Carbohydrate Metabolism in Leaf Meristems of Tall Fescue : II. Relationship to Leaf Elongation Rates Modified by Nitrogen Fertilization

A functional structural model of grass development based on metabolic regulation and coordination rules

Shoot architecture is a key component of the interactions between plants and their environment. We present a novel model of grass, which fully integrates shoot morphogenesis and the metabolism of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) at organ scale, within a three-dimensional representation of plant architecture. Plant morphogenesis is seen as a self-regulated system driven by two main mechanisms. First, the rate of organ extension and the establishment of architectural traits are regulated by concentrations of C and N metabolites in the growth zones and the temperature. Second, the timing of extension is regulated by rules coordinating successive phytomers instead of a thermal time schedule. Local concentrations are calculated from a model of C and N metabolism at organ scale. The three-dimensional representation allows the accurate calculation of light and temperature distribution within the architecture. The model was calibrated for wheat (Triticum aestivum) and evaluated for early vegetative stages. This approach allowed the simulation of realistic patterns of leaf dimensions, extension dynamics, and organ mass and composition. The model simulated, as emergent properties, plant and agronomic traits. Metabolic activities of growing leaves were investigated in relation to whole-plant functioning and environmental conditions. The current model is an important step towards a better understanding of the plasticity of plant phenotype in different environments.

Energy costs of salinity tolerance in crop plants: night-time transpiration and growth

Plants grow and transpire during the night. The aim of the present work was to assess the relative flows of carbon, water and solutes, and the energy involved, in sustaining night-time transpiration and leaf expansive growth under control and salt-stress conditions. Published and unpublished data were used, for barley plants grown in presence of 0.5-1 mM NaCl (control) and 100 mM NaCl. Night-time leaf growth presents a more efficient use of taken-up water compared with day-time growth. This efficiency increases several-fold with salt stress. Night-time transpiration cannot be supported entirely through osmotically driven uptake of water through roots under salt stress. Using a simple three- (root medium/cytosol/vacuole) compartment approach, the energy required to support cell expansion during the night is in the lower percentage region (0.03-5.5%) of the energy available through respiration, under both, control and salt-stress conditions. Use of organic (e.g. hexose equivalents) rather than inorganic (e.g. Na⁺ , Cl^- , K⁺ ) solutes for generation of osmotic pressure in growing cells, increases the energy demand by orders of magnitude, yet requires only a small portion of carbon assimilated during the day. Night-time transpiration and leaf expansive growth should be considered as a potential acclimation mechanism to salinity.

Strigolactones Promote Leaf Elongation in Tall Fescue through Upregulation of Cell Cycle Genes and Downregulation of Auxin Transport Genes in Tall Fescue under Different Temperature Regimes

Strigolactones (SLs) have recently been shown to play roles in modulating plant architecture and improving plant tolerance to multiple stresses, but the underlying mechanisms for SLs regulating leaf elongation and the influence by air temperature are still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of SLs on leaf elongation in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea, cv. ‘Kentucky-31’) under different temperature regimes, and to determine the interactions of SLs and auxin in the regulation of leaf growth. Tall fescue plants were treated with GR24 (synthetic analog of SLs), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA, synthetic analog), or N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA, auxin transport inhibitor) (individually and combined) under normal temperature (22/18 °C) and high-temperature conditions (35/30 °C) in controlled-environment growth chambers. Exogenous application of GR24 stimulated leaf elongation and mitigated the heat inhibition of leaf growth in tall fescue. GR24-induced leaf elongation was associated with an increase in cell numbers, upregulated expression of cell-cycle-related genes, and downregulated expression of auxin transport-related genes in elongating leaves. The results suggest that SLs enhance leaf elongation by stimulating cell division and interference with auxin transport in tall fescue.

