Meloidogyne enterolobii has developed into the most devastating root-knot nematode species due to its wide host range and strong infection ability, by which pepper production in Hainan province is greatly affected. The usage of inheritance resistance of crops is an economic and environmental friendly approach to control M. enterolobii. In previous studies, we identified one resistant germplasm CF25 from thirty local Capsicum frutescens resources. To better utilize this germplasm for disease resistance breeding, it is necessary to deepen the understanding of its resistance memechanism. Hence, resistant germplasm CF25 and susceptible germplasm CF29 were inoculated with M. enterolobii, and the histological characteristics were detected by the methods of acidic magenta staining and paraffin section. In terms of intrusion amount, the resistant germplasm CF25 was found to have smaller number of M. enterolobii that invaded into the roots. In terms of nematode morphology, the juveniles of M. enterolobii in CF25 developed slower than in CF29, and the female adult in CF25 presented abnormal morphology. In terms of root anatomical structure, the content of giant cells gradually decreased and cavitation phenomenon occurred in the resistant germplasm CF25. The POD and PAL activity of CF25 and CF29 was measured to explore the biochemical bases of M. enterolobii resistance. The POD and PAL activity measured in most time points after inoculation in CF25 was significantly higher than in CF29. In summary, from the perspective of histology, the resistance to M. enterolobii in CF25 was mainly presented as anti-invasion and feeding restriction. The reduction of giant cell cellular content might restrict the feeding of juveniles, which led to the slow and poor development of M. enterolobii. From the perspective of biochemistry, higher POD activity in CF25 might be good for the elimination of the active oxygen accumulated by the invasion of root-knot nematode. Besides that, higher POD and PAL activity might lead to the generation of more phenylpropanoid secondary metabolites, including lignin, which might resulted in higher resistance in CF25. The histological and biochemical bases of M. enterolobii resistance in CF25 were analyzed in our studies. The results would provide certain basis for further exploring the mechanism of M. enterolobii resistance in C. frutescens.

The present study assessed the control efficiency of a predator, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Mulsant), on four mealybugs damaging tropical crops, including Paracoccus marginatus (Williams & Granara de Willink), Planococcus minor (Maskell), Planococcus citri (Risso), and Dysmicoccus neobrevipes (Beardsley). The daily predation of the 1st-4th instar larvae and adult C. montrouzieri on the 1st-3rd instar nymphs and adults of the four mealybug species, was observed indoors. The adult and high-age larvae of C. montrouzieri exhibited a high predation rate on the early instar nymphs of the four mealybug species. Notably, the predation rates were significantly higher on P. minor and P. marginatus compared to P. citri and D. neobrevipes. The first instar nymphs of C. montrouzieri did not prey on the adult and third instar nymphs of the four mealybug species, while the second instar nymphs lacked the ability to prey on mealybug adults. The predation ability of C. montrouzieri was ranked as follows: adults>fourth instar larvae>third instar larvae>second instar larvae>first instar larvae. Correspondingly, for the same instar of the ladybird, the predation rate on mealybugs of different instars followed the order: first instar nymphs>second instar nymphs>third instar nymphs>adults. In conclusion, C. montrouzieri demonstrates strong control capabilities on the four mealybugs damaging tropical crops.

Chelonus formosanus is an important parasitic natural enemy of Noctuidae pests in Lepidoptera. In order to clarify the effects of different treatment of antennae on the behavioral response of C. formosanus, and the number of sensilla in antennae, the effects of antennae-excision of C. formosanus on the search for the honey sources and hosts, the longevity of the male and female wasps, the parasitism rate of the female wasps and the hatching rate of the host offspring were investigated, and the number of antennae receptors in different treatments was compared by using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The search time for honey sources of both the male and female wasps was the fastest when 1/3 of the flagella was removed, (79.59±23.22)s for female wasps and (106.52±26.71)s for male wasps. The search time for hosts of the female wasps was the fastest in the control group (204.38±24.01)s. However, no host could be found by wasps in the treatment groups with all antennae and all flagellum excised. In addition, compared with the control groups, the longevity of male and female wasps, the parasitism rate of female wasp, and the hatching rate of offspring were not significantly different under the different proportions of antennae excision. The SEM results showed that there were significant differences in the sensilla trichodea, the sensilla placodea, the sensilla basiconica, and the sensilla squamiformia between the different excision treatments. The results indicate that higher proportion of antennae removed would lead to greater impact on the search for honey source and host, indicating antennal sensilla played an important role in the search, localization and parasitism behaviors of C. formosanus.

