Molecular Identification and Cultivar Fingerprints of Prunus persica （L.） Batsch Germplasms

[Objective] The aim was to study the molecular identification and cultivar fingerprints of Prunus persica （L.） Batsch germplasms.[Method] Sixty peach genotypes,representing China common local cultivars and European samples were screened by microsatellites （simple sequence repeats,SSRs） and Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat （ISSR） markers.[Result] 26 reproducible bands were amplified by Nine SSR primers,and 24 of which were polymorphic; 236 bands were amplified by 30 ISSR primers,and 113 of which were polymorphic.31 genotypes were discriminated with 1-3 distinct polymorphic bands generated from the primers ISSR and SSR.Seven cultivar-specific ISSR fragments and two SSR unique alleles obtained from this study were available to be converted into Sequence Characterized Amplified Region （SCAR） markers.The genetic similarity coefficient （GS） estimated from these molecular data averaged were 0.939 （ranged from 0.856 to 0.983） for ISSR and 0.646 （ranged from 0.240 to 1.000） for SSR,respectively.The combined grouping association indicated that most local Chinese peach cultivars and exotic accessions were clustered together.This could be related to the mode of introduction and maintenance of the peach cultivars involving limited foundation germplasm,exchange of cultivars between plantations,and periodic development of new recombinant cultivars following sexual reproduction.[Conclusion] The results obtained in this work would help to improve the conservation,molecular identification and management of peach germplasm in breeding.     

Effects of Farm Yard Manure and Lime on Cadmium Uptake by Rice Grown in Two Contaminated Soils of Chittagong

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of farm yard manure （FYM） and lime （calcium carbonate） on reducing the uptake of Cd by rice in two Cd contaminated soils of Chittagong. The effects of farm yard manure, lime and farm yard manure mixed with lime （FYM ＋ Lime） on rice （Oryza sativa L.） growth, Cd uptake by rice and 0.1 N HC1 extractable Cd in soil were investigated. Results showed that addition of lime and farm yard manure mixed with lime significantly decreased 0.1 N HCl extractable Cd in the city sewage soil. Application of farm yard manure significantly decreased Cd concentration in rice in the city sewage soil. Lime and farm yard manure mixed with lime significantly reduced Cd concentration in rice m both the contaminated soils. Lime was more efficient than farm yard manure in reducing the uptake of Cd by rice.     

Photosynthetic Characteristics and Antioxidative Metabolism of Flag Leaves in Responses to Nitrogen Application During Grain Filling of Field-Grown Wheat

A two-factorial experiment was conducted with two wheat cultivars, SN1391 （large spike and large grain） and GC8901 （multiple spike and medium grain）, and two nitrogen （N） application rates （12 and 24 g N m^-2）, to investigate the responses of photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidative metabolism to nitrogen rates in flag leaves of field-grown wheat during grain filling. The results showed that the content of N and chlorophyll （Chl） in wheat flag leaves decreased after anthesis and the net photosynthetic rate （Pn）, effective quantum yield of PS Ⅱ （Фps n）, efficiency of excitation capture by open PS Ⅱ reaction centers （Fv′/Fm′）, and photochemical quenching coefficient （qp） began to decrease at 14 days after anthesis. However, the maximal efficiency of PS Ⅱ photochemistry （Fv/Fm） decreased slightly until the late period of senescence and the nonphotochemical quenching coefficient （NPQ） increased during flag leaves＇ senescence, As a result, a conflict came into being between absorption and utilization to light energy in flag leaves during senescence, which might accelerate the senescence of flag leaves. Compared with GC8901, the lower plant population of SN1391 during grain filling was helpful to maintain the higher content of photosynthetic pigment, activity of PS II, and Pn in flag leaves during senescence, The delayed decrease in antioxidative enzyme activity and the lower degree of membrane lipid peroxidation in the senescing leaves of SN1391 were beneficial to protect the photosynthetic apparatus, which lead to the prolonged duration of CO2 assimilation. With the increase of N application, the Chl content of SN1391 flag leaves and the efficiency of excitation captured by open PS Ⅱ centers increased. At the same time, the thermal dissipation in SN1391 flag leaves at high N （HN） treatment decreased and Фps Ⅱ improved greatly, which were favorable to the increase of Pn. The SOD, POD, CAT and APX activities in the flag leaves of SN1391 increased     

Allelic Variation in Loci for Adaptive Response and Its Effect on Agronomical Traits in Chinese Wheat （Triticum aestivum L.）

