Genetic and Agronomic Parameter Estimates of Growth, Yield and Related Traits of Maize (Zea mays L.) under Different Rates of Nitrogen Fertilization

This study evaluated the genetic and agronomic parameter estimates of maize under different nitrogen rates. The trial was established at the Njala Agricultural Research Centre experimental site during 2021 and 2022 in a split block design with three maize varieties (IWCD2, 2009EVDT, and DMR-ESR-Yellow) and seven nitrogen (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 kg∙N∙ha−1) rates. Findings showed that cob diameter and anthesis silking time (ASI) had intermediate heritability, ASI had high genetic advance, ASI and grain yield had high genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), while traits with high phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were plant height, ASI, grain yield, number of kernel per cob, number of kernel rows, ear length, and ear height. The PCV values were higher than GCV, indicating the influence of the environment in the studied traits. Nitrogen rates and variety significantly (p < 0.05) influenced grain yield production. Mean grain yields and economic parameter estimates increased with increasing nitrogen rates, with the 30 and 180 kg∙N∙ha−1 plots exhibiting the lowest and highest grain yields of 1238 kg∙ha−1 and 2098 kg∙ha−1, respectively. Variety and nitrogen effects on partial factor productivity (PFPN), agronomic efficiency (AEN), net returns (NR), value cost ratio (VCR) and marginal return (MR) indicated that these parameters were significantly affected (p < 0.05) by these factors. The highest PFPN (41.3 kg grain kg−1∙N) and AEN (29.4 kg grain kg−1∙N) were obtained in the 30 kg∙N∙ha−1 plots, while the highest VCR (2.8) and MR (SLL 1.8 SLL−1 spent on N) were obtained in the 180 kg∙N∙ha−1. The significant influence of variety and nitrogen on traits suggests that increasing yields and maximizing profits require use of appropriate nitrogen fertilization and improved farming practices that could be exploited for increased productivity of maize.

Cloning, Characterization and Transformation of Methyltransferase 2a Gene (Zmet2a) in Maize (Zea mays L.)

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic regulatory mechanism,it regulates gene expression by recruiting proteins involved in gene repression or by inhibiting the binding of transcription factor(s)to DNA.In this study,a novel methyltransferase 2a gene(Zmet2a)was cloned in maize and identified by polymerase chain reaction-base(PCR-base)using a bioinformatics strategy.The Zmet2a cDNA sequence is 2739 bp long and translates to 912 amino acid peptides.The Zmet2a protein revealed that it contains BAH and CHROMO structural domains,is a non-transmembrane protein that is hydrophilically unstable,and has no signal peptide structure.Meanwhile,we verified the biological roles of Zmet2a using transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing Zmet2a and Zmet2a-knockout maize.Transgenic Zmet2a Arabidopsis thaliana showed highly significant advancement inflowering time,and Zmet2a-knockout maize showed advancement inflowering time,with significant changes in several traits.Altogether,these report the role of Zmet2a in the regulation offlowering time,which will lay a foundation for revealing the biological function and epigenetic regulation mechanism of Zmet2a in the growth,development andflowering of maize.

Maize cryptochromes 1a1 and 1a2 promote seedling photomorphogenesis and shade resistance in Zea mays and Arabidopsis

Maize growth and development are regulated by light quality,intensity and photoperiod.Cryptochromes are blue/ultraviolet-A light receptors involved in stem elongation,shade avoidance,and photoperiodic flowering.To investigate the function of cryptochrome 1(CRY1) in maize,where it is encoded by Zm CRY1,we obtained two Zm CRY1a genes(Zm CRY1a1 and Zm CRY1a2),both of which share the highest similarity with other gramineous plants,in particular rice CRY1a by phylogenetic analysis.In Arabidopsis,overexpression of Zm CRY1a genes promoted seedling de-etiolation under blue and white light,resulting in dwarfing of mature plants.In seedlings of the maize inbred line Zong 31(Zm CRY1aOE),overexpression of Zm CRY1a genes caused a reduction in the mesocotyl and first leaf sheath lengths due to down-regulation of genes influencing cell elongation.In mature transgenic maize plants,plant height,ear height,and internode length decreased in response to overexpression of Zm CRY1a genes.Expression of Zm CRY1a were insensitive to low blue light(LBL)-induced shade avoidance syndrome(SAS) in Arabidopsis and maize.This prompted us to investigate the regulatory role of the gibberellin and auxin metabolic pathways in the response of Zm CRY1a genes to LBL treatment.We confirmed a link between Zm CRY1a expression and hormonal influence on the growth and development of maize under LBL-induced SAS.These results reveal that Zm CRY1a has a relatively conservative function in regulating maize photomorphogenesis and may guide new strategies for breeding high density-tolerant maize cultivars.

