干旱胁迫对两种辣椒叶片气体交换和叶绿素荧光特性的影响

试验研究了干旱条件下鸡爪×吉林和正椒13号两种辣撤叶片气体交换和叶绿素荧光参数的变化.结果表明,干旱处理5 d导致叶片相对含水量(RWC)、相对电导率(REC)、净光合作用(Pn)和暗适应下PSII最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)下降,其中对鸡爪×吉林影响大于正椒13号.干旱处理下两辣椒品种的气孔导度(Gs)下降,而水分利用效率(WUE)、非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)和光呼吸速率/净光合速率(Pr/Pn)均明显增加,其中正椒13号上升幅度高于鸡爪×吉林,这可能是正椒13号比鸡爪×吉林更耐旱的原因.     

Resistance and systemic dispersal of Xanthomonas fragariae in strawberry germplasm (Fragaria L.)

The angular leaf spot disease caused by Xanthomonas fragariae is an important plant disease with major impact for the strawberry nursery industry. Currently there is no plant protection product available for controlling the disease effectively. Planting of resistant cultivars seems to be promising, but all commercially used cultivars are susceptible and no donor with a high level of resistance has yet been found. Therefore, a total of 145 genotypes from the Fruit Genebank Dresden (Germany) were evaluated for resistance to X. fragariae by artificial inoculation. Six genotypes were classified as partly resistant, out of which only two (US4808 and US4809) are octoploid. Fragaria vesca f. alba, Fragaria nilgerrensis ‘Yunnan’, F. vesca ‘Illa Martin’ and F. moschata ‘Bauwens’ were also classified as partially resistant, but they are only of limited use for breeding because of their variable ploidy level. Fully resistant genotypes could not be detected. The systemic dispersal of the bacteria in strawberry plants was investigated after inoculation of leaves with X. fragariae strain XF3.9.C and the GFP‐tagged strain XF3.9.C_(pKAN). The systemic spread was evaluated after 3, 7, 14 and 28 days post‐inoculation (dpi) by nested PCR and fluorescence microscopy. After 3 dpi, X. fragariae could be found in all tissues tested including the inoculated leaf, its petiole, the rhizome, the heart bud up to the youngest fully expanded leaf and its petiole. The systemic spread was also detectable in partially resistant genotypes.     

Seed Development,Oil Accumulation and Fatty Acid Composition of Drought Stressed Rapeseed Plants Affected by Salicylic Acid and Putrescine

Two field experiments were carried out in 2017 and 2018 to evaluate the impacts of salicylic acid (1?mM SA) and putrescine (1?mM Put) on leaf osmolytes, seed reserve and oil accumulation and fatty acid composition of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) under different watering levels (irrigations after 70 and 150?mm evaporation as normal irrigation and severe drought stress, and 70?→?90?→?110?→?130?→?150 and 70?→?100?→?130→150 as gradual and moderately gradual water deficits, respectively). The experiments were laid out as split plot on the bases of randomized complete block design in three replications. Water stress increased the contents of glycine betaine, proline, soluble sugars, and proteins. Application of SA and Put further enhanced the contents of glycine betaine and soluble sugars, while reduced proline content of leaves. Seed filling duration, seeds per plant, plant biomass and seed yield were decreased with increasing irrigation intervals. Exogenous SA and Put enhanced all of these parameters under different irrigation intervals. Oil accumulation in seeds was diminished as water stress severed. The gradual water deficit considerably reduced the impacts of drought stress on yield related traits and oil content per seed, due to stress acclimation of plants. Oil content of seeds was augmented by SA and Put treatments through prolonging seed filling duration, particularly under limited irrigations. Percentages of palmitic acid and stearic acid (saturated fatty acids) were not affected by water limitation. However, unsaturated fatty acids of linoleic and linolenic acids were reduced, and oleic acid was enhanced due to water shortage. Unsaturation index was improved by SA and Put treatments under severe water stress as a result of decreasing oleic acid and increasing linoleic and linolenic acids contents. The SA spray was the best treatment for improving rapeseed seed and oil production under normal and stressful conditions.

