夏枯草药材和种植土壤中农药及重金属残留分析

采用气相色谱及ICP-AES法测定了安徽庐江和江苏洪泽2个种植基地的土壤和夏枯草(Prunella vulgaris L.)果穗及全草中有机氯农药及重金属含量,并根据污染指数和相关标准对土壤及药材的安全性进行了评价.测定结果表明:来源于2个基地的土壤及药材中有机氯农药及重金属含量有明显差异.庐江产果穗和全草中Pb、Cd、Cu、Cr、As及BHC含量分别为3.361和3.953、0.172和0.190、8.258和7.722、3.423和2.658、0.284和0.355、0.003和0.004 mg·kg-1,Hg和DDT未检出;洪泽产果穗和全草中Pb、Cd、Cu、Cr、Hg及BHC含量分别为2.399和1.558、0.155和0.111、7.682和6.756、4.259和3.801、0.077和0.102、0.003和0.006 mg·kg-1,As未检出,果穗中也未检出DDT.庐江基地土壤中Cd、Cu、Cr、As、Hg、BHC和DDT含量分别为0.001、12.943、47.417、1.008、0.003、0.003和0.002 mg·kg-1,Pb未检出;洪泽基地土壤中Pb、Cd、Cu、Cr、As、Hg和BHC含量分别为3.443、0.002、18.655、63.385、3.701、0.141和0.004 mg·kg-1,DDT未检出.比较结果表明:夏枯草果穗中重金属残留量均高于全草,但均低于国家限量标准;土壤中有机氯农药及重金属单项污染指数均小于1,且庐江和洪泽基地土壤的综合污染指数分别为0.286和0.399,因此,土壤污染等级属安全级且污染水平为清洁级.     

科尔沁沙地沙漠化过程中土壤有机碳和全氮含量变化

通过地面调查,研究了沙漠化对科尔沁沙地农田和草地土壤有机碳和全氮含量的影响.结果表明,随着沙漠化的发展,科尔沁沙地土壤碳、氮含量明显下降.和非沙漠化农田相比,轻度、中度、重度和严重沙漠化农田土壤有机碳和全氮含量分别下降12.3%和15.3%、22.2%和24.7%、39.5%和44.7%、64.4%和63.5%;和非沙漠化草地相比,轻度、中度、重度和严重沙漠化草地土壤有机碳和全氮含量分别下降了56.3%和48.7%、78.4%和74.4%、88.9%和84.6%、91.6%和84.6%.截至2000年,科尔沁沙漠化总面积已经达到50197.5 km2,由于沙漠化而导致的土壤有机碳和全氮损失总量分别为36.39 Mt和7.89 Mt,其中草地分别占91.12%和86.06%,农田分别占8.88%和13.94%.相关分析结果表明,土壤有机碳和全氮的损失主要源于风蚀所引起的土壤粘粉粒的减少.因此,在科尔沁沙地,防治土壤风蚀对于减少农田和草地土壤碳、氮损失极为重要.     

沙漠化对科尔沁沙质草地生态系统碳氮储量的影响

通过野外调查,研究了沙漠化对科尔沁沙质草地生态系统碳、氮储量的影响.结果表明:沙漠化对草地碳、氮含量和储量具有显著影响,随着草地沙漠化的进程,草地碳、氮含量和储量明显下降.与非沙漠化草地相比,轻度、中度、重度和严重沙漠化草地0～100cm深土壤有机碳和全氮含量分别下降了56.06%和48.72%、78.43%和74.36%、88.95%和84.62%、91.64%和84.62%,植物组分中的碳、氮含量分别下降了8.61%和6.43%、0.05%和25.71%、2.58%和27.14%、8.61%和27.86%;轻度、中度、重度和严重沙漠化草地地上植物组分中的碳、氮储量分别下降了25.08%和27.62%、30.90%和46.55%、73.84%和80.62%、90.89%和87.31%,0～100cm深地下植物组分中碳和全氮储量分别下降了50.95%和43.38%、75.19%和71.04%、86.76%和81.48%、91.17%和83.17%.2000年科尔沁沙地沙漠化草地总面积为30152.7km2,因沙漠化损失的碳、氮总储量高达107.53和9.97Mt.草地碳、氮含量的下降主要源于风蚀过程中土壤细颗粒的损失.土壤的粗化和贫瘠化最终导致了植物和凋落物中碳、氮储量的明显下降.     

