True potato seed quality

Summary Environmental influence on physiological factors that determine seed quality is discussed in relation to true potato seed (TPS). This review has been motivated by the need for high quality seed for the proper evaluation of TPS technology. The objectives of tuber production may not be in harmony with those required for the production of high quality TPS. The production of high quality TPS may be influenced by the stronger sink strength ability of fast developing tubers for assimilation of available nutrients. Earliness of tuber formation, which is needed in TPS progenitors, may tend to result in incomplete TPS development. Limiting conditions during seed development decrease the potential of the seed for field establishment. Seed vigor is the most important attribute of seed quality since it is essential for seedling performance under the adverse conditions commonly encountered during field development. The attractiveness of TPS technology for tropical areas, where potato production is limited by low-quality seed tuber availability, is decreased by the lack of seedling vigor and uniformity of seedlings derived from TPS. Current research indicates that considerable genetic improvement of TPS vigor and uniformity is possible. It is suggested that significant immediate improvement of TPS quality would result from agronomic techniques that reflect understanding of the physiological factors that influence the production and maintenance of high quality seed. Research areas needed to develop methodologies for TPS production with optimum expression of genotype are identified.Abbreviations TPS True potato seed - CIP International Potato Center, Lima, Peru - SD Short day - LD Long day - INIA Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Chile - GA Gibberellic acid     

Ultrastructure of the dimorphic pollen and stigmas of the cleistogamous species,Collomia grandiflora (Polemoniaceae)

Summary An ultrastructural study of the pollen and stigma of the dimorphic flowers in the cleistogamous speciesCollomia grandiflora reveals significant differences in cytoplasmic features in the pollen and wall features in the papillae. Both pollen types contain lipid and starch reserves, but the smaller CL (cleistogamous) pollen shows a much greater abundance of starch compared to the CH (chasmogamous) pollen. In addition to the papular size and shape differences between the two stigma types, there is a more extensive cuticular stretching and wall microfibrillar loosening over the CH papillar tip. There is no apparent pellicle on the cuticle surface of either type of papilla, only scattered lipidic deposits. It is proposed that these structural differences may contribute to the cross incompatibility between the two floral morphs.     

Relationship between gene expression and hybrid vigor in primary root tips of young maize (Zea mays L.) plantlets

Summary To provide an insight into the molecular basis of heterosis, we investigated gene expression in primary root tips of a heterotic maize hybrid (B73 × Mo17) and its parental lines (B73 and Mo17). This analysis was carried out (i) by differential plaque hybridization of a recombinant cDNA library made to poly(A) RNA isolated from B73 × Mo17 primary root tips, and (ii) by comparing with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis proteins synthesized in vitro in the rabbit reticulocyte system by poly(A) RNA isolated, at different stages of development, from the three genotypes. The results showed that there are sets of proteins and mRNAs that are differentially synthesized and expressed in the F₁ primary root tips in comparison to the parental lines. Moreover, results from the survey of 21 major in-vitrosynthesized polypeptide variants, from mRNAs of primary root tips of the parental lines and their F₁ hybrid, indicated that in seven instances hybrid proteins translated in vitro were more abundant or possibly new. In most of the remaining cases, hybrid spots were similar in intensity to the same protein produced by one of the two parental lines.     

Sabal palmetto seed size: causes of variation,choices of predators,and consequences for seedlings

High variation in seed size, as is common among angiosperms, may be maintained in a plant species when several factors select for seed size. Variation may also result from differences among adult plants, such as nutrient and water availability or the amount of photosynthetic tissue. In a study of Sabal palmetto seed ecology I found high seed size variation both within- and among-palms, and investigated possible factors maintaining this variation. Seed size was positively correlated with the number of leaves on parent palms. Larger seeds produced more vigorous seedlings that had greater leaf length, area, and mass, and greater root mass. Caryobruchus gleditsiae (Bruchidae: Coleoptera), whose larvae develop within palm seeds, preferentially oviposited on larger seeds, which in turn produced larger beetle offspring. By choosing the largest seeds available, ovipositing beetles thus affect both the quantity and the quality of seeds available for recruitment. I conclude that because beetle predation selects against large seeds, while larger seeds promote seedling vigor, the maintenance of seed size variation may be an adaptation of S. palmetto promoting both seed escape from predators and seedling vigor.     