Determination and Quantification of Susceptibility of Heritance Resistance to Root Rot of Eight Commercial Genotypes of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Maize is susceptible to a number of diseases that can infect all plant organs and serve as a constraint on cereal production. The reduction in cereal production caused by disease is estimated at an average of 9.4%. Corn root rot contributes greatly to the reduction in grain production and quality. The main objective of this work was to review the research on root rot in maize to determine the susceptibility of genotypes to root rot and to quantify the inheritance of resistance to root rot in maize. The methodology used was a complete 8 × 8 diallel design planted during the year 1999/2000. Root discoloration, plant length, root volume, effective volume and yield were the evaluated parameters. To analyze the data and determine the combinatorial abilities, genetic correlations, heritability and correlated response, diallel analysis was used. Eight parental lines;P28, I137TN, MP706, E739, MO17, B37, B73, and B14 were planted. The lines were crossed into each other, all combinations according to the complete diallel model (Model 1). The F1 was harvested after maturation. For statistical analysis, the version of the Agrobase program (2016) was used. Results show that F1 hybrids showed significant differences in root rot discoloration, plant height, root volume, effective root volume and yield. The P28 line and the B73XE739 cross had, respectively, the highest general and specific combinations. Root discoloration had the highest genetic correlation (rA = 0.47) with plant length. Broad and narrow heritability for root rot discoloration were, respectively, h2 = 0.81 and h2 = 0.51. Root rot discoloration showed the highest correlated response (CR = 0.14) on plant length.

Italian Ryegrass (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum) and Corn (Zea mays) Competition

Italian ryegrass is an annual/biennial grass that is typically used as a pasture crop or a cover crop along roadsides, rights-of-way, and industrial areas. Glyphosate-resistant (GR) Italian ryegrass populations have been documented around the world, mostly in orchard and vineyard situations. The first evidence of evolved GR Italian ryegrass in row/agronomic crops was reported from Washington County, Mississippi in 2005. GR Italian ryegrass populations can jeopardize preplant burndown options in reduced-tillage crop production systems, thereby, delaying planting operations. The effects of competition of Italian ryegrass on crop growth and yield are poorly understood. A field study was conducted in the 2012 growing season and repeated in the 2013 growing season. GR and susceptible (GS) Italian ryegrass populations were established in the greenhouse and transplanted in prepared corn row beds in the fall of 2011 and 2012 at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 plants·meter> of crop row. Italian ryegrass plants overwintered and developed over the following spring-summer. Glyphosate was applied at 1.26 kg·ae/ha (1.5× of labeled rate) in the spring to burndown the Italian ryegrass plants and corn was planted into the ryegrass residue 2 - 3 wk later. Current corn production practices were followed. Corn density (early and late season), height (early season), and yield and Italian ryegrass biomass (early-mid season) measurements were recorded during both years. Corn height was greater in 2012 than that in 2013 at comparable stages of the growing season, due to a cooler and wetter early season in 2013 than that in 2012. Averaged across weed densities, corn density (both early and late season) and yield were higher in the GS than those in the GR population, but Italian ryegrass biomass was similar for both populations. Averaged across Italian ryegrass populations, corn density (both early and late season), and yield were inversely proportional to Italian ryegrass density. In summary, Italian ryegrass significantly reduced corn density and yield and reduction was greater with the GR than that with the GS population. Studies are underway to study inter population competition in Italian ryegrass and investigate allelopathic effects of Italian ryegrass on selected crops.

