红芽芋驯化苗对盐胁迫的光合及生理响应

为探讨江西铅山红芽芋的耐盐机制,以其组培移栽驯化苗为材料,研究了盐胁迫对其生物量积累、光合特性、荧光特性等抗逆生理特性的影响。结果表明:（1）红芽芋幼苗生物量和根冠比在低盐胁迫下（50 mmol·L^-1）得到显著促进,而在高盐胁迫下（100～250 mmol·L^-1）受到显著抑制。（2）低盐胁迫幼苗的净光合速率（P_n）、气孔导度（G_s）、气孔限制值（L_s）、水分利用效率（WUE）和瞬时羧化效率（CUE）比对照（0 mmol·L^-1）显著增加,细胞间CO₂浓度（C_i）比对照显著下降,蒸腾速率（T_r）与对照无显著差异;高盐胁迫幼苗的P_n、L_s、WUE、CUE和G_s较对照显著下降,C_i比对照显著增加。（3）低盐胁迫幼苗的最大荧光（F_m）、PSⅡ潜在光化学效率（F_v/F₀）和光化学猝灭系数（q_P）比对照显著增加,初始荧光（F₀）较对照显著下降,PSⅡ最大光化学效率（F_v/F_m）、PSⅡ实际光化学效率（Φ_PSⅡ）、开放的PSⅡ反应中心捕获激发能效率（F_v′/F_m′）和非光化学猝灭系数（NPQ）与对照无显著差异;而高盐胁迫幼苗的F₀、F_m、F_v/F_m、F_v/F₀、Φ_PSⅡ、F_v′/F_m′和q_P均较对照显著下降,NPQ比对照显著增加。（4）各盐胁迫幼苗叶片的可溶性蛋白含量以及过氧化物酶、超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性与对照相比先升后降,并以低盐下最高;可溶性总糖和脯氨酸含量均比对照显著增加;丙二醛含量和质膜透性相对值在低盐胁迫下无显著变化,而在高盐下显著增加;叶绿素含量和根系活力在低盐胁迫下无显著变化,而在高盐胁迫后开始显著下降。研究发现,江西铅山红芽芋移栽驯化苗的耐盐阈值为 50 mmol·L^-1,其能够诱导提高叶片可溶性蛋白含量和主要保护酶活性,稳定质膜透性、叶绿素含量和根系活力,增加PSⅡ潜在光化学效率,提高PSⅡ的电子传递活性,维持PSⅡ实际光化学效率,有效启动非辐射热能量耗散机制来保护了光合机构,最终提高净光合速率,增加生物量。     

根深决定不同个体大小梭梭对夏季干旱生理响应的差异

理解干旱与树木个体发育阶段或大小之间的相互作用关系是一个重要的优先研究方向,因为依赖于个体大小的特定死亡率分布格局对生态系统的结构和功能将产生重要的影响。以广泛分布于古尔班通古特沙漠南缘的主要建群种梭梭（Haloxylon ammodendron）为研究对象,通过测定越夏生长期间不同个体大小梭梭黎明前同化枝水势（Ψ_pd）、压力-容积（P-V）曲线、最大气孔导度（G_s）、叶绿素荧光（F_v/F_m）,调查不同个体大小梭梭根系分布特征和根深,将越夏生长期间土壤水分状况、植物生理性状与根深相结合,分析不同大小梭梭对干旱胁迫的响应差异。结果表明：（1）夏季干旱胁迫显著降低了梭梭幼苗生理性状的特征值：同成年植株相比,梭梭幼苗黎明前同化枝水势（Ψ_pd）、PSⅡ反应中心最大光化学效率（F_v/F_m）、饱和膨压渗透势（π₁₀₀）、膨压消失点渗透势（Ψ_TLP）显著降低;（2）梭梭生理性状与根深之间存在线性关系,根深决定不同大小梭梭的水分状况（Ψ_pd）进而主导了越夏生长期间的其他生理性状表达（F_v/F_m、π₁₀₀、Ψ_TLP）;（3）不同大小的梭梭对干旱胁迫的响应差异是植物根系分布特征和生境相互作用的结果,根深在梭梭应对夏季干旱胁迫中起重要作用。总之,梭梭幼苗根系发育不完全（浅根系）,只能利用降水带来的有限的浅层土壤水,对干旱胁迫响应敏感;而成年梭梭植株能最大限度的利用深层土壤水分,减少表层土壤干旱对其产生的不利影响。     

