Studying genetic relationships among coconut varieties/populations using microsatellite markers

The extent of genetic diversity and the genetic relationships among 94 coconut varieties/populations (51 Talls and 43 Dwarfs) representing the entire geographic range of cultivation/distribution of the coconut was assessed using 12 pairs of coconut micro satellite primers. A high level of genetic diversity was observed in the collection with the mean gene diversity of 0.647±0.139, with that of the mean gene diversity of Talls 0.703±0.125 and 0.374±0.204 of Dwarfs. A phenetic tree based on D_AD genetic distances clustered all the 94 varieties/populations into two main groups, with one group composed of all the Talls from southeast Asia, the Pacific, west coast of Panama, and all Dwarfs and the other of all Talls from south Asia, Africa, and the Indian Ocean coast of Thailand. The allele distribution of Dwarfs highlighted a unique position of Dwarf palms from the Philippines exhibiting as much variation as that in the Tall group. The grouping of all Dwarfs representing the entire geographic distribution of the crop with Talls from southeast Asia and the Pacific and the allele distribution between the Tall and Dwarf suggest that the Dwarfs originated from the Tall forms and that too from the Talls of southeast Asia and the Pacific. Talls from Pacific Islands recorded the highest level of genetic diversity (0.6±0.26) with the highest number of alleles (51) among all the regions. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Foliar traits of jasmine plants intercropped in coconut

Shade is one of the important limiting factors in intercropped agro-ecosystems. Objective of this work is to analyze the role of eight foliar traits of juvenile plants of five different species of Jasminum grown under coconut shade. The results reveal the shade tolerant J. pubescence to produce more number of nodes and longer shoots in all the three seasons studied. J. grandiflorum produced longer leaves and internodal distance than other species tested. Winter season shoots were longer with more number of nodes and longer internodal distances than rainy season. Results are discussed in relation to the adaptive behavior of plants to shade.     

High diversity,expanding populations and purifying selection in phytoplasmas causing coconut lethal yellowing in Mozambique

In this study, the putative phytoplasma species causing coconut lethal yellowing disease in Mozambique and Tanzania were characterized. The 16S rRNA and secA genes were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Mozambican coconut phytoplasmas belong to three different types: ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma palmicola’ 16SrXXII‐A, a second strain that was previously isolated in Tanzania and Kenya (16SrIV‐C), and a third strain that was different from all known lethal yellowing phytoplasma species. The third strain potentially represents a novel species and is closely related to pine phytoplasma. Co‐infection with ‘Ca. Phytoplasma pini’‐related and ‘Ca. Phytoplasma palmicola’ 16SrXXII‐A strains was observed. Furthermore, sequence variation in ‘Ca. Phytoplasma palmicola’ at the population level was consistent with purifying selection and population expansion.     

The use of lignocellulosic hybrid filler in alternative FGRP configurations

The aim of this study was to develop an alternative fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FGRP) configuration. A hybrid composite, composed of a polyester-based matrix reinforced with fiberglass was conceived, in both continuous strand (roving) and mats forms, along with an alternative hybrid filler, derived from two different types of industrial residue: from the furniture industry and from the Cocos nucifera Linn (coconut palm) food derivative industry. The initial aim was to determine the feasibility of using residues, mainly of dry endocarp, without the need of prior selection, because it is more resistant and harder than wood residues. To that end, the following tests were performed: X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and microstructural analysis of micrographic studies. The mechanical properties of strength and stiffness were studied using tensile uniaxial and three-point bending tests in dry and saturated moisture states. The graphics were obtained using Microsoft Oringin 6.0 software.     

Phytoplasmas associated with disease of coconut in Malaysia: phylogenetic groups and host plant species

Coconut palm ( Cocos nucifera ), oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis ), Bermudagrass ( Cynodon dactylon ) and Madagascar periwinkle ( Catharanthus roseus ) with symptoms indicative of phytoplasma disease were collected from different locations in Malaysia. PCR assays employing phytoplasma universal rRNA gene primers P1/P7 alone or P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 detected phytoplasmas in eight out of 20 Malayan Red Dwarf (MRD), nine out of 12 Malayan Yellow Dwarf (MYD) and 12 out of 12 Malayan Tall (MT) coconut palms displaying coconut yellow decline symptoms. Positive detections were also obtained from six out of six oil palm seedlings showing symptoms of yellowing and necrosis, from 10 out of 10 Bermudagrass samples with white leaf symptoms, and from eight out of eight periwinkle plants showing phyllody, virescence, little leaf, proliferation and foliar yellowing. Phytoplasmas were not detected in any of the symptomless plants tested. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of PCR products determined that phytoplasmas infecting both MRD and MT coconuts and Bermudagrass in Serdang, Selangor State, were all members of the 16SrXIV ' Candidatus Phytoplasma cynodontis' group, whereas isolates in periwinkle in Serdang were all members of the 16SrI ' Ca. Phytoplasma asteris' group. However, the phytoplasmas detected in MYD coconuts and oil palms from Banting, Selangor State, and in periwinkle from Putrajaya were collectively very similar (99%), but shared <97·5% similarity with 16S rDNA sequences of all other known phytoplasmas, indicating that they represent a novel taxonomic group. Thus, at least two phylogenetically distinct phytoplasmas are associated with the coconut yellow decline syndrome in Malaysia, both of which were also detected in other plant species.     

