Alien species of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) found in Serbia,new to the Balkan Peninsula

New alien species of aphids (Illinoia liriodendri (Monell), Wahlgreniella nervata (Gillete), Takecallis arundicolens (Clarke) and Tinocallis takachihoensis Higuchi) have been found for the first time in Serbia. These records are new for the Balkan Peninsula. Data of Ericaphis scammelli (Mason), species recently mentioned in Serbia, are also presented in the text. The species have been found during the last five years at four sites (Belgrade, Zemun, Mladenovac and Bojnik) on five cultivated plants. Ericaphis scammelli is a pest of blueberry and a vector of Blueberry scorch virus. The other four develop colonies on decorative plants: I. liriodendri has been found on Liriodendron tulipifera, W. nervata on Rosa sp., T. arundicolens on Pseudosasa japonica and T. takachihoensis on Ulmus x hollandica. The origin of three of the species (E. scammelli, I. liriodendri and W. nervata) is North America and two (T. arundicolens and T. takachihoensis) have come from East Asia. Their morphology, biology and the damage they inflict are discussed here, as well as their potential economic and environmental threat. Only parthenogenetic viviparous females of all 5 species have been collected. Their biology has not been studied enough in Europe and needs further examination. Original drawings of all species are presented.     

Comparative Analysis of Native <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crocus</Emphasis> Taxa as a Great Source of Flavonoids with High Antioxidant Activity

Native Crocus taxa are abundant in regions with moderate and dry climate; however, their potential in the food industry has thus far been neglected. The objective of this study was to compare the quantitative and qualitative flavonoid content and antioxidant and cytotoxic activity in organs of several populations of Croatian native taxa and assess their potential for application in the food industry. The dominant flavonoids in the native Crocus taxa were kaempferol and quercetin. Tepals contained similar or higher concentrations of flavonoid-glycosides than other organs. Tepals from Cvv1 and Cvv2 populations contained more flavonoid-glycosides than the commonly used spice saffron (C. sativus stigmas). The FRAP antioxidant activity of Cvv1 and Cvv5 tepals was similar to that of standard Trolox. DPPH inhibition of Cvv1 and Cvv3 tepals was within the range of that recorded for saffron. Cvv1 tepals significantly reduced reactive oxygen species in the broadest concentration range (50–1000 μg/ml), and showed considerable antioxidant activity in the ABTS assay, equal to 82% of standard Trolox antioxidant activity. A significantly higher concentration of kaempferol-rutinoside was recorded in this than in other taxa. The flavonoid showed a very strong or strong correlation with antioxidant assays results, and a negative correlation with cellular reactive oxygen species concentration. We therefore presumed that kaempferol-rutinoside is one of the main antioxidant phenolics in Crocus tepals. None of the tested extracts showed cytotoxicity toward Caco-2 cells. The results revealed that Cvv tepals have potential as a food supplement and are a promising material for further food safety tests.     

大豆GmFTL3和GmFTL5启动子的组织特异性表达分析

大豆（Glycine max (L.) Merr.）GmFTL3和GmFTL5基因具有很高的序列相似性,均参与大豆开花调节,但表达模式并不相同,本研究以启动子为突破口,分析这两个基因之间的表达差异。从大豆品种天隆1号中克隆GmFTL3和GmFTL5的启动子,构建载体pGmFTL3pro::GUS和pGmFTL5pro::GUS,转化拟南芥进行GUS染色分析。结果显示：无论长日条件还是短日条件,苗期和花器官中GmFTL3启动子均不驱动GUS基因在拟南芥中表达,而GmFTL5启动子则驱动GUS基因在拟南芥中表达,且在苗期的不同阶段呈现组织表达特异性。在花器官中,GmFTL5启动子驱动GUS基因主要在花萼、花瓣、花药和花粉粒中表达。实时定量结果显示,在大豆中,GmFTL3和GmFTL5基因均有表达。综上所述,大豆GmFTL3启动子在大豆中有活性但在拟南芥中无活性;GmFTL5启动子在大豆和拟南芥中均有活性,但表达可能存在差异; GmFTL5启动子在花器官中表达可能暗示GmFTL5基因与花器官发育有关。     

The impact of dry and wet cleaning on fabric electromagnetic field shield effect

The aim of this research is to investigate shield effect properties of the fabrics with inox yarns included in the construction, which are used for special professional garments and should protect from electromagnetic microwave irradiation. The investigation was done prior to and after the professional care procedures of dry and wet cleaning in ten cleaning cycles. Shield effect measurements were done on the face and on the back of the fabric, weftwise and warpwise, prior to and after the first, third, fifth, seventh and tenth cycles of dry and wet cleaning, at the frequencies from 0.9 to 2.4 GHz. The results obtained indicated that shield effect of the fabric tested was reduced after professional care procedures, especially so after 5 cycles. The investigations also revealed that shield effect could be considerably enhanced if the inox yarns were incorporated into the fabric in the direction of the warp.     

