灌浆期高温与干旱对小麦籽粒淀粉合成相关酶基因表达的影响

灌浆期高温与干旱是影响小麦籽粒淀粉合成与积累的重要因素。为探讨灌浆期高温、干旱及其复合胁迫对小麦籽粒淀粉合成及积累的影响机理,以郑麦366为试验材料,采用大田盆栽和人工气候室模拟高温相结合的方法,研究了灌浆期高温、干旱及其复合胁迫对小麦籽粒淀粉合成相关酶基因表达特性及淀粉含量的影响。结果表明,灌浆期高温导致小麦籽粒淀粉合成相关酶基因表达高峰期提前,并不同程度抑制淀粉合成相关酶基因的表达;干旱胁迫不同程度提高了 AGPL1、 AGP1-a、 AGP1-b、GBSSI、SSI、SSIIc、SSIIIb、BEI、BEIIb、 ISA2、PHOH基因的表达量,降低其余被测基因表达量;高温和干旱复合胁迫与单因素胁迫对被测指标的影响不尽相同,表明两者对某些指标存在互作效应。高温与干旱均导致成熟期籽粒直链、支链和总淀粉含量下降。淀粉合成相关酶基因表达特性与淀粉积累密切相关。综上所述,高温与干旱改变了淀粉合成相关酶基因的表达,使淀粉积累受抑,导致小麦籽粒淀粉含量和产量下降。     

灌浆前期高温对小黑麦籽粒淀粉积累及其合成相关酶活性的影响

为探讨灌浆前期高温对六倍体小黑麦籽粒淀粉积累及其相关合成酶活性的影响,以4个春性小黑麦品种（系）为材料,在开花后5~14 d于田间搭建温棚进行高温胁迫,对其籽粒淀粉积累动态、淀粉合成相关酶活性进行了研究。结果表明,开花后5~14 d高温胁迫导致小黑麦千粒重和容重均显著下降,其中,千粒重下降5.95%~20.47%,容重下降3.33%~9.49%;籽粒中的总淀粉、支链淀粉与直链淀粉含量均显著降低,依次下降6.84%~17.97%、7.70%~24.60%及2.27%~7.17%,直/支链淀粉比有所升高,但差异不显著。在高温胁迫期间,小黑麦籽粒中与淀粉合成相关的腺苷二磷酸葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶（AGPP）、可溶性淀粉合成酶（SSS）、淀粉分支酶（SBE）及淀粉去分支酶（DBE）活性均较对照有所上升,高温胁迫结束后,AGPP、SSS、DBE的活性均较对照有所下降。推测灌浆前期高温胁迫导致灌浆中后期小黑麦籽粒中淀粉合成相关酶活性的下降是籽粒中淀粉含量降低以及千粒重、容重下降的主要原因。     

高温与干旱互作对两种筋力小麦品种籽粒淀粉及其组分含量的影响

为了给小麦抗逆栽培提供参考依据,采用盆栽的试验方法,研究了花后高温、干旱及其互作对两种筋力小麦品种豫麦34(强筋)和豫麦50(弱筋)籽粒淀粉及其组分含量的影响.结果表明,高温胁迫均导致两品种籽粒直链淀粉、支链淀粉及总淀粉含量下降,但不同时期高温胁迫对两品种不同组分淀粉的影响表现不同:高温胁迫对豫麦34支链淀粉含量影响相对较大,且以灌浆前期降幅最大;豫麦50则以直链淀粉含量受灌浆前期高温胁迫的影响相对较大.干旱胁迫下两品种直链淀粉的含量均显著下降,但支链淀粉在不同时期干旱胁迫下表现出品种间的差异:灌浆前期干旱对两品种影响均不显著,中、后期显著降低豫麦50支链淀粉含量,而豫麦34的支链淀粉含量在灌浆后期干旱胁迫下有所升高.研究结果还表明,花后高温与干旱对小麦籽粒淀粉及组分的影响存在显著的互作效应,说明高温与干旱对淀粉品质的影响具有叠加效应和复杂性.     

