Floral abortion and pollination in four species of tropical mangroves from northern Australia

We assessed natural rates of floral abortion in four common mangrove species from northern Australia and subsequently manipulated pollination experimentally. Sonneratia alba J. Smith exhibited the highest rate of fruit set of the four species (23%), indicating this mangrove was best able to utilise the natural pollination opportunities provided. Fruit set in S. alba appeared, however, to be pollinator limited, as large increases in fruit set occurred after manual cross-pollination of flowers. Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. had the highest rate of natural pollination, but fruit set was lower (15%) and appeared to be impeded by resource limitations. Although a range of insects visited Ceriops australis (C.T. White) Ballment, T.J. Sm & Stoddart, the rate of fruit set was low (3%) and the capacity for flower fertilisation limited, despite evidence of autogamy in this species. There was an indication of both resource and pollinator limitation in C. australis. Rhizophora stylosa Griff. exhibited limited fruit set (0.5%), possibly due to limiting maternal resources and the lack of adaptation of flowers to either animal or wind pollination. Large increases in fruit set were recorded after manual cross-pollination of R. stylosa flowers. R. stylosa and C. australis, characterised by resource rich propagules with long periods of development, both aborted a large proportion of propagules during the fruit maturation process.     

Floral biology of Echinopsis chiloensis ssp. chiloensis (Cactaceae): Evidence for a mixed pollination syndrome

In this study the flower biology of Echinopsis chiloensis ssp. chiloensis, a columnar cactus occurring in Central Chile, is investigated, in particular its pollination syndrome, its visitors, their frequencies and behaviors and their pollination efficiencies. As statements on floral anthesis of this species are contradictory, this study also intended to elucidate both its beginning and duration. A pollinator exclusion study of a total of 162 flowers from 12 plants was conducted at one of the two study sites. Fruit and seed production as well as seed viability were documented to evaluate pollinator efficiencies.     

Floral biology and mechanisms of spontaneous self‐pollination in five neotropical species of Gentianaceae

Cross‐ and self‐fertilization in angiosperms are regulated by several factors, and a knowledge of the mechanism and time of spontaneous self‐pollination offers opportunities for a better understanding of the evolution of mating systems and floral traits. The floral biology of five species of Gentianaceae found in high‐altitude neotropical grassland is presented, with emphasis on the mechanisms that promote spontaneous self‐pollination. A presumed floral Batesian mimicry system is suggested between the rare and rewardless Zygostigma australe and Calydorea campestris, a species of Iridaceae with pollen‐flowers, pollinated by syrphids and bees. The floral morphology of the other four gentian species points to three different pollination syndromes: melittophily, phalaenophily and ornithophily. However, with the exception of the nocturnal Helia oblongifolia, flowers are nectarless and appear to exhibit non‐model deceptive mechanisms, providing similar floral cues to some sympatric rewarding species with the same syndrome. The similar mechanism of spontaneous self‐pollination in Calolisianthus pedunculatus, Calolisianthus pendulus and H. oblongifolia (Helieae) is based on the stigmatic movements towards the anthers. Selfing is promoted by movements of the style/stigma and of the corolla in Deianira nervosa and Z. australe (Chironieae), respectively. The movements of stamens, style and stigma during anthesis seem to be the most common method of spontaneous self‐pollination in angiosperms. It is suggested that the evolution of delayed spontaneous self‐pollination would be more expected in those taxa with dichogamous flowers associated with herkogamy. Such a characteristic is frequent in long‐lived flowers of certain groups of Asteridae, which comprise most documented cases of autonomous selfing. Thus, the presence of dichogamy associated with herkogamy (which supposedly evolved as a result of selection to promote both separation of male and female functions and the efficient transfer of cross pollen) may be the first step in the adaptive evolution of delayed selfing to provide reproductive assurance. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 160 , 357–368.     

Floral biology and pollination in stapeliads — new results and a literature review

The myiophilous pollination syndrome of stapeliads is investigated. Olfactory stimuli, imitating dung or decaying organic (zoogenic or phytogenic) matter, are used as attractants, together with mimetic colouration and, sometimes mimetic sculpturing. In most species nectar is present. The nectar mainly serves as optical attractant causing brilliance effects, and as visitor guide. However, nectar obviously is also a reward in many species. Flies (Cyclorrhapha:Calyptratae) constitute the most important pollinating group. In the pollination process they carry pollinaria only at the distal parts of their proboscis, never on their legs. No fundamental differences between the pollinator spectra of flowers in habitat and cultivated ones were observed.     

