Responses of maize germination,root morphology and leaf trait to characteristics of lead pollution:a case study

On base of the content of Pb in the soil under different land use patterns in Lanping Lead-zinc mining area,Yunnan in southwest China,the root morphology and leaf traits of maize in different concentration Pb(20,40,60,80,100,150,200,500,1000,2000,3000 mg/L)were analyzed.The results showed that maize germination rate,germination vigor and growth index decreased with the increase of Pb concentration.The root length,surface area of maize increased by 0.21%-81.58%,8.99%-73.43%,1.50%-77.37%,respectively,under 20-500 mg/L Pb concentration.However,these parameters under 1000-3000 mg/L Pb concentration decreased by 37.86%-553.54%,44.99%-766.16%,55.99%-92.81%,respectively,and these lowest value appeared in 3000 mg/L Pb treatment.The root volume of maize increased by 4.57%-89.25%in 20-80 mg/L Pb concentration,and it decreased with the increase of Pb concentration when the Pb concentration was higher than 80 mg/L and decreased by 94.13%in 3000 mg/L Pb.The root surface area and length of 0.50-1.00 diameter class were higher than those of other diameter classes,and these value of maize under 500 mg/L Pb were higher than those of other concentrations.The length and perimeter of maize leaves with the highest value of 220.36 and 962.68 mm,respectively appeared in 60 mg/L Pb treatment.The leaf width and area of maize with the highest value of 15.68 mm and 2448.31 mm^(2),respectively,appeared in 40 mg/L Pb treatment,which indicated that the leaf traits of maize were promoted by low concentration Pb and inhibited by high concentration Pb.

Effects of Soil Fertility and Atmospheric CO_2 Enrichment on Leaf, Stem and Root Dark Respiration of Populus tremuloides

An open-top chamber experiment was conducted at the University of Michigan Biological Station near Pellston, Michigan, USA, to study the effects of soil fertility and CO2 on leaf, stem and root dark respiration (Rd) of Populus tremuloides. Overall, area-based day-time leaf Rd (Rda) was significantly greater at elevated than at ambient CO2 in high-fertility soil, but not in low-fertility soil. Mass-based leaf Rd (Rdm) was overall greater for high- than for low-fertility soil grown trees at elected, but not at ambient CO2. Nighttime leaf Rd. and Rdm were unthected by soil fertility or CO2, nor was stem Rda, which ranged from 1.0 to 1.4 μmol m-2 s-1 in the spring and 3.5 to 4.5 μmol m-2 s-1 in the summer. Root Rda. was significantly higher in high- than in low-fertility soil, but was unaffected by CO2. Since biomass production of P. tremuloides will be significantly greater at elevated CO2 while specific Rd will either increase or remain unchanged, we predict that carbon loss to the atmosphere through respiration from this ecologically important species would increase at higher CO2. Soil fertility would also interact with elevated CO2 in affecting the carbon flow in the plant-soil-air system.

Effects of Remaining Leaf Combining with IBA on Rooting,Physiological and Biochemical Indicators of Leaves from Bougainvillea spectabilis Cuttings

[Objective] The research aimed to discuss the effects on rooting,physiological and biochemical indicators of Bougainvillea spectabilis cuttings by remaining leaf combining with soaking cuttings in IBA.[Method] Effects of remaining leaf combining with IBA on rooting,physiological and biochemical indicators of B.spectabilis cuttings were studied under the regulation and control of intelligent seed propagation system,and then set four treatments：remaining leaf combining with soaking in clean water,remaining leaf combining with soaking in IBA,defoliation combining soaking in clean water,and defoliation combining with soaking in IBA.[Result] The soluble sugar content was high,but indoleacetic acid oxidase activity was lower in the initial stage of adventitious root differentiation in treatment of remaining leaf.While the rooting number,root length,the root mass growth and survival rate of cutting were obviously higher than that in treatment of defoliation.Compared to the treatment soaking in clean water,the treatment soaking in 500×10^-6 IBA increased the soluble sugar content in leaves of cuttings and enhanced rooting of cuttings.[Conclusion] The survival rate and rooting of cuttings improved obviously in the treatment of remaining leaf combining with soaking in 500×10^-6 IBA before cutting under the regulation and control of intelligent seed propagation system.

