Effect of Extreme Natural High Temperature on Seed Setting Rate of Rice(Oryza sativa L.) at Heading and Flowering Stage

The seed setting rates of total 198 rice cultivars （lines） at heading and flowering stage were investigated under the condition of extreme natural high tem- perature in 2013 so as to analyze the effect of extreme natural high temperature on seed setting rate of different rice cultivar （line）. The results showed that the contin- uous high temperature showed certain effects on the seed setting rates of tested materials, and significant differences were shown in seed setting rate among differ- ent rice cultivars （lines）. The seed setting rates differed significantly among indica F1 hybrids derived from different sterile and restorer lines, indicating that the sterile and restorer lines had great effects on heat tolerances of different F~ hybrids. The cor- relation analysis showed that the seed setting rates of conventional indica restorer lines and conventional japonica rice cultivars （lines） were negatively related to the daily highest temperature （P〉0.05）, and the seed setting rates of indica F1 hybrids were positively related to the seed setting rates of their restorer lines. Total four in- dica restorer lines, including Ninghuiguangkangzhan, Shuhui 527, Chenghui 3203 and Xianyin-8, and four new japonica rice cultivars （lines）, including Wuyinjinghui （B2）, Nanjing 4//W3660/Nanjing 44 （B12） and Wuyun 2330/JD6011 （B22） were pre- liminarily screened, and their seed setting rates were all close to the normal level （90%）. The screened rice cultivars （lines） showed higher heat tolerances.

Analysis of Meteorological Disasters in the Flowering and Fruiting Period of Sugar Orange in Guilin

The yield of sugar orange is closely related to meteorological conditions in the flowering and fruiting period, and meteorological disasters at the flowering and early fruiting stage seriously affect its yield. To study influences of meteorological disasters in the flowering and early fruiting stage on sugar orange industry in Guilin, meteorological disasters in the flowering and early fruiting stage and its defense measures were analyzed and studied. The flowering and early fruiting stage of sug- ar orange in Guilin is from March to June, and sudden change of temperature, thunderstorm, hale, hail, rainstorm and other natural disasters can cause the falling of large numbers of flowers and young fruit, damage of tree body, reduction of fruit in quantity, and decrease of its yield. Timely understanding information of disastrous weather and implementing management of water and fertilizer can effectively reduce the loss caused by meteorological disasters and ensue high quality and high yield of sugar orange.

Performance of Three Adelphocoris spp.(Hemiptera: Miridae) on Flowering and Non-flowering Cotton and Alfalfa

The genus Adelphocoris（Hemiptera： Miridae） is a group of key insect pests in cotton fields in China that includes three dominant species： A. suturalis（Jakovlev）, A. lineolatus（Goeze） and A. fasciaticollis（Reuter）. Previous field surveys have found that adults of these Adelphocoris species usually move onto specific host plants when the plants enter the flowering stage. To determine the potential trade-offs for this host-plant preference behavior, the performance of these three Adelphocoris spp. on flowering and non-flowering cotton and alfalfa were compared in the laboratory. The results showed that Adelphocoris spp. had significantly higher nymphal developmental and survival rates, along with increased adult longevity and fecundity on flowering cotton and alfalfa than on non-flowering plants of either species. In addition, compared with cotton plants, alfalfa generally promoted better performance of these three Adelphocoris species, especially for A. lineolatus. Simple correlation analysis indicated that female adult longevity was positively correlated to male adult longevity and female fecundity, and female fecundity was positively correlated to nymphal development and survival rates. This study demonstrated a positive correlation between adult preference and offspring/adult performance for all three Adelphocoris species, with no evidence of any trade-offs for this preference for flowering host plants. These findings support the hypothesis that hemimetabolous insects such as mirid bugs have positive adult preference-adult/nymphal performance relationships, which is likely due to the similar feeding habits and nutritional requirements of adults and nymphs.

