Genetic variability of heat tolerance, and its effect on yield and fibre quality traits in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Global temperature is rising because of increasing concentrations of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases (e.g. methane, nitrous oxide, etc.) in the atmosphere because of the excessive use of fossil fuels. High temperature causes heat stress which reduces crop productivity. The development of heat-tolerant varieties is feasible and will help mitigate the effects of climate change. Fifty-one cotton accessions were screened in heat-stressed and non-stressed conditions in the glasshouse and field. Relative cell injury percentage (RCI %), a measure of cell membrane thermostability (CMT), was used to assess heat tolerance. Heat-tolerant accessions had more stable yield and yielded more seed cotton with better quality fibre than the heat-intolerant accessions across four environments. The responses of the 51 accessions to all four environments for the measured traits were strongly associated. RCI % of the accessions and hybrids was strongly and negatively associated with yield and fibre traits. CMT was concluded to be a useful technique for identification of heat-tolerant cotton.     

Sucrose metabolism in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fibre under low temperature during fibre development

The effects of low temperature on sucrose content and activities of key enzymes related to sucrose metabolism in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fibre were investigated. Two cotton cultivars, Kemian 1 and Sumian 15, were grown in the field at two sowing dates in 2006 and three sowing dates in 2007, the differences of environmental conditions during fibre development period (from flowering date to boll opening date) for different sowing dates were primarily on temperature. Low temperatures (MDTmin of 21.1, 20.5 and 18.1 °C) in late sowing dates (25 May/10 June) prolonged the fibre development period, and had significant effect on cellulose synthesis and sucrose metabolism. Results showed that, under low temperature, sucrose content was increased, cellulose content and sucrose transformation rate were decreased, and the variability of cellulose content and sucrose transformation rate through sowing dates in Sumian 15 was more than that in Kemian 1. The measurable activities of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (SuSy) and acid/alkaline invertases in sucrose metabolism were affected by low temperatures. Under low temperatures, activities of SuSy and invertase in sucrose degradation were increased, and two cultivars had the similar change. In contrast, the activity of SPS in sucrose synthesis was lower than the activity in developing fibre at normal environmental condition, and the time to peak activity was delayed, SPS activity in response to temperatures differed between two cultivars. The results indicated that restrained cellulose synthesis and sucrose metabolism under low temperature were mainly attributed to the changed activities of enzymes (SPS, SuSy and invertase), and the difference of cellulose synthesis and sucrose metabolism in response to temperature in fibre cells for two cotton cultivars was mainly determined by the level of SPS activity.     

QTL mapping for agronomic and fibre traits using two interspecific chromosome substitution lines of Upland cotton

CS‐B14Sh and CS‐B22Sh are cotton interspecific chromosome substitution (CS)‐B lines, in which a pair of short arms of chromosome 14 and chromosome 22 were introgressed from Gossypium barbadense doubled‐haploid line 3‐79 with the background of Gossypium hirsutum line TM‐1, respectively. These two CS‐B lines were crossed with TM‐1, and segregating progenies (F₂ and F_2:3, respectively) were obtained. Phenotypic data of lint yield, yield‐related traits and fibre‐quality traits were collected from two trials. In the cross CS‐B14SH X TM‐1, QTL for boll weight (BW), lint percentage (LP), fibre upper half mean length (UHML), micronaire reading (MIC), and fibre breaking tensile strength (STR) were repeatedly detected. Alleles from 3‐79 decreased BW and MIC, but increased UHML and STR. In the cross CS‐B22Sh X TM‐1, QTL for BW, LP, UHML, MIC, STR, fibre elongation (EL),seed weight(SW), node of first fruiting branch (NFB) and fibre uniformity index (UI) were repeatedly detected, and alleles from 3‐79 decreased UHML, UI and STR, but increased NFB, SW, MIC and EL. QTL clusters were found in both populations.     

钢纤维活性粉末混凝土配合比试验研究

通过钢纤维活性粉末混凝土(RPC)的配制试验,研究水胶比、高效减水剂、硅灰、钢纤维掺量及砂子种类对RPC抗折、抗压强度的影响规律。结果表明:钢纤维的掺入使得试件破坏时裂而不散,试件的延性性能及强度指标都得到了明显的提高。     

膳食纤维研究进展

论述了膳食纤维的定义和测定方法,介绍了膳食纤维的理化特性及生理功能,对膳食纤维的研究进行了展望。我国居民膳食纤维摄入量不足,应充分利用我国膳食纤维资源丰富的优势,大力推动膳食纤维产业的发展。     

Glycaemic response to frozen stored wheat rolls enriched with inulin and oat fibre

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of dietary fibre addition to partially baked and frozen wheat rolls on the glycaemic index (GI).     

