P and N deficiency change the relative abundance and function of rhizosphere microorganisms during cluster root development of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.)

We studied microbe-plant interactions of white lupin, a cluster root-forming plant, under low P and N conditions to examine increased nutrient acquisition by plants either by a shift to a more specialized microbial community or changes in microbial enzyme production. White lupin plants were grown in rhizoboxes filled with either P- or N-deficient soil; fertilized soil was used as control. After cultivation of plants in a glasshouse for 41 d, plant growth (shoot and roots) and P and N accumulation in shoots were measured. Microbial functions were analyzed by P- and N-cycling enzymes. The microbial community structure was estimated by fingerprinting (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) and sequencing techniques. P deficiency induced the released citrate and acid phosphomonoesterases from cluster roots and stimulated the production of microbe-derived alkaline phosphomonoesterase in the rhizosphere. P deficiency decreased microbial diversity in the cluster root rhizosphere. Increased relative abundance of Burkholderiales in the rhizosphere of P deficient plants might be responsible for the degradation of different organic P fractions such as phytates. N deficiency induced an increase of the number of nodules and P concentration in shoot as well as roots of white lupin. We clarified that high release of citrate from cluster roots might be the preferred mechanisms to meet the P demand of nodulated plants under N deficiency. In addition, the high abundance of Rhizobiales and Rhodospirillales in the rhizosphere of cluster roots showed that the importance of N-fixing microorganisms under N deficiency. The contribution of rhizosphere microorganisms due to similar activities of N-cycling enzymes under the two different N treatments is less important for N nutrition of plants. Further understanding of the regulation of cluster roots under N-deficiency will provide new information on the interactions between P and N nutrition.     

白羽扇豆缺磷胁迫下miR399与磷响应基因的表达及关系

通过microRNA(miRNA)基因芯片及RT-PCR研究了白羽扇豆在缺磷胁迫下miR399与磷响应基因的表达变化。结果表明:缺磷处理后根系生物量显著高于供磷处理,但地上部生物量降低,并且植株体内磷含量明显减少。基因芯片结果表明,缺磷白羽扇豆根、茎和叶中分别有10、7和3个不同成员的miR399s表达上调,平均上调倍数分别为4.4,3.8和2.5。6个磷响应基因LaATPase、LaPT1、LaMATE、La-PEPC3、LaSAP和LaMDH1在缺磷排根中的表达均高于供磷侧根,启动子序列分析表明LaPT1和LaMATE启动子区域有与PHR1或WRKY转录因子结合的磷响应元件。在此基础上得出有关miR399,PHR1与这些受缺磷诱导的基因之间的调控关系。研究表明,miR399和磷响应基因对白羽扇豆适应缺磷环境起着重要作用。     

An allelic series at the Co-1 locus conditioning resistance to anthracnose in common bean of Andean origin

In this study, we characterized the genetic resistance of the Andean bean cultivars Kaboon and Perry Marrow and their relation to other sources of anthracnose resistance in common bean. Based on the segregation ratio (3R:1S) observed in two F₂ populations we demonstrated that Kaboon carries one major dominant gene conferring resistance to races 7 and 73 of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. This gene in Kaboon is independent from the Co-2 gene and is an allele of the Co-1 gene present in Michigan Dark Red Kidney (MDRK) cultivar. Therefore, we propose the symbol CO-1 ² for the major dominant gene in Kaboon. The Co-1 is the only gene of Andean origin among the Co anthracnose resistance genes characterized in common bean. When inoculated with the less virulent Andean race 5, the segregation ratio in the F₂ progeny of Cardinal and Kaboon was 57R:7S (p = 0.38). These data indicate that Kaboon must possess other weaker dominant resistance genes with a complementary mode of action, since Cardinal is not known to possess genes for anthracnose resistance. Perry Marrow, a second Andean cultivar with resistance to a different group of races, was shown to possess another resistant allele at the Co-1 locus and the gene symbol Co-1 ³ was assigned. In R × R crosses between Perry Marrow and MDRK or Kaboon, no susceptible F₂ plants were found when inoculated with race 73. These findings support the presence of a multiple allelic series at the Andean Co-1 locus, and have major implications in breeding for durable anthracnose resistance in common bean. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A rapid screening method for good root-penetration ability: Comparison of species with very different root morphology

