Patch clamping corn protoplasts

Summary Cell wall regeneration around protoplasts from Black Mexican Sweet corn suspension cells has been observed using scanning electron microscopy. A coherent array of cellulose microfibrils can be seen around protoplasts two hours after they have been isolated. This array does not form in the presence of 15 mg/l Congo Red. The frequency and electrical resistance of seals made between patch clamp pipettes and the plasmalemma around corn protoplasts is not significantly affected by the presence or absence of these fibrils (p₀=0.75); it remains relatively low. Some single channel records from BMS corn protoplasts are shown.     

Cyclopiazonic acid in combination with aflatoxins,zearalenone and ochratoxin A in Indonesian corn

The mycotoxin, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), was detected at concentrations as high as 9 ppm in 21 of 26 corn samples from a Bogor poultry feedmill. This is the first demonstration of the natural occurrence of CPA in Indonesia. CPA was always accompanied by other mycotoxins, especially aflatoxins, suggesting that the interactive toxicity of these mycotoxins to poultry should be investigated.     

Factors affecting pathogenicity of NPV preparations to the corn earworm,Heliothis armigera

Pathogenicity ofHeliothis nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HSNPV) to the corn earworm,Heliothis armigera, was studied using 3 different inoculative methods. The LD50 values of 4^th-instar larvae inoculated with corn-fed, diet-fed and inoculum-imbiding method were 1.85×10⁶, 2.55×10⁵ and 1,22×10³ PIBs/larva, respectively. The inoculum-imbiding is more sensitive and convenient for inoculatingH. armigera with HSNPV. The HSNPV product, Elcar^®, was highly pathogenic toH. armigera, the LD50 values of 2^nd-, 3^rd- and 4^th-instar larvae being 27, 83 and 1,221 PIBs/larva, respectively, as measured by the inoculum-imbiding method. The mortality of 4^th-instar larvae caused by HSNPV was increased, but the incubation period was shortened with higher incubation temperatures. However, the high temperature at 35°C caused a lower mortality, and a prolongation of the median lethal time (LT50). Stability and persistence of HSNPV preparations were better in January–February and April–May than in June–July and October–November periods when sprayed on corn silks under field conditions. The HSNPV was inactivated by weak alkaline dew (pH 8.1) collected from soybean leaves, but it remained active on those from corn, tomato and asparagus with pH 7.2–7.3. The artificial heavy rainfall of 242 mm/h for 30 min did not wash off HSNPV preparations sprayed on the corn silks.     

Dietary modulation of α-amylase activity in eight geographical strains of Sitophilus oryzae and Sitophilus zeamais

Rank transformation of specific activity values of -amylase across four strains of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and four strains of S. zeamais Motschulsky indicates that levels of these predominant enzymes are highest in adults feeding on hulled barley or long-grain brown rice. Intermediate activity levels are found in weevils feeding on yellow corn (maize) and lowest levels are found in wheat-fed weevils. Although extracts prepared from barley contain inhibitory activity against two purified isoamylases from S. oryzae, levels of the naturally-occurring -amylase inhibitors against these two enzymes are about 2.2-fold and 6.1-fold, respectively, more concentrated in wheat. Ingestion of these amylase inhibitors and formation of an inactive enzyme:inhibitor complex with previously secreted amylase may account for the lower activity of amylase in weevils of both species feeding on wheat. Amylase levels across all strains feeding on a given diet are about 2-fold higher in S. oryzae than in S. zeamais. Significant differences in activity levels were also found between strains in both species. Since -amylase is a predominant digestive hydrolase in these species, the degree to which cereal diets affect amylase levels may indicate their suitability as potential hosts.

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Résumé La transformation de rang des valeur d'activité spécifique de l'-amylase de 4 souches de S. oryzae et de 4 souches de S. zeamais montre que les niveaux les plus élevés de ces enzymes prédominantes s'observent chez les adultes nourris d'orge mondé ou de riz brun á grains longs. Des niveaux intermédiaires d'activité ont été obtenus chez les insectes élevés sur maïs jaune, et les niveaux les plus faibles chez ceux élevés sur blé. Bien que les extraits préparés à partir d'orge présentent une activité inhibitrice de deux isoamylases purifiées de S. oryzae, les niveaux des inhibiteurs naturels -amylase de ces deux enzymes sont environ respectivement 2,2 et 6,1 fois plus concentrés dans le blé. L'ingestion de ces inhibiteurs d'amylase et la formation d'un complexe enzyme inactive/inhibiteur avec l'amylase secrétée antérieurement, peut rendre compte de la plus faible activité de l'amylase chez les charançons consommant du blé. Le niveau d'amylase de S. oryzae est 2 fois plus élevé que celui de S. zeamais pour toutes les souches élevées sur un régime donné. Des niveaux d'activité significativement différents ont été trouvés suivant les souches pour chacune des deux espèces. Puisque l'amylase est la principale hydrolase digestive de ces espèces, l'intensité de la modification des teneurs en amylase par la consommation de céréales peut indiquer leur adéquation comme hôtes potentiels.

