Subordinate Function Values Research Articles

Evaluation of Aluminum Resistance among Zoysia Willd. Accessions from China

Aluminum ion (Al3+) toxicity is a major factor limiting plant production on acid soils. Species of zoysiagrass (Zoysia Willd.) are grown for lawn, turf, and soil conservation, especially in temperate zones. Herein, 46 zoysiagrass accessions obtained from eight provinces in China were evaluated for Al resistance using small-scale liquid culture. Each accession was grown in triplicate in nutrient solutions with 1500 μm AlCl3·6H2O (experimental) or without exposure to Al (control). The mean dry weights of the roots, shoots, and total bodies of the accessions relative to those of the nontreated controls were calculated after 60 days, and showed considerable diversity. Overall, the cv for the shoot, root, and total weights of the Al-treated accessions relative to the nontreated controls were 45.78%, 56.67%, and 42.84%, respectively. A cluster analysis based on Al resistance and subordinate function values revealed that 12 of the 46 zoysiagrass accessions (26.09%) were resistant to Al, 9 (19.57%) were moderately resistant, and 25 (54.35%) were sensitive to Al stress. These 46 zoysiagrass accessions from China have great potential for horticultural breeding and development, and for research into mechanisms that underlie Al resistance.

Influence of six dwarfing interstocks on the ‘Fuji’ apple under drought stress

Investigation of growth and physiology of scion on various interstocks to drought stress is a valuable process for apple drought-tolerance stock selection. In this attempt, the ‘Fuji’ apple cultivar grafted on six dwarfing interstocks, including of M series (M26, M9-T337), CG series (CG24) and SH series (SH1, SH6 and SH40) on Malus hupehensis var. Pingyiensis Jiang rootstock were maintained as normal (−10 to-20 Kpa) (control), moderate (−30 to-40 Kpa) and severe drought (−50 to-60 Kpa) stress levels. After 50 days treatment, comprehensive evaluation by subordinate function value (SF) was employed based on trunk growth, net photosynthetic rate, leaf water potential etc., and drought tolerance of ‘Fuji’ apple was ranked as following interstocks: SH6 > SH40 > SH1> M9-T337 > M26 > CG24. Moreover, the determination of ‘Fuji’ apple in responding to drought stress revealed that three antioxidant enzymes (SOD, APX and DHAR) and four genes (DREB2A, ZAT10, SOD1, APX1) constitute the putative key components for drought regulation.

Responses of plant biomass, photosynthesis and lipid peroxidation to warming and precipitation change in two dominant species (Stipa grandis and Leymus chinensis) from North China Grasslands.

Influential factors of global change affect plant carbon uptake and biomass simultaneously. Although the effects from warming and precipitation change have been extensive studied separately, the responses of plant biomass, photosynthesis, and lipid peroxidation to the interaction of these factors are still not fully understood. In this study, we examined the physiological responses of two dominant plant species from grasslands of northern China with different functional traits to combinations of five simulated warming patterns and five simulated precipitation patterns in environment‐controlled chambers. Our results showed that the biomass, net CO 2 assimilation rate (P n), maximal efficiency of photosystem II photochemistry (F v/F m), and chlorophyll content (Chl) of Stipa grandis and Leymus chinensis were enhanced by moderate warming and plus precipitation, but they declined drastically with high temperature and drought. High temperature and drought also led to significant malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, which had a negative correlation with leaf biomass. The lower level of lipid peroxidation in leaves of S. grandis suggests that this species is better protected from oxidative damage under heat stress, drought stress and their interactive conditions than L. chinensis. Using the subordinate function values method, we found S. grandis to be more sensitive to climate change than L. chinensis and the gross biomass and root biomass of S. grandis and the leaf biomass of L. chinensis were most sensitive to climate change. Furthermore, the P n of both S. grandis and L. chinensis had a significant linear relationship with F v/F m and Chl, indicating that carbon assimilation may be caused by nonstomatal limitations.

Epidermal Micromorphology and Mesophyll Structure of Populus euphratica Heteromorphic Leaves at Different Development Stages.

