油菜3个栽培种发芽期耐盐性评价

对油菜种质资源进行耐盐性评价是培育耐盐油菜品种的基础性工作。本研究在室内分别采用3种盐(NaCl)浓度(86 mmol/L、170 mmol/L、256 mmol/L)对芥菜型油菜(Brassica juncea)、白菜型油菜(B.rapa)和甘蓝型油菜(B.napus)等3个栽培种的203份种质资源进行盐胁迫,结果表明盐胁迫对各栽培种的发芽率有不同程度抑制作用,白菜型油菜表现最好,甘蓝型油菜次之,芥菜型油菜最差。基于发芽率筛选出14份优异种质。进一步利用梯度浓度盐(NaCl)溶液对其进行胁迫,发现各栽培种发芽率均随着盐浓度的升高呈下降趋势,符合Boltzmann曲线,但白菜型油菜下降最为缓慢。通过比较盐胁迫下各栽培种6个性状值(胚轴长、根长、总鲜重、地上部分鲜重、总叶绿素含量和电导率)后发现,白菜型油菜发芽期耐盐性优于甘蓝型油菜和芥菜型油菜。对170 mmol/L NaCl胁迫下14份种质各性状值的主成分分析表明,白菜型油菜Br2、甘蓝型油菜Bn1和Bn3为最耐盐种质,可用于耐盐油菜品种的培育。     

利用气孔保卫细胞周长及叶绿体数目鉴定油菜种间杂种研究

以白菜型冬油菜‘陇油7号’、‘陇油9号’(AA,2n=20),芥菜型油菜‘冬芥’(AABB,2n=36),甘蓝型油菜‘vision'(AACC,2n=38),种间杂种‘陇油7号’ב冬芥’、‘陇油9号’בvision'为试材,对其叶片气孔保卫细胞周长及叶绿体数目进行统计分析,探讨一种快速鉴定油菜种间杂种的简易方法,并用SSR标记法对气孔保卫细胞周长及叶绿体分界法可靠性进行进一步验证.结果显示:(1)油菜亲本及种间杂种气孔保卫细胞周长在不同叶片间变异程度接近,而同一叶片的气孔保卫细胞周长下部位变异程度较小.(2)不同类型油菜亲本及其种间杂种叶片气孔保卫细胞周长和叶绿体数存在明显的分界线,具体判定分界值为:周长＜58.90 μm为白菜型油菜、周长58.90～75.83 μm为种间杂种F1、周长＞75.83 μm为甘蓝型或芥菜型油菜;叶绿体数10～12个为白菜型油菜、14～16个左右为杂种F1、18～19左右为甘蓝型或芥菜型油菜.(3)随机选择经叶片气孔保卫细胞周长和叶绿体数分界特征值鉴定的油菜种间杂种单株40个,用SSR分子标记法对鉴定结果显示,有37个单株具有杂交种带型为真杂种,两种方法鉴定油菜真杂种的吻合率达97.5％.研究表明,白菜型、甘蓝型、芥菜型油菜及其种间杂种的叶片气孔保卫细胞周长及叶绿体存在特定的分界线值,据此可以方便有效地鉴定油菜种间杂种,即当植株气孔同时满足保卫细胞周长在58.90～75.83 μm、叶绿体数在14～16个左右时,则可判定其为真杂种.     

