Significance of photosynthetic and respiratory exchanges in the carbon economy of the developing pea fruit

Fruit Photosynthesis: More to Know about Where, How and Why

Not only leaves but also other plant organs and structures typically considered as carbon sinks, including stems, roots, flowers, fruits and seeds, may exhibit photosynthetic activity. There is still a lack of a coherent and systematized body of knowledge and consensus on the role(s) of photosynthesis in these "sink" organs. With regard to fruits, their actual photosynthetic activity is influenced by a range of properties, including fruit anatomy, histology, physiology, development and the surrounding microclimate. At early stages of development fruits generally contain high levels of chlorophylls, a high density of functional stomata and thin cuticles. While some plant species retain functional chloroplasts in their fruits upon subsequent development or ripening, most species undergo a disintegration of the fruit chloroplast grana and reduction in stomata functionality, thus limiting gas exchange. In addition, the increase in fruit volume hinders light penetration and access to CO₂, also reducing photosynthetic activity. This review aimed to compile information on aspects related to fruit photosynthesis, from fruit characteristics to ecological drivers, and to address the following challenging biological questions: why does a fruit show photosynthetic activity and what could be its functions? Overall, there is a body of evidence to support the hypothesis that photosynthesis in fruits is key to locally providing: ATP and NADPH, which are both fundamental for several demanding biosynthetic pathways (e.g., synthesis of fatty acids); O₂, to prevent hypoxia in its inner tissues including seeds; and carbon skeletons, which can fuel the biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites important for the growth of fruits and for spreading, survival and germination of their seed (e.g., sugars, flavonoids, tannins, lipids). At the same time, both primary and secondary metabolites present in fruits and seeds are key to human life, for instance as sources for nutrition, bioactives, oils and other economically important compounds or components. Understanding the functions of photosynthesis in fruits is pivotal to crop management, providing a rationale for manipulating microenvironmental conditions and the expression of key photosynthetic genes, which may help growers or breeders to optimize development, composition, yield or other economically important fruit quality aspects.

Starch accumulation in bean fruit pericarp is mediated by the differentiation of chloroplasts into amyloplasts

The sucrose supply to bean fruits remains almost constant during seed development, and the early stages of this process are characterized by a significant amount of starch and soluble sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) accumulated in the pericarp. Bean fruits are photosynthetically active; however, our results indicated that starch synthesis in the pericarp was largely dependent on the photosynthetic activity of the leaves. The photosynthetic activity and the amount of the Rubisco large subunit were gradually reduced in the fruit pericarp, and a large increase in the amount of the ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase small subunit (AGPase SS) was observed. These changes suggested differentiation of chloroplasts into amyloplasts. Pericarp chloroplasts imported glucose 1-P to support starch synthesis, and their differentiation into amyloplasts allowed the surplus sucrose to be used in the synthesis of starch, which was later degraded to meet the needs of fast-growing seeds. Starch stored in the bean fruit pericarp was not degraded in response to drought stress, but it was rapidly used under severe nutrient restriction. Together, this work indicated that starch accumulation in the pericarp of bean fruits is important to adjust the needs of developing seeds to the amount of sucrose that is provided to fruits.

Photosynthetic activity of reproductive organs

During seed development, carbon is reallocated from maternal tissues to support germination and subsequent growth. As this pool of resources is depleted post-germination, the plant begins autotrophic growth through leaf photosynthesis. Photoassimilates derived from the leaf are used to sustain the plant and form new organs, including other vegetative leaves, stems, bracts, flowers, fruits, and seeds. In contrast to the view that reproductive tissues act only as resource sinks, many studies demonstrate that flowers, fruits, and seeds are photosynthetically active. The photosynthetic contribution to development is variable between these reproductive organs and between species. In addition, our understanding of the developmental control of photosynthetic activity in reproductive organs is vastly incomplete. A further complication is that reproductive organ photosynthesis (ROP) appears to be particularly important under suboptimal growth conditions. Therefore, the topic of ROP presents the community with a challenge to integrate the fields of photosynthesis, development, and stress responses. Here, we attempt to summarize our understanding of the contribution of ROP to development and the molecular mechanisms underlying its control.

Diversity in structure and forms of carbon assimilation in photosynthetic organs in Cleome (Cleomaceae)

Photosynthesis in different organs of Cleome was analysed in four species known to have differences in leaf photosynthesis: Cleome africana Botsch. (C3), Cleome paradoxa R.Br. (C3-C4 intermediate), Cleome angustifolia Forssk. and Cleome gynandra L. (C4). The chlorophyll content, carbon isotope composition, stomatal densities, anatomy, levels and compartmentation of some key photosynthetic enzymes, and the form and function of photosynthesis were determined in different organs of these species. In the three xerophytes, C. africana, C. paradoxa, and C. angustifolia, multiple organs contribute to photosynthesis (cotyledons, leaves, petioles, stems and pods) which is considered important for their survival under arid conditions. In C. africana, all photosynthetic organs have C3 photosynthesis. In C. paradoxa, cotyledons, leaves, stems and petioles have C3-C4 type features. In C. angustifolia, the pods have C3 photosynthesis, whereas all other organs have C4 photosynthesis with Kranz anatomy formed by a continuous, dual layer of chlorenchyma cells. In the subtropical C4 species C. gynandra, cotyledons, leaves, and pods develop C4 photosynthesis, with Kranz anatomy around individual veins; but not in stems and petioles which have limited function of photosynthesis. The diversity in forms and the capacity of photosynthesis in organs of these species to contribute to their carbon economy is discussed.

