东北大豆种质群体在牡丹江的表现及其潜在的育种意义

东北是我国春大豆的主要生态区,牡丹江位于黑龙江省东南部,属第2亚区。本研究于2012-2014年间,以搜集到的东北地区各单位现存的361份大豆育成品种和地方品种作为东北现存的本地种质,观察该群体在牡丹江地区的表现,研究其在牡丹江的潜在育种意义。主要结果如下:1)东北大豆种质群体平均表现为全生育期分布在101~147 d(平均为124 d)、蛋白质含量范围为35.36%~45.36%(平均为39.69%)、油脂含量范围为18.93%~23.78%(平均为21.96%)、蛋脂总量范围57.74%~66.67%(平均值61.82%)、百粒重范围在8.49~29.43 g(平均值19.91 g)、株高36.6~115.3 cm(平均值82 cm)、主茎11.2~20.4节(平均为16节)、分枝为0~4.8个(平均2.8)、倒伏在1.2~3.6(平均2级左右)。2)当地适合熟期组为MG 0和MG I,各性状的平均值与群体平均值相近,其他熟期组在当地的表现与之不同。MG 000和MG 00的生育天数集中在106~113 d,比当地无霜期早10~20 d,不能充分利用当地的自然条件;而品质性状表现则略优于MG 0/MGⅠ,特别是蛋白质含量和蛋脂总量分别高约1.62%、1.59%;株高、节数均低于MG 0/MG I,分别低10~30 cm、2~4节。MGⅡ的生育天数高达136 d,不能稳定成熟;品质性状表现低于当地品种水平,特别是油脂含量、蛋脂总量分别低约1.5%、2%;而株高、节数高于当地品种,分别高约10 cm、1~2节,倒伏程度则高达3级。MG III在牡丹江不能正常成熟,导致其他性状表达不正常,生长量和倒伏度增加。3)本群体中包含第二亚区育成217个品种,查到系谱资料的208个,这208个品种共涉及169个祖先亲本,其中黑龙江来源有77份、吉林省48份、辽宁省8份、国外来源26份,其他来源10份。衍生品种最多的前10个祖先亲本主要来源于吉林,对该亚区品种的贡献率约48.9%;衍生品种数在11~20间主要来源于黑龙江,前20个祖先亲本对该亚区品种的贡献率约62.4%。4)根据各农艺品质性状在牡丹江表现的遗传进度估计,虽然油脂和蛋白质含量相对小些,但均有一定的改良潜力。根据当地品种的表现,从供试的东北资源中提出了各农艺、品质性状改良可用的亲本品种名单,供育种工作者参考。     

东北大豆种质群体在长春的表现及其潜在的育种意义

东北是我国大豆的主要生态区,长春是东北中部重要产区。本研究于2012-2014年以搜集到的东北地区各单位现存的361份大豆地方品种和育成品种作为东北现存的本地种质,观察该群体在长春地区的表现,研究其潜在育种意义。主要结果如下:1)东北大豆种质群体在长春地区平均表现为全生育期114 d(93.88~137.75)、蛋白质含量41.09%(36.68%~45.85%)、油脂含量21.94%(19.00%~23.94%)、蛋脂总量63.09%(59.49%~66.24%)、百粒重20.53 g(9.47~28.20 g)、株高约83.82 cm(45.8~146.8 cm)、主茎16.7节(10.3~25.3)、分枝2个(0.1~10.1)、倒伏2级左右(1.4~4.0)。2)当地适合熟期组为MG0/MG I,生育天数在120 d左右。MG000、MG00生育天数集中在98~104 d,不能充分利用当地的自然条件;株高、节数均比MG0/MG I低约20~28 cm、3~4节。MGⅡ/MGIII在长春不能稳定成熟,其株高、主茎节数比MG0/MG I高约25~35 cm、2~3节。至于籽粒性状(蛋白质含量、油脂含量和百粒重),不同熟期组间绝对值差异不大,而各熟期组内均含有表现突出的资源。3)根据各农艺品质性状在长春表现,油脂和蛋白质含量遗传率高但相对遗传进度较低,需加大选育强度;蛋脂总量的改良应建立在蛋白质、油脂改良的基础上;本群体在倒伏性状上潜力有限,应通过引进新的种质来进行改良。4)长春当地的82个地方/育成品种(共88个,其中6个育成品种未查到系谱资料)共有99个祖先亲本,这些祖先亲本主要来源于当地,其次为黑龙江省和国外;其中衍生品种最多的前20个祖先亲本对群体的贡献率约63%,衍生品种最多的前5个祖先亲本衍生品种数及贡献率分别为金元(58,6.35%)、铁荚四粒黄(50,8.16%)、十胜长叶(49,6.61%)、嘟噜豆(44,4.02%)、四粒黄(P340)(41,6.36%);虽然当地育成品种平均含有9.3个祖先亲本,但当地品种的遗传基础仍较为狭窄,需通过其它地区资源扩展当地种质的遗传基础。     

