内切葡聚糖酶高产菌株的诱变选育

【目的】建立里氏木霉(Trichoderma reesei)高产突变菌株的快速筛选方法,选育出高产内切葡聚糖酶的突变株。【方法】对里氏木霉T306菌株的初筛培养基进行优化,建立快速筛选方法;通过紫外诱变手段选育内切葡聚糖酶高产突变菌株,并对突变菌株的产酶培养基进行优化。【结果】在初筛培养基中添加浓度为0.1%(W/V)的乳糖、蛋白胨及脱氧胆酸钠有利于菌株的筛选。诱变后筛选出菌落形态发生明显变化的内切葡聚糖酶高产突变株0516,其羧甲基纤维素酶活力(CMC酶)较出发菌株提高了38.9%。其产酶培养基经优化后,得到最适碳、氮源分别为:乳糖1.50%、硫酸铵0.14%、尿素0.05%、蛋白胨0.10%,优化后CMC酶活力达64.2 U/mL,较优化前提高了2.3倍。【结论】建立了里氏木霉高产突变菌株的快速筛选方法,通过紫外诱变育种获得了产内切葡聚糖酶能力高且遗传稳定的突变株0516。     

β-葡萄糖苷酶产生菌的筛选及其所产纤维素酶酶系组成分析

从木霉属、曲霉属、担子菌等17种试验菌株中筛选出一株产β-葡萄糖苷酶活性较高的黑曲霉A.niger-nl-1。该菌株在适宜的培养条件下,β-葡萄糖苷酶的最高活力达到4.7U/mL,适宜的产酶周期为4d。制备的β-葡萄糖苷酶最适反应温度为55℃、最适反应pH为5.0。该菌株除能产生β-葡萄糖苷酶外,还能产生内切葡聚糖酶和外切葡聚糖酶,滤纸酶活达到0.62IU/mL。     

长足大竹象内切葡聚糖酶最适反应条件的确定及其关键基因的筛选

【目的】本研究旨在阐明长足大竹象Cyrtotrachelus buqueti内切葡聚糖酶最适反应条件,并挖掘长足大竹象消化道内切葡聚糖酶关键基因。【方法】采用3,5-二硝基水杨酸(DNS)法,设置以羧甲基纤维素钠(MC)为反应底物的单因素和正交优化试验测定内切葡聚糖酶反应的最适条件。通过对长足大竹象发育转录组内切葡聚糖酶编码基因进行生物信息学分析,并将基因表达量与酶活性数据进行关联分析,筛选出发育时期中关键内切葡聚糖酶基因,采用实时荧光定量PCR对不同发育时期长足大竹象消化道内切葡聚糖酶关键基因表达量进行验证确定。【结果】研究表明,长足大竹象成虫内切葡聚糖酶的最适反应条件为：温度45℃,pH 5.6,底物浓度2%,酶比活力59.85 U/mg(雌)和52.87 U/mg(雄);幼虫内切葡聚糖酶的最适反应条件为：温度35℃,pH 4.8,底物浓度2％,酶比活力38.34 U/mg。筛选出长足大竹象消化道内切葡聚糖酶关键基因c64192_g1和c57057_g1。实时荧光定量PCR结果表明c64192_g1和c57507_g1基因在成虫时期表达量高于幼虫。【结论】长足大竹象雌雄成虫的内切葡聚糖酶比活力均高于幼虫,存在两个影响内切葡聚糖酶活性的关键基因c64192_g1和c57507_g1。这些研究成果丰富了内切葡聚糖酶来源,并为长足大竹象内切葡聚糖酶异源表达提供数据参考,进而为木质纤维素预处理和生物质能源的开发利用奠定理论基础。     

蚀木链霉菌KX6耐热内切葡聚糖酶的产生及酶学性质研究

从堆肥中筛选到一株产耐热内切葡聚糖酶的放线菌菌株,通过形态观察和16S rRNA序列分析,鉴定为蚀木链霉菌(Streptomyces Xylophagus)。实验中对其产酶的液态发酵条件进行了研究,碳源为1%（w/v）羧甲基纤维素钠,氮源为1%（w/v）豆粕粉,250ml三角瓶30 %装液量,接种量为2%,培养基初始pH为8.0,培养温度为40℃,200r/min培养48h后,发酵液中内切葡聚糖酶活达到0.538IU/ml。该酶的最适作用温度和pH分别为50℃和7.0,50℃下酶活保持1 h不变,60℃保温1h,仍有60%的原酶活性,pH为6.0~7.0酶活稳定,该酶属于一种耐热的中性内切葡聚糖酶。     