Use of the Biostimulant Based on the Mycorrhizae Consortium of the Glomeraceae Family in the Field to Improve the Production and Nutritional Status of Maize (Zea mays L.) Plants in Central Benin

Excessive use of mineral fertilizers in maize farming negatively affects farmers’ income and impacts long-term soil health. This study aims to appreciate the effectiveness of biostimulant based on native Glomeraceae arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the production and uptake of phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium of maize (Zea mays L.) plants in central Benin. The trials were set up in a farming environment with thirty-four producers. The experimental design was composed of three treatments installed at 34 producers. Three growth parameters were evaluated on 60 ème days after sowing. Grain yield, nutritional status of maize plants and mycorrhization parameters were determined at harvest. The results showed that the Glomeraceae + 50% NPK (NPK: azote-phosphore-potassium)_Urea treatment improved the height, the crown diameter and the leaf area by 17.85%, 21.79% and 28.32% compared to the absolute control and by 0.41%, 1.11% and 1.46% compared to the 100% NPK_Urea treatment, respectively. Similarly, grain yield improved by 45.87% with the use of Glomeraceae + 50% NPK_Urea compared to the absolute control and by 3.96% compared to the 100% NPK_Urea treatment. The Glomeraceae + 50% NPK_Urea significantly improved the phosphorus and potassium uptake of maize plants. With respect to nitrogen uptake, no statistical difference was observed between treatments. The mycorrhizae strains used improved root infection in the maize plants. We recorded 66% frequency and 40.5% intensity of mycorrhization. The biostimulant based on indigenous Glomeraceae combined with 50% NPK_Urea can be used as a strategy to restore soil health and improve maize productivity in Benin.

Morphological Diversity of Corn’s (<i>Zea mays</i>L.) Local Cultivar and Improved Varieties in Central and North of Benin

The better knowledge of a plant genetic biodiversity is based on a prior study of its agro-morphological characteristics. The objective of this study was to investigate the morphological diversity of maize accessions and its structure on the basis of 14 variables. For the experimentation, 43 and 98 maize accessions were planted in three replicates respectively in central and northern Benin following an incomplete randomized block. The mixed model analysis of two factors variance revealed a significant difference for all accessions considering each agro-morphological characteristic evaluated except the germination day of two areas seed accessions. The numerical classification grouped the accessions into four groups in each zone. The stepwise discriminant analysis showed that early characters related to plant height and ear insertion were the variables that discriminated accessions in both zones. Maturity and recovery ears, sensitivity to streak and the germination days are the variables that discriminate accessions of the two areas. These results provide a database for the creation of improved maize varieties that meet the needs of

Production of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria Biofertilizer from Organic Waste Material and Evaluation of Its Performance on the Growth of Corn (<i>Zea mays</i>)

Biofertilizer can be defined as preparation that contains?microbes capable of?nitrogen (N)-fixation and phosphate solubilization that promote plant?growth. These groups?of microbes, classified as Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB), colonize the rhizosphere and the soil. In this work, liquid biofertilizer was produced from whole orange, banana and grape, wheat and rice chaff,?Moringa oleifera?leaves, soil, and brown sugar (as carbon source) mixed with water and cultured in an anaerobic condition for two weeks. The sieved culture was stored in a tightly sealed PVC container at room temperature for biochemical analysis of microbial population. Nitrogen fixing bacteria (Azotobacter?sp.) and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria were isolated using Ashby’s Mannitol Azotobacter medium and Pisvikoya’s PSB medium respectively, while?Bacillus sp. was isolated using Bacillus agar. Field experiment was carried out to investigate the performance rates of the biofertilizer against those of the Nitrogen/Phosphorus/Potassium (NPK) chemical fertilizer and the control, on the growth of corn (Zea mays). The experimental design consisted of three treatments of the Biofertilizer, Chemical fertilizer (NPK) and Control, conducted in three replicates. Data collected were analyzed using?one-way ANOVA at?P?< 0.05. The results showed significant improvement in growth and yield of maize on which biofertilizer was applied as against those treated with NPK and the Control. The plants treated with the biofertilizer did not show signs of insects attack, which were easily observed on the blades of those treated with NPK and the control.

