Pollen development and floral morphology of Populus pseudo-simonii

Pollen development and floral morphology of Populus pseudo-simonii were investigated by stain-squashing and anatomical techniques. It took approximately 16 days for the pollen to develop from pollen mother cells to mature pollen in the greenhouse. Meiosis of pollen mother cells was regularly applied and completed by a process of simultaneous cytokinesis. Pollen development was considerably asynchronous. The meiotic division was initiated at the bulgy middle position of the flower bud and proceeded towards the tip and base of the bud. The number and size of the nucleoli varied during pollen development and at most eight nucleoli formed in each daughter nucleus at the meiotic telophase, suggesting a paleopolyploid origin of the genus Populus. An association between floral morphology and pollen development was found and the ratio of width to length of flower buds or catkins presented an S-shaped curve related to pollen development as a function of time. The investigation on the pollen development and floral morphology of P. pseudo-simonii is important for further cross breeding programs of the section Tacamahaca.     

Sap flow of irrigated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus alba</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">pyramidalis</Emphasis> and its relationship with environmental factors and leaf area index in an arid region of Northwest China

Populus alba L. var. pyramidalis Bge. (Populus) is a main tree of the farmland shelter-belt system in the arid region of Northwest China. However, soil moisture cannot satisfy the water requirements of normal Populus growth under local natural conditions, thus studying the transpiration characteristics of irrigated Populus and its relationship with the environmental factors and growth parameters is very important to the growth of the trees in this region. In this study, the sap flow of two irrigated Populus trees was measured during May to September from 2005 to 2008 using the heat-pulse technique. The results show that the maximum and minimum daily sap fluxes in Populus were 15.7–24.0 and 3.0–4.0 L day⁻¹, respectively. And the sum of sap fluxes from June to August accounted for approximately 63–69% of the total sap flux during May to September (almost the whole growing season). The order of the meteorological factors affecting the daily sap flux of Populus was: vapor pressure deficit > solar radiation > mean air temperature > wind speed. Furthermore, a highly linear relationship between the ratio of daily sap flux to the reference evapotranspiration (SF/ET₀) and the amount of soil water in the 0–2.0 m layer was found, indicating that the amount of soil water at this layer was quite important to the growth of Populus in this region. Especially, the amount of soil water in the 0.5–1.0 m soil layer contributed to most of the plant transpiration as the highest coefficient of determination at this layer. Based on the environmental factors and leaf area index influencing sap flux, an empirical transpiration model was constructed to estimate daily transpiration.     

黑杨应答杨生褐盘二孢专化型侵染的基因差异表达

[目的]杨生褐盘二孢的单芽管专化型和多芽管专化型分别引起白杨组和黑杨组(包括青杨组)杨树的褐斑病,其分化机制有待阐明。[方法]本文在专化性互作体系建立的基础上,利用荧光染色标记研究了病菌孢子在专化性寄主侵染过程中的萌发发育情况,并通过RT-qPCR分析了黑杨寄主抗病相关基因在应答两专化型侵染过程中的不同表达。[结果]结果发现多芽管分生孢子在黑杨寄主上能完成发育并成功侵染,单芽管分生孢子也能成功萌发和发育,但不能侵入黑杨寄主;黑杨抗性基因在两专化型侵染发育过程中均能被诱导表达,但在表达时间和表达量上,除基因WRKY89的表达较为一致外,病程相关基因PR5、PR10、NPR1和LAR3在二者间的表达存在差异。[结论]研究结果初步表明病原专化型可能是寄主与病原专性互作的表型,这一认识将有助于进一步探明杨树褐斑病病原专化型形成和分化的机制。     

