Taking the seeds of six early rice cultivars ‘Zhuliangyou 06’, ‘Zhuliangyou 101’, ‘Zhongzao 39’, ‘Jinzao 47’, ‘Zhongjiazao 17’ and ‘Yongxian 15’ as materials, the seed vigor of these early cultivars was determinated by the standard germination test, low temperature germination test (12 ℃, 15 ℃ and 18 ℃) and field emergence test. The results showed that the germination percentages at 18 ℃ after 4-5 days and 15 ℃ after 5-7 days had significantly positive relationship to the field emergence (FE). Especially, the correlation coefficient between germination percentage at 18 ℃ after 4 days and FE reached 0.932, revealing a fast and accurate method for measuring the seed vigor at a low temperature. The endogenous ABA content of seed at 18 ℃ after 4 days were negatively related to the germination percentages and FE. The real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis showed the expression levels of ABA-synthesis related genes in high-vigor seeds were significantly lower than those in the low-vigor seeds. However, the most genes involved in ABA-catabolism and signal transduction related genes were highly expressed in the high-vigor seeds. Different responses in ABA metabolism and chilling signal transduction to low temperature stress might explain the seed vigor differences in the 12 early rice seed samples. The present study further reveals the internal mechanism of low temperature stress regulating seed vigor of early rice, which could provide a new theoretical basis for testing seed vigor of early rice with low temperature germination test.

In order to improve the economic benefits of the apple orchard in Weibei dry plateau, taking the apple orchard with vigorous stock dense planting at the full bearing age as a control, the bearing fruit number of dwarfing stock dense planting and semi-dwarfing stock dense planting orchards were kept to the same with the vigorous stock dense planting orchard, and the tree growth status in different dense planting orchards with different stock-scion combinations was monitored. The results showed that the leaf area indexes of the dwarfing stock dense planting and semi-dwarfing stock dense planting orchards were 30.47% and 23.98% lower, and the leaf transpiration rates were 7.56% and 5.84% lower, but the leaf photosynthesis rates were 17.36% and 9.88% higher than that of the vigorous stock dense planting orchard, respectively. The tree growth in the dwarfing stock dense planting and semi-dwarfing stock dense planting orchards was smaller, but the fruit yields were basically consistent with that in the vigorous stock dense planting orchard. The fruit output value of the dwarfing stock dense planting and semi-dwarfing stock dense planting orchards increased by 8.58% and 7.43%, compared with that of the vigorous stock dense planting orchard, respectively. The above results indicate that the dwarfing stock dense planting and semi-dwarfing stock dense planting patterns can increase the production value of apple orchard, so the two dense planting patterns should be popularized in Weibei dry plateau.

In order to introduce a new gene AM79-EPSPS with independent intellectual property rights into soybean and verify its function in transgenic soybean, an efficient transformation system of AM79-EPSPS gene was established through Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation from disinfection time, acetosyringone (AS) concentration, glyphosate concentration and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) immersion time at the rooting stage with the receptor material of Tianlong No. 1 soybean. It was clear that the transformation effect was the best under the following optimal condition: the disinfection time of 6-8 h, the AS concentration of 200 μmol/L, the glyphosate concentration of 100 μmol/L, and the IBA immersion time of 30 s. Six transgenic AM79-EPSPS glyphosate-resistant soybeans were obtained, and the protein detection and glyphosate spraying experiments were carried out on the T₀, T₁ and T₂ generation plants. The results showed that AM79-EPSPS protein could be detected in all generation plants containing AM79-EPSPS gene, which indicated that AM79-EPSPS gene could be expressed normally in the soybean. After spraying glyphosate, all non-transgenic soybean plants withered, while the transgenic AM79-EPSPS gene soybean plants could normally grow and showed obvious glyphosate tolerance.

The effects of magnesium-poor (Mg-poor) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus versiforme treatments on boron (B), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) concentrations of different plant parts were investigated in potted ‘Newhall’ navel orange ［Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cv. Newhall］ and ‘Ponkan’ tangerine (Citrus reticulata Blancocv. Ponkan) grafted on the rootstock trifoliate orange. The results showed that Mg-poor increased B and P concentrations in the basal leaves, and K and Ca concentrations in the upper leaves of ‘Newhall’, while decreased the concentrations of B in the basal leaves, K in the upper leaves, and P and Ca in the upper and basal leaves of ‘Ponkan’. Under the Mg-rich condition, AM fungus inoculation significantly increased B concentration and percentage in the upper leaves of ‘Newhall’, and B concentration and percentage in different plant parts (except for the upper leaf) of ‘Ponkan’. In addition, AM fungus inoculation significantly improved the concentrations of P and Ca in the scion and rootstock stems, and K and Ca in the basal leaves of ‘Newhall’, as well as K in different plant parts, P and Ca in the roots, and Ca in the upper and basal leaves of ‘Ponkan’. Under the Mg-poor condition, AM fungus inoculation significantly enhanced the concentrations of B (except for the upper leaf of ‘Newhall’), P (except for the basal leaf of ‘Newhall’), K (except for the basal leaf of ‘Ponkan’), and Ca (except for the root of ‘Ponkan’) in different plant parts of the two cultivars, especially in the ‘Newhall’. These results indicate that G. versiforme-inoculation can improve the absorption and transportation of B, P, K and Ca in ‘Newhall’ navel orange grafted on trifoliate orange exposed to Mg-poor soil in a greenhouse. It provides a scientific basis for balanced fertilization in citrus cultivation to overcome the yellowing symptoms of nutrient deficiency.

