Superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide in the yeast antagonist–fruit interaction: A new role for reactive oxygen species in postharvest biocontrol?

The importance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plant defense responses against certain pathogens is well documented. There is some evidence that microbial biocontrol agents also induce a transient production of ROS in a host plant which triggers local and systemic defense responses to pathogens. The ability of biocontrol agents used to control postharvest diseases to induce defense-related oxidative responses in fruits, however, has not been explored. Here we show that the yeast antagonists, Metschnikowia fructicola (strain 277) and Candida oleophila (strain 182) generate greater levels of super oxide anion (O₂⁻) on intact fruit surfaces (poor in nutrients) then those applied on a nutrient-poor agar medium. Even though yeast antagonists show a high level of O₂⁻ on nutrient-rich media, when applied on fruits around wounds (areas abundant in nutrients) accumulation of O₂⁻, as detected by nitro blue tetrazolium staining, occurred much more rapidly on the latter. Using laser scanning confocal microscopy we observed that the application of M. fructicola and C. oleophila into citrus and apple fruit wounds correlated with an increase in H₂O₂ accumulation in host tissue. In citrus fruit, the level of H₂O₂ around inoculated wounds increased by 4-fold compared to controls (wounds inoculated with water) as early as 18 h after inoculation. Yeast continued to stimulate H₂O₂ production in citrus fruit up to 66 h after inoculation and H₂O₂ levels were still 3-fold above the control. Living yeast cells were detected in fruit wounds at this time point indicating the ability of M. fructicola to tolerate host ROS, which has been reported to be an intrinsic characteristic of efficient yeast antagonists. Similar increase in H₂O₂ accumulation around yeast-inoculated wounds was observed in apple fruit exocarp. The present data, together with our earlier discovery of the importance of H₂O₂ production in the defense response of citrus flavedo to postharvest pathogens, indicate that the yeast-induced oxidative response in fruit exocarp may be associated with the ability of specific yeast species to serve as biocontrol agents for the management of postharvest diseases.     

新型城镇化进程中农民市民化问题研究进展

农民市民化是新型城镇化进程中必然出现的现象,关注农民市民化问题意义重大。本文归纳了中国近两三年来关于农民市民化问题的部分研究成果,分别从概念解读、评价指标、限制因素、解决对策等方面进行了归纳评述。认为既有理论成果紧跟时代脉搏和政策信号,较全面系统地研究了农民市民化问题,在相信这些研究成果会产生实际效用的前提下,建议后续研究在农民利益保护、地方官员政绩考核机制、如何防范新型城镇化沦为圈地运动及房产化等问题上进行进一步研究。     

Comparison of unconfined and confined unsaturated hydraulic conductivity

The field tension infiltrometer (TI) and the laboratory unit hydraulic gradient (UHG) methods are widely applied to determine the near-saturated soil hydraulic conductivity, K. Comparison between the two methods is relevant given that they differ in the explored soil volume (undetached or detached) and in the flow process (unconfined or confined). The objective of this investigation was to compare unconfined and confined measurements of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. Twenty TI experiments were conducted in a relatively coarse-textured soil having an appreciable hysteretic behavior by using two different dry-to-wet-to-dry (DTWTD) sequences of pressure head, h₀, values that differed by the highest h₀ value imposed within the sequence (i.e. h₀ = − 150, − 75, − 30, + 5, − 30, − 75, − 150 in site A or h₀ = − 150, − 75, − 30, − 10, − 30, − 75, − 150 in site B). The same pressure head sequences were applied on twenty undisturbed soil cores, collected at the exact location of the TI measurements, to perform the laboratory UHG measurements. Regardless of the type of experiment (i.e. unconfined or confined) and the applied pressure head sequence (i.e. site A or B), higher K₀ values were obtained with a drying sequence of h₀ values (K_0,d) than with a wetting one (K_0,w)and the discrepancies between K_0,w and K_0,d decreased as the imposed h₀ value increased, as it was expected due to hysteresis. A tendency of the UHG method to overestimate the K₀ values was detected (ratios of mean K_0,1D to mean K_0,3D values ranging from 0.93 to 4.35), but the statistical significance of the observed differences varied with the considered sequence of pressure head values. It was concluded that both the TI and the UHG methods were effective in detecting hysteresis effects on K₀, but the laboratory method resulted in K₀ values that were higher and more variable probably as a consequence of a more substantial effect of macropore flow on the measured flow rates.     

