical oxidants, and by inducing -carotene, chlorophyll, and ascorbic acid
biosynthesis, rather than activation of antioxidant enzymes.

Lithium distinguishes between growth and circumnutation and augments

glutamate-induced excitation ofHelianthus annuus seedlings

Abstract
An effect of lithium (Li+) on growth, circumnutation, and glutamate-induced
excitation in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings was investigated using
time-lapse photography and extracellular electrical potential measurements. The
seedlings were treated with a micro and millimolar concentration of lithium chloride
(LiCl) both persistently in a hydroponic medium and acutely through Li + injection.
The length of hypocotyls, fresh weight of seedlings, intensity and period of
circumnutation, and the number of action potentials (APs) after glutamate (Glu)
injection were determined. It was found that the circumnutation intensity and period
did not depend on hypocotyl length and fresh weight of seedlings. Under persistent
Li+ treatment, the circumnutation intensity was constant at a concentration
between 0.2 and 20 mM although the hypocotyls were significantly shorter in
relation to the control, whereas at a concentration of 40 mM circumnutation
intensity decreased without any changes in the hypocotyl length. Under persistent
treatment with 0.5 and 20 mM Li+, the period of circumnutation was significantly
prolonged. The number of APs in a Glu-induced series significantly increased in the
seedlings exhibiting an Li+-induced decrease in circumnutation intensity (in 40 and
60 mM Li+). Additionally Li+ injection before Glu injection also augmented the series
of APs in seedlings growing without Li + in hydroponic medium. These Li+-sensitive
responses demonstrated that circumnutation and growth are partly independent
processes and reveal a relationship between circumnutation intensity and
excitability in Helianthus annuusseedlings.

Isolation and in silico characterization of a shikimate kinase from Cassia

obtusifolia

Abstract
Shikimate kinase (SK), an indispensable enzyme in shikimate pathway, catalyzes
the transfer of a phosphate from Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to 3-hydroxyl of
shikimate to form shikimate 3-phosphate. There are many active metabolites from
shikimate pathway in Cassia obtusifolia. A new member of SKs from C.
obtusifolia named CoSK was cloned and subjected to in silico characterization
analysis. The constructed 3D structure of CoSK adopted -- fold with five
parallel-sheets flanked by 12 -helices. CoSK was shown to possess the potential
ability to catalyze the phosphorylation of shikimate. Residues Lys118 and Arg223

binding with ATP and residue Asp137 binding with shikimate might be essential for
phosphorylating shikimate. These results will provide useful information concerning
the catalytic and physiology mechanism of SK in plants.