干旱胁迫对两种油桐幼苗生长、气体交换及叶绿素荧光参数的影响

为了探究干旱胁迫对两种油桐(三年桐和千年桐)幼苗光合生理特性的变化及响应,采用盆栽试验,研究不同水分处理(正常供水、轻度干旱、中度干旱、重度干旱)对油桐幼苗生长、叶片气体交换及叶绿素荧光参数的影响。结果表明:与对照相比,轻度干旱胁迫对两种油桐生长、气体交换及叶绿素荧光参数无明显影响(P0.05);中度干旱及重度干旱使两种油桐的叶绿素SPAD值、生长量、净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔限制值(L_s)、最大净光合速率(P_(nmax))、光饱和点(LSP)、表观量子效率(AQY)、暗呼吸速率(R_d)、最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、实际光化学量子效率(Φ_(PSⅡ))、电子传递速率(ETR)及光化学猝灭系数(q_P)显著下降(P0.05),且在重度干旱胁迫下迅速下降,胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)、水分利用效率(WUE)、光补偿点(LCP)、初始荧光(F_o)、非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)显著升高(P0.05);中度干旱胁迫下油桐幼苗P_n的降低是由气孔因素及光合机构活性降低的非气孔因素共同引起的,而重度干旱胁迫下光合作用的下降主要是由光合机构活性降低的非气孔因素引起的。三年桐的光合机构活性及光合效率高于千年桐,对干旱胁迫的适应性较千年桐强。     

干旱胁迫对黑果枸杞幼苗光合特性的影响

以当年生黑果枸杞幼苗为试验材料,通过称重控水的方法设置对照(土壤含水量为32.96%~35.35%)、轻度干旱胁迫(土壤含水量为21.18%~22.32%)、中度干旱胁迫(土壤含水量为12.20%~13.82%)和重度干旱胁迫(土壤含水量为7.89%~8.73%)4个水分梯度,研究了干旱胁迫对黑果枸杞叶片光合色素、光合特性、叶绿素荧光特性的影响,以揭示黑果枸杞对干旱胁迫的适应能力和适应机制。结果显示:(1)随着干旱胁迫强度的增加,黑果枸杞幼苗叶片叶绿素含量、类胡萝卜素含量均呈显著下降趋势。(2)黑果枸杞幼苗叶片净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)在中度和重度干旱胁迫下显著下降;其胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)、水分利用效率(WUE)随干旱胁迫强度的增加而逐渐增加,而气孔限制值(L_s)随干旱胁迫强度的增加而逐渐降低。(3)随着土壤含水量的降低,黑果枸杞幼苗叶片初始荧光(F_0)和非光化学猝灭系数(q_N)逐渐增加,而其最大荧光(F_m)、PSⅡ最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、实际光化学效率(Ф_(PSⅡ))和光化学猝灭系数(q_P)均逐渐降低。研究表明,在干旱胁迫条件下,黑果枸杞叶片过多的能量以热的形式被耗散,反应中心开放程度降低,从而避免PSⅡ反应中心受到损伤,表现出一定的耐旱性;黑果枸杞生长所允许的最大土壤水分亏缺为7.89%,维持黑果枸杞具有较高的WUE和P_n的土壤水分阈值为12.20%~13.82%。     

干旱胁迫下外源水杨酸对黄瓜幼苗膜脂过氧化和光合特性的影响

为了探讨外源水杨酸(SA)提高植物抗旱性的相关机制,研究了干旱胁迫下(基质含水量为饱和持水量的60％和50％),根际施用外源SA对黄瓜幼苗生长、膜脂过氧化、脯氨酸积累、水分利用效率、净光合速率(Pn)和叶绿素荧光参数的影响.结果表明:SA处理能够缓解干旱胁迫对黄瓜幼苗生长、Pn和水分利用效率的抑制,减小膜脂过氧化程度,促进脯氨酸的积累;添加外源SA显著减小了干旱胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的PSⅡ最大光化学效率、PSⅡ实际光化学效率、PSⅡ潜在活性、PSⅡ有效光化学效率和光化学猝灭系数的下降幅度,抑制了非光化学猝灭系数的升高.添加外源SA可以缓解干旱胁迫造成的膜脂过氧化对膜系统的氧化损伤,并通过增强PSⅡ反应中心活性提高了Pn,有助于水分的利用,同时增大渗透调节能力,减少水分的散失,提高水分利用效率,从而增强植株对干旱的适应能力.     

