Assessment of natural regeneration status and diversity of tree species in the biodiversity conservation areas of Northeastern Bangladesh

A study was conducted at two-biodiversity conservation areas of Northeastern Bangladesh (a part of Sylhet Forest Division) to assess the species composition, diversity and density of natural regeneration of tree species both indigenous and exotic species. Data were collected by stratified random quadrate method during January 2010 to July 2010. Totally 200 circular plots of 2 m×2 m in size had 5 different habitat types of plants namely; forest, roadside, homestead (surrounding forest dwellers house), fallow land and others (canals, streams and tea gardens side), which included a total of 55 regenerating species belonging to 28 families. Meliaceae is the dominant family and shows the highest family importance value (26.3), having six species, followed by Moraceae (24.24). Among the five habitat types, forest (43 species) possess the highest number of species, followed by roadside (23 species). Total 15 exotic species among 9 families and 40 indigenous species with 24 families were recorded. For exotic species, Tectona grandis possess the highest relative density (11.7%) and relative frequency (10.5%); Senna siamea had highest relative abundance (7.83%). In case of indigenous species, Chickrassia tabularis possess the highest relative density (4.23%) and relative frequency (4%); Dipterocarpus turbinatus had the highest relative abundance (3.92%). Tectona grandis (29.66) and Chickrassia tabularis (10.8) had the highest IVI for exotic and indigenous species respectively. Different diversity indices such as Shanon-Winner diversity index, species diversity index, species richness index, species evenness index, Simpson index and species dominance index, etc. were applied to quantify definite diversity. The regeneration of species associated with low levels of disturbance was in the exotic species. Study suggests that proper protection from human disturbances and scientific management of natural regeneration of two-study forests may lead a rich biodiversity site in the country.     

Genetic diversity of Syrian pistachio (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pistacia vera</Emphasis> L.) varieties evaluated by AFLP markers

Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is a strategic nut tree species in the Middle East which holds comparative advantage over other fruit trees in view of its hardiness, income generation opportunities and benefits for the ecosystem. Yet pistachio cultivation depends on a very narrow genetic base, in spite of the existence of many varieties still marginally exploited. Syria is an important center of diversity for pistachio. A country wide ecogeographic survey in this country was carried out to determine the extent of pistachio genetic diversity and its use. As a whole, 114 accessions were collected from 37 farms to assess diversity at morphological and molecular level. Molecular evaluation was carried out using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) technique and performed using seven primer pair combinations. Results from the studies allowed the identification of 25 pistachio female varieties in Syria, some of which unique and described for the first time. Three groups of pistachio diversity were identified by cluster analysis which provides useful information about the distribution of genetic diversity in Syria for enhanced use and sustainable conservation.     

Phosphorylation of egg white proteins by dry-heating in the presence of phosphate

Food proteins were phosphorylated by heating in a dry state in the presence of phosphate. When casein, whey protein isolate (WPI), and egg white proteins (EWP), which were lyophilized from their solutions in a phosphate buffer, were dry-heated at various temperatures and pH levels for 1-5 days, EWP was more highly phosphorylated than casein and WPI. Phosphorylation of EWP was promoted with a decrease of pH from 7.0 to 3.0 when the incubation temperature was raised from 55 to 100 degrees C. The phosphorus content of EWP increased from 0.08 to 0.64% by dry-heating at pH 3.0 and 85 degrees C for 5 days in the presence of phosphate. The electrophoretic mobility of EWP increased with an increase in the phosphorylation level. The heat-induced polymerization of EWP by dry-heating was not affected by the presence of phosphate. Although the solubility of EWP decreased by dry-heating at pH 3.0-5.5, the phosphorylation depressed the insolubilization at low pH. The phosphate bonds in phosphorylated EWP (P-EWP) were stable at pH 2.0-10.0 and were more acid-labile and base-stable than phosphoesters of egg riboflavin-binding protein (RfBP). (31)P NMR spectral data suggested that besides phosphoesters, phosphodiester and polyphosphate bonds were introduced in P-EWP. Heat stability of EWP was improved, and calcium phosphate-solubilizing ability of EWP was enhanced by phosphorylation.     

