少动鞘氨醇单胞菌ZX4儿茶酚2,3-双加氧酶基因的克隆与序列分析

利用PCR扩增分离得到了少动鞘氨醇单胞菌(Sphingomonas paucimobotis)ZX4菌株的儿茶酚2，3-双加氧酶基因(c230-ZX4)。核苷酸序列测定与分析表明，该基因片段全长924bp且具有一个完整的阅读框，编码306个氨基酸残基。序列分析结果表明，该基因与已报道的来自菌株Sph.yanoitcuyae B1和Sphingomonas sp．KMG425的xylE基因(编码产物均为C23O)具有较高的核酸序列同源性，分别为94．37％和94．05％；与研究较多的Pseudomonas putida的TOL型质粒pWWO上的xylE基因同源性仅为57．79％。与其同源性较高的xylE基因编码的多肽氨基酸序列比较发现，c23O-ZX4编码产物的第86、92、113、125、126、182、185、186、216及218位的氨基酸残基均有所不同。     

大麦核糖体失活蛋白基因的克隆及序列分析

大麦核糖体失活蛋白属于Ｉ型核糖体失活蛋白，具有抗真菌特性。我们以大麦基因组ＤＮＡ为模板，通过合成５’－端及３’－端的一对特异引物，利用多聚酶链式反应（ＰＣＲ）扩增出了大麦核糖体失活蛋白编码序列，随后将其克隆到Ｅ．ｃｏｌｉ质粒上，序列分析表明，大麦核糖体失活蛋白基因由８４６个核苷酸组成，编码由２８１个氨基酸残基组合的多肽，与发表序列相比较，核苷酸序列及推导的氨基酸序理的同源性分别为９３．１％和９２％     

猪伪狂犬病病毒GB株蛋白激酶(PK)基因的克隆及序列分析比较

以伪狂犬病病毒GB株细胞培养物为模板，用PCR方法扩增蛋白激酶(PK)基因，对其进行了克隆、序列测定，并与PRV NIA-3株、Ka株和其他α-疱疹病毒进行了同源性比较。结果显示：所扩增的PK基因片段长1396bp，该片段包含一个开放阅读框(ORF)，长1005bp，编码由334个氨基酸组成的蛋白质。与NIA-3株及Ka株的核苷酸同源性为98．4％和97．5％，基因编码区氨基酸序列的同源性为98．2%和96．4％。具有真核细胞丝氨酸／苏氨酸蛋白激酶氨基酸亚结构域特征序列，而且α-疱疹病毒PK基因具有一些特征性的、共有的氨基酸序列。为今后研究PK基因的功能和构建PK缺失株奠定了基础。     

嗜水气单胞菌aer毒素基因的克隆及核苷酸序列分析

以自行分离的嗜水单胞菌分离株AHCS02为研究对象,分析其产生的aer毒素基因结构.根据GenBank中aer毒素的基因序列（M16495）,设计扩增编码aer毒素成熟蛋白基因的引物,以AHCS02的基因组DNA为模板,PCR扩增出长度为1 332 bp的核苷酸片段,进行pMD18-T载体克隆.酶切鉴定后进行序列测定和分析,结果表明扩增的片段与M16495的同源性达92%,将测得的序列登录GenBank数据库,所得的序列编号为AY136943.分析推导其核苷酸编码的氨基酸序列显示：其编码443个氨基酸,为aer毒素成熟蛋白的基因,与M16495相比,氨基酸差异主要集中在422氨基酸残基至436氨基酸残基的位置上,在这个位置上共有8个氨基酸残基发生变化,其中在435和437氨基酸残基之间有一个氨基酸密码子丢失,氨基酸的同源性达95.5%.证明aer毒素基因的5＇端保守,3＇端变异较大.     

大肠杆菌海藻糖磷酸合酶基因的克隆

根据报道的大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli)海藻糖－6－磷酸合酶基因（otsA)，设计引物，通过PCR技术从大肠杆菌XLI菌株的总DNA中扩增到一个1．4kb片段。经克隆、测序分析，该片段长1425bp并含一完整的开放读框（ORF）。在核苷酸水平上，该ORF与已报道的otsA基因具有99．86％的同源性。在氨基酸水平上，其推断性的编码产物蛋白与OtsA具有100％一致性。     

花生矮化病毒(PSV) Mi株系 RNA3全序列分析

完成了中国花生矮化病毒(Peanut stunt virus,PSV)Mi株系RNA3全序列分析。PSV—MiRNA3全长2170个核苷酸，含两个开放阅读框架(ORE)，分别编码3a运动蛋白和壳蛋白(CP)。PSV-MiRNA3核苷酸序列和PSV亚组IER和J株系同源性为77．7％和78．5％，与亚组ⅡW株系同源性为76．7％；同一亚组ER和J株系RNA3序列同源性为91％。PSV—Mi3a和cp基因与PSV-ER，J and W株系同源性分别为78．3％～79．3％和74．4％～77．8％。PSV-Mi 3a和CP蛋白氨基酸序列与PSV-ER，J and W株系同源性分别为73．90%-77．4％和64．80%-77．5％。PSV-Mi RNA35’UTR和IR区域有较大的变异性，与PSV—ER，J and W株系序列同源性分别为78．4％79．8％和70．2％。73．2％，明显低于亚组Ⅰ、Ⅱ两个亚组间株系在这两个区域序列同源性。上述结果说明我国PSV Mi株系不同于已报道的PSV两个亚组，独自构成一个新亚组，即亚组Ⅲ。     

