Evidence of a new Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in Japan and its detection using PCR

A new isolate of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) has been identified from tomato plants in Kochi Prefecture in Japan and designated TYLCV-[Tosa]. The complete nucleotide sequence of the isolate was determined and found to consist of 2781 nt. In phylogenetic analyses of entire nucleotide sequences, TYLCV-[Tosa] was delineated as a single branch and was more closely related to TYLCV-[Almeria] than TYLCV isolates Ng, Sz, or Ai reported in Japan, which had spread since 1996. Isolate TYLCV-[Tosa] is suggested to be a newly introduced, novel isolate of TYLCV that dispersed into Kochi Prefecture. In addition, a rapid method using the polymerase chain reaction to separate TYLCV isolates into four genetic groups was established. This method would be useful for reliable diagnosis based on genetic differences among isolates of TYLCV.The nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank databases under accession numbers AB192965 and AB192966     

Determinants of litter accumulation and the abundance of litter-associated microarthropods in bird's nest ferns (Asplenium nidus complex) in the forest of Yambaru on Okinawa Island, southern Japan

We studied the distributional pattern of bird's nest ferns (Asplenium nidus complex) and the factors that determined litter accumulation and the abundance of litter-associated microarthropods in the ferns in the forest of Yambaru on the northern part of Okinawa Island, southern Japan. We located 53 bird's nest ferns (41 ferns on 27 live trees of 13 species, and 12 on 5 dead trees) in a ca. 4-ha plot, collected litter samples from 37 ferns on 25 live trees, and then extracted a total of 11 205 microarthropods (Acari and Collembola) from all the litter samples. The ferns preferred concave slopes and tended to be distributed on the tree species that had the typical characteristics of high population density and/or large basal area in the forest. The ferns were usually established on large trees [≥10 m high or ≥20 cm diameter at breast height (DBH)], although the number and size of the ferns were not related to the size of the host trees. The amount of litter accumulated in the ferns was correlated neither with the size (height and DBH) of the host tree nor with the height and position of the ferns. The amount of accumulated litter had a significant positive correlation only with fern size; this might have caused the positive correlations between fern size and the abundance of litter-associated microarthropods and the number of species of oribatid mites in the ferns.     

Three distinct groups of isolates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tomato yellow leaf curl virus</Emphasis> in Japan and construction of an infectious clone

Complete nucleotide sequences of eight Japanese isolates of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) were determined and compared with four TYLCV isolates already reported. These isolates separated into three groups – Shizuoka (Sz), Aichi (Ai), Nagasaki (Ng) – and had 99% identities within the groups. Full-length molecules of DNA-A of group Sz consist of 2791nt and those of group Ai contain 2787nt. Both were closely related to TYLCV-Is.M, although those of group Ng had 2793nt and were more closely related to TYLCV-Is. Comparison of common sequences of isolates belonging to groups Sz and Ai had substitutions of 4nt in the intergenic region and nonsynonymous substitutions at open reading frames between the groups. None of the isolates tested had DNA molecules. Agroinfection of four plant species with a DNA-A dimeric infectious clone of TYLCV-SzY, a member of group Sz, resulted in systemic infection. Tomato plants then developed typical yellow leaf curl symptoms.The nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank databases under accession numbers AB116629, AB116630, AB116631, AB116632, AB116633, AB116634, AB116635, and AB116636     

Antioxidant activity and constituents of propolis collected in various areas of Korea

Propolis is a resinous substance collected by honeybees from various plant sources. The composition of propolis depends on time, vegetation, and the area of collection. This study examined the antioxidant activity of propolis from various areas of Korea: Chilgok, Cheongju, Geochang, Muju, Pocheon, and Sangju. Ethanol extracts of propolis (EEP) were prepared and evaluated for their antioxidant activity by beta-carotene bleaching, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging, and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation decolorization assays. Furthermore, the major constituents in EEP were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis with a photodiode array and mass spectrometric detection, and each component was quantitatively analyzed. EEP from Cheongju and Muju had relatively strong antioxidant activity accompanied by high total polyphenol contents. Propolis from Cheongju contained large amounts of antioxidative compounds, such as caffeic acid, kaempferol, and phenethyl caffeate. On the other hand, propolis from Pocheon had compounds not seen in propolis from other areas.     

