Hypersensitive reaction and induced resistance in rice against the Asian rice gall midge Orseolia oryzae

Rice seedlings of the resistant variety Phalguna showed premature tillering, browning of central leaf, and tissue necrosis at the apical meristem following artificial infestation with avirulent biotype 1 of the Asian rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzae (Wood-Mason) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Tissue necrosis representing a typical hypersensitive reaction (HR), accompanied by maggot mortality, was observed within 4 days after infestation. However, reinfestation of secondary tillers subsequent to HR in primary tiller, did not lead to HR in secondary tillers though maggot mortality was seen. Artificial infestation with the weed gall midge O. fluvialis did not result in HR either in gall midge susceptible TN 1 or resistant Phalguna rice varieties. Resistance in Phalguna against the virulent biotype 4 could be induced by either prior, simultaneous, or subsequent infestation with the avirulent biotype 1. The duration of effectiveness of such induced resistance varied with the sequence and time lag between infestations.     

Elicitation of peroxidase activity and lignin biosynthesis in pepper suspension cells by Phytophthora capsici

Cell suspension cultures of three varieties of Capsicum annuum L., each with a different degree of sensitivity to the fungus Phytophthora capsici, responded to elicitation by both lyophilized mycelium and fungus filtrate with a hypersensitive reaction. They showed the synthesis or accumulation of PR-proteins with peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) activity and the accumulation of lignin-like polymer (as measured by derivatization with thioglycolic acid). The cultivation medium was optimised for both plant and fungus growth in order to avoid any stress during their combination. The resistant pepper variety, Smith-5, showed a more intense response to the elicitor preparations than the sensitive varieties, Americano and Yolo Wonder. This was particularly evident when the cell suspensions were elicited with the filtrate. After elicitation, the cell walls thickened through the accumulation of lignin, as can be observed by staining microscope preparations with methylene blue. Elicitation also reduced the level of total peroxidase activity in the susceptible varieties, while such activity increased in resistant varieties, and was accompanied by de novo expression of acidic peroxidase isoenzymes in the extracellular and cell wall fractions. Of note was the PR protein of pI 5.7 showing peroxidase activity, which was induced by both elicitor types in the elicited cell suspensions of the resistant variety alone, making it a marker of resistance. The increases in the activity of these peroxidases in the resistant variety are in concordance with the accumulation of lignin observed 24 h after inoculation by both elicitors from the fungus. The possible role of these isoenzymes in lignin biosynthesis, used to reinforce the cell walls against fungal penetration of the cells, is discussed. These results are in accordance with those previously observed in plant stem sections.     

西瓜花叶病毒诱导对不同抗性美洲南瓜防卫基因表达的影响

为了明确防卫基因PAL与美洲南瓜抗西瓜花叶病毒(watermelon mosaic virus,WMV)之间的关系,通过室内接种和实时荧光定量PCR技术,测定了WMV侵染对不同抗性美洲南瓜体内防卫基因PAL表达的影响。结果表明:(1)室内测定显示,抗病品种GBRV-8发病率和病情指数(15.6%和14.2)显著低于感病品种‘光板’(91.1%和65.9)。(2)实时荧光定量PCR表明,接种WMV后不同抗感品种不同组织部位PAL基因相对表达量随着接种时间增加,整体呈现出先增加后降低的趋势,而且不同组织部位PAL基因相对表达量总体呈现出叶片较高,叶柄和茎秆次之。(3)接种后5个品种不同组织部位PAL基因相对表达量与对照相比均存在显著差异,且抗病和中抗品种不同组织部位PAL基因相对表达量显著高于感病品种,尤其抗病品种GBRV-8不同组织部位PAL基因相对表达量最高,感病品种光板最低。研究认为,防卫基因PAL表达量与美洲南瓜品种抗病毒病强弱密切相关。     

