Structural Characteristics of Thicker-culms in the High-yield Wheat Cultivars

The culm of the Triticum aestivum L. cv. “Lankao 906_4”, a high_yield cultivar, in comparison with “Jing 411”, a widely_planted cultivar, was studied by means of anatomical technique coupled with mechanical and chemical theory. A anatomical analysis revealed that “Lankao 906_4” possessed thicker mechanical tissue and larger vascular bundle area than those of “Jing 411”. In terms of the resistance to lodging, “Lankao 906_4” had higher culm strength. Furthermore the content of lignin was semiquantitatively analyzed with confocal laser scanning mircoscope (CLSM), and revealed a much higher lignin content in the culm of “Lankao 906_4” than that in the culm of “Jing 411”. All of these indicated that the characteristics of culm were important factors in breeding the super_production wheat cultivar.

英国Culm河河漫滩沉积物中磷素时空变化研究

河漫滩上沉积物的沉积伴随着与沉积物相结合的营养和污染物质的沉积。已有研究表明,河漫滩是与沉积物相结合的磷的沉积地。采用137Cs技术,并结合河漫滩沉积物中全磷(TP)含量的剖面信息,可以调查近年河漫滩沉积物中的TP含量,计算TP储量。本文根据英国Devon郡Culm河8个河漫滩采样环沉积物中的数据,重建了在过去40～50年内TP储量和含量的变化。结果表明,在Culm河河漫滩沉积物中,在1963～2000年间TP平均含量为0.60～1.96gkg-1,该值自河流上游向下游和自过去到现在有逐渐增加的趋势;在相同的河漫滩沉积物中,在相同的时期内TP储量为18.62～435.48gm-2,即0.49～11.46gm-2a-1,最大值出现在河流的中游。

Effects of culm carbohydrate partitioning on basal stem strength in a high-yielding rice population

Rice culm carbohydrate transport can simultaneously affect grain filling and stem lodging resistance by regulating non-structural carbohydrate(NSC) and structural carbohydrate(SC) contents. However, the relationship between carbohydrate transposition and culm strength is not well documented. Accordingly, a high-yielding hybrid rice cultivar(Y Liangyou 2) was tested under different N fertilization regimes at two locations, Taoyuan(a special high-yield eco-site), Yunnan province and Danyang(a representative eco-site of the middle and lower Yangtze), Jiangsu province, China. Significantly higher grain yield and basal stem strength were found at Taoyuan than Danyang under all N rates throughout the two-year experiment. At heading stage, soluble sugars, starch, cellulose and lignin contents of the basal culm at Taoyuan were significantly 132.0%, 73.7%, 1.2%, and 62.7% higher than those at Danyang, respectively. At 20 days after heading, soluble sugars and starch content at Taoyuan decreased significantly compared to Danyang, but lignin content remained higher. Culm carbohydrate transport to kernels at Taoyuan was significantly greater than that at Danyang, and the proportion of soluble sugars and starch was correspondingly 62.9%lower. However, the proportion of lignin and cellulose was 22.7% higher at Taoyuan than that at Danyang. Soluble sugars and starch partitioning were significantly reduced under an increased nitrogen application rate, but SC partitioning was little affected. There were significant positive correlations between basal culm bending stress and dry weight and cellulose and lignin proportions at both locations under all N rates, suggesting that the higher SC proportion at 20 days after heading was primarily responsible for culm strength.These results suggest that high-yielding rice populations with greater culm strength require both moderate NSC transport and greater SC accumulation.

Culm form analysis for bamboo, Phyllostachys pubescens

We investigated the culm form for one of the largest bamboo species, Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel ex Houz. in relation to the me- chanical constraint principles, i.e., elastic, stress and geometric similarity. The fine-resolution analysis of the culm taper indicated that the culm for P. pubescens consisted of three or four segments with various forms, except for the butt swell. This implied that the taper of the whole culm for P. pubescens could be expressed by neither of these principles. The regression slope between culm height and diameter at breast height on the double logarithmic coordinates was 0.629, which was significantly different from the values predicted from these principles. In conclusion, none of these mechanical constraint principles can express the culm taper and height-diameter relationship, and there may be a need for a more complicated model to express the culm form for P. pubescens.

