Histological and proteomics analysis of apple defense responses to the development of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on leaves

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc. is an important fungal pathogen known to cause glomerella leaf spot (GLS). The objective of this study was to analyze the infection of C. gloeosporioides on leaves of apple cv. Fuji (resistant) and cv. Gala (susceptible) and apply proteomics techniques to study the apple defense responses 48 h after inoculation (h.a.i.). On both of cultivars, C. gloeosporioides started to germinate at 3 h.a.i. on adaxial surface and produced appressoria adhering to epidermal cell juxtapositions. Histological analysis showed more stratified parenchyma in leaves of cv. Fuji than cv. Gala associated with differences in the chemical composition of cell walls. Total and unique proteins expressed by cvs. Fuji and Gala at 3, 12, 24 and 48 h.a.i. were detected by comparative proteomes analysis. A total of 42 unique proteins expressed at 24 and 48 h.a.i. were identified by MALDI/TOF mass spectrometry, and most of these proteins were identified as directly involved in defense responses.     

43个柑橘品种（品系/株系）受枸橘潜叶甲为害程度调查研究

采取随机抽样法，调查枸橘潜叶甲对枳、柚、柑、桔、甜橙、枸椽、杂柑及金柑等8大类共43个品种（品系/株系）为害虫情指数，其结果表明，不同柑橘种类或不同柑橘品种或品系均可受枸橘潜叶甲为害，但为害的程度存在着差异性，枳、柚受害最重，金柑、桔、杂柑类受害最轻，对其差异产生的原因亦作了初步分析。     

水稻半外卷叶突变体sol1的表型分析与基因定位

适度卷曲有利于提高水稻叶片的光合效率,增加植株光合产物的有效积累量。我们利用甲基磺酸乙酯(EMS)处理籼型水稻保持系西农1B,获得一个稳定遗传的水稻半外卷叶突变体。该突变体从十叶期开始各叶片逐渐向外卷曲直至半卷状,并伴随茎秆半矮化和叶片披垂,暂被命名为semi-outcurved leaf 1(sol1)。与野生型(WT)相比,sol1的叶片卷曲指数均达到30%以上(P<0.01);倒一、倒二、倒三、倒四节节间长度和穗长极显著缩短,倒一、倒二、倒三叶的叶夹角显著或极显著增加;有效穗数、千粒重、每穗实粒数、结实率显著或极显著下降,一次枝梗数则增加11.3%(P<0.05)。sol1的蒸腾速率、胞间CO2浓度、气孔导度显著高于野生型。石蜡切片显示,sol1倒一叶的泡状细胞体积变小,数量显著增多,表皮细胞体积略微增大。遗传分析表明,sol1的半外卷叶性状受1对隐性核基因调控,定位于6号染色体标记JY6-3和JY6-10之间165 kb的物理范围内,共含15个注释基因。qRT-PCR结果表明,与泡状细胞相关的内卷基因和外卷叶基因RL14、Roc5、REL1在突变体sol1中呈不同程度的上调,NRL、BRD1、OsHox32、ADL1、LC2则呈不同程度的下调。研究结果为SOL1基因的克隆和功能研究奠定了基础。     

南瓜银叶突变体48a的表型特征及其遗传学分析

南瓜银叶突变体48a是在嫩食型中国南瓜中分离筛选到的稳定遗传自交系,银色叶不仅可以作为标记性状应用到育种中,还可为南瓜抗虫、抗病、耐寒等一系列研究提供重要的材料基础。笔者对银叶突变体的表型特征及叶片的解剖结构进行鉴定分析,发现植株整体长势、熟性与野生型无明显差异;成熟叶片正面全部呈银灰色,叶绿素含量明显降低,叶片上表皮细胞与栅栏细胞间明显剥离,存在明显的空隙。利用突变体48a和野生型49a南瓜自交系构建的六世代遗传群体,调查发现F2的绿叶与银叶符合3∶1的分离比,回交群体BC1P1分离比符合1∶1,表明南瓜银色叶性状由单隐性基因控制。     

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.     

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.     

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。