柱花草属不同种质钾含量研究

对柱花草属8个种153份种质的钾素含量进行测定,结果表明:圭亚那柱花草钾平均含量为1.19％,其中品129显著高于其它种质;西卡柱花草钾平均含量为0.95％,品121和品122显著高于其它种质;灌木状柱花草钾平均含量为0.87％,品153显著高于其它种质;头状柱花草钾平均含量为1.16％;有钩柱花草钾平均含量为0.90％;马弓形柱花草钾平均含量为1.14％;大头柱花草钾含量为1.22％;矮柱花草钾含量为1.03％.不同种柱花草之间钾含量存在显著差异,大头柱花草、圭亚那柱花草、头状柱花草和马弓形柱花草钾含量显著高于矮柱花草、西卡柱花草、有钩柱花草和灌木状柱花草;矮柱花草钾含量显著高于灌木柱花草和有钩柱花草,西卡柱花草与有钩柱花草和灌木状柱花草之间钾含量差异不显著.     

柱花草同工酶分析

采用同工酶电泳技术研究7份柱花草种质的遗传差异性。结果表明：供试材料的酯酶同工酶(EST)和超氧化物歧化酶同工酶(SOD)的位点和数目均存在差异;酯酶同工酶(EST)表型差异是7份柱花草种质在蛋白质分子水平识别的遗传标记;根据聚类图,将7份柱花草种质划分为4类：第1类材料热研13号柱花草、热研5号柱花草和Mineirao柱花草,第2类材料马弓形柱花草,第3类材料有钩柱花草和西卡柱花草,第4类材料灌木柱花草。     

圭亚那柱花草花粉活力的测定方法

采用蔗糖萌发、无机酸测定、TTC染色、碘－碘化钾染色、红墨水染色和联苯胺染色等6种方法,测定了圭亚那柱花草[Stylosanthes guianensis(Aublet)Swartz]的花粉活力,并比较了各方法的优缺点、试验效果。结果发现,前4种方法的测定效果较好,且二者配合使用测定结果较为准确。试验结果同时表明,F137号柱花草种质的花粉活力最低,有望成为圭亚那柱花草雄性不育研究工作的育种材料。     

不同柱花草绿肥种质磷含量差异研究

柱花草是世界热区重要的绿肥与牧草兼用的豆科作物。作为豆科绿肥,磷含量是影响绿肥品质的重要指标。本文对134份柱花草绿肥种质的磷含量进行了分析评价,结果表明,供试的134份柱花草绿肥种质有133份种质磷含量在0.3%以下,这些柱花草的磷含量达到四级有机肥磷含量标准,仅有1份柱花草种质的磷含量高于0.3%,其磷含量达到三级有机肥磷含量标准。     

糙柱花草遗传多样性SSR分析

为鉴定糙柱花草种质的遗传背景和亲缘关系,提高其利用效率,利用来自不同柱花草种中的16个SSR标记对14份糙柱花草种质进行遗传多样性和聚类分析。结果表明：在16个SSR标记中,10个SSR标记在14份糙柱花草种质间具有多态性。10个多态性SSR标记共检测到32个等位基因,每个标记可检测到2～8个等位基因,平均为3.20个;每个SSR标记的Shannon信息指数(I)和多态性信息含量(PIC)分别为0.191～0.796和0.173～0.769,平均为0.474和0.411。14份糙柱花草种质间的遗传相似系数为0.438～0.938,平均为0.733。聚类分析结果显示,在遗传相似系数为0.74处,14份供试糙柱花草种质可明显被分为3类,其中III类中的CPI 93116柱花草与其他种质遗传关系较远。     

圭亚那柱花草抗寒性初步鉴定

以11个圭亚那柱花草种质为试材,热研2号柱花草为对照,用电解质渗透法作为指标,比较其抗寒性.结果表明,圭亚那柱花草半致死温度(LT_(50))范围在-0.17～-2.33℃之间,圭亚那柱花草种内抗寒性差异较小.CIAT11362、USF873004、GC1528、Mineirao和GC1576的半致死温度(LT_(50))低于热研2号柱花草.其它种质的LT_(50)高于热研2号柱花草.     

