西藏半野生小麦粒型性状的QTL定位

为了解西藏半野生小麦粒型性状的QTL差异,以西藏半野生小麦Q1028和郑麦9023(ZM9023)杂交后获得的重组自交系群体为试验材料,于2012、2013和2015年分别在四川农业大学温江试验田种植,对其粒型性状(粒长、粒宽、粒厚、长宽比、籽粒大小)进行遗传分析。结果表明,重组自交系群体粒型性状均呈正态分布,对籽粒大小的影响依次为粒宽、粒厚、粒长。在三个年度环境中,总共检测到33个控制小麦粒长、粒宽、粒厚、籽粒大小和长宽比的QTL位点。其中,13个控制粒长的QTL分布在1B、2B、2D(3个)、3A、4A、5B、6A、6B、7A(3个)染色体上,每个位点对表型变异的贡献率为5.37%~11.57%。6个控制粒宽的QTL分布在2B、2D、4A、5B、6A、7A染色体上,可以解释表型变异的6.43%~12.69%。3个控制粒厚的QTL位于2B和2D(2个)上,表型贡献率分别为12.75%、10.00%和8.49%。9个控制籽粒大小的QTL分别位于2B、2D(2个)、4A、5B、6A、7A(3个)染色体上,单个QTL可解释6.26%~14.69%的表型变异。另外,本研究还在2B、2D、4A、5B、6A、7A染色体上共发现7个QTL富集区,这些染色体上的QTL和富集区与籽粒性状密切相关,在育种中值得关注。其中,2B染色体上XwPt-3561~XwPt-6932分子标记区间内有控制粒长、粒宽、粒厚、籽粒大小的遗传位点,6A染色体上标记wpt-730109与wpt-7063之间有控制增加籽粒宽度和籽粒大小的位点。     

波兰小麦×普通小麦品系“中13”RIL群体籽粒特性的QTL定位

小麦籽粒特性与籽粒产量和品质密切相关。本研究以波兰小麦(Tiriticum polonicum L.)×普通小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)品系"中13"杂交组合衍生的99个F8重组自交系(Recombinant inbred lines,RIL)群体为材料,利用SSR分子标记构建连锁遗传图谱。根据两年实验数据,利用复合区间作图法对粒重、粒长和粒宽3个籽粒特性相关性状进行了QTL定位分析,共检测到12个与籽粒特性相关的加性QTL位点。其中,3个粒重QTL,1个位于1A染色体上,另外2个都在2A染色体上,单个QTL可解释表型变异的13.35%～20.04%;5个粒长QTL,其中2个位于2A染色体上,其余3个分别位于3A、5A和2B染色体上,单个QTL可解释表型变异的8.53%～21.03%;4个粒宽QTL,分别位于1A、2A、3B和5B染色体上,单个QTL可解释表型变异的9.76%～40.79%。在2A染色体上共检测到5个籽粒特性相关性状的QTL,表明2A染色体与籽粒特性关系密切。     

小麦产量性状的QTL分析

为寻找更多与小麦产量性状相关的数量性状位点（QTL），利用江苏地方品种望水白与墨西哥小麦品种Alondra杂交构建的重组自交系群体（104个家系），在3个试验环境下进行了单株有效穗数、主穗粒数、单穗粒数和千粒重4个性状的QTL分析，结果在5A染色体上检测到与单株有效穗数相关、可以解释10．3％～18．8％表型变异的QTL1个；检测到与主穗粒数相关的QTL8个，分别位于染色体1B、1D、3B、4A、5D、6B上和连锁群4上（未知具体染色体归属），单个QTL可以解释9．9％～19．9％的表型变异；检测到与单穗粒数相关的QTL11个，分别位于染色体1B、1D、2A、2B、3B、4A、5D、6B和7A上，单个QTL可解释7．5％～43．4％的表型变异；检测到与千粒重相关的QTL5个，分别位于2A、2B、3B、4D和7A染色体上，单个QTL可解释9．6％～25．7％的表型变异。获得的QTL可以用于分子标记辅助育种。     

