Effect of apple cultivars and storage periods on the virulence of Neofabraea spp.

Bull’s eye rot is a typical quiescent postharvest apple disease in major fruit-growing areas. The susceptibility of different apple cultivars to Neofabraea spp. (N. vagabunda and N. malicorticis) was assessed, with Granny Smith showing the most resistance and Cripps Pink the most susceptibility. To assess the factors involved in conidial germination, Neofabraea spp. were grown on crude protein extracts (CPEs) collected from apple fruits at different storage periods. Fungal germ tube growth rate and pathogenic enzyme (cellulase and xylanase) activity were assessed. Results showed that CPEs collected after 2 and 4 months of storage progressively stimulated conidial germination and germ tube elongation, while a lesser effect was observed from CPEs after 1 month of storage. Xylanase proved to be the main degrading enzyme secreted by all the isolates, while cellulase was produced only by N. vagabunda isolates. Overall, the isolate ID02 was the most virulent, based on more rapid germ tube elongation and greater activity of the lytic enzymes.     

High vegetative compatibility diversity of Cryphonectria parasitica infecting sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) in Britain indicates multiple pathogen introductions

Chestnut blight, caused by Cryphonectria parasitica, was identified in Devon, UK, in December 2016. Intensive surveys detected the disease at further sites in Devon (seven), Berkshire (one), Dorset (one), Derbyshire (four) and a cluster of eight sites in southeast London. Over 570 survey samples were tested, and 227 were positive for C. parasitica by isolation and real-time PCR. A total of 227 isolates were tested for mating type, and 197 screened for vegetative compatibility group (VCG) and compared with VCGs known from mainland Europe. The same isolates were also screened for the presence of Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV-1). Eleven VCGs were identified within the UK population. Five corresponded to already known European VCGs but six were unique. The European VCGs mainly came from the Devon, Dorset, Berkshire and Derbyshire disease outbreaks, whilst unique VCGs were almost exclusively from the southeast London cluster. Both mating types were detected, but only one mating type was present at each site, with the exception of a single Devon site. Perithecia of C. parasitica were never observed at any site. CHV-1 was found in seven isolates from three different locations and was always subtype-I, which has limited hypovirulence. Therefore, although CHV-1 is associated with C. parasitica at some outbreaks, it probably has limited impact on virulence. The diversity of VCGs and their distribution at outbreak sites, together with findings of CHV-1, suggests C. parasitica has been introduced to the UK multiple times over at least two decades through international plant trade.     

Comparative performance of the highly invasive Mimosa invisa and its less invasive subspecies under different nutrient and light conditions

Invasive plants may be more plastic than non‐invasive plants and maintain high fitness under various environmental conditions. Previous studies mainly focused on the comparisons between invasive and native plants, and comparisons between highly invasive and less invasive exotic species are still relatively rare, especially for comparisons at the subspecies level. This study examined the effects of nutrient addition and shading on the performance of the highly invasive Mimosa invisa and its less invasive subspecies M. invisa var. inermis under either isolated or competitive conditions. Nutrient addition increased biomass and plant height and decreased root‐to‐shoot ratio (R/S). Shading decreased biomass and R/S and increased plant height. Under isolated conditions, the two invaders did not differ in R/S, plant height and plasticity of these traits in response to nutrient addition or shading, and the two invaders also did not differ in biomass production under each of the nutrient and light treatments. When the two invaders competed with each other, M. invisa outcompeted M. invisa var. inermis under high soil nutrient conditions, and the two invaders did not differ in performance under other growth conditions. Thus, only considering competition may we find out the difference between highly invasive species and their closely related, less invasive subspecies. Management of M. invisa should focus on habitats with high soil nutrient availability, in which M. invisa is more likely to dominate.     

