Drought Stress Impairs Grain Yield and Quality of Rice Genotypes by Impaired Photosynthetic Attributes and K Nutrition

正Drought is one of the most prevalent abiotic stresses that adversely affect rice productivity(Petrozza et al, 2014). Rice is very sensitive to drought stress and drought can cause 50% reduction in rice production globally(Yang et al, 2008). To meet the food needs for global population, 63% more agricultural production will be required by the year 2050 than     

Maltoporin (LamB protein) contributes to the virulence and adhesion of Aeromonas veronii TH0426

Aeromonas veronii is one of the main pathogens causing freshwater fish sepsis and ulcer syndrome. More and more cases have shown that it has become an important zoonotic and aquatic agent. In this study, a A. veronii TH0426 mutant strain (ΔlamB) with an in‐frame deletion removed nucleotides 10–1,296 of the lamB gene was firstly constructed to investigate its functions. The results showed that the LD₅₀ value of the mutant ΔlamB to zebrafish and mice was 13.7‐fold and 5.6‐fold higher than those of the wild‐type strain, respectively. The toxicity of wild‐type strain to EPC cells was 2.1‐fold and threefold higher than those of ?lamB when infected for 1 and 2 hr. Furthermore, the ability of biofilm formation and the adhesion and invasion to EPC cells of ?lamB significantly decreased for 5.6‐fold and 1.8‐fold separately. In addition, motility detection result indicated that ?lamB lost the swimming ability. The results of flagellar staining and TEM demonstrated that the flagella of ?lamB were shed. In general, the deletion of lamB gene caused a significant decrease in the virulence and adhesion of A. veronii TH0426, and it can be known that the lamB gene of A. veronii plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis.     

Zur Morphologie und Entwicklung von Bracon instabilis Marsh. (Hym., Braconidae), eines Parasiten der Kartoffelmotte,Phthorimaea operculella Zell. (Lep., Gelechiidae) in Ägypten

Bracon instabilis Marshal is an ectoparasite attacking the larvae ofP. operculella in Egypt. According to available literatures, this is the first study onB. instabilis. The laboratory rearing of this parasite was undertaken on the third and fourth larval instars ofP. operculella and the method was mentioned in details. Certain aspects of the morphology of the immature and adult stages were given. The durations of the immature stages of the parasite were estimated at 15 and 25°C and 60±5% R.H. The total durations of the immature stages (from egg to adult) were 39.62 and 11.19 days at 15 and 25°C, respectively.     

Determining suitability of thermal development models to estimate temperature parameters for embryonic development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sitona lepidus</Emphasis> Gyll. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The clover root weevil, Sitona lepidus Gyll. is a pest of clovers (Trifolium spp.), particularly white clover (T. repens). Larva feeding severely impairs the capacity of white clover to fix atmospheric nitrogen, by attacking the nitrogen-fixing root nodules. Development of the egg stage was studied at six different constant temperatures ranging from 9 to 30°C to improve the basis for phenological forecasts. Development occurred over the entire range of temperatures, although hatching percentage at 30°C was only 24.4% compared to 90.1% at 28.5°C. Developmental time decreased with increase in temperature from 9 to 28.5°C but increased markedly at 30°C. At 28.5°C, the embryo development period was the shortest (10.35 days); whereas at 9°C, this parameter was the longest (55.08 days). Using linear regression, the lower threshold temperature was calculated 4.38°C and the thermal constant was 236.45 degree-days. The relationship between constant temperature and developmental rate was evaluated using nine models. The suitability of the models was evaluated based on eight indicators (R ², RSS, R _adj², AIC, BIC, AICC, W _j , and Z _i ). Of the nonlinear models, the Logan-6, Sharpe and DeMichele, and Lactin models were the most accurate at calculating t _opt of 27, 27.50, and 28°C, respectively. The results suggest that of the three models (Lactin, Briere, and Hilbert and Logan), that estimated critical temperatures, (t _min, t _opt, and t _max), Lactin gave the most suitable fit of data. This response of S. lepidus to temperature can be used for developing phonological models to predict the timing of egg hatch which are important for management programs targeting the weevil.     