杨树中I类KNOX基因结构、表达与功能分析

[目的]分生组织对器官发生和形态建成起到至关重要的作用,其活性受多种转录因子的调控。KNOTTEDlike homeobox(KNOX)基因家族由2个亚类即I类和II类KNOX组成,在模式植物拟南芥中I类KNOX成员主要在茎的顶端分生组织区域表达,对维持顶端分生组织分化及侧生器官的形态建成过程起关键作用。木本植物生长发育过程主要包含以顶端分生组织(Shoot apical meristem,SAM)为中心的初生生长与以形成层为中心的次生生长过程,本研究通过分析杨树I类KNOX基因在SAM、根顶端分生组织(Root apical meristem,RAM)的形成过程及形成层相关区域的表达,探讨I类KNOX基因在杨树分生组织形成与分化过程中的功能。[方法]以拟南芥I类KNOX基因STM的蛋白序列在毛果杨基因组中进行同源比对分析,获取杨树I类KNOX成员的核酸和氨基酸序列。根据核酸及氨基酸序列信息构建系统发育树,并绘制基因结构与蛋白质结构图谱。利用84K杨(Populus alba×P.glandulosa)不定芽与不定根诱导实验体系模拟顶端分生组织发育过程,通过实时定量PCR(RT-PCR)技术,对杨树I类KNOX成员在不定芽与不定根形成过程及形成层相关区域中的表达进行分析。[结果]本研究通过同源比对分析鉴定出10个杨树I类KNOX成员,根据进化关系与基因结构差异将其分为三组:组1、组2、组3,其中,组1为拟南芥KNAT2和KNAT6同源基因,组2为STM和BP同源基因,组3为杨树所特有的I类KNOX基因。杨树I类KNOX基因在不定芽与不定根发生过程中表达量均发生较大的变化,在不定芽发生过程中,组1基因在芽原基分化产生不定芽的关键期上调表达,而组2与组3基因多在分生组织分化产生芽原基阶段高表达;在不定根发生过程中,组1成员多在根原基分化产生不定根的过渡期上调表达,组2与组3基因则多在发育后期不定根形态建成阶段高表达。杨树I类KNOX成员在形成层相关区域均表达,组1中KNAT2/6与组2中STM、BP同源基因的表达量明显高于其他成员。[结论]以上结果说明,杨树I类KNOX除了与拟南芥同源的2个组外,还进化产生新的组别,分别参与分生组织形成和分化过程中不同阶段的调控,且Pt KNAT2/6b、ARK1与ARK2在形成层区域高表达,提示以上3个基因可在形成层功能维持以及木质部分化中发挥主要作用。     

杨树PtROP家族基因的表达分析与功能预测

[目的]为探究ROP基因在林木中的功能。[方法]本研究以杨树为模式,在全基因组水平上对ROP基因的家族成员、基因结构、保守结构域、氨基酸序列相似性及表达模式进行了分析。[结果]显示,杨树PtROP基因家族包含13个成员,不同成员间在进化上相对保守,均存在与GTP结合与水解相关的结构域。这些基因在不同组织、不同胁迫条件下的表达具有明显差异,说明它们参与不同的生物学过程。通过构建功能基因网络(functional gene network for poplar)发现PtROP基因主要参与了信号转导过程。[结论]杨树PtROP基因家族包含13个成员参与不同的生物学过程,可能主要参与了信号转导过程。     

A Review of Fine Root Dynamics in Populus Plantations

Production of native and hybridized varieties of Populus has received considerable interest in temperate regions as an alternative to agricultural crops and an additional wood source, while acting as a potential carbon (C) sink to offset emissions of fossil fuel-based greenhouse gases. Research of root system dynamics in Populus species is expanding, however, our understanding of the nature and role of fine roots (FR) is incomplete. The study objective, therefore, was to review the literature regarding FR production, mortality and longevity in Populus, and evaluate the magnitude and significance of the FR fraction to C sequestration. FRs, conventionally defined as less than 2 mm in diameter and responsible for water and nutrient uptake, are an essential component of the tree. Populus FRs are relatively short-lived, with reported lifespans ranging from 30 to 300 days, depending on root diameter, tree species and age, and soil environmental factors. Standing FR biomass fluctuates throughout the growing season. Fine root production generally peaks in mid-summer, and ranges between 1.0 and 5.0 mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, while FR mortality has less seasonal amplitude. Production and mortality dynamics in Populus are highly plastic in response to soil environmental conditions, and although opposing conclusions have been proposed, research suggests soil moisture and nitrogen to be most important. Results from the literature indicate annual FR turnover to the soil C pool may be small (0.2–1.6 mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), but substantial in maintaining or enhancing C levels in natural and managed stands of Populus.     

