Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1970. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1982. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-128).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Idaho, 2005. / Also available in PDF format. Abstract. "December 2005." Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2007. / Title from title screen (site viewed Oct. 10, 2007). PDF text: xii, 199 p. : ill. (some col.) UMI publication number: AAT 3258408. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

An investigation was designed to determine the effect of dusts and sprays of 2,4-D on growth, yield, enzyme activity, photosynthesis, respiration and photophosphorylation of bush bean plants. Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, var. Top Crop) were grown under growth room conditions in five-inch tin cans filled with soil, and in six inch plastic pots filled with vermiculite. Vermiculite-grown beans were irrigated with a modified Shive's three-salt nutrient solution. Treatment unit of 8 to 10 plants was replicated 4 to 6 times. Dusts containing 2,4-D, NCL, NH4•2,4-D and minerals at a rate of 8 pounds per acre were applied to the foliage of plants when 13 or 14 days old. Sprays containing NH4•2,4-D were applied to the plants until run off. The soil-grown beans treated with 2,4-D in dust form were harvested when 8 weeks old. Growth (based on tops) and yield (based on pods) were then determined, and enzyme activity was measured 2, 5, 7, 11, and 14 days after treatment. The vermiculite-grown beans were treated with both dusts and sprays of 2,4-D. Growth and rates of photosynthesis and respiration were determined at one-week intervals for six consecutive weeks after treatment. Yield was determined by collecting pods at one-week intervals for three weeks starting at the fourth week after treatment. The gas exchange method was used for the determination of photosynthesis and respiration. Effects of NCL in dust form and NH4•2,4-D in spray form on chlorophyll content and photophosphorylation 7 days after treatment were studied. The results showed that dusts of 2,4-D significantly increased the number of pods, whereas sprays of NH4•2,4-D did not. NCL 0.12 and NH4•2,4-D 1.0 ppm increased seed yield by 18.52% and 12.66% over the controls. With the exception of NCL 0.12, all the 2,4-D treatments in dust form failed to show a significant effect on growth and yield. Sprays of NH^*2,4-D at 5 ppm significantly inhibited growth and yield. A higher dry weight and percentage dry weight were obtained in dust of 2,4-D treated vermiculite-grown beans. Beans dusted with NCL 0.12 showed a significant increase in fresh weight and dry weight of tops, and fresh weight of pods. The increases were 41.73%, 48.84% and 28.30% over the controls. Application of NCL 0.12 and 2,4-D 0.12 resulted in a significant stimulation of catalase activity in bean leaves but inhibited catalase activity in bean stems in 14 days. In the case of phosphatase, NCL 0.12 caused an inhibition in the enzyme activity of both leaves and stem in 5 days and a stimulation in 14 days. NCL 0.06 treated plants showed a lower catalase activity in 2 days and higher activity in 5, 7, and 14 days. Phosphorylase activity was stimulated in 2 days but was inhibited in 5 days. Minerals accelerated phosphorylase activity in 2 and 5 days. NCL dusts and NH4•2,4-D sprays caused a stimulation in the rate of photosynthesis one week after treatment. This was followed by an inhibition during the period from the second to sixth week after treatment. A higher rate of respiration was found in NH4•2,4-D treated plants whereas in the case of NCL treated plants a higher rate of respiration at the first and sixth week and a lower rate at the second to fifth, week were obtained. Photophosphorylation in plants treated with NCL dusts and NH4•2,4-D sprays was significantly higher than that in untreated plants except that NCL dust showed an uncoupling of phosphate uptake in noncyclic photophosphorylation. / Science, Faculty of / Botany, Department of / Graduate

Previous studies on dwarf bean plants have found a very limited growth response to CO₂ enrichment (Jolliffe and Ehret, 1985; Ehret and Jolliffe, 1985b). There was no increase in leaf area, and leaf injury was observed after about three weeks of CO₂ enrichment (Ehret and Jolliffe, 1985a). Although dry weight was increased, the increase may be limited due to restricted carbon utilization (e.g. no increases in leaf area). In this study, non-photosynthetic limitations, such as the partitioning of dry matter among plant parts, the partitioning of carbon among photosynthetic end products, and the interactive effects of nutrient and carbon supply on growth, that may contribute to the observed growth responses were investigated. Bean plants responded to CO₂ enrichment by increasing their total dry weights. This weight increase was