Tolerance to irrigation water salinity in physalis plants: productive aspects / Tolerância à salinidade da água de irrigação em plantas de fisális: aspectos produtivos

The cultivation of non-traditional fruits has gained ground in the horticulture sector, but which, in certain situations, are plants that require previous studies related to soil adaptability, climate, and irrigation water quality. In this sense, this work aimed to evaluate the effects of irrigation water salinity on Physalis peruviana L. (fisális) plants in the different growth phases. The experimental area was installed on the premises of the Federal University of Campina Grande, adopting a casualized block design, with four saline levels of irrigation water (0.3; 1.2; 2.1 and 3.0 dS m-1) and five repetitions per treatment. The variables analyzed were: stem diameter, plant height and number of leaves every 15 days, leaf area at 55 days after transplanting, number of side branches, number of flower buds, number of flowers, average fruit weight, polar diameter, and equatorial diameter of fruits, number of fruits per plant and productivity. According to the results, the plants were tolerant to saline levels of irrigation water of up to 3.0 dS m-1, without prejudice to the phenological and productive characteristics of the crop. The unitary increase in the salinity of the irrigation water did not result in damage to the physiological characteristics of the plants until the 60 days of transplanting. (AU)

O cultivo de frutas não tradicionais tem ganhado espaço no setor de hortifrútis, mas que, em determinadas situações, são plantas que requerem estudos prévios relacionados a adaptabilidade de solo, clima e qualidade da água de irrigação. Neste sentido, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da salinidade da água de irrigação em plantas de Physalis peruviana L. (fisális) nas distintas fases de crescimento. A área experimental foi instalada nas dependências da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, adotando o delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro níveis salinos da água de irrigação (0,3; 1,2; 2,1 e 3,0 dS m-1) e cinco repetições por tratamento. As variáveis analisadas foram: diâmetro do caule, altura das plantas e número de folhas a cada 15 dias, área foliar aos 55 dias após o transplantio, número de ramos laterais, número de botões florais, número de flores, peso médio dos frutos, diâmetro polar e diâmetro equatorial dos frutos, número de frutos por planta e produtividade. Conforme os resultados, as plantas se mostraram tolerantes a níveis salinos da água de irrigação de até 3,0 dS m-1, sem prejuízos nas características fenológicas da cultura e produtivas. O aumento unitário da salinidade da água de irrigação não resultou em danos nas características fisiológicas das plantas até os 60 dias de transplantio. (AU)

Aquaponic System with White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei Rearing and Production of the Plants Batis maritima, Sarcocornia neei and Sporobolus virginicus

Abstract Aquaponics is a system that integrates aquaculture with plant production in which two species are benefited, and there is water saving. In this study was carried out with an aquaponic system to verify the interaction between the growth of the halophytes Batis maritime, Sarcocornia neei, and Sporobolus virginicus associated with white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei rearing. We also investigated if there were different responses of physicochemical variables of the water in the experimental shrimp culture ponds integrated into the growth of plants and control ponds, without plants, throughout a 56-day period. The treatment experiment and control presented a statistically significant difference in total dissolved solids, salinity, total suspended solids, ammonia, orthophosphate, and nitrite. In the experimental treatment, with the presence of plants and recirculating water, a reduction of total suspended solids, ammonia and orthophosphate was observed. The rate of shrimp production was not significantly different between treatments, and the performance was similar to that of other studies. The biomass gain of the halophyte B. maritima was 876.6 grams in 0.5 m² and of S. neei was 48.8 grams in 0.16 m². All plants of the species S. virginicus died during the experiment.

Transcriptome profiling and digital gene expression analysis of genes associated with salinity resistance in peanut

