Onset of freezing tolerance in birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) involves LEA proteins and osmoregulation and is impaired in an ABA-deficient genotype

In many woody plants a short photoperiod triggers the onset of cold acclimation, but the nature of this process has remained obscure. We aimed to establish which physiological and genetic factors have a role in short-day-induced acclimation by comparing two types of birch, Betula pubescens Ehrh. and B. pubescens f. hibernifolia Ulv., the latter being unable to increase its abscisic acid (ABA) levels. In the wild type, short-day or natural autumn conditions in the field appeared to elevate the ABA levels before acclimation, which was accompanied by tissue desiccation, osmotic adjustments and accumulation of Group 2 LEA proteins [responsive to ABA (RAB) 16-like; 24, 30 and 33 kDa] and Group 4 LEA proteins [late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) 14-like; 19 kDa]. Under similar conditions the ABA-deficient birch showed reduced water loss, defective osmoregulation, absence of inducible Group 2 LEA proteins, and delayed or reduced tolerance to freezing. In contrast, both birch genotypes showed similar seasonal production patterns of Group 4 LEA proteins. Our results demonstrate that onset of cold acclimation in birch is based on multiple mechanisms, including molecular pathways that are typical of stress responses. ABA may be important for the accurate timing of cold acclimation in trees that are sensitive to photoperiod.     

Fusarium nisikadoi, a new species from Japan

A new species ofFusarium, F. nisikadoi, isolated fromPhyllostachys nigra var.henonis (bamboo) andTriticum aestivum (wheat) in Japan, is described, illustrated and discussed. This species is differentiated from other known species of the genus by the following characteristics: whitish colony color, long zigzag-like chains of 0–3(-5)-septate clavate conidia, intermixed with pyriform conidia, produced mostly from monophialides and rarely from polyphialides in the aerial mycelium, very long and slender sporodochial conidia, and no chlamydospores. The long chains of septate conidia are known only in this species of the genusFusarium. The conidiophores on the aerial mycelium sometimes proliferate sympodially. The species is tentatively placed in the form-sectionLiseola.     

Effects of constant and fluctuating temperature on time to budburst in Betula pubescens and its relation to bud respiration

 Effects of fluctuating and constant temperatures on budburst time, and respiration in winter buds were studied in Betula pubescens Ehrh. Dormant seedlings were chilled at 0°C for 4 months and then allowed to sprout in long days (LD, 24 h) at constant temperatures of 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21°C, and at diurnally fluctuating temperatures (12/12 h, LD 24 h) with means of 9, 12, 15 and 18°C. No difference in thermal time requirements for budburst was found between plants receiving constant and fluctuating temperatures. The base temperature for thermal time accumulation was estimated to 1°C. Respiration in post-dormant (dormancy fully released) excised winter buds from an adult tree increased exponentially with temperature and was 20 times as high at 30°C than at 0°C. However, respiration in buds without scales was 30% higher at 0°C, and it was 2.7 times higher at 24°C than in intact buds. Thus, the tight bud scales probably constrain respiration and growth and are likely to delay budburst in spring. Arrhenius plots of the respiration data were biphasic with breaks at 13–15°C. However, this phase transition is unlikely to be associated with chilling sensitivity since the present species is hardy and adapted to a boreal climate. Received: 10 January 1997 / Accepted: 23 June 1997     

Two new synonyms of Ulmaceae in Henan,China

Ulmus taihangshanensis S. Y. Wang is reduced as a synonym of U. lamellosa Wang et S. L. Chang ex L. K. Fu, and Celtis pubescens S. Y. Wang et C. L. Chang as a synonym of C.sinensis Pers. respectively.     

毛竹MYB转录因子PeMYB2的克隆与功能分析

MYB类转录因子在调控逆境应答基因的表达起着重要的作用, 是最大的植物转录因子之一。文章通过同源基因克隆方法和RACE(Rapid-amplification of cDNA ends)技术, 以毛竹幼苗为材料, 获得一个MYB类转录因子, 命名PeMYB2。氨基酸序列分析表明, PeMYB2具有典型的R2R3-MYB特征, N端含有两个串联重复保守结构域, C端含有一个膜蛋白DUF3651; 进化树分析表明, PeMYB2与水稻OsMYB18序列相似性最高, 达到85.98%; 酵母单杂实验表明, PeMYB2具有转录激活功能。将PeMYB2转化拟南芥对其功能进行分析, 获得7株转基因纯合体植株。比较转基因和野生型拟南芥表型发现, PeMYB2的过量表达使转基因拟南芥出现矮化、晚花的现象; 非生物胁迫处理(盐胁迫、干旱胁迫、低温胁迫)结果表明, 转基因拟南芥中PeMYB2的过量表达, 导致转基因植株对盐胁迫和低温胁迫有更高的耐性, 但是对低温胁迫的耐受性没有明显的变化; 进一步通过盐胁迫信号通路相关Marker基因(NXH1、SOS1、RD29A、COR15A)的定量PCR实验验证, 发现PeMYB2对下游这些抗逆基因的表达具有调控作用。上述实验结果表明, 毛竹PeMYB2可参与非生物胁迫调控, 对毛竹盐胁迫和低温胁迫的响应起着重要的作用。     

施肥对毛竹种群不同年龄分株间胸径大小关系的影响

克隆植物不同年龄分株间可以通过生理整合作用相互传递资源, 实现资源共享。施肥可以改变林地资源状况, 进而可能影响分株间的整合作用及不同年龄分株间的生长关系。该文采用标准主轴(SMA)估计法和多元回归分析, 对不同施肥管理下大型克隆植物毛竹(Phyllostachys edulis)种群不同年龄分株(1年生分株、3年生分株和5年生分株)间的胸径(DBH)关系进行了研究, 探讨毛竹不同年龄分株DBH大小关系对施肥的响应。结果表明: 连续5年施肥有效地增加了毛竹1年生分株的DBH, 而施肥1年处理下, 1年生分株DBH与3年生分株和5年生分株平均DBH差异不显著(p > 0.05)。1年生分株与3年生分株和5年生分株DBH之间的SMA斜率为0.88-1.10, 均与1.00不存在显著差异(p > 0.05), 表现为等速生长关系。施肥1年和连续施肥5年没有改变不同年龄分株DBH之间的SMA斜率, 但连续5年施肥导致SMA的y轴截距显著增大(p < 0.001), 即在3年生分株和5年生分株DBH相同的情况下, 连续5年施肥使1年生分株具有更大的DBH增长量。采用多元线性逐步回归分析发现, 毛竹1年生分株的DBH大小在很大程度上受3年生分株DBH大小的影响, 而连续5年施肥可增强5年生分株对1年生分株DBH大小的影响。