Overexpression of monodehydroascorbate reductase in transgenic tobacco confers enhanced tolerance to ozone, salt and polyethylene glycol stresses.

Ascorbate (AsA) is a major antioxidant and free-radical scavenger in plants. Monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR; EC 1.6.

Silicon-induced changes in viscoelastic properties of sorghum root cell walls.

Silicon is deposited in the endodermal tissue in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) roots. Its deposition is thought to protect vascular tissues in the stele against invasion by parasites and drying soil via hardening of endodermal cells.

The dynamics of silicon deposition in the sorghum root endodermis.

•  The dynamics of silica deposition and Si aggregates formation in inner tangential walls of root endodermal cells, which occurs as an additional stage of endodermal development in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), were studied. •  An environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) and X-ray microanalyzer (EDAX) were used to study sorghum roots grown hydroponically with Si (+ Si medium) and without Si (- Si medium). •  Silica aggregates were absent in roots of plants cultivated in - Si medium.

(+)-Strigol, a witchweed seed germination stimulant, from Menispermum dauricum root culture.

(+)-Strigol was isolated from Menispermum dauricum root culture filtrate. Its identity was confirmed by HPLC, 1H NMR, UV and MS, and on the basis of its CD spectrum. This is the first report on isolation of strigolactone from aseptic plant culture.

Silicification in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) cultivars with different drought tolerance.

Sorghum belongs to a group of economically important, silicon accumulating plants. X-ray microanalysis coupled with environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) of fresh root endodermal and leaf epidermal samples confirms histological and cultivar specificity of silicification. In sorghum roots, silicon is accumulated mostly in endodermal cells.