Leaf epicuticular wax as a factor of antixenotic resistance of cabbage to cabbage flea beetles and cabbage stink bugs attack

The aim of present research was to establish the role of epicuticular wax content in eight cabbage genotypes (four white hybrids and one red hybrid, two red varieties and one white variety) in the context of its natural resistance to attack cabbage flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.) and cabbage stink bugs (Eurydema spp.), which are among the most important cabbage pests in southern Europe. For this reason and for the purpose of diminishing the use of synthetic insecticides against the cabbage pests the field experiments in 2006 and 2008 were conducted. We found out that individual cabbage genotypes – they had different epicuticular wax content – differ in regard to their susceptibility to attacks by the studied groups of harmful insect pests. The highest susceptibility to attacks by Phyllotreta spp. was confirmed for the hybrid ‘Cheers F1’, in the first year (1.68 ± 0.05), as well as in the second year of the experiment (2.87 ± 0.13). Cabbage stink bugs in both years of the experiment caused the highest extent of injuries on the hybrids ‘Destiny F1’, ‘Cheers F1’, and ‘Vestri F1’. In both years we found higher epicuticular wax content in red cabbage genotypes. In almost all studied genotypes we found a pronounced negative correlation between the content of epicuticular wax and the extent of injuries done by both groups of harmful pests. We have established that epicuticular wax is an important factor of cabbage's antixenotic resistance to attacks by cabbage flea beetles and cabbage stink bugs, and that the cabbage genotypes with higher content of this substance are consequently more suitable for environmentally acceptable manners of cabbage production.     

干旱胁迫对水稻叶表面蜡质积累的影响

环境胁迫一直以来是影响植物生长和农作物产量的主要因素，而覆盖植物叶片表层的蜡质层在植物生长发育和适应外界环境方面起着关键作用。本试验以中花11、广盐2号和Z46这3个水稻品种进行干旱胁迫处理，通过扫描电镜观察叶片表面蜡质覆盖密度，以及测定叶片相对含水量、叶绿素浸提率以及失水率等生理指标，从而综合分析干旱胁迫对不同水稻品种叶片表面蜡质积累的影响。结果表明：干旱胁迫条件下，3个试验的水稻品种叶片相对含水量降低，叶表面蜡质覆盖量增加，叶绿素浸提率以及离体叶片失水率下降。     

Ultraviolet leaf reflectance of common urban trees and the prediction of reflectance from leaf surface characteristics

The spectral reflectance and transmittance over the wavelength range of 250–700 nm were evaluated for leaves of 20 deciduous tree species and leaf sheaths of five isogenic wax variants of Sorghum bicolor differing in visible reflectance due to cuticular waxes. Using the sorghum sheath reflectance and cuticle surface characteristics as a model, it was concluded that tree leaf reflectance above 0.06 was likely due to the presence of variously-shaped fine epicuticular wax structures on the leaf surface. Increasing the density of sub-micron wax structures corresponded to an enhanced ultraviolet (UV) reflectance over the PAR reflectance of a given leaf surface—either S. bicolor sheath or tree leaf. Amorphous globular epicuticular wax structures did not appear to scatter UV as well as wax filaments or vertical plates in varying patterns even when the dimensions of the structures were similar. Further work is needed to clarify this relationship and the influence of cellular pigments on subsurface contributions to the reflectance.     

Epicuticular Wax of Norway Spruce Needles as Indicator of Traffic Pollutant Deposition

Two-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) seedlings were exposed to trafficemissions along roadsides with three different trafficdensities and speed limits; highway, street and aquiet local road. Deposition of the polyaromatichydrocarbons (PAH) was determined at all sites usingmoss bags as an indicator of organic traffic pollutantdeposition. Short term concentrations of atmosphericnitrogen oxides (NO_x) and aerosol black carbon(BC) were also recorded from the sites. The responsesof the needle epicuticular wax structure of theexposed spruce seedlings were analysed under thescanning electron microscopy (SEM). The epistomatalwax structure of needles was distinctively fused andaggregated along the highway and street withrelatively high traffic densities. Along the localroad, where the traffic density was low, nosignificant degradation of needle epicuticular wax wasobserved. The NO_x and BC data, along with PAHsaccumulated in moss bags indicate significantdeposition of gaseous pollutants and particulateorganic compounds along the highway and street andthese are suggested as cause of the epicuticular waxdegradation. Epistomatal wax structure is thus suggested to be an early indicator of traffic exposure effects.     