Background: Soil salinity can significantly reduce crop production, but the molecular mechanism of salinity tolerance in peanut is poorly understood. A mutant (S1) with higher salinity resistance than its mutagenic parent HY22 (S3) was obtained. Transcriptome sequencing and digital gene expression (DGE) analysis were performed with leaves of S1 and S3 before and after plants were irrigated with 250 mM NaCl. Results: A total of 107,725 comprehensive transcripts were assembled into 67,738 unigenes using TIGR Gene Indices clustering tools (TGICL). All unigenes were searched against the euKaryotic Ortholog Groups (KOG), gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases, and these unigenes were assigned to 26 functional KOG categories, 56 GO terms, 32 KEGG groups, respectively. In total 112 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between S1 and S3 after salinity stress were screened, among them, 86 were responsive to salinity stress in S1 and/or S3. These 86 DEGs included genes that encoded the following kinds of proteins that are known to be involved in resistance to salinity stress: late embryogenesis abundant proteins (LEAs), major intrinsic proteins (MIPs) or aquaporins, metallothioneins (MTs), lipid transfer protein (LTP), calcineurin B-like protein-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs), 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) and oleosins, etc. Of these 86 DEGs, 18 could not be matched with known proteins. Conclusion: The results from this study will be useful for further research on the mechanism of salinity resistance and will provide a useful gene resource for the variety breeding of salinity resistance in peanut.

Comparison of Biological Activities of Korean Halophytes

Halophytes are expected to possess abundant secondary metabolites and various biological activities because of habitat in extreme environments. In this study, we collected 14 halophytes (Asparagus oligoclonos, Calystegia soldanella, Carex pumila, Chenopodium glaucum, Elymus mollis, Glehnia littoralis, Limonium tetragonum, Messerschmidia sibirica, Rosa rugosa, Salsola komarovii, Spergularia marina, Suaeda glauca, Suaeda maritima, and Vitex rotundifolia) native to Korea and compared their total polyphenol contents, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The total polyphenol contents of R. rugosa (27.28%) and L. tetragonum (13.17%) were significantly higher than those of the other 12 halophytes and L. tetragonum, R. rugosa, and M. sibirica showed significantly greater antioxidant activities than the other 11 halophytes, as determined by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). A. oligoclonos, E. mollis, and C. pumila showed significantly greater anti-inflammatory activities than the other 11, as determined by NO (Nitric oxide) and PGE₂ (Prostaglandin E₂) levels. In contrast, these three extracts had normal and low total polyphenol contents among the 14 halophytes. Consequently, the total polyphenol content in the 14 studied halophytes appeared to be related to antioxidant, but not anti-inflammatory activity levels.

Chemical Investigation on an Endophytic fungus Gibberella moniliformis JS1055 Derived from a Halophyte Vitex rotundifolia

Chemical investigation of the ethyl acetate extract of Gibberella moniliformis JS1055 endophytic fungus derived from a halophyte, Vitex rotundifolia, led to the isolation of nine compounds including 7-butyl-6,8-dihydroxy-3(R)-pent-11-enylisochroman-1-one (1), 7-butyl-6,8-dihydroxy-3(R)-pentylisochroman-1-one (2), 7-butyl-6,8-dihydroxy-3(R)-pentylisochroman-1-one (3), 5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,9(11),22-trien-3-ol (4), ergosterol peroxide (5), tetradecanoic acid (6), 8-O-methylfusarubin (7), nicotinic acid (8) and adenosine (9). They were identified by extensive spectroscopic data analysis including 1D, 2D (¹H-¹H COSY, HSQC, HMBC) NMR, and ESIMS. All the isolates (1

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Six Halophytes in Korea

The aim of this study was to measure and compare polyphenol content, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity of six halophytes (Limonium tetragonum, Suaeda glauca, Suaeda japonica, Salicornia europaea, Triglochin maritimum, and Sonchus brachyotus). Depending on the total polyphenol content, the plants were categorized into two groups: (1) a high total polyphenol content group that included L. tetragonum, S. brachyotus, and S. europaea, and, (2) a low total polyphenol content group consisting of S. glauca, T. maritima, and S. japonica. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays, and by measuring ROS. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by measuring NO and PGE₂. L. tetragonum and S. brachyotus, that have high polyphenol content, also showed strong antioxidant activity. In addition, L. tetragonum, S. brachyotus, and S. europaea showed good anti-inflammatory activity. Consequently, the total polyphenol content was thought to be related to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, S. brachyotus and L. tetragonum are good candidates for use in pharmaceuticals and functional foods.

Growth and development of halophyte Funaria hygrometrica Hedw. (Funariaceae) under salt stress / Crescimento e desenvolvimento da halofita Funaria hygrometrica Hedw. (Funariaceae) sob estresse salino

The ability of bryophytes to tolerate salt is determined by a number of biochemical routes, whereas the salt ends up driving the activation of adaptive responses to tolerate this adverse condition. Salinity is the main limiting environmental factor under plant development, and is caused by excess salt ions in the environment, mainly Na + and Cl-. The optimal growth of plants in saline environment is obtained in concentrations of 50% of NaCl. Due to these findings, the importance of the study of the effect of salinity on the germination of plants, in this case in Funaria hygrometrica Hedw., is noticed.

