Abstract:To understand the functions of phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) and cytosolic glucose phosphate isomerase (CPIC) of Pinus massoniana, the cDNA of PmPGK1 and PmGPIC were cloned by RACE, and the bioinformatic and subcellular localization of PmPGK1 and PmGPIC were analyzed, and then their expression patterns were performed by qRT-PCR. The results showed that the full-length cDNA of PmPGK1 and PmGPIC were 2 106 and 1 848 bp, encoding 507 and 566 amino acids, respectively. PmPGK1 and PmGPIC proteins were located in chloroplast and cytosol, respectively. The expression of PmPGK1 was in order of new leaf > old leaf > new stem > root > flower, while that of PmGPIC was old leaf > flower > new leaf > new stem > root. Under low temperature stress for 24 hours, the expression of PmPGK1 and PmGPIC decreased at first and then increased, and the expression of PmGPIC decreased to a low level after 2 hours. Under high CO₂ stress for 24 hours, the expression of PmPGK1 was significantly down-regulated, showing a trend of decrease-increase-decrease, while the down-regulation of PmGPIC was not obvious. Therefore, it was suggested that PmPGK1 mainly participated in the Calvin cycle and chloroplast/plast glycolysis, and PmGPIC was mainly involved in cytosolic glycolysis. The activities of PmPGK1 and PmGPIC were inhibited under low temperature stress, and PmPGK1 activity was significantly inhibited under high CO₂ stress, while PmGPIC activity was less affected.

Abstract:In order to understand the heterosis of yield-related and quality characters in two-line hybrid progenies of Setaria italica, 18 hybrid combinations were designed with three male sterile lines (A1, A2, A3) and six herbicide resistant restorer lines (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6) by using incomplete diallel cross (NCⅡ), the eleven phenotypic characteristics of combining ability and the hereditability were analyzed, such as plant height, grain weight, protein content, and so on. The results showed that there were significant differences in quantitative traits among two parents and their combinations. Among all the traits, the plot yield of hybrid combination was significantly correlated with thousand-seed weight (TSW), ear weight (EW), plant height (PH), and ear length (EL), but not significantly related with quality traits, such as crude protein, crude fat and total starch. The general combining ability (GCA) effect values of different characters varied significantly in different parents. Meanwhile, A1 (male sterile line) and R1 (restorer line) had high positive effect values of GCA among most of yield and quality traits, which was potential parents for improving the high yield and quality of foxtail millet. However, it was noteworthy that the presentation of specific special combining ability (SCA) in combinations was not completely consistent with effect values of GCA in their parents. Among eighteen combinations, A1×R5, A1×R6, A2×R1, A2×R4 displayed high SCA effect, and showing excellent combinations. Furthermore, the broad-sense heritability and narrow-sense heritability of all quantitative traits were more than 65%, mainly co-controlled by additive effects and non-additive effects. PH, EW, and yield of S. italica hybrids had significant mid parent heterosis, and some combinations had strong super parent heterosis. In addition, the narrow-sense heritability value of PH, EL TSW, ear code, and crude fat content were higher than that of other traits, while the non-additive genetic effects of EW, stem node number and protein content were more prominent. Although the heterosis characteristics of yield and quality traits were different, they were determined by additive and dominance effect in the total genetic variation.

Abstract:In order to establish a rapid regeneration system of Passiflora foetida, the effect of plant growth regulators on adventitious bud induction, rooting were studied by using stems as explants, as well as the salt tolerance of seedlings. The results showed that the induction and growth of adventitious buds were suitable on MS+6-BA 0.5 mg/L+NAA 0.05 mg/L medium; the callus induction was appropriate on MS+6-BA 3.0 mg/L+ NAA 0.3 mg/L medium; and the rooting of plantlets was available on 1/2MS+IBA 0.2 mg/L medium. The survival rate of plantlets could up to 92.6% after transplanted on matrix (peat:vermiculite:perlite=2:1:1). The growth of P. foetida seedlings was not affected under 0-200 mmol/L NaCl, while plants appeared dwarfing, leaf wilting, and yellow under more than 200 mmol/L NaCl stress. The SOD activity in leaves increased with increment of NaCl concentration, while POD, CAT and APX activities increased at first, and then decreased. These would provide technical support for the breeding of P. foetida and the restoration of seashore ecology.

