黄牛体细胞核移植初步研究

对牛体细胞核移植的有关影响因素进行了系统研究,结果表明,电场强度为100v／mm,电脉冲2次,脉冲时间为10μs的融合率显著高于30μs的融合率,囊胚发育率差异不显著;在耳部成纤维细胞的注核微滴中添加7％乙醇可提高重组胚的卵裂率,供体细胞的预激活可提高核移植效果;TⅠ期(第二次减数分裂末期)去核卵母细胞核移植总囊胚率低于MⅠ期(第二次减数分裂中期)去核卵母细胞的,TⅠ期去核卵母细胞的核移植效果不如MⅠ期去核卵母细胞的;成纤维细胞直接注射后3h用离子霉素(5μmol／L,5min)和6-二甲氨基嘌呤(6-DMAP,2mmol／L,3h)激活处理的重组胚发育率显著高于注核后0h和6h激活的重组胚,供体细胞核与受体卵母细胞激活前的胞质因子互作一段时间,有利于核移植胚胎的早期发育。     

小鼠卵母细胞去核方法的改进

为摸索一种简单有效的小鼠(Mus musculus)卵母细胞去核方法,本研究对压电脉冲装置(Piezo)辅助显微操作条件下的小鼠中期Ⅱ(metaphaseⅡ,MⅡ)卵母细胞去核方法进行了改进,比较了改进的去核方法和常规去核方法,在无蔗糖或含蔗糖去核操作液中的去核效果及核移植重构胚的后续发育能力;用改进的去核法在无蔗糖的去核操作液中对卵母细胞进行去核,比较卵母细胞去核操作液及核移植操作液中添加不同浓度胎牛血清(FBS)时核移植重构胚的后续发育能力。结果显示,MⅡ期卵母细胞在无蔗糖和含3%蔗糖的去核操作液中通过调整显微镜物镜距离显示MⅡ期纺锤体区域的方法进行显核,显核率分别为98.4%(184/187)和98.7%(153/155)(P0.05)。在无蔗糖或含蔗糖的去核操作液中,用改进的去核法,即去核针穿过透明带后,紧贴MⅡ期纺锤体区域的质膜,施加负压将MⅡ期纺锤体区域吸住并将其直接拉出卵母细胞,去核率分别为84.6%和88.2%;用常规去核法在这2种去核操作液中去核,去核率分别为83.1%和88.6%,各组之间差异均不显著(P0.05);用改进的去核法比常规去核法吸出的胞质少。用改进的去核方法在无蔗糖的去核操作液中去核后,构建的核移植重构胚发育到8-细胞、桑椹胚和囊胚的比率最高,桑椹胚发育率(16.3%)和囊胚发育率(5.8%)显著高于用该法在含蔗糖的去核操作液中去核组(5.1%和0)。用常规去核法在无蔗糖操作液及含蔗糖操作液中去核后,核移植重构胚的桑椹胚发育率分别为3.3%和1.2%(P0.05),且均未获得囊胚发育。去核操作液和核移植操作液中添加20%FBS时,重构胚囊胚发育率显著高于添加10%FBS组(10.9%对4.9%)(P0.05),表明用改进的去核方法在添加20%胎牛血清(FBS)的操作液中进行去核及核移植操作是可行的,而且对重构胚后续发育的支持能力较好。本研究为进一步提高小鼠体细胞核移植效率做出了有益的探索。     

不同来源的供体细胞对水牛体细胞核移植效果的影响

采用电融合方法,探讨不同来源的供体细胞对水牛核移植效果的影响。体外成熟培养22～24h的水牛卵母细胞,在含有5μg/mL细胞松弛素B的操作液中进行去核,然后将经0.1μg/mLAphidicolin(APD)+0.5%FBS培养2～9d的水牛不同来源的供体细胞,注射到去核的卵母细胞卵周隙中,电融合形成重构胚。重构胚经5μmol/L离子霉素激活处理5min,并在2mmol/L的6-DMAP中培养3h后,在含有颗粒细胞单层细胞的微滴中培养7～9d,观察其卵裂和胚胎发育情况。结果发现,来自水牛胎儿耳部或腹部组织块的成纤维细胞用作供体细胞,其重组胚的融合率及体外发育能力差异不显著(P>0.05),且细胞培养方法(组织块法或酶消化法)对其核移植效果没有影响;来自编号011010的胎儿耳皮成纤维细胞重组胚的囊胚发育率显著高于来自编号030323和030410细胞(31.45%vs10.96%和14.49%,P<0.05),但它们的融合率、卵裂率无显著差异(P>0.05)。以上结果表明:经不同培养方法培养的细胞或来自身体不同部位的组织的成纤维细胞均可作为核移植研究的供体细胞,但是水牛体细胞核移植效果受供体的个体差异的影响。     

