小鼠胸腺髓质上皮细胞系体内诱导胸腺细胞功能成熟

来源于BALB/c小鼠 (H-2^d)胸腺的髓质上皮细胞系MTEC1细胞表达H-2^d和I -A^d 分子 .为研究上皮细胞诱导胸腺细胞阳性选择及功能分化的能力 ,首先用γ 线照射C5 7BL/6J小鼠(H-2^d) ,再经静脉注射 (H-2^b×d)F1代骨髓细胞 ,制备 H-2^b×d→H-2^b)嵌合体 ,然后将MTEC1细胞注射到嵌合体胸腺内 .注射后 2个月 ,经HE染色显示 ,MTEC1细胞在嵌合体小鼠胸腺被膜下皮质区成簇存在 ,体外免疫学试验发现 ,嵌合体小鼠脾细胞含有抗原特异性H-2^d识别限制的杀伤T细胞 (CTL) ,IL -2产生T细胞及增殖应答T细胞 .在MLR试验中 ,嵌合体小鼠脾细胞显示对H-2^d 同种异型抗原的明显耐受 .从而证明MTEC1髓质上皮细胞能在胸腺微环境内诱导H-2^d识别限制的对特异抗原应答的T细胞发育及功能成熟 .由此提出在胸腺髓质区进行“2次胸腺选择”的假说 ,并讨论了其意义 .     

Soil N and C trace gas fluxes and microbial soil N turnover in a sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) forest in Hungary

During two intensive field campaigns in summer and autumn 2004 nitrogen (N₂O, NO/NO₂) and carbon (CO₂, CH₄) trace gas exchange between soil and the atmosphere was measured in a sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) forest in Hungary. The climate can be described as continental temperate. Fluxes were measured with a fully automatic measuring system allowing for high temporal resolution. Mean N₂O emission rates were 1.5 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹ in summer and 3.4 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹ in autumn, respectively. Also mean NO emission rates were higher in autumn (8.4 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹) as compared to summer (6.0 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹). However, as NO₂ deposition rates continuously exceeded NO emission rates (−9.7 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹ in summer and −18.3 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹ in autumn), the forest soil always acted as a net NO _x sink. The mean value of CO₂ fluxes showed only little seasonal differences between summer (81.1 mg C m⁻² h⁻¹) and autumn (74.2 mg C m⁻² h⁻¹) measurements, likewise CH₄uptake (summer: −52.6 μg C m⁻² h⁻¹; autumn: −56.5 μg C m⁻² h⁻¹). In addition, the microbial soil processes net/gross N mineralization, net/gross nitrification and heterotrophic soil respiration as well as inorganic soil nitrogen concentrations and N₂O/CH₄ soil air concentrations in different soil depths were determined. The respiratory quotient (ΔCO_{2 resp} ΔO_{2 resp}⁻¹) for the uppermost mineral soil, which is needed for the calculation of gross nitrification via the Barometric Process Separation (BaPS) technique, was 0.8978 ± 0.008. The mean value of gross nitrification rates showed only little seasonal differences between summer (0.99 μg N kg⁻¹ SDW d⁻¹) and autumn measurements (0.89 μg N kg⁻¹ SDW d⁻¹). Gross rates of N mineralization were highest in the organic layer (20.1–137.9 μg N kg⁻¹ SDW d⁻¹) and significantly lower in the uppermost mineral layer (1.3–2.9 μg N kg⁻¹ SDW d⁻¹). Only for the organic layer seasonality in gross N mineralization rates could be demonstrated, with highest mean values in autumn, most likely caused by fresh litter decomposition. Gross mineralization rates of the organic layer were positively correlated with N₂O emissions and negatively correlated with CH₄ uptake, whereas soil CO₂ emissions were positively correlated with heterotrophic respiration in the uppermost mineral soil layer. The most important abiotic factor influencing C and N trace gas fluxes was soil moisture, while the influence of soil temperature on trace gas exchange rates was high only in autumn.     

