No abstract

Mineral deficiency symptoms were observed in leaves of yellow passionfruit plantlets grown in MS medium (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) with 1.0 mg l 21 (3.0 mM) gibberellic acid. Initially, leaves showed interveinal chlorosis, followed by bleaching of the leaves and retarded growth. Leaf mineral analysis was done and compared to mineral requirements suggested for passionfruit in the literature. Several modifications were made to the inorganic composition of MS medium, according to mineral deficiencies, mainly of Fe and Ca, and possible toxicity of Cl. The concentration of the elements in the new medium (MSM) was based on the mineral composition of leaves of healthy plants. The chemical equilibrium was checked using the software Geochem (Sposito and Mattigod, 1980) and final adjustments were made to ensure good availability of nutrients. To test the efficiency of the modified medium nodal segments were cultured in both MS and MSM supplemented with 3.0 mg l 21 (13.3 mM) 6-benzyladenine. After three subcultures mineral analysis of the leaves was done. Severe mineral deficiency was observed on the leaves of plantlets cultured in MS, while plantlets cultivated in MSM had green leaves. A comparison of the mineral analysis of plantlets in both media showed a fairly large increase in Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg and S and decrease in levels of B and Cl in plantlets cultivated in MSM. A slight increase or decrease in other elements was also observed. Subculture of the chlorotic plantlets into MSM showed that the visual symptoms of mineral deficiency disappeared in 2±4 wk.

Summary. Somatic embryos produced in vitro may exhibit structural abnormalities that affect their subsequent germination and conversion into plants. To assess the influence of auxin type on embryo initiation and development, a morphological and histological comparison was made of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) somatic embryogenic cultures induced on media with naphthaleneacetic acid or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), using light and scanning electron microscopy. Both auxins promoted enhanced cell division, particularly in subepidermal cell layers. However, notable differences were observed in mitotic activity, location of embryogenic cell proliferation, epidermal continuity, callus growth, and embryo morphology. Cultures induced on naphthaleneacetic acid had embryogenic regions composed of homogeneous, isodiametric, meristematic cells. Embryos derived from these cultures generally had a normal morphology, were single, and had a discrete apical meristem. In contrast, tissues induced on media with 2,4-D had more intense and heterogeneous regions of cell division. Proliferating cell regions were composed of meristematic cells interspersed with callus and involved more extensive regions of the mesophyll. Marked callus proliferation caused epidermal rupture in some areas. Embryos induced on medium with 2,4-D had a higher incidence of abnormalities that included fasciated, fan-shaped, and tubular embryos. Defined apical meristems were often lacking or partially obliterated due to callus proliferation. The heterogeneous, often intensive proliferation of cells in cultures induced with 2,4-D may interfere with normal patterns of embryo development.

Embryogenic cultures were initiated from immature pecan zygotic embryos. Explants were induced for one week on Woody Plant Medium with either α-naphthaleneacetic acid or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid at 2, 6 or 12 mg/l, then subcultured monthly to fresh basal medium. Observations were made on callus production, embryo formation, and embryo morphology. Somatic embryo morphology and overall callus proliferation were affected by auxin type. Callus proliferation was less extensive and more somatic embryos resembling zygotic embryos were obtained from cultures initiated with α-naphthaleneacetic acid than with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Repetitive somatic embryogenesis was obtained in all auxin treatments. Conversion into plantlets was affected by somatic embryo morphology in that embryos with poorly developed apices exhibited lower percentages of conversion than those with well developed single or multiple apices. Consequently, although more embryos were obtained with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, naphthaleneacetic acid was the superior auxin for production of somatic embryos more likely to convert into plants.

Radish (Raphanus sativus L. cv. Redondo Vermelho) seedlings were analysed by light and scanning electron microscopy to characterize the structural changes caused by the exposure to 0.5 or 1.0 mM cadmium chloride for 24, 48 and 72 h. The analyses showed changes in the anatomical and morphological characteristics of roots, stems and leaves of two-week-old seedlings. In all tissues, pressure potential was decreased. Premature death with the disintegration of the epidermis and an increase in the number of root hairs was observed in roots exposed to Cd. The stem of seedlings exposed to Cd exhibited more cells layers in the cambial region. The main effects observed in leaves in response to Cd were stomatal closure, lack of cell wall thickening and alterations in the shape of the chloroplasts. It is suggested that the structural changes observed in seedlings treated with Cd were mainly caused by a Cd-induced decrease in water uptake.