莲藕棒孢霉叶斑病病原鉴定及其生物学特性测定

对海南省海口市桂林洋莲藕田的莲藕植株上发生的一种新病害莲藕棒孢霉叶斑病的病原进行了鉴定,并对病原菌进行了生物学特性测定。研究结果表明:该病原菌为山扁豆生棒孢[Corynespora cassiicola (Berk.&Curst.) Wei];病原菌菌丝生长的适宜条件为温度25～30℃,pH 6～9,碳源为无水葡萄糖或D-木糖,氮源为牛肉膏或大豆蛋白胨;最适生长条件为温度28℃,pH 7,碳源为无水葡萄糖,氮源为牛肉膏。光照对该病原菌的影响不大。     

荷花新品种蔡甸红莲的选育

蔡甸红莲是从自然杂交苗中选育,经无性繁殖而成的莲花新品种,观赏性状稳定,属于中小株型重瓣品种群。该品种始花期早,6月20日始花,群体花期长,达60 d,着花较密,每缸6~8朵,花蕾红色,花型重瓣,97(73~112)枚,花径15(13~16)cm,最大瓣径长6.1 cm,宽4.1 cm;花态碗状。花色Red-Purple Group 57A;雄蕊多数,附属物大,白色具彩斑。     

基于ISSR标记的20种荷花品种资源遗传多样性分析

[目的]研究20种荷花材料遗传多样性和亲缘关系。[方法]利用ISSR-PCR体系筛选出16条多态性引物,并利用16条ISSR引物对20种荷花材料进行PCR扩增。[结果]16条引物扩增出225个位点,多态性位点占75.56%。通过Popgene32软件计算出20个荷花品种间的相似性系数为0.577 8~0.951 1,平均值为0.779 6。通过聚类分析将20个荷花品种分为两大类,白洋淀红莲和冬瓜莲可归为一类,其他18个品种划分为第二类。[结论]ISSR标记技术可有效应用于不同荷花品种的遗传多样性分析和亲缘关系的鉴定。     

山楂、冬瓜、荷叶天然复合保健饮料的工艺研究

以山楂(Crataegus pinnatifida)、冬瓜[Benincasa hispida(Thunb.)Cogn.]、荷(Nelumbo nucifera)叶为原料制作天然复合保健饮料,添加蔗糖、柠檬酸、CMC-Na、蜂蜜为辅料,通过单因素试验和正交试验优化其工艺。结果表明,制作天然复合保健饮料的优化工艺为饮料原汁100 m L、蜂蜜4%、蔗糖2%、柠檬酸0.05%、CMC-Na 0.08%,在此工艺条件下制得的天然复合保健饮料色、香、味俱佳。     

钾营养对莲藕产量形成和氮磷钾养分累积分配的影响

【目的】研究钾营养对莲藕产量形成及氮磷钾养分积累与分配的影响。【方法】采用盆栽试验,设置不施钾（-K）和施钾（+K）处理进行全生育期试验。【结果】莲藕移栽76 d后,+K处理叶片和叶柄干物质累积量明显高于-K处理,并均在97 d膨大茎成型后逐渐降低;膨大茎干物质累积速率和累积量在早期为+K处理低于-K处理,97 d后+K处理的干物质累积速率明显加快,其累积量于139 d明显高于-K处理,160 d不同处理膨大茎干物质累积量趋于稳定,+K处理为1 204 g/株,比-K处理高19.7%。在97—160 d产量形成关键期,膨大茎中氮、磷和钾的累积量,+K处理比-K处理分别高32.8%、10.3%和74.2%,其中来自其它器官转移的氮、磷和钾,+K处理比-K处理分别高1.20、0.12和1.26 g/株,来自根系直接从土壤中吸收转运的氮、磷和钾,前者比后者高2.16、0.04和5.70 g/株。莲藕氮、磷、钾累积总量之比-K处理为1﹕0.14﹕0.90,+K处理为1﹕0.13﹕1.31。【结论】钾营养促进莲藕干物质生产和累积、促进根系对养分的吸收并提高莲藕各器官尤其是叶柄中钾的含量,在生育后期促进干物质和养分从叶片等器官转移并贮存到膨大茎中并最终增产。