Transcriptome analysis of salt-responsive genes and SSR marker exploration in Carex rigescens using RNA-seq

Carex rigescens （Franch.） V. Krecz is a wild turfgrass perennial species in the Carex genus that is widely distributed in salinised areas of northern China. To investigate genome-wide salt-response gene networks in C. rigescens, transcriptome analysis using high-throughput RNA sequencing on C. rigescens exposed to a 0.4% salt treatment （Cr_Salt） was compared to a non-salt control （Cr_Ctrl）. In total, 57 742 546 and 47 063 488 clean reads were obtained from the Cr Ctrl and Cr Salt treatments, respectively. Additionally, 21 954 unigenes were found and annotated using multiple databases. Among these unigenes, 34 were found to respond to salt stress at a statistically significant level with 6 genes up-regulated and 28 downregulated. Specifically, genes encoding an EF-hand domain, ZFP and AP2 were responsive to salt stress, highlighting their roles in future research regarding salt tolerance in C. rigescens and other plants. According to our quantitative RT-PCR results, the expression pattern of all detected differentially expressed genes were consistent with the RNA-seq results. Furthermore, we identified 11 643 simple sequence repeats （SSRs） from the unigenes. A total of 144 amplified successfully in the C. rigescens cultivar LOping 1, and 69 of them reflected polymorphisms between the two genotypes tested. This is the first genome-wide transcriptome study of C. rigescens in both salt-responsive gene investigation and SSR marker exploration. Our results provide further insights into genome annotation, novel gene discovery, molecular breeding and comparative genomics in C. rigescens and related grass species.

Study on Characteristics of Soil Seed Bank of Natural Grassland in Nierong County

[Objectives]To explore the species,density,distribution and other characteristics of the soil seed bank of different degrees of degraded grassland in Nierong County,and introduce the species composition of the above-ground vegetation community.[Methods]The grassland in Nerong County was divided into non-degraded,mildly degraded,moderately degraded,and severely degraded grassland.Then the relationship between above-ground vegetation and soil seed bank and the role of seed bank in the construction of above-ground vegetation community was analyzed.[Results]The soil seed bank density of moderately degraded plots is the highest,and that of severely degraded grassland is the lowest.For the non-degraded and mildly degraded plots,the species in the soil seed bank are mainly Cyperaceae such as Kobresia pygmaea and Kobresia humilis.For moderately degraded plots,the species in the soil seed bank is dominated by Potentilla anserina in Rosaceae family.Besides,the soil seed bank of each plot is mainly concentrated in the 0-3 cm soil layer.The similarity between the soil seed bank and the vegetation community of the sample plots from high to low is:no degradation>mild degradation>moderate degradation>severe degradation.[Conclusions]In accordance with the present situation of grassland degradation,for moderately degraded grasslands,it is recommended to take appropriate enclosure and rest grazing;for severely degraded grasslands,no-tillage reseeding will be favorable for the restoration and protection of grassland ecological functions.In summary,it is intended to provide references for the management of alpine meadows and the restoration and reconstruction of degraded ecosystems in alpine regions.

Effects of Modulation Methods on the Drying Characteristics and Nutritional Quality of Medicago sativa Hay

Two-year-old Medicago sativa at budding initial stage was taken as research materials.Five methods were used to make green hay,including flatting stems ＋ spraying 2.5% K2CO3,flatting stems,sun curing,drying in shade and drying under 105 ℃ condition（CK）.Besides,effects of different green hay making methods on dry characteristics and nutritional quality of M.sativa green hay were studied,and a comprehensive evaluation of M.sativa green hays was conducted.Results showed that,except CK,the drying rates in other making methods were all fast at first,and then slow down.Both of drying under 105 ℃ condition and flatting stems ＋ spraying K2CO3 could speed up drying rate and reduce nutritional losses of green hay.Sun curing could also speed up drying rate,but it could not maintain the quality of green hay.The results of Grey Relational Analysis on five green hay making methods indicated that CK had the best comprehensive performance,followed by green hays made by flatting stems ＋ spraying K2CO3.Therefore,flatting stems ＋ spraying K2CO3 was a quick and easy method to make green hay,and it was worth to be recommended in practical production.

Variation of Soil CO_2 Flux and Carbon Density in Three Apline Meadows

Three alpine meadows were chosen from the eastern margin of the Qilian Mountain：Polygonum viviparum meadow（P）,Stipa capillata grassland（S）and Rhododendron simsii shrub meadow（R）;LI-8100 A soil CO2 flux auto-monitoring system and lab analysis were applied to analyze the soil organic carbon density,dynamics of carbon flux,and their relationship with environmental factors.The results showed that different vegetations varied greatly in soil organic carbon density：R 〉 S 〉 P,and the soil carbon density reduced with the increasing depth;soil CO2flux：S 〉 P 〉 R,and sample plot P and S showed unimodal changes.The peak values appeared at 14：00-15：00 p.m.;soil CO2 flux was negatively correlated with near-ground air humidity and carbon content,positively correlated with soil temperature and near-ground air temperature,and showed no obvious correlation with soil moisture.

刈割施氮对羊草草甸土壤—植物化学计量特征的影响

通过刈割频次和施氮处理研究松嫩羊草草甸土壤、植物化学计量学特征以及功能群植物生物量的变化。结果表明,羊草草甸土壤中速效磷的含量受刈割频次的影响显著,与不刈割处理相比,刈割1次和2次分别增加土壤速效磷含量为50.5%和73.4%。施氮处理没有影响松嫩羊草草甸土壤全氮、全磷含量以及速效氮磷含量。刈割、施氮均提高植物群落总氮磷含量,降低植物群落氮磷比至13.68,但植物功能群较植物群落形成了维持体内营养元素含量相对更稳定的能力,其内稳态在刈割频次、施氮处理和二者交互均无显著影响。地上生物量的变化表明,刈割和施氮显著增加群落生物量,但对功能群植物的生物量的增减程度不同。