刨花润楠SRAP-PCR体系建立与优化

以刨花润楠(Machilus pauhoi)1.5 a生小苗幼嫩叶片为试材,对影响刨花润楠SRAP-PCR扩增的模板DNA量、引物、dNTP和Mg2+体积摩尔浓度、Taq DNA聚合酶、退火温度6个主要因素进行优化.结果表明,SRAP-PCR的最佳反应体系为:25μL的SRAP-PCR反应体系中,2.5μL 10×PCR buffer、模板DNA量60 ng、Mg2+2.0 mmol/L、dNTP 0.225 mmol/L、引物0.3μmol/L和Taq DNA聚合酶1.25 U.对优化的反应体系和扩增程序的验证结果表明,优化的刨花润楠SRAP-PCR反应体系和扩增程序是稳定可行的.     

国槐SRAP-PCR反应体系优化及引物筛选

为建立国槐(Sophora japonica)最佳SRAP-PCR反应体系,采用正交试验设计L16(45)对影响PCR体系的5个因素(模板浓度、引物浓度、Mg2+浓度、Taq聚合酶和d NTP用量)4个水平进行了优化,确定了国槐的最优SRAP-PCR反应体系:Taq聚合酶1.5 U,d NTPs 0.30 mmol/L,模板DNA 90 ng,Mg2+2.0 mmol/L,引物0.3μmol/L,dd H2O补至20μL。各因素对PCR反应的影响从大到小依次为:Taq聚合酶d NTPs模板DNAMg2+引物。基于最佳SRAP体系,采用4个品种对120对引物进行筛选,共获得12对多态性好的引物组合。随机抽取两对引物基于毛细管电泳技术对此体系进行稳定性检验,扩增条带清晰、稳定、多态性高。该体系的建立以及筛选的引物组合为为进一步利用SRAP技术对国槐的遗传多样性、品种鉴定等方面的研究奠定基础。     

锥栗SRAP反应体系的建立与优化

为了建立锥栗SRAP-PCR反应体系,从而为今后的锥栗分子生物学研究提供理论参考,以锥栗叶片基因组DNA为材料,采用单因素试验和正交试验相结合的研究方法,对影响锥栗SRAP-PCR反应体系的模板用量、Mg2+浓度、dNTP浓度、引物浓度和Taq DNA聚合酶浓度这5个主要因素进行了优化试验。试验确立的适合锥栗的SRAP-PCR反应体系为:20μL体系中,模板DNA用量为40 ng,Mg2+浓度为1.8 mmol/L,dNTP浓度为280μmol/L,Taq DNA聚合酶浓度为2.0 U,引物浓度为0.6μmol/L。     

桉树SRAP标记体系的优化及遗传多样性分析

为确立按树SRAP-PCR反应体系,并对桉树品种进行遗传多样性分析,以巨尾桉GL -9号嫩叶提取的DNA为模板,进行Mg2+、dNTP、引物和Taq DNA聚合酶4个因素3个水平L9(34)正交试验,并比较了不同浓度模板DNA对PCR扩增效果的影响.结果显示:桉树的SRAP-PCR最佳反应体系为Mg2+2.5 mmol/L、dNTP 0.20mmol/L、引物0.4μ mol/L、Taq DNA聚合酶1.5U,DNA模板最佳浓度为10ng.利用最佳反应体系对桉树品种进行引物组合多态性筛选,从40个引物组合中筛选出多态性引物组合17个.挑选12个多态较高的引物组合对11个按树品种进行遗传多样性分析,通过PCR扩增,得到109个谱带.其中多态性条带95条,平均每个引物组合产生7.92个多态性条带,显示了相对较高的多态性.表明SRAP标记可应用于按树分子生物学研究.     