灌浆期持续干旱对小麦光合、抗氧化酶活性、籽粒产量和品质的影响

为解析灌浆期持续干旱对优质强筋小麦生长发育的影响,以大面积推广种植的优质强筋早熟多抗小麦品种西农979为材料,从旗叶光合作用、抗氧化酶活性、籽粒淀粉和蛋白质积累过程等方面分析其在灌浆期不同阶段对干旱胁迫的响应特征。结果表明,与正常水分供应(CK)相比,干旱胁迫下花后10 d后小麦旗叶相对含水量下降,变化不显著,而POD、CAT和SOD活性升高,旗叶气孔导度、蒸腾速率、净光合速率等显著下降。随着干旱胁迫时间的延长,旗叶光合能力显著下降,活性氧清除酶活性均呈下降趋势,其中POD和SOD活性下降速度低于CK。灌浆期干旱胁迫显著降低植株结实率、籽粒长宽、饱满度、千粒重等,导致产量显著下降,并减少籽粒直链淀粉、支链淀粉和总淀粉含量及淀粉直支比,增加籽粒蛋白质含量。由此可见,灌浆期持续干旱会降低小麦光合能力,增强抗氧化能力,抑制籽粒淀粉合成和积累,影响植株结实、籽粒发育和品质形成。     

花后高温胁迫对小麦籽粒产量和蛋白质含量的影响

为了筛选耐高温胁迫的优良小麦品种,采用盆栽与人工气候室相结合的方法,研究了花后高温胁迫对15个小麦品种产量和籽粒蛋白质含量的影响.结果表明,花后10 d和20 d高温处理分别使不同品种千粒重下降4.3%～34.8%和8.5%～32.5%,产量下降6.8%～35.0%和13.9%～37.9%,籽粒蛋白质含量增加1.0%～8.7%和2.4%～16.4%,表明不同品种对高温胁迫的敏感性存在明显差异.从高温处理时期来看,花后20 d高温胁迫的影响略大于花后10 d.依据花后高温胁迫下千粒重和产量的降幅进行聚类分析,将15个小麦品种划分为5类,其中洛旱6号受高温胁迫的影响较大,偃展4110、洛旱2号和郑麦366对高温胁迫的耐性较强.从籽粒蛋白质含量变化来看,豫麦50受高温胁迫影响较小,豫农949和豫农202受影响较大.     

花后高温胁迫对小麦灌浆特性及产量的影响

为了解小麦灌浆特性对花后高温胁迫的响应,选用西农979、洛旱2号、西农2208、新麦11、郑麦366和兰考矮早8等6个品种,于2016-2018年以自然条件为对照(CK),分析了花后高温胁迫(搭棚增温)后小麦灌浆进程、千粒重和产量的变化。结果表明,小麦粒重主要由灌浆持续时间和灌浆速率决定,不同小麦品种对花后高温胁迫的响应模式不同。西农979、洛旱2号在高温胁迫下,灌浆快增期的平均灌浆速率有所提高,但灌浆持续时间显著降低,导致粒重显著下降,且两年度的千粒重热感指数和产量热感指数均大于1,属于不抗高温型品种;新麦11、郑麦366和兰考矮早8经高温胁迫后,灌浆持续时间变化幅度不大,平均灌浆速率分别降低了0.05、0.09和0.06g·d^-1,千粒重分别降低了2.00、1.45和1.56g,但高温胁迫下粒重与CK无显著差异,且郑麦366和兰考矮早8的千粒重热感指数和产量热感指数在两个年度均小于0.9,属于抗高温型品种。     

花后高温胁迫对小麦籽粒淀粉积累及晶体特性的影响

为给小麦抗高温胁迫栽培提供依据,采用高温胁迫与自然温度对比的方法,通过盆栽试验和人工气候室控温(温室控制误差±2℃,湿度控制误差±1%),研究了花后高温胁迫对弱筋小麦扬麦15号籽粒淀粉积累动态、破损淀粉及晶体特性的影响.结果表明,花后不同时期35℃以上高温处理后,籽粒直链、支链及总淀粉积累量和粒重均低于对照(CK,常温),表现为CK＞花后25～27 d＞花后20～22 d＞花后15～17 d＞花后10～12 d＞花后5～7 d,且淀粉直/支比谷点不同程度前移,籽粒破损淀粉增加.35℃和40℃高温胁迫下,淀粉粒晶体结构仍呈典型的A型特征,但籽粒淀粉相对结晶度下降,随着处理时间的后移,相对结晶度降低,且淀粉晶体在2θ为15°、17°和18°左右的尖峰强度均低于CK.花后前期高温较后期高温对小麦淀粉积累和破损淀粉影响更大,相对结晶度则后期高温影响更大.     