电脉冲对体内体外成熟的兔卵母细胞核移植的影响

本研究探讨了不同电激次数对体内成熟的兔卵母细胞核移植胚卵裂的影响,以及用体外成熟的兔卵母细胞作核移植受体卵的可能性。将16～32细胞期胚胎的单个卵裂球显微注入体内成熟去核卵母细胞卯周隙内,419枚移核卵中有371枚存活(89%),用160 V,40 μs 两次电脉冲(间隔18)电激诱导融合,融合率91%(299/327)。融合胚在含细胞松驰素 B 的 PBS 内培养1 h 后分为两组:(1)直接转移到 TCM-199+10%FCS 内培养;(2)用160.V,40μs 电脉冲电激一次后培养。18 h 后(1)组卵裂率仅为18%(20/110)比(2)组76%(86/112)明显低(P<0.01),表明融合后的胚胎再增加一次电激对激     

兔和牛卵母细胞核移植的研究

通过显微操作，将１６～３２细胞期胚胎的单个卵裂球注入去核卵母细胞的卵周隙内，用适当电压（兔１６０Ｖ、牛１２０Ｖ）和脉冲时间的两次电脉冲诱导卵裂球与卵母细胞的融合；融合后的胚胎体外培养观察发育或移植到同步受体。体内成熟的免卵母细胞操作后存活率为９３．７％（１５０１／１６０２），融合率为９４．３％（１２８１／１３５９）。融合卵再用１６０Ｖ４０μｓ电脉冲电激一次，可显著提高其卵裂率（７５．９％比１８．２％，Ｐ＜０．０１）。用体外成熟的兔卵母细胞进行核移植，存活率和融合率分别为７８．５％（９５／１２１）和９５．７％（８８／９２），融合胚卵裂率为５１．４％（３７／７２）。初步表明体外成熟的兔卵母细胞可作为核移植的受体卵。此外，还尝试了用体外受精的牛胚胎和体外成熟的牛卵母细胞进行核移植，操作后存活率和融合率分别为９８．０％（５０／５１）和７５．５％（３７／４９），核移植胚的卵裂率为５４．１％（２０／３７）。     

电脉冲激活对体外成熟猪卵母细胞卵裂率和囊胚率的影响

探索了电脉冲结合细胞松驰素B(CB)、放线菌酮(CHX)以及6-二甲基嘌呤(DMAP)等化学物质,对猪卵母细胞激活后发育的影响.在电脉冲激活时,0.6 kV/cm和1.3 kY/cm,80μs,1次电激活后,(1)用2 mmol/LDMAP处理6 h的卵裂率分别为(60.39±6.71)%和(60.35±8.95)%,差异不显著(P＞0.05),囊胚率分别为(9.51±5.93)%和(14.53±3.38)%,差异显著(P＜0.05);(2)用7.5μg/mL CB+10μg/mL CHX处理6 h的孤雌胚,卵裂率[(1.82±10.76)%vs(58.50±8.33%)]和囊胚率(8.91±4.37)%vs(14.53±3.38)%]均存在显著差异(P＜0.05).卵母细胞经1.3 kV/cm、80μs和单次电脉冲激活后,分别用7.5μg/mL CB、10μg/mL CHX、2 mmol/L DMAP、7.5μg/mL CB+10μg/mLCHX和7.5μg/mLCB+2 mmol/LDMAP处理2～8 h,结果表明CB处理4 h,CHX、CB+CHX和CB+DMAP处理6 h,DMAP处理8 h的卵裂率和囊胚率高于其它时间处理组.在电脉冲/CB、CHX、DMAP、CB+CHX和CB+DMAP 5种激活方法中,CB+CHX和CB+PMAP的卵裂率和囊胚率分别为(78.46±8.46)%、(33.13±7.84)%和(75.84±10.61)%、(39.12±7.15)%,囊胚率显著高于其它各组(P＜0.05).     