Prevention Effects of Pyrazosulfuron-ethyl·Quinclorac 50% WP on Stem and Leaf of Dry Direct Seeded Rice

[Objective] The aim was to explore the prevention effects of pyrazosul-furon-ethyl·quinclorac 50% WP on stem and leaf of dry direct seeded rice. [Method] Totaling 7 drug doses were set in the test and the effects were observed 5, 10, 15 and 30 d after drug application, with the remained weeds surveyed 15 and 30 d after drug application. [Result] The test showed pyrazosulfuron-ethyl·quinclorac 50%WP was safe to rice as treatment agent of stem and leaf, and rice yield increased dramatical y, with the growth rate in 2.1%-49.3%. After the drug application, the prevention effects on Echinochloa crusgal i, Ludwimlia prostrata, Monochoria vamli-nalis, and Zong grass were 92.2%, 96.6%, 93.5%, and 94.8%, and the effects on fresh weight were 94.8%, 97.1%, 93.3% and 94.9%, respectively. [Conclusion] Pyra-zosulfuron-ethyl·quinclorac 50% WP can be taken as treatment agents of stem and leaf of dry direct seeded rice.

Correlation of Leaf and Root Senescence During Ripening in Dry Seeded and Transplanted Rice

Dry seeding is a resource-saving rice establishment method. With an equivalent yield, dry seeded flooded rice （DSR） has been considered as a replacement for traditional transplanted flooded rice （TFR）. However, the differences in leaf and root senescence during grain filling between DSR and TFR were seldom identified. In this study, the root length, root tip number and leaf senescence of rice varieties Huanghuazhan and Yangliangyou 6 during ripening were compared between DSR and TFR. Results showed that top three leaves in DSR had the characteristics of relatively lower SPAD value, lower N content and premature leaf senescence. In addition, both the total root length and total root tip number of DSR were significantly lower than those of TFR. In conclusion, premature and quick leaf senescence was related with inadequate root length and root tip number during ripening, which might result from the deficiency of nitrogen supply in DSR. Techniques on improving leaf nitrogen status and delaying the leaf senescence during grain-filling in DSR should be developed in future researches.

A Comparative Study on the Leaf Characteristics and Root Vigor of Bowl Lotus under Hydroponics and Soil Culture

[Objective] The experiment aimed to study the growth characteristics of hydroponic bowl lotus. [Method] The lotus variety Hongxia was chosen as the experimental material. Two treatments, hydroponics and soil culture were set to measure their photosynthetic indices, chlorophyll content and root vigor, and to observe their leaf tissue structure and stomatal characteristics. [Result] The findings indicated that there are no differences in the leaf physiological indices between bowl lotus under hydroponics and soil culture, while the leaf stomata of hydroponic bowl lotus is bigger and its amount is larger than that of soil-culture bowl lotus. At the same time, the ratio of the palisade tissue thickness to spongy tissue thickness is small,and its leaf tissue structure is loose. The root vigor of hydroponic bowl lotus reached its summit earlier, then began to drop. Whereas, the root activity of soil-culture lotus sustained increasing, with vigorous growth. [Conclusion] Therefore, it indicated that hydroponic bowl lotus can adapt to the aquatic-culture environment well and quickly, meanwhile, it also enters into its aging period quickly and its growth cycle gets shorter.

A Preliminary Study on Anatomy of the Stem and Leaf of Premna microphylla Turcz.

