Regeneration of adventitious shoots from mature stored cotyledons of Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lind1)

Adventitious shoot regeneration from mature stored cotyledons of Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lind1) was achieved in vitro. The influences of the presence and absence of the light, different concentrations of thidiazuron (TDZ) and benzyladenine (BA) in the culture media, TDZ pretreatments and different basal salts on shoot regeneration were evaluated. TDZ was more effective in inducing shoot regeneration from mature stored cotyledons than BA. Dark incubation significantly increased the regeneration frequencies. Quoirin/Lepoivre (QL) basal salts stimulated shoot regeneration more than woody plant (WPM) or B5 salts did. The frequency of adventitious shoot formation varied among the varieties and the regeneration ability appeared to be genotype depended. The frequency of regeneration under the optimum tested conditions for ‘Bruce’, ‘Shiro’, ‘Redheart’, ‘Gladstone’ and ‘Early Golden’ cotyledons were 66.7%, 46.7%, 43.3%, 26.7% and 6.7%, respectively.     

Identification of QTLs related to sugar and organic acid composition in melon using near-isogenic lines

The soluble sugar and organic acid composition of melon (Cucumis melo L.) fruit flesh has become a major focus of plant breeding worldwide in an attempt to improve taste. Thus, sugar and organic acid profiles were characterized using near-isogenic lines (NILs) derived from the Spanish cultivar Piel de Sapo (PS) and the exotic Korean accession Shongwan Charmi (PI 161375). Fruits were cultivated in only one environment. These data were used to map 60 quantitative trait loci (QTLs): 18 for individual sugars, eight for sucrose equivalents, five for the glucose-to-fructose ratio, seven for the total sugar content and 21 for organic acids. Within the QTLs that were associated with the sugar profile, 27 defined the sugar content: eight for fructose, six for glucose, four for sucrose, and nine for sucrose equivalents. Although increased sweetness of selected NILs compared with the parental PS was achieved by an increased glucose or fructose content, only glucose heritability was above 0.5. A total of 21 QTLs (two with positive effects and nineteen with detrimental effects compared with the PS levels) controlled the organic acid profile: l-glutamic, ascorbic and succinic acids (the principal ones) and fumaric, citric, oxalacetic, and isocitric acids. The levels of sugars imparted by the PI 161375 introgression frequently decreased the score grades given to NILs by consumers. Within the 32 QTLs mapped for sensory traits, 27 were associated with lower scores in taste (nine QTLs), sweetness (eight QTLs) or global quality appreciation (nine QTLs); two with increased fruit sourness or sweetness and three with increased fruit bitterness. The QTLs defined herein may assist breeders to understand the overall organoleptic balance (sweetness, sourness, and umami taste) in melon fruit, particularly those located within linkage groups III, V, VI, and VIII to XI.     

Flower yield performance and stability of various Rosa damascena Mill. landraces under different ecological conditions

The flower yield stability of Damask rose as an important medicinal and aromatic plant at different environments has not been well documented. In order to evaluate flower yield and stability, 35 landraces of Damask rose were studied at 8 locations in Iran during 2007–2008. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) among landraces (G), environments (E), locations (L) and for landrace × environment (GE) and landrace × location (GL) interactions. Both GE and GL interactions were mainly crossover, a large portion of which was accounted for by non-linear (unpredictable) component. The landraces of IS9, YZ2, WA1, IS7 and IS1 with 3120.63, 2941.63, 2894.62, 2769.15 and 2716.92 kg/ha respectively produced the highest flower yield among studied landraces. Kerman with average flower yield of 3635.46 kg/ha produced the highest yield among studied locations. According to the results, most of landraces that originated from temperate, warm temperate and arid regions produced higher flower yield than those from cool, cool temperate, semi-arid and humid regions. The landraces of YZ2, IS5, IS8, IS4, KZ1, AR1_, IS3 and BA1 were stable and YZ2, IS5, IS8, IS4, KZ1, AR1 IS6, IS3, BA1, IS10 and YZ1 were adaptable landraces for flower yield according to Eberhart and Russell (1966) model. The presence of some high flower yield and stable landraces such as YZ2 and IS5 suggests that a genotype can demonstrate high flower yield and stability for yield simultaneously. Thus, simultaneous selection for flower yield and stability using nonparametric methods could be possible. In addition, taking into consideration flower yield and stability potential, the landraces of YZ2, IS5, IS8, IS4 and KZ1 as general stable, adaptable, and high flower yield are recommended. Furthermore, the landraces of IS9 and WA1 as high flower yield and specific adaptable landraces can be recommended for temperate and arid areas and the landraces of IS7 and IS1 for semitemperate and cool areas.     