A capacidade das briófitas para tolerar meios salinos é determinada por uma série de vias bioquímicas, uma vez que o sal acaba por conduzir a ativação de respostas adaptativas para tolerar esta condição adversa. A salinidade é o principal fator ambiental limitante no desenvolvimento da planta e é causada pelo excesso de íons salinos no ambiente, principalmente Na+ e Cl-. O crescimento ótimo de plantas em ambiente salino foi obtido em concentrações de 50% de NaCl. Devido a essas descobertas esses achados, observa-se a importância do estudo do efeito da salinidade sobre a germinação de plantas, neste caso em Funaria hygrometrica Hedw.

Distribution, Characterization, and Diversity of the Endophytic Fungal Communities on Korean Seacoasts Showing Contrasting Geographic Conditions

This study analyzed the distribution of endophytic fungi in 3 coastal environments with different climatic, geographical, and geological characteristics: the volcanic islands of Dokdo, the East Sea, and the West Sea of Korea. The isolated fungal endophytes were characterized and analyzed with respect to the characteristics of their host environments. For this purpose, we selected common native coastal halophyte communities from three regions. Molecular identification of the fungal endophytes showed clear differences among the sampling sites and halophyte host species. Isolates were also characterized by growth at specific salinities or pH gradients, with reference to previous geographical, geological, and climate studies. Unlike the East Sea or West Sea isolates, some Dokdo Islands isolates showed endurable traits with growth in high salinity, and many showed growth under extremely alkaline conditions. A smaller proportion of West Sea coast isolates tolerate compared to the East Sea or Dokdo Islands isolates. These results suggest that these unique fungal biota developed through a close interaction between the host halophyte and their environment, even within the same halophyte species. Therefore, this study proposes the application of specific fungal resources for restoring sand dunes and salt-damaged agricultural lands and industrialization of halophytic plants.

Cambios anatómicos en raíces e hipocótilos de plántulas de Prosopis ruscifolia (Fabaceae) sometidas a estrés salino / Anatomical changes in roots and hypocotyls of Prosopis ruscifolia (Fabaceae) seedlings exposed to saline stress

ResumenProsopis ruscifolia es una especie arbórea pionera en áreas inundadas o salinas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar cambios anatómicos en raíces e hipocótilos de plántulas de P. ruscifolia sometidas a estrés salino, bajo condiciones controladas. Las semillas se recolectaron en bosques nativos de la Región Chaqueña Occidental de Argentina. Las semillas se sembraron sobre toallas de papel humedecidas con soluciones salinas de 100, 200 y 300 mM de NaCl y un control humedecido con agua destilada. Se sembraron cuatro repeticiones de 50 semillas cada una, correspondientes a cada tratamiento, se ubicaron en cajas plásticas herméticas dentro de cámara de siembra a 27 ºC y con fotoperíodo de 12 horas. Doce días después de la siembra, se extrajeron plántulas para estudios anatómicos. Se estudiaron 35 plántulas correspondientes a cada tratamiento. Se midieron en raíces e hipocótilos las siguientes variables anatómicas: diámetro de la raíz principal e hipocótilo (µm), espesor de la corteza (µm), número de estratos celulares en la corteza, diámetro del cilindro central (µm), diámetro de la médula (µm), número de estratos celulares en el periciclo y diámetro tangencial de los vasos (µm). Se realizó ANOVA con diámetro de la raíz o hipocótilo como variable dependiente y espesor de la corteza, número de estratos celulares en la corteza, diámetro del cilindro central, diámetro de la médula, número de estratos celulares en el periciclo, diámetro tangencial de los vasos y concentración salina como variables independientes. El diámetro de la raíz disminuyó significativamente con el aumento de la concentración salina (P < 0.0001). El espesor de la corteza redujo su espesor a 100 mM (P < 0.0001) e incrementó el número de estratos celulares que la componen (P < 0.0002). El diámetro del cilindro central se redujo a la concentración salina de 100 mM (P < 0.0001) y el diámetro de la médula y el número de estratos celulares del periciclo (P < 0.0003) disminuyó progresivamente hasta 300 mM. El diámetro tangencial de los vasos (P < 0.0001) se redujo recién a 300 mM de NaCl. Estos cambios anatómicos podrían estar relacionados con la alteración de la expansión y división celular causada por la salinidad y comprometer la formación de raíces laterales y el almacenamiento de reservas. Los hipocótilos no mostraron cambios anatómicos significativos en respuesta al incremento en la salinidad, con excepción de la variación en la posición de estomas y un incremento en el espesor de la hipodermis. Estos cambios parecen indicar el estrés hídrico impuesto por el bajo potencial osmótico causado por las sales. Las plántulas de P. ruscifolia experimentaron cambios anatómicos en respuesta a las concentraciones salinas analizadas, en rasgos vinculados al almacenamiento de reservas, a la absorción y la conducción de agua y la formación de raíces laterales.