Physiological and biochemical changes during banana ripening and finger drop

Fruit drop of banana is due to breaking at the junction of the pedicel and pulp, and we found no true abscission zone. The breakage seems therefore due to weakening of the peel. We investigated pectin hydrolysis and some properties at the rupture zone, using ‘Hom Thong’ (Musa acuminata, AAA Group) and ‘Namwa’ (Musa x paradisiaca, ABB Group) fruit, which show massive drop and no drop, respectively. During the period of finger drop, the water content of the peel in ‘Namwa’ was similar to that of ‘Hom Thong’ and thus water content does not account for the high breakage in ‘Hom Thong’. The peel thickness at the rupture area in the two cultivars was not significantly different. During the period of finger drop, the level of water-soluble pectin in the peel at the rupture area of ‘Hom Thong’ was higher than that of ‘Namwa’, indicating pectin degradation. CDTA soluble pectin and insoluble pectin was lower in ‘Hom Thong’, also indicating more pectin breakdown in this cultivar. Polygalacturonase activity in the peel at the rupture area of ‘Hom Thong’ bananas rapidly increased, but not clearly more than in ‘Namwa’ bananas. Pectinesterase activity in the peel at the rupture area of ‘Hom Thong’ was much lower than that of ‘Namwa’ bananas, and thus does not account for the breakage. Pectate lyase in the peel of ‘Hom Thong’ was considerably higher than in that of ‘Namwa’. The present data indicate that the much higher pectate lyase activity in ‘Hom Thong’ might be responsible, at least partially, for the finger drop.     

Selection of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria with biocontrol potential for growth in phosphorus rich animal bone charcoal

Bacteria with the ability to solubilize phosphorus (P) and to improve plant health were selected and tested for growth and survival in P-rich animal bone charcoal (ABC). ABC is suggested to be suitable as a carrier for biocontrol agents, offering them a protected niche as well as delivering phosphate to plants, meanwhile re-using P from waste of the food chain. Ninety-seven bacterial isolates from different soils were tested for their potential to dissolve P from ABC. Of these isolates, 60% showed positive scores; they belonged to the genera Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Collimonas, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Serratia, and Streptomyces. Twelve isolates from different taxonomic groups were selected for further research on growth ability and survival in ABC, and on their potential to control plant pathogens. The highest concentrations of P were dissolved by Pseudomonas chlororaphis and Bacillus pumilus, followed by Paenibacillus polymyxa, Burkholderia pyrrocinia and three Streptomyces isolates. P. chlororaphis and P. polymyxa showed strongest growth inhibition of plant pathogenic Pythium and Fusarium sp., followed by the Streptomyces spp. isolates.     

Urban food crop production capacity and competition with the urban forest

The sourcing of food plays a significant role in assessing the sustainability of a city, but it is unclear how much food a city can produce within its city limits. In this study, we propose a method for estimating the maximum food crop production capacity of a city and demonstrate the method in Seattle, WA USA by taking into account land use, the light environment, and a mix of food crops necessary to supply a year-round vegetarian diet. By artificially removing trees from the city, we estimate the effect of tree shading on food crop production capacity. We find that at maximum food production, urban food crops can produce between 1% and 4% of the city's food needs under the most realistic land use scenarios, and that tree shading reduces food crop production capacity between 19% and 35%. We expand beyond the city Seattle limits to find that a buffer of 58 km around the city is required to meet 100% of the city's food needs.     

Comparative analysis of replicative properties of phylogenetically divergent,Argentinean BoHV-4 strains in cell lines from different origins

Bovine gammaherpesvirus 4 (BoHV4) is a member of the family Herpesviridae. In Argentina, BoHV4 was isolated and characterized in 2007 from samples of aborted cows. Argentinean isolates are highly divergent and are classified as: Genotype 1(Movar-like), Genotype 2 (DN599-like) and Genotype 3 (a novel group). The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the biological characteristics of six Argentinean BoHV4 field isolates in cell lines from different origins. All strains induced productive infection in the cell lines used, with different degrees of permissiveness. A direct relationship among the times of appearance of cytopathic effect, the growth kinetics, the size of the lysis plaques and the virulent-like behaviour in vitro could not be established. However, although slight, there are differences in the biological behaviour of the BoHV4 fields isolates analyzed. This variability is independent of their genetic classification but would be conditioned by the nature of the infected cells.     

