Table of Content

15 December 2009, Volume 11 Issue 6

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RNA-dependent DNA Methylation in Plant Epigenomics

JIAO Xiao-ming, FAN Yun-liu, WANG Lei

2009, 11(6):  7-13. 

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In plant genome, gene expression often depends on transcriptional regulation and chromatin structure conversion. RNA polymerase Ⅳ and RNA polymerase Ⅴ, two RNA polymerase II-related RNA polymerases, are specific in plant. Their transcriptional production includes long non-coding RNA and small interfering RNA, broadly involved in methylation or demethylation of cytosine and spreading of methylation on plant genome. Recently, research showed that RNA-mediated and chromatin-based gene silence are involved in plant growth and development, stress response and epigenetic polymorphism. It is exerting  evident influences on plant phenotypic diversity, physiological adaptability and evolutional change.

Progress in Energy Crop Studies and Application in China

YANG Shi-qi, YANG Zheng-li, LIU Guo-qiang

2009, 11(6):  14-18. 

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Through reviewing the progress made in research and application of bio-energy and energy crops in China, this paper deems that there still exist gaps in technology reservation, industry scale and application comparing with developed countries. Economic benefit, environment safety and social problems of energy crops should be taken into full account, when China develops energy crops, so as to promote healthy and orderly development of energy crop industry.

Formation Mechanism and Control Measures of Continuous Cropping Obstacles in Medicinal Plants

ZHANG Zi-long, WANG Wen-quan

2009, 11(6):  19-23. 

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In view of the common and serious situation of continuous cropping obstacles in medicine production, this paper expounded the specific expression of continuous cropping obstacles in medicinal plants; overviewed the recent progress on formation mechanism of continuous cropping obstacles in medicinal plants from three aspects, i.e.  change of soil physical and chemical properties, deterioration of soil biological environment and plant self-allelopathy; and summarized ways to prevent the continuous cropping obstacles in medicinal plants, including rational rotation, soil sterilization, supplementation of nutrient elements or beneficial microorganism and application of comprehensive measures, etc. The paper also discussed hot issues related with continuous cropping obstacles, so as to provide references for further studies.

Research Progress on Applications of Nanotechnology in Food Science

LI Qian, LIU Chen-guang

2009, 11(6):  24-29. 

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Nanotechnology, the science and technology that focuses on special properties and applications of a material which emerge from nanometer size, is regarded as one of the three most promising technologies of the 21st century. Nanotechnology will accelerate the development of traditional industries including the food industry. This paper expounded several research focuses on nanotechnology used in food, of which, food packaging materials and nutriment delivery systems were introduced emphatically. The former included non-degradable, biodegradable and edible nano-composites, and the latter included nanoemulsions, liposomes, biopolymeric nanoparticles et al.. Finally, important problems and future perspective for this new research area were put forward.

Reference Gene Selection in Plant Real-time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT-PCR)

HU Rui-bo, FAN Cheng-ming, FU Yong-fu

2009, 11(6):  30-36. 

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Real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) technology, with quantitative accuracy, high sensitivity and high-throughput characteristics, has been widely used in gene expression analysis. Based on the relative quantitative analysis, qRT-PCR data must be normalized with one or more proper and stable internal reference genes. House-keeping genes are customarily used as endogenous references for relative quantification. But not a single gene can act as a universal reference reported so far. Most of the traditional housekeeping genes are unable to ensure accurate normalization in qRT-PCR. Based on the tremendous gene-chip expression data and public deposited EST data, new reference genes with superior stability were selected and verified with qRT-PCR. The research progress of reference genes in plant qRT-PCR was reviewed and aspects to be considered in future reference gene selection were also discussed.

Measures and Suggestions for Information Quality Management in Agricultural Scientific Data Sharing in China

SONG Li-rong1, MENG Xian-xue2, ZHOU Guo-min2

2009, 11(6):  37-42. 

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Agricultural scientific data give strong support to the innovation of agricultural science and technology, with tremendous scientific, economic and social value. To realize sharing of agricultural scientific data is a long-term  strategic initiative sponsored by the government. During this process, information quality management (IQM) has become one of the restricting factors in effective usage of information and realizing information value. Based on the experience in developing the project of “Agricultural Science Data Sharing Center”, this paper summarizes the successful measures in organization management, developing sharing regulation and standard establishment, technology application, personnel development, data integration and quality control, etc. It also puts forward suggestions for further strengthening IQM, such as: establishing coordinative mechanism with macro view point at national level; further strengthening the strength of implementing standard; improving criterion of IQM; promoting closer connection between scientific data and scientific research activities, etc.

Genetic Diversity of Peanut Cultivars in Northern China

WANG Jin-yan, PAN Li-juan, YANG Qin-li, YU Shan-lin

2009, 11(6):  43-49. 

