Studies on the carbon dioxide promotion and ethylene inhibition of tuberization in potato explants cultured in vitro

Ethylene inhibited the tuberization of etiolated potato (Solanum tuberosum L. var. Red La Soda) sprout sections cultured in vitro. Carbon dioxide did not overcome the C₂H₄ inhibition but it was required for normal tuberization. Ethylene totally prevented root formation and development. It inhibited stolon elongation, and caused thickening and diageotropical growth of the stolon. In addition, C₂H₄ prevented the accumulation of both starch and red anthocyanin which are always present in a tuber. Ethylene also inhibited the kinetin-increased tuberization of sprout sections.     

The regeneration mechanisms of a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pterocarya rhoifolia</Emphasis> population in a heavy snowfall region of Japan

To uncover the population regeneration mechanisms and function of sprouting of the canopy tree species, Pterocarya rhoifolia, in a heavy snowfall region of Sado Island, Japan, we investigated the stool structure and sprouting throughout the life history stages of the tree. We set up a plot, categorized the life history stages, characterized the relationship between individual growth and sprouting, and recorded the age and distribution of sprout stems in stools. We found that established juveniles were often damaged by snow pressure but did produce some sprout stems. Mature individuals had a stool structure with planar expansion by stem layering, experienced stem breakage, and produced sprout stems due to snow pressure. These results suggest that P. rhoifolia occupying heavy snowfall regions can maintain their population by sprouting, which recovers the tree body from snow pressure damage.     

Combining conventional QTL analysis and whole-exome capture-based bulk-segregant analysis provides new genetic insights into tuber sprout elongation and dormancy release in a diploid potato population

Tuber dormancy and sprouting are commercially important potato traits as long-term tuber storage is necessary to ensure year-round availability. Premature dormancy release and sprout growth in tubers during storage can result in a significant deterioration in product quality. In addition, the main chemical sprout suppressant chlorpropham has been withdrawn in Europe, necessitating alternative approaches for controlling sprouting. Breeding potato cultivars with longer dormancy and slower sprout growth is a desirable goal, although this must be tempered by the needs of the seed potato industry, where dormancy break and sprout vigour are required for rapid emergence. We have performed a detailed genetic analysis of tuber sprout growth using a diploid potato population derived from two highly heterozygous parents. A dual approach employing conventional QTL analysis allied to a combined bulk-segregant analysis (BSA) using a novel potato whole-exome capture (WEC) platform was evaluated. Tubers were assessed for sprout growth in storage at six time-points over two consecutive growing seasons. Genetic analysis revealed the presence of main QTL on five chromosomes, several of which were consistent across two growing seasons. In addition, phenotypic bulks displaying extreme sprout growth phenotypes were subjected to WEC sequencing for performing BSA. The combined BSA and WEC approach corroborated QTL locations and served to narrow the associated genomic regions, while also identifying new QTL for further investigation. Overall, our findings reveal a very complex genetic architecture for tuber sprouting and sprout growth, which has implications both for potato and other root, bulb and tuber crops where long-term storage is essential.Subject terms: Genetic markers, Next-generation sequencing, Plant breeding, Agricultural genetics, Genetic mapping     

浙江天目山苦槠种群结构和动态研究

选取了6个代表性样地对浙江天目山的苦槠种群结构和动态进行了研究,研究结果表明：苦槠种群的结构为衰败型：种群结构存在着幼龄种苗数量较少,部分样地有缺失现象。种群结构总体分布格局为随机型,不同阶段幼苗—幼树—中树—大树动态格局趋势表现为聚集—聚集—随机过渡—随机型。造成这种现象的原因一方面是由于大量的结实种子易被啮齿类捕食所致;另一方面也与苦槠的生物学特性和生境密切相关。苦槠种群维持和更新繁殖方式的适应性特点表现为无性萌生繁殖贡献率远远大于有性繁殖,种群主要通过萌生的方式来维持种群的更新和存活,并在一定程度上影响了演替的方向。衰败型苦槠种群的生态恢复可通过控制鼠害和移栽幼苗的策略。     

A Population Growth Trend Analysis for Neotricula aperta,the Snail Intermediate Host of Schistosoma mekongi,after Construction of the Pak-Mun Dam

Background

The Pak-Mun dam is a controversial hydro-power project on the Mun River in Northeast Thailand. The dam is sited in a habitat of the freshwater snail Neotricula aperta, which is the intermediate host for the parasitic blood-fluke Schistosoma mekongi causing Mekong schistosomiasis in humans in Cambodia and Laos. Few data are available which can be used to assess the effects of water resource development on N. aperta. The aim of this study was to obtain data and to analyze the possible impact of the dam on N. aperta population growth.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Estimated population densities were recorded for an N. aperta population in the Mun River 27 km upstream of Pak-Mun, from 1990 to 2011. The Pak-Mul dam began to operate in 1994. Population growth was modeled using a linear mixed model expression of a modified Gompertz stochastic state-space exponential growth model. The N. aperta population was found to be quite stable, with the estimated growth parameter not significantly different from zero. Nevertheless, some marked changes in snail population density were observed which were coincident with changes in dam operation policy.

