Sex-chromosome turnovers: the hot-potato model.

Abstract Sex-determining systems often undergo high rates of turnover but for reasons that remain largely obscure. Two recent evolutionary models assign key roles, respectively, to sex-antagonistic (SA) mutations occurring on autosomes and to deleterious mutations accumulating on sex chromosomes. These two models capture essential but distinct key features of sex-chromosome evolution; accordingly, they make different predictions and present distinct limitations. Here we show that a combination of features from the two models has the potential to generate endless cycles of sex-chromosome transitions: SA alleles accruing on a chromosome after it has been co-opted for sex induce an arrest of recombination; the ensuing accumulation of deleterious mutations will soon make a new transition ineluctable. The dynamics generated by these interactions share several important features with empirical data, namely, (i) that patterns of heterogamety tend to be conserved during transitions and (ii) that autosomes are not recruited randomly, with some chromosome pairs more likely than others to be co-opted for sex.

Potato crop growth as affected by nitrogen and plant density

Growth and development variables and dry matter characteristics were studied for cultivar Snowden of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to evaluate nitrogen and plant density influence. Disregarding ending of season plant stress, the average number of actives haulms per plant was five and it was not affected by plant spacing. However, seasonal and final number of active haulms per plant were increased at 200 kg/ha of nitrogen. Maximum stem elongation was reached quickly with double density and had the tendency to keep constant at the highest and lowest nitrogen levels after 70 days after planting. Specific stem mass defined as mass per unit stem length was established as an indirect measure of stem thickness and load capacity. Specific leaf mass position in plant was higher at upper stem leaves, increased as plant density increased and did not vary markedly over time throughout the season. The rate of leaf appearance increased drastically due to more branching caused by high nitrogen level, and increased above ground dry matter per plant. Canopy growth and development influenced main tuber yield components. The number of active tubers per haulm decreased after 60 days after planting showing that tuberization is reversible. Tuber growth functions were established allowing the estimate of dry biomass partitioning coefficients for each plant organ.

Freezing and low temperature photoinhibition tolerance in cultivated potato and potato hybrids

Selostus: Perunan ja perunahybridien jäätymisen ja fotoinhibition kestävyys

The effect of storage ageing and spring sprouting of seed tubers on the yield of three potato varieties in the Finnish Lapland : Research Note

Selostus: Siemenmukuloiden varastointiaikaisen lämpökäsittelyn ja kevätidätyksen vaikutus kolmen perunalajikkeen satoon Lapissa

Whole sales market for fresh potato in Finland

Selostus: Suomen ruokaperunamarkkinoiden toimivuus

Efficiency of split nitrogen fertilization with adjusted irrigation on potato

Selostus: Jaetun typpilannoituksen käyttömahdollisuudet perunalle

Remorin, a solanaceae protein resident in membrane rafts and plasmodesmata, impairs potato virus X movement.

Remorins (REMs) are proteins of unknown function specific to vascular plants. We have used imaging and biochemical approaches and in situ labeling to demonstrate that REM clusters at plasmodesmata and in approximately 70-nm membrane domains, similar to lipid rafts, in the cytosolic leaflet of the plasma membrane. From a manipulation of REM levels in transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants, we show that Potato virus X (PVX) movement is inversely related to REM accumulation. We show that REM can interact physically with the movement protein TRIPLE GENE BLOCK PROTEIN1 from PVX. Based on the localization of REM and its impact on virus macromolecular trafficking, we discuss the potential for lipid rafts to act as functional components in plasmodesmata and the plasma membrane.

Characterization of potato genotypes using molecular markers

The objective of this work was to characterize 27 potato genotypes, using molecular markers. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, RAPD techniques and isozymes of esterase, phosphoglucomutase and soluble proteins were analyzed in tubers, and isocitrate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, phosphoglucomutase and peroxidase, in leaves. Eighteen primers were tested and four were chosen, kits OPX (01, 04 and 09) and OPY (07), to analyze RAPD markers in leaf extracts. Similarity and cluster analysis were conducted using Jaccard coefficient and the unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic average. Despite the differences detected in the analysis of proteins and isozymes in the tubers, as well as of isozymes in the leaves, the characterization of all genotypes through gel electrophoresis was not possible, while RAPD markers were efficient to characterize all the 27 genotypes.

Effect of Bacillus thuringiensis on microbial functional groups in sorghum rhizosphere

The objective of this work was to assess the effect of two strains of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki on sorghum rhizosphere microorganisms. The strains were HD1, that produces the bioinsecticidal protein, and 407, that is a mutant non-producer. The strains do not influence microbial population, but reduce plant growth and improve mycorrhizal colonization and free living fixing N2 community.

Potato plant growth and macronutrient uptake as affected by soil tillage and irrigation systems

The objective of this study was to evaluate potato plant growth and macronutrient uptake, as affected by soil tillage methods, in sprinkle and drip irrigated experiments. Eight treatments were set: T1, no tillage, except for furrowing before planting; T2, one subsoiling (SS); T3, twice rotary hoeing (RH); T4, one disc plowing (DP) + twice disc harrow leveling (DL); T5, 1DP + 2DL + 1RH; T6, 1DP + 2DL + 2RH; T7, 1SS + T6; T8, one moldboard plowing (MP) + 2DL. Treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with four replications. In both irrigation systems, plants presented higher emergence velocity index (EVI), when the soil was not tillaged, and the EVI was inversely related to the maximum tuber dry mass production. In both experiments, a functional direct relationship was found between the leaf area index and maximum tuber dry mass yield. The growth of plant organs (tuber, leaf, stem and root) and the macronutrient (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) contents in potato plant responded positively to a deeper soil revolving caused by plowing, especially with moldboard plow.

