Effects of temperature,vapour pressure deficit and radiation on infectivity of conidia ofBotrytis cinerea and on susceptibility of gerbera petals

The effect of vapour pressure deficit, temperature and radiation on the postharvest susceptibility of gerbera flowers toB. cinerea, on the water relations of gerbera flowers and on the lesion formation after conidial infection ofB. cinerea was studied. The temperature range in whichB. cinerea could germinate and growin vitro is 5–30 °C. In climate chamber experiments flowers had more lesions ofB. cinerea at temperatures of 20 and 25 °C than at 10 and 15°C. At 15, 20 and 25°C the infectivity ofB. cinerea conidia was negatively affected during a storage-period of 7 days. At a vapour pressure deficit (VPD) of 200 Pa significantly more conidia ofB. cinerea were infective than at 800 Pa. At a VPD of 800 Pa the susceptibility of gerbera flowers forB. cinerea was not significantly different than at 200 Pa. High radiation levels in glasshouses in spring and summer negatively influenced the infectivity of conidia ofB. cinerea on the flower surface, but did not affect the susceptibility of gerbera flowers forB. cinerea. In spring and early summer conidia lost their infectivity at high radiation levels, high temperatures and high levels of VPD. In summer gerbera flowers could be more susceptible toB. cinerea because of high temperatures in glasshouses, but the negative effect of radiation on the conidia ofB. cinerea seemed to overrule the temperature effect. Thus, the numbers of lesions in spring and summer can be low compared with the numbers in other seasons, although the numbers ofB. cinerea colonies on spore traps can be high. The effect of temperature on the susceptibility of gerbera flowers can probably be explained by changes of water status in the petals. At higher temperatures the number of lesions and the turgor (=water potential—osmotic potential) in the petals increased. Temperatures <10°C during lesion formation (RH>95% and VPD<50 Pa) had a temporary negative effect on the number of lesions. After 3 days of incubation the numbers of lesions were about equal (30 lesions/cm²) from 5 to 20°C. At 30°C no lesion formation was observed even after 3 days.     

Effect of foliar-applied potassium chloride on septoria leaf blotch of winter wheat

The effect of foliar-applied potassium chloride on Septoria tritici , the anamorph of Mycosphaerella graminicola , was quantified and possible modes of action investigated during controlled-environment and field experiments. A field experiment in harvest year 1997 showed c . 50% reduction in the area of leaf 2 of winter wheat plants affected by septoria leaf blotch after foliar application of potassium chloride, compared with untreated controls. Similarly, in harvest year 1998 potassium chloride reduced, by about one-third, the area of the flag and penultimate leaf affected by S. tritici . However, a significant yield increase was not observed, although grains m⁻² did show an increase of borderline significance. Applications of epoxiconazole reduced the area of leaf 4 affected by S. tritici compared with untreated controls, whereas applications of chlorothalonil, potassium chloride or polyethylene glycol proved ineffective against disease development. This may suggest that potassium chloride is relatively immobile and possesses contact activity similar to that of chlorothalonil. In 1998, similar reductions in leaf area affected were observed with the inert osmoticum polyethylene glycol in the field, suggesting that the control provided by potassium chloride may be achieved by adverse osmotic effects on the pathogen. Scanning electron microscopy of germinating conidia on wheat plants showed inhibition of conidial germination by both potassium chloride and polyethylene glycol at the same calculated osmotic potential on the leaf surface.     

NO介导的Ca2+信号对渗透胁迫下紫花苜蓿幼苗光合特征及抗性的影响

以紫花苜蓿幼苗为材料,用聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)作为渗透介质人工模拟干旱条件,外源喷施NO供体硝普钠(SNP)、钙信号试剂CaCl₂、NO抑制剂亚甲基蓝(MB)和Ca²⁺通道阻断剂LaCl₃,对紫花苜蓿幼苗光合特征、抗氧化酶活性及过氧化物酶(POD)同工酶图谱进行研究,探讨了渗透胁迫下NO介导的Ca²⁺信号对紫花苜蓿幼苗光合作用及抗氧化能力的影响。结果表明:在渗透胁迫条件下,施加SNP、CaCl₂均能够有效缓解叶片叶绿素a、类胡萝卜素及总叶绿素含量降低,提高叶片净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)及气孔限制值(L_s),而对胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)没有缓解作用。SNP、CaCl₂及SNP+CaCl₂处理提高了幼苗叶片中抗氧化酶活性和脯氨酸含量,降低了丙二醛(MDA)含量。其中共处理时效果最为显著,第4天 SOD、POD、CAT活性较PEG处理升高了39.29%、30.41%和56.24%,脯氨酸含量增加了45.59%,MDA含量降低了45.59%。POD同工酶图谱在第4天时酶谱带数最多,POD活性最强,且SNP+CaCl₂共处理下出现新酶带。而添加外源NO的同时添加Ca²⁺通道阻断剂LaCl₃,紫花苜蓿幼苗光合速率、抗氧化酶活性及脯氨酸含量均降低,丙二醛含量增加,添加Ca²⁺信号的同时施加NO抑制剂MB也具有相同的作用,说明Ca²⁺信号参与NO信号转导过程并相互作用共同调节渗透胁迫下紫花苜蓿幼苗的生理应答响应。     

