Fruit maturity affects the response of apples to heat stress

Quality changes of apple fruit at different maturity stages in response to heat stress were investigated. ‘Jonagold’ and ‘Cortland’ apples at immature (pre-climacteric), commercial harvest maturity (CHM) and post climacteric maturity (PCM, CHM plus 4 weeks) were harvested and held at 46 °C for 0, 4, 8, or 12 h. Following treatments, fruits were stored in air at 0 °C and evaluated after 0, 1, 2, or 3 months. Quality indices including peel and flesh browning, firmness, titratable acidity, soluble solids, chlorophyll fluorescence (CF), and ethanol production were measured. Results indicated that different cultivars and maturities affected the fruit's resistance to heat stress. ‘Jonagold’ was more resistant to heat stress than ‘Cortland’. Fruit at PCM were most sensitive to heat stress, followed by fruits at CHM and immature stages. When ‘Jonagold’ apples at immature and CHM stages were held at 46 °C for 12 h and then stored for 3 months, flesh browning ratings were negligible compared with 1.4 or 2.9, respectively in ‘Cortland’. Flesh browning rating increased to 1.4 or 4.5 in PCM ‘Jonagold’ held at 46 °C for 8 or 12 h and then stored for 3 months while it was 4.9 or 5.0, respectively, in ‘Cortland’. Heat treatment-induced flesh injury was associated with a decrease in CF. After fruit were exposure to 46 °C for 12 h and then stored for 3 months, Fv/Fm was reduced by 13%, 30%, and 55% in ‘Jonagold’ at immature maturity, CHM and PCM, respectively, while it was reduced by 51%, 58% and 75%, respectively, in ‘Cortland’. Heat stress also caused a decrease in fruit titratable acidity, but had no effect on soluble solids contents. The 8 or 12 h heat treatment resulted in an increase in ethanol production, which was greatest in PCM apples.     

采后乙醇处理对萝卜幼苗延迟衰老作用的影响

去根小萝卜幼苗，放置在０．５Ｌ的塑料盒中，用０．０５－１．０ｍｌ不同量的乙醇处理不同的时间，４ｄ后测定叶绿素损失量，氧的消耗量，二氧化碳产生量。结果发现，经乙醇气处理后的样品组，叶绿素损失均比对照组明显减少，二氧化碳生成量和氧的消耗量也比对照组显著降低，说明呼吸作用减缓并受到了抑制，延迟了衰老作用的发生。     

Postharvest application of gum arabic and essential oils for controlling anthracnose and quality of banana and papaya during cold storage

Management of anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. is the most important issue for the tropical fruit industry because of resulting financial losses. Antifungal effects of gum arabic (GA) (10%), lemongrass oil (LG) (0.05%), cinnamon oil (CM) (0.4%), and their combinations were investigated in vitro and in vivo for controlling postharvest anthracnose of banana and papaya. LG at 0.05% and 0.4% CM showed fungicidal effects against Colletotrichum musae and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, causal organisms of banana and papaya anthracnose, respectively. GA alone did not show any fungicidal effects while the combination of 0.05% LG and 0.4% CM with Ten percent GA alone showed more fungicidal effects. However, potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium modified with 10% GA combined with 0.4% CM showed the most promising results among all treatments against C. musae and C. gloeosporioides in suppressing the mycelial growth (73.4%) and (70.0%) and spore germination inhibition (88%) and (85%), respectively. In vivo studies also revealed that 10% GA combined with 0.4% CM was the optimal concentration in controlling decay (80%) and (71%), showing a synergistic effect in the reduction of C. musae and C. gloeosporioides, respectively, in artificially inoculated bananas and papayas. The results regarding quality evaluation also confirmed the efficacy of 10% GA combined with 0.4% CM coatings since ripening was significantly delayed, in terms of percentage weight loss, fruit firmness, soluble solids concentration and titratable acidity. The results suggest the possibility of using 10% gum arabic combined with 0.4% cinnamon oil as a biofungicide for controlling postharvest anthracnose in major tropical fruit such as banana and papaya.     