小麦籽粒形态及千粒重性状的QTL初步定位

为研究小麦籽粒形态及千粒重性状的QTL,以普通小麦6044和01-35为杂交组合构建的F8重组自交系（RIL）群体作为试验材料,在山东泰安（山东农业大学试验站）和莱阳（青岛农业大学试验站）两个环境下进行两年田间试验,利用Mapmaker/version 3.0和WinQTLCart软件通过复合区间作图法进行QTL初步定位,在两年两个环境下共检测到12个相关QTL位点,其中关于粒长的2个QTL分别位于2A和2B染色体上,可解释表型变异的25%和12%;4个粒厚QTL位于2A和6A染色体上,可解释表型变异的7%～10%;6个千粒重相关QTL位于染色体2A、4A和6A连锁群上,可解释表型变异的6%～25%;而粒宽QTL在两个地点上都没有检测到。其中相关性高的性状间有一些共同的QTL,表现出一因多效或紧密连锁效应。     

基于SRAP和SSR标记的小麦品质相关性状的QTL定位

为了对小麦品质相关性状进行QTL定位,以两个品质性状差异较大的小麦品种西农981和陕麦159构建的169株F2群体和F2:3家系为材料,利用SRAP标记和SSR标记进行遗传图谱构建,并通过完备区间作图法对杨凌及三原两个环境下籽粒的粗蛋白质含量、淀粉含量、湿面筋含量和Zeleny沉降值进行QTL定位。结果表明,在两个环境下共检测到33个与品质性状相关的QTL,其中11个为粗蛋白含量QTL,分布于1A、3A、5A、6A、2B和4B染色体上,可解释表型效应的0.69%~2.48%;7个为淀粉含量QTL,分布于1A、6A、4B和2D染色体上,可解释表型变异的2.94%~6.99%;12个为湿面筋含量QTL,分布于1A、3A、5A、6A、2B、3B和4B染色体上,可解释表型变异的0.58%~2.37%;3个为Zeleny沉降值QTL,分布于3A、1B和3B染色体上,可解释表型变异的2.72%~11.31%。同时,在1A、3A、5A、6A、2B、4B染色体上存在粗蛋白质含量、淀粉含量和湿面筋含量QTL富集区,在后续研究中可重点关注。     

春小麦主要籽粒性状的全基因组关联分析

为挖掘控制春小麦主要籽粒性状的关联SNP及候选基因,以国外引进品种、新疆地方品种、新疆自育品种共298份春小麦品种为材料,利用小麦55K SNP芯片,对5个环境下小麦千粒重、粒长、粒宽3个主要籽粒性状进行基于Q+K混合线性模型(mixed linear model,MLM)的全基因组关联分析（genome-wide association study,GWAS）。结果表明,供试小麦品种的3个主要籽粒性状在5个环境下的变异系数为3.89%~19.77%,其中粒宽的变异幅度最小,千粒重的变异幅度最大。不同环境中,新疆育成品种的3个主要籽粒性状的平均值均最高,而新疆地方品种的3个籽粒性状的平均值均最低。GWAS结果表明,共检测到84个与小麦主要籽粒性状显著关联的稳定SNP位点,它们分布在小麦的21条染色体上,单个SNP位点可解释3.74%~11.18%的表型变异。在1B、2B、3B、4B、5A、5D染色体上检测到6个同时关联多个籽粒性状的稳定位点。对84个SNP位点进行候选基因筛选,筛选到6个可能与小麦主要籽粒性状相关的候选基因,可作为小麦籽粒研究的重要基因。     

小麦分蘖数和单株穗数QTL定位及上位性分析

为了明确小麦分蘖性状和单株穗数的遗传基础,以中国春（母本）和兰考大粒（父本）杂交获得的F₂群体为作图群体,构建了含169个分子标记的遗传连锁图谱。将F_2:3家系分别种植于陕西乾县、岐山和杨凌三地,利用完备区间作图方法对小麦冬前分蘖、春季分蘖和单株穗数进行多环境联合QTL分析,共检测到21个相关的加性QTL位点。其中,6个冬前分蘖QTL位于2A、2D、5D和7A染色体上,单个QTL可解释1.38%～6.73%的表型变异;7个春季分蘖QTL位于1A、2D、4B、5D、7A和7D染色体上,单个QTL可解释1.97%～32.60%的表型变异;8个单株穗数QTL位于1A、2B、2D和4B染色体上,单个QTL可解释2.29%～41.21%的表型变异。共检测到30对加性×加性上位性QTL。其中,控制冬前分蘖的为1对,可解释21%的表型变异;控制春季分蘖的为20对,可解释0.59%～48.7%的表型变异;控制单株穗数的为9对,可解释0.08%～22.18%的表型变异。控制冬前分蘖、春季分蘖和单株穗数的加性QTL存在差异,同一QTL在不同性状中的遗传贡献率也不同;基因间上位性效应以春季分蘖最大,单株穗数次之,冬前分蘖最小,且不同性状涉及的QTL位点具有差异。小麦分蘖遗传主要受加性效应控制,本研究初步定位到的一些重要QTL可为进一步精细定位、基因挖掘和高产育种的分子标记辅助选择提供依据。     

