Enrichment of a common wheat genetic map and QTL mapping for fatty acid content in grain

DArT and SSR markers were used to saturate and improve a previous genetic map of RILs derived from the cross Chuan35050 × Shannong483. The new map comprised 719 loci, 561 of which were located on specific chromosomes, giving a total map length of 4008.4 cM; the rest 158 loci were mapped to the most likely intervals. The average chromosome length was 190.9 cM and the marker density was 7.15 cM per marker interval. Among the 719 loci, the majority of marker loci were DArTs (361); the rest included 170 SSRs, 100 EST-SSRs, and 88 other molecular and biochemical loci. QTL mapping for fatty acid content in wheat grain was conducted in this study. Forty QTLs were detected in different environments, with single QTL explaining 3.6-58.1% of the phenotypic variations. These QTLs were distributed on 16 chromosomes. Twenty-two QTLs showed positive additive effects, with Chuan35050 increasing the QTL effects, whereas 18 QTLs were negative with increasing effects from Shannong483. Six sets of co-located QTLs for different traits occurred on chromosomes 1B, 1D, 2D, 5D, and 6B.     

Floral organogenesis of Helleborus thibetanus and Nigella damascena (Ranunculaceae) and its systematic significance

Floral organogenesis in Helleborus thibetanus and Nigella damascena was examined and compared using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, and the putative relationships of Helleborus and Nigella were analysed. H. thibetanus and N. damascena share some features of floral phyllotaxis and development of the sepals, petals, stamens and carpels, which are also found in other members of Ranunculaceae. However, they differ strongly in the number and degree of fusion of the carpels: in H. thibetanus, the two carpels are slightly united at the base, whereas, in N. damascena, the gynoecium is syncarpous and the five carpels are united throughout the ovary. Differences are also noted in petal development. The blade of the young petal of H. thibetanus develops two bulges which become connate and then fuse with the blade at the sides, developing more quickly than the blade and forming a tubular petal. In N. damascena, a single ridge is formed on the petal blade which develops into the smaller adaxial labium of the bilabiate petal, whereas the blade itself develops into the larger abaxial labium bearing two pseudonectaries. The outermost stamens are delayed in development in Helleborus, but not in Nigella. Although the results from our investigation are preliminary, differences in floral development characters suggest that Helleborus and Nigella may not be closely related and possibly support placement into separate tribes. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 166 , 431–443.     

Phosphate transporters OsPHT1;9 and OsPHT1;10 are involved in phosphate uptake in rice

We characterized the function of two rice phosphate (Pi) transporters: OsPHT1;9 (OsPT9) and OsPHT1;10 (OsPT10). OsPT9 and OsPT10 were expressed in the root epidermis, root hairs and lateral roots, with their expression being specifically induced by Pi starvation. In leaves, expression of the two genes was observed in both mesophyll and vasculature. High‐affinity Km values for Pi transport of OsPT9 and OsPT10 were determined by yeast experiments and two‐electrode voltage clamp analysis of anion transport in Xenopus oocytes expressing OsPT9 and OsPT10. Pi uptake and Pi concentrations in transgenic plants harbouring overexpressed OsPT9 and OsPT10 were determined by Pi concentration analysis and ³³P‐labelled Pi uptake rate analysis. Significantly higher Pi uptake rates in transgenic plants compared with wild‐type plants were observed under both high‐Pi and low‐Pi solution culture conditions. Conversely, although no alterations in Pi concentration were found in OsPT9 or OsPT10 knockdown plants, a significant reduction in Pi concentration in both shoots and roots was observed in double‐knockdown plants grown under both high‐ and low‐Pi conditions. Taken together, our results suggest that OsPT9 and OsPT10 redundantly function in Pi uptake.     

引种桉树对本地生物多样性的影响

桉树以速生和适应多种环境的特性成为世界著名的造林树种.但引种桉树对环境可能产生负面影响,如导致土地退化、地下水水位下降和多样性降低等,特别是对林下本地生物物种多样性的影响及其原因还存有争议.本文对此进行了综述,认为大部分桉树人工林本地物种数量低于天然林,一般不高于乡土树种人工林,但总体上好于其他外来树种人工林.导致桉树人工林生物多样性低的原因主要是桉树的生理生态特性、人类不合理的规划和砍伐等,其中人为因素起主导作用.若根据引种地的群落性质,通过严格的设计和科学管理,可以将这种负面影响最小化.应按照有利于群落正常发育和植被更新的方式栽种桉树人工林,保留天然植被,减少人为干扰,从而减轻引种桉树的负面影响.     

