安徽地区华东野核桃果实特征和坚果品质的初步评价

[目的]探究华东野核桃果实性状、核仁成分及其相关性,为其资源的开发和综合利用提供依据。[方法]本研究以皖南华东野核桃资源为对象,测定其鲜果单果质量、果皮厚度与坚果单果质量、壳厚度、出仁率等果实性状及坚果核仁成分,分析其相关性。[结果]华东野核桃果实性状具有丰富的变异,大部分变异系数大于10%,其中,坚果壳厚度变异系数最大为43.92%。对坚果核仁成分的测定表明:核仁中脂肪含量最高,蛋白质次之,总糖含量较低;对脂肪组分的进一步分析可知,其不饱和脂肪酸含量较高,达92.68%。利用相关性分析,发现坚果单果质量与核仁脂肪含量呈显著正相关。利用主成分分析对华东野核桃果实性状及核仁成分的综合分析及评价发现,单株编号10和8的鲜果大小及不饱和脂肪酸含量在所受试单株中综合表现最好,可作为进一步育种的遗传资源。[结论]本研究首次报道华东野核桃果实核仁成分,发现其核仁脂肪酸含量高于薄壳山核桃、山核桃,且不饱和脂肪酸含量也高,表明其核仁是值得开发的一种新食品资源。该研究结果为华东野核桃资源的综合开发与利用提供了数据支持。     

不同光质处理对枫香幼苗叶色的影响

[目的]从生理生化角度揭示不同光质处理对枫香家系叶色变化的影响,为探索枫香叶色对光质的响应机理提供参考。[方法]以2个枫香家系的1年生幼苗为试验材料,测定其在不同光质处理下叶片叶绿素、类胡萝卜素、花青素、可溶性糖、类黄酮和苯丙氨酸解氨酶的含量并分析其相关性。[结果]结果表明:试验后2个枫香家系叶色较处理前有一定程度的变化。红光处理组枫香幼苗叶片叶绿素含量显著高于其它处理组,而蓝光处理组叶片叶绿素含量则显著低于其它处理组。蓝光处理后,2个枫香家系叶片花青素含量较对照有显著提高,而红光处理则减少了叶片花青素含量。同时蓝光处理能显著提高枫香幼苗叶片类胡萝卜素、可溶性糖和类黄酮含量以及苯丙氨酸解氨酶活力,红光处理效果较对照无显著差异。方差分析表明,不同光质处理对枫香幼苗叶片叶绿素含量影响显著,而对花青素量和类胡萝卜素含量影响不显著。[结论]2个枫香家系叶色在光质处理下有相同的变化趋势,红光处理可以促进枫香幼苗叶片叶绿素合成;蓝光处理可以促进枫香幼苗叶片积累更多的花青素。     

Profiling of volatile compounds from five interior decoration timbers in Taiwan using TD/GC–MS/FID

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from Chamaecyparis formosensis, Cryptomeria japonica, Cunninghamia lanceolata, Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana, and Taiwania cryptomerioides five major building and interior decoration timbers and their essential oil components were analyzed using GC–MS and TD/GC–MS/FID. Results showed that C. obtusa var. formosana had the highest yield of essential oil (3.42%), followed by C. formosensis (3.14%), while C. japonica had the lowest yield (0.95%). Moreover, oxygenated sesquiterpene was the highest relative content in all five essential oils and their main constituents were trans-myrtanol (18.04%), 1-epi-cubenol (15.99%), cedrol (62.26%), α-cadinol (26.42%), and α-cadinol (27.98%), respectively. In terms of emission quantity of top VOC, the results showed the decreasing order of C. formosensis (myrtenal, 74.21 mg/m²)?>?T. cryptomerioides (thujopsene, 12.00 mg/m²)?>?C. lanceolata (α-cedrene, 10.27 mg/m²)?>?C. obtusa var. formosana (α-pinene, 8.05 mg/m²)?>?C. japonica (α-cedrene, 4.25 mg/m²). C. formosensis had a greater amount of VOCs emitted and hence gave off more fragrance than C. obtusa var. formosana initially. However, after indoor exposure of 24 weeks, the VOC emission quantity of C. obtusa var. formosana exceeded that of C. formosensis. α-Cedrene and thujopsene were the top two major VOCs of both C. lanceolata and T. cryptomerioides. However, they both showed a trend of decrease in emission with prolonged exposure. All five plantation timbers showed good antifungal, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antitermitic properties, making them ideal materials for interior decoration. Not only do they have strong bioactivities, they can also provide a fragrant and healthy living environment.     

