Abstract: Worldwide efforts to engineer C4 photosynthesis into C3 crops require a deep understanding of how this complex pathway operates. CO2 is incorporated into four-carbon metabolites in the mesophyll, which move to the bundle sheath where they are decarboxylated to concentrate CO2 around RuBisCO. We performed dynamic 13CO2 labeling in maize to analyze C flow in C4 photosynthesis. The overall labeling kinetics reflected the topology of C4 photosynthesis. Analyses of cell-specific labeling patterns after fractionation to enrich bundle sheath and mesophyll cells revealed concentration gradients to drive intercellular diffusion of malate, but not pyruvate, in the major CO2-concentrating shuttle. They also revealed intercellular concentration gradients of aspartate, alanine, and phosphenolpyruvate to drive a second phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK)-type shuttle, which carries 10-14% of the carbon into the bundle sheath. Gradients also exist to drive intercellular exchange of 3-phosphoglycerate and triose-phosphate. There is rapid carbon exchange between the Calvin-Benson cycle and the CO2-concentrating shuttle, equivalent to ~10% of carbon gain. In contrast, very little C leaks from the large pools of metabolites in the C concentration shuttle into respiratory metabolism. We postulate that the presence of multiple shuttles, alongside carbon transfer between them and the Calvin-Benson cycle, confers great flexibility in C4 photosynthesis.

Abstract: Boron is especially required for the growth of meristem and reproductive organs, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the preferential distribution of B to these developing tissues are poorly understood. Here, we show evidence that a member of nodulin 26-like intrinsic protein (NIP), OsNIP3;1, is involved in this preferential distribution in rice (Oryza sativa). OsNIP3;1 was highly expressed in the nodes and its expression was up-regulated by B deficiency, but down-regulated by high B. OsNIP3;1 was polarly localized at the xylem parenchyma cells of enlarged vascular bundles of nodes facing toward the xylem vessels. Furthermore, this protein was rapidly degraded within a few hours in response to high B. Knockout of this gene hardly affected the uptake and root-to-shoot translocation of B, but altered B distribution in different organs in the above-ground parts, decreased distribution of B to the new leaves, and increased distribution to the old leaves. These results indicate that OsNIP3;1 located in the nodes is involved in the preferential distribution of B to the developing tissues by unloading B from the xylem in rice and that it is regulated at both transcriptional and protein level in response to external B level.

Abstract: Improvements to leaf photosynthetic rates of crops can be achieved by targeted manipulation of individual component processes, such as the activity and properties of RuBisCO or photoprotection. This study shows that simple forward genetic screens of mutant populations can also be used to rapidly generate photosynthesis variants that are useful for breeding. Increasing leaf vein density (concentration of vascular tissue per unit leaf area) has important implications for plant hydraulic properties and assimilate transport. It was an important step to improving photosynthetic rates in the evolution of both C3 and C4 species and is a foundation or prerequisite trait for C4 engineering in crops like rice (Oryza sativa). A previous high throughput screen identified five mutant rice lines (cv. IR64) with increased vein densities and associated narrower leaf widths (Feldman et al., 2014). Here, these high vein density rice variants were analyzed for properties related to photosynthesis. Two lines were identified as having significantly reduced mesophyll to bundle sheath cell number ratios. All five lines had 20% higher light saturated photosynthetic capacity per unit leaf area, higher maximum carboxylation rates, dark respiration rates and electron transport capacities. This was associated with no significant differences in leaf thickness, stomatal conductance or CO2 compensation point between mutants and the wild-type. The enhanced photosynthetic rate in these lines may be a result of increased RuBisCO and electron transport component amount and/or activity and/or enhanced transport of photoassimilates. We conclude that high vein density (associated with altered mesophyll cell length and number) is a trait that may confer increased photosynthetic efficiency without increased transpiration.