Fluxomics links cellular functional analyses to whole-plant phenotyping

Fluxes through metabolic pathways reflect the integration of genetic and metabolic regulations. While it is attractive to measure all the mRNAs (transcriptome), all the proteins (proteome), and a large number of the metabolites (metabolome) in a given cellular system, linking and integrating this information remains difficult. Measurement of metabolome-wide fluxes (termed the fluxome) provides an integrated functional output of the cell machinery and a better tool to link functional analyses to plant phenotyping. This review presents and discusses sets of methodologies that have been developed to measure the fluxome. First, the principles of metabolic flux analysis (MFA), its 'short time interval' version Inst-MFA, and of constraints-based methods, such as flux balance analysis and kinetic analysis, are briefly described. The use of these powerful methods for flux characterization at the cellular scale up to the organ (fruits, seeds) and whole-plant level is illustrated. The added value given by fluxomics methods for unravelling how the abiotic environment affects flux, the process, and key metabolic steps are also described. Challenges associated with the development of fluxomics and its integration with 'omics' for thorough plant and organ functional phenotyping are discussed. Taken together, these will ultimately provide crucial clues for identifying appropriate target plant phenotypes for breeding.

Tracking the metabolic pulse of plant lipid production with isotopic labeling and flux analyses: Past, present and future

Metabolism is comprised of networks of chemical transformations, organized into integrated biochemical pathways that are the basis of cellular operation, and function to sustain life. Metabolism, and thus life, is not static. The rate of metabolites transitioning through biochemical pathways (i.e., flux) determines cellular phenotypes, and is constantly changing in response to genetic or environmental perturbations. Each change evokes a response in metabolic pathway flow, and the quantification of fluxes under varied conditions helps to elucidate major and minor routes, and regulatory aspects of metabolism. To measure fluxes requires experimental methods that assess the movements and transformations of metabolites without creating artifacts. Isotopic labeling fills this role and is a long-standing experimental approach to identify pathways and quantify their metabolic relevance in different tissues or under different conditions. The application of labeling techniques to plant science is however far from reaching it potential. In light of advances in genetics and molecular biology that provide a means to alter metabolism, and given recent improvements in instrumentation, computational tools and available isotopes, the use of isotopic labeling to probe metabolism is becoming more and more powerful. We review the principal analytical methods for isotopic labeling with a focus on seminal studies of pathways and fluxes in lipid metabolism and carbon partitioning through central metabolism. Central carbon metabolic steps are directly linked to lipid production by serving to generate the precursors for fatty acid biosynthesis and lipid assembly. Additionally some of the ideas for labeling techniques that may be most applicable for lipid metabolism in the future were originally developed to investigate other aspects of central metabolism. We conclude by describing recent advances that will play an important future role in quantifying flux and metabolic operation in plant tissues.

Carbon and nitrogen provisions alter the metabolic flux in developing soybean embryos

Soybean (Glycine max) seeds store significant amounts of their biomass as protein, levels of which reflect the carbon and nitrogen received by the developing embryo. The relationship between carbon and nitrogen supply during filling and seed composition was examined through a series of embryo-culturing experiments. Three distinct ratios of carbon to nitrogen supply were further explored through metabolic flux analysis. Labeling experiments utilizing [U-(13)C5]glutamine, [U-(13)C4]asparagine, and [1,2-(13)C2]glucose were performed to assess embryo metabolism under altered feeding conditions and to create corresponding flux maps. Additionally, [U-(14)C12]sucrose, [U-(14)C6]glucose, [U-(14)C5]glutamine, and [U-(14)C4]asparagine were used to monitor differences in carbon allocation. The analyses revealed that: (1) protein concentration as a percentage of total soybean embryo biomass coincided with the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio; (2) altered nitrogen supply did not dramatically impact relative amino acid or storage protein subunit profiles; and (3) glutamine supply contributed 10% to 23% of the carbon for biomass production, including 9% to 19% of carbon to fatty acid biosynthesis and 32% to 46% of carbon to amino acids. Seed metabolism accommodated different levels of protein biosynthesis while maintaining a consistent rate of dry weight accumulation. Flux through ATP-citrate lyase, combined with malic enzyme activity, contributed significantly to acetyl-coenzyme A production. These fluxes changed with plastidic pyruvate kinase to maintain a supply of pyruvate for amino and fatty acids. The flux maps were independently validated by nitrogen balancing and highlight the robustness of primary metabolism.

The role of the pod in seed development: strategies for manipulating yield

Pods play a key role in encapsulating the developing seeds and protecting them from pests and pathogens. In addition to this protective function, it has been shown that the photosynthetically active pod wall contributes assimilates and nutrients to fuel seed growth. Recent work has revealed that signals originating from the pod may also act to coordinate grain filling and regulate the reallocation of reserves from damaged seeds to those that have retained viability. In this review we consider the evidence that pods can regulate seed growth and maturation, particularly in members of the Brassicaceae family, and explore how the timing and duration of pod development might be manipulated to enhance either the quantity of crop yield or its nutritional properties.

