海拔对甘肃河西走廊玉米生育期的影响

为了研究海拔高度对玉米生育期的影响,1999年和2004年在甘肃省河西走廊的张掖市安排了4个试点的田间试验,海拔高度分别是1506.5、1706.5、2000.0和2231.5m.结果表明,608、酒单3号和中单2号3个不同熟期类型的玉米品种在同日播种条件下,随着海拔的升高成熟期延迟,海拔与品种的生育期之间呈极显著正相关,海拔每升高100m,生育期延长5～6d.海拔与播种至拔节天数之间也表现正相关,海拔与株高之间为负相关.     

Variation of DNA fingerprints among accessions within maize inbred lines and implications for identification of essentially derived varieties.

Genetic distances (GDs) based on molecular markers are important parameters for identifying essentially derived varieties (EDVs). In this context information about the variability of molecular markers within maize inbred lines is essential. Our objectives were to (1) determine the variation in the size of simple sequence repeat (SSR) fragments among different accessions of maize inbreds and doubled haploid (DH) lines, (2) attribute the observed variation to genetic and marker system-specific sources, and (3) investigate the effect of SSR fragment size differences within maize lines on the GD between maize lines and their consequences for the identification of essentially derived varieties. Two to five accessions from nine inbred lines and five DH lines were taken from different sources or drawn as independent samples from the same seed lot. Each accession was genotyped with 100 SSR markers that evenly covered the whole maize genome. In total, 437 SSR fragments were identified, with a mean of 4.4 alleles per locus. The average polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.58. GD estimates between two accessions of the same genotype ranged from 0.00 to 0.12 with an average of 0.029 for inbred lines and 0.001 for DH lines. An average of 11.1 SSRs was polymorphic between accessions of the same inbred line due to non-amplification (8.1 SSRs), heterogeneity (4.0 SSRs) or unknown alleles (2.6 SSRs). In contrast to lab errors, heterogeneity contributed considerably to the observed variation for GD. In order to decrease the probability to be suited for infringing an EDV threshold by chance, we recommend to increase the level of homogeneity of inbred lines before applying for plant variety protection.     

中国玉米遗传单一性的经济影响

广泛采用少数优良种质资源,可能会引起作物遗传多样性下降,降低品种的抗病和抗逆能力,影响作物的产量。本研究采用系谱分析方法,研究了我国20个主产省玉米遗传单一性的变化及其对我国玉米生产的影响。结果表明,遗传单一性与玉米单产之间呈显著的负相关关系：遗传单一性每增加1%,玉米平均单产将降低13%;研究同时也表明遗传单一性和品种单一性是两个相互独立的变量,品种单一性不一定导致遗传基础的单一性。政府应从调节育种人员行为上制定相应的政策,防止遗传基础单一化,在增加作物遗传多样性的同时,选育优质高产的品种。     

Effects of Mn-Cd antagonistic interaction on Cd accumulation and major agronomic traits in rice genotypes by different Mn forms

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the largest food crops in China with the plangting area and total yield of 37.076 million hectares and 215.67 million tons respectively in 2014. The technology of cross breeding was the primary method to cultivate new maize varieties and promote the yield level. In recent years, more and more agriculturalists discovered the existence of endophyte in maize and their close relationship with soil environmental adaption which affect the production of maize. In this study, the seeds of six different maize varieties which were self-developed and cultivated from capital city of China “Beijing” and extensively planted in China were collected, this is the first time to acquire all of the “Beijing” hybrid maize to investigate their endopytes. We clarified eight species exists in all the varieties and the relative abundance of top three species including Pantoea agglomerans, Enterobacter cloacae and Aeribacillus pallidus taken about 60?% of the whole endophyte. Besides these, we also discovered the correlations between the endophytic bacteria which might affect the growth of maize. On the other hand, the distributions of E. cloacae and A. pallidus between maize varieties with different male parent were apparently different. So we deduced the endophyte affect the environmental adaptation of different maize varieties and the results showed the light on the future maize variety cultivation from the angle of endophyte.     

Transgene Expression and Bt Protein Content in Transgenic Bt Maize (MON810) under Optimal and Stressful Environmental Conditions

Bt protein content in transgenic insect resistant (Bt) maize may vary between tissues within plants and between plants growing under different environmental conditions. However, it is unknown whether and how Bt protein content correlates with transgene expression, and whether this relationship is influenced by stressful environmental conditions. Two Bt maize varieties containing the same transgene cassette (MON 810) were grown under optimal and stressful conditions. Before and during stress exposure, the upper leaves were analysed for transgene expression using quantitative RT-PCR and for Bt content using ELISA. Under optimal conditions there was no significant difference in the transgene expression between the two investigated Bt maize varieties whereas Bt protein content differed significantly. Transgene expression was correlated with Bt protein content in only one of the varieties. Under stressful environmental conditions we found similar transgene expressions as under optimal conditions but Bt content responded differently. These results suggest that Bt content is not only controlled by the transgene expression but is also dependent on the genetic background of the maize variety. Under stressful conditions the concentration of Bt protein is even more difficult to predict.     