兰科菌根真菌对铁皮石斛光合性能及pepc基因表达的影响

为了阐明兰科菌根真菌对铁皮石斛光合作用的影响及机制,采用盆栽方式研究了兰科菌根真菌对铁皮石斛幼苗生长的影响,并分析了叶片中叶绿素含量、光合参数、叶绿素荧光参数以及pepc基因表达的变化。结果表明：（1）兰科菌根真菌促进了铁皮石斛幼苗生长,接种兰科菌根真菌的铁皮石斛的株高、根重、茎叶重和总生物量分别是未接种对照组的1.21、1.54、1.71和1.68倍;而且可显著提高叶片中叶绿素含量、叶片净光合速率（P_n）、蒸腾速率（G_s）和气孔导度（T_r）。（2）接种兰科菌根真菌的铁皮石斛叶片潜在光化学效率（F_v/F₀）、最大光化学效率（F_v/F_m）、光化学猝灭系数（q_P）、非光化学猝灭系数（q_N）、实际光化学反应量子效率（Yield）和表观光合电子传递速率（ETR）均高于未接种对照组。（3）菌根真菌能促进pepc基因的表达,增强PEPC活性,提高铁皮石斛叶片的光合碳同化能力。研究表明,菌根的形成可以提高铁皮石斛叶片光合性能和pepc基因的表达水平,促进铁皮石斛幼苗的生长。     

盐胁迫对朴树和速生白榆幼苗光合特性及叶绿素荧光参数的影响

以1年生的朴树和速生白榆幼苗为试材,采用山东省林业科学研究院东营分院34.6‰的地下天然盐水配制所需盐水浓度,定期定量浇灌,使土壤分别达0（CK）、2‰、2.5‰、3.5‰和5‰的含盐量,各处理胁迫45 d后测定其生长量（地径、苗高）、叶绿素含量、光合参数以及叶绿素荧光特性的变化,研究不同盐胁迫处理对朴树和速生白榆生长及光合作用的影响,探究其耐盐能力。结果显示: （1）整个盐胁迫过程中速生白榆的生长量较朴树高,但随着盐胁迫强度的增加朴树幼苗叶绿素含量呈先升高后降低的变化趋势,速生白榆幼苗则低于CK呈下降趋势。（2）朴树和速生白榆初始荧光（F_o）、最大荧光（F_m）和PSⅡ最大光能转化效率(F_v/F_m)均表现出下降趋势,与朴树相比速生白榆的F_o、F_m和F_v/F_m下降不明显,但在＞2.5‰盐胁迫下速生白榆的非光化学猝灭系数（NPQ）较朴树增加更明显。研究表明,朴树叶绿素含量在每个盐胁迫浓度下均显著高于速生白榆,但在大于2.5‰浓度胁迫下速生白榆的荧光参数变化较朴树占优势;在非环境胁迫及较低盐胁迫条件下（≤2.5‰）,朴树较速生白榆具有更好的光化学性能,但在较高盐胁迫条件下（＞2.5‰）,速生白榆光合参数及荧光参数较朴树变化稳定,能更好的适应盐胁迫环境。     

