Salicylic acid accumulation as a result of Cu,Zn, Cd and Pb interactions in common reed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phragmites australis</Emphasis>) growing in natural ecosystems

Common reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.) plants were harvested from four natural water ecosystems of the Bogdanka river catchment (Poznań, Poland) four times throughout the 2014 vegetative season. Over the year, average metal contents followed different decreasing trends according to the analyzed tissue: Zn > Cu ≈ Pb > Cd (rhizomes) and Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd (leaves), and mean translocation ratios (leaves/rhizomes) were found as follows: 0.93, 0.70, 0.65, 0.40 for Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu, respectively. Metal content increased gradually during the growing season, and in the case of Cu, Cd and Pb exceeded the upper limit of average concentration detected in plants from natural ecosystems. However, the content of salicylic acid did not follow the increase of metal accumulation. In rhizomes, the highest production of the metabolite was observed in May and reached 324 ng g^?1 fresh weight (FW) (mean value). Afterwards, a significant drop to 50 ng g^?1 FW was observed. Simultaneously, the highest values of total salicylic acid in P. australis leaves were observed in July and accompanied the intensive development of the aboveground biomass of the plant (11.3 µg g^?1 FW–mean value). Subsequently, its content in leaves showed a significant decrease down to 2.1 µg g^?1 FW in November. Multivariate regression analysis revealed significant interactions between analyzed metals influencing the plant response to metal-derived stress. Cu and Zn showed antagonistic properties considering their uptake and the induction of salicylic acid biosynthesis, whereas non-essential metals (Pb and Cd) acted similarly and stimulated the formation of salicylic acid glucoside.     

Regulatory effect of stems on sucrose-induced chlorophyll degradation and anthocyanin synthesis in Egeria densa leaves

Detached green leaves of the aquatic plant Egeria densa showed chlorophyll degradation and turned red due to induced anthocyanin synthesis incubated in 0.1 M sucrose under continuous light for 7–10 days. If the leaves were placed in water, only chlorophyll degradation occurred and the detached leaves turned yellow. The levels of endogenous total carbohydrates increased in detached leaves cultured in the sucrose solution but only increased marginally in water. If the leaves were still attached to a piece of stem, with a node on either side of the single leaf whorl, then they did not accumulate anthocyanin in culture with 0.1 M sucrose. These leaves showed a similar increase in total carbohydrates and degradation of chlorophyll as detached leaves. Attached leaves, in which the midrib had been cut in situ, showed localized accumulation of anthocyanin in the leaf tissue distal to the cut in the midrib when cultured in 0.1 M sucrose. These results suggest that the stem plays a regulatory role in anthocyanin synthesis in attached leaves cultured in a sucrose solution but does not influence chlorophyll degradation or carbohydrate accumulation.     

喀斯特退化天坑阴坡阳坡壳斗科植物的功能性状特征

喀斯特退化天坑的负地形生境中阴坡和阳坡的局域环境具有显著差异,导致植物群落类型差异明显。本研究以云南沾益退化天坑深陷塘为例,探究退化天坑阴坡与阳坡壳斗科植物功能性状特征,有助于揭示天坑的物种多样性保护库价值。结果表明: 阴坡土壤营养物质含量高于阳坡,阴坡壳斗科植物的叶面积、比叶面积和叶干重显著大于阳坡,叶厚度显著小于阳坡,叶干物质含量小于阳坡;阴坡壳斗科植物功能性状的主要环境影响因子是土壤全钾和土壤含水量,全磷是阳坡的主要环境影响因子。阴坡的叶功能性状变异程度小于阳坡,主要是以改变叶干重增加植物体内光合速率和碳积累能力的方式适应阴坡生境;阳坡通过保持较小比叶面积,增加叶面积变异程度来获得更多的资源。退化天坑深陷塘阴坡植物群落演替速度明显快于阳坡,壳斗科植物优势在阴坡逐渐减小,在阳坡仍是优势建群种。     

