小麦种子萌发期抗早衰鉴定指标的初步研究

为了探索小麦抗早衰性的早期鉴定指标,采用种子萌发试验比较了不同抗早衰类型的33个小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)品种(系)萌发种子的芽长、胚芽鞘长、主胚根长、种子根数、根系活力、种子贮藏物质转运率、总鲜重、总干重、根芽干重、干物质含量等指标与抗早衰性之间的关系。结果表明,萌发种子的芽长、胚芽鞘长、主胚根长、种子根数、根系活力、总鲜重及根芽干重等7项指标均与小麦抗早衰性无明显相关性;萌发种子的总干重、干物质含量与小麦抗早衰性有部分相关性,但不能准确区分抗早衰型和典型早衰型品种(系);种子贮藏物质转运率能较好区分不同抗早衰类型的小麦品种,可作为小麦种子萌发期抗早衰性的鉴定指标。     

小麦苗期耐低氮胁迫的基因型差异

为了确定适宜的小麦耐低氮基因型筛选指标,采用温室水培方法系统评价了不同年代的32个小麦品种苗期耐低氮胁迫的基因型差异.结果表明,低氮条件下小麦形态和生理指标有显著的基因型差异.主成分分析表明.植株干重、植株氮积累量、地上干重、植株氮舍量、根冠比、根长的耐性指数在四个主成分中占较大比重;相关性分析表明,植株氮积累量与植株干重、植株氮含量耐性指数相关达到极显著水平.地上干重与根冠比和根长的耐性指数相关达到显著水平;不同小麦基因型的植株氮积累量与地上干重耐性指数存在较大变异(CV>15%).因此,植株氮积累量以及地上干重的耐性指数适合作为筛选指标.这32个小麦品种可分为低氮敏感型、中间型和耐低氮型.     

干旱胁迫对不同抗旱性小麦种子萌发及幼苗根芽生物量分配的影响

为探讨冬小麦种子萌发期抗旱性与幼苗生物量分配的关系,以小麦抗旱型品种长旱58和干旱敏感型品种漯麦18为材料,采用聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)模拟干旱胁迫的方法,测定和分析了干旱胁迫后小麦种子发芽率、幼苗根冠比、叶绿素含量等16个指标的变化。结果表明,干旱胁迫后,长旱58种子发芽率无明显变化,漯麦18种子发芽率显著下降。干旱胁迫下长旱58种子发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数和干物质转移量显著大于漯麦18,平均发芽时间显著小于漯麦18,长旱58幼苗根、芽的长度和干重及总干重均显著高于漯麦18。干旱胁迫显著增加漯麦18幼苗根冠比,对长旱58萌发第五和第七天的幼苗根冠比无显著影响。干旱胁迫显著降低漯麦18幼苗叶绿素含量,对长旱58无显著影响。由于小麦萌发期幼苗干物质累积取决于种子中营养物质的转移和呼吸消耗,因此推测种子营养物质的快速转移和低呼吸消耗有助于提高小麦萌发期的抗旱能力,促进干旱胁迫下种子萌发和幼苗生长。     

欧山羊草6Ub染色体附加对小麦萌发期抗旱性的改良作用

为探究欧山羊草U~b染色体附加对普通小麦抗旱性的遗传改良作用,选取2个普通小麦-欧山羊草异附加系(Ae9041和Ae9061,均附加了一对6U~b染色体)和3个普通小麦品种为材料,以聚乙二醇(PEG6000)模拟干旱胁迫,研究了不同小麦材料干旱胁迫后种子发芽势、发芽率、胚芽鞘长度、种子根数、胚根长度、幼苗高度以及贮藏物质利用率等抗旱相关指标的变化。结果表明,干旱胁迫抑制了各供试材料的种子萌发,且胁迫程度越大,抑制越明显。在相同浓度PEG6000处理下,两个异附加系的种子发芽势、发芽率和贮藏物质利用率的表现较为一致,且差异不显著。与耐旱品种晋麦47和节水品种石4185相比,Ae9041和Ae9061的幼苗胚芽鞘长、种子发芽率和贮藏物质利用率在干旱胁迫下均较高。在30%PEG6000胁迫下,Ae9041和Ae9061的种子发芽势、发芽率、幼苗胚芽鞘长、胚根长、幼苗高度均显著高于亲本中国春。由此可见,普通小麦-欧山羊草异附加系种子在干旱胁迫下能迅速吸水并整齐萌发,以发达的根系和较长的胚芽鞘促进幼苗地上部生长,并将胚乳营养快速转运至幼苗中,从而促进其较快地进行形态建成,也说明欧山羊草U~b染色体的附加能够改良小麦萌发期的抗旱性。     

