Abstract Studies focusing on terminal drought combined with heat impacts on plants of agronomic value remain scarce, and even less under field conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate leaf structural and ultrastructural changes induced by heat stress (HS) and drought stress (DS) during seed filling and their relationship with physiological variables and yield determination. Two soybean cultivars were grown in field conditions. During seed filling four treatments were applied, including a control (without manipulation, at ambient temperature and field capacity), HS (episodes exceeding 32°C for 6 h d-1) during 21-d, DS (20% of field capacity soil water content) during 35-d, and HS×DS. Drought principally reduced leaf area, whereas heat decreased leaf thickness, possible as acclimation strategies, but also irreversible reducing CO2 assimilation sites. Both stresses damaged the outer and inner membranes of chloroplasts, causing swollen chloroplasts and accumulation of plastoglobules, loss of chlorophyll content, and negatively affecting chlorophyll fluorescence. Thus, the performance and integrity of the photosynthetic machinery were reduced. Through a morpho-functional perspective and a holistic multiscale approach, our results provide evidence of photosynthesis impairment and yield drops under stressful conditions which were associated with structural and ultrastructural (particularly at the level of chloroplasts) modifications of leaves.

Background and aims: Some species of Cheilanthoid ferns are characterized by show adaptations to xeric habitats. Furthermore, presents the peculiarity of the roll their blades under drought stress and when conditions are optimal they expand again. The aims of this work are provide morpho-anatomical information of the leaves and relate with the environmental conditions in which grow. M&M: The fronds' morpho-anatomy of four species (Adiantopsis radiata, Cheilanthes glauca, Doryopteris concolor and D. pentagona) were analyzed through light microscopy. Also, the stomatal density and stomatal index were obtained. Results: Homogenous mesophyll was observed in D. pentagona. Adiantopsis radiata, C. glauca and D. concolor showed dorsiventral heterogeneous mesophyll. All species studied showed hypostomatic leaf, with anomocytic stomata. The stomatal index observed was between 9.1% (A. radiata) and 14.1% (D. concolor), and the range of stomata density varied between 39.7 (D. pentagona) and 57.8 (D. concolor). Conclusions: The mesophyll observed in A. radiata, and D. pentagona responds to a mesophytic environment. Doryopteris concolor was reported as a facultative epiphyte, and its dorsiventral heterogeneous mesophyll would be an advantage in this habitat. Cheilanthes glauca has xeromorphic and mesomorphic features, probably resulting from water availability during the different seasons. We porpose as hypothesis that the thickening of the anticlinal walls of epidermal cells could be involved in the leaf movements.

Introducción y objetivos: Algunas especies de helechos cheilanthoideos son caracterizados por presentar adaptaciones a hábitats xéricos. Además, presentan la particularidad de enrollar sus láminas frente a condiciones de stress hídrico. Sin embargo, al retornar las condiciones ambientales óptimas las láminas se vuelven a expandir. El objetivo de este trabajo es proporcionar información morfo-anatómica de las frondes y asociar estructuras anatómicas a estos movimientos foliares. M&M: Se estudiaron mediante microscopía óptica y electrónica de barrido la morfo-anatomía de las frondes de cuatro especies: Adiantopsis radiata, Cheilanthes glauca, Doryopteris concolor y D. pentagona. Además, se analizó la densidad de los estomas y se calculó el índice estomático. Resultados: Se observó mesóflo homogéneo en D. pentagona. Adiantopsis radiata, C. glauca y D. concolor presentaron mesóflo heterogéneo dorsiventral. Todas las especies mostraron hojas hipoestómaticas y estomas de tipo anomocítico. El índice estomático osciló entre 9,1% (A. radiata) y 14,1% (D. concolor) y el rango de densidad de los estomas fue de 39,7 (D. pentagona) y 57,8 (D. concolor). Conclusiones: El mesóflo observado en A. radiata y D. pentagona refeja una especialización mesofítica. El mesóflo heterogéneo dorsiventral de D. concolor podría ser una ventaja para su hábito epifítico facultativo. Cheilanthes glauca tiene características xeromorfas y mesomorfas, probablemente como resultado de la disponibilidad de agua en el ambiente durante las diferentes estaciones. Se propone como hipótesis que el engrosamiento de las paredes anticlinales de las células epidérmicas podría estar involucrados en los movimientos de las láminas.