Seasonal effect on rooting behaviour of important bamboo species byculm cuttings

We investigated the influence of season on the rooting be- haviour of eight important bamboo species viz., Bambusa balcooa, B. bambos, B. nutans, B. tuMa, B. vulgaris, Dendrocalamus giganteus, D. hamiltonii and D. strictus. We collected 2-3 node culm cuttings in three growing seasons viz. spring （March）, summer （June） and rainy （August） from superior candidate plus clumps （CPCs） centralized in the germplasm garden. Cuttings were placed horizontally in sand and were provided with intermittent misting at regular intervals. Bamboo species exhibited differential rhizogenesis behavior in different seasons. The study reveals significant variation in sprouting and rooting behaviour in different bamboo species. B. bambos had maximum rooting （78.89%）, followed by B. vulgaris （74.44%）. In general, the potential of different bamboo species for rooting was found to be in the order： B. bambos 〉 B. vulgaris 〉 B. balcooa 〉 D. hamiltonii 〉 B. tulda 〉 D. strictus 〉 D. giganteus 〉B. nutans. The maximum rooting was recorded in spring （56.67%）, which was closely followed by summer （54.58%）. In winter season, minimum rooting （36.67%） was observed. The interaction effect of species x season was also significant on sprouting and rooting pa- rameters. In B. balcooa, B. nutans, B. vulgaris, D. hamiltonii and D. strictus, cuttings collected in summer season showed maximum sprouting and rooting, whereas, B. bambos, B. tulda and D. giganteus had maximum rooting in spring. The maximum number of roots developed per cutting was observed in B. tulda （43.8） during spring season.

Cadmium Accumulation and Its Toxicity in Brittle Culm 1(bc1),a Fragile Rice Mutant

Cadmium （Cd） accumulation and toxicity in rice plants were characterized and identified by using brittle culm 1 （bcl）, a fragile rice mutant and its wild type （Shuangkezao, an indica rice） as materials by hydroponics. The low Cd level didn＇t obviously affect the growth parameters in both rice genotypes, but under high Cd levels （1.0 and 5.0 μmol/L）, the growth of both rice plants were substantially inhibited. Moreover, bcl tended to suffer more seriously from Cd toxicity than Shuangkezao. Cd accumulation in both rice plants increased with the increase of Cd levels. There was a significant difference in Cd accumulation between the two rice genotypes with constantly higher Cd concentration in bcl, which also accumulated more Cd at 0, 0.1, and 1.0 μmol/L Cd levels. The same case was found in the two rice plants grown on Cd-contaminated soil. This suggested that cell wall might play an important role in Cd accumulation in rice plants by the physiological mechanisms. The malondialdehyde （MDA） content, superoxide dismutase （SOD） and peroxidase （POD） activities in rice plants were affected differently under Cd treatments, and which implied that POD might play the main role in detoxifying active oxygen free radical. A significant difference in antioxidative system between the two rice genotypes was found with constantly higher MDA content, SOD and POD activities in bcl. In summary, bcl accumulated more Cd and appeared to be more sensitive to Cd stress compared with its wild type.

Brittle culm 25, which encodes an UDP-xylose synthase, affects cell wall properties in rice

Because plant mechanical strength influences plant growth and development,the regulatory mechanisms underlying cell-wall synthesis deserve investigation.Rice mutants are useful for such research.We have identified a novel brittle culm 25(bc25)mutant with reduced growth and partial sterility.BC25 encodes an UDP-glucuronic acid decarboxylase involved in cellulose synthesis and belongs to the UXS family.A single-nucleotide mutation in BC25 accounts for its altered cell morphology and cellwall composition.Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the thickness of the secondary cell wall was reduced in bc25.Monosaccharide analysis revealed significant increases in content of rhamnose and arabinose but not of other monosaccharides,indicating that BC25 was involved in xylose synthesis with some level of functional redundancy.Enzymatic assays suggested that BC25 functions with high activity to interconvert UDP-glucuronic acid(UDP-Glc A)and UDP-xylose.GUS staining showed that BC25 was ubiquitously expressed with higher expression in culm,root and sheath,in agreement with that shown by quantitative real-time(q RT)-PCR.RNA-seq further suggested that BC25 is involved in sugar metabolism.We conclude that BC25 strongly influences rice cell wall formation.