In order to clarify the pathogens causing gray mold on roses and provide theoretical basis for its prevention and control, samples of rose gray mold were collected from 18 production bases of cut flowers in Yunnan area. The pathogens were isolated and purified by pouring plate method. The morphological and microscopic characteristics observation of colonies of pathogens were carried out by traditional morphological identification method, and ITS and PRB2 gene analysis was combined to construct a phylogenetic tree for molecular biological identification. The results showed that 124 strains of gray mold pathogens were isolated from 206 samples of rose according to the morphological characteristics of colonies, the morphology of conidial pedicels and conidia. Pathogenic fungi were classified into mycelial, conidial and sclerotial types according to their colony morphological characteristics, with the proportions of 39%, 28% and 33%, respectively. Only one strain with yellow sclerotia was obtained from 41 sclerotia-type strains, and no spores or a few spores were produced. Of the phylogenetic trees constructed by 88 representative strains, 87 strains were clustered with B. cinerea, and only one strain was clustered with B. fabae, and their homology was more than 99%. The above results show that B. cinerea is the main pathogen causing gray mold on roses in Yunnan area, but the intraspecific variation in B. cinerea is rich. This study lays a foundation for further exploring the happening pattern of rose gray mold and control techniques on it in the future.

In order to control citrus black spot (CBS, Phyllosticta citricarpa) and pummelo black spot (PBS, Phyllosticta citriasiana) effectively, we evaluated the resistance frequency, resistance level and their molecular mechanisms of these two pathogen populations collected from seven provinces of China to the fungicide carbendazim. The results showed that two carbendazim-resistant (Cab-R) isolates were found from the Jiangxi subpopulation of P. citricarpa out of 114 strains. The resistant frequency was 1.75%, and their coefficient of resistance were 5 333.6 and 379.2, respectively. One Cab-R strain with coefficient of resistance of 303.3 was found in the Sichuan subpopulation of P. citricarpa out of 32 strains, and the resistant frequency was 3.13%. However, none of the Cab-R isolates was detected from the Zhejiang (23 strains) and the Chongqing (3 strains) subpopulations. For P. citriasiana, one Cab-R strain, whose coefficient of resistance was 13 719.5, was obtained in the Guangdong subpopulation (54 strains in total), and the resistant frequency was 1.85%. None of the Cab-R strains was found in the Guangxi (34 strains) and the Fujian (34 strains) subpopulations. In addition, there was a positive cross-resistance between thiophanate-methyl and carbendazimin P. citricarpa and P. citriasiana, while there was no cross-resistance between azoxystrobin and carbendazim. Based on the results obtained, we suggest that the fungicide carbendazim can still be used in controlling CBS and PBS in the fields, but the rotation of the fungicides with different antifungal mechanisms is necessary given the existence of high-resistant strains. Finally, the two molecular mechanisms of carbendazim-resistance of P. citricarpa were found. One was a mutation at the amino acid (aa) 198 of β-tubulin gene, in which the glutamic acid changed to lysine (the strain with a coefficient of resistance of 5 333.6), and the other one was a mutation at the aa 200 of β-tubulin gene, in which the phenylalanine changed tyrosine (the strain with a coefficient of resistance of 379.2). However, the molecular mechanism of the carbendazim-resistance of P. citriasiana was a mutation at the aa 198 in the β-tubulin gene, in which the glutamic acid changed to alanine.

