Production traits and fertility of reciprocal hybrids between Argopecten irradians irradians and A.i.concentricus

The two bay scallop subspecies,Argopecten irradians irradians(NN)and A.i.concentricus(SS),are fast growing and major cultured bivalves in China.However,their relatively small sizes and decreasing production traits caused by long-term inbreeding have been major concerns to the industry in the last two decades.Hybridization between the two bay scallop subspecies may provide a new approach to breed a new variety with superior production traits for the industry.For this end,in this study,we hybridized the two bay scallop subspecies in order to obtain a new strain that incorporates the genes of both subspecies.No significant difference was found in fertilization rate,hatching rate and metamorphosis rate between the purebred and crossbred cohorts(NN♀×SS♂,denoted as NS;SS♀×NN♂,denoted as SN).Both mating strategy(intra-vs.inter-population crosses)and egg origin had significant effects on growth and survival at the larval stage.Heterosis was observed in the crossbred and was more pronounced in older stages.Genetic diversity of the reciprocal hybrids,especially that of SN,was increased compared with the purebred cohorts.Almost all hybrids were completely fertile and able to reproduce by selffertilization or by backcrossing with either parent.Apparently,male sterile individuals whose gonads were fully occupied by the ovary part at mature stage were found in the hybrids for the first time.The hybrids,especially SN,may provide precious germplasm resources for the production of ternary hybrids with the Peruvian scallop,A.purpuratus.

Total Fat, Fatty Acid Composition, Tocopherol and Tocotrienol Profiles in Fermented Beans of Ten Controlled Pollinated Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Hybrids from Cameroon

This study aimed to discriminate ten Cameroonian cocoa hybrids according to their total fat, fatty acid composition, tocopherol and tocotrienol profiles. Six cocoa clones from the gene banks of the Cameroon Cocoa Development Corporation were used to create hybrids. The determination of fatty acid composition was carried out by using a gas chromatography (GC) apparatus coupled by a flame ion detector (FID). Tocopherol and tocotrienol analysis was performed by upper high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). Information on the impact of the genotype on the cocoa fat composition was provided. The major fatty acids (FA) in fermented samples are stearic (34.57%), palmitic (26.13%), oleic (34.13%) and linoleic (3.16%) acids. (35.05% to 35.6%). SCA12 × ICS40, SCA12 × SNK13, SNK13 × T79/501 have the least hard cocoa butters. Tocopherols analysis showed a predominance of γ-tocopherols (94.64 ± 1.51 to 292.16 ± 3.17 µg∙g−1), whereas only a small amount of β and δ-tocopherol (from 0.46 to 2.78 µg∙g−1 and 0.12 to 5.82 respectively) was observed. No γ-tocotrienol was found in fermented samples. A differentiation in terms of total fat and tocopherol content was observed amongst hybrids with the same mother-clone, suggesting an impact of pollen on these compounds.

Enhancing Green Ammonia Electrosynthesis Through Tuning Sn Vacancies in Sn‑Based MXene/ MAX Hybrids

Renewable energy driven N_(2) electroreduction with air as nitrogen source holds great promise for realizing scalable green ammonia production.However,relevant out-lab research is still in its infancy.Herein,a novel Sn-based MXene/MAX hybrid with abundant Sn vacancies,Sn@Ti_(2)CTX/Ti_(2)SnC–V,was synthesized by controlled etching Sn@Ti_(2)SnC MAX phase and demonstrated as an efficient electrocatalyst for electrocatalytic N2 reduction.Due to the synergistic effect of MXene/MAX heterostructure,the existence of Sn vacancies and the highly dispersed Sn active sites,the obtained Sn@Ti2CTX/Ti_(2)SnC–V exhibits an optimal NH_(3) yield of 28.4μg h^(−1) mg_(cat)^(−1) with an excellent FE of 15.57% at−0.4 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode in 0.1 M Na_(2)SO_(4),as well as an ultra-long durability.Noticeably,this catalyst represents a satisfactory NH3 yield rate of 10.53μg h^(−1) mg^(−1) in the home-made simulation device,where commercial electrochemical photovoltaic cell was employed as power source,air and ultrapure water as feed stock.The as-proposed strategy represents great potential toward ammonia production in terms of financial cost according to the systematic technical economic analysis.This work is of significance for large-scale green ammonia production.

