Inheritance of alleles for Cgy1 and Gy4 storage protein genes in soybean

Summary A cultivar lacking the glycinin subunit A₅A₄B₃ (Raiden) was crossed with one lacking the -subunit of -conglycinin (Keburi). Analysis of F₂ and F₃ progeny indicated that the missing bands of the A₅A₄B₃ and the -subunit were each controlled by a recessive allele of two independently segregating genes. Gene symbols Gy ₄/gy ₄ and Cgy ₁/cgy ₁ were proposed for the genes which confer the presence or absence of the glycinin and conglycinin subunits, respectively.Cooperative research of USDA-ARS and the Indiana Agric. Exp. Stn., Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA. Indiana Agric. Exp. Stn. Journal Article 9675. Financial support from the American Soybean Association Research Foundation is gratefully acknowledged     

猕猴桃品种‘金桃’采收指标与果实软熟品质相关性研究

分别对河南省27个果园的中华猕猴桃（Actinidia chinensis Planch.）品种‘金桃’果实的5项采收生理指标及果实软熟时的8项品质性状进行测定,采用主成分分析法对果实软熟时的品质指标进行综合评分,并对果实的采收生理指标、果实软熟品质指标及综合分值间进行相关性分析。结果显示,采收时的生理指标（干物质、色度角、硬度和可溶性固形物）均与果实软熟品质综合分值间呈极显著相关,其中干物质相关系数最高,为0.437。干物质与体现果实软熟品质的关键指标（可溶性固形物、总糖和糖酸比）均呈极显著性相关。研究结果表明‘金桃’果实采收时,干物质含量是果实软熟时品质的重要评价指标,而可溶性固形物和色度角是评判采收期的辅助指标。     

Progressive changes in the structure and dynamics of the phytoplankton community along a pollution gradient in a lowland river — a multivariate approach

The phytoplankton of the River Lujan (Buenos Aires, Argentina) was studied for a period of 18 months, together with physical and chemical variables, in relation to a pollution gradient. 167 taxa were recorded within a seasonal succession characterized by dominance of diatoms with a brief summer green algae facies. A combination of several biotic indices and multivariate analysis was employed to assess the impact of pollution on the phytoplankton community. The biotic indices used were species diversity and richness, algal quotients (green algae/diatom ratio, Centrales/Pennales ratio) and the SD succession rate index. Multivariate procedures included cluster analysis and ordination by PCA of both species and samples, stepwise discriminant analysis and multiple discriminant analysis of variance (MANOVA). Results indicate that community dynamism is attenuated at the more polluted sites, concomitant with an increased predominance of a broad-tolerance algal assemblage, co-dominated by Cyclotella meneghiniana and Nitzschia stagnorum. The changes in the community structure and dynamics described herein involved alterations in the distribution and relative proportions of the algae, rather than modifications in the basic species composition. These changes may not be readily detectable by methods which over-simplify the ecological information, such as systems of indicator species and biotic indices, designed to assess the degree of pollution. The suitability of multivariate analysis and biotic indices in river phytoplankton studies is further discussed.     

Effect of different seasons on concentration of plasma luteinizing hormone and seminal quality vis-à-vis freezability of buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis)

Seasonal variations in semen quality, freezability and plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were studied between summer and spring. Semen volume, density and initial sperm motility did not differ significantly between different seasons. Plasma LH decreased between summer and spring but the differences were, however, not significant. Pre-freezing motility did not differ significantly but post-freezing motility varied significantly (P<0.01) between seasons. Post-freezing motility was lowest during summer and highest during winter. It can be concluded that summer spermatozoa may be fragile and cannot withstand freezing stress. To increase reproductive efficiency in buffalo during summer, semen should be frozen during winter and spring and used during hot weather conditions. Seasonal variations in plasma LH levels were insignificant.     