Central metabolic fluxes in the endosperm of developing maize seeds and their implications for metabolic engineering

¹⁴C labeling experiments performed with kernel cultures showed that developing maize endosperm is more efficient than other non-photosynthetic tissues such as sunflower and maize embryos at converting maternally supplied substrates into biomass. To characterize the metabolic fluxes in endosperm, maize kernels were labeled to isotopic steady state using ¹³C-labeled glucose. The resultant labeling in free metabolites and biomass was analyzed by NMR and GC-MS. After taking into account the labeling of substrates supplied by the metabolically active cob, the fluxes through central metabolism were quantified by computer-aided modeling. The flux map indicates that 51-69% of the ATP produced is used for biomass synthesis and up to 47% is expended in substrate cycling. These findings point to potential engineering targets for improving yield and increasing oil contents by, respectively, reducing substrate cycling and increasing the commitment of plastidic carbon into fatty acid synthesis at the level of pyruvate kinase.

The role of light in soybean seed filling metabolism

Soybean (Glycine max) yields high levels of both protein and oil, making it one of the most versatile and important crops in the world. Light has been implicated in the physiology of developing green seeds including soybeans but its roles are not quantitatively understood. We have determined the light levels reaching growing soybean embryos under field conditions and report detailed redox and energy balance analyses for them. Direct flux measurements and labeling patterns for multiple labeling experiments including [U-(13)C(6)]-glucose, [U-(13)C(5)]-glutamine, the combination of [U-(14)C(12)]-sucrose + [U-(14)C(6)]-glucose + [U-(14)C(5)]-glutamine + [U-(14)C(4)]-asparagine, or (14)CO2 labeling were performed at different light levels to give further insight into green embryo metabolism during seed filling and to develop and validate a flux map. Labeling patterns (protein amino acids, triacylglycerol fatty acids, starch, cell wall, protein glycan monomers, organic acids), uptake fluxes (glutamine, asparagine, sucrose, glucose), fluxes to biomass (protein amino acids, oil), and respiratory fluxes (CO2, O2) were established by a combination of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, (13)C- and (1)H-NMR, scintillation counting, HPLC, gas chromatography-flame ionization detection, C:N and amino acid analyses, and infrared gas analysis, yielding over 750 measurements of metabolism. Our results show: (i) that developing soybeans receive low but significant light levels that influence growth and metabolism; (ii) a role for light in generating ATP but not net reductant during seed filling; (iii) that flux through Rubisco contributes to carbon conversion efficiency through generation of 3-phosphoglycerate; and (iv) a larger contribution of amino acid carbon to fatty acid synthesis than in other oilseeds analyzed to date.

Carbon conversion efficiency and central metabolic fluxes in developing sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) embryos

The efficiency with which developing sunflower embryos convert substrates into seed storage reserves was determined by labeling embryos with [U-(14)C6]glucose or [U-(14)C5]glutamine and measuring their conversion to CO2, oil, protein and other biomass compounds. The average carbon conversion efficiency was 50%, which contrasts with a value of over 80% previously observed in Brassica napus embryos (Goffman et al., 2005), in which light and the RuBisCO bypass pathway allow more efficient conversion of hexose to oil. Labeling levels after incubating sunflower embryos with [U-(14)C4]malate indicated that some carbon from malate enters the plastidic compartment and contributes to oil synthesis. To test this and to map the underlying pattern of metabolic fluxes, separate experiments were carried out in which embryos were labeled to isotopic steady state using [1-(13)C1]glucose, [2-(13)C1]glucose, or [U-(13)C5]glutamine. The resultant labeling in sugars, starch, fatty acids and amino acids was analyzed by NMR and GC-MS. The fluxes through intermediary metabolism were then quantified by computer-aided modeling. The resulting flux map accounted well for the labeling data, was in good agreement with the observed carbon efficiency, and was further validated by testing for agreement with gas exchange measurements. The map shows that the influx of malate into oil is low and that flux through futile cycles (wasting ATP) is low, which contrasts with the high rates previously determined for growing root tips and heterotrophic cell cultures.

Light enables a very high efficiency of carbon storage in developing embryos of rapeseed

The conversion of photosynthate to seed storage reserves is crucial to plant fitness and agricultural production, yet quantitative information about the efficiency of this process is lacking. To measure metabolic efficiency in developing seeds, rapeseed (Brassica napus) embryos were cultured in media in which all carbon sources were [U-14C]-labeled and their conversion into CO2, oil, protein, and other biomass was determined. The conversion efficiency of the supplied carbon into seed storage reserves was very high. When provided with 0, 50, or 150 micromol m(-2) s(-1) light, the proportion of carbon taken up by embryos that was recovered in biomass was 60% to 64%, 77% to 86%, and 85% to 95%, respectively. Light not only improved the efficiency of carbon storage, but also increased the growth rate, the proportion of 14C recovered in oil relative to protein, and the fixation of external 14CO2 into biomass. Embryos grown at 50 micromol m(-2) s(-1) in the presence of 5 microM 1,1-dimethyl-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) urea (an inhibitor of photosystem II) were reduced in total biomass and oil synthesis by 3.2-fold and 2.8-fold, respectively, to the levels observed in the dark. To explore if the reduced growth and carbon conversion efficiency in dark were related to oxygen supplied by photosystem II, embryos and siliques were cultured with increased oxygen. The carbon conversion efficiency of embryos remained unchanged when oxygen levels were increased 3-fold. Increasing the O2 levels surrounding siliques from 21% to 60% did not increase oil synthesis rates either at 1,000 micromol m(-2) s(-1) or in the dark. We conclude that light increases the growth, efficiency of carbon storage, and oil synthesis in developing rapeseed embryos primarily by providing reductant and/or ATP.

