Bamigboye SO, PM Tshisikhawe, PJ Taylor

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.85, pp. 333-336, 2016, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2016.85.333

Abstract Over a long period of time, cycads endemic to Africa have been facing high risk of extinction. Several conservation efforts have been made to reduce the risk of losing these highly endangered species. In this study we review the current risk of extinction of all African cycads species. We calculated the percentages of each category of species found in African cycads using the IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature) red list of threatened species 2014 version. We compared our result with that of Donaldson (2003) on percentages of different categories of IUCN for cycads in Africa which was carried… More >

Huang YC¹, H Chen¹, WJ Zhao², WD Li¹, HY Yang¹, Y Sun¹, L Wang¹, SH Cao¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.85, pp. 283-290, 2016, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2016.85.283

Abstract We conducted pot experiments on the cypress Thujopsis dolabrata (Linn. f.) Sieb. et Zucc. in order to study the interaction of silicon (Si) and root exudates on cadmium (Cd) bioavailability in the rhizosphere,. Each variety was planted with 100 mg/kg Cd and/or 400 mg/kg Si for 210 days. The results showed that adding Si increased Cd tolerance in T. dolabrata, but that the mechanism was specifical. In T. dolabrata, Si did not prevent Cd translocation from roots to shoots, and it significantly enhanced Cd accumulation without inhibiting growth. Moreover, Si mobilized Cd from the rhizospheric soil by stimulating phenolic exudation… More >

Wang QL, DH Liu, JY Yue

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.85, pp. 270-282, 2016, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2016.85.270

Abstract This study aimed to determine the effects of different Cd concentrations (0, 1, 10, 100, and 300 μM CdCl₂) on Allium plantlets. To achieve this goal, we examined the (1) dynamics of Cd²⁺ flux in the rhizosphere, (2) partitioning of Cd between roots and leaves, (3) formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), (4) levels of H₂O₂ and chlorophyll, and (5) translocation of several macro- and micronutrients. A strong net Cd²⁺ influx was observed in the root apex after exposure to 100 μM Cd for 24 h. Exposure to either 1 or 10 μM Cd for 96 h presented no evident… More >

Cardoso PF¹, JA Scarpassa¹, LG Pretto-Giordano², ES Otaguiri³, SF Yamada-Ogatta³, G Nakazato³, MRE Perugini⁴, IC Moreira⁵, GT Vilas-BÔas^1*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.85, pp. 218-224, 2016, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2016.85.218

Abstract Plants contain numerous constituents and are valuable sources of new biologically active molecules. Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is cultivated and used as food in most tropical and subtropical countries. Its high nutritional value and biological activities, as antioxidant, antimicrobial and analgesic properties, have been thoroughly investigated. Interest in plant extracts with antimicrobial properties has increased as a result of the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, leading to the emergence of resistant bacterial strains. Among bacterial species with clinical importance to multiple hosts, Streptococcus agalactiae is outstanding, as it can cause infections especially in humans, fish and cattle. The current study aimed… More >

Wang QL, DH Liu, JY Yue

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.85, pp. 155-161, 2016, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2016.85.155

Abstract Allium cepa var. agrogarum L. seedlings are sensitive to Cd stress. We used fluorescence imaging to indicate that Cd2+ was localized in cytoplasm in the epidermis of the basal parts of root and vascular tissues after Cd treatment. The nucleoli and the cell walls were the first storage sites of Cd²⁺. When Cd exposure was prolonged, severe irregularly-shaped nuclei were induced. We used silver nitrate staining to analyze the effects of different concentrations (1–300 μM) of cadmium chloride on chromosome, nucleolus and nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) in root tip cells. Cd²⁺ induced c-mitosis, chromosome bridges, chromosome stickiness and micronuclei. More… More >

Wang QL, LT Zhang, JH Zou, DH Liu, JY Yue

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.83, pp. 291-298, 2014, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2014.83.291

Abstract The effects of various cadmium (Cd) concentrations (10, 50 and 100 μM) on root growth, cell division and micronuclei formation in root tip cells of Allium cepa var. agrogarum L. were investigated to better understand the processes of Cd-induced apoptosis. The results indicated that 10 μM of Cd had an obviously passive influence on root growth during the 24 h treatment, and that the influence was even more serious with increasing Cd concentrations and duration of treatments. The mitotic index decreased with increasing Cd concentration and duration of treatments. Cadmium induced c-mitosis, chromosome bridges, chromosome stickiness and micronuclei. The frequency… More >

Galindo-Tovar¹ ME, AM Arzate-Fernández²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.79, pp. 203-207, 2010, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2010.79.203

Abstract Origin of West Indian avocado has been explained by current-day factors, such as abundance patterns; however, it is still unclear where it originated. Anyhow, there is a history behind the species that reflects, in one way or another, the present geographic distribution and species characteristics. We examined paleohistorical and paleoecological data to explore the West Indian avocado origin. Our results suggest that West Indian avocado originated by domestication and ecological adaptation in the Maya Lowland area; this is where this botanical variety of avocado has an ancient history. More >

Ochoa-Fuentes YM¹, E Cerna², J Landeros², O Vazquez¹, V Olalde³, A Flores²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.78, pp. 25-30, 2009, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2009.78.025

Abstract Forty two Mexican isolates of Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands were examined for genetic diversity by the random amplified polymorphic DNA assay. The amount of genetic variation was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction amplification with a set of twenty one random 10-mer primers. All amplifications revealed scorable polymorphisms among the isolates, and a total of 23 band positions were scored for the 21 primers tested. Genetic distances among the isolates were calculated, and cluster analysis was used to generate a dendogram which showed relationships between them. These results suggest that the geographic groups were strong. More >

Maldonado FI¹, JF Ramírez², M Rubí², X Antonio³, AV Lara⁴, AD Acosta⁴, R Rivera⁴, AL Ávila⁵

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.86, pp. 97-111, 2017, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2017.86.097

Abstract Avocado (Lauraceae: Persea americana Mill.) is a crop of great economic importance for Mexico in terms of perennial production systems, since in recent years the marketing of this fruit has increased markedly at national and international levels. In 2013, 168113.64 ha were cultivated in Mexico, with an average yield of 10.2 ton/ha, obtaining a production of approximately 1467837.35 ton. Like any other fruit can suffer damage from pests (insects, nematodes, mites etc.) and diseases (caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses). In this regard, one of the most problematic insects is rankliniella occidentalis, which causes significant crop losses, feeding preferably on… More >

Cristiane Dos Santos VERGILIO, Edésio José Tenório De MELO^*

BIOCELL, Vol.37, No.2, pp. 45-54, 2013, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2013.37.045

Abstract Cadmium (Cd) induces several effects in different tissues, but our knowledge of the toxic effects on organelles is insufficient. To observe the progression of Cd effects on organelle structure and function, HuH-7 cells (human hepatic carcinoma cell line) were exposed to CdCl2 in increasing concentrations (1 μM – 20 μM) and exposure times (2 h – 24 h). During Cd treatment, the cells exhibited a progressive decrease in viability that was both time- and dose-dependent. Cd treated cells displayed progressive morphological changes that included cytoplasm retraction and nuclear condensation preceding a total loss of cell adhesion. Treatment with 10 μM… More >