Quantifying key model parameters for wheat leaf gas exchange under different environmental conditions

The maximum carboxylation rate of Rubisco(V_(cmax)) and maximum rate of electron transport(J_(max)) for the biochemical photosynthetic model, and the slope(m) of the Ball-Berry stomatal conductance model influence gas exchange estimates between plants and the atmosphere. However, there is limited data on the variation of these three parameters for annual crops under different environmental conditions. Gas exchange measurements of light and CO_2 response curves on leaves of winter wheat and spring wheat were conducted during the wheat growing season under different environmental conditions. There were no significant differences for V_(cmax), J_(max) or m between the two wheat types. The seasonal variation of V_(cmax), J_(max) and m for spring wheat was not pronounced, except a rapid decrease for V_(cmax) and J_(max) at the end of growing season. V_(cmax) and J_(max) show no significant changes during soil drying until light saturated stomatal conductance(gssat) was smaller than 0.15 mol m~(–2) s~(–1). Meanwhile, there was a significant difference in m during two different water supply conditions separated by gssat at 0.15 mol m~(–2) s~(–1). Furthermore, the misestimation of V_(cmax) and J_(max) had great impacts on the net photosynthesis rate simulation, whereas, the underestimation of m resulted in underestimated stomatal conductance and transpiration rate and an overestimation of water use efficiency. Our work demonstrates that the impact of severe environmental conditions and specific growing stages on the variation of key model parameters should be taken into account for simulating gas exchange between plants and the atmosphere. Meanwhile, modification of m and V_(cmax)(and J_(max)) successively based on water stress severity might be adopted to simulate gas exchange between plants and the atmosphere under drought.     

Sensitivity of Two Quinoa (ChenopodiumquinoaWilld.) Varieties to Progressive Drought Stress

Quinoa (ChenopodiumquinoaWilld.) is a highly nutritious Andean seed crop which shows great potential to grow under a range of hostile environments. The objective of this study was to investigate the differences of drought tolerance of a Bolivian (Achachino) and a Danish (Titicaca) variety, and especially drought‐related adaption strategies. Soil water status was expressed as the fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSW). Relative stomatal conductance (RSC), relative transpiration (RT) and relative leaf water potential (RLW) were calculated by determining stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and leaf water potential of the drought‐treated plants relative to those of fully irrigated plants. The responses of RSC, RT and RLW to decreasing FTSW were described by a linear‐plateau model. The critical value of FTSW was the threshold of FTSW where the parameters studied decreased. The thresholds increased C_S for stomatal conductance, C_T for transpiration and C_Lfor leaf water potential. Achachino showed significantly lower C_T and C_L when compared with Titicaca, implying that transpiration and leaf water potential were less affected under mild drought conditions in the Bolivian variety. C_S in Achachino was significantly higher than C_L and C_T, which indicated that stomatal conductance declined before transpiration and leaf water potential were reduced. Such difference was found in Titicaca where reduction of leaf area had more effect on transpiration than stomatal closure. Slower growth rate and smaller leaf area in combination with a lower stomatal conductance was found to contribute to drought resistance in Achachino. ABA concentration in the xylem sap tended to increase in both varieties after 2 days onset of drought, prior to decline in leaf water potential. Titicaca showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher ABA concentration when compared with Achachino under both fully irrigated and drought conditions. Titicaca had higher xylem nutrient concentration in comparison with Achachino in both fully‐watered and drought plants at day 2 after onset of soil drying. It was concluded that Titicaca was more sensitive to progressive drought than Achachino which avoided water loss by means of lower growth rate and smaller leaf area.     

Electron Transport Through Photosystem II Is Not Limited By A Wide Range of Water Deficit Conditions In Field‐Grown Gossypium hirsutum