一株产低温β-半乳糖苷酶微杆菌的筛选鉴定、产酶条件及其酶学特性

【背景】低温β-半乳糖苷酶能在低温下仍保持较高的乳糖水解活性,筛选酶学特性适合在牛乳体系中高效水解乳糖的β-半乳糖苷酶生产菌株,是低乳糖牛乳加工产业关注的焦点。【目的】对天山中国一号冰川沉积物中分离的一株产低温β-半乳糖苷酶菌株的产酶条件和酶学特性进行研究。【方法】结合X-Gal平板法初筛和测定粗酶液酶活复筛,获得产低温β-半乳糖苷酶的菌株。通过形态学、生理生化试验及16S rRNA基因测序分析对筛选菌株进行鉴定,单因素摇瓶实验优化菌株的产酶条件,硫酸铵分级沉淀初步纯化β-半乳糖苷酶并对其酶学特性进行分析。【结果】通过形态学、生理生化特征和16S rRNA基因鉴定,确定菌株LW106为微杆菌属(Microbacterium)菌株;该菌株最适产酶温度为25°C,最佳产酶碳源为可溶性淀粉,培养基初始pH为7.0,接种量为3%;对初步纯化的低温β-半乳糖苷酶酶学性质的研究表明,LW106所产β-半乳糖苷酶的最适pH为6.0,最适反应温度为35°C,4°C时酶活为最大酶活的78%,4°C和pH 7.0时的稳定性最好,10 mmol/L的Na+对酶活性基本没有抑制作用,Ca~(2+)对酶活性具有一定的激活作用。【结论】菌株LW106所产低温β-半乳糖苷酶的酶学特性表明该酶在乳品低温加工领域具有进一步研究和应用的价值。     

南极产低温脂肪酶菌株Psychrobacter sp. 7195 的 选育、发酵条件及酶学性质研究

从南极普里兹湾深海沉积物中筛选到一株产低温脂肪酶的菌株7195,细菌学形态鉴定及16S rDNA序列分析表明该菌株属于嗜冷杆菌属 (Psychrobacter). 生长特性研究表明该菌株属于耐冷菌,其最适生长温度范围为5～15°C, 7195菌株能利用多种碳、氮源产酶.粗酶液经硫酸铵盐析、DEAE cellulose-52 柱层析进行初步分离纯化后进行酶学性质的研究. 该菌株所分泌的脂肪酶最适作用温度为30°C,最适pH值为9.0,对热敏感,60°C热处理10min剩余酶活为30%,是典型的低温酶. Ca2+、Mn2+、Cu2+对该酶有较为明显的激活作用,而Co2+、Zn2+、Hg2+、Rb2+、Cd2+、Fe3+、EDTA则能抑制酶活,此外该脂肪酶能在高浓度的SDS、CHAPS、Triton X-100、Tween 80、Tween20等变性剂中表现出较好的稳定性.     

一株低温木质素降解菌的筛选、产酶优化及酶学性质

【背景】我国北方地区秋冬两季平均气温较低,低温环境使得秸秆更难自然降解。【目的】筛选高效低温木质素降解菌,探索其酶学特性并提高其产酶性能和秸秆降解效率。【方法】通过苯胺蓝法和酶活测定对菌株进行筛选,以Lip、Lac、Mnp酶活力为评价指标,采用单因素和响应面法进行产酶条件优化及酶学性质研究,通过固态发酵试验研究其对秸秆的降解效率。【结果】筛选到一株高效菌LS-1,经形态学和分子生物学鉴定其为嗜麦芽窄食单胞菌。菌株LS-1在木质素为碳源、蛋白胨为氮源、pH 8.0、培养温度15°C、培养时间3 d时产酶效果最佳,其中Lip酶活力为23.34 U/mL、Lac酶活力为9.37 U/mL、Mnp酶活力为50.89 U/mL。Lip和Lac最适作用温度为30°C且热稳定性良好,Mnp最适作用温度为50°C但热稳定性较差。Lac最适作用pH 4.0且耐酸性较好,Lip和Mnp最适作用pH 5.0;0.75 mmol/L Mg~(2+)和0.5%吐温-20对Lip有促进作用,1 mmol/L Cu~(2+)和丁香酸对Lac有促进作用,0.1%-0.5%吐温-20均对Mnp有促进作用。15°C固态发酵后,秸秆失重率达18.85%,木质素降解率达36.14%,比对照组提高约6倍以上。【结论】本研究为低温木质素高效降解提供了优质菌种资源,在秸秆降解方面具有良好的应用前景。     

