Co-adaptation of seed dormancy and flowering time in the arable weed Capsella bursa-pastoris (shepherd's purse)

Background and Aims

The duration of the plant life cycle is an important attribute that determines fitness and coexistence of weeds in arable fields. It depends on the timing of two key life-history traits: time from seed dispersal to germination and time from germination to flowering. These traits are components of the time to reproduction. Dormancy results in reduced and delayed germination, thus increasing time to reproduction. Genotypes in the arable seedbank predominantly have short time to flowering. Synergy between reduced seed dormancy and reduced flowering time would create stronger contrasts between genotypes, offering greater adaptation in-field. Therefore, we studied differences in seed dormancy between in-field flowering time genotypes of shepherd''s purse.

Methods

Genotypes with early, intermediate or late flowering time were grown in a glasshouse to provide seed stock for germination tests. Secondary dormancy was assessed by comparing germination before and after dark-incubation. Dormancy was characterized separately for seed myxospermy heteromorphs, observed in each genotype. Seed carbon and nitrogen content and seed mass were determined as indicators of seed filling and resource partitioning associated with dormancy.

Key Results

Although no differences were observed in primary dormancy, secondary dormancy was weaker among the seeds of early-flowering genotypes. On average, myxospermous seeds showed stronger secondary dormancy than non-myxospermous seeds in all genotypes. Seed filling was similar between the genotypes, but nitrogen partitioning was higher in early-flowering genotypes and in non-myxospermous seeds.

Conclusions

In shepherd''s purse, early flowering and reduced seed dormancy coincide and appear to be linked. The seed heteromorphism contributes to variation in dormancy. Three functional groups of seed dormancy were identified, varying in dormancy depth and nitrate response. One of these groups (FG-III) was distinct for early-flowering genotypes. The weaker secondary dormancy of early-flowering genotypes confers a selective advantage in arable fields.     

Controlling ‘bois noir’ disease on grapevine: does the timing of herbicide application affect vector emergence?

Bois noir is an important grapevine yellows disease that can cause serious economical losses in European grapevine production. Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret (Hemiptera, Cixiidae) is the principal vector of bois noir in Switzerland and stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is its favourite host plant species in vineyards. As bois noir disease can hardly be cured and direct control measures against H. obsoletus are ineffective, viticultural control practices target stinging nettle, the actual reservoir and source of both the pathogen and its vector. Currently, it is recommended to apply herbicides against stinging nettle at the end of the season to kill developing H. obsoletus nymphs. To verify if this late period of herbicide application is justified, stinging nettle patches were treated with glyphosate in the autumn, in the spring or were left untreated as a control. Herbicide applications at both dates controlled the growth of stinging nettle very well in the subsequent summer, although the autumnal treatment was slightly more efficient. To study glyphosate’s direct impact on the development of H. obsoletus nymphs, emergence traps were placed directly in the centre of treated and untreated stinging nettle patches. There was no significant difference among the three treatments in the total number of adults emerging. Thus, an aerial application of glyphosate in either spring or autumn did not inhibit the nymphs’ development on the roots of stinging nettle in the soil. Our results challenge current recommendations of applying herbicides against stinging nettle at the end of the season and suggest that stinging nettle could also be controlled in spring, alike other viticultural weeds.     

Niche-based prediction of establishment of biocontrol agents: an example with Gratiana boliviana and tropical soda apple

Successful establishment of a biological control agent is a prerequisite for effective reduction of an invasive weed. Niche-based species distribution models can generate valuable information about the potential spread of a biological control agent and help to predict its distribution. The Maximum Entropy Species Distribution Model was used in our study to predict distributions of the leaf beetle Gratiana boliviana Spaeth (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and its target weed, tropical soda apple (TSA), Solanum viarum Dunal (Solanaceae). The specific objectives of this study were to (1) assess the climatic suitability for establishment of this insect across the invasive range of the weed by overlapping predicted current distributions and, (2) examine the niche-related restriction in distribution of the insect by visualising the predictive niche in multivariate space. Accuracy of predicted distributions was tested using binomial tests and area under the curve scores. The results of statistical tests confirmed that the predictions were significantly better than random. The predictions indicated that the potential distribution of G. boliviana in the USA will be more restricted than that of its host plant. Consequently, the beetle's ability to inflict damage to TSA will be geographically limited. Niche visualisation, using a PCA-based analysis, provided evidence of the niche imposed restriction on the distribution of G. boliviana. Overall, this study proposes a new approach for understanding the spatial limitations in establishment of biological control agents, allowing researchers to establish more realistic expectations of success.     

Life history and host range of the leaf blotcher Eucosmophora schinusivora: a candidate for biological control of Schinus terebinthifolius in the USA

The host range of Eucosmophora schinusivora Davis and Wheeler (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) was studied to assess its suitability as a biological control agent of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae), a serious environmental and agricultural weed in the USA and elsewhere in the world. The life history of this insect species and its host range were determined in the laboratory with adult no-choice oviposition and larval development tests. This species has five instars, the first three are sap-feeding miners and the last two are tissue feeding. Total development time was 31.7 days. To examine specificity of this species, 10 plant species in Anacardiaceae were selected based on taxonomic relatedness to S. terebinthifolius, economic importance, and availability. In the laboratory, except for Anacardium occidentale and Cotinus obovatus, all of the tested species were accepted for oviposition with a marked preference for the weed S. terebinthifolius, Schinus molle, Rhus copallinum, Rhus sandwicensis and Pistacia chinensis. Complete development, from egg to adult, was achieved only on S. terebinthifolius, S. molle, R. copallinum, P. chinensis and Metopium toxiferum. In conclusion, E. schinusivora will not be considered for the biological control of S. terebinthifolius in the continental USA. However, the utilisation of this species in other infested areas such as Hawai'i and Australia should be considered.     