Abstract: Xylem flow is progressively shut down during maturation beginning with minor veins at the stylar end and progressing to major veins and finally to bundles at the stem end. This study investigates the functionality of the xylem vascular system in developing sweet cherry fruit (Prunus avium L.). The tracers acid fuchsin and gadoteric acid were fed to the pedicel of detached fruit. The tracer distribution was studied using light microscopy and magnetic resonance imaging. The vasculature of the sweet cherry comprises five major bundles. Three of these supply the flesh; two enter the pit to supply the ovules. All vascular bundles branch into major and minor veins that interconnect via numerous anastomoses. The flow in the xylem as indexed by the tracer distribution decreases continuously during development. The decrease is first evident at the stylar (distal) end of the fruit during pit hardening and progresses basipetally towards the pedicel (proximal) end of the fruit at maturity. That growth strains are the cause of the decreased conductance is indicated by: elastic strain relaxation after tissue excision, the presence of ruptured vessels in vivo, the presence of intrafascicular cavities, and the absence of tyloses.

Abstract: While monocots lack the ability to produce a vascular cambium or woody growth, some monocot lineages evolved a novel lateral meristem, the monocot cambium, which supports secondary radial growth of stems. In contrast to the vascular cambium found in woody angiosperm and gymnosperm species, the monocot cambium produces secondary vascular bundles, which have an amphivasal organization of tracheids encircling a central strand of phloem. Currently there is no information concerning the molecular genetic basis of the development or evolution of the monocot cambium. Here we report high-quality transcriptomes for monocot cambium and early derivative tissues in two monocot genera, Yucca and Cordyline. Monocot cambium transcript profiles were compared to those of vascular cambia and secondary xylem tissues of two forest tree species, Populus trichocarpa and Eucalyptus grandis. Monocot cambium transcript levels showed that there are extensive overlaps between the regulation of monocot cambia and vascular cambia. Candidate regulatory genes that vary between the monocot and vascular cambia were also identified, and included members of the KANADI and CLE families involved in polarity and cell-cell signaling, respectively. We suggest that the monocot cambium may have evolved in part through reactivation of genetic mechanisms involved in vascular cambium regulation.

Abstract: This work was conducted during the two successive winter seasons of 2014 / 2015 and 2015 / 2016 at the Agricultural Experiments and Researches Station (Ghazala Farm), Faculty of Agriculture , Zagazig University , Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, to study the effect of foliar spray with selenium at concentrations of 0, 2.5 , 5 , 10 , 15 and 20 ppm on growth, chemical composition , yield as well as anatomy of stem and leaves of faba bean cv. Giza 716. The experimental results showed that foliar application with 20 ppm selenium showed no effect on vegetative growth , yield components ,seed quality, photosynthetic pigments (chl a , chl b, total chl and carotenoids) concentration, carbohydrates fractions , minerals and crude protein percentage. Foliar application with 10 ppm selenium significant improvement effects on vegetative growth , yield, seed quality, photosynthetic pigments, carbohydrates fractions, minerals and crude protein percentage of faba bean cv. Giza 716. Foliar application with 10 ppm selenium induced favorable enhancement in anatomical feature of stem and leaves. Exogenous application of selenium also induced prominent increase in diameter of stem, thickness of cortex, number of cortical layers, average length and width of vascular bundle, average vessels number per vascular bundle and average diameter of vessel . Likewise, increased thickness of both midvein and lamina, increased thickness of mesophyll , size of midvein bundle, length and width of midvein bundle and vessel diameter were increased as a result of spraying selenium.

Abstract: Under fluctuating ambient conditions, the ability of plants to maintain hydromineral homeostasis requires the tight control of long distance transport. This includes the control of radial transport within leaves, from veins to mesophyll. The bundle sheath is a structure that tightly wraps around leaf vasculature. It has been suggested to act as a selective barrier in the context of radial transport. This suggestion is based on recent physiological transport assays of bundle sheath cells (BSCs), as well as the anatomy of these cells.We hypothesized that the unique transport functionality of BSCs is apparent in their transcriptome. To test this, we compared the transcriptomes of individually hand-picked protoplasts of GFP-labeled BSCs and non-labeled mesophyll cells (MCs) from the leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana. Of the 90 genes differentially expressed between BSCs and MCs, 45% are membrane related and 20% transport related, a prominent example being the proton pump AHA2. Electrophysiological assays showed that the major AKT2-like membrane K+ conductances of BSCs and MCs had different voltage dependency ranges. Taken together, these differences may cause simultaneous but oppositely directed transmembrane K+ fluxes in BSCs and MCs, in otherwise similar conditions.

