Diversity of soil microorganisms in natural Populus euphratica forests in Xinjiang, northwestern China

To better understand the distribution of soil microorganisms in Populus euphratica forests in Xinjiang, northwestern China, we studied and compared the populations and numbers of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes in the soil at four different age stages of natural P. euphratica forests, i.e., juvenile forests, middle-aged forests, over-mature forests and degraded forests. Results showed that there were clear differences in the amount of microorganism biomass and composition rates across the four forest stages. Dominant and special microorganisms were present in each of the four different soil layers. The vertical distribution showed that the microorganism biomass decreased with increasing soil depth. The population of microorganisms was the lowest at 31–40 cm of soil depth. The microorganisms consisted of bacteria, actinomycetes, as well as fungi. Bacteria were the chief component of microorganisms and were widely distributed, but fungi were scarce in some soil layers. Aspergillus was the dominant genus among the 11 genera of fungi isolated from the soil in different age stages of P. euphratica forests. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2007, 29(5): 127–131 [译自: 北京林业大学学报]     

Spatial distribution pattern and dynamics of the primary population in a natural Populus euphratica forest in Tarim Basin, Xinjiang, China

One 50 m × 50 m standard plot was sampled in a natural forest of Populus euphratica in Awati County, situated at the edge of the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. The field investigation was conducted with a contiguous grid quadrate method. By means of a test of variance/mean value ratio, aggregation intensity index and theoretical distribution models, the spatial distribution pattern and the dynamics of primary populations in P. euphratica forest were studied. The results showed that the spatial distribution pattern of two dominant arbor populations conformed to clumped distribution. The aggregation intensity of the P. euphratica population was higher than that of P. pruinosa population. The spatial distribution pattern of two companion plant populations in the shrub layer also conformed to clump type, though the aggregation intensity of Tamarix chinensis was higher. In the herb layer, the distribution patterns of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Asparagus persicus conformed respectively to a clumped pattern and a random pattern. The results of a Taylor power method test and Iwao’s regression model also verified that both P. euphratica and P. pruinosa populations belong to a clumped pattern. Although the distribution pattern of P. pruinosa population at different development stages all belonged to a clumped distribution pattern, the aggregation intensity dropped gradually along with age development. The distribution patterns of the P. euphratica population at different development stages changed from random type to clumped type, and further to random type. The differences in spatial distribution patterns of different populations at different development stages were related not only to ecological and biological characteristics of each species in the communities in the light of competitive exclusion principle among the populations, but were also closely related to the habitats in which the species lived in. __________ Translated from Journal of Southwest Forestry College, 2007, 27(2): 1–5 [译自: 西南林学院学报]     

Genetic diversity of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) populations in northeastern and northwestern China as revealed by ISSR markers

As a N₂-fixing tree species, sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is well adapted to arid regions and is utilized for multiple purposes in China. Current knowledge of genetic variability of H. rhamnoides is limited in terms of rangewide distributions. Eleven natural populations of sea buckthorn in northeastern and northwestern China were analyzed to detect genetic variation among and within populations, by use of ISSR (inter-simple sequence repeats) markers. Using eight primers, 207 polymorphic loci were observed, ranging in size from 250 to 2500 bp. The coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst = 0.0679) showed that the total molecular variance of 11 populations was mainly existed within populations. The genetic variation within and among the 11 populations was 93.21 and 6.79%, respectively. No significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances of the populations was found using ISSR markers. Our study provides a population-level genetic profile for further investigation and conservation of genetic diversity of sea buckthorn.     

Comparison of stomatal characteristics and photosynthesis of polymorphic Populus euphratica leaves

