Reproductive biology of an endangered lithophytic shrub and implications for its conservation

BACKGROUND

Plants in cliff habitats may evolve specific reproductive strategies to cope with harsh environments, and unraveling these reproductive characteristics can improve our understanding of survival strategies and lithophyte evolution. This understanding is especially important for efforts to protect rare and endemic plants. Here, we investigated the reproductive biology of Lonicera oblata, an endangered lithophytic shrub that is scattered in highly fragmented and isolated cliff habitats of the Taihang and Yan mountains in North China.

RESULTS

Flowers of L. oblata are herkogamous and protandrous, characteristics that can prevent autogamy at the single-flower level, and insects are necessary for pollination. The outcrossing index, pollen/ovule ratio, and the results of hand pollination were measured and all revealed a mixed mating system for L. oblata, that combines cross-fertilization and partial self-fertilization. The floral traits of L. oblata of zygomorphic and brightly yellowish corolla, heavy fragrance, and rich nectar, suggest an entomophilous pollination system. Sweat bees were observed as the most effective pollinators but their visiting frequencies were not high. Pollen limitation may limit the reproductive success of L. oblata.

CONCLUSIONS

We determined the reproductive characteristics of L. oblata, a critically endangered species endemic to cliffs in North China, providing insight into its endangerment and suggesting conservation strategies. L. oblata has highly pollinator-dependent self-fertilization as part of a mixed mating system. Floral features such as low-flowering synchrony, asynchronous anthers dehiscence, and high duration of stigma receptivity, improve pollination efficiency in the case of low pollinator service. Our work provides reference information to understand the survival strategies and conservation of L. oblata and other lithophytes.

Comparative transcriptomics analysis revealing flower trichome development during flower development in two Lonicera japonica Thunb. cultivars using RNA-seq

BACKGROUND

Lonicera japonica Thunb. (L. japonica) has the functions of clearing away heat and detoxifying, broad-spectrum antibacterial and anti-virus, etc. More than 70% of anti-inflammatory and cold Chinese patent medicines contain L. japonica. Trichomes comprise specialized multicellular structures that have the capacity to synthesize and secrete secondary metabolites and protect plants from biotic and abiotic stresses. The extraction of trichome secretions has great commercial value. However, little is known about the trichome formation mechanism in L. japonica. Therefore, the study of trichome development between different varieties provides a basis for selecting suitable planting resources.

RESULTS

Here, we present a genome-wide comparative transcriptome analysis between two L. japonica cultivars, toward the identification of biological processes and functional gene activities that occur during flowering stage trichome development. In this study, the density and average lengths of flower trichomes were at their highest during three-green periods (S2). Using the Illumina RNA-Seq method, we obtained 134,304 unigenes, 33,733 of which were differentially expressed. In an analysis of 40 differentially expressed unigenes (DEGs) involved in trichome development, 29 of these were transcription factors. The DEGs analysis of plant hormone signal transduction indicated that plant growth and development may be independent of gibberellin (GA) and cytokinine (CTK) signaling pathways, and plant stress may be independent of jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET) signaling pathways. We screened several genes involved in the floral biosynthesis of odors, tastes, colors, and plant hormones, and proposed biosynthetic pathways for sesquiterpenoid, triterpenoid, monoterpenoid, flavonoid, and plant hormones. Furthermore, 82 DEGs were assigned to cell cycles and 2616 were predicted as plant resistance genes (PRGs).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a comprehensive characterization of the expression profiles of flower development during the seven developmental stages of L. japonica, thereby offering valuable insights into the molecular networks that underly flower development in L. japonica.

[Regulation of exogenous calcium on photosynthetic system of honeysuckle under salt stress]

Exogenous calcium can enhance the resistance of certain plants to abiotic stress. However,the role of calcium insaltstressed honeysuckle is unclear. The study is aimed to investigate the effects of exogenous calcium on the biomass,chlorophyll content,gas exchange parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence of honeysuckle under salt stress. The results showed that the calcium-treated honeysuckle had better photochemical properties than the salt-stressed honeysuckle,such as PIABS,PItotal,which represents the overall activity of photosystemⅡ(PSⅡ),and related parameters for characterizing electron transport efficiency φP0,ψE0,φE0,σR,and φR are significantly improved. At the same time,the gas exchange parameters Gs,Ci,Trare also maintained at a high level. In summary,exogenous calcium protects the activity of PSⅡ,promotes the transmission of photosynthetic electrons,and maintains a high Ci,therefore enhances the resistance of honeysuckle under salt stress.

