土壌改質材 FFC エースによるオオムギの生育と収量の促進効果

The effects of a unique soil conditioner, FFC-ace, on photosynthesis, transpiration, growth and yield of barley were examined in a field experiment. FFC-ace well-mixed with sandy soil greatly enhanced root and shoot growth, tillering and the number of grains per stock. The total yield in the treated plot increased by about 172%. The plants grown in the FFC-ace plot were greener and contained a higher level of chlorophyll, compared with the control. Photosynthesis and transpiration, which are tightly linked to productivity were also significantly enhanced at the broad range of photon flux observed in our study. The quality of grain harvested from the FFC-ace plot was similar to the control plot in terms of nutritional and inorganic components. The increased photosynthesis in the FFC-ace treated barley reflects a higher absorption of CO(2) from the atmosphere. It was also noted that the efficiency of water utilization for photosynthesis was significantly greater under the high light intensity in the treated plot. The relationship between application of FFC-ace and absorption of atmospheric CO(2) is discussed. Our investigation provides data showing that application of FFC-ace to soil significantly reduces water requirements for plant growth and yield.本報は，㈱エフエフシー・ジャパンから販売されている土壌改質材FFCエースTMの作物の生長促進効果について，2006年11月から翌年６月，本学農学部内の実験圃場で実施された，オオムギの生育ならびに収量調査に関する試験結果をとりまとめたものである．実施圃場の砂土壌にFFCエースを所定量混和した区画を設け，オオムギの種子を播種した．なお，対照区は非導入土壌とした．定期的に行った生育調査の結果，FFCエースを導入した土壌では非導入の区画と比べて，生育初期における根の生育が良好となり，地上部における分けつ数の増加とともに穂の生長も旺盛となって，１穂当たりの収穫量（粒数）の著しい増加をもたらした．結果，FFCエース導入区における全収量は非導入区と比べて約1.7倍となった．また，それぞれから収穫したオオムギ粒に含まれる栄養価ならびに無機元素類の量には，FFCエースの導入，非導入によって大きな違いは認められず，導入の効果は収量に大きく反映された．事実，調査期間中に行った測定から，FFCエースを投入した土壌で生育するオオムギ葉は高いクロロフィル量を示しており，光合成が促進されているものと考えられた．実際，播種後４ヶ月目以降，光合成ならびに蒸散速度値を測定した結果，FFCエース導入区で生育したオオムギでは常に高い値を示した．また，FFCエースの導入によって強光条件下における水利用効率が促進された．本報告では，FFCエースの投与と空気中からの二酸化炭素の吸収量との関連について考察するとともに，併せて，FFCエースの土壌への導入によって作物の生育に必要な灌水量を大きく減らすことができる可能性についても言及したい

Effect of FFC Ceramic Water on the Infection Process of a Fungal Pathogen

In this report, an effect of FFC-ceramic (FFC-Japan Co. Ltd., Tsu) water on the process of infection by a pea fungal pathogen, Mycosphaerella pinodes was investigated. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis showed that both of the FFC-ceramic water and a common ceramic water contained mainly Ca and S elements, of which the relative atomic percentages were 53~56% and 44~45%, respectively. Lesion formation by pycnospores of M. pinodes on pea leaves was inhibited severely by the application with both ceramic waters at the 1/2~1/6 concentration of saturated solution. Cytological observation under microscope showed that germination, germ-tube elongation and penetration were severely inhibited by these ceramic waters. However, such inhibitory effect of FFC-ceramic water was superior to that of the common ceramic water. On ethanol-killed pea epidermal tissues, both FFC-ceramic water and the common ceramic water blocked the germination, germ-tube elongation and penetration by the pathogen, indicating the direct effect of both ceramic waters on the fungus. In this case, the inhibiting effect of FFC ceramic water was more intensive than the common ceramic water. CaSO(4) at a 1/2~1/4 concentration of saturated solution blocked penetration by the fungus on the killed epidermis of onion bulb but scarcely affected germination and germ-tube elongation. Based on these results, we discussed the role of FFC-ceramic water in disease tolerance of plants and its availability for cultivation.本研究は，FFCセラミックス(TM)（株 エフフシージャパン）の植物病原菌の発病抑制効果について調べたものである．FFCセラミック水は原液の1/2～1/6の濃度でエンドウ褐紋病菌の発病を顕著に抑制した．この原因を調べたところ，FFCセラミック水は，病原菌の発芽，発芽管伸長，侵入（貫入）を顕著に阻害することが判明した．FFCセラミック水中にはCa並びにS，O元素が多量に存在し，SEM観察の結果と合わせると，CaSO(4)が多量に含まれることが示唆された．そこで，CaSO(4)飽和液の1/2～1/4濃度で，病原菌に対する作用を調べた結果，発芽あるいは発芽管伸長はほとんど阻害されず，低率ながら侵入も観察された．これらの結果を総合して，FFCセラミック水やCaSO4の栽培場面での応用を考察した

