My primary area of expertise is in plant physiology and plant developmental biology, particularly plant hormone interaction in flower and fruit development. I am currently not taking students.

Although ethylene has been implicated in the control of several pollination events (i.e., corolla unfolding and senescence), very little is known on its effect on post-pollination processes such as fruit development. I have developed a system to examine the role of morning glory (Ipomoea nil) stamens as sources and transporters of two plant hormones, IAA and ACC, for ethylene production. We will use this system to examine hormonal distribution and the effects of hormone on post-pollination processes. If a correlation exists between the plant hormone levels and their transport from the stamens to the developing fruit, my lab will examine other species and varieties within the morning glory family to attempt to "generalize" the existing model for flowering. IAA was identified in the anthers of Cleome, and its polar movement into the filament was observed. However, ACC transport and endogenous ACC and ethylene measurements need to be examined in the stamens and pistils to determine the role of these substances in the development of the flower and fruit.

I am also interested in understanding the role of calcium in flower and fruit development. Calcium promotes IAA transport in roots, and calcium has recently been implicated as a promotor of floral induction in morning glory. I plan to examine the kinetics of calcium action on IAA and ACC transport by using various calcium channel blockers and ionophores. A protoplast system also will be developed to measure endogenous calcium levels in the stamen and pistil.

Hardy C.R., D.W. Stevenson, H.G. Kiss. 2000. Development of the gametophytes, flower, and floral vasculature in Dichorisandra thyrsidlfora (Commelinaaceae). Am. J. Bot. 2000 87:1228-1239.

Kiss J.Z., S.E. Weise, H.G. Kiss. 2000. How can plants tell which way is up?--Laboratory exercises to introduce gravitropism. American Biology Teacher 62:59-63.

Kiss H.G., J.Z. Kiss. 1998. Spore germination in populations of Schizaea pusilla from New Jersey and Nova Scotia. International Journal of Plant Sciences 159:848-852.

Kiss, H.G. 1996. The role of plant growth regulators during filament and floral development in Ipomoea nil flowers. In: Plant Biochemistry/Molecular Biology Laboratory Manual (Ed. W. Dashek), Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, Inc.

Kiss, J.Z., F. Wang-Cahill, and H.G. Kiss. 1995. The ultrastructure of the early development of Schizaea pusilla gametophytes. Intl. J. Plant Sciences 156:131-142.

Kiss, H.G., Johnson, J.D., and Evans, M.L. 1991. Cytoplasmic calcium levels in protoplasts from the cap and elongation zone of maize roots. Protoplasma 163:181-188.

Kiss, H.G., Daie, J., and Kroning, R.E. 1991. Transport of 14C- IAA and 14C-ACC through filaments and their accumulation within the floral organ s of Ipomoea nil (Convolvulaceae). Amer. J. Botany 78:672-679.

Evans, M.L., Kiss, H.G., and Ishikawa, H. 1990. Interaction of calcium and auxin in the regulation of root elongation. In: Calcium in Plant Growth and Development. Amer. Soc. Plant Physiologists Symposium Series. Vol. 11, R. T. Leonard and P.K. Hepler, eds.

Kiss, H.G. and Koning, R.E. 1990. Emasculation effects on filament growth in Ipomoea Nil (Convolvulaceae). Amer. J. Botany 77:41-45.

Kiss, H.G. and Koning, R.E. 1989. Endogenous levels and transport of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid in stamens of Ipomoea Nil (Convolvulaceae). Plant Physiology 90:157-161.

Return to Faculty List