Common Organic Amendment (Rice Straw) Can Reduce Salinity Effects on Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Growth with or without Photoperiod Manipulation

Soil salinity is a major limiting factor for crop production in coastal areas of Bangladesh. Cheap and sustainable management of soil salinity is hence most sought out topics in agricultural research. Conceptualizing that idea in mind, a pot experiment was conducted in the Department of Soil, Water & Environment, University of Dhaka in order to analyze if common organic amendments (rice straw, saw dust) coupled with reduce photoperiod can mitigate salinity effect on the growth of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). The experiment was set up following completely randomized design (CRD) with nine treatments and three replications containing Tc (Control), T1 (Ambient photoperiod + 110 mM Salinity treatment + Rice straw), T2 (Reduced photoperiod + 110 mM Salinity treatment + Rice straw), T3 (Ambient photoperiod + 220 mM Salinity treatment + Rice straw), T4 (Reduced photoperiod + 220 mM Salinity treatment + Rice straw), T5 (Ambient photoperiod + 110 mM Salinity treatment + Saw dust), T6 (Reduced photoperiod + 110 mM Salinity treatment + Saw dust), T7 (Ambient photoperiod + 220 mM Salinity treatment + Saw dust) and T8 (Reduced photoperiod + 220 mM Salinity treatment + Saw dust). Organic amendments were used separately at the rate of 12 ton/ha. The highest plant height (98.67 cm), root length (12.5 cm), pod number (10.33), leaf area (13.99 cm2), fresh weight (680 kg/ha), dry weight (316.67 kg/ha) were recorded with the treatment T1 while the second-best treatment was treatment T2 (with highest harvest index 0.040) and these results were statistically significant (p < 0.001). In post-harvest soil, pH, EC, OC, OM;available N, P, K, S;total Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn were increased significantly in treatment T1. The overall results illustrated that the best growth and yield performances were achieved in the treatment T1 and T2.

Photoperiod Mediates the Effects of Temperature and Light Intensity on the Proliferation of Ulva prolifera

In order to study the complex effects of photoperiod,temperature,and light intensity on the spore maturation and release number of Ulva prolifera,we cultured thalli segment(2–3 mm)under three different photoperiods(L:D=12:12,14:10 and 10:14),temperature(15℃(LT),25℃(MT)and 30℃(HT))and light intensity(100,200 and 400μmol m^(−2)s^(−1),noted as LL,ML and HL,respectively)conditions.Then the maturation time,spore release number and chlorophyll fluorescence were analyzed.The results suggested that:1)The spore maturation time was accelerated by higher temperature or higher light intensity from 62 h to 36 h,and changes in day length accelerated the spore maturation to a certain extent as compared with 12:12 light/dark cycle;2)Higher light intensity significantly decreased the chlorophyll fluorescence(Fv′/Fm′,NPQ,rETRmax andα)of the mature reproductive segment under 30℃with 12:12 light/dark cycle.But when in the other photoperiods(10:14 and 14:10 conditions),the inhibitory effects of high light intensity were alleviated significantly;3)The optimum condition for the spore maturation and release was 12:12 light/dark cycle,25℃,400μmol m^(−2)s^(−1),with both shorter and longer photoperiod reducing the spore release number;4)Higher light intensity significantly increased the spore release number under 25℃,but these effects were alleviated by 30℃treatment.This study is the first attempt to elucidate the coincidence effects of photoperiod,temperature and light intensity on the reproduction of Ulva,which would help to reveal the mechanism of the rapid proliferation of green tide.

Effects of heat stress and long photoperiod on the prostate of rats

Objective:To examine light and heat effects on the morphological,histological,and micrometric structure of the prostate of rats.Methods:Thirty adult male rats were divided into three groups.The control group was kept under 20℃-22℃ and an artificial 12 h/12 h day/night cycle;the temperature group was under normal light and at(42±1)℃ heat for 4 to 5 h daily,and the light group was exposed to 8 h/16 h day/night cycle with 20℃-22℃.Rats were weighed five times(at the beginning of the study and every seven days).Five milliliters(mL)of their peripheral blood were taken.The tissue staining was performed using the hematoxylin-eosin(H&E)stain and periodic acid-Schiff(PAS).In the following,tissue and cellular reactions to the PAS were examined.Results:Folds were located entirely on the surface of the anterior lobe and periphery of the other lobes.The secretory units in the anterior lobe were more than the lateral lobe.A strong reaction of the secretory cells to the PAS was observed.Testosterone serum levels of the light group also significantly increased compared to the control group(P<0.05).The most histometric changes of the lobes were established in the lateral lobes.Heat stress resulted in a significant decrease in testosterone levels and transformed prostate tissue.The epithelium and parenchyma to scaffold ratio in the temperature group decreased.Conclusions:Maximum and minimum changes in the ventral lobe happened under the ascent of temperature and light,respectively.The ventral lobe in the study of prostatic hyperplasia should be more considered.