不同CO2浓度升高和氮肥水平对水稻叶绿素荧光特性的影响

为研究不同CO₂浓度升高和氮肥水平对水稻叶绿素荧光特性的影响,利用由开顶式气室（OTC）组成的CO₂浓度自动调控平台开展田间试验。以粳稻9108为试验材料,CO₂浓度设置CK（对照,环境大气CO₂浓度）、C₁（CO₂浓度比CK增加160 μmol/mol）和C₂（CO₂浓度比CK增加200 μmol/mol）3个水平;氮肥设置低氮（N₁：10 g/m²）、中氮（N₂：20 g/m²）和高氮（N₃：30 g/m²）3个水平。结果表明,在低氮条件下,与CK相比,C₁处理使拔节期的F_o上升4.8%（P=0.031）;C₂处理使拔节期的F_o上升6.3%（P=0.015）,F_v/F_m下降4.8%（P=0.003）,使孕穗期的F_o上升12.7%（P=0.039）,F_v/F_o下降18.2%（P=0.039）。在高氮条件下,与CK相比,C₂处理使灌浆期的F_m、F_v和F_v/F_m分别下降3.6%（P=0.039）、4.9%（P=0.013）和1.3%（P=0.039）。在中氮条件下,与CK相比,C₁和C₂处理的影响不明显。在整个生育期内,CO₂浓度升高与施氮处理交互作用对水稻叶绿素荧光特性的影响未到达显著水平。研究表明,大气CO₂浓度升高使水稻叶片光系统Ⅱ受损,抑制其电子传递能力、电子受体Q_A氧化还原情况、最大光化学效率和潜在活性,通过适量施氮可以有效地缓解其负面效应。     

逆境胁迫对菜豆黄化苗转绿过程中交替呼吸途径与叶绿素荧光特征的影响

以菜豆黄化幼苗作为试验材料,探讨了铅(Pb)或PEG(聚乙二醇)胁迫下交替呼吸途径在植物转绿过程中对叶绿素含量以及叶绿素荧光特性的影响,以阐明逆境胁迫下植物交替呼吸途径的生理学作用。结果显示：(1)与菜豆黄化幼苗正常转绿过程(对照)相比,Pb或PEG胁迫导致菜豆黄化幼苗的叶绿素含量积累延迟,使叶片PSⅡ潜在最大光化学量子效率(F_v/F_m)、光适应下最大光化学效率(F_v′/F_m′)、PSⅡ光适应下实际光化学效率(Y(Ⅱ))和光化学荧光猝灭系数(qP)显著下降,而非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)则显著增加。(2)在菜豆黄化幼苗转绿过程中,Pb或PEG胁迫导致其交替呼吸途径容量较对照均显著上升。(3)Pb或PEG胁迫下,交替呼吸途径抑制剂［水杨基氧肟酸(SHAM,1 mmol/L)］使菜豆黄化幼苗转绿过程中叶绿素含量、F_v/F_m、F_v′/F_m′、Y(Ⅱ)和qP进一步下降, NPQ却进一步增加,说明抑制交替呼吸途径会加剧Pb或PEG胁迫对PSⅡ反应中心活性的进一步抑制,使还原力积累加剧,造成热耗散进一步增加。研究表明,Pb或PEG胁迫均显著降低了菜豆黄化幼苗PSⅡ对光能的利用率,进而阻碍了菜豆黄化幼苗转绿进程;交替呼吸途径有助于在胁迫条件下缓解PSⅡ的过度还原,可能在一定程度上缓解了Pb或PEG胁迫对其转绿进程的阻碍作用。     

蚕豆幼苗光合特性对土荆芥挥发性物质胁迫的响应

以蚕豆(Vicia faba)为受体,采用盆栽试验评价了入侵植物土荆芥(Chenopodium ambrosioides)挥发油及其两个主要成分α-萜品烯和对伞花素对受体光合特性的影响。结果表明:土荆芥挥发油及其两个主要成分不同程度地影响了蚕豆叶片的特性。挥发油处理显著降低了净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)和叶绿素含量,但增加了胞间CO₂浓度(C_i),这种效应表现为剂量和时间双重效应,高剂量挥发油处理的这种效应是不可逆的; 与对照相比,α-萜品烯处理组的P_n、F_v/F_m和ΦPSⅡ降低,C_i、G_s和T_r上升,停止处理后,各参数均趋于对照水平; 整体来看,对伞花素对蚕豆幼苗的光合特性影响不大。上述研究结果说明,土荆芥化感胁迫对受体光合特性的影响是诸多化感物质协同作用的结果,并非由单一组分决定。     