芥菜型油菜脂肪酸含量的变异、相关性分析及芥酸调控基因FAE1特异引物设计

芥菜型油菜是我国芸苔属的三大油料作物之一,具有耐旱、抗病虫等优良特性;而我国是芥菜型油菜的重要起源中心,具有丰富的种质资源.该研究从全国各地搜集了34份芥菜型油菜,在贵阳环境条件下种植,其脂肪酸含量(芥酸、油酸、硬脂酸、亚麻酸和亚油酸)表现出丰富的变异,并呈正态分布.结果表明:这些芥菜型油菜种质资源的不同脂肪酸含量间的相关性发现,芥酸和油酸间呈极显著负相关,亚麻酸和硬脂酸呈极显著的正相关,亚麻酸和亚油酸呈现负相关.利用这些材料的脂肪酸含量进行主成分分析,发现绝大部分材料(30份,占88.2%)集中在二维图的特定区域,只有少数其它材料散落在图中其它区域,他们分别是SL63、棱角油菜、T6342和长阳黄芥,这些变异较大的材料在芥菜型油菜的育种中可以发挥特殊作用.此外,运用来自甘蓝型油菜和甘蓝的芥酸调控基因FAE1的已知序列,并设计了FAE1特异引物,而引物在全部34份芥菜型油菜种质资源中均表现出了较好的扩增效果.因此证实芥菜型油菜中至少含有一个FAE1拷贝.该研究结果对于芥菜型油菜育种在我国的开展及其未来的分子育种具有重要的指导意义.     

镉胁迫对2种油菜土壤真菌群落的影响

[背景] 人类活动引起的农田重金属污染已成为严重的环境问题。镉（Cd）是最具毒性的重金属之一,能对人体和生态系统构成威胁。[目的] 研究不同浓度镉处理对2种油菜（甘蓝型油菜和芥菜型油菜）的土壤（根际和非根际）真菌群落的影响,为镉的生物修复和健康风险评估提供理论基础。[方法] 对2种油菜土壤（根际和非根际）真菌转录间隔区（Internal Transcribed Spacer,ITS）进行高通量测序,分析镉对根际和非根际土壤真菌群落的影响。[结果] 镉胁迫改变了土壤真菌群落的组成和结构,但对2种油菜土壤真菌群落的α多样性几乎无显著影响。土壤镉浓度和生物量与2种油菜根际土壤真菌群落显著相关,芥菜型油菜非根际土壤真菌群落也与镉污染浓度显著相关。土壤真菌分子生态网络也受到镉污染的影响,甘蓝型油菜根际土壤网络稳定性降低,共生关系减少。甘蓝型油菜非根际土壤网络稳定性升高,但共生关系减少。芥菜型油菜的根际和非根际土壤的网络稳定性升高,而且共生关系增多。[结论] 镉污染会影响土壤系统中的本土真菌群落,从而可能进一步改变土壤的生态系统功能。     

塔克拉玛干沙漠公路防护林苗木对干旱胁迫的水分生理响应

以塔克拉玛干沙漠公路防护林的乔木状沙拐枣(Calligonum arborescens)、多枝柽柳(Tamarix ramosis-sima)和梭梭(Haloxylon ammodendron)2年生苗木为材料,采用盆栽试验,设置10d(处理Ⅰ)、20d(处理Ⅱ)和40d(处理Ⅲ)的自然干旱胁迫周期,探讨其不同干旱处理下的水分生理特征及其耐旱性。结果表明:(1)3种苗木的水势均随着干旱胁迫程度增强而降低,水势最大降幅均在第2个干旱处理周期内,在第3个干旱处理周期内水势有较大回升,且以乔木状沙拐枣水势最高,梭梭水势最低。(2)乔木状沙拐枣的PV水分参数均随着干旱胁迫强度的增强而降低,其渗透势在第3个干旱周期内开始回升,而初始质壁分离的相对含水量(RWCtlp)一直呈降低趋势,质外体水分含量(AWC)呈现出"降-升-降"的波动状态。乔木状沙拐枣的耐旱能力随着干旱胁迫程度的增强变化不明显,它主要通过减少水分散失适应干旱环境。(3)多枝柽柳的PV水分参数在处理Ⅰ和处理Ⅱ之间差别很小,处理Ⅲ第60天就枯亡;其Ψsat和Ψtlp在第1个干旱周期降低,第2个干旱周期开始回升,而其AWC随胁迫时间在不断增大;多枝柽柳的耐旱能力随着干旱的增强急剧降低,耐旱性最差,它主要通过增加水分散失适应干旱环境。(4)梭梭的Ψsat和Ψtlp在处理Ⅱ、Ⅲ之间非常接近,且都低于处理Ⅰ,RWCtlp与AWC随着干旱强度增强而增大,同期处理Ⅱ和Ⅲ的AWC都高于处理Ⅰ。梭梭的耐旱能力随着干旱的增强不断增强,它通过增加体内水分含量,减少水分散失应对干旱胁迫。(5)3种植物的耐旱能力强弱为:梭梭>乔木状沙拐枣>多枝柽柳,所以梭梭最适合做沙漠防护林树种。     

