Abstract:Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular markers were used to detect the genetic diversity among 40 chewing cane germplasms. Polymorphism was identified by 23 RAPD primers and 28 ISSR primers in the germplasms. Two hundred and fifty bands were generated by RAPD with polymorphic bands accounting for 70% and similarity coefficient ranging from 0.68 to 1.00. And 301 bands were produced by ISSR with polymorphic bands accounting for 77.1% and similarity coefficient within 0.66 to 1.00. The germplasms were divided into 4 clusters by UPGMA: ClusterⅠcomposed of 32 individuals from Fujian，Jiangxi，Guizou，Yunnan，Guangxi, Cluster II containing cvs. Badila and Fengcengzipi, Cluster III covering hybrids (Baishan，Waigandan，Dudu，Wenling and artificial hybrid 474), Cluster Ⅳ only including cv. Huangpi. The significant correlation between RAPD and ISSR markers was observed (r=0.9746). ISSR was more suitable for the analysis of genetic diversity.

Abstract:One hundred and eighty-four lines of F1 hybrid between non-inbred parent Wenchang red resistant to brown leaf spot and moderately susceptive South China 6 were used to detect quantitative trait loci(QTLs) for field resistance to brown leaf spot (Cercosporidium henningsii) of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) by sample sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Disease response was investigated under field conditions assisted with artificial inoculation during 2004-05 seedling stages and 2005 grown-up stage of cassava. Disease index showed a skewed distribution, indicating that major effective genes exited. Seventeen out of 400 SSR primers were screened based on DNA amplification of resistance and susceptive gene pools and two parents. Fifty alleleswere found using the 17 SSR primers. Eight linkage groups associated with 30 alleles were constructed covering a length of 695.7 cM with an average marker distance of 20.5 cM. A total of fifteen QTLs for resistance were identified, located on groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, accounting for 9.61-64.81% of phenotypic variance. Six of them on groups 1 and 2 were important QTLs.

Abstract:The total genomic DNA of the male and female cycads (Cycas tanqingii D.Y. Wang) was extracted from the leaflets of half a year old using an optimized CTAB protocol. The RAPD-PCR amplification conditions were optimized by monofactor and multifactor orthogonal experiments. A total of 160 primers were used for RAPD-PCR amplification and more than 1 450 fragments were obtained from the male or the female plants. A fragment of about 500 bp only linked to the female was generated steadily by the S0465 (CCCCGGTAAC) primer, which can be used in sex determination of C. tanqingii.

Abstract:The cellular structure, chemical characterization of foliar endodermis and element cellular distribution were investigated in Pinus bungeana leaves by the fluorescence microscope, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The fluorescence microscopy showed that Casparian strips were absent from cotyledon endodermis, while the radial wall of endodermis in primary and two-year-old leaves were occupied with Casparian strips. The FTIR analysis indicated that there was no or very little suberin in endodermis radial wall of cotyledon compared with primary and two-year-old leaves. Furthermore, the content of suberin in endodermis of the primary leaves was lower than that of two-year-old leaves. The energy-dispersive X-ray analysis showed that the endodermis with Casparian strips in primary and two-year-old leaves functioned as apoplastic barriers against Na and Cl. However, no blockage of Na and Cl in cotyledon was observed when they passed endodermis. It was suggested that physiological function of endodermis with Casparian strips as apoplastic transportation depended on the content of suberin in endodermis cell wall.

Abstract:The localization of ATPase in developing pollen grains of Lattuce sativa L. was studied using lead precipitation. ATPase precipitates（ppts）were present in the microspore cell during the early tetrad stage. Ppts then occurred largely in the inner pollen wall until shortly before pollens formed. At the late microspore developmental stage, abundant ppts were found specifically at the germ pore and in the large vacuole of microspore. During two-celled pollen grain stage, they were accumulated on the wall of the generative cell. After the generative cell came into the vegetative cell, ppts largely disappeared. Ppts were less in the generative cell than in the vegetation cell during the differentiation of the generative cell. However, they were more in sperm cells than in the vegetation cell after pollen formed. It is suggested that the distribution of ATPase is closely related to events of pollen development.

Abstract:The development of primary vascular tissues of root-stem transitional region was studied in Robinia pseudoacacia L. seedlings of 1-12 days using sequential paraffin section. The primary vascular tissues of roots are connected with the cotyledons via the hypocotyl. The results support the viewpoints of Esau et al. that the whole seedling of Robinia pseudoacacia L. is divided into two systems of the root-hypocotyl-cotyledon and the epicotyl, and there is only a simple linkage between the vascular tissues of stem and the hypocotyl without any transition.

Abstract:Changxuan 3S is a thermo-sensitive genetic male-sterile (TGMS) rice (Oryza sativa L.) with eui gene transferred from cultivar Pei’ai 64S. Variations in length and cell number of the uppermost internode were compared between the two cultivars during various stages of panicle initiation. The uppermost internode of Changxuan 3S elongated fastest during binucleate to anthesis stages, consequently it reached 2.1 times as long as that of Pei’ai 64S. Then it elongated slowly during pollen mother cell meiosis to binucleate stages and during 1 to 3 days after anthesis. During pollen mother cell meiosis to anthesis stages, parenchyma cells of the uppermost internodes of Changxua 3S and Pei’ai 64S increased by 3 759 and 3 134 in numbers, respectively, and with average cell lengths of 72.9 and 38 μm, respectively. The uppermost internode of Changxua 3S elongated due to cell division, especially cell elongation during pollen mother cell meiosis to anthesis stages.

