小麦TaWRKY51基因的克隆、表达分析和转基因功能鉴定

WRKY是植物中特有的锌指型转录因子,其广泛参与植物对生物及非生物胁迫的响应过程.本研究从小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)中分离出一个新的WRKY转录因子基因TaWRKY51,其全长cDNA序列长度为1295 bp,其中开放阅读框(ORF)为942 bp,编码一个由313个氨基酸组成的多肽.用半定量RT-PCR进行表达谱分析,结果显示,TaWRKY51基因在分蘖节、叶和根系中的表达水平较高,并且受干旱胁迫诱导上调表达.在拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)中过量表达TaWRKY51基因导致转基因株系侧根数目明显增多,并且对ABA、干旱和盐等胁迫处理的敏感性增加,表明该基因可能在植物响应非生物逆境胁迫信号传导过程中起负调控作用.本研究有助于揭示TaWRKY51基因调控植物侧根发育及响应非生物逆境胁迫的分子机制.     

玉米逆境胁迫响应基因ZmbZIP84的克隆与功能验证

碱性亮氨酸拉链(Basic leucine zipper,bZIP)转录因子是真核生物中分布最广泛、结构极其保守的家族之一,在植物生长进程中发挥重要作用。为验证bZIP转录因子在逆境胁迫中发挥的作用,本研究通过分析转录组数据,筛选到27个参与干旱-复水胁迫的bZIP基因,计算相关性系数、构建共表达网络图发现ZmbZIP84(Zm00001d053988)是核心节点基因;该基因位于玉米第4号染色体,具有高度保守的bZIP结构域;分析理化性质,发现该基因是亲水性蛋白且属于不稳定蛋白;构建系统发育树,发现该基因与柳枝稷和高粱的亲缘关系最近;实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)结果显示,ZmbZIP84在玉米各组织中均有表达,成熟根中的表达量最高;设置20%聚乙二醇(PEG)-6000、42℃高温、200 mmol·L^-1 NaCl以及缺乏铵态氮等模拟试验,发现该基因在高温、干旱、氮处理下表达量显著上调,而在NaCl处理下表达量下调,说明ZmbZIP84基因积极参与并响应非生物胁迫;利用CRISPR/Cas9技术获得ZmbZIP84基因的拟南芥同源基因缺失型纯合突变体,发...     

棉花转录因子GhWRKY11的克隆及功能分析

短季棉(Gossypium hirsutum)的早熟往往伴随着早衰,挖掘和鉴定衰老相关基因对于选育早熟不早衰棉花新品种具有重要意义,而WRKY转录因子广泛参与调控植物衰老过程.本研究克隆了陆地棉WRKY转录因子GhWRKY11(GenBank accession No.JN604988),cDNA全长1 055 bp,包含1 008 bp开放阅读框(open reading frame,ORE),编码335个氨基酸,属于WRKY转录因子Ⅱd亚组.蛋白序列系统进化分析表明,GhWRKY11与拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)AtWRKY11的相似度较高.基因结构分析表明,Gh WRKY11基因有3个外显子和2个内含子.亚细胞定位结果表明,GhWRKY11蛋白定位在洋葱(Allium cepa)表皮的细胞核.qRT-PCR结果分析表明,Gh WRKY11在盛花期的棉花叶片中优势表达,在子叶衰老过程中表达下调.赤霉素(gibberellin,GA3)处理棉花幼苗后,GhWRKY11在2、4、8和12h的表达显著(P＜0.05)或极显著(P＜0.01)上调;水杨酸(salicylic acid,SA)处理后,GhWRKY11的表达量随处理时间的增加而逐渐升高,并且在2、4、8和12h的表达极显著(P＜0.01)上调;同时,GhWRKY11可以在某些时间点被脱落酸(abscisic acid,ABA)、乙烯(ethylene,ET)、H2O2和茉莉酸(jasmonic acid,JA)诱导表达上调.GhWRKY11在受到低温(12℃)胁迫处理时表达上调,且在2、8和12h达极显著(P＜0.01);盐胁迫(200 mmol/L NaCl)处理后,GhWRKY11在2、4、8和12 h的表达显著(P＜0.05)或极显著(P＜0.01)上调;15％聚乙二醇6000(polyethylene glycol 6000,PEG6000)处理后,在12h的表达量极显著(P＜0.01)上调;损伤处理对该基因的表达没有显著影响.播种45 d后,与野生型拟南芥相比,GhWRKY11拟南芥过表达植株衰老延缓,由此推断,GhWRKY11可以延缓植株衰老,初步鉴定GhWRKY11是衰老的负调控因子.该基因的克隆和功能的初步分析为创制转基因抗早衰棉花材料提供基础资料.     

