Cadmium tolerance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schinus molle</Emphasis> trees is modulated by enhanced leaf anatomy and photosynthesis

Key message

Low concentrations of cadmium cause anatomical responses in leaf chlorenchyma enhancing Schinus molle photosynthesis and tolerance.

Abstract

This work is aimed to evaluate the effects of cadmium (Cd) on leaf anatomy and photosynthesis in Schinus molle, a species that can cope with harsh environments. Seven-month-old S. molle plants were exposed over 90 days to varying Cd concentrations (0, 10, 20, 50, 125 or 250 µM using Cd(NO₃)₂ as the Cd source). The plants were placed in vases containing washed sand and vermiculite as the substrate and nutrient solution. Throughout the experiment, the substrate was maintained at field capacity, and the nutrient solution was replaced at 15-day intervals. After 90 days, leaves were collected and processed for anatomical analysis using typical plant microtechniques. In addition, plant growth, photosynthesis, chlorophyll content and A/Ci curve were evaluated using an infrared gas analyzer. S. molle growth was not affected by Cd. Lower Cd concentrations (10 and 20 µM) resulted in greater net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and density, Vcmax, Jmax and mesophyll thickness. However, Cd concentrations of 50 µM or greater resulted in a reduction of most of the evaluated characteristics to levels close to control. All of the tested Cd concentrations resulted in reduced chlorophyll content and stomatal size. Therefore, the effect of Cd in a tolerant species such as S. molle is concentration dependent, and at low Cd concentrations, these plants can cope with the toxicity by adjusting leaf structure and function.

     

Differential alkaloid profile in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Uncaria tomentosa</Emphasis> micropropagated plantlets and root cultures

The alkaloids of Uncaria tomentosa micropropagated plantlets and root cultures were isolated and identified by NMR and mass spectrometry. Plantlets yielded pteropodine (1), isopteropodine (2), mitraphylline (3), isomitraphylline (4), uncarine F (5), speciophylline (6), rhynchophylline (7) and isorhynchophylline (8). In plantlets growing under continuous light, tetracyclic alkaloids 7 and 8 decreased from 20 ± 1.8 at 2 months to 2.2 ± 0.33 mg/g dry wt at 6 months, while the pentacyclic alkaloids 1–4 increased from 7.7 ± 1.4 to 15 ± 0.05 mg/g dry wt, supporting their biogenetic conversion. Micropropagated plantlets produced four times more alkaloids (27.6 ± 3.1 mg/g dry wt) than greenhouse plants. Plantlet roots yielded 3, 4, 8 and the glucoindole alkaloids 3α-dihydrocadambine (9) and dolichantoside (10), the last one not previously found in Uncaria.     

An aquaporin gene from halophyte <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sesuvium portulacastrum</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">SpAQP1</Emphasis>, increases salt tolerance in transgenic tobacco

Key message

SpAQP1 was strongly induced by salt in an ABA-independent way, promoted seed germination and root growth in transgenic tobaccos and increased salt tolerance by increasing the activities of antioxidative enzymes.

Abstract

Aquaporin (AQP) plays crucial roles in the responses of plant to abiotic stresses such as drought, salt and cold. Compared to glycophytes, halophytes often have excellent salt and drought tolerances. To uncover the molecular mechanism of halophyte Sesuvium portulacastrum tolerance to salt, in this study, an AQP gene, SpAQP1, from S. portulacastrum was isolated and characterized. The amino acid sequence of SpAQP1 shared high homology with that of plant plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) and contained the distinct molecular features of PIPs. In the phylogenic tree, SpAQP1 was evidently classified as the PIP2 subfamily. SpAQP1 is expressed in roots, stems and leaves, and was significantly induced by NaCl treatment and inhibited by abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. When heterologously expressed in yeast and tobacco, SpAQP1 enhanced the salt tolerance of yeast strains and tobacco plants and promoted seed germination and root growth under salt stress in transgenic plants. The activity of antioxidative enzymes including superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase was increased in transgenic plants overexpressing SpAQP1. Taken together, our studies suggested that SpAQP1 functioned in the responses of S. portulacastrum to salt stress and could increase salt tolerance by enhancing the antioxidative activity of plants.