Soaking injury and its reversal with polyethylene glycol in relation to respiratory metabolism in high and low vigor soybean seeds

Germination and growth of unaged (high vigor) and accelerated aged (41°C and 100% RH for 4 days; low vigor) soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Essex] seeds were severely reduced by soaking the seeds under water at 25°C during the first 1 to 8 h of imbibition. Soaking in 30% polyethylene glycol (PEG) did not injure high vigor seeds and improved the performance of low vigor seeds. Soaking in water increased subsequent RQ values and acetaldehyde and ethanol levels. In high vigor seeds, the increase in RQ lasted only 1 h after transfer to aerobic conditions, whereas in low vigor seeds the increase persisted into the second h. Increases in ethanol and acetaldehyde after soaking were more pronounced in low than in high vigor seeds. The data indicate that relatively short periods under water can cause water uptake injury to imbibing soybean seeds and that this injury can be avoided by osmotically reducing the initial rate of water uptake. Seeds whose vigor has declined during accelerated aging show an additional injury which increases with soaking duration and involves alterations in respiratory metabolism including accumulation of acetaldehyde and ethanol to high, and possibly toxic, levels during imbibition.     

What is a healthy ecosystem?

Rapid deterioration of the world's major ecosystems has intensified the need for effective environmental monitoring and the development of operational indicators of ecosystem health. Ecosystem health represents a desired endpoint of environmental management, but it requires adaptive, ongoing definition and assessment. We propose that a healthy ecosystem is one that is sustainable – that is, it has the ability to maintain its structure (organization) and function (vigor) over time in the face of external stress (resilience). Various methods to quantify these three ecosystem attributes (vigor, organization, and resilience) are discussed. These attributes are then folded into a comprehensive assessment of ecosystem health. A network analysis based ecosystem health assessment is developed and tested using trophic exchange networks representing several different aquatic ecosystems. Results indicate the potential of such an ecosystem health assessment for evaluating the relative health of similar ecosystems, and quantifying the effects of natural or anthropogenic stress on the health of a particular ecosystem over time.     

单穗升麻的柱头和雌配子体发育及胚胎发生

单穗升麻的雌蕊群由1～5枚离生心皮组成。子房单室,4～9枚倒生胚珠,双珠被,厚珠心;大孢子四分体呈线形或T形排列,合点端一个具功能。胚囊发育为蓼型。成熟胚囊中3个单核反足细胞,胞质浓密,在球形胚时期尚能观察到其退化痕迹。极核融合早,次生核位于合点端。胚胎发生为柳叶菜型;核型胚乳。雄蕊凋谢后1～2天花柱顶端腹缝线周围出现乳突细胞,雄蕊凋谢后3～5天延长成柱头毛。讨论了单穗升麻与南川升麻柱头可授期与花粉生活力的差异对传粉效果和结籽率的显著影响。     

干热处理对甜瓜种子活力和细菌性果斑病抑制能力的影响

以厚皮甜瓜品种‘哈密绿’种子为材料,在70℃、75℃和80℃温度下分别处理24h、48h和72h,研究不同干热处理对甜瓜种子活力萌发和生理生化指标变化及细菌性果斑病的防治效果。结果显示:(1)随着处理温度的升高和时间的延长,干热处理甜瓜种子发芽指标和成苗率显著下降,而70℃处理24h和48h对种子发芽指标(活力指数除外)和成苗率无显著影响。(2)与对照相比,干热处理种子胚芽中的SOD活性、可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量升高,在同一温度处理下,SOD活性和可溶性糖含量随着处理时间的延长基本呈增长趋势,脯氨酸含量则随着处理时间的延长呈下降趋势,POD和APX活性以及可溶性蛋白含量变化随着温度的升高和处理时间的延长呈下降趋势;与对照相比,胚芽中CAT活性在70℃处理下降低,而在75℃和80℃处理下升高,但其随着处理时间的延长呈下降趋势;胚芽中O-·2产生速率在70℃和75℃处理下与对照接近,而在80℃处理下随着处理时间的延长呈上升趋势,且均显著高于对照。(3)随着处理温度的升高和时间的延长,甜瓜接菌种子幼苗细菌性果斑病发病率较对照显著降低。研究表明,适宜干热处理温度和时间诱导甜瓜种子中抗氧化酶活性增强,渗透调节物质含量增加,超氧阴离子产生速率降低,种子活力和出苗率有效提高,‘哈密绿’种子有效、安全的干热处理组合为70℃、48h。     

分子探针定量和定位分析种子吸涨早期活性氧的生成

借助活性氧发光分子探针,利用荧光光谱和激光共聚焦扫描显微技术,在不同年份的玉米种子吸胀早期,对其胚、淀粉和糊粉层细胞活性氧生成进行了定量和亚细胞定位分析.结果表明:胚细胞产生的活性氧最多,糊粉层细胞次之,淀粉细胞几乎不产生活性氧;而且胚细胞产生的活性氧主要定位在细胞内,细胞膜上不产生:糊粉层细胞产生的活性氧主要定位在细胞膜.这一种子吸涨早期活性氧生成机制的揭示,为化学发光检测种子活力提供了生理依据.