华山新麦草光合特性对干旱胁迫的响应

以濒危植物华山新麦草为材料进行盆栽试验,设置3个水分梯度,研究生长指标、气体交换、叶绿素荧光参数、光合色素含量、光响应特征及丙二醛(MDA)含量.结果表明:随干旱胁迫的加剧,株高、叶宽和光合色素含量降低,根长和丙二醛(MDA)含量增加;水分胁迫导致净光合速率(PN)、气孔导度(gs)、蒸腾速率(E)、最大荧光(Fm)、光合电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学猝灭系数(qP)降低,胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、瞬时水分利用效率(WUE)、初始荧光(Fo)和非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)升高;光系统Ⅱ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)不变;干旱胁迫下光响应曲线拟合结果显示,干旱胁迫造成最大光合速率和光能利用效率下降.综上表明,干旱对光系统Ⅱ的伤害是制约华山新麦草光合作用的主要原因.     

γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)对低氧胁迫下甜瓜幼苗光合作用和叶绿素荧光参数的影响

采用营养液水培方法,研究了低氧胁迫下外源γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)对甜瓜幼苗光合色素含量、光合作用及叶绿素荧光参数的影响.结果表明:低氧胁迫导致甜瓜幼苗光合色素含量显著下降,光合作用降低;外源GABA能显著提高正常通气和低氧胁迫下甜瓜幼苗的光合色素含量、净光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度、CO2羧化效率、最大光化学效率、光化学猝灭系数、表观光合电子传递速率和PSⅡ光合电子传递量子效率,而气孔限制值、初始荧光和非光化学猝灭系数显著降低,GABA在低氧胁迫下的提高效果更明显;同时添加GABA和GABA转氨酶抑制剂γ-乙烯基-γ-氨基丁酸(VGB)处理显著降低了低氧胁迫下GABA对甜瓜幼苗光合特性的缓解效果.     

干旱胁迫对不同光环境下的三叶漆幼苗光合特性和叶绿素荧光参数的影响

以2年生三叶漆(T erm inth ia p an icu la ta)幼苗为实验材料,研究了生长于全自然光和遮荫条件(光强相当于自然光强的50%)下幼苗的光合特性和叶绿素荧光参数对不同土壤水分条件的响应,探讨了其对干旱和强光胁迫的生理适应机制.结果表明,叶片相对含水量(RW C)、叶水势(Ψ)、最大光合速率(Pm ax)、表观量子效率(AQY)、暗呼吸速率(Rd)和光合色素含量都随干旱胁迫的加剧而下降.Pm ax、AQY、Rd和比叶重(LM A)随光强的增加而升高,色素含量则随光强升高而降低.Ch la/b、C ar/Ch l随干旱程度和光强的增加有升高的趋势.PSⅡ的最大光能转换效率(Fv/Fm)和光化学量子效率(ФPSⅡ)在日间光较强时明显降低,说明发生了光抑制.电子传递速率(ETR)和非光化学猝灭系数(N PQ)随日间光强的增大而升高,表明三叶漆可能通过增强光呼吸和热耗散抵御光抑制、保护光合机构.二元方差分析表明,水分和光强具有明显的交互作用.全自然光下严重干旱的幼苗仍有较高的Pm ax(9.65μm o l.m-2.-s 1),说明三叶漆对干旱和强光具有极强的适应能力,这也是其成为干热河谷植被优势种的重要原因.     

