Biosystematics and evolutionary relationships of perennial Triticeae species revealed by genomic analyses

Understanding the classification and biosystematics of species in Triticeae Dumort., an economically important tribe in the grass family (Poaceae), is not an easy task, particularly for some perennial species. Does genomic analysis facilitate the understanding of evolutionary relationships of these Triticeae species? We reviewed literature published after 1984 to address questions concerning: (1) genome relationships among the monogenomic diploid species; (2) progenitors of the unknown Y genome in Elymus polyploids, X genome in Thinopyrum intermedium, and Xm genome in Leymus; and (3) genome constitutions of some perennial Triticeae species that were unknown or misidentified. A majority of publications have substantiated the close affinity of the E^b and E^e genomes in Th. bessarabicumand Th. elongatum, supporting the use of a common basic genome symbol. The E genome is close to the St genome of Pseudoroegneria and ABD genomes ofTriticum/Aegilops complex, providing an explanation for transferring genes from the E to ABD genomes with relative ease. Although the solid proof is still lacking, theW, P, and especially Xp genomes are possible origins for the Y genome of polyploid Elymus. The absence of the E genome and the allopolyploidy nature of tetraploidLeymus species have been unequivocally confirmed by both cytogenetic and molecular studies. However, the donor of the Xm genomes of Leymus was only speculated to be related to the P genome of Agropyron and F genome of Eremopyrum. Intermediate wheatgrass (Th. intermedium) has been extensively studied. The presence of the St (as the previously designated X) genome in Th. intermedium is now unequivocal. Its two more closely related E₁ and E₂ genomes are shown to be older versions of the E genome rather than the current E^b and E^e genomes. Speciation of Th. intermedium was similar to that of Triticum aestivum, in which the J^s/E^s(like B) genomes had the greatest differentiation from the current J (E^b) genome owning to repetitive sequences of the V genome, whereas its St (like D) had the least differentiation from the current St genome. Species with unknown or misidentified genomes have been correctly designated, including those with the ESt, StP, StPY,StWY, EStP, HW, StYHW, and NsXm genomes. Some of those species have been transferred to and renamed in appropriate genera.     

White-Tailed Deer Foraging Habitat in Intensively Established Loblolly Pine Plantations

ABSTRACT Stand establishment techniques involving multiple herbicide applications are commonly used on industrial pine (Pinus spp.) plantations, raising concern over potential effects on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) forage production. We tested effects of stand establishment intensity on deer forage in 1–5-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations (n = 4) in the East Gulf Coastal Plain of Mississippi using forage biomass and 4 measures of nutritional carrying capacity that reflected crude protein or digestible energy requirements for body maintenance and lactation. We also assessed whether forage biomass combined with a deer use rating effectively indexed nutritional carrying capacity. Treatments were combinations of mechanical site preparation, chemical site preparation (CSP), and herbaceous weed control (HWC). Total forage biomass and forage biomass of grasses and forbs were reduced by broadcast HWC. Forage biomass of vines was reduced both by CSP and by multiple broadcast HWC applications. Maintenance-level carrying capacity estimates were reduced by broadcast HWC; lactation-level estimates were higher in moderate-intensity treatments. We believe the inherently low fertility of this region makes high-quality forage production a more important management priority than increasing forage quantity. Chemical or chemical and mechanical site preparation combined with banded HWC provided the best option for providing both forage quality and quantity in open-canopied, intensively managed pine plantations. Biomass-based indices may be suitable for indexing protein-based maintenance-level carrying capacity in this region, but our results indicated they were not useful for indexing other carrying capacity estimates.     

禾本科牧草和草坪草雄核发育与单倍体育种研究进展

禾本科牧草与草坪草在农业可持续发展、城市绿化和生态环境保护方面起着至关重要的作用。近年来, 随着生物技术的发展, 国内外在牧草及草坪草雄核发育与单倍体育种研究方面取得了较大进展。该文在归纳总结该领域研究成果的基础上, 对影响禾本科牧草及草坪草雄核发育与单倍体育种的几个主要因素进行了探讨。大量研究结果表明, 供试材料的基因型是影响培养效率的最主要因素。小孢子发育到单核中期至晚期时有利于提高培养效率。培养前花药经过低温和甘露醇等预处理不但可以提高愈伤组织的诱导效率, 还可提高愈伤组织的质量。适宜的激素种类和配比也是影响培养成败的关键因素。同时, 总结了雄核发育再生植株的倍性鉴定方法和加倍技术, 对单倍体育种技术在禾本科牧草及草坪草育种中的应用前景进行了展望。     

Determining spatio-temporal distribution of bee forage species of Al-Baha region based on ground inventorying supported with GIS applications and Remote Sensed Satellite Image analysis