Components of pollination effectiveness in Psychotria suerrensis,a tropical distylous shrub

In this paper I report components of effectiveness for pollinators of a tropical distylous shrub, Psychotria suerrensis (Rubiaceae), which is visited by a variety of bees, wasps, and butterflies, and by two species of hummingbirds. In the field, I measured the following components of effectiveness: frequency of visits, evenness of visits across plants, and diurnal pattern of visits. I also used flight-cage experiments to compare pollentransfer abilities of euglossine bees and heliconiid butterflies. Euglossine bees visited more frequently, visited earlier in the day, and visited a higher proportion of plants in the population than did other taxa. In flight cage experiments, bees and butterflies transferred similar amounts of pollen overall, but bees transferred significantly more inter-morph (compatible) pollen. For each component measured, euglossine bees appeared to be the most effective pollinators.     

Pollination ecology of Agave macroacantha (Agavaceae) in a Mexican tropical desert. I. Floral biology and pollination mechanisms

In a study of sexual reproduction in long-lived semelparous plants, we observed Agave macroacantha in the tropical desert of Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, Mexico, describing duration of flowering, flower phenology, and nectar production patterns. We also performed two manipulative experiments evaluating (a) the seed production efficiency of different crossing systems (selfing, cross-pollination, apomixis, and control), and (b) the effect of different pollinators (diurnal exposure to pollinators, nocturnal exposure, exclusion, and control) on the seeds produced. Flowering occurred from early May to late July and had a mean duration of 29 days in the individual rosettes. The flowers were protandrous; anthesis occurred in the afternoon of the third day after floral opening, and the pistils matured in the afternoon of the fifth day. The stigmas remained receptive from dusk to the following morning. Pollination was mostly allogamous. Nectar was produced principally during the night, from the first stages of floral aperture until the stigmas wilted and flowering ceased. The flowers were visited during the day by hymenoptera, butterflies, and hummingbirds and during the night by bats and moths. Only the nocturnal visitors, however, were successful pollinators. Agave macroacantha is extremely dependent on nocturnal pollinators for its reproductive success.     

过氧化物酶同工酶应用于甜瓜杂交种真实性与纯度检测研究

本研究利用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法分析了甜瓜(Cucumis melo.L)84—3等六个杂交种及其双亲的苗期过氧化物酶同工酶谱变化,按生长顺序在苗期进行了四次取样,每次取样均取全株。分析结果表明:甜瓜苗期生一片真叶时酶谱丰富,为取样最佳时期,同一组合中,F_1的过氧化物酶同工酶谱与亲本的过氧化物酶同工酶谱是有差异的,存在“杂种酶带”和“互补酶带”,利用过氧化物酶同工酶谱技术对甜瓜84-3等六个组合进行纯度检测结果与田间纯度检测结果相比符合率为99.1％。     

Floral traits and pollination systems in the Caatinga, a Brazilian tropical dry forest

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pollination is a critical stage in plant reproduction and thus in the maintenance and evolution of species and communities. The Caatinga is the fourth largest ecosystem in Brazil, but despite its great extent and its importance few studies providing ecological information are available, with a notable lack of work focusing on pollination biology. Here, general data are presented regarding the frequency of pollination systems within Caatinga communities, with the aim of characterizing patterns related to floral attributes in order to make possible comparisons with data for plant communities in other tropical areas, and to test ideas about the utility of syndromes. This paper also intends to provide a reference point for further studies on pollination ecology in this threatened ecosystem. METHODS: The floral traits and the pollination systems of 147 species were analysed in three areas of Caatinga vegetation in northeastern Brazil, and compared with world-wide studies focusing on the same subject. For each species, floral attributes were recorded as form, size, colour, rewards and pollination units. The species were grouped into 12 guilds according to the main pollinator vector. Analyses of the frequencies of the floral traits and pollination systems were undertaken. KEY RESULTS: Nectar and pollen were the most common floral resources and insect pollination was the most frequent, occurring in 69.9 % of the studied species. Of the entomophilous species, 61.7 % were considered to be melittophilous (43.1 % of the total). Vertebrate pollination occurred in 28.1 % of the species (ornithophily in 15.0 % and chiropterophily in 13.1 %), and anemophily was recorded in only 2.0 %. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that the pollination systems in Caatinga, despite climatic restrictions, are diversified, with a low percentage of generalist flowers, and similar to other tropical dry and wet forest communities, including those with high rainfall levels.     

