A New Combination and Two Varieties of Polystigmate Gomphonema (Gomphonemaceae Bacillariophyta) from Heilongjiang Province, China

The authors discribed a new polystigmate combination, Gomphonema turris Ehr. var. okamurae (Skv.) Fan et Bao.comb.nov., and two new varieties, Gomphonema turris Ehr. var. latum Fan et Wang. var. nov. and Gomphonema acuminatum var. obtusum Fan et Bao, var. nov., that were distinguished by frustule morphology under LM. The samples were collected from freshwater of Heilongjiang Province, China.

Analysis of Yield and Disease Resistance Traits of New Winter Rapeseed Varieties over the Past Twenty Years in China

Based on the results of the national regional trail for winter rapeseed in four groups,including the upper reaches,middle reaches and lower reaches of Yangtze River and Huang-Huai region in the past twenty years,new varieties of winter rapeseed showed upward trend in average yield,the yield level in Huang-huai group was higher than other groups.The changes of average effective pods per plant were not significant in any group,but the number of grain per pod and 1 000-grain weight showed increase trend.However,the increment of grains per pod in three Yangtze River groups was higher than that in Huang-Huai River group,while the increment of 1 000-grain weight was just opposite.The incidence rate of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and viral disease in new varieties of winter rapeseed obviously decreased,and the incidence rate of S.sclerotiorum decreased lower than 5%.Genetic improvement for winter rapeseed should be focus on the number of grain per pod and 1 000-grain weight in the future,and yield level of new varieties in all four groups is expected to increase.

LociScan,a tool for screening genetic marker combinations for plant variety discrimination

To reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of plant genetic marker fingerprinting for variety discrimination,it is desirable to identify the optimal marker combinations.We describe a marker combination screening model based on the genetic algorithm(GA)and implemented in a software tool,Loci Scan.Ratio-based variety discrimination power provided the largest optimization space among multiple fitness functions.Among GA parameters,an increase in population size and generation number enlarged optimization depth but also calculation workload.Exhaustive algorithm afforded the same optimization depth as GA but vastly increased calculation time.In comparison with two other software tools,Loci Scan accommodated missing data,reduced calculation time,and offered more fitness functions.In large datasets,the sample size of training data exerted the strongest influence on calculation time,whereas the marker size of training data showed no effect,and target marker number had limited effect on analysis speed.

Characterization of QTL for unique agronomic traits of new-plant-type rice varieties using introgression lines of IR64

To enhance the yield potential of an elite indica rice cultivar,an introgression(BC_3-derived) line of IR64,YTH288,was developed using a new-plant-type cultivar,IR66215-44-2-3,as a donor parent.YTH288 has agronomically valuable characteristics such as large panicles,few unproductive tillers,and large leaves inherited from NPT.To identify the genetic basis of these traits,we used 167 F_2 plants derived from a cross between IR64 and YTH288 to conduct QTL analysis for five agronomic traits:days to heading(DTH),culm length(CL),flag leaf length(FLL),flag leaf width(FLW),and filled spikelet number per panicle(FSN).Six putative QTL were detected:four on chromosome4(for CL,FLL,FLW,and FSN) and two on chromosome 2(for DTH and FLL).All QTL with the IR66215-44-2-3 allele,except that for FLL on chromosome 2,had positive effects on each trait.To confirm the effects of these putative QTL,we developed NILs with the IR64 genetic background by marker-assisted selection.We observed significant differences in several agronomic traits between IR64 and NILs that carried these QTL on chromosomes2 and 4.Additionally,four IR64-NILs carrying chromosomal segments derived from different NPT varieties on the long arm of chromosome 4 exhibited similar pleiotropic To enhance the yield potential of an elite indica rice cultivar, an introgression(BC3-derived) line of IR64, YTH288, was developed using a new-plant-type cultivar,IR66215-44-2-3, as a donor parent. YTH288 has agronomically valuable characteristics such as large panicles, few unproductive tillers, and large leaves inherited from NPT.To identify the genetic basis of these traits, we used 167 F2 plants derived from a cross between IR64 and YTH288 to conduct QTL analysis for five agronomic traits: days to heading(DTH), culm length(CL), flag leaf length(FLL), flag leaf width(FLW), and filled spikelet number per panicle(FSN). Six putative QTL were detected: four on chromosome4(for CL, FLL, FLW, and FSN) and two on chromosome 2(for DTH and FLL). All QTL with the IR66215-44-2-3 allele, except that for FLL on chromosome 2, had positive effects on each trait. To confirm the effects of these putative QTL, we developed NILs with the IR64 genetic background by marker-assisted selection. We observed significant differences in several agronomic traits between IR64 and NILs that carried these QTL on chromosomes2 and 4. Additionally, four IR64-NILs carrying chromosomal segments derived from different NPT varieties on the long arm of chromosome 4 exhibited similar pleiotropiceffects for unique agronomic traits. These NILs can be used as research materials for studying each trait and as breeding materials for yield improvement of indica rice cultivars.

