Tomato genetic resources and activities in Poland

The vegetables germplasm conservation programme in Poland was started in 1982, activities under this program resulted up to this date in building up a tomato germplasm collection of 782 accessions that are available for distribution to breeders and researchers in Poland and abroad. Between 1990 and 1999 we distributed 651 tomato seed samples to breeders and scientists in Poland, and 95 samples to users abroad. During 1990 – 1999 the 652 tomato accessions were evaluated for 43 traits of plants and fruits. Work is in progress to expand the collection and identify useful characteristics of the collected material, and to make use of them in breeding and other research works.     

Genetic diversity and molecular fingerprinting of Prunus cerasus var. austera from central Italy

In central Italy, Prunus cerasus var. austera is cultivated as small stands or scattered trees in marginal areas for the production of jam and wine. Thanks to the healthy attributes of its products and its ability to grow in different environmental conditions, this variety has gained new interest in the development of marginal areas. We assessed the level of the genetic variability of P. cerasus var. austera germplasm from central Italy and identified a ‘core collection’ representative of the present genetic diversity. A total of 161 trees, morphologically identified as var. austera, and one tree, identified as var. caproniana were collected and genotyped by 14 SSRs. Two individuals provided by a commercial plant nursery, one of P. cerasus var. caproniana and one of P. cerasus var. austera, were used as control. Thirteen SSRs presented private alleles in austera. Seven individuals morphologically identified as austera revealed private alleles specific to caproniana. The PCoA and Bayesian clustering analysis showed a main genetic group including var. austera, while a second group included all the caproniana-like genotypes. A core collection of 31 trees (46% of austera genotypes) was selected. This study can be considered as a starting point for future investigations on this variety.     

Food collection and response to pheromones in an ant species exposed to electromagnetic radiation

We used the ant species Myrmica sabuleti as a model to study the impact of electromagnetic waves on social insects' response to their pheromones and their food collection. We quantified M. sabuleti workers' response to their trail, area marking and alarm pheromone under normal conditions. Then, we quantified the same responses while under the influence of electromagnetic waves. Under such an influence, ants followed trails for only short distances, no longer arrived at marked areas and no longer orientated themselves to a source of alarm pheromone. Also when exposed to electromagnetic waves, ants became unable to return to their nest and recruit congeners; therefore, the number of ants collecting food increases only slightly and slowly. After 180 h of exposure, their colonies deteriorated. Electromagnetic radiation obviously affects social insects' behavior and physiology.     

The Effect of Divalent Cations and Core Polymerase in the Abortive Initiation by Escherichia Coli Dna-Dependent Rna Polymerase Using Phosphonate Dinucleotide Primers

The effect of divalent Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺ cations on the elongation of ApU, UpA and their 3'-O- and 5'-O-phosphonylmethyl analogues by RNA polymerase holoenzyme to the corresponding trinucleo-tides on a poly(dA-dT) template was investigated. In contrast to Mg^z+ ions, Mn²⁺ ions enhance abortive trinucleotide synthesis. This effect is more pronounced with phosphonylmethyl analogues. The core enzyme cannot catalyze the elongation of either (2'-5') UpA or phosphonylmethyl analogues. The localization of the divalent cation activator, as well as the role of the σ subunit at the catalytic centre of the holoenzyme, is discussed.     

Disruptions of Ultradian and Circadian Organization of Core Temperature in a Rat Model of African Trypanosomiasis Using Periodogram Techniques on Detrended Data

Periodogram techniques on detrended data were used to determine the incidence of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection on the distribution of the core temperature of rats and the expression of temperature rhythms. In such an animal model, sudden episodic hypothermic bouts were described. These episodes of hypothermia are used here as temporal marks for the purpose of performing punctual comparisons on temperature organization. The experiment was conducted on 10 infected and 3 control Sprague‐Dawley rats reared under a 24 h light‐dark cycle. Core temperature was recorded continuously throughout the experiment, until the animals' death. Temperature distributions, analyzed longitudinally across the full duration of the experiment, exhibited a progressive shift from a bimodal to unimodal pattern, suggesting a weakening of the day/night core temperature differences. After hypothermic events, the robustness of the circadian rhythm substantially weakened, also affecting the ultradian components. The ultradian periods were reduced, suggesting fragmentation of temperature generation. Moreover, differences between daytime and nighttime ultradian patterns decreased during illness, confirming the weakening of the circadian component. The results of the experiments show that both core temperature distribution and temperature rhythm were disrupted during the infection. These disruptions worsened after each episode of hypothermia, suggesting an alteration of the temperature regulatory system.     

Studies on beef heart ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase. Quantification and distribution of the core proteins as determined by radioimmunoassay

Core proteins I (M_r 50 000) and II (M_r 47 000) were isolated from beef heart ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase, and radioimmunoassays were developed for both. Immunoreplica experiments show that antisera against each protein react with a single peptide in both isolated Complex III and in mitochondria. Thus, core proteins are not aggregated forms of smaller peptides as suggested for the yeast protein (Jeffrey, A., Power, S. and Palmer, G., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. (1979) 86, 271–277). Core proteins were quantitated in Complex III and in mitochondria using radioimmunoassay. Approx. 2 mol core protein II per mol core protein I were found. A molar ratio of 1 : 2 : 2 : 1 is suggested for core protein I : core protein II : cytochrome b : cytochrome c₁. Radioimmunoassay shows that the antibodies react as extensively with Complex III-bound core protein as with the isolated core proteins. In spite of this, the antibodies do not inhibit electron transport in submitochondrial particles or isolated Complex III, and they have no oligomycin- or uncoupler-like effects on submitochondrial particles oxidizing NADH. The combined results from radioimmunoassay and immunoreplica experiments strongly suggest, however, that core proteins are specifically associated with Complex III in the mitochondria, implying a specific role there.     

论植物园的活植物收集

对植物园活植物收集评价、引种中的取样方法和迁地保护种群大小等问题进行了论述.对活植物收集的评价包括科学性和代表性,最具有科学意义的是经过调查从野外收集的有完整记录的材料,其次是从植物园等机构 引种的有记录的材料,再次是从各地引种的基本上无记录的材料.根据收集物的代表性可分为具有保护意义的收集和保护性收集.取样技术主要针对保护性收集而言,要求收集样本能涵盖该物种95%以上、频率大于5%的等位基因.活植物收集种群的大小应从科学性和现实性二方面来考虑,对植物园里大量的具有保护意义的收集,其种群大小为乔木10～20株,灌木40～50株,草本100～200株;对于保护性收集则至少为乔木50～100株,灌木200株或更多,草本300～500株以上.另外,对当前植物园活植物收集圃建设的一些重要问题也进行了探讨.     

Border and ecotone detection by vegetation composition along forest‐savanna transects in Ivory Coast

Abstract. Question: How do properties of different vegetation components vary along ecotones of semi‐deciduous forest islands, and can the depth of edge influence (DEI) of the components be detected using a novel combination of analyses? Location: Comoé National Park (CNP), NE Ivory Coast. Methods: Along eight transects at semi‐deciduous forest islands tree individuals > 20 cm DBH were mapped. At one transect, tree and shrub individuals down to 1 cm DBH were measured and cover of species was estimated. Split moving window dissimilarity analysis (SMWDA) and moving window regression analysis (MWRA) were combined to detect statistical significance of borders in multivariate vegetation data along continuous transects, to determine the width of associated ecotones, and, thus, the DEI towards the forest interior. Results: For trees > 20 cm DBH, a distinct boundary formation was detected, dominated by the semi‐fire resistant tree species Anogeissus leiocarpus. The median of DEI towards the forest interior was 55 m. Ecotone detection with all species present revealed an interlocked sequence of ecotones for grasses, herbs, woody climbers, shrubs and trees, with each of these ecotones being narrower than the overall ecotone. DEI ranged from 10 m for grasses up to 120 m for trees and shrubs. Conclusions: The coherent set of analyses applied proved to be an objective method for detecting borders and the width of associated ecotones. The patterns found may be explained by successional processes at the forest‐savanna border. The DEI measured for the forest islands in the nearly undisturbed semi‐natural system of the CNP is of relevance to concepts of core‐area analysis and the protection of forest interior species in semi‐deciduous forests in tropical West Africa.     

Herbarium collections and field data-based plant diversity maps for Burkina Faso

A map of plant species diversity in Burkina Faso is presented based on field observations and specimen data from the Ouagadougou University Herbarium (OUA) and the Herbarium Senckenbergianum (FR). A map of collecting intensity and field observations illustrates centres of botanical research activities in Burkina Faso. To overcome problems associated with biased sampling intensity, distributions of species have been modelled and extrapolated to maps of vascular plant diversity, life forms and diversity of four selected families (Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Dioscoreaceae and Rubiaceae). The area of most intensive collection and observation is around Gorom‐Gorom and Fada N’Gourma. Modelled diversity generally increases towards the south, as does the proportion of phanerophytes, lianas and hemicryptophytes, while the opposite trend is observed for therophytes. Poaceae diversity is highly correlated with total vascular plant diversity, making the family especially suitable as an indicator for overall plant diversity. Cyperaceae are rather evenly distributed throughout the country, Dioscoreaceae are restricted to the Sudanian Zone. Rubiaceae have their highest diversities in the very south. Our approach can be transferred to areas with a similar database, certainly to other areas within West Africa. Future research should focus on distribution data for rare species, enabling our approach to evaluate the West African system of protected areas.