Analysis of the plant architecture via tree-structured statistical models: the hidden Markov tree models

Plant architecture is the result of repetitions that occur through growth and branching processes. During plant ontogeny, changes in the morphological characteristics of plant entities are interpreted as the indirect translation of different physiological states of the meristems. Thus connected entities can exhibit either similar or very contrasted characteristics. We propose a statistical model to reveal and characterize homogeneous zones and transitions between zones within tree-structured data: the hidden Markov tree (HMT) model. This model leads to a clustering of the entities into classes sharing the same 'hidden state'. The application of the HMT model to two plant sets (apple trees and bush willows), measured at annual shoot scale, highlights ordered states defined by different morphological characteristics. The model provides a synthetic overview of state locations, pointing out homogeneous zones or ruptures. It also illustrates where within branching structures, and when during plant ontogeny, morphological changes occur. However, the labelling exhibits some patterns that cannot be described by the model parameters. Some of these limitations are addressed by two alternative HMT families.     

The Vh8 locus of a new gene-for-gene interaction between Venturia inaequalis and the wild apple Malus sieversii is closely linked to the Vh2 locus in Malus pumila R12740-7A

The wild apple (Malus sieversii) is a large-fruited species from Central Asia, which is used as a source of scab resistance in cultivar breeding. Phytopathological tests with races of Venturia inaequalis were performed to differentiate scab-resistance genes in Malus as well as an avirulence gene in the pathogen. A novel gene-for-gene interaction between V. inaequalis and Malus was identified. The locus of the scab-resistance gene Vh8 is linked with, or possibly allelic to, that of the Vh2 gene in Malus pumila Russian apple R12740-7A, at the lower end of linkage group 2 of Malus. Race 8 isolate NZ188B.2 is compatible with Vh8, suggesting the loss or modification of the complementary AvrVh8 gene, while isolate 1639 overcomes both Vh2 and Vh8, but is incompatible with at least one other gene not detected by any of the other race isolates tested. Our research is the first to differentiate scab-resistance genes in a putative gene cluster in apple with the aid of races of V. inaequalis.     

''嘎拉''苹果对不同浓度1-MCP处理的反应

以'嘎拉'('Kid's Orange'×'Delicious')苹果为试材,研究了0℃贮藏期间及贮藏30、60、90和120 d后转入室温7d货架期间1-MCP(1-甲基环丙烯)对果实呼吸速率、乙烯释放速率、品质和蛋白质变化的影响.结果表明,1-MCP处理显著抑制嘎拉苹果贮藏期间和贮后货架期间呼吸和乙烯释放速率,延缓果实硬度、可滴定酸含量的下降,对可溶性固形物含量无影响.对照果实在贮藏过程中,出现5条明显的特异性蛋白条带,1-MCP处理能抑制特异蛋白表达.300 nL·L-1浓度1-MCP处理与600 nL·L-11-MCP处理作用效果无显著差异.     

In-field production of parasitoids of Dysaphis plantaginea by using the rowan aphid Dysaphis sorbi as substitute host

A system was developed to provide the parasitic wasp Ephedrus persicae Froggatt (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae), which attacks the rosy apple aphid Dysaphis plantaginea (Passerini) (Homoptera: Aphididae), with the alternative host Dysaphis sorbi Kaltenbach (Homoptera: Aphididae) in apple orchards. Rowan trees (Sorbus aucuparia L.) arranged along the side of an unsprayed orchard were artificially infested in late February 2002 with eggs of D. sorbi. Colonies of D. sorbi successfully developed from the introduced eggs and persisted on several trees until the end of June. The only primary parasitoid species emerging from a sample of mummified aphids collected in spring from the infested rowan trees was the braconid wasp species E. persicae. In a host-switching experiment, nymphs of D. plantaginea proved suitable for female parasitoids originating from mummified D. sorbi. A series of mummies collected from the rowan trees in early summer contained diapausing parasitoids and hyperparasitoids that only hatched in April of the following spring. These observations suggest the possibility of establishing a local population of E. persicae in apple orchards, so that D. plantaginea can be readily attacked by diapause-emerging parasitoids in early spring.     