The leaf shapes of adult Populus euphratica vary from lanceolate to dentate broad-ovate. In order to find the mechanism regarding the ecological adaptation of the polymorphic leaves, the dentate broad-ovate, broad-ovate, and lanceolate leaves were chosen to study their stomatal and photosynthetic characteristics. It is observed that the stomas on the adaxial and abaxial epidermis of the same leaves open non-uniformly with similar densities. The stomatal densities are different among the three typical leaves, which decrease from broad-ovate to lanceolate leaves. Their stomatal sunken degree varied obviously, decreasing from broad-ovate to lanceolate leaves. The changes of the diurnal photosynthetic rate of the three typical leaves follow a single peak curve. The mean diurnal photosynthetic rates of these leaves rank from high to low as broad-ovate > dentate broad-ovate > lanceolate leaves. The light compensation points are similar in the three typical leaves, while the light saturation points vary obviously. The efficiency of solar energy conversion and potential activity of the PSII in the leaves differ significantly, with the dentate broad-ovate leaves the highest. The results suggest that their leaf shapes, anatomic structures, and photosynthetic characteristics change during the leaf development. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2006, 42(8): 20–24 [译自: 林业科学]     

Spatial distribution characteristics of fine roots of Populus euphratica in a desert riparian forest

The soil-plant system is a very important subsystem of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC). The water uptake by plant roots is an important subject in the research on water transport in this SPAC and is also the most active study direction in the fields of ecology, hydrology and environment. The study of the spatial distribution pattern of fine roots of plants is the basis of constructing a water absorption model of plant roots. Our study on the spatial distribution pattern of fine roots of Populus euphratica in a desert riparian forest shows that the density distribution of its root lengths can be expressed horizontally as a parabola. The fine roots are concentrated within the range of 0–350 cm from the tree trunk and their amount accounts for 91.9% of the total root mass within the space of 0–500 cm. In the vertical direction, the density distribution of the fine root lengths shows a negative exponential relation with soil depth. The fine roots are concentrated in the 0–80 cm soil layer, accounting for 96.8% of the total root mass in the 0–140 cm soil layer. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Ecology, 2007, 26(1): 1–4 [译自: 生态学杂志]     

Evaluation of the sap flow using heat pulse method to determine transpiration of the Populus euphratica canopy

The sap flow of the sampled Populus euphratica stems at different radial depths and directions had been studied in Ejina Oasis, in the lower reaches of the Heihe River. Based on sap flow measurements, the transpiration of the entire canopy was calculated. Results showed a linear correlation between the sap flow and the sapwood area of the P. euphratica. Through the analysis of the diameter at breast height in the sample plot, it was found that the distribution of the diameters and the corresponding sapwood area was exponentially correlated, with the coefficient of correlation being 0.976,7. The calculated transpiration of the Populus euphratica canopy was 214.9 mm based on the specific conductivity method. Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2006, 42(7): 28–32 [译自: 林业科学]     

用RAPD标记分析狗牙根遗传多样性

以收集到的28份狗牙根为材料,用20个随机引物（10nt）共扩增出314个RAPD多态性片段,表明试验材料之间存在复杂的遗传背景,有丰富的遗传多样性。利用NTSYS—PC软件进行的非加权组法（UPGMA）聚类分析,建立了狗牙根居群的分子系统树状图;并将所有居群分为A、B、C3大类,A类包含12个居群,B类9个居群,C类7个居群,各居群问遗传变异范围很大。     

利用RAPD分析大青杨天然群体的遗传结构

本文利用ＲＡＰＤ分子标记技术从ＤＮＡ分子水平上探测了大青场（ｐｌｐｕｌｕｓｕｓｓｕｒｉｅｎｓｉｓＫｏｍ．）天然群体的遗传结构和分化程度。结果得出：用１４个随机寡核苷酸引物共产生１８０个扩增片段，扩增片断在２１１ｂｐ至１６３６ｂｐ之间。Ｓｈａｎｎｏｎ表型多样度（ＨＯ）估测值在群体间变动范围为０．２７１至０．３９２，平均为０．３１０。对分子水平变异分为群体间和群体内两部分进行分析，群体间分量占总变异的６２．３％，群体内只占３７．７％。不同引物在群体内探测能力也各不相同，ＣＨｌ－ｌ引物探测多样度（ＨＯ）最高（０．５４０），而２１１６引物最低（０．１５１）。     