青枯病易感和钝感桑树品种根际土壤真菌群落结构比较

为研究青枯病易感和钝感桑树品种植株根际土壤真菌群落组成,该研究以ITS1F和ITS2R为引物,基于高通量测序技术对桑树青枯病易感品种(台湾长果桑,SM)和桑树青枯病钝感品种(桂桑12号,IM)植株根际土壤真菌群落结构进行分析。结果表明：(1)两个品种间指示真菌丰富度的ACE、Chao1指数及表征多样性的Shannon指数无显著差异,门分类水平,被孢霉门(Mortierellomycota)和球囊菌门(Glomeromycota)是青枯病钝感桑树品种植株根际土壤中特有的优势真菌门;而属分类水平,Apiotrichum、地丝菌属(Geotrichum)、足放线病菌属(Scedosporium)和腐质霉属(Humicola)等是青枯病易感桑树品种植株根际土壤中富集的特有优势真菌属。(2)青枯病易感桑树品种植株根际土壤中,缺失了被孢霉门、球囊菌门真菌,以及被孢霉属(Mortierella)、镰刀菌属(Fusarium)、曲霉菌属(Aspergillus)和毛壳菌属(Chaetomium)等具有生防功能的优势真菌门属,可能是其易感青枯病的重要原因。(3)根据真菌群落对同类环境资源的利用途径进行功...     

Preference of white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera to different rice varieties

Preference studies of the white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Horvath) (Delphacidae: Homoptera) (WBPH) for different growth stages of rice, Oryza sativa L., indicated that WBPH selected its preferred variety for feeding by alighting on the plant and feeding briefly, tasting the plant. Differential preference for shelter, food or oviposition by WBPH were observed for different rice varieties and for different stages of a variety. With the advancement of plant age, rice varieties became more unsuitable for feeding and a process progressing more rapidly in resistant varieties. Most of the resistant varieties viz. Pundia, Landi Sarakanti and Ptb-33, unsuitable for shelter and feeding were usually not preferred for oviposition. However, the tolerant variety Mahia bankoi, though suitable for shelter and feeding was also not preferred for oviposition. Therefore, when screening varieties by only measuring feeding preference sources having tolerance mechanisms of resistance may be overlooked.     

Effect of cultural methods on Striga (Striga hermonthica (Del.)) Benth management and yield of cereals in the Savanna Zone of Nigeria: a review

Data were obtained from the research done in the Guinea Savanna (Zaria 11°11′N; 070 38′E) and Sudan Savanna (Maiduguri ?11°51′N; 13°15′E) regions of Nigeria, respectively on different cultural methods of Striga control and management. In the Guinea Savanna, trials on the effects of nitrogen on the response of resistant and susceptible upland rice varieties to Striga hermonthica infestation and the effect of resistant and susceptible varieties of maize and crop rotation on Striga infestation was carried out, while the effect of inter-cropping trap crop (Bambaranut) with resistant sorghum varieties on S. hermonthica was studied in the Sudan Savanna Zone of Nigeria. In the Guinea Savanna, it was observed that a combination of upland rice variety, Faro 40 and an application of 90 kg N/ha in the wet season and WAB 56-50 upland rice variety and 120 kg N/ha in the dry season, respectively reduced Striga infestation and produced maximum grain yield. Also, the growing of resistant variety of maize (Across 97ITZ comp. I-W) after 1 or 2 years' rotation with cowpea or soybean was observed not only to be effective in Striga control, but resulted in higher grain yield of maize. In the Sudan Savanna, the use of resistant varieties of sorghum, 1CSV1002 and 1CSV1007 intercropped with bambaranut significantly reduced Striga infestation, but the grain yield of the resistant varieties was low. From these studies, Faro 40 with 90 kg N/ha application rate and WAB56–50 with 120 kg N/ha were suitable for the management of Striga and for higher grain yield of upland rice in both wet and dry seasons, respectively, while Across 97ITZ comp. I-W, resistant maize variety and 1 or 2 years rotation with cowpea or soybean were also the best for the management of S. hermonthica and for higher maize yield in the Guinea Savanna zone. Further research needs to be carried out in the Sudan Savanna to select a high yielding resistant variety of sorghum which when intercropped with bambaranut will not only control Striga infestation but will also give high grain yield.     

