小麦旗叶大小及穗部相关性状的QTL定位

为了发掘更多控制小麦旗叶大小及穗部相关性状的QTL,以兰考906和小偃81创制的133个F6~F7重组自交系为试验材料,在6个环境下利用SSR标记对旗叶大小及穗部相关性状进行QTL定位。结果表明,有202对SSR标记被用于构建遗传连锁图谱,图谱覆盖小麦21条染色体,全长1 678.93cM,标记间平均距离8.30cM。采用完备区间作图法共检测到30个QTL,分布在1B、2A、3D、4A、4B、4D、5D、6A、6B、6D和7D染色体上。其中,旗叶宽QTL有7个,穗长QTL有9个,小穗数QTL有5个,穗粒数QTL有5个,小穗着生密度QTL有4个,不同环境下单个QTL可解释的表型变异率为4.94%~23.14%,有14个QTL的表型贡献率大于10%,有8个QTL可在2个或2个以上环境中被检测到。其中,Qflw-4A在3个环境中被检测到,贡献率为10.13%~20.77%,是控制旗叶宽的稳定主效QTL;Qsl-4D.2在4个环境中被检测到,贡献率为12.58%~23.14%,是控制穗长的稳定主效QTL;Qker-5D在2个环境中被检测到,贡献率为11.44%~14.32%,是控制穗粒数的稳定主效QTL。这3个稳定主效QTL可作为改良叶宽和增加穗粒数的功能QTL作进一步研究。     

普通小麦穗部性状QTL分析

为给小麦穗部性状标记辅助选择提供可供选择的分子标记,并进一步对小麦穗部相关性状QTL进行精细定位及相关基因克隆,利用普通小麦Heyne×Lakin杂交F2代单粒传获得的145个F6代重组自交系(recombinant inbred line,RIL)群体,构建了含有2 210个标记(2 068个SNP标记和142个SSR标记)的总长度为2 139.35cM的遗传连锁图谱,并利用该图谱对小麦穗部性状(穗长、小穗数、穗密度)进行了QTL分析。结果表明,共检测出16个加性QTL,其中,与穗长相关的QTL有6个,分布在2A、2D、3B、4D、5A和7D染色体上,可解释表型变异7.58%~15.94%;与小穗数相关的QTL有4个,分布在1A、4A和7D染色体上,可解释表型变异7.28%~14.78%;与穗密度相关的QTL有6个,位于4D、5A和6B染色体上,可解释表型变异5.60%~20.06%。     

基于SRAP和SSR标记的小麦品质相关性状的QTL定位

为了对小麦品质相关性状进行QTL定位,以两个品质性状差异较大的小麦品种西农981和陕麦159构建的169株F2群体和F2:3家系为材料,利用SRAP标记和SSR标记进行遗传图谱构建,并通过完备区间作图法对杨凌及三原两个环境下籽粒的粗蛋白质含量、淀粉含量、湿面筋含量和Zeleny沉降值进行QTL定位。结果表明,在两个环境下共检测到33个与品质性状相关的QTL,其中11个为粗蛋白含量QTL,分布于1A、3A、5A、6A、2B和4B染色体上,可解释表型效应的0.69%~2.48%;7个为淀粉含量QTL,分布于1A、6A、4B和2D染色体上,可解释表型变异的2.94%~6.99%;12个为湿面筋含量QTL,分布于1A、3A、5A、6A、2B、3B和4B染色体上,可解释表型变异的0.58%~2.37%;3个为Zeleny沉降值QTL,分布于3A、1B和3B染色体上,可解释表型变异的2.72%~11.31%。同时,在1A、3A、5A、6A、2B、4B染色体上存在粗蛋白质含量、淀粉含量和湿面筋含量QTL富集区,在后续研究中可重点关注。     