Genetic Diversity of RAPD Mark for Natural Davidia involucrata Populations

The genetic diversity and genetic variation within and among populations of five natural Davidia involucrata populations were studied from 13 primers based on random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. The results show that natural D. involucrata population has a rich genetic diversity, and the differences among populations are significant. Twenty-six percent of genetic variation exists among D. involucrata populations, which is similar to that of the endangered tree species Liriodendron chinense and Cathaya argyrophylla in China, but different from more widely distributed tree species. The analysis of the impacts of sampling method on genetic diversity parameters shows that the number of sampled individuals has little effect on the effective number of alleles and genetic diversity, but has a marked effect on the genetic differentiation among populations and gene flows. This study divides the provenances of D. involucrata into two parts, namely, a southeast and a northwest provenance. Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2004, 40(4) (in Chinese)     

RAPD markers related to sex locus in Populus tomentosa

By using the methods of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and bulked segregate analysis (BSA), we identified markers that are linked to the sex determination in the dioecious Populus tomentosa. Male and female bulks were created through rough mixing equal amounts of its five individual DNA. A total of 88 primers were screened. Twelve primers produced clear patterns with at least one band that appeared to be polymorphic between the two bulks. Subsequently, five male and female individuals were analyzed with those 12 primers, and only S60 (ACCCGGTCAC) could generate a common 1800 bp DNA fragment in all five male individuals and male pool but not in any female individuals. It can be concluded that the gender of P. tomentosa is most likely connected to the S60-1800 bp DNA fragment and RAPD markers. S60, therefore, can be used for selecting the gender of P. tomentosa. __________ Translated from Journal of Central South University of Forestry & Technology, 2008, 28(3): 80–83 [译自: 中南林业科技大学学报]     

Plantlet regeneration from leaf protoplasts ofPopulus euphratica

Protoplasts were isolated from the leaves of sterile plants ofPopulus euphratica Oliv. by using 1% Cellulase “Onozuka” RS and 0.25% Pectolyase Y-23 in 0.6m of mannitol solution. Protoplasts were cultured in modified Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium which contained no ammonium ions but was supplemented with BAP (6-benzylaminopurine), 2,4-D (2,4- dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid), and 1% sucrose at the cell density of 9×10⁴/ml. Cell divisions occurred in every culture medium, especially in the medium containing 0.5 mg/l of BAP and 0.1 mg/l of 2,4-D, in which callus was successfully induced by successive culture through cell cluster formation. Shoots were regenerated from the callus, and their growth was enhanced on 1/2 MS medium containing 0.8 mg/l of BAP. Finally, shoots were rooted and plantlets were regenerated on 1/2 MS medium without a hormone. A part of this paper was presented at the 106th Annual Meeting of the Jpn. For. Soc. (1995).     

Genetic diversity of Lithocarpus harlandii populations in three forest communities with different succession stages

By using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique, this paper studied the genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of Lithocarpus harlandii populations in three forest communities (coniferous forest, coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, and evergreen broad-leaved forest) with different succession stages in Tiantai Mountain in Zhejiang Province. The results showed that a total of 173 repetitive loci were produced in 60 individuals of L. harlandii by 12 random primers, among which, 152 loci were polymorphic, and the total percentage of polymorphic loci was 87.86%. The average percentage of polymorphic loci of the populations was 65.32%, and their total genetic diversity estimated by Shannon information index was 0.4529, with an average of 0.3458, while that judged from Nei’s index was 0.3004, with an average of 0.2320. The percentage of polymorphic loci, Shannon information index, and Nei’s index of the populations were in the sequence of coniferous forest community > coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest community > evergreen broad-leaved forest community. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 72.85% of genetic variance was found within the populations, and 27.15% of genetic variance resided among the populations. The coefficient of gene diferentiation was 0.2277, and the gene flow was 1.6949. The genetic structure of L. harlandii was influenced not only by the biological characteristics of this species, but also by the microenvironment of different communities. The mean of genetic identity among three populations of L. harlandii was 0.8662, and the mean of their genetic distance was 0.1442. The genetic similarity between coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest community and evergreen broad-leaved forest community was the highest, while that between evergreen broad-leaved forest community and coniferous forest community was the lowest. The unweighted pair group method with arithmeticmean (UPGMA) cluster analysis based on Nei’s genetic distance showed that conierous and broad-leaved mixed forest community first gathered with evergreen broad-leaved forest community, and then with coniferous forest community. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Ecology, 2007, 26(4): 509–514 [译自: 生态学杂志]     

DNA fingerprinting of Populus trichocarpa clones using RAPD markers

Nine trees from a single, natural population of black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa Torr. et Gray) in Alaska were screened for randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers with ten different 10-base random oligonucleotide primers in order to evaluate the use of RAPD analysis for distinguishing black cottonwood clones. Nine primers amplified the genomic DNA targets; two primers were able to differentiate all clones. Eight clones were distinguished among the nine tree samples assayed. Two trees showed identical banding patterns with all primers used; therefore it is suggested that these trees are from the same clone. The RAPD fingerprinting method is simple and powerful-one primer can distinguish different clones, while the use of multiple primers reduces fingerprint similarity and resolves discrepancies.     

