Chromosome-level assembly of triploid genome of Sichuan pepper(Zanthoxylum armatum)

As an important spice species in Rutaceae, the Sichuan pepper (Zanthoxylum armatum) can provide pungent and numbing taste, as well as aroma in its mature fruit. Here we assembled a chromosome-level genome of green prickly ash which was widely cultivated in a major production area including Chongqing and Sichuan province, China. We generated 712 Gb (~112×) PacBio long reads and 511 Gb (~82×) Hi-C data, and yielded an assembly of 99 pseudochromosomes with total size of 5.32 Gb and contig N50 of 796 kb. The genomic analyses and cytogenetic experiments both indicated that the cultivarZhuye Huajiao’ was a triploid. We identified a Zanthoxylum-specific whole genome duplication event emerging about 24.8 million years ago (Mya). We also detected a transposition burst event (0.3-0.4 Mya) responsible for the large genome size of Z. armatum. Metabolomic analysis of the Zanthoxylum fruits during development stages revealed profiles of39 volatile aroma compounds and 528 secondary metabolites, from which six types of sanshools were identified. Based on metabolomic and transcriptomic network analysis, we screened candidate genes encoding long chain acyl-CoA synthetase, fatty acid desaturase,branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase involved in sanshool biosynthesis and three genes encoding terpene synthase during fruit development. The multi-omics data provide insights into the evolution of Zanthoxylum and molecular basis of numbing and aroma flavor of Sichuan pepper.

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.

花椒(Zanthoxylum bungeanum)凋落物分解过程中酚酸的释放及其浸提液对土壤化学性质的影响

应用分解网袋法研究了花椒凋落物分解过程中(0、10、30d和60d)酚酸的释放动态及凋落物浸提液对花椒林地土壤化学性质的影响。结果表明:花椒凋落物在分解过程中呈现出明显的毒性动态。凋落物分解的60d中,凋落物残留量在前30d内变化最大,30d后无显著变化;凋落物中酚酸含量随分解时间的延长,呈显著降低的趋势,且在分解10d时,酚酸释放量最大。4个分解动态的凋落物浸提液显著地改变了土壤好气性自生固氮菌、氨化细菌、好气性纤维素分解菌的数量和土壤pH值、酚酸含量、铵态氮、有效磷等化学性质。不同分解时间的凋落物浸提液均造成了土壤pH值的显著升高;分解10d的凋落物浸提液对土壤铵态氮的含量具有显著的降低作用,对土壤好气性自生固氮菌和氨化细菌的生长均具有显著的促进作用,而对好气性纤维素分解菌的生长具有抑制作用;分解60d的凋落物浸提液显著地降低了土壤酚酸含量,对土壤有效磷含量具有显著的升高作用,对好气性自生固氮菌的生长具有抑制作用,而对好气性纤维素分解菌的生长具有促进作用。

Chemical composition,sensory properties and application of Sichuan pepper(Zanthoxylum genus)

This review summarized the composition of volatile and nonvolatile compounds,the sensory mechanism and the application of Sichuan pepper(Zanthoxylum genus)as a spice and multifunctional food,such as antibacterial,inhibition of inflammation,and antioxidant among others.The aim is to provide a better understanding and potential future in-depth research and application of Sichuan pepper.

Hypolipidemic,antioxidant and anti-atherosclerogenic effects of aqueous extract of Zanthoxylum heitzii stem bark in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rats

Objective:To evaluate anti-dyslipidemic,antioxidant and anti-atherosclerogenic properties of this extract in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rat.a model of metabolic syndrome-induced atherosclerosis and associated cardiovascular diseases.Methods:Normocholeslerolemic(NC) male rats were divided into six groups(n=10) and fed a high-cholesterol(HC) diet for 30 days(5 groups),or normal rat chow(normal control group).Rats given a HC diet also received distilled water(disease control),the potent hypocholcsterolcmic agent with antiatherosclerotic activity atorvastatin(2 mg/kg,positive control),or one of the three doses of Zanthoxylum heitzii stem bark aqueous extract tested(225,300 and 375 mg/kg) concomitantly for four months.Signs of general toxicity,body temperature and weight,and water and food intake were monitored in live animals.After sacrifice,lipid profiles and oxidative stress markers were assessed in the blood and liver,aorta,and feces,and histopathological analysis of aorta was performed.Results:Plant extract prevented the elevation of aortic total cholesterol and triglycerides,and hepatic low density lipoprotein,very low density lipoprotein,and total cholesterol.Lipid peroxidation(TBARS) was decreased and aortic atherosclerotic plaque formation prevented.Conclusions:These observations strongly suggest that stem bark aqueous extract of Zanthoxylum heitzii has anti-atherosclerogenic properties,at least partly mediated by antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects.