Effect of Stacked Insecticidal Cry Proteins from Maize Pollen on Nurse Bees (Apis mellifera carnica) and Their Gut Bacteria

Honey bee pollination is a key ecosystem service to nature and agriculture. However, biosafety research on genetically modified crops rarely considers effects on nurse bees from intact colonies, even though they receive and primarily process the largest amount of pollen. The objective of this study was to analyze the response of nurse bees and their gut bacteria to pollen from Bt maize expressing three different insecticidal Cry proteins (Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab2, and Cry3Bb1). Naturally Cry proteins are produced by bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis). Colonies of Apis mellifera carnica were kept during anthesis in flight cages on field plots with the Bt maize, two different conventionally bred maize varieties, and without cages, 1-km outside of the experimental maize field to allow ad libitum foraging to mixed pollen sources. During their 10-days life span, the consumption of Bt maize pollen had no effect on their survival rate, body weight and rates of pollen digestion compared to the conventional maize varieties. As indicated by ELISA-quantification of Cry1A.105 and Cry3Bb1, more than 98% of the recombinant proteins were degraded. Bacterial population sizes in the gut were not affected by the genetic modification. Bt-maize, conventional varieties and mixed pollen sources selected for significantly different bacterial communities which were, however, composed of the same dominant members, including Proteobacteria in the midgut and Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium sp. in the hindgut. Surprisingly, Cry proteins from natural sources, most likely B. thuringiensis, were detected in bees with no exposure to Bt maize. The natural occurrence of Cry proteins and the lack of detectable effects on nurse bees and their gut bacteria give no indication for harmful effects of this Bt maize on nurse honey bees.     

European Flint Landraces Grown In Situ Reveal Adaptive Introgression from Modern Maize

We have investigated the role of selection in the determination of the detected levels of introgression from modern maize hybrid varieties into maize landraces still cultivated in situ in Italy. We exploited the availability of a historical collection of landraces undertaken before the introduction and widespread use of modern maize, to analyse genomic changes that have occurred in these maize landraces over 50 years of co-existence with hybrid varieties. We have combined a previously published SSR dataset (n=21) with an AFLP loci dataset (n=168) to provide higher resolution power and to obtain a more detailed picture. We show that selection pressures for adaptation have favoured new alleles introduced by migration from hybrids. This shows the potential for analysis of historical introgression even over this short period of 50 years, for an understanding of the evolution of the genome and for the identification of its functionally important regions. Moreover, this demonstrates that landraces grown in situ represent almost unique populations for use for such studies when the focus is on the domesticated plant. This is due to their adaptation, which has arisen from their dynamic evolution under a continuously changing agro-ecological environment, and their capture of new alleles from hybridisation. We have also identified loci for which selection has inhibited introgression from modern germplasm and has enhanced the distinction between landraces and modern maize. These loci indicate that selection acted in the past, during the formation of the flint and dent gene pools. In particular, the locus showing the strongest signals of selection is a Misfit transposable element. Finally, molecular characterisation of the same samples with two different molecular markers has allowed us to compare their performances. Although the genetic-diversity and population-structure analyses provide the same global qualitative pattern, which thus provides the same inferences, there are differences related to their natures and characteristics.     

ISOLATION OF HIGH-QUALITY RNA FROM GRAINS OF DIFFERENT MAIZE VARIETIES

The study of gene expression in maize varieties represents a powerful tool aiming to increase vitamin A precursors. However, the isolation of RNA from different maize varieties is challenging because these varieties show different levels of polysaccharides, and most methods available for RNA isolation are inappropriate for grain samples. The polysaccharides co-purify and co-precipitate with RNA during isolation, resulting in low-quality RNA, compromising the use of RNA in subsequent applications. Thus, a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-based method was adapted in this study and compared with six methods for RNA isolation, including commercial reagents and RNA and DNA isolation kits, in order to identify the most appropriate for maize grains from different varieties. Most of the methods evaluated were considered inadequate due to limitations in terms of purity and/or quantity of the isolated RNA, which affected the efficiency of subsequent RT-qPCR analysis, resulting in nonamplification of β-carotene hydroxylase gene (HYD3) or high deviation among replicates. However, the CTAB modified method allowed the study to obtain intact RNA, with high quality and quantity, from 25 maize varieties. Furthermore, this RNA was successfully used to evaluate the expression of HYD3 gene by real-time qualitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and thus represents a simple, efficient, and low-cost strategy.     

