Advances in Physiological-biochemical and Genetic Mechanisms of Seed Aging in Rice(Oryza sativa L.)

Reasons causing or accelerating seed aging are mainly damage of mem- branes, DNA and proteins, decline of protein synthesis capacity and excessive ac- cumulation of reactive oxygen species. With the application of natural aging or artifi- cial aging methods, it was reported that quantitative trait loci （QTLs） of seed stora- bility in rice were widely distributed on the chromosomes except the 10th chromo- some. In this paper, we reviewed the progresses in the research on physiological- biochemical and genetic mechanisms of seed aging, and analyzed the existing problems and developing prospect in molecular breeding of rice with improved seed storability, in order to provide reference for the basic research and genetic improve- ment of rice seed storabUity.

Screening of Drought-tolerant Brassica napus L.Varieties and Analysis on Their Physiologic and Biochemical Variations under Drought Stress

[Objective] The aim of this study was to screen drought-tolerant Brassica napus L. germplasm resources by analyzing their physiological and biochemical changes under drought stress. [Method] Forty varieties of B. napus varieties were cultured under PEG-6000 osmotic stress and extreme drought stress in pots, re- spectively. Then, the contents of chlorophyll, carotenoid, proline, malondialdehyde （MDA）, soluble sugar, soluble protein, and the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, catalase（CAT）, peroxidase（POD） were measured under drought stress. [Result] Sever- al drought-tolerant varieties of B. napus were screened out： YAU200908, Xiangyou No.15, YAU200903, YAU200907, YAU200906 and YAU200904. Physiological and biochemical analysis showed that, the contents of chlorophyll and carotenoid de- creased with drought stress increasing; the contents of proline, soluble sugar, solu- ble protein, MDA and the activities of SOD,CAT, POD raised with drought stress in- creasing. [Conclusion] In the rapeseed varieties with stronger drought tolerance, the decrease in carotenoid content and the increase in proline content, soluble sugar content, MDA content, SOD activity, CAT activity were more obvious, so all these physiological and biochemical indices can be used to evaluate the drought tolerance of rapeseed.

Relationship Between Ecophysiological Features and Grain Yield in Different Soybean Varieties

Photosynthetic rate ( P n ), transpiration rate ( E ), stomatal conductance ( g s ), water use efficiency ( WUE ), intercellular CO 2( C i ) and leaf water potential ( Ψ ) in varieties of soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.) measured in the past three decades (1970s, 1980s and 1990s) and their inter_relationships were analyzed. These parameters of soybean changed with development stages. It is shown that there was a strongly positive relationship between the yield of soybean and its net photosynthetic rate. Soybean varieties with high yield potential had higher P n , g s and Ψ than those with low yield potential. Their values of C i were remarkably lower. Such relationship was especially remarkable at the critical stage of pod_bearing. P n of soybean of high yield was obviously higher than that of low yield. Of the different stages, the highest P n was found in the pod_bearing stage and other values were higher, too. P n and Ψ of modern soybean varieties were higher and such was continuing. Increased partitioning of carbon to seed and the size of sink may also be important for yield formation when P n values were remarkably higher in the pod_bearing stage.

Effect of High Temperature on Outcrossing Characteristics at the Fertility Sensitive Period of Photo-thermo Sensitive Genic Male Sterile (PTGMS) Rice Lines