新疆额尔齐斯河流域白杨派植物居群遗传多样性分析

应用SSR标记技术,对新疆齐斯河流域河谷分布的白杨派树种银白杨、银灰杨和欧洲山杨天然居群的克隆结构、克隆多样性和遗传多样性进行研究。结果表明:欧洲山杨、银白杨和银灰杨均有很强的克隆繁殖特性。欧洲山杨、银白杨居群的克隆多样性均比较高,Simpson指数分别为0.987和0.983。与欧洲山杨相比较,银白杨居群具有较低的遗传多样性,Shannon信息指数分别为1.068 9和0.324 9,Nei多样性指数平均为0.505 6和0.211 2。欧洲山杨和银白杨居群间的遗传一致度均较高,变幅分别为0.778 1 0.954 4和0.975 1 0.994 6,反映出其超长距离的基因流特性,超强的基因流阻止了银白杨和欧洲山杨居群的遗传分化。研究发现,银白杨和欧洲山杨分别有95%和89.98%的遗传变异存在于居群内。     

Genetic diversity of Betula luminifera populations at different elevations in Wuyi Mountain and its association with ecological factors

The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to evaluate the genetic diversity and population structure of 91 genets from four wild populations of Betula luminifera at different elevations in the National Nature Reserve of theWuyi Mountain, Fujian Province, China. Eighteen random primers (from 139 primers) produced a total of 199 scorable amplified fragments, of which 174 (87.44%) were polymorphic across all individuals. The genetic diversities of B. luminifera at the population level and species level were PPL = 60.05%, h = 0.2242, I = 0.3181 and PPL = 87.44%, h = 0.3442, I = 0.4899, respectively. The value of differentiation (G _st= 0.3486) and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that there was a relatively high genetic differentiation among populations, and about one-third of the genetic variation occurred among populations. Pearson correlation analysis further revealed that the genetic diversity within populations had significant or very significant correlation with the elevation, climatic factors (annual average temperature and annual precipitation) and soil nutrient factors (total nitrogen, C/N ratio and organic matter). Mantel tests show that there was a significant correlation between the genetic distances among populations and the distance of elevation, and the divergence of soil nutrient factors. The results of the present study suggested that the relatively high genetic differentiation among populations of B. luminifera at different elevations might be caused by ecological factors and gene flow. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2008, 44(3): 50–55 [译自: 林业科学]     

Genetic diversity of Quercus glandulifera var. brevipetiolata populations in three forest communities with different succession stages

In order to understand the relationship between population succession and its genetic behavior, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to analyze the genetic diversity of Quercu glandulifera var. brevipetiolata populations in three forest communities with different succession stages (coniferous forest, coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, evergreen broad-leaved forest). The results showed that 145 repetitive loci were produced in 60 individuals of Q. glandulifera using 11 primers, among which 120 loci were polymorphic, and the total percentage of polymorphic loci was 82.76% with an average of 64.14%. Estimated by the Shannon information index, the total genetic diversity of the three populations was 0.4747, with an average of 0.3642, while it was 0.3234, with an average of 0.2484, judged from the Nei index. Judged from percentage of polymorphic loci, Shannon inform at ion index and Nei index, the genetic diversity followed a decreasing order: coniferous forest > broad-leaved mixed forest > evergreen broad-leaved forest. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 69.73% of the genetic variance existed within populations and 30.27% of the genetic variance existed among populations. The coefficient of gene differentiation (GST) was 0.2319 and the gene flow (N _m) was 1.6539. The mean of genetic identity among populations of Q. glandulifera was 0.8501 and the mean of genetic distance was 0.1626. The genetic identity between the Q. glandulifera population in the coniferous forest and that in the coniferous and broadleaved mixed forest was the highest. UPGMA cluster analysis based on Nei’s genetic distance showed that the population in the coniferous forest gathered with that in the coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest firstly, then with that in the evergreen broad-leaved forest. The genetic structure of Q. glandulifera was not only characteristic of the biological characteristics of this species, but was also influenced by the microenvironment in different communities. __________ Translated from Journal of Northwest Forestry University, 2008, 23(1): 18–22 [译自: 西北林学院学报]     

