Seasonal changes of mineral nutrients and phenolics in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit

Pomegranate fruit is an important source of potentially healthy bioactive compounds and mineral nutrients. Changes in total phenolic compound, concentrations, and levels of macronutrients (P, K, N, Mg, Ca and Na) and micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe and B) in arils and peel of pomegranate fruit were recorded from 10 days after full bloom until harvest. Total phenolics levels increased at early stage of growth both in peel and arils of fruit, but thereafter generally decreased during maturation and reached to 3.70 and 50.22 mg g⁻¹ of dry weight in arils and peel, respectively, at harvest. The amount of total phenolics in peel was markedly higher than arils of pomegranate fruit. The concentration of most elements in arils and peel decreased during fruit growth and development. At harvest the relative order of concentration of macronutrients both in arils and peel was K > N > Ca > P > Mg > Na. The concentration of most micronutrients was greater in the arils than in the peel especially in early season. The relative order of concentration of micronutrients in arils was B > Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn. The accumulation of all the macro- and microelement within the fruit also increased during fruit growth and development. These results provide important data on total phenolics and macro- and micronutrient changes during fruit growth and development, emphasizing that pomegranate fruit can be a good source of bioactive compounds and minerals.     

Molecular characterization of Miraflores peach variety and relatives using SSRs

Some traditional peach varieties, originated from the region of Aragón (Spain), were analysed by SSRs (simple sequence repeats). The aim of this research was to characterize 19 clones related to Miraflores variety, with unknown pedigrees, to assess their genetic diversity and to elucidate their possible relationships with 10 traditional peach varieties. Twenty SSR primer pairs with high levels of polymorphism, which have been previously developed for peach, were used in this study. A total of 46 alleles were obtained for all the microsatellites studied, ranging from one to six alleles per locus, with a mean value of 2.3 alleles per locus. Fourteen SSRs were polymorphic in the set of varieties studied and permitted to distinguish 16 different genotypes out of the 30 initially studied, although fourteen ‘Miraflores’ clones showed identical gel profiles. The genetic distance matrix was used to construct neighbor joining cluster and to perform principal coordinate analysis which allowed the arrangement of all the genotypes according to their genetic relationships. The genetic relationships among these traditional peach varieties, and in particular among ‘Miraflores’ clones are discussed. The obtained results confirm that microsatellite markers are very useful for these purpose.     

Molecular characterization and genetic relationship among almond cultivars assessed by RAPD and SSR markers

RAPDs and SSRs were used to study the genetic diversity of Iranian almond cultivars and their relationship to important foreign cultivars and three related species. Eight unidentified almond Shahrodi cultivars and three wild almonds (Prunus communis, Prunus orientalis and Prunus scoparia) were also included. Of the primers tested, 42 (out of 80) RAPD and 18 (out of 26) SSR primers were selected for their reproducibility and high polymorphism. A total of 664 polymorphic RAPD bands were detected out of 729 bands. The number of presumed alleles revealed by the SSR analysis ranged from 3 to 10 alleles per locus with a mean value of 6.64 alleles per locus. Both techniques discriminated the genotypes very effectively, but only RAPDs were able to discriminate the cultivars Monagha and Sefied. Results demonstrated an extensive genetic variability within the tested cultivars as well as the value of SSR markers developed in peach for characterization of almond and related species of Prunus. Dice similarity coefficient was calculated for all pair wise comparisons and was used to construct a UPGMA dendrogram. For both markers a high similarity in dendrogram topologies was obtained although some differences were observed. All dendrograms, including that obtained by the combined use of both the marker data, depicted the phenetic relationships among the cultivars and species, depending upon their geographic region and/or pedigree information. Almond cultivars clustered with accession of P. communis showing their close relationship. P. orientalis and P. scoparia were clustered out of the rest of P. dulcis.     

AFLP analysis of genetic diversity in low chill requiring walnut (Juglans regia L.) genotypes from Hatay,Turkey

In this study, the genetic relatedness of 22 low chill requiring walnut genotypes adapted to the south east Mediterranean region of Turkey was analysed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Relatively low level of genetic variation was detected among the genotypes examined by five AFLP primer combinations, suggesting that these walnut genotypes selected predominantly for their low chill requirement have relatively narrow genetic base. In addition, the geographical proximity of the genotypes analysed was not correlated with their level of genetic relatedness. These results have implications for walnut breeding and conservation.     

水分胁迫下不同抗旱类型大豆叶片气孔特性变化研究

采用火棉胶印膜法,研究了不同程度干旱胁迫对不同抗旱类型大豆叶片气孔特性的影响.结果表明:经水分胁迫的大豆叶片气孔密度增加,气孔开口大小和单位叶面积气孔相对面积减小.但不同抗旱类型大豆品种间表现不同,气孔密度变化幅度大小顺序依次为:弱抗品种(A3)＞中抗品种(A2)＞抗旱品种(A1),调节气孔开张能力大小顺序依次为:抗旱品种(A1)＞中抗品种(A2)＞弱抗品种(A3).     

