Nutritional,chemical and molecular characterisation of Moringa oleifera Lam. and Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori genotypes

This work aimed to characterise Moringa oleifera (Mo) and Moringa peregrina (Mp), grown in Saudi Arabia, based on nutritional and molecular markers. Seven genotypes per species were evaluated using 1-year-old trees. The nutritional characterisation included chlorophyll, protein, macronutrients, micronutrients, and heavy metals. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) was applied using nine primers for genetic characterisation. Significant differences in nutritional content were found between the two species and among the genotypes of each species. Mp had more chlorophyll content, however Mo contained higher protein, Fe and Zn. Correlations among nutritional characteristics allowed representative classification of genotypes based on these pertinent indicators only. Cluster analysis separated the genotypes of each species in independent group, but three Mo genotypes and two Mp genotypes were distinguished for their variability in nutritional properties. Most Mo genotypes amplified the nine SSR primers, however 6/9 primers only produced bands in Mp genotypes. The number of amplified primers per Mp genotype varied from zero to six. A strong relationship was found between nutritional and molecular classifications of genotypes. The efficient classification based on four chemical characteristics could be beneficial for Moringa evaluation. The correlation between genetic and nutritional variability could serve in improving Moringa and identifying genetic criteria.     

Bamboo resources of Sikkim Himalaya: diversity,distribution and utilization

We recorded 8 genera and over 30 species of bamboo in Sikkim of the reported 23 genera and 125 species in India. Thirty percent of bamboo species were recorded in tropical forests(0–900 m), 40% of species in sub-tropical forests(900–1,800 m), 17% of species in temperate forests(1,800–2,700 m), 9% of species in sub-alpine forests(2,700–3,500 m) and 4% of species in alpine vegetation(3,500–4,500 m). Bamboo is used for various purposes and its versatility qualifies it to be a multiple-use alternative to timber, food for villagers and for tribal in particular. Bamboo is also equally important to Red Panda(Ailurus fulgens), the state animal of Sikkim. We develop a list of bamboos occurring in Sikkim with their vernacular names, distributions and uses in the Himalayan state. However, more extensive study is required to fully describe the bamboo diversity of the Himalayan state.     

不同土地利用类型土壤入渗性能及其影响因素研究

土壤入渗性能是土壤侵蚀研究的热点内容,其值受土壤理化性质的影响较大。为了准确测得紫色土区不同土地利用类型土壤入渗性能,采用一种新方法——点源入渗法对其进行测定,并对不同土地利用类型土壤入渗性能与其理化性质进行了相关性分析。结果表明:(1)不同土地利用类型土壤理化性质差异性较大,土壤初始含水率、非毛管孔隙度、毛管孔隙度、0.25mm团聚体含量和有机质含量基本上是表层土大于下层土;(2)不同土地利用类型土壤入渗性能差异较大,初渗速率和平均入渗率大小基本表现为林地坡耕地草地,稳渗速率则为坡耕地林地草地,达到稳渗时间为坡耕地林地草地;(3)初渗速率与湿筛MWD值和结构破坏率呈显著正相关,与毛管孔隙度呈显著负相关;(4)稳渗速率与非毛管孔隙度呈显著正相关,与容重呈显著负相关;(5)平均入渗率与非毛管孔隙度和结构破坏率呈正相关,其相关系数较大,与土壤容重和毛管孔隙度呈负相关,其相关系数绝对值较大。本研究可为紫色土区土壤入渗的研究提供理论依据。     

土地利用对土壤线虫营养类群垂直分布和季节变化的影响

A field investigation was conducted at the Shenyang Experimental Station of Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in an aquic brown soil of Northeast China under three land use types （cropland, abandoned cropland, and woodland） in order to evaluate whether the vertical distribution and seasonal fluctuation for the number of total nematodes and trophic groups could reflect soil ecosystem differences and to determine the relationships between soil chemical properties and soil nematodes. The majority of soil nematodes were present in the 0-20 cm soil layers, and for these land use types plant parasites were the most abundant trophic group. In the abandoned cropland the numbers of plant parasites reached a peak on the August sampling date, whereas the cropland and woodland peaked on the October sampling date. Meanwhile, in all land use types the number of total nematodes, bacterivores, plant parasites, and omnivores-predators was negatively （P 〈 0.05, except for bacterivores in cropland, which was not significant） correlated with bulk density, and positively （P 〈 0.05, except for fungivores in abandoned cropland, which was not significant） correlated with total organic carbon and total nitrogen.     

Soil classification and salinity mapping for determining restoration potential of cropped riparian areas

Restoration and management of riparian areas have recently become important issues. Soil and salinity surveys are required before planning restoration activities and land‐uses if the riparian area is salt‐affected. In this study, we characterise the soils and salinity conditions of a riparian area that underwent irrigated agriculture with significant soil salinisation, to assess the general site suitability for riparian restoration and potential land‐uses. Throughout the area, 19 profiles were described and classified and 95 soil samples were collected for their chemical and physical characterisation. The salinity of the 35‐ha presumably salt‐affected area was analysed by reading the bulk soil electrical conductivity (ECa) with the hand‐held electromagnetic‐induction sensor Geonics‐EM38 at 558 locations and by measuring the electrical conductivity of the saturation extract (ECe) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of 60 soil samples collected at 30 of those locations. The regression of ECe on EM readings predicted ECe with R² > 0·92 at the 0–100 cm soil depth. The geo‐referenced soil classification (three soil units were established) and salinity maps identified the soil constraints for the area's restoration potential. The major limiting soil factors were soil salinity, sodicity and waterlogging in the southern half of the soil unit #3, and soil compaction in most of the area. The value of those limiting factors, along with differences in soil texture, as a means of assessing restoration potential of riparian vegetation and for identifying suitable land‐uses for the three soil units was discussed. Agro‐forestry, planned grazing, recreational and educational land‐uses are possible for the site. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characteristics of Marine Biomaterials and Their Applications in Biomedicine

Oceans have vast potential to develop high-value bioactive substances and biomaterials. In the past decades, many biomaterials have come from marine organisms, but due to the wide variety of organisms living in the oceans, the great diversity of marine-derived materials remains explored. The marine biomaterials that have been found and studied have excellent biological activity, unique chemical structure, good biocompatibility, low toxicity, and suitable degradation, and can be used as attractive tissue material engineering and regenerative medicine applications. In this review, we give an overview of the extraction and processing methods and chemical and biological characteristics of common marine polysaccharides and proteins. This review also briefly explains their important applications in anticancer, antiviral, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and other fields.     

中华钙果研究现状概述

为全面、系统了解中华钙果的特性及研究现状,从中华钙果的主要用途、品种培育、果实特性、栽培技术及产品深加工等方面对目前已有的研究进行归纳总结.目前的研究中还存在苗木品质不高,影响成活率及果品质量;苗木种植和产品后续加工不能配套跟进,种植风险大、产品附加值不能充分发挥;消费者认知程度不够等问题.今后需加强规模化繁育、生物制...