     

Growth and nodulation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alnus sieboldiana</Emphasis> in response to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Frankia</Emphasis> inoculation and nitrogen treatments

Key message

We investigated a Frankia – Alnus sieboldiana symbiosis, including the minimum inoculum dose for constant nodulation, the period of time to nodulation after inoculation, and the effects of N on nodulation.

Abstract

Frankia is a nitrogen-fixing actinomycete that forms root nodules in some dicotyledonous plants, which are called actinorhizal. We studied nodule formation in Alnus sieboldiana, an actinorhizal plant, after inoculation with a Frankia isolate to establish techniques for Frankia inoculation and the cultivation of inoculated plants. Root nodules formed on seedlings of A. sieboldiana by 2 weeks after inoculation, and N₂ fixation measured by acetylene reduction activity started 3 weeks after inoculation. Nodulation was observed after inoculation with a Frankia isolate at 0.001 μL packed cell volume (pcv). The number of nodules formed on the seedlings inoculated with Frankia at more than 0.05 μL pcv was not significantly different. Nodule development and N₂ fixation were reduced when inoculated seedlings were treated weekly with 15 mM NH₄NO₃-N. In contrast, treatment with 3.75 or 0.9375 mM NH₄NO₃-N did not inhibit nodule development or N₂ fixation of inoculated seedlings by 15 weeks of N treatment.

     

Dietary Supplementation of Selenium-Enriched Probiotics Enhances Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gallus gallus domesticus</Emphasis>) Raised Under High Ambient Temperature

We investigated the effects of selenium-enriched probiotics (SP) on broiler meat quality under high ambient temperature and explore their underlying mechanisms. A total of 200 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allotted to four treatment groups, each with five replicates, in groups of ten birds. These birds were fed a corn-soybean basal diet (C), a basal diet plus probiotics supplementation (P), a basal diet plus Se supplementation in the form of sodium selenite (SS, 0.30 mg Se/kg), and a basal diet with the addition of selenium-enriched probiotics (SP, 0.30 mg Se/kg). The experiment lasted for 42 days. The birds were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, and the breast muscles were removed for further process. Our results showed that SP diet significantly increased (p < 0.05) the physical (pH, colors, water holding capacity, drip loss, shear force) and sensory characteristics of breast meat. All P, SS, and SP supplementation enhanced the antioxidant system by increasing (p < 0.05) the Se concentrations, glutathione (GSH) levels, activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) whereas decreasing (p < 0.05) malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, with SP being higher than P and SS. Moreover, SP diet significantly upregulated (p < 0.05) the mRNA levels of glutathione peroxidase genes (GPx1, GPx4) while it downregulated heat stress biomarkers such as heat shock protein (HSP) 70 as compared to C, P, and SS diets. In conclusion, our findings suggest that SP may function as beneficial nutritive supplement that is capable of improving meat quality during the summer season.     

Effects of cycloheximide on photosynthetic abilities,reflectance spectra and fluorescence emission spectra in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllostachys edulis</Emphasis>

Key message

CHX had remarkable inhibition on P. edulis photosynthesis, and the reflectance indexes and F ₆₈₅ / F ₇₃₅ had the potential value for quantifying the effects of antibiotics on trees.

Abstract

To reveal the effects of antibiotics on photosynthesis and provide help for remote sensing the influence of antibiotics on trees, we investigated the effects of cycloheximide (CHX) on Phyllostachys edulis. In CHX treatment, the photosynthetic pigment content in P. edulis was decreased markedly, which led to the increase in the reflectance spectra in visible region. CHX reduced the donor side and acceptor side of photosystem II (PSII), density of reaction centers, quantum production and electron transport in PSII, and raised the dissipation of absorbed light energy. Besides the dissipation, the absorbed light energy can be emitted as fluorescence with two main peaks in the red (685 nm) and far-red (735 nm) region, respectively. In 0.50 mM CHX treatment, a significant decline in the height and area of the peak at 685 nm might result from Chl loss reducing the light absorption and lower photochemical reaction in PSII. When fourth derivative analysis of fluorescence emission spectra was performed, the changes of the peaks at 718, 735 and 750 nm might result from the decline of absorbed solar radiation caused by the reduced pigment content and/or the damages to the PSI. In CHX treatment, a remarkable increase in intercellular CO₂ concentrations and light compensation point and decrease in light saturation point demonstrated that the CO₂ assimilation ability was decreased. Those results suggested that the photosynthesis in trees can be reduced after they were watered with wastewater containing CHX. The reflectance indexes and F ₆₈₅/F ₇₃₅ (H ₆₈₅/H ₇₃₅ and A ₆₈₅/A ₇₃₅) were markedly affected by CHX, demonstrating that they had the potential value for quantifying the effects of antibiotics on trees.