正交设计优化硬叶兜兰SSR-PCR反应体系

以构建珍稀物种硬叶兜兰SSR-PCR反应体系,采取正交设计试验对硬叶兜兰SSR体系组分中的Mg2+、基因组DNA、DNA Taq聚合酶、dNTPs、引物5个因素在4个不同程度上进行了组合试验,之后对反应体系中该引物的退火温度在梯度PCR仪上筛选,并进行了最优体系的验证。试验结果显示:体积为10μL的PCR管中最优组合为:模板DNA 20ng,Mg2+3.0mmol/L,dNTPs 0.3mmol/L,引物0.8μmol/L,Taq酶0.8U,10×buffer(Mg2+Free)1μL,引物PR710的退火温度为59.6℃,说明该体系具有较好的实用性。     

金樱子SRAP-PCR反应体系的建立与优化

以广西南宁产的金樱子叶片为材料,采用L16(45)正交试验设计,对SRAP-PCR反应体系中的Mg2+、dNTPs、TaqDNA聚合酶、引物和模板DNA用量5因素进行了优化。结果表明:适用于金樱子SRAP-PCR的最佳反应体系为:反应总体积10μL,包含2.0 mmol/L Mg2+、0.4 mmol/L dNTPs、0.5 UTaqDNA聚合酶、3μmol/L引物、25ng DNA及10×PCR Buffer;各因素对PCR反应影响由大到小依次为:Mg2+、DNA、dNTPs、引物、TaqDNA聚合酶。用7份不同来源的金樱子材料对优化的SRAP-PCR反应体系进行验证,均获得了条带清晰、多态性丰富的扩增图谱,证实了该体系的稳定可靠。     

白桦SRAP-PCR反应体系的优化

采用单因素试验对白桦SRAP-PCR反应体系中的5个因素(Mg2+、d NTP、引物、Taq DNA聚合酶和模板DNA)进行优化,结果表明:在25μL反应体系中Mg2+浓度2.0 mmol·L-1、Taq DNA聚合酶1.5 U、d NTPs 0.15 mmol·L-1、引物浓度0.4μmol·L-1、模板DNA 30 ng,该体系能够很好地满足白桦SRAP扩增的要求。优化体系的建立将为今后利用SRAP标记技术对白桦进行分子遗传育种研究奠定基础。     

药用半枫荷基因组总DNA提取及ISSR-PCR反应体系优化

利用正交试验设计方法,对影响ISSR-PCR反应的Mg2＋、dNTPs、引物和Taq DNA聚合酶等因素进行优化的结果表明：在20μL PCR反应体系中含10×PCR Buffer,0.018μmol/L引物,4.0 mmol/L Mg2＋,15 ng/μL模板DNA,1.5 U Taq DNA聚合酶,4种dNTPs各0.15 mmol/L为半枫荷ISSR-PCR最适反应体系。     

适用于厚朴的SRAP反应体系的建立与优化

利用正交试验L16(45),结合单因素试验对厚朴相关序列扩增多态性(Sequence-related amplified polymorphism,SRAP)标记反应体系的5个因素(Mg2+,dNTPs,引物,Taq酶和模板DNA)进行优化试验,结果表明:各因素水平变化对PCR反应的影响从大到小依次为:dNTPsTaq酶模板DNAMg2+引物;筛选出各反应因素的最佳水平,建立厚朴SRAP-PCR反应的最佳体系(25μL)为:Taq酶1.5 U,Mg2+1.8 mmol.L-1,模板DNA100 ng,dNTP 0.24 mmol.L-1,引物0.40μL。试验表明,该体系重复性好、稳定性强。     

杂种松SRAP-PCR反应体系的优化

通过单因素试验,对杂种松SRAP-PCR反应体系的各主要影响因子（Mg^2＋浓度、dNTP浓度、引物浓度以及Taq DNA聚合酶用量）进行了优化筛选,最终得出杂种松SRAP-PCR反应的最佳体系为：25μL体系中含有Mg^2＋2.0 mmol/L、dNTPs 0.25 mmol/L、Taq酶1.0 U,引物0.4μmol/L,模板DNA 30-50 ng以及1%体积的DMSO。采用该优化体系,对两种杂种松（火加松、湿加松）基因组DNA进行SRAP扩增,表明大部分引物对扩增出来的带清晰可辨、背景较少,完全满足分子标记的要求,为杂种松SRAP标记的相关研究奠定了基础。     

Decomposition and nutrient loss from prunings of different contour hedgerow species in tea plantations in the sloping highlands of Sri Lanka