盐胁迫下粪产碱菌在水稻根表的定殖和异源固氮基因的表达

异源nif LacZ融合基因在粪产碱菌A15 6 1中的表达活性随盐浓度增加而升高 ,然后逐渐降低 ,nifH LacZ融合基因可以正常表达的盐浓度在 0 .1%～0 .5 %之间 ,盐浓度为 0 .0 5 %时活性最高。A15 6 1在盐浓度为 0 .0 6 %时趋化能力最强 ,随着盐浓度的提高逐渐下降 ,当盐浓度为 3 .0 %时完全丧失趋化能力。一定的盐浓度 (0 .5 % )对固氮粪产碱菌的根表定殖有促进作用 ,该条件下根表定殖的菌体数远大于对照。 3种nif LacZ融合基因在根内的表达部位有显著差异。nifH的表达部位主要分布于根的皮层薄壁组织细胞间隙 ,在条件适宜 (无铵和微量氧 )的部位或某些特殊位置如侧根伸出部位高水平表达。盐胁迫下水稻 耐盐粪产碱菌A15 6 1的联合固氮效率明显高于A15 6 1纯培养物     

微藻与其他微生物共培养的研究进展及应用

化石燃料的挖掘和燃烧导致环境污染以及气候变化.与化石燃料相比,微藻被认为是一种更有前途的生物柴油生产原料,它具有生长速度快、含油量高、不占用耕地的特点.尽管微藻被认为是生产第三代生物燃料的最佳生产者之一,但单独培养微藻容易污染且采收成本高,与化石燃料和传统可再生能源相比缺乏竞争力.利用微藻与其他微生物共培养能够实现自絮...     

高浓度O3对城市蒙古栎凋落叶分解和养分释放的影响

采用开顶箱(OTCs)模拟法和分解袋法,以O₃自然浓度(40 nmol·mol^-1)为对照,研究高浓度O₃(约120 nmol·mol^-1)对城市自然环境下生长的10年生蒙古栎凋落叶分解和养分释放的影响,分解时长达150 d.结果表明：高浓度O₃未对蒙古栎凋落叶的分解产生显著影响.高浓度O₃抑制了蒙古栎凋落叶C、K释放,分解150 d,高浓度O₃处理K残留率为23.9%,显著高于对照(17.1%).高浓度O₃在分解前期(0～60 d)抑制了凋落叶N、木质素的释放,在分解后期(60～150 d)起促进作用.高浓度O₃处理与对照木质素/N变化趋势一致且无显著差异.除分解中期(60 d)外,对照P残留率始终高于高浓度O₃处理.C/P变化趋势与P相反,在整个分解过程中,高浓度O₃处理C/P高于对照,而且C、N、K残留率以及C/N与凋落叶干质量剩余率呈显著正相关.因此,高浓度O₃将对蒙古栎林的营养循环产生一定影响.     

红河干热河谷木棉种群的天然更新

在以干热为显著特点的干热河谷,木棉成年树生长、开花良好。但其实生苗天然更新不良,其发生过程和影响因子至今尚不明确。通过对红河干热河谷木棉种群种子扩散特点、萌发策略和影响因素研究,在分析木棉实生天然更新困难影响因子的同时,对更新幼苗的发生进行了探讨。结果表明:单株木棉成年母树平均生产果实(358±46)个,单果和单株种子数分别为(274±45)粒和(98092±2540)粒,木棉种质资源丰富。种子的扩散范围广,而田间种子损失量大(损失比例为霉变54.0%、动物取食18.2%和搬运12.0%)。自然条件下种子活力在落种后10—35 d,种子含水量为2.1%—5.9%时为最佳,落种45 d后活力显著下降。干旱条件下木棉落种萌发成苗过程是天然更新的关键环节,其间水分因子起直接作用,连续数日20%—40%的土壤含水率能促进幼苗更新。适度覆土(1—2 cm)可起到改善落种的水分环境的作用,从而促进萌发。旱季降雨少,干旱持续时间长是阻碍更新幼苗向幼树转化的瓶颈。可见,地表种子存留量低、土壤含水量低、种子自然活力保存时间短、自然和人为干扰等环节限制了木棉种群成功的实生天然更新。