[Analysis of tobacco regeneration plants from the protoplasts produced by electrofusion [corrected] in space].

Vacuolated mesophyll protoplasts of Nicotiana rustica L. were electrically fused with evacuolated protoplasts of the same genus (N. tabacum cv. 'Gexin No.1') during a 7-day space flight in the Chinese spacecraft "SZ-4". The initial cell division leading to micro-callus formation took place after landing (Fig.1). Higher plating efficiencies were observed in the flight samples than the control culture, but the frequency of plantlets regeneration reduced by about 20% of the control (Table 1). The hybrid characters were tested by chromosome counting, isozyme analysis and comparison of morphological characteristics (Figs.2-4). About 32% of the regenerates showed hybrid character. Leaf morphological modifications were found in 3 hybrids, i.e., H23, H25 and H27. After backcrossing with N. rustica, alterations in flower color and leaf shape occurred in the somatic hybrid H23 (Fig.5). These results demonstrate that the hybrids formed under microgravity condition could regenerate fertile plants.

Effects of Lantana camara leaf extract on the activity of superoxide dismutase and accumulation of H2O2 in water hyacinth leaf.

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is one of the most productive plants, but is also a troublesome weed in the world. In order to protect the public water system from chemical herbicides pollution, biological method has been suggested to control the growth and the reproduction of this weed. Lantana (Lantana camara L.) is an important weed of the family Verbenaceae and its leaf extract is highly toxic to water hyacinth. The results of this study showed that the extract of lantana leaves suppressed the emergence of leaf buds of water hyacinth plant, and caused the decay of its leaves by foliar spraying. In addition, the increase of SOD activity in water hyacinth leaves was in accordance with the accumulation of H(2)O(2) and the increase in degree of membrane peroxidation, while the activity of catalase, which might remove the excessive H(2)O(2) in water hyacinth leaves, was inhibited by treatment with lantana extract. At tissue level, high H(2)O(2) histochemical labeling was detected in guard cells after treatment with lantana extract. This overproduction of H(2)O(2) could kill the leaf cells and cause leaf necrosis in the treated plant. Therefore, the high toxicity of lantana leaf extract to water hyacinth might be due to oxidative stress.