Effect of Shoot Control on Flower Bud Differentiation,Flowering,and Fruit Setting in Zanthoxylum armatum DC.

In this study,newly sprouted shoots of Zanthoxylum armatum(Z.armatum),which were collected after the harvesting period,were used as the primary experimental specimens.A randomized block design and paraffin sectioning method were used to investigate the flower bud differentiation process and the quantity and vitality of buds.Furthermore,the study examined the response of flowering and fruiting to cultivation methods for shoot growth,including layering and plant growth regulator application.The results showed that(a)layering and application of plant growth regulators for Z.armatum accelerated the process of flower bud differentiation by approximately 20 days compared to the control group.Additionally,both shoot control methods generated more and larger bud primordia and perianth primordia during the same differentiation phase.(b)The application of plant growth regulators resulted in well-developed buds,exhibiting higher levels of flower bud differentiation than the layering method.The quality of flower bud formation for both shoot control methods was superior to that of the control group.(c)The flowering phenological period was relatively consistent between the two cultivation methods,but the fruit maturity phase for shoot-controlled trees occurred 20 days earlier than the control group.(d)Both layering and the application of plant growth regulators significantly decreased the rates of unfertilized flower shedding and fruit shedding.However,no significant difference was noted in fruit setting per inflorescence and per flower between the two methods and the control.The effect of altitude for both methods on the fruit setting was not significant.Under both shoot control methods,the Z.armatum exhibited earlier morphological differentiation of flower buds,faster differentiation process,improved flower bud quality,and significantly decreased rates of flower and fruit shedding.Thus,these cultivation methods demonstrated the potential to promote flowering,improve fruit setting,and reduce fruit shedding in Z.armatum.

Research Progress of Flower Bud Differentiation of Apple

Flowering is a prerequisite for apple fruiting,and apple flower buds are mixed buds,that is,the vegetative organs and flower structure exist in the same terminal bud simultaneously,which are formed in the year before flowering and fruiting,mainly including spur terminal buds and axillary buds.The infrequent formation of flower buds during its growth and biennial bearing are closely related to flower bud differentiation.Therefore,this paper reviews the research progress of flower bud differentiation of apple from the morphological differentiation,plant hormones and flowering-related genes,in order to provide a theoretical reference for efficient cultivation and stable yield of apple.

Chemical constituents of the flower buds of Tussilago farfara

Aim To study the chemical constituents of the flower buds of Tussilago farfara L. in the China National GAP Base of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica and provide scientific basis for quality control. Methods The constituents were separated and purified by different chromatographic methods, and their structures were elucidated by IR, MS and NMR techniques. Results Twenty eight compounds were isolated from the flower buds of T. farfara. Their structures were identified as n- heptacosane （1）, bis（2-ethylhexyl）phthalate （2）, 7β-[3＇-ethylcrotonoyloxy]-1α-[2＇-methylbutyryloxy]-3,14-dehydro-Z-notonipetranone （3）, 7β-[3＇-ethylcrotonoyloxy]-1α-[2＇-methylbutyryloxy]-3,14-dehydro-E-notonipetranone （4）, tussilagone （5）, dibutyl phthalate （6）, bauer-7-ene-3β,16α-diol （7）, isobauerenol （8）, stigmasterol （9）, β-sitosterol （10）, 2,2-dimethyl-6-acetylchromanone （11）, n- hexadecanoic acid （12）, 7β-hydroxysitosterol （13）, 7α-hydroxysitosterol （14）, 7,14-bisdesacylnotonipetrone （15）, 2,3- dihydroxypropylpalmitate （16）, daucosterol （17）, 6-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylhept-2-en-4-one （18）, ferulic acid （19）, isoferulic acid （20）, caffeic acid （21）, α-D-glucose （22）, sucrose （23）, phthalic acid （24）, p-hydroxybenzoic acid （25）, gallic acid （26）, uridine （27）, and adenosine （28）. Conclusion Compounds 1, 12-16, 18 and 20 were obtained from the genus Tussilago for the first time.