胡萝卜2个DcDREB-A1类转录因子基因的克隆与比较分析

植物DREB类转录因子在植物抗逆性方面具有重要作用。本文以胡萝卜黑田五寸为材料,基于胡萝卜转录组数据,通过RT-PCR方法克隆出2个DREB-A1类转录因子基因Dc DREB-A1-1和Dc DREBA1-2。序列分析显示,这2个基因均没有内含子,长度分别为780bp和669bp,分别编码259和222个氨基酸;预测其蛋白质相对分子质量分别为29.0KD和24.71KD,p I值分别为4.32和4.63。通过对氨基酸亲水/疏水性进行分析,发现这2个转录因子属于亲水性蛋白。实时定量PCR分析表明,Dc DREB-A1-1和Dc DREB-A1-2基因在胡萝卜不同组织中的表达量不同,分别在叶和根中表达量最高。低温(4℃)、高温(38℃)、盐(0.2 mol·L-1Na Cl)、干旱(200 g·L-1PEG)不同时间段处理表达分析显示,Dc DREB-A1-1在低温、高温、盐和干旱胁迫下被显著诱导,高温、盐和干旱处理1 h后表达量达到最高,分别比对照增加14倍、7倍、7倍,低温处理下2 h表达量最高,是对照的18倍;而Dc DREB-A1-2在高温、低温和盐处理下响应明显,高温处理1 h后表达量为对照的12倍,低温和干旱处理下8 h基因表达量分别比对照增加2.4倍、6.2倍,说明2个基因在响应逆境胁迫时表达不同。胡萝卜响应非生物逆境胁迫是一个复杂的过程,本试验对深入研究胡萝卜抗逆分子机制,提高胡萝卜逆境抗性等方面具有较为重要的意义。     

茶树CsDREB-A2转录因子基因的克隆与非生物胁迫响应分析

干旱应答元件结合蛋白(DREB)类转录因子在植物逆境信号转导途径中具有重要的调控作用。为了解AP2/ERF转录因子在茶树逆境胁迫的分子调控机理,本研究从茶树龙井43叶片的cDNA中克隆得到一个编码CsDREB-A2转录因子的基因;对CsDREB-A2基因及其编码蛋白序列特征进行分析,并利用实时荧光定量PCR法检测该基因在茶树不同非生物胁迫处理下的表达水平。结果表明,CsDREB-A2基因开放阅读框为1 056 bp,编码351个氨基酸,其编码氨基酸序列具有AP2保守结构域,包含典型的YRG元件和WLG基序。AP2结构域第14、第19位氨基酸分别为缬氨酸和谷氨酸。拟南芥AP2/ERF家族转录因子的进化分析表明,该转录因子属于DREB亚族的A2组。CsDREB-A2相对分子质量为39 080 Da,理论等电点为5.32,属于亲水性蛋白,主要由α-螺旋和随机卷曲组成,无序化特征明显且存在一个LM无序区域;可能定位于细胞核,不存在信号肽和跨膜结构,属于非分泌蛋白。CsDREB-A2基因在高温(38℃)和干旱(200 g·L^-1 PEG)胁迫下均能快速诱导表达,并显著高于对照,分别在处理4、2 h达到最大值,为对照的20.70和42.90倍,植物在渗透胁迫下,可能通过ABA信号途径调节该基因对干旱的耐受性。高盐(200 mmol·L^-1 NaCl)胁迫下CsDREB-A2基因的表达受抑制,推测其可能存在负调控结构域降低该基因在盐胁迫下的表达量。本试验结果为研究DREB类转录因子在茶树抗逆胁迫的分子调控机制提供了一定的理论参考。     