Abstract:Prosopis ruscifolia is a pioneer tree species in flooding or saline areas. The aim of this work was to assess anatomical changes in roots and hypocotyls of P. ruscifolia seedlings induced to saline stress under controlled conditions. Seeds, collected in natural forests of Western Chaco region in Argentina, were sown on paper towels moisturized with saline solutions of 100, 200 and 300 mM of NaCl, and a control group with distilled water. Four repetitions of 50 seeds per treatment were sown, located in hermetic polystyrene boxes, and included in a seeding chamber, at 27 ºC and 12 hours photoperiod. Were studied 35 seedlings from each saline concentration; these seedlings were processed 12 days after sown to obtain microscopic samples. The anatomical variables measured in roots and hypocotyls were the following: main root diameter (µm), bark thickness (µm), number of cell strata in bark, central cylinder diameter (µm), pith diameter (µm), number of cell strata in the pericycle and the tangential diameter of vessels (µm). ANOVA analysis were performed with hypocotyl and root diameters as the dependent variable, and bark thickness (µm), number of cell strata in the bark, the central cylinder diameter (µm), the pith diameter (µm), number of cell strata in the pericycle, the tangential diameter of vessels and the saline concentration as independent variables. Results showed that the root diameter decreased with increasing saline concentrations (P < 0.0001). The bark thickness decreased at 100 mM (P < 0.0001) and the number of cell strata of bark increased to 300 mM (P < 0.0002). The central cylinder diameter decreased at 100 mM saline concentration (P < 0.0001) and the number of cell strata of the pericycle and the pith diameter reduced progressively until 300 mM. The tangential diameter of vessels decreased at 300 mM. These anatomical changes suggested alterations in the expansion and cell division caused by the salinity, and could limit lateral roots formation and reserves storage. Hypocotyls did not show significant anatomical changes in response to increasing salinity, with exception of stomata position and an increase of the hypodermis thickness. These changes indicated that the water stress imposed by low osmotic potential is caused by increasing saline concentration. The seedlings of P. ruscifolia experienced anatomical changes in response to tested saline concentrations in traits related to reserve storage, the absorption and conduction of water, and lateral roots formation. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (3): 1007-1017. Epub 2016 September 01.

The Extract of Limonium tetragonum Protected Liver against Acute Alcohol Toxicity by Enhancing Ethanol Metabolism and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities

The protective effect of EtOAc fraction of Limonium tetragonum extract (EALT) against alcoholinduced hepatotoxicity was assessed following acute ethanol intoxication in Spraque-Dawley rats. EALT (200 mg/kg p.o.) was administrated once before alcohol intake (8 g/kg, p.o.). Blood ethanol concentration, and the activities of alcohol metabolic enzymes, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in the liver were measured. Also, the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), catalase were determined after acute alcohol exposure. Pretreatment of rats received ethanol with EALT significantly decreased blood ethanol concentration and elevated the activities of ADH and ALDH in liver. The increased MDA level was decreased, and the reduced activities of SOD, GSH-px and catalase were markedly preserved by the treatment with EALT. This study suggests that EALT prevent hepatic injury induced by acute alcohol which is likely related to its modulation on the alcohol metabolism and antioxidant enzymes activities.

