Mechanism of kinetin-induced death of Vicia faba ssp. minor root cortex cells

Cell death (CD) may be induced by endogenous or exogenous factors and contributes to all the steps of plant development. This paper presents results related to the mechanism of CD regulation induced by kinetin (Kin) in the root cortex of Vicia faba ssp. minor. To explain the process, 6-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbenzylamino)purine (PI-55), adenine (Ad), 5′-amine-5′-deoxyadenosine (Ado) and N-(2-chloro-4-piridylo)-N′-phenylurea (CPPU) were applied to (i) block cytokinin receptors (CKs) and inhibit the activities of enzymes of CK metabolism, i.e., (ii) phosphoribosyltransferase, (iii) kinases, and (iv) oxidases, respectively. Moreover, ethylene glycol-bis(β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), lanthanum chloride (LaCl3), ruthenium red (RRed) and cyclosporine A (CS-A) were applied to (i) chelate extracellular calcium ions (Ca2+) as well as blocks of (ii) plasma-, (iii) endoplasmic reticulum- (ER) membrane Ca2+ ion channels and (iv) mitochondria- (MIT) Ca2+ ions release by permeability transition por (PTP), respectively. The measured physiological effectiveness of these factors was the number of living and dying cortex cells estimated with orange acridine (OA) and ethidium bromide (EB), the amounts of cytosolic Ca2+ ions with chlortetracycline (CTC) staining and the intensity of chromatin and Ca2+-CTC complex fluorescence, respectively. Moreover, the role of sorafenib, an inhibitor of RAF kinase, on the vitality of cortex cells and ethylene levels as well as the activities of RAF-like kinase and MEK2 with Syntide-2 and Mek2 as substrates were studied. The results clarified the previously presented suggestion that Kin is converted to appropriate ribotides (5′-monophosphate ribonucleotides), which cooperate with the ethylene and Ca2+ ion signalling pathways to transduce the signal of kinetin-programmed cell death (Kin-PCD). Based on the present and previously published results related to Kin-PCD, the crosstalk between ethylene and MAP kinase signalling, as well as inhibitors of CK receptors and enzymes of their metabolism, is proposed.

The microorganism-plant system for remediation of soil exposed to coal mining

Introduction. Coal mining causes a radical transformation of the soil cover. Research is required into modern methods and complementary technologies for monitoring technogenic landscapes and their remediation. Our study aimed to assess soil and rhizosphere microorganisms and their potential uses for the remediation of technogenic soils in Russian coal regions. Study objects and methods. We reviewed scientific articles published over the past five years, as well as those cited in Scopus and Web of Science. Results and discussion. Areas lying in the vicinity of coal mines and coal transportation lines are exposed to heavy metal contamination. We studied the application of soil remediation technologies that use sorbents from environmentally friendly natural materials as immobilizers of toxic elements and compounds. Mycorrhizal symbionts are used for soil decontamination, such as arbuscular mycorrhiza with characteristic morphological structures in root cortex cells and some mycotallia in the form of arbuscules or vesicles. Highly important are Gram-negative proteobacteria (Agrobacterium, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Burkholderia, Bradyrizobium, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Rizobium), Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Paenibacillus), and Grampositive actinomycetes (Rhodococcus, Streptomyces, Arhtrobacter). They produce phytohormones, vitamins, and bioactive substances, stimulating plant growth. Also, they reduce the phytopathogenicity of dangerous diseases and harmfulness of insects. Finally, they increase the soil’s tolerance to salinity, drought, and oxidative stress. Mycorrhizal chains enable the transport and exchange of various substances, including mineral forms of nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic forms of C3 and C4 plants. Microorganisms contribute to the removal of toxic elements by absorbing, precipitating or accumulating them both inside the cells and in the extracellular space. Conclusion. Our review of scientific literature identified the sources of pollution of natural, agrogenic, and technogenic landscapes. We revealed the effects of toxic pollutants on the state and functioning of living systems: plants, animals, and microorganisms. Finally, we gave examples of modern methods used to remediate degraded landscapes and reclaim disturbed lands, including the latest technologies based on the integration of plants and microorganisms.

The anatomical, palynological and micromorphological aspects of three endemic Bellevalia species (Asparagaceae) in Turkey and their taxonomic importance

In the present research, anatomical, palynological and micromorphological characteristics of three endemic Bellevalia species (B. gracilis, B. malatyaensis and B. vuralii) for Turkey are carried out. This work reveals the descriptive characteristics of the examined species, and contribute to solving taxonomic problems. Anatomical studies were carried out on cross sections of root, scape and leaf. The metaxylem, the number of root cortex cells, and the number of cortex and sclerenchyma cells in the scape were found to be significant in terms of taxonomy. Pollen grains of all the examined species were monosulcate and heteropolar. In addition, seed and pollen surface ornamentation were photographed under SEM microscopy, which SEM micrographs showed that the exine sculpturing pattern is reticulate-perforate, and pollen muri walls of were different among the examined species. Conversely, seeds showed a general similarity of the surface among the studied species, all showing a reticulate faveolate ornamentation.

Ultrastructural Changes of Organelles in Root Cap Cells of Tobacco Under Salinity

We investigated how an abiotic factor, i.e. salinity, affects specific intracellular organelles of cells of the root cap. We focused on: 1) amyloplasts, which are specific plastids of the cap that perform important metabolic and sensory functions; and 2) mitochondria, which protect cells from ROS damage by changing their ultrastructure. In our work we studied the ultrastructural changes of these organelles in different areas of the root cap under NaCl and Na2SO4 impact. We showed that the amyloplasts (statoliths) and mitochondria of the columella and the peripheral zone of the cap change their structural organisation in the presence of NaCl. Under action of Na2SO4, in plastids of columella the number of starch grains decreases dramatically, the cells of the peripheral part of the cap do not contain the amyloplasts, and the proplastids that do not store or store a little starch grains, which is attributed to leucoplasts with typical lamellae characteristic for root cortex cells. Thus, Na2SO4 influence has the most significant effect on the plastids of the root cap, and plastids of the cells of the peripheral zone of the cap are subjected to the most significant changes under salinity stress.

Variations in leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and membrane potential of Medicago sativa root cortex cells exposed to increased salinity: The role of the antioxidant potential in salt tolerance

Salinity is one of the most serious agricultural problems that adversely affects growth and productivity of pasture crops such as alfalfa. In this study, the effects of salinity on some ecophysiological and biochemical criteria associated with salt tolerance were assessed in two Moroccan alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) populations, Taf 1 and Tata. The experiment was conducted in a hydro-aeroponic system containing nutrient solutions, with the addition of NaCl at concentrations of 100 and 200 mM. The salt stress was applied for a month. Several traits in relation to salt tolerance, such as plant dry biomass, relative water content, leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, nutrient uptake, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes, were analyzed at the end of the experiment. The membrane potential was measured in root cortex cells of plants grown with or without NaCl treatment during a week. The results indicated that under salt stress, plant growth and all of the studied physiological and biochemical traits were significantly decreased, except for malondialdehyde and H2O2 contents, which were found to be increased under salt stress. Depolarization of membrane root cortex cells with the increase in external NaCl concentration was noted, irrespective of the growth conditions. The Tata population was more tolerant to high salinity (200 mM NaCl) and its tolerance was associated with the ability of plants to maintain adequate levels of the studied parameters and their ability to overcome oxidative stress by the induction of antioxidant enzymes, such as guaiacol peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase.