Nitrogen nutrition,carbon accumulation and δ13C of Cyclopia and Aspalathus species in different settings of the Cape fynbos,South Africa

Aims Cyclopia and Aspalathus are legumes harvested for production of Honeybush and Rooibos tea, respectively. Farmers grow these species from either seeds or cuttings over several years with continuous annual harvesting. The aims of this study were to assess the effect of plant age, plant species, toposequence, planting material and farmer practice on nitrogen (N) nutrition and water-use efficiency of two Cyclopia and Aspalathus species in the Cape fynbos.Methods The study was conducted using plants from Koksrivier farm located near Gansbaai (33° S 18° E, 39 m.a.s.l), and at Kanetberg farm near Barrydale (33° S 21° E, 830 m.a.s.l). The 15 N natural abundance technique was used to determine N 2 fixation, carbon (C) assimilation and δ 13 C in shoot of Cyclopia and Aspalathus species.Important findings Older tea plantations of C. genistoides and C. subternata derived more N from fixation and exhibited greater water-use efficiency than younger plants. At Koksrivier, Aspalathus caledonensis and A. aspalathoides showed greater water-use efficiency and derived more N from fixation than Cyclopia genistoides. Annual harvesting of C. genistoides decreased N 2 fixation. At Kanetberg, C. subternata plants on the upper and middle slopes derived more N from atmospheric fixation than those on the lower slope. C. subternata plants grown from seedlings recorded greater %Ndfa than cuttings. N 2 fixation and water-use efficiency of Cyclopia was affected by age, slope and planting material. Further, symbiotic N nutrition and water-use efficiency of Cyclopia and Aspalathus were related.     

Symbiotic performance of selectedCyclopia Vent. (honeybush) rhizobia under nursery and field conditions

Three newly selected strains ofCyclopia rhizobia together with an inoculant strain, which has never been tested in the field with adequate experimental design, was assessed under both nursery and field conditions for symbiotic performance. The three new test strains were initially selected for their superior N₂-fbcing abilities under glasshouse conditions, and then evaluated in this study for field performance.Cyclopia subternata Vogel andCyclopia genistoides (L.) R. Br., which have the potential for producing high quality honeybushtea, were used as host plants in both the nursery and field studies. The effect of seedling inoculation at the nursery level was also examined for the four test strains under nursery conditions. The inoculation of cuttings under nursery conditions produced.significant increases in shoot biomass, shoot %N and shoot N content. More specifically, inoculatingC. subternata with strains UCT44b and UCT61a significantly increased shoot biomass and N content relative to strain PPRICI3. Strains UCT44b and UCT61a also showed better nodulation withC. subternata cuttings compared to strains UCT40a and PPRICI3. Field inoculation ofCyclopia increased all growth parameters relative to the uninoculated control, except for leaf %N.Cyclopia subternata inoculated with strains UCT44b, UCT40a and UCT61a produced significantly lower δ¹⁵N values than the uninoculatedC. subtemata reference plant. Using the¹⁵N natural abundance method,C. subternata was estimated to be gaining about half of its N from N₂ fixation, whileC. genistoides obtained less than half of its N from symbiotic nutrition.     

Cyclopia Extracts Act as ERα Antagonists and ERβ Agonists,In Vitro and In Vivo

Hormone replacement therapy associated risks, and the concomitant reluctance of usage, has instigated the search for new generations of estrogen analogues that would maintain estrogen benefits without associated risks. Furthermore, if these analogues display chemo-preventative properties in breast and endometrial tissues it would be of great value. Both the selective estrogen receptor modulators as well as the selective estrogen receptor subtype modulators have been proposed as estrogen analogues with improved risk profiles. Phytoestrogen containing extracts of Cyclopia, an indigenous South African fynbos plant used to prepare Honeybush tea may serve as a source of new estrogen analogues. In this study three extracts, P104, SM6Met, and cup-of-tea, from two species of Cyclopia, C. genistoides and C. subternata, were evaluated for ER subtype specific agonism and antagonism both in transactivation and transrepression. For transactivation, the Cyclopia extracts displayed ERα antagonism and ERβ agonism when ER subtypes were expressed separately, however, when co-expressed only agonism was uniformly observed. In contrast, for transrepression, this uniform behavior was lost, with some extracts (P104) displaying uniform agonism, while others (SM6Met) displayed antagonism when subtypes were expressed separately and agonism when co-expressed. In addition, breast cancer cell proliferation assays indicate that extracts antagonize cell proliferation in the presence of estrogen at lower concentrations than that required for proliferation. Furthermore, lack of uterine growth and delayed vaginal opening in an immature rat uterotrophic model validates the ERα antagonism of extracts observed in vitro and supports the potential of the Cyclopia extracts as a source of estrogen analogues with a reduced risk profile.     

