Characteristics of Phenotypic Variation of Pollen at Infrageneric Scale.

Pollen carries extensive genetic information, which may provide clues regarding the kinship of whose genetic relationships are complex. In this study, the phenotypic variation of pollen from 107 taxa was investigated using combined methods of intraspecific/interspecific uniformity testing, cluster analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis. The family aggregation distributions in sections, species, and cultivars were analyzed to infer their pedigree relationships.

Effect of calcium treatment on the browning of harvested eggplant fruits and its relation to the metabolisms of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phenolics.

Eggplant is a popular vegetable in Asia; however, it has a short storage life and considerable economic losses have resulted from eggplant browning. Calcium has been reported to play a key role in the postharvest storage of plants. Here, we found that exogenous calcium application could delay eggplant fruit browning and maintain higher storage quality.

Effect of co-inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and phosphate solubilizing fungi on nutrient uptake and photosynthesis of beach palm under salt stress environment.

Beach plum (Prunus maritima) is an ornamental plant, famous for its strong salt and drought stress tolerance. However, the poor growth rate of transplanted seedlings has seriously restricted its application in salinized soil. This study investigated the effects of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), Funneliformis mosseae, and phosphate-solubilizing fungus (PSF), Apophysomyces spartima, on the growth, nutrient (N, P, and K) uptake, and photosynthesis of beach plum under saline (170 mM NaCl) and non-saline (0 mM NaCl) conditions.

Spatio-temporal dynamics of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil organic carbon in coastal saline soil of China.

A comprehensive understanding of the relationship between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and coastal saline soil organic carbon (SOC) is crucial for analysis of the function of coastal wetlands in soil carbon sequestration. In a field experiment, the temporal and spatial dynamics of AM fungi, glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) - which is described as a N-linked glycoprotein and the putative gene product of AM fungi, SOC, and soil aggregates were investigated in halophyte Kosteletzkya virginica rhizosphere soil of coastal saline areas of North Jiangsu, China. Soil samples were collected from a depth of up to 30 cm in two plantation regions from August 2012 to May 2013.

High-affinity phage-displayed peptide as a recognition probe for the detection of Cry2Ad2-3.

Cry2A is widely used in transgenic crops in combination with Cry1A toxins. The sensitive and robust detection of Cry2A toxin in food and the environment is necessary to monitor the safety of biopesticides. Here, we describe an approach that involves the use of phage-displayed peptide for the detection of Cry2Ad2-3-the main area of Cry2Ad2 insecticidal activity.