Effect of biochar on the growth of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. seedlings in Gannan acidic red soil

Soil acidification has become a serious problem for citrus cultivation in China. As a soil amendment, biochar is expected to increase soil pH as well as soil fertility. In this study, we assessed the effect of biochar on Trifoliate orange, the most frequently used citrus rootstock, in a pot experiment using acidic red soil from the Gannan citrus production area. Plant height and shoot diameter of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. seedlings increased significantly after biochar was added to soils. This positive effect was further evidenced by the increased plant biomass and leaf net photosynthetic rate. The root system architecture (RSA) was evaluated based on root length, root surface area, root volume and root tip. Biochar amendment significantly increased the total absorptive surface area of the root system. Due to the significant role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in citrus root nutrient uptake, the AMF colonization and community in Poncirus roots were investigated. The AMF colonization rate was not significantly affected by biochar, whereas AMF diversity increased upon biochar treatment. In addition, the biochar treatment resulted in increases in soil pH, organic matter and mineral nutrients. Together, our results suggest that the positive effects of biochar on the growth performance of Poncirus seedlings can be attributed to the substantial augmentation of soil fertility, increased soil pH, optimized RSA and improved AMF species composition.     

Volatile constituents of uncooked rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum L.) stalks

Volatiles of rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum L.) stalks were isolated by means of vacuum headspace method and analyzed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Fifty-nine components were reported for the first time in rhubarb. A striking feature of the extracts obtained is the preponderance (approximately 65%) of compounds with C(6) skeletons. In addition to unsaturated C(6) aldehydes and alcohols, substantial amounts of the less common (E)-2- and (E)-3-hexenoic acid were detected. Gas chromatography-olfactometry and determination of odor activity values revealed the sensory importance of the C(6) compounds to the aroma of rhubarb. Comparative experiments involving the inhibition of enzyme activities revealed that the initial spectrum of C(6) components is changed due to subsequent isomerization and reductions. Thus, contributions of (Z)-3-hexenal and the unsaturated acids decrease, and (E)-2-hexenal/(E)-2-hexenol play major sensory roles.     

Volatile organic nitrogen-containing constituents in ambrette seed Abelmoschus moschatus Medik (Malvaceae)

A detailed investigation of the basic fraction of a CO2 extract of ambrette seeds (Abelmoschus moschatus) revealed a total of 58 nitrogen-containing compounds. The identification of these compounds was carried out by GC-MS and NMR. All the identified nitrogen-containing compounds are reported here for the first time in ambrette seeds. Among these are 27 pyrazine derivatives and 12 pyridines, including the tentative identification of four new natural compounds, 1-(6-ethyl-3-hydroxypyridin-2-yl)ethanone (1), 1-(3-hydroxy-5,6-dimethylpyridin-2-yl)ethanone (2), 1-(3-hydroxy-6-methylpyridin-2-yl)ethanone (3), and 1-(3-hydroxy-5-methylpyridin-2-yl)ethanone (4). The odor of the basic fraction was assumed to be due to these pyrazines and pyridines and also the presence of seven thiazoles. The odors described suggest that these N-compounds contribute to what is described in perfumery terms as the "natural and rounded" character of the ambrette extract.     

Volatile flavor constituents of acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) fruit.

Volatile components were isolated from acerola fruit by simultaneous steam distillation-solvent extraction according to the Likens-Nickerson method and analyzed by GC and GC-MS methods. One hundred fifty constituents were identified in the aroma concentrate, from which furfural, hexadecanoic acid, 3-methyl-3-butenol, and limonene were found to be the major constituents. The amounts of esters, 3-methyl-3-butenol, and their various esters were thought to contribute to the unique flavor of the acerola fruit.     

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soils

Soils may act as sources or sinks of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Many of the formed VOCs are produced by microorganisms, and it would be a challenge to investigate soil microbial communities by studying their VOC profile. Such “volatilomics” would have the advantage of avoiding extraction steps that are often a limit in genomic or proteomic approaches. Abundant literature on microbially produced VOCs is available, and in particular novel detection methods allow additional insight. The aim of this paper was to give an overview on the current knowledge of microbial VOC emissions from soils.     