Diversity and Plant Growth Promoting Capacity of Endophytic Fungi Associated with Halophytic Plants from the West Coast of Korea

Five halophytic plant species, Suaeda maritima, Limonium tetragonum, Suaeda australis, Phragmites australis, and Suaeda glauca Bunge, which are native to the Muan salt marsh of South Korea, were examined for fungal endophytes by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region containing ITS1, 5.8S rRNA, and ITS2. In total, 160 endophytic fungal strains were isolated and identified from the roots of the 5 plant species. Taxonomically, all 160 strains belonged to the phyla Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Zygomycota. The most dominant genus was Fusarium, followed by the genera Penicillium and Alternaria. Subsequently, using 5 statistical methods, the diversity indices of the endophytes were determined at genus level. Among these halophytic plants, P. australis was found to host the greatest diversity of endophytic fungi. Culture filtrates of endophytic fungi were treated to Waito-C rice seedlings for plant growth-promoting effects. The fungal strain Su-3-4-3 isolated from S. glauca Bunge provide the maximum plant length (20.1 cm) in comparison with wild-type Gibberella fujikuroi (19.6 cm). Consequently, chromatographic analysis of the culture filtrate of Su-3-4-3 showed the presence of physiologically active gibberellins, GA(1) (0.465 ng/mL), GA(3) (1.808 ng/mL) along with other physiologically inactive GA(9) (0.054 ng/mL) and GA(24) (0.044 ng/mL). The fungal isolate Su-3-4-3 was identified as Talaromyces pinophilus.

Protective effect of halophyte Salsola komarovi Iljin against gastric ulcer Induced by alcohol treatment in rats / 동물의과학연구지

Salsola komarovi Iljin is a halophyte and herbaceous annual native to the sand dunes and beaches of Japan, northern China, Sakhalin, and Korea. The plants have been known as an ecologically important species for enhancing formation of sand dunes in Korea. The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-gastric ulcer effect of Salsola komarovi Iljin halophyte in an HCl-ethanol-induced gastritis model. SD rats (7-weeks-old) were divided into normal (I, n=10), control (II, 60% HCl-ethanol + water, n=10), 60% HCl-ethanol + Ranitidine 300 mg/kg (III, n=10), 60% HCl-ethanol + Salicornia herbacea L. 500 mg/kg (IV, n=10), 60% HCl-ethanol + 50% alcohol extract of Salsola komarovi Iljin 500 mg/kg (V, n=10), and 60% HCl-ethanol + water extract of Salsola komarovi Iljin 500 mg/kg (VI, n=10) groups. Salsola komarovi Iljin significantly suppressed gastric lesions and ulcers in the 60% HClethanol-induced gastric model. Especially, 500 mg/kg of 50% alcohol extract of Salsola komarovi Iljin showed significant inhibitory effects against gastritis. Especially, 50% alcohol extract of Salsola komarovi Iljin 500 mg/kg showed a significantly inhibitory effect, which was more potent than that of 300 mg/kg of Ranitidine. In histopathological analysis of the animal model, Salsola komarovi Iljin attenuated gastric ulcer formation. Our results suggest that Salsola komarovi Iljin has inhibitory effects against gastritis and gastric ulcers and could be developed as a new anti-gastric ulcer agent.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of marine halophyte Luminetzera racemosa bark extract in CCL(4) induced hepatotoxicity

OBJECTIVE@#To identify the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Luminetzera racemosa (L. racemosa) bark extract.@*METHODS@#Wistar albino rats were divided into 6 groups: Group 1 served as control; Group 2 served as hepatotoxin (CCL(4) treated) group; Group 3 served as positive control (Silymarin) treated groups; Group 4, 5 and 6 served as (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg bw p.o.) L. racemosa bark extract treated groups. Moreover, in vitro antioxidant indexes, including DPPH, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (HRSA), NO, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), lipid hydroperoxide (LPO) and super oxide dismutase (SOD) were also analyzed in the bark extract.@*RESULTS@#The results suggested that, the level of serum glutamate oxyloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatise (ALP), bilurubin, cholesterol, sugar and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly (P<0.05) increased in hepatotoxin treated rats when compared with the control group. But, the maximum reduction of SGOT [(225.36±13.65) IU/L], SGPT [(96.85±17.36) IU/L], ALP [(315.37±17.16) IU/L], bilirubin [(2.97±0.46) mg/dL], cholesterol [(163.73±17.54) mg/dL], sugar [(127.35±27.35) mg/dL] and LDH [(1 784.00±268.36) IU/L] were observed with 300 mg/kg bw of bark extract treated rats. Histopathological scores showed that, no visible changes were observed with high dose (300 mg/kg bw) of bark extract treated rats except mild fatty changes. The in vitro antioxidant assays showed that, the IC(50) values were observed as (44.17±6.87) μg/mL, (42.45±2.81)μg/mL, (62.37±3.98)μg/mL, (54.24±3.09)μg/mL, (87.25±5.90) μg/mL and (71.54±5.42)μg/mL for DPPH, HRSA, NO, FRAP, LPO and SOD radical scavenging activities, respectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the bark extract might be to the presence of unique chemical classes such as flavonoids, alkaloids and polyphenols.