Development of Modified Glasses by Transparent, Functional Hybrid Sol-Gel Nano-Ceramic Coatings, a Comparative Study

This paper concentrates on the development of glasses with self-cleaning surfaces exhibiting high water contact angles. In this study, we prepared super-hydrophobic nano-ceramic coated glass based on titania & silica using simple sol-gel & dip coating methods and studied the best composition of the coatings by altering ratios of titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP)/tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) with different homogenizing agents. We characterized the coatings by surface roughness measurement, percentage of optical transmission, static contact angle, near-infrared (NIR) transmission, and diffuse reflectance. The fabrication of coatings on glass substrates played an important role in increasing the water contact angle of about 95° and visible & NIR transmission of about 90%. We compared our modified glass substrate with commercial low emissivity (Low E) glass using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, which showed pure amorphous surface claiming excellent wettability and thus the prepared glass substrate could have a variety of applications in different fields.

Comparative Analysis on Growth and Morphology in Yangtze River ♀,Zhujiang River ♂ and Their F_1 Hybrids of Juvenile Grass Carp

[ Objective] The aim of this study was to investigate the growth and morphological characteristics of juvenile hybrids of grass carp. [Method] Three inbred generations of YR （Yangtze River stock ♀×Yangtze River stock ♂ ）, ZR （Zhujiang River stock ♀ ×Zhujiang River stock♂ ） and hybrids F1 （ Yangtze River stock ♀ × Zhujiang River stock ♂ ） were established, and their growth or morphological data were also measured. [ Result] The orders of body weight, standard length and absolute growth rate were F1 〉 ZR 〉 YR. No significant difference was found in body weight or standard length of 50 day-old generations （ P〉0. 05）, while there was an extremely significantly difference in those of 170 day-old generations （ P 〈0.01 ）. However, the absolute growth rate of F1 was 20.00% and 50.00% higher than that of ZR and YR respectively, and no significant difference was found between F1 and ZR （ P 〉 0.05）, but significant difference between F1 and YR （ P 〈 0.05）. F1 showed a significant hybrid vigor with rate of 20.09%. There was no significant difference among three inbred generations in standard length/total length （ P 〉 0.05）, while significant difference in head length/total length, body height/standard length and body width/standard length （ P 〈 0.05）, which indicated that F1 had the characteristics of shorter head, higher and wider body. [ Conclusion]F1 has advantages in growth performance and morphological characteristics.

Screening of SSR Core Primers for Purity Identification of Pepper(Capsicum) Hybrids

[Objective] This study aimed to screen a set of SSR core primers suitable for purity identification of pepper （Capsicum） hybrids. [Method] DNA fingerprint of 100 pepper hybrids was analyzed using 17 SSR primers. [Result] According to the polymorphism and heterozygosity, Hpms1-214, Es395 and Hpmsl-5 were determined as three preferred core primers for purity identification of pepper hybrids. By using these three preferred core primers, 97 pepper hybrids （accounting for 97%） had heterozygous band pattern with at least one primer. Es330, Es363, Epms923, Es120 and Es64 were determined as candidate core primers for purity identification of pepper hybrids. Specific primers of 14 varieties were obtained, which could be used to further screen parent-complementary primers of each pepper hybrid. [Con- clusion] This study laid the foundation for constructing standard DNA fingerprints for purity identification of pepper hybrids.

Interspecific Hybridization between Cucumis ssp. Plants and SRAP Analysis of Hybrids

To understand the inter-hybridization between Cucumis ssp.plants,we used 150 melon varieties as female parents to cross with Cucumis metuliferus and Cucumis anguria.Only melon accessions V2 and V129 set fruits,but seeds from fruits V2（V129）×C.metuliferus were abortive.A few of seeds from the bottom of fruit V2（V129）×C.anguria were fertile.Sequence-related amplified polymorphism（SRAP）molecular markers were used to analyze the progenies of inter-specific hybridization between C.anguria and melon V129.One pair primer（E14/M2）was found effective in amplification on male parent characteristic bands from the hybrids,suggesting that some DNA exchange had happened between C.anguria and melon V129.This study provided data for analyzing the mechanism of inter-hybridization between Cucumis plants.