Evaluation of the Use of Gamma Radiation for Reduction of Aflatoxin B1 in Corn(Zea mays)Used in the Production of Feed for Broiler Chickens

Corn is one of the main grasses used to produce human or animal food. One of the main problems with the use of corn is the presence of mycotoxins, where aflatoxin B1 is one of the most harmful for human and animal health. Chemical methods such as the addition of antifungals and sequestrants are used to control this contaminant in food;however, these methods can leave dangerous residues. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of irradiation with gamma rays on corn for the control of aflatoxin B1. For this purpose, three treatments were compared: treatment 1, application of gamma radiation, treatment 2, application of antifungal and treatment 3, combination of gamma radiation and application of antifungal. Corn without exposure to any control of aflatoxin was used as a witness group. Irradiation doses of 2, 6 and 10 kGy were tested, and the dose of 6 kGy was selected as the best since it lowered aflatoxin B1 more effectively. The corn analyzed in this study was stored during 45 days at 23°C, and every 15 days. We determined the concentration of aflatoxin B1, presence or absence of pathogenic microorganisms and insects, and we evaluated the physicochemical characteristics of the grain. Then, the treatments were compared and treatment 1, only irradiation with gamma rays, proved to be significantly more effective in the reduction of aflatoxin B1 and the total inhibition of the survival of the insects during the 45 days of storage which allowed better preservation of the protein. All treatments controlled the growing of pathogenic microorganisms as Salmonella and Enterobacteriacea, and kept the humidity of the grain in values lower than 13%. The cost production of a bag of 40 kg of feed was also estimated in USD 22.56;which is1.80% greater than the cost corresponding to the conventional process that uses mycotoxin sequestrants.

密度与氮肥对关中灌区夏玉米(Zea mays L.)群体光合生理指标的影响

合理的密度是玉米构建良好群体结构、优化群体光合生理功能的基础,适宜的氮肥施用量是玉米进行光合生产的营养物质保障。运用作物群体生理学的方法,采用二次饱和D试验设计,研究了关中灌区夏玉米密度与氮肥耦合和群体光合生理指标的关系及其效应,明确了在关中灌区夏播条件下,在45000-75000株/hm^2的密度范围内,密度与玉米籽粒产量、总干物质积累量（DMA）、吐丝期叶面积指数（MLAI）、总光合势（LAD）、平均作物生长率（CGR）为正相关,在45000-60000株/hm^2的密度范围内,密度与玉米叶片平均净同化率（NAR）为正相关,而在60000-75000株/hm^2的密度范围内,密度与玉米NAR为负相关;在氮素施用量≤600.0 kg/hm^2的范围内,氮素施用量与玉米籽粒产量、DMA、CGR为正相关,在氮素施用量≤260.55 kg/hm^2的范围内,氮素施用量与玉米MLAI、LAD为正相关,与玉米NAR为负相关,而在氮素施用量260.55-600.0kg/hm^2的范围内,氮素施用量与玉米MLAI、LAD为负相关,与玉米NAR为正相关。密度对其影响较大的指标为：籽粒产量、DMA、LAD、CGR和MLAI,影响较小的指标为：NAR;氮肥对其影响较大的指标为：DMA、CGR、籽粒产量、NAR,影响较小的指标为：LAD和MLAI。对籽粒产量和群体生理指标的综合影响效应,密度显著大于氮肥,玉米生产中,尤其要重视合理密植。通过对回归模型的解析,筛选确定了陕单8806玉米在关中灌区夏播中,实现高产的密度与氮肥耦合优化技术方案：合理密度为61713-66177株/hm^2,适宜纯氮施用量为309.88-569.02kg/hm^2。

不同玉米(Zeamays)品种对镉锌积累与转运的差异研究

选取20个玉米(Zea mays)品种作试验材料,通过田间试验研究了镉-锌(Cd-Zn)复合胁迫下玉米的生长发育及其积累和转运Cd、Zn的差异,以期筛选出Cd、Zn低积累的玉米品种。结果表明,Cd-Zn复合胁迫下,玉米的株高、叶面积、生物量、产量以及玉米根、茎叶和籽粒中Cd、Zn含量在品种间均表现出显著差异。有2个品种籽粒的Cd含量超过国家食品卫生标准(≤0.2 mg·kg-1),13个品种茎叶的Cd含量超过国家饲料卫生标准(≤0.5 mg·kg-1),所有品种籽粒和茎叶的Zn含量均符合国家食品卫生标准(≤50mg·kg-1);有7个品种的Cd富集系数<1,13个品种茎叶转运系数<1,所有品种籽粒转运系数均<1;20个玉米品种Zn的富集系数均<1,有18个品种茎叶转运系数<1,6个品种籽粒转运系数<1。根据玉米生物量、产量、籽粒Cd和Zn含量、富集系数、转运系数等指标进行评价,认为红单6号、红育1号、云优78、平单2号、屏单2号5个品种可作为Cd低积累玉米品种,雅玉98可作为Zn低积累玉米品种,可分别在个旧地区Cd、Zn中、轻度污染土壤上推广种植。