Despite exhaustive literature describing drought stress effects on photosynthesis in Gossypium hirsutum, the sensitivity of photosynthetic electron flow to water deficit is heavily debated. To address this, G. hirsutum plants were grown at a field site near Camilla, GA under contrasting irrigation regimes, and pre‐dawn water potential (Ψ_PD), stomatal conductance (g_s), net photosynthesis (P_N), actual quantum yield of photosystem II (Φ_PSII) and electron transport rate (ETR) were measured at multiple times during the 2012 growing season. Ψ_PD values ranged from ?0.3 to ?1.1 MPa. Stomatal conductance exhibited a strong (r² = 0.697), sigmoidal response to Ψ_PD, where g_s was ≤0.1 mol m^?2 s^?1 at Ψ_PD values ≤ ?0.86 MPa. Neither Φ_PSII (r² = 0.015) nor ETR (r² = 0.010) was affected by Ψ_PD, despite exceptionally low Ψ_PD values (?1.1 MPa) causing a 71.7 % decline in P_N relative to values predicted for well‐watered G. hirsutum leaves at Ψ_PD = ?0.3 MPa. Further, P_N was strongly influenced by g_s, whereas ETR and Φ_PSII were not. We conclude that photosynthetic electron flow through photosystem II is insensitive to water deficit in field‐grown G. hirsutum.     

Biochemical defense responses of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) lines to Phytophthora capsici

A study on biochemical factors involved in black pepper defense response against Phytophthora capsici, was carried out in P. capsici susceptible (Sreekara) and resistant (04-P24, shows root resistance to the pathogen) black pepper lines. Seven important factors – change in membrane conductance, total phenols, orthodihydroxy (OD) phenols, lignin and defense related enzymes (peroxidase, β-1,3 glucanase and β-1,4 glucanase) – were studied under uninoculated and pathogen (P. capsici, isolate 06-04) inoculated condition to know the preformed and induced responses. The pathogen was inoculated (soil inoculation) and plants were observed for changes, at 24 h intervals for 10 days. On 8th day after inoculation symptoms started appearing on Sreekara and increased the severity till 10th day. Both root and stem samples were subjected for biochemical analysis. Of the factors analyzed, it was found that membrane conductance, OD phenol, lignin and peroxidase activity play significant role in root resistance to P. capsici in 04-P24. Light microscopy of the portion of root – where pathogen found attached – was also done.     

河南省地方良种鸡蛋壳质量性状的对比

在了解了河南省地方良种鸡的蛋壳质量性状后,为对河南省4个地方良种鸡的蛋壳颜色、蛋的比重、蛋壳厚度及其占蛋重的比例进行了测定。结果：蛋壳颜色均以浅褐色和灰色为主,其中正阳三黄鸡蛋壳颜色偏深、淅川乌鸡蛋壳颜色偏浅;蛋的比重均在1．11以上;蛋壳重量占蛋重的比例以固始鸡最低（10．97％）、浙川乌鸡最高（11．84％）;平均蛋壳厚度以正阳三黄鸡最高（0．342mm）、卢氏鸡最低（0．325mm）。     

鸡蛋壳质量与超微结构关系的研究

研究使用常规方法测定蛋形指数、蛋壳相对重量、蛋壳强度和蛋壳厚度等蛋壳质量指标,使用X射线能谱仪测定蛋壳断面各层钙的相对含量,使用环境扫描电子显微镜观察蛋壳断面各层和内外表面的超微结构。结果表明:蛋壳强度与蛋壳相对重量、蛋壳强度与蛋壳厚度以及蛋壳相对重量与蛋壳厚度之间相关分别达到0.444(P<0.01)、0.700(P<0.01)和0.611(P<0.01),各相关系数不在同一水平。蛋壳各层钙的相对含量分别达到32.68%±8.62%、33.13%±6.58%和32.35%±.97%,之间差异不显著(P>0.05),几近匀质。环境扫描电子显微镜的观察发现不同强度的蛋壳,其各层和内外表面超微结构存在明显差异。由此得出:蛋壳超微结构的差异是蛋壳质量变化的重要影响因素。     

微量元素调控鸡蛋蛋壳品质的研究进展

蛋壳品质是蛋鸡生产中重要的经济性状和外观性状指标。蛋壳品质降低导致的蛋壳破损问题会给家禽生产和蛋品加工业造成巨大的经济损失。微量元素不仅是蛋壳的化学组成成分,也可参与调控蛋壳晶体结构的形成,进而影响蛋壳的力学特性。本文基于饲粮中微量元素的水平和来源的合理选用这一实际问题,对几种主要微量元素调控蛋壳品质的最新研究进展进行了综述,为进一步研究和应用提供借鉴。     

Photosynthesis of field-grown Arracacha (Arracacia xanthorriza Bancroft) cultivars in relation to root-yield

