Abstract:Autophagy-related gene ATG8 play an important role in regulating plant growth and development and stress responses. This study will analyze the distribution, structure and evolution of eggplant ATG8 using bioinformatics and explore the expression patterns in different tissues and under exogenous hormones and cold stress. A total of seven ATG8 genes are identified in eggplant , which are distributed on six chromosomes. Physicochemical analysis show that the proteins encoded by ATG8 genes contain 118~166 amino acid residues and the isoelectric point varies from 6.29 to 9.16. The analysis of gene structure and conserved motif suggest that the members of ATG8 gene subfamily have conserved gene structure and protein motif. The promoter regions contain a variety of cis-acting elements for multiple hormones and stresses responses. Three pairs of ATG8 genes have synteny relationship in eggplant. There are ten and eleven synteny relationships between eggplant and Arabidopsis and tomato, respectively. Gene expression profiling in tissues show that ATG8 mainly express in different parts of flower, indicating that ATG8 may be related to the development of eggplant flower. Moreover, the results of expression pattern analysis reveal that seven ATG8 genes respond to cold stress and exogenous hormones including ABA, MeJA and SA to some extent, which indicated that ATG8 gene subfamily play a vital role in eggplant growth and development, stress and hormone response.

Abstract:To reconstruct the phylogenetic relationship of the genus Comastoma and to clarify the species relationship for Comastoma polycladum and its related species. In this study, we sequenced the chloroplast genomes of 12 samples using the Illumina high-throughput sequencing platform, resulting in a large number of high-quality clean reads for subsequent bioinformatics analysis. The findings were as follows: (1) The distinction of chloroplast genome for the species of Comastoma was small, with the 150 kb of length, and we obtained a total of 131 genes, including 81 protein-coding genes (PCGs). The nucleotide polymorphisms in the IR region were lower than in the SC regions, and coding-protein regions were more conserved than non-coding regions. (2) The results of evolutionary analysis indicated that almost all PCGs may be subject to purifying selection. (3) Codon preference analysis revealed that the RSCU values of 35 codons were greater than one, indicating that these codons were used frequently, and codon preference measures revealed that the codon preference was weak. (4) Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the phylogenetic tree constructed using CDS, codon position, and intergenic spacer (IGS) regions datasets had a highly consistent topology, with most branches having a highly support. These results showed that there was no significant difference between the chloroplast genomes of Comastoma polycladum, and its related species, and that it was impossible to cluster them by species on the phylogenetic tree, which provided a scientific basis for future population genetic research on Comastoma.

Abstract:The GRAS family HAM subfamily (Scarecrow-like 6, SCL6) is a class of plant-specific transcription factors with key roles in plant growth and development. Xanthoceras sorbifolium is an important woodyenergy plant species endemic to China, and pistil abortion in its male flowers is a key cause of low yield. To resolve the regulatory role of the XsSCL6 genes in the pistil development of yellow-horn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge), four XsSCL6 homologous genes were cloned by RT-PCR and subcellular localization of key XsSCL6a protein was performed. We used bioinformatics to analyze XsSCL6 genes. In addition, qRT-PCR was used to analyze the expression pattern of XsSCL6 genes during pistil abortion in yellow-horn. The results showed that: (1) The full length of the ORFs of XsSCL6a, XsSCL6b, XsSCL6c and XsSCL6d gene, encoding 751, 669, 717 and 717 amino acids, respectively, were obtained for the hydrophilic unstable proteins. (2) XsSCL6 protein mainly consists of irregular curls and α- Helical structure, located in the nucleus. (3) XsSCL6a, XsSCL6c and XsSCL6d all contained GRAS conserved structural domains. XsSCL6 proteins were most closely related to Clemenegro and sweet orange. (4) The promoter of XsSCL6 genes contained various phytohormone response elements and plant development-related elements. (5) The qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of XsSCL6 genes was significantly higher in male flowers than in female flowers at all times, and the trend of expression was consistent with the transcriptome FPKM values. (6) Both xso-miR171 and XsSCL6 genes were targeted by cleavage mode and their TPM and FPKM values were negatively correlated. XsSCL6 genes might be regulated by xso-miR171. And they jointly participated in the pistil development of yellow-horn, which had an important role in yellow-horn flower development. This study provides a reference for future studies focusing on XsSCL6 genes functions and the mechanism of pistil abortion in X. sorbifolium and a theoretical basis for adopting molecular breeding methods to improve seed yield.

