Footsteps from Insect Larvae Damage Leaf Surfaces and Initiate Rapid Responses

Plant resistance to insect herbivory involves gene expression in response to wounding and the detection of insect elicitors in oral secretions (Kessler and Baldwin, 2002, Ann. Rev. Plant/ Biol. 53: 299–328). However, crawling insect larvae stimulate the synthesis of 4-aminobutyrate within minutes and imprints of larval footsteps can be visualized within seconds through superoxide production or transient increases in chlorophyll fluorescence (Bown et al., 2002, Plant Physiol. 129: 1430–1434). Here cryo-scanning electron microscopy was used to demonstrate that larval feet, which are equipped with a perimeter row of hook-like crochets, damage leaf tissue and result in larval footprints. Staining for cell death shows that areas of wounding correspond to footsteps detected through increased chlorophyll fluorescence. Superoxide production in response to footsteps was inhibited by diphenyleneiodonium, an inhibitor of the plasma membrane NADPH oxidase enzyme. Inhibition of superoxide production, however, did not eliminate the detection of cell death. The results demonstrate that larval footsteps damage leaf tissue, and initiate rapid local responses which are not dependent on herbivory or oral secretions. It is proposed that superoxide production at the wound site prevents opportunistic pathogen infection.     

Growth- and leaf-temperature effects on photosynthesis of sweet orange seedlings infected with Xylella fastidiosa

The effects of growth and leaf temperature on photosynthesis were evaluated in sweet orange seedlings ( Citrus sinensis cv. Pera) infected with Xylella fastidiosa (the bacterium that causes citrus variegated chlorosis, CVC). Measurements of leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll  a fluorescence were taken at leaf temperatures of 25, 30, 35 and 40°C in healthy and infected (without visible symptoms) seedlings submitted to two temperature regimes (25/20 or 35/20°C, day/night), not simultaneously. The CO₂ assimilation rates ( A ) and stomatal conductance ( g _s) were higher in healthy plants in both temperature regimes. Values for A and g _s of infected and healthy plants were higher in the 35/20°C regime, decreasing with leaf temperature increase. In addition, differences between healthy and infected plants were higher at 35/20°C, while no differences in chlorophyll  a fluorescence parameters were observed except for potential quantum efficiency of photosystem II, which was higher in infected plants. Low A values in infected plants were caused by low g _s and probably by biochemical damage to photosynthesis. The high alternative electron sink of infected plants was another effect of reduced A . Both high growth and high leaf temperatures increased differences in A between healthy and infected plants. Therefore this feature may be partially responsible for lower growth and/or productivity of CVC-affected plants in regions with high air temperature.     

Ranking cows’ methane emissions under commercial conditions with sniffers versus respiration chambers

This study assessed the ranking of dairy cows using individual-level correlations for methane (CH₄) emission on-farm using sniffers and in respiration chambers. In total 20 lactating dairy cows, ten Holstein and ten Jerseys were recorded using sniffers installed in milking robots for three weeks of lactation and subsequently in respiration chambers (RC) where they were each recorded on three occasions within the RC. Bivariate linear mixed models were used to determine the individual-level correlations (r_I) between sniffer and RC phenotypes as proxies for genetic correlations. Despite differences in feeding and management, the predicted CH₄ production from sniffers correlated highly with RC CH₄ production r_I?=?0.77?±?0.18 and CH₄ breath concentration correlated nearly as well with RC CH₄ production r_I?=?0.75?±?0.20. These correlations between sniffers on-farm and RC demonstrate the potential of sniffers measurements as large-scale indicator traits for CH₄ emissions in dairy cattle.     

