Integration of AFLP markers into a linkage map of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

The AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) technique has been applied in establishing an extended linkage map of sugar beet. A total of 120 AFLPs were integrated into an existing linkage map based on RFLP markers. Four primer combinations yielded between 19 and 40 polymorphic bands in an F₂ population consisting of 94 plants. The AFLP loci were evenly distributed over the nine linkage groups, with the exception of linkage group V where the number of AFLPs was significantly low. The AFLPs were found to be reproducible even against the background of different combinations of Taq DNA polymerases and buffers. However, the quantity of higher molecular weight fragments (>400 bp) was reduced when using plant DNA of poor quality as a template. The results of these experiments are discussed, together with possible applications of AFLPs in sugar beet breeding.     

Pleiotropic effect of the dwarfing gene d18-k on cool tolerance at booting stage under the genetic background of an extremely cool-tolerant line Norin-PL8 in rice

Norin‐PL8 (‘PL8’) is an extremely cool‐tolerant line of rice in Japan that contains genes for cool tolerance originating from a javanica landrace. It was investigated to see whether the dwarfing gene d18‐k (kotaketamanishiki dwarf) exerts its pleiotropic effect on enhancing the cool tolerance at the booting stage in the genetic background of PL8. The d18‐k isogenic line of the recurrent parent PL8 (D8), PL8, and two commercial cultivars ‘Hayayuki’ and ‘Kirara 397’ were used. For each line/cultivar, the 12°C‐5‐day treatment was conducted at various times during the booting stage. In addition to spikelet fertility, the ratio (%) of the fertilized‐spikelet number of each treated panicle to the varietal mean of fertilized‐spikelet number per panicle in the control (FS‐T/C) was adopted to estimate cool temperature damage. For FS‐T/C, the lines‐cultivars ranked in the order of D8 > PL8 > ‘Hayayuki’ > ‘Kirara 397’, reflecting their cool tolerances. D8 exceeded PL8 in both pollen grain number per anther in the control and as an indicator of pollen fertility after the treatment, as a result of the effects of d18‐k. Consequently, d18‐k can be used to develop super‐highly cool‐tolerant cultivars for cool‐weather areas.     

Monosomic addition lines of Beta corolliflora in sugar beet: plant morphology and leaf spot resistance

Monosomic addition lines in Beta vulgaris from Beta corolliflora were described morphologically and characterized for disease resistance. Monosomic addition plants (2n= 19) were selected among segregating offspring by a squash dot technique in combination with B. corolliflora‐specific probes. Plants carrying an added chromosome were characterized by leaf shape, plant size and plant vigour. In this way, most addition lines could be distinguished from diploid beets, however, to identify those plants unequivocally, molecular marker analysis was also necessary. Transmission frequencies of each addition line were determined to be in the range 13.9% (Cor‐4) to 60% (Cor‐9). High transmission rate of addition line Cor‐9 was assumed to be due to apomictic propagation because transmission rate after selfing cannot exceed 50%. Cercospora leaf spot resistance tests were performed on 167 monosomic plants from seven different addition lines, two fragment addition lines and 89 diploid controls. No line exhibited complete resistance, but the monosomic additions Cor‐3 and Cor‐4 showed significantly lower infection rates than their diploid sibling plants. The identification of monosomic addition lines with apomictic and disease resistance characters offers the possibility of transferring those genes to sugar beet.     

A DNA Probe for Rapid Screening of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Carrying Extra Chromosomes from Wild Beets of the Procumbentes Section

Genes from wild species of the Procumbentes section can be transferred to sugar beet chromosomes via translocations. Since large translocations, including for example a gene for nematode resistance, generally result in meiotic disturbances, there is a need to select new diploid resistant beets from progenies of monosomic wild beet addition lines. A dispersed repetitive DNA probe, which is closely correlated with the resistance gene and hybridizes exclusively with wild beet DNA, appears to be highly superior to selection based on isozyme markers. Characteristic ‘fingerprints’ on the available monosomic addition lines reveal the existence of at last 5 different chromosomes in the wild species each housing a gene for nematode resistance. This probe can be used advantageously to identify individuals carrying the intact or fragmented wild beet chromosomes, or even various amounts of translocated chromatin. Strategies are discussed for the identification of new translocation types using straightforward squash dot or Southern hybridization techniques in combination with the wild beet DNA probe.     

