Soluble Proteins, Esterases and Superoxide Dismutase in Stem Tissue of Pepper Plants in Relation to Age-related Resistance to Phytophthora capsici

Patterns of soluble proteins and isoenzymes of esterase and superoxide dismutase were investigated in healthy and infected stems of two pepper cultivars resistant and susceptible to Phytophthora capsici. By the use of two-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, it was possible to compare precisely the cultivars Hanbyul and Kingkun susceptible or resistant to P. capsici with respect to their protein patterns. The two-dimensional electrophoresis identified three proteins (25—27 kD) from the healthy stem extracts of Kingkun, which were absent in Hanbyul. Some particular proteins appeared in pepper stems of both cultivars at later developmental stage of plants, suggesting their role in the expression of age-related resistance. Some proteins which were not detectable in the healthy stem extracts also existed in large amounts in the diseased ones. By contrast, other proteins present in the healthy stems disappeared from the diseased stems. Some esterase isoenzymes appeared in the two cultivars only at late developmental stage. Other esterase isoenzymes were produced only in the diseased stems. There were no differences in the patterns of superoxide dismutases between the cultivars and also between developmental stages. Large activities of several superoxide dismutases were detected in the diseased stems.     

辣椒种质资源抗青枯病的鉴定与评价

采用青枯菌FJC100301菌株对田间辣椒（Capsicum annuum）抗病品种76a和感病品种TW-1分别作了不同温度、不同接种量和不同接种方法的接种试验。结果表明,辣椒青枯病抗性的室内鉴定以接种温度28℃、浸根20 min和3×10^8cfu/mL接种浓度为宜;辣椒种质田间抗青枯病接种鉴定宜选择5月上旬进行,浸根20 min,接种浓度为3×10^8cfu/mL。采用田间抗性接种鉴定的方法,用青枯菌FJC100301菌株对106份辣椒材料进行了抗性鉴定。田间接种后每隔10 d统计病情指数,划分辣椒抗青枯病鉴定分级标准,获得了高抗材料14份、抗病材料8份、中抗材料23份、中感材料23份、感病材料20份、高感材料18份;采用离体叶片接种法对田间筛选得到的高抗和高感纯度较高品种进行抗性分析,结果与田间鉴定一致。     

Short-Term Salinity Induced Changes in Two Wheat Cultivars at Different Growth Stages

Soluble sugars, proline, total chlorophyll contents and electrolyte leakage were measured in two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars KRL 1-4 and HD 2009 at different growth stages [crown root initiation (CRI), flowering, and soft dough] under short term salinity (NaCl, CaCl₂ and Na₂SO₄). In control plants sugar contents were maximum at flowering stage. Proline and sugar concentrations increased in both cultivars under salinity with a maximum increase at CRI. Electrolyte leakage increased and chlorophyll content decreased with the plant age. A sharp increase of electrolyte leakage was noticed at salinity of 10 and 15 dS m^–1 in HD 2009 and KRL 1-4, respectively. The short-term salinity at CRI stage proved more detrimental as compared to salinity at flowering and soft dough stages in term of all biochemical changes induced. In wheat, plant resistance to salinity increased with the age of plant. The cultivar KRL 1-4 performed better under salinity as compared to HD 2009.     

A comparative screening of hybrid,modern varieties and local rice cultivar for brown leaf spot disease susceptibility and yield performance

