Genetic relatedness and association mapping of horticulturally valuable traits for the Ceiba plants using ddRAD sequencing

Ceiba species have high ornamental value and are widely cultivated in tropical regions.However,genetic background of cultivated Ceiba plants remains unclear.To understand the genetic relatedness of cultivated Ceiba plants and genetic basis of key horticultural traits,here we explored the genetic relatedness of 153 accessions of Ceiba plants cultivated in Southern China and identified SNPs associated with five horticultural traits,based on 11704 SNPs derived from double-digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing(ddRAD-seq).Clustering analysis revealed that these accessions were composed of three groups:C.speciosa group,C.insignis group,and hybrid group.The GWAS identified two,four,two,three,and four SNPs related to petal color,petal striation number,flowering time,trunk shape,and prickles on the trunk and branches,respectively.One to two candidate genes were found near the SNPs strongly associated with these traits.This study revealed the genetic relatedness in the Ceiba plants cultivated in Southern China and presented the first GWAS analysis for five horticultural traits for them,laying a foundation for phenotype-related marker selection and molecular breeding.

木棉(Bombax ceiba)名称辨析与栽培应用

对木棉的名称进行科学考证,阐述木棉的分布与栽培应用史,综述其在种质资源、纤维应用、药用、观赏及其他应用等方面的研究进展。

Immunomodulatory and anticancer activity of Bombax ceiba Linn leaf extract

Objective:To evaluate the immunomodulatory and anticancer activity of the methanolic extract of Bombax ceiba leaves in vitro and in vivo.Methods:The antioxidant property of methanolic extract of Bombax ceiba leaves was determined by measuring hydrogen peroxide scavenging and DPPH scavenging activity.The effect on cellular immunity in vivo was determined by measuring neutrophil adhesion,carbon clearance,sheep red blood cell induced DTH response and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression.In vitro anticancer activity was evaluated on human leukaemia cell line(HL-60)by MTT assay,caspase-3 activity,and cell cycle study.Results:The methanolic extract of Bombax ceiba leaves showed antioxidant activity and significantly increased neutrophil adhesion,carbon clearance from blood,DTH response and cyclophosphamideinduced myelosuppression.The MTT assay showed a significant increase in the death of HL-60 cell line.A rise in caspase-3 activity and sub-G1 population in the presence of methanolic extract of Bombax ceiba leaves was observed.Conclusions:The methanolic extract of leaves of Bombax ceiba L possesses anticancer activity,immunomodulatory activity,and antioxidant properties,proving its therapeutic usefulness in the treatment of immuno-compromised diseases and cancers.

Floss release, seed fall and germination of kapok seeds (<i>Ceiba pentandra</i>) in an urban environment

The tropical forest kapok tree occurs widely in urban environments, dispersing thousands of floss during the fruiting season. However, its seedlings are rarely seen around human settlements, raising questions on what factorsmight be limiting its recruitment. We examined the pattern of floss release, seed fall post-dispersal and influences of watering frequency on germination ofCeiba pentandraseeds. Evening,overall, was associated with a significantlyhigher rate and quantity of floss release (p= 0.0001) than were mid-day and morning, correlating well with the speed of wind across the day (rh = 0.666,p= 0.001). Mean dispersal quantity differed significantly between the individual sampled trees, in which the highest dispersal was recorded from trees located in relatively open areas and the lowest was recorded in closed stand trees. Seed fall was higher within100 mdistances than seed fall farther away from dispersing trees, depending on the microsites and weather conditions. Germination started on day 5 onwards and only 15.67% of sown seeds germinated. Watering frequency strongly influenced seed germination while local human activities determined fate of dispersed seeds. We conclude that recruitment ofC. pentandraspecies in the study area may have been limited by environmental and human factors operating at various local and spatial scales.

