美味猕猴桃和软枣猕猴桃种间杂交花粉管行为和早期胚胎发生的观察

美味猕猴桃(Actinidia deliciosa(A．Chev．)C．F．Liang and A．R．Ferguson)和软枣猕猴桃（Actinidia arguta）种间传粉后，花粉管在花柱内行为的荧光观察，以及早期胚胎发生的显微观察，结果如下： 1．花粉粒在柱头的乳头细胞表面萌发，在开放型的V形花柱道内生长。 2．花粉管生长速率比对照缓慢，到达胚珠珠孔的时间平均延迟50到60小时。 3．花粉管在花柱中下部出现形态变化：部分花粉管呈波纹状弯曲;花粉管顶端膨大，尖细或破裂;花粉管直径变化;花粉管解体。 4．花粉管胼胝质沉积的变化：胼胝质沿花粉管壁不规则沉积;有的膨大的花粉管顶端出现胼胝质;有的不出现胼胝质塞，而整个花粉管壁有胼胝质分布，荧光强烈。 5．基于显微结构和种子分析，种间杂交大约有30%的胚珠能够受精，并发育成为种子，种子的胚的大小和胚乳的量与对照有差别，有约70%或更多的表现不育或败育。胚发育为茄型，受精后台子保持休眠十几天后开始横分裂。传粉后七周形成子叶胚。胚发育较对照迟缓。胚乳细胞型。 6．种间杂交能够结实，正常种子占20% -30％，败育干瘪种子占10%左右，未受精胚珠占60%- 70％。种内传粉正常种子占95%，空瘪败育种子占0.7％，未受精胚珠占3.8％。 7．种间杂交果实大小、重量，种子大小及数目，胚的大小都比对照小。

小麦高分子量谷蛋白新亚基基因1Dx5’的克隆与分子标记

小麦是世界第一大粮食作物, 而HMW- GS 是直接影响小麦品质的重要因子。我国小麦面粉的烘烤品质普遍较差, 这与我国品种缺少优质的HMW- GS 有关，因此创造与发掘新的优质谷蛋白亚基编码基因，并开展相关生化、农学、分子生物学等方面研究、探讨优质的分子机理，对于培育优质小麦新品种具有重要意义。W958是我们培育的种间远缘杂交（T.durum Desf. ×T.aestivum L）优良品系，该品系在1D染色体上具有父母本没有的新型亚基，由于此亚基在SDS- PAGE电泳中具有和1Dx5亚基一样的电泳迁移率, 因此我们将该亚基命名为1Dx5’亚基。为了进一步从分子水平确证该亚基为新亚基和在育种中利用该亚基，本研究对该亚基的遗传规律、基因分子结构、品质特性和农艺性状等进行了分析。结果表明1Dx5’亚基在品质上与1Dx5亚基一样优质，对于品质的贡献大于1Dx2亚基。1Dx5’亚基具有特异的遗传规律，在分离群体中，此亚基占有极大的比例，该特性十分有利于将其导入高产小麦遗传背景中。此外，本研究扩增出了1Dx5’亚基基因的启动子区域、N－端区域和部分中间重复区域，并比较了1Dx5’和传统的1Dx5、1Dx2亚基在此区域氨基酸序列。结果进一步证明了1Dx5’是一个新的基因。通过蛋白质结构模拟分析，认为1Dx5’亚基的优良特性可能是由于1Dx5’亚基的的中部重复区域能形成分子间较强的氢键，加大了分子间的相互作用，使1Dx5’亚基的面团具有优良的品质，这为1Dx5’亚基的应用提供了理论基础。同时，本研究还设计用于区分1Dx5’和1Dx5等位基因的分子标记，解决了利用SDS-PAGE生化标记难以将二者区分的问题。Wheat is one of the major crops utilized worldwide. Nevertheless, due to the lackof the superior HMW- GS, the wheat quality in China is not satisfying. Therefore,identification and characterization of the superior HMW- GS will lay good foundation to the wheat breeding.W958 is a new bread wheat line developed by interspecific cross (T.durum Desf.×T.aestivum L). It contains a novel HMW- GS. We have designated such subunit as1Dx5’ here for its unique character. To confirm that such subunit is innovative andbeneficial for wheat breeding program on the molecular level, we have investigated itin terms of inheritance, DNA and protein sequence, dough property and agronomictrait associated with it. The result shows that 1Dx5’is as superior as 1Dx5 in terms of dough property.In addition, we have cloned the promoter, N- terminal as well as partial centralrepetitive domain of the allele coding for this subunit. Comparison of the amino acidsequence of 1Dx5’ with that of 1Dx5 and 1Dx2 showed that the superior quality of1Dx5’ subunit may result from the degree of conservation of the repetitive sequencesby which the glutenin polymers interact via inter-chain hydrogen bonds formedbetween the subunit repetitive domains with longer subunits forming more stableinteractions. In addition, we have developed two dominant molecular markers tofacilitate the discrimination of 1Dx5’ and 1Dx5 which could no be achieved by SDS-PAGE.