Abstract:Genetic parameters in net photosynthesis were determined by Hayman method during flowering and fruit set stages of 6 parent(Capsicam annuum L.) cultivars and their 15 cross combinations established by the (1/2) n (n-1) diallel cross. The results of regression analysis of array covariance (Wr) and array variance (Vr) indicated that the net photosynthetic rate didn’t genetically coincide with the additive-dominant model. The results of correlation analysis of Wr+Vr and parent (Yr) indicated that Wr+Vr values were larger in the parents with more dominant genes governing high net photosynthetic rate. The genetic parameters showed that the dominant effect variance was more importance than the additive one in the inheritance of net photosynthesis during the flowering and fruit set stages, and epistatic effect was found significant as well. The parents had low narrow heritability and the heterosis was less obvious at the early stages of the flowering and fruit set than the middle and late stages.

Abstract:The edge effects of 33 gaps were studied in Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation in Ancaoxia, Fujian Province. China, using the Shannon-Wiener index and Simpson index. The two indexes illustrate the species diversity and the ecological dominance, respectively. The gap edge effect index based on the species diversity (E_D) was 0.6-1.8 and that based on the ecological dominance (E_C) was 0.3-3.4. Human disturbance and nature disturbance had the same effect on the edge effects of the gaps, and E_D reached the peak in the gaps of 250-300 m² in size. The edge effects of the gaps were suitable for species diversity in the edge zone.

Abstract:Infection rate, mycorrhizal dependency and inoculation effect were determined in 10 seedling species for landscaping infected with VA(Glomus moseae Gerdemenn et Trappe). The tested species were Ficus elastica cvs. Variegaa, Decora, Decora Burgundy, Decora Tricolor Carallia brachiata, Dracaena deremensis, Artocarpus nitidus subsp. lingnanensis, Anneslea fragrans, Eurycorymbus cavaleriei, and Photinia serrulata. The infection rate was in the order: Decora burgundy>Variegaa>C.brachiata>DecoraTricolor>Decora>D.deremensis and A. nitidus subsp. lingnanensis>A. fragrans > E. cavaleriei > P. serrulata. Decora Burgundy and Variegaa showed highest mycorrhizal dependency of over 300%, followed by Decora and Decora Tricolor of 213.3% and 203.5%, respectively，whereas the other 6 species had lower dependency of less then 200%. The inoculation effect was highest in Decora Burgundy, Decora Tricolor, Decora, Variegaa and C. brachiata, and higher in D. deremensis, A. nitidus subsp. lingnanensis. The lowest inoculation effect was found in P. serrulata, A. fragrans and E. cavaleriei.

Abstract:Six compounds were isolated from the ethanol extract of mangrove plant Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea Gaertn. F. Their structures were identified as betulone (1), 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), α-amyrin (3), β-amyrin (4), β-sitosterol (5), and stigmasterol (6) by spectroscopic evidence (IR, NMR, MS, etc.) and comparision of their spectral data with those of the literatures. The cytotoxicty of all the compounds were tested by MTT assay, and compound 1 showed inhibitory activity towards human hepatoma cellline SMMC-7721 with the IC₅₀ value of 12.5 μg ml^-1.

Abstract:Fatty acids and mineral elements of the seeds of Elaeagnus conferta Roxb. were examined. The yield of seed oil was 1.98%. The main components were oleic acid (C₁₈﹕1, 34.15%), linoleic acid (C₁₈﹕2, 31.51%), palmitc acid (C₁₆﹕0, 13.83%) and stearic acid (C₁₈﹕0, 2.88%). The ratio of saturated fatty acids : mono-unsaturated fatty acids : poly-unsaturated fatty acids was 1:2.23:2.71. The contents of mineral elements were as follows, 7 837.69 mg kg^-1 for K, 30.99 mg kg^-1 for Fe, 10.13 mg kg^-1 for Zn and 259.5 mg kg^-1 for Na.

Abstract:Three genera and 8 species are reported as new records from Hainan, China. The new record genera are Antenoron Rafin, Sanicula Linn. and Tubocapsicum (Wettst.) Makino. The new record species are Machilus oculodracontis, Antenoron filiforme, Desmodium laxiflorum, Lithocarpus qinzhouicus, Elatostema macintyrei, Sanicula lamelligera, Vaccinium bracteatum var. chinense, and Tubocapsicum anomalum. All the voucher specimens are deposited in Herbarium of South China Botanical Garden, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IBSC,CAS), Herbarium of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG), and Herbarium of Hong Kong Government (HK).

Abstract:A new combination, Eranthemum austrosinense H. S. Lo var. pubipetalum (S. Z. Huang ex H. P. Tsui) T. L. Li & Y. F. Deng, is proposed based on E. pubipetalum S. Z. Huang ex H. P. Tsui. This variety differs from var. austrosinense in its puberulous corolla and glabrous ovary.

Abstract:Quercus dongfangensis was re-combinated and Q. fuliginosa was transferred to the genus Cyclobalanopsis Oerst..

Abstract:Hypericin is a major bioactive constituent of Hypericum perforatum L.Its chemical and biological synthesis pathways are provided. Progresses in the study of hypericin accumulation in individual plant development and microcultures of H. perforatum are also reviewed. Further studies of hypericin can be performed using molecular cell biology and electronic microscopy technologies.

Abstract:Selenium metabolic fate and accumulation of molecular mechanism are briefly reviewed in plants. Key enzymes involved in the pathway are discribed. Trends in selenium metabolism research are provided.