Abstract:On the basis of examination of the type specimens, investigations of the populations, and transplantation, Phyllostachys varioauriculata S. C. Li et S. H. Wu and its allied taxa are taxonomically discussed and revised. P. hispida S. C. Li, S. H. Wu et S. Y. Chen, which is distinctly different from P. varioauriculata S. C. Li et S. H. Wu by the characters of young culm, colour of culm leaf sheath, height and colour of culm leaf ligule, and indumentum of foliage leaf sheath, is proposed to be an independent species. P. varioauriculata var. glabrata G. H. Lai, owing to many characters (such as young culms oblate at its inferior part, culm leaf sheath villose at base, foliage leaf very small etc.) different from P. varioauriculata S. C. Li et S. H. Wu, is raised as a specific rank and is given a new name P. microphylla G. H. Lai. In addition, a variety, P. hispida var. glabrivagina G. H. Lai, is described as new. P. humilis Muroi, as a nomen nudum was given by some Japanese botanists, which is conspecific with P. hispida S. C. Li, S. H. Wu et S. Y. Chen, is rejected.

Abstract:A revision of the Hylodesmum laxum complex is made on the basis of an analysis of morphological variations. Four species, viz., H. leptopus, H. laterale, H. densum, H. laxum, and one subspecies, H. laxum subsp. lateraxum, are recognized. Their diagnostic characters are discussed, and a key to them is provided. Hylodesmum laxum subsp. falfolium (H. Ohashi) H. Ohashi & R. R. Mill is reduced to synonymy of H. laxum subsp. laxum.

Abstract:Three populations in Caltha palustris and five in C. scaposa from China, two closely related species in the small genus Caltha of the Ranunculaceae, have been cytologically investigated. Of the populations checked in C. palustris, the Nayong population from Guizhou has the chromosome number of 2n=32 (tetraploid), and the two Zhongdian populations from Yunnan have the number of 2n=64 (octoploid). Among those checked in C. scaposa, the Hongyuan, Kangding, and Serxu populations from Sichuan all have the tetraploid number of 2n=32, and the Nyingchi population from Xizang and the Deqen population from Yunnan both have the octoploid number of 2n=64. We have performed a karyotypic analysis on most of these populations. The present results, together with those reported previously, show that both C. palustris and C. scaposa from China may have undergone strong differentiation among populations in ploidy level and karyotypic constitution. Caltha palustris from China includes at least three cytotypes with different ploidy levels, namely, the tetraploid cytotype with 2n=32, the hexaploid cytotype with 2n=48, and the octoploid cytotype with 2n=64. The tetraploid cytotype is the commonest and the most widespread, and currently only in northwestern Yunnan all the three cytotypes have been found to co-occur. Caltha scaposa from China includes two cytotypes, the tetraploid cytotype with 2n=32 and the octoploid cytotype with 2n=64, with the former occurring in the northeastern part of the geographical range of the species while the latter in the southwestern part. Although the 32 or 64 chromosomes in both C. palustris and C. scaposa can be roughly arranged into eight groups of four or eight homologues, in some of the groups there often exists obvious heteromorphy among the presumably homologous chromosomes, and thus different populations are more or less distinct in karyotypic constitution. Although C. palustris and C. scaposa are the two most closely related species in the genus, they are revealed to be rather well differentiated chromosomally, particularly in chromosome size. The chromosomes in C. scaposa are smaller than those in C. palustris, which may represent a derived condition.

Abstract:The subgenus Syncarpea, which belongs to genus of Cornus (Cornaceae), includes five species and eight subspecies in China. nrDNA ITS sequences of 21 individuals from 4 species, with 1 to 2 populations for each species, in the subgenus were amplified and used to test the existence of incomplete concerted evolution and pseudogenes. Intra-genomic polymorphism was detected in the internal transcribed spacer (including ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2) regions of these species. The analyses of G+C content, 5.8S conserved motifs and minimum free energy of 5.8S secondary structures suggested that there were putative pseudogenes of nrDNA in these species. Phylogenetic analyses of the sequences resulted in five clades with variants from the same accession commonly being placed in two or more clades and species were grouped differently among clades. These results demonstrated the existence of incomplete concerted evolution of ITS within individuals of Syncarpea, which could be explained by incomplete lineage sorting, possible hybridization or polyploidy and resulted in the polymorphism of ITS and the difficulty in morphology-based species delineation in the subgenus.