Kinematic Analysis of Cell Division and Expansion: Quantifying the Cellular Basis of Growth and Sampling Developmental Zones in Zea mays Leaves

Growth analyses are often used in plant science to investigate contrasting genotypes and the effect of environmental conditions. The cellular aspect of these analyses is of crucial importance, because growth is driven by cell division and cell elongation. Kinematic analysis represents a methodology to quantify these two processes. Moreover, this technique is easy to use in non-specialized laboratories. Here, we present a protocol for performing a kinematic analysis in monocotyledonous maize (Zea mays) leaves. Two aspects are presented: (1) the quantification of cell division and expansion parameters, and (2) the determination of the location of the developmental zones. This could serve as a basis for sampling design and/or could be useful for data interpretation of biochemical and molecular measurements with high spatial resolution in the leaf growth zone. The growth zone of maize leaves is harvested during steady-state growth. Individual leaves are used for meristem length determination using a DAPI stain and cell-length profiles using DIC microscopy. The protocol is suited for emerged monocotyledonous leaves harvested during steady-state growth, with growth zones spanning at least several centimeters. To improve the understanding of plant growth regulation, data on growth and molecular studies must be combined. Therefore, an important advantage of kinematic analysis is the possibility to correlate changes at the molecular level to well-defined stages of cellular development. Furthermore, it allows for a more focused sampling of specified developmental stages, which is useful in case of limited budget or time.

Effects of the fungal endophyte, Neotyphodium lolii, on net photosynthesis and growth rates of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) are independent of In Planta endophyte concentration

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Neotyphodium lolii is a fungal endophyte of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), improving grass fitness through production of bioactive alkaloids. Neotyphodium species can also affect growth and physiology of their host grasses (family Poaceae, sub-family Pooideae), but little is known about the mechanisms. This study examined the effect of N. lolii on net photosynthesis (P(n)) and growth rates in ryegrass genotypes differing in endophyte concentration in all leaf tissues.

METHODS

Plants from two ryegrass genotypes, Nui D and Nui UIV, infected with N. lolii (E+) differing approx. 2-fold in endophyte concentration or uninfected clones thereof (E-) were grown in a controlled environment. For each genotype x endophyte treatment, plant growth rates were assessed as tillering and leaf extension rates, and the light response of P(n), dark respiration and transpiration measured in leaves of young (30-45 d old) and old (>90 d old) plants with a single-chamber open infrared gas-exchange system.

KEY RESULTS

Neotyphodium lolii affected CO(2)-limited rates of P(n), which were approx. 17 % lower in E+ than E- plants (P < 0.05) in the young plants. Apparent photon yield and dark respiration were unaffected by the endophyte (P > 0.05). Neotyphodium lolii also decreased transpiration (P < 0.05), but only in complete darkness. There were no endophyte effects on P(n) in the old plants (P > 0.05). E+ plants grew faster immediately after replanting (P < 0.05), but had approx. 10 % lower growth rates during mid-log growth (P < 0.05) than E- plants, but there was no effect on final plant biomass (P > 0.05). The endophyte effects on P(n) and growth tended to be more pronounced in Nui UIV, despite having a lower endophyte concentration than Nui D.

CONCLUSIONS

Neotyphodium lolii affects CO(2) fixation, but not light interception and photochemistry of P(n). The impact of N. lolii on plant growth and photosynthesis is independent of endophyte concentration in the plant, suggesting that the endophyte mycelium is not simply an energy drain to the plant. However, the endophyte effects on P(n) and plant growth are strongly dependent on the plant growth phase.

The sources of carbon and nitrogen supplying leaf growth. Assessment of the role of stores with compartmental models

Patterns of synthesis and breakdown of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stores are relatively well known. But the role of mobilized stores as substrates for growth remains less clear. In this article, a novel approach to estimate C and N import into leaf growth zones was coupled with steady-state labeling of photosynthesis ((13)CO(2)/(12)CO(2)) and N uptake ((15)NO(3)(-)/(14)NO(3)(-)) and compartmental modeling of tracer fluxes. The contributions of current C assimilation/N uptake and mobilization from stores to the substrate pool supplying leaf growth were then quantified in plants of a C(3) (Lolium perenne) and C(4) grass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.) manipulated thus to have contrasting C assimilation and N uptake rates. In all cases, leaf growth relied largely on photoassimilates delivered either directly after fixation or short-term storage (turnover rate = 1.6-3.3 d(-1)). Long-term C stores (turnover rate < 0.09 d(-1)) were generally of limited relevance. Hence, no link was found between the role of stores and C acquisition rate. Short-term (turnover rate = 0.29-0.90 d(-1)) and long-term (turnover rate < 0.04 d(-1)) stores supplied most N used in leaf growth. Compared to dominant (well-lit) plants, subordinate (shaded) plants relied more on mobilization from long-term N stores to support leaf growth. These differences correlated well with the C-to-N ratio of growth substrates and were associated with responses in N uptake. Based on this, we argue that internal regulation of N uptake acts as a main determinant of the importance of mobilized long-term stores as a source of N for leaf growth.

