中国玉米新品种DNA指纹库建立系列研究Ⅱ.适于玉米自交系和杂交种指纹图谱绘制的SSR核心引物的确定

本项研究利用60个玉米自交系对初选出的158个SSR引物对进行进—步筛选，综合考虑PIC值大小、扩增带型统计的难易及引物的重复性高低，确定bn1g439、bnlg125、phi053、bnlgl97、phi072、bnlg238、phi126、bnlg161、bnlg240、bnlg619共10个引物对作为构建玉米自交系和杂交种指纹库的核心引物；同时提出适用于计算玉米SSR指纹图谱概率的公式：P=1／N，对自交系N=n；对杂交种，N=Cn^1 Cn^2。n为所用引物的等位基因数。     

盐胁迫下钾吸收途径的抑制对小麦叶片K~+、Na~+含量的影响

为研究盐胁迫下小麦维持钾、钠平衡的生理机制,以耐盐小麦沧麦6005和盐敏感小麦矮抗58为材料,利用TEA、NEM、Ba(NO_3)_2三种药物分别抑制钾离子通道、钾载体及非选择性阳离子通道,测定正常及盐胁迫下小麦叶片K~+、Na~+含量,比较耐盐性不同的小麦品种在K~+、Na~+吸收中的差异。结果显示,盐胁迫下,沧麦6005和矮抗58叶片K~+含量下降,Na~+含量增加;沧麦6005叶片Na~+含量低于矮抗58,K~+/Na~+比值高于矮抗58。正常条件下,NEM、TEA处理均可降低沧麦6005和矮抗58叶片K~+含量,NEM处理较TEA处理效果更为明显;TEA处理显著降低了盐胁迫下矮抗58叶片K~+含量,而NEM处理则明显降低了盐胁迫下沧麦6005的叶片K~+含量;TEA、NEM、Ba(NO_3)_2处理降低了盐胁迫下矮抗58叶片Na~+含量,仅NEM处理降低了沧麦6005叶片Na~+含量。综上所述,正常条件下,钾载体是小麦K~+吸收的主要方式;盐胁迫下,耐盐品种和盐敏感品种K~+吸收途径不同,耐盐品种的NSCCs和钾离子通道具有更强的"拒钠"能力。     

Effect of phase transformation on physical and biological properties of PVA/CaFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocomposite

The thermal treatment method was employed to achieve higher homogeneity of calcium ferrite (CaFe2O4) and Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposites. The influences of phase transformation on physical and biological properties of calcined specimens were investigated by various experimental techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), high resolution Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Heat treatment was conducted at temperatures between 723 and 923 K, so that a phase transformation occurred from cubic to orthorhombic spinel structure at 923 K. The chemical analysis of the PVA/CaFe₂O₄ nanocomposite was performed by energy dispersion X-ray analysis (EDXA), demonstrated the PVA/CaFe₂O₄ nanocomposites contained the elements of C, Ca, Fe, and O. The formed nanocomposites exhibited ferromagnetic behaviors which were confirmed by using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The calcined specimens were carried out to an antimicrobial or antifungal test.     