Conclusions/Significance

The study found that there has been no marked increase in N. aperta population growth following operation of the Pak-Mun dam. The analysis did indicate a large and statistically significant increase in population density immediately after the dam came into operation; however, this increase was not persistent. The study has provided the first vital baseline data on N. aperta population behavior near to the Pak-Mun dam and suggests that the operation policy of the dam may have an impact on snail population density. Nevertheless, additional studies are required for other N. aperta populations in the Mun River and for an extended time series, to confirm or refine the findings of this work.     

Growth-inhibitory volatile aromatic compounds produced by Solanum tuberosum tubers

Some of the aromatic compounds evolved by stored potato tubers have been identified by combined GLC-MS. Of the identified compounds, benzothiazole, 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene and 1,6-dimethylnaphthalene are comparatively potent inhibitors of sprout growth in the potato tuber. The growth suppressing activity of the two dimethylnaphthalenes is comparable with that of isopropyl-(N-3-chlorophenyl)-carbamate, which is used commercially in potato storage.     

岷江干旱河谷多苞蔷薇生长与繁殖特征

通过大面积野外踏查和样方调查,分析了岷江干旱河谷乡土灌木多苞蔷薇种群的分布、生长繁殖特征及其空间差异性.结果表明,多苞蔷薇广泛分布于岷江干旱河谷汶川绵褫至松潘镇江关约170 km长、海拔1 200～2 600 m的空间范围内,其株高、基径、年龄、冠幅、萌蘖株数和结实量的平均值分别为(123.33±3.13) cm、(12.49±0.40) mm、(3.34±0.16) a、(1.30±0.13) m²、(5.07±0.39)株/丛和(171.47±25.90)果/丛.随着海拔高度和纬度增加,其株高、基径、冠幅和结实量增加,而萌蘖株数没有显著变化.多苞蔷薇有性结实和无性萌蘖能力随环境空间变化的不匹配性与其生长密切相关,可能与多变环境下资源分配利用的平衡机制有关;以丛进行年龄统计,多苞蔷薇缺少幼龄个体,种群发展并不稳定,但随海拔高度升高,萌蘖株年龄结构均呈“金字塔”型,且较大龄级的萌株比例略增,显示出良好的种群持续性.综合分析发现,多苞蔷薇生长与繁殖的空间差异性是对干旱河谷长期适应的结果,既为种群持续提供了保证,也为种群扩大奠定了基础.     

Adaptive plasticity in the life history strategy of a canopy tree species, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pterocarya rhoifolia</Emphasis>, along a gradient of maximum snow depth

The Japanese wingnut Pterocarya rhoifolia is a riparian canopy tree species that grows under a variety of climate conditions, including heavy snowfall, despite the difficulties posed to canopy trees in such environments. This suggests that P. rhoifolia might adapt its life history strategy to different snowfall conditions. This study compared several life history traits of this tree species in a cool temperate mountainous area in central Japan along a gradient of maximum snow depth. The following trends were observed with increasing maximum snow depth: (1) diameter at breast height decreased, maximum stem length and tree height shortened, and trees tended toward a ‘dwarf shrub’ form; (2) the number of sprout stems increased significantly, and these sprouts contributed to maintaining the population; and (3) seed production decreased. Our results suggest trade-offs between clonal growth (sprouting) and sexual reproduction (seed production), and between sprouting and height growth. We concluded that the life history strategy P. rhoifolia demonstrated adaptive plasticity in response to a gradient of maximum snow depth.     