     

An NADPH-dependent <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus composti</Emphasis> short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase: characterization and application to (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>)-1-phenylethanol synthesis

A new anti-Prelog short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) encoding gene lcsdr was cloned from Lactobacillus composti DSM 18527, and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. LcSDR is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent and has a molecular weight of approximately 30 kDa. The optimal pH and temperature were 6.5 and 30?°C, respectively. The maximal reaction rate V_max was 133.9 U mg^?1; the Michaelis–Menten constant K _m of LcSDR were 0.345 mM for acetophenone (1a), and 0.085 mM for NADPH. Through introducing an EsGDH-catalyzed NADPH regeneration system, a biocatalytic process for (R)-1-phenylethanol ((R)-1b) was developed with outstanding time–space yield. Under the optimized conditions, 50 g l^?1 1a was converted to (R)-1b in 2 h with a yield of 93.8%, enantiomeric excess of product (e.e._p) above 99% and space–time yield of 562.8 g l^?1 d^?1.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Synechocystis</Emphasis> PCC 6803 cells heterologously expressing bacterial tyrosine ammonia lyase can use exogenous tyrosine for <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-coumaric acid production

Phototrophic cyanobacteria may be considered as an alternative host for producing numerous bioactive compounds. We demonstrate that the Synechocystis PCC 6803 expressing tyrosine ammonia-lyase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides under Ptrc1O promoter produce p-coumaric acid at a rate three times higher than that under Ptrc1Ocore promoter, accounting for 18.4 ± 1.5 μg of p-coumaric acid per 10⁸ cells (0.36 mg L^?1). Additionally, our study is the first report to show the biotransformation of tyrosine to p-coumaric acid reaching a maximum 2.4-fold increase when 0.5 mM tyrosine was supplemented to the growth medium. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed the occurrence of diverse patterns of metabolites under different concentrations of supplemented tyrosine, suggesting that it is used in additional metabolic pathways.     

Design,synthesis, and characterization of 2,2-bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-2-(phosphonatomethylamino)acetate as a herbicidal and biological active agent

The present study was designed to synthesize the bioactive molecule 2,2-bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-2-(phosphonatomethylamino)acetate (1), having excellent applications in the field of plant protection as a herbicide. Structure of newly synthesized molecule 1 was confirmed by using the elemental analysis, mass spectrometric, NMR, UV-visible, and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. To obtain better structural insights of molecule 1, 3D molecular modeling was performed using the GAMESS programme. Microbial activities of 1 were checked against the pathogenic strains Aspergillus fumigatus (NCIM 902) and Salmonella typhimurium (NCIM 2501). Molecule 1 has shown excellent activities against fungal strain A. fumigates (35 μg/l) and bacterial strain S. typhimurium (25 μg/l). To check the medicinal significance of molecule 1, interactions with bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein were checked. The calculated value of binding constant of molecule 1–BSA complex was 1.4 × 10⁶ M^?1, which were similar to most effective drugs like salicylic acid. More significantly, as compared to herbicide glyphosate, molecule 1 has exhibited excellent herbicidal activities, in pre- and post-experiments on three weeds; barnyard grass (Echinochloa Crus), red spranglitop (Leptochloa filiformis), and yellow nuts (Cyperus Esculenfus). Further, effects of molecule 1 on plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial (PGPR) strains were checked. More interestingly, as compared to glyphosate, molecule 1 has shown least adverse effects on soil PGPR strains including the Rhizobium leguminosarum (NCIM 2749), Pseudomonas fluorescens (NCIM 5096), and Pseudomonas putida (NCIM 2847).     