Einfluß von Mg- und Ca-Mangel auf Mg- und Ca-Gehalte,Chlorophyllgehalt und Chlorophyllfluoreszenz von Fichtennadeln sowie auf die Mikromorphologie und Benetzbarkeit ihrer epicuticulären Wachse

The influence of Mg- and Ca-deficiency on the micromorphology of epicuticular waxes and on the wettability of spruce needles The influence of Mg- and Ca-deficiency in nutrient solution on epicuticular waxes of needles of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) was investigated in greenhouse experiments. Spruce clones were cultivated in sand and supplied with nutrient solution. For two vegetation periods, plants of the treatment groups -Mg, -Ca and -Mg/-Ca were provided with only 15 % of the respective mineral element of the control. At the end of the second vegetation period, the nutrient deficiency was documented by reduced Mg- and/or Ca-content of the needles and changes in chlorophyll fluorescence. No effect on micromorphology of epicuticular waxes and wettability of needles of any age was observed following deficient Mg and/or Ca supply.     

Effect of the epicuticular waxes of fruits and vegetables on the photodegradation of rotenone

The effect of epicuticular waxes extracted from fruits (apple, nectarine, pear, and plum) and vegetables (tomato and eggplant) on the photodegradation of rotenone was studied. The waxes affected the decay rate and the degradation pathway of this botanical insecticide. Tomato, nectarine, and plum waxes decreased the photodegradation rate compared to controls, whereas apple and pear waxes increased it. Rotenone irradiated under sunlight without waxes gave seven photoproducts; in contrast, in the presence of waxes it changed its behavior, leading to different pathways according to the wax employed. The main photoproduct formed was 12abeta-rotenolone.     

Effects of Tropospheric O3 on Trembling Aspen and Interaction with Co2: Results from an O3-Gradient and a Face Experiment

Over the years, a series of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) clones differing in O₃ sensitivity have been identified from OTC studies. Three clones (216 and 271[(O₃ tolerant] and 259 [O₃ sensitive]) have been characterized for O₃ sensitivity by growth and biomass responses, foliar symptoms, gas exchange, chlorophyll content, epicuticular wax characteristics, and antioxidant production. In this study we compared the responses of these same clones exposed to O₃ under field conditions along a natural O₃ gradient and in a Free-Air CO₂ and O₃ Enrichment (FACE) facility. In addition, we examined how elevated CO₂ affected O₃ symptom development. Visible O₃ symptoms were consistently seen (5 out of 6 years) at two of the three sites along the O₃ gradient and where daily one-hour maximum concentrations were in the range of 96 to 125 ppb. Clonal differences in O₃ sensitivity were consistent with our OTC rankings. Elevated CO₂ (200 ppm over ambient and applied during daylight hours during the growing season) reduced visible foliar symptoms for all three clones from 31 to 96% as determined by symptom development in elevated O₃ versus elevated O₃ + CO₂ treatments. Degradation of the epicuticular wax surface of all three clones was found at the two elevated O₃ gradient sites. This degradation was quantified by a coefficient of occlusion which was a measure of stomatal occlusion by epicuticular waxes. Statistically significant increases in stomatal occlusion compared to controls were found for all three clones and for all treatments including elevated CO₂, elevated O₃, and elevated CO₂ + O₃. Our results provide additional evidence that current ambient O₃ levels in the Great Lakes region are causing adverse effects on trembling aspen. Whether or not elevated CO₂ in the future will alleviate some of these adverse effects, as occurred with visible symptoms but not with epicuticular wax degradation, is unknown.     