Isolation of choline monooxygenase (CMO) gene from Salicornia europaea and enhanced salt tolerance of transgenic tobacco with CMO genes.

Glycinebetaine (GB) is an osmoprotectant accumulated by certain plants in response to high salinity, drought, and cold stress. Plants synthesize GB via the pathway choline → betaine aldehyde → glycinebetaine, and the first step is catalyzed by choline monooxygenase (CMO). In the present study, by using RT-PCR and RLM-RACE, a full-length CMO cDNA (1844 bp) was cloned from a halophyte Salicornia europaea, which showed high homology to other known sequences. In order to identify its function, the ORF of CMO cDNA was inserted into binary vector PBI121 to construct the chimeric plant expression vector PBI121-CMO. Using Agrobacterium (LBA4404) mediation, the recombinant plasmid was transferred into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). The PCR, Southern blot and RT-PCR analysis indicated the CMO gene was integrated into the tobacco genome, as well as expressed on the level of transcription. The transgenic tobacco plants were able to survive on MS medium containing 300 mmol/L NaCl and more vigorous than those of wild type with the same concentration salt treatment. In salt-stress conditions, transgenic plants had distinctly higher chlorophyll content and betaine accumulation than that of the control, while relative electrical conductivity of transgenic plants was generally lower. The results suggested the CMO gene transformation could effectively contribute to improving tobacco salt-resistance.

Biochemical and antioxidant responses of borage seedlings in saline environments

Although borage [Borago officinalis L.] is a valuable medicinal plant, no information is available on the responses of this plant to salinity. For this reason, it is necessary to determine responses of this plant to salinity. Since germination and early growth stage is one of the most critical phases of plant life under salinity condition; this experiment was conducted to determine some responses of borage to salinity at the seedling stage. This experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications and four salinity treatments, including distilled water [EC=0.0dS m-1] and three saline water conditions with EC of 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 dSm-1. With increasing EC, the content of free proline, soluble carbohydrates and proteins were increased. Moreover, the activities of superoxide dismutase [SOD], peroxidase [POD], catalase [CAT], and polyphenol oxidase [PPO] enzymes were significantly increased. Although seedlings dry weight and emergence percentage were declined with increasing EC, the seedlings had markedly growth/survival under salinity conditions. The survival and little reduction in emergence under salinity conditions [12.5%] indicated that borage was a salt tolerant species at the early growth stage. This tolerant is certainly due to the enhancement of antioxidant enzymes activities and compatible solutes content

Identification and characterization of rice OsCIPK10 gene / 生物工程学报

The preliminary role of calcineurin B-like protein-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) in stress response is defined but the exact function of OsCIPK10 gene in rice stress response and its expression pattern yet unclear. In this study we explored the possible functions of OsCIPK10 gene by reverse genetics approaches and also revealed its expression pattern by GUS staining. From the preliminary study of this gene we presumed its function to assist plant to resist stress but over-expressed OsCIPK10 rice transgenic lines showed no significant phenotypic differences from the wild type either under high salt or low potassium conditions, however the gene knockdown plants using inverted repeat strategy presented meaningful healthy plants compared to wild type under the stress of salt. Further we checked the expression profile under high salt and low potassium conditions in wild type and found that OsCIPK10 decreases under high salt and increases on low potassium conditions. So we speculate that OsCIPK10 is actually going to function in response to high salt and low potassium stress. We also explored the expression pattern of this gene using Gus staining and found that gene expresses in all plant tissues, the only exception observed was its higher expression in the vascular tissues.