四个芸薹属物种硫苷含量与种类分析及特殊硫苷成分的种间导入

硫代葡萄糖苷(简称硫苷)是在十字花科植物中广泛存在的一类次级代谢物,在植物防御体系中发挥着重要的作用。本研究通过高效液相色谱(HPLC)技术,检测分析了十字花科芸薹属4个油用物种(甘蓝型油菜、埃塞俄比亚芥、芥菜型油菜、白菜型油菜)67个代表性品种3个器官(根、叶、种子)3个环境(2014年湖北武汉、2016年湖北武汉、2016年湖北襄阳)下的硫苷种类及含量。共检测到11种主要的硫苷,显著性检验结果显示:不同年份间硫苷含量分布差异极显著,但在同一年武汉与襄阳两个地点间差异不显著;不同物种间硫苷的类型差异明显;甘蓝型油菜、埃塞俄比亚芥不同品种间硫苷含量分布差异极显著,但受测的芥菜型油菜、白菜型油菜不同品种间硫苷含量分布差异不显著;同一个品种不同器官间的硫苷总量差异极显著;同一器官不同硫苷的含量差异也极为显著。这些结果表明硫苷在不同物种、不同器官、不同品种间都展现了丰富的变异,同时硫苷也受到了极显著的环境影响。每个物种或物种的不同器官内都有其代表性的特殊硫苷成分,如甘蓝型油菜中的2-羟基-3-丁烯基硫苷,埃塞比亚芥以及芥菜型油菜中的2-丙烯基硫苷,白菜型油菜中的3-丁烯基硫苷。其中一些特殊硫苷成分具有有益的生物学功能,它们的存在为通过种间杂交的方式将其向甘蓝型油菜中聚集提供了可能性。我们以在埃塞俄比亚芥与芥菜型油菜中所检测到的具有抗病功能的2-丙烯基硫苷为例进行展示,这种硫苷成分在高、中、低硫苷的甘蓝型油菜品种中含量都几乎为0,而在含有埃塞俄比亚芥与白菜型油菜亚基因组导入片段包含3个世代183个株系的再合成甘蓝型油菜(新型甘蓝型油菜)中,有170个株系检测到了显著高于品种材料的2-丙烯基硫苷成分,这说明了通过种间交流的方式向目标物种中导入特殊硫苷成分的可行性。以上这些结果将为分析利用芸薹属不同油用作物中的硫苷,并创建具有特殊硫苷成分的芸薹属作物提供信息和新的视角。     

芥菜型多室油菜与甘蓝型油菜的种间远缘杂交

通过对芥菜型多室油菜与甘蓝型油菜种间杂交 以下简写为芥×甘或甘×芥 的结实性、交配性以及不同甘蓝型油菜对交配性的影响等研究发现:芥、甘正反交形成的饱满种子数较少,其形成种子的能力弱,但是芥×甘与甘×芥杂交相比,芥×甘形成饱满种子的能力较强,受精能力以及杂种胚胎的发育能力也强,在授粉后的子房发育上二者无显著差异.所以,芥菜型多室油菜与甘蓝型油菜种间杂交创建新资源时宜采用芥×甘杂交方式;不同甘蓝型油菜品种与芥菜型多室油菜正反交的结角率、受精指数、结籽指数和可交配指数均不相同,但可交配指数的变异系数最大.因此,筛选可交配性强的甘蓝型基因型应着眼于可交配指数高的甘蓝型油菜亲本材料,根据本试验结果,芥菜型多室油菜与甘蓝型油菜93-221-1杂交形成的杂种胚具有较强的可发育性.     

