甜菜新品种吉甜204的选育

甜菜新品种吉甜２０４是由３个自交系杂交而成的二倍体甜菜品种。该品种根产量稳定。含糖率较高，抗褐斑病能力较强。吉林省区域试验结果，块根产量、含糖率、产糖量分别比对照品种范育１号提高１０．３７％、０．５６度、１４．１％。吉甜２０４属标准偏高糖型甜菜新品种。     

甜菜多倍体新品种包育301的选育

甜菜多倍体新品种包育３０１是由四倍体Ｂ４０１与二倍体ＢＳ７９－１杂交而成的。该品种具有丰产性稳定、含糖率高、抗褐斑病、抗黄化毒病和丛根病，在内蒙古自治区区域试验及生产示范中，其平均块根产量、含糖率和产糖量分别比统一对照品种工农５号提高５％、１．０度和１３．４％，属于标准型优良品种。     

甜菜新品种甘糖三号的选育

甜菜新品种甘糖三号是以两个抗病高糖品系杂交而成的二倍体甜菜新品种，其亲本品系采用系统选育的方法。该品种块根产量高，工艺品质好，抗黄化毒病和白粉病，经区试结果，平均块根产量比对照增产１０．４％，含糖率（１８．１６％）提高０．４５％，产糖量比对照增加１３．１％。     

甜菜二倍体雄性不育杂交种：吉洮201的选育

吉洮２０１是以自育二倍体雄性不育系ＪＴＭ一０１Ａ为母本，８４８Ｓ５一３３１５抗病系为父本配制的甜菜二倍体雄性不育条交种（原代号洮３３１５ＭＳＣ）．该品种在吉林省甜菜品种区域试验中（１９９１～１９９３年），平均块根产量、合糖率和产糖量，分别比对照提高１０．８％、１．３６度、２１．２％；生产试验中根产量、含糖率、产糖量分别比对照提高１９．０％、１．０８度、２６．５％，且褐斑病病级低于对照１级，属抗病标准偏高糖型品种，适宜在吉林省西部、中部及内蒙古东部甜菜产区种植。     

甜菜新品种中甜—甘糖5号的选育

中甜－甘糖五号是高产糖量的多粒雄性不育杂交种。在气候条件适宜的区域，丰产性好，含糖稳定，较抗黄化毒病和白粉病。参加全国甜菜品种区域试验，在新疆石河子，新疆和静，宁夏银川，甘肃武威４点达到丰产甜菜新品种标准，平均块根产量较对照提高２２．９％，含糖率较对照提高０．６２度，产糖量较对照提高２９．２％。     

甜菜新品种吉甜206的选育

甜菜新品种吉甜２０６是以普通二倍体有性杂史后代单株系７３２－３和７５３－８互为父母本杂交而成。该品种在吉林省区域试验表现根产量、含糖率与产糖量分别比对照品种范育一号提高６．０％、１３度与１４．４％，在吉林省生产示范根产量、含糖率与产糖量分别比对照品种吉甜２０１提高１３．２％、１．６度与２５．４％，吉甜２０６是一个适应性广、抗病性强的高糖型甜菜新品种。     

抗（耐）丛根病两个甜菜新品种的选育

宁甜单优１号和宁甜双优１号杂优品种系以抗（耐）丛根病为选育目标，经１９９３、１９９４年在宁夏、甘肃、内蒙三省（区）病地、非病地广泛设点试验、示范育成。宁甜单优１号在病地产量平均为３５９１．４ｋｇ／亩，平均含糖１３．９１％，产糖量５００．３ｋｇ／亩，根产量、含糖率与产糖量分别比当地对照种提高２０７．５％、２．３７度与２７６．９５％；宁甜双优１号在病地平均根产量为３０３１．１ｋｇ／亩，平均含糖１３．６１％，产糖量４１４．１ｋｇ／亩，比当地对照种根产量、含糖率与产糖量分别增加１５９．５％、２．０７度与２１２．０２％。在非（轻）病地两品种分别比当地对照品种增产３７．７％、１２．８８％，含糖均比对照提高１．０度，适应性广泛，现已在宁夏、甘肃、内蒙等省区推广种植。     

甜菜多倍体新品种-包育302的选育

甜菜多倍体新品种—包育302系多倍体高糖型杂交种,由四倍体品系BS95429作母本,与自育二倍体品系BS79-1作父本杂交育成,该品种丰产性稳定,含糖高,抗病性强,对丛根病有较强耐病性。在2000～2001年的内蒙古自治区甜菜品种区域试验中,两年均达到高糖型品种标准,其块根产量、含糖率、产糖量两年平均比对照分别提高3.5%、1.00度和9.7%;在2001年的生产试验中,根产量、含糖率和产糖量分别比对照提高28.1%、1.28度和37.1%。     

甜菜多倍体新品种甜研307的选育

甜研３０７为标准型多粒多倍体杂交种。１９８６年以自育的四倍体杂交种与二倍体品系甜２０２杂交，经过试验鉴定，生产试验等，平均块根产量２１４７．１６ｋｇ／亩、含糖率１５．０４％、产糖量３１７．３８ｋｇ／亩，分别比对照种增产５．６８％～１０．９％、提高含糖率０．５１％～０．６９％、产糖量增加１１．３６％～１５．５３％：褐斑病发病病级为０．６～１．０级，比对照低０．３～０．７级，在黑龙江、内蒙、宁夏、新疆等地表现根产量、含糖率较高，抗病能力较强，稳产性好。     

甜菜多倍体新品种甜研309的选育

甜研３０９是由四倍体甜４２７与二倍体甜２１１杂交而成的普通多倍体品种。该品种具有抗病性较强、含糖较高、丰产性稳定、适应性广等优点。区试中，平均根产量３０５６２ｋｇ／ｈｍ２，分别比统一对照甜研３０２、当地对照增产５．０１％、１１．１２％；平均含糖率１５．１８％，分别较上述对照提高０．１６度、０．６７度；产糖量４６６１ｋｇ／ｈｍ２，分别较上述对照提高５．８２％、１７．４７％。甜研３０９在“八五”国家甜菜育种攻关项目中的丛根病品系鉴定试验中，在内蒙、宁夏、甘肃、新疆等试验点表现出较强的耐丛根病性。     

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).