盐胁迫下玉米种子萌发过程低场核磁共振研究

为探究盐胁迫对玉米种子萌发过程中水分的分布和种子活性的影响,以非糯性玉米郑单958种子为检测对象,对不同NaCl浓度（0 nmol/L,50 nmol/L,100 nmol/L,150 nmol/L,200 nmol/L）环境下试验样本进行低场核磁共振成像以及核磁共振波谱试验。结果表明：玉米萌发过程中,胚乳和胚部位的含水率均在0～2 d迅速增加,2 d之后胚乳水分波动增长,而胚部位水分则出现水平波动的现象。随着盐胁迫程度上升,种子发芽率从90%降至0,盐浓度在50 nmol/L及以下时,不同相态水信号幅值变化趋势受盐胁迫影响较小,达到100 nmol/L时自由水信号幅值被抑制在低水平,达到150 nmol/L时结合水和半结合水信号幅值的变化速率均被大幅延缓。T2弛豫谱图中结合水主峰左侧出现信号微弱,弛豫时间为0.1 ms～1 ms的副峰,副峰的出现和玉米种子发芽密切关联,是一种标志着种子发芽的结合水。试验为玉米种子萌发过程对盐碱胁迫的反应机制后续研究提供理论支持和数据参考。     

用低场核磁共振检测水稻浸种过程中种子水分的相态及分布特征

为研究水稻浸种过程中种子的水分相态及其分布特征,利用低场核磁共振快速、无损、准确的检测技术,通过硬脉冲回波序列CPMG(carr-purcell-meiboom-gill sequence)测量水稻种子横向弛豫时间T2,根据横向弛豫时间T2的差异区分种子内部的水分相态及其变化规律。试验结果表明:通过T2反演谱横向弛豫时间T2长短的差异,发现水稻浸种过程中种子内部水分存在结合水、自由水2种水分状态,同时可区分出内层水、中层水、外层水3种水分分层;二者均能通过回归方程合理的估测水稻在浸种过程中种子的吸水率情况;通过T2反演谱信号幅值大小的差异,发现水稻浸种过程中的种子总水含量不断上升,但由于判定依据及划分方式的不同,二者在水分的流动方式上略显差异。低场核磁共振技术对水稻浸种过程中种子内部的水分变化进行了直观的揭示,提供了一种高效的种子水分检测方法。     

银杏种子萌发过程低场核磁T2反演谱解译初探

随着科学技术的发展，低场核磁共振（Low Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, LF-NMR）横向弛豫时间（Transverse Relaxation Time, T2）反演谱检测技术越来越多的被应用于农业，但当前对T2反演谱的解译尚停留在水分相态分布层面。为探索从物质成分角度对种子T2反演谱进行解译的新方法，该研究以银杏种子为对象，利用低场核磁共振技术检测并对比银杏鲜种、种子粉末及其主要成分试样的T2反演谱，分析各信号峰的形成机理，并以此为依据对其在种子萌发过程中的变化进行解译。研究结果表明：淀粉与蛋白质混合试样T2反演谱的峰T21、T22、T23以及淀粉与油脂混合试样的峰T24在峰顶时间上和种子粉末试样相对应信号峰完全一致；在物质成分及配比完全相同的情况下，种子粉末试样T2反演谱的峰T21～T24的峰顶时间较鲜种分别相差12.98%、32.21%、13.02%、0%，T21、T22峰比例较鲜种分别偏少41.72%、29.33%，T23峰比例偏多92.26%，T24峰比例偏少91.71%，说明种子组织结构会对其内部水分的弛豫时间和相态分布比例造成一定影响。仅从物质成分角度考虑，种子内水分的弛豫时间主要在淀粉、蛋白质的影响下表现为T21、T22、T23，在淀粉和油脂的影响下表现为T24。由此认为峰T21、T22主要为吸附在淀粉和蛋白质上相态不同的结合水的信号，峰T23为主要被淀粉和蛋白质束缚后产生的半结合水的信号，峰T24主要为种子中自由水的信号（少量源自油脂）。此外，种子即将裂壳时将形成T2a（峰顶时间在10 ms左右）、T2b（峰顶时间＞1 000 ms）2个新信号峰，可作为预示种子萌发状态即将发生重要变化的"预兆峰"。提出的从化学组分及核磁检测原理角度对银杏种子萌发过程T2反演谱进行解译的新途径，可为基于LF-NMR方法对种子萌发过程中化学组分变化进行活体分析提供参考。     

