• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.247-252
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• 2012

Seed morphology in the subtribe Agrimoniinae (Rosaceae) was examined using scanning electron microscopy to identify distinct characters and evaluate their evolution in a phylogenetic framework for five genera in the subtribe: Agrimonia L., Aremonia Neck. ex Nestl., Hagenia J.F. Gmel., Leucosidea Eckl. & Zeyh., and Spenceria Trimen. All genera have one or two mature achenes in a fruiting hypanthium. In the seed coats, the cell shape, size, wall features, and sculpturing vary across genera. Of most significance is the presence of papillae structures in both Agrimonia and Aremonia. Through the mapping of papillae features onto phylogenetic trees, either one or two changes in seed coats are hypothesized. The phylogenetic tree inferred from four nuclear and six chloroplast regions of sequence data suggests that at least two steps of papillae sculpturing on seed coats are required. On the other hand, in the phylogenetic tree of a low-copy nuclear gene, one independent evolutionary step is postulated to explain the current character states. In the latter hypothesis, the seed coat sculpturing also supports a monophyletic relationship for cosmopolitan Agrimonia and European endemic Aremonia. The seed coat sculpturing provides valuable information for inferring phylogenetic relationships at the generic level in the subtribe Agrimoniinae.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.318-324
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• 2010

The aim of this study is to examine feeding habits of the Korean water deer(Hydropotes inermis argyropus) from its rumen contents using a PCR-DGGE method. For this study, rumen contents were collected from water deer causalities by natural death or road-kill in two different sites(Cheorwon, Gangwon province and the Eastern part of Jeonnam province). DNA was extracted from rumen contents of a total of 44 individuals. Two primers, rbcLZ1aF(GC) and rbcL19bR, were used for PCR amplifications of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase large subunit (rbcL) gene. Among 44 samples, twenty-nine samples were successfully amplified by PCRs. The 29 PCR products of partial rbcL gene were applied for PCR-DGGE. Totally, six families of plants were detected from the diet analyses. Five families of plants were found in Cheorwon, Gangwon province, but only three families of plants were found in the Eastern part of Jeonnam province. The PCR-DGGE method will provide us with a potential tool to study feeding habits of ungulates including water deer, even though our results failed to identify the prey plants at the level of species.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.813-826
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• 1996

The toxic effects of aluminium (Al) on growth, chlorophyll content, $\delta-aminolevulinic$ acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity and anatomy of root and shoot were investigated in 7-day-old azuki bean (Vigna angularis) seedlings. Significant depressions in root elongation was observed in the low concentrations of Al (50, 100 $\muM)$ and increasing Al concentrations caused a sharp decline of root and shoot growth. The degree of inhibition was dependent upon Al supply. Exposure to 50 $\muM$ Al or more inhibited root elongation within 1 day. In the 50 $\muM$ Al treatments, a recovery of root growth was seen after 7 days exposure. In contrast, lateral root initials was little affected by Al exposure. Al toxicity symptoms and growth responses were more well developed in the roots than in the shoots. Analysis of Al localization in root cells by hematoxylin stAlning showed that Al entered root apices and accumulated in the epidermal and cortical cells immeadiately below the epidermis. There was a good positive correlation between the level of chlorophyll and ALAD activity. Increasing Al concentrations caused a decrease in total chlorophyll contents, accompanied by proportional changes in ALAD activity, suggesting a cootr-dinated reduction of a photosynthetic machinery. Al exerted specific influence on the morphology of root ann shoot. At higher concentrations of Al the roots induced drastic anatomical changes. The epidermal cells were disorganized or destructed while the cortical cells exhibited distortion of cell shape and/or disintegration. The diameter of root and transectional area of cortical cells decreased considerably with Al treatment. In the shoot Al also enhanced reduction of diameter of shoot and cell size. Gross anatomy of leaves treated with Al did not differ significantly from the controls, except for fewer and smaller chloroplast. Our results indicate that toxic effect of Al appear to be manifested primarily in roots and secondarily on shoots, and changes in root morphology are related to changes in the root growth patterns. Results are further discussed in re181ion to the findings in other plant species, and it is concluded that Al causes morphological, structural and, presumably, functional damage to the roots of the species investigated.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.252-262
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• 2013