南昌市不同植物类群叶片氮磷浓度及其化学计量比

对南昌大学前湖校区89种主要植物叶片的N、P浓度及其化学计量比进行了研究,结果表明:乔灌、常绿、针叶、种子、裸子和单子叶植物类群的N浓度分别低于相对应的草本、落叶、阔叶、蕨类、被子和双子叶植物类群,而C3和C4植物差异不显著;乔灌、常绿和裸子植物类群的P浓度含量分别低于相对应的草本、落叶和被子植物类群,而针叶和阔叶、蕨类和种子、单子叶和双子叶、C3和C4植物类群间差异不显著;乔木、阔叶、被子和双子叶植物类群叶片N/P分别高于相对应的灌草、针叶、裸子和单子叶植物类群,而常绿和落叶、蕨类和种子、C3和C4植物类群之间差异不显著.可见,不同类型植物对N和P的吸收利用存在差异,且对不同养分供应采取不同的适应对策.结合研究区土壤养分现状,建议优先选择常绿、针叶、裸子和单子叶植物类群作为城市园林植物.     

减氮配施有机物料对玉米-白菜轮作系统作物产量、光合特性和产品品质的影响

减氮配施有机物料是实现农作物减肥不减产甚至增产的重要措施之一。为了探究减氮配施有机物料对贵州黄壤区玉米-白菜轮作系统作物产量、光合特性和农产品品质的影响,本研究采用盆栽试验,以玉米和白菜作为供试作物,研究了不施肥(CK)、常规化肥(CF)、减氮(20%)配施生物炭(RF+B)、减氮配施菜籽饼(RF+O)、减氮配施生物炭和菜籽饼(RF+BO)处理,对玉米苗期、拔节期、抽穗期、成熟期和白菜苗期、生长期、收获期植株叶片光合特性、生物性状、产量和品质的影响。结果表明: 与CF处理相比,RF+BO处理显著增加了玉米和白菜产量,增幅分别为9.7%和39.2%,RF+O处理对玉米和白菜产量的影响不显著,RF+B处理玉米增产不明显。RF+BO处理改善了玉米和白菜的生物性状,显著提升了玉米百粒重和白菜的株高、最大叶长、总生物量;延长了玉米和白菜持绿期及高光合持续时间,其中,玉米苗期、拔节期、抽穗期和成熟期叶片SPAD值分别增加42.7%、11.0%、12.8%和30.2%,白菜苗期、生长期和收获期叶片SPAD值分别增加13.5%、9.2%和12.5%;玉米苗期、抽穗期和成熟期的净光合速率(P_n)分别增加11.1%、10.9%和119.8%,白菜生长期和收获期的P_n分别提高12.7%和14.6%;玉米抽穗期和收获期的气孔导度(g_s)分别增加58.3%和41.7%,白菜苗期、生长期和收获期的g_s分别增加10%、64.7%和19.2%;玉米苗期、拔节期、抽穗期和成熟期的蒸腾速率(T_r)分别增加55.0%、10.6%、14.0%和143.9%,白菜生长期的T_r增加26.1%。同时,玉米和白菜的营养品质明显改善,玉米籽粒还原糖、淀粉和粗蛋白含量分别提高16.2%、3.5%和20.3%,白菜Vc、氨基酸和还原糖含量分别提高26.3%、21.0%和27.8%。这说明本试验条件下,减氮20%配施生物炭和菜籽饼组合对贵州黄壤玉米-白菜轮作系统的作物生长、产量提升、持绿期和高光合持续时间的延长、农产品品质改良均有积极效应,总体上在所有处理中提升效果最佳。减氮下单一配施有机物料对作物产量、光合和品质的整体影响不明显。     

