Seed Traits and Germination of Invasive Plant (Solanaceae) in the Arid Zone of Northern China Indicate Invasion Patterns.

The ability of seeds to germinate under a wide range of environmental conditions is an important characteristic of invasive alien plant species. Dunal, has been widely distributed in the Northeast and Northwest of China and is causing huge damage to the local agricultural production. Studies on seed germination and response among populations to environmental stress may assist in revealing the adaptability of invasive plants and how they cope with climate change.

Bright-field to fluorescence microscopy image translation for cell nuclei health quantification.

Microscopy is a widely used method in biological research to observe the morphology and structure of cells. Amongst the plethora of microscopy techniques, fluorescent labeling with dyes or antibodies is the most popular method for revealing specific cellular organelles. However, fluorescent labeling also introduces new challenges to cellular observation, as it increases the workload, and the process may result in nonspecific labeling.

Assessing the difference of tolerance and phytoremediation potential in mercury contaminated soil of a non-food energy crop, L. (Jerusalem artichoke).

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of mercury stress on growth, photosynthesis and mercury accumulation in different cultivars of a non-food energy crop, Jerusalem artichoke, and to screen appropriate cultivars for their efficacy in the phytoremediation of mercury (Hg) contaminated soil. Cultivars LZJ033 (high above-ground biomass and nutrient content, and strongly sexual reproduction) and LZJ119 (a long period of vegetative growth) exhibited more tolerance to mercury stress than LZJ047 (the highest tuber yield and total sugar content). The lines LZJ119 and LZJ047 showed delays in emergence time of about four weeks, and LZJ047 exhibited the highest mortality rate, 85.