濒危植物普陀鹅耳枥亲子代遗传多样性的RAPD分析

利用RAPD标记对普陀鹅耳枥亲子代进行了遗传多样性分析,结果表明,普陀鹅耳枥亲子代之间多态性比例（PPL）为4.88%,Nei s基因多样度为0.0135,Shannon多态性信息指数为0.0215,亲、子代间的基因分化系数（Gst）为1.0000,不同世代间的基因流为0.0000。17个样品间的遗传同一性均在0.9634~1.0000之间,而相互之间的遗传距离在0.0000~0.0373之间,表明普陀鹅耳枥的遗传多样性水平低,亲、子代之间保持了非常稳定的遗传关系。     

运用RAPD法识别杨树品种技术的研究

在正确提取ＤＮＡ后,探讨了在成本最低、效果最好的基础上,得出了ＤＮＡ最佳增殖反应液的组成（１０Ｘｂｕｆｆｅｒ１．５０、ｄｎｔｐｓ ０．３０、ＭｇＣｌ２ ０．６０、灭菌水 １０．５７、Ｐｒｉｍｅｒ１．００、Ｔａｇ０．０３、ＤＮＡ１．００）,其次用 ６０个引物对杨柳科属和杨属的 １３个品种进行了人工分析,发现多态标记 ３２个,用其中的任意 １３个标记就能区别 １３品种。     

Genetic diversity of natural Hepatacodium miconioides populations in Zhejiang Province

Hepatacodium miconioides is the Class II protected plant species in China. This paper studies the genetic diversity and differentiation of its nine natural populations in Zhejiang Province by using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Twelve random primers were selected in the amplification, and 164 repetitive loci were produced. The percentage of polymorphic loci in each H. miconioides population ranged from 14.60% to 27.44%, with an average of 20.73%. Among the test populations, Kuochangshan had the highest percentage of polymorphic loci, Simingshan took the second place, and Guanyinping had the lowest percentage. As estimated by Shannon index, the genetic diversity within H. miconioides populations accounted for 27.28% of the total genetic diversity, while that among H. miconioides populations accounted for 72.72%. The genetic differentiation among H. miconioides populations as estimated by Nei index was 0.715,7. This figure was generally consistent with that estimated by Shannon index, i.e., the genetic differentiation among populations was relatively high, but that within populations was relatively low. The gene flow among H. miconioides populations was relatively low (0.198,7), and the genetic similarity ranged from 0.655,7 to 0.811,9, with an average of 0.730,6. The highest genetic distance among populations was 0.422,9, while the lowest was 0.208,3. All the results showed that there was a distinct genetic differentiation among H. miconioides populations. The genetic distance matrix of nine test populations was calculated using this method, and the clustering analysis was made using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). The cluster analysis suggested that the nine populations of H. miconioides in Zhejiang Province could be divided into two groups, the eastern Zhejiang group and the western Zhejiang group. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2005, 16(5): 795–800 [译自: 应用生态学报, 2005, 16(5): 795–800]     

Metabolic clustering of a core collection of Indian ginseng Withania somnifera Dunal through DNA, isoenzyme, polypeptide and withanolide profile diversity

Withania somnifera is one of the most important medicinal plants of Ayurveda and finds extensive uses in Indian traditional herbal preparations. In this investigation, selected accessions of the plant were examined for diversity through RAPDs, isoenzymes, polypeptide polymorphism and withanolide profiles. The accessions clustered together with respect to their characteristic profile of major withanolides and represented withaferin A, withanone, withanolide D or withanolide A rich groups. This level of phytochemical diversity as discrete chemotypes is widest and is being first ever documented to occur in Indian population of the plant.