枇杷果肉有机酸组分及有机酸在果实内的分布

用高效离子交换色谱（HPIC）测定了枇杷（Eriobotrya japonica Lindk）18个品种（小毛枇杷、夹脚、卓南1号、解放钟、富阳、森尾早生、华宝2号、香钟10号、白花、土肥、多宝2号、乌躬白、洛阳青、茂木、早钟6号、白梨、塘头4号和长红3号）的成熟果肉和2个品种（解放钟和早钟6号果）成熟果实不同组织有机酸含量。结果表明,成熟果肉中均含有苹果酸、奎尼酸、柠檬酸、异柠檬酸、α-酮戊二酸、富马酸、草酰乙酸、酒石酸8种有机酸,有的还含有微量的阿魏酸、顺乌头酸和B一香豆酸。大多数品种果肉中苹果酸含量最高,平均含量为4399mg kg^-1 FW,占总酸的62．7％;其次是奎尼酸,其平均含量为2042mgkg—FW,占总酸的29．1％。品种之间可滴定酸和有机酸含量差异很大。通过对果肉可滴定酸进行聚类分析,可把18个枇杷品种分为五个组群：极高酸（小毛枇杷）、高酸（夹脚、卓南1号、解放钟和富阳）、中酸（森尾早生、华宝2号、香钟10号、白花、土肥和多宝2号）、低酸（乌躬白、洛阳青、茂木和早钟6号）和极低酸（白梨、塘头4号和长红3号）。解放钟和早钟6号果肉和果皮的总酸含量及可滴定酸均无显著差异,但果皮和果肉的总酸含量和可滴定酸均大大高于种子。相似于果肉,果皮和种子的主要有机酸也是苹果酸和奎尼酸。果皮中苹果酸含量远高于奎尼酸,但种子中苹果酸含量比奎尼酸稍低。此外,种子中苹果酸和奎尼酸比果肉和果皮中的低得多。     

中国植物园五十年

概述了中国140多个植物园过去50年发展的历史过程、分布和特征,以及植物园在研究、保护、展示和利用生物多样性等方面的功能.评述了中国植物园早期在经济作物烟草、药用植物薯蓣和野生果树资源研究中对社会和经济发展的贡献,以及近年来在种子科学、物种保护、经济植物引种驯化和育种等方面的理论和应用研究成果.介绍了中国植物园活植物收集的现状.其中木兰科、姜科、苏铁类、药用植物、猕猴桃属和杜鹃属等收集圃的建设已属世界领先.介绍了植物园科普和旅游的发展和中国植物园特有的盆景艺术园和硅化木收集园.     

背角无齿蚌对养殖池塘底泥释放重金属的净化效果

通过建立微型生态系统, 分析养殖池塘底泥释放重金属的特征及背角无齿蚌(Anodonta woodiana)对底泥释放重金属的净化效果。底泥对Al、Cr、Mn、Fe、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Mo和Pb的最大释放量分别为636、1.5、70.9、34951、10.3、36.9、34.0、53.2、72.4、48.8和3.0 μg·kg-1 dw; 蚌能够对Al、Cr、Mn、Co、Cu、Zn、As和Mo产生净化作用(P<0.05), 最大去除率分别可达到84.7%、98.0%、33.3%、14.3%、23.5%、69.4%、50.0%和13.0%, 响应面优化分析显示养殖密度和处理时间分别为40 只·m-3和24.49 d、25 只·m-3和23.96 d, Al和As去除率可提升至93.8%和60.5%; Al、Cr、Fe、Co、Cu、Zn、As和Mo的净化效果与养殖数量相关, Al、Cr、Mn、Fe、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Mo和Pb的净化效果与处理时间相关, Cr、Co、Ni、Cu和Zn的净化效果与两者交互作用相关(P<0.05)。提示背角无齿蚌有潜力防控池塘底泥重金属污染。     

玫瑰种群生物学研究进展

玫瑰(Rosa rugosa Thunb.)原产于我国东部沿海、日本、朝鲜半岛和俄罗斯远东地区,18世纪作为园艺种引入欧洲后逃逸并入侵至北海和波罗的海周边多个国家以及北美沙质海岸,而中国野生种群却在过去30年间持续萎缩,成为珍稀濒危物种。从玫瑰种群生物学角度,通过文献比较和综合,在阐明玫瑰生态学特性和野生分布变化的基础上,全面论述了玫瑰种群在我国的生境退化、种群动态、种子繁殖、遗传多样性、濒危机理、保育方面的成果和悬疑问题;并结合欧洲入侵种群分布范围和敏感生境、对本地群落和物种的影响、种子繁殖、遗传变异、种群扩张和模拟预测、管理和控制方面的研究进展,分析了濒危种群和入侵种群数量动态、群落组成、幼苗更新、遗传变异、管理策略方面的差异及其影响因素;进而提出未来的玫瑰研究可从濒危种群和入侵种群的比较研究、种群和灌丛的动态监测、适合度相关性状的变异及其遗传基础、基于种群生物学的保育或控制4个方面为切入点,集中探索玫瑰种群濒危和入侵动态的规律、遗传基础和主要驱动力,为玫瑰保育和管理提供理论依据,为相似物种的适应和进化机制研究提供例证。     

