Dihydrodipicolinate synthase in opaque and floury maize mutants

Dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS, EC 4.2.1.52) was isolated and studied in four high-lysine maize mutants (Oh43o1, Oh43o2, Oh43fl1 and Oh43fl2). The activity of DHDPS was analyzed at 16, 20, and 24 DAP and characterized in the presence of the amino acids, lysine, S-(2-aminoethyl)-l-cysteine (AEC), S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and calcium. The results indicated that DHDPS was strongly inhibited by lysine, and that there was little variation between the mutants, indicating that lysine accumulation in these mutants may be more dependent on other enzymes involved in lysine metabolism. The higher concentrations of lysine observed in the seeds of the mutants at maturity may be explained by the accumulation of soluble lysine caused by a reduction in lysine degradation, or by changes in the distribution of high lysine containing storage proteins

Dihydrodipicolinate synthase in opaque and floury maize mutants

Dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS, EC 4.2.1.52) was isolated and studied in four high-lysine maize mutants (Oh43o1, Oh43o2, Oh43fl1 and Oh43fl2). The activity of DHDPS was analyzed at 16, 20, and 24 DAP and characterized in the presence of the amino acids, lysine, S-(2-aminoethyl)-l-cysteine (AEC), S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and calcium. The results indicated that DHDPS was strongly inhibited by lysine, and that there was little variation between the mutants, indicating that lysine accumulation in these mutants may be more dependent on other enzymes involved in lysine metabolism. The higher concentrations of lysine observed in the seeds of the mutants at maturity may be explained by the accumulation of soluble lysine caused by a reduction in lysine degradation, or by changes in the distribution of high lysine containing storage proteins

Controle genético do teor proteico nos grãos e de caracteres agronômicos em milho cultivado com diferentes níveis de adubação nitrogenada Genetic control of grain protein content and of agronomic traits in maize cultivated at different levels of nitrogen fertilization

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o controle genético do teor de proteína em grãos e caracteres agronômicos milho (Zea mays) cultivado com diferentes níveis de adubação nitrogenada. Foram avaliados nove genitores de milho e seus híbridos, em dialelo completo, com dois níveis de adubação nitrogenada. Os caracteres avaliados foram: índice relativo de clorofila, altura de plantas, altura de espigas, produção de espigas, produção de grãos, coloração de grãos, massa de cem grãos, densidade de grãos, teor de nitrogênio nas folhas e teor de proteína nos grãos. A elevação da adubação nitrogenada promoveu aumento nos caracteres índice relativo de clorofila, altura de espigas e teor de proteínas nos grãos. Apenas a variável produção de grãos apresentou controle genético distinto nos diferentes níveis de nitrogênio. A análise dialélica mostrou significância dos efeitos dos genótipos sobre todos os caracteres, com exceção da produção de espigas e de grãos, e foi possível observar significância da heterose na maioria das variáveis. Para o teor de proteínas nos grãos, não houve significância da capacidade específica de combinação, e a capacidade geral de combinação dos genótipos teve efeito mais importante na manifestação desse caráter.<br>The objective of this work was to determine the genetic control grain protein content and of the agronomic traits of corn (Zea mays) at different levels of nitrogen fertilization. Nine parent populations and their hybrids were evaluated in a complete diallel mating design, with two levels of nitrogen fertilization. The variables evaluated were: relative chlorophyll index, plant height, ear height, ear production, grain yield, grain color, mass of 100 grains, density of grains, nitrogen content in the leaves and grain protein content. Increasing levels of nitrogen fertilization increased the relative chlorophyll index, ear height and grain protein content. However, only grain production had distinct genetic control at different levels of nitrogen. Diallel analysis showed significant genotype effect in all traits, except for grain and ear production. For most of the variables, there was significance of heterosis effect. For grain protein content, there was no significance for specific combining ability, and genotypes general combining ability had more important effects in the expression of this character

Determination of aspartate kinase in maize tissues.

Lysine, threonine, methionine and isoleucine are synthesized from aspartate in a branched pathway in higher plants. Aspartate kinase plays a key role in the control of the aspartate pathway. The enzyme is very sensitive to manipulation and storage and the hydroxamate assay normally used to determine aspartate kinase activity has to be altered according to the plant species and tissue to be analyzed. We have optimized the assay for the determination of aspartate kinase in maize plants callus cell cultures. Among all the assay parameters tested, the concentration of ATP/Mg and temperature were critical for enzyme activity. In the case of temperature, 35°C was shown to be the optimum temperature for aspartate kinase activity

Desempenho de cinco clones jovens de seringueira na região do Planalto Ocidental Paulista Performance of five young clones of rubber tree in the São Paulo Occidental plateau region

A Região do Planalto Ocidental Paulista tem se destacado como pólo produtor de borracha natural. Visando fornecer informações sobre a adaptação dos clones de seringueira [Hevea brasiliensis (Wildd. ex. Adr. de Juss) Müell. Arg.] RRIM 600, GT 1, RRIM 701, IAN 873 e PB 235, em São José do Rio Preto (SP), realizaram-se avaliações de alguns caracteres de sua biologia, pelo acompanhamento das trocas gasosas e mensuração do desenvolvimento vegetativo durante os primeiros 18 meses após o enxerto sobre Tjir 16. A altura de RRIM 600 atingiu, em média, 3,74 m e o diâmetro do caule de IAN 873 e RRIM 600, 2,50 cm. PB 235 apresentou o menor índice relativo de crescimento durante o período. No período úmido, os valores das trocas gasosas não diferiram significativamente entre os clones, com valores médios da taxa fotossintética de 9,45 mmol.m-2.s-1; para a taxa de transpiração, 3,84 mmol.m-2.s-1, e para a condutância estomática, de 0,096 mol.m-2.s-1. Diferenças entre os valores de trocas gasosas ocorreram apenas no período seco, com redução mais acentuada para PB 235. Considerando o conjunto dos caracteres analisados, o desempenho dos clones IAN 873 e RRIM 600 foi superior, e do clone PB 235, inferior.<br>The region of São Paulo Occidental Plateau is well known for its part as a major producer of natural rubber. In order to obtain information about adaptation of rubber tree clones [Hevea brasiliensis (Wildd. ex. Adr. de Juss) Müell. Arg.] RRIM 600, RRIM 701, IAN 873, PB 235 and GT 1, in the city of São José do Rio Preto some biologic characteristics were evaluated. Analysis were performed by monitoring gas exchanges and by measuring vegetative development, during the 18 months after engraft on the Tjir 16 clonal rootstocks. The height of RRIM 600 reached a mean of 3,74 m, and the diameter of the stem of IAN 873 and RRIM 600 reached the mean of 2,50 cm. Clone PB 235 presented the lowest relative growth during the period. During the wet period, the values of the gas exchange did not show significant variation among the clones; the mean value of photosynthetic rates was 9,45 mmol.m-2.s-1; of transpiration rates was 3,84 mmol.m-2 s-1, and of stomatic conductance was 0,096 mol.m-2 s-1. Differences in values of gas exchanges were observed only during the dry period, with notably large reduction for clone PB 235. The characteristics analyzed lead to the conclusion that performances of clones IAN 873 and RRIM 600 were superior, and that of clone PB 235 were inferior