双低甘蓝型油菜新品种苏油1号的选育

双低甘蓝型油菜新品种苏油1号种子含油率41．37％,芥酸含量0．30％,硫甙含量27．4μmol／g,,苏州市油菜区域试验平均产量2814．15kg／hm^2,比对照荣选和汇油50分别增产10．87％与13．63％。江苏省油菜区域试验平均产量2418．15kg／hm^2,比对照荣选和秦油2号分别增产19．40％与10．62％。江苏省油菜生产试验平均产量2383．20kg／hm^2,比对照荣选增产7．24％。全国油菜区域试验平均产量2008．95kg／hm^2,比对照中油821增产7．84％。苏油1号适于我国长江下游冬油菜区种植。     

杂交油菜新品种——亚科28

亚科28是湖南亚华种业科学研究院利用甘蓝型油菜细胞质雄性不育系亚36A与恢复系H7-1配制而成的半冬性甘蓝型杂交油菜中熟组合。2001～2004年参加湖南省区试，平均产量2296．5kg／hm^2，比对照湘油13号增产9．2％。2003～2004年度在安乡点生产试验中平均产量2805kg／hm^2，比对照增产15．4％；在津市点2580kg／hm^2，比对照增产25．1％；     

低芥酸杂交油菜渝杂18的选育

低芥酸杂交油菜渝杂18由西南农业大学采用化学杀雄方法育成，品比试验产量1950－2715kg/hm^2；重庆市区域试验平均产量1946kg/hm^2，比对照品种中油821增产2．21％，生产试验平均产量2139kg/hm^2；比对照中油821增产22．3％。渝杂18商品种子含油量39．97％，芥酸含量0．62％。1998年通过重庆市农作物品种审定委员会审定。     

甘蓝型油菜隐性上位互作核不育双低杂交种皖油14的选育

皖油14（原C022）是利用隐性上位互作核不育育成的甘蓝型油菜杂交种，具有丰产，稳产，优质（高含油、低芥酸、低硫甙），抗（耐）病等特性，安徽省区试平均产量2661kg/hm^2，比对照秦油2号增产7．2％，比对照中汪821增产22．9％，全国（长江下游区）区试平均产量2149kg/hm^2，比对照中油821增产12．6％，抗（耐）病性优于秦油2号和中油821，芥酸含量为0．36％，硫甙含量为31．2umol/g，含油量达44．3％。     

甘蓝型双低油菜品种沪油15的选育

甘蓝型双低油菜品种沪油15系采用品种（系）间的双方方法育成，种子含油量42.43%，芥酸含量0.38%，硫甙含量19.01μmol/g。上海市油菜区域试验平均产量2147.3kg/hm^2，比对照汇油50增产31．3％，上海市油菜生产试验平均产量2700.0kg/hm^2，比对照汇油50增产12.6%。沪油15适于我国长江下游冬油菜区种植。     

甘蓝型优质杂交油菜淮杂油5号的选育

淮杂油5号为甘蓝型油菜细胞质雄性不育(CMS)杂交新品种,不育系为H64A,恢复系为V24-22.淮杂油5号综合性状好,品质优,抗倒,抗(耐)病,熟期适中.在2003～2006年江苏省油菜新品种区域试验中,平均产量2 894.9 kg/hm2,比对照宁杂1号增产7.98%.在2006～2007年江苏省油菜新品种生产试验中,平均产量2 984.5 kg/hm2,比对照宁杂1号增产9.72%.介绍了淮杂油油5号的选育经过、特征特性和栽培技术要点.     

双低三系杂交油菜秦优8号选育

秦优8号为甘蓝型油菜细胞质雄性不育三系中早熟杂交种。陕西省区试平均产量为3036．5kg／hm^2,生产试验平均产量为2845．7kg／hm^2,比对照秦油2号增产4．20％。2002年参加黄淮区油菜区试平均产量2542．0kg／hm^2,比对照秦油2号增产3．02％。品质优良,芥酸含量0．27％～0．44％,硫甙含量21．41～24．64μmol／g,含油率39．9％～40．9％。     

甘蓝型双低油菜新品种沪油16的选育

沪油16是通过品种间杂交育成的甘蓝型双低油菜新品种,种子含油率为41.22%、芥酸含量为0.74%、硫苷含量为21.20μmoL/g.沪油16在上海市油菜区域试验中,平均产量2 583.0kg/hm2,比对照双低油菜品种沪油12增产12.0%;在国家油菜区域试验中,平均产量1 956.0kg/hm2,比对照双高品种中油821增产10.1%.     

特早熟甘蓝型双低油菜杂交种青杂3号的选育

青杂3号(原代号为E144)是青海省春油菜研究开发中心培育的甘蓝型双低油菜波里马细胞质雄性不育三系杂交种.在国家春油菜区域试验早熟组中平均产量为2 340.1㎏/hm2,比对照白菜型油菜品种青油241增产39.3%;在国家春油菜生产试验中平均产量为2 407.5kg/hm2,比对照青油241增产45.1%.在青海省区域试验中平均产量为2 790.2kg/hm2,比对照青油241增产47.6%;在青海省生产试验中平均产量为2 989.1㎏/hm2,比对照青油241增产50.2%.青杂3号种子含油量44.27%,芥酸含量0.50%,硫甙含量29.40μmol/g.全生育期110d左右.     

甘蓝型双低春油菜三系杂交种互丰010的选育

互丰010是利用波里马细胞质雄性不育材料育成的甘蓝型春油菜三系杂交种，具有优质，高产，中早熟、抗逆性强，适应性广等特点，青海省油菜区试平均产量3766．50kg/hm^2，比对照品种青油331增产11．50％，生产试验最高产量在4026．00kg/hm^2，比对照青油331增产14．80％，比对照垦油1号增产16．10％，芥酸含量1．07％，硫甙含量25．93μmol/g，含油量45．55％，1999年通过青海省农作物品种审定委员会审定。     

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.     

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.     

Recent Modifications of Chitosan for Adsorption Applications: A Critical and Systematic Review

Chitosan is considered to be one of the most promising and applicable materials in adsorption applications. The existence of amino and hydroxyl groups in its molecules contributes to many possible adsorption interactions between chitosan and pollutants (dyes, metals, ions, phenols, pharmaceuticals/drugs, pesticides, herbicides, etc.). These functional groups can help in establishing positions for modification. Based on the learning from previously published works in literature, researchers have achieved a modification of chitosan with a number of different functional groups. This work summarizes the published works of the last three years (2012–2014) regarding the modification reactions of chitosans (grafting, cross-linking, etc.) and their application to adsorption of different environmental pollutants (in liquid-phase).