Abstract: The Na+/H+ antiporters play an important role in salt tolerance in plants. However, the functions of OsNHXs in rice except OsNHX1 have not been well studied. Using the gain- and loss-of-function strategies, we studied the potential role of OsNHX2 in salt tolerance in rice. Overexpression of OsNHX2 (OsNHX2-OE) in rice showed the significant tolerance to salt stress than wild-type plants and OsNHX2 knockdown transgenic plants (OsNHX2-KD). Under salt treatments of 300-mM NaCl for 5 days, the plant fresh weights, relative water percentages, shoot heights, Na+ contents, K+ contents, and K+/Na+ ratios in leaves of OsNHX2-OE transgenic plants were higher than those in wild-type plants, while no differences were detected in roots. K+/Na+ ratios in rice leaf mesophyll cells and bundle sheath cells were higher in OsNHX2-OE transgenic plants than in wild-type plants and OsNHX2-KD transgenic plants. Our data indicate that OsNHX2 plays an important role in salt stress based on leaf mesophyll cells and bundle sheath cells and can be served in genetically engineering crop plants with enhanced salt tolerance.

Abstract: C4 plants can efficiently accumulate CO2 in leaves and thus reduce wasteful oxygen fixation by the RuBisCO enzyme. Three C4 enzymes, namely carbonic anhydrase (CA), phosphoenol pyruvate (PEPC) and pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK), were over expressed in Oryza sativa L. ssp. indica var. Khitish under the control of green tissue specific promoters PD54o, PEPC and PPDK, respectively. Integration of these genes was confirmed by Southern hybridization. The relative expression of PEPC, CA and PPDK were, respectively, 6.75, 6.57 and 3.6-fold higher in transgenic plants compared to wild type plants (control). Photosynthetic efficiency of the transgenic plants increased significantly along with a 12 % increase in grain yield compared to wild type plants. Compared to control plants, transgenic plants also showed phenotypic changes such as increased leaf blade size, root biomass, and plant height and anatomical changes such as greater leaf vein number, bundle sheath cells, and bulliform cells. Our findings indicate that the combined over expression of these three enzymes is an efficient strategy for incorporating beneficial physiological and anatomical features that will enable subsequent yield enhancement in C3 rice plants.

Abstract: Water shortage is the most limiting abiotic stress for agricultural crops, and the mechanisms through which plants perceive water restriction are highly complex and must be better understood In order to shed light on the effect of hydric stress over the anatomical characteristics of soybean, this paper aimed to examine the morphological alterations in two soybean cultivars: MG/BR 46 Conquista (non-transgenic) and BRS Valiosa RR (transgenic), via the response to different soil water managements, in two vegetative development stages The plants were subjected to five soil water hydric management conditions (Ψs): −003; −005; −007; −05; −15 MPa, in vegetative development stages V2 and V4 Evaluations were carried out involving stomatal conductance, leaf area, leaf anatomy measures (width of palisade and spongy parenchyma, length of central vein, adaxial and abaxial width of central vein, length of vascular bundle, width of vascular bundle), and stem diameter A higher tolerance was observed in BRS Valiosa RR to moderate hydric deficit conditions when they occurred in soybean stage V2 The BRS Valiosa RR cultivar presents a better morphologically and anatomically adaptive response to moderate hydric restrictions of up to (−007 MPa) when they occur in the first weeks of plant development

