Variation of Phyllosphere Microflora of Different Rice Varieties in Sri Lanka and its Relationship to Leaf Anatomical and Physiological Characters

Anatomical and physiological characters of the leaf surface and its physico‐chemical environment substantially influence the density and diversity of phyllosphere‐inhabiting microorganisms, which may include natural antagonists of important pathogens. The objective of this investigation was to quantify the phyllosphere (i.e. leaf surface) microbial population in a range of rice varieties grown in Sri Lanka and to identify the leaf anatomical and physiological characters that determine the density and diversity of phyllosphere microbes. Fifteen rice varieties including both traditional and new high‐yielding varieties were used in a planthouse experiment and a field experiment in two consecutive seasons to quantify the phyllosphere microbial population and measure leaf characters that may influence it. There were highly significant intervarietal variations in the density and diversity of epiphytic bacterial, fungal and total microbial populations under both planthouse and field conditions. However, there was no difference between traditional and new, high‐yielding varieties in their capacity to harbour epiphytic microbes in the phyllosphere. Total microbial density (TMD) under both conditions showed positive correlations with leaf hair density, stomatal density and transpiration rate. Under planthouse conditions, TMD was also positively correlated with leaf hair length and negatively correlated with leaf temperature. These correlations can be explained in terms of providing favourable microsites on the phylloplane for epiphytic microbial growth.     

Breeding Panicum maximum in Brazil. 1. Genetic resources,modes of reproduction and breeding procedures

Summary Apomixis is widely distributed among tropical forage grasses, and has long been merely regarded as an impediment to breeding. Panicum maximum is presented as the first opportunity for Brazilian geneticists to develop and test original breeding schemes adapted to an apomictic species.A large and representative germplasm of P. maximum has been introduced and is currently being evaluated. Basic knowledges on biology and reproduction are also available, which demonstrate an easy manipulation of apomixis and sexuality. Several limiting traits have already been detected during evaluation, which justify breeding attempts. An ideal scheme is given to transfer new qualities to already selected varieties.     

Absorption of calcium fumarate salts is equivalent to other calcium salts when measured in the rat model

Calcium absorption from fumarate salts (calcium fumarate and calcium malate fumarate), which have recently been considered for use as sources for food and beverage enrichment, was compared to that from calcium citrate malate, calcium citrate, and calcium carbonate. Salts were instrinsically labeled with 45Ca and orally administered to Sprague-Dawley rats. Fractional absorption of calcium from each salt was determined using the femur uptake model. Fractional absorption from the five salts (0.30-0.27) was not significantly different (p > 0.05). Thus, when measured in the rat model, calcium from calcium fumarate and calcium malate fumarate is absorbed equally well as compared to other salts, which are common calcium sources in many foods, beverages, and supplements.     

The Effect of Humic Substances and Phosphate Fertilizer on Growth and Nutrient Uptake of the Potato

ABSTRACT

The use of applied phosphorus (P) and the uptake of nutrients from the soil by plants can be improved when the fertilizer is combined with the application of humic substances (HS). However, these beneficial effects are inconsistent and can depend on the type of soil. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of the application of HS (0, 1.25, and 7.50 mL pot^–1), as Humic HF®, and fertilizer-P (10, 50, 100, and 200 mg P dm^–3), as triple superphosphate, on root morphological characteristics, dry matter accumulation, nutrient uptake, and tuber yield of potatoes grown in sandy and clayey soils. Only under low P supply in the sandy soil did the supply of HS, at the rate of 1.25 mL pot^–1, increase the plant growth, yield of tubers, and uptake of macronutrients by the plants, without affecting the efficiency of the P fertilization. In the clayey soil, which had a higher organic matter content, the application of HS did not affect plant growth, tuber yield or nutrient uptake. In both soils, P fertilization increased plant growth, tuber yield, and nutrient uptake. The combined application of HS and P increased the root length of potatoes in sandy soil.     

Observation of X-ray lines from a gamma-ray burst (GRB991216): evidence of moving ejecta from the progenitor

We report on the discovery of two emission features observed in the x-ray spectrum of the afterglow of the gamma-ray burst (GRB) of 16 December 1999 by the Chandra X-ray Observatory. These features are identified with the Ly(alpha) line and the narrow recombination continuum by hydrogenic ions of iron at a redshift z = 1.00 +/- 0.02, providing an unambiguous measurement of the distance of a GRB. Line width and intensity imply that the progenitor of the GRB was a massive star system that ejected, before the GRB event, a quantity of iron approximately 0.01 of the mass of the sun at a velocity approximately 0.1 of the speed of light, probably by a supernova explosion.     

A molecular basis for natural selection at the timeless locus in Drosophila melanogaster

Diapause is a protective response to unfavorable environments that results in a suspension of insect development and is most often associated with the onset of winter. The ls-tim mutation in the Drosophila melanogaster clock gene timeless has spread in Europe over the past 10,000 years, possibly because it enhances diapause. We show that the mutant allele attenuates the photosensitivity of the circadian clock and causes decreased dimerization of the mutant TIMELESS protein isoform to CRYPTOCHROME, the circadian photoreceptor. This interaction results in a more stable TIMELESS product. These findings reveal a molecular link between diapause and circadian photoreception.     

Comment on "Drought-induced reduction in global terrestrial net primary production from 2000 through 2009"

Zhao and Running (Reports, 20 August 2010, p. 940) reported a reduction in global terrestrial net primary production (NPP) from 2000 through 2009. We argue that the small trends, regional patterns, and interannual variations that they describe are artifacts of their NPP model. Satellite observations of vegetation activity show no statistically significant changes in more than 85% of the vegetated lands south of 70°N during the same 2000 to 2009 period.     

Pericarp total protein profiles as molecular markers of tomato fruit quality traits in two segregating populations

The tomato fruit quality results of biochemical and physiological changes that occur during the ripening process. Although, the pericarp total protein profiles are less polymorphic than DNA-based markers the polymorphism in those could be directly associated with fruit quality traits. The aim of this work was to identify associations between polymorphic polypeptides from fruit pericarp at two ripening stages and fruit quality traits evaluated in two segregating populations of tomato. A cross between a normal ripening cultivar of Solanum lycopersicum (C, Caimanta) and a genotype carrying the nor (non ripening) gene (N) as well as a cross between Caimanta and a cherry type tomato of S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme (Ce) showed genetic variance for several fruit quality traits such as fruit weight, shape, solids soluble content, acidity, color and fruit shelf life. The quantitative variations observed at phenotypic level had correspondence with the polymorphism detected in the protein profiles. Indeed, the polymophic polypeptides associated with quality fruit traits and fruit shelf life would be useful to assist tomato breeding programs as protein molecular markers.