Binding-site specificity of lectins from Bauhinia purpurea alba,Sophora japonica,and Wistaria floribunda

The binding-site specificities of lectins isolated from the seeds of Baihinia purpurea alba, Sophora japonica, and Wistaria floribunda were studied by hemagglutination-inhibition assays utilizing a variety of saccharides as inhibitors. For Bauhinia lectin, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-galactose was found to be the best monosaccharide inhibitor and the free monosaccharide inhibitor was as active as its glycosides. d-Galactose was a weak inhibitor and so were some of its glycosides. Some of the oligosaccharides having a d-galactose nonreducing terminus were good inhibitors, but substitution on the d-galactose or 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-galactose residues with other saccharides abolished the inhibitory activity. No specificity for anomeric configuration or linkage position could be demonstrated. The presence of aromatic aglycon groups did not enhance inhibitory activity of the saccharides tested and, in some cases, the inhibitory activity was decreased. In contrast to the results for the Bauhinia lectin, compounds having aromatic aglycon groups were markedly better inhibitors for Sophora and Wistaria lectins than the corresponding compounds without aromatic aglycons. d-Galactose was a weak inhibitor for Sophora and Wistaria lectins, whereas 2-acetamido-d-galactose was a poor inhibitor of Sophora lectin but a good inhibitor of Wistaria lectin. Sophora and Wistaria lectins were somewhat similar in their activity as some of the saccharides having a d-galactose in penultimate position to an l-fucose residue were weak inhibitors. However, Sophora lectin has a binding preference for β anomers, whereas Wistaria lectin did not demonstrate a clear preference for α or β anomers. For some pairs of compounds, the α was a better inhibitor than, the β anomer; in other cases, the reverse was true.     

健康与感染青枯病烟株根际土壤与茎秆细菌群落结构与多样性

【目的】了解健康烟株与感染青枯病烟株在根际土壤、茎杆发病部位、茎杆病健交界部位以及未发病茎杆的细菌群落结构与多样性。【方法】分别对土壤与茎杆样品中细菌的16S rRNA基因V3-V4区进行扩增,采用Illumina MiSeq测序技术对扩增片段进行高通量测序,然后对健康烟株与感染青枯病烟株不同部位细菌群落结构与多样性进行分析。【结果】感染青枯病烟株发病茎杆及根际土壤的细菌群落多样性高于健康烟株茎杆及其根际土壤样品,病健交界茎杆样品细菌群落多样性低于健康烟株。变形菌门(Proteobacteria)在所有样品中均为优势菌门;所有烟株根际土壤的优势菌门为拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)和绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi);健康烟株茎杆部位的优势菌门为蓝细菌门(Cyanobacteria);感染青枯病烟株发病茎杆和病健交界茎杆部位的优势菌门为蓝细菌门(Cyanobacteria)和厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)。所有根际土壤样品的优势菌属为劳尔氏菌属(Ralstonia)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、鞘脂单胞菌属(Sphingomonas)、黄杆菌属(Flavobacterium)和代尔夫特菌属(Delftia),而感染青枯病烟株根际土壤的劳尔氏菌属(Ralstonia)和假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)相对丰度显著高于健康烟株根际土壤,鞘脂单胞菌属相对丰度显著低于健康烟株根际土壤。烟株茎杆的优势菌属为劳尔氏菌属和假单胞菌属等。感染青枯病烟株病健交界茎杆中劳尔氏菌属、肠杆菌属(Enterobacter)和泛菌属(Pantoea)相对丰度显著低于健康烟株样品。【结论】健康与感染青枯病烟株茎杆样品细菌群落的丰富度和多样性明显低于相应的根际土壤样品。较健康烟株而言,感染青枯病烟株根际土壤和茎杆样品细菌群落丰富度和多样性均表现出不同程度地增加,且根际土壤细菌群落结构变化较茎杆样品明显,而病健交界茎杆样品细菌群落丰富度和多样性降低。烟草青枯病为典型土传病害,其病原茄科劳尔氏菌尽管能在烟株维管束中蔓延扩增,但主要还是分布于土壤中;它的存在似乎对土壤细菌群落的影响大于茎杆样品的。该研究结果提示对于青枯病的防治不能局限于烟株本身,田间土壤也应加大防治力度。     

Distribution,relative importance,and agro-climatic preferences of cereal stem borers in Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