A Comparative Phytochemical and Biological Study between Different Solvent Extracts of <i>Bombax ceiba </i>Roots Available in Bangladesh

Use of different solvent systems for extraction of plant materials may cause variation in their bioactivities. The present study was conducted to evaluate the presence of different phytoconstituents and to compare in vitro bioactivities of petroleum ether, dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol extracts of Bombax ceiba (B. ceiba) roots available in Bangladesh. Preliminary phytochemical screening was conducted using specific standard procedure. Antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging assay. Determination of total phenolic and flavonoid content was also carried out. Antibacterial and cytotoxic activities were investigated using disc diffusion method and brine shrimp lethality bioassay, respectively. All the experiments were carried out from February 2016 to September 2016. Phytochemical evaluation revealed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and steroids. The methanol extract showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity and had the highest phenolic (187.42 ± 3.77 mg/g, GAE) and flavonoid content (74.67 ± 4 mg/g, QE) followed by the DCM and petroleum ether extracts. The extracts showed positive correlation between DPPH radical scavenging activity with the phenolic and flavonoid content. All the extracts showed mild to moderate in vitro antibacterial activity with zone of inhibition ranging from 7 mm to 13 mm. In brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the observed LC50 values for petroleum ether, DCM and methanol extracts were 70.72 μg/ml, 37.72 μg/ml and 22.58 μg/ml, respectively which revealed strong cytotoxic potential of the extracts compared to the positive control. The results indicated that B. ceiba roots could be a very potent source of natural radical scavenger and cytotoxic agent.

Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Aqueous Extract of Stem Bark of <i>Ceiba pentandra</i>Gaertn

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Ceiba pentandra Gaertn (Bombacaceae) were recorded in rat and mice. Inflammation was induced by carrageenan and cotton pellet. The pain was studied using analgesymeter, Koster and hot plate Methods. Aqueous extract (400 and 800 mg/kg) of Ceiba pentandra presents a significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. Flavono?ds present in the extract seem to be responsible for the activity.

大腹异木棉Ceiba insignis实生苗年生长节律研究

大腹异木棉Ceiba insignis是近年来应用广泛的景观树种。通过对其实生苗株高、地径的年生长节律进行调查,并利用Logistic模型进行拟合,进而划分生长时期。调查发现,一年中苗木株高存在2次生长高峰,分别在6月和8月,地径于8月出现1次生长高峰。Logistic方程拟合度高,根据该曲线模型的特点,将苗木一年中生长阶段划分为生长初期(1-3月)、速生期(4-10月)、生长后期(11-12月)3个阶段,与其生物学特性相似且易混淆的同属植物美丽异木棉Ceiba speciosa生长过程也可划分为3个阶段,各阶段时间存在差异。并根据其生长规律研究成果及广州市气候环境提出相应栽培养护方案。

Single-cell RNA landscape of the special fiber initiation process in Bombax ceiba

As a new source of natural fibers,the Bombax ceiba tree can provide thin,light,extremely soft and warm fiber material for the textile industry.Natural fibers are an ideal model system for studying cell growth and differentiation,but the molecular mechanisms that regulate fiber initiation are not fully understood.In B.ceiba,we found that fiber cells differentiate from the epidermis of the inner ovary wall.Each initiated cell then divides into a cluster of fiber cells that eventually develop into mature fibers,a process very different from the classical fiber initiation process of cotton.We used high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)to examine the special characteristics of fiber initiation in B.ceiba.A total of 15567 high-quality cells were identified from the inner wall of the B.ceiba ovary,and 347 potential marker genes for fiber initiation cell types were identified.Two major cell types,initiated fiber cells and epidermal cells,were identified and verified by RNA in situ hybridization.A developmental trajectory analysis was used to reconstruct the process of fiber cell differentiation in B.ceiba.Comparative analysis of scRNAseq data from B.ceiba and cotton(Gossypium hirsutum)confirmed that the additional cell division process in B.ceiba is a novel species-specific mechanismfor fiber cell development.Candidate genes and key regulators that may contribute to fiber cell differentiation and division in B.ceiba were identified.This work reveals gene expression signatures during B.ceiba fiber initiation at a single-cell resolution,providing a new strategy and viewpoint for investigation of natural fiber cell differentiation and development.