Antixenotic resistance of subterranean clover cotyledons to redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor

The short-term response of redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor (Tucker) (Acarina: Penthaleidae) to cotyledons of different varieties of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum subsp. subterraneum L.) was assessed by means of paired choice tests, and no-choice tests. H. destructor had lower numbers and fed less on detached cotyledons of resistant than susceptible varieties, yielding a correlation between the numbers of mites and feeding damage to the cotyledons during a three hour test period. For a number of resistant and susceptible varieties, there was a negative correlation between cotyledon deterrence in the three hour choice test and feeding damage to seedling after a two week period. Since the response of the mites to different subclover varieties occurred within three hours, it is concluded that the resistance is based on antixenosis.No evidence was obtained for antifeedant activity in organic solvent extracts from the variety DGI007 (resistant) in comparison with those from the variety Dalkeith (susceptible). Water soluble compounds from DGI007 cotyledons were preferred by mites, in feeding tests in terms of numbers, over those from Dalkeith (susceptible). Squeezed sap from the cotyledons of both varieties showed the same effects on mites as 5% glucose and were more phagostimulatory than water extracts. Mechanically damaged cotyledons of Dalkeith and DGI007 attracted more mites than the undamaged counterparts. The toughness of cotyledons in 17 varieties of T. subterraneum subsp. subterraneum was measured with a manual penetrometer. Results showed a negative correlation between toughness values and mite feeding damage scores (r²=0.752) for all varieties except S3615D (resistant). This implies a likely involvement of epidermal toughness as a contributor in the antixenotic resistance of these varieties. Other mechanisms may be involved in the resistance of S3615D.     

Susceptibility of the legume flower thrips to Metarhizium anisopliae on different varieties of cowpea

The susceptibility of Megalurothrips sjostedtito Metarhizium anisopliae when reared on susceptible, tolerant, and moderately resistant varieties of cowpea at different constant temperatures was evaluated in the laboratory. Insects were exposed either to direct spray of the conidia or to fungus-treated floral tissues. Mortality was significantly higher on the moderately resistant variety at all temperatures compared to the susceptible and tolerant varieties. Correspondingly, lethal time and lethal concentration values were significantly shorter and lower, respectively, on the moderately resistant variety compared to the other varieties, thus indicating that the two control methods are compatible as part of an integrated pest management strategy. Thrips raised on the tolerant variety incurred an exceptionally low level of mortality when the inoculum was sprayed directly on the insects or when the insects were exposed tofungus-treated floral tissues. Observations on the effects of airborne volatiles and crude extracts of this variety revealed an inhibitory effect on fungal germination, colony forming units and growth. This suggests the existence of anti-fungal substances in the tolerant variety. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Relation between seed exudate and host susceptibility in gram (Cicer arietinum L.) toRhizoctonia bataticola

Summary Pre-emergence damping-off of gram in Haryana was determined to be caused primarily byRhizoctonia bataticola. The quantity of soluble carbohydrate exuded from seed of the susceptible variety L-550 is more than five times from the resistant variety BG-203. A third variety G-130 was intermediate, both in amount of carbohydrate in its seed exudate and in the amount of pre-emergence damping-off. No qualitative differences were detected in the exudates from seed of resistant and susceptible varieties. A direct relationship between the amount of soluble carbohydrate exuded by a germinating seed and pre-emergence damping-off caused byR. bataticola was shown in these studies.     

Effect of root exudates on the spore germiantion of rhizosphere and rhizoplane mycoflora of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars

Summary From root exudates of three cultivars of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) 12 amino acids and 7 sugars were detected. Methionine, d-1- phenylalanine, citrulline and d-xylose were detected only from the root exudates of resdistant cultivars. The root exudates of resistant variety inhibited spore germination of the pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.capsici), but that of susceptible variety enhanced spore germiantion of the same. Spore germiantion of antagonistic fungi (Trichderma viride andAspergillus sydowi) was also influenced by the root exudates of resistant and susceptible varieties, but the influence was different.Spore germiantion of a number of rhizosphere fungi was studied and in general root exudate of susceptible cultivar enhanced spore germiantion of majority of fungi, but spore germination of antagonistic fungi against the pathogen was inhibited. However, root exudate of resistant cultivar stimulated spore germination of antagonistic fungi.     