独行菜LaBBX基因低温表达响应与密码子偏性分析

BBX是调控植物非生物胁迫相关基因表达,响应植物逆境胁迫的重要锌指蛋白类转录因子。为探究BBX在独行菜(Lepidium apetalum)幼苗耐受低温生长中的表达响应及其密码子偏好性,本研究基于独行菜转录组数据,筛选独行菜BBX编码基因的cDNA序列,并从独行菜幼苗中克隆获得全长733 bp的基因编码区序列,命名为LaBBX。序列分析表明,LaBBX由242个氨基酸组成,包含2个B-box锌指蛋白结构域,蛋白分子量为61.66 kDa,等电点为5.09,无信号肽和跨膜区。独行菜幼苗受低温胁迫时,LaBBX基因显著上调表达,6 h上调表达至21倍,且24 h内均呈现高水平表达,说明该转录因子可能在独行菜幼苗受低温胁迫时起重要作用。偏好性分析结果显示,独行菜LaBBX基因的ENc、CAI值和GC含量分别为55.453、0.244和46.78%,其密码子使用偏性较弱,相对偏好使用AT,高频密码子有8个,CDS序列及RSCU聚类分析中与十字花科植物最相近;其偏好性的形成与突变和自然选择等诸多因素相关,酵母菌表达系统更适合作为LaBBX基因的异源表达受体,拟南芥是适宜LaBBX基因的遗传转化受体。本研究为了解独行菜LaBBX基因的异源表达及基因功能提供了重要参考。     

花椰菜AP2/ERF转录因子家族成员BobERF17响应逆境胁迫的表达及功能研究

AP2/ERF为植物特有的一类转录因子超家族,其中ERF家族成员被证实在植物逆境胁迫响应中发挥重要作用。为研究花椰菜中不同ERF转录因子的功能,本研究对花椰菜ERF家族中的一个成员BobERF17进行了克隆、表达及功能探究。序列分析显示,BobERF17编码区全长576 bp,编码一个由191个氨基酸组成的蛋白。聚类分析表明,BobERF17与双子叶植物,特别是芸薹属植物中的ERF17序列具有较高相似性,但与单子叶植物中该转录因子序列差异很大。不同逆境胁迫处理条件下的表达谱分析证实,BobERF17在干旱及高温胁迫条件下均呈现显著上调表达,但对盐及低温胁迫响应不敏感。将构建的BobERF17过表达载体转化入拟南芥,获得过表达BobERF17拟南芥纯合株系。功能分析显示,在拟南芥中过表达BobERF17对转化株的生长发育无明显影响,但可以显著提高转化株对干旱及高温胁迫的耐受。本研究结果证实,BobERF17在花椰菜干旱及高温胁迫中可能发挥重要的正向调控作用,为进一步探究BobERF17的功能及调控机制奠定了基础。     