蠼螋肠道中碱性内切葡聚糖酶基因的克隆表达及功能分析

【目的】从蠼螋肠道细菌菌株Q5中获得一个新型耐碱纤维素酶基因,通过异源表达、酶学性质及功能分析,旨在为以后进一步研究开发高温碱性纤维素酶提供一些理论参考。【方法】采用刚果红平板初筛法,从河南南阳宝天曼国家级自然保护区落叶堆下的昆虫蠼螋肠道中,获得具有分泌较高活性碱性纤维素酶的细菌菌株。基于该菌株的形态学、生理学及16S rRNA序列特征等对高活性菌株进行分类鉴定。并通过设计简并引物,从高活性菌株中克隆出该菌株的纤维素酶基因,并进行序列分析,并导入大肠杆菌BL21中表达。【结果】获得1株具有分泌较高活性碱性内切葡聚糖酶的细菌菌株Q5,经鉴定为甲基营养型芽孢杆菌,进一步从Q5菌株中成功克隆出该菌株的一个全长1500 bp的内切葡聚糖酶基因(GenBank KR067575),在NCBI比对后发现该基因的氨基酸序列与芽孢杆菌菌株LM 4-2的耐碱性β-1,4-内切葡聚糖酶基因(AKE23721.1)有98%的同源性。重组菌经优化培养,细胞破碎后上清液中的酶活力可达3.46 U/mL,是出发菌株Q5(2.05 U/mL)的1.69倍。经正交实验优化后的酶活力为4.99 U/mL。酶学性质研究表明:该酶的最适反应温度与pH值分别为50°C与pH 8.5,在pH 8.0和9.0保温48 h,其酶活力仍然维持到最高酶活的82%和81%;该酶在50°C以下较稳定,60°C以上酶活迅速降低。10 mmol/L的Ca~(2+)和Mg~(2+)对酶的活性有明显促进作用,重组酶Ega5的K_m和V_(max)分别是2.217 mol/mL和9.606μmol/(min·L)。该重组酶对棉花黄萎病病原菌大丽轮枝菌具有显著抑制作用。【结论】本文首次从蠼螋肠道中筛选到了一株产碱性内切葡聚糖酶的细菌菌株并从中克隆出了一个碱性纤维素酶基因,为该酶在碱性条件的应用奠定了理论基础。     

镰刀菌Q7-31T内切葡聚糖酶Egn20的分离纯化鉴定及酶学特性

摘要:【目的】从镰刀菌Q7-31T燕麦秸秆诱导发酵的粗酶液中分离、纯化并鉴定内切葡聚糖酶,研究其酶学特性。为丰富和完善镰刀菌的酶系信息提供理论支持。【方法】以燕麦秸秆为碳源诱导发酵培养菌株,采用Sephacry S-100凝胶柱层析和DEAE琼脂糖弱阴离子交换柱层析对粗酶液进行分离纯化得到内切葡聚糖酶Egn20,随后对其进行了酶学性质分析和串联质谱鉴定。【结果】分离纯化得到内切葡聚糖酶Egn20,其分子量为55.37 kDa,等电点为7.44;酶学特性结果表明:Egn20对羧甲基纤维素的最适反应温度为40 ℃,最适pH为6.0,该酶在45 ℃和弱酸性环境下较稳定,Fe2+对其有激活作用,Na+、Ca2+、Mg2+、Zn2+和K+抑制该酶活性,Hg2+使该酶失活;酶学特性和串联质谱鉴定的结果表明Egn20属于GH7家族。【结论】从镰刀菌Q7-31T粗酶液中分离纯化得到内切葡聚糖酶Egn20,并对其进行了酶学性质的研究和串联质谱鉴定,结果表明Egn20为GH7家族内切葡聚糖酶。本研究为丰富和完善镰刀菌的酶系信息提供了理论和数据支持。     

