Benzoxazolin-2-(3H)-one (BOA) has been tested in many plants species, but not in soybean (Glycine max). Thus, a hydroponic experiment was conducted to assess the effects of BOA on soybean photosynthesis. BOA reduced net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry without affecting intercellular CO2 concentration or maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry. Results revealed that the reduced stomatal conductance restricted entry of CO2 into substomatal spaces, thus limiting CO2 assimilation. No change found in intercellular CO2 concentration and reduced effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry revealed that CO2 was not efficiently consumed by the plants. Our data indicated that the effects of BOA on soybean photosynthesis occurred due to the reduced stomatal conductance and decreased efficiency of carbon assimilation. The accumulation of BOA in soybean leaves reinforced these findings. and Obsahuje bibliografii
Betaglucans are highly conserved structural polysacharids in the cell walls of bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae, seaweed, yeast, fungi, lichens, and some plants, particularly grain. They belong to a group of active natural substances commonly called biological response modifiers (BRM) and play a role as potent immune response stimulators in all multicellular animals. Their effects against infectious diseases and in cancer therapy have been described in many experimental research studies and human case histories but their functional mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. and Petr Šíma.
Leaf gas-exchange responses to shadefleck-sunfleck and sun-cloud transitions were determined for in situ Cycas micronesica K.D. Hill plants on the island of Guam to add cycads to the published gymnosperm data. Sequential sunfleck-shadefleck transitions indicated understory leaves primed rapidly but open field leaves primed slowly. Time needed to reach 90% induction of net CO2 assimilation (PN) was 2.9 min for understory leaves and 13.9 min for open field leaves. Leaf responses to sun-cloud transitions exhibited minimal adjustment of stomatal conductance, so PN rapidly returned to precloud values following cloud-sun transitions. Results indicate bi-directional leaf acclimation behavior enables mature C. micronesica trees to thrive in deep understory conditions in some habitats and as emergent canopy trees in other habitats. These data are the first nonconifer gymnosperm data; the speed of gas-exchange responses to rapid light transitions was similar to some of the most rapid angiosperm species described in the literature., T. E. Marler., and Obsahuje bibliografii
A hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate bioaccumulation and photosynthetic activity response to Cd in sweet sorghum seedlings. The seedlings were treated with 0, 50, and 100 μM Cd for 15 d. Our results showed that morphological characteristics of sweet sorghum were significantly affected by Cd treatments. The Cd concentrations in roots and shoots increased with increasing Cd concentrations in the nutrition solution; higher Cd accumulation was observed in the roots. Meanwhile, the photosynthetic activity decreased significantly and a shape of chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence transient in leaves was altered by Cd treatments. The Chl contents in the leaves decreased significantly, which was demonstrated by a change of spectral reflectance. Our data indicated that the higher Cd concentration reduced Chl contents and inhibited electron transport in the leaves, leading to the decrease of photosynthetic activity., Z. C. Xue, J. H. Li, D. S. Li, S. Z. Li, C. D. Jiang, L. A. Liu, S. Y. Wang, W. J. Kang., and Obsahuje bibliografii
This paper examines the changes in the species composition of aphids living in dry calcareous grasslands in Central Europe over a 25-year period. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first analysis of this type in the world that takes into account both previous and current data on species richness as well as groups of aphids that are distinguishable on the basis of biological and ecological criteria such as host-alternation and feeding types, life cycle, ecological niche, symbiosis with ants and their ecological functional groups. Over the period of more than 25 years, there has been a significant decrease in aphid α-diversity, from 171 to 105 species. The gain, which is in species not previously recorded, was 17 taxa. The loss of biodiversity occurred despite the fact that these habitats are protected and are valuable regional biodiversity hotspots. The losses are mostly related to intensive human activity in adjacent areas, which, unfortunately, has resulted in the isolation of these small, protected environmental islands by the removal of ecological corridors. Since, as is shown in this study, the frequencies between individual biological and ecological groups of aphids have been retained, it would be possible to restrict this loss of biodiversity if appropriate actions are taken., Barbara Osiadacz, Roman Hałaj, Damian Chmura., and Obsahuje bibliografii
In this issue, we bring you an essay on the International Year of Biodiversity, a year-long celebration of biological diversity and its value for life on Earth, taking place around the world during 2010. This observance is intended, through activities and events in many countries, to help raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity. and Jiří Sádlo.