具早熟效应的优质D型不育系京福6A的选育

京福6A是福建省农业科学院水稻研究所以D297B与常规品种四青杂交,并与D297A测交和连续多代成对回交选育而成的D型三系不育系.京福6A不育株率达100%,花粉败育率达99.995%,穗大,配合力强,稻米品质达国标优质稻谷(GB/T 17891-1999)2级标准,有香味,杂种1代具有明显的早熟效应,于2005年9月通过福建省技术鉴定.     

优质香稻不育系玉香A的选育及利用

玉香A是利用优质常规稻晚香10号与玉米稻杂交的F4中的优良单株与金23A杂交,经7代回交育成的一个新的优质香稻不育系,于2003年2月通过湖南省品种审定.玉香A属中熟早籼类型,株型紧凑,茎秆粗壮,叶鞘、稃尖均无色;不育性稳定,群体不育株率100%,花粉不育度99.99%,套袋自交结实率为0.025%;品质性状好,米粒香味纯正;开花习性好,易于繁殖制种;配合力强,利用该不育系已选配出农平302、农平202等优质高产新组合.     

大穗早籼稻不育系浙94A的选育

浙94A是以野败型籼稻不育系V20A为母本,浙农8010B/浙农94后代中选株系为父本杂交,并连续回交转育而成的大穗中熟早籼不育系.其不育株率达100%,花粉不育度达99.94%,套袋自交不育度99.98%;还具有配合力强,稻米品质较优,开花习性好,异交结实率较高,中抗稻瘟病等特点.2003年9月通过浙江省科技厅组织的技术鉴定.     

中籼型优质光温敏核不育系广占63S的选育

广占 6 3S是北方杂交粳稻研究中心与合肥丰乐种业水稻所合作选育的中籼光温敏不育系 ,2 0 0 1年 8月通过安徽省技术鉴定。广占 6 3S不育期间败育彻底 ,不育性稳定 ,不育株率、花粉不育度和自交套袋不实率均为10 0 %。在 12 .5h短日下 ,不育临界温度低于 2 4℃。对白叶枯病及稻瘟病的抗性分别为高抗和抗。米质优 ,广占 6 3S垩白率、垩白度等 9项指标达农业部一级优质米标准 ,其余 3项指标达二级优质米标准 ;广占 6 3S× 9311(丰两优 1号 ) 10项指标达部颁一级优质米标准 ,2项指标达二级优质米标准     

大穗型籼稻三系不育系浙91A的选育

浙91A是以野败籼型不育系V20A为母本,用浙农8010B/浙农91后代中选株系为父本杂交,采用连续单株花粉育性镜检,连续回交转育而成的籼型不育系.其穗型大,每穗粒数达155.6粒;主要稻米品质指标明显优于浙江省主配不育系协青早A;不育株率100%,花粉不育度100%;柱头外露率60.1%,异交结实率55%左右,易于繁殖制种.2003年9月通过了由浙江省科技厅组织的技术鉴定,配制的新组合正进行试验试种.     

优质籼稻不育系双青A的选育及利用

双青A是用通过人工制保获得的保持系64B(梅青B×协青早B)与K17A回交转育成的K型优质籼稻不育系,其不育株率100%,花粉不育度99.97%,株型好,配合力强,米质达国标优质稻谷3级标准,2004年5月通过广东省科技厅组织的技术鉴定。用该不育系配制的优质杂交水稻组合双优8802于2005年3月通过了广东省品种审定。     

优质香稻不育系宜香1A的选育与利用

宜香1A是宜宾市农业科学院用不育系D44A作母本,（D44B/N542）F3选株作父本测交并逐代回交转育而成的优质香稻不育系。宜香1A花粉败育彻底,育性稳定,不育株率和花粉败育度均为100%,农艺性状优良,异交习性好,配合力高,稻米品质优良,2000年7月通过四川省技术鉴定。由宜香1A所配组合在试验、示范中表现稻米品质优良、产量高、抗病性较强、适应性广等特点,到2007年底止,已有33个组合分别通过国家或省级品种审定,应用前景广阔。     

优质籼型水稻不育系瑞丰A的选育及应用

瑞丰A是以枝A为母本,Y华农B/22-6∥Y华农B的F3代优良单株作父本测交并逐代回交转育而成的优质籼型不育系.瑞丰A不育性稳定,不育株率和花粉不育度均为100%,可恢复性好,配合力强,开花习性好,异交结实率高,米质达国标优质稻谷3级标准,2008年12月通过海南省农作物品种审定.利用瑞丰A配制的杂交稻新组合在示范试种和区试中表现优良,其中瑞丰优616(瑞丰A/海恢616)于2010年5月通过海南省品种审定.介绍了其选育经过、特征特性和配组应用表现.     

优质籼型水稻不育系长丰A的选育

长丰A是福建省农科院水稻研究所用＂佳禾系统优质株系Y27/福伊B＂育成的保持系与福伊A转育而成的野败籼型三系不育系,于2004年通过福建省科技成果鉴定。该不育系不育性稳定,不育株率100%,花粉败育率达到99.98%,柱头外露率达82.88%,其中双边外露率为18.58%。叶鞘、稃尖、柱头紫色,籽粒细长,米质优,抗稻瘟病。     

优质抗病不育系中3A的选育

中国水稻研究所用优质早籼材料浙农996作母本与优质保持系金23B杂交，于F1代选米质优良的株系与优质不育系中9A测交，经多代连续回交育成优质不育系中3A。中3A育性稳定，柱头外露率高达89．34％，配合力强，稻米品质达NY／T593-2002食用稻品种品质2级标准，中抗稻瘟病和白叶枯病，具有广阔的生产应用前景，于2005年9月通过浙江省科技厅组织的专家鉴定。     

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.     

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.     

Recent Modifications of Chitosan for Adsorption Applications: A Critical and Systematic Review

Chitosan is considered to be one of the most promising and applicable materials in adsorption applications. The existence of amino and hydroxyl groups in its molecules contributes to many possible adsorption interactions between chitosan and pollutants (dyes, metals, ions, phenols, pharmaceuticals/drugs, pesticides, herbicides, etc.). These functional groups can help in establishing positions for modification. Based on the learning from previously published works in literature, researchers have achieved a modification of chitosan with a number of different functional groups. This work summarizes the published works of the last three years (2012–2014) regarding the modification reactions of chitosans (grafting, cross-linking, etc.) and their application to adsorption of different environmental pollutants (in liquid-phase).