Comparative stomatal conductance and chlorophyll a fluorescence in leaves vs. fruits of the cerrado legume tree, Dalbergia miscolobium

The aim of this study was to compare water vapor conductance and chlorophyll a fluorescence between leaflets and fruits of Dalbergia miscolobium, the Jacaranda tree. The frequency of stomata on the leaflets was 20 times higher than that observed on the fruits, and this was related with the lower conductance of the fruits in comparison with the leaflets. The potential quantum yield of PSII (Fv /Fmax) was significantly lower in fruits than in leaflets. The Fv /Fmax values for leaflets increased to over 0.8 during the afternoon, indicating the occurrence of dynamic photoinhibition. In contrast, Fv /Fmax values for fruits remained low even at early morning, indicating the occurrence of chronic photoinhibition. The maximum values of effective quantum yield (deltaF/F'm), and of the apparent electron transport rate (ETRmax) were higher in leaflets than in fruits. It was concluded that, like other green tissues, the pericarp of D. miscolobium was photosynthetically active, and therefore can contribute to the maintenance of the fruits and/or to the development of the seeds.

Gas exchange by pods and subtending leaves and internal recycling of CO(2) by pods of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) subjected to water deficits

Terminal drought markedly reduces leaf photosynthesis of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) during seed filling. A study was initiated to determine whether photosynthesis and internal recycling of CO(2) by the pods can compensate for the low rate of photosynthesis in leaves under water deficits. The influence of water deficits on the rates of photosynthesis and transpiration of pods and subtending leaves in chickpea (cv. Sona) was investigated in two naturally-lit, temperature-controlled glasshouses. At values of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of 900 micromol m(-2) s(-1) and higher, the rate of net photosynthesis of subtending leaves of 10-d-old pods was 24 and 6 micromol m(-2) s(-1) in the well-watered (WW) and water-stressed (WS) plants when the covered-leaf water potential (Psi) was -0.6 and -1.4 MPa, respectively. Leaf photosynthesis further decreased to 4.5 and 0.5 micromol m(-2) s(-1) as Psi decreased to -2.3 and -3.3 MPa, respectively. At 900--1500 micromol m(-2) s(-1) PAR, the net photosynthetic rate of 10-d-old pods was 0.9-1.0 micromol m(-2) s(-1) in the WW plants and was -0.1 to -0.8 micromol m(-2) s(-1) in the WS plants. The photosynthetic rates of both pods and subtending leaves decreased with age, but the rate of transpiration of the pods increased with age. The rates of respiration and net photosynthesis inside the pods were estimated by measuring the changes in the internal concentration of CO(2) of covered and uncovered pods during the day. Both the WW and WS pods had similar values of internal net photosynthesis, but the WS pods showed significantly higher rates of respiration suggesting that the WS pods had higher gross photosynthetic rates than the WW pods, particularly in the late afternoon. When (13)CO(2) was injected into the gas space inside the pod, nearly 80% of the labelled carbon 24 h after injection was observed in the pod wall in both the WW and WS plants. After 144 h the proportion of (13)C in the seed had increased from 19% to 32% in both treatments. The results suggest that internal recycling of CO(2) inside the pod may assist in maintaining seed filling in water-stressed chickpea.

Leaf cavity CO2 concentrations and CO2 exchange in onion, Allium cepa L

Onion (Allium cepa L.) plants were examined to determine the photosynthetic role of CO2 that accumulates within their leaf cavities. Leaf cavity CO2 concentrations ranged from 2250 μL L(-1) near the leaf base to below atmospheric (<350 μL L(-1)) near the leaf tip at midday. There was a daily fluctuation in the leaf cavity CO2 concentrations with minimum values near midday and maximum values at night. Conductance to CO2 from the leaf cavity ranged from 24 to 202 μmol m(-2) s(-1) and was even lower for membranes of bulb scales. The capacity for onion leaves to recycle leaf cavity CO2 was poor, only 0.2 to 2.2% of leaf photosynthesis based either on measured CO2 concentrations and conductance values or as measured directly by (14)CO2 labeling experiments. The photosynthetic responses to CO2 and O2 were measured to determine whether onion leaves exhibited a typical C3-type response. A linear increase in CO2 uptake was observed in intact leaves up to 315 μL L(-1) of external CO2 and, at this external CO2 concentration, uptake was inhibited 35.4±0.9% by 210 mL L(-1) O2 compared to 20 mL L(-1) O2. Scanning electron micrographs of the leaf cavity wall revealed degenerated tissue covered by a membrane. Onion leaf cavity membranes apparently are highly impermeable to CO2 and greatly restrict the refixation of leaf cavity CO2 by photosynthetic tissue.