东北大豆种质群体在佳木斯的表型鉴定及利用探析

为精准鉴定东北大豆种质群体的表型性状，观察该群体在佳木斯的表现，研究其在佳木斯生态区的潜在育种价值，本研究选取东北地区地方品种和育成品种组成东北大豆种质群体共361份，采用重复内分组的设计方法，于2012-2014年在佳木斯进行主要农艺性状的精准表型鉴定。结果表明：1）东北大豆种质群体调查的性状均值为全生育期113.5d（92.5~136.0 d）、蛋白质含量39.8%（35.6%~45.0%）、脂肪含量21.5%（17.5%~24.2%）、蛋脂总量61.3%（57.4%~64.3%）、百粒重21.1g（8.2~32.0g）、株高101.2cm（54.9~142.6cm）、主茎18.6节（12.4~24.6节）、分枝2.5个（0.2-7.4个）、倒伏2.1级（1.0-4.0级）。2）按国际熟期组划分标准，佳木斯所处熟期组为MG0和MGI，属于这两个熟期组的品种，各性状的均值与群体总均值相近。MG000-00的生育天数集中在95~110 d，比当地无霜期早约15~25 d；脂肪含量和蛋脂总量分别较MG0-I高约1和1.5个百分点，株高和节数则分别低约10~40 cm、2~8节。MGII的生育天数长达150 d，不能稳定正常成熟；与当地品种相比较蛋白质和蛋脂总量均低约2%、脂肪低约0.5%，株高和节数分别高约10cm、2节；倒伏程度则高达3级。MGIII在佳木斯不能正常成熟，生长量和倒伏度增加。3）根据各农艺、品质性状在佳木斯表现的遗传进度估计，虽然脂肪和蛋白质含量相对较低，但均有一定的改良潜力。佳木斯地区利用东北大豆资源育成了许多适于东北北部的优异品种，体现了东北种质的重要作用。根据当地品种的表现，从东北大豆种质群体中筛选出了用以改良不同性状的优异亲本，供育种者参考。     

东北春大豆籽粒性状的生态特性分析

为明确东北大豆籽粒性状的生态特性,采用东北地区代表性品种361份,于2012-2014年在东北地区北安、扎兰屯、克山、牡丹江、佳木斯、大庆、长春、白城、铁岭9个代表性地点进行了试验研究。本文将品种在所有环境下的平均值作为该品种在常规田间管理条件下获得的常规值,常规值的大小代表了品种的基因型值,用以作为与生态区值比较的标准。研究结果显示:(1)东北地区大豆的蛋白质含量、油脂含量、蛋脂总量为40.47%、21.35%和61.82%,百粒重总平均值为19.06 g。不同试点间蛋白质含量、油脂含量、蛋脂总量最大相差约2~3个百分点,百粒重最大相差约3 g;而品种间相对应性状则分别相差约8,4,6个百分点和20 g,品种间差异远大于试点间表达的平均差异。(2)品种按育成年代归类,不同育成年代品种平均值呈现一定的变异趋势,蛋白质含量和蛋脂总量随育成年代呈现下降趋势、油脂含量和百粒重呈现上升趋势,其中蛋白质含量从41.23%降至40.28%,蛋脂总量从62.16%降至61.74%,油脂含量从20.92%升至21.46%,百粒重从18.70 g升至19.29 g。但同一育成年代内品种的差异大于不同育成年代间平均值间的差异。(3)品种按熟期组归类,平均值呈现一定的变异趋势,蛋白质含量(39.97%~41.31%)呈现以MGⅠ组为底端,向早向晚均上升;油脂含量(20.42%~21.83%)与蛋脂总量(61.23%~62.92%)随熟期组变晚呈下降的趋势;百粒重在MGⅢ组(20.32 g)达到最大,在其它熟期组间(18.86~19.18 g)差异不显著。熟期组内品种籽粒性状的差异远大于熟期组间育成品种籽粒性状平均值间的差异。(4)各熟期组品种在各生态区籽粒性状的差异虽达到显著水平,但差异并不大。第Ⅰ亚区主要包括黑龙江、内蒙古北部地区,各熟期组在该地的蛋白质含量、油脂含量、蛋脂含量、百粒重平均值分别低于相应的全试验平均值约0.1~0.4、0.6~1.3和1~1.5个百分点。第Ⅱ亚区主要包括黑龙江中南部至吉林省长春地区,MG000-MGⅠ油脂含量在该地比相应的全试验平均约高0.1~0.2个百分点,百粒重高约0.45~1.1 g。第Ⅲ亚区包括黑龙江西南至吉林省东北部缺水地区,MG000-MGⅡ的蛋白质含量在该亚区比相对应的常规值高约0.3~0.5个百分点,MG000-MGⅠ的蛋脂总量在该亚区均高于相应的常规值,其中MG000高约0.5个百分点,其余各组高0.1~0.2个百分点。第Ⅳ亚区主要包括辽宁省大部地区,MG000-MGⅡ的蛋白质含量在该亚区比相应的常规值高约0.2~0.6个百分点,油脂含量比相应的常规值高约0.7~1.64个百分点,蛋脂总量则比相应的常规值高约1个百分点。第Ⅰ亚区综合生态条件并不利于大豆高品质的表达,第Ⅱ亚区综合生态条件有利于油脂含量、百粒重的表达,第Ⅲ亚区综合生态条件有利于蛋白质含量、蛋脂总量的表达,第Ⅳ亚区综合生态条件有利于各品质性状的表达。东北各亚区生态环境对籽粒品质性状的表达有一定作用,但各亚区内品种间的遗传差异更大。根据品种在各生态亚区的表现筛选出一批籽粒性状有特色的品种供育种利用。     

