Abstract:Carbon sequestration in plantation soils was studied in tropical region of south China. Barren land without vegetation cover had a low level of TOC (2.79 g kg^-1). Establishment of eucalyptus plantation on barren land significantly increased TOC into a level of 14.16g kg^-1, but only 6.12 g kg^-1 if litter was frequently removed by villagers. Replacement of eucalyptus with mixed broad-leaf forest further increased TOC to a level higher than 16.5 g kg^-1, which, however, was only 76% of TOC of nearby natural forest. TOC content of barren land did not change across 1m profile and kept at a level of 2-3 g kg^-1. Unchanged soil TOC content across 1m profile was also found in eucalyptus plantation (at 4-5 g kg^-1). Litterfall exerted influenced TOC only within the uppermost 0.5 m of soil. A mixed plantation dominated by Litsea rotundifolia, Cinnamomum burmanni, Litsea glutinosa, Lindera chuni had much higher TOC in deep soil than other plantations, similar to that of nearby secondary natural forest. Soil aggregates played an important role in carbon sequestration. Water-unstable aggregates contained highest carbon in the smallest diameter class (<0.25 mm). Other aggregates had similar levels of carbon content. For mature natural forest, carbon content of all diameter classes was similar to each other. Total carbon sequestration was highest in the largest class (>10 mm) due to well developed water-unstable aggregates. In contrast, highest carbon sequestration in water stable aggregates was found in two smallest classes (0.25-0.5 mm and 0.5-1.0 mm). The results suggested that the establishment of targeted plantation would significantly enhance soil carbon sequestration in a short time. We considered that the high soil carbon sequestration of mature natural forest might be attributed to the well developed water unstable big aggregates and water stable small aggregates.

Abstract:Influences of nutrient (N and P) treatments on N and P concentrations and N: P stoichiometric ratio were studied in roots of urban ground cover plant species dwarf lilyturf (Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker-Gawl). N and P concentrations were determined during October to December after treatment. The average N concentration in roots followed the order: N(5 g m-2)+P(1 g m-2) addition> N (5 g m-2) addition = P(1g m-2) addition > control. Compared with control, significant changes in N and P concentrations of roots as well as N:P stoichiometry ratio were found in October, and none was found during November to December. It was indicated that N and P levels in dwarf lilyturf roots could be maintained stably under high N and P input. Thus, dwarf lilyturf has high ability to adapt N deposition, especially been fertilized with P. Therefore, dwarf lilyturf could be used as a good plant species in N deposition area.

Abstract:Heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, Cr and Pb) in the tree-rings of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) growing in Dinghushan (relatively clean area) and Xiqiaoshan (polluted area) were measured in 5 year increments, respectively. Surface soil beneath sampled trees at Xiqiaoshan had elevated concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb compared with their background values in Guangdong Province, whereas at Dinghushan, had lowed metal concentrations in the ranges of the background values except for Cd. Contents of Cu，Zn, Ni, Cr and Pb increased steadily in tree-rings from the heart-wood to sap-wood at both sites, reflecting the increase in the bio-availability in the Delta area during the past decades. Peaks in Cu, Zn, Ni and most obviously Cr and Pb, were found in rings formed in the periods after 1990. It was suggested that the recent increase of the heavy metals in soil and atmosphere in the Delta be the main cause contributed to the elevation of the heavy metals in the pine rings. In the rings formed in the same period, content of Cu, Cr and Pb at Xiqiaoshan were relatively constantly higher, whereas Zn, Ni and Cd, constantly lower than those at Dinghushan, which was not only related to the difference of the metals content in the environments, but also to the difference of accumulation ability of the metals in the pine. The results indicated that tree ring chemistry of Masson pine could provide information concerning historical changes in soil and atmospheric heavy metals in the Delta.

Abstract:The species composition and ecological distribution of benthic diatoms were investigated in the tidal flat of Shanghai, China. Benthic samples were collected from 7 sites in August, 2005. Ninety-eight taxa including 31 genera and 10 families were identified. Navicula (15 taxa) was the most abundant followed by Nitzschia (10 taxa). The dominant species were Cyclotella meneghiniana, Gyrosigma spencerii, Surirella ovata and the common ones were Fragilaria capucina, Gyrosigma attenuatum, Naicula acceptata, etc.. The occasional species were Melosira italica, Coscinodiscus wittianus and Navicula pygmaea. Quantitative analysis showed that the total diatom cell density ranged from 7.0×10⁶-28.5×10⁶ cells m^-2, with an average of 17.39×10⁶ cells m^-2. More diatoms were found at the convergence of runoff and seawater, and freshwater species were more abundant than saltwater ones, mainly because Yangtze River estuary waters are composed of various waters, into which freshwater brings many freshwater species.

