Morphological Characterization and Transcriptional Regulation of Corolla Closure in Ipomoea purpurea

Corolla closure protects pollen from high-temperature stress during pollen germination and fertilization in the ornamental plant morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea). However, the morphological nature of this process and the molecular events underpinning it remain largely unclear. Here, we examined the cellular and gene expression changes that occur during corolla closure in the I. purpurea. We divided the corolla closure process into eight stages (S0–S7) based on corolla morphology. During flower opening, bulliform cells appear papillate, with pigments in the adaxial epidermis of the corolla. These cells have distinct morphology from the smaller, flat cells in the abaxial epidermis in the corolla limb and intermediate of the corolla. During corolla closure, the bulliform cells of the adaxial epidermis severely collapse compared to cells on the abaxial side. Analysis of transparent tissue and cross sections revealed that acuminate veins in the corolla are composed of spiral vessels that begin to curve during corolla closure. When the acuminate veins were compromised, the corolla failed to close normally. We performed transcriptome analysis to obtain a time-course profile of gene expression during the process from the open corolla stage (S0) to semi-closure (S3). Genes that were upregulated from S0 to S1 were enriched in the polysaccharide degradation pathway, which positively regulates cell wall reorganization. Senescence-related transcription factor genes were expressed beginning at S1, leading to the activation of downstream autophagy-related genes at S2. Genes associated with peroxisomes and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis were upregulated at S3 to enhance reactive oxygen species scavenging and protein degradation. Therefore, bulliform cells and acuminate veins play essential roles in corolla closure. Our findings provide a global understanding of the gene regulatory processes that occur during corolla closure in I. purpurea.

Learning from plant movements triggered by bulliform cells: the biomimetic cellular actuator

Within the framework of a biomimetic top-down approach, our study started with the technical question of the development of a hinge-free and compliant actuator inspired by plant movements. One meaningful biological concept generator was the opening and closing movements of the leaf halves of grasses. Functional morphological investigations were carried out on the selected model plant Sesleria nitida . The results formed the basis for further clarifying the functional movement principle with a particular focus on the role of turgor changes in bulliform cells on kinetic amplification. All findings gained from the investigations of the biological model were incorporated into a finite-element analysis, as a prerequisite for the development of a pneumatic cellular actuator. The first prototype consisted of a row of single cells positioned on a plate. The cells were designed in such a way that the entire structure bent when the pneumatic pressure applied to each individual cell was increased. The pneumatic cellular actuator thus has the potential for applications on an architectural scale. It has subsequently been integrated into the midrib of the facade shading system Flectofold in which the bending of its midrib controls the hoisting of its wings.

Anatomical Responses of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) to Aluminium Toxicity

Anatomical response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) to aluminium toxicity grown in sand culture and half strength Hoagland solution revealed that aluminium stress caused a decrease in diameter of the root and the shoot. Aluminium toxicity reduced the number of metaxylem vessels in the root of rice. Number of sclerenchyma cells was more in aluminium-treated rice root. Under Al stress, smaller sized vascular bundles were found in the leaf of rice. Size and frequency of bulliform cells were increased in the leaf of Al-treated plants than that in control plants. Al treatment caused closure of stomata in rice leaves. Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 43, No. 2, 123-131, 2019

Structure-function analysis of the maize bulliform cell cuticle and its role in dehydration and leaf rolling

The cuticle is a hydrophobic layer on the outer surface plant shoots, which serves as an important interaction interface with the environment. It consists of the lipid polymer cutin, embedded with and covered by waxes, and provides protection against stresses including desiccation, UV radiation, and pathogen attack. Bulliform cells form in longitudinal strips on the adaxial leaf surface, and have been implicated in the leaf rolling response observed in drought stressed grass leaves. In this study, we show that bulliform cells of the adult maize leaf epidermis have a specialized cuticle, and we investigate its function along with that of bulliform cells themselves. Analysis of natural variation was used to relate bulliform strip pattering to leaf rolling rate, providing evidence of a role for bulliform cells in leaf rolling. Bulliform cells displayed increased shrinkage compared to other epidermal cell types during dehydration of the leaf, providing a potential mechanism to facilitate leaf rolling. Comparisons of cuticular conductance between adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces, and between bulliform-enriched mutants vs. wild type siblings, provided evidence that bulliform cells lose water across the cuticle more rapidly than other epidermal cell types. Bulliform cell cuticles have a distinct ultrastructure, and differences in cutin monomer content and composition, compared to other leaf epidermal cells. We hypothesize that this cell type-specific cuticle is more water permeable than the epidermal pavement cell cuticle, facilitating the function of bulliform cells in stress-induced leaf rolling observed in grasses.One sentence summaryBulliform cells in maize have a specialized cuticle, lose more water than other epidermal cell types as the leaf dehydrates, and facilitate leaf rolling upon dehydration.