On the winter enhancement of adaptive humoral immunity: hypothesis testing in desert hamsters (Phodopus roborovskii: Cricetidae, Rodentia) kept under long-day and short-day photoperiod

We tested the winter immunity enhancement hypothesis(WIEH)on male desert hamsters(Phodopus roborovskii)kept under long-day(LD)and short-day(SD)photoperiods.We assumed that under SD in a laboratory,the adaptive humoral immune responsiveness to the antigenic challenge would be enhanced due to the lack of winter physical stressors and food shortages and/or because of the action of an endogenous winter bolstering mechanism,while under LD the immune responsiveness would be suppressed by the activity of the reproductive system.The results support the WIEH in part.We did not find a difference in antibody production in response to sheep erythrocytes between SD and LD hamsters,but SD males had the lower number of granulocytes and the higher number of lymphocytes in white blood cell counts.Reproductive activity was lower in SD males.These males demonstrated an increase in their mass-specific resting metabolic rate,their mass-specific maximal metabolic rate and their level of cortisol.The result of a generalized linear model analysis indicates the negative effect on secondary immunoresponsiveness to sheep erythrocytes of mid-ventral gland size,the organ characterizing individual reproductive quality,and designates a tradeoff between antibody production and reproductive effort.The mass-independent maximal metabolic rate also negatively affected antibody production,indicating a tradeoff between maximal aerobic performance and the adaptive immune function.The higher stress in SD males seems to be the most likely reason for the lack of the effect of daylight duration on antibody production.

Regulation of Reproduction in Delayed Gametophyte of Saccharina japonica (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae): Effects of Light Intensity, Quality and Photoperiod

Saccharina japonica gametophytes can survive a long period under unfavorable environmental conditions,while they also delay in growth and/or reproduction.Although the reproduction in delayed gametophyte of S.japonica was known to be strongly influenced by light intensity,light quality,and photoperiod,no previous studies have evaluated their interactive effects on gametogenesis.To evaluate these effects,we used an orthogonal experiment to expose delayed gametophytes of S.japonica to different light intensities,light qualities,and photoperiods for 12 days.The results showed that changes in light intensity rather than light quality and photoperiod significantly affected the relative growth rates of the delayed gametophytes.Blue light had the greatest promotion on reproduction rate.The optimal light conditions in the early vegetative growth phase in gametogenesis induction for the delayed gametophytes were at 60–80μmol photons m^(−2) s^(−1) with daylength of 12 or 16 hours under white or blue light.When the delayed gametophytes were maintained in a constant light condition from delayed state to gametogenesis,the beneficial photoperiods for vegetative growth and reproductive rate were both 16L(16 hours of light):8D(8 hours of dark).However,when the delayed S.japonica gametophytes achieve the optimal growth state during the first 6 days and then they were cultured at different light conditions for the following 6 days,the reproduction rate increased as the daylength decreased and attained a peak value in group of 8L:16D photoperiod,indicating that photoperiod adjustment at the transition period is crucial in the gametogenesis induction process of delayed gametophyte of S.japonica.

A Farmer’s Approach to Detecting Photoperiod Sensitivity in Rice (Oryza sativa ssp. indica) Landraces

Most indigenous rice landraces are sensitive to photoperiod during short day seasons,and this sensitivity is more pronounced in indica than in japonica landraces.Attempts to identify photoperiod sensitive(PPS)cultivars based on the life history stages of the rice plant,and several models and indices based on phenology and day length have not been precise,and in some cases yield counterfactual inferences.Following the empirical method of traditional Asian rice farmers,the author has developed a robust index,based on the sowing and flowering dates of a large number of landraces grown in different seasons from 2020 to 2023,to contradistinguish PPS from photoperiod insensitive cultivars.Unlike other indices and models of photoperiod sensitivity,the index does not require the presumed duration of different life history stages of the rice plant but relies only on the flowering dates and the number of days till flowering of a rice cultivar sown on different dates to consistently identify photoperiod sensitive cultivars.