Adulticidal, larvicidal, pupicidal and oviposition deterrent activities of essential oil from Zanthoxylum limonella Alston(Rutaceae) against Aedes aegypti(L.) and Culex quinquefasciatus(Say)

Objective: To evaluate adulticidal, larvicidal and oviposition deterrent response of the essential oil from dried Zanthoxylum limonella(Z. limonella) fruit against Aedes aegypti(Ae. aegypti) and Culex quinquefasciatus(Cx. quinquefasciatus).Methods: Z. limonella oil was tested by biological assays at 1%, 5% and 10% concentrations in ethanol. Adulticidal efficacy was tested against the 2–3 day old adult females. Larvicidal activity was tested against immature stage of mosquitoes. Oviposition deterrence of the oil was evaluated on gravid females.Results: The adult mortality was observed after 24 h with the LC50 of 6.0% for Ae.aegypti, and 5.7% for Cx. quinquefasciatus. Larvicidal bioassay was carried out with the 10% Z. limonella oil against immature stages of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus,which caused 100% mortality after 12 h and 24 h. In the larvicidal experiment,Z. limonella showed effective result at 1%, 5% and 10% concentrations with the values of LT50 Ae. aegypti = 9.78, 5.61, 0.24 h for larvae and LT50= 64.08, 21.23 h for pupae;Cx. quinquefasciatus had LT50= 28.46, 20.25, 1.01 h for larvae and LT50= 67.52, 27.96,4.11 h for pupae, respectively. Oviposition deterrence of the oil was evaluated on gravid females. In the study, 10% Z. limonella showed 100% repellency for Ae. aegypti and99.53% for Cx. quinquefasciatus. Likewise, oviposition activity indexes of these oil concentrations were all negative values ranging from–0.89 to-1.00 for Ae. aegypti and–0.64 to–0.99 for Cx. quinquefasciatus. The oviposition activity indexes values revealed that Z. limonella oil has deterrent effect, and it caused a remarkable negative response resulting in very few eggs.Conclusions: This result indicates that Z. limonella oil can be used as an effective adulticide, larvicide and oviposition deterrent against Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus.

Studies on the Components of Essential Oil of <i>Zanthoxylum Armatum</i>by Gc-Ms

The essential oil of Zanthoxylum armatum was extracted through hydro distillation and analyzed by GC-MS. Hydrocarbon fraction (17.35%) of the oil was much lower and oxygenated compounds comprised fairly high portion of essential oil (39.21%). Percentages of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes found were 47.33% and 10.83% respectively. Oxygenated monoterpenes comprised major profile of chromatogram of essential oil of Zanthoxylum armatum i.e. 37.23% where as monoterpene hydrocarbons were 10.09%. Alcoholic percentage was much higher i.e. 26.76% and 15-hexadecanoloide (6.58%) the only cyclic ester was found in relatively high percentage.

Transdermal permeation of Zanthoxylum bungeanum essential oil on TCM components with different lipophilicity