干旱胁迫对小紫珠光合生理的影响

以小紫珠(Callicarpa dichotoma)幼苗为试验材料,采用盆栽控水法设置4个水分梯度,分别为田间最大持水量的95%(对照)、75%(轻度干旱)、55%(中度干旱)和35%(重度干旱),研究土壤水分对小紫珠光合参数的影响。结果显示:(1)随着干旱胁迫的加剧,小紫珠的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)和水分利用效率(WUE)逐渐下降,其胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)在轻度和中度干旱胁迫下逐渐下降,在重度干旱胁迫下显著升高。(2)随着干旱胁迫的加剧小紫珠的光饱和点(LSP)、最大净光合速率(Pnmax)、暗呼吸速率(Rd)和表观量子效率(AQY)显著减少,光补偿点(LCP)极显著增加(P0.01)。(3)随着胁迫程度的增加,小紫珠的最大荧光(F_m)、最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)和PSⅡ的量子效率(Fv/Fo)逐渐减少,初始荧光(Fo)显著升高(P0.01);随着干旱胁迫的加剧小紫珠能量分配比率参数φPo、Ψo、φEo逐渐下降,φDo逐渐增加;代表单位反应中心活性的参数ABS/RC、TRo/RC、ETo/RC和DIo/RC逐渐升高。(4)随着胁迫程度的增加,小紫珠叶绿素a、叶绿素b、叶绿素总量和叶绿素a/b逐渐减少。研究表明,干旱胁迫下小紫珠光合速率的降低既有气孔因素也有非气孔因素,但轻度和中度干旱胁迫下以气孔限制为主,而在重度干旱胁迫下以非气孔限制为主。     

干旱胁迫下胡杨光合光响应过程模拟与模型比较

以塔里木干旱荒漠区2年生胡杨幼苗为试材,盆栽模拟荒漠生境5种水分梯度,利用Li-6400便携式光合作用系统测定胡杨在干旱胁迫下光合作用的光响应过程,并采用4种光响应模型对其进行拟合与比较,以期优选出适用于干旱荒漠环境的光响应模型,阐明胡杨光合作用对干旱胁迫的响应规律与适应机制。结果表明:胡杨净光合速率(P_n)随干旱胁迫加剧呈下降趋势,同一光强(PAR)下P_n降幅增大。中度干旱胁迫以下(土壤相对含水量,RSWC45%)胡杨在高PAR下仍能维持相对较高P_n,光抑制程度轻;直角双曲线、非直角双曲线和指数模型均可较好地模拟P_n-PAR响应过程,但最大净光合速率(P_(nmax))、光饱和点(LSP)拟合值与实测值差异极显著(P0.01)。中度干旱胁迫以上(RSWC45%)胡杨P_n随PAR升高而显著下降,LSP与P_(nmax)极显著降低,光抑制现象明显;仅直角双曲线修正模型拟合的胡杨光响应过程、光响应参数与实际情况较吻合。4种模型模拟效果顺序:直角双曲线修正模型指数模型非直角双曲线模型直角双曲线模型。4种光响应模型对干旱胁迫具有不同的适应性,直角双曲线修正模型适用于各种水分条件,尤其适用于干旱荒漠生境,其它3种模型适用于水分条件较好的生境。光响应特征参数对干旱胁迫的响应阈值不同。随干旱胁迫加剧,胡杨表观量子效率(AQY)、P_n、LSP与P_(nmax)持续降低,严重干旱胁迫下暗呼吸速率(R_d)、LCP反而明显增大。RSWC45%胡杨仍能保持较高的AQY、P_(nmax)、LSP,RSWC45%其P_(nmax)、LSP显著降低,干旱胁迫显著抑制了胡杨光合进程和光强耐受范围,降低了光合效率,严重干旱胁迫严重影响胡杨苗木的正常生长和光合作用。干旱荒漠环境下,胡杨采取缩窄光照生态幅、降低光能利用率和减少呼吸消耗来积极抵御荒漠干旱逆境伤害的生态对策。因此,从极端干旱荒漠区种群保护与植被恢复角度来看,胡杨林土壤水分应维持在RSWC 50%左右,符合干旱缺水地区植物生长和高效用水的管理原则。     