Abstract: The effects of field dodder on physiological and anatomical processes in untreated sugar beet plants and the effects of propyzamide on field dodder were examined under controlled conditions. The experiment included the following variants: N-noninfested sugar beet plants (control); I - infested sugar beet plants (untreated), and infested plants treated with propyzamide (1500 g a.i. ha-1 (T1) and 2000 g a.i. ha-1(T2)). The following parameters were checked: physiological-pigment contents (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total carotenoids); anatomical -leaf parameters: thickness of epidermis, parenchyma and spongy tissue, mesophyll and underside leaf epidermis, and diameter of bundle sheath cells; petiole parameters: diameter of tracheid, petiole hydraulic conductance, xylem surface, phloem cell diameter and phloem area in sugar beet plants. A conventional paraffin wax method was used to prepare the samples for microscopy. Pigment contents were measured spectrophotometrically after methanol extraction. All parameters were measured: prior to herbicide application (0 assessment), then 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after application (DAA). Field dodder was found to affect the pigment contents in untreated sugar beet plants, causing significant reductions. Conversely, reduction in the treated plants decreased 27% to 4% for chlorophyll a, from 21% to 5% for chlorophyll b, and from 28% to 5% for carotenoids (T1). Also, in treatment T2, reduction decreased in infested and treated plants from 19% to 2% for chlorophyll a, from 21% to 2% for chlorophyll b, from 23% to 3% for carotenoids and stimulation of 1% and 2% was observed 28 and 35 DAA, respectively. Plants infested (untreated) by field dodder had lower values of most anatomical parameters, compared to noninfested plants. The measured anatomical parameters of sugar beet leaves and petiole had significantly higher values in noninfested plants and plants treated with propyzamide than in untreated plants. Also, the results showed that propyzamide is an adequate herbicide for control of field dodder at the stage of early infestation.

Abstract: The study was carried out to investigate the responses of drought stress on wheat tissues. Five wheat cultivars Alta 84 (AL), Atila (AT), Cettia (CE), Norman Bourgluk 2008 (NB) and Seri M82 (SE) were cultivated. Four weeks after planting, healthy plants were subjected to four treatments viz- well-watered (D1), watered daily, drought stress (D2), one weekly watering, drought stress (D3), two weekly watering and drought stress (D4), and three weekly watering. The experiment was a factorial experiment conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates; Transverse section (TS) of the leaves collected were sectioned using microtome, stained and observed under compound microscope. Mesophyll cells, vascular bundles, bundle sheaths and xylem tissues were measured using ocular micrometer. Epidermal peels were prepared to determine the number of stomata and trichomes. When drought stress was imposed (D2, D3 and D4), wheat cultivar Cettia developed larger mesophyll cells, xylem tissues, vascular bundles and bundle sheaths than other cultivars. Thus, larger vascular bundles would facilitate faster movement of water and mineral salts up to the shoot from the root. Cultivar Atila developed higher number of trichomes during drought stress D2 than other cultivars which help to reduce the rate of transpiration of water out of the epidermal leaves. Wheat cultivars Cettia and Atila could be drought tolerant cultivars. Generally, wheat cultivars developed stable stomata number and stomata closure mechanism to cope with drought stress. There was an increase in number of trichomes at D2, D3 and D4 which revealed the ecologically adaptation of wheat plants to drought stress. Key words : Wheat Cultivars, Drought Stress, Anatomical Structures.

Abstract: Cambial variations in lianas of Piperaceae in Taiwan have not been studied previously. The stem anatomy of seven Piper species from Taiwan was examined to document cambial variations and better distinguish the species when leaves are absent. A key for the seven species is provided, based on the internal stem anatomy. The seven Piper species climb via adventitious roots, and in cross section, the stems were generally eccentric and oblate, although a transversely elliptic stem was found in P. kadsura (Choisy) Ohwi and P. sintenense Hatus. A cambial variant with secondary growth of external primary vascular bundles and xylem in plates was observed in all species except Piper betle L., which developed another cambium variant with xylem furrowed deeply by parenchyma proliferation. The sclerenchymatous ring surrounding the medullary vascular bundles was always continuous except in P. betle, where it was discontinuous. Mucilage canals varied from absent to present in the center of the pith, or present in the pith and inner cortex. Different sizes of vessels dispersed throughout the stem were ring or diffuse porous. The numbers of medullary and peripheral vascular bundles were distinctive and the widths of rays were noticeably different in each species. Differences in the growth rate of the medullary vascular bundles produced two development types of vascular bundles, although in both types, the peripheral vascular bundles gradually lengthen and become separated from each other by wide rays. We documented the internal stem anatomy of six previously unstudied species of Piper, including three endemic species, P. kwashoense Hayata, P. sintenense, and P. taiwanense Lin and Lu, and found that P. betle had deeply furrowed xylem, which had not been reported for the species before. The descriptions and photographs of seven Piper species will also provide a basis for further morphological studies.

