华西雨屏区不同人工植被类型下土壤氮库及其有效性

为了解华西雨屏区人工植被类型对土壤氮库及其有效性的影响,选取华西雨屏区7种典型人工植被类型：橘树（Glycosmis cochinchinensi5）迹地、橘树林地、巨桉（Eucalyptus grandis）林地、玉米（Zeamays）地、香樟（Cinnamonum camphora）林地、柚子（Citrus mnxima）林地和桃树（Pmnnus persica）林地,于2010年7月分别采集土壤根层与根下层原状土样,分析其氮库及有效性。结果表明,华西雨屏区几种典型人工植被类型均表现出较大的氮库特征,但不同人工植被类型间具有较大的差异。相对于其他植被类型,玉米地根层和根下层土壤氮库均相对较小,而橘树、柚子和桃树林地根层土壤氮库相对较大,巨桉、香樟和桃树林地根下层土壤氮库相对较大。然而,玉米地具有较高的根层土壤铵态氮和硝态氮含量,但巨桉林地具有较低的根下层土壤铵态氮和硝态氮含量。这些结果为区域氮素合理利用、土地利用结构调整以及生态环境建设提供了一定理论依据。     

Induction of chromosome aberrations and chlorophyll mutations in plants by methylisocyanate (MIC) gas

Summary Seeds ofSolanum surattense Burm. f. collected from areas of Bhopal (India) affected by methylisocyanate gas showed chromosome aberrations in root cells, and growth retardation and chlorophyll mutation of seedlings, the frequencies of which varied from one locality to another.     

Plants are better protected against spider-mites after exposure to volatiles from infested conspecifics

When infested by herbivorous mites, cotton seedlings produce volatile cues that elicit attraction of predatory mites. Experiments were carried out to elucidate how downwinduninfested conspecific seedlings are affected by these volatiles. It was found that the rate of oviposition of herbivorous mites was reduced on seedlings exposed to volatiles from infested seedlings. Moreover, predatory mites were attracted by exposeduninfested seedlings. These results strongly suggest that uninfested plants are better protected against herbivore attack when exposed to airborne chemicals released by their infested neighbours.     

儿茶素对晚期糖基化终末产物诱导的内皮细胞凋亡的干预作用

目的探讨儿茶素对晚期糖基化终末产物（AGEs）诱导内皮细胞凋亡的干预作用。方法糖孵育法制备晚期糖基化终末产物,分离肾血管内皮细胞,将内皮细胞分成空白对照组、AGE组、浓度分别为10、15、20μg／ml的儿茶素组共五组。实验末,采用AlamarBlue还原法测定同内皮细胞增生活力,TUNEL法测定细胞凋亡率,生化法测定培养上清中·OH、MDA浓度,RT-PCR测定Bcl-2mRNA表达,Western-Blotting测定Bcl-2蛋白活性。结果与对照组相比,AGE组内皮细胞增生活性、Bcl-2基因与蛋白活性显著降低（P均〈0．01）;凋亡率、·OH与MDA浓度显著增加（P均〈0．01）;与AGE组相比,儿茶素各浓度组内皮细胞增生活力与Bcl-2基因与蛋白活性表达增高,凋亡率、·OH与MDA浓度降低;儿茶素各剂量组之间呈浓度梯度效应。结论儿茶素可降低AGEs引起的血管内皮细胞凋亡,其机制可能是通过有效清除活性氧自由基、上调Bcl-2mRNA与活性蛋白表达,阻断内皮细胞内过氧化物的堆积二种途径实现的。     

Effects of feeding on healthy and diseased corn plants on a vector and on a non-vector insect

Insect-transmitted plant pathogens can have positive, negative or no effects on the vector insect. Effects could be direct (caused by the pathogen) or indirect (mediated by changes in the plant). Pathogen effects on non-vector insects are less well known.Peregrinus maidis (Ashmead) (Homoptera: Delphacidae), an insect that is not a vector of the corn stunt spiroplasma (CSS), weighed less 15 days after feeding on CSS-infected corn plants relative to insects feeding on healthy corn plants. Fecundity of non-vector insects that were removed from diseased plants was higher than for insects coming from healthy plants. ForDalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), an insect that transmits CSS, there were no differences in weight, longevity, eggs per day, weekly or total fecundity after feeding on healthy or on CSS-infected corn plants. Significant differences in some phloem amino acids were detected between healthy and CSS-infected plants. Infected plants also showed an increased phloem acidity as disease symptoms progressed. Feeding on CSS-infected corn plants by an insect that does not vector the pathogen infecting the plant can have favorable consequences as evidenced by an increased fecundity.Scientific aritcle no. 8819, contribution no. A-6605 of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Stimulation of the growth of murine bone marrow colonies in vitro by an acute inflammatory exudate. Comparison with colony stimulating factor CSF)]