During the floristic survey on Phnom Bokor National Park, Kampot, Cambodia, we encountered Balanophora fungosa var. indica, which is a tropical holoparasitic plant. To identify its host species, we collected host roots and trees nearby and tried to identify them using DNA barcoding approach. We applied plastid rbcL and matK gene regions as DNA barcode markers, and successfully amplified and sequenced the markers from 15 host roots and seven tree samples. Obtained host root sequences were identified as Primulaceae, Celastraceae, Myrtaceae, and Oleaceae, while trees nearby are Oleaceae, Myrtaceae, Sapindaceae, Rosaceae, Clusiaceae, Ericaceae, and Lauraceae. At genus level, host species are identified as Myrsine, Euonymus, Syzygium, and Olea, but failed in species discrimination. Myrsine (Primulaceae) and Olea (Oleaceae) are reported here as host species of B. fungosa var. indica for the first time. Further sampling and comparative work, and DNA barcoding will help recognize the biodiversity of the area and host species of Balanophora, together with their evolution.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.119-128
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• 2019

The morphological characteristics of the bloom-forming dinoflagellate Akashiwo sanguinea isolated from Jangmok Harbour, Geoje in Korea was examined using light and scanning electron microscope (SEM), and its large subunit (LSU) rDNA was sequenced. Additionally, investigation was done on the effects of temperature and salinity on the growth of A. sanguinea. The cells were dorso-ventrally compressed up to 54.7-70.3 ㎛ long and 31.5-48.5 ㎛ wide. The epicone was conical while the hypocone was separated into two lobes. The nucleus was positioned at the center of the cell. The yellow-brown chloroplasts radiated close to the cell center. SEM observation indicated that A. sanguinea has an e-shaped apical groove. Molecular phylogeny based on LSU rDNA gene sequences revealed that the A. sanguinea strains isolated from Jangmok Harbor were classified in the clade of ribotype A. The maximum growth rate (0.50 day^-1) was observed at 20℃ and 20 psu, while the maximum cell density (1,372 cells mL^-1) was observed at 25℃ and 30 psu. This indicates that the blooms of A. sanguinea ribotype A in Korean coastal area are affected by water temperature, rather than the salinity.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.477-485
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• 1998

To underatand in vitro regulation of differentiation, the effects of growth regulators and nitrogen source on metabolism of cell wall polysaccharides in suspension culture of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were investigated. The suspension cells (cell clusters) were directly induced from the epicotyl segments of the seedlings, which were cultivated in MS medium supplemented with 1.0mg/L of 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/L of kinetin. When compared with cell wall sugar contents of the epicotyl segments, the cellulose content of the suspension-cultured cells decreased; while the pectin and hemicellulose content increased; suggesting increases of rhamnogalacturonan I and arabinogalactan IIduring the dedifferentiation, respectively, The effects of growth regulators(2,4-D, 1.0mg/L and kinetin, 0.5mg/L) and nitrogen source (potasium nitrate, 19.0mg/L and ammonium nitrate, 16.5 g/L) in the medium on the proliferation and the turnover of the cell wall polysaccharides were investigated for 30 days. In the medium with growth regulators and without nitrogen source, the proliferation rate was extremely high (16 folds). Growth regulators and nitrogen source increased the pectin content. Analysis of neutral sugar composition of pectin fraction showed that nitrogen source enhanced rhamnose level remarkably, suggesting that rhamnogalacturonan I was the one most likely synthesized. In hemicellulose fraction, growth regulators reduced arabinose level, suggesting that arabinogalactan II was degraded. And nitrogen source reduced galactose level, suggesting that xyloglucan was also degraded.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2020

Morphology of a strain of unspecified Skeletonema species established from Korean coast was examined by light, fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy, and SSU(small subunit) and LSU(large subunit) rDNA of the strain were also sequenced. The specimen was characterized by solitary or short chains, and each cell contained 1-2 chloroplasts. The valve face was slightly convex, and the terminal fultoportula processes (TFPPs) were open and showed narrow distal ends that could be truncated or spiny with claw-like protrusions. The basal part of the TFPPs was tubular and oblique to the cell axis. The intercalary fultoportula processes (IFPPs) were also narrow, completely open, and joined in a 1 : 1 junction. Occasionally, one IFPP was connected with two opposing IFPPs. The morphological features of the specimen were identical to those of Skeletonema pseudocostatum. Molecular phylogeny based on SSU rDNA revealed that the Korean strain is nested within a clade comprising S. pseudocostatum and S. tropicum. However, based on D1-D2 LSU rDNA sequences, a clade including S. pseudocostatum and a Korean strain was separated from the S. tropicum clade. This indicates that the Korean strain can be identified as S. pseudocostatum. This species represents the first record from Korean coastal waters.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.79-92
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• 2003