Metallophytes—a view from the rhizosphere

Abundance of Fabaceae declines in representation through post-fire-succession in fynbos vegetation of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR). This reduction in legume occurrence coincides with a known decline in post-fire soil P availability. It was hypothesized that the disappearance of legume species during post-fire succession is due to an inability to acquire P effectively from sparingly soluble sources. P-acquisition strategies and response to P supply were compared between legume (Aspalathus, Cyclopia, Indigofera, Podalyria) and non-legume (Elegia, Leucadendron, Protea) genera when supplied with 1 or 10 mg P kg^?1 dry sand. Each genus consisted of a seeder (non-persistent) and resprouter (persistent) species. Non-legumes showed a greater investment in below-ground biomass, more root clusters, with higher concentrations of carboxylates exuded by cluster roots and carboxylates that were better suited to the mobilization of sparingly soluble P compared to legumes. The growth response to increased P supply was 53% higher in legumes than in non-legumes. The lack of a growth response to an elevated P supply in the non-legumes was attributed to N-limitation. Legume resprouters had a higher investment in cluster-root biomass and a lower capacity to down-regulate P-uptake than the seeders. Therefore the inability to acquire sufficient P from low concentration and sparingly soluble soil P-sources may contribute to the lack of indigenous legume persistence in fynbos vegetation of the CFR.     

A comparative study on the antimutagenic properties of aqueous extracts of Aspalathus linearis (rooibos), different Cyclopia spp. (honeybush) and Camellia sinensis teas

Antimutagenic activity of aqueous extracts of the South African herbal teas, Aspalathus linearis (rooibos) and Cyclopia spp. (honeybush) was compared with that of Camellia sinensis (black, oolong and green) teas in the Salmonella mutagenicity assay using aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) as mutagens. The present study presents the first investigation on antimutagenic properties of C. subternata, C. genistoides and C. sessiliflora. The herbal teas demonstrated protection against both mutagens in the presence of metabolic activation, with the exception of “unfermented” (green/unoxidised) C. genistoides against 2-AAF, which either protected or enhanced mutagenesis depending on the concentration. Antimutagenic activity of “fermented” (oxidised) rooibos was significantly (P < 0.05) less than that of Camellia sinensis teas against AFB₁, while for 2-AAF it was less (P < 0.05) than that of black tea and similar (P > 0.05) to that of oolong and green teas. Antimutagenic activity of unfermented C. intermedia and C. subternata exhibited a similar protection as fermented rooibos against AFB₁. Against 2-AAF, fermented rooibos exhibited similar protective properties than unfermented C. intermedia and C. sessiliflora. Unfermented rooibos was less effective than the C. sinensis teas and fermented rooibos, but had similar (P > 0.05) antimutagenicity to that of fermented C. sessiliflora against AFB₁ and fermented C. subternata against 2-AAF. Fermented C. intermedia and C. genistoides exhibited the lowest protective effect against 2-AAF, while fermented C. intermedia exhibited the lowest protection when utilising AFB₁ as mutagen. Aspalathin and mangiferin, major polyphenols in rooibos and Cyclopia spp., respectively, exhibited weak to moderate protective effects when compared to the major green tea catechin, (−)epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Antimutagenic activity of selected herbal tea phenolic compounds indicated that they contribute towards (i) observed antimutagenic activity of the aqueous extracts against both mutagens and (ii) enhancement of the mutagenicity of 2-AAF by unfermented C. genistoides. Antimutagenic activity of the South African herbal teas was mutagen-specific, affected by fermentation and plant material, presumably due to changes and variation in phenolic composition.     