Morphological characteristics and proportion of leaf blade tissues of elephant grass clones under sheep grazing

The objective of this work was to characterize morphologically elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) genotypes and to estimate their proportions of leaf blade tissues under grazing. Two tall varieties (Elephant B and IRI-381) and three short ones (Mott, Taiwan A-146 2.37, and Taiwan A-146 2.114) were evaluated under intermittent sheep grazing as to the following morphological characteristics: plant height, internode length, and leaf blade/culm ratio. Moreover, the proportions of the following leaf blade tissues were estimated: sclerenchyma, adaxial and abaxial epidermis, bulliform cells, vascular bundles, phloem, vascular sheath, xylem, and mesophyll. The short varieties were 28.6% shorter than the tall ones and showed higher leaf blade/culm ratio; Mott and Taiwan A-146 2.114 had the shortest internodes of 3.9 and 4.7 cm, respectively, over ten grazing cycles. The clones differed regarding their proportions of leaf blade tissues, except for abaxial epidermis, phloem, and xylem. The differences in morphological characteristics indicate that the short clones Mott and Taiwan A-146 2.114 are better adapted to sheep grazing, and, therefore, may be recommended for the improvement of pastures.

Cross-sectional anatomy of leaf blade and leaf sheath of cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica L.)

Histology of leaf blade and sheath of cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica L.) Beauv., indicated typical C4 Kranz anatomy. Cells of adaxial epidermis were smaller and bulliform cells were present on the adaxial epidermis. The shape of bulliform cells was bulbous; 3-7 cells were present in a group and 3-5 folds larger than epidermal cells. Three types of vascular bundles in respect of size and structure were extra large, large and small and they were part of leaf blade histology. These three sizes of vascular bundles were arranged in successive manner from midrib to leaf margin. Leaf sheath bundles were of two types: large and small. Extra large bundles were flanked by five small and four large bundles but small bundles were alternate found to be with large typed bundles. Extra large bundles were of typical monocotyledonous type but the large type had reduced xylem elements and the small typed was found to be transformed into treachery elements. Small be bundles occupied half the thickness of the flat portion of leaf blade topped by large bulliform cells of the adaxial epidermis. Extra large and large bundle had been extended to upper and lower epidermis. Kranz mesophyll completely encircled the bundle sheath and radiated out into ground tissue. Midrib was projected in abaxial direction and had a central vascular bundle with large and small bundles on either side of it along the abaxial regions. The midrib vascular bundle was devoid of chlorenchymatous bundle sheath and was of non-Kranz type. Continuous sub-epidermal sclerenchyma girders were noted as adaxial hypodermis. Anatomical traits exhibited an important adaptive defense against draught and saline stress of the plant. Quantitative measurement of various anatomical traits indicated strong variations among them.J. bio-sci. 25: 17-26, 2017

Micro-morphological descriptions on Cenchrus species from Rajasthan (India)

Present investigation was carried out to screen micro-morphological features of Cenchrus species (C4 plant) belonging to family Poaceae. This is an important medicinal, fodder as well as crop plant and traditionally used as famine food during drought. It is best suited for desert environmental conditions. In extreme conditions when food is in scarce, seeds of this grass are consumed by tribals. The microscopical illustrations revealed several interesting features i.e. presence of cuticle, bulliform cells, trichomes, lysigenous cavity, more amount of chlorenchyma, Y- shaped vascular bundles, double layered bundle sheath, large vessels and starch grains that support its assimilation efficacy and survival in typical conditions of Thar Desert. This study helps in referential identification, authentication, standardization and detection of adaptation strategies to understand biology of this plant.

EFFECT OF SETHOXYDIM HERBICIDE IN THE LEAF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF BRACHIARIA GRASS UNDER WATER STRESS

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to analyze the leaf anatomy and physiological behavior of Brachiaria grass plants (Urochloa decumbens) under different water conditions and with the application of sethoxydim herbicide. The used experimental design was the completely randomized one, with four replications, consisting of a 3 x 2 factorial scheme, with the combination of three water managements (-0.03, -0.07 and -1.5 MPa) with and without the application of sethoxydim herbicide + Assist mineral oil, at the recommended dose for the species (184 g a.i. ha-1). The assessed physiological and anatomicalal parameters were photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration, difference between leaf and room temperature, dry mass of plants, thickness of bulliform cells, adaxial and total epidermis. Under the conditions in which the experiment was conducted, it appears that Brachiaria grass leaves showed uniseriate epidermis, homogenous mesophyll, with radiated distribution of parenchymal cells around the vascular bundles. The adaxial epidermis presented bulliform cells; the vascular bundles are collateral and are present in different sizes. Water stress had a negative influence on herbicide effectiveness and decreased all physiological parameters. The application of the herbicide caused anatomical changes in plants with no water stress (-0.03 MPa), such as limitations in the growth of epidermic and bulliform cells, and in the total leaf thickness. However, in treatments with stress (-0.07 and -1.5 MPa), there were no differences in leaf anatomy, but an increase in the total thickness of leaves, probably as a result of the water stress conditions to which plants were submitted..