不同类型油菜EST-SSR标记的通用性及其应用研究

以10个甘蓝型油菜、11个芥菜型油菜和7个白菜型油菜品种为材料,选用已报道的14对白菜EST-SSR引物和8对油菜EST-SSR引物,探索其在3种类型油菜中的通用性,并利用筛选出的在3类油菜中有通用性和多态性的EST-SSR标记对供试油菜品种进行聚类分析.结果表明:(1)选用的14对白菜EST-SSR引物和8对油菜EST-SSR引物,在供试的3种类型油菜中都有扩增,完全可用.(2)在白菜型、甘蓝型和芥菜型油菜品种中扩增显示出多态性的引物数分别为18、16 和14对,其中有10对引物在3种类型油菜品种间扩增产物具有多态性.(3)利用这10对扩增多态性EST-SSR引物对供试油菜品种聚类分析,结果显示,在遗传相似系数为0.67时,3种类型油菜品种分别独自聚为一大类,表明开发和建立不同类型油菜间可通用的EST-SSR标记是可行且有应用价值的.     

水分胁迫下紫花苜蓿和高粱种子萌发特性及幼苗耐旱性

利用PEG溶液(水势梯度:-0.1～-0.5MPa)模拟水分胁迫,研究了紫花苜蓿(品种:阿尔冈金和陇东)和高粱(品种:抗四)种子的萌发能力的变化及对萌发环境的最低水分需求,并进行种间差异比较.结果显示:PEG水分胁迫通过限制种子有效水分的吸收而抑制了其萌发,且随着胁迫强度的增加,萌发能力减弱,主要表现在:萌发率、吸水速率、萌发活力、萌发胁迫指数等随胁迫强度的增加而下降,根芽比则随之增加.另一方面,种子群体萌动、萌发和出苗达50%概率时间随胁迫强度的增加而越发延迟,且各阶段对环境临界水势的需求不同,出苗阶段最为严格,说明种子出苗过程对环境水分胁迫最为敏感,耐旱能力最弱.相比之下,在同等胁迫条件下,高粱种子的萌发能力较苜蓿种子受到影响较小,各个阶段对环境水势的需求也相对较为宽松.因此,苜蓿苗期对干旱胁迫的忍耐能力不及高粱,且出苗过程中对环境水分条件的需求存在品种间差异.     

铀尾沙对油菜幼苗生长和生理特征的影响

采用沙培盆栽试验,以铀尾沙所占比例分别为0%(CK)、25%(T1)、50%(T2)、75%(T3)、100%(T4)的培养基质,研究了铀尾沙对芥菜型油菜、甘蓝型油菜和白菜型油菜出苗率、幼苗生物量、叶绿素含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量的影响.结果表明:不同比例的铀尾沙对油菜出苗率的影响差异不显著(P＞0.05).3种油菜的生物量均随铀尾沙处理量的增加而呈先增后降的现象,甘蓝型油菜和白菜型油菜在T2时生物量最大,芥菜型油菜在T3时生物量最大.MDA含量则呈先降低后升高,甘蓝型油菜和白菜型油菜在T2时MDA含量最低,芥菜型油菜在T3时的MDA含量最低,并与叶绿素含量呈显著的负相关.随铀尾沙处理量的增加,3种类型的油菜SOD、CAT、POD、APX和GR活性逐渐增加,GSH含量也持续升高.铀尾沙对油菜幼苗生长和抗氧化酶系统产生了一定的诱导作用,而这3种油菜也对铀尾沙也表现出较强的耐受能力.     