Rapid and efficient <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis>-mediated transformation of sorghum (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorghum bicolor</Emphasis>) employing standard binary vectors and <Emphasis Type="Italic">bar</Emphasis> gene as a selectable marker

Key message

A rapid and efficient Agrobacterium -mediated transformation system in sorghum has been developed employing standard binary vectors and bar gene as a selectable marker.

Abstract

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is an important food and biofuel crop worldwide, for which improvements in genetic transformation are needed to study its biology and facilitate agronomic and commercial improvement. Here, we report optimization of regeneration and transformation of public sorghum genotype P898012 using standard binary vectors and bar gene as a selectable marker. The tissue culture regeneration time frame has been reduced to 7–12 weeks with a yield of over 18 plants per callus, and the optimized transformation system employing Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain AGL1 and the bar with a MAS promoter achieved an average frequency over 14 %. Of randomly analyzed independent transgenic events, 40–50 % carry single copy of integrated T-DNA. Some independent transgenic events were derived from the same embryogenic callus lines, but a 3:1 Mendelian segregation ratio was found in all transgenic events with single copy as estimated by Southern blots. The system described here should facilitate studies of sorghum biology and agronomic improvement.

     

Genetic composition of interspecific potato somatic hybrids and autofused 4<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis> plants evaluated by DArT and cytoplasmic DNA markers

Key message

Using DArT analysis, we demonstrated that all Solanum × michoacanum (+) S. tuberosum somatic hybrids contained all parental chromosomes. However, from 13.9 to 29.6 % of the markers from both parents were lost in the hybrids.

Abstract

Somatic hybrids are an interesting material for research of nucleus-cytoplasm interaction and sources of new nuclear and cytoplasmic combinations. Analyses of genomes of somatic hybrids are essential for studies on genome compatibility between species, its evolution and are important for their efficient exploitation. Diversity array technology (DArT) permits analysis of the composition of nuclear DNA of somatic hybrids. The nuclear genome compositions of 97 Solanum × michoacanum (+) S. tuberosum [mch (+) tbr] somatic hybrids from five fusion combinations and 11 autofused 4x mch were analyzed for the first time based on DArT markers. Out of 5358 DArT markers generated in a single assay, greater than 2000 markers were polymorphic between parents, of which more than 1500 have a known chromosomal location on potato genetic or physical map. DArT markers were distributed along the entire length of 12 chromosomes. We noticed elimination of markers of wild and tbr fusion components. The nuclear genome of individual somatic hybrids was diversified. Mch is a source of resistance to Phytophthora infestans. From 97 mch (+) tbr somatic hybrids, two hybrids and all 11 autofused 4x mch were resistant to P. infestans. The analysis of the structure of particular hybrids’ chromosomes indicated the presence of markers from both parental genomes as well as missing markers spread along the full length of the chromosome. Markers specific to chloroplast DNA and mitochondrial DNA were used for analysis of changes within the organellar genomes of somatic hybrids. Random and non-random segregations of organellar DNA were noted.

     

Photosynthetic responses to soil water stress in summer in two Japanese urban landscape tree species (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ginkgo biloba</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus yedoensis</Emphasis>): effects of pruning mulch and irrigation management

Key message

Stomatal regulation involves beneficial effects of pruning mulch and irrigation on leaf photosynthesis in Prunus yedoensis and Ginkgo biloba under moderate drought. G. biloba showed conservative water use under drought.

Abstract

Leaf photosynthesis is highly sensitive to soil water stress via stomatal and/or biochemical responses, which markedly suppress the growth of landscape trees. Effective irrigation management to maintain leaf photosynthesis and information on species-specific photosynthetic responses to soil water stress are essential for the sustainable management of landscape trees in Japan, in which summer drought often occurs. In order to investigate effective irrigation management, we used plants with moderate soil water stress as controls, and examined the effects of daily irrigation and pruning mulch on leaf photosynthesis in container-grown Ginkgo biloba and Prunus yedoensis, which are the first and second main tall roadside trees in Japan. Stomatal conductance was significantly increased by pruning mulch and daily irrigation, with similar increases in leaf photosynthesis being observed in P. yedoensis and G. biloba. In order to obtain information on species-specific photosynthetic responses to soil water stress, we compared the responses of leaf photosynthesis and leaf water status to reductions in soil water content (SWC) between the two species. G. biloba maintained a constant leaf water potential, leaf water content, maximum carboxylation rate, and electron transport rate with reductions in SWC, whereas reductions were observed in P. yedoensis. We concluded that pruning mulch and irrigation effectively offset the negative impact of moderate water stress on leaf photosynthesis in summer in P. yedoensis and G. biloba via stomatal regulation, and also that G. biloba maintained its photosynthetic biochemistry and leaf water status better than P. yedoensis under severe water stress.

