干旱胁迫下花生差异表达转录因子家族分析（英文）

花生(Arachis hypogaea)是重要的油料作物。干旱是影响花生产业进一步发展的重要因素。花生基因组的公布为更好的了解花生抗旱分子机制提供了重要的依据。转录因子是花生抗旱机制中重要的调节因素。本研究利用转录组测序技术对抗旱花生品种J11在干旱胁迫下转录因子的表达变化进行了分析。共计发现了236个差异表达转录因子,包括142个上调表达,94个下调表达。上调基因差异表达倍数介于2.034 1与43.968 3之间,有69个差异表达转录因子倍数大于10;下调表达基因差异倍数介于-2.1031到-11.610 3,有58个转录因子的差异表达倍数小于-4。MYB和bHLH是差异表达转录因子富集最多的基因家族。25个MYB基因上调表达,17个下调;17个bHLH基因上调表达,14个下调表达;所有NAC转录因子均受到干旱胁迫诱导上调表达。qRT-PCR数据与转录组测序数据虽然存在差异,但表达趋势一致,证明了转录组结果的可靠性。研究结果表明,花生抗旱分子机制是有大量转录因子参与调控的复杂过程。本研究将为进一步分析花生抗旱分子机制提供理论依据。     

干旱、高盐及低温胁迫下植物生理及转录因子的应答调控

干旱、高盐及低温等非生物胁迫是限制植物生长发育的主要环境因子。这些环境胁迫因子通常导致植物体内生理代谢改变,并参与非生物胁迫调控转录因子的差异表达。植物抵御上述非生物逆境的能力与转录因子调控逆境相关功能基因的表达密不可分。近年来,发掘植物非生物胁迫相关转录因子的功能及揭示转录因子介导植物非生物胁迫响应的调控机制,已成为植物营养分子生物学关注的热点之一。因此,了解植物非生物胁迫下的生理应答及转录因子参与的调控机制,对建立植物适应性改良途径具有重要科学意义。本文从干旱、高盐和低温三方面阐述了非生物胁迫下植物生理生化的适应性变化,概述了MYB、bZIP、AP2/EREBP、WRKY和NAC五类与植物抗逆相关的转录因子的结构与功能特征,着重论述了转录因子介导植物抵御非生物胁迫的分子调控机制。植物遭遇非生物胁迫时,通常表现为生长速率、叶面积和叶片数量下降,蒸腾及光合速率降低。同时,植物体内活性氧逐渐累积,使细胞膜脂过氧化程度加剧,造成细胞损伤。为适应不利环境,在生理上植物表现为体内抗氧化酶活性增强,渗透调节物数量增多;在分子水平上,植物对非生物胁迫适应性的增强,通常与转录因子识别抗逆基因启动子特异性元件及调控逆境防御基因的转录有关。本文对于深入阐明干旱、高盐及低温胁迫下植物生理生化应答与转录因子的分子调控机制提供了全新的科学启示。     

低温胁迫下苦瓜叶片转录组差异基因分析及生理响应特征

苦瓜在生长季节遇到低温会影响其生长发育和产量,限制了种植分布区域。为了研究苦瓜耐寒性的分子机制,本研究以苦瓜自交系43为试验材料,在8℃低温胁迫处理后观察其表型并测定相关生理生化指标,再利用转录组测序技术从生理角度结合分子水平对苦瓜低温胁迫机制进行生物信息学分析。结果表明,在8℃低温胁迫下,苦瓜表现出耐低温适应性,在低温胁迫下丙二醛(MDA)含量、脯氨酸含量及电解质渗透率均呈现显著变化。分析了低温胁迫0和12 h后的转录组变化,结果发现低温胁迫处理后有916个基因上调,369个基因下调。对差异表达基因进行通路注释分析,发现大量与低温胁迫相关的代谢途径。进一步筛选到10个在其他物种报道过可能与冷胁迫相关的基因,包括MYB、WRKY以及NAC转录因子等。对植物耐低温相关的候选基因进行了实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)表达谱分析,结果与生理表型变化相吻合,同时进一步证实了RNA-seq数据的准确性。本研究基于全基因组水平分析苦瓜在低温胁迫下的转录组变化,以及耐低温相关基因动态变化和生理反应的分子机制,为揭示苦瓜中的耐寒性机理和筛选遗传改良候选基因提供了一定基础。     