高压诱变小麦突变体籽粒淀粉积累的动态变化

为了解高压诱变小麦突变体籽粒灌浆过程中的淀粉积累特性,以未经高压处理的偃展4110纯系为对照,对经过高压诱变处理(120MPa,8h)获得的偃展4110突变株系高压2、高压3、高压5、高压9和高压11的籽粒形成过程中淀粉含量的动态变化进行了分析。结果表明,突变株系籽粒总淀粉、直链淀粉、支链淀粉含量均呈"S"型曲线变化;总淀粉、直链淀粉、支链淀粉积累速率表现为"抛物线"型曲线变化,花后15~20d为籽粒总淀粉、直链淀粉、支链淀粉含量增加最快的时期;高压2、高压5的总淀粉、直链淀粉、支链淀粉含量高于对照,高压9低于对照;成熟期高压2和高压9的总淀粉含量分别为80.99%和73.05%,与对照(77.38%)差异显著(P0.05),说明高压诱变对淀粉积累有影响。不同样品之间总淀粉、直链淀粉、支链淀粉含量变化速率存在显著差异(P0.05),对照的总淀粉、支链淀粉峰值速率高于其他突变株系;高压2和高压5的直链淀粉峰值速率明显高于对照。     

低温胁迫对小麦叶绿素荧光参数及产量的响应

为了解小麦低温胁迫后叶绿素荧光特性及产量的变化特征,以新麦26和郑麦366为供试材料,在拔节期进行3个梯度的低温处理(分别为5℃、0℃和-5℃),处理时间均为10 h,以自然生长(10℃)为对照(CK),研究低温胁迫对小麦叶绿素荧光参数及产量的响应。结果表明,与CK相比,低温胁迫导致小麦株高、倒一至倒三节间长、叶片SPAD值、F_v/F_m、Φ_(PSⅡ)、穗粒数、千粒重和单株产量均降低,且对新麦26的影响总体上大于郑麦366,其中低温胁迫后新麦26和郑麦366的单株产量分别减少29.58%～55.52%和23.65%～47.95%。此外,低温胁迫对小麦的伤害程度与温度有关,在本试验条件下,-5℃低温胁迫的影响最大。这说明拔节期低温会影响小麦植株生长发育、光合和产量形成。     

增铵营养对专用型小麦可溶性糖转运及淀粉积累的影响

为给小麦氮肥管理提供理论依据,选用强筋小麦品种郑麦9023和弱筋小麦品种郑麦004为材料,在大田试验条件下研究了增铵营养对不同专用型小麦旗叶、籽粒可溶性糖含量与籽粒中淀粉及其组分含量的影响。结果表明,增铵营养条件下,两种小麦旗叶、籽粒中可溶性糖含量与籽粒淀粉及其组分含量在灌浆期间的变化趋势基本一致,但在灌浆中后期差别较大,与郑麦9023相比,郑麦004对增铵营养的响应更为显著。在NO3-∶NH4+为50∶50时小麦旗叶、籽粒可溶性糖含量变化及淀粉积累增加最显著。在此处理下,花后24d郑麦9023和郑麦004旗叶可溶性糖含量分别增加了7%和21%;增铵营养对两个小麦品种淀粉组分支/直比例影响不一,与对照相比,增铵营养导致郑麦9023下降了3.2%,使郑麦004增长了1.1%。增铵营养可能主要通过增加小麦旗叶中可溶性糖含量促进籽粒淀粉积累,与强筋小麦品种郑麦9023相比,弱筋小麦品种郑麦004的各项指标表现更为优异。     

Mineral composition of some traditional Mexican teas

Teas of plant origin traditionally consumed by the Mountain Pima of Chihuahua, Mexico, were analyzed for mineral nutritional content. Fe, Cu, Zn, Ca, and Mg composition was determined for native teas made from shoots ofTagetes lucida, T. filifolia, Elytraria imbricata, andHolodiscus dumosus, and from root xylem ofCeanothus depressus andPhaseolus ritensis. Native uses of these teas are also described.     

