花生油体蛋白家族基因的克隆和表达分析

油体蛋白是一类覆盖在油体表面的碱性小分子蛋白.油体蛋白的存在对于维护油体的稳定性非常重要,油体蛋白也是种子作为生物反应器表达重组外源蛋白的重要载体.本研究通过构建花生(A rac his hypogaea L.)未成熟种子的全长cDNA文库,测序得到284条编码油体蛋白的EST.根据编码蛋白分子量的大小可将花生油体蛋白基因分为6个亚族:AhOLE O- 16.9、AhOLEO- 17.7、AhOLEO- 18.6、AhOLEO-22、AhOLEO- 18.4和AhOLEO- 14.3 (GenBank登录号分别为:EG372527、EG373122、EG373716、EG372719、EE125019和EE124234),其中AhOLEO- 16.9,AhOLEO- 17.7和AhOLEO- 14.3分别有2个成员,其它家族的各只有1个成员.本研究首次从花生中克隆了分子较大的AhOLEO-22.cDNA芯片和半定量PCR结果表明6个亚族的油体蛋白基因在花生的不同器官和在种子不同发育时期表达模式相似,在根、茎、叶、花中几乎检测不到油体蛋白基因的表达,在种子中表达量高,在果针入土15d内几乎检测不到油体蛋白基因的表达,随着种子发育成熟油体蛋白基因的表达量逐步提高.本研究为研究花生油体蛋白基因的家族构成和利用花生油体蛋白基因提高花生含油量、生产外源蛋白等提供了有用的信息.     

盐碱池塘养殖鲤肠道菌群的分子分析

为了了解盐碱池塘养殖鲤肠道细菌群落组成及多样性,提取鲤(Cyprinus carpio L.)肠道细菌基因组DNA,选用细菌通用引物对16S rRNA基因进行了PCR扩增,构建了细菌16S rRNA基因克隆文库。通过对阳性克隆子进行限制性片段长度多态性分析(RFLP),选出有代表性的克隆子进行测序、BLAST比对分析和构建系统发育树。本研究从16S rRNA基因文库中共筛选出176个阳性克隆,经RFLP分析得到28个不同分类操作单元(operational taxonomic unite,OTU)(GenBank登录号:JX262557~JX262584),文库覆盖度为88.6%。16S rRNA序列系统发育分析发现,盐碱塘养殖鲤肠道细菌归属于变形细菌门(Proteobacteria)(包含Alpha和Gamma亚群)、厚壁细菌门(Firmicutes)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)和梭杆菌门(Fusobacteria)4个门,分别占克隆总数的89.9%、7.9%、1.1%和1.1%。其中,变形细菌门的α-变形菌纲(占克隆总数的88.1%)为优势类群,气单胞菌属为优势菌属。本研究揭示了盐碱池塘养殖条件下健康鲤肠道细菌群落组成。     

水稻OsBTB蛋白在非亲和/亲和互作中表达方式的初步研究

为了解水稻OsBTB蛋白在非亲和/亲和互作中的表达情况,构建含OsBTB全长基因的原核表达载体,经诱导表达及纯化获得OsBTB蛋白。以OsBTB蛋白为抗原制备兔多克隆抗体,经间接ELISA法测定抗体效价为1∶2000。Westernblot分析确认该抗体与OsBTB蛋白可以特异结合。应用该抗体检测受不同稻瘟病菌(Magnaporthegrisea)生理小种侵染的相应水稻(Oryzasativa)品系中OsBTB蛋白的表达,结果表明OsBTB蛋白的表达方式呈多样性,该蛋白在非亲和反应中的表达时间明显早于其在亲和反应中的表达。免疫胶体金技术确认OsBTB蛋白存在于细胞核内。     

应用酵母双杂交技术筛选猪Calsarcin-2蛋白结合蛋白

Calsarcins是钙调磷酸酶肌小节特异性结合蛋白家族,本实验旨在研究Calsarcin-2(CS2)在猪骨骼肌纤维形成和信号通路调控中的功能。应用酵母双杂交方法筛选猪骨骼肌组织中CS2蛋白结合蛋白,从猪骨骼肌文库中筛选出180个阳性克隆,经分析得到12个相互作用的蛋白,研究发现骨骼肌α-肌动蛋白1(ACTA1),肌联蛋白(TTN)及钙调素1(CALM1)为CS2互作蛋白。ACTA1参与肌肉收缩过程,TTN调节肌小节动力传导及Z线装配,CALM1参与钙离子信号传导。结果表明,CS2在维持Z线结构稳定和参与钙离子信号传导方面起重要作用。     

