Boll size affects the insecticidal protein content in Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) transgenic cotton has been planting in large-scale for more than 10 years in China. It was observed that resistance to bollworm was reduced with the application of big-boll cultivars in China. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of boll size on the contents of CryIA insecticidal protein in boll shell and cotton seed during the course of boll development. Two experiments were conducted at the Yangzhou University Farm, Yangzhou, China. In 2004, three cultivars including Sikang 1 (small-boll), Xiangza 3 (medium-boll) and Kemian 3 (big-boll) were compared for boll shell volume and 100-seed weight from 10 to 40 days after flowering (DAF), and insecticidal protein contents in boll shell and cotton seed from 10 to 50 DAF. As expected, the differences between cultivars were significant for all the four characteristics. Cultivars with bigger boll shell volume had higher 100-seed weight but lower insecticidal protein contents in both of the boll shell and cotton seed. The correlation between boll size and boll insecticidal protein content was negative (−0.653). The correlation between 100-seed weight and cotton seed insecticidal protein content was significantly negative (−0.645). In 2005, leaf cut (LC) and square removal (SR) treatments were applied to Sikang 1 and Sikang 3. The boll shell volume and 100-seed weight were decreased by LR, but increased by SR. LC significantly enhanced and SR significantly reduced the insecticidal protein contents of boll shell and cotton seed. The correlation between boll size and boll insecticidal protein content (−0.870) and the correlation between 100-seed weight and cotton seed insecticidal protein content were both highly significant and negative (−0.841). Therefore, the results of the study indicated that the boll insecticidal protein content was significantly affected by boll size. The implications of the observed results in breeding, cultural practices and pest management were discussed.     

Susceptibility of Helicoverpa armigera from different host plants in northern China to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ac

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a serious pest of cotton and many other crops in northern China. To evaluate the contribution of alternative hosts as an effective refuge for transgenic cotton expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1Ac toxin, the susceptibility to this toxin was measured in progeny derived from field-collected H. armigera larvae and pupae from different hosts in the Xiajin’s region of the Shandong Province in northern China. During 2008-2010, progeny from a total of 258,56,184 and 160 single-pair crosses derived from wheat (first-generation), Bt cotton (second-generation), Bt cotton (third-generation), and corn (third-generation) were screened on Cry1Ac diets, respectively. Based on relative average development rates (RADR) of H. armigera larvae in these F₁ tests, the second and third-generation moths emerging from Bt cotton fields were more tolerant to the Bt toxin than the first and third-generation moths emerging from wheat and corn each year. These results suggest that there is significant variation in susceptibility to Bt toxins among H. armigera populations derived from different host crops. Alternate crops, such as corn, that maintain Bt susceptible populations of H. armigera could be used as refugia to minimize the evolution of resistance to Bt cotton.     

赤霉酸与6-苄基腺嘌呤混用对人参种胚形态后熟的影响

人参种子采收后必须经过种胚形态后熟和生理后熟两个阶段才能发芽出苗,因此种胚形态后熟阶段是否顺利完成十分重要.本试验用赤霉酸(GA3)和6-苄基腺嘌呤(6-BA)在催芽前处理人参种子,研究了2种植物生长调节剂混合水溶液对人参种胚形态后熟的影响.结果表明,用赤霉酸100mg·L-1和6-苄基腺嘌呤100mg·L-1的混合水...     

4个Bt棉品种对棉铃虫的抗性与种植研究

采用室内外对比试验的方法,就江苏沿海地区4个Bt棉主栽品种对棉铃虫的抗性与生育特性进行了研究。室内饲养结果表明,4个Bt棉主栽品种对棉铃虫的抗性都达到极显著水平;饲喂Bt棉组织,能使棉铃虫幼虫发育延缓、蛹期缩短和蛹重减轻;1～3龄棉铃虫幼虫对Bt棉的敏感程度高于4龄以上幼虫。田间调查结果证明,Bt棉田棉铃虫的虫量和蕾铃被害量与对照品种差异极显著,其趋势与室内试验一致;Bt的种植比例与棉铃虫的虫卵量分布呈极显著的负相关。4个Bt棉品种的株高和果枝数与苏棉9号相近;蕾铃数量与成铃率高于或接近于常规棉对照;各品种间生长发育指标的差异均不显著。Bt棉品种间亦存有差异,按照供试的4个Bt棉品种在当地的抗虫及丰产性状的优劣排序,依次为鲁棉研15>中棉所29>南抗3号>科棉1号。     