Four sterile lines （Peiai64S, Y58S, Guangzhan 63-2S and H638S） and the restoring line R527 were used as materials. Five temperature gradients （24, 27, 30, 33 and 36 ℃ in artificial climate chamber） and the natural temperature （as control） were treated to the four sterile lines for 6 d in the fertility sensitive period of heading to flowering stage, respectively, to study the effects of temperature on physiological biochemical characteristics of young panicles and outcrossing characteristics. The results showed that the percentages of exerted stigma of Peiai 64S and Y58S were the highest at 27 ℃, which were 86.81% and 86.06%, respectively, while the percentages of exerted stigma of Guangzhan 63-2S and H638S were the highest at 24 ℃, which were 76.24% and 81.76%, respectively; the stigma viability of Peiai 64S, Y58S, Guangzhan 63-2S and H638S were the best at 24 ℃, which were 1.96, 2.12, 1.74 and 1.94, respectively; the outcrossing rates of Peiai 64S, Guangzhan 63-2S and H638S were the highest at 24 ℃, which were 58.87%, 54.22% and 50.50%, respectively, while the outcrossing rate of Y58S was the highest at 27 ℃, which was 58.96%; and the contents of peroxidase （POD） of the four sterile lines increased significantly at 33 ℃ compared with the control, while the contents of malondialdehyde （MDA） and proline increased significantly at 36 ℃ compared with the control. There were differences in temperature sensitivity between the male sterile lines, and the 24 ℃ treatment during the sensitive period was the best for the fertility sensitive period of Peiai 64S, while 27 ℃ was the best temperature for Y58S, Gangzhan 63-2S and H638S.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Management on Biological Traits and Physiological Indexes at Seedling Stage and Yield of Directly-sown Rapeseed(Brassica napus L.)

Field experiments were carried out to study the effects of different nitroge- napplication rates and application times on biological traits and physiological indexes of directly-sown rapeseed （Brassica napus L.） at the seedling stage and investigate the relationship between these biological traits or physiological indexes at the seedling stage and yield, so as to provide scientific theoretical support for high yield and efficient fertilization management in production of winter rapeseed. Field trials were conducted in Chengdu plain of Sichuan Province under rice-rapeseed rotation system during the period of 2011-2012. The nitrogen application rate trial consisted of five nitrogen levels （0, 90, 180, 270 and 360 kg/hm2） and the nitrogen application time trial included NTl（single application as base fertilized）, NT2 （bottom application ＋one time of topdressing at seedling stage） and NT3 （bottom application＋two times of topdressing at seedling stage） under the same nitrogen rate （225 kg/hm2）. The results indicated that compared with no nitrogen application （NO） treatment, the in- crease of nitrogen fertilizer is beneficial to the increase of biological traits including plant height, green leaf number, leaf area index and dry weight of rapeseed at the seedling stage, the improvement of physiological indexes including total nitrogen content, chlorophyll content and soluble protein content of functional leaves, and the reduction of soluble sugar content. Nitrogen rate was linearly correlated with various biological traits at the seedling stage and physiological indexes including total nitro- gen content, chlorophyll content and soluble sugar content in functional leaves over- a/I, but in parabolic correlation with soluble protein content. Under the same nitrogen rate, NT2 treatment exhibited biological traits remarkably or significantly higher than NT1 treatment and NT3 treatment. The nitrogen application times were linearly cor- related with the physiological indexes of functional leaves at the seedling stage. The various biological traits and physiological index of functional leaves at the seedlings stage were in quadratic function parabolic correlation with seed yield, and the corre- lation was significant （P〈0.05）. Therefore, under the rice-rapeseed rotation system in Chengdu plain, the economic rational nitrogen rate is 180-225 kg/hm2, and the mode of bottom application ＋ one time of topdressing （NT2） is suitable.

Research Progress of Heat-tolerance of Brassica campestris ssp. Chinensis

Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis, also known as non-heading Chinese cabbage, is an important vegetable widely distributed in southern China. High temperature is the most common adversity factor in vegetable production, because Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis is a thermophilic vegetable, which can＇t well grow at high temperature. In summer and autumn, high temperature stress would prevent Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis from growing and result in poor quality of its seedlings, seriously influencing yield and quality of the vegetable in later period. In this paper, present situation and latest advances in heat resistance research of Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis in recent years were reviewed at home and abroad. The research tendency in Bassica campestris ssp. chinensis was also described, providing reference for breeding of heat-resistant Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis.