Identification of glycosylation genes and glycosylated amino acids of flagellin in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci

A glycosylation island is a genetic region required for glycosylation. The glycosylation island of flagellin in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci 6605 consists of three orfs: orf1, orf2 and orf3. Orf1 and orf2 encode putative glycosyltransferases, and their deletion mutants, Delta orf1 and Delta orf2, exhibit deficient flagellin glycosylation or produce partially glycosylated flagellin respectively. Digestion of glycosylated flagellin from wild-type bacteria and non-glycosylated flagellin from Delta orf1 mutant using aspartic N-peptidase and subsequent HPLC analysis revealed candidate glycosylated amino acids. By generation of site-directed Ser/Ala-substituted mutants, all glycosylated amino acid residues were identified at positions 143, 164, 176, 183, 193 and 201. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) analysis revealed that each glycan was about 540 Da. While all glycosylation-defective mutants retained swimming ability, swarming ability was reduced in the Delta orf1, Delta orf2 and Ser/Ala-substituted mutants. All glycosylation mutants were also found to be impaired in the ability to adhere to a polystyrene surface and in the ability to cause disease in tobacco. Based on the predicted tertiary structure of flagellin, S176 and S183 are expected to be located on most external surface of the flagellum. Thus the effect of Ala-substitution of these serines is stronger than that of other serines. These results suggest that glycosylation of flagellin in P. syringae pv. tabaci 6605 is required for bacterial virulence. It is also possible that glycosylation of flagellin may mask elicitor function of flagellin molecule

Suppression of Cdc27B expression induces plant defence responses

Non-host resistance is the most general form of disease resistance in plants because it is effective against most phytopathogens. The importance of hypersensitive responses (HRs) in non-host resistance of Nicotiana species to the oomycete Phytophthora is clear. INF1 elicitin, an elicitor obtained from the late-blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans, is sufficient to induce a typical HR in Nicotiana species. The molecular mechanisms that underlie the non-host resistance component of plant defence responses have been investigated using differential-display polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a model HR system between INF1 elicitin and tobacco BY-2 cells. Differential-display PCR has revealed that Cdc27B is down-regulated in tobacco BY- 2 cells after treatment with INF1 elicitin. Cdc27B is one of 13 essential components of the anaphase- promoting complex or cyclosome ( APC/ C)-type E3 ubiquitin ligase complex in yeast. This APC/C-type E3 ubiquitin ligase complex regulates G2-to-M phase transition of the cell cycle by proteolytic degradation. In this study, we investigated the roles of this gene, NbCdc27B, in plant defence responses using virus-induced gene silencing. Suppression of NbCdc27B in Nicotiana benthamiana plants induced defence responses and a gain of resistance to Colletotrichum lagenarium fungus. Elicitin-induced hypersensitive cell death (HCD) was inhibited mildly in plants silenced with tobacco rattle virus:: Cdc27B. Cdc27B could manage the signalling pathways of plant defence responses as a negative regulator without HCD.</p

A complex rearrangement between APC and TP63 associated with familial adenomatous polyposis identified by multimodal genomic analysis: a case report

Genetic testing of the APC gene by sequencing analysis and MLPA is available across commercial laboratories for the definitive genetic diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). However, some genetic alterations are difficult to detect using conventional analyses. Here, we report a case of a complex genomic APC-TP63 rearrangement, which was identified in a patient with FAP by a series of genomic analyses, including multigene panel testing, chromosomal analyses, and long-read sequencing. A woman in her thirties was diagnosed with FAP due to multiple polyps in her colon and underwent total colectomy. Subsequent examination revealed fundic gland polyposis. No family history suggesting FAP was noted except for a first-degree relative with desmoid fibromatosis. The conventional APC gene testing was performed by her former doctor, but no pathogenic variant was detected, except for 2 variants of unknown significance. The patient was referred to our hospital for further genetic analysis. After obtaining informed consent in genetic counseling, we conducted a multigene panel analysis. As insertion of a part of the TP63 sequence was detected within exon16 of APC, further analyses, including chromosomal analysis and long-read sequencing, were performed and a complex translocation between chromosomes 3 and 5 containing several breakpoints in TP63 and APC was identified. No phenotype associated with TP63 pathogenic variants, such as split-hand/foot malformation (SHFM) or ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, or cleft lip/palate syndrome (EEC) was identified in the patient or her relatives. Multimodal genomic analyses should be considered in cases where no pathogenic germline variants are detected by conventional genetic testing despite an evident medical or family history of hereditary cancer syndromes