Determining milk isolated and conjugated trans-unsaturated fatty acids using fourier transform Raman spectroscopy

The feasibility of Raman spectroscopy in combination with partial least-squares (PLS) regression for the determination of individual or grouped trans-monounsaturated fatty acids (trans-MUFA) and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) in milk fat is demonstrated using spectra obtained at two temperature conditions: room temperature and after freezing at -80 °C. The PLS results displayed capability for direct semiroutine quantification of several individual CLA (cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 C18:2) and trans-MUFA (trans-4-15 C18:1) in minor concentrations (below 1.0 g/100 g of milk fat). Calibration models were based on reference data cross-correlation or determined by specific scattering signals in the Raman spectra. Distinct bands for trans-MUFA (1674 cm(-1)) and CLA (1653 cm(-1)) from the trans isolated and cis,trans conjugated C ═ C bonds were identified, as well as original evidence for the temperature effect (new bands, peak shifts, and higher intensities) on the Raman spectra of fatty acid methyl ester and triacylglyceride standards, are supplied.     

Comparative studies on survival and growth performance among diploid,triploid and tetraploid dojo loach <Emphasis Type="Italic">Misgurnus anguillicaudatus</Emphasis>

To determine the cytotype with better traits for the aquaculture practices of the dojo loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus from the viewpoint of fish farming improvement, factorial crosses (2n♀ × 2n♂, 2n♀ × 4n♂, 4n♀ × 2n♂, 4n♀ × 4n♂) were conducted between natural diploids (D) and tetraploids (T), producing DD, DT, TD, and TT groups (female listed first). The potential benefits of the different cytotypes in culture were evaluated by comparing growth performance and survival rate for a 15-month rearing trial under the same production conditions. The average fertilization rate in DT and TT was significantly lower than in the DD and TD groups, possibly indicating the poor fertilizing capacity of the tetraploid sires. Survival rate in DT and TD was slightly lower than in DD but significantly higher than in the TT groups. Tetraploid females produced obviously larger eggs than diploids and, subsequently, significantly longer initial body length of TT and TD than DD and DT fry. However, from the second month of the growth trial, TT suffered higher mortality than other cytotypes, which significantly influenced morphometric growth parameters. The TD group exhibited superior growth performance throughout the experiment. The mean body length of DT was comparable with that of DD fish during the first 7 months but began to outgrow DD from the 9th month. This study suggests that the relatively better growth of tetraploid and higher survival rate of diploid can be integrated via inter-ploidy hybridization to get TD triploids with better culture traits.     

Chemical Manipulation of Reproductive Efficiency of Chickpea (Cicer arietinnum L.) by Triadimefon in Relation to Changes in Ethylene

Reproductive efficiency was successfully manipulated by the application of different concentrations of triadimefon at pre‐flowering, flowering and post‐flowering stages in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Triadimefon improved the parameters determining reproductive efficiency. Yield was significantly improved due to reductions in flower and pod abscission by the application of triadimefon, which also lowered the ethylene levels in leaves, flowers and pods and delayed senescence. These findings suggest a relationship between ethylene level and reproductive efficiency in chickpea. Further, they indicate that triadimefon can be used for chemical manipulation of the reproductive efficiency of chickpea under field conditions.     

托木尔峰自然保护区地衣的补充研究

我们根据多年的研究并结合前人的工作进一步地整理了分布在新疆托木尔峰自然保护区的地衣种类。分析该地区的地衣种有１２０个，分别隶性于４９属，其中有１１个变种和４个变型。调查中我们还发现该地区地衣随着海拔高度的升高而有所不同，北坡和南坡也有明显的差异。     

Potassium distribution in root and non‐root zones of two cotton genotypes and its accumulation in their organs as affected by drought and potassium stress conditions

A rhizobox experiment was conducted to compare the differences of soil potassium (K) distribution and absorption between two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes under drought and K‐deficit conditions. Treatments included two levels of water (drought and optimum soil moisture: 25% and 35% volumetric water content) and K fertilizer rates (0 and 0.48 g potash kg^?1 soil) applied to two cotton genotypes (namely HEG and LEG). Both the genotypes showed significant differences in total K accumulation without exogenous K addition. After absorption, soil content of the readily available potassium (RAK) decreased rapidly. This promoted the conversion of the mineral K into slowly available potassium (SAK). Drought significantly decreased the cotton growth and K use efficiency, and thereby reduced the effect of K fertilizer. Consequantly, the contents of RAK and SAK were greatly increased. However, K bioavailability was decreased under water stress conditions. Differences in root parameters and soil microorganisms between two cotton genotypes were significantly increased and had marked relations with available soil K contents. This study provides important information for understanding the mechanism of K use efficiency, especially under water and K stress.