温室园艺LED照明研究与应用现状

LED作为设施园艺光环境调控的优选光源和手段,节能、精准、长寿命且光效率高,可通过光质及其光强和光周期等光照属性的控制,调控植物光合作用和光形态建成,调节设施园艺作物生长发育、生物量和果实产量、开花及农产品品质,获得温室补光的效益。而且,基于时空光环境调控带来的显著效益,动态照明和立体照明应运而生,方兴未艾,应用前景广阔。本文总结了温室LED照明产品和应用领域,提出了动态照明和立体照明技术概念,总结了光质、光强和光周期植物调控的研究进展,重点阐述了光质调控植物园艺作物生长发育、产量、开花及农产品品质的研究进展,对未来温室LED补光产业发展前景进行了展望。

棉铃虫发生发展与气候条件的关系研究进展

棉铃虫(Helicoverpa armigera)属鳞翅目夜蛾科,是一种世界性的害虫,在世界各地均有分布。因其具有远距离迁飞,繁殖力强等特点,条件适宜时常大面积暴发成灾,给农业生产带来较大损失。摸清棉铃虫生活习性、种群变化规律是棉铃虫防治的前提条件。由于棉铃虫是变温昆虫,气候条件对其生长发育、成灾机制等产生极大影响。因此,本文系统综述了气候变暖对棉铃虫影响的研究进展,包括棉铃虫生长发育、体色变化、繁殖、滞育、飞行、越冬、与作物的互作关系等方面,并对未来研究重点进行了展望。

光调控对药用植物次生代谢成分合成的影响

药用植物次生代谢成分,因具有特殊的药理活性或功效对人类的健康极为重要,是药品、保健品、化妆品的主要来源。随着人类对于健康和长寿的不断追求,医药市场的需求规模持续增长,提高药用植物次生代谢成分的产量和质量变得特别重要。植物次生代谢成分是植物对环境的一种适应,是在长期进化过程中植物与生物和非生物因素相互作用的结果。药用植物次生代谢成分的产生和积累主要受植物遗传因素和环境因素的影响,其中光环境对其合成影响尤为重要,因而,长期以来光调控一直是国内外众多学者研究的热点。本文综述近年来有关光调控对药用植物次生代谢成分影响的研究进展,主要从光质、光强、光周期的影响分别阐述,以期为高效生产具有重要药理活性的次生代谢成分提供理论依据和实践指导。

早/晚抽薹性大白菜自交系中光敏色素B及光周期关键基因的动态研究

光周期是影响植物抽薹开花最重要的环境因子之一,光周期信号通过植物的光敏色素蛋白调控植物的抽薹开花,其中PHYB介导的信号网络对植物抽薹开花有重要的抑制作用。前期研究发现,大白菜耐抽薹材料06-247与易抽薹材料He102的PHYB基因启动子存在大片段插入/缺失差异,为了进一步研究启动子突变对PHYB及其下游途径关键基因的影响,以耐抽臺材料06-247与极易抽臺材料He102为试验材料,采用生物信息法分析了大白菜基因组中光敏色素基因的冗余特点,发现大白菜基因组包含6个光敏色素基因,其中PHYA有2个拷贝,PHYB、PHYC、PHYD和PHYE都仅有1个拷贝。进一步通过氨基酸序列比对筛选出了PHYB的特异序列、设计了抗原决定簇并制备了抗大白菜PHYB的特异抗体,采用荧光定量RT-PCR技术和Western Blot技术研究了06-247与He102中PHYB的相对含量,同时比较了PHYB下游光周期通路关键调控基因CCA1、FLC、CO和FT的动态变化。结果表明:启动子突变造成PHYB在06-247中表达水平显著升高并进而造成PHYB蛋白水平显著升高,同时下游调控基因CCA1、FLC、CO和FT均在06-247中高水平表达,这对06-247的耐抽薹特性有重要影响。