Studies on natural repellents against potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) in country stores

Summary The effects of the leaves of five plant species, one from each of the generaAmbrosia, Anemone, Eupatorium, Eucalyptus andLantana, on potato tuber moth were investigated under indigenous storage conditions at the Central Potato Research Station, Shillong (1800 m above sea level). Their action was compared with that of a biological insecticide (spores ofBacillus thuringiensis), a chemical insecticide (carbaryl), and an untreated control. The data collected after six months storage on tuber damage, sprout damage and the rotting indicated that the leaves ofLantana aculeata provided most protection to the tubers, reducing damage from over 70% in the check to below 5%, and sprout damage from over 45% to below 3%. Next best wasEucalyptus globulus followed byB. thuringiensis. They may be used on tubers stored for table use or for seed as they had no adverse effect on germination or on the yield of a subsequent crop.     

Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of Various Nitrogen Fertilizers

Summary

The efficiency of N fertilizers is usually poor; often less than 50% of the applied N is taken up by the crop. This review focuses on various N fertilizers with respect to the significance of different N loss pathways, namely (i) ammonia volatilization, (ii) dinitrogen and nitrogen oxide emissions, and (iii) nitrate leaching. Further, the significance of biological N immobilization, ammonium fixation and, finally, the impact of nitrate vs. ammonium uptake on crop yield are also discussed. The reviewed literature shows that N fertilizers may differ markedly in their susceptibility to losses. There is, however, considerable scope to improve N efficiency of each N source by proper N management practices.     

Redox Status and Neuro Inflammation Indexes in Cerebellum and Motor Cortex of Wistar Rats Supplemented with Natural Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Astaxanthin: Fish Oil,Krill Oil,and Algal Biomass

Health authorities worldwide have consistently recommended the regular consumption of marine fishes and seafood to preserve memory, sustain cognitive functions, and prevent neurodegenerative processes in humans. Shrimp, crabs, lobster, and salmon are of particular interest in the human diet due to their substantial provision of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3/PUFAs) and the antioxidant carotenoid astaxanthin (ASTA). However, the optimal ratio between these nutraceuticals in natural sources is apparently the key factor for maximum protection against most neuro-motor disorders. Therefore, we aimed here to investigate the effects of a long-term supplementation with (n-3)/PUFAs-rich fish oil, ASTA-rich algal biomass, the combination of them, or krill oil (a natural combination of both nutrients) on baseline redox balance and neuro-inflammation indexes in cerebellum and motor cortex of Wistar rats. Significant changes in redox metabolism were only observed upon ASTA supplementation, which reinforce its antioxidant properties with a putative mitochondrial-centered action in rat brain. Krill oil imposed mild astrocyte activation in motor cortex of Wistar rats, although no redox or inflammatory index was concomitantly altered. In summary, there is no experimental evidence that krill oil, fish oil, oralgal biomass (minor variation), drastically change the baseline oxidative conditions or the neuro-inflammatory scenario in neuromotor-associated rat brain regions.     

