Abstract:Ten novel polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed and characterized for Handeliodendron bodinieri according to a modified genomic DNA enrichment protocol of FIASCO (Fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeat). These SSR (simple sequence repeat) loci were used to examine genetic diversity of H. bodinieri in Maolan karst forests, Guizhou Province. The results showed that each locus displayed between 3 and 5 alleles. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.267 to 0.900 and expected heterozygosity varied between 0.224 and 0.652. The combined probabilities of paternity exclusion over all loci were 0.7496 for P_r(Ex₁) and 0.9517 for P_r(Ex₂), respectively. It suggested that these loci could provide a powerful tool in investigating the patterns of gene flow and population structure in natural populations of H. bodinieri.

Abstract:Chalcone synthase is an important enzyme in the flavonoid pathway. The promoter of CHS from Epimedium sagittatum had been cloned and named ECHSP. There were TATA BOX, CAAT BOX, MYB recognition sites and MYC recognition sites in the promoter region. The promoters of CHS from five Epimedium species, such as E. sagittatum, E. franchetii, E. acuminatum, E. mikinorii, E. leptorrhizum, had rich polymorphism, which suggested that the transcriptional level of CHS might be affected by various factors. Compared with the promoters of CHS from other species, the position of TATA box in ECHSP might have relation with the accumulation of flavonoids. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis indicated that the ECHSP sequences could be used to analyze the evolutionary relationships of Epimedium L. by phylogenetic analysis.

Abstract:The genetic diversity of 215 individuals of Miscanthus floridulus from 13 natural populations distributed in Guangdong Province was investigated by using intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) techniques. A total of 81 unambiguous and repetitious bands were scored by 9 primers. The results showed that the genetic diversity of M. floridulus was high, at species level, percentage of polymorphic loci (PPB) was 93.83%, Nei's gene diversity (He) for 0.3969, and Shannon's information index (Hsp) for 0.5724; while at population level, PPB=81.91%, He=0.3015 and Shannon's information index (Hpop)=0.4460. The coefficient of genetic differentiation among populations (Gst) was 0.2379, and gene flow among populations (Nm) was 1.6018. The AMOVA analysis showed that 79.56% of the total genetic variation within populations and the rest (20.44%) partitioned among populations. No significant correlation was found between geographical and genetic distance (r=-0.2811, P=0.9590).

Abstract:PsbS protein plays an important role in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) in plants. A PsbS gene was cloned from Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) leaves by RT-PCR method, which named PePsbS (GenBank No. FJ600727) with 810 bp in length, and encoded a polypeptide with 269 amino acids. Homology analysis showed that the deduced PsbS was highly homologous to those from other monocotyledon plants. The protein structure analysis indicated that PePsbS consists of transit peptide and mature protein including four transmembrane domains. The fragment of PePsbS gene encoding mature protein was constructed in multiple cloning site of pET23a and expressed in Escherichia coli induced by IPTG. The expression of PePsbS was the best under 41℃ for 4 hours, the recombinant protein accounted for 21.5% of the total proteins with molecular weight about 22 kD. It indicated that there were significant effects of temperature and IPTG induced time on protein expression.

Abstract:In order to study the proteome of Kandelia candel leaves, a two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) system was established and optimized. Compared with the low protein content (1.7 μg μL^-1) extracted by phenol (Phe), the improved trichloroacetic acid/acetone precipitation (TCA) method could obviously increase the extracting efficiency up to 12.4 μg μL^-1. The protein spots of Kandelia candel leaves mainly distributed in the range of pH 4-7. The optimal loading quantity of samples were 400 μg gel^-1 for a 17 cm IPG strip (pH 3-10 NL), which can detect 564±34 protein spots after silver staining. Therefore, the high resolution and repeatable 2-DE map could be obtained by using TCA extract method and the optimum system, which could widely use in proteome study of Kandelia candel.

