Rice phenolics efflux transporter 2 (PEZ2) plays an important role in solubilizing apoplasmic iron

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for plants; however, despite its abundance in soils it is not readily available in neutral to alkaline soils. Plants secrete phenolics, such as protocatechuic acid (PCA) and caffeic acid (CA), to absorb and utilize precipitated apoplasmic Fe from root surfaces. However, the synthesis and secretion of phenolics have not been well characterized in plants. We have identified and characterized a rice (Oryza sativa L.) mutant with reduced amounts of PCA and CA in xylem sap and root exudates; hence we named it phenolics efflux zero 2 (pez2). PEZ2 localized to the plasma membrane in onion (Allium cepa L.) epidermal cells and transported PCA when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. PEZ2 expression was observed in whole root near root tips. Similarly, strong expression was observed in leaves. In line with reduced amounts of PCA and CA in xylem sap, the xylem Fe concentration was also low in pez2 plants. These results suggest that PEZ2 is involved in solubilization of apoplasmic Fe in rice.     

Correlations between magnesium and calcium in soybean plant

The relationship between magnesium and calcium in plants has been repeatedly reported by a great many investigators,^1,2,3) but we have no information as to the form of both the elements in plants in relation to their growth stage. The present study is intended to solve it.     

Model experimental study on the migration behavior of heavy metals in electrokinetic remediation process for contaminated soil

Recently in Japan, like in other industrialized countries, treatment of contaminated soil or ground has become an important issue in redeveloping such areas as old factories, mining sites, and other polluted sites. In these cases, measures such as a construction of cut-off walls and disposal to controlled waste disposal sites have been so far taken. But, the treatment of contaminated soils has become more difficult nowadays. Therefore, remediation of contaminated soil by removal or extraction of contaminants is necessary and various methods have been developed and applied in many countries. Authors have tried to develop an electrokinetic remediation method for soil contaminated with heavy metals and some basic and pilot scale experiments have been carried out. In this paper, the results of a model experiment using an artificial soil contaminated with Cu or Ph or Cr are presented as follows. i) In the electrokinetic process, migration of water to the cathode by electroosmosis, migration of ions to the cathode or anode by electrophoresis and electrolysis of water occur spontaneously. ii) Upon DC loading, Cu and Pb migrate to the cathode and accumulate as oxides or hydroxides near the cathode but are not removed from contaminated soil. However, in the case of Cr contaminated soil, Cr in the form of Cr(VI) migrates to the anode and is removed from soil through the drainage water. iii) After DC loading for 2 weeks, the concentration of exchangeable cations and composition of soil changed drastically while the CEC and clay mineralogy did not change appreciably.     

Effect of calcium concentration in nutrient solution on development of bacterial wilt and population of its pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum in grafted tomato seedlings

We examined the effect of the calcium (Ca) concentration in the nutrient solution on the development of bacterial wilt and the population of its pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Momotarou) seedlings grafted onto the rootstock of a highly resistant cultivar (cv. Hawaii 7998). The grafted seedlings were cultured in a nutrient solution containing Ca at concentrations of 0.4, 4.4, and 20.4 mm, and inoculated with the pathogen by stem puncture at the base of the stem of the rootstock, and the disease incidence was recorded for a period of 21 d. In another experiment, xylem exudates were collected from decapitated scions of the Ca-treated seedlings 5 d after inoculation, and the population of the pathogen in the exudates was counted by plating on a selective medium. The grafted tomato seedlings were highly resistant to bacterial wilt, when cultured in the nutrient solution containing Ca at 20.4 mm. The population of the pathogen in the xylem exudates decreased with increasing concentration of Ca in the solution. However, even in the presence of Ca at a high concentration, infection with the virulent pathogen was observed in the xylem of the scion.     

