Development and Floret Survival in Wheat Ears With Supernumerary Spikelets

In the supernumerary spikelet wheat, AUS159I0, the supernumeraryspikelet primordia appeared just after the ear reached the terminalspikelet stage. Appearance of the primordia of the multiplesessile spikelets preceded that of indeterminate rachilla spikelets.Supernumerary spikelets had a lower number of potentially fertileflorets per spikelet than normal (non-supernumerary) spikeletsin the ear and thus a smaller number of grains per spikelet.Mean weight per grain in the supernumerary spikelet wheat waslower than in the cultivar, Meering, without supernumerary spikelets.Total grain number in the supernumerary spikelet ear was greaterthan in the normal ear despite the lower spikelet fertilityin the former. Within the supernumerary spikelet ear the multiplesessile spikelets had a higher number of grains per spikeletand mean weight per grain than the indeterminate rachilla spikelets.It appears possible to improve the productivity of the supernumeraryspikelet ear by breeding for reduced expression of the indeterminaterachilla spikelets. Wheat, ear development, floret survival, supernumerary spikelets, grain number     

玉米性别决定的激素调控

玉米(Zea mays)属典型的雌雄异花植物, 单性花的形成经历了复杂的性别决定过程。通过雄穗小花和雌穗下位花的雌蕊原基以及雌穗小花雄蕊原基的选择性败育(或退化), 玉米最终形成正常的雌雄同株单性花。相关突变体的研究揭示, 玉米性别决定涉及选择性细胞死亡、细胞保护及信号转导等复杂的过程。其中, 植物激素信号的调控在玉米性别决定过程中处于核心地位。最近的研究表明, 赤霉素、细胞分裂素和茉莉酸类物质参与调控玉米性别决定过程。该文结合最新研究成果, 综述了植物激素在玉米性别决定中的作用及其调控途径, 同时提出了研究中存在的问题, 并对该领域未来的研究方向进行了展望。     

Flower or spikelet? Understanding the morphology and development of reproductive structures in Exocarya (Cyperaceae, Mapanioideae, Chrysitricheae)

Fundamental questions of floral morphology remain unresolved in the grasslike monocots in order Poales, including what constitutes a flower and what constitutes a spikelet. The mapaniid sedges have particularly complex spikeletlike structures, variously interpreted as clusters of flowers or spikelets. Recent phylogenetic studies of Cyperaceae have identified the mapaniid clade as sister to the rest of the family, but the homology of mapaniid reproductive units (RUs) and spikeletlike units (SLUs) to other sedge flowers and spikelets is unclear. We examined reproductive development in the mapaniid Exocarya sclerioides. Inflorescence branches terminated in a SLU with bracts and 1-4 RUs. RUs had four small leaflike structures (LLSs): two lateral LLSs, each associated with a stamen, an abaxial LLS associated with a stamen, and an adaxial LLS. The gynoecium terminated the RU. All RUs were axillary to bracts, and unexpanded bracts and RUs were produced beyond expanded RUs, so SLUs were racemose. RUs developed from a single primordium that initiated two lateral LLSs, then two lateral stamens, then the gynoecium. Initiation of the abaxial LLS and stamen and the adaxial LLS followed. We hypothesize that the RU is a sympodial branch that terminates in a hermaphroditic flower with two stamens and a gynoecium; the two lateral LLSs are halves of a deeply divided prophyll.     

Sampling schemes for estimating spikelet incidence of Fusarium head blight

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is an important disease of wheat crops. The incidence of diseased spikelets in the population is most naturally estimated by sampling ears of wheat and counting the number of infected spikelets, X, and the total number of spikelets, Y, on each ear. However, there is usually much more variation from ear to ear in the number of infected spikelets than in the total number of spikelets and in practice it is common to obtain a larger sample of X values than Y values. In this paper, we investigate the relative efficiencies of these alternative sampling procedures. Based on historical data, we show that for the levels of disease incidence typically encountered, the latter sampling scheme is indeed more efficient. The results are relevant to estimating disease incidence in other crops.     

源库关系改变对小麦灌浆期植株光合速率及~(14)C同化物运转分配的影响

选用千粒重大小不同的小麦品种,研究了去除顶端两个小穗对两类品种（大粒品种和小粒品种）千粒重、穗粒数、穗粒重、籽粒平均灌浆速率、单穗平均增重速率、植株光合速率及１４Ｃ同化物运转分配的影响。试验结果表明,去除顶端两个小穗后,两类品种的千粒重提高,穗粒数降低或基本不受影响,但降低比例明显低于去除小穗数的比例。籽粒平均灌浆速率和单穗平均增重速率（分别表征籽粒库容活性和穗粒库容活性）相应提高。结果,两类品种的穗粒重表现为补偿性增长。两类品种比较,小粒品种的增长幅度大于大粒品种。穗粒库容活性增强使得小粒品种灌浆中后期的植株光合速率提高,使两类品种分配到籽粒中的１４Ｃ同化物比例增加。从而表明,无论是植株光合速率还是同化物的运转分配皆受穗粒库容活性的调控,调控方式和幅度因品种类型而不同。但提高其穗粒重的着眼点都应当是提高穗粒库容活性。     