产β-1,3-葡聚糖酶植物内生放线菌的筛选及抑菌活性研究

本研究采用透明圈法, 对217株植物内生放线菌产β-1,3-葡聚糖酶进行了检测, 结果表明: 45.6%的菌株能够产生β-1,3-葡聚糖酶, 黄瓜内生放线菌中的产酶菌株最多为38个; 不同植物来源的内生放线菌中具有产β-1,3-葡聚糖酶能力的菌株比例不同, 其中黄精中的产酶菌株比例最高, 达到88.9%。产酶菌株粗酶液对油菜菌核病菌的抑菌活性测定结果发现, 36个产酶菌株的粗酶液表现出不同程度的抑制作用, 占总产酶菌株的36.4%, 其中菌株gCLA4的粗酶液能够完全抑制病菌菌丝生长。对gCLA4菌株产酶     

Crop Yields and Nematode Population Densities in Triticale-Cotton and Triticale-Soybean Rotations

Triticale cv. Beagle 82, cotton cv. McNair 235, and soybean cv. Twiggs were arranged in three cropping sequences to determine the effects of fenamiphos and cropping sequence on nematode population densities and crop yields under conservation tillage for 4 years. The cropping sequences were triticale (T)-cotton (C)-T-C, T-soybean (S)-T-S, and T-C-T-S. Numbers of Meloidogyne incognita second-stage juveniles declined on trificale but increased on cotton and soybean each year. Root-gall indices of cotton and soybean ranged from 1.00 to 1.08 (1 to 5 scale: 1 = 0%, 2 = 1% to 25%, 3 = 26% to 50%, 4 = 51% to 75%, and 5 = 76% to 100% of roots galled) each year and were not affected by fenamiphos treatment or cropping sequence. Numbers of Pratylenchus brachyurus were maintained on trificale and generally increased more on soybean than on cotton. Population densities of Helicotylenchus dihystera were near or below detection levels in all plots during the first year and increased thereafter in untreated plots in the T-C-T-C and T-S-T-S sequences. Generally, yields of triticale in all cropping sequences declined over the years. Yields of cotton and soybean were not affected by fenamiphos at 6.7 kg a.i./ha. Cotton and soybean were grown successfully with little or no suppression in yields caused by nematodes in conservation tillage following triticale harvested for grain.     

Plant and algal cell walls: diversity and functionality

Background

Although plants and many algae (e.g. the Phaeophyceae, brown, and Rhodophyceae, red) are only very distantly related they are united in their possession of carbohydrate-rich cell walls, which are of integral importance being involved in many physiological processes. Furthermore, wall components have applications within food, fuel, pharmaceuticals, fibres (e.g. for textiles and paper) and building materials and have long been an active topic of research. As shown in the 27 papers in this Special Issue, as the major deposit of photosynthetically fixed carbon, and therefore energy investment, cell walls are of undisputed importance to the organisms that possess them, the photosynthetic eukaryotes (plants and algae). The complexities of cell wall components along with their interactions with the biotic and abiotic environment are becoming increasingly revealed.

Scope

The importance of plant and algal cell walls and their individual components to the function and survival of the organism, and for a number of industrial applications, are illustrated by the breadth of topics covered in this issue, which includes papers concentrating on various plants and algae, developmental stages, organs, cell wall components, and techniques. Although we acknowledge that there are many alternative ways in which the papers could be categorized (and many would fit within several topics), we have organized them as follows: (1) cell wall biosynthesis and remodelling, (2) cell wall diversity, and (3) application of new technologies to cell walls. Finally, we will consider future directions within plant cell wall research. Expansion of the industrial uses of cell walls and potentially novel uses of cell wall components are both avenues likely to direct future research activities. Fundamentally, it is the continued progression from characterization (structure, metabolism, properties and localization) of individual cell wall components through to defining their roles in almost every aspect of plant and algal physiology that will present many of the major challenges in future cell wall research.     

