玉米叶片水分利用效率与叶绿素a荧光参数的关系

利用Handy PEA植物效率仪测定叶绿素a荧光参数,研究玉米自交系叶片水分利用效率(WUE)与叶绿素a荧光参数的关系。结果表明,玉米自交系叶片WUE与叶绿素a荧光参数呈极显著的正相关。其中,F_o与高水分利用效率(HWUE)玉米自交系WUE的相关系数大于低水分利用效率(LWUE)玉米自交系WUE的相关系数;最大荧光(Fm)、可变荧光(F_v)、PSⅡ原初光能转换效率(F_v/F_m)和PSⅡ潜在活性(F_v/F_o)与水分利用效率不同的玉米自交系叶片WUE的相关系数恰好相反,这是造成不同玉米自交系WUE存在差异的生理原因之一,同时也说明叶绿素a荧光参数可以作为选育HWUE玉米自交系的重要指标。     

低温胁迫及恢复对玉米光合特性的影响

以玉米自交系掖478、合344、吉853为材料,在不同低温胁迫及恢复正常温度情况下比较幼苗光合作用及叶绿素荧光参数等指标的变化。结果表明,随着胁迫温度的下降和低温胁迫时间的延长,3个玉米自交系幼苗叶片初始荧光F_o呈上升趋势,F_v/F_o、F_v/F_m整体上均呈下降趋势。叶绿素荧光参数随着低温胁迫程度的加强变化较大,且相同温度下的变化幅度掖478<合344<吉853。3个玉米自交系在各温度胁迫后恢复到常温时的叶片初始荧光F_o下降,F_v/F_m、F_v/F_o整体上呈上升趋势。掖478恢复常温1～2 d后恢复到正常水平,抗冷性最强;吉853的PSⅡ系统受损较重,恢复常温3 d未达正常水平,抗冷性较弱。     

种植密度对夏玉米果穗叶生理功能衰退的影响

以郑单958为供试品种,在大田条件下研究不同种植密度对夏玉米果穗叶生理功能衰退特性的影响。结果表明：果穗叶叶绿素a+b含量、原初光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)潜在活性(F_v/F_o)、可溶性蛋白、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性均随果穗叶功能期的推进呈下降趋势,且随密度的增大下降趋势明显,吐丝后39d下降最显著;果穗叶叶绿素a/b、丙二醛(MDA)含量呈逐渐上升趋势。随着种植密度的增大,果穗叶光能转化和自身保护酶系活性下降,光合生产能力减弱,造成果穗叶生理功能早衰,缩短了叶片功能期。     

玉米光合生理对苗期土壤水分亏缺的响应

在盆栽条件下研究了不同程度土壤水分亏缺下玉米苗期光合生理变化特征。结果表明:在土壤水分亏缺下,玉米叶片光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾强度(Tr)均有不同程度下降,叶片水分利用效率(WUE_L)有不同程度升高。轻度水分亏缺植株叶片表观光量子效率(AQY)比对照下降了6.9%,羧化效率(CE)比对照下降了26.3%,CO₂补偿点(Γ)比对照升高了55.8%;重度水分亏缺处理表观光量子效率比对照下降了27.6%,玉米叶片羧化效率(CE)比对照下降了46.4%,CO₂补偿点比对照升高了193.8%。土壤水分亏缺导致玉米叶片PSⅡ反应中心光化学效率(F_v/F_m)和潜在光化学效率(F_v/F_o)降低,光化学淬灭系数(qP)降低,非光化学系淬灭系数(qN)升高。轻度水分亏缺下,气孔限制是光合速率下降的主要原因;重度水分亏缺下,非气孔限制是光合速率下降的主要原因。     

