A general approach to the concept of varietal ability for synthetic varieties

Summary Genetic effects for varietal value are defined at the level of the population of k-parent synthetic varieties. A simple expression for the total variance among synthetics arises directly from these definitions. A general expression for the covariance among related synthetics is given. Genetic effects are also defined in a completely general way so as to allow for any system of testing and used to derive an expression for the genetic advance in recurrent selection for varietal value. Covariances between relatives evaluated in the system of testing and in varietal combination are introduced, allowing a direct expression of the genetic advance in varietal development when parents are selected either individually or in groups. Some general implications for plant breeding are outlined.Dedicated to Professor F.W. Schnell on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

辽河流域栽培稻对二化螟(Chilo suppressalis)的抗性

采用活体成株鉴定法测定了辽河流域主栽水稻品种对二化螟发育和为害的影响，同时测定了不同品种的主要形态特性、硅细胞数量和主要生化特性，评价这些品种对二化螟的抗性、分析其发生的可能机制。盐丰47对二化螟幼虫表现出较好的抗性，在沈农265上二化螟幼虫体重最小。在所测定的特性中，螟害株率与不同品种倒二叶叶角的自然对数之间具有显著的正相关关系，与稻茎Si含量之间具有显著的负线性相关关系；二化螟幼虫体重只与不同品种稻茎直径之间具有显著的正线性相关关系．研究结果对水稻品种杭件利用和未来水稻抗件育种的意义。     

DNA reassociation kinetics and hybridization in different angiosperms

Reassociation kinetics ofDaucus carota andPetroselinum crispum (Apiaceae), andDatura innoxia (Solanaceae) are presented. Hybridization of³H-labelled DNA of two carrot cultivars indicate strong qualitative homologies of DNA sequences; nevertheless, certain quantitative differences in some Cotregions seem to exist. However, homologous sequences ofDaucus DNA with DNA ofDatura, and, suprisingly, even with DNA ofPetroselinum are very restricted: between 8% in the repeated regions and ca. 7–9% in the unique regions.     

Responses of a sterile red fungus to soil types,wheat varieties and the presence of certain isolates ofStreptomyces

The biological activities of a sterile red fungus (SRF) capable of plant growth promotion and suppression of take-all disease were investigated in soils collected from Lancelin, Newdegate and Mt. Barker regions of Western Australia. Further, the effects of three wheat cultivars and the presence of two isolates ofStreptomyces on the biological activities of the SRF were tested using the Lancelin soil. The biological activities of the SRF were greatest in the Lancelin and Newdegate (wheat field) soils and with the wheat cultivar Gutha. In in vitro studies the soil streptomycetes tested showed either a significant increase in the exudate production by the SRF, which had antifungal and growth promoting properties, or an inhibition of growth of the fungus. Streptomycete A63 which stimulated the exudate production by the SRF in vitro, however, did not enhance disease protection in vivo. On the other hand, protection from root rot by the SRF in vivo was reduced in the presence of the streptomycete isolate Ax which is capable of inhibiting the growth of the SRF in vitro.     

量天尺根部内生真菌的多样性

为了解不同量天尺（火龙果）品种根部内生真菌菌群组成及多样性,采集GHL-1、GHL-2、GHL-3、ML-1和DL 5个量天尺品种健康根部样品,进行内生真菌分离,采用形态观察和ITS序列分析相结合的方法进行鉴定、归类。共分离得到内生真菌菌株117株,总体分离率为25.71%,分别隶属于13个属,其中Trichoderma、Fusarium、Chaetomium和Phoma为量天尺内生真菌的优势种群,分别占总菌株数的24.79%、35.04%、10.26%和10.26%;不同量天尺品种内生真菌的结构和组成存在一定差异,GHL-2、GHL-3和DL 3个品种中分离频率最高的内生真菌类群为Fusarium,GHL-1和ML-1分离频率最高的类群为Trichoderma;多样性分析结果反映出不同量天尺品种内生真菌菌群的多样性指数、丰富度指数和均匀度指数水平存在差异,其中GHL-2的3项指数均为最高。表明品种差异对内生真菌的组成和多样性均有影响。     

Demography of greenbug,Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on six barley cultivars

The greenbugs, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) were collected from the barley fields in Isfahan region of Iran. The aphid colonies were maintained on each of six barley cultivars including Karoon, Kavir, Zarjoo, Nosrat, Afzal and Rihane. All the experiments were done on the mentioned barley varieties at 26 ± 1°C, 60 ± 5% relative humidity (RH) and at a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. The shortest and longest developmental times were obtained on Nosrat 6.35 ± 0.11 and Rihane 6.75 ± 0.07 days, respectively. The survivorship of immature stages varied from 71.95% on Nosrat to 82.14% on Zarjoo. The total number of offsprings were 71.05 and 63.22 nymphs per female on Kavir and Karoon. The highest and lowest r _m values were observed on Kavir (0.336 ± 0.005) and Rihane (0.299 ± 0.008), respectively. The statistical analysis of jackknife did not show a significant influence of the tested barley varieties for the mean generation time and a similar procedure of difference for λ and r _m was estimated.     