Abstract: Abstract Grass nodes play an essential role as interfaces between leaf and stem. The description of the bundle course in nodes considerably contributes to understanding of the transport of assimilates, minerals, and xenobiotics in grasses. Nodes and internodes of 38 species of the subfamilies Arundinoideae, Bambusoideae, Panicoideae, and Pooideae were analyzed histologically. Free-hand sections, various staining techniques, macro- and microphotography were used to reveal a few principles underlying their anatomy. In all grass species, specific nodal zones were found in which many vascular bundles undergo characteristic transformations. This transformation starts with the augmentation of xylem in lower nodal areas and continues with the formation of specific amphivasal structures providing connections with the leaf attached to the node. The anatomy of these strands, herein called vasotubuli, has not much in common with vascular bundles in internodes any more. Transverse nodal plexus strands provide many connections between bundles and vasotubuli. The nodal plexus is also an interface of sclerenchyma bundles. The nodes of most grass species are constructed very similarly with a few exceptions: the nodes of Phragmites australis (Cav.) Steud. for example have something in common with bamboo: they develop spindle-like glomeruli.

Abstract: Unlike xylem, which is primarily composed of dead cells in vascular bundles, phloem has living cells. It transports organic nutrients and long-distance communication signals to all parts of plants. In this report, we describe a promoter from Populus trichocarpa that drives strong gene expression in a phloem tissue-specific manner. First, we identified five candidate genes with strong expression in the developing phloem (DP) tissue from whole-transcriptome gene chip analyses of different tissue types of poplar. The putative promoter sequences of them were isolated and tested for their promoter activity in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Among them, a promoter of the Potri.001G340200.1 gene (called the PtrDP3 promoter) was identified that has the strongest activity in phloem tissue. PtrDP3 promoter activity was found exclusively in phloem cells of the stem and root tissues of transgenic Arabidopsis plants, which was reproduced in the transgenic poplar plants. The phloemspecific activity of the PtrDP3 promoter was detected as early as in three-day-old seedlings and was not affected by abiotic stresses or exogenously applied plant hormones in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Promoter deletion analysis identified a 100-bp regulatory region of the PtrDP3 promoter, which is necessary to drive phloem specific expression. This study provides evidence of a strong phloem-specific promoter that is suitable for phloem-specific biotechnological modifications in plants.

Abstract: The anatomical knowledge of species of the Theobroma genus is important for the establishment and maintenance of germplasm collections, considering agronomic and phytopathological studies, and breeding programs. This study aimed to characterize the anatomy of Theobroma speciosum leaves, recording the structural differences observed between sun and shade leaves. Theobroma speciosum leaves were collected at Juruena National Park and in pastures in the rural municipality of Alta Floresta – MT. We analyzed the thickness of the leaf mesophyll, palisade and spongy parenchyma, midvein and vascular bundle. Cluster analysis was performed using the Hierarchical UPGMA method, based on the standardized mean Euclidean distance. Were observed glandular trichomes, claviforme type and sessile stellate, the epidermis is uniseriate in cross section, the mesophyll is dorsiventral, however the parenchymas are little different. Collateral vascular bundles are dispersed in the mesophyll, forming sheaths that extend up to the epidermis. The midvein, in cross section, has a biconvex shape, with closed vascular system surrounded by sclerenchymatic sheath. The constitution of the leaves mesophyll varied with the environment. Plants exposed to full sunlight showed longer cells in the palisade parenchyma, spongy parenchyma with more layers and higher quantity of trichomes, whereas shade leaves showed cells with many mesophyll intercellular spaces. The dendrogram showed the formation of two distinct groups: group I comprises the plants of the Park and group II pasture plants. The clustering showed significant anatomical changes caused by variations of light intensity on leaves, which revealed a large adaptive capacity of Theobroma speciosum .