Relationships between growth and gas exchange characteristics in some salt-tolerant amphidiploid Brassica species in relation to their diploid parents

Relationships between growth and different gas exchange characteristics of two amphidiploid salt tolerant species, Brassica napus, and B. carinata with respect to their salt sensitive parents, B. oleracea, and B. nigra were investigated. Twenty three-day old plants of these four species along with those of another amphidiploid moderately salt tolerant B. juncea (developed by hybridization of diploids, B. campestris and B. nigra), and a diploid moderately salt tolerant, B. campestris, were subjected for 28 days to salinized sand culture containing 0, 100 or 200 mol NaCl m(-3) in Hoagland's nutrient solution. The species B. napus and B. carinata produced significantly greater shoot fresh and dry matters than their parents under saline conditions. A close association was found between growth, and assimilation rate for all species differing in degree of salt tolerance. Stomatal conductance (g(s)) was reduced due to salt stress in all species but this variable had no significant correlation with assimilation rate (A). However, the amphidiploid salt tolerant species, B. napus and B. carinata had significantly greater photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency (A/E), intrinsic water use efficiency (A/g(s)) than those of their diploid parents. In conclusion, high salt tolerance of the two amphidiploid species, B. napus and B. carinata was associated with a high assimilation rate, water use efficiency and intrinsic water use efficiency but there was little association of the tolerance of these species with stomatal conductance, leaf water potential or transpiration rate (E).     

Yield reduction in Brassica napus, B. rapa, B. juncea, and Sinapis alba caused by flea beetle (Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)) infestation in northern Idaho

Phyllotreta cruciferae is an important insect pest of spring-planted Brassica crops, especially during the seedling stage. To determine the effect of early season P. cruciferae infestation on seed yield, 10 genotypes from each of two canola species (Brassica napus L. and Brassica rapa L.) and two mustard species (Brassica juncea L. and Sinapis alba L.) were grown in 2 yr under three different P. cruciferae treatments: (1) no insecticide control; (2) foliar applications of endosulfan; and (3) carbofuran with seed at planting plus foliar application of carbaryl. Averaged over 10 genotypes, B. rapa showed most visible P. cruciferae injury and showed greatest yield reduction without insecticide application. Mustard species (S. alba and B. juncea) showed least visible injury and higher yield without insecticide compared with canola species (B. napus and B. rapa). Indeed, average seed yield of S. alba without insecticide was higher than either B. napus or B. rapa with most effective P. cruciferae control. Significant variation occurred within each species. A number of lines from B. napus, B. juncea, anid S. alba showed less feeding injury and yield reduction as a result of P. cruciferae infestation compared with other lines from the same species examined, thus having potential genetic background for developing resistant cultivars.     

芥菜型和甘蓝型油菜及其杂种后代种子硫甙组成差异的研究

用高效液相色谱技术分析了芥菜型油菜（Ｂｒａｓｓｉｃａ ｊｕｎｃｅａ）和甘蓝型油菜（Ｂｒａｓｓｉｃａ ｎａｐｕｓ）种间杂种后代及共亲本的硫甙组成。结果表明,与亲本农艺性状相似的后代,那么其硫甙组成与亲本亦相似。各后代中硫甙组成与亲本相比,虽发生了不同管理的变化,但都有倾向母体的趋势。芥菜型油菜烯丙基硫甙含量,２－羟基－３－丁烯基硫甙含量低,而甘蓝型油菜２－羟基３－丁烯基硫甙含量高,烯丙基硫甙含量最低     

Quantitative trait loci associated with constitutive traits control water use in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]

