The effect of cyanobacterial compounds on the organogenesis of pea cultured in vitro

Many experimental results suggest the plant growth regulator (PGR) content and its physiological function in macro- and microscopic algae. Various compounds of cyanobacteria could be useful sources to enhance or substitute the influence of synthetic PGRs on tissue cultures of recalcitrant plants in vitro. In this study we have evaluated the beneficial effects of some extracellular compounds derived from axenic cultures of cyanobacteria. The cyanobacterial compounds in biomass alone have produced lower rates of shoot regeneration and gained smaller fresh weights compared to the PGRs control. They are not like real substitutes of synthetic PGRs but as a supplement in culture media resulting more vigorious cultures and regenerated shoots

Microalgal and cyanobacterial extracts in the tissue cultures of higher plants (pea, tobacco, beet)

The empirical approach that has been extensively used in studies on ABSTRACT in vitro organogenesis has shown that success is largely dependent on three factors: explant choice, medium composition, and control of the physical environment. Manipulation of these factors leads to the initiation of organized development. It is well known that the concentration and combination of growth regulators govern plant regeneration. There is accumulating evidence that some of the hormones which operate in higher plants could have similar roles in algae, even in microalgae and cyanobacteria. The in vitro culture of recalcitrant plants (such as pea, beet) needs other organic growth substances than plant hormones. In this study we have evaluated the beneficial effects of some extracellular compounds derived from axenic cultures of microalgae. The dilution of freeze-dried biomass from some microalgae and cyanobacteria could be useful for the improvement of in vitro culture media of economically important crops

Application of algal biomass for enhanced acclimatization of orchids

Algae produce plant growth regulators (PGRs), similar to higher plants. To study this feature, freeze-dried and ultrasonicated algal biomass was applied to support the development of certain orchids. An in vitro and an ex vitro experiment were carried out. In case of Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum, the nutrition medium was supplemented with the biomass of five algal strains at a concentration of 0.5 gL-1 in the in vitro experiment. This treatment enhanced the development of plants, but different strains depending on orchid species proved to be efficient. In Oncidium cultures different concentrations of MACC-612 were applied as a supplementation of nutrition media. Results showed, that higher concentrations (0.5 – 1 gL-1) evolved a salutary effect on the plant growth. In the ex vitro experiment orchids were grown on algal free media under sterile conditions. After that they were potted into the greenhouse and treated eleven times with different concentrations of algal suspension. After three months of acclimatization the lower concentrations (0.1 – 0.2 gL-1) of algal biomass applied in the cultures of Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum and Oncidium exerted a positive effect

Natural substances in tissue culture media of higher plants

Plant cell and tissue cultures are characterized by the use of isolated parts of plant obtained from an intact plant body and kept on, or in a suitable nutrient medium. This nutrient medium functions as replacement for the cells, tissue, or conductive elements originally neighbouring the explant. The exact conditions required to initiate and sustain plant cells in culture, or to regenerate intact plants from cultured cells, are different for each plant species. The empirical approach has shown that three factors, namely explant choice, medium composition, and control of the physical environment are important in successful cultures. When the completely defined plant culture media did not give the desired results, employing natural substances have beneficial effects on in vitro plant cell and tissue cultures. The composition of different culture media and the effects of natural compounds, including the supernatant and freeze-dried biomass of well-growing algal strains of Mosonmagyaróvár Algal Culture Collection (MACC), are presented in this short review

Analyzing the simplicial decomposition of spatial protein structures

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The fast growing Protein Data Bank contains the three-dimensional description of more than 45000 protein- and nucleic-acid structures today. The large majority of the data in the PDB are measured by X-ray crystallography by thousands of researchers in millions of work-hours. Unfortunately, lots of structural errors, bad labels, missing atoms, falsely identified chains and groups make dificult the automated processing of this treasury of structural biological data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After we performed a rigorous re-structuring of the whole PDB on graph-theoretical basis, we created the RS-PDB (Rich-Structure PDB) database. Using this cleaned and repaired database, we defined simplicial complexes on the heavy-atoms of the PDB, and analyzed the tetrahedra for geometric properties.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We have found surprisingly characteristic differences between simplices with atomic vertices of different types, and between the atomic neighborhoods – described also by simplices – of different ligand atoms in proteins.</p

Biologia Futura: potential of different forms of microalgae for soil improvement

Products derived from microalgae have great potential in diverse field. As a part of the enhancing agriculture application, various forms of microalgae applications have been developed so far. They are known to influence soil properties. The various forms of application may enhance soil in more or less similar manner. They can help improve soil health, nitrogen, and phosphorus content, and even carbon sequestration. Thus, overall, it can enhance fertility of the soil

Evaluation of the biostimulant effects of two Chlorophyta microalgae on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Eukaryotic microalgae from the Chlorophyta division are used in various bio-industries due to their ability to produce high value compounds. Some of these compounds show plant biostimulant properties when applied to plants, soil or growth medium in hydroponic chambers. The first objective of this study was to evaluate if Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cc 124 and Chlorella sp. MACC-360 had biostimulant effect on Solanum lycopersicum L. The second objective was to investigate the importance of the application mode and time. The third goal was to reveal strain-specific actions of the two algae strains. Tomato plants were grown in pots layered with clay at the bottom and filled with the mixture of soil and vermiculate. In two sets of experiments the soil and plant leaves were treated with living algae and algal extract, respectively. In the first set, the culture suspension (CS) was centrifuged, the algae pellet was re-suspended in water (CCS), and this was applied weekly to soil, while algae extract (cell disrupted algae suspension - CDS) was sprayed on leaves bi-weekly. The flowering process, plant morphology, fruit features and pigment contents were analyzed. In the second set of experiments, the culture suspension per se (CS) was applied to the soil weekly and CDS was sprayed on leaves bi-weekly. Flowering kinetics, reproductive capacity and photosynthetic parameters were examined. Both algae strains increased pigment content, fruit weight and fruit diameter of tomato. Plants that received initial algae treatment at an advanced age performed better than those initially treated at a young age. Chlorella induced early flowering and fruit development while Chlamydomonas significantly delayed these milestone functions. Chlorella promoted conversion of light energy to chemical energy, while Chlamydomonas enhanced protection of photosynthetic parameters. Both strains increased leaf temperature differential as well as leaf thickness. Overall, both algae strains stimulated important agronomic-valuable functions in tomato

ProEcoWine: Development of a Novel Plant Protection Product to Replace Copper in Organic Viticulture

Fungi like downy mildew reduce wine yield and impair wine quality. In conventional as well as organic viticulture, grape growers usually apply copper for preventing these fungal diseases. In the ProEcoWine project funded by the EC, on behalf of five companies, the Fraunhofer IGB, the University of West Hungary and Laboratoire PHENOBIO develop a novel bio-plant protection product to replace copper fungicides. To achieve this, microalgal strains with antifungal properties have been cultivated to be further processed into a plant protection product enriched with micronutrients. Strains with the most efficient control (more than 90%) over downy mildew and Botrytis have been identified and selected for validation in greenhouse and field experiments, while effective and economic cultivation methods for high density growth are being established. The optimal formulation of microalgae concentrate containing micronutrients and natural preservatives will then be determined after downstream methods required for the activation of antifungal activity are evaluated, optimizing the process for the manufacture of ProEcoWine