全面供光策略调控废水培养光合细菌产单细胞蛋白

为拓展蛋白质来源,缓解中国饲料蛋白资源短缺现状,该研究通过供光策略调控强化了沼泽红假单胞菌(R.palustris)从废水中回收菌体资源及单细胞蛋白(single cell protein, SCP)的效果,并解析了不同供光策略下物质合成与污染物降解之间的相关性。结果表明:在白炽灯、120μmol/(m^(2)·s)的光强及18 h光/6 h暗(L/D)的光周期条件下菌体的生物量及日产量可达(1 140.56±19.72) mg/L及(0.32±0.02) g/(L·d),相较于24 L/0 D、 3 L/21 D及9 L/15 D组分别提高了17.06%~93.21%、54.43%~299.93%(P<0.05);在白炽灯、120 μmol/(m^(2)·s)的光强及3 h光/21 h暗的光周期条件下,菌体的蛋白质质量分数最高,为67.47%,相较于其他所有试验组提高了21.96%~44.54%(P<0.05)。化学需氧量(chemical oxygen demand, COD)和氨氮(ammonia nitrogen, NH_(4)^(+)-N)去除率在白炽灯、120 μmol/(m^(2)·s)的光强及18 h光/6 h暗的光周期条件下可达72.03%~78.40%。相关性分析表明,光强、光质分别与蛋白质含量及浓度呈显著负相关;而光周期与蛋白质浓度呈显著正相关,因此,光周期是R. palustris从废水体系中提升SCP产量的有效调控方法。该研究为提高废水体系中光合细菌合成SCP提供了新的方法与思路。

光照对家禽生产性能的影响及调控机制研究进展

光照作为环境的重要组成部分,可通过光感受器调控家禽的神经内分泌系统,进而影响其生长发育、繁殖性能。近年来,国内外研究者研究发现家禽养殖过程中,合理利用光照可提升家禽的生产性能与经济效益。文章就光照来源、光照波长、光照强度、光周期对家禽的影响及其调控机制进行概述,以期为家禽生产中合理利用光照提供理论参考。

光周期对红花玉兰‘娇红1号’生理及光合特性的影响

【目的】为给红花玉兰的栽培提供参考。【方法】以红花玉兰‘娇红1号’2年生大容器苗为研究对象,通过人工调控LED光源的方式,设置6种光周期,分别为8 h(光照期)/16 h(暗期)、10 h/14 h、12 h/12 h、14 h/10 h、16 h/8 h以及自然光照(CK),处理一定时间后,测定苗高和地径的生长量、叶片营养物质含量、叶片保护酶活性、叶片光合色素含量、光合气体交换参数及叶绿素荧光参数。【结果】在14 h/10 h处理下苗高、地径生长量显著高于其他各处理,8 h/16 h处理下显著低于其他处理。随着光周期中光照时间的延长,除了叶片的可溶性蛋白含量呈现下降趋势外,叶片的可溶性糖含量、可溶性淀粉含量、全N含量、全P含量、全K含量均呈现上升趋势,其中14 h/10 h处理下叶片营养物质含量最高,8 h/16 h处理下最低。光周期对叶片保护酶活性的影响显著,14 h/10 h处理下叶片SOD活性、POD活性、APX活性显著低于CK处理,8 h/16 h和16 h/8 h处理下显著高于CK处理。在12 h/12 h和14 h/10 h处理下叶片的光合色素含量较CK有显著提高,在8 h/16 h和16 h/8 h处理下光合色素含量较CK显著降低。总体上,苗木叶片的净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率和胞间CO_(2)浓度在8 h/16 h处理下最小,在14 h/10 h处理下最大,在16 h/8 h处理下各参数有所下降。不同光周期处理下的最大荧光(F_(m))、初始荧光(F_(o))、光化学猝灭系数(C_(PQ))、非光化学猝灭系数(C_(NPQ))与CK处理均无显著差异,在14 h/10 h处理下相对电子传递速率(ETR)、PSⅡ最大光能转化效率(F_(v)/F_(m))、PSⅡ潜在光化学活性(F_(v)/F_(o))和PSⅡ实际光化学效率(Φ_(PSⅡ))的值最大且显著高于CK处理,分别为26.33、0.77、3.45和0.74。【结论】光周期可以影响‘娇红1号’的苗高和地径生长量、叶片营养物质含量、叶片保护酶活性、叶片光合色素含量、光合气体交换参数及叶绿素荧光参数等指标。适当延长光周期中的光照时间有利于提高‘娇红1号’苗木的质量,光周期14 h/10 h是最适合其生长的光照条件,光照时间过长或过短均会影响苗木正常生长。