秸秆和生草覆盖对桃园土壤养分含量、微生物数量及土壤酶活性的影响

以秸秆(覆盖重量分别为小麦(Triticum aestivum)秸3.25 kg·m^-2、玉米(Zea mays)秸1.97 kg·m^-2、禾本科杂草3.67 kg·m^-2)和生草(白三叶草(Trifolium repens)、高羊茅(Festuca arundincea)和紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa), 播种量均为50 kg·hm^-2)为覆盖材料, 以不覆盖为对照, 研究了不同覆盖材料对桃园土壤微生物数量和酶活性的影响, 及其与土壤养分的关系。结果表明, 与对照相比, 除覆盖生草根际和非根际土壤全磷和速效磷含量差异均不显著外, 其他处理根际和非根际土壤碱解氮、速效钾、全氮、全钾和有机质含量差异均达到显著水平; 所有处理根际和非根际土壤氨化细菌、真菌和放线菌数量、土壤含水率和pH值、土壤脲酶和磷酸酶活性差异均达到显著水平。白三叶草处理的根际和非根际土壤碱解氮、速效钾、全氮、全钾、有机质含量, 土壤氨化细菌和真菌数量, 土壤脲酶和磷酸酶活性的平均升幅均最高, 分别为99%、270%、267%、117%、272%、158%、141%、156%和64%。氨化细菌、真菌、放线菌、脲酶和磷酸酶分别与土壤碱解氮、速效钾(放线菌和磷酸酶除外)、全氮、全钾和有机质呈显著或极显著的正相关。通径分析表明, 在3种土壤微生物和2种酶对养分含量的影响中, 脲酶是影响土壤碱解氮、速效钾、全氮、全钾和有机质的主要因子。     

Electrophoretic Variation in Esterases, Peroxidases and Acid Phosphatases in Some Native Greek Taxa of the Genera Hordeum and Taeniatherum

Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis has been applied to thestudy of esterase, peroxidase and acid phosphatase patternsin seven taxa, namely Hordeum diploids (2n=14) (H. marinum,H. marinum I and H. hystrix), tetraploids (2n=28) (H. bulbosumand H. murinum subsp. leporinum) and Taeniatherum (2n=14) (T.caput-medusae and T. caput-medusae I) in order to elucidatetheir phylogenetic relationships. On the basis of our experimentalresults the seven taxa may be placed in the following threegroups; (1) diploid Hordeum (H. marinum, H. marinum I, H. hystrix);(2) tetraploid Hordeum (H. bulbosum, H. murinum subsp. leporinum);(3) Taeniatherum (T. caput-medusae, T. caput-medusae I). Esterase, peroxidase and acid phosphatase patterns of the twoHordeum diploid taxa (H. marinum and H. marinum I) are verysimilar suggesting their close phylogenetic relationship; thesame is true for both the taxa of the genus Taeniatherum (T.caput-medusae and T. caput-medusae I). The taxa of the Taeniatherumgroup compared with the diploid Hordeum (H. marinum, H. marinumI, H. hystrix) and the tetraploid Hordeum (H. bulbosum, H. murinumsubsp. leporinum) show a lower degree of phylogenetic relationshipand seem to be equally distant from them. The tetraploid Hordeumgroup shows a higher phylogenetic relationship with diploidHordeum group than with the Taeniatherum group. These results confirm that the genus Taeniatherum, previouslyconsidered as part of the genus Hordeum, should be regardedas a separate genus. Gramineae (Poaceae), Hordeum L., Taeniatherum Nevski., esterase, peroxidase and acid phosphatase patterns, phylogenetic relationships     