Organic acids in the rhizosphere and phytoavailability of sewage sludge-borne trace elements

The aim of this work was to quantify low molecular weight organic acids in the rhizosphere of plants grown in a sewage sludge-treated media, and to assess the correlation between the release of the acids and the concentrations of trace-elements in the shoots of the plants. The species utilized in the experiment were cultivated in sand and sewage sludge-treated sand. The acetic, citric, lactic, and oxalic acids, were identified and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography in samples collected from a hydroponics system. Averages obtained from each treatment, concentration of trace elements in shoots and concentration of organic acids in the rhizosphere, were compared by Tukey test, at 5% of probability. Linear correlation analysis was applied to verify an association between the concentrations of organic acids and of trace elements. The average composition of organic acids for all plants was: 43.2, 31.1, 20.4 and 5.3% for acetic, citric, lactic, and oxalic acids, respectively. All organic acids evaluated, except for the citric acid, showed a close statistical agreement with the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn found in the shoots. There is a positive relationship between organic acids present in the rhizosphere and trace element phytoavailability.

Rhizosphere properties of rice genotypes as influenced by anoxia and availability of zinc and iron

The objective of this work was to study possible mechanisms involved in root-induced changes of rhizosphere physicochemical properties of rice genotypes, under anoxia and low supply of Zn and Fe. Two rice genotypes, including an upland and a lowland ones, were grown in hydroponic medium under adequate and low supply of Zn and Fe, with or without aeration. Anoxia increased shoot dry weight, root length and uptake of Zn and Fe in lowland Amol genotype, but reduced these parameters in upland Gasrol-Dashti genotype. The amount of oxygen released by roots was statistically higher in 'Amol'. The highest acidification potential of roots was observed in the lowland genotype under low supply of Zn, and in the upland genotype under Fe starvation. The highest oxalate (only organic acid detected) exudation from roots was observed in Zn and Fe deficient Gasrol-Dashti genotype. Zinc deficiency caused reduction of alcohol dehydrogenase and stimulation of lactate dehydrogenase activity, particularly in shoot. The ability to induce changes in the rhizosphere properties has a great contribution for the adaptation of both lowland and upland rice genotypes to specific soil conditions.

Resistance of genetically modified potatoes to Potato virus Y under field conditions

The objective of this work was to evaluate the resistance of genetically modified clones of potato to Potato virus Y (PVY) under field conditions. Genetically modified plants were compared with nontransformed plants of the same cultivar. The plots were flanked with potato plants infected with both PVYº and PVY N strains (spread lines), in order to provide the experimental area with the source of virus, which was naturally spread by the native aphid population. The experiment was weekly monitored by visual inspections and by DAS-Elisa in the plants produced from the harvested tubers, in order to evaluate the resistance of transgenic plants throughout the plant growth cycle. By the end of the third year, no infection symptoms were observed in the 1P clone; clone 63P showed 1% of infection, in contrast to about 90% of nontransformed plants infected. The stable expression of resistance to PVY provided by the coat protein gene was obtained in genetically modified clones of potato plants cultivar Achat under field conditions, during three consecutive years.

Fusaric acid-producing strains of Fusarium oxysporum alter 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol biosynthetic gene expression in Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0 in vitro and in the rhizosphere of wheat.

The phytotoxic pathogenicity factor fusaric acid (FA) represses the production of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG), a key factor in the antimicrobial activity of the biocontrol strain Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0. FA production by 12 Fusarium oxysporum strains varied substantially. We measured the effect of FA production on expression of the phlACBDE biosynthetic operon of strain CHA0 in culture media and in the wheat rhizosphere by using a translational phlA'-'lacZ fusion. Only FA-producing F. oxysporum strains could suppress DAPG production in strain CHA0, and the FA concentration was strongly correlated with the degree of phlA repression. The repressing effect of FA on phlA'-'lacZ expression was abolished in a mutant that lacked the DAPG pathway-specific repressor PhlF. One FA-producing strain (798) and one nonproducing strain (242) of F. oxysporum were tested for their influence on phlA expression in CHA0 in the rhizosphere of wheat in a gnotobiotic system containing a sand and clay mineral-based artificial soil. F. oxysporum strain 798 (FA(+)) repressed phlA expression in CHA0 significantly, whereas strain 242 (FA(-)) did not. In the phlF mutant CHA638, phlA expression was not altered by the presence of either F. oxysporum strain 242 or 798. phlA expression levels were seven to eight times higher in strain CHA638 than in the wild-type CHA0, indicating that PhlF limits phlA expression in the wheat rhizosphere.

Potato cultivar identification using molecular markers

The objective of this work was to evaluate a set of microsatellite markers for varietal identification and characterization of the most widespread potato cultivars in Brazil. The DNA from 14 potato cultivars was genotyped using microsatellite markers and the alleles were scored in silver-stained polyacrylamide gel. Twenty-four microsatellite markers were evaluated, and only one locus was monomorphic. Based on band patterns, a set of two microsatellites that were able to identify and differentiate all examined cultivars was obtained.