Abstract:Two species of the genus Synotis (Asteraceae-Senecioneae), S. rufinervis (DC.) C. Jeffrey & Y. L. Chen and S. kunthiana (Wall. ex DC.) C. Jeffrey & Y. L. Chen, are reported from China for the first time. In China, both species are currently known only from southern Xizang (Tibet). We provide descriptions, illustrations and distributional map in China for the two species. Two important floral micromorphological characters, anther-collar configuration and anther endothecial tissue cell wall thickenings, are also given for the two species.

Abstract:Examination of herbarium specimens has shown that Anemone orthocarpa Hand.-Mazz. (Ranunculaceae), a species which was previously reported to be endemic in Xingyi County, southwestern Guizhou Province, China, also occurs in Sa Pa District, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam.

Abstract:In order to reveal the relationship of Dioscorea species, the interspecific molecular identification of 4 Dioscorea species, including D. sinopatviflora, D. zingibiernsis, D. bulbifera, and D. polystachya, were studied based on 4 cpDNA fragments, such as matK, rbcL, trnL-F and psbA-trnH, and these fragments on phylogenetic significance of Dioscorea genus was discussed. The results showed that the length of matK, rbcL, trnL-F and psbA-trnH fragments were 1026 - 1142 bp, 1156 - 1178 bp, 744 - 822 bp, 355 - 599 bp, respectively. According to the phylogenetic tree constructed by Bayesian Inference and PAUP 4.0b10 software, it was indicated that the genetic relationship of D. bulbifera in Yunnan was close to D. zingibiernsis, D. sinopatviflorawas close to D. zingibiernsis, while that of D. bulbifera in Africa was far to D. bulbifera in Yunnan. In addition, it couldn't be completely distinguished D. sinopatvifloraand D. zingibiernsis in the phylogenic tree by 4 combined fragments. So, it was suggested that the phylogeny evidence based on four fragments was not consistent with taxonomic classification of four species in Dioscorea.

Abstract:In order to understand the expression of CDC48 from embryo of Dimocarpus longan, a 2620 bp cDNA sequence (GenBank accession No.: EU606206) with complete ORF and a 2418 bp DNA sequence (GenBank accession No.: FJ590953) was cloned from calli of Dimocarpus longan, named DlCDC48 gene. The DlCDC48 gene is intronless, encoding 805 amino acids. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that DlCDC48 was a hydrophilic cytoplasmic protein without transmembrane domain and signal peptide, located in nucleus. The amino acid sequence had high similarity between DlCDC48 and CDC48 from other plants. Prokaryotic expression vector fused with DlCDC48 was constructed, and a protein about 89 kD was expressed after induced by IPTG. DlCDC48 expressed at all somaitc embyogenesis stages of longan by using qPCR method. The expression of DlCDC48 was the lowest at globular embryo stage, while the highest was at compact globular embryo stage. These lay a foundation for future study the CDC48 gene function during somatic embryogenesis in plants.

Abstract:In order to reveal the biological function of Actin in growth and development of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, two fragments were cloned from the transcriptome database of E. camaldulensis seedlings at different developmental stages, named as EC-ACT1 and EC-ACT2, and their full-length cDNA were obtained by RACE method. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the full-length cDNA of EC-ACT1 and EC-ACT2 were 1533 bp and 1387 bp, respectively, and both with 1131 bp ORF encoding 377 amino acids. The amino acid sequence of Actin in E. camaldulensis had high similarity to those of other plants with typical conserved domains of Actin. Therefore, the EC-ACT1 and EC-ACT2 genes might play a role in regulating growth and development of E. camaldulensis.

Abstract:In order to understand the effect of different culture conditions on content of plumbagin in sundew (Drosera spatulata) plantlets, the changes in plumbagin content were studied by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that the content of plumbagin in roots was higher than that in leaves. Light quality and organic element content in medium had no significant differences in plumbagin accumulation in sundew plantlets, but had significant effects on its growth. White light was the best for culture of sundew plantlets, followed by red light, blue light, and green light. Appropriate to reduce the organic matter content in medium could promote the growth and development of sundew plantlets. The effects of different plant growth regulator on plumbagin accumulation were in the order of 6-BA > NAA > KT > GA₃, and those on growth were in descending order: 6-BA > GA₃ > NAA > KT. Therefore, the optimum culture condition for sundew plantlets was 1/2MS as basic medium under white light, supplemented with 0 - 0.2 mg L^-1 6-BA, 0.2 mg L^-1 NAA, 0.5 mg L^-1 KT and 0.1 mg L^-1 GA₃.