外源硝态氮对高铵胁迫下小麦幼苗生长的影响

为明确外源硝态氮对高铵胁迫下小麦幼苗生长的影响及其生化机理,采用温室水培的方式,以豫麦49(耐高铵品种)和鲁麦15(高铵敏感型品种)为材料,研究了外源硝态氮对高铵胁迫下小麦幼苗形态、激素含量和抗氧化系统的影响。结果表明,高铵胁迫条件下,外源硝态氮显著增加两个小麦品种株高、根长、干重,其中鲁麦15的地上部干重增加量高于豫麦49,而根系干重增加量则表现为豫麦49高于鲁麦15。高铵胁迫下,两个小麦品种植株的IAA、CTK含量、IAA/CTK显著低于对照;外源硝态氮处理5 d后,豫麦49地上部和根系IAA含量、根系CTK含量显著增加,恢复至对照水平;鲁麦15植株虽亦表现显著增加,但仍低于对照。另外,外源硝态氮对高铵胁迫下两个小麦品种地上部和根系的O■释放速率、SOD和POD活性及MDA含量没有显著影响。综上,外源硝态氮缓解小麦幼苗生长高铵胁迫的原因可能是通过增加IAA和CTK合成和转运,影响IAA和CTK之间的平衡,进而达到缓解效果。品种间比较,耐铵型品种豫麦49缓解作用可能源于对地上部和根系IAA含量以及根系CTK含量的协同调控;而高铵敏感型品种鲁麦15的缓解作用可能主要源于对地上部IAA含量的调控。     

小麦专用复方抗旱型浸种剂和包衣剂抗旱机理的初步研究

为探讨小麦复方抗旱型浸种剂和包衣剂的抗旱机理及给其推广应用提供理论依据,以小麦品种临麦2号为材料,研究了干旱胁迫条件下小麦用复方抗旱型包衣剂和浸种剂及普通包衣剂处理后小麦种子萌发、幼苗生长、光合等生理指标的变化.结果表明,与普通包衣剂处理和对照相比,抗旱型包衣剂处理的小麦种子萌发率、发芽势降低,而抗旱型浸种剂处理的种子萌发率、发芽势升高,两种抗旱型种子处理剂处理下小麦幼苗根数和根长均显著增加.除气孔间隙CO2浓度外,抗旱型浸种剂和抗旱型包衣剂处理的幼苗地上部干重、叶片持水力和MDA含量低于对照和普通包衣剂处理,根干重、根冠比、叶绿素含量、气孔导度、净光合速率、硝酸还原酶活性、过氧化氢酶活性均明显高于后二者,其中抗旱型浸种剂处理效果较佳.说明在干旱胁迫下复方抗旱型包衣剂和浸种剂处理可显著增加小麦幼苗根系生长、抗氧化、硝态氮利用和光合性能,浸种剂还可促进种子萌发,从而降低干旱胁迫对幼苗造成的伤害,提高小麦抗旱能力;抗旱型浸种剂表现优于包衣剂.     

增强小麦种子萌发期抗旱性的植物生长调节物质的筛选与评价

为筛选能增强小麦萌发期抗旱性的植物生长调节物质,以绵麦228为材料,选用21种植物生长调节物质浸种24h,以清水浸种为对照,在20%PEG6000模拟干旱胁迫条件下,测定各处理的小麦种子发芽势、发芽率、发芽指数及苗高、胚芽鞘长度、根长、根数、根冠比、种子贮藏物质转运率等性状,并通过加权隶属函数法评价21种生长调节物质增强小麦萌发期抗旱性的综合效果。结果表明,在PEG6000胁迫下,供试的大部分植物生长调节物质均能在一定程度上增强小麦种子萌发期的抗旱能力,表现为种子发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数提高,苗高、胚芽鞘长度、根长和根数增加,根冠比、贮藏物质转运速率增大;不同植物生长调节物质对小麦萌发期抗旱能力的调控程度存在一定差异。通过加权隶属函数法分析,综合评价值(D值)排在前5位的植物生长调节物质分别为乙烯利、黄腐酸、氯化胆碱、赤霉素、吲哚丁酸·萘乙酸。除根长、根冠比外,其他鉴定指标与D值均呈显著或极显著正相关,其中苗高的相关系数最大(0.80),因此种子发芽势、发芽率、发芽指数、苗高、胚芽鞘长度、根数、种子贮藏物质转运率等指标可作为植物生长调节物质浸种调控小麦萌发期抗旱性的评价指标。     