Rapid changes of induced volatile organic compounds in Pinus massoniana

Using the thermal-desorption cold trap gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (TCT-GC-MS) technique, the composition and relative contents of volatile compounds were analyzed in undamaged (control), insect-damaged (ID) and artificially-damaged (AD) leaves of Pinus massoniana in field at different times and levels of damage. Results showed that although volatile substances were highly released earlier in AD leaves plants, they were significantly less abundant in AD than in ID leaves treatments. Also, the damage level considerably influenced the changes of induced volatile products from leaves. Compared with the control, the emission rate of camphene, β-pinene, phellandrene, caryophyllene and (E)-farnesene was high after 1 h in 25%–40% ID-affected leaves, whereas that of tricyclene, myrcene, camphene, β-Pinene, phellandrene and caryophyllene reached its maximum after 24 h in 60%–75% ID-affected leaves. In the same manner, some volatile compounds in the AD leaves treatment displayed their peaks just after 1 h, but others after 24 h. The AD and ID leaves at the damage level of 25%–40% did not exhibit an obvious regularity with time; however, in 60%–75% AD leaves, peaks of volatile substances were attained after 1 or 2 h. Our results also showed that the relative content of β-pinene increased and was higher in damaged than control plants. β-pinene plays an important role in inducing the insect resistance of P. massoniana trees. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2006, 42(4): 65–70 [译自: 林业科学]     

缓释肥N/P养分配比及加载量对3种珍贵树种大规格容器苗生长的影响

[目的]研究缓释肥N/P养分配比及加载量对南方红豆杉、浙江楠和浙江樟苗木生长发育的影响,以科学指导大规格容器苗的高效培育。[方法]试验采用析因设计,研究N/P养分配比(1.75∶1、2.25∶1、2.75∶1和3.25∶1)及其加载量(1.5 kg·m~(-3)、2.5 kg·m~(-3)、3.5 kg·m~(-3)和4.5 kg·m~(-3))对3种珍贵树种2年生容器苗生长、株高生长节律、干物质积累及叶片SPAD值等影响。[结果]缓释肥N/P养分配比及加载量对3个树种容器苗生长及SPAD值影响不一。南方红豆杉、浙江楠和浙江樟干物质积累及根冠比在不同N/P养分配比间差异不大,浙江樟苗木生长受N/P养分配比影响较小,随着N/P养分配比增加,明显促进了浙江楠容器苗生长,却抑制了南方红豆杉的生长。缓释肥加载量对3个树种2年生容器苗生长和干物质积累的影响均达到极显著水平,随着缓释肥加载量增加可明显地促进3种树种株高、地径生长及干物质积累,增加了浙江楠地上干物质积累及南方红豆杉地下干物质积累,而对浙江樟根冠比影响未达统计学显著水平,但均显示加载量在3.5 kg·m~(-3)时达到最大值。N/P养分配比及与加载量的互作对3个树种苗木生长和干物质积累影响不明显,说明N/P养分配比对3个树种容器苗生长和质量的影响不因加载量的改变而变化或变化不大,反之亦然。随着缓释肥N/P养分配比的增加,可明显地延长南方红豆杉苗木株高的线性生长期,提高浙江楠株高的线性生长量,但对浙江樟株高的线性生长影响不明显。3种树种苗木叶片SPAD值差异很大,N/P养分配比及加载量并未改变3种树种叶片SPAD值动态变化规律,但随着N/P养分配比提高使南方红豆杉和浙江樟叶片SPAD值的起伏强度增大,3个树种SPAD值动态变化均随加载量增加而增大。[结论]南方红豆杉大规格容器苗培育较适宜的N/P养分配比为A1(1.75∶1)或A2(2.25∶1),而浙江楠和浙江樟为A3(2.75∶1),加载较高量的缓释肥F3(3.5 kg·m~(-3))可明显促进3种树种大规格容器苗的生长及SPAD值的提高,但加载量超过一定限度后,反而影响苗木的生长发育。     

