Phenotypic and genetic characterization of Erwinia carotovora from mulberry (Morus spp.)

Phenotypic and genetic characteristics of nine bacterial strains isolated from mulberry ( Morus spp.), which were originally described as Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora (Ecc), were investigated. Based on the results of biochemical tests, these bacterial strains were divided into two different types, type 1 and type 2. Two strains of type 1 were similar to Ecc, whereas seven strains of type 2 were distinct from Ecc. A polyphasic study that included serological assay, specific PCR assay for E. carotovora ssp. atroseptica (Eca), PCR-RFLP of a pectate lyase ( pel ) gene and RAPD-PCR was performed on the type 2 strains, and the data were compared with those of related E. carotovora subspecies. The results of serological and specific PCR assays for Eca showed that the type 2 strains were distinct from Eca. In RFLP analysis of the pel gene using Sau 3AI, the type 2 strains showed a unique RFLP pattern. On the basis of RAPD analysis, similarity of RAPD patterns within the type 2 strains was very high. A unique RAPD fragment was isolated from the type 2 strains and used as a probe for Southern hybridization. This probe hybridized only with PCR products from the type 2 strains. Based on phenotypic, serological and genetic characteristics, the type 2 strains isolated from mulberry may belong to a distinct E. carotovora subspecies other than Eca or Ecc.     

SSR-based genetic linkage analysis of resistance to crown rust (Puccinia coronata f. sp. lolii) in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)

Crown rust (caused by Puccinia coronata f. sp. lolii) is a serious foliar disease of the pasture and turfgrass perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Previous genetic studies have detected both qualitative and quantitative resistance mechanisms, and interpretation of the genetic system is complicated by variation within the sexually reproducing pathogen. Resistant and susceptible parental genotypes of ryegrass were identified using a composite urediniospore population collected from three geographically distinct locations. A two-way pseudo-testcross mapping population was obtained as the F₁ progeny of the pair-cross between ryegrass parental genotypes Vedette₆ and Victorian₉. Both parents showed intermediate resistance against a pathogen population collected in a single geographical zone (Hamilton, Victoria), but in the F₁ population, significant variation for a range of resistance-associated characters was detected. Statistical analysis of phenotypic data suggested a major gene effect, hence bulked segregant analysis with map-assigned simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers was used to scan the genome. A marker showing strong association with resistance was assigned to linkage group (LG) 2 of perennial ryegrass. Analysis of 11 LG2 SSR markers defined an interval between loci xlpssrh03f03 and xlpssrk02e02 as containing the gene or genes (LpPc1) conferring crown rust resistance. Resistance gene determinants were inherited from both parents, with up to 80% of the total phenotypic variation explained by markers segregating from Vedette₆ and up to 26% of the variation explained by markers segregating from Victorian₉. The two contributions together resulted in an additive increase in effect, with fully resistant individuals requiring determinants from both parents. A conserved syntenic relationship was observed with linkage group B of Avena strigosa, which is the location of a cluster of resistance genes to the oat form of crown rust. The implications of this study for marker-assisted selection of disease resistance in perennial ryegrass are discussed.     

Functional analysis of the 3′ end of avrBs3/pthA genes from two Xanthomonas species

The phytopathogens Xanthomonas oryzae pathovar (pv.) oryzae and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri each contain several avrBs3/pthA family genes. Structural features of these genes important for avirulence and/or virulence functions include a central region of multiple direct repeats and three nuclear localization signals (NLSs) and an acidic activation domain (AAD) at the 3′ end. To identify other regions critical to function in the 3′ ends of these genes, we constructed several chimeras using apl1 and apl2 from X. axonopodis pv. citri and avrXa10 and avrXa7 from X. oryzae pv. oryzae and evaluated their functions by inoculation to citrus and rice. The apl1 and avrXa7 genes are major virulence determinants in citrus and rice, respectively, while the contributions of apl2 and avrXa10 to virulence are negligible or not measurable. Constructs that contained a 417 bp HincII-SphI fragment from the 3′ end of apl1 in combination with the repeats from avrXa7, avrXa10, and apl1 caused a canker phenotype on citrus. Interchange of the HincII-SphI fragment between avrXa7 and avrXa10 abolishes avrXa7 avirulence function and reduces its virulence but it does not affect avrXa10 avirulence function in rice. avrXa7 caused a hypersensitive response (HR) in citrus and replacement of it's 3′ end with that of apl1 resulted in loss of canker and induction of HR. Thus, the HincII-SphI fragment of the avrBs3/pthA gene family is important for avirulence and virulence functions in two different plant species, Oryza sativa and Citrus natsudaidai HAYATA.     

