Transgenic Christmas Trees Regenerated from Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated Transformation of Zygotic Embryos Using the Green Fluorescence Protein as a Reporter

Mature zygotic embryos of recalcitrant Christmas tree species Fraser fir [Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir], and Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana L.k.), and Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana Mill.) were used as explants for Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain GV3850-mediated transformation using the gfp (green fluorescent protein) gene as a reporter. Factors including media used for inoculation and co-cultivation, concentrations of acetosyringone, and antibiotics in tissue culture media have been evaluated. A high transformation frequency was obtained on TE medium containing 50μM acetosyringone and using 500 mg/l timentin to eliminate bacteria. Transient gene expression was observed in all three Christmas tree species, but transgenic plants were only produced from Virginia pine. Stable integration and expression of transgenes in the plant genome of Virginia pine was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Southern and northern blot analyses. These results demonstrated that a stable transformation system has been established in Virginia pine and this system would provide an opportunity to transfer economically important genes into Christmas tree species.     

Floristic richness of three perhumid New Zealand alpine plant communities in comparison with other regions

Abstract Results are presented on vascular species richness in three representative alpine plant communities at 1040–1410 m on Mt Burns in the perhumid Fiordland region, a hotspot of alpine plant diversity, in south‐western South Island, New Zealand. Overall species richness was not dissimilar between the three communities in any of the eight plot sizes (mean values of 20.8–24.4 species in the largest plots of 100 m²), even though coefficients of floristic similarity were small (17.9; 23.5) between both low‐alpine communities (snow tussock‐shrubland and snow tussock grassland) and the high‐alpine cushion fellfield. Vascular species richness was generally similar to that in the few other oceanic New Zealand alpine communities for which data are available. The decline in richness from the low‐alpine to high‐alpine zones, revealed in more comprehensive records from two other regions with generally similar oceanic environments, was not recorded, indeed was reversed, on Mt Burns. Whether the recognized biodiversity hotspot of Fiordland has a generally richer high‐alpine flora than other regions in New Zealand needs further examination. The general pattern of alpine floristic richness in relation to elevation, in New Zealand, also prevails in most alpine regions abroad, usually under much more extreme continental environments. This pattern is usually ascribed to the associated decrease in temperature. Both the small size of the land mass and/or associated environmental conditions may be implicated but clarification awaits further data, preferably collected with standardized procedures.     

Natural and land-use history of the Northwest mountain ecoregions (USA) in relation to patterns of plant invasions

Although the Northwest currently has the least proportion of non-native invasive plant species relative to other regions of North America, invasions continue to increase into the mountainous areas of the region. Landscape structure, such as the variation found along the complex gradients of the Northwest mountain ecoregions, affects the expansion of invasive plant species and the invasibility of plant communities. Also, the history of land use and current use patterns affect the expansion of invasive plants, and many of the deteriorated environments in the region's mountains may invite and stabilize plant invasions. We examined the patterns of invasive plant diversity in Northwest mountain ecoregions, as derived from literature sources, to analyze which factors influence plant invasions. Our analysis found altered riparian systems and disturbed forests to be especially vulnerable to plant invasion. Conversely, alpine and wilderness areas are still relatively unaffected by invasive plants. Both riparian and alpine communities, while making up a relatively small area across Northwest mountain ecoregions, have significant ecological importance and deserve special protection from invasive plant introductions. Human settlement at low elevations and intense land use of upland forests will likely continue to enhance invasive plant introductions into Northwest mountain ecosystems. Knowledge of the relationships between biological and environmental factors, disturbance, and human land use will be critical for future management strategies that proactively locate, prevent, or contain plant invasions in the mountains of the Northwest.     

Local diversity of arable weeds increases with landscape complexity

Patterns of plant diversity are often related to local site conditions and to competitive interactions, but landscape context may also be important for local plant species richness. This is shown here by analysing the relationship between landscape complexity and local species richness of arable weeds in wheat fields. The fields were located in 18 landscapes characterised by a gradient in landscape complexity from structurally complex to structurally simple (39–94% arable land). We quantified local site conditions, field management intensity and landscape characteristics, and used principle component analyses to ordinate the environmental variables. The percentage of arable land was negatively correlated with perimeter–area ratio, habitat-type diversity and topographical heterogeneity, but landscape characteristics did not correlate with local site conditions and field management intensity. The number of plant species was mainly related to landscape characteristics and to a lesser extent to field management intensity (nitrogen fertilisation), whereas local soil characteristics did not contribute to the explanation of arable weed richness. In a geographic scale analysis using circular landscape sectors ranging from 1 km up to 5 km diameter, the predictive power of landscape complexity for local plant species richness was strongest at 2 km indicating a scale-dependent relationship between landscape context and plant species richness. Our results support the hypothesis that local plant species richness in arable fields is greatly influenced by processes operating at the landscape scale. Seed rain from ruderal source habitats and disturbed edges may be the most important underlying process.     