LAMP assay and rapid sample preparation method for on‐site detection of flavescence dorée phytoplasma in grapevine

In Europe the most devastating phytoplasma associated with grapevine yellows (GY) diseases is a quarantine pest, flavescence dorée (FDp), from the 16SrV taxonomic group. The on‐site detection of FDp with an affordable device would contribute to faster and more efficient decisions on the control measures for FDp. Therefore, a real‐time isothermal LAMP assay for detection of FDp was validated according to the EPPO standards and MIQE guidelines. The LAMP assay was shown to be specific and extremely sensitive, because it detected FDp in all leaf samples that were determined to be FDp infected using quantitative real‐time PCR. The whole procedure of sample preparation and testing was designed and optimized for on‐site detection and can be completed in one hour. The homogenization procedure of the grapevine samples (leaf vein, flower or berry) was optimized to allow direct testing of crude homogenates with the LAMP assay, without the need for DNA extraction, and was shown to be extremely sensitive.     

Mycorrhizal communities in relation to biomass production and nutrient use efficiency in two varieties of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii and var. glauca) in different forest soils

To investigate the role of arbuscular and ectomycorrhizas for growth and nutrition, Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), a species capable of establishing both types of symbioses, was used. Seedlings of two varieties of Douglas fir, var. menziesii (DFM) and var. glauca (DFG), differing in biomass production under non-mycorrhizal conditions, were planted in two soils of different nutrient status without preceding Douglas fir cultivation. After 2 years, the abundance of ectomycorrhizas was significantly higher on DFM than on DFG roots and higher in nutrient rich than in poor soil. Independent of the abundance of ectomycorrhiza colonization, roots of both Douglas fir varieties contained in most cases a minimum of six to nine different fungal species identified by ITS sequencing, which displayed both soil- and seed origin-specific patterns. Rhizopogon vinicolor was associated with DFM, whereas Cadophora finlandia, Sebacinaceous sp., Tricholoma sp. and a Tuber sp. were more frequently found on DFG roots. Ectendomycorrhizas were also identified and included under ectomycorrhiza for determination of nutrient relations. Net primary productivity and nitrogen-use efficiency were positively correlated with the degree of ectomycorrhiza colonization of Douglas fir seedlings suggesting that nitrogen accumulation did not keep pace with biomass production despite increased ectomycorrhizal colonization. Phosphorus-use efficiency was negatively correlated with the abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizas, suggesting higher efficiency of these fungi than of ectomycorrhizas for phosphorus supply to the host. DFM, which had higher inherited growth capacities than DFG, displayed higher ectomycorrhizal colonization than DFG. In our experimental design the physiology of the host tree and soil properties, but not the diversity of fungi present on roots, were decisive factors for formation and abundance of ectomycorrhiza.     

Alkaline Comet Assay as a Potential Tool in the Assessment of DNA Integrity in Freshwater Zooplankton Affected by Pollutants from Water Treatment Facility

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - In this pilot study, we evaluated the usefulness of the alkaline comet assay as a biomonitoring tool at the level of plankton communities affected by varying...     

分子标记技术在蔬菜作物品种鉴定与纯度检测中的应用

品种鉴定与遗传纯度检测是蔬菜作物种子品质检验极为重要内容。本文综述了以蛋白质、DNA为基础的分子标记,如蛋白质与同工酶、RELP、RAPD、SSR、ISSR等分析技术应用于蔬菜种子检测的基本原理与进展。利用标记分析技术成功进行F1种子纯度检测的关键是亲本与杂交种间稳定差异位点的获得。已获得的重要园艺性状紧密连锁的遗传标记将有利于F1种子纯度鉴定。由于分子标记客观、稳定、快速、高效,这些技术将在今后种子检测中起到重要作用。     

两种玉米温敏不育系的育性相关性状的比较及不育基因的初步定位

本研究通过形态学、生态学、遗传学及基因定位研究表明,玉米温敏不育系琼6Qms和琼68S是两种完全不同的玉米温敏不育系,琼6Qms的育性主要表现为颖壳不开裂,育性转换主要受温度影响,该性状由两对隐性重叠不育基因控制,分别位于第3和第5染色体上。琼68S为花药败育型,其育性转换受温度控制,不育性由一对隐性基因控制,该基因位于第2染色体上。