Insects, birds and lizards as pollinators of the largest-flowered Scrophularia of Europe and Macaronesia

Background and Aims

It has traditionally been considered that the flowers of Scrophularia are mainly pollinated by wasps. We studied the pollination system of four species which stand out for their large and showy flowers: S. sambucifolia and S. grandiflora (endemics of the western Mediterranean region), S. trifoliata (an endemic of the Tyrrhenian islands) and S. calliantha (an endemic of the Canary Islands). Our principal aim was to test whether these species were pollinated by birds or showed a mixed pollination system between insects and birds.

Methods

Censuses and captures of insects and birds were performed to obtain pollen load transported and deposited on the stigmas. Also, a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the flowers and inflorescences was carried out.

Key Results

Flowers were visited by Hymenoptera and by passerine birds. The Canarian species was the most visited by birds, especially by Phylloscopus canariensis, and its flowers were also accessed by juveniles of the lizard Gallotia stehlini. The most important birds in the other three species were Sylvia melanocephala and S. atricapilla. The most important insect-functional groups in the mixed pollination system were: honey-bees and wasps in S. sambucifolia; bumble-bees and wasps in S. grandiflora; wasps in S. trifoliata; and a small bee in S. calliantha.

Conclusions

The species studied show a mixed pollination system between insects and passerine birds. In S. calliantha there is, in addition, a third agent (juveniles of Gallotia stehlini). The participation of birds in this mixed pollination system presents varying degrees of importance because, while in S. calliantha they are the main pollinators, in the other species they interact to complement the insects which are the main pollinators. A review of different florae showed that the large showy floral morphotypes of Scrophularia are concentrated in the western and central Mediterranean region, Macaronesia and USA (New Mexico).     

Carbamate and Organophosphorus Nematicides: Acetylcholinesterase inhibition and Effects on Dispersal

The sensitivities of acetylcholinesterases (ACHE) from the fungus-feeder Aphelenchus avenae and the plant-parasitic species Helicotylenchus dihystera and Pratylenchus penetrans and the housefly, Musca domestica, were compared using a radiometric assay which utilized H³ acetylcholine as a substrate. Nematode ACHE were generally less sensitive to inhibition by organophosphorns and carbamate pesticides than were ACHE from the housefly. ACHE from the plant-parasitic species and A. avenae were generally similar in sensitivity. In soil, carbamates were more toxic than the organophosphorus pesticides to A. avenae. All pesticides tested affected nematode movement, but fenamiphos was more inhibitory than others. The effects on dispersal of nematodes may be an important mechanism in control by some nematicides.     

Survey for zoonotic liver and intestinal trematode metacercariae in cultured and wild fish in An Giang Province, Vietnam

Although Vietnam has a high risk of fishborne zoonotic trematode (FZT) infections for humans, little information exists on the epidemiology of these infections in the country's fish. Because of the importance of cultured catfish and snakehead production in An Giang province, a major production area in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, a survey for FZTs was carried out in randomly selected fish farms between June 2005 and March 2006. For comparison, wild fish from the same area were also surveyed. A total of 852 cultured fish from 4 districts were collected and examined by pepsin digestion to determine their FZT infection status. In Tra catfish, the prevalence of all types of metacercariae was 2.6%, of which the prevalence of Haplorchis pumilio was 0.7%. The overall prevalence of metacercariae in wild fish was 30.6%, of which 10.3% harbored zoonotic species: H. pumilio (2.8%) and Procerovum sp. (5.6%). The prevalence of Opisthorchis metacercariae, which were diagnosed as O. viverrini, was 1.9%. No metacercariae were found in cultured snakehead fish, although wild-caught snakehead fish had a FZT prevalence of 10.3%: 5.1% were O. viverrini 2.6% H. pumilio and 2.6% were Procerovum sp. These are the first reports of H. pumilio, Procerovum sp., and O. viverrini metacercariae in Vietnamese fish. These results indicate that consumption of improperly prepared fish represents a significant risk of acquiring FZTs in this south Vietnam region.     