不同钝化剂及其组合对玉米(Zea mays)生长和吸收Pb Cd As Zn影响研究

选取硅藻土、生物炭、沸石粉、石灰及其组合开展田间试验,研究它们对玉米（Zea mays）生长、玉米籽粒吸收Pb、Cd、As、Zn与土壤有效态Pb、Cd、As、Zn的影响。结果表明,除石灰粉外,施用其他3种钝化剂及其组合均能促进玉米生长,增加玉米株高、叶面积和生物量,显著提高玉米产量。4种钝化剂及其组合可升高土壤的p H值和降低土壤中的有效态Pb、Cd、As、Zn含量,与CK处理相比,施用不同改良剂导致土壤有效态Pb降低6.82%～20.46%,有效态Cd降低12.76%～28.28%,有效态As降低26.89%～48.74%,和有效态Zn降低13.88%～28.95%,其中BZD（生物炭＋沸石粉＋硅藻土）处理降低效果最明显,BLD（生物炭＋石灰粉＋硅藻土）处理次之;4种钝化剂及其组合都能降低玉米籽粒对Pb、Cd、As、Zn的吸收,其中BZD处理能明显降低玉米籽粒中Pb、Cd、As、Zn含量,较对照分别降低47.71%、95.00%、90.90%、31.41%。在原位钝化修复镉-砷-锌复合污染农田土壤时,BDZ组合的施用效果最佳。

麦茬处理方式对夏玉米(Zea mays L.)根际生物活性的影响

通过两年3点的大田试验,研究了不同麦茬处理方式(平茬、立茬、除茬)对夏玉米(Zea mays L.)根际生物活性的影响。结果表明:不同麦茬处理的夏玉米根际微生物数量、土壤蛋白酶和脲酶活性均呈先升后降的变化趋势,且在吐丝期达到最大值,但在不同生育时期,不同处理间有所差异,趋势为平茬>立茬>除茬,且苗期差异较大,后期逐渐减小。麦茬处理方式对夏玉米田土壤碳通量的影响也表现出同样趋势。

田间条件下不同组配钝化剂对玉米(Zea mays)吸收Cd、As和Pb影响研究

选取4 种钝化材料（硅藻土、生物炭、沸石粉和石灰）开展田间试验,研究不同配施处理对玉米（Zea mays）籽粒吸收Cd、As 和Pb 与土壤有效态Cd、As 和Pb 的影响,以期筛选出钝化修复效果最佳的组配钝化剂.结果表明,（1）施用钝化剂均能有效促进玉米生长,增加植株株高、叶面积、玉米地上部与地下部质量,显著提高玉米产量.（2）不同处理均能明显降低土壤Cd、As 和Pb 有效态含量.其中,BLD 处理对土壤有效态Cd 降低效果最明显,YR＋BLZ 处理次之,与对照相比,土壤有效态Cd 分别降低71.00%和67.85%;BDZ 处理对土壤有效态As 含量降低效果最明显,其次为BLD 处理,较对照分别降低65.63%和59.73%;YR＋BLD 处理对土壤有效态Pb 含量降低效果最好,BDZ 处理次之,有效态Pb 含量较对照分别降低70.64%和69.64%.（3）不同处理对玉米籽粒吸收和积累Cd、As 和Pb 产生不同程度的影响.与对照相比,不同处理导致玉米籽粒Cd 含量降低82.63%~89.17%,As 含量降低27.58%-49.47%和Pb 含量降低9.64%-46.86%.（4）施用钝化剂均能显著提高土壤pH 值,其中BLD、YR＋BLD、JD＋BLD 处理的pH 值升高效果最为明显,较对照分别提高1.05、1.04 和1.04 个单位;施用钝化剂能显著提高土壤有机质含量,YR＋BDZ 和YR＋BLD 处理有机质含量较高,较对照分别提高54.68%和46.04%,本试验结果表明,在钝化修复镉砷复合污染的旱地土壤时,低累积玉米品种与组配钝化剂联合使用能够获得较好的修复效果.