小麦粉面团形成过程水分状态及其比例变化

为揭示小麦粉面团形成过程水分状态和比例、面团结构的变化,以及这种变化与粉质仪和拉伸仪表征的质量特性之间的关系;认识面团形成过程表征筋力强弱的物质基础和变化机理。选用中筋(宁春4号)和强筋(师栾02-1)小麦品种为试验材料,利用低场核磁共振技术测定粉质仪和面过程、拉伸仪醒发拉伸过程不同时间点面团水分状态和比例的变化;利用红外显微成像技术分析面团形成过程不同取样点蛋白质和淀粉的分布及结构变化。结果表明,面粉原料中主要为弱结合水。面粉在粉质仪加水搅拌形成面团后,水分状态和比例发生显著变化,面团中的水可以分为强结合水(T_(21))、弱结合水(T_(22))和自由水(T_(23))。面团搅拌形成过程中,中筋小麦品种宁春4号面团中的强结合水比例显著降低;师栾02-1的强结合水的弛豫时间在和面终点消失,弱结合水的弛豫时间显著延长,而自由水的比例显著增加(P0.05)。强筋小麦粉强结合水的保持时间较长。拉伸过程加盐和不加盐对同一取样点、同一种水分状态之间的水分弛豫时间和比例无显著影响;宁春4号自由水的弛豫时间在加盐和不加盐处理时都显著缩短(P0.05)。湿面筋含量高、筋力较强面团的蛋白质网络结构致密。粉质仪和面过程强结合水和弱结合水弛豫时间和比例的变化,与面筋含量和强度有关。该结论可为面制品加工过程和面工艺选择与优化等方面提供一定的理论参考。     

利用低场核磁共振分析水稻种子浸泡过程中的水分变化

为研究水稻种子在浸泡过程中的水分变化情况,应用核磁共振无损、非侵入的技术优势,根据弛豫时间呈现的多组份特征,通过弛豫谱分析水稻种子不同相态水分的变化和流动过程,确定弛豫谱峰值总面积与水稻种子吸水率的回归方程,研究了水稻品种(沈农9816号、沈农9903号)及浸种温度(18、24、32℃)对水稻种子吸水量的影响。试验结果表明:通过弛豫谱峰值总面积可以合理估测水稻种子的吸水率;水稻种子在6h浸种过程中,随着浸泡时间的增加结合水及总水含量变化趋势为不断上升,自由水则呈现不规则的反复变化态势;水稻种子吸水量在2个水稻品种间差异不明显,对浸种温度高度敏感。该试验提出了一种无损的水分检测方法,能够更加直接准确的揭示水稻种子在浸泡过程中的水分变化规律,为探求种子的最佳浸泡条件提供数据支持和理论依据。     

热风干过程中风干肉水分的迁移

为阐明热风干过程中风干肉水分迁移机制,利用氢质子低场核磁共振弛豫研究热风干过程中(温度35℃、湿度60%、风速3 m·s^-1)风干肉内部和外部中水分迁移及水-蛋白相互作用模式。结果表明,在风干过程中风干肉中水分的主要存在形式为不易流动水,其不断从肌原纤维网络内迁移到网络外,水分含量显著下降。风干肉外部中结合水、不易流动水和自由水的弛豫时间均显著下降(P < 0.05),表明风干肉外部中水-蛋白相互作用模式发生改变。而风干肉内部中结合水和自由水的弛豫时间无显著变化(P > 0.05),表明风干过程中风干肉内部和外部中水-蛋白相互作用不同,风干肉表皮的温度较内部温度高,且表皮水分含量下降速度较内部的水分含量下降速度快,导致了硬壳的形成。综上所述,风干过程中风干肉外部的温度高且水分脱除快,导致了风干肉内外部中水-蛋白相互作用不同。本研究结果为调控风干过程中水分迁移速度,实现风干肉工业化加工提供了理论依据。     

利用低场核磁共振及其成像技术分析水稻浸种过程水分传递

为研究水稻种子浸种过程中内部水分流动情况,可视化内部水分传递过程,利用低场核磁共振及其成像技术,监测沈农9816号、七山占及秀子糯3个品种水稻种子48 h浸种过程。每6 h时间间隔利用自旋回波（spin echo,SE）脉冲序列获取样品的质子密度加权像,利用硬脉冲自旋回波（carr-purcell-meiboomgill sequence,CPMG）序列获取样品的横向弛豫时间T2反演谱,从而分析浸种过程对水稻种子内部水分分布的影响。试验结果表明：核磁共振是一种有效的水分检测技术,可以实现浸种过程中种子内部水分的快速、准确、无损的检测。利用水稻种子的质子密度加权像,能够直观检测到种子内部水分分布情况,动态的监测到种子内部水分流动过程,分析发现水分最初是从胚进入种子内部,继而通过种皮的渗透,最后到达胚乳部分。根据T2反演谱信号幅值计算得到的水稻种子吸水率,发现3个品种在相同浸种时间的各个监测点均反映出秀子糯吸水率最高,沈农9816号吸水率最低,试验结果验证了支链淀粉的吸水性优于直链淀粉。研究结果可以为水稻种子浸种过程中水分传递的理论模型构建提供数据支持。     

挂面干燥过程水分迁移规律及其对产品质量影响研究

为揭示挂面干燥过程水分状态、含量动态迁移规律,阐明干燥条件对水分动态迁移过程的影响,探讨挂面干燥过程水分动态迁移规律及其与产品质量的关系,本试验以小麦品种永良4号为原料,设计干燥温度(30、40℃)、相对湿度(65%、75%、85%)两因素不等水平全排列组合试验;利用“食品水分分析技术平台”实时监测干燥过程水分状态动态变化,并测定干挂面收缩率及抗弯曲特性。结果表明,不同干燥组合条件下,挂面干燥过程水分可区分为强结合水、弱结合水、自由水,横向弛豫时间分别为：T₂₁,0.06～0.187 ms;T₂₂,0.811～5.722 ms;T₂₃,34.305～242.013 ms。干燥过程中,随着干燥时间的延长,T₂₁、T₂₂呈下降趋势,T₂₁较T₂₂更快达到平衡状态;T₂₃呈“下降-上升-缓慢下降”趋势;挂面中强结合水绝对含量(W₂₁)、弱结合水绝对含量(W₂₂)均呈逐渐下降趋...     