N and P colimitation of N2-fixing and N-supplied fynbos legumes from the Cape Floristic Region

Background and aims

Legume species in the fynbos vegetation of the Cape Floristic Region, that fix N₂ in soils with low P, may have evolved for enhanced acquisition and efficient use of P. It was hypothesized that N₂-fixing and combined-N supplied (N-supplied) A. linearis, P. calyptrata and C. genistoides are adapted to low P and would be relatively unresponsive to increased P of 100 μM.

Methods

18 legume species were evaluated for their nodulation response to low P availability. The N X P interaction was then examined in A. linearis, P. calyptrata and C. genistoides reliant on either N₂-fixation or 300 μM N (NH₄NO₃), and receiving 0.1, 1.0, 10 and 100 μM P (NaH₂PO₄).

Results

In the species selection experiment, A. linearis, P. calyptrata and C. genistoides, with the greatest nodule fresh weight (FW) and nodule FW to root FW ratio, were the most prolific nodulating species. In the N X P experiment, with low P supply, the biomass of N₂-fixing P. calyptrata and C. genistoides was consistently greater than that of N-supplied plants. In contrast, with high P supply of 100 μM P, all N-supplied plants accumulated more biomass than the corresponding N₂-fixing plants. High P-use efficiency, poor down-regulation of P uptake and P storage was evident in A. linearis and P. calyptrata.

Conclusion

The growth response to P and the significant N X P interactions indicate that N₂-fixing and N-supplied plants were not adapted to low P, but rather colimited by both N and P.     

Aspalathus crewiana sp. nov. (Crotalarieae,Fabaceae) from the Western Cape Province,South Africa

A new species, Aspalathus crewiana is described and illustrated. It is closely similar to A. lenticula in the strongly rostrate keel petals and thorny leaflets, but differs in the subulate, spine‐tipped bracts, bracteoles and calyx lobes, presence of a pseudo‐peduncle and larger flowers. The new species, like A. lenticula, is placed in the Terminales group of A. subgenus Aspalathus. It is known from only two localities in the Western Cape where it was collected in Swartland Granite Renosterveld.     

Isoflavone production in Cyclopia subternata Vogel (honeybush) suspension cultures grown in shake flasks and stirred-tank bioreactor

Suspension cultures of the endemic South-African plant Cyclopia subternata were established for the first time and evaluated for the presence of isoflavones. The influence of light, as well as medium supplementation strategies with phenylalanine, casein hydrolysate and coconut water on biomass growth and isoflavone production were examined. The highest levels of 7-O-β-glucosides of calycosin, pseudobaptigenin and formononetin (275.57, 125.37 and 147.28 mg/100 g DW, respectively) were recorded for cultures grown in the absence of light, whereas coconut water substantially promoted biomass growth. Cell suspensions were subsequently grown in the 2-l stirred-tank bioreactor. Maximum productivity of 7-O-β-glucosides of calycosin, pseudobaptigenin and formononetin (0.96, 0.44 and 0.22 mg l^?1 day^?1, respectively) in bioreactor-cultivated cells was obtained for biomass grown in the dark and supplemented with coconut water. The results indicate that C. subternata suspension cultures can be utilised for the production of the specified isoflavone derivatives absent in the intact plant.     

Castor bean growth and rhizosphere soil property response to different proportions of arbuscular mycorrhizal and phosphate-solubilizing fungi

A pot culture experiment was performed to study the effects of infection with different proportions of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) and phosphate-solubilizing fungus (PSF) on the rhizosphere soil property of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.). One AMF, Glomus mosseae, and one PSF, Mortierella sp. (Ms), were applied to non-sterilized coastal saline soil. The plant dry mass, leaf chlorophyll content, and P-uptake of castor bean were assessed. In coastal saline soil, the different proportions of both fungi-inoculated seedlings showed significantly greater shoot and root dry weight than the controls, which had lower root-to-shoot ratios than the inoculated seedlings. An increase in phosphorus (P) and chlorophyll contents was also observed in the inoculated seedlings compared with the controls. The appropriate Ms proportion seemed to be advantageous for AMF colonization. However, available P content of fungi-treated soil increased in proportion to the increase in Ms population and AMF colonization. By contrast, the pH of inoculated soil decreased because of the increased proportion of Mortierella, and electrical conductivity values showed a negative correlation with AMF colonization. Soil enzyme activities (i.e., urease, invertase, neutral phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase) and soil organic matter were also stimulated by inoculation with different proportions of both fungi. However, the catalase activities of inoculated soil were inhibited compared with those of the control soil. Results from this study prove that castor bean planting associated with an appropriate proportion of AMF and PSF will benefit the amelioration of coastal saline soils of eastern China.     

