Salicylic acid alleviates chilling injury in anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum L.) flowers

We tested if salicylic acid (SA) can alleviate chilling injury in anthurium flowers (Anthurium andraeanum). Cut flowers of five cultivars, individually placed in water, were held at 4 °C and 12 °C. Symptoms of chilling injury (CI) were found in the flowers stored at 4 °C. These symptoms included desiccation of the spadix (the compound floral stalk) and a colour change of the spathe (the large floral bract) to pink and then to brown. The time to the CI symptoms depended on the cultivar. CI symptoms were accompanied by an increase in electrolyte leakage, by loss of fresh weight, and by an increase in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. SA at 2.0 mM in water was applied as a 15 min dip. It delayed the CI symptoms, as well as the loss of fresh weight, the increase in electrolyte leakage, and the increase CAT and SOD activity. The data suggest that CI in this system is related to an increase in the concentrations of active oxygen species.     

Plant regeneration from cultured immature inflorescences of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.)

Summary Shoot development through morphological transformation in spikelets occurred after segments of young unemerged orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) inflorescences were cultured on Linsmaier and Skoog's RM medium supplemented with 0, 4.52×10^-4, 4.52×10^-3 and 2.26×10^-2 mM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Effects on shoot formation were better with 2,4-D than NAA in all concentrations tested. The callus initiated from the primary culture on high 2,4-D medium was reproducible, but no evidence of shoot proliferation was noted. The shoots developed into healthy plantlets after being reared on RM medium not supplemented with hormones.Contribution from South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article No. 1741.     

EMS诱变对缘毛雀麦和直立型扁蓿豆种子萌发的影响

采用0.9％EMS(甲基磺酸乙酯)对缘毛雀麦和直立型扁蓿豆进行不同时间(15,18,45,48 h)浸种处理,测定其发芽起始时间、发芽率、幼苗鲜重等,以探讨EMS对2种牧草种子萌发的影响.结果表明:用0.9％EMS浸种处理15h对缘毛雀麦种子萌发无显著影响,但延长处理3h后则有较显著(p＜0.01)的抑制作用;直立型扁蓿豆种子在处理45 h时相对发芽率显著下降.以相对发芽率达半致死剂量为标准,缘毛雀麦和直立型扁蓿豆种子用0.9％EMS处理的适宜时间分别为18h和48 h.     

饲用新品种威宁芜菁甘蓝的选育

以威宁芜菁甘蓝地方品种为原始材料,采用混合选择法,育成国审品种"威宁芜菁甘蓝"。经多点比较鉴定研究,结果表明:威宁芜菁甘蓝是十字花科,芸苔属二年生草本植物,耐涝、抗冻、抗倒伏、高产、优质,可在不同气候条件地区推广应用;块根产量威宁点最高,为105 358.33 kg/hm2,独山点最低,只有94 319.4 kg/hm2;块根成熟期粗蛋白含量为14.99%,种子成熟期块根粗蛋白含量有所下降,为11.52%;在生产实践中,播种季节随海拔高度而定,海拔1 800 m以上地区种植一般实行春播,1 000 m左右的地区种植一般实行秋播,田间管理要注意对蚜虫及病毒性病害的防治;春播区可与马铃薯、玉米套作,也可单种,秋播区利用冬闲田土种植,一般单种,也可与小麦、油菜套种,或在果树行间种植,不与粮食作物争地,可提高土地复种指数,是一种群众乐于推广种植利用的优良地方饲用作物品种,可加快在长江中上游海拔800～3 000 m及类似生态区推广应用。     

冬枣采后软化衰老研究

以半红期采收的冬枣为试材,研究其采后软化衰老变化。研究表明：在整个贮藏期（0℃）冬枣的硬度变化具有阶段性,PE活性变化与硬度变化呈负相关,PG可能参与了软化的启动。SOD、POD活性随硬度下降都呈下降趋势,但与硬度的相关性不显著,MDA含量变化与硬度变化呈负相关。     

Effects of low temperature storage and sucrose pulsing on the vase life of Lilium cv. Brindisi inflorescences