Contour hedgerows of multipurpose tree species in the sloping tea lands of Sri Lanka are expected to reduce soil erosion and also add significant amounts of plant nutrients to the soil via periodic prunings. The objective of this experiment was to characterize the biomass decomposition pattern and quantify the amount of nutrients added through prunings of six tree species (Calliandra calothyrsus, Senna spectabilis, Euphatorium innulifolium, Flemingia congesta, Gliricidia sepium and Tithonia diversifolia) currently being used in hedgerows associated with tea. Withered leaf and stem prunings (50 g) were enclosed in 2-mm litter bags, placed at 5-cm depth and retrieved after one, three, six, nine and 12 weeks. Loss of initial dry weight, N, P and K was measured. Single exponential decay function adequately described both dry weight and nutrient loss. Tree species differed significantly in their rate of breakdown with decomposition constants (k) varying from 0.0299 to 0.2006 week⁻¹ for leaves and from 0.0225 to 0.0633 week⁻¹ for stems. Gliricidia showed the highest k for leaves with the rest in the following descending order: Senna > Tithonia ≥ Euphatorium > Calliandra > Flemingia. A similar pattern was observed for loss of all nutrients with Calliandra and Flemingia always having lower k values than the rest. Although N immobilization was not observed, immobilization of P and K was observed during the first week of incubation in some species, particularly in stem prunings. Annual biomass of prunings differed significantly between tree species in the following descending order: Calliandra > Senna > Flemingia > Tithonia > Gliricidia > Euphatorium. Calliandra added the greatest amount of nutrients annually to the soil with Euphatorium adding the least. Calliandra prunings provided the annual total K requirement and 49% of the N requirement of mature tea. However, none of the species provided more than 5% of the P requirement. It is concluded that among the tree species tested, Calliandra and Flemingia are the most suitable for contour hedgerows in tea plantations of this agroclimatic region because of their higher soil nutrient enrichment capacity and slower decomposition rates which would minimize leaching losses. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of Seed Weight and Seed Type on Early Seedling Growth of Pinus sylvestris under Harsh and Optimal Conditions

The effects of seed weight and seed type on seedling growth of Pinus sylvestris (L.) were studied by seeding individually weighed orchard and stand seed in different mixtures under harsh (direct seeding in field) and optimal (seeding in nursery) conditions. In the nursery experiment an increase in the seed weight from 3 to 7 mg increased the seedling height by 10-27% and total weight by 27-113%, and decreased the height/diameter ratio by 5-6% after 2 yrs. With elimination of seed weight effects, orchard seedlings were 2% taller than stand seedlings in year 2. Without elimination of seed weight effects, orchard seedlings were 7-13% taller. In the field experiment an increase in the seed weight from 3 to 7 mg increased seedling height by 18-65%, stem volume by 81-274% and the number of top-buds by 23-34% in year 5. After elimination of seed weight effects, orchard seedlings were 7-13% taller than stand seedlings and without elimination of seed weight effects 20-21% taller after 5 yrs. Even after elimination of both seed weight and genetic effects orchard seedlings were 3-9% larger than stand seedlings in the field experiment. In conclusion, the influence of seed weight and seed type on growth traits and slenderness is highly significant and the influence seems to be greater in harsh conditions.     

Modelling of adequate pretwist for obtaining straight timber

Abstract

Wood in general and wooden studs in particular are often distorted owing to uneven shrinkage during the drying process in the sawmill. Twist is often the most detrimental of all types of distortion, and it is caused by spiral grain in combination with variations in moisture content. For sawmills, the objective is to produce dried, straight boards, and one method of dealing with boards with excessive spiral grain is to sort them out and then dry them in a pretwisted position to obtain straight boards after drying. A model using the finite element (FE) method for the simulation of drying twist distortions was first calibrated against laboratory experiments in which boards were dried with and without restraints and pretwists. After the calibration, the FE results were compared with industrial test results for boards that were dried without restraints or with restraints with zero pretwist, i.e. straight restraints. The FE model used an elastic–ideally plastic material model to obtain permanent deformations. The calibration was to set the yield stresses so that there was a good match between FE results and results from the laboratory experiments. The comparison between the industrial test results and the FE results showed that the FE model is capable of realistic simulations of drying boards with and without restraints and presumably also pretwists.     