棉花肉桂醇脱氢酶基因在棉纤维中的表达及对其结构组分的影响

利用农杆菌介导法获得‘新陆早36号’转棉花肉桂醇脱氢酶基因(GhCAD6)材料,以转基因T₆代植株为试材,对GhCAD6基因在叶片基因组中的整合情况和不同发育阶段棉花纤维中的表达量进行分析,研究该基因对棉纤维中结构多糖和苯丙烷类化合物含量及纤维中苯丙烷类结构单体的影响。结果显示：(1)GhCAD6基因以单拷贝的形式整合到受体棉花基因组中。(2)转基因植株纤维中GhCAD6基因的表达量低于相同发育阶段对照样品,在对照样品中GhCAD6基因的表达量表现为先升高,在20 DPA(开花后天数)时表达量最高,之后下降,而在转基因植株纤维中先上升,并于发育15 DPA时表达量下降,20 DPA时又上升至最高,之后再次下降。(3)成熟纤维中,转GhCAD6基因植株纤维中苯丙烷类化合物含量低于对照,但结构多糖含量的差别不明显。(4)转GhCAD6基因纤维中苯丙烷类结构单体——紫丁香基木质素(S 木质素)和愈疮木基木质素(G 木质素)的比值下降。研究表明,棉花转入GhCAD6基因后,纤维发育(15 DPA)中GhCAD6基因的表达量变化可能导致棉花中苯丙烷类化合物含量及其结构单体比率变化,从而造成棉花纤维品质改变。该研究结果可为深入分析GhCAD6基因在改良棉花纤维品质的作用机理提供理论依据。     

3种荒漠植物光合及叶绿素荧光对干旱胁迫的响应及抗旱性评价

利用盆栽试验结合人工浇水后自然耗水的方法测定干旱胁迫对梭梭、白刺、沙蒿3种荒漠植物叶片水分、光合及叶绿素荧光参数的影响,探讨各指标在干旱胁迫过程中的变化特征、响应机制及其与土壤水分的定量关系,并用隶属函数法对其进行抗旱性排序。结果表明：(1)3种植物叶片相对含水量(RWC)随干旱胁迫天数增加持续降低,最大水分亏缺(RWD)呈波动式上升趋势。(2)3种植物总叶绿素含量(Chl)和叶绿素a(Chla)、叶绿素b(Chlb)含量,以及梭梭、白刺类胡萝卜素含量均随胁迫天数增加而降低;沙蒿类胡萝卜素随土壤含水率降低逐渐升高。(3)梭梭、白刺、沙蒿叶片净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、水分利用效率(WUE)等主要光合气体交换参数对土壤水分表现出明显的阈值响应,适宜的土壤含水率分别为8.04%～19.33%、4.17%～19.10%、6.48%～17.51%。(4)3种植物 PSⅡ最大光化学效率(Fv/F_m)、实际光化学效率(F_v′/F_m′)及光化学淬灭系数(qP)均随干旱胁迫天数增加和光照强度增大而降低,非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)则呈逐渐上升趋势;干旱胁迫中后期,梭梭、沙蒿的F_v/F_m及F_v′/F_m′均下降,光合机构光合活性遭到破坏,电子传递受阻,PSⅡ反应中心受损,表现出光抑制,而白刺调节自身PSⅡ反应中心免受伤害的能力较强。(5)隶属函数法综合分析表明,3种植物耐旱能力大小依次为白刺>梭梭>沙蒿。研究发现,3种荒漠植物均可通过调节 PSⅡ反应中心开放程度与活性,对干旱胁迫表现出较强的耐性,胁迫后期植物PSⅡ反应中心关闭或不可逆失活,表现出光抑制。     

拟南芥AtCIPK23基因对烟草抗旱能力的影响

为了探索拟南芥AtCIPK23基因对烟草耐旱能力的影响,对3个转AtCIPK23基因阳性纯合株系KA13、KA14和KA44与野生型烟草K326（对照）进行了自然干旱处理,测定离体叶片的失水速率、叶绿素含量、相对电导率、脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量,并分析了转基因及野生型材料对活性氧的清除能力,对活性氧清除基因NtSOD、NtCAT和NtAPX及干旱胁迫相关基因NtDREB、NtLEA5和NtCDPK2的表达量进行检测。结果表明：（1）转基因烟草离体叶片的失水速率明显低于K326;自然干旱7 d后,野生型K326出现了明显的干旱胁迫症状;干旱7 d进行复水后,转基因株系的复水存活率明显高于K326。（2）转基因株系中的叶绿素、脯氨酸及可溶性糖含量比K326显著提高,电导率则明显降低。（3）野生型烟草K326中H₂O₂的积累量明显高于3个转基因株系,转基因株系中ROS清除机制的3个关键基因NtSOD、NtCAT和NtAPX被诱导上调表达。（4）抗旱相关基因NtDREB、NtLEA5和NtCDPK2仅在转基因烟草中受干旱诱导。研究认为,AtCIPK23基因可能具有提高植物抗旱能力的功能。     