Drought Alleviated the Negative Effects of Elevated O3 on Lonicera maackii in Urban Area

Open top chambers were used to study the changes in photosynthesis, physiology and stomata characteristics in 1-year-old Lonicera maackii seedlings exposed to drought (DT, 30%-35% soil saturated water content) or/and elevated ozone (EO, 80 ppb). The results showed that DT or/and EO significantly decreased net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), but increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde content (p < 0.05). Compared with EO alone, the combination of EO and DT caused higher values in Pn, Fv/Fm, SOD activity (p < 0.05), and smaller stomata size and lower visible injury rate. DT alleviated the adverse impact of EO on the shrub by increasing enzyme activity and decreasing stomatal size, particularly stomatal width. The study provided increasing evidence that moderate drought might exert a beneficial effect on the tested plants to adapt to the future climate change, particularly in high ozone regions.

Rainfall variability counteracts N addition by promoting invasive Lonicera maackii and extending phenology in prairie

Although encroaching woody plants have reduced the global extent of grasslands, continuing increases in soil nitrogen availability could slow this trend by favoring resident herbaceous species. At the same time, projected increases in rainfall variability could promote woody encroachment by aligning spatiotemporal patterns of soil moisture availability with the needs of woody species. We evaluated the responses of two deciduous woody species to these simulated environmental changes by planting seedlings of Quercus palustris and Lonicera maackii into tallgrass prairie communities grown under a factorial combination of increased rainfall variability and nitrogen addition. Lonicera maackii growth was reduced 20% by nitrogen addition, and increased rainfall variability led to 33% larger seedlings, despite greater competition for light and soil resources. In contrast, Q. palustris growth showed little response to either treatment. Increased rainfall variability allowed both species to retain their leaves for an additional 6.5 d in autumn, potentially in response to wetter end-of-season shallow soils. Our findings suggest increases in rainfall variability will counteract the inhibitory effect of nitrogen deposition on growth of L. maackii, extend autumn phenology, and promote the encroachment of some woody species into grasslands.

Effectiveness of Winkler Litter Extraction and Pitfall Traps in Sampling Ant Communities and Functional Groups in a Temperate Forest

Selection of proper sampling methods for measuring a community of interest is essential whether the study goals are to conduct a species inventory, environmental monitoring, or a manipulative experiment. Insect diversity studies often employ multiple collection methods at the expense of researcher time and funding. Ants (Formicidae) are widely used in environmental monitoring owing to their sensitivity to ecosystem changes. When sampling ant communities, two passive techniques are recommended in combination: pitfall traps and Winkler litter extraction. These recommendations are often based on studies from highly diverse tropical regions or when a species inventory is the goal. Studies in temperate regions often focus on measuring consistent community response along gradients of disturbance or among management regimes; therefore, multiple sampling methods may be unnecessary. We compared the effectiveness of pitfalls and Winkler litter extraction in an eastern temperate forest for measuring ant species richness, composition, and occurrence of ant functional groups in response to experimental manipulations of two key forest ecosystem drivers, white-tailed deer and an invasive shrub (Amur honeysuckle). We found no significant effect of sampling method on the outcome of the ecological experiment; however, we found differences between the two sampling methods in the resulting ant species richness and functional group occurrence. Litter samples approximated the overall combined species richness and composition, but pitfalls were better at sampling large-bodied (Camponotus) species. We conclude that employing both methods is essential only for species inventories or monitoring ants in the Cold-climate Specialists functional group.

