Intergeneric hybridization between Elachanthemum intricatum (Franch.) Ling et Ling and Opisthopappus taihangensis (Y. Ling) C. Shih

Intergeneric hybridizations were produced between Elachanthemum intricatum (Franch.) Ling et Ling and Opisthopappus taihangensis (Y. Ling) C. Shih without emasculation. About 12 and 16 % seed settings were obtained in reciprocal hybridizations. 17 seedlings germinated from 183 seeds from Elachanthemum intricatum (Franch.) Ling et Ling as female parent and 13 seedlings germinated from 109 seeds of Opisthopappus taihangensis (Y. Ling) C. Shih as female parent. 14 and 8 plants survived to maturity respectively. Only one progeny from Elachanthemum intricatum (Franch.) Ling et Ling in these hybridizations was found to be a true hybrid from the morphological characteristics and sequences of nrDNA ITS. The leaves of this new hybrid show some conspicuous intermediate features. The new hybrid has 5–8 mini ray female florets in the outer row of capitula. It is perennial just like its paternal parent (Opisthopappus) in contrast to its biennial maternal parent (Elachanthemum).     

Genetic variability in symbiotic nitrogen fixation between provenances ofAcacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Del.

Summary Differences in nitrogen fixing abilities of 18 provenances (16 from India, 2 from Israel) ofAcacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Del. were assessed in sterilized sand in chillum jars and unsterilized field soil in earthen pots, at Hisar (29°10′N lat., 75°46′E long., 215 m alt.), India. There were significant differences in growth and amount of nitrogen fixed and stored in plants (P < 0.01) between provenances. The values ranged from 10 to 34 mg N/plant in sterilized sand, and 11 to 44 mg N/plant in unsterilized soil. Maximum nodulation and nitrogen fixation occurred in Sirsa provenance followed by Pali, Coimbatore and Chandigarh provenances. Medinipur, Hisar (local provenance) and two exotics fixed significantly (P < 0.01) lower amounts of nitrogen. These differences attributed to genetic variability among provenances ofAcacia nilotica. There were strong and positive correlations between number and mass of nodules with total nitrogen fixed in the plants. The results are important from the point of view of exploiting the genetical variability inA. nilotica in amelioration of wastelands.     

能源植物荻对铜胁迫的耐性和积累特性

通过盆栽试验研究不同Cu2+浓度(0,200,400,800,1 600,3 200 mg/kg)和不同时间(50 d和120 d)铜胁迫对荻叶片生理指标、植株生长及Cu积累特征的影响.结果表明:(1)不同生长期荻叶片的O2 产生速率、MDA含量和质膜透性均随Cu胁迫浓度的升高而增大,当Cu≥1 600mg/kg时,与对照相比三者均显著上升(P＜0.05).(2)脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量总体呈先升后降趋势.(3)荻叶片中的SOD、POD及CAT活性随Cu浓度的增加呈先升后降趋势,当Cu≥1 600 mg/kg时,与对照相比酶活性均显著下降(P＜0.05).(4)当Cu≤800 mg/kg时,光合色素含量与对照之间均无显著性差异(P＞0.05),荻的生长也未受到明显影响(P＞0.05);当Cu≥1 600mg/kg时,光合色素含量显著下降(P＜0.05),其生长受到明显抑制(P＜0.05).(5)荻对Cu的积累能力较强且主要分部在地下部,其将Cu运输到地上部的能力较弱.研究表明,荻不是Cu的超积累植物,但是对Cu具有较强的耐性和稳定化能力,在Cu污染土壤修复方面有一定的应用潜力.     

