Invertase activity limits grain yield of maize under salt stress

Salt stress reduces grain yield of maize (Zea mays L.) due to poor kernel setting but not due to decreased grain filling. In the present study, it was tested whether acid invertase activity is decreased in developing kernels of maize under salt stress, and if assimilate supply is limited. The relatively salt‐sensitive maize hybrid Pioneer 3906 was compared with the more salt‐resistant hybrid SR 12. Salt stress caused a significant decrease in grain yield which was due to a 50% decrease in kernel number. No source limitation was observed, as the sucrose concentrations in kernels were significantly increased under salt stress for both genotypes. In contrast, glucose and fructose concentrations in kernels were significantly decreased. Salt stress caused a significant inhibition of soluble acid invertase activity to 19% in hydroponics 5 d after pollination (5 DAP) and to 50% in the soil culture experiment (2 DAP). The decrease in enzyme activity was the same for both genotypes. In the soil experiment, the highest soluble acid invertase activity was found 2 DAP with a steep decline until 8 DAP in Pioneer 3906. It is concluded that a decrease in acid invertase activity is a key factor associated with limited kernel setting under salt stress but additional factors may be responsible for genotypic differences.     

日粮中添加不同锰、锌源对肉鸡生长性能及免疫机能的影响

将216只1日龄健康艾维茵肉鸡随机分为4个处理组,试验期7周。处理组日粮分别在锰含量为37.66mg/kg、锌含量为21.87mg/kg的基础日粮中添加不同的锰源与不同的锌源,其中处理1组为无机锰 无机锌,处理2组为有机锰 无机锌,处理3组为无机锰 有机锰 无机锌,处理4组为无机锰 有机锰 无机锌 有机锌,研究不同锰、锌源对肉鸡生长性能及免疫机能的影响。结果表明,氨基酸螯合锰部分或全部替代日粮中的无机锰,肉鸡生长速度及饲料转化效率有增加的趋势,氨基酸螯合锰、锌同时替代无机锰、锌,肉鸡的生长速度显著增加(p<0.05),饲料转化率也有增加的趋势。氨基酸螯合锰、锌与无机锰、锌相比,有促进机体免疫机能的趋势。     

Lunar rivers

Mature meanders in lunar sinuous rills strongly suggests that the rills are features of surface erosion by water. Such erosion could occur under a pressurizing ice cover in the absence of a lunar atmosphere. Water, outgassed from the lunar interior and trapped beneath a layer of permafrost, could be released by a meteoritic impact and overflow the crater to form an ice-covered river. A sinuous rill could be eroded in about 100 years.     

Evidence of a global magma ocean in Io's interior

Extensive volcanism and high-temperature lavas hint at a global magma reservoir in Io, but no direct evidence has been available. We exploited Jupiter's rotating magnetic field as a sounding signal and show that the magnetometer data collected by the Galileo spacecraft near Io provide evidence of electromagnetic induction from a global conducting layer. We demonstrate that a completely solid mantle provides insufficient response to explain the magnetometer observations, but a global subsurface magma layer with a thickness of over 50 kilometers and a rock melt fraction of 20% or more is fully consistent with the observations. We also place a stronger upper limit of about 110 nanoteslas (surface equatorial field) on the dynamo dipolar field generated inside Io.     

Rotation of the sun

Dicke has interpreted his recent measurement of the sun's oblateness as implying a fast (1.8-day period) rotation of the solar radiative interior. We find that differentially rotating solar models, such as the one proposed by Dicke, are unstable. The rate of turbulent diffusion in the unstable regions of these models is so rapid that it appears to preclude a fast spinning solar interior. As a corollary of the stability analysis, we conclude that the loss of a significant fraction of a star's angular momentum must be accomnpanied by the mixing of material below its convective zone. Such mixing inevitably leads to the depletion of lithium in the star's photosphere.     

Comparison of three methods for the detection of Potato virus Y in seed potato certification

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Potato virus Y (PVY) is becoming increasingly important in potato growing regions worldwide. The main reason for this is an increase in the incidence of...