奶牛B2M基因单倍型组合与乳腺Fc受体(FcRn)mRNA表达丰度的相关分析

为研究奶牛B2M基因多态性与FcRn相对表达丰度之间的相关性以提高乳中IgG的转运量.本研究采集40头健康中国荷斯坦奶牛的乳腺组织样本,提取组织DNA后特异性扩增B2M基因片段,回收测序,根据测序结果寻找SNPs位点并分型,提取乳腺组织总RNA并反转录为cDNA,再利用Real-time PCR方法检测FcRn mRNA表达丰度.结果发现了3个B2M基因SNPs位点,能组成4种单倍型组合,其中单倍型组合H4的FcRn mRNA表达丰度最高,显著高于其他3种单倍型组合(P＜0.05),但单倍型组合H1,H2和H3之间差异均不显著(P＞0.05).B2M基因单倍型组合能影响奶牛乳腺FcRn mRNA表达丰度.     

TLR4基因在小尾寒羊乳房炎乳腺组织中的表达

Toll样受体4(Toll-like receptor 4,TLR4)是一种Ⅰ型跨膜蛋白,广泛表达于哺乳动物细胞表面,在抗感染免疫中发挥重要作用.为探讨TLR4基因在大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli引起的小尾寒羊(Ovis aries)乳房炎的乳腺组织中的表达情况,本实验以大肠杆菌(O113型)人工感染小尾寒羊乳房,建立乳房炎病理模型,采用qRT-PCR检测TLR4基因在正常乳腺组织和感染大肠杆菌后乳腺组织中的相对表达量,用蛋白免疫印迹(Western blot,WB)和免疫组织化学(immunohistochemistry,IHC)SP法研究了正常乳腺组织和感染大肠杆菌后乳腺组织中TLR4蛋白的表达量和组织内分布.结果显示,正常乳腺组织和感染大肠杆菌后乳腺组织中均有TLR4的表达,而感染后48 h时TLR4 mRNA和蛋白相对表达量最高,96 h时TLR4mRNA和蛋白相对表达量显著低于48 h(P＜0.05),正常对照组TLR4的相对表达量最低(P＜0.05).免疫组织化学染色发现,正常乳腺组织和感染大肠杆菌后的乳腺组织中乳腺腺泡上皮均有TLR4阳性表达,与对照组相比,感染后阳性表达明显增强(P＜0.05).本研究结果表明,小尾寒羊感染大肠杆菌后乳腺组织中TLR4的表达明显上调,这为进一步研究TLR4在绵羊乳房炎发病过程中的作用机制提供了基础资料.     

SOD2基因在临床型乳房炎绵羊乳腺组织中的表达与定位

超氧化物歧化酶2(superoxide dismutase 2,SOD2)基因作为内源性抗氧化防御屏障重要组成部分,在抗肿瘤、抗炎症、抗衰老、预防疾病等方面发挥着重要的作用。为探讨SOD2基因在临床型乳房炎与正常绵羊(Ovis aries)乳腺组织中的表达与定位情况。实验选取临床型乳房炎与正常绵羊各3只,采集乳腺组织,应用荧光定量PCR和Western blot方法检测SOD2 mRNA与蛋白在正常与临床型乳房炎绵羊乳腺组织中的表达情况,并应用免疫组织化学方法对正常与临床型乳房炎绵羊乳腺组织中的SOD2蛋白进行定位。结果显示,临床型乳房炎与正常绵羊乳腺组织中均有SOD2基因的表达,且临床型乳房炎乳腺组织中该基因的mRNA与蛋白表达均极显著高于对照组(P0.01);免疫组织化学染色发现,正常与临床型乳房炎绵羊乳腺组织中的乳腺上皮细胞均有SOD2阳性表达,且临床型乳房炎绵羊乳腺组织中该蛋白的阳性反应较强。研究结果表明,临床型乳房炎绵羊乳腺组织中SOD2 mRNA和蛋白表达均上调,这为进一步研究该基因与绵羊乳房炎发病机理提供了基础性的数据资料。     