基于叶绿素荧光成像及荧光参数分布特征的叶片光合异质性定量分析

植物叶片光合作用具有高度的空间异质性,叶绿素荧光成像技术为叶片光合异质性的研究提供了便利,但叶片光合异质性的定量分析并没有得到广泛应用。本文利用ImagingPAM叶绿素荧光成像系统,获得 中亚热带地区越冬期小叶榕（Ficus microcarpa）阳生叶和阴生叶的叶绿素荧光参数图像,并利用仪器的分析软件对其进行分析,定量比较了阳生叶和阴生叶的光合异质性特征。研究发现：越冬期小叶榕阳生叶的光合异质性和光抑制程度明显高于阴生叶,变异系数可作为光合异质性的定量指标。低温强光导致阳生叶坏死率（P_LN）达4.30%,并有53.30%的区域处于严重光抑制（0<F_v/F_m<0.627）,但仍有42.27%的区域仅为轻度光抑制（0.627≤ F_v/F_m<0.800）。而低温弱光并未造成阴生叶坏死和严重光抑制。通过对光系统Ⅱ（PSⅡ）的实际光合效率 （Y（Ⅱ））、调节性能量耗散的量子产额（Y（NPQ））和非调节性能量耗散的量子产额（Y（NO））荧光参数异质性的定量分析表明,阳生叶具有相对较高的光化学能力,阴生叶则具有相对较高的热耗散能力;冬季强光虽然会导致小叶榕阳生叶PSⅡ严重激发压积累,存在严重光抑制的潜在风险,但其致死面积并不大,叶片中仍存在一定面积低激发压的低风险区,而低温弱光下的阴生叶则主要以低风险区域为主。     

Short communication. Do anthocyanins play a role in UV protection of the red juvenile leaves of Syzygium?

The biological function of juvenile leaves pigmented with anthocyanin is poorly understood. The role anthocyanins play in UV protection was assessed in juvenile leaves of two Syzygium species (S. luehmannii and S. wilsonii) which contain high anthocyanin concentrations. HPLC was used to separate UV-absorbing anthocyanins from other soluble UV-absorbing phenolic compounds. The isolated anthocyanins (predominantly malvidin-3,5-diglucoside) contributed little to the total absorbance of UV-A and UV-8 radiation. This was because the non-acylated anthocyanins only effectively absorbed shortwave UV-B radiation and the strong absorbance by other compounds. These results suggest that the UV protection hypothesis is not valid for anthocyanins in juvenile Syzygium leaves.     

Isolation and characterization of the fragrant cyclamen O-methyltransferase involved in flower coloration

Anthocyanin O-methyltransferase (OMT) is one of the key enzymes for anthocyanin modification and flower pigmentation. We previously bred a novel red-purple-flowered fragrant cyclamen (KMrp) from the purple-flowered fragrant cyclamen 'Kaori-no-mai' (KM) by ion-beam irradiation. Since the major anthocyanins in KMrp and KM petals were delphinidin 3,5-diglucoside and malvidin 3,5-diglucoside, respectively, inactivation of a methylation step in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway was indicated in KMrp. We isolated and compared OMT genes expressed in KM and KMrp petals. RT-PCR analysis revealed that CkmOMT2 was expressed in the petals of KM but not in KMrp. Three additional CkmOMTs with identical sequences were expressed in petals of both KM and KMrp. Genomic PCR analysis revealed that CkmOMT2 was not amplified from the KMrp genome, indicating that ion-beam irradiation caused a loss of the entire CkmOMT2 region in KMrp. In vitro enzyme assay demonstrated that CkmOMT2 catalyzes the 3' or 3',5' O-methylation of the B-ring of anthocyanin substrates. These results suggest that CkmOMT2 is functional for anthocyanin methylation, and defective expression of CkmOMT2 is responsible for changes in anthocyanin composition and flower coloration in KMrp.     

Quantification of IAA Metabolites in the Early Stages of Adventitious Rooting Might Be Predictive for Subsequent Differences in Rooting Response