     

沙芦内含物PAAC对干旱胁迫下玉米幼苗叶片光合及蛋白氧化损伤的保护作用

采用沙培试验,培养期间用沙丘芦苇特有的多氨基芳香族化合物PAAC水溶液对培养的两种不同基因型玉米幼苗叶片进行喷施处理,研究幼苗叶片在正常供水和干旱胁迫下的相对含水量、光合作用、叶绿素荧光等参数的变化趋势。确定这些生理指标在评价作物抗旱性方面的作用,并与甜菜碱溶液喷施处理的作物参比,研究该内含物对植物蛋白氧化损伤的影响。结果表明:PAAC溶液能够明显地降低干旱下植物叶片蛋白质中羰基含量的上升,即该内含物能够有效地减弱干旱胁迫下植物蛋白氧化损伤程度,RWC相对较高,说明PAAC一定程度上降低水分的散失。当植物受到中度干旱胁迫时,PAAC显著地减缓玉米叶片光合速率的下降,同时Fv/Fm、qP、ETR等叶绿素荧光参数数值也明显高于同期的对照,表明PAAC具有保护类囊体膜上PSⅡ的光合学活性的作用,一定程度上增强了植物的抗旱能力。     

Mitigation of Salt Stress Negative Effects on Sweet Pepper Using Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus megaterium</Emphasis> and Brassinosteroids (BRs)

A study was conducted at the experimental farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, during two successive summer seasons (2014 and 2015) to investigate the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus irradicans 10% w/w), Bacillus megaterium (10?ml/pot) and brassinosteroids (24-EBL, C₂₈H₄₈O_6; 2?µM) on growth, nutrient absorption, chlorophyll, proline content, antioxidant enzymes activity and fruit yield of sweet pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.) cv. Marconi. Plants were grown under three levels of salinity (0, 25 and 50?mM). The obtained results showed that plants grown under non-saline water (0?mM NaCl), with or without treatments, significantly gave the most vigorous vegetative growth and had the highest fruit yield compared with those grown under salt stress conditions. All anti-salinity treatments (Mycorrhiza, Bacillus and Brassinosteroids) improved growth when compared with untreated plants (control). Plants inoculated with mycorrhiza or treated with brassinosteroids showed better vegetative growth and shoot biomass (total fresh and dry weight per plant), chlorophyll a and b concentrations, antioxidant content expressed as total soluble phenols and proline concentrations at all studied salinity levels followed by plants inoculated with Bacillus megaterium compared with control plants which showed severe growth retardant especially under higher salt concentration (50?mM). Carotenoids concentration increased proportionally with the increase of salinity concentration. The maximum leaf relative water content (LRWC) and lowest values of membrane permeability (MP) were significantly observed with mychorhiza inoculated plants and brassinosteroid application respectively, followed by Bacillus inoculated plants. Antioxidant enzyme activity were highest in plants irrigated with moderate saline water (25?mM) than plants under high salinity irrigation water (50?mM) except polyphenol oxidase (PPO) as compared with unstressed plants (0?mM). Mycorrhizal inoculated plants accumulated higher K and lower Na and Cl followed by plants treated with brassinosteroids and then plants inoculated with Bacillus megaterium. Anti-salinity treatments positively enhanced fruit yield of sweet pepper plants under all salinity stress levels and the highest fruit yield were significantly observed with brassinosteroid application followed by mychorhiza inoculated plants and then Bacillus inoculated plants.     

诱导剂处理及白粉菌接种对甜瓜叶片叶绿素荧光参数的影响

以抗病品种Tam Dew和感病品种卡拉克赛为材料,研究了BTH、SA处理及白粉菌接种对甜瓜叶片叶绿素荧光参数的影响。结果发现:BTH和SA处理使甜瓜叶片光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ光合电子传递效率(ΦPSⅡ)、天线转化效率(Fv'/Fm')显著提高,热耗散速率(Drate)显著降低。白粉菌接种使甜瓜叶片Drate显著升高,Fv/Fm、ΦPSⅡ、Fv'/Fm'显著降低。以上结果表明,BTH和SA处理能缓解因自然衰老和白粉菌侵染引起的甜瓜叶片光系统反应中心活性下降。     

