Genotypic Variation for Tolerance to Transient Drought During the Reproductive Phase of Brassica rapa

Brassica rapa L. is a genetically diverse parent species of the allotetraploid species, oilseed rape (B. napus) and a potential source of drought tolerance for B. napus. We examined the effect of a 13‐day drought stress period during the early reproductive phase, relative to a well‐watered (WW) control, on subsequent growth and development in nine accessions of B. rapa and one accession of Brassica juncea selected for their wide morphological and genetic diversity. We measured leaf water potential, stomatal conductance, water use, and leaf and bud temperatures during the stress period and aboveground dry weight of total biomass at maturity. Dry weight of seeds and reproductive tissue were not useful measures of drought tolerance due to self‐incompatibility in B. rapa. The relative total biomass (used as the measure of drought tolerance in this study) of the 10 accessions exposed to drought stress ranged from 47 % to 117 % of the WW treatment and was negatively correlated with leaf‐to‐air and bud‐to‐air temperature difference when averaged across the 13‐day stress period. Two wild‐type (B. rapa ssp. sylvestris) accessions had higher relative total and non‐reproductive biomass at maturity and cooler leaves and buds than other types. We conclude that considerable genotypic variation for drought tolerance exists in B. rapa and cooler leaves and buds during a transient drought stress in the early reproductive phase may be a useful screening tool for drought tolerance.     

冬小麦品种生育后期的耐热性评价

冬小麦品种生育后期耐热性遗传差异的表现受环境影响较大。通过1997～2000年间在北京对群体气-冠温差、灌浆特性、热感指数等三种耐热性评价方法有效性的比较研究，认为热感指数反映品种对后期热胁迫的敏感程度，利用千粒重热感指数可鉴定出后期耐热性较好的基因型。气-冠温差法快速、简便、准确，但叶片持绿期长的品种气-冠温差一般较大，可结合对灌浆速率的评价来筛选生育期适中的耐热基因型。在3年的试验中，小麦品种鲁936098表现耐热性强，千粒重稳定。     

Compensatory Growth Responses During Reproductive Phase of Cowpea after Relief of Water Stress

Unpredictable drought affects growth and yield of dryland cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) during rainy season. With the objective of identifying compensatory growth responses after relief of water stress, pot-grown plants (cv. C-752) were water-stressed at flowering, and physiological responses, short term dry matter partitioning upon relief of water stress, and productivity at maturity were studied. Water stress decreased, to varying degrees, leaf water potential, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis rate and transpiration rate. Recovery in assimilation lagged behind that in water relations. Assimilate supply seemed to be limiting early pod growth upon relief of water stress due to low photosynthesis rate, reduced leaf area per pod, and increased partitioning to leaf expansion. However, later pod growth was not limited by assimilate supply and final dry matter per pod was similar in both non-stressed and stress-affected plant. Cowpea exhibited the following growth responses during pod-fill stage upon relief of water stress: 1. increase in leaf area, 2. shift in dry matter partitioning in favour of leaf expansion, 3. extended green leaf duration, and 4. increase in pod number. These partially compensating physiological responses probably ensure reasonable productivity of dryland cowpea during rainy season.     

Establishment of reliable methods of in vitro pollen germination and pollen preservation of Brassica rapa (syn. B. campestris)

A simple and reliable method for evaluating the viability of Brassica pollen was established in which the in vitro germination rate of pollen was adopted as the index of the viability of pollen grains. Pollen grains were preincubated in an atmosphere in which the relative humidity (RH) was fixed to 52% or 66% at 20 °C for 5 hours. They were cultured for 16 hours at 25 °C in a liquid Kwack's medium (1964) supplemented with 20% sucrose, and the pH was adjusted to 8.0. They were then observed under a microscope and the number of germinating and unchanged pollen grains were counted. The germination rate of pollen was improved and stabilized by preincubation and the use of a high pH medium. More than 90% of the freshly harvested pollen grains of Brassica rapa (syn. B. campestris) germinated constantly in these conditions Undehisced anthers were collected from flowers at anthesis and dehydrated by incubation at 20 °C for 16–24 hours in an atmosphere where the RH was fixed to 15% or 32%. They were put into a plastic vial and preserved in a freezer at -20 °C. The germination percentage of the preserved pollen was scored at intervals during preservation. The germination rate of the pollen grains preserved at -20°C for 1 year was higher than 50% and the pollen proved to be efficient for seed set. Most of the seeds germinated normally. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

