Effects of Antitranspirant Spray and Potassium: Calcium: Magnesium Ratio on Photosynthesis,Nutrient and Water Uptake,Growth, and Yield of Sweet Pepper

Sweet pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.) were cultivated hydroponically under different nutrient cation ratios at both high potassium (K)/calcium (Ca) (12:2) or magnesium (Mg)/Ca (4:2) ratios, compared with half strength Hoagland's solution (K:Ca:Mg; 3.5:2:0.5). Additionally, antitranspirant (Pinolene) was sprayed every fortnight to the aerial part of the plant at 1% (v/v). The antitranspirant (AT) did not affect dry weight accumulation in the leaves, stems, roots, total plant leaf area, or leaf dry weight percentage. Net carbon dioxide (CO₂) assimilation was not impaired by the AT but the water uptake was reduced significantly independent of the nutrient solution used. The AT did not affect the cation uptake but high Mg significantly reduced Ca concentration in leaves, stems, and fruits, whilst high K had an effect only in old leaves and fruits. The AT reduced fructose and glucose concentration in the leaves but no effect was found in the fruits. Fruit yield was not affected by AT, but it was increased when plants were grown with high Mg/Ca. The percentage of blossom-end rot was reduced with the AT, whilst it was increased with the solutions having high K/Ca or high Mg/Ca. The AT significantly reduced fruit firmness in high Mg/Ca and control solution but no effect was found for fruit color, shape index, total soluble solids, or pericarp thickness.     

Variation in cold tolerance and spring growth among Italian white clover populations

Seven populations collected at different altitudes in northern Italy, two Ladino breeding populations and two control cultivars (AberHerald and Grasslands Huia) of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) were included in a series of experiments analysing: (i) levels of cold tolerance using artificial and field-based methods; (ii) relationships between these measures of cold tolerance; (iii) components of spring yield, various physiological traits, and their relationships with cold tolerance. Rates of seedling and growing point mortality in the populations over winter, assessed in separate field experiments, were closely related (r = 0.85). Grasslands Huia showed the highest death rates, and material originating from high altitudes the lowest. The LT₅₀ value, i.e., the temperature at which 50% of the growing points would die, estimated by an artificial freezing test, was significantly correlated with field-based measures of seedling (r = 0.64) and growing point (r = 0.84) mortality. The existence of these correlations is of potential interest for the development of indirect selection criteria for complex and expensive-to-evaluate traits such as winter survival in field plots. Besides being reliable, in this study the artificial assessment was also sensitive, providing a greater degree of separation of the populations means than field-based measures. Of the several physiological traits (water content,concentrations of water soluble and total non-structural carbohydrate, and water soluble protein content of stolons) measured at a mid-winter sampling date under field conditions, the only character showing significant variation between populations was soluble protein content. There was a slight trend for material with a higher protein content to exhibit greater field-based values of cold tolerance. High altitude populations tended to have low spring yields. The highest spring yield was found in one of the Ladino populations. The study identified two populations which combined, to differing extents, cold tolerance and spring yield characteristics that would be of potential use in breeding for specified agronomic/climatic zones. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

青海云杉休眠前后非结构性碳水化合物含量随海拔变化

[目的]冬季低温是决定高山林线树种能否生存的重要生态因素。休眠前后树木体内碳水化合物的变化能够反映出其安全越冬的策略。但目前高山林线树种休眠前后体内碳水化合物的变化及机理尚不清楚。为了探讨林线树种越冬期间的生存策略,[方法]本文以祁连山林线青海云杉为对象,研究了不同海拔(2 900、3 000、3 100、3 200、3 300 m)成年树枝、叶休眠前后非结构性碳水化合物含量变化,包括可溶性糖(葡萄糖和果糖)、淀粉以及糖/淀粉比值的变化。[结果]表明:(1)休眠前青海云杉当年及1年生叶在高海拔处NSC含量高于中、低海拔处NSC含量,而在枝条中高、中、低海拔间没有显著差异。(2)休眠后叶中NSC含量最高值在中海拔3 100 m处,显著高于高海拔;不同组织中NSC含量高于休眠前,叶片中尤为明显。(3)与休眠前相比,休眠后可溶性糖及淀粉含量增加,淀粉含量增加幅度显著,引起可溶性糖/淀粉比值降低。[结论]青海云杉休眠前贮存足够的碳水化合物保证越冬期间的细胞渗透调节及能量代谢,并且休眠后气温升高时叶片和枝条的NSC能够得到迅速补充,为新枝条萌发提供充足的碳源,反映了青海云杉在越冬期间的生存策略。     

