The mechanical roles of the clasping leaf sheath in cereals: Two case studies from oat and wheat plants

Stem lodging is a common problem in cereal crop production and a main constraint for grain yield improvement. The leaf sheath that surrounds and protects the hollow internodes of stem could provide the plants with a great physical support. However, this biomechanical function has been ignored for several decades in cereal crops. This study aimed to examine the biomechanical properties of basal stem internodes and lodging susceptibility of the whole plants with or without the clasping leaf sheath in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and oat (Avena sativa L.) among different genotypes and agronomic practices (including planting densities and nitrogen application rates). The main objective was to quantify the mechanical role of the leaf sheath in oat and wheat crops by a “safety factor” method. On average, the leaf sheath contributed 40%, 68% and 38% of the overall stem bending strength, flexural rigidity and safety factor, in oat, while it accounted for 11%, 24% and 10%, respectively, in wheat plants. The significant contribution of the leaf sheath is due to its vital role in enlarging the peripheral position (i.e., second moment of area) and stiffness (i.e., Young's modulus). The contribution ratios (%) were found to be higher in oat than in wheat plants, due to the greater mass density of leaf sheath and more proficient/prevailing stay-green capability in oat genotypes. This study emphasizes the important mechanical role of clasping leaf sheath on stem internodes of cereals and indicates that the stay-green trait of the leaf sheath can be exploited to design appropriate varieties with improved lodging resistance and great yield potential.     

Identification of a phytoplasma associated with pomegranate little leaf disease in Iran

During 2012–2014 surveys for the presence of phytoplasma diseases in Fars province (Iran), pomegranate little leaf symptoms were observed in several orchards in Khafr and Neyriz areas. Samples collected from symptomatic plants positively reacted in nested PCR assays using P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 primer pairs producing the expected 1,250 bp DNA fragments. Real and virtual RFLP analysis showed that the sequences of phytoplasma strains from Khafr and Neyriz (KPLL and NPLL strains, respectively) were identical to each other and belong to 16SrII phytoplasma group, subgroup D. Phylogenetic analysis of the R16F2n⁄R16R2 DNA region confirmed that KPLL and NPLL phytoplasmas were enclosed in the same clade as other 16SrII-D subgroup phytoplasmas. This is the first reported occurrence of a 16SrII phytoplasma infecting pomegranate trees.     

黄麻土工布覆盖对花岗岩红壤表土坡面侵蚀特性的影响

[目的]探究黄麻土工布覆盖条件下花岗岩红壤表土坡面侵蚀特性,为花岗岩红壤区坡面土壤侵蚀防治提供科学依据。[方法]通过室内模拟降雨试验,在2个坡度(5°和15°坡度)、3种密度(无覆盖,6 cm×6 cm及3 cm×3 cm网格)的黄麻土工布覆盖条件下,研究极端降雨条件下(90 mm/h)花岗岩红壤表土的坡面侵蚀特性,并观测径流系数、土壤侵蚀速率、泥沙颗粒变化规律及富集率等指标。[结果]坡面径流随降雨历时增加而增加,土壤侵蚀速率则相反,表明侵蚀过程是一个分离受限的过程。和对照组相比,黄麻土工布覆盖在不同试验条件下都具有明显的减流减沙作用。另外,由侵蚀泥沙的粒径分选规律可知,坡面土壤中的黏粒和粉粒大小的颗粒倾向于被优先选择性搬运,其结果致使坡面石英粗颗粒富集,在缓坡(5°)与高密度黄麻土工布覆盖条件下(3 cm×3 cm网格)尤为突出。坡面石英粗颗粒随降雨历时增加不断富集进一步增加了原位坡面的侵蚀抗性,产生了土壤侵蚀速率随降雨历时不断降低的现象。[结论]高密度黄麻土工布的覆盖能够有效地减流减沙,增加原位坡面抗蚀性,是一种有效的水土保持措施,在今后的土壤侵蚀防治和劣地恢复工作中应该被重视。     