Adsorption of trivalent chromium from dilute solution by conifer leaves

Summary  Chromium(III), Cr(III) adsorption capacities of the leaves of 34 conifer species were examined. Among these, Ginkgo biloba, Taxus cuspidata, Cephalotaxus harringtonia var. nana, and Taxodiaceae and Cupressaceae spp. showed large capacities to adsorb Cr(III). The adsorption capacities of conifer leaves for Cr(III) (3.12–5.09 mg Cr g⁻¹ adsorbent) compared favorably with those of commercial activated carbons (1.23–2.75 mg g⁻¹). Factors affecting Cr(III) adsorption were studied using G. biloba leaves. The factors included solution pH, contact time, temperature, and the initial concentration of Cr(III). The amount of Cr(III) adsorbed on the adsorbent increased steadily with increasing pH in a pH range from 2 to 5, with increasing contact time, and with increasing temperature ranging 20 to 40 °C. The Cr(III) adsorption was also affected by the initial concentration of Cr(III) in the solution.  A linear relationship was observed between the amount of Cr(III) adsorbed and the equilibrium concentration of Cr(III) in the solution when graphed logarithmically. The maximum capacity of G. biloba leaves was 27.5 mg Cr g⁻¹ adsorbent by column experiments. Received 13 January 1998     

Impact of the invasion of pinewood nematode and the following different removal disturbance intensities on the plant diversity of Masson pine community

Reported in this paper are our findings of the study on changes in species diversity of different Masson pine communities after the invasion of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Buhren) Nickle and subsequent and different removal disturbance management approaches. Based on the results, the species diversity indices for the arbor layers of the different communities can be arranged in the following order (from high to low): 1) broad-leaved stand after the removal of all infected pine trees in the pure pine stand in Fuyang; 2) lightly infected Masson pine and Schima superba mixed stand in Fuyang; 3) uninfected stand mixture of Masson pine and Castanopsis fargesii as a control; 4) lightly infested pure Masson pine stand in Fuyang; 5) Quercus variables stand formed following the selective removal of infected pine trees from a mixed Masson pine and Q. variables stand in Zhoushan Islands; 6) pure young Masson pine stand formed following the removal of all infected pine trees from a pure Masson pine stand; 7) pure Liquidambar formosana stand after the removal of infected pine trees from a pure pine stand in Zhoushan Islands; 8) a mixed stand consisting of Pinus thunbergii and the Masson pine in Zhoushan Island; and 9) moderately infected Masson pine stand in Zhoushan Islands. All the three diversity indices (R ₀ = richness, H′ = Shannon-Wiener index, and E = evenness) for the shrub layer did not show any significant differences among the various communities except for the pure pine stand in Zhoushan Island, which had the lowest diversity. The three indices for the herb layer of the pure young Masson pine, Q. variables stand, and L. formosana stand were higher than that of other stands. The integrated analysis showed that the Masson pine forest in different geographical situations and extent of damage had distinct disparity, just as in different disturbance degrees and restoring manners. We created the “index of disturbing intensity of stump and fallen woods” (IDISFW) to represent the degree of disturbance of tree removal to plant diversity. We found that the relationship between the species diversity index and the IDISFW shows both a lower and higher degree of removal disturbance that follows the “mid-altitude bulge” theory. Specifically, both excessive and insufficient removal of infected trees will cause a decline of plant species diversity to a certain degree. Covariance analysis indicated that different IDISFW had no significant effects on the species diversity of the arbor layer, but had different impacts on that of the shrub and herb layers, and therefore can be used to assess changes in species diversity of different Masson pine communities after the invasion of pine wood nematode. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2006, 17(7): 1,157–1,163 [译自: 应用生态学报]     