Formation of colonies from mice bone marrow progenitors of macrophages and granulocytes in methylcellulose culture was induced by an inflammatory pleural exudate obtained from mice injected with dextran. Mitogenic activity of this acute inflammatory exudate was compared with that of colony stimulating factor (CSF). It was found that colony and cluster counts, during 10 days of culture, were similar with the two types of stimulating factors. When used at the same dose, exudate was less active than CSF. It was concluded that inflammatory exudate showed an activity similar to that of CSF but contained a smaller amount of stimulating factor. Further cytochemical studies are necessary to specify whether or not the two factors induced the same type of colonies (monocytic or granulocytic).     

In vitro metabolism of the trichothecene 4-monoacetoxyscirpenol by fungus- and non-fungus-feeding insects

Summary The metabolism of the trichothecene 4-monoacetoxyscirpenol by intact gut tissue was determined in the fungus-feeding Nitidulid,Carpophilus hemipterus (L.) and the non-fungus-feeding caterpillars, the fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) and the corn earworm,Heliothis zea (Boddie). The primary metabolite was the hydrolysis product scirpentriol. The amount of metabolism by theC. hemipterus larvae was ca 10 times that of the caterpillars on a per mg protein basis, suggesting metabolic adaptation for feeding on fungi that may contain mycotoxins.Acknowledgment. The authors wish to thank S. Taylor for technical assistance.The mention of firm names or trade products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over other firms or similar products not mentioned.     

Release of oxidases from the roots of plants

Summary In this paper, we report on the isolation and purification of the oxidase released from the roots ofLactuca sativa seedlings. This is the first time that the release of oxidases from the roots of plants into their rhizosphere has been reported.     

A thiol protease of peritoneal macrophages in the guinea pig

Summary Proteolytic enzymes of the guinea pig peritoneal exudate macrophages were investigated using synthetic fluorogenic peptide substrates. Among several enzymes, t-butyloxycarbonyl-phenylalanyl-seryl-arginine 4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide cleaving enzymes had the highest activity, and the activity in exudate macrophages was about 3 times tronger than that in resident thiol-blocking reagents, suggesting a thiol protease.We thank Dr Yoshiaki Motozato, Kumamoto University, for kind donation of Cellulofine GC-700 and valuable discussions. This work is supported in part by the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan.     

Purification and some properties of an amine oxidase from soybean seedlings

Summary An amine oxidase was purified 447-fold from soybean seedlings and some of its properties were investigated. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 25,000. It was most active towards putrescine, followed by spermidine and spermine. K_m-values for these substrates were relatively close. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by carbonyl reagents, such as semicarbazide and aminoguanidine.     

Allelopathy in spring wheat mixtures

Summary In a study with binary mixtures of 3 spring wheat cultivars harmful effects due to allelopathy were observed on root number, root growth and fresh weight of the seedlings.We thank Director, I.A.R.I. for facilities and encouragement.     

Stimulation of proliferation of rat spleen cells, in vitro, by a nonspecific acute inflammatory exudate. Modulation of cell response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA)]

The effect of an acute non-specific inflammatory exudate with mitogenic activity on macrophages in culture has been tested on the spontaneous and PHA-induced DNA synthesis of spleen cells in vitro. Stimulatory effect of this exudate was observed on spontaneous DNA synthesis which was detectable over a range of 1 : 4 to 1 : 4,000 concentrations. After optimal PHA stimulation, an inhibition of mitogen-induced DNA synthesis was observed when the cells were exposed to the highest concentrations (up to 1 : 128) of the exudate. Thereafter, the phenomenon could be reversed and the stimulation was maximal at a concentration of 1 : 2,000. When a sub-optimal dose of PHA was used, the simulatory effect was more pronounced and detected from 1 : 8 up to 1 : 4,000 concentrations.     

A thiol protease of peritoneal macrophages in the guinea pig

Proteolytic enzymes of the guinea pig peritoneal exudate macrophages were investigated using synthetic fluorogenic peptide substrates. Among several enzymes, t-butyloxycarbonyl-phenylalanyl-seryl-arginine 4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide cleaving enzymes had the highest activity, and the activity in exudate macrophages was about 3 times stronger than that in resident macrophages. The molecular weight of the enzyme was around 35,000 and optimal pH around 6.5-7.0. It was inhibited by thiol-blocking reagents, suggesting a thiol protease.     