Stock mother plants have gained importance in the process of adventitious rooting of woody plants in recent years. The present study reveals the role of the cutting position from a stock mother plant for subsequent rooting. Cuttings of Prunus subhirtella Miq. var. Autumnalis which originated from suckers at the bottom of a tree developed a rooting system of better quality (rooted cutting without callus formation, more main roots) compared to cuttings which originated from shoots at the top of a tree. The latter accumulated significantly more indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) with the highest value of 25.37 μg g^?1 FW on the severance date. These cuttings also contained more indole-3-acetyl-aspartate (IAA-Asp) on the second day after severance with the highest value of 4875.95 μg g^?1 FW compared to cuttings from the bottom-deriving suckers. The latter metabolised IAA primarily via 2-oxindole-3-acetic acid (oxIAA) and indole-3-methanol because the concentrations of these compounds increased at the base of these cuttings. The highest concentration of oxIAA, 8.3 mg ekv. IAA g^?1 FW, was measured 1 h after severance in cuttings from the bottom-derived suckers. With 590.5 ng ekv IAAg^?1 FW, the indole-3-methanol values were also significantly higher in the cuttings from the bottom shoots compared with cuttings from the top of the tree.     

桂林岩溶石山植物群落植物功能性状对不同坡向环境因子的响应

该研究以桂林岩溶石山不同坡向的植物群落为对象,探讨植物功能性状(比叶面积、叶绿素含量、木材密度和环境因子随坡向的变化规律。结果表明:比叶面积和叶绿素含量为阴坡>半阴坡>阳坡,阴坡和半阴坡分别与阳坡差异性显著;木材密度为阴坡<半阴坡<阳坡,阴坡、半阴坡分别与阳坡差异性显著。土壤有机质含量表现为阴坡大于阳坡,且阴坡与阳坡差异性显著;土壤全磷、土壤有效磷均表现为阳坡含量最高,且阴坡与阳坡差异性显著;土壤有效钾、土壤全钾则分别为阴坡、半阴坡含量最高,土壤全钾含量在各坡向上差异均显著,而土壤有效钾则为阴坡、半阴坡与阳坡均差异性显著。回归分析表明群落水平比叶面积在阴坡和半阴坡上与土壤有机质含量呈显著负相关;群落水平叶绿素含量与土壤全磷含量和土壤有效钾含量在阴坡上呈显著正相关;在不同坡向梯度上群落水平木材密度与环境因子无相关性。群落水平上植物功能性状随坡向的变化规律,反映了岩溶石山植物群落构建过程中环境对功能性状的筛选效应。     

Population change and immature mortality process of Luehdorfia japonica (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) feeding on an unusual host plant, Asarum caulescens Maxim. (Aristolochiaceae)

A population of the butterfly Luehdorfia japonica dependent on a small stand of an unusual host plant, Asarum caulescens, was found and observed for 5 years. The plant was growing in patchy clumps in a forest and in an adjoining clearing, but the number of leaves in the clearing decreased during the 5 year study period. Butterflies laid eggs mostly in or near the clearing, and the number of eggs steadily decreased year by year, along with the decrease in the number of leaves. The survival rate of the larvae was similar to that of the same species feeding on the usual host plant, Asarum takaoi, in an adjacent habitat. It is considered that A. caulescens is rarely a host of L. japonica because the plant grows in shady conditions and the butterfly prefers a host plant growing in a sunny locations for oviposition.     

Accumulation of anthocyanin in callus cultures of red-pod okra [<Emphasis Type="Italic">Abelmoschus esculentus</Emphasis> (L.) Hongjiao] in response to light and nitrogen levels

Nitrogen and light are critical determinants of biomass accumulation and secondary metabolite production under in vitro culture conditions. In this study, we analyzed the effects of varied concentrations of total nitrogen in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium and light intensity on the production of biomass, anthocyanin pigments, and bioactive antioxidants in callus cultures of Abelmoschus esculentus cv. ‘Hongjiao’. Maximum callus biomass accumulation (3 g FW) was achieved when calluses were cultured on MS medium containing 60 mM nitrogen under 40 μmol m^??2 s^??1 light intensity. In contrast, maximum values of total anthocyanin accumulation (TA; 7.3 CV/g FW), total phenolic content (TP; 12.07 mg/100 g FW), total flavonoid content (TF; 2.47?±?0.15 mg/100 g FW), and total antioxidant activity (TAA; 56.10 μmol Trolox/g FW) were observed when calluses were cultured on MS medium containing 40 mM total nitrogen under 80 μmol m^??2 s^??1 light intensity. In addition, callus grown under same culture condition exhibited high flavonoid content along with increased phenolic content and antioxidant activity. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed for qualitative and quantity analysis of callus cultures. Most of the pigments from the callus extracts were identical with pod anthocyanins, and appeared on the ODS-column HPLC with lower concentration than the main pigments of the pod tissues. These findings indicate that callus cultures of red-pod okra represent a potential source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties for industrial applications.     

Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum L.): a dead-end host species for 16Sr-IB and -IC subgroup phytoplasmas

Phytoplasmas belonging to the 16S rDNA subgroups IB and IC were found in five cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum L.) plants showing virescence and yellow stunted leaves and one plant showing phyllody, rolled and thickened leaves, respectively. Two cyclamens, representing the two syndromes, were chosen as source plants for transmission trials in which three leafhopper species, known as vectors of IB and IC subgroup phytoplasmas, were used to inoculate cyclamen and periwinkle [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don] test plants. Out of 366 tested plants only one periwinkle exposed to Euscelis incisus was found harbouring a 16Sr‐IB phytoplasma. Out of 60 tested vector insects, only one adult of Macrosteles quadripunctulatus and two of E. incisus fed on 16Sr‐IB source cyclamen gave a positive amplification signal in nested PCR. This extremely low level of transmission to both cyclamen and the very susceptible periwinkle strongly suggests that cyclamen, commonly found infected in crops, is an unsuitable species for phytoplasma acquisition and can be regarded as a dead‐end host plant for phytoplasmas belonging to both IB and IC subgroups. Indications for glasshouse management are drawn from these findings. Among the leafhoppers investigated E. incisus falls most under suspicion since it feeds better than the others on cyclamen, was able to transmit the disease to one periwinkle plant, and IB phytoplasmas were detected in two individuals.     

黄土丘陵区油松水土保持林生长过程与直径结构

应用标准木树干解析法,研究了黄土丘陵沟壑区阴坡和阳坡两种21年生(密度为2 222株·hm^-2)油松林分的生物量、林木生长过程和直径结构.结果表明：两种林分树高、林木直径和材积生长过程明显不同,阴坡林分的生物量、生长状况和直径结构优于阳坡林分.两种林分树高速生期出现在9～13年生之间,13年生以后,阴坡林分的生长量明显高于阳坡林分(21年生时,前者的连年生长量约在0.26 m·a^-1,后者在0.1 m·a^-1左右).两种林分的胸径生长量在13年生以后明显降低,但阴坡林分的降幅明显小于阳坡林分;17年生以后,前者的连年生长量明显大于后者(21年时,前者约在0.46 cm·a^-1,后者只有0.27 cm·a^-1左右).两种林分单株材积生长量在13年生之前差异较小,13年生之后,阴坡林分的连年生长量明显大于阳坡林分(21年生时,前者为0.0023 m³·a^-1,后者只有0.0015 m³·a^-1).两种林分直径分布都呈现顶峰左偏(林分密度偏大)的现象,但阴坡林分的偏度系数(SK为0.75)小于阳坡林分(SK为1.03)、而峰度系数(K为1.05)大于阳坡林分(K为0.94),说明阳坡林分密度偏大的程度大于阴坡林分.     

Characterizing the growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sarcoptes scabiei</Emphasis> infrapopulations

The plant stress hypothesis posits that a herbivore’s reproductive success increases when it feeds on stressed plants, while the plant vigor hypothesis predicts that a herbivore preferentially feeds on more vigorous plants. We examined these opposing hypotheses by growing spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) on the leaves of stressed and healthy (vigorous) cucumber plants. Host plants were grown under controlled conditions at low, moderate, and high concentrations of NaCl (to induce salinity stress), at low, moderate, and high fertilizer concentrations (to support growth), and without these additions (control). The effects of these treatments were evaluated by measuring fresh and dry plant biomass, carotenoid and chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and concentrations of PO₄^3?, K⁺, and Na⁺ in plant tissues. The addition of low concentrations of fertilizer increased dry mass, protein, and carotenoid content relative to controls, suggesting a beneficial effect on plants. The highest NaCl treatment (2560 mg L^?1) resulted in increased Na⁺ and protein content relative to control plants, as well as reduced PO₄^3?, K⁺, and chlorophyll levels and reduced catalase and ascorbate peroxidase enzyme activity levels. Analysis of life table data of T. urticae mites raised on leaves from the aforementioned plant groups showed the intrinsic rate of increase (r) for mites was 0.167 day^?1 in control specimens, 0.125 day^?1 for mites reared on plants treated with a moderate concentration of fertilizer (10 mL L^?1), and was highest (0.241 day^?1) on plants grown under moderate salinity conditions (1920 mg L^?1 NaCl). Reproductive success of T. urticae did not differ on plants watered with a moderate concentration of NaCl or a high concentration of fertilizer. The moderately-stressed plants formed a favorable environment for the development and reproduction of spider mites, supporting the plant stress hypothesis.     