Distribution and immunolocalization of stachyose synthase in Cucumis melo L.

Indirect evidence for the site of stachyose biosynthesis has been provided by determining the occurrence and distribution of stachyose, raffinose and galactinol, the donor of the galactosyl moiety for stachyose synthesis, in Cucumis melo L. cv. Ranjadew. Studies of enzyme activities for the synthesis of these sugars and their distribution in different plant organs and isolates has led to the conclusion that stachyose is synthesized mainly in mature leaves and seeds. Nevertheless, stachyose-synthase activity varied with leaf age, the developmental stage of a plant, the growing season and the plant cultivar used. No stachyose or stachyose-synthase activity could be detected in isolated mesophyll protoplasts and chloroplasts, whereas both were found in a minor-vein-enriched fraction isolated from mature leaves. The conclusion that stachyose biosynthesis is associated with minor veins was confirmed by immunolocalization of the enzyme. Positive specific immunoreactivity of stachyose synthase with polyclonal anti-stachyose-synthase antibodies, labeled with protein A-gold, was detected in intermediary cells of leaf minor veins. The implication of this local synthesis of the main transport sugar for phloem loading in mature leaves of Cucumis melo is discussed.Abbreviation RUBPCase ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase This work was supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. The excellent assistance of Ms. B. Müller in preparing the samples for electron microscopy is gratefully acknowledged. The authors thank Professor H.J. Schneider-Poetsch for anti-RuBPCase antibodies.     

Colour-scent associations in a tropical orchid: three colours but two odours

Colour and scent are the major pollinator attractants to flowers, and their production may be linked by shared biosynthetic pathways. Species with polymorphic floral traits are particularly relevant to study the joint evolution of floral traits. We used in this study the tropical orchid Calanthe sylvatica from Réunion Island. Three distinct colour varieties are observed, presenting lilac, white or purple flowers, and named respectively C. sylvaticavar.lilacina (hereafter referred as var. lilacina), C. sylvaticavar. alba (var. alba) and C. sylvatica var. purpurea (var. purpurea). We investigated the composition of the floral scent produced by these colour varieties using the non-invasive SPME technique in the wild. Scent emissions are dominated by aromatic compounds. Nevertheless, the presence of the terpenoid (E)-4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7-triène (DMNT) is diagnostic of var. purpurea, with the volatile organic compounds (VOC) produced by some individuals containing up to 60% of DMNT. We evidence specific colour-scent associations in C. sylvatica, with two distinct scent profiles in the three colour varieties: the lilacina-like profile containing no or very little DMNT (<2%) and the purpurea-like profile containing DMNT (>2%). Calanthe sylvatica var. alba individuals group with one or the other scent profile independently of their population of origin. We suggest that white-flowered individuals have evolved at least twice, once from var. lilacina and at least once from var. purpurea after the colonisation of la Réunion. White-flowered individuals may have been favoured by the particular pollinator fauna characterising the island. These flowering varieties of C. sylvatica, which display three colours but two scents profiles prove that colour is not always a good indicator of odour and that colour-scent associations may be complex, depending on pollination ecology of the populations concerned.     

甜瓜S-腺苷甲硫氨酸脱羧酶基因的克隆及白粉病诱导表达分析

为探讨S-腺苷甲硫氨酸脱羧酶(S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase,SAMDC)基因在甜瓜抵御白粉病菌中的作用,根据已知EST序列和甜瓜基因组数据库,在甜瓜抗白粉病品种‘Yuntian930’中克隆获得该基因的全长编码序列,命名为CmSAMDC(GenBank登录号为KF151861)。生物信息学分析表明,CmSAMDC的主开放阅读框(mORF)长1 095 bp,编码364个氨基酸,预测分子量为40 kDa。聚类分析表明,CmSAMDC预测蛋白与黄瓜和四季橘中该蛋白的同源关系最近,并与其他双子叶植物聚为一类。原核表达分析表明,CmSAMDC以融合蛋白形式表达,相对分子量约为40 kDa,与预测一致。实时定量表达分析表明,CmSAMDC基因受白粉病诱导表达,在接种后48 h表达量达到峰值,为接种前的7倍,并且在甜瓜的根、茎、叶、卷须中均有表达。结果提示该基因可能参与了甜瓜的抗白粉病反应。     

辐射花粉授粉和胚培养诱导产生黄瓜单倍体植株

以5个基因型的黄瓜(Cucumis sativus L．)为试材,通过γ射线辐射花粉授粉并结合胚培养,从3个基因型中获得了单倍体植株。与正常二倍体植株相比,单倍体植株生长缓慢,花器异常。研究发现辐射剂量、亲本基因型、授粉组合对座果率和单倍体产率有一定影响。     

Secondary plasmodesmata formation in the minor-vein phloem of Cucumis melo L. and Cucurbita pepo L.

