Cultivation Influences on Soil Organic Carbon Associated with Texture in Seasonally Frozen Zones

[Objective] This study aimed to examine indicative roles of texture representing soil organic carbon presence and variability subsequent to cultivation under cold temperate climates with seasonal freeze-thaw events.[Method] Three chronosequences were selected for paired comparisons.Soil samples were collected at six depths with a 10 cm increment.Analysis of variance with general linear model and regression was performed for statistical analysis.[Result] In seasonally frozen soils where fragmentation of macroaggregates was stimulated,soil organic carbon level was positively associated with clay ＋ silt proportion due to a wider textural range,better than sole clay content.Exponential function better fitted the experimental data to present progressively increased effectiveness of clay ＋ silt content in maintaining carbon.Clay content explained 12％-41％ and 14％-43％ of variation via linear and exponential functions,respectively.Accordingly,clay ＋ silt content explained 47％-65％ and 46％-70％.[Conclusion] Texture reflected soil organic carbon occurrence as consequences of reclamation.For seasonally frozen soils with wider textural ranges,it is robust to adapt clay ＋ silt content as dependent variable and exponential function.The generated algorithms provided an available pathway to estimate soil organic carbon losses following cultivation and to evaluate soil fertility.     

Biphenyls from Nicotiana tabacum and their anti-tobacco mosaic virus

Five new biphenyls, tababiphenyls A–E (1–5), together with five known ones (5–10), were isolated from the leaves of Nicotiana tabacum, of which compound 1 possessed a seldom reported 6-carbons unit in biphenyls. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. All compounds were tested for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities. The results showed that compounds 3 and 5 exhibited high anti-TMV activities with inhibition rate of 48.4% and 32.1%, respectively, which were higher than that of positive control (ningnanmycin). The other compounds also showed potential anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates in the range of 18.6–28.7%, respectively.     

Characterization of Genomic Integration and Transgene Organization in Six Transgenic Rapeseed Events

To characterize the DNA rearrangement of both the T-DNA region and the genomic insertion site during T-DNA insertion, the Genomewalker strategy was used to isolate the junctions between the inserted DNA and the plant genomic DNA in six rapeseed events as well as the genomic DNA at the sites before integration. During transformation in each of the six events, portions of both the right border（RB） and left border（LB） regions of the T-DNA were deleted, ranging from a 7 nucleotide deletion of the LB repeats in event RF1 to a 207 bp deletion of the LB region in event RF2. For the six events, T-DNA integration resulted in a deletion at the target site spanning less than 100 bp. Sequence analysis indicated that the T-DNA was integrated into the coding region of various native rapeseed genes in events RF1 and RF2. Duplications of the genomic DNA target site were observed in events RF2, RF3 and Topas 19/2. And multimerization of transgenes was found in event Topas 19/2, in which, the T-DNA was integrated as a head-to-head（RB-to-RB） concatemer into the recipient genome. In event MS1, chromosomal translocation or a large target-site deletion may have occurred during T-DNA integration, which was identified due to a failure to amplify the presumptive insertion site based on the flanking rapeseed DNA sequences. Our results provide comprehensive data concerning transgene organization and the genomic context of the T-DNA in six rapeseed events, which can aid in the developing of insert fingerprinting and the monitoring of long-term genetic stability and potential unintended effects of transgenic events.     

枯草芽孢杆菌在番茄病害防治上的应用与研究进展

综述了枯草芽孢杆菌在防治植物病害中的生防机制,包括竞争作用、拮抗作用、溶菌作用、诱导植物产生抗性和促进植物生长5个方面,介绍了枯草芽孢杆菌在6种番茄病害即灰霉病、青枯病、早疫病、立枯病、枯萎病、根腐病防治中的应用,并对其应用中存在的主要问题进行了总结、前景进行了展望。     

