Impact of nitrogen amount and timing on the potential of acrylamide formation in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Acrylamide (AA), a potential human carcinogen, is formed in strongly heated carbohydrate-rich food as a part of the Maillard reaction. The amino acid asparagine (Asn) and reducing sugars are considered to be the main precursors for AA formation. In a 2-year field trial the impact of nitrogen (N) amount and timing on the content of AA precursors and the potential of AA formation in different winter wheat cultivars (cv.) were studied in association with respective grain yields and parameters of baking quality. Depending on year, cultivar and nitrogen treatment Asn contents ranged between 4 and 18 mg 100 g⁻¹ flour dry-matter (DM). Nitrogen treatments affecting crude protein contents in flours above 13% caused a considerable increase in free Asn. Nitrogen amounts of 220 kg N ha⁻¹ increased the contents of free Asn by between 130% and 270% depending on year and cultivar compared to the untreated controls. A close linear correlation between the content of free Asn and the potential of AA formation (2004: R² = 0.89, 2005: R² = 0.83) could be observed, whereas no correlation could be found between reducing sugars and the potential of AA formation, pointing to the importance of free Asn as the limiting and thus determining factor for the AA formation potential in wheat flours. To reach high crude protein contents and good sedimentation values demanded for breadstuffs, nitrogen amounts of at least 180 kg N ha⁻¹ were necessary. Nitrogen fertilization measures resulting in high crude protein contents above 13% enhanced the potential of AA formation by increasing the content of free Asn in flours. As long as demands from traders and producers for flour with high crude protein contents are not revised, lowering Asn contents and thus the potential for AA formation by application of N amounts below 180 kg N ha⁻¹ and abandoning the late application of N do not appear to be successful ways to reduce the risk of AA formation in breadstuffs.     

Moso bamboo expansion into a broadleaved forest alters the dominant soil organic carbon source

Both microbes and plants contribute to soil organic carbon (SOC) formation and retention, but their roles in controlling SOC dynamics in forest soils under Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) expansion remain unclear. Here, amino sugars and lignin monomers were measured to represent microbial necromass and plant-derived components, respectively. The observed decline in both amino sugars and lignin monomers during Moso bamboo expansion indicates a reduction in microbial necromass and recalcitrant plant contributions to SOC composition. This could be attributed to a limitation of microbial substrates and proliferation caused by the reduced litter inputs resulting from the expansion. The proportion of microbial necromass contributing to the SOC pool increased, but that of lignin monomers decreased, as SOC content decreased with Moso bamboo expansion. This suggests that the decrease of SOC during bamboo expansion was mainly due to the reduction of lignin, while the increased contribution of microbial-derived carbon to SOC may serve to improve SOC stability. Our study sheds light on the altered SOC source inputs resulting from Moso bamboo expansion and emphasizes the need for sustainable forestry management practices that differentiate between microbial- and plant-derived carbon pools.     

Lavandula multifida response to salinity: Growth,nutrient uptake,and physiological changes

Fern leaf lavender (Lavandula multifida L.) is a perennial shrub native to Almería with known medicinal properties, which grows in saline soils that are increasingly present in the Mediterranean region. However, the effects of salinity on the mineral nutrition and physiology of L. multifida are unknown. In the present study, we evaluated the salt resistance of this species and compared it with other members of the Lamiaceae . Plants of L. multifida were grown in pots in a mixture of sphagnum peat‐moss and Perlite, and treated with five different NaCl concentrations [10 (control), 30, 60, 100, and 200 mM NaCl] over a period of 60 d. The effects of different levels of salinity on mineral nutrient and osmolyte concentrations and on biomass were evaluated. Our results show that L. multifida plants were able to grow with 60 mM NaCl without significant biomass reduction. Na⁺ and Cl⁻ were the main contributors to the osmotic potential in both roots and leaves, whereas total soluble sugars (TSS) and proline made only a small contribution. The concentrations of TSS and proline showed different trends in the different organs: in roots, both showed the highest concentrations at 60 mM NaCl, whereas in leaves TSS increased and proline decreased with increasing salt stress. To survive salinity, L. multifida plants increased salt excretion (Na⁺ and Cl⁻) by leaves at 100 and 200 mM NaCl and leaf succulence at 60, 100, and 200 mM NaCl. Excessive accumulation of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ was avoided by shedding leaves. Our results indicate that L. multifida is better adapted to salinity compared to other members of the Lamiaceae ¸ a consideration that is particularly relevant for their growth in arid saline areas.     

Einfluß des Standortes, der N-Düngung, der Sorte und des Erntezeitpunktes auf den Ertrag an fermentierbaren Zuckern bei Topinamburkraut und -knollen

Effect of location, N-fertilization, variety and harvest date on the yield of fermentable sugars of Jerusalem artichoke tops and tubers
In the past, the production of fermentable sugar with Jerusalem artichoke ( Helianthus tuberosus L.) resulted nearly exclusively from tubers.
It should be investigated to what extent the tops can be used beside tubers as a source of fermentable sugars, connected with studies about diverse components of yield and morphological characteristics.
In field trials at three locations in the south-west of Germany in 1983 and 1984 yields of "Total Fermentable Sugars" (TFZ) with Jerusalem artichoke tops up to 6.7 t/ha were achieved according to variety, N-fertilization and harvest date. While harvesting Jerusalem artichoke tubers yields of TFZ up to 8.3 t/ha had been feasible.
The presented correlations between components of yield and morphological plant characteristics refer to interesting mechanisms of reaction and dependence on the formation of yield with this crop. The high yield level of Jerusalem artichoke and its adaptability to different locations also present this crop as an interesting renewable biomass crop for the south-west of Germany.     

