ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES OF PLANTS EXPOSED TO LOW TEMPERATURES

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Abstract
Effects of low temperatures on cell ultrastructures of three grass species were studied. Secale cereale L., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., and Paspalum notatum Flugge seedlings were given treatments of −5, 0, 10, or 25 C for 3 days and then evaluated for cellular response. Electron micrographs showed chloroplasts to be the most sensitive organelle in all three species, with the temperate Secale plastids responding differently than plastids from the subtropical and tropical species. Rough endoplasmic reticulum increased, but dictyosome numbers decreased in all species as treatment temperatures were lowered to 0 C. Mitochondria expanded slightly at reduced temperatures, but with little difference detected between species. The study indicated that the various cellular components of these species responded differently to reduced temperatures, with the species differing mainly in degree of response.
Funding Information
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NSG‐002‐068)