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Sixty-eight peanut cultivars and varieties from breeding varieties in northern China and regional trials were analyzed by SSR molecular markers. The results showed that fifteen markers out of 104 SSR markers were polymorphic among cultivars and varieties, accounting for 14.4%. The PIC (polymorphism information content) was between 0.397 and 0.667. The genetic diversity of cultivars from Shandong Province were higher than that from other provinces in the north of China. The genetic diversity of cultivars with small seed were higher than that with large seed.Clustering analysis indicated the genetic similarity was between 0.64 and 0.91 among these 68 cultivars and varieties, and they could be divided into two major categories, and there were four categories under first major category. In the third category, there were six sub-categories. All the results showed that there were few genetic diversity among cultivars and varieties in northern China. In order to widen the genetic base of peanut cultivars, more valuable varieties should be explored from the existing cultivars.

Studies on Differential Expression Genes |in Bovine Preimplantation Embryos

ZHANG Xin, CHEN Su-ren, LI Xue-bing, LIU Dong-jun, CANG Ming

2009, 11(6):  50-54. 

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Three genes with differential expression in bovine peimplantation embryos, namely calm3, trm112l and clip1, were gained by mRNA differential display technology. The expression of calm3, trm112l and clip1 mRNA in oocyte, 8-cells stage embryos and blastocysts were detected by RT-PCR. The results showed that the expression of calm3 and trm112l genes had no remarkable differences in oocytes and 8-cells stage embryos, but were significantly different in blastocysts. It was supposed that these two genes were possibly maternal genes, and they might be involved in oocyte maturation and zygotic genome activation. The expression of clip1 gene in oocytes, 8-cell stage embryos and blastocysts did not have distinct difference. The gene calm3, trm112l and clip1 were temporal-differentially expressed genes of bovine preimplantation embryos. This might be related to their participation in different physiological activities.

Gene Cloning and Expression of a Cold-adapted Lipase from Brachybacterium sp. DB5 Isolated from Glacier Soil

LIU Wan-li1,2, ZHANG Guo-hua2, CHEN Qiang1, YANG Pei-long2, ZHANG Yu-hong2,3, YA

2009, 11(6):  55-62. 

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Eleven lipase-producing bacterial strains were screened from 54 cold-adapted strains, which were isolated from No.1 Glacier soil of Xinjiang. Among them, one strain identified as Brachybacterium sp. DB5 according to 16S rDNA sequence analysis, showed the highest lipolytic activity. The lipase gene LipDB5 with 933 bp was cloned from Brachybacterium sp. DB5 using TAIL-PCR technology. LipDB5 encoded 310 amino acid and one stop codon with a theoretical molecular weight of 34.8 kDa, but without signal peptide. The lipase gene was functionally expressed in E.coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant LipDB5 was most active at 30 ℃, kept 34.7% of activity at 5 ℃. Moreover, the recombinant enzyme retained 17.4% of the activity after incubation at 60℃ for 30 min. These activity data indicated that LipDB5 had some cold-adapted lipase characteristics. As a new cold-adapted lipase, LipDB5 has the potential application value in the field of bio-catalysis.

Diversity of Organophosphorus Hydrolase Genes and Microbial Community in Organophosphorus Polluted Soil and Activated Sludge

ZHAO Yu1,2, XU Li2,3, TIAN Jian2, CHU Xiao-yu2, WU Ning-feng2

2009, 11(6):  63-68. 

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A bead beating plus column(RBB+C) method has been performed to extract and purify metegenomic DNA from the organophosphorus (OP) polluted soil and activated sludge. According to the conservative domains of the organophosphorus hydrolase, the degenerate primers were designed to amplify the partial organophosphorus hydrolase genes. The DNA library of the partial organophosphorus hydrolase genes was constructed by pEASY-T3. The DNA sequences of the positive clones selected randomly from the library were analyzed to evaluate the diversity of organophosphorus hydrolase genes in polluted soil and activated sludge. The results showed that in DNA library of the partial organophosphorus hydrolase genes, 88% from the OP-polluted soil and 97% from the activated sludge shared 44%~65% and 23%~77% similarities respectively with genes reported in GenBank. It indicated that there were diverse and novel organophosphorus hydrolase genes in OP-polluted soil and activated sludge. The microorganism diversity was also studied by PCR-DGGE.

Isolation and Stability Analysis of Lipopeptides Produced by Bacillus subtilis strain BAB-1

QIAN Chang-di1,2, LI Bao-qing2, ZHAO Tian1,2, GUO Qing-gang2, LU Xiu-yun2, LI Sh

2009, 11(6):  69-74. 