小麦籽粒性状的QTL定位

为了明确小麦籽粒性状的遗传控制基础,以γ射线诱变结合花药培养创制的大粒、高蛋白小麦新种质H307及生产上主栽品种郑麦9023创建的含有310个株系的重组自交系为实验材料,利用QTL-ICIMapping V3.3软件构建了包含133对SSR标记的遗传连锁图谱,对千粒重、粒长、粒宽、籽粒面积、周长、粗蛋白和淀粉含量进行QTL分析,结果在两年环境条件下共检测到47个加性QTL和10个QTL富集区,其中6个千粒重QTL,分别位于1D、2B、3D、6D和7A染色体上,单个QTL可解释4.54%~13.14%的表型变异;31个粒形QTL,位于1B、1D、2B、3B、3D、5A、5D、6B、6D、7A和7D染色体上,单个QTL可解释2.90%~15.86%的表型变异;10个粗蛋白和淀粉含量QTL,分别位于1A、1B、4B和6A染色体上,单个QTL可解释3.64%~12.19%的表型变异。2B染色体上检测到1个贡献率较大且能稳定表达的重要染色体区段,该区段包含控制小麦千粒重、粒长、粒宽、籽粒面积和周长的10个QTL。1BL染色体上检测到1个控制籽粒粗蛋白含量的微效QTL,对表型的贡献率为3.64%,与连锁分子标记gwm818的遗传距离为0.22cM,该位点是一个不同于前人研究结果的新位点。     

小麦穗部性状和株高的QTL定位及T6VS·6AL易位效应分析

为了发掘新的穗部性状和株高QTL,利用扬麦17与扬麦18杂交后代206个单株组成的F2群体,构建了一个由141个SSR标记组成的全长1005.1cM的遗传图谱。该图谱包括26个连锁群,覆盖15条染色体,标记间平均距离为7.03cM。结合F2和F2:3群体的表型数据,对穗部性状和株高进行QTL分析,利用复合区间作图法检测出15个QTL,分布在2B、2D、4B、5A、5B和7A染色体上,其中4个QTL能够同时在两个世代被检测到,表型变异解释率为1.93%~20.78%,穗长QTLQSl-YY-2D、QSl-YY-5A和株高QTLQPh-YY-4B的贡献率超过10%。根据6VS特异性标记鉴定和表型调查结果,推测扬麦18的6VS上携带有增加穗长和穗粒数的基因,且为部分显性。2B染色体上总小穗数和5B染色体上穗粒数、穗基部结实粒数的QTL增效等位基因及2D、4B染色体上降低株高的QTL增效等位基因均来自扬麦18,表明该品种可作为具有高产潜力的小麦育种材料加以利用。     

小麦熟期相关性状的QTL定位分析

抽穗期、始花期和开花期是衡量小麦成熟期的重要指标,对其进行QTL定位并分析其遗传效应,对小麦品种改良至关重要。为了给小麦分子标记辅助选择育种提供参考,本研究以波兰小麦和普通小麦品系中13杂交后代的F8重组自交系为作图群体,构建由A染色体组和B染色体组共14个连锁群构成的遗传连锁图谱,包含115个SSR标记位点,图谱全长822.9cM,标记间的平均遗传距离为7.16cM;利用复合区间作图法在两年的环境中检测到分别位于1A、5A、6A、7A、2B、4B、5B和6B染色体上的8个抽穗期QTL,5个始花期QTL和6个开花期QTL。表型变异解释率分别为10.12%～31.51%、11.98%～19.75%和9.64%～20.27%。无论是抽穗期、始花期或开花期,都在4B染色体上检测出了与其相关的QTL,说明4B染色体与小麦成熟期关系密切。另外,在1A染色体上检测出2个控制抽穗期的QTL,对表型变异的贡献率分别达到28.13%和31.48%,说明1A染色体控制小麦抽穗期的作用较大。本研究检测出多个成熟期相关的QTL与连锁标记间的遗传距离仅0.01cM,近乎共分离,可在育种中直接用于成熟期的分子辅助选择。     

波兰小麦×普通小麦品系“中13”RIL群体籽粒特性的QTL定位

小麦籽粒特性与籽粒产量和品质密切相关。本研究以波兰小麦(Tiriticum polonicum L.)×普通小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)品系"中13"杂交组合衍生的99个F8重组自交系(Recombinant inbred lines,RIL)群体为材料,利用SSR分子标记构建连锁遗传图谱。根据两年实验数据,利用复合区间作图法对粒重、粒长和粒宽3个籽粒特性相关性状进行了QTL定位分析,共检测到12个与籽粒特性相关的加性QTL位点。其中,3个粒重QTL,1个位于1A染色体上,另外2个都在2A染色体上,单个QTL可解释表型变异的13.35%～20.04%;5个粒长QTL,其中2个位于2A染色体上,其余3个分别位于3A、5A和2B染色体上,单个QTL可解释表型变异的8.53%～21.03%;4个粒宽QTL,分别位于1A、2A、3B和5B染色体上,单个QTL可解释表型变异的9.76%～40.79%。在2A染色体上共检测到5个籽粒特性相关性状的QTL,表明2A染色体与籽粒特性关系密切。     