Freezing and Desiccation Tolerance in Entomopathogenic Nematodes: Diversity and Correlation of Traits

The ability of entomopathogenic nematodes to tolerate environmental stress such as desiccating or freezing conditions, can contribute significantly to biocontrol efficacy. Thus, in selecting which nematode to use in a particular biocontrol program, it is important to be able to predict which strain or species to use in target areas where environmental stress is expected. Our objectives were to (i) compare inter- and intraspecific variation in freeze and desiccation tolerance among a broad array of entomopathogenic nematodes, and (ii) determine if freeze and desiccation tolerance are correlated. In laboratory studies we compared nematodes at two levels of relative humidity (RH) (97% and 85%) and exposure periods (24 and 48 h), and nematodes were exposed to freezing temperatures (-2°C) for 6 or 24 h. To assess interspecific variation, we compared ten species including seven that are of current or recent commercial interest: Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (VS), H. floridensis, H. georgiana, (Kesha), H. indica (HOM1), H. megidis (UK211), Steinernema carpocapsae (All), S. feltiae (SN), S. glaseri (VS), S. rarum (17C&E), and S. riobrave (355). To assess intraspecific variation we compared five strains of H. bacteriophora (Baine, Fl1-1, Hb, Oswego, and VS) and four strains of S. carpocapsae (All, Cxrd, DD136, and Sal), and S. riobrave (355, 38b, 7-12, and TP). S. carpocapsae exhibited the highest level of desiccation tolerance among species followed by S. feltiae and S. rarum; the heterorhabditid species exhibited the least desiccation tolerance and S. riobrave and S. glaseri were intermediate. No intraspecific variation was observed in desiccation tolerance; S. carpocapsae strains showed higher tolerance than all H. bacteriophora or S. riobrave strains yet there was no difference detected within species. In interspecies comparisons, poor freeze tolerance was observed in H. indica, and S. glaseri, S. rarum, and S. riobrave whereas H. georgiana and S. feltiae exhibited the highest freeze tolerance, particularly in the 24-h exposure period. Unlike desiccation tolerance, substantial intraspecies variation in freeze tolerance was observed among H. bacteriophora and S. riobrave strains, yet within species variation was not detected among S. carpocapsae strains. Correlation analysis did not detect a relationship between freezing and desiccation tolerance.     

Molecular phylogenetics of Ruscaceae sensu lato and related families (Asparagales) based on plastid and nuclear DNA sequences

Background

Previous phylogenetics studies of Asparagales, although extensive and generally well supported, have left several sets of taxa unclearly placed and have not addressed all relationships within certain clades thoroughly (some clades were relatively sparsely sampled). One of the most important of these is sampling within and placement of Nolinoideae (Ruscaceae s.l.) of Asparagaceae sensu Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) III, which subfamily includes taxa previously referred to Convallariaceae, Dracaenaaceae, Eriospermaceae, Nolinaceae and Ruscaceae.

Methods

A phylogenetic analysis of a combined data set for 126 taxa of Ruscaceae s.l. and related groups in Asparagales based on three nuclear and plastid DNA coding genes, 18S rDNA (1796 bp), rbcL (1338 bp) and matK (1668 bp), representing a total of approx. 4·8 kb is presented. Parsimony and Bayesian inference analyses were conducted to elucidate relationships of Ruscaceae s.l. and related groups, and parsimony bootstrap analysis was performed to assess support of clades.

Key Results

The combination of the three genes results in the most highly resolved and strongly supported topology yet obtained for Asparagales including Ruscaceae s.l. Asparagales relationships are nearly congruent with previous combined gene analyses, which were reflected in the APG III classification. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses yield identical relationships except for some slight variation among the core asparagoid families, which nevertheless form a strongly supported group in both types of analyses. In core asparagoids, five major clades are identified: (1) Alliaceae s.l. (sensu APG III, Amarylidaceae–Agapanthaceae–Alliaceae); (2) Asparagaceae–Laxmanniaceae–Ruscaceae s.l.; (3) Themidaceae; (4) Hyacinthaceae; (5) Anemarrhenaceae–Behniaceae–Herreriaceae–Agavaceae (clades 2–5 collectively Asparagaceae s.l. sensu APG III). The position of Aphyllanthes is labile, but it is sister to Themidaceae in the combined maximum-parsimony tree and sister to Anemarrhenaceae in the Bayesian analysis. The highly supported clade of Xanthorrhoeaceae s.l. (sensu APG III, including Asphodelaceae and Hemerocallidaceae) is sister to the core asparagoids. Ruscaceae s.l. are a well-supported group. Asparagaceae s.s. are sister to Ruscaceae s.l., even though the clade of the two families is weakly supported; Laxmanniaceae are strongly supported as sister to Ruscaceae s.l. and Asparagaceae. Ruscaceae s.l. include six principal clades that often reflect previously named groups: (1) tribe Polygonateae (excluding Disporopsis); (2) tribe Ophiopogoneae; (3) tribe Convallarieae (excluding Theropogon); (4) Ruscaceae s.s. + Dracaenaceae + Theropogon + Disporopsis + Comospermum; (5) Nolinaceae, (6) Eriospermum.

