The increased production and use of nanoparticles (NPs) has generated concerns about their impact on living organisms. In this study, nCu, bulk Cu, nCuO, bulk CuO, Cu(OH)2 (CuPRO 2005, Kocide 3000), and CuCl2 were exposed for 15 days to 10 days-old hydroponically grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Each compound was applied at 0, 5, 10, and 20 mg L(-1). At harvest, we ...

Aphid-plant interactions depend on genotypes of both organisms, which determine the two-way molecular exchange that leads to compatible or incompatible outcomes. The underlying genes are mostly unknown, making it difficult to predict likelihood of aphid success or host resistance, and hampering crop genetic improvement. Here we screened eight pea aphid clonal genotypes collected from diverse le...

Ensifer medicae WSM244 is an aerobic, motile, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming rod that can exist as a soil saprophyte or as a legume microsymbiont of Medicago species. WSM244 was isolated in 1979 from a nodule recovered from the roots of the annual Medicago polymorpha L. growing in alkaline soil (pH 8.0) in Tel Afer, Iraq. WSM244 is the only acid-sensitive E. medicae strain that has been seque...

White flagging of alfalfa, Medicago sativa 'Ranger, found associated with Ditylenchus dipsaci in the Columbia River Basin was observed in northern Utah during 1971. This is a report on chloroplast changes, induced by D. dipsaci in alfalfa leaves, as observed with an electron microscope. Leaves from alfalfa plants infected with D. dipsaci were either devoid of normal pigmentation or displayed va...

Initial morphometric data and descriptions of males and the four juvenile stages of Xiphinema coxi coxi Tarjan, 1964 collected from soil about the roots of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) at Gainesville, Florida, and from a greenhouse microplot at Fayetteville, Arkansas, are given. Males were similar morphometrically and in shape to females and had 3-5 preanal supplements. The four juvenile stages...

The xylem of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was found to be susceptible to vascular obstruction by picomole quantities of dextrans. Not all parts of the xylem were equally susceptible to this plugging. The quantity of dextran of 2 x 10(6) molecular weight required to stop vascular flow was 8 picomoles in petiole junctions and 0.4 picomole in leaflet veins. Vascular flow through stems was greatly ...

Medicago sativa (alfalfa) is a widely used animal feed. However, its quality has been difficult to control due the lack of appropriate marker compounds. Therefore, it very necessary select an (Q-marker) quality. In this study, medium-pressure liquid chromatography and high-pressure were employed effectively prepare separation Q-marker (L-tryptophan) from sativa. Firstly, using MCI GEL® CHP20P a...

The hypersensitve response (HR) is an expression of resistance in plants that occurs at the point of infection by a microorganism. It involves expression of a number of active defence responses and synthesis of defence related molecules. Phytoalexin synthesis is one such defence response, and its occurrence in Medicago satjva (lucerne) tissues is the subject of our present studies. Phytoalexin ...

Defoliation of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) results in a cyclic pattern of starch degradation followed by reaccumulation in taproots. Characterization of changes in anatomical distribution of starch grains in taproots will aid our understanding of biochemical and physiological mechanisms involved in starch metabolism in taproots of this species. Our objectives were to determine the influence of...