Leaf epidermal micromorphology and mesophyll structure during the development of Populus euphratica heteromorphic leaves, including linear, lanceolate, ovate, dentate ovate, dentate rhombic, dentate broad-ovate and dentate fan-shaped leaves, were studied by using electron and light microscopy. During development of heteromorphic leaves, epidermal appendages (wax crystals and trichomes) and special cells (mucilage cells and crystal idioblasts) increased in all leaf types while chloroplast ultrastructure and stomatal characters show maximum photosynthetic activity in dentate ovate and rhombic leaves. Also, functional analysis by subordinate function values shows that the maximum adaptability to adverse stress was exhibited in the broad type of mature leaves. The 12 heteromorphic leaf types are classified into three major groups by hierarchical cluster analysis: young, developing and mature leaves. Mature leaves can effectively obtain the highest stress resistance by combining the protection of xerophytic anatomy from drought stress, regulation of water uptake in micro-environment by mucilage and crystal idioblasts, and assistant defense of transpiration reduction through leaf epidermal appendages, which improves photosynthetic activity under arid desert conditions. Our data confirms that the main leaf function is differentiated during the developing process of heteromorphic leaves.

EVALUATION OF COLD HARDINESS OF SEVEN LOQUAT ACCESSIONS

Young fruits of seven loquat cultivars of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) were treated at 0, -3, -6, and 7°C for 12, 24, and 48 h. The physiological and biochemical indices were measured to reveal the cold hardiness of the cultivars and selections. Cold hardiness was assessed using principal component analysis and subordinate function value analysis. The response patterns of physiological and biochemical indices to cold treatments in fruit flesh and embryos were basically the same for the seven accessions. According to logistic equations, the half lethal temperatures of the fruit flesh and embryos of the seven accessions ranged from -3.2° to -6.7°C (fruit flesh) and from -3.5° to -6.8°C (embryos). There was a negative correlation between cold hardiness and electrolyte leakage, the half lethal temperature and malondialdehyde content, while there was a positive correlation between cold hardiness and super oxide dismutase activity and proline content. A close relationship existed between cold hardiness and protective enzymes, cell membrane permeability and lipid peroxidation in the principal component analysis.

Using differential thermal analysis to analyze cold hardiness in the roots of grape varieties

In this study, a system for differential thermal analysis (DTA) was applied for low temperature exothermic (LTE) analysis of the roots of several grape varieties. We determined lethal temperature–injury (LT–I) values of phloem and xylem using a three-point method. We performed a comprehensive evaluation on LT20 to LT80 of different grape varieties using subordinate function value analysis. The result indicate that Beta had the strongest cold hardiness of all the rootstocks examined, followed by SO4, Dogridge, 3309C, 5BB, 101-14M and 140Ru, while 1103P and 110R had the weakest cold hardiness. Of the cultivars tested, Frontenac had the strongest cold hardiness, followed by Golden Queen, Chambourcin and Beck memento, with Summer Black, Merlot noir, Vidal and Riesling exhibiting moderate cold hardiness and Syrah, Carmenere, Dorn felder and Tannat the least cold hardy. We examined the root cross-sectional anatomy and determined the relative water content in 12 varieties with different cold hardiness gradients and performed correlation analysis of the subordinate function values. We found that in grape root tissue, low water content and free water content and high bound water and bound water/free water content resulted in large subordinate function values for LTS, which indicates good cold hardiness. Grape varieties with thick root exodermis layers, thin phloem and a high proportion of xylem had better cold resistance than the other varieties.

Classification of genetic variation for cadmium tolerance in Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] using physiological traits and molecular markers.

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic pollutants that caused severe threats to animal and human health. Bermudagrass is a dominant species in Cd contaminated soils, which can prevent Cd flow and spread. The objectives of this study were to determine the genetic variations in major physiological traits related to Cd tolerance in six populations of Bermudagrass collected from China, and to examine the genetic diversity and relationships among these accessions that vary in Cd tolerance using molecular markers. Plants of 120 accessions (116 natural accessions and 4 commercial cultivars) were exposed to 0 (i.e. control) or 1.5 mM CdSO4·8/3H2O for 3 weeks in hydroponic culture. Turf quality, transpiration rate, chlorophyll content, leaf water content and growth rate showed wide phenotypic variation. The membership function method was used to comprehensively evaluate Cd-tolerance. According to the average subordinate function value, four accessions were classified as the most tolerant genotypes and four accessions as Cd-sensitive genotypes. The trend of Cd tolerance among the six studied populations was as follows: Hunan > South China > North China > Central China > West South China and Xinjiang population. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the majority of accessions from the same or adjacent regions were clustered into the same groups or subgroups, and the accessions with similar cadmium tolerance displayed a close phylogenetic relationship. Screening genetically diverse germplasm by combining the physiological traits and molecular markers could prove useful in developing Cd-tolerant Bermudagrass for the remediation of mill tailings and heavy metal polluted soils.