The Anti-parasitic Effect of Extract of Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn Is Related to Its Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic and Anthelmintic Activities on Haemonchus contortus

Background:Ceiba pentandra is a medicinal plant used as alternative therapy to control parasitic nematodes in livestock.Objective:This study aims to investigate anti-parasitic effect of aqueous stem back extract of Ceiba pentandra(L.)Gaertn through the evaluation of its anthelmintic,anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities.Methods:In vitro,the efficacy of aqueous extract(75 to 2400μg·mL−1)diluted in phosphate buffered saline(PBS)was tested against three stages of the life cycle of Haemonchus contortus through larval migration inhibition assay(LMIA),egg hatch assay(EHA),and adult worms motility inhibition assay(AMIA).In vivo,anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of the aqueous extract(150 and 300 mg·kg−1)was evaluated on rodent using phlogistic and algic chemicals.Results:Significant inhibition activity(P<0.05)was obtained on EHA with the greatest inhibition of 46.63%obtained at 2400μg·mL−1.The plant treatment dramatically(P<0.05)inhibited L3 larval migration as compared to PBS.The highest inhibition rate was 53.33%at 1200μg·mL−1.Adding of polyvinylpolyrrolidone(PVPP)to the extract significantly(P<0.01)reduced at 38.6%the activity of the plant extract on larval migration compared to extract without PVPP.The Ceiba pentandra extract reduced(P<0.05)worm motility after 24 h post exposure as compared to control.In vitro,aqueous extract significantly(P<0.05)inhibited the paw inflammation induced by carragenine,with a significant(P<0.05)reduction of the number of abdominal contortions induced by acetic acid to 41.11%at 300 mg·kg−1 and the paw licking time induced by formaline in both phases to 57.22%and 63.59%at 300 mg·kg−1 likened to control.Conclusions:In vitro results suggest that,this plant possess anti-parasitic properties.Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of C.pentandra can contribute to its anti-parasitic property.

基于MaxEnt和ArcGIS的美丽异木棉适生区与主导环境因子分析

美丽异木棉Ceiba speciosa为园林观赏植物,具有重要的美学价值,通过探究其适生区分布可为科学引种栽培和资源有效利用提供依据,因此研究基于854个美丽异木棉的自然分布点数据和26个环境因子数据,选择最大熵模型(MaxEnt)和地理信息系统软件(ArcGIS)对美丽异木棉在中国的适生区分布进行预测,并探讨影响其分布的主导环境因子。结果表明:MaxEnt模型的AUC训练集和测试集平均值均为0.9以上,表明模型的模拟结果具有较高的准确性。美丽异木棉适生区范围主要集中于我国广东省、广西壮族自治区、海南省、福建省南部和云南省南部、四川盆地南部、台湾沿海等地区,总面积为60.2 km^(2)。由模型结果可知,影响美丽异木棉适生区分布的主导环境因子为最冷月最低温和年平均降水量,最冷月平均气温5℃以上、年平均降水量1500~2500 mm的地区最适合美丽异木棉的生长。

Antihyperglycemic,antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects of standard ethanol extract of Bombax ceiba leaves in high-fat-diet-and streptozotocin-induced Type 2 diabetic rats

The present study aimed at exploring the therapeutic potential of standard extract of Bombax ceiba L.leaves(BCE) in type 2 diabetic mellitus(T2DM).Oral administration of BCE at doses of 70,140,and 280 mg·kg^(-1),to the normal rats and the high-fat-diet-and streptozotocin-induced T2 DM rats were carried out.Effects of BCE on blood glucose,body weight,and a range of serum biochemical parameters were tested,and histopathological observation of pancreatic tissues was also performed.HPLC-ESI-Q/TOF-MS/MS analysis indicated that the chemical composition of BCE mainly contained mangiferin,isoorientin,vitexin,isomangiferin,isovitexin,quercetin hexoside,2'-trans-O-cumaroyl mangiferin,and nigricanside.BCE caused a significant decrease in the concentrations of fasting blood glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin,total cholesterol,triglyceride,low density lipoprotein-cholesterol,serum insulin,and malondialdehyde,and increases in oral glucose tolerance,high density lipoprotein-cholesterol,and superoxide dismutase in the T2 DM model rats.Moreover,considerable pancreatic β-cells protection effect and stimulation of insulin secretion from the remaining pancreatic β-cells could be observed after BCE treatment.The results indicated that BCE exhibited an excellent hypoglycemic activity,and alleviated dyslipidemia which is associated with T2 DM.Antioxidant activity and protecting pancreatic β-cells are the possible mechanisms involved in anti-diabetic activity of BCE.