Pitaya contains abundant nutrients and is highly preferred by consumers. However, this fruit is prone to quality deterioration problems such as yellowing of fruit scales, fruit dehydration, peel shrinkage and decay during the postharvest storage period, which seriously affect its commercial value. Jindu No.1 variety was used to investigate the effect of gibberellin composite chitosan treatment on the postharvest quality and antioxidant capacity of pitaya. Pitayas of uniform size, consistent maturity and intact condition were randomly selected for six types of treatments: water (control group), 5 g/L chitosan, 50 mg/L gibberellin, 25 mg/L gibberellin + 5 g/L chitosan, 50 mg/L gibberellin + 5 g/L chitosan, and 100 mg/L gibberellin + 5 g/L chitosan treatments. The pitayas were stored at a constant temperature of 25 ℃ after treatment, and postharvest quality indicators including lipoxygenase activity (LOX), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, antioxidant substance content and antioxidant enzyme activity were measured regularly. The results showed the well-maintained storage quality of pitayas treated with 50 mg/L gibberellin + 5 g/L chitosan. After 12 days of storage, the rate of fruit scale yellowing and water loss was reduced by 15.91% and 20.75% respectively compared with those of the control. The soluble sugar content, color a^* value and L^* value of the fruit were substantially higher than those of the other groups and the soluble pectin content was considerably lower than those in the other groups. The 50 mg/L gibberellin + 5 g/L chitosan treatment could also maintain the improved antioxidant capacity of pitaya. After 12 days of storage, MDA content and LOX activity in the fruit decreased by 16.04% and 19.23% respectively compared with the control. The content of antioxidant substances such as flavonoids, total phenols, reduced glutathione (GSH) and reduced ascorbic acid (AsA) increased by 10.07%, 10.00%, 31.43% and 12.93%, respectively. The activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) increased by 17.61%, 79.22% and 15.00% respectively compared with those of the control. The gibberellin composite chitosan treatment with appropriate concentrations could effectively maintain the postharvest quality of pitaya, increase the fruit’s antioxidant capacity, reduce membrane damage caused by lipid peroxidation, delay the ripening and aging of pitaya, and extend the preservation period. In addition, composite treatments could be considered a green, environmentally friendly, economical and effective preservation method that can serve as an application reference for pitaya storage, transportation and preservation industry after harvest.

The aim of the study was to explore the anti-inflammatory activity of Qi-Nan essential oil (QEO) based on component analysis combined with the cellular inflammation model. The volatile components of QEO were analyzed by GC-MS. The antioxidant activity of QEO was detected by the measurement of DPPH radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacity. Bioinformatics was used to predict the targets and signaling pathways of QEO related to inflammation. NO and ROS levels were detected by fluorescent probe method. ELISA was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of P-P65, P65, IκB-α and P-IκB-α. The main components of Qinan essential oil were 2-phenethyl-4H-chromen-4-one (50.08%), (-)-caryophyllene oxide (8.45%), patchulane (6.46%), elemol (3.88%), 2-methyl-6-(2-propenyl)-phenol (2.78%). The DPPH radicals scavenging of QEO was 51.98% at a concentration of 1 mg/mL and the total antioxidant capacity increased with the increase of QEO in the concentration range of 1-10 mg/mL. There were 533 intersecting targets of QEO and inflammation, and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the main signaling pathways involved were MAPK, NF-κB and PI3K-Akt pathways. QEO significantly reduced the production and expression levels of NO, ROS, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β (P<0.001). Meanwhile, the results of western blot showed that QEO also inhibited the expression of P-P65 and P-IκB-α proteins (P<0.001). Therefore, QEO can achieve anti-inflammatory activity through reducing the production of ROS, thereby inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and further drastically decrease the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The results demonstrate that QEO has the potential to be developed as an inflammation inhibitor.