人工改造野生大豆GsDREB2基因对植物耐盐和耐渗透胁迫能力的影响

DREB (dehydration responsive element binding protein)转录因子是一个干旱应答元件的结合蛋白,它能特异结合启动子中含有DRE/CRT顺式元件,激活逆境诱导基因的表达,调控植物对干旱、低温、高盐、高温等胁迫的耐逆性。大量研究表明DREB转录因子在信号传导、作用机理及基因表达方面存在复杂性。为了野生大豆来源GsDREB2基因能更有效地发挥功能,人工突变该基因的负向调节结构域(negative regulatory domain, NRD,140~204),经改造命名为GsDREB2-mNRD。在酵母中比较全长基因(FLDREB2)和GsDREB2-mNRD转录激活和与DRE元件结合的能力,并验证GsDREB2-mNRD核定位情况。分别将FLDREB2和GsDREB2-mNRD转化拟南芥,通过拟南芥幼苗期盐胁迫和渗透胁迫试验,比较GsDREB2-mNRD和FLDREB2在提高植物耐盐和渗透胁迫方面的差异。结果表明,GsDREB2基因内部存在着负向调节结构域(NRD),抑制了GsDREB2转录激活功能和DRE元件结合的特性;经改造的GsDREB2基因依然能定位在细胞核;超量表达GsDREB2-mNRD基因的拟南芥耐盐和渗透胁迫能力明显强于非转基因对照,也高于FLDREB2基因超表达的拟南芥;野生大豆来源的GsDREB2基因NRD结构域的缺失可增强该基因在植物耐盐、渗透胁迫等逆境胁迫下的功能。     

两个宁夏枸杞品种的耐渗透胁迫和耐盐特征比较

以宁夏枸杞(Lycium barbarum)中的两个品种扁果枸杞和宁杞0702为材料,对比二者在渗透胁迫、盐处理以及渗透胁迫和盐处理互作条件下的生长特征、叶组织含水量以及各器官Na~+、K~+积累量分析。结果表明,与对照相比,-0.5 MPa渗透胁迫下,扁果枸杞和宁杞0702的生长均受到抑制,其鲜重分别降低了34%和38%,根长分别降低了32%和17%;与对照相比,50mmol·L~(-1) NaCl使扁果枸杞幼苗的鲜重显著增加了38%(P0.05),干重、株高和根长均不受影响,但宁杞0702幼苗鲜重、干重、株高和根长分别显著降低了27%、34%、44%和14%(P0.05);渗透胁迫~+盐处理下,扁果枸杞幼苗与对照组差异不显著(P0.05),而宁杞0702幼苗的鲜重、干重、株高和根长分别显著降低了37%、28%、44%和13%。与对照相比,渗透胁迫下,扁果枸杞叶组织含水量维持稳定,而宁杞0702显著降低了12%(P0.05);在盐处理下,扁果枸杞和宁杞0702叶组织含水量分别显著增加了25%和18%(P0.05),在渗透胁迫~+盐处理下二者均维持稳定。在扁果枸杞中,鲜重和叶组织含水量与叶、茎中Na~+浓度呈极显著正相关(P0.01),而在宁杞0702中,鲜重仅与叶中的K~+浓度极显著正相关(P0.01),与茎中的Na~+则呈显著负相关(P0.05),叶组织含水量则与各器官中的Na~+、K~+浓度均不相关。与对照相比,扁果枸杞在渗透胁迫和盐处理下ST值分别显著增加了84%和43%(P0.05),而宁杞0702则分别显著降低了63%和47%(P0.05)。上述结果表明,扁果枸杞能通过体内积累适量的Na~+,调控体内Na~+、K~+平衡,改善体内的水分状况,维持其正常的生长,具有盐生植物的特点;宁杞0702则不具备这些特征。     

NaCl胁迫对白蜡种子生理特性的影响

为了给盐碱地造林树种选择提供依据,以采自秦皇岛和保定的白蜡种子为试材,采用不同浓度的NaCl胁迫处理,研究了其萌发过程中发芽率、细胞膜透性、保护酶活性、丙二醛MDA的变化,结果表明:(1)随着NaCl胁迫浓度的增加,两地白蜡种子发芽率均呈现逐渐降低的变化趋势,秦皇岛各处理的白蜡种子发芽率分别比对照降低了8.9%、52.6%、56.3%、61.6%、87.9%、91.1%,而保定的白蜡种子分别比对照降低20.2%、56.2%、68.7%、86.5%、89.9%、100.0%;(2)随着浓度的升高,种子的相对电导值、K+、Na+渗透率升高,种子的SOD酶活性降低,MDA含量增加,NaCl胁迫浓度越高,种子所受到的伤害越深;(3)0.20%浓度的NaCl胁迫对白蜡种子萌发影响不大。对于不同种源的白蜡种子,秦皇岛的白蜡种子抗盐性要优于保定的白蜡种子。     

How does water and salt stress affect the germination and initial growth of Brazilian soya bean cultivars?