Lilium cv. Brindisi inflorescences were stored at 2.5 °C for 5, 10, 15 or 20 d, comparing dry storage with storage of the stem ends in water. Prior to storage, inflorescences were treated with 20 or 100 g L⁻¹ sucrose in water, for 20 h at 20 °C. After storage the inflorescences were individually placed in water at 20 °C. The floral buds were still closed at the end of cold storage. In experiments carried out in summer, the time to bud opening was hastened by storage at 2.5 °C in water, more so after a longer period of cold storage. The time to tepal senescence after cold storage in water decreased with the time of storage. The time to tepal abscission was about 1 day longer than the time to tepal senescence. Repeat experiments in late fall and winter additionally showed early leaf yellowing after cold storage. Compared to the experiments in summer, more desiccated floral buds were found in the fall. Pulse treatment with 100 g L⁻¹ sucrose prior to cold storage reduced the number of desiccated buds. However, leaf yellowing was aggravated by the 100 g L⁻¹ sucrose pulse treatment. Compared to cold storage in water, dry storage at 2.5 °C further hastened the time to bud opening and also further hastened tepal senescence and abscission. Dry storage also produced more buds that desiccated or opened poorly. Sucrose treatment (100 g L⁻¹) alleviated the effects of dry storage on tepal senescence and bud desiccation. The data showed that lily cv. Brindisi inflorescences are prone to chilling injury, but can be stored, depending on the treatment, for 5–10 d, during most of the year.     

Biological variance in the colour of Granny Smith apples: Modelling the effect of senescence and chilling injury

The colour of ‘Granny Smith’ apples, harvested from three orchards at two stages of maturity, was measured individually using the CIE L*a*b* system during storage in regular atmosphere at three temperatures: 1, 4 and 10 °C. A model was developed based on a simplified mechanism to describe the development of the apple colour during storage as affected by senescence (aging) and chilling injury. Monitoring of individual apples made it possible to include and to describe the biological variance of colour in batches of apples and to correct the colour of each apple individually for its own biological shift factor (biological age; random effect). The biological shift factor is related to the initial condition and range of colour change. The rate of the colour development was estimated in common (fixed effects) for all batches using non-linear mixed effects regression analysis. The variance accounted for by the developed model, including effects of temperature, harvest maturity and orchard location, was more than 95% on 3211 observations. The overall reaction rate constant of decolouration, combining the effects of senescence and chilling injury, was found to depend on temperature. The temperature that showed the lowest overall reaction rate of decolouration is 8 °C, which is in contrast with the currently recommended storage temperature for ‘Granny Smith’ apples.     

花生栽培种EST-SSRs分布特征及应用研究

利用自行开发的20 160条花生栽培种荚果EST, 通过序列拼接, 获得8 289条无冗余EST。经搜索, 共检测出740个SSR位点, 分布于651条EST中, 发生频率为7.8%, 平均每6.8 kb EST序列含一个SSR位点。功能注释结果表明具生物过程、分子功能和细胞组分的EST分别为73、111和56条。在花生荚果EST-SSR中, 三核苷酸重复类型出现频率最高, 占总SSR的62.8%, 其次是二核苷酸重复类型, 占总SSR的33.6%。在出现的26类重复基序中, AG/TC重复基序出现频率最高, AAG/TTC次之。利用Primer premier 5从651条含有SSR的EST中共设计引物233对, 从中随机选取100对引物检测EST-SSR在花生栽培种中的多态性及在野生种中的可转移性。结果表明, 有86对引物在供试的22个花生栽培品种中得到有效扩增, 其中10对在栽培种中具有多态性, 每对引物检测出的等位基因数2~3个, 平均2.2个。可扩增引物在野生种中的可转移率为12.5%~100%,平均96%。在野生种间检测出多态性的引物76对,每对引物检测出等位基因2~9个, 平均4.06个。     

Characterization of isozyme variation in walnut(Juglans regia L.)