Prevention and Cure of Acute Alcohol Intoxication in Mice by Administration of Compound of Japanese Raisintree Fruit, Lobed Kudzuvine Flower Bud and Lightyellow Sophora Root

[Objective] We aimed to investigate the preventive and therapeutical effect of compound of traditional Chinese drugs （Japanese raisintree fruit, lobed kudzuvine flower bud and lightyel ow sophora root） on acute alcohol intoxication in mice. [Method] Acute alcohol intoxication was induced by administering alcohol to mice. Three different doses （low, middle and high） of compound of traditional Chinese drugs were administered to mice before and after administering alcohol respectively to investigate the preventive and therapeutical effect of drugs on acute alcohol intox-ication through doing statistical analysis about drunk mice and their sleeping time. The concentration of malondialdehyde （MDA）, reduced glutathione （GSH） and triglyc-erides （TG） in liver was also determined to investigate the protective effect of drugs on liver. [Result] The efficacy of compound of traditional Chinese drugs on acute al-cohol intoxication was dose-dependent. High-dose administration decreased the number of drunk mice significantly compared with control group; middle- and high-dose administration reduced the sleeping time of drunk mice and the concentration of MDA and TG in liver tissue; three doses al increased the concentration of GSH. [Conclusion] The compound of Japanese raisintree fruit, lobed kudzuvine flower bud and lightyel ow sophora root had preventive and therapeutical effect on hangover, and it also had certain preventive and therapeutical effect on liver damage caused by alcohol.

Study on the Flower Bud Differentiation Process of Gentiana triflora Pall.

[Objective] This study was to obseve the flower bud differentiation process of Gentiana triflora Pall., and to clarify the flower bud development law and the correlation between flower buds differentiation and external morphology. [Method] The paraffin section method was used to observe the flower bud of Gentiana triflora un- der microscope. [Result] The flower bud differentiation process of Gentiana triflora could be divided into six stages： the undifferentiated stage, initial differentiation stage, sepal primordia differentiation stage, petal primordia differentiation stage, stamen pri- mordia differentiation stage and the pistil primordia differentiation stage. The flower bud differentiation started from early May, when the plant had 10-11 stem nodes, and completed in early June, lasted about 40 d. The effect of plant height on flower bud differentiation was not significant. [Conclusion] The study provided theoretical basis for the high-yield cultivation, variety selection and flowering regulation of Gentiana triflora.

Paraffin section observation of flower bud differentiation of Chimonanthus praecox in Kunming and comparison of the differentiation processes in different regions,China

Chimonanthus praecox is an important ornamental plant and cut flower material in China.It blooms in the freezing winter and its flower emits charming fragrance.However,in different region the flowering time is variable.In order to understand the flowering mechanism of Ch.praecox in the winter,we studied the flower bud differentiation in Spring City-Kunming using paraffin sectioning method in the present study.Meanwhile we compared the differentiation process difference from different regions.It was found that the temperature is the key factor for its flower bud differentiation and blossom of Ch.praecox.In the process of bud differentiation,the temperature 20℃was the optimum for inducing changes from vegetative axillary buds to reproductive buds and subsequent morphological differentiation in Ch.praecox.Furthermore in the first three differentiation periods—tepal primordial stage,staminal primordial stage and pistil primordial stage,Kunming took the shortest time to finish the process due to very rapid temperature rise to 20℃,whereas,in Zhengzhou the time for these differentiations was the longest,which may be caused by the slow temperature rise.After May,the high temperature stress forced the flower buds into the first long dormant period in all regions except Kunming.In Kunming,the average temperature was only 20–25℃,so the flower bud continued to differentiate.In all regions,Kunming is the first to complete whole flower bud differentiation even on the early August,and started the second dormancy very early but very long.In the other regions,the plants went through a shorter dormancy and the low temperature broke the dormancy rapidly.Contrarily the plants of Kunming spent a longer period for the low temperature.Thus,the low temperature less than 10℃is a key factor to breaking the second dormancy.Surely the regular effects of temperature on flower bud differentiation and blossom is very helpful for florescence regulation of Ch.praecox.

Changes in Nutritive Materials in Off-season Mango in Flower Bud Differentiation Stage

Under off-season production mode, change laws of nutritive materials in leaves of fruiting mother branches of mango in flowering process induced by dif- ferent agents were investigated. The results showed that the flowering time of manga trees in the potassium nitrate treatment was earlier than the ethephon treatment by 7 d, and changes trends of materials in leaves of the potassium nitrate and ethephon treatments were substantially the same. The nutritive materials in leaves showed trends of increasing at first and decreasing then. In early flower bud differentiation stage, soluble sugar and starch in leaves increased rapidly, and content of soluble protein also increased rapidly and showed its their peak values, thereby providing energy substances and structural substances demanded by flower bud formation. With flower bud differentiation going on, soluble sugar, starch and soluble protein decreased gradually. It was indicated that the accumulation of soluble sugar, starch and soluble protein is beneficial to flower bud differentiation.