甘蓝自交不亲和基因MLPK与SSP的FISH定位

利用FISH技术, 对自交不亲和基因MLPK与SSP在甘蓝有丝分裂前中期染色体、减数分裂早粗线期染色体以及伸长DNA纤维等3种分辨率水平的靶DNA载体上进行物理定位。结果表明, 在有丝分裂前中期, MLPK探针信号位于一对近中着丝粒同源染色体的短臂中部, 距着丝粒的百分距离约为53.41±3.16;SSP探针信号位于一对具有随体的近端着丝粒同源染色体的长臂端部, 距着丝粒的百分距离约为78.36±4.26。综合3种载体上的FISH结果表明, MLPK与SSP在甘蓝染色体组中可能都只有一个同源序列座位, 具有在单倍体基因组中的单拷贝性。重复FISH杂交表明, MLPK与5S rDNA位于同一对染色体。依据Armstrong的核型分析标准, 初步判断MLPK与SSP分别位于甘蓝的2号和7号染色体, 与S位点不存在连锁关系。另从比较基因组学角度对定位结果进行了讨论。     

拟南芥低叶绿素荧光LCF3基因的克隆与功能分析

叶绿素荧光动力学技术在测定叶片光合作用中光系统对光能的吸收、传递、耗散、分配等方面具有独特的作用。本研究借助叶绿素荧光成像仪, 从拟南芥EMS诱变突变体库中筛选到一株低叶绿素荧光突变体lcf3-1 (lower chlorophyll fluorescence 3-1)。遗传分析表明lcf3-1突变体为单基因隐性突变。突变基因图位克隆结果显示LCF3是PsbW的等位基因。另外, LCF3基因的T-DNA插入突变体及功能回补转基因植物的叶绿素荧光分析结果, 均证明LCF3基因突变导致拟南芥叶绿素荧光F_v/F_m值降低。进一步实验证明LCF3蛋白定位于叶绿体, 且LCF3基因在植株中普遍表达。PsbW蛋白可能细微调整PSII-LHCII超复合体的组装及稳定。     

A preliminary study on the effect of metabolic stress disinfection and disinfestation (MSDD) on ripening physiology and quality of kiwifruit and apple

Metabolic stress disinfection and disinfestation (MSDD) is a relatively new quarantine treatment in which fruit are exposed to rapid decompression and compression cycles and high CO₂ atmosphere, followed by exposure to ethanol vapour under decompression. This study evaluated the ripening response of ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) and ‘Pink Lady’ apple (Malus x domestica) to MSDD treatment, which can control longtailed mealybug (Pseudococcus longispinus). Following the treatments, fruit were held at 20 °C for 7 d for shelf-life assessment, while the remainder were refrigerated at 0.5 °C for 16 weeks. Respiration rate, volatile (ethylene, ethanol and acetaldehyde) production rates, firmness and disorders were measured at regular time intervals. MSDD treatments did not affect the metabolic activities and quality of ‘Pink Lady’ apples. However, firmness was reduced by 4.9 N in non-refrigerated MSDD treated fruit. MSDD treatments did not control superficial scald disorder in refrigerated ‘Pink Lady’ apples. For ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit, treatments increased the respiration rate and ethylene production of short-term refrigerated fruit, promoted endogenous production of ethanol and acetaldehyde in both short-term and long-term refrigerated fruit. MSDD treatments also increased the incidence of rots in refrigerated ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit. MSDD treatments accelerated the softening of short-term refrigerated kiwifruit, but retarded the softening of ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit during the 16 weeks of refrigerated storage. MSDD could potentially be used as a quarantine treatment of apples. Further studies are required on the sensory effect of MSDD treatment.     