Abstract:Seasonal changes of caloric value and ash content ofButia capitata were studied. The annual average caloric value was in the following order: mature leaves (20.65 kJg-1) > young leaves (19.84 kJg^-1) > roots (19.55 kJg^-1) > petioles (18.77 kJg^-1). The organs showed maximum gross caloric values (GCV) in autumn and minimum ones in winter. Ash free caloric values (AFCV) varied as same as gross caloric values (GCV). The annual average ash content followed the order: roots (5.14%)> petioles (4.33%)> young leaves (4.21%)> mature leaves (3.97%). The ash content was lower in mature leaves, markedly decreased in young leaves during autumn, and then increased during winter. Seasonal changes of ash content in mature leaves were same with those in young leaves. Petioles had much lower ash content than roots during winter. Changes in ash content and caloric value of Butia capitata in different seasons were good energy use strategy for species with high cold resistance to adapt the low temperature.

Abstract:Comparison of the photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics was conducted in 4-year-old plants of Simmondsia chinensis (Link.) Schneider introduced from Hyder, Arizona of American and Vacaville of Israel grown in the arid-hot valley of Jinshajiang River, China. The net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance presented a single-peak curve, respectively, with their peak values at 10:00 am. Under the same experimental conditions, the net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance were higher in var. Vacaville than var. Hyder. After sufficient dark adaptation, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters such as F₀, F_m, F_v, F_v/F₀, the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and the electron transport rate (ETR) were found significantly higher in leaves of Vacaville than Hyder. PSⅡ efficiency (PhiPS₂) and the quantum yield based on CO₂ assimilation (PhiCO₂) were linearly and positively correlated in the two provenances at the light intensity of over 200 μmol m^-2s^-1 , while linearly and negatively correlated below 200 μmol m^-2s^-1. The photosynthetic rate, PSⅡ efficiency (PhiPS2) and the quantum yield based on CO₂ assimilation (PhiCO₂) were positively related to CO₂ concentration. It was suggested that Vacaville can more adapt to climate environment than Hyder in the arid-hot valley of Jinshajiang River.

Abstract:Lotus japonicus MG-20 seeds were exposed to space environment by space flight using a recoverable satellite. After the selection from one to three generations, several mutants were obtained。The major mutants included non-nodule mutants (18 lines) which failed to nodulate after inoculated with rhizobia for two weeks, ineffective nodulation mutants (9 lines) which had less uneven and white or transparent nodules, an abnormal leaf and flower mutant which was dwarf without stipules, abnormal flowers and less nodules, and a slender mutant with a thin stem and smaller leaves.

Abstract:To generate markers of sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR), we recovered and purified a fragment OPB07-18907 from satellite chromosome of Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook, using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) pairwise primers OPB07(5’-GGTGACGCAG-3’) and OPB18（5’-CCACAGCAGT-3’）. This fragment was then cloned into pUCm-T vector，and transferred into E. coli. DH5α. Positive colonies were identified for sequencing. Two SCAR primer pairs were designed according to the sequences of OPB07-18₉₀₇. Based on information of the fragment, the SCAR marker was produced for satellite chromosome. The products of SCAR-PCR indicated that all primer combinations could be used to amplify specific bands of satellite chromosome. In addition, we found that 57℃ was the optimal annealing temperature for the use of these primers. We developed the SCAR marker of satellite chromosome for identifying the microdissected satellite chromosome at molecular level, and correlating a genetic linkage group of C. lanceolata with a specific chromosome. We also discussed the implementation of SCAR marker in karyotype polymorphism in C. lanceolata.

Abstract:A full-length cDNA encoding PAL was cloned from leaves of plantain (Musa ABB cv. Dongguandajiao) by RT-PCR and RACE. The cDNA was 1300 bp in length and contained a complete ORF of 1191 bp which encodes a protein of 397 amino acid residues. Its deduced amino acid sequence had 89% identity with rice PAL and then this gene was hence designated as M-PAL. Southern hybridization analysis demonstrated that a small family of four to five PAL genes exists in plantain banana. The complete coding sequence of M-PAL was cloned into an expression vector pET32 (a+) and a protein about 43KD expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) was the same as deduced molecular weight and showed phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity. The transcript of M-PAL gene in the leaves was increased when the plantlets of plantain were inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense, indicating that the expression of M-PAL may be related to resistance of banana Fusarium wilt.