<i>Azospirillum brasilense</i> and <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> as Alternative for Decrease the Effect of Salinity Stress in Tomato (<i>Lycopersicon esculentum</i>) Growth

The salinity stress is one of the most relevant abiotic stresses that affects the agricultural production. The present study was performed to study the improvement of the salt tolerance of tomato plants which is known for their susceptibility to salt stress. The present study aimed to assess to what extent strain Azospirillum brasilense (N040) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae improve the salt tolerance to tomato plants treated with different salt concentration. The inoculant strain A. brasilense (N040) was previously adapted to survive up to 7% NaCl in the basal media. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of this inoculation on growth parameter such as: plant height, root length, fresh and dry weight, fruits fresh weight, chlorophyll content, proline and total soluble sugar in tomato plants under salt stress condition. The results revealed that co-inoculation of Azospirillum brasilense (N040) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae significantly increased the level of proline (8.63 mg/g FW) and total soluble sugar (120 mg/g FW) of leaves under salinity condition comparing to non-inoculated plants (2.3 mg/g FW and 70 mg/g FW, respectively). Plants co-inoculated with adapted strain of A. brasilense and S. cerevisiae showed the highest significant (p < 0.01) increase in fruit yield (1166.6 g/plant), plant high (115 cm) and roots length (52.6) compared whit un-inoculated control plants (42 g/pant, 43.3 cm and 29.6 cm, respectively). In contrast, Na⁺ ion content was significantly decreased in the leaves of salt stressed plants treated with the A. brasilense (N040) and S. cerevisiae. Finally, the results showed that dual benefits provided by both A. brasilense (N040) and S. cerevisiae can provide a major way to improve tomato yields in saline soils.     

Anthocyanin contribution to chlorophyll meter readings and its correction

Leaf chlorophyll content is an important physiological parameter which can serve as an indicator of nutritional status, plant stress or senescence. Signals proportional to the chlorophyll content can be measured non-destructively with instruments detecting leaf transmittance (e.g., SPAD-502) or reflectance (e.g., showing normalized differential vegetation index, NDVI) in red and near infrared spectral regions. The measurements are based on the assumption that only chlorophylls absorb in the examined red regions. However, there is a question whether accumulation of other pigments (e.g., anthocyanins) could in some cases affect the chlorophyll meter readings. To answer this question, we cultivated tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) for a long time under low light conditions and then exposed them for several weeks (4 h a day) to high sunlight containing the UV-A spectral region. The senescent leaves of these plants evolved a high relative content of anthocyanins and visually revealed a distinct blue color. The SPAD and NDVI data were collected and the spectra of diffusive transmittance and reflectance of the leaves were measured using an integration sphere. The content of anthocyanins and chlorophylls was measured analytically. Our results show that SPAD and NDVI measurement can be significantly affected by the accumulated anthocyanins in the leaves with relatively high anthocyanin content. To describe theoretically this effect of anthocyanins, concepts of a specific absorbance and a leaf spectral polarity were developed. Corrective procedures of the chlorophyll meter readings for the anthocyanin contribution are suggested both for the transmittance and reflectance mode.     

Isolation and antisense suppression of <Emphasis Type="Italic">flavonoid 3', 5'-hydroxylase</Emphasis>modifies flower pigments and colour in cyclamen

Background  

Cyclamen is a popular and economically significant pot plant crop in several countries. Molecular breeding technologies provide opportunities to metabolically engineer the well-characterized flavonoid biosynthetic pathway for altered anthocyanin profile and hence the colour of the flower. Previously we reported on a genetic transformation system for cyclamen. Our aim in this study was to change pigment profiles and flower colours in cyclamen through the suppression of flavonoid 3', 5'-hydroxylase, an enzyme in the flavonoid pathway that plays a determining role in the colour of anthocyanin pigments.     