Abstract: The anatomical properties of leaf, stem, and root of Epidendrum radicans Pav. ex Lindl., belonging to the subfamily Epidendroideae (Orchidaceae) were investigated for adaptations to stressed habitats. The anatomical investigation revealed that leaves of E. radicans have a thick cuticle (3–4 µm) and paracytic type of stomata. Foliar epidermal cells are conical on the adaxial surface and rectangular in the abaxial surface, distinct hypodermis absent, and uniseriate fiber bundles are arranged in both sides of the leaves. The foliar mesophyll is homogenous and starch grains and raphides present. The leaf sheath covering the stem have cuticle restricted to the outer surface and air spaces are present. The stem has a cuticulerized uniseriate epidermis and a uniseriate hypodermis. The cortex and a parenchymatous ground tissue of the stem are separated by a layer of sclerenchymatous band. Vascular bundles are collateral and their size generally increases from the periphery towards the center. A sclerenchymatous patch covers the phloem pole, whereas the xylem is covered by thin-walled parenchymatous cells. The roots possess Epidendrum-type velamen. Cover cells present. Uniseriate dimorphic exodermis consists of U-thickened long cells and thin-walled passage cells. The endodermal cells O-thickened, pericycle sclerenchymatous, xylem 10–14 arched. The pith is sclerenchymatous, but parenchymatous at the center. The anatomical examination of E. radicans revealed adaptations to moisture stress conditions like thick cuticle covering the leaves and stem, water storage cells, multilayered velamen and dimorphic exodermis.

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..

Abstract: A conspicuous ‘finger-like’ branching morphology is described for three arborescent Araliaceae species with a focus on the three-dimensional vascular bundle arrangement in leaf insertion and stem–branch attachment regions during ontogenetic development. The central aim of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the structure and development in leaf insertions and stem–branch attachments of the arborescent Araliaceae species: Schefflera arboricola, Fatsia japonica and Polyscias balfouriana. Therefore, the vascular bundle arrangement in the leaf insertion zone and ontogenetic development of the stem–branch attachment after decapitation were analyzed, with a special focus on their conspicuous ‘finger-like’ branching morphology that, to our knowledge, is unique to the Araliaceae. Decortication of adult ramifications allows for a morphological analysis of the woody strands in the stem–branch attachment regions. Via high-resolution microscopy of serial thin-sections and 3D reconstructions, as well as cryotome sections, anatomical analysis was carried out of the course and arrangement of vascular bundles through leaf insertions and later developing ramifications, including a comparative analysis of the different ontogenetic stages. All three species investigated present a ‘finger-like’ branching morphology with variations in the number and arrangement of the woody strands. Thin-sectioning reveals a conspicuous pattern of leaf trace emergence from the main stem, proceeding into the leaf and the early developing ramifications. Vascular bundle derivatives contribute to the vascular integration of leaves and axillary buds. The described ‘finger-like’ branching morphology in the investigated Araliaceae species represents a sophisticated mode of vascular integration in leaf insertion zones and developing ramifications. In combination with forthcoming biomechanical experiments, this analysis shall serve as a basis for biomimetic translations into textile technology (fiber-reinforced branched composite materials) and civil engineering (optimization of branched building structures).

Abstract: The stem and leaf anatomical studies of Euphorbia hirta L. were conducted for finding identical traits. The fresh hand sections were stained with safranin and examined under light microscope. Cross section of the stem has a circular shape where epidermis was uniseriate and isodiametric. Cortex was distinctly formed with about 5-6 rows composed of chlorenchyma and found laticifers. Tracheary elements were resembled by vessels and trachieds. In most cases, some pith cells were filled laticifers at young stage and it has a distinct gap or central cavity at maturation stage. In leaf, the epidermis was uniseriate, regular, thin walled, usually similar in diameters and covered with thin cuticle layer. Multicellular uniseriate or gland-like trichomes occur in rugose hairs at epidermis. Mesophyll was differentiated into palisade and spongy layers, was composed of parenchyma cells. The palisade layer assembled with 2 rows of cells. The spongy layer thickness was different around the midrib region, compared with other parts, has 2-6 rows of cells. Laticifers were present at the middle part of the mesophyll. Xylem elements in midrib initiated perfectly and composed of many straight rows of mainly vessels where the phloem elements were abundant and occupied a good part of the vascular bundle as a semicircle shape. The stem and leaf anatomy of this species studied here showed laticifers in cortex zone and pith cells, and middle part of the mesophyll, respectively, was a taxonomic trait for this species.