Effects of plant growth regulator treatments on stem vascular tissue development in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a widely grown source of industrial and edible oil. Other varieties of the same species (flax) are cultivated for the long, strong bast fibres of their stems. The bast fibres of linseed generally go unused, although there is growing interest in developing linseed into a dual-purpose flax from which both seed and fibre could be utilized. Towards this objective, an improved understanding is required of the role of plant growth regulators in stem and fibre development in linseed. We have tested the effects of applying varying combinations of gibberellic acid (GA₃), the auxin indole-3-acetic acid, and a GA biosynthesis inhibitor (paclobutrazol) to an elite linseed variety (CDC Bethune). Results showed that GA stimulated stem elongation, stem expansion and the proliferation, expansion, elongation and cell wall thickening of xylem fibres. The impact of GA on phloem tissues was less apparent, although GA had a positive effect on the number of bast fibres observed in stem transverse section, and GA₃ application in combination with IAA increased the thickness of bast fibre secondary walls nearly two-fold. Other than the bast fibre cell walls, IAA treatments (alone or in combination with GA₃) did not affect most aspects of linseed stem development, suggesting that the observed effects of GA were not mediated by cross-talk with IAA. The relationships defined here between GA, stem architecture, and bast fibre properties in linseed provide a useful framework for manipulation of fibre properties through breeding, biotechnology, and field treatments.     

Comparison of wood,fibre and vessel properties of drought-tolerant eucalypts in South Africa§

Three drought-tolerant eucalypt genotypes have been investigated for a broad spectrum of properties to provide a basis for comparison on their suitability for various end-uses. The genotypes included were a Eucalyptus grandis × E. camaldulensis hybrid, E. gomphocephala and E. cladocalyx, selected based on previous studies that indicated good potential to tolerate arid conditions, reasonably good volume growth and straightness of stems. In this study, information was added on differences between species and parts of stems in growth (volume and biomass) and properties of wood (density and stiffness), fibres (dimensions and microfibril angle) and vessels (size and numbers). We found high wood densities and stiffness values for E. cladocalyx and E. gomphcephala, making them suitable for construction wood. Logs from the mid-part of the stem had the best timber properties, as the butt logs showed the highest microfibril angle and lowest wood stiffness due to longitudinal juvenility. Such juvenility was also to some degree observed for wood density and fibre length. The information gained will be especially helpful for selecting species and processing options for small farm and community plantations for producing higher-value products that may be sold to generate much-needed income as well as for local uses, such as fuelwood and charcoal.     

盐度波动和中草药制剂对脊尾白虾存活·生长和免疫的影响

[目的]为大规模脊尾白虾的养殖提供理论基础。[方法]研究了盐度波动幅度（S0、S3、S6和S9分别代表盐度波动幅度为0、3、6和9）和中草药制剂（0、1%、2%和4%）对脊尾白虾存活、生长和免疫的影响,试验周期60 d。[结果]1%中草药和S6盐度波动处理组脊尾白虾的特定生长率、饲料转换效率和超氧化物歧化酶活性均高于其他处理,且显著高于同一中草药添加水平的S0,S3和S9盐度波动处理组。回归分析结果表明,在S0、S3和S6 3个盐度波动水平,随盐度波动幅度增加,饲料中的中草药制剂的最适添加量呈下降趋势,分别为2.74%、1.77%和0.51%;在4个中草药制剂添加水平,随饲料中的中草药制剂添加量增加,脊尾白虾生长的最适盐度波动幅度呈下降趋势,分别为5.26、4.95、3.54和1.97。[结论]盐度、中草药制剂及其相互作用对脊尾白虾的存活、生长和免疫均有显著影响,因此在养殖时应加以注意。     

Inflammation-associated responses in piglets induced with post-weaning colibacillosis are influenced by dietary protein level

Forty piglets (average body weight = 5.32 kg) were used to investigate the effect of dietary crude protein (CP) content on immunological responses following a challenge with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88. Pigs, housed 4 per pen, were randomly allotted to 2 diets: 1) a high, 225 g/kg CP diet (HCP) or 2) a low, 176 g/kg CP diet (LCP) supplemented with crystalline amino acids. Pigs were orally challenged with 6 mL of an ETEC K88 suspension containing 10¹⁰ cfu/mL on d 8 after weaning. Blood samples were collected from 10 pigs (1 pig/pen) on d 7 (at weaning), −24 h, 8 h, 72 h and 7 d after the challenge for determination of plasma urea N (PUN) and serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and haptoglobin (Hp). Tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-1β and Hp were measured as indicators of inflammatory responses. The concentrations of serum TNF-α at 8 h, 72 h and 7 d after challenge were similar to the level observed at 24 h before challenge but higher (P < 0.05) than the weaning level. Pigs fed the LCP diet had lower (P = 0.032) concentrations of IL-1β (72 vs. 116 pg/mL) at 8 h post-challenge compared with those fed the HCP diet. Likewise, pigs fed the LCP diet tended to have lower (P = 0.088) concentration of Hp (9 vs. 25 mg/dL) compared with those fed the HCP diet at 8 h post-challenge. Compared with the weaning concentration, PUN concentration at 72 h after ETEC challenge was higher (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the HCP diet. The results indicate that the LCP diet supplemented with crystalline amino acids reduced inflammatory responses, as indicated by serum IL-1β, in piglets infected with ETEC K88.