Abstract:Although a few efforts have been taken to conserve rare and endangered species Erythropleum fordii Olive., information about its pollination and mating system still remains unknown. The pollination and mating system of E. fordii through performing the field observation, SEM observation of pollen and stigma, controlled pollination experiment and genetic analyses in Dinghushan Nature Reserve, China were studied. Erythrophleum fordii has brightly colorful inflorescences and sends forth delicate odor, its pollen is coated by strong mucous substance and its stigmas have not specific structure for pollen capturing, and meanwhile the inflorescences pollinated by wind did not fruit at all, therefore it was inferred that E. fordii might be entomophilous. According to genetic analyses and fruiting of two object trees under contrasting reproductive situations, E. fordii can be selfing occasionally but out-crossing is dominant with out-crossing rate in the Dinghushan E. fordii community for 90.6%. This preliminary elucidation of pollination and mating system would benefit the conservation of E. fordii.

Abstract:In order to development and utilization of Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis plantation, biomass and calorific values of 1- to 4-year-old E. urophylla × E. grandis were determined to reveal biomass and energy characteristics of Eucalyptus at different ages. The results showed that the biomass of leaves, branches, stem, roots, bark and total biomass increased with increasing age. The ratio of leaf, branch and bark biomass to total biomass decreased with age, while the ratio of stem biomass to total biomass increased. Biomass of 1- to 4-yearold individual and stands ranged from 4.32 to 66.29 kg, and 10.68 to 153.33 t hm^-2, respectively. Biomass structure characteristics revealed that Eucalyptus plantation began to closure at the 4^th year, and stem growth was dominant. Gross calorific values had significant difference (P<0.01) among five components, such as leaf, branch, root, stem and bark, with ranged from 17.23 kJ g^-1 for bark to 20.56 kJ g^-1 for leaf, those of the same component had no significant differences among different ages (P>0.05). The retained energy of 1- to 4-year-old individual and stands ranged from 81.61 to 1255.22 MJ and 201.83 to 2903.32 GJ hm^-2, respectively, the change trend and orders of components were the same as biomass. Therefore, it suggested that E. urophylla × E. grandis energy plantation could manage with short rotation for 4 years.

Abstract:Eleven compounds were isolated from the twigs of Aglaia testicularis C. Y. Wu (Meliaceae) by means of chromatographic technology. On the basis of spectral data, their structures were identified as phlogacantholide B (1), phlogacanthoside A (2), (E)-aglawone (3), eichlerianic acid (4), shoreic acid (5), 3β-hydroxy-5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-diene (6), stigmast-5-en-3β,7α-diol (7), β-sitosterol (8), daucosterol (9), scopoletin (10), and hexacosanoic acid (11). Compounds 1-3 and 8-11 were isolated from the plant for the first time, and the abietane diterpene derivatives, compounds 1 and 2, were not reported previously from the genus Aglaia. Compound 1 showed weak activity against AGZY 83-a (human lung cancer) cell with the IC₅₀ value of 20.5 μg mL^-1. The study establishes a theoretical basis for the application of the genus Aglaia distributed in China.

Abstract:Twelve compounds were isolated from the roots of Achyranthes bidentata Blume. On the basis of spectral data, they were identified as polypodine B (1), shidasterone (2), oleanolic acid (3), oleanolic acid 3-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside-6′-O-methyl ester (4), chikusetsusaponin Ⅵa methyl ester (5), N-cis-feruloyltyramine (6), N-cis-feruloyl-3-methoxytyramine (7), N-trans-feruloyltyramine (8), N-trans-feruloyl-3-methoxytyramine (9), tianshic acid (10), (9E)-8,11,12-trihydroxyoctadecenoic acid methyl ester (11) and linoleic acid (12). Compounds 2, 6, 7, and 10-12 were obtained from the plant for the first time.

