东濮凹陷沙河街组(古近纪)植物活动痕迹类型及其环境与层序地层学意义

植物活动痕迹即根迹,是层序地层学中识别低位期沉积的重要标志。东濮凹陷沙河街组(古近纪)根迹发育,形态各异,可分为A、B、C、D、E五种类型,分别被解释为五类次级沉积环境下的产物。其中A型根迹、B型根迹与河口湾沉积环境相关,前者见于河口湾陆方一侧的河口沙坝(bay head bar),后者则出现于海方一侧易受海浪冲蚀的盐碱凹地。已有资料证明,植物活动痕迹,结合动物活动痕迹和古生物学、沉积学研究,可为判别河口湾沉积环境、层序界面提供重要实据,从而在层序地层学研究和储层沉积环境探索中显示重要作用。     

褐纹甘蔗象风险分析及其风险管理

通过对褐纹甘蔗象在国内外的分布情况及国内寄主植物分布、适生范围、传播渠道、检疫管理措施等指标的定性和半定量的风险分析,得出其在我国属于中度危险的林业有害生物(其风险评估值为R=1.746),对我国种植面积广泛的棕榈科植物构成了较大的威胁。建议在有其寄主分布的省份将其列入林业检疫性有害生物省级补充名单进行管理,防止其在我国继续扩散危害,并提出了国内检疫管理的措施。     

A novel strigolactone receptor antagonist provides insights into the structural inhibition,conditioning, and germination of the crop parasite Striga

Crop parasites of the Striga genera are a major biological deterrent to food security in Africa and are one of the largest obstacles to poverty alleviation on the continent. Striga seeds germinate by sensing small-molecule hormones, strigolactones (SLs), that emanate from host roots. Although SL receptors (Striga hermonthica HYPOSENSITIVE TO LIGHT [ShHTL]) have been identified, discerning their function has been difficult because these parasites cannot be easily grown under laboratory conditions. Moreover, many Striga species are obligate outcrossers that are not transformable, hence not amenable to genetic analysis. By combining phenotypic screening with ShHTL structural information and hybrid drug discovery methods, we discovered a potent SL perception inhibitor for Striga, dormirazine (DOZ). Structural analysis of this piperazine-based antagonist reveals a novel binding mechanism, distinct from that of known SLs, blocking access of the hormone to its receptor. Furthermore, DOZ reduces the flexibility of protein–protein interaction domains important for receptor signaling to downstream partners. In planta, we show, via temporal additions of DOZ, that SL receptors are required at a specific time during seed conditioning. This conditioning is essential to prime seed germination at the right time; thus, this SL-sensitive stage appears to be critical for adequate receptor signaling. Aside from uncovering a function for ShHTL during seed conditioning, these results suggest that future Ag-Biotech Solutions to Striga infestations will need to carefully time the application of antagonists to exploit receptor availability and outcompete natural SLs, critical elements for successful parasitic plant invasions.     

Factors affecting the genetic engineering of plants by microprojectile bombardment

Since its development in the mid-1980s, microprojectile bombardment has been widely employed as a method for direct gene transfer into a wide range of plants, including the previously difficult-to-transform monocotyledonous species. Although the numerous instruments available for microprojectile-mediated gene delivery and their applications have been widely discussed, less attention has been paid to the critical factors which affect the efficiency of this method of gene delivery. In this review we do not wish to describe the array of devices used for microprojectile delivery or their uses which have already been definitively described, but instead wish to report on research developments investigating the factors which affect microprojectile-mediated transformation of plants.     

Changes in white oak (Quercus alba) phytochemistry in response to periodical cicadas: Before,during, and after an emergence