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Bacillus subtilis strain BAB-1 exhibited significant inhibitory activity against Botrytis cinerea which caused tomato gray mold. An antimicrobial substance of  lipopeptides were isolated from the suspension of strain BAB-1 by hydrochloric acid precipitation and methanol extraction.  The extracted lipopeptides showed effective inhibitory activity against the mycelia growth and spore germination of Botrytis cinerea. The spore germination inhibition rate was 83.02%. Antimicrobial spectrum tests showed that the substance had inhibitory effect on a variety of plant pathogenic fungi. In addition, the substance was stable to high temperature with wider pH range, insensitive to multiple proteases. It maintained antimicrobial activity in several common organic solvents. The results showed that the lipopeptides produced by Bacillus subtilis BAB-1 had a stable property and a strong antimicrobial effect.

Expression Pattern of Bm-p23-like Gene in Silkworm, Bombyx mori

YANG Hui-peng1,2, LUO Su-juan1,2, LI Yi-nv2, ZHANG Zhi-fang2, ZHANG Yao-zhou1

2009, 11(6):  75-79. 

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p23 protein, found in Hsp90 chaperone complexes, was ubiquitous and highly conserved in eukaryotes. The ortholog in silkworm was named as p23-like protein. The results of RT-PCR showed that Bm-p23-like gene expressed in 8 tissues, including ovary, testis and so on, in the 5th-instar day-6 larvae. However there was big difference of copy number in different tissues which might be resulted from the vigor of different tissues. Using real-time PCR, we monitored the expression amount of Bm-p23-like and Bm-hsp90 under temperature stress. The results showed that the expressions of both Bm-p23-like and Bm-hsp90 increased and the ratio of hsp90/p23 was 42.23, while the non-stress control was 25.10 under high temperature. Under low temperature, the copy number of Bm-p23-like gene was 19.90 folds of the control, while that of Bm-hsp90 was only 0.60 folds of the control. Consequently, the ratio of the two genes was 0.89. The results above enabled us to deduce that Bm-p23-like protein possessed its own functions under emperature stress.

Development and Characterization of Soy Protein Isolate/Chitosan Edible Films

SUN Xiu-xiu, MA Zhong-su

2009, 11(6):  80-85. 

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The edible films made from soy protein isolate (SPI) and chitosan (CS) were developed. The film performance was affected by film-forming ratio (SPI∶CS), adding quantity of glycerol (as plasticizer), pH value and drying temperature. The result showed that with SPI∶CS decreases, the tensile strength increases gradually, breaking elongation first increases and then decreases, WVP first decreases and then increases, and the best ratio between soy protein isolate and chitosan is 3∶3. With the increase of glycerol content, film tensile strength decreases, breaking elongation increases, WVP first decreases then increases. The optimal adding quantity of glycerol is 2.0%. With increase of pH value, the tensile strength increases first then decreases, and the breaking elongation increases gradually, but the changes of WVP is unremarkable. The optimal pH value is 3. Along with the increasing drying temperature, the tensile strength and breaking elongation decrease gradually, but WVP increases. The optimal drying temperature is 60℃.

Research Progress on Application of High Efficiency Hydrolysis of Food Protein by Microwave/Ultrasonic Assisted and Immobilized Enzyme Technology

LI Ju-fang1, DONG Xu-yan1, WEI Fang1, YUAN Gang-you1, JIANG Mu-lan1, HUANG Feng-

2009, 11(6):  86-92. 

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Recently, microwave/ultrasonic assisted technology and immobilized enzyme technology have been widely applied in the process of high efficient protein hydrolysis and polypeptides preparation. This paper reviewed the principles, advantages of microwave/ultrasonic assisted technology and new immobilized enzyme technology and the application in food protein hydrolysis. It also prospected the utilization of these two technologies in industry producing active peptides from high efficiency and continuous hydrolysis of oil crop protein.

Design and Development for Digital Management System of Grassland and Livestock in Gannan Pastoral Area

FENG Qi-sheng, WANG Wei, LIANG Tian-gang

2009, 11(6):  93-101. 

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Combined with WebGIS technology, the core technology of digital management system, “Gannan pastoral livestock digital management system”, its main composed modules, and functions and implementation methods, were developed by detailed design. The system includes 6 modules, i.e. grassland monitoring, grassland evaluation, livestock dynamics, diagnosis of grass and livestock balance, decision of grass and livestock balance and data sharing. It can provide users with detailed dynamic information on grass and livestock; perform a real-time distribution of diagnosis results regarding balance between grassland supply and livestock demand; provide relevant management plans and scientific basis for management and decision-making to related institutions and users engaged in research and management of grassland and livestock.