7个香蕉品种对枯萎病的抗性评价及3种评价方法的对比

[目的] 评价香蕉自主选育品种对枯萎病病原菌尖孢镰刀菌古巴专化型（Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense）热带4号小种（tropical race 4, Foc TR4）的抗性。[方法] 以浸根法和2种灌注法将Foc TR4接种于不同抗性的香蕉品种上,分析接种后香蕉的发病情况,比较筛选这3种评价方法,并评价7个香蕉品种的苗期和田间抗性水平。[结果] 采用浓度为2×10⁵ 个·mL^-1的PDB培养基Foc TR4孢子悬浮液灌注法进行香蕉苗期抗性评价更为高效可行;综合苗期和田间抗性评价结果,7个香蕉品种的抗性由高到低为：南天黄>红研3号>红研5号>红研2号>滇蕉1号>巴西蕉>红研1号。[结论] 以南天黄作为高抗品种对照,以巴西蕉作为高感品种对照条件下,红研3号和红研5号抗性为中等抗性偏强,红研2号达到中抗水平,滇蕉1号为感病,红研1号为高度感病。     

Introduction of plasmid pC194 into Bacillus thuringiensis by protoplast transformation and plasmid transfer

The Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pC194 which codes for resistance to chloramphenicol was introduced into six Bacillus thuringiensis strains representing five varieties by protoplast transformation. Six other varieties could not be transformed. pC194 could be identified in transformed strains as autonomous plasmid. The transformed clones contained in addition a new extrachromosomal element of somewhat lower electrophoretic mobility hybridizing with pC194, and pC194 in multimeric forms. pC194 was also transferred from one B. thuringiensis variety to another and from Bacillus thuringiensis to Bacillus subtilis and vice versa by a conjugation-like process, requiring close cell-to-cell contact.Non-standard abbreviations BSA bovine serum albumin - CAT chloramphenicol acetyltransferase - Cm^R chloramphenicol resistant - PAB Penassay broth - SDS sodiumdodecylsulfate - Tc^R tetracycline resistant     

A differential interaction study of Bemisia tabaci Q-biotype on commercial tomato varieties with or without the Mi resistance gene, and comparative host responses with the B-biotype

Three tomato varieties (Motelle, Ronita, and VFN8) bearing the Mi-1.2 gene providing resistance to nematodes Meloidogyne spp. and to the potato aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas, and three varieties not bearing this gene (Moneymaker, Roma, and Río Fuego), were compared by choice assay for host preference using the Q-biotype of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius). The most preferred hosts, determined by infestation levels and numbers of feeding adults were Moneymaker, Río Fuego and Roma, all of which were not carrying the Mi gene. Ronita and Motelle, both of which bore the Mi gene, were the least preferred hosts. In a no-choice assay, B. tabaci females laid a significantly lower number of eggs on the varieties that carried the Mi gene than on those lacking the gene. Differences were more dramatic when plants carrying the Mi gene were pooled together and compared with pooled plants without this gene. Significantly greater values were obtained for the Mi-lacking group for all parameters tested. Comparing these results with those from a previous study on the B-biotype of B. tabaci, Q-biotypes were found to produce higher daily infestation rates on most of the tomato varieties. When results from plants carrying Mi were pooled, they showed lower infestation levels of Q-biotypes than B-biotypes. The Q-biotype infested less Mi-plants and more non-Mi plants than B-biotype. Q-biotype females produced significantly less pupae than the B-biotype females on both groups of plants. These results suggest the existence of an antixenosis and antibiosis-based resistance to the Q-biotype of B. tabaci in Mi-bearing commercial tomato varieties, which is greater than that previously reported for the B-biotype.     