In arid zones, the shortage of bee forage is critical and usually compels beekeepers to move their colonies in search of better forages. Identifying and mapping the spatiotemporal distribution of the bee forages over given area is important for better management of bee colonies. In this study honey bee plants in the target areas were inventoried following, ground inventory work supported with GIS applications. The study was conducted on 85 large plots of 50 × 50 m each. At each plot, data on species name, height, base diameter, crown height, crown diameter has been taken for each plant with their respective geographical positions. The data were stored, and processed using Trimble GPS supported with ArcGIS10 software program. The data were used to estimate the relative frequency, density, abundance and species diversity, species important value index and apicultural value of the species. In addition, Remotely Sensed Satellite Image of the area was obtained and processed using Hopfield Artificial Neural Network techniques. During the study, 182 species from 49 plant families were identified as bee forages of the target area. From the total number of species; shrubs, herbs and trees were accounting for 61%, 27.67%, and 11.53% respectively. Of which Ziziphus spina-christi, Acacia tortilis, Acacia origina, Acacia asak, Lavandula dentata, and Hypoestes forskaolii were the major nectar source plants of the area in their degree of importance. The average vegetation cover values of the study areas were low (<30%) with low Shannon’s species diversity indices (H′) of 0.5–1.52 for different sites. Based on the eco-climatological factors and the variations in their flowering period, these major bee forage species were found to form eight distinct spatiotemporal categories which allow beekeepers to migrate their colonies to exploit the resources at different seasons and place. The Remote Sensed Satellite Image analysis confirmed the spatial distribution of the bee forage resources as determined by the ground inventory work. An integrated approach, combining the ground inventory work with GIS and satellite image processing techniques could be an important tool for characterizing and mapping the available bee forage resources leading to their efficient and sustainable utilization.     

Forage availability for white-tailed deer following silvicultural treatments in hardwood forests

Closed-canopy upland hardwood stands often lack diverse understory structure and composition, limiting available nutrition for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) as well as nesting and foraging structure for other wildlife. Various regeneration methods can positively influence understory development; however, non-commercial strategies are needed to improve available nutrition in many stands, as some contain timber that is not ready to harvest and others are owned by landowners who are not interested in harvesting timber. Applications of herbicide and prescribed fire have improved availability of food and cover for deer and other wildlife in pine (Pinus spp.) systems. However, this strategy has not been evaluated in hardwood systems. To evaluate the influence of fire and herbicide treatments on available deer forage in upland hardwood systems, we measured forage availability and calculated nutritional carrying capacity (NCC) at 14% crude protein mixed diet, following 7 silvicultural treatments, including controls, in 4 mixed upland hardwood stands July–September 2007 and 2008. We compared NCC among forest treatments and within 4 paired warm-season forage food plots to evaluate the usefulness of food plots in areas where forests are managed. Nutritional carrying capacity estimates (deer days/ha) were greatest following canopy reduction with prescribed fire treatments in both years. Understory herbicide application did not affect species composition or NCC 1 year or 2 years post-treatment. Production of forage plantings exceeded that of forest treatments both years with the exception of early-maturing soybeans and retention cut with fire 2 years post-treatment. We encourage land managers to use canopy reducing treatments and low-intensity prescribed fire to increase available nutrition and improve available cover where needed in upland hardwood systems. In areas where deer density may limit understory development, high-quality forage food plots may be used to buffer browsing while strategies to reduce deer density and stimulate the forest understory are implemented. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

东北农牧交错区绵羊的自由放养与设计饲养

探讨了在草地自由放养基础上的家畜饲养方式,提出在东北农牧交错区要进行设计饲养。即在利用草地草、农田残茬、林带草和树木落叶自由放养的基础上。按着动物的生长规律设计增重要求,同时利用能量和蛋白质饲料进行补饲,这种日常计划饲养方式有利于草地管理及家畜生产,是我国草地畜牧业的改进发展方向,在东北农牧交错区。当年生羔羊羯羊日粮中若加入20％的豆科牧草,当年体重可以增加40％～65％,即达到52～61kg．这不仅会满足商品畜当年出栏的高标准要求,缩短家畜的存栏期,增进畜牧业效益,同时也必将减轻放牧家畜对草原次年的压力。     