Jasmonic Acid and Salicylic Acid Induce Accumulation of β-1,3-Glucanase and Thaumatin-Like Proteins in Wheat and Enhance Resistance Against Stagonospora nodorum

The effect of application of jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) on the induction of resistance in wheat to Stagonospora nodorum and on the induction of -1,3-glucanase and thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) was studied. Western blot analysis revealed that two -1,3-glucanases with apparent molecular masses of 31 and 33 kDa that cross-reacted with a barley glucanase antiserum were induced in wheat leaves after treatment with JA and SA. When wheat plants were treated with SA and JA, a TLP with an apparent molecular mass of 25 kDa and several other isoforms of TLP were induced. Pre-treatment of wheat plants with SA and JA significantly reduced (up to 56 %) the incidence of leaf blotch disease incited by S. nodorum compared with untreated control plants.     

玻璃化与正常苹果试管苗的叶片和茎的显微结构比较

以苹果品种‘鲁加5号’试管苗为试材,其用石蜡切片和电镜扫描观察方法,比较玻璃化与正常试管苗叶片和茎的显微结构的结果表明：苹果玻璃化试管苗的叶片和茎的显微结构与正常试管苗有显著差异,前者的叶片厚度变大,表皮细胞密度极低;表皮细胞体积膨大,液泡化,栅栏组织厚度减小,海绵组织厚度增加;气孔器的长轴变化不明显,短轴变宽,气孔密度极高;茎的维管组织中有空洞和塌陷,导管管壁多皱褶,筛管中无淀粉粒积累。     

Interaction between gfp-tagged Pseudomonas tolaasii P12 and Pleurotus eryngii

Pseudomonas sp., (formerly reported as strain P12) which produces brown blotch disease symptoms on Pleurotus eryngii, has been identified as P. tolaasii based on its biochemical, physiological properties and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. This pathogen is able to infect basidiocarps when surface-inoculated on mushroom casing soil. However, infected basidiocarps develop the brown blotch disease symptoms when the pathogen concentration in the fruiting body tissues is higher than 10(4) cfu/g d.w. Using gfp-tagged cells and confocal laser scanning microscopy, it was possible to show that the pathogen has the ability to tightly attach to the hyphae of Pleurotus eryngii.     

苹果蠹蛾幼虫爬行特性

本文通过收集苹果和梨树上的蛀果模拟自然落果,研究了苹果蠹蛾Cydia pomonella(L.)脱果幼虫的爬行特性。结果发现,58.91%的幼虫钻出蛀果进行了爬行,而41.09%滞留于果堆内部;在进行爬行的幼虫中,50%的幼虫爬行距离在0～1m之间,95%的幼虫爬行距离在0～7m之间,这意味着在实际防治过程中,落果周围0到7m的范围都需要做防治处理,而0～1m的范围需要重点防治;幼虫在果堆放置后的0～25d持续脱果,表明当果园内有落果时需要马上及时清理;幼虫结茧的高度大部分在50cm以下,在实际防治过程中,树干缚带诱杀幼虫时应将诱集带设置在距地面0～0.5m的主干上,以保证落果幼虫也可以被诱集带捕获。     

Small‐plot studies comparing pheromone and juice baits for mass‐trapping invasive Synanthedon myopaeformis in Canada

Recent introduction of Synanthedon myopaeformis (Borkhausen) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) into organic apple‐growing areas of Canada has stimulated research on semiochemical‐based management of this European pest. Replicated, small‐plot (0.16 ha) experiments were conducted to compare sex pheromone, 3Z,13Z‐octadecadienyl acetate (10 mg), Concord grape juice (300 ml), or their combination, as mass‐trapping lures at trap densities equivalent to 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 traps ha^?1. Total numbers of male and female moths removed from test plots increased significantly with trap density in all juice‐based mass‐trapping experiments. In pheromone mass‐trapping experiments, however, total catches of males did not increase significantly as trap densities were increased and catches appeared to plateau with 25–50 traps ha^?1. With pheromone‐based mass‐trapping, significantly fewer males were caught in pheromone‐baited assessment traps at the centre of each mass‐trapping plot than in identical traps in untreated plots. This reduction is indicative of significant trap interference or trap ‘shut‐down’. Increasing the density of juice‐based mass‐trapping had no effect on catches of male or female moths in juice‐baited assessment traps, indicating a short range of attraction and lack of interference between juice traps. Pheromone‐ and juice‐based mass trapping removed similar numbers of males at each trap density tested, respectively, but summed catches of males and females were greatest with juice baits. Combining pheromone and juice into a single mass‐trapping treatment (50 traps ha^?1) did not significantly increase catches of males or females relative to either treatment alone. If a practical bisexual mass‐trapping system is going to be developed for S. myopaeformis, then identification of volatile kairomones in Concord grape juice may be useful.