甘蓝型油菜黄化突变体的光合特性及叶绿素荧光参数分析

调查油菜自发黄化突变体(NY)、野生型(NG)及其正反交后代材料(F₁和rF₁)的光合色素含量、光合特性、叶绿素荧光参数及农艺性状,分析五叶期各参数的变化规律。表明,突变体叶绿素a、叶绿素b、类胡萝卜素和总叶绿素均大幅减少,其中叶绿素b减幅最大;净光合速率显著降低,胞间CO₂浓度升高,但气孔导度与野生型等相当,表明光合速率不受气孔限制;光补偿点和光饱和点升高,暗呼吸速率与野生型等相当,表观量子效率和光补偿点处量子效率显著降低;CO₂补偿点、光呼吸速率和羧化效率均显著降低,CO₂饱和点则显著升高;突变体的荧光参数,包括F_o、F_m、F_v/F_m、F_v'/F_m'、Φ_PSII、q_p、NPQ和ETR均显著降低,说明光合色素含量降低导致PSII反应中心捕光能力弱和光化学转化效率低,使叶片光合速率降低。突变体的黄化持续时间较长,对生长发育产生影响较大,单株籽粒产量只有野生型的57.09%,但与正常材料组配F₁的光合特性和农艺性状均能恢复到正常水平。     

The effect of metabolic stress disinfection and disinfestation (MSDD) on ‘Hass’ avocado fruit physiology and mortality of longtailed mealybug (Pseudococcus longispinus)

Metabolic stress disinfection and disinfestation (MSDD) is a potential quarantine treatment in which a combination of cycles of rapid decompression and compression are followed by exposure to ethanol vapour under decompression. The response of ‘Hass’ avocado (Persea americana Mill., cv. Hass) to MSDD treatment for control of longtailed mealybug (Pseudococcus longispinus) was investigated. The best treatment for the most resistant life stage (2nd/3rd instars) was 90-min MSDD treatment with 371 mg L⁻¹ ethanol. Early and late season ‘Hass’ avocados were subjected to MSDD treatments (with 371 mg L⁻¹ ethanol), or in air (control). Following the treatments, early season fruit were ripened at 20 °C and 25 °C. Half of the late season fruit were ripened at either 20 °C or 25 °C, and the remainder were stored at 5.5 °C for 6 weeks, then ripened at 20 °C. There were no significant difference in quality and rot incidence between non-treated controls and MSDD-treated fruit. The main disorders found were stem-end and body rots, vascular browning and flesh greying for the stored fruit. There were also no significant differences in fruit respiration rate or ethylene production. Thus, MSDD was shown to be a potentially ‘soft’ disinfestation treatment for surface pests of avocado.     

野生二粒小麦导入普通小麦的抗白粉病基因MlWE29分子标记定位

小麦白粉病是严重影响小麦生产的重要病害之一,培育和应用抗病品种是有效控制和减少病害的最经济有效的方法。野生二粒小麦是硬粒小麦和普通小麦的四倍体野生祖先种,是小麦抗病性遗传改良的重要基因资源。本研究利用来自以色列的野生二粒小麦WE29与普通小麦杂交,再用普通小麦连续回交和自交,育成高抗白粉病(Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici)小麦新品系3D258(系谱为燕大1817/WE29//5*87-1, BC₄F₆)。将3D258和高感小麦白粉病的普通小麦品种薛早配制杂交组合,对其F₁、F₂代分离群体和F₃代家系进行白粉病抗性鉴定和遗传分析。结果表明3D258携带抗白粉病显性单基因,暂命名为MlWE29。利用集群分离分析法(BSA)和分子标记分析,发现6个SSR标记(Xgwm335、Xgwm213、Xgwm639、Xwmc415、Xwmc289和Xwmc75)和5个EST-STS标记(BE494426、BE442763、CD452476、BE445282和BE407068)与抗白粉病基因MlWE29连锁。利用中国春缺体-四体系、双端体系和缺失系将抗白粉病基因MlWE29标记物理定位于5BL染色体的0.59–0.79区域。这一普通小麦抗白粉病种质资源的创制及其连锁分子标记的建立为小麦抗病基因分子标记辅助选择、基因积聚和分子育种提供了新的物质基础。     

Attempts to hybridize gloxinia and Streptocarpus

Summary Hybridization work was done between gloxinia and streptocarpus cultivars and species. No hybrid seeds were obtained. It is concluded that Sinningia speciosa cultivars and Streptocarpus sp. do not hybridize using conventional methods, in spite of positive reports in literature. The origin of these hybrids may probably be explained by the irregular occurrence of peloric flowers in streptocarpus, and zygomorphic flowers in gloxinia.     

