Effect of Heat Stress on Grain Growth, Starch Synthesis and Protein Synthesis in Grains of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties Differing in Grain Weight Stability

The effect of heat stress on the components of grain weight was analysed in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) varieties differing in grain weight stability. The wheat varieties PBW154, Sonalika and Hindi62 were raised in the field (New Delhi, India; 77°12' E, 28°40' N, 228.6 m a.s.l.) at three dates of sowing: 19 November 1992 (DOS I), 14 December 1992 (DOS II) and 18 January 1993 (DOS III). The late-sown crop (DOS III) experienced 6–8 °C warmer temperatures during grain development than the crop sown at the normal time (DOS I). The heat susceptibility index (S) revealed that grain weight was less susceptible to heat in Sonalika and PBW154 than in Hindi62. Heat stress reduced both the grain growth duration (GGD) and the grain growth rate (GGR). The grain weight reduction in PBW154 and Sonalika was mainly due to a reduction in GGR, while that of Hindi62 was due to a reduction in GGD. In vivo studies on starch and protein synthesis in excised endosperm at 15, 25 and 35 °C revealed that both processes were more thermotolerant in Hindi62 than in PBW154. The grain starch content was stable in Hindi62 while that in PBW154 was significantly reduced under heat stress. The grain nitrogen content at maturity increased in both varieties under heat stress. It was concluded that the heat susceptibility of grain weight in Hindi62 was mainly due to a reduction in GGD, although GGR, starch and protein synthesis were more thermotolerant in developing grains of Hindi62 than in those of PBW154.     

High frequency embryogenic callus induction and plant regeneration from mature caryposis of big bluestem and little bluestem

Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) and little bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michaux) Nash.] are native to the North America and are important forage grasses and ornamental grasses. Both grasses are proposed as ideal biomass producers for cellulosic ethanol production. To apply genetic transformation, which is an important tool for incorporating desirable agronomic traits into plants to both species, however requires an efficient and reproducible regeneration protocol. We used mature caryopses from big and little bluestem as explants and tested the effect of various combinations of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) (1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 mg l⁻¹) and kinetin (KT) (0, 0.1 or 0.2 mg l⁻¹) on embryogenic callus induction with LS as the basal medium. The highest percentage of embryogenic calli induction occurred on medium containing 2, 4-D alone at 2 mg l⁻¹ for ‘Bison’ and on medium containing 4 mg l⁻¹ 2, 4-D alone for ‘Bonilla’ big bluestem. For little bluestem, the highest percentage of embryogenic callus induction occurred on medium containing 3 mg l⁻¹ 2, 4-D plus 0.1 mg l⁻¹ kinetin, suggesting that addition of KT is beneficial. Shoot regeneration took place on LS basal medium without any plant growth regulator for both species, although the addition of KT increased both regeneration frequency and the number of shoots produced per callus. Rooting of shoots reaching about 2 cm long occurred readily with or without α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Rooted plantlets were all successfully established in the soil.     

Seasonal growth and diet of juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in demonstration channels and the main channel of the Waitaki River, New Zealand, 1982–1983

Abstract– Juvenile chinook salmon in the Waitaki River, New Zealand and demonstration channels, living at about 16°C, increased in length by 0.32 mm day⁻¹ between 4 November and 4 March. They gained weight quickly, accumulated large visceral fat deposits and had high conditions factors. At 1600 h, stomachs averaged half full. The number of prey tended to decline as the fish grew and consumed larger items. Initially the diet was based mainly on chironomid larvae, but by December it included a diversity of prey in more equal proportions. These included Deleatidium in the Waitaki; amphipods in the demonstration channels; various trichopterans, hemipterans, elmid beetles, zooplankton. terrestrial dipterans and a variety of other prey. There were significant differences between sites in numbers of prey consumed and these probably reflected differences in the benthos. Diets in the Waitaki differ from those in the Rakaia River and the food of juvenile salmon appears closely linked to the availability of a diverse range of possible prey.     