Analysis of Protein and Isoenzyme of LiLum davidii var.unicolor,Lilium Asiatic Hybrids and Their Hybrid F_1

[Objective]The paper was to provide theoretical basis for selection of parental combination and early identification of hybrids.[Method]The soluble protein and peroxidase of LiLum davidii var.unicolor,Lilium Asiatic hybrids and their filial generations were analyzed using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technique.[Result]The protein spectrum of filial generation with L.davidii var.unicolor as parent not only appeared the homologous band as parent with darker coloring,but also had new bands compared with parent.Peroxidase zymogram of hybrid F1 mainly displayed incomplete complementary and hybrid type of parent.[Conclusion]Protein spectrum and peroxidase zymogram could be used as the biochemical markers for the identification of hybrids of lily,which could also detect the target traits of plant.

INTERSPECIFIC SOMATIC HYBRIDS IN ACTINIDIA

Protoplasts isolated from cotyledon-derived calli of Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis (2n = 2x=58) were fused by the PEG method with cotyledon-callus protoplasts of A. deliciosa var. deliciosa (2n = 6x = 174) or with mesophyll protoplasts of A. kolomikta (2n = 2x = 58), respectively. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers and flow cytometry was used to confirm the occurrence of somatic hybrids. RAPD results with some primers surveyed indicated that one clone (A. chinensis + A. deliciosa) and four clones (A. chinensis + A. kolomikta) had RAPD banding patterns which combined the parental banding profiles. Ploidy levels of the (A. chinensis + A. deliciosa) clone were deduced as octoploid (2n = 8x), and the (A. chinensis + A. kolomikta) clones were tetraploid (2n = 4x), triploid (2n = 3x) or pentaploid (2n = 5x). The clones were confirmed as interspecific somatic hybrids in Actinidia.

cpSSR: a New Tool to Analyze Chloroplast Genome of Citrus Somatic Hybrids

Chloroplast simple sequence repeat (cpSSR) markers in Citrus were developed and successfully used to analyze chloroplast genome inheritance of Citrus somatic hybrids. Twenty-two previously reported cpSSR primer pairs from pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.), rice (Otyza sativa L.) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) were tested in Citrus, nine of which could amplify intensive PCR products by agarose gel electrophoresis. Chloroplast genome inheritance of Citrus somatic hybrids from nine fusions was then analyzed, and five of the nine pre-screened primer pairs showed polymorphisms by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results revealed the random inheritance nature of chloroplast genome in all analyzed Citrus somatic hybrids, which was in agreement with previous reports based on RFLP or CAPS analyses. It was also shown that cpSSR is a more efficient tool in chloroplast genome analyses of somatic hybrids in higher plants, compared with the conventional RFLP or CAPS analyses.

Effect of Main Cultivation Factors on Oil Quality and Stability of Brassica napus Hybrids

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the influence of five cultivation factors： sowing date, plant density, nitrogen fertilizer amount, phosphate fertilizer amount and potash fertilizer amount on oil quality and stability of Brassica napus hybrids. [Method] Statistical analysis was carried out based on the data from previous studies and our work. [Result] Sowing date had no significant influence on oil quality and stability of B. napus hybrids. The plant density shared a positive correlation with 18-C fatty acid （FA） content, unsaturated fatty acid （UFA） content, total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid, index of unsaturated fatty acid （IUFA）, so a large plant density can improve the oil quality （by increasing18-C FA content, UFA content, total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid）, but reduce the oil stability （by increasing IUFA）. The amount of nitrogen fertilizer had no significant influence on the contents of 18-C FA and UFA, but significant positive correlations with the total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid and IUFA. So, the total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid can be reduced by increasing nitrogen amount, meanwhile the oil stability was also decreased. Phosphate fertilizer amount did not affect 18-C FA significantly, but was negatively correlated with the UFA content, total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid, and IUFA. So, increasing the amount of applied phosphate fertilizer can reduce UFA content, total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid, thereby improving oil stability. Potash fertilizer had no significant influence on the IUFA, a significant positive correlation with 18-C FA content, an insignificant positive correlation with the the UFA content, and a negative correlation with the total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid. The oil content of rapeseed shared an extremely significant positive correlation with 18-C FA content and UFA content, an negative correlation with the total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid, and no significant correlation with IUFA. [Conclusion] This study identified the effects of five main cultivation factors on oil quality and stability of B. napus hybrids, and the correlations of oil content with 18-C FA content, UFA content, total content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid, and IUFA.