Light-induced production of antidepressant compounds in etiolated shoot cultures of Hypericum hookerianum Wight & Arn. (Hypericaceae)

Hypericum hookerianum is a lesser known ethnomedicinal plant having wound healing, antitumor and anti-HSV-1 properties. Isolated nodes of in vitro shoots sub-cultured in the dark for 4 weeks on half strength Murashige and Skoog medium solidified with Gelzan (1.5 g l^?1), and supplemented with 2.325 μM kinetin produced 8.0 ± 0.40 etiolated shoots of 5.0 ± 0.62 cm length at 74 % efficiency versus 9.2 ± 0.6 healthy shoots of 4.4 ± 0.5 cm obtained from nodes in light at 96 % efficiency. Low concentrations of hypericin were found in wild plant [0.35 ± 0.09 mg g^?1 dry weight (DW)] and control green shoot cultures (0.91 ± 0.03 mg g^?1 DW). Etiolated shoots exposed to a 12 h photoperiod (50 μmol m^?2 s^?1) through 1–25 days turned red incrementally due to synthesis and accumulation of 0.1–3.83 mg g^?1 DW hypericin in sub-epidermal cortical cells of the stem and varied shaped cells of the distorted mesophyll. Flavonoid and anthocyanin concentrations of the etiolated shoots subjected to the 12 h photoperiod were 3–5 fold higher than the control shoot cultures while total chlorophylls [1.97 ± 0.05 mg g^?1 fresh weight (FW)] of the light exposed shoots were significantly less compared to the control (2.86 ± 0.18 mg g^?1 FW) and natural plant (6.82 ± 0.29 mg g^?1 FW). HPLC analysis of shoot extracts revealed the presence of 0.14 ± 0.03, 0.16 ± 0.02 and 1.45 ± 0.16 mg g^?1 DW hyperforin in wild plant, control shoot cultures and etiolated shoot cultures illuminated for 25 days, respectively. Despite a reasonable presence in etiolated shoots (0.61 ± 0.15 g^?1 FW), total phenols did not increase significantly during illumination. The results indicate light induced synthesis of anti-depressant phenolic derivatives (hypericin, hyperforin and flavonoids) in etiolated shoot cultures of H. hookerianum.     

黄龙山白桦桦木醇与桦木酸含量研究

为了阐明黄龙山白桦不同生境、不同径级、不同器官桦木醇与桦木酸含量,系统采集了陕北黄土高原黄龙山林场阳坡、阴坡、林缘、孤立木4种生境下的白桦不同径级植株的树皮、树枝和树叶样品,采用超声波辅助提取法提取样品,用高效液相色谱法测定了不同生境、不同径级白桦各器官桦木醇、桦木酸含量。结果表明：（1）不同生境下白桦各器官桦木醇、桦木酸含量均存在显著差异（P＜0.05）,白桦树皮中桦木醇与桦木酸含量、白桦树枝中桦木酸含量在4种生境下均表现为阴坡＞孤立木＞林缘＞阳坡,白桦树叶中桦木醇与桦木酸含量及树枝中桦木醇含量均表现为阴坡＞林缘＞孤立木＞阳坡,总体来看阴坡生境下白桦各器官桦木醇与桦木酸含量都是最高的。（2）在白桦各器官中,桦木醇、桦木酸含量均表现为树皮＞树枝＞树叶。（3）不同生境下白桦各器官桦木醇、桦木酸含量随着胸径的增大均先增大后减小,均在第Ⅱ径级即胸径10.1~20 cm达到最大。研究认为,阴坡生境有利于白桦各器官积累桦木醇、桦木酸;白桦各器官中桦木醇含量较高,桦木酸含量比较低,而以桦木酸为原料的生物制剂已进入临床应用阶段,因此,以桦木醇为原料制取桦木酸是解决桦木酸在天然植物中含量低、提取困难的有效途径;对白桦各器官的采收应注意把握时机,于白桦生长到胸径10.1~20 cm时为最佳采收期。     

