Yanjun Liu

Accumulation of Vitamin C and Enhanced Tolerance to Iron Deficiency Stress in Transgenic Tomato with GalUR Gene

The genes dominating vitamin C (AsA) synthesis in strawberry fruits may be used in increasing levels of AsA and tolerance to environmental stress in other plants by transgenic method. D-galacturonate reductase (GalUR) plays a prominent role in the regulation of the AsA biosynthetic pathway. In this study, transgenic tomato plants (Tg1, Tg2) overexpressing strawberry GalUR gene have been developed and resulted in 2.6-fold increase of AsA in fruits and 1.6-fold increase of AsA in leaves over non-transformed tomato (WT) and the levels of AsA were positively correlated with increased GalUR activity. Moreover, Tg1, Tg2 showed enhanced tolerance to iron deficiency as compared to WT. Under Fe (II) deficiency condition the plant height of Tg1, Tg2 was 1.2-1.7 times, AsA content of Tg1 was 1.8-2.8 times and Fe (II) content of Tg1 was 1.1-1.4 times as much as WT. Otherwise, AsA content of transgenic FRO2 plant (TFRO2) was more than WT but less than Tg1 and its Fe (II) content was more than WT and Tg1. The study demonstrated that the over-expression of GalUR gene enhanced the level of AsA and Fe (II) of transgenic tomato plants which had better growth than WT under iron stresses. Therefore, GalUR and FRO should be interrelate and stimulative each other.

Potential Species and Character of Wild Diesel Plant in Tianjin

In order to reveal the potentials of unknown and lessknown herbaceous wild plant (potential diesel plant) from saline-alkali wasteland for development biodiesel production, seed and plant samples from 33 species were collected and plant oil content, seed oil content, seed yield per plants and saline-alkali tolerance of the plants were analyzed. The result show that oil content in plants ranged from 1.31-15.01%. Euphorbia heyneana (15.01%) had the highest oil content followed by Ricinus communis (13.9%), Cirsium setosum (12.5%), Euphorbia nutans (11.02%), Cirsiu japonicum (9.27%). About fifty percent species were found have more seed oil content within the range of 21 to 48.5%. Maximum of 48.5% was observed in one wild species of Ricinus communis followed by Euphorbia esula (34.2%), Euphorbia nutans (29.3%), Xanthium sibiricum (28.5%), Euphorbia humifusa (28.1%), Euphorbia heyneana (24.1%), Capsella bursa-pastoris (24%), Suaeda glauca (23.6%), Artemisia argyi (23.5%), Lepidium apetalum (23%). Highest level of seed field per plant was observed in Ricinus communis, Glycine soja and the higher level of seed field was in Humulus scandens, Sonchus oleraceus, Gynura crepidioides, Artemisia argyi, Abutilon theophrasti, Cirsiu japonicum, Inula japonica, Comnyza canadensis. 14 species grew in moderate saline-alkali soil and only one species (Suaeda glauca) was in severe saline-alkali soil. Comprehensive analysis show that most potential herbaceous diesel plants are Ricinus communis, Euphorbia esula, Glycine soja, Gynura crepidioides, Cirsiu japonicum and Artemisia argyi, based on 4 values of oil content in plants, and seed, seed yield per plants and saline-alkali tolerance.

Difference of Morphological Structure and Characteristics of Physiology and Biochemistry between Two Types of Alfalfa Callus

In order to know the key factors of callus development on single cell clone, characteristics of physiology and biochemistry and morphological structure on two types of Alfalfa callus was studied. The results showed that the cell membrane permeability and malondialdehyde content was same on two types of callus; but, their soluble sugar content and peroxidase activity in cells was larger different, the soluble sugar content: soft callus > huge callus, and soft callus was 2.09 times of huge callus; peroxidase activity: huge callus > soft callus, and huge callus was 1.35 times of soft callus. Huge callus cells were larger, loosely arranged, cell vacuolization and cytoplasm was thinner than soft callus. However, soft callus cells were smaller, loosely arranged, cell vacuoles was smaller and cytoplasm was thicker than hug callus. Huge cells had the same membrane metabolic with soft cells, but soft cells had higher sugar accumulation than huge cells, and soft cells metabolism are vigorous, while huge cells are more aging.

