Composition and properties of purified phenolics preparations obtained from an extract of industrial blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) pomace

Summary

An extract obtained from industrial blackcurrant pomace was purified and fractionated on an RP C18 column, resulting in three phenolics preparations of different composition. The phenolics in the preparations were quantified by HPLC, their anti-oxidant capacity was determined, and the preparations were subjected to HPLC-MS analysis in order to identify the bioactive compounds present. The purified preparations selected for study were an anthocyanin-rich preparation, a myricetin and quercetin glycosides-containing preparation, and an aglycon-containing preparation. All three preparations were characterised by having a high content of polyphenols. The anthocyanin-rich preparation was the most concentrated in polyphenols [> 50% (w/w)], followed by the aglycon-containing preparation [> 20% (w/w)], and finally the glycosides-containing preparation [> 9% (w/w)]. The preparations were also characterised by their high anti-oxidant capacity, which was > 3,100 µM TEAC g^?1 (TEAC = Trolox Equivalent Anti-oxidant Capacity) for all preparations. The HPLC-MS study confirmed that the anthocyanin-rich preparation was composed of the following anthocyanins: delphinidin-3-glucoside, delphinidin-3-rutinoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, and cyanidin-3-rutinoside. The aglycon preparation contained four aglycons, of which myricetin and quercetin were predominant, and kaempferol and isorhamnetin were present in lower amounts. The glycosides-containing preparation was found to be the most interesting, since it contained myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin glycosides. Myricetin and quercetin galactosides were also detected in blackcurrant extract for the first time. Moreover, the presence of nitrile-containing compounds, two acylated anthocyanins, and one auron-type compound was detected.     

The effects of simulated frost on black currant (Ribes nigrum L.)

Pot plants of 12 black currant genotypes were assessed in frost simulation chambers for their tolerance of spring frosts during the flowering period. The most tolerant were some genotypes from the UK and Scandinavia. The inheritance of tolerance may be complex rather than simply additive. The results indicate that physiological frost hardiness at flowering is needed as well as later flowering, particularly when breeding for early ripening cultivars.     

Pollination requirements of eight cultivars of black currant (Ribes nigrum L.)

Summary

Fruit set and yield of the following cultivars of black currant (Ribes nigrum L.): `Ben Alder', `Ben Lomond', `Ben Nevis', `Ben Tirran', `Ceres', `Ojebyn', `Titania' and `Triton' were investigated in 1994±1996. Percentage fruit set, size of berries and yield of all investigated cultivars were higher when much foraging activity of pollinating insects was observed. The bushes on open-pollinated plots set more fruit (50-200%), had bigger fruits (10±20%) and gave higher yields (60±300%) than plants isolated from insects. All eight cultivars, including `Titania', had lower fruit set when pollinated with their own pollen under nets than when subjected to free pollination in open plots.     

大果优质黑穗醋栗新品种‘布劳德’

 ‘布劳德’是由波兰引入经试栽后选育出来的黑穗醋栗新品种。多年的观察结果表明: 该品种果实个大, 整齐, 平均单果质量2. 6 g , 最大3. 8 g , 熟期一致, 可以一次性采收, 未见感染白粉病, 整个生育期不用施药, 丰产性强, 为大果、抗病、丰产、生食与加工兼用型品种。     

ABA和GA_3对黑穗醋栗二次萌芽超微结构的影响

【目的】分析黑穗醋栗二次萌芽过程中超微结构特征及变化规律,为全面揭示黑穗醋栗二次萌芽的内在机制提供科学依据。【方法】以黑穗醋栗易二次萌芽品种‘亚德’和不易二次萌芽品种‘巴基拉’为试材,以清水为对照,用30mg·L~(-1)GA_3和50 mg·L~(-1)ABA处理,用透射电镜观察芽内细胞超微结构。【结果】GA_3处理促进2品种二次萌芽加快,使细胞内质壁分离现象消失,胞间连丝、内质网提前分化,淀粉粒加速分解,线粒体更加活跃,分散的小液泡最终形成中心大液泡,且液泡中电子致密物质分解;ABA处理抑制2品种的二次萌芽,使细胞保持质壁分离状态,抑制胞间连丝出现,线粒体、内质网、淀粉粒分化均晚于同时期GA_3处理,ABA抑制了‘巴基拉’液泡中电子致密物质分解。【结论】黑穗醋栗二次萌芽本质是细胞破除休眠的过程。外源GA_3处理加速黑穗醋栗解除休眠,而外源ABA则是促进休眠,2者作用相反。GA_3和ABA影响黑穗醋栗二次萌芽最主要的差异在于细胞内是否存在质壁分离、胞间连丝是否分化和电子致密物质是否分解。细胞超微结构的变化反应了二次萌芽的进程。     

Landscape complementation is a driver of bumble bee (Bombus sp.) abundance in the Canadian Rocky Mountains

Landscape Ecology - Land use change is a major factor influencing biodiversity, but the mechanisms that drive species losses require further examination. Habitat loss often reduces biodiversity,...     

