Abstract:In order to understand the characters of chloroplast genome (cp genome) in Paris polyphylla var. chinensis, the chloroplast genome (cp genome) of P. polyphylla var. chinensis was compared with those of 10 species within Liliales by using phylogenomics methods based on complete chloroplast genomes. The results showed that the cp genome of P. polyphylla var. chinensis was 158307 bp in length and display a typical quadripartite structure including two inverted repeat regions (IRA and IRB, 27473 bp), one small singlecopy region (SSC, 18175 bp) and one large single-copy region (LSC, 85187 bp). It contained 115 unique genes, including 81 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNAs and 4 rRNAs. The genome structure, gene contents and arrangement of 10 Liliales species cp genomes were very similar. The cemA gene of P. polyphylla var. chinensis was pseudogene with poly(A) and CA SSR patterns after the start codon, and the loci of premature stop codons are different from those of Paris veticillata. In conclusion, the cp genome of P. polyphylla var. chinensis was conservative. The cemA structure and pseudogenization might play an important role in the evolution and phylogeny, and the location of the stop codons in cemA was useful for distinguishing P. polyphylla var. chinensis from P. veticillata.

Abstract:In order to clarify the species diversity of toxic diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia in domestic coastal, and confirm the ability of domoic acid production from Chinese Pseudo-nitzschia strains, single cells or single chains of Pseudo-nitzschia species were isolated and purified using glass micropipette under invert microscope, and finally the monoclone culture strains of Pseudo-nitzschia species were established and maintained in the laboratory. The morphological characteristics and ultrastructure of colony were observed under light microscope and electron transmission microscope. The molecular phylogenetic tree was constructed based on sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2). The results showed that two new records of Pseudo-nitzschia from China were identified, i.e., P. galaxiae Lundholm & Moestrup and P. micropora Priisholm, Moestrup & Lundholm. Their detailed morphological characteristics have been described and compared with similar species. All strains of these two new records had no domoic acid (DA) production by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These would provide basic data for studying species diversity and domoic acid production of genus Pseudo-nitzschia in the China sea.

Abstract:Delphinium brachyurum W. T. Wang (Ranunculacae) recently described from Lijiang, northwestern Yunnan, China, is found to be conspecific with D. likiangense Franch., a species also described from Lijiang. We therefore reduce the former to the synonymy of the latter.

Abstract:We correct several typographical errors in the protologue of three species in the genus Ligularia Cass. (Asteraceae, Senecioneae). The holotype of L. lingiana S. W. Liu, incorrectly cited as Q. S. Zhao 82946 in the protologue, is actually Q. S. Zhao, K. P. Mou & Y. B. Yang 8294. The holotype of L. changiana S. W. Liu ex Y. L. Chen & Z. Yu Li (=L. heterophylla C. C. Chang, a later homonym of L. heterophylla Rupr.), incorrectly cited as H. T. Tsai 59711 in the protologue of L. heterophylla C. C. Chang, is actually H. T. Tsai 59771; the former collection belongs to Clinopodium polycephalum (Vaniot) C. Y. Wu & Hsuan in the Labiatae. One of the paratype collections of L. nanchuanica S. W. Liu was wrongly cited as J. H. Xiong & Z. L. Zhou 93871 in the protologue, but actually is K. F. Li 63871; the former collection belongs to Clethra fargesii Franch. in the Clethraceae.

Abstract:The recently described new species Didissandra chishuiense in the family Gesneriaceae is misidentified; it is conspecific with Staurogyne sichuanica (Acanthaceae).

Abstract:Based on observation to the herbarium specimens and analysis on the protologues, Dalbergia beddomei Thoth. and D. rubiginosa Roxb. are conspecific because they have the same variation pattern in terms of the leaflet number and indument and legume sizes. It is therefore necessary to reduce D. beddomei as a new synonym of D. rubiginosa.

Abstract:Acmella radicans var. debilis (Kunth) R. K. Jansen, is recently found to be naturalized in Yixian, Anhui, China which is native to South America and the West Indies. Morphological variations of this variety have been carefully examined and habitats information have also been collected during field investigation. Detailed description and color photographs are provided for the facility of identification. Individuals of this plant form a large population in Yixian and produce many mature seeds, suggesting that it may be invasive to some extent.