MORE MOLLUSCAN NAME-CHANGES, GENERIC AND SPECIFIC

Volema, Bolten, type V. paradisiaca, Bolten, has priority overMelongena, Schumacher, but may be used independently. Mayena, gen. nov., proposed for Biplex australasia, Perry. Turricula, Schumacher, is the correct name for Surcula, H. &A. Adams. Gelagna, Schaufuss, is equal to and antedates Paralagena, Dall. Partulida, Schaufuss, should replace Spiralinella, Chaster. Campanile, Fischer, has for type the recent species Cerithiumleve, Quoy & Gaimard, which is here renamed Campanile symbolicum,sp. nov. Campanilopa, gen. nov., introduced for the fossil Cerithiumgiganteum. Lam. Pleurotomoides, Bronn, has priority over Lora, Gistel, and Clathurella,Carpenter, all proposed as alternatives for Defrancia, Millet,preoccupied. Gabrielona, gen. nov., proposed for Phasianella nepeanensis,Gatliff & Gabriel. Orbitestella, gen. nov., for Cyclostrema bastowi, Gatliff. Megathura, Pilsbry, should be used instead of Macrochasma, Dall. Mitromorpha, auctt., is not Mitromorpha, Carpenter, which wasbased on Daphnella (?) filosa, Carpenter. Antimitra, gen. nov., is proposed for Pleurotoma agrota, Reeve,with which A. Adams' Mitromorpha lirata is congeneric. Lovellona, gen. nov., type Conus atramentosus. Reeve. Apaturris, gen. nov., type Mitramorpha expeditionis, Oliver. Callanaitis, gen. nov., type Venus yatei, Gray, for Salacia,Jukes-Browne, preoccupied. Anopsia, Gistel, is available for Psyche, Rang, preoccupied,and has priority over Verrillopsyche, Cossmann, proposed forHalopsyche, Kieferstein, preoccupied, introduced as substitutefor Rang's name. Hydromyles, Gistel, should be used for Euribia, Rang, preoccupied,as it is older than Kieferstein's name Theceurybia, for thesame genus. (Received 13 April 1917;     

The Regulatory Functions of the rolB and rolC Genes of Agrobacterium rhizogenes are Conserved in the Homologous Genes (Ngrol) of Nicotiana glauca in Tobacco Genetic Tumors

To compare patterns of expression between the Ngrol genes ofN. glauca and the Rirol genes of Agrobacterium rhizogenes, weperformed fluorometric and histochemical analysis of transgenicgenetic tumors on the hybrid of Nicotiana glauca x N. langsdorffü(Fl) that harbored a rß- glucuronidase (GUS) reportergene fused to the promoter of NgrolB, NgrolC, RirolB or RirolC The promoters of NgrolB and NgrolCNgrolC had 2- to 3-fold loweractivity than those of RirolB and RirolC However, the changesin patterns of GUS activity caused by deletion of NgrolB andNgrolCpromoters were similar to those of RirolB and RirolC promoters.This result suggests that the cis-acting sequences that regulatethe level of expression of RirolB and RirolC are conserved inthe NgrolB and NgrolC promoters. Furthermore, an auxin dependent(NAA-dependent) increase in GUS activity was observed in thecase of NgrolB-GUS and RirolB-GUS. Histochemical analysis showedGUS activity encoded by both NgrolB-GUS and RirolB-GUS in normal-typeFl transgenic plants was located in meristematic zones, whilethat encoded by NgrolC-GUS and RirolC-GUS was detected mainlyin vascular systems of various organs. Thus, the patterns ofexpression of the Ngrol genes were the same as those of theRirol genes in terms of promotion by auxin and tissue-specificity,indicating that regulatory mechanisms for both sets of geneshave been conserved during the evolution of the genus Nicotianaafter transfer from a progenitor of Agrobacterium to that ofNicotiana. (Received May 2, 1995; Accepted June 13, 1995)     

Reproductive Isolation in a Native Population of Petunia sensu Jussieu (Solanaceae)