The distribution and relative importance of lepidopteran stem borers attacking maize and sorghum were investigated in farmers’ fields during the main cropping seasons of 2015 and 2016 across three main agro-climatic zones (ACZs) of eastern Ethiopia. Three stem borer species, namely Busseola fusca Fuller, Chilo partellus Swinhoe and Sesamia calamistis Hampson were found attacking these crops with different levels of distribution and abundance among ACZs. Busseola fusca was the only borer species in the highlands and dominant (67%) in the midhighland zones, while C. partellus was predominant (75%) in the lowlands. The abundance of S. calamistis was low across its distribution range. Across both years, mean plant infestation by B. fusca ranged from 20.38 in lowlands to 42.97% in highlands. Chilo partellus resulted in a mean infestation of 27.38% in the midaltitude to 68.24% in lowlands. Mean density of larvae per plant was higher for C. partellus (2.85), followed by B. fusca (1.41) and S. calamistis (0.46). Moreover, within each ACZs, variation in plant damage variables was observed between the study periods. These spatio-temporal differences in community structures of stem borers are discussed particularly in relation to agro-climatic requirements.     

Distance to suburban/wildland border interacts with habitat type for structuring exotic plant communities in a natural area surrounding a metropolitan area in central Chile

Background: The explosive growth of urbanisation in Mediterranean ecosystems in Chile has favoured the rapid expansion of exotic plant species, yet factors driving these invasion patterns in adjacent natural areas remain poorly assessed.

Aims: To assess how distance to a suburban/wildland border, habitat type, site-scale disturbance and woody plant cover of native species influences the diversity of exotic species in a natural area surrounding the city of Santiago, Chile.

Methods: Three watersheds were chosen, and the diversity of exotic species was assessed in 36 100-m-long transects, equally distributed over two distance categories and three habitats. For each transect, we measured woody plant cover of native species and frequency of rabbit faeces as a measure of competitive exclusion and site-scale disturbance, respectively.

Results: Species diversity decreased as the distance from the suburban/wildland border increased, and it was found to be higher in north-facing habitats compared to south-facing and alluvial habitats. Neither native woody plant cover nor frequency of rabbit faeces had an effect on species diversity.

Conclusions: The current pattern of exotic plant species in this natural area is mainly influenced by the distance to suburban border and habitat type. An adequate management of conditions favouring exotic species in suburban/wildland border may prevent the spread of these into natural areas next to urban settings.     

药用植物刺山柑不同部位细菌群落结构及其多样性

【目的】研究传统药用植物刺山柑（Capparis spinosa L.）不同部位细菌群落结构、物种组成和多样性特征,为药用植物微生物资源的开发及微生物与宿主互作提供理论依据。【方法】本研究以刺山柑地上部植物组织（果实、茎）和地下部土壤（根际土壤、非根际土壤）为研究材料,采用高通量测序技术分析刺山柑不同部位细菌的16S rRNA基因多样性,比较其细菌群落结构和物种组成特征。【结果】刺山柑4种样本共获得的3 649个操作分类单元（operational taxonomic unit,OTU）,属于34门、88纲、248目、464科和1 051属。土壤样本的细菌多样性大于植物组织,细菌群落多样性以根际土壤、非根际土壤、茎和果实的顺序逐渐降低,果实内生细菌群落多样性始终最低,显著低于根际土壤。不同部位相对丰度较高的细菌门如下：植物组织中以变形菌门为主,根际土壤中为变形菌门和放线菌门,非根际土中为厚壁菌门和放线菌门。无色杆菌属（Achromobacter）、欧文氏菌属（Erwinia）、肠球菌属（Enterococcus）、微小杆菌属（Exiguobacterium）、乳杆菌属（Lactobacillus）和克雷伯氏菌属（Klebsiella）主要存在于刺山柑植物组织中。游动球菌属（Planomicrobium）、库克菌属（Kocuria）、类芽孢杆菌属（Paenibacillus）、链霉菌属（Streptomyces）、微枝形杆菌属（Microvirga）和节杆菌属（Arthrobacter）主要分布于土壤中。β多样性分析结果表明,刺山柑植物组织和土壤的细菌群落结构具有显著差异,同类型样本的细菌群落结构相似。【结论】刺山柑土壤样本中细菌群落的多样性和丰富度均高于植物组织,刺山柑不同部位的细菌群落组成不同。本研究对刺山柑不同部位细菌群落结构进行了初步分析,鉴定了各部位细菌群落中的核心菌群,为以后挖掘刺山柑的功能研究和利用提供了准确的微生物信息。     

Recovery of a dwarf birch (Betula nana) population following reduction in grazing by red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Summary