高寒山区植物根抗氧化酶系统的季节变化与抗冷冻关系

在高寒山区（海拔2900m）和选取4种多年生草本植物,即无芒雀麦（Bromus inermis）、草地早熟禾（Poa sphyondylodes）、花誉麦（Bromus sinensis）和垂重申披碱草（Elymus nutans）,测定了秋末、冬初、冬季、春季气温变化过程中其根中丙二醛（MDA）含量和抗氧酶活力（过氧化氢酶（CAT）、过氧化物酶（POD）、超氧物歧化酶（SOD））和抗坏血酸氧化酶（APX）变化,分析了抗氧酶系统在根抗冷适应中的作用,结果表明,随秋末降温植物根中MDA含量增加,尔后下降,在冬季和翌年春季保持相对稳定。从9月初到10月下旬,4种植物根中SOD、CAT、POD活力平均增加170％、130％和56％。在冬季下降,但仍远高于9月,在春季气温上升过程中酶活力上升。根能在组织结冰状况下生存与其具备完善的保护酶系统,能及时清除氧自由基抑制膜脂过氧化维持膜完整性有关,据降温过程中MDA含量和抗氧酶活力变化,可将根冷适应分为两个阶段,即第1阶段平均气温在0℃以上,抗氧酶活力增强,MDA增加阶段,第2阶段平均气温降至0℃以下,最低气温降到－15℃以下,抗氧酶活力下降,MDA无明显变化阶段。     

3种滨藜属牧草苗期叶片解剖结构及生理特性对干旱的响应

通过盆栽控水试验,设置5个干旱胁迫水平,分别为最大田间持水量的80%(CK)、60%(轻度胁迫)、45%(中度胁迫)、30%(重度胁迫)、20%(极重度胁迫),并同步设计充足灌水后自然干旱实验,测定干旱胁迫对3种滨藜属牧草叶片形态解剖结构、叶片相对含水量、叶绿素含量、净光合速率、可溶性糖含量、质膜相对透性和丙二醛含量等生理生化指标的影响,以明确3种滨藜属牧草的抗旱特性,并探索其抗旱机理。结果表明:(1)3种滨藜属牧草均具有适应旱生环境的典型叶片结构特征,即在干旱胁迫条件下叶片组织结构形态表现为叶片栅栏组织逐渐变薄,而海绵组织在胁迫早期先变薄后增厚的现象,叶肉组织结构紧密度也出现了先降低后增高的规律。(2)随着干旱胁迫的加剧,叶片的可溶性糖含量增加,而其相对含水量减少,3种滨藜属牧草在土壤含水量很低的情况下叶片仍能保持高于52%的相对含水量。(3)在干旱胁迫下,3种滨藜属牧草叶片的叶绿素含量、净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率都发生显著变化,细胞膜受到的伤害程度有明显差异。(4)3种滨藜属牧草抗旱能力均较强,在干旱胁迫下其抗旱性综合表现为灰白滨藜变种1灰白滨藜变种2四翅滨藜。     

覆盖材料和沟垄比对土壤水分和紫花苜蓿干草产量的影响

为寻求半干旱黄土高原区种植紫花苜蓿的适宜覆盖材料和最佳沟垄比,采用完全随机设计布置大田试验,以传统平作为对照,研究不同垄覆盖材料(土壤结皮、生物可降解地膜和普通地膜)和不同沟垄比(沟宽:垄宽分别为60∶30、60∶45和60∶60,单位是cm)对土壤水分和紫花苜蓿干草产量等的影响。结果表明:通过对2012年和2013年紫花苜蓿生育期降雨量统计,2a平均值显示,无效降雨次数(53次)大于有效降雨次数(27次),无效降雨对总降雨量的贡献率(19%)小于有效降雨(81%)。就紫花苜蓿全生育期而言,与平作相比,SR_(30)、SR_(45)、SR_(60)、BMR_(30)、BMR_(45)、BMR_(60)、CMR_(30)、CMR_(45)和CMR_(60)(SR、BMR和CMR分别代表土垄、生物可降解膜垄和普通膜垄,下标分别表示垄宽为30、45cm和60cm)连续2a的平均根层(0—140 cm)土壤贮水量分别提高12.8、19.2、24.4、26.0、30.7、40.5、29.9、37.1 mm和47.7 mm。垄沟集雨种植第1年龄和第2年龄紫花苜蓿根层没有出现明显干层。与平作相比,SR_(30)、SR_(45)和SR_(60)的连续2a紫花苜蓿平均实际干草产量分别降低3%、8%和13%,WUE分别提高52%、58%和55%;BMR_(30)、BMR_(45)、BMR_(60)、CMR_(30)、CMR_(45)和CMR_(60)的连续2a紫花苜蓿平均实际干草产量分别提高14%、12%、7%、17%、19%和9%,WUE分别提高49%、62%、59%、51%、67%和56%。当紫花苜蓿生育期降雨量为380.7—427.6 mm和沟垄比为60 cm∶35—36 cm时,生物可降解膜垄和普通膜垄的紫花苜蓿实际干草产量达到最大值,为该地区垄沟集雨种植紫花苜蓿提供参考。