Nonspecific Symbiosis Between Sophora flavescens and Different Rhizobia.

We explored the genetic basis of the promiscuous symbiosis of Sophora flavescens with diverse rhizobia. To determine the impact of Nod factors (NFs) on the symbiosis of S. flavescens, nodulation-related gene mutants of representative rhizobial strains were generated. Strains with mutations in common nodulation genes (nodC, nodM, and nodE) failed to nodulate S. flavescens, indicating that the promiscuous nodulation of this plant is strictly dependent on the basic NF structure. Mutations of the NF decoration genes nodH, nodS, nodZ, and noeI did not affect the nodulation of S. flavescens, but these mutations affected the nitrogen-fixation efficiency of nodules. Wild-type Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens USDA110 cannot nodulate S. flavescens, but we obtained 14 Tn5 mutants of B. diazoefficiens that nodulated S. flavescens. This suggested that the mutations had disrupted a negative regulator that prevents nodulation of S. flavescens, leading to nonspecific nodulation. For Ensifer fredii CCBAU 45436 mutants, the minimal NF structure was sufficient for nodulation of soybean and S. flavescens. In summary, the mechanism of promiscuous symbiosis of S. flavescens with rhizobia might be related to its nonspecific recognition of NF structures, and the host specificity of rhizobia may also be controlled by currently unknown nodulation-related genes.

[Tending of wild Heterosmilax yunnanensis].

To minimize the predatory harvest of Heterosmilax yunnanensis and maintain the sustainable utilization of its resources, a study on the tending technology of wild H. yunnanensis was carried out. The results showed that the tuber tending model had a higher seed emergence rate, shorter growth period and easier control of male and female ratios than other tending models; by removing shrubs, topping, bending pruning, controlling insects and pests and other effective technical measures, the growth period of H. yunnanensis was shortened; the average annual net income of the tending area was 1 086 yuan/mu (1 mu≈666.67 m²), which was 86.9% higher than before. This study was conducive to increasing the yield and quality of H. yunnanensis in Karst landform area, and instructive for the tending of other wild traditional Chinese medicinal herbs in this area.

[Application of solid-phase extraction column for determination of matrine and oxymatrine in Sophora flavescens].

A Cleanert Alumina-N-SPE column (0.5 g/6 mL) chromatograpy with 5 mL of chloroform-methanol (7: 3) as eluent, instead of aluminum oxide column (100-200 mesh, 5 g, 1 cm) chromatograpy eluted successively with chloroform and the chloroform-methanol (7:3) (20 mL each), was applied to enrich matrine and oxymatrine in Sophora flavescens. Also, the optimization of the HPLC determination conditions with acetonitrile-ethanol absolute-3% phosphoric acid solution (84: 6: 10) as mobile phase, instead of acetonitrile-ethanol absolute -3% Phosphoric acid solution (80: 10: 10) recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010 Edition, was more suitable for determination of matrine and oxymatrine in S. flavescens. This method has advantage of reducing sample handling time and solvent volume and increasing the accuracy and feasibility, which can simplify the procedure for determination of matrine and oxymatrine in S. flavescens.