Analysis of Characters and Germplasm of Significance to Improvement of Australian Native Waratahs (Telopea spp., family Proteaceae) for Cut Flower Production

Waratahs (Telopea spp.) are cultivated for their blooms for the international cut flower market. A morphometric study was conducted on a range of cultivated waratah varieties to determine the variability of selected characters of horticultural importance and which parents might be of value in future breeding programs. Univariate analysis of characters of 13 cultivars revealed the greatest range of variation in number of flowers, bract dimensions, flower colour and leaf margin type. Differences were observed between number of flowers per inflorescence in the T. speciosissima (Sm.) R.Br. group of accessions and the other species cultivars; interspecific cultivars with T. mongaensis, Cheel and T. oreades F. Muell. were intermediate, with a similar pattern observed in bract length and width. Multivariate analysis (canonical variate analysis – CVA) discriminated between waratah cultivars on the basis of flower colour (first axis), then flower number, bract length, leaf width and leaf margin type (axis 2). The third axis also separated leaf width, the fourth leaf length and width, and the fifth leaf apex shape, CVA was also used to explore the genetic contribution of three parent T. speciosissima cultivars to hybrid populations. Hybrids with ‘Sunflare’, ‘Sunburst’ or ‘Wirrimbirra White’ as one parent were very dispersed indicating the range of inheritance of the observed phenotypic characters, leading to the possibility of selecting individuals with the required degree of character inheritance. It was demonstrated that the Telopea speciosissima type, which forms the basis of the waratah cut flower industry, may be improved by hybridising with other Telopea species. The application of the results to the development of waratah breeding programs is discussed.     

Factors influencing the occurrence of fall armyworm parasitoids in Zambia

Journal of Pest Science - Invasive alien species have environmental, economic and social impacts, disproportionally threatening livelihood and food security of smallholder farmers in low- and...     

Prevention of vaginal SHIV transmission in rhesus macaques through inhibition of CCR5

Topical agents, such as microbicides, that can protect against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission are urgently needed. Using a chimeric simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV SF162), which is tropic for the chemokine receptor CCR5, we report that topical application of high doses of PSC-RANTES, an amino terminus-modified analog of the chemokine RANTES, provided potent protection against vaginal challenge in rhesus macaques. These experimental findings have potentially important implications for understanding vaginal transmission of HIV and the design of strategies for its prevention.     

Correction to: Factors influencing the occurrence of fall armyworm parasitoids in Zambia

Journal of Pest Science -     

Functional properties of rat brain sodium channels expressed in a somatic cell line

Transfection of Chinese hamster ovary cells with complementary DNA encoding the RIIA sodium channel alpha subunit from rat brain led to expression of functional sodium channels with the rapid, voltage-dependent activation and inactivation characteristic of sodium channels in brain neurons. The sodium currents mediated by these transfected channels were inhibited by tetrodotoxin, persistently activated by veratridine, and prolonged by Leiurus alpha-scorpion toxin, indicating that neurotoxin receptor sites 1 through 3 were present in functional form. The RIIA sodium channel alpha subunit cDNA alone is sufficient for stable expression of functional sodium channels with the expected kinetic and pharmacological properties in mammalian somatic cells.     

12种澳大利亚特优观赏植物的种子繁殖试验研究

以澳大利亚特优观赏植物为研究对象,在贵州省植物园内进行种子繁殖试验研究,对12种澳大利亚特优观赏植物的种子特征、幼苗形态和种苗繁育进行了详细的记录和总结。由于两地气候的相似性,本次试验取得了较大的成果,为远距离的植物引种保育和开发利用提供了希望。     

澳大利亚12种特优观赏植物资源及其引种保育研究

以格米亚百合花(Doryanthes excelsa)、草树冠木(Xanthorrhoea australis)等12种有优良观赏价值和重要市场开发潜力的澳大利亚特优观赏植物为研究对象,介绍了它们的资源生物学特性、种苗繁殖和应用栽培技术征,对其进行了资源利用的研发评价。通过对澳大利亚12种特优观赏植物的引种保育试验,不仅掌握了这些植物的繁殖技术,还成功地引种保育了这些植物的种质资源。     

Comparison of the antioxidant activity of commonly consumed polyphenolic beverages (coffee, cocoa, and tea) prepared per cup serving.

In this study, the in vitro low-density lipoprotein oxidation model was used to assess the relative antioxidant activity of the polyphenolic beverages tea, coffee, and cocoa on a cup-serving basis. The beverages were prepared as 0.7-2.5% soluble coffee and 1.5-3.5% cocoa; teas (green, black, or herbal) were prepared as one tea bag infused over 5 min in 220 mL of hot water. Under these standard cup serving conditions, the antioxidant activity as determined by the lag time was in the range of 292-948 min for coffee, 217-444 min for cocoa, 186-338 min for green tea, 67-277 min for black tea, and 6-78 min for herbal tea. Addition of milk did not alter the antioxidant activity. The influence of coffee bean source and degree of roasting was further investigated. Green coffee beans of Robusta coffee exhibited a 2-fold higher antioxidant activity than Arabica coffee, but after roasting this difference was no longer significant. In conclusion, these commonly consumed beverages have a significant antioxidant activity, the highest being soluble coffee on a cup-serving basis.     

Bract browning in waratahs (Telopea spp.) is not a localised calcium deficiency disorder

Bract browning in waratahs [Telopea spp. (Smith) R.Br.; Proteaceae] is a physiological disorder causing discoloration and necrosis of the margins and tips of exposed bracts. Experiments were carried out to determine whether calcium was involved in waratah bract browning, as browning and necrosis of leaf and bract tissue in other species such as lettuce and poinsettia has been attributed to a localised calcium deficiency. However, the inconsistent response of waratahs to calcium applied as a spray or to the potting media, and the lack of reduction in bract browning, suggests that factors other than calcium nutrition have a greater impact on the development and control of bract browning. This response corroborates reports questioning the role of calcium in late onset browning disorders.