安徽省花生产量与气象因素的关联度分析及预测模型研究

为分析气象因子对安徽花生产量的影响,构建适用于本地的花生单位产量预测模型,以期为探讨花生经济效益、应对气象灾害风险管理提供参考。对安徽各市2000—2017年花生气象产量和气象因子进行灰色关联度分析,筛选出关联度较大的气象因子,并采用逐步回归法建立产量预测模型。结果表明：安徽花生产量与生育期气象因子关联度5月份平均气温>7月份光照时数>5月份光照时数>6月份光照时数>7月份平均气温>8月份光照时数>8月份平均气温>6月份平均气温>8月份降水量>7月份降水量>5月份降水量>6月份降水量,应用建立的花生单位产量预测模型对历年产量进行回测,结果显示预测值与实际值均方根误差为815 kg/hm²、拟合指数为0.81,总体较好,具有一定的应用价值。     

玉米早期籽粒中强表达启动子的筛选

在植物基因表达调控的过程中,启动子作为调控基因表达的顺式元件起着重要作用。为了筛选在玉米早期籽粒中强表达的启动子,选取6个启动子pCaMV35SD、pUbiquitin、pZmActin1、pZmSTK2、pZm66589和pZmbHLH148,分别构建EGFP表达载体并转染玉米原生质体,快速验证载体功能构建的正确性;同时采用花粉磁转染法将6个表达载体导入玉米自交系郑58中,并对不同启动子驱动的EGFP载体在授粉后48h玉米籽粒中的荧光强度和荧光检出率进行观察和统计分析。结果表明,6个启动子驱动EGFP表达载体构建正确;pCaMV35SD启动子驱动EGFP表达载体的荧光最强,6个启动子驱动EGFP表达载体由强到弱依次为pCaMV35SD>pZmSTK2>pZm66589>pZmbHLH148>pUbiquitin>pZmActin1,其荧光检出率分别为27.17%、27.17%、29.83%、23.84%、13.40%和30.57%。     

一株抑草真菌发酵液中的抑草成分分析

为了鉴定从桉树根际筛选到的微生物的抑草潜力和抑草成分,以桉树根际土壤中筛选到的一株真菌为材料,利用生物测试验证菌株发酵液的抑草潜力,利用GC-MS对菌株发酵液抑草成分进行验证。结果表明,不同浓度菌株发酵液对稗草的根长、株高和干重都有显著的抑制作用,对稗草根长抑制率最大为稀释50倍时,抑制率为7.55%;对稗草株高和干重抑制率最高为原液,抑制率分别为56.53%和25.46%。GC-MS鉴定共检测到86个物质,含氮化合物最多,占59.10%,其次为羧酸及酯类化合物,占19.26%。抑草物质生物测试结果表明,邻香豆酸、柠檬醛和胡椒碱在低浓度时对莴苣的根长和株高都有很强的抑制作用。表明该菌株能够产生多种化感物质的结构类似物,使得菌株发酵液具有很强的抑草作用,具有开发为微生物除草剂的潜力。     

晋中盆地典型耕地厚度、土壤养分空间变异

旨在探究旱作区耕地土壤耕层厚度及土壤养分空间格局与变异规律。以晋中盆地典型耕地土壤为研究对象,运用地统计学方法对耕地耕层厚度及土壤养分的空间变异进行分析,土壤养分选取有机质、pH、有效磷、缓效钾4个指标。结果表明：（1）各个指标的空间自相关性都是随着距离的增加而减小;（2）有效磷的半变异函数最优模型为高斯模型,其他指标的最优模型均为指数模型。各指标的块金系数由大到小依次为：有机质>有效磷>pH>耕层厚度>缓效钾;（3）耕层厚度、有效磷均为西北高东南低的空间格局,缓效钾为东北高西南低,有机质为西南高东北低,pH除北洸乡偏低外均偏高。地统计方法能良好地描述土壤性质的空间分布和变异特征,各土壤性质的空间变异过程中随机性与结构性并存,并且随机性均小于50%。     