High Night Temperatures During the Floral Bud Stage Increase the Abscission of Reproductive Structures in Cotton

Cotton‐producing regions throughout the world often experience high night temperatures (HNTs), affecting flowering and yield in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of high nighttime temperatures on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of cotton during the floral bud and flowering stages. Growth chamber experiments were conducted in 2011–2012 and treatments included a control (day/night temperature of 32/24 °C) and two HNT treatments (32/29 °C from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am) for 3 weeks from the beginning of each phenological stage, i.e., first floral bud (B1) and first flower (F1). The results indicated that increased night temperatures (NTs) during the floral bud and flowering stages increased the rate of flower production per plant. However, no increase was observed in the final number of reproductive structures because the rate of floral abortion also increased for both treatments compared to the control. Additionally, the increase in night temperature during the floral bud stage reduced the sucrose content in the flower, resulting in decreased pollen viability and premature abortion of reproductive structures while the onset of flowering period was also delayed and lower accumulation of reproductive dry matter was observed. HNTs during the flowering stage reduced the number of seeds per locule and the number of seeds per boll. In general, higher than optimum NTs affected sucrose metabolism of the cotton flower and consequently its pollen viability. As a result the flowering period was delayed and a reduction in reproductive dry matter accumulation was observed due to premature abortion of reproductive structures. Finally, cotton is more sensitive to HNT at floral bud stage and this finding may be important to adjust cotton planting date, management and breeding.     

Modulation of Brassica napus source–sink physiology through film antitranspirant induced drought tolerance amelioration that is dependent on the stress magnitude

Increase in drought conditions during the oilseed rape (OSR) reproductive phase is predicted to occur more often in the temperate zone, leading to significant yield losses. Crop management solutions such as film antitranspirant (AT) applied at key drought‐sensitive growth stages on both wheat and oilseed rape have recently been shown to alleviate drought‐induced yield losses. However, there is a lack of information regarding potential AT effectiveness to reduce drought damage on OSR plants at different soil moisture regimes. Therefore, two similar experiments were performed in a computer‐controlled glasshouse/phenotyping centre to investigate the physiological responses of OSR to well‐watered (WW), moderate water stress (MWS), water stress (WS) and severe water stress (SWS) conditions. Stress treatments were imposed at the initiation of flowering and treated with an AT or water onto the leaf canopy. Stress limited the gas‐exchange and increased leaf temperature, leaf‐to‐air temperature, bud‐to‐air temperature and ABA concentrations which increased with stress intensity in all tissues analysed. Yield components were significantly reduced by WS and SWS treatments when compared to the WW plants. Application of AT counteracted the detrimental effect of WS and SWS by decreasing water use over the first few days of stress application thus improving relative water content and leaf water‐use efficiency, decreasing ABA accumulation in leaf and all the reproductive organs analysed (buds, flowers and pods) and avoiding bud‐to‐air temperature increases. AT application sustained pod formation and seed production under WS but only seed production under SWS conditions. These data suggest that leaf‐canopy application of AT at key phenological stages under particular magnitudes of soil moisture deficit may sustain OSR reproduction and reduce yield losses.     