Evaluation of β‐carotene assimilation in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius)

Although leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are commonly kept under human care, their vitamin requirements are largely unknown. Many invertebrate preys display a low vitamin A concentration; thus, gut‐loading insects with vitamin A or carotenoids is a common practice. The objective of this prospective experimental study was to investigate whether dietary supplementation with β‐carotene, including prey gut‐loading, leads to sufficient vitamin A hepatic storage and prevents epithelial squamous metaplasia development in leopard geckos. Ten clinically healthy female leopard geckos were randomly divided in two groups with various supplementations: a group receiving vitamin A supplementation and a group receiving β‐carotene. Insects were gut‐loaded continuously with a supplement containing vitamin A or β‐carotene, depending on the group. Oral supplementation with cod liver oil or carrot juice was administered weekly to each lizard from “vitamin A group” and “carotenoid group” respectively. After 10 weeks of supplementation, surgical hepatic biopsies were obtained in three geckos of each group while the two remaining geckos were euthanized to undergo complete necropsy. Hepatic vitamin A concentration was determined for each lizard (n = 10) by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography. Histopathology revealed hepatocellular vacuolization and vitellogenic follicles in five females. Epithelial squamous metaplasia was not observed in any of the geckos. Hepatic vitamin A concentration was significantly higher in the carotenoid‐supplemented group than in the vitamin A‐supplemented group (p = 0.03). Our results suggest that in leopard geckos, dietary supplementation with β‐carotene allows sufficient vitamin A hepatic storage.     

7株根瘤菌菌株与热研2号柱花草共生最适磷浓度研究

采用水培的方法,设3个磷水平,7个菌株,通过对株高、茎叶鲜重、茎叶干重、固氮酶活性、茎叶氮含量、茎叶磷含量的测定及综合分析,确定使热研2号柱花草接种不同根瘤菌菌株达到最佳促生性能的磷浓度。结果表明:7个菌株在中磷时鲜重和含氮量最大,低磷不利于鲜重和含氮量的增加;经主因子综合分析,菌株YM11-1、RJS9-2、PN13-3在高磷时对热研2号柱花草有最好的固氮促生效果,菌株LZ3-2、BS1-1、PN13-3在中等磷条件下有最好的固氮促生效果,菌株FS3-1-1在高磷和中磷都有最好的固氮促生效果。     

东北地区春玉米临界氮浓度稀释曲线的建立和验证

过量施氮是目前玉米栽培中存在的普遍现象,基于临界氮浓度稀释曲线计算得出的氮营养指数是诊断氮营养丰缺的重要手段。基于东北地区4个生态点的试验数据,构建了东北地区春玉米临界氮稀释曲线,并在此基础上建立了氮营养指数模型和需氮量模型,结果表明,东北地区春玉米地上部临界氮浓度与生物量符合幂函数关系。利用独立试验资料对建立的临界氮浓度稀释曲线进行检验,发现基于临界氮浓度稀释模型计算的氮营养指数可以准确诊断玉米植株的氮营养状况,并计算出实时的氮素需求量。该研究建立的东北地区春玉米临界氮稀释模型可以为该地区春玉米的氮营养诊断和动态调控提供较好的理论和技术指导。     

陕西百年农业科技发展研究

笔者回顾了陕西百年来不同时期农业科技发展的历史背景与社会环境,分析了陕西农业科技发展的动因与本质、范围与对象、社会需求等内在属性特征;总结了陕西农业科技发展的主要成效,即构建了农业科研技术服务体系、培育推广了技术良种方法、发展了农业产业、形成了农业科技发展的政策人才环境、改变了农业传统观念与生产方式;归纳凝练出陕西农业科技发展的经验启示,即农业科技发展是解决农业诸多矛盾的必然要求、实现农业现代化的有效途径、构建农业安全的重要举措,同时农业科技发展必须以国家需要、人民需求为根本出发点。指出陕西农业科技发展中成果转化率不高、体制机制僵化、省级支持不够、基层人员结构不合理等问题,提出通过“科研面向需求”、设立省级基金、开展农技有偿服务、扩大农技部门人事权限、发挥各类市场主体作用来解决问题,推动全省农业科技持续稳步发展。     

浅析测定植物抗旱性方法的应用

本文介绍了干旱对植物伤害及表现,根据国内外相关文献资料对叶绿素荧光法和电阻抗图谱法两种测定植物抗旱性方法进行概述。