绿洲灌区不同密度玉米群体的耗水特性研究

针对水资源不足严重制约绿洲灌区玉米生产,密植对玉米耗水特性影响研究薄弱,以及生产实践中缺乏调控种植密度以同步提高产量和水分利用效率的理论依据等问题,2012—2015年,以先玉335为参试品种,在相同施肥、灌水制度下,设75 000株hm–2(低,D1)、87 000株hm–2(中,D2)、99 000株hm–2(高,D3)3个密度水平,探讨密度对玉米耗水的时间动态、耗水结构以及利用效率的影响,以期为优化密植增产节水技术提供理论依据。结果表明,随密度增大,玉米全生育期总耗水量(ET)增大,大喇叭口期至吐丝期是耗水量增大的主要时期,高、中密度处理与低密度处理相比,全生育期总耗水量4年平均分别高22.8%、14.4%,大喇叭口期至吐丝期平均分别高28.4%、18.2%,其他生育时期不同处理的耗水量差异不显著。增加密度可降低玉米的无效耗水,提高水分利用率,高、中密度处理较低密度处理全生育期的棵间蒸发量(E)4年平均分别减少56.5 mm、27.6 mm,密植降低棵间蒸发量的主要时期在拔节至灌浆期,其中大喇叭口期至吐丝期的日均棵间蒸发量分别减少0.51 mm、0.27 mm;高、中密度与低密度处理相比,全生育期的E/ET分别降低15.8%、6.2%,其中拔节至大喇叭口期减小幅度最大,分别为22.1%、10.7%。与低密度处理相比,高、中密度处理的籽粒产量分别提高了17.9%、14.8%,但高、中密度处理间的产量差异不显著;高、中、低密度处理的水分利用效率(WUE)分别为18.2、19.3和16.8 kg hm–2 mm–1,中密度处理的WUE显著高于低密度处理;与低密度处理相比,高、中密度处理4年平均灌溉水利用效率(IWUE)分别提高了34.5%、19.6%。本研究说明,在传统供水覆膜条件下,进一步增加种植密度是干旱绿洲灌区提高玉米产量和灌溉水利用效率的可行措施。     

Rhynchosporium leaf scald disease incidence: seed source and spatial pattern

A programme of field trials for the study of the winter barley–Rhynchosporium commune pathosystem is reported. The associated seedborne disease rhynchosporium leaf scald is regarded as having an important impact on barley yields. The analysis in this study relates to the impact of the seed source (commercial or farm-saved seed) on disease incidence and to the spatial pattern of rhynchosporium leaf scald disease incidence. Disease incidence data were calculated from field data recorded as disease severity. Mean disease incidence was higher in the crops grown from farm-saved seed than in those grown from commercial seed, although great agronomic significance cannot be attached to this result. The spatial pattern of rhynchosporium leaf scald disease incidence was characterized in terms of the binary power law (BPL) and was indicative of an aggregated pattern. Programme-wide BPL results were described using a novel phytopathological application of a random coefficients model. These results have application in field sampling for rhynchosporium leaf scald disease.     

温室内赤苞花和黄虾花叶片解剖结构及光合特性研究

为研究温室内两种爵床科植物叶片解剖结构及光合特性,本试验选取青岛世界园艺博览会植物馆内的两种爵床科植物,赤苞花(Megaskepasma erythrochlamys Lindau)、黄虾花(Pachystachys lutea Nees)为研究对象,用石蜡包埋法对两种植物的叶片进行解剖分析,使用CIRAS-3便携式光合仪测定其光合特性。结果表明,爵床科的两种植物在相同的环境中,叶片的内部结构相似,上表皮均厚于下表皮,海绵组织均厚于栅栏组织。光合指标存在差异,赤苞花的蒸腾速率、气孔导度、细胞间CO₂浓度均大于黄虾花,但黄虾花的水分利用率、净光合速率大于赤苞花。     