Identification and fine mapping of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pi33</Emphasis>, the rice resistance gene corresponding to the Magnaporthe grisea avirulence gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">ACE1</Emphasis>

Rice blast disease is a major constraint for rice breeding. Nevertheless, the genetic basis of resistance remains poorly understood for most rice varieties, and new resistance genes remain to be identified. We identified the resistance gene corresponding to the cloned avirulence gene ACE1 using pairs of isogenic strains of Magnaporthe grisea differing only by their ACE1 allele. This resistance gene was mapped on the short arm of rice chromosome 8 using progenies from the crosses IR64 (resistant) × Azucena (susceptible) and Azucena × Bala (resistant). The isogenic strains also permitted the detection of this resistance gene in several rice varieties, including the differential isogenic line C101LAC. Allelism tests permitted us to distinguish this gene from two other resistance genes [Pi11 and Pi-29(t)] that are present on the short arm of chromosome 8. Segregation analysis in F₂ populations was in agreement with the existence of a single dominant gene, designated as Pi33. Finally, Pi33 was finely mapped between two molecular markers of the rice genetic map that are separated by a distance of 1.6 cM. Detection of Pi33 in different semi-dwarf indica varieties indicated that this gene could originate from either one or a few varieties.Communicated by D.J. Mackill     

Changes in phenylalanine and tyrosine content and metabolism in ears of susceptible and aphid resistant winter wheat cultivars upon infestation by Sitobion avenae

Changes in free phenylalanine and tyrosine content and metabolism in the ears of susceptible Bezostaya 1 and relatively resistant Atlas 66 winter wheat varieties after natural infestation by the grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) (F.) were investigated. After infestation the content of phenylalanine and tyrosine in the variety Atlas 66 was higher than in the susceptible cultivar Bezostaya 1. Attack by aphids also brought changes in the metabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine in the tissues. A higher phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL) activity was observed in ear tissues of the more resistant variety Atlas 66. The changes in the activity of those lyases in Atlas 66 were strictly correlated with the increase of phenylalanine and tyrosine content after infestation.

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Résumé L'étude a porté sur l'analyse des teneurs en phénylalanine et tyrosine libres et sur le métabolisme des épis de blés d'hiver, — sensible Bezostaya 1 et relativement résistant Atlas 66 —, après une attaque naturelle du puceron des grains, S. avenae F. Les teneurs en phénylalanine et en tyrosine d'Atlas 66 sont alors supérieures à celles de Bezostaya 1. Les attaques de pucerons provoquent des changements dans le métabolisme de la phénylalanine et de la tyrosine des tissus. Des activités phénylalanine ammonialyase (PAL) et tyrosine ammonialyase (TAL) ont été observées dans les tissus des épis de la variété la plus résistante, Atlas 66. Les modifications de l'activité de ces lyases dans les pieds du cultivar résistant Atlas 66 présentent une relation étroite avec l'accroissement des teneurs en phénylalanine et en tyrosine après la contamination.

     

Functional response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pteromalus cerealellae</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) on the cowpea weevil, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Callosbruchus maculatus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), and interaction between parasitism and cowpea varietal susceptibility

Laboratory studies were carried out to determine the functional response of the parasitoid, Pteromalus cerealellae (Boucek) to cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) hosts, and the relationship between parasitism and cowpea variety susceptibility to the weevil. The attack response of P. cerealella to weevil larvae was best described by a type III functional response using an egg limitation model. The mean attack rate (a) of the parasitoid was estimated as 1.7 and the upper limit of the response was 24 weevil larvae per individual parasitoid within a 48-h period. The results also showed that cowpea varieties resistant to weevil infestation supported fewer weevil progeny and facilitated a greater suppression of the weevil by the parasitoid. The parasitoid progeny index, a measure that compares the number of the parasitoid progeny to the number of the beetle progeny was higher in cowpea weevil resistant varieties than in susceptible varieties. Additionally, the presence of P. cerealellae resulted in reduced weight losses of cowpea caused by the weevil infestation in both susceptible and resistant varieties.     