[Objective] This study was to reveal the anatomic structure of Premna microphylla Turcz.stem and leaf.[Method] Using plant anatomy method,we performed anatomic analysis of Premna microphylla Turcz.stem and leaf.[Result] The stem of Premna microphylla Turcz.is axially symmetric organ,its primary structure consists of three parts of epidermis,cortex and vascular cylinder.The petiole consists of epidermis,cortex and vascular cylinder,of which epidermis is a layer of cells with cuticle and epidermal hair.The sun leaf in Premna microphylla is dorsi-ventral leaf,wich is consist of palisade tissue and spongy tissue;while its shade leaf of Premna microphylla almost are isobilateral leaf.[Conclusion] Our results provided reference for further the exploitation and utilization of Premna microphylla Turcz.resources.

Synergistic effects of ginseng stem and leaf-extracted ginsenoside and choline on improving learning and memory in rats Association verification experiment in animals with multiple learning and memory disorders

BACKGROUND： Ginsenoside extracted from the stem and leaf of ginseng （GSL） and choline have both been shown to improve learning and memory functions; however, further studies are needed to understand the synergistic effects of a combination of both. OBJECTIVE： To verify the combined improved synergistic effects of GSL and choline on learning and memory disorders in rats. DESIGN： Control observation. SETTING： Taishan Medical College. MATERIALS： A total of 150 male Kunming mice weighing （204-2） g and 40 healthy male Wistar rats weighing （2204-20） g were provided by the Experimental Animal Department of Jilin University. Animal experimentation received confirmed consent from the local ethic committee. GSL was provided by the Department of Chemistry, Norman Bethune Medical University, and choline was provided by the Third Experiment Factory, Shanghai. METHODS： This study was performed at the Life Science Institute, Taishan Medical College from October 2006 to February 2007. ① Scopolamine-induced learning and memory disorders in rats： Forty rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, combination group （400 mg/kg GSL ＋ 200 mg/kg choline）, GSL （400 mg/kg） group, and choline （200 mg/kg） group, 8 rats/group. Rats were perfused and administrated in the morning, once a day for 14 successive days. Rats in the control group and model group were perfused with 20 mL/kg distilled water and underwent Morris water maze spatial resolution test 1 hour after perfusion on the 10m, 11m, and 12m days after administration. Rats also underwent passive step-down avoidance test 1 hour after reperfusion on the 13m and 14m days after administration. Thirty minutes prior to experimentation, rats in the remaining three groups were intraperitoneally （i.p） injected with 2 mg/kg scopolamine, and rats in the control group were i.p. injected with 2 mL/kg saline. ② Scopolamine-induced learning disorder and memory acquired disorder in mice： Fifty mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, combination group （400 mg/kg GSL ＋200 mg/kg choline）, GSL （400 mg/kg） group, and choline （200 mg/kg） group, with 10 mice/group. Mice were perfused and administrated in the morning, once a day for 9 successive days. Mice in the control group and model group were perfused with 20 mL/kg distilled water and underwent passive step down avoidance test 1 hour after reperfusion on the 8th and 9th day after administration. Twenty minutes prior to training, mice in the remaining three groups were i.p. injected with 2 mg/kg scopolamine, and mice in the control group were i.p. injected with 10 mL/kg saline. ③ Sodium nitrite-induced memory consolidation disorder in mice： Grouping, administration, and testing were the same as mentioned above. After training, mice in the remaining three groups were immediately subcutaneously injected with 120 mg/kg sodium nitrite, and mice in the control group were subcutaneously injected with 20 mL/kg saline. ④ Ethanol-induced memory reconsolidation disorder in mice： Grouping, administration, and testing were the same as mentioned above. At 24 hours after training and 20 minutes before retraining, mice in the remaining four groups were perfused with 10 mL/kg ethanol （0.3 volume fraction）, and mice in the control group were perfused with 10 mL/kg saline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Synergistic effects of GSL and choline on learning and memory deficits induced by scopolamine, sodium nitrite, and ethanol in experimental animals. RESULTS： All 40 rats and 150 mice were included in the final analysis. ① Synergistic effects of GSL and choline on learning and memory disorders induced by scopolamine in rats： During passive step-down avoidance and Morris water maze spatial resolution tests, the number of error responses and length of maze training in the model group were significantly greater than in the control group （P 〈 0.01）; while the number of error responses and length of maze training in the combination group were significantly less than in the model group, GSL group, and choline group （P 〈 0.05-0.01）. The Q value was 〉 1 after combining administration, which suggests that the combination of GSL and choline had synergistic effects. ② Synergistic effects of GSL and choline on learning disorder and memory-acquired disorder induced by scopolamine in mice： During passive step-down avoidance test, the number of error responses in the model group were significantly greater than in the control group （P 〈 0.01 ）; while the number of error responses in the combination group were significantly less than in the model group, GSL group, and choline group （P 〈 0.05-0.01）. The Q value was 〉 1 after combining administration, which suggests GSL and choline had synergistic effects. ③ Synergistic effects of GSL and choline on memory sodium nitrate-induced consolidation disorder in mice： During passive step down avoidance test, the number of error responses in the model group were significantly less than in the control group （P 〈 0.01 ）; while the number of error responses in the combination group were significantly less than in the model group, GSL group, and choline group （P 〈 0.05-0.01）. The Q value was 〉 1 after combined administration, which suggests GSL and choline had synergistic effects. ④ Synergistic effects of GSL and choline on ethanol-induced memory reconsolidation disorder in mice： During passive step down avoidance test, the number of error responses in the model group were significantly greater than in the control group （P 〈 0.01）; while the number of error responses in the combination group were significantly less than in the model group, GSL group, and choline group （P 〈 0.05-0.01）. The Q value was 〉 1 after combined administration, which suggests GSL and choline had synergistic effects. CONCLUSION： GSL and choline have synergistic effects on learning and memory functions.

