Resistance to Asparagus virus 1 in the Wild Relative Asparagus amarus

Five asparagus cultivars, three breeding lines and the wild relative Asparagus amarus were tested for natural infection by Asparagus virus 1 (AV‐1) in experimental fields at two locations over 3 and 4 years, respectively. In the first year after re‐planting the annual crowns in the field, more than 90% of tested plants of cultivars were infected by AV‐1. In the third and fourth year, 100% of tested plants of cultivars were AV‐1 infected. In comparison, all plants of the wild relative A. amarus were completely free of AV‐1, suggesting a high level of resistance. Additionally, 1‐year‐old glasshouse‐cultivated plants of A. officinalis and A. amarus were placed in an AV‐1 provocation cabin under field conditions. Seven months later, 100% of the A. officinalis plants showed a high virus concentration in ELISA, whereas no AV‐1 was detectable in the A. amarus plants. This result was confirmed by highly sensitive AV‐1‐specific RT‐PCR. To exclude vector resistance, the feeding behaviour of green peach aphid Myzus persicae was tested over 12 h using the electrical penetration graph method. Both asparagus genotypes were accepted by the aphids as potential hosts, but the feeding time was significantly longer on A. amarus. A genetic distance analysis of the various cultivars of Asparagus officinalis and selected wild relatives of the JKI collection was carried out, resulting in a clear discrimination of cultivars and wild relatives, especially A. amarus. The potential breeding value of the putative resistance carrier is discussed.     

芦笋种质资源遗传多样性的RAPD分析

采用RAPD技术对国内外43个芦笋品种的遗传多样性进行分析.从60个随机引物中筛选出12个有效引物,共扩增出183条DNA片段,其中170条为多态性条带,约占总数的92.92%;平均每个引物扩增DNA带数超过15条.结果表明,43份材料的Nei氏相似系数分布在0.407～0.931之间,平均为0.765,可见遗传多样性相对偏低.对所有材料进行聚类分析,在Coefficient=0.77处划等值线,可将参试样品划分为8大类群.其中Jwc1、Purple Passion、鲁芦笋1号等6个品种各单独列为1个类群,其余的被分为2个类群.     

Isolation and Identification of Fructo-oligosaccharides in Roots of Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.)

Eight fructo-oligosaccharides were isolated from purified oligosaccharide fractions of the roots of Asparagus officinalis L. (Liliaceae). By examination of constituent sugars, gas-liquid-chromatographic analysis of methyl derivatives, and investigation of partial acid hydrolyzates and products of β-fructofuranosidase action, they were confirmed to be 1^F(1-β -fructofuranosyl)_n sucrose [n = 1 (1-kestose), 2 (nystose), and 3], 6^G (1-β-fructofuranosyl)_n sucrose [n = 1 (neokestose), 2, and 3], 1^F,6^G-di-β-fructofuranosyl sucrose, and a new pentasaccharide 1^F (1-β-fructofuranosyl)₂-6^G-β-fructofuranosyl sucrose.     

N-Carboxymethyl-l-serine,a New Acidic Amino Acid from Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) Shoots

A strongly acidic amino acid—N-carboxymethyl-L-serine—, not previously known in nature, has been isolated from asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) shoots. Some unique properties of this amino acid, such as a much bigger mobility to anode on high voltage paper electrophoresis (pH 3.6) than aspartic acid and characteristic changes of NMR spectra in aqueous solution with various pD, were discussed in relation to its structure.     

Steroidal saponins from Asparagus acutifolius

Six new steroidal saponins (1-6) were isolated from the roots of A. acutifolius L., together with a known spirostanol glycoside (7). Their structures were elucidated mainly by extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D and 2D NMR, FABMS and HRESIMS). Compounds 4-7 demonstrated antifungal activity against the human pathogenic yeasts C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis with MICs values between 12.5 and 100 microg/ml.     

A Bitter Principle of Asparagus: Isolation and Structure of Furostanol Saponin in Asparagus Storage Root

During an examination of components contributing to the bitter taste of asparagus bottom cut (Asparagus officinalis L.), two new furostanol saponins were isolated from roots extractives. Their chemical structures were established as 5β-furostane-3β,22,26 triol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl (1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside 26-O-β-d-glucopyranoside and 5β-furostane-3β,22,26 triol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl (1→2) [β-d-xylopyranoxyl (1→4)]-β-d-glucopyranoside 26-O-β-d-glucopyranoside respectively.     