Objective:To investigate the percutaneous penetration enhancement effect of essential oil from Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim.(Z.bungeanum oil)on active components in externally-applied traditional Chinese medicines.Methods:Five model drugs,geniposide,puerarin,ferulic acid,tetramethylpyrazine,and osthole,were chosen based on their lipophilicity and tested using in vitro transdermal permeation studies consisting of Franz diffusion cells and full thickness rat abdominal skin.Scanning electron microscopy was employed to observe the morphological changes of rat skin tissue after treatment with Z.bungeanum oil.The molecular interactions between the oil and the polar head groups in stratum corneum(SC)lipids were monitored using molecular dynamic simulation,and the SC/vehicle partition coefficients and saturation solubilities of the selected model drugs treated with and without the oil were also determined to ascertain its mechanisms of action.Results:As oil concentration increased,the log ERflow trended toward a negative linear relationship with the lipophilicity of drugs.After treatment with Z.bungeanum oil,a mild lifting up and wrinkle on the SC surface were observed,and appeared to become more pronounced as oil concentration increased.There was no significant difference between the control and the Z.bungeanum oil at different concentrations in terms of saturation solubility of GP,while saturation solubilities of the 4 other drugs gradually increased as oil concentration increased.The oxygen-containing constituents in Z.bungeanum oil,such as terpinen-4-ol and 1,8-cineole,which accounted for 57.95%of total oil,could form stable hydrogen bonds with the polar head group of ceramide 3.Conclusion:Z.bungeanum oil facilitated transdermal permeation of drugs with different lipophilicity,including the extremely hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs,whereas it exhibited greater enhancement activity for strongly hydrophilic drugs.The mechanisms of transdermal permeation enhancement by the oil could be explained with SC/vehicle partition coefficient,saturation solubility,and the interactions with SC lipids.

(±)-Zanthonitidine A,a Pair of Enantiomeric Furoquinoline Alkaloids from Zanthoxylum nitidum with Antibacterial Activity

A pair of new enantiomeric furoquinoline alkaloids,(±)-zanthonitidine A(1),together with nine known ones(2-10)were isolated from the radix of Zanthoxylum nitidum.Their chemical structures were elucidated based on the extensive spectroscopic analysis.The racemic mixture of 1 was separated by chiral column chromatography,and the absolute configurations of (+)-1 and(-)-1 were determined by the comparison of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra.Antibacterial activities of compounds 1-9 were evaluated,and compounds(+)-1,(-)-1,3,7 and 8 showed antibacterial activities against Bacillus subtilis,Enterococcus faecalis or Staphylococcus aureus.

Aqueous Extracts of Dried Fruits of <i>Zanthoxylum armatum</i>DC., (Rutaceae) Induce Cellular and Nuclear Damage Coupled with Inhibition of Mitotic Activity <i>in Vivo</i>

Bioactive compounds derived from plant natural compounds have proven to be valuable sources of metabolites which can seldom be obtained from other sources. Plants belonging to the genus Zanthoxylum have been valued across various cultures for their curative properties. Zanthoxylum armatum DC., belonging to the family Rutaceae is extensively used in traditional practices in North-Eastern India and neighbouring regions including South-East Asia. However, the potential cytogenetic effects of Zanthoxylum armatum under in vivo conditions, and their causative mechanisms have not yet been studied in detail. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of aqueous extracts of fruits of Z. armatum under in vivo conditions using the Allium test. Physiological and cellular data indicate that the extracts induce clumped chromosomes at metaphase stage of cell division coupled with mitotic arrest. Electron microscopy data reveal membrane damage of cellular organelles, chromatin condensation and chromatin marginalisation in cell of roots incubated in the extracts. The extracts also induce concentration dependent protein precipitation and genomic DNA degradation.

Control of Southern Root-knot Nematodes on Tomato and Regulation of Soil Bacterial Community by Biofumigation with Zanthoxylum bungeanum Seed

Biofumigation is an environmentally friendly strategy used to control nematodes and plant diseases.The volatile oil of Zanthoxylum bungeanum has high insecticidal and antibacterial activity.However,it is not known if the seed of Z.bungeanum is a suitable material for biofumigation to control southern root-knot nematodes(SRKN)on tomato,and how it may regulate the soil bacterial community structure.We used pot experiments in the greenhouse to determine the effects of Z.bungeanum seeds on SRKN,plant growth parameters,soil physicochemical and microbial characteristics.A total of 26 volatile components,including nematicidally active substances,were identified from Z.bungeanum seeds.Z.bungeanum seed biofumigation significantly reduced the SRKN population by 88.89%and 81.55%on the 50th and 100th day after transplanting,respectively.Compared to the control,the total soluble sugar,soluble solids,soluble protein,titratable acid,root activity and the fruit yield per tomato plant increased significantly.The content of soil alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen,available potassium and the soil enzyme activities were also significantly increased.The soil bacterial diversity and the co-occurrence network complexity were increased by Z.bungeanum seed biofumigation.Relativelymore keystone OTUs in biofumigation soil had potential plant growth-promoting capabilities.The function of Z.bungeanum seed increasing tomato production in SRKN-infected soil depends on directly killing SRKN and improving soil properties.These results indicate that Z.bungeanum seed can be used as both a nematicide and a high quality organic fertilizer in tomato production.