The potential of South African plants in the development of new medicinal products

Southern Africa is an important focal point of botanical and cultural diversity but only a few plant species have hitherto become fully commercialised as medicinal products. In recent years there has been an upsurge in research and development activity, resulting in several new products and new crops. In this review, more than 90 of the best-known and most promising indigenous South African plants are listed and subjectively evaluated in the context of their potential for commercialisation as medicinal products for a variety of applications. The history of product development relating to the following species is briefly discussed and the plants and some of their products are illustrated: Agathosma betulina (buchu), Aloe ferox (bitter aloe), Artemisia afra (African wormwood), Aspalathus linearis (rooibos tea), Bulbine frutescens (burn jelly plant); Cyclopia genistoides (honeybush tea), Harpagophytum procumbens (devil's claw), Hoodia gordonii (hoodia, ghaap), Hypoxis hemerocallidea (“African potato”), Lippia javanica (fever tea), Mesembryanthemum tortuosum (= Sceletium tortuosum) (kanna, kougoed), Pelargonium sidoides (“Umckaloabo”), Siphonochilus aethiopicus (African ginger), Sutherlandia frutescens (= Lessertia frutescens) (cancer bush), Warburgia salutaris (pepperbark tree) and Xysmalobium undulatum (“Uzara”). The main factors that are apparently responsible for failure or success will be highlighted, especially the importance of marketing strategy, proof of concept and barriers to market entry.     

Assessing the suitability of antibiotic resistance markers and the indirect ELISA technique for studying the competitive ability of selected Cyclopia Vent. rhizobia under glasshouse and field conditions in South Africa

Background  

Symbiotic N2 fixation in legumes is constrained by many factors, including the paucity of suitable soil rhizobia To maximise growth of legume species therefore often requires the application of effective rhizobia as inoculants. But where native strains out-compete introduced rhizobia for nodule formation, it is important that the competitiveness of selected strains is tested in the field and glasshouse prior to their recommendation as commercial inoculants. However the methodology for strain identification inside nodules has often proved difficult and thus limited this field of research. In this study, the suitability of the antibiotic resistance technique (both intrinsic low-resistance fingerprinting and high-resistance marking) and the serological indirect ELISA method were assessed for their ability to detect selected Cyclopia rhizobia under glasshouse and field conditions. The four rhizobial strains that were used, namely PPRICI3, UCT40a, UCT44b and UCT61a, were isolated from wild Cyclopia species growing in the Western Cape fynbos of South Africa.     

A conservation and floristic assessment of poorly known species rich quartz–silcrete outcrops within Rûens Shale Renosterveld (Overberg,Western Cape), with taxonomic descriptions of five new species

Quartz fields are islands of distinct vegetation in southern Africa. Such habitats differ from surrounding shale substrate in geomorphological and climatic attributes, and are dominated by a predominantly succulent flora with between 14% and 91% endemism. Previous studies have identified and surveyed quartz fields within the Succulent Karoo biome, but little is known about the Overberg quartz–silcrete fields located in the Renosterveld vegetation (Fynbos biome). This study maps the occurrence of quartz–silcrete fields in the Overberg (Eastern and Central Rûens Shale Renosterveld) and investigates if such fields support distinct vegetation compared with surrounding shales. Forty-seven plant species were recorded, 19 of which are endemic to the quartz–silcrete patches, including several newly discovered species in vascular plant families Cyperaceae (Ficinia), Iridaceae (Hesperantha) and Fabaceae (Aspalathus, Otholobium, Polhillia, Xiphotheca). Five species among these are described in this paper: Aspalathus quartzicola C.H.Stirt. & Muasya, Aspalathus microlithica C.H.Stirt. & Muasya, Ficinia overbergensis Muasya & C.H.Stirt., Otholobium curtisiae C.H.Stirt. & Muasya, and Polhillia curtisiae C.H.Stirt. & Muasya. Detailed floristic composition of 25 quartz fields is surveyed, together with their conservation status. The Overberg Quartzveld is a critically endangered vegetation type that is the sole locality for 18 Red Listed plant species; which include seven new taxa. It is a distinct vegetation unit embedded within Rûens Shale Renosterveld in the eastern Overberg region of South Africa. These quartz patches have been overlooked in the past and we emphasize the need for further research and conservation attention of these habitats.     