Volatile components from mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars

The volatile components of 20 mango cultivars were investigated by means of simultaneous distillation-extraction, GC, and GC-MS. Three hundred and seventy-two compounds were identified, of which 180 were found for the first time in mango fruit. The total concentration of volatiles was approximately 18-123 mg/kg of fresh fruit. Terpene hydrocarbons were the major volatiles of all cultivars, the dominant terpenes being delta-3-carene (cvs. Haden, Manga amarilla, Macho, Manga blanca, San Diego, Manzano, Smith, Florida, Keitt, and Kent), limonene (cvs. Delicioso, Super Haden, Ordonez, Filipino, and La Paz), both terpenes (cv. Delicia), terpinolene (cvs. Obispo, Corazon, and Huevo de toro), and alpha-phellandrene (cv. Minin). Other qualitative and quantitative differences among the cultivars could be demonstrated.     

Molecular differentiation in Indian Citrus L. (Rutaceae) inferred from nrDNA ITS sequence analysis

Molecular differentiation in 24 accessions representing 19 taxa of Indian Citrus has been examined through sequence analysis of Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of nrDNA. Sequence length in the 24 accessions of Citrus taxa ranged from 512 to 665 bp (ITS1 & ITS2 partial and 5.8S complete sequence). The ITS sequences were very rich in G+C content ranging from 61.40 to 66.60% with an average of 64.2%. Genetic distance within Citrus group ranged from 0 to 13.4% with an average of 4.6%, showing moderate rate of nucleotide divergence. The phylogeny was inferred using the Maximum parsimony (MP) and Neighbor-Joining (NJ) methods. Both MP and NJ trees separated all the 24 accessions of Citrus into six distinct clusters. The disposition of all the accessions of Citrus in separate clusters in ITS-derived dendrograms was partly in accordance with the morpho-taxonomic affinities of the target taxa. This study supports the concept of Citrus medica (citron), C. reticulata (mandarin), and C. maxima (pummelo) as the basic species of the genus. However, ITS marker could not find any clear cut differentiation between subgenera Citrus and Papeda as proposed in Swingle’s Citrus classification system. The present study also supports the distinctiveness of C. indica (Indian wild orange), C. latipes (Khasi papeda) and C. hystrix (Melanesian papeda) as true species, besides elucidating the probable hybrid origin and relationships among the cultivated species/biotypes, such as Citrus ×aurantiifolia (sour lime) C. ×limon (lemon), C. ×taitensis (Indian rough lemon), C. limettioides (sweet lime), C. ×aurantium (including sour and sweet oranges and grapefruit), and other indigenous varieties of Indian origin: C. megaloxycarpa (sour pummelo), C. karna (karna orange), C. pseudolimon (Hill lemon), ‘Memang athur’, ‘Pummelo-lemon’ and ‘Kathairi nimbu’.     

Antioxidant constituents in the fruits of Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem

Hydrophilic antioxidant constituents in the fruits of the vegetable Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem (sponge gourds) were separated by an antioxidant-guided assay to yield eight compounds: p-coumaric acid (1), 1-O-feruloyl-beta-D-glucose (2), 1-O-p-coumaroyl-beta-D-glucose (3), 1-O-caffeoyl-beta-D-glucose (4), 1-O-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)glucose (5), diosmetin-7-O-beta-D-glucuronide methyl ester (6), apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucuronide methyl ester (7), and luteolin-7-O-beta-D-glucuronide methyl ester (8). The eight compounds were isolated by high-speed countercurrent chromatography and identified by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry and NMR analysis, and the antioxidant activity was evaluated by the radical scavenging effect on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that a total amount of the eight compounds in the dried gourds without skin was about 1%. The results demonstrate that the consumption of sponge gourds can supply some antioxidant constituents to human body.     

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the growth and zinc uptake of trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) seedlings grown in low-zinc soil

The effects of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Glomus intraradices and G. versiforme, on growth and zinc (Zn) uptake were investigated in trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) seedlings exposed to low-Zn soil. Low-Zn decreased growth, levels of leaf chlorophyll, soluble protein and sugar, and soil enzymatic activities, and pH in 0–2 cm rhizosphere soil. Low-Zn soil also decreased mineral nutrients (including Zn) concentrations in the shoots and roots. Glomus intraradices especially, significantly enhanced plant biomass, leaf soluble protein and sugar concentrations, root viability, acid phosphatase, catalase, invertase and urease activities, and easily extractable glomalin content in 0–2 cm and 2–4 cm rhizosphere soil. It also increased concentrations of Zn, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium in the shoots and roots, while decreased the soil pH. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, especially G. intraradices, has the potential to improve growth and Zn uptake of triofoliate orange seedlings grown in low-Zn soil.     