Increased glycine betaine synthesis and salinity tolerance in AhCMO transgenic cotton lines

Glycine betaine is an osmoprotectant that plays an important role and accumulates rapidly in many plants during salinity or drought stress. Choline monooxygenase (CMO) is a major catalyst in the synthesis of glycine betaine. In our previous study, a CMO gene (AhCMO) cloned from Atriplex hortensis was introduced into cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) via Agrobacterium mediation to enhance resistance to salinity stress. However, there is little or no knowledge of the salinity tolerance of the transgenic plants, particularly under saline-field conditions. In the present study, two transgenic AhCMO cotton lines of the T₃ generation were used to study the AhCMO gene expression, and to determine their salinity tolerance in both greenhouse and field under salinity stress. Molecular analysis confirmed that the transgenic plants expressed the AhCMO gene. Greenhouse study showed that on average, seedlings of the transgenic lines accumulated 26 and 131% more glycine betaine than those of non-transgenic plants (SM3) under normal and salt-stress (150 mmol l⁻¹ NaCl) conditions, respectively. The osmotic potential, electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation were significantly lower in leaves of the transgenic lines than in those of SM3 after salt stress. The net photosynthesis rate and Fv/Fm in transgenic cotton leaves were less affected by salinity than in non-transgenic cotton leaves. Therefore, transgenic cotton over-expressing AhCMO was more tolerant to salt stress due to elevated accumulation of glycine betaine, which provided greater protection of the cell membrane and photosynthetic capacity than in non-transgenic cotton. The seed cotton yield of the transgenic plants was lower under normal conditions, but was significantly higher than that of non-transgenic plants under salt-stressed field conditions. The results indicate that over-expression of AhCMO in cotton enhanced salt stress tolerance, which is of great value in cotton production in the saline fields.     

转大肠杆菌过氧化氢酶基因棉花的抗旱生理研究

以导入大肠杆菌过氧化氢酶基因KatE的T3代转基因棉花为供试材料,经卡那霉素检测和PCR鉴定,将筛选出的阳性转基因植株与对照棉花进行整个生育期的持续水分胁迫处理直至收获,比较材料间的生理生化指标的差异,鉴定转基因植株的耐旱能力。结果显示:(1)干旱胁迫持续至初蕾期时,转基因棉花与对照植株间各项抗旱生理指标差异均未达到显著水平。(2)水分胁迫持续至盛蕾和盛花期时,转基因棉花叶片相对含水量、光系统Ⅱ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、CAT活性,以及叶片的净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr)均显著或极显著高于对照植株,叶绿素含量也都明显高于对照植株。干旱胁迫持续至吐絮期时,转基因棉花的株高、果枝数和铃数均显著或极显著高于对照植株,且转基因棉花和对照的籽棉产量分别比正常灌溉处理降低57.5%和60.1%,全生育期的水分胁迫严重影响了棉花籽棉产量,但转基因棉花的籽棉产量仍显著高于对照。研究表明,在新疆石河子当地自然降水(干旱胁迫)条件下,转KatE基因棉花表现出了较好的生理和生长优势,KatE基因有助于提高棉花的抗旱性。     

