Chromium (Cr) contamination by various industries and other activities is known to inhibit plants growth and development. The present study was conducted using pot experiments in a net house to determine the effect of Cr (VI) on biochemical parameters such as photosynthetic pigments, reducing sugars, and important minerals at different stages of growth in leaves, stem, and roots of clusterbean, a multipurpose fodder crop including a source of guar gum. Guar gum content was estimated in seeds at maturity. All biochemical contents showed a great variation with respect to increase in Cr concentration at different stages of growth. The levels of K, Fe, and Zn decreased, while Cr and Na content increased with increase in Cr concentration. Cr induced toxicity in clusterbean appears at 0.5&#x2009;mg Cr (VI) Kg&#x2212;1 soil with maximum inhibitory effect at 2&#x2009;mg Cr (VI) Kg&#x2212;1 soil, where impaired sugar supply resulted in decreased guar gum synthesis and altered micronutrient content. The study reveals the possible role of these biochemical parameters in decreasing plant growth and development under heavy metal stress.

Punesh Sangwan

Vinod Kumar

R. S. Khatri

U. N. Joshi

Chromium (VI) Induced Biochemical Changes and Gum Content in Cluster Bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) at Different Developmental Stages

Levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), free, conjugated, and bound polyamines (PAs), and phenols were estimated in the basal portion of hardwood cuttings of Vitis davidii and V. kiusiana in relation to rooting and compared with Vitis labruscana Bailey cv. Campbell Early. A high rate of root formation was observed in &#x2018;Campbell Early&#x2019; cuttings 60 days after planting. However, none of the V. davidii and V. kiusiana cuttings formed roots. An increase in IAA contents was observed in &#x2018;Campbell Early&#x2019; cuttings, but not in V. davidii and V. kiusiana, 60 days after planting. The content of free, conjugated, and bound PAs was either constant or decreased in &#x2018;Campbell Early&#x2019; cuttings during planting and was especially decreased in conjugated putrescine and spermidine. An increase in free and conjugated putrescine was observed after planting in V. kiusiana cuttings. In the cuttings of V. davidii, only bound spermine increased after planting. The content of total phenols, orthodiphenols, total catechins, and gallocatechin derivatives decreased after planting in &#x2018;Campbell Early&#x2019; cuttings. Orthodiphenols and total catechin contents increased in the cuttings of V. kiusiana, and gallocatechin derivatives increased in V. davidii. The relationships between these endogenous factors and the recalcitrant-to-root features of V. davidii and V. kiusiana cuttings are discussed.

Shuji Shiozaki

Masahiro Makibuchi

Tsuneo Ogata

Indole-3-Acetic Acid, Polyamines, and Phenols in Hardwood Cuttings of Recalcitrant-to-Root Wild Grapes Native to East Asia: Vitis davidii and Vitis kiusiana

The present study documented the ethnobotanical and medicinal uses of plants from an ecologically fragile cold desert area of Lahaul-Spiti (Himachal Pradesh, India). Local people use plants for curing the stomach troubles, pain reliever, cough, gastric disorders, and aphrodisiac and other household purposes. In addition, chromosome numbers, male meiosis, and natural propagation were also investigated in these ethnobotanically used plants. Present investigations also form the basis for exploitation of intraspecific chromosomal variation/new cytotypes recorded in some of the presently studied species to detect biochemical diversity in the medicinally important plants. For documentation of ethnobotanical information, personal observations and interviews were conducted with medicine men, hakims, farmers, shepherds, local healers, and old aged people. This study identified 40 plant species under 33 genera belonging to 17 families which have been used locally for curing various diseases and other purposes. All the chromosome counts are new to the study area. On worldwide basis, meiotic chromosome counts of <svg style="vertical-align:-0.10033pt;width:44.400002px;" id="M1" height="11.125" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 44.400002 11.125" width="44.400002" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
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</svg> and <svg style="vertical-align:-0.17555pt;width:36.237499px;" id="M2" height="11.125" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 36.237499 11.125" width="36.237499" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x1D45B"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,13.305,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x3D"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,28.008,10.862)"><path id="x38" d="M249 635q70 0 116 -43t46 -105q0 -46 -28 -80q-22 -25 -80 -64q62 -35 97 -75t35 -99q0 -81 -63 -131t-135 -50q-83 0 -137.5 45.5t-54.5 123.5q0 52 45 95q29 28 89 64q-109 62 -109 155q0 66 50.5 115t128.5 49zM238 603q-42 0 -67.5 -31t-25.5 -72q0 -50 32.5 -79.5&#xA;t98.5 -62.5q61 48 61 124q0 59 -29.5 90t-69.5 31zM248 20q46 0 76.5 33.5t30.5 89.5q0 50 -39 85.5t-110 71.5q-81 -54 -81 -137q0 -67 35.5 -105t87.5 -38z" /></g>

		
	
</svg> in Rosularia alpestris and Corydalis govaniana, respectively, are the first ever reports. The present study indicates that the people of the area possess good knowledge about the different uses of plants in the area. It has been noticed that due to the lack of interest among younger generations in the preservation of invaluable ethnic knowledge, there is every possible chance of losing such a rich heritage of knowledge. It is very urgent to conserve such invaluable ethnic knowledge before it gets lost.