N uptake and distribution in crops: an agronomical and ecophysiological perspective

The rate of N uptake of crops is highly variable during crop development and between years and sites. However, under ample soil N availability, crop N accumulation is highly related to crop growth rate and to biomass accumulation. Critical N concentration has been defined as the minimum N concentration which allows maximum growth rate. Critical N concentration declines during crop growth. The relationship between critical N concentration and biomass accumulation over the growth period of a crop is broadly similar within major C(3) and C(4) cultivated species. Therefore, the critical N concentration concept is widely used in agronomy as the basis of the diagnosis of crop N status, and allows discrimination between situations of sub-optimal and supra-optimal N supply. The relationship between N and biomass accumulation in crops, relies on the interregulation of multiple crop physiological processes. Among these processes, N uptake, crop C assimilation and thus growth rate, and C and N allocation between organs and between plants, play a particular role. Under sub-optimal N supply, N uptake of the crop depends on soil mineral N availability and distribution, and on root distribution. Under ample N supply, N uptake largely depends on growth rate via internal plant regulation. Carbon assimilation of the crop is related to crop N through the distribution of N between mature leaves with consequences for leaf and canopy photosynthesis. However, although less commonly emphasized, carbon assimilation of the crop also depends on crop N through leaf area development. Therefore, crop growth rate fundamentally relies on the balance of N allocation between growing and mature leaves. Nitrogen uptake and distribution also depends on C allocation between organs and N composition of these organs. Within shoots, allocation of C to stems generally increases in relation to C allocation to the leaves over the crop growth period. Allocation of C and N between shoots and roots also changes to a large extent in relation to soil N and/or crop N. These alterations in C and N allocation between plant organs have implications, together with soil availability and carbon assimilation, on N uptake and distribution in crops. Therefore, N uptake and distribution in plants and crops involves many aspects of growth and development. Regulation of nitrogen assimilation needs to be considered in the context of these interregulatory processes.

Nitrogen Use within the Growing Leaf Blade of Tall Fescue

Leaf elongation rate (LER) of grasses depends on N supply and is expressed mostly through cell production, whereas most N in mature leaf tissues is chloroplastic. Our objective was to evaluate a possible competition for N between cell production and chloroplast development processes, utilizing the gradient of cell development along the leaf growth zone of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Under the two contrasting N regimes, total N content was highest in the cell production zone, declined sharply as cells elongated, and remained relatively constant in more distal positions, at values close to those measured in mature tissues. A similar pattern was found for N in proteins and nucleic acids that were not soluble in 80% ethanol. Content of N compounds soluble in 80% ethanol was higher in the cell production and elongation zones than in mature parts of the leaf. NO3- N content was low in the cell production zone and increased in the cell elongation zone for high-N plants. The deposition rate of total N in the growth zone was much higher with plants in high N than in those shifted to no N. For both N regimes, most N was deposited during cell production and early cell elongation. Little N was deposited during cell maturation where ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) was being actively synthesized. This suggests that synthesis of Rubisco, and probably other chloroplastic proteins, occurs largely from recycling of N that was previously incorporated into proteins during cell production. Thus, Rubisco content in mature tissues is more closely associated with N deposited during cell production than with N deposited during its biosynthesis.

Kinematics and Dynamics of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Leaf Development at Various Na/Ca Salinities (I. Elongation Growth)

In many salt-sensitive species, elevated concentrations of Ca in the root growth media ameliorate part of the shoot growth reduction caused by NaCl stress. The physiological mechanisms by which Ca exerts protective effects on leaf growth are still not understood. Understanding growth inhibition caused by a stress necessitates locating the leaf expansion region and quantifying the profile of the growth reduction. This will enable comparisons and correlations with spatial gradients of probable physiologically inhibiting factors. In this work we applied the methods of growth kinematics to analyze the effects of elevated Ca concentrations on the spatial and temporal distributions of growth within the intercalary expanding region of salinized sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench, cv NK 265) leaves. NaCl (100 mM) caused a decrease in leaf elongation rate by shortening the leaf growing zone by 20%, as well as reducing the peak value of the longitudinal relative elemental growth rate (REG rate). Increasing the Ca concentrations from 1 to 10 mM restored the length of the growing zone of both emerged and unemerged salinized leaves and increased the peak value of the REG rate. The beneficial effects of supplemental Ca were, however, more pronounced in leaves after their appearance above the whorl of encircling older leaf sheaths. Elevated Ca then resulted in a peak value of REG rate higher than in the salinized leaves. The peak value of unemerged leaves was not increased, although it was maintained over a longer distance. The duration of elongation growth associated with a cell during its displacement from the leaf base was longer in salinized than control leaves, despite the fact that the elongation zone was shorter in salinity. Although partially restoring the length of the elongation region, supplemental Ca had no effect on the age of cessation of growth. Elongation of a tissue element, therefore, ceased when a cellular element reached a certain age and not a specific distance from the leaf base.

