小麦苗期对非生物胁迫的响应及叶绿体果糖 1,6 二磷酸醛缩酶基因的表达分析

叶绿体果糖-1,6-二磷酸醛缩酶(Chloroplast Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase,CpFBA)参与叶绿体(质体)的碳、氮代谢,在光合作用中具有重要功能,并能对植物的非生物胁迫产生积极响应.为了深入研究小麦CpFBA的生物学功能和对外界逆境的响应模式,以矮变1号、返白系、中国春、西农928、西农2000和晋麦47等六个不同生理特性的小麦品种(系)为材料,分析其在低温、NaCl、PEG模拟干旱和ABA处理下最大叶长和主根根长受到的影响,并采用半定量RT-PCR的方法研究小麦幼苗中CpFBA基因表达模式的变化.结果表明,各种外界非生物胁迫均不同程度的抑制了小麦幼苗叶片和根的生长,其中低温和ABA处理的抑制最为显著.在各种处理条件下,小麦幼苗CpFBA均有明显的上调表达,但不同品种间存在差异,表达模式的改变与品种的生理特性之间表现出一定的相关性.     

6-BA浸种对HgCl2胁迫下小麦种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

为探讨6-苄基腺嘌呤（6-BA）浸种对HgCl₂胁迫下小麦种子萌发及其幼苗生长的缓解作用,以3个小麦品种为材料,研究了不同浓度6-BA浸种对200 mg·L^-1HgCl₂胁迫下小麦种子发芽、幼苗生长、抗氧化酶活性、可溶性蛋白和丙二醛含量的影响。结果表明,200 mg·L^-1HgCl₂处理后,3个小麦品种种子的发芽势、发芽率、根长、芽长和鲜重降低,幼苗的抗氧化酶活性和可溶性蛋白含量降低,丙二醛含量增加。一定浓度6-BA浸种可以缓解HgCl₂胁迫对小麦种子萌发的抑制作用,但对小麦的根长、芽长和鲜重的影响因小麦品种而不同。HgCl₂胁迫下,3个小麦品种幼苗的SOD、POD活性和可溶性蛋白含量随着6-BA浓度的增加均基本呈先升高后降低的趋势,最佳6-BA浓度因品种而不同;3个小麦品种的MDA含量均呈先降低后升高的趋势,以6-BA浓度为15 mg·L^-1时MDA含量最低。说明一定浓度6-BA浸种能够缓解HgCl₂胁迫对小麦种子萌发和幼苗生长的毒害作用,但最佳6-BA浓度因小麦品种的不同而不同。     

高光、水分和盐胁迫下小麦光合特性和抗氧化酶系统的比较

为了解植物光合机构及抗氧化酶系统对高光、水分及盐胁迫的适应机制,比较分析了光强1 800 μmol·m^-2·s^-1、20% 聚乙二醇（PEG-6000）和0.3 mol·L^-1 NaCl处理下小麦叶绿素荧光以及抗氧化酶活性的变化。结果表明,与对照相比,高光胁迫、水分胁迫和盐胁迫下小麦叶片相对含水量、总蛋白含量以及叶绿素含量均下降,以水分胁迫效应最显著,盐胁迫次之。三种胁迫均显著降低了小麦叶片的光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、PSII最大光化学效率（F_v/F_m）及电子传递率（ETR）,而显著增加胞间CO₂浓度、非光化学淬灭（NPQ）、脯氨酸及可溶性糖含量,也以水分胁迫效应最显著。三种胁迫下小麦叶片内的超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）及过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性随胁迫时间的延长呈现不同的变化趋势。其中,SOD活性在三种胁迫下均呈先升后降的趋势;POD活性在高光和水分胁迫下先升后降,而在盐胁迫下呈上升趋势;CAT活性在高光和盐胁迫下呈上升趋势,而在水分胁迫下呈下降趋势。以上结果表明,在三种环境胁迫中,水分胁迫给小麦带来的伤害最严重,盐胁迫次之,高光胁迫最轻。 此外,小麦抗氧化酶系统在高光胁迫、水分胁迫及盐胁迫下应答机制不同。     

