Abstract:Dry-hot valley is featured with high temperature, rapid evaporation, and poor vegetation. It is a typical representative of arid ecosystems. In order to understand the response of pteridophytes diversity and population distribution to environmental factors, the distribution patterns of temperature and precipitation at different elevations in Yuanjiang dry-hot valley were established, and the distribution of pteridophytes in dry-hot valley was studied. The results showed that the temperature in Yuanjiang dry-hot valley declined along altitude, whereas precipitation increased. The diversity and population distribution of pteridophytes in Yuanjiang dry-hot valley were strongly differentiated. The distribution of pteridophytes are not associated to temperature but closely related to water supply. Conclusively, the habitat in Yuanjiang dry-hot valley was fragmented due to heterogeneous environmental factors, which accelerates patchy vegetation. Pteridophytes were a certain kind indicator of integrative and continuous living circumstance, while some species could be potential environmental monitors especially for water condition.

Abstract:In order to understand the situation of invasive alien plants in farmland ecosystems, the invasive plants in 9 cities of Fujian Province were investigated by field investigation, and the species composition, origin, life form, distribution pattern and type as well as invasiveness were analyzed. The results showed that there were a total of 79 species of invasive plants, belonging to 30 families, 65 genera, in farmland ecosystems in Fujian Province. There were 22 species of Asteraceae, which was the most abundance accounting for 27.85% to total species, followed by 7 species in Amaranthaceae, each 5 species in Leguminosae, Gramineae, Convolvulaceae and Euphorbiaceae. From life form, 68 species of invasive plants were herbaceous, accounting for 86.08% to total species. From the origin of invasive plants, the number of species native to America was the highest, accounting for 70.24% of total species. The alien invasive plants in Fujian were classified as malignant invasive species (grade 1) with 22 species in 10 families, and 22 species as serious invasion (grade 2), 9 species as local invasion (grade 3), 18 species as general invasion (grade 4) and 8 species to be observed (grade 5). In addition, the number of alien invasive plants at malignant and severe grade was high, accounting about 55.70% of total species. From distribution pattern and type, the number of invasive plants in farmland ecosystems of Fuzhou was the most with 52 species. Among different types of farmland, the number of invasive plants in dry land was the largest, with 78 species. There were 13 and 11 species in all regional distribution type, respectively according to the distribution region and the farmland type. There were many invasive plants in farmland ecosystem in Fujian province, which are widely distributed and diverse in origin. Therefore, the dynamic monitoring and prevention of alien invasive plants should be strengthened to protect biodiversity and ecological security.

Abstract:In order to construct the ecological and economical flower mirror with diverse species, rich season-colors, and beautiful landscape, a batch of plant species, which suitable for flower mirror landscape in South China, was selected and evaluated by analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The results showed that 305 species were picked out, belonging to 84 families and 221 genera, mainly in Acanthaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Amaryllidaceae, etc. According to life-form, there are 16, 127, 134 and 28 species of small trees, shrubs, herbs and vines, respectively. There were 100 native species and 205 alien species, accounting for 32.79% and 67.21%, respectively. Comprehensive evaluation showed that Grade I to III had 148, 151 and 6 species, respectively. The layer analysis indicated that 106, 162 and 157 species were foreground, mid-shot and background plants, respectively. As for seasonal selection, 216 species are good for spring, 232 species for summer, 195 species for autumn, and 128 species for winter. Therefore, the rich resources of shrubs and herbaceous plants with various forms provide numerous design ideas for flower mirror in South China.

Abstract:To explore the habitat flexibility and competition mechanism of vegetation in Qingyunshan Nature Reserve, Wengyuan, Guangdong Province, the niche characteristics of dominant species of forest communities were analyzed. The results showed that the total importance value of 12 dominant species was 49.01, and the importance value of Cunninghamia lanceolate and variance coefficient of Phyllostachys edulis were the biggest. The variation trends of Levins and Shannon niche breadth were similar, the niche breadth of Diospyros morrisiana, Castanopsis fargesii, Schima superba, Itea chinensis and C. faberi was high, however, that of Phyllostachys edulis, Cunninghamia lanceolata, Castanopsis fissa and Machilus chinensis was low. The low niche overlap and niche similarity of all species pairs indicated that interspecific competition among coexisting species was not intense, thus the communities in Qingyunshan Nature Reserve was in a relatively stable state. The relationship between niche breadth and the importance value was insignificant, however, there was a significant negative relationship between niche width and variance coefficient of importance value, indicating that the variance coefficient of importance value might be an important influence factor on niche width. The study provides an important scientific basis for the conservation and management of forest resource in Qingyunshan Nature Reserve.