Early Growth of the Developing Ear of Spring Barley

The change in fresh weight of the developing ear and of groupsof spikelets of Maris Mink spring barley was measured for plantsgrown under three different conditions. Growth was closely describedby a third order polynomial equation. Instantaneous values ofrelative growth rate derived from these equations showed a declineto a minimum value, which was dependent on the growing conditionsand on position along the spike, followed by a rapid rise. Theminimum value was reached about 5 d before spikelet initiationceased and the subsequent rise in relative growth rate coincidedwith the period of rapid elongation of the rachis. Within thecar there was a tendency for younger spikelets to have a slightlyhigher relative growth rate than those initiated earlier. Possiblereasons for these growth changes are discussed in relation tospikelet differentiation, vascularization of the ear and nutrientavailability. Hordeum vulgare L., Barley, shoot apex, spikelets, ear, initiation, growth rate     

Pistil hyperplasia in rice spikelets as affected by heat stress

Summary Sexual organogenesis in spikelets of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv Kinmaze) affected by heat stress was investigated using SEM and stereo-microscopy. Of the 243 spikelets dissected, 55.6% developed pistil hyperplasia, i.e., proliferated female organs or tissues, including multiple stigmata and/or ovaries, outgrowth of swollen parenchymatous tissues from inside the ovule, and differentiation of trichomes from ovary epidermis. Conversely, 7% of the spikelets exhibited stamen hypoplasia, represented by a decrease in the number of stamens, and only 3.7% of the spikelets showed hyperplasia, represented by an increase in the number of stamens. The morphological and structural development of the anther was disturbed, and microsporogenesis was inhibited. The shape of the anther was altered, though not perfectly, into the form of an ovary; the lemma and palea changed in form and ultimately resembled each other in shape and size. All of these changes in structure are more or less similar to those that usually result in rice spikelets subjected to cold and other environmental stresses. It was therefore concluded that rice plants show similar responses in sex differentiation in the spikelet under various environmental stresses.     

天津沿海滩涂互花米草种群生殖分株数量特征及生殖分配研究

通过对天津沿海滩涂单优群落的取样调查,研究了互花米草种群生殖分株的数量特征和生殖分配规律。结果表明,在籽实成熟期,互花米草种群单个生殖分株重为15.62±9.26 g,穗和种子重分别为2.68±2.08和1.39±1.12 g,小穗和种子数分别为537.7±362.2和490.2±376.3个,生殖分配Ⅰ和生殖分配Ⅱ分别为15.02±5.83和7.62±3.8%,结实率为81.9 ±28.6%。穗和种子的形成分别需要分株积累3.2和3.6 g以上的生物量。穗长、穗重、种子数、小穗数、生殖分配Ⅰ和生殖分配Ⅱ分别与分株高度呈极显著(p<0.01)的正相关关系。穗重、小穗数、种子重、种子数、生殖分配Ⅰ和生殖分配Ⅱ分别与分株重呈极显著(p<0.01)的线性正相关关系。种子数、小穗数、生殖分配Ⅰ和生殖分配Ⅱ分别与茎和叶鞘生物量分配呈极显著(p<0.01)的负相关关系。穗各构件在空间上的分布也存在较强的规律性。     

对小麦顶生小穗的初步研究

1.顶生小穗的护颖具有特殊的形态,第二护颖常为小花外稃状,腋内有时还保留着雌雄蕊或内稃残余。说明其不稳定和可变的本质。2.顶生小穗具特殊的坐落位置,其小穗轴与主穗轴一致。顶生小穗原始体发生在穗生长锥顶端,其下无苞原始体,长成后也无小穗领。其护颖和小花外稃与侧生小穗下的小穗领呈严格连续互生状态。说明其一次轴的渊源。3.顶生小穗护颖腋内可长出小穗,小花也可代之以小穗,护颖和小花外稃有时以苞片的形式保留于新侧生小穗外侧。新顶生小穗的护颖来自小花外稃。说明顶生小穗护颖腋内的退化花芽、外稃腋内的小花与侧生小穗都是花序一次轴上的二次轴分枝。4.顶生小穗产生小穗的变异严格按自下而上的顺序进行,与原侧生小穗有严格的连续性。5.事实证明,顶生小穗是一次轴花序,它属于穗状花序顶端的可变部分。     

Effect of photoperiod on development and number of spikelets of a temperate and some low-latitude wheats