Impact of Implementing 1991 Act of the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants in China

The Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants is abbreviated as UPOV. The Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants has 1961/1972 Act ,1978 Act and 1991 Act. China is member of UPOV and its regulations of protection of new varieties of plants conform to 1978 Act. At present, there is big debate whether China accedes to 1991 Act. This paper mainly discussed advantages and possibilities that China accedes to 1991 Act, and concluded that it is highly desirable that China should consider acceding to 1991 Act in order to contribute to development of system on protection of new varieties of plants.

Farmers' Privilege under the Protection of New Plant Varieties

This paper studies farmers'privilege under the protection of new plant varieties,and points out that farmers'privilege is given to balance interests of plant breeders and relevant public.Based on this,it analyzes shortcomings of farmers'privilege regulations,and puts forward that it is required to improve farmers'privilege regulations in subjects,objects and contents of rights on the basis of learning from advanced legislation experience of foreign countries,and build the interest sharing mechanism between breeders and farmers.

Correlation and Cluster Analysis on the Quality Characters of New Middle-ripe Japonica Rice Varieties in Jiangsu Province

[ Objective] This study aimed to analyze the quality characteristics of the new middle-ripejapon/ca rico varieties in Jiangsu Province. [ Method] Four- teen new rice varieties included in the Middle-ripe Japon/ca Rice Regional Test in 2011 were selected as the materials. Correlation analysis and cluster analysis were carried out on their quality traits. [Result] The rice cultivars possessed stable characteristics, which were difficult to be further improved. In addition, their quality traits had extremely complicated relationships, and the differences were significant between different groups. [ Conclusion] This study will provide reference for improving the quality traits of japonica rice.

New Varieties of Populus tomentosa Carr. and Breeding Techniques

The main morphological characteristics, producing area and growth characteristics of sixteen new varieties of Chinese white poplar （Populus tomentosa Carr. ） are reported, aiming at providing reference for breeding and extension of new varieties.

Study on Introduction Test of New Varieties of High Quality Conventional Rice in Yangjiang City, China

[Objective]The paper was to seek new varieties of high quality conventional rice suitable for Yangjiang area,Guangdong Province,China.[Method]In 2017,introduction test was performed with seven new varieties of high-quality conventional rice approved by Guangdong Province in recent years,including Huangsilizhan,Guangjingruanzhan,Heliyouzhan,Huahang 48,Limiaozhan,Lvyinzhan,Yuehesimiao,to investigate the main agronomic traits and yield of all varieties tested.[Result]The comprehensive performance of Lvyinzhan,Guangjingruanzhan,Limiaozhan and Huahang 48 was outstanding,showing the characters of good yield,excellent rice quality and strong stress resistance.[Conclusion]Lvyinzhan,Guangjingruanzhan,Limiaozhan and Huahang 48 are suitable for large-scale demonstration and promotion in Yangjiang area.

Comparative Test of New Late Indica Hybrid Rice Combinations with Good Quality

[Objectives]This study was conducted to screen rice varieties suitable for planting in Nanchang City with high quality,high yield,good yield,and strong disease and stress resistance.[Methods]Seven new late indica hybrid rice combinations with good quality bred in Jiangxi Province in recent years and seven new late indica hybrid rice combinations with good quality bred by Nanchang Academy of Agricultural Sciences were introduced,and compared with Tianyouhuazhan as a control.[Results]The rice quality and taste of the tested combinations were better than those of the control.Among the tested combinations,Yuliangyoufuxiangzhan,Xintaiyousizhan,Yuxiangliangyou No.8 and Guangheyou 33 had good stress resistance,high yield and good rice quality.[Conclusions]This study provides a theoretical basis for the selection and breeding of new rice varieties in Nanchang City.

NEW VARIETIES AND LINES

Ⅱ-you 92: a new hybrid rice for late seasonⅡ-you 92 is an indica hybrid rice that was developed by Jinhua Agri Res Inst, Zhejiang Province.Ⅱ-you 92 has a suitable growth duration of 122-125 d as double-cropping late season rice, 3-4 dshorter than that of Shanyou 64 and 6-7 d shorter than Shanyou 10. It has a compact plant type, high tiller-ing ability and plant height of 85-90 cn. A number of 3.4-3.6 million effective panicles per ha can be

NEW VARIETIES AND LINES

Qixiuzhan 3:a new high-yielding, good-quality indica rice varietyBy crossing Qishanzhan with Xinxiu 299, a new variety Qixiuzhan 3 was developed by the Rice Res Inst ofGuangdong Acad of Agri Sci.Being planted in the early season, this variety belongs to mid-late-maturity rice, with the same ma-

New technique for identifying varieties resistance to rice blast

After 8 yrs lab experiments and field tests, an advanced technique for identifying varieties resistance to rice blast was developed by a research group in Plant Protection Institute, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences. With this technique, the inoculum was prepared on a maize-rice-straw-agar media which was suitable for sporulation of most rice blast pathogen isolates. To avoid possible virulence variation during the vegetative growth, the conidia were harvested and preserved for later different sets of resistance evaluation tests. A simple and precise new method—smear inoculation was used for infection. The experi-

TWO NEW SPECIES AND ONE NEW COMBINATION OF THE CONIFER SAWFLY FAMILY DIPRIONIDAE (HYMENOPTERA: SYMPHYTA) FROM YUNNAN, CHINA

In this paper two new species of Diprionidae were described from Yunnan Province, China, Gilpinia hebedentata, sp. n. and Macrodiprion wui, sp. n. Another species recorded in Yunnan, Gilpinia disa Smith, was transferred from Gilpinia Benson to Microdiprion Enslin. Macrodiprion Enslin is a newly recorded genus in China.