Five rice cultivars, one hybrid (WR96), three modern (BR16, BR26, and BRRI Dhan27) and one local (Pari) were screened for reaction to brown leaf spot disease caused by Cochliobolus miyabeanus and performance of yield-related characters. The severity of brown leaf spot varied with growth stages of rice plant as well as different cultivars tested under field condition. Low disease severity was observed at maximum tillering stage compared to moderate to high at dough stage, with hybrid cultivar WR96 showing highest disease, while local cultivar Pari had the lowest. Brown spot disease severity in different cultivars under induced epiphytic condition also followed the similar trend. The results also revealed that most of the yield-contributing characters examined showed wide variations among the cultivars. Modern cultivar BR16 produced the highest panicle length, number of grain per panicle and grain yield per hectare. At the same time as local cultivar Pari generated the lowest number of tiller per plant, panicle length, grain number per panicle and grain yield per hectare. Moreover, hybrid cultivar WR96 produced the highest percentage of spotted grain per panicle and seed yielding C. miyabeanus, and also the lower percentage of seed germination, while the reverse was observed in local cultivar Pari. These findings may allow producers and breeders to select rice cultivar, resistant or tolerant to brown leaf spot disease and to avoid significant reductions in grain yields.     

A study on common bean cultivars to identify sources of resistance against the black bean aphid,Aphis fabae Scopoli (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Black bean aphid is an important common bean pest in the world. Aphids damage crops both directly by their feeding and by spreading viruses. Also, they indirectly damages with excretion honeydew and smokes moulds growth through some physiological processes and transmission of viruses. Resistant cultivars application is the main strategy to control Aphis fabae Scopoli. In this experiment, different lines and cultivars were infested with five wingless adult aphids. After 7 and 14?days, plants were evaluated and aphid population was counted and recorded. After 45?days when plants reached to the flowering stage, test was repeated. Result showed that there was a significant difference among cultivars in number of adult aphid in two-leaf stage. Most of the number of adult at the first week in two-leaf stage observed on Goynok cultivar that had significant difference to other lines and cultivars. Number of adults and nymphs among the line and cultivar at flowering stage did not show significant difference. Number of deployed aphids after two weeks was significantly higher than the first week that observed in all cultivars. Totally, the most resistant cultivar was Sayad and the most susceptible cultivar was Goynok.     

Protocol for assessing soybean antixenosis to Heliothis virescens

Larvae of Heliothis virescens (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) often infest soybean crops, Glycine max (L.) (Fabaceae), causing significant yield losses in important soybean-producing regions. The use of soybean varieties resistant to lepidopteran larvae is a major approach in soybean integrated pest management. However, standardization and optimization of bioassays that are used to screen genotypes for insect resistance are essential for high-throughput phenotyping. Methodologies for screening were assessed to determine the most effective method for discriminating levels of antixenosis to H. virescens in soybean plants. Feeding and oviposition preference assays were performed to determine optimal densities of larvae and adults, and optimal plant structures and growth stages for conducting assays. In addition, trichome densities, and fiber and lignin contents were quantified in plant structures of soybean cultivars differing in resistance. Resistance levels of cultivars were best differentiated using nine neonate larvae and two 6-day-old larvae, and by using young leaves of plants at the vegetative stage. This was likely due to the more pronounced differences in lignin and fiber contents in young leaves of vegetative-stage plants. Density of adult pairs, plant structure, and growth stage did not affect ability to distinguish differences in oviposition preference by H. virescens. Higher numbers of eggs were found on the leaves, which were the plant structures that exhibited the lowest trichome densities. The protocol developed in this work will benefit future evaluations of soybean genotypes for antixenosis against H. virescens.     

Changes in Peroxidase Activity during Potato Ring Rot Infection

The effects of the ring rot causal agent Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus (a virulent strain 5369) on the peroxidase activity of various tissues of potato plants grown under axenic conditions were studied. Root infection enhanced peroxidase activity in all plant tissues (roots, leaves, and stems). In the resistant cv. Lugovskoi, peroxidase activity was much higher than in the susceptible cv. Luk'yanovskii. Co-culturing of the suspension cells of these potato cultivars with the bacterial pathogen also activated peroxidase in the cells of the resistant cultivar; in the cells of the susceptible cultivar, peroxidase activation was less pronounced. Treating suspension cell with exopolysaccharides secreted by the pathogen enhanced the activity of extra- and intracellular peroxidases, and the degree of this enhancement differed in the two potato cultivars.     