Influence of cyto‐sterility sources of female line on seed quality of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss.) in relation to storage period

Effect of cyto‐sterility sources on morphology and yield attributes in F₁ has well been studied in different crops, but not on the seed quality of hybrid. Six cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines, viz. Ogura, Siifolia, Erucoides, Moricandia, Tournefortii and Oxyrrhina, which represent six different sources of CMS, were pollinated by a single maintainer line (‘Pusa Bold’) to check whether CMS sources have any marked effect on seed quality. Seeds were collected in 2007–2008 (rabi season: October–April) from CMS maintenance plot and kept in ambient storage for next 3 years. The results indicated that CMS/cyto‐sterility sources influenced the seed quality parameters in fresh seed as well as after storage. Per cent germination (as means over the storage period) was recorded up to 89.00, 88.25 and 87.88 in Moricandia, Ogura and Oxyrrhina systems, respectively, and it was significantly different from Tournefortii and ‘Pusa Bold’ (70.13 and 74.38, respectively). The CMS sources also had pronounced effect on other seed quality traits, viz. root and shoot length and seedling dry matter, and Ogura and Moricandia (green) performed better.     

Color characteristics of monascus pigments derived by fermentation with various amino acids

Various pigment colors were produced by Monascus fermentations with separate addition of 20 amino acids. The color characteristics and structures of the pigment derivatives were investigated. When each amino acid was added to the fermentation broth as a precursor, pigment extracts with different hue and chroma values were obtained depending on the content ratios of yellow, orange, and red colors in the fermentation broth. The yellow and orange pigments were identical regardless of amino acid addition. The red compounds varied on the basis of the type of amino acid added. LC-MS and (1)H and (13)C NMR structural analyses confirmed that the derivative pigments contained the moieties of the added amino acids. L, a, and b values of the CIELAB color system for the derivative pigments were measured. Values of hue and chroma were then calculated. The colors of the derivative pigments were in the range of orangish red to violet red. The hydrophilicities/hydrophobicities of the derivative pigments could be predicted from their log P values, which were estimated using computer programs.     

Ochratoxin A in Korean food commodities: occurrence and safety evaluation

To evaluate the exposure of Koreans to ochratoxin A, we conducted a survey in 2003 for ochratoxin A in various domestic food commodities: 60 polished rices, 22 barleys, 35 wheat flours, 46 beers, and 14 unstrained rice wine (makkolli) samples. They were analyzed for ochratoxin A using immunoaffinity column and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-fluorescence detection, and the positive samples were confirmed using HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry. By combining results from different surveys on the levels of ochratoxin A in selected foods and the consumption patterns, we obtained the Korean probable daily intakes (PDI) of ochratoxin A. The polished rice commodity had the highest mean levels of ochratoxin A, which ranged from 0.2 (not detected, i.e., ND = 0) to 1.0 ng/g (ND = limit of detection, i.e., LOD). The estimated PDI for all Koreans fell into the range of 0.8-4.1 ng/kg bw/day, while for heavy consumers the estimates ranged from 1.7 to 9.1 ng/kg bw/day, which did not exceed the PTDI value (14 ng/kg bw/day). Staple rice is the major contributor (>90%) to the Korean dietary intake of ochratoxin A. On the basis of these estimates, it may be concluded that there is at present no considerable risk of ochratoxin A exposure for the average Korean consumer.     

Identification of characteristic aroma-active compounds from water dropwort (Oenanthe javanica DC.)

Characteristic aroma components of water dropwort (Oenanthe javanica DC.) were evaluated by aroma extract dilution analysis and solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-olfactometry. Alpha-Terpinolene (plastic/cucumber-like) was the most intense aroma-active compound in water dropwort. Other potent aroma-active compounds included p-cymene (kerosene-like), alpha-terpinene (lemon), (E)-caryophyllene (woody), (Z,E)-alpha-farnesene (woody), hexanal (green), (Z)-3-hexenol (green), phenylacetaldehyde (honey), (E)-2-nonenal (cucumber), bornyl acetate (cooked vegetable), and gamma-terpinene (lemon). Of these, p-cymene was believed to be primarily responsible for the distinct kerosene-like aroma note of water dropwort. The aroma property of p-cymene was dependent on its concentration and was described as kerosene-like at relatively high concentrations but changed to citrus and green aroma notes at low concentrations.     

Measurement of Atmospheric Formaldehyde and Monoaromatic Hydrocarbons using Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy during Winter and Summer Intensive Periods in Seoul, Korea

Ozone effects on Mediterranean forests were studied for 10 years in southern France. The aim of these studies was to understand the impact of the pollutant on foliar damage among Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill) and Arolla pine (Pinus cembra L) populations. During the summers of 2001 and 2002, ozone concentrations were measured using UV absorption analysers (4) and passive samplers (29) at two forest monitoring sites: Site 1 in the Nice coastal area for Aleppo pine and Site 2 in the Mercantour mountains for Arolla pine, in the vicinity of tree observation sites. AOT 40 values were quite high (25–33 ppm.h), especially in the Mercantour mountains, for the 5 months of measurement. Foliar damage (defoliation and discoloration) and specific symptoms (chlorotic mottle) were observed on 8 Aleppo pine and 13 Arolla pine plots. For Arolla pines, there was a significant correlation between defoliation and chlorotic mottles. There was also a correlation between mean ozone concentrations measured by passive samplers and chlorotic mottles. These correlations were less significant for Aleppo pine.