热胁迫过程中白菜型油菜种子DNA的甲基化

过高的环境温度对植物造成热胁迫和热损伤,从而影响植物的生长、发育,以及种子的寿命。以白菜型油菜耐热品种庆元本地油菜和不耐热品种绍兴矮大秆油菜新收获种子为材料,研究了不同温度处理对油菜种子活力以及基因组DNA甲基化水平和状态的影响。结果表明,种子经37℃和4℃处理2 h,发芽率和活力指数与对照差异不显著;经70℃处理2 h后,耐热和不耐热品种种子发芽率和活力指数均明显降低,37℃热诱导后再进行70℃热胁迫处理,发芽率和活力指数均高于直接70℃处理的种子,表明热诱导可以显著提高种子的耐热性。甲基化MSAP分析结果表明,种子热胁迫过程中基因组DNA甲基化水平降低,同时有甲基化和去甲基化现象发生,并以去甲基化现象为主。相关性分析结果显示种子发芽势、发芽率、下胚轴长和活力指数与双链DNA内部发生甲基化的条带数呈负相关,而与双链DNA外部发生甲基化的条带数呈正相关。更为重要的是耐热与不耐热性材料在热胁迫中表现完全相反的甲基化变异模式,耐热品种去甲基化的条带数多于不耐热品种,但甲基化的条带数目则相反,显示DNA甲基化与种子耐热性有重要关系,在热胁迫过程中,种子可能通过DNA甲基化变化调控相关基因的表达来应对高温胁迫。     

两种不同耐热性菜豆品种在高温胁迫下叶绿素a荧光参数的差异

以两个耐热性不同的菜豆品种85-CT（耐热）和BBL-47（热敏感）为试材,研究其在不同高温胁迫强度下叶绿素a荧光参数的差异,结果表明：两个品种的叶绿素荧光Fv/Fm及Fv/Fo、电子传递速率（ETR）、均随高温胁迫时间延长呈下降趋势,但耐热品种85-CT下降幅度较热敏感品种BBL-47平缓,BBL-47随高温胁迫时间延长,其叶绿素a荧光诱导动力学曲线中的第二峰（M峰）消失。     

不同耐热性小麦品种旗叶膜脂过氧化和保护酶活性对花后高温胁迫的响应

以2个耐热性不同的冬小麦品种山农1391和藁城8901为材料,用塑料薄膜制成增温棚,分别于花后8~10 d (T1)和花后15~17 d (T2)进行高温处理,研究了花后不同时期高温胁迫对小麦旗叶丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性的影响。结果表明,T1处理的旗叶内活性氧防卫系统能更有效地启动,使膜脂过氧化水平有所下降,而T2处理造成的伤害不可恢复。花后28 d,与藁城8901相比,山农1391各处理MDA含量较低。T1处理的SOD和CAT活性明显上升,但CAT活性的上升期晚于SOD,它们协同起保护作用,延缓旗叶的衰老,其中山农1391SOD活性的上升幅度较大,而且CAT活性的恢复性增加的能力较强;T2处理的SOD活性未见上升,甚至有所下降,CAT活性虽然高于对照,却未能有效减轻膜脂过氧化程度,表明SOD在酶保护系统中起核心作用。T1处理降低了POD清除H₂O₂的能力;T2处理的POD活性大幅上升,可能对叶片起到了伤害作用,加速了旗叶的衰老。因此,小麦的耐热性随花后生育进程而下降,应特别加强灌浆中后期的田间管理,减轻高温的伤害。     

Application of Stress Indices for Heat Tolerance Screening of Common Bean

Common bean is adapted to relatively cool climatic conditions and temperatures of >30 °C during the day or >20 °C at night result in yield reduction. The long‐term goal of breeding for heat tolerance is the development of germplasm with improved field level tolerance under variable temperature conditions. Using previously developed stress indices, this study presents results from high temperature screening of 14 genotypes in both the greenhouse and field in Puerto Rico. A total of three sets of paired trials were conducted in the field and in the greenhouse under high temperature (stress) and lower temperature (low‐stress) conditions. The geometric mean (GM), stress tolerance index (STI) and stress susceptibility index (SSI) were used to evaluate the genotypic performance under stress and low‐stress conditions. The results indicate that it was possible to identify superior genotypes for heat tolerance based on their stress indices. In this evaluation of heat tolerance indices, STI and GM, although correlated, were found to be effective stress indices for the selection of genotypes with good yield potential under stress and low‐stress conditions.     