A New Combination Cladotanytarsus gracilistylus (Chaudhuri & Datta,1992) (Ditptera:Chironomidae) from China

Tanytarsus gracilistylus （Chaudhuri ＆ Datta, 1992） is replaced to Cladotanytarsus gracilistylus as new combination. The detail re-description is given. A key to male of Cladotanytarsus from China is presented.

Developing high-efficiency base editors by combining optimized synergistic core components with new types of nuclear localization signal peptide

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)–CRISPR-associated protein(Cas) system has been widely used for genome editing. In this system, the cytosine base editor(CBE) and adenine base editor(ABE) allow generating precise and irreversible base mutations in a programmable manner and have been used in many different types of cells and organisms. However, their applications are limited by low editing efficiency at certain genomic target sites or at specific target cytosine(C) or adenine(A) residues. Using a strategy of combining optimized synergistic core components, we developed a new multiplex super-assembled ABE(sABE) in rice that showed higher base-editing efficiency than previously developed ABEs. We also designed a new type of nuclear localization signal(NLS) comprising a FLAG epitope tag with four copies of a codon-optimized NLS(F4NLS^(r2)) to generate another ABE named F4NLS-sABE. This new NLS increased editing efficiency or edited additional A at several target sites. A new multiplex super-assembled CBE(sCBE) and F4NLS^(r2) involved F4NLS-sCBE were also created using the same strategy. F4NLS-sCBE was proven to be much more efficient than sCBE in rice. These optimized base editors will serve as powerful genome-editing tools for basic research or molecular breeding in rice and will provide a reference for the development of superior editing tools for other plants or animals.

Boehmeria nivea var. strigosa (Urticaceae), a new variety from Southwest China

Boehmeria nivea var.strigosa Zeng Y.Wu&Y.Zhao,a new variety of B.nivea(Urticaceae)from Southwest China,is here described based on evidence from morphology and molecular phylogeny.This new variety is mainly characterized by its green abaxial leaf blade,partly connate stipules,and densely patent strigose hairs on stems and potioles.The phylogenetic analysis based on rbc L,nrDNA and rbc L+nrDNA datasets,revealed that all individuals of B.nivea var.strigosa formed a monophyletic group.The conservation status of B.nivea var.strigosa is assessed as“Near Threatened”(NT)according to IUCN evaluation criteria.The discovery of this new variety is not only crucial for the taxonomy of ramie,but also provides reference for the exploration and utilization of ramie.

New Combination of Semilate Rice: Yuanliangyou 1000

Yuanliangyou 1000 is new combination of semilate rice bred by Yuan S and R900 by Institute of Grain and Oil Crops of Nanchang Academy of Agricultural Science,Yuanshi Seed Industry High Tech Co.,Ltd.and Jiangxi Pusheng Agricultural Development Co.,Ltd.It passed through new variety certification of Jiangxi Province in 2017,and approval number was Ganshendao 20170020,which was suitable for plantation of semilate rice in Jiangxi.In this paper,breeding process,combination characteristic,main cultivation technique and seed production technology of Yuanliangyou 1000 were introduced.

Preliminary Report of Induction Test of Tomato Varieties

An introduction and observation test was carried out to 8 tomato varieties in cement arch plastic greenhouse. The results showed that the tested variety 10-2 exhibited the highest average yield of 61 520.9 kg/hm2, which was higher than Mantian 2180 as control by 33.7%. Varieties 10-2 and 10-3 showed the advantages of good fruit type, uniform size, thick pericarp, good hardness, high fruit setting rate, strong disease resistance, good low temperature resistance, good tolerance to stor-age and transportation and good quality. They could be planted for demonstration as export varieties in open field and greenhouse in mountainous area in Ningxia.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Flower Border Application Value of New and Superior Plants in Hefei Area

An analytic hierarchy process(AHP)was employed to assess the applicability of 18 new and superior varieties of flowers in Hefei City flower border applications.A total of 12 indicators were selected from three distinct aspects of adaptability,ornamental characteristics and use traits,in order to establish a comprehensive evaluation model.The results demonstrate that grade I(J≥2.685)exhibits excellent application value,encompassing six species of plants,such asHydrangeamacrophylla‘Endless Summer’;grade II(2.684≤J≤2.420)is also of notable application value,encompassing five species of plants,such asCallistemonrigidus;grade III(2.419≤J≤2.615)is of average application value,including five species of plants,such asCrocosmiacrocosmiflora;grade IV(J≤2.16)is of relatively poor application value.The evaluation results may be utilized as a theoretical reference for the promotion of new and superior varieties in the flower border of Hefei.