Abstract: Doryopteris triphylla (Pteridaceae-Cheilanthoideae) grows in xeric habitats in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. The aim of this study was to characterize D. triphylla anatomically, histochemically and cytogenetically. For anatomical characterization, rhizomes, roots, petioles and leaves were made and then stained using Safranine-Astra Blue for further observations. Leaf blades were also cleared. For histochemical analysis, leaf cross sections were stained with different reagents to identify glandular trichomes compounds. For cytogenetic characterization, a karyogram was performed using laboratory cultivated roots. Results show a dictyostelic rhizome covered with scales with apical secreting gland; diarch roots; petiole cross-sections show thick cuticle, uniseriate epidermis, parenchymatic cortex cells with thick walls and a vascular bundle with two xylem groups; and hypostomatic fronds with glandular trichomes. Histochemical studies of secretion products of the glandular trichomes were positive for polysaccharides, pectins, lipids, acid lipids, dihydroxyphenols, phenols and flavonoids. Cytogenetically, D. triphylla is described as a diploid species (2n = 60), with chromosomes gradually decreasing in size. The apical glands in scales of rhizomes, the presence of two xylem groups in the vascular bundle in the petiole and the glandular trichomes on the abaxial surface are new contributions to the species. The type of chemical products secreted by glandular leaf trichomes and karyotype estimation is shown for the first time in this species.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the morphology and anatomy of the leaves of Protium ovatum Engl., Burseraceae, and verify the antiproliferative activity in cervical cells. For anatomical analysis, the leaf samples were fixed in formol, acetic acid, alcohol 70, dehydrated, included in hydroxyethyl methacrylate and sectioned at a thickness of 5–10 μm in rotative microtome. The samples were stained with toluidine blue and blades mounted with synthetic resin “Entellan”. Histochemical tests and scanning electron microscopy were also performed. To investigate the antiproliferative effect we used the cells strain of human cervix carcinoma and normal keratinocytes. The anatomical analysis demonstrated that the leaf is hypostomatic and the epidermal cells walls were slightly undulate on both faces. The palisade parenchyma occupies most part of leaf mesophyll. The spongy parenchyma is organized into 3–4 layers of cells. Vascular bundles of smaller diameter and secretory cavities are distributed along the leaf mesophyll. The midrib region was formed by a single vascular bundle with xylem in the center surrounded by phloem. Secretory cavities are distributed along the phloem. The histochemical tests revealed the presence of lipids in the secretory cavities and phenolic compounds in almost cell of mesophyll. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed the smooth leaf cuticle ornamentation with some striated areas. It was observed antiproliferative effect on human cervix carcinoma cell comparing with normal cells.

Abstract: Piper solmsianum C.DC., which is popularly known as pariparoba, is a shrub that measures 1-3 m in height and it inhabits areas with wet tropical soils. The objective of this study was to analyze the leaf and stem anatomy using light microscopy, scanning electron micrographs, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in order to provide information for species identification. The anatomical profile showed the following main microscopic markers: hypostomatic leaf; hypodermis layer on both sides; pearl glands; biconvex midrib shape; five collateral vascular bundles in open arc with the central bundle larger than the others; circular stem shape; collateral vascular bundles arranged in two rings; sinuous sclerenchymatic sheath in the pith; secretory idioblasts; and starch grains in the mesophyll, in the ground parenchyma of the midrib, petiole, and in the stem; and six morphotypes of calcium oxalate crystals (styloids, cuneiform, tabular crystal rosettes, cuneiform crystal rosettes, elongated square dipyramids, as well as very elongated square dipyramids).

Abstract: Satsuma mandarin fruit (Citrus unshiu Mark.) photosynthesizes as comparable to leaf at about 100 days after full bloom (DAFB). In this study, translocation and accumulation of fruit-fixed photosynthate were investigated by using 14CO2. When fruit at 108 DAFB was exposed to 14CO2 for 48 h under 135 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), 14C-sucrose, 14C-glucose and 14C-fructose were detected not only in flavedo but juice sac; more than 50 % of fruit assimilated 14C-sugars were present in juice sac. Thus, majority of rind-fixed photosynthate are infiltrated into juice sac and accumulated there within 48 h after assimilation. Although 14C-sucrose was predominant at flavedo where high SS (sucrose synthase) activity toward synthesis was present, the amount decreased gradually from the outside (flavedo) to the inside (juice sac) of fruit. In vascular bundle, strong SS toward cleavage and soluble acid invertase activities were involved, and 14C-fructose was predominant in juice sac. Accordingly, rind-fixed photosynthate is once converted to sucrose, the translocated sugar in Citrus, at flavedo by SS toward synthesis, and loaded on vascular bundle through symplastic and/or apoplastic movement in the albedo tissue. In the vascular bundle, sucrose may be degraded by SS toward cleavage and invertase, and resulting hexoses transported symplastically to the juice sac through juice stalk.

