Effect of Heat Stress on Grain Growth, Starch Synthesis and Protein Synthesis in Grains of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties Differing in Grain Weight Stability

The effect of heat stress on the components of grain weight was analysed in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) varieties differing in grain weight stability. The wheat varieties PBW154, Sonalika and Hindi62 were raised in the field (New Delhi, India; 77°12' E, 28°40' N, 228.6 m a.s.l.) at three dates of sowing: 19 November 1992 (DOS I), 14 December 1992 (DOS II) and 18 January 1993 (DOS III). The late-sown crop (DOS III) experienced 6–8 °C warmer temperatures during grain development than the crop sown at the normal time (DOS I). The heat susceptibility index (S) revealed that grain weight was less susceptible to heat in Sonalika and PBW154 than in Hindi62. Heat stress reduced both the grain growth duration (GGD) and the grain growth rate (GGR). The grain weight reduction in PBW154 and Sonalika was mainly due to a reduction in GGR, while that of Hindi62 was due to a reduction in GGD. In vivo studies on starch and protein synthesis in excised endosperm at 15, 25 and 35 °C revealed that both processes were more thermotolerant in Hindi62 than in PBW154. The grain starch content was stable in Hindi62 while that in PBW154 was significantly reduced under heat stress. The grain nitrogen content at maturity increased in both varieties under heat stress. It was concluded that the heat susceptibility of grain weight in Hindi62 was mainly due to a reduction in GGD, although GGR, starch and protein synthesis were more thermotolerant in developing grains of Hindi62 than in those of PBW154.     

Seasonal growth and diet of juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in demonstration channels and the main channel of the Waitaki River, New Zealand, 1982–1983

Abstract– Juvenile chinook salmon in the Waitaki River, New Zealand and demonstration channels, living at about 16°C, increased in length by 0.32 mm day⁻¹ between 4 November and 4 March. They gained weight quickly, accumulated large visceral fat deposits and had high conditions factors. At 1600 h, stomachs averaged half full. The number of prey tended to decline as the fish grew and consumed larger items. Initially the diet was based mainly on chironomid larvae, but by December it included a diversity of prey in more equal proportions. These included Deleatidium in the Waitaki; amphipods in the demonstration channels; various trichopterans, hemipterans, elmid beetles, zooplankton. terrestrial dipterans and a variety of other prey. There were significant differences between sites in numbers of prey consumed and these probably reflected differences in the benthos. Diets in the Waitaki differ from those in the Rakaia River and the food of juvenile salmon appears closely linked to the availability of a diverse range of possible prey.     

果树自交不亲和性的遗传与生理机制及其研究

在简要介绍植物（包括果树）自交不亲和性与生理控制机制的基础上，着重对梨、苹果、杏等果树自交不亲和性的研究进行了综述，内容包括花柱内花粉管生长特点、花柱S糖蛋白的特性与作用机理以及果树自交不亲和的分子生物学研究，并提出了该领域有待研究的问题。     

Effects of predator-induced visual and olfactory cues on 0+ perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) foraging behaviour

Abstract –  Foraging juvenile fish with relatively high food demands are usually vulnerable to various aquatic and avian predators. To compromise between foraging and antipredator activity, they need exact and reliable information about current predation risk. Among direct predator-induced cues, visual and olfactory signals are considered to be most important. Food intake rates and prey-size selectivity of laboratory-reared, naive young-of-the-year (YOY) perch, Perca fluviatilis , were studied in experiments with Daphnia magna of two size classes: 2.8 and 1.3 mm as prey and northern pike, Esox lucius , as predator. Neither total intake rate nor prey-size selectivity was modified by predator kairomones alone (water from an aquarium with a pike was pumped into the test aquaria) under daylight conditions. Visual presentation of pike reduced total food intake by perch. This effect was significantly more pronounced (synergistic) when visual and olfactory cues were presented simultaneously to foraging perch. Moreover, the combination of cues caused a significant shift in prey-size selection, expressed as a reduced proportion of large prey in the diet. Our observations demonstrate that predator-induced olfactory cues alone are less important modifiers of the feeding behaviour of naive YOY perch than visual cues under daylight conditions. However, pike odour acts as a modulatory stimulus enhancing the effects of visual cues, which trigger an innate response in perch.     

