The soil seed bank of the threatened plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Magnolia stellata</Emphasis> is subordinate to the emergence of current-year seedlings

We studied seed bank formation of the threatened star magnolia, Magnolia stellata, to examine the early stage of regeneration. Forty-five seedling plots (2 × 2 m), each including a soil-sampling quadrat (40 × 40 cm), were established randomly under or around the crowns of mature M. stellata trees. Seeds of M. stellata were collected from each quadrat to a depth of 5 cm. Only four seeds of M. stellata were found (0.56 seeds/m²) and all were located under mature crowns. Current-year seedlings were abundant in water channels, on moss, or under mature crowns, suggesting that the seeds may require wet soil conditions for germination. Magnolia stellata seeds show considerable germination below the crowns of mature trees in the year following masting, while some seeds remain dormant in the soil. Considering the soil seed bank and the current-year seedling bank of M. stellata, a frequent supply of seed is essential for the regeneration of this species. Thus, it is important to maintain mature trees in addition to promoting seed production.     

Ionomic Profiling of Rice Genotypes and Identification of Varieties with Elemental Covariation Effects

Ionomic profiles are primarily influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Identifying ionomic responses to varietal effects is necessary to understand the ionomic variations among species or subspecies and to potentially understand genetic effects on ionomic profiles. We cultivated 120 rice (Oryza sativa) varieties to seedling stage in identical hydroponic conditions and determined the concentrations of 26 elements (including 3 anions) in the shoots and roots of rice. Although the subspecies effects were limited by the genus Oryza pre-framework and its elemental chemical properties, we found significant differences in ionomic variations in most elements among the aus, indica and japonica subspecies. Principal component analysis of the correlations indicated that variations in the root-to-shoot ionomic transport mechanisms were the main causes of ionomic differences among the subspecies. Furthermore, the correlations were primarily associated with the screening of varieties for elemental covariation effects that can facilitate breeding biofortified rice varieties with safe concentrations of otherwise toxic elements. The japonica subspecies exhibited the strongest elemental correlations and elemental covariation effects, therefore, they showed greater advantages for biofortification than the indica and aus subspecies, whereas indica and aus subspecies were likely safer in metal(loid) polluted soils. We also found that geographical and historical distribution significantly defined the ionomic profiles. Overall, the results of this study provided a reference for further association studies to improve the nutritional status and minimize toxicity risks in rice production.     

Quantitative structure—activity studies of insect growth regulators. XI. Stimulation and inhibition of N-acetylglucosamine incorporation in a cultured integument system by substituted N-tert-butyl-N,N′-dibenzoylhydrazines

The ability to stimulate N-acetylglucosamine (GluNAc) incorporation in-vitro of a number of N-tert-butyl-N,N′-dibenzoylhydrazines having various substituents on both phenyl rings was measured in cultured integument excised from the rice stem borer (Chilo suppressalis Walker). The relationship between in-vitro and larvicidal potency was approximately linear. The substituent effects on variations in the potency were similar between in-vitro and larvicidal activities. An inhibitor of oxidative detoxication, piperonyl butoxide, had no synergistic effects on the in-vitro potency. The ability of some dibenzoylhydrazines to inhibit GluNAc incorporation at exposure periods longer than the optimum for stimulation was also measured in a similar cultured integument system. The relationship between the inhibitory and stimulatory potency indices was linear, indicating that the larvicidal activity of dibenzoylhydrazines is closely related to its ability to stimulate as well as to inhibit GluNAc incorporation into the larval cuticle.     

Influence of soya saponin, soya lectin, and cholyltaurine supplemented to a casein-based semipurified diet on intestinal morphology and biliary bile status in fingerling rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

To investigate the cause of the changes in intestinal morphology and biliary bile status of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss fed defatted soybean meal (SBM)-based diets, casein-based semipurified diets supplemented with soya saponin, soya lectin, and cholyltaurine were fed to rainbow trout for 6 weeks. An unsupplemented control diet and a SBM-based diet were also tested as references. Poor development of microvilli and pinocytotic vacuoles, and accumulation of large vacuoles in the epithelial cells were observed in the distal intestine of fish fed diets containing saponin but not cholyltaurine. Hyperplastic connective tissue in the mucosal folds of the distal intestine was observed in fish fed a diet containing both saponin and lectin but not cholyltaurine. However, intestinal histological features in fish fed diet supplemented with cholyltaurine and lectin and/or saponin were similar to those in the control diet group. Liver morphology and biliary bile status were not affected by saponin and lectin. These results suggest that the abnormal features of the distal intestine of rainbow trout fed SBM-based diets are caused by the combination of soya saponin and soya lectin, and that supplemental cholyltaurine plays certain roles in normalizing the intestinal abnormalities caused by the saponin and lectin.     

