Ontogeny of divided vascular cylinders in Serjania: the rise of a novel vascular architecture in Sapindaceae

Sapindaceae lianas are remarkable for the diversity of cambial variants found in their stems. One of the family’s exclusive cambial variant is the divided vascular cylinder, which occurs in eight species of the genus Serjania. This cambial variant is marked by 5 peripheral vascular cylinders around a large pith. We performed a comparative developmental analysis, integrating traditional plant anatomy techniques with high-resolution X-ray micro-computed tomography to investigate the structure and development of the stems of three species with divided vascular cylinder. Our observations showed that the initial stages of stem development were similar to those described in the literature, however, on later developmental stages a central vascular cylinder appears in all species. The ontogeny of these stems are marked by three main processes: (i) dissection of vascular tissue from the peripheral vascular cylinders; (ii) development of new cambial arcs through the redifferentiation of pith cells; and (iii) recruitment of cambial cells from the inner portions of the vascular cambium of the peripheral vascular cylinders, forming a novel central vascular cylinder where the pith was, surrounded by five initial peripheral cylinders. As an ulterior developmental stage, some older stems also develop neoformations and connections between the different vascular cylinders. While our findings support previous descriptions of divided vascular cylinders, this is the first study illustrating the formation of the central vascular cylinder in this cambial variant. Our observations further corroborate that Serjania is the lineage with the highest and some of the most complex forms of cambial variants among all vascular plants.

Morphological and anatomical characteristics of needles in seedlings and vegetative progeny of different ages from mutational witches’ brooms of Pinus sibirica Du Tour

The study was carried out using three objects: 1) clones of the mutational witches’ brooms and the normal crown grafted together on the same rootstock; 2) mutant seedlings of the witches’ brooms; 3) clones of the witches’ brooms mutant seedlings. It was shown that the morphological and anatomical needle characteristics are affected as by the presence and the expression of the mutation, as well as the age of the maternal tree and the presence of a rootstock. Each factor and the interaction of some factors makes a significant contribution to the differences between the groups in the main needle characteristics. The mutant seedlings and their clones formed the shortest needles; they also had smaller areas of the central cylinder, resin ducts, mesophyll and vascular cylinder. Morphological and anatomical needle traits varied between the families, the needle length was a rather conservative trait in the families. Some differences between the groups from different families of witches’ brooms were due to the natural diversity of the maternal witches’ brooms.

Correlated evolution of leaf and root anatomic traits in Dendrobium (Orchidaceae)

The whole-plant economic spectrum concept predicts that leaf and root traits evolve in coordination to cope with environmental stresses. However, this hypothesis is difficult to test in many species because their leaves and roots are exposed to different environments, above- and below-ground. In epiphytes, both leaves and roots are exposed to the atmosphere. Thus, we suspect there are consistent water conservation strategies in leaf and root traits of epiphytes due to similar selection pressures. Here, we measured the functional traits of 21 species in the genus Dendrobium, which is one of the largest epiphytic taxa in the family Orchidaceae, and used phylogenetically independent contrasts to test the relationships among traits, and between traits and the environment. Our results demonstrate that species with a thicker velamen tended to have thicker roots, a thicker root cortex and vascular cylinder, and a larger number of vessels in the root. Correspondingly, these species also had higher leaf mass per area, and thicker leaf lower cuticles. Leaf and root traits associated with water conservation showed significantly positive relationships. The number of velamen layers, leaf density and the ratio of vascular cylinder radius to root radius were significantly affected by the species’ differing environments. Thus, traits related to water conservation and transport may play an important role in helping Dendrobium cope with the cool and dry conditions found at high elevations. These findings confirmed the hypothesis that leaf and root traits have evolved in coordination, and also provide insights into trait evolution and ecological adaptation in epiphytic orchids.

Study of anatomical feature of in vitro and ex vitro regeneration plant of Sophora Alopecuroides l.