Estimation of culm volume reduction factors in five bamboo species(Phyllostachys spp.)

The hollow cylindrical culm is one of the most remarkable morphological characters of most bamboo species.In relation to its hollow structure,there are two different attributes of the culm volume in bamboo:the apparent culm volume(va:the total culm volume including the hollow portion)and the woody culm volume(vw:the volume of the woody walls of the culm).The ratio of vw to va is defined as the reduction factor for culm volume(fv).The quantity fv is useful to quantify the biomass resources of bamboo culms as well as to evaluate the carbon stock of bamboo forests.However,the direct measurement of fv requires destructive sampling,which consumes time and labor.Hence,an alternative method for obtaining fv is desired.In this study,we examined fv in five species of the genus Phyllostachys and proposed alternative methods to estimate fv.Our data showed that fv varied by species,some of which exhibited a dependency of fv on culm sizes.These findings indicate that the intraspecific and interspecific variation in fv should be considered carefully when converting va into vw by fv.Based on our results,we propose here six approaches for predicting fv and we discuss their advantages and disadvantages.Our results are intended to facilitate evaluation of the carbon sequestration capacity of bamboo forests and the commercial utilization of bamboo culms.

Changes in foliar nitrogen resorption of Phyllostachys edulis with culm development

Leaf nitrogen resorption is very important to Phyllostachys edulis development because the withdrawn nitrogen can help newly emerging and growing culms.However, few studies have focused on the ontogenetic changes in leaf nitrogen resorption of P. edulis. Here, we examined the variability in mature leaf nitrogen concentrations(Nm), nitrogen resorption efficiency(NRE) and proficiency(NRP or Ns) and leaf-level nitrogen use efficiency(NUE) of the current-, 3 rd-and 5 th-year culms in P.edulis stands under extensive management. Analyses of variance and correlation indicated that patterns of Nm,NRP, NRE and NUE were markedly affected by culm age and leaf nitrogen status. Nm, Nsand NRE were significant higher in younger(current-year) culms with 1-year lifespan leaves, while NUE was markedly higher in older(3 rd-or 5 th-year) culms with 2-year lifespan leaves. Significant linear correlations between Nmand NRP, NRE and NUE,Nmand NUE, Nsand NRE were found for each culm age,and Nmwas significantly positively correlated to NRE for all culms pooled. Higher proficiency in older culms led to higher NUE and lower NRE, these relationships can be modulated by Nm, which in turn, is restrained by leaf N availability and acquisition. Our results revealed that at the intraspecific level, P. edulis can adjust its leaf NRE, NRP,and leaf-level NUE in concert with culm development.Understanding nitrogen resorption characteristics and NUE of P. edulis can help decision-makers design appropriate deforestation strategies and achieve precise N fertilization for sustainable bamboo forest management.

Changes in culm surface temperature with maturity of the bamboo species Guadua angustifolia

We used thermal images of bamboo culms of Guadua angustifolia Kunth to analyze the relationship between culm surface temperature and maturity, driven by the hypothesis that young culms may exhibit lower surface temperatures than old ones. The culm surface temperature shows small but constant differences between three age classes of 1, 2, and 3 years. Our findings indicate that surface temperature may be applied as an additional indi- cator to support the determination of maturity of guadua culms besides the visual assessment of the culms.