     

Characterisation of a novel quantitative trait locus, <Emphasis Type="Italic">GN4</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">1</Emphasis>, for grain number and yield in rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.)

Key message

A novel QTL for grain number, GN4-1, was identified and fine-mapped to an ~ 190-kb region on the long arm of rice chromosome 4.

Abstract

Rice grain yield is primarily determined by three components: number of panicles per plant, grain number per panicle and grain weight. Among these traits, grain number per panicle is the major contributor to grain yield formation and is a crucial trait for yield improvement. In this study, we identified a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) responsible for rice grain number on chromosome 4, designated GN4-1 (a QTL for Grain Number on chromosome 4), using advanced segregating populations derived from the crosses between an elite indica cultivar ‘Zhonghui 8006’ (ZH8006) and a japonica rice ‘Wuyunjing 8’ (WYJ8). GN4-1 was delimited to an ~ 190-kb region on chromosome 4. The genetic effect of GN4-1 was estimated using a pair of near-isogenic lines. The GN4-1 gene from WYJ8 promoted accumulation of cytokinins in the inflorescence and increased grain number per panicle by ~ 17%. More importantly, introduction of the WYJ8 GN4-1 gene into ZH8006 increased grain yield by ~ 14.3 and ~ 11.5% in the experimental plots in 2014 and 2015, respectively. In addition, GN4-1 promoted thickening of the culm and may enhance resistance to lodging. These results demonstrate that GN4-1 is a potentially valuable gene for improvement of yield and lodging resistance in rice breeding.

     

Bioactive phytochemicals from shoots and roots of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvia</Emphasis> species

The plants of the genus Salvia L. are important medicinal herbs of the Lamiaceae family and some of them such as S. officinalis (sage), S. miltiorrhiza (red sage, Danshen) and S. sclarea (clary sage) have been used as medicinal plants in the folk medicine of several countries. In this review, we discuss the reports that have examined Salvia species with the aim of isolation of pure compounds with different biological activities. The phytochemical analyses of various sage plants have reported 10 monoterpenoids (1–10), 1 sesquiterpenoid (11), 8 labdane (13–20), 15 ent-kaurane (21–35), 82 abietane, rearranged abietane and tanshinone (36–117), 3 icetexane (118–120), 43 clerodane (121–163), and 3 pimarane (164–166) diterpenoids with cytotoxic and antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, antioxidant, phytotoxic and insecticide effects. The other heavier terpenoids, including 3 sesterterpenes (167–169), 10 triterpenoids and β-sitosterol (170–180) have been introduced as minor bioactive compounds in the sage plants. Sahandinone (107), 6,7-dehydroroyleanone, 7-α-acetoxyroyleanone (40), and tanshinone like diterpenoids have been isolated from the roots’ extracts of different Salvia species. On the other hand, several radical scavenger phenolic compounds like simple phenolics and caffeic acid derivatives (181–201) including rosmarinic acid, flavonoids (202–217) as well as phenolic diterpenoids, such as carnosol and carnosic acid have been isolated from the aerial parts of these plants. One pyrrole (218) and 3 antimicrobial oxylipins (219–221) are among the other less detected constituents in the members of Salvias. Furthermore, sages also synthesize antifungal, antileishmanial and antimalarial phytochemicals in their roots and shoots, which are reviewed in this paper. We also examine the allelopathic phenomena and the ecologically important phytochemicals identified in different parts of the sage plants. Finally, antifeedant and insecticide phenomena, which are due to the presence of volatile monoterpenes and clerodane diterpenes in these plants, are discussed. Considering the presence of diverse biologically active phytochemicals in the sage plants, they can be suggested as suitable candidates for the formulation of valuable natural medicines.     