油菜幼苗光合及叶绿素荧光参数对干旱胁迫的响应及其抗旱性分析

该研究在人工控制水分条件下，设置3个干旱胁迫处理，选用3个主栽油菜品种‘陇油10号’、‘陇油2号’、‘青杂5号’幼苗进行盆栽试验，测定干旱胁迫条件下叶片相对含水量、叶绿素含量、光合气体交换参数及叶绿素荧光参数等指标，考察各指标在干旱胁迫过程中的变化特征，并通过主成分分析(PCA)和隶属函数法评价品种的抗旱性及其主要响应因子，以揭示西北地区油菜幼苗响应干旱胁迫的光合调控机制。结果表明：(1)各品种油菜幼苗的叶片相对含水量(RWC)均随干旱胁迫程度的递增而逐渐降低，最大水分亏缺(WSD)却逐渐上升。(2)各品种油菜幼苗叶片的叶绿素a含量、叶绿素总含量随着干旱胁迫程度的递增而先增加后递减，且同一种幼苗在不同处理间差异显著。(3)各品种油菜幼苗叶片的净光合速率(P_n)、水分利用效率(WUE)、单株生物量、气孔导度(G_s)、胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)均在受到干旱胁迫时迅速降低，且同一品种幼苗在不同处理间差异显著，而其叶片蒸腾速率(T_r)在干旱胁迫下无显著变化。(4)各品种油菜幼苗叶片光化学猝...     

γ-氨基丁酸（GABA）对低氧胁迫下甜瓜幼苗光合作用和叶绿素荧光参数的影响

采用营养液水培方法,研究了低氧胁迫下外源γ-氨基丁酸（GABA）对甜瓜幼苗光合色素含量、光合作用及叶绿素荧光参数的影响.结果表明：低氧胁迫导致甜瓜幼苗光合色素含量显著下降,光合作用降低;外源GABA能显著提高正常通气和低氧胁迫下甜瓜幼苗的光合色素含量、净光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO₂浓度、CO₂羧化效率、最大光化学效率、光化学猝灭系数、表观光合电子传递速率和PSⅡ光合电子传递量子效率,而气孔限制值、初始荧光和非光化学猝灭系数显著降低,GABA在低氧胁迫下的提高效果更明显;同时添加GABA和GABA转氨酶抑制剂γ-乙烯基-γ-氨基丁酸（VGB）处理显著降低了低氧胁迫下GABA对甜瓜幼苗光合特性的缓解效果.     

葎草幼苗的生理生化特征对盐胁迫的响应

采用盆栽法研究葎草(Humulus scandens)幼苗的生物量、气体交换参数、叶水势、叶绿素含量、叶绿素荧光参数、抗氧化酶活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量对不同浓度盐(NaCl)(分别为0、100、200、300、400mmol/L)胁迫的响应,以探讨葎草幼苗对盐胁迫的适应机制及耐性机理。结果表明:(1)随着NaCl胁迫浓度的增加,葎草幼苗生长受到严重抑制,显著降低了根、茎、叶的干重、单叶面积、比叶面积(SLA)和根冠比(R/S)。(2)NaCl胁迫后,葎草幼苗的净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO_2浓度(Ci)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和叶水势(Ψw)均随盐浓度增加呈显著下降趋势,气孔限制值(Ls)和瞬时水分利用效率(WUEi)却显著增加。(3)NaCl胁迫下,叶绿素a(Chl a)和叶绿素b(Chl b)等光合色素含量以及过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性均显著降低,但超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量显著升高,说明植株的抗氧化酶系统对NaCl胁迫具有积极的响应策略。(4)NaCl胁迫显著提高了幼苗最小荧光(F_o)、可变荧光(F_v)、最大荧光(F_m)、表观光合电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学淬灭系数(qP),有效降低了PSⅡ有效光化学量子产量(F_m′/F_o′)、非光化学淬灭系数(q N),并在不同盐浓度梯度下存在着显著的效果差异。研究表明,低浓度(100mmol/L)NaCl胁迫对葎草幼苗生长没有显著影响,但随着浓度的增加,葎草幼苗的气体交换、叶绿素含量、PSⅡ反应能力、抗氧化酶系统均受到抑制,植株的生长发育受到严重影响。     