小麦产量性状的QTL分析

为寻找更多与小麦产量性状相关的数量性状位点（QTL）,利用江苏地方品种望水白与墨西哥小麦品种Alondra杂交构建的重组自交系群体（104个家系）,在3个试验环境下进行了单株有效穗数、主穗粒数、单穗粒数和千粒重4个性状的QTL分析,结果在5A染色体上检测到与单株有效穗数相关、可以解释10．3％～18．8％表型变异的QTL1个;检测到与主穗粒数相关的QTL8个,分别位于染色体1B、1D、3B、4A、5D、6B上和连锁群4上（未知具体染色体归属）,单个QTL可以解释9．9％～19．9％的表型变异;检测到与单穗粒数相关的QTL11个,分别位于染色体1B、1D、2A、2B、3B、4A、5D、6B和7A上,单个QTL可解释7．5％～43．4％的表型变异;检测到与千粒重相关的QTL5个,分别位于2A、2B、3B、4D和7A染色体上,单个QTL可解释9．6％～25．7％的表型变异。获得的QTL可以用于分子标记辅助育种。     

大穗材料高麦1号/密小穗F_2群体穗长性状的QTL初步定位

为了解小麦穗长性状的遗传特性,并将其应用于分子标记辅助育种,以大穗材料高麦1号/密小穗的292个植株的F2群体为材料,利用SSR标记对穗长进行了QTL定位分析。结果表明,选用500对SSR引物对高麦1号和密小穗两个亲本进行多态性检测,共获得180对在双亲间有多态性的引物,多态性引物检出率为36.0%。利用这180对引物进一步进行F2群体筛选,有96对引物在群体中表现出多态性,占多态性标记的53.3%。利用QTL_IciMapping软件构建出小麦染色体组的8个连锁群图谱,并将96对SSR引物定位到遗传连锁图谱上。图谱全长1 383.29cM,标记间的平均遗传距离15.37cM。平均每个连锁群有11.25个标记,含有标记最多的是4A和6B染色体,各有17个标记,其次是3A和7B染色体,含有9~14个标记,1B和5D染色体含有的标记最少,只有5~7个。共检测出7个与穗长相关的QTL位点,包括6个加性QTL和1个加性+显性QTL。7个QTL的加性效应值均为正值,单个QTL的贡献率为2.04%~15.26%。其中3A染色体上的QTL位点距离其最近标记只有0.58cM,为连锁最紧密的一个位点,并且其加性效应值最大,可解释表型变异的15.26%。因此,3A染色体上存在控制穗长的主效基因。     

小麦株高和旗叶相关性状的QTL定位

合理的株型对提高小麦产量、品质、抗性以及光能利用效率具有重要作用。为了实现小麦株型相关QTLs的精细定位和定向改良,本研究以普通小麦品系Shanghai 3/Catbird和Naxos为亲本创制的F10代重组自交系(recombinant inbred lines,RILs)为材料,于2016年和2017年分别在郑州和原阳两地进行表型鉴定,对株高、旗叶长和旗叶宽等株型相关性状进行QTL定位。结合覆盖全基因组的基因型检测结果,利用基于完备区间作图法的QTL IciMapping软件进行遗传连锁图谱构建及QTL分析,共鉴定到3个在多个环境下稳定存在的株型相关性状的新QTLs,分别位于6A和2B染色体上,命名为Qph-6A、Qfll-6A和Qflw-2B,单个QTL在不同环境中可分别解释表型变异的8.33%~13.93%、8.10%~8.18%和9.14%~9.46%。     

Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of Various Nitrogen Fertilizers

Summary

The efficiency of N fertilizers is usually poor; often less than 50% of the applied N is taken up by the crop. This review focuses on various N fertilizers with respect to the significance of different N loss pathways, namely (i) ammonia volatilization, (ii) dinitrogen and nitrogen oxide emissions, and (iii) nitrate leaching. Further, the significance of biological N immobilization, ammonium fixation and, finally, the impact of nitrate vs. ammonium uptake on crop yield are also discussed. The reviewed literature shows that N fertilizers may differ markedly in their susceptibility to losses. There is, however, considerable scope to improve N efficiency of each N source by proper N management practices.     