用形态与分子标记研究石刁柏种质资源遗传多样性

采用RAPD分子标记结合形态学指标对43份石刁柏种质资源的遗传多样性进行评价。田间试验相关分析表明,茎粗、林高、茎数与产量呈极显著正相关,三者是影响石刁柏产量的主要因素。茎粗、株高、产量与一级笋率呈显著正相关。花梗全紫的石刁柏一级笋率相对较高。根据形态学指标将材料分为7大类。在分子标记中,从60个随机引物中筛选出12个能产生清晰、稳定可重复DNA片段的引物,对供试材料进行RAPD扩增。在供试材料中共获得183条扩增产物,产生的DNA片段大小主要分布在200～1600bp之间,其中170条具有遗传多态性,约占总数的92．92％。各基因型间的Nei氏相似性系数分布在0．407～0．931之间,平均相似性为0．765,可见石刁柏各基因型之间的遗传多态性较为丰富。经UPGMA方法建立的树状图,可将参试品种划分为8大类群。形态学指标与遗传多样性指标的相关分析结果显示：分枝节间距、花梗颜色、每簇拟叶数、最长分枝长度、茎粗5个形态学指标与遗传多样性指标之间存在一定的相关性。     

Steroidal saponins from Asparagus africanus.

The structures of two new monodesmosidic spirostanosides and a new bisdesmosidic furostanol glycoside isolated from the roots of Asparagus africanus Lam. (Liliaceae) have been elucidated as (25R)-3 beta-hydroxy-5 beta-spirostan-12-one 3-O-{beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-1-arabinopyranosyl-(1--> 6)]-beta- D-glucopyranoside} (1), (25R)-5 beta-spirostan-3 beta-ol 3-O-{beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1--> 6)]-beta- D-glucopyranoside} (2) and 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-22 alpha-methoxy-(25R)-furostan-3 beta,26-diol 3-O-{beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranoside} (3), respectively, by the combined use of one and two dimensional NMR experiments. The complete 13C and 1H assignments of the peracetyl spirostanosides and the furostanol oligoside were derived. The interconversions between the methoxyl and hydroxyl group at C-22 of the furostanol glycoside was investigated and the genuine furostanol oligoside of A. africanus appears to be the hydroxyl type based on the comparative study of the methanol, pyridine and dioxane extracts.     

Comparative genomic analyses in Asparagus.

Garden asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) belongs to the monocot family Asparagaceae in the order Asparagales. Onion (Allium cepa L.) and Asparagus officinalis are 2 of the most economically important plants of the core Asparagales, a well supported monophyletic group within the Asparagales. Coding regions in onion have lower GC contents than the grasses. We compared the GC content of 3374 unique expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from A. officinalis with Lycoris longituba and onion (both members of the core Asparagales), Acorus americanus (sister to all other monocots), the grasses, and Arabidopsis. Although ESTs in A. officinalis and Acorus had a higher average GC content than Arabidopsis, Lycoris, and onion, all were clearly lower than the grasses. The Asparagaceae have the smallest nuclear genomes among all plants in the core Asparagales, which typically have huge genomes. Within the Asparagaceae, European Asparagus species have approximately twice the nuclear DNA of that of southern African Asparagus species. We cloned and sequenced 20 genomic amplicons from European A. officinalis and the southern African species Asparagus plumosus and observed no clear evidence for a recent genome doubling in A. officinalis relative to A. plumosus. These results indicate that members of the genus Asparagus with smaller genomes may be useful genomic models for plants in the core Asparagales.     

In Vitro Preservation of Asparagus Officinalis

A simple systems for in vitro storage of health asparagus germplasm was developed. High percent (90 %) of shoots cultured in a standard multiplication medium were maintained viable in vitro at 5 °C in darkness for 12 months. This percent was decreased to 60 % when cultures were stored for 18 months. At normal temperature, shoots and callus cultures also survived for 1 year under osmotic stress on medium containing 40 g dm^-3 mannitol.     