A SCAR marker linked to the N gene for resistance to root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

The root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are important nematode pests and cause serious diseases in pepper in the world. No molecular markers linked to the nematodes resistance N gene have been reported. In this paper, ‘Carolina Wonder’ (Capsicum annuum L.), a sweet pepper line resistant to root-knot nematode with N gene, ‘20080-5-29’ (C. annuum L.), an inbred line susceptible to root-knot nematode with good horticultural characteristics, and their F₂ progeny with 320 individuals were used as materials. Evaluation of resistance and susceptibility of parental lines, F₁ and F₂ progeny inoculated with root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) were carried out. ‘Bulked segregant analysis’ method was used to search for polymorphic markers from 512 pairs of AFLP primers. Based on the assessment of resistance and susceptibility and polymorphism of the AFLP marker in F₂ population, the genetic linkage distance between the AFLP marker and the N gene was estimated. One AFLP marker E39/M41-339 was obtained and transferred to a SCAR marker amplifying a 315 bp DNA fragment linked to the N resistant allele and a 331 bp fragment linked to the N⁺ susceptible allele. The distance between the molecular marker and the nematodes resistance N gene is 6.3 cM. This research delivered a valuable tool for the marker assisted selection of nematodes resistance in pepper.     

Polyamines enhance chilling tolerance of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) through modulating antioxidative system

Cucumber chilling-resistant cultivar Changchun mici and -sensitive cultivar Beijing jietou were used in this study to investigate the effects of exogenous PAs on protection against chilling injury as well as on changes of physiological features, and the fluctuation of free PAs content in the leaves under chilling stress. Upon chilling treatment, free spermidine (Spd), spermine (Spm) and putrescine (Put) were remarkably induced in the leaves of cv. Changchun mici 1 day after treatment. The induction of Put declined thereafter, whereas Spd and Spm levels increased steadily. In the leaves of cv. Beijing jietou, Put content was increased only at 1 day after chilling while Spd content decreased significantly upon chilling treatment. Chilling reduced soluble protein content, and decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxidase dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) only in Beijing jietou. However, these changes could be renovated by exogenous application of Put and Spd. It was also found that pretreatment with Put and Spd diminished the increased electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) content caused by chilling in the leaves of both cultivars. Pretreatment of methyglyoxal-bis-(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG), the PAs biosynthetic inhibitor cancelled the effects of PAs in most of the treatments. Moreover, histochemical staining and quantitative measurements showed that exogenous application of Put and Spd eliminated but MGBG exaggerated the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation caused by chilling stress, especially in leaves of Beijing jietou. Interestingly, Changchun mici was found to contain higher endogenous free PAs contents compared to Beijing jietou. While no significant difference of SOD, POD and CAT activities was found between non-chilling Changchun mici and Beijing jietou seedlings, the former exhibited higher APX activity than the latter. These results suggest that PAs play important roles in the tolerance of cucumber against chilling stress, which is most likely achieved by acting as oxidative machinery against chilling injury.     