The success of shoot and rooting from the nodal shoot segments of Sophora alopecuroides L. were induced in vitro condition. However, transferring and acclimatizing the plantlets to under soil or ex vitro condition were difficult. This study investigated plant survival with anatomical changes in plantlets while transferring from in vitro to ex vitro conditions to investigate vascular cylinder variations. The ex vitro rooting of the in vitro regenerated shoots, after having been treated with 500 mg/L IBA, showed a success rate of 80 per cent. These plantlets were rooted and acclimatized simultaneously in ex vitro condition.

Structure and development of root gall induced by Meloidogyne javanica in Glycine max L.

Galls formed by root-knot nematodes have been studied in several cultivated species focusing on understanding the intimate relationship between parasite and the host plant. Species of Meloidogyne induce the development of a feeding site in the cortex or vascular cylinder of the host plant and are totally dependent on this site formation to complete their life cycle. Therefore, we focused on anatomical, cytological and histochemical changes during the establishment and development of galls and giant cells induced by Meloidogyne javanica in the roots of Glycine max. Seeds of soybean (susceptible cultivar M8372 IPRO) were sown in trays with coconut fibre substrate and the seedlings were removed ten days after the seeds emerged for nematode inoculation. The roots from inoculated and non-inoculated (control) were sampled at different stages of development until 55 days after inoculation. Histological, cytological, histochemical analysis were performed in light and electron microscopy in non-galled tissue and galls induced by M. javanica. The galls showed different shapes and abundance in the roots inoculated by M. javanica. The induction of galls occurs by hypertrophy of the root cortex shortly after the initial infection process. Giant cells were formed 18 days after nematode inoculation. These giant or nourishing cells are multinucleated, and have a dense cytoplasm, a thick wall with invaginations, many mitochondria and small vacuoles. The anatomical sections indicated a disorganisation of the cells of the cortex and vascular cylinder in relation to the control root.

Anatomical, morphological, and physiological responses of two sugarcane genotypes of contrasting susceptibility to Mahanarva fimbriolata (Hemiptera: Cercopidae)

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare root morpho-anatomical traits and physiological responses of susceptible (SP81–3250) and resistant (H. Kawandang) sugarcane genotypes exposed to the attack by nymphs of spittlebug Mahanarva fimbriolata (Stål) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). Two experiments were conducted to compare the damage caused by spittlebug nymphs on fresh and dry biomass weight; lignin content in stalks; root anatomy; chlorophyll content; photosynthetic rate (A); carboxylation efficiency (A/Ci); stomatal conductance (gS) and transpiration rate (E) of these genotypes. SP81–3250 consistently obtained significantly higher damage scores than H. Kawandang in both experiments, confirming the previously observed level of resistance in each genotype. Attack by spittlebug nymphs had a much higher effect on both fresh and dry biomass weight, chlorophyll content, A, A/Ci, gs and E of SP81–3250, than that on H. Kawandang. Anatomical studies indicated the presence of aerenchyma tissue in the root cortex of SP81–3250, a feature which may facilitate penetration of the nymph's stylet into the vascular cylinder. In contrast, roots of H. Kawandang are characterized by having more dense and compact parenchyma cells. In addition, infested plants of this genotype contained an unidentified mucilaginous compound in the vascular cylinder of the roots. We conclude that resistance of H. Kawandang to spittlebug is related to the ability of this genotype to maintain normal chlorophyll content, as well as stomatal conductance and photosynthesis, thus, allowing for biomass accumulation under spittlebug attack, in contrast to SP81–3250. In addition, the presence of more compact and denser parenchymal cells, as well as that of an induced mucilaginous compound in the root's vascular cylinder, are likely to hinder host-feeding activity in nymphs, causing higher nymph mortality and therefore, reduced damage in plants of this genotype.