转CBF_1基因棉花的耐旱生理研究

以转CBF_1基因棉花及其野生型棉花为材料,设置轻度(900 mL)、中度(400 mL)、重度(300 mL)和对照(1 200mL)浇水处理的不同干旱胁迫和复水处理,考察各种处理后对盆栽植株不同部位叶片光合性能和离体叶片在暗处理条件下叶绿素含量的变化,以及在大田苗期、蕾期、花期、铃期断水胁迫对棉花产量的影响,为转基因抗旱棉花新品种的培育提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)在盆栽试验中,随着干旱胁迫时间的延长和复水3d处理,各浇水处理的转基因和野生型棉花叶片净光合速率(P_n)、原初光能转化效率(F_v/F_m)表现出先降低后增加的变化趋势,受到胁迫后对顶部叶片的影响比中部叶片大,且转基因棉花叶片保留数量显著高于野生型棉花;它们的离体叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b的含量随着干旱胁迫时间的延长而逐渐下降,但转基因棉花的下降速率显著低于野生型棉花。(2)在田间试验的苗期、蕾期、花期、铃期干旱胁迫下,各干旱胁迫处理的转基因植株的皮棉产量、衣分、种子质量、株高均显著高于野生型棉花;转基因棉花的籽棉产量分别比正常灌溉处理降低了78.4%、55.1%、12.7%、8.3%,野生型棉花则分别降低了80.4%、55.4%、19.2%、14.4%,不同时期的水分胁迫严重影响了棉花籽棉产量,但是转基因棉花的籽棉产量显著高于野生型棉花。研究认为,在不同干旱胁迫条件下,转CBF_1基因棉花表现出优良的生长和生理优势,可提高棉花的耐旱性。     

过表达或沉默棉花GhPCBER基因株系的获得及其茎叶木质素和木脂素含量研究

编码苯基香豆满苄基醚还原酶(phenylcoumaran benzylic ether reductase,PCBER)的基因PCBER属于PIP亚家族,是苯丙烷代谢途径中参与木脂素合成的关键基因。该研究构建了棉花GhPCBER基因的植物过表达载体并转化拟南芥,同时构建了VIGS(virus induced gene silencing,病毒诱导的基因沉默)载体转化棉花,采用实时荧光定量PCR技术对GhPCBER基因在不同组织中的表达进行分析;对野生型和转基因植株茎叶组织中的木质素和木脂素含量进行测定分析。结果表明:(1)成功构建了GhPCBER植物过表达载体pGWB17-GhPCBRE以及基因沉默重组载体pTRV2-GhPCBER;经遗传转化获得6株转棉花GhPCBER基因抗性拟南芥植株,同时获得15株GhPCBER基因沉默棉花植株(5株为一组)。(2)PCR检测表明,6株转基因拟南芥均为过表达株系,其中株系1、2、3相对表达量更高,且在茎、叶组织中的表达量分别较野生型提高了7～14倍和6～16倍,表明GhPCBER基因成功在拟南芥中过表达;GhPCBER基因沉默棉花植株的茎、叶组织中的表达量分别比野生型棉株约下降12%和26%,表明烟草脆裂病毒(TRV)体系(pTRV2-GhPCBER)成功抑制了GhPCBER基因的表达。(3)转GhPCBER基因拟南芥茎、叶中木质素和木脂素含量较野生型均显著降低;GhPCBER基因沉默棉花植株茎、叶中木质素和木脂素含量较野生型均极显著降低;组织化学染色观察发现GhPCBER基因沉默棉花植株茎秆颜色明显比野生型染色浅,也证明沉默基因棉花植株茎秆中的木质素含量减少。(4)苯丙烷代谢通路中8个相关基因的实时荧光定量PCR分析发现,过表达或抑制GhPCBRE基因均会导致苯丙烷代谢途径发生重新定向。     

Over-expression of a vacuolar Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>/H<Superscript>+</Superscript> antiporter gene improves salt tolerance in an upland rice

To develop a salt-tolerant upland rice cultivar (Oryza sativa L.), OsNHX1, a vacuolar-type Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter gene from rice was transferred into the genome of an upland rice cultivar (IRAT109), using an Agrobacterium-mediated method. Seven independent transgenic calli lines were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. These 35S::OsNHX1 transgenic plants displayed a little accelerated growth during seedling stage but showed delayed flowering time and a slight growth retardation phenotype during late vegetative stage, suggesting that the OsNHX1 has a novel function in plant development. Northern and western blot analyses showed that the expression levels of OsNHX1 mRNA and protein in the leaves of three independent transgenic plant lines were significantly higher than in the leaves of wild type (WT) plants. T₂ generation plants exhibited increased salt tolerance, showing delayed appearance and development of damage or death caused by salt stress, as well as improved recovery upon removal from this condition. Several physiological traits, such as increased Na⁺ content, and decreased osmotic potential in transgenic plants grown in high saline concentrations, further indicated that the transgenic plants had enhanced salt tolerance. Our results suggest the potential use of these transgenic plants for further agricultural applications in saline soil.     