叶面喷施亚硒酸钠对黑粒小麦籽粒硒含量、产量及品质的影响

为了明确亚硒酸钠对黑粒小麦籽粒硒含量、产量及品质的影响,以黑粒小麦品种山农紫麦1号为材料,在大田进行叶面喷施亚硒酸钠,亚硒酸钠设4个浓度:0(CK)、15(C_1)、30(C_2)和45(C_3)g·hm~(-2),分别于小麦拔节和开花期各喷施一次,分析了不同浓度亚硒酸钠黑粒小麦花后叶面积指数、干物质积累与分配、产量、籽粒硒含量及品质性状。结果表明,开花后各时期的叶面积指数(LAI),C_1、C_2处理均显著高于CK,C_3处理在开花后14～21d显著高于CK;成熟期植株干物质重及籽粒、茎秆+叶鞘、穗轴+颖壳的干物质重,C_1、C_2处理均显著高于CK,但叶片干物质重及占比显著低于CK;花后干物质积累量,C_2、C_3处理显著高于CK,C_1处理与CK无显著差异。三种喷亚硒酸钠处理(C_1、C_2和C_3)的成穗数均显著高于CK,而穗粒数和千粒重差异不显著,产量较CK分别增加7.89%、9.96%和9.19%。叶面喷施亚硒酸钠显著提高黑粒小麦籽粒的硒含量,CK、C_1、C_2和C_3处理籽粒硒含量分别为0.056、0.238、1.295和1.207mg·kg-1。籽粒粗蛋白含量,C_1、C_2处理较CK分别提高9.49%和4.29%,差异显著;C_1、C_2、C_3处理面筋指数分别较CK提高4.67%、13.06%和3.77%;C_1处理面团形成时间及稳定时间均显著高于CK,C_2、C_3处理与CK差异不显著;各喷施亚硒酸钠处理间的湿面筋含量、沉淀指数和吸水量差异不显著。本研究条件下,黑粒小麦拔节期和开花期各喷施30mg·kg-1亚硒酸钠,可以明显提高籽粒产量、硒含量与品质。     

Preparation and crystallization behavior of polylactide nanocomposites reinforced with POSS-modified montmorillonite

We herein report the preparation and crystallization behavior of polylactide (PLA) nanocomposites reinforced with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-modified montmorillonite (POSS-MMT), which is prepared by exchanging sodium cations of pristine sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) with protonated aminopropylisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS-NH₃ ⁺). PLA nanocomposites with 1–10 wt% POSS-MMT contents are manufactured via melt-compounding, and their structures and melt-crystallization behavior are investigated. It is characterized that POSS-MMT nanoparticles in the nanocomposites have an exfoliated structure of MMT silicates with POSS-NH₃ ⁺ and partial POSS-NH₂ crystals. DSC cooling thermograms suggest that the overall melt-crystallization rates of the nanocomposite with only 3 wt% POSS-MMT are remarkably enhanced in comparison with the neat PLA. From the isothermal crystallization analysis based on the Avrami model, the overall melt-crystallization of PLA/POSS-MMT nanocomposites is found to be dominated by the heterogeneous nucleation and three-dimensional spherulite growth. Isothermal melt-crystallization experiments using a polarized optical microscope show that the spherulite nucleation density of PLA/POSS-MMT nanocomposites is much higher than that of the neat PLA, whereas the spherulite growth rates of all the nanocomposites are almost identical with the rate of the neat PLA. It is concluded that the highly enhanced melt-crystallization rates of PLA/POSS-MMT nanocomposites stem from the dominant nucleation effect of POSS-MMT nanoparticles for PLA crystals.     

Molecular basis of the gelatinisation and swelling characteristics of waxy barley starches grown in the same location during the same season. Part II. Crystallinity and gelatinisation characteristics

Nine waxy barley samples (grown at the same site during the same season) were investigated to identify those molecular aspects of amylopectin structure and architecture which define the order and gelatinisation characteristics. Using ¹³C CP-MAS/NMR it was confirmed that the number of double helices within the starches were approximately constant although differences in crystallinity were identified by X-ray diffraction. These differences in terms of amount of crystalline order correlated well with gelatinisation temperatures. The onset (T_o), peak (T_p) and conclusion (T_c) gelatinisation temperatures were 53.4, 59.2 and 68.1 °C on average with the associated enthalpy (ΔH) of 11.0 and 13.5 J g⁻¹ on a starch and amylopectin basis. Annealing of the starches below T_o elevated T_o, T_p and T_c by +11.9, +8.2 and +5.1 °C on average and sharpened the gelatinisation range (T_c−T_o). Acid hydrolysis after annealing increased T_o, T_p and T_c (especially T_c) by +2.3, +17.4 and +34.7 °C on average. Annealing in the presence of α-amylase elevated similarly the gelatinisation parameters by +10.2, +7.1 and +2.8 °C for T_o, T_p and T_c, respectively. Crystalline lamellae lengths were found to be 5.2±0.7 and 6.2±0.4 nm using high sensitivity differential scanning micro-calorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively.     