Isolation of phenylisoserine methyl ester from the leaves of Taxus cuspidata var. nana

From methanolic extracts of leaves of kyaraboku, Taxus cuspidata var. nana, phenylisoserine methyl ester (3) was isolated along with taxinine (1), taxol (2), sciadopitysin (4), ginkgetin (5), isorhamnetin (6), and quercetin (7). This is the first time that phenylisoserine methyl ester has been isolated from T. cuspidata var. nana. Compound 3 was also isolated from the ethanolic extracts of leaves of T. cuspidata var. nana. Furthermore, compound 3 was identified in methanolic extracts from the bark of this tree.     

4个枫香家系在不同环境下的叶色变化

[目的]对不同遗传材料在不同环境条件下叶片色素含量变化及其呈色响应开展试验研究,从生理生化角度探寻影响秋季枫香叶片呈色的关键因素,为枫香叶色改良、新品种选育和应用环境选择提供理论依据。[方法]以4个不同家系的1年生枫香幼苗为试材,测定其在不同环境下叶片叶绿素、类胡萝卜素、花青素和可溶性糖含量并分析其相关性。[结果]结果表明:试验期间,枫香叶片逐渐由绿色变成红色、深红色。同时4个家系叶色变化差异显著,其中17号家系叶片主要为深红色,14号家系叶片颜色以黄绿色为主。叶片中的叶绿素、叶绿素a、叶绿素b和类胡萝卜素含量变化呈下降趋势,特别在平均温度最低、平均昼夜温差大的3号试验点下降幅度最大。4个家系叶片花青素含量显著升高。同时4个家系叶片可溶性糖含量在各试验点均较试验前有不同程度增加。相关分析表明花青素含量与可溶性糖含量呈显著正相关,与叶绿素含量、平均温度和平均呈显著负相关。多因素方差分析表明家系和不同环境对叶片叶绿素、类胡萝卜素、花青素、可溶性糖和叶片红色面积比例变化产生极显著影响(p0.01)。[结论]不同家系枫香叶片颜色在不同环境下有不同的变化趋势,同一环境下不同枫香家系叶片变化也显著不同,温度变化的差异和枫香叶片色素比例的改变是导致其颜色改变的主要原因。     

Antioxidant activity of extracts from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calocedrus formosana</Emphasis> leaf,bark, and heartwood

Calocedrus formosana Florin (Cupressaceae) is an endemic tree to Taiwan. To evaluate the antioxidant activity of the plant extracts from heartwood, bark, and leaf of C. formosana, assays for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and superoxide anion scavenging activities, as well as prevention of DNA strand cleavage were performed in this study. Similar IC₅₀ values against the DPPH radical were found for the heartwood and bark extracts at approximately 23µg/ml. Moreover, the heartwood extract exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against superoxide radicals among the test samples; a 2.3-fold lower value of IC₅₀ for superoxide radical inhibition was found in the heartwood extract relative to that of (+)-catechin. Much less effect on inhibition of DPPH and superoxide radicals was found from the leaf extract of C. formosana. More than 70% of superoxide radicals were inhibited in the presence of 10µg/ml heartwood extract, whereas only 15% inhibition was obtained from the leaf extract. The heartwood extract, at a dose of approximately 0.5mg/ml, apparently completely prevented the X174 supercoiled DNA cleavage induced by ultraviolet photolysis of H₂O₂, as judged by agarose gel electrophoresis. This report also suggests that the antioxidant activities of the plant extracts of C. formosana are in good correlation with their phenolic contents.     