Numerous branched plasmodesmata (pd) are present between bundle-sheath cells (BSCs) and specialized companion cells known as intermediary cells (ICs) in the minor-vein phloem of melon (Cucumis melo L.) and squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). These pd were found to be secondary, i.e., they form across existing walls. Sink, sink-source transition, and source tissues were sampled from developing and mature leaves. In sink tissue, IC precursors divide to produce the two to four ICs and associated sieve elements which are present by the time of the sink-source transition. Plasmodesmata along the interface between the IC precursor and adjacent BSCs in sink tissue are unbranched and few in number. Before the leaf tissue undergoes the sink-source transition, the number of pd channels (individual branches of pd) becomes more numerous. This increase in number of pd channels occurs at least in part and perhaps entirely by branching, resulting in more channels on the IC-side than on the BSC-side. In melon there is a 12-fold increase in the number of pd channels within the IC-side of the interface and a corresponding 9-fold increase in pd channels within the BSC-side. Thus, secondary pd form by the time of the sink-source transition and may be involved in phloem loading and photoassimilate export. The system described is well-defined and amenable to experimental manipulation: secondary pd form in large numbers, at a particular interface, over a short period of time, and in a highly predictable manner.Abbreviations BSC bundle-sheath cell - DAP days after planting - IC intermediary cell - LPI leaf plastochron index - pd plasmodesmata - PI plastochron interval We thank Edith Haritatos, Rich Medville, Esther Gowan, and Nancy Dussault for expert technical assistance. This research was supported by an NSF/DOE/USDA Cornell Plant Science Center fellowship (G.M.V.), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Grant GP0138401 and Université de Montréal, Fonds internes de recherche (D.U.B.), and NSF grant IBN-9419703 (R.T.).     

Isolation,characterization, and effect of phosphate-zinc-solubilizing bacterial strains on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) growth

ObjectivePhosphate (P) and zinc (Zn) are essential plant nutrients required for nodulation, nitrogen-fixation, plant growth and yield. Mostly applied P and Zn nutrients in the soil are converted into unavailable form. A small number of soil microbes have the ability to transform unsolvable forms of P and Zn to an available form. P-Zn-solubilizing rhizobacteria are potential alternates for P and Zn supplement. In the present study, the effect of two P-Zn-solubilizing bacterial strains (Bacillus sp. strain AZ17 and Pseudomonas sp. strain AZ5) was evaluated on the growth of chickpea plant.MethodologyBoth strains were purified from the rhizospheric soil of chickpea plant grown-up in sandy soil and rain-fed area (Thal desert). In vitro, both strains solubilize P and Zn as well both strain produce IAA and organic acids. In the field experiments, conducted in the rain-fed area, the positive influence of inoculation with both bacterial isolates AZ5 and AZ17 on chickpea growth was observed.ResultsThe application of inoculum (strains AZ5 and AZ17) resulted in up to 17.47% and 17.34% increase in grain yield of both types of chickpea grown in fertilized and non-fertilized soil, respectively over non-inoculated control. Strain AZ5 was the most effective inoculum, increasing up to 17.47%, 16.04%, 26.32%, 22.53%, 26.12% and 22.59% in grain yield, straw weight, nodules number, dry weight of nodules, Zn uptake and P uptake respectively, over control.ConclusionThese results indicated that Pseudomonas sp. strain AZ5 and Bacillus sp. strain AZ17 can serve as effective microbial inocula for chickpea, particularly in the rain-fed area.     