Effects of Water Deficit and Increased Nitrogen Application in the Late Growth Stage on Physiological Characters of Anti-aging of Leaves in Different Hybrid Rice Varieties

[Objective] This study aimed to explore the effects of water and fertilizer regulation on the function of leaves in the filling stage. [Method] Six hybrid rice vari- eties including prematurely aged types and non-prematurely aged ones were selected as experimental materials. Limiting water treatment （with soil water potential of about -25 kpa） and increasing nitrogen treatment （additional 10% of granular nitrogen fertiliz- er in addition to limiting water treatment） were applied after heading to analyse the rates of aging and physiological responses of anti-aging in different hybrid rice vari- eties under water deficit and increased nitrogen conditions taking regular water and fertilizer as control. [Result] The results showed that water deficit accelerated the leaf senescence, and prematurely aged types-＇Zhongyou838＇, ＇Tianyou998＇ and ＇Long- ping601 ＇-were more markedly affected by water deficit, of which the rates of chloro- phyll degradation were 6%-8% higher compared to that in another three hybrids. In- creasing nitrogen treatment raised chlorophyll content and slowed down its degrada- tion. Water deficit caused the increase of abscisic acid （ABA） content to obviously varying degrees in leaves of six hybried rice varieties. Responses of ABA content in six hybried rice varieties to increased nitrogen fertilizer were not consistent. Except in ＇Zhongyou838＇, ABA content in the other five hybrids had varying degrees of in- crease. The responses of the activity of antioxidant enzymes in different hybried rice varieties were inconsistent. In response to increased nitrogen fertilizer in combination with water deficit, the activity of each antioxidant enzyme changed differently. Water deficit enhanced the accumulation of malondialdehyde （MDA） in leaves of each hybrid rice. The correlation analysis showed that chlorophyll content was extremely signifi- cantly positively correlated to the resistance of each antioxidant enzyme; SOD activity in leaves also positively related to ABA content. [Conclusion] The rate of leaf aging, physiological activity of anti-aging, and response to water deficit varied in different hy- bried rice varieties. The activity of antioxidant enzymes were not all induced to improve by ABA. SOD activity can be an indicator of resistance to stress. Increasing nitrogen ap- plication significantly postponed leave senescence in the late growth stage of rice.

Impacts of global warming on marine zooplankton

Global warming has been being a serious issue since 1980, and it impacts environment and biosphere. Here, we reviewed the physiological and ecological responses of marine zooplankton which is an important component of biosphere to the global warming. Much research on physiological changes in response to different temperature is given to discuss this issue. Furthermore, we focused on ecological changes of zooplankton to global warming and several indices such as abundance, biomass, biodiversity and biogeographic boundary are enumerated. Phenological changes of zooplankton were presented, followed by the prospects of this subject, viz. observing more functional groups, more concerning on zooplankton in tropical region and investigation on a species-level zooplankton system.

Responses of the seedlings of five dominant tree species in Changbai Mountain to soil water stress

Soil water stress was studied on the potted seedlings of five dominant tree species (Pinus koraienes Sieb.et Zucc., Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr., Juglans mandshurica Maxim, Tilia amurensis Rupr. and Quercus mongolica Fisch.ex Turcz) from the broadleaved/Korean pine forest in Changbai Mountain. Leaf growth, water transpiration and photosynthesis were compared for each species under three soil moisture conditions: 85%-100% (high water, CK), 65%-85% (Medium water, MW) and 45%-65% (low water, LW) of 37.4% water-holding capacity in field. The results showed that the characteristic of typical drought-resistance of the leaves is significantly developed. The net photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency of Fraxinus mandshurica were higher in MW than those in CK. But for the other four species, the net photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency in CK were lower than those in MW and LW. The transpiration rate responding to soil moistures varied from species to species.