黑穗醋栗果皮中非花色苷酚的鉴定与分析

以26个不同品种的黑穗醋栗果皮为试验材料,采用溶剂提取法对不同黑穗醋栗品种果皮中非花色苷酚类物质进行提取,并用高效液相色谱串联质谱(HPLC-MS/MS)技术对果皮中非花色苷酚类物质进行定性及定量分析。结果表明:在负离子扫描模式下,共检测到10种非花色苷酚类物质,主要有杨梅酮-3-葡萄糖苷、杨梅酮-3-芸香糖苷、槲皮素-3-葡萄糖苷和二氢山奈酚-3-鼠李糖苷等;大部分品种果皮非花色苷酚含量在0.5mg·g-1以上,其中含量较丰富的品种为‘格鲁布基’‘戈金鹦鸽’‘滨海明珠’。该研究结果为黑穗醋栗的综合开发利用提供技术支撑,同时也为新品种的选育提供参考依据。     

The role of urban habitats in the abundance of red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris,L.) in Finland

Because the amount of urban areas has increased, it is important to investigate the abundance of wildlife species in relation to urban environments. Analyzing the impact of urbanization on the presence of forest-dwelling mammals is of interest due to the possible effects of urbanization on human-wildlife relationships and urban biodiversity. The Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is a declining forest species, and its occurrence in urban environments has been inadequately studied. The loss and fragmentation of forests due to urbanization may be detrimental for squirrels, whereas the abundant and predictable food resources and the low number of natural predators in urban areas may encourage squirrels to invade towns. We used large-scale data collected by volunteer bird watchers along a 950 km south-north gradient to study whether the winter abundance of squirrels in Finland is dependent on urbanization, while controlling for effects of habitat type, food abundance (spruce cone crop; number of winter feeding sites), predator abundance (northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis; feral cat Felis catus), season and latitude. We found that squirrel abundance increased with human population density, number of feeding sites and spruce cone crop and decreased with latitude and season. Feral cats showed weak negative connection with squirrel numbers, but there were no effect of goshawks. Relative squirrel abundance was approximately twice as high in urban habitats than in forests. Artificial feeding rather than a low number of predators may attract squirrels in urban environments. Planting spruce trees in urban environments will also benefit squirrels. Our results indicate that urban areas are an important habitat for the red squirrel even along the northern edge of their distribution range, where natural forest areas are still widespread. We conclude also that a citizen science −based bird survey protocol associated with mammal surveys seems to be a good large-scale monitoring method to study the urbanization of squirrels.     

Effects of fruit thinning,pollination and paclobutrazol on fruit set and size of persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) in subtropical Australia

Summary

A factorial combination of three cultural factors (± hand-pollination, ± growth retardant, ± fruit thinning) were evaluated for their effects on fruit set and fruit size of ‘Fuyu’ persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) in subtropical Australia (Lat. 27° S). Treatments were applied to individual shoots on mature seven year old trees. Fruit set of pollinated flowers was high compared with non-pollinated flowers (91% vs. 47%). Pollinated fruit also grew faster at all stages of fruit development and, at harvest, fresh weights were 25% heavier. Palcobutrazol significantly (P<0.05) increased fruit weight by 7% compared with controls but did not increase fruit set. Irrespective of treatment, fruit weight was not correlated (r<0.3, n.s.) with shoot length, number of nodes per shoot, fruit nodal position, shoot dry weight, leaf area per shoot, and number of leaves per shoot. Fruit fresh weight was only poorly correlated with shoot base diameter (r = 0.41*). Pollinated fruit had significantly (P<0.05) higher concentrations of nutrients (N, K, Ca, and Zn).     

Distribution and dynamics of the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris L.) in a landscape with fragmented habitat

In a four year study data on the presence of red squirrel were collected in an agricultural landscape by counting dreys in 49 woods ranging from 0.5 to 14 ha, and differing in quality of habitat and isolation.Logit regression analysis showed that the area per woodlot covered with conifers is a good predictor of squirrel presence for each year and during the whole period, but the significance of the regression decreases with time. During the study the number of woods occupied by red squirrel increased, and smaller woods and those without conifers also became inhabited. This trend is in accordance with the positive effect of time in regression analyses on the presence of the species and on the colonization of woods, and it suggests an increase of squirrel numbers in the area. Addition of several isolation variables in the regression analyses showed significant effects in different years, and the effect of isolation was independent of time. In the first two years the area of habitat around a woodlot, the distance to the nearest woodlot larger than 30 ha, and the density of possible movement corridors have significant effects on the presence of red squirrel.In the last two years, with presumably a high number of squirrels, the (short) distance to the nearest woodlot and also the area of habitat around woods have significant effects. It is concluded that the spatial dynamics of the population can be understood as the outcome of individual spatial behaviour, rather than as the result of metapopulation processes.     