Potential of dry fractionation of wheat bran for the development of food ingredients,part II: Electrostatic separation of particles

Wheat bran is a composite material made of several layers, such as pericarp, testa and aleurone. It could be fractionated into purified fractions, which might either be used as food ingredients, or serve as a starting material for extraction of bioactive compounds. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of using electrostatic separation as a way to obtain purified fractions from wheat bran. Ultrafine-ground bran obtained either by cryogenic grinding or by grinding at ambient temperature was used as starting material. The ultrafine bran was then charged by tribo-electrification and introduced in a chamber containing two high voltage electrodes, where bran particles were separated depending on their acquired charge, allowing positively and negatively charged fractions to be collected separately. The particle size distribution, microstructure and biochemical composition of the obtained fractions were studied. The charge of the particles was influenced by their biochemical composition: particles rich in highly branched and cross-linked arabinoxylans (pericarp) were separated from particles rich in β-glucan, ferulic acid and para-coumaric acid (aleurone cell walls). The testa and the intracellular compounds from aleurone were not highly charged, neither positively nor negatively. The most positively charged fraction represented 34% of the initial bran, and contained 62% of the ferulic acid present in the initial bran. The yield of the separation process was good (5.4% loss), and could be further increased.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of different accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. from Uruguay

Summary The in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. collected in the south of Uruguay was investigated against five microorganisms including the pathogenRalstonia solanacearum. A total of 30 extracts corresponding to organic and aqueous extracts were studied. Interestingly, most of the positive results for growth inhibition were againstR. solanacearum. The extracts were also analyzed for the presence of glycoalkaloids and lectins. Six of the ten aqueous extracts showed lectin presence and a wide variation in the type and amounts of glycoalkaloids, was found. Results indicate that there is no clear relationship between the antimicrobial activity against the five microorganisms screened and the presence or amounts of lectins and glycoalkaloids, traditionally regarded as possible antimicrobial metabolites in theSolanum genus, which indicates the presence of as yet unidentified antimicrobial compounds.     

Novel food and non-food uses for sorghum and millets

Sorghum and millets have considerable potential in foods and beverages. As they are gluten-free they are suitable for coeliacs. Sorghum is also a potentially important source of nutraceuticals such antioxidant phenolics and cholesterol-lowering waxes. Cakes, cookies, pasta, a parboiled rice-like product and snack foods have been successfully produced from sorghum and, in some cases, millets. Wheat-free sorghum or millet bread remains the main challenge. Additives such as native and pre-gelatinised starches, hydrocolloids, fat, egg and rye pentosans improve bread quality. However, specific volumes are lower than those for wheat bread or gluten-free breads based on pure starches, and in many cases, breads tend to stale faster. Lager and stout beers with sorghum are brewed commercially. Sorghum's high-starch gelatinisation temperature and low beta-amylase activity remain problems with regard to complete substitution of barley malt with sorghum malt . The role of the sorghum endosperm matrix protein and cell wall components in limiting extract is a research focus. Brewing with millets is still at an experimental stage. Sorghum could be important for bioethanol and other bio-industrial products. Bioethanol research has focused on improving the economics of the process through cultivar selection, method development for low-quality grain and pre-processing to recover valuable by-products. Potential by-products such as the kafirin prolamin proteins and the pericarp wax have potential as bioplastic films and coatings for foods, primarily due to their hydrophobicity.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pulque</Emphasis>, An Alcoholic Drink from Rural Mexico,Contains Phytase. Its <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> Effects on Corn Tortilla

Pulque is made by fermenting the agave sap or aguamiel of Agave atrovirens with a whole array of microorganisms present in the environment including several lactic acid bacteria and yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Ascorbic acid was determined in pulque and aguamiel, respectively. Phytase activity in lees, liquid and freeze-dried pulque was assayed by measuring the appearance of phosphate from phytate by a colorimetric method likewise phosphate from phytate present in fresh corn tortilla was measured after in vitro incubation with pulque. Iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and selenium contents were measured in pulque and corn tortilla as well as in nixtamalized corn flour (NCF), the latter is used to make instant tortilla, since corn provides most of the energy as well as most of the phytate in the Mexican rural diet. Pulque showed phytase activity but much less ascorbic acid and iron than previously reported; additionally, phytase in pulque hydrolyzed most of phytate’s corn tortilla. Lees, which is mostly made of pulque’s microbiota, significantly accumulated iron and zinc but no selenium. NCF was fortified with iron by the manufacturers but poorly blended. There were significant differences on selenium content between tortillas samples, apparently some soils in central Mexico are selenium deficient. Moderate pulque intake appears to increase the bioavailability of iron and zinc bound by phytate in corn.