Role of Testa, Cotyledons and Embryonic Axis in Seed Dormancy of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Experiments were carried out during winter–summer (January–June) season to understand the role of seed testa, cotyledons and embryonic axis in imparting dormancy of some groundnut cultivars belonging to different habit groups. Crop was harvested at four maturity stages; 90, 100, 110 and 121 days after emergence (DAE). After drying the pods in shade for 2 days, the germination of seeds with (GST) and without (GSW) testa in rolled germination towels and seeds, and embryonic axes (GEM) in culture media from individual plants of a cultivar was studied. Seed testa played an important role in imparting dormancy followed by the cotyledons, and embryonic axis. However, the nature of dormancy of embryonic axis appeared to be different from that of the testa and cotyledons. Results suggested that the dormancy in groundnut is regulated mainly by testa (a maternal tissue) in the Spanish type, but by cotyledons, and embryonic axis (both zygotic tissue) as well as testa in Virginia types. Thus the genetic control of seed dormancy in groundnut appears to be quantitative in nature.     

利用RIL群体和自然群体检测与花生含油量相关的SSR标记

以远杂9102×中花5号杂交后代衍生的重组近交系F₈代家系为材料，在含油量测试的基础上，选用10份低油材料(平均含油量52.91%)、12份高油材料(平均含油量58.85%)以及亲本进行SSR引物筛选，通过631对SSR引物扩增，筛选出来源于7对引物的13个有显著差异的片段可以有效区分低油材料和高油材料。以这7对差异引物在F₈ RIL群体中扩增，对20份低油家系材料(含油量<55%)和45份高油家系材料(含油量>56%)进行统计分析，获得1个与花生含油量相关的分子标记2A5-250/240，其中，标记2A5-250为低油材料(含油量<55%)所拥有，相符率为95.0%，标记2A5-240为高油材料(含油量>56%)所拥有，相符率为88.9%。用SSR标记2A5-250/240检测11份高油(平均含油量为55.93%)栽培种花生和11份低油(平均含油量为48.41%)栽培种花生，结果表明，标记2A5-240与高油栽培种花生的符合率为63.6%，2A5-250与低油栽培种花生的符合率为90.9%。在19份高油(平均含油量为58.60%)野生花生中，10份野生花生能检测到标记2A5-240。综合分析RIL群体和自然群体的研究结果表明，标记2A5-250/240可用于花生含油量分子标记辅助选择。     

番木瓜组培种苗推广应用的几个关键技术问题

重点讨论番木瓜成龄侧芽外植体污染率高、不同品种继代培养基差异较大、继代苗易发生玻璃化、组培苗诱导生根困难等关键技术问题,并对今后番木瓜组培苗推广应用作了展望。     

Shape and distribution of knots in a sample of picea abies logs

In an attempt to develop a better understanding of the effect of knottiness on the yield of logs for sawn timber products, the present study examines the position and geometrical characteristics of 429 knots found in seven Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) middle logs from southern Finland. The raw data used in this study were in the form of coordinates of points located on the knot surface recorded in a cylindrical (R, L, T) reference frame. The data were smoothed using a non linear three‐dimensional model. A curvature analysis of the knot pith was used to differentiate the curved and straight portions of the knots. This analysis made possible calculation of knot angles, symmetry, ovality and volume. The major finding of this study is the uneven distribution of knots around the log circumference. Nearly 50% of the total knot volume was concentrated in one‐third of the log facing the south‐east. Knots were also more prominent in higher portions of the logs studied. These observations support the argument that the uneven distribution of knots offers potential for improving the grade yield of timber sawn from trees harvested in high‐latitude countries.     

Gene Expression of Enzymes for Starch and Sucrose Metabolism and Transport in Leaf Sheaths of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) during the Heading Period in Relation to the Sink to Source Transition

Abstract

Leaf sheaths of rice plants are known to temporarily accumulate starch prior to heading, which is subsequently remobilized and transported into the panicle after heading. We investigated the time course for both carbohydrate content and steady state mRNA levels of enzymes related to starch and sucrose metabolism in the rice leaf sheath (Oryza sativa L. cv. Nipponbare). Leaf sheaths from the second leaf below the flag leaf accumulated high levels of starch before heading but they rapidly decreased after heading. In contrast, the flag leaf sheath did not accumulate as much starch. In the second leaf sheath, the mRNA levels of enzymes involved in starch synthesis, ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase (EC 2. 7. 7. 27), soluble starch synthase (EC 2. 4. 1.21) and branching enzyme (EC 2. 4. 1. 18) were high before heading, which coincided with rapid accumulation of starch. The mRNA levels of sucrose synthesis enzymes, cytosolic FBPase (EC 3. 1. 3. 11) and sucrose phosphate synthase (EC 2. 4. 1. 14), and the sucrose transporter (OsSUTI) increased at the time of heading, which was largely coincident with a decrease in the mRNA levels of starch synthesis enzymes. In the flag leaf sheaths, changes in mRNA levels of starch synthesis enzymes were not pronounced, however mRNA levels of sucrose synthesis enzymes and the sucrose transporter showed a clear increase throughout the heading period. The different characteristics observed between the two leaf sheaths will be discussed in relation to the sink to source transition.     