Valorization of Brazilian vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash ex Small) oil

The valorization of extracts from Brazilian vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash ex Small) roots was studied. This study took into account the extraction method, the chemical composition of the extracts, their sensorial characteristics, and the possibility of chemical transformations of the product. The performed extraction methods were hydrodistillation and extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide. Some pretreatment methods were tested on the vetiver roots and evaluated in terms of extraction yield, process time, chemical composition, and sensorial properties. Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction resulted in high yield (3.2%) in significantly less time than the other methods. The chemical compositions of the extracts obtained by the different methods were also compared to those of commercial vetiver oils from other sources, showing that Brazilian samples had a greater acid amount. An extraction in basic medium from Brazilian vetiver oil was done to remove its main acid (zizanoic acid), which was chemically transformed into an alcohol (khusimol) of desirable sensorial properties. Sensory evaluation indicated that the Brazilian volatile oil without acid could be used in perfumery and the extract obtained with supercritical carbon dioxide could have application in food.     

Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees (kalmegh), a traditional hepatoprotective drug from India

Andrographis paniculata [(Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees, family Acanthaceae], commonly known as kalmegh is used both in Ayurvedic and Unani system of medicines for a number of ailments related to digestion, hepatoprotection, hypoglycaemic and as anti-bacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, vermicidal and antipyretic. Although kalmegh is extensively used in Indian Systems of Medicine, but it is not yet cultivated on a large-scale. The supply of herb is met from the wild growing populations which is now under constrain due to over-collection. Considering its value as a drug raw material, genetic variability of A. paniculata was augmented from different geographical regions of India by explorations and was conserved at the National Gene Bank, NBPGR, New Delhi. The therapeutic activity of the herb has been attributed to andrographolide, a bicyclic diterpenoid lactone present in the whole herb. Thirty germplasm collections of A. paniculata were evaluated for bioactive compound andrographolide to find out superior genotype for high drug yield. The andrographolide content in the germplasm was quantitatively analyzed by high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) at 232 nm. Results indicated wide variability among thirty accessions of A. paniculata for andrographolide content which ranged from 0.72 to 2.99 % on dry weight basis. DIVA-GIS analysis of A. paniculata germplasm for andrographolide content showed that diverse accessions of A. paniculata exist in three Indian states of Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Promising accessions having high andrographolide content were identified; IC520361 (2.99 %), IC520395 (2.86 %), IC399125 (2.81 %), IC369404 (2.77 %) and IC520394 (2.61 %). Due to the economic importance of the drug, these promising collections can be exploited for large-scale cultivation for their pharmacologically important constituents mainly andrographolide content and also can serve as potential source for breeding and improvement of cultivars for obtaining higher drug yield.     

Lignans isolated from Campylotropis hirtella (Franch.) Schindl. decreased prostate specific antigen and androgen receptor expression in LNCaP cells

Accumulating epidemiological data suggest that Asian men have lower incidences of prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) compared with American and European populations and may have benefited from their higher intake of phytoestrogens in their diet. However, how these phytochemicals affect prostatic diseases is still unclear. In this study, we isolated six lignans from a plant, Campylotropis hirtella (Franch.) Schindl., which has been used as a folk medicine for treatment of BPH in China, through bioassay guided fractionation. They were dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (C1), 4-[(-6-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-3-yl)methyl]-5-methoxybenzene-1,3-diol (C2), erythro-guaiacylglycerol-beta-O-4'-coniferyl ether (C3), threo-guaiacylglycerol-beta-O-4'-coniferyl ether (C4), secoisolariciresinol (C5), and prupaside (C6), where C2 was identified as a new lignan analog. Their IC50 values for inhibition of prostate specific antigen (PSA) secretion were 19, 45, 110, 128, 137, and 186 microM, respectively, from C1 to C6 in LNCaP cells. Further study showed that C1-5 down-regulated cellular PSA expression and C1-4 also decreased androgen receptor (AR) expression in LNCaP cells. Furthermore, we investigated the proapoptotic effect of C1 on LNCaP cells. The active forms of caspase 3 associated with the specific proteolysis of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) were detected, and the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 was down-regulated after the treatment with C1. These results collectively indicated that these lignans may have chemopreventive or therapeutic actions for prostate cancer through suppressing AR signaling pathway and inducing apoptosis.     

