用核酸探针检测鸡脏器及羽毛囊中禽呼肠孤病毒

摘要：用地高辛标记禽呼肠孤病毒（ARV）S1基因中编码σ3蛋白的基因片段作为核酸探针，在斑点分子杂交中可检测到1.6pg的ARV RNA。利用该核酸探针，通过检测鸡羽毛囊及体内病毒繁殖情况，比较研究了 ARV感染后在鸡体内及鸡群中的传播动态。结果显示，ARV感染后在24小时时就可侵染大部分器官，并且很快传播到同群未攻毒的鸡中。羽毛囊中的病毒检出率与鸡内脏器官中病毒的检出率一致。该研究证明用核酸探针检测鸡羽毛囊中ARV的方法检测ARV的感染与流行情况，具有灵敏、特异性高，操作方便的特点，尤其适用于大量样品的同时检测。     

检测四种鸡呼吸道疫病病毒可视化芯片技术的优化及初步应用

可视化芯片技术是在传统芯片技术的基础上发展起来的一项新的疾病诊断和基因分析技术,对于临床疾病检测和诊断具有重要意义。本研究针对禽流感病毒(Avian influenza virus,AIV)的核蛋白(nucleprotein,NP)基因设计一对特异性引物,以H9亚型禽流感病毒分离株c DNA为模板,经PCR扩增、连接、转化和核酸序列鉴定后,得到含有AIV-NP基因的重组质粒。同时复苏本实验室保存的3株分别含有新城疫病毒(Newcastle disease virus,NDV)的融合(fusion,F)蛋白基因、鸡传染性喉气管炎病毒(Infectious laryngotracheitis virus,ILTV)胸苷激酶(haemaggluttinin-neuraminidase,TK)基因和鸡传染性支气管炎病毒(Infectious bronchitis virus,IBV)核衣壳(nucleocapsid,N)蛋白基因的重组菌。以上述4种病原的靶基因核酸序列片段的正义链为模板,设计寡核苷酸探针,喷样到尼龙膜上制备成芯片,利用不对称PCR技术扩增生物素标记的靶基因,与芯片进行杂交后,检测结果直接用肉眼就可以判定。本研究对芯片制备流程和检测过程中主要条件进行优化。结果表明当寡核苷酸探针喷样浓度为25μmol/L、芯片杂交反应的时间为1 h、杂交温度为50℃、Streptavidin HRP Conjugate(1.0 mg/m L)稀释2 000倍、二氨基联苯胺(diaminobenzidine,DAB)显色时间为5 min时,芯片检测技术的结果最佳。用该方法与PCR/RT-PCR技术同时对临床采集的96份疑似病料进行检测,两种方法的检测结果一致。本研究构建的检测4种禽呼吸道疾病病毒可视化基因芯片技术具有高通量、快速、准确等优点,为鸡病的临床诊断提供了新的技术。     

新型鸭呼肠孤病毒RT-PCR方法的建立与应用

研究建立检测新型鸭呼肠孤病毒(novel duck reovirus,NDRV)的RT-PCR方法,并运用建立的检测方法对分离毒与人工感染样品进行应用检测.根据NDRV-NP03株S3基因全序列(NDRV-NP03,GenBank登录号:GQ888710),设计合成了一对引物,以NDRV分离株为模板,建立了检测NDRV的RT-PCR方法.结果显示:该方法仅能从NDRV分离毒中扩增到与预期大小相符长度为586 bp的特异性目的片段,检测灵敏度达到2 pg病毒RNA,而其它病毒,番鸭呼肠孤病毒(Muscovy duck reovirus,MDRV)、禽呼肠孤病毒(Avian reovirus,ARV)、鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒(Infectious bursal disease virus,IBDV)、番鸭细小病毒(Muscovy duck parvovirus,MDPV)、鹅细小病毒(Goose parvovirus,GPV)、鸭副粘病毒(Duck paramyxovirus,DPMV)、鸭病毒性肝炎病毒(Duck hepatitis virus,DHV)等样品的扩增结果均为阴性.应用该方法对8株NDRV分离毒和3份人工感染鸭肝脾组织进行检测均为阳性.表明建立的RT-PCR方法特异性强、敏感度高,可用于NDRV的临床诊断和流行病学调查.     