Studies on natural repellents against potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) in country stores

Summary The effects of the leaves of five plant species, one from each of the generaAmbrosia, Anemone, Eupatorium, Eucalyptus andLantana, on potato tuber moth were investigated under indigenous storage conditions at the Central Potato Research Station, Shillong (1800 m above sea level). Their action was compared with that of a biological insecticide (spores ofBacillus thuringiensis), a chemical insecticide (carbaryl), and an untreated control. The data collected after six months storage on tuber damage, sprout damage and the rotting indicated that the leaves ofLantana aculeata provided most protection to the tubers, reducing damage from over 70% in the check to below 5%, and sprout damage from over 45% to below 3%. Next best wasEucalyptus globulus followed byB. thuringiensis. They may be used on tubers stored for table use or for seed as they had no adverse effect on germination or on the yield of a subsequent crop.     

Novel food and non-food uses for sorghum and millets

Sorghum and millets have considerable potential in foods and beverages. As they are gluten-free they are suitable for coeliacs. Sorghum is also a potentially important source of nutraceuticals such antioxidant phenolics and cholesterol-lowering waxes. Cakes, cookies, pasta, a parboiled rice-like product and snack foods have been successfully produced from sorghum and, in some cases, millets. Wheat-free sorghum or millet bread remains the main challenge. Additives such as native and pre-gelatinised starches, hydrocolloids, fat, egg and rye pentosans improve bread quality. However, specific volumes are lower than those for wheat bread or gluten-free breads based on pure starches, and in many cases, breads tend to stale faster. Lager and stout beers with sorghum are brewed commercially. Sorghum's high-starch gelatinisation temperature and low beta-amylase activity remain problems with regard to complete substitution of barley malt with sorghum malt . The role of the sorghum endosperm matrix protein and cell wall components in limiting extract is a research focus. Brewing with millets is still at an experimental stage. Sorghum could be important for bioethanol and other bio-industrial products. Bioethanol research has focused on improving the economics of the process through cultivar selection, method development for low-quality grain and pre-processing to recover valuable by-products. Potential by-products such as the kafirin prolamin proteins and the pericarp wax have potential as bioplastic films and coatings for foods, primarily due to their hydrophobicity.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of different accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. from Uruguay

Summary The in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. collected in the south of Uruguay was investigated against five microorganisms including the pathogenRalstonia solanacearum. A total of 30 extracts corresponding to organic and aqueous extracts were studied. Interestingly, most of the positive results for growth inhibition were againstR. solanacearum. The extracts were also analyzed for the presence of glycoalkaloids and lectins. Six of the ten aqueous extracts showed lectin presence and a wide variation in the type and amounts of glycoalkaloids, was found. Results indicate that there is no clear relationship between the antimicrobial activity against the five microorganisms screened and the presence or amounts of lectins and glycoalkaloids, traditionally regarded as possible antimicrobial metabolites in theSolanum genus, which indicates the presence of as yet unidentified antimicrobial compounds.     

Extreme resistance to infection by potato virus X in genotypes of wild tuber-bearingSolanum species

Summary Clones derived from thirty-one different accessions (nineteen of Argentine origin) belonging to eightSolanum species were screened for resistance to infection by potato virus X strain cp (PVX cp) by mechanical inoculation of plantlets that had been micropropagated in vitro. Estimates of PVX multiplication obtained by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and slot blot nucleic acid hybridization allowed the identification of resistant clones derived from five accessions belonging toS. commersonii S. oplocense, S. sparsipilum andS. tuberosum andigena. Resistant genotypes supported PVX concentrations 5 to 15 times smaller than did the susceptible control cultivar Spunta. Graft inoculation test confirmed the presence of extreme resistance similar to that conferred by the ‘immunity’ gene X¹ (also called RX_act).     

