Evaluating maize growth models “CERES-Maize” and “IXIM-Maize” under elevated temperature conditions

It would be preferable to use a reliable crop growth model for studies on climate change impact assessment. The objectives of this study was to evaluate simulation performance for two maize models, including CERES-Maize and IXIM models, included in the DSSAT model (version 4.6) in terms of phenology and yield. Two early maturing cultivars, Chalok#1 and Junda# 6, were grown under controlled environment in plastic houses at Suwon, Korea. Each cultivar, which was sown at four different date in 2013 and 2014, was subjected to four sets of temperature conditions including ambient (AT), AT+1.5°C, AT+3°C, and AT+5°C. In simulations of phenology under given conditions, the anthesis date and grain filling ratio were underestimated, especially when temperature was unusually high, e.g., in 2013. The maize models also had poor accuracy in grain yield, which resulted from the fact that these models had relatively large errors in simulation of kernel number and kernel weight under elevated temperature conditions. In addition, both models were not able to simulate the drastic decrease of kernel number due to heat stress around flowering periods. These results indicated that two maize models would need improvements in simulation of crop response to supra-optimal temperature before they would be used to assess the impact of the climate change on maize yield. This studies merits further study to improve algorithms in phenology simulation at supraoptimal temperature.     

Evaluation of resistance to Fusarium head blight in indigenous Japanese species of Agropyron (Elymus)

General (GSI) and specific (SSI) selection indices were constructed for three open-mating populations of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) seedlings and their ratoon stages. Though specific indices were found to be the most effective in improving mean brix yield in their own source populations, but the GSI was better to SSI in other populations as indicated by higher mean values and more number of superior clones at selection and evaluation stages. This indicated the wider applicability of the GSI over SSI. Inspite of better expected genetic advance through GSI in ratoon crop, the actual gain in brix yield attained, through GSI, was better in seedlings. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The crystal structure of the signal recognition particle in complex with its receptor

Cotranslational targeting of membrane and secretory proteins is mediated by the universally conserved signal recognition particle (SRP). Together with its receptor (SR), SRP mediates the guanine triphosphate (GTP)-dependent delivery of translating ribosomes bearing signal sequences to translocons on the target membrane. Here, we present the crystal structure of the SRP:SR complex at 3.9 angstrom resolution and biochemical data revealing that the activated SRP:SR guanine triphosphatase (GTPase) complex binds the distal end of the SRP hairpin RNA where GTP hydrolysis is stimulated. Combined with previous findings, these results suggest that the SRP:SR GTPase complex initially assembles at the tetraloop end of the SRP RNA and then relocalizes to the opposite end of the RNA. This rearrangement provides a mechanism for coupling GTP hydrolysis to the handover of cargo to the translocon.     

Crystal structure of the eukaryotic 40S ribosomal subunit in complex with initiation factor 1

Eukaryotic ribosomes are substantially larger and more complex than their bacterial counterparts. Although their core function is conserved, bacterial and eukaryotic protein synthesis differ considerably at the level of initiation. The eukaryotic small ribosomal subunit (40S) plays a central role in this process; it binds initiation factors that facilitate scanning of messenger RNAs and initiation of protein synthesis. We have determined the crystal structure of the Tetrahymena thermophila 40S ribosomal subunit in complex with eukaryotic initiation factor 1 (eIF1) at a resolution of 3.9 angstroms. The structure reveals the fold of the entire 18S ribosomal RNA and of all ribosomal proteins of the 40S subunit, and defines the interactions with eIF1. It provides insights into the eukaryotic-specific aspects of protein synthesis, including the function of eIF1 as well as signaling and regulation mediated by the ribosomal proteins RACK1 and rpS6e.     