Some soil in the coal mining area of Western Panzhihua has high Pb and Cd contents, and there are certain food safety risks in the development of the plantation. In this paper, we compared and analyzed the trends of Pb and Cd uptake in mango in the region before and after the application of three groups of organic amendment materials (mango grass straw, mushroom residue, mushroom residue+mango grass straw) through a large field experiment, and investigated the degradation of Pb and Cd in the mango in the region by different dosages of organic amendment materials and their influence effects on the quality of mango. Three groups of organic amendment materials improved the organic matter content and pH value of the soil, among which the fungus residue+mango straw group had the most significant effect (P<0.05), and the effect increased by 10.85%-25.66% and 3.55%-8.06%, respectively, compared with that of the control. All three groups of organic improvement materials had certain effects on reducing Pb and Cd content in mango. The effect of reducing Pb in mango was shown as mushroom residue+mango straw>mango straw>mushroom residue; the effect of reducing Cd in mango was shown as mushroom residue+mango straw>mushroom residue>mango straw; the effect of applying mushroom residue+mango straw was most significant, the reduction of Pb and Cd in mango for the mushroom residue+mango straw was 13.80%-27.87% and 6.32%-27.58%, respectively; there were some differences in the effect of different application amounts of organic amendment materials on degrading Pb and Cd in mango. Within the experimental interval, applying 8 kg/plant of mushroom residue+mangrove straw material could reduce Pb and Cd in mango by 27.87% and 27.58%, respectively, which was the best effect (P<0.05). The health risk evaluation showed that the HQi values produced by consumption of mango in each treatment group were less than one, and there was no health risk, so it could be safely consumed. In conclusion, applying 8 kg/plant of mushroom residue+mango grass straw in the experimental range can better inhibit the absorption of Pb and Cd in mango, effectively reducing the enrichment of Pb and Cd in mango. It can be used as an ideal material for the agronomic control of mango cultivation in the coal-mining area of western Panzhihua.

Normal rats and diabetes model mice were used to explore the effects of Yunnan Yuanjiang noni juice and other noni juice on blood pressure of normal rats and blood sugar of diabetes model mice. The changes of blood pressure in normal rats and blood sugar in diabetes model mice were observed before and after the test. After anesthesia in normal rats, medication or fruit juice was infused into the duodenum, using direct pressure measurement method to measure blood pressure, reading blood pressure values before and after the experiment and conducting data analysis. The model of diabetes mice was established by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan, and the successful mice were given corresponding drugs or juice, continuous administration or juice for nine days. Mouse blood was collected on the 10th day to measure the fasting blood glucose values for comparative analysis. As the analysis of rat blood pressure revealed, there was no significant difference in blood pressure values between the high dose group of Yunnan Yuanjiang noni juice before and after injection; there was a very significant difference in blood pressure values before and after 90 minutes of injection in the medium dose group; there was a significant difference in blood pressure values between the low dose group before and after 240 minutes of injection; the medium dose group had the best blood pressure lowering effect. Analysis of blood sugar in diabetes model mice found that the low, medium and high dose groups of Yunnan Yuanjiang noni juice could reduce blood sugar to varying degrees, and the low-dose group had the best hypoglycemic effect, the hypoglycemic rate of Tahiti noni juice was 0.00%. Yunnan Yuanjiang noni juice has the dual effect of lowering blood sugar and blood pressure, and the low dose group has the best effect of reducing blood sugar. Noni introduced from Hawaii to Xishuangbanna, Yunnan and Yuanjiang, Yunnan has no significant effect on its blood sugar lowering effect.

The soil ecological restoration and land recycling of the closed tailings reservoir not only avoid the risk of random discharge, but also increase the land use area. Mulberry has strong root system, strong stress resistance, large biomass and wide application. It has great potential in the remediation and reuse of heavy metals in mines. In this study, the growth of one-year-old seedlings of three mulberry varieties (Y120, G12 and G62) after 60 days of planting in arsenic and nickel combined pollution soil in the mining area and the enrichment of arsenic and nickel in different parts were compared by the original soil pot method. At the same time, the difference of rhizosphere soil microorganisms was analyzed by metagenomics to preliminarily elucidate the adaptability of different mulberry varieties to arsenic and nickel combined pollution mine soil and its relationship with rhizosphere soil microbial diversity. The results showed that after 60 days of planting, the pollution index of nickel in the rhizosphere soil of the three varieties decreased from moderate to mild before planting, and the pollution index of arsenic in the rhizosphere soil of G62 decreased from severe pollution to moderate pollution. The shoot and root growth of the three mulberry varieties were inhibited, but the growth of G62 was better than that of Y120 and G12, and the growth of G12 was worse. The transport coefficient and enrichment coefficient of arsenic in the three mulberry varieties were less than that of nickel. The enrichment ability of arsenic was root>leaf>stem. The accumulation of arsenic in roots accounted for 47.33%-50.52% of the total plant, and the difference between varieties was not significant. However, the enrichment ability of nickel was different among different varieties. The accumulation of nickel in roots accounted for 25.67% (G12), 38.46% (G62) and 47.14% (Y120) of the total plant, and the difference between varieties was significant. The richness of Nocardioides, Thiomonas and Rhizobium in the rhizosphere soil of G62 with better growth was significantly higher than that of G12 and Y120, and the richness of Thiomonas sp. in G62 was the highest. Combined with the fact that the arsenic pollution index of G62 rhizosphere soil decreased more, these genera and species may be more involved in the barrier absorption or detoxification of arsenic in mulberry rhizosphere. The richness of Sphingopyxis sp. was the highest in G12, and the variety had the lowest arsenic and nickel transferred and enriched in the body, which may be related to its more participation in the detoxification of arsenic and nickel combined pollution in mulberry. The results of this study will lay a foundation for the screening of mulberry varieties resistant to compound heavy metals that are suitable for the growth of mining areas and the screening and utilization of strains that can promote the growth of mulberry in the soil of arsenic and nickel combined pollution mines.