Seed vigor and assessment for heat tolerance in different Chinese flowering cabbage cultivars

The effects of high temperature stress on seed germination,the germination rate(GR),germinating viability(GV),germination index(GI),bud full length(BFL),root length(RL),whole fresh weight(WFW),root weight(RW),in six different cooked Chinese flowering cabbage cultivars during harvesting time in heat stress plastic shelter have been investigated.The significantly related indicators are screened with the heat injury by the membership function method.The results show that 10 indexes,are significant negative correlation with the heat injury index,can be used to identify the heat resistance of Chinese flowering cabbages.It includes the GV,GR and GI under 42 ℃ for 2 d,the GV under 38 ℃ and BFL under for 4 d,the aging seeds’ GV,BFL,RL under 42 ℃ for 4 d and GV,BFL under 42 ℃ for 8 d(incomplete sentence,don’t know what to comment here).The heat tolerance of the tested 6 cultivars can be divided into three types by using the minimum distance method according to 10 indexes calculation comprehensive subordinate function value(from 0.021 to 0.986).The Sijiu-19caixin and Sijiu huang caixin are most heat-tolerant,Youlu 50 d caixin,Youlu 501 caixin and Youlu 701 caixin are general heat-tolerant,while Teqing chixin 4 is heat-sensitive.

Community stability evaluation of riparian forest of the upper reaches of Wenyuhe in Shanxi, China

Aims Stability can comprehensively reflect the structural and functional characteristics of communities. Our objective was to evaluate the stability of 13 riparian forest communities in the upper reaches of Wenyuhe. Methods The evaluation was based on fuzzy comprehensive appraisement theory. In considering integrity stability and structural stability, five indexes were selected which could reflect the current situations of the 13 communities: regeneration of dominant species of the tree layer, total species diversity, Godron index, site quality and protection intensity. The five indexes were measured by 12 factors. Community stability was determined by the means of five subordinate function values. Important findings Most subordinate function values were 0.40–0.60. The stability of two communities, Populus cathayana + Quercus wutaishanica and Pinus tabulaeformis + Betula platyphylla, classified them in the middle of a low-mountain forest succession series. Among middle (high)-mountain forest succession series, stability increased with succession progressing from Populus cathayana forest as the lowest to Picea wilsonii as the highest. In addition, the stability of Picea meyeri + Populus cathayana + Betula platyphylla mixed forest, Larix principis-rupprechtii + Picea meyeri mixed forest and Larix principis-rupprechtii + Picea wilsonii mixed forest were also high, probably in response to disturbance caused by tree canopy or environmental heterogeneity.

Identification and Evaluation of Drought Resistance in Different Peanut Varie- ties Widely Grown in Northern China

It is necessary to systematically identify and evaluate drought-resistant varieties for stable development of peanut pro- duction in arid and semi-arid regions in northern China. To establish drought resistance index of peanut varieties, we determined 13 morphological and biochemical indices including plant height, number of branch, biomass, leaf water content and photosyn- thetic pigment content in the pot experiment at pod setting and pod filling stages with 29 peanut varieties (lines) widely grown in north China under artificial water stress condition. Drought resistances of varieties were scored with drought coefficient method and subordinate function value under water stresses. The results showed that the same index of drought resistance characterized in different peanut varieties achieved different results, and 29 peanut varieties were divided into four grads: high tolerant, moderate tolerant, weaker tolerant, and drought susceptible. In the 29 varieties (lines), we screened out the high drought tolerant varieties consisting of Tangke 8, Jihua 2, Jihua 4, Huayu 25, Huayu 17, Huayu 22, Datangyou, and Huayu 21. The varieties (lines) of Huayu 20, Huayu 24, Weihua 6, Huayu 27, Luhua 11, Fuhua 11, Fuhua 13, Tangyou 4, Fenghua 1, and G2 had moderate drought resistance. The varieties (lines) with weaker drought resistance were 16-8, Fuhua 10, M5, Huayu 16, and Luhua 14. At pod setting and pod filling stages Huayu 19, Huayu 23, Fenghua 6, Weihua 8, M7, and TE-2 were all drought susceptible. From seedling to pod setting stages under water stress, all morphological and biochemical indices but the number of branch and carotenoid content and their comprehensive D-values could be taken as evaluation criteria. From seedling to pod filling stages under water stress, there only existed significanct correlation between leaf area and drought resistance. Either at pod setting or pod filling stages un- der water stress, comprehensive D-value of the indices had significant correlation with drought resistance, which could be used to identify peanuts drought resistance.