Rapid induction of small heat shock proteins improves physiological adaptation to high temperature stress in peanut

With the changing climatic scenario and increasing global mean temperature, heat stress became a major limiting factor for today's agriculture. To identify the underlying mechanism associated with heat tolerance in peanut, two experiments (field and growth chamber) were conducted with four genotypes (ICGS 44, GG 7, AK 159 and DRG 1) having differential high temperature stress sensitivity. Field grown plants under three different temperature (D₁, D₂ and D₃) regimes simulated three temperature treatment effects with a variability of 3–4/4–5°C in mean day/night temperature, respectively. In growth chamber, imposition of heat shock (10°C above ambient inside growth chamber) revealed not only rapid induction (within 0.5 hr) of HSPs, especially small HSPs (HSP 17, HSP 40) in tolerant genotypes, but also its sustenance for longer duration (2 hr), which might help them to have better physiological adaptation strategies under high temperature stress. This was evident from significant advancement in phenophases observed with increase in temperature by 15–18 days at physiological maturity, while pollen viability and membrane stability reduced below 50% and 41%, respectively in DRG 1 with increase in mean day/night temperature. Maintenance of higher photosynthesis and transpiration rate and stomatal conductance helped the tolerant genotype ICGS 44 to keep relatively cooler canopy and higher photosynthates, ensuring better physiological condition in this genotype under heat stress. Significant increase (~2.5‐fold) in inositol and hexoses (glucose and fructose) content and reduction (>50%) in sucrose content in leaf tissues indicated degradation of storage carbohydrates for improved osmotic adjustment especially in tolerant genotypes under elevated temperature.     

高温逆境下嫁接辣椒耐热性的研究

试验以野生辣椒威壮贝尔为砧木,辣椒品种科椒二号为接穗进行嫁接,研究了嫁接和自根辣椒对夏季温室中高温的抵御能力,为设施辣椒耐热栽培及生产提供依据。结果表明,高温对辣椒叶片各项指标影响比亚高温明显;不论是在高温还是亚高温条件下,嫁接辣椒叶片的脯氨酸(Pro)含量、过氧化物酶(POD)活性都明显高于自根苗,而嫁接苗的相对电导率、丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧阴离子产生速率低于自根苗。明确嫁接能显著提高辣椒的抗热性。     

B68-1 转基因水稻花粉活力的温湿响应规律

为了研究转基因水稻花粉活力在各种气象条件下的变化规律,以含bar基因的抗Basta转基因籼稻B68-1为材料,分别在温度20℃、25℃、30℃、35℃及相对湿度30%、50%、70%、90%的不同温湿组合条件下进行处理,用2,3,5-氯化三苯基四氮唑（TTC）染色法测定了这些组合条件处理下B68-1转基因水稻花粉离体0、1、2、3、4、5、6、8、10、12、14 min后的活力。试验结果表明,B68-1花粉离体后活力变化在各种条件下呈现为＂S＂型或＂S＂型的一段;B68-1花粉离体后活力在一定湿度条件下随着温度先升后降,各湿度条件下花粉在25℃时活力最强,高温对花粉活力的胁迫作用更大;B68-1花粉离体后活力在一定的温度条件下随着湿度也是先升后降,各温度条件下花粉在相对湿度70%时活力最强,高湿对花粉活力的胁迫作用更大。通过指数形式的生长曲线（Logistic方程）分段函数,拟合构建了B68-1花粉活力在不同湿度下的温度模型,可精确预测花粉存活时间和寿命,为进一步准确估算转基因水稻基因飘移距离提供基础数据。     

Physiological Response to Heat Stress During Seedling and Anthesis Stage in Tomato Genotypes Differing in Heat Tolerance