Two- and three-dimensional ultrastructural observation of two cell angiogenesis in human granulation tissue

The growth of endothelial sprouts from capillary walls in human granulation tissue has been examined by two- and three-dimensional electron microscopy using a serial sectioning method. Within the parent capillary wall endothelial sprouts composed of two layers of relatively immature endothelium was demonstrated. Three-dimensional reconstruction revealed that the two layered endothelial projections extended and/or migrated outward in a bicellular configuration, the slit-like lumen of the endothelial sprout connecting with the parent capillary lumen. These ultrastructural appearances have not been reported previously with sequential composition to the morphological progression of the sprout. In the cytoplasm of the endothelial sprout, abundant intermediate filaments were assumed to play a mechanical role, tension resistance, in the development of the endothelial sprout. The active endothelial sprout in granulation tissue was considered to be at least partially responsible for the growth of the capillary network and subsequent development of granulation tissue.     

The inhibition of potato sprout growth by light.

The effect of light intensity on sprout growth in seed potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum) was examined using diffuse daylight in Peru and diffuse artificial light at Glasgow. Mean temperatures below 20 °C produced strong sprout growth that was inhibited by both daylight and artificial light, at visible irradiances above 0.01 Wm^-2. The percentage inhibition of sprout growth increased linearly with the logarithm of the irradiance, 50% inhibition being at 0.04 - 0.1 Wm^-2 provided that the temperature was suitable for substantial sprout growth in the absence of light. Cultivar and temperature had very little effect on the 50% inhibition point. At high irradiances growth inhibition was up to 95%, but the sprout length was never reduced to zero; short, robust green sprouts remained. Sprout numbers were increased by daylight, but not by artificial light. Diffuse daylight also reduced the total weight loss from seed tubers during a storage season of 180 days. At mean temperatures above 20 °C., sprout growth in the absence of light was much reduced and the effect of light on sprout elongation was less obvious.     

紫茎泽兰生长发育过程中糖、激素、单宁、黄酮的变化

采用高效液相和分光光度法对紫茎泽兰不同发育阶段（种子,芽,幼苗和成株）糖、激素、单宁及总黄酮含量差异进行了研究。结果表明：不同糖类的变化。紫茎泽兰的葡萄糖含量以芽最高,为6.93%;而种子（0.16%）、幼苗（1.27%）、成株(1.07%)均明显低于芽阶段;同样,紫茎泽兰中蔗糖含量芽较高,为2.68%,而种子（0.32%）、幼苗（0.52%）、成株(0.09%)均明显低于芽阶段。果糖含量的变化,最大值也是在芽阶段（3.28%）,其次为种子阶段（2.56%）,而种子和成株阶段均很低（0.14%和0.55%）。测定中,海藻糖、棉子糖、甘露糖的含量差别很大,仅种子阶段测定出3种糖的含量,结果表明差别不大,依次为0.04%、0.04%、0.03%。激素类的变化。在不同发育阶段,紫茎泽兰芽阶段吲哚乙酸（IAA）含量较高,达到14.20μg·g^-1 Dw ,比种子阶段高1.25μg·g^-1 Dw,是幼苗的1.63倍,成株阶段的5.55倍。紫茎泽兰赤霉素（GA）含量在不同发育阶段存在着明显的差异,而且种子的GA含量（901.11μg·g^-1 Dw）明显高于芽、幼苗和成株阶段,而以芽和幼苗阶段含量最低,分别为97.35和84.29μg·g^-1 Dw,成株阶段略高于芽和幼苗阶段,为280.50μg·g^-1 Dw。单宁类的变化：紫茎泽兰单宁变化差异明显,紫茎泽兰种子中单宁含量为1.98%,明显高于芽、幼苗和成株阶段（<0.30%）;总黄酮类的变化：紫茎泽兰总黄酮含量在发育过程中呈不断上升趋势。紫茎泽兰种子中总黄酮含量很微弱,为0.04%,而芽、幼苗和成株阶段的紫茎泽兰总黄酮含量均明显高于种子阶段,并且这3个阶段之间含量差别不大,分别为（0.60%、0.64%、0.62%）。这些结果说明,糖、激素、单宁及总黄酮含量与植物生长发育的基本规律和代谢过程的调控密切相关。     

Exogenous ethylene inhibits sprout growth in onion bulbs

Background and Aims

Exogenous ethylene has recently gained commercial interest as a sprouting inhibitor of onion bulbs. The role of ethylene in dormancy and sprouting of onions, however, is not known.

Methods

A cultivar (Allium cepa ‘Copra’) with a true period of dormancy was used. Dormant and sprouting states of onion bulbs were treated with supposedly saturating doses of ethylene or with the ethylene-action inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). Initial sprouting was determined during storage at 18 °C by monitoring leaf blade elongation in a specific size class of leaf sheaths. Changes in ATP content and sucrose synthase activity in the sprout leaves, indicators of the sprouting state, were determined. CO₂ and ethylene production of onion bulbs during storage were recorded.

