Effects of drought on water content and photosynthetic parameters in potato plants expressing the trehalose-6-phosphate synthase gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Two transgenic potato lines, T1 and T2, expressing the trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS1) gene of yeast were isolated. In our experimental approach, we applied two novelties, namely the fusion of the drought-inducible promoter StDS2 to TPS1 and a marker-free transformation method. In contrast to the expected drought-induced expression, only a very low constitutive TPS1 expression was detected in the transgenic lines, probably due to chromosomal position effects. The observed expression pattern, however, was sufficient to alter the drought response of plants. Detached leaves of T1 and T2 showed an 8 h delay in wilting compared to the non-transformed control. Potted plants of T1 and T2 kept water 6 days longer than control plants and maintained high stomatal conductance and a satisfactory rate of net photosynthesis. During drought treatment, CO₂ assimilation rate measured at saturating CO₂ level was maintained at maximum level for 6–9 days in transgenic plants while it decreased rapidly after 3 days in the wild type plants. Under optimal growth conditions, lower CO₂ fixation was detected in the transgenic than in the control plants. Stomatal densities of T1 and T2 leaves were reduced by 30–40%. This may have contributed to the lower CO₂ fixation rate and altered drought response. Ibolya Stiller, and Sándor Dulai contributed equally to this work.     

Grain zinc, iron and protein concentrations and zinc-efficiency in wild emmer wheat under contrasting irrigation regimes

Micronutrient malnutrition, and particularly deficiency in zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe), afflicts over three billion people worldwide, and nearly half of the world’s cereal-growing area is affected by soil Zn deficiency. Wild emmer wheat [Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides (Körn.) Thell.], the progenitor of domesticated durum wheat and bread wheat, offers a valuable source of economically important genetic diversity including grain mineral concentrations. Twenty two wild emmer wheat accessions, representing a wide range of drought resistance capacity, as well as two durum wheat cultivars were examined under two contrasting irrigation regimes (well-watered control and water-limited), for grain yield, total biomass production and grain Zn, Fe and protein concentrations. The wild emmer accessions exhibited high genetic diversity for yield and grain Zn, Fe and protein concentrations under both irrigation regimes, with a considerable potential for improvement of the cultivated wheat. Grain Zn, Fe and protein concentrations were positively correlated with one another. Although irrigation regime significantly affected ranking of genotypes, a few wild emmer accessions were identified for their advantage over durum wheat, having consistently higher grain Zn (e.g., 125 mg kg^?1), Fe (85 mg kg^?1) and protein (250 g kg^?1) concentrations and high yield capacity. Plants grown from seeds originated from both irrigation regimes were also examined for Zn efficiency (Zn deficiency tolerance) on a Zn-deficient calcareous soil. Zinc efficiency, expressed as the ratio of shoot dry matter production under Zn deficiency to Zn fertilization, showed large genetic variation among the genotypes tested. The source of seeds from maternal plants grown under both irrigation regimes had very little effect on Zn efficiency. Several wild emmer accessions revealed combination of high Zn efficiency and drought stress resistance. The results indicate high genetic potential of wild emmer wheat to improve grain Zn, Fe and protein concentrations, Zn deficiency tolerance and drought resistance in cultivated wheat.     

渤海中、南部大型底栖动物物种多样性的研究

以1997年 6月、1998年9月和1999年4月共3个航次,覆盖渤海中、南部大部分海区的大型底栖动物丰度、生物量和生产力的研究为基础,进一步对其物种多样性进行了分析。结果表明：研究海域的大型底栖动物物种多样性没有明显的平面分布规律;物种多样性指数与沉积物因子的相关性高于其与底层水因子的相关性;沉积物中污染物含量的确会对大型底栖动物的多样性造成影响。通过对3个航次中3个相同站位的比较,发现不同年份之3个季节的平均Shannon Wiener指数无显著差异（P>0.05）;而1998年9月和1999年4月2个航次中20个相同站位的平均Shannon Wiener指数同样也未表现出明显的差异（P>0.05）。此外,渤海的物种数量要明显地高于胶州湾。     