水牛体细胞核移植相关影响因素的研究

主要是探讨水牛卵母细胞的体外成熟与供体的年龄和性别对其核移植效果的影响。体外成熟培养22～24h的水牛卵母细胞,在含有5μg／mL细胞松弛素的操作液中进行去核,然后将经0．1μg／mL蚜栖菌素（Aphidicolin,APD）培养处理24h,再用0．5％胎牛血清（FBS）培养2d的水牛耳皮成纤维细胞注射到去核的卵母细胞卵周隙中,再经电融合形成重构胚。重构胚经5μmol／L离子霉素激活处理5min并在2mmol／L的二甲氨基嘌呤（6-DMAP）中培养3h后,在含有颗粒细胞单层细胞的微滴中（30μL）培养7d,观察其卵裂和胚胎发育情况。结果显示：在添加有10ng／mL上皮生长因子（EGF）成熟液中培养的受体水牛卵母细胞的融合率和重组胚卵裂率与对照组无显著差异（P〉0．05）,但其囊胚发育率明显高于对照组（18．53％vs．7．56％,P〈0．05）。来自胎儿（3个月）或成年（一头5～6岁,另一头22岁）水牛的耳皮成纤维细胞核移植后重组胚的卵裂率差异不显著（P〉0．05）,但水牛胎儿体细胞构建的重组胚囊胚率显著高于成年体细胞（22．55％vs．10．77％和8．09％,P〈0．05）。雌性水牛成纤维细胞构建的重组胚的囊胚发育率（20．23％）显著高于雄性水牛体细胞的囊胚率（10．16％,P〈0．05）。以上结果表明：（1）成熟液中添加EGF能提高受体卵母细胞核移植后的胚胎发育率;（2）水牛体细胞核移植效果受供体的个体年龄和性别的影响：胎儿成纤维细胞的核移植效果优于成年的成纤维细胞,而且以雌性的效果较好。     

亮甲酚蓝染色筛选及曲古抑菌素A对东北野猪核移植胚发育的影响

体细胞克隆的效率一直较低,这可能与成熟前卵母细胞的质量有关。猪卵母细胞主要来源于屠宰场的废弃卵巢,这暗示,卵母细胞可能处于发情周期的各个阶段。因此,体细胞核转移之前有必要筛选优质卵母细胞。本研究旨在探讨亮甲酚蓝染色筛选及曲古抑菌素A(TSA)对东北野猪(Sus scrofa ussuricus)核移植胚发育的影响。卵丘卵母细胞复合体经亮甲酚蓝(BCB)染色后分三组:BCB+组(胞质着色,葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氧酶(G6PDH)活性低)、BCB-组(胞质未着色,G6PDH活性高)和对照组(不使用亮甲酚蓝染色)。卵母细胞体外成熟培养后,对卵母细胞进行核移植操作,来源于BCB+卵母细胞的核移植胚使用50nmol/LTSA处理,未使用TSA处理的来源于BCB+卵母细胞的核移植胚作为对照组。结果表明,BCB+卵母细胞的直径显著大于BCB-组(P<0.05)。来源于BCB+卵母细胞的核移植胚的初次卵裂时间要早于BCB-组及对照组。来源于BCB+卵母细胞的核移植胚的囊胚形成率显著高于BCB-组及对照组(P<0.05)。且50nmol/LTSA处理可将来源于BCB+卵母细胞的核移植囊胚率提高到(29.6±2.8)%(P<0.05)。总之,来源于BCB+卵母细胞的核移植胚发育能力较强,且50nmol/L的TSA可促进重构胚的体外发育。对卵母细胞进行BCB染色筛选并使用50nmol/L的TSA处理重构胚,可提高东北野猪核移植重构胚的发育能力,为通过体细胞克隆法保护东北野猪资源创造条件。     