Identifying potential flavonoid biosynthesis regulator in Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. by genome-wide characterization of the MYB transcription factor gene family

Plant MYB transcription factors(TFs) play crucial roles in regulating the biosynthesis of flavonoids but current analysis on their role in Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim.(ZBM) is far from comprehensive. In this study, we identified 270 MYB genes in ZBM and divided them into four subfamilies. The R2 R3-MYB(ZbMYB) category contained 251 genes and was classified into 33 subfamilies according to their phylogenetic results and sequence similarity. These subfamilies included 24 subgroups containing both MYBs of ZBM plants and AtMYBs, and nine subgroups containing only ZBM MYBs or AtMYBs. ZbMYBs with similar functions clustered into the same subgroup, indicating functional conservation. The subcellular localization analysis predicted that most ZbMYB genes were found in the nucleus. The transposed duplications appeared to play a major role in the expansion of the MYB gene family in ZBM. Through phylogenetic analysis and transcriptome profiling, it was found that 28 ZbMYB genes may regulate the biosynthesis of flavonoids in ZBM, and these genes expression presented distinct temporal and spatial expression patterns. In different fruit development stages of ZBM, the expression patterns of EVM0042160 and EVM0033809 genes obtained by qRT-PCR analysis are very similar to the flavonoid and anthocyanin content curves in ZBM. Further correlation analysis showed that the content of flavonoids in different fruit development stages and the transcript abundance levels of 28 ZbMYB genes have different degrees of correlation relationship. These results indicated that the ZbMYB genes might be involved in the flavonoid metabolic pathway. This comprehensive and systematic analysis of MYB family genes provided a solid foundation for further functional analysis of MYB TFs in ZBM.

Structure Investigation of a New Alkaloid from Zanthoxylum Schinifolium Sieb et Zucc

There are more than 250 kinds of Zanthoxylum plants in the world, of which about 40 species grow in China. In last 30 years, nearly 80 kinds of the plants have been studicd intensively and the results show that they are of different chemical compositions and various physiological actions, such as having anthelmintic action, bacteriostasis,

Effects of cutting types and hormonal concentration on vegetative propagation of Zanthoxylum armatum in Garhwal Himalaya,India

Experiments were carried out to define the effects of hormonal concentrations on semi-hard wood（SHW） and hard-wood（HW） branch cuttings of the Z.armatum. SHW and HW cuttings were collected in the month of March. The SHW and HW cuttings were treated with different concentration of indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-butyric acid（IAA and IBA） and placed in vermiculite rooting medium for 90 days under 1-min misting after 10 min. Sprouting, rooting percentage, sprout number, sprout length, root number, and length were measured.The highest rooting and sprouting rate, 64.0 %, was obtained at the 0.3 % IBA treatment in the SHW cuttings.Similarly sprout length and number of roots per cutting were also higher at the 0.3 % IBA treatment in the SHW cuttings. The number of shoots per cutting was higher at the 0.3 % IAA treatment in the SHW cuttings. Root length per cutting was higher in 0.4 % IBA treatment in the SHW cuttings. The results indicated that 0.3 and 0.4 % IBA treatment produce higher rooting percentages as well as the number of roots and their length in SHW cuttings. The HW cuttings produced maximum rate of 18.0 % rooting in0.5 % IBA treatment. The control set and lower concentrations of IBA and IAA completely failed to root in the mist chamber.