Abstract:Leaf discoloration peak period (LDP) was an important phenological index at the end of plant growth season. In order to explore the influence of climatic factors on LDP of plants in Macao, China, the LDP annual changes of five wild plants and their responses to various climatic factors were studied based on the phenological and meteorological data of three phenological monitoring sites in Macao from 2012 to 2018. The results showed that the LDP varied among species, which Sapium idscolor, Toxicodendron succedaneum and Homalium cochinchinenense were in December, Sterculia lanceolata and Ilex asprella were in May and January, respectively. The LDP varied among monitoring sites, which I. asprella in Big Taipa Hill was significantly earlier than that in Ka Ho Hill, while that of Sterculia lanceolata in Guia Hill was obviously earlier than that in Big Taipa Hill. The LDP was positively correlated with the temperature in spring and summer, while negatively correlated with that in autumn and winter. The LDP was positively correlated with precipitation in winter and spring, while negatively correlated with that in summer and fall. The relative humidity was also significantly correlated with the LDP of these five species. Temperature was the most important climatic factor on the LDP of these five species.

Abstract:Lycium barbarum L. (goji) is one of the most important economic crops with well-known and widely consumed fruits as both medicine and functional fruits in Northwest China. In order to explore a novel way to identify producing areas of goji, the moisture absorption rate and floating rate of dry fruits collected from 24 producing areas were detected. The results showed that the moisture absorption rate and floating rate of goji fruits from the same producing area were stable and not affected by desiccation method, cultivar, tree age and harvest time. Goji from different producing areas had different floating rate and moisture absorption rate. The moisture absorption rate of fruits from Guyuan was 1.47%, which was significantly lower than those from other producing areas except Jingyuan, Yumen or Wuwei (P<0.05), whereas goji from Guazhou showed the highest moisture rate with 2.87%. The floating rate of fruits from Urad Qianqi, Huinong, Jingyuan and Zhongning were 95.56%, 95.00%, 94.44% and 93.29%, respectively, and were significantly higher than those from Gonghe, Golmud, Jinghe, Wuwei, Yuli, Guazhou, and Altay areas (76.67%, 73.89%, 73.13%, 71.67%, 67.67%, 66.39%, 65.00%, respectively) (P<0.05). Principal component analysis (PCA) of floating rate and moisture absorption rate showed that the spots of fruits with the same producing area were concentrated, the fruits from Guazhou, Golmud could be distinguished from other producing areas. Therefore, floating rate and moisture absorption rate could be used for identification of producing areas of goji fruits.

Abstract:In order to understand the function of SMT2 gene in sterol metabolism of Dendrobium officinale, DoSMT2 gene was cloned by RACE. The results showed that the full length of DoSMT2 gene was 1 446 bp with an ORF of 1 089 bp, encoding a protein of 362 amino acids. The DoSMT2 had relative molecular weight of 40.345 kD, and the theoretical isoelectric of 8.13, showing a stable hydrophilic protein. Retrieved by BLAST P, the DoSMT2 protein belonged to the AdoMet-MTases superfamily, containing four S-adenosylmethionine binding sites, one methyltransferase domain and one sterol methyltransferase C-terminal domain. The DoSMT2 was closely homologous to the SMT2 of Apostasia shenzhenica (PKA61629.1) by phylogenetic analysis, belonging to SMT2 family. The DoSMT2 gene was expressed in both stems and leaves by using qRT-PCR. The expression of DoSMT2 gene in October was the highest, and that in leaf was significantly higher than that in stem, it was suggested that sterol metabolism in leaves was more active than that in stems. The prokaryotic expression vector pet-29a-DoSMT2 was constructed and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant protein was expressed after IPTG induction. Therefore, these would provide the foundation for studies on the methylation mechanism of DoSMT2 and sterol metabolism of D. officinale.

Abstract:To create new strawberry strains with honey peach aroma, the interspecific hybrid of pentaploid (2n= 5x) was obtained from the cross between ‘Benihoppe’ (2n=8x) and Fragaria nilgrrensis (2n=2x), and then decaploid (2n=10x) strawberry was obtained by inducing pentaploid (5x) with colchicine. From obtained decaploid (2n=10x), four new strawberry strains with honey peach aroma were screened. The results showed that the setting rate and emergence rate of the hybrid of ‘Benihoppe’×F. nilgrrensis were 39.58% and 28.11%, respectively. The hybrid (2n=5x) treated with 200 mg/L colchicine for 30-40 days, decaploid (2n=10x) strawberry was induced. The screened four new strawberry strains all had honey peach aroma, which the antioxidant contents were higher than those in ‘Benihoppe’, but the texture of four new strawberry strains was soft, and single fruit weight and yield per plant were low. Therefore, these would provide a scientific reference for the utilization of wild strawberry resources and germplasm innovation.