新疆额尔齐斯河流域杨属植物种间关系的SSR分析

[目的]为探讨额河杨和银灰杨天然杂种的起源机制,[方法]应用18对SSR标记,从分子水平上对新疆额尔齐斯河流域杨属植物的种间关系进行分析研究。[结果]表明:(1)SSR系统发育树将整个流域天然杨属植物分为两大类群,即黑杨派和青杨派为一类,白杨派为一类;(2)白杨派派内系统聚类图显示,银白杨、欧洲山杨、银灰杨三个树种均有较大的遗传分化,特别是杂种银灰杨似乎更大;(3)黑杨派和青杨派的UPGMA分类图显示,青杨派和黑杨派分属于2个分支,其中,青杨派内部分化相对简单,分为2支,均为典型的苦杨;黑杨派内部的分化较为复杂,可分为4类,包括典型的欧洲黑杨、额河杨和回交子代。[结论]杂种额河杨具有更多的欧洲黑杨的遗传成分,因此,将额河杨放到黑杨派是正确的。     

Megasporogenesis,megagametogenesis, and induction of 2n eggs with colchicine in poplar section Aigeiros

Triploid breeding through 2n eggs induction has become one of the most powerful approaches for the improvement of the genus Populus. To enhance the efficiency of triploid production in section Aigeiros, female buds (catkins) of P. × euramericana (Dode) Guinier at different developmental stages were exposed to colchicine for 2n eggs induction. The relationship between flower bud morphological characteristics (or time after pollination) and female meiotic stage (or embryo sac development) was established to guide colchicine treatments. In the resulting progeny, three triploid seedlings were obtained via embryo rescue and identified by flow cytometric analyses. Cytological observation revealed that the leptotene to pachytene stage of meiosis and 12 h after pollination might be the suitable period for 2n eggs induction with colchicine in P. × euramericana. Results and protocols related to 2n eggs induction, effective methodologies for embryo rescue, and ploidy evaluation in this study might be applicable in polyploidy breeding in section Aigeiros.     

Effects of volatiles of non-host plants and other chemicals on oviposition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Monochamus alternatus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

The response of adult females of Monochamus alternatus to volatiles of non-host plants was evaluated using a Y-tube olfactometer. Eight non-host plant species were tested, namely Broussonetia papyrifera, Cedrus deodara, Firmiana simplex, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Platycladus orientalis, Populus xiaohei, Salix babylonica and Sophora japonica. The volatiles of all test species, except those of C. deodara, repelled the females in the olfactometer bioassays. Oviposition by adult females on the host plant, Pinus massoniana, was deterred by the volatiles of non-host plants and by some other chemicals. Volatiles of P. orientalis had the strongest oviposition-deterring activity and those of S. japonica the least. Volatiles of C. deodara had no influence on oviposition of the females. Selected chemicals, namely benzaldehyde, citronellal, essential oil of Mentha spicata, eucalyptol, nerolidol, nicotine and salicylaldehyde, strongly deterred the females from oviposition, and nicotine caused maximum decrease in egg-laying and scar-excavation.     

Feeding performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clostera fulgurita</Emphasis> on three clones of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus deltoides</Emphasis>

Poplar leaf defoliator, Clostera fulgurita (Walker) larvae were reared on three Populus deltoides clones (PL1, PL5 and PL7) in the laboratory. The nutritional indices were computed for working out the relationship between food consumption and growth rate of 3rd, 4th and 5th instar larvae on three clones. The result showed that the consumption index (CI), approximate digestibility (AD), growth rate (GR), relative growth rate (RGR) and efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) decreased with the increase in the age of the larvae. Efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) increased with increase in age of the larvae. GR and RGR varied significantly, indicating that larval development was enhanced on PL1 as compared to PL5 & PL7. The values of AD, ECI and ECD were not affected by the different clones. Feeding and growth indices could be useful to define a defoliation prediction model.     

