Magnetic field increase weight and water content in date palm （Phoenix dactylifera L.）

Magnetic field effects on different plant species have been subject of many studies in the last decade. Magnetic fields are known to induce changes in plant metabolism, growth and productivity. In this study, effect of magnetic field on date palm weight and water content has been investigated. Seedlings of date palm were treated with two types of magnetic fields in two separate experiments. In the first experiment, seedlings were treated with static magnetic field SMF using electromagnetic circuit set to produce three levels of magnetic field intensities 10, 50 and 100 mT for different durations （0, 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min）. In the second experiment seedlings were treated with alternating magnetic field AMF, using magnetic resonance imaging providing 1500 mT for 0, 1, 5, 10 and 15 min. After two months of exposure, plants growth parameters （fresh, dry weights and water content for both leaves and roots） were recorded. The measurements revealed that leaf fresh, dry weight and water content increased significantly in response to SMF treatment. Similarly, roots fresh weight and water content were increased significantly; however roots dry weight increasing were insignificant. In the second experiment, AMF has affected plant growth all parameters were increased significantly. Measurements reached the highest level at 15 min of exposure. This study revealed that magnetic fields affect date palm growth parameters by increasing osmotic pressure and water potential which increase water absorption and enhance flesh weight.     

The Relationship Between Developmental Accumulation of Leaf Soluble Proteins and Vernalization Response of Wheat （Triticum aestivum L.em. Thell）

The relationship between vernalization requirement and quantitative and qualitative changes in total leaf soluble proteins were determined in one spring （cv. Kohdasht） and two winter （cvs. Sardari and Norstar） cultivars of wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） exposed to 4℃. Plants were sampled on days 2, 14, 21 and 35 of exposure to 4℃. The final leaf number （FLN） was determined throughout the vernalization periods （0, 7, 14, 24, and 35 d） at 4℃. The final leaf number decreased until days 24 and 35 in Sardari and Norstar eultivars, respectively, indicating the vernalization saturation at these times. No clear changes were detected in the final leaf number of Kohdash cultivar, verifying no vernalization requirement for this spring wheat cultivar. Comparing with control, clear cold-induced 2-fold increases in proteins quantity occurred after 48 h following the 4℃-treatment in the leaves of the both winter wheat cultivars but, such response was not detected in the spring cultivar. However, the electrophoretic protein patterns showed between-cultivar and between-temperature treatment differences. With increasing exposure time to 4℃, the winter cultivars tended to produce more HMW polypeptides than the spring cultivar. Similar proteins were induced in both Sardari and Norstar winter wheat cultivars, however, the long vernalization requirement in Norstar resulted in high level and longer duration of expression of cold-induced proteins compared to Sardari with a short vernalization requirement. These observations indicate that vernalization response regulates the expression of low temperature （LT） tolerance proteins and determines the duration of expression of LT- induced proteins.     

Study on Accumulation Rule of Carbohydrates in Soybean （Glycine max（L.） Merrill）

Three soybean cultivars, Hefeng25 （HF25）, Suinongl4 （SN14） and Longxuanl （LX1） were used as materials and the accumulation features of carbohydrates were studied in leaves and stems. The results showed that the soluble sugar content in leaves and stems appeared the same trend of higher-lower-higher in three varieties. The changes of sucrose content in leaves appeared the same rule with that of soluble sugar, that is higher-lower-higher, while presented a rising trend in stems. The content of starch in leaves varied as a change of double apexes. The content of starch in stems appeared a change of single apex. In the same stage, there were some differences among carbohydrates. The content of soluble sugar and sucrose in SN14 was higher, and the starch content was lower.     

