Are either sod and catalase or the polyamines involved in the paraquat resistance of Conyza canadensis ?

Abstract

Paraquat/atrazine coresistant (PqAR) and paraquat resistant (PqR) horseweed (Conyza canadensis /L./ Cronq.) plants showed ‐ in the first hour after 0.5 mM paraquat spraying ‐ a decreased catalase activity followed by a slight increase. However, the enzyme activity remained always below the initial value. Sensitive plants showed a significant increase of catalase activity in the first 4 hour after spraying. The transient character of paraquat inhibition, the recovery of photosyn‐thetic activity of the PqAR Conyza plants (characterized by variable fluorescence) after spraying remained unaffected by the Superoxide dismutase (SOD) inhibitor, diethyldithiocarbamate. This indicates that SOD is not involved in the resistance mechanism. Untreated resistant biotypes showed about 2.5 times higher total polyamine and putrescine level than the sensitive one. 100 μM of exogenously added putrescine was observed as having a protecting effect against paraquat in floated leaves of the sensitive biotype only. The resistant leaves were unaffected probably on account of their higher endogenous polyamine level. It is concluded that polyamines may play a role in the paraquat resistance of Conyza canadensis.     

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEAVER TO WETLAND HABITATS AND WATERFOWL IN WYOMING1

ABSTRACT: Beaver (Castor canadensis) are habitat‐modifying keystone species, and their activities broadly influence many other plants and animals. Beaver are especially important to waterfowl in the western U.S. where riparian and wetland habitats comprise less than 2 percent of the landscape yet provide habitat for greater than 80 percent of wildlife species. Wyoming is currently ranked sixth of the 50 states in the size of its breeding waterfowl population, and beaver ponds may play a significant role in providing habitat for these birds. The objectives of this research were to: (1) identify streams in Wyoming where beaver are currently present, extirpated, or used to manage riparian habitat; (2) identify areas where beaver could be relocated to create wetlands and improve riparian habitat; (3) compare wetland surface areas between areas that have beaver with those that did not; and (4) compare waterfowl numbers in areas with and without beaver. Using a survey of 125 land managers in Wyoming, we found that beaver have been removed from 23 percent (6,497 kin) of the streams for which managers had direct knowledge (28,297 kin). The same managers estimated that there are over 3,500 km of streams where beaver could improve habitat conditions. The riparian width in streams with beaver ponds averaged 33.9 m (95 percent CI = 25.1–42.7 m) in contrast to 10.5 m (CI = 8.6–12.4 m) in streams without beaver. During waterfowl surveys we counted 7.5 ducks/km (CI = O.9–14.4 ducks/kin) of stream in areas with beaver ponds and only O.1 ducks/km (no CIs calculated) of stream in similar areas without beaver present. Beginning in 1994, we restored beaver to 14 streams throughout Wyoming in an effort to create wetlands and improve riparian habitat. Waterfowl have been quick to respond to these important habitats. We feel that beaver restoration and management can be used to improve habitat in drainages where conflicts with other land uses are minimal.     

入侵植物加拿大一枝黄花综合管理技术的研究进展

加拿大一枝黄花的入侵已经成为不容忽视的问题,产生了无法估量的经济、社会、生态损失。由于加拿大一枝黄花繁殖能力强、传播迅速、生境多样,因此该种的控制难度也大。文章综述了有关加拿大一枝黄花物理防治、化除、生物防治、植物替代等方法及其应用效果,以期为更有效地实施拿大一枝黄花的综合管理提供理论基础和实践依据。     