Ecological Improvement of Fraxinus velutina Forest on Heavy Saline-Alkali Soil

In order to discuss improving effect of ecological forest on heavy saline-alkali soil and to provide reference for biological improvement of saline-alkali soil, the soil chemical properties (pH, salt content, organic matter, available potassium and cation exchange capacity) of 20cm-depth in four different stages of growth on pure forest of Fraxinus velutina planted on heavy saline-alkali soil were studied. The results showed that pH value of forest soil in other stages of growth except defoliating stage was lower than that of CK, pH value in flowering stage decreased by 0.77 unit, and the decrease was the largest. The organic matter obviously increased in four different stages of growth, but the best effect of soil organic matter improvement was defoliating stage. During defoliating stage in mid-October, salt content of forest soil was 1/2 of CK, and cation exchange capacity was three point two nine times of CK. The available potassium of forest soil obviously increased in flowering stage and peak leafing stage. All in all, there was greater effect for the soil chemical properties of 20cm-depth in different growth stages of pure forest of Fraxinus velutina, so when salt-tolerance plant was used to improve saline-alkali soil, we should use scientific measure to cultivation and management in consideration of requirement of different growth stages of forest for soil water and soil nutrient in order to consolidate the improving achievements and to accelerate the improving process.

Different Rootstocks and Physiological and Biochemical Change of SUM Cherry in Greenhouse Environment

To understand the effects of different rootstocks on the growth of sweet cherry in greenhouse environment, The change of physiological and biochemical indexes of SUM variety grafted on dwarf stock (gisela 5) and the vigorous stock (mahaleb) was studied with biennial seedlings cultivated in greenhouse of north China. The results showed that dwarf stocks could increase content of Malonaldehyde (MDA), proline (PRO), activity of Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and decreased the membrane relative permeability in the leaves of SUM compared with vigorous rootstocks. So the dwarf stocks could increase the resistance of plants. The vigorous stock could decrease content of MDA, but the activity of Peroxidase (POD) was same in the leaves of SUM grafted on both of rootstocks. So, the dwarf rootstock should be better than vigorous stock on increasing resistance or drought and salt tolerance of the cherry varieties SUM.

Biological Species and Environment Study on Overwintering Protection of Raspberries and Blackberries and their Growing and Development

The winter protection of biological species is important in many kinds of fruit production in North China. Environment techniques for overwintering cultivation of summer-bearing, fall-bearing red raspberry and blackberry were studied on open field and large plastic tunnels by analysis of growth and development of raspberry under three kinds of treatment method. The result showed that the shoots death rate was 100% on open field. But, the all shoots survived in other two treatments. The survival percent of seedling was over 90% in all treatments, the survival percent of blackberry was more than red raspberrys. There was not any germination of floricane on open field. The floricanes in plastic tunnels germinated 20-25 days earlier than mounding soil treatment. The germination of primocane on open field was 17-18 days later than in mounding soil and 34-40 days later than in plastic tunnel. The length of primocan on field including mounding soil and planting on open field was shorter than plants in tunnels at the same time. No. 47 black berry grew most rapidly in plastic tunnels among all treatments. The fruit yield per cane on open field was lowest among all cultivar, next was in mounding soil. There was no difference in fruit weight between different treatments of cold protection. The weight of No.47 black berry was around 2-3 times more than other cultivars in all treatments. The yield and fruit weight of raspberry were lower than other place including them in plastic tunnels. Therefore, the raspberry plants in plastic tunnels may live through winter better in dry and cold area without artificial heating. Mounding soil also is simple and good and economic method for its cold protection.

Environment Effects of Tuberose Forcing Culture by Different Planting Dates and Varieties

In the northern China, Tuberose is planted in spring following man-forced dormancy in winter and blooms in summer or autumn. The forcing culture was carried out under greenhouse environment to advance blooming to spring and to evaluate the vegetative and reproductive characteristics of tuberose. Effects of three planting dates (30th Oct., 30th Nov, and 20th Dec), two cultivars (Single and Double) were determined. The results showed that Oct planting gave more percentage of corm sprouting, longer spikes and flower stems, more but smaller florets; however, more number of days was required to bloom than other planting dates. Double variety normally had more sprouting, flowering, florets, shorter spikes, and better quality of cutting flower, but it bloomed later than Single variety. The quality of cutting flowers produced in the greenhouse was decreased compared with local field produced flowers, particularly when planting date was late, with the exception of Double in Oct planting. So, the forcing cultivation of tuberose may be performed with Double and in Oct planting in local greenhouse and without man-forced winter dormancy of corm after harvest.