Genetic and morphological characterization of the endangered Austral papaya Vasconcellea chilensis (Planch. ex A. DC.) Solms

The Austral papaya (Vasconcellea chilensis) is an endangered species that has valuable characteristics for introgression into other papaya species. These characteristics include disease resistance, cold tolerance and latex with low proteolytic activity. It is a species that grows under extreme environmental conditions of drought, salinity and temperature; it is found growing naturally in Chile but today only as three remnant populations. The results presented here, using inter simple sequence repeat molecular markers, along with morphological trait analyses, suggest that these relict populations are the result of a relatively recent fragmentation. This implies that the fragmentation has not yet had its full effect on the genetic variation and so emphasises the need for clear and urgent conservation measures to preserve the remaining genetic variation, particularly for the most northern of the three populations which is presently unprotected.     

山桃生根成苗关键技术研究

山桃是甘肃地区普遍应用的桃树优良砧木,具有抗寒、抗旱的特性。然而山桃通过种子繁殖的方式存在一定比例上的抗性分离现象,而且繁殖周期较长。为探索山桃组培快繁技术。对山桃组培苗的生根培养和炼苗移栽进行了试验。结果表明,以改良QL培养基为基本培养基,当IBA浓度为1.0 mg/L时,试管苗生根效果最好,根系粗壮,侧根较多,生根率达94%以上,平均根数6根以上,平均根长6.8 cm以上;添加80 mg/L PG的处理,无论是生根率、平均根数还是平均根长,较不添加80 mg/L PG的处理相比均表现不理想。将根长超过3 cm的山桃组培苗置于温室中,先遮光炼苗5～7 d,后将瓶盖打开1/2,并配制800倍多菌灵溶液少量倒入组培瓶中,4 d后可将瓶盖全部打开继续炼苗5～7 d,组培苗根系生长基本正常,炼苗成活率可达88%。     

Ethnobotanical investigation and diversity of Gbolo (Crassocephalum rubens (Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moore and Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore), a traditional leafy vegetable under domestication in Benin

Thirty five villages randomly selected across ethnic and agro-ecological zones of Benin were surveyed to document the indigenous knowledge associated with the domestication (bringing into cultivation), production and utilization of vegetable Gbolo (Crassocephalum spp.). The study revealed the existence of different morphotypes (1–4 per village) corresponding to two botanical species (Crassocephalum rubens (Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moore) and (Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore) found unequally distributed throughout the country. The domestication (bringing into cultivation from the wild) of Gbolo was started in many villages and with some tribes in southern Benin, the vegetable is already being produced in sole cropping for commercial purposes. Regular consumption (49.90 % of responses) and scarcity (20.30 % of responses) were the two main reasons attributed by the interviewees for domestication of the vegetable. The cultural practices recorded were of five categories. The commonest cropping system found was mixed or inter-row cropping (92.31 % of producers) with either vegetable crops (53.85 % of producers) or non-vegetable crops (38.46 % of users). Sauce prepared with either fresh or dried leaves was the main type of preparation of Gbolo and the vegetable was reported to possess special nutritional and medicinal values. For further promotion, important researches directions are suggested.     

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.     

Changes in the diversity and geographic distribution of cultivated millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) varieties in Niger between 1976 and 2003

Changes in the diversity of landraces in centres of diversity of cultivated plants need to be assessed in order to monitor and conserve agrobioversity—a key-element of sustainable agriculture. This notably applies in tropical areas where factors such as increased populations, climate change and shifts in cropping systems are hypothesized to cause varietal erosion. To assess varietal erosion of staple crops in a country subjected to various anthropogenic and natural environmental changes, we carried out a study based on a comparison of the diversity of pearl millet and sorghum varieties collected in 79 villages spanning the entire cereal-growing zone of Niger over a 26 year period (1976–2003). For these two crops, the number, name and type of varieties according to important traits for farmers were considered at different spatial scales (country, region, village) at the two collection dates. The results confirmed the high diversity of millet and sorghum varieties in Niger. No erosion of varietal diversity was noted on a national scale during the period covered. Some changes were observed but were limited to the geographical distribution of certain varieties. This highlights that farmers’ management can preserve the diversity of millet and sorghum varieties in Niger despite recurrent and severe drought periods and major social changes. It also indicates that rainfed cereal cropping systems in Niger should remain to be based on millet and sorghum, while reinforcing farmers’ seed systems.     