Effect of water stress on N2O emission rate of 5 tree species

The N₂O emission rates, photosynthesis, respiration and stomatal conductance of the dominant tree species from broadleaf/Korean pine forest in Changbai Mountain were measured by simulated water stress with the closed bag-gas chromatography. A total of five species seedlings were involved in this study, i.e.,Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc,Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr,Juglans mandshurica Maxim,Tilia amurensis Rupr, andQuercus mongolica Fisch. ex Turcz.. The results showed that the stomatal conductance, net photosynthetic rate and N₂O emission of leaves were significantly reduced under the water stress. The stoma in the leaves of trees is the main pathway of N₂O emission. N₂O emission in the trees mainly occurred during daytime. N₂O emission rates were different in various tree specie seedlings at the same water status. In the same tree species, N₂O emission rates decreased as the reduction of soil water contents. At different soil water contents (MW, LW) the N₂O emission rates ofPinus koraiensis decreased by 34.43% and 100.6% of those in normal water condition, respectively. In broadleaf arbor decreased by 31.93% and 86.35%, respectively. Under different water stresses N₂O emission rates in five tree species such asPinus koraiensis, Fraxinus mandshurica, Juglans mandshurica, Tilia amurensis, andQuercus mongolica were 38.22, 14.44, 33.02, 16.48 and 32.33 ngN₂O·g⁻¹DW·h⁻¹, respectively. Foundation item: This project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30271068), the grant of the Knowledge Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (KZ-CX-SW-01-01B-10), and the Special Funds for Major State Basic Research Program of China (No. G1999043407) Biography: Wang Miao (1964-), male, associate professor in Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Science, Shenyang 110016, P. R. China. Responsible editor: Song Funan     

Dissolved organic matter originating from the riparian shrub Salix gracilistyla

To estimate the importance of leaching of dissolved organic matter (DOM) as a pathway through which organic matter is supplied to stream ecosystems, we examined the amount of leachate over time and chemical properties of DOM leached from leaves in different conditions. The samples used were green leaves, yellow senescent leaves, and leaf litter of Salix gracilistyla Miq., which is the dominant riparian plant species in the middle reaches of rivers in western Japan. We analyzed dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total sugar, and polyphenol in the leachate of leaf samples collected from a fluvial bar in the middle reaches of the Ohtagawa River in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Considerable leaching of DOC from senescent leaves [37.3 mg g⁻¹ dry weight (dw) leaf] and leaf litter (8.1 mg g⁻¹ dw leaf) occurred within 24 h after immersion. In contrast, DOC leached from green leaves was negligible until 1 week after leaf immersion. Carbon loss of leaves by leaching within 24 h after leaf immersion was estimated to be less than 8%, suggesting that leaching of DOC from S. gracilistyla leaves is a minor pathway through which organic matter is supplied to stream ecosystems. DOM leached from the leaves included sugar and polyphenol, which were among the major chemical forms of DOM leached from the leaves (based on the molecular mass). In a laboratory experiment in which the difference in the stability of DOM between the chemical forms was examined, sugar decomposed more rapidly than polyphenol.     

Seasonal phenology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enarmonia formosana</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and egg parasitism by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichogramma cacoeciae</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in Washington State,USA

General biology, seasonal flight numbers and ovipositional data were gathered to understand the phenology of the cherry bark tortrix, Enarmonia formosana Scopoli in Seattle, WA. Pheromone trapping during 2001 and 2002 showed a continuous flight period from May to September. During this time the greatest abundance of adults occurred during July and August. The combined seasonal egg data and larval developmental times indicate E. formosana is a univoltine species in the Pacific Northwest. Field releases of Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal increased E. formosana egg parasitism on individual trees. During the two years, parasitism levels ranged from 72 to 74%.     

Antifungal activities of compounds isolated from the leaves of Taxus cuspidata var. nana against plant pathogenic fungi

Antifungal activities of seven compounds, taxinine (1), paclitaxel (2), phenylisoserine methyl ester (3), sciadopitysin (4), ginkgetin (5), isorhamnetin (6), and quercetin (7), isolated from the leaves of kyaraboku, Taxus cuspidata var. nana, against five plant pathogenic fungi, Gibberella fujikuroi, Cladosporium cucumeninum, Fusarium oxysporum, Colletotrichum fragariae, and Corynespora cassiicola, were investigated for utilization of extractives from trees of the genus Taxus. Also, the amounts of compounds 2 and 3 on the leaf surface was measured in relation to the antifungal activities of compounds. Taxinine (1) showed antifungal activity against G. fujikuroi, C. cucumeninum, F. oxysporum, and C. cassiicola. The minimum inhibitory concentration of taxinine for the four fungi was 0.4mol. In addition, from the results of antifungal tests, it may be concluded that paclitaxel on the leaves and stem of T. cuspidata var. nana does not play an important role as an antifungicide in the resistance of trees to plant pathogenic fungal attack.     