玉米(Zea mays)对镉积累与转运的品种差异研究

通过田间实验，研究了25个玉米（Zea mays）品种在Cd质量分数为50 mg·kg-1胁迫条件下，Cd对不同玉米品种生长的影响，以及不同玉米品种对Cd积累和转运的品种差异，以期筛选出Cd低积累玉米品种。结果表明：25个玉米品种的生物量和产量对Cd胁迫的响应，以及不同品种根、茎叶和籽粒对Cd的吸收、累积及转运能力存在显著差异（P＜0.05）。有20个品种生物量和19个品种产量下降；有2个品种籽粒的Cd质量分数超过了国家规定的食品卫生标准（≤0.1 mg·kg-1），占供试品种的8.0%，所有品种茎叶的Cd质量分数均超过了国家规定的饲料卫生标准（≤0.5 mg·kg-1），超标率为100%；25个玉米品种的富集系数范围为0.063~0.899、茎叶转运系数范围为0.038~0.554、籽粒转运系数范围为0.000~0.111，均小于1，其中有8个品种富集系数〉0.5，1个品种茎叶转运系数〉0.5，而所有品种的籽粒转运系数均〈0.5，说明玉米对土壤Cd仍有一定的吸收能力，但地下部向地上部转运能力以及由茎叶向籽粒的转运能力较弱；根据玉米生物量、产量、籽粒Cd含量以及对Cd的富集系数和转运系数等指标进行评价，认为云瑞8号、会单4号、路单7号3个品种可作为Cd低累积玉米品种，可在云南Cd重度污染土壤上推广种植。

基于分期播种的气候变化对东北地区玉米(Zea mays)生长发育和产量的影响

利用在东北地区中部开展玉米(Zea mays)分期播种试验资料,分析气候变化对玉米出苗速度、生长发育速度、灌浆过程、植株干物质积累和产量的影响,进而分析未来气候变化对东北地区玉米生产的影响及适应性对策。结果表明,气候变化对玉米生长发育和产量的影响十分明显,在水分基本适宜的条件下,东北地区气候变暖导致玉米生长季气温升高、积温增加,使玉米生长发育和灌浆速度加快,生物量增加,从而提高单产。但气候变暖的同时,气候变干会限制热量资源的利用,将缩短玉米灌浆时间,降低灌浆速率,使千粒重下降,从而造成明显减产,而且减产幅度明显大于温度升高的增产幅度。在水分条件基本得到满足的条件下,未来夏半年气候变暖对东北地区玉米生产是有利的,偏晚熟玉米品种比例可以适当扩大,东北玉米带可以向北部和东部扩展,单产和总产都会增加;但如果水分得不到满足,气候的暖干化趋势会使东北地区的中、西部玉米主产区的农业干旱变得更加严重且频繁,造成产量下降和不稳定,给玉米生产带来严重威胁,因而更应加强农业干旱的综合防御工作。

常乐稀土复合肥对玉米(Zea mays L.)的细胞毒性和遗传毒性效应

为了研究常乐稀土多元复合肥对主要农作物--玉米(Zea mays L.)是否产生细胞毒性和遗传毒性效应,采用不同梯度质量浓度的稀土复合肥溶液对玉米进行处理,观察其根尖生长状况,统计分析细胞死亡率、微核率、有丝分裂指数以及对细胞DNA的损伤情况.结果表明,质量浓度为10mg·L-1以下时,常乐稀土复合肥能够促进玉米根尖的生长,100mg·L-1以上时抑制根尖生长;随着试验浓度的递增,细胞死亡率、微核率、DNA损伤率逐渐上升并具有正相关性,表现出明显的剂量-效应关系,而有丝分裂指数却随着浓度的增加逐渐下降.以上结果表明,常乐稀土复合肥对玉米确有一定的细胞毒性和遗传毒性效应,其细胞毒性阈值和遗传毒性阈值皆为100mg·L-1.

