Molecular markers linked to the <Emphasis Type="Italic">fin</Emphasis> gene controlling determinate growth habit in common bean

The S-genotypes of 16 apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars native to China were determined by the S-allele PCR approach and the results were confirmed by cross-pollination tests among these cultivars. Primer combination EM-PC2consFD + EM-PC3consR, based on the conserved regions C2 and C3 of Rosaceous S-RNase genes, was the most useful primer combination for identifying Chinese apricot S-alleles. Twelve S-RNase alleles were identified using this primer combination, and they were defined as follows: S ₉ was 657 bp, S ₁₀ was 266 bp, S ₁₁ was 464 bp, S ₁₂ was 360 bp, S ₁₃ was 401 bp, S ₁₄ was 492 bp, S ₁₅ was 469 bp, S ₁₆ was 481 bp, S ₁₇ was 487 bp, S ₁₈ was 1337 bp, S ₁₉ was 546 bp and S ₂₀ was 1934 bp. S ₁₁–S ₂₀ were new S-RNase genes deposited in GenBank under accession numbers DQ868316, DQ870628-DQ870634, EF133689 and EF160078, respectively. Our findings contribute to a more efficient breeding program of Chinese apricot and further studies on the S-RNase genes.     

A multivariate approach for the ampelographic discrimination of grapevine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis>) cultivars: application to local Syrian genetic resources

Due to its unique historical and geographical emplacement, grapes have been cultivated in the Syrian Arab Republic for more than 5000 years, so the characterization of its local genetic resources is paramount for understanding grapevine natural diversity. In this work, different local Syrian table grape cultivars were characterized for 42 traits related to plant phenology, shoot, leaf, cluster, berry and juice composition. A series of multivariate analyses were sequentially performed, and five highly-discriminant traits were identified as the most discriminant ones (shoot internode length, berry weight, berry elongation, 100-seed weight and juice titratable acidity). The clustering of the cultivars according to these five traits revealed that some local Syrian cultivars share similitude with some worldwide grown cultivars, suggesting their potential as new genetic resources for the development of new high-quality table grape varieties, and indicating the needing of specific preservation programs aimed to avoid the loss of endangered genetic local resources. Besides, the statistical multivariate pipeline followed in this work is proposed as an efficient one for the selection of ampelographic traits for the discrimination of grapevine cultivars.     

A 10,000-year record of Arctic Ocean sea-ice variability--view from the beach

We present a sea-ice record from northern Greenland covering the past 10,000 years. Multiyear sea ice reached a minimum between ~8500 and 6000 years ago, when the limit of year-round sea ice at the coast of Greenland was located ~1000 kilometers to the north of its present position. The subsequent increase in multiyear sea ice culminated during the past 2500 years and is linked to an increase in ice export from the western Arctic and higher variability of ice-drift routes. When the ice was at its minimum in northern Greenland, it greatly increased at Ellesmere Island to the west. The lack of uniformity in past sea-ice changes, which is probably related to large-scale atmospheric anomalies such as the Arctic Oscillation, is not well reproduced in models. This needs to be further explored, as it is likely to have an impact on predictions of future sea-ice distribution.     

In Situ Production of Prebiotic AXOS by Hyperthermophilic Xylanase B from Thermotoga maritima in High‐Quality Bread

In situ enrichment of bread with arabinoxylan‐oligosaccharides (AXOS) through enzymic degradation of wheat flour arabinoxylan (AX) by the hyperthermophilic xylanase B from Thermotoga maritima (rXTMB) was studied. The xylanolytic activity of rXTMB during breadmaking was essentially restricted to the baking phase. This prevented problems with dough processability and bread quality that generally are associated with thorough hydrolysis of the flour AX during dough mixing and fermentation. rXTMB action did not affect loaf volume. Bread with a dry matter AXOS content of 1.5% was obtained. Further increase in bread AXOS levels was achieved by combining rXTMB with xylanases from Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis or Bacillus subtilis. Remarkably, such a combination synergistically increased the specific bread loaf volume. Assuming an average daily consumption of 180 g of fresh bread, the bread AXOS levels suffice to provide a substantial part of the AXOS intake leading to desired physiological effects in humans.     

No evidence of superclones in leaf-feeding forms of austrian grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae)

European Journal of Plant Pathology - The genetic structure of ten grape phylloxera populations, sampled in summer of 2006 and 2007 from four distinct viticultural areas in Austria, Daktulosphaira...     

Expression of putative expansin genes in phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch) induced root galls of Vitis spp.

Grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch) is a serious global pest in viticulture. The insects are sedentary feeders and require a gall to feed and reproduce. The insects induce their feeding site within the meristematic zone of the root tip, where they stay attached, feeding both intra- and intercellularly, and causing damage by reducing plant vigour. Several changes in cell structure and composition, including increased cell division and tissue swelling close to the feeding site, cause an organoid gall called a nodosity to develop. Because alpha expansin genes are involved in cell enlargement and cell wall loosening in many plant tissues it may be anticipated that they are also involved in nodosity formation. To identify expansin genes in Vitis vinifera cv. Pinot noir, we mined for orthologues genes in a comparative analysis. Eleven putative expansin genes were identified and shown to be present in the rootstock Teleki 5C (V. berlandieri Planch. x V. riparia Michx.) using specific PCR followed by DNA sequencing. Expression analysis of young and mature nodosities and uninfested root tips were conducted via quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). Up-regulation was measured for three putative expansin genes (VvEXPA15, -A17 and partly -A20) or down-regulation for three other putative genes (VvEXPA7, -A12, -A20) in nodosities. The present study clearly shows the involvement of putative expansin genes in the phylloxera–root interaction.     

What can we learn from clubroots: alterations in host roots and hormone homeostasis caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plasmodiophora brassicae</Emphasis>

The clubroot disease of cruciferous crops is caused by an obligate biotrophic protist, Plasmodiophora brassicae. The disease is characterized by the development of large root galls accompanied by changes in source-sink relations and the hormonal balance within the plant. Since the disease is difficult to control, it is of high economic interest to understand the events leading to gall formation. In this review we will give an overview on the current knowledge of changes brought about in the host root by this obligate biotrophic pathogen. Emphasis will be on the regulation of changes in plant hormone homeostasis, mainly auxins and cytokinins; the possible role of secondary metabolites, especially indole glucosinolates, in gall formation and auxin homeostasis will be discussed. Also, results from mutant analysis and microarrays using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana are presented.     

Reproductive ecology of the threatened and endemic freshwater mussel Lampsilis bracteata

相似文献