大气CO2浓度倍增及UV B辐射对冬小麦幼苗生长发育及抗氧化特性的影响

为给未来气候环境下小麦育种和栽培提供依据,以鲁麦14为材料,在人工模拟条件下研究了大气CO₂浓度倍增和UVB辐射对冬小麦幼苗生长发育和抗氧化特性的影响。结果显示,大气CO₂浓度倍增可增加冬小麦株高、比叶重、地上部干重和分蘖数,显著提高抗氧化酶活性和类黄酮含量,降低了细胞膜透性;而高剂量的UVB处理效应与此相反。在高CO₂浓度和UVB复合处理下,CO₂倍增通过提高抗氧化酶活性,增加类黄酮含量,修复膜过氧化损害,明显减缓由高剂量UVB辐射对冬小麦的不利影响,有利于小麦幼苗生长发育。说明高浓度CO₂可以缓解UVB辐射对冬小麦幼苗生长产生的负效应。     

不同麦类种质抗旱性评价及优异种质筛选

为了解不同麦类种质的抗旱性,进一步发掘小麦近缘种的优势性状以改良小麦品种,2018—2019年在兰州新区和武威黄羊镇对引自国际玉米小麦改良中心（CIMMYT）的灌溉圃小麦、干旱半干旱圃小麦、合成小麦、硬粒小麦和小黑麦设置了正常灌溉和水分胁迫两种处理,在拔节期、抽穗期、灌浆期对心叶或旗叶进行了叶绿素荧光动力学参数测定,并进行了农艺性状鉴定和产量测定,分析了不同生育期叶绿素荧光参数的变化及其与抗旱指数的关系。结果表明,水分胁迫对不同麦类作物产量构成因素的影响程度不同导致其抗旱性有差异。水分胁迫下,PSⅡ潜在活性（F_v/F_o）、PSⅡ反应中心最大光化学效率（F_v/F_m）、PSⅡ实际光化学量子效率（F^′_q/F^′_m）均较正常灌溉下降低,而非光化学淬灭系数（NPQ）升高。随小麦发育进程推移,F_v/F_o、F_v/F_m、F^′_q/F^′_m呈先升后降的趋势,NPQ呈上升趋势。荧光参数的变化说明,干旱胁迫导致PSⅡ结构受损,反应中心受到破坏,光能转化效率降低,电子传递受阻。灰色关联度分析显示,灌浆期荧光参数与抗旱指数的关联度较高,其次为抽穗期、拔节期,各荧光参数与抗旱指数关联度为F_v/F_m>F^′_q/F^′_m>F_v/F_o>NPQ。基于农艺性状、抗旱指数和叶绿素荧光参数,得出不同麦类种质的抗旱性强度依次为小黑麦、干旱半干旱圃小麦、灌溉圃小麦、合成小麦;筛选出9份优异材料,可用于今后小麦育种。     

外源SA对低温胁迫下冬小麦糖酵解代谢的影响

为揭示SA处理对低温胁迫下冬小麦糖酵解（glycolysis,EMP）代谢的影响,以强抗寒性冬小麦品种东农冬麦1号（Dn1）和弱抗寒性品种济麦22号（Jm22）为试验材料,在小麦幼苗三叶期喷施 1 mmol·L^-1 SA,于大田连续10 d自然降温至5、0、-10、-25 ℃时取小麦幼苗叶片和分蘖节,测定其果糖含量、丙酮酸含量及EMP代谢重要酶（己糖激酶HxK、磷酸果糖激酶PFK和丙酮酸激酶PK）的活性和相关基因（TaHxK、TaPFK、TaPK）的表达量。结果表明,SA处理提高了两种冬小麦叶片和分蘖节中果糖及丙酮酸含量,但对Jm22影响较弱;SA处理提高了Dn1叶片和分蘖节中EMP途径关键酶（HxK、PFK和PK）的活性及其相应基因（TaHxK、TaPFK、TaPK）的表达量。SA处理可有效调控冬小麦EMP代谢,促进果糖与丙酮酸积累与分解,提高植物的抗寒性。     