Abstract:In order to understand the function of additive in medium of Dendrobium officinale, four additives, including coconut meat, sugarcane bagasse, banana peel and wheat bran, were supplied in 1/2MS medium, respectively. The effects of additives with different concentrates and culture time on growth and polysaccharide content of D. officinale PLBs were studied. The results showed that the PLBs proliferation, differentiation and the polysaccharide content were influenced by four additives. The proliferation rate of PBLs reached up to 146.1% supplemented with 15.0 g L^-1 sugarcane bagasse and cultured for 60 d. The polysaccharide content of PLBs was increased for 50.4% supplemented with 20.0 g L^-1 sugarcane bagasse and cultured for 40 days. So it was suggested that sugarcane bagasse was suitable additive for in vitro D. officinale PLBs owing to promote the growth of D. officinale PLBs and reduce cost of production.

Abstract:In order to reveal the heterogeneity mechanism of ornamental bamboo leaves, the SSR molecular markers were developed from chloroplast genome of Dendrocalamus latiflorus and Bambusa oldhamii. The results showed that there were 87 and 86 SSR loci in chloroplast genome of D. latiflorus and B. oldhamii, respectively, in which the trinucleotide type was the most, followed by mononucleotide type. Based on the sequences of SSR loci in chloroplast genome, 21 pairs of SSR primers were designed. Six bamboo species could be amplified stable and clear bands with polymorphism by 11 pairs of primers, accounting for 52.4%. The cluster analysis indicated that 6 bamboo species could be divided into two groups, which was consisted with morphological classification. Meanwhile, polymorphism bands could be amplified in different parts of colorful leaves from Pleioblastus fortunei and Sasaella glabra f. albo-striata by 4 pairs of primers. So, it was suggested that these SSR markers could be used to distinguish the leaf heterogeneity of ornamental bamboo.

Abstract:In order to select superior families of Castanopsis hystrix in southern China, the growth traits and genetic parameters of C. hystrix families at ages from 2 to 11 years were studied. The results showed that the average height, diameter at breast height (DBH) and wood volume among families had significant differences. The average height, diameter and wood volume growth of families were genetic controlled at medium level or above, which indicated high selection potential among or within families. Wood volume had large variation among families, followed by DBH and height. Family heritability and individual heritability gradually decreased with age increasing, and stabilized at 7- to 9-year-old. The genetic correlation coefficient of growth traits gradually increased with age increasing, and reached maximum at 7 years old and then tended to stable. The genetic correlation coefficients of plant height, DBH and wood volume were 0.9602, 0.9340 and 0.9849, respectively, so that 7-year-old was suitable age for early selection of families. Combined with early selection and character indexes, ten superior families of 11-year-old were selected, their average height, DBH and wood volume were 13.95 m, 14.34 cm and 0.1229 m³, respectively, and their genetic gains were 12.24%, 18.69% and 51.59%, respectively. Compared with contrast of the superior provenance, the 10 selected superior families showed certain advantage on tree form qualities, such as stem straightness, fullness, branching angle, the biggest branch and crown breadth, which increased from 7.71% to 12.94%.

Abstract:In order to further optimize the quality of 1.5-generation seed orchard, the growth and setting characteristic of 21 Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) clones in 1.5-generation of seed orchard at Wuyi State-owned Forest Farm, Zhangping, Fujian Province, were investigated, and the difference and relationship of growth and setting characters among clones were analyzed. The characters of growth and setting of 21 clones was comprehensively evaluated by the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The results showed that there were significant differences in growth and setting characters among different clones in 1.5-generation seed orchard. There was significant correlation between seed yield and setting amount, volume, fresh weight of cone, but no significant correlation between growth characters and cone setting amount, seed germination rate, respectively. According to the comprehensive evaluation on growth and setting characters of different clones, 6 clones of Chinese fir were selected owing to fast-growing and high seed yield. It was suggested that they could be used as materials for reconstruction 1.5-generation seed orchard of Chinese fir.