升温、光周期和氮添加变化对兴安落叶松幼苗叶黄期的影响

物候是气候变化敏感指标,是陆地生态系统模型的关键参数。目前关于气候变化对物候影响的研究较多,但关于多环境因子交互作用对秋季物候影响的研究尚不充分,制约着物候变化机制的认知与模型发展。以兴安落叶松幼苗叶黄期为研究对象,采用控制实验研究叶黄期对升温、光周期和氮添加变化及其交互作用的响应。结果表明:(1)升温对兴安落叶松幼苗叶黄期的影响较显著,升温使叶黄始期和叶黄普期显著提前,完全变色期不显著推迟;(2)光周期变化对叶黄期的影响极显著,光周期延长使叶黄始期和叶黄普期显著提前,完全变色期显著推迟;(3)叶黄期与氮添加量相关性不显著;(4)升温、光周期和氮添加变化双因子交互作用对叶黄始期和叶黄普期的影响均极显著且均存在极值,但对完全变色期的影响均不显著:升温与光周期延长交互作用使叶黄始期和叶黄普期提前,且在升温1.5℃、光周期14h时最显著;光周期延长与氮添加交互作用使叶黄始期和叶黄普期提前,且在施低氮(5g N m^(-2) a^(-1))、光周期10h时最显著;升温与氮添加交互作用使叶黄始期和叶黄普期提前,且在施高氮(20g N m^(-2) a^(-1))、升温1.5℃时最显著;(5)升温、光周期和氮添加变化交互作用对叶黄始期和叶黄普期影响极显著,对完全变色期的影响不显著。这表明,升温、光周期延长和氮添加将延长兴安落叶松幼苗叶黄期,从而增加兴安落叶松幼苗的固碳时间。研究结果可为物候模型发展以及森林生态系统碳估算提供依据。

不同周期蓝光处理对采后桃果皮色泽及花色苷代谢的影响

前期研究发现采后蓝光照射能够促进桃果皮色泽的提升,该试验以此为基础,研究不同蓝光周期对桃果皮花色苷代谢的影响,将‘中桃九号’置于(22±1)℃的条件下,采用不同周期蓝光(6、12、18 h/d和24 h/d)进行处理,以黑暗处理为对照组,观察其表型,测定色差值、花色苷含量及其合成相关基因的表达量。结果表明:随着光照时间的延长,桃果皮颜色、a^(*)值和色泽指数值均显著提升。其中,18 h/d与24 h/d处理组桃果皮花色苷含量最高,在第8天时分别达到149.13 mg/kg和150.95 mg/kg。通过测定花色苷合成相关基因的表达量可知,18 h/d处理组能够持续提升花色苷合成相关基因的表达量;24 h/d处理组花色苷合成相关基因表达量只在贮藏前中期有明显提升,贮藏后期呈下降趋势。另外,18 h/d处理还能够延缓贮藏期间果实硬度的下降。综上,选择蓝光18 h/d为采后蓝光处理桃果的最佳光周期。

光肩星天牛胁迫声及种内空间运动行为

为了利用行为调制手段防治害虫,以光肩星天牛(Anoplophora glabripennis)为研究对象,在实验室内对光肩星天牛雌雄两性胁迫声进行录制和分析,分别在光周期和暗周期对光肩星天牛进行行为生测,分析胁迫声对光肩星天牛空间运动行为的影响。结果表明:光肩星天牛雄性胁迫声音组持续时间短于雌性、频率明显高于雌性,但雌雄胁迫声对空间运动行为的影响没有差异。在光周期,胁迫声对天牛向上爬行及水平运动均没有影响;对雄性起飞行为有抑制作用,但对雌性起飞行为没有影响。在暗周期,胁迫声对雌雄两性水平爬行有驱离作用,降低了天牛趋光爬行的活性;对雄性起飞行为没有影响,但对雌性起飞行为有促进作用。光肩星天牛胁迫声对种内个体具有警戒信号作用,这种作用与光周期相关并对雌雄两性的行为影响有所不同。