木豆在干热河谷退化山地的生态适应性研究

2000年木豆(Cajanus cajan(L.)Millspaugh)引入云南省元谋干热河谷地区,观测其物候特征、生长适应性、抗旱适应性、抗光热适应性等植物学指标,以了解其对干热退化山地的整体生态适应性.结果表明,木豆能适应干热河谷的退化山地生长环境,其生长势优于原产地,表现出明显的速生性;木豆的抗光热能力较强,能适应于热河谷的不同光照及高温环境,但温度高于37℃,则光合作用停止;木豆的抗旱能力较强,能够通过不同的生理适应性度过旱季,完成其生长周期.木豆适应于干热河谷的生态环境,利用价值较大,是干热河谷退化山地治理与开发的优选灌木.     

黄土丘陵沟壑区沙棘人工林不同恢复阶段物种多样性与土壤肥力的关系研究

对黄土高原丘陵沟壑区沙棘人工林不同恢复阶段物种多样性与土壤肥力的关系进行了研究.结果表明,在沙棘人工林恢复的初、中期阶段,α-多样性指数和土壤肥力(有机质含量和氮含量)的增加正相关较明显,在恢复的中期β-多样性指数变化较强烈,且土壤有机质含量变化较大,表现出在沙棘人工林恢复的同时,土壤有机质含量也会有所增加,二者基本上是同步的.对土壤肥力与沙棘人工林植物组成性状的关系进行多元回归分析后发现,土壤全氮与木本植物种数、植物种数和物种多样性等因素有关;全磷与物种多样性等因素有关;土壤全钾和pH值的变化比较复杂,与植物组成性状的关系不明显.     

不同水分状况下秸秆覆盖量对玉米根、冠生长的影响

在遮雨棚控水条件下,采用盆栽的方式研究了不同秸秆覆盖量对玉米根、冠生长的影响.试验按对照(CK)和秸秆覆盖量0.3 kg/m2(SM0.3)、0.6 kg/m2(SM0.6)、0.9 kg/m2(SM0.9)、1.2 kg/m2.(SM1.2)共设5个处理,水分按高水(占田间持水量的90%)和低水(占田间持水量的60%)设两个水平.分别测定了玉米根、茎、叶、穗干重,根系垂直空间分布及叶片叶绿素相对含量等指标.结果表明:秸秆覆盖明显改变了玉米根系和地上部分的生长;高水条件下SM0.6处理玉米根系、茎秆、叶和穗干重均高于其它处理;低水条件下,地上部分干重SM1.2最大,SM0.6次之;根系的垂直空间分布与水分和覆盖条件都有密切的关系,覆盖措施主要影响下层根系的生长和发育.     

哈密瓜内生细菌菌群密度及分布动态

分离哈密瓜植株组织中的内生细菌,对不同品种、不同栽培环境、不同组织器官、不同生育期的哈密瓜内生细菌的菌群组成、菌群密度的动态分布特点进行研究.结果表明:哈密瓜不同品种、不同种植地区、不同组织器官、不同生育期内生细菌的菌群密度有较大差异.抗病品种中的内生细菌显著高于感病品种.哈密瓜各组织中,种子的内生细菌最多,其次为根,再次为茎、叶片、叶柄,果实中最少.在不同生长阶段,随着哈密瓜生育期的延长,内生细菌数量变化呈"高-低-高"的变化特点,即从苗期到花期,植株内生细菌总量下降,至成熟期数量显著增加的特点.对所分离的内生细菌进行菌群分析表明,哈密瓜内生细菌包括芽孢杆菌属、黄单胞菌属、假单胞菌属、欧文氏菌属、葡萄球菌属、鞘氨醇单胞菌属、黄色单胞菌属和类芽孢杆菌属(Paenibacillus)等,其中芽孢杆菌属出现的频率最高,在所分离的哈密瓜品种中都是优势菌群,约占总分离菌株的54.58%;但菌群多样性在不同哈密瓜品种和种植地区间差异不显著;种子中类群最少,随着植株生长,类群增加.     

古尔班通古特沙漠南缘增温效应研究

利用2年沙漠边缘至绿洲4个观测点的气象资料,计算得到感热通量、湍流热量、净辐射、同一高度的气压等,讨论这些要素的时间和空间变化规律,解释绿洲至沙漠气温逐渐增加的原因,以对沙漠增温效应做出进一步的分析,为发挥特定地区的农业气候资源优势,促进农业结构调整和区域经济发展及构建新型农业技术体系提供理论基础.