Dynamic changes in photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in Nicotiana tabacum infested by Bemisia tabaci (Middle East–Asia Minor 1) nymphs

Bemisia tabaci Middle East–Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) is a worldwide pest. To determine whether MEAM1 nymphs produce the same symptoms in different host plants, we measured the plant growth and chlorophyll content of tobacco and cotton plants that were infested by MEAM1 nymphs. Furthermore, to investigate the spatial and temporal changes in photosynthesis caused by MEAM1 nymphs, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and chlorophyll a fluorescence of local and systemic tobacco leaves were assayed at 8, 11, 14, and 20 days after MEAM1 adult removal, which represent the stages of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th instar nymphs, respectively. The results showed that MEAM1 nymph infestation reduced the plant height and internode length of tobacco at 14 and 20 days, as well as the dry weight of infested and systemic tobacco leaves. However, MEAM1 nymph infestation did not affect the plant height or internode length of cotton. Also, the dry weight and chlorophyll and carotenoid content of infested and systemic leaves of cotton plants were not influenced by MEAM1 nymph infestation. However, the contents of chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids in infested tobacco leaves decreased over time; the chlorophyll a content of systemic tobacco leaves decreased at 11, 14, and 20 days. The chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in infested and systemic leaves of cotton plants were not influenced by MEAM1 nymph infestation. In addition, the Pn of infested tobacco leaves decreased at 14 and 20 days, while the Pn in systemic tobacco leaves decreased after 11 days. The greatest decrease in performance index on absorption basis (PI _ABS ) of infested and systemic tobacco leaves occurred on day 14. The fluorescence intensity at 2 ms (J peak) and 300 μs (K peak) increased on day 14, which indicates that 3rd instar nymphs caused serious damage to the primary photochemical reactions and donor side of PSII. These results suggest that MEAM1 nymph infestation had different effects on tobacco and cotton plants. The infestation caused spatial and temporal changes in photosynthesis in tobacco plants. The lower chlorophyll a content may have been related to the lower net photosynthetic rate of systemic and infested tobacco leaves. The decreased stability of the oxygen-evolving complex and the reaction center of PSII and the decrease in electron transport were the main reasons for the decrease in the level of photosynthesis in tobacco leaves caused by MEAM1 nymphs during various stages of infestation.     

Nitrogen resorption in Acer platanoides and Acer saccharum: influence of light exposure and leaf pigmentation

We investigated the effects of leaf color change in the fall on photosynthetic production and nitrogen resorption. Seedlings of Acer platanoides L. and A. saccharum Marsh. were grown in a shade house for 5 months in either 21 % (intermediate light, M) or 4.9 % (low light, L) of incident irradiance. After this period, a subset of the intermediate-light grown seedlings was transferred to a high-light stress treatment (H). Gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, pigments, antioxidant activity, and nitrogen (N) resorption were examined at three leaf senescence stages during September and October. Our results show that plants of both species produce more anthocyanins in the H treatment. In comparison with plants grown in the L and M treatments, plants of both species in the H treatments had lower chlorophyll, carotenoid and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (F _v/F _m, Φ _PSII, NPQ and ETR) at the third sampling date (October 12–18), and indicating higher levels of photoinhibition in the seedlings exposed to high light. Our results imply that autumn leaf redness is inducible and closely linked to photo-oxidative stress. However, anthocyanins did not enhance antioxidant capacity in red leaves in either species, when exposed to high light. For both species, our results showed a higher N-resorption for high-light stressed plants. We also observed that the number of abscised leaves at the second sampling dates (September 10) was higher than at the third sampling dates. The intra-leaf distribution of anthocyanin, the association between anthocyanin production and the high-light environments, the retention of red leaves, the substantial physiological gain of photosynthetic activity, as well as the links between anthocyanins and increased N resorption led us to assume that one primary role of autumn anthocyanin could be to protect the photosynthetic apparatus from photo-oxidative damage as light filters rather than as antioxidant. Another major role is to extend carbon capture and help supply the energy needed for N resorption from senescing leaves in both A. saccharum and A. Platanoides during high-light stress. Nevertheless, photoprotective capacity of anthocyanins was not able to fully compensate for photoinhibitory stress as the anthocyanins are not optimally located to efficiently reduce light within the leaves.