用生物素标记核酸探针检测鸭瘟病毒DNA的研究

用生物素-11-脱氧尿苷三磷酸(Biotin-11-dUTP),通过缺口平移法标记提纯的鸭瘟病毒 DNA,制备生物素化鸭瘟病毒 DNA 全基因组探针;以斑点杂交检测固定在硝酸纤维膜上的样品鸭瘟病毒 DNA 同源序列,杂交后用亲和素-碱性磷酸酶孵育,底物显色,阳性反应呈蓝紫色斑点。试验结果表明,生物素标记核酸探针可检出10pg 提纯的鸭瘟病毒DNA,并检出稀释10~5倍和肝组织鸭瘟病毒 DNA;对鸡马立克氏病毒 DNA,鸡痘病毒DNA 和噬菌体 DNA 无杂交反应;对鸭瘟病毒弱毒 DNA 产生微弱杂交。该技术具有快速、敏感、特异和无放射污染等优点。     

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒鸡胚传代毒对SPF雏鸡的致病力的变化

应用鸡胚连续传代的第5(P5)和115代(P115)鸡传染性支气管炎病毒(Infectiousbronchitisvirus,IBV)中国分离株CK/CH/LDL/97Ⅰ进行动物实验,评价两个不同代次毒对SPF雏鸡的致病性、病毒在机体内复制动态以及病毒刺激机体产生抗体的变化。结果显示,P5接种的鸡群发病率为100%,死亡率为10%;P115接种的鸡群发病率和死亡率均为0%。表明,P115较P5毒力明显减弱。病毒复制动态检测结果显示,P5和P115均能在鸡的上呼吸道中复制,但P5接种的鸡群上呼吸道带毒时间为15d左右;P115接种的鸡群上呼吸道带毒时间为9d左右。抗体检测发现,P5与P115均能刺激机体产生血清抗体,SPF鸡对P5与P115感染均能产生良好的体液免疫应答,说明致弱毒P115仍然保持良好的免疫原性。P115代病毒可作为IBV疫苗研制的候选毒株。     

西尼罗病毒荧光定量PCR检测体系的建立及评价

本研究建立了一种实时荧光定量PCR快速核酸检测西尼罗病毒的方法。通过序列比对和blast分析，确定西尼罗病毒Caspid蛋白保守区基因为检测的目的基因，引物采用Primer Premier5.0软件进行设计。本研究建立的检测方法利用SYBR Green染料，相比探针成本较低。通过溶解曲线分析表明，建立的检测方法在扩增过程中没有发现有二聚体的产生。本检测体系在用空白对照及类似的乙脑病毒作为扩增对照时，没有发现非特异性产物的生成，表明该体系对于西尼罗病毒的检测是特异的。将阳性对照标准品进行10倍梯度稀释后可检测到102copies/μL样品，表明该检测体系具有较高的检测灵敏度。     

口蹄疫重组鸡痘病毒在豚鼠体内的毒性、分布、抗体消长规律的研究

以病毒为重组疫苗的载体构建的活载体基因重组疫苗免疫哺乳动物,抵抗传染病的研究已获得成功,其中鸡痘病毒存在着很大的潜在优势。然而,作为非复制的载体其安全性迫切需要检验。选择重组鸡痘病毒vUTAL 3CP1分别以正常剂量、超大剂量,肌肉注射、静脉注射接种豚鼠,第一次免疫后间隔14 d分别进行二免、三免;对妊娠豚鼠的不同阶段进行免疫,通过PCR、RT-PCR、EL ISA、中和抗体检测和免疫组化等检测方法,对疫苗在豚鼠体内的基因和蛋白分布、抗体消长规律以及毒性,和对妊娠豚鼠和子代体内的基因和蛋白分布、抗体消长规律以及毒性进行研究。实验结果表明:肌肉接种FMD重组疫苗株后,临床观察、病理组织学和检测表明在整个试验期间,试验组免疫动物精神状态良好、饮水、采食等临床表现一切正常;病毒培养表明只在接种的部位免疫3 h可以培养出病毒,其他组织和其他时间点均未能培养出病毒,证明重组鸡痘病毒vUTAL 3CP1在体内是一过性感染,免疫3 h的病毒是未完全吸附的病毒,而不是复制的病毒;通过PCR,RT-PCR检测,可在心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏、肌肉、脑、肠系膜淋巴结内检测到了FPV 4b DNA和FMDV VP1 DNA,且在大部分组织能存留5 d左右;增加免疫剂量和进行多次免疫,其在体内存留时间仍然很短,重组疫苗可诱导豚鼠产生较高水平的抗FMDV特异性抗体和中和抗体;静脉注射也在体内检测到病毒的DNA,但其在体内的分布和存留时间短,诱导豚鼠产生的抗FMDV特异性抗体和中和抗体水平比肌肉注射低、且持续时间短,病毒培养表明只在任何组织和任何时间点均未能培养出病毒;对妊娠豚鼠的不同阶段均无毒性,未造成流产、早产、死胎等不良反应,子代未检测到病毒的DNA。以上均证明重组鸡痘病毒vUTAL 3CP1在豚鼠体内存留时间短,对妊娠豚鼠、子代无毒性,且能产生良好的免疫反应,且对环境无污染,为后期其他哺乳动物实验提供必要的基础数据,从而更进一步验证所构建的重组鸡痘活载体疫苗的生物安全性及免疫原性,对免疫动物无安全威胁。     