Potassium fertilization enhances pepper fruit quality

The effect of potassium (K⁺) concentration on the nutritional quality and yield of pepper fruits was evaluated. Pepper plants were grown in a controlled-environment greenhouse under hydroponic conditions with different nutrient solutions obtained by modifying the Hoagland solution to achieve different K⁺ concentrations. Potassium nutrition affected fruit yield parameters more than vegetative biomass in pepper plants. The maximum fruit yield was obtained with 7 mM K⁺ in the nutrient solution. However, it is possible to improve the bioactive compounds of pepper fruits with a higher application of K⁺ without reducing yield. The increase of K⁺ in the nutrient solution improved pepper fruit quality by increasing fruit firmness, TSS content, soluble sugars and ascorbic acid concentration. Therefore, the fruit quality improvements obtained with adequate K⁺ nutrition resulted in nutritionally enriched fruits, which, at little or no extra cost, benefits the consumer.     

Carbohydrate metabolism during tuber initiation in potato: A transient surge in invertase activity marks the stolon to tuber transition

Summary The relationship between carbohydrate metabolism and tuber initiation in potato was determined by monitoring changes in the amount of starch and sugars along with the activities of sugar metabolizing enzymes upon transfer of plants to tuber-inducing conditions (TI; short days, cold nights) from non-inducing conditions (NTI: long days, warm nights). Switch to TI conditions caused an immediate slow-down in plant growth and triggered swelling of stolon tips, which went on to develop into tubers. Leaves of plants moved to TI conditions accumulated less starch and sugar while their stolon tips showed a sudden upsurge in starch content and a sharp decline in sugars even before any tip swelling was detectable. These changes were paralleled by a transient surge in the activity of cell wall invertase (74%) and soluble invertase (30%) in stolon tips of plants transferred to TI conditions in two unrelated cultivars under different experimental conditions. As the surge in invertase activity faded, it was replaced by a substantial increase in sucrose synthase activity as the tuber enlargement proceeded. The transient increase in invertase activity just prior to tuber initiation appears to mark a turning point in the transition of stolon tip to tuber.     

Amylolytic activity in stored potato tubers. 2. The effect of low-temperature storage on the activities of α-and β-amylase and α-glucosidase in potato tubers

Summary Tubers of the potato cultivars Record, Wilja, Pentland Dell and Brodick (formerly clone 137371) were sampled before and after storage at either 4°C or 10°C. Reducing sugar content stayed constant during storage at 10°C in all four cultivars but rose greatly during the first 6–12 weeks of storage at 4°C in Record, Wilja and Pentland Dell but not in Brodick. Amylolytic activity was determined after 5 weeks storage using blockedp-nitrophenyl maltoheptaoside as substrate for α-amylase,p-nitrophenyl maltopentaoside as substrate for β-amylase, andp-nitrophenylglucopyranoside as substrate for α-glucosidase. The values obtained from tubers stored at 4°C were higher than those from tubers stored at 10°C, the differences being much less in Brodick than in the other three cultivars.     

Effect of Salinity and Nitrogen Application on Growth,Chemical Composition and Some Biochemical Indices of Pistachio Seedlings (Pistacia Vera L.)

To study the effect of nitrogen and salinity on growth and chemical composition of pistachio seedlings (cv. ‘Badami’), a greenhouse experiment was conducted. Treatments consisted of four salinity levels [0, 800, 1600, and 2400 mg sodium chloride (NaCl) kg^?1 soil], and four nitrogen (N) levels (0, 60, 120, and 180 mg kg^?1 soil as urea). Treatments were arranged in a factorial manner in a completely randomized design with three replications. The highest level of nitrogen and salinity decreased leaf and root dry weights. Nitrogen application significantly increased the concentration of shoot N and salinity suppressed shoot N concentration. Salinity and nitrogen fertilization increased shoot and root sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations. Nitrogen application increased proline concentration and reducing sugar content. Although salinity levels increased proline concentration a specific trend on reducing sugars content was not observed.     

橡胶树树皮和木质部淀粉和可溶性糖含量测定

提出一种橡胶树树皮和木质部非结构性碳水化合物含量测定方法。取样测定范围为10~200 mg,利用80%乙醇浸提提取可溶性糖,硫酸蒽酮法测定可溶性糖含量,硝酸钙法提取淀粉,I2-KI法测定淀粉含量。本方法优点是:取样量小,对胶树伤害小,取样过程简单,测定结果准确。     

设施油桃果实的糖积累与相关酶活性

以设施栽培超红珠油桃为试材,测定了果实发育过程中糖含量及相关代谢酶—酸性转化酶、中性转化酶、蔗糖合成酶及蔗糖磷酸合成酶的活性,并对果实中糖分积累及与相关酶活性的关系进行了分析。结果表明:在果实发育早期,糖分积累以还原糖即葡萄糖和果糖为主,果实发育后期,以积累蔗糖为主;糖代谢相关酶的活性变化表现为随果实成熟,蔗糖逐渐积累,酸性转化酶活性下降,蔗糖合成酶分解方向酶活性逐渐增强。蔗糖合成酶合成方向酶活性与蔗糖磷酸合成酶活性变化相似,果实发育前期酶活性逐渐降低,果实发育中后期酶活性逐渐升高,果实近成熟时酶活性升高较快,此时蔗糖迅速积累。