A comparative analysis of the fungal community in the seedling roots of Dendrobium nobile formed by in situ symbiotic seed germination was conducted. The fungal composition and abundance dynamics were investigated to reveal the similarities and differences between the fungal treatments and the control, on three seedling developmental stages based on ITS amplicon sequencing technology and further analysis using QIIME 2 and DADA 2 methods. A total of 1 029 977 valid sequences were obtained and grouped into 876 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). The fungal treatments had more ASVs than the control, but no significant differences in fungal community richness and diversity. The number of fungal ASVs and the fungal community richness and diversity in seedling roots increased with development, and the Chao1 index was significantly higher at the 6-month seedlings than the 4- and 5-month seedlings. The principal coordinates analysis showed dissimilarities on fungal community between the fungal treatments and the control, and there were significant differences in seedlings at different developmental stages. Fungal ASVs identification showed that the dominant fungal genera in both the fungal treatments and the control were Serendipita and Sebacina, which belong to Sebacinales, while Tulasnella (Tulasnellaceae) was exclusively found in the control. Among the different month-staged seedlings, the relative abundance of the dominant genera, Serendipita and Sebacina, decreased with seedling growth, and the proportion of non-orchid mycorrhizal fungi progressively increased. The research results revealed the dynamics of the fungal communities in the artificial seedling roots of D. nobile, which was of theoretical significance for its reintroduction and ecological recovery.

As global temperature rises and international trade becomes more frequent, the world is facing increasing pressure from invasive species. Therefore, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of the types of invasive species and the possible distribution ranges to take effective prevention and control measures. This paper reported a new record invasive plant species in Hainan, Acmella uliginosa, and MaxEnt maximum entropy ecological niche modeling combined with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was used to predict the primary potential suitable areas for A. uliginosa under current and future climatic conditions in China, ROC curve analysis method was used to validate, knife-edge method to was used to analyze the major environmental variables influencing the distribution of the A. uliginosa. A. uliginosa had a large distribution space and invasion potential in China, with the main distribution areas concentrated in southern, central and southwestern regions such as Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Hainan and Taiwan. The low suitable area was mainly concentrated in Jiangxi, Hunan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Hunan and Zhejiang. By 2070, the overall suitable area of A. uliginosa in China is expected to decrease from 20.64% to 11.98%, with a decrease of 5.38% in low suitable areas and 3.28% in medium and high suitable areas. The area of low suitable areas in Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan and Zhejiang has significantly reduced. The ROC curve analysis method showed that the average area under the curve (AUC) value is 0.968 with a standard deviation of 0.004, indicating that the prediction results are reliable. The knife-cutting method analysis showed that the four key environmental variables that have the greatest impact on the potential geographical distribution of A. uliginosa in China are Bio13 (precipitation of the wettest month), Bio16 (precipitation of the wettest season), Bio2 (mean diurnal temperature range), and Bio11 (mean temperature of the coldest season) are 27.6%, 22.5%, 11.1% and 8.0% respectively, indicating that precipitation and temperature range have a significant impact on the distribution of Viola palustris. The four key environmental variables that have the least impact on the potential geographical distribution of Viola palustris in China are Sq2 (soil nutrient retention capacity), Sq6 (soil toxicity), Bio9 (mean temperature of the driest season), and Sq5 (soil salinity). The four key environmental variables with the least impact on the potential geographical distribution of aquatic golden buttons in China are Sq6 toxicity, Sq7 operability, Bio1 annual average temperature, and Sq5 soil salt content. The potential suitable area for A. uliginosa is large in southern China and needs to be monitored to prevent further spread.