Relationships between reproductive output, morpho-physiological traits and life span in Lesquerella (Brassicaceae)

The development of perennial industrial crops could contribute to increase agriculture sustainability and yield stability in arid environments. Since perennial plants allocate resources preferentially to perpetuation and to structural and functional characters that provide drought tolerance, they tend to have lower reproductive output (yield) than their congeneric annuals. Four species of Lesquerella native to arid regions were evaluated to understand the relationships between reproduction, drought tolerance, and their association with the plant's life span. We assessed the following set of characters (defined as plant strategies): phenology, gas exchange, specific leaf area, leaf area ratio, total biomass and biomass allocation. Annual (Lesquerella gracilis and Lesquerella angustifolia) and perennial (Lesquerella mendocina and Lesquerella pinetorum) species were compared under water limiting conditions. Within this set of species differences in structural and functional characters were observed. The annual, L. gracilis showed a plant strategy characterized by high reproductive output, harvest index (HI) and specific leaf area (SLA). L. mendocina (perennial), produced more total biomass, but had a low reproductive output, and also showed characters that provide drought tolerance (high allocation to roots-root mass ratio (RMR), and storage-total non structural carbohydrates (TNC) and low SLA). The annual L. angustifolia and the perennial L. pinetorum had intermediate plant strategies (i.e. intermediate values of traits typically related with annual or perennial life span). In the case of L. pinetorum we found some traits common to L. mendocina: long vegetative period, high biomass, CO₂ assimilation rate (A), and water use efficiency (WUE), and low SLA. The high reproductive output in L. pinetorum was a result of both, higher total biomass and longer growing season compared to the annuals, and of higher HI in relation to the other perennial. These differences in plant strategies among perennial Lesquerella show that there are different combinations of traits that could be used as criteria for the selection of a perennial crop in programs of domestication for Patagonia and others arid lands.     

12个苜蓿品种根部非结构性碳水化合物含量的季节性变化

研究不同紫花苜蓿品种晚秋和早春时期根部非结构性碳水化合物含量的季节变化动态,以期为当地紫花苜蓿推广应用提供理论依据。以国内外12个紫花苜蓿品种为试验材料,通过测定其在晚秋和早春时期根部可溶性糖、还原糖、总糖和淀粉含量,对不同紫花苜蓿品种抗寒生理特性进行了比较研究。结果表明,秋季和春季不同苜蓿品种根部可溶性糖、还原糖和总糖含量以及可溶性糖/淀粉值差异显著(P0.05),淀粉含量在秋季差异显著(P0.05),春季差异不显著(P0.05)。从晚秋至翌年早春,不同苜蓿品种根部非结构性碳水化合物含量下降幅度差异较大,可溶性糖含量下降率为8.71%~41.43%,淀粉下降率为51.21%~79.37%,还原糖下降率为17.47%~56.16%,总糖下降率为26.10%~48.78%。聚类分析可将12个苜蓿品种分为三类:第一类为根部低淀粉含量类,包含M1和M8号二个品种,淀粉含量低于3.0%;第二类为根部高淀粉含量类,包含M3、M4、M6、M7和M11号五个品种,淀粉含量在3.91%~4.82%之间;第三类为根部高可溶性糖含量类,包括M2、M5、M9、M10、M12五个品种,可溶性糖含量在8.0%以上,淀粉含量在3.0%~4.0%之间。     

Photosynthetic Activity and Soluble Carbohydrate Content Induced by the Cold Acclimation Affect Frost Tolerance and Resistance to Microdochium nivale of Androgenic Festulolium Genotypes

The aim of the experiment was to verify whether changes in photosynthetic activity measured by means of chlorophyll fluorescence techniques and soluble carbohydrate level induced during pre-hardening and cold acclimation in androgenic forms of Festulolium are related to their winter hardiness and pathogen resistance. The study was performed on six androgenic genotypes of Festulolium, which differ in their degrees of winter hardiness. The chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and sugar content were measured in the control plants, pre-hardened at 12 °C and cold-acclimated at 2 °C. Cold acclimation at 2 °C, preceded by pre-hardening at 12 °C, induced a decline in maximum PSII quantum efficiency ( F _v/ F _m) and in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). Exposure to 2 °C also resulted in reduced efficiency of energy conversion in photochemical processes ( q _p). The soluble carbohydrate amount increased in the susceptible genotypes and was associated with a decline in NPQ and current quantum yield of PSII (φ_PSII). In resistant plants, a decrease in the sugar content was observed, which could be explained by their consumption in metabolic processes initiated during cold acclimation. The changes in sugar content were associated with a decline in NPQ and q _p.     