Eco-friendly dyeing using natural mordant extracted from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Emblica officinalis G</Emphasis>. Fruit on cotton and silk fabrics with antibacterial activity

Emblica officinalis G. dried fruit tannin was extracted and applied as a natural mordant alone and in combination with metal mordant namely copper sulphate for dyeing on cotton and silk fabrics using natural dyes. The color strength, color-coordinates, wash and light fastness were also evaluated for cotton and silk fabrics with and without mordanting. The pre-mordanted cotton and silk fabrics on dyeing gave better color strength, wash and light fastness than those dyeing obtained without mordanting. The total phenolic content of the extract was calculated. Cotton and silk fabrics resulted in good antibacterial activity using the Emblica officinalis G. mordant. When mordant was used along with 0.5 and 1 % copper sulphate mordant and the activity enhanced and was active up to 20 washes.     

Identifying the influence of urbanization on soil organic matter content and p H from soil magnetic characteristics

Soil magnetic characteristics are correlated with soil p H and organic matter content. Analyzing soil magnetic characteristics, organic matter content and p H can indirectly evaluate soil pollution caused by human activities. This study analyzed the soil magnetic characteristics, organic matter content and p H in surface soil samples from different land use types in Shihezi city, a newly and rapidly developing oasis city in Xinjiang of China. The aims of this study were to explore the possible relationships among the soil magnetic parameters and thereby improve the understanding of influence of urbanization on soil properties. Eighty surface soil samples at the depth of 0–10 cm were collected from 29 July to 4 August 2013. The results showed that the magnetic minerals in surface soil were dominated by ferromagnetic minerals. Spatially, the magnetic susceptibility(χLF), anhysteretic remanent magnetization susceptibility(χARM), saturation isothermal remanent magnetization(SIRM) and "soft" isothermal remanent magnetization(SOFT) were found to be most dominant in the new northern urban area B(N-B), followed by built-up areas(U), suburban agricultural land(F), and then the new northern urban area A(N-A). The values of χLF, χARM, SIRM and SOFT were higher in the areas with high intensities of human activities and around the main roads. Meanwhile, the property "hard" isothermal remanent magnetization(HIRM) followed the order of UN-BFN-A. Built-up areas had an average p H value of 7.93, which was much higher than that in the new northern urban areas as well as in suburban agricultural land, due to the increased urban pollutant emissions. The average value of soil organic matter content in the whole study area was 34.69 g/kg, and the values in the new northern urban areas were much higher than those in the suburban agricultural land and built-up areas. For suburban agricultural land, soil organic matter content was significantly negatively correlated with χLF, and had no correlation with other magnetic parameters, since the soil was frequently ploughed. In the new northern urban areas(N-A and N-B), there were significant positive correlations of soil organic matter contents with χARM, SIRM, SOFT and HIRM, because natural grasslands were not frequently turned over. For the built-up areas, soil organic matter contents were significantly positively correlated with χLF, χARM, SIRM and SOFT, but not significantly correlated with frequency-dependent susceptibility(χFD, expressed as a percentage) and HIRM, because the soil was not frequently turned over or influenced by human activities. The results showed that soil magnetic characteristics are related to the soil turnover time.     

MoTlg2, a t-SNARE component is important for formation of the Spitzenkörper and polar deposition of chitin in Magnaporthe oryzae

T-SNAREs are a family of conserved proteins involved in intracellular transport of membrane-coated cargo among subcellular compartments. In this study, we identified a putative t-SNARE gene, MoTLG2, in Magnaporthe oryzae via insertion mutagenesis. Deletion of MoTLG2 resulted in slower vegetative growth and less conidiation relative to the wild-type strain, but the ΔMotlg2 null mutant was as virulent as the wild-type strain. MoTlg2 has 30% overall amino acid identity with Saccharomyces cerevisiae Tlg2, and rescued the defect of monensin de-sensitivity in the yeast strain where TLG2 had been deleted. More importantly, apical regions of the hyphae of the ΔMotlg2 null mutant were only weakly stained by FM4-64, which was reported as an excellent vesicle tracer, suggesting that the Spitzenkörper was not well formed in the ΔMotlg2 null mutant. In addition, more uneven lateral deposition of chitin was observed in the cell wall of vegetative hyphae of the ΔMotlg2 null mutant. Taken together, this study shows that the t-SNARE Tlg2 is important for both vegetative hyphal growth and conidiation, but dispensable for plant infection in filamentous fungi, and suggests that Tlg2 is important for formation of the Spitzenkörper and polar distribution of chitin.