13～18周龄笼养蛋鸭适宜蛋白质和蛋氨酸水平的研究

用 32 4羽满 1 2周龄的金定鸭 ,通过饲养试验、代谢试验、屠宰试验和对试鸭产蛋期 (1 9～ 2 8周龄 )产蛋性能的观察 ,研究了在等能条件下(ME :1 1 51MJ/kg) ,不同蛋白质水平 (CP :1 3 %、 1 5 %、 1 7% )和蛋氨酸水平 (Met/CP :0 0 1 7、 0 0 2 2、 0 0 2 7)组成的 9种饲粮对 1 3～ 1 8周龄笼养蛋鸭的生长性能、养分利用、体成分沉积和产蛋期产蛋性能的影响。结果表明 :该阶段饲粮粗蛋白、蛋氨酸水平对体增重影响不显著 (P >0 0 5) ;体增重与蛋氨酸 (% )呈一定的正相关 (r=0 4574) ;CP为 1 3%、Met/CP为 0 0 2 7组采食量一直较稳定、较高 ,且饲料效率又好。代谢试验 :不同粗蛋白、蛋氨酸水平饲粮对试鸭氮存留率和能量的利用率影响显著(P <0 0 5或P<0 0 1 ) ,且它们随饲粮CP水平的升高而降低 ,随蛋氨酸水平升高而升高 ;磷的利用率也分别以CP为 1 3%的水平和Met/CP为 0 0 2 7的水平极显著地高于其他水平对磷利用率 (P <0 0 1 )。屠宰试验 :当Met/CP为 0 0 2 7时 ,体氮沉积量和体磷沉积量最佳。产蛋性能 :开产日龄和高峰日龄与 1 3～ 1 8周龄CP食入量呈弱的负相关 (r=- 0 1 83 3和r=- 0 0 984) ,与蛋氨酸食入量呈正相关 (r =0 5780和r =0 435 0 )。饲粮粗蛋白、蛋氨酸水平对 1 9～ 2 8周龄     

Essential Fatty Acids and the Cat

Abstract— The physiology of essential fatty acid metabolism in the cat is reviewed. Emphasis is placed on those aspects of the n:6 and n:3 fatty acids, their metabolites and interactions, which relate primarily to the skin. The functional roles, if known, of the fatty acids are discussed. Recent clinical research into the use of essential fatty acid supplements in the management of feline dermatoses is presented. Current indications for the therapeutic supplementation with essential fatty acids are summarised.     

Physiological Analysis of Yield Variation in Mungbean (Vigna radiata [Roxb.] Wilczek)

Two mungbean varieties, Guj-1 and PIMS-1 differing in their productivity potential, were examined to investigate their photosynthetic system at various stages of growth in relation to yield with two different dates of sowing. Vertical leaves were found to be beneficial. On the other hand, excessive leaf area during the later stages of growth may be detrimental to yield. Lower LAD at seedling stage and overall high NAR values may be reflected in higher grain yield. NAR declined as season progressed and this, in turn, may be related with increase in LAI. The grain yield was considerably more at the first date of sowing as compared to second date of sowing, the effect was being more pronounced in var. PIMS-1 . Various environmental factors recorded at two different dates of sowing and at various stages of growth indicated that these factors may have influenced the yield potential at two different dates of sowing.     

BR农用荧光灯补光育苗的研究

对黄瓜、番茄在育苗前期进行短时间的人工补光有明显促进生长的效果。农用荧光灯(BR)的补光效果优于日光型荧光灯(W)。早春育苗进行人工补光的时间以下午自然光照强度稍高于光补偿点、叶片气孔尚未关闭之前为好,呼和浩特、包头3月份16:00、4月份17:00开始补光为宜。补光的光强度在500～800lx 效果明显。光源距幼苗的距离以10cm 为宜。     

Expression and modulation of connective tissue growth factor in renal interstitial fibrosis

CTGF, a member of the CCN family of immediate early genes, is a recently discovered profibrotic growth factor, which is involved in many pathophysiologic procedures. CTGF acts as a downstream effector of TGF-β acting on interstitial cells to enhance the progression of fibrotic renal diseases. It has been shown that CTGF gene expression can be induced or blocked by some kinds of cytokine and drugs. It is an interesting candidate target for future intervention strategies of renal interstitial fibrosis.