Transpiration and whole-tree conductance in ponderosa pine trees of different heights

Changes in leaf physiology with tree age and size could alter forest growth, water yield, and carbon fluxes. We measured tree water flux (Q) for 14 ponderosa pine trees in two size classes (12 m tall and ∼40 years old, and 36 m tall and ∼ 290 years old) to determine if transpiration (E) and whole-tree conductance (g _t) differed between the two sizes of trees. For both size classes, E was approximately equal to Q measured 2 m above the ground: Q was most highly correlated with current, not lagged, water vapor pressure deficit, and night Q was <12% of total daily flux. E for days 165–195 and 240–260 averaged 0.97 mmol m^–2 (leaf area, projected) s^–1 for the 12-m trees and 0.57 mmol m^–2 (leaf area) s^–1 for the 36-m trees. When photosynthetically active radiation (I _P) exceeded the light saturation for photosynthesis in ponderosa pine (900 μmol m^–2 (ground) s^–1), differences in E were more pronounced: 2.4 mmol m^–2 (leaf area) s^–1 for the 12-m trees and 1.2 mmol m^–2 s^–1 for the 36-m trees, yielding g _t of 140 mmol m^–2 (leaf area) s^–1 for the 12-m trees and 72 mmol m^–2 s^–1 for the 36-m trees. Extrapolated to forests with leaf area index =1, the 36-m trees would transpire 117 mm between 1 June and 31 August compared to 170 mm for the 12-m trees, a difference of 15% of average annual precipitation. Lower g _t in the taller trees also likely lowers photosynthesis during the growing season. Received: 19 April 1999 / Accepted: 23 March 2000     

Biodegradation of monohalogenated alkanes by soil NH(3)-oxidizing bacteria

Although cooxidative biodegradation of monohalogenated hydrocarbons has been well studied in the model NH₃-oxidizing bacterium, Nitrosomonas europaea, virtually no information exists about cooxidation of these compounds by native populations of NH₃-oxidizing bacteria. To address this subject, nitrifying activity was stimulated to 125–400 nmol NO₃ ^– produced g^–1 soil h^–1 by first incubating a Ca(OH)₂-amended, silt loam soil (pH 7.0±0.2) at field capacity (270 g H₂O kg^–1 soil) with 10 μmol NH₄ ⁺ g^–1 soil for 14 days, followed by another 10 days of incubation in a shaken slurry (2:1 water:soil, v/w) with periodic pH adjustment and maintenance of 10 mM NH₄ ⁺. These slurries actively degraded both methyl bromide (MeBr) and ethyl chloride (EtCl) at maximum rates of 20–30 nmol ml^–1 h^–1 that could be sustained for approximately 12 h. Although the MeBr degradation rates were linear for the first 10–12 h of incubation, they could not be sustained regardless of NH₄ ⁺ level and declined to zero over 20 h of incubation. The transformation capacity of the slurry enrichments (~1 μmol MeBr ml^–1 soil slurry) was similar to the value measured previously in cell suspensions of N. europaea with similar NH₃-oxidizing activity. Several MeBr-degrading characteristics of the nitrifying enrichments were found to be similar to those documented in the literature for MeBr-degrading methanotrophs and facultatively methylotrophic bacteria. Electronic Publication     

Enhancement of phenylpropanoid enzymes and lignin in Phalaenopsis orchid and their influence on plant acclimatisation at different levels of photosynthetic photon flux

Effects of three levels of photosynthetic photon flux (PPF: 60, 160 and 300 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹) were investigated in one-month-old Phalaenopsis plantlets acclimatised ex vitro. Optimal growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid concentations, and a high carotenoid:chlorophyll a ratio were obtained at 160 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹, while net CO₂ assimilation (A), stomatal conductance (g), transpiration rate (E) and leaf temperature peaked at 300 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹, indicating the ability of the plants to grow ex vitro. Adverse effects of the highest PPF were reflected in loss of chlorophyll, biomass, non-protein thiol and cysteine, but increased proline. After acclimatisation, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, shikimate dehydrogenase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) increased, as did lignin. Peroxidases (POD), which play an important role in lignin synthesis, were induced in acclimatised plants. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and β-glucosidase (β-GS) activities increased to a maximum in acclimatised plants at 300 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹. A positive correlation between PAL, CAD activity and lignin concentration was observed, especially at 160 and 300 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹. The study concludes that enhancement of lignin biosynthesis probably not only adds rigidity to plant cell walls but also induces defence against radiation stress. A PPF of 160 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹was suitable for acclimatisation when plants were transferred from in vitro conditions.     