Abstract:Populus lasiocarpa is a poplar species only locally distributed in China, and its growth and distribution range is seriously constrained by environmental factors such as drought and waterlogging. AP2/ERF transcription factor family plays important roles in response to abiotic stresses in plants. In this study, transcriptome sequencing, bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation were integrated to investigate genes that are likely to be involved in responses of drought and waterlogging stresses. The main results were presented as follows: (1) A total of 3,986 and 385 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected under drought and waterlogging conditions respectively, of which 237 DEGs were shared under drought and waterlogging stresses. (2) A total of 205 AP2/ERF members were identified in P. lasiocarpa, which were clustered into five subfamilies and significantly enriched in DEGs. (3) Multiple PlAP2/ERF differentially expressed genes that are involved in the response of drought and waterlogging stresses were further confirmed by qRT-PCR. In conclusion, our results found that the number of DEGs under waterlogging stress were less than that under drought stress in P. lasiocarpa. PlAP2/ERF genes were highly involved in the process of abiotic stresses response.

Abstract:Helianthus annuus L. is one of the four largest oil crops in the world. In order to understand the molecular mechanism of biosynthesis of major fatty acid components in sunflower, high oleic acid inbred line J9 and low oleic acid inbred line P50 were selected as research materials; The fatty acid composition and content of different samples after pollination were determined by liquid chromatography in the same sampling experiment of staggered sowing; RNA Seq technology was used to sequence different samples to obtain gene expression data related to fatty acid synthesis. Based on meteorological data, liquid chromatography data, sunflower genome data and transcriptome data, bioinformatics methods were used to analyze relevant data. The results showed that: (1) The composition and content of fatty acids in high oleic sunflower materials were less affected by temperature, while the low oleic sunflower materials were easily affected by temperature; (2) The number of high expression genes in 12 samples of J9 and P50 is about 7500, while the number of medium and low expression genes is equivalent, twice that of high expression genes, about 15000; (3) After removing the duplication of variety specific expression genes and inter variety specific expression genes, 15885 were obtained in J9 and P50 in the - CK and S data sets. 403 DEGs directly related to lipid metabolism obtained by GO function enrichment were mapped to the KEGG metabolic pathway related to lipid metabolism. A total of 29 DEGs were directly involved in 19 related KEGG pathways. This study will provide new information for further understanding the molecular mechanism of sunflower fatty acid metabolism.

Abstract:Carotenoid derived volatiles are important to tomato flavor. In order to select the key genes regulating the synthesis of carotenoids derived volatiles, tomato inbred lines TI4001 with the weakest aroma and CI1005 with the strongest aroma were used as materials from 90 inbred lines. The expression of the carotenoids cleavage dioxygenase genes (SlCCDs) were analyzed in different tissues and fruits at different development stages. The contents of carotenoids and their derived volatiles were tested in fruits at different ripening stages. It was found that the SlCCD1A and SlCCD1B genes had the highest expression levels in tomato fruits, and the expression levels increased significantly with the fruit ripening. The contents of carotenoids and their derived volatiles also increased, significantly. There were a significantly positively correlation among the expression levels of SlCCD1A and SlCCD1B genes with the contents of carotenoids and their derived volatiles. It is speculated that SlCCD1A and SlCCD1B genes would be the key genes to cleavage carotenoids to synthesis volatiles.

