Physiological integration among ramets of Lathyrus sylvestris L.

Summary Lathyrus sylvestris is a pioneer legume often found in disturbed habitats. Mainly reproduced through vegetative propagation, this clonal species presents a system of ramets that remain connected for several years. The existence of carbon transfer among ramets within a clone has been studied using ¹⁴C in situ. Assimilate translocation from primary to secondary ramets was observed in all clones when the primary ramet was exposed to ¹⁴CO₂. The amount of transfer ranged from trace up to 90% of the total ¹⁴C incorporated. However, in only half of the clones there was consistent enrichment of the secondary ramet (5 to 89%) suggesting that interramets transfer of carbon may be facultative. Furthermore, when significant export occurred from the primary ramet, it was always principally towards only one ramet even when the clone included more than one. The transfer of ¹⁴C from secondary to primary ramets was shown to be significant only when photosynthesis of the latter was decreased by shading. In this case import of carbon was never more than 60% of the incorporated ¹⁴C.No correlation was found between age or size of the ramets and the intensity of transfer. The shading effect let suppose that transfers are mainly driven by carbon limitation due to changing environmental conditions and not to the state of ramet maturity. The adaptative advantage of such facultative physiological integration between ramets of a clone is discussed.     

白萝卜提取物诱生干扰素的有效成份

本实验用CF-11纤维素柱层析,从白萝卜提取物中分离纯化到一种双链RNA,简称E.R.s.r-dsRNA(全称见正文)。实验证明,E.R.s.r-dsRNA在家兔体内可诱生高水平的干扰素;纳克(ng)水平即可在体外细胞培养中抑制病毒感染。E.R.s.r-dsRNA分子量略小于1.34×10~6道尔顿,它对RNase的耐受性比Poly Ⅰ:PolyC强。推测E.R.s.r-dsRNA可能有较好的应用前景。     

Lathyrus diversity: available resources with relevance to crop improvement – L. sativus and L. cicera as case studies

Background

The Lathyrus genus includes 160 species, some of which have economic importance as food, fodder and ornamental crops (mainly L. sativus, L. cicera and L. odoratus, respectively) and are cultivated in >1·5 Mha worldwide. However, in spite of their well-recognized robustness and potential as a source of calories and protein for populations in drought-prone and marginal areas, cultivation is in decline and there is a high risk of genetic erosion.

Scope

In this review, current and past taxonomic treatments of the Lathyrus genus are assessed and its current status is examined together with future prospects for germplasm conservation, characterization and utilization. A particular emphasis is placed on the importance of diversity analysis for breeding of L. sativus and L. cicera.

Conclusions

Efforts for improvement of L. sativus and L. cicera should concentrate on the development of publicly available joint core collections, and on high-resolution genotyping. This will be critical for permitting decentralized phenotyping. Such a co-ordinated international effort should result in more efficient and faster breeding approaches, which are particularly needed for these neglected, underutilized Lathyrus species.     

The antileukemic effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and its related molecular targets: A mini review

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), and its main constituents, crocin, and crocetin have shown promising effects as an antileukemic agent in animal models and cell culture systems. Saffron retards the growth of cancer cells via inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis and enhancing antioxidative system. It can induce apoptosis and chemosensitivity via inhibiting multidrug resistance proteins. Saffron also induces differentiation pathways via inhibiting promyelocytic leukemia/retinoic acid receptor-α, histone deacetylase1, and tyrosyl DNA phosphodiesterase-1 as well. The present review highlights the most recent findings on the antileukemic effects of saffron and its underlying molecular targets. The emerging evidence suggests that saffron has a selective toxicity effect against leukemic cells while is safe for the normal cells.     

Chromosome rearrangements during domestication of cucumber as revealed by high-density genetic mapping and draft genome assembly

Cucumber, Cucumis sativus L. is the only taxon with 2n = 2x = 14 chromosomes in the genus Cucumis. It consists of two cross‐compatible botanical varieties: the cultivated C. sativus var. sativus and the wild C. sativus var. hardwickii. There is no consensus on the evolutionary relationship between the two taxa. Whole‐genome sequencing of the cucumber genome provides a new opportunity to advance our understanding of chromosome evolution and the domestication history of cucumber. In this study, a high‐density genetic map for cultivated cucumber was developed that contained 735 marker loci in seven linkage groups spanning 707.8 cM. Integration of genetic and physical maps resulted in a chromosome‐level draft genome assembly comprising 193 Mbp, or 53% of the 367 Mbp cucumber genome. Strategically selected markers from the genetic map and draft genome assembly were employed to screen for fosmid clones for use as probes in comparative fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of pachytene chromosomes to investigate genetic differentiation between wild and cultivated cucumbers. Significant differences in the amount and distribution of heterochromatins, as well as chromosomal rearrangements, were uncovered between the two taxa. In particular, six inversions, five paracentric and one pericentric, were revealed in chromosomes 4, 5 and 7. Comparison of the order of fosmid loci on chromosome 7 of cultivated and wild cucumbers, and the syntenic melon chromosome I suggested that the paracentric inversion in this chromosome occurred during domestication of cucumber. The results support the sub‐species status of these two cucumber taxa, and suggest that C. sativus var. hardwickii is the progenitor of cultivated cucumber.     