酵母tRNAAla中修饰核苷酸T54,Ψ55的生物功能

酵母tRNA^Ala的3′半分子与一个11聚的DNA片段(5′GGAATCGAACC3′)杂交后用RNase H酶解,该酶能在Ψ₅₅的3′侧定点剪切,这样就制备得片段C₃₆-Ψ₅₅该片段经1～2个高碘酸氧化和β-消去得片段C₃₆-T₅₄和C₃₆-G₅₃机器合成了3个酵母tRNA^Ala的片段,分别j是片段C₅₆-A₇₆,U₅₅-A₇₆(以U替代Ψ₅₅)和U₅₄-A₇₆(以UU替代T₅₄Ψ₅₅).合成和制备的片段以适当的组合用T₄RNA连接酶连接,产物是酵母tRNAtRNA^Ala的3′半分子或其类似物.3种3′半分子或其类似物分别与天然5′半分子连接得重组天然酵母tRNA^Ala(tRNAr)和2个酵母tRNA^Ala的类似物:(1)tRNAa(以U替代Ψ₅₅),(2)tRNAb(以UU替代T₅₄Ψ₅₅).体外测定了它们的丙氨酸接受活力和参入活力,发现酵母tRNA^Ala的类似物tRNAa和tRNAb与天然重组酵母tRNA^Ala相比,它们的氨基酸接受活力分别降低了25%和55%,参入活力分别降低了35%和30%.说明酵母tRNA^Ala中的修饰核苷酸T₅₄和Ψ₅₅对该tRNA的功能有重要的影响.     

Phytoplankton primary production in a mesotrophic pond in sub-tropical Bangladesh

Annual gross primary productivity in mesotrophic Shahidullah Hall pond (Dhaka, Bangladesh) was 1383.35 g C m⁻² y⁻¹ (arithmetic mean). Daily primary productivity (between 1.6 and 6.8 g C m⁻² d⁻¹ was correlated with chlorophylla, day length and dissolved silica. Chlorophylla related significantly withk, incident light, SRP, alkalinity and conductivity. A negative correlation existed between biomass and rainfall. Productivity, biomass, conductivity, alkalinity, and SRP increased after mid-winter.k, I _k andZ _eu varied according seasonally.P _max related directly with temperature. Seasonal variation of ∝ ^B was 0.0049–0.0258 mg C (mg chla mmol PAR)⁻¹ m⁻². Q₁₀ was 2.12, community respiration 1334.99 g C m⁻² y⁻¹, and the underwater light climate 186.43μE m⁻² s⁻¹.     

城市不同地表覆盖类型对土壤呼吸的影响

采用Licor-6400-09的土壤呼吸测量系统对北京市区3种不同覆盖类型地表(全硬地表、半透砖地表、草坪覆盖地表)的土壤呼吸速率及其影响因子进行了测定和分析。结果表明:(1)不同地表覆盖类型的土壤呼吸速率年均值分别为7.928 μmol·m^-2·s^-1(全硬地表),5.592 μmol·m^-2·s^-1(部分硬化地表)、2.625 μmol·m^-2·s^-1(草坪覆盖地表);土壤呼吸日均值最高均出现在夏季(14.785,10.296,5.143 μmol·m^-2·s^-1),最低为冬季(0.490,0.319,0.239 μmol·m^-2·s^-1);(2)3种地表类型的土壤呼吸速率有显著差异(P<0.05),大小排序为:草坪覆盖地表<部分硬化地表<全硬地表;(3)3种地表类型土壤呼吸速率均与土壤温度呈显著的指数相关,Q₁₀值排序为:草坪覆盖地表<部分硬化地表<全硬地表;(4)土壤含水率和土壤电导率与土壤呼吸均有一定的相关性,但关系较为复杂,有待于进一步研究。     

Performance of a flat plate,air-lift reactor for the growth of high biomass algal cultures

A flat plate, multi-pass air lift reactor (FPALR) for the culture of photosynthetic organisms was constructed from twin wall acrylic sheet and its performance characterised. When operated at an air input of 2.01 min⁻¹ the multi-pass system had a Reynolds number of 5200 indicating fully turbulent flow. Chlorella vulgaris 211/11c was found to have a stationary phase biomass of 1.48 g 1⁻¹ when grown in the flat plate air lift reactor (FPALR) at 100 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹ compared to 1.11 g 1⁻¹ when cultured in the continually stirred tank reactor (CSTR) at the same PFD (photon flux density). The same organism cultured at 200 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹ achieved a stationary phase biomass of 1.71 g 1⁻¹ in the FPALR. In contrast, Scenedesmus sp. produced a stationary phase biomass of 2.27 g1⁻¹ and 1.27 g1⁻¹, when cultured at 100 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹ in the FPALR and the CSTR respectively. The growth rates of both organisms were also higher in the PFALR.     