不同柱花草种质的抗旱性分析

以6份柱花草(Stylosanthes guianensis)种质为材料,采用水培法,分析15%PEG-6000模拟干旱处理对柱花草生长的影响,并综合评价柱花草种质的抗旱性。结果表明:15%PEG处理显著抑制了柱花草的生物量、根系生长、叶绿素浓度(SPDA)及最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m),并显著增加了丙二醛(MDA)含量,但不同种质的抗旱性存在差异。运用隶属函数法对柱花草抗旱性进行综合分析,结果表明:种质TF227和TF210抗旱能力最强,为抗旱型柱花草,R~2和R5次之,TF226和TF244抗旱能力最弱。植株鲜重、地上部鲜重、丙二醛含量、叶绿素浓度和F_v/F_m可作为评价柱花草抗旱能力的指标。     

圭亚那柱花草新EST-SSR标记验证及其在柱花草属上的转移

柱花草(Stylosanthes spp.)是我国南方热带地区优良豆科牧草。为获得高效的柱花草分子标记，本课题组利用热研5号圭亚那柱花草（Stylosanthes guianensis）转录组测序数据开发了2008个EST-SSR标记。为验证新EST-SSR标记的有效性及在柱花草属中的通用性，本研究从中随机挑选117个EST-SSR标记并分析了其在圭亚那柱花草中的有效性及其在其他8种柱花草中的可转移性。结果表明，有98个EST-SSR标记可获得有效扩增，其中96个在不同柱花草种质间有多态性，每个标记检测出的等位基因2～11个，共检测到等位基因456个。98个EST-SSR标记在其他8种柱花草间的可转移率为82.2％～100％，其中69个标记在8种柱花草间都能有效扩增。     

22个柱花草材料幼苗期抗旱鉴定初步结果

旱季是云南柱花草种植幼苗主要生长期,鉴定柱花草各品种(系)苗期的抗旱性对指导柱花草种质创新与生产具有重要意义。在试验棚内,对22个柱花草(Stylosanthes gianensis)种质材料幼苗期进行干旱处理,分别测试其各项形态指标和生理指标,研究其幼苗期的抗旱性。试验结果表明：所有供试材料中,圭亚那柱花草1(S. gianensis seabrana)、爱得华柱花草(S. gianensis cv.Endeavour)、黑种柱花草(S. gianensis USF873016)和西卡柱花草(S. sc     

柱花草盆播苗抗炭疽病接种鉴定

柱花草炭疽病是目前严重危及化草生产的主要病害。对２２个柱花草优选株系的盆播苗进行了人工接种炭疽病原菌鉴定，初步选出一批有希望的抗病株系，为进 下育成抗品种提供了种质和依据。     

Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of Various Nitrogen Fertilizers

Summary

The efficiency of N fertilizers is usually poor; often less than 50% of the applied N is taken up by the crop. This review focuses on various N fertilizers with respect to the significance of different N loss pathways, namely (i) ammonia volatilization, (ii) dinitrogen and nitrogen oxide emissions, and (iii) nitrate leaching. Further, the significance of biological N immobilization, ammonium fixation and, finally, the impact of nitrate vs. ammonium uptake on crop yield are also discussed. The reviewed literature shows that N fertilizers may differ markedly in their susceptibility to losses. There is, however, considerable scope to improve N efficiency of each N source by proper N management practices.     