Effects of Photoperiod on Alternative Respiration Pathway in Nectarine Flower Buds During Dormancy Induction

Characteristics of dormancy induction and alternative respiration pathway （also known as cyanide-resistant respiration） of nectarine flower buds in different photoperiods were studied to determine the function of photoperiod and alternative respiration pathway in dormancy induction. Oxygen-electrode system and respiratory inhibitors were used to measure total respiratory rates and rates of alternative respiration pathway. The results showed that total respiration rate （Vt） in flower buds showed to be double hump-shaped curves. Short day raised, brought the first-hump of Vt forward and delayed the second-hump, while long day delayed the whole curve. The capacity （Vast） and activity （pValt） of SD and LD changed synchronously and both showed to be double hump-shaped curves. Short day made the first climax of Vast and pValt existed much earlier, while long day increased their rates significantly. The length of day had little effects on the later period climax. Long day also increased the contributions of altemative respiration pathway in total respiration rate （pValt/Vt）. The changes in alternative respiration pathway were correlated with the induction of dormancy and adjusted by photoperiod. Short day promoted dormancy induction of nectarine trees, while long day delayed it.

Expression of AP1 Gene During Off-season Flower Bud Differentiation of Mango

This study was conducted to investigate changes in the expression of AP1 gene in flowering process. Potassium nitrate and ethephon were sprayed on 7- year-old Guifei trees out of season. The results showed that AP1 gene had a higher expression level in terminal buds, and especially, the expression level increased significantly in late stage of flower bud differentiation. Potassium nitrate and ethephon promoted flower bud differentiation, and the expression level of AP1 gene in- creased in flowering process remarkably. Expression ofAP1 gene of the potassium nitrate treatment was significantly greater than that of the ethephon treatment and the CK.

Observation on Flower Bud Differentiation of Crape Myrtle in Red Soil Environment

Flower bud differentiation is a key component of plant blooming biology and understanding how it works is vital for flowering regulation and plant genetic breeding,increasing the number and quality of flowering.Red soil is the most widely covered soil type in the world,and it is also the most suitable soil type for crape myrtle planting.The flower buds of crape myrtle(Lagerstroemia indica)planted in red soil were employed as experimental materials in this study,and the distinct periods of differentiation were identified using stereomicroscopy and paraffin sectioning.We optimized the steps of dehydration,transparency,embedding,sectioning and staining when employing paraffin sections.When seen under a microscope,this optimization can make the cell structure of paraffin sections obvious,the tissue structure complete,and the staining clear and natural.The flower bud differentiation process is divided into 7 periods based on anatomical observations of the external morphology and internal structure during flower bud differentiation:undifferentiated period,start of differentiation period,inflorescence differentiation period,calyx differentiation period,petal differentiation period,stamen differentiation period,and pistil differentiation period.The differentiation time is concentrated from the end of May to mid-June.Crape myrtle flower bud differentiation is a complicated process,and the specific regulatory mechanism and affecting elements need to be investigated further.

Detection of ＂ Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris＂ in Brussels Sprout and Its Possible Association with Flower Bud Failure in Poland

Severe growth abnormalities including shoot stunting, leaf blade reduction and flower bud failure of Brussels sprout were observed in Poland. The presence of phytoplasma in diseased as well as in healthy looking plants, was demonstrated by nested polymerase chain reaction assay employing phytoplasma universal rRNA primer pairs-P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. Products of PCR primed by R 16F2n/R 16R2 primer pair from naturally infected Brussels sprouts were sequenced. Comparison of the obtained 16S rDNAs revealed high nucleotide sequence identity between analyzed phytoplasma isolates （99.8%-100%）. They were also nearly identical with the sequences of other phytoplasmas isolates from sub-group 16SrI-B, and they were classified as members of ＂Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris＂.

Sorbitol induces flower bud formation via the MADS-box transcription factor EjCAL in loquat