利用隶属函数值法对玉米成熟期抗旱性的综合评价

以10个不同基因型玉米为试验材料,在宁夏中部干旱带,通过测定不同品种成熟期的K~+/Na~+、光合气体交换参数、农艺性状及产量性状等指标进行抗旱性鉴定,并利用主成分分析和隶属函数法对其抗旱性强弱进行综合评价。结果表明,干旱胁迫地和对照田中,各参试品种的光合特征参数、K~+/Na~+及形态性状等均有明显差异,且干旱胁迫条件下的净光合速率(P_n)、株高、产量均显著低于对照(P0.05)。同一品种不同器官的K~+/Na~+值表现为茎基茎叶根,表明植株体内的离子吸收和运输具有选择性,茎基具有贮存K~+的作用,根具有贮存Na~+的功能。不同基因型玉米品种的抗旱能力根据综合评价值(D值)大小,综合评价其抗旱性强弱顺序为A111-3/H242HoViY1北21/A58A3/A18高WY2宁3/1522H237/A18桂青贮1号H237/1506A3/A18。     

Marine Toxins Targeting Ion Channels

This introductory minireview points out the importance of ion channels for cell communication. The basic concepts on the structure and function of ion channels triggered by membrane voltage changes, the so-called voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs), as well as those activated by neurotransmitters, the so-called ligand-gated ion channel (LGICs), are introduced. Among the most important VGIC superfamiles, we can name the voltage-gated Na⁺ (Na_V), Ca²⁺ (Ca_V), and K⁺ (K_V) channels. Among the most important LGIC super families, we can include the Cys-loop or nicotinicoid, the glutamate-activated (GluR), and the ATP-activated (P2X_nR) receptor superfamilies. Ion channels are transmembrane proteins that allow the passage of different ions in a specific or unspecific manner. For instance, the activation of Na_V, Ca_V, or K_V channels opens a pore that is specific for Na⁺, Ca²⁺, or K⁺, respectively. On the other hand, the activation of certain LGICs such as nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, GluRs, and P2X_nRs allows the passage of cations (e.g., Na⁺, K⁺, and/or Ca²⁺), whereas the activation of other LGICs such as type A γ-butyric acid and glycine receptors allows the passage of anions (e.g., Cl⁻ and/or HCO₃⁻). In this regard, the activation of Na_V and Ca_V as well as ligand-gated cation channels produce membrane depolarization, which finally leads to stimulatory effects in the cell, whereas the activation of K_V as well as ligand-gated anion channels induce membrane hyperpolarization that finally leads to inhibitory effects in the cell. The importance of these ion channel superfamilies is emphasized by considering their physiological functions throughout the body as well as their pathophysiological implicance in several neuronal diseases. In this regard, natural molecules, and especially marine toxins, can be potentially used as modulators (e.g., inhibitors or prolongers) of ion channel functions to treat or to alleviate a specific ion channel-linked disease (e.g., channelopaties).     

Post-anthesis changes in photosynthetic traits of maize hybrids released in different years

