Showing papers by "Feng Zhang published in 1996"

Genistein accumulation in soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) root systems under suboptimal root zone temperatures

Abstract: Genistein, as a plant-to-bacteria signal, plays an important role in the establishment of the soybean {Glycine max [L.] Merr.)-Bradyrhizobium japonicum nitrogen-fixing symbiosis. It is essential to the development of effective root nodules and responsible for inducing the nod genes of B. japonicum. Because suboptimal root zone temperature (RZT) delays infection and early nodule development, and decreases plant nodule number, and genistein addition overcomes some of this, it is reasonable to hypothesize that suboptimal RZT disrupts the inter-organismal signal exchange by inhibiting genistein synthesis. Four experiments were conducted to test these hypotheses. The results of these studies indicated that: (1) when soybean plants were germinated and maintained at RZTs ranging from 13 to 17CC, root genistein concentration and content per plant were lower than those of plants with roots maintained at RZTs above 17C; (2) when plants were germinated at an optimal RZT (25 °C) then transferred to RZTs below 17°C, and acclimated for a few days, root genistein concentration and content per plant were higher than those of plants with roots maintained either at optimal RZT, or transferred to RZT above 17 °C, although by the end of the experiment, the genistein concentration of root systems at below 17°C RZT appeared to be declining to values below those of plants with above 17 °C RZT; (3) the root genistein concentration increased before the onset of nitrogen fixation and decreased thereafter; and (4) part of the effect of RZTs on genistein content per plant root system was from reductions in genistein concentration at lower RZTs, and part was due to decreased plant root growth.

Inoculation of soybean (Glycine max. (L.) Merr.) with genistein-preincubated Bradyrhizobium japonicum or genistein directly applied into soil increases soybean protein and dry matter yield under short season conditions

Abstract: In short-season soybean production areas, low soil temperature is the major factor limiting plant growth and yield. The decreases in soybean yield at low temperatures are mainly due to nitrogen limitation. Genistein, the most effective plant-to-bacterium signal in the soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) nitrogen fixation symbiosis, was used to pretreat Bradyrhizobium japonicum. We have previously reported that this increased soybean nodulation and nitrogen fixation in growth chamber studies. Two field experiments were conducted on two adjacent sites in 1994 to determine whether the incubation of B. japonicum with genistein, prior to application as an inoculant, or genistein, without B. japonicum, applied onto seeds in the furrow at the time of planting, increased soybean grain yield and protein yield in short season areas. The results of these experiments indicated that genistein-preincubated bradyrhizobia increased the grain yield and protein yield of AC Bravor, the later maturing of the two cultivars tested. Genistein without B. japonicum, applied onto seeds in the furrow at the time of planting also increased both grain and protein yield by stimulation of native soil B. japonicum. Interactions existed between genistein application and soybean cultivars, and indicated that the cultivar with the greatest yield potential responded more to genistein addition.

Composition for enhancing grain yield and protein yield of legumes grown under environmental conditions that inhibit or delay nodulation thereof

Abstract: Compositions for enhancing grain yield and protein yield of a legume grown under environmental conditions that inhibit or delay nodulation thereof are provided. The compositions comprise a nodulation gene-inducing compound such as flavones. Moreover, methods for enhancing grain yield and protein yield of a legume grown under environmental conditions that inhibit or delay nodulation thereof are provided. The methods comprise an addition of an agriculturally effective amount of a nodulation gene-inducing compound such as flavones, in the vicinity of the seed or root of the legume.

Blood compatibility of titanium oxide prepared by ion-beam-enhanced deposition

Abstract: Ion-beam-enhanced deposition (IBED) was used to synthesize biocompatible titanium oxide films. The structural characteristics of the titanium oxide films were investigated by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The blood compatibility of the titanium oxide films was studied by measurement of the blood clotting time and platelet adhesion. The results show that the anticoagulation property of titanium oxide films is improved significantly. The mechanism of anticoagulation of the titanium oxide films was discussed.