Reproductive isolation was studied in four syntopic speciesof Petunia sensu Jussieu (Solanaceae) at a site in Rio Grandedo Sul State, Brazil. Reciprocal artificial crossing experimentsconfirmed that a genetic barrier exists between Petunia(P. axillarisand P. integrifolia) andCalibrachoa (C. parviflora and C. heterophylla),and also between C. parviflora andC. heterophylla . Petuniaaxillaris(white, nocturnally scented flower) is geneticallycompatible with the syntopic and allotopic P. integrifolia(coloured,unscented flower). Reproductive isolation appears to be maintainedby the two species having different pollinators: nocturnallyactive hawkmoths (Manduca contracta andM. diffissa subsp. petuniae)pollinate P. axillaris while a diurnally active bee (Hexanthedasp.) pollinates P. integrifolia. Flowers of P. integrifoliaexhibit diurnal opening and closing movements synchronous withthe activity period of the bee. Other than a probable nectarrobber (a carpenter bee, Xylocopa augusti), no insect visitedflowers of P. axillaris in the day. Amounts of floral nectarin P. axillaris and P. integrifolia were within the range ofhawkmoth- and bee-pollinated flowers, respectively. Reproductiveisolating mechanisms in the genus Petunia sensu Jussieu arediscussed. Copyright 2001 Annals of Botany Company Calibrachoa, hawkmoth, Petunia, Petunia axillaris, Petunia integrifolia, pollinator, reproductive isolation, Solanaceae     

Relationships Between Climate and Flowering of Eight Herbs in a Swedish Deciduous Forest

Effects of annual variation in rainfall, temperature and humidityon flowering abundance of eight temperate woodland plants (Anemonenemorosa, Cardamine bulbifera, Lamiastrum galeobdolon,Oxalisacetosella , Ranunculus ficaria, Stellaria holostea, Viola reichenbachianaand Viola riviniana) were studied during 12 consecutive years(1989–2000) in a hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) forest insoutheast Sweden. Above-average rainfall/humidity in late summerto early autumn of the preceding year increased flowering abundancein L. galeobdolon, O. acetosella, V. reichenbachiana, V. rivinianaand, especially, in R. ficaria, but not in S. holostea and A.nemorosa. Moreover, flowering of R. ficaria and O. acetosellawas positively related to rainfall/humidity during several partsof, or the entire, preceding year. On the contrary, floweringof S. holostea and A. nemorosa was closely related to low valuesof rainfall/humidity in autumn and/or winter of the precedingyear and also to low humidity in the current year in A. nemorosa.Two long periods (3–4 years) of increasing rainfall deficitcoincided with decreasing flowering abundance in most of thespecies, but not with decreasing vegetative development. Temperaturevariability was less consistently related to flowering. A coolperiod during the preceding summer or autumn seemed importantfor flowering in L. galeobdolon, O. acetosella and the Violaspecies, although these relations were, at least partly, causedby interactions with rainfall/humidity. No significant (P <0.05) correlations were found between flowering and the conditionsprevailing in April to May—the main flowering season—ofthe current year. Copyright 2001 Annals of Botany Company Climate, flowering, rainfall, temperature, Anemone nemorosa, Cardamine bulbifera, Lamiastrum galeobdolon, Oxalis acetosella, Ranunculus ficaria, Stellaria holostea, Viola reichenbachiana, Viola riviniana     

Intergeneric and Interspecific Relationships in Araceae tribe Caladieae and Development of Molecular Markers using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP)

Since amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysishas proved useful in distinguishing cultivars of Caladium, itwas used to assess the status of species of Caladium vs. Xanthosoma,both in tribe the Caladieae, and to reassess the position ofHapaline in the same tribe. AFLP analysis using three primercombinations was carried out on four species of Caladium(C.bicolor, C. humboldtii, C. lindenii and C. schomburgkii). Resultsshowed that AFLP can distinguish between the different speciesby their unique and different banding patterns. AFLP analysisconfirmed that C. humboldtii is a species distinct from C. bicolorand that C. lindenii is a true Caladium species and does notbelong to Xanthosoma. UPGMA cluster analysis showed that C.bicolor and C. schomburgkii are most similar and that C. humboldtiiis closer to the C. bicolor / C. schomburgkii cluster comparedwith C. lindenii. Genetic relationships between Caladium, Xanthosoma,Hapaline, Alocasia and Protarum were also examined by AFLP analysisusing eight primer combinations. Several useful molecular markerswere specific either to Caladium orXanthosoma , so that AFLPcan be used to distinguish species of these two genera. Geneticanalysis of the genera examined confirms that the Caladieaeand Colocasieae tribes are distinct and that Hapaline fallswithin the tribe Caladieae and that Protarum is most distantfrom all the genera examined. Copyright 2000 Annals of BotanyCompany Araceae, Caladium, Xanthosoma, Hapaline, Alocasia, Protarum, AFLP DNA fingerprinting, diversity, AFLP markers     