Effects of Controlled Atmospheres with High_O_2 or High_CO_2 Concentrations on Postharvest Physiology and Storability of "Napoleon" Sweet Cherry

Sweet cherries ( Prunus avium L. cv. Napoleon) were stored in controlled atmospheres (CA) of high O(2) (70% O(2) + 0% CO(2)) or high CO(2) (5% O(2) + 10% CO(2)), in modified atmosphere package (MAP, (13% - 18%) O(2) + (2% -4%) CO(2)) and in air (control) at 1 degreesC to investigate the effects of different O(2) and CO(2) concentrations on physiological properties, quality and storability of the fruits during storage. The results indicated that compared with other treatments, CA with high O(2) concentration decreased fruit decay and ethanol content, but increased the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and stimulated browning. CA with high CO(2) concentration inhibited polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, reduced MDA content, maintained vitamin C content and firmness, decreased fruit decay and browning. Soluble solids contents (SSC) were not significantly affected by different atmosphere treatments. 'Napoleon' fruits stored in 5% O(2) + 10% CO(2) for as long as 80 d were of good quality, but only 40, 20 and 30 d stored in MAP, 70% O(2) + 0% CO(2) and air, re-spectively.

On the Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Rice under Smashing Ridge Tillage

Two-line super hybrid rice （Oryza sativa L.） Guiliangyou 2 was taken as the experimental variety, the growth and physiological characteristics of rice under conventional tillage and smashing ridge tillage were compared based on field re- search. The results showed that smashing ridge tillage was beneficial to the tillering growth of rice plants in the the middle and later periods of tillering; under the tillage mode, the white root was more, the vigour was strong during the whole growing period, the SPAD was extremely significantly higher than that of conventional tillage, the net photosynthetic rate of the leaves was high and held green long, which were beneficial to the production and accumulation of photoassimilates; during mature pe- riod, the dry matter accumulation of the overground part under smashing ridge tillage was significantly higher than that of conventional tillage, and the number of productive ears under smashing ridge tillage was more than that of conventional tillage by 27.6×10^4/hm2, thus, the yield-increasing effect was significant and in- creased by 20.36%.

Effect of Lead Stress on Growth Characteristics and Physiological Indexes of Alternanthera philoxeroides

[Objective] The paper aimed to discuss effects of different concentrations of lead stress on Alternanthera philoxeroides growth and physiological indices,to explore phytoremediation methods for removal of lead pollution. [Method] A. philoxeroides in water culture was treated with different concentration of lead,and then,its external injury was observed,its growth and physiological indexes were measured. [Result] A. philoxeroides biomass and chlorophyll content decreased; conductivity and malonaldehyde （MDA ） content were increased; the SOD,POD and CAT activities showed a trend of first increase and then decrease with increase in concentration of lead stress. [Conclusion] With increase in lead concentration,the cell membrane permeability increased and MDA had a higher accumulation,antioxidant enzymes activity decreased,the normal oxidative metabolism of A. philoxeroides was severely affected,leading it to wilt.

Effects of Hypergravity on Salt Tolerance of Wheat Seedlings

[ Objective] The study aimed to reveal the effects of hypergravity on salt tolerance of wheat seedlings. [ Method ] The seed germination rate （Gr） and germination index （Gi） of wheat seedlings were measured under hypergravity of 600 × g or 1 000 × g for 4 h and under the stress of 0.4% or 0.9% salt solution. The catalase （CAT） activity and malondialdehyde （MDA） content of wheat seedlings were also measured under 0.4% salt stress. [Result] Compared with seedlings in CK group （no hypergravity or salt stress）, the Gr and Gi of the seedlings in salt stress treatment decreased to different extents; while the Gr and Gi of the seedlings in treatment group （hypergravity and salt stress） increased compared with that in salt stress group. CAT in seedlings of hypergravity treatment was higher than that of CK group and 0.4% salt treatment group, meanwhile the MDA showed an opposite result. [ Conclusion] Hypergravity could enhance the salt resistance of wheat in specific range, and hypergravity of 600 × g for 4 h performed better than that of 1 000 ×g for 4 h.