渡良濑游水地土壤微生物群落结构与功能研究

利用BIOLOG和磷脂脂肪酸(PLFA)技术,研究了受足尾铜矿废水影响下的日本西那须地区渡良濑游水地东、西两侧土壤生物学特性、微生物群落结构及功能变化.结果表明:东侧(对照区)土壤全铜含量为45.07mg/kg,有效态铜含量为0.42 mg/kg,同西侧相比,平均降低了19.32%和89.95%.土壤呼吸速率主要受土壤有效态铜、土壤有机质和C/N的影响,随土层深度增加,土壤微生物量氮和溶解性氮都迅速减小,东侧土壤具有较强的氮矿化能力,渡良濑游水地东、西两侧0-5 cm土层土壤的微生物群落生理代谢剖面在培养48 h后出现明显变化;土壤微生物群落的平均颜色变化值(AWCD)随培养时间的延长,趋于平缓增加.在48 h时培养后,西侧位点土壤的AWCD值与东侧相比,分别下降了40%,34%和16%;除B位点样品在20-40 cm土层深度的AWCD略高于其它3个位点外,其余样品的AWCD无明显差异.渡良濑游水地东侧土壤微生物对单一碳源底物的利用能力较高,土壤微生物群落利用碳源的功能多样性也较高.渡良濑游水地西侧区域C位点土壤的格兰仕阳性菌、格兰仕阴性菌、放线菌数量均显著高于东侧A位点,但渡良濑游水地东侧区域土壤3大类群微生物中细菌和放线菌比例更高.在渡良濑游水地自然恢复30多年后,东、西两侧土壤微生物群落结构与功能仍存在较明显的差异.     

Quantitative structure-activity analysis of larvicidal 1-(substituted benzoyl)-2-benzoyl-1-tert-butylhydrazines against Chilo suppressalis

The larvicidal activity of a number of 1-(substituted benzoyl)-2-benzoyl–1 -ten-butylhydrazines against the rice stem borer (Chilo suppressalis Walk.) was measured. Variations in the activity were examined quantitatively using physico-chemical substituent and molecular parameters and regression analysis. The results indicated that the molecular hydrophobicity and the electron-withdrawing inductive/ field effect of ontho substituents are favourable to larvicidal activity. The bulkiness of substituents at the meta and para positions was unfavourable to activity, substitution at the para position being more unfavourable than that at the meta position in terms of van der Waals' volume. The 2,3–, 2,5- and 2,6-disubstitution patterns were also unfavourable to activity. Reductions in larvicidal activity caused by the 2,6-,- 2,3,5- and 2,3,4,5-substitutions were greater than those induced by the 2,3- and 2,5-disubstitutions. When the sum of contributions from favourable effects is greater than that from unfavourable effects, the larvicidal activity is expected to be superior to that of the unsubstituted compound.     

日本横滨市土壤各形态铅和蚯蚓体内铅的含量关系研究

以日本横滨市国道两侧绿地土壤和横滨国立大学校内绿地土壤为研究区,采用连续浸提-ICP法分析了横滨市土壤环境中表层(0～5cm)和5～20cm处的Pb元素的水溶性、离子态、碳酸盐结合态、铁锰氧化物结合态、有机质结合态、和残渣态Pb的含量变化及其与土壤蚯蚓体内Pb含量的关系,结果表明:横滨市土壤表层全Pb含量在76.85～100.05mgkg-1之间,5～20cm土层全Pb含量为40.83～57mgkg-1之间,远高于当地的土壤Pb背景值(17mgkg-1),受到不同程度的污染;并且横滨国立大学校内绿地土壤比国道两侧绿地土壤表层的全Pb含量显著提高,其污染原因有待于进一步研究。蚯蚓体内的Pb含量变化范围在在研究区各采样点中没有显著差异,统计分析结果表明,蚯蚓体内的Pb含量与土壤环境中各形态Pb之间并无线性相关关系。     

The impact of climate change on maize yields in the United States and China

This study analyzes the impacts of climate change on maize yields using an econometric model that incorporates climate, economic, and technology variables. The major finding is climate change will not universally cause negative impacts of maize yields in the United States and China. The results of a simulation of climate change on maize yields over the period 2008-2030 show that a combination of changes in temperature and precipitation can either bring positive or negative effects on maize yields. Furthermore, variation in regional climatic and economic conditions makes the impacts of climatic change on maize yields substantially different in different regions. In this research, the impacts of climate change on maize yields are not simply examined by climate factors. Economic and technology adaptation effects on maize yields are also incorporated. Thus, even with significant changes in climate conditions that alter the maize crop’s growing environment and affect crop yields, a decrease in maize supply due to a decrease in maize yields would lead to an increase in the maize price, which in turn would induce farmers to add more investments in production inputs to raise yields. Thus, the decrease in actual yields may not be as dramatic as predicted in only climate factor considered cases. In this research, findings gained from the study can be used for early-staged policymaking decisions and advanced problem prevention programs. To ensure the continuous increase in maize yields in the future, further studies and research, as well as efficient environmental policies and actions are required.