Abstract:In order to explore the potential utilization value and development prospects of Mytilaria laosensis leaves, the nutrient ingredients in leaves were measured. The results showed that the contents of crude protein, crude fat and water in young leaves of 9-year-old tree were significantly lower than those in mature leaves; and the dietary fiber content in leaves of 2- and 10-year-old trees exceed 50%, and total sugar content was 15.04%-16.25%. The vitamin C content in young trees was 1 651 mg/(100 g), and the total flavonoid content was 10 862 mg/(100 g). There were 16 kinds of amino acids in mature leaves of 2- and 10-year-old trees, including 7 essential amino acids and 8 medicinal amino acids, accounting for 38.67%-40.23% and 62.89%-67.43% of total amino acids, respectively. The first limiting amino acid was methionine with SRC value of 64.46-64.48, indicating that the leaves could provide high-quality plant protein. The mineral elements in the leaves showed Zn/Cu< 10 and Zn/Fe< 1, indicating no adverse effects on animal absorption. Therefore, the leaves of M. laosensis contained abundant nutrients, including crude protein, crude fat, amino acids, crude fiber, dietary fiber, vitamin C, total flavonoids, Ca and Se content, showing potential development and utilization prospection in woody feed additives, health functional products, and forest vegetables.

Abstract:In order to understand the function of anthocyanin from tropical orchid Dendrobium phalaenopsis, the anthocyanin of D. phalaenopsis ‘Sanya Sunny’ was extracted by ultrasonic-assisted method, the constituents of anthocyanin extract was analyzed by UPLC-QTOF-MS. The total antioxidant capacity (FRAP) and the scavenging capacity of diphenyl picroacyl (DPPH·) of the extract were determined, and ascorbic acid was used as a positive control to evaluate its antioxidant capacity. Rabbit skin irritation and eye irritation experiments were used to evaluate the irritation of extract. The results showed that a total of 15 anthocyanins were detected in the extract, such as aglycones include delphinium pigment, cyanidin, mallow pigment, petunia pigment and peony pigment. The extract has strong antioxidant activity in vitro. The scavenging ability of DPPH· and total antioxidant ability are both stronger than ascorbic acid at the same concentration. There were not irritation on rabbit eyes and skin treated with 0.25-1.0 g/L extract. Therefore, it was suggested that besides ornamental value, Dendrobium phalaenopsis ‘Sanya Sunny’ also had broad application space in medicine, food and cosmetics fields.

Abstract:In order to understand the function of common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs) among plants, its role in mechanical damage signal transduction of Medicago sativa was studied. The results showed that analyzed whether the damage signal of donor plants could be transmitted to the neighboring recipient plants through CMNs. The number and kinds of volatile compounds in leaves of recipient plants connected with CMNs were significantly higher than those connected without CMNs. The activities of defense enzyme also increased significantly in recipient plants connected with CMNs. Therefore, it was suggested that the defense signals induced by mechanical damage could be transmitted to neighboring plants through CMNs, which activates the defense system of neighboring plants, so that the nearby alfalfa plants without mechanical damage changed the volatile gas and the defense enzyme activity, so as to repair the damage caused by the damage.

Abstract:In order to understand the effects of future global warming on species composition of forest ecosystems in the south subtropical region, the biomass allocation patterns and nutrient accumulations of four dominant tree species, such as Schima superba, Syzygium rehderianum, Castanopsis hystrix and Pinus massoniana, were studied under simulated warming by translocating model forest from high altitude to low altitude in Dinghushan, Guangdong. The results showed that warming increases the average atmospheric temperature by (1.28±0.60)℃, and the average soil temperature by (1.04±0.30)℃. For Schima superba and P. massoniana under warming for 6 years, the height significantly increased by 83.0% and 52.1%, and basal diameter by 37.1% and 76.9%, respectively, and the stem mass ratio significantly increased, but the ratios of root mass, leaf biomass and root to shoot significantly decreased, as well as nutrient accumulations increased significantly by 100.3% and 185.7%, respectively. However, warming had no significant effect on the height, basal diameter, biomass allocation patterns, and nutrient accumulations of Syzygium rehderianum and C. hystrix. Therefore, the effects of 6-year warming on biomass allocation pattern and nutrient accumulation were different among four dominant tree species. Schima superba and P. massoniana might have strong adaptability under long-term warming due to their high biomass and nutrient accumulation. These differences might have a potential impact on community structure and function in subtropical mixed forests in China.

Abstract:The variation patterns of the leaf, petal and fruit of Berberis pruinosa Franch. were studied from populations in Xishan Mountain of Kunming City and Yulongxueshan Mountain of Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, China. The abaxial surface of young leaves is densely pruinose, but the mature leaves, especially those in autumn and winter are almost abaxially glabrous and grey green, because the pruinose layers had fallen away. Although two basic variation patterns of the apex of petals are found in B. pruinosa, including entire and incised petals, however, they are consistent within populations. The ripe fruits of B. pruinosa are purplish black with a conspicuous and stable pruinose layer. In combination with studies of literatures and plant specimens, B. pruinosa var. barresiana Ahrendt, B. pruinosa var. brevifolia Ahrendt, B. pruinosa var. longifolia Ahrendt and B. pruinosa var. serratifolia Ahrendt are all treated as synonyms of B. pruinosa. In addition, a lectotype, i.e. Delavay 493 (P00716556), is designated here for B. pruinosa.