Controlling sprouting in potato tubers using ultraviolet-C irradiance

Legislation limiting the use of chlorpropham (CIPC), the major potato sprout suppressant, has led to a need for new technologies to extend storage life of tubers. Ultra violet C (UV-C) has been used postharvest to reduce disease incidence on many crops, yet its use and efficacy as a sprout suppressant has not been investigated. The aim of this project was to identify the optimum dose and treatment timing of UV-C treatment on potato tubers as an alternative method of sprout suppression to reduce the dependence on chemical sprout suppressants. Up to six potato cultivars over two seasons were treated with varying doses of UV-C ranging from 0 to 30 kJ m⁻² either at harvest or at first indication of dormancy break. The tubers were stored at 9 °C and sprout growth and incidence assessed. Treatment with moderate UV-C doses (5–20 kJ m⁻²) suppressed sprout length and sprout incidence in a range of cultivars. Periderm DNA damage and programmed cell death were not detected in response to any of the UV-C doses. The inactive ABA metabolite, ABA-GE, increased in response to 10 or 20 kJ m⁻² within 72 h of treatment. Multivariate analysis showed a negative relationship between ABA metabolites and sprout growth/incidence during storage. This study found that UV-C reduced sprout growth in potato with no deleterious effects on tuber quality. This suggests potential for further development as an alternative or supplement to conventional sprout suppressant technologies.     

Resistance monitoring and enzyme activity in three field populations of cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora) from Egypt

The cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora) is one of the most important sucking insect pests attacking certain legumes in Egypt particularly faba bean, cowpea and pea. In this study we monitored the resistance level of three field populations of A. craccivora to seven insecticides belonging to three different chemical classes (organophosphates, carbamates and neonicotinoids). The three populations were collected from three governorates in Egypt namely Dakahlia, Qalyobia and Beni Suef. Diagnostic concentrations (LC₉₀ values for susceptible strain) for each insecticide were established using a leaf dipping technique. Resistance monitoring showed that the field population from Dakahlia was highly resistant to all the tested insecticides. In a similar manner, the population from Qalyobia was also resistant to all insecticides except for fenitrothion to which only moderate resistance was observed. The field population from Beni Suef exhibited a lower level of resistance to all the seven tested insecticides.Biochemical assay showed that esterase activity in these three field populations was generally higher as the enzyme activity ratio ranged from 4.3 to 7.8 fold more than that for the susceptible strain. The activity of the other measured detoxifying enzymes (glutathione -S- transferase and mixed function oxidases) was moderate in the populations from Qalyobia and Dakahlia. Nevertheless, the enzyme activity in A. craccivora collected from Beni Suef was variable and differed slightly from the activity measured in the susceptible strain. Monitoring insecticide resistance among the three aphid populations was a proactive approach to detect any shift in insecticide efficiency. The possible occurrence of resistance in the cowpea aphid to the tested insecticides may be due to the higher activity of carboxylesterases. Further studies on the resistance mechanism to these insecticides are needed to provide insights in how to manage and delay the onset of the resistance and thus prolong the performance of insecticides against A. craccivora.     

转MsLEA4-4基因拟南芥株系的耐盐性分析

为了深入研究紫花苜蓿（Medicago sativa）MsLEA4-4基因的抗逆性，本试验对前期获得的转MsLEA4-4基因的拟南芥（Arabidopsis thaliana）株系进行不同浓度盐胁迫处理，以验证MsLEA4-4基因在拟南芥植株体内的耐盐性。试验结果表明：盐胁迫后转基因株系的发芽率达到55%，比对照植株（Control plant，CK）高81%；转基因株系的鲜重、叶绿素含量均高于CK（P<0.05）；盐胁迫后转基因株系的存活率比CK提高75.0%~81.3%；盐胁迫明显抑制根系生长，但转基因植株的侧根数量比CK多4~5根（P<0.05）；盐胁迫后转基因株系体内的可溶性糖含量（P<0.05）和超氧化物歧化酶（P<0.01），过氧化氢酶（P<0.01），过氧化物酶（P<0.05）活性均高于CK，脯氨酸（P<0.01）和丙二醛（P<0.05）含量均低于CK。综上可得，MsLEA4-4基因参与了拟南芥体内的耐盐性调控，提高了转基因拟南芥对盐胁迫的耐受性。本研究为进一步探索MsLEA4-4在转基因紫花苜蓿盐胁迫中的功能及培育耐盐性紫花苜蓿品种提供依据。     

Development of Nucleic Acid Lateral Flow Immunoassay Detection Method for Foot-and-mouth Disease Virus