Pharmacological Activity and Application of Roots, Stems and Leaves of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi

The root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is traditionally used as medicine,and it has been confirmed that S.baicalensis Georgi has flavonoid chemical constituents,pharmacological activity and cosmetic efficacy.With the extensive application of S.baicalensis Georgi roots,the resource of S.baicalensis Georgi has been increasingly short.The above-ground part of stems and leaves of S.baicalensis Georgi has also been gradually recognized and developed.Studies have found that the chemical constituents from stems and leaves of S.baicalensis Georgi are also a group of flavonoids with a lot of pharmacological activity and have a great application value.Based on this,the present review will be reported on the chemical constituents and application of the roots,stems and leaves of S.baicalensis Georgi.

Rooting of Stem Cuttings with Different Indole 3 Butyric Acid (IBA) Treatments and Development of Micropropagation Protocol for <i>Piper betle</i>L. Node Culture

The present study, conducted during 2016 and 2017 seasons, aimed to investigate the effect of IBA on rooting of Piper betle L. stem cuttings (softwood and semi-hardwood). The experiment was undertaken in misting house field 2 UPM using the sand media to determine the adventitious roots initiation and development using the histological method. The cuttings were treated with different IBA concentrations (0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/L). The nodes explants were used in the development of a protocol for in vitro propagation of P. betle L., with different concentrations of Clorox with different times of immersion (20% Clorox 10 minutes, 30% Clorox 10 minutes, 20% Clorox 20 minutes, and 30% 20 minutes). In multiplication of the plantlets, Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different concentrations of BAP (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/L) were used to investigate the rooting of the explants. The results indicated that the types of the cuttings were different in the rooting capacity and the length of the roots. Moreover, it was found that in comparison with the control treatment, by a rise in the concentrations of the IBA, there was a significant upsurge in the rooting percentage, the root diameter, and the number of the roots. The results indicated that the types of cutting with 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/L IBA perform better in the root percentage (100%) in the semi hardwood cuttings. The best results, however, were 2000 mg/L IBA in the semi hardwood cuttings, with the number of the roots to be 35.05, and the fresh weight of the roots to be 3.94 g, the dry weight of the roots to be 0.33 g, the length of the roots to be 391.88 cm, the roots diameter to be 1.21 mm, the surface area of the roots to be 121.83 cm2, and the root volume to be 2.99 cm3. Nonetheless, the optimal concentration of Clorox with the time immersion was 20% with the 20-minute immersion time, which produced a shoot induction percentage of 30% dead explants and a mean number of 70.00 shoots per explant and the optimal concentration of benzylaminopurine (BAP) at 1.0 mg/L. It is of note that a shoot induction percentage of 22.29% and a mean number of 4.1% number of auxiliary bud per treatment. P. betle shoots in MS medium without PGR MS (0.0) yielded a good rooting.