Uptake of 45Ca by mitochondria of Trigonella foenum-graecum as influenced by selenium and mimosine—Detailed kinetic analyses

Mitochondria from Trigonella foenum-graecum seedlings grown independently in the presence of either selenium (0.75 ppm) or mimosine (0.1 mM) exhibited respiration-stimulated energy-dependent uptake of Ca²⁺. Uptake studies were carried out independently at a series of Ca²⁺ concentrations at two different levels: (1) 1–20 μM and (2) 25–1500 μM. Levels of uptake were 50–100% higher in the mitochondria of seedlings of both the Se and mimosine groups. Detailed kinetic analyses revealed negative cooperative effects operative during uptake of Ca²⁺ at 25–1500 μM given in the medium. Hill coefficients for Ca²⁺ uptake by the mitochondria of different groups remained unchanged (nH, 0.75). Biphasic Scatchard plots were concave upward, suggestive of two classes of binding sites. High-affinity binding sites were estimated to be 16 nmol/mg protein with dissociation constant (K _Ca) of 2.5×10⁹ L/mol. In contrast, graphical analyses of the uptake of Ca²⁺ in the range 1–20 μM in the medium revealed cooperative effects of positive nature. The present study demonstrates mixed cooperative effects during Ca²⁺ uptake by mitochondria from seedlings of T. foenum-graecum     

竹茶混交模式对表层土壤有机碳储量及组分的影响

为探究毛竹林下种植茶树对土壤有机碳储量与碳组分的影响,该研究以毛竹纯林、竹茶混交林和常绿阔叶林为研究对象,采集这3种林分类型的表层(0～10 cm)土壤,测定土壤有机碳(SOC)、碳组分、生物与非生物因素指标。结果表明:(1)竹茶混交林林下植物多样性相较于毛竹纯林显著降低,但其土壤有机碳密度(22.54±2.09)t·hm^-2、碳组分与毛竹纯林无显著差异(P>0.05)。竹茶混交林的矿物结合态有机碳(MOC)为(20.13±1.83)g·kg^-1,占总有机碳的92.66%。常绿阔叶林土壤有机碳密度比竹茶混交林和毛竹纯林高土壤有机碳密度分别高41.15%和41.00%(P<0.05)。(2)3种林分类型土壤微生物量碳(MBC)含量范围为0.58～3.08 g·kg^-1,土壤16S rRNA丰度范围为2.18×10¹⁰ ～5.65×10¹⁰copies·g^-1,固碳基因cbbL丰度范围为0.37×10⁸～ 1.10 ×10⁸ copies·g^-1,土壤微生物碳利用效率范围为0.03～0.28; 3种林分类型之间微生物相关指标不存在显著差异(P>0.05)。(3)3种林分类型SOC与土壤pH、砂粒含量和地上凋落物生物量呈显著负相关,与土壤黏粒含量、粉粒含量、总氮、C:N、总磷和铵态氮含量呈显著正相关(P<0.05)。(4)就不同碳组分而言,颗粒有机碳(POC)和MOC均与土壤pH、砂粒含量和根系生物量呈显著负相关,与土壤含水量、黏粒含量、粉粒含量、总氮、C:N、总磷和铵态氮含量呈显著正相关(P<0.05)。综上表明,竹茶混交改造会造成原生毛竹纯林林下植被多样性下降,但并未造成土壤碳储量下降; 而相较于常绿阔叶林,毛竹经营措施需要改进,以提升其碳汇效益。     