Growth rates and assimilate partitioning in the elongation zone of tall fescue leaf blades at high and low irradiance

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) leaf blades elongated 33% faster at continuous low than at continuous high irradiance (60 versus 300 micromoles per second per square meter photosynthetic photon flux density) when temperature of the leaf elongation zone was held constant at 21 degrees C. Increased rate of elongation was associated with a near proportional increase in length of the elongation zone (+38%). In contrast, growth in width and thickness was decreased at low irradiance, resulting in only a 12% increase in leaf area production and 5% less total growth-associated water deposition than at high irradiance. At low irradiance dry matter (DM) import into the elongation zone was 28% less, and 55% less DM was used per unit leaf area produced. DM use in synthesis of structural components (i.e. DM less water-soluble carbohydrates) was only 13% less at low irradiance, whereas water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) deposition was 43% less. The lower rate of WSC deposition at low irradiance was associated with a higher net rate of monosaccharide deposition (+39%), whereas net deposition rates for sucrose (-27%) and fructan (-56%) were less than at high irradiance. Still, at low irradiance, net fructan accumulation accounted for 64% of WSC deposition, i.e. 25% of DM import, demonstrating the high sink strength of the leaf elongation zone.

Fructan Content and Synthesis in Leaf Tissues of Festuca arundinacea

The concentration of fructan in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) changes during growth and in response to environment. The objective of this research was to compare the fructan concentration and fructosyl-transferase activity of tall fescue leaf tissues. Expanding leaves, inner and outer sheaths, and expanded blades of greenhouse-grown tall fescue plants were assayed for fructan concentration and fructosyl-transferase activity. Leaf sheaths contained significantly more nonstructural carbohydrate than did the expanded blade. Sheaths also contained a greater percentage of fructan with more than six sugar residues (long chain fructan), than either the expanded blade or expanding leaf. Expanding leaves contained a greater concentration of fructose and oligosaccharides than did sheath or blade tissues. Expanding leaves also had the greatest fructosyl-transferase activity measured either as radiolabel incorporated into fructans in tissue pieces or protein extracts. Activity of fructosyl-transferase was greater in expanding leaf tissue than in sheath tissues.

Diurnal Growth of Tall Fescue Leaf Blades : II. Dry Matter Partitioning and Carbohydrate Metabolism in the Elongation Zone and Adjacent Expanded Tissue

The spatial distributions of net deposition rates of water soluble carbohydrate-free dry matter (WSC-free DM) and WSC were evaluated within and above the elongation zone of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) leaf blades during light and darkness. Imported DM used for WSC-free DM synthesis during darkness (67% of the total in experiment I and 59% in experiment II) was greater than during light (47% in both experiments), suggesting that the 65% higher leaf elongation rate during darkness was accompanied by higher rates of synthesis of cellular structural components. Deposition rates of WSC in the basal and central part of the elongation zone (0-20 mm from the ligule) were similar during light and darkness, but above 20 millimeters WSC deposition occurred during light and WSC loss occurred during darkness. WSC deposition and loss throughout the elongation zone and the recently expanded tissue were mostly due to net synthesis and degradation of fructan. Fructan was predominantly low molecular weight and contributed about 50% of the total osmotic partial pressure of WSC. In the most actively growing region, where fructan synthesis was most rapid, no diurnal change occurred in molecular weight distribution of fructan. WSC solute concentrations were diluted in the most actively growing tissue during darkness because net monosaccharide and fructan deposition were unaltered and sucrose deposition was decreased, but growth-associated water deposition was increased by 77%. Net rates of fructan synthesis and degradation were not related to tissue sucrose concentration, but appeared to respond to the balance between assimilate import and assimilate use in synthesis of cellular structural components (i.e. WSC-free DM) and deposition of monosaccharides. Fructan synthesized in tissue during most active elongation was degraded when the respective tissue reached the distal limit of the elongation zone where assimilate import in darkness was insufficient to maintain synthetic processes associated with further differentiation of cells.