caused by higher growth rate, at least at early growth stages, and higher unit leaf rate. The dry weight increase was mainly in the leaves, and was not evenly distributed among all plant parts. Leaf expansion and branching were not enhanced by CO₂ enrichment. The differential effects of CO₂ enrichment on growth of different parts caused significant increases in specific leaf weight and shoot root ratio, and a decrease in leaf area ratio. These results indicated that the bean plants used in this study have a limited ability to utilize the extra carbon that was fixed under CO₂ enrichment. There were small increases in glucose, fructose, and sucrose concentrations early in the CO₂ treatments. These increases became much larger after three weeks of CO₂ enrichment. The timing of the higher increases in leaf soluble sugars coincided with the timing of increases in stem and roots dry weight. There was also a large increase in starch concentration shortly after plants were transfered to CO₂ enriched condition. The higher starch concentration accounted for the majority of the weight increase in CO₂ enriched leaves, and this starch level was maintained for several days after plants were switched back to ambient CO₂ levels. A ¹⁴C study on the partitioning of carbon between leaf pools showed that carbon transfer out of the storage pool under CO₂ enrichment was limited. CO₂ enrichment had no effects on leaf protein and amino acid concentrations. No difference, or slight increases, were found in inorganic nutrient concentrations per unit leaf area. Plants grown under CO₂ enrichment, however, show a higher loss of nutrients (especially N and K) from older shoot parts (primary leaves and older trifoliates) to younger parts. High NO₃ ̄ supply increased plant dry weight and leaf area under both CO₂ enriched and ambient conditions. The dry weight increases of the stem and roots caused by CO₂ enrichment, however, were much higher and earlier for high NO₃ ̄treated plants. Furthermore, lower leaf starch concentration was also observed for those CO₂ enriched high NO₃ ̄ treated plants. High NO₃ ̄ supply also increased the leaf nutrient concentrations (N, K, Mg, Ca). Increased uptake of nutrients for high NO₃ ̄ treated plants may be partly contributed by the enhanced root growth. In addition to the growth responses, foliar abnormalities developed gradually in beans under CO₂ enrichment. Chlorosis, assessed by a loss in total chlorophyll concentration, was observed in the primary leaves after about three weeks of CO₂ enrichment. The disorder eventually appeared in the oldest trifoliate leaves after more prolonged CO₂ enrichment. The onset of leaf injury was correlated with the timing of the increases in leaf soluble sugars and the redistribution of nutrient elements from the older shoot parts to the younger parts. High NO₃ ̄ supply delayed the development of leaf injury induced by high CO₂. Results in the present studies indicate that growth responses of dwarf bean plants to CO₂ enrichment were affected by the limited carbon partitioning, and the restriction of starch degradation was indicated to be the probable cause. A higher carbon input under CO₂ enrichment may create a higher demand for inorganic elements. Effects of nutrient supply (NO₃ ̄) on growth responses and leaf injury of CO₂ enriched plants suggested that an imbalance between carbon and nutrient input could be partly related to the limited growth responses of dwarf bean plants to CO₂ enrichment. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

A study was carried out to gain information, which could be used to describe the mechanism whereby 2,4-D affects the growth of intact plants. Fourteen-day-old bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) growing in a phosphate-free or complete nutrient solutioi were sprayed to drip with 5 or 50 ppm 2,4-D. At various times up to 70 hours after spraying, the roots were immersed in a complete nutrient solution containing P³². Following an incorporation period of 2-9 hours, the plants were harvested, and separated into roots, stems plus petioles, and leaves. Acid soluble activity, acid insoluble activity, and the distribution of activity within the soluble fraction as revealed by paper chromatography were determined for each organ. In general the treatments had relatively small effects on phosphorus uptake, translocation, or incorporation into organic compounds. Initial increases in the rate of P³² uptake were not maintained and were followed by the same or less uptake as controls. The rate of upward translocation was reduced and less affected by the age of-the plants, as compared to controls, after treatment with 5 ppm 2,4-D. The higher concentration did not alter the distribution of activity among the organs. While the lower level did not change the rate of incorporation into the total acid insoluble fraction of the plant, the growth-inhibitory level