Diversity of wood-apple (Limonia acidissima L., Rutaceae) genetic resources in South India

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Wood-apple (Limonia acidissima L.) is an undomesticated nutritionally and medicinally potential monotypic tree species of the genus Limonia, which belongs to...     

New volatile sulfur-containing constituents in a simultaneous distillation-extraction extract of red bell peppers (Capsicum annuum)

An extract of red bell peppers ( Capsicum annuum) was prepared by simultaneous distillation-extraction (SDE, Likens-Nickerson). In addition to the already known (3 E)-3-hepten-2-one ( 1), the unsaturated C9-ketones 1-nonen-4-one ( 2), (2 E)-2-nonen-4-one ( 3), and (2 E,5 E)-2,5-nonadien-4-one ( 4), 2-methoxy-3-isobutylpyrazine ( 5), and heptane-2-thiol ( 6), we identified 19 new thiols (the aliphatic saturated and unsaturated thiols 14- 16, and 22- 27, the mercapto-ketones 12 and 13, the mercapto-alcohols 17, 18, and 30, the dithiols 19 and 28, the methylthio-thiols 20 and 21, and the thiophene-thiol 31) and the two new dithiolanes 10 and 29. All of them are structurally related to the unsaturated C7- and C9-ketones 1- 4. The free thiols were enriched using Affi-Gel 501 ( p-aminophenyl-mercuric acetate grafted on an agarose gel). The new compounds were confirmed by syntheses and were organoleptically evaluated.     

Volatile constituents of Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum Rottl. ex Sprengel) and rakkyo (Allium chinense G. Don)

Volatile components were isolated from Chinese chive and rakkyo by simultaneous steam distillation-solvent extraction and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Sulfur compounds account for 88 and 94% of the total volatiles in the isolated extract of Chinese chive and rakkyo, respectively. In addition to the sulfur compounds commonly reported in the genus Allium, 27 novel volatile sulfur-containing components were found in the isolated extracts of both species. Among them were a sulfide, disulfides, trisulfides, and tetrasulfides with ethyl, butyl, and pentyl groups.     

Volatile constituents of wild citrus Mangshanyegan (Citrus nobilis Lauriro) peel oil

Volatiles of a wild mandarin, Mangshanyegan (Citrus nobilis Lauriro), were characterized by GC-MS, and their aroma active compounds were identified by aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O). The volatile profile of Mangshanyegan was compared with those of other four citrus species, Kaopan pummelo (Citrus grandis), Eureka lemon (Citrus limon), Huangyanbendizao tangerine (Citrus reticulata), and Seike navel orange (Citrus sinensis). Monoterpene hydrocarbons predominated in Mangshanyegan, in particular d-limonene and β-myrcene, which accounted for 85.75 and 10.89% of total volatiles, respectively. Among the 12 compounds with flavor dilution factors (FD) = 27, 8 oxygenated compounds, including (Z)- and (E)-linalool oxides, were present only in Mangshanyegan. The combined results of GC-O, quantitative analysis, odor activity values (OAVs), and omission tests revealed that β-myrcene and (Z)- and (E)-linalool oxides were the characteristic aroma compounds of Mangshanyegan, contributing to the balsamic and floral notes of its aroma.     

Endogenous organic acid variations in different chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes

Abstract

Changes in cropping systems during the past century have led to selective pressure on weed flora. Species and ecotypes with characteristics enabling them to survive in high-input farmland have increased in numbers, at the cost of plants lacking these characters. Since the 1950s, the perennial weed species Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. and Sonchus arvensis L. have mainly been controlled by the herbicide group synthetic auxins like MCPA. During recent decades, C. arvense seems to have become less susceptible to MCPA in both Europe and North America but the reasons are unclear.

To study the importance of selective pressure on weed ecotypes, both short- and long-term studies were carried out in Uppsala, Sweden. The first consisted of two growth-characteristic greenhouse experiments. The hypothesis was that ecotypes of C. arvense and S. arvensis from high-input farmland were different and displayed a more competitive growth pattern than did ecotypes from low-input farmland.