Carpels as leaves: meeting the carbon cost of reproduction in an alpine buttercup

We investigated the role of photosynthesis by reproductive organs in meeting the carbon costs of sexual reproduction in the snow-buttercup, Ranunculus adoneus. The exposed green carpels of snow-buttercup flowers have 1-2 stomata each. Net carbon assimilation rates of flowers are negative during bud expansion, but rise to zero at maturity, and become positive during early fruit growth. Experimental removal of separate whorls of flower parts demonstrated that the showy, nectary-housing petals account for most of the respiration cost of flower presentation. Conversely, photosynthesis by female organs contributes to a flower's carbon balance. Dipteran pollinators of R. adoneus are most active in sunny mid-morning to mid-afternoon intervals. At this time of day, rates of carpel photosynthesis (A_max) meet respiratory costs of pollinator attraction in fully expanded flowers. Achenes remain photosynthetically active until dispersal, and positive net carbon assimilation rates characterize infructescences throughout fruit maturation. Photosynthetic rates of achenes are positively correlated with infructescence growth rates. We tested the causal basis of this relationship by experimentally shading developing infructescences. Mature achenes from shaded infructescences were 16-18% smaller than those from unshaded controls. Leaf photosynthetic rates did not differ between plants bearing shaded and unshaded seed heads. Since female reproductive organs are only 8% more costly in terms of caloric investment than male ones and contribute to their own carbon balance, it is plausible that the energy cost of male function equals or exceeds that of female function in this hermaphroditic species.

Starch synthesis in developing pea embryos

The pea embryo stores about half of its carbon as starch and has proved to be an excellent system on which to study the nature and regulation of the pathway of starch synthesis. The developing embryo receives its carbon as sucrose, which is metabolized via glycolysis in the cytosol of cotyledonary cells. Glucose 6-phosphate enters the amyloplast - probably via a phosphate-exchange translocator - where it is converted to ADPglucose via phosphoglucomutase and ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase. ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase is the site of action of a mutation at the rb locus, which reduces activity by more than 90 % and the rate of starch synthesis by about 50 %. Study of mutant and wildtype embryos reveals that one of four putative subunits of the enzyme is eliminated by the mutation. Three distinct isoforms of starch synthase catalyze the incorporation of the glucosyl moiety of ADPglucose into starch. Two of these are probably active in the soluble phase of the amyloplast and become incorporated into the granule as it grows, while the third is almost exclusively granule-bound. Analysis of cDNA clones for starch synthases shows that the exclusively granule-bound form is very similar to the 'waxy' gene product believed to be responsible for amylose synthesis in cereal endosperms. The soluble starch synthases show some similarities to the 'waxy' proteins, but clearly belong to a different and previously undescribed class of starch synthases. The pea embryo contains two forms of starch branching enzyme, which are encoded by different genes, are maximally expressed at different times in development, and have different kinetic properties. It is likely that they play different roles in the synthesis of the granule. A mutation at the r locus, which reduces the rate of starch synthesis by about 50% and increases the amylose content of the starch from 30% to 70%, consists of a transposon-like insertion in the gene encoding starch-branching enzyme I. Activity of this isoform is abolished by the mutation. CONTENTS Summary 21 I. Introduction 21 II. The supply of sucrose to the embryo 22 III. The timing and location of starch synthesis 23 IV. The supply of carbon to the amyloplast 23 V. Mutations affecting the committed pathway of starch synthesis 26 VI. The committed pathway 28 Acknowledgements 31 References 31.

Evidence for light-dependent recycling of respired carbon dioxide by the cotton fruit

Conservation of respired CO(2) by an efficient recycling mechanism in fruit could provide a significant source of C for yield productivity. However, the extent to which such a mechanism operates in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is unknown. Therefore, a combination of CO(2) exchange, stable C isotope, and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence techniques were used to examine the recycling of respired CO(2) in cotton fruit. Respiratory CO(2) losses of illuminated fruit were reduced 15 to 20% compared with losses for dark-incubated fruit. This light-dependent reduction in CO(2) efflux occurred almost exclusively via the fruit's outer capsule wall. Compared with the photosynthetic activity of leaves, CO(2) recycling by the outer capsule wall was 35 to 40% as efficient. Calculation of (14)CO(2) fixation on a per Chl basis revealed that the rate of CO(2) recycling for the capsule wall was 62.2 micromoles (14)CO(2) per millimole Chl per second compared with an assimilation rate of 64.6 micromoles (14)CO(2) per millimole Chl per second for leaves. During fruit development, CO(2) recycling contributed more than 10% of that C necessary for fruit dry weight growth. Carbon isotope analyses (delta(13)C) showed significant differences among the organs examined, but the observed isotopic compositions were consistent with a C(3) pathway of photosynthesis. Pulse-modulated Chl fluorescence indicated that leaves and fruit were equally efficient in photochemical and nonphotochemical dissipation of light energy. These studies demonstrated that the cotton fruit possesses a highly efficient, light-dependent CO(2) recovery mechanism that aids in the net retention of plant C and, therein, contributes to yield productivity.