Leptocybe invasa is a gall-inducing wasp that oviposits in the young eucalyptus leaves. The plant responds by forming a gall. As a result, this not only causes rolling leaves and defoliation, but also collapses the tree buds which affect seriously the eucalyptus production. In this paper, it is analyzed the morphogenetic and anatomical changes that are caused by the development of galls and then it is compared with healthy plants. The Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus camaldulensis are cultivated in Corrientes, Argentina, and have been studied with traditional techniques of optical and scanning electron microscopy. The wasp oviposits among the vascular bundles, and the plant produces an hyperplastic tissue that are differed into four layers: nutrient, tanniniferous, sclerotic, and crystalliferous. The circulation of the vascular tissues is obstructed and consequently it is interrupted the normal flow of water and solutes that are transported in the xylem. Hence, this situation produces circular vessel. In fact, it is not only analyzed the morphological and anatomical changes but also the insect development, and this cycle is divided into three stages. This work demonstrates that the formation of galls in the eucalyptus are an excellent example of extended phenotype, where the action of L.invasa induces the abnormal growth of plant tissues because of the increase the number of cells, the collapse of the vascular system of the affected area and the apparition of new anatomical features.

Leptocybe invasa o “avispa de la agalla del eucalipto”, es un microhimenóptero gallícola que ovipone en hojas jóvenes de eucaliptos. La planta responde formando agallas, que causan enrollamiento, defoliación y colapso de brotes, afectando seriamente la producción. En este trabajo se analizan los cambios morfogenéticos y anatómicos provocados por el desarrollo de las agallas, comparándolos con plantas sanas. Con técnicas tradicionales de microscopía óptica y electrónica de barrido se estudiaron ejemplares de Eucalyptus grandis y E. camaldulensis, cultivados en Corrientes, Argentina. La avispa ovipone entre los haces vasculares, el vegetal produce un tejido hiperplásico que se diferencia en cuatro estratos: nutricio, esclerosado, tanífero y cristalífero. El recorrido de los tejidos vasculares se obstruye, produciéndose “bucles xilemáticos” que interrumpen el flujo normal de agua y fotosintatos. Analizando los cambios morfológicos y anatómicos, junto al desarrollo del insecto, se divide el ciclo en tres etapas. Este trabajo demuestra que la formación de agallas en Eucalyptus representa un excelente ejemplo de fenotipo extendido, donde la acción de L. invasa induce al crecimiento anormal de los tejidos vegetales, tanto en aumento del número de células, colapso del sistema vascular de la zona afectada y aparición de nuevas características anatómicas.

Sporogenesis and gametogenesis of staminate and pistillate flowers of Allophylus edulis (Sapindaceae) were studied. Young anthers are similar in both types of flowers, they share the basic type of antheral development; they consist of epidermis, endothecium, two middle layers and a secretory tapetum with binucleate cells. Microsporogenesis is normal, the division of pollen mother cells is simultaneous, and microspore tetrads are tetrahedral and decussate. The mature anther in staminate flowers presents epidermal cells thinned at stomio level, and endothecium cells with fibrillar thickenings. A single locule is formed in the theca by dissolution of the septum and pollen grains are two-celled when shed, these are triporate or tetraporate. The gynoecium is reduced to a tricarpelar, trilocular pistillode, with an ovule per locule. Ovule degeneration occurs before meiosis. The mature anthers of pistillate flowers differ anatomically from those of staminate flowers. The endothecium does not develop fibrillar thickenings, middle layers and tapetum generally are persisting, and the stomium is nonfunctional; anthers are indehiscent. The gynoecium in pistillate flowers, has a tricarpellary and trilocular ovary. Each locule contains an ovule hemianatropous, bitegmic and crassinucellate, with an obturator well developed, and the megagametophyte is of Polygonum type. Results are discussed in relation to the known to the family.

