In vitro callogenesis and detection of somaclonal variations in Plantago ovata L.

Planago ovata L. is an economically important species in the monotypic genus Plantago. It is a short-stemmed annual herb. The seed husk of this plant is commonly called psyllium or isabgol which is important in pharmaceutical formulation and food industry. In this study, callus induction was optimized using different explants of Plantago ovata. Callus DNA was utilized to access the somaclonal variations using the Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The maximum callus growth was observed in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 4 mg L^?1 2,4-D concentration for shoots, 0.5 mg L^?1 for seeds and 2 mg L^?1 for roots. Moreover, the effect of culture age was considered in assessing genetic variability. Maximum genetic variability was observed in the DNA samples of callus at the concentration of 2 mg L^?1 2,4-D for all explants (roots, shoots, and seeds). Cluster analysis was performed based on 1) similarity coefficient between samples and 2) molecular data using the Numerical Taxonomy and Multivariate Analysis System (NTSYS) PC version 2.01; similarity index was generated by similarity for Quantitative Data (SIMQUAL). Our study indicated that Random Amplified Polymorphic DNAs can successfully be used to explore polymorphism among callus samples at different hormonal concentrations. This study can be useful for the production of callus from Plantago ovata and estimation of genetic variations due to tissue culture conditions. Evaluation of genetic variations can display novel features and manipulate genetic bottlenecks in Plantago ovata. New genetic variations in somaclones can bring vital insight for plant improvement.     

基于PMF模型的准东煤矿周围土壤重金属污染及来源解析

为了解准东煤矿区周围土壤的污染状况及来源,在准东露天矿区采集47个表层土壤样本,测定其中Zn、Cu、Pb、Cr、Hg和As 6种重金属元素的含量。运用统计学方法、地累计指数(geoaccumulation index,I_(geo))和潜在风险指数(potential ecological risk index,PER)对研究区土壤重金属污染程度和生态风险态势进行评价,采用正矩阵分解模型(positive matrix factorization,PMF)解析重金属污染源。结果表明:1)研究区土壤Zn、Cu、Pb、Cr、Hg和As含量均超出新疆土壤环境质量背景值,超标率分别为2.1%、14.9%、4.3%、68.1%、68.1%和95.8%,其中As含量的均值分别超过国家土壤质量Ⅰ级和Ⅱ级标准(GB15618-1995)的2.1和1.3倍;2)Hg的地累积指数和潜在生态风险指数呈极高污染和高风险态势,Zn、Cu和Pb处于未污染和低风险状态。研究区综合潜在生态风险指数介于50.09～1 038.47之间,差异明显,均值为180.22,21%和11%土壤采样点呈现出较高和高风险水平;3)PMF模型结果显示:研究区土壤Hg主要受到燃煤活动的影响;Pb的积累主要与交通运输有关,As的积累主要与大气沉降和工业排放有关,工业排放是Cr的主要污染源,Zn和Cu的积累主要与土壤成土母质等自然因素有关。燃煤、交通运输、大气降尘、工业排放和自然因素5种来源的贡献率分别为20.79%,16.83%,16.83%和27.72%和17.82%。     

Growth-related changes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes grown under salinity stress

The sensitivity of crop genotypes determines the level of growth reduction by salinity. Effect of salinity levels (7.5 and 15 dihydrate m^?1) using completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications per treatment were compared on germination, chlorophyll content, water potential, ionic sodium and potassium (Na⁺, K⁺) balance, and other growth-related parameters of six wheat genotypes for varietal differences under long-term salinity stress. Chlorophyll contents at flowering stage and yield aspects at maturity of all the wheat genotypes decreased with increasing salinity. The maximum Na⁺ concentration was observed at 7.5 and 15 dS m^?1 in Bhakhar and Saher-2000, respectively, while minimum Na⁺ concentration was observed for 9476. However, the maximum K⁺ concentration and water potential was noticed in 9476 at 7.5 dS m^?1. Careful selection of salt-tolerant genotypes for field crops is an important perspective especially in the developing countries facing salinity problem. Our results revealed that the wheat genotype 9476 performed best regarding growth and physiological parameters compared to other wheat genotypes.     

Influence of sumac (Rhus Coriaria L.) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) on egg yolk fatty acid,cholesterol and blood parameters in laying hens

The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential effect of different levels of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) seed powder and ginger (Zingiber officinale) root powder on egg yolk fatty acid composition, blood/yolk cholesterol in laying hen. A total of 63 (ATAK‐S: Domestic Turkish Laying Hens) laying hens (average weight: 1470 g each hen, 25‐weeks of age) were assigned to seven treatment diets including sumac seed (S) and ginger root powder (G) at 0 g/kg (control), 10 g/kg (S1), 20 g/kg (S2), and 30 g/kg (S3); 10 g/kg (G1), 20 g/kg (G2), or 30 g/kg in rations respectively, for 8 weeks. After a two‐week adaptation period to cages, the hens were allocated to 7 groups with 9 replicates of 1 hen in per cage each. The replications were allotted equally into the upper and lower cages to minimize the effects of cage level. In this study, egg yolk cholesterol had a decrease (p <0.05) in supplemented diet( sumac seed and ginger root powder). Fatty acid content in yolk; saturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids and rate of n6/n3 were not significant (p <0.05). However, dietary supplementation with sumac and ginger powder reduced and yolk/blood cholesterol concentrations in laying hens. Supplementation of sumac and ginger affected on HDL, there was found a significant effect (p < 0.05) in treatment groups. Moreover, LDL positively decreased in all treatment groups compared with the control group. The findings of this study suggested that feeding sumac and ginger tend to be decreasing cholesterol levels in both yolk and blood on laying hens. It can be concluded that ginger root and sumac seed powder can be used as an effective feed additive to improve fatty acid composition and yolk and blood cholesterol in ATAK‐S laying hens.