Herbicidal and fungicidal activities and identification of potential phytotoxins from Bidens pilosa L. var. radiata Scherff

This study was carried out to examine the possibility of utilizing Bidens pilosa , a weed widely distributed in the subtropics and the tropics, for weed and plant fungus control. The extract of B. pilosa shows strong phytotoxic action against the growth of Raphanus sativus and Echinochloa crus-galli and antifungal activity against phytopathogens in bioassays. The extract of the roots exhibited plant growth inhibitory activity more than those of the leaves and stems. Fifteen phenolic compounds, including pyrocatechin, salicylic acid, p -vinylguaiacol, dimethoxyphenol, eugenol, 4-ethyl-1,2-benzenediol, iso- vanillin, 2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzaldehyde, vanillin, vanillic acid, p -hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, p -coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Caffeic acid was in the highest amount among the detected substances. Dimethoxyphenol and vanillic acid were found only in the roots of B. pilosa . Ferulic acid and p -hydroxybenzoic acid were higher in the roots than in the leaves and stems. These identified constituents might be responsible for the phytotoxic and fungitoxic activities of B. pilosa.     

Simulation study of the competitive ability of erect, semi-erect and prostrate cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes

Ecophysiological simulation models provide a quantitative method to predict the effects of management practices, plant characteristics and environmental factors on crop and weed growth and competition. The INTERCOM interplant competition model was parameterised, calibrated by monoculture data for three cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes that differed in growth habit, common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and common purslane (Portulaca oleracea), and used to simulate competition of cowpea cover crops with sunflower or purslane. The simulation results were compared with observations from field competition experiments in 2003 and 2004. INTERCOM more accurately simulated actual field data for the competition of cowpea genotypes and sunflower than companion field experiments for the competition of cowpea and purslane. The validated simulation model of cowpea and sunflower at two densities was used to study the effects of cowpea growth habit on final biomass production of cowpea and sunflower. The model suggested that erect growth habit was more competitive than semi‐erect and prostrate growth habit, when cowpea genotypes were grown with sunflower. Cowpea leaf area distribution was important to higher cowpea biomass production, while cowpea height growth was important to reduce sunflower biomass. Our simulation approach is suggested as a method for crop breeders to gauge the likely success of selection for competitive crops before undertaking expensive long‐term breeding experiments.     

野生蔬菜马齿苋的研究进展

马齿苋是一种珍贵的野生蔬菜资源。它不但营养价值高 ,而且还具有多种药用功效 ,被营养专家誉为 2 1世纪最具有前途的绿色食品之一。马齿苋在中国民间的利用历史悠久 ,近年来也有许多学者开展了对其生物学特性、营养成分、药用价值、开发利用等方面的研究 ,但在分类学、引种栽培、遗传改良等方面的研究较少 ,甚至还存在空白。当务之急是必须尽快加强对马齿苋的科学研究 ,并借助于现代生物学技术对其进行遗传改良。笔者提出了对马齿苋进行遗传改良的技术思路     

根癌农杆菌介导马齿苋愈伤组织遗传转化研究

利用马齿苋的叶片诱导出愈伤组织,再以愈伤组织为受体建立了根癌农杆菌介导的遗传转化体系。结果表明:利用该转化体系得到抗性愈伤组织后,对其进行GUS组织化学染色和PCR扩增鉴定,证实为转化子,表明根癌农杆菌介导外源基因转化马齿苋的愈伤组织是完全可行的,为今后通过基因工程手段进行马齿苋的改良奠定了基础。     

仙鹤草的化学成分及抗氧化研究进展

对中药仙鹤草所含的化学成分进行了综述,总结了仙鹤草活性成分分离技术的发展和仙鹤草的抗氧化生物活性,以期为开发仙鹤草抗氧化作用的深入研究奠定基础。     

马齿苋功能饮料的研究

以马齿苋为主要原料，加入4倍重量的85～95℃的热水，在pH值为5的条件下浸提2次，每次5～10 min。过滤，冷却至25～30℃，调节pH值到6～7。过滤，加入柠檬酸、甜叶菊糖、维生素C等进行调配，得到酒红色的马齿苋独特风味的功能饮料。本产品优点在于无糖、低热值，入口清香，回味甘甜纯厚，具有马齿苋天然中药材的功能。     

薇甘菊对鬼针草种子萌发和幼苗生长的化感影响

测定了薇甘菊提取液对鬼针草种子萌发和幼苗生长的化感影响。结果表明,薇甘菊提取液处理,非入侵地鬼针草种子萌发率为52%,入侵地鬼针草种子萌发率为60%,薇甘菊对非入侵地鬼针草种子萌发的化感影响大于对入侵地鬼针草种子萌发的化感影响;薇甘菊对鬼针草幼苗总叶面积、最大量子产额和冠重没有明显的抑制作用;非入侵地处理与对照鬼针草幼苗的根重分别为23.50 g和36.92 g,入侵地处理与对照鬼针草幼苗的根重分别为22.19 g和16.53 g,薇甘菊对非入侵地鬼针草幼苗的根重的影响大于对入侵地的;入侵地鬼针草种子及幼苗对薇甘菊具有一定的化感抗性。     

Domestication of plants for sustainable agriculture in drylands: Experience from the Negev Desert

With globalization in the last century, introduction of exotic plant species for commercial use has become more accessible. Such attempts may involve extreme land changes. We stress that domestication of native species should be preferred to the introduction of exotic species. We took the initial steps in domesticating several species by examining commercial uses and studying aspects of plant physiology. The following desert plants were considered: Bassia indica, for salt phytoremediation and for livestock feed; Commiphora gileadensis, as an agent against cancer cells; Artemisia sieberi and A. judaica, as plants with allopathic traits; Ficus palmate, as a stand for fig plantation; Balanites aegyptiaca, as a medicinal plant and for other uses; Portulaca oleracea and Scorzonera judaica, as food crops with added values; and Pistacia atlantica, as rootstock for P. vera.     

画眉草研究进展

画眉草Eragrostis pilosa是重要的牧草和草坪草,世界上许多国家都对画眉草进行了系统的研究,而国内对画眉草研究的报道较少。我国对画眉草的研究起步比较晚,主要集中在种子发育、抗性方面的研究,国外对画眉草的种子发育、利用方式、栽培方式、抗旱性、施氮量对画眉草产量的影响、画眉草叶片光合特性、遗传多样性等方面都进行了系统的研究。对国内外画眉草的研究和栽培种植的现状介绍,旨在为今后我国画眉草种质资源的进一步开发、利用提供科学合理的理论指导和借鉴依据,以供国内画眉草研究工作者学习和借鉴。