Combined expression of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase genes in indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) enhances resistance against Rhizoctonia solani

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of rice was done using the binary vector pNSP3, harbouring the rice chitinase (chi11) gene under maize ubiquitin promoter and the tobacco β-1,3-glucanase gene under CaMV 35S promoter in the same T-DNA. Four of the six T₀ plants had single copies of complete T-DNAs, while the other two had complex integration patterns. Three of the four single-copy lines showed a 3:1 segregation ratio in the T₁ generation. Northern and western blot analyses of T₁ plants revealed constitutive expression of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase genes. Homozygous T₂ plants of the single-copy lines CG20, CG27 and CG53 showed 62-, 9.6- and 11-fold higher chitinase activity over the control plants. β-1,3-Glucanase activity was 1.1- to 2.5-fold higher in the transgenic plants. Bioassay of homozygous T₂ plants of the three single-copy transgenic lines against Rhizoctonia solani revealed a 60% reduction in sheath blight Disease Index in the first week. The Disease Index increased from 61.8 in the first week to 90.6 in the third week in control plants, while it remained low (26.8–34.2) in the transgenic T₃ plants in the corresponding period, reflecting the persistence of sheath blight resistance for a longer period.     

Overexpression of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thellungiella halophila</Emphasis> H<Superscript>+</Superscript>-PPase (<Emphasis Type="Italic">TsVP</Emphasis>) in cotton enhances drought stress resistance of plants

An H⁺-PPase gene, TsVP from Thellungiella halophila, was transferred into two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) varieties (Lumianyan19 and Lumianyan 21) and southern and northern blotting analysis showed the foreign gene was integrated into the cotton genome and expressed. The measurement of isolated vacuolar membrane vesicles demonstrated that the transgenic plants had higher V–H⁺-PPase activity compared with wild-type plants (WT). Overexpressing TsVP in cotton improved shoot and root growth, and transgenic plants were much more resistant to osmotic/drought stress than the WT. Under drought stress conditions, transgenic plants had higher chlorophyll content, improved photosynthesis, higher relative water content of leaves and less cell membrane damage than WT. We ascribe these properties to improved root development and the lower solute potential resulting from higher solute content such as soluble sugars and free amino acids in the transgenic plants. In this study, the average seed cotton yields of transgenic plants from Lumianyan 19 and Lumianyan 21 were significantly increased compared with those of WT after exposing to drought stress for 21 days at flowering stage. The average seed cotton yields were 51 and 40% higher than in their WT counterparts, respectively. This study benefits efforts to improve cotton yields in arid and semiarid regions.     

The Production of Marker-Free Genetically Engineered Broccoli with Sense and Antisense ACC synthase 1 and ACC oxidases 1 and 2 to Extend Shelf-Life

The production of transgenic broccoli (Brassica oleracea) with increased shelf-life using an Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated co-transformation protocol is reported. An Agrobacterium rhizogenes Ri vector, pRi1855:GFP was constructed to allow expression of the green fluorescent protein to identify insertion of Ri T_L-DNA into plant cells. The Brassica oleracea ACC synthase 1 and ACC oxidase 1 and 2 cDNAs in sense and antisense orientations were co-transformed into GDDH33, a doubled haploid calabrese-broccoli cultivar. Transformation efficiency was 3.26%, producing 150 transgenic root lines, of which 18 were regenerated into mature plants. The floral buds from T₀ broccoli heads were assayed for post-harvest production of ethylene and chlorophyll levels. Buds from T₀ lines transformed with ACC oxidase 1 and 2 constructs produced significantly less post-harvest ethylene at 20 °C than the untransformed plants and chlorophyll loss was significantly reduced over a 96 h post-harvest period. The T₀ plants transformed with sense and antisense ACC synthase 1 had a significantly reduced 24 h post-harvest ethylene peak and delayed chlorophyll loss. A positive correlation between post-harvest bud ethylene production and chlorophyll loss was described by a regression. This demonstrates that the shelf-life of a very perishable vegetable may be increased up to 2 days at 20 °C by reducing post-harvest ethylene production.