Carbohydrate profiles in the graft union of young sweet cherry trees grown on dwarfing and vigorous rootstocks

In composite (scion–rootstock) dwarfing fruit trees, an overgrowth at the graft union is often observed, the severity of which is correlated with degree of dwarfing. The graft union of dwarfing sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) rootstocks may limit soluble sugar transport or starch mobilization, leading to localized accumulation. Soluble sugars and starch were measured in the tissues surrounding the graft union of young ‘Rainier’ (2002) and ‘Lapins’ (2003) sweet cherry trees on ‘Gisela 5’ (‘Gi 5’; dwarfing) and ‘Colt’ (vigorous) rootstocks. Separate rootstock shank, rootstock, graft union, and scion tissues were analyzed for both starch and soluble sugar content throughout the growing season in both years. Starch concentrations did not vary among locations within the graft union for ‘Rainier’ on either the dwarfing or vigorous rootstock, or for ‘Lapins’ on the dwarfing stock. However, for ‘Lapins’ on ‘Colt’, starch was highest in the rootstock shank and declined vertically (rootstock shank ? rootstock > union > scion). Soluble sugar concentrations were generally similar to or higher in scions on ‘Gi 5’ than on ‘Colt’, and were similar to or lower in the rootstock and rootstock shank on ‘Gi 5’ than on ‘Colt’. Results suggest that rootstock has a significant effect of localized accumulations of carbohydrates above and within the graft union of ‘Gi 5’ and below the graft union of ‘Colt’.     

Changes in soluble carbohydrates, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in the embryo during ageing in wheat grains

Soluble sugar contents and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured in the embryo of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv Charger) seeds throughout their storage under two conditions (45 °C and 100% relative humidity (RH), and 30 °C and 75% RH) to investigate whether grain deterioration during ageing was related to lipid peroxidation resulting in a decrease in the efficiency of the antioxidant defence system, and in changes in sugar metabolism. The half-viability period (P₅₀) was only 6 d at 45 °C and 100% RH against about 3.75 months at 30 °C and 75% RH. However, sensitivity of grains to accelerated ageing carried out at 45 °C and 100% RH increased during their pre-storage at 30 °C and 75% RH. Loss of grain viability at 45 °C and 100% RH was associated with an accumulation of H₂O₂ which was concomitant with a progressive decrease in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and with an increase in glutathione reductase (GR) activity. However, malondialdehyde content did not change, suggesting that there was no lipid peroxidation during such an ageing. In return, ageing of grains at 30 °C and 75% RH was not associated either with strong changes in CAT, SOD and GR activities or with an accumulation of H₂O₂. When there was no correlation between CAT, SOD and GR activities and seed viability, there was a linear correlation between CAT activity and seed vigour evaluated by the T₅₀ during ageing at 45 °C and 100% RH. Sugar metabolism in wheat embryo largely depended on ageing conditions. Loss of grain viability at 45 °C and 100% RH was associated with a marked decrease in sucrose (Su) and a slight increase in raffinose (Ra), and subsequently in the Ra/Su ratio. At 30 °C and 75% RH, seed ageing was associated with an increase in both sugars but with no strong increase in Su/Ra ratio. Our results suggest that ageing was associated with various mechanisms depending on the conditions of ageing, and that accelerated ageing at 45 °C and 100% RH was not the only model to consider in order to understand the mechanisms involved in seed deterioration.     

Source : sink ratio and leaf senescence in maize:: II. Nitrogen metabolism during grain filling

Leaf senescence in a recent maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid is delayed relative to that in an older maize hybrid and the trait is associated with an improvement of the ratio of assimilate supply (i.e., source) and demand (i.e., sink) during grain filling. This study examined whether effects of source : sink ratio of leaf longevity in an old and more recent hybrid are associated with changes in leaf nitrogen (N) concentration and N uptake during grain filling. A 3-year field study was conducted with maize hybrids Pride 5 (old) and Pioneer 3902 (recent) grown at two soil-N levels: 150 kg⁻¹ N ha⁻¹ was broadcast in the high N treatment while none was added to the low N treatment. Four imposed source : sink treatments ranged from partial defoliation to no grain. Leaf N of the control treatments did not differ between the two hybrids, but the decline in leaf N from the control to the no-sink treatment was larger for Pioneer 3902 than for Pride 5. Total N uptake in above-ground portions was 10 and 18% greater in the new than in the old hybrid under low and high soil-N conditions, respectively. The difference in the total N uptake between the two hybrids could be attributed to post-silking N uptake. The proportion of N in the grain derived from post-silking N uptake was 60% for Pioneer 3902 and 40% for Pride 5 and this proportion was positively associated with the source : sink ratio. Higher rates of N uptake in Pioneer 3902 vs. Pride 5 appear to be, in part, the result of higher rates of dry matter accumulation of the newer hybrid during grain filling.     