Heading date was an important trait that decided the adaptation of wheat to environments. It was modiifed by genes involved in vernalization response, photoperiod response and development rate. In this study, four loci Xgwm261, Xgwm219, Xbarc23 and Ppd-D1 which were previously reported related to heading time were analyzed based on three groups of wheat including landraces （L）, varieties bred before 1983 （B82） and after 1983 （A83） collected from Chinese wheat growing areas. Generally, heading date of landrace was longer than that of varieties. Signiifcant differences in the heading time existed within the groups, which implied that diversiifcation selection was much helpful for adaptation in each wheat zone. Photoperiod insensitive allele Ppd-D1a was the ifrst choice for both landrace and modern varieties, which promoted the heading date about four days earlier than that of sensitive allele Ppd-D1b. The three SSR loci had different characters in the three groups. Predominant allele combination for each zone was predicted for wheat group L and A83, which made great contribution to advantageous traits. Xgwm219 was found to be signiifcantly associated with heading date in Yellow and Huai River Winter Wheat Zone （Zone II） and spike length in Middle and lower Yangtze Valley Winter Wheat Zone （Zone III）, which implied functional diversiifcation for adaption. Variation for earliness genes provided here will be helpful for whet breeding in future climatic change.     

Establishment and Optimization of the Regeneration System of Mature Embryos of Maize （Zea mays L.）

A reliable system was developed for regeneration from mature embryos derived from callus of four maize inbred lines （Liao 7980, Dan 9818, Dan 340, and Dan 5026）. The protocol was mainly based on a series of experiments involving the composition of culture medium. We found that 9 pM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in MS medium was optimum for the induction of callus. The induction frequency of primary calli was over 85% for four inbred lines tested. The addition of L- proline （12 mM） in subculture medium significantly promoted the formation of embryogenic callus but it did not significantly enhance growth rate of callus. Efficient shoot regeneration was obtained on regeneration medium containing 2.22 μM 6- benzylaminopurine in combinations with 4.64 μM Kinetin. Regenerated shoots were rooted on half-strength MS medium containing 2.85 μM indole-3-butyric acid. This plant regeneration system provides a foundation for genetic transformation of maize.     

Allelopathic Potential of Orange Jessamine （Murraya paniculata L.） against Weeds

The use of allelopathic plants is an alternative technique for controlling weeds in sustainable crop production. This experiment evaluated the allelopathic potential of Murraya paniculata （L.） against four weeds viz., Bidens pilosa L., Amarathus spinosus L., Echinochloa crusgalli （L.） Beauv. and Chloris barbata Sw.. In laboratory test, aqueous extracts from M. paniculata leaves at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 g/L were tested on germination and seedling growth of the weeds. The extracts showed inhibitory effect, varying with weed species and extract concentration. Increase in concentrations increased the degree of inhibition. Concentration at 50 g/L and 100 g/L, completely inhibited seed germination of C. barbara and A. spinosus. Pot experiments were done in a glasshouse, with dry leaf powder as mulch on the soil surface at levels of 2, 4 and 8 t/ha. Dry leaf powder reduced the emergence and growth of all tested weeds, varying with dose and species. Chloris barbara is the most sensitive to M paniculata leaf mulch while E. crus-galli is the most resistant. These results suggest that M. paniculata had the potential lbr weed control and might be the source of a natural herbicide.     

Haplll of TaSAP1-A1, a Positively Selected Haplotype in Wheat Breeding

Stress-associated protein （SAP） has functions in maintaining plant cell elongation, embryo development and response to abiotic stresses. TaSAP1-A1, one of the Triticum aestivum SAP1 （TaSAP1） members located on wheat chromosome 7A was isolated for polymorphism analysis. HaplII of TaSAP1-A1 was found significantly associated with thousand-grain weight （TGW） in multiple environments. In this study, HaplII also made a positive contribution to TGW in Population 2. The distribution of TaSAP1-A1 HapIII was tracked among varieties released in different years and geographical environments of China. The frequency of HapIII showed an increasing trend during the breeding process in two different populations. The ItapIII was gradually selected and applied from 6.36% in landraces to 13.50% in modem varieties. These results exhibited that TaSAP1-A1 HapIII was positively selected during wheat breeding, which is beneficial for grain-yield improvement. The preferred HapIIl was initially selected and applied in the higher latitude areas of China in accord with the long day season and longer grain filling stage in these areas. Moreover, the frequency of HaplII in recent modem varieties was still quite low （19.29-26.67%）. It indicated a high application potential of TaSAP1-A 1 HapIII for improving grain yield in wheat breeding.     