Changes in post-anthesis physiological attributes related to genetic improvement for grain-yield were studied for six Chinese maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids widely grown in North China during the past 50 years. The characteristics assessed included light-saturated photosynthetic rate (P_sat), chlorophyll content, soluble protein content, maximal efficiency of PS2 photochemistry (F_v/F_m), PS2 efficiency (Φ_PS2), ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase) activity and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase) activity. We found that P_sat of the newer hybrids was not always higher than the older ones. However, P_sat of the 1950s hybrids was the highest among all at flowering stage, which was associated with their high PEPCase activity and soluble protein content. Post-anthesis changes in P_sat of the older hybrids can be divided into two phases. During the first phase, which was the decisive phase of grain filling, P_sat of the older hybrids declined gradually whereas the new hybrids remained relatively constant. P_sat of 1950s hybrids was not the highest among all maize hybrids any longer although their PEPCase activities were also the highest. The reduction in P_sat of the older hybrids during this phase was associated with a reduction in the chlorophyll content and the soluble protein content but was not influenced by the specific activity of RuBPCase and PEPCase. Adapting to the lowered CO₂ assimilation capacity, a down-regulation of Φ_PS2 occurred in the older hybrids to protect the photosynthetic apparatus from photo-damage by strong light, while F_v/F_m only decreased slightly during this phase, suggesting a functional PS2 apparatus in senescent flag leaves. During the second phase, the older hybrids underwent an irreversible leaf senescence that certain photosynthetic traits declined substantially with P_sat, whereas the photosynthetic components of the newer hybrids remained functional. Newer maize hybrids produced higher grain yield compared to the old ones mainly because they could remain photosynthetically active when the older hybrids aged during the grain-filling period. The decline in photosynthetic rate of older hybrids during senescence is generally attributed to the degradation of both structural and functional components of chloroplasts.     

施氮量对利民33光合特性及产量的影响

在大田试验条件下设氮肥用量分别为N0（不施氮肥）、施氮120（N120）、200（N200）、280（N280）和360 kg/hm²（N360）5个处理,测定叶面积和叶绿素含量、净光合速率（Pn）、气孔导度（Gs）、胞间二氧化碳浓度（Ci）、蒸腾速率（Tr）和产量,探讨不同施氮量对利民33光合特性及产量的影响。研究结果表明,随施氮量的增加,利民33叶面积指数、叶绿素含量、净光合速率、光能利用率提高,进而提高产量;产量与净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率和光能利用率呈正相关,与胞间二氧化碳浓度呈负相关;产量与施氮量的回归方程为Y=-0.05x²+32.38x+6 351（R²=0.98）,最高产量施氮量为335.9 kg/hm²。     

Thermal and mechanical properties of modified CaCO3 filled poly (ethylene terephthalate) nanocomposites

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/CaCO₃ and PET/modified-CaCO₃ (m-CaCO₃) nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending. The morphology indicated that m-CaCO₃ produced by reacting sodium oxalate and calcium chloride, was well dispersed in PET matrix and showed good interfacial interaction with PET compared to CaCO₃. No significant differences in the thermal properties such as, glass transition, melting and degradation temperatures, of the nanocomposites were observed. The thermal shrinkage of PET at 120 °C was 10.8 %, while those of PET/CaCO₃ and PET/m-CaCO₃ nanocomposites were 2.9–5.2 % and 1.2–2.8 %, respectively depending on filler content. The tensile strength of PET/CaCO₃ nanocomposite decreased with CaCO₃ loading, whereas that of PET/m-CaCO₃ nanocomposites at 0.5 wt% loading showed a 17 % improvement as compared to neat PET. The storage modulus at 120 °C increased from 1660 MPa for PET to 2350 MPa for PET/CaCO₃ nanocomposite at 3 wt% loading, and 3230 MPa for PET/m-CaCO₃ nanocomposite at 1 wt% loading.     

Comparative effects of salt and alkali stresses on organic acid accumulation and ionic balance of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is uniquely capable of growing well under various extreme environmental conditions, such as water deficit, salt stress, low temperature, and high altitude. It is of economic value and its berries are used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. In this study, we compared the effects of salt stresses (9:1 molar ratio of NaCl to Na₂SO₄, pH 6.48–6.65) and alkali stresses (9:1 molar ratio of NaHCO₃ to Na₂CO₃, pH 8.70–8.88) on the levels of inorganic ions and organic acids in H. rhamnoides L. to elucidate the physiological mechanism by which it tolerates salt or alkali stress (high pH). The results showed that, in leaves and stems under alkali stress, the Na⁺ content increased to a much greater extent than under salt stress. Neither salt nor alkali stress decreased the K⁺ content in leaves and stems; however, in roots, the K⁺ content decreased sharply with increasing alkali stress, whereas it remained relatively unchanged with increasing salt stress. This revealed a specific mechanism of absorption or transport for Na⁺ and K⁺ that was affected strongly by alkali stress. The results indicated that accumulation of organic acid (OA) was a central adaptive mechanism by which H. rhamnoides maintained intracellular ionic balance under alkali stress. OA may play different roles in different organs during adaptation to alkali stress, and its percentage contribution to total negative charge was higher in leaf than in stem. H. rhamnoides accumulated mainly malate, oxalate, and citrate in leaves and stems; however, in roots, less malate and citrate was accumulated, and acetate accumulation was enhanced significantly, which indicated that roots and shoots use different mechanisms to modulate OA metabolism.     