Summary Four leaf enzymes malate dehydrogenase (MDH), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), peroxidase (PX) and aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) of 17 walnut cultivars and two pollen enzymes malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) of 15 walnut cultivars were analysed using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Walnut cultivars of different origin exhibited different numbers of electrophoretic bands and also different relative mobility. Different activity levels and phenotypic groups were detected in studied enzyme systems. Pollen enzymes revealed higher variability than enzymes extracted from the leaves. 15 walnut cultivars were classified into 10 malate dehydrogenase phenotypic groups and 14 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase phenotypic groups based on pollen analyses. 17 cultivars were classified into 9 peroxidase phenotypic groups and 7 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase phenotypic groups based on analyses of leaves. All of the 15 walnut cultivars could be identified and distinguished with electrophoretic analyses of MDH and 6PGD from the pollen while only 10 cultivars were distinguishable with analyses of 6PGD and PRX from the leaves. No variability useful for cultivar identification was observed in MDH and AAT from the leaves.     

Postharvest treatment of polyamines maintains quality and extends shelf-life of table grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Flame Seedless

Investigations were carried out to verify the potential of putrescine and spermidine as a postharvest dip treatment for maintaining quality and extending storage life of table grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Flame Seedless during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Grape clusters were manually harvested at the commercial mature stage and were dipped in different concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mM) of putrescine and spermidine, and then stored at 3–4 °C, and 90–95% RH. Evaluation of physico-chemical parameters and other fruit quality attributes were made at 0 day (before treatment) and at 30, 45, 60 and 75 days of storage. Putrescine and spermidine at the lowest dose (0.5 mM) effectively maintained berry firmness, peel colour (L*, C*, h°) and stabilized anthocyanins as well as suppressing the activity of pectin methylesterase and reducing the rate of electrolyte leakage. The polyamines also retarded the degradation of TSS and TA while maintaining higher total phenol content and reduced decay incidence. Putrescine and spermidine at 1.0 mM exhibited almost similar effects with a 0.5 mM dose. The highest doses (1.5 mM) of both polyamines showed detrimental effects, especially on weight loss, decay incidence, rachis browning and organoleptic properties, as found in the control group, which was commercially acceptable only up to 45 days. Furthermore, analysis of linear regressions and correlations showed that many quality parameters were interdependent. The postharvest dip treatment of spermidine or putrescine at a dose of 0.5 mM for 5 min could be an effective means for prolonging storage and increasing shelf-life of ‘Flame Seedless’ grapes.     

Growth and development of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings under chilling conditions in the field

Maize inbred lines of different origins were grown in spring (for 2 years at early and usual sowing dates) in northeastern Switzerland (latitude 47°27′ N; 550 and 720 m a.s.l.) until five to six leaves were fully developed. Averaged over all observation periods, the group of inbred lines used in hybrids for cool temperate regions (CT lines) showed better heterotrophic and autotrophic shoot growth and faster development than the group of lines adapted to warm tropical regions (CS lines). The more efficient autotrophic shoot growth of CT lines was expressed by higher rates of relative growth (RGR) and relative leaf area expansion (RLGR) and was related to a higher net assimilation rate (NAR) and a lower leaf area ratio (LAR). CT lines had better radiation use efficiency (RUE), higher rates of net photosynthesis (P_N), and lower specific leaf area (SLA) than CS lines. The greater RGR and RLGR of CT line Z 7 as compared to the CS line Penjalinan were related to a higher assimilation rate but not to a better use of carbohydrates; in Z 7 the balance between assimilation production and use resulted in a greater accumulation of soluble carbohydrates and starch. Genotypic variability existed for most growth parameters and was greatest for NAR. Growth responses of inbred lines under field conditions in spring were influenced mainly by temperature. Of all parameters, NAR was correlated best with temperature. Under decreasing temperature, RGR, RLGR, the rate of leaf appearances (RLA) and NAR decreased, whereas LAR, leaf area partitioning (LAP), and SLA increased slightly. The soluble carbohydrate content of Z 7 and Penjalinan also increased. RUE showed the best correlation with the daily minimum air temperature. Within the temperature limits of this experiment, no significant interactions were found between inbred line and temperature.     

