The Influence of Benzimidazole on the Gametophyte of Thelypteris felix-mas

Abstract

Benzimidazole has been studied previously by certain investigators as a growth regulator. This compound was found to promote various phases of growth in the gametophyte of the fern Thelypteris felix-mas. Concentrations of benzimidazole in the order of 0.01 mM, 0.02 mM, and 0.1 mM stimulated cell division, an increase in body size, and also rhizoid lengths of the gametophyte. A concentration of 1.0 mM was always inhibitory.Benzimidazole is a naturally occurring azole found as the 5, 6-dimethyl derivative and is part of the vitamin B12 structure. It has been previously studied as a growth regulator by several investigators.Galston et al. (2) discovered that benzimidazole inhibited a promotion of growth induced by auxins and adenine in the elongation of pea stems. Cortical cells of tissue treated with benzimidazole swelled tremendously in the transverse direction. This increase in diameter resulted from an increase in individual cell volumes rather than an increase in cell numbers.Work with Vicia faba by McCorquodale and Duncan (4) showed that benzimidazole resulted in a drop in mitotic frequency in the root meristem, an inhibition of root elongation, and a blackening pigmentation in the roots above the meristem. Since all three effects could be prevented by the presence of certain metals ions, it was suggested that the mechanism of action of benzimidazole is due to the formation of a strong chelate structure between the metal ions and the azole. Waygood (6) has shown that benzimidazole resulted in a delay of induced senescence of wheat leaves and in an increase in the Chl content. Changes in the chloroplast fine structure included more closely spaced intergrana and grana lamellae, more numerous electron dense particles, and an increase in NADP content. Dyar (1) found that benzimidazole resulted in an increase in both the fresh and dry weights of tobacco leaves, with an increase in the size of the leaves.Since benzimidazole has been found to have significant effects on cell metabolism and elongation, its effects on the gametophyte of the male shield fern (Thelypteris felix-mas) 1This work was supported by National Science Foundation College Science Improvement Program Grant GY5704.were studied. The fern gametophyte is morphologically simple as it is a single layer of cells, but as a multicellular organism still exhibits differentiation of cell types and structures. The gametophyte lends itself well to study because of its simple growth requirements and easy microscopic measurements and observations. These growth measurements, including cell number and size, can be carried out without disturbing the growth of the plants. The same plants can be observed throughout the course of the research. MATERIALS AND METHODSSpores of the fern Thelypteris felix-mas were sterilized by brief exposure to a 10% commercial Clorox solution. Three rinses in sterile-distilled water were accompanied by centrifugation to ensure spore separation. The spores were then used to inoculate a Bold's modified Bristol's solution in a was...

Green Synthesis of a Novel Silver Nanoparticle Conjugated with Thelypteris glandulosolanosa (Raqui-Raqui): Preliminary Characterization and Anticancer Activity

“…However, its similarity to Thelypteris torresiana would suggest that bioactive compounds with potential anti-tumor activity are likely possible. Other ferns that belong to the Thelypteris genus have been studied such as Thelypteris normalis that contains various allelopathic compounds such as thelypterin A and B [68], the presence of the anthelmintic and fungicide benzimidazole in Thelypteris felix-mas [69], and the content of various drimanetype sesquiterpenoids in Thelypteris hispidula (Decne.) Reed [70,71].…”