Plant invasions in treeless vegetation of the Australian Alps

A total of 128 invasive plant species have been recorded in treeless vegetation in the Australian Alps. Most of these are forbs and most are uncommon. Cover of invasive species is generally minimal unless there has been gross disturbance to natural vegetation and soils. Although there is a significantly positive correlation between invasive and native species diversity, suggesting that conditions that allow numerous native species to co-exist also permit more plant invasions, altitude is the most important determinant of invasive species diversity. Only 22 of the 128 species have been recorded above 1800 m. Some plant communities (e.g. those with high pH or relatively nutrient-rich soils), however, seem to be vulnerable to invasions regardless of altitude. Most invasive species appear to have been introduced unintentionally (e.g. as seed attached to vehicles, animals and humans) but a few were introduced to assist with revegetation of disturbed soils and for amenity plantings in ski resorts, and have subsequently established in native vegetation. Treeless communities in the Australian Alps are likely to face increasing pressure from invasive species as a result of global warming and continued introduction of non-native plants to ski resort gardens. Whilst it may be difficult to prevent invasive species of low elevations migrating to higher elevations as temperatures rise, the risk of invasion from garden plants could be minimised through regulation. Non-native plants in ski resort gardens pose a far greater risk than most invasive species currently present in the Alps because they have been chosen for their capacity to survive at high altitudes.     

Nurse effect of the native cushion plant Azorella monantha on the invasive non-native Taraxacum officinale in the high-Andes of central Chile

Positive interactions among native plant species are common in alpine habitats, particularly those where one species (nurse plant) generates microclimatic conditions that are more benign than the surrounding environment, facilitating the establishment of other species. Nonetheless, these microclimatic conditions could facilitate the establishment of non-native species as well. A conspicuous component of the alien alpine flora of the central Chilean Andes is the perennial herb Taraxacum officinale agg. (dandelion). In contrast to other alien species that are restricted to human-disturbed sites, T. officinale is frequently observed growing within native plant communities dominated by cushion plants. In this study we evaluated if T. officinale is positively associated with the cushion plant Azorella monantha. Via seedling survival experiments and gas-exchange measurements we also assessed the patterns of facilitation between cushions and dandelions, and explore the potential mechanisms of invasion by dandelions. T. officinale grows spatially positively associated with cushions of A. monantha. Survival of seedlings, as well as their net-photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductance, were higher within cushions than in open areas away from them, suggesting that the microclimatic modifications generated by this native cushion facilitates the establishment and performance of a non-native invasive species. Our results, as well as other recent studies, highlight the role of native communities in facilitating rather than constraining non-native plant invasions, particularly in stressful habitats such as alpine environments.     

药用植物细胞生物反应器技术的研究进展

利用植物细胞生物反应器技术生产植物有用代谢产物,近些年来取得了很大发展,但植物细胞悬浮培养的工业化应用仍受到来自生物及工程技术上的限制。针对植物细胞生物反应器技术的特点及其研究进展,提出在综合考虑生物学和工艺学两方面的基础上,选育药用植物稳定高产的优良细胞系是提高植物细胞生物反应器技术可行性的关键。     

Effects of Temperature Acclimation Pretreatment on the Ultrastructure of Mesophyll Cells in Young Grape Plants （Vitis vinifera L. cv. Jingxiu） Under Cross-Temperature Stresses