Diversity and phenology of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) in pine forests (Pinus halepensis Miller) of Algeria

Hoverflies are good indicators of ecosystem integrity, especially in drylands. However, the key factors explaining hoverfly diversity in North African forest ecosystems are still not addressed. The current study provides data on the diversity, structure and functional trophic groups (FTG) of the hoverfly community in Aleppo pine forests under a semi-arid climate in northeastern Algeria. Using an entomological net, hoverflies were sampled weekly during 2008–2009. Alpha and beta-diversity of hoverflies and functional trophic group (FTG) were analyzed using several parameters and indices (e.g. species composition, richness, occurrence, diversity, estimations, similarity, etc.). In total, 602 individuals of 21 species were collected with a constant species (Eupeodes corollae) and four common species (Episyrphus balteatus, Chrysotoxum intermedium, Eristalis arbustorum and Eristalis tenax). Most species (17) occurred accidentally or very accidentally in samples. The highest diversity was recorded during spring, corresponding to the flowering season of most understory plant species. Seasonal rarefaction and extrapolation curves indicated that the expected species richness would be higher in autumn and spring compared to summer and winter. The spectrum of FTG ranked predators first with 52.4% of species, followed by saprophagous (42.8%) and then phytophagous (4.8%) species. Hoverfly communities showed high taxonomic richness and alpha-diversity all over the year, with peaks during spring that coincides with flowering period of most plant species of the forest understorey and favourable climatic conditions.     

Biomass,carbon density and diversity of tree species in tropical dry deciduous forests in Central India

Tropical dry deciduous forests play a significant role in regulating the biogeochemical cycles. Present study assesses the carbon stock of tropical dry deciduous forests varying in tree density, basal cover, and diversity located in Singrauli district of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. Field sampling was carried out in six forest sites viz., Chitrangi, East Sarai, Gorbi, Renukoot, West Sarai, and Waidhan, of Singrauli. A total of 29 tree species belonging to 18 families were recorded across the forest ranges where tree density, basal area and diversity values varied from 702 (Gorbhi Range) – 1671 (East Sarai range) individuals ha^?1; 15.43 (Renukhund range) – 71.76 m² ha^?1 (Chitrange range) and 0.69 (West Sarai range) – 2.52 (Gorbi range), respectively. Total biomass estimated ranged from 103.32 (Renukhund range) – 453.54 Mg ha^?1 (Chitrange range) while the total tree carbon density varied from 48.97 to 214.97 Mg C ha^?1. The variation in carbon storage in the studied ranges was found dependent on density of trees in different diameter and age classes and tree species diversity. Diospyros melanoxylon, Butea monosperma, Shorea robusta, Senegalia catechu, Spondias pinnata, and Lagerstroemia parviflora were the dominant species at different study sites (forest ranges) and contributed towards higher carbon storage in respective forest ranges. Study endorses field-based approach for carbon estimations based on above and belowground assessments as a more realistic approach to understand sink potential of natural forests.     

Floral morphology and pollination in Gastrodia elata,a mycoheterotrophic orchid

Pollination biology in Gastrodia elata was investigated on Rebun Island, Japan. The flowers have an urceolate perianth chamber whose opening is constricted by the column and labellum. This structure plays a crucial role in the selection of small‐bodied bees from flower visitors of various body sizes. In addition, the furrow on the ventral side of the column possibly contributes to the admission of sweat bee pollinators, whose thoracic widths match the width of the furrow. Sweat bees receive the pollinarium on their thorax while escaping head first from the chamber. No pollinator rewards, such as previously reported harvestable spongy tissue, are likely to be produced by the orchid. The flowers, however, have a glossy area reminiscent of nectar secreted into the chamber that likely acts as a deceptive signal for pollinators. Fruit‐set ratios were found to vary spatiotemporally; the values were higher under bright light conditions, probably reflecting the presence of sweat bees for sunny places.     

摘心时期和留蔓数对甜瓜苗期叶面积扩展和功能叶寿命的影响

以2个厚皮甜瓜和1个薄皮甜瓜品种为材料,研究了摘心时期和留蔓数对苗期叶面积扩展和功能叶寿命的影响.结果表明,厚皮甜瓜苗期叶面积发育快于薄皮甜瓜,早熟厚皮甜瓜品种的叶面积发育快于中晚熟品种;甜瓜真叶净光合速率显著大于子叶,厚皮甜瓜的子叶光合速率高于薄皮甜瓜;摘心时预留子蔓数越多,甜瓜幼苗期叶面积扩展速度越快,但留蔓数增加会促进主蔓叶片衰老.从叶面积扩展速度和叶片功能寿命看,五叶期是甜瓜幼苗主蔓摘心的最佳时期,适宜留蔓数则因品种而异.