There has been limited research on measuring potential differences in leaf gas exchange of Arracacha (Peruvian parsnip, Arracacia xanthorriza Bancroft) cultivars, as affected by different environments, as well as its relation to storage root-yield. The present paper reports field measurements of leaf CO₂ assimilation rates (A) for five contrasting cultivars grown at two different high-altitude locations. Using a design of plots chosen at random with three repetitions, commercial root production was determined in the two locations at different altitude (1580 and 1930 m). Daily leaf gas exchange was repeatedly monitored with a portable open-mode infrared gas analyzer at different times in both locations during the growth cycle. Root-yield, leaf area and dry weight were measured. Significant differences in leaf photosynthetic rate and in specific leaf area (SLA) were observed among cultivars. Cultivars with high SLA, had high CO₂ assimilation. Mean (A_n) and total (A_tot) of CO₂ assimilation and SLA were significantly correlated with storage root-yield across cultivars and locations. The three cultivars with the greatest commercial root production also had the highest maximum values for A and the highest specific leaf area, indicating that these two parameters can be used to select for highly productive cultivars of A. xanthorriza.     

Abscisic acid alleviates the deleterious effects of cold stress on ‘Sultana’ grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) plants by improving the anti-oxidant activity and photosynthetic capacity of leaves

The effects of exogenous application of abscisic acid (ABA) on anti-oxidant enzyme activities and photosynthetic capacity in ‘Sultana’ grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) were investigated under cold stress. When vines had an average of 15 leaves, 0 (control), 50, 100, or 200 µM ABA was sprayed to run-off on all leaves of each plant. Twenty-four hours after foliar spraying with ABA, half (n = 5) of the water-only control vines and half (n = 5) of each group of ABA-treated plants were subjected to 4°C for 12 h, followed by a recovery period of 3 d under greenhouse conditions (25°/18°C day/night). The remaining plants in each treatment group were kept at 24°C. Cold stress increased H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in vine leaves, whereas all foliar ABA treatments significantly reduced their levels. Chilled plants showed marked increases in their total soluble protein contents in response to each ABA treatment. ABA significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase in cold-stressed grapevine leaves. In contrast, cold stress markedly decreased the rates of leaf photosynthesis (A) and evaporation (E), stomatal conductance (g_s), and chlorophyll concentrations in leaves, but increased intercellular CO₂ concentrations (C_i) in leaves. Treatment with all concentrations of ABA resulted in lower leaf A, E, and g_s values, but higher C_i values at 24°C. However, following cold stress, ABA-treated vines showed higher leaf A, E, and g_s values, but lower C_i values compared to control vines without ABA treatment. The application of 50–200 µM ABA allowed chilled vines to recover more quickly when re-exposed to normal temperatures, enabling the vines to resume their photosynthetic capacity more efficiently following cold stress. These results showed that, by stimulating anti-oxidant enzyme systems and alleviating cold-induced stomatal limitations, ABA reduced the inhibitory effect of cold stress on the rate of CO₂ fixation in ‘Sultana’ grapevine plants.     

稗草影响大豆根瘤固氮的机制研究之一——水分干扰机制

在全自控人工气候室内系统研究了稗草对大豆根瘤固氮的水分干扰机制。稗草在每盆3株的密度下使播后53-63淹水期间及淹水期后1天的大豆单株根瘤固氮速率平均分别比无草对照提高了16.6%和30.0%,在每盆10株的密度下分别使其比无草对照提高了34.2%和67.5%。在不淹水的情况下播后30-70天,稗草在每盆3株和10株的密度下使其所在处理的平均日蒸发蒸腾量分别比无草对照增加了23.8%和50%,削弱了水分对大豆植株的供应水平;而土壤水分供应水平从其田间持水量的80%降低到35%时,大豆根瘤的氧气传导速率从0.38cm/s下降到0.20cm/s,净光合速率从18.81mg/dm#+2/h降低到4.04mg/dm#+2/h,每盆10株稗草对大豆单株结瘤量及根瘤固氮酶活性的抑制率则分别从8.2%和17.8%升高到18.3%和19.6%,其对大豆单株根瘤固氮速率的抑制率也随之从21.5%上升到33.1%。证明通过干扰土壤水分供应水平,首先影响大豆植株的同化物产量及根瘤内的氧气供应,进而影响大豆植株的根瘤形成和根瘤固 氮酶的固氮活性,是稗草影响大豆根瘤固氮的主要机制之一。