The aim of the study was to establish whether the quantity and the quality of light affect growth and development of Withania somnifera plantlets. We have studied growth and histophysiological parameters [stomatal characteristics, chloroplastic pigments concentrations, photosynthesis, and transpiration (E)] of W. somnifera plantlets regenerated under various light intensities, or monochromatic light or under a mixture of two colors of light in tissue culture conditions. Plantlets grown under a photon flux density (PFD) of 30 mmol m -2 s -1 showed greater growth and development than those raised under other PFDs. Chlorophylls and carotenoids, numbers of stomata, rate of photosynthesis (P N ) and transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (g s ), and water use efficiency (WUE) increased with increasing the PFD up to 60 mmol m -2 s -1 . Light quality also affected plantlets growth and physiology. Highest growth was observed under fluorescent and in a mixture of blue and red light. Very few stomata were developed in any of the monochromatic light but under fluorescent or under a mixture of two colors stomatal numbers increased. Similarly, g s , E, P N, and WUE were also higher under fluorescent light and under a mixture of red and blue light. Regressional analysis showed a linear relationship between P N (r 2 = 70) and g s and between E (r 2 = 0.95) and g s . In conclusion, both the quality and the quantity of light affect growth of plantlets, development of stomata and physiological responses differently depending on the intensity and the wavelength of light.

The aim of the study was to implicate the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and altered cellular redox environment with the effects of Cu-deficiency or Cu-excess in mulberry (Morus alba L.) cv. Kanva 2 plants. A study of antioxidative responses, indicators of oxidative damage and cellular redox environment in Cu-deficient or Cu-excess mulberry plants was undertaken. While the young leaves of plants supplied with nil Cu showed chlorosis and necrotic scorching of laminae, the older and middle leaves of plants supplied with nil or 0.1 microM Cu showed purplish-brown pigmented interveinal areas that later turned necrotic along the apices and margins of leaves. The Cu-excess plants showed accelerated senescence of the older leaves. The Cu-deficient plants showed accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion radical. The accumulation of hydrogen peroxide was strikingly intense in the middle portion of trichomes on Cu-deficient leaves. Though the concentration of total ascorbate increased with the increasing supply of Cu, the ratio of the redox couple (DHA/ascorbic acid) increased in Cu-deficient or Cu-excess plants. The activities of superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11) and glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) increased in both Cu-deficient and Cu-excess plants. The results suggest that deficiency of Cu aggravates oxidative stress through enhanced generation of ROS and disturbed redox couple. Excess of Cu damaged roots, accelerated the rate of senescence in the older leaves, induced antioxidant responses and disturbed the cellular redox environment in the young leaves of mulberry plants.

The aim of this study was to associate the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with induced antioxidant responses and disturbed cellular redox environment in the nitrogen-(N), phosphorus-(P), or potassium-(K) deficient mulberry (Morus alba L. var. Kanva-2) plants. The indicators of oxidative stress and cellular redox environment and antioxidant defense-related parameters were analyzed. Deficiency of N, P or K suppressed growth, accelerated senescence, and decreased concentrations of chloroplastic pigments and glutathione. Lipid peroxidation and activities of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase were also increased in these N, P, or K deprived plants. Concentration of hydrogen peroxide increased in plants deficient in N or P. Deficiency of N or P particularly altered the cellular redox environment as indicated by changes in the redox couples, namely ascorbic acid/total ascorbate decreased in P-, glutathione sulfydryl/total glutathione decreased in N-, and increased in P-deficient plants. Activity staining of native gels for superoxide dismutase revealed increased activity as indicated by increased intensity of bands, and induction of few new isoforms in P-and K-deficient plants.Differences in the patterns of superoxide dismutase isoforms and redox status (ascorbic acid/total ascorbate and glutathione sulfydryl/total glutathione) indicate that N-, P-, or K-deficiency altered antioxidant responses to varying extents in mulberry plants.

No abstract

Plantlets of Alocasia amazonica were regenerated on the MS medium supplemented with different concentrations (0-9%) of sucrose. An absence of sucrose in the growth medium induced generation of leaves, however, it decreased multiplication. On contrary, sucrose supply of 6% or 9% enhanced multiplication but hampered photoautotrophic growth (generation of leaves). Increasing sucrose supply also increased sugars and starch content and number of stomata and decreased water potential and size of stomata during in vitro growth period. During ex vitro acclimatization, shoot length, root length, leaf number and root number of Alocasia plantlets grown with 3% sucrose, were found to be better among the other studied sucrose concentrations. Under ex vitro acclimatization, number of stomata, contents of various carbohydrates in the leaves were increased but size of stomata decreased with increasing sucrose supply during in vitro growth period. Moreover, water potential of leaves of plantlets, which have been grown with a sucrose concentration other than 3%, was decreased. During in vitro growth, net CO 2 assimilation rate (P N ), transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (g s ) and variable fluorescence to maximum fluorescence ratio (Fv/ Fm) were unaffected, however, during acclimatization these were changed and maximum P N , E, and g s were observed in the plantlets micropropagated with 3% sucrose. Fv/Fm was decreased severely in the plantlets micropropagated with 6% sucrose during acclimatization. Thus a sucrose concentration of 3% in the medium is appeared to be better among studied concentrations for both in vitro growth and ex vitro acclimatization of A. amazonica plantlets.