Se estudió la esporogénesis y gametogénesis de flores estaminadas y pistiladas de Allophylus edulis (Sapindaceae). La anteras jóvenes son similares en ambos tipos de flores, comparten el tipo básico de desarrollo anteral; presentan epidermis, endotecio con células binucleadas, dos capas medias, y tapete de tipo secretor, con células binucleadas. La microsporogénesis es normal, la división de las células madres de las micrósporas es simultánea y las tétrades son tetraédricas y decusadas. La antera madura en flores estaminadas presenta células epidérmicas adelgazadas a nivel del estomio y el endotecio con engrosamientos fibrosos. Se aprecia un único lóculo por teca por disolución del septo y los granos de polen son liberados al estado 2-celular, éstos son triporados o tetraporados. El gineceo está reducido a un pistilodio tricarpelar, trilocular, con un óvulo por lóculo. El óvulo degenera antes de que ocurra la meiosis. La antera madura de las flores pistiladas difiere anatómicamente de la de las flores estaminadas. El endotecio no desarrolla engrosamientos fibrosos, las capas medias y el tapete persisten, y el estomio no es funcional; las anteras son indehiscentes. El gineceo de las flores pistiladas, presentan ovario tricarpelar y trilocular. Cada lóculo contiene un óvulo hemianátropo, bitegumentado y crasinucelado, con obturador desarrollado; el megagametófito es de tipo Polygonum. Se discuten los resultados obtenidos en relación a lo conocido para la familia.

O nome Isoetes pedersenii H.P. Fuchs (Lycophyta) foi validado para a espécie identificada apenas no Parque Nacional de Mburucuyá, em Corrientes na Argentina. Material preservado em herbário foi avaliado com microscópios estereoscó pico, de luz branca e eletrônico de varredura. A espécie foi descrita e tipificada. Um diagnóstico e uma discussão sobre a distribuição e relação com a morfologia de outras espécies de Isoetes são relatados.

The name Isoetes pedersenii H.P. Fuchs (Lycophyta), a species known only from the Mburucuyá National Park, Corrientes, Argentina, is validated. Observations were carried out on herbarium material with stereoscopic, light and scanning electron microscopes. The species is described and typified. A diagnosis and discussion about its distribution and its relationship with the morphology of other species of Isoetes are provided.

The floral venation patterns of Cardiospermum grandiflorum, Urvillea chacoensis and Thinouia mucronata, are surveyed. These species are monoecious and the inflorescence is a thyrse carrying staminate and bisexual flowers funcionally pistillate. Cardiospermum grandiflorum and U. chacoensis belong to the subtribe Paulliniinae which is characterized by obliquely zygomorphic flowers, whereas T. mucronata belongs to the monotypic Thinouiinae which presents actinomorphic flowers. Vascular pattern is similar in both types of flowers of the studied species; from one ectofloic siphonostele depart vascular traces that supply the perianth whorls displaying phenomena of progressive fusion and adnation. Vascular tissue supplying the nectaries is characterized by strands of phloem. Regarding the floral vasculature in these species, differences in the vasculature lay primarily in the number of the sepal-petal complexes traces departing from the central ectophloic siphonostele; whereas the venation pattern of the fertile verticils is common to them. The data obtained support the basal position of Thinouia in the tribe Paullinieae.

Se analizaron los patrones de venación floral en Cardiospermum grandiflorum, Urvillea chacoensis y Thinouia mucronata (Sapindaceae-Paullinieae). Estas especies son monoicas y la inflorescencia es un tirso que posee flores estaminadas y bisexuadas funcionalmente pistiladas. Cardiospermum grandiflorum y U. chacoensis pertenecen a la subtribu Paulliniinae, caracterizada por las flores oblicuamente zigomorfas; mientras T. mucronata pertenece a Thinouiinae, subtribu monotípica con flores actinomorfas. En las especies estudiadas el patrón de venación es similar en ambos tipos de flores, a partir de una sifonostela ectofloica central irradian trazas vasculares que inervan los verticilos periánticos, presentando el fenómeno de progresiva fusión y adnación. El tejido vascular que inerva los nectarios está representado por cordones de floema. En relación a la vascularización floral de estas especies, las diferencias en la venación se observan en las trazas de los complejos sépalo-petalar que irradian de la sifonostela ectofloica central; mientras el patrón de venación de los verticilos fértiles es común a todas ellas. La información obtenida apoya la posición basal de Thinouia en la tribu Paullinieae.