Leaves from annual young grape plants （Vitis vinifera L. cv. Jingxiu） were used as experimental materials. The ultrastructural characteristics of mesophyll cells in chilling-treated plants after heat acclimation （HA） and in heat-treated plants after cold acclimation （CA） were observed and compared using transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that slight injury appeared in the ultrastructure of mesophyll cells after either HA （38℃ for 10 h） or CA （8℃ for 2.5 d）, but the tolerance to subsequent extreme temperature stress was remarkably improved by HA or CA pretreatment. The increases in membrane permeability and malondialdehyde concentration under chilling （0℃） or heat （45℃） stress were markedly inhibited by HA or CA pretreatment. The mesophyll cells of plants not pretreated with HA were markedly damaged following chilling stress. The chloroplasts appeared irregular in shape, the arrangement of the stroma lamellae was disordered, and no starch granules were present. The cristae of the mitochondria were disrupted and became empty. The nucleus became irregular in shape and the nuclear membrane was digested. In contrast, the mesophyll cells of HA-pretreated plants maintained an intact ultrastructure under chilling stress. The mesophyll cells of control plants were also severely damaged under heat stress. The chloroplast became round in shape, the stroma lamellae became swollen, and the contents of vacuoles formed clumps. In the case of mitochondria of control plants subjected to heat stress, the outer envelope was digested and the cristae were disrupted and became many small vesicles. Compared with cellular organelles in control plants, those in CA plant cells always maintained an integrated state during whole heat stress, except for the chloroplasts, which became round in shape after 10 h heat stress. From these data, we suggest that the stability of mesophyll cells under chilling stress can be increased by HA pretreatment. Similarly, CA pretreatment can protect chloroplasts, mitochondria, and the nucleus against subsequent heat stress; thus, the thermoresistance of grape seedlings was improved. The results obtained in the present study are the first, to our knowledge, to offered cytological evidence of cross-adaptation to temperature stresses in grape plants.     

Polymer and sprinkler droplet energy effects on sugar beet emergence, soil penetration resistance, and aggregate stability

The rapid development of agricultural biotechnology and release of new transgenic plants for agriculture has provided many economic benefits, but has also raised concern over the potential impact of transgenic plants on the environment. Considerable research has now been conducted on the effects of transgenic plants on soil microorganisms. These effects include unintentional changes in the chemical compositions of root exudates, and the direct effects of transgenic proteins on nontarget species of soil microorganisms. Most studies to date suggest that transgenic plants that have been released cause minor changes in microbial community structures that are often transient in duration. However, due to our limited knowledge of the linkage between microbial community structure and function, more work needs to be done on a case-by-case basis to further evaluate the effects of transgenic plants on soil microorganisms and soil ecosystem functions. This review summarizes the results of a variety of experiments that have been conducted to specifically test the effects of transgenic plants on soil microorganisms, and particularly examines the types of methods that are being used to study microbial interactions with transgenic plants.     

Risk assessment for engineered bacteria used in biocontrol of fungal disease in agricultural crops

A plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR)Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 (WT) protects a number of crop plant species from damping-off caused by Pythium ultimum. A genetically modified, phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) producing variant, 23.10, carries on its chromosome a single copy of phzABCDEFG, under the control of the P tac constitutive promoter. The genetically modified biological control agent (GM-BCA), 23.10, has improved biocontrol activity when compared to wild type SBW25, and can effectively suppress Pythium spp. present at up to 100 times normal field infestations. GM-BCA inocula establish high population densities which persist well in the phytosphere of several crop plants including pea, wheat and sugar beet, effectively suppressed infection and promoted increase in total plant biomass. It also has an improved spectrum of activity over other plant phytopathogens such as Fusarium spp. Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, Phytophtora cinnamomi and Rhizoctonia solani. However in developing BCAs and in particular GMBCAs it is important to determine whether their use has any adverse effect in the environment. Any observed changes following inoculation with wild type BCA or GM BCA in microbial diversity (bacteria and fungi) were negligible when assessed by either quantitive selective plate count methods (CFU/g) or culture independent molecular assays (SSU rRNA based PCR-DGGE). Rhizosphere community diversity profiles (DGGE) in infected plants in the presence of inocula were highly similar to disease free systems. Histological assessment of the impact of inocula on established functional mycorrhizae associations were conducted on cores collected from an established field margin grassland pasture. No adverse impact on mycorrhizal colonization and root infection were recorded after addition of WT or GM-BCA bacterial inocula as a soil drench. This approach and the related culturable and culture independent methods have recorded only a minor, transient perturbation to microbial communities, but as far as we are aware this is the first direct demonstration that a functional, AFC producing GMM also has only a transient impact on mycorrhizal associations in established plant communities. In all instances studied the plant species, plant stage of development and disease, damping-off, had a greater impact on changes in rhizosphere diversity than the presence of an introduced GM bacterial inocula.