Response of density-related fine root production to soil and leaf traits in coniferous and broad-leaved plantations in the semiarid loess hilly region of China

Fine roots are the most active and functional component of root systems and play a significant role in the acquisition of soil resources. Density is an important structural factor in forest plantations but information on changes in fine roots along a density gradient is limited. In this study, plantations of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis Carr.) with four density classes were analyzed for the influence of soil and leaf traits on fine root growth. Fine root biomass increased with stand density. High fine root biomass was achieved through increases in the fine root production and turnover rate in the high-density black locust plantations and through an increase in fine root production in the pine plantations. In the high-density Chinese pine stand, there was a high fine root turnover which, coupled with high fine root production, contributed to a high fine root biomass. Overall, fine root production and turnover rate were closely related to soil volumetric water content in both kinds of plantations, while fine root biomass, especially the component of necromass, was related to soil nutrient status, which refers to phosphorous content in black locust plantations and nitrogen content in Chinese pine plantations. There was a close linkage between leaf area index and fine root dynamics in the black locust plantations but not in the pine plantations.

Genotypic variation in root morphology, cotton subtending leaf physiology and fiber quality against nitrogen

Background:Nitrogen(N)is important for improving various morphological and physiological processes of cotton but their contribution to fiber quality is still lacking.Aims:The current study aimed to explore the relationship between root morphology,subtending leaf physiology,and fiber quality of contrasting N-efficient cotton genotypes in response to N.Methods:We analyzed the above parameters of CCRI 69(N-efficient)and Xinluzao-30(XLZ-30,N-inefficient)under control(2.5 mmol·L^(-1))and high N(5 mmol·L^(-1))conditions.Results:The results showed that root morphological traits were increased in CCRI-69 under control conditions than high N.Subtending leaf morphology,chlorophyll and carotenoid contents,free amino acids,and soluble proteins were higher under high N as compared with the control.However,soluble sugars,fructose,sucrose contents,and sucrose phosphate synthase were higher under control conditions than high N across the growth stages.Irrespective of the N conditions,all morphological and physiological traits of cotton subtending leaf were higher in CCRI-69 than XLZ-30.Except for fiber uniformity,fiber quality traits like fiber length,strength,micronaire,and elongation were improved under control conditions than high N.Between the genotypes,CCRI-69 had significantly higher fiber length,strength,micronaire,and elongation as compared with XLZ-30.Strong positive correlations were found between root morphology,soluble sugars,sucrose content,and sucrose phosphate synthase activity with fiber quality traits,respectively.Conclusions:These findings suggest that CCRI-69 performed better in terms of growth and fiber quality under relatively low N condition,which will help to reduce fertilizer use,the cost of production,and environmental pollution.

Effects of ginsenoside of stem and leaf combined with choline on learning and memory ability of rat models with Alzheimer diseases