Significant increase of oleic acid level in the wild species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lepidium campestre</Emphasis> through direct gene silencing

Key message

Simultaneous RNAi silencing of the FAD2 and FAE1 genes in the wild species Lepidium campestre improved the oil quality with 80 % oleic acid content compared to 11 % in wildtype.

Abstract

Field cress (Lepidium campestre) is a wild biennial species within the Brassicaceae family with desirable agronomic traits, thus being a good candidate for domestication into a new oilseed and catch crop. However, it has agronomic traits that need to be improved before it can become an economically viable species. One of such traits is the seed oil composition, which is not desirable either for food use or for industrial applications. In this study, we have, through metabolic engineering, altered the seed oil composition in field cress into a premium oil for food processing, industrial, or chemical industrial applications. Through seed-specific RNAi silencing of the field cress fatty acid desaturase 2 (FAD2) and fatty acid elongase 1 (FAE1) genes, we have obtained transgenic lines with an oleic acid content increased from 11 % in the wildtype to over 80 %. Moreover, the oxidatively unstable linolenic acid was decreased from 40.4 to 2.6 %, and the unhealthy erucic acid was reduced from 20.3 to 0.1 %. The high oleic acid trait has been kept stable for three generations. This shows the possibility to use field cress as a platform for genetic engineering of oil compositions tailor-made for its end uses.

     

Isolation and Antibiotic Screening of Fungi from a Hydrothermal Vent Site and Characterization of Secondary Metabolites from a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium</Emphasis> Isolate

Five new compounds were isolated from Penicillium sp. Y-5-2 including an austin derivative 4, four isocoumarins 9, 11, 12, and 13, together with two known isocoumarins 8 and 10, and six known austin derivatives 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 and one phenol 14. Their structures and relative configurations were established by spectroscopic means. The absolute configurations of 4, 11, and 13 were defined mainly by comparison of quantum chemical TDDFT calculated and experimental ECD spectra. The cyclization of the pentan-2-ol pendant at C-3 in compound 13 allowed the assignment of a new 2,3,4,4a,6,10b-hexahydro-1H-benzo[c]chromene isocoumarin skeleton. New compounds 9, 11, and 13 revealed inhibitory activities against E. coli at MIC values around 32 μg/mL. The known compound 14 showed potent antibiotic activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis with MIC values 8 and 2 μg/mL, respectively, with no cytotoxicity when tested in vitro. A rapid and efficient technique for selecting antibiotic fungal strain among eight marine-derived fungi was also described.     

Development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica oleracea</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">nigra</Emphasis> monosomic alien addition lines: genotypic,cytological and morphological analyses

Key message

We report the development and characterization of Brassica oleracea - nigra monosomic alien addition lines (MAALs) to dissect the Brassica B genome.

Abstract

Brassica nigra (2n = 16, BB) represents the diploid Brassica B genome which carries many useful genes and traits for breeding but received limited studies. To dissect the B genome from B. nigra, the triploid F₁ hybrid (2n = 26, CCB) obtained previously from the cross B. oleracea var. alboglabra (2n = 18, CC) × B. nigra was used as the maternal parent and backcrossed successively to parental B. oleracea. The progenies in BC₁ to BC₃ generations were analyzed by the methods of FISH and SSR markers to screen the monosomic alien addition lines (MAALs) with each of eight different B-genome chromosomes added to C genome (2n = 19, CC + 1B_1?8), and seven different MAALs were established, except for the one with chromosome B2 which existed in one triple addition. Most of these MAALs were distinguishable morphologically from each other, as they expressed the characters from B. nigra differently and at variable extents. The alien chromosome remained unpaired as a univalent in 86.24% pollen mother cells at diakinesis or metaphase I, and formed a trivalent with two C-genome chromosomes in 13.76% cells. Transmission frequency of all the added chromosomes was far higher through the ovules (averagely 14.40%) than the pollen (2.64%). The B1, B4 and B5 chromosomes were transmitted by female at much higher rates (22.38–30.00%) than the other four (B3, B6, B7, B8) (5.04–8.42%). The MAALs should be valuable for exploiting the genome structure and evolution of B. nigra.