Combination of Homoeologous Pairing Gene phKL and Ph2-deficiency in Common Wheat and Its Meiotic Behaviors in Hybrids with Alien Species

The combined lines having both phKL and Ph2-deficiency were obtained in the genetic background of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) landrace. These lines had normal fertility. In the wheat combined lines X Aegilops variabilis Eig. (or rye), a significant increase in the chiasmata of homoeologous pairing was shown by the phKL+Ph2(-) plants with respect to their phKL+Ph2 sibs, which indicates that Ph2-deficiency and phKL showed an additive effect on promoting pairing. The effects were shown in the increment of rod bivalents, ring bivalents and trivalents and reduction of univalents, of which, reduction of univalents was mainly due to the increment of rod bivalents. The combined lines are probably more desirable materials for alien gene transferring than phKL or Ph2(-) lines alone. In comparison with that of ph1b X Ae. variabilis (or rye), phKL+Ph2(-) X Ae. variabilis (or rye) show higher (or similar) numbers of rod bivalents, while the total chromosome pairing level significantly reduced that ascribed to the decrement in ring bivalents and multivalents. These results probably indicate the different genetic mechanisms for Ph1 and Ph2 or phKL on controlling homoeologous pairing.

Meiotic Behavior of 1BL/1RS Translocation Chromosome and Alien Chromosome in Two Tri-genera Hybrids

The behavior of wheat-rye translocation chromosome and alien chromosome including Thinopyrum and Haynaldia chromosome at meiosis was investigated in two hybrids by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Misdivision of translocation chromosome at anaphase I and rye chromatin micronucleus at tetrad stage were observed, A plant with one normal 1BL/1RS translocation chromosome and one 1BL/1RS translocation chromosome deleted about 1/3 of rye chromosome arm in length was identified. One plant with wheat-Thinopyrum non-Robertson translocation chromosome was also detected in the F-2 population of Yi4212 x Yi4095. That could be the results of unequal misdivision of wheat-rye 1BL/1RS translocation chromosome and Thinopyrum chromosome during meiosis. No interaction between translocation chromosome and alien chromosome at meiosis was supported by the data of the distribution frequencies of translocation chromosome and Thinopyrum or Haynaldia chromosome in the progeny of two hybrids. The results may be useful to cultivate new germplasms with different length of rye 1R short arm and wheat-alien non-Robertson translocation tines under wheat background.

Determination and Comparison of Pigment Contents in Leaves of Punica granatum L. Hybrids with Different Leaf Colors

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the reason for the different leaf colors of pomegranate hybrid progeny. [Method] Spectrophotometry was used to determine the contents of three pigments, including chlorophyll, carotenoid and anthocyanin, in the leaves of eight pomegranate individuals and their parents at growth stage. [Result] The results showed that during the early growth stage, the anthocyanin contents of four pomegranate individuals with red leaves were higher than the control, to be specific, the anthocyanin content of No.5 pomegranate individual reached the highest of 4.12 mg/g; the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of four pomegranate individuals with yellow-green leaves showed consistent dynamic trends with the control, to be specific, the chlorophyll content and chlorophyll/carotenoid ratio of No.4 pomegranate individual reached the highest, while the chlorophyll a/carotenoid b ratio of No.3 pomegranate individual was the lowest. During vigorous growth stage, the contents of chlorophyll, carotenoid and anthocyanin of eight pomegranate individuals showed consistent dynamic trends, with no significant difference with the control. Analysis of variance indicated that there were significant differences in the contents of chlorophyll and carotenoid among different pomegranate individuals at different growth stages and in the content of anthocyanin among different pomegranate individuals, while no significant difference was observed in the chlorophyll/carotenoid ratio among different pomegranate individuals at different growth stages. [Conclusion] The differences in leaf colors among pomegranate hybrid progeny are caused by different contents and ratios of anthocyanin and chlorophyll at growth stage.