The effects of water and salt stress on rate of germination and seedling growth were investigated under laboratory conditions in 46 soya bean genotypes from Central-West region of Brazil to verify how these stresses may limit crop establishment during the initial growth stage and also to identify the most tolerant genotypes to drought and salinity. Mild water and salt stresses were imposed by seed exposure to –0.20 MPa iso-osmotic solutions with polyethylene glycol—PEG 6000 (119.57 g/L) or NaCl (2.357 g/L) for 12 days at 25°C. The germination percentage, seedling length and seedling dry matter were measured, and then, salt or drought tolerance indexes were calculated. The “NS 5909 RG,” “NS 7000 IPRO,” “NS 7338IPRO,” “FPS Solimões RR,” “NS 5151 IPRO,” “SYN 13610 IPRO,” “LG 60177 IPRO,” “NS 6909 IPRO” and “BMX Desafio RR” were identified as the most drought-tolerant genotypes, whereas under salinity conditions, the genotypes “5D 615 RR,” “BMX Desafio RR,” “5D 6215 IPRO” and “BMX Ponta IPRO” were identified as tolerant. The “BMX Desafio RR” is the genotype most adapted to both stress conditions and, therefore, should be used under conditions of water shortage and excess salt in the soil at sowing time.     

Drought Stress in Grain Legumes during Reproduction and Grain Filling

Water scarcity is a major constraint limiting grain legume production particularly in the arid and semi‐arid tropics. Different climate models have predicted changes in rainfall distribution and frequent drought spells for the future. Although drought impedes the productivity of grain legumes at all growth stages, its occurrence during reproductive and grain development stages (terminal drought) is more critical and usually results in significant loss in grain yield. However, the extent of yield loss depends on the duration and intensity of the stress. A reduction in the rate of net photosynthesis, and poor grain set and grain development are the principal reasons for terminal drought‐induced loss in grain yield. Insight into the impact and resistance mechanism of terminal drought is required for effective crop improvement programmes aiming to improve resistance to terminal drought in grain legumes. In this article, the impact of terminal drought on leaf development and senescence, light harvesting and carbon fixation, and grain development and grain composition is discussed. The mechanisms of resistance, management options, and innovative breeding and functional genomics strategies to improve resistance to terminal drought in grain legumes are also discussed.     

Revisiting the use of hydroxyethyl starch solutions in equine fluid therapy

The last decade has led to major shifts in opinions on the use of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions in fluid therapy, specifically in human patients with sepsis. The majority of evidence documenting adverse effects of HES solutions on coagulation and renal health come from studies in people. However, these findings have led to investigation into the safety of HES solutions in veterinary species. While there are now studies investigating the effects of HES solutions on coagulation and renal health in dogs, cats and horses, information regarding long-term follow-up, clinical significance of these changes and use of these solutions in critically ill animals is still lacking. The information presented here serves to review the physiology of oncotic pressure and the rationale behind colloid use, specifically HES solutions. Additionally, the foundation of arguments against the use of HES and the available literature regarding HES use in animals will be summarised.     

外源海藻糖对NaHCO3胁迫下甘草幼苗生长调节及总黄酮含量的影响

本研究以甘草无菌苗为试验材料,采用植物组织培养的方法,分析50 mmol·L^-1 NaHCO₃ 胁迫下外源海藻糖对甘草幼苗生长量、叶绿素含量、渗透调节物质含量、抗氧化保护酶活性和总黄酮含量的影响。结果表明： 50 mmol·L^-1 NaHCO₃ 胁迫显著降低了甘草幼苗的生长量、叶绿体色素含量、K⁺ 浓度、抗氧化保护酶（SOD、POD、CAT）活性和总黄酮含量,显著提高了丙二醛、脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量以及Na⁺浓度;施加15 mmol·L^-1 海藻糖可显著提高甘草幼苗的生长量,提高叶绿素含量、K⁺ 浓度和总黄酮含量,降低丙二酸含量、脯氨酸含量、可溶性糖含量和Na⁺ 浓度,并且提高抗氧化保护酶活性。因此,NaHCO₃胁迫下施加外源海藻糖对甘草幼苗生长具有良好的调节作用,可以增强甘草的抗碱能力,促进甘草幼苗生长。本研究为外源海藻糖提高甘草耐碱性和揭示其调控机制提供理论依据。