Antitcoagulant and antiplatelet activities of scolymoside

Cyclopia subternata is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine to relieve pain. Here, the anticoagulant effects of scolymoside, an active compound in C. subternata, were examined by monitoring activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), and the activities of thrombin and activated factor X (FXa). The effects of scolymoside on plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) expression were evaluated in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-activated human endothelial cells. Treatment with scolymoside resulted in prolonged aPTT and PT and the inhibition of thrombin and FXa activities and production. In addition, scolymoside inhibited thrombin-catalyzed fibrin polymerization and platelet aggregation. Scolymoside also elicited anticoagulant effects in mice, including a significant reduction in the PAI-1 to t-PA ratio. Collectively, these findings indicate that scolymoside possesses anticoagulant activities and could be developed as a novel anticoagulant. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(10): 577-582]     

The flora of the Bontebok National Park in regional perspective

Six-hundred-and-fifty plant species from 280 genera and 85 families have been recorded as indigenous to the Bontebok National Park (BNP), which lies 5 km south of Swellendam, in the Western Cape. Twenty-nine of these plant species are globally threatened with extinction and another 23 are species of conservation concern. Three species (Aspalathus burchelliana, Diosma fallax, Erica filamentosa) are endemic to the park. The Asteraceae, Iridaceae and Fabaceae ranked high as speciose families, in line with the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) as a whole, while the Asphodelaceae, Crassulaceae, Poaceae and Cyperaceae were overrepresented, and the Rutaceae, Proteaceae and Ericaceae underrepresented at BNP. The largest genera were Aspalathus (19 species), Crassula (17), Pelargonium (16), Erica (15), Oxalis (12), Moraea (11), Helichrysum (10) and Hermannia (10). Geophytes were the dominant growth form (23% of species recorded), followed by dwarf shrubs (20%), herbs (16%), graminoids (15%), shrubs (13%), succulents (8%), trees (3%) and climbers (2%). Forty alien plant species were recorded (likely an underestimate of true numbers) with the Poaceae most speciose and arguably the biggest invasive threat at the park. With 20 plant species/km², the flora of BNP is richer than expected based on its location within the south-eastern CFR. Similarity with floras of other lowland and montane protected areas in the region is low (< 33% and < 20% respectively), demonstrating that a large component of BNP's flora is not conserved elsewhere. Within a landscape context, BNP forms part of a cluster of connected core sites for Renosterveld conservation. This work confirms the high importance of BNP for flora conservation nationally and even globally.     

Pregermination heat shock and seedling growth of fire-following Fabaceae from four Mediterranean-climate regions

The role of heat-shock in stimulating the germination of soil-stored seeds from fire-following plant species is well known. However, the effects of high pre-germination temperatures on subsequent seedling growth are less well understood. In this study, we examined the effect of pre-germination heat shock at five temperatures (60°, 75°, 90°, 105° and 120°C, each applied for 5 min) on the seedling growth of four, fire-following Fabaceae species from four Mediterranean-type ecosystems; Hippocrepis multisiliquosa (Israel), Gastrolobium villosum (Western Australia), Cyclopia pubescens (South Africa) and Lupinus succulentus (California). Following heat treatment and subsequent germination, seedlings were grown in controlled conditions before being harvested at either 10, 20- or 40 d old. A significant increase in mean dry weight biomass was found at 10 days for Hippocrepis seedlings germinated from seeds pre-heated to 90°C. However, subsequent comparison of mean dry weight biomass for seedlings of this species at 20 and 40 d old showed no significant response to heat shock pre-treatment. Similarly, an initial increase in growth of Gastrolobium seedlings germinated from seeds heated to 90° and 105°C disappeared as the plants matured. Seedling growth of Lupinus and Cyclopia was unaffected by the pre-germination heat treatment of their seeds. Since seedling competition is influenced by the size and growth rates of neighbouring plants, any changes in seedling growth rates as a consequence of the temperature environment experienced by their seeds, may therefore influence patterns of post-fire plant community recovery.     