Puneet Kumar

Vijay Kumar Singhal

Ethnobotany and Ethnomedicinal Uses, Chromosomal Status and Natural Propagation of Some Plants of Lahaul-Spiti and Adjoining Hills

To address roles of bZIP transcription factors on regulation of amino acid catabolism under autophagy-induced plant cells, we examined the effect of nutrient starvation on the expression of low energy stress-related transcription factor homologs, GmbZIP53A and GmbZIP53B, and amino acid catabolism-related genes in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Sucrose starvation treatment significantly enhanced the expressions of GmbZIP53A, but not GmbZIP53B asparagine synthase (GmASN1), proline dehydrogenase1 (GmProDH), and branched chain amino acid transaminase 3 (GmBCAT3). GmbZIP53-related immunoreactive signals were upregulated under severe starvation with sucrose starvation and protease inhibitors, while 3&#x25; sucrose and sucrose starvation had no or marginal effects on the signal. Profiles of induction of GmASN1, GmProDH and GmBCAT3 under various nutrient conditions were consistent with the profiles of GmbZIP53 protein levels but not with those of GmbZIP mRNA levels. These results indicate that GmbZIP53 proteins levels are regulated by posttranslational mechanism in response to severe starvation stress and that the increased protein of GmbZIP53 under severe starvation accelerates transcriptional induction of GmASN1, GmProDH, and GmBCAT3. Furthermore, it is conceivable that decrease of branched chain amino acid level by the BCAT-mediated degradation eventually enhances autophagy under severe starvation.

Takashi Yuasa

Yuri Nagasawa

Katsumasa Osanai

Ayami Kaneko

Daichi Tajima

Nang Myint Phyu Sin Htwe

Yushi Ishibashi

Mari Iwaya-Inoue

Induction of a bZIP Type Transcription Factor and Amino Acid Catabolism-Related Genes in Soybean Seedling in Response to Starvation Stress

Micromorphology of three species of Portulaca was carried out with the help of light microscopy to determine variations within the species which would aid in correct identification of the plants. Epidermal cells are polygonal with sinuous anticlinal walls in all the three species. Length of epidermal cells of P. grandiflora Hook. is higher than P. oleracea Linn. and P. quadrifida Linn. The leaves of P. quadrifida are epistomatic while the remaining species are amphistomatic with paracytic stomata in all the three species. Mean stomatal index and stomatal frequency are more in P. quadrifida while the mean size of stomata (both length and width) is larger in P. grandiflora for both adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Based on the diagnostic features, an artificial indented key is prepared.

Archana Srivastava

Aruna Girish Joshi

Vinay Madhukar Raole

Leaf Epidermal Micromorphology of Portulaca L. Species Found in Vadodara, Gujarat, India