Conclusions

The analyses here were largely conducted with new data collected for the same loci as in previous studies, but in this case from different species/DNA accessions and greater sampling in many cases than in previously published analyses; nonetheless, the results largely mirror those of previously conducted studies. This demonstrates the robustness of these results and answers questions often raised about reproducibility of DNA results, given the often sparse sampling of taxa in some studies, particularly the earliest ones. The results also provide a clear set of patterns on which to base a new classification of the subfamilies of Asparagaceae s.l., particularly Ruscaceae s.l. (= Nolinoideae of Asparagaceae s.l.), and examine other putatively important characters of Asparagales.     

Fungal pollution of indoor environments and its management

Indoor environments play important roles in human health. The health hazards posed by polluted indoor environments include allergy, infections and toxicity. Life style changes have resulted in a shift from open air environments to air tight, energy efficient, environments, in which people spend a substantial portion of their time. Most indoor air pollution comes from the hazardous non biological agents and biological agents. Fungi are ubiquitous in distribution and are a serious threat to public health in indoor environments. In this communication, we have reviewed the current status on biotic indoor air pollution, role of fungi as biological contaminants and their impact on human health.     

Effect of Carbon Amendment and Soil Moisture on Tylenchorhynchus spp. and Hoplolaimus galeatus

The effect of amending soil held at 3 different moisture levels with glucose, unsulfured molasses, or nutrient broth (0.3, 0.7, 3.2, 7.1 g carbon/100 g) on Tylenchorhynchus claytoni and T. dubius was investigated. When soil was held under saturated or flooded conditions in the absence of carbon amendments for 7 days, Tylenchorhynchus populations were 19% and 16%, respectively, of the controls. Carbon amendments at all levels tested precipitated a further decline in the nematode population to 1% or less of the unamended controls in 7 days. Two applications of molasses (7.4%, w/w) 3 days apart to nematode-infested soil held in Conetainers under mist for 7 days reduced Tylenchorhynchus spp. and Hoplolaimus galeatus densities to 7% and 3%, respectively, of the controls. Nematode densities in turfgrass field plots also declined following irrigation and repeated drenching with a molasses solution. Based on the observed decline in redox potential and pH in saturated soil, especially following carbon amendment, we propose that the activity of anaerobic fermentative bacteria was responsible for the reduction in nematode densities.     

Influence of Temperature and Host Plant on the Interaction Between Pratylenchus neglectus and Meloidogyne chitwoodi

The interaction between Pratylenchus neglectus (Pn) and Meloidogyne chitwoodi (Mc) was investigated at soil temperatures of 15, 20, and 25 C on barley and potato. Maximum numbers of Pn and Mc penetrated barley roots at 20 C, whereas a minimum number penetrated at 15 C. Pratylenchus neglectus restricted root penetration by Mc over time and vice-versa. Population densities of each species increased with increasing temperature. Concomitant inoculation of the two species resulted in lower numbers of Pn at 15 and 25 C in both barley and potato, whereas the numbers of Mc were lower at 15 C in barley and at 25 C in potato. Root weights of potato and barley at 15 and 20 C, respectively, were lowered by the presence of both nematodes singly or concomitantly. At 25 C, barley plants inoculated with Mc alone had lower shoot weight than uninoculated controls, but the damage was restricted when Pn also was present. The two species interact competitively, and the outcome varies with soil temperature and host plant. Pn has the potential to suppress Mc population levels and reduce the damage it causes to potato and barley.