Micromorphological and anatomical alterations caused by simulated acid rain in Restinga plants: Eugenia uniflora and Clusia hilariana

Eugenia uniflora and Clusia hilariana seedlings were submitted to simulated acid rain, pH 3, for 40 days. The degree of visible injury and the anatomical and micromorphological alterations were determined 24 hours after the last simulation. E. uniflora presented a higher degree of leaf necrosis. The adaxial epidermis and part of the palisade parenchyma of the entire leaf blade were affected and hypertrophy, hyperplasia and cicatrization tissue differentiation occurred. Erosion and morphological modification of the epicuticular wax and alterations in the epidermis were detected on the upper and lower leaf surfaces. Stomata with deformed ostioles and rupture of the stomatal ledge were observed. C. hilariana presented necrosis in leaf margin and in abaxial leaf surface, showing collapsed cells or with plasmolized aspect, cicatrization tissue, epicuticular wax alterations, occasional leaf perforations, irregular arrangement of adaxial epidermis cells and twisted subsidiary cells. The structural alterations indicated a greater susceptibility of E. uniflora to acid rain. he lower sensibility of C. hilariana can be related with the anatomical characteristics as: thick cuticle with evident cuticular flanges, three layers of hypodermis and mesophyll more thick and compact.     

Topography of the Cotyledon Surfaces and Adjoining Seed Coat of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes Differing in Milling Performance

Milling of pulse seeds generally refers to dehulling (decortication or seed coat removal) and splitting (division of the two cotyledons) to produce split seeds, known as dhal. Reduction of whole seeds or dhal to flour, in comparison, is generally termed “grinding” for pulses. Many pulses are consumed as dhal, including desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), lentil (Lens culinaris L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.), mungbean (Vigna radiata L.), black gram (Vigna mungo L.), and hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus L.). Hence, ease‐of‐milling is an important quality attribute of pulse species that are commonly dehulled or split prior to consumption. Seed structure and the surface topography at the junctions between seed coat and cotyledons have the potential to influence the varietal differences observed in the ease of milling. The epicuticular wax surfaces of six genotypes of chickpea differing in ease of milling were examined by scanning electron microscopy to evaluate whether the physical attributes of seed coat and cotyledon surfaces could be involved in adhesion. Differing epicuticular wax patterns were observed for each of the six genotypes. The possible roles these patterns play in genotypic differences in ease of milling are discussed.     

Foliar leaching and root uptake of Ca,Mg and K in relation to acid fog effects on Douglas-fir

The impact of acid fog on foliar leaching and root uptake of Ca, Mg, and K by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedlings was examined. In a factorial experiment, 1-year old seedlings were grown in solution culture at two levels of nutrient availability (low and moderate) and exposed twice a week (4 hr per event) for 12 weeks to fog at pH 5.6 or pH 3.1. Throughfall enrichment of Ca, Mg and K was determined from drip collectors at the base of each seedling and root uptake rates for trees under the moderate nutrient regime were evaluated by monitoring nutrient solution depletion. Throughfall enrichment was higher in the pH 3.1 fog than the pH 5.6 fog but much of the enrichment appeared to be wash off of precipitate from previous fogs. The amounts of nutrients coming off of the foliage with the low pH fog were small relative to the daily uptake rates. Foliar concentrations of K and Mg at the end of the exposures were lower under the low nutrient regime but were not affected by fog pH. Comparisons of wax weight and examinations of epicuticular wax by electron microscopy did not indicate a significant impact from exposure to the low pH fog.     

Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L Taub inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhiza and Pseudomonas fluorescens and treated with mustard oil cake overcome Macrophomina root-rot losses

The effects of inoculation of three arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi namely, Glomus mosseae, Glomus sinuosum, and Scutellospora erythropa in addition to Pseudomonas fluorescens and treatment with mustard oil cake on root-rot disease of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L plants caused by Macrophomina phaseolina were evaluated under polyhouse conditions for 2 years. Inoculations of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in combination with P. fluorescens and mustard oil cake showed best supporting biocontrol system against the root-rot disease besides increasing the plant height, weight, and yield. The biocontrolling efficiency of dual inoculation (AMF + P. fluorescens) was the second best combination followed by AM plus mustard oil cake. Among the three AM fungi, G. mosseae inoculations showed the best results. Different combined AMF inoculations also altered the concentrations of total soluble sugars, orthodihydric phenols, flavonols, and epicuticular wax contents in host plants.     

Lolium rigidum, a pool of resistance mechanisms to ACCase inhibitor herbicides

Three diclofop-methyl (DM) resistant biotypes of Lolium rigidum (R1, R2, and R3) were found in different winter wheat fields in Spain, continuously treated with DM, DM + chlortoluron, or DM + isoproturon. Herbicide rates that inhibited shoot growth by 50% (ED50) were determined for DM. There were found that the different biotypes exhibited different ranges of resistance to this herbicide; the resistant factors were 7.2, 13, and 36.6, respectively. DM absorption, metabolism, and effects on ACCase isoforms were examined in these biotypes of L. rigidum. The most highly resistant, biotype R3, contained an altered isoform of ACCase. In biotype R2, which exhibited a medium level of resistance, there was an increased rate of oxidation of the aryl ring of diclofop, a reaction most likely catalyzed by a cytochrome P450 enzyme. In the other biotype, R1, DM penetration was significantly less than that observed in the resistant (R2 and R3) and susceptible (S) biotypes. Analysis of the leaf cuticle surface by scanning electron microscopy showed a greater epicuticular wax density in the leaf cuticles of biotype R1 than in the other biotypes.     

Residue level, persistence, and storage performance of citrus fruit treated with fludioxonil

The potential of postharvest dip treatments with fludioxonil (FLU) (a synthetic analogue of the bacterial metabolite of pyrrolnitrin), in controlling postharvest decay caused by Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum of citrus fruit was investigated in comparison with the conventional fungicide imazalil (IMZ). The ultrastructural changes of fruit epicuticular wax was investigated as a function of water dip temperature, and the possible role of these changes was related to residue accumulation under FLU treatment. Residues retained by fruit were determined as a function of fungicide concentration, dip temperature, and fruit storage conditions. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that fruit dipping in water at 30 or 40 degrees C did not cause differences in cuticular wax's ultrastructure in comparison to control fruit, while treatments at 50, 55, or 60 degrees C caused the disappearance of wax platelets, resulting in relatively homogeneous skin surface, due to partial "melting" of epicuticular wax. Residues of FLU in fruit treated at 20 or 50 degrees C were significantly correlated with the doses of fungicide applied. When equal amounts of fungicide were employed, the residue concentrations were notably higher (from 2.6- to 4-fold) in fruit treated at 50 degrees C than in fruit treated at 20 degrees C. The dissipation rate of FLU in "Salustiana" and "Tarocco" oranges was lower in fruit subjected to treatment at 50 degrees C. The minimal FLU concentration for almost complete decay control in artificially wounded fruit during 7-d storage at 20 degrees C was 400 mg/L active ingredient (ai) in fruit treated at 20 degrees C and 100 mg/L ai in fruit treated at 50 degrees C. Results on nonwounded Tarocco oranges subjected to 3 weeks of simulated quarantine conditions at 1 degrees C, plus 6 weeks of standard storage at 8 degrees C and an additional two weeks of simulated marketing period (SMP) at 20 degrees C revealed that almost complete decay control with FLU applications of 100 mg/L at 50 degrees C and 400 mg/L at 20 degrees C resulted in ca. 0.8 mg/kg FLU fruit residues, in agreement with results on wounded citrus fruit. When equal concentrations and temperatures were applied, FLU treatments were as effective as IMZ. In vitro trials showed a low sensitivity to FLU against P. digitatum and P. italicum isolates. MIC values for the complete inhibition of mycelium growth were >or=100 microg/mL, while ED(50) values ranged from 0.1 to 1 microg/mL for P. digitatum and from 1 to >100 microg/mL for P. italicum. The latter result suggests that care should be taken to avoid exclusive application of FLU in a sustainable program for management of fruit decay. However, integrating fungicide application and hot water dip may reduce the possibility of selecting fungicide-resistant populations of the pathogen, by increasing the effectiveness of the treatment.     