Influence of five host plants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphis gossypii</Emphasis> Glover on some population parameters of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hippodamia variegata</Emphasis> (Goeze)

The aphidophagous ladybird beetle, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), is an important predator in many agricultural ecosystems. However, information on the influence of the prey’s host plant species on its life history characteristics is still absent in the literature. Therefore, five host plant species of Aphis gossypii Glover, viz. Cucumis sativus L., Cucurbita pepo var. medullosa L., Cucurbita moschata var. melonaeformis Poiret, Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis L. and Lagenaria siceraria var. gourda Standl., were selected to study the influence of the prey’s host plant species on the development, survival, reproduction and life table parameters of H. variegata in the laboratory at 25°C. The results showed that all of A. gossypii from five host plant species used were acceptable for the growth, development and reproduction of H. variegata. However, the suitability of aphids from various host plants was different for this ladybird beetle. The complete pre-imaginal development was longest (14.51 ± 0.17 days) when reared with aphids on C. melo var. cantalupensis and shortest (12.60 ± 0.11 days) on L. siceraria var. gourda. Total immature survival from egg to adult was highest (58.97%) on L. siceraria var. gourda and lowest (44.06%) on C. melo var. cantalupensis. Based on the intrinsic rate of increase as an index of suitability of prey host plant species on the population increase of H. variegata, the suitability in decreasing order was: L. siceraria var. gourda > C. moschata var. melonaeformis > C. pepo var. medullosa > C. melo var. cantalupensis > C. sativus. This study offered opportunities for better understanding the tritrophic interactions of the plant–aphid–predator relationship.     

基于控制实验的6个典型亚热带树种空气负离子效应

[目的]比较分析不同树种的生理特性差异及其对空气负离子(NAI)浓度影响,为探究森林植被对NAI作用机理提供理论依据。[方法] 2018年6—9月,在中国林科院亚热带林业研究所人工气候室内,分别对6个典型亚热带树种NAI效应进行连续定位监测,选择无植株的土盆作为空白对照,并对各树种叶片形态特征、叶绿素荧光参数、叶绿素含量等性状特征进行测定和分析。[结果]人工气候室放入植株后,NAI浓度均极显著高于对照组(P0.01);植株NAI浓度由高到低依次为:红豆杉(876 ion·cm~(-3))枫香(828 ion·cm~(-3))杉木(733 ion·cm~(-3))榉树(685 ion·cm~(-3))青冈(677 ion·cm~(-3))闽楠(665 ion·cm~(-3))对照(345 ion·cm~(-3))。总体而言,针叶树种NAI效应显著大于阔叶树种(P0.05),落叶阔叶树种NAI效应显著大于常绿阔叶树种(P=0.05)。NAI浓度同树种叶尖数、叶片含水量和叶面积均呈极显著正相关关系(P0.01),与叶生物量显著正相关(P0.05),与叶绿素a/叶绿素b显著负相关(P0.05)。比较阔叶树种可得出,叶厚度及叶片长宽比与NAI浓度呈显著负相关(P0.05),与大多数叶绿素荧光参数指标呈极显著正相关(P0.01)。[结论]试验树种显著提高空气负离子(NAI)浓度,树种间NAI效应存在差异,针叶树种NAI效应高于阔叶树种,落叶阔叶树种NAI效应高于常绿阔叶树种。叶片形态、叶尖数和光合荧光生理特性等是造成树种间NAI效应差异的重要原因。     

Development of transgenic hybrid sweetgum (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Liquidambar styraciflua</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">L. formosana</Emphasis>) expressing γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase or mercuric reductase for phytoremediation of mercury pollution

