Root architecture of sorghum genotypes differing in root angles under different water regimes

Plant root architecture offers the potential for increasing soil water accessibility, particularly under water-limited conditions. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the root architecture in two genotypes of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) differing in root angles and to assess the influence of different deficit irrigation regimes on root architecture. The response of two sorghum genotypes, ‘Early Hegari-Sart’ (EH; steep root angle) and ‘Bk7’ (shallow root angle) to four irrigation treatments was investigated in two replicated outdoor studies using large pots. The results indicated that EH possessed steeper brace and crown root angles, fewer brace roots, greater root biomass, and root length density than Bk7 at deeper soil depths (i.e., 15–30 and 30–45 cm) compared with a shallower depth (i.e., 0–15 cm). Across the soil profile, EH had greater root length density and length of roots of small diameter (<1 mm) than Bk7. Accordingly, EH showed more rapid soil-water capture than Bk7. Different levels of irrigation input greatly affected root architecture. Severe deficit irrigation (25% of full crop transpiration throughout the season) increased the angle and number of crown roots, root biomass, and root length density compared with 75 and 100% of full crop transpiration treatments. Consequently, root system architecture can be effectively manipulated through both genotypic selection and irrigation management to ensure optimal performance under different levels of soil available water.     

Analysis of residuals for stability assessment of rice genotypes

The analysis of residuals computes general adaptabilities (GAs) and specific adaptabilities (SAs) of genotypes similar to combining ability analysis. The residual analysis is simple and robust being based on the first-degree statistics, and is assumption-free. A unique statistic of ratio of variances (VR) of residuals for individual genotypes allows comparing their stability. The residuals analysis of genotype × environment (GE) interactions was performed for grain yield (t ha^?1) of 25 rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes, including two developed by marker-assisted selection for root traits quantitative trait loci (QTL), tested across 16 sites. Results were compared with the linear regression analysis for (i) full set of 16 sites showing adequacy of linear model and (ii) subset of nine-poor sites showing inadequacy of linear model. There was agreement between the two analyses for situation (i) but not for situation (ii) when the regression analysis fails because of nonlinearity but the residual analysis retains its validity.     

Collembola in ecotoxicology—Any news or just boring routine?

Despite the uncontested significance of soils for human nutrition and drinking water quality, the majority of ecotoxicological testing is confined to aquatic test systems. Among the standardised tests for soils, the reproduction test with the springtail Folsomia candida is among the most widely used ones. First steps towards its standardisation were undertaken in the late 1980s. Here we review major advances that have been made since then, with respect to mechanistic, pragmatic and ecological aspects. Specifically we address the ecological relevance of any modifications of the standardised tests. We introduce a miniaturised version of the reproduction test which allows reducing the amount of soil per test unit to one third and the number of synchronised individuals to 40% as compared to the standard test. In addition, we developed an assay using Collembola eggs instead of synchronised adults. First results of a three-species test indicate that the presence of other species may affect choice behaviour. We point out a potential biased view of existing ecotoxicological data with Collembola due to the fact that most results refer to metal contamination. Finally, recommendations for future research are given, with special reference to avoidance and microcosm tests involving Collembola.     

草莓丝核菌根腐病病原菌鉴定及7种杀菌剂的抑菌作用测定

为了解草莓丝核菌根腐病的病原种类及筛选防治丝核菌根腐病的有效杀菌剂,本研究基于形态学特征、细胞核荧光染色、菌丝融合群测定以及rDNA-ITS的序列分析,对北京和河北承德地区的草莓丝核菌根腐病的病原菌进行了鉴定,并利用菌丝生长速率法测定了7种杀菌剂对丝核菌的抑菌作用。结果发现,北京地区的丝核菌为双核丝核菌(binucleate Rhizoctonia,BNR),属于融合群AG-A;河北的丝核菌为立枯丝核菌Rhizoctonia solani,属于融合群AG-4。氟啶胺、吡唑醚菌酯、噻呋酰胺、戊唑醇、咯菌腈、氟硅唑对2种丝核菌均有很强的抑制作用,EC_(50)值为0.063 9～2.485 7μg/mL,抑霉唑的抑制作用较差,EC_(50)值为9.966 8～11.236 8μg/mL。同一种杀菌剂对不同丝核菌的抑制作用存在差异,噻呋酰胺、戊唑醇、氟硅唑、咯菌腈和抑霉唑对立枯丝核菌的抑制作用强于对双核丝核菌。试验结果为生产上合理选用杀菌剂防治草莓丝核菌根腐病提供了科学依据。     