Annual Changes in Some Physiological Properties of Cryptomeria Japonica Leaves from Kanto, Japan

C. japonica leaves were sampled monthly in a heavily damaged area (a-I: Saitama), a slightly damaged area (a-II: plains in Ibaraki), and a healthy area (a-III: mountainous areas in Ibaraki) in Kanto. The leaves were analyzed for apparent cuticular transpiration rates, amounts of epicuticular wax, and contact angles. Sb in aerosols deposited on the leaves was also analyzed. The transpiration rates and the increase in transpiration with leaf aging were higher in a-I than in a-II and a-III. Erosion rates of the wax were higher in a-I and a-II than in a-III. The decrease of contact angles with aging tended to be higher in a-I and a-II than in a-III. Rates of aerosol-Sb deposition on the leaves were in the order a-I ? a-II > a-III. The transpiration rates correlated with the values obtained from a linear binomial function that included the amounts of wax and aerosol-Sb as variables (r = 0.855, P < 0.01). In a-I, the large quantity of aerosols on the leaves (and probably gaseous air pollutants) may have increased the transpiration rates by ca. 50% owing to erosion of the wax and stomatal malfunction, placing C. japonica under chronic water stress.     

Effect of UV-B Dose on Biosynthesis of Epicuticular Waxes in Blue Spruce (Picea Pungens Engelmann.) Primary Needles: Preliminary Investigation

Blue spruce [Picea pungens Engelmann.] seedlings were reared from seed for 8 weeks under one of seven UV-B doses ranging from 0.0 to 9.2 kJ m^-2 d^-1. Emerging primary needles were chopped and incubated 48 h (22°C; 750 μmol m^-2 s^-1 PAR) with [1-¹⁴C] CH₃COONa. Radioactivity incorporated into epicuticular waxes was measured using radio thin-layer chromatography. Biosynthesis of nonacosan-10-ol, the dominant constituent, was affected by the UV-B dose. The results suggest that, if no other factors are limiting, the optimum UV-B dose for wax biosynthesis in emerging primary needles of blue spruce is 6-7 kJ m^-2 d^-1. This dose is below that routinely measured in some northern temperate forests and well within the range of predicted values under stratospheric ozone depletion scenarios. UV-B dose levels above this threshold may cause changes to the wax composition that may predispose the tree to damage from other environmental stresses.     

Erosion effects of air pollution on needle surfaces

A scanning electron microscope was used to study the epicuticular wax of conifer needles from forests in the San Bernardino Mountains, California, the Austrian mountains near Graz and Finnish forests under local air pollution stress combined with the northern cold climate. The purpose of the study was to compare and define the role of needle erosion as a factor in tree damage, to compare the injury types in California and European countries and to characterize and further identify the possible role of 0₃ in needle injuries. In all cases in this preliminary study, there were chronic erosion effects in slightly stressed trees. The different sites where trees were studied, ranging from slightly polluted to heavily polluted areas characterized by different pollutant types, yielded a variety of erosion types. A new injury type related to insect and 0₃ effects in experimental and field studies was described. Additional research to confirm the results is needed.     