鸡新城疫病毒F基因与鸡白介素-2(IL-2)基因在真核载体中串连表达及免疫原性

为了探索鸡白介素-2(IL-2)对鸡新城疫病毒(NDV)F蛋白免疫效果的增强作用,本研究通过重叠延伸PCR技术(SOE-PCR)利用连接子(G2SG3S)将鸡IL-2基因和鸡NDV F基因串连,克隆至真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(+),构建了表达质粒pcDNA-IL-2-F.通过脂质体介导DNA瞬时转染法,将重组质粒pcDNA-IL-2-F和pcDNA-F分别转染鸡胚成纤维细胞,Western blot验证表明,pcDNA-IL-2-F和pcDNA-F均能瞬时表达F蛋白,表达蛋白分别为76.0和59.6 kD,表达蛋白的大小与预期一致并具有抗原性.将表达质粒免疫SPF鸡(Gallus domedticus),6d后开始用ELISA方法检测NDV的特异抗体,免疫20 d后,用F48E9进行攻毒.结果显示,免疫pcDNA-IL-2-F的鸡群产生的抗体水平(P＜0.05)高于混合免疫pcDNA-IL-2和pcDNA-F,高于免疫pcDNA-F的鸡群,但比免疫Lasota组的抗体水平要低.攻毒试验说明免疫pcDNA-IL-2-F组比免疫其他质粒组保护率高,这说明串连表达的免疫效果要好于二者的联合使用,为病毒病疫苗的研制提供了思路.     

Erwinia chrysanthemi分离株CSCL006 hrpN基因的克隆与高效表达

通过构建Erwiniachrysanthemi分离株CSCL006的DNA文库,克隆出hrpNCSCL006基因,测序结果显示该基因编码区长1020bp;推导的harpinCSCL006与ErwiniachrysanthemiEC16和3937编码的harpin蛋白同源性高,但与其它软腐菌的harpin蛋白同源性较低;在大肠杆菌中(Escherichiacoli)高效表达了hrpNCSCL006基因,重组harpinCSCL006蛋白分子量为34kD。以抗harpinEcc的抗体为探针,Westernblot证实该蛋白确为harpin;纯化的harpinCSCL006,能引起烟叶的过敏反应。     

基于M蛋白检测犬瘟热抗体ELISA方法的建立

犬瘟热病毒(Canine disremper virus,CDV)是导致犬科等多种属动物发热、腹泻、幼仔死亡等症状的传染病病原体,建立针对CDV的快速灵敏的诊断方法对于该病的防治具有重要意义。本研究利用RT-PCR方法扩增得到CDV-M基因,构建原核重组表达载体p ET-28(a)-CDV-M,并在大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)中实现了该蛋白的表达和纯化,Western blot验证重组蛋白的抗原性,用纯化的重组蛋白his-CDV-M作为抗原包被酶标板,ELISA方阵实验确定该重组蛋白的包被浓度,建立了检测临床犬血清样品的CDV-M蛋白抗体的间接ELISA方法,比较本实验方法与其他试剂盒之间的特异性和灵敏性。结果表明重组蛋白his-CDVM得到较好表达,纯化后蛋白浓度为2.840 mg/m L。Western blot结果表明重组抗原能与犬瘟热阳性血清进行反应。方阵实验确定抗原最佳工作浓度为8.88μg/m L,抗体最佳稀释度为1∶160,应用本方法检测223份犬血清样品,与进口CDV诊断试剂盒检测结果符合率为96%。本研究建立的基于M蛋白的犬瘟热病毒抗体检测方法具有较高的特异性和灵敏性,为犬瘟热病毒的诊断及M蛋白的功能研究提供了工具。     

胚柄特异性表达顺式元件结合蛋白酵母单杂交文库的构建

旨在构建酵母单杂交文库用于筛选与胚柄特异基因G564启动子顺式元件结合的转录因子。本研究根据植物胚柄特异表达基因G564启动子关键序列(GAAAAGCGAA)合成了5次串联重复序列,并与报告质粒pHIS2.1连接构建诱饵载体pHIS2.1-G564-5A;以纯化的拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)幼嫩种子mRNA为模板,合成SMARTTMⅢ和CDSⅢ锚定末端dscDNA;并将dscDNA与线性化融合表达载体pGADT7-Rec2以及诱饵载体pHIS2.1-G564-5A共转化到酵母Y187,构建酵母单杂交文库。文库的共转化效率为5.53×105cfu/μg。对文库中的阳性克隆进行测序,获得117条可读序列。对其进行基因功能注释并进一步分析基因的功能发现,具有DNA结合功能的蛋白14个,具有蛋白质结合功能的蛋白8个。上述22个蛋白包括TATA结合蛋白1(TBP1),支架结构相关区(SAR)DNA-结合蛋白,胚珠发育蛋白,G-box结合因子1(GBF1),组蛋白H3等。本研究为分离和克隆胚柄中特异表达的转录因子提供了候选基因。     