Symbiotic interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and male papaya plants: Its status,role and implications

Experiments were conducted to study the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) status and its role in P-uptake through assay of root phosphatases activities in four varieties of male Carica papaya L. viz. CO-1, CO-2, Honey Dew and Washington during flowering stages. In the present study, mean total root colonization of AM fungi recorded peak increase in flowering stage-II while mean root phosphatase (acid and alkaline) activities recorded peak increase in flowering stage-I. Unlike root colonization and root phosphatase activities, spore density did not exhibit any definite patterns and recorded a narrow range of fluctuation during different flowering stages of male C. papaya. The study brought out the fact that root colonization and spore density of AM fungi along with root phosphatase activities varied significantly within the four varieties of male C. papaya plants during each flowering stage. The study also recorded consistently higher acid root phosphatase activity than alkaline root phosphatase activity under P-deficient, acidic soil conditions during all flowering stages of male C. papaya plants. Studies revealed that the root colonization of AM fungi influenced root phosphatase activities (acid and alkaline) positively and significantly during all flowering stages of male C. papaya plants. A total of twelve species of AM fungi belonging to five genera viz. Acaulospora, Dentiscutata, Gigaspora, Glomus, and Racocetra were recovered from the rhizosphere of male C. papaya plants.     

供磷水平和根际效应协同影响含碱性磷酸酶基因细菌群落的网络复杂性和稳定性北大核心

【目的】通过研究长期不同供磷水平下根际、土体土壤中编码碱性磷酸酶基因(alkaline phosphatase gene,phoD)细菌群落特征、网络复杂性、群落的稳定性及其与磷酸酶活性之间的关系,揭示供磷水平和根际效应在调控土壤有机磷矿化中的微生物学机制。【方法】选取华北平原长期施磷的小麦-玉米轮作体系石灰性土壤为基质土壤,开展根箱试验。选取的试验处理包括3个供磷水平,分别是0、50.0、200.0 kg P/hm^(2)(分别表示为P0、P50、P200)。玉米种子播种30 d后,采集玉米的根际土和土体土。采用高通量测序技术分析根际和土体土壤中编码碱性磷酸酶基因(phoD)细菌群落,探究施肥及根际效应对含phoD基因细菌的群落特征、网络特征的影响及其与磷酸酶活性的关系。【结果】随着施磷量的增加,速效磷(available P,AP)和碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase,ALP)活性在根际、土体土壤中均显著提高,且两者呈显著正相关。phoD基因丰度在P0、P200处理的根际土壤中显著高于土体土壤。含phoD基因细菌群落的α多样性在P50处理下的根际土壤显著高于土体土壤。冗余分析(redundancy analysis,RDA)表明,土壤中AP、有机磷(organic P,Po)和全磷(total P,Pt)是影响微生物群落的主要因素。与不施磷处理(P0)相比,施磷处理(P50、P200)下根际土壤中网络节点数和连接数降低,而土体土壤中网络节点数和连接数增加;同时,施磷处理含phoD基因细菌群落的鲁棒性(robustness)在根际土壤中显著提高,而在土体土壤中显著降低。Mantel检验表明,含phoD基因微生物群落中的优势物种在根际土壤与AP、酸性磷酸酶(acid phosphatase,ACP)、内聚力(cohesion)和网络的鲁棒性显著相关,在土体土壤中无显著性。【结论】供磷水平及根际效应协同影响phoD基因丰度、含phoD基因细菌群落的α多样性、群落结构、优势物种、网络的复杂性及群落的稳定性,进而影响磷酸酶活性,调控了土壤中有机磷的矿化。     

Wood anatomy of the tribe Podalyrieae (Fabaceae,Papilionoideae): Diversity and evolutionary trends