Identification of QTLs for Starch Content in Sweetpotato （Ipomoea batatas （L.） Lam.）

Sweetpotato （Ipomoea batatas （L.） Lam.） breeding is challenging due to its genetic complexity. In the present study, interval mapping （IM） and multiple quantitative trait locus （QTL） model （MQM） analysis were used to identify QTLs for starch content with a mapping population consisting of 202 F1 individuals of a cross between Xushu 18, a cultivar susceptible to stem nematodes, with high yield and moderate starch, and Xu 781, which is resistant to stem nematodes, has low yield and high starch content. Six QTLs for starch content were mapped on six linkage groups of the Xu 781 map, explaining 9.1-38.8% of the variation. Especially, one of them, DMFN 4, accounted for 38.8% of starch content variation, which is the QTL that explains the highest phenotypic variation detected to date in sweetpotato. All of the six QTLs had a positive effect on the variation of the starch content, which indicated the inheritance derived from the parent Xu 781. Two QTLs for starch content were detected on two linkage groups of the Xushu 18 map, explaining 14.3 and 16.1% of the variation, respectively. They had a negative effect on the variation, indicating the inheritance derived from Xu 781. Seven of eight QTLs were co-localized with a single marker. This is the first report on the development of QTLs co-localized with a single marker in sweetpotato. These QTLs and their co-localized markers may be used in marker-assisted breeding for the starch content of sweetpotato.     

Molecular Characterization and Expression Profiles of Myrosinase Gene（RsMyr2） in Radish（Raphanus sativus L.）

Myrosinase is a defense-related enzyme and is capable of hydrolyzing glucosinolates into a variety of compounds, some of which are toxic to pathogens and herbivores. Many studies revealed that a number of important vegetables or oil crops contain the myrosinase-glucosinolate system. However, the related promoter and genomic DNA sequences as well as expression profiles of myrosinase gene remain largely unexplored in radish（Raphanus sativus）. In this study, the 2 798 bp genomic DNA sequence, designated as RsMyr2, was isolated and analyzed in radish. The RsMyr2 consisting of 12 exons and 11 introns reflected the common gene structure of myrosinases. Using the genomic DNA walking approach, the 5′-flanking region upstream of RsMyr2 with length of 1 711 bp was successfully isolated. PLACE and PlantCARE analyses revealed that this upstream region could be the promoter of RsMyr2, which contained several basic cis-regulatory elements including TATA-box, CAAT-box and regulatory motifs responsive to defense and stresses. Furthermore, recombinant pET-RsMyr2 protein separated by SDS-PAGE was identified as myrosinase with mass spectrometry. Real-time PCR analysis showed differential expression profiles of RsMyr2 in leaf, stem and root at different developmental stages（e.g., higher expression in leaf at cotyledon stage and lower in flesh root at mature stage）. Additionally, the RsMyr2 gene exhibited up-regulated expression when treated with abscisic acid（ABA）, methyl jasmonate（MeJA） and hydrogen peroxide（H2O2）, whereas it was down-regulated by wounding（WO） treatment. The findings indicated that the expression of RsMyr2 gene was differentially regulated by these stress treatments. These results could provide new insight into elucidating the molecular characterization and biological function of myrosinase in radish.     

Characteristics of the Mesophyllous Cells in the Sheaths of Rice （Oryza sativa L.）

The photosynthesis of rice sheath plays a significant role to furnish rice yield, and it is accounted for 10 to 20% of the final yield. But, limited studies have been done to address this phenomenon and to characterize the mesophyllous cells of rice sheath and how it may attribute to the rice yield. In this paper, super hybrid rice Liangyoupeijiu, its parents Wumang 9311 and Peiai 64S, and hybrid rice Shanyou 63 were studied as the experimental materials, and the characteristics of the mesophyllous cells of rice sheaths were examined by microscopic and super-microscopic observation as well as chlorophyll absorption spectrums. The results showed that rice sheath was rich in the intact mesophyllous cells full of chloroplasts, grana and thylakoids, which were much the same as those of rice blade. The absorption spectrum curves of the Chi. a and b of the sheaths were similar to those of the blades. The stomatal density in the outer epidermises of the sheaths was comparable to those in the up- and down-epidermises of the blades. The significant tests proved that the amount of chloroplast per mesophyllous cell of the sheaths was almost the same as those of the blades, and the mesophyllous cells in the sheaths were also rich in chlorophylls. The chlorophyll content of rice sheath reached about 50% of the chlorophyll content of rice blade, and the P_n of the sheath/the blade ranged from 13.60 to 34.57%. Therefore, rice sheath was also full of the intact photosynthetic apparatus similar to those in rice blade, and had capabilities of photosynthesis. The statistical analysis revealed that the physiological senescence of the photosynthetic apparatus in both the sheath and the blade of Liangyoupeijiu was significantly slower than those of the other varieties at the late stages. The profuse grain-filling stage was an inflexion point of the physiological senescence of the chloroplasts and the chlorophylls of both the blades and the sheaths.     