BACKGROUND： Central adrenergic nerve and 5-serotonergic nerve can influence central cholinergic nerve on learning and memory and make easy for study; however, ginsenoside of stem and leaf （GSL） can improve functions of central adrenergic nerve; moreover, 5-serotonergic nerve and the combination with choline can produce synergistic effect and enhance learning and memory ability so as to improve learning and memory disorder of patients with Alzheimer disease （AD）. OBJECTIVE ： To observe the effects of GSL combining with choline on learning and memory of AD model rats DESIGN ： Randomized grouping design and controlled animal study SETIING ： Department of Pharmacology, Taishan Medical College MATERIALS ： The experiment was carried out in the Pharmacological Department of Medical College of Jilin University from October 1996 to January 1997. Forty healthy male Wistar rats of clean grade were randomly divided into 5 groups, including sham-injury group, model group, GSL group, choline group and combination group, with 8 rats in each group. Main medications： GSL with the volume more than 92.8% was provided by Department of Chemistry, Norman Bethune Medical College of Jilin University. Panaxatriol, the main component, was detected with thin layer scanning technique and regarded as the index of GSL quality [（55±1）%, CV= 2%, n = 5]. Choline was provided by the Third Shanghai Laboratory Factory. METHODS ： 150 nmol quinolinic acid was used to damage bilateral Meynert basal nuclei of adult rats so as to establish AD models. Rats in GSL, choline and combination groups were intragastric administrated with 400 mg/kg GSL, 200 mg/kg choline （20 mL/kg）, and both respectively last for 17 days starting from two days before operation. Rats in sham-injury group and model group were perfused with the same volume of distilled water once in each morning for the same days. （1） Passive avoidance step-down test： Five minutes later, rats jumped up safe platform when they were shocked with 36 V alternating current. If rats jumped down from the platform and the feet touched railings, the response was wrong. Numbers of wrong response were recorded within 3 minutes, and then the test was redone after 24 hours. （2） Morris water-maze spatial localization task： Swimming from jumping-off to platform directly was regarded as right response. Additionally, 4 successively right responses were regarded as the standard. Each rat was trained 10 times a day with 120 s per time for 3 successive days. The interval was 30 s. Three days later, numbers of right response were recorded. The training times were increased to 30 for unlearned rats. （3） Measurement of activity of choline acetylase in cerebral cortex： Rats were sacrificed at 17 days after operation to obtain cerebral cortex to measure activity of choline acetylase with radiochemistry technique. （4） Synergistic effect： It was expressed as Q value： Q value = factual incorporative effect/anticipant incorporative effect; Q ≥ 1 was regarded as synergistic effect. Anticipant incorporative effect = （EA＋EB-EA·EB）, EA and EB were single timing effect, respectively in GSL group and choline group. E（step-down test and Morris water maze test） = （x in model group - factual value in medicine groups）/x in model group; E （activity of choline acetylase） = （factual value in medicine groups -xin model group）/xin model group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES ： （1） Passive avoidance step-down test and Morris water-maze spatial localization task in the study of learning and memory; （2） activity of choline acetylase. RESULTS ： All 40 rats were involved in the final analysis. （1） Passive avoidance response： At learning phase on first day and retesting phase on the next day, numbers of wrong responses within 3 minutes were more in model group than sham operation group, and there was significant difference [（5.88±1.46）, （2.25±0.87） times; （2.63±1.06）, （0.50±0.53） times; P 〈 0.01]; numbers of wrong responses within 3 minutes were less in combination group than model group, and there was significant difference [learning phase： （1.12±0.83）, （5.88±1.46） times; retesting phase： （0.38±0.74）, （2.63±1.06）times, P 〈 0.01]; moreover, effect was stronger than that in GSL group and choline group. The Q value was 1.07 and 1.59, respectively and it showed synergistic effect. Spatial localization task： Training times were more in model group than sham operation group, and there was significant difference [（2.9±2.5）, （12.6±3.5） times; P 〈 0.01]. Training times were less in combination group than model group, and there was significant difference [（11.8±2.4）, （27.9±2.5） times, P 〈 0.01]; moreover, effect was stronger than that in GSL group and choline group. The Q value was 1.07 and it showed synergistic effect. （3） Activity of choline acetylase： Activity was lower in model group than sham operation group, and there was significant difference [（30.56±8.33）, （61.11 ±8.33） nkat/g; P 〈 0.01]. Activity was higher in combination group than model group and there was significant difference [（50.00±8.33）, （30.56±8.33） nkat/g, P 〈 0.01];moreover, effect was stronger than that in GSL group and choline group. The Q value was 1.5 and it showed synergistic effect. CONCLUSZON： GSL in combination with choline can synergically improve the disorder of learning and memory of AD model rats. Its mechanism may be involved in enhancing the function of central cholinergic system.