Frequency of Bt resistance alleles in Helicoverpa armigera in 2007-2009 in the Henan cotton growing region of China

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a key insect pest of cotton in the Henan cotton growing region of China. In this region, cotton is grown on small acreages in rich agricultural landscapes, contrary to cropping systems in the United States or Australia. Under such cropping regimes, naturally occurring refuges (with non-Bt plants) may be sufficient to prevent H. armigera resistance development to Bt toxins. In order to gain a timely understanding of the evolution of resistance of H. armigera to Bt toxin after continuous cultivation of Bt cotton for c. 10 years, we assessed the frequency of alleles conferring resistance to Cry1Ac toxin in field populations of H. armigera sampled from Xinxiang County in Henan province during 2007-2009. Screening F₁ and F₂ generations from isofemale lines, derived from female moths trapped in the field, were used with a discriminating dose of Cry1Ac diet to estimate the frequency of resistance alleles. Totals of 625, 516 and 488 isofemale lines were screened for the F₁ generation in 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Resistance gene frequency in Xinxiang fluctuated between 0.0000 and 0.0005, and it did not increase significantly from 2007 to 2009. Based on the relative average development rates (RADR) of H. armigera larvae in F₁ tests, no substantial increase in Cry1Ac tolerance was found in the Xinxiang region over the 3-yr period.     

Impact of area-wide malathion on predatory arthropods and secondary pests in cotton during boll weevil eradication in Texas

The boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis, has been eradicated from much of the cotton producing region of the US and to-date eradication efforts continue in Texas. While providing long-term economic and environmental benefits, area-wide applications of malathion used by the eradication program have been implicated in the disruption of biological control of some cotton pests. This study evaluated the impact of the area-wide boll weevil eradication on abundance of predatory arthropods and key pests of cotton during four years in central Texas. Multiple applications of malathion ULV significantly reduced seasonal mean densities of spiders, predatory bugs (Orius spp. Pseudatomoscelis seriatus, Nabis spp., Geocoris spp.), Chrysopidae larvae and red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, collected from the cotton canopy. In contrast, densities of beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, heliothine and other lepidopteron larvae, cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, and adult and larval convergent lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens, often increased in cotton fields under boll weevil eradication. The density of total predators measured during the mid-season (period of blooming and early boll development) was significantly and negatively correlated with density of beet armyworm larvae during the late-season (boll maturation period). Results suggest that the community of predatory arthropods in the cotton canopy, rather than one or several key predators, is important in suppressing outbreaks of S. exigua and other lepidopteran pests in cotton. Furthermore, the potential to use densities of generalist predators in mid-season to anticipate late-season outbreaks of beet armyworm during boll weevil eradication is discussed.     

有机棉发展现状及经济性分析

有机棉是指在农业生产中，以有机肥、生物防治病虫害、自然耕作管理为主，不使用化学制品，从种子到农产品全天然无污染生产的棉花。本文论述了有机棉的发展现状，探讨了有机棉生产的经济性。文中指出发展有机棉对保护生态环境、促进人类健康发展．以及满足人们对绿色环保生态服装的消费需求具有重要意义。     

Individual and combined effects of salinity and waterlogging on Cry1Ac expression and insecticidal efficacy of Bt cotton

Salinity, waterlogging and a combination of both stresses are severe threats to plant growth, development and yield of field-grown cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), but their individual or combined effects on insecticidal efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) transgenic cotton and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In the present study, two cotton cultivars (33B and SCRC17) containing the Cry1Ac insecticidal protein gene were planted in 10 L pots filled with soil and allowed to grow in a greenhouse. The potted plants were either treated with NaCl (5 mg/g, w/w), waterlogging, or a combination of both stresses at the three true-leaf stage, and levels of total soluble protein, Bt insecticidal protein, gossypol and the control efficacy as indicated by mortality of bollworm larvae were examined at 7-day intervals after stress. Waterlogging and a combination of salinity and waterlogging reduced total protein content by 40–46% and 45–65% and Bt protein content by 38–50% and 45–72% from 7 to 21 days after stress, relative to the non-stressed control, respectively. The control efficacy was significantly reduced by either waterlogging or the combined stress. Regression analysis indicated that Bt protein content was correlated to total soluble protein content (R² = 0.7677*), while Bt cotton efficacy was correlated to Bt protein level (R² = 0.7917**). Salinity reduced Bt protein by 11–22% and total soluble protein by 5.7–7.2% from 7 to 21 days after NaCl stress, but did not result in reduction in control efficacy. It is concluded that reduced bollworm control efficacy under waterlogging or the combined stress could be mainly attributed to the declined levels of Bt protein, which is closely associated with the inhibited nitrogen metabolism by stresses. As one of the secondary compounds that are toxic to pests, increases in gossypol may be involved in maintaining the efficacy when Bt protein level was reduced under salinity.     