Identification and Evaluation of Particular Corn Hybrids with Resistance against Corn Northern Leaf Blight

[ Objective] The paper was to evaluate the resistance of particular corn hybrids against northern leaf blight. [ Method ] Using artificial inoculation meth- od, the resistance of 238 copies of particular corn hybrids including silage corn, high oil corn, waxy corn and sweet corn against northern leaf blight was evaluated. [ Result] The corn samples with high resistance, resistance, moderate resistance, susceptibility and high susceptibility to northern leaf blight among 238 copies of materials in identification accounted for 0.8%, 20.6%, 44. 1%, 24.8% and 9.7%, respectively. Different types of varieties had significant difference in resist- ance. Among cern varieties with moderate resistance or higher level, silage corn accounted for 87.8% ; high oil corn and waxy corn accounted for 73.3% and 61.3 %, respectively; sweet corn was less, accounting for 44.2%. Sixteen of 30 approved particular corn varieties showed resistance, accounting for 53.3 % of total approved varieties. [Condusion] The paper provided theoretical basis for breeding and planting of particular corn hybrids with resistance against northern leaf blight.

Morphological and Cytogenetic Analysis on the Advanced Generations of Generic Hybrids between Brassica napus and Orychophragmus violaceu

[Objective] This study aimed to reveal the genetic changes of advanced generation hybrids between Brassica napus and Orychophragmus violaceus. [Method] The morphological characteristics such as the plant shape, branching sites, leaf shape, leaf color, primary branches and secondary branches, as well as the cytological characteristics of the advanced generation hybrids (F8-F10) between B. napus and O. violaceus were observed. [Result] The morphology analysis revealed that the hybrid progeny was more like B. rapa in leaf shape, leaf color, plant shape and early flowering phenotype, whereas more like B. napus in number of secondary branches, silique length and 1 000-seed weight. Analysis on the cytogenetics characteristics showed that these advanced inbred progenies were hypoploids with less than 38 chromosomes; moreover, all the chromosomes from O. violaceus had been lost. Chromosome pairings at meiotic diakinesis of hybrids between the advanced inbred progenies and B. rapa revealed that chromosomes lost in hypoploids possibly belonged to the C genome of B. oleracea. With generations developing, chromosomes number of plants from two populations gradually increased and developed into the number of B. napus (2n=38). [Conclusion] This study will provide reference to reveal the source of chromosome lost in hypoploids and the morphological change of hybrids.

Distribution of H-FABP mRNA in Hybrids of Songliao Black Pig×Sus scrofa

[ Objective] This study was to investigate the distribution of H-FABP mRNA in hybrids of Songliao black pig x Sus scrofa, so as to provide references for revealing the physiological functions of this gene. [Method] With the mRNA from different tissues as template, RT-PCR amplification was carried out for cloning cDNA of hybrid pig, which was then used for PCR reaction using specific primers; the amplification products were separated by gel electrophoresis and analyzed by sequencing for detecting the distribution pattern of H-FABP mRNA in hybrids of Songliao black pig x Sus scrofa. [ Result] H-FABP expressed in all the twelve tissues including subcutaneous fat, abdominal fat, mammary gland, Iongissimus dorsi muscle, dorsal deltoid muscle, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, ileum and duodenum. [ Conclusion] The wide distribution of H-FABP gene suggests that its functions are important and multiple.