Effect of pollination intensity,frequency and pollen source on fig (Ficus carica L.) productivity and fruit quality

Yield and fruit quality in fig (Ficus carica L.) are highly dependent on cultural practices especially caprification (pollination). However, this technique remains not well controlled in Tunisia. This study was conducted during two successive years, 2009 and 2010, to investigate different pollination conditions, i.e. number of caprifigs and repetitions of caprification on fruiting of two cultivars Bouhouli (San Pedro type) and Zidi (Smyrna type). In addition, the efficiency of four pollen sources was evaluated to identify the most effective pollinator for female cultivar Zidi. The following parameters were recorded: fruit number per shoot, fruit set, productivity, fruit characteristics and vegetative growth.     

Influence of FeEDDHA on in vitro rooting and acclimatisation of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) in peat and vermiculite

Summary

We investigated the dependence of in vitro rooting and acclimatisation to greenhouse conditions on the source of iron used in the shoot multiplication and rooting media using five raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) cultivars (‘Beskid’, ‘Canby’, ‘Malling Seedling’, ‘Norna’, and ‘Veten’). Ethylenediamine di-2-hydroxy-phenyl acetate ferric (FeEDDHA) in the rooting medium led to higher chlorophyll contents, earlier and more abundant rooting (8.7 vs. 5.3 roots per shoot), 30% higher fresh and dry weights, and thus higher quality microplants than ethylenediaminetetra-acetate ferric sodium (FeEDTA). Higher quality microshoots had a beneficial effect on acclimatisation (i.e., percentage survival and length of shoots) when the microplants were planted in a peat-based substrate; however, when planted in vermiculite, the initial differences disappeared during a 4 week-long growth period in a greenhouse.     

辣椒GMS育性相关miRNA的鉴定和表达分析

研究辣椒花药中sRNA分布,筛选育性相关miRNA,通过miRNA及其靶基因的表达分析探讨miRNA对雄性育性的调控。利用高通量测序技术对辣椒细胞核雄性不育两用系处于小孢子单核靠边期的花药进行sRNA测序,同时分析两材料间miRNA的表达差异。通过qRT-PCR技术验证差异分析结果,并对miRNA及其靶基因在小孢子发育不同时期的表达模式进行分析。在构建的不育株和可育株两个文库中共发掘出857个可信度高的miRNA;筛选得到42个表达差异显著的miRNA;通过靶基因预测与注释,预测出的差异表达miRNA的靶基因中与繁殖有关的基因有152个,与生殖过程有关的基因有151个。通过qRT-PCR验证了选出的9条miRNA的存在,其表达差异与测序分析结果基本一致;单核靠边期多数miRNA负调控其靶基因,不同发育时期其调控模式会发生变化。本研究为揭示辣椒miRNA与雄性育性的关系提供了重要信息。     

Agronomic characteristics and carotenoid content of five Bola-type paprika red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars

The production of sweet paprika in Spain uses exclusively fruit of Bola-type Capsicum annuum L. This work describes the evaluation of the agronomic behaviour of five new cultivars of the Bola-type paprika red pepper, selected in the Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Alimentario (IMIDA), and grown in Extremadura for 3 years. The colour and the pigment content of the paprika elaborated following the traditional procedure of La Vera were also studied.     

甜瓜茎蔓无刚毛突变体的选育及遗传分析

甜瓜茎蔓无刚毛突变体特征表现为茎蔓及其叶片背部叶脉上均无刚毛,通过对其与正常植株杂交F1、F2代及回交世代的茎蔓性状分离观察研究表明,符合孟得尔的3∶1和1∶1的分离规律;该性状是由1对核基因控制的稳定遗传的隐性性状,可作为苗期遗传标记性状,在杂交育种和品种纯度鉴定上有极大的利用价值。     

The modification of sex expression in papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Field trials with six times normal nitrogen supply produced a significant increase in the proportion of female papaya plants. The addition of nitrogen to the soil increased the leaf nitrogen content but had no effect on the amino acid content. Leaves of male plants contained more nitrogen than female plants but no difference could be detected in the contents of amino acids in the leaves and flower buds. Foliar application of 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 2-chloroethyl-trimethyl ammonium chloride (CCC) resulted in a higher female : male ratio, but maleic hydrazide (MH) and gibberellic acid (GA₃) enhanced maleness. The animal sex hormone stilboesterol dipropionate had no apparent effect on sex expression but the application of testosterone propionate increased the proportion of male plants.     