刺参核糖体蛋白L17基因(RPL17)全长cDNA克隆及组织表达

核糖体蛋白除组成核糖体、参与蛋白质合成之外,还作用于细胞的分裂、增殖、分化、凋亡、发育调控等过程.为了研究核糖体蛋白基因在刺参中的生理功能,本研究采用全长cDNA克隆技术首次从刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)体壁中克隆出核糖体蛋白L17基因(ribosomal protein L 17,RPL17)的全长cDNA序列(GenBank登录号:JQ922561).该基因cDNA全长643 bp,包括33 bp的5’-UTR,58 bp的3’-UTR,开放阅读框552 bp,编码183个氨基酸,编码的蛋白质相对分子量为21.5010kD,理论等电点(pI)为10.29,总平均亲水性(GRAVY)为-0.964,为不稳定的亲水蛋白.在NCBI网站上经Blastn和Blastx比对分析,发现该序列的核苷酸序列以及推导的氨基酸序列与其他物种的同源性均在70％以上,其中与紫海胆(Stron-gylocentrotus purpuratus)的同源性分别为75％和81％.二级结构预测结果:α螺旋占36.61％;β折叠占7.65％;无规卷曲占42.08％;其余13.66％为延伸链.蛋白功能位点分析显示其含有1个核糖体蛋白L22信号位点和9个磷酸化位点,其中cAMP和cGMP依赖性蛋白激酶磷酸化位点3个,蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点4个,酪氨酸激酶Ⅱ磷酸化位点2个.构建的系统进化树显示,刺参与同为棘皮动物的紫海胆聚为一支,分子进化地位上关系最近,其次聚类顺序较近的为玻璃海鞘、非洲爪蟾,脊椎动物聚为一支,该结果与这些物种在生物学上的分类是较一致的.利用荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)技术检测RPL17基因在刺参各组织中的表达,结果表明,RPL17基因在体腔细胞中表达量最高,肠中次之,呼吸树中最低.体腔细胞中的表达量分别为肠、体壁、纵肌、呼吸树的5.67、21.63、43.25和346倍,与4种组织的差异均极显著(P＜0.01).另外,肠与呼吸树中的表达量差异显著(P＜0.05),其余组织差异不显著(P＞0.05).本研究结果将为进一步研究刺参蛋白质合成、再生及多种生理活动的调控机制提供基础数据.     

干旱胁迫下野生大豆ABC转运蛋白转录组测序分析

为获取干旱胁迫状态下ABC转运蛋白家族相关基因,以抗旱性强的野生大豆为试验材料,浇灌20%PEG 6000模拟干旱胁迫,分别在干旱处理0、 6、12、24和48 h后取叶片提取RNA进行转录组测序;以GO、KEGG和NR三大数据库注释的结果为基础,再以ABC转运蛋白为关键词进行筛选。结果表明,共获得337条ABC转运蛋白相关序列,包括8大亚家族(ABCA、ABCB、ABCC、ABCD、ABCE、ABCF、ABCG和ABCI)。差异表达分析结果表明,共有182条表现差异表达。GO注释到的差异表达基因多数为嘌呤核苷酸分解过程,KEGG注释到的差异表达基因分布在5个亚家族(ABCA、ABCB、ABCC、ABCD和ABCG)。对NR数据库有注释的168条差异表达基因进行进化分析,结果表明ABCE、ABCF、ABCG家族与ABCI11为一类,ABCB、ABCC家族与ABCI10为一类,ABCA、ABCD家族与ABCI19为一类。本研究为进一步研究野生大豆干旱胁迫下ABC转运蛋白抗旱基因提供了一定的理论依据。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Increase in auxiliary photoprotective photosynthetic pigments in wheat seedlings induced by Azospirillum brasilense

Inoculation of wheat seedlings with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd was immobilized in alginate microbeads and, without applying any stress, significantly increased the quantity of several photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the auxiliary photoprotective pigments violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheroxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, and β-carotene. This resulted in greener plants with no apparent visible stress. After monitoring the quantity of photosynthetic pigments for 4 weeks, we observed that inoculated plants had higher quantities of pigments in shoot and stem. The greatest difference in the quantity of all pigments between inoculated and noninoculated plants occurred in the first week of growth. Regardless of treatment, the quantity of pigments in stems was three to four times less than the quantity of these pigments in shoots. Application of Azospirillum, either as liquid inoculant or as alginate microbeads, did not alter the positive effect of the bacteria on pigment production or the positive response of the plants towards A. brasilense Cd inoculation.     

Responses of native legume desert trees used for reforestation in the Sonoran Desert to plant growth-promoting microorganisms in screen house

Three slow-growing legume trees used for desert reforestation and urban gardening in the Sonoran Desert of Northwestern Mexico and the Southwestern USA were evaluated whether their growth can be promoted by inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria (Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus pumilus), unidentified arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (mainly Glomus sp.), and supplementation with common compost under regular screenhouse cultivation common to these trees in nurseries. Mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata) and yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) had different positive responses to several of the parameters tested while blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida) did not respond. Survival of all tree species was over 80% and survival of mesquite was almost 100% after 10 months of cultivation. Inoculation with growth-promoting microorganisms induced significant effects on the leaf gas exchange of these trees, measured as transpiration and diffusive resistance, when these trees were cultivated without water restrictions.