Transcriptome analysis reveals the molecular mechanisms of response to an emergent yellow-flower disease in green Chinese prickly ash (Zanthoxylum schinifolium)

Chinese prickly ash (Zanthoxylum) is extensively used as spice and traditional medicine in eastern Asian countries. Recently, an emergent yellow-flower disease (YFD) break out in green Chinese prickly ash (Zanthoxylum schinifolium, Qinghuajiao in Chinese) at Chongqing municipality, and then leads to a sharp reduction in the yield of Qinghuajiao, and thus results in great economic losses for farmers. To address the molecular response for the emergent YFD of Qinghuajiao, we analyzed the transcriptome of 12 samples including the leaves and inflorescences of asymptomatic and symptomatic plants from three different towns at Chongqing by high-throughput RNA-Seq technique. A total of 126,550 genes and 229,643 transcripts were obtained, and 21,054 unigenes were expressed in all 12 samples. There were 56 and 164 different expressed genes (DEGs) for the AL_vs_SL (asymptomatic leaf vs symptomatic leaf) and AF_vs_SF (asymptomatic flower vs symptomatic flower) groups, respectively. The results of KEGG analysis showed that the “phenylpropanoid biosynthesis” pathway that related to plant–pathogen interaction were found in AL_vs_SL and AF_vs_SF groups, and the “Plant–pathogen interaction” found in AF_vs_SF group, implying that this Qinghuajiao YFD might cause by plant pathogen. Interestingly, we detected 33 common unigenes for the 2 groups, and almost these unigenes were up-regulated in the symptomatic plants. Moreover, most of which were homologs to virus RNA, the components of viruses, implying that this YFD was related to virus. Our results provided a primary molecular basis for the prevention and treatment of YFD of Qinghuajiao trees.

Aspidistra thuongiana (Asparagaceae, Nolinoideae), a new species from the South Central Coast region of Vietnam

Aspidistra thuongiana is described and illustrated as a new species from the South Central Coast region of Vietnam. The new species has bright yellow flower and a slender pistil with a minute stigma. It is morphologically close to A. longipedunculata, but differs in shorter peduncle, bowl-shaped (vs. campanulate) perigone, shorter ovate (vs. oblong) erect to spreading (vs. recurved) perigone lobes and stamens inserted at the base (vs. middle) of perigone tube. Data on nuclear 5S-NTS region of the new species are provided, aimed to serve as a molecular characterization for comparison with its congeners.

Camellia luteocalpandria (Theaceae), a new species and the first discovery of sect. Calpandria in China

Camellia luteocalpandria, a new species is described and illustrated from Yunnan, China. This is the first discovery of Camellia sect. Calpandria in China. It can be easily distinguished from the other two species in the section by its yellow flower, bracteoles and sepals glabrous adaxially, and the filament 1-whorled and all united without free or partly united filament inside the tube. The new species is assessed to be Critically Endangered (CR) according to IUCN categories and criteria.

The Study of Genetics of Flower Color in Faba Bean Reveals Generous Diversity to Be Used in the Horticulture Industry

The horticulturally valuable traits of faba bean are poorly explored, including the available information on the genetics of flower color and pattern. This lack of understanding has reduced the inclusion of unique flower color into the horticultural-type faba bean market. The modes of inheritance of two flower colors (red petals and yellow spot on wing petals) were examined through the development of multiple F2 segregating populations. The inheritance of red flower was confirmed for two recessive genes and yellow wing spot inheritance was confirmed for a single recessive gene. These populations led to the discovery of combinations of red and yellow flower color that have not been previously reported. The solid wing petal color gene was confirmed as a single recessive gene. Understanding the inheritance of flower color in faba bean can lead to improvement of current vegetable types and opens up possibilities for ornamental markets.

A new species of Chrysosplenium (Saxifragaceae) from Shaanxi, north-western China

Chrysosplenium zhouzhiense Hong Liu, a new species from Shaanxi, north-western China, is described and photographed. The new species belongs to Subgen. Gamosplenium Sect. Nephrophylloides Ser. Macrophylla and is most similar to C. macrophyllum and C. zhangjiajieense from which it differs by having a shorter stem, rhizome absent, basal leaf absent, sterile branch arising from the flowering stem and a light yellow flower with longer stamen. A global conservation assessment is performed and classifies C. zhouzhiense as Endangered (EN).

Modulation of rat hepatic CYP3A4 activity by Brassica oleracea, Hibiscus rosa sinensis, and Tradescantia zebrina

One of the major cytochrome P450s, CYP 3A4, is known to be involved in herb-drug and food-drug interactions. The objective of this study was to examine the in vitro effect of Brassica oleracea L. var. pekinensis (Chinese cabbage) juice, methanol extract of Hibiscus rosa sinensis (Hibiscus) yellow flower and Tradescantia zebrina pendula leaves, respectively on CYP 3A4 activity in rat liver microsomes. Differential centrifugation method was used to isolate microsomes from the rat livers. The concentration of formaldehyde released from N-demethylation of aminopyrine in rat liver microsomes was determined. Based on the results obtained, B. oleracea juice at 100 ng/mL and 1000 g/mL significantly reduced CYP3A4 activity when compared to the control group. On the other hand, methanol extract of Hibiscus yellow flower and T. zebrina leaves at 1, 10, 100, and 1000 ng/mL significantly increased the metabolism of aminopyrine by enhancing CYP3A4 activity when compared to the control group. Our findings suggested that Chinese cabbage juice, methanol extract of Hibiscus yellow flower, and T. zebrina leaves could have the potential to interact with the metabolism of aminopyrine in rat liver microsomes by modulating the hepatic CYP activity.

Nature or Nurture Controversy in Aporia bieti recognize flower color

Nature refers all hereditary factors that influence animal and becoming a part of physical appearance，but nurture refers to all the environmental variables and is a print got from experiences. We take a comparative approach and study behaviors. Butterflies are insects who is very smart insects that can observe flower color and Aporia bieti, what we research in the field, visual processing of color stimuli by a flower dish smelling of honey, the methods used in observation in the field without interference from the observer. According video we find that Yellow flower is the most prefer flower color for butterfly. Some researcher places more emphasis on butterflies’ instinct and natural behavior, and they found recognize yellow flower pattern is fixed action patterns. And fly to yellow flower groups seems a predictable response to stimulus sunny meadow in Xiama Forest Farm, where are yellow flower located.The dishes design is a goal to make research more rigorous. What’s more, we design this is intended to let more researchers design another insect or animal color preference in the field. We design cubic model in order to explore more in nature or nurture controversy in recognize color in the filed.