高温胁迫下镁对小麦旗叶光合特性及产量的影响

为了解施镁对小麦后期高温胁迫的缓解效应,采用盆栽试验方法,以自然条件为对照(昼夜温度分别为26和16 ℃),研究了灌浆期花后14~20 d 和花后21~27 d高温胁迫（昼夜温度分别为32和22 ℃）下,施镁（20 kg·hm^-2）对小麦产量和旗叶光合特性的影响。结果表明,高温胁迫显著降低了小麦产量,且以花后21~27 d高温胁迫影响最大;施镁能显著增加穗粒数、千粒重和籽粒产量。高温胁迫降低了旗叶叶绿素含量、净光合速率（P_n）、气孔导度（G_s）、蒸腾速率（T_r）、光化学效率（F_v/F_m）和实际光量子产量（Φ_PSⅡ）,各指标均以花后21~27 d高温处理降幅最大,而胞间二氧化碳浓度（C_i）则表现出相反趋势;相同温度处理下,施镁则显著提高了旗叶叶绿素含量、P_n、G_s、T_r、F_v/F_m、Φ_PSⅡ,表明镁素施用能有效缓解花后高温对叶片光合能力的伤害,有助于光合产物的积累和产量的形成。     

密度对不同株型玉米光合特性及产量的影响

对不同密度条件下3个不同株型春玉米的光合特性及产量进行了研究。结果表明,随密度增加叶面积指数(LAI)、初始荧光(F₀)上升,单株功能叶片光合速率(P_n)、PSⅡ的潜在活性(F_v /F₀)、PSⅡ最大光化学量子产量(F_v /F_m)下降;产量构成因素表现为单位面积有效穗数先上升后下降,穗粒数下降,百粒重变化因品种而异。先玉335、金玉4号和吉农大302最高产量分别为9 638.45、8 523.94、8 330.92 kg/hm²;先玉335最适播种密度为75 000株/hm²,吉农大302为60 000～67 500株/hm²,金玉4号为45 000株/hm²。先玉335群体产量与LAI、单株F₀呈正相关,与单株P_n、F_v /F_m、F_v /F₀呈负相关;吉农大302与金玉4号群体产量与LAI、单株F₀呈负相关,与单株P_n、F_v /F_m、F_v /F₀呈正相关,且金玉4号的相关程度要高于吉农大302。     

水肥一体化条件下施氮量对小麦旗叶叶绿素荧光特性及产量的影响

为探讨水肥一体化条件下施氮量对小麦旗叶叶绿素荧光特性及籽粒产量的影响,以小麦品种济麦22为试验材料,设每公顷施纯氮0（N0）、150（N1）、180（N2）、210（N3）和240 kg（N4）五个处理,通过大田试验分析了不同处理间小麦旗叶PSⅡ 最大光化学量子效率（F_v/F_m）、PSⅡ实际光化学效率（Φ_PSⅡ）、叶绿素相对含量、籽粒灌浆速率及产量的差异。结果表明,花后14~35 d,小麦旗叶F_v/F_m在N3和N4处理间无显著差异,但二处理显著高于其他处理。花后0~35 d,N3处理的旗叶Φ_PSⅡ最高,施氮量再增加至N4时,Φ_PSⅡ无显著变化。花后14~28 d,N3和N4处理的旗叶叶绿素相对含量显著高于其他处理;花后35 d,N3处理显著高于N4处理。粒重和灌浆速率在灌浆前期均随施氮量增加而降低;灌浆后期N3与N4处理间粒重和灌浆速率无显著差异,但二处理显著高于其他处理。籽粒产量在N3处理下最高;在施氮量增加至N4时,籽粒产量不再增加,且氮肥生产效率和氮肥农学效率分别下降了14.6%和24.0%。在本试验条件下,210 kg·hm^-2是兼顾高产和高效的最佳施氮量。     