Seasonal abundance of the mirids, Lygus lucorum and Adelphocoris spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae) on Bt cotton in northern China

Lygus lucorum Meyer-Dür, Adelphocoris fasciaticollis Reuter and Adelphocoris lineolatus (Goeze) (Hemiptera: Miridae) are important secondary insect pests in cotton fields in northern China. The seasonal dynamics of their mixed populations on a transgenic variety expressing the insecticidal Bt protein Cry1A, and a cotton line expressing proteins of Cry1A and CpTI (cowpea trypsin inhibitor gene) were compared to seasonal dynamics on similar but non-transgenic varieties from 1998 to 2001. No significant differences were detected between population densities of these bugs on unsprayed normal cotton and unsprayed transgenic cotton. However, mirid damage on unsprayed transgenic cotton was significantly higher due to a reduced number of insecticide sprays against Helicoverpa armigera compared with the number of sprays in the normal cotton. This suggests that the mirids have become key insect pests in transgenic cotton fields, and that their damage to cotton could increase further with the expansion of the area planted to transgenic cotton if no additional control measures are adopted.     

江苏沿海棉区瓢虫优势种群的消长与分布

以常规棉品种为对照,通过对江苏沿海地区Bt棉田内瓢虫种群消长动态的调查分析,明确了龟纹瓢虫、七星瓢虫和异色瓢虫为当地棉田的优势种群,其中龟纹瓢虫占种群比例的95％以上;两类棉田内三种瓢虫各占瓢虫总虫量的分布比例相近,差异不显著;与常规棉田比较,转Bt基因抗虫棉田的龟纹瓢虫、七星瓢虫和瓢虫总量分别比常规棉田增加63．76％、1250％和66．35％,经t检验,差异迭极显著水平;异色瓢虫比常规棉田减少15．38％,t检验的差异不显著。     

转Bt基因棉的抗虫性遗传及其生化基础研究

本文从卡那霉素抗性鉴定、抗虫性鉴定Bt毒蛋白含量测定等三个方面对转Bt基因棉的抗虫性遗传及其生化基础进行了研究。结果表明，转Bt基因棉美棉33B和GK-12对棉铃虫具有显著的抗性。盛蕾期饲喂美棉33B、GK-12棉抹顶端叶片72h后，初孵棉铃虫幼虫死亡率分别为86．8％、75．1％，对照TM-1、泗棉33号、苏棉12号三个常规品种(系)初孵幼虫死亡率分别为10.9％、13．9％、9．2％。美棉33B、GK-12盛蕾期功能叶片Bt毒蛋白含量分别为每克鲜重836.68纳克、682．56纳克。饲喂美棉33B、GK-12与常规品种(系)杂种一代棉抹顶端叶片72h后。初孵棉铃虫幼虫平均死亡率分别为84．1％、77．2％，两个转Bt基因棉品种与常规棉品种(系)杂种一代功能叶片的Bt毒蛋白含量平均值分别为每克鲜重820．58纳克、683．77纳克。转Bt基因棉与常规棉杂种一代的抗虫性表现及其生化基础与转Bt基因棉非常接近，杂种二代群体抗、感虫植抹的分离比例符合3：1，回交世代BC1群体抗、感虫植株的分离比例符合1：1，转Bt基因抗虫性状的遗传是受一对完全显性基因控制的。Bt基因与NPTⅡ基因是紧密连馈或完全连锁的。段毒蛋白表达量按照一对显性基因的表达方式在转Bt基因棉杂交后代中进行传递。不存在基因的剂量效应。三种鉴定方法都能对玫基因进行有效的追踪检测，且三者之间具有高度的一致性。并对国产转Bt基因棉GK-12的抗虫性不及美棉33B的原因进行了探讨。     