Abstract:The influence of phytic acid (PA) on vase life and some physiological and biochemical indexes of rose cut flowers was studied. The results showed that the vase life of cut rose flowers prolonged 2.3 days and 1.4 days treated with 0.13% and 0.013% PA, respectively. After rose cut flowers were treated with PA, peroxydase (POD) activity increased and the contents of O₂^-. and malonaldehyde (MDA) decreased. The increment of soluble sucrose content improved water absorbing ability of cut flowers treated with PA, so that the vase life prolonged. The effect of 0.13% PA was better than that of 0.013% PA. Therefore, PA could prolong the vase life of cut rose flowers, and it would be widely used in fresh-keeping of rose cut flowers.

Abstract:The characteristics of mature seeds and the effect factors of temperature, light and moisture content on seed germination of Plukenetia volubilis were studied. The results showed that the germination of P. volubilis seeds was extremely sensitive to temperature with very low germinate rate at 15℃, while all seeds could germinate within two weeks under 25℃-35℃. The temperature fluctuation (25℃/15℃) did not increase markedly seed germination rate. The illumination was not necessary condition to seed germination, but light decreased seed germination rate under temperature fluctuation (25℃/15℃). All of seeds could germinate at normal temperature (30℃) even with extremely low relative water content (1.55%) and treated with liquid nitrogen for 24 hours. P. volubilis seeds could germinate well with suitable moisture content at 25℃-35℃, it was reason that P. volubilis seedlings had good restoration under provenance of tropical rain forest. So P. volubilis was suitable for seed breeding.

Abstract:Three wetland species, Canna indica Linn., Cyperus flabelliformis Rottb., and Hymenocallis littoralis (Jack.) Salisb., were grown in solution culture systems in a climate chamber, and the growth characteristics and dissolved organic carbon exudates (DOC) of roots were studied. The results showed that Canna indica and Cyperus flabelliformis had similar total biomass and root biomass, and similar amount of DOC, which were significantly higher than those of H. littoralis (P<0.01). However, production of DOC per unit root biomass was similar for the three species. DOC of the three wetland plants were positively correlated with total biomass (P<0.01) and root biomass (P<0.01).

Abstract:The altitudinal gradient patterns of richness and species density of seed plants and their relationship with topographic parameters on Tongbiguan Nature Reserve in Southwest China were studied. The database of seed plants including their distribution ranges was constructed by field investigation many times, and the DEM (Digital Elevation Model) was derived from a topographical map of this region. The results showed that the species, genus and family richness increased rapidly at first and then decreased with the elevation increment, and those reached up to the maximum at middle altitude regions. The maximums of species and family richness appeared at the altitudes between 1400 m and 1800 m, and that of genus richness at the altitudes between 1000 m and 1400 m. When the area factors were eliminated, the taxa density decreased and increased firstly, then decreased and increased finally with the increment of elevation, up to peaks at the altitudes between 3000 m and 3400 m. The distribution patterns of species richness and species density were affected by the elevation gradient significantly which integrated many factors, such as moisture and energy conditions and so on. The altitudinal patterns of species richness at family, genus and species levels were consistent with the mid-domain effect hypothesis. It was took a question of "Logarithmic Model" in the calculation of the species density which was commonly used in the research of biodiversity at present.

Abstract:Michelia tonkinensis A. Chev. was published without type designation. Its identity could not be determined with certainty for a long time, so it was once placed under synonymy of M. balansae (Aug. DC.) Dandy. Based on examination of the original materials and the protologue of M. tonkinensis, Fleury 37.667 (P), a collection made from Tuyen Quang Province, northern Vietnam, was confirmed the only original material currently available for this species, and thus should be considered as its type. Michelia tonkinensis is found to be distinct from M. balansae and should be recognized as an independent species. Comprehensive information of M. tonkinensis, including synonymy, vernacular name, description, distribution, and specimens examined is given.

Abstract:Mussaenda longipetala H. L. Li is reported as a new record to China. It is similar to M. caudatiloba D. Fang and M. lancipetal X. F. Deng & D. X. Zhang, but differs in its leaf blades oblong-ovate or elliptic-ovate, stipules caduceus, calyx lobes 6-8 mm long, corolla tube ca. 3 cm long, corolla lobes lanceolate, ca. 12 mm long. The species is only found in Quang Ninh Province of northem Vietnam and coastal areas of Beibu Gulf in Guangxi, China. The voucher specimens are kept in Herbarium of Guangxi Institute of Botany (IBK).