Saline stress enhanced accumulation of leaf phenolics in honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunb.) without induction of oxidative stress

Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunb.) is a traditional medicinal plant in Chinese, and chlorogenic acid and luteolosid are its specific bioactive phenolic compounds. This study was to investigate leaf antioxidant responses in honeysuckle to saline stress with emphasis on phenolics through hydroponic experiments and field trials. NaCl stress did not stimulate antioxidant system including superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and ascorbate, and had no significant effect on lipid peroxidation in the leaves. Consistently, no inhibition on photochemical capacity of photosystems suggested that reactive oxygen species (ROS) was maintained at a normal level under NaCl stress. However, leaf phenolic synthesis was activated by NaCl stress, indicated by elevated genes transcription and activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and increased phenolics concentration. Specifically, leaf chlorogenic acid concentration was increased by 67.43% and 48.86% after 15 days of 150 and 300 mM NaCl stress, and the increase of luteolosid concentration was 54.26% and 39.74%. The accumulated phenolics hardly helped detoxify ROS in vivo in absence of oxidative stress, but the elevated phenolic synthesis might restrict ROS generation by consuming reduction equivalents. As with NaCl stress, soil salinity also increased concentrations of leaf phenolics including chlorogenic acid and luteolosid without exacerbated lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, leaf phenolics accumulation is a mechanism for the acclimation to saline stress probably by preventing oxidative stress in honeysuckle; leaf medicinal quality of honeysuckle can be improved by saline stress due to the accumulation of bioactive phenolic compounds.

Co-occurring nonnative woody shrubs have additive and non-additive soil legacies

To maximize limited conservation funds and prioritize management projects that are likely to succeed, accurate assessment of invasive nonnative species impacts is essential. A common challenge to prioritization is a limited knowledge of the difference between the impacts of a single nonnative species compared to the impacts of nonnative species when they co-occur, and in particular predicting when impacts of co-occurring nonnative species will be non-additive. Understanding non-additivity is important for management decisions because the management of only one co-occurring invader will not necessarily lead to a predictable reduction in the impact or growth of the other nonnative plant. Nonnative plants are frequently associated with changes in soil biotic and abiotic characteristics, which lead to plant-soil interactions that influence the performance of other species grown in those soils. Whether co-occurring nonnative plants alter soil properties additively or non-additively relative to their effects on soils when they grow in monoculture is rarely addressed. We use a greenhouse plant-soil feedback experiment to test for non-additive soil impacts of two common invasive nonnative woody shrubs, Lonicera maackii and Ligustrum sinense, in deciduous forests of the southeastern United States. We measured the performance of each nonnative shrub, a native herbaceous community, and a nonnative woody vine in soils conditioned by each shrub singly or together in polyculture. Soils conditioned by both nonnative shrubs had non-additive impacts on native and nonnative performance. Root mass of the native herbaceous community was 1.5 times lower and the root mass of the nonnative L. sinense was 1.8 times higher in soils conditioned by both L. maackii and L. sinense than expected based upon growth in soils conditioned by either shrub singly. This result indicates that when these two nonnative shrubs co-occur, their influence on soils disproportionally favors persistence of the nonnative L. sinense relative to this native herbaceous community, and could provide an explanation of why native species abundance is frequently depressed in these communities. Additionally, the difference between native and nonnative performance demonstrates that invasive impact studies focusing on the impact only of single species can be insufficient for determining the impact of co-occurring invasive plant species.

Evolution of marginal populations of an invasive vine increases the likelihood of future spread

The prediction of invasion patterns may require an understanding of intraspecific differentiation in invasive species and its interaction with climate change. We compare Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) plants from the core (100-150 yr old) and northern margin (< 65 yr old) of their North American invaded range to determine whether evolution during invasion increases the probability of future expansion. Plants from populations in the core and margin were compared in two sites beyond the northern range edge to assess their potential to invade novel areas. Data were compared with previous work to assess the effect of latitudinal climate on L. japonica spread. Winter survival in current climates was modeled and projected for future climates to predict future spread. Margin plants were larger and had 60% greater survival than core plants at sites beyond the northern range edge. Overall, winter survival decreased with increasing latitude and decreasing temperature, and was greater in margin plants than core plants. Models suggested that greater winter tolerance in margin populations has increased L. japonica's northward spread by 76 km, and that this survival advantage will persist under future climates. These results demonstrate that evolution during invasion may increase spread beyond predictions using increasing global temperatures alone.

Flower-visitor selection on floral integration in three contrasting populations of Lonicera implexa

PREMISE OF THE STUDY

Geographic differences in flower visitor assemblages might lead to among-population differences in the magnitude and pattern of floral integration. However, the role of current pollinator visitation in shaping the magnitude and pattern of floral trait correlations is still controversial.

METHODS

We used individual-level data on floral morphology, flower visitation, and fitness to assess if floral integration (at flower and floral-module level) and the covariance structure of floral traits varied among three populations of Lonicera implexa differing in the importance of long-tongue (hawk moths) and short-tongue (bees and small beetles) pollinators; and to assess whether this variation was related to the selection pressures exerted by flower visitors.