Abstract:Eleven compounds were isolated from ethanol extract of Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng.. On the basis of spectral data, they were identified as caffeic acid (1), ferulic acid (2), sinapaldehyde (3), phenethyl ferulate (4), protocatechuic acid (5), vanillic acid (6), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (7), gallic acid (8), 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-propanol (9), 2-coumaric acid glucoside (10) and 4-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl-propanone (11). Compounds 3-9 and 11 were obtained from Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng for the first time.

Abstract:With the purpose of exploring antibacterial constituents of Aglaia odorata var. microphyllina, six compounds were isolated from the EtOH extract of the twigs. Their structures were identified as 4(15)-eudesmen- 1β,7,11-triol (1), 4α,10β,11-trihydroxy-1,5-trans-guai-6-ene (2), 6,15α-epoxy-1β,4β-dihydroxyeudesmane (3), 2-hydroxy-butandioic acid 1-methylester (4), jacarreubin (5) and daucosterol (6) on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. All the compounds above were isolated from this plant for the first time, and compounds 1, 2, 4, 5 were isolated from the plants of the genus Aglaia for the first time. Compounds 1-5 were tested antibacterial activity by the filter paper disc diffusion method, the result showed compounds 4 and 5 possessed inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract:In order to understand allelopathic compounds from fruit shells of Jatropha curcas L., the aqueous extract were isolated and identified. The results showed that Raphanus sativus Linn. and Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf seedlings were treated with 10 g L^-1 AO active part, inhibition rates of growth were higher than 80%. Six compounds in AO were identified by HPLC-MS, accounting for 60.13% of the total content. The compound 6 was identified primarily to be Araliasaponin V, the other five compounds were similar and identified primarily to be peptide or protein compounds, which the sum of relative content was 56.13%. So, it was suggested that the fruit shells of J. curcas could be used to develop botanical herbicide.

Abstract:The effects of different phosphorus concentration on growth of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) were studied under hydroponic condition. With the decreasing phosphorus concentration, root length and root surface area was increased. The dry biomass and root to shoot ratio of moso bamboo tended to rise at first and then fall as phosphorus concentration increased. When the concentration of phosphorus was 0 mmol L^-1, the contents of the four endogenous hormone in root rose firstly and fall later. The contents of IAA, ZR and GA₃ in root fall firstly and rose later in other concentrations. The content of ABA in roots did not change obviously (except for 0.5 mmol L^-1). The contents of IAA, GA₃ and ABA in leaves were decreased, while ZR increased. Therefore, phosphorus concentration had significant effect on the contents of endogenous hormones in moso bamboo, which influenced growth of roots of moso bamboo.

Abstract:The effects light quality and fertilizer concentration on seedling growth of Primula forbesii were studied. The results showed that blue light could enhance photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate of seedlings, yellow light significantly increase seedling height, and red light promote flowering. There were the best effects of seedling growth and increased leaf area with fertilizer concentration of EC 2.0 mS cm^-1. When treated with red light and EC 2.0 mS cm^-1 fertilizer, the vegetative and reproductive growth of seedlings enhanced. It suggested that suitable light quality and fertilizer could promote plant growth.

Abstract:Genic male sterile (GMS) and cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) have widely used in pepper breeding. GMS is controlled by nuclear genes, while CMS is regulated by both nuclear genes and cytoplasmic genes. The advanced studies on genetics and application of pepper male sterile in hybrid breeding, the construction of genetic linkage map, gene mapping, and the development of molecular markers were reviewed, which will benefit the further researches of genetic mechanism and gene cloning in pepper.