Abstract:In order to explore the chemical constituents of essential oils in Jasminum sambac ‘Unifoliatum’ during different flower development stages, the changes in chemical composition and contents of ‘Unifoliatum’ were analyzed by using head solid-phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods. The results showed that the constituents and contents of essential oils in ‘Unifoliatum’ flowers were significantly different among different flower development stages. There were 7, 25, 27, 23 and 16 compounds, identified at early bud, mature bud, slight open, bloom and late bloom stages, respectively. Terpens were the major constituents at early bud stage. The contents of alcohols, esters and terpenes were high, which were the main constituents at mature bud stage, as well as at slight open and bloom stages, nevertheless the specific compounds and their contents were distinctly different at these stages. Terpens and heterocycle were the major constituents at late bloom stage. The main constituents or precursors of essential oils had basically formed at mature bud stage, and most of them reached maximum content at slight open stage. Therefore, the fresh flowers at slight open stage should be plucked for extracting jasmine essential oils or scenting tea. However, if extracting jasmine essential oils or scenting tea could not be timely, the best harvest time might be throughout the mature bud stage.

Abstract:In order to understand the chemical constituents of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn, 15 phenolic constituents were obtained from 95% EtOH extract of S. suberectus stems by chromatographic separation methods. On the basis of spectral data, they were identified as gallic acid (1), tachioside (2), isotachioside (3), canthoside D (4), koaburaside (5), 2,6-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenol-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), 4-hydroxymethyl-2,6- dimethoxyphenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), glucosyringic acid (8), 3-methoxyphenethyl alcohol-4-O-β-Dglucopyranoside (9), 2-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (10), 4,6-dihydroxy-2-O- (β-D-glucopyranosyl)-acetophenone (11), rosin (12), cis-syringin (13), (-)-(7R,8S)-guaiacylglycerol 8-O-β-Dglucopyranoside (14), and l-threo-guaiacylglycerol-8-O-β-glucopyranoside (15). Among them, compounds 2 - 8 and 10 - 15 were isolated from the Spatholobus genus at first time.

Abstract:To study the chemical constituents in Myoporum bontioides A. Gray, thirteen compounds were isolated from the leaves of M. bontioides by various chromatography techniques. On the basis of spectral data, they were identified as prunasin (1), acteoside (2), 5,7-dihydroxyflavanone (3), anthemisol (4), (3R)- oct-1-en-3-ol-O-β-D-glucop-yranosyl-(1"→2")-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), 7-methoxyaromadenrin (6), 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-chroman-4-one (7), spainulenol (8), guaiol (9), (1S,2R,5S,6R)-2,6-bis(5- methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane (10), (1R,2S,5R,6S)-2-(4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl)-6-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane (11), demethylnobiletin (12) and 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetra-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one (13). Compounds 4, 5, and 7 - 11 were obtained from M. bontioides for the first time. The inhibitory activity against Staphyloccocus aureus and Escherichia coil were determined by the use of a 96 well plate assay. The results showed that 5,7-dihydroxyflavone (3) possessed modest level of antibacterial activity with MIC value of 62.50 μg mL^-1.

Abstract:Polyploidization is a driving force to the plant speciation and diversification. The researches about the origin and evolution of plant polyploids, in particular crop or horticultural plant polyploids can not only give insights of the molecular mechanism underlying trait variations, but also improve the conservation and utilization of valuable polyploid germplasm resources. The developing of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH/GISH) technique recently provides a bridge between the sequences of a genome and the corresponding chromosomes. The uses of FISH and GISH can help to understand the processes of gene expressions, exotic chromosomal invasions and genomic structural variations related to polyploidy. Thus, the history of the developments of fluorescence in situ hybridization technique and the main types of plant polyploids were briefly introduced. Furthermore, the recent progresses of the applications of FISH and GISH on the researches of the origin and evolution of plant polyploids were reviewed.