Boron-Calcium Synergically Alleviates Aluminum Toxicity in Wheat Plants (Triticum aestivum L.)

The effects of B and Ca treatments on root growth, nutrient localization and cell wall properties in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) plants with and without Al stress were investigated. Seedlings were grown hydroponically in a complete nutrient solution for 7 d and then treated with B (0, 40 μM), Ca (0, 2,500 μM), and Al (0, 100 μM) in a 500 μM CaCl₂ solution for 8 d. The cell wall materials (CWM) were extracted with a phenol: acetic acid: water (2:1:1 w/v/v) solution and used for subsequent pectin extraction with trans -1,2-diami-nocyclohexane- N,N,N,N -tetraacetic acid (CDTA) and Na₂CO₃ solutions. Boron, Ca, and B + Ca treatments enhanced root growth by 19.5, 15.2, and 27.2%, respectively, compared to the control (pH 4.5). Calcium and B+Ca treatments enhanced root growth with Al stress by 43 and 54%, respectively, while B did not exert any effect. The amounts of CWM and pectin per unit of root fresh weight increased by Al treatment, whereas the Ca and B+Ca treatments slightly reduced the contents of these components. Seventy-four percent of total B, 69% of total Ca, and 85% of total Al were located in the cell wall in the B, Ca, and Al treatments, respectively and 32% of total B, 33% of total Ca, and 33% of total Al were located in the CDTA-soluble and Na₂CO₃-soluble pectin fractions. A more conspicuous localization of B was observed in the presence of Al. Aluminum treatment markedly decreased the Ca content in the cell wall as well as pectin fractions, mainly in the case of the CDTA-soluble pectin fraction. Boron + Ca treatment decreased the Al content in the cell wall and pectin fractions compared to the Ca treatment alone in the presence of Al. It is concluded that the B+Ca treatment enhanced root growth and, B and Ca uptake, and helped to maintain a normal B and Ca metabolism in the cell walls even in the presence of Al.     

Growth Characteristics of Tea Plants and Tea Fields in Japan

In 12th century, the Buddhist priest Eisai brought tea ( Camellia sinensis L.) seeds to Japan from China and now tea plants are cultivated all over Japan except in the Hokkaido and Tohoku districts. The quality (reflected in the price) of Japanese green tea is affected by the nitrogen content. Consequently in tea fields, for last three decades large amounts of fertilizer have been applied to produce high quality tea. As a result, problems such as acidification of soil have been caused. It is also known that the growth of tea plants is stimulated by the addition of aluminum (Al) under acidic conditions. In this keynote address, some problems caused by excess applications of fertilizer in tea fields and the growth characteristics of tea plants related to Al are presented.     

Drought pretreatment increases the salinity resistance of tomato plants

Agricultural productivity is worldwide subjected to increasing salinity problems. Various strategies are applied to overcome the deleterious effects of salinity on plants. This study was conducted in order to determine whether drought pretreatment of seedlings or seed pretreatment with NaCl increases the long‐term salinity resistance of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and whether the adaptive response to salinity is accompanied by physiological changes throughout the plant‐growth cycle. When plants were pretreated at the five‐leaf growth stage, the plant dry weight was significantly higher in drought‐pretreated than in non‐pretreated plants after 50 d of salt treatment. The positive effect of drought pretreatment applied at the five‐leaf stage was maintained throughout the entire growth cycle, as fruit yield of drought‐pretreated plants was 40% higher than that of non‐pretreated plants at the end of the harvest period (150 d of 70 mM NaCl treatment). Moreover, the most productive plants maintained lower Na⁺ and Cl^– accumulation in their leaves until the end of the growth cycle, which shows that adaptation is a long‐term response during which the plants adjust their physiology to the environmental conditions. Salt resistance was also improved through seed pretreatment with NaCl. In conclusion, drought pretreatment applied at the five‐leaf stage or seed pretreatment with NaCl provide an alternative way to enhance salt resistance in tomato, and the increase in yield is associated with physiological changes throughout the plant‐growth cycle.     

