Design and selection of trap color for capture of the tea leafhopper,Empoasca vitis,by orthogonal optimization

The tea leafhopper, Empoasca vitis (Göthe) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is a major pest of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze (Theaceae). In this study, the RGB color model was used to describe the colors of sticky traps. The most effective color for attraction of E. vitis was investigated by orthogonal optimization. The selected color was verified in tea gardens and the most effective height for positioning of color sticky traps for capturing tea leafhoppers was investigated. After the determination of the effect of the three color parameters and their interactions by orthogonal optimization, the color gold (RGB: 255, 215, 0) was selected as the most effective color to trap tea leafhoppers. In tea gardens, more leafhoppers were captured using gold sticky traps (RGB: 226, 204, 4) than using commercially available yellow sticky traps. The most effective height of gold sticky traps for trapping leafhoppers was 40–60 cm above the tea canopy. Few lady beetles were captured at this height. We conclude that the orthogonal optimization method is a convenient and efficient method to screen digitally generated colors for attracting and trapping of pests.     

Improvement of maize (Zea mays L.) anther culture responses by algae-derived natural substances

This is the first report on the beneficial effect of microalgal and cyanobacterial biomass on anther cultures of maize (Zea mays L.). Investigations were made on the cytokinin- and auxin-like activity and content of terrestrial and fresh-water living microalgal and cyanobacterial strains. The influence of media supplemented with biomass from four selected strains on the anther induction, the frequency of microspore-derived embryo-like structures, and regeneration capacity in anther cultures of maize was also studied. The addition of cyanobacterial and microalgal biomass to the induction and regeneration media in concentrations of 1 or 2 g/L improved the androgenic response, and was able to reduce the quantity of the synthetic auxin 2,4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid (2,4-D) required, or replace it completely.     

Correlated changes in thermotolerance traits and body color phenotypes in montane populations of Drosophila melanogaster: analysis of within- and between-population variations

Thermotolerance traits vary across geographical gradients but there is a lack of clinal variation in some Drosophila species. Thus, it is not clear whether thermotolerance or other correlated traits are the target of natural selection. In order to test selection responses, we investigated body melanization and thermotolerance traits in six altitudinal populations of Drosophila melanogaster . Based on rearing different geographical populations under uniform growth conditions at 21 °C (common garden experiments), clinal variations for cold resistance are in the direction opposite to heat resistance along an altitudinal gradient, that is darker flies from highland populations evidenced higher levels of cold resistance while lowland populations showed higher heat resistance. Phenotypic plastic responses for body melanization at 17–28 °C showed significant correlations with thermotolerance traits. At 17 °C, regression coefficients as a function of altitude are highly significant and positive for cold resistance but negative for heat knockdown. However, for flies reared at 28 °C, there is no elevational change in melanization as well as thermotolerance traits. Thus, both genetic and plastic changes of body melanization and thermotolerance traits suggest a correlated selection response. Further, within-population analyses of body melanization (based on dark, intermediate and light color phenotypes) showed significant associations with thermotolerance traits. Correlated variations in body melanization and thermal tolerances are associated with climatic thermal variability ( T _cv) but not with T _min. or T _max. along an altitudinal gradient.     

桃花粉育性与花药颜色的关系及其SSR分子标记

以李属桃亚属的637份桃品种种质和栽培种瑞光19×Summergrand杂交的138株F1群体为试材,对桃花粉育性与花药颜色的关系及其SSR分子标记进行研究。结果表明:在所有品种中,橘红花药最多,占总份数的91.2%,其中绝大部分花粉可育;橘黄和黄色花药的种质数量次之;白色和浅褐花药的种质最少,且均表现为花粉不稔;整体表现为红色和黄色花药与花粉可育具有较强的正相关性。本试验从122对SSR引物中筛选出2对与花粉育性性状连锁的标记CPDCT013和CP-SCT012,根据这2个标记参考整合参考图谱的位置,将控制花粉育性的基因定位在桃第6条染色体上端。对已经报道的2个桃花粉育性标记CPPCT004和NNJ-I以及第6条连锁群的其他SSR位点在花粉育性不同的24个品种上验证,结果表明只有UDP96-001(125bp)可以用于桃花粉育性的分子标记辅助育种。     

Regeneration of doubled haploid plants by androgenesis of cucumber (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus </Emphasis>L.)

Six experiments (including pretreatment, embryonic callus induction media, preculture conditions, embryo induction media, embryo germination media, and genotypic effects) were conducted to develop an efficient cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., 2n = 2x = 14) anther culture protocol. Pretreatment and embryo induction were key factors for successful anther culture. Suitable temperature stress depended on the ecotype, i.e., cucumbers from cold areas responded well to cold shock whereas those from temperate areas responded well to heat treatment. The best medium for embryonic callus induction was MS medium supplemented with 4.44 μM BA, 2.26 μM 2, 4-D, 4.64 μM KIN, 3% sucrose and 0.8% agar. For embryo induction, MS medium supplemented with 0.54 μM NAA, 13.32 μM BA, 3% sucrose and 0.8% agar was optimal, and for embryo germination MS medium containing 2.22 μM BA, 6% sucrose and 1.2% agar was best. Using this protocol, we produced callus from 16 genotypes and regenerated plants from three of 20 evaluated. Three embryos per anther and 42 DH per 45 anthers (93% success) were obtained for cv. Ningjia No. 1, which was an improved result over a previous report. The origin of regenerants from microspores was determined by cytological, morphological and AFLP analyses.     