Studies on natural repellents against potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) in country stores

Summary The effects of the leaves of five plant species, one from each of the generaAmbrosia, Anemone, Eupatorium, Eucalyptus andLantana, on potato tuber moth were investigated under indigenous storage conditions at the Central Potato Research Station, Shillong (1800 m above sea level). Their action was compared with that of a biological insecticide (spores ofBacillus thuringiensis), a chemical insecticide (carbaryl), and an untreated control. The data collected after six months storage on tuber damage, sprout damage and the rotting indicated that the leaves ofLantana aculeata provided most protection to the tubers, reducing damage from over 70% in the check to below 5%, and sprout damage from over 45% to below 3%. Next best wasEucalyptus globulus followed byB. thuringiensis. They may be used on tubers stored for table use or for seed as they had no adverse effect on germination or on the yield of a subsequent crop.     

Mineral composition of some traditional Mexican teas

Teas of plant origin traditionally consumed by the Mountain Pima of Chihuahua, Mexico, were analyzed for mineral nutritional content. Fe, Cu, Zn, Ca, and Mg composition was determined for native teas made from shoots ofTagetes lucida, T. filifolia, Elytraria imbricata, andHolodiscus dumosus, and from root xylem ofCeanothus depressus andPhaseolus ritensis. Native uses of these teas are also described.     

Novel food and non-food uses for sorghum and millets

Sorghum and millets have considerable potential in foods and beverages. As they are gluten-free they are suitable for coeliacs. Sorghum is also a potentially important source of nutraceuticals such antioxidant phenolics and cholesterol-lowering waxes. Cakes, cookies, pasta, a parboiled rice-like product and snack foods have been successfully produced from sorghum and, in some cases, millets. Wheat-free sorghum or millet bread remains the main challenge. Additives such as native and pre-gelatinised starches, hydrocolloids, fat, egg and rye pentosans improve bread quality. However, specific volumes are lower than those for wheat bread or gluten-free breads based on pure starches, and in many cases, breads tend to stale faster. Lager and stout beers with sorghum are brewed commercially. Sorghum's high-starch gelatinisation temperature and low beta-amylase activity remain problems with regard to complete substitution of barley malt with sorghum malt . The role of the sorghum endosperm matrix protein and cell wall components in limiting extract is a research focus. Brewing with millets is still at an experimental stage. Sorghum could be important for bioethanol and other bio-industrial products. Bioethanol research has focused on improving the economics of the process through cultivar selection, method development for low-quality grain and pre-processing to recover valuable by-products. Potential by-products such as the kafirin prolamin proteins and the pericarp wax have potential as bioplastic films and coatings for foods, primarily due to their hydrophobicity.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of different accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. from Uruguay

Summary The in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. collected in the south of Uruguay was investigated against five microorganisms including the pathogenRalstonia solanacearum. A total of 30 extracts corresponding to organic and aqueous extracts were studied. Interestingly, most of the positive results for growth inhibition were againstR. solanacearum. The extracts were also analyzed for the presence of glycoalkaloids and lectins. Six of the ten aqueous extracts showed lectin presence and a wide variation in the type and amounts of glycoalkaloids, was found. Results indicate that there is no clear relationship between the antimicrobial activity against the five microorganisms screened and the presence or amounts of lectins and glycoalkaloids, traditionally regarded as possible antimicrobial metabolites in theSolanum genus, which indicates the presence of as yet unidentified antimicrobial compounds.     

Extreme resistance to infection by potato virus X in genotypes of wild tuber-bearingSolanum species

Summary Clones derived from thirty-one different accessions (nineteen of Argentine origin) belonging to eightSolanum species were screened for resistance to infection by potato virus X strain cp (PVX cp) by mechanical inoculation of plantlets that had been micropropagated in vitro. Estimates of PVX multiplication obtained by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and slot blot nucleic acid hybridization allowed the identification of resistant clones derived from five accessions belonging toS. commersonii S. oplocense, S. sparsipilum andS. tuberosum andigena. Resistant genotypes supported PVX concentrations 5 to 15 times smaller than did the susceptible control cultivar Spunta. Graft inoculation test confirmed the presence of extreme resistance similar to that conferred by the ‘immunity’ gene X¹ (also called RX_act).     