Using Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer, we generated transgenic hybrid sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua × L. formosana) overexpressing two types of genes to enhance plant remediation of mercury-contaminated soil and water: bacterial γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase gene (ECS), the first and most important enzyme in phytochelatin synthesis, or various genes encoding a mercuric ion reductase (merA9, merA18, merA77). Hybrid sweetgum proembryogenic masses (PEMs) constitutively overexpressing ECS were able to grow in the presence of 50 μM HgCl₂, which inhibited wild-type PEMs, but plantlets regenerated from the PEMs had abnormal form and did not survive for more than a few weeks following germination. In contrast, mature somatic embryos generated from PEMs constitutively overexpressing merA9 and merA18 converted to normal plantlets on germination medium containing 25 μM HgCl₂, while control embryos were killed on 25 μM Hg(II)-medium. Transgenic merA plantlets displayed enhanced resistance to Hg(II) and released Hg(0) two to three times more efficiently than the wild-type plantlets.     

Effects of different concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus on chlorophyll biosynthesis, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and photosynthesis in Larix olgensis seedlings

In our experiments, one-year-old Larix olgensis seedlings were cultivated in sand, and supplied with solutions with different concentrations of nitrate or phosphate. The effects of nitrogen and phosphorus supply on chlorophyll biosynthesis, total nitrogen content, and photosynthetic rate were studied. The experimental results are listed below: 1) 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthetic rate increased as nitrate concentrations supplied to larch seedlings increased from 1 to 8 mmol/L. But the rate decreased by 17% when nitrate concentration increased to 16 mmol/L, in contrast to the control. Under phosphate treatments, ALA synthetic rates were similar to those under nitrate treatments. The activities of porphobilinogen (PBG) synthase reached a maximum when larch seedlings were supplied with 8 mmol/L of nitrate or 1 mmol/L of phosphate. 2) when larch seedlings were supplied with 8 mmol/L of nitrate and 0.5 mmol/L of phosphate, the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids reached a maximum. The total nitrogen contents in leaves increased as nitrate concentrations increased. 3) When phosphate concentrations increased from 0.125 to 1 mmol/L, the total nitrogen contents in leaves slightly increased; however, continuous increase of phosphate concentrations resulted in the decrease in total nitrogen contents in leaves. When nitrate concentrations increased from 1 to 8 mmol/L, soluble protein contents in leaves increased in general, and continuous increase of nitrate concentrations induced a decrease in soluble protein contents in leaves. Under treatment of 0.25 mmol/L of phosphate, the soluble protein contents reached a maximum. 4) In general, F _v/F _m increased as nitrate concentrations increased from 1 to 8 mmol/L, and continuous increase of nitrate concentration resulted in decrease in F _v/F _m. The similar changes occurred under phosphate treatments. As nitrate concentrations increased from 1 to 8 mmol/L, photosynthetic rates gradually increased, but when nitrate concentrations increased to 16 mmol/L, photosynthetic rate reduced by 16%, in contrast to the control. Photosynthetic rates reached a maximum when seedlings were supplied with 1 mmol/L, and an oversupply of phosphate (2 mmol/L) resulted in decrease in photosynthetic rates. The results suggested that supply levels of nitrogen affected ALA biosynthetic rates, activities of PBG synthase, and affected contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids. Moreover, nitrogen supply levels affected contents of total nitrogen and soluble proteins in leaves, and net photosynthetic rates. ALA biosynthesis rates and activities of PBG synthase were affected by phosphate supply, but contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids were not affected. And net photosynthetic rates were affected little by phosphate supply. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2005, 41(4) [译自:林业科学, 2005, 41(4)]     

Simultaneous measurements of quantum yield and CO2 uptake for the assessment of non-assimilative electron flow in tree leaves