A rapid quantification method for tissue Na+ and K+ concentrations in salt-tolerant and susceptible accessions in Vigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich.

A rapid quantification method for leaf sodium (Na⁺) and potassium (K⁺) concentrations was developed using a compact ion meter. Leaf ion concentrations were evaluated for species of Vigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich. after two weeks of treatment with 0–200 mM of sodium chloride. To compare the ion extraction efficiency, extraction solutions of distilled water and ammonium acetate were tested. The ion concentrations of extracts obtained by both solutions were measured using an ion meter, and the values were validated using ion chromatography. For both extraction solutions, the ion meter values were highly correlated with those of the ion chromatograph. However, correlations between ion meter and chromatograph values were largely different for Na⁺ and K⁺. The rapid quantification of ion concentrations using an ion meter developed in this study was successfully utilized for evaluating differences in leaf Na⁺ concentrations, K⁺ concentrations, and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio in species of V. vexillata.     

Lesquerella growth and selenium uptake affected by saline irrigation water composition

A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effects of waters differing in salt composition on growth and selenium (Se) accumulation by lesquerella (Lesquerella fendleri Gray S. Wats.). Plants were established by direct seeding into sand cultures and irrigated with solutions containing either (a) Cl⁻ as the dominant anion or (b) a mixture of salts of SO₄²⁻ and Cl⁻. Four treatments of each salinity type were imposed. Electrical conductivities of the irrigation waters were 1.7, 4, 8, and 13 dS m⁻¹. Two months after salinization, Se (l mg l⁻¹, 12.7 μM) was added to all solutions as Na₂SeO₄. Shoot growth was significantly reduced by increasing Cl-salinity. Regardless of salinity type, concentrations of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl⁻, total-S, and Se were higher in the leaves than the stems, whereas K⁺ and Na⁺ were higher in the stem. Leaf-Se concentrations were not significantly affected by Cl-based irrigation waters, averaging 503 mg Se kg⁻¹ dry wt across salinity levels, whereas leaf-Se decreased consistently and significantly from 218 to 13 mg kg⁻¹ as mixed salt salinity increased. The dramatic reduction in Se was attributed to SO₄²⁻:SeO₄²⁻ competition during plant uptake. The strong Se-accumulating ability of lesquerella suggests that the crop should be further evaluated as a potentially valuable phytoremediator of Se-contaminated soils and waters of low to moderate salinity in areas where the dominant anion in the substrate is Cl⁻.     

Antioxidant Capacity and Damages Caused by Salinity Stress in Apical and Basal Regions of Rice Leaf

Abstract

We investigated the mechanisms of increased sensitivity to Na⁺ in the apical and basal regions of the rice leaf under salinity. Three-week-old plants were treated with 200 mM NaCl in hydroponic culture for 3 d. Segments 6 cm in length were obtained from the apical and basal regions of the fully expanded uppermost leaves (6th leaf blades) as old and young tissues, respectively. In the plants exposed to 200 mM NaCl, Nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) reducing activity, and H₂O₂ and Malondialdehyde (MDA) contents significantly increased, accompanied by the swelling of thylakoids and destruction of thylakoid membranes in the apical regions. However, no indication of oxidative damages was observed in the basal region, even though the Na⁺ content in the basal region was comparable to that in the apical region. In the apical region, the capacity to scavenge H₂O₂ was lower than that in the basal region due to decrease in the constitutive levels of ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase. In addition, the activities of antioxidant enzymes except superoxide dismutase and guaiacol peroxidase decreased drastically after 48 hr of exposure to NaCl. By contrast, the activities of catalase and glutathione reductase in the basal region increased compared with those in the control, and other antioxidant enzymes did not decrease under salinity during the experimental period. These results suggest that the capacity to scavenge reactive oxygen species decreased with age, and thus the apical region of the leaf blade suffered severer damage by Na⁺ than the basal region.     

