Endotrophic mycorrhiza and the nutrition of grape vines

The roots of grape vines collected from a number of different localities throughout the Australian continent were all infected with mycorrhiza of the vesiculararbuscular type. Similarly a range of Vitis species and hybrids and a number of V. vinifera cultivars all displayed microscopic evidence of mycorrhizal infection.The growth of vine seedlings in soils sterilized either by autoclaving or by gamma irradiation was less than in similar non-sterile soil. The vine seedlings in sterile soils were not infected with mycorrhiza while those in non sterile were. Normal growth of vine seedlings in sterile soils was obtained by inoculating them with vine roots infected with live mycorrhiza. lnoculatio!1 of vine seedlings grown in sterile soils with roots containing dead mycorrhiza (autoclaved) or with filtered soil suspensions does not stimulate their growth. The shoots of vine seedlings grown In nori-sterile soil or in sterile soils and inoculated with live mycorrhiza had a significantly higher phosphorus content than seedlings not infected with mycorrhiza.i:t is suggested that in many of the habitats in which vines are grown in Australia and in Europe vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza aids their nutrition

Use of nitrogen and potassium reserves during growth of grape vine cuttings

Single node cuttings of dormant grape vine canes were analysed to determine the relative amounts of soluble and insoluble nitrogen, and of potassium that are stored in bark and wood and in node and internode respectively. The amounts of these constituents that can be utilized for the growth of new shoot and roots were determined in experiments in which cuttings were grown in nutrient solutions which were either complete or lacking in nitrogen or potassium. When cuttings were grown for ten weeks with no added nitrogen 87 percent of the soluble nitrogen and 43 percent of the insoluble nitrogen was utilized for new growth. When cuttings were grown with an unrestricted supply of fertilizer nitrogen 82 percent of the soluble nitrogen and 20 percent of the insoluble nitrogen was utilized for new growth during the same period. Even in vines adequately supplied with fertilizer nitrogen, stored nitrogen of the cane is used preferentially for new growth.Vine cuttings grown for ten weeks with no supplemental potassium utilized 48 percent of the potassium reserve in the dormant cane for the growth of new shoot and roots. The amount translocated to the shoots was five times the amount transferred to roots. When supplemental potassium was supplied in the nutrient solution the potassium level in plant canes (initial cutting) was increased relative to that in the original cutting with equal amounts being translocated to both shoots and roots. It would appear that in contrast to nitrogen, stored potassium is not used preferentially for the growth of new shoot and roots.Die Nutzung von Stickstoff- und Kaliumreserven beim Wachstum von RebstecklingenEinaugenstecklinge von Rebenholz, das sich in der Ruhephase befand, wurden analysiert, um die relativen Mengen von löslichem und unlöslichem Stickstoff und von Kalium zu bestimmen, die im Rinden- und Holzteil bzw. Nodus und Internodium eingelagert waren. In Nährlösungen, die entweder vollständig waren oder in denen N oder K fehlten, wurden Stecklinge angezogen und an ihnen ermittelt, in welchem Ausmaß diese Elemente für das Wachstum neuer Sprosse und Wurzeln genutzt wurden.Wuchsen die Stecklinge 10 Wochen lang ohne zusätzlichen Stickstoff, so wurden 87% des löslichen und 43% des unlöslichen Stickstoffs für das neue Wachstum genutzt. Bei unbeschränktem Vorrat an Düngerstickstoff wurden 82% des löslichen und 20% des unlöslichen Stickstoffs für das neue Wachstum während derselben Periode genutzt. Selbst in Reben, die ausreichend mit Dünger-Stickstoff versorgt waren, wurde vorzugsweise der im Holz eingelagerte Stickstoff für das neue Wachstum verwendet. Rebstecklinge, die 10 Wochen lang ohne zusätzliches Kalium wuchsen, nutzten 48% der Kalium-Reserve in dem ruhenden Rebholz für die Entwicklung neuer Sprosse und Wurzeln. In die Sprosse wurde fünf mal so viel Kalium wie in die Wurzeln befördert. Nach einem Kalium-Zusatz zur Nährlösung stieg der Kaliumgehalt im Stecklingsholz (Ausgangsholz) gegenüber dem im Ausgangsstück, wobei gleiche Mengen in Sprosse und Wurzeln befördert wurden. Es hat den Anschein, als ob bei der Bildung neuer Sprosse und Wurzeln das eingelagerte Kalium - im Gegensatz zum Stickstoff - nicht bevorzugt verwertet würde

Contrasting effects of diclofenac and ibuprofen on active imatinib uptake into leukaemic cells

BACKGROUND: The human organic cation transporter-1 (OCT-1) is the primary active protein for imatinib uptake into target BCR-ABL-positive cells. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used by chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients on imatinib to manage musculoskeletal complaints. METHODS: Here we investigated the impact of NSAIDs on functional activity of the OCT-1 (OCT-1 activity; OA) in CML cells. RESULTS: Although ten of twelve NSAIDs tested had no significant impact on OA (P>0.05), we observed increased OA (27% increase in K562; 22% increase in KU812 cells, P<0.05) and reduced IC50(imatinib) when treated with diclofenac. Co-incubation with imatinib and diclofenac resulted in a significantly lower viable cell number compared with imatinib alone. In contrast, ibuprofen led to a significant decrease in OA, an increase in IC50(imatinib) and thus reduced the cytotoxicity of imatinib. In primary CML samples, diclofenac significantly increased OA, particularly in patients with low OA (<4 ng per 200 000 cells), and significantly decreased IC50(imatinib). Ibuprofen induced significant decreases in OA in CML samples and healthy donors. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the expected impact of these two drugs on OA, ibuprofen should be avoided in combination with imatinib. Further studies are warranted regarding the potential benefit of diclofenac to improve OA in a clinical setting.J. Wang, T.P. Hughes, C.H. Kok, V.A. Saunders, A. Frede, K. Groot-Obbink, M. Osborn, A.A. Somogyi, R.J. D’Andrea and D.L. Whit