低镁胁迫对马铃薯试管苗碳水化合物积累和分配的影响

以马铃薯品种"大西洋"的试管苗为材料,在5个不同镁浓度(0、188、375、750、1 500μmol·L~(-1))的MS培养基上培养,20 d后测定生理和形态指标,研究了低镁胁迫对马铃薯试管苗叶绿素含量和碳水化合物积累与分配以及根系形态建成的影响。结果表明:试管苗的总叶绿素、叶绿素a(Chla)和叶绿素b(Chlb)含量以及根冠比、总根长、根表面积、根体积和侧根数均为缺镁(0μmol·L~(-1))处理最低,分别比对照(1 500μmol·L~(-1))降低42.3%、40.8%和46.2%以及96.4%、63.9%、54.1%、82.4%和89.9%;平均根直径和Chla/Chlb值为缺镁处理最高,分别较对照增加16.7%和9%;茎叶中淀粉、蔗糖、果糖和可溶性糖含量以及根中蔗糖、果糖和可溶性糖含量均为缺镁处理最高,分别比对照增加了58.5%、54.8%、59.7%和25.9%以及22%、46.7%和54.7%,而根中淀粉含量为缺镁处理最低,较对照降低32.8%。相关性分析表明,马铃薯试管苗茎叶中淀粉、果糖和可溶性糖含量与镁浓度均呈显著负相关。说明缺镁影响马铃薯试管苗的光合作用和碳水化合物代谢,大量碳水化合物在茎叶中积累,向根部的运输量减少,侧根形成减少,根冠比降低,抑制根系的形态建成。低镁水平下(750μmol·L~(-1))试管苗的叶绿素含量增加,更多的碳水化合物向根部运输,根冠比增大,促进根系的形态建成,与正常镁水平(1 500μmol·L~(-1))下马铃薯试管苗指标变化相同,差异不显著,表明含750μmol·L~(-1)Mg~(2+)的MS培养基适宜于马铃薯试管苗的生长和发育。     

藏东南色季拉山急尖长苞冷杉非结构性碳水化合物时空动态特征

目的 为了验证高山林线的形成机理,探究树木分布上限的限制因素。 方法 本研究以色季拉山急尖长苞冷杉为研究对象,在其低海拔针阔叶混交林（3 500 m）、中海拔适生区（3 900 m）和高海拔林线过渡带（4 300 m）,分别于生长季（7月初）与非生长季（11月底）测定树木叶、枝、干和根的非结构性碳水化合物（NSC）及其组分含量,以及C、N、P含量。 结果 不同生长季节急尖长苞冷杉非结构性碳水化合物源与汇含量比较稳定,未出现碳供应不足现象;海拔对急尖长苞冷杉非结构性碳水化合物及其组分影响较小;器官间NSC含量差异显著,叶、枝、干和根在不同生长季节所侧重的生理活动和功能不同;非生长季急尖长苞冷杉非结构性碳水化合物及其组分显著高于生长季,非生长季较高的可溶性糖和NSC含量有利于抵御低温等恶劣环境;急尖长苞冷杉的NSC含量随海拔的上升呈现出递增的趋势,一定程度上支持了“生长抑制”假说。 结论 色季拉山急尖长苞冷杉的生长更多的受到了植物养分的限制,而非碳限制。     

