ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase), a two-gene-encoded enzyme, is the key component of starch synthesis in all plants. In the present study, we have used an E. coli expression system for the (over)production of proteins derived from both full length and specifically truncated cDNAs encoding small subunits of AGPase from seed endosperm (AGPase-B1) and leaves (AGPase-B2) of barley (Hordeum vu...

In recent years, the orchid species have become endangered due to overuse and habitat destruction. As with most flowering plants, seed production is primary strategy for reproduction in orchids. Orchids produce tiny seeds consisting of a coat rudimentary embryo. However, it lacks endosperm, which generally required as energy source during germination. The only way germinate get nutrients from a...

Pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) was found in various immature seeds of C(3) plants (wheat, pea, green bean, plum, and castor bean), in some C(3) leaves (tobacco, spinach, sunflower, and wheat), and in C(4) (maize) kernels. The enzyme in the C(3) plants cross-reacts with rabbit antiserum against maize PPDK. Based on protein blot analysis, the apparent subunit size of PPDK from wheat seed...

Carbonic anhydrase (CA; EC 4.2.1.1) catalyzes the interconversion of CO2 and HCO3(-) and is a major protein constituent of the C3 higher plant chloroplast where it is presumed to play a role in photosynthetic carbon assimilation. In this study, we have used both RNA antisense and gene knockout lines to specifically reduce the activity of the chloroplast betaCA1 polypeptide (At3g01500) in the mo...

BACKGROUND Jatropha curcas is an important biofuel crop due to the presence of high amount of oil in its seeds suitable for biodiesel production. Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are the most abundant form of storage oil in plants. Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (DGAT1) enzyme is responsible for the last and only committed step in seed TAG biosynthesis. Direct upregulation of TAG biosynthesis in seeds...

Seedling emergence and subsequent survival and growth are vital for natural forest restoration or plantation establishment by means of seeds. Such information is lacking for the African bamboo species. Two experiments were carried out in a greenhouse to evaluate the influence of seed orientation and sowing depth of the lowland bamboo Oxytenanthera abyssinica on seedling emergence, survival and ...

Development of alternative methods for pest management is needed with the increased concern for adverse effects of pesticides for human health and the environment. The main goal of our study was to test the oil from seeds of sugar apple (Annona squamosa), an edible tropical fruit for pest control. The oil pressed out of seeds was as effective in controlling the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia arge...

Herein, we sought to explore the contribution of cellulose biosynthesis to the shape and morphogenesis of hexagonal seed coat cells in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Consistent with seed preferential expression of CELLULOSE SYNTHASE9 (CESA9), null mutations in CESA9 caused no change in cellulose content in leaves or stems, but caused a 25% reduction in seeds. Compositional studies of cesa9...

The moisture, ash, and silicon content, as well the phytolith morphotype concentration in tissue-cultured, seed-cultured, grafted seedling leaves of Dendrocalamus brandisii were determined to investigate differences uptake morphology from different rearing methods. results showed that higher mature leaves. Tissue-cultured seedlings had a significantly moisture content than seedlings. Ash demons...

Leaves are thought to be the primary carbon source for reproduction in plants, so a positive relationship between vegetative size and reproductive output is expected, establishing a trade-off between time to reproduction and reproductive output. A common response to higher temperatures due to climate changes is the induction of earlier transition into reproduction. Thus, in annual plants, earli...