Thin-Plate Spline Analysis of Diversity in Field Populations of Codling Moth,Cydia pomonella L. （Lep., Tortricidae） in North West of Iran

In order to study morphological diversity of codling moth, Cydia pomonella （L.） using thin-plate spline analysis, nine geographical populations from four north western provinces of Iran namely East Azarbayjan, West Azarbayjan, Ardebil and Zandjan were collected during 2003 and 2004. 575 and 564 images were prepared from fore and hind wings, respectively. Then 15 and 11 landmarks were determined from fore and hind wings, respectively. With transforming of landmark＇s two dimensional coordinate data into partial warp scores, 26 and 18 scores were generated for fore and hind wings, respectively. Cluster analysis based on wing shape variables using Ward＇s algorithm assigned nine geographical populations into two groups. The pattern of grouping based on fore and hind wings was different in both sexes. Principal component analysis revealed discrimination between geographic populations and confirmed the result of cluster analysis. Among environmental parameters, wind speed showed the highest correlation with wing shape variables. Non significant correlation was observed between geographic and morphological distance matrices as revealed by Mantel test.     

Salt＇s Effect on Anatomy and Deformity of Pistacia vera Nut

This study attempts to examine the effects of salinity on leaf, stem, and nut of Pistacia vera （Ohady and Kaleh Ghochi cultivars） in order to characterize their anatomical structures with electron and light microscopy. A comparative study of the anatomy indicates a difference between the density of simple and glandular trichomes in leaf surface, deposit of wax, the thickness of leaf, the length of epidermal cells, palisade parenchyma cells, crystals in mesophyll, and the manner of compatibility to salinity. The results obtained in this research demonstrate that compatibility of Ohady cultivar is higher than Kaleh Ghochi and the degree of mechanical wounding depends on their development stages. In addition to results of previous studies which considered crop load as the main cause of fruit deformity. The present study indicates that, in spite of some reduction in total production of a tree, salinity decreases fruit deformity and to a high extent prevents the production of deformed fruit. Indeed, a remarkable reduction in production of deformed fruit will be yielded by selecting pistachio varieties which are resistant to salinity. Moreover, salinity increases the resistance of nuts to mechanical wounding. The results of this study suggest that in EC = 7.6, 12.6 deformity of nut is not related to crop load.     

Effects of Agricultural Practices on Soil Organic Nitrogen Fractions in an Inceptisol of a Cocoa Plantation

The effect of agricultural practices on soil organic nitrogen （N） fractions in a cocoa plantation has not been much revealed till now. Despite the fact that soil organic N has been long admitted for its importance to maintain soil fertility. Presented field experiment was conducted in Kaliwining Experimental Station, Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute （ICCRI）, Jember, East Java, Indonesia, to investigate the effect of cocoa farm management, namely fertilization, weeding and soil tillage on the content of soil organic N fractions. The design of experiment was arranged in a split-split plot with two levels of weeding as main plots, two levels of soil tillage as subplot and three different fertilizer treatments as sub-sub plot. The analysis of soil N including total N and soil organic N fractions, namely, total hydrolized N, ammonium N, amino sugar N and amino acid N, were performed. The result showed that the effect of fertilization treatment was significant to the content of total N, ammonium N, amino sugar N and amino acid N. No-tillage treatment resulted in total N and amino sugar-N content increasing by 8% and 24%, respectively, over tillage treatment. Slashing treatment caused increase of the total N by 3% from herbicide treatment, whilst decrease of ammonium N and amino sugar N by 7% and 24%, respectively.     

Evolution of Nitrogen,Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizer Application Rates in Cotton Fields and lts lnfluences on Cotton Yield in the Yangtze River Valley

[Objective] The historical evolution pattern of nitrogen （N）, phosphorus （P） and potassium （K） fertilizer application rate and its effects on lint cotton yield were explored to provide the theoretical basis for reasonable fertilizer management strate-gy in the cotton planting region of the Yangtze River Val ey. [Method] GGE biplot analysis method was adopted to analyze the correlation among N, P and K fertilizer application rate and lint cotton yield with the dataset of national cotton regional trials of the Yangtze River Val ey during 1991-2013. The linear and nonlinear regression analysis method was used to reveal the evolution of the fertilizer applying patterns, and analyze the effects of N, P, K application rates on cotton lint yield. [Result] The application rates of N, P and K fertilizer presented highly significant positive corre-lation with lint cotton yield, among which the potassium fertilizer was the strongest relative factor with lint cotton yield, fol owed by phosphorus fertilizer, while nitrogen fertilizer was the weakest factor. The application rate of nitrogen fertilizer was relat-ed with the test year in the pattern of a quadratic function, while phosphate and potassium had progressive increase linear relation with the test year in the cotton planting region of the Yangtze River Val ey. Meanwhile, cotton lint yield was in re-sponse to nitrogen fertilizer content increase with a quadratic parabola function, and increased with the applying phosphate fertilizer and potassium fertilizer content with linearly increasing function. [Conclusion] The increasing application amount of N, P and K fertilizer was general y beneficial to cotton yield improvements, however, ex-orbitant applying nitrogen fertilizer was unfavorable for cotton production, and a reasonable mixture formula of N, P and K fertilizer was better in terms of cotton yield-increasing effect.     