Symptom Severity, Yield, Seed Mottling and Seed Transmission of Soybean Mosaic Virus in Susceptible and Resistant Soybean: The Influence of Infection Stage and Growth Temperature

The effect of soybean mosaic virus (SMV) infection on symptom severity, yield, seed mottling and seed transmission in soybean in relation to the growth stage at infection and subsequent temperature was investigated using a susceptible (Harosoy), a moderately resistant (Evans) and a highly resistant (Merit) cultivar. Disease symptoms were more severe with early infection. A greater reduction in plant growth and seed yield, and higher percentages of mottled seeds and seed transmission of SMV also occurred with early infection. Virus titer was higher in younger plants than in older ones and also higher in plants infected at the ealier stage than at the later stage of growth. Merit (a highly resistant cultivar previously reported to be immune to seed mottling) inoculated at the early stage of plant growth resulted in infection and production of some mottled seeds. Temperature affected all parameters investigated. The effect of temperature was greater in the susceptible cultivar than in the resistant one. The optimal temperature for symptom severity, yield, seed mottling and seed transmission was 20 °C. Virus titer was highest at 30 °C in all three cultivars. Maturity of susceptible cultivar was delayed by infection.     

Emerging molecular knowledge on Radopholus similis,an important nematode pest of banana

Taxonomy: Superkingdom Eukaryota; Kingdom Metazoa; Phylum Nematoda; Class Chromadorea; Order Rhabditida; Suborder Tylenchina; Infraorder Tylenchomorpha; Superfamily Tylenchoidea; Family Pratylenchidae; Subfamily Radopholinae; Genus Radopholus. Physical properties: Microscopic unsegmented worm; migratory endoparasite of plants. Strong sexual dimorphism; reproduction both by amphimixis and self‐fertilization. Hosts: Over 250 different plant species, including citrus, black pepper and banana (main host plant). Symptoms: Purple to black lesions and extensive cavities in plant roots, leading to reduced uptake of water and nutrients. In banana, this may result in poor vegetative growth, reduced bunch weight and toppling of plants. Disease control: Nematicides, alternative cropping systems, nematode‐free planting material, some resistant cultivars. Agronomic importance: Major problem in banana plantations in tropical regions worldwide.     

Contents of Sugars, Fruit Acids, Amino Acids and Phenolic Compounds of Apple Fruits i n Relation to their Susceptibility to Botryosphaeria ribis

Five apple cultivars showing different levels of susceptibility to Botryosphaeria ribis were used to study the relationship between susceptibility and contents of sugars, fruit acids, amino acids and phenolic compounds in the fruits at various stages of maturity. Immature fruits of all the cultivars tested were completely resistant until 10 July. The fungus grew better on the yellow-coloured cultivars than the red-coloured cultivars. The low amount of reducing sugars and also the high levels of fruit acids, amino acids and total phenols were found in immature apple fruits, irrespective of cultivar. No consistent differences between the cultivars were recognized with regard to the contents of soluble sugars, fruit acids and phenols in fruit flesh during the maturity of fruits. However, only the levels of total soluble amino acids in fruit flesh and of total phenols in fruit peel at late stage of maturity consistently varied between the cultivars. The dark red-coloured, resistant cultivars Miller spur and Starkrimson showed higher contents of amino acids and phenols in fruit tissues than did the yellow-coloured, susceptible cultivars.     

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling Suggest that Invertase Genes Function in Silique Development and the Response to <i>Sclerotinia sclerotiorum</i> in <i>Brassica napus</i>