In Britain Betula nana is a nationally scarce plant, its distribution being limited by climate, heather burning and grazing by deer and sheep. The recovery of a population of B. nana was monitored for several years inside a Scots pine regeneration exclosure in N.E. Scotland. Browsing pressure was reduced in the exclosure but a few red deer (amounting to 3–4 km^?2) were deliberately retained. B. nana stem density increased after red-deer density was reduced. Over the same period there was a reduction in browsing inside the exclosure. B. nana stem density was negatively related to heather height, deer presence and tree canopy cover. Comparisons of growth were made with plants outside the exclosure between 1998 and 2000, the mean annual increment of stems, allowing for browsing loss, being respectively 1.25 and 0.45 cm for inside and outside the exclosure. Most stem basal diameters inside the exclosure were smaller than outside. Reducing red deer density to 3–4 km^?2 on similar upland sites with peaty soils could lead to regeneration of B. nana.     

The Reaction of the Medium in Relation to Root Formation in Coleus

Background: As seed dispersal can vary among years and individuals, studies that focus on a single year or on a few individuals may lead to erroneous conclusions.

Aims: To study temporal and spatial intraspecific variation of seed dispersal in Scrophularia canina, a widespread species with capsule-type fruit.

Methods: Primary seed dispersal was quantified by placing traps in each cardinal direction around 10 individuals during two consecutive years. We correlated several seed shadow parameters (modal dispersal distance, kurtosis, skewness, percentiles, slope, and seed percentage beneath the plant canopy) with three plant features (maximum height, lateral spread and seed production).

Results: Scrophularia canina dispersed their seeds by boleochory, giving rise to a typical leptokurtic curve, but behaving as a barochorous species, because about 90% of seeds landed beneath the plant canopy. Temporal dispersal in S. canina included several seed waves associated with maximum wind speeds. Plant lateral spread was significantly positively correlated with seed percentiles and percentage of seeds beneath the plant canopy regardless of year. A seed production effect was only evident when both years were considered together.

Conclusions: Although time-consuming, investigation of the dispersal process for more than 1 year provides more realistic information on seed dispersal. Lateral spread is the main plant feature determining seed shadow.     

Evaluation of toxic effects of heavy metals on unicellular algae. V-Influence of extracellular products on toxicity and on type of inhibition

Abstract

Results suggest that the toxicity of mercury and copper to two unicellular algae (Cyanidium caldarium and Chlorella saccharophila) can be decreased either through their subtraction from the culture medium by living or dead cells, or by the extracellular products.

The subtraction of the heavy metals tested manifests itself in each case by a shortening of the lag phase. Further, at least in the case of the combination Chlorella saccharophila-copper, a transition from type III inhibition (increased lag phase) to type II (decreased growth rate) as a results of an increase in the concentration of copper in the presence of extracellular products was observed.

This phenomenon was explained by the different toxic action exerted by copper in its ionic form (type III) as contrasted with copper combined in metalorganic compounds (type II).     

Conversion of an RFLP marker for the barley stem rust resistance geneRpg1 to a specific PCR-amplifiable polymorphism

TheRpg1 gene in barley has provided satisfactory levels of stem rust resistance for the last 50 years. The appearance of a new race of stem rust that is virulent toRpg1 has resulted in efforts to incorporate new stem rust resistance genes into barley. Marker-assisted selection may provide the only means of combining this useful gene with resistance genes for which no virulent races have been identified. Several RFLP markers have been identified as linked to theRpg1 locus. One of these, ABG704 was converted into a post-amplification restriction polymorphism. To generate a specific PCR-amplifiable polymorphism the sequence of the ABG704 locus from four barley cultivars was determined. Primers were developed that can detect a single-base difference between resistant and susceptible cultivars. The successful conversion of an RFLP marker to an allele-specific PCR-based marker not only demonstrates that this type of conversion is possible for cereals, but also results in an immediately useful marker for application to plant breeding programmes.     

Ciclo Di Accrescimento E Differenzazione Delle Gemme in Piante Perenni Nel Territorio Di Bari

Summary

The evolution of cambial activity during one year in Viburnum Tinus L. in Bari has been studied. The research seems to be particularly difficult in this evergreen shrub. The wood is of the porous diffused type with scarse evidence of wood rings. The vessel diameter varies rather irregularly in the wood ring; on the other side the fibers show wide variations and may be assumed as a good index of the wood ring evolution. Both in the branch and in the stem only one wood ring each year is formed.

Cambial activity prosecutes during the whole year, with an irregular step. During the period July-beginning of September the cambium devides very slowly, or possibly stops deviding.