PSⅡ Photochemistry and Xanthophyll Cycle in Two Superhigh-yield Rice Hybrids, Liangyoupeijiu and Hua-an 3 During Photoinhibition and Subsequent Restoration

PSⅡ photochemistry and xanthophyll cycle during photoinhibition (exposed to strong light of 2 000 μmol photons·m -2 ·s -1 ) and the subsequent restoration were compared between two superhigh_yield rice hybrids (Liangyoupeijiu and Hua_an 3, the newly developed rice hybrids from two parental lines) and the traditional rice hybrid Shanyou 63 developed from three parental lines. The results showed that the maximal efficiency of PSⅡ photochemistry ( Fv/Fm ), the efficiency of excitation energy capture by open PSⅡ centers ( Fv′/Fm′ ), and the yield of PSⅡ electron transport ( Φ PSⅡ ) of the three rice hybrids decreased during photoinhibition. However, a greater decrease in Fv/Fm , Fv′/Fm′ , and Φ PSⅡ was observed in Shanyou 63 than in Liangyoupeijiu and Hua_an 3. At the same time, the components of xanthophyll cycle, antherxanthin (A) and zeathanxin (Z) increased rapidly while violaxanthin (V) decreased considerably. Both the rate of accumulation and the amount of A and Z in the two superhigh_yield rice hybrids were higher than that in Shanyou 63. The de_epoxidation state (DES) of xanthophyll cycle increased rapidly with the fast accumulation of A and Z, and reached the maximal level after first 30 min during photoinhibition. Of the three hybrids, the increasing rate of DES in Liangyoupeijiu and Hua_an 3 was higher than that in Shanyou 63. After photoinhibition treatment, the plant materials were transferred to a dim light (70 μmol photons·m -2 ·s -1 ) for restoration. During restoration, both chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and xanthophyll cycle relaxed gradually, but the rate and level of restoration in the two superhigh_yield rice hybrids were higher than those in Shanyou 63. Our results suggest that Liangyoupeijiu and Hua_an 3 had higher resistance to photoinhibition and higher capacity of non_radiative energy dissipation associated with xanthophyll cycle, as well as higher rate of restoration after photoinhibition, than Shanyou 63 when subjected to strong light.

Preparation of Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Polymer Emulsions with High Silicon Content and Sol-gel-derived Thin Films

A novel polymer/SiO2 hybrid emulsion(PAES)was prepared by directly mixing colloidal silica with polyacrylate emulsion(PAE)modified by a saline coupling agent.The sol-gel-derived thin films were obtained by addition of co-solvents into the PAES.The effects ofγ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane(KH-570)content and co-solvent on the properties of PAES films were investigated.Dynamic laser scattering(DLS)data indicate that the average diameter of PAES(96 nm)is slightly larger than that of PAE(89 nm).Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)photo discloses that colloidal silica particles are dispersed uniformly around polyacrylate particles and some of the colloidal silica particles are adsorbed on the surface of PAE particles.The crosslinking degree data and Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR)spectra confirm that the chemical structure of the PAES is changed to form Si-O-Si-polymer crosslinking networks during the film formation.Atomic force microscope(AFM)photos show the solvent induced sol-gel process of colloidal silica and the Si-based polymer distribution on the film surface of the dried PAES.Thermogravimetric analysis(TGA)curves demonstrate that the PAES films display much better thermal stability than PAE.

SYNTHESIS OF MESOPOROUS POLY(STYRENE-co-MALEIC ANHYDRIDE)/SILICA HYBRID MATERIALS VIA A NONSURFACTANT-TEMPLATED SOL-GEL PROCESS

Mesoporous poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride)/silica hybrid materials have been prepared. The synthesis was achieved by the HCl-catalyzed sol-gel reactions of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer in the presence of 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) as a coupling agent and citric acid as a nonsurfactant template or pore-forming agent, followed by ethanol extraction. Characterization results from nitrogen sorption isotherms and powder X-ray diffraction indicate that polymer-modified mesoporous materials with large specific surface areas (e.g. 900 m(2)/g) and pore volumes (e.g. 0.6 cm(3)/g) could be prepared. As the citric acid concentration is increased, the specific surface areas, pore volumes and pore diameters of the hybrid materials increase.