Using attached and detached leaves ofAcer palmatum Thunb. andRhaphiolepsis umbellata Makino, pulse-modulated chlorophyll fluorescence and CO₂ exchange were measured. Quantum yield of photosynthesis was determined from the fluorescence parameter(Fm′−Fs)/Fm′, where (Fm′−Fs) was defined as the difference between steady state chlorophyll fluorescence (Fs) and maximum fluorescence (Fm′) elicited by a saturating light pulse. The rate of electron transport through photosystem II (total electron flow) was calculated from the product of quantum yield andA (PFD), whereA is the rate of absorbed photons as given by leaf absorptance, and PFD is the photon flux density at the leaf surface. The rate of electron transport dependant on CO₂ uptake (assimilative electron flow) was calculated from the gross photosynthetic rate in a leaf. The difference between the rates of total and assimilative electron transport was denoted as the rate of non-assimilative electron transport which depends on photorespiration and oxygen reduction. Available data provided quantitative information on the rate of non-assimilative electron flow in intact leaves. When leaf photosynthesis ofA. palmatum was measured under sunlight, the rates of total and assimilative electron transport were determined to be approximately 900 and 150 μmol equiv. e/mg Chl·h, respectively. The difference (750 μmol equiv. e/mg Chl·h) was attributed to the activity of non-assimilative electron flow. The ratio of total to assimilative electron flow was found to increase gradually with rising in irradiance. The results suggest that non-assimilative electron flow occurred at much higher rate than assimilative electron flow at high irradiance. Implications of the results are briefly discussed in relation to photosynthesis limitation in tree leaves.     

Stereochemistry and biosynthesis of (+)-lyoniresinol,a syringyl tetrahydronaphthalene lignan in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lyonia ovalifolia</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">elliptica</Emphasis> II: feeding experiments with <Superscript>14</Superscript>C labeled precursors

To clarify the biosynthetic pathway for syringyl lignans, especially syringyl tetrahydronaphthalene lignans and formation of the C2–C7′ linkage, production of (+)-lyoniresinol (LYR) and its predicted intermediates [syringaresinol (SYR), 5,5′-dimethoxylariciresinol (DMLR), and 5,5′-dimethoxysecoisolariciresinol (DMSLR)] in Lyonia ovalifolia var. elliptica was investigated by means of feeding experiments with radiolabeled precursors. Following individual administration of l-[U-¹⁴C]phenylalanine (Phe), [8-¹⁴C]sinapyl alcohol (SA), and [8,8′-¹⁴C]SYR to excised young shoots of L. ovalifolia and their subsequent metabolism, free [¹⁴C]lignans and [¹⁴C]lignan glycosides were extracted with methanol from stems and leaves and were divided into ethyl acetate-soluble fractions (lignans) and aqueous fractions (lignan glycosides), respectively. Using a combination of xylanase, cellulase, and β-glucosidase, the glycosides were hydrolyzed to liberate [¹⁴C]lignans as aglycones. l-[U-¹⁴C]Phe was incorporated into (+)-[¹⁴C]SYR [stem 0.38%, 8% enantiomeric excess (e.e.)], (−)-[¹⁴C]SYR (leaves 2.75%, 72% e.e.), (+)-[¹⁴C]DMLR (stem 0.07%, 18% e.e. and leaves 0.009%, 58% e.e.), (−)-[¹⁴C]DMSLR (stem 0.03%, 46% e.e. and leaves 0.05%, 20% e.e.), (+)-[¹⁴C]LYR (leaves 0.013%, 22% e.e.) and glycosides of (+)-[¹⁴C]LYR (stem 0.036%, 50% e.e.) in 24h. Based on the percent incorporation and enantiomeric composition of the lignans, the biosynthetic pathway of (8R,8′R)-(+)-LYR was proposed as follows: a nonselective dehydrogenative dimerization of sinapyl alcohol yields (±)-SYR, which is reduced with low specificity to give (8R,8′R)-(+)-DMLR. This is cyclized to directly give (+)-LYR as well as reduced again to (8R,8′R)-(−)-DMSLR. Although further transformation of (−)-DMSLR also leads to the formation of (+)-LYR, cyclization could be a main pathway for (+)-LYR biosynthesis. This report was presented at the IAWPS 2005 International Symposium on Wood Science and Technology, Yokohama, November 2005