旱地(土娄)土长期定位施肥土壤剖面硝态氮分布与累积研究

通过12a大田长期定位试验研究了在自然降水条件、冬小麦—大豆轮作(或休闲)种植制度下,0～400cm土娄土剖面硝态氮分布与积累的特点。结果表明,长期单施氮肥,氮的表观利用率特别低,仅0.51%,氮肥配施钾、磷肥,氮的表观利用率为25%～35%,氮磷钾平衡施肥及配施有机肥,氮的表观利用率达到50%;施N肥方式显著影响土壤硝态氮积累和淋移,旱地土娄土长期单施化学氮肥或氮钾、氮磷、氮磷钾肥使土壤NO-3-N大量积累和淋移;氮磷钾与有机肥的配合施用能有效地缓解土壤对硝态氮的积累,提高氮肥利用率。     

Indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aciculosporium take</Emphasis>, a causal agent of witches' broom of bamboo

 Aciculosporium take (Ascomycota; Clavicipitaceae) is a causal agent of witches' broom of bamboo plants. The symptoms of this disease are believed to be induced by plant hormones, particularly auxins. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was identified in cultures of this fungus in an l-tryptophan-supplemented liquid medium. IAA production was confirmed on 30 isolates of A. take from various hosts and locations at levels up to 1 mg/l. The biosynthetic pathway of IAA in A. take culture was examined by analyzing intermediate products and by feeding experiments. The results showed that the indole-3-pyruvic acid pathway (l-tryptophan → indole-3-pyruvic acid → indole acetaldehyde → IAA) was the dominant pathway in A. take. Received: June 3, 2002 / Accepted: July 25, 2002     

Evidence that a Leaf-Disk Test Allows Assessment of Isolate-Specific Resistance in Brassica oleracea Crops Against Downy Mildew (Peronospora parasitica)

A rapid resistance/susceptibility test for Peronospora parasitica (downy mildew) was established by inoculating leaf-disks of four Brassica oleracea accessions. Several conditions were tested: disk disinfection or not, agar medium with or without nutrients and with 50 or 100 ppm of benzimidazole. Using disinfected disks placed on agar (no nutrient and benzimidazole at 50 or 100 ppm), the responses of leaf-disks to four isolates were similar to those obtained using the classical cotyledon test, whereas undesired contaminations occurred in all other conditions. The possible effect of the particular leaf used for obtaining the disks was also studied. In each incompatible interaction tested, disks were resistant whatever the leaf used. In compatible interactions, susceptible phenotypes were observed on disks derived from the six lowest leaves, but disks from upper leaves were resistant. The genetic basis of resistance in a F1 hybrid broccoli was assessed, by testing six isolates on an F2 population derived from this hybrid. The cotyledon test only allows inoculation of two isolates per seedling, whereas many isolates can be tested on each plant by using leaf-disks. The segregation of the resistance to each of the six isolates was analysed: two dominant genes (tightly linked) control resistance to all isolates (one to five isolates; the other to only one isolate).     

磷化氢熏蒸处理对嗜卷书虱不同虫态的致死作用

实验室条件下系统研究了磷化氢(PH3)对储物害虫嗜卷书虱Liposcelis bostrychophila卵、各龄若虫和成虫的致死作用,并选用PH3间歇熏蒸以及PH3与气调交替处理等措施对嗜卷书虱进行处理,比较了不同处理措施对嗜卷书虱种群的控制效果。结果表明,PH3熏蒸处理对嗜卷书虱各虫态有不同的致死效果。对卵而言,24、72和120 h熏蒸处理的LC50分别为0.137、0.045和0.035 mg/L;而24 h熏蒸处理对若虫的LC50在4.285~7.364 μg/L之间,对成虫的LC50为20.404 μg/L;采用25 μg/L的PH3进行24 h熏蒸处理,间隔10 d后再分别进行第2次和第3次熏蒸处理,可以完全控制嗜卷书虱的发生。采用PH3 (12 μg/L)和气调(体积比例为35% CO2,1% O2,64% N2)交替处理能够延缓嗜卷书虱种群抗性的发展,交替处理3~5次可以完全控制嗜卷书虱的发生。     

对鳞翅目害虫有活性的cry1C基因的克隆和表达

在鉴定苏云金芽孢杆菌(Bacillus thuringiensis，简称Bt)Btc001菌株cry基因型的基础上，构建了Btc001菌株质粒DNA HindⅢ片段的文库，并利用聚合酶链式反应-限制性酶切片段多态性(PCIR-RFIP)方法筛选出含有crylC6全长基因的13．5kb大片段，酶切分析得到该片段的物理图谱，BamHI和EcoRI切完成了6．5kb含全长基因的亚克隆，并对这条6．5kb片段亚克隆、测序，序列在国际核酸序列数据库(GenBank)登记(AY007686)，并由Bt杀虫晶体蛋白基因国际命名委员会命名为cry1Cb2基因。根据序列设计了一对用于扩增全长基因的引物S581CB和S381CB，扩增产物插入表达载体pET-21b中，诱导后在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中获得高效表达。表达产物对小菜蛾(Plutella xylostella)表现出较高活性，LC50达到7．9μg/ml。     

转基因水稻对稻瘟病的抗性研究

 采用苗期初筛、复筛、抗谱测定和田间自然诱发试验等不同鉴定方法,对经分子检测证明已整合有碱性几丁质酶基因和β-1,3-葡聚精酶基因的22个转化系的转基因水稻植株进行稻瘟病抗性鉴定研究,筛选出对稻瘟病的抗性比原种对照七丝软占有明显提高的一系列转基因水稻品系,其中表现高抗的有来自F4-9转化株系的7个品系。高抗材料的R7代品系,经室内抗谱测定及田间病圃试验结果,仍然表现高抗稻瘟病。本研究通过转基因技术,成功地将优质感病品种改良成高抗品系,研究结果证明了利用基因工程手段培育抗病水稻新品种是一个非常有希望的育种途径。