阿胶,新阿胶,黄明胶,马皮胶,杂皮胶的质量对比研究：Ⅰ.氨基酸分析

本文用835-50型氨基酸自动分析仪测定了阿胶、新阿胶、黄明胶、马皮胶和杂皮胶中游离氨基酸和总氨基酸的含量,并计算出游离氨基酸、总氨基酸按侧链基团分类和按医药用途分类的相对含量。结果表明,各种氨基酸含量一般以驴皮胶为较高,但与其他几种胶比较并无显著差异,似可以猪皮马皮、牛皮代替驴皮。这也说明,单从氨基酸的含量来鉴别胶的种类和质量似乎不可行。     

Water quality research in Loosdrecht lakes: the salient features

Ecosystem research by the working group Water Quality Research Loosdrecht lakes (WQL) was carried out from 1979 to 1990. A coordinated research programme, involving several research institutes and laboratories in The Netherlands, was initiated in 1983, i.e. a year before the reduction of external phosphorus loading by stripping, became effective. The paper summarizes the main results, with emphasis on insight they provide into the lake ecosystems.     

Physiological responses of Uroleucon jaceae (L.) to seasonal changes in the quality of its host plant Centaurea jacea L.: multilevel control of adaptations to the life cycle of the host

Summary Exploiters of short-lived plants have evolved strategies in response to physiological changes that occur during the development of their hosts. The ability to adapt to host quality changes is necessary particularly if the mobility of an animal is poor or risk-constrained. In the plant-aphid system Centaurea jaceae-Uroleucon jaceae, the responses of the aphid to the seasonal changes in its host plant grown in poor and good quality soil were investigated. Coarse- and fine-tuned physiological reactions were observed in discrete aphid generations which were reared on plants grown either in a growth chamber or in a greenhouse. The number of ovarioles and developmental time depended on extrinsic factors (length of photoperiod) not directly related to plant quality. The reproductive investment of the aphids was also independent of their total dry weight. However, within the gonadal system high correlations were found at the embryonic level (e.g. the number of sclerotized embryos or the length of the oldest embryos per ovariole were highly correlated with gonadal dry weight). Aphids which were living on the 4-leaf stage of high-quality host plants showed a significantly higher investment in their gonads than aphids feeding on senescenting hosts. Factor analysis corroborated that aphids reared on poor-quality hosts revealed no grouping of variables measured, whereas those which were reared on high-quality plants showed clustering in respect of somatic (tibia length, dry weight of soma) and gonadal (number of sclerotized and unsclerotized embryos, length of the oldest embryos, ovariole number, gonad dry weight) factors. Three different levels of adaptive response to plant quality are distinguished: individual response to host quality, maternal influences on offspring and response to changes not specific to habitat (photoperiod). These different levels of regulation are thought to enable the aphids to adapt to a host of a given nutritional quality and anticipate deteriorating habitat quality simultaneously. It is concluded that physiological constraints in aphids are only revealed when aphids are exposed to severe nutritional stress for several generations.     

Effects of legumes on soil physical quality in a maize crop

The effect of intercropped legumes and three N fertilizer rates in a continuous maize (Zea mays L.) cropping system on the physical properties of two soils were investigated for three years. The legumes, being a mixture of alfalfa, clover and hairy vetch, had a significant cumulative effect on some physical properties of both soil. The lowest stability and smallest mean weight diameter of soil aggregates were associated with monoculture maize plots. Aggregate size and stability were not affected by N fertilization at any of the rates of 0, 70, and 140 kg ha^-1 in intercropped plots, except that aggregate stability was actually reduced by N fertilization in one soil, the Ste. Rosalie clay. In maize plots in both soils, stability and size of soil aggregates were significantly increased with increased added N. Intercropped legumes significantly decreased dry bulk density and soil penetration resistance. Added N had no measurable influence on these compaction factors. Soil water properties were not significantly affected by either intercropping or N fertilization. Positive effects noted on soil aggregation and other physical properties in intercropped plots are the result of enhanced root activity, or incorporation of legumes as green manure, or both. Improvement of soil structure in maize plots associated with increasing N application was the result of increased maize-root residues.     

The assessment of two barley starch mutants as potential parents in a malting quality breeding programme

Grain and malt quality parameters were assessed in the barley starch mutants Waxy Hector, characterised by high levels of amylopectin, and Chalky Glenn, which has lines of cleavage across the large starch granules. Results were compared with those of their parental cultivars and suggested differences in the contribution of endosperm cell walls to milling energy. Although hot water extracts were not improved, other components, especially those associated with the fractured starch mutant, could be used in breeding programmes to improve aspects of quality, if they could be disassociated from deleterious effects of the starch mutation, e.g. poor grain filling.