番鸭源小鹅瘟病毒PT株VP基因的克隆与序列分析

为了获得番鸭(Cairina moschata)源小鹅瘟病毒(Goose parvovirus,GPV)结构蛋白VP基因的相关信息,根据国内外已发表鹅源GPV与番鸭细小病毒(Muscovy duck parvovirus,MDPV)全基因序列,应用DNAStar分子生物学软件设计一对引物,应用高保真PCR技术扩增番鸭源小鹅瘟病毒PT株(GPV PT株)VP全基因序列.将扩增得到的VP全基因克隆到pMD 18-T载体上,获得的重组质粒经PCR鉴定后进行序列测定.结果表明,PT株VP全基因大小为2 199 bp,编码732个氨基酸(GenBank登录号:JF926695),与番鸭源小鹅瘟病毒GPV DY株核苷酸及其推导氨基酸同源性分别为98.8％和98.8％,高于鹅源GPV与MDPV参考毒株.在国内外首次发现番鸭源GPV VP基因VP1独特区具有MDPV核苷酸序列特征,而VP2基因具有鹅源GPV核苷酸序列特征.本研究从番鸭源GPV PT株成功克隆到结构蛋白全基因序列,为深入研究番鸭源GPV的起源及水禽细小病毒遗传衍化提供参考.     

PR—1a蛋白基因的克隆及序列分析

以珊西烟草（Nicotina tabacum cv. Xanthi-nc）的基因组DNA为模板，通过合成一对特异性引物，利用多聚酶链式反应（PCR）扩增获得PR－1a蛋白基因。将其克隆到E.coli质粒上进行序列分析。结果表明：该基因由504个碱基组成，编码168个氨基酸。与已发表序列相比较，核苷酸序列及推导出的氨基酸序列的同源性分别为99.9%和100％。     

引起免疫失败的IBV分离株的生物学特性及结构基因分析

本研究应用鸡胚尿囊腔接种的方法,从广西患传染性支气管炎的免疫失败的病鸡中分离到一株传染性支气管炎病毒（IBV）（命名GX-YL5）,通过间接血凝试验、动物回归试验和气管环交叉中和试验对该毒株进行鉴定和主要生物学特性的研究,同时利用RT-PCR技术扩增克隆该病毒的S1基因和N基因并测定其核苷酸序列。结果表明：该病毒株有间接血凝性;致病性较强;血清型不同于常用疫苗株H120、Ma5、4／91。同源性分析表明,S1基因核苷酸和氨基酸序列与参考株的同源性分别为63.5％-81.2％和50.7％-78.8％;N基因核苷酸和氨基酸序列与参考株的同源性分别为85.7％-87.2％和89.5％-91.7％;S1基因和N基因系统进化分析表明分离株与其它参考毒株的亲缘关系较远。S1基因和N基因分型与血清学试验结果相吻合。本研究结果提示了广西分离株GX-YL5可能是一个新的变异株,这可能是目前免疫失败的重要因素,同时也为研制适合本地使用的IBV疫苗提供了科学依据和物质基础。     

新城疫病毒F48E8株血凝素-神经氨酸酶基因的序列分析

报道了新城疫病毒（ＮＤＶ）中国标准强毒Ｆ４８Ｅ８株血凝素－神经氨酸酶（ＨＮ）基因的核苷酸序列及据此推导的氨基醉序列。该基因长１８６０ｂｐ,编码区长１７１３ｂｐ,编码５７１个氨基酸。氨基酸序列中,有一由２３个氨基酸组成的疏水性跨膜结构、１３个半胱氨酸残基和５个可糖基化位点。Ｆ４８Ｅ８株与Ｉｔａｌｉｅｎ株、ＴｅｘａｓＧＢ株的氨基酸同源性分别为９３．３％和９１．１％。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Karyotypic and genome size variation in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea) and some wild relatives

Detailed karyotypes and 4C DNA amounts have been studied in five cultivars of Cajanus cajan and 20 species belonging to Cajanus, Rhynchosia, Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx. C. cajan shows intraspecific variability and its karyotype is most similar to that of C. cajanifolius (sect. Cajanus) in the morphology and number of satellite chromosomes and the lack of any correlation between chromosome size within the complement and asymmetry. Karyotypes of C. lineatus and C. sericeus belonging to sect. Atylia are similar with respect to maximum r-index and the ratio of longest and shortest chromosomes in their respective complements. C. acutifolius (sect. Frutocosa) is distinct in having a very low ratio (1.44) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes, while in C. albicans, C. goensis, C. scarabaeoides (sect. Cantharospermum) there is no chromosome pair with r-index >2.0. C. mollis and C. volubilis (sect. Volubilis) show similarity with regard to ratio between the longest and the shortest chromosomes and a distinct chromosome pair with an arm ratio of 2.7 and C. platycarpus is distinct (sect. Rhynchosoides) in having the smallest ratio (1.36) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes. 4C DNA amounts in Cajanus and Rhynchosia vary between 3.28 pg to 11.69 pg and 4.92 pg to 11.13 pg respectively, while in Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx these vary between 4.70 and 7:06 pg. In the genus Cajanus karyotypic features and 4C DNA amounts agree with the sectional classification and bring out a close relationship between C. cajan and C. cajanifolius. This is supported by studies based on seed protein patterns, isozyme analysis, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor patterns, RFLP and RAPD data and crossability relationships. A clear relation between DNA amount and abnormalities effecting the extent of pairing and recombination in interspecific hybrids shows the importance of this study in developing future breeding programme involving C. cajan and its wild relatives that are of potential value.     

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.