基于高效SNP芯片的小麦产量相关性状全基因组关联分析

挖掘小麦产量相关性状的稳定关联位点，为相关基因克隆和分子标记辅助选择提供理论依据。本研究以248个中国北部冬麦区育成品种为材料，利用自主研发的Affymetrix BAAFS Wheat 90K SNP芯片对株高、穗长、小穗数、穗粒数、有效分蘖数、粒长、粒宽和千粒重共8个产量相关性状进行全基因组关联分析。共检测到158个与8个性状显著关联(P≤0.00001)的SNP位点，其中45个位点至少在两个环境中稳定表达，解释平均表型变异的3.60%~10.51%。在这45个位点中，有8个稳定关联位点与以往的研究结果一致；37个为新发现稳定位点，其中3个与株高稳定关联的位点，分布在7D染色体上，解释表型变异的3.60%~4.39%；9个与穗长稳定关联的位点，分别分布在1D、3A、5B和7D染色体上，解释表型变异的5.61%~8.42%；1个与穗粒数稳定关联的位点，分布在7D染色体上，解释表型变异的6.06%~7.22%；8个与有效分蘖数稳定关联的位点，分布在1B染色体上，解释表型变异的6.33%~8.73%；6个与粒长稳定关联的位点，分别分布在2A和5B染色体上，解释表型变异的5.45%~6.62%；7个与粒宽稳定关联的位点，分别分布在4B和5A染色体上，解释表型变异的6.90%~10.51%；3个与千粒重稳定关联的位点，分布在3A染色体上，解释表型变异的7.05%~7.69%；对稳定位点进行候选基因分析，筛选到45个候选基因，其中有功能注释的基因41个，其中4个位于基因内。     

利用90K基因芯片进行小麦旗叶相关性状的QTL定位

为了发掘影响小麦旗叶相关性状的QTL,以小麦骨干亲本周8425B与优良品种小偃81构建的包含102个家系的重组自交系(Recombinant inbred line,RIL)为材料,采用小麦90KSNP基因芯片技术和SSR标记对其进行分子标记检测,构建含有全基因组SNP和SSR标记的高密度遗传图谱,并在4个环境下对小麦旗叶相关性状QTL进行检测。结果表明,所构建图谱含有6 949对多态性标记,其中,SNP标记6 910对,SSR标记39对,覆盖染色体总长度4 839.9cM,标记间平均距离0.7cM;A、B和D染色体组分别有2 085、4 677和187对标记,分别占总标记数的30.0%、67.5%和2.7%,标记间平均距离分别为1.0、0.6和0.8cM。采用完备复合区间作图法共检测到22个旗叶性状加性效应QTL,10个旗叶长QTL分布于2A、3B、4B、5A、6B和7B染色体上,解释表型变异7.900%~24.098%,除Qfll2A-1能在2个环境中检测到外,其余均为单环境QTL;4个旗叶宽QTL分布于2A、3A和5B染色体上,解释表型变异9.080%~16.540%,其中,Qflw2A-1在3个环境中均能检测到,解释表型变异12.483%~16.540%,为1个稳定的主效QTL;8个旗叶面积QTL分布于2A、3B、4B、5A、6B和7A染色体上,解释表型变异9.310%~30.498%,其中,3个QTL位于5A染色体上。此外,鉴定出3个分布于2A、5A和6B染色体上的QTL富集区段。     

普通小麦穗部性状QTL分析

为给小麦穗部性状标记辅助选择提供可供选择的分子标记,并进一步对小麦穗部相关性状QTL进行精细定位及相关基因克隆,利用普通小麦Heyne×Lakin杂交F2代单粒传获得的145个F6代重组自交系(recombinant inbred line,RIL)群体,构建了含有2 210个标记(2 068个SNP标记和142个SSR标记)的总长度为2 139.35cM的遗传连锁图谱,并利用该图谱对小麦穗部性状(穗长、小穗数、穗密度)进行了QTL分析。结果表明,共检测出16个加性QTL,其中,与穗长相关的QTL有6个,分布在2A、2D、3B、4D、5A和7D染色体上,可解释表型变异7.58%~15.94%;与小穗数相关的QTL有4个,分布在1A、4A和7D染色体上,可解释表型变异7.28%~14.78%;与穗密度相关的QTL有6个,位于4D、5A和6B染色体上,可解释表型变异5.60%~20.06%。     

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.     