Potential to harness superior nutritional qualities of exotic baobabs if local adaptation can be conferred through grafting

Baobab leaves form an important part of the local diet in Sahel countries and elsewhere in Africa. Existing leaf nutritional data and agroforestry performance information are based solely on Adansonia digitata L., the baobab of continental Africa. The introduction potential of Adansonia species from the center of diversity in Madagascar and from Australia remains untapped. To assess this potential, the mineral contents and B₁ and B₂ vitamin levels of dried baobab leaves were determined for five-year old trees of A. digitata, A. gibbosa (A. Cunn.) Guymer ex D. Baum, A. rubrostipa Jum. & H. Perrier (syn. A. fony Baill.), A. perrieri Capuron and A. za Baill. grown in an introduction trial in Mali. Nutritional data were evaluated against survival and vigor to identify promising germplasm. Leaf vitamin and crude protein contents were highest in the Madagascar species, especially A. rubrostipa (B₁ 88 mg 100 g⁻¹, B₂ 187 mg 100 g⁻¹, protein 20.7% dry weight). However, the local species far outperformed the introductions in survival, tree height, basal diameter and resistance to termites. We suggest grafting as a way of harnessing the vigor of well-adapted local baobab varieties to the superior nutritional profiles of A. rubrostipa and others. Cross-species grafting tests in Adansonia were successful, thus creating new agroforestry possibilities with different scion/rootstock combinations.     

Biogeochemical impacts of clearfelling and reforestation on blanket-peatland streams: II. major ions and dissolved organic carbon

Streams and drains in blanket-peatland forest in western Ireland were sampled weekly over 5 years, 1996–2000, using continuous, depth-proportional passive sampling. Analysis was for pH, alkalinity by Gran titration, anions by IC, metals by ICP, aluminium speciation by loaded-resin exchange, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by absorbance at 320 nm.

Effects of felling are identified graphically from two forest drains whose catchments (both about 1 ha) were clearfelled, and partial clearfelling of one larger catchment (somewhat over 1 km²), in summer 1999. Calcium concentrations and alkalinity were increased in the drain- and streamwater from the felled areas. The pH was increased in drains, while in the larger stream, pH range decreased while the mean increased. Phosphorus increased markedly with clearfell, in the absence of recent fertilising, and also increased with fertilising; these results are reported in an accompanying paper. Ammonium-nitrogen concentrations were increased in the two drains with felling, and temporarily decreased in the larger stream. Nitrate increased in some cases. Potassium and manganese concentrations also increased. Concentrations of DOC and organic monomeric aluminium increased gradually, subject to a continuing strong annual cycle. There were no clearfelling effects on concentrations of solphate, suspended solids or inorganic monomeric aluminium. In the two drains (fully clearfelled), concentrations of sodium, chloride and magnesium, and conductivity, were all reduced after felling. Fertilising effects other than for phosphorus were indistinct.

Effects of the combined clearfell–reforestation treatment were testable statistically, using randomised intervention analysis, between two larger streams (1 km²) as a treatment–control comparison. There were statistically significant positive responses in streamwater concentrations of nitrate, potassium, calcium, DOC and aluminium fractions. The implications for management practice depend on whether the loss of nutrients is sustainable for future crop productivity, and whether critical limits and loads of receiving ecosystems are exceeded.     

Effect of Drought on Growth and Mortality of Actively Growing Norway Spruce Container Seedlings Planted in Summer

Survival, root egress and height growth of 13-month-old actively growing Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) container seedlings exposed to preplanting drying treatments (0, 4, and 8 days) and postplanting drought periods (1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks) were studied in the field between 5 July and 18 August 1999. The mortality of seedlings increased and the height growth and root egress decreased throughout the postplanting drought period. Postplanting performance was also affected by preplanting drying treatments. The results indicate that no risk of excessive mortality and growth restrictions occurs when actively growing seedlings are planted in summer, provided that seedlings are well watered before planting and the drought period does not exceed 3 weeks.     

Rehabilitation of diseased cacao fields in Peru through shade regulation and timing of biocontrol measures

The objective of this case study was to test the effectiveness of biocontrol for the rehabilitation of abandoned, diseased (moniliasis, witches' broom and black pod) cocoa and to develop testable hypotheses regarding the effect of shade and biocontrol timing. Three trial fields differed in their shade regimes. Biocontrol was administered starting either at flowering or pod filling. Disease incidence and yield were compared with cultural control alone. Biocontrol reduced moniliasis from 49% to 25%, independent of the shading regime and application time. Witches' broom was most severe without shade and unaffected by biocontrol. No significant effects on black pod were observed. Although biocontrol increased percentage healthy fruit independent of shading and timing, only the shaded plot with biocontrol from flowering onwards responded with increased yield. Our hypothesis is: 'In the rehabilitation of abandoned cacao, only fields under sustainable shade management and early onset of biocontrol can realise their production potential.' This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

qPCR quantification of Ophiognomonia clavigignenti‐juglandacearum from infected butternut trees under different release treatments