Influence of the Age of Bamboo Culm and Its Vertical Position on the Technological Properties of Bamboo Fibers: A Case of Bambusa vulgaris Species from Cameroonian Culture

Due to their interesting properties, bamboo fibers are more and more used as reinforcements in polymer matrices as a substitute for synthetic fibers. For their future service life, it is important to understand their physical and mechanical behavior over time in order to control the aging phenomenon within this fiber. The paper analyzed the influence of the age of the bamboo thatch and the vertical position of the Bambusa vulgaris species cultivated in Cameroon on the physicomechanical properties of the fibers extracted from the thatch. Fibers were mechanically extracted from three bamboo culms aged respectively 3 years (BV3), 4 years (BV4) and 5 years (BV5). The culms were thus identified according to their number of ramifications, and were felled no abated for a total of three culms. A section of about one meter on each of the parts (lower part, middle part, upper part) of these three culms was made for the opposite technological studies. Each age was therefore represented by three portions of thatch, one from the upper part, one from the middle part and the last from the lower part of the thatch, all giving a total number of nine samples taken and marked BV3inf, BV3moy, BV3sup, BV4inf, BV4moy, BV4sup, BV5inf, BV5moy, BV5sup before handling in the laboratory. Physical (density, moisture absorption rate) and mechanical (tensile tests according to DIN EN ISO 13934-1, natural durability) characterizations were used to better understand the mechanisms of this influence. In view of all the results obtained, the fiber from the upper part of the 3-year-old thatch (BV3sup) is the one with the best characteristics and is recommended for a better elaboration of bamboo fiber composites: (Density: 0.83;Absorption rate 11.7%;Young’s modulus: 7.4 GPa;Maximal stress: 64.3 MPa;Elongation at rupture: 1.1;Loss of mass natural durability: 7.63%).

Bamboo （Bambusa vulgaris） Regeneration by Cuttings： Comparative Study of Planting Methods of Culm Cuttings at UR-CAVM Busogo Campus Tree Nursery

Bamboo is one of the fastest growing and highest yielding renewable resources with multiple uses in the world. Lack of seedlings in sufficient number has generally been a major constraint in establishing more bamboo plantations. This study investigated the efficiency of regenerating Bambusa vulgaris through cuttings at Busogo sector, Musanze district, using vertical and horizontal methods with and without water treatment. The experiment consisted in a RCBD （Randomized Complete Block Design） with 4 replications. The growth and sprouting of the 64 cuttings were monitored for three months and 18 days （105 days）. In terms of planting method, horizontal planting method showed best sprouting percentage of 68%. In terms of treatment used, horizontal planting method without using water treatment showed slightly better sprouting percentage of 60%. The results further show that about 87% of sprouts had between 0 and 30 cm height and 98% of sprouts had basal diameter ranging from 0 to 20 mm only 105 days after planting. Indeed, the horizontal planting methods provided highest survival rate of sprouts than the vertical planting method （74%） of planted cuttings. Furthermore, the results show that, 105 days after planting, cuttings with horizontal method were more productive in terms of root development. In terms of planting method using water treatment, the horizontal planting method with water treatment showed highest rooting percentage （44%）. Therefore, farmers should be trained and encouraged to use horizontal planting method using water treatment in order to get better results in regenerating bamboo through cuttings.

Assessing Growth Parameters from Culm Cuttings of Bambusa vulgaris at the University of Dschang Botanic Garden, West Region of Cameroon: Implications for the Bamboo Resource Base and Rural Livelihoods

Dwindling supplies of bamboo resources and the increase in the demand for bamboo have led to the need for better propagation techniques. This is the only way to ensure the sustainability of the bamboo resource base and improve livelihoods. Thus, this study was carried out to examine the different growth parameters of culm cuttings of Bambusa vulgaris in propagation beds with a substrate consisting of dark soil, manure (compost) and sand in a ratio of 1:1:1. Data on different growth parameters was collected on a daily basis over a three week period and analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. It was found that the different growth parameters (diameter, height, leaves and sheaths) of culm cuttings of B. vulgaris evolved in like manner in three propagation beds. Descriptive statistics for growth parameters of culm cuttings of B. vulgaris showed little or no differences across three shelter/propagation beds (shelter bed 1, shelter bed 2 and shelter bed 3) with 1.4675 ± 1.6172 cm, 93 ± 112 cm, 22 ± 30 leaves, and 4 ± 6 sheaths being the mean diameter, height, number of leaves and number of sheaths for all three propagation beds, respectively. ANOVA test showed no statistically significant variation (p > 0.05) between growth parameters of culm cuttings of B. vulgaris across the three propagation beds, implying that the different growth parameters were relatively similar. Pearson correlation showed the existence of direct and inverse relationships between the different growth parameters of culm cuttings of bamboo. The existence of these direct and inverse relationships could be attributed to the rapid growth rate of bamboo, the substrate used, and the species of bamboo used (B. vulgaris). The study recommends more large-scale propagation projects of this bamboo species in order to ensure the sustainability of the bamboo resource base and improve livelihoods of bamboo dependent rural communities.

