VvAGAMOUS Affect Development of Four Different Grape Species Ovary

Grape pistil has an important influence on fruit size and quality.However,there were few studies on grape ovary,and the development process of the ovary is still unclear.Therefore,in this paper,four different grape varieties with different lengths of small inflorescences,namely‘Musct Hambourg’grape(Vitis vinifera),‘Concord’grape(Vitis labrusca),‘ShanPuTao’grape(Vitis amurensis)and‘GongNiang2Hao’grape(Vitis amurensis×Vitis vinifera)were used as test materials.Four varieties ovary were significant differences by means of stereomicroscope,paraffin section.The expression of ovary determining gene VvAGAMOUS(VvAG)and its development related genes VvCRABS CLAW(VvCRC)and VvAGAMOUS-LIKE 11(VvAGL11)with similar functions during the development of different grape varieties were preliminarily explored using fluorescence quantitative test.The relationship between VvAG and VvCRC,VvAG and VvAGL11 were analyzed using Y1H assay.Our results showed that there were obvious abdominal sutures on the surface of expect for‘Musct Hambourg’grape,and existing poly carpels.The ovary development of‘ShanPuTao’and‘GongNiang2Hao’grape was completed when the inflorescence length was less than 1 cm,while the‘Concord’and‘Musct Hambourg’grape were fully developed when the length of inflorescence was 3–4 and 4–5 cm,respectively.VvAG and VvCRC began to express in large quantities after the formation of stamen primordia,while VvAGL11 during the forming of ovule primordia.Therefore,VvAG and VvCRC mainly regulated the development of stamens and carpels and also promote the development of ovules,while VvAGL11 major regulated the development of ovules.The promoters of VvCRC and VvAGL11 were bound by VvAG.This study provides an important theoretical basis for further research on the molecular mechanism of grape ovary development.

Reproductive biology of Magnolia sinica(Magnoliaecea),a threatened species with extremely small populations in Yunnan,China

Magnolia sinica is one of the most threatened trees endemic to Southeast Yunnan.Based on our investigations,only 52 individuals and eight populations are found in the wild.M.sinica has been categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and identified as a "Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations(PSESP)".Its fruit/seed set is very low and seedlings are rarely found in the wild.It is hypothesized that it may encounter obstacles to reproductive success.This study,therefore,focuses on its reproductive biology,knowledge of which is essential for effective conservation.Flowers of this species are protogynous and nocturnal,and possess a two-day rhythm of sexual presentation.For the first night of anthesis,the flowers are in the pistillate stage during which tepals open at dusk and close approx.1 h later(except for the open outer ones).They remain closed until the next afternoon,when flowers,now in the staminate stage,re-open and remain so until the tepals drop.Nocturnal beetles enter into the flowers and remain trapped throughout the night as the flower closes,during which time they feed on tepals.Pollen-gathering bees are found to visit the re-opened flowers and the beetles are released during this stage.Two species of Pleocomidae and Curculionidae beetles appear to be effective pollinators.M.sinica is a self-compatible,pollinator-dependent species,and its fruit/seed set can be significantly increased by hand-pollination.No functional seed dispersers have been found in its extant natural habitats.These findings suggest that it may face both pollination and seed disperser insufficiencies in its current fragmented habitats,which may account for its low regeneration.Here we propose conservation strategies based on our findings.