Identification of Tsuga Germplasm by Morphological Characters and RAPD Markers

Germplasm collection is important to preserve and maximize genetic diversity for germplasm conservation. Tsuga dumosa （ D. Don） Eichler in Engler ＆ Prantl. and T. chinensis var. forrestii （Downie） Silba germplasm was collected from three localities in China： Mt. Yulong, Wenfeng Temple and Mt. Dishiergu, Yunnan Province. Accessions were identified based on morphological characters and RAPD markers. The shapes of the apices and margins of needles were examined, and the length and width of needles, cones and seeds from accessions of mature plants were used to compare the morphological differences and to identify the germplasm. Molecular markers generated by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA （RAPD） were also used to characterize the taxa. Although the clustering based on RAPD markers was inconsistent with the morphological characters of the needles, based on the overall morphological characters and on RAPD markers, the accessions from Mt. Yulong and Wenfeng Temple were identified as T. chinertsis var. forrestii, and those from Mt. Dishiergu identified as T. dumosa. Taxonomic identification of the accessions was made based on morphology and by RAPD markers concurred. The results indicate that the shapes of the apices and margins of needles particularly from young plants could not be used as a possible key to identify T. dumosa and T. chinertsis var. forrestii. Fig 6, Tab 3, Ref24     

加拿大一枝黄花提取物对铜绿微囊藻细胞膜和亚显微结构的影响研究

探讨了经加拿大一枝黄花(Solidago canadensis L.)提取物处理后,铜绿微囊藻(Microc ystis aeruginosa)细胞膜相关特性的变化,如膜脂过氧化程度、细胞膜透性、脂肪酸组成和所占比例变化等,并通过电子显微镜观察了铜绿微囊藻细胞的亚显微结构变化,以初步揭示加拿大一枝黄花提取物对铜绿微囊藻抑制效应的机制.结果表明,添加加拿大一枝黄花提取物可使铜绿微囊藻细胞内丙二醛(MDA)累积量增加,加剧了膜脂过氧化反应;改变了铜绿微囊藻细胞内脂肪酸的组成,使不饱和脂肪酸所占比例上升,饱和脂肪酸所占比例下降;经加拿大一枝黄花提取物处理过的藻细胞膜初期出现模糊褶皱、质壁分离等现象,中后期则出现受损、甚至严重破裂等现象,膜系统受损之后,提取物更易进入细胞内,进一步影响藻细胞的内部结构,最终细胞的亚显微结构明显遭到破坏.     

Translating effects of inbreeding depression on component vital rates to overall population growth in endangered bighorn sheep

Evidence of inbreeding depression is commonly detected from the fitness traits of animals, yet its effects on population growth rates of endangered species are rarely assessed. We examined whether inbreeding depression was affecting Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis sierrae), a subspecies listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Our objectives were to characterize genetic variation in this subspecies; test whether inbreeding depression affects bighorn sheep vital rates (adult survival and female fecundity); evaluate whether inbreeding depression may limit subspecies recovery; and examine the potential for genetic management to increase population growth rates. Genetic variation in 4 populations of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep was among the lowest reported for any wild bighorn sheep population, and our results suggest that inbreeding depression has reduced adult female fecundity. Despite this population sizes and growth rates predicted from matrix-based projection models demonstrated that inbreeding depression would not substantially inhibit the recovery of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep populations in the next approximately 8 bighorn sheep generations (48 years). Furthermore, simulations of genetic rescue within the subspecies did not suggest that such activities would appreciably increase population sizes or growth rates during the period we modeled (10 bighorn sheep generations, 60 years). Only simulations that augmented the Mono Basin population with genetic variation from other subspecies, which is not currently a management option, predicted significant increases in population size. Although we recommend that recovery activities should minimize future losses of genetic variation, genetic effects within these endangered populations-either negative (inbreeding depression) or positive (within subspecies genetic rescue)-appear unlikely to dramatically compromise or stimulate short-term conservation efforts. The distinction between detecting the effects of inbreeding depression on a component vital rate (e.g., fecundity) and the effects of inbreeding depression on population growth underscores the importance of quantifying inbreeding costs relative to population dynamics to effectively manage endangered populations.     