Four low-latitude cultivars (two Mexican and two Rhodesian) and a Canadian cultivar were grown in controlled environments in four photo-periods, 16, 13, 10 and 7 h, respectively. Plants of two of the low-latitude cultivars were also transferred between long and short photoperiods during ear differentiation. The intervals from sowing to successive stages of ear development up to the formation of the terminal spikelet, and to ear emergence, and the number of leaves, all increased as photoperiod decreased. The Canadian cultivar responded most and one of the Rhodesian cultivars least to changes of photoperiod in these respects. However, with all the low-latitude cultivars, the interval between formation of the terminal spikelet and emergence of the ear responded similarly and relatively little to decreasing photoperiod except when photoperiod was reduced from 10 to 7 h. The mean rate of spikelet production decreased as the duration of the period of spikelet production (DSP) increased, i.e. as ear development slowed down with decrease in photoperiod. Accordingly number of spikelets per ear increased curvilinearly as DSP increased, suggesting a maximal number of spikelets of about thirty. Rate of spikelet production apparently differed between cultivars. Development of the ear slowed down when plants were moved to a shorter photoperiod and accelerated when they were moved to a longer photoperiod, both at the time at which the shoot apex began to elongate and at the double ridge stage. Final number of spikelets per ear increased when ear development was slowed down and decreased when it was accelerated.     

咸阳大穗麦84(加)79-3-1的引种研究

在福建不同生态区对陕西咸阳大穗麦84(加)7931进行了3年引种研究。结果表明,该品种为春性,其幼穗分化发育进程及生育期与福建品种类似,可以正常抽穗成熟;矮秆大穗,株高80～88cm,穗长18～20cm,每穗22～23个小穗46～48粒,千粒重50～60g,小穗排列稀疏,顶部小穗较易退化,分蘖力较弱,单株成穗数少;较耐肥,在高肥条件下产量可达6000kg·hm^-2,比对照增产20%左右;耐旱性和耐湿性较差,抗锈病,中抗白粉病,重感赤霉病;在福建沿海高产区可搭配种植,并可作为大穗亲本在育种上应用.     

利用反义RNA技术分析春化相关基因VER17在冬小麦花发育过程中的功能

为了研究小麦春化相关基因VER17的功能,应用反义RNA技术,将VER17基因的反义片段构建到载体pBI121上,通过花粉管通道法获取转基因小麦.对T0代转基因植株GUS染色以及PCR等分子鉴定,得到14株含反义VERJ7基因片段的阳性转基因植株.对T0代和T1代的表型观察结果显示,VER17反义转基因植株开花时间延迟,并且穗的顶部和基部小花出现明显的退化.表明春化相关基因VER17在小麦发育过程中可能起到促进植物开花以及穗顶端和基部花发育的作用,减少小花退化,同时对雄蕊的发育也有影响.     

Quantitative characteristics of the conducting system in stem of winter wheat genotypes with spike fertility genes

Three groups of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes having spike fertility genes (SFG) were used in field trials: (1) Tetrastichon sessile spikelets (TSS), (2) Normal spikelets (NS), (3) Indeterminate rachilla spikelets (IRS). The capacity of conducting system of the peduncle and the ear sink capacity of the main stem have been measured. There was a highly significant positive correlation (r = 0.899 and higher) between peduncle diameter and parameters quantifying peduncle vascular system. Compared with the control cultivar Hana, the TSS and NSS genotypes had higher both the number of vascular bundles, phloem and bundle cross section area and kernel number per ear. However, the highest kernel number per ear was found in the IRS genotypes although their bundle and phloem area was only equal or even lower then that of the variety Hana. Further studies are needed in developmental anatomy of spikes and stems to elucidate also differences in the relationships between the conducting capacity and kernel number per spikes in the TSS, NS and IRS genotypes.     

Development of the Vascular System in the Ear of Barley

In the mature rachis internodes of a two-row barley ear therewere two large lateral vascular bundles and a number of smallermedian and outer lateral vascular bundles. These bundles rannearly the full length of the rachis with no cross connectionsbetween them. The lateral and the outer lateral bundles branchedat every node while the median bundles branched at every othernode. The vascular bundles to each spikelet passed through acomplex region in which transfer cells occurred. Development of the vascular system of the young main shoot earstarted at the triple mound stage when the procambium of lateralbundles was initiated. Initiation of the median bundles andthe outer lateral bundles followed in sequence with some differentiationof protophloem and protoxylem. At awn initial stage of the earthe vascular connections to the spikelets were established withdifferentiation of the almost complete procambium proceedingthroughout the ear elongation phase. The progress of vascularisation in the young ear is discussedwith reference to spikelet initiation, ear relative growth rateand death of terminal spikelets. It is proposed that the changesin the relative growth rate of the ear and death of the terminalspikelets may be related to vascular differentiation     