Abstract:In order to study the anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin characteristics of wine grape Marselan in different regions of the eastern foot of Helan Mountain in Ningxia, as well as the regional differences of comprehensive berry quality, and provide guidance for the scientific extension and viticulture of this variety in the eastern foot of Helan Mountain. In this study, Marselan grapes from 10 representative wineries belonging to four sub-region of Yinchuan, Nongken Yuquanying, Qingtongxia and Hongsipu were used as experimental materials. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to screen the phenolic substances resulted in the differences of berry quality among sampling wineries. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to comprehensively evaluate the berry quality of Marselan grapes from different wineries. The results showed that: (1)There were significant differences for the basic physicochemical indexes, the composition and contents of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins in Marselan berries among the ten wineries. The total content of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins in skins from Hongsipu winery (H-Hs) were the highest, which were 111.91 mg·g-1 DW and 35.68 mg·g-1 DW, respectively. The highest proanthocyanidins content in seeds was found in Miqin winery (Y-Mq), which was 108.67 mg·g-1 DW. (2) Based on the characteristics of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins in berry, ten wineries were divided into four groups by cluster analysis. H-Hs winery was classified separately and could be well separated from other wineries. (3) According to the PLS-DA analysis, the molar percentage of epicatechin gallate terminal subunit (ECG-p) and epicatechin terminal subunit (EC-p) of proanthocyanidins in seeds, the total anthocyanins content, non-acylated anthocyanins content and the molar percentage of EC-p of proanthocyanidins in skins were the main indicators to distinguish the berry quality among the ten wineries. (4) PCA analysis showed that the top three wineries based on the comprehensive evaluation of berry quality were Hongsipu winery in Hongsipu sub-region, Miqin winery in Yinchuan sub-region and Huahao winery in Qingtongxia sub-region. In conclusion, the characteristics of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins in Marselan grape berries at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain showed significant differences among producing regions.

Abstract:Frost is one of the major meteorological disasters in Ningxia, which has a significant impact on the apple blossom to young fruit stage and has become a limiting factor for the development of the apple industry in Ningxia.n this study, the flowers and fruits of two main apple varieties 'Gala' and 'Fuji' in Ningxia were used as test materials in the bud, blossoming, fruiting and young fruiting period, and the natural cooling process was simulated by using a field frost tester to statistically measure the freezing rate, and then the Logistic equations were set up with the freezing rate of 20%, 50%, and 80%, and the critical temperatures for light, medium, and severe freezing were determined.We also tested the cold resistance indexes such as overcooling point, freezing point, conductivity, soluble sugar and soluble protein of each variety in different phenological periods, and combined with the multiple linear regression method to comprehensively judge the main influencing factors of the difference in cold resistance from apple flowering to young fruiting period.The results showed that: (1) the cold resistance of 'Gala' was stronger than that of 'Fuji' in all periods; (2) the cold resistance of the same apple variety was different in different phenological periods, which was manifested as follows: bud period＞blooming period＞fruiting period > ＞young fruit period. (3) The freezing threshold temperatures of the two apple varieties in each period were mild, moderate and severe, and their freezing threshold temperatures showed an increasing trend as the seasonal period progressed. (4) The freezing rate was highly significantly and positively correlated with the half-lethal temperature with a correlation coefficient of 0.909, and highly significantly and negatively correlated with the soluble protein content with a correlation coefficient of 0.874. The study showed that the four phenological periods of 'Gala' and 'Fuji' were highly significant in terms of conductivity and soluble protein content had a strong response relationship to the freezing rate of ovary, and the temperature of overcooling point and freezing point also had a certain response to the freezing rate of ovary, which can be used as important indexes for evaluating the cold-resistant traits of apple, such as conductivity, soluble protein, overcooling point and freezing point.