7-Polyacylated delphinidin 3,7-diglucosides from the blue flowers of Leschenaultia cv. Violet Lena

The triacyl anthocyanins, Leschenaultia blue anthocyanins 1 and 2 (LBAs 1 and 2) were isolated from the blue flowers of Leschenaultia R. Br. cv. Violet Lena (Goodeniaceae), in which LBA 1 was present as a dominant pigment. The structure of LBA 1 was elucidated to be delphinidin 3-O-[6-O-(malonyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside]-7-O-[6-O-(4-O-(6-O-(4-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-trans-caffeoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-trans-caffeoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] by application of chemical and spectroscopic methods. Since LAB 2 was isolated in small amount, its structure was tentatively assigned as either delphinidin 3-(malonylglucoside)-7-[(glucosyl-p-coumaroyl)-(glucosylcaffeoyl)-glucoside] or delphinidin 3-(malonyl-glucoside)-7-[(glucosyl-caffeoyl)(glucosyl-p-coumaroyl)-glucoside]. This is the first report of the occurrence of 7-polyacylated anthocyanins in the family of Goodeniaceae, although others have been found in the families of the Ranunculaceae, Campanulaceae, and Compositae. Moreover, delphinidin 3-glycoside-7-di-(glucosylcaffeoyl)-glucoside has been reported only in the flowers of Platycodon grandiflorum (Campanulaceae). From a chemotaxonomical viewpoint, the Goodeniaceae may be closely related to the Campanulaceae.     

Sucrose and starch catabolism in the anther of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lilium</Emphasis> during its development: a comparative study among the anther wall,locular fluid and microspore/pollen fractions

In order to better understand the various pathways of sucrose and starch catabolism in the anther of lily (Lilium hybrida var. “Enchantment”), invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) and amylase (EC 3.2.1.1, EC 3.2.1.2) activities were measured separately in different fractions (anther wall, locular fluid and microspore/pollen) and correlated with the sugar content during anther development. Our findings showed significant differences among the fractions analyzed, suggesting that the regulation of sucrose and starch catabolism could follow distinct pathways in each fraction. Glucose and fructose amounts progressively decreased from anther wall to fluid and from fluid to microspore/pollen. Thus, the developing pollen could act as a sink for the carbohydrates that reach the anther. In this sense, cell wall-bound invertases seem to play a major role in soluble sugar partitioning in the different fractions of the anther. Sucrose concentration was found to be substantially higher in the locular fluid than in the other fractions, indicating a probable site for storage. On the other hand, the anther wall tissues could have a buffering function, storing nutrient surplus in starch grains and thus regulating the availability of soluble sugars in the whole anther. All these results proved the advantages of the experimental model proposed here, as well as its usefulness to investigate sugar metabolism in Lilium anthers.     

A quantitative model for linking Na+/Ca2+ exchanger to SERCA during refilling of the sarcoplasmic reticulum to sustain [Ca2+] oscillations in vascular smooth muscle

We have developed a quantitative model for the creation of cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ gradients near the inner surface of the plasma membrane (PM). In particular we simulated the refilling of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) via PM–SR junctions during asynchronous [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations in smooth muscle cells of the rabbit inferior vena cava. We have combined confocal microscopy data on the [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations, force transduction data from cell contraction studies and electron microscopic images to build a basis for computational simulations that model the transport of calcium ions from Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchangers (NCX) on the PM to sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase (SERCA) pumps on the SR as a three-dimensional random walk through the PM–SR junctional cytoplasmic spaces. Electron microscopic ultrastructural images of the smooth muscle cells were elaborated with software algorithms to produce a very clear and dimensionally accurate picture of the PM–SR junctions. From this study, we conclude that it is plausible and possible for enough Ca²⁺ to pass through the PM–SR junctions to replete the SR during the regenerative Ca²⁺ release, which underlies agonist induced asynchronous Ca²⁺ oscillations in vascular smooth muscle.     

Egg color as an adaptation for thermoregulation

ABSTRACT.   Avian embryos are incubated at temperatures only 2–6 °C below that at which hyperthermia begins to influence survival. In habitats where sunlight directly strikes the eggs, even for short periods, heat gain may be a substantial threat to survival, and reflective pigmentation may reduce the rate of heat gain. The results of previous studies suggest that light-colored eggs acquire heat slower than dark eggs, but artificial pigments were used to create differences in egg coloration. This approach is problematic because natural eggshell pigments have low absorbance in the near-infrared waveband that encompasses about half of incident solar radiation. We used naturally-pigmented eggs to measure the influence of egg coloration on heat gain. Triads ( N = 18) of eggs from Brewer's ( Euphagous cyanocephalus ), Red-winged ( Agelaius phoeniceus ), and Yellow-headed ( Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus ) blackbirds were crossed with six nests of each species and either exposed to full sunlight or placed under a diffusing umbrella. Thermisters recorded internal egg temperature every minute until an asymptotic temperature was reached. Eggs in full sunlight acquired heat more rapidly than eggs in the shaded environment, but heat gain did not vary with egg color in either environment. Eggs placed in Yellow-headed Blackbird nests took longer to reach asymptotic temperature, but there was no significant egg-by-nest interaction. Thus, it appears that differences in reflectivity of eggshell pigments in the visible range (400–700 nm) do not result in different rates of heat acquisition. The thermoregulation hypothesis was not supported.