reduced the activity in this fraction by 14-22%. At 5 ppm there was a trend toward more incorporation into insoluble compounds in the roots and less in the leaves, but no consistent change in the stems. The composition of the soluble fractions showed no uniform variations from controls at either concentration. The results indicated a pattern whereby the balance in P³² distribution between the leaves and roots was upset in favor of the roots by foliar application of 5 ppm 2,4-D, but not 50 ppm. Both stimulatory and inhibitory levels of 2,4-D produced responses which appear to be related to the synthesis of acid insoluble compounds in the roots and leaves. The major portion of the insoluble activity in these tissues was also ethanol insoluble and is believed to be RNA. Actigrapb scans of picric acid chromatograms indicated more incorporation of activity into organic compounds (nucleotides and sugar phosphates) in the leaf and stem tissues than in the roots. Plants grown in complete nutrient prior to exposure to P³² , took up, translocated, and retained less phosphate than those grown in phosphate-free nutrient,. Also, incorporation into soluble organic compounds was suppressed. The only radioactive compound in xylem exudates from plants 10 hours after their initial exposure to P³² was orthophosphate. / Science, Faculty of / Botany, Department of / Graduate

Recent reports have emphasized that foliar applications of stimulatory concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) induce greater growth and productivity of several crop plants. This stimulatory action of the hormone has been found to be augmented by simultaneous application of such micronutrients as iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and boron (Wort, 1964). However, no systematic attempt has so far been made to investigate physiological and biochemical changes induced in a relatively short period following these treatments. A correlation of such changes with final improvements in growth and yield may provide a better understanding of the mechanism of action of the hormone. In addition, the biochemical nature of the augmentory role played by micronutrients on 2,4-D action is yet undefined. It was therefore felt desirable to investigate these aspects. Bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. Var. Top Crop) were grown in plastic cans under controlled environment in a growth room. When the plants were 2 weeks old, the following treatments were applied as foliar sprays: (1) 2,4-D (1 ppm), (2) micronutrient solution (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B; 5x10⁻⁴ M) and (3) 2,4-D-mineral solution, with the same components as (2) plus 1 ppm 2,4-D. Measurements of juvenile growth, chemical composition of the plants, respiration and photosynthetic rates and activities of some of the key enzymes of carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism were made 5, 10, and 15 days after the treatment, to determine the course and basis of stimulation. Yield of pods and seeds and the vitamin C content of pods were also determined. The results revealed that: (1) maximum stimulation resulted from the use of hormone-mineral spray, (2) treatments involving 2,4-D resulted in progressive increase in plant height, leaf number, and leaf area; fresh and dry weights of root, stem and leaves; chlorophyll content and total sugar in leaves, (3) sucrose and reducing sugars were lower in stems and roots of treated plants; (4) moisture content was not affected significantly by any treatment; (5) quantitative chromatographic determination of the free, ethanol-soluble amino acids revealed a reduction in amino acid content in 2,4-D-treated plants, particularly in leaves, and an increase in plants to which micro-nutrient spray had been applied. The amino acid content of plants treated with 2,4-D plus minerals was intermediate between those resulting from the other two treatments; (6) measurement made with intact plants using an infrared CO2 analyzer revealed increases in rates of respiration and photosynthesis of the aerial portions 10 and 15 days after treatment; (7) significant increases in the activity of phosphorylase, phosphoglyceryl kinase, succinic dehydrogenase, catalase, nitrate reductase, and transaminase in all organs were also apparent at 10 and 15 days after treatments involving 2,4-D; (8) treatments involving 2,4-D also resulted in significant increases (P=0.05) in number and fresh weight of green pods, in seed number, and in total seed weight. Weight of the individual seed was not significantly altered; (9) the green pods from treated plants had higher vitamin C content at harvest time, but the moisture content was not altered by treatment. The green pods of plants which had received 2,4-D alone or 2,4-D plus minerals lost less ascorbic acid and moisture during 4 days storage at room temperature. The stimulation of enzyme activities is