Abstract:To investigate the relationship between the cell wall metabolism and the ultrastructure of the seed coat and the release of dormancy during the process of low-temperature lamination, this study was carried out to analyze the changes in cell wall components and related metabolic enzymes in different parts of the seeds during the release of dormancy by low-temperature lamination, and to observe the ultrastructure of the seed coat by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the seed coat of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum mainly consisted of three layers, namely the cuticle layer, the fenestra cell layer, and the spongy tissue layer, and during the lamination process, the spongy tissue inside the seed coat gradually loosened and swelled, and the breakage of the seed coat surface intensified; the cell wall fractions of different parts of the seeds were significantly different, and the cellulose content of the seed embryo, seed coat, and endosperm all decreased to the lowest level at the middle of the lamination process (45d and 60d). The cellulose content in the seed embryo and seed coat decreased significantly at mid-lamination (45d and 60d), while the mannanase and xylanase activities in the seed coat reached their maximum at mid-lamination. The results of stepwise regression analysis indicated that S-lignin in the endosperm and seed coat had a significant adverse effect on seed germination; peroxidase activity in the seed embryo and endosperm decreased significantly at 75 and 90 d of lamination, while S-lignin activity in the seed coat and endosperm decreased significantly at 75 and 90 d of lamination. The peroxidase activity in seed embryo and endosperm significantly reduced at 75 and 90 d of lamination, while SOD activity increased significantly. The study concluded that the gradual enzymatic degradation of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in the seeds of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum, the relaxation of the cell wall under the action of reactive oxygen species, and the loosening and swelling of the spongy tissue layer and the rupture of the seed coat during the familiarization process destroyed the rigid structure of the cell wall, which led to the reduction of the mechanical binding force of the seeds, the increase of water absorption and the enhancement of the endosperm growth capacity, thus eventually leading to the release of its dormancy.

Abstract:Abstract: In order to explore the optimal light conditions for the growth and development of Keteleeria fortunei var. cyclolepis seedlings. 1.5-year-old K. fortunei var. cyclolepis seedlings were treated with different light intensities (full light , shading rate 40%,60%, and 80%) for 2 years，and their morphological growth, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, biomass accumulation and distribution were analyzed. The results showed that: (1) With the increase of shading, the growth of ground diameter and the thickness of leaves decreased, the growth of plant height , the leaf area and specific leaf area increased, the dry weight of the leaves increased first and then decreased;(2) The chlorophyll content, the initial fluorescence (Fo), the potential activity of PSII(Fv/Fo), the maximum photochemical quantum yield of PSII(Fv/Fm), the actual photochemical quantum yield of PSII Y (II), and the electron transfer rate ETR of leaves were all increased due to shading;(3) The leaf, stem, root biomass and total biomass of seedlings under shading treatment showed a trend of decreasing with the decrease of light intensity. The root biomass ratio and root shoot ratio of seedlings decreased, while the leaf biomass ratio, stem biomass ratio and photosynthetic and non photosynthetic tissue biomass ratio increased. The study found that the growth and development of K. fortunei var. cyclolepis seedlings were inhibited under full light, and shading could significantly affect their growth and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics. The K. fortunei var. cyclolepis seedlings were less stressed under 60% shading rate, and their growth, leaf characteristics, photosynthetic capacity, biomass accumulation and distribution were the best.

Abstract:A hydroponic experiment was adopted to investigate variations in membrane permeability, chlorophyll content, antioxidase activity, ascorbate (AsA)-glutathione (GSH) cycle, and glyoxalase system in leaves of Pontederia cordata with 0-15.0 mg L-1 Pb2+ concentration exposure. No obvious variations in cholophyll, ascorbic acid (AsA), dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), glutathione (GSH), non-protein thiol total peptide (NPT), and phytochelatins (PCs) contents, and catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities were detected in the plant leaves with 5.0 mg L-1 Pb2+ exposure for 14 d and 21 d. And meanwhile, the treatment of 5.0 mg L-1 Pb2+ exposure for 21 d increased methylglyoxal (MG) content, while MDA content in the leaves did not show a significant increase. With 10.0 mg L-1 Pb2+ exposure for 21 d, the contents of MDA, MG, GSH, and NPT, as well as POD activity in the leaves markedly increased, and an opposite trend was demonstrated in monodehydroascorbate content was noticed, and correspondingly GSH, NPT, PCs were synthesised to chelate exccesive Pb2+ accumulated in the leaves, and meanwhile POD, SOD, and APX activities and AsA content were also stimulaed to alleviate oxidative damage induced by Pb2+. Increased MG content and decreased GlyⅡ activity were found inspite of increased glyoxalase I (GlyI), indicating glyoxalase system can not effectively cope with carbonyl stress induced by the 15.0 mg L-1 Pb2+ exposure treatment. The leaves of P. cordata exhibited a good tolerance to 5.0 mg L-1 Pb2+ exposure. The stimulated non-protein thiol compound synthesis, antioxidase activities and AsA content were employed to mitigate oxidative damage induced by Pb2+ concentrations no less than 10.0 mg L-1. Glyoxalase system in leaves of Pontederia cordata did not represent an markedly detoxification as expected.