The use of a molecular assay for quantifying conidia of Ophiognomonia clavigignenti‐juglandacearum, the fungal pathogen responsible of butternut canker, was investigated. Purified DNA from conidia collected on glass fibre filters of a passive rain collectors was quantified using a TaqMan real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. The qPCR assay could specifically discriminate the target species from all other North American known species of Ophiognomonia, and it was sensitive enough to repeatedly detect one conidium. A linear relationship between numbers of conidia and qPCR C_t values was determined, and used to assess the sporulation of the pathogen under trees that were released to promote their vigour. In total, 977 samples of field‐captured conidia from 49 trees, at two locations, and from two successive growing seasons were analysed. No significant difference of sporulation was observed under control and release treatments. However, our results demonstrated that qPCR assay was reliable for detecting and quantifying O. clavigignenti‐juglandacearum from environmental samples, which will be useful to assess further control methods for this disease.     

The potential of alley cropping in improvement of cultivation systems in the high rainfall areas of Zambia I. Chitemene and Fundikila

Three trials investigating the potential of alley cropping to improve the traditional systems of cultivation, chitemene and fundikila, in the Northern Province of Zambia are described. Flemingia congesta, Tephrosia vogelii, and Sesbania sesban, were grown in association with finger millet, groundnut, cowpea, and maize in various traditional cropping sequences. The indigenous species Tephrosia vogelii and Sesbania sesban were not able to withstand repeated pruning and the long following dry season, and were replaced with Calliandra calothyrsus, and Cassia spectabilis.Over a four year period, there was no benefit by alley cropping with any of the tree species on crop yields, and yields in alley crop treatments even dropped significantly below the control treatments in the fourth year, casting doubt on the potential of alley cropping for sustainable production. There was also no consistent effect on soil chemical characteristics in any of the trials. It was suggested that this lack of beneficial response to alley cropping was due to low tree biomass production low quality of prunings, and an inappropriate cropping sequence. There was no evidence that alley cropping contributed to enhanced nutrient recycling, despite substantial localised pools of soil nutrients, particularly in the chitemene, with which recycling could potentially occur.     

Toxicity of biocide GCSC-BtA on arthropod pests under different temperature conditions

The present research dealt with the toxicity of GCSC-BtA (Germany–China Scientific Cooperation-Bacillus thuringiensis-Abamectin), a new type biocide developed by conjugating a toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) with Abamectin from Streptomyces avermitilis, on arthropod pests under different temperature conditions. The results showed that GCSC-BtA possessed higher toxicity than B.t. crystal, Abamectin or Cypermethrin, with pest mortalities of 97.9, 93.7, 96.4, 82.3 and 96.7% for Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisd.) (Acari, Tetranychidae), Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thys., Thripidae), Aphis fabae Scopoli (Hom., Aphididae), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep., Plutellidae) and Cameraria ohridella Deschka et Dimić (Lep., Gracillariidae), respectively. Toxicities of GCSC-BtA to T. cinnabarinus and P. xylostella decreased significantly at the older developmental stage with an exception that egg stage had the highest tolerance, in which LC₅₀s of GCSC-BtA were 0.0001, 0.0019 and 0.0708 mg/ml for nymph, adult and egg of T. cinnabarinus, and that 0.0399, 0.2035 and 0.9033 mg/ml for the 2nd instar larvae, 4th instar larvae and egg of P. xylostella, respectively. Also, the biocide was more effective to the lower stage of A. fabae than the higher one with LC₅₀s of 0.0023, 0.0086 and 0.0171 mg/ml against 1st instar nymph, 3rd instar nymph and adult, respectively. In general, toxicity of the new type of biocide was positively related to temperature against all the tested pests, except against T. cinnabarinus, where it was almost similar at the three temperature conditions. GCSC-BtA displayed significantly lower toxicities at 15/20°C than 20/25°C or 25/30°C against F. occidentalis, A. fabae, P. xylostella and C. ohridella. However, no significant difference was found in the toxicities against F. occidentalis, A. fabae and C. ohridella above 20°C, whereas toxicity against P. xylostella increased as temperature raised. Therefore, to achieve higher efficacy in the field, application rate and time should be devised according to these factors.