Can meristematic activity determine variation in leaf size and elongation rate among four Poa species? A kinematic study.

We studied inherent variation in final leaf size among four Poa spp. that live at different elevations. The average final length of leaf 7 of the main stem of the smallest species (Poa alpina) was only one-half that of the largest species (Poa trivialis); it was correlated with leaf elongation rate, but not with the duration of leaf elongation. A faster rate of leaf elongation rate was associated with (a) larger size of the zone of cell expansion, and (b) faster rates of cell production (per cell file) in the meristem, which in turn were due to greater numbers of dividing cells, whereas average cell division rates were very similar for all species (except Poa annua). Also we found that the proliferative fraction equaled 1 throughout the meristem in all species. It was remarkable that rates of cell expansion tended to be somewhat higher in the species with slower growing leaves. We discuss the results by comparing the spatial and material viewpoints, which lead to different interpretations of the role of cell division. Although the presented data do not strictly prove it, they strongly suggest a regulatory role for cell division in determining differences in growth rate among the present four Poa spp.

Properties of plasma membranes of Phsp 70-ipt transformed tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum).

Application of 10 successive daily heat shocks reduced the growth of control tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Petit Havana SR1) plants by about 15%; for Phsp 70-ipt transformed plants this is about 48%. The shoot diameter of these ipt-transformed plants increased by about 75%. In addition, in heat shock treated ipt-plants (IPT-HS) the upper lateral buds grew out due to a reduction of apical dominance. The older leaves of IPT-HS plants had a higher chlorophyll content. In spite of the observed effects due to a higher endogenous cytokinin content in the IPT-HS plants, no significant changes were observed on the plasma membrane fatty acid composition, nor on its fluidity as determined from the steady-state fluorescence anisotropy of DPH. Only a minor change in the plasma membrane free sterol composition was found as evidenced by a 20% decrease in the stigmasterol to sitosterol ratio in IPT-HS, indicative for a possible anti-senescence effect of enhanced endogenous cytokinins, but without significant effects on the plasma membrane function.