Study on Site-specific Nutrient Management in Cotton Field

The study on the characteristics of spatial variability of soil nutrients and fertilizer recommendations in cotton field under certain conditions of agricultural management was conducted with GIS and systematic approach for soil nutrient constrains. The results showed that of the spatial variability of soil nutrient was greatly related to the management condition of previous crops. Grid sampling and variable rate application technology (VRAT) were the tools that would hopefully increase fertilizer efficiency. The fertilizers were applied where they were needed and at proper rate. Balance fertilization demonstration showed that fertilizer recommendations according to the available nutrient level in soil could decrease fertilizer cost with 657.4 yuan / ha and increase seed cotton yield by 19.8%. A net profit of the balanced fertilization was 5314.9 yuan / ha higher than that of local fertilization practice.     

NM－1号抗旱剂的研究

试验结果表明谷子在—１３．９Ｐａ的负压下发芽率只有２４．０％，在—１６．７３Ｐａ时发芽率为１６．３％。用０．５％的ＮＭ—１号抗旱剂包衣后，在—１６．７３Ｐａ的负压下发芽率可达６５．６％，比对照提高４９．３％。同０．５％的ＮＭ—１抗旱剂在大豆现蕾期喷施叶面１次，相对收获株率为１１５．３８％，相对千粒量为１０７．７％，增产率为４０，２７％。玉米在６叶期喷施０．５％的抗旱剂后，饱和亏减少４．０９ｇ，是对照的４３．８１％；干物质积累比对照快６７．１９％，蒸腾系数减少８．３６ｇ。     

Physiological Analysis of Yield Variation in Mungbean (Vigna radiata [Roxb.] Wilczek)

Two mungbean varieties, Guj-1 and PIMS-1 differing in their productivity potential, were examined to investigate their photosynthetic system at various stages of growth in relation to yield with two different dates of sowing. Vertical leaves were found to be beneficial. On the other hand, excessive leaf area during the later stages of growth may be detrimental to yield. Lower LAD at seedling stage and overall high NAR values may be reflected in higher grain yield. NAR declined as season progressed and this, in turn, may be related with increase in LAI. The grain yield was considerably more at the first date of sowing as compared to second date of sowing, the effect was being more pronounced in var. PIMS-1 . Various environmental factors recorded at two different dates of sowing and at various stages of growth indicated that these factors may have influenced the yield potential at two different dates of sowing.     

刺槐抗旱造林技术的研究

在不同类型区及不同立地条件下，研究了提高剌槐成活率和生长量的抗旱造林技术。结果表明，采用径流集存、吸水剂蘸根、覆膜覆草及幼林地少量施肥技术，均可显著提高剌槐造林成率与生长量，提高幅度为２．０％－８．９％和１４．５％－８７．５％。采用混草技术可增收可观的优质牧草，经济效益和生态效益显著。     

高压电压互感器的可靠性数据统计分析

本文根据高压电压互感器现场运行的调查材料,用概率统计的方法求出其寿命函数,并估计其平均故障率,为高压电压互感器的可靠性管理提供依据和参考。     

Expression and modulation of connective tissue growth factor in renal interstitial fibrosis

CTGF, a member of the CCN family of immediate early genes, is a recently discovered profibrotic growth factor, which is involved in many pathophysiologic procedures. CTGF acts as a downstream effector of TGF-β acting on interstitial cells to enhance the progression of fibrotic renal diseases. It has been shown that CTGF gene expression can be induced or blocked by some kinds of cytokine and drugs. It is an interesting candidate target for future intervention strategies of renal interstitial fibrosis.