Enhanced micropropagation of Dendrobium huoshanense C.Z. Tang et S.J. Cheng through protocorm-like bodies: The effects of cytokinins,carbohydrate sources and cold pretreatment

The effects of cytokinins, carbohydrate sources and cold pretreatment on the conversion of protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) to shoots were investigated for the enhancement of micropropagation of Dendrobium huoshanense C.Z. Tang et S.J. Cheng, an endangered medicinal plant in China. The effects of cytokinins and carbohydrate sources on the conversion of PLBs to shoots depended on their types and concentrations. The best results in terms of shoot development from PLBs occurred on 1/2 MS medium supplemented with 20 μM kinetin and 10 g l⁻¹ maltose. Cold pretreatment at 10 °C for 1–2 weeks significantly enhanced the conversion of PLBs to shoots, and over 1300 shoots were obtained from one gram of PLBs after 3 months of culture. The developed shoots were rooted on growth regulator-free MS medium supplemented with 8 g/l banana paste to give complete plantlets, which were successfully acclimatized with a survival rate of approximately 65%. The results indicate that a suitable cold pretreatment (10 °C for 1 week) followed by the use of 20 μM kinetin and 10 g/l maltose in 1/2 MS medium would produce a large number of shoots from PLBs for plantlet regeneration of D. huoshanense.     

Floral induction (FI) in longan (Dimocarpus longan, Lour.) trees. III: Effect of shading the trees on potassium chlorate induced FI and resulting hormonal changes in leaves and shoots

Previous experiments demonstrated that treatment of longan trees with potassium chlorate (KClO₃) induces “off season floral induction” (FI) even in the absence of the naturally required cool temperature [Manochai, P., Sruamsiri, P., Wiriya-alongkorn, W., Naphrom, D., Hegele, M., Bangerth, F., 2005. Year around off season flower induction in longan (Dimocarpus longan, Lour.) trees by KClO₃ applications: potentials and problems. Sci. Hortic. 104, 379–390]. Potassium chlorate, however, cannot replace the presence of functional mature leaves and sufficient light intensity. Here we examined in more detail the effect of shade (about 10% of natural sunlight) on KClO₃ affected hormone concentrations/transport of leaves and shoot apical buds (SAB) and their interactions with FI.     

ISTR在部分柿属植物种质鉴定和亲缘关系分析中的应用

 利用反向序列标签重复技术( inverse sequence-tagged repeat, ISTR) , 对柿属7个种, 包括柿(Diospyros kaki Thunb. ) 、君迁子(D. lotus L. ) 、浙江柿(D. glaucifolia Metc. ) 、油柿(D. oleifera Cheng. ) 、金枣柿(D. sp. ) 、老鸦柿(D. rhombifolia Hemsl. ) 和美洲柿(D. virginiana L. ) 共32个基因型进行了种质鉴定和亲缘关系研究。结果表明: ISTR可区分供试柿属植物中的30份; ISTR能够很好地适用于柿属植物亲缘关系分析; 供试的中国与日本原产柿种质分别聚类; 新发现的中国甜柿变异类型与日本甜柿的亲缘关系较远且存在较丰富的遗传变异, 可能是潜在的育种资源。ISTR标记可在柿属植物种质资源鉴定和亲缘关系分析中更广泛地应用。     

月季RcHSP17.8 基因表达提高大肠杆菌对非生物胁迫的耐性

 月季RcHSP1718为编码小分子热激蛋白基因, Southern检测其在月季基因组中为多拷贝存在。38 ℃/3 h热激处理后, 该基因在耐热月季品种‘曼海姆宫殿’ ( Schloss Mannieim) 、‘彩虹’ (Radio) 、‘赌城’ (Las Vegas) 、‘梅郎随想曲’ (Caprice de Meiland) 、‘小女孩’ ( Girl) 中强表达, 而在不耐热品种‘新十全’ (Kordes’Perfecta) 、‘绯扇’ (Hiogi) 、‘莱茵黄金’ ( Pfalzer Gold) 中弱表达或不表达, 表明该基因与月季耐热性关系密切。为确定月季RcHSP1718基因功能, 将其转化E.coli BL21, 结果表明重组菌株能正常诱导表达包含RcHSP17.8的融合蛋白, 并因此提高了重组菌株对高温、低温、高盐、高pH、重金属、氧化等非生物胁迫的耐性, 表明RcHSP17.8参与了上述非生物胁迫的响应。