Effects of ethanol extract of Bombax ceiba leaves and its main constituent mangiferin on diabetic nephropathy in mice

The present study was designed to explore the mechanism by which ethanol extract of Bombax ceiba leaves(BCE) and its main constituent mangiferin(MGF) affect diabetic nephropathy by combating oxidative stress. Oral administration of BCE and MGF to normal and streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic mice were carried out. Fasting blood glucose, 24-h urinary albumin, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen were tested, histopathology, and immunohistochemical analysis of kidney tissues were performed. Moreover, mesangial cells were treated with BCE and MGF for 48 h with or without 25 mmol·L^(-1) of glucose. Immunofluorescence, Western blot and apoptosis analyses were used to investigate their regulation of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function. BCE and MGF ameliorated biochemical parameters and restored STZ-induced renal injury in the model mice. In vitro study showed that high glucose stimulation increased oxidative stress and cell apoptosis in mesangial cells. BCE and MGF limited mitochondrial membrane potential(Δψm) collapse by inhibiting Nox4, mitochondrially bound hexokinase II dissociation, and subsequent ROS production, which effectively reduced oxidative stress, cleaved caspase-3 expression and cell apoptosis. Our work indicated that BCE and MGF had protective effects on diabetic caused kidney injury and prevented oxidative stress in mesangial cells by regulation of hexokinase II binding and Nox4 oxidase signaling.

不同生境下木棉幼苗叶性状和光合特性研究

植物的叶性状和光合特性会调整权衡分配机制以适应异质生境。以云南勐腊、元江两地的2 a生木棉幼苗为研究对象,实地测定叶面积、叶宽、叶鲜重、叶片含水量等10个叶功能性状和净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度等6个光合参数,分析其在不同生境下的差异和相互关系,探讨光合特性对叶性状的响应。结果显示:不同生境下的木棉幼苗叶性状和光合特性之间存在差异(P<0.05),并具有显著相关性(P<0.05,P<0.01);叶性状各观测指标对木棉光合特性具有较强影响,其中叶宽、叶鲜重、比叶面积和饱和重对木棉幼苗光合指标的解释率较高,是影响木棉幼苗光合特性的主要叶性状指标。结果表明,在不同生境下植物叶性状与光合特性的差异性与响应关系显示了植物在应对环境变化下不同的生存策略。

木棉树形结构和叶性状对生境要素的响应研究

植物形态结构是植物本身与外部环境共同作用的结果。为了分析木棉树形结构与叶性状的相关关系,探索地形、土壤和气象要素对木棉生长的影响,以及揭示木棉的生长策略和适应机制,该文以云南省西双版纳国家级自然保护区内230棵木棉为研究对象,测定6个树形结构指标,8个叶性状指标以及所在区域地形、气象、土壤养分等生境要素,使用结构方程模型和变差分解分析各生境要素对木棉树形结构和叶性状的影响和解释度。结果表明:(1)木棉树形结构各观测指标之间、叶性状各观测指标之间存在相关性(P<0.05)。(2)生境要素各观测指标对木棉生长具有较强影响,其中年均降雨量、坡度、平均温度对木棉生长指标的解释率较高,是影响木棉生长的主要生境指标。(3)从标准化路径系数看,3个生境要素对木棉树形结构和叶性状影响具有一致性,均表现为地形要素>气象要素>土壤要素。(4)3个生境要素叠加解释了树形结构和叶性状分别为43.5%和12.3%,表现出树形结构对生境环境的响应大于叶性状对环境响应的特点。研究结果初步探明了木棉不同生长指标对环境要素的适应策略,为木棉在异质生境的培育、繁殖以及木棉人工林高效经营等提供了理论依据和实践参考。

怒江干热河谷木棉种子大小的变异格局

为揭示怒江干热河谷木棉种子大小的变异格局,在该气候区的不同生境采集木棉种子,测定种子生物量、直径用于量化种子大小,并借助回归模型分析种子大小随环境梯度的变化。结果显示:(1)在怒江干热河谷,木棉种子大小呈正态分布;(2)在不同干热区,种子大小依次为轻度干热区﹥中度干热区﹥重度干热区;(3)木棉种子随海拔升高而呈变小的趋势;(4)木棉种子大小的变异性随海拔(或干旱强度)上升不断减小。结论表明,木棉种子大小受到水热条件的选择压力,在稳定的水热环境中木棉种子更大,其大小的变异性也更高。