Abstract:In order to improve the eco-environment service ability, enhance the biodiversity conservation function, and promote the construction and development quality of the wetland parks in Guangzhou, a plant diversity survey was conducted in twenty wetland parks recently. The results showed that total 205 aquatic and wetland plant species were recorded; the analysis to species composition, life form, habit, dominant family and genus and application frequency revealed that the community structure of the aquatic and wetland plants was relatively simple, the homogenization of the dominant species used was very serious, and the key protected and rare and endangered wild plants were seldom considered for conservation too. Therefore, fifty-five indigenous plants were recommended as candidate species for ecological promotion and landscape configuration in future. Finally, several suggestions were put forward for the future construction and management of wetland parks in Guangzhou.

Abstract:In order to understand the floristic characters of Hengxian County, Guangxi, the wild seed plants were investigated. The results showed that there were 1 269 species of wild seed plants, belonging to 658 genera and 163 families in Hengxian, angiosperms were dominant, while gymnosperms were scarce. This flora was dominated by large families, oligotypic genera, and regional monotypic genera. The life form of wild seed plants reflects the community characteristics of subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest, and the lianas are abundant. The geographical composition is dominated by tropical elements, with both subtropical and temperate elements. Compared with its neighboring floras, the flora of Hengxian was more similar to that of Zijin in Guangdong, while the composition of flora was similar to that of Xinhui and Zijin in Guangdong. Therefore, the wild seed plants in Hengxian are rich in species and have obvious tropical characteristics, which are transitional from tropical to subtropical, with ancient origins, endemic species, and are closely related to Guangdong region.

Abstract:Eranthemum macrophyllum Wall. ex Nees (Acanthaceae) is reported as newly recorded species from China. The species was previously known from Myanmar. In China, it is only known from Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve, Yunnan. The lectotype is designated for the name E. macrophyllum.

Abstract:In order to understand the spore germination and protonema development of Bartramia pomiformis, the development process of haploid gametophyte cultured in laboratory was observed under microscope. The results showed that the spores began to germinate from the wall after 5 days, the protonema system was mainly composed of chloronema, and the axonema was differentiated from chloronema. The gametophyte was differentiated from the cells of axonema cultured after 22 days. According to Nishida's standard, the spore germination of B. pomiformis was Bryum-type. Therefore, these would provide the basic data of development for the artificial propagation of B. pomiformis.

Abstract:In order to understand the characteristic flavor substances in flesh of pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.), the volatile components and contents in flesh of five pumpkin varieties, including ‘Xinmeiyu’, ‘Baofeng’, ‘Jinmopan’, ‘Jianbao’ and ‘Dongsheng’, were determined by Headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS), and the difference of volatile components was analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA). The results showed that there were 68 volatile compounds detected in flesh of five varieties, alcohols, aldehydes and hydrocarbons were dominate. Nonanal, hexanal, trans,trans-2,4-heptadienal, cis-3-nonen-1-ol and 1-hexanol were the main flavor components of pumpkin flesh. Principal component analysis showed that 9 volatile compounds caused the flavor differences in flesh of five varieties. The characteristic flavor components in ‘Jianbao’ and ‘Dongsheng’ were undecanal and trans-2-nonenal, and 1,9-nonanediol in ‘Baofeng’. ‘Jinmopan’ and ‘Xinmeiyu’ were distinguished from other varieties due to relatively high content of 3-nonyne-1-ol. Therefore, characteristic volatile substances provide reference for pumpkin variety improvement and quality evaluation.

Abstract:Fructus Cnidii is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine, which is the dried and mature fruit of Cnidium monnieri. The main active compounds in Fructus Cnidii are osthol and other coumarins. Fructus Cnidii was found to have anti-arrhythmia, anti-virus, anti-tumor and many other activities, widely used in the treatment of skin diseases, including vitiligo and psoriasis. Cnidium monnieri has strong adaptability and widely distributes in China, but the quality of Fructus Cnidii from different origins are quite different, so it needs to be checked carefully before used as a medicine. The biological characteristics and identification methods of Fructus Cnidii were reviewed, and the future trend of plant biology research on Fructus Cnidii was prospected.

Abstract:Kaempferia parviflora is widely cultivated in Southeast Asia as food, cosmetics and medicine. It has also been cultivated as a medicinal plant for a long time in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, China. Rhizome is an important medicinal part of K. parviflora, mainly containing flavonoids. Pharmacological studies showed that black ginger had anti-cancer, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-fungal, anti-viral, neuroprotective, vascular relaxant and cardioprotective, and transdermal permeable activities, etc. The advances in chemical constituents, pharmacological activities and toxicology of black ginger were reviewed, which would provide help for further research, development and utilization of K. parviflora resource.