Differences in Wheat Cultivar Response to Nitrogen Supply. II: Differences in N-Metabolism-Related Traits

Two-year field trials with winter wheat cultivars Batis and Toronto were conducted in Southern Bavaria, Germany, to investigate the possible causes of cultivar differences in response to N supply varying in total amount and time of application. The results revealed cultivar-related differences in response to N fertilization in all parameters included in this study. Amount and timing of N fertilization was a strong indicator of N uptake into canopies and three phases of cultivar differentiation became apparent. Cultivar differences in N content were most clearly expressed during early growth stages, but distinctive differences in canopy N uptake were observed during later growth stages. Nitrate reductase activity, water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), and plant nitrate content varied in response to N supply within cultivar-specific patterns that included reversals in cultivar ranking during canopy development, and provided additional indications for elevated intensity of N metabolism in cv. Toronto when compared with cv. Batis. Apart from such differences Batis partially compensated for delayed N uptake in earlier phases during the latter part of grain filling, presumably due to differences in root system development. Cultivar differences in regression of tillering, stand density, grains per ear and grain density (grains m⁻²) on a number of N metabolism-related parameters have been determined. They contribute considerably to the understanding of cultivar differences in grain yield components, as presented in an earlier communication. For 1000 grain weight, least affected from N supply within each year, large differences between years seemed to relate to differences in WSC content observed between heading and flowering, whereas cultivar differences in the level of grain N content and reaction to N supply were more directly determined by differences in N uptake and remobilization, and possibly enhanced by sink limitations of Toronto in grain size development.     

Carbohydrates molecular structure profiles in relation to nutritional characteristics of newly developed low and normal tannin faba bean varieties in dairy cows analysed by using standard methods and the vibrational molecular spectroscopy (Ft/IR-ATR)

To our knowledge, there was no study on interactive relationship between CHO molecular structure spectral profiles of newly developed cool-season adapted faba bean and nutritional characteristics in ruminants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of genotypes and tannin levels on the physicochemical and nutritional characteristics of faba bean as an alternative protein and energy source for ruminants and its relation to CHO molecular structure spectral profiles using vibrational molecular spectroscopy (Ft/IR-ATR). Eight genotypes with two tannin levels (low and normal) grown at three different locations in Saskatchewan (CDC crop research fields) were analysed. Chemical analyses were performed using AOAC standards and energy was evaluated using NRC standards. Rumen degradation kinetics were determined using in situ dairy trial. Intestinal digestion was analysed by a modified three-step in vitro technique with 12 h pre-rumen incubation in dairy cows. Molecular spectral study was performed using Ft/IR–ATR, and the molecular structural features were analysed at ca. 4000–800 cm⁻¹ using the Spectra ManagerII. CHO-related functional groups were analysed with OMNIC 7.3. The results showed low-tannin faba bean (LT) presented a highly significant difference (p < 0.05) on rumen bypass starch (BSt) compared to normal tannin faba bean (NT). On the other hand, NT had more total tract digested starch (TDST) compared to LT. No significant differences (p > 0.10) were observed for total digestible nutrients (TDN_1x), metabolizable protein (MP), feed milk value (FMV) or rumen undegraded crude protein (RUP). Results showed differences in physicochemical characteristics among faba bean varieties; however, the predicted production performance was not different within faba bean genotypes. These outcomes suggest that faba bean can be used as nutritive ingredient for dairy cattle without a significant genotype or tannin level effect on metabolic characteristics. Results from vibrational spectroscopic study showed a higher ATR-Ft/IR absorbance (p < 0.05) in NT on inherent structural CHO (STCHO), total CHO (TCHO) area and peaks (H_1015, H_1076, H_1145), and cellulosic compounds (CEC) to total CHO (TCHO) ratio. Significant correlations could be found between CHO spectral profiles and metabolic characteristics of faba bean, which indicates that structural spectral features of faba bean could be used to predict metabolic characteristics in ruminants.     