Effect of meta-topolin on leaf senescence and rooting in Pelargonium × hortorum cuttings

Pelargonium (Pelargonium x hortorum) is grown as potted or bedding plants for their colourful, showy flowers and scented foliage. Absence of senescence symptoms in the leaves of Pelargonium cuttings, their capacity to initiate roots and continued growth of initiated roots is an important quality attribute. The effects of postharvest treatments with meta-topolin (mT) and thidiazuron (TDZ) to ‘Katinka’ Pelargonium cuttings were investigated. Leaves treated with mT or TDZ for 5 d had higher leaf chlorophyll contents than untreated controls. Exposing cuttings to mT had no effect on the rooting proportion (%) and average root diameter. Similarly, 0.05 mM mT had no effect on number of roots per cutting. However, mT slightly reduced root length, root surface area and total volume of the roots. TDZ severely inhibited adventitious root formation, thus it reduced all the root parameters investigated. In conclusion, mT is very active in retarding leaf senescence, and combined with the observed ease of rooting of cuttings after mT treatment, this treatment is a suitable alternative to TDZ in delaying the onset of leaf yellowing in ornamental crops.     

等位变异Vrn-B1a和Vrn-B1b的春化效应及其在黄淮冬麦区小麦品种中的分布

春化基因Vrn-B1是决定黄淮冬麦区小麦品种冬春性的主要基因之一, 研究其不同显性等位变异的低温春化作用效应及分布, 对该区小麦品种选育和推广具有重要意义。以等位变异Vrn-B1a品种皖麦33与等位变异Vrn-B1b品种豫麦34为亲本构建杂交组合, 对其F₂代进行5~35 d的低温春化处理, 并在温室(22±3℃,16 h昼/8 h夜)鉴定抽穗期, 结合分子标记分析低温春化处理时间对各等位变异型抽穗期的影响。同时对228个黄淮冬麦区小麦品种进行相关位点分子检测, 分析该基因等位变异的分布特点。各春化处理均使两种等位变异小麦植株的抽穗期提前, 但Vrn-B1a抽穗时间比Vrn-B1b晚约2 d。从春化处理当天至处理后25 d, 2种等位变异类型的抽穗时间均随春化时间的延长而缩短; 继续延长春化时间, 抽穗期不再缩短, 表明满足两种等位变异完成春化的低温时间为20~25 d。在228个品种中, Vrn-B1位点有214个(93.9%)隐性和14个(6.1%)显性等位变异。其中, 显性等位变异Vrn-B1a有6个, 占总品种数的2.6%; Vrn-B1b有8个, 占总品种数的3.5%。在黄淮冬麦区小麦品种中, 春化基因Vrn-B1位点至少存在Vrn-B1a和Vrn-B1b两种显性等位变异类型, 两种等位变异类型纯合小麦植株的抽穗时间不同。     

芥菜AP1基因体外表达及其与FLC相互作用的验证

芥菜花分生组织决定因子AP1与开花路径核心调节子FLC可能存在直接的相互作用,从而调节开花时间。为进一步检测该相互作用,从芥菜“QJ”材料中同源克隆了790 bp的AP1 cDNA序列,该基因编码256个氨基酸。生物信息学分析表明, AP1属MIKC型蛋白,其MADS域含有2个a螺旋和2个b折叠,第1个a螺旋内含有1个不保守氨基酸位点; 而K域含有3个a螺旋,第1、2个a螺旋内各有1个不保守位点,第3个a螺旋内具有4个不保守位点。同时构建了原核表达质粒pET43.1a-AP1,转化宿主菌大肠杆菌BL21,以IPTG诱导该融合蛋白体外表达。利用pET43.1a-AP1融合蛋白序列中6×His 标签与Ni⁺结合的特点,结合SDS-PAGE分析,证实了体外表达蛋白AP1能与FLC相互作用并形成复合体,该结果为深入研究AP1与FLC互作机制及花分生组织的分子调控奠定了基础。