Effects of Soil Temperature on Growth and Root Function in Rice

Abstract

The objective of this study was to clarify the effects of soil temperature in the stage from late tillering to panicle initiation (SI) and during the grain-filling stage (SII) on grain setting, dry matter production, photosynthesis, non-structural carbohydrate (NSC), xylem exudation and abscisic acid (ABA) levels in rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Koshihikari). Rice plants were exposed to four different soil temperatures during SI or SII: 17.5, 25, 31.5 and 36.5°C (ST18, ST25, ST32 and ST37, respectively). The yield, yield components, grain filling and quality in SI were negatively influenced by high soil temperature of 37°C. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in those characters among temperature treatments in SII. The root/shoot ratio was smallest in the ST37 plants in both SI and SII, mainly due to their lighter root weight. At 7 days after initiation of treatment (DAT) in both SI and SII, the photosynthetic and xylem exudation rate tended to increase slightly as soil temperature increased up to 32°C. At 21 DAT, however, the photosynthetic rate was lowest in ST37, with concurrent decrease of diffusion conductance and SPAD value. In addition, decrease of NSC concentration in stem and xylem exudation rate, and increase of ABA level in leaves and xylem exudate were observed in ST37 plants at 21 DAT. These results suggested that high soil temperature before heading especially influenced yield, grain quality and plant growth. Possible mechanisms of the effect of soil temperature are discussed.     

Anatomical Characteristics of the Formation of Crown Root Primordia in Unelongated Stems of Wheat

Abstract

Anatomical observations were conducted to clarify some characteristics of the crown root primordia (CRP) formation in wheat stems. Unelongated portions of main stems were sampled from the plant at 3.2 and 7.2 plant age in leaf number, which were adopted as indexes because of the similarity to rice plants. Then, serial cross sections were made to investigate the position of CRP in the unelongated stem taking into consideration the running of vascular bundles in the stem. CRP were formed just outside tissues of the peripheral cylinder of longitudinal vascular bundles. The positions of CRP were not successive along the stem axis. They showed no definite relation to the running of vascular bundles. Diameters of CRP at the upper portion of the stems were larger than those at the lower portion. The positions of CRP along the stem axis were not distinguishable into nodal and internodal position. CRP and emerged CRs were not classified by the well-known ‘nodal root’ or ‘shoot unit root’, or the ‘unit’, which have been applied recently to rice plants. Further studies are necessary to clarify the factors controlling CRP formation anatomically and quantitatively.     

Pigeonpea Nutrition and Its Improvement

Abstract

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan [L.] Millsp.), known by several vernacular and trade names such as red gram, tuar, Angola pea, Congo pea, yellow dhal and oil dhal, is one of the major grain legume crops of the tropics and sub-tropics. It is a favorite crop of small holder dryland farmers because it can grow well under subsistence level of agriculture and provides nutritive food, fodder, and fuel wood. It also improves soil by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. India by far is the largest pigeonpea producer where it is consumed as decorticated split peas, popularly called as ‘dhal’ In other countries, its consumption as whole dry seed and green vegetable is popular. Its foliage is used as fodder and milling by-products form an excellent feed for domestic animals. Pigeonpea seeds contain about 20-22% protein and appreciable amounts of essential amino acids and minerals. Dehulling and boiling treatments of seeds get rid of the most antinutritional factors such as tannins and enzyme inhibitors. Seed storage causes considerable losses in the quality of this legume. The seed protein of pigeonpea has been successfully enhanced by breeding from 20-22% to 28-30%. Such lines also agronomically performed well and have acceptable seed size and color. The high-protein lines were found nutritionally superior to the cultivars because they would provide more quantities of utilizable protein and sulfur-containing amino acids.     

硅营养对UV-B辐射条件下水稻酚类代谢的影响

本研究在不同硅营养条件下，探讨了UV-B辐射增强对两个供试水稻品种(Lemont和Dular)硅营养特性和酚代谢物质的影响。结果表明：(1)在缺硅营养和UV-B辐射胁迫下，Lemont的硅营养吸收能力和生理利用率都比Dular强。（2）不同硅营养条件下，UV-B辐射胁迫促使Lemont叶片的PAL、PPO、 POD、CAT活性增强，总酚、类黄酮和绿原酸含量升高，而可溶性蛋白质含量降低；上述指标在Dular叶片中也表现出相同的变化趋势。但在缺硅营养和UV-B辐射共同胁迫下，Lemont表现出较强的酚类合成能力。（3）硅营养有利于水稻酚类代谢物质的积累，以减少UV-B辐射的伤害。综上所述，Lemont与Dular之间硅营养特性的不同，可能是引起两个供试水稻的酚类代谢差异，从而表现出对UV-B辐射抗性不同的原因之一。     

巴旦木植物蛋白饮料的研制

研究了巴旦木植物蛋白饮料的工艺流程和技术条件，对其加工过程中的稳定剂的选择及产品的配方等主要工艺进行了探讨