Comparison of outcomes following treatment of septic calcaneal bursitis by needle or bursoscopic lavage: A retrospective study of 29 horses

Sepsis of the calcaneal bursae (CB) presents significant treatment challenges with limited clinical data available in the literature. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the clinical outcomes associated with CB lavage using either a through-and-through needle or bursoscopic technique. Clinical records of 29 horses treated for septic calcaneal bursitis using either technique between 2005 and 2019 were reviewed. Fisher’s exact test was used to assess statistical significance between first surgical technique and success at first surgery (i.e. not requiring >1 lavage), survival to discharge and return to work (RTW). Bursoscopy was performed in 13/29 (44.8%) cases, and needle lavage in 16/29 (55.2%). In the needle group, 12 (75%) horses were discharged following the first surgery. Four had repeat interventions; two (12.5%) had needle lavage and two (12.5%) had bursoscopy. Of the two horses to have repeat needle lavage, one was subjected to euthanasia and one discharged, and of the two that underwent bursoscopy, one was discharged and one received a third bursoscopy prior to discharge. In the bursoscopy group, seven (53.8%) were discharged and three (23.1%) were subjected to euthanasia following the first surgery. Three (23.1%) received a second bursoscopic lavage with one discharged, one subjected to euthanasia and one having a third bursoscopic lavage prior to discharge. Overall, 18/24 (75%) followed up cases RTW, 10 (55.5%) from the needle group, eight (44.4%) the bursoscopy group. No statistically significant differences between first surgical technique used and success at first surgery (no subsequent lavage(s) required), survival to discharge or return to work were detected. The main limitations of this study are that it is a retrospective study, has a small population with limited statistical power and potential selection bias. No statistically significant differences existed between the outcomes of the two techniques, contrary to the belief that bursoscopic lavage is superior. Larger, multicentred studies, with greater statistical power are required to further assess this relationship.     

金寨毛竹纤维形态及化学成分

通过离析法制取毛竹纤维,观察并记录纤维长度和宽度,计算纤维长宽比,按照国家标准分别测定化学成分质量分数,以此对3~5年生金寨毛竹不同竹干高度、径向的纤维形态和化学成分进行研究。结果表明:3~5年生金寨毛竹平均纤维长度均大于1500μm,且随着竹龄的增加而增加,而在高度上变异规律不明显;平均纤维长宽比均大于100,在竹干高度为5.5 m处达到最大值;灰分质量分数随竹龄的增加而减小,随竹干高度的增加而增加;综纤维素质量分数随竹龄的增加而增加,随竹干高度的增加趋于稳定;苯醇抽提物和纤维素质量分数随竹龄增加先减小再增加。综上可知,金寨毛竹是优良的造纸原料。     

Population dynamics of the potato cyst nematode,Globodera pallida,in relation to temperature,potato cultivar and nematicide application

The impact of increasing temperatures on the population dynamics of the soil-dwelling nematode Globodera pallida, a persistent and economically important pest of potatoes, was investigated. The reproductive factor (final population⁄initial population) and length of life cycle were found to be temperature sensitive. Pot experiments performed over 4 months allowed comparison of the effect on development of G. pallida of two temperature regimes: an average temperature comparable to current field conditions (14.3 °C) and an average temperature above current field conditions (17.3 °C). A larger second generation of juveniles was observed at 17.3 °C compared to 14.3 °C. Multiplication of G. pallida at field sites in Shropshire and East Lothian (average soil temperatures of 15.5 and 14.1 °C, respectively, during potato cropping) was also examined. A quantitative PCR assay and visual examination of roots were used to monitor the dynamics of the G. pallida populations in both field sites at 4-weekly intervals. Four cultivars, Desirée, Cara, Maris Piper and Estima, were grown with and without nematicide treatments. Nematicide treatments suppressed population increases at both sites. Females were observed on the roots of cvs Cara and Desirée at the end of the growing season in Shropshire, but not at East Lothian, and are likely to represent a second generation.