Low genetic diversity in wild emmer (T. turgidum L. subsp. dicoccoides (Körn. ex Asch. et Graebn.) Thell.) from South-eastern Turkey revealed by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism

The present work was carried out to study genetic diversity among 17 populations of wild emmer wheat sampled from South-eastern Turkey, considered to be an important region for domestication of wheat. Eleven RFLP clones and 4 restriction enzymes combinations were used to probe the genomic DNA. A total of 151 polymorphic loci were obtained from the enzyme-probe combinations. The Genetic Distance (GD) values were from 0.019 (Gaziantep-3 and Sanliurfa-4) to 0.200 (Gaziantep-1 and K. Maras). Cluster analysis results showed that populations formed 2 clades within the dendrogram. Population Gaziantep-1 was unique and genetically most diverse from the remaining 16 populations. The results of average genetic distance (GD) among populations suggested that narrow genetic variability exist among 17 populations in the present study.     

Synchronous evidence from both phenotypic and molecular signatures for the natural occurrence of sympatric hybridization between cultivated soybean (Glycine max) and its wild progenitor (G. soja)

The genus Glycine subgenus Soja includes two species, the important crop, soybean (G. max), and its wild progenitor (G. soja), and an intermediate semi-wild type (G. gracilis). However, the origin of the semi-wild type is in dispute, from independent evolutionary processes or from sympatric hybridization, although many studies support the hypothesis of a hybridization origin. Here, we reveal conclusive evidence for the natural occurrence of sympatric hybridization between wild and cultivated soybeans leading to G. gracilis by capturing natural F₁ seeds based on phenotypic and molecular signatures. The F₁ hybrids occurred through pollen flow between wild and cultivated soybeans, with many heterozygous loci and similar genetic parameters compared to the maternal wild populations; while paternal soybeans showed the lowest genetic diversity. The F-statistics showed genetic differentiation of the hybrids from the paternal soybeans and maternal wild populations; the differentiation of hybrids from wild soybeans was less than that of hybrids from cultivated soybeans. Natural F₁ hybrids generated various seed sizes in the offspring, suggesting that cultivar-genes introgressed into wild soybeans, and the degree of outcrossing in wild soybeans seems to be very important for gene spread, exchange and recombination in the evolution of populations.     

Detecting hybridization in wild (Coturnix c. coturnix) and domesticated (Coturnix c. japonica) quail populations

Two subspecies of Coturnix coturnix have allopatric distributions in Europe, Maghreb and western Asia (the Common quail C. c. coturnix), and in eastern Asia (the Japanese quail C. c. japonica), except for sympatric breeding areas in the Baikal (Russia) and Kentei (Mongolia) regions, where they could hybridize. Japanese quails have been reproduced in captivity for centuries and domesticated. Massive releasing of Japanese domesticated quails, or hybrids, in west European countries might threaten with hybridization the gene pool of wild quail populations. Here, we used mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA markers (microsatellites), and Bayesian admixture analyses aiming to assess subspecies distinction and identify hybrids in wild and captive-reared quails. A phylogenetic tree identified two major mtDNA clades, corresponding to the two subspecies, and allowed detecting 12 hybrids in wild Common quails sampled in Spain. Additional hybrids were identified in wild quails sampled in Spain, Italy and Senegal using microsatellite markers. Wild quails sampled in Mongolia showed japonica mtDNAs, but their microsatellite genotypes were admixed, suggesting that Common and Japanese quails can hybridize in nature. Some captive-reared stocks of Japanese quails were also admixed. Introgression of domesticated Japanese quail genes in wild Common quail populations might affect the phenotypic expression of functional traits, as body size, feather colours, sexual calls and migratory behaviours. Hence, restocking with captive-reared non-native quails should be banned.     