谷胱甘肽对采后石刁柏木质化和食用品质的影响

在(24±1)℃条件下,谷胱甘肽(GSH)可显著抑制采后石刁柏木质素合成前体总酚的含量及与木质素合成相关的苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性上升,延缓叶绿素、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白和核酸的降解,降低活性氧和木质素含量,从而保持石刁柏的鲜嫩品质.     

Lignin Deposition and Effect of Postharvest Treatment on Lignification of Green Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.)

To understand how lignin synthesis is regulated after harvest, detached green asparagus stalks (Asparagus officinalis L.) were treated with 1 μl l⁻¹ of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), 50 μg l⁻¹ gibberellic acid (GA₃), 2% (v:v) ethanol or 1 μl l⁻¹ ethylene. The results showed that lignin concentration in asparagus stalks stored at room temperature rapidly increased. Three conventional precursors of lignin, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (coumaric acid), 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid (caffeic acid) and 4-hydroxy-3-mythoxycinnamic acid (ferulic acid), were found to be the major phenolics in the asparagus stalks. Furthermore, the concentrations of O₂⁻ in asparagus stalks steadily increased during the storage. Deposition of lignin in harvested asparagus was significantly reduced by treating the stalks with GA₃, 1-MCP or ethanol. The concentration of lignin in stalks treated with GA₃, 1-MCP or ethanol was 32, 20 or 27% lower, respectively, than in controls 3 days after treatment. Treating stalks with ethylene enhanced lignin synthesis (p<0.05). The concentration of total phenol in stalks was also significantly reduced by GA₃, 1-MCP and ethanol, but was enhanced by ethylene treatment. However, the concentration of active oxygen (O₂^−⋅) in stalks was significantly reduced by treatment with GA₃, 1-MCP and ethanol, but was enhanced by treatment with ethylene. Our study show that postharvest treatment with 1-MCP, GA₃ or ethanol may be applied to improve the quality of green asparagus.     

Sexual differentiation in Asparagus officinalis L.

Summary As a first approach in investigating the genetical bases of sexual dimorphism in the dioecious plant Asparagus offcinalis L. at the molecular level, we have determined DNA content per cell, DNA sequence complexity and mRNA activities in both developing and mature male and female flowers of Asparagus. 2C DNA content (around 3.9 pg) was independent of sex and rather low when compared to other Liliiflorae; sequence complexity, however, showed a high proportion of repeated sequences. Polyadenylated mRNA from male and female flowers at young and mature stages of development were assayed by in vitro translation in the presence of [³⁵S]methionine, and the synthesized proteins were analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Results have shown that there are no appreciable differences in polypeptide patterns from male and female flowers at a young stage of development, while specific sequences of mRNA are produced only very late during the development, most likely linked to the appearance of mature pollen grains and mature megagametophy tes.     

Sexual differentiation in Asparagus officinalis L.

Summary Sexual dimorphism in the dioecious plant Asparagus officinalis L. was examined by two-dimensional (2-D) electrophoresis of both total proteins and newly synthesized proteins from cladophylls (leaves), whole mature flowers and homologous sex organs (i.e. true female ovaries and small sterile ovaries from male flowers). Polypeptides isolated from cladophylls of male and female plants were practically indistinguishable; the flowers, however, showed a distinct set of specific proteins, some of which differed between the two sexes. While the total protein profiles of isolated ovaries from male and female plants were very similar, the patterns were strikingly different after the tissues were pulsed with ³⁵S-methionine: mature male ovaries showed a number of newly synthesized proteins, while in female ovaries only a few molecular species were actively synthesized.     