辽宁地区玉米作物系数的确定

玉米作物系数是计算玉米耗水量的重要参数之一。为了准确客观地估算玉米群体的蒸散量,利用1980~2002年20个代表站点的日常农业气象土壤湿度观测资料,确定了辽宁5个农业气候区的玉米作物系数,分析作物系数在生育期内的变化规律,并分区建立了玉米作物系数与时间(旬)关系6次多项式函数。结果表明,辽宁各农业气候区的玉米作物系数值存在明显差异,但其变化规律一致。     

面向高校重点学科加强文献资源建设

笔者就高校图书馆文献资源建设的现状进行了分析，并对搞好文献资源建设工作提出建议。     

基于PCA和系统聚类的西南地区森林火灾形势评价

基于2007—2016年我国西南地区森林火灾数据,利用统计描述对该地区的火灾时空分布特征进行分析,并且利用主成分分析和聚类分析将森林火灾分级,进而对我国西南地区森林火灾形势进行评价。结果表明：2007—2010年,年均火灾起数和火场面积较高,没有明显年际变化;2010年后各地区火灾数量,伤亡人数等均有较大幅度下降;2015年又有所回升,总体表现为上升趋势。空间分布上贵州的各项火灾指标如HCF等均出现最大值,火灾形势最严重,受灾程度较大;云南的火灾波动范围最大,而且HCF的发生率比较高;四川地形则较为复杂,既有高原又有盆地,气候春旱夏热极易发生火灾。按照严重程度由高到低将森林火灾分为14类,其中贵州省火灾形势最为严峻,一般火灾发生较多,火灾数量逐年提高,其次是云南、四川等。研究结果可为西南地区有效预防森林火灾特别是重大、特大森林火灾提供一定参考。     

口蹄疫病毒通用型和A型二重实时荧光RT-PCR检测方法的建立

为建立一种快速、敏感、特异的口蹄疫病毒(Foot-and-mouth disease virus,FMDV)分型鉴别诊断实时荧光RT-PCR(Fluorescence quantitative,FQ-PCR)检测方法,根据O、A、AsiaⅠ三种血清型FMDV保守基因序列,设计能够检测到FMDV的特异性通用检测引物和A型检测引物,以及不同荧光素标记的MGB探针。通过对PCR反应体系和反应条件的优化筛选,建立了FMDV通用型和A型二重实时荧光RT-PCR检测方法,并对该方法进行了特异性、敏感性、重复性试验;利用所建立的方法,对123份疑似FMDV感染的临床样品进行了检测。结果显示,建立的FMDV通用型、A型二重实时荧光RT-PCR检测方法在10~1～10~7拷贝/μL模板范围内有很好的线性关系;对pGEM-T/FMDV-T和pGEM-T/FMDV-A重组质粒出现阳性扩增信号,但对正常细胞培养物对照和其他7种病原对照未扩增出特异性曲线;自123份疑似FMDV感染样品中,检出10份FMDV-T阳性,6份FMDV-T/FMDV-A双阳性并且与基因测序结果一致。结果表明,本研究建立的FMDV通用型、A型二重实时荧光RT-PCR检测方法重复性好、敏感性高、特异性强,最低检测模板浓度为10拷贝/μL,可用于FMDV的快速分型检测,为FMDV的早期检测及临床诊断提供了新方法。     

Phosphorus-use efficiency of kale genotypes from coastal Croatia

Understanding the mechanisms of phosphorus (P)-use efficiency (PUE) may contribute to enhancing crop P nutrition because species growth variability at low-P is well known. The experiment was carried out to evaluate the response of kale genotypes to different P supply in randomized block design in three replications. Low-P supply led to a decrease in most parameters, whereas an increase was recorded in root growth parameters. Genotypes differed in shoot dry weight (DW), leaf area, root length and area, and shoot and root P content and concentration. Root traits significantly positively correlated with PUE. Genotypes Red Russian (RR) and IJK 17 were superior in terms of shoot DW production at low P supply, and had the highest uptake efficiency. Genotypes IJK 17 and 81 had the highest P utilization efficiency, while Vates blue curled (VBC) showed the lowest PUE. Genotypes had similar shoot P content and concentration at low P supply, but large PUE differences, implying the importance of P utilization efficiency.     

Structure of the eukaryotic thiamine pyrophosphate riboswitch with its regulatory ligand

Riboswitches are untranslated regions of messenger RNA, which adopt alternate structures depending on the binding of specific metabolites. Such conformational switching regulates the expression of proteins involved in the biosynthesis of riboswitch substrates. Here, we present the 2.9 angstrom-resolution crystal structure of the eukaryotic Arabidopsis thaliana thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP)-specific riboswitch in complex with its natural ligand. The riboswitch specifically recognizes the TPP via conserved residues located within two highly distorted parallel "sensor" helices. The structure provides the basis for understanding the reorganization of the riboswitch fold upon TPP binding and explains the mechanism of resistance to the antibiotic pyrithiamine.