Impact of New Micro Carbon Technology Based Fertilizers on Growth, Nutrient Efficiency and Root Cell Morphology of Capsicum annuum L.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of new Micro Carbon Technology (MCT®) fertilizers based on humic acids biologically digested on the growth and development of pepper plants. In this work, the biostimulant effect of MCT® fertilizers was compared to conventional mineral fertilizers. In order to evaluate MCT® fertilizers, a previous chemical characterization (infrared spectroscopy, liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry) of seven MCT® fertilizers was performed. Two fertilization tests of pepper plants were carried out in hydroponic conditions, where the fertilization and the age of the plants were studied in order to evaluate the specific effects on roots and leaves. Plant weight and foliar analysis (chlorophyll indices and nutrients) have been determined. Transmission electron microscopy was used to visualize the morphological differences in the root and leaf cells. Comparison between conventional and MCT® based fertilizers showed that, with the MCT® fertilizers, the plant is exposed to the presence of free amino acids (Glycine and Alanine), polyphenols and humic substances. Although no significant differences were found in plant mass production, the plants fertilized with MCT® products presented better nutritional status than plants treated with conventional fertilization in terms of nutrient content in leaves. Important morphological differences in root cells were found. A large central vacuole that represented the 68–83% of the total root cell area was shown if the MCT® products were used, suggesting significant changes of membrane permeability in terms of water adsorption and consequently nutrient storage. The morphological differences observed in the root cells were more noticeable in adult plants.

Vacuolar convolution: possible mechanisms and role of phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate

The central or lytic vacuole is the largest intracellular organelle in plant cells, but we know unacceptably little about the mechanisms regulating its function in vivo. The underlying reasons are related to difficulties in accessing this organelle without disrupting the cellular integrity and to the dynamic morphology of the vacuole, which lacks a defined structure. Among such morphological changes, vacuolar convolution is probably the most commonly observed event, reflected in the (reversible) transformation of a large central vacuole into a structure consisting of interconnected bubbles of a smaller size. Such behaviour is observed in plant cells subjected to hyperosmotic stress but also takes place in physiological conditions (e.g. during stomatal closure). Although vacuolar convolution is a relatively common phenomenon in plants, studies aimed at elucidating its execution mechanisms are rather scarce. In the present review, we analyse the available evidence on the participation of the cellular cytoskeleton and ion transporters in vacuolar morphology dynamics, putting special emphasis on the available evidence of the role played by phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate in this process.

Ultrastructure of cells in an initiating lateral root primordium of Raphanus sativus

Lateral root primordia in <i>Raphanus sativus</i> had developed 10 hours after main root decapitation. The primordia consisted of three cell layers — basal layer continuous with the pericycle. The primordia were initiated by activated groups of pericycle cells. Inactive pericycle cells with a thin layer of parietal cytoplasme large central vacuole and well developed leucoplasts with starch grains were trans-formed into meristematic cells. During transformation the amount of cytoplasm and number of cytoplasmic organelles greatly increased, the central vacuole disappeared, and an ER system continuous in many places with the nuclear envelope evolved. The lamellar structure of plastids underwent almost complete reduction; the dictyosomes became active. The newly formed meristem differed apparently from the apical root meristem only in the lack or scarcity of lipid bodies and starch.

Difference of Cell Morphology on Different Callus Types of Alfalfa

In order to induce embryo from callus and set up the integral somatic embryo induction system from monoclonal cell, the differences of cell morphology and structure from different types of alfalfa callus were observed and compared by quick section and microscopic examination. The results show that giant callus cells were larger, elongated and yellow-white; loose callus cells were smaller, spherical, soft and yellow-green; hard-type callus cells were round, hard and dark green. The cell volume of giant callus was 4.5 times more than loose callus cells and 9 times more than hard-type callus cells. The biggest change of vacuole number and form were giant callus cells, which had 48%cells of 5-8 big vacuoles. Loose callus cells had 89%cells of 2-4 small vacuoles and hard-type callus cells had 97% cells with one large central vacuole. Loose callus cells had more chloroplast, which were 4.65 times more than giant callus cells. The chloroplast of hard-type callus cells was gathered into groups, which had 3-5 chloroplasts in it. The most nucleuses of giant callus cells and loose callus cells were located in the central of cell and 96.8% nucleus of hard-type callus cells were located on the edge. In hard-type callus cells there were different number of rings, thread and textured ducts. In short, there were lower cell differentiation and clearer vacuolization in giant callus, and high degree of differentiation and tissue aging in hard-type callus. The loose callus was undifferentiated, was lower on vacuolization and apparent on characteristics of embryonic callus, so that it was more suitable for induction of somatic embryos.

