The effects of exposure to low temperature on photosynthesis and protein phosphorylation in chilling-sensitive and cold-tolerant plant species were compared. Chilling temperatures resulted in light-dependent loss of photosynthetic electron transport in chilling-sensitive rice (Oryza sativa L.) but not in cold-tolerant barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Brief exposure to chilling temperatures (0-15 de...

The cabbage butterfly, Pieris melete hibernates and aestivates as a diapausing pupa. We present evidence that the optimum of low temperature and optimal chilling periods for both summer and winter diapause development are based on a similar mechanism. Summer or winter diapausing pupae were exposed to different low temperatures of 1, 5, 10 or 15°C for different chilling periods (ranging from 30 ...

Chilling stress is a major factor limiting plant development and crop productivity. Because the plant response to chilling is so complex, we are far from understanding the genes important in the response to chilling. To identify new genes important in chilling tolerance, we conducted a novel mutant screen, combining a confirmed SALK T-DNA insertion collection with traditional forward genetics. ...

Potassium ions and amino acids were found to leak from the cytoplasm to the outer medium when the blue-green alga, Anacystis nidulans, was exposed to the chilling temperatures. The leakage was marked below the critical temperature regions, the midpoint values for which were around 5 and 14 C in cells grown at 28 and 38 C, respectively. These temperature regions coincided with those critical for...

In the present study, we used suspension cultured cells from Chorispora bungeana Fisch. and C.A. Mey to investigate whether nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the signaling pathway of chilling adaptive responses. Low temperatures at 4 °C or 0 °C induced ion leakage, lipid peroxidation and cell viability suppression, which were dramatically alleviated by exogenous application of NO donor sodium ni...

Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] is one of the Cucurbitaceae species and subtropical crops that exhibit chilling injury (CI) when exposed to low temperatures. Watermelon seedlings were tested for chilling tolerance using methods modified from cucumber. Three experiments were conducted using different combinations of chilling durations of 6, 12, 24, or 36 hours and chillin...

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of chilling method (air or immersion) on concentration and prevalence of Escherichia coli, coliforms, Campylobacter, and Salmonella recovered from broiler chicken carcasses. For each of four replications, 60 broilers were inoculated orally and intracloacally with 1 ml of a suspension containing Campylobacter at approximately 10(8) cells per ml. Af...

The possible involvement of polyamines (PAs) in the chilling tolerance of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv Jinchun No. 3 and cv Suyo) was investigated. Plants with the first expanded leaves were exposed to 3 degrees C or 15 degrees C in the dark for 24 h (chilling), and then transferred to 28 degrees C/22 degrees C under a 12-h photoperiod for another 24 h (rewarming). Chilling-tolerant cv Jinch...

It has been indicated that photosystem I (PSI) is susceptible to chilling-light stress in tobacco leaves, but the effect of growth light intensity on chilling-induced PSI photoinhibition in tobacco is unclear. We examined the effects of chilling temperature (4°C) associated with moderate light intensity (300 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1)) on the activities of PSI and photosystem II (PSII) in leaves ...

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is often exposed to cool temperatures during spring planting in temperate climates. A better understanding of genetic pathways regulating chilling tolerance will enable breeders to develop varieties with improved tolerance during germination and young seedling stages. To dissect chilling tolerance, five assays were developed; one assay for the germination stage, one assay...