Abstract:Dendrobium lagarum Seidenf. is reported as as a newly recorded species of Orchidaceae from China. This species resembles D. exile Schltr., but differs by unbranched zigzag stems upside; sparse leaves; base of stems not dilated to fusiform, with 7-8 uniform ribs; half sized flowers, the mid-lobe of the lip sub-triangle, column foot without a spherical callus.

Abstract:Five compounds were obtained from the EtOH extract of mangrove plant Scyphinphora hydrophyllacea Gaertn. f.. On the basis of spectral data (NMR, MS, etc.), they were identified as shanzhigenin methyl ester (1), 1-epishanzhigenin methyl ester (2), kaempferol (3), apigenin (4), and 5,7,2'-trihydroxy1-3,6,8,4',5'-pentamethoxyflavone (5). All the compounds were isolated from S. hydrophyllacea for the first time. The mixture of compounds 1 and 2 showed inhibitory activities towards human hepatoma (SMMC-7721) cell line.

Abstract:The effects of rhizospheric pH value of host on growth of Indian sandalwood (Santalum album L.) and preference to host were studied. Rhizospheric pH values of 61 hosts of S. album were measured by using portable precise acidimeter, and the growth status of S. album under a gradient rhizospheric pH were observed. The results showed that rhizospheric pH of almost all fine hosts ranged from 5.0 to 6.0, and the root length and shoot height of S. album grown at pH 5.5 were significantly higher than those grown at other pHs. It was suggested that the optimum pH of Indian sandalwood was 5.5. It is helpful to choose a fine host of S. album.

Abstract:The aromatic compounds in muskmelon juice were extracted by three solid phase microextraction (SPME) fibers, such as Carboxen^TM/PDMS, DVB/CAR/PDMS and PDMS/DVB, respectively, and analyzed by GC-MS method. The results showed that the majority aromatic compounds were esters with a little of aldehydes and alcohols. The aromatic component relative content was 91.55%, and the relative content of main aromatic components was 63.01% extracted by Carboxen^TM/PDMS fiber. Althought the aromatic components extracted by DVB/CAR/PDMS fiber were completely, the aromatic component relative content, relative content of main aromatic components and total peak areas were lower than those by Carboxen^TM/PDMS fiber. The aromatic components extracted by PDMS/DVB fiber had little kinds with low relative content. It suggested that the Carboxen^TM/PDMS fiber was the most suitable for extracting amomatic compounds in muskmelon juice.

Abstract:The research advances in the enzymes degrading anthocyanins and their degradation mechanisms were summarized. The enzymes degrading anthocyanins include anthocyanase, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD) and pectinases. Anthocyanase and pectinase both hydrolyze the glucosidic bond of anthocyanins to produce anthocyanidins and saccharides, anthocyanidins are highly unstable and spontaneously change into colorless derivatives duo to the easy openning of their pyrylium rings. Anthocyanins can not directly act as PPO or POD substrates. The oxidation and degradation of anthocyanins catalyzed by PPO and POD must rely on the presence of other phenolics holding o-diphenol structure, and are realized by a coupled oxidation mechanism of consecutive-type. In the presence of O₂ and H₂O₂, respectively, PPO and POD oxidize other phenolics to o-quinones which oxidize anthocyanins to anthocyanin o-quinones and are reduced back to the native phenolics. Non-enzymatic self-associations happen between the o-quinones and the anthocyanin o-quinones or among the anthocyanin o-quinones, forming melanins. Therefore, the anthocyanins degradation in vivo may be realized by the simultaneous catalyzing of several enzymes, which could provide a reference for the exploration of the in vivo degradation mechanisms of anthocyanins and the artificial regulations of the enzyme activities to stabilize or degrade the anthocyanins.

Abstract:The progresses in Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) was reviewed. Several factors were summarized, such as tomato genotypes, explants, the processes of preculture and infection, the ratio of plant growth regulators and antibiotics in regeneration medium, and different target gene. The tomato genetic transformation in future was prospected.