新城疫病毒F48E8株核衣壳蛋白基因在鸡痘病毒中的表达及其部分序列分析

通过反转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)扩增了新城疫病毒(NDV)F48E8株核衣壳蛋白(NP)基因,并克隆到pUC18中,得阳性克隆pUCNP.应用分子克隆技术,将NP基因导入鸡痘病毒(FPV)转移载体pFG1175-1中P7.5启动子的下游,得到含NDV NP基因的质粒pFGNP1175-1.利用脂质体转染技术,将该质粒转染FPV疫苗株282E4感染3～4 h的鸡胚成纤维细胞,采用蓝斑筛选方法纯化多次,得到稳定的重组FPV.用狄高辛标记的探针进行斑点杂交实验,结果表明pFGNP1175-1已与FPV 发生同源重组;用抗NDV的SPF鸡的阳性血清进行间接免疫荧光实验,证实重组FPV在感染细胞中表达了F48E8株NP蛋白.该基因两端部分序列与已发表的D26株NP基因对应区域的核苷酸同源性为89.1%,推断的氨基酸同源性则为93.1%.     

多重连接探针扩增(MLPA)技术同时检测五种病毒的研究

现有的动物疫病诊断技术多是针对单一病原进行的,而动物疫病的流行却出现了多种病毒混合感染,现有诊断技术不能很好地满足国境口岸快速、高通量检疫的需求,动物疫病多重检测新技术的研究近来已经成为动物疫情监测、疫病控制领域关注的焦点。本研究利用多重连接探针扩增(MLPA)技术特异、敏感、高通量等技术优势,以猪流感病毒(SIV)、伪狂犬病病毒(PRV)、口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)、猪传染性胃肠炎(TGEV)和猪繁殖与呼吸综合症病毒(PRRSV)为研究对象,分别设计了这5种病毒的MLPA探针,将这5种探针混合,建立了可以同时检测这5种病毒的MLPA扩增方法。方法特异性试验表明,针对每种病毒的探针都只能扩增出其对应的病毒模板,其余病毒模板的扩增都是阴性结果;而且,5种探针混合物都只能从单个目的病毒中扩增出单一的特异性条带,而猪细小病毒(PPV)、猪瘟病毒(CSFV)和猪流行性腹泻病毒(PEDV)的扩增均为阴性。敏感性试验结果表明,5重MLPA扩增的最低检测限可以达到单个病毒核酸3000~6000个拷贝。本研究建立的5种病毒MLPA检测方法在国内外首次实现一次采样,一次分析,检测5种猪病的目的,该技术特异性强,敏感性高,加之其多重性检测优势,有望成为未来疫病检测的新方向。     

H9亚型禽流感病毒环介导等温扩增检测方法的建立与荧光指示剂的应用

利用反转录环介导等温核酸扩增技术(RT-LAMP),建立了一种特异、灵敏、便捷的H9亚型禽流感病毒(H9subtype of avian influenza virus,H9-AIV)的检测方法。该方法使用了对应于H9亚型禽流感病毒血凝素(hemagglutinin HA)基因的8个不同区域的6条特异引物,在63℃的等温条件下反应,最低可检测到103拷贝的目的基因重组质粒片段,较RT-PCR方法敏感10倍。通过对15种H亚型禽流感病毒、新城疫病毒(Newcastle disease virus,NDV)、传染性支气管炎病毒(Infectious bronchitis virus,IBV)的检测表明,该方法具有良好的特异性。在反应体系中使用钙黄绿素与Mn2+的混合溶液作为荧光指示剂可以用于RT-LAMP结果判定,并且其判断结果与浊度判断结果一致。对109份禽咽喉拭子及泄殖腔拭子临床样品进行检测,RT-LAMP与RT-PCR检出阳性样本数分别为61份和46份,表明RT-LAMP方法阳性检出率高于RT-PCR。     

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.