JAK2/STAT3信号通路对小鼠骨骼肌发育和能量代谢相关基因mRNA表达的影响

利用AG490特异性抑制剂阻断Janus蛋白酪氨酸激酶2(JAK2)/信号转导和转录激活子3(STAT3)信号通路,研究该通路对骨骼肌发育和能量代谢相关基因mRNA表达水平的影响.雄性健康昆明小白鼠(Mus musculus),用JAK2特异性抑制剂AG490连续腹腔注射15 d,定期测体重和体温,小鼠处死后取腿肌提取总RNA,利用RT-PCR检测JAK2/STAT3信号通路关键因子JAK2和STAT3、骨骼肌发育相关基因成肌分化因子(MyoD)和生肌决定因子(Myf5)及能量代谢相关基因肝X受体(LXRα)和解偶联蛋白3(UCP3)mRNA表达.结果显示,与对照组相比,处理组小鼠体重下降,差异显著(P<0.05);小鼠体温维持在正常浮动范围内;JAK2和STAT3mRNA表达量下降,差异显著(P<0.05);骨骼肌发育相关基因MyoD和Myf5mRNA表达量下降,差异极显著(P<0.01);能量代谢相关基因LXRα和UCP3 mRNA表达量下降,差异极显著(P<0.01).结果提示JAK2/STAT3信号通路可通过降低骨骼肌发育和能量代谢相关基因的mRNA表达而调节骨骼肌发育和能量代谢.     

应用地高辛标记探针原位杂交方法检测仔猪小肠FcRn的表达

摘 要：【研究目的】旨在建立检测仔猪小肠FcRn表达的地高辛标记探针原位杂交的方法,研究FcRn在仔猪小肠各段的表达分布。【方法】根据GenBank公布的猪FcRn 重链（α链）mRNA基因保守序列设计并合成带地高辛标记的原位杂交试验用cDNA探针。经仔猪小肠冰冻组织切片最佳厚度选择,以及H2O2溶液祛除小肠组织中内源性辣根过氧化物酶作用对杂交结果的影响,选择合适的固定剂、细胞膜蛋白消化剂、杂交液和确定杂交反应的温度、时间以及杂交后处理等一系列试验条件优化,建立了检测仔猪小肠FcRn mRNA的原位杂交方法。【结果】①仔猪小肠冰冻组织切片最佳厚度为14 μm;②仔猪小肠内存在内源性辣根过氧化物酶,3％的H2O2溶液祛除该酶的效果良好,但在本研究中内源性辣根过氧化物酶的存在试验结果并无明显影响,无需祛除;③在仔猪十二指肠、空肠和回肠组织的小肠腺和粘膜下层等部位存在棕黄色阳性颗粒,均检测到清晰的杂交信号。【结论】应用地高辛标记探针进行仔猪小肠FcRn mRNA的原位杂交方法检测效果良好;FcRn mRNA在仔猪十二指肠、空肠和回肠组织等营养物质吸收部位均有表达,提示FcRn在这些部位的存在与肠道IgG转运的相关性。     

大白菜-结球甘蓝AT4系列易位系抽薹相关基因的表达分析

未熟抽薹会对大白菜(Brassica rapa ssp.pekinensis)生产造成重大损失.为研究大白菜抽薹开花相关基因,本研究对添加结球甘蓝(B.oleracea var.capitata)4号染色体片段的大白菜耐抽薹和易抽薹易位系间存在差异的cDNA-扩增片段长度多态性(cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism,cDNA-AFLP)条带进行回收测序,其差异条带的同源性比对和功能性分析结果表明,差异基因可分为3种:转录翻译类、信号传导类和膜运输类.其功能预测涉及细胞物质运输、信号转导、物质能量代谢、胁迫应答、基因表达调控、细胞周期等.对其中8条序列进行qRT-PCR检测结果表明,在春化处理过程中P65M58-11、P65M58-12和P75M47-9在极晚抽薹材料中表达量峰值极显著高于极早抽薹材料,P65M58-11和P65M58-12条带的表达量峰值出现在春化处理14d时.而P75M47-9在极晚抽薹材料中表达量峰值出现在春化处理7d,在极早抽薹材料中从春化处理开始就呈现出下调趋势;P77M58-9、P77M58-12、P63M49-8-1和P63M61-4-2在极晚抽薹材料中表达量峰值极显著低于极早抽薹材料,P63M49-8-1在极早抽薹材料中表达量的峰值出现在春化处理7d,而在极晚抽薹材料中从春化处理7d后表达量逐渐上调.P77M58-9、P77M58-12和P63M61-4-2表达量峰值出现在春化处理14d时;另外P63M49-1-2条带在极晚抽薹和极早抽薹两种材料中表达量差异无明显规律,在极早抽薹材料中表达量峰值出现在春化处理7d时,而在极晚抽薹材料中峰值出现在春化处理21d时.本研究获得了在6个易位系、2个自交系、2个商品种的耐抽薹和易抽薹材料间表达量及表达模式存在差异的8个基因,为深入挖掘大白菜抽薹开花相关基因、开展基因功能验证以及获得耐抽薹大白菜材料提供基础资料.     