Carbon sink reduction by fruit removal triggers respiration but not nitrous oxide emissions from the root zone of cucumber

Root exudation of organic carbon (C) is generally believed to be the cause of positive effects of root activity on nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. We tested the effects of root exudation in an actual soil–plant system on N₂O emissions while excluding most other potential factors. The C source/sink ratio in cucumber was changed by removing fruits to increase root exudation. Root‐zone emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and N₂O were monitored in complete stands of adult plants in a greenhouse. Whereas CO₂ emissions rapidly increased as a result of fruit removal the N₂O emissions were completely unaffected. After cutting the shoots CO₂ emissions decreased within 2 weeks in both the fruit removal treatment and the control to a value significantly lower than that before the start of the treatments. However, N₂O emissions immediately exhibited a short peak, which was significantly higher in the fruit removal treatment compared to the control. Thereafter N₂O emissions in both treatments remained on the same level but considerably higher than before shoot cutting. We concluded that in a well‐aerated root zone, a root exudation pulse does not necessarily increase N₂O emissions, because C substrates are quickly respired by microorganisms before they can support heterotrophic denitrification. The results further indicate the significance of dying/dead roots for the creation of denitrificaton hot‐spots, which likely result from providing C substrates as well as poorly aerated habitats.     

萝卜（Raphanus sativus L.）种质莱菔子素含量分析与评价

莱菔子素是由萝卜中萝卜甙水解形成的一种异硫氰酸酯类物质,在植物抗性和人类抗癌方面具有重要作用。本试验利用优化的HPLC检测方法测定了93份萝卜种质肉质根的莱菔子素含量,分析了不同来源地和不同类型萝卜种质莱菔子素含量分布。试验发现不同萝卜种质莱菔子素含量存在显著差异,其含量分布范围为34.445～1446.9 mg/kg﹒DW,最高含量约是最低含量的42倍;红皮白肉和绿皮白肉类型的萝卜种质莱菔子素平均含量较高,华东地区的萝卜种质莱菔子素平均含量显著高于其它来源地的萝卜种质。试验初步获得莱菔子素含量较高的萝卜种质2份,为进一步试验研究提供了良好的材料。     

黄瓜霜霉病抗病基因的RAPD及SCAR标记

以感霜霉病黄瓜L18-10-2和抗霜霉病黄瓜129为亲本构建F2代分离群体,以F3代植株霜霉病抗性鉴定表示F2代各单株抗病性并得以区分各单株杂合或纯合感病性,采用RAPD技术和转SCAR的方法筛选黄瓜抗霜霉病基因分子标记.结果显示,在318条RAPD引物中有18条引物表现出两亲本间多态性,其中引物P18的SB-SP18561扩增片段与霜霉病抗病基因之间紧密连锁,根据交换率和Kosambi函数公式计算其遗传距离为7.85 cM.回收SBSP18561片段并克隆和测序,其准确长度为561 bp.将该RAPD标记转换为SCAR标记,长度为494 bp,命名为SSBSP18494.     

不同萝卜品种游离小孢子的诱导及培养体系优化研究

以19个萝卜品种为试验材料,研究各种因素对萝卜游离小孢子培养的影响.结果表明:(1)13个品种可诱导出胚状体,诱导率达到68.4%,但不同品种间产胚量存在较大差异,其中路路通翠雪产胚量可达每蕾10个,而圆白萝卜的产胚量最小为每蕾0.125个,进一步培养有8个品种得到再生植株;(2)在NLN-13液体培养基中添加活性炭和6-BA对萝卜游离小孢子出胚有较好的促进作用,小孢子分离30d后将胚状体转移至固体MS培养基上,子叶型胚可获得大量的再生植株,而畸形胚状体转移后不能获得正常的再生植株.     

Effects of exogenous salicylic acid on manganese toxicity, element contents and antioxidative system in cucumber

The effects of salicylic acid (SA) on manganese (Mn) toxicity in cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.) were studied by investigating the symptoms, plant growth, lipid peroxidation, antioxidative enzymes and antioxidants. Excess Mn caused serious chlorosis and inhibited the growth of cucumber plants, and dramatically increased accumulation of Mn in both shoots and roots, furthermore, inhibited the absorption of Ca, Mg and Zn. Addition of SA decreased the transport of Mn from roots to shoots, alleviated the inhibition of Ca, Mg and Zn absorption induced by excess Mn, reduced the toxicity symptoms and promoted the plant growth. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) significantly increased in cucumber leaves exposed to excess Mn, and resulted in the lipid peroxidation, which was indicated by accumulated concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Addition of SA significantly decreased the level of ROS and lipid peroxidation. Activities of antioxidant enzymes showed different changes, addition of SA inhibited catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities, while increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and glutathione reductase (GR) in cucumber leaves exposed to excess Mn. As important antioxidants, ascorbate and glutathione contents in cucumber leaves exposed to excess Mn were significantly increased by SA treatment.