The Root Cap Cuticle: A Cell Wall Structure for Seedling Establishment and Lateral Root Formation

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Seed mucilage interacts with soil microbial community and physiochemical processes to affect seedling emergence on desert sand dunes

Seedling emergence is a critical stage in the establishment of desert plants. Soil microbes participate in plant growth and development, but information is lacking with regard to the role of microbes on seedling emergence. We applied the biocides (captan and streptomycin) to assess how seed mucilage interacts with soil microbial community and physiochemical processes to affect seedling emergence of Artemisia sphaerocephala on the desert sand dune. Fungal and bacterial community composition and diversity and fungal–bacterial interactions were changed by both captan and streptomycin. Mucilage increased soil enzyme activities and fungal–bacterial interactions. Highest seedling emergence occurred under streptomycin and mucilage treatment. Members of the phyla Firmicutes and Glomeromycota were the keystone species that improved A. sphaerocephala seedling emergence, by increasing resistance of young seedlings to drought and pathogen. Seed mucilage directly improved seedling emergence and indirectly interacted with the soil microbial community through strengthening fungal–bacterial interactions and providing favourable environment for soil enzymes to affect seedling emergence. Our study provides a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory mechanisms by which soil microbial community and seed mucilage interactively promote successful establishment of populations of desert plants on the barren and stressful sand dune.     

Seed germination time course and seedling development of Clintonia udensis Trautv. et Mey. (Uvulariaceae): a typical cool temperate woodland perennial in Japan

Seed germination time course and seedling development mechanisms of Clintonia udensis Trautv. et Mey. (Uvulariaceae) were investigated under experimental condition. Seed germination tests were carried out under four thermal regimes, i. e. 10, 15, 20, and 25°C, after seeds were harvested, and stored at 5°C in wet conditions for 6 months under light‐exposed or shaded conditions. Approximately 63% of all seeds produced had the potential to germinate beyond 4 years and 6 months. The developmental process after germination continued for over 2 years. Phase I: the radicle first breaks through the seed coat 2 years after fructification. Phase II: the radicle becomes much larger with a hypocotyle. Phase III: part of the cotyledon elongates over 20 mm. Phase IV: the plumule further develops in two steps, i. e. the plumule is first formed, while cotyledon is disappearing, and then the plumule appears with second and third radicles, growing with cotyledon.     

Current status of genetic engineering in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L): an assessment

Abstract

Cotton is considered as the foremost commercially important fiber crop and is deemed as the backbone of the textile industry. The productivity of cotton crop, worldwide, is severely hampered by the occurrence of pests, weeds, pathogens apart from various environmental factors. Several beneficial agronomic traits, viz., early maturity, improved fiber quality, heat tolerance, etc. have been successfully incorporated into cotton varieties employing conventional hybridization and mutation breeding. Crop losses, due to biotic factors, are substantial and may be reduced through certain crop protection strategies. In recent years, pioneering success has been achieved through the adoption of modern biotechnological approaches. Genetically engineered cotton varieties, expressing Bacillus thuringiensis cry genes, proved to be highly successful in controlling the bollworm complex. Various other candidate genes responsible for resistance to insect pests and pathogens, tolerance to major abiotic stress factors such as temperature, drought and salinity, have been introduced into cotton via genetic engineering methods to enhance the agronomic performance of cotton cultivars. Furthermore, genes for improving the seed oil quality and fiber characteristics have been identified and introduced into cotton cultivars. This review provides a brief overview of the various advancements made in cotton through genetic engineering approaches.     

Resurgence of the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera in northern Greece associated with insecticide resistance

Helicoverpa armigera has been controlled effectively with chemical insecticides in the major cotton crop production areas of northern Greece for many years. However, a resurgence of the pest was observed in 2010, which significantly affected crop production. During a 4‐year survey (2007 – 2010), we examined the insecticide resistance status of H. armigera populations from two major and representative cotton production areas in northern Greece against seven insecticides (chlorpyrifos, diazinon, methomyl, alpha‐cypermethrin, cypermethrin, gamma‐cyhalothrin and endosulfan). Full dose‐response bioassays on third instar larvae were performed by topical application. Lethal doses at 50% were estimated by probit analysis and resistance factors (RF) were calculated, compared to a susceptible laboratory reference strain. Resistance levels were relatively moderate until 2009, with resistance ratios below 10‐fold for organophosphates and carbamates and up to 16‐fold for the pyrethroid alpha‐cypermethrin. However, resistance rose to 46‐ and 81‐fold for chlorpyrifos and alpha‐cypermethrin, respectively in 2010, when the resurgence of the pest was observed. None of the known pyrethroid resistance mutations were found in the pyrethroid‐resistant insects. The possible association between resistance and H. armigera resurgence in Greece is discussed.     

Una Iscrizione Commeaiorativa Già Esistente All'Orto Botanico di Padova

Abstract

The use of the mini-plug system for the production of container seedlings is relatively new, so there is little information on the potential impact of method on the quality of planting stock. The objective in this study was to evaluate the impact of mini-plug growing method on quality of Pinus brutia seedlings, and compare the performance of this stock type with that of standard container nursery stock. Seedling survival, growth and physiological status (root growth potential, shoot electrolyte leakage) were measured after pre-cultivation in mini-plugs, at the end of the first growing season in standard containers and after field transplanting. Our results showed that mini-plug transplants of P. brutia seedlings performed as well as the standard planting stock currently used in nursery operation in Greece. For the pre-cultivation of P. brutia seedlings in mini-plugs, the use of peat and a density of 2000 mini-plugs m^?2 are recommended.     