miR-378基因敲除对小鼠脂肪分解的影响

在饥饿状态下,机体脂肪内参与能量代谢的许多基因会发生改变来适应环境的变化,从而维持人(Homo sapiens)和动物在没有食物摄入时的生存需要。为了探究mi R-378在短期饥饿(24 h)状态下脂肪代谢中发挥的作用,本研究采用野生型和mi R-378基因敲除型小鼠(Mus musculus)为材料,分别对小鼠进行正常饲喂及高脂诱导,采集两月龄及高脂诱导两个月的小鼠棕色脂肪、腹股沟脂肪、性腺脂肪、肾周脂肪及皮下脂肪组织,利用q RT-PCR检测脂肪合成和分解相关基因m RNA的表达量,来探讨饥饿状态下mi R-378基因敲除对脂肪分解的影响。实验表明在饥饿状态下脂肪合成基因Pparγ表达量降低,而脂肪分解基因激素敏感脂肪酶(hormone sensitive lipase,HSL)、长链脂酰辅酶A合成酶1(acyl-Col synthetase long-chain family member 1,Acsl1)和长链脂酰辅酶A脱氢酶(acyl-Coenzyme A dehydrogenase,long-chain,Acadl)表达量升高,同时mi R-378在脂肪中的表达量有所升高。mi R-378敲除组与野生组相比在饥饿时脂肪分解标志基因下调。研究结果表明,mi R-378可促进禁食状态下脂肪组织的分解,敲除mi R-378后抑制禁食状态下脂肪组织的分解。本研究确定了mi R-378可作为重要的调节因子影响小鼠脂肪的分解,为人及其他动物脂肪分解的研究提供了重要的理论依据。     

牛MEN1基因真核表达载体的构建及其表达分析

多发性内分泌腺瘤致病因子1 (multiple endocrine neoplasia Ⅰ,MEN1)参与乳腺发育与泌乳行为的调控.本研究克隆了牛(Bos taurus) MEN1基因(bMEN1)的全长cDNA,并在不同细胞中检测bMEN1mRNA及其编码蛋白menin的表达情况.根据GenBank中bMEN1基因序列,设计特异性引物,用qRT-PCR方法得到附带EcoR Ⅰ和HindⅢ酶切位点的bMEN1片段,并将其克隆到真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-myc-his(A)中.体外转染物种同源性细胞牛乳腺上皮细胞(bovine mammary gland epithelial cell,MAC-T)和异源性细胞中国仓鼠(Cricetulus barabensis)卵巢细胞(Chinese hamster ovary cells,CHO)、小鼠(Mus musculus)成肌细胞(mouse myoblast cells,C2C12),利用qRT-PCR和Westem blot技术检测转染前后bMEN1 mRNA和蛋白menin的表达.双酶切和基因测序结果表明,成功构建了bMEN1基因的真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-myc-his-bMEN1.所建立的转染体系可以使目的基因bMEN1在3种不同细胞中成功表达mRNA和目的蛋白,转染后24 h都达到最高表达量,并达到极显著水平(P＜0.01),之后逐渐降低.其中,CHO细胞中的转染24 h后bMEN1 mRNA和menin蛋白的表达量分别是对照的28 415倍和5.65倍.本研究建立了bMEN1基因的真核表达载体及其转染体系,能够在不同细胞中成功表达,为体外研究MEN1基因对于乳腺的调节功能及其对于机体代谢的调节机制提供了一种工具和技术体系.     