Land Suitability Evaluation of Zanthoxylum schinifolium in Dry and Hot Valley of Jinsha River: A Case Study of Jiaopingdu Town of Luquan Yi and Miao Autonomous County,Yunnan Province

According to the recent practice in Laopingzi Village,Jiaopingdu Town,Luquan Yi and Miao Autonomous County(Luquan County hereinafter)in dry and hot valley of Jinsha River,the development of Zanthoxylum schinifolium Sieb.et Zucc planting industry can help farmers gradually get rid of poverty and achieve a virtuous cycle of ecological environment.It is a sustainable poverty alleviation way.Based on the three aspects of soil properties,climatic conditions,and topographical conditions influencing the growth of Z.schinifolium,this paper selected eight evaluation factors to establish a suitability evaluation system for Z.schinifolium,used the analytic hierarchy process to determine the indicator,and determined the weight of the evaluation indicators.Besides,it calculated the comprehensive suitability index of land suitability of Z.schinifolium and evaluated the suitability of Z.schinifolium land in Jiaopingdu Town of Luquan County.The results showed that the suitable area for the cultivation of Z.schinifolium in Jiaopingdu Town reached 7270.78 ha,accounting for 88.69%of the study area;the area of unsuitable land was 922.07 ha,accounting for 11.31%of the study area.Among the suitable land areas,the high suitability area reached562.99 ha,accounting for 7.79%;the moderate suitability area was 2206.76 ha,accounting for 28.61%;the low suitability area was4599.03 ha,accounting for 63.6%.Based on the results of suitability evaluation,it came up with pertinent recommendations for the development of Z.schinifolium industry in Jiaopingdu Town.

Multi-Scale Image Segmentation Model for Fine-Grained Recognition of Zanthoxylum Rust

Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim,generally called prickly ash,is widely grown in China.Zanthoxylum rust is the main disease affecting the growth and quality of Zanthoxylum.Traditional method for recognizing the degree of infection of Zanthoxylum rust mainly rely on manual experience.Due to the complex colors and shapes of rust areas,the accuracy of manual recognition is low and difficult to be quantified.In recent years,the application of artificial intelligence technology in the agricultural field has gradually increased.In this paper,based on the DeepLabV2 model,we proposed a Zanthoxylum rust image segmentation model based on the FASPP module and enhanced features of rust areas.This paper constructed a fine-grained Zanthoxylum rust image dataset.In this dataset,the Zanthoxylum rust image was segmented and labeled according to leaves,spore piles,and brown lesions.The experimental results showed that the Zanthoxylum rust image segmentation method proposed in this paper was effective.The segmentation accuracy rates of leaves,spore piles and brown lesions reached 99.66%,85.16%and 82.47%respectively.MPA reached 91.80%,and MIoU reached 84.99%.At the same time,the proposed image segmentation model also had good efficiency,which can process 22 images per minute.This article provides an intelligent method for efficiently and accurately recognizing the degree of infection of Zanthoxylum rust.

Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Thrombolytic and Antimicrobial Activity of <i>Zanthoxylum rhetsa</i>Root Bark with Two Isolated Quinolone Alkaloids

The background of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic and antimicrobial activity of the petroleum ether (PE), carbon tetrachloride (CTC), chloroform (CF) and aqueous (AQ) soluble fractions of crude methanolic Zanthoxylum rhetsa root bark with two isolated quinolone alkaloids, 8-methoxy-n-methylflindersine (1) and zanthodioline (2). Structures were characterized by 1D NMR analyses. Antioxidant activity was assessed by using DPPH assay and antimicrobial activity was screened by disc diffusion method. An in vitro thrombolytic model was used to evaluate the clot lysis effect of different extracts of root bark of Z. rhetsa along with streptokinase as a positive control and distilled water as a negative control and the cytotoxic activity of different extracts of Z. rhetsa root bark was evaluated by Brine Shrimp Lethality Bioassay. AQ fraction exhibited strongest antioxidant, cytotoxic and thrombolytic activity among four fractions. The CTC and CF soluble fractions exhibited significant antioxidant, cytotoxic and thrombolytic activity. CTC and AQ fractions gave highest anti-bacterial activity against Vibrio cholera and Klebsiella pneumonia respectively. Compound 1 showed significant activity at a concentration of 100 μgm/disc against Sarcina lutea, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella paratyphi-A, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella boydii and Shigella sonnei with high antioxidant activity. The antioxidant, thrombolytic and antimicrobial activity of 8-methoxy-n-methylflindersine and zanthodioline are the first record from root bark of this plant.