Effect of Temperature on Ear Abnormalities in Uniculm Barley

Field experiments with a uniculm mutant of Proctor spring barleyshowed that abnormal ear development often resulted from latesowing. The ear abnormalities were twin floret, supernumeraryparts, abnormal rachilla, opposite spikelets, one-ranked spikelets,branched rachis, collar -like and bare nodes, aborted apex,and tubular leaf. The degree of abnormality was unaffected byphotoperiod. In both uniculm Proctor and uniculm Kindred, nodenumber relative to normal genotype was decreased by high-temperaturetreatment and the proportion of abnormal rachis nodes and theseverity of the abnormality were increased. The transfer ofplants from high to low temperature and vice versa at differentstages of development showed that high temperature had an almostimmediate effect, inducing abnormal development, but that transferto low temperatures allowed the resumption of more normal development. The abnormalities closely resemble those induced by 2, 4.D andit may be that the effect of the mutant gene is in some wayto change the metabolism of auxin.     

Soluble Carbohydrates and Floret Fertility in Wheat in Relation to Population Density Stress

Wheat, variety Sonalika, was grown at different densities inboth field and pots during the winter seasons 1983–84and 1984–85. Grain yield pattern of the spikelets of themain shoot inflorescence was similar in both the field and pots,the spikelets in the middle part of the ear contributed mostand yield per spikelet decreased progressively towards the apexand the base. Increased population density decreased yield ofgrain, primarily by decreasing spikelet number and the fertilityof florets. High population density accelerated growth of thespike for some time during the pre-anthesis period and the solublecarbohydrate concentration was also higher under these conditions.During both anthesis and post-anthesis, the soluble carbohydrateconcentration and the growth of the spike declined much fasterin the high-density population. High density also decreasedthe floret fertility and growth in dry weight in all the spikelets,but it was more severe on the basal spikelets, resulting incomplete sterility of the florets at these nodes. The solublecarbohydrate concentration of these slow-growing, sterile, basalspikelets was found to be higher in comparison to that of fertilespikelets in the middle and top positions within the ear. Soluble carbohydrates, spike, spikelet, fertility, grain number     

The effect of growth retardant application on floret site utilisation and assimilate distribution in ears of perennial ryegrass cv. S.24

Application of the growth retardant paclobutrazol (PP333), at 2 kg a.i. ha^-1 at spikelet initiation to plots of perennial ryegrass cv. S.24 in 1981 and 1982 significantly increased the number of seeds per spikelet present at final harvest by reducing the number of seeds aborted during seed development. Distribution of florets and seeds per spikelet was altered by PP333, as both basal and penultimate spikelets contained more florets and seeds than did those of untreated plants. Seed weight and germination were increased in florets of penultimate spikelets, although PP333 application delayed maturity by 3–5 days. In untreated plants, assimilate recovery was significantly lower from the terminal section of the ear, whereas in PP333 treated plants, no differences were found between basal, intermediate or terminal sections of the ear. PP333 increased assimilate demand at all sections of the ear when the ear and leaves were fed. The implications of this are discussed.     

小麦不同品种光合速率和14 C同化物分配对源库比改变的影响

 选用千粒重大小不同的小麦品种,研究了去除顶端两个小穗对两类品种(大粒品种和小粒品种)穗部性状、籽粒平均灌浆速率、单穗平均增重速率、植株光合速率及14C同化物运输分配的影响。试验结果表明,去除顶端两个小穗后,两类品种的籽粒平均灌浆速率和单穗平均增重速率(分别表征籽粒库容活性和穗粒库容活性)相应提高,穗粒重表现为补偿性增长。两类品种比较,小粒品种的增长幅度大于大粒品种。穗粒库容活性增强使得小粒品种灌浆中后期的植株光合速率提高,使两类品种分配到籽粒中的14C同化物比例增加。从而表明,无论是植株光合速率还是同化物的运转分配皆受库容活性的调控,调控方式和幅度因品种类型而不同。     

小麦不同品种光合速率和~(14)C同化物分配对源库比改变的响应

选用千粒重大小不同的小麦品种,研究了去除顶端两个小穗对两类品种（大粒品种和小粒品种）穗部性状、籽粒平均灌浆速率、单穗平均增重速率、植株光合速率及１４Ｃ同化物运输分配的影响。试验结果表明,去除顶端两个小穗后,两类品种的籽粒平均灌浆速率和单穗平均增重速率（分别表征籽粒库容活性和穗粒库容活性）相应提高,穗粒重表现为补偿性增长。两类品种比较,小粒品种的增长幅度大于大粒品种。穗粒库容活性增强使得小粒品种灌浆中后期的植株光合速率提高,使两类品种分配到籽粒中的１４Ｃ同化物比例增加。从而表明,无论是植株光合速率还是同化物的运转分配皆受库容活性的调控,调控方式和幅度因品种类型而不同。