Differences in growth and water relations among Phaseolus vulgaris cultivars in response to induced drought stress.

Relatively little ecophysiological research has been conducted to determine the responses to drought of Phaseolus vulgaris. Four bean cultivars (cvs.) from Brazil, A320, Carioca, Ouro Negro and Xodó were submitted to an imposed water deficit in order to evaluate the importance of some adaptive mechanisms of drought resistance through the analysis of growth parameters, water status, gas exchange and indicators of tolerance mechanisms at the cellular level. During the drought treatment, relative growth rates were more reduced for A320 and Xodó than Carioca and Ouro Negro. A320 closed its stomata very rapidly and complete stomatal closure was obtained at Psi(w)=-0.6 MPa, in contrast to the other cvs. where stomata were fully closed only at Psi(w)=-0.9 MPa. Net assimilation rates were closely related to stomatal conductances. Mechanisms at the cellular level appeared to be mostly important for higher tolerance. Carioca and Ouro Negro, when compared to A320 and Xodó, were characterized by having better drought tolerance mechanisms and higher tissue water retention capacity leading to a better growth under water deficits. The leaf dehydration rates of those cvs. were slow whereas those of the drought sensitive cvs. were rapid. The results were confirmed by the electrolyte leakage test and leaf osmotic potential measurements, which indicated higher membrane resistance and osmotic adjustment in the two tolerant cvs. Carioca and Ouro Negro. It appears from this study that despite being cultivated in the same geographical region, the four cvs. of P. vulgaris displayed somewhat different drought adaptive capacities for prolonged drought during the vegetative phase.

Use of SIMS microscopy and electron probe X-ray microanalysis to study the subcellular localization of aluminium in Vicia faba roots cells.

Received January 4, 1999; Accepted March 25, 1999 Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to study the tissular distribution and subcellular localization of aluminium (Al) precipitate in roots of Viciafaba. The broad bean plant, grown in nitrate solution with 193 microM Al3+ at pH 4.8, for 15 days showed Al deposits in the roots. Al accumulation was not detected in the stems nor in the leaves. Al was found mainly localized on the root's surfaces and within the cell walls of the cortical cells. Al signal was not detected in the vascular tissues. Two weeks exposure to Al caused ultrastructural changes in cortical cells and sometimes a complete disruption of these cells. Deposition of Al in form of insoluble complexes associated with phosphorus, appeared as electron opaque materials in the vacuoles of disrupted cortex cells and in the intercellular inclusions. The leaves turned yellowish at the end of 15 days exposure. The use of electron microprobe, to investigate the same tissues as the ones investigated by SIMS, provided complementary results on aluminium allocation.

High CO2 partial pressure effects on dark and light CO2 fixation and metabolism in Vicia faba leaves.

Stomatal opening on Vicia faba can be induced by high CO2 partial pressures (10.2%) in dark as well as in light. Stomatal aperture was measured in both cases with a hydrogen porometer. The distribution of (14)C among early products of photosynthesis was studied. Comparisons are made with carboxylations occurring when stomata were open in the dark with CO2-free air and in light with 0.034% CO2. Results showed that in high CO2 partial pressure in light, less radioactivity was incorporated in Calvin cycle intermediates and more in sucrose. ß carboxylations and photorespiration seemed to be inhibited. In the dark in both CO2 conditions, (14)C incorporation was found in malate and aspartate but also in serine and glycerate in high CO2 conditions. In light these changes in metabolic pathways may be related with the deleterious effects recorded on leaves after long-term expositions to high partial pressure of CO2.