Abstract:In order to study the plant type optimization and compensation effect of storage of non structural carbohydrate (NSC) in plants of potted tree peony, and lay a theoretical foundation for the management of potted seedling type of tree peony. Taking the 2-year-old tree peony cv. ‘Luoyanghong’ grafted seedlings as the test material, L9 (34) orthogonal test was set up to analyze the plant type development and NSC accumulation characteristics of ‘Luoyanghong’ plants with root pruning, rooting agent and Metarhizium anisopliae as treatment factors. The results showed that the height of tree peony decreased and the root system had obvious fibrous rooting under potted conditions. Compared with the control, the plant height of each treatment decreased, the number of branches increased, and the plant type was more compact for potted tree pony. Mild pruning could promote the compensatory growth of plants, while excessive pruning could significantly inhibit the growth of potted tree peony plants. Therefore, light pruning could promote the compensatory growth , while excessive pruning could significantly inhibit the growth of potted tree peony plants. Also, the rooting agent could significantly increase the biomass of roots and leaves and the accumulation of NSC of the whole plants, and could improve the sink and source in both directions to promote the compensatory growth of potted tree peony plants. However, Metarhizium anisopliae had the least effect on the NSC accumulation of the whole plants. Leaf area per plant, fresh sample quality of old roots and lignified new roots contribute greatly to the accumulation of NSC in potted tree peony, so promoting the development of roots and leaves might an important part of potted tree peony. The biomass increment of T1, T2, T3, T4, T6 combinations exceeded that of the control, and the compensation effect was significant enhanced for potted plants. Among them, T3 was the better combination (25% root pruning, with irrigating 750 mg?L-1 rooting agent and 10 million units?mL-1 Metarhizium anisopliae). Therefore, light root pruning combined with moderate rooting agent and Metarhizium anisopliae liquid irrigation could realize potted seedlings with height moderate dwarfing, increased branches, developed roots, more NSC accumulation, and compact and coordinated plant type for potted tree peony production.

Abstract:Micro-morphological characters of 21 species of Viburnum in China, including shape of leaf epidermis, size of stomata, type and cortical ornamentation of stomatal apparatus, and so on, was observed and measured under light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), which provide foundation for phylogenetic study of Viburnum. The results show that there are 2 kinds of leaf epidermal cells classified as irregular and polygonal shapes, and 4 patterns of anticlinal wall, i.e., straight, sinuolate, undulate or sinuate, among which the shape of the abaxial epidermal cells was irregular, and the anticlinal wall pattern is more stable than those of the adaxial epidermal. In addition, the stomata were only distributed in the abaxial epidermal, with its shape being nearly round and oval. The types of the stomatal apparatus were anisocytic, paracytic and anomocyitc. Three kinds of inner edge of the outer arch cover of the stomatal apparatus, i.e., nearly smooth, sinuolate or undulate. Two shapes of stratum corneum on the periphery of the stomatal apparatus were observed, i.e., with ridge hunch, striped hunch.This study indicates that the characters of leaf epidermal cells and stomatal apparatus of Viburnum are different to a large extent, which can be served as one of the criteria to identify and classify species of Viburnum. The taxonomic significance of these micro-morphological traits in Viburnum was discussed in this paper.