Light microscopy survey of extant gymnosperm root protophloem and comparison with basal angiosperms

Gymnosperm root protophloem is not well understood. There is a question as to whether root protophloem cells mature as phloem parenchyma, or as sieve elements, or if within the protophloem there is an anatomical and evolutionary gradient having characteristics of both cell types. This question is relevant to understanding anatomical and physiological mechanisms that supply nutrients to the root tip. Anatomical data from a broad range of species show that gymnosperms have one to three layers of parenchymatous protophloem cells located at the vascular cylinder periphery between the pericyle and the metaphloem. In some species, these cells are associated with secretory idioblasts. Near the root apex, protophloem cells develop a large central vacuole and, in transverse sections, their radial walls tend to be radially elongated. When mature, these cells are highly longitudinally elongated. Only these cells exhibit surging toward the root apex during chemical fixation. These data indicate that protophloem of gymnosperm roots lacks sieve elements. Because of its distinctive anatomical characteristics and the absence of sieve elements, gymnosperm root protophloem is a vegetative synapomorphy among extant species. The restriction of this tissue type to gymnosperms supports the hypothesis that it originated in a progenitor of that clade.

The degradation of potato virus M (PVM) particles in plant cells

Degradation of potato virus M particles was observed in the cells of <i>Solanum tuberosum</i>, <i>Solanum rostratum</i>, <i>Lycopersicon esculentum</i> and <i>Lycopersicon chilense</i> plants infected with this virus. PVM particles found in the cytoplasm of infected parenchyma cells grouped together in the form of inclusions, often found near the tonoplast. The ends of the virus particles and the tonoplast came into close contact. Cytoplasmic protrusions containing PVM particles, reaching into vacuoles were formed in those places. In addition to a large central vacuole, small vacuoles were observed in cells containing PVM particles. Various stages of degradation of cytoplasmic protrusions were observed both in the large and small vacuoles.

Yeast vacuoles fragment in an asymmetrical two-phase process with distinct protein requirements

Yeast vacuoles fragment and fuse in response to environmental conditions, such as changes in osmotic conditions or nutrient availability. Here we analyze osmotically induced vacuole fragmentation by time-lapse microscopy. Small fragmentation products originate directly from the large central vacuole. This happens by asymmetrical scission rather than by consecutive equal divisions. Fragmentation occurs in two distinct phases. Initially, vacuoles shrink and generate deep invaginations that leave behind tubular structures in their vicinity. Already this invagination requires the dynamin-like GTPase Vps1p and the vacuolar proton gradient. Invaginations are stabilized by phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI(3)P) produced by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase complex II. Subsequently, vesicles pinch off from the tips of the tubular structures in a polarized manner, directly generating fragmentation products of the final size. This phase depends on the production of phosphatidylinositol-3,5-bisphosphate and the Fab1 complex. It is accelerated by the PI(3)P- and phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate–binding protein Atg18p. Thus vacuoles fragment in two steps with distinct protein and lipid requirements.

Distribution and structure of internal secretory reservoirs on the vegetative organs of Inula helenium L. (Asteraceae)

The aim of the study was to investigate the structure and topography of endogenous secretory tissues of <i>Inula helenium</i> L. By using light and electron microscopy, morphological and anatomical observations of stems, leaves and rhizomes were made. It was shown that in the stems secretory cavities were situated in the vicinity of phloem and xylem bundles. The number of the reservoirs reached its maximum value (34) at shoot flowerig termination, whereas the cavities with the largest diameter were observed at full flowering stage (44.6 µm). In the leaf petioles and midribs, the reservoirs also accompanied the vascular bundles, and their number and size increased along with the growth of the assimilation organs. Observations of the cross sections of the rhizomes revealed the presence of several rings of secretory reservoirs. The measurements of the cavities showed that as a rule the reservoirs with a larger dimension were located in the phelloderm, whereas the smallest ones in the xylem area. The secretory cavities located in the stems and leaves developed by schizogenesis, whereas the rhizome reservoirs were probably formed schizolisygenously. The cells lining the reservoirs formed a one - four-layered epithelium. Observed in TEM, the secretory cells of the mature cavities located in the rhizomes were characterised by the presence of a large central vacuole, whereas the protoplast was largely degraded. Fibrous elements of osmophilic secretion and numerous different coloured vesicles could be distinguished in it. The cell walls formed, from the side of the reservoir lumen, ingrowths into the interior of the epithelial cells. Between the cell wall and the plasmalemma of the glandular cells, a brighter periplasmatic zone with secretory vesicles was observed.

Trafficking and Sequestration of Anthocyanins

Flavonoids are synthesized on the cytoplasmic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). As is the case for several other phytochemicals, anthocyanins and other products of the pathway often accumulate in the large central vacuole. This review summarizes recent findings on the possible mechanisms by which flavonoids traffic between the ER and the vacuole, and discusses the frequent localization of anthocyanins in sub-vacuolar structures with variable characteristics.