Content and Antidepressant Effects of Total Flavonoids from Zanthoxylum Pericarpium Residue

[Objectives]To study the content and antidepressant effects of the flavonoids in the Zanthoxylum Pericarpium Residue(ZPR)and to provide a basis for the full utilization of ZPR.[Methods]The method for the assay of total flavonoids in ZPR by UV spectrophotometry was developed with rutin as reference.The total flavonoids were extracted and separated from ZPR.The contents of total flavonoids were quantified in ZPR and its extract.The autonomous activity test,tail suspension test and forced swimming test were conducted in mice,and the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and total antioxidation were detected to evaluate the antidepressant effects of total flavonoids.[Results]The recovery rate of UV spectrophotometry was 98.88%(n=6).The contents of flavonoids in ZPR and its extract were 11.07%and 78.42%,respectively.In the autonomous activity test,compared with the control group,the standing times of mice in the positive drug group was significantly increased(P<0.05),but there was not significant difference among the low-,medium-and high-dose groups of total flavonoids extract(P>0.05),as well as there was no significant difference of the activity times among all groups(P>0.05).In the tail suspension and forced swimming tests,compared with the control group,the immobility time of the high-dose group of total flavonoids extract was significantly reduced(P>0.05),and the serum SOD levels of the low-,medium-and high-dose groups were significantly increased(P<0.05).The MDA levels of the middle-and high-dose groups of total flavonoids were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the total antioxidant capacity was increased significantly(P<0.05).[Conclusions]The developed UV spectrophotometry can accurately detect the level of total flavonoids in ZPR.ZPR is rich in flavonoids,and has significant antidepressant effects,which may be related to eliminating internal free radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

Effects of Different Treatments on Seed Germination of Zanthoxylum nitidum(Roxb.)Seed

[Objectives]This study was conducted to improve the germination rate of Zanthoxylum nitidum(Roxb.)seeds and shorten the germination period.[Methods]Different germination beds,seed soaking temperatures,seed soaking time and culture temperatures were set to study the effects on seed germination of Z.nitidum.[Results]The germination rate on the filter paper germination bed was stable and it was easy for the control of humidity.The germination rate of seeds soaked in warm water at 50℃for 24 h was about 53.33%.The germination rate of seeds cultured at 25℃was as high as 91.98%.[Conclusions]This study provides a theoretical basis for seedling breeding and large-scale production of Z.nitidum.

Effects of Bioorganic Fertilizers on the Leaf Antioxidant Enzyme Activity and the Photosynthetic Characteristics of Replanted Szechuan Pepper, Zanthoxylum simulans

Continuous cropping obstacles hamper the efficient growth and yield of Szechuan pepper,Zanthoxylum simulans.The current study investigated the impact of different levels of bioorganic fertilizer on the leaf physiological and photosynthetic characteristics of Z.simulans to provide a theoretical reference for continuous Z.simulans crop cultivation.A bioorganic fertilizer was used to treat seedlings growing in 25-year-old continuous cropping soil.Five fertilizer treatments were applied.The impacts of the treatments on the activity of defense enzyme and photosynthetic parameters of Z.simulans leaves were determined.The different concentrations of bioorganic fertilizer reduced to varying degrees the malondialdehyde(MDA)content and intercellular CO2 concentration(Ci),and increased the activity of peroxidase(POD),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and ascorbate peroxidase(APX),as well as the chlorophyll content,net photosynthetic rate(Pn),stomatal conductance(Gs)and transpiration rate(Tr)of Z.simulans leaves.The results showed that most significant increases or decreases were achieved with 100 g/L bioorganic fertilizer(Y2).Thus,the application of bioorganic fertilizer at a rate of 100 g/L can significantly improve the activity of relevant defense enzymes and photosynthetic parameters of Z.simulans,and reduce the MDA content,enhancing the stress resistance of the plants,promoting their growth and addressing,to some extent,obstacles associated with continuous cultivation.