Trichoderma aureoviride URM 5158 and Trichoderma hamatum URM 6656 are Biocontrol Agents that act against Cassava Root rot through different Mechanisms

Trichoderma has been used to manage a large number of pathogens, but there is a gap in the mechanisms used by these biocontrol agents regarding the physiological response of cassava plants (Manihot esculenta) when it is subjected to cassava root rot. The aims of this study were to investigate the antagonist activity of ten Trichoderma isolates against Fusarium solani on potato dextrose Agar (PDA), to quantify the chitinase production, to select and test in vivo the best isolate from each experiment and to assess the physiological response of cassava to the production of oxidative enzyme complex production (ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase). All Trichoderma isolates have shown competitive capability against F. solani, and Trichoderma hamatum URM 6656 showed the highest inhibition of pathogen growth (88.91%). All isolates have shown chitinase activity, but Trichoderma aureoviride URM 5158 produced the highest amount of chitinase. T. hamatum URM 6656 and T. aureoviride URM 5158 were selected to be applied in vivo. The two Trichoderma strains reduced 64 and 60% of the disease severity in the shoot and 82 and 84% in the root. Cassava plants infected with Trichoderma have shown the highest peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase production. Our results have indicated that T. aureoviride URM 5158 is an effective biocontrol agent against cassava root rot caused by F. solani, because it presented competitive antagonist capability in vitro, the highest chitinase production, and reduced the cassava root rot severity. The application of T. aureoviride has led to the maximum enzyme activity of reactive oxygen species group in cassava plants.     

Effect of plant barriers and citrus leaf age on dispersal of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

Studies designed to measure dispersal capacity of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) are needed to provide the epidemiological knowledge necessary to improve management of citrus huanglongbing. In this study, a mark–release–recapture technique was used to investigate whether 1) host or non‐host plants of D. citri can act as barriers for dispersing insects and 2) presence or absence of young citrus leaves influence movement of D. citri towards citrus plants. The experimental field consisted of four circular and adjacent areas containing citrus trees, Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cv. ‘Hamlin’, planted in concentric circles at 18, 24 and 30 m from the release centre. Insect activity was monitored by recapturing at each distance using yellow stick traps. Dense plantings of tall non‐host plants of D. citri such as corn had no effect on insect dispersal towards citrus plants when compared to a shorter cover crop such as grass. In contrast, suitable host plants acted as traps decreasing movement of D. citri. Diaphorina citri dispersed at greater speeds in the absence of young leaves reaching 140 m within 6 hours after release, whereas in the presence of young leaves, individuals reached at most 60 m at 1 day after release. Results suggest that D. citri control measures may be more efficient during periods of highest vegetative activity when insects are less active. Moreover, the use of suitable host plants for D. citri as trap plants may be a potential tactic to prevent movement of insects into the crop.     

Effect of host plants on the infectivity of nucleopolyhedrovirus to Spodoptera exigua larvae

Previous studies have shown that the infectivity of baculovirus to herbivores is affected by phytochemicals ingested during the acquisition of viral inoculum on the foliage of host plants. Here, we measured the effects of 14 host plant species on the infectivity of Spodoptera exigua nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeNPV) to its larvae. The order of the LD₅₀ values of SeNPV among the host plants was Ipomoea aquatica > Brassica oleracea > Raphanus sativus > Amaranthus tricolor > Spinacia oleracea > Vigna unguiculata > Solanum melongena > Capsicum annuum > Apium graveolens > Allium fistulosum > Lactuca sativa > Brassica chinensis > Zea mays > Glycine max, with 940.1 ± 2.26, 424.0 ± 0.60, 295.2 ± 1.13, 147.3 ± 0.63, 138.6 ± 0.22, 119.9 ± 0.07, 119.8 ± 0.02, 109.2 ± 0.18, 104.8 ± 0.62, 102.1 ± 0.66, 97.9 ± 0.22, 89.9 ± 0.32, 79.0 ± 0.13 and 64.0 ± 0.38 OBs per larva, respectively, and the values of mean time to death of virus‐infected larvae were 6.21 ± 0.11, 7.12 ± 0.10, 7.33 ± 0.21, 6.97 ± 0.02, 7.06 ± 0.01, 7.29 ± 0.03, 7.32 ± 0.05, 7.07 ± 0.08, 7.24 ± 0.11, 7.09 ± 0.13, 7.50 ± 0.06, 7.23 ± 0.01, 7.30 ± 0.02 and 7.19 ± 0.07 days, respectively. The mean time to death of larvae decreased with increasing viral dose, and corrected mortality decreased as the larval mean time to death increased. These findings have significance for understanding the effects of host plants on the infectivity of baculovirus to noctuids.     