Green foxtail millet (Setaria viridis) has NADP-ME type of C4 photosynthesis. Because of its short life cycle, small genome size of &#x7e;515&#x2009;Mb, small plant stature, high number of seed set, simple growth requirements, and wide adaptability, this diploid (<svg style="vertical-align:-0.1638pt;width:52.5625px;" id="M1" height="11.125" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 52.5625 11.125" width="52.5625" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,10.862)"><path id="x32" d="M412 140l28 -9q0 -2 -35 -131h-373v23q112 112 161 170q59 70 92 127t33 115q0 63 -31 98t-86 35q-75 0 -137 -93l-22 20l57 81q55 59 135 59q69 0 118.5 -46.5t49.5 -122.5q0 -62 -29.5 -114t-102.5 -130l-141 -149h186q42 0 58.5 10.5t38.5 56.5z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,8.222,10.862)"><path id="x1D45B" d="M495 86q-46 -47 -87 -72.5t-63 -25.5q-43 0 -16 107l49 210q7 34 8 50.5t-3 21t-13 4.5q-35 0 -109.5 -72.5t-115.5 -140.5q-21 -75 -38 -159q-50 -10 -76 -21l-6 8l84 340q8 35 -4 35q-17 0 -67 -46l-15 26q44 44 85.5 70.5t64.5 26.5q35 0 10 -103l-24 -98h2&#xA;q42 56 97 103.5t96 71.5q46 26 74 26q9 0 16 -2.5t14 -11.5t9.5 -24.5t-1 -44t-13.5 -68.5q-30 -117 -47 -200q-4 -19 -3.5 -25t6.5 -6q21 0 70 48z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,21.464,10.862)"><path id="x3D" d="M535 323h-483v50h483v-50zM535 138h-483v50h483v-50z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,36.168,10.862)"><path id="x31" d="M384 0h-275v27q67 5 81.5 18.5t14.5 68.5v385q0 38 -7.5 47.5t-40.5 10.5l-48 2v24q85 15 178 52v-521q0 -55 14.5 -68.5t82.5 -18.5v-27z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,44.327,10.862)"><path id="x38" d="M249 635q70 0 116 -43t46 -105q0 -46 -28 -80q-22 -25 -80 -64q62 -35 97 -75t35 -99q0 -81 -63 -131t-135 -50q-83 0 -137.5 45.5t-54.5 123.5q0 52 45 95q29 28 89 64q-109 62 -109 155q0 66 50.5 115t128.5 49zM238 603q-42 0 -67.5 -31t-25.5 -72q0 -50 32.5 -79.5&#xA;t98.5 -62.5q61 48 61 124q0 59 -29.5 90t-69.5 31zM248 20q46 0 76.5 33.5t30.5 89.5q0 50 -39 85.5t-110 71.5q-81 -54 -81 -137q0 -67 35.5 -105t87.5 -38z" /></g>

		
	
</svg>) weed is proposed to be a model species for the study of C4 photosynthesis. It is also a representative of bioenergy grasses and a model for genetic study of invasive weeds. Despite having all traits of a model species, it is difficult to cross-pollinate because its flowering behavior is not well studied. We used time lapse digital recording to study the flowering time and pattern along a single panicle. We found that flowering in Setaria was triggered by the darkness of the night and when the temperature was lower than 35&#xb0;C. The anthesis of all the spikelets in a panicle took up-to three nights flowering from 9:30 pm to 10:00 am in the morning. Each spikelet has three phases of anthesis during which pollination occurs. A spikelet remains open for less than three hours. The pollination time for each spikelet is less than 60 minutes. Information from this study will facilitate the geneticists and plant breeders to plan for efficient crossing of Setaria.

Govinda Rizal

Kelvin Acebron

Reychelle Mogul

Shanta Karki

Nikki Larazo

William Paul Quick

Study of Flowering Pattern in Setaria viridis, a Proposed Model Species for C4 Photosynthesis Research

This study examined the responses of green leaves (GL) and green pseudobulbs (GPSB) of CAM orchid Cattleya laeliocattleya Aloha Case to drought stress. After being subjected to drought stress, the decrease in water content (WC) was much greater in GPSB than in GL, indicating that GPSB facilitated a slow reduction in the WC of GL. This finding was further supported by the result of relative water content (RWC) of GL, which started to decrease only after 3 weeks of drought stress. Decreases of midday <svg style="vertical-align:-3.3907pt;width:44.0625px;" id="M1" height="16.299999" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 44.0625 16.299999" width="44.0625" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,12.013)"><path id="x1D439" d="M599 650l-18 -160l-30 -2q-2 70 -11 94q-5 16 -26 24t-75 8h-94q-27 0 -33.5 -6.5t-12.5 -32.5l-43 -226h108q52 0 72.5 5t31 18t28.5 52h28l-40 -200h-28q-1 42 -6 56.5t-24.5 21t-70.5 6.5h-108l-32 -177q-13 -65 1 -80.5t88 -22.5l-8 -28h-279l6 28q61 5 77.5 20.5&#xA;t29.5 81.5l72 387l7.5 40.5t1 26.5t-4 18t-15.5 10t-24 6t-37 4l8 28h461z" /></g>

			<g transform="matrix(.012,-0,0,-.012,10.637,16.088)"><path id="x1D463" d="M457 332q0 -81 -41 -161.5t-105.5 -131.5t-129.5 -51q-46 0 -79 30.5t-33 86.5q0 18 7 51q18 95 46 187q6 19 6 33q0 7 -7 7q-24 0 -78 -64l-20 23q32 48 73 77t78 29q33 0 33 -46q0 -38 -10 -70q-28 -92 -39 -152q-7 -38 -7 -57q0 -78 69 -78q68 0 118 75.5t50 194.5&#xA;q0 43 -12 57q-11 12 -11 24q0 19 15 35.5t34 16.5q18 0 30.5 -34.5t12.5 -81.5z" /></g>

			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,16.412,12.013)"><path id="x2F" d="M368 703l-264 -866h-60l265 866h59z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,23.416,12.013)"><use xlink:href="#x1D439"/></g>