Variation of DNA fingerprints among accessions within maize inbred lines and implications for identification of essentially derived varieties: II. Genetic and technical sources of variation in AFLP data and comparison with SSR data

Accuracy and reproducibility of genetic distances (GDs) based on molecular markers are crucial issues for identification of essentially derived varieties (EDVs). Our objectives were to investigate (1) the amount of variation for amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers found among different accessions within maize inbreds and doubled haploid (DH) lines, (2) the proportion attributable to genetic and technical components and marker system specific sources, (3) its effect on GDs between maize lines and implications for identification of EDVs, and (4) the comparison to published SSR data from the same plant materials. Two to five accessions from nine inbred lines and five DH lines were taken from different sources of maintenance breeding or drawn as independent samples from the same seed lot. Each of the 41 accessions was genotyped with 20 AFLP primer combinations revealing 988 AFLP markers. Map positions were available for 605 AFLPs covering all maize chromosomes. On average, six (0.6%) AFLP bands were polymorphic between different accessions of the same line. GDs between two accessions of the same line averaged 0.013 for inbreds and 0.006 for DH lines. The correlation of GDs based on AFLPs and SSRs was tight (r = 0.97**) across all 946 pairs of accessions but decreased (r = 0.55**) for 43 pairs of accessions originating from the same line. On the basis of our results, we recommend specific EDV thresholds for marker systems with different degree of polymorphism. In addition, precautions should be taken to warrant a high level of homogeneity for DNA markers within maize lines before applying for plant variety protection.     

粗缩病对不同抗性玉米品种叶片生理特性的影响

以6个对玉米粗缩病（MRDV）表现不同抗性的玉米品种为材料, 研究了粗缩病对玉米叶片叶绿素含量、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性和可溶性蛋白含量的影响。结果表明, 感病后, 各品种叶片叶绿素含量、SOD活性和可溶性蛋白含量显著降低, 叶绿素含量和SOD活性下降幅度表现为感病品种〉中抗品种〉抗病品种, 可溶性蛋白含量下降幅度表现为抗病品种〉中抗品种〉感病品种（‘青农105’除外）。对病情指数与各生理指标变化幅度的相关分析发现, 叶绿素含量和SOD活性的下降幅度与病情指数均呈显著正相关, 除‘青农105’外的5个品种可溶性蛋白含量的下降幅度与病情指数呈极显著负相关。这说明, 品种对粗缩病的抗病性与感病后各生理指标的变化幅度有关; 品种抗性越强, 感病后叶绿素含量和SOD活性下降幅度越小, 可溶性蛋白含量下降幅度越大。     

玉米不同株型耐密性的群体生理指标研究

以紧凑型和平展型玉米不同株型的玉米品种为主要研究对象,利用作物生长分析法,系统研究了不同株型玉米品种群体内光分布,物质生产诸因素（LAI、NAR和CGR）和群体库源特征等群体生理指标与品种耐密性的关系,结果表明,群体内光分布合理与否是衡量品种耐密性的重要指标,叶面积系数（LAI）、净同化率（NAR）和作物生长率（CGR）的动态发展规律是反映耐密性的重要指标,叶面积系数（LAI）、净同化率（NAR）和作物生长率（CGR）的动态发展规律是反映耐密性的本质特征,群体库源关系协调与否是鉴定品种耐密性的一个综合指标。     

不同积温对春玉米灌浆期叶片光合性能的影响

以不同抗冷型玉米品种丰单3(抗冷型)和郑单958(非抗冷型)为试验材料,在黑龙江省Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ积温带进行大田试验,研究了不同积温对不同抗冷型春玉米灌浆期叶片光合性能的影响.结果表明: 在3个积温带,丰单3和郑单958抽雄开花期和成熟期按Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ积温带顺序依次延长,籽粒容重依次降低;丰单3和郑单958叶片的RuBP羧化酶、PEP羧化酶活性对温度的敏感性不同,其中,丰单3灌浆前期(开花后0~20 d)两种酶活性高,在温度限制区可正常成熟;郑单958灌浆前期和后期(开花后0~10 d、40~60 d)两种酶活性高,中期(开花后10~40 d)对活动积温不敏感,在温度限制区不能正常成熟.两类玉米叶片的光合速率均与开花后0~10 d和30~40 d的活动积温呈显著正相关.3个积温带积温在灌浆初期和后期对春玉米光合性能影响显著,同一品种灌浆期活动积温越高,籽粒产量越高;郑单958产量均高于丰单3.     