基于转录组金银花AP2基因家族的生物信息学及表达分析

为研究金银花AP2转录因子参与低温的应答机制,本研究基于低温下金银花转录组测序数据,利用在线生物信息学工具对金银花AP2转录因子的理化性质、亚细胞定位、磷酸化位点、蛋白基序以及进化分析进行鉴定和分析;利用实时荧光定量PCR检测3个DREB基因和1个RAV基因在低温胁迫下的表达情况。结果表明,在金银花中共筛选了34个AP2转录因子,不同转录因子之间的理化性质存在差异,表明其在不同的微环境中发挥不同的功能;亚细胞定位结果显示,仅有2个AP2定位于叶绿体,其余均定位于细胞核,符合其作为转录因子调控下游基因的表达特性;所有AP2的磷酸化位点均依次表现为丝氨酸>苏氨酸>酪氨酸;根据AP2中所含有的AP2数量以及序列同源性,可将34个AP2分为四个大类,20个AP2属于ERF亚家族,3个属于DREB亚家族,RAV亚家族仅有1个,其余10个属于AP2亚家族。实时荧光定量PCR检测结果表明,DREB和RAV基因均能响应低温胁迫,且不同低温处理时间的不同组织的表达量存在差异。本研究为阐明金银花AP2转录因子响应低温胁迫的机制奠定了一定的理论基础。     

南方型紫花苜蓿叶片响应盐胁迫蛋白质组和转录组关联分析

为了从基因和蛋白质水平上揭示南方型紫花苜蓿适应盐胁迫环境的分子机制,以南方型紫花苜蓿Millennium为材料,对正常培养和盐胁迫条件下的2个样品叶片进行转录组和蛋白质组关联分析。结果表明,定量蛋白和基因关联系数为0.2485;变化趋势相反差异蛋白和基因表达的关联系数为-0.2440;变化趋势相同差异蛋白质和基因表达的关联系数为0.8122。鉴定出109个与差异基因表达趋势相同的差异蛋白,其中77个上调,32个下调,这些差异蛋白功能涉及光合作用、抗氧化物、信号传递、翻译后修饰、翻译和分子伴侣、胁迫防御、能量产生与转运、代谢和其它未知功能蛋白等。下调表达的蛋白主要与光合作用相关,而上调表达的蛋白主要参与了抗氧化物、信号传递和胁迫防御等。此外,关联发现了与紫花苜蓿盐胁迫响应相关的III类过氧化物酶、铁蛋白、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶、磷脂酰肌醇特异性磷脂酶C、LRR类受体激酶、ABA反应蛋白、钙联接蛋白2、液泡H+-ATP酶C亚基和NADP-苹果酸酶等差异蛋白。本研究通过高通量多组学数据的关联分析,发现一些可能作为紫花苜蓿耐盐潜在靶标蛋白(基因),这为深入认识紫花苜蓿盐胁迫的应答分子调控机制奠定了坚实的基础。     

基因芯片技术鉴定棉铃虫胁迫后棉花差异表达基因

棉花在受到植食性昆虫为害后基因表达会发生变化,筛选鉴定这些调控基因有助于解析昆虫诱导棉花抗虫性的分子机制。本研究以棉花(Gossypium spp.)(中12)为实验材料,分别从正常生长条件下的棉花(对照)和棉铃虫(Helicoverpa armigera Hübner)取食胁迫6、12、24和48h的棉花叶片(处理)中提取总RNA,采用Affymetrix棉花基因芯片进行了基因表达谱分析。结果表明,棉铃虫取食6h时,差异表达基因共有4109个(占28%),其中上调1917个,下调2192个;棉铃虫取食12h时,差异表达基因共有2605个(占18%),其中上调1326个,下调1279个;棉铃虫取食24h时,差异表达基因共有3213个(占22%),其中上调1424个,下调1789个;棉铃虫取食48h时,差异表达基因共有2763个(占19%),其中上调1450个,下调1313个。进行生物信息学分析后发现,这些基因功能涉及氧化应激响应、防御响应、信号转导、转录调控、黄酮类生物合成、萜类化合物合成与代谢以及源于多种氨基酸的罗勒生物碱生物合成等多个方面。另外,从芯片结果中鉴定获得调控棉花特异性挥发物的相关基因,发现法呢...     

