Transformation of plastids in soil-shaded lowermost hypocotyl segments of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) during a 60-day cultivation period.

The maintenance but substantial transformation of plastids was found in lowermost hypocotyl segments of soil-grown bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Magnum) during a 60-day cultivation period. Although the plants were grown under natural light-dark cycles, this hypocotyl segment was under full coverage of the soil in 5-7 cm depth, thus it was never exposed to light.

Light piping driven photosynthesis in the soil: Low-light adapted active photosynthetic apparatus in the under-soil hypocotyl segments of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris).

Photosynthetic activity was identified in the under-soil hypocotyl part of 14-day-old soil-grown bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Magnum) cultivated in pots under natural light-dark cycles.

Light piping activates chlorophyll biosynthesis in the under-soil hypocotyl section of bean seedlings.

Protochlorophyllide (Pchlide), protochlorophyll (Pchl) and chlorophyll (Chl) contents, their distribution and native arrangements were studied in under-soil hypocotyl segments of 4-, 7- and 14-day-old bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Magnum) seedlings.