芝麻显性细胞核雄性不育系内源激素、可溶性多糖及淀粉含量的变化

植物激素在花药发育过程中具有重要的调控作用。利用酶联免疫检测技术（ELISA）,测定了芝麻显性细胞核雄性不育系叶片和花蕾中生长素（IAA）、脱落酸（ABA）、茉莉酸（JA）以及水杨酸（SA）含量的动态变化,分析了不同内源激素的平衡关系,同时比较了不育和可育株间的可溶性糖和淀粉含量差异。研究结果表明：1）在整个花药发育时期,不育株和可育株中的4种内源激素含量变化趋势明显不同,且含量高低差异明显;IAA含量的降低及ABA含量的提高可能与芝麻雄性不育的发生密切相关;2）不育株叶片中的IAA含量显著下降,JA和ABA显著上升;3）IAA/ABA、IAA/SA和IAA/JA在不育株和可育株间的变化趋势不一致,且大小差异很大,表明4种内源激素之间平衡关系受到破坏可能会影响到花蕾的正常生长发育;4）不育系花蕾中的可溶性糖含量、淀粉含量盈余,可能是导致雄性败育的原因之一。      

Impacts of early-season square abscission on the growth and yield of transgenic Bt cotton under elevated CO2

A field study was carried out to quantify the compensation capacity of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-transgenic cotton to simulated damage by manually removing squares during the early growing season in 2004 and 2005 in combination with CO₂ levels (ambient CO₂ and elevated CO₂). Treatments included: initial squares were wholly (100%) removed manually for 1 week (i.e., SR1 treatment) and for 2 consecutive weeks (i.e., SR2 treatment). Plant leaf area was measured every 2 weeks, and plant root, stem, leaf, shatters, boll dry weight and lint yield and maturity were measured at harvest. Significantly higher leaf area per plant was observed on each sampling date for SR1 and SR2 treatments compared with control (SR0) treatment in 2004 and 2005 under elevated CO₂. Significantly higher lint yield and maturity were observed for SR0, SR1 and SR2 treatments under elevated CO₂ in 2004 and 2005. CO₂ concentration and square removal significantly affected plant lint yield and maturity. Moreover, the interaction between CO₂ concentration × square removal had a significant effect on plant leaf dry weight, lint yield and maturity. Our results indicated that transgenic cotton plants can compensate for the manual removal of 100% of the initial squares for 1 and 2 weeks under ambient and elevated CO₂.     

两种木麻黄化感物质对其水培幼苗根系活力及内源激素含量的动态影响

以同一基因型的‘惠安1号’木麻黄(Casuarina equisetifolia)水培幼苗为材料,研究两种木麻黄化感物质槲皮黄素-3-α-阿拉伯糖苷(化感物质A)和槲皮黄素-3-β-葡萄糖苷(化感物质B)0(CK)、12.5、25、50、100、200、400 mg/L浓度模拟胁迫下,木麻黄幼苗根系活力及内源激素含量0～15 d动态变化规律。结果表明,随着化感物质胁迫浓度的增加和胁迫时间的延长,木麻黄根系活力除12.5 mg/L化感物质A胁迫下呈先上升后下降的变化趋势外,其余均呈显著下降趋势,木麻黄幼苗根系中赤霉素(GAS)、生长素(IAA)含量均显著下降,脱落酸(ABA)含量显著上升;相同处理时期和胁迫浓度下化感物质A胁迫处理木麻黄幼苗根系的GAS、IAA含量及根系活力下降幅度低于化感物质B胁迫处理,ABA含量升高幅度高于化感物质B胁迫处理。木麻黄幼苗对化感物质A的胁迫具有更好的抗性,能够忍受轻度(12.5 mg/L)和短期胁迫(5 d),而化感物质B对木麻黄幼苗的根系功能有较大损伤。     

耕作方式对冬小麦内源激素含量及产量的影响

为探讨耕作方式对冬小麦不同生育时期内源激素含量及产量的影响,在大田条件下,设3种耕作方式(耕翻+镇压,旋耕+镇压和旋耕),在小麦各生育时期定期取样,用高效液相色谱法(HPLC)分离、测定小麦5种植物内源激素的含量,并测定各处理小麦的产量及其构成因素。结果表明,在小麦越冬至抽穗期,耕翻+镇压处理下小麦叶片及根的IAA、SA、GA3、ZT含量较高;在抽穗灌浆期,耕翻+镇压处理下小麦叶片及根的IAA、GA3、ZT含量最高,进入灌浆期,耕翻+镇压处理下小麦叶片及根的IAA、SA、GA3、ZT含量下降缓慢,且ABA含量较低。耕翻+镇压处理下的小麦产量较旋耕+镇压及旋耕处理分别提高了3.74%和9.41%,且与旋耕处理的差异达到极显著水平。因此,3种耕作方式处理下,耕翻+镇压有利于提高小麦促生长类激素含量,降低小麦促衰老类激素含量,增加小麦有效穗数,促进籽粒灌浆,提高小麦千粒重,有利于实现小麦的高产优质。     

