Host genotype–endosymbiont associations and their relationship with aphid parasitism at the field level

1. The relationship between endosymbionts and insects represent complex eco‐evolutionary interactions. Vertically transmitted endosymbionts can be a source of evolutionary novelty by conferring ecologically important traits to their insect hosts, such as protection against natural enemies. Host–endosymbiont associations could constitute an adaptive complex (holobiont) on which selective pressures present in the environment can act, being transferred to the next generation. 2. Although several laboratory‐based studies have confirmed host genotype × symbiont interactions, few studies have been directed at those associations in the natural populations and their ability to protect themselves from parasitism pressure at the field level. 3. A field‐based approach to study the aphid genotype–endosymbiont associations and its relationship with the total parasitism in the grain aphid Sitobion avenae was conducted. From the field study, experiments were carried out to study the defensive effect of the two most common facultative endosymbionts (Regiella insecticola and Hamiltonella defensa) present in S. avenae against one of the most important parasitoid species, Aphidius ervi. 4. Evidence is presented here of a high specificity of the aphid clone–endosymbiont associations in the field; however, the field and experimental results here do not support a relationship between the aphid clone–endosymbiont associations and a proxy of total parasitism in S. avenae. These findings highlight the importance of particular host clone–endosymbiont couplings as a key factor in gaining an understanding of the coevolutionary dynamics of endosymbionts in nature and their effect on the invasive potential of pest insects.     

Non-structural carbohydrate accumulation and use in an understorey rain-forest shrub and relevance for the impact of leaf herbivory

1. Piper arieianum, an evergreen, understorey shrub of lowland moist forests of Central and South America, exhibits marked seasonal variation in reproductive activity even though climatic variation is low at the study site. Despite a lack of climatic seasonality, previous experimental leaf removal suggested that carbohydrate accumulation is seasonal, occurring prior to flowering.
2. We first tested the hypothesis that carbohydrates necessary for reproduction are accumulated prior to flowering, rather than during or after. By measuring non-structural carbohydrate production in the form of glucose and starch we found that the concentration of these reserves is greatest 1–3months before flowering, decreasing by 50% during peak fruit maturation.
3. The hypothesis that reproduction was the cause of this decrease in carbohydrate reserves was then tested by comparing reserves in plants that were prevented from flowering with those that flowered and produced fruit naturally. As predicted, reserves declined more in flowering than in non-flowering plants. A smaller decline in reserves of non-flowering plants was accompanied by greater stem and leaf production, suggesting that stored carbohydrates are also required for growth.
4. Because concentrations of non-structural carbohydrates were similar in roots, stems and leaves, and because the greatest amount of plant biomass is in stems for plants of a range of sizes, stems appear to be the main storage site of carbohydrate reserves in this plant species.
5. These results, together with previous studies, demonstrate that the impact of leaf herbivory on seed production in P. arieianum depends on the timing of that herbivory relative to the accumulation and use of non-structural carbohydrates.     

Some biological and genomic properties of rice tungro bacilliform badnavirus and rice tungro spherical waikavirus from Nepal

A survey of rice fields during the main growing seasons in 81 locations from 21 districts of the Southern Terai region of Nepal indicated that rice tungro was primarily restricted to the Hardinath (Janakpur) and Parwanipur (Bara) regions. The tungro incidence in Hardinath ranged from 17% to 51% and in Parwanipur from 6% to 61% causing about 89% grain yield loss in Hardinath. Both rice tungro bacilliform badnavirus (RTBV) and rice tungro spherical picornavirus (RTSV) were found in tungro isolates collected from Hardinath and Parwanipur. These isolates were transmitted by Nephotettix virescens and leaf extracts reacted to antisera against RTBV and RTSV. In a dot blot hybridisation assay, leaf extracts of 12 weed species collected from the tungro-affected area in Hardinath and Parwanipur also reacted with RTBV DNA probes. On mass inoculation of 15 popular rice cultivars most became more than 50% infected and only cv. Radha 9 had low (22.2%) infection. RTBV DNA and the coat protein region of RTSV from the Hardinath isolate were cloned and partially characterised. A comparative analyses by restriction endonuclease digestion, cross hybridisation, the polymerase chain reaction and partial sequencing indicated that the Nepalese RTBV DNA clone and the cDNA clones of the RTSV RNA were more similar to the various tungro isolates from the Indian subcontinent than to those from the Philippines.     

The entrance of water into beef and dog red cells

The rate constants for diffusion of THO across the red cell membrane of beef and dog, and the rate of entrance of water into the erythrocytes of these species under an osmotic pressure gradient have been measured. For water entrance into the erythrocyte by diffusion the rate constants are 0.10 ± 0.02 msec.^-1 (beef) and 0.14 ± 0.03 msec.^-1 (dog); the permeability coefficients for water entrance under a pressure gradient of 1 osmol./cm³ are 0.28 See PDF for Equation These values permit the calculation of an equivalent pore radius for the erythrocyte membrane of 4.1 A for beef and 7.4 A for dog. In the beef red cell the change in THO diffusion due to osmotically produced cell volume shifts has been studied. The resistance to THO diffusion increases as the cell volume increases. At the maximum volume, (1.06 times normal), THO diffusion is decreased to 0.84 times the normal rate. This change in diffusion is attributed to swelling of the cellular membrane.     

Breeding cereals for Mediterranean conditions: ecophysiological clues for biotechnology application

Water stress is the main environmental factor limiting cereal yield in Mediterranean environments. For particular regions, such as the Mediterranean basin, the agroecological conditions are expected to get worse. In response to this challenge attempts are being made to improve crop yield through farm‐ management practices and plant breeding efforts. Here we examine traits that may be used as selection criteria for breeding C3 cereal crops with improved yield and stability in Mediterranean conditions. Emphasis is made on the potential implications of defining proper selection traits and target environments when adopting biotechnology approaches in breeding programmes.