Qualitative Discrimination of Intact Tobacco Leaves Based on Near-Infrared Technology

To explore the application of near-infrared (NIR) technology to the quality analysis of raw intact tobacco leaves, a nondestructive discrimination method based on NIR spectroscopy is proposed. A “multiregion + multipoint” NIR spectrum acquisition method is developed, allowing 18 NIR diffuse reflectance spectra to be collected from an intact tobacco leaf. The spectral characteristics and spectral preprocessing methods of intact tobacco leaves are analyzed, and then different spectra (independent or average spectra) and different algorithms (discriminant partial least-squares (DPLS) and Fisher’s discriminant algorithms) are used to construct discriminant models for verifying the feasibility of intact leaf modeling and determining the optimal model conditions. Qualitative discrimination models based on the position, green-variegated (GV), and the grade of intact tobacco leaves are then constructed using the NIR spectra. In the application and verification stage, a multiclassification voting mechanism is used to fuse the results of multiple spectra from a single tobacco leaf to obtain the final discrimination result for that leaf. The results show that the position-GV discrimination model constructed using independent spectra and the DPLS algorithm and the grade discrimination model constructed using independent spectra and Fisher’s algorithm achieve optimal results with intact leaf NIR wavenumbers from 5006–8988 cm−1 and the first-derivative and standard normal variate transformation preprocessing method. Finally, when applied to new tobacco leaves, the position-GV model and the grade model achieve discrimination accuracies of 95.18% and 92.77%, respectively. This demonstrates that the two models have satisfactory qualitative discrimination ability for intact tobacco leaves. This study has established a feasible method for the nondestructive qualitative discrimination of the position, GV, and grade of intact tobacco leaves based on NIR technology.

Effect of Adjuvants on Herbicidal Activity and Selectivity of Three Phytotoxins Produced by the Fungus, Stagonospora cirsii

The use of many fungal phytotoxins as natural herbicides is still limited because they cannot penetrate leaf cuticle without injury and a little is known on their selectivity. In order to assess the herbicidal potential of phytotoxic 10-membered lactones (stagonolide A, stagonolide K, and herbarumin I), the selection of adjuvants, the evaluation of selectivity of the toxins and the efficacy of their formulations were performed. Among four adjuvants tested, Hasten™ (0.1%, v/v) increased phytotoxic activity of all the toxins assayed on non-punctured leaf discs of Sonchus arvensis. When assayed on intact leaf fragments of 18 plants species, 10 species were low to moderately sensitive to stagonolide A, while just five and three species were sensitive to stagonolide K and herbarumin I, respectively. Both leaf damage or addition of Hasten™ (0.1%) to the formulations of the compounds considerably increased or altered the sensitivity of plants to the toxins. Stagonolide A was shown to be non-selective phytotoxin. The selectivity profile of stagonolide K and herbarumin I depended on the leaf wounding or the adjuvant addition. Stagonolide A and herbarumin I formulated in 0.5% Hasten™ showed considerable herbicidal effect on S. arvensis aerial shoots. This study supported the potential of the oil-based adjuvant Hasten™ to increase the herbicidal efficacy of natural phytotoxins.

Effect of lead on nitrate reductase activity and nitrate assimilation in pea leaves

The effect of Pb on nitrate reductase activity, protein, total organic nitrogen and on the chlorophyll content in excised and intact leaf tissues of <em>Pisum sativum</em> was examine. Enzyme activity assayed in vitro or in vivo in the excised leaves showed marked increase at lower concentrations of Pb while being inhibited at higher concentrations. In intact leaf tissues, the enzyme activity (in vivo or in vitro) was unaffected at lower concentrations but was inhibited at higher concentrations of Pb. Chlorophyll, carotenoids (non-nitrogenous pigments), soluble protein and organic nitrogen contents remained almost unaffected at all concentrations of Pb tested. It seems that nitrate reductase has a different response towards Pb pollution in this species, which is more tolerant to heavy metal pollution, especially Pb.

Cryptic Scale Infestations on Cycas revoluta Facilitate Scale Invasions

The cycad aulacaspis scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi) has invaded numerous geographic regions in the past 15 years. The sequential invasions have decimated many Cycas nursery and landscape industries and threatened C. micronesica K.D. Hill and C. taitungensis C.F. Shen, K.D. Hill, C.H. Tsou and C.J. Chen within their native habitats. The majority of the international cycad trade is dominated by Cycas revoluta Thunberg. We removed dense tomentum that characterizes C. revoluta cataphylls and excised intact leaf bases from stems of landscape C. revoluta plants to expose hidden surfaces. Additionally, we removed the root system from containers on nursery plants to reveal enclosed roots. All three organs were infested with cycad aulacaspis scale on tissue surfaces that cannot be detected during thorough visual inspection of intact plants. These unique concealed infestations allow this species to vector scale insects in a cryptic manner on cataphyll, stem, and root surfaces. This information lends support for a policy of strict prohibition of imported C. revoluta plants from countries known to have cycad aulacaspis scale infestations.

Interdependence between oscillations and transients of delayed fluorescence induction processes in the thylakoid membrane of the intact maize leaf: Responses to effects of increased temperatures and drought

Standard induction processes of delayed fluorescence (DF) of chlorophyll (induction signals) occur when an intact leaf segment of maize inbreds and hybrids is kept in the phosphoroscope darkroom for more than 15 minutes (t > 15 min), and at the same time the leaf is illuminated with the intermittent white light. Resolved induction processes of DF chlorophyll into transients: A, B, C, D and E occur when the intact leaf segment of maize inbreds and hybrids is kept in the phosphoroscope darkroom for a significantly shorter period (500 s > t > 30 s), with the time rate t of 30 s, prior to its illumination with the intermittent white light. Induction transients: A, B, C, D and E are characterized with the time of their generation: tA = 31?6 ms (A), tB = 5 ? 0,5 s (B), tC = 15?5 s (C), tD = 360?20 s (D) and tE = 670?35 s (E), dynamics of changes in transients intensities (IA, IB, IC, ID and IE) and mechanisms of their generation. The induction processes of chlorophyll DF of the intact leaf of maize inbreds and hybrids resolved into transients: A, B, C, D and E are accompanied by the occurrence and different levels of activation energy (Ea, kJ mol-1) that correspond to critical temperatures ranging from 28 to 33?C. The generation mechanisms of induction transients A, B, C, D and E classify them into two groups. Transients A and B are of a physical character, while the transients: C, D, and E are of a chemical character. It is shown that the generation of the induction transients: B, C, D and E simultaneously follows establishing of the oscillations of induction processes of the DF chlorophyll. Oscillating of induction processes of DF chlorophyll is explained by the ion (K+, Na+, H+, Cl-) transport mechanism across the thylakoid membrane of the intact leaf of maize inbreds and hybrids grown under conditions of air drought, increased temperatures and water deficiency in the medium.