Tomato cultivars differ in their sensitivity to heat stress, and the sensitivity depends on the developmental stage of the plants. It is less known how heat stress affects tomato at the anthesis stage in terms of leaf physiology and fruit set and whether the ability of tomato to tolerate heat at different developmental stages is linked. To investigate photosynthetic gas exchange characteristics, carbohydrate content and fruit set during heat stress, a thermo‐tolerant cultivar (‘LA1994’) and a thermo‐sensitive cultivar (‘Aromata’) were studied at the seedling and anthesis stage. The photosynthetic parameters, maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (F_v/F_m), chlorophyll content, carbohydrate content and fruit set were determined in plants grown at 26/18 °C (control) and 36/28 °C (heat stress). The physiological responses including net photosynthetic rate (P_N), chlorophyll content and F_v/F_m decreased in ‘Aromata’ at both developmental stages during heat stress, whereas they were unaltered in ‘LA1994’ during heat stress as compared to the respective control. This was accompanied by lower contents of glucose and fructose in mature leaves of ‘Aromata’ at the seedling stage under heat stress. In contrast, the glucose content increased while the fructose content was unaltered in mature leaves of ‘LA1994’ at the seedling stage under heat stress. High temperature induced a similar change in carbohydrate content in the young leaves of both cultivars at anthesis. The fructose and sucrose content were unaffected in the mature leaves of ‘Aromata’ but significantly increased in ‘LA1994’ under heat stress at anthesis. The heat stress treatment decreased pollen viability and inhibited fruit set due to flower wilting and abnormal abscission in ‘Aromata’, whereas fruit set was not inhibited in ‘LA1994’. A decrease in chlorophyll content, photosynthesis and carbohydrate content in the mature leaves of tomato could be related to fruit set failure at high temperature. The results show that physiological responses to heat stress at the seedling stage correspond with the responses at the anthesis stage, demonstrating that screening for heat stress sensitivity can be carried out in young plants.     

Changes in leaf epicuticular wax load and its effect on leaf temperature and physiological traits in wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) exposed to high temperatures during anthesis

The physiological functions of epicuticular wax (EW) include reflectance of irradiation and the reduction of water loss. When a plant experiences stressful conditions, most notably, high irradiance and temperature, damage to the photosynthetic apparatus can occur and is signalled by a decrease in the F_v/F_max ratio. In this study, we examined the influence of increased EW on physiological function in terms of chlorophyll fluorescence (ChFl), stomatal conductance (g_s), leaf temperature and spectral reflectance indices (SRI) of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars. The wheat cultivars were subjected to high temperature stress (HT) (38–40°C) under greenhouse conditions when the primary inflorescence was fully emerged to determine its effect on leaf EW deposition. Leaf temperature depression (LTD) was generally lower in control (2.3°C—2012, 0.94°C—2013) compared to HT stress (3.13°C—2012, 4.05°C—2013). Cultivars in control (0.69 to 0.74 F_v/F_max) had significantly higher ChFl compared to HT (0.58 to 0.74 F_v/F_max). HT treatment resulted in higher EW (1.28—2012, 4.59 mg dm^?2—2013) compared to control treatment (1.04—2012 to 4.56 mg dm^?2—2013). Leaves devoid of EW showed significant variation among cultivars at reproductive stages for water index (WI), normalized phaeophytinization index (NPQI) and simple ratio index (SRI). In HT stress conditions, significant correlations were observed between EWL and SRI only at 3DAFE (days after full emergence), suggesting that increased EWL induced by HT and irradiation in early development may provide relief and prevent grain loss. EWL significantly associated with the physiological traits ChFl, g_s, LTD and spike temperature depression (SpTD). These observations suggest that EWL may lessen the effect of high irradiance, thereby, effectively adjusting stomatal conductance, ChFl and leaf temperature, limiting the risk of over excitation of photosystem II.     

Variation in pollen viability in the onion (Allium cepa L.)

Summary The pollen viability of onions in a glasshouse was recorded from May to October 1975, using the fluorescein test. The average viability was 60–95% for most of this period but fell to less than 1% during the last two weeks of August. There was great variation in pollen viability between anthers within a flower and between flowers within a head. Attempts to induce pollen inviability by low temperature treatments at various stages of inflorescence development were unsuccessful. Low levels of pollen inviability appear to be a characteristic feature of onions, but the high level of inviability which was found both in this and in a previous season was associated particularly with the August period.     