天门冬离体快繁技术

以无菌萌发的天门冬(Asparagus cochinchinensis)种子胚轴为外植体,研究植物生长调节物质种类及浓度对愈伤组织诱导、丛生芽分化和植株再生的影响,建立其离体快速繁殖技术。结果表明,愈伤组织诱导的适宜培养基为MS + 6-BA 1.0 mg·L-1 + NAA 0.5 mg·L-1,诱导率95.6;愈伤组织增殖培养基为MS + 6-BA 0.5 mg·L-1 + NAA 2.0 mg·L-1,增殖倍数为9.7;丛生芽诱导培养基为MS + 6-BA 0.5 mg·L-1 + NAA 0.1 mg·L-1 + KT 0.1 mg·L-1,诱导率为91.1;适宜的壮苗培养基为MS + 6-BA 0.2 mg·L-1 + IAA 1.0 mg·L-1;适宜的生根培养基为1/2MS + NAA 2.0 mg·L-1,生根率达84.4。本研究为构建天门冬药材产业化所需种苗生产技术体系奠定了基础。     

抗茎枯病芦笋品种离体培养的研究

选用芦笋（Asparagus officinalis）茎枯病高抗品种格兰蒂为材料,研究各种生长素及细胞分裂素对其茎尖诱导的愈伤组织、不定芽增殖和生根的效果。实验结果表明,最适芦笋茎尖诱导愈伤组织的培养基为：MS＋6-BA0.3 mg/L＋2,4-D 1.5 mg/L＋蔗糖25 g/L＋琼脂7 g/L,pH 5.8;最适愈伤组织增殖诱导、分化不定芽的培养基为：MS＋NAA 0.3 mg/L＋6-BA 0.5 mg/L＋蔗糖30 g/L＋琼脂7 g/L,pH 5.8;最适生根培养基为：1/2 MS＋0.5 mg/L IBA＋1 mg/L PP333＋0.3 mg/L 6-BA＋蔗糖30 g/L＋琼脂7 g/L,pH 5.8。     

Propagation of Asparagus racemosus through tissue culture

Murashige and Skoog's medium with 2, 4-D and kinetin induced callus in the shoot segments of Asparagus racemosus. Regeneration of shoot buds and clonal multiplication of excised shoots through proliferation of nodal buds could be achieved by the use of IAA and BAP in the medium. Rooting was achieved with half strength MS basal medium plus IBA. Complete plants with cladode, crown and root systems were developed in hormone free medium. The plants were successfully transferred to soil.     

Synthesis of Several Fructo-oligosaccharides by Asparagus Fructosyltransferases

Nine fructo-oligosaccharides, synthesized in vitro from sucrose by an enzyme preparation from asparagus roots, were isolated and their structures were elucidated to be 1^F (1-β-fructofuranosyl)_n sucrose [n = 1 (1-kestose), 2 (nystose) and 3], 6^G (1-β-fructofuranosyl)_n sucrose [n=1 (neokestose), 2 and 3] and 1^F (1-β-fructofuranosyl)_m-6^G (1-β-fructofuranosyl)_n sucrose [m=1, n=1; m=2, n =1; and m =1, n=2]. These saccharides are all known to occur naturally in asparagus roots, but 6^G (1-β-fructofuranosyl)₃ sucrose and 1^F (1-β-fructofuranosyl)_m-6^G-(1-β-fructofuranosyl)_n sucrose (m=1, n =1; and m=1, n=2) were the first saccharides enzymatically synthesized in vitro. Also three types of fructosyltransferases were presumed to be involved in the biosynthesis of these oligosaccharides in asparagus roots.     

Steroidal saponins from roots of Asparagus officinalis

Sarsasapogenin M (1) and sarsasapogenin N (2), two new oligospirostanosides with a unique aglycone moiety, (25S)-5beta-spirostan-3beta, 17alpha-diol, along with seven known compounds (25S)-5beta-spirostan-3beta-ol-3-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-(1,2)-[beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1,4)]-beta-d-glucopyranoside (3), (25S)-5beta-spirostan-3beta-ol-3-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-(1,2)-beta-d-glucopyranoside (4), (25S)-5beta-spirostan-3beta-ol-3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1,2)-[alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1,4)]-beta-d-glucopyranoside (5), (25S)26-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-5beta-furost-20 (22)-ene-3beta,26-diol-3-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-(1,2)-beta-d-glucopyranoside (6), yamogenin (7), beta-sitosterol (8), and sitosterol-beta-d-glucoside (9) were isolated from the roots of Asparagus officinalis L. Their structures were determined by spectral analysis, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR experiments.