KEY RESULTS

Short-tongue pollinators preferentially visited plants with floral traits that enhanced flower accessibility; consequently, there was directional selection for accessibility (integration at floral-module level) in the populations where they dominated or codominated. In the population with both short- and long-tongue pollinators, disruptive selection on corolla width and directional selection against whole-flower integration was also found. Dominance by long-tongue pollinators (hawk moths) resulted in disruptive selection on whole-flower integration. Overall, the conflicting selection pressures that were found matched among-population differences in covariance structure: populations with short-tongue pollinators showed correlations between corolla-tube width and other floral traits that were absent in the population pollinated primarily by hawk moths.

CONCLUSIONS

Conflicting selection on floral integration mediated by floral visitors can occur even in nearby populations of a species with restricted floral morphology.

Effects of nectar robbing on male and female reproductive success of a pollinator-dependent plant

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Nectar robbers affect host fitness in different ways and by different magnitudes, both directly and indirectly, and potentially constitute an important part of pollination interactions. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of nectar robbing on several variables that characterize the reproductive success of Lonicera etrusca, a pollinator-dependent plant with long, tubular flowers that produce abundant nectar.

METHODS

Using fluorescent powder dye as a proxy for pollen, the distance of pollen dispersal was compared for robbed and non-robbed flowers. Artificial nectar robbing treatments were applied to test its effects on four additional measures of reproductive success, namely the quantity of pollen exported, fruit set, seed/ovule ratio and seed weight.

KEY RESULTS

Nectar robbing was not found to have any significant negative consequences on female and male components of reproductive success as determined through the five variables that were measured.

CONCLUSIONS

Although L. etrusca exhibits high levels of nectar robbing and nectar robbers are common floral visitors, no evidence was found of detrimental changes in the components of reproductive success. A combination of morphological and ecological mechanisms is proposed to explain how plants may compensate for the energetic loss caused by the nectar robbers.

The role of silicon in physiology of the medicinal plant (Lonicera japonica L.) under salt stress

Silicon(Si) is the only element which can enhance the resistance to multiple stresses. However, the role of silicon in medicinal plants under salt stress is not yet understood. This experiment was conducted to study the effects of silicon addition on the growth, osmotic adjustments, photosynthetic characteristics, chloroplast ultrastructure and Chlorogenic acid (CGA) production of Honeysuckle plant (Lonicera japonica L.) under salt-stressed conditions. Salinity exerted an adverse effect on the plant fresh weight and dry weight, whilst 0.5 g L(-1) K2SiO3 · nH2O addition obviously improved the plant growth. Although Na(+) concentration in plant organs was drastically increased with increasing salinity, higher levels of K(+)/Na(+) ratio was obtained after K2SiO3 · nH2O addition. Salinity stress induced the destruction of the chloroplast envelope; however, K2SiO3 · nH2O addition counteracted the adverse effect by salinity on the structure of the photosynthetic apparatus. K2SiO3 · nH2O addition also enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. To sum up, exogenous Si plays a key role in enhancing its resistance to salt stresses in physiological base, thereby improving the growth and CGA production of Honeysuckle plant.

Support for a photoprotective function of winter leaf reddening in nitrogen-deficient individuals of Lonicera japonica

Plants growing in high-light environments during winter often exhibit leaf reddening due to synthesis of anthocyanin pigments, which are thought to alleviate photooxidative stress associated with low-temperature photoinhibition through light attenuation and/or antioxidant activity. Seasonal high-light stress can be further exacerbated by a limited photosynthetic capacity, such as nitrogen-deficiency. In the present study, we test the following hypotheses using three populations of the semi-evergreen vine Lonicera japonica: (1) nitrogen deficiency corresponds with reduced photosynthetic capacity; (2) individuals with reduced photosynthetic capacity synthesize anthocyanin pigments in leaves during winter; and (3) anthocyanin pigments help alleviate high-light stress by attenuating green light. All populations featured co-occurring winter-green and winter-red leafed individuals on fully-exposed (high-light), south-facing slopes in the Piedmont of North Carolina, USA. Consistent with our hypotheses, red leaves consistently exhibited significantly lower foliar nitrogen than green leaves, as well as lower total chlorophyll, quantum yield efficiency, carboxylation efficiency, and photosynthesis at saturating irradiance (Asat). Light-response curves measured using ambient sunlight versus red-blue LED (i.e., lacking green wavelengths) demonstrated significantly reduced quantum yield efficiency and a higher light compensation point under sunlight relative to red-blue LED in red leaves, but not in green leaves, consistent with a (green) light-attenuating function of anthocyanin pigments. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that intraspecific anthocyanin synthesis corresponds with nitrogen deficiency and reduced photosynthetic capacity within populations, and support a light-attenuating function of anthocyanin pigments.