The Scaling of Plant Height: A Comparison Among Major Plant Clades and Anatomical Grades

The scaling plant height h (m) with respect to stem diameterd (m) was determined for a total 610 species (mosses, n = 40;pteridophytes, n = 16; dicotyledonous herbs, n = 117; palms,n = 17; gymnosperms, n = 105; dicotyledonous trees, n = 315);axial length or mass vs. d was determined for the pteridophytePsilotum nudum ; and the scaling of critical buckling heighth_crit of gymnosperm and dicotyledonous trees was calculatedbased on the record trunk d and average Young's modulus E anddensity p of 33 wood species. The scaling exponents (based onleast squares and reduced major axis regressions;     

The GUS reporter-aided analysis of the promoter activities of Arabidopsis ACC synthase genes AtACS4, AtACS5, and AtACS7 induced by hormones and stresses

Ethylene biosynthesis in higher plants is regulated developmentallyand environmentally. To investigate the regulation of ACC synthasegene expression, the promoters of Arabidopsis ACS genes, AtACS4,AtACS5, and AtACS7, were fused to a GUS reporter gene, and therecombinant transgenes were introduced into Arabidopsis to producethree groups of AtACS::GUS transgenic plants. Histochemic andfluorometric study of these transgenic plants revealed thatpromoters of AtACS4, AtACS, and AtACS7 are all active in dark-germinatedseedlings. AtACS5 has the highest promoter activity in leavesof 2-week-old light-grown seedlings among the three AtACS genesstudied. In the mature leaves, AtACS4 and AtACS7 genes are expressedin both veins and areoles, whereas AtACS5 is expressed at ahigher level in the areoles and epidermal cells surroundingtrichomes. The promoter activities of all these AtACS genesare found in the reproductive organs. AtACS5 and AtACS7 arehighly expressed in petals, sepals, carpels, stamens, caulineleaves, inflorescence stems, and siliques, while AtACS4 expressionis undetectable in the petals of open flowers. All three AtACSgenes are expressed in root tissue. In the 2-week-old light-grownArabidopsis, the AtACS4 promoter is responsive to the planthormones IAA, ethylene, and ABA, and to darkness and wounding;the AtACS5 promoter to IAA, ABA, salt, high temperature, andwounding; and the AtACS7 promoter to GA₃, ethylene, and ABA,and to darkness and salt. Low-temperature treatment abolishesthe darkness-induced AtACS7 gene expression, but not that ofAtACS4. Each AtACS gene has a unique expression profile duringgrowth and development. It appears that at any developmentalstage or any growth period of Arabidopsis, there is always amember of AtACS multigene family that is actively expressed. Key words: ACC synthase, Arabidopsis, ethylene, gene expression, GUS histochemical staining, reporter, stress treatments     

Efficacy of Fungicides for Control of Phytophthora Leaf Blight of Taro

Six fungicides were evaluated under greenhouse, laboratory,and dryland field conditions for control of Phytophthora leafblight of taro incited by P. colocasiae. Five separate criteriawere utilized to evaluate these fungicides: fungicidal activityin vitro; and fungicidal activity in vivo under conditions ofsimulated dew, simulated rainfall, greenhouse, and dryland fieldenvironments. In in vitro tests zoospores were killed at thefollowing concentrations: Dithane M-45, 5 ppm; Difolatan, 9ppm; Polyram, 65 ppm; Tribasic Copper Sulphate, 145 ppm; Benlate,210 ppm; and Dyrene, 260 ppm. Excellent control was obtainedwith Difolatan; good control with Dithane M-45 and Polyram;and poor control with Benlate, Tribasic Copper Sulphate, andDyrene. Results of in vivo tests correlated with those of thein vitro tests. Difolatan, Benlate, and Dyrene were the mostphytotoxic while Tribasic Copper Sulphate, Polyram, and DithaneM-45 were the least phytotoxic.