[Effect of different initial processing treatments on commercial characters and chemical components of Fritillaria taipaiensis].

To investigate the effects of different initial processing methods on the quality of Fritillaria taipaiensis, this study explored the effects of anti-browning treatment, drying methods, and drying temperatures on the commercial characters, chromaticity values, and alkaloid and nucleoside components of Fritillariae Taipaiensis Bulbus. The results were comprehensively evaluated through correlation analysis(CA), principal component analysis(PCA), and hierarchical clustering analysis(HCA). Compared with those of the direct drying group(WD60), the chromaticity values(ΔE*) of the groups with scraped outer skin( FHB1) and mixed lime powder treatments(FHB2) were significantly reduced, indicating the inhibition of the browning process. The total alkaloid content of the group with mixed raw soil treatment(FHB3) and the FHB2 group showed no significant change, whereas that of the group with 5%Na Cl O solution rinse treatment(FHB4) was the lowest. Compared with air-blast dried(WD50) samples, the ΔE* values of freezedried(FS6) and vacuum-dried(FS5) samples were significantly decreased, with an increase in total alkaloid contents. Conversely,the ΔE* values of shade-dried(FS1) and sun-dried(FS2) samples were significantly increased, with severe browning and low total alkaloid contents. The total alkaloid contents of heat-pump-dried(FS4) samples showed no significant change, and their ΔE* value was significantly decreased, with a light degree of browning and favorable commercial characters. The total alkaloid content of air-blast dried samples initially increased and then decreased within the range of 40-80 ℃, and the highest content was recorded at 70 ℃. The ΔE* values of high-temperature air-blast dried samples(70-80 ℃) were smaller with a light degree of browning, whereas their texture was compact and lacked powder. CA revealed a significant relationship between the uracil content and chromaticity value of the samples(P< 0. 05). The clustering relationships among samples subjected to different treatments were visualized via PCA and HCA. The results showed that FHB2 and air-blast drying(50-60 ℃) were more suitable for large-scale production, and heat pump drying could be a promising direction for future development. This study provides a scientific basis for optimizing the initial processing methods of Fritillaria taipaiensis.

RNA-seq analysis reveals key genes associated with seed germination of Fritillaria taipaiensis P.Y.Li by cold stratification.

Seed dormancy is an adaptive strategy for environmental evolution. However, the molecular mechanism of the breaking of seed dormancy at cold temperatures is still unclear, and the genetic regulation of germination initiated by exposure to cold temperature requires further investigation. In the initial phase of the current study, the seed coat characteristics and embryo development of Fritillaria taipaiensis P.Y.Li at different temperatures (0°C, 4°C, 10°C & 25°C) was recorded. The results obtained demonstrated that embryo elongation and the dormancy-breaking was most significantly affected at 4°C. Subsequently, transcriptome analyses of seeds in different states of dormancy, at two stratification temperatures (4°C and 25°C) was performed, combined with weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) and metabolomics, to explore the transcriptional regulation of seed germination in F. taipaiensis at the two selected stratification temperatures. The results showed that stratification at the colder temperature (4°C) induced an up-regulation of gene expression involved in gibberellic acid (GA) and auxin biosynthesis and the down-regulation of genes related to the abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthetic pathway. Thereby promoting embryo development and the stimulation of seed germination. Collectively, these data constitute a significant advance in our understanding of the role of cold temperatures in the regulation of seed germination in F. taipaiensis and also provide valuable transcriptomic data for seed dormancy for other non-model plant species.

[Study on preferred food of adult Mylabris phalerata in different geographical populations].

With the deterioration of environment, and the excessive collection of wild resources, the wild populations of Myla- bris phalerata Pallas are less and less, almost extincted in many traditional distribution areas. It is necessary to breed M. phalerata artificially for sustainable utilization. Food preference of adult M. phalerata is the key to its provenance screening and domestication in the artificial breeding. In this paper, the food preference of 3 geographical populations of M. phalerata was studied. The results showed that the food preferences of adult M. phalerata in different geographical populations were different. The adult M. phalerata in Wuming preferred cucumber flowers, gourd flowers and melon flowers. The adult M. phalerata in Tianlin preferred cowpea flowers. And the adult M. phalerata in Guangzhou preferred cowpea flowers and gourd flowers. Gourd flowers were the most attractive food for the adult M. phalerata of 3 geographical populations of M. phalerata.

[Study on the net photosynthesis rate of Coptis chinensis from different types and production places].

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the photosynthesis characteristics of Coptis chinensis and provide theoretical basis for the optimization of Coptis chinensis germplasm resources and variety. METHODS: The daily variation of the net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and intercellular CO2 density in leaf blade were determined by Photosynthesis analyzer, and the net photosynthesis rate of Coptis chinensis from different plant ages, types and production places was compared. RESULTS: The light saturation point in Coptis chinensis was about 500 micromol/m2 x s, light compensation point was about 12.04 micromol/(m2 x s), apparent quantum yield was 0.011. When the temperature was above 33 degrees C, the transpiration rate increased but the net photosynthesis rate decreased. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) among the net photosynthesis rate of Coptis chinensis from different plant ages. The net photosynthesis rate of the type DA-YE and ZHI-HUA was significantly higher than that of other types (P < 0.05); The net photosynthesis rates of specimens from Fubao mountain in Lichuan county of Hubei and Fengmu village in Shizhu county of Chongqing were significantly higher than that of others. CONCLUSIONS: The net photosynthesis rate of Coptis chinensis decreased under hight temperation and hight light. Different germplasm resources of Coptis chinensis, the net photosynthetic rate had certain differences.

[Study on seed germination testing standardization of Codonopsis tangshen].

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of different factors (temperature, light and germinating beds) on seed germination of Codonopsis tangshen. METHOD: The general germination method was applied. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The optimum seed germination conditions of C. tangshen were as follows: temperature 25 degrees C, light, germinating-beds top of paper (TP) or between of paper (BP). The first seedling--counting time was the 10th day after beginning the test; the final time was the 18th day. The test also showed that gibberellin notably increased the seed germination rate of C. tangshen.