Structural and functional insights into the modulation of the activity of a flax cytokinin oxidase by flax rust effector AvrL567-A

During infection, plant pathogens secrete effector proteins to facilitate colonization. In comparison with our knowledge of bacterial effectors, the current understanding of how fungal effectors function is limited. In this study, we show that the effector AvrL567-A from the flax rust fungus Melampsora lini interacts with a flax cytosolic cytokinin oxidase, LuCKX1.1, using both yeast two-hybrid and in planta bimolecular fluorescence assays. Purified LuCKX1.1 protein shows catalytic activity against both N6-(Δ2-isopentenyl)-adenine (2iP) and trans-zeatin (tZ) substrates. Incubation of LuCKX1.1 with AvrL567-A results in increased catalytic activity against both substrates. The crystal structure of LuCKX1.1 and docking studies with AvrL567-A indicate that the AvrL567 binding site involves a flexible surface-exposed region that surrounds the cytokinin substrate access site, which may explain its effect in modulating LuCKX1.1 activity. Expression of AvrL567-A in transgenic flax plants gave rise to an epinastic leaf phenotype consistent with hormonal effects, although no difference in overall cytokinin levels was observed. We propose that, during infection, plant pathogens may differentially modify the levels of extracellular and intracellular cytokinins.     

Comparison of leaf area index inversion for grassland vegetation through remotely sensed spectra by unmanned aerial vehicle and field-based spectroradiometer

Aims Remote sensing technology has been proved useful in mapping grassland vegetation properties. Spectral features of vegetation cover can be recorded by optical sensors on board of different platforms. With increasing popularity of applying unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to mapping plant cover, the study aims to investigate the possible applications and potential issues related to mapping leaf area index (LAI) through integration of remote sensing imagery collected by multiple sensors.     

不同密度樟树(Cinnamomum camphora)幼苗生长和叶片性状对氮磷添加的响应

人类活动改变了氮素从大气向陆地生态系统输入的方式和速率,进而导致森林生态系统养分变化和失衡。研究氮磷添加对不同密度樟树(Cinnamomum camphora)幼苗生长和叶片性状的影响,可以为全球氮磷沉降背景下亚热带地区樟树人工林的经营管理提供依据。本试验以1年生樟树幼苗为试验材料,选择氯化铵(NH_4Cl)作为氮肥模拟大气氮沉降,以二水合磷酸二氢钠(NaH_2PO_4·2H_2O)模拟磷添加。氮磷处理设置CK、施N、施P和施N+P 4个水平,种植密度设置10、20、40和80株·m~(-2 )4个水平。实验数据表明:N、P和N+P处理对樟树幼苗的苗高和地径均有促进作用,且N+P处理对幼苗生长的促进效果最好。N、P和N+P处理在整体上均能增加幼苗叶片的SPAD值,N和N+P处理均增加了幼苗叶片的比叶面积(SLA),而P处理减少了幼苗的SLA。随着种植密度的增大,N、P和N+P处理下樟树平均单株幼苗的苗高、地径、SPAD值呈现下降的趋势,各施肥处理下叶片的SLA变化规律不明显。密度和氮磷添加对叶片的SPAD值产生显著的交互作用。     

单芽狗脊营养器官的解剖学研究

采用离析法和石蜡切片法对单芽狗脊营养器官进行形态解剖研究。结果表明：单芽狗脊叶为异面叶,上、下表皮细胞均为不规则型,仅下表皮有气孔器分布;叶柄维管束有2~6个,自叶柄基部向上至叶轴仅有2个较大的维管束;根状茎薄壁细胞之间有多个维管束散生分布,且富含丰富的淀粉粒;皮层在根的横切结构中占比较大,木质部的发育方式为外始式;单芽狗脊珠芽的发育过程分为三个阶段,珠芽原基的形成期、珠芽原基的分化期、成熟期。     

江苏东山山地枇杷果实品质与果园土壤、叶片和果实矿质元素的关系

以江苏省苏州吴中区山地种植的24个枇杷果园的‘白玉’枇杷为研究对象,采用典型相关分析法研究土壤、叶片和果实矿质元素间及其与果实品质指标的相关性,应用多元线性回归分析法筛选影响枇杷果实品质的土壤、叶片和果实的主要矿质元素和影响叶片矿质元素的主要土壤矿质养分因子,为改善枇杷果实品质的果园营养管理技术提供理论参考依据。结果表明:(1)枇杷果实品质指标在不同果园间存在较大差异。(2)枇杷果实品质主要受其叶片和果实矿质元素含量影响,其中:枇杷单果质量与叶片中N含量呈显著正相关,与果实中N含量呈显著负相关;可溶性固形物含量与叶片中N和Mg元素含量呈极显著正相关,与果实中P、Mn元素含量呈极显著正相关,与果实中Ca、Mg元素含量呈极显著负相关;可滴定酸含量与叶片中N和Zn元素含量呈显著负相关,与果实中N、Mn元素含量呈显著负相关,与果实中Ca元素含量呈显著正相关。(3)果实品质指标与土壤矿质养分含量的相关性较弱,土壤矿质养分主要通过影响叶片矿质元素含量,进而间接影响果实品质,其中土壤中P、K、Ca、Mn、Cu元素对叶片中矿质元素含量影响较大。研究认为,提高土壤中P、K、Zn含量并减少土壤Ca含量是东山山地枇杷果园土壤管理的关键技术途径;提高叶片中N含量以及果实中N、P、Mn含量和减少果实中Ca、Mg含量是改善东山山地枇杷果实品质的关键措施。