内蒙古边际土地油莎豆种植及生产潜力评估

开展精细的区域边际土地分布研究并进行充分利用是缓解人地矛盾的重要途径之一。内蒙古土地沙化严重且生产力低下,边际土地分布广泛。近年来,油莎豆因其产量高、含油量高,种植及产业化发展迅速,成为保障中国粮油安全的重要优选作物之一。在内蒙古大量边际土地上推广油莎豆种植是解决土地沙化问题、土地利用率低等问题的新思路。基于此,研究基于多因子综合评价方法提取了内蒙古边际土地,并分析利用其种植新型油料作物油莎豆可产生的能源及经济效益。结果表明,内蒙古地区共有边际土地12.5万 km2,其中一等边际土地面积为2.6万km2,主要分布于中部及东部巴彦淖尔市、包头市、锡林浩特市、通辽市等,以稀疏植被、农田与植被混合区为主;二等边际土地6.4万km2,分布于霍林郭勒市、乌海市等地,主要是以植被为主的农田与植被混合区;三等边际土地 3.5万km2,主要分布在西部阿拉善盟的一些降水较少且交通便利程度低、开发难度大的沙漠边缘地带及一些各类条件均较差的复合限制区。在上述筛选出的边际土地种植油莎豆并提取食用油,将可获得食用油约1.59×107 t;若用于提取生物质柴油,将可获得生物质能量1.87×1012 MJ,可替代4.47×107 t 燃料油。研究可为中国北方风沙区边际土地利用及油莎豆种植和推广,以缓解区域粮油资源及能源短缺问题等提供一定的科学依据和数据支撑。     

黄秋葵MYB转录因子的鉴定及与果实老化关系分析

黄秋葵(Hibiscus esculentus L.)纤维素和木质素的大量积累极易引起果实老化,而植物MYB转录因子参与纤维素和木质素等生物合成与沉积,在次生细胞壁形成中起着重要的调控作用。为研究MYB转录因子在黄秋葵老化中的作用,从黄秋葵果实转录组测序数据库中筛选得到10条功能注释为MYB基因的片段序列,克隆获得了HeMYB4、HeMYB6、HeMYB26、HeMYB28、HeMYB44、HeMYB46、HeMYB59、HeMYB86、HeMY108和HeMYB113的基因全长,分析其核苷酸及编码氨基酸序列特征,同时进行了亚细胞定位、磷酸化位点、功能域、进化等生物信息学分析。结果显示,10个MYB基因均定位于细胞质膜上,具有丰富的磷酸化位点和功能域,与拟南芥等物种中参与纤维素和木质素合成的MYB蛋白亲缘关系较近。通过实时荧光定量PCR分析黄秋葵MYB基因家族的10个基因在果实发育过程、采后常温贮藏期间的表达,结果发现,HeMYB46、HeMYB86、HeMY108的表达量与纤维素含量呈极显著正相关,推测上述基因在黄秋葵果实衰老过程纤维素合成中起重要作用;HeMYB46、HeMYB59的表达量与木质素含量呈极显著正相关,推测其在木质素合成中起到重要调控作用。本研究结果初步明确了黄秋葵MYB转录因子在黄秋葵老化过程中的作用, 为黄秋葵的生产、分子育种等提供了理论基础。     

Litter decomposition and nitrogen mineralization in newly formed gaps in a Danish beech (Fagus sylvatica) forest

Gap formation is suggested as an alternative forest management approach to avoid extreme changes in the N cycle of forest ecosystems caused by traditional management practises. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of gap formation on N availability in beech litter and mineral soil on sites, which experienced only little soil disturbance during tree harvest. N pools, litter decomposition, and N mineralization rates in mineral soil were studied in two gaps (17 and 30 m in diameter) in a 75-year-old managed European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest in Denmark and related to soil temperature (5 cm depth) and soil moisture (15 cm depth). Investigations were carried out during the first 2 years after gap formation in measurement plots located along the north-south transect running through the centre of each gap and into the surrounding forest.An effect of gap size was found only for soil temperatures and litter mass loss: soil temperatures were significantly increased in the northern part of the large gap during the first year after gap formation, and litter mass loss was significantly higher in the smaller gap. All other parameters investigated revealed no effect of gap size. Nitrification, net mineralization, and soil N concentrations tended to be increased in the gaps. Cumulative rates of net mineralization were two fold higher in the gaps during the growing season (June-October), but a statistically significant increase was found only for soil NH₄-N concentrations during this period. Forest floor parameters (C:N ratios, mass loss, N release) were not significantly modified during the first year after gap formation, neither were the total C content nor the C:N ratio in mineral soil at 0-10 cm depth.     

黑龙江省马铃薯气候生产力特征及区划

利用黑龙江省81个气象站1975-2004年30 a的逐日气象资料及相应插值的网格同期逐日气象资料,采用WOFOST作物生长模型,模拟并分析了马铃薯气候生产力的空间分布特征,同时分析了各地气候生产力影响因素及分布特征;利用气候生产力的距平百分率、变异系数及与气候生产力密切相关的有关生育期的4个气候因子(平均气温、气温日较差、日平均日照时数、降水量),采用动态聚类分析方法,将黑龙江省马铃薯可能种植区初步划分为9类气候栽培区,为充分利用当地气候资源发展马铃薯生产提供参考。     