La pourriture fongique des tubercules de pomme de terre en atmosphère contrôlée

Résumé Fusarium culmorum et, dans une moindre mesure,F. avenaceum, F. sambucinum, Colletotrichum coccodes etCylindrocarpon sp. ont été isolés de tubercules entreposés en atmosphère contr?lée (AC) et atteints de pourriture grave. Des expériences d'inoculation de tubercules avec 10 espèces ou variétés fongiques et conservation en AC à 8 et 10°C ont montré que: 1) les champignons non pathogènes en atmosphère normale (ex.:Cylindrocarpon sp.) le devenaient en AC, 2) ceux qui étaient faiblement pathogènes en atmosphère normale étaient nettement plus virulents en AC (ex.:F. culmorum), 3) les espèces ou variétés virulentes en conditions d'air normales (Fusarium sulphureum etPhoma exigua var.foveata) ne provoquaient pas de pourriture plus grave en AC et leur activité pouvait même être légérement freinée.

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Summary The extensive rotting of tubers which occurred during storage trials in controlled atmospheres has led to a mycological and pathological study of the rots. The most frequently isolated species wasFusarium culmorum althoughF. avenaceum, F. Sambucinum, Coletotrichum coccodes and aCylindrocarpon sp. were also present. Tubers of cvs Bintje and Ulla were inoculated with 19 isolates of 10 fungal species or varieties associated with rotting of stored tubers (Table 1). The tubers were incubated at 8 or 10°C in normal or controlled (2% O₂:1% CO₂, 2% O₂:6% CO₂, 2% O₂:12% CO₂, 6% O₂:6% CO₂) atmospheres and the extent of rotting was determined a month later (Tables 2 and 3 and Fig. 2). Species which were weakly virulent in a normal atmosphere (variousFusarium spp. andPhoma exigua var.exigua) were clearly more aggressive in the controlled atmosphere and this was especially evident in the case ofF. culmorum. Species ot pathogenic in a normal atmosphere under experimental conditions (Colletotrichum coccodes, Cylindrocarpon sp.,Phoma eupyrena) caused rotting in the controlled atmosphere. The two species which were virulent in a normal atmosphere (F. sulphureum andP. exigua var.foveata) were also virulent in the controlled atmosphere and in some cases the extent of rotting was even less. As a general rule, rotting caused by weakly virulent fungi was greater in both cultivars in the controlled than in a normal atmosphere.

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Zusammenfassung Eine starke F?ulnis von in Kontrotrollierter Atmosph?re gelagerten Kartoffelknollen veranlasste eine mykologische und pathologische Untersuchung. Der am h?ufigsten isolierte Pilz warFusarium culmorum. F. avenaceum, F. sambucinum, Colletotrichum coccodes undCylindrocarpon sp. wurden ebenfalls bestimmt. Neunzehn St?mme von 10 Pilzsorten oder-Arten welche bei Lagerf?ulnis vorkommen (Tab. 1) wurden auf Knollen der Sorten Bintje und Ulla inokuliert. Die Lagerung wurde bei 8 oder 10°C under Normalbedingungen oder kontrollierter Atmosph?re durchgeführt (2% O₂:1% CO₂, 2% O₂:6% CO₂, 2% O₂:12% CO₂, 6% O₂:6% CO₂). Der F?ulnisgrad (Abb. 1) wurde nach einem Monat bonitiert. Die Ergebnisse sind in den Tabellen 2 und 3 dargestellt und in der Abb. 2 illustriert. Unter in Normalbedingungen nur schwach virulente Arten (verschiedeneFusarien undPhoma exigua var. exigua) waren deutlich aktiver in kontrollierter Atmosph?re. Dies was besonders der Fall fürF. culmorum. Pilze, die im Versuch unter Normalbedingungen nicht pathogen waren (Colletotrichum coccodes, Cylindrocarpon sp., Phoma eupyrena), haben unter kontrollierter Atmosph?re Sch?den verursacht. Hingegen werden die beiden unter Normalbedingungen sehr pathogenen Arten (F. sulphureum undP., exigua var.foveata), durch kontrollierte Atmosph?re wenig beeinflusst. Es wurde sogar in einigen F?llen eine gewisse Verringerung des F?ulnisbefalls beobachtet. Ganz allgemein haben die getesteten kontrollierten Bedingungen die Entwicklung der Pilzf?ulnis an beiden Kartoffelsorten gef?rdert, speziell durch Pilzarten, welche unter Normal-bedingungen wenig Sch?den verursachen.