Effect of Water Control before Transplanting and Rooting Powder Treatment on Tobacco Seedling Quality and Physiological Properties at Green Stage

Cultivating strong seedlings is an important guarantee for the production of high-quality flue-cured tobacco, while there are many disadvantages in tobacco floating system that is commonly adopted in China. To improve the tobacco floating system, with Xiangyan No.3 as experimental material, the effects of water control before transplanting and rooting powder treatment on tobacco seedling quality and physiological properties at green stage were investigated. The results showed that： （1） water control showed small influence on tobacco seedling quality, while rooting powder treatment and water control ＋ rooting powder treatment showed great influence on tobacco seedling quality, mainly represented by reduced plant height, thickened stem and increased dry matter accumulative amount; （2） water control before transplanting and rooting powder treatment all improved leaf chlorophyll content and root vigor of tobacco seedlings, and the effect of water control ＋ rooting powder treatment was best, followed by rooting powder treatment and water control; （3） all treatments increased the nitrate reductase and invertase activity, and reduced the MDA content of tobacco seedlings, and the effect of water control ＋ rooting powder treatment was best, followed by rooting powder treatment and water control. Mean- while, the treatment effect 10 d before the transplanting was better than that 5 d before the transplanting. In overall, the improvement effects of water control 10 d before transplanting ＋ rooting powder treatment on tobacco seedling quality and physiological properties at green stage were the best.

Screening of a Novel Bioflocculant-producing Strain and Research on Its Flocculation

[Objective] This study aimed to screen a bacterial strain capable of producing bioflocculant. [Method] A bacterial strain T-11 capable of producing bioflocculant was isolated from activated sludge. Detailed tests on the morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics were carried out and identification was performed to identify the strain. Finally, the bioflocculant was isolated and purified, and the flocculating activity and chemical characteristics were measured. [Result] It was identified as Serratia plumuthica based on its morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics. This strain secreted flocculant best in a culture medium which included sucrose and NaNO3. The maximal cell growth was achieved within 10 h and the flocculating activity paralleled to it. It was found to be effective for flocculation of kaolin suspension, when added at a final concentration of 0.7 mg/L, over a range of pHs （2-7）, and temperature （approximately 30-80 ℃）. Chemical analysis indicated that the bioflocculant was an acidic polysaccharide consisting of glucose, glucuronic acid and galactose, talose and altrose. Infrared spectrum analysis also revealed typical characteristics of polysaccharides. [Conclusion] The biofloccu- lants produced by strain T-11 can greatly improve the ability of activated sludge to settle.

Salt Stress Effect on the Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Three New Varieties of Lagerstroemia indica

The effects of different concentrations of NaCI （0, 0.10%, 0.25%, 0.40%, 0.55%, 0.70%） on the growth and physiological characteristics of three new varieties of Lagerstroemia indica were studied by pot experiment in the plastic greenhouses. The results showed that under different NaCI concentrations, the relative height in- crement and the relative diameter increment of L. indica were restrained obviously; the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoid and GSH decreased with in- crease of NaCI concentration; and the content of MDA increased with increase of NaCI concentration. Through the determination and comparison of physiological in- dexes, and analysis of correlativity, NaCI tolerance of the three new L. indica vari- eties ranked as L. indica ＇Pink Velour＇〉L. indica ＇Dynamite＇〉L. indica ＇Red Rock- et＇. This is consistent with the results of the morphological characteristics after Na- CI stress.

Plant Developmental Biology in China: Past, Present and Future

Plant development is a process from germination of seed to vegetative growth, flower initiation and development, fertilization and finally to the next generation seed formation. A lot of achievements have been obtained in plant developmental biology in China. Since the 1990's, those young generation scientists returned to China from abroad to use molecular and genetic techniques to study morphological, physiological and biochemical process of plant development. The present paper reviews the progress in some research area of plant developmental biology in the past decades and also prospects the chance and future of plant developmental studies, due to the recent advances of plant genome sequencing and functional genomics in China under the international research background.