Diamondback moth performance and preference for leaves of Brassica oleracea of different ages and strata

The preference–performance hypothesis predicts that moth behaviour links plant variations with caterpillar attack and distribution, and the plant‐age hypothesis states that specialist herbivores are more successful in exploring younger plant tissue. We integrated these predictions to investigate underlying mechanisms by which moths and caterpillars of Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) track and exploit within‐plant variability of leaf age and stratification. We measured leaf proteins, glucosinolates and fibre, as well as larval choice, developmental performance, and moth oviposition preference with regard to leaf age classes (young, mature and senescent) of three varieties (collard, cauliflower and cabbage) of the main host plant Brassica oleracea L. Larvae consistently fit the prediction that specialist herbivores prefer and perform better on young, upper leaves that have the highest protein level, despite the highest content of defence compounds. Conversely, moths laid more eggs on fibrous and less nutritious leaves from the lower and senescent stratum. We argue that the leaf stratification of host plants imposes conflicting selective pressures concerning offspring feeding and protection on adult females. If egg mortality is catastrophic on the upper nutritious leaves in a particular microclimatic context (e.g. sun, heat, winds, drought or rain‐washing), then oviposition preference will remain for the suboptimal lower and senescent leaves. The ability of larvae to spread upwards over the plant to access the more nutritious leaf stratum is critical when eggs are preferentially laid on the protective low‐quality leaves.     

Foliar nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry of alien invasive plants and co-occurring natives in Xishuangbanna

Aims How alien invasive plants and co-occurring native plants utilize nutrients is one of major issues in invasion ecology. Foliar nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents and stoichiometry can elucidate the uptake ability and limitation status of nutrients in plants, which provides basic knowledge for understanding the invading ability and co-occurrence or disappearance of plants.
Methods Based on typical alien invasive plants (Chromolaena odorata, Ageratina adenophora) and native plants in southwestern China, this study focused on strategies of N and P utilization among invasive plants and native plants under different invasion conditions. The species compositions, aboveground biomass, leaf N and P contents and leaf N:P were investigated for plants in plots with no invasion and with different invasion extents (estimated by the plot-based percentage of invaders’ biomass in total community) at Mt. Kongming in Xishuangbanna region, Yunnan Province, China.
Important findings The species number decreased significantly with the invasion extent of both C. odorata and A. adenophora, although the aboveground biomass was greatly enhanced. Leaf N and P contents did not differ between the two studied invaders, but they showed significantly higher N and P levels than both co-occurring and only native species (p < 0.05). Besides, leaf N and P contents of invaders increased with the invasion extent, and leaf N of native plants also showed an increasing trend with the invasion extent. When the influence of invasion was checked for the same species, leaf P contents decreased, whereas leaf N and N:P increased for most native plants under invasion. Based on the absolute foliar N and P contents, N:P values, we inferred that native plants were still limited by N, although N availability might be enhanced by invasion. Both invasive plants had leaf N:P values lower than 10, suggesting a higher P uptake relative to N uptake. All above results highlighted a higher N and P uptake of typical alien invasive plants in southwestern China.     

基于Farquhar改进模型的北亚热带森林常见树种光合限速因子研究

为探讨北亚热带地区植物的光合限速因子,利用改进的Farquhar模型研究了9种常见树种的光合特性。结果表明,与常绿树种相比,落叶树种枫香(Liquidambar formosana)和乌桕(Sapium sebiferum)的最大净光合速率(Pmax)和表观羧化速率(CE)较大;核酮糖-1,5-二磷酸羧化酶/加氧酶(Rubisco)活性是他们的光合限速因子。地带性树种青冈栎(Cyclobalanopsis glauca)的Pmax和CE在常绿木本植物中最大,青冈较强的光合能力可能是来源于Vcmax和TPU。耐阴灌木八角金盘(Fatsia japonica)和美人茶(Camellia uraku)的Pmax较小,其光合限速因子是叶肉细胞导度和呼吸速率。低光照下植物较低的光合能力是由于较小的叶肉导度(gm)和TPU导致的;有效光合辐射短时间的降低使得物种的gm平均减少了60.14%。因此,不同树种在不同环境条件下的光合限速因子不尽相同,应根据树种不同的光合生理特性来合理布局,科学育林。     

基于MODIS数据的松嫩平原西部芦苇湿地地上生物量遥感估算

芦苇作为湿地生态系统中重要的群落类型,其地上生物量是衡量湿地生态系统质量的关键指标。应用面向对象的土地覆盖分类技术,基于多季相Landsat8 OLI遥感数据,提取松嫩平原西部芦苇湿地分布信息;依托野外实测芦苇地上生物量数据(AGB)和同期MODIS数据源的NDVI、EVI、RVI、MSAVI和WDVI 5种光谱植被指数,探讨不同光谱植被指数对芦苇AGB的敏感性,进而构建松嫩平原西部芦苇AGB遥感估算最优模型,并进行芦苇AGB遥感反演及空间格局分析。结果表明:2014年松嫩平原西部地区芦苇总面积为1653 km~2,其中扎龙湿地自然保护区内芦苇分布面积最大(1178km~2),占区域芦苇总面积的71.3%;所选取的5种植被指数均与芦苇AGB呈极显著正相关(P0.01),基于EVI构建的指数曲线模型为松嫩平原西部芦苇AGB反演的最优模型(R2=0.55)。研究区芦苇平均AGB为372.1g/m~2,AGB总量为6.14×105t,其中扎龙湿地自然保护区内芦苇AGB总量为4.38×105t;各保护区芦苇平均AGB由大到小依次为:向海保护区(469.7 g/m~2)大布苏保护区(454.1 g/m~2)莫莫格保护区(373.0 g/m~2)扎龙保护区(372.4 g/m~2)查干湖保护区(369.8 g/m~2);松嫩平原西部芦苇AGB总体呈现南高北低的分布格局,将为湿地生态系统管理与保护及芦苇资源的合理利用提供科学依据。     