Effects of Plant Defence Activators on Anthracnose Disease of Cashew

The plant defence activators acibenzolar-S-methyl (Benzo[1,2,3]thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid-S-methyl ester, ASM), 2,6-dichloro-isonicotinic acid (DCINA), salicylic acid (SA), and dibasic potassium phosphate (K₂HPO₄) were tested for their ability to protect cashew (Anacardium occidentale) seeds and leaves from anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. No inhibition of the early stages of pathogen development was caused by concentrations equal to or lower than 1.1mM a.i. ASM, 1.2mM a.i. DCINA, 5mM SA and 50mM K₂HPO₄. Maximum reduction of the disease in detached leaves, without phytotoxic effects, was obtained with 0.07mM a.i. ASM and DCINA, 5mM SA, and 50mM K₂HPO₄, with a time interval of at least 72h between application of the activator and inoculation with the pathogen. On attached leaves, foliar sprays were slightly more efficient than soil drench treatments, with 5mM SA being the most effective treatment, while 50mM SA as well as 0.3mM a.i. ASM and DCINA caused phytotoxic effects. In field-grown plants, protection was conferred by a soil drench of concentrations as low as 12.6M a.i. ASM and DCINA and 2.6mM SA. These concentrations were not phytotoxic suggesting that plant defence activators have potential for control of anthracnose disease in the field.     

Combined effects of salinity and phosphorus availability on growth,gas exchange,and nutrient status of Catapodium rigidum

The combined effects of NaCl-salinity and phosphorus deficiency on biomass production, nutritional status, and photosynthetic activity were studied in Catapodium rigidum: an annual Poacea with fodder potential. Plants were grown in hydroponic conditions for 55 days under two phosphorus (P) supply: 5 (low) or 180?µmol KH₂PO₄ (sufficient), in the absence or presence of 100?mM NaCl. Obtained results demonstrated that both salinity and P deficiency treatments applied separately reduced substantially plant growth and CO₂ assimilation rate with a more marked impact of salt stress. Salinity has no substantial effect on both shoot P concentrations and phosphorus acquisition efficiency independently of P availability. The highest decrease in plant growth (?91%) was observed in plants simultaneously submitted to both stresses suggesting an additive effect of the two stresses and that P deficiency increased the susceptibility of C. rigidum to salinity. This may be linked to a significant decrease in potassium acquisition (?95%), K/Na selectivity ratio (?73%), stomatal conductance (?66%), CO₂ assimilation rate (?64%), and shoot water content (66%). Furthermore, plants cultivated under combined salinity and sufficient P supply displayed higher stomatal conductance, CO₂ assimilation rate, K/Na selectivity ratio, and plant growth than plants cultivated under combined effects of salinity and P deficiency. These results suggest that adding P to saline soils could be an alternative for alleviating the negative effects of salinity and may ameliorate salinity tolerance.     

Evaluation of strawberry (Fragaria L.) genetic resources for resistance to Botrytis cinerea

The grey mould disease caused by Botrytis cinerea leads to substantial economic losses in strawberry production all over the world. Control of the disease requires an extensive amount of fungicide that is applied in varying complexes because the pathogen easily develops resistance against the active compounds. Planting of resistant cultivars seems to be a promising alternative for fruit growers, but there are currently no cultivars available combining resistance to B. cinerea with attractive horticultural traits. Breeding of new cultivars requires the effective identification of resistant strawberry genotypes; therefore the current study was aimed at the evaluation of strawberry genetic resources under controlled conditions by establishing an artificial inoculation assay. The method presented in this study is an artificial inoculation of ripe fruits with a defined spore suspension under laboratory conditions. The results show that this assay is fast and simple and leads to reproducible results that correlate with field observations. Over 3 years a total of 107 strawberry genotypes of the German National Fruit Genebank at the JKI in Dresden‐Pillnitz were evaluated. Five partly resistant genotypes, cultivars Diana, Joerica and Kimberly, and Fragaria virginiana ‘Wildmare Creek’ and F. vesca subsp. bracteata, were identified with mean disease levels of <20% at 6 days post‐inoculation. The obtained results are discussed with regard to future breeding activities.     

Growth,physiological status,and yield of salt-stressed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants affected by biofertilizer and cycocel applications

This factorial study was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications in a greenhouse during spring 2015 to investigate changes in dry matter mobilization, grain filling period, and some physiological characteristics of wheat. Treatments were four salt levels [0 (S₁), 30 (S₂), 60 (S₃), and 90 (S₄) mM sodium chloride (NaCl) equivalent to 2.76, 5.53, and 8.3 dS m^?1, respectively], four biofertilizers levels [(no biofertilizer (F₀), seed inoculation by Azotobacter chroococcum Beijerinck strain 5 (F₁), Pseudomonas putida (Trevisan) Migula strain 186 (F₂), both inoculation Azotobacter?+?Pseudomonas (F₃)], and three cycocel levels [(without cycocel as control (C₀), application of 600 (C₁), and 1000 (C₂)?mg?L^?1)]. Salinity stress increased leaf electrical conductivity and decreased chlorophyll index, quantum yield, relative water content, and stomata conductance. However, the application of cycocel and biofertilizer reduced the negative impacts at each level of salinity tested. When treated with cycocel, salt stressed plants demonstrated a significant decrease in stomata conductance compared to the salt-treated plants with no cycocel. The results revealed that the maximum shoot and stem dry matter mobilization (0.89 and 0.67?g, respectively) and contribution of stem reserves to grain yield (38.01%) were observed in salinity severe stress (90?mM) and no cycocel application. The application of Azotobacter?+?Pseudomonas had the greatest grain filling rate (0.002?g day^?1) without salinity stress. The greatest grain filling period (43.26 days) was achieved by the highest cycocel level without salinity stress. The application of biofertilizer and cycocel as F₃C₂ had 24.7% more grain yield in comparison to the controls.     