The Effect of Low Temperature and High Temperature on Flowering and Pollination of Red Cartridge Kiwifruit in Western Guizhou in Early Spring of 2021

Based on the daily average temperature from March 19 to April 2,2021 at three surface meteorological stations in western Guizhou and the daily average temperature,maximum temperature and minimum temperature from March 19 to April 2,2021 at 12 main automatic meteorological stations of red cartridge kiwifruit base,the effects of low temperature and high temperature on flowering and pollination of red cartridge kiwifruit in early spring of 2021 were analyzed.The results showed that slight cold spell in later spring in western Guizhou occurred from March 21 to 23.The lower limit of the daily average temperature required for flowering period(12℃or below)appeared in each base of red cartridge kiwifruit during March 21-23,which affected the red cartridge kiwifruit trees in Faer,Houchang,Miluo,Shunchang,Panlong and Jichang bases flowering and pollinating before March 20.From March 29 to April 2,the daily maximum temperature of Faer and other eleven bases was 30℃or above,which caused the wilting and abscission of flowers and young fruits of of red cartridge kiwifruit trees in Faer,Houchang,Miluo,Shunchang,Panlong,shaomi,Jichang and Aga bases blooming and pollinating before March 24,but the flowers of red cartridge kiwifruit trees in Langdai,Longhe,Pugu and Shuangfeng bases blooming and pollinating after March 28 were not damaged.

Evaluation on Climate Suitability in Main Growth Stages of Zhaotong Apple in Recent 60 Years

Based on daily average temperature,precipitation and sunshine hours during 1961-2018 from two meteorological stations of Zhaoyang District and Ludian County at Zhaolubazi,Zhaotong City,Yunnan Province,using the freezing injury index at flowering stage(Ha),climatic suitability index during expansion period(Pa),climatic suitability index during coloring period(Dy)and climatic suitability index during fruit growing period(Si),etc.,the climatic suitability of Zhaotong apple during the main growth stages was evaluated.The results showed that the annual average temperature was 11.8-12.3℃at Zhaolu Bazi in recent 60 years,and the climate was the most suitable for Fuji apple planting both in the south and north;the average annual precipitation was 674.8-852.6 mm,and the climate was suitable in the north and sub-suitable in the south;the annual average sunshine hours was between 1845.4 and 1851.1 h,and the climate was sub-suitable in both areas.The Ha was between 0.42-0.50,serious in the north and moderate in the south;the Pa was between 0.92 and 1.02,and both the south and the north were suitable areas;the Dy was between 0.95 and 1.00,and the climate in the south was suitable,while it was sub-suitable in the north;the Si was between 1.38 and 1.59,and the climate was suitable in the south and sub-suitable in the north.There was a 4-year cycle in the interannual variation of Ha,Pa,Dy and Si.After the 1980s,the Ha decreased by 0.56-0.59,the Pa,Dy and Si respectively increased by 0.10-0.16,0.14-0.15 and 0.78-0.84 with the temperature rise,and the changes of these four indexes were all favorable for Fuji apple's fruits growth.It can be seen that under the background of the global warming,the climatic conditions in Zhaolu Bazi are becoming more and more favorable for popularizing the planting of Fuji apple.

Changes of Oxidative Stress and Soluble Sugar in Anthers Involve in Rice Pollen Abortion Under Drought Stress

Two rice maintaining lines with different drought tolerances, viz., Jin 23B （tolerant） and Zhenshan 97B （sensitive）, were used to study the oxidative stress and soluble sugar in rice anthers and pollen viability under drought stress during flowering stage. Higher antioxidant enzyme activities and lower malonaldehyde （MDA） content in rice anthers were observed in Jin 23B than in Zhenshan 97B under drought stress. Further, a great increase in the content of soluble sugar in rice anthers of Jin 23B was observed across the whole drought exposure, while Zhenshan 97B showed significant decrease in soluble sugar during 9-12 d after drought stress （DADS）. Accordingly, a marked decline of pollen fertility and activity, pollen numbers in an anther and pollen numbers on a stigma was observed in Zhenshan 97B, whereas little difference was found in Jin 23B. Thus, we suggest that pollen abortion caused by drought stress may be related with the reciprocity between oxidative stress and soluble sugar content in rice anthers.

