By the end of this year, when Germany crowns the 'word of the year', one of the strongest contenders to replace last year's 'Finanzkrise' (financial crisis) has to be the almost unpronounceable 'Abwrackprämie' or scrappage fee. Introduced with effect from 27 January under the original name of 'Umweltprämie' (environment reward) with a strictly limited budget, this scheme pays out 2,500 Euros to...

this study was conducted for detection of common superficial and cutaneous mycoses in nurseries and schools of mahallat during september 1989 to june 1990. a total of 9884 individuals (under 18 years of age) were both clinically observed and tested by laboratory. 5.6% were positive to mycotic infections and from those the rate of infection for pityrosporosis, tinea versicolor and dermatophytosi...

Local auxin concentration maxima promote organ initiation in the plant shoot meristem, but how auxin peaks are formed has remained unclear. A new study proposes a cellular Matthew effect, where auxin is pumped into those cells that have higher concentrations.

The higher-plant shoot meristem is a dynamic structure whose maintenance depends on the coordination of two antagonistic processes, organ initiation and self-renewal of the stem cell population. In Arabidopsis shoot and floral meristems, the WUSCHEL (WUS) gene is required for stem cell identity, whereas the CLAVATA1, 2, and 3 (CLV) genes promote organ initiation. Our analysis of the interaction...

Insect herbivory can negatively or positively affect plant performance. We examined how a stem gall midge Rabdophaga rigidae affects the survival, growth, and bud production of current year shoots of the willow Salix eriocarpa. In mid-May, the gall midge initiates stem galls on the apical regions of shoots. The following spring, galled shoots had thicker basal diameters and more lateral shoots ...

An efficient protocol was achieved for rapid propagation of Wedelia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr. through axillary bud proliferation and ex vitro rooting. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with benzyladenine (BA; 8.87 microM) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA; 2.46 microM) was optimal for axillary bud proliferation, which developed a mean of 8.3 shoots/node. Excision and culture of node segm...

In Larix, reproductive buds most often occur terminally on short shoots, but they can also differentiate in lateral positions on long shoots. The phenology of long and short shoots differs considerably, with short shoots breaking bud and expanding about 5 weeks before the start of long shoot extension. Foliar sprays of GA(4/7) were applied to 160 branches on 10 greenhouse-grown Larix laricina (...

As I write, am aware of the birds’ excitable chatter outside window as they flutter about, absorbed in collection materials for nest building. Their mesmerising song, vibrant colours their feathers, and very process busyness anticipation spring both soothes makes me feel fleetingly connected much at peace. It provides an anchor link with down-to-earth natural cycles which brings it a sense hope...

Resistance strategies of clonal organs, and parent and offspring shoots of Phragmites australis (common reed) to heavy metal pollution in soils are not well known. To clarify the tolerance or resistance strategies in reeds, we conducted a pot experiment with five levels of Pb concentration (0∼4,500 mg kg-1) in flood and drought conditions. Lead toxicity had no inhibitory effect on the number of...

Bioactivity-directed fractionation of antitumor compounds from the stem barks of Choerospondias axillaries (Roxb.) Burtt et Hill (Anacardiaceae) afforded two new cytotoxic bridged-ring ketones, choerosponins A (1) and B (2), and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods; their stereochemistry was determined by NOE difference experiments, CD spectra and the modified Mosher's meth...