Effects of metal lead on growth and mycorrhizae of an invasive plant species （Solidago canadensis L.）

It is less known whether and how soil metal lead (Pb) impacts the invasion of exotic plants.A greenhouse experiment was conducted to estimate the effects of lead on the growth and mycorrhizae of an invasive species(Solidago canadensis L.)in a microcosm system. Each microcosm unit was separated into HOST and TEST compartments by a replaceable mesh screen that allowed arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal hyphae rather than plant roots to grow into the TEST compartments.Three Pb levels(control,300,and 600 mg/kg soil)were used in this study to simulate ambient soil and two pollution sites where S. canadensis grows.Mycorrhizal inoculum comprised five indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species (Glomus mosseae,Glomus versiform,Glomus diaphanum,Glomus geosporum,and Glomus etunicatum).The 15N isotope tracer was used to quantify the mycorrhizally mediated nitrogen acquisition of plants.The results showed that S. canadensis was highly dependent on mvcOrrhizae.The Pb additions significantly decreased biomass and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization(root length colonized,RLC%) but did not affect spore numbers,N(including total N and 15N) and P uptake.The facilitating efficiency of mycorrhizae on nutrient acquisition was promoted by Pb treatments.The Pb was mostly sequestered in belowground of plant (root and rhizome).The results suggest that the high efficiency of mycorrhizae on nutrient uptake mightgive S. canadensis a great advantage over native species in Pb polluted softs.     

Comparison of phytotoxic effects of bio-synthesised copper oxide nanoparticle and ionic copper on Elodea canadensis

This study aims to investigate the phytotoxic effects of both Punica granatum peel extract directed copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) and copper nitrate on Elodea canadensis. The CuONPs were characterised by UV–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy. The ratio of photosynthetic pigments, total soluble protein, malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and copper accumulation in the E. canadensis was determined to evaluate the phytotoxicity of the CuONPs and copper nitrate on E. canadensis. The significant improvements were observed in the growth rate of E. canadensis, chlorophyll a and b, carotenoid contents, and total soluble protein in the E. canadensis when it was exposed to the CuONPs. Additionally, CAT and APX activities and MDA contents were enhanced by accumulation of the CuONPs into the E. canadensis. These results suggested that oxidative stress was alleviated, owing to the result of an increase in the antioxidants such as CAT and APX, with an increase in the concentration of the CuONPs. Finally, the findings of this study show that copper nitrate has many negative effects on E. canadensis compared bio-synthesised CuONPs.     

不同土著草本群落对加拿大一枝黄花早期阶段入侵的抑制能力研究

为了解不同土著草本群落对加拿大一枝黄花(Solidago canadensis)的入侵抑制能力以及可能的机制,以杭州湾南岸湿地围垦区具有相同演替阶段的3种优势土著草本白茅(Imperata cylindrical)、芦苇(Phragmites communis)和荻(Miscanthus sacchariflorus)群落为研究对象,以加拿大一枝黄花单优群落为参照,调查了不同群落中加拿大一枝黄花密度和地上部分生长(株高和基径)情况,测定了不同群落的光照水平和土壤理化性质,分析了土著群落中加拿大一枝黄花密度和地上部分生长与群落光照水平和土壤肥力的关系。结果表明:(1)土著群落显著降低加拿大一枝黄花密度(P0.05),白茅群落还显著降低加拿大一枝黄花地上部分生长(P0.05)。(2)土著群落降低了群落冠层光照水平,土著群落冠层中部光合有效辐射低于加拿大一枝黄花单优群落。白茅群落和荻群落盖度显著高于芦苇群落和加拿大一枝黄花群落(P0.05),冠层高度由大到小依次为荻、芦苇、加拿大一枝黄花和白茅;加拿大一枝黄花株高与其邻株株高间呈显著正相关(P0.001)。(3)土著群落土壤肥力低于加拿大一枝黄花单优群落,白茅群落土壤肥力最低,但多数指标与芦苇群落和荻群落差异不显著(P0.05)。认为遮光可能是土著群落抑制加拿大一枝黄花早期入侵的主要机制,而较低的土壤肥力水平可能与光竞争协同作用进一步加剧了土著群落对加拿大一枝黄花扩散的抑制。通过筛选和培育那些能同时降低群落光照水平和土壤肥力水平的土著群落可有效抑制加拿大一枝黄花入侵。