Root growth as a function of ammonium and nitrate in the root zone

We examined the effect of soil NH₄⁺ and NO₃^? content upon the root systems of field-grown tomatoes, and the influence of constant, low concentrations of NH₄⁺ or NO₃^? upon root growth in solution culture. In two field experiments, few roots were present in soil zones with low extractable NH₄⁺ or NO₃^?; they increased to a maximum in zones having 2μg-N NO₃^? g^?1 soil and 6 μg-N NO₃⁼ g^?1 soil, but decreased in zones having higher NH₄⁺ or NO₃^? levels. Root branching was relatively insensitive to available mineral nitrogen. Plants maintained in solution culture at constant levels of NH₄⁺ or NO₃^?, had similar shoot biomass, but all root parameters – biomass, length, branching and area – were greater under NH4 nutrition than under NO₃^?. These results suggest that the size of root system depends on a functional equilibrium between roots and shoots (Brouwer 1967) and on the balance between soil NH₄⁺ and NO₃^?.     

Prior temperature exposure affects subsequent chilling sensitivity

The chilling sensitivity of small discs or segments of tissue excised from chillingsensitive species was significantly altered by prior temperature exposure subsequent to holding the tissue at chilling temperatures as measured by a number of physiological processes sensitive to chilling. This temperature conditioning was reversible by an additional temperature exposure before chilling, and mature-green and red-ripe tomato tissue exhibit similar chilling sensitivities. Exposing pericarp discs excised from tomato fruit (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Castelmart), a chilling-sensitive species, to temperatures from 0 to 37°C for 6 h before chilling the discs at 2.5°C for 4 days significantly altered the rate of ion leakage from the discs, but had no effect on the rate of ion leakage before chilling and only a minimal effect on discs held at a non-chilling temperature of 12°C. Exposing chillingsensitive tissue to temperatures below that required to induce heat-shock proteins but above 20°C significantly increased chilling sensitivity as compared to tissue exposed to temperatures between 10 and 20°C. Rates of ion leakage after 4 days of chilling at 2.5°C were higher from fruit and vegetative tissue of chilling-sensitive species (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Poinsett 76, and Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Young Beauty) that were previously exposed for 6 h to 32°C than from similar tissue exposed to 12°C. Exposure to 32 and 12°C had no effect on the rate of ion leakage from fruit tissue of chilling tolerant species (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Golden Delicious, Pyrus communis L. cv. Bartlett). Ethylene and CO₂ production were higher and lycopene synthesis was lower in chilled tomato pericarp discs that were previously exposed for 6 h to 32°C than the values from tissue exposed to 12°C for 6 h before chilling. Increased chilling sensitivity induced by a 6 h exposure to 32°C could be reversed by subsequent exposure to 12°C for 6 h.     

甜荞查尔酮合酶基因Chs的克隆及序列分析

利用RT-PCR技术从甜荞中克隆得到查耳酮合酶(CHS)的cDNA开放阅读框(ORF)序列,命名为FeChs,NCBI登录号为GU172166.1.该序列长1 179 bp,编码392个氨基酸,与其它植物CHS基因的同源性为78%～92%,其推导的氨基酸序列含有CHS高度保守的活性位点及CHS的标签序列GFGPG.     

苦荞和甜荞查尔酮合成酶基因的克隆及序列比较

以苦荞品种‘西农9920’和甜荞品种‘西农9976’为材料,根据其它植物查尔酮合成酶(chalcone synthase,CHS)基因DNA序列的保守区域设计的一对简并引物,进行PCR扩增,从2种荞麦基因组中克隆出了长度均为860 bp的CHS基因片段,对其进行回收、克隆,挑选阳性克隆测序;序列分析表明这2个片段含有CHS基因的N端和C端的结构域,分别为苦荞和甜荞的CHS基因片段,命名为FtCHS和FeCHS。对获得的2种荞麦CHS基因的DNA序列进行比较分析,发现两者间存在多达43处单碱基多态性,这些单碱基多态性可能是苦荞和甜荞种子中类黄酮含量差异的重要原因之一。苦荞和甜荞CHS与其它植物CHS的氨基酸序列的进化分析表明,其与同为蓼科的掌叶大黄和石竹科的满天星的同源性较近。     

