加拿大玉米群体与我国主要玉米种质杂种优势关系分析

将20个加拿大早熟玉米群体与4个我国主要种质类群的代表自交系按照NCⅡ设计组配80个测交组合,2006、2007年进行田间鉴定试验,研究引进群体与我国主要种质类群的杂种优势关系。结果表明,EP1、EP9、EP14、EP15、EP16和EP17群体单株产量等综合性状一般配合力效应表现较好;EP1、EP8和EP19群体属于塘四平头群,EP12、EP14、EP15和EP22属于Reid群,EP17、EP20、EP21和EP23属于Lancaster群,EP3、EP6、EP7、EP9、EP10、EP11、EP13、EP16和EP18属于旅大红骨群;加拿大早熟玉米群体与旅大红骨类群的杂种优势最强。     

西南玉米地方种质衍生系主要农艺性状配合力分析

采用欧洲玉米种质衍生系和国内通用的3大种质优势群自交系为母本,西南玉米地方种质衍生系77、75-1、7164、五151和交51为父本,按NCⅡ杂交模式,对5个西南玉米地方种质衍生系的配合力进行了测定与分析。结果表明,衍生系75-1、五151和交51的一般配合力较好,分别与Reid种质改良系、欧洲玉米种质衍生系杂交表现出较好的特殊配合力和较强的产量杂种优势;77和7164两衍生系这些性状的一般配合力较差,作亲本组配出特殊配合力好和产量杂种优势较强的杂交组合可能性相对较小。     

加拿大玉米群体与黑龙江省部分早熟骨干系杂种优势分析

采用NCⅡ设计,以8个黑龙江省常用早熟骨干自交系为测验种,对20个加拿大玉米群体的产量配合力及杂种优势进行分析。结果表明,群体EP8、EP17、EP7、EP13和EP15产量一般配合力(GCA)较高,利用这些群体较易组配出高产杂交组合。以产量特殊配合力(SCA)为指标,发现K10与EP6、EP11、EP12、EP14,L105与EP18、EP19、EP20、EP22、EP23,甸11A与EP7、EP8、EP9,东237与EP1、EP16、EP17,合344与EP3、EP13,龙抗11与EP15,熊掌与EP10、EP21遗传关系较近。从产量平均优势分析可见,部分群体杂种优势组合模式为EP7×K10、EP18×K10、EP1×龙抗11、EP12×龙抗11、EP17×熊掌、EP14×甸11A、EP23×甸11A、EP3×东237、EP21×东237。     

20份玉米种质选系的利用潜力分析

采用NCII遗传交配设计,以黑龙江省5份常用骨干自交系为测验种,与20份欧洲玉米种质选系配制100个组合,在黑龙江省3种不同生态环境下,分析20份欧洲玉米种质选系主要性状的配合力及杂种优势。结果表明,被测系之间的一般配合力效应差异达极显著,T04、T16-2、TF32和T218-4的产量及相关性状一般配合力表现优良,在玉米育种中具有较大的利用潜力;TF32×四-444在产量特殊配合力和杂种优势上均为最大值。与对照比较,杂种优势大于10%的组合大多为欧洲玉米种质选系×塘四平头类群自交系,说明欧洲玉米种质与塘四平头类群种质之间具有较强的杂种优势。     

高纬度地区两个玉米半外来群体的改良和利用研究

以2个由亚热带群体和与之杂种优势关系最近的温带核心种质代表系杂交构建的半外来群体为试验材料,将其中的部分选系与测验种测交,通过杂种优势和配合力来分析改良效果,为这些半外来群体及其选系在高纬度地区的继续改良和利用提供依据。结果表明：半外来群体B73×Pob45与旅大红骨群和Lancaster群测验种有较大的杂种优势和特殊配合力,Mo17×Pob46主要与改良Reid群测验种有较大的杂种优势和特殊配合力,其中的部分选系有进一步改良和利用的价值。     