Is there an acute exercise-induced physiological/biochemical threshold which triggers increased speed of cognitive functioning? A meta-analytic investigation

Purpose： The purpose of this study was to examine, using meta-analytic measures, the evidence regarding the optimal exercise intensity at which improvements in speed of cognitive function are triggered. Specifically, it was hypothesized that the catecholamine, lactate, and ventilatory thresholds is the point at which significant improvements in speed of cognitive function are observed. Methods： We compared mean effect sizes for threshold studies and for those studies where exercise intensity was classed as moderate （40%-- 79% VO2 or equivalent） but in which the thresholds were not measured. Results： Random effects meta-analysis showed significant, moderate, mean effect sizes for studies at the threshold （g = 0.58, Z = 2.98, p 〈 0.003） and for those during moderate intensity exercise but in which the threshold was not measured （ g = 0.54, Z = 5.0l, p 〈 0.001）. There was no significant difference between mean effect sizes, which suggests that the thresholds are unlikely to represent a trigger point. Conclusion： Moderate intensity exercise, even below the thresholds, can induce improved speed of cognition, possibly due to a combination of increased peripheral catecholamine concentrations inducing vagal/nucleus tractus solitarii pathway activation and central increases due to perceptions of stress.

Differences of Physiological and Biochemical Indexes of Upper Fresh Leaves and Post-growth Roots in Different Quality Stages

In order to explore the physiological and biochemical characteristics of fresh upper leaves and roots of different qualities of tobacco, the malonaldehyde （MDA）, superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity, chlorophyllase activity, amylase activity, medium trace element content, chemical component content, root fresh weight, dry weight and activity in the normal tobacco leaves, tobacco leaves rich in nutrients and premature grey tobacco leaves were studied. The results showed that compared with the normal tobacco leaves, the root fresh weight, dry weight and activity in the premature grey tobacco leaves decreased by 41.22%, 14.44% and 60.29% respectively, while malonaldehyde content increased by 34.82%, and chlorophyllase, α-amylase, β-amylase and SOD activity declined by 89.55%, 65.71%, 71.26% and 37.25% respectively. Chlorophyllase, co-amylase and 13-amylase activity in the tobacco leaves rich in nutrients decreased by 58.76%, 36.19% and 41.93% respectively. The content of medium trace elements in the tobacco leaves rich in nutrients and premature grey tobacco leaves was lower than that of the normal tobacco leaves. Starch, total sugar, reducing sugar and potassium content in the normal tobacco leaves were higher than that of the tobacco leaves rich in nutrients and premature grey tobacco leaves.

Variations in reproductive strategies between one invasive population and two native populations of Pseudorasbora parva

Reproductive traits of one invasive population in Lake Fuxian and two native populations in Lakes Chao and Dongting for Pseudorasbora parva were investigated to determine the variations in their reproductive strategies associated with the change of environmental conditions. Compared with the two native populations, P.parva markedly experienced the protraction in their spawning time and the decrease in mortality for adult individuals in Lake Fuxian. The three populations all got their first sexual maturity at the same age, but their total lengths at maturity were quite different for those in Lake Chao were significantly lower than in Lakes Fuxian and Dongting. Additionally, in spite that no significant difference occurred in their relative fecundities for P. parva in Lakes Fuxian and Dongting, the population in Lake Chao showed the markedly higher relative fecundity than the other two populations. These results were analyzed with the variations in water temperature, nutrient status, fishing stress among the three lakes. The relative decline in fecundity for the invasive population, which conflicted with the enemy release hypothesis, was disscussed with the context of the preponderance of another invasive fish, Neosalanx taihuensis, in Lake Fuxian.