Objective To determine the genetic diversity of germplasm resource in cultivated and wild Cistanche deserticola. Methods Fifty-eight samples from three populations of cultivated and wild C. deserticola were analyzed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) DNA markers, and the gene- tic diversity was evaluated by PopGen32. Results The average percentage of polymorphic loci (PPL) of cultivated C. deserticola is 79.16%. The PPL of wild population is 89.53%. Average Neis gene diversity index (He) from four populations was 0.193 8, Shannons genetic diversity index (I) was 0.300 4, and genetic differentiation index (Gst) was 0.097 9. Conclusion The diversities of cultivated and wild C. deserticola are both higher and theres no differentiation between them. It shows that genetic diversity of inner-species is higher, which is not the reason for endangerment. Therefore, wild nursery and artificial cultivating are the best measures for the conservation and sustainable utilization in C.deserticola.

To study the diversity of endophytic fungi community from Cistanche deserticola, samples were collected from two planting bases in Inner Mongolia and Ningxia autonomous regions separately in spring and autumn. As a result, 618 strains of endophytic fungi had been isolated from samples. It was identified that 453 of the strains which accounted for 73.30% were spore strains, respectively belonging to 24 genera, and Fusarium (25.89%) and Acremonium (16.99%) were determined as dominant species. Number and species of endophytic fungi from C. deserticola showed a great diversity, and the differences of parts, localities and seasons were demonstrated.
Biodiversity ; China ; Cistanche ; microbiology ; Fungi ; classification ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Seasons

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of pollen viability and stigma receptivity of C. deserticola and provide theory basis for seed production and breeding of C. deserticola.

METHODDifferent physiological measurement methods were applied to evaluate pollen viability and stigma receptivity. The results of different methods were compared with the seed setting percentage of the cross-pollination in the field test and pollen germination percentage by fluoroscope observation methods. The changes of pollen vitality and stigma receptivity in different conditions were tested using proper methods.

RESULTThe optimum methods on pollen viability and stigma receptivity detection were MTT-test and Benzidine-Hydrogen Peroxide method respectively. Results showed that the mean pollen viability and stigma receptivity were both the highest in inchoate anthesis with pollen germination percentage up to 95%, and can maintain viable for 4-5 d, but at the lower temperature of 4 degrees C, the pollen can be stored up to 10 days.

CONCLUSIONThe physiological characteristics of pollen and stigma of C. deserticola displayed good ecological adaptation, which are much more adaptive to the large area of cultivation condition.

Adaptation, Biological ; Cistanche ; physiology ; Flowers ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Germination ; Pollen ; cytology ; physiology ; Pollination ; physiology ; Reproduction ; physiology

OBJECTIVEDiscuss the trade-off between vegetative growth and reproductive growth.

METHODVegetative modules and reproductive modules by large sampling were separated and quantitative charecters of organs and pattern of reproductive allocation were analysed of reproductive allocation were analysed.

RESULTThe phenotype plasticity of quantitative charecters were significant. Reproductive biomass was increasing at different stages. The mass of reproductive investment increased significantly with increasing individual size, the opposite of reproductive allocation. There were all significant positive correlations between the seeds weight and height, total biomass, vegetative biomass, reproductive biomass, fruit numbers, fruit weight.

CONCLUSIONThe significance of phenotype plasticity is the cause of multiple elements. In the process of transferring from vegetative growth to reproductive growth, there was a trade-off between organs. Under individual growth and reproductive strategy, the variation of biomass was allocated coordinately.

Biomass ; Cistanche ; growth & development ; Phenotype ; Reproduction