中间锦鸡儿CiMYBJ2基因克隆及表达分析

MYB转录因子是植物体内最大的转录因子家族之一,参与植物生长发育的调控、对逆境的响应等生理过程。本研究通过RACE技术从中间锦鸡儿(Caragana intermedia)中克隆了一个MYB转录因子Ci MYBJ2(Gen Bank登录号:KJ937783),并对其在植物中的表达及其启动子进行了初步研究。本研究克隆得到该基因c DNA全长1 368 bp,3'UTR长196 bp,5'UTR长203 bp。其中开放阅读框长969 bp,编码一个含322个氨基酸的亲水蛋白。g DNA序列长1 285 bp,有2个内含子和3个外显子。采用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析了Ci MYBJ2的表达模式,结果发现,在高温、脱水、Na Cl、干旱等处理条件下,Ci MYBJ2基因对不同胁迫均有响应。在高温处理后,Ci MYBJ2基因的表达量在1和3 h明显降低,之后维持一个较低值,在不同时间点基因表达量与0 h相比差异均达到极显著水平(P0.01);在脱水处理1 h后Ci MYBJ2基因的表达量上升,且与0 h相比差异极显著(P0.01),然后逐渐降低,在3 h Ci MYBJ2基因的表达量与0 h相比差异不显著(P0.05),在8和12 h该基因的表达量与0 h相比差异均达到极显著(P0.01),在24 h的表达量是0 h的一半,且差异显著(P0.05);在Na Cl处理1 h后Ci MYBJ2基因的转录水平开始增加,3 h达到最高,之后总体呈下降趋势,在8 h表达量最低,在1、3、8和24 h该基因的表达量与0 h相比差异极显著(P0.01),在12 h Ci MYBJ2基因的表达量与0 h相比差异不显著(P0.05);干旱处理6 d后,Ci MYBJ2基因的表达量上升,之后一直下降,且与0 d相比差异达到极显著水平(P0.01),15 d表达量最低。研究结果暗示Ci MYBJ2基因可能在植物对胁迫的响应过程中起作用。利用染色体步移技术克隆了中间锦鸡儿Ci MYBJ2基因启动子序列,长度为873 bp,分析显示,该启动子具有响应多种非生物胁迫的顺式作用元件。研究结果为进一步研究Ci MYBJ2基因功能和表达调控提供了依据。     

巴西橡胶树HbNAC1基因启动子的克隆及序列分析

NAC转录因子是植物特有的一类转录调控因子,在植物的生长发育、激素调节和境胁迫应答中具有重要的功能。为研究NAC转录因子在巴西橡胶树（Hevea brasiliensis）抗逆胁迫中的功能,本项目组根据巴西橡胶树NAC转录因子-HbNAC1基因序列,通过Genome Walking方法从巴西橡胶基因组DNA中获得了长度为1861bp的HbNAC1基因的5＇调控区片段,序列分析表明该段序列含有一个典型的真核生物核心启动子区域,转录起始位点T位于起始密码子上游52bp处。该启动子序列除了含有TATA-box、CAAT-box等基本顺式作用元件外,还具有茉莉酸响应元件以及大量光顺式作用元件和逆境胁迫诱导相关的顺式调控元件,这表明HbNAC1基因在橡胶树逆境胁迫应答过程具有重要功能,其启动子可能是一个光诱导型和组织特异性启动子。     

胡萝卜DcDREB-A6亚族转录因子基因的克隆与非生物胁迫响应分析

干旱响应元件结合蛋白(dehydration responsive element-binding protein,DREB)类转录因子是干旱应答元件的结合蛋白,在植物响应非生物胁迫时发挥重要作用。本研究基于胡萝卜(Daucus carota L.)转录组数据,检索和拼接获得一个胡萝卜DREB类转录因子基因序列,并根据其序列设计引物,采用RTPCR方法从黑田五寸获得该胡萝卜转录因子基因DcDREB-A6(GenBank登录号:KM386646)。序列分析显示,来源于胡萝卜中的DcDREB-A6基因含有993 bp的开放阅读框,编码330个氨基酸。氨基酸组成成分、理化性质、亲水性/疏水性和三级结构分析结果显示,胡萝卜DcDREB-A6转录因子蛋白质分子量为36.68 kD,等电点为6.00,属于亲水性蛋白。进化树分析显示,DcDREB-A6属于APETLA 2/乙烯反应元件结合蛋白(AP2/ERF)家族转录因子中DREB亚族中的A6组。空间结构表明,该转录因子结构域具有典型的植物AP2/ERF家族转录因子的结构特征,有1个α螺旋和3个β折叠。实时定量荧光PCR证实,胡萝卜DcDREB-A6转录因子基因受高温、低温和高盐胁迫诱导,分别在高温、低温处理4和2 h后表达量增加2倍左右;盐胁迫对其影响较大,处理8 h时,基因表达量增加4.6倍;而干旱胁迫下该基因表达变化幅度相对较小。胡萝卜DcDREB-A6转录因子基因能够响应高温、低温、干旱和高盐等非生物胁迫,本研究结果有助于进一步开展胡萝卜DREB类转录因子的逆境调控研究。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.