Effect of Root-Zone Temperature on Growth and Quality of Hydroponically Grown Red Leaf Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Red Wave)

Soil temperature influences crop growth and quality under field and greenhouse conditions;however, precise investigation using controlled cultivation systems is largely lacking. We investigated effects of root-zone temperatures on growth and components of hydroponically grown red leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Red Wave) under a controlled cultivation system at 20&degC. Compared with ambient root-zone temperature exposure, a 7-day low temperature exposure reduced leaf area, stem size, fresh weight, and water content of lettuce. However, root-zone heating treatments produced no significant changes in growth parameters compared with ambient conditions. Leaves under low root-zone temperature contained higher anthocyanin, phenols, sugar, and nitrate concentrations than leaves under other temperatures. Root oxygen consumption declined with low temperature root exposure, but not with root heating. Leaves of plants under low rootzone temperature showed hydrogen peroxide production, accompanied by lipid peroxidation. Therefore, low temperature root treatment is suggested to induce oxidative stress responses in leaves, activating antioxidative secondary metabolic pathways.

Evaluation of phytophthora root rot-resistant <i>Capsicum annuum</i>accessions for resistance to phytophthora foliar blight and phytophthora stem blight

A mixture of six Georgia isolates of Phytophthora capsici (Leon.), the causal agent of phytophthora blight, were used for greenhouse mass screening of over 700 accessions of Capsicum annuum for both stem blight and foliar blight. From this screening, it was determined that resistance to both forms of the disease were relatively common in the germplasm, but resistance to one form of the disease was not strongly correlated to resistance to the other form. Ten accessions previously shown to possess root rot resistance were tested for resistance to stem rot and leaf blight, and were found to also be highly resistant to these forms of the disease. It appears that single accessions have resistance to foliar, stem and root rot caused by P. capsici, which may simplify breeding for resistance to all three forms of the disease.

A Brief Review of Root,Stem and Base and Their Application in the Text⁃book of New Senior English for China

Without grammar,very little can be conveyed;without vocabulary,nothing can be conveyed.Word formation is of great significance in vocabulary teaching and learning,and having a good command of root,stem,and base can promote teaching and learning efficiently and effectively.This paper mainly aims to make a brief review of root,stem and base,and their application in textbooks.

Effect of rooting media and hormone concentrations on vegetative propagation of Balanites aegyptiaca

Vegetative propagation is widely used as a means of genotype preservation in clone banks and seed orchards but despite this, the possibility of vegetative propagation using hormones is not clear for many indigenous tree species, including Balanites aegyptiaca. This research is on the vegetative propagation of B. aegyptiaca as influenced by rooting media and growth hormones.Juvenile stem cuttings were obtained from 4 months old seedlings. Nodal stem cuttings 4–5 cm long from 3–5 mm diameter stems were treated with indole-3-butyric acid or indole-3-acetic acid at 50, 100 and 150 mg/L and sown in three different rooting media: top soil, river sand, and sawdust. The results reveal a significant effect(p \ 0.05)of rooting media and growth hormones on B. aegyptiaca cuttings. B. aegyptiaca can be propagated vegitatively without the use of hormones. The control was recommended for vegetative propagation of B. aegyptiaca.