The Effects of Clofentezine on Life-table Parameters in Two-spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae

Sublethal effects of the growth inhibitor, clofentezine, on life-table parameters of Tetranychus urticae Koch females treated at different developmental stages with a concentration causing ≥90% mortality were investigated. Females which survived treatment as ‘early’ (0–24 h old) eggs produced 12% more offspring than the untreated females during the first five days of oviposition. This resulted in a significant rise in the intrinsic rate of increase (r _j ): 0.324, compared to 0.299 in the untreated females. This effect may be interpreted as hormoligosis. Clofentezine treatment at any other developmental stage of T. urticae significantly decreased both longevity and fertility of female survivors. Females which survived treatment either as ‘late’ (72–96 h old) eggs or larvae had 2.6 times lower net reproductive rate (R ₀) than the untreated females, and the r _j values were significantly lower: 0.242 and 0.215, respectively (0.285 in the untreated females). Females which survived treatment either as protonymphs or deutonymphs had 3.9 times and 6 times lower R ₀, respectively. Corresponding r _j values were 0.178 and 0.146, respectively (0.247 in the untreated females). The clofentezine treatment at all stages influenced the age distribution of survivors. The sublethal effects of clofentezine and their impact on T. urticae management are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

荒漠区植物雾冰藜光合特性对混合盐碱胁迫的响应

通过将两种中性盐(NaCl、Na_2SO_4)和两种碱性盐(Na_2CO_3、Na HCO_3)按不同比例混和,分别模拟出不同程度的盐、碱胁迫条件,研究了荒漠区植物雾冰藜光合色素含量、气体交换参数和叶绿素荧光参数对混合盐碱胁迫的响应。研究结果表明,在所模拟的均匀覆盖了总盐度50—250 mmol/L,pH 7.10—10.19范围内的30种盐碱胁迫条件下,雾冰藜的叶绿素a含量(Chla)、叶绿素b含量(Chlb)、类胡萝卜素含量(Caro)、净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、胞间CO_2摩尔分数(C_i)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、PSⅡ的潜在活性(F_v/F_0)、PSⅡ原初反应的最大量子效率(F_v/F_m)、PSⅡ电子传递量子效率(ΦPSⅡ)、表观光合电子传递效率(ETR)、光化学猝灭系数(q P)等指标均在对照组(CK)下最高,且均随处理溶液盐浓度及p H的升高而下降,各处理组与对照组间存在显著差异(P0.05);稳态荧光(F_s)随处理溶液盐浓度及pH的升高先降低,后呈"M"型变化趋势,即先升高后降低,再升高再降低;水分利用效率(WUE)和非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)随处理溶液盐浓度及p H的改变未呈现规律性变化趋势。盐分组成离子与上述各光合特征指标的相关系数表明,盐分组成对雾冰藜光合色素和气体交换参数的抑制作用表现为:Na_2CO_3Na HCO_3NaClNa_2SO_4,而对叶绿素荧光参数的影响较为复杂。研究表明,盐碱生境对雾冰藜光合系统造成了一定的伤害,但其可以通过相应的生理反应降低损伤的程度。     

Effects of assortative mating for pupa weight on genetic parameters of unselected Tribolium castaneum