仔猪组织基因表达中实时定量PCR内参基因的选择

实时定量PCR研究中需要选择表达稳定性高的内参基因才能准确地校正目标基因的表达量。以仔猪不同组织为研究对象,应用实时荧光定量PCR技术,检测了beta-肌动蛋白（ACTB）、beta-2-微球蛋白（B2M）、3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶（GAPDH）、羟甲基胆素合成酶（HMBS）、次黄嘌呤鸟嘌呤磷酸核糖转移酶1（HPRT1）、核糖体蛋白L4（RPL4）、琥珀酸脱氢酶（亚基A）（SDHA）、TATA盒结合蛋白1（TBP1）和酪氨酸3-单氧化酶/色氨酸5-单氧化酶激活蛋白zeta多肽（YWHAZ）共9个看家基因mRNA水平的表达情况。经geNorm程序统计学分析处理,结果表明,9个看家基因的表达稳定性为HMBS和HPRT1〉RPL4〉TBP1〉B2M〉YWHAZ〉SDHA〉GAPDH〉ACTB,确定了HMBS基因在仔猪不同组织中用于校正目标基因的表达量为最佳选择,而RPL4基因则可以作为高转录本的内参基因。     

牛肌肉卫星细胞向胰岛素分泌细胞的诱导转分化研究

肌肉卫星细胞是源自中胚层的肌源干细胞,具有增殖分化融合成肌管并形成肌细胞的能力.在体内条件下,肌肉卫星细胞不可能跨胚层分化为内胚层来源的胰腺细胞.本研究从牛(Bos taurus)胎儿肌肉中分离培养得到肌肉卫星细胞,并在体外条件下将其诱导成胰岛素分泌细胞.在诱导过程中,分析了与胰腺发育相关的胰十二指肠同源基因盒1基因(pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1,PDX1)、神经原素3基因(neurogenin 3,NGN3)、淀粉酶基因(Amylase)和胰岛素基因(Insulin,INS)的动态表达情况.结果表明,PDX1作为决定胰腺分化发育和胰岛功能的主要调节基因,在诱导分化的第2天能够检测到其mRNA的表达,在第3天表达量达到了最大,第4天以后维持在较低水平.NGN3是内分泌细胞形成非常重要的转录因子,是能够将胰岛素分泌到胞外的关键基因,其mRNA在分化诱导的第3天开始表达,第4天达到最高水平,之后逐渐下降.Amylase是胰腺发育中细胞外分泌相关的基因,Amylase mRNA在第6天才开始表达,8d后达到最高.INS mRNA表达量在11～12 d最高,酶联免疫吸附分析(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)发现,诱导形成的胰腺细胞能够正常分泌胰岛素,培养液中胰岛素的浓度在诱导的11～12 d达到最高值.向培养液中添加葡萄糖后,可使细胞的胰岛素分泌量显著提高,说明诱导得到的细胞类似于成体胰岛的功能,其胰岛素分泌受外界葡萄糖浓度的调节.上述结果表明,肌肉卫星细胞可以被诱导转分化为胰岛素分泌细胞,并对培养环境中的葡萄糖刺激做出应答反应.本研究结果为进一步的研究和临床应用提供基础资料.     

Interactive effects of sodium chloride,sodium sulfate,calcium sulfate,and calcium chloride on snapbean growth,photosynthesis, and ion uptake

Excessive sodium (Na) accumulation in soil, which can be a problem for production agriculture in arid and semiarid regions, may be ameliorated by calcium (Ca). The mechanisms of Ca amelioration of Na stress in plants have received much more attention than has the effect of the anion of the Ca salt. Our objective was to determine the relative effects of the chloride (Cl^‐) and sulfate (SO₄ ^2‐) anions on Ca amelioration of Na stress. We exposed Phaseolus vulgaris L., cv. Contender seedlings growing in 1‐L styrofoam pots under greenhouse conditions to sodum chloride (NaCl) or sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) at concentrations of 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 mmol/L combined with either 15 and 30 mmol/L of calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) or calcium chloride (CaCl₂). Plants in each styrofoam pot were irrigated with 300 mL of salt solution (leaching fraction = 0.25) every fourth day for four weeks. Increasing Na concentration decreased shoot dry weight, number and weight of pods, and number of nodules. The photo‐ synthesis rate was affected by all levels and types of Na salts. Calcium sulfate treatments ameliorated Na‐induced salinity in snapbeans more than did comparable CaCl₂ treatments. The thermodynamic activity of Ca, Na, and Cl was linearly related to the tissue content of each ion.     