四川甘蓝型油菜地方种和推广品种休眠特性的比较研究

对52份四川甘蓝型油菜地方种和24份四川推广品种作了收获前种子发芽试验,研究了四川甘蓝型油菜的休眠特性。结果表明四川甘蓝型油菜品种间的休眠期差异达显著水平,抗收获前发芽资源数量少;地方种与推广品种间发芽指数差异不显著,但发芽率和发芽指数的变幅及分布差异达0.05显著水平,四川甘蓝型油菜推广品种发芽指数的分布较地方种更集中于低和高的范围内;根据材料发芽进程和发芽指数进行聚类分析,将推广品种聚为三类：第一类为第1天发芽高峰类型,第二类为第1、2天发芽高峰类型,第三类为抗收获前发芽类型;地方种聚为四类,比推广品种多一种类型：第1、2天发芽高峰类型。鉴定筛选的四川甘蓝型油菜抗收获前发芽的宝贵资源及其休眠特性,将为甘蓝型油菜的抗收获前发芽生理研究和育种提供信息和材料。     

Influence of year and genetic factors on chilling injury susceptibility in peach (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus persica</Emphasis> (L.) Batsch)

Chilling injury (CI) is a major physiological problem limiting consumption and export of peach and nectarine (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch). To clarify the genetic basis for chilling injury, inheritance of the major CI symptoms mealiness, flesh browning, flesh bleeding, and flesh leatheriness were examined over three years in two related peach progenies. In addition, genetic relationships among traits and the year-to-year variation in trait performance in these progenies were tracked. Both populations also segregated for Freestone-Melting flesh (F-M) and yellow flesh. There were significant differences in CI symptoms among years. The major gene endoPG, which controls the F-M locus, provides resistance to mealiness in non-melting flesh fruit. Only fruit with melting flesh can develop mealiness if the tree possesses other genetic susceptibility factors and/or experiences inducing conditions. The F-M locus also greatly influences susceptibility to flesh bleeding, although the physiological mechanism for this disorder is unclear and may be controlled by a different gene closely linked to endoPG. Unlike mealiness, flesh bleeding occurred primarily in non-melting flesh fruit, particularly when the fruit is white-fleshed. Flesh browning incidence was greater in mealy fruit and was not associated with flesh bleeding. Breeding for CI resistance is thus a viable long-term strategy to reduce losses in the fresh and processed peach and nectarine industries. This study is an important first step to understanding genetic control of CI symptoms in peach.     

Characterization of chilling injury in Heliotropium arborescens and Lantana camara cuttings

Simulated low-temperature shipment of Heliotropium arborescens and Lantana camara cuttings inflicted chilling injury, which was manifested in increased ion leakage in both species. Morning-harvested cuttings of both Lantana and Heliotropium were more sensitive to chilling temperatures than noon-harvested cuttings. However, this difference was expressed only during the summer in Lantana, but both in the winter and summer in Heliotropium cuttings. These results suggest that the chilling injury that occurs during shipment might be alleviated in both species by avoidance of early morning picking of cuttings.

Chilling injury in Lantana was associated with increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and ethylene production rate. On the other hand, in Heliotropium cuttings ROS levels were increased and the ethylene production rate was reduced after storage at all simulated shipment temperatures. Our results may indicate that different mechanisms of chilling injury exist in Lantana and Heliotropium.     

Chilling-injury of harvested tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. Micro-Tom fruit is reduced by temperature pre-treatments

Heat-shocks were used to reduce the development of chilling injury symptoms during ripening of tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Micro-Tom). Mature green tomatoes were immersed in 30-50 °C water for 3-9 min before being chilled at 2.5 °C for 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, or 14 days, and then held at 20 °C for an additional 7-14 days. The affect of both heat-shock and chilling treatments were independent of fruit weight. Measured at 20 °C after 14 days of chilling, fruit exposed to 40 °C for 7 min exhibited reduced chilling injury symptoms, as measured by their advanced ripening score and decreased rate of ion leakage into an isotonic 0.2 M mannitol solution. Reduced rates of leakage from the symplastic compartment probably contributed to the 2-fold decrease in the amount of ions in the apoplastic space, when compared to the control. A subsequent paper will report the results of metabolic profiling of Micro-Tom tomato fruit subjected to treatments that significantly decreased their development of chilling injury symptoms.     