小麦3个NAC转录因子基因克隆与功能分析

NAC类转录因子参与植物基因在不同条件、不同发育期的表达调控,在植物的发育、生长及对外界的各种生物和非生物因子的胁迫应答中起关键的调控作用。本研究对非亲和条锈菌小种CYR32侵染诱导的抗条锈病基因Yr5近等基因系Taichung29＊6/Yr5的cDNA文库进行筛选及同源克隆,获得了小麦3个NAC类转录因子的cDNA序列。序列分析结果表明,这3个转录因子都具有DNA结合结构域,即NAC结构域,且氨基酸序列在该结构域的A、B、C、D和E5个亚区高度保守;同时发现这3个NAC类转录因子都有核定位信号及相关的转录调控功能区域。通过系统进化树分析,发现其中之一的TaNAC1属于NAC转录因子家族第Ⅰ组的NAP亚组,TaNAC3属于ATAF1亚组,TaNAC5属于NAM亚组;根据系统进化树和相关基因的功能分析,我们推测小麦转录因子TaNAC1、TaNAC3和TaNAC5可能参与植物生长发育调控或对生物、非生物胁迫作出的应答反应。     

花生AhMKK4基因的克隆、表达分析和亚细胞定位研究

为挖掘花生抗逆相关基因,本研究以花生品种花育20号为试验材料,根据cDNA文库中已知的促丝裂原活化蛋白激酶激酶(MKK)基因EST序列设计引物,通过RACE-PCR克隆得到AhMKK4基因。结果表明,AhMKK4基因序列全长1 434 bp,含有3'非编码区151 bp,5'非编码区317 bp,开放阅读框全长966 bp,编码一条含有322个氨基酸的蛋白序列。预测其分子量为36.74 kDa,属于MAPKK基因家族D组成员。亚细胞定位显示AhMKK4基因定位于细胞质和细胞核中。RT-qPCR分析发现,AhMKK4基因在根中表达量高于其他组织,说明该基因具有组织表达特异性;AhMKK4基因受JA和IAA诱导时表达量上调,受SA和ABA诱导时表达量下调,说明该基因可能参与到JA和IAA介导的信号转导途径;AhMKK4在盐胁迫下表达量上调,说明该基因可能参与花生对盐胁迫的适应性调控。本研究结果为花生抗逆育种研究提供了新的基因资源。     

甲基营养型芽胞杆菌WM7低温响应转录谱分析

为从分子水平揭示甲基营养型芽胞杆菌WM7低温响应机制,采用高通量测序技术对低温和常温培养的菌体进行转录组测序分析,对部分差异表达显著基因进行RT-qPCR验证。结果表明,共检测到2 029个差异表达基因,其中1 519个低温上调,510个低温下调。GO和KEGG分析显示,1 199个差异表达基因归属细胞组分、分子功能和生物过程3个部分,683个基因参与到225个代谢途径中,其中涉及基因最多的是磷酸戊糖途径、嘌呤和氨基酸合成途径。菌株低温响应主要与脂肪酸代谢、ABC转运体、转录调控、信号转导、碳氮代谢等途径相关。此外,检测到大量差异表达的未知功能基因,多个基因差异表达倍数均大于50倍。本研究从基因表达方面阐述了甲基营养型芽胞杆菌WM7低温响应机制,为全面揭示其低温生长机制奠定了理论基础,提供了基因信息。     

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.     

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.