Effect of dietary carbohydrate level on growth performance,body composition,apparent digestibility coefficient and digestive enzyme activities of juvenile cobia,Rachycentron canadum L

A 9‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary carbohydrate level on the growth performance, body composition and apparent digestibility coefficient and digestive enzyme activities of juvenile cobia. Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets containing graded levels of starch (1.3%, 6.5%, 12.5%, 18.4%, 24.2% and 30.4%) were fed to juvenile cobia. Specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency ratio (FER) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) increased with increasing dietary starch up to 18.4% (P<0.05), and thereafter SGR declined but FER and PER remained nearly the same. Apparent digestibility coefficient of starch reduced significantly when dietary starch up to 30.4%. Fish fed the diets with starch from 18.4% to 30.4% showed higher amylase activities in intestinal tract than those fed diets containing starch 1.3% and 6.5% (P<0.05). Significantly higher whole‐body lipid contents were observed in fish fed the diets containing higher starch. Whole‐body moisture content was inversely correlated with whole‐body lipid content, while protein and ash showed no significant differences. Plasma glucose, hepatosomatic index, liver glycogen and liver lipid increased with an increasing dietary starch. Based on SGR and FER, the appropriate dietary starch supplementations of juvenile cobia were estimated to be 21.1% and 18.0 % of diet respectively.     

Carbohydrate Dynamics in Leaves of Rapeseed (Brassica napus) Under Drought

Until now, the carbohydrate dynamics in leaves of rapeseed under drought have largely been unknown. For this reason, a growth chamber study was conducted to examine whether the accumulation of carbohydrates under drought stress contributes to osmotic adjustment in leaf tissue. Plants of the cultivar Titan were subjected to temporary drought in the vegetative and reproductive stages. A third variant of long‐term drought covered the period from leaf development to flowering. The level of sucrose decreased under moderate water deficit, but accumulated under severe long‐term drought. Concentrations of glucose, fructose and trehalose were significantly enhanced and that of raffinose decreased in all the variants of drought. There was no evidence that any of the carbohydrates analysed in this study or the activities of soluble acid and cell wall invertases contributed to a drought‐induced accumulation of osmolytes. The results of this study indicate that osmotic adjustment in response to drought in leaves of the rapeseed cultivar Titan is only limited. It is virtually impossible that carbohydrates function as osmoprotectants in leaves of this cultivar, rising above that of the frequently detected accumulation of proline in rapeseed under water deficit.     

Daily carbohydrate accumulation in eight tall fescue cultivars

Eight cultivars of tall fescue (Loliumarundinaceum Schreb., S.J. Darbyshire = Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), Barcel, Kenhy, Kentucky‐31, Missouri‐96, Mozark, Stargrazer, C‐1 (an experimental selection), and HiMag, were sampled at 2‐h intervals during daylight on four cutting dates. Cultivars varied in concentrations of carbohydrate fractions but accumulation rates were not different. Daily mean total non‐structural carbohydrate (TNC) concentrations for cutting dates in May, July, August and September declined from 239 to 231, 143 and 120 g TNC kg^?1 adjusted dry weight (ADW) respectively. Concentrations of fructans were highest in July but sucrose, glucose and starch concentrations were highest in May. Sucrose was the largest contributor proportionately to TNC daily means across accessions in May (0·33), August (0·30) and September (0·38). Glucose composed an equivalent proportion of TNC in the August harvest. Starch concentration was highest in May at 53 g kg^?1 ADW and lowest in August at 23 g kg^?1 ADW. The TNC concentration increased by 22·4 (May), 16·8 (July), 21·0 (August) and 30·8 g kg^?1 ADW (September) from dawn to dusk. Forage samples taken to estimate preference by ruminants or for TNC analyses should be cut and preserved within 1 h to control the diurnal variation of TNC proportionately within 0·05. Tall fescue should generally be cut between noon and sunset for TNC concentrations to be greater than the daily mean.