The restoration of the physical structure of soil by plant roots depends on the ability of roots to penetrate strong soil. The sensitivity of root growth to mechanical impedance can be considered as a possible screen for species suitable as ‘biological subsoilers’. The ability of roots to penetrate hard wax layers in sand cores has recently been identified as a useful tool for identifying rice varieties that are good at penetrating strong soil, and this method provides the possibility of a rapid laboratory screen which can be used to identify other species with the same characteristic. However, comparing plants with very different root anatomy may be more difficult than comparing the performance of root systems that are essentially similar, except for the number and length of roots, as is the case with rice. In this paper, we compare the penetration of roots of barley, chicory, lupin, red clover and lucerne through soft and hard wax layers installed at 50 mm depth in sand columns. Barley had the lowest fraction of roots that penetrated the hard wax layer, although it had a higher absolute number of roots penetrating the hard wax than the other species. The numbers of chicory, lupin, red clover and lucerne roots penetrating the hard wax layer were similar, although lucerne had the highest number. The proportion of roots penetrating the hard layer as a proportion of those penetrating the soft layer was highest for lucerne. Comparison with previous data for barley and lucerne supports the use of the wax layer screen for identifying species with good root penetration.     

Post‐fallow tillage and crop effects on soil enzymes and other indicators

Soil changes induced by crop rotations and soil management need to be quantified to clarify their impact on yield and soil quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of continuous oat (Avena sativa L.) and a lupin (Lupinus albus L.)‐oat rotation with and without tillage on soil enzymes, crop biomass and other soil properties In year 1, oat and lupin were grown in undisturbed plots or in plots subjected to disc tillage. Crop residues were incorporated before oat was sown in year 2 in the disc‐tilled plots or remained on the soil surface of untilled plots. Soil samples were collected regularly and analysed for pH, organic C, Kjeldahl‐N, mineral N, extractable P, and the enzyme activities of β‐glucosidase, cellulases, acid phosphatase, proteases, urease, and culturable bacteria and fungi. The main crop and tillage effects on soil parameters were: β‐glucosidase activity was greater after lupin than after oat, and the opposite was true for the number of culturable fungi. Organic carbon, phosphatase, cellulase and protease were greater in tilled soil than in the absence of tillage. Associations between variables that were stable over the 2 yr were those for mineral N and urease activity, cellulase activity and pH, and that of phosphatase activity and organic C. Our results contrast with most of the previous information on the effect of tillage on soil enzymes, where the activities were reported to be unchanged or decreased following tillage. This difference may be related to the small organic C content of the soil and to the fact that it was under fallow prior to the start of the experiment. In consequence, incorporation of residues would provide new sources of labile organic C for soil microbes, and result in increased enzymatic activity. The results obtained suggest that in coarse‐textured soils poor in organic matter, tillage with residue conservation after a period of fallow rapidly improves several soil characteristics and should be carried out even if it were to be followed by a no‐till system in the following years. This should be taken into consideration by land managers and technical advisers.     

Population viability and perturbation analyses in remnant populations of the Andean catfish Astroblepus ubidiai

Abstract – Astroblepus ubidiai (Actinopterygii; Siluriformes), which is the only native fish of the highlands of the Province of Imbabura, Ecuador, was abundant in the past in the Imbakucha watershed and adjacent drainages but currently it is restricted to a few isolated refuges. Population viability analysis (PVA) was used to detect critical aspects in the ecology and conservation biology of this unique fish. The annual population growth rate ( λ ) was estimated for six remnant populations of this Andean catfish using a deterministic matrix population model. Sensitivity and elasticity analyses complemented the PVA by providing constructive insights into vital rates affecting projections and extinction probabilities. Positive population growth rates were found in all the study populations. The high contributions of juvenile survival to the variance of λ and its high elasticity indicated that A. ubidiai population dynamics are highly sensitive to the transition values of this vital rate, which can promptly respond to management or antagonistic perturbations. Allowing fish to survive until the age of first reproduction and permitting the successful reproduction of these individuals will facilitate positive population growth rates, however the very small areas of occupancy, small extent of occurrence and severe fragmentation may still contribute to the extinction risk.     