Links between belowground and aboveground resource-related traits reveal species growth strategies that promote invasive advantages

Belowground processes are rarely considered in comparison studies of native verses invasive species. We examined relationships between belowground fine root production and lifespan, leaf phenology, and seasonal nitrogen dynamics of Lonicera japonica (non-native) versus L. sempervirens (native) and Frangula alnus (non-native) versus Rhamnus alnifolia (native), over time. First and second order fine roots were monitored from 2010 to 2012 using minirhizotron technology and rhizotron windows. 15N uptake of fine roots was measured across spring and fall seasons. Significant differences in fine root production across seasons were seen between Lonicera species, but not between Frangula and Rhamnus, with both groups having notable asynchrony in regards to the timing of leaf production. Root order and the number of root neighbors at the time of root death were the strongest predictors of root lifespan of both species pairs. Seasonal 15N uptake was higher in spring than in the fall, which did not support the need for higher root activity to correspond with extended leaf phenology. We found higher spring 15N uptake in non-native L. japonica compared to native L. sempervirens, although there was no difference in 15N uptake between Frangula and Rhamnus species. Our findings indicate the potential for fast-growing non-native Lonicera japonica and Frangula alnus to outcompete native counterparts through differences in biomass allocation, root turnover, and nitrogen uptake, however evidence that this is a general strategy of invader dominance is limited.

Characterization and molecular interpretation of the photosynthetic traits of Lonicera confusa in Karst environment

Lonicera confusa was a medical plant which could adapt to the Ca-rich environment in the karst area of China. The photosynthesis, relative chlorophyll content,differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) of L. confusa that cultivated in calcareous and sandstone soils were investigated. The results showed that the relative chlorophyll content and net photosynthesis rate of L. confusa in calcareous soil are much higher than that planted in sandstone soil, the higher content of calcium might play a role in keeping the chloroplast from harm and showed higher photosynthesis rate. The transpiration and stomata conductance were decreased in calcareous soil, which might result from the closure of stomata. The GeneFishing and proteomic results showed that the expression of DEGs and DEPs were critical for photosynthesis and stomata closure, such as RuBisCO, photosynthetic electron transfer c and malate dehydrogenase varied in the leaves of L. confusa that cultivated in different soils. These DEGs or DEPs were further found to be directly or indirectly regulated by calcium sensor proteins. This study enriched our knowledge of the molecular mechanism of high net photosynthesis rate and lower transpiration of L. confusa that cultivated in the calcareous soil in some degree.

[Effect of abscisic acid on physiological characteristics in Lonicera macranthoides seedlings under salt stress]

OBJECTIVE

To improve salt resistance of Lonicera macranthoides seedlings and provide reference for its cultivation of salt tolerance.

METHODS

Pretreatment of seedlings with abscisic acid (ABA) of different concentrations were used to study the effect of ABA on their physiological and biochemical characteristics under 200 mmol/L NaCl for 7 days.

RESULTS

Exogenous ABA significantly decreased the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), increased the contents of chlorophyll, soluble sugar, soluble protein and activities of protected enzymes such as peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD).

CONCLUSION

It is proposed that exogenous ABA as chemical activator can induce salt resistance and decrease alleviate damage degree of salt stress of Lonicera macranthoides seedlings in a dose-dependent manner.