牛角瓜根的抑菌活性研究

以牛角瓜根为实验材料,采用索氏提取法,以4种不同溶剂(石油醚、氯仿、乙酸乙酯、甲醇)对牛角瓜的根进行提取,并采用纸片琼脂扩散法对粗提物的抑菌活性进行了评价,供试菌包括白色念珠菌等6种真菌和金黄色葡萄球菌等7种细菌。结果表明:石油醚粗提物对枯草芽孢杆菌、白色念珠菌、黑曲霉菌、大肠埃希氏菌都表现出良好的抑菌活性,且抑菌效果接近或优于阳性对照氟康唑,对尖孢镰刀菌和鲍曼不动杆菌也表现出良好的抑菌活性;氯仿粗提物对白色念珠菌及粪链球菌表现出良好的抑菌活性;乙酸乙酯粗提物对粪链球菌表现出最好的抑菌活性;甲醇粗提物的抑菌活性较弱。     

水稻复合农艺性状QTL剖析

为了解水稻复合性状的数量性状基因座(QTL),在利用单片段代换系进行QTL鉴定的基础上,剖析了水稻株高QTL与主茎高和穗长QTL,主茎高与倒一节间长、倒二节间长、倒三节间长和倒四及以下节间长QTL,谷粒长宽比QTL与粒长和粒宽QTL,每穗粒数QTL与一次枝梗数和二次枝梗数QTL的关系。结果表明:鉴定出株高QTL的6个单片段代换系中有4个只检测出了主茎高QTL,其加性效应百分率为86.00%～99.55%,有1个只检测出了穗长QTL,其加性效应百分率为48.31%,有1个同时检测出了主茎高QTL和穗长QTL,其中主茎高QTL的加性效应百分率为81.72%,穗长QTL加性效应百分率为18.28%;在检测出主茎高QTL的7个单片段代换系中,有1个只检测出倒一节间长QTL,有2个只检测出倒二节间长QTL,有2个检测出倒一节间长QTL和倒二节间长QTL,有2个只检测出倒三节间长QTL;不同的单片段代换系中检测出的节间长的QTL加性效应百分率变化范围为-128.62%～172.07%;7个检测出谷粒长宽比QTL的单片段代换系中,有5个只检测出粒长QTL,1个只检测出粒宽QTL,1个同时检测出了粒长QTL和粒宽QTL;检测出每穗粒数QTL的3个单片段代换系中,有2个只检测出二次枝梗数的QTL,有1个同时检测出一次枝梗数QTL和二次枝梗数的QTL。这些结果表明,代换片段中如能检出复合性状QTL,也可以检出其构成性状QTL;复合性状QTL的加性效应的大部分可由其构成性状QTL的综合效应来解析,但相同的复合性状,不同代换片段检出的构成性状QTL不同。     

引进甘蔗种质资源杂交后代适应性评价

通过对引进甘蔗种质资源24个杂交后代的的10个农艺性状进行主成分分析、回归分析与通径分析,科学评价引种甘蔗种质资源在广西本地的农艺性状表现,探究各农艺性状间的协同制约关系,为甘蔗种质资源的精准评价和杂交育种材料的科学选配提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)主要农艺性状变异系数为6.79%~29.44%,24个甘蔗种质在分蘖和蔗糖产量上有较大的遗传改良潜力。(2)主成分分析将这10个农艺性状凝聚成4个主成分,分别为产量因子、有效茎因子、糖分因子和出苗因子,贡献率分别是35.2%、16.5%、15.3%、12.1%,累计贡献率达到79.1%;(3)通径分析中各性状对糖产量的直接通径系数大小依次为:蔗茎产量(0.927)>蔗糖分(0.399)>单茎重(0.039)。表明:甘蔗品种(系)GUC23-1、GUC15-2、GUC23、GUC34、GUC25在广西的丰产性最优,在甘蔗引种和选育中,考虑将蔗茎产量、蔗糖分、单茎重作为主要选择性状。     

间作香露兜提高槟榔根系生长和土壤酶活性

采用盆栽试验的方法,对槟榔单作、香露兜单作和槟榔间作香露兜3种栽培模式下根系生长发育和土壤酶活性进行比较研究。结果表明：槟榔间作香露兜促进了槟榔干物质累积,且分配到根系的干物质相对增多,地下部干物质质量显著增加,对香露兜的影响不显著;间作后显著增加槟榔叶片SPAD值,对香露兜无显著影响;间作模式下槟榔总根长、根系总表面积、根数目显著增多,分别比单作增加了78.64%、50.96%、81.22%,而且间作对槟榔根系生长发育的促进作用大于香露兜;槟榔间作香露兜后,土壤酸性磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶和过氧化物酶活性均显著高于槟榔单作,土壤脲酶与槟榔单作无显著差异,但显著低于香露兜单作;土壤过氧化物酶活性与根数目和根体积呈显著正相关。综上所述,槟榔与香露兜根系之间竞争较小,与槟榔单作相比,槟榔间作香露兜模式能够促进槟榔根系生长,提高土壤酶活性。