The leaf extract of crofton weed(Eupatorium adenophorum)inhibits primary root growth by inducing cell death in maize root border cells

The extract of crofton weed(Eupatorium adenophorum) inhibits seed germination and weed growth;however,the physiological mechanisms underlying the effect of crofton weed extract on the modulation of seedling growth and root system development remain largely unclear.In this study,we investigated the effects of the leaf extract of crofton weed(LECW) on primary root(PR) growth in maize seedlings.Treatment with LECW markedly inhibited seed germination and seedling growth in a dose-dependent manner.Physiological analysis indicated that the LECW induced reactive oxygen species(ROS) accumulation in root tips,thereby leading to cell swelling and deformation both in the root cap and elongation zone of root tips,finally leading to cell death in root border cells(RBCs) and PR growth inhibition.The LECW also inhibited pectin methyl esterase(PME) activity,thereby decreasing the RBC number.Taken together,our results indicated that the LECW inhibited PR growth by inducing ROS accumulation and subsequent cell death in RBCs.The present study provides a better understanding of how the LECW modifies root system development and provides insight for evaluating the toxicity of crofton weed extracts in plants.

Root distribution of three co-occurring desert shrubs and their physiological response to precipitation

Root distribution of three desert shrubs,Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb.,Haloxylon ammodendron(C.A.Mey.) Bunge and Reaumuria soongorica(Pall.) Maxim.was investigated under co-occurring conditions using a method for excavating the whole root system.Assimilation shoot water potential and transpiration rates were monitored during the wet-dry cycle.Leaf-specific apparent hydraulic conductance and the index of water stress impact for the three species were calculated from shoot water potential and transpiration rate.The results showed that,along the soil profile,the root system of T.ramosissima mainly distributed at 50 to 310 cm interval,with an average total absorbing root-surface area of 30,249.2 cm2 per plant;the root system of H.ammodendraom distributed at 0 to 250 cm interval with an average total absorbing root-surface area of 12,847.3 cm2 per plant;the root system of R.soongorica distributed at 0-80 cm interval,with an average total absorbing root-surface area of 361.8 cm2.The root distribution shows the following:T.ramosissima uses groundwater as its main water source;H.ammodendraom uses both groundwater and rainwater;and R.soongorica uses rainwater only.During the wet-dry cycle,the hydraulic parameters of T.ramosissima showed no responses to precipitation.R.soongorica responded most significantly,and the responses of H.ammodendraom were intermediate.In conclusion,the plant response to rain events is closely related to their root distribution and plant water-use strategy.

Water adaptive traits of deep-rooted C_3 halophyte(Karelinia caspica(Pall.) Less.) and shallow-rooted C_4 halophyte(Atriplex tatarica L.) in an arid region,Northwest China

This paper focused on the water relations of two halophytes differing in photosynthetic pathway, phe- notype, and life cycle： Karelinia caspica （Pall.） Less. （C3, deep-rooted perennial Asteraceae grass） and Atriplex tatarica L. （C4, shallow-rooted annual Chenopodiaceae grass）. Gas exchange, leaf water potential, and growth characteristics were investigated in two growing seasons in an arid area of Xinjiang to explore the physiological adaptability of the two halophytes. Both K. caspica and A. tatarica showed midday depression of transpiration, in- dicating that they were strong xerophytes and weak midday depression types. The roots of A. tatarica were con- centrated mainly in the 0-60 cm soil layer, and the leaf water potential （~L） increased sharply in the 0-20 cm layer due to high soil water content, suggesting that the upper soil was the main water source. On the other hand, K. caspica had a rooting depth of about 1.5 m and a larger root/shoot ratio, which confirmed that this species uptakes water mainly from deeper soil layer. Although A. tatarica had lower transpiration water consumption, higher water use efficiency （WUE）, and less water demand at the same leaf water potential, it showed larger water stress impact than K. caspica, indicating that the growth of A. tatarica was restricted more than that of K. caspica when there was no rainfall recharge. As a shallow-rooted C4 species, A. tatarica displayed lower stomatal conductance, which could to some extent reduce transpiration water loss and maintain leaf water potential steadily. In contrast, the deep-rooted C3 species K. caspica had a larger root/shoot ratio that was in favor of exploiting groundwater. We concluded that C3 species （K. caspica） tapes water and C4 species （A. tatarica） reduces water loss to survive in the arid and saline conditions. The results provided a case for the phenotype theory of Schwinning and Ehleringer on halophytic plants.