Abstract:Pholidota advena (Par. & Rchb. f.) Hook. f., an epiphytic orchid from southern Yunnan is newly recorded for China. The detailed description and photos of this species are provided. This species is morphologically similar to P. chinensis Lindl., from which it clearly differs in its hypochile with 3-5 elevated, lamellate keels, and epichile with 3 more or less wavy keels which converge toward the apex.

Abstract:Agapetes nana (Griff.) Hook. f. is reported as a newly recorded species of Ericaceae from China for the first time, which is previously known only from northeast India and north Myanmar. It is special and differs from its congeners by its distinct palisade of gland-tipped hairs which forms a sort of epicalyx at the base of calyx tube and corolla tube lobed to 2/3 with conspicuous reflexed lobes. A detailed description, a colour plate and taxonomic notes on the species were provided. Additionally, the morphology of its mature flowers is described for the first time. The voucher specimen is kept in the herbarium of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences (HITBC).

Abstract:A new species of Magnoliaceae, Michelia taishanensis Y. H. Tong, X. E. Ye, X. H. Ye & Yu Q. Chen is reported, which is currently known only from Beifeng Mountain in Taishan City, Guangdong, China. This species is similar to M. guangdongensis Y. H. Yan, Q. W. Zeng & F. W. Xing, but differs from the latter by its more slender petioles, leaf blades with glabrescent abaxial surface, and more and longer stamens with white filaments and much shorter anther connectives.

Abstract:Gastrodia fontinalis T. P. Lin, discovered in Guposhan Nature Reserve of Guangxi, is reported as a newly recorded species to Mainland China. Its flowering plants up to 17.0 cm tall with 1-7 flowers, fruiting plants up to 85.0 cm tall, perianth tube campanulate, ca. 2.1 cm long, base slightly enlarged, and lip disc with 6-8 longitudinal ridges, 2 of which in the middle extending to the lingual apex. Detailed morphological description and color pictures of G. fontinalis are provided, and biogeographic implication of the new discovery are discussed in the present paper.

Abstract:In order to understand the relationship among Hibiscus mutabilis cultivars, the pollen morphology of 19 cultivars were observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and its taxonomy significance was discussed. The results showed that pollen grains of 19 cultivars were usually large and spherical with spine and pantoporate, and granular protrusions on surface. There were differences in pollen grain size and exine pattern among cultivars, which could be used as an important basis for identification of cultivars. The cluster analysis indicated that the 19 cultivars could be divided into 3 types, the pollen grains of type I and II were large with fine tip spines, and those of type III were small with stubby spines and short distance between spines. Therefore, these would provide palynological basis for the studies on the relationship and the classification among H. mutabilis varieties, and also provide a theoretical reference for the breeding of new varieties.

Abstract:Sap flow is one of the important ways to analyze the water consumption characteristics of trees and study the moisture transfer mechanism of trees. The heat dissipation probe method was widely used to monitor the change of sap flow. In general, the heat dissipation probe method is a flexible, reliable and economical method to study the water transpiration characteristics of plants on different spatial and temporal scales at present. However, due to differences in species characteristics, the measured value may be lower than the actual value during the experiment. In addition, a considerable number of plants depend on the water stored in the trunk for transpiration, so fluctuations in the moisture content of wood are likely to cause errors in the determination of transpiration. The principle, advantages and limitations of heat dissipation probe method were reviewed, as well as some problems. The researches on plant moisture transport based on the heat dissipation probe method and the method for correcting and improving the related results were retrospected.

Abstract:Pleuropterus multiflorum, known as one of precious perennial Chinese traditional medicine, belonging to Pleuropterus genus and Polygonaceae family, distributed mainly in Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou and southern Shanxi and Gansu in China. The modern studies showed that P. multiflorum could be used for liver injury, cancer, diabetes, alopecia, atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases as well. In recent years, liver injuries caused by taking P. multiflorum have been reported worldwide. Therefore, the model of safety monitoring and risk management of P. multiflorum is very important. The chemical constituents and medicinal activities of P. multiflorum, including the toxic effects were summarized for the further studies and development, which is beneficial for the strengthening standardization of clinical applications, basic science research, quality control in manufacturing.