甜菜抗丛根病新品种内甜抗203的选育

甜菜新品种内甜抗203（原名内102）是多胚型二倍体抗丛根病品种。该品种在内蒙古自治区甜菜品种抗病区域试验中,平均根产量44715．0kg／hm^2,比对照种甜研303提高97．7％;含糖率15．67％,比对照种提高1．34度;产糖量7006．8kg／hm^2,比对照种提高116．2％,丛根病病情指数17,比对照种降低18。在内蒙古自治区甜莱品种普通组生产试验中,根产量69225.0kg／hm^2,比对照提高62．0％;含糖率16．85％,比对照提高0．08度;产糖量11664.4kg／hm^2,比对照提高62．8％,达到丰产型品种标准;在内蒙古自治区甜菜品种抗病组生产试验中,根产量、含糖率、产糖量分别比对照提高182．6％、1．10度、203．8％,丛根病病情指数比对照降低47．9,达抗丛根病型品种标准。     

甜菜品种瑞马(RIMA)引种鉴定

2000年包头华资实业股份有限公司由荷兰引进单粒二倍体甜菜杂交种瑞马(RIMA)，在2002～2003年的内蒙古自治区甜菜品种区域试验(抗丛组)中，平均根产量、含糖率和产糖量分别为58182．0kg／hm^2、14．77％和8575．8kg／hm^2，分别比对照提高216．5％、0．44度和238．2％；在2003年的生产试验中，根产量为71329．5kg／hm^2．含糖率为14．53％，病情指数为16。2004年通过内蒙古自治区农作物品种审定委员会审定。     

甜菜配施“肥力高”的效果初探

试验结果表明，甜菜在施用化肥基础上配施“肥力高”，对甜菜有明显的增产、增糖、增收效果。其中以常规化肥施用量加“肥车高”15kg/hm^2处理（“肥力高”做基肥、追肥各半）效果最好，分别较对照提高根产量、含糖率、产糖量16．1％、2．2度和31．7％，是一项值得推广的有效措施。     

甜菜种植密度试验

通过试验和调查研究，明确了内蒙古达拉特旗原料区甜菜纸筒育苗移栽的适宜种植密度为64442-67340株／hm^2，产量达到67t／hm^2以上，产糖量达10．876-12．51t／hm^2；比密植和稀植分别提高含糖率0．5度和1．04度；产糖量分别提高13．5％和8．4％。     

甜菜单胚多倍体品种甜单305的选育

甜单305为三倍体甜菜单胚杂交组合，是由单胚细胞质雄性不育系TB9-CMS为母本，以四倍体多胚绿胚轴品系甜426G为父本按4：1比例杂交而成。制种时只收获母本雄性不育系的单胚种子。于2002年配制杂交组合，2005-2006年区域试验，2007年生产示范试验。甜单305在全省生产示范试验中，表现突出，在根产量、含糖率、产糖量3个指标上均超过了对照品种，平均根产量47760．2kg／hm^2，含糖率17．06％，产糖量8116．2kg／hm^2，分别比对照品种甜研309提高22．7％、0．62度、27．2％。2008年4月被黑龙江省农作物品种审定委员会审定命名为推广品种，适宜推广区域为哈尔滨、齐齐哈尔、牡丹江等甜菜产区。     

甜菜品种普瑞宝(PRESTIBEL)引种试验

普瑞宝(PRESTIBEL)是九三种业公司从荷兰安地公司引进的三倍体多粒杂交种。经过5年试验．尤其是2001～2003年参加黑龙江省甜菜品种区域试验和生产试验，平均根产量分别为45261．0／hm^2和46843．8kg／hm^2,比对照品种甜研303增产32．6％和27．7％，平均含糖率为15．95％和16．51％，比对照低1,08度和0．49度。平均产糖量为7301．7kg／hm^2和7911,5kg／hm^2，比对照提高24．1％和23．6％。抗褐斑病、耐根腐病，苗期立枯病发病率低，适应性强。适宜在黑龙江省的黑河、嫩江、佳木斯、牡丹江等地区种植。     

甜菜43cm垄距栽培模式初探

将甜菜行株距65cm×20cm改为行株距43cm×25cm，试验结果表明：甜菜根产量、含糖率和产糖量分别提高45．1％～61．8％、0．6～0．8度和50．8％-70．4％。农民和企业分别增收2851-3931元／hm^2和2835-3930元／hm^2。     

法国甜菜单粒雄性不育系的引种鉴定与应用

对引种法国5个甜菜单粒雄性不育系试验结果表明：MSF9602、MSFD。两品系较抗病，产质量突出。块根产量分别为95．8t／hm^2．92．0t／hm^2；含糖率14．55％、14．10％，较CK提高1．90度、1．45度；产糖量13．9t／hm^2、13．0t／hm^2，较CK提高15．0％、6．9％。用该不育系为母本配制的杂交组合优势强，目前已筛选出5个较优组合准备参加国家区试或自治区区试。     

抗丛根病甜菜新品种宁甜双优2号的选育

甜菜抗丛根病新品种宁甜双优2号属遗传双胚型雄不育杂优品种。该品种在丛根病区种植不仅抗丛根病、褐斑病性能强。而且根产量、含糖率高，接近或达到无丛根病感染地的生产水平。1998、1999年参加5点次生产示范，平均块根产量53964．0kg/hm^2，比对照增产4．67％；平均含糖率达15．35％，比对照提高0．93度；平均产糖量8286．3kg/hm^2，比对照增产11．37％。     

甜菜新品种中甜205的选育

中甜205(原代号9017)是以2个二倍体多粒型有粉系按2：1比例配制的杂交组合，该品种1997-2000年参加全国甜菜品种区域试验和生产试验，平均根产量分别为39365kg／hm^2和51782kg／hm^2，分剐比当地对照品种提高6．8％和12．2％；平均含糖率为15．7％和16．5％，比当地对照品种提高1.2度和0．3度；平均产糖量为6227．9kg／hm^2和8371．2kg／hm^2，比当地对照品种提高17．6％和14．3％。抗褐斑病性强，平均褐斑病病情为1．0级，在病区一般比当地对照品种低1．5级左右；较耐根腐病。适宜在黑龙江的哈尔滨、嫩江、佳木斯地区，吉林西部，内蒙古的中部，山西大同地区，新疆的石河子、和静等地区种植。     

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.