Effects of elevation and postharvest disturbance on the composition of vegetation established after the clear-cut harvest of conifer plantations in southern Shikoku, Japan

Large areas of previously clear-cut conifer plantations have been recently abandoned in Japan. We investigated the vegetation in the clear-cut sites and examined the environmental factors affecting species composition of the vegetation. We set up 32 study sites, each composed of several study plots (5 × 5 m), ranging from 220 m to 1060 m a.s.l. Elevation and warmth index (cumulated thermal quantity) were the primary factors affecting the species composition, with clear-cut areas showing a smaller effect in the nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMS) ordination. Two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) divided the 32 study sites into ten vegetation groups, clustering the sites by elevation or by postharvest disturbances (i.e., replanting or browsing of Sika deer). Deciduous trees and shrubs were significant in the vegetation cover at higher elevations, while they were less so in areas of high Sika deer populations. We also investigated the abundance of old-growth species, which are expected to regenerate where the clear-cut site is abandoned. Evergreen Quercus and Castanopsis saplings were abundant at low elevations (<600 m), suggesting that they will successfully regenerate. The sapling densities of Abies firma and Betula grossa were significantly large where a clear-cut site was adjacent to natural forest, which is expected to act as a seed source. This implies that degraded deciduous forests may establish after clear-cutting at intermediate and high elevations (>600 m) if the clear-cut site is distinct from seed sources. It is argued that the preservation of natural forests is critical for the regeneration of old-growth species.     

Identification of metabolites in plasma and urine of Uruguayan propolis-treated rats

Propolis is a resinous substance collected by honeybees from various plant sources. It is extensively used in food and beverages to improve health and prevent diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. To investigate the absorption and metabolism of the components in propolis, in the present study, we administered ethanol extracts of Uruguayan propolis (poplar type propolis) orally to rats and analyzed their plasma and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array and mass spectrometric detection. After deconjugation of the components by beta-glucuronidase/sulfatase treatment of the specimen, pinobanksin 5-methyl ether, pinobanksin, kaempferol, chrysin, pinocembrin, and galangin were detected in plasma of rats orally administered propolis. These compounds were detected also in urine after beta-glucuronidase/sulfatase treatment. Furthermore, pinobanksin 5-methyl ether, pinobanksin, chrysin, pinocembrin, and galangin were present in the urine also in free form. These results suggest that flavonoids in propolis are metabolized and circulate in the body after oral administration of propolis.     

Movement of ammonium in paddy soils in Taiwan

The movement of ammonium due to diffusion in paddy soils in Taiwan was investigated in the laboratory. The movement of ammonium in flooded soils was inversely proportional to the concentration of ammonium in the soil solution, which was a function of the quantity of ammonium present, the content of solid matter in a unit volume of soil (bulk density), and the adsorptive property of soil. Although there was a considerable variation in the value of both the ammonium adsorption and bulk density of soils, the adsorptive property was more variable. Therefore, the adsorptive property seemed to be the most influencial factor on the movement of ammonium in flooded soils, where the property had a close relation to the cationexchange capacity.

The bulk density of flooded soils in the field could be reproduced in glass tubes under percolating condition in the laboratory. The values of bulk density determined on paddy soils after harvesting or on air-dry soils were considerably different from those in the flooded soils in the field. A simple determination method of bulk density was proposed for paddy soils.     

Clay minerals from diallage in a warm and humid climate

In the course of chemical weathering, rockforming minerals release constituent ions changing into secondary minerals by alteration or recrystallization. Minerals formed in this way are primarily of colloidal nature, and are the most active portion in soils together with humus. The chemical weathering has dual meaning for soil fertility, that is, it provides soils with nutrients released and inorganic colloids formed, namely clay minerals. It has been well established that climate, vegetation, parent material, topography and time influence the formation of soils. Generally speaking, Japanese soils have developed under a warm and humid climate which causes leaching of released bases resulting in acid reactions, and a predominance of kaolin in soils. Accumulated information pertaining to Japanese soils, however, has disclosed that physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of parent rocks are still obviously reflected in the clay minerals of soils.     

Mechanism of inhibitory effect of allophane and montmorillonite on some enzymes

It is well established that the presence of clay in an enzyme-substrate system may reduce the activity of enzymes (1-3,5,6,8,11-14). This inhibition by the clay would be principally caused by the adsorption of enzyme and/or substrate on the clay particle. In the previous papers (1–3), the activity of some enzymes was found to be inhibited in various degrees by clays. The enzyme appears to be adsorbed on the clay particle in various ways according to the nature of adsorbate as well as adsorbent. This suggests that the enzyme is adsorbed by the clay so as not to combine with the substrate, or that the adsorbed enzyme molecule has a configuration different from that of a free enzyme molecule, reducing the activity of the enzyme.     

Nitrogen fertility and humic matter of chilean andosols

The principal volcanic ash soils of Chile is evidently the “trumao” soil that covers the Central Valley from an area north of Chillan (36°30′S) to Puerto Montt (4l03l′S), and which is very similar to Japanese Andosols in its morphological, chemical and physical properties (19, 20). The different conides of Antuco, Chillan, Villarrica, Llaima, Osorno, and others in this part of the Cordillera indicate that the parent materials of the soils could have various origins, not only horizontally but also vertically. Moreover, glaciations have further complicated the composition of the parent materials of the soils (Langohr, R., personal communication). Even earthquakes have influences on the soils in some districts (21). Irrespective of the origin of soil parent materials, certain trends appear to exist in some chemical and physical properties of the soils from north to south (18), suggesting a difference in fertility and organic matter.