Risk Assessment and Biosafety Studies of Transgenic Bt Rice （Oryza sativa L.）

Transgenic crops having alien genes from different sources are getting popularity. A Rice （Oryza sativa L.） containing gene from Bacillus thuringiensis, a soil bacterium, was assessed to study the potential risks of transgenic plants on environment. The crop was found resistant to target insect pests. Rice variety Basmati-370 transformed with two insecticidal genes, crylAc and cry2A, was grown under field conditions for several years. Data were collected at different stages of the plant growth. Fate of Cry protein in soil, effect of Bt protein on non-target insects, risks of vertical and horizontal gene flow were evaluated. No potential hazard was found at all levels. Bt protein was unstable and degraded significantly in soil within 30 days after harvesting the crop. No harmful effects were found on non-target insects （insects other than order lepidoptera）. Maximum gene flow of 0.02% was observed at close spacing and no evidence of horizontal gene transfer to Rhizobium spp. was found. In conclusion, the transgenic rice plants transformed with Bt genes have no harmful effects on the environment.     

桃砧木GF677叶片愈伤组织诱导和保存

[目的]研究桃砧木GF677(Prunus amygdalus×Prunus persica)叶片愈伤组织的诱导和保存技术。[方法]以桃砧木GF677试管苗为材料,研究激素含量、基本培养基、AgNO3、暗培养时间、碳源等因素对其叶片愈伤组织诱导和保存的影响。[结果]选取继代时间为28 d左右的试管苗幼嫩叶片,暗培养21 d后转移至光培养进行愈伤组织诱导,较佳的培养基配方为LP基本培养基+TDZ 1.0 mg/L+6-BA 0.6 mg/L+2,4-D 0.2 mg/L+AgNO30.5 mg/L,添加山梨醇20.0 g/L,琼脂6.0 g/L;选取继代时间为21 d左右的愈伤组织暗培养保存,保存较佳的培养基配方为LP基本培养基+6-BA 0.5 mg/L+2,4-D 0.5 mg/L+CH 0.2 g/L,添加蔗糖30.0 g/L,琼脂6.0 g/L。[结论]为桃砧木GF677的遗传转化和无性系变异筛选等工作奠定了基础。     

A Review on Regeneration in Cowpea （Vigna unguiculata L. Walp）

Vigna unguiculata L. Walp is a recalcitrant plant in terms of in vitro cell, tissue and organ differentiation, which makes it difficult to apply tissue-culture dependant approaches for obtaining stable genetic transformation in cowpea. Despite this, sporadic efforts have been made to develop regeneration systems in cowpea during the past 40 years. This review presents the considerable progress on cowpea regeneration （organogenesis and embryogenesis） and especially focuses on the regeneration mode of organogenesis, including highlights of the effect of genotypes, explants, medium and plant hormones used in tissue culture. The existing problems and the future research directions were also discussed.     

Paternity Testing of Selected Abaca （Musa textilis L. Nee） Hybrids Using Morphometric Markers

Investigation into the paternity of four abaca （Musa textilis L, Nee） hybrids was done to ascertain the mode of transmission of selected morpho-agronomic traits and to detect possible heterosis. In situ morphological characterization was undertaken using twenty five qualitative and six quantitative characters. Results revealed that a great majority of the qualitative traits were shared by both parents and their hybrids. For the rest, the qualitative traits were inherited from one or the other parent though some variant phenotypes （i.e. chimerism） were also noted in the hybrids. Cases ofheterosis were also observed and this could be exploited to increase fiber yield in the hybrids. Though inconclusive due to factors such as the heterogenous nature of abaca plants in the field and the susceptibility of morphological traits to environmental fluctuations, this study has provided baseline information on abaca hybridity that can be verified using more robust technologies as molecular markers.     