Cyanobacteria Secondary Metabolites as Biotechnological Ingredients in Natural Anti-Aging Cosmetics: Potential to Overcome Hyperpigmentation,Loss of Skin Density and UV Radiation-Deleterious Effects

The loss of density and elasticity, the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation are among the first noticeable signs of skin aging. Beyond UV radiation and oxidative stress, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) assume a preponderant role in the process, since their deregulation results in the degradation of most extracellular matrix components. In this survey, four cyanobacteria strains were explored for their capacity to produce secondary metabolites with biotechnological potential for use in anti-aging formulations. Leptolyngbya boryana LEGE 15486 and Cephalothrix lacustris LEGE 15493 from freshwater ecosystems, and Leptolyngbya cf. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 and Nodosilinea nodulosa LEGE 06104 from marine habitats were sequentially extracted with acetone and water, and extracts were analyzed for their toxicity in cell lines with key roles in the skin context (HaCAT, 3T3L1, and hCMEC). The non-toxic extracts were chemically characterized in terms of proteins, carotenoids, phenols, and chlorophyll a, and their anti-aging potential was explored through their ability to scavenge the physiological free radical superoxide anion radical (O₂^•−), to reduce the activity of the MMPs elastase and hyaluronidase, to inhibit tyrosinase and thus avoid melanin production, and to block UV-B radiation (sun protection factor, SPF). Leptolyngbya species stood out for anti-aging purposes: L. boryana LEGE 15486 presented a remarkable SPF of 19 (at 200 µg/mL), being among the best species regarding O₂^•− scavenging, (IC₅₀ = 99.50 µg/mL) and also being able to inhibit tyrosinase (IC₂₅ = 784 µg/mL), proving to be promising against UV-induced skin-aging; L. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 was more efficient in inhibiting MMPs (hyaluronidase, IC₅₀ = 863 µg/mL; elastase, IC₅₀ = 391 µg/mL), thus being the choice to retard dermal density loss. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the data allowed the grouping of extracts into three groups, according to their chemical composition; the correlation of carotenoids and chlorophyll a with MMPs activity (p < 0.01), O₂^•− scavenging with phenolic compounds (p < 0.01), and phycocyanin and allophycocyanin with SPF, pointing to these compounds in particular as responsible for UV-B blockage. This original survey explores, for the first time, the biotechnological potential of these cyanobacteria strains in the field of skin aging, demonstrating the promising, innovative, and multifactorial nature of these microorganisms.     

Marine Pharmacology in 2009–2011: Marine Compounds with Antibacterial,Antidiabetic, Antifungal,Anti-Inflammatory,Antiprotozoal, Antituberculosis,and Antiviral Activities; Affecting the Immune and Nervous Systems,and other Miscellaneous Mechanisms of Action ?

The peer-reviewed marine pharmacology literature from 2009 to 2011 is presented in this review, following the format used in the 1998–2008 reviews of this series. The pharmacology of structurally-characterized compounds isolated from marine animals, algae, fungi and bacteria is discussed in a comprehensive manner. Antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, and antiviral pharmacological activities were reported for 102 marine natural products. Additionally, 60 marine compounds were observed to affect the immune and nervous system as well as possess antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Finally, 68 marine metabolites were shown to interact with a variety of receptors and molecular targets, and thus will probably contribute to multiple pharmacological classes upon further mechanism of action studies. Marine pharmacology during 2009–2011 remained a global enterprise, with researchers from 35 countries, and the United States, contributing to the preclinical pharmacology of 262 marine compounds which are part of the preclinical pharmaceutical pipeline. Continued pharmacological research with marine natural products will contribute to enhance the marine pharmaceutical clinical pipeline, which in 2013 consisted of 17 marine natural products, analogs or derivatives targeting a limited number of disease categories.