The second study was a field experiment with four ecotypes of C. arvense from low-input farmland to study if selective pressure was in force, over a period of six years. The four ecotypes had different growth characteristics and herbicide sensitivity and they were exposed to crop competition and MCPA treatments during the experimental period. The hypothesis was that ecotypes with a more competitive growth pattern and MCPA tolerance would survive to a greater extent than would other ecotypes. For C. arvense, the results from the growth-characteristic experiment showed that the growth pattern of ecotypes from high-input farmland differed, showing a more directly elongated growth pattern with fewer spines on the leaves compared with ecotypes from low-input farmland, which usually were of rosette-type. Results from the field experiment with C. arvense showed that after six years MCPA-sensitive and/or rosette-type ecotypes had almost disappeared while ecotypes with a more directly elongated growth pattern and less sensitive to MCPA survived to a much greater extent. The conclusion was therefore that when exposed to selective pressure like crop competition and herbicide treatments, ecotypes of C. arvense with a more directly elongated growth pattern and less sensitive to herbicide treatment survived to a greater extent compared with ecotypes missing these traits. Ecotypes from high-input farmland had generally fewer leaf spines than did ecotypes from low-input farmland. This may suggest a trade-off between spine formation and rapid competitive growth. In the growth-characteristic experiment with S. arvensis, no differences between ecotypes from high- and low-input farmland regarding growth characteristics or leaf spines could be detected. This might partly be due to a lower exposure of S. arvensis to selective pressure compared with C. arvense, since S. arvensis generally is less sensitive to MCPA.     

Antioxidant activity of prune (Prunus domestica L.) constituents and a new synergist

Ethanol extract of prune was separated into hexane-soluble and H(2)O-soluble fractions, and the H(2)O-soluble fraction was further separated into a methanol (MeOH) eluate and an H(2)O eluate by Diaion HP-20 column chromatography. The MeOH eluate exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity among the separated fractions evaluated by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Further purification of the MeOH eluate led to isolation of a novel compound, 4-amino-4-carboxychroman-2-one, together with four known compounds (p-coumaric acid, vanillic acid beta-glucoside, protocatechuic acid, and caffeic acid), structures of which were identified by NMR and MS analyses. The ORAC values of these isolated compounds showed 0.15-1.43 units (micromol of Trolox equiv)/micromol, and the new compound showed a remarkable synergistic effect on caffeoylquinic acid isomers. The antioxidant activity of the MeOH eluate was highly dependent on the major prune components, caffeoylquinic acid isomers, with a contribution from the new synergist.     

Characterization and quantitation of antioxidant constituents of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Sweet peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) cv. Vergasa have been studied at four maturity stages (immature green, green, immature red, and red). The individual phenolics (hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoids), vitamin C (ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid), and individual carotenoids were characterized and quantified. Five hydroxycinnamic derivatives and 23 flavonoids were characterized and quantified from the pericarp of sweet pepper by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Identification was carried out by their UV spectra, chromatographic comparisons with authentic markers, identification of hydrolysis products, and tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Hydroxycinnamic derivatives, O-glycosides of quercetin, luteolin, and chrysoeriol, and a large number of C-glycosyl flavones have been characterized. Some of these compounds were found for the first time in nature. Clear differences in the individual and total phenolic content were detected between the different maturity stages. Immature green pepper had a very high phenolic content while green, immature red, and red ripe peppers showed a 4-5-fold reduction. Ascorbic acid was the main form of vitamin C, and its content increased as the pepper reached maturity. The red ripe stage had a relevant impact on the carotenoids content. Thus, immature green peppers showed the highest content of polyphenols, while red ripe fruits had the highest content of vitamin C and provitamin A.     