Abstract:Contents of soluble sugar, starch，free prolines and crude proteins were determined in functional leaves and flower buds of different diameters (<0.4 mm, 0.4-1.2 mm and >1.2 mm) in ramie (Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud) male sterile lines C26 and C4 and the restoration lines B8 and B16, as well as peroxidase (POD) activity．The soluble sugar content of flower buds of each size was higher in C26 and C4 than in their restoration lines, especially in flower buds ( diameter >1.2 mm ) (C26 and C4 were 0.58% and 0.83% higher than B8 and B16, respectively). In flower buds ( diameter in 0.4-1.2 mm ) and big bud, starch and free proline contents of C26 and C4 were 1.31-1.81 and 2.72-7.37 times higher than B8 and B16, respectively. In flower buds of all sizes, POD activity was slightly lower in C26 and C4 than in their restoration lines. Variations in soluble sugar content of lines C26 and C4 were not consistent with their restoration lines. Those features could be related to male sterility in ramie．

Abstract:A 2-DE (two-dimensional electrophoresis) protocol for total proteins of Acacia implexa Benth. was described. The yield of water-soluble proteins was increased if 10% PVP was added in the protein extraction buffer, centrifugal force was increased and centrifugal time was prolonged. The optimum loading quantity of sample proteins was 1 000 μg in isoelectric focusing. The optimum concentration of SDS--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was 12.5 %. The optimized protocol markedly minimized the interference from wood pigments and other non-protein substances．

Abstract:A two-dimensional polyareylamide gel electrophoresis(2D-PAGE) system was established for proteomic study of Chinese fir (Cunninghaimia lanceolata) leaves. The result shows that the system containing lysis buffer with 2 mmol/L thiourea for complete dissolution of proteins, DTT 60 mmol/L, loaded proteins 1.5 mg for good protein patterns, equilibration liquid with 450 mg(15 ml)^-1 iodoacetamide for high resolution patterns, colloidal coomassie blue compatible with mass spectrometer. More than 700 protein spots with pH 4-7 were detected.

Abstract:he oils extracted from Jatropha curcas seeds at different ripening and storage stages were analyzed by GC-MS. The physicochemical characteristics of the seed oils were also determined. The chemical composition of the seed oils, iodine value, and saponification value were similar, whereas the yields, acid values and water content of the seed oils showed obvious differences. The yield, water content and acid value of the seed oil from the green fruit were 13.31%, 0.66% and 69.21, respectively, while those from the fresh ripe fruits were 54.64%, 0.36%, and 1.51, respectively. The content of unsaturated fatty acids in the seed oils of green fruits was lowest. Therefore, the fresh ripe fruits are more preferable for raw material of Bio-diesel oil.

Abstract:The fatty acids from the leaves of mangrove plant Rhizophora stylosa were extracted by Soxhlet extraction. The extracted fatty acids were esterified and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Twelve fatty acids were detected and identified, amounting to 84.95% of the total fatty acids, mainly including palmitic acid (40.49%), oleic acid (17.24%) and linoleic acid (11.24%).

Abstract:Twelve chemical constituents were isolated from Polygonum chinense Linn. On the bases of spectral data, they were identified as syringic acid (1), apigenin (2), 3,3′-di-O-methylellagic acid (3), gallic acid (4), protocatechuic acid (5), isorhamnetin (6), caffeic acid (7), quercetin (8), luteolin (9), gallicin (10), avicularin (quercetin-3-O-α-L-arabinofuranoside)(11) and 3,4,8,9,10-pentahydroxy -6H-dibenzo [b,d]pyran-6-one (12). All these compounds except 4 and 8 were reported from the species for the first time.

Abstract:Three species of the genus Viola Linn. are reported as new records from Guangdong Province in China, i.e. Viola magnifica Ching J. Wang et X. D. Wang, Viola betonicifolia Sm. var. albescens (Nakai) F. Maek. et T. Hashim. and Viola pseudo-arcuata C.C.Chang.

Abstract:Vitis romanetii Romanet du Cailaud ex Planchon var. tomentosa C. L. Li is treated as a superfluous name for V. romanetii Romanet du Cailaud ex Planchon var. arachnoidea Y. L. Cao ＆ Y. H. He.

Abstract:Nicotine is an important insect-resistant compound in Nicotiana species. It is reviewed in the following aspects: distribution in vivo, physiological functions and synthetic induction pathway. The toxicity of nicotine to insects and insect’s adaptation are also described.