     

Freie aminosäuren in blättern ingezüchteter landsorten und in hybridsorten von mais

Free amino acids in leaves of inbred corn varieties and of corn hybrids have been studied during development. Although the composition of the amino acid pool in corn hybrids is not fundamentally different from that in inbred varities, there are a few significant differences. Generally hybrids accumulate larger pools than do inbred varities in early stages of development. In hybrids the amino acid pool is used up more rapidly than in inbred varities. At the same time growth of hybrids is more vigorous.     

微贮用植物乳杆菌固定化菌剂的制备

乳酸菌与纤维素降解菌因其可防止微贮饲料酸败、增加秸秆饲料的营养价值等优点,在秸秆微贮过程中起重要作用。但由于乳酸菌的繁殖会抑制纤维素降解菌的活性,如何实现微贮过程中两种微生物分时发挥功能是解决上述问题的关键。文中利用固定化技术将乳酸菌制备成含有玉米秸秆粉的固定化菌剂以达到缓释的目的。首先制作固定化空白小球得出复合固定化载体成球的最佳浓度,利用玉米芯吸附植物乳杆菌S1得到复合固定化载体,以对S1的包埋率、成球效果等为指标,通过对比两种固定化方法 (包埋法与包埋-交联法),得到固定化植物乳杆菌S1的最佳条件。研究表明,使用6%PVA+0.4%SA+0.3%CMC-Na进行包埋-交联时成球效果最好,使用1.2%SA+0.5%CMC-Na进行直接包埋时成球效果最好。通过对比5种固定化工艺,将1.2%SA+0.5%CMC-Na和吸附玉米粉组成的固定化载体混合物逐滴滴入4%氯化钙中直接包埋24 h得到的固定化小球其机械强度以及包埋率均优于其他工艺。因此,利用玉米芯吸附-海藻酸钠包埋的方法可以有效提高植物乳杆菌包埋效率,为使用固定化技术制备微贮饲料菌剂奠定基础。     

玉米秸秆生物炭制备及结构特性分析

为了高效、经济、环保地解决华北平原地区玉米秸秆处置问题并寻求有效途径,该研究以玉米秸秆为原料,采用限氧裂解法在不同温度(200℃、300℃、400℃、500℃)下制备生物炭,并对生物炭的热解动力学、结构形貌、元素组成、比表面积、孔径分布、官能团等理化特征进行了分析表征。结果表明:不同裂解温度制备的生物炭具有不同的差热曲线,其官能团的组成也存在差异,这表明了样品中不同生物质的热解反应过程。随着热解温度的升高,生物炭产率、氢和氧含量下降,同时H/C和(O+N)/C比值也降低,而碳和氮含量却升高,说明生物炭芳香性增强,亲水性和极性减弱,性质趋于稳定。生物炭热重曲线和差热曲线分为三个过程,热解温度高时失重比例低,曲线趋向平缓。生物炭的比表面积、微孔比表面积、中孔体积和微孔体积随着热解温度的升高而增大,但最可几孔径却减小,吸附能力增强。综上所述,400℃的温度制备生物炭,其产率相对较高、结构最稳定、吸附性能最佳,有助于最大程序的利用农业废弃物资源、降低耗能,提高农产品附加值。     

Targeted subfield switchgrass integration could improve the farm economy,water quality,and bioenergy feedstock production

Progress on reducing nutrient loss from annual croplands has been hampered by perceived conflicts between short‐term profitability and long‐term stewardship, but these may be overcome through strategic integration of perennial crops. Perennial biomass crops like switchgrass can mitigate nitrate‐nitrogen (NO₃‐N) leaching, address bioenergy feedstock targets, and – as a lower‐cost management alternative to annual crops (i.e., corn, soybeans) – may also improve farm profitability. We analyzed publicly available environmental, agronomic, and economic data with two integrated models: a subfield agroecosystem management model, Landscape Environmental Assessment Framework (LEAF), and a process‐based biogeochemical model, DeNitrification‐DeComposition (DNDC). We constructed a factorial combination of profitability and NO₃‐N leaching thresholds and simulated targeted switchgrass integration into corn/soybean cropland in the agricultural state of Iowa, USA. For each combination, we modeled (i) area converted to switchgrass, (ii) switchgrass biomass production, and (iii) NO₃‐N leaching reduction. We spatially analyzed two scenarios: converting to switchgrass corn/soybean cropland losing >US$ 100 ha^?1 and leaching >50 kg ha^?1 (‘conservative’ scenario) or losing >US$ 0 ha^?1 and leaching >20 kg ha^?1 (‘nutrient reduction’ scenario). Compared to baseline, the ‘conservative’ scenario resulted in 12% of cropland converted to switchgrass, which produced 11 million Mg of biomass and reduced leached NO₃‐N 18% statewide. The ‘nutrient reduction’ scenario converted 37% of cropland to switchgrass, producing 34 million Mg biomass and reducing leached NO₃‐N 38% statewide. The opportunity to meet joint goals was greatest within watersheds with undulating topography and lower corn/soybean productivity. Our approach bridges the scales at which NO₃‐N loss and profitability are usually considered, and is informed by both mechanistic and empirical understanding. Though approximated, our analysis supports development of farm‐level tools that can identify locations where both farm profitability and water quality improvement can be achieved through the strategic integration of perennial vegetation.