QTL Mapping of Isoflavone,Oil and Protein Contents in Soybean （Glycine max L. Merr.）

Soybean （Glycine max L. Merr.） is the world＇s foremost source of edible plant oil and proteins, meantime, the biologically active secondary metabolites such as saponins and isoflavones are benefit to human health. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci （QTL） and epistatic interactions associated with isoflavone, protein, and oil contents in soybean seeds. An F13 recombinant inbred line （RIL） comprising 474 lines was derived from a cross between Jindou 23 and Huibuzhi cultivars. SSR technique was employed for mapping of the QTLs. The QTLs for isoflavone, protein, and oil contents were analyzed and 23 QTLs were detected based on the constructed linkage map. Six QTLs for isoflavone content were localized in linkage groups J, N, D2, and G, eleven QTLs for oil content were localized in the linkage groups A1, A2, B2, C2, and D2, and six QTLs for protein content were localized in linkage groups B2, C2, G, and H1. The correlative analysis demonstrated that the isoflavone content had significant correlation with protein content, while significantly negative correlations was existed between oil and protein content, and significantly positive correlations was existed between protein and oil content. All these findings have laid an important basis for the marker assisted breeding in soybean. The phenotypic correlations of quantitative traits may be resulted from the correlation of the QTL controlling those traits.     

Analysis of Genetic Effects for Heterosis of Erucic Acid and Glucosinolate Contents in Rapeseed （Brassica napus L.）

The embryo,cytoplasmic,and maternal heterosis for erucic acid content (EAC) and glucosinolate content (GLS) of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) were studied by using the genetic models for quantitative traits of seeds in diploid crops.Eight parents were included in a diallel mating design in two years.It was found that the heterosis of EAC and GLS was simultaneously controlled by genetic main effects and genotype×environment (GE) interaction effects.The general heterosis of most crosses for EAC was significantly positive,while it was not for GLS.The general heterosis was more important for two quality traits of rapeseed because of the low GE interaction heterosis in both years,especially for GLS.Among different genetic systems,significant positive embryo general heterosis and the negative maternal general heterosis were found for EAC and GLS in most hybrid crosses.Some hybrids with significant negative interaction heterosis were detected for either of EAC or GLS.In general,maternal general and interaction heterosis was more important for reducing EAC and GLS of rapeseed.     

Coronatine Induces an Accumulation of Anthocyanin and Starch in Purple-fleshed Sweetpotato （ Ipomoea batatas Lam.）

[Objective] The objective of this research was to examine the effects of COR on anthocyanin and starch content in storage roots of two PFS genotypes, and to explore the relationships between anthocyanin synthesis and starch accumula- tion. [Method] A field experiment was carried out to determine the changes in yielc components, yield, contents of anthocyanin and starch, activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase （PAL） and adenosine 5-diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase （AG- Pase） in two genotypes of PFS （Ipomoea batatas L., var. ＇Ayamurasaki＇ and ＇Jishu18＇）. [Result] The application of COR significantly increased starch and antho- cyanin content in storage roots of Jishu18 across developmental stages by inducing the activities of PAL and AGPase, and finally enhanced yield by promoting fresh weight of storage roots. Ayamurasaki was insensitive to treatment with COR al- though its PAL activity temporally increased. The starch and anthocyanin content of Aya, and the anthocyanin content of Jishu18 increased progressively across devel- opmental stages with or without COR application, but the starch content of Jishu18 increased initially, then decreased before increasing again without application of COR. Treatment with COR reduced downward trend of starch accumulation in Jishu18. Thus, the effect of COR on accumulation of anthocyanin and starch in storage roots of PFS differs according to genotypes. [Conclusion] The application of 0.05 μmol/L COR may increase starch and anthocyanin content in PFS genotypes with lower starch and anthocyanin content in storage roots.     

