Stereochemistry affects sesquiterpene lactone bioactivity against an herbivorous grasshopper

Sesquiterpene lactones are defensive compounds which protect plants against a variety of herbivores and other natural enemies. Sesquiterpene lactones from higher plants can be divided into two groups based on the stereochemistry of their lactone ring junction, either cis-fused or trans-fused. It is unclear whether and how this variation affects potentially important ecological interactions. To investigate whether stereochemical variation in sesquiterpene lactone ring junctions can influence resistance to herbivorous insects, we performed controlled feeding trials with two pairs of diastereomeric sesquiterpene lactones and examined the deterrent effect of each compound on feeding by the polyphagous grasshopper Schistocerca americana (Drury). Sesquiterpene lactone stereochemistry and concentration significantly influenced feeding behavior with grasshoppers consuming less of the trans-fused compounds than the cis-fused compounds. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that sesquiterpene lactone ring junction stereochemistry influences the feeding behavior of herbivores. Because this stereochemical trait polymorphism is widely distributed in nature, it could have substantial consequences for the ecology and evolution of large groups of plants, particularly the Asteraceae.     

三元复合调理剂对土壤镉砷赋存形态和糙米镉砷累积的调控效应

为研究三元复合调理剂（石灰石+硅藻土+硫酸铁,LDF）对稻田土壤Cd和As赋存形态及水稻糙米Cd和As累积的影响,开展水稻盆栽试验.LDF按质量比设置7个施用水平（0、0.5、1.0、2.0、4.0、8.0和16.0 g·kg^-1）,种植2种水稻（黄华占和T优272）.结果表明：①施用LDF分别提高黄华占和T优272根际土壤pH 0.01~0.42和0.11~0.54单位,降低土壤交换态Cd含量11.1%~61.1%和26.5%~52.9%,同时降低土壤交换态As含量8.2%~60.0%和5.6%~49.9%;②施用LDF能促进Cd、As向难溶态的转变,尽管2种水稻根际变化趋势不一致,但都可降低土壤Cd的酸可提取态占比,而增大铁锰结合态、有机结合态和残渣态占比,同时可降低As的交换态占比,而增大钙结合态占比;③LDF的施用能降低根表铁膜中Cd、As和Fe含量而增大Mn含量,Mn的最大增幅可达124.2%;④LDF施用下2种水稻糙米中Cd含量最大降低64.6%和65.9%,总As含量最大降低37.0%和42.5%,对无机As含量影响不显著.LDF施用量在2~16 g·kg^-1水平时,T优272糙米中Cd和无机As含量同时低于0.2 mg·kg^-1,而黄华占仅在16 g·kg^-1水平时,糙米中Cd和无机As含量同时低于0.2 mg·kg^-1.在实际农业生产过程中,可根据土壤Cd和As污染程度和水稻品种确定LDF施用量.     

Yield formation of CO2-enriched inter-subspecific hybrid rice cultivar Liangyoupeijiu under fully open-air field condition in a warm sub-tropical climate

Hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars play an important role in rice production due to its heterosis, resistance to environmental stress and high yield potential. However, no attention has been given to its yield responses to rising atmospheric CO₂ concentration ([CO₂]). To address this need, we conducted a Free Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE) experiment at Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China, in 2004–2006. A two-line inter-subspecific hybrid rice variety Liangyoupeijiu, recently bred in China, was grown at ambient or elevated (c. 570 μmol mol^?1) [CO₂] under two levels of nitrogen (N) application (12.5 and 25 g N m^?2). Elevated [CO₂] slightly accelerated phenological development (1–2 days), and substantially enhanced grain yield (+30%). The magnitude of yield response to [CO₂] was independent of N fertilization, but greatly varied among years. On average, elevated [CO₂] increased panicle number per unit land area by 8%, due to an increase in maximum tiller number under FACE, while productive tiller ratio remained unaffected. Spikelet number per panicle showed an average increase of 10% due to elevated [CO₂], which was also supported by increased plant height and dry weight per stem. Meanwhile, Elevated [CO₂] caused a significant enhancement in both filled spikelet percentage (+5%) and individual grain mass (+4%). Compared with previous rice FACE studies, this hybrid cultivar appears to profit much more from elevated [CO₂] than inbred japonica cultivars (c. +13%), not only due to its stronger sink generation, but also enhanced capacity to utilize the carbon sources in a high [CO₂] environment. As sufficient intraspecific variation in yield response exists under field conditions, there is a pressing need to identify genotypes which would produce maximum grain yield under projected future [CO₂] levels.     