Invertase (INV), a key enzyme in sucrose metabolism, irreversibly catalyzes the hydrolysis of sucrose to glucose and fructose, thus playing important roles in plant growth, development, and biotic and abiotic stress responses. In this study, we identified 27 members of the BnaINV family in Brassica napus. We constructed a phylogenetic tree of the family and predicted the gene structures, conserved motifs, cis-acting elements in promoters, physicochemical properties of encoded proteins, and chromosomal distribution of the BnaINVs. We also analyzed the expression of the BnaINVs in different tissues and developmental stages in the B. napus cultivar Zhongshuang 11 using qRT-PCR. In addition, we analyzed RNA-sequencing data to explore the expression patterns of the BnaINVs in four cultivars with different harvest indices and in plants inoculated with the pathogenic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. We used WGCNA (weighted coexpression network analysis) to uncover BnaINVregulatory networks. Finally, we explored the expression patterns of several BnaINV genes in cultivars with long (Zhongshuang 4) and short (Ningyou 12) siliques. Our results suggest that BnaINVs play important roles in the growth and development of rapeseed siliques and the defense response against pathogens. Our findings could facilitate the breeding of high-yielding B. napus cultivars with strong disease resistance.     

多效唑对不同品质类型花生产量、品质及相关酶活性的影响

选用高蛋白品种KB008（KB008）、高脂肪品种花17(H17)和高油酸/亚油酸（O/L）品种农大818（818）,在大田栽培条件下,研究了盛花后期叶面喷施多效唑(PBZ)对不同品质类型花生产量、品质及相关碳、氮代谢酶活性的影响.结果表明：喷施PBZ显著增加了3种品质类型花生荚果产量,原因是增加了单株结果数,降低了千克果数而提高了双仁果率.喷施PBZ不同程度地提高了3种类型花生籽仁脂肪和可溶性糖含量,降低了蛋白质含量,显著增加了高脂肪品种H17的O/L值.PBZ使高O/L值品种818的脂肪含量增加显著,同时其蛋白质含量显著降低,而对其他两品种的蛋白质和脂肪含量影响较小.喷施PBZ均降低了3种类型花生结荚期叶片硝酸还原酶（NR）活性及结荚期和饱果期叶片谷氨酰胺合成酶和谷氨酸脱氢酶活性,818的3种酶活性降低幅度最大,KB008和H17的酶活性降幅较小;喷施PBZ均降低了3种类型花生结荚期和饱果期叶片谷草转氨酶和谷丙转氨酶活性.说明氮代谢酶活性的降低是喷施PBZ降低3种类型花生籽仁蛋白质含量的主要原因.喷施PBZ均提高了3品种结荚期和饱果期叶片蔗糖合成酶和磷酸蔗糖合成酶活性,其中显著提高了818的2种酶活性,而对KB008和H17的活性提高不显著;喷施PBZ提高了3品种结荚期和饱果期的磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶和1,5-二磷酸核酮糖羧化酶活性,其中对818在结荚期的活性提高最显著,对H17活性提高较小.碳代谢酶活性的增强是喷施PBZ提高花生籽仁脂肪含量的生理基础.     

The Relationship between Sucrose Supply, Sucrose-cleaving Enzymes and Flower Abortion in Pepper

Abortion of pepper flowers depends on the light intensity perceivedby the plant and on the amounts of sucrose taken up by the flower(Aloni B, Karni L, Zaidman Z, Schaffer AA. 1996.Annals of Botany78: 163–168). We hypothesize that changes in the activityof sucrose-cleaving enzymes within the flower ovary might beresponsible for the changes in flower abortion under differentlight conditions. In the present study we report that the activityof sucrose synthase, but not of cytosolic acid invertase, increasesin flowers of pepper plants which were exposed, for 2 d, toincreasing photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) in therange of 85–400 µmol m^-2s^-1at midday. Sucrose synthaseactivity increased in parallel with the increasing concentrationsof starch in the flower ovary. Feeding flower explants, preparedfrom 3-d-predarkened plants, with 100 mM sucrose for 24 h, causeda 23% increase in reducing sugars and a 2.5-fold increase instarch concentration, compared with explants fed with buffer.Likewise, feeding explants of pepper flowers with sucrose, glucose,fructose and also mannitol increased the sucrose synthase activityin the ovaries. Concomitantly, sucrose, glucose and fructose,but not mannitol, reduced the abortion of flower explants. Itis suggested that sucrose entry into the flower increases theflower sink activity by inhibiting abscission and inducing metabolicchanges, thus enhancing flower set. Pepper; Capsicum annuum L.; abscission; light; pepper flowers; sucrose; glucose; fructose; starch; acid invertase; sucrose synthase     