Assessment of the effect of surface drip irrigation on Verticillium dahliae propagules differing in persistence in soil and on verticillium wilt of olive

For efficient integrated management of verticillium wilt in olive (VWO), it is important to establish whether irrigation treatments (with Verticillium dahliae‐free water) that mitigate the disease in V. dahliae‐infested soil, also reduce the levels of more and less persistent propagules of the pathogen in the soil. Effects of irrigation on VWO and V. dahliae propagules were evaluated under natural environmental conditions. Potted plants were irrigated (pathogen‐free water) to two ranges of soil water content (RWC; high and low) at three surface drip‐irrigation frequencies (daily, weekly, and daily during some periods and otherwise weekly). VWO and total inoculum density (ID), density of less persistent micropropagules (MpD) and more persistent sclerotia in wet soil (S_wD), and sclerotia density for air‐dried soil (S_dD) were monitored. A logistic model (multiple sigmoid) of disease incidence revealed the lowest parameter values in treatments irrigated daily. Daily frequency of irrigation showed significantly lower disease incidence (39.2%) and disease intensity index (43.9%) and MpD (88.0%) values as areas compared with other frequencies, regardless of the RWC. High RWC significantly reduced (70.8–84.9%) ID, S_wD and S_dD as areas, but significantly increased (18.0%) the incidence of infected plants (IIP), regardless of the irrigation frequency. The disease incidence was not correlated with temperature. Daily irrigation to low RWC mitigated the VWO and the IIP, kept soil to the lowest MpD and resulted in the lowest S_dD level at the end of the trial. Results suggested that less persistent propagules could have played a part in the disease development.     

水分亏缺对小麦芒和旗叶光合特性及蔗糖、淀粉合成的影响

为明确水分亏缺对小麦芒和旗叶光合特性及蔗糖、淀粉合成的影响,选用盆栽试验,在小麦灌浆期对盆栽采用正常供水（CK）及水分亏缺（WD）处理,测定旗叶和芒光合参数、相对水分含量、叶绿素含量等生理指标,分析蔗糖和淀粉合成关键酶活性及相关基因表达水平。结果表明,水分亏缺下旗叶净光合速率（P_n）、叶绿素（Chl）含量和相对水分含量（RWC）相比芒显著下降,花后24 d旗叶和芒P_n分别下降了87.7%和14.4%,Chl含量分别下降了54.1%和12.3%,RWC分别下降了13.9%和1.5%;同时,水分亏缺减少了光合碳同化物的产生,花后24 d旗叶和芒中蔗糖含量分别下降了50.1%和18.2%,淀粉含量分别下降了46.4%和18%,表明芒中碳同化物合成受水分亏缺影响较旗叶小。灌浆过程中旗叶和芒中丙二醛（MDA）含量均持续上升,水分亏缺下花后24 d旗叶和芒中MDA含量分别增加了50.8%和14.0%,表明在逆境下芒的抗氧化能力优于旗叶。总之,水分亏缺下芒具有较高的光合效率、保水性以及衰老延迟特性,并且在灌浆中后期仍有较高的蔗糖和淀粉合成能力,从而保障对小麦籽粒产量的光合贡献。     

基于生理指标早期诊断异丙隆对小麦药害的研究

为了早期诊断异丙隆对小麦的药害,采用室内生测的方法测定了不同剂量异丙隆作用下小麦株高、地上部鲜重、叶绿素、丙二醛(MDA)、可溶性糖、脯氨酸(Pro)含量和最大光量子产量(F_v/F_m)。结果表明,除可溶性糖外,叶绿素、MDA、Pro、F_v/F_m均能快速响应异丙隆对小麦的胁迫。当50%异丙隆WP施用剂量≥3 000 g/hm~2时,叶绿素a、b、总叶绿素含量和F_v/F_m明显下降,Pro含量明显上升,与清水对照相比均达显著水平,MDA含量随着施药剂量的增加而逐渐上升,当剂量≥2 250 g/hm~2时,小麦MDA含量显著高于清水对照处理;叶绿素、MDA、Pro、F_v/F_m可作为诊断异丙隆对小麦药害的敏感指标。     

