A neglected alliance in battles against parasitic plants: arbuscular mycorrhizal and rhizobial symbioses alleviate damage to a legume host by root hemiparasitic Pedicularis species.

Despite their ubiquitous distribution and significant ecological roles, soil microorganisms have long been neglected in investigations addressing parasitic plant-host interactions. Because nutrient deprivation is a primary cause of host damage by parasitic plants, we hypothesized that beneficial soil microorganisms conferring nutrient benefits to parasitized hosts may play important roles in alleviating damage. We conducted a pot cultivation experiment to test the inoculation effect of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus mosseae), a rhizobium (Rhizobium leguminosarum) and their interactive effects, on alleviation of damage to a legume host (Trifolium repens) by two root hemiparasitic plants with different nutrient requirements (N-demanding Pedicularis rex and P-demanding P.

Long-Distance Dispersal after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) Led to the Disjunctive Distribution of Pedicularis kansuensis (Orobanchaceae) between the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Tianshan Region.

Quaternary climate fluctuations have profoundly affected the current distribution patterns and genetic structures of many plant and animal species in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) and adjacent mountain ranges, e.g. Tianshan (TSR), Altay, etc.

Host shoot clipping depresses the growth of weedy hemiparasitic Pedicularis kansuensis.

Root hemiparasitic plants show optimal growth when attached to a suitable host by abstracting water and nutrients. Despite the fact that damage to host plants in the wild occurs frequently in various forms (e.g.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: potential biocontrol agents against the damaging root hemiparasite Pedicularis kansuensis?

Spatial expansion of root hemiparasitic Pedicularis kansuensis in Bayanbulak Grassland of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (China) has caused great loss of herbage yield and has threatened the local livestock industry. Current management practices using manual eradication and chemical control have been proved problematic. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have been suggested to be potential biocontrol agents against a number of plant pests, but experimental evidence is lacking against weedy P.

[Influence of embryo transfer depth on in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer outcomes].

Objective: To investigate the influence of transfer distance from the fundus on clinical pregnancy rate and implantation rate in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

Methods: A total of 98 patients (108 cycles) undergoing ultrasound-guided embryo transfer were divided into two groups according to the distance between the tip of catheter and the uterine fundus: group A: > or = 5 - < 10 mm, group B: > or = 10 - < or = 15 mm.

Results: Clinical pregnancy rate and implantation rate were significantly higher in group B compared with group A [44 % (23/52) vs 25% (14/56), 24% (28/115) vs 14% (17/121), P < 0.

[Effect of luteinized granulosa cell conditioned medium on cortical granule of mouse oocytes matured in vitro].

Objective: To study the effect of luteinized granulosa cell conditioned medium on cortical granule (CG) of the mouse oocytes matured in vitro.

Methods: Oocytes in germinal vesicle (GV) stage of Kunming mice were randomly divided into 2 groups according to different in vitro maturation (IVM) culture media. The study group medium contained 50% granulosa cell condition medium, follicle stimulating hormone 75 U/L and estrodial 1 nmol/L.

[Cryopreservation of mouse morula and blastocysts by vitrification].

Objective: To compare the survival and developmental potential of mouse morula, early blastocysts and blastocysts cryopreserved by vitrification.

Methods: One hundred and forty-two mouse morula, 135 early blastocysts and 148 blastocysts were cryopreserved by 6 mol/L ethylene glycol and 1 mol/L sucrose vitrification solutions. The survival rates and blastocysts hatching rates after thawing were observed.