Key results

Exogenous ethylene suppressed sprout growth of both dormant and already sprouting onion bulbs by inhibiting leaf blade elongation. In contrast to this growth-inhibiting effect, ethylene stimulated CO₂ production by the bulbs about 2-fold. The duration of dormancy was not significantly affected by exogenous ethylene. However, treatment of dormant bulbs with 1-MCP caused premature sprouting.

Conclusions

Exogenous ethylene proved to be a powerful inhibitor of sprout growth in onion bulbs. The dormancy breaking effect of 1-MCP indicates a regulatory role of endogenous ethylene in onion bulb dormancy.Key words: Bulb dormancy, Allium cepa, onion, sprout growth, ethylene, CO₂ production, respiration, 1-methylcyclopropene     

Structure and dynamics of a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Castanopsis cuspidata</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">sieboldii</Emphasis> population in an old-growth,evergreen, broad-leaved forest: The importance of sprout regeneration

The population structure and dynamics of Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii were studied to evaluate vegetative and sapling regeneration in an old-growth, evergreen broad-leaved forest exposed to low-severity typhoon disturbances by annual typhoons on the Tsushima Islands in Japan. The density of individuals 5cm d.b.h. was 38.0ha^–1 in 1990; 7.9% were multiple-stemmed individuals. Over the 7-year study period (1990–1997), the number of individuals decreased, although the number of stems increased. Over 30% of apparently dead individuals were reconstituted by sprouting stems. Compared with sprout regeneration, sapling regeneration rarely occurred and was only observed in canopy gaps. Most individuals had at least one sprout shoot (H 30cm, d.b.h. <5cm), and the number and size of sprout shoots increased as the size of the individuals increased. During the study period, larger individuals with stem breakage tended to produce sprout stems. The density of saplings was 1074ha^–1 and they were more abundant in canopy gaps than under closed canopies, but large saplings were very rare even in canopy gaps. The population of C.cuspidata var. sieboldii consisted primarily of single-stemmed individuals with a few multiple-stemmed individuals providing a sprout bank. Larger individuals responded to the low severity typhoon disturbances and formed sprout stems. Although many saplings were observed, regeneration occurred more often by sprout formation than by growth of saplings. Thus, sprout regeneration is an important mode of regeneration, which allows this pioneer-like species to maintain its population in this forest.     

Reciprocal interactions between native and introduced populations of common milkweed,Asclepias syriaca,and the specialist aphid,Aphis nerii

Following its introduction into Europe (EU), the common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) has been free of most specialist herbivores that are present in its native North American (NA) range, except for the oleander aphid Aphis nerii. We compared EU and NA populations of A. nerii on EU and NA milkweed populations to test the hypothesis that plant–insect interactions differ on the two continents. First, we tested if herbivore performance is higher on EU plants than on NA plants, because the former have escaped most of their herbivores and have perhaps been selected for lower defence levels following introduction. Second, we compared two A. nerii lines (one from each continent) to test whether genotypic differences in the herbivore may influence species interactions in plant–herbivore communities in the context of species introductions. The NA population of A. nerii developed faster, had higher fecundity and attained higher population growth rates than the EU population. There was no overall significant continental difference in aphid resistance between the plants. However, milkweed plants from EU supported higher population growth rates and faster development of the NA line of A. nerii than plants from NA. In contrast, EU aphids showed similar (low) performance across plant populations from both continents. In a second experiment, we examined how chewing herbivores indirectly mediate interactions between milkweeds and aphids, and induced A. syriaca plants from each continent by monarch caterpillars (Danaus plexippus) to compare the resulting changes in plant quality on EU aphid performance. As specialist chewing herbivores of A. syriaca are only present in NA, we expected that plants from the two continents may affect aphid growth in different ways when they are challenged by a specialist chewing herbivore. Caterpillar induction decreased aphid developmental times on NA plants, but not on EU plants, whereas fecundity and population growth rates were unaffected by induction on both plant populations. The results show that genetic variation in the plants as well as in the herbivores can determine the outcome of plant–herbivore interactions.     

Response of Peanut,Corn, Tobacco,and Soybean to Criconemella ornate

The relative susceptibility of four field crops to Criconemella ornata differed greatly in microplot tests. As few as 178 freshly-introduced C. ornata/500 cm³ of soil stunted peanut. In contrast, this nematode had no effect on the growth of corn or soybean. Large populations remaining after culture of peanut or corn enhanced the growth of tobacco. A problem of comparing the effects of a freshly introduced population of this nematode with large residual populations was encountered. Freshly extracted, greenhouse-grown inoculum caused the typical "yellows disease" on peanut, whereas much greater residual population densities following a poor host (tobacco) had little effect on the growth of peanut. It is suggested that many of the nematodes in the field following a poor host are dead. Peanut supported greater reproduction (up to 970-fold) than did other crops tested. Corn was intermediate, with a population increase as great as 264-fold; soybean and tobacco failed to maintain initial population densities.     