粳稻超优1号背景回交导入系的耐热性筛选与评价

全球气候变暖不可避免地影响水稻的生产。本研究以粳稻品种超优1号为轮回亲本与9个来自不同国家的供体品种杂交培育的BC₂F₄回交导入群体为材料, 通过开花期高温胁迫, 共初筛到124个耐高温单株; 以粳稻为供体的回交导入群体出现耐热个体的频率高于籼稻供体的导入群体, 表明粳稻资源中同样存在耐热有利基因。经对初筛后代的耐热性重复鉴定和在正常条件下的性状评价, 发现有80个株系的结实率显著高于轮回亲本, 耐热性选择效率为64.5%, 这些耐热导入系的产量及其相关性状在高温胁迫和正常条件下均出现广幅分离, 从中鉴定出耐热性和产量性状均显著好于轮回亲本的8个优良导入系。在3个耐热导入系的聚合F₂群体中, 筛选出耐热个体的平均结实率在80%以上, 极显著高于轮回亲本和最高聚合亲本, 从中获得106株耐热性极显著好于聚合亲本的单株, 显示出较理想的耐热性聚合效果。通过对耐热导入系和轮回亲本在正常和高温胁迫条件下的产量以及相关性状的表型比较分析, 有助于提高对水稻耐热性状筛选中的供体选择、选择效率和筛选方法等一些重要问题的认识。本研究获得的高产耐热聚合系, 将为水稻耐热有利基因发掘和耐热性标记辅助选择聚合育种提供宝贵材料。     

Pollen storage at low temperature as a procedure for the improvement of cold tolerance in spring rape, Brassica napus L.

The possibility of selecting spring rape for cold tolerance at the mature pollen grain stage was studied by investigating the effects of pollen storage at low temperatures on the quality of pollen grains and on the cold tolerance of the plants generated from them. Pollen treatments of F¹ hybrids affected fertilization ability much more than viability and even after 10 days storage at 3 or 10°C the pollen germination percentage was reasonably high. Pollen storage for 7 or 10 days at 3 or 10°C significantly increased the cold tolerance of F² seed germination, with 3°C being more effective. Pollen storage for a shorter time had no effect upon the number of resulting genotypes tolerant to low temperature. This approach may be successfully applied in plant breeding to enrich segregating plant populations with cold-tolerant genotypes.     

灌浆期高温胁迫对冬小麦叶源、库器官生理活性的影响及调控

研究了灌浆期高温胁迫条件对冬小麦叶源、库器官某些生理指标的影响。结果表明 ,高温胁迫导致冬小麦叶源、库活性显著降低。高温胁迫能显著降低冬小麦子粒蔗糖酶的活性 ,降低子粒可溶性糖含量 ,胁迫发生初期子粒ATP酶的活性迅速降低 ;高温胁迫导致冬小麦的旗叶MDA含量、脯氨酸含量上升。适当的调节剂处理能显著改变高温胁迫条件下上述生理指标的变化动态 ,显著抑制高温胁迫条件下冬小麦旗叶光合性能的下降 ,延缓叶片衰老的进程 ,对保持叶源、库器官的生理活性有显著的作用 ,协调源库关系 ,降低高温胁迫对植株的伤害程度     

白菜型油菜srb多室性状的遗传分析与分子鉴定

油菜多室角果是一种高产相关性状,本研究对桑日白油菜(srb)多室性状的遗传调控机制进行研究。性状分析表明,该突变体具有稳定的多室角果表型,单株多室角果比例为94.7%～100.0%,每角果平均3.5个心皮。遗传上srb突变体中的多室性状受1对隐性核基因控制。比较测序分析发现, srb中BrCLV3基因的CLE motif中存在一种新的单核苷酸突变(C/G),可导致其保守结构域的第12位组氨酸突变为天冬氨酸,将该位点命名为Brclv3Asp12。利用SNP标记进行分离群体的鉴定,证实Brclv3Asp12中的C/G单核苷酸变异与多室表型共分离。转基因互补测验和体外多肽的处理试验进一步证实,该材料中控制多室性状位点Brclv3_Asp12突变导致了CLV3多肽活性的减弱,是形成多室角果性状的原因。本研究初步阐明了白菜型油菜srb多室性状形成的机制。