东北大豆种质资源生育期性状的生态特征分析

生育期是大豆重要的生态性状,为明确东北大豆生育期性状的生态特性,搜集东北地区代表性品种361份,于2012-2014年在东北地区9个代表性地点进行生育期试验。结果表明:(1)将东北地区按熟期和生态条件划分为4个亚区。第一亚区包括以北安、扎兰屯为代表的黑龙江、内蒙古北部地区,该地区积温偏低,5月中旬播种,9月中旬成熟(初霜),主要适合MG 000、MG 00熟期组;第二亚区包括以克山、佳木斯、牡丹江、长春为代表的黑龙江中南部至吉林省长春等地,该地区气候适宜,4月下旬至5月中旬播种,9月中旬成熟(初霜),主要适合MG 0、MGⅠ熟期组;第三亚区包括以白城、大庆为代表的黑龙江省西南部、吉林省东北部降水量低的地区,播种从4月下旬至5月上旬,9月中下旬成熟(初霜),适合MG 0、MGⅠ熟期组;第四亚区包括以铁岭为代表的辽宁省大部分地区,4月下旬至5月上旬播种,9月中下旬成熟(初霜),主要适合MGⅡ和MGⅢ熟期组。(2)明确了各熟期组大豆的生态特征。MG 000和MG00熟期组主要分布在第一生态亚区,在当地生长季节内正常成熟,在其他亚区生育前期、后期略有缩短、提前成熟,不能充分利用当地生长季节。MG 0和MGⅠ熟期组主要分布在第二和第三生态亚区,在当地生长季节内正常成熟,在第一亚区比当地品种晚20~30 d、前期晚7~10 d,在第四生态亚区比当地品种早10~20 d、前期早3~5 d,不适合在这些地区种植。MGⅡ、MGⅢ熟期组仅在第四生态亚区正常成熟,部分品种可以在第二、三生态亚区成熟,生育前期在第二、三亚区比当地品种晚约10 d、在第一亚区晚约20 d。     

中国野生和栽培大豆蛋白质及油脂含量的比较分析

蛋白质和油脂是大豆的主要营养成分,掌握大豆种质蛋白质和油脂含量的遗传变异是专用型品种选育的基础.以全国各生态区的野生豆138份、地方品种408份、国内育成品种145份、国外育成品种77份,合计768份大豆种质为材料,测定蛋白质和油脂含量,研究其遗传变异特点.结果表明:在南京同一环境下全国野生豆蛋白质含量、油脂含量和蛋脂总含量变幅分别为39.2%～54.2%、7.5%～17.5%和47.3%～64.6%,地方品种38.8%～51.5%、11.5%～22.5%和55.6%～69.0%,国内育成品种41.7%～49.4%、12.9%～22.9%和55.6%～68.6%.野生豆驯化为栽培豆并经人工选育后油脂含量和蛋脂总含量有大幅增加,而蛋白质含量平均数和变异度则有减小,说明以往人工进化着重在油脂含量的改进.三个性状各群体在各生态区内均有较大变异,区平均间差异并不大,各区都有优良变异.野生豆蛋白质含量、油脂含量和蛋脂总含量与来源地纬度并未发现相关;栽培豆地方品种和育成品种的油脂含量与地理纬度出现显著正相关;育成品种蛋白质含量与地理纬度还出现显著负相关;野生自然状态下蛋白质含量和油脂含量之间无相关,而栽培豆地方品种和育成品种依次增强了负相关;形成这种相关的原因在于地区间油脂含量人工进化程度的差异.     