Down regulation of CYP 1A1 by glucocorticoids in trout hepatocytes in vitro

Summary Short-term culture of rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) hepatocytes was used to examine the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on microsomal CYP 1A1 protein content and 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity in vitro. Hepatocytes prepared by controlled collagenase digestion and plated at a density of 0.25 × 10⁶ cells/cm² in plastic culture dishes precoated with trout skin extract (7.6 μg skin protein/cm²) to facilitate cell attachment were maintained at 16° C. Cells were treated with DEX (10⁻⁹ to 10⁻⁷ M) or vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO) at 24 h. Microsomal CYP 1A1 protein content and EROD activities were measured at 72 h. Both CYP 1A1 protein as measured by Western blots using CYP 1A1 specific anti-sera and EROD activity were significantly lower in DEX (10⁻⁸ to 10⁻⁷ M)-treated hepatocytes compared to untreated (control) or DMSO-treated cells. The effect was dose dependent in that a gradual decrease of CYP 1A1 protein and EROD activities were seen with increasing doses of DEX (10⁻⁸ to 10⁻⁷ M). DEX at 10⁻⁹ M was ineffective. Concomitant addition of 10⁻⁶ M RU486, a type II specific glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, to hepatocytes treated with 10⁻⁷ M DEX abolished the DEX effect. RU486 at 10⁻⁸ M was ineffective. Spironolactone (10⁻⁸ to 10⁻⁶ M), a type I specific glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, did not counteract the DEX effect. RU486 or spironolactone (10⁻⁶ M) alone had no effect on CYP 1A1 under similar conditions. DEX thus down regulates CYP 1A1 in fish cultured hepatocytes and this regulation is mediated through the type II glucocorticoid receptor(s).     

Kinetics of urea uptake by Melosira italica (Ehr.) Kütz at different luminosity conditions

The kinetic parameters K_m and V_max for urea uptake by Melosira italica were determined at 160 μeinsteins m⁻² s⁻¹ and in the dark. The transport systems showed an affinity for the substrate and a storing capacity in the dark (K_m = 65.07 μM; V_max = 2.18 nmoles 10⁵ cells ⁻¹ h⁻¹) greater than under 160 μE m⁻² s ⁻¹ (K_m = 111.2 μM; V_max = 1.11 nmoles 105 cells⁻¹ h⁻¹). Similarly, a reduction in consumption rate of urea under increasing photon flux densities was observed. The use of an inhibitor (potassium cyanide) indicated that the uptake process requires metabolic energy. That urea transport is more important in darkness, may constitute a survival strategy in which this compound is utilized by cells mainly during heterotrophic growth.     

Lake Muzahi,Rwanda: limnological features and phytoplankton production

Lake Muhazi, a small lake of Rwanda (East Africa) was studied from 1986 to 1990. A dramatic decrease of the catch of Oreochromis niloticus (350 T y⁻¹ in the fifties vs 30 T y⁻¹ in 1982) suggested a loss of productivity or overfishing. In the same period, other ecological changes occurred: the submerged macrophytes regressed and there was a decrease in Secchi depth (0.65 m in 1987 vs 1.5 m in the fifties). Compared to other lakes of the same area, the plankton production seemed low. The results of the present study characterize lake Muhazi as a shallow lake with a rather unstable diurnal stratification and with slight differences in mixing regime between its eastern, deepest part and its western, shallowest part. Secchi disk depth does not vary seasonally to a large extent. The water has a rather high mineral content (conductivity of about 500 μS cm⁻¹ at 25 °C) and low concentrations of dissolved N and P, except in the hypolimnion, where NH _inf4 ^sup+ -N can be high. Two species, Microcystis aeruginosa and Ceratium hirundinella, account for most of the phytoplankton biomass, which is about 50–80 mg chlorophyll a m⁻² in the euphotic zone, usually with little seasonal variation. Daily gross production estimates amount to about 6 to 9.5 g O₂ m⁻² d⁻¹ with a significant difference between the two parts of the lake. Data on C:N and C:P ratio in the phytoplankton suggest that some N deficiency might occur in the eastern part. Moreover, the Zm:Zc ratio could also lead to rather low net production rates (0.21–0.25 d⁻¹ for a mixed layer of 4 m) In conclusion, the primary production of lake Muhazi is medium for African lakes and the hypothesis that decreased planktonic production could account for a reduced fish production should be discarded. Whereas the present yield of the fishery is only 20 kg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹, the yield estimated from primary production ranges between 46 and 64 kg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹. This could be reached through proper management. Finally, some hypotheses are given to explain the ecological changes which occurred in the lake.     