Alterations of Panicle Antioxidant Metabolism and Carbohydrate Content and Pistil Water Potential Involved in Spikelet Sterility in Rice under Water-Deficit Stress

Two rice genotypes with different drought tolerance, namely Jin 23B （drought tolerant） and Zhenshan 97B （drought sensitive）, were used to study the antioxidant enzyme activities, soluble sugar and starch contents in spikelets, pistil water potential and pollen number on a stigma under water-deficit stress at the flowering stage, which were involved in the spikelet sterility. Compared with respective controls, drought stress induced more serious decreases of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, peroxidase （POD） and catalase （CAT） activities and more significant increase of malonaldehyde （MDA） content in spikekets of Zhenshan 97B than in Jin 23B on 9 and 12 days after water stress （DAWS）. The soluble sugar and starch contents increased significantly in spikelets of Jin 23B, but decreased significantly in spikelets of Zhenshan 97B during 9-12 DAWS. The pistil maintained higher water potential in Jin 23B than in Zhenshan 97B during 3-6 DAWS and 9-12 DAWS. In addition, water stress induced more significant decrease in the pollen number on a stigma as well as the percentage of unfilled grains in Zhenshan 97B than in Jin 23B. Thus, it is suggested that water stress induced spikelet sterility by damaging antioxidant enzyme activities, reducing carbohydrate content in spikelets and decreasing pistil water potential at the flowering stage in rice.

Phenological stage effect on phenolic composition and repellent potential of Mentha pulegium against Tribolium castaneum and Lasioderma serricorne

Objective:To elucidate for the first time the phenological stage effect on polyphenol,flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents of pennyroyal(Mentha pulegium)as well as their antioxidant capacities and insecticidal potentials against Tribolium castaneum and Lasioderma serricorne.Methods:Crude methanol extracts from pennyroyal(Mentha pulegium)aerial parts were evaluated for their anti radical,reducing power activities and repellent potentials against selected coleopteran insects during different phenological stages.Results:Phenolic contents of pennyroyal aerial parts and their antioxidant effects were significantly dependent on maturity stage of the plant.The maximum of phenol production was reached during the full flowering stage.Apigenin was the major phenol in Mentha pulegium with an amount of6.01 mg/g of dry vegetable matter during this period.Nevertheless,at fructification stage,the highest antioxidant activity was not related to high phenolic content.The repulsive effect of pennyroyal extract showed that Lasioderma serricorne was more susceptible to pennyroyal extract than Tribolium castarneum with corresponding median repellent dose values of 0.124and 0.006 mg/mL respectively.Moreover,great differences in insect repulsion depending on extract concentrations,exposure time and developmental stage was observed.For the lowest concentration(0.125 mg/mL),the repellent effect against Tribolium reached its maximum(90%)during the fructification stage(after 24 h of exposure)while this repellent effect was 80%during the vegetative stage.Conclusions:Due to the strong insecticidal potential of pennyroyal extracts,this study highlights the therapeutic properties of this plant and encourages its use as a safer,environmental-friendly and efficient insecticide in food industry.

Coordinated Expression of Cytosolic and Chloroplastic Glutamine Synthetase During Reproductive Stage and Its Impact in GS1 RNAi Transgenic Rice

To understand the reallocation of organic nitrogen from leaf to the flower head of rice, the role of glutamine synthetase （GS） was investigated by characterizing GS1 RNAi transgenic rice, which revealed a significant reduction in panicle number and number of seeds per panicle. We observed the expression of GS isotypes at transcriptional and protein levels in flag leaves, leaf sheaths and panicles at three different flower development stages. The mRNA expression of GS1;1 was clearly suppressed in flag leaves, especially at the flowering stage. GS1 protein was barely detectable in flag leaves until the flowering stage, while GS1 protein was compromised in the leaf sheath and panicle, with transient expression of GS2 protein at the flowering stage. The glutamine level in transgenic plants was significantly reduced in both flag leaves and panicles, but ammonium was highly accumulated. The level of other amino acids, including aspartate and asparagine, tended to be higher in RNAi transgenic plants than the wild type plants during the reproductive stage. In addition, accumulation of toxic ammonium in panicles with low glutamine level might have caused low seed-setting in the transgenic rice. These results indicated that nitrogen reallocation was critical for panicle development, and that multiple GS isotypes functioned cooperatively to complete the rice life cycle when leaf nitrogen was remobilized to the developing reproductive organs.