Selection and identification of salt-tolerant variants of Taraxacum officinale / 生物工程学报

In order to obtain salt-tolerant variant plants of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber), the leaf discs were excised from 20 to 30-day old seedlings to produce callus, then the induced calli were transferred to selection mediums containing 1.5% NaCl. After regenerating and rooting, these salt-tolerant calli finally developed into 12 variant plantlets. Compared with the wild-type, these regenerated plants produced more trichomes on their leaves, and had larger leaves and shorter petioles. Additionally, the dumpy roots and an approximately 2-cm bract in middle parts of the floricanes were clearly observed in these salt-tolerant plants. By RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) and SDS-PAGE analysis, these salt-tolerant plants showed differences from the control at DNA and protein levels. With 1.5% NaCl treatment, the antioxidant enzyme activity, proline content, and flavonoid concentration were higher in these salt-tolerant plants, whereas maloaldehyde concentration was significantly lower. Salt-tolerant lines of T. officinale showed stronger anti-oxidative activity and higher flavonoid contents.

Selection and characterization of salt-tolerant calli of Taraxacum officinale / 生物工程学报

In order to obtain salt-tolerant calli of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber), calli were induced from leaf explants of Dandelion on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L 6-benzyladenine and 0.5 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophen oxyacetic acid With 1.5% NaCl as selection pressure, most calli became brown and dead, whereas some new cell clusters appeared at the edge of the brown calli after 2 to 3 weeks. The survived cells were picked out and sub-cultured every 3 weeks onto the fresh selection medium and salt-tolerant calli were finally obtained through 4 continuous selections on the selection medium supplemented with 1.5% NaCl. Salt-tolerant calli increased steadily under a fixed NaCl stress though their relative growth rate decreased with increased NaCl concentration whereas the control calli which were sub-cultured by 4 continus selections on salt free medium ceased to grow under the same condition. This result indicated that the salt-tolerance of the selected calli is improved and this character is stable. Compared with the control, the SDS-PAGE pattern of the salt-tolerant calli had a unique 34 kD protein band. Its 30 kD and 18 kD protein bands were up-regulated. Further more, within the NaCl stress range up to 1.5%, the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as super oxidase dimutase, peroxidase and catalase, and the proline contents of the salt-tolerant calli were higher than those of the control. The results indicated that the selected calli with improved and stable salt tolerance were cell variants. The accumulation of the organic compatible solutes including proteins and the enhanced antioxidant capabilities in the salt tolerant calli are the two ways for them to regulate their osmotic homeostasis and alleviate the secondary reactive oxygen spexies damage respectively.

Activation of Macrophage by Polysaccharide Isolated from Salicornia herbacea L / 체질인류학회지

Salicornia herbacea L. is one of the halophytes that can grow in salt marshes, or salt fields along the seashores in Korea. The objective of this study is to investigate the mechanism by which Salicornia Polysaccharide, (SPS) activates macrophages. To analyze macrophage activation and iNOS gene expression, we performed nitrite generation assay, immunohistochemistry, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. A polysaccharide isolated from the Salicornia herbacea L. significantly induces nitric oxide (NO). Immunohistochemical staining of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) showed that the increase of NO was due to the induction of iNOS production. RT-PCR analysis showed that SPS produced significant induction of iNOS gene expression. Immunohistochemical staining of p65 showed that SPS produced strong induction of NF-kappa B/Rel nuclear translocation. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay further confirmed the activation of NF-kappaB/Rel by SPS. In conclusion, we demonstrate that SPS stimulates the macrophages to express iNOS gene via the activation of NF-kappa B/Rel.

Introduce Tagsk1 into salt-sensitive callus to improve the capacity of salt-tolerance by micropartical bombardment / 生物工程学报

The Tagsk1 (Triticum asetium L. glycogen synthase kinase 1) gene derived from the genome of wheat salt-tolerance mutant RH8706-49 was cloned by PCR. The special primers designed according to full length cDNA sequence of Tagsk1 (AF525086). A binary expression vector pBI121-gsk1 containing Gus and Tagsk1 was constructed. And pBI121-gsk1 was introduced into the callus induced from mature embryos of salt-sensitive wheat H8706-34 and cv. China Spring by particle bombardment. The transformed callus were screened by Kanamycin and 0.5% NaCl. The salt-tolerance callus were obtained, which showed higher ability of salt-tolerance and could diffirentiate roots and buds on the medium containing 0.5% NaCl.