Periodical cicadas have mass emergences once every 13 or 17 years. Plants may need to upregulate defense production in response to an emergence. Defense production is energetically expensive, so plants may downregulate their production after periodical cicada populations dissipate. We examined the defensive responses in leaves, branches, and roots of a common host, white oak (Quercus alba), prior to, during, and after a 17‐year periodical cicada (Magicicada spp.) emergence in western Pennsylvania, United States. During the emergence, total tannins and condensed tannins increased in foliar tissue, while simultaneously decreasing in root tissue compared to the prior and subsequent years. Non‐structural carbohydrates were low prior to the mass emergence but were re‐allocated to belowground storage during the emergence year and dropped thereafter. In the year after the emergence, there was a relaxation of foliar defenses, and root defenses returned to pre‐emergence concentrations. We also tested for differences in damaged and undamaged branches on the same tree during (2019) and the year after the emergence (2020). Both damaged and undamaged branches had significantly greater chemical defenses (polyphenols, total tannins, and condensed tannins) during the emergence than in the following year when there was no emergence. We propose that re‐allocation of resources may help maximize oak tree fitness by moving resources away from areas that are not in immediate threat to areas that are under immediate threat. Changes in aboveground and belowground phytochemistry in response to periodical cicada mass emergences may help us better understand which resource re‐allocation strategies are used by plants to minimize the effects of insect emergencies.     

三叶半夏叶片一步成苗离体培养技术

以药用植物三叶半夏叶片为材料,通过比较直接和间接器官发生两种途径,建立了半夏一步成苗的快速繁殖技术体系。结果表明,经过愈伤组织阶段的一步成苗培养基为MS+0.5mg/L2,4-D+1.0mg/LKT,90d左右方可得到再生植株,植株分化率为74%,每个外植体上分化的块茎数为5.61±1.04。附加NAA与BA两种激素对一步成苗培养基进行优化,筛选出一步成苗最佳培养基MS+0.5mg/LNAA+0.5mg/LBA,60d后就可直接发育成完整植株,植株分化率为76%,每个外植体上分化的块茎数高达9.97±0·81,对这种培养基上的再生小植株进行移栽,1个月后,移栽成活率达100%。     

植物口服疫苗的研究进展

植物口服疫苗是通过转基因植物生产,通过口服的方式预防疾病的生物制品.作为一种新型疫苗,其研究开始于三十几年前.由于植物口服疫苗可以最大程度地降低传统疫苗的潜在风险,在疫苗生产中具有优势,因此拥有良好的商业生产前景.植物疫苗价格低廉,生产过程安全,可产生与注射疫苗相似效价效果,无论是在控制养殖业抗生素滥用的情况下作为替代...     

寄主植物对扶桑绵粉蚧体型及体内能源物质含量的影响

[目的]研究寄主植物对扶桑绵粉蚧雌成虫体型和体内能源物质含量的影响,为扶桑绵粉蚧的寄主适应性和风险分析提供科学参考.[方法]在室内用8种寄主植物连续饲养扶桑绵粉蚧5代后,测量7日龄雌成虫体长、体宽和体重,并测定体内能源物质(脂肪、可溶性蛋白质、可溶性糖)含量,分析上述指标在不同寄主间的差异.[结果]取食不同寄主后,扶桑...     

Browsing herbivores improve the state and functioning of savannas: A model assessment of alternative land‐use strategies

Changing climatic conditions and unsustainable land use are major threats to savannas worldwide. Historically, many African savannas were used intensively for livestock grazing, which contributed to widespread patterns of bush encroachment across savanna systems. To reverse bush encroachment, it has been proposed to change the cattle‐dominated land use to one dominated by comparatively specialized browsers and usually native herbivores. However, the consequences for ecosystem properties and processes remain largely unclear. We used the ecohydrological, spatially explicit model EcoHyD to assess the impacts of two contrasting, herbivore land‐use strategies on a Namibian savanna: grazer‐ versus browser‐dominated herbivore communities. We varied the densities of grazers and browsers and determined the resulting composition and diversity of the plant community, total vegetation cover, soil moisture, and water use by plants. Our results showed that plant types that are less palatable to herbivores were best adapted to grazing or browsing animals in all simulated densities. Also, plant types that had a competitive advantage under limited water availability were among the dominant ones irrespective of land‐use scenario. Overall, the results were in line with our expectations: under high grazer densities, we found heavy bush encroachment and the loss of the perennial grass matrix. Importantly, regardless of the density of browsers, grass cover and plant functional diversity were significantly higher in browsing scenarios. Browsing herbivores increased grass cover, and the higher total cover in turn improved water uptake by plants overall. We concluded that, in contrast to grazing‐dominated land‐use strategies, land‐use strategies dominated by browsing herbivores, even at high herbivore densities, sustain diverse vegetation communities with high cover of perennial grasses, resulting in lower erosion risk and bolstering ecosystem services.