Evidence of various mechanisms of Cd sequestration in the hyperaccumulator Arabidopsis halleri, the non accumulator Arabidopsis lyrata and their progenies by combined synchrotron-based techniques

Arabidopsis halleri is a model plant for Zn and Cd hyperaccumulation. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the chemical forms of Cd, its distribution in leaves, and Cd accumulation and tolerance. An interspecific cross was carried out between A. halleri and the non-tolerant and non-hyperaccumulating relative A. lyrata providing progenies segregating for Cd tolerance and accumulation. Cd speciation and distribution were investigated using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and microfocused X-ray fluorescence. In A. lyrata and non-tolerant progenies, Cd was coordinated by S atoms only or with a small contribution of O groups. Interestingly, the proportion of O ligands increased in A. halleri and tolerant progenies, and they were predominant in most of them, while S ligands were still present. Therefore, the binding of Cd with O ligands was associated with Cd tolerance. In A. halleri, Cd was mainly located in the xylem, phloem, and mesophyll tissue, suggesting a reallocation process for Cd within the plant. The distribution of the metal at the cell level was further discussed. In A. lyrata, the vascular bundles were also Cd enriched, but the epidermis was richer in Cd as compared with the mesophyll. Cd was identified in trichomes of both species. This work demonstrated that both Cd speciation and localization were related to the tolerance character of the plant.

Ligamiento genético entre variables asociadas a calidad del fruto de tomate y polipéptidos expresados en dos estados de madurez

Los perfiles de polipéptidos proveen información sobre la constitución genética de un individuo y su expresión, y son útiles como marcadores moleculares. El objetivo del trabajo fue detectar ligamiento entre los perfiles de polipéptidos del pericarpio en dos estados de madurez y caracteres cuantitativos y de calidad de los frutos, analizando 21 genotipos de tomate. Se obtuvieron los perfiles polipéptidos en los estados verde y rojo maduro de frutos de 18 líneas endocriadas recombinantes (RILs, recombinant inbred lines), derivadas de un cruzamiento interespecífico entre el cultivar Caimanta de S. lycopersicum y la entrada LA722 de S. pimpinellifolium, que se incluyeron como testigos experimentales junto a su F1. En estos 21 genotipos se evaluaron también vida poscosecha, peso, firmeza, porcentaje de reflectancia, índice cromático, forma, pH, acidez titulable, contenido de sólidos solubles, espesor de pericarpio y número de lóculos de los frutos. Los perfiles mostraron polimorfismo entre los estados de madurez dentro de un mismo genotipo y entre genotipos para un mismo estado de madurez. Algunos polipéptidos segregaron de forma mendeliana (1:1) y, por análisis de un único punto, mostraron ligamiento con caracteres de calidad del fruto. Se detectaron loci de caracteres cuantitativos (QTLs, quantitative trait loci) asociados a número de lóculos, peso, pH, firmeza y vida poscosecha de los frutos.

Development and characterization of 16 microsatellites for the Neotropical catfish Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum and cross species analysis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Eight anonymous nuclear loci for the squamate antbird (Myrmeciza squamosa), cross-amplifiable in other species of typical antbirds (Aves, Thamnophilidae)

Typical antbirds (similar to 209 species) represent a diverse radiation of Neotropical birds that includes many species of conservation concern. Here we present eight anonymous nuclear loci designed for the squamate antbird Myrmeciza squamosa, a species endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. We also show that those anonymous nuclear loci are amplifiable in a number of other typical antbird species from related genera (Myrmeciza, Percnostola, Gymnocichla, Myrmoborus, Pyriglena and Formicivora), including three threatened species (Myrmeciza ruficauda, Formicivora littoralis, and Pyriglena atra). Those markers will be useful not only to help management of threatened species of typical antbirds, but also to explore their evolutionary histories, both at intra and interspecific levels.