Long-term effects of inorganic and organic fertilizer sources on yield and nutrient accumulation of lowland rice

Deceleration in rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield over time under fixed management conditions is a concern for countries like Bangladesh, where rice is the primary source of calories for the human population. Field experiments were conducted from 1990 to 1999 on a Chhiata clay loam soil (Hyperthermic Vertic Endoaquept) in Bangladesh, to determine the effect of different doses of chemical fertilizers alone or in combination with cow dung (CD) and rice husk ash (ash) on yield of lowland rice. Two rice crops—dry season rice (December–May) and wet season rice (July–November) were grown in each year. Six treatments—absolute control (T₁), one-third of recommended fertilizer doses (T₂), two-thirds of recommended fertilizer doses (T₃), full doses of recommended fertilizers (T₄), T₂+5 t CD and 2.5 t ash ha⁻¹ (T₅) and T₃+5 t CD and 2.5 t ash ha⁻¹ (T₆) were compared. The CD and ash were applied on dry season rice only. The 10-year mean grain yield of rice with T₁ was 5.33 t ha⁻¹ per year, while the yield with T₂ was 6.86 t ha⁻¹ per year. Increased fertilizer doses with T₃ increased the grain yield to 8.07 t ha⁻¹ per year, while the application of recommended chemical fertilizer doses (T₄) gave 8.87 t ha⁻¹ per year. The application of CD and ash (T₅ and T₆) increased rice yield by about 1 t ha⁻¹ per year over that obtained with chemical fertilizer alone (T₂ and T₃, respectively). Over 10 years, the grain yield trend with the control plots was negative, but not significantly, both in the dry and wet seasons. Under T₃ through T₆, the yield trend was significantly positive in the dry season, but no significant trend was observed in the wet season. The treatments, which showed positive yield trend, also showed positive total P uptake trend. Positive yield trends were attributed to the increasing P supplying power of the soil.     

Intracellular position of mitochondria and chloroplasts in bundle sheath and mesophyll cells of C3 grasses in relation to photorespiratory CO2 loss

In C₃ plants, photosynthetic efficiency is reduced by photorespiration. A part of CO₂ fixed during photosynthesis in chloroplasts is lost from mitochondria during photorespiration by decarboxylation of glycine by glycine decarboxylase (GDC). Thus, the intracellular position of mitochondria in photosynthetic cells is critical to the rate of photorespiratory CO₂ loss. We investigated the intracellular position of mitochondria in parenchyma sheath (PS) and mesophyll cells of 10 C₃ grasses from 3 subfamilies (Ehrhartoideae, Panicoideae, and Pooideae) by immunostaining for GDC and light and electron microscopic observation. Immunostaining suggested that many mitochondria were located in the inner half of PS cells and on the vacuole side of chloroplasts in mesophyll cells. Organelle quantification showed that 62–75% of PS mitochondria were located in the inner half of cells, and 62–78% of PS chloroplasts were in the outer half. In mesophyll cells, 61–92% of mitochondria were positioned on the vacuole side of chloroplasts and stromules. In PS cells, such location would reduce the loss of photorespiratory CO₂ by lengthening the path of CO₂ diffusion and allow more efficient fixation of CO₂ from intercellular spaces. In mesophyll cells, it would facilitate scavenging by chloroplasts of photorespiratory CO₂ released from mitochondria. Our data suggest that the PS cells of C₃ grasses have already acquired an initial structure leading to proto-Kranz and further C₃–C₄ intermediate anatomy. We also found that in the Pooideae, organelle positioning in PS cells on the phloem side resembles that in mesophyll cells.     