Characterization and cloning of a brittle culm mutant (bc88) in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

This study characterizes a brittle culm (bc88) mutant of rice (Oryza sativa L.) obtained by ethylene methylsulfonate (EMS)-induced mutagenesis of Wuyunjing 7. The bc88 mutant exhibits a diversity of pleiotropic phenotypes, including brittle culm at the whole-plant growth stages, withered leaf tips at the seedling stage, and 18-d delay in heading date at the mature stage. Genetic analysis indicates that the bc88 mutant is controlled by a single recessive nuclear gene. The mutated bc88 gene isolated by map-based cloning contains only one point mutation in the 5th exon relative to its wild-type BC88 (LOC_Os09g25490 and Os09g0422500), leading to an amino acid change from P to L in bc88 plants. Alignment of the putative protein sequence with its homologs indicates that the mutation is located in the conserved region of the sequence. Detection of the transcription level of BC88 in rice plants shows that the expression level of BC88 is higher in spikes and culms than in leaves, roots, and leaf sheaths. These contribute to understanding of the molecular mechanism of cellulose synthesis. The target gene BC88 can be a useful tool in molecular marker-assisted selection for rice culm trait breeding.

Genetic Analysis and Gene-Mapping of Two Reduced-Culm-Number Mutants in Rice

In the present study, In order to systematically dissect the genetic mechanism of rice （Oryza satlva L.） tilling for the super rice ideotype and the model system of branching development, two ethyl methane suifonate-induced rice reduced-culm-number（rcn） mutants from the progeny of Nippobare （O. satlva ssp. japonica）, namely rcn8 and rcn9, were used. Their maximum tillers were both less than 4. in addition, rcn9 had another major feature of rust-spotted leaves. Allelic tests between these two mutants and seven other recessive few-tiller mutants revealed that they were previously unknown loci. Genetic analysis showed that the rcn traits were all controlled by a pair of different recessive genes, designated as RCN8and RCNg, respectively. Two F2 populations derived from crosses between the rcn8 or rcn9 mutants and 93-11 were constructed. Linkage analysis using two rcn F2 mapping populations with published simple sequence repeat markers demonstrated that the RCN8 and RCN9 genes were mapped on the long arm of chromosome 1 （119.6 cM） and the short arm of chromosome 6 （63.6 cM）, respectively. The results of the present study are beneficial to map-based cloning and functional analysis of the RCN8 and RCN9 genes.

Anatomical and Chemical Alterations but not Photosynthetic Dynamics and Apoplastic Transport Changes are Involved in the Brittleness Culm Mutation of Rice

Brittleness culm is an important agronomic trait that has a potential usefulness in agricultural activity as animal forage although the developmental mechanism is not clear yet. In the present study, the anatomical and chemical characteristics as well as some ecophysiological features in the brittleness culm mutation of rice （Oryza sativa L.） were investigated. Compared with the wild type （WT）, the brittleness culm mutant （bcm） exhibited higher culm vascular bundle distance and lower culm wall thickness, leaf interveinal distance and leaf thickness. Ratio of bundle sheath cell/whole bundle and areas of whole vascular bundles and bundle sheath of leaves were reduced while ratios of xylem and phloem to whole bundles were elevated in bcm. The Fourier transform infrared （FTIR） microspectroscopy analysis and further histochemical and physiological measurements revealed that the different contents and depositions of cell wall components such as pectins, lignin, suberin and cellulose all participated in the mutation of brittleness. However, the mutant presented no significant changes in leaf photosynthetic dynamics and apoplastic transport ability. These results strongly indicate that the alterations in anatomical and chemical characteristics, rather than changes in major ecophysiological features such as photosynthesis and apoplastic transport were involved in the brittleness mutation of rice.