Summary Effects of random (R) or positive assortative (A) mating for pupal weight (PW) on genetic parameters of pupation time (PT), pupal and larval weights (LW) were studied in unselected populations of Tribolium castaneum. Two groups, each with 50 males mated to 100 females in each of 5 replicates, were either R-mated or A-mated for 3 generations. Genetic parameters were estimated from covariances between sibs (R group) or by an iterative method (A group). Estimates of heritability in R and A groups were 0.30±0.12 and 0.39±0.02 (PW); 0.26±0.13 and 0.49±0.04 (LW); and 0.39±0.10 and 0.25±0.03 (PT). Estimates of genetic correlations in the R group were –0.21±0.23 (PW and LW); 0.45±0.10 (PW and PT); and –0.77±0.14 (LW and PT). Those in the A group were 0.27±0.10 (PW and LW); 0.15±0.14 (PW and PT); the genetic correlation between LW and PT was not estimable in this group. Within-family variances (grams squared) of PW by generation (1, 2, and 3) were, respectively: 0.048 (R) and 0.047 (A); 0.054 (R) and 0.041 (A); and 0.050 (R) and 0.046 (A). In agreement with theory, estimates of heritability of PW and LW were larger in the A group. Estimates of genetic correlations in the A group were inconsistent with expectations from theory. Assortative mating tended to decrease within-family variance of PW.     

Attenuation of water velocity and incident light as a function of shape parameters inGracilaria

Characteristic shape parameters, light intensities and relative water velocities were estimated in thalli of free-moving seaweeds, using threeGracilaria-like species:G. cornea, G. conferta andGracilariopsis lemaneiformis. Relative velocities over the branches were determined mostly by rotation of the algae in the water as opposed to linear translation. The tree major shape parameters of the thallus, weight, volumetric specific weight and areal specific weight, explain the differences in relative velocity. Relative velocities near the center of the thallus were about 50% to 80% of the external velocity. Light intensities at the vicinity of the center ofG. cornea ranged between 60% to 90% of the external light intensity. Light attenuation in the center was proportional to the weight of the thallus. The significance of light and velocity attenuation as a function of shape parameters is discussed.Author for correspondence     

高压静电胁迫对麦长管蚜种群生长发育与繁殖的影响

为了探究高压静电场对麦长管蚜Sitobion avenae Fabriciusde的影响。采用特定年龄生命表的方法,设置2、4、6 k V/cm辐射强度处理小麦种子和出生24h内的1龄若蚜。统计连续20代电场胁迫后麦长管蚜生命表种群参数、繁殖参数以及存活率的变化。结果表明:(1)经高压静电场处理后麦长管蚜的内禀增长率(r)在2 k V/cm和4 k V/cm强度时受影响显著(P0.05),但两者表现的世代不同,2 k V/cm和4 k V/cm的最低值分别出现在第20代和第10代。(2)麦长管蚜的净增值率(R0)、平均世代周期(T)、繁殖力(F)、成虫寿命和产仔天数等参数均呈现前期受高压静电场影响各处理组均显著低于对照组(P0.05),随着世代的增加高压静电处理组与对照组无显著差异。(3)麦长管蚜的特定年龄阶段存活率曲线受世代和高压静电场强度的影响显著。研究结论:麦长管蚜的生长发育和繁殖受世代和高压静电场强度的双重影响,且两者具有交互效应。研究的创新点在于:模拟自然条件下(同时对植物和昆虫进行高压静电场辐射处理)高压静电场对麦长管蚜的影响,为蚜虫生态遗传进化和生态控蚜提供理论依据。     

Growth kinetics of EDTA biodegradation by Burkholderia cepacia

A pure culture of an EDTA-degrading strain was isolated from the Taiwan environment. It was identified as Burkholderia cepacia, an aerobic bacterium, elliptically shaped with a length of 5–15 m. The degradation assay showed that the degradation efficiency of Fe-EDTA by B. cepacia was approximately 91%. Evaluation of kinetic parameters showed that Fe-EDTA degradation followed substrate inhibition kinetics. This is evident from the decrease in specific growth rate with an increase in the initial substrate concentration greater than 500 mg/l. To estimate the kinetic parameters – _max, K_S and K_I, five substrate–inhibition models were used. From the results of non-linear regression, the value of _max ranged from 0.150 to 0.206 d^–1, K_S from 74 to 87 mg/l, and K_I from 890 to 2289 mg/l. The five models were found to underestimate the maximum specific growth rate by 1.5–3.7. Therefore, predictions based on these models would result in lower predicted value than those from the experimental kinetic data.     