Assessment of the potential of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) varieties as trap plants for management of Chilo partellus

Ten Napier grass [Pennisetum purpureum Schumach (Poaceae)] varieties, used in various parts of Kenya as animal fodder, were tested for their potential role as a trap crop in the management of the gramineous spotted stemborer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), through habitat manipulation. Oviposition preference and larval survival and development were determined for each of these varieties under laboratory and screen‐house conditions. Two‐choice tests revealed that seven of the varieties tested were preferentially chosen by gravid female moths for oviposition over a susceptible maize cv. Inbred A. Larval survival was significantly lower on the majority of the Napier grass varieties (about 10%) than on maize cv. Inbred A (about 60%). Similarly, larval development was about 2 weeks longer on the majority of the Napier grass varieties. It was concluded that four of the varieties tested (Bana, Ex‐Machakos, Gold Coast, and Ex‐Nyanza‐2) had potential for use as trap crops in C. partellus management because they were more preferred by the borer moths for oviposition and allowed minimal survival of the larvae. This minimal larval survival is desirable in the conservation of C. partellus natural enemies when the cultivated host plant is out of season.     

New and reassessed species of Strobilanthes (Acanthaceae) in the flora of China

Several problems in Strobilanthes Blume (Acanthaceae: Ruelliae) are clarified as a result of collaboration between Chinese and western botanists. Examination of pollen has permitted clear delimitation of four morphologically similar species, Strobilanthes szechuanica (Batalin) J. R. I. Wood & Y. F. Deng, S. labordei H. Lév., S. wakasana Wakasugi & Naruhashi and S. wilsonii J. R. I. Wood & Y. F. Deng, the latter described for the first time in this paper, although first collected more than a hundred years ago. A key is provided to help distinguish these species. The globose, echinulate pollen found in several species from China and Japan and assigned to the genus Championella by Bremekamp is shown by SEM photography to be distinct from other pollen hitherto regarded as the same. Three new species, S. abbreviata Y. F. Deng & J. R. I. Wood, S. lihengiae Y. F. Deng & J. R. I. Wood and S. vallicola Y. F. Deng & J. R. I. Wood are described. S. austinii C. B. Clarke ex W. W. Sm. is lectotypified to show that it is conspecific with S. lamiifolia (Nees) T. Anderson, a species demonstrating trans-Himalayan links. New combinations are made for four species as the authors recognize only a single genus, Strobilanthes within the Strobilanthinae as defined by Bremekamp. S. gongshanensis Tsui and S. aenobarba W. W. Sm. are shown to be only varieties of S. inflata T. Anderson. Illustrations are provided for all new species.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 150 , 369–390.     

Life table parameters of large white butterfly Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) on different cabbage varieties

Effect of four different cole crops (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis, Brassica oleracea var. capitata, Brassica oleracea var. italica and Brassica oleracea var. viridis) on biological parameters of the large white butterfly Pieris brassicae was evaluated at temperature 26 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% R. H. and a photoperiod of 16: 8 (L:D) h. The shortest larval and pupal period stages were recorded on B. oleracea var. botrytis (22.18 ± 0.20 days) and (13.32 ± 0.17 days), respectively. The life span was longest on B. oleracea var. viridis (60.43 ± 2.34 days) and shortest on B. oleracea var. botrytis (50.19 ± 0.51 days). The highest percentage of larval and pupal mortality was observed on B. oleracea var. viridis (74%), and (53%), respectively. We found that P. brassicae prefers B. oleracea var. botrytis and B. oleracea var. capitata among cole crops; it is due to the lowest percentage of larval and pupal mortality and the highest rate of life table parameters, including survival rate (lx) and life expectancy (ex), which makes them to be susceptible varieties to this pest. Contrary, a longer developmental time on B. oleracea var. viridis may be attributed to poor nutritional status and reduced survival of the cohort, resulting in high rates of mortality, which was partial resistance to pest. Knowledge of the biology and life table parameters of P. brassicae on different cole crops could be effective in detecting and monitoring the pest infestation, variety selection and crop breeding.     

不同定植期和摘心方案下5个品种(系)茶用菊生长和产量性状的变化

为了比较5个茶用菊新品种(系)的产量水平,并筛选出获得高产的定植期和摘心方案,以 ‘苏菊10号’、‘苏菊12号’、‘苏菊13号’、‘CH1-44’、‘CH5-13’ 为试材,采用三因素裂区试验设计,主区为早、中、晚3个定植期,裂区为5个新品种(系),裂裂区为4种摘心方案,比较不同栽培措施下植株生长和产量的差异.结果表明: 5个新品种(系)中,‘CH5-13’和‘苏菊13号’产量相对较高,‘CH1-44’和‘苏菊10号’产量次之,‘苏菊12号’产量最低;5月27日中期定植、二次摘心措施下5个新品种(系)的株高、冠幅、单株花数、花径、单花鲜质量、单株产量和单位面积产量均显著优于其他处理,较5月7日和6月13日定植分别提高16.0%和19.0%、18.0%和22.8%、36.7%和42.2%、11.1%和2.3%、13.0%和4.0%、47.8%和36.6%、48.5%和36.7%.随着摘心时间的推迟,株高显著降低,二次摘心株高较不摘心降低50.2%;二次摘心处理的冠幅、单株花数、单花鲜质量、单株产量和单位面积产量最高,较不摘心依次提高17.0%、29.1%、5.5%、34.0%和34.8%.品种(系)、定植期、摘心方案3个因素对茶用菊生长性状和产量影响作用的大小依次为:定植期>品种>摘心.