In this article, through the combination of nucleic acid probes and immune chromatography, a simple, sensitive and specific detection system——nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay (NALFIA) for amplifing foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) 3D RT-PCR products was established.An ultrasensitive nucleic acid biosensor (NAB) based on streptavidin-labeled gold nanoparticles dual labels and lateral flow strip biosensor (LFSB) were used in this system.The biotinylated goat anti-rabbit IgG was marked to the NC membrane as the alleged strip and the anti-digoxin antibody was labeled to the NC membrane to capture the digoxin probe.After assemblying gold-labeled strip and detecting RT-PCR products, the detection limit of NALFIA was 0.3×10^-3 to 3×10^-3 μg/μL.The NALFIA was compared with agar gel electrophoresis analysis, the results showed that the sensitivity of NALFIA was higher than agar gel electrophoresis.There was an excellent agreement between the two methods.NALFIA was a method with high sensitive, low cost and short time.In conclusion, this method provided a good alternative to detect FMDV.     

Analysis of the independent-and interactive-photo-thermal effects on soybean flowering

Soybean(Glycine max(L.) Merr.) is a typical short-day and warm season plant, and the interval between emergence and flowering has long been known to be regulated by environmental factors, primarily photoperiod and temperature. While the effects of photoperiod and temperature on soybean flowering have been extensively studied, a dissection of the component photo-thermal effects has not been documented for Chinese germplasm. Our objective of the current study was to evaluate the independent- and interactive-photo-thermal responses of 71 cultivars from 6 ecotypes spanning the soybean production regions in China. These cultivars were subjected in pot experiments to different temperature regimes by planting in spring(low temperature(LT)) and summer(high temperature(HT)), and integrating with short day(SD, 12 h), natural day(ND, variable day-length), and long day(LD, 16 h) treatments over two years. The duration of the vegetative phase from emergence to first bloom(R1) was recorded, and the photo-thermal response was calculated. The outcome of this characterization led to the following conclusions:(1) There were significant differences in photo-thermal response among the different ecotypes. High-latitude ecotypes were less sensitive to the independent- and interactive-photo-thermal effects than low-latitude ecotypes; and(2) there was an interaction between photoperiod and temperature, with the effect of photoperiod on thermal sensitivity being greater under the LD than the SD condition, and with the effect of temperature on photoperiodic sensitivity being greater under the LT than the HT condition. The strengths and limitations of this study are discussed in terms of implications for current knowledge and future research directions. The study provides better understanding of photo-thermal effects on flowering in soybean genotypes from different ecotypes throughout China and of the implications for their adaptation more broadly.     

Incorporating local ecological knowledge into urban riparian restoration in a mountainous region of Southwest China

Modern cities use straightened and concrete watercourses with simple greening for riparian zones, which has been criticised for insensitivity to natural system integrity and cultural identity. This increases the challenge to urban ecologists, landscape designers and managers to conceive innovative and effective design solutions that do not jeopardise hydraulic efficiency yet are culturally acceptable to local communities. This paper introduces the field of local ecological knowledge (LEK) as rich sources of inspiration and design solutions to meet this challenge. LEK refers to knowledge and practices of various local cultures about the relationship of living beings (including humans) with their environments. Wepropose a pragmatic framework that integrates LEK with modern landscape design. It includes steps: (1) investigate existing practices, skills andmeasures relating to LEK; (2) explore how and whereLEKcan inspire or integrate withdesign. Here we propose three aspects for integration in accordance with the nature of landscaping process: overall structure, component and maintenance.(3)evaluate and test the integration in terms of its acceptability by local communities. Taking the riparian revegetation project of Hanfeng Lake Urban Wetland Park (Chongqing Municipality) as an example, we illustrate the utility of this framework. 11 local common practices relating to LEK were identified. According to thethree aspects for integration, alternative design solutions were offered. The survey showed that LEK based designwas more highly valued than other conventional ways in terms of useracceptance. We conclude that LEK provides actionable ecologically sound and culturally desirablesolutions for urbanlandscape. We also recognise that LEK evolveswith changing environments and new harmonious and dynamic human-nature relationships arecontinually re-forming. The process of acquisition and application of LEK could encourage multidisciplinary and synthetic approaches to urban ecosystems. Such adaptability and interdisciplinary engagementare crucial totoday’schanging and complexurban environments.