Influence of Culture Parameters on Biological Hydrogen Production by Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum ATCC 27021

Summary Various medium components (carbon and nitrogen sources, iron, inoculum size) and environmental factors (initial pH and the agitation speed) were evaluated for their effects on the rate and the yield of hydrogen production by Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum. Among the carbon sources assessed, cells grown on disaccharides (lactose, sucrose and maltose) produced on the average more than twice (2.81 mol-H2/mol sugar) as much hydrogen as monosaccharides (1.29 mol-H2/mol sugar), but there was no correlation between the carbon source and the production rate. The highest yield (2.83 mol/mol) was obtained in lactose and sucrose but the highest production rate (1.75 mmol/h) in sucrose. Using glucose as carbon source, yeast extract was the best nitrogen source. A parallel increase between the production rate and the yield was obtained by increasing glucose concentration up to 40 g/l (1.76 mol-H2/mol, 3.39 mmol/h), total nitrogen as yeast extract up to 0.1% (1.41 mol/mol, 1.91 mmol/h) and agitation up to 100 rev/min (1.66 mol-H2/mol, 1.86 mmol/h). On the other hand, higher production rates were favoured in preference to the yield at a neutral initial pH 7 (2.27 mmol/h), 1000 mg iron/l or more (1.99 mmol/h), and a larger inoculum size, 10%, (2.36 mmol/h) whereas an initial alkaline pH of 8.5 (1.72 mol/mol), a lower iron concentration of 25 mg/l (1.74 mol/mol) and smaller inoculum size, 1%, (1.85 mol/mol) promoted higher yield over production rate.     

Ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of Alnus acuminata from Calilegua National Park (Argentina)

The objective of this study was to determine patterns of ectomycorrhizas (ECM) and arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) colonization associated with Alnus acuminata (Andean alder), in relation to soil parameters (electrical conductivity, field H₂O holding capacity, pH, available P, organic matter, and total N) at two different seasons (autumn and spring). The study was conducted in natural forests of A. acuminata situated in Calilegua National Park (Jujuy, Argentina). Nine ECM morphotypes were found on A. acuminata roots. The ECM colonization was affected by seasonality and associated positively with field H₂O holding capacity, pH, and total N and negatively associated with organic matter. Two morphotypes (Russula alnijorullensis and Tomentella sp. 3) showed significant differences between seasons. Positive and negative correlations were found between five morphotypes (Alnirhiza silkacea, Lactarius omphaliformis, Tomentella sp. 1, Tomentella sp. 3, and Lactarius sp.) and soil parameters (total N, pH, and P). A significant negative correlation was found between field H₂O holding capacity and organic matter with AM colonization. Results of this study provide evidence that ECM and AM colonization of A. acuminata can be affected by some soil chemical edaphic parameters and indicate that some ECM morphotypes are sensitive to changes in seasonality and soil parameters.     

Leaf area estimation of sunflower leaves from simple linear measurements

Simple, accurate, and non-destructive methods for determining leaf area (LA) of plants are important for many experimental comparisons. Determining the individual LA of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) involves measurements of leaf parameters such as length (L) and width (W), or some combinations of these parameters. Two field experiments were carried out during 2003 and 2004 to compare predictive equations of sunflower LAs using simple linear measurements. Regression analyses of LA vs. L and W revealed several equations that could be used for estimating the area of individual sunflower leaves. A linear equation having W² as the independent variable provided the most accurate estimate (r ² = 0.98, MSE = 985) of sunflower LA. Validation of the equation having W² of leaves measured in the 2004 experiment showed that the correlation between calculated and measured areas was very high.