水旱轮作大豆的营养生长与根系活力的关系

大豆是实行水旱轮作制度的重要作物之一,水田的排水不良是导致轮作大豆减产的重要原因.通过对水旱轮作大豆幼苗进行过湿处理,分析了不同大豆品种的营养生长特性与根系生理活性的关系.轮作大豆在过湿条件下,所有品种的生育都受到抑制,干物质生产受抑制程度存在着品种间的差异.营养生长诸性状中,伤流速度受过湿处理影响最大,处理区的伤流速度仅为对照区的64.2%.过湿处理导致伤流液中氮含量几乎减少了一半,伤流中的氮含量与叶片氮素含量之间存在极显著正相关关系,过湿条件下叶片氮含量的减少是由于根的氮素吸收能力的低下所致.遭遇过湿逆境时的植株个体大小与维持物质生产关系密切.过湿处理期间及其后的干物质增加量的大小与以伤流速度为代表的根系活力密切相关,说明从田间管理技术上提高大豆的根系活力以维持水旱轮作大豆的干物质生产是可行的.     

Cytological characteristics of microconidia of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Magnaporthe oryzae</Emphasis>

The inner cellular structure of microconidia of Magnaporthe oryzae was examined using fluorescent probes and electron microscopic techniques. The volume of the nucleus relative to the cell was significantly larger in microconidia than in macroconidia or vegetative hyphae, similar to observations for spermatia of other fungi. Selective fluorescent staining revealed that cytosolic RNA was less abundant in microconidia than in macroconidia and germ tubes, suggesting that general metabolic activity in microconidia is low. Consistently, GFP expression driven by the TrpC promoter was highly active during the formation of phialides and microconidia but gradually decreased as the microconidia matured. Such data suggest that microconidia are in a quiescent or dormant state.     

Chemical modification of wood by anhydrides without solvents or catalysts

Acetylated, propionylated, butyrylated, isobutyrylated, and hexanoylated woods were prepared at several temperatures. The reaction rate, dimensional stability, and changes in the ratios of specific gravity and dimensions in the tangential and radial directions were estimated. The reaction rate of propionylation was slow at temperatures under 90°C but increased with the temperature. The butyrylated, isobutyrylated, and hexanoylated woods showed little or no weight percent gain (WPG) and little or no antiswelling efficiency (ASE) below 110°C even for 24h, but they achieved significant WPG and ASE values at 140°C with a longer reaction time. The acetylated, propionylated, and butyrylated woods showed almost the same values for dimensional stabilization efficiency based on WPG (DSE). The specific gravity and dimensions ratios for acetylated, propionylated, and butyrylated woods compared to those of untreated wood increased with an increase in WPG.     

Karyotype analysis of interspecific fusants of basidiomycetes by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis

The purpose of this research was to analyze the karyotype of the interspecific fusants of twoPleurotus species. Auxotrophic mutants derived from the cultivated strain ofP. ostreatus andP. cornucopiae were used. Protoplasts were fused electrically, and the fusants were selected under auxotrophic complementation. Esterase isozyme analysis showed that several fusants had isozyme bands originating from both parental strains, and others had unilateral isozyme bands. The fusant that had expressed isozyme bands of both parental strains showed chromosomal DNA bands of both of the parental strains in pulsedfield gel electrophoresis analysis. Despite the above results, the chromosomal composition of the fusants obtained by the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis did not exhibit all of the bands of both fusion parents.     

Usefulness of computed tomography for cryptorchidism in bulls

Cryptorchidism is defined as the failure of the testis to descend into the scrotal position. Bulls with cryptorchidism have problems in both meat quality and husbandry management; thus, it is greatly important to accurately identify the retained testis and remove it during the early stage. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) was performed under general anesthesia in 34 bulls aged 3–9 months with cryptorchidism. All bulls underwent laparoscopic or incision approach for cryptorchidectomy, and 40 testes were dissected. The detection rates of retained testes were 64.5% in the abdominal cavity and 100% in the subcutaneous inguinal region, and the total detection rate was 72.5%. Furthermore, all cases in this study were suspected to have intra-abdominal cryptorchidism in primary care, but CT revealed that 22.5% of cases had cryptorchidism in the subcutaneous inguinal region. The CT value (mean ± standard deviation) of the retained testes was 20.96 ± 7.54 Hounsfield Unit, and the CT value and size of the retained testes showed a positive weak correlation with bovine age. Therefore, there is the demerit that general anesthesia and a huge device are necessary; nevertheless, CT is suggested to be useful in identifying the location of retained testes and selecting an appropriate surgical approach in bulls with cryptorchidism. Moreover, CT findings suggested that the maturation of the retained testes might depend not on the descending process but on age.