Solar-powered Bamboo Culm Prefabricated Housing

The solar-powered hybrid energy system has been put into practice in Hunan bamboo culm prefabricated housing and was enrolled in this study.In this paper,the experimental data which was taken from a demonstration house highlighted that this system has a high potential for integrated solar energy utilization.The average thermal efficiency of the collector was 58.68%,and the thermal conductivity coefficient of bamboo culm prefabricated composite wall was 1.075 W/(m2 K).Based on these results,bamboo culms could be used as the main structural material and heat storage slow-release flooring in the prefabricated housing.The housing was lower in energy consuming.

Breeding Resilience:Exploring Lodging Resistance Mechanisms in Rice

Lodging is more than just plants falling over;it incurs significant economic losses for farmers leading to a decrease in both yield and quality of the final produce.Human management practices,such as dense sowing,excessive nitrogen fertilizer applications,inappropriate sowing dates,and upland rice cultivation,exacerbate the risk of lodging in rice.While breeders have developed high-yielding rice varieties utilizing the sd1 gene,relying solely on this gene is insufficient to enhance lodging resistance.Identifying the traits that contribute to lodging resistance is crucial.Key factors include biochemical,anatomical,and morphological traits,such as the levels of lignin,cellulose,hemicellulose,silicon,and potassium,along with the number and area of vascular bundles and the thickness,diameter,and length of the culm.Moreover,markers associated with lodging-related genes,like SCM2,SCM3,SCM4,and prl4,can be utilized effectively in marker-assisted backcrossing to develop rice varieties with desirable culm traits.This literature review aims to aid rice breeders in addressing the issue of lodging by examining traits that influence lodging resistance,developing phenotyping strategies for these traits,identifying suitable instrumentation,exploring methods for screening lodging-resistant plants,understanding the mathematical relationships involved,and considering molecular breeding aspects for pyramiding genes related to lodging.

淡竹蔸根和鞭根细根寿命特征

植物细根寿命是影响细根周转的重要因素,在陆地生态系统碳和养分循环中扮演着重要角色。但是,目前对竹类植物根寿命的直接观测资料和研究仍显不足,尤其缺乏关于竹类植物蔸根和鞭根两种类型根寿命特征的研究。利用根箱对淡竹(Phyllostachys glauca)蔸根和鞭根细根生长动态开展研究,结果表明:(1)淡竹蔸根和鞭根细根寿命间没有显著差异,但是根序对根寿命有显著影响。1级根寿命显著低于2级根寿命,2级根寿命显著低于3级根寿命。(2)蔸根和鞭根的出生和死亡具有不同的季节模式。鞭根新根出生集中于7、8、9月,在7月达到峰值,死亡高峰发生在春季(3—5月)。蔸根新根发生没有单一峰值,在3月、7月、11月各有一次新根发生的小高峰,死亡高峰发生在夏季(6—8月)。(3)淡竹蔸根和鞭根的细根寿命与出生时间的关系不同。蔸根夏季出生的细根中值寿命最长,春季出生的细根中值寿命最短。鞭根春季出生的细根中值寿命最长,冬季(12—2月)出生的细根中值寿命最短。发现淡竹蔸根和鞭根的细根具有不同的生长规律,其寿命与根序级别、出生时期密切相关,研究结果可为竹林生产和管理提供理论依据。

基于制片竹秆软化方法研究

【目的】为了探讨不同软化方式对竹材结构和主要组分的影响,筛选适合不同研究目的的最佳软化方法。【方法】以厚竹(Phyllostachys edulis‘Pachyloen’)竹秆为研究对象,采用常规石蜡制片结合显微技术和紫外光谱分析技术进行研究。【结果】除了三甘醇和氢氟酸软化的材料容易破裂外,水以及其他化学试剂软化均可获得较为完整、清晰的竹秆结构。且乙二胺为竹秆显微切片制备的最适软化介质。【结论】10%乙二胺100℃水浴软化最为方便快捷,适于以结构研究为目的,木质化程度高的竹类植物显微制片。对于竹秆组成成分研究,纯水100℃水浴软化为最佳选择。该文为竹材利用基础研究提供了参考依据。