Photosynthetic and Respiratory Activity of Fruiting Forms within the Cotton Canopy

The supply of photosynthates by leaves for reproductive development in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) has been extensively studied. However, the contribution of assimilates derived from the fruiting forms themselves is inconclusive. Field experiments were conducted to document the photosynthetic and respiratory activity of cotton leaves, bracts, and capsule walls from anthesis to fruit maturity. Bracts achieved peak photosynthetic rates of 2.1 micromoles per square meter per second compared with 16.5 micromoles per square meter per second for the subtending leaf. However, unlike the subtending leaf, the bracts did not show a dramatic decline in photosynthesis with increased age, nor was their photosynthesis as sensitive as leaves to low light and water-deficit stress. The capsule wall was only a minor site of (14)CO(2) fixation from the ambient atmosphere. Dark respiration by the developing fruit averaged -18.7 micromoles per square meter per second for 6 days after anthesis and declined to -2.7 micromoles per square meter per second after 40 days. Respiratory loss of CO(2) was maximal at -158 micromoles CO(2) per fruit per hour at 20 days anthesis. Diurnal patterns of dark respiration for the fruit were age dependent and closely correlated with stomatal conductance of the capsule wall. Stomata on the capsule wall of young fruit were functional, but lost this capacity with increasing age. Labeled (14)CO(2) injected into the fruit interior was rapidly assimilated by the capsule wall in the light but not in the dark, while fiber and seed together fixed significant amounts of (14)CO(2) in both the light and dark. These data suggest that cotton fruiting forms, although sites of significant respiratory CO(2) loss, do serve a vital role in the recycling of internal CO(2) and therein, function as important sources of assimilate for reproductive development.

Seed Development in Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv Seminole: I. Developmental Independence of Seed Maturation

Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv Seminole pods removed from the plant continued their development when incubated in suitable conditions. Seeds continued to grow and develop and pods and seeds passed through an apparently normal developmental sequence to dryness. Seed growth was at the expense of pod dry weight (DW) reserves. Losses of pod DW paralleled DW gains by seeds in detached pods and in pod cylinders containing a seed. The transfer activity was apparent only within the period 10 to 30 days after anthesis (DAA) with maximal activity between 15 to 20 DAA. This period corresponds to maximum pod growth and the attainment of maximal DW. Seeds are in only the early phase of seed growth at this time. No DW transfer was observed at developmental stages beyond 30 to 35 DAA when normal senescence DW losses in pods became evident and seeds were in the later phase of seed fill. Pods or pod cylinders remained green and succulent over the transfer period, later passing through yellowing and drying phases characteristic of normal development. DW transfer was dependent on funicle integrity and was readily detectable in pod cylinders after 7 days incubation. The DW transfer activity may contribute to continuing nutrition of seeds under conditions where the normal assimilate supply to seeds becomes limiting. Defoliation and water stress treatments applied to Phaseolus plants reduced seed yields but allowed persistence of seed maturation processes such that all seeds developing to dryness were capable of germination.

Export of organic materials from developing fruits of pea and its possible relation to apical senescence

In the G2 line of peas (Pisum sativum L.) senescence and death of the apical bud occurs only in long days (LD) in the presence of fruits. Removal of the fruits prevents apical senescence. One possible reason for the senescence-inducing effect of fruit is that the fruits produce a senescence-inducing factor which moves to the apical bud and is responsible for the effect. For this to be possible there must be a transport mechanism by which material may move from the pods to the apex. To examine the extent of fruit export, pods were labeled via photoassimilation of (14)CO(2) beginning 12 days after anthesis. Under LD conditions, 1.14% of label fixed was transported from the pods with only 10.5% of this found in the apical bud and youngest leaves after 48 hours, the remainder being found principally in other developing fruits and mature leaves. During the onset of apical senescence, less total label was actually exported to the apical bud than at other times. In addition, more total export occurred from pods in short days than in LD, with the apical bud receiving a greater percentage than in LD. Thus the amount and distribution of export would not seem to support the idea of specific export of targeted senescence-promoting compounds. Girdling of the fruit peduncle did not change the characteristics of export suggesting movement via an apoplastic xylem pathway.

GROWTH AND NUTRIENT ACCUMULATION BY FRUITS OF THE PERENNIAL LEGUME, HARDENBERGIA VIOL ACE A, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MYRMECOCHORY

The growth and mineral nutrition of developing fruits of the perennial Australian legume Hardenbergia violacea (Schneev.) Steam (Fabaceae) was studied using plants from a natural habitat near Rankins Springs, central-western New South Wales, Australia. The accumulation and partitioning of dry matter and 12 mineral nutrients in pods and seeds of fruits is described. Seeds accumulated about 50% of the dry matter of a mature fruit, over 90% of its N and P content, 50 to 75% of its K, Ca, Mn, Cl, S, Zn, Cu and Mg, but less than 50% of its Fe and Na. Over 75 % of the N and P content of pods was redistributed during senescence, although other nutrients and dry matter were not redistributed to the same extent; there was negligible redistribution of Ca, Cl, Na, Fe and Mn from the pod. Redistribution of N and P from the pod could have provided up to 30% of these nutrients accumulated by mature seeds. Concentrations of most nutrients were higher in seeds than pods. The testa made up 60% of the dry matter content of a seed and contained the major proportion of its Ca, Mg, Cl, Na and Mn; the embryo contained most of the seed's contents of N, P, K, S, Zn and Cu. The elaiosomes had less than 5% of the seed's dry matter and mineral nutrient content. The oil content of the elaiosome was 34%, compared to 12% for the embryo. Oleic acid made up over 60% of the fatty acid content of elaiosome oil. Aspartic acid, arginine and glycine were the major amino acids in the elaiosome. The embryo contained 10% of the non-protein anti-metabolic amino acid, canavanine, the elaiosome only 1%. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the subunit protein compositions of the elaiosome and embryo were different. The composition of the elaiosome is discussed in relation to the nutrition of ants. It is concluded that, in H. violacea, the elaiosome represents a nutritionally cheap means to the plant of achieving secondary seed dispersal by ants.