APPLICATION OF INCREASING LEVELS OF ZINC TO SOIL REDUCED ACCUMULATION OF CADMIUM IN LUPIN GRAIN

Yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus L.) and narrow-leafed lupin (L. angustifolius L.) are grown as grain legumes in rotation with spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on acidic sandy soils of south-western Australia. Yellow lupin can accumulate significantly larger cadmium (Cd) concentrations in grain than narrow-leafed lupin. A glasshouse experiment was undertaken to test whether adding increasing zinc (Zn) levels to soil increased Zn uptake by yellow lupin reducing accumulation of Cd in yellow lupin grain. Two cultivars of yellow lupin (cv. ‘Motiv’ and ‘Teo’) and 1 cultivar of narrow-leafed lupin (cv. ‘Gungurru’) were used. The soil was Zn deficient for grain production of both yellow and narrow-leafed lupin, but had low levels of native soil Cd (total Cd <0.05 mg kg^?1) so 1.6 mg Cd pot^?1, as a solution of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂·H₂O), was added and mixed through the soil. Eight Zn levels (0–3.2 mg Zn pot^?1), as solutions of zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄·7H₂O), were added and evenly mixed through the soil. Yellow lupin accumulated 0.16 mg Cd kg^?1 in grain when no Zn was applied, which decreased as increasing Zn levels were applied to soil, with ～0.06 mg Cd kg^?1 in grain when the largest level of Zn (3.2 mg Zn pot^?1) was applied. Low Cd concentrations (<0.016 mg Cd kg^?1) were measured in narrow-leafed lupin grain regardless of the Zn treatment. When no Zn was applied, yellow lupin produced ～2.3 times more grain than narrow-leafed lupin, indicating yellow lupin was better at acquiring and using indigenous Zn from soil for grain production. Yellow lupin required about half as much applied Zn as narrow-leafed lupin to produce 90% of the maximum grain yield, ～0.8 mg pot^?1 Zn compared with ～1.5 mg Zn pot^?1. Zn concentration in whole shoots of young plants (eight leaf growth stage) related to 90% of the maximum grain yield (critical prognostic concentration) was (mg Zn kg^?1) 25 for both yellow lupin cultivars and 19 for the narrow-leafed lupin cultivar. Critical Zn concentration in grain related to 90% of maximum grain yield was (mg Zn kg^?1) 24 for both yellow lupin cultivars compared with 20 for the narrow-leafed lupin cultivar.     

Studies on the development of lupins for oil and protein

Summary Data on the level and composition of protein and oil in L. albus, L. angustifolius, L. luteus and L. mutabilis are presented. Correlations between a range of physiological characters and seed yield are given and the results of selected hybridisations are discussed.     

Interspecific reproductive barriers and genomic similarity among the rough-seeded Lupinus species

The nature of reproductive barriers and meiotic behaviour of chromosomes were studied in interspecific hybrids among the six rough-seeded Lupinus species. Out of 30 different interspecific crosses attempted in all possible combinations, eight produced viable F, seeds. These successful crosses involved L. cosentinii, L. digitatus, L. atlanticus and L. pilosus. Crosses of L. princei with other species resulted in shrivelled F, seed in all combinations. In contrast to previous reports, crosses of L. palaestinus with all other rough-seeded lupins were incompatible as no F₁ hybrids were obtained. Barriers to interspecific reproduction were identified as nucleo-cytoplasmic and embryo-endosperm incompatibility in unsuccessful crosses, and chromosomal imbalances in F₁ hybrids. Gene transfer is possible among L. cosentinii, L. digitatus and L. atlanticus, which produced F₂ seed. Patterns of chromosome configurations in F₁ meiotic cells suggested that these species have at least two genomes partially in common, but include inversions and translocations. The genome of L. atlanticus is closer to L. digitatus than to L. cosentinii, and that of L. pilosus is closer to L. atlanticus than to L. cosentinii. L. princei appears to have an isolated genome within the rough-seeded Lupinus species.     

Development of a PCR marker tightly linked to mollis, the gene that controls seed dormancy in Lupinus angustifolius L.

Wild plants of Lupinus angustifolius avoid extinction in a drought year by production of seeds with coats that are impermeable to water, preventing germination of a large percentage of the seed in any given year. Domesticated cultivars of this species carry the recessive gene mollis, making the seed coat permeable to water and, in turn promoting good crop establishment in the year of sowing. A dominant microsatellite‐anchored fragment length polymorphism candidate marker was identified as being tightly linked to mollis in a population of recombinant inbred lines derived from domesticated and wild‐type parents. The candidate marker was excised from the gel, amplified by PCR, sequenced and extended beyond the SSR end of the original MseI‐SSR fragment. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms were found within this extended sequence. Specific primers were designed to create a marker 209 bp long. PCR products of these primers run on a single strand conformation polymorphism gel resolved in a co‐dominant fashion. This marker will be used in marker‐assisted selection for mollis when introgressing wild material into lupin breeding programmes.