Study on DNA Cytosine Methylation of Cotton （Gossypium hirsutum L.） Genome and Its Implication for Salt Tolerance

To study the relations between DNA methylation and abiotic stress responses in cotton （Gossypium hirsutum L.）,the methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism （MSAP） method was used to investigate the differences in methylation level and the change of cytosine methylation patterns under salt （NaCl） stress in two different salt-tolerant cotton lines.The results showed that the number of the cytosine methylation of CCGG sites in high salt-tolerant cotton line was less than that in low salt-tolerant line.Under salt stress,extensive cytosine methylation alterations including hypermethylation and demethylation as well as the potential conversion of methylation types occurred in the salt-treated cotton line compared with the corresponding control.Interestingly,salt stress-induced demethylation loci that occurred in high salt- tolerant cotton line were greater than those in low salt-tolerant cotton line,however,salt stress-induced hypermethylation loci in the high salt-tolerant cotton line were less than those in low salttolerant cotton line.It suggested that the demethylation positively contributed to salt tolerance and the hypermethylation had negative effect on salt tolerance in cotton.     

Fruit Nutritional Value of Cornelian Cherry Genotypes （Comus mas L.） Selected in the Vojvodina Province

This paper reviews results of some morphometric properties and chemical analyses of natural populations of the Cornelian cherry collected in the Vojvodina Province in 2008. Purpose of this study was the selection of the best genotypes for future breeding program until the final goal and that is standardizing Cornelian cherry cultivars. Chemical content has been found to depend on the genotype. Total sugar content in fruits ranged from 11.77% （CPC16） to 41.62% （BPC7）, vitamin C from 17.15 mg/100 g （APC8） to 42.30 rag/100 g of fresh fruit （APC2）, Ca pectat from 0.17% （APC6） to 2.52% （KC 1 ） and anthocyanin from 22.65 mg/100 g （APC4）to 96.30 rag/100 g of fresh fruit （BPC1）. Cornelian cherry fruits have an especially high content of minerals compared with other fruit species： the potassium content （in ppm） ranges from 2330 （APC6） to 11487 （APC4）, the calcium content from 33.80 （APC6） to 1307.70 （BPC1）, the sodium content from 22.82 （BPC8） to 273.48 （APC8）, the magnesium content from 10.20 （APC6） to 372.80 （APC8） and the iron content from 2.38 （KC2） to 14.40 （APCS）. The balanced content of nutrients, a wide range of food products made from the Cornelian cherry and an extremely high nutritional value make this fruit species a highly recommendable food item, especially if it comes from organic production.     

The Inheritance and Variation of Gum Content in Guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba （L.） Taub.]

Guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba （L.） Taub.] is one of the most important industrial crops due to its richness in gum. Understanding the inheritance of gum content is a key to its successful genetic improvement. Gum content expression is reported to be controlled by additive, dominant, and epistatic effects, and modified by the environment, fg%, a relative gum content calculated by comparing with the gum content of Kinman was used as gum content （%） in this experiment. Reciprocal crosses of two lines of guar, PI 217923 and Lewis, were made to study the heritability of gum content （fg%）. fg% of four plant introductions and four commercial varieties were studied in Lubbock in 1999-2002. Estimates of broadsense heritability （h^2 b,s.） of fg% in Lewis x PI 217923 and PI 217923 x Lewis were 75.53 and 52.74%, respectively. Estimates of narrow-sense heritability （h2 n.s.） of fg% were 40.00 and 29.00% thr Lewis x PI 217923 and PI 217923 x Lewis, respectively. At least one pair of genes were estimated to control the fg% expression in these two crosses, Significant differences of fg% were found among these eight entries. PI 217923 was found to have the highest fg% among the eight entries.     

