油棕新品种对干旱胁迫的生理响应及其抗旱性评价

在不同程度的人工干旱胁迫下，测定10个油棕品种的叶绿素、游离脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖、丙二醛含量、相对电导率、SOD与POD酶活性等，并利用SAS8.1统计主成分分析法，对10个油棕品种的抗旱能力进行综合评价。结果表明：(1)在干旱胁迫初期(0～5 d)，油棕各生理指标向着有利于适应抗旱的方向变化；随着干旱时间的延长(5～30 d)和胁迫程度的加剧(trt1～trt3)，各指标反映出油棕植株受害；当胁迫达50 d时，各生理指标几乎都向着抗旱有利的方向转变，表明油棕对干旱有较强的耐受性；(2)主成分分析表明，叶绿素含量、相对电导率、可溶性糖含量和SOD酶活性是反映油棕干旱胁迫的最重要的生理指标，可作为油棕品种抗旱性评价的依据；(3)10个油棕品种的综合抗旱力排序为：RYL34＞RYL39＞RYL38＞RYL32＞RYL37＞RYL31＞RYL36＞RYL40＞RYL33＞RYL35。     

低温胁迫对木薯组培苗叶片若干代谢生理指标的影响

以木薯SC8和MS5供试材料,研究5℃低温处理0、7、10、12和15 d对木薯组培苗叶片若干生理代谢指标的影响。结果表明:木薯种质SC8和MS5在5℃低温胁迫下,随着胁迫时间的延长,叶片的相对电导率、可溶性糖、丙二醛含量呈不断上升趋势,而可溶性蛋白、脯氨酸含量、超氧化物歧化酶活性、过氧化物酶活性呈先上升后下降的变化趋势;低温胁迫下,叶片的相对电导率与丙二醛含量和可溶性糖含量呈极显著正相关,与超氧化物歧化酶活性和可溶性蛋白含量呈极显著负相关;可溶性蛋白含量与丙二醛含量呈显著负相关,与游离脯氨酸含量、超氧化物歧化酶活性、过氧化物酶活性呈极显著正相关;超氧化物歧化酶活性与可溶性糖含量呈极显著负相关,与过氧化物酶活性呈极显著正相关;主成分分析显示超氧化物歧化酶活性、可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖和相对电导率在第1主成分中占有最大的信息量,与木薯耐寒性关系密切,可作为评价木薯耐寒性强弱的主要生理指标,其次是可溶性蛋白、丙二醛含量和过氧化物酶活性。综合分析生理数据认为木薯MS5的耐寒性高于SC8,这为下一步从离体保存库中直接采用组培苗方式进行大规模筛选耐寒种质提供参考方法。     

秋石斛‘三亚阳光’中苗低温胁迫生理响应研究及耐寒指标筛选

对秋石斛’三亚阳光’中苗进行15、10和5℃胁迫处理,测定各处理样品的电导率、可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖、游离脯氨酸、丙二醛、叶绿素含量、恢复生长之后的落叶率等耐寒生理指标,分析这些耐寒指标在胁迫下的变化规律,筛选出有效的耐寒评价生理指标。结果表明,电导率及可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖、游离脯氨酸、丙二醛含量和落叶率均随着处理温度的降低和处理时间的延长呈现上升趋势,而叶绿素含量则呈现逐渐下降的趋势。相关性分析发现,可溶性糖、游离脯氨酸、丙二醛、叶绿素含量和落叶率都与半致死温度有极显著的相关性,表明可溶性糖、游离脯氨酸、丙二醛、叶绿素含量和落叶率可作为秋石斛’三亚阳光’耐寒性综合评价的有效评价指标。研究结果可以为秋石斛种质资源的耐寒性评价提供了理论依据和技术方法。     

低温胁迫下油棕幼苗的某些生理生化特性

观测盆栽油棕幼苗在低温胁迫下的一些生理指标变化.结果表明,随着温度的下降和低温胁迫时间的延长,油棕幼苗叶片相对含水量和可溶性蛋白含量不断下降;可溶性糖含量、脯氨酸含量、束缚水/自由水的比值、SOD、POD、CAT活性先上升而后下降;MDA含量和相对电导率不断增大;油棕幼苗正常生长的临界温度约为10℃,其可忍受低温的温度范围约为4～7℃;抗寒性弱的油棕幼苗品种在4℃下可忍受6 d左右.     

野生大豆、半野生大豆和栽培大豆对苗期干旱胁迫的生理反应

以野生、半野生和栽培大豆为材料,在旱棚盆栽条件下进行苗期干旱胁迫试验.对叶绿素含量、光合速率、脯氨酸含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量、相对电导率、可溶性糖(WSS)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性、过氧化氢酶( CAT)活性进行测定.结果表明,在干旱胁迫下,叶绿素含量、光合速率、可溶性糖含量、脯氨酸含量及SOD活性表现为野生大豆＞半野生大豆＞栽培大豆;而丙二醛含量、相对电导率、POD活性则表现为野生大豆＜半野生大豆＜栽培大豆.干旱胁迫下不同类型材料各生理指标与正常供水条件相比都发生不同程度的变化,叶绿素含量、光合速率降幅为野生大豆＜半野生大豆＜栽培大豆;脯氨酸含量增幅为野生大豆＞半野生大豆＞栽培大豆;而丙二醛(MDA)含量、相对电导率、SOD活性、POD活性,CAT活性增幅变化顺序为野生大豆＜半野生大豆＜栽培大豆.在干旱胁迫下,野生大豆、半野生大豆和栽培大豆的生理指标发生显著变化,3种类型大豆的变化幅度差异显著.野生大豆在干旱胁迫下生理指标的表现优于半野生大豆和栽培大豆.     