外源褪黑素对铬（Cr6+）胁迫下小麦幼苗光合特性和养分吸收的影响

为明确褪黑素对铬（Cr⁶⁺）胁迫下小麦幼苗光合和养分吸收的调节作用,在水培条件下以豫麦51（铬敏感型）和扬麦16（耐铬型）为材料,分析了Cr⁶⁺胁迫下外源褪黑素预处理（100 μmmol·L_-1）后小麦幼苗光合和荧光参数及养分含量的变化。结果表明,Cr⁶⁺胁迫显著降低了小麦叶片叶绿素含量、气孔导度（G_s）和光系统 Ⅱ（PS Ⅱ）活性,导致光合速率（P_n）显著降低;Cr⁶⁺胁迫也显著减弱了根系对营养元素（N、P、K、Mg、Fe和Mn）的吸收和转运。外源褪黑素处理显著提高了Cr⁶⁺胁迫下小麦幼苗的P_n、G_s、叶绿素（a和b）含量、实际光化学效率（Φ_PSⅡ）、最大光化学效率（F_v/F_m）、光化学淬灭（qL）和电子传递能力（ETR）,增加了根系和叶片营养元素的含量。综合来看,外源褪黑素会促进Cr⁶⁺胁迫下小麦幼苗对养分的吸收与转运、气孔开放、CO₂传导、光能吸收和电子传递,从而缓解Cr⁶⁺对于小麦幼苗光合的抑制作用。     

施磷水平对小麦根系生理及籽粒蛋白质含量的影响

为明确磷肥对小麦品质及根系发育的调控效应,以强筋小麦品种郑麦9023、中筋小麦品种周麦18号、弱筋小麦品种郑麦004为材料,研究了3个磷肥水平（0、90、180 kg P₂O₅·hm^-2）对不同筋力型小麦籽粒蛋白质含量和根系数量性状及生理生化特性的影响。结果表明,施磷在不同程度上增加了小麦次生根数,提高了根系活力,降低了根系可溶性糖含量,但高磷（180 kg P₂O₅·hm^-2）并不利于根系生长。3个小麦品种次生根数在籽粒灌浆期均达最高值,其中,郑麦004的单株次生根数和主茎次生根数较多;根系活力在拔节期达到最大值,成熟期降到最低,其中,郑麦9023根系活力较弱;根系可溶性糖含量在冬前达到最大值,其中,周麦18号的根系可溶性糖含量较高。施磷可增加周麦18号和郑麦9023的籽粒蛋白质含量,但降低郑麦004的籽粒蛋白质含量;在中磷（90 kg P₂O₅·hm^-2）条件下,小麦蛋白质产量最高。综合考虑,在本试验条件下,以中磷处理效应最佳。     

灌水量对强筋小麦上三叶氮素代谢和籽粒加工品质的影响

为探究强筋小麦上三叶氮素积累与转运特征及氮代谢酶活性、籽粒产量和加工品质对灌水量的响应，本研究选用中麦998和津农7号2个强筋小麦品种，分析了灌水量［春季不灌水（W₀）；春灌拔节水和开花水，每次250 m³·hm^-2（W₂₅）；春灌拔节水和开花水，每次500 m³·hm^-2（W₅₀）］对强筋小麦氮代谢酶活性、上三叶氮素积累与转运、籽粒蛋白质含量、籽粒产量及水分利用效率、面粉加工品质的影响。结果表明，在相同生育时期，NR和GS活性、花前氮素转运量及花前氮素对籽粒氮素的贡献率均表现为旗叶>倒二叶>倒三叶；增加灌水量提高了籽粒、旗叶和倒二叶的NR和GS活性，但对倒三叶的NR活性影响不显著；W₂₅处理的旗叶开花期的氮素积累量和花前氮素转运量均显著高于其他2个处理，但倒二叶和倒三叶上述两个指标均以W₅₀处理最高；随灌水量的增加，蛋白质产量先上升后下降，籽粒产量增加，而水分利用效率显著降低；W₂₅处理的面筋指数、吸水率、形成时间、稳定时间、拉伸阻力、延伸性和拉伸面积指标最优或位居第二。综上所述，拔节和开花期各灌水250 m³·hm^-2有利于强筋小麦旗叶花前氮素积累及其向籽粒再分配，有利于蛋白质含量、产量和水分利用效率的协同提高，可改善籽粒加工品质。     