Changes in Cell Wall-bound Phenolic Compounds and Lignin in Roots of Date Palm Cultivars Differing in Susceptibility to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis

The roots of date palm contain four cell wall‐bound phenolic acids identified as p‐hydroxybenzoic, p‐coumaric, ferulic and sinapic acids. The ferulic acid represents the major phenolic compound since it constitutes 48.2–55.8% of cell wall‐bound phenolic acids. All these phenolic acids were present in the resistant cultivar (BSTN) and the susceptible cultivar (JHL). However, the pre‐infection contents of p‐coumaric, ferulic and sinapic acids were greater in the resistant cultivar than in the susceptible one. For the contents of p‐hydroxybenzoic acid, there was no significant difference between the resistant cultivar and the susceptible cultivar. Similarly, the pre‐infection contents of lignin were approximately equal for both cultivars. Inoculation of the date palm roots by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis induced important modifications to the contents of the cell wall‐bound phenolic compounds and lignin, which made it possible to distinguish between resistant and susceptible cultivars. The post‐infection contents of cell wall‐bound phenolic compounds underwent a rapid and intense increase with a maximum accumulation on the tenth day for p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (1.54 μmol/g), p‐coumaric acid (2.77 μmol/g) and ferulic acid (2.64 μmol/g) and on the fifteenth day for sinapic acid (1.85 μmol/g). The maximum contents accumulated in the resistant cultivar were greater than those in the susceptible cultivar, namely, 11 times for p‐hydroxybenzoic acid, 2.6 times for p‐coumaric acid, 1.8 times for ferulic acid and 12.3 times for sinapic acid. In the susceptible cultivar, p‐coumaric acid and ferulic acid contents also increased after inoculation although they did not reach the pre‐infection contents of the resistant cultivar. The contents of p‐hydroxybenzoic acid in the susceptible cultivar roots did not present post‐infection modification and those of sinapic acid decreased instead. The lignin contents increased in both cultivars with a maximum accumulation on the fifteenth day. However, the maximum contents accumulated in the resistant cultivar roots were 1.5 times greater than those of the susceptible cultivar. These results showed clear differences between the resistant BSTN and the susceptible JHL cultivars. The implication of cell wall‐bound phenolic compounds and lignin in the resistance of date palm to F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis appears to be dependent on the speed and intensity of their accumulation with greater contents in the first stage of infection.     

Cytology of infection,development and expression of resistance to Plasmodiophora brassicae in canola

The timing and expression of resistance to four isolates of Plasmodiophora brassicae, collected from research sites where pathotypes 2, 3, 5 and 6 (Williams' system) had been dominant when characterised in 2006, were assessed in four new commercial cultivars of canola (Brassica napus) with resistance to clubroot. Each of the resistant cultivars was highly resistant to all four of the isolates, and there was no difference in their response to infection. Root hair infection occurred at high levels, but pathogen development occurred more slowly than in a susceptible cultivar (control). Secondary infection and development in cortical cells was severely inhibited in each of the resistant cultivars; only a few bi‐nucleated plasmodia were observed at 12 days after inoculation (DAI), and plasmodia were rarely observed at 18 and 24 DAI. In contrast, development in the susceptible cultivar had progressed to resting spores by 24 DAI. A dense ring of accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed in the endodermis, pericycle and vascular cambium of non‐inoculated controls and inoculated plants of the resistant cultivars. However, the ROS ring disappeared rapidly in infected plants of the susceptible cultivar. Plasmodia invaded the stele of susceptible roots by preferentially colonising the xylem parenchyma cells. Expansion and enlargement of lignified xylem cells was observed by 35 DAI. The absence of any specific points of ROS accumulation or lignification of epidermal or cortical cells in the resistant cultivars indicates that a hypersensitive response is not the main mechanism of resistance in these lines. The uniform response of these resistant cultivars to the four isolates of P. brassicae indicates that the resistance in each cultivar may be conditioned by a gene(s) from a single source that confers broad resistance, because most sources of resistance to P. brassicae are pathotype specific.     