Importance of dormancy and sink strength in sprouting of onions (Allium cepa) during storage

In onion ( Allium cepa L.) postponement of sprouting is necessary to achieve long term storage. We studied the factors determining sprouting during dry storage at 16°C. The period to visible sprouting depends on the length of the dormancy period, if present, and on the growth rate of the sprout. In the three cultivars tested, sprouts were initiated within 2 weeks after harvest indicating the absence of a real dormancy period. Sprout length increased linearly during storage. The mitotic activity of the apex decreased before harvest, was low at the transition from scale to leaf formation, and increased again when the sprout was initiated. From a few weeks before harvest, the initially high fructan content of the scales decreased, leading to a large increase in fructose. The sprout always contained enough carbohydrates for growth (between 50 and 60 mg g⁻¹ dry weight, of which 30% was fructan). The activity of sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) increased as the sprout grew, indicating an increase in sink strength. Invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) was absent in all bulb organs, during the various developmental stages. Although carbohydrates and enzymes were available for fast sprouting, sprout growth was still linear instead of exponential during dry storage at temperatures favorable for growth (16°C). The relative importance of factors determining sprouting are discussed.     

Population Dynamics of the Endangered, Long-Lived Perennial Species, Ligularia sibirica

Ligularia sibirica is a relict wetland perennial plant species of the Czech and Slovak Republic. Explaining variation in population growth rate and identifying the causes of that variation is important for effective protection of such an endangered species. Matrix models based on four years of data of 11 populations were used to identify the pattern of variation in the demographic vital rates of this species, and to examine the causes of the variation such as population size and habitat type. Further, the matrix model was used to determine the population growth rate, longevity and risk of extinction of each population and to identify the specific vital rates that most affect population growth rate. The results showed that population growth rates were significantly different between years and populations. Temporal variation was mostly due to variable survival of adult individuals, while spatial variation was mainly driven by fertility of one small currently expanding population. Further, most studied populations of L. sibirica are performing well and only those growing in nitrogen-rich habitats have a high extinction risk. The results also indicate that all populations have low adult mortality, long-lived individuals (61.3?years on average) and some populations also show features of remnant populations (i.e., the persistence of populations in severe conditions in spite of no reproduction). Our results imply that detailed demographic data are needed to understand the long-term prospects of these populations. These data may serve as an early warning system for this species long before an obvious decline occurs in the populations.     

Growth,stress, and acclimation responses to fluctuating temperatures in field and domesticated populations of Manduca sexta

Diurnal fluctuations in temperature are ubiquitous in terrestrial environments, and insects and other ectotherms have evolved to tolerate or acclimate to such fluctuations. Few studies have examined whether ectotherms acclimate to diurnal temperature fluctuations, or how natural and domesticated populations differ in their responses to diurnal fluctuations. We examine how diurnally fluctuating temperatures during development affect growth, acclimation, and stress responses for two populations of Manduca sexta: a field population that typically experiences wide variation in mean and fluctuations in temperature, and a laboratory population that has been domesticated in nearly constant temperatures for more than 300 generations. Laboratory experiments showed that diurnal fluctuations throughout larval development reduced pupal mass for the laboratory but not the field population. The differing effects of diurnal fluctuations were greatest at higher mean temperature (30°C): Here diurnal fluctuations reduced pupal mass and increased pupal development time for the laboratory population, but had little effect for the field population. We also evaluated how mean and fluctuations in temperature during early larval development affected growth rate during the final larval instar as a function of test temperature. At an intermediate (25°C) mean temperature, both the laboratory and field population showed a positive acclimation response to diurnal fluctuations, in which subsequent growth rate was significantly higher at most test temperatures. In contrast at higher mean temperature (30°C), diurnal fluctuations significantly reduced subsequent growth rate at most test temperatures for the laboratory population, but not for the field population. These results suggest that during domestication in constant temperatures, the laboratory population has lost the capacity to tolerate or acclimate to high and fluctuating temperatures. Population differences in acclimation capacity in response to temperature fluctuations have not been previously demonstrated, but they may be important for understanding the evolution of reaction norms and performance curves.