Evaluation of reproductive barriers contributes to the development of novel interspecific hybrids in the Kalanchoe genus

Background: Interspecific hybridization is a useful tool in ornamental breeding to increase genetic variability and introduce new valuable traits into existing cultivars. The successful formation of interspecific hybrids is frequently limited by the presence of pre- and post-fertilization barriers. In the present study, we investigated the nature of hybridization barriers occurring in crosses between Kalanchoe species and evaluated possibilities of obtaining interspecific hybrids. Results: The qualitative and quantitative analyses of pollen tube growth in situ were performed following intra-and interspecific pollinations. They revealed occurrence of pre-fertilization barriers associated with inhibition of pollen germination on the stigma and abnormal growth of pollen tubes. Unilateral incongruity related to differences in pistil length was also observed. The pollen quality was identified as a strong factor influencing the number of pollen tubes germinating in the stigma. In relation to post-fertilization barriers, endosperm degeneration was a probable barrier hampering production of interspecific hybrids. Moreover, our results demonstrate the relation of genetic distance estimated by AFLP marker analysis of hybridization partners with cross-compatibility of Kalanchoe species. At the same time, differences in ploidy did not influence the success of interspecific crosses. Conclusions: Our study presents the first comprehensive analysis of hybridization barriers occurring within Kalanchoe genus. Reproductive barriers were detected on both, pre- and post-fertilization levels. This new knowledge will contribute to further understanding of reproductive isolation of Kalanchoe species and facilitate breeding of new cultivars. For the first time, interspecific hybrids between K. nyikae as maternal plant and K. blossfeldiana as well as K. blossfeldiana and K. marnieriana were generated.

Cross-correlations between weather variables in Australia

The information on climate variations is essential for the research of many subjects, such as the performance of buildings and agricultural production. However, recorded meteorological data are often incomplete. There may be a limited number of locations recorded, while the number of recorded climatic variables and the time intervals can also be inadequate. Therefore, the hourly data of key weather parameters as required by many building simulation programmes are typically not readily available. To overcome this gap in measured information, several empirical methods and weather data generators have been developed. They generally employ statistical analysis techniques to model the variations of individual climatic variables, while the possible interactions between different weather parameters are largely ignored. Based on a statistical analysis of 10 years historical hourly climatic data over all capital cities in Australia, this paper reports on the finding of strong correlations between several specific weather variables. It is found that there are strong linear correlations between the hourly variations of global solar irradiation (GSI) and dry bulb temperature (DBT), and between the hourly variations of DBT and relative humidity (RH). With an increase in GSI, DBT would generally increase, while the RH tends to decrease. However, no such a clear correlation can be found between the DBT and atmospheric pressure (P), and between the DBT and wind speed. These findings will be useful for the research and practice in building performance simulation.

The mechanical strength of phosphates under friction-induced cross-linking

Purpose: In the present study, we consider mechanical properties of phosphate glasses under high temperatureinduced and under friction-induced cross-linking, which enhance the modulus of elasticity. Design/methodology/approach: Two nanomechanical properties are evaluated, the first parameter is the modulus of elasticity (E) (or Young's modulus) and the second parameter is the hardness (H). Zinc meta-, pyro - and orthophosphates were recognized as amorphous-colloidal nanoparticles were synthesized under laboratory conditions and showed antiwear properties in engine oil. Findings: Young's modulus of the phosphate glasses formed under high temperature was in the 60-89 GPa range. For phosphate tribofilm formed under friction hardness and the Young's modulus were in the range of 2-10 GPa and 40-215 GPa, respectively. The degree of cross-linking during friction is provided by internal pressure of about 600 MPa and temperature close to 1000°C enhancing mechanical properties by factor of 3 (see Fig 1). Research limitations/implications: The addition of iron or aluminum ions to phosphate glasses under high temperature - and friction-induced amorphization of zinc metaphosphate and pyrophosphate tends to provide more cross-linking and mechanically stronger structures. Iron and aluminum (FeO4 or AlO4 units), incorporated into phosphate structure as network formers, contribute to the anion network bonding by converting the P=O bonds into bridging oxygen. Future work should consider on development of new of materials prepared by solgel processes, eg., zinc (II)-silicic acid. Originality/value: This paper analyses the friction pressure-induced and temperature–induced the two factors lead phosphate tribofilm glasses to chemically advanced glass structures, which may enhance the wear inhibition. Adding the coordinating ions alters the pressure at which cross-linking occurs and increases the antiwear properties of the surface material significantly.