“三定”栽培对双季超级稻养分吸收积累及氮肥利用率的影响

为探讨南方双季超级稻对氮、磷、钾养分的吸收积累及利用规律,于2008—2010年在湖南长沙和浏阳以超级早稻陆两优996、陵两优268和超级晚稻丰源优299、天优华占为材料进行大田定位试验,比较了“三定”栽培、免耕摆栽和传统栽培条件下双季超级稻不同生育期植株体内氮、磷、钾吸收积累特点及氮肥利用率。与传统栽培相比,“三定”栽培双季超级稻生长前期(分蘖中期)氮、磷、钾的吸收量较低,幼穗分化期差异甚小,而齐穗期(早季平均为10.71、2.23和11.82 g m^-2,晚季平均为12.25、2.69和16.37 g m^-2)和成熟期(早季平均为13.61、3.01和13.71 g m^-2,晚季平均为17.16、3.31和18.31 g m^-2)较高;氮肥的偏生产力(平均为53.40 kg kg^-1)、吸收利用率(平均为55.98%)、农学利用率(平均为22.27 kg kg^-1)较高,分别提高29.00%、88.92%和46.67%。免耕摆栽双季超级稻不同生育时期氮、磷、钾的吸收特点与“三定”栽培相似,但其氮肥的偏生产力、吸收利用率和农学利用率(平均为50.24 kg kg^-1、52.75%、19.33 kg kg^-1)分别比“三定”栽培降低6.29%、6.12%和15.19%。由此可见,双季超级稻生产采用“三定”栽培技术有利于提高氮肥利用率。     

“三定”栽培对双季超级稻产量形成及生理特性的影响

为探讨南方双季稻区超级稻高产栽培技术,于2008—2010年在湖南长沙和浏阳以超级早稻陆两优996、陵两优268和超级晚稻天优华占、丰源优299为材料进行大田定位试验,比较了“三定”栽培、免耕摆栽和传统栽培下双季超级稻的产量形成特点和生理特性。与传统栽培相比,“三定”栽培齐穗期的颖花伤流量、根系氧化力、根冠比、叶面积指数及籽粒结实期剑叶的光合速率较高,齐穗后剑叶SPAD值下降缓慢、干物质积累量大,有效穗数和每穗粒数多,早季平均产量为7.18 t hm^-2,增产11.68%,晚季平均产量为8.39 t hm^-2,增产7.41%;免耕摆栽干物质积累量大、有效穗数多,但其收获指数、每穗粒数和结实率居劣势,使其单季增产效果不显著。由此可见,南方双季超级稻在“三定”栽培下后期生理优势明显,产量构成因子协调,增产效果显著。     

旱作技术对水稻中期群体结构的影响

利用三因素二次回归旋转组合设计探索水稻旱种的施氮量、基肥施氮比例及点播密度对水稻抽穗期群体的有效穗、单茎重的影响。结果表明:适宜的施氮量、基肥施氮比例及点播密度将形成抽穗期群体适宜的有效穗、较高的单茎重和茎鞘重/叶重比值。通过改进旱作技术,可使旱作水稻群体形成适宜的有效穗,个体充分生长,并促进抽穗前群体合成的净光合物质由叶流向茎,形成壮蘖、大穗,并控制叶的生长而实现高产。     

Changes in chemical composition of Phoenix canariensis Hort. Ex Chabaud palm seed oil during the ripening process