     

Marine Pharmacology in 2016–2017: Marine Compounds with Antibacterial,Antidiabetic, Antifungal,Anti-Inflammatory,Antiprotozoal, Antituberculosis and Antiviral Activities; Affecting the Immune and Nervous Systems,and Other Miscellaneous Mechanisms of Action

The review of the 2016–2017 marine pharmacology literature was prepared in a manner similar as the 10 prior reviews of this series. Preclinical marine pharmacology research during 2016–2017 assessed 313 marine compounds with novel pharmacology reported by a growing number of investigators from 54 countries. The peer-reviewed literature reported antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, and antiviral activities for 123 marine natural products, 111 marine compounds with antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities as well as affecting the immune and nervous system, while in contrast 79 marine compounds displayed miscellaneous mechanisms of action which upon further investigation may contribute to several pharmacological classes. Therefore, in 2016–2017, the preclinical marine natural product pharmacology pipeline generated both novel pharmacology as well as potentially new lead compounds for the growing clinical marine pharmaceutical pipeline, and thus sustained with its contributions the global research for novel and effective therapeutic strategies for multiple disease categories.     

Effects of Micronutrient Deficiencies on Human Health: Its Status in South Asia

SUMMARY

Vitamin A, iodine, and iron deficiencies affect large numbers of people worldwide. A deficiency of one or more of these micronutrients adversely affects the physical and mental abilities of humans. South Asia contains a high percentage of these individuals, not just because of its large population, but also the prevalence of deficiency is higher there than in many other parts of the world. The reasons for the high rates of deficiency in South Asia are many, but they include inadequate availability of micronutrient-rich foods, sub-optimal dietary habits, and high rates of infection. Across the region, national plans vary from (a) increasing availability of appropriate foods, (b) introducing new dietary behaviors, (c) improving health status, and (d) directly addressing deficiency through intervention programs. The extent to which each of the countries is making progress toward the goals of these plans can help in understanding the priorities for future efforts to address micronutrient malnutrition. This article discusses the adverse effects of micronutrient deficiencies in humans with special reference to South Asia.     

Management of Soil Micronutrient Deficiencies in the Rice-Wheat Cropping System

Summary

Within the last three decades, the rice-wheat cropping system has triggered, and with time, aggravated soil micronutrient deficiencies in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). This has largely been due to the shift from an earlier rice and wheat monoculture with low yielding, long duration indigenous varieties, to an intensive rice-wheat rotation cropping system with short duration modern high yielding varieties on the same piece of land. The problems related to micronutrient deficiency in the IGP are more due to the size of its available pools in the soil rather than its total contents and are greatly influenced by crop management, or rather its mismanagement. Deficiency of zinc is widespread in the IGP, but with the extensive use of zinc sulfate, zinc deficiency has reduced in some areas of the region. Meanwhile, the deficiency of Fe, Mn and B has increased in the IGP. Deficiency of Cu and Mo is location specific and can limit rice and wheat yields. The adoption and spread of the rice-wheat system in permeable coarse textured soils, particularly in the western IGP, not only caused iron deficiency in rice but also resulted in the emergence of manganese deficiency in wheat. In highly calcareous and acidic soils, boron is the next limiting micronutrient in crop production after zinc. Bumper rice and wheat harvests in the past decade, the declining use of organic manures in the region and except for the widespread use of zinc sulfate, a general lack of awareness amongst farmers on micronutrient deficiency problems has contributed to micronutrients limiting rice and wheat yields in the IGP. Approaches to alleviating micronutrient deficiencies include matching the crop removals of the micronutrients with its replenishments through their respective external carriers, supplementation through organic sources and mobilization/utilization through cultivation of micronutrient efficient crop cultivars. Identification of efficient micronutrient carriers and finding the optimum rate, mode and time of its application is important in ameliorating the micronutrient deficiencies. This article reviews the extent of micronutrient deficiency and discusses various management options available to reduce micronutrient deficiency induced crop yield reduction for rice and wheat in the Indo-Gangetic Plains.     