Twelve different flavonoid glycosides were identified and quantified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) method from tea flower of five different tea plant cultivars (Meizhan, Shuigu, Huangyezao, Zhenghe Dabai, and Fujian Shuixian), which were myricetin-3-O-rutinoside (Myr-rut), myricetin-3-O-galactoside (Myr-gala), myricetin-3-O-glucoside (Myr-glu), quercetin-3-O-rutinoside-galactoside (Que-rut-gala), quercetin-3-O-rutinoside-glucoside (Que-rut-glu), kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside-galactoside (Kae-rut-gala), quercetin-3-O-galactoside (Que-gala), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (Que-glu), kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside-glucoside (Kae-rut-glu), kaempferol-3-O-galactoside (Kae-gala), kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (Kae-rut）, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside (Kae-glu）.The contents of Kae-rut-glu and Kae-rut-gala were significantly higher than other flavonoid glycosides in tea flower, which were up to 1.208 mg/g in Meizhan and 0.962 mg/g in Huangyezao, respectively. The content of Que-rut-gala in tea flower of Zhenghe Dabai, Huangyezao, and Shuigu were significantly higher than that in others; the content of Que-rut-glu in tea flower of Fujian Shuixian was the highest among the five tea plant cultivars, which was significantly higher than that of Zhenghe Dabai, Meizhan, and Huangyezao; the amount of Myr-glu in Fujian Shuixian tea flower was four times higher than that of in others; however, its Myr-gala’s amount was the lowest in the five cultivars. The total amount of flavonoid glycosides in Zhenghe Dabai tea flower was the lowest in the five cultivars. In three kinds of flavonoid glycosides, kaempferol glycosides’ content was the highest, and myricetin glycosides’ content was the lowest, and the majority of them were glycosylated with tri-glycosides in all the tested cultivars.

Headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to study the aroma components and differences of 14 white tea samples of different grades in Fuding of Fujian Province. The results showed that 50 kinds of main aroma components were detected, including leaf alcohol, benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, linalool and its oxides. Using heat map, we found that the aroma components of Baihaoyinzhen (BHYZ) and Baimudan (BMD) were similar, and both of them were rich in alcohols with floral aroma. While Shoumei (SM) contained more aldehydes, ketones, esters and lactones, including ionone, dihydro-actinidiolide and methyl salicylate. Furthermore, the characteristic aroma components in different grades of white tea were screened by partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The results showed that the characteristic aroma components of BHYZ were phenylethyl alcohol, cis-jasmone, etc. For BMD, they were β-cedarene, β-elemene, etc; and for SM, they were nerylacetone, ionone and other aroma components. The above results provide a scientific method to determine the main aroma substance in different grades of white tea, and to distinguish the grade of white tea according to the main aroma components.

In order to extend the shelf life of chilled meat, the effects of preservative treatment conditions on the quality of chilled meat were studied. Taking the meat from Yuanxiang black pigs as raw materials, the chilled meat (pork Longissimus dorsi muscle) were stored at 0 ℃ with the treatments of cinnamon essential oil-chitosan coating and polyethylene (PE) fresh-keeping film packaging (treatment group A), impregnated in dilute glacial acetic acid and polyvinyl dichloride (PVDC) low-oxygen conditioning (50% CO₂+35% O₂+15% N₂) packaging (treatment group B), cinnamon essential oil-chitosan coating and PVDC low-oxygen conditioning (50% CO₂+35% O₂+15% N₂) packaging (synergistic group), and impregnated in dilute glacial acetic acid and PE fresh-keeping flim packaging (control group). The physicochemical and biological indicators were investigated, including pH value, total volatile basic nitrogen content, total numbers of colony, the numbers of Pseudomonas and Brochothrix thermosphacta, redness value (a^*), elasticity and juice loss rate during storage, and the principal component analysis was carried out. The results showed that: compared with the control group, the treatment group A, treatment group B and synergistic group could effectively inhibit the increase of pH, total volatile basic nitrogen content, total numbers of colony, Pseudomonas, B. thermosphacta, and juice loss rate; and they could significantly slow down the decrease of a^* and elasticity (P＜0.05). In the late storage period (7-9 d), the fresh-keeping effect of synergistic group was significantly better than that of the treatment group A and B (P＜0.05). Compared with the control group, the synergistic group could significantly improve the storage quality of chilled meat and prolong its shelf life for about 4 days. Through the principal component analysis of the eight indicators, the total volatile basic nitrogen content, total numbers of colony, pH, juice loss rate, the numbers of Pseudomonas and B. thermosphacta showed a positive correlation among these indicators. The above indicators were negatively correlated with a^* and elasticity (P＜0.01). The eight test indicators could be simplified into one principal component, and the variance contribution rate was 96.557%, which could better reflect the original information. The order of contribution rate in the first principal component was Pseudomonas count＞B. thermosphacta count＞total numbers of colony＞juice loss rate＞pH＞elasticity＞total volatile basic nitrogen content＞a^*. The first principal component mainly reflected the degree of microbial proliferation and protein hydrolysis and oxidation of the chilled meat during storage. The linear regression function for the first principal component was Y₁=0.128X₁＋0.126X₂＋0.128X₃＋0.129X₄＋0.129X₅－0.123X₆－0.126X₇＋0.128X₈, which can provide data support and reference for the low temperature preservation of chilled meat.

