Role of salicylic acid in acclimation to low temperature

Low temperature is one of the most important limiting factors for plant growth throughout the world. Exposure to low temperature may cause various phenotypic and physiological symptoms, and may result in oxidative stress, leading to loss of membrane integrity and to the impairment of photosynthesis and general metabolic processes. Salicylic acid (SA),phenolic compound produced by a wide range of plant species, a may participate in many physiological and metabolic reactions in plants. It has been shown that exogenous SA may provide protection against low temperature injury in various plant species, while various stress factors may also modify the synthesis and metabolism of SA. In the present review, recent results on the effects of SA and related compounds in processes leading to acclimation to low temperatures will be discussed

Modelling of the electron density height profiles in the mid-latitude ionospheric D-region

A new mid-latitude D-region (50-105 km) model of the electron density is presented obtained on the basis of a full wave theory and by a trial-and-error inversion method. Daytime (at different solar zenith angles) absorption measurements by A3-technique made in Bulgaria yielded data with the aid of which the seasonal and diurnal courses of the Ne(h)-profiles were derived. Special attention is drawn to the event diurnal asymmetry, or uneven formation of the ionosphere as a function of insulation. The latter is probably connected with the influence of the diurnal fluctuations in the local temperature on the chemistry involved in the electron loss rate, as well as the diurnal variations of the main ionizing agent (NO) in the D-region. That is why the Ne(h)-profiles in the midlatitude D-region are modelled separately for morning and afternoon hours

A single-station spectral model of the monthly median F-region critical frequency

A new single-station monthly median model of the F-region critical frequency has been obtained. A goniometric functional approximation of the monthly median hourly values of f0F2 was accepted. The diurnal course of f0F2 was described by a constant component and four "tides". Only the influence of the annual and semiannual waves in the seasonal course of f0F2 was taken into account. The solar activity was depicted not only by the well known R12 - index, but also by the parameter KR, expressing the linear trend of the monthly mean values of the sunspots for the previous 12 months. The use of this new parameter gives an opportunity for the solar cycle investigated not to be divided into falling and rising parts. The main advantage of the presented monthly median spectral model is that the same approach could be used for the short-term prediction

A single-station spectral model of the monthly median F-region critical frequency

A new single-station monthly median model of the F-region critical frequency has been obtained. A goniometric functional approximation of the monthly median hourly values of f0F2 was accepted. The diurnal course of f0F2 was described by a constant component and four "tides". Only the influence of the annual and semiannual waves in the seasonal course of f0F2 was taken into account. The solar activity was depicted not only by the well known R12 - index, but also by the parameter KR, expressing the linear trend of the monthly mean values of the sunspots for the previous 12 months. The use of this new parameter gives an opportunity for the solar cycle investigated not to be divided into falling and rising parts. The main advantage of the presented monthly median spectral model is that the same approach could be used for the short-term prediction