Growth and Development of Feijoa with Different Plant Shape and in Greenhouses Environment

In order to explore the relation between tree crown shape and growth development and age of tree, flowering plants, fruiting plants, bearing plants, bearing branch and floweret, length of bearing branch were studied in greenhouse environments after tree corm shape were divided into three groups by live crown ratio of crown width to height and angle from the central leader to first scaffold branch. The result showed that the plants of upright crown shape were 83% at age one year among all plants, 45% at age two years and tree crown shapes, open tree increased to 25% at age of three years. The flowering trees increased from 5% at age of one year to 55% in age of three years and fruit set increased from 0 to 44% following increase of age tree. Open trees had more flowers with 10.6 in 2-year-old tree, 38.6 in 3-year-old tree. Open trees had more percentage of bearing plants with around 47%. The average length of bearing branches was 11.5 cm at open trees, which was more than other crown shapes at age of three years. Open trees had most fruit number per bearing tree (6.5, 8.5 apart). Therefore, creating open tree crown shape may increase flowering, fruiting and yield in greenhouse production of feijoa.

Influence of Temperature and Gibberellins on Growth and Development of Tuberose in Greenhouse

In order to advance blooming from autumn to spring and to evaluate the vegetative and reproductive characteristics of tuberose, the forcing culture was carried out in greenhouse by treatments of temperature (ck, 4 °C, and 30 °C) and GA3 (0, 40, and 80 mg·L1) on corms before planting. The results showed that number of days to flower with corms treated at 4 or 30 °C was reduced and the corm sprouting was enhanced significantly in all planting dates. High temperature treatment made more corms sprouting than cold treatment except the Dec planting. Flowering percentage at 4 °C was enhanced in the Dec planting compared with CK (15 °C). Low temperature treatment significantly reduced length of spikes in Oct planting. The number of florets per spike was decreased significantly by the low or high temperature treatments in both Oct and Dec plantings. There was no difference in floret number under different temperatures except Oct plantings. GA3 had no significant effects on flowering duration when corms were planted at the same dates. GA3 had less influence on growth and flowering of Double compared with the temperature treatment. The quality of cutting flowers was decreased in greenhouse compared with local field production. Therefore, the forcing cultivation of tuberose may be performed with Double and no man-forced winter dormancy of corm treated at 4 °C for 30 days or 30 °C for 15 days before planting.

Salt Tolerance of Four Biodiesel Plant Species on Germination

Due to increasing salinity problems and biodiesel production, in this experiment four vegetables species were treated with different concentration of NaCl solution and the growth values were evaluated on germination to be able to understand salinity tolerance of main biodiesel plant species and screen better species which is possible to be cultivated on salinity land. Results indicated that salinity caused significant reduction in germination vigor (GV), relative percentage of germination (RGP), relative radicle length (RRL). Under higher salt concentration (9g/L), GV of soybean was lowest; GV of camelina and rape was highest. Soybean was sensitive to salinity stress under 3-6g/L according to relative percentage of germination (RGP). Under conditions of the higher salt stress (9g/L), RGP of rape and camelina was higher than oil sunflower and soybean. When saline concentration was 6g/L, the differentiation of RRL was more remarkable between species and rape had highest RRL (33.5%), next was camelina (26.5%), soybean (20%) and RRL of oil sunflower was lowest (12.4%). RRL of four species was less than 11-14% and RRL of camelina was higher than others when saline concentration increased into 9-12 g/L. All species had not any growth under salt concentration of 15g/L. Camelina had higher concentration of salinity tolerance (CST, 6g/L) than other three species, the rest was 2-3g/L. Camelina and rape had higher half lethal concentration (HLC, 9g/L), next was soybean (6g/L), and lowest one was oil sunflower (3g/L). Salt tolerance ranking for the four species based CST and HLC was camelina > rape > soybean > oil sunflower. It is possible for camelina to grow in saline soil in North of China after its suitable cultivation system is established.