Ultrastructural changes of the pericarp in Citrus reticulata has been investigated during hesperidium abscission. The pericarp was composed of compactly arranged parenchyma cell layers during early stages of fruit development. The outermost exocarp was green and active in photosynthesis. However, cells in the exocarp soon changed into collenchyma cells by developing unevenly thickened walls within a short time frame. As the fruit approached maturation, the chlorophyll gradually disappeared and chloroplasts were transformed into carotenoid-rich chromoplasts. In the mature fruit the exocarp consisted of large, lobed collenchyma cells with primary pit fields and numerous plasmodesmata. The immature mesocarp was a relatively hard and thick layer, located directly under the exocarp. With development, the deeper layers of the exocarp merged into the white, spongy mesocarp. Before separation of the hesperidium from the plant, some unusual features were detected in the plasma membrane of the exocarp cells. The number of small vacuoles and dark, irregular osmiophilic lipid bodies also increased enormously in the exocarp collenchyma after the abscission. They occurred between the plasma membrane and the wall, and invaginated pockets of the plasma membrane containing double-membraned vesicles were also frequently noticed. The lipid bodies in the cytoplasm were often associated with other organelles, especially with plastids and mitochondria. The plastids, which were irregular or amoeboid in shape, contained numerous large lipid droplets, and occasional clusters of phytoferritin, as well as few loosely -oriented peripheral lamellae. Myelin-like configurations of membrane were frequently observed in the vacuoles, as was the association of lipid bodies with the vacuolar membrane. Most vacuoles had an irregular outline, and lipid bodies were often connected to the tonoplast of the vacuoles. The structural changes underlying developmental, particularly to senescence, processes in various hesperidium will be reported in the separate paper.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.151-159
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• 2005

Injury caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), known as oxidative stress, is one of the major damaging factors in plants exposed to environmental stress. Chloroplasts are specially sensitive to damage by ROS because electrons that escape from the photosynthetic electron transfer system are able to react with relatively high concentration of $O_2$ in chloroplasts. To cope with oxidative stress, plants have evolved an efficient ROS-scavenging enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and low molecular weight antioxidants including ascorbate, glutathione and phenolic compounds. To maintain the productivity of plants under the stress condition, it is possible to fortify the antioxidative mechanisms in the chloroplasts by manipulating the antioxidation genes. A powerful gene expression system with an appropriate promoter is key requisite for excellent stress-tolerant plants. We developed a strong oxidative stress-inducible peroxidase (SWPA2) promoter from cultured cells of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) as an industrial platform technology to develop transgenic plants with enhanced tolerance to environmental stress. Recently, in order to develop transgenic sweetpotato (tv. Yulmi) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Atlantic and Superior) plants with enhanced tolerance to multiple stress, the genes of both CuZnSOD and APX were expressed in chloroplasts under the control of an SWPA2 promoter (referred to SSA plants). As expected, SSA sweetpotato and potato plants showed enhanced tolerance to methyl viologen-mediated oxidative stress. In addition, SSA plants showed enhanced tolerance to multiple stresses such as temperature stress, drought and sulphur dioxide. Our results strongly suggested that the rational manipulation of antioxidative mechanism in chloroplasts will be applicable to the development of all plant species with enhanced tolerance to multiple environmental stresses to contribute in solving the global food and environmental problems in the 21st century.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.30-41
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• 2011

The influences of the agitation as well as the addition of medium during culture on the production of embryos were invested in isolated microspore culture of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). When the culture medium was added during initial liquid culture step of liquid-double layer culture, the embryo yield and quality greatly increased. The most effective time point for medium addition was 5 days after the culture commenced. On the other hand, the effect of medium addition at later double layer culture step in liquid-double layer culture on the embryo production was less compared to that of medium addition during the initial liquid culture step. Agitating the culture for 1 week during later double layer culture step in liquid-double layer culture effectively increased the production of normal cotyledonary embryos. In the case of liquid culture, agitating the culture for 1 week from 7 days after the culture commenced was also effective for embryo development. However, when the total agitation time was longer (2 to 3 weeks) during liquid-double layer culture or liquid culture, the embryos developed abnormally in both cases. The normal cotyledonary embryos obtained in this study successfully developed to plants when transferred to regeneration media. These regenerated plants were either diploid or haploid, and there was a difference in the number of chloroplasts between guard cells of diploid and haploid. These results can be used as an important data for developing an efficient microspore culture system with high quality embryo production in hot pepper.