单胚雄性不育多倍体甜菜新品种甜单302的选育

甜单302是由中国农业科学院甜菜研究所育成的雄性不育单胚型多倍体杂交种。该品种由单胚二倍体雄不育系TB306-ms作母本,与多胚四倍体品系甜408-3作父本,按3∶1比例种植,自然杂交而成,只收获母本雄性不育系的单胚种子用于生产。在生产示范试验中,根产量、含糖率和产糖量分别比对照品种甜研303提高14.4%、0.26度和16.3%。该品种杂种优势强,丰产性好,含糖率高,较抗褐斑病,耐根腐病。适宜在黑龙江省的友谊、讷河、依安、呼兰、海伦等地种植。     

甜菜单胚多倍体品种甜单305的选育

甜单305为三倍体甜菜单胚杂交组合，是由单胚细胞质雄性不育系TB9-CMS为母本，以四倍体多胚绿胚轴品系甜426G为父本按4：1比例杂交而成。制种时只收获母本雄性不育系的单胚种子。于2002年配制杂交组合，2005-2006年区域试验，2007年生产示范试验。甜单305在全省生产示范试验中，表现突出，在根产量、含糖率、产糖量3个指标上均超过了对照品种，平均根产量47760．2kg／hm^2，含糖率17．06％，产糖量8116．2kg／hm^2，分别比对照品种甜研309提高22．7％、0．62度、27．2％。2008年4月被黑龙江省农作物品种审定委员会审定命名为推广品种，适宜推广区域为哈尔滨、齐齐哈尔、牡丹江等甜菜产区。     

单胚高糖偏丰产型甜菜新品种HDTY04的选育

甜菜新品种'HDTY04'是以新型细胞质二倍体单胚雄性不育系'MDms4-3'为母本,以'DP30'多胚二倍体授粉系为父本杂交选育而成.该品种于2014—2015年黑龙江省甜菜品种区域试验鉴定中,平均根产量为59930.1 kg/hm2,比对照品种增产15.3％,平均含糖率为18.40％,比对照品种提高1.20个百分点...     

甜菜单胚新品种STD0903的选育

STD0903是石河子农业科学研究院甜菜研究所选育的标准偏丰产型遗传单胚雄性不育二倍体甜菜杂交种。在2012-2013年新疆维吾尔自治区甜菜品种区域试验中,两年15点块根平均产量81306.0 kg/hm2,较对照KWS2409增产16.5%;平均含糖率14.32%,较对照KWS2409增糖0.22度;平均产糖量11643.0kg/hm2,较对照KWS2409增产18.3%。该品种农艺性状突出,丰产性能稳定,抗病性强,适应性广。     

甜菜遗传单粒型多倍体杂交种新甜（单）8号的选育

甜菜遗传单粒型多倍体杂交种──新甜（单）８号系以二倍体遗传单粒雄性不育系ＴＤＭ１０２为母本，以多粒四倍体品系Ｔ４１２和多粒二倍体品系Ｔ２１７的４：１机混群体为父本，按母父本３：１自然杂交，母系收获利用。该品种在新疆甜菜品种区域试验中（１９９１～１９９３年），１８，点次根产量平均超过对照新甜６号１１．４９％，含糖率超过对照０．５８度；生产示范中（１９９２～１９９３年）８点次平均根产超过对照１５．２６％，含糖率超过对照０．７７度。该品种抗褐斑病，适于机械精量点播和应用纸筒育苗技术，适宜在新疆全区种植。     

甜菜单粒型雄性不育杂交种新甜九号的选育

新甜九号系以自育单粒雄性不育系石单ｍ２０２Ａ为母本，多粒二倍体自交系Ｚ—２为父本配制的甜菜单粒型二倍体雄性不育杂交种，经小区试验、区域化试验和生产试验，结果表明，该品种具有丰产性好，含糖率高、抗（耐）甜菜褐斑病、白粉病及丛根病等特点，属标准偏丰产类型的甜菜新品种。     

航天诱变甜菜单胚新品种航甜单0919的选育

利用航天育种卫星搭载的甜菜单胚雄性不育系和二倍体品系,从材料中找到优良的变异株,利用变异株配制了8个杂交组合,从中筛选出优良杂交组合甜航单0919。甜航单0919是我国首个利用航天诱变技术研制的二倍体单胚杂交种,杂种优势强,丰产性好,含糖率高,较抗褐斑病和根腐病,克服了单胚品种含糖低、抗性差的缺点。     

甜菜遗传单粒型多倍体杂交种甜单303的选育

甜单303是甜菜遗传单粒型多倍体杂交种.该品种在2002～2003年的黑龙江省甜菜品种区域试验中,16点次的平均块根产量为39877.8kg/hm2,比对照种甜研303和甜单二号平均高12.16%;平均含糖率16.47%,比对照低0.46度;平均理论产糖量为6667.5 kg/hm2,比对照高8.77%.在2003年的黑龙江省甜菜品种生产示范试验中,4个试验点平均块根产量为41273.9 kg/hm2,比对照种甜单二号提高17.88%;平均含糖率16.89%,比对照低0.52度;平均理论产糖量为7135.6 kg/hm2,比对照高14.18%.该品种抗褐斑病性与对照种相仿.2004年初通过黑龙江省农作物品种审定委员会审定命名.     

丰产抗病偏高糖甜菜新品种ZM201的选育

ZM201是中国农业科学院甜菜研究所和美国BetaSeed公司合作选育的甜菜二倍体单胚雄不育杂交种.2001年以单胚二倍体雄性不育系Beta96186M为母本,以二倍体有粉系PT37136为父本,配制杂交组合.该品种丰产性好,舍糖率较高,抗丛根病和褐斑病,耐根腐病,适应性广,块根品质好.在2005～2006年的国家甜菜品种区域试验中,全国两年42个试验点次平均根产量60770.0kg/hm2,比对照品种提高16.6%;平均含糖率17.5%,比对照品种提高0.1度;平均产搪量10631.4kg/hm2,比对照品种提高18.0%;时褐斑病、黄化毒病和白粉病的抗性与对照相仿,对根腐病、丛根病的抗性明显优于对照.在2006年的国家甜菜品种生产试验中,14个试验点平均根产量55039.7kg/hm2,比对照品种提高14.5%;平均含糖率18.6%,比对照品种提高0.4,度;平均产糖量10163.1 kg/hm2,比对照品种提高17.6%.该品种适宜在东北、西北和华北三大甜菜产区种植推广.     

甜菜单粒型三倍体杂交种吉洮单162的选育

吉洮单162是以单粒二倍体雄性不育系JTD-2A为母本,多粒四倍体品系TL1-3为父本,按31∶比例自然杂交而成。该品种在2002～2003年黑龙江省甜菜品种区域试验中,平均根产量为40985.55kg/hm2,比对照品种甜研303增产19.38%;含糖16.59%,比对照品种低0.45度;产糖量为6847.28kg/hm2,比对照品种增加16.44%。吉洮单162稳定性好,抗褐斑病,耐根腐病,适宜在黑龙江和吉林省及其它气候、土壤类似地区种植。     

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.