Mutagenic treatment of microspore-derived embryos of turnip rape (Brassica rapa) to increase oleic acid content

The article presents the results of a study on obtaining mutant doubled haploids of turnip rape. The culture medium for producing embryos in isolated microspore culture was optimized. The optimal medium formula was NLN + 13% S + 0.05 mg/L NAA + 0.05 mg/L BA. Embryos derived from isolated microspore culture were treated with EMS mutagen in three concentrations (4 mM, 8 mM, and 12 mM). Mutant doubled haploid plants and their seeds were obtained. Agronomic evaluation and analysis of fatty acid composition in mutant lines seeds showed that they had valuable traits in terms of seed oil quality and yield. Analysis of the fatty acid composition of the seeds of the obtained mutant doubled haploids showed an increase in the percentage of oleic acid (~11%–12%) in comparison with donor cultivars. Our results showed that mutagenesis of embryos from a culture of isolated microspores has potential for improving the qualitative traits of turnip rape.     

苍耳属两种植物种群构件生物量结构特征

[目的]搞清意大利苍耳和当地苍耳扩散分布与种群构件生物量结构之间的关系,及意大利苍耳入侵定居和种群构件生物量分配之间的关系.[方法]通过选择具有代表性的意大利苍耳和苍耳种群分布地段,对种群生物量进行测定.[结果]两种苍耳种群的果实数量和株高、果实生物量和植株总生物量以及株高、根、茎、叶与果实生物量之间存在正相关关系,它们的生长结果和资源的分配有规律性;两种苍耳各构件生物量之间关系均表现为果实＞茎＞叶＞根;两种苍耳的不同构件生物量对果实生物量的影响表现为:意大利苍耳茎＞根＞叶,苍耳为叶＞茎＞根;茎对意大利苍耳果实生物量的制约比叶对苍耳果实生物量的制约效果更大,这种生物量分配方式转变可能是意大利苍耳比苍耳具有更强繁殖扩散能力,能够在短时间内达到增加分布范围,成功定居新疆大部分区域的原因之一.     

Growth and uptake of Cd and Zn by Leucaena leucocephala in reclaimed soils as affected by NaCl salinity

Heavy metal accumulation in reclaimed soils is increasing rapidly in developing countries where the use of saline waters for irrigation is a common practice, even though salinity-heavy metal interactions are not fully understood. An example for this development is the Bangar area of Egypt where the application of contaminated amendments during the last 30 years has increased the Cd and Zn concentrations in topsoils from 0.08 to 0.76 mg · kg^—1 and from 17 to 73 mg · kg^—1 respectively. This work aimed at evaluating the uptake of Cd and Zn by Leucaena leucocephala, a leguminous tree cropped for fodder and green manure, as affected by the addition of 10 mM NaCl to irrigation water. During a 6 month field experiment, salinized and control plots were compared with respect to soil solution composition and root development as well as the uptake of Cd and Zn and their translocation to the leaves. NaCl treatment raised the concentration of organic carbon, Cd and Zn in soil solution and enhanced the uptake of Cd and Zn significantly. Salinized plants showed shorter roots, reduced retention of Cd and Zn in roots and stems and considerable translocation of both elements to the leaves. This work demonstrates that NaCl salinity affects not only the bioavailability of soil Cd and Zn but also modifies plant functions related to their acquisition and translocation to the leaves. The results provide evidence that the risk of transfer of heavy metals to the food chain and their leachability to the ground water may be greater under saline conditions than generally assumed.