The structural organization of the outer tissues in the gametophytic stem of the umbrella moss Hypnodendron menziesii optimizes load bearing.

The ultrastructural design and biochemical organization of the significantly thickened outer tissues of the gametophytic stem of Hypnodendron menziesii optimizes load bearing of the stem. Hypnodendron menziesii is a bryoid umbrella moss growing in high humid conditions on the forest floors of New Zealand. The erect gametophyte bears up to eight whorls of branches in succession, spreading across the stem that bears the heavy weight of branches with highly hydrated leaves.

Cell corner middle lamella in hydroids of dendroid moss Hypnodendron menziesii gametophyte is prominently thickened: a proposed role in the mechanical support function.

Significantly thickened corner middle lamella of the hydroid cell wall in the stipe of dendroid moss Hypnodendron menziesii has a mechanical support function. The hydroid cell walls of the erect stipe of Hypnodendron menziesii were investigated using light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and TEM-immunogold labeling in support of the proposed biomechanical function for the highly thickened cell corner middle lamellae. The statistical analyses of dimensions of hydroid cell and wall parameters revealed a strong positive correlation between the area of hydroid cell and (i) the hydroid cell walls adhering to thick corner middle lamella, (ii) the area of the thick cell wall at hydroid corners, and (iii) the maximum thickness of cell wall at hydroid corners.

Physiological and anatomical responses to drought stress differ between two larch species and their hybrid.

Key Message: Hybrid saplings were more reactive to soil water deficit than Japanese and European larch. European larch had hydraulically safer wood and anisohydric behavior, Japanese and hybrid larch showed isohydric strategy.

Abstract: Deciduous larch species could be an alternative to evergreen conifers in reforestation, but little is known about drought sensitivity of their saplings.

Heteromannans are the predominant hemicelluloses in the gametophytic stem of the umbrella moss Hypnodendron menziesii and occur in the walls of all cell types.

Heteromannans are the predominant hemicelluloses in the gametophytic stem of the moss Hypnodendron menziesii and occur in the walls of all cell types Little is known about the cell-wall polysaccharides of mosses. Monosaccharide analysis of cell walls isolated from the stem of the umbrella moss Hypnodendron menziesii was consistent with heteromannans, probably galactoglucomannans, being the predominant hemicellulosic polysaccharides in the walls. Immunofluorescence and immunogold microscopy with the monoclonal antibody LM21, specific for heteromannans, showed that these polysaccharides were present in the walls of all stem cell types.

Characterizing Fungal Decay of Beech Wood: Potential for Biotechnological Applications.

The biotechnological potential of nine decay fungi collected from stored beech logs at a pulp and paper factory yard in Northern Iran was investigated. Beech blocks exposed to the fungi in a laboratory decay test were used to study changes in cell wall chemistry using both wet chemistry and spectroscopic methods. , , and caused greater lignin breakdown compared to other white-rot fungi, which led to a 28% reduction in refining energy.

Comparison of the Decay Behavior of Two White-Rot Fungi in Relation to Wood Type and Exposure Conditions.

Fungal wood decay strategies are influenced by several factors, such as wood species, moisture content, and temperature. This study aims to evaluate wood degradation characteristics of spruce, beech, and oak after exposure to the white-rot fungi and . Both fungi caused high mass losses in beech wood, while spruce and oak wood were more resistant to decay.

A novel approach for FE-SEM imaging of wood-matrix polymer interface in a biocomposite.

Understanding the interface between polymer and biomass in composite products is important for developing high performance products, as the quality of adhesion at the interface determines composite properties. For example, with greater stiffness compared to polymer matrix, such as that of high density polyethylene, the wood component enhances stiffness of wood-polymer composites, provided there is good adhesion between composite components. However, in composites made from wood flour (wood particles) and synthetic resins it is often difficult to clearly resolve particle-matrix interfaces in the conventionally employed microscopy method that involves SEM examination of fractured faces of composites.

MRT letter: high resolution SEM imaging of nano-architecture of cured urea-formaldehyde resin using plasma coating of osmium.

Nanoarchitecture of cured urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins was examined with a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) after coating samples with osmium, which is considered to produce particles of considerably smaller size compared to other metal coatings used in SEM studies. This method enabled comparison of the nanoarchitecture of UF resins of low (1.0) and high (1.

Correlative light and scanning electron microscopy of the same sections gives new insights into the effects of pectin lyase on bordered pit membranes in Pinus radiata wood.

Bordered pits are structures in the cell walls of softwood tracheids which permit the movement of water between adjacent cells. These structures contain a central pit membrane composed of an outer porous ring (margo) and an inner dense and pectin-rich disc (torus). The membrane is overarched on each side by pit borders.

Visualising impregnated chitosan in Pinus radiata early wood cells using light and scanning electron microscopy.

Chitosan, a deacetylated product of an abundant naturally occurring biopolymer chitin, has been used in a range of applications, particularly in food and health areas, as an antimicrobial agent. In the work reported here Pinus radiata wood was impregnated with chitosan as an environmentally compatible organic biocide (Eikenes et al., 2005a,b) to protect wood against wood deteriorating microorganisms and to thus prolong the service life of wooden products.

Chitosan-mediated changes in cell wall composition, morphology and ultrastructure in two wood-inhabiting fungi.

The effect of chitosan on cell wall deposition was investigated in the two wood-inhabiting fungal species Trichoderma harzianum (CBS 597.91) and Sphaeropsis sapinea (NZFS 2725). The study used three independent analytical techniques to quantify chitin in the fungal mycelium.

Rapid accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in cucumber roots due to exposure to low temperature appears to mediate decreases in water transport.

Water transport across root systems of young cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings was measured following exposure to low temperature (LT, 8-13 degrees C) for varying periods of time. In addition, the amount of water transported through the stems was evaluated using a heat-balance sap-flow gauge.

Exposure of roots of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) to low temperature severely reduces root pressure, hydraulic conductivity and active transport of nutrients.

When root temperature dropped below 25 degrees C, there was a sharp drop in the root pressure (P(r)) and hydraulic conductivity of excised roots (Lp(r)) of young cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings as measured with the root pressure probe. A detailed analysis of root hydraulics provided evidence for a larger reduction in the osmotic component of Lp(r) (77%) in comparison with the hydrostatic component (34%) in response to the exposure of the root system to 13 degrees C.

Simple and rapid methods for SEM observation and TEM immunolabeling of rubber particles.

We developed a method involving air-drying of a rubber suspension after fixation in glutaraldehyde-tannic acid and postfixation in osmium tetroxide for SEM observation. For TEM immunolabeling the suspension was air-dried after osmium-only fixation. Whereas conventional methods failed to satisfactorily stabilize rubber particles, the methods described here proved successful in preserving their integrity.

The micromorphology and protein characterization of rubber particles in Ficus carica, Ficus benghalensis and Hevea brasiliensis.

Rubber biosynthesis takes place on the surface of rubber particles. These particles are surrounded by a monolayer membrane in which the rubber transferase is anchored. In order to gain better insight into whether rubber particles from different plant species share common structural characteristics, the micromorphology of rubber particles from Ficus carica, Ficus benghalensis, and Hevea brasiliensis was examined by electron microscopy.

Chilling root temperature causes rapid ultrastructural changes in cortical cells of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) root tips.

Examination of root tips from cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings grown at 8 degrees C for varying periods ranging from 15 min to 96 h, showed marked changes in the ultrastructure of cortical cells within only 15 min of exposure. Greater parts of the cortex were affected with longer periods of exposure, but the sequence of morphological changes in cell components was similar to that found for the roots exposed for 15 min.