Abstract:In order to understand the development of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) pulps, the anatomical structure of its pulps during development was observed under light microscope by using water slice and paraffin section. The results showed that jackfruit pulp consisted of epidermis, basis tissues and vascular bundles. Starch grains appeared in epidermis and basis tissues at 8 weeks after flowering and then degraded at mature stage, showing obvious storage function. The shape of outer epidermis cells are regular, and cell wall of inner epidermis cell has more primary pit fields than that of outer epidermis cells. The vascular bundles in pulp are undeveloped, and there is no significant change throughout development process. The mature of jackfruit pulps was at 18 to 19 weeks after flowering. These accumulate materials for anatomical studies of jackfruits.

Abstract:In order to understand the soil microbial community structure, its diversities of Castanopsis carlesii forests in Wuyi Mountain and Jian'ou Wanmulin Nature Reserves at northern Fujian, eastern China were investigated by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFAs) method. The results showed that soil microbial community composition in C. carlesii forest was rich, the diversity index, richness index and evenness index of soil microbial communities for the two forests were 2.92-3.01, 25.84-28.23 and 0.88-0.90, respectively. The total PLFAs, bacterial PLFAs, fungal PLFAs, actinomycete PLFAs, gram-positive bacterial PLFAs, and gram-negative bacterial PLFAs at soil depth of 0-10 cm were higher than those of 10-20 cm, and those in Jian'ou were higher than those in Wuyi Mountain. The ratio of gram-positive bacterial PLFAs to gram-negative bacterial PLFAs at soil depth of 10-20 cm was higher than that of 0-10 cm. In each soil layer, the content of bacterial PLFAs was significantly higher than those of fungal PLFAs, accounting for 46.0%-50.2% and 10.0%-11.5%, respectively, indicating that bacteria were dominated in soil microbial community. Principal component analysis showed that the difference in soil microbial community structure came from the sampling site.

Abstract:Bidens frondosa L. (Asteraceae), native to North America, is an annual invasive species with heteromorphic achenes. In order to understand its invasive mechanism, the achene morphology was observed, and the effects of light and temperature on germination of achene were studied. The results showed that central and peripheral achenes had significant difference in color, length, width and prick length. Under 12 h d-1 photoperiod, the achenes did not germinate at 15℃/10℃, and the germination rate of central achene was significantly higher than that of peripheral achene at 20℃/15℃ and 25℃/20℃, while that of the two achenes had no difference at 30℃/25℃, 35℃/30℃ and 40℃/35℃. Under full dark, the germination of central and peripheral achenes were all inhibited below 35℃/30℃ and 40℃. Both of light and achenes type had significant influences on the germination rate, germination index and germination speed. Therefore, Bidens frondosa could reduce competition among siblings and enhance the adaptability to different environments through differences in achene germination. It was advantageous to the achene germination under favorable environment and population preservation and expansion.

Abstract:In order to establish rapid propagation system of Acacia melanoxylon, the effects of plant growth regulators on its axillary bud multiplication and rooting were studied by using sterile stem segments with one axillary bud as explants. The results showed that the calli of A. melanoxylon were easily induced and bud growth was poor by 6-BA, indicating the disadvantage of axillary bud proliferation. The proliferation and rooting of Acacia melanoxylon axillary buds could be induced by auxin. The stem sections were cultured on MS+IAA 0.5 mg L^-1+IBA 0.5 mg L^-1 medium, rooting rate was 98.41% cultured for 20 d, and cultured for 40 d, the axillary bud multiplication and propagation coefficient were 2.36 and 6.57 per plantlet, respectively. It was successfully established the direct organogenesis technology system of A. melanoxylon for the first time with the advantages of high efficient, easy rooting and proliferation occur synchronous.