Abstract: In most biochemical, molecular, and genetic studies, a leaf is regarded as a uniformly responding unit, however leaves are not homogeneous in structure and function. Leaf venation is in continuity with the vascular system within leaf petiols and stems. Leaf veins are typically encircled by bundle sheath (BS) cells containing chloroplasts and photosynthetic cells adjacent to the vasculature are also found in petiols and stems. In C3 plants, BS cells have been shown to be preadapted for the role in C4 photosynthesis and this may explain the polyphyletic evolution of C4 photosynthesis. The photosynthetically active radiation (400–700 nm) reaching the chloroplast-containing cells adjacent to the vasculature in leaves, petiols, and stems is of lower intensity and enriched with longer wavelengths (~500–700 nm) when compared with that absorbed by mesophyll cells. The CO2 diffusion from the air to the vasculature-adjacent chlorenchymatous cells is also expected to be slow in comparison to mesophyll cells. However, the vasculature can be supplied with malate which releases CO2 after decarboxylation and with respiratory CO2 from heterotrophic tissues transported in the xylem. It could be expected that high CO2 concentration at the green cells around the vasculature supports carboxylation and photosynthesis. However, CO2-rich environment in stems impedes the photochemical activity of the photosynthetic vascular cells possibly through acidification of protoplasm and impairment of the pH-dependent excess energy quenching followed by reduction in the efficiency of heat dissipation. Light-dependent reduction in CO2 release, as shown in experiments on stems can predominantly be attributed to corticular refixation. All these can affect chloroplast ultrastructure, the composition of photosynthetic electron transport chain components, and the photosynthetic enzymatic machinery in these cells.

Abstract: THIS STUDY was conducted during the two winter seasons of 2015/ 2016 and 2016/ 2017 at Met Rabia Village, (Private Farm) Bilbas, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, to study the impact of foliar spraying with micronutrients on growth, chemical composition , yield and anatomy of stem and leaves of fenugreek cv. Giza 3 .Micronutrients were sprayed at concentrations of 0, 0.25,0.50,0.75 and 1.00 ml / L. The most significant promotion was recorded when fenugreek plants were sprayed with 0.75 ml / L micronutrients . This treatment gave beneficial changes in both morphological and crop characteristics. Foliar spraying with micronutrients at 0.75 ml / L increased the main stem diameter, cortex thickness,vascular cylinder , number of vascular bundles, except that of thickness of epidermis , fibrous tissue and pith diameter. Foliar application with micronutrients at 0.75 ml / L increased thickness of both lamina leaflet blades and midvein of fenugreek plants cv. Giza 3. It is clear that the increase in thickness of lamina is due to the increase in thickness of spongy and palisade tissues. The main vascular bundle of the midvein bundle increased in size. Number of xylem vessels /midvein bundle increased.

Abstract: Hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet) is a member of Fabaceae which has high economic potential but is still treated as an underutilized crop. Research on Lombok’s hyacinth bean focused on stem anatomical profile has never been conducted. The aims of this research were to study stem anatomical profile of hyacinth bean in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. Young and mature stem were collected using exploration method. Anatomical sample preparation was done using free hand section method, stained with safranin, and mounted in a glycerine liquid. Sample was visualized and documented using binocular microscope connected to the digital camera integrated with ScopeImage 9 software. Data were analyzed by a triangulation method. The result showed that stem anatomical profile of hyacinth bean in Lombok by transversal section consists of one layer of an epidermal cell and unicellular glandular trichomes as it’s derivate. Parenchyma cell was found in the cortex, interfascicular region, and pith in shape of rounded, oval, up to polygonal and varied in size. Vascular tissue showed a unique structure and became the distinctive feature od hyacinth bean stem. There were 2 type of vascular bundles i.e big and small vascular bundles. The large vascular bundles contain xylem and phloem and the small vascular bundles may or may not contain both xylem and phloem.