Ammonium increases the net rate of sodium influx and partitioning to the leaf of muskmelon

The influx and partitioning of sodium (Na) is controlled by potassium (K)/Na selectivity/exchange mechanisms. Since ammonium‐nitrogen (NH₄‐N) has been shown to inhibit K absorption and K/Na selectivity/exchange mechanisms control Na influx and partitioning, our objective was to observe if NH₄‐N affects Na influx and partitioning in muskmelon. Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) were grown in a pH controlled nutrient solution with 100 mM NaCl in a complete nutrient solution containing either 10 mM nitrate‐nitrogen (NO₃‐N) or NH₄‐N. With NH₄‐N, Na accumulation and partitioning to the leaf blade increased while K absorption was almost completely inhibited. A second study omitted K to simulate the inhibition of K absorption by NH₄‐N and monitored Na accumulation and partitioning as K was depleted in the plant. Sodium accumulation and partitioning to the leaf increased as K decreased in the plant, mirroring the effect of NH₄‐N. Roots appeared healthy in both studies. Our work indicates that at a given level of NaCl stress, NO₃‐N reduces the level of stress experienced by muskmelon plants through reducing the net rate of Na influx and transport to the sensitive leaf blade, not by reducing chloride (Cl) absorption, thereby permitting these plants to “avoid”; this stress.     

Growth and nutrient composition of tomato and cucumber seedlings as affected by sodium chloride salinity and supplemental calcium

The effect of three levels of salinity (2.0,4.0, and 8.0 mS/cm) on growth and ion composition of tomato and cucumber seedlings was examined with and without addition of 7.4 meq/L calcium chloriode (CaCl₂). The corresponding sodium/calcium (Na/Ca) ratio of the irrigation solution were 4.0 and 1.8 at salinity level 4.0 mS/cm, and 12 and 4.8 at salinity level 8.0 mS/cm. Seedlings growth of tomato and cucumber was generally reduced with increasing salinity level. Cucumber was more salt‐sensitive than tomato. Shoot and root dry weight of cucumber was increased by decreasing Na/Ca ratio at 4.0 mS/cm salinity. Sodium and chloride (Cl) accumulation was increased and Ca was decreased in salinized plants. Reducing Na/Ca ratio under saline condition reduce the accumulation of Na in tomato roots. The effect of salinity on the uptake of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), Na, Ca, chloride (Cl), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) in the root and shoot was also determined.     

Ion distribution in leaves of varying age in salt‐tolerant lines of alfalfa under salt stress

Two lines of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), a salt‐tolerant AZ‐Germ Salt II and a salt‐sensitive Mesa Sirsa, were grown for three weeks in solution culture containing 0 or 100 mol/m³ sodium chloride (NaCl) in half‐strength Hoagland nutrient solution. Distribution of cations and chloride (Cl) in the leaves of varying ages was determined. The older leaves (age‐dependent) of both lines contained more sodium (Na) in the laminae and petioles than the younger leaves at the salt treatment, whereas the reverse was true for potassium (K) in the laminae. Age‐dependent Cl distribution was only found in the laminae of AZ‐Germ Salt II. Distribution of calcium (Ca) in the lamina and petioles was strongly age‐dependent in both lines, but such a pattern was not found for magnesium (Mg) concentrations. AZ‐Germ Salt II accumulated considerably higher concen‐ trations of Na and Cl in the laminae compared with Mesa Sirsa. The lower Na and Cl concentrations in the laminae of Mesa Sirsa were due to relatively higher accumulation of these ions in the stems. It is concluded that distribution of Na, Cl, and Ca in the leaf laminae is age dependent. Salt tolerance in alfalfa is related to inclusion of Na and Cl in the leaf laminae.     