The effect of benthic sediments on dissolved nutrient concentrations and fluxes

The Ria Formosa is a meso-tidal coastal lagoon experiencing enhanced nutrient concentrations. Assessment of sediment–seawater interaction is essential if nutrient dynamics and the risk of eutrophication are to be fully understood. Pore water concentrations of dissolved inorganic and organic phosphorus, ammonium, nitrate and nitrite were determined in cores from six sites. Changes in nutrients concentrations were measured in intertidal pools on sand and mud between tides. Dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) concentrations (~200 μmol l⁻¹) and effluxes (123 ± 14 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹) were greater from sand than mud (37 ± 10 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹), possibly due to the binding of P with the <63 μm fraction. NH₄⁺ effluxes were high outside the Anc?o Basin (821 ± 106 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹) and were associated with Enteromorpha sp. mats. The greatest NO₃⁻ efflux was from sediments near a salt marsh (170 ± 67 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹). These sediment fluxes of P were not sufficient to account for elevated P concentrations seen by other workers on the ebb tide from the Anc?o Basin. Intertidal pools were sinks for Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) and DIP over the 6 h exposure period. Thus, tidepools may be an important route of nutrients into sediments that enhances the effects of sediments on seawater nutrient concentrations.     

Oxygen consumption by ammocoetes of the lampreyGeotria australis in air

 When covered by moistened lint-free gauze, the larvae (ammocoetes) of the lamprey Geotria australis survived, without apparent discomfort, for 4 days in water-saturated air at 10, 15 and 20 °C. In air, the mean standard rates of O₂ consumption of medium to large ammocoetes of G. australis (xˉ=0.52 g) at 10, 15 and 20 °C were 14.5, 35.7 and 52.1 μl⋅g^-1⋅h^-1, respectively. At 15 °C, the slope of the relationship between log O₂ consumption (μl O₂⋅h^-1) and log body weight for ammocoetes over a wide range in body weight was 0.987. The Q ₁₀s for rate of O₂ consumption between 10 and 15 °C, 15 and 20 °C and 10 and 20 °C were 4.9, 2.9 and 3.6, respectively. Our results and observations of the ammocoetes suggest that, when out of water, larval G. australis derives most of its O₂ requirements from cutaneous respiration, particularly at lower temperatures. This would be facilitated by the small size and elongate shape (and thus a relatively high surface-to-volume ratio), low metabolic rate, thin dermis, extensive subdermal capillary network and high haemoglobin concentration of larval G. australis. Accepted: 28 March 1996     

Photosystem 2 activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrus volkameriana</Emphasis> (L.) leaves as affected by Mn nutrition and irradiance

Citrus volkameriana (L.) plants were grown for 43 d in nutrient solutions containing 0, 2, 14, 98, or 686 μM Mn (Mn₀, Mn₂, Mn₁₄, Mn₉₈, and Mn₆₈₆, respectively). To adequately investigate the combined effects of Mn nutrition and irradiance on photosystem 2 (PS2) activity, irradiance response curves for electron transport rate (ETR), nonphotochemical quenching (q_N), photochemical quenching (q_P), and real photochemical efficiency of PS2 (Φ_PS2) were recorded under 10 different irradiances (66, 96, 136, 226, 336, 536, 811, 1 211, 1 911, and 3 111 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, I₆₆ to I₃₁₁₁, respectively) generated with the PAM-2000 fluorometer. Leaf chlorophyll content was significantly lower under Mn excess (Mn₆₈₆) compared to Mn₀; its highest values were recorded in the treatments Mn₂-Mn₉₈. However, ETR and Φ_PS2 values were significantly lower under Mn₀ compared to the other Mn treatments, when plants were exposed to irradiances ≥96 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. Furthermore, Mn₀ plants had significantly higher values of q_N and lower values of q_P at irradiances ≤226 and ≥336 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively, than those grown under Mn₂-Mn₆₈₆. Irrespective of Mn treatment, the values of Φ_PS2 and q_N decreased, while those of q_P increased progressively by increasing irradiance from I₁₃₆ to I₃₁₁₁. Finally, Mn₂-Mn₉₈ plants were less sensitive to photoinhibition of photosynthesis (≥811 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) than the Mn₆₈₆ (≥536 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and Mn₀ (≥336 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) ones.     