杭州西湖水域可培养异细菌的群落多样性

自2001年10月~2002年10月对杭州西湖水域可培养异养细菌的群落结构和多样性进行了为期1年的调查。水体中可培养异养细菌的年平均值只有510 CFU/mL。从季节变化来看,温度较低的12月和3月其数量相对较多,分别为809和757 CFU/mL,而温度较高的5月和10月只有327和330 CFU/mL。表层底泥中可培养异养细菌的数量平均为2.27×10⁵ CFU /g （以干泥计）,其中长桥湾相对较多,为3.06×10⁵ CFU /g,而湖心泥中只有1.70×10⁵ CFU /g。从季节的变化看,也是冬季的数量比夏季高。调查还发现西湖水域优势菌的优势度高,多样性指数低。在三个湖区连续1年的测定中总共只出现14种类型的菌落,优势菌为假单胞菌属、肠杆菌科和气单胞菌属。水体中优势菌的优势度为36.8%~80.4% ,平均54.5%;多样性指数H介于0.682~1.787之间,平均1.160。底泥中优势菌的优势度为27.7％~72.7% ,平均51.7%;多样性指数H介于0.809~1.774之间,平均1.309。水体中的细菌有95%为革兰氏阴性杆菌,革兰氏阳性菌很少;产色素菌的比例相对较高,其中以产黄色素菌落为主,平均达20.1%;芽孢杆菌所占的比例较低,只有4.24%。而表层沉积物中产黄色素的菌落较少,只有2.07%;芽孢杆菌的比例则相对较高,为14.1%。     

A retained viability index (RVI10) for evaluation of a cyanobacterial powder fertilizer

The preparation of a dry and powder fertilizer based on five nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterial strains is described. Tolypothrix tenuis and Nostoc muscorum resisted the drying and milling processes and showed a suitable recovering capacity in liquid media of different pH and salinity. Although a decrease in the cellular viability was observed with the storage time, the biomass of Nostoc muscorum retained viability for 16 months. The results were evaluated in terms of the retained viability index (RVI₁₀) specifically designed for the fertilizer material.     

洗涤剂对蚕豆根和叶片的作用

研究了家用洗衣粉对蚕豆根生长、细胞分裂和叶片叶绿素含量的影响。结果表明:不同浓度的洗衣粉均能抑制蚕豆根的生长,降低根尖细胞有丝分裂指数,诱发细胞产生高频率的微核且是明显的时间与剂量效应关系和叶绿素含量明显下降。     

烟草抗CMV突变体的抗病性分析

在突变体植株“Ea201主、Ea201侧、Aa201侧”的5～6叶期接种CMV汁液,并按优选法去除病症最严重的病株,6周后将剩余植株分别移栽到田间露地和防虫网内,到盛花期分别统计植株的感病情况。其结果为：在田间露地和防虫网内,①感病的对照品种的植株高度只及健康的对照植株高度的30％和40％,突变体的则可达到70％和80％;②对照品种的植株感CMV的病情指数可达90％和50％,突变体的则只有30％和3％;③对照品种植株感TMV的病情指数可达60％和30％,突变体植株感TMV的病情指数只有30％和10％;④突变体植株群体中有症状回复现象,同时其育性不受任何影响。从而表明所筛选到的烟草突变体“Ea201主、Ea201侧、Aa201侧”对CMV、TMV的相对抗性较好,具有较高的抗病性。     

Fetal Origins of Obesity

The worldwide epidemic of obesity continues unabated. Obesity is notoriously difficult to treat, and, thus, prevention is critical. A new paradigm for prevention, which evolved from the notion that environmental factors in utero may influence lifelong health, has emerged in recent years. A large number of epidemiological studies have demonstrated a direct relationship between birth weight and BMI attained in later life. Although the data are limited by lack of information on potential confounders, these associations seem robust. Possible mechanisms include lasting changes in proportions of fat and lean body mass, central nervous system appetite control, and pancreatic structure and function. Additionally, lower birth weight seems to be associated with later risk for central obesity, which also confers increased cardiovascular risk. This association may be mediated through changes in the hypothalamic pituitary axis, insulin secretion and sensing, and vascular responsiveness. The combination of lower birth weight and higher attained BMI is most strongly associated with later disease risk. We are faced with the seeming paradox of increased adiposity at both ends of the birth weight spectrum—higher BMI with higher birth weight and increased central obesity with lower birth weight. Future research on molecular genetics, intrauterine growth, growth trajectories after birth, and relationships of fat and lean mass will elucidate relationships between early life experiences and later body proportions. Prevention of obesity starting in childhood is critical and can have lifelong, perhaps multigenerational, impact.     

化学性大气污染的植物修复与绿化树种选择(综述)

简要介绍化学性大气污染的植物修复过程与机理,阐述植物对空气污染物抗性研究的主要方法和抗性指标,以及修复大气污染绿化树种的选择依据。