Effects of biennial cropping and controlled shoot density on yield performance and fruit quality in red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.)

Effects of annual versus biennial cropping with varying shoot densities on plant structure, berry yield and quality were studied in ‘Glen Ample’ raspberry over a period of four seasons (two cropping years). In the vegetative phase, primocane height and internode length were larger in the annual than in the biennial cropping system. These parameters as well as Botrytis infestation increased with increasing shoot density. In both cropping years, berry yields per unit area were about 20% higher in the biennial cropping system, whereas yields per shoot were not significantly different in the two systems. In both cropping systems, yields per shoot strongly declined with increasing shoot density, while yields per metre row increased slightly. Regardless of cropping system, yields per metre row did not increase with increasing shoot density beyond eight shoots per metre. The concentrations of dry matter, soluble solids, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid as well as the intensity of juice colour all declined with increasing shoot density. We conclude that under controlled shoot density conditions, there is little scope for biennial yield increases that fully compensates for the lost crops every second year. However, the system greatly facilitates berry harvest and eases plant disease pressure.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.): I. Direct somatic embryogenesis from tissues of germinating seeds and ontogeny of somatic embryos

Summary

A protocol was developed for induction, maturation and germination of somatic embryos from the tissues of germinating seeds of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). Explants were cultured on growth regulator – free solid SH medium maintained in the dark. The first somatic embryos developing directly from the explant tissue were noticed after 60 d of culture. Somatic embryos originated from a ring-like tissue on the micropylar region of the seeds. Sucrose concentration of the medium was found to be crucial for the induction of somatic embryos, and 30 g l^–1 was found to be the optimum. Maturation and germination of somatic embryos were achieved on the same medium. Suspension culture enhanced the process of maturation and germination. Regenerated plants were established in soil. Histology confirmed the ontogeny and each stage of development. Growth regulators were found to inhibit the induction of somatic embryogenesis. Cytological analysis of the regenerated plants revealed the normal chromosome number of 2n=52.     

Growth Promoting Substances in The Developing Fruit of Peach (Prunus Persica L.)

Growth substances extracted from the ovules of developing fruits of July Queen, Halehaven and Fall Late peaches–respectively early, midseason and late-maturing cultivars–were studied. Whole and fractionated extracts were bioassayed, and the growth of the fruit and the development of the seed were examined.

Determination of “total” growth-promoting substances during the development of the fruits resulted in concentration curves that were generally similar from year to year. The seeds of each cultivar, regardless of its season of maturation, produced a first flush of growth substances that seemed to be correlated with either nucellus or endosperm development. The second and major growth substance peak came at the time of rapid embryo growth and maximum endosperm development. At this time fruits of July Queen ripened and abscissed. A third flush of growth substance was detected at the same time in Halehaven and Fall Late seeds, at which time the embryo was essentially complete. The mature fruits of Halehaven then abscissed, but Fall Late fruits remained on the tree for another three or four weeks before maturation and abscission. It was concluded that the concentration of seed growth substances as measured here was not related to the final-flush of growth of peach fruits, or to the abscission of mature fruits.

In dissected ovules of Halehaven peaches the endosperm was the most concentrated source of total growth substances on a dry weight basis but, because of its small size, it contributed less of them on a per-seed basis than did the the integuments at first, and later the embryo. The nucellus was a minor source of growth substances, both on a concentration and on a per-ovule basis. Apparently, the total growth substances that constituted the second and major auxin peak in Halehaven peach ovules came mostly from the integuments, endosperm and embryo, whereas the third peak could be attributed almost entirely to substances from the embryo. These studies of individual ovule tissues were made after that period of development during which the first growth substance peak made its appearance.

Studies of growth substances in the flesh of developing peach fruits revealed only trace amounts with no consistent pattern, although there is some evidence that a true picture may not have been obtained because of interference by inhibitors.

Silica gel partition column chromatography showed the presence of several growth-promoting substances which changed qualitatively and quantitatively during the growing season. One of these was probably indole-3- acetic acid, its identification being based primarily on studies by gas chromatography and spectrophotofluorometry.     

用于白菜和大白菜品种鉴定的EST-SSR复合标记的建立

 为了有效和全面鉴定白菜和大白菜品种, 研制了由3个引物对组成的6套EST-SSR复合标记 组合, 并形成了多重SSR的最佳实用试验条件。经由这6套标记组合完全鉴别了43个白菜和大白菜品种差异的检测, 并在3个大白菜杂交种个体之间的表现一致, 比较了单引物标记与复合标记的鉴定效率, 验证了这套技术和组合可以表达白菜和大白菜品种间多态性、品种内一致性及稳定性和重复性, 确认其可以高效准确和全面地鉴别白菜和大白菜品种的真实性和杂交种纯度。