Maria V. Kalevitch

Natural Growth Inhibitors and Phytohormones in Plants and Environment

Preface. Acknowledgement. Introduction. 1. System of growth and development regulation in the plant. 2. Natural growth inhibitors and phytohormones under the control of the plants genome. 3 Natural inhibitors and phytohormones during leaves growth and development. 4. Natural growth inhibitors and phytohormones in the process of cells and organs elongation. 5.Phenolic inhibitors and abscisic acid during dormancy. 6. Catabolism of natural growth inhibitors in the plant and abscised leaves. 7. Natural growth inhibitors as allelopathogens and botanical herbicides. 8. Natural growth inhibitors and stress conditions. 9. Natural growth inhibitors and phytohormones in the intact plants and isolated cells, organs and tissues. 10. Natural growth inhibitors and biotests. Conclusion. References. Glossary. Index.

Study of bacterial activity in fabricated soils

Fabricated Soil (FS) is a natural mixture of decaying substrates rich in alumni silicate, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium sources. This substrate usually is used for landscape rehabilitation and is an excellent source and example of environmental remediation. The structure and function of the soil food web have been suggested as prime indicators of ecosystem health (Coleman et al., 1992; Coleman, 1985; Kalevitch et al., 2004a, 2004b). Measurement of disrupted soil processes and decreased bacterial or fungal activity, along with other parameters, can serve to indicate a problem long before the natural vegetation is lost or human health problems occur (Bongers, 1990; Kalevitch et al., 2003). Fabricated soils could be a solution to the problem of soil erosion.

Plant Biodiversity in the Fabricated Soil Experiment

ABSTRACT Fabricated soil (FS) is a natural mixture of decaying substrates rich in alumni-silicate, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium sources. This substrate usually is used for landscape rehabilitation and is an excellent source and example of environmental remediation. We studied the use and application of FS in Western Pennsylvanian soils, areas that were previously degraded by acid mining drainage. We are still trying to determine if fabricated soils are a long-term or short-term solution to the problem. This soil was tested on its fertility and then applied to mining substrate. After one year, the first weed plants on the soil appeared in May 2003. The composition of the weeds on the fabricated plots was determined. After the exposure of FS into the natural habitat for the duration of three years, we also evaluated bacterial and fungal activity in the soil as this is an important indicator of soil health.

Fungi in fabricated soils

Fabricated soil (FS) is usually used for landscape rehabilitation, and is an excellent example of environmental remediation. These soils were used to revitalise damaged and eroded soils caused by acid mine drainage, a common site in Western Pennsylvania. The ratio of bacterial and fungal microbiota contributes to the health, fertility and sustainability of the soil. The structure and function of the soils foodweb have been suggested for numerous times as a prime indicator of ecosystem health (Bongers, 1990; Coleman et al., 1992; Kalevitch et al., 2003). The measurement of disrupted soil processes, decreased bacterial or fungal activity or decreased fungal or bacterial biomass can indicate a problem long before the natural vegetation is lost (Bongers, 1990). After the exposure of FS to the natural habitat, we evaluated the bacterial and fungal activity in soil as this is an important indicator of soil health. Details on bacterial presence and specifics in application of FS are described in previous publications (Kalevitch et al., 2003, 2004a, 2004b). In this paper, we will concentrate on the role of fungal biomass in FS.

System of Growth and Development Regulation in the Plant

Since the 1960s’ the knowledge of main phytohormones and natural inhibitors in green plants has remained unchanged. It consists of the group of stimulators such as auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins as well as natural inhibitors like abscisic acid, ethylene and phenolic inhibitors.

Natural Inhibitors and Phytohormones During Leaves Growth and Development

Plant leaves become the center of accumulation of abscisic acid and phenolic inhibitors during ontogenesis. Our review (Kefeli et al., 1989) and direct experiments showed that ABA in free and bound forms is accumulated in leaves 4–7 times higher than in the root. These data were obtained by our research student using sterile culture of grape seedlings. Thus, leaves might have a center for the biosynthesis of ABA, in the chloroplast of green leaves.

Natural Growth Inhibitors as Allelopathogens and Botanical Herbicides

In the previous chapter we observed the inhibiting properties of leaves secondary substances and their transformation in plant tissues. Some of these products and their metabolites could play a role of allelopathogens or allelochemicals, which are sufficient in plant communities and ecosystems in general.

Natural Growth Inhibitors and Phytohormones Under the Control of the Plant’s Genome

There are large gaps in our understanding of some of the most important aspects of the chain “hormones-genome-properties” such as: hormonal control ot gene expression; genetic control of hormone biosynthesis; hormonal changes in mutants, transformants and haploids under changes in development (Gulfoyle et al., 1998; McCourt, 1999; Sakamoto et al., 2001; Yaxley et al., 2001)

Natural Growth Inhibitors and Phytohormones in the Process of Cells and Organs Elongation

The formation and transport of natural growth inhibitors and phytohormones is the beginning of a long process, responsible for their mode of action within the plant and plants community (Figure 4.1).

Natural Growth Inhibitors and Stress Conditions

The concept of stress is based on the stress factor, dosage and cellular organization of the organism. The main ideas of different types of stresses are presented in “Experimental ecology” ed by Kefeli and Kudeiarov, 1991, (Horne et al., 1995; Kalevitch, Filimonova 1995).