Growth Rates and Carbohydrate Fluxes within the Elongation Zone of Tall Fescue Leaf Blades

Investigations were performed to better understand the carbon economy in the elongation zone of tall fescue leaf blades. Plants were grown at constant 21 degrees C and continuous 300 micromoles per square meter per second photosynthetic photon flux density where leaf elongation was steady for several days. Elongation occurred in the basal 20 mm of the blade (0-20 millimeters above the ligule) and was maximum at 9 to 12 millimeters. Eight 3-millimeter long segments were sampled along the length of the elongation zone and analyzed for water-soluble carbohydrates. Sucrose concentration was high in the zone of cell division (0-6 millimeters) whereas monosaccharide concentration was high at and distal to the location where cell elongation terminated (20 millimeters). Fructan concentration increased in the basal part, then remained constant at about 85% of the total mass of water-soluble carbohydrates through the remainder of the elongation zone. Data on spatial distribution of growth velocities and substance contents (e.g. microgram fructan per millimeter leaf length) were used to calculate local net rates of substance deposition (i.e. excess rates of substance synthesis and/or import over substance degradation and/or export) and local rates of sucrose import. Rates of sucrose import and net deposition of fructan were positively associated with local elongation rate, whereas net rates of sucrose deposition were high in the zone of cell division and those of monosaccharide were high near the termination of elongation. At the location of most active elongation imported sucrose (29.5 milligrams per square decimeter per hour) was used largely for synthesis of structural components (52%) and fructan (41%).

Assessment of spatial distribution of growth in the elongation zone of grass leaf blades

Knowledge about the spatial distribution of growth is essential for understanding the leaf growth process. In grasses the elongation zone is located at the base of the leaf blade and is enclosed by sheaths of older leaves. Assessment of spatial growth distribution, therefore, necessitates use of a destructive method. We used a fine needle to make holes through bases of tillers at the location of the leaf elongation zone of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), then measured the displacement of the holes after a 6 or 24 h interval. Needle holes caused a 22 to 41% decrease in daily leaf elongation so experiments were conducted to investigate if the spatial distribution of growth in the elongation zone was altered. Leaf elongation rate was reduced similarly when needle holes were made within or above the zone where cell elongation occurs. Distribution of elongation within the zone was the same when estimated by displacement of needle holes or ink marks placed on the epidermis of the elongation zone after surrounding tissue had been removed. Making holes at different locations within the elongation zone did not differentially affect the relative contribution of the damaged or undamaged parts to leaf elongation. These findings demonstrate that needle holes or ink marks in paired leaves can be used to estimate the relative distribution of growth in the elongation zone of undamaged tall fescue leaf blades.

Carbohydrate metabolism in leaf meristems of tall fescue : I. Relationship to genetically altered leaf elongation rates

The physiological bases for genetic differences in leaf growth rates were examined in two genotypes of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) selected for a 50% difference in leaf elongation rate. Genotypes had similar dark respiration rates and concentrations of carbohydrate fractions in the leaf meristem and in each daily growth segment above the meristem. Dark respiration rates and concentrations of nonreducing sugars, fructans, and takadiastase-soluble carbohydrates were highest in leaf intercalary meristems and declined acropetally with tissue age. Concentrations of reducing sugars were 1.0% of dry weight in leaf meristems, 3.7% of dry weight in tissue adjacent to the meristem, then decreased progressively with distance from the meristem. Glucose, fructose, and myo-inositol comprised over 90% of the monosaccharides present in leaf meristems. Soluble protein concentration was 9.7 milligrams per gram fresh weight in leaf meristems, 5.5 milligrams per gram in tissues immediately above the meristem and, thereafter, increased linearly with distance from the meristem.Leaf meristems of the genotype exhibiting rapid leaf elongation contained 30% more soluble protein than those of the genotype selected for slow leaf elongation. The 4-fold difference in size of the leaf meristem appeared to be more important in influencing leaf elongation than were other characteristics examined.