In the present paper, three Coptis species, collected from Sichuan and Chongqing, China, were used for karyotypic analyses. The results indicated that both C. chinensis and C. omeinensis were diploid with chromosome 2n = 2x = 18, and C. deltoidea was an autotriploid with chromosomes 2n = 3x = 27, which explained why this species was morphologically so isolated from other species and its sterile and narrow distributing regions. The relationship between C. chinensis and C. omeinensis based on chromosome data was discussed. The probable origin of C. deltoidea was also suggested.
China ; Chromosomes, Plant ; genetics ; Coptis ; genetics ; Diploidy ; Karyotyping

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of continuous dry-stress and full-water treatments in different periods of spring on the water condition, permeability of plasma membrane and protective enzymes activities in leaves of Ligusticum chuanxiong.

METHODPot cultivation method was applied and physical and biochemical indexes were measured.

RESULTUnder dry-stress treatment the soil relative water content (SRWC) and the relative water content (RWC) in leaves decreased gradually with the days of treatment increased, the content of malondialdephyde (MDA) and permeability of plasma membrane increased significantly. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) increased at first and then decreased while the activity of peroxidase (POD) increased. The influence of full-water treatment to all above indexes was the same trend with that of dry-stress treatment approximately but was not significant.

CONCLUSIONIn this experiment, the suitable soil relative water content for growth of Chuanxiong is about 60%.

Catalase ; metabolism ; Cell Membrane ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cell Membrane Permeability ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Plant Leaves ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Regression Analysis ; Seasons ; Stress, Physiological ; drug effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Water ; pharmacology