			<g transform="matrix(.012,-0,0,-.012,33.988,16.088)"><path id="x1D45A" d="M766 88q-40 -45 -83.5 -72.5t-63.5 -27.5q-39 0 -16 103l49 224q15 68 -10 68q-36 0 -112.5 -78.5t-105.5 -133.5q-27 -101 -38 -165q-35 -4 -77 -18l-6 6q42 153 70 288q12 55 10 78t-19 23q-38 0 -114 -80.5t-101 -131.5q-24 -68 -41 -165q-36 -3 -76 -18l-8 6&#xA;q56 202 87 347q7 33 -3 33q-8 0 -31.5 -17.5t-41.5 -35.5l-12 28q42 45 84 72t63 27q44 0 10 -124l-20 -75h2q92 121 193 178q36 21 64 21q62 0 28 -159l-8 -37h2q50 67 103.5 112t94.5 65q39 19 62 19q60 0 23 -156l-45 -189q-9 -39 2 -39q17 0 71 49z" /></g>

		
	
</svg> ratios of GL occurred in all plants. However, the degrees of decrease were much greater in drought-stressed GL than in well-watered GL. Reduced <svg style="vertical-align:-3.3907pt;width:44.0625px;" id="M2" height="16.299999" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 44.0625 16.299999" width="44.0625" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,12.013)"><use xlink:href="#x1D439"/></g>

			<g transform="matrix(.012,-0,0,-.012,10.637,16.088)"><use xlink:href="#x1D463"/></g>

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			<g transform="matrix(.012,-0,0,-.012,33.988,16.088)"><use xlink:href="#x1D45A"/></g>

		
	
</svg> ratio (&#x3c;0.8) at early morning was observed in drought-stressed GL after 3 weeks of treatments. Decreases in total chlorophyll (Chl) content, electron transport rate (ETR), photochemical quenching, qP, and nonphotochemical quenching, qN, were severer in GPSB than in GL after drought treatment. CAM acidity was significantly lower in both GL and GPSB after 2 weeks of drought treatment compared to well-watered plants. However, decrease of CAM acidity was smaller in GL than in GPSB. These results suggest that both GL and GPSB of CAM orchid Cattleya plantswere susceptible to drought stress.

Jie He

Hazelman Norhafis

Lin Qin

Responses of Green Leaves and Green Pseudobulbs of CAM Orchid Cattleya laeliocattleya Aloha Case to Drought Stress

Plants perform various vegetative and reproductive functions throughout the year in order to persist  in their habitats. The study of these events including their timing and how the environment influences the timing of these events is known as phenology. This study of the timing of seasonal biological activities of plants is very important to know about plant&#x2019;s survival and its reproductive success. The variation in the phenological activities is due to change in different abiotic conditions. This paper deals with the study of phenological activities like bud formation, flowering time, fruiting time, and seed formation for some leguminous plants of Amritsar, Punjab (a state in the northwest of India) for three consecutive years from 2009 till 2011.

Gurveen Kaur

Bhupinder Pal Singh

Avinash Kaur Nagpal

Phenology of Some Phanerogams (Trees and Shrubs) of Northwestern Punjab, India

Similarities in structural organization of the culm in Poaceae, Juncaceae, and Cyperaceae such as leaf sheaths and the presence of intercalary meristems at every node suggest the same mechanical properties and, accordingly, the same functionality. Meristems are zones of tissue formation, which constitute areas of weakness along the entire culm and provide the basis for rapid shoot elongation. Leaf sheaths clasp the culm preventing the shoot from breaking, ensuring the rigidity to grow erectly and to avoid damage of the meristematic tissue. The mechanical influence of leaf sheaths was investigated in members of Poaceae, Juncaceae, and Cyperaceae in the flowering stage. Mechanical properties of Poa araratica, Bromus erectus, Arrhenatherum elatius (Poaceae), Luzula nivea (Juncaceae), and Carex arctata (Cyperaceae) were determined in three-point bending before and after the removal of leaf sheaths. The presence of leaf sheaths results in smoothing the distribution of flexural rigidity and therefore avoids stress peaks. The achieved maxima of relative contribution of leaf sheaths to entire flexural rigidity ranged from 55&#x25; up to 81&#x25; for Poaceae, 72&#x25; for C. arctata, and 40&#x25; for L. nivea. Across the investigated families, the mechanical role of leaf sheaths could be verified as essential for culm stability during development and beyond.

Andreas Kempe

Martin Sommer

Christoph Neinhuis

A Comparative Analysis of the Mechanical Role of Leaf Sheaths of Poaceae, Juncaceae, and Cyperaceae

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