桃内果皮木质素沉积过程中酶活性的变化

以大久保和京玉两个桃品种为试材,对果实发育过程中桃内果皮的木质素含量及其相关酶活性进行了测定。结果表明：在盛花后28d时两品种的苯丙氨酸解氨酶（PAL）、肉桂酸-4-羟基化酶（C4H）、4-香豆酸-辅酶A连接酶（4CL）和肉桂醇脱氢酶（CAD）的活性都达到最大值,随后都呈现出总体下降的趋势;过氧化物酶（POD）的活性则在盛花后21d时就达到最大值,随后也呈现出总体降低的趋势;而在整个果实发育过程中,两品种桃内果皮中木质素的含量却逐渐增加。由此推论,当PAL,C4H,4CL,CAD和POD表达到一个相对高的水平,形成足够合成木质素所需的前体物质时,桃内果皮才开始快速积累木质素。     

棣棠和碧桃的切花保鲜研究

 棣棠和碧桃的切花利用价值和瓶插保鲜研究结果表明:(1)棣棠是一种值得开发的最优良的鲜切花植物,碧桃的切花价值以红花品种较好;(2)1%酒精的0.1mol/L蔗糖(B)和4%蔗糖的1.5mmol/LCo(NO₃)₂(C)能明显促进棣棠开花并极显着地延长其瓶插寿命,0.2mol/L蔗糖(A)降低棣棠的开花率且保鲜作用不大;(3)A,B,C3种处理均能促进碧桃开花并延长其瓶插寿命,其中以B处理效果最佳.     

Positive Impact of Deficit Irrigation on Physiological Response and Fruit Yield in Citrus Orchards： Implications for Sustainable Water Savings

Different strategies of deficit irrigation based on water stress dynamics were applied in an 11-year old citrus trees （Citrus sinensis L. Osb. cv. Navelina） grafted on carrizo citrange （Citrus sinensis L. Osb.×Poncirus Trifoliata L. Osb.）. The trees were subjected to two irrigation treatments： （1） sustainable deficit irrigation （SDI） established with water supplied at 60% of the crop evapotranspiration （ETc） and （2） low frequency deficit irrigation （LFDI） irrigated according to the plant water status. In addition, a treatment irrigated at 100% of ETc was included as a control （C）. Midday stem-water potential （ψUstem）, stomatal conductance （gs）, and micrometric trunk diameter fluctuations were measured during the maximum evapotranspirative demand period to evaluate the plant-water status, and establish the main relationships among them. The seasonal pattern of the studied variables had a behavior consistent with the contributions made by the volumes of applied irrigation water. Especially significant close relationships of ψstem with gs, and with the maximum daily shrinkage （MDS） were found. The lowest ψstem and gs values were registered in the treatments with lowest irrigations levels （SDI and LFDI）, being the MDS was significative higher than in the C treatment. The LFDI showed an oscillating behavior in these parameters, which was on line with the supplied irrigation restrictions cycles. Thus, according to the results of the present experiment the physiological stress indexes based in MDS or ψstem allow establishing different irrigation restriction cycles, encouraging important water saving without significant impact on yield and the fruit quality parameters.     

Resistance of Hard Tick （Ixodidae） with some Acaricide in Cattle （Naturally Infestation） in Sulaimani Governorate Fields-Kurdistan Regional/Iraq

A study carried out for assessment of acaricide for control and how to show resistance of hard tick （Ixodidae） with some types of acaricide which available in Sulaimani marked froro February to April 2012, isolated 80 cattle （local breed） naturally infested with hard tick. Six hundred and fifteen ticks min7 tick/cattle including three genera species were collected and identified, the highest Boophilus spp. followed by Hyalomma spp., and Rhipicephalus spp. were less frequent species collected. Experimental cattle divided into four groups each group content 20 cattle, treatment with four types acaricide and their average of infestation in cattle with Boophilus spp. 33 （41.25%） as the commonest, followed by Hyalomma spp. 31 （75.38%）, Rhipicephalus spp. 11 （13.75%） and 5 （6.25%） found mixed infested with Boophilus spp. and Hyalomma spp. 65 （81.3%） of cattle samples had emaciation and skin lesions. According to site of infestation, it showed that inguinal region was the most common predilection site for the ticks. Observed the genera Boophilus spp., there were highly significant differences （12.52%） between different tick species when calculated by general test （LSD）. The objective of this study was to estimate and compare these acaricide to control hard tick, and there was highly significant relation between different species of hard ticks when treated by these acaricide, according to the chi-square tests. The activities of the acaricide through the time of application were different on the tick genera species. Diazinon （60%） and carbamate （saven 85%） has been a greater degree than other acaricide resistance, while shows the activity of both acaricide injectable ivermactin and cypromethrein through the early time on all species. The results of the study otherwise provide encouraging possibilities for the potential use recommended dose with both acaricide ivermactin-l% and cypromethrine-10%.