低温胁迫对秋石斛‘三亚阳光’成苗生理特性的影响

秋石斛（Dendrobiumspp.）是一类原产于热带地区的观赏植物，适合在高温高湿的环境栽培，易受到低温胁迫。为探究秋石斛成苗对低温胁迫的生理响应及耐寒性，本研究以秋石斛‘三亚阳光’成苗为试验材料，观察及测定在15、10、5℃低温胁迫处理1、2、4、8 h和1、2、4、8、16 d后的外部形态变化和生理指标，统计各处理材料恢复生长后的落叶率，分析各处理材料的可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖、游离脯氨酸、丙二醛和叶绿素含量，以及电导率等抗寒生理指标变化规律，并根据不同温度处理的相对电导率，拟合Logistic方程计算半致死温度（LT50），进行低温半致死温度（LT50）和抗寒生理指标相关性分析，探究不同低温环境下秋石斛成苗形态及生理响应特性，了解其生长发育的规律。结果表明，低温胁迫导致秋石斛‘三亚阳光’成苗的相对电导率、游离脯氨酸含量、丙二醛含量及落叶率均随着胁迫时间的延长明显增长，且处于较高水平；可溶性蛋白含量和可溶性糖含量不断波动，处于先上升后下降，再上升的状态；而叶绿素含量则逐渐减少，经5℃处理16 d后的叶绿素含量降到最低，含量为0.2534 mg/g。通过相关性分析发现游离脯氨酸含量、丙...     

低温胁迫下10份菠萝种质幼苗的耐寒性评价

以10份菠萝种质幼苗为试材,在低温胁迫下,测定了叶绿素含量、相对电导率、SOD活性、MDA、Pro、可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖含量7个生理生化指标,应用主成分及聚类分析法对其耐寒性进行综合评价。结果表明:用于评价的指标之间存在相关性,3个主成分解释了原变量73.30%的变异信息。聚类分析将其分为三类,其中,耐寒类型种质2份,包括巴厘突变体、MD-2;中等耐寒类型种质5份,包括巴厘、无刺卡因、台农16号、台农17号、台农19号;不耐寒类型种质3份,包括珍珠、台农6号、台农13号。     

磷钾对小麦幼苗抗寒性的影响

为了探索低温胁迫下磷钾元素对小麦幼苗抗寒性的影响机理,对不同磷钾处理的小麦幼苗进行低温胁迫,测定和分析了相对电导度、可溶性糖含量、丙二醛含量、叶绿素含量、脯氨酸含量和SOD酶活性的变化.结果表明,低温胁迫下,磷素和钾素处理与对照相比明显降低了小麦幼苗组织的相对电导度和丙二醛含量,增加了可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量,提高了SOD酶活性;其中多数指标的磷钾配合处理效果更好.说明磷钾处理可以明显地增强低温下小麦幼苗的抗寒性,减缓低温对小麦幼苗的胁迫伤害,尤其是磷钾的配合施用对增强小麦幼苗的抗寒效果更好.     

木薯耐寒性种质资源及其鉴定指标的筛选与综合评价

先利用田间自然低温对18个木薯种质资源进行冷害分级,从中选择强耐寒品种(F200)、中耐寒品种(20-4、52-3)、弱耐寒品种(16P、SC8)做4℃低温胁迫处理,测定其幼苗叶片相对电导率、丙二醛、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白、保护酶活性等7个生理指标,运用主成分分析、隶属函数、相关性分析和逐步回归等方法综合评价木薯种质的耐寒性及筛选耐寒鉴定指标。结果将7个单项生理指标转化为3个相互独立的综合指标,认为测定相对电导率、可溶性糖、丙二醛和过氧化氢酶共4个生理指标可作为准确快速鉴定木薯耐寒性强弱的指标;初步建立起了木薯耐寒性评价体系,发现田间与生理试验结果一致性较高:即参试木薯种质中,最耐寒品种均是F200,最不耐寒品种是SC8。     

不同浓度的钾处理对丝瓜幼苗抗寒性的影响

为探讨低温胁迫下不同浓度钾处理对丝瓜幼苗生理影响及其抗寒性的差异, 以 “翡翠二号” 丝瓜为试验材料, 在人工气候培养箱内采用基质培育丝瓜幼苗, 并分别用不同 K+浓度的营养液处理丝瓜幼苗, 研 究 低 温(夜晚 8 ℃, 白天 13 ℃)条件下其对丝瓜幼苗叶片相对电导率、 冷害指数、 叶绿素含量、 丙二醛含量、 可溶性糖含量、 脯氨酸含量等指标的影响。 结果表明： 随着 K+处理浓度增加, 壮苗指数先升后降, 处理浓度为 9.00 mmol/L壮苗指数显著高于对照; 随着低温处理时间的延长, 丝瓜幼苗的冷害指数上升、 叶绿素含量下降、 相对电导率上升、 MDA 含量增加、 可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量增加, 不同浓度 K+处理间差异显著性和变化幅度不同。 综合各项生理指标, 低温下 K+处理可显著降低丝瓜幼苗的冷害, 提高幼苗的抗寒性, 其适宜浓度为 9.00 mmol/L。     

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.