CIMMYT玉米群体Pob101的改良与利用研究

外来种质的引进与利用是解决我国玉米育种种质资源狭窄的重要途径。通过平均数、配合力和杂种优势分析,研究CIMMYT极早熟群体Pob101生态适应性的改良效果及其与我国主要种质的杂种优势关系。分析表明,群体产量平均每轮增益5.69%,生育期平均每轮下降3.8d,散粉期平均每轮下降1.3d,抽丝期平均每轮下降1.8d,穗位高和株高每轮下降10.33cm和5.37cm。与5个测验种的测交组合产量平均每轮增益4.02%,配合力和杂种优势都有所提高。Pob101群体与掖478有较近的亲缘关系,可以将掖478导入群体Pob101以改良其产量性状。     

外来玉米群体选系的配合力及杂种优势研究

为了认知外来玉米群体PF6J155选系的配合力差异以及配合力与杂种优势的关系,以12个外来玉米群体选系为母本、5个分属于不同杂优类群的代表系为父本,按照NCⅡ设计配成60个杂交组合,在辽宁省4个不同生态区裂区试验,分析自交系的一般配合力以及60个杂交种主要性状的特殊配合力和杂种优势。结果表明,外来玉米群体PF6J155选系之间的一般配合力(GCA)效应差别明显,单株产量GCA效应值高的自交系为ZL2116、ZL2436、ZL8344,其部分产量构成因子(穗长、行粒数、百粒重和出籽率)的GCA效应也较高,是表现比较理想的自交系;不同组合单株产量的特殊配合力(SCA)效应也不同,ZL8344×昌7-2在单株产量SCA和对照杂种优势方面都表现出较好的水平,可对其生产应用价值进一步试验鉴定。聚类分析结果表明,外来玉米群体PF6J155偏属于Reid种质,与塘四平头、旅大红骨和Lancaster具有较好的杂种优势,可形成一定的杂优模式。     

14份玉米自交系配合力分析及利用

以近年选育的14份玉米自交系为被测系,采用NCⅡ交配设计的原理和方法,研究了10个性状的配合力及其群体遗传参数.结果表明:被测系各性状的一般配合力方差均达极显著水平.红系305、红系302和红系314的综合性状较好,可在育种中直接利用;红系303和红系308综合性状较差,需改良后利用;其余自交系部分性状的一般配合力较好,可用来改良其它自交系或作为选育二环系的基础材料.红系309×红玉米等5个杂交组合具有较强的杂种优势,有一定的增产潜力.     

高支链淀粉玉米的杂种优势群和杂种优势模式研究

高支链淀粉玉米是受突变型基因wx控制的特异淀粉类型,表现型为蜡质,支链淀粉含量高。在利用高支链淀粉玉米自由授粉品种进行群体改良而获得的高配合力群体的基础上,构建了当代高支链淀粉玉米单交种第1个杂种优势模式T5×H2。通过对热带地区高支链淀粉玉米地方品种Ratchetal的早熟性改良而获得T2高配合力群体,证实T5杂种优势群与T2品种改良群体具有较高的群体间杂种优势,T5×T2可应用于杂种优势育种。361×T2和354×T2可独立应用于杂种优势育种;361和354可作为T5杂种优势群的亚群应用于杂种优势育种。     

玉米种质改良与相关理论研究进展

自上世纪70年代以来,优质、抗逆、高配合力和适应性广的新种质匮乏,已成为影响玉米商业育种进一步发展“的瓶颈”。生产用种质的遗传脆弱性受到普遍关注,种质扩增、改良与创新成为作物育种研究最重要的发展方向。综述了CIMMYT和美国玉米遗传资源的搜集、评价、改良和利用情况,玉米遗传多样性的演变趋势与动力,杂种优势群和杂种优势模式研究进展,群体改良理论和技术的新发展及对杂种优势遗传机理的探索。Hallauer于2003年提出的两个杂种优势列(heteroticalignment)的概念,把对玉米杂种优势模式的认识从温带种质扩展到所有生态类型,为玉米种质扩增、改良和创新奠定了理论和方法学基础。两个群体间的相互轮回选择改良技术,是把种质资源大规模推向杂交育种应用的关键步骤。     

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.