Role of Silicon in Mediating Heat Shock Tolerance in Soybean

The present experiment was conducted to assess the role of silicon (Si; 0, 100, 200, and 300?mg L^?1 Na₂SiO₃) in mitigating heat stress-induced growth deficiency, photosynthesis inhibition, and oxidative damage in soybean cultivars. Heat stress lowered root and shoot dry weights, which were noticeably improved by Si supplementation. Exposition to 200?mg L^?1 Si caused a 45 and 34% increase in chlorophyll and Fv/Fm, respectively, compared to plants that received no Si. Net photosynthetic rate, intercellular CO₂, and stomatal conductance were lowered due to heat stress and Si supplementation mitigated the adverse effect of heat stress on these attributes. Furthermore, lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide generation, and electrolyte leakage were higher in heat-stressed soybean cultivars without Si as compared to those supplemented with Si. Accumulation of osmolytic cytosolutes such as proline and glycine betaine was also boosted by Si supplementation. In addition, Si treatment alleviated the destructive effects of heat stress by 63, 64, and 50% increases in total phenol, flavonol, and tocopherol contents, respectively. Interestingly, including Si in the heat-stressed soybean cultivars improved protein content and enhanced the activities of catalase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, and lipoxygenase, while the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase were lowered by 30, 56, and 54%, respectively, compared to non-Si-treated cultivars. In conclusion, Si alleviated the adverse effect of heat stress in soybean cultivars by modulating photosynthesis, further accumulating osmolytes, and regulating the antioxidant system. However, large-scale and long-term field trials must be carried out to investigate the economic feasibility of Si application for alleviating heat shock stress.

     

A scheme of plant certification for production of nematode-free stocks1

A scheme for the control of plant-parasitic nematodes in the production of planting stocks of garlic (Allium sativum) and strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is described. Nematodes controlled are Ditylenchus dipsaci on garlic and D. dipsaci, Aphelenchoides ritzema-bosi, A. fragariae and Meloidogyne spp. on strawberry. The scheme gave very satisfactory results in the protection of garlic cultivations for over 10 years and strawberry plantations for at least 8 years.     

Comparison of the Salt Stress Tolerance of Promising Turkish Winter Squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch.) and Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) Lines and Interspecific Hybrids

The objective of this study was to evaluate several selected Cucurbita genotypes for their salt resistance in a rootstock breeding program for grafted watermelon seedling production. Specifically, changes in the relative water content (RWC), leaf area (LA), total chlorophyll content (TCC) and proline concentration (PC) of a commercial cultivar (G32 code), two promising winter squash (G12 and G13 of Cucurbita maxima Duch.) lines, six pumpkin (G3, G27, G28, G29, G30 and G31 of Cucurbita moschata Duch.) lines, and four C. maxima?×?C. mochata hybrids (G14, G15, G40 and G42), were investigated with a control treatment and four levels of salt stress (4, 8, 12 and 16?dS/m). In this study, Cucurbita cultivars which showed significant differences according to RWC, LA, TCC and PC at least significant difference (LSD) tests (P?<?0.05) and had salinity sensitivity index (SSI) value lower than 20%, were assessed as salt tolerant genotypes. The salt tolerant genotypes were grouped with principal component analysis (PCA) in each salt level. At the end of the study, all genotypes for all characteristics were generally tolerant at 4?dS/m salinity level. The G3, G12, G13, G14, G29 and G42 genotypes were resistant at 8?dS/m salinity, while the G15, G31, G32 and G40 were the most resistant genotypes at 12 and 16?dS/m. In conclusion, the selection of more salt resistant cultivars in rootstock breeding programs should be a priority to maintain growth performance in saline environments.

     

Effects of salt treatment on growth,lipid membrane peroxidation,polyphenol content,and antioxidant activities in leaves of Sesuvium portulacastrum L.