基于LF-NMR及不同干燥方法的哈密瓜片含水率预测模型

为建立稳健、适用范围更广的哈密瓜片含水率预测模型,采用不同干燥方法(热风干燥(Hot Air drying,HA)和红外辐射干燥(Infrared drying,IR)),在相同温度水平下(50、60、70℃)对哈密瓜片进行干燥,采用低场核磁共振技术(Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance,LF-NMR)对比分析干燥过程的水分迁移规律及2种干燥方法间的差异,并结合化学计量学方法建立含水率预测模型。结果表明:无论HA还是IR,一定温度范围内高温有利于提高干燥速率,缩短干燥时间;且IR与HA相比干燥时间缩短20.0%~37.5%。经LF-NMR分析,在HA和IR过程中,自由水峰面积逐渐降低,不易流动水峰面积及结合水峰面积呈波动变化;自由水峰顶横向弛豫时间不断降低,不易流动水峰顶横向弛豫时间因干燥方式和干燥温度的差异呈不同的变化趋势;与HA过程中结合水峰顶横向弛豫时间逐渐降低不同,其在IR干燥初期短暂上升,后呈下降趋势。基于HA、IR数据集结合化学计量学方法建立的哈密瓜片含水率预测模型中,偏最小二乘回归(Partial Least Squares Regression,PLSR)模型具有更好的性能,模型预测决定系数R_P² 大于0.99,表明PLSR结合LF-NMR可实现哈密瓜片含水率的快速检测,且不受干燥方法不同引起水分状态差异的影响。研究结果为基于LF-NMR和多加工手段的果蔬含水率预测模型的建立提供参考。     

基于低场核磁共振的热风干燥过程花生仁含水率预测模型

为研究热风干燥过程中花生仁内部水分的变化规律,该文采用热空气对开农71、开农8834-9、天府3号3个品种的湿花生进行干燥,监测干燥过程中花生果、花生仁与花生壳含水率的变化;并利用低场核磁共振技术(LF-NMR)研究干燥过程中花生仁内部自由水、弱结合水和结合水的变化情况;建立花生仁水分弛豫峰占比与其含水率之间的数学关系,提出了一种花生含水率的快速检测方法。结果表明,由于花生仁和花生壳化学组成不同,仁和壳干燥曲线呈现不同的变化趋势。LF-NMR弛豫图谱显示干燥过程中,自由水弛豫峰逐渐消失,结合水和弱结合水弛豫峰面积无明显变化规律,油脂峰峰面积基本不变,说明花生仁在干燥过程中油脂的含量无明显变化。建立的花生仁国标法实测含水率y与核磁共振弛豫谱图得到的总水分峰占比(T21+T22+T23)的拟合方程R2为0.888 4。经验证,该方程能较好地对未知含水率的花生仁样品进行预测。因此,低场核磁共振技术可以用于花生仁含水率的快速检测。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Increase in auxiliary photoprotective photosynthetic pigments in wheat seedlings induced by Azospirillum brasilense

Inoculation of wheat seedlings with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd was immobilized in alginate microbeads and, without applying any stress, significantly increased the quantity of several photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the auxiliary photoprotective pigments violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheroxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, and β-carotene. This resulted in greener plants with no apparent visible stress. After monitoring the quantity of photosynthetic pigments for 4 weeks, we observed that inoculated plants had higher quantities of pigments in shoot and stem. The greatest difference in the quantity of all pigments between inoculated and noninoculated plants occurred in the first week of growth. Regardless of treatment, the quantity of pigments in stems was three to four times less than the quantity of these pigments in shoots. Application of Azospirillum, either as liquid inoculant or as alginate microbeads, did not alter the positive effect of the bacteria on pigment production or the positive response of the plants towards A. brasilense Cd inoculation.     

Responses of native legume desert trees used for reforestation in the Sonoran Desert to plant growth-promoting microorganisms in screen house

Three slow-growing legume trees used for desert reforestation and urban gardening in the Sonoran Desert of Northwestern Mexico and the Southwestern USA were evaluated whether their growth can be promoted by inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria (Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus pumilus), unidentified arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (mainly Glomus sp.), and supplementation with common compost under regular screenhouse cultivation common to these trees in nurseries. Mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata) and yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) had different positive responses to several of the parameters tested while blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida) did not respond. Survival of all tree species was over 80% and survival of mesquite was almost 100% after 10 months of cultivation. Inoculation with growth-promoting microorganisms induced significant effects on the leaf gas exchange of these trees, measured as transpiration and diffusive resistance, when these trees were cultivated without water restrictions.