Tropical forages: morphoanatomy of plants grown in areas with the death of pasture syndrome

Roots and leaves of Panicum maximum Tanzânia, Mombaça and Massai; Urochloa brizantha Piatã, Marandu and Xaraés; Urochloa humidicola Llanero; Urochloa ruziziensis Ruzizienses; Urochloa hybrida Mulato II and Cynodon nlemfuensis Estrela-roxa were analyzed, seeking to identify characters for better adaptation to the environment that may interfere with digestibility of tissue from the point of view of the rumen in cattle. Were planted ten cultivars in a completely randomized blocks with three repetitions. Was collected vegetative material, which histological slides were prepared from middle third of the sections of roots and leaves. Were observed differences (p>0.05) in the roots: higher volume of epidermal cells (28.62 µm) and overall diameter (1926.41 µm) of Llanero; thicker vascular cylinder (975.09 µm) and more protoxylem (42.25) in Estrela-roxa and occurrence of aerenchyma in cultivars Piatã, Mulato II, Xaraés, Massai, Llanero and Estrela-roxa; Were found higher proportions of bulliform cells in the leaves (121.07 µm) and thicker leaf mesophyll in U. humidicola Llanero (263.63 µm); higher proportion of sclerenchyma fibers in Xaraés and Marandu; lower results for amount of fibers in P. maximum Massai. We conclude that the cultivars Estrela-roxa, Llanero and Massai have greater adaptability to the environment and better nutritional quality.

Morpho-anatomical characterization of diaspores and seedlings of Livistona rotundifolia

Livistona rotundifolia (Lam.) Mart. (Arecaceae) is an ornamentally important species used for landscaping and commonly grown as a potted plant. However, seedling production is hindered by the lack of information available about the species germination process and it could be subsidized by seed and seedling anatomical and morphological studies. Therefore, this study aimed at describing L. rotundifolia diaspore morphology in addition to seedling morphology and anatomy. Germination is tubular remote and begins with the opening of a circular operculum in the fruit endocarp through which the cotyledonary petiole is emitted. The endosperm is consumed as cotyledonary petiole grows. Eophyll is covered by two leaf sheaths and the first L. rotundifolia leaves are simple and lanceolate, with longitudinal and parallel veins. The developing cotyledonary petiole presents root hairs and a typical stem structure. The cotyledonary petiole/root transition region shows secondary root emission, parenchyma cells, and groups of fiber bundles. Roots present a well-defined cortex with polyarc vascular cylinder. Cortex and vascular cylinder are not well-differentiated in the root apex. The results of this study will contribute to the overall biology of L. rotundifolia, as well as to seedling production and species identification, subsidizing regeneration and conservation studies.

Use of anatomical root markers for species identification in Catasetum (Orchidaceae) at the Portal da Amazônia region, MT, Brazil

Orchidaceae is one of the largest botanical families, with approximately 780 genera. Among the genera of this family, Catasetum currently comprises 166 species. The aim of this study was to characterize the root anatomy of eight Catasetum species, verifying adaptations related to epiphytic habit and looking for features that could contribute to the vegetative identification of such species. The species studied were collected at the Portal da Amazônia region, Mato Grosso state, Brazil. The roots were fixed in FAA 50, cut freehand, and stained with astra blue/fuchsin. Illustrations were obtained with a digital camera mounted on a photomicroscope. The roots of examined species shared most of the anatomical characteristics observed in other species of the Catasetum genus, and many of them have adaptations to the epiphytic habit, such as presence of secondary thickening in the velamen cell walls, exodermis, cortex, and medulla. Some specific features were recognized as having taxonomic application, such as composition of the thickening of velamen cell walls, ornamentation of absorbent root-hair walls, presence of tilosomes, composition and thickening of the cortical cell walls, presence of mycorrhizae, endodermal cell wall thickening, the number of protoxylem poles, and composition and thickening of the central area of the vascular cylinder. These traits are important anatomical markers to separate the species within the genus and to generate a dichotomous identification key for Catasetum. Thus, providing a useful tool for taxonomists of this group