Analysis of genetic divergence for classification and evaluation of 37 productive performances in 54 oval cocoon strains of Iran silkworm germplasm

The purpose of this experiment was to analyse the genetic divergence for the classification and evaluation of 37 productive performances in all 54 oval cocoon strains of Iran silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) germplasm. The newly hatched larvae of all strains were reared for experiment under same standard conditions. Studied strains are ranked based on the average of evaluation index method and sub-ordinate function method. From the obtained results, it was clear that different strains of silkworm B. mori showed different performances based on productive traits. The analysis of variance regarding the studied traits showed that different strains have significant difference for traits (P < 0.01). Totally, W2-11-19-2[110] (2030.234), W2-11-19-3 (2025.089), BH-4 (1981.516), 104×110 (1963.656) and 17 (1935.046) showed higher evaluation index values. W2-11-19-3 (19.868), W2-11-19-2 [110] (2030.234), BH-4 (18.857), 104×110 (18.560) and 17 (17.917) showed higher sub-ordinate function values. All strains with the same origin did not group together because they had different biological and development performance. The main groups were also divided into separate sub-groups. Three sub-groups included various strains. Several strains were grouped together and far from other silkworm strains, indicating that they might be suitable for future crossings, maintenance of parental strains and hybridizations with peanut cocoon strains so as to maximize heterosis and to avoid depression inbreeding. After evaluation by two statistical methods (evaluation index method and sub-ordinate function method), some oval type strains that stood within high ranks were identified as potential parents for further breeding programme. Key words : Hierarchical agglomerative clustering, oval cocoon, silk, germplasm bank, performance.

Analysis of genetic divergence for classification and evaluation of 37 productive performances in 54 oval cocoon strains of Iran silkworm germplasm

The purpose of this experiment was to analyse the genetic divergence for the classification and evaluation of 37 productive performances in all 54 oval cocoon strains of Iran silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) germplasm. The newly hatched larvae of all strains were reared for experiment under same standard conditions. Studied strains are ranked based on the average of evaluation index method and sub-ordinate function method. From the obtained results, it was clear that different strains of silkworm B. mori showed different performances based on productive traits. The analysis of variance regarding the studied traits showed that different strains have significant difference for traits (P < 0.01). Totally, W2-11-19-2[110] (2030.234), W2-11-19-3 (2025.089), BH-4 (1981.516), 104×110 (1963.656) and 17 (1935.046) showed higher evaluation index values. W2-11-19-3 (19.868), W2-11-19-2 [110] (2030.234), BH-4 (18.857), 104×110 (18.560) and 17 (17.917) showed higher sub-ordinate function values. All strains with the same origin did not group together because they had different biological and development performance. The main groups were also divided into separate sub-groups. Three sub-groups included various strains. Several strains were grouped together and far from other silkworm strains, indicating that they might be suitable for future crossings, maintenance of parental strains and hybridizations with peanut cocoon strains so as to maximize heterosis and to avoid depression inbreeding. After evaluation by two statistical methods (evaluation index method and sub-ordinate function method), some oval type strains that stood within high ranks were identified as potential parents for further breeding programme. Key words : Hierarchical agglomerative clustering, oval cocoon, silk, germplasm bank, performance.

Genetic diversity, classification and comparative study on the larval phenotypic data in 54 oval cocoon strains of Iran silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) gene bank

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate genetic diversity, classification and comparative study on the larval phenotypic data in all 54 oval cocoon strains of Iran silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) gene bank. The study reveals that the different strains of silkworm B. mori showed different performance based on larval phenotypic data. The analysis of variance regarding the studied traits showed that different strains have significant difference for traits (P<0.01). Totally, T1-P (629.757), Baghdadi (620.191), 4-4 (614.826), 110×32 (613.690), and 32 (611.407) showed higher evaluation index values and also 4-4 (5.343), 32 (5.260), 110×32 (5.226), Pink Khorasan (5.155), and T1-P (5.108) showed higher sub-ordinate function values. This study reveals the phylogenetic relationship of oval cocoon strains of Iran germplasm. The dendrograms constructed resolved the 54 silkworm strains into some major clusters. However, the strains of the same origin did not grouped together, demonstrating that they might have from different biological and development performance. Keywords : Bombyx mori, unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic (UPGMA), sub-ordinate function, larval development, gene bank.