杨树PIF基因家族成员表达模式研究

[目的]为探究光敏色素相互作用因子(PIF)基因在杨树生长发育中的功能。[方法]利用生物信息学方法预测了杨树基因组中的PIF基因家族成员并对各成员的基因结构、保守基序进行了系统分析;在此基础上,采用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测了PIF成员在不同组织及低温、干旱和Na Cl胁迫下的表达模式。[结果]表明:杨树基因组中至少含有10个Pt PIF成员,这些成员在进化上相对保守,均具有典型的b HLH结构域。基因表达分析显示:Pt PIF基因在杨树不同组织及不同非生物胁迫条件下存在明显的表达差异。[结论]杨树Pt PIF基因家族包含10个成员参与不同的生物学过程,研究结果将为深入解析杨树Pt PIF基因的功能奠定了基础。     

Biomass production by two-year-old poplar clones on floodplain sites in the Lower Midwest, USA

Four Populus clones were grown for two years at 1×1 m spacing for study of total biomass production and carbon sequestration capacity on floodplain sites previously in forage grasses under climatic conditions of the lower Midwest, U.S.A. Total biomass (above-and below-ground) in the first year ranged from 3.9 Mg ha^–1 in a Populus deltoides x P. nigra clone (I45/51) to 1.9 Mg ha^–1 for a local-source Populus deltoides clone (2059). Second year total biomass production was substantially higher, ranging from 13.9 Mg ha^–1 in I45/51 to 7.4 Mg ha^–1 in P. deltoides clone 26C6R51. Second-year leaf area index (LAI) values for I45/51 plants reached 4 during mid-season, indicating essentially complete canopy closure in this clone by the second year after planting. In contrast, maximum mid-season, second-year LAI was significantly lower in P. deltoides clones ( 2.4). There was some evidence for differential allocation to roots and shoots among Populus clones, with 26C6R51 showing relatively more allocation to root biomass than other clones. Second-year growth in Populus deltoides clone 2059 accelerated substantially, and this genotype exhibited two-year biomass accumulation nearly equal to that of I45/51 despite having less leaf area. This result suggested a higher photosynthetic capacity or assimilation efficiency in the former. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Induction of unreduced megaspores with high temperature during megasporogenesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus</Emphasis>

Introduction  

Triploid breeding is one of the most powerful approaches for improvement of the genus Populus L. Pollination with artificial unreduced (2n) pollen was inefficiency, owing to weak competition of 2n pollen. To induce 2n megaspores and improve the efficiency of triploid production, female buds of Populus pseudo-simonii × Populus nigra ‘Zheyin3#’ were exposed to high temperature during megasporogenesis.     

Comparative microsporogenesis and flower development in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus urophylla</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. grandis</Emphasis>

Microsporogenesis and flower development in Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis were examined using chromosome tableting to provide a method to predict the meiotic stages in this species. Although microsporogenesis was normal, cytokinesis during meiosis of pollen mother cells occurred simultaneously, with strong asynchronism observed in the two different lengths of stamens in a flower bud. In a single flower, the developmental period of microsporogenesis in anthers on the longer stamens was always ahead of those on the shorter stamens. Flower development was also asynchronous at different locations on a branch. Flower buds on the upper side of the branch were larger in diameter than those on the lower side. In addition, a correlation was observed between microsporogenesis development and flower bud diameter growth. The pachytene stage was first observed when the diameter of the flower buds increased to 3.0 mm, and the majority of the meiotic stages were observed when bud diameters ranged from 3.5 to 5.0 mm. This study showed that the developmental stages of microsporogenesis in Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis could be distinguished readily, which may be applicable to future breeding studies.     