东北地区玉米适应气候变化措施对生产潜力的影响

为探求东北玉米未来如何更好地适应气候变化,本研究采用抗逆品种和推迟播种期两种适应措施,结合区域气候模式模拟的2010-2099年间RCP4.5、RCP8.5两种浓度路径逐日气象资料,分析了不同气候变化情景下东北玉米适应措施的生产潜力变化.结果表明: 2010-2099年间,东北区玉米气候生产潜力的空间分布特征基本为东南向西北减小的趋势,RCP4.5情景下东北玉米生产潜力高于RCP8.5情景,且RCP8.5情景出现极低值年份明显多于RCP4.5情景.所有抗逆品种的玉米生产潜力均高于原有品种,在RCP4.5情景下,耐高温品种的玉米生产潜力更高,在RCP8.5情景下,耐旱品种表现更好,双耐(耐高温、耐旱)品种的玉米生产潜力在2种气候变化情景下均最高.RCP4.5情景下,推迟播种均出现增产情况,其中,推迟30~40 d播种的玉米增产率达到最大;RCP8.5情景下,部分地区出现减产情况.说明适当推迟播种期有利于提高玉米气候生产潜力,但地区间存在差异.     

Introgression from modern hybrid varieties into landrace populations of maize (Zea mays ssp. mays L.) in central Italy

Landraces are domesticated local plant varieties that did not experience a deliberate and intensive selection during a formal breeding programme. In Europe, maize landraces are still cultivated, particularly in marginal areas where traditional farming is often practiced. Here, we have studied the evolution of flint maize landraces from central Italy over 50 years of on-farm cultivation, when dent hybrid varieties were introduced and their use was widespread. We have compared an 'old' collection, obtained during the 1950s, before the introduction of hybrids, and a recent collection of maize landraces. For comparison, a sample of maize landraces from north Italy, and of improved germplasm, including hybrids and inbred lines were also used. A total of 296 genotypes were analysed using 21 microsatellites. Our results show that the maize landraces collected in the last 5–10 years have evolved directly from the flint landrace gene pool cultivated in central Italy before the introduction of modern hybrids. The population structure, diversity and linkage disequilibrium analyses indicate a significant amount of introgression from hybrid varieties into the recent landrace populations. No evidence of genetic erosion of the maize landraces was seen, suggesting that in situ conservation of landraces is an efficient strategy for preserving genetic diversity. Finally, the level of introgression detected was very variable among recent landraces, with most of them showing a low level of introgression; this suggests that coexistence between different types of agriculture is possible, with the adoption of correct practices that are aimed at avoiding introgression from undesired genetic sources.     

转基因玉米HGK60在不同遗传背景下抗虫性鉴定及农艺性状分析

为研究转基因玉米HGK60在不同遗传背景下遗传稳定性和抗虫效果,利用转Bt cry1Ah基因的转基因玉米HGK60为供体,通过回交转育的方式将cry1Ah基因分别导入玉米自交系郑58、昌7-2、lx05-4、lx03-2,获得转基因玉米自交系HGK60-郑58、HGK60-昌7-2、HGK60-lx03-2、HGK60-lx05-4,并杂交获得HGK60-郑单958（HGK60-郑58 × HGK60-昌7-2）和HGK60-鲁单9066（HGK60-lx05-4 × HGK60-lx03-2）,转化体特异性PCR证明cry1Ah基因已转入不同遗传背景玉米中,ELISA检测不同遗传背景转基因玉米叶片中Cry1Ah蛋白表达情况,结果表明在不同遗传背景玉米自交系和杂交种中Cry1Ah蛋白表达没有显著差异;田间人工接虫和室内玉米螟抗虫性鉴定结果表明,不同遗传背景的转基因玉米高抗玉米螟,室内接虫后4 d幼虫死亡率达到100%;对不同遗传背景转基因玉米HGK60进行农艺性状分析,结果显示与受体对照玉米相比,两者之间农艺性状没有显著差异,转基因玉米HGK60可用于抗虫玉米品种的选育。     

Sensitivity of the cereal leaf beetle Oulema melanopus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to Bt maize-expressed Cry3Bb1 and Cry1Ab