Estimating and screening of drought resistance indexes of peanut

Aims Our objective was to define an index of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) drought resistance and comprehen- sively evaluate drought resistance of peanut varieties under controlled water conditions. Methods The experiment was conducted on the farm of Qingdao Academy of Agricultural Science with 29 pea- nut varieties. Two levels of water content (80%-85% and 45%-50% of field moisture capacity) were used in a randomized complete block design with four replications. We measured 13 morphological and physiological characters such as plant height, branch numbers, biomass, leaf water content and photosynthetic pigment content in seedling and pod-pin stages. Important findings The 29 peanut cultivars can divided into four classes: high-, mid- and low-tolerant cultivars and intolerant cultivars. The high-tolerant cultivars included 'Tangke 8', 'Jihua 2', 'Datangyou', 'Huayu 25', 'Huayu 17', 'Luhua 14' and 'Fenghua 1'. Subordinate function values of the morphological indexes including main stem height, branch number and biomass, and photosynthetic pigments contents of the same cultivars at seedling stage were different. In addition, the subordinate function value of the seedling stage was unrelated to drought resistance, so a single physiological index cannot be used to identify the drought resistance of peanut. But the values drought resistance comprehensive evaluation (D) of physiological indexes were significantly related to drought resistance and can be used to identify the drought resistance of peanut. At the pod-pin stage, the D values of morphological indexes and physiological indexes were both significantly related to drought resistance, so the

Screening sweet sorghum varieties of salt tolerance and correlation analysis among salt tolerance indices in sprout stage

Thirty-nine sweet sorghum varieties were screened for salinity tolerance under 0 and 200 mmol·L-1 NaCl. Effects of salinity stress of three NaCl concentrations of 70 mmol·L-1, 140 mmol·L-1, 210 mmol·L-1 on morphological parameters and their salt toxicity rates of ten selected varieties were investigated with water as the control. Finally, comprehensive evaluation on salt tolerance of sweet sorghum varieties was conducted by using Subordinate Function Value method. The results show that "Rio" and "Theis" are most salinity tolerant and "BJK236", "Mer-72-2" are most salinity sensitive among thirty-nine sweet sorghum varieties. Germination rate, germination index, germination energy, vigor index, bud length, root length, bud fresh weight, root fresh weight of sweet sor-ghum varieties under salt stress are significantly different (P0.05) from those under control. Moreover, with increase of salt concen-trations, salt toxicity rates of above eight indicators are enhanced, which are significantly correlated with salt concentration (P0.01). The correlation coefficients of toxicity rates of germination rate, germination energy, germination index, vigor index to salt concen-tration increase from significant correlation (P0.05) to highly significant correlation (P0.01) with increasing salt concentration. Comprehensive evaluation indicates the salt-tolerance order of ten sweet sorghum varieties as: "Theis""Tian132""BJK19" "BJK156" "Cowley""Jitian3""Wray""Keller""Dale""Jitian2".

Study and evaluation of drought resistance of different genotype maize inbred lines

Using cultivating experiments in fields under drought stress, yields and characteristics in morphology, growth and development of different genotype maize inbred lines were studied systematically. We evaluated and classified the drought resistance of these materials based on the needed indexes, including subordinate function values of drought resistance (SV), drought coefficient (DC) and drought index (DI) of yield by fuzzy function method and cluster analysis. We also analyzed the correlations between parameters and tested values of traits. The effective parameters and indexes of comprehensive evaluation for drought resistance were selected with principal component analysis. The results showed that under drought stress, the yield of maize inbred lines obviously decreased. The anthesis and silking interval (ASI) was prolonged compared with the control, with a smaller leaf area, thinner stalk, shorter and smaller ears, lengthened barren ear tip, a decline in plant height and ear position, reduced grain number per ear and grain weight, which led to a yield decline. Effects of drought treatment on different maize inbred lines were significantly different. 79-1E, Jiao51, Su1-1 and 18599 were found to be highly resistant to drought, while 1125 and 5311 performed the worst. DI and SV were significantly correlated with drought resistance. Our results indicated that DI, SV, yield and leaf area could be used as parameters and indexes to effectively evaluate the drought resistance of maize. Meanwhile, DC, plant height, ASI, grain number per ear or row, ear length and diameter could be taken as auxiliary parameters and indexes. An applied scientific method for the comprehensive evaluation of drought resistance was offered in this paper.