Genome-wide search for segregation distortion loci associated with the expression of complex traits in Populus tomentosa

Segregation distortion of molecular markers has been reported in a broad range of organisms. It has been detected in an interspecific BC1 Populus pedigree established by controlled crossing between clone “LM50” (Populus tomentosa) and its hybrid clone “TB01” (P. tomentosa×P. bolleana). The study with a total of 150 AFLP markers (approximately 18.9% of the total loci) exhibited significant deviation from the Mendelian ratio (1:1) (p<0.01). Twenty-five percent of the markers were mapped on the pa-rental specific genetic linkage maps of clones “LM50” and “TB01” with a pseudo-test-cross mapping strategy. Twelve linkage groups had markers with skewed segregation ratios, but the major regions were on linkage groups TLG2, TLG4 and TLG6 in the linkage map of clone “LM50”. We also analyzed the association between distorted loci and expression of complex traits with Map-maker/QTL software. A total of 16 putative QTLs affecting 12 traits were identified in the distorted regions on seven linkage groups. Therefore we could detect the distribution of skewed loci along the entire genome and identify the association between quantitative traits and segregation loci via genetic mapping in an interspecific BC1 P. tomentosa family. Furthermore, the genetic nature and pos-sible causes of these segregation distortions for differentiation between female and male parents were also discussed.     

The Effect of Intercropping Populus 'RAP' with Beans

Dwarf French beans and broad beans were grown at 0.25 m x 0.25m for 2 years with a without cuttings of Populus ‘RAP’at spacings of 2.0 m x 0.5 m and 3.0 m x 0.5 m. The presenceof beans lead to a greater height and diameter growth and greatertotal dry matter production per hectare of the Populus at bothspacings after 2 years. Bean yield was reduced at the end ofthe second year by the presence of Populus; there was no effectat the end of the first year.     

杨树PtRRI基因的组织特异性表达模式分析

[目的]模式植物在木本植物中鉴定的许多重要调控因子家族在木本植物中出现了基因家族成员扩张,但ARRs家族作为细胞分裂素响应调节因子在杨树基因组中成员数量反而减少,其在木本植物中如何行使功能需要进一步研究。[方法]本研究通过生物信息学构建PtRRI启动子与GUS融合表达载体,检测植物激素处理后PtRRI表达量和检测PPtRRI::GUS转基因植株在生根过程中GUS信号等方法,对杨树PtRRI基因的组织特异性表达模式进行分析。[结果]表明:PtRRI在杨树根部、形成层、木质部表达量相对较高,PtRRI转录受6-BA激素诱导,与其在不定根发育过程中激素调控下的表达相一致。[结论]PtRRI基因可能参与杨树的次级生长。     

Life History,Host Range and Distribution of Septotinia podophyllina

Viable conidia of Septotinia podophyllina are found on sclerotia on dead last year's leaves of Populus in spring. Prunus serotina is described as a new host. Inoculation experiments on leaves in petri-dishes with Populus- and Prunus isolates demonstrated no host-specificity. A possible introduction of the organism from North-America, its native area, into Europe and Asia is considered.     

西宁市南北山主要造林树种的土壤水分特征研究

为探讨西宁市南北山典型造林树种的土壤水分特征,揭示不同树种对土壤水分的影响程度, 选取西宁市南北山绿化工程区为典型造林树种为研究对象,以天然草地作为对照,通过采集土壤样 品,并测定其含水率及物理性质,分析不同造林树种下的土壤水分变化特征。结果表明,不同植被 类型条件下土壤含水率大小依次为天然草地(15.40%) >人工灌丛( 14.19%) >人工油松林 (13.01%) >人工云杉林(12.16%) >人工杨树林(11.77%),土壤物理性质表现为人工杨树林>人工 油松林>人工云杉林,且0~100 cm 土层内土壤水分随林龄、林分结构及立地条件改变而存在差异, 并出现土壤水分亏缺现象。根据西宁市南北山不同植被类型条件下土壤水分变化特征,采取合理 的乔灌草搭配模式进行人工造林是维持土壤水分平衡的关键。     

Populations of bacteria in poplar stems

Wetwood taken from euramerican hybrid poplars (Populus×euramericana) generally contained large and diverse populations of bacteria. The distribution of bacteria within tissues was discontinuous in both radial and axial directions. Most of the common bacterial strains were capable of altering wood components. The bacteria most consistently associated with wetwood were identified as Enterobacter and Clostridium species. The Enterobacter was hemicllulolytic and one Clostridium strain could degrade pectin in anaerobic conditions. These bacteria may play an important rote in the development of wetwood in poplar.