NUTRITIONAL RESPONSES OF CITRUS ROOTSTOCKS TO SALINITY: PERFORMANCE OF THE NEW HYBRIDS FORNER-ALCAIDE 5 AND FORNER-ALCAIDE 13

This study assesses the nutritional behavior of the new citrus rootstocks Forner-Alcaide no.5 (FA-5) and Forner-Alcaide no.13 (FA-13) under saline conditions compared to that of their parents, Cleopatra mandarin (CM) and Poncirus trifoliata (PT). Eighteen month-old plants grafted with Valencia orange scions were used in the experiment. The plants were grown in a greenhouse and irrigated over an eight-week period with nutrient solutions to which different amounts of sodium chloride (NaCl) had been added, namely 0, 20, 40 and 60 mM. Relative growth and the uptake of major mineral elements [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg)] were then determined. It was noted that the reduction in relative growth caused by salt treatment was greater in plants grafted on PT than those on FA-13, FA-5 and CM. Increasing the salt level in the growth medium reduced the absorption of the above mineral elements in all scion-rootstock combinations. However, this decrease was generally more marked in plants grafted on PT than in those on CM and FA-5. Plants on FA-13 showed an intermediate behavior. Positive correlations were found between growth and mineral element uptake by salt treated plants. Nutrient uptake was also plotted against chloride (Cl) and sodium (Na) concentrations in leaves and roots at increasing salt levels. This showed that N absorption was closely correlated (inversely) with Cl content in leaves, whereas K, Ca and Mg uptakes were correlated (inversely) with Na concentration in roots. This suggests that the accumulation of saline ions impacts growth and nutrient uptake by citrus plants.     

Changes of Growth,Amino Acids,and Ionic Composition in Strawberry Plants under Salt Stress Conditions

Seedlings of two strawberry cultivars ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Chandler’ were grown using perlite in a greenhouse for 20 days, and then plants were watered with nutrient solution containing 0, 8.5, 17.0, and 34.0 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) for 6 months. Sodium chloride treatments generally reduced the leaf and root dry weight. Relative water content (RWC) of leaves was maintained despite the increased salt concentrations while loss of turgidity was increased by sodium chloride (NaCl) treatments in both cultivars. As the most variable amino acids, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, arginine, proline, serine, and alanine were determined under salt stress in plants. Sodium chloride treatments generally increased sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) contents in all plant parts. The plants were able to maintain high potassium (K) levels in the aerial parts with the 8.5 mM NaCl treatment. It can be concluded that ‘Camarosa’ has the ability to osmotic regulation. ‘Chandler’ also tolerates the salt injury at low salt concentrations.     

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DIFFERENT SALTS (SODIUM CHLORIDE,SODIUM SULFATE,POTASSIUM CHLORIDE,AND POTASSIUM SULFATE) ON GROWTH OF FORAGE SPECIES

Osmotic and specific ion effects are the most frequently mentioned mechanisms by which saline substance reduces plant growth. However, the relative importance of osmotic and specific ion effect on plant growth seems to vary depending on the salt tolerance of the plant under study. Tall wheatgrass (TW), perennial ryegrass (PR), African millet (AM) and Rhodesgrass (Rh) were grown in nutrient solution with sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄), potassium chloride (KCl), and potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄) salinity up to electrical conductivity (EC) 27 dS m^?1. Growth of all plant species decreased significantly at high level (EC 27 dS m^?1) of NaCl and Na₂SO₄ salts. However, the growth of none of the plant species was affected significantly by KCl and K₂SO₄ at any level. Even leaf and shoot fresh weights were enhanced by K₂SO₄ in all plant species, except AM. Chlorine (Cl) was taken up in similar quantities from KCl and NaCl solutions and the content of the respective cations was similar to each other. Further sensitivity to sulfate and chloride was equal when sodium concentrations in shoots were equal, regardless of the anion composition of the media. The sodium (Na) concentration of the leaves of the plant species increased with increased NaCl and Na₂SO₄ levels in the nutrient solutions. The leaf Na concentration of TW was lower than that of the other plant species. However, the root Na concentration of TW was higher than that of the other plant species. Increased NaCl and Na₂SO₄ concentrations had a marked effect on leaf water potential of all plant species, and the TW showed higher leaf water potential at all levels of salts. Tall wheatgrass adjusted osmotically by accumulating electrolytes from the nutrient solution and by accumulation of glycinebetaine. Sodium was generally found more injurious than Chloride in all the four forage species. Salt tolerance could be ascribed as greater exclusion of Na ion.     