Effect of bacterial inoculation,plant genotype and developmental stage on root-associated and endophytic bacterial communities in potato (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum tuberosum</Emphasis>)

Beneficial bacteria interact with plants by colonizing the rhizosphere and roots followed by further spread through the inner tissues, resulting in endophytic colonization. The major factors contributing to these interactions are not always well understood for most bacterial and plant species. It is believed that specific bacterial functions are required for plant colonization, but also from the plant side specific features are needed, such as plant genotype (cultivar) and developmental stage. Via multivariate analysis we present a quantification of the roles of these components on the composition of root-associated and endophytic bacterial communities in potato plants, by weighing the effects of bacterial inoculation, plant genotype and developmental stage. Spontaneous rifampicin resistant mutants of two bacterial endophytes, Paenibacillus sp. strain E119 and Methylobacterium mesophilicum strain SR1.6/6, were introduced into potato plants of three different cultivars (Eersteling, Robijn and Karnico). Densities of both strains in, or attached to potato plants were measured by selective plating, while the effects of bacterial inoculation, plant genotype and developmental stage on the composition of bacterial, Alphaproteobacterial and Paenibacillus species were determined by PCR-denaturing gradient gel-electrophoresis (DGGE). Multivariate analyses revealed that the composition of bacterial communities was mainly driven by cultivar type and plant developmental stage, while Alphaproteobacterial and Paenibacillus communities were mainly influenced by bacterial inoculation. These results are important for better understanding the effects of bacterial inoculations to plants and their possible effects on the indigenous bacterial communities in relation with other plant factors such as genotype and growth stage.     

Mechanistic Aspects to Feeding Preferences in Chorthippus binotatus (Acrididae, Gomphocerinae)

In the dry heathlands of the Limoges region of France, Chorthippus binotatus differs from allied graminivorous species by its diet specialization, composed of dwarf gorse bush (Ulex minor). Nymphal stages exclusively feed on leaves. Adults become florivorous at the season's end. The preference for Ulex bushes versus grasses involves recognition of host plant architecture, and particularly the angle of the axes (branches, stems). Sugar sensitivity and odor discrimination experiments at the end of season showed that adults are more attracted by sucrose and fructose than by glucose or water. HPAEC-PAD analyses of different plant organs revealed that soluble sugar content of Ulex (especially U. minor) flowers is greater than Ulex shoots and stems and leaves of grasses. These results partly explain the consumption of U. minor rather than U. europaeus. The temporal shift toward flowers is explained by the sweet taste and the yellow color. The interest for sucrose and yellow is enhanced during the season and is the result of learning.     

Time-course analysis of the phenols in cucumber mosaic virus-resistant, -tolerant and -susceptible tomato genotypes

In this study, changes in quantity and quality of phenolic compounds were compared in cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)-inoculated and -un-inoculated plants of nine resistant, tolerant, susceptible and highly susceptible genotypes at three different time intervals. Total phenolic contents and the number of phenolic compounds were generally increased in CMV-inoculated plants. Maximum per cent increase in total phenolic contents over un-inoculated controls was observed as 77.55% in resistant genotype TMS-1, 84.17% in tolerant genotype L06238 and 82.88% in resistant genotype L02223 after 10, 20 and 30 days of inoculation, respectively. Thin layer chromatography of inoculated and un-inoculated plants indicates that in most of the tested genotypes, the number of phenolic compounds varied from cultivar to cultivar and within the same cultivar, depending upon the status of plants and growth stages. However, the trend of increase in quantity and quality of phenolic compounds in the tested units was not constant to draw a meaningful conclusion.