黄牛和水牛种间核移植研究初报

本实验探讨了将体外培养成熟的水牛卵母细胞去核后 ,作为体外受精生产的黄牛胚胎细胞核移植的受体进行种间核移植的可能性。结果表明 ,黄牛与水牛进行种间核移植的重组卵有 54.2 %的融合率 ,显著地低于黄牛种内核移植的结果 ( 75.0 % ,P<0 .0 5) ;而卵裂率两者之间差别不大 (分别为 65.4 %和 71 .2 % ,P>0 .0 5)。但来自种间核移植的早期胚胎体外发育潜能很低 ,体外囊胚发育率只有 5.9% ,很显著地低于种内核移植的结果 ( 50 .0 % ,P<0 .0 1 )。用作种间核移植受体的体外成熟水牛卵母细胞质量较差可能是造成重组胚体外发育能力低的主要因素之一。     

电融合化学激活前培养时间对绵羊重构胚发育的影响

采用绵羊（Bos gaurus）体细胞带下注入体外成熟的卵母细胞构建重构胚,比较了不同的融合和化学激活前培养时间对重构胚融合和发育的影响。融合前培养 1h,比较不同的激活前培养时间,发现各组重构胚卵裂率、桑椹胚率和囊胚率均无显著差异（P>0.05）,但激活前培养2h胚胎完整率(95.81%)高于对照（74.64%）,差异显著（P<0.05）;激活前培养2 h,比较不同的融合前培养时间,发现两组融合率,激活胚胎完整率和囊胚率无显著差异（P>0.05）,但融合前培养1h的卵裂率（76.88%）和桑椹胚率（40.63%）显著高于直接融合（64.48%和21.50%）（P<0.05）。利用G1和G2培养早期克隆胚胎,将发育至桑椹胚囊胚的胚胎移植到41只受体绵羊,仅1只妊娠但于第104天流产。用5对绵羊微卫星DNA多态性引物对该克隆流产胎儿皮肤成纤维细胞、供体细胞、受体绵羊及一只普通对照母绵羊皮肤成纤维细胞进行微卫星DNA分析,结果表明5对微卫星DNA引物扩增各组细胞DNA, 扩增产物经过10%琼脂糖凝胶电泳和银染后,条带均有明显的多态性。条带分析显示,克隆流产胎儿的微卫星DNA指纹与供体细胞完全相同,而不同于其受体母亲和对照绵羊。证明该流产羔羊基因来源于供体细胞,为体细胞克隆绵羊。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Increase in auxiliary photoprotective photosynthetic pigments in wheat seedlings induced by Azospirillum brasilense

Inoculation of wheat seedlings with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd was immobilized in alginate microbeads and, without applying any stress, significantly increased the quantity of several photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the auxiliary photoprotective pigments violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheroxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, and β-carotene. This resulted in greener plants with no apparent visible stress. After monitoring the quantity of photosynthetic pigments for 4 weeks, we observed that inoculated plants had higher quantities of pigments in shoot and stem. The greatest difference in the quantity of all pigments between inoculated and noninoculated plants occurred in the first week of growth. Regardless of treatment, the quantity of pigments in stems was three to four times less than the quantity of these pigments in shoots. Application of Azospirillum, either as liquid inoculant or as alginate microbeads, did not alter the positive effect of the bacteria on pigment production or the positive response of the plants towards A. brasilense Cd inoculation.     

Responses of native legume desert trees used for reforestation in the Sonoran Desert to plant growth-promoting microorganisms in screen house

Three slow-growing legume trees used for desert reforestation and urban gardening in the Sonoran Desert of Northwestern Mexico and the Southwestern USA were evaluated whether their growth can be promoted by inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria (Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus pumilus), unidentified arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (mainly Glomus sp.), and supplementation with common compost under regular screenhouse cultivation common to these trees in nurseries. Mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata) and yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) had different positive responses to several of the parameters tested while blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida) did not respond. Survival of all tree species was over 80% and survival of mesquite was almost 100% after 10 months of cultivation. Inoculation with growth-promoting microorganisms induced significant effects on the leaf gas exchange of these trees, measured as transpiration and diffusive resistance, when these trees were cultivated without water restrictions.