Abstract:Using Vitex agnus-castus as the research material, we explored the flower bud differentiation process and its physiological characteristics to provide the basis for flowering regulation technology. The morphological and physiological changes during flower development were studied by combining phenophase observation with the paraffin section and measuring the relevant physiological indexes during flower bud differentiation. The results showed that the flower bud differentiation process can be divided into seven stages: undifferentiated stage, total axis inflorescence primordium differentiation stage, primary axis inflorescence primordium differentiation stage, secondary axis inflorescence primordium differentiation stage, microfloral primordial differentiation stage, early and later floral organ differentiation stage, which are multiple differentiation types in one year. The process of flower bud differentiation in different positions of the same plant and single flowers in the same inflorescence is different. The flower bud differentiation forms at different stages after the first season of flowering and often overlaps. The contents of soluble sugar and soluble protein in leaves and flower buds increased and decreased at different stages of flower bud differentiation. In general, the nutrient content in leaves was higher than that in flower buds to ensure nutrient supply. During flower bud differentiation, the overall levels of IAA, ABA, CTK, and GA3 first increased and then decreased, beneficial to flower bud differentiation. It is believed that the accumulation of a large amount of soluble sugar and protein in flower buds and the high carbon-nitrogen ratio is conducive to the smooth completion of flower bud differentiation of Vitex agnus-castus. Low levels of GA3/ ABA and IAA / CTK were advantageous to inflorescence formation. The ratio of ABA / CTK and ABA / IAA increased during the floral primordium differentiation stage and sepal primordium stage. Petal primordium and stamen primordium differentiation needed higher GA3/ CTK, GA3 / ABA, and GA3 / IAA ratios.

Abstract:Through field survey, data review and comparison of specimens in the collection, we identified one newly recorded genus of vascular plants from Chongqing, Saurauia Willd. and its newly recorded species——Saurauia tristyla DC.. The other four new records of vascular plants are Liparis cathcartii Hook. f., Scutellaria caryopteroides Hand.-Mazz., Oxalis leucolepis Diels, and Impatiens bodinieri Hook. f.. The characters for the identification and the colour photographs of the plants are given here. In addition, the citation of the specimens and the geographical distribution of each species are given. The cited specimens are collected in the herbarium of the Southwest University Museum of Nature (SWNTU).

Abstract:Three crustose lichen species of the genus Lecanora, Lecanora subravida Nyl., L. quercicola Coppins P.James, L. coniferarum Printzen are recorded for the first time for China. These belongs to the Lecanora saligna group. Species in the Lecanora saligna-group are characterized by a corticolous, having rimose-areolate to warts thallus or endophloedal thallus, yellowish-green to orange or variable in color, slightly pruinose apothecia, and usnic acid as a major secondary metabolite. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations, distribution, and habitat of this species are provided, additionally, based on nrITS and mtSSU sequences, phylogenetic tree was constructed by Bayesian inference (BI) method.

Abstract:After reviewing the literatures, specimens, botanical photo gallery, combined with field research, we concluded that Meconopsis discigera Prain is not distributed in China. The records of this species in Flora Xizangica, Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae, and Flora of China were misidentified. There are only four species of M. subgen. Discogyne G. Taylor in China, namely, M.?torquata?Prain, M.?pinnatifolia?C. Y. Wu & H. Chuang ex L. H. Zhou, M.?tibetica?Grey-Wilson, and M.?bhutanica?Tosh. Yoshida & Grey-Wilson, among which, M.?bhutanica?Tosh. Yoshida & Grey-Wilson is a new record species in Tibet, China. In this paper, the geographic distribution and morphological characteristics of four Meconopsis species are reorganized.

Abstract:Rice is one of the world"s major food crops. With increasing salinization in planting areas, grain yield and security have been seriously threatened. High salinity in the soil causes excessive accumulation of Na+ ^and K/Na imbalance in cells, resulting in ion toxicity and osmotic stress. A series of adaptive mechanisms have been evolved in rice to alleviate the growth inhibition caused by salt stress, including the uptake or transport of K⁺ and compartmentalization or expulsion of Na+ ^by potassium carriers. The family of potassium carriers mediating this process in rice can be divided into five families: Shaker, TPK, KT/HAK/KUP, HKT and CPA. This paper reviews recent work on the function and regulation mechanisms of the potassium carriers in rice in response to salt stress and discusses the future perspectives of research.