利用GGE双标图和综合选择指数划分棉花品种生态区

为提高农作物品种多性状选育和应用的可靠性,本研究基于品种选择指数,应用GGE双标图进行了棉花品种生态区划分。首先依据国家棉花品种审定标准构建通用性强的品种选择指数(SI),即SI=0.40×皮棉产量+0.13×纤维比强度+0.09×(纤维长度+马克隆值)+0.11×枯萎病+0.09×黄萎病+0.10×霜前花率。然后,采用GGE双标图方法对2000—2013年期间39组(含585个单点试验)长江流域国家棉花区域试验中品种选择指数的基因型与环境互作效应及环境间关系进行综合评价与分析。研究结果将长江流域棉区划分为四川盆地生态区、南襄盆地生态区、浙江省沿海生态区和长江中下游生态区。其中,长江中下游生态区为长江流域的主要品种生态区,对长江流域的总体环境代表性最强,涵盖了湖南省环洞庭湖棉区、湖北省江汉平原和鄂东南岗地棉区、江西省环鄱阳湖棉区、安徽省沿江棉区、江苏省宁镇丘陵及沿江和沿海棉区;四川盆地生态区、南襄盆地生态区和浙江省沿海生态区均为特殊生态环境条件下的品种生态区,对总体环境代表性较差。因此,将以长江流域棉区为广谱适应性育种目标环境的棉花品种综合性状选择试验优先安排在长江中下游生态区中,有利于提高育种的总体选择效果,而其余品种生态区不适宜作为以长江流域为目标环境的品种综合性状选择环境,可侧重于特殊适应性品种选育。本研究充分展示了GGE双标图在品种生态区划分方面的应用效果,合理划分了长江流域基于选择指数的棉花品种生态区,可为长江流域棉区的品种多性状选择和推荐策略提供决策依据,也为其他棉区和作物品种生态区划分提供参考。     

两个品种水稻中硝酸盐吸收和利用率对氮素饥饿的响应特征

Ammonium（NH＋4） is the main nitrogen（N） form for rice crops, while NH＋4near the root surface can be oxidized to nitrate（NO-3）by NH＋4-oxidizing bacteria. Nitrate can be accumulated within rice tissues and reused when N supply is insufficient. We compared the remobilization of NO-3stored in the tissue and vacuolar between two rice（Oryza sativa L.） cultivars, Yangdao 6（YD6, indica）with a high N use efficiency（NUE） and Wuyujing 3（WYJ3, japonica） with a low NUE and measured the uptake of NO-3, expression of nitrate reductase（NR）, NO-3transporter genes（NRTs）, and NR activity after 4 d of N starvation following 7-d cultivation in a solution containing 2.86 mmol L-1NO-3. The results showed that both tissue NO-3concentration and vacuolar NO-3activity were higher in YD6 than WYJ3 under N starvation. YD6 showed a 2- to 3-fold higher expression of OsNRT2.1 in roots on the 1st and 4th day of N starvation and had significantly higher values of NO-3uptake（maximum uptake velocity, Vmax） than the cultivar WYJ3.Furthermore, YD6 had significantly higher leaf and root maximum NR activity（NRAmax） and actual NR activity（NRAact） as well as stronger root expression of the two NR genes after the 1st day of N starvation. There were no significant differences in NRAmax and NRAact between the two rice cultivars on the 4th day of N starvation. The results suggested that YD6 had stronger NRA under N starvation, which might result in better NO-3re-utilization from the vacuole, and higher capacity for NO-3uptake and use, potentially explaining the higher NUE of YD6 compared with WYJ3.     

Taxonomic status and geographic provenance of germplasm accessions in the Solanum nigrum L. complex: AFLP data

Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) were employed within the taxonomically difficult Solanum nigrum L. complex in order to characterize the genetic diversity present in a collection of the Gatersleben Genebank, to classify taxonomically unknown material, and to correlate the clustering of the examined accessions with their geographic origin. The results from AFLP analyses using two primer combinations on 44 entries from five species led to the detection of four major clusters, simultaneously uncovering significant differences in the levels of genetic diversity within or between species. S. americanumexhibited the highest infraspecific variation despite close geographic origins, simultaneously being placed in a clearly separated cluster in comparison to the other examined species of the complex. In addition, these other species showed even less interspecific variation than was found at the infraspecific level in S. americanum. In terms of taxonomy, the application of AFLPs helped in the classification of 13 black nightshade accessions formerly only listed as Solanum sp. This also was confirmed by morphological determination. Furthermore, one accession formerly classified as S. physalifolium var. nitidibaccatum i) clustered with AFLPs and ii) was identified morphologically as S. villosum. Contradictory classifications remain for two further entries from the same species, found within the S. nigrum cluster after AFLP analyses, while belonging to S. physalifolium var. nitidibaccatum according to herbarium specimen. Finally, as indicated by the information on provenance in geographically separated subclusters in S. americanum and partially in S. villosum, clues on the currently unknown origin of accessions from the genebank seem feasible by AFLP data.