The early wood is produced earlier in the branch than in the stem; namely in February-end of May in the branch and in March-beginning of June in the stem. The stimulating growth stuffs evidently proceeds downwards from the top to the base of the plant. The relations between ring evolution and climatic factors are discussed. The peculiar cambial poussée during the month of June seems to be correlated with the exceptionally aboundant rainfall of May in Puglia in 1947.

The late wood is formed during the other months discontinuosly. The alternation between the two phases of cambium division and wood lignification has been focussed. The wood ring in Viburnym Tinus is annual and the early wood differentiates in spring.     

Quantifying the Trade in Cycads (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Encephalartos</Emphasis> Species) in the Traditional Medicine Markets of Johannesburg and Durban,South Africa<Superscript>1</Superscript>

Quantifying the Trade in Cycads ( Encephalartos Species) in the Traditional Medicine Markets of Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa. Cycads have been used for traditional purposes for centuries, mainly as a source of starch during droughts and famines. In South Africa, Encephalartos species are traded for traditional medicine (TM) in local TM markets. The 2009 IUCN Red Data assessment for South African flora lists 78% of the 37 indigenous Encephalartos species as “Threatened”, with three species already “Extinct in the Wild” (EW). South African cycads face an extinction crisis, primarily due to collecting for the horticultural trade. The trade in Encephalartos for TM also has a significant impact on several species, and is largely understudied. In this paper, the trade in Encephalartos for TM was quantified in South Africa’s two largest TM markets, Faraday in Johannesburg and Warwick in Durban. Harvesting of South African Encephalartos for TM involves the removal of bark strips and/or whole stem sections. Encephalartos species were sold at 26% and 13% of the stalls at Faraday and Warwick, respectively, with an estimated 9.0 metric tons traded at Warwick in 2009. Stem samples purchased in the markets were assigned to stem diameter size classes using a size class chart, and regression analysis was used to validate the allocations. Most harvesting was from sub-adult and adult cycads, and it appears that bark strips are removed from large arborescent plants, whereas smaller individuals and subterranean-stemmed species are harvested by removing the entire plant. There is generally a positive relationship between stem diameter and leaf base length as well as stem diameter and pith radius. The former can be used as a predictor of stem diameter size class for market samples that prove difficult to assign to diameter classes using the chart. Overall, this is the first study to quantify the trade in Encephalartos for TM in South Africa with reference to the size classes of the plants traded.     

Stem borer's species composition,abundance and infestation on maize and millet in Maiduguri,Nigeria

The species composition, abundance and plant infestation of stem borers attacking maize and millet were investigated in farmers' fields during the cropping season of 2010 and 2011 in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Stem borers were collected via destructive sampling. In total, three stem borer species (Busseola fusca, Sesamia calamistis and Coniesta ignefusalis) were found, of which S. calamistis (64%) and C. ignefusalis (72%), respectively, were predominant on maize and millet. Across both years, whereas mean plant infestation ranged from 4.8% on millet to 20.8% on maize, mean stem borer abundance ranged from 1.6 individuals on millet to 13.8 individuals on maize. Mean total plant infestation and stem borer abundance varied with different years and both were significantly higher during the 2010 than 2011 cropping season. In spite of the generally low stem borer abundance per farmers' field, plant infestation particularly on maize plants seems to be moderate during different years.     

Highly enantioselective bioreduction of prochiral ketones by stem and germinated plant of Brassica oleracea variety italica

Abstract

An eco-friendly and environmentally benign asymmetric reduction of a broad range of prochiral ketones employing Brassica oleracea variety italica (stems and germinated plant) as a novel biocatalyst was developed. It was found that B. oleracea variety italica could be used effectively for enantioselective bioreduction in aqueous medium with moderate to excellent chemical yield and enantiomeric excess (ee). This process is more efficient and generates less waste than conventional chemical reagents or microorganisms. Both R- and S-configurations were obtained by these asymmetric reactions. The best ee were achieved for pyridine derivatives (92–99%). The ee in germinated plant reactions were significantly higher than those of stem reactions. The low cost and the easy availability of these biocatalysts suggest their possible use for large scale preparations of important chiral alcohols.     

Species-rich Nardus stricta grasslands host a higher vascular plant diversity on calcareous than on siliceous bedrock

Background: Species-rich Nardus stricta grasslands are a priority habitat for conservation in Europe. They typically occur on siliceous substrates and less frequently are found on calcareous bedrock.

Aims: The present paper aimed to identify the environmental factors (i.e. bedrock type, topographic, and climatic factors) that are related with community diversity and to assess if differences in plant diversity between N. stricta communities on calcareous and siliceous bedrock occur. We hypothesised that Nardus grasslands on calcareous bedrock hosted a higher vascular plant diversity than those on siliceous bedrock.