Impact of Bt-corn MON88017 in comparison to three conventional lines on Trigonotylus caelestialium (Kirkaldy) (Heteroptera: Miridae) field densities

In Europe, Bt-corn resistant against the European Corn Borer has until now been the only genetically modified plant to be grown commercially. With the advent of the Western Corn Rootworm Bt-corn varieties with resistance against Coleoptera will become important. The cultivation of Bt-plants may have negative impacts on non-target organisms, i.e. all species not explicitly targeted by a given Bt-crop. One prominent non-target group in corn are the herbivorous plant bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae). They are common, abundant and exposed to the Cry-protein. We therefore assessed the potential impact of the cultivation of the Cry3Bb1-expressing Bt-corn variety MON88017 and three conventional varieties on this group. Trigonotylus caelestialium (Kirkaldy) was the most abundant plant bug at the experimental field. There was no evidence for a negative impact of MON88017 on this species, despite its considerable exposure to Cry3Bb1 demonstrated with ELISA. The conventional corn varieties, however, had a consistent and significant influence on the field densities of this species over all three growing seasons.     

Susceptibility to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium </Emphasis>head blight is associated with the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rht-D1b</Emphasis> semi-dwarfing allele in wheat

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is an important disease of wheat worldwide. The cultivar Spark is more resistant than most other UK winter wheat varieties but the genetic basis for this is not known. A mapping population from a cross between Spark and the FHB susceptible variety Rialto was used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with resistance. QTL analysis across environments revealed nine QTL for FHB resistance and four QTL for plant height (PH). One FHB QTL was coincident with the Rht-1D locus and accounted for up to 51% of the phenotypic variance. The enhanced FHB susceptibility associated with Rht-D1b is not an effect of PH per se as other QTL for height segregating in this population have no influence on susceptibility. Experiments with near-isogenic lines supported the association between susceptibility and the Rht-D1b allele conferring the semi-dwarf habit. Our results demonstrate that lines carrying the Rht-1Db semi-dwarfing allele are compromised in resistance to initial infection (type I resistance) while being unaffected in resistance to spread within the spike (type II resistance).     

Interstadial and Infestation Level-dependent Variation in the Transmission Efficiency of Borrelia Burgdorferi from Mice to Ixodes Ricinus Ticks

The efficiency with which the spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto was transmitted from laboratory mice to larval and nymphal Ixodes ricinus ticks was assessed, using the polymerase chain reaction. The transmission efficiency to nymphs was significantly greater than to larvae when both fed together on the same host. Increased tick infestation levels of mice were correlated with significantly greater engorgement weights and higher B. burgdorferi transmission coefficients from mice to nymphs. These observations indicate that both the feeding success of ticks and the transmission coefficients from host to tick may be influenced by the tick infestation level of an infected host. The infestation level and the relative numbers of each life stage of the tick are factors which should be considered in the design of transmission experiments.     

Breeding of an elite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laminaria</Emphasis> variety 90-1 through inter-specific gametophyte crossing

Laminaria longissima and Zaohoucheng No.1 (a commercial variety selected from Laminaria japonica) differ to a certain extent in their morphological characteristics and biological habits. It was assumed that varieties bred through their hybridization should exhibit high yield potential and tolerate relatively high seawater temperatures. Female gametophyte clones isolated from L. longissima were crossed with male clones isolated from Zaohoucheng No.1. Laminaria variety 90-1 was obtained after gametophyte crossing, continuous self-crossing and selection. This variety was genetically homozygous; the indices of variation of blade length, width and thickness of the final two selection cycles were 7–8%; i.e., not different significantly. Variety 90-1 grew faster, lost less tissue and had higher yield potential than two widely used commercial varieties of L. japonica (all commercial varieties currently used in China originate from this latter species). The blade of variety 90-1 increased 3.71 cm day⁻¹ on average during the whole period of cultivation, almost two-fold that of two controls, and growth was maintained even when seawater temperature was higher than 18°C–3°C higher than the temperature tolerated by other Laminaria varieties. Variety 90-1 increased yield by more than 70% over two controls and also synthesized desirable amounts of iodine, mannitol and algin. In blade length, variety 90-1 was more similar to L. longissima than to L. japonica, but more similar to L. japonica in blade width and thickness. Since the adoption of variety 90-1 in 1999, its culturing area has increased each year to reach its current area of 7,000 ha, i.e., almost one-third of the total cultivation acreage of Laminaria in China. Breeding of variety 90-1 has demonstrated that it is feasible to develop elite Laminaria varieties by crossing gametophytes from different Laminaria species in combination with successive self-crossing and selection.