Purification and Properties of Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase from Immature Pods of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31) was purified to homogeneity with about 29% recovery from immature pods of chickpea using ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, and gel filtration through Sephadex G-200. The purified enzyme with molecular weight of about 200,000 daltons was a tetramer of four identical subunits and exhibited maximum activity at pH 8.1. Mg(2+) ions were specifically required for the enzyme activity. The enzyme showed typical hyperbolic kinetics with phosphoenolpyruvate with a K(m) of 0.74 millimolar, whereas sigmoidal response was observed with increasing concentrations of HCO(3) (-) with S(0.5) value as 7.6 millimolar. The enzyme was activated by inorganic phosphate and phosphate esters like glucose-6-phosphate, alpha-glycerophosphate, 3-phosphoglyceric acid, and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, and inhibited by nucleotide triphosphates, organic acids, and divalent cations Ca(2+) and Mn(2+). Oxaloacetate and malate inhibited the enzyme noncompetitively. Glucose-6-phosphate reversed the inhibitory effects of oxaloacetate and malate.

AMINO ACID AND AMIDE METABOLISM IN THE HULLS AND SEEDS OF DEVELOPING FRUITS OF GARDEN PEA, PISUM SATIVUM L.: III. HOMOSERINE

Pea plants (Pisum sativum L. cv. Melbourne Market), each with a single developing pod, were pulse-fed with [¹⁴ C]homoserine supplied through the cut stem at stages of pod development ranging from 12 to 21 d after full blossom. The pods were removed after 24 h and the hulls and seed components were frozen for later analysis. Except at the youngest stage, or unless the pod had been enclosed in foil to prevent the development of chloroplasts, the seeds received a higher proportion of total label in the fruit (about 60%). The distribution of label in soluble metabolites of the hull, seedcoats, embryo sac liquid and embryo was determined by paper chromatography and radioautography. The results indicate turnover of homoserine within the hull, and confirm that the seedcoats are responsible for a shift in metabolism leading to secretion of threonine into the embryo sac instead of homoserine.

Seed growth rate and carbohydrate pool sizes of the soybean fruit

The relationships between various carbohydrate pools of the soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) fruit and growth rate of seeds were evaluated. Plants during midpod-fill were subjected to various CO(2) concentrations or light intensities for 7 days to generate different rates of seed growth. Dry matter accumulation rates of seeds and pod wall, along with glucose, sucrose, and starch concentrations in the pod wall, seed coat, and embryo were measured in three-seeded fruits located from nodes six through ten. Seed growth rates ranged from 4 to 37 milligrams.day(-1).fruit(-1). When seed growth rates were greater than 12 milligrams.day(-1).fruit(-1), sucrose concentration remained relatively constant in the pod wall (1.5 milligrams.100 milligrams dry weight(-1)), seed coat (8.5 milligrams.100 milligrams dry weight(-1)), and embryo (5.0 milligrams.100 milligrams dry weight(-1)). However, sucrose concentrations decreased in all three parts of the fruit as growth rate of the seeds fell below 12 milligrams.day(-1).fruit(-1). This relationship suggests that at high seed growth rates, flux of sucrose through the sucrose pools of the fruit was more important than pool size for growth. Starch concentration in the pod wall remained relatively constant (2 milligrams.100 milligrams dry weight(-1)) at higher rates of seed growth but decreased as seed growth rates fell below 12 milligrams.day(-1).fruit(-1). This suggests that pod wall starch may buffer seed growth under conditions of limiting assimilate availability. There was no indication that carbohydrate pools of the fruit were a limitation to transport or growth processes of the soybean fruit.

Economy of water, carbon, and nitrogen in the developing cowpea fruit

The nutritional economy of the fruit of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp cv Vita 3) was assessed quantitatively from intake and utilization of carbon, nitrogen, and water. Fruits failed to make net gains of CO(2) from the atmosphere during daytime, although pod photosynthesis did play a role in the fruit's carbon economy by refixing a proportion of the fruit's respired CO(2). Of every 100 units by weight of carbon entering the fruit, 70.4 were finally incorporated into seeds, 10.3 remained as nonmobilizable material in pod walls, and the remaining 19.3 were lost in fruit respiration. Phloem supplied 97% of the fruit's carbon and 72% of its nitrogen. The xylem contribution of nitrogen occurred mainly in early growth. Ninety-six% of the fruit's nitrogen was incorporated into seeds, approximately 10% of this mobilized from the senescing pod. The mean transpiration ratio of the fruit was very low-8 milliliters water transpired per gram dry matter accumulated. Models of carbon, nitrogen, and water flow were constructed for the two consecutive 11 day periods of fruit development, and indicated a considerably greater entry of water through xylem and phloem than could be accounted for in changes in fruit tissue water and transpiration loss. This discrepancy was greater in the second half of fruit growth and was interpreted as evidence that a significant fraction of the water entering the fruit through phloem cycled back to the parent plant via the xylem.