大豆品种籽粒的油脂组成综合评价

为对大豆种质资源的油脂品质进行综合评价,从中筛选出综合品质表现优异的大豆品种,本研究以173份大豆种质为试验材料,利用近红外光谱分析法结合气相色谱法对大豆的脂肪酸及粗脂肪含量进行测定,利用主成分分析法和系统聚类分析法对173份大豆种质进行划分,并建立大豆油脂品质综合评价的模型。结果表明：参试大豆种质的品质性状间差异较大;性状间相关性分析结果显示大豆饱和脂肪酸即棕榈酸和硬脂酸分别与油酸含量呈极显著负相关;与多不饱和脂肪酸即亚油酸与亚麻酸均呈极显著正相关,大豆粗脂肪含量与油酸、亚油酸相关性最大,其中与油酸呈极显著正相关,而与亚油酸呈极显著负相关。利用主成分分析法确立了2个主成分,建立了大豆油脂品质综合评价的模型,并评价出最优的大豆品种依次为多马卡-托里萨、中兴1号、冀豆3号、高丰1号和商豆1201。最后利用系统聚类分析法将173份大豆种质划分为5个类群,其中第Ⅲ类群表现较突出,具体表现为棕榈酸含量最高,油酸含量最低,亚油酸和亚麻酸含量最高,同时油脂品质的综合表现最好。本研究结果可为获得优良油脂品质的大豆品种提供理论依据。     

黑龙江省克拜地区大豆救灾补种品种的选择

克拜地区位于黑龙江省西部,是东北北部重要的大豆产区.该地区春季干旱、低温等自然灾害频发,常导致大豆迟播或补种,正确选择适宜迟播的品种对该地区大豆生产具有重要意义.本研究选用分属MG 000、MG 00和MG 0生育期组的14个大豆品种,设置5个播期(5月11日、5月21日、6月2日、6月11日、6月22日),分析不同播期条件下大豆生育期、农艺性状及产量的变化情况,筛选适合克拜地区迟播补种的大豆品种.结果 表明,随着播期的推迟,大豆播种至出苗、出苗至开花、开花至成熟等生育阶段及全生育期均呈缩短趋势.除正常播期(5月11日)外,参试品种的株高、主茎节数随播期推后而增加,而百粒重则下降.其中,黑河35百粒重反应较敏感,每迟播1d百粒重降低0.15g.产量与播期的关系较为复杂,7个品种在5月11日播种时产量最高,而包括当地主栽品种克山1号在内的7个品种在6月上、中旬播种产量较高;华疆4号(MG-0.2)和克山1号(MG-0.3)在5月下旬至6月中旬播种产量较高且稳定,可作为克拜地区救灾补种的优先选择品种;华疆2号(MG-0.5)、黑河51(MG-0.5)产量亦较稳定,可作为该期救灾补种的备选品种;如播期延迟至6月下旬,可选择黑河35 (MG-1.1)、黑河49(MG-1.2)等超早熟品种.降水是影响克拜地区大豆产量的主要环境因素,品种和播期选择均应做到"花雨相遇".     

大豆种质的倒伏性调查及其相关农艺性状分析

倒伏是大豆高产的主要限制因子之一.以60份大豆地方品种和育成品种为材料,调查和分析了大豆倒伏性及其与茎秆性状和产量性状魄关系.结果表明,不同品种间倒伏性存在显著差异,倒伏的严重程度与茎秆性状有关.大豆品种的倒伏级别与株高、主茎节数、节间长、分枝数等性状的相关系数均达1%显著水平,茎秆性状与单株籽粒产量、单株荚数和单株粒数等呈极显著正相关,但与百粒重呈负相关.不同倒伏级别组之间产量性状表现显著差异,2级倒伏组是具有轻度倒伏和高产潜力的种质资源.     

大豆耐密性状与产量的相关分析

为研究大豆耐密性状及与产量间的相关性,以150份大豆种质资源为材料,利用高密度与常规密度下各耐密性状的比值研究大豆耐密性状与产量的作用关系。结果表明:大豆株高、主茎节数、重心高度及倒伏率间呈显著或极显著正相关,有效分枝数与重心高度及倒伏率呈极显著负相关。其中倒伏率与产量呈极显著负相关,间接相关因子主要来源于重心高度及株高,有效分枝数与产量呈极显著正相关,间接相关因子主要来源于重心高度及倒伏率。因此,在高密度条件下与大豆产量密切相关的性状为倒伏率、重心高度及有效分枝数。该研究结果能够为耐密植大豆品种创新提供理论依据及优异材料。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.