杂草对百草枯的抗药性机制研究进展

百草枯抗性杂草的产生严重危害粮食生产并间接加重环境污染。本文综述了近年来多种抗百草枯杂草的发生、发展与危害等方面的研究进展,重点对转运体与杂草抗药性关系、百草枯的限制隔离机制、抗氧化酶保护作用进行了分析,并从光照对抗性机的制影响和杂草抗药性遗传规律等方面对百草枯的抗性机制展开了讨论,认为未来中国存在出现大规模抗百草枯杂草的风险,提出了延缓杂草对百草枯产生抗性的策略。     

三聚氰胺胶体金免疫层析试纸条的研制

通过胶体金免疫层析技术建立一种特异、便捷、快速的三聚氰胺抗原检测方法,对奶制品及饲料中的三聚氰胺残留水平监测提供参考。用柠檬酸三钠还原法制备的胶体金,标记纯化的三聚氰胺单克隆抗体,喷于试纸的金标垫。将MEL-OVA(三聚氰胺和卵清白蛋白的偶练物)和纯化的羊抗鼠IgG分别喷于试纸的T(检测线)处和C(质控线)处,通过挑选试纸条材料和调试工艺参数,并最终组装成试纸条。结果显示,制备的试纸监测体系方法检出限为50 g/L。试纸条对牛奶、奶粉和饲料中的三聚氰胺残留的检出限分别为100 g/L、100 ng/g和200 ng/g。将该法与LC-MS/MS法对比检测牛奶、奶粉和饲料样品,在试纸条检测范围内,与LC-MS/MS法检测结果一致性好,从而验证了该方法的有效性。制备的三聚氰胺胶体金检测试纸在常温干燥环境下至少可保质6个月,能够检测出三聚氰胺含量大于50 g/L的样品,适用于现场实际样品三聚氰胺残留水平监测,具有良好的应用前景。     

饲喂黄顶菊对黄粉虫生长发育及繁殖的影响

【背景】黄顶菊是近年来人侵我国的一种有害杂草,其竞争力强,给自然界造成了严重危害,同时也产生了大量的生物质资源。作为一种杂食性昆虫,黄粉虫易于饲养,可以用于多种生物质资源的转化处理。【方法】本研究分别以黄顶菊、小白菜和西瓜皮作为青料,与麦麸等配制成人工饲料后,对黄粉虫进行定期饲喂,研究其对黄粉虫幼虫、成虫生长发育及繁殖的影响。【结果】黄粉虫幼虫饲料中添加一定比例的黄顶菊与添加小白菜相比,虫体生物量增长率较低,饲料利用率和死亡率较高;成虫饲料中添加黄顶菊与添加西瓜皮相比,黄粉虫平均寿命延长,单雌产卵量减少,且差异均显著,体长略有减小。【结论与意义】本研究对利用黄粉虫转化处理黄顶菊的效果做出了初步评价,即黄粉虫能够取食黄顶菊,但转化处理效果不太理想。     

基于LAMP技术建立解脲支原体基因试纸条检测方法

目的建立一种灵敏度高、特异性强、检测速度快的方法检测解脲支原体。方法基于环介导恒温扩增技术（LAMP）,根据解脲支原体序列特征设计3对引物进行解脲支原体DNA切口酶核酸恒温扩增,扩增过程在一对引物中标记生物素,随着扩增的进行生物素直接引入扩增片段中,扩增结束后产物在密闭装置中进行免疫试纸条显色反应,根据显色卡的颜色判定结果的阴阳性。结果该技术检测解脲支原体较实时荧光PCR技术灵敏度要高10倍以上,其它病原体检测均阴性该方法特异性与实时荧光PCR技术相当。结论恒温扩增联合试纸条技术检测解脲支原体具有较高的敏感性和特异性,检测速度快,适合各医院开展。     

Evolutionary and ecological implications of genome size in the North American endemic sagebrushes and allies (Artemisia, Asteraceae)

The genome size of 51 populations of 20 species of the North American endemic sagebrushes (subgenus Tridentatae ), related species, and some hybrid taxa were assessed by flow cytometry, and were analysed in a phylogenetic framework. Results were similar for most Tridentatae species, with the exception of three taxonomically conflictive species:  Artemisia bigelovii Gray,  Artemisia pygmaea Gray, and  Artemisia rigida Gray. Genome size homogeneity (together with the high morphological, chemical, and karyological affinities, as well as low DNA sequence divergence) could support a recent diversification process in this geographically restricted group, thought to be built upon a reticulate evolutionary framework. The Tridentatae and the other North American endemic Artemisia show a significantly higher genome size compared with the other subgenera. Our comparative analyses including genome size results, together with different kinds of ecological and morphological traits, suggest an evolutionary change in lifestyle strategy linked to genome expansion, in which junk or selfish DNA accumulation might be involved. Conversely, weed or invasive behaviour in Artemisia is coupled with lower genome sizes. Data for both homoploid and polyploid hybrids were also assessed. Genome sizes are close to the expected mean of parental species for homoploid hybrids, but are lower than expected in the allopolyploids, a phenomenon previously documented to be related with polyploidy.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 94 , 631–649.