Relationships between Respiration Rate and Adenylate and Carbohydrate Pools of the Soybean Fruit

Relationships between respiration rate and adenylate and carbohydrate pools of the soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) fruit during rapid seed growth were evaluated. Plants at mid pod-fill were subjected to different concentrations of CO(2) to alter the amount of photosynthate produced and, thus, available to the fruit. Respiration rate of the intact fruits was measured, along with glucose, sucrose, and starch concentrations, adenylate energy charge (AEC), and total adenylate pool (SigmaAdN) in the pod wall, seed coat, and cotyledons. The concentration of sucrose remained relatively constant in the pod wall (1.0 milligram per 100 milligrams dry weight), seed coat (6.5 milligrams per 100 milligrams dry weight), and cotyledons (4.5 milligrams per 100 milligrams dry weight) at moderate and high respiration rates. Furthermore, AEC remained relatively constant in the pod wall (0.55), seed coat (0.24), and cotyledons (0.44) during changes in respiration rate. This suggests that the amount of assimilate transported to the fruit, and its flux through the sucrose pools of the fruit parts, were important in the regulation of the respiration rate of the fruit. The average SigmaAdN in the seed coat (1300 picomoles per milligram dry weight) was significantly greater than in the cotyledons (750 picomoles per milligram dry weight) and pod wall (300 picomoles per milligram dry weight). In addition, the SigmaAdN in the seed coat and cotyledons increased with increasing respiration rate of the fruit. The high SigmaAdN in the seed coat and its increase with increases in respiration rate of the fruit suggest that an energy-requiring process is involved in the movement of sucrose through the seed coat.

Amino Acids Translocated from Turgid and Water-stressed Barley Leaves: I. Phloem Exudation Studies

The phloem exudation technique of King and Zeevaart (Plant Physiol 1974 53: 96-103) was modified for use with barley plants, to investigate the effect of water stress upon amino acid translocation at seedling and grainfilled stages.Seedling leaves and flag leaves from unstressed and moderately water-stressed plants exuded (14)CO(2) assimilates, sugars, and amino acids when their sheaths were cut and immersed in a 5 millimolar solution of Na(2)EDTA (pH 7.0). By including PEG 6000 (-10 bars) in the Na(2)EDTA solution, leaves severed from moderately water-stressed plants could be maintained in a wilted state. Such leaves produced about as much exudate as turgid leaves of unstressed plants.The following observations suggest a phloem origin for most of the exudate. Exudation was markedly stimulated by light and by CO(2) enrichment. The release of NO(3) (-) declined after cutting, and did not parallel exudation of (14)CO(2) assimilates, sugar, and amino acids. The relative quantities and specific radioactivities of sugars and amino acids in the exudate differed from those of sugars and amino acids extracted from sheath tissue.Major amino acids in exudate from unstressed seedling and flag leaves were glutamine, glutamate, serine, alanine, and aspartate; proline was virtually absent. Exudate from water-stressed leaves contained relatively more serine, and also some proline and gamma-aminobutyric acid.

A Pod Leakage Technique for Phloem Translocation Studies in Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.)

Radioactive photosynthetic assimilates, translocated to a soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr. ;Fiskeby V') pod can be measured directly by excising the stylar tip of the pod under 20 mm ethylenediaminetetraacetate solution (pH 7.0) and allowing the material to leak into the solution. Pods at the source node received approximately 50% of the (14)C exported from the source leaf to the pod and leaked approximately 1 to 3% of this into the solution. More than 90% of the (14)C that leaked from the pods was found in the neutral fraction and, of this, about 93% was in sucrose. Fifteen amino acids were identified in the leakage including: alanine, arginine, asparagine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine. The majority of the (14)C in the basic fraction was found in serine ( approximately 30%) and asparagine ( approximately 23%). The inorganic ions K, Ca, P, Mg, Zn, and Fe were found in the leakage component. Nitrate was not detectable in the collected leakage solution. The absence of NO(3) (-) and the large proportion of the label in sucrose suggest a possible phloem origin for most of the material. The technique provides an uncomplicated, reproducible means of analyzing the material translocated into and through the soybean pod, as well as following the time course of label arrival at the pod.

Photosynthetic Pod Wall of Pea (Pisum sativum L.): Distribution of Carbon Dioxide-fixing Enzymes in Relation to Pod Structure

The pod wall of pea (Pisum sativum L.) was shown to contain two distinct photosynthetic layers. The outer, comprising chlorenchyma of the mesocarp, captured CO(2) from the outside atmosphere; the inner, a chloroplast-containing epidermis lining the pod gas cavity, was involved in photoassimilation of the CO(2) released from respiring seeds.Structural features of the pod included the thick cuticle and stomata of the outer epidermis, the inward projecting veinlets of the vascular network in the mesocarp, the sparsity of air spaces, the fiber and parenchyma layers of the endocarp, and the abundant chloroplasts, thin cuticle, and rounded outer contours of cells of the inner epidermis.The inner epidermis showed high specific activities of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate (RuDP) carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39) and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31), contained up to 20% of the pod's chlorophyll, and was capable of fixing 66% of the CO(2) released during the photoperiod to the pod gas space by the seeds of a fully grown fruit.The in vitro carboxylation capacity of the pod exceeded the estimated gross photosynthesis of the fruit for all but the last few days of development. Chlorophyll content and carboxylation activity declined more markedly in the outer photosynthetic layers than in the inner epidermis.The ratio of activities of RuDP carboxylase to PEP carboxylase in pod extracts varied from 2.4:1 to 12:1 as against 48:1 to 156:1 in extracts of leaves.Structural and physiological properties of the pod were related to its capacity to conserve respired CO(2) and provide photosynthate to developing seeds.