棉花抗枯萎病相关ERF-B3亚组转录因子的克隆与表达

以拟南芥ERF-B3亚组转录因子的AP2/ERF结构域为探针,利用NCBI中的棉花(Gossypium hirsutum)EST数据库,通过电子克隆结合RT-PCR方法,从枯萎病菌诱导后的高抗枯萎病品种‘中棉所12’克隆到1个与抗枯萎病相关的ERF-B3亚组转录因子基因GhB301。序列分析结果显示,GhB301基因cDNA全长593 bp,开放阅读框384 bp,编码127个氨基酸,含有一个保守的AP2/ERF结构域。实时荧光定量PCR检测该基因的表达显示,枯萎病菌诱导后,GhB301基因在棉花根中、抗病品种中优势表达;在乙烯、水杨酸、干旱、低温及高盐的诱导下表达量均发生变化。研究结果表明,GhB301基因可能参与了棉花对病原菌、激素及非生物胁迫的应答反应。     

NaCl胁迫对栓皮栎幼苗生长及其生理响应

为了研究栓皮栎幼苗期对盐胁迫的生理耐受特性,选择2年生栓皮栎实生幼苗为材料,在盆栽条件下,设置NaCl盐分梯度(0%、0.4%、0.6%、0.8%),系统测定分析栓皮栎幼苗在不同盐胁迫梯度和胁迫时间下的形态生长指标以及保护酶活性、脯氨酸含量、根系活力等各项生理指标。结果显示:(1)随着盐胁迫程度的加剧,栓皮栎幼苗各部分器官鲜重和干重以及株高、基径和一级侧根长均先升高后降低,而主根长度逐渐增加,叶片数逐渐减少,并在重度胁迫下达到显著水平。(2)随着盐胁迫时间的延长,栓皮栎幼苗的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性均呈先升高后降低的趋势,但变化时间和幅度不同;丙二醛(MDA)含量则日益增加,且胁迫度越大增加越显著。(3)栓皮栎幼苗叶片的渗透调节物质脯氨酸和可溶性蛋白含量在低盐胁迫下不断升高,高盐胁迫下先升高后降低;而可溶性糖的含量则随时间延长和胁迫加剧显著增加。(4)随NaCl浓度的提高,幼苗根系活力值先增后减,叶绿素a和叶绿素b含量均呈下降趋势。研究表明,在轻、中度NaCl胁迫下,栓皮栎幼苗通过提高保护酶活性、增加渗透调节物质等策略缓解盐胁迫伤害,表现出一定的耐盐潜力;而在高浓度盐分胁迫下幼苗受到伤害,自我调节能力降低,导致保护酶活性、可溶性蛋白含量和根系活力等下降。     

龙舌草果实和种子及其种苗发育形态学研究

采用形态观察和GMA切片相结合的方法,对龙舌草果实、种子及种苗发育的形态结构进行解剖学观察研究,探讨龙舌草个体发育中表现出的与水生环境相适应的结构特征.结果显示:(1)龙舌草由佛焰苞包被的果实通常由6心皮构成,心皮边缘不完全愈合,层片状胎座,水面形成的幼嫩果实被果柄拉入水中发育成熟;种子具毛,萌发时苗端先于根端发育,在胚根分化之前先出现单细胞的下胚轴毛,随后胚根发育为初生根,并在真叶的节处发育出不定根;果皮和叶肉内的维管束仅由少数细胞构成,且细胞分化不明显,有发达的通气道;叶表皮无角质层,细胞外凸,叶肉细胞数量少;表明龙舌草的结构特征与水生环境相适应.(2)研究还发现,龙舌草的种子无胚乳,下胚轴贮存种苗发育需要的大量淀粉粒,以及初生根和不定根均有根毛的结构,且与泽泻科的慈菇和泽泻的结构一致,证明水鳖科与泽泻科具有较近的亲缘关系.     

去除基部果枝对不同基因型棉花部分早衰特征的影响

以9个不同基因型棉花(GossypiumL.)为材料,通过去除基部2个果枝调节源库比例,研究在生殖生长初期调节源库比例对不同基因型棉花部分早衰特征的影响。结果显示:(1)在生殖生长初期调节源库比例对供试9个棉花品种的冠层底部光合有效辐射(TPAR)、叶面积系数(LAI)、不同结铃期所结棉铃对位果枝叶SPAD值变化率、棉铃脱落率、红茎比率及单铃重均有较大的影响,处理间差异达到显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01)水平,且随着生育进程的推进,去除基部果枝对延缓早衰的作用更为显著。(2)对于不同基因型棉花,改变生殖生长初期源库比例延缓早衰的效应存在一定差异,去除基部果枝对于‘冀杂999’、‘国抗34’和‘荃银2号’3个品种早衰现象的延缓效应最好,而‘川杂棉33’居中,‘鲁HB标杂-1’等5个品种延缓效应较差。研究表明,在生殖生长初期去除基部果枝对棉花早衰有延缓作用,其效应大小在棉花基因型间存在差异。