Sorbitol is an important signaling molecule in fruit trees. Here, we observed that sorbitol increased during flower bud differentiation(FBD) in loquat(Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.). Transcriptomic analysis suggested that bud formation was associated with the expression of the MADS-box transcription factor(TF) family gene, EjCAL. RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that EjCAL was enriched in flower primordia but hardly detected in the shoot apical meristem. Heterologous expression of EjCAL in Nicotiana benthamiana plants resulted in early FBD. Yeast-one-hybrid analysis identified the ERF12 TF as a binding partner of the EjCAL promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR confirmed that EjERF12 binds to the EjCAL promoter, and β-glucuronidase activity assays indicated that EjERF12 regulates EjCAL expression.Spraying loquat trees with sorbitol promoted flower bud formation and was associated with increased expression of EjERF12 and EjCAL. Furthermore, we identified EjUF3GaT1 as a target gene of EjCAL and its expression was activated by EjCAL. Function characterization via overexpression and RNAi reveals that EjUF3GaT1 is a biosynthetic gene of flavonoid hyperoside. The concentration of the flavonoid hyperoside mirrored that of sorbitol during FBD and exogenous hyperoside treatment also promoted loquat bud formation. We identified a mechanism whereby EjCAL might regulate hyperoside biosynthesis and confirmed the involvement of EjCAL in flower bud formation in planta. Together,these results provide insight into bud formation in loquat and may be used in efforts to increase yield.

Glucosylated caffeoylquinic acid derivatives from the flower buds of Lonicera japonica

Three new glucosylated caffeoylquinic acid isomers (1-3), along with six known compounds, have been isolated from an aqueous extract of the flower buds of Lonicera japonica. Structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods as (-)-4-O-(4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylcaffeoyl)quinic acid (-)-3-O-(4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylcaffeoyl)quinic acid (2), and (-)-5-O-(4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylcaffeoyl)quinic acid (3), respectively. In the preliminary in vitro assays, two known compounds methyl caffeate and 2'-O-methyladenosine showed inhibitory activity against Coxsackie virus B3 with IC50 values of 3.70 mu mol/L and 6.41 mu mol/L and SI values of 7.8 and 12.1, respectively. (C) 2015 Chinese Pharmaceutical Association and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.

A New Dammarane Glycoside, Ginsenoside Ⅲ from the Flower-buds of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer

From the dried flower-buds of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, a new ndnor dammaranetype triterpene saponin named ginsenoside III was iso1ated. On the basis of spectral and chemical evidence, the structure of the new saponin was elucidated as 3 -O- [β-D -glucopyranosyl (1→2 ) - βD- glucopyranosyl] - 20-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl 3 β, 12β- 20(S) -trihydroxydammar- 25 - en- 24-one.

Optimum harvesting time of herbaceous peony buds for cutting flowers

The herbaceous peony is one of the cut flowers that has become increasingly popular in the international market in recent years. In the study, 11 cultivars of herbaceous peonies suitable for cutting flowers were selected; different harvesting stages （three or four stages） were identified according to bud development observation （bud firmness, bud diameter, sepal angle, petal angle, and color showing）. Moreover, flower development and vase life were also recorded in the experiment of vase. Bud development observation shows that there are great differences in optimum harvesting stage between the culti- vars, especially between the hybrid peony group and lactiflora group. This implies that bud diameter could not be the only indicator for optimum harvesting stage. Bud description, including sepal opening angle, sepal color, petal color showing, and degree of firmness, is necessary for the determination of the harvesting stage. Among the 11 cultivars,‘Pink Hawaiian Coral＇, ‘Red Charm＇, ‘Edulis Superba＇, ‘Red Magic＇, and ‘Sarah Bernhardt＇ should be harvested at stage 1. ‘Duchesse de Nemours＇, ‘Taff＇, ‘Sorbet＇ and ‘Monsieur Jules Elie＇ should be harvested at stage 2. ‘Kansas＇ should be at stage 3 and ‘Karl Rosenfield＇ at stage 4. The determination of optimum harvesting stage for each cultivar is an important element in cut flower production.

GC-MS Analysis of Liposoluble Constituents from Buds,Flowers and Fruits of Millettia speciosa Champ.

[Objectives] To study the material foundation of liposoluble constituents from buds,flowers and fruits of Millettia speciosa Champ.and provide a reference for the development of flowers and fruits of Millettia speciosa Champ.[Methods]The liposoluble constituents were extracted from buds,flowers and fruits of Millettia speciosa by Soxhlet extraction and solvent extraction method,and analyzed by GC-MS.[Results]24 compounds were identified from the liposoluble constituents of buds,accounting for 88. 31 % of the total liposoluble constituents,mainly comprising alkanes and olefins compounds( 52. 00%) and alcohols compounds( 17. 46%); 29 compounds were identified from the liposoluble constituents of flowers,accounting for 91. 38 % of the total liposoluble constituents,mainly comprising alkanes and olefins compounds( 60. 64%) and alcohols compounds( 17. 17%); 32 compounds were identified from the liposoluble constituents of fruits,accounting for 80. 01 % of the total liposoluble constituents,mainly comprising alkanes and olefins compounds( 32. 56%),phenyl and its derivatives compounds( 22. 46%) and fatty acids compounds( 12. 54%). 6 compounds were common in buds,flowers and fruits. [Conclusions] Although there were some differences in liposoluble constituents from flowers,fruits,leaves and roots of Millettia speciosa Champ.,the different parts of Millettia speciosa Champ. had development value.