Cyanobacteria Secondary Metabolites as Biotechnological Ingredients in Natural Anti-Aging Cosmetics: Potential to Overcome Hyperpigmentation,Loss of Skin Density and UV Radiation-Deleterious Effects

The loss of density and elasticity, the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation are among the first noticeable signs of skin aging. Beyond UV radiation and oxidative stress, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) assume a preponderant role in the process, since their deregulation results in the degradation of most extracellular matrix components. In this survey, four cyanobacteria strains were explored for their capacity to produce secondary metabolites with biotechnological potential for use in anti-aging formulations. Leptolyngbya boryana LEGE 15486 and Cephalothrix lacustris LEGE 15493 from freshwater ecosystems, and Leptolyngbya cf. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 and Nodosilinea nodulosa LEGE 06104 from marine habitats were sequentially extracted with acetone and water, and extracts were analyzed for their toxicity in cell lines with key roles in the skin context (HaCAT, 3T3L1, and hCMEC). The non-toxic extracts were chemically characterized in terms of proteins, carotenoids, phenols, and chlorophyll a, and their anti-aging potential was explored through their ability to scavenge the physiological free radical superoxide anion radical (O₂^•−), to reduce the activity of the MMPs elastase and hyaluronidase, to inhibit tyrosinase and thus avoid melanin production, and to block UV-B radiation (sun protection factor, SPF). Leptolyngbya species stood out for anti-aging purposes: L. boryana LEGE 15486 presented a remarkable SPF of 19 (at 200 µg/mL), being among the best species regarding O₂^•− scavenging, (IC₅₀ = 99.50 µg/mL) and also being able to inhibit tyrosinase (IC₂₅ = 784 µg/mL), proving to be promising against UV-induced skin-aging; L. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 was more efficient in inhibiting MMPs (hyaluronidase, IC₅₀ = 863 µg/mL; elastase, IC₅₀ = 391 µg/mL), thus being the choice to retard dermal density loss. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the data allowed the grouping of extracts into three groups, according to their chemical composition; the correlation of carotenoids and chlorophyll a with MMPs activity (p < 0.01), O₂^•− scavenging with phenolic compounds (p < 0.01), and phycocyanin and allophycocyanin with SPF, pointing to these compounds in particular as responsible for UV-B blockage. This original survey explores, for the first time, the biotechnological potential of these cyanobacteria strains in the field of skin aging, demonstrating the promising, innovative, and multifactorial nature of these microorganisms.     

Marine Pharmacology in 2009–2011: Marine Compounds with Antibacterial,Antidiabetic, Antifungal,Anti-Inflammatory,Antiprotozoal, Antituberculosis,and Antiviral Activities; Affecting the Immune and Nervous Systems,and other Miscellaneous Mechanisms of Action ?

The peer-reviewed marine pharmacology literature from 2009 to 2011 is presented in this review, following the format used in the 1998–2008 reviews of this series. The pharmacology of structurally-characterized compounds isolated from marine animals, algae, fungi and bacteria is discussed in a comprehensive manner. Antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, and antiviral pharmacological activities were reported for 102 marine natural products. Additionally, 60 marine compounds were observed to affect the immune and nervous system as well as possess antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Finally, 68 marine metabolites were shown to interact with a variety of receptors and molecular targets, and thus will probably contribute to multiple pharmacological classes upon further mechanism of action studies. Marine pharmacology during 2009–2011 remained a global enterprise, with researchers from 35 countries, and the United States, contributing to the preclinical pharmacology of 262 marine compounds which are part of the preclinical pharmaceutical pipeline. Continued pharmacological research with marine natural products will contribute to enhance the marine pharmaceutical clinical pipeline, which in 2013 consisted of 17 marine natural products, analogs or derivatives targeting a limited number of disease categories.     

Recent Modifications of Chitosan for Adsorption Applications: A Critical and Systematic Review

Chitosan is considered to be one of the most promising and applicable materials in adsorption applications. The existence of amino and hydroxyl groups in its molecules contributes to many possible adsorption interactions between chitosan and pollutants (dyes, metals, ions, phenols, pharmaceuticals/drugs, pesticides, herbicides, etc.). These functional groups can help in establishing positions for modification. Based on the learning from previously published works in literature, researchers have achieved a modification of chitosan with a number of different functional groups. This work summarizes the published works of the last three years (2012–2014) regarding the modification reactions of chitosans (grafting, cross-linking, etc.) and their application to adsorption of different environmental pollutants (in liquid-phase).