不同生境的木棉幼苗生长及光合特性

以广布于元江干热河谷和勐腊热带雨林地区的木棉(Bombax ceiba Linnaeus)幼苗为研究对象,通过分别测定两地木棉幼苗生长量、幼苗各器官生物量分配比以及光合参数等,探讨不同生境下木棉幼苗的生长特征及光合特性。结果表明:除地径增长量外,干热河谷元江地区木棉幼苗的生长性状增长量(P<0.05)及根系发达程度(49.04%)显著高于勐腊地区;此外,除蒸腾速率(T_(r))外,元江地区木棉幼苗光合作用及光能利用率弱于勐腊地区;生长性状与光合特性具有复杂关系,其中株高、地径的增长量与胞间CO_(2)摩尔分数(C_(i))呈现显著正相关(P<0.05),且木棉幼苗对干旱环境具有强适应性。

异质生境下不同径级木棉的表型可塑性研究

植物的表型可塑性不仅能揭示生境影响,还能研判其生长策略。为研究在异质生境下木棉(Bombax ceiba)的表型可塑性差异及其生态适应性,采用Pearson相关分析、LSD差异分析及方差分析法,分析干热河谷和热带雨林地区不同径级木棉的树高、枝下高、冠幅和叶面积等表型数据。研究表明:随着胸径的增加两地木棉叶面积减小,而其他特征均呈增大趋势。西双版纳木棉的树高、叶面积始终大于元江,而枝下高和冠幅在Ⅰ径级和Ⅱ径级木棉时小于元江,随着胸径的增加西双版纳又大于元江。说明光热条件对Ⅰ径级和Ⅱ径级木棉影响较强,而Ⅲ径级木棉对水分的响应更明显,体现了木棉在不同生境下的表型构造的权衡关系。通过研究木棉在不同生境及生长阶段的表型结构和生长策略,可为把握其在异质环境下的生存策略提供科学依据。

The effects of climate and land use change on the potential distribution and nesting habitat of the Lesser Adjutant in Nepal

Climate change and land use change pose a threat to the world’s biodiversity and have significant impacts on the geographic distribution and composition of many bird species,but little is known about how they affect threatened large-sized waterbird species that rely on agricultural landscapes.To address this gap,we investigated how climate and land use changes influence the distribution and nesting habitats of the globally vulnerable Lesser Adjutant(Leptoptilos javanicus) in Nepal.Between 2012 and 2023,we collected distribution data from 24 districts and nesting site information from 18 districts.In a nation-wide breeding survey conducted in 2020,we documented a total of 581 fledglings from 346 nests in 109 colonies.The ensemble model predicted a current potential distribution of 15%(21,637 km2) and a potential nesting habitat of 13%(19,651 km2) for the species in Nepal.The highest predicted current suitable distribution and nesting habitat was in Madhesh Province,while none was predicted in Karnali Province.The majority of this predicted distributional and nesting habitat falls on agricultural landscapes(>70%).Our model showed a likely range expansion of up to 15%(21,573 km2) for the distribution and up to 12%(17,482 km2) for the nesting habitat under SSP5-8.5 scenarios for the 2070s.The range expansion is expected to occur mainly within the current distribution and breeding range(Tarai and some regions of Siwalk),particularly in Lumbini and Sudurpashchim provinces,and extend to the northern portions(Siwalik and Mid-hill regions) in other provinces.However,the current Protected Areas and Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas are inadequate for providing optimal habitats for the species.Although the model suggests range expansion,the use of such novel habitats is primarily contingent on the availability and protection of large-sized trees(particularly Bombax ceiba,observed in 65% of colonies) in agricultural regions where nesting occurs.Therefore,our research suggests that agricultural landscapes should be prioritized in management plans for the conservation of the Lesser Adjutant in Nepal.

干热河谷木棉丛枝菌根真菌鉴定及多样性分析

采集5个不同水热条件流域的木棉根系及根际土壤样品,通过形态学及分子生物学方法鉴定AMF的种类并分析其多样性及不同流域之间的差异性。结果表明,AMF种类分布于7科7属17种,多样性指数从高到低依次为金沙江流域、元江流域、澜沧江流域、怒江流域和珠江流域,表明干旱程度越高,AMF孢子密度越大。属于横断山脉的地区具有相似的AMF物种组成,属于云贵高原的珠江流域具有特殊的AMF组成。主成分分析发现,纬度、海拔、年均降水量、年均蒸发量是影响AMF多样性的第1主成分,经度、年均温度为第2主成分。研究认为与经纬度有关的地带性气候和与海拔有关的局部地形对干热河谷的AMF多样性产生了直接的影响。