Determination of thermal and retrogradation properties of rice starch using near-infrared spectroscopy

Starch is a major component of rice grain and thus plays an important role in grain quality. For breeding rice with improved quality, the thermal and retrogradation properties of starch may be routinely measured. Since direct measurement is time-consuming and expensive, rapid predictive methods based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can be applied to measure these quality parameters. In this study, calibration models for measurement of thermal and retrogradation properties were built from the spectra of grain and flour samples. The results indicated that both grain and flour spectra could give similar accuracy (r²=∼0.78) in determining the peak temperature (T_p) and conclusion temperature (T_c) of gelatinization. However, flour spectra (r²=0.80) were superior to the grain spectra (r²=0.73) in measuring onset temperature (T_o). Furthermore, the thermal properties of width at half peak height (ΔT_1/2) and enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH_g), and retrogradation properties of enthalpy of retrogradation (ΔH_r) and retrogradation percentage (R%) could only be successfully modeled with the flour spectra. The models reported in the present study are usable for routine screening of a large number of samples in early generation of selection in breeding programs. For accurate assay of the thermal and retrogradation properties, however, direct instrumental measurement should be employed in later generations.     

玉米耐盐基因ZmHKT1;5在烟草中的功能验证

HKT类基因是与植物耐盐性密切相关的一类基因。在作物中HKT蛋白可通过排出Na+来维持植物体内的Na~+/K~+平衡,从而影响植物耐盐性。通过在烟草中过表达玉米ZmHKT1;5基因,验证该基因具有提高植物耐盐性的作用。结果表明,过表达ZmHKT1;5基因的T0代材料即显示出叶片耐盐能力的明显提高;T2代转基因株系种子在含盐培养基上的发芽能力明显强于野生型材料,T2代转基因株系幼苗阶段的耐盐能力也得到了明显的提高。通过比较在盐胁迫后2月龄的转基因材料和野生型材料的生理指标,发现野生型材料中MDA和H_2O_2的含量相较转基因材料发生了更为明显的上升,说明转基因材料中过表达ZmHKT1;5基因有效降低了盐胁迫引起的过氧化物积累。综合转基因验证的结果,证明ZmHKT1;5基因具有提高植物耐盐性的作用。     

Elongation rate of sorghum leaves has a common response to meristem temperature in diverse African and European environmental conditions

We have tested whether thermal time can account for the effect of meristem temperature on leaf appearance rate (LAR) and leaf elongation rate (LER) of sorghum in a wide range of conditions without water or nutrient deficits. This requires that responses to temperature should be consistent in different locations and different seasons, and that responses of LER of different leaves of the plant should be similar. Sorghum plants (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench., cv. E-35-1) were sown in the field in Bamako (Mali) from October 1995 to August 1996, in Montpellier (France) in summers 1995 and 1997, and in a growth chamber. Irradiance, air and meristem temperatures (T_m) and air humidity were measured together with LER in all experiments. Unique and tight relationships were observed between T_m and LER of leaves located at different positions on the stem, for all experimental conditions when evaporative demand was low (meristem-to-air vapor pressure deficit, VPD_ma, lower than 2.5 kPa). Relationships remained linear over the whole studied range of T_m, i.e. 13–32°C (R², from 0.7 to 0.87). With high evaporative demand, LER was lower than the LER expected at the same temperature but with low VPD_ma (LER_reg); the normalized difference between LER measured on a given day (LER_a) and LER_reg was linearly related to VPD_ma (R²=0.52). A linear relationship was also observed between T_m and LAR measured before the beginning of stem elongation when T_m was lower than 27°C. The x-intercepts of relationships between T_m and LER or LAR did not differ in a covariance analysis, with a common value of 10.8°C. The use of thermal time without corrections for high temperature or photoperiod was the most appropriate way to account for the timing of leaf development. It allowed prediction of LER provided that the reduction in LER due to evaporative demand was taken into account.