The aim of this investigation is to compare the physicochemical properties and chemical composition of Phoenix canariensis seed oil at different stages of seed date ripening. It was demonstrated that the saponification number of the oil increases during the maturation from 179.24 to 191.28 (mg KOH/g of oil), whereas the seed oil yield, the iodine number, the p-anisidine value, the peroxide value, the acidity and the unsaponifiable matter decrease from 14.73% to 10.36%, from 89.37 to 76.66 (g/100 g of oil), from 5.51 to 3.67, from 17.66 to 3.62 (mequiv. O₂/kg of oil), from 1.49% to 0.59% and from 2.72% to 1.77%, respectively. The tocol content increases as the maturity advanced. The percentages of sterols show continuous changes during ripening. The saturated fatty acid content increases throughout the ripening process. The oleic fatty acid content decreases during the seeds maturation, but increases at the end, whereas linoleic acid content initially shows an increase, and then a decrease. The total phosphorus content decreases during the period of ripening. The three samples of the seed oil show a high kinetic stability during the heating and cooling, as characterised by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC curves reveal an increase in the melting point from −7.73 °C to 3.71 °C but the melting enthalpy remains the same, 62.06 J/g, during the ripening of the dates.     

Using leaf tip necrosis as a phenotypic marker to predict the presence of durable rust resistance gene pair <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lr34</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">Yr18</Emphasis> in wheat

Fifty wheat varieties along with Jupateco-73 and Morocco were studied for the expression of leaf tip necrosis (LTN), a trait linked with the durable rust resistance gene pair Lr34/Yr18. LTN was frequent (i.e., ≥6) in nine replications of a field experiment over 3 years in 17 genotypes, and the varieties were considered positive for LTN. In molecular analyses of these varieties, having relative severity values up to 78 for yellow rust and 45 for leaf rust, the 150-bp Lr34/Yr18-linked allele was consistently amplified. Expression of LTN in six of nine replications is an appropriate threshold for predicting the presence of Lr34/Yr18 gene pair, and genotypes can be selected using this trait.     

PCR-SSCP analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> diversity in asparagus decline in Japan

The diversity of Fusarium populations in asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) decline fields in Japan was estimated by PCR-SSCP (single-stranded conformational polymorphism) analysis of the ITS2 regions of the nuclear rRNA genes. This method was used to rapidly and objectively identify pathogens associated with roots of plants showing symptoms of asparagus decline collected from fields in five regions across Japan. Over 651 fusarial isolates were obtained, and were easily differentiated into three principal species. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. asparagi was most frequently isolated from the domestic five regions (68%), whereas Fusarium proliferatum (28.6%) was less frequent. Fusarium solani was found much rarely (2.5%). The frequency of isolation of Fusarium proliferatum increased gradually from the north to the south of Japan, though considerable differences were found between fields in each region, as well as regional differences among the Fusarium populations. Most of the fusarial isolates were highly pathogenic in vitro. These results reveal that Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. asparagi and Fusarium proliferatum are important biotic factors which lead to asparagus decline in Japan.     

Study on furundu, a traditional Sudanese fermented roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seed: effect on in vitro protein digestibility, chemical composition, and functional properties of the total proteins

Furundu, a meat substitute, is traditionally prepared by cooking the karkade (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seed and then fermenting it for 9 days. Physicochemical and functional properties of raw and cooked seed and of furundu ferments were analyzed. Furundu preparation resulted in significant changes in karkade seed major nutrients. Total polyphenols and phytic acid were also reduced. The increase in total acidity and fat acidity coupled with a decrease in pH indicates microbial hydrolysis of the major nutrients; proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In vitro digestibility of the seed proteins reached the maximum value (82.7%) at the sixth day of fermentation, but thereafter it significantly decreased. The effect of furundu preparation on N solubility profiles and functional properties, such as emulsification and foaming properties and other related parameters, is investigated in water and in 1 M NaCl extracts from defatted flour samples. The results show that cooking followed by fermentation affects proteins solubility in water and 1 M NaCl. The foaming capacity (FC) from the flour of raw seed decreased as a result of cooking. Fermentation for 9 days significantly increased the FC of the cooked seed, restoring the inherent value. Foam from fermented samples collapsed more rapidly during a period of 120 min as compared to the foam from raw and cooked karkade seeds; stability in 1 M NaCl was lower as compared to those in water. In water, the emulsion stability (ES) from the fermented samples was significantly higher than that of the raw seed flour. Addition of 1 M NaCl significantly decreased the ES of the fermented samples.