Preliminary Studies on the Effect of Photoperiod and Temperature on Male Fertility of a Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Line in Wheat

[Objective] The study aimed to reveal the effect of photoperiod and temperature on male fertility of cytoplasmic male sterile line Vtai911289a in wheat and discuss the mechanism of male fertility alteration. [ Method ] The sowing-date tests and designed conditions were conducted during 2003 -2005. [ Result] Fertility of Vtai911289a, could alter under specific photoperiod and temperature conditions. Temperature is one of the main factors influencing male fertility of the male sterile lines. Vtai911289a, showed stable sterility under the condition of the mean of daily temperature at fertility sensitive stage lower than 19℃ and presented partial fertility when the mean of daily temperature at fertility sensitive stage lower than 20 - 22℃. Photoperiod to some extent affects the male fertility of Vtai911289a, long-day condition is helpful for the male fertility of the sterile line. [ Conclusion] The application of photoperiod temperature-sensitive cytoplasmic male sterile line in production has a higher safety than that of temperature sensitive sterile line.

光周期处理对刺槐无性系组培苗生根的影响

【目的】研究不同光周期对刺槐无性系组培苗不定根发生的影响,分析不同光周期下根原基突出时间及不同阶段根系的生长状态和生理指标,探讨其生根能力,筛选出促进刺槐生根的最适光周期。【方法】以4个二倍体刺槐无性系组培苗为材料,设置5种光周期处理,统计分析不同光周期下刺槐生根率及生理指标变化,并观察根外部形态变化,同时每天取根基部制作石蜡切片,观察根原基发生时间。【结果】1)解剖学观察显示,刺槐无性系组培苗生根过程分为3个时期:愈伤组织形成期(0~7 d)、不定根形成期(根原基诱导期)(7~10 d)、不定根伸长期(10 d后)。2)生根情况及解剖学观察结果显示,4个刺槐无性系中,D26-5①刺槐无性系根原基较早出现,同时生根能力最强,生根率为92%,且24 h/0 h光周期处理下根原基突出时间最早,生根率提高至97.8%。3)生根过程中,可溶性糖和叶绿素含量随着光周期增加而上升,24 h/0 h光周期下含量最高。丙二醛含量呈现出下降—上升—下降的趋势,脯氨酸含量呈先上升再下降的趋势,两者在24 h/0 h光周期处理下的含量都要小于16 h/8 h光周期,说明刺槐应对连续光照时可通过调节渗透物质等方式适应环境的变化。【结论】刺槐无性系组培苗不定根发生能力受光周期影响,在24 h/0 h光周期下根原基突出时间最早,生根能力最强。

Immunohistochemical Analysis of IAA in Anthers of the Photoperiod-sensitive Genic Male-sterile Rice

The immunohistochemical localization of IAA and the comparison of their relative levels were carried out for the first time in the anthers of Nongken 58S and its wild type Nongken 58 (Oryza sativa subsp. japonica) after long_day and short_day treatments. The distribution of free_IAA in anthers and its dynamic variation could be reflected by this method. The results showed that the IAA level in the anthers of Nongken 58S after long_day treatment was much lower than that in short_day_treated Nongken 58S and those in wild type Nongken 58 in five stages from pistil and stamen primordia formation to late uninucleate stage. The possible reasons for IAA deficiency in Nongken 58S_LD anthers and its relationship with fertility alteration were also discussed.

Photoperiod Control of Apical Bud and Leaf Senescence in Pumpkin ( Cucurbita pepo ) Strain 185

Short_day (SD) induced the plant senescence in pumpkin ( Cucurbita pepo Linn.) strain 185. Structural assay, gene expression and a series of biochemical analyses were performed to analyze the senescence mechanism in pumpkin strain 185 exposed to SD. Two aspects of important changes initiated in SD exposure contributed to the senescence process. SD functionally led to the initiation of the apical transformation from vegetative to reproductive growth, and then programmed cell death (PCD) in the apical meristem, causing the loss of vigorous growth activity. Moreover, SD treatment resulted in the formation of a great number of dying cells in mesophyll tissue later in the development compared with the phenotype of plants under long_day (LD) conditions. During the senescence process, high expression of nuclease is an important molecular event. These results indicate that the initiation of senescence process in pumpkin stain 185 plants is closely related to the death of cells in apical meristem and mesophyll.