Abstract:In order to understand the influence of N and Ca fertilizers on growth of Nicotiana tobacum, the changes in root morphology and physiological indexes and yield were studied at mature stage. The results showed that length of the longest lateral root, root volume, dry weights of root and leaf, and soluble protein content in root of N. tobacum all increase significantly treated with 0.20 g kg^-1 N than those with 0.12 g kg^-1 N, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity decreased significantly, the numbers of lateral root, catalase (CAT) activity and superoxide anion radical (O₂^·) all had not significant differences. The root volume, number of lateral root, activities of CAT and SOD, and soluble protein content in root treated with 0.40 g kg^-1 Ca were all higher than those under control, while both of MDA content and O₂^· decreased. If treated with 1.00 g kg^-1 Ca, length of the longest lateral root, dry weights of root and leaf increased. The effect of N×Ca interaction on length of the longest lateral root, root volume, dry weights of root and leaf, and physiological metabolism indexes of N. tobacum were all significant, but that on number of lateral root was not significant. Therefore, the root morphology, physiological metabolism and yield of N. tobacum could be furthest improved supplement with 0.20 g kg^-1 N and 0.40 g kg^-1 Ca.

Abstract:In order to understand the relationship between contents of terpene lactones and photosynthetic characters in Ginkgo biloba leaves, the contents of terpene lactones were determined and chlorophyll fluorescence features was studied. The results showed that the changes in terpene lactone contents were significant at different harvest time. In general, bilobalide and ginkgolide contents were low in May, then increased gradually, reached peak in August, and afterwards decreased until the end of October. At the same time, the photosynthetic pigment content and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in leaves showed periodical changes. The contents of bilobalide and lactone had significant positive correlation with chlorophyll fluorescence index of Y(NPQ). So, it was suggested that bilobalide and lactone contents could be forecasted by chlorophyll fluorescence parameters.

Abstract:In order to understand the chemical constituents of Lepidium apetalum Willd., eight flavonoid glycosides were obtained from 50% EtOH extract of its seeds. On the basis of physicochemical and spectral data, they were identified as quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucoside (1), quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucuronide (2), quercetin-3,7-di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucosyl(1→2)-β-d-glucoside (4), quercetin-3-O-[2-O-(6-O-E-sinapoyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), quercetin-3-O-[(6-O-trans-caffeoyl)-β-dglucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6), isorhamnetin-3-O-sophoroside (7) and isorhamnetin-3-O-[2-O-(6-O-E-sinapoyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-β-d-glucopyranoside (8). Among them, compound 3 was isolated from this species for the first time, and compounds 2, 4, 6 and 7 were obtained from Lepidium genus for the first time. Meanwhile, the NMR data of compound 6 was reported firstly.

Abstract:In order to understand the chemical constituents of Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng., seven compounds were isolated from its ethanol extract. On the basis of spectral data, they were identified as patulitrin (1), 7-O-(6-methoxykaempferol)-β-d-glucopranoside (2), 4'-methoxylpatulitrin (3), 3-O-(6-methoxykaempferol)-β-dglucopranoside (4), dibutyl phthalate (5), bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalat (6), 1,4-bis(2-benzoxazolyl)naphthalene (7). Compounds 1-4 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Abstract:In order to understand the chemical constituents of Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski, eight diterpenoids were isolated from the ethanol extract of its whole plants. On the basis of spectral data, they were identified as ent-16β,17-dihydroxy-9(11)-kauren-19-oic acid (1), cussovantonin B (2), ent-16-kauren-19-oic acid (3), ent-3β-hydroxy-16-kauren-19-oic acid (4), 16α-hydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid (5), 2β,16α-dihydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid (6), 3α-angeloyloxypterokaurene L₃ (7) and pterokaurene L₃ (8). Compound 4 were isolated from genus Sphagneticola for the first time, and compounds 1, 2 and 6 were isolated from S. trilobata for the first time. Compound 3 showed strong antibacterial activity against several bacteria and further inhibited significantly α-glucosidase activity in vitro. Based on structural derivation with pentafluorobenzyl bromide coupled with GCMS techniques, the contents of compound 3 in the stem and leaves of S. trilobata were (1.00±0.21)mg g^-1 FW and (0.78±0.04) mg g^-1 FW, respectively.

Abstract:Osmophores is special gland structure, which can produce and release floral scent, and attract pollinators visiting flowers combined with other floral traits. The studies on osmophores might contribute to revealing the coevolution mechanism between animals and plants. In addition, the external morphology and micromorphology of osmophores can be used as one of basises of classification. The structure, type, distribution and detection methods of osmophore in plants were summarized, the significance of osmophore in pollination biology and taxonomic was also discussed. At last, it is proposed that studies on osmophores combined with molecular, reproductive biology and phytochemistry would help to understand the diversity and evolution of osmophores in the future.