Development-specific association of amyloplasts with microtubules in scale cells of Narcissus tazetta

Breaking the Dormancy of Snake's Head Fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris L.) In Vitro Bulbs-Part 2: Effect of GA3 Soaking and Chilling on Sugar Status in Sprouted Bulbs

The bulb is the main propagation organ of snake’s head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris L.), a horticulturally attractive and rare geophyte plant species. In this study, we investigated the effect of soaking bulbs in GA₃ solution (1, 2, and 3 mg L⁻¹) combined with low-temperature treatment (7 °C) on breaking the dormancy of in vitro bulbs. Sugar status (total soluble sugars, glucose, and fructose content) was analyzed in different parts of the sprouted bulbs. The results showed that the soluble sugar concentration was highest in bulbs soaked in GA₃. The main sugar in fritillary bulbs was glucose, while fructose content was much lower. Glucose concentration dramatically increased after bulb chilling (7 °C), and its accumulation was predominantly detected in the lower sprout portion during the first weeks of sprouting. Sugar concentration was significantly lower in nonchilled bulbs, which indicates the importance of low temperature in bulb development and sprouting.

Microtubules in Plant Cells: Strategies and Methods for Immunofluorescence, Transmission Electron Microscopy, and Live Cell Imaging

Microtubules (MTs) are required throughout plant development for a wide variety of processes, and different strategies have evolved to visualize and analyze them. This chapter provides specific methods that can be used to analyze microtubule organization and dynamic properties in plant systems and summarizes the advantages and limitations for each technique. We outline basic methods for preparing samples for immunofluorescence labeling, including an enzyme-based permeabilization method, and a freeze-shattering method, which generates microfractures in the cell wall to provide antibodies access to cells in cuticle-laden aerial organs such as leaves. We discuss current options for live cell imaging of MTs with fluorescently tagged proteins (FPs), and provide chemical fixation, high-pressure freezing/freeze substitution, and post-fixation staining protocols for preserving MTs for transmission electron microscopy and tomography.

Necessity of high temperature for the dormancy release of Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis

Winter dormancy has been extensively studied in many plants, while much less information is available for summer dormancy. Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis is characterized by a prolonged period of summer dormancy during the annual cycle. In the present study, we characterized the nature of dormancy in the controlled growth conditions and investigated the effects of temperature and ethylene on dormancy release. Cessation of growth and senescence of aerial tissues occurred even under conditions favorable for growth, suggesting an endo-dormancy process. Bulbs failed to sprout when they were exposed to low storage temperatures, while high temperature treatment preceding low storage temperatures, or heating interruption during low storage temperatures, could make bulbs sprouting. These results suggest that high temperatures are necessary for endo-dormancy release. Ethylene application during a later storage stage showed an obvious accelerative effect on bulb sprouting, whereas ethylene application during the middle stage had no effect on sprouting. The biological progression of dormancy was further studied through cytological and physiological analyses. Under natural conditions, the ethylene level was reduced to trace amounts with the transition and progression of dormancy. A transient peak in ethylene release was found when the plugged plasmodesmata (PD) began to re-open and flower initiation began. The most common PD possessed electron-dense deposits in endo-dormancy. These data indicate that endo-dormancy ends when flower initiation begins and ethylene peak occurs. Ethylene application had no effect on dormancy release, while it hastened sprouting only after the release from endo-dormancy by high temperature.

Strategies for imaging microtubules in plant cells

Microtubules are required throughout plant development for a wide variety of processes, and different strategies have been evolved to visualize them. This chapter summarizes the most effective of these methods and points out potential problems and pitfalls. We outline the freeze-shattering method for immunolabeling microtubules in aerial organs such as leaves that require mechanical permeabilization, discuss current options for live cell imaging of MTs with fluorescently tagged proteins (FPs), and provide different fixation protocols for preserving MTs for transmission electron microscopy including chemical fixation, high pressure freezing/freeze substitution, and post-fixation staining procedures for transmission electron microscopy.