There is substantial genetic variation for drought adaption in pearl millet in terms of traits controlling plant water use. It is important to understand genomic regions responsible for these traits. Here, F₇ recombinant inbred lines were used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) and allelic interactions for traits affecting plant water use, and their relevance is discussed for crop productivity in water‐limited environments. Four QTL contributed to increased transpiration rate under high vapour pressure deficit (VPD) conditions, all with alleles from drought‐sensitive parent ICMB 841. Of these four QTL, a major QTL (35.7%) was mapped on linkage group (LG) 6. The alleles for 863B at this QTL decreased transpiration rate and this QTL co‐mapped to a previously detected LG 6 QTL, with alleles from 863B for grain weight and panicle harvest index across severe terminal drought stress environments. This provided additional support for a link between water saving from a lower transpiration rate under high VPD and drought tolerance. 863B alleles in this same genomic region also increased shoot weight, leaf area and total transpiration under well‐watered conditions. One unexpected outcome was reduced transpiration under high VPD (15%) from the interaction of two alleles for high VPD transpiration (LG 6 (B), 40.7) and specific leaf mass and biomass (LG 7 (A), 35.3), (A, allele from ICMB 841, B, allele from 863B, marker position). The LG 6 QTL appears to combine alleles for growth potential, beneficial for non‐stress conditions, and for saving water under high evaporative demand, beneficial under stressful conditions. Mapping QTL for water‐use traits, and assessing their interactions offers considerable potential for improving pearl millet adaptation to specific stress conditions through physiology‐informed marker‐assisted selection.     

Drought tolerance of juvenile and mature leaves of a deciduous dwarf shrub Vaccinium myrtillus L. in a boreal environment

The difference between drought tolerance of juvenile and mature leaves of the winter-deciduous dwarf shrub bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) from a northern boreal environment was investigated. It was hypothesised that mature leaves are more drought sensitive than juvenile leaves. Bilberry plants were allowed to dry out by excluding irrigation when leaves were at juvenile and mature stages. Tissue water content decreased at both phenological stages, but the response was more pronounced in the mature leaves. Anthocyanin concentrations increased as the tissue water content decreased, and again this occurred to a greater extent in the mature leaves. Chlorophyll concentrations decreased only marginally at the juvenile stage, while the decrease was significant in the mature leaves. Chlorophyll degradation was enhanced by drought stress. Soluble proteins decreased and protein oxidation increased in the mature leaves, and degradation of oxidised proteins increased in the drought-stressed plants. The results suggest that leaves of bilberry are more sensitive to drought stress at the mature stage, and that drought stress accelerates senescence at the mature stage. The significance of the results is that dry periods during the juvenility of leaves are not as detrimental as they may be later in summer. In addition, the strategy of a winter-deciduous plant is obviously to protect its perennial parts from severe drought by accelerated leaf senescence at the mature stage. Therefore, the deciduous life form may provide an excellent adaptation against drought also in northern ecosystems. The role of anthocyanins in photoprotection under drought stress is also discussed.     

Comparative Water Relations of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Phaseolus acutifolius Gray

Leaf area expansion, dry weight, and water relations of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and P. acutifolius Gray were compared during a drying cycle in the greenhouse to understand the characteristics which contribute to the superior drought tolerance of P. acutifolius. Stomates of P. acutifolius closed at a much higher water potential than those of P. vulgaris, delaying dehydration of leaf tissue. P. acutifolius had a more deeply penetrating root system, which also contributes to its drought tolerance. Root-shoot ratios did not differ between the two species either under well watered or water stressed conditions. Leaf osmotic potential was also similar in the two species, with no apparent osmotic adjustment during water stress. These results indicate that P. acutifolius postpones dehydration and suggest that sensitive stomates and a deeply penetrating root system are characteristics which, if incorporated into cultivated beans, might increase their drought tolerance.     