Methods: Based on 579 vegetation surveys carried out in the south-western Alps, we assessed vascular plant diversity (species richness, Shannon diversity, and Pielou’s equitability index) of species-rich Nardus grasslands and compared it between N. stricta communities on calcareous and siliceous bedrock.

Results: Elevation was identified as the main factor related to species composition, while species diversity was mostly related to mean annual precipitation and bedrock type. Species richness, Shannon diversity, and Pielou’s equitability index were higher within the communities on calcareous rather than on siliceous bedrock and a total of 89 and 34 indicator species were detected, respectively.

Conclusions: Based on our results, we suggest to protect primarily, as a habitat of priority interest, N. stricta grasslands on calcareous substrates for the higher vascular plant diversity hosted.     

Telomere repeat binding proteins are functional components of Arabidopsis telomeres and interact with telomerase

Although telomere‐binding proteins constitute an essential part of telomeres, in vivo data indicating the existence of a structure similar to mammalian shelterin complex in plants are limited. Partial characterization of a number of candidate proteins has not identified true components of plant shelterin or elucidated their functional mechanisms. Telomere repeat binding (TRB) proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana bind plant telomeric repeats through a Myb domain of the telobox type in vitro, and have been shown to interact with POT1b (Protection of telomeres 1). Here we demonstrate co‐localization of TRB1 protein with telomeres in situ using fluorescence microscopy, as well as in vivo interaction using chromatin immunoprecipitation. Classification of the TRB1 protein as a component of plant telomeres is further confirmed by the observation of shortening of telomeres in knockout mutants of the trb1 gene. Moreover, TRB proteins physically interact with plant telomerase catalytic subunits. These findings integrate TRB proteins into the telomeric interactome of A. thaliana.     

2 Protein Folding and its Implications for the Production of Recombinant Proteins

Abstract

Humans have utilised plant derived natural products as medicines for millenia. Moreover, many contemporary pharmaceuticals are also natural products or derivatives thereof. However, the full potential of these compounds remains to be exploited because often they are: complex and difficult to synthesise; found in low quantities; produced by undomesticated and sometimes rare plants; and, their synthesis is routinely influenced by weather conditions. Potentially, the in vitro culture of cells from the corresponding plant species could circumvent some of these problems but the growth of plant cells on an industrial scale is also problematic. The recent isolation and culture of cambial meristematic cells (CMCs), stem cells which ordinarily generate the plant vasculature, may now provide a key platform technology to help realise the full potential of plant natural products.     

寡雄腐霉发酵液的动物安全性及其对黄瓜的防病促生效应

【目的】生物农药安全无害,环境友好。为了评价寡雄腐霉发酵液(Pythium oligandrum broth,POB)的动物安全性和防病促生效应,研制高效、无害的生物农药。【方法】试验利用自主分离的寡雄腐霉生防菌株(P.oligandrum CQ2010)制备POB,通过动物试验、拮抗试验、盆栽和生产试验,研究了POB的动物毒性,对黄瓜蔓枯病的防治作用,以及对黄瓜生长、产量和品质的影响。【结果】用大剂量的POB灌胃给药对小鼠体重增长无显著影响,其外观和行为均无异常,组织器官也未见病理改变。POB对甜瓜球腔菌的抑制率为51.95%,药效介于1∶800的百菌清溶液和1∶200的甲基托布津溶液之间。在黄瓜幼苗接种甜瓜球腔菌前后喷施POB,叶片丙二醛含量下降,过氧化物酶和超氧化物歧化酶活性增强,发病率和病情指数均显著降低,相对防治效果达到54.8%–64.1%,故POB能减轻病原菌对细胞膜的伤害,激发防御性生理反应,增强黄瓜植株的抗病能力。此外,POB处理提高叶绿素含量,增强根系活力,增加植株氮、磷、钾吸收量,促进黄瓜植株生长,生物量和果实产量分别提高81.10%和11.58%。POB还使黄瓜果实Vc和可溶性糖提高,硝酸盐含量降低。【结论】寡雄腐霉发酵液对动物安全无毒,能有效防治黄瓜蔓枯病,促进黄瓜生长,提高产量品质。     

Plagiochila atlantica F. Rose,sp. nov.—P. amhagiosa auct.

Abstract

The Irish plant which, following Mitten, has commonly been referred to as Plagiochila ambagiosa Mitt. is specifically different from the type of P. ambagiosa, and is therefore described as Plagiochila atlantica F. Rose, sp. nov. It is now known from very restricted areas in Western Ireland, Western Scotland and North-western France.