Effect of Different Treatment on Anther Callus Formation and Browning in Balsam Pear （Mornordica charantia L.）

Brown callus derived from anther limited the application of anther culture in balsam pear. In order to establish a more perfect regeneration system from anther cultuer, the effects of low temperature pretreatment, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid （2,4-D）, vitamin C （Vc） and silver nitrate （AgNO3） on callus induction and browning in anther culture of balsam pear （Momordiea charantia L.） were investigated. The results showed that after pretreatment at 4 ℃ for 1 day, callus induction rate was the highest and browning rate was the lowest. Anthers on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D 0.5 mg/L formed more and better callus. The medium supplemented with Vc or AgNO3 was advantageous to the induction of callus and reduction of browning. When cultured on medium supplemented with 50 mg/L Vc or 5 mg/L AgNO3, callus induction rate was the highest and browning rate was rather low.     

Effect of Using Magnetic Brackish Water on Irrigated Bell Pepper Crop （Capsicum annuum L.） Characteristics in Lower Jordan Valley/West Bank

Increasing salinity of the groundwater is one of major challenges faced by agricultural sector in West Bank/Palestine. This study was carried out in the Lower Jordan Valley （LJV） under greenhouse field condition, where an area of 0.12 ha was irrigated with 3.5 dS/m magnetic treated water during the growing season 2012/2013. The results of this pilot project show that there are significant increases in the yield of red and yellow bell pepper of about 20% and 18% on fresh weight basis, respectively. Water use efficiency increased by 15% and an increase in shelf time of 7 d were also recorded. The chlorophyll content raised significantly in the leaves of treated plants compared to the controlled one by 2.5 mg/g. Bell pepper irrigated with magnetic water produces 37% more four champers than that of the controlled one. On the other hand, there were no clear significant effects on the height of the plant, number of fruits, distance between nods, size of fruits, number and thickness of walls and sugar contents. Applying visible/near infrared （VIS/N｜R） spectroscopy test shows that it is possible to distinguish between treated and controlled bell pepper fruits. Multivariate data analysis （MVDA） method was used to test the classification of chemical elements in the fruit and it was found that treated and controlled fruit samples are divided into two groups according to their water treatment. An increase in all nutrient concentrations was found in fruits irrigated with magnetic treated water compared with the controlled one. Further testing is needed especially by involving other variables such as decreasing the volume of irrigated water and fertilizers.     

Accumulation and Gene Expression of Anthocyanin in Storage Roots of Purple- Freshed Sweet Potato [Ipomoea batatas （L.） Lam] Under Weak Light Conditions

Anthocyanidin in plants, an important pigment, is of great interest to researchers, consumers, and commercial entities due to its physiological functions. Anthocyanin content and mRNA levels of anthocynin biosynthesis genes were investigated in storage root of different purple-fleshed sweet potatoes （PFSP） genotypes to understand the regulation mechanism of anthocyanin under weak light conditions. Anthocyanin content, its amount of accumulation, and the expression of CHS, DFR, F3H, GT, and ANS genes in the PFSP storage root under weak light conditions were studied. The results demonstrated that the anthocyanin content of the treatments was decreased and was obviously lower than that of the control until 30 days after shading in Ayamurasaki, while it was lower than that of the control from the beginning of shading in Jishu 18. Their accumulation rates of both treatmeants were lower than its control before 10-20 d of shading in Jishu 18, while those of Ayamurasaki weren＇t in their treatments. This indicated that Jishul 8 is more sensitive to light as compared to Ayamuraska. Under the different weak light conditions, mRNA levels for ibCHS, ibF3H, ibDFR, and ibANS were obviously decreased, while the expression of ibGT was increased. These results indicated that anthocyanin content was regulated by light at the mRNA levels and the enzymatic level in sweet potato. Therefore, the development dynamic response to anthocyanin content varied in different genotypes of PFSP, and mRNA levels of anthocyanin biosynthesis were inhibited under the weak light condition.