Distribution of phenylalanine transaminase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activities in etiolated and light irradiated radish seedlings (Raphanus sativus L.).

In dark-grown Raphanus sativus seedlings the level of phenylalanine transaminase is higher in cotyledons than in root and hypocotyl. The maximum activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) is found in the root. Only PAL is significantly increased by light.     

Comparative study of oxalate oxidase in three genotypes ofSorghum vulgare

Summary The presence of an oxalate oxidase (EC 1.2.3.4) has been demonstrated in 15,000×g supernatants prepared from 10-day-old seedlings of three genotypes ofSorghum vulgare: grain sorghum hybrid (CSH-5), grain-cum-forage sorghum (PC-6) and forage sorghum (PC-1). The specific activity of the enzyme in the different tissues of seedlings was found to be present in the order leaves > stems > roots in PC-6 and PC-1, but this order was reversed in CSH-5. A comparison of the different properties of the leaf enzyme of these three genotypes of sorghum revealed that the enzyme has maximum activity in the acidic pH range from 4.0 to 5.0 and in the temperature range from 37°C to 40°C. The enzyme was stimulated by Cu²⁺ and Fe²⁺. The rate of H₂O₂ formation in the enzyme reaction was linear up to 5 min and was stoichiometrically related to oxalate consumption. The enzyme is unaffected by Na⁺ at physiological concentration (0.15 M). The superiority of this enzyme over moss and other plant enzymes for enzymic determination of urinary oxalate is discussed.     

A new indolic antiauxin, α-(5,7-dichloroindole-3-)isobutyric acid: its chemical synthesis and biological activity

Summary A new potent antiauxin, -(5,7-dichloroindole-3-)isobutyric acid has been synthesized and shown to inhibit auxin-mediated elongation ofAvena coleoptiles and to stimulate root growth of rice seedlings. Its activity is stronger than -(p-chlorophenoxy)isobutyric acid and is comparable to that of 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid, which are typical antiauxins.     

Possible involvement of the phloem sealing system in the acceptance of a plant as host by an aphid

Possible reasons for the rejection of some lines ofTriticum monococcum (Tm44 and Tm46) by the aphidSitobion avenae were explored. In allT. monococcum lines studied, whether unfavourable (non-host/resistant plant) or favourable (host/susceptible plant), the concentrations of hydroxamic acids, a family of aphid-resistance factors in cereals, were significantly lower than the levels in the favourable host-plantTriticum aestivum cv. Therefore, hydroxamic acids did not account for the host/non-host patterns observed. Phloem sap was collected by stylectomy from young seedlings of favourable and unfavourable plants. In non-aphid-resistant genotypes, the success in stylectomy, the proportion of amputated stylets resulting in long (>1 min) exudations, the average duration of exudation, and the final volume of sap exuded, were higher than in the aphid-resistant genotypes. It is concluded that aphid interference with the phloem sealing system of the plant is a likely mechanism of rejection ofT. monococcum lines Tm44 and Tm46 as hosts byS. avenae.     

Effects of a juvenile hormone mimetic,fenoxycarb, on post-embryonic development of the European corn borer,Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn.

Summary The effect of a juvenile hormone mimetic, fenoxycarb, Ro 13-5223, was tested on the larval instars of the European corn borer,Ostrinia nubilalis, by dipping or topical application. When larvae were treated in instars 2, 3 or 4, the duration of the fifth instar was modified. More permanent and fewer supernumerary larvae were obtained when treatment occurred in the early instars. This non-neurotoxic compound exhibited a strong dose-dependent juvenile hormone type of activity when it was applied to last instar larvae. Fenoxycarb prevented the onset of pupation and produced supernumerary larvae and intermediates. Permanent larvae were obtained if fenoxycarb was applied on day 0 or day 1 of the last instar. The use of such a JH mimetic in the understanding of endocrine control of diapause is discussed.     

In vitro flowering of orange jessamine (Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack)

Branch internodes ofMurraya paniculata flowered in vitro on half-strength MT medium containing 5% sucrose supplemented with cytokinins. The cytokinins only induced vegetative shoots from the epicotyl of seedlings. The highest percentage of flowering (76.7% of the explants) was achieved from branch internodes of flowering plants close to the apex, on half-strength MT medium containing 5% sucrose and 0.001 mg l¹ benzyladenine (BA) in light. Flowering required two days' exposure to BA, but shoot formation could be initiated even without exposure to BA.