Laboratory and glasshouse evaluation of entomopathogenic fungi against the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae), on tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum

Forty isolates of entomopathogenic fungi from six genera were assessed against the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, in a single dose, direct application laboratory bioassay on tomato leaflets. Only three isolates caused greater mortality than the control: these were Metarhizium anisopliae 442.99, Hirsutella spp. 457.99, and Verticillium lecanii 450.99. These isolates were assessed in a multiple dose bioassay, together with three isolates cultured from commercial biopesticides as follows: Beauveria bassiana 432.99 (cultured from 'Naturalis-L', Troy Biosciences, Phoenix, TX, USA); Hirsutella thompsonii 463.99 (cultured from 'Mycar', Abbott Laboratories USA); and V. lecanii 19.79 (used in 'Mycotal' Koppert BV, The Netherlands). Beauveria bassiana 432.99, H. thompsonii 463.99, M. anisopliae 442.99, and V. lecanii 450.99 were all pathogenic to T. urticae in this bioassay. In addition, it was found that the mortality caused by B. bassiana 432.99 and Naturalis-L was increased when the mites were exposed to tomato leaflets sprayed previously with conidia suspensions, compared to spraying the mites directly. In a glasshouse experiment, sprays of B. bassiana 432.99, H. thompsonii 463.99, M. anisopliae 442.99, V. lecanii 450.99 and Naturalis-L reduced T. urticae populations in a tomato crop grown according to commercial practice. Naturalis-L reduced T. urticae numbers by up to 97%. In a second glasshouse experiment, single sprays of Naturalis-L and the acaricide fenbutatin oxide (Torq) were compared as supplementary treatments to release of the predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis. Supplementary sprays of fenbutatin oxide reduced the numbers of T. urticae nymphs (80% reduction), while Naturalis-L reduced numbers of T. urticae adults, nymphs and eggs (98% reduction in all three cases). It is concluded that Naturalis-L has the potential to be used against T. urticae on glasshouse tomato crops.     

mRNA levels of four tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. L.) genes related to fluctuating plant and soil water status

Expression of the genes le20, ni3212, le25 and lcyp2 was quantified in relation to soil and plant water status for pot-grown tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Ailsa Craig) in a replicated trial in a partially environmentally controlled glasshouse. Leaf water potential, relative water content, stomatal conductance and gravimetric soil water content were measured at 0800,1200 and 1600 h on three days during the imposition of three different watering regimes. Paired leaf samples were analysed for mRNA. Plant-to-plant variability was quantified and partitioned. le20 mRNA was found in all leaves and responded both to short-term diurnal fluctuations in water status and to more severe stress, though with reduced sensitivity to the greatest stresses. An overnight decline in le20 mRNA was independent of soil or plant water status. The pattern of expression for ni3212 was similar though ni3212 mRNA was much more abundant and the overnight drop in expression was not significant. le25 mRNA was only detected where leaf water potential was below ?0.9 MPa and increased linearly with further decline in leaf water potential. lcyp2 was constitutively expressed with a diurnal pattern characterized by a sharp depression at 1600 h but with expression being enhanced by increasing water deficit at all times. The control and significance of the four genes are discussed in relation to the proposed function of their respective gene products.     

Growth and gibberellin relations of the extreme dwarf dx tomato mutant

The extreme dwarf d ^x tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) mutant has very short internodes which were found to contain shorter and fewer epidermal cells. The leaves are highly abnormal. The mutant showed a substantial stem growth response to GA₃, without approaching normal stature or morphology. The active gibberellin GA₁ and its precursors GA₁₉ and GA₂₀ were identified by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in d ^x shoots. Quantitative GC/MS revealed that GA₂₀ accumulated to far higher levels than normal in stems and leaves of the mutant.