The sensitivity of the cereal leaf beetle, Oulema melanopus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), to maize-expressed Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins was investigated in the present study. Neonate larvae of O. melanopus were caged on leaves of Cry3Bb1-expressing (MON88017) or Cry1Ab-expressing (MON810) Bt maize, the corresponding near-isolines, or two non-related, conventional maize varieties. Larval survival was reduced on Cry3Bb1-expressing, but not on Cry1Ab-expressing maize compared with conventional varieties. Differences among conventional varieties were also present. The amount of eaten leaf material, developmental time to prepupal stage, and prepupal weight did not differ between Bt maize varieties and their corresponding near-isolines. In an additional feeding study with newly emerged adults, survival and beetle weight did not differ when leaves of Cry3Bb1-expressing maize or the near-isoline were offered as food over 3 weeks. ELISA measurements revealed that larvae feeding on Bt maize contained rather high Cry3Bb1 or Cry1Ab levels, which were in the same order of magnitude as the leaves. In contrast, concentrations in feces were one order, and concentrations in prepupae and adults two orders of magnitude lower.     

苗期玉米叶片光合特性对水分胁迫的响应

以2个抗旱性不同的玉米品种为材料进行盆栽试验,在苗期设置4个水分梯度,研究气体交换和叶绿素荧光参数及光响应特征。结果表明:随水分胁迫的加剧,除细胞间CO2浓度(Ci)和非光化学淬灭(qN)上升外,其它参数均下降,先玉335(XY335)各参数的变化幅度小于陕单902(SD902);轻度胁迫下品种间气体交换参数差异最大,严重干旱下叶绿素荧光参数差异最大;净光合速率(Pn)和相对电子传递速率(rETR)的光响应曲线拟合结果显示,水分胁迫导致玉米叶片最大光合速率和光能利用率下降,XY335各参数的下降幅度小于SD902;轻度干旱下Pn光响应拟合参数品种间差异最大,严重干旱下rETR光响应拟合参数差异最大。综上表明,水分胁迫导致玉米叶片对强光的敏感性增加,干旱和光抑制对光系统Ⅱ造成的叠加伤害随干旱加重和品种抗旱性弱而加剧,是制约光合作用的主要原因;旱区强光下的玉米幼苗应及时补水,以避免严重干旱和高光强的叠加伤害。     

The ethnoecology of maize variety management: A case study from Mexico

This paper presents a case study of the relationship between farmers' knowledge of maize varieties and their selection and management of these varieties under conditions of technological change. Research for this paper was done among Spanish-speaking small farmers in an ejidoof central Chiapas, Mexico. This ejido is well integrated into the market, and the use of modem technologies is widespread. This research demonstrates that farmers have an extensive and widely shared knowledge of their maize varieties. This knowledge reflects objective maize characteristics. Variation occurs in the farmers' selection and management of maize varieties, but on average the variation deviates from a random pattern in the direction predicted by the farmers' knowledge base. They have incorporated the technological changes brought about by development into their knowledge base. Farmers maintain maize varieties with contrasting traits, and their knowledge base provides important information about which traits and constraints are important to them.     

Maize and oat antixenosis and antibiosis against Delphacodes kuscheli (Homoptera: Delphacidae), vector of "Mal de Rio Cuarto" of maize in Argentina

"Mal de Rio Cuarto" (MRC) is the most important virus disease of maize, Zea mays L., in Argentina. Several maize lines show different levels of resistance to MRC in the field; however, no studies have been conducted to investigate resistance mechanisms against its insect vector, Delphacodes kuscheli Fennah (Homoptera: Delphacidae). Oat, Avena spp., is the main overwintering host of D. kuscheli and main source of populations that infest maize. Although oat varieties resistant to the greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Homoptera: Aphididae) are commercially available, their effect on D. kuscheli is unknown. We conducted laboratory experiments to test for the presence of antixenosis and antibiosis resistance mechanisms on six maize lines with different levels of field resistance to MRC, and seven commercial oat cultivars that include two S. graminum-resistant varieties. We did not find antibiotic effects of maize lines on D. kuscheli longevity and survivorship patterns, but we obtained antixenotic effects from the LP2 line (field moderate) due to reduced settling preference and feeding. Oat 'Bonaerense Payé and 'Suregrain INTA' showed both antixenosis and antibiosis, with significantly less settling preference, oviposition in the no-choice test, and reduced total fecundity in comparison with the other varieties studied. The S. graminum-resistant 'Boyera F. A.' and 'Tambera F. A.' did not showed a consistent pattern of resistance versus D. kuscheli across all experiments. Our results indicate the presence of potential sources of insect resistance in the maize lines and oat cultivars tested that may be used in MRC integrated pest management programs.