Composition of the essential oil of Citrus tamurana Hort. ex Tanaka (Hyuganatsu)

The composition of the essential oil of Citrus tamurana Hort. ex Tanaka (Hyuganatsu), isolated by the cold-pressing method, was investigated by capillary GC and GC-MS. The effects of harvesting time, degree of freshness, and size of fruits on the composition of Hyuganatsu peel oils were also determined. A total of 126 volatile constituents were confirmed in the Hyuganatsu oils. The Hyuganatsu oils contained hydrocarbons (95.95-96.95%), aldehydes (0.33-0.62%), alcohols (1.91%-2.64%), ketones (0.40-0.62%), esters (0.28-0.39%), oxides (0.04-0.06%), acids (0.01%), and trace amounts of fugenol methyl ether. Monoterpene hydrocarbons were predominant. Limonene (80.35-82.39%), gamma-terpinene (7.71-9.03%), myrcene (2.11-2.28%), linalol (1.37-2.01%), and alpha-pinene (1.17-1.43%) were the most abundant components in Hyuganatsu oils. The principal sesquiterpene hydrocarbon was trans-beta-farnesene (0.60-1.04%), and its content in Hyuganatsu oils was higher than in oils of other citrus fruits. The number of ketones and the content of l-carvone in Hyuganatsu oils were higher than in other citrus oils.     

Effects of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica on the symbiotic relationships between different strains of Rhizobia and Acacia holosericea (A Cunn. ex G. Don)

Several strains of Bradyrhizobium, Mesorhizobium and Sinorhizobium strains were tested for their compatibility with an Australian acacia: Acacia holosericea. All bacterial strains induced some nodule formation on roots. However, the rhizobia which greatly increased the development of seedlings belonged to the Bradyrhizobium genus. The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica, strongly inhibited the symbiosis with most of the rhizobial strains. The rhizobia had no effect on nematode multiplication except for bacterial strain ORS 1020 where the final nematode population was higher than in the control treatment. The hypothesis concerning the interactions between nematodes and the nitrogen fixative process are discussed. Moreover, this investigation underlines the decreasing effect of nematodes on the potential benefits that may result from growing A. holosericea inoculated with selected rhizobial strains.     

Variation of cultivated flax (Linum usitatissimum L. subsp.usitatissimum) and its wild progenitor pale flax (subsp.angustifolium (Huds.) Thell.)

The domestication of cultivated flax (Linum usitatissimum L. subsp.usitatissimum) is briefly discussed. Using data documented as a matter of routine in genebank work, 63 accessions of cultivated flax from the flax germplasm collection of the Gatersleben Genebank are compared with 73 accessions of its wild progenitor pale flax (subsp.angustifolium (Huds.) Thell.), which have been observed in systematic field trials. Range of variation, genetically based variation, heritability and correlation of several characters are considered, especially with respect to the influence of domestication. Cultivated flax shows higher variation in the characters of generative plant parts, while pale flax varies more in the vegetative parts of the plant. The character correlations are similar in both subspecies. Of the 29 characters studied in pale flax the parameters describing tillering, height of plant, weight of seeds, width of petals and width of leaves are especially suitable for distinguishing between different accessions. In spite of the high heritabilities of most of the characters, the influence of the environment is significant in most cases.     

Juice components of a new pigmented citrus hybrid Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck x Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan

Fruit juice of a new pigmented citrus hybrid named Omo-31 and those of its parents clementine cv. Oroval (Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan.) and Moro orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] were analyzed during fruit maturation to determine juice yield, total soluble solids (TSS), total acidity (TA), TSS/TA ratio (classical parameters of quality), and potential health beneficial components, such as vitamin C, flavanones, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids. Results showed that juice yield, TA, TSS, and TSS/TA ratio values of Omo-31 were similar to those of the Moro orange. Vitamin C content of the new hybrid was slightly higher than that of clementine and lower than that of the Moro orange, but at maturity stage no differences were observed among the three genotypes. The phenolic compounds content of the new hybrid and those of the parents and their evolution during maturation were studied. At maturity stage the amount of anthocyanins, flavanones, and hydroxycinnamic acids in Omo-31 was found to be notably higher than those of the parents. The high level of antioxidant substances makes this new fruit important for its nutritional benefits.