Testing for relationships between individual crab behavior and metabolic rate across ecological contexts

Two classes of explanations for covariation between activity level and metabolic rate among conspecifics have been proposed. First, individual-level variation in activity exhibited during the measurement of metabolic rate should covary with routine metabolic rate because movement increases respiration (a methodological relationship). Second, energetic-based hypotheses posit relationships between individual activity measured under more natural conditions and baseline measures of metabolic rate, among other behavioral, physiological, and life-history traits (functional relationships). Here, we examined these potential relationships between individual behavior and metabolic rate in the mud crab (Panopeus herbstii). Specifically, we tested for (1) an effect of crab activity in metabolic chambers (activity_chamber) on routine metabolic rate (RMR), and (2) an effect of crab activity in mesocosms that mimicked field conditions (activity_mesocosm) on standard metabolic rate (SMR). To test for context dependence, we assessed both activity-metabolic rate relationships in the absence and presence of predation threat from toadfish (Opsanus tau) in the form of waterborne chemical cues. Individual variation in activity_mesocosm and RMR was repeatable over time. In support of a methodological relationship, individual differences in RMR were partially explained by crab activity_chamber. After accounting for this methodological relationship, individual SMR was inversely related to activity_mesocosm, supporting an allocation model that predicts behavior and baseline metabolic rate compete for finite energy reserves. We found no evidence of context dependence in either activity-metabolic rate relationship. Thus, our study emphasizes the importance of considering methodological artifacts in elucidating functional relationships between individual behavior and energetics.     

Factor analysis of trends in Texas acidic deposition

Precipitation chemistry data collected between 1980 and 1987 for 11 NADP/NTN sites in Texas have been analyzed using factor analysis and a trend analysis of monthly averages. Factor analysis identified four major factors which differed significantly from site to site: (1) a Gulf factor of Na⁺, Cl^-, and Mg²⁺; (a) a soil factor of Ca²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, and Mg²⁺; (3) an acid factor of H⁺, NO₋³, and SO₄⁴⁻; and (4) an aged aerosol factor of NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, and NH₄⁺. At Longview, the acid and Gulf factors accounted for 18 and 46%, respectively, of the variation of the data. A trend analysis was performed on the logarithm of the monthly averages at the Longview and Victoria sites, the two sites with the largest and most complete data. Results suggest that hydrogen ions have been increasing at both sites, while calcium ions have been decreasing.     

A novel bioelectrode and anaerobic sludge coupled system for p-ClNB degradation by magnetite nanoparticles addition

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A novel laboratory-scale bioelectrode and anaerobic sludge coupled system was established for the enhancement of p-chloronitrobenzenes (p-ClNB)...     

Pu and other trace elements in/on plants

Most Pu from nuclear fallout is currently found in surface soils from which it is distributed by migration, resuspension and uptake by the roots of plants. This paper investigates the sites of localization of Pu in plants and examines which parameters determine its uptake. Different species of trees were studied, special attention being directed towards seasonal variations of Pu uptake in different parts of the plants. To differentiate between Pu adsorption and absorption, the plant parts were washed with CHCl₃. Most of the Pu was found in the bark, being adsorbed on the plant surface. Comparison of Pu concentrations in plants over several years shows a constant decrease similar to that observed in air.