Detailed wood anatomical data for 32 species from all nine genera of the tribe Podalyrieae are presented, together with numerical analyses and the mapping of character states onto the latest available molecular phylogeny. It was found that trees (Cadia, Calpurnia and Virgilia) have vessels in small isolated groups, whilst fynbos shrubs (the remaining genera: Amphithalea, Cyclopia, Liparia, Podalyria, Stirtonanthus and Xiphotheca) commonly show highly grouped narrow vessels (frequently in a dendritic pattern), and helical thickening on the vessel walls. Comparisons of the main character state changes with the molecular phylogeny of the tribe show that the wood structure of trees probably represents the basic condition in the tribe; character states present in shrubs appear to have arisen a few times and very likely represent adaptations to seasonal water stress. In general, the wood anatomy is congruent with current subtribal and generic delimitations. Fire-survival strategy is reflected in the rays, with seeders having mostly procumbent cells whilst sprouters have square and upright cells. The close similarity in wood anatomy between Cadia and Calpurnia is in agreement with the transfer of Cadia to the Podalyrieae. A remarkable diversity of crystals was found, including prismatic, acicular and navicular crystals, the last two of which may occur singly or in sheaf-like aggregates.     

荒漠沙蒿根围AM真菌和DSE的空间分布

2009年7月在内蒙古黑城子北、多伦县城东和正蓝旗元上都遗址3个样地分别从0-10 cm、10-20 cm、20-30cm、30-40 cm和40-50 cm 5个土层采集沙蒿(Artemisia sphaerocephala)根围土壤和根样,系统研究了沙蒿根围AM真菌和DSE(Dark septate endophytes)的空间分布及与土壤因子的相关性。结果表明,沙蒿根系能被AM真菌高度侵染形成典型的I-型(Intermediate type)丛枝菌根,并发育形成泡囊和丛枝结构, 并与DSE形成良好的共生关系,样地生态条件和采样深度对AM真菌分布和活动有显著影响。黑城子样地孢子密度最高,元上都样地泡囊定殖率最高,不同样地间丛枝、菌丝、总定殖率和DSE定殖率无显著差异。孢子密度峰值出现在0-10cm表层土,并随土壤剖面深度增加而降低;泡囊定殖率峰值出现在10-20cm土层;AM真菌其他结构定殖率及DSE定殖率在各土层间差异不显著或变化无规律。孢子密度与AM真菌不同结构定殖率无显著相关性,与各土壤因子极显著正相关。泡囊定殖率与脲酶和碱性磷酸酶极显著负相关,与酸性磷酸酶显著负相关。菌丝定殖率、总定殖率及DSE定殖率与各土壤因子均无显著相关性。土壤碱解N和有机C与脲酶、酸性磷酸酶和碱性磷酸酶极显著正相关;土壤速效P与碱性磷酸酶极显著正相关,与脲酶显著正相关。对沙蒿根系AM真菌和DSE真菌分布和定殖规律的研究,可进一步明确AM真菌和DSE的生态功能,为利用菌根生物技术促进荒漠植被恢复和生态重建提供依据。     

Effect of Rhizosphere Enzymes on Phytoremediation in PAH-Contaminated Soil Using Five Plant Species

A pot experiment was performed to study the effectiveness of remediation using different plant species and the enzyme response involved in remediating PAH-contaminated soil. The study indicated that species Echinacea purpurea, Festuca arundinacea Schred, Fire Phoenix (a combined F. arundinacea), and Medicago sativa L. possess the potential for remediation in PAH-contaminated soils. The study also determined that enzymatic reactions of polyphenol oxidase (except Fire Phoenix), dehydrogenase (except Fire Phoenix), and urease (except Medicago sativa L.) were more prominent over cultivation periods of 60d and 120d than 150d. Urease activity of the tested species exhibited prominently linear negative correlations with alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen content after the tested plants were cultivated for 150d (R² = 0.9592). The experiment also indicated that alkaline phosphatase activity in four of the five tested species (Echinacea purpurea, Callistephus chinensis, Festuca arundinacea Schred and Fire Phoenix) was inhibited during the cultivation process (at 60d and 120d). At the same time, the study determined that the linear relationship between alkaline phosphatase activity and effective phosphorus content in plant rhizosphere soil exhibited a negative correlation after a growing period of 120d (R² = 0.665). Phytoremediation of organic contaminants in the soil was closely related to specific characteristics of particular plant species, and the catalyzed reactions were the result of the action of multiple enzymes in the plant rhizosphere soil.