OsPHR2对小麦酸性磷酸化酶活性和根系土壤有机酸含量的影响

为了明确水稻低磷胁迫转录因子OsPHR2对小麦酸性磷酸化酶活性、根系土壤有机酸含量和根系活力的影响，以转OsPHR2小麦纯合株系和受体对照为试验材料，在不施磷（低磷）、施易溶性磷（0.200 g·kg^-1，KH₂PO₄为磷源）和施难溶性磷（0.200 g·kg^-1，以AlPO₄为磷源）3个处理下开展转OsPHR2小麦酸性磷酸化酶活性、根际土壤有机酸含量和根系活力的研究。结果表明，拔节期、抽穗期和灌浆期，在低磷和施AlPO₄处理下2个转OsPHR2小麦株系旗叶和根部酸性磷酸化酶活性均显著高于受体对照；施KH₂PO₄处理下，2个转基因株系旗叶酸性磷酸化酶活性在抽穗期和灌浆期均显著高于对照，根部在抽穗期显著高于对照，其他时期差异均不显著。随着小麦生育进程，小麦根际土壤草酰乙酸、草酸、乙酸、丙二酸和柠檬酸等有机酸含量逐渐增加。拔节期和抽穗期，在低磷、施AlPO₄和施KH₂PO₄处理下转基因系OsT5-28根际土壤五种有机酸含量均显著高于对照。转基因小麦根际土壤有机酸含量较对照的提高幅度在拔节期或抽穗期较大。三种处理下转基因系OsT5-28根系TTC还原力在三个时期均显著高于对照。这说明低磷胁迫下OsPHR2可提高小麦酸性磷酸化酶活性和根系活力，促进根系有机酸的分泌，增加分泌量，从而提高小麦磷素吸收效率。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Applied Biotechnology to Combat Late Blight in Potato Caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora Infestans</Emphasis>

Potato is an important crop, grown worldwide. It suffers from many pests and diseases among which late blight, caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans, is the worst. The disease is still causing major damage in many potato production areas and control is only possible by applying fungicides frequently. The knowledge on the molecular biology and genetics of the interaction between the plant and the oomycete is developing rapidly. These are relevant fields of study, currently dominated by the discovery of many resistance genes and numerous effector proteins and the analysis of their specific mode of action. These studies may yield essential information needed for the development of durable resistance. The long-term and worldwide effort to breed for resistance so far has had little effect. A novel breeding approach may change this. It is based on cisgenic modification (CM) consisting of marker-free pyramiding of several resistance genes and their spatial and temporal deployment yielding dynamic varieties that contain potato genes only. It is envisioned that this CM approach with potato’s own genes will not only prove societally acceptable but may also result in simplifications in the legislation on use of the CM approach. Various parties in the potato research arena intend to cooperate in this novel approach in a number of developing countries where potato substantially contributes to food security. The use of resources such as land, water and energy improves when the effect of late blight is markedly reduced.     

Resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potato virus Y</Emphasis> in a Multitrait Potato Breeding Scheme without Direct Selection in Each Generation

In an experimental breeding scheme to improve late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and white potato cyst nematode (Globodera pallida) resistance of tetraploid potato over three generations of crossing and selection, 15 clones survived the final selection, and these were derived from 15 great-grandparents. There was no direct selection for resistance to Potato virus Y (PVY), but 14 out of the 15 great-grandparents were resistant to PVY and three had extreme resistance. Thirteen of the 15 descendants had PVY resistance and one extreme resistance. This was within the range expected for a random (unselected) sample from the genotypes of the great-grandparents. Hence, we found no evidence for any positive or negative association between PVY resistance and the attributes selected. The conclusion is that laborious selection is not required in every generation when many parents have PVY resistance, including some with more than one copy of a PVY resistance gene or resistance at more than one locus. However, in the future, determining the major virus resistance genes present in potential parents in each generation using diagnostic molecular markers would prevent susceptible × susceptible crosses being made and maximise the number of resistant × resistant ones.