蒙古冰草非结构性碳水化合物及碳氮磷化学计量特征对氮添加的响应

为揭示蒙古冰草对氮添加的响应机制,设置5个氮添加水平（0,0.8,1.6,2.4,4.0 g N·m^-2·a^-1）对蒙古冰草进行为期2个月处理后,测定根系、叶片中可溶性糖、淀粉、碳（C）、氮（N）、磷（P）的含量,分析氮添加对蒙古冰草叶片、根系非结构性碳水化合物（NSCs）与C、N、P含量及其化学计量特征关系的影响。结果表明：2.4 g N·m^-2·a^-1的氮素添加显著提高了蒙古冰草叶片、根系NSCs含量与C、N、P含量,且不同器官的响应有显著差异性（P<0.05）。叶片NSCs含量与叶片N、可溶性糖、淀粉含量、C/P及N/P呈显著正相关关系,与叶片P含量、C/N呈显著负相关关系（P<0.05）;根系NSCs含量与根系C、N、C/P、N/P、可溶性糖和淀粉含量呈显著正相关（P<0.05）。叶片与根系N/P是影响蒙古冰草体内可溶性糖积累的主要因子;根系N含量与叶片P含量共同影响淀粉含量;叶片P含量、根系N含量及根系N/P综合影响NSCs含量。综上,适量的氮添加会缓解研究区蒙古冰草的N限制,促进NSCs合成,而大量氮添加会导致N、P比例失衡,加剧P限制。因此,未来气候变化背景下蒙古冰草人工草地种植或退化草地恢复管理过程中需要考虑优化氮肥施用量与适当的磷添加。     

Carbohydrate Metabolism in the Siliqua Relating to Oil-filling in Mustard Seeds

Developing siliquas on the mustard inflorescence were sampled at basal, middle and apical positions and the changes in free sugars and starch in pod wall and seed vis-á-vis oil-filling in the seeds were studied. The dry matter and oil content per seed and pod wall was highest at initial stages in apical followed by mid-development stages in middle and late development stages in basal positions. The oil percentage m the pod wall decreased with the period of siliqua development. The phase of rapid oil filling in the seeds varied from 20 to 40 DAF (days after flowering) in basal to 10 to 30 DAF in middle and 10 to 20 DAF in apical positions. The content of starch and total soluble sugars (% dry weight basis) decreased in the seeds as well as pod walls but showed accumulation on per seed basis with a maximum at 20, 30 and 40 DAF while on pod wall basis, the maxima of total soluble sugars was at 20, 20 and 40 DAF in apical, middle and basal position respectively. In the pool of total soluble sugars, the proportion of non-reducing sugars was predominant. The activity of invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) declined while those of a-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) and β-amylase (EC 3.2.1.2) showed maximum values in the seeds as well as pod wall during the phase of rapid oil-filling in the seeds. The results suggested that ontogeny and duration of seed development vis-á-vis the environmental conditions played an important role in lipid biosynthesis in mustard seeds.     

The Control of Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands in a South African Forest Nursery

Tests of several fumigants which control Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands under field and glasshouse conditions are reported. The soil fumigant basamid is the cheapest effective treatment available, at present. The implications of failure to control Phytophthora cinnamomi for forestry, agriculture and the indigenous flora are briefly discussed.     

Perennial hybrids of Oryza sativa × Oryza rufipogon: Part II. Carbon exchange and assimilate partitioning

Oryza species differ in their degree of perenniality, which has implications for patterns of carbon distribution in the plant. Interspecific F₁ hybrids of Oryza sativa × Oryza rufipogon were compared with their parental lines to assess whether they differed in assimilate storage and distribution at flowering and after maturity of the first cohort of panicles. The F₁ hybrids varied widely in plant type, but on average they had small plant size and low main tiller weights at anthesis, similar to O. rufipogon, and had intermediate tiller numbers and final single plant weights similar to cultivated rice. O. rufipogon had higher concentrations of starch in stems at anthesis, while interspecific hybrids exhibited comparatively low leaf, stem + sheath, and root sugar concentrations. Near anthesis, substantial ¹⁴C label remained in the source (flag) leaf in O. sativa and F₁ hybrids, while in O. rufipogon more label was exported to sink tissues. The hybrids partitioned more ¹⁴C label to panicles than did cultivated rice and less to leaf sheaths than either parent. Hybrids that had previously been identified as having above-average carbon exchange rates (CER) did not differ consistently from the low-CER hybrids in carbohydrate dynamics. The cultivated species itself maintains some perennial features, and changes in these traits might increase productivity.