磷、铝胁迫对玉米幼苗生长和养分吸收的影响

选取5个基因型玉米品种,采用营养液培养,研究低磷和铝毒条件下不同基因型玉米苗期生长状况及对磷、钾、钙、镁、铁、锌的吸收。结果表明,耐低磷基因型玉米品种适应低磷的能力较强,具有较长的根系和较大的根干重,株高受低磷的影响明显小于敏感基因型玉米品种。低磷胁迫增大了植株的根冠比,改变了植株对营养元素的吸收及其地上部和根系的分配。铝胁迫下,铝敏感基因型玉米品种根伸长受到铝的抑制作用大于耐铝基因型玉米品种,各种营养元素的吸收累积明显受抑制,耐铝基因型玉米品种地上部和根系相对干重下降较少,而敏感基因型玉米品种相对干重显著下降。     

渗透胁迫条件下不同抗旱性小麦品种萌发期生理生化指标的变化

为给小麦苗期抗旱鉴定提供依据。以17个抗旱性不同的小麦品种为材料，在渗透胁迫（-0．975MPa）条件下。研究了小麦萌发后期部分生理生化指标的变化，并在旱棚池栽控水条件下对品种的抗旱性进行了比较鉴定。结果表明，在渗透胁迫条件下，不同小麦品种萌发期胚芽鞘的脯氨酸含量、胚芽鞘和胚根的MDA含量升高，而胚芽鞘和胚根的SOD、CAT活性以及可溶性蛋白质含量下降。其中胚芽鞘脯氨酸含量、CAT活性、SOD活性均与抗旱指数、抗旱系数相关极显著，反映抗旱性强弱趋势基本一致，可作为小麦早期的抗旱性鉴定指标。渗透胁迫条件下胚芽鞘脯氨酸、CAT和SOD的T／CK值（胁迫测定值／对照值）分别大于2．2、0．8和0．8为强抗旱性品种，而抗旱性弱的品种则分别小于1.5、0．65和0．4。     

抗旱性不同的春小麦品种籽粒萌发期α-淀粉酶活性及其同工酶分析

为了解春小麦萌发期生理生化变化对干旱胁迫的响应及为早期抗旱筛选鉴定提供科学依据,选用抗旱性不同的9个春小麦品种为材料,在20%聚乙二醇(PEG6000)干旱胁迫下和非干旱胁迫下进行萌发试验,研究了α-淀粉酶活性及其同工酶的表达.结果表明:1)在两种胁迫处理下,α-淀粉酶活性在品种间都存在着差异,但干旱胁迫下抗旱品种α-淀粉酶活性显著高于干旱敏感品种;2)α-淀粉酶活性与胚芽鞘长度之间呈显著正相关;3)在20%PEG6000胁迫下,抗旱品种α-淀粉酶同工酶受抑制较小,条带较多,胚芽鞘长度与主胚根长度受抑制较小.因此认为,抗旱品种在干旱胁迫下有着较高的萌发势,可能与具有表达α-淀粉酶同工酶的强势基因型有关;干旱胁迫下α-淀粉酶活性和r淀粉酶同工酶可以作为春小麦抗旱性筛选和鉴定的指标.     

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.     

Pharmacokinetics of Marine-Derived Drugs

Marine organisms represent an excellent source of innovative compounds that have the potential for the development of new drugs. The pharmacokinetics of marine drugs has attracted increasing interest in recent decades due to its effective and potential contribution to the selection of rational dosage recommendations and the optimal use of the therapeutic arsenal. In general, pharmacokinetics studies how drugs change after administration via the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). This review provides a summary of the pharmacokinetics studies of marine-derived active compounds, with a particular focus on their ADME. The pharmacokinetics of compounds derived from algae, crustaceans, sea cucumber, fungus, sea urchins, sponges, mollusks, tunicate, and bryozoan is discussed, and the pharmacokinetics data in human experiments are analyzed. In-depth characterization using pharmacokinetics is useful for obtaining information for understanding the molecular basis of pharmacological activity, for correct doses and treatment schemes selection, and for more effective drug application. Thus, an increase in pharmacokinetic research on marine-derived compounds is expected in the near future.     

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.