Antioxidant isoflavones in Osage orange, Maclura pomifera (Raf.) Schneid

Recent findings that many human chronic diseases are associated with oxidative stresses have instigated the search for dietary antioxidants. Many phytochemicals, particularly phenolic compounds, have been found to possess strong antioxidant activity and reduce the risks of those diseases. Isoflavones, a special phenolic group found in soybean, have been found to act as antioxidants in some model systems. This study investigated the isoflavone content in a unique nonedible tree fruit, Osage orange [Maclura pomifera (Raf.) Schneid], and methods for the extraction, identification, and quantification of the two major isoflavones, osajin and pomiferin, were developed. The ethyl acetate extract contained 25.7% osajin and 36.2% pomiferin, and the two isoflavones were at 9.5 g kg(-1) of fresh Osage orange. Two model systems, FRAP and beta-CLAMS, were used to measure the antioxidant activity of these two isoflavones. Pomiferin was found to be a strong antioxidant in both systems, comparable to the antioxidant vitamins C and E and the synthetic antioxidant BHT. Osajin and the two soybean isoflavones (genistein and daidzein) showed no antioxidant activity. Although the Osage orange fruit is not a food source, it is considered to be safe and, therefore, a potentially good source of an antioxidant nutraceutical and functional food ingredient.     

Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from soil and litter samples

The production of nonmethane volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by soil microbes is likely to have an important influence on soil ecology and terrestrial biogeochemistry. However, soil VOC production has received relatively little attention, and we do not know how the emissions of microbially-produced VOCs vary across soil and litter types. We collected 40 root-free soil and litter samples from a diverse array of ecosystem types and conducted laboratory incubations in order to compare the types and quantities of VOCs emitted. VOC production rates were higher in litter samples than in soil samples, and the rates were correlated with microbial biomass and CO₂ production levels. On average, the litter samples produced more types of VOCs than the soil samples with litters emitting a number of VOCs (including terpenoids) that were not generally emitted from the soil samples. Across all of the samples, we identified 100 VOCs, and more than 70% of these compounds could not be positively identified by GC/MS analyses. Of those VOCs that could be identified, furfural and similar furan compounds were noteworthy in that they were emitted in large amounts from nearly every sample examined. Other identifiable VOCs produced across a range of soil and litter samples included propanoic and butanoic acids, which are known products of microbial fermentation. Together these results suggest a need for additional research examining the specific factors influencing VOC emissions from soil and the identification of specific VOCs emitted from soil and litter as many of these compounds are likely to have important effects on belowground ecology.     

大白菜与结球甘蓝种间异源多倍体的鉴定

利用异源多倍体作为桥梁材料是克服远缘杂交障碍,创制新种质和进行品种改良的一种重要途径.本研究对已获得的大白菜(Brassica campestrisL.ssp.pekinensis (Lour.) Olsson)与结球甘蓝(Brassica oleracea var.capitata L.)种间异源四倍体和异源三倍体,利用形态学、解剖学、分子标记及细胞学等方法进行比较鉴定.研究表明,多倍体在植株形态、花器官和气孔大小等方面均表现出巨大性和超亲优势,其中四倍体比三倍体表现普遍更明显.多倍体的气孔密度显著的低于双亲.多倍体花粉生活力比双亲降低,四倍体花粉活力为81.56％,三倍体的花粉活力仅有18.78％.多倍体自交结实性明显低于双亲,四倍体自交结实率仅为0.28％;四倍体作为母本与大白菜杂交结籽率比其反交要高,是反交的2.11倍,以三倍体为母本或父本时与大白菜杂交,结实均非常低,且三倍体自交未获得种子.相关序列扩增多态性(SRAP)标记结果表明,多倍体中包含了双亲的遗传信息,但分f标记并不能区分四倍体与三倍体.细胞学观察显示,四倍体的染色体数目为2n=4x=38,三倍体的染色体数目为2n=3x=29.大白菜-结球甘蓝异源多倍体的鉴定为进一步大白菜品种改良和新种质的创制提供了基础资料.     

9-Hydroxypiperitone beta-D-glucopyranoside and other polar constituents from dill (Anethum graveolens L.) herb

A methanolic extract from dill (Anethum graveolens) herb was subjected to XAD-2 adsorption chromatography. The methanolic eluate was fractionated with the all liquid chromatographic technique of multilayer coil countercurrent chromatography (MLCCC). After acetylation of MLCCC subfractions and flash chromatography, final purification of dill herb constituents was achieved by preparative and/or analytical HPLC. Nine compounds were obtained in pure form, including the beta-D-glucopyranosides of 9-hydroxypiperitone, p-menth-2-ene-1,6-diol, and 8-hydroxygeraniol. Structure elucidation is based on electrospray ionization ion trap multiple mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) as well as one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.