淋蜡式皮蛋封蜡机的设计与试验

为改善皮蛋手工封蜡质量,降低工人劳动强度和提高生产效率,该文研究了一种皮蛋机械淋蜡式封蜡方法,并根据实际生产要求,研制出一种淋蜡式皮蛋封蜡机。通过工作装置的设计与分析,得出皮蛋蜡膜厚度与液态石蜡温度、皮蛋输送速度紧密相关的结论。涂蜡试验表明皮蛋涂蜡量随蜡液温度的升高而减少,随皮蛋输送速度的加快而增加;根据试验结论和生产要求,淋蜡式皮蛋封蜡机的较优工作参数为淋蜡箱内加热温度105℃,电机运行频率40 Hz,能够达到皮蛋封蜡生产要求,该技术具有很广阔的市场前景。     

Needle Structures and Epiphytic Microflora of Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvestris L.) under Heavy Ammonia Deposition from Fur Farming

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) needles from forest sites differing in distance from big fur farms emitting large amounts of ammonia and ammonium (=NH_y) were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Specific features indicating an ammonium-nitrogen overload, such as an abundance of needle surface organisms and modifications in cellular and wax structures, were classified. Throughout the study area (up to 1000 m from the farms), mesophyll cells had thin cytoplasm and folding plasmalemma indicating frost damage. Phloem damage attributable to a possible nutrient imbalance was also observed. Chloroplast membranes were undulating and the occurrence of leaf surface organisms (e.g. aerophilic algae) was more abundant at the closest sites. The changes were related both to the direct effects of dry NH_y deposition on the needles, and to the effects operating via soil acidification. The needle epicuticular waxes proved to be structurally rather inert against the influence of ammonium compounds, since no significant changes due to NH_y were observed.     

三种李果皮蜡质的结构与成分比较

为探明不同品种李果皮蜡质特性,选择3种李(空心李、蜂糖李和脆红李)为试验材料,采用扫描电子显微镜观察果皮表面结构,通过非靶向气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)代谢组学技术对果皮蜡质的成分进行分析。结果表明,空心李果皮有大量堆叠的片状和杆状蜡质结构,蜂糖李果皮有颗粒状蜡质晶体以及大量片状蜡质结构,脆红李果皮有片状和大量堆叠的杆状蜡质结构。空心李果皮蜡质含量最高,蜂糖李次之,脆红李最低。3种李果皮蜡质中共检测出7类87种成分,其中伯醇含量最高、烷烃次之、酮类含量最少。主成分分析显示3种李果皮蜡质组分相对含量差别较大,组分区分明显;聚类热图分析显示空心李与脆红李的蜡质成分相近,与蜂糖李蜡质成分差异较大。李果皮上的片状结构蜡质与蜡质成分中醇类和烷烃含量高相关,并且对称二元醇和三萜类化合物对杆状蜡质以及白霜状蜡质的形成起到重要作用。本研究结果为进一步开展贮藏时期李果皮蜡质结构和成分变化研究提供了理论依据。     

减氮配施中微量元素肥对冬瓜产量和品质的影响

以铁柱冬瓜为试验材料，采用随机区组田间小区试验，设置CK(不施氮肥)、T1(习惯施肥)、T2(习惯施肥基础上减氮30%)、T3(减氮30%+配施硼钼肥)、T4(减氮30%+配施钙镁肥)和T5(减氮30%+配施钙镁硼钼肥)6种处理，在广东佛山市三水区连续开展两年田间试验，旨在探究减氮配施中微量元素肥对冬瓜产量及品质的影响。结果表明，与T1相比，T2的冬瓜产量下降了8.76%，但未达到显著水平；与T2相比，T4和T5处理显著增加冬瓜产量，分别提高了21.3%和32.2%，且T5处理下的冬瓜产量超过了T1；品质结果显示，T5处理提高了50.0%的VC含量，且与T1相比降低了34.2%亚硝酸盐含量；减施30%氮肥基础上配施钙镁肥的土壤pH显著提高，配施硼钼肥的土壤B含量得到显著提高，配施中微量肥处理的冬瓜植株中Ca和Mo含量较T2均有所提高。综上所述，在华南热带地区冬瓜种植过程中，减氮配施中微肥可保证冬瓜品质和产量，其中中微量肥配施处理的效果最好。上述结果为广东地区露地蔬菜化肥氮的科学减施提供了科学依据。