Distribution and fruit yield of Actinidia kolomikta (Maxim. et Rupr.) Maxim. in the northern part of Chuo Alps, Japan

In order to obtain basic ecological information on Actinidia kolomikta, as an initial step to use it as a local product, we collected strains in the northern part of Chuo Alps, Japan. The distribution area and habitat environment, as well as variation of fruit morphology and yield were investigated. We collected 10 strains at an elevation of 1420 to 1830 m. Each habitat was located on a slope facing a river, mostly at the edge of a riparian forest. The average fruit weight of 10 strains was 1.09 g (0.35-1.65 g) and there was little variation in fruit shape. Allometric analyses revealed a high correlation of average fruit weight with fruit length and diameter. Fruit yield shown by the efficiency of gathering,which is expressed as a logarithmic value of the number of collectable fruits per hour,ranged from 0.04 to 2.22 (1.1-165.3 g･hr-1). Both average fruit weight and maximal fruit yield were only a quarter of those in A. arguta in the same research area. The relationship between elevation and average fruit weight and between elevation and fruit yield, showed a convex curve with an optimal elevation at around 1600 m.Article信州大学農学部AFC報告 8: 41-49 (2010)departmental bulletin pape

East Asian Regionalism at a Crossroads

This paper deals with two questions. One is how the competing logics ofthe balance of power vs. comparative advantage will determine the course ofEast Asian regionalism. This discussion suggests that the new regional securityagenda accompanying China’s recent policy choices, combined with fresh USattention to the region, have the potential to change the course of regionalismfrom an East Asian focus to a trans-pacific focus. The other question is howthe Euro crisis may affect the course of East Asian regionalism. It is suggestedthat the Euro crisis contains many negative lessons that, unlike the newAsian security agenda, will tend to reinforce the current model of East Asianregionalism

Simple Non-destructive Field Method to Estimate Leaf Area of a Rosette-leaved Perennial, Ainsliaea apiculata

Article環境科学年報 38:25-29 (2016)research repor

Differences in Leaf Morphology between Native and Exotic Dandelion Species in the Southern part of Koshin District, Japan

Article環境科学年報36:29-34(2014)research repor

Recent Naturalization of Tragopogon species (Asteraceae) In Kami-ina Region of Nagano Prefecture

近年，長野県上伊那地方では，バラモンギク属植物（キク科）の帰化が急速に目立つようになった。そこで本研究では，バラモンギク属植物が帰化・定着したとみられる上伊那地方4 地点（辰野，箕輪，南箕輪，伊那）において植生調査を行い，種の同定を行うとともに，開花・結実の状況や群落の種組成の把握を試みた。その結果，4 地点で確認されたのは，フトエバラモンギク（Tragopogon dubius）1種のみであった。いずれの地点でも開花・結実が認められ，細い根出葉を叢生する越冬期の草型も確認された。生育地は開けた裸地（路傍）や緑化された斜面に発達した草本群落（土手や河川堤防）であった。出現種数に占める帰化植物種数の割合は42～68％と高く，最も早期に帰化の見られた地点（辰野）から離れるほどこの割合は高くなる傾向にあった。起源地は不明ながら，本種の種子は大きな冠毛を有するため，風による種子散布で侵入してきたものと推測される。Article環境科学年報 41:7-13(2019)journal articl

In planta assays involving epigenetically silenced genes reveal inhibition of cytosine methylation by genistein

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cytosine methylation is involved in epigenetic control of gene expression in a wide range of organisms. An increasing number of examples indicate that changing the frequency of cytosine methylation in the genome is a feasible tool to engineer novel traits in plants. Although demethylating effects of compounds have been analyzed in human cultured cells in terms of suppressing cancer, their effect in plant cells has not been analyzed extensively. Here, we developed <it>in planta </it>assay systems to detect inhibition of cytosine methylation using plants that contain a transgene transcriptionally silenced by an epigenetic mechanism.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seeds of two transgenic plants were used: a petunia line that has been identified as a revertant of the co-suppression of the chalcone synthase-A (<it>CHS-A</it>) gene and contains <it>CHS-A </it>transgenes whose transcription is repressed; <it>Nicotiana benthamiana </it>plants that contain the green fluorescent protein (<it>GFP</it>) reporter gene whose transcription is repressed through virus-induced transcriptional gene silencing. Seeds of these plants were sown on a medium that contained a demethylating agent, either 5-azacytidine or trichostatin A, and the restoration of the transcriptionally active state of the transgene was detected in seedlings. Using these systems, we found that genistein, a major isoflavonoid compound, inhibits cytosine methylation, thus restoring transgene transcription. Genistein also restored the transcription of an epigenetically silenced endogenous gene in <it>Arabidopsis </it>plants.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our assay systems allowed us to assess the inhibition of cytosine methylation, in particular of maintenance of methylation, by compounds in plant cells. These results suggest a novel role of flavonoids in plant cells and that genistein is useful for modifying the epigenetic state of plant genomes.</p

Differences in Leaf Morphology among Three Native Dandelion Species in the Central Part of Honshu, Japan

Article環境科学年報37:48-52(2015)research repor