干旱胁迫下小麦颖果内源激素的变化及其与胚乳发育的关系

为探明干旱胁迫下小麦颖果内源激素与胚乳发育的关系,以小麦品种扬麦16为材料,在幼苗返青至颖果成熟阶段进行干旱处理,采用树脂切片及显微摄影等技术观察小麦颖果和胚乳细胞发育的形态结构特征,并通过酶联免疫吸附法测定颖果生长素(IAA)、脱落酸(ABA)、赤霉素(GA_3、GA_4)、玉米素核苷(ZR)、二氢玉米素核苷(DHZR)的含量。结果显示,干旱胁迫缩短了小麦颖果发育进程,促进颖果早衰,导致颖果发育不良;显著降低了籽粒千粒重、可溶性糖含量和总淀粉含量,提高了蛋白质含量;促进颖果发育早期胚乳细胞分裂和淀粉积累,抑制了发育后期胚乳细胞的分裂、体积扩大和淀粉体充实,并提高了颖果整个发育过程中胚乳蛋白体的积累;提高了颖果发育前期IAA、GA_3、GA_4、ZR和DHZR的含量,ABA含量在整个发育时期均较高。说明干旱胁迫能通过影响颖果内源激素的积累来调控胚乳发育。     

Fusarium mangiferae侵染对凯特杧内源激素含量的影响

为探讨杧果感染畸形病过程中顶芽内源激素含量的变化规律,以凯特杧为试验材料,测定了接种病菌（Fusarium mangiferae）后顶芽内生长素（IAA）、赤霉素（GA3）和脱落酸（ABA）含量的变化情况。结果表明：接种病菌后,杧果顶芽内赤霉素和生长素含量急速上升,且在整个试验阶段明显高于健康处理,脱落酸含量在试验后期不断升高;分析发现,F. mangiferae侵染能够显著影响杧果顶芽内源激素的含量,改变IAA/ABA和GA3/ABA的平衡,致使杧果的生长发育受到影响,进而引发畸形病的产生。     

江西棉花生产对比优势与持续发展途径分析

江西是一个农业大省，建国以来，一直为我国粮、棉油生产基地之一。20世纪80年代以来常年棉花播种面积100khm^2，最高年份达186．7khm^2，约占全国皮棉总产的2．5％。加入WTO后，江西棉花产业同其它民族产业一样将面对全球经济一体化的激烈竞争。为了江西棉花生产能在国际经济大舞台中做强、做大，充分树立起江西棉农做好传统棉业的民族自信心，笔者通过对所搜集到的数据进行系统整理，分折出了江西棉花生产的五大优势，并对江西棉花持续发展途径进行了浅折。     

Effect of genetic variation on phenolic acid and policosanol contents of Pegaso wheat lines

Total phenolic acid and policosanol contents and compositions of bran from an Italian bread wheat variety Pegaso and its 11 near-isogenic lines were measured. The near-isogenic wheat lines differed at one or more loci coding for storage proteins. The genetic variation included deletions, additions and/or combinations of variations. Almost 95% or more of phenolic acids were in the bound form. Ferulic acid was the predominant bound phenolic acid present in wheat bran samples. Other phenolic acids were p-coumaric, vanillic and syringic acids. Tetracosanol, docosanol, hexacosanol, octacosanol, tricosanol and heneicosanol were found as major policosanol compounds in their decreasing order. Highly significant genotypic differences were observed in total phenolic acid and policosanol concentrations. None of the genetic lines had higher phenolic acid contents than the parent line Pegaso, whereas some of the lines had more policosanol levels. In general, both total phenolic acid composition and contents were higher with genetic lines that varied at Glu-1 loci with 2+Dy high molecular weight glutenin subunit (HMW-GS) (Pegaso 184), variation at Gli-D2 loci (Pegaso 219) and single null A1 (variation at Gli-1/Glu-3 loci; Pegaso 30). Highest total policosanol content was observed with the double null at Glu-A1/Glu-D1 loci (Pegaso 236). These findings may lead to new opportunities for wheat breeders and eventually commercial wheat growers to promote the production of wheat with enhanced levels of health beneficial compounds.