Increasing the rate of ripening of date palm fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cv. Helali by preharvest and postharvest treatments

‘Helali’ is a late season date palm cultivar. At the mature (Bisir) stage, the fruit are astringent as a result of high contents of soluble tannins, and removal of tannins is necessary for the fruit to be edible. During the harvesting season, only 30–40% of the total fruit might normally ripen (Rutab stage) on the tree and the remaining fruit fail to ripen. This study showed that bunch bagging with different materials such as black or blue polyethylene bags, white ‘agrlsafe’ (polypropylene fleece) and paper bags during the growing season significantly increased the rate of fruit ripening and increased Rutab yield per bunch. In this respect, black and blue polyethylene bags were the most effective followed by ‘agrlsafe’ and paper bags. Preharvest ethrel application significantly increased Rutab fruit yield per bunch compared to the controls. There were no significant differences in Rutab yield per bunch between sprays or injection of ethrel into the bunch peduncle. Postharvest dipping of fruit at the Bisir stage in ethrel at 4.2 ml/l and abscisic acid at 1.0 mM significantly enhanced ripening, compared to the controls. However, ABG-3168 (an ethylene blocker) application at 3.33 g/l significantly inhibited ripening, suggesting a role for ethylene in the ripening process. Ethanol vapor significantly hastened ripening of Bisir fruit over 10 days at ambient conditions in desiccators. The response of immature fruit (according to fruit density and TSS) to ethanol vapor was much greater than mature ones. Also, immersion of fruit in water for 10 h significantly increased fruit ripening compared to the controls, but to a lesser extent. It is concluded that ‘Helali’ date ripening could be hastened by bunch bagging during growth, or by exposing the Bisir fruit to ethanol vapor following harvest. Neither treatment showed any negative impact on the overall quality characteristics of ripe fruit, suggesting that they may be practical tools for increasing the ripening rate of Bisir ‘Helali’ dates.     

Genetic relationship in Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper and V. radiata (L.) R. Wilczek based on morphological traits and SDS-PAGE

Thirty seven diverse genotypes of Vigna mungo and three of V. radiataresembling to V. mungo for seed characters were studied to determine the extent of genetic variation based on morphological characters. In addition, 4black seeded genotypes in each species and8 green seeded V. radiata genotypes were included for SDS-PAGE analysis. Seed proteins were analyzed through slab type SDS-PAGE. High variance was observed for plant height, days to flowering, days to maturity, number of branches/plant, number of pods/plant, pod length, seeds per pod,biomass yield/plant, grain yield/plant and harvest index (%) during 2 consecutive years. First four components of PCA with eigenvalues >1 contributed 78.7 and79.1% of the total variance amongst 40genotypes during 1998 and 1999. The populations with high PC₁ values were expected to be high yielding characterised by earlyness, high seed weight and harvest index, all traits strictly related to reproductive phase. Four clusters of genotypes were observed during both the years and genetic diversity was in association for both the years. Based on SDS-PAGE, specific bands were suggested to be used for identifying Vigna radiatafrom mixed germplasm with Vigna mungo. The SDS-PAGE proved to be a powerful tool for differentiating Vigna radiata and Vigna mungo, whereas a low level inter-specific genetic diversity was observed and no clear differentiation was observed both for agronomic characteristics and for geographical origin. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Response to selection for plant height in X-ray treated population of jute (Corchorus capsularis L.) cv. JRC 212

Summary X irradiation of dry seeds of Corchorus capsularis L. cv. JRC 212 induced variations in plant height as evidenced by the high values of genotypic variance and heritability estimate in M₃ generation. Selection on the basis of line mean of plant height in M₃ generation was effective in increasing plant height as well as fibre yield in M₃ generation. A higher response for plant height rather than for fibre yield itself was observed in lower irradiation dose while responses for these two traits were almost similar in higher dose. An average of 12% increase in fibre yield was achieved in M₆ generation when all top five lines were selected. The top two lines, had 17% and 16% higher fibre yield than that of control.