Mineral ion composition of halophytes and associated soils in Western Canada

Abstract

The mineral ion contents of seven halophytic species in the family Chenopodiaceae, and associated soils were examined. Each species was found growing in soils with wide ranges of salinity, sodicity and salt ion composition. Absolute concentrations of Na, Ca, Mg, K, Cl and SO₄ in shoot tissue differed significantly among species. Species were classified into two groups: (1) chloride halophytes, with ion composition dominated by Na and Cl (Atriplex patula, Chenopodium rubrum, Salicornia rubra and Suaeda depressa), and (2) alkali halophytes, with relatively high K, Mg, Ca and low Cl contents (Chenopodium salinum, Kochia scoparia and Salsola pestifer). All species accumulated ? and excluded SO₄, relative to concentrations of these ions in soil. Salsola pestifer was unique in strongly excluding Na.     

Function of sodium and potassium in growth of sodium-loving Amaranthaceae species

We observed that the growth of three Amaranthaceae species was promoted by sodium (Na), in the order dwarf glasswort (Salicornia bigelovii Torr.) >> Swiss chard (Beta Burgaris L. spp. cicla cv. Seiyou Shirokuki) > table beet (Beta vulgaris L. spp. vulgaris cv. Detroit Dark Red). In the present study, these Na-loving plants were grown in solutions containing 4 mol m^?3 nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N) and 100 mol m^?3 sodium chloride (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl) under six Na to potassium (K) ratios, 0:100, 20:80, 40:60, 60:40, 80:20 and 100:0, to elucidate the function of Na and K on specific characteristics of Na-loving plants. The growth of dwarf glasswort increased with increasing Na concentration of the shoot, and the shoot dry weight of plants grown in 100:0 Na:K was 214% that of plants grown at 0:100. In Swiss chard and table beet, growth was unchanged by the external ratio of Na to K. The water content was not changed in Swiss chard or table beet by the external Na to K ratio. These observations indicate that both Na and K have a function in osmotic regulation. However, dwarf glasswort could not maintain succulence at 0:100; therefore, Na has a specific function in dwarf glasswort for osmotic regulation to maintain a favorable water status, and the contribution of K to osmotic regulation is low. NO₃-N uptake was promoted by Na uptake in dwarf glasswort and Swiss chard. NO₃-N uptake and transport to shoots was optimal at 100:0 in dwarf glasswort and at 80:20 in Swiss chard. These functions are very important for the Na-loving mechanism, and the contribution of K was lower in dwarf glasswort than in Swiss chard.     

EFFECTS OF SALINITY AND SOIL ZINC APPLICATION ON GROWTH AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF PISTACHIO SEEDLINGS

The effects of four salinity levels [0, 1000, 2000, and 3000 mg sodium chloride (NaCl) kg^?1 soil] and three zinc (Zn) levels [0, 5, and 10 mg kg^?1 soil as zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄.7 H₂O)] on growth and chemical composition of pistachio seedlings (Pistacia vera L.) cv. ‘Badami’ were studied in a calcareous soil under greenhouse conditions in a completely randomized design with three replications. After 26 weeks, the dry weights of leaves, stems and roots were measured and the total leaf area determined. Salinity decreased leaf, stem, and root dry weights and leaf area, while this effect diminished with increasing Zn levels. Zn fertilization increased leaf, stem and root Zn concentrations, leaf potassium (K) concentration, and stem and root sodium (Na) concentrations, while decreased leaf Na concentration, and stem and root K concentrations. Salinity stress decreased leaf, stem, and root Zn concentrations, and leaf K concentration, while salinity increased leaf, stem and root Na concentrations, and stem and root K concentrations. Proline accumulation increased with increasing salinity levels, whereas the reverse trend was observed for reducing sugar contents. Zn application decreased proline concentration but increased reducing sugar contents. These changes might have alleviated the adverse effects of salinity stress.