Proposals for macrophyte restoration in eutrophic coastal lagoons

Based on the comparison of environmental requirements forRuppia cirrhosa andPotamogeton pectinatus growth, macrophyteversus phytoplankton biomass and production features, and differences in hydrological and nutrient balances between Tancada lagoon (where macrophytes form dense beds) and Enca?izada lagoon (with no macrophytes at all), several proposals for macrophyte restoration are presented. The highest photosynthetic efficiency ofR. cirrhosa takes place at high irradiance and it grows over a wide range of salinity.P. pectinatus is better adapted to lower light intensity and salinity thanRuppia. R. cirrhosa transplanted from Tancada to Enca?izada was successful in enclosures, where light availability increased (μ=0.013 cm⁻¹), but not in open waters where light extinction coefficient was 0.032 cm⁻¹. Phytoplankton biomass (0.11–2.15 g C m⁻²) is much lower than macrophyte biomass (16–200 g C m⁻²) in Tancada lagoon. However, phytoplankton production (165 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹ in Tancada, 480 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹ in Enca?izada) is the same order of magnitude as macrophyte production (244–467 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹). Turnover rates are 0.3–0.9 day⁻¹ for phytoplankton and 1.2–2.5 yr⁻¹ for macrophytes. Phytoplankton and inorganic particles are responsible for high turbidity of the water in Enca?izada lagoon. Phytoplankton blooms in Enca?izada lagoon are supported by high freshwater inflows from rice field drains from May to November. The Q_s (seawater discharge)/Q_F (Freshwater discharge) ratios are, respectively, 0.24 and 0.48, which denotes a higher seawater influence in Tancada than in Enca?izada lagoon. Decreasing freshwater inputs to Enca?izada lagoon both in May and November thus allowing greater inputs of sea water, is proposed as the most effective way to restore this eutrophic coastal lagoon. The objective being to reduce nutrient loadings to the lagoon and phytoplankton in order to favour macrophyte re-colonization.     

Avocado shoot culture, plantlet development and net CO2 assimilation in an ambient and CO2 enhanced environment

Summary The proliferation and survival of avocado nodal cultures of juvenile origin were affected by the form and concentration of nitrogen. Optimum growth was achieved on modified Murashige and Skoog medium containing 67% KNO₃ and 33% NH₄NO₃ with total N of 40 mM supplemented with 100 mg l⁻¹ myo-inositol, 1 mg l⁻¹ thiamine HCl, 30 g l⁻¹ sucrose, and 4.44 μM BA with a 16-h photoperiod (120–150 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Proliferating shoots and plantlets were photosynthetically active. Better shoot growth and accumulation of higher biomass occurred in a CO₂-enriched environment than under ambient CO₂ conditions. CO₂ assimilation efficiency, however, was higher under the latter conditions than in a CO₂-enhanced environment, e.g., 31±7 and 17±2 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively. The net CO₂ assimilation rates of in vitro grown plantlets were comparable to those of seedlings ex vitro.     

Influence of UV-light on carthamin accumulation and floret elongation in a cultivar of saffron thistle (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Pre-matured florets of Benibana, a cultivar of saffron thistle (Carthamus tinctorius L.) was irradiated with UV-B (280–320 nm) or UV-C (254 nm) light for 48 h at 23±1 °C and the influence of UV-light on carthamin accumulation and floret elongation was investigated. UV-C light enhances carthamin accumulation most prominently, showing a specific value of 52.3 nmol carthamin·dm⁻³·h⁻¹·25μm⁻² (13.9 times of control), while it restricts floret elongation by a light-suppression manner (net elongation: 0.058 mm·h⁻¹, one ninth of control). UV-B light is also promotive for the red colour appearance (25.0 nmol carthamin·dm⁻³·h⁻¹·25 μm⁻², 6.7 times of control) with suppressing floret elongation (net elongation: 0.17 mm·h⁻¹, one third of control). Heterogeneous productivity of carthamin was seen in floret tissues after continuous treating under UV-C light. Carthamin accumulation, heterogeneous carthamin productivity and decrease of floret elongation restraint under UV-lights are discussed.