RAPD Analysis on Genetic Diversity of Picea mongolica (H.Q.Wu.)W.D.Xu and its Close Relative Species
 P. koraiensis Nakai and P. meyeri Rehd. et Wils

CAI Ping1, WAN Tao2, ZHANG Hong-bo2, YI Wei-dong2, LI Fang-zhen2, MENG Xian-guo2

2009, 11(6):  102-110. 

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The genetic diversities of 8 populations of Picea  mongolica (H.Q. Wu.)W.D.Xu, 10 populations of P. koraiensis Nakai, and 10 populations of P.meyeri Rehd.et Wils in Inner Mongolia were studied by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method. Using 16 random primers from 28 populations, 172 reproducible loci were yielded, of which 119 were polymorphic. The average is 10.75 per expand primer and the percentage of polymorphic loci equaled 69.19. The results showed a rich polymorphism of random amplified polymorphic DNA. The Nei's gene diversity (h) and the Shannons diversity index (i) were chosen to estimate the genetic diversity of this 28 populations, which indicated that genetic variability mainly exists in intra-populations. According to genetic distance and cluster analysis, the three species can be divided into three categories. The genetic relation of Picea mongolica (H.Q. Wu.) W.D.Xu with P. meyeri Rehd. et Wils are nearer than that with P. koraiensis Nakai, which indicates that there is a big genetic variation within Picea mongolica (H.Q. Wu.)W.D.Xu through evolution of long period time. Therefor, Picea mongolica (H.Q. Wu.)W.D.Xu could probably be classified as a separate species.

Calculation and Analysis of Policy Premium Subsidy Demand for Planting Industry in China

LIU Bu-chun1, LI Mao-song1, CHU Yu-jun2, WU Yong-feng1, XU Fan1, GUO Yong1, HE S

2009, 11(6):  111-117. 

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In order to provide scientific basis for analyzing the Central Government premium subsidy amount and for  allocating premium subsidy to planting industry in China, the demand of premium subsidy by 9 crops in each province (city, or municipality) was calculated and analyzed based on crop acreage, substance & service cost, premium rates and percentage of central government financial subsidy. The result indicated that the total demand of policy premium subsidy in China was 9.977 billions RMB. However, the Central Government financial budget for premium subsidy in agriculture industry (including planting industry and stockbreeding) was only 6.05 billions RMB, which was far below the demand of planting industry, and even we did not take the increasing cost of substance and service into account. Besides, the demand of per unit area was larger in the undeveloped regions, because the local government's ability to pay premium subsidy was weaker, the cost for substance and service there was relatively higher and the payment ability of rural resident was poorer. Therefore, the percentage of Central Government premium subsidy should be increased in those undeveloped regions, so as to insure the overall implementation of policy agriculture insurance under the principle of ‘low security and wide coverage’.

Effect of Different Fertilizer Treatments on Nutrient and Enzymatic Activity of Soil in River Ancient Channel

WU Xin-jia, WANG Hong, ZHANG Ai-jun, ZHANG Rui-fang, ZHOU Da-mai

2009, 11(6):  118-122. 

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A field fertilizer experiment was made to explore the effect of different fertilizer treatments on soil nutrients and enzyme activity in different layers of river ancient channel. The results indicated that fertilizer combination of urea (512.22 kg/hm2), P2O5 (191.11 kg/hm2) and K2SO4 (791.53 kg/hm2) was the best treatment for improving nutrients availability in soil. The available phosphorus and available potassium contents of the soil in 0~20 cm depth were increased by 107% and 84.6%, respectively. There was no significant difference in full amount of soil nutrients. The activities of alkaline phosphatase and catalase in fertilizer combination of urea (512.22 kg/hm2), P2O5 (191.11 kg/hm2) and K2SO4 (263.84 kg/hm2) were the highest; the activities of urease and alkaline phosphatase were significantly higher in upper soil layer than in lower soil layer, but the soil catalase activity was not significantly different in different soil layers.

Effects of Different Controlled-release Fertilizers on Asparagus officinalis L.'s Yield, Quality and Nutrient Contents

DONG Liang, ZHANG Yu-feng, CHEN Guang-si, YANG Li, YU Shu-fang

2009, 11(6):  123-128. 

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The effects of different controlled-release fertilizers on Asparagus officinalis L.'s yield, quality and nutrient contents were studied by field experiment. The results showed that the controlled-released fertilizers were superior to the conventional fertilizer. To a certain extent, the controlled-released fertilizers could increase the yield, quality and nutrient contents of Asparagus officinalis L. The yield and VC content of Asparagus officinalis L. treated by controlled-released fertilizerⅠwere increased by 2.79% and 17.65%, respectively. The controlled-released fertilizer Ⅱ could increase the total soluble sugar by 3.37% and decrease the nutrient content by 56.87%. The controlled-released fertilizer Ⅲ could make Asparagus officinalis L. to absorb nutrient more completely.