Irrigation but not N fertilization enhances seedhead density in plains rough fescue ( F estuca hallii)

Plains rough fescue ( F estuca hallii) is an important forage grass species in western Canada. Seed for use in pastures and ecological restoration is in high demand but supply is limited because F. hallii is an erratic seed producer. Seed producers require an understanding of the factors that influence flowering and seed set in this species. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization on the flowering and growth of F. hallii in a native rough fescue prairie in Alberta, Canada. Irrigation had a strong positive effect on seedhead density, whereas fertilization had limited effects on growth and reproduction of F. hallii. These results demonstrate that under field conditions, available moisture is likely to be a key factor driving flowering and seed production in F. hallii.     

In vitro reproduction in the annual pasture legumes subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and French serradella (Ornithopus sativus Brot.)

Pasture legumes are important components of both mixed farming rotations and permanent pastures in temperate climates. Breeding of two widely sown pasture legumes, subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and French serradella (Ornithopus sativus Brot.), is constrained by the long generation cycle, typically enabling only one generation per year. We hypothesized manipulation of culture medium and conditions would enable the development of a laboratory‐based protocol for in vitro reproduction in subterranean clover and French serradella. In vitro flowering and viable seed set was induced from both species. For subterranean clover, the most effective treatment was culturing on modified MS medium with 1 μm kinetin and 0·1 m sucrose under a 100 μmol m^?2 s^?1 light intensity and continuous photoperiod. For French serradella, culture on a hormone‐free B5 medium with 5 mm NH₄Cl and 0·1 m sucrose under a 100 μmol m^?2 s^?1 light intensity and 20 h photoperiod was optimum. It is expected this technique will have application in accelerating generation turnover within breeding programs, for the study of factors influencing flowering in pasture legumes, and for the propagation of valuable yet enfeebled plants such as embryo‐rescued hybrids.     

Marine Drugs Regulating Apoptosis Induced by Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL)

Marine biomass diversity is a tremendous source of potential anticancer compounds. Several natural marine products have been described to restore tumor cell sensitivity to TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced cell death. TRAIL is involved during tumor immune surveillance. Its selectivity for cancer cells has attracted much attention in oncology. This review aims at discussing the main mechanisms by which TRAIL signaling is regulated and presenting how marine bioactive compounds have been found, so far, to overcome TRAIL resistance in tumor cells.     

Estimation of lucerne yield stability for enabling effective cultivar selection under rainfed conditions

Evaluation of crop and forage yield stability is of increasing relevance in the context of current and recent environmental changes but, in contrast to other field crops, there are no published systematic analyses among forage crops in Europe. A study of stability performance was conducted with 13 Czech cultivars of lucerne at four locations over a 2‐year period with the following aims: (a) to evaluate yield stability of varieties across different environments and (b) to calculate measurable benefits of variety selection in relation to the specific environment. The cultivar Vlasta was identified as the highest yielding cultivar (annual yield 16.0 t DM/ha), whereas the lowest yielding cv. Magda, Tereza and Oslava averaged around 14.9 t DM/ha. Effect of genotype × environment interaction (G × E) was two times higher than for genotype alone. Additive main effects and the multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model showed that the highest yielding cultivars may not be stable across environments. This study demonstrated further that significant yield improvement could be detected, even among a relatively homogenous group of domestic cultivars, and this was driven mainly by site productivity: the improvement was +10% in low‐yielding sites, compared with +3% in high‐yielding sites. Results highlight that advanced agronomy should also consider stability parameters such as AMMI stability value or superiority measures for forage crops in response to the challenges associated with climate change.     

Biochemical and morphological characterization of potato clones differing in their resistance to late blight

Summary Morphological and biochemical parameters that could be involved in resistance to late blight were studied in non-infected and in infected potato hybrids resulting from a cross betweenSolanum phureja, resistant toPhytophthora infestans, and a susceptibleSolanum tuberosum. Some morphological differences between resistant and susceptible hybrids, indicating a positive correlation between stem diameter and phloem thickness in the stem and resistance toP. infestans, were observed. The lignin content in the leaves of the resistant hybrid rose upon infection byP. infestans. In the leaves of the susceptible hybrid, a diminution of the lignin content could be observed upon infection byP. infestans. In the same context, peroxidasic activity raised upon infection byP. infestans in both resistant and susceptible hybrids. Further characterization of the hybrid clones based on the polymorphism of peroxidases was attempted using isoelectric focusing.