Phenotypic plasticity of two invasive alien plant species inside a deciduous forest in a strict nature reserve in Italy

ABSTRACT

Invasive alien plant species (IAPs) represent one of the main biological threats to biodiversity worldwide. Information about their phenotypic plasticity are needed to increase awareness about their future invasive potential. A study about phenotypic plasticity in response to contrasting light regimes and its quantification by a plasticity index (PI) of two IAPs (Ailanthus altissima and Robinia pseudoacacia) inside a Strict Nature Reserve was conducted. R. pseudoacacia showed a 70% higher PI, with a strongly greater value at morphological leaf level, associated with a greater ability to survive and grow in forest understory, explaining its greater widespread. Otherwise, A. altissima showed its highest PI at physiological level, which was associated with the ability to colonize and grow in environments with high-light regimes. Based on these results, the conservative management has limited the presence of A. altissima by its lower ability to grow in forest understory. In fact, the small-scale gaps in the forest infrastructure, that could allow its recruitment, are originated only from the death of a single tree or small group of trees. Regarding R. pseudoacacia, it is critical to maintain this type of management because any disturbances resulting in large openings could further promote its presence inside the Reserve.     

育苗基质对榉树容器苗质量的影响

【目的】为了筛选出适于榉树容器苗生长的最佳基质配比,以提高榉树容器苗的培育质量。【方法】以泥炭土、珍珠岩、蛭石、锯木屑和腐殖土5种材料为原料,按照一定的比例配制成6种基质,以此6种配方基质为供试的育苗基质(其处理编号分别为T1、T2、T3、T4、T5、T6),选择10 cm×5 cm×5 cm的无纺布袋作为育苗容器,进行了榉树容器育苗试验。测定了榉树容器苗的出苗率、形态指标、生物量及生理指标等19个指标,并采用隶属函数法对以不同配方基质培育的容器苗的苗木质量进行了综合评价。【结果】6种基质处理的出苗率从大到小依次为T3>T5>T1>T2>T6>T4,其中T3基质处理的出苗率最高,T4基质处理的出苗率最低,T3基质处理的出苗率是T4基质处理的出苗率的3.47倍;T1基质处理的苗高、地径均极显著高于其他基质处理的,T2基质处理的叶片数显著高于除T1和T5外的其他基质处理的。T2基质处理的侧枝数显著高于其他基质处理的,不同基质处理间容器苗的高径比、侧根数、主根长均无显著差异;T1基质处理的茎干质量、根干质量、苗木干质量及其质量指数均极显著高于其他基质处理的,不同基质处理间容器苗的茎根比无显著差异;T1基质处理的根系活力强度和叶绿素a含量均极显著高于除T2外的其他基质处理的,T2基质处理的叶绿素总量极显著高于除T1外的其他基质处理的,不同基质处理间容器苗的叶绿素b、叶绿素a/b之值均无显著差异,T4基质处理的净光合速率最低,极显著低于其他基质处理的。【结论】采用模糊数学的隶属函数法综合评价得出:以T1基质(其配比为:腐殖土∶泥炭土∶珍珠岩=2∶1∶1)培育的榉树容器苗其质量最好,这种配方基质是榉树容器苗的最佳育苗基质。     

东北“三大硬阔”叶片和叶轴质量分配比较

以3个树种健康复叶为试材,研究了叶内光合构件和支撑构件的生物量投资的种内种间变化规律。结果表明:水曲柳、胡桃楸和黄檗叶轴质量占复叶质量的比例分别为0.18、0.26和0.17,胡桃楸显著大于其它2个树种。跨物种尺度上,复叶大的树种需要更多的叶内支撑结构投资。但物种水平上,水曲柳叶片投资随叶增大而增大,胡桃楸则降低,黄檗基本稳定,表现出与跨物种水平上的叶片投资随叶增大而降低的普遍规律不同。今后需要加深物种水平上叶内生物量分配的异速生长的了解。