The impact of the invasive shrub Lonicera maackii on the decomposition dynamics of a native plant community

Invasive plants may have variable effects within a given environment depending on their interactions with the dominant native species, yet little research has examined such species-species interactions within a site. Savanna trees with nonoverlapping canopies offer an ideal opportunity to assess associated changes in the ecosystem processes that result from interactions between an invasive species and different native tree species. We examined the influence of the exotic invasive shrub Lonicera maackii on decomposition dynamics under three native tree species: Fraxinus quadrangulata, Quercus muehlenbergii, and Carya ovata. Litter decomposition rates and litter C and N were evaluated over two years using single- and mixed-species litterbags (L. maackii and individual tree species litter); microarthropod abundance was measured at 6 weeks using Tulgren funnels. Litter from the invasive L. maackii decomposed and lost N more rapidly than the litter of the three native tree species. The rate at which L. maackii decomposed depended on its location, with L. maackii litter decomposing and losing N more rapidly under C. ovata than under the other two native tree species. Mixing L. maackii with the native species' litter did not accelerate litter mass loss overall but did result in synergistic N losses at variable times throughout the experiment, further highlighting the variable interaction between native species and L. maackii. Nitrogen loss was significantly higher than expected in mixtures of C. ovata + L. maackii litter at 6 weeks, in F. quadrangulata + L. maackii litter at 12 weeks, and in Q. muehlenbergii + L. maackii litter at 24 weeks. If the effects of invasive species on certain ecosystem processes, such as litter decomposition, are strongly influenced by their association with native species, this could suggest the need for a more nuanced understanding of the vulnerability of ecosystem processes to invasions of L. maackii and potentially other invasive species.

Invasive plant alters ability to predict disease vector distribution

Risk models for vector-borne diseases rely on accurate quantification of the relationship between vector abundance and habitat, but this relationship can be obscured if habitats are modified by invasive species in ways that alter vector behavior but are undetectable in remotely sensed data. At a forest in eastern Missouri we assessed whether the presence of an invasive shrub, Amur honeysuckle, Lonicera maackii, affects oviposition by treehole mosquitoes, Aedes triseriatus, a primary vector of La Crosse virus in the United States. Oviposition significantly decreased with increasing density of L. maackii. Moreover, our results indicate that L. maackii may hinder the efficacy of models that use remotely sensed data to predict vector abundance: there was a strong relationship between landscape composition around plots and oviposition, but only in plots not invaded by L. maackii. Overlooking potentially important but cryptic effects of invasive plants on habitat selection by vectors may undermine accurate forecasting of disease risk.

Anatomy of leaf abscission in the Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii, Caprifoliaceae): a scanning electron microscopy study

Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Maxim. (Amur honeysuckle) is native to Asia and an important ornamental in China. However, the anatomy of leaf abscission (shedding) in L. maackii had not been studied previously. Such work is needed not only because knowledge of the leaf abscission process is important for a horticultural species like L. maackii but also because leaf abscission is probably the least understood abscission process, as it occurs so rapidly. Therefore, our objective was to use scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the progression of leaf abscission in L. maackii at the cellular level. L. maackii branches with leaves were regularly collected in Beijing, China over the 2-month period in which leaves abscise, and examined with SEM. We found that, unlike in model species, the cortex is involved in abscission, forming an "abaxial gap." We discovered that there is no discrete abscission zone prior to the onset of abscission and that no cell divisions precede abscission. An abscission zone did become evident well after the abscission process had begun, but its cells were enlarged, not constricted as in typical abscission zones. In the abaxial gap, intact cells separated at their middle lamella, but in the abscission zone, cell separation involved the entire wall, which is not typical. We did observe expected mechanical fission of vascular tissues. While the leaf abscission process we observed in L. maackii has similarities with model systems, aspects deviate from the expected.

[Effects of cadmium stress on the growth and physiological characteristics of Lonicera japonica]

By using hydroponics, the growth and physiological characteristics of Lonicera japonica at different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 25, and 50 mg x L(-1)) of cadmium (Cd) were studied. The results showed that compared with the control, Cd stress had lesser effects on the growth of L. japonica. Within the range of test Cd concentrations, L. japonica biomass had less difference (P > 0.05) with the control, and at low concentration of Cd (5 mg x L(-1)), the total biomass and the biomasses of leaf and root were increased by 1.25%, 2.88 and 2.33%, respectively, illustrating that L. japonica had stronger resistance against Cd. Under low concentration Cd stress, the water content and soluble protein content in plant organs had some decrease, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in root and leaf increased by 51.90% and 23.07%, respectively, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid contents increased by 15.87% and 24.89%, respectively, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased significantly. With increasing Cd concentration, the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and SOD activity decreased to some extent.