Changes induced by osmotic stress in the morphology,biochemistry, physiology,anatomy and stomatal parameters of almond species （Prunus L. spp.） grown in vitro

We investigated the influence of different levels of osmotic stress on growth and development in selected wild almond species(eight Prunus spp.) grown in vitro. The study, while endorsing the efficacy of in vitro screening of auxiliary buds of wild almond for osmotic stress tolerance, showed species variability in its response to osmotic stress. Osmotic stress reduced growth and development of all the species. However, the putative tolerant Prunus spp. showed better performance than the putative susceptible genotypes. On average there was an 80% decrease in shoot dry weight at-1.2 MPa. Reduction in shoot weight was more common in osmotic stress-susceptible species in the section labeled ‘Euamygdalus'. The tolerant Prunus species produced smaller changes in biochemical responses than the sensitive cultivars for malondialdehyde content, catalase activity, relative permeability of protoplast membranes, and net photosynthetic rate. The tolerant species maintained cell integrity better than drought sensitive species. Wild almond species in the section labeled ‘Spartioides'(Prunus arabica(Olivier) Neikle, Prunus glauca (Browicz) A.E. Murray, Prunus scoparia Spach) and ‘Lycioides'(Prunus lycioides Spach, Prunus reuteri Bossi. et Bushe) were best adapted to osmotic stress. Increase in chlorophyll concentration and leaf thickness under high osmotic stress can be considered as preliminary selection parameters for osmotic stress tolerance in Prunus spp. The study confirmed the efficacy of the in vitro method for screening of large number of genotypes for osmotic stress tolerance in wild almond species.     

Chrysin Reduced Acrylamide-Induced Neurotoxicity in Both in vitro and in vivo Assessments

Background: Acrylamide (ACR) is a well-known industrial toxic chemical that produces neurotoxicity, which is characterized by progressive central and peripheral neuronal degeneration. Chrysin is a natural, biologically active flavonoid compound, which is commonly found in many plants. The antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of chrysin have been demonstrated. Methods: In this study, the possible effect of chrysin on ACR-induced toxicity was evaluated in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. PC12 cells were used as a suitable in vitro model. Cells were exposed to chrysin (0.5-5 µM) for 12 and 24 h, and then ACR in IC₅₀ concentration was added to the cells. Finally, cell viability was determined using (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium assay. For in vivo assay, Wistar rats were treated with ACR (50 mg/kg i.p. for 11 days) alone or in combination with chrysin (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg). At the end of treatment, behavioral index was evaluated. Results: ACR decreased cell viability and pre-treatment with chrysin (0.5-5 µM) significantly decreased ACR-induced cytotoxicity in the time- and dose-dependent manner. In Wistar rats, exposure to ACR significantly induced severe gait abnormalities, but treatment with chrysin (50 mg/kg) reduced ACR-induced neurotoxicity in animals. Conclusion: In the current study, chrysin exhibited neuroprotective effect on PC12 cells as an in vitro model and also on Wistar rats. Iran. Key Words: Acrylamide, Chrysin, Neurotoxicity, Antioxidant     

Internal transcribed spacer sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA resolving complex taxonomic history in the genus Vicia L.

The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of the 18S-28S nrDNA was sequenced in 49 Vicia species and subspecies selected from nine sections of the two subgenera to resolve taxonomic contradictions. Phylogenies derived from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences strongly support the view that both Vicia faba and Vicia bithynica are distant from the Narbonensis species complex (NSC) in section Faba. V. faba is more closely aligned with sections Peregrinae and Hypechusa, whereas V. bithynica is more closely aligned with section Vicia. Six synapomorphic substitutions unique to the NSC support a separate section for the Narbonensis complex. Vicia johannis subsp. johannis was the most diverged species within the NSC with high genetic distance between V. johannis subsp. johannis and remaining species and subspecies of the NSC. These results suggest that Vicia johannis subsp. johannis should be given species rank. The neighbor-joining and parsimony based trees supported the sections Vicia (after the exclusion of Vicia lathyroides) and Cracca (after the exclusion of Vicia vicioides and Vicia hirsuta). The section Hypechusa is polyphyletic and paraphyletic based on the present ITS sequence cladistic analysis. The x = 7 as the ancestral number for the genus is supported by the present study.     

Nut set evaluation in inter-specific almond × peach backcross progenies for self-compatibility selection in almond breeding programme

Self-compatibility was examined in 22 almond samples that were selected based on their generic and physiological characteristics. Polymerase chain reaction was also done with consensus primers. Pollen tube growth and nut set analyses were carried out on partially bagged limbs after self-pollination treatment. In spite of the fact that all genotypes had the S _f-allele and pollen tube growth were similar, nut set exhibited an alternate year characteristic that ranged from 16.2% to a maximum of 24.7%. This was the highest treatment after self-pollination. Difference existed between genotypes could be due to the genetic constitution of each genotype, is explored in set that is diminished by inbreeding, which diminish gene aggregation in different members of a progeny. In addition, flower morphology could also influence set in bagged limbs. Furthermore, with regard to flower sterility and bud density in relation to both pollination success and ecological condition availability, these traits must be considered when examining production in self-compatible almond orchards, e.g.,—the impacts accompanying inbreeding and effective autonomous self-pollination.     

分子标记法和形态学特征对杏仁栽培种及野生种基因型的遗传关系构建的辨别

应用23个形态学特征,19个扩增片段长度多态性(AFLP)引物组合,80个随机扩增多态DNA(RAPD)引物和32个简单序列重复(SSR)引物对,比较三种分子标记法在29个杏仁栽培种和3个野生种遗传关系构建中的信息景和效率.根据预期杂合度的评价,与AFLPs和RAPDs相比,SSRs具有较高水平的多态性和较大的信息量.AFLPs预期朵合度值最低,但其辨别效率值最高,因为AFLPs能揭示每个反应中的大量条带,导致各种类型的多样性指数均较高.三种分子标记法对杏仁基因型的辨别效率均较高,只是SSRs无法辨别‘Monagha'和‘Sefied'杏仁基因型.三种分子标记法基因型相似性相关系数统计上显著,但SSR数据要低于RAPDs和AFLPs的值.尽管三种分子标记法树形图拓扑结构存在一些差异,但相似性水平均较高.SSRs、RAPDs和AFLPs的系统树图及其综合数据都能依据地理散布反映大多数栽培种的关系.AMOVA检测到每个地理组中栽培种和野生种的变异.辅助程序分析表明,实验所应用的标记物数量足以保证基因相似性估计的可靠性和标记法间的比较是有意义的.