During Isolation of total rilmnucleic acids from white lupin (Lupinus albus) and their subsequent separation by 10% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a fast migrating RNA band is very well separated. The nucleotide sequence analysis of 76 nucleotide long sequence with many modified nucleosides was found to be identical with that of tyrosine specific tRNA of yellow lupin seeds (Lupinus luteus) and wheat germ (Trtiicum aestivum). Also this tRNATyr is identical with plant amber suppressor tRNA. 'I'he presented approach offers a very rapid method of purification of plant tRNA with UAG suppressor activity.
This paper presents the results of a study on the influence of lead (Pb2+) on DNA integrity on plant cells. The study was performed on the root tips of lupin (Lupinus luteus cv. Juno) seedlings treated with two selected concentrations of Pb(NO3)2: 150 and 350 mg l-1, which were found to inhibit root growth by 50% and 70%, respectively [Ruciłska et al. Plant Physiol. Biochem. 37 (1999) 37187-37194]. Roots exposed to those external lead concentrations took up about 50 and 70 mg l-1 Pb2+ g-1 fresh weight (FW) over 48 h of incubation. A dose-dependent increase in the degree of root injury was observed in the presence of both tested concentrations. The genotoxicity of lead in lupin root cells was analysed using a mild alkaline comet assay at pH 12.3, which allows the detection of single strand breaks. The quantity of the DNA fragments migrating away from the nuclear remnant (tail area) increased proportionally to the lead content inside the roots, and was positively correlated with the degree of root injury. At 150 mg l-1 Pb2+, a high frequency distribution of nuclei having large values of tail lengths and moments was observed. By contrast, the number of nuclei with minimum values of these parameters increased at 350 mg l-1 Pb2+. This data suggests that lead at low concentrations induces the formation of short, rapidly migrating DNA fragments, whereas at higher concentrations, lead probably causes other changes to DNA that result in slower DNA migration in the electric field.
This paper presents some partial results of a study on the financial consequences of lupine breeding in Poland, as well as market conditions for seed trade. Analysis also covers the impact of breeding fees on the financial performance of this business. The research procedure was based on a case study of two domestic plant-breeding companies. The study includs the analysis of funding sources used for lupine seed breeding and the potential financial outcomes of this activity. The plant-breeding companies, covered by this study, are owned by the State Treasury and are organized so that the breeding department is part of a larger agricultural undertaking engaged in multiple production activities. Therefore, accounting data of these undertakings was used in order to determine the economic performance of the breeding department. Also, direct interviews were conducted with breeding department employees and top-level managers. A simulation calculation was also performed under the assumption that the breeding department is an independent undertaking which settles its accounts with the holding on a commercial basis. Therefore, the breeding department was assumed to sell intellectual property consisting of seed fraction “E.” The plant-breeding company is also a sort of seed company which sells the marketable seed fraction K. In summary, lupine breeding is concluded to be a highly profitable business, provided that the plant-breeding departments fully settle their accounts internally and that the breeding fees from seed companies are fully collectable. The development and production potential identified in this study suggests these plants could be used to increase national self-sufficiency in vegetable protein.
Embryo axes of lupine (Lupinus luteus L. ‘Mister’) were subjected to 0.1 M NaCl salt stress for 24 and 48 h. The ultrastructure modification and adjustment of antioxidant enzymes activities and izoenzymes profiles were observed. In cells of lupine embryo axes grown for 48 hours in medium with 0.1 M NaCl mitochondria took the forked shape and bulges of the outer mitochondrial membranes appeared. Moreover, the inflating and swelling of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) lumen and fragmentation of RER were noticed. The level of H2O2 was higher in salt treated embryo axes after 24 hours and increase of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was observed after both 24 and 48 h of salt treatment. Native gel electrophoresis showed increased intensities of bands for catalase isozymes in response to salt stress, whereas activity of catalase was higher only in embryo axes grown for 48 h in control conditions. Appearance of two new isoforms of ascorbate peroxidase was observed after 48 h only under control condition, however increased activities were stated for both control and salt-stress condition after 48 h. No changes in isozymes pattern for superoxide dismutase were observed, but significant decrease in superoxide dismutase activity was noticed in relation to time and salt stress. Possible role of these enzymes in salt stress tolerance is discussed. The 0.1 M salt stress is regarded as a middle stress for lupine embryo axes and the efficiency of stress prevention mechanisms is proposed.