explained on the basis of hypothesis proposed by Wort (1964) that 2,4-D may participate in the formation of substrate-enzyme-regulator complex. Minerals may affect the activity of formation of this complex. In proposing a physiological and biochemical basis for the stimulation in growth and yield under 2,4-D action, the following points are emphasized: (1) the stimulated rate of photosynthesis produced a larger amount of photosynthate which could be utilized in the biosynthesis of all cell constituents or serve as substrate for respiration; (2) the stimulated rate of respiration and activity of such enzymes as phosphoglyceryl kinase and succinic dehydrogenase resulted in an increased supply of available energy, as ATP and reduced nucleotides, for biosynthesis, and in larger amounts of keto acids which provide the carbon skeletons of amino acids; (3) the greater activity of nitrate reductase and transaminase resulted in an augmented supply of amino acids responsible for the enhanced synthesis of protein evident in greater growth and productivity. / Science, Faculty of / Botany, Department of / Graduate

The effects of two applications of foliar sprays made from kelp (Macrocystis intearifolia Bory) on growth of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under three moisture regimes were investigated. Date of kelp harvest had little effect on plants grown in water excess or deficit conditions, although means for kelp collected in spring tended to be higher. On soils maintained near field capacity, spray made from kelp collected in July resulted in increases in some bean yield components beyond the effects of kelp collected in spring or fall. The effect of storage of liquefied kelp at room temperature was also investigated and found to be soil moisture dependent. Leaf and root weights of plants grown in field capacity and dry soil respectively were lower for plants treated with kelp aged for 118 days compared to plants treated with kelp stored for longer or shorter durations. In wet soil conditions, the effect of sprays on plant height was reduced by storage of the liquefied kelp. Kelp extracts were fractionated by solvent partition. The butanolic fraction was shown to increase significantly many yield variables under wet soil conditions. This fraction had cytokinin-like activity in two bioassay systems, and contained substances co-eluting with isopentenyl adenine and zeatin in column, thin layer, and gas-liquid chromatography systems. Non-significant increases for some plant yield components resulting from application of unfractionated kelp paralleled these increases. A kelp fraction with undefined constituents increased some yield variables of plants grown in field capacity soil, as did a fraction with auxin and gibberellin-like activities in bioassay. The presence of inhibitors in the kelp was indicated by significantly lower pod yields under dry soil conditions, and a reduction in cytokinin-like bioassay activity when increasing amounts of kelp were assayed. The possibility that phytohormone deficits resulting from root stress are ameliorated by some components of the kelp spray is discussed. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

Three bean varieties, namely, great northern, kidney, and pinto (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ), were subjected to several physico-chemical treatments to reduce their cooking time. Soaking in a combination of salt solutions (sodium chloride, 2.5 percent+ sodium bicarbonate, 1.5 percent+ sodium tripolyphosphate, 1.0 percent + sodium carbonate, 0.5 percent) resulted in 80-85 percent reduction in cooking time. Irradiation (Γ-rays) at 500 Krads of soaked and dehydrated beans caused nearly 50 percent reduction in cooking time. High temperatures (37 and 45°C) and pH (9.0) caused greater water imbibation and total solids loss than room temperature (22°C) and pH 7.0. Organoleptic evaluation of beans revealed that quick-cooking cooked great northern beans were more acceptable than kidney and pinto beans. Effects of treatments on phytate-P, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors, flatulence factors, proteins, phenolic compounds, and in vitro digestibility of proteins in quick-cooking beans were evaluated and compared with their conventionally processed counterparts. Beans soaked in distilled water had lower amounts of phytate-P than those soaked in salt solutions . Leaching losses of oligosaccharides were nearly the same in the different treatments for all the beans except kidney beans. Stachyose was found to be the major contributor to flatulence in these beans. The treated beans had significantly reduced trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibiting activities. Quick-cooking cooked beans had higher in vitro protein digestibility than conventionally cooked beans. Phenolic contents were found to be inversely related to in vitro digestibility.