Embryogenesis,Germination,Structure and Cotyledon Dimorphism of Zea mays Embryo

A series of new cognitions on the morphogenesis of maize ( Zea mays L.) embryo have been obtained with scanning electron microscopy and semi-thin section techniques. 1. The proembryo. The proembryo from zygotic cell divisions may be divided into three parts: proper, hypoblast and suspensor. The suspensor is short and small, and only exists transiently. As to the hypoblast there is a growth belt, which promotes elongation of the hypoblast. Eventually the upper portion of the hypoblast contributes to the formation of the coleorhiza and the remainder dries up, sticking to the end of the coleorhiza. 2. The maize embryo possesses dorsiventrality and cotyledon dimorphism. During early proembryo stage, the dorsiventrality appears in the proper of the embryo. On the ventral side, the cells are small with dense cytoplasm and few vacuoles. On the dorsal side, the cells are larger with lower cytoplasmic density and have more vacuoles. During later proembryo stage, the proper develops into two parts: the ventrum and the dorsurn. The ventrum rises up from the center of the ventral side. The dorsurn is composed of the marginal area of the ventral side and the whole dorsal side of the proper. During young embryo development, the ventrum differentiates into the coleoptile, apical meristem, hypocotyl, radicle and the main part of the coleorhiza. What is more important, the emergence of coleoptile primordium and radicular initials occur at the axis of the proper, then the coleoptile primordium expands from its two ends toward left and right to form a ring, and the endogenous radicular initials expand in all directions to form a conical radicular tip. All these morphogenetic activities of the ventrum follow a bilateral symmetrical pattern. The dorsurn forms the scutellum. primordium. Then the scutellum primordium, expands rapidly toward the left, right, front and back, while thickening itself, so as to make all components originating from the ventrum become hidden in the longitudinal groove of the scutellum. Lastly, the left and right lateral scales emerge from the edges of the longitudinal groove and expand toward the central line of the axis. As a consequence, morphologically, the bilateral symmetry of the ventral side of the embryo is revealed entirely. Morphogenetically, the coleoptile primordium and apical meristem in maize are similar to the coleoptile (apical cotyledon) and apex formation of the nice embryo, so the coleoptile of the maize embryo can also be considered as an apical cotyledon. The scutellum is a lateral cotyledon. These dimorphic cotyledons of the maize embryo originate from the dorsiventrality of the proper. 3. The true morphological structure of the maize embryo is recognized and its developmental stages are established. A maize embryo is a hypocotyl, in which the apical part is the shoot apex (or plumule) with the coleoptile, the central part consists mainly of the hypocotyl with a lateral cotyledon (scutellum), and the basal part is the radicle with coleorhiza. The left and right lateral scales derived from the scutellum overlap at the ventral side, leaving only two little pores at both ends of the seam from which the coleoptile and coleorhiza can be seen. The four sequential stages of maize embryonic development are as follows: (1) proembryo, stage. This stage covers a period from zygotic cell division to the appearance of the dorsum and ventrum. (2) ventrum rapid differentiation stage. (3) scutellum rapid expansion stage. (4) lateral scale development stage (or embryonic envelope formation stage). 4. To obtain a median longitudinal section perpendicular to the ventral surface is crucial for recognizing the genuine morphological structure of the maize embryo.

OSMOTIC STRESS DECREASES THE ACTIVITY OF ATPASE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ROOT CAP PLASMODESMATAIN ZEA MAYS

With light and electron microscopy the substructural change and the ATPase activity of corn (Zea mays L.) root cap cells after short-term osmotic stress were studied. Some spoke-like fine strands originating from the departed periplasm and stretching towards cell wall could be observed even after plasmolysis. By observing the precipitation of ATPase activity product (lead phosphate) at plasma membrane and plasmodesmata, it was found that the fine strands were plasma membrane-lined channels surrounding the cytoplasm and that they still firmly connected to the plasmodesmata during plasmolysis. Compared with the control (unstressed), a sharp decrease of ATPase activity in the plasmodesmata of the stressed cells was observed. Inhibition of energy metabolism in these limited locales would affect the physiological activity, maybe including the regulation of permeability and the change of size exclusion limit (SEL) of plasmodesmata.

玉米(Zea mays L.)叶脉发育的研究

玉米的叶脉在单子叶植物中有一定的代表性，叶脉由四级组成，粗细不同的一、二、三级叶脉均从叶基向叶尖方向延伸，属叶片的纵向叶脉，四级脉横向与一、二、三级叶脉连接，是横向的叶脉，各级叶脉有各自的形成方式，由于它们有规律的分布，从而构成了叶片的输导网络，各级叶脉的发生和发育与叫片的生长有直接的关系。