小蓬NeMT2基因的克隆及其植物表达载体的构建

该研究利用RACE ( Rapid amplification of cDNA ends)技术从小蓬中成功分离编码金属硫蛋白( Metal-lothionein,MT)的cDNA序列,命名为NeMT2,在GenBank中登录号为KT835290。该基因全长590 bp,开放阅读框为237 bp,编码78个氨基酸,编码的氨基酸序列中含有14个半胱氨酸残基( Cys,C),呈C-C,C-X-C,C-X-X-C排列,集中分布在肽链的N端和C端,基因编码蛋白的分子量为7.6036 kD,等电点为4.71。系统发育分析表明,小蓬金属硫蛋白NeMT2与藜科的海蓬子( AEF01492)和盐穗木( AHI62953)同源性最高,其次是甜菜( XP 010667708.1)。生物信息学分析表明,金属硫蛋白NeMT2无信号肽结构,属于非跨膜亲水性蛋白;疏水性分析表明,NeMT2蛋白的35~45个氨基酸之间有较强的疏水性,其中第41位Asp具最强的疏水性(1.444);结构预测分析该蛋白质二级结构的主要元件是无规则卷曲。通过RT-PCR对NeMT2基因的表达分析发现, NeMT2基因在铜矿区和非铜矿区的小蓬叶片中均有表达,但该基因在铜矿区小蓬叶片的表达量明显高于非铜矿区。将小蓬NeMT2基因定向克隆到植物表达载体pCAMBIA1300的35S 启动子下游,构建该基因的植物超表达载体pCAMBIA1300＋NeMT2。该研究结果为进一步研究该基因的功能和小蓬响应重金属胁迫的分子机制提供了一定基础。     

夏季若尔盖高寒湿地水生生物群落食物网结构特征

为了解若尔盖高寒湿地夏季水生生物群落食物网结构及营养关系特征,应用稳定同位素技术分析了若尔盖湿地 3个不同区域(ZS1、ZS2和ZS3)水生生物群落碳、氮稳定同位素比值,并计算了13C-15N同位素生态位中的6个营养结构量化指标。结果显示:外源性营养源陆生植物13C、15N值分别为-28.23- -26.07,-1.20-5.98; 内源性营养源颗粒有机物 (POM:主要成分为藻类)和水生植物13C、15N值分别为-26.39- -21.17、-25.37- -24.15,3.68-6.61、3.50-4.01; 其中POM样品13C、15N组成存在明显的区域性差异(P0.05,P0.001)。食物网营养结构分析显示若尔盖湿地外源性碳源输入(优势陆生植物)对于维持该水域生态系统结构稳定有着十分重要的作用。若尔盖湿地水域食物网营养级介于2-3,暗示了其生态系统结构的相对脆弱性。同位素量化指标标记发现若尔盖湿地水生动物群落生态结构存在明显的空间异质性,可能与若尔盖湿地发达的畜牧产业相关。     

荒漠草原中间锦鸡儿林土壤养分效应对群落组分和多样性的影响

为系统认识荒漠草原中间锦鸡儿人工林草本植被特征及演变趋势对土壤养分的响应,采用空间代替时间的方法,以天然草地为对照,构建3个中间锦鸡儿林龄(16a、25a、37a)研究序列,调查不同中间锦鸡儿林灌丛内外土壤植被并分析二者之间的关系。结果表明:(1)随林龄增加,不同功能群植物重要值呈不同变化趋势,其中禾本科植物显著增加,豆科植物显著降低,杂草类植物先减小后增加。(2)α多样性分析显示,荒漠草原中间锦鸡儿人工林16a灌丛外物种丰富度(S)、香浓维纳指数(H)最高(P0.01);不同林龄均匀度指数(J)、优势度指数(P)未表现出明显的变化规律。(3)β多样性分析显示,Cody指数(βc)和Morisita-Horn(CMH)相似指数均表现出16a与25a、37a之间的物种差异较大、25a与37a之间物种差异相对较小、37a中间锦鸡儿林与天然草地物种组成相似,βws指数在25a中间锦鸡儿林最大。(4)人工中间锦鸡儿林存在显著的土壤碳氮"肥岛效应",其中土壤有机碳是不同林龄植物群落组成差异的显著性影响因子,土壤速效氮为不同林龄灌丛外植物多样性差异的显著性影响因子,但灌丛内植物多样性对土壤养分的响应并不显著。研究认为,中间锦鸡儿林土壤养分演替正效应提高了植物多样性,增强了植物物种的更替程度,但建植后期(37a)植物群落存在向天然草地演替趋势。