水分胁迫对不同抗旱性燕麦品种光合及产量形成的影响

为了解水分胁迫对不同抗旱性燕麦品种光合和产量的影响,以抗旱性不同的蒙燕1号和坝莜3号为材料,在拔节期和抽穗期采用防雨棚盆栽方式,测定分析了不同水分处理［重度胁迫（30%田间持水量（FWC））、中度胁迫（45%FWC）,适度控水（60%FWC）和正常供水（CK,75%FWC）］下燕麦叶片叶绿素含量、气体交换速率、叶绿素荧光动力学参数、产量及其构成因素的差异。结果表明,两个燕麦品种叶片叶绿素a含量、叶绿素b含量及叶绿素总含量、净光合速率、蒸腾速率、最大荧光、最大光化学效率（F_v/F_m）、实际光化学效率、光化学猝灭系数均随着水分胁迫程度的加剧而下降,初始荧光与非光化学淬灭系数则呈上升趋势,且水分敏感品种坝莜3号的光合受抑制程度显著大于抗旱品种蒙燕1号。燕麦的光合特性和产量受水分胁迫影响的程度整体上表现为拔节期大于抽穗期。中度和重度水分胁迫下坝莜3号的每穗小穗数、千粒重均下降,而每穗秕粒数显著增加,减产13.9%～25.7%。蒙燕1号的产量在适度控水条件下未显著下降,且水分利用效率较高,而在中度和重度水分胁迫下每穗小穗数和穗粒数均显著降低,导致减产9.1%～23.5%,但其 F_v/F_m和叶绿素a/b值较高;在相同水分条件下蒙燕1号的产量显著高于坝莜3号。这说明在水分胁迫下抗旱性强的燕麦品种的光系统Ⅱ的损伤和光抑制较轻,光合同化能力较强,产量损失少。     

高光、水分和盐胁迫下小麦光合特性和抗氧化酶系统的比较

为了解植物光合机构及抗氧化酶系统对高光、水分及盐胁迫的适应机制,比较分析了光强1 800 μmol·m^-2·s^-1、20% 聚乙二醇（PEG-6000）和0.3 mol·L^-1 NaCl处理下小麦叶绿素荧光以及抗氧化酶活性的变化。结果表明,与对照相比,高光胁迫、水分胁迫和盐胁迫下小麦叶片相对含水量、总蛋白含量以及叶绿素含量均下降,以水分胁迫效应最显著,盐胁迫次之。三种胁迫均显著降低了小麦叶片的光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、PSII最大光化学效率（F_v/F_m）及电子传递率（ETR）,而显著增加胞间CO₂浓度、非光化学淬灭（NPQ）、脯氨酸及可溶性糖含量,也以水分胁迫效应最显著。三种胁迫下小麦叶片内的超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）及过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性随胁迫时间的延长呈现不同的变化趋势。其中,SOD活性在三种胁迫下均呈先升后降的趋势;POD活性在高光和水分胁迫下先升后降,而在盐胁迫下呈上升趋势;CAT活性在高光和盐胁迫下呈上升趋势,而在水分胁迫下呈下降趋势。以上结果表明,在三种环境胁迫中,水分胁迫给小麦带来的伤害最严重,盐胁迫次之,高光胁迫最轻。 此外,小麦抗氧化酶系统在高光胁迫、水分胁迫及盐胁迫下应答机制不同。     

水分胁迫对玉米苗期叶绿素荧光参数的影响

以玉米品种京科25和吉单261为试验材料,研究苗期叶片叶绿素荧光参数。结果表明,水分胁迫对叶绿素荧光参数的影响非常显著,玉米叶片的基础荧光增大,而可变荧光、PSⅡ光化学效率及PsⅡ潜在活性显著降低;在水分胁迫条件下,吉单261 PSⅡ原初光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、光化学淬灭系数(qP)、实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)及电子传递速率(ETR)的下降较少,非光化学淬灭系数(qN)增加较少。表明吉单261在水分胁迫条件下,光合机构受破坏较轻,其吸收的光能可以较多的用于光化学转化,通过热耗散的能量较少。     

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.     

Mineral composition of some traditional Mexican teas

Teas of plant origin traditionally consumed by the Mountain Pima of Chihuahua, Mexico, were analyzed for mineral nutritional content. Fe, Cu, Zn, Ca, and Mg composition was determined for native teas made from shoots ofTagetes lucida, T. filifolia, Elytraria imbricata, andHolodiscus dumosus, and from root xylem ofCeanothus depressus andPhaseolus ritensis. Native uses of these teas are also described.     

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.