Changes in growth, leaf contents of proline, oxidative stress-related parameters, and phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activities were investigated in the halophyte species Sesuvium portulacastrum L. under saline conditions. Rooted cuttings were individually cultivated in sandy soil. After five weeks of pre-treatment, seedlings were submitted during one month to different salt concentrations ranging from 0 to 800?mM NaCl. The plant growth was significantly improved by salt at 200–600?mM concentration. This trend was associated with (i) the stimulation of photosynthetic activity, (ii) the protection of membrane integrity (leaf MDA content 50% lower than the control), and (iii) higher total antioxidant activity, especially at 400?mM NaCl. At this salt concentration plants accumulated high contents of proline, polyphenols, antocyanins, and carotenoids. These compounds could be implied in the protection of the photosynthetic system and in the improvement of growth. Exposure to 800?mM NaCl impaired significantly photosynthesis, proline, polyphenol, antocyanin, and carotenoid accumulation. Yet, the strong antiradical activity (DPPH) observed at this extreme salinity might partly explain the plant survival. S. portulacastrum could be used in the rehabilitation and the stabilisation of saline or saline arid land. Additionally, under saline conditions, S. portulacastrum accumulate a large amount of proline and exhibits important antioxidant potentialities.     

Ascorbic Acid Enhances Growth and Yield of Sweet Peppers (Capsicum annum) by Mitigating Salinity Stress

Salinity is a crucial problem which has affected crop productivity globally. Ascorbic acid is considered helpful against abiotic stresses due to its powerful antioxidant potential. In the pot experiment, salinity stress (0, 35, 70, and 105?mM) was applied to sweet peppers in split doses after 20 days of transplantation. To mitigate the adverse effects of salinity, ascorbic acid (0, 0.40, 0.80, and 1.20?mM) was applied as foliar spray after a 6-day interval during vegetative growth. Sweet pepper plants sprayed with distilled water (control) recorded maximum plant height (cm), leaf area (cm²), number of branches, stem diameter (mm), number of fruit plant^?1, fruit diameter (cm), yield plant^?1 (g), and chlorophyll content (mg 100?g^?1), while the maximum polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1) were recorded in plants treated with 70?mM NaCl application. Salinity stress beyond 70?mM significantly reduced all the studied parameters. An ascorbic acid concentration of 1.20?mM significantly mitigated the negative effects of salt stress and recorded maximum plant height (cm), number of leaves plant^?1, leaf area (cm²), number of branches plant^?1, stem diameter (mm), number of fruit plant^?1, fruit diameter (cm), yield plant^?1 (g), chlorophyll content (mg 100?g^?1), PPO activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1), and APX activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1). Hence, a 1.20?mM concentration of foliar ascorbic acid could be used in saline conditions up to 70?mM of sodium chloride (NaCl) for better growth, productivity, and enzymatic activity of sweet peppers.

     

Attenuation of Negative Effects of Saline Stress in two Lettuce Cultivars by Salicylic Acid and Glycine Betaine

Reducing destructive effects of lettuce plants irrigated with saline water was investigated in two field experiments conducted at Ismailia Governorate in 2012–2013 and 2013–2014. Two lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars, Great Lakes and Balady, irrigated with saline water (3.22 dS/m) were treated using two levels of salicylic acid (SA) and glycine betaine (GB) as a foliar application (200, 400 ppm and 15, 30 Mm, respectively). Generally, application of SA and GB enhanced growth parameters, i.?e. plant height; root length; number of leaves per plant; plant fresh and dry weight; leaf relative water content (LRWC); membrane permeability (MP); lipid peroxidation (MDA); chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid content in leaf; proline; total soluble sugars (TSS); superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activity; and Na, K, Ca content. GB treatments significantly increased most recorded growth parameters, especially at 30 mM, while this treatment decreased values of MP, (MDA) and Na content in two lettuce cultivars.     

Electron microscopy and molecular identification of phytoplasmas associated with strawberry green petals in the Czech Republic

The presence of phytoplasma inFragaria ananassa x Duch cv Senga Sengana showing strawberry green petals symptoms was observed by electron microscopy of phloem tissue. No phytoplasmas were found in asymptomatic strawberry plants used as controls. Nucleic acids extracted from these plants were used in nested-PCR assays with primers amplifying 16S rRNA sequences specifie for phytoplasmas. Bands of 1.2 kb were obtained and the subsequent nested-PCR with specific primers and RFLP analyses allowed to classify the detected phytoplasmas in the aster yellows group (16SrI). They belonged to the subgroup I-C of which type strain is clover phyllody phytoplasma.