Fourteen specimens of Amolops ricketti collected in Guizhou Province were compared with the groups from A. ricketti, based on the analysis of morphology and mitochondrial 16S rRNA and COI sequence. The results showed that the different local populations of A. ricketti from Guizhou Province had the similar morphological characters with the species of A. sinensis, and the average genetic distances between the local populations of A. ricketti from Guizhou Province and A. sinensis (type locality: Shimentai Nature Reserve, Guangdong) were 0.74%-1.30%, and that of A. ricketti (type locality: Mt. Wuyi, Fujian) were 6.82%-6.96%. Meanwhile, a phylogenetic tree constructed based on the mitochondrial joint sequence showed that A. ricketti from Guizhou Province and A. sinensis (type locality: Shimentai Nature Reserve, Guangdong) were clustered a clade. Therefore, the original records of A. ricketti in the northern part (Xishui, Kuankuoshui), the central part (Huangping, Majiang), the eastern part (Jiangkou), the southeast part (Leigongshan, Danzhai) of Guizhou Province should be revised to A. sinensis. These origins represent the distribution of the previous records of A. ricketti in Guizhou, and it is proposed to amend the A. ricketti distributed in Guizhou Province to A. sinensis. It was indicated that the differentiation of A. sinensis local populations in the north, west, and south of the Wujiang River was related to the geographical barrier of Wujiang River system, and it should be further resolved.

This study aimed to investigate the selection potential for early body mass in a layer resource population, and to compare three inference methods based on their efficiency and accuracy, including restricted maximum likelihood method (REML), Markov chain Monte Carlo method (MCMC), and integrated nested Laplace approximations (INLA). The genetic parameters were estimated by animal models. The layers were collected from a resource population, which were set up by Dongxiang blue-shelled layers crossbred with White Leghorn layers. The total amount of layers, made up of three generations, were 5 405. The phenotypic variance was dissected with the REML and Bayesian approaches. The results showed: 1) The heritability on body mass of the five-week-old layers ranged from 0.49 to 0.59, depending on the estimation method. 2) The MCMC method seemed a slow and low accuracy for genetic evaluation. 3) The use of INLA method could calculate the standard error for variance components, without approximations or use of normality assumptions. 4) Due to the advantage of computation time and accuracy, REML remained the best practical choice for the genetic evaluation in the poultry production. Considering the abundance of genetic potential in the resource population of five-week-old layer, it is better to select on early body mass with animal model.

In order to study the effects of the major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs) on the endocrine endocrinology in female mice during the perimenopausal period, an experiment was conducted for the natural aging female ICR mice with the age of 11-13 months. Fifty female mice were randomly divided into five equal groups, including low, middle and high dose groups of MRJPs (administrated with 125, 250, 500 mg/kg MRJPs, respectively), positive control group (administrated with 125 mg/kg casein) and old model group (administrated with physiological saline). Meanwhile, ten female mice with the age of five months were set as the young control group (administrated with physiological saline). Intragastric administrations were conducted for seven weeks once daily continuously. The indexes of uterus and ovary were calculated, and serum levels of estradiol (E₂), progesterone (P), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were detected by radioimmunoassay. The real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expressions of estrogen receptor α (ERα), estrogen receptor β (ERβ) and progesterone receptor (PR). The histomorphological observation of the uterus and ovary was also carried out under an optical microscope. The results showed that MRJPs supplement in the medium and high dosages could increase the uterus index and ovary index. Serum levels of E₂ and P were significantly elevated in the MRJPs groups, while the levels of FSH and LH were decreased as compared with the old model group. The expressions of ovarian ERα, ERβ and PR were up-regulated significantly in the MRJPs groups. Follicular development was also improved. In conclusion, the above results suggest that MRJPs possess the protective activity in reproduction of mice during the perimenopausal period. It provides scientific evidences of royal jelly and MRJPs in prevention and improvement of perimenopause syndrome.

In order to investigate the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy for accurately predicting the capsaicin content in fresh chili peppers, taking Hangzhou chili pepper as a material, the near-infrared spectroscopy was employed to acquire spectral information of chili peppers, and high-performance liquid chromatography was conducted to obtain the reference values of capsaicin content. Three different variable selection methods with successive projection algorithm (SPA), competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) and uninformation variable elimination (UVE) were performed to select the optimal wavelengths. Partial least square (PLS) models based on full spectra and optimal wavelengths were then developed to predict the capsaicin content, and the prediction performances and operation efficiency were compared. The results showed that the CARS-PLS model yielded the best prediction performances, with the correlation coefficient of 0.838 6 and root-mean-square error of prediction set of 0.014 8 mg/g. In addition, compared with the full spectra of 200 wavelengths, the number of the optimal wavelengths selected by CARS was reduced by 96%, which indicated that optimal wavelengths can be used to simplify the models and improve the operation efficiency. The above results demonstrate that the near-infrared spectroscopy based on optimal wavelengths is feasible for the detection of capsaicin content.