天红2号苹果花芽分化期枝条和叶片碳水化合物含量和C/N变化

以天红2号苹果为试材,研究不同砧木短枝和中枝在花芽分化期间叶片和枝条中碳水化合物含量和C/N变化情况。结果表明,稳产期天红2号苹果成花率不受砧木影响。整个花芽分化期,无论嫁接在SH40中间砧还是八棱海棠乔砧上,在同一枝类中,天红2号苹果叶片可溶性糖、蔗糖、果糖和氮含量高于枝条,淀粉含量和C/N低于枝条。嫁接在SH40中间砧上的天红2号苹果成花率高的短枝叶片淀粉和果糖含量低于成花率低的中枝叶片,可溶性糖、蔗糖含量和C/N于花芽分化初期至花瓣原基分化期高于中枝叶片,短枝枝条可溶性糖、果糖含量和C/N低于中枝枝条,短枝枝条淀粉含量于花瓣原基分化期前高于中枝枝条;嫁接在八棱海棠乔砧上的天红2号苹果成花率高的短枝叶片可溶性糖、淀粉、果糖含量和C/N低于成花率低的中枝叶片,短枝枝条可溶性糖、果糖含量和C/N低于中枝枝条,短枝枝条淀粉含量于转化期低于中枝枝条。说明碳水化合物含量和C/N的高低对苹果成花不起决定性作用。在整个花芽分化期,叶片中可溶性糖含量呈上升趋势,枝条中淀粉含量和C/N呈波动性上升趋势,说明天红2号苹果花芽形态分化需要碳水化合物和C/N的积累。

不同心皮数量棉花心皮发育特征、基因表达及相关性状比较

【目的】探究棉花心皮发育特征,不同心皮数量的差异表达基因与植物激素含量,以及心皮数量与棉铃发育的关系。【方法】以3心皮(C3)、4心皮(C4)、5心皮(C5)棉花材料为研究对象,观察棉花心皮发育过程,统计不同杂交组配后代的心皮数量。花芽发育5 d、10 d和开花当天分别进行转录组测序及激素含量测定,并在不同发育时期测定棉铃的表型。【结果】花蕾长度为2~3 mm时,心皮原基发育起始;花蕾长度为4~5 mm时,心皮融合形成合生心皮。心皮原基的发育早于雌蕊器官。C3、C4、C5两两杂交F1的平均心皮数量介于双亲之间。C3、C4和C5中差异表达基因主要富集于生物学过程。花芽发育5 d、10 d和开花当天,富集通路中心皮发育相关基因AP1、AGL6、WUS、MYB21和ARF6在C5中的表达量高于C4,且显著高于C3。花芽发育5 d、10 d,C5的茉莉酸含量显著高于C3、C4,吲哚乙酸含量显著低于C3、C4;C4的脱落酸含量显著低于C3、C5。开花后20 d、35 d和60 d,C5的棉铃直径、棉铃鲜物质质量、棉瓣厚度以及纤维和胚珠鲜物质质量显著高于C3、C4。【结论】3、4、5心皮棉花亲本的杂交组配后代中,心皮数量介于双亲之间。多个心皮发育相关基因在C5中的表达量更高。开花前,C5中茉莉酸含量最高,吲哚乙酸含量最低。心皮数量增多利于增加棉铃直径、鲜物质质量,同时增加纤维和胚珠鲜物质质量。

一种优化的桑树花芽石蜡切片制作方法

针对常规石蜡切片方法无法获得完整桑树花芽切片的问题,以“无籽大十”品种桑树花芽为供试材料,在常规石蜡切片技术基础上,对石蜡切片样品制作过程中固定、软化、脱水、透明及染色等环节进行了优化。结果表明,使用15%氢氟酸软化后,采用优化后的系列脱水、透明等步骤进行制片,可以使切片连续性、完整性得到明显提高。通过切片显微观察,可见细胞轮廓明显、裂痕较少、结构较完整,染色较清晰,并且对发育后期的花芽效果更为明显。优化后的制样流程解决了常规制片出现浸蜡不彻底、组织变脆、蜡带不连续、内部结构不完整等一系列问题。该研究可以从解剖学上为桑树花芽发育形态和花芽分化机制研究提供技术参考。