Analysis of early responses to drought associated with field drought adaptation in four Sahelian groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is the most important oil and cash crop in the sub-Sahelian tropics. Plant adaptation to drought, i.e. cultivars (cvs) that can maintain yield when water is limited, is a complex phenomenon which is not yet fully understood. This study aimed to identify traits expressed at the early stages of the cycle that could reveal cv differences in drought adaptation in the field. The field productivity of four Sahelian groundnut cvs was assessed during three crop seasons in Bambey (Senegal). The same cvs grown in rhizotrons were subjected to early drought stress and to a desiccation test to assess cell membrane tolerance. Between-cv differences were found with respect to pod yield, biomass production, water use efficiency (WUE), stomatal regulation and cell membrane tolerance. Two strategies to cope with water deficit were identified. The first behaviour was characterised by high rapid water loss, late stomatal closure and low cell membrane damage during drought. These traits are all found in the semi-late Virginia cv 57-422 and, into a lesser extent, in the early Spanish cv Fleur 11. For both cvs, biomass production was boosted under favourable conditions in rhizotrons but the semi-late cv had poor pod yield under end-of-season water deficit conditions. The second strategy involved opposite characters, leading to the maintenance of a higher water status, resulting in lower photosynthesis and yield. This characterised the early Spanish cv 73-30, and also, to some extent, the early Spanish cv 55-437. Earliness associated with high WUE, stomatal conductance and cell membrane tolerance, were the main traits of Fleur 11, a cv derived from a Virginia × Spanish cross, which was able to maintain acceptable yield under varying drought patterns in the field. These traits, as they were detectable at an early stage, could therefore be efficiently integrated in groundnut breeding programmes for drought adaptation.     

Drought adaptability of Agrobacterium rhizogenes-induced roots in oilseed rape (Brassica napus var. oleifera)

Abstract. Soil grown oilseed rape ( Brassica napus L. var. oleifera M., cv. Darmor) seedlings at the cotyledon stage (one week old), were inoculated in vivo at the base of the hypocotyl with Agrobacterium rhizogenes harbouring the pRi 15834 plasmid. Resulting adventitious root formation was observable about 2 or 3 weeks after infection. Differential Ri-induced root emergence and subsequent development occurred depending on water conditions and closeness of the wounding site to the soil surface: either thin, hairy roots growing rapidly and plagiotropically at the soil level under humid atmosphere, or hairless and fleshy, slowly growing aerial roots developed. The hairy roots were highly drought susceptible, whereas aerial roots revealed some potential for drought tolerance. Unlike normal roots, none of these Ri-induced roots appeared able to give rise to drought rhizogenesis in plants subjected to progressive drought stress. However, under hardening, achieved through successive and moderate drought stress-rehydration cycles, both types of Ri-induced roots improved drought tolerance and could express the morphogenetic differentiation programme leading to the formation of short, tuberized, drought-adapted, roots. These results, discussed in terms of hormonal imbalance and drought tolerance regulation, suggest that the Ri T-DNA gene expression, responsible for adventitious root induction and growth behaviour, is further regulated through the host plant.     

Water deficit induces variation in expression of stress-responsive genes in two peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars with different tolerance to drought.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important subsistence and cash crop in the semi-arid tropics where it often suffers from drought stress. Although its ecophysiological responses are studied, little is known about the molecular events involved in its adaptive responses to drought. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of membrane phospholipid and protein degrading enzymes as well as protective proteins such as "late embryogenesis-abundant" (LEA) protein in peanut adaptive responses to drought. Partial cDNAs encoding putative phospholipase D alpha, cysteine protease, serine protease and a full-length cDNA encoding a LEA protein were cloned. Their expression in response to progressive water deficit and rehydration was compared between cultivars differing in their tolerance to drought. Differential gene expression pattern according to either water deficit intensity and cultivar's tolerance to drought were observed. A good correspondence between the molecular responses of the studied cultivars and their physiological responses previously defined in greenhouse and field experiments was found. Molecular characters, as they were detectable at an early stage, could therefore be efficiently integrated in groundnut breeding programmes for drought adaptation. Thus, the relevance of the target genes as drought tolerance indicators is discussed.