Vol 6, No 4 (2008)

The genetic control of signal interactions between partners during formation legume-rhizobial symbiosis is examined. The ability of legumes to perceive the signal molecules (Nod-factors) excreting by nodule bacteria appears to be the base of these interactions. The diversity of receptor kinases in legume plants reflects the specificity of interactions with diverse strains of nodule bacteria.

To study the relatives of two grasses carrying an unusual 2-chromosome genome, Zingeria biebersteiniana and Colpodium versicolor, we have studied the phylogeny relationships of Colpodium sensu lato species and some other grasses by analysis of ITS1 and ITS2 of nuclear rDNA. Z. biebersteiniana (2n = 4, x = 2), Z. trichopoda (2n = 8, x = 2), and C. versicolor (2n = 4, x = 2) form a well supported clade with a single species of Colpodium s. l. complex,Catabrosella araratica (2n = 42, x = 7). All other Colpodium s.l. complex species form another well supported group [{Catabrosella variegata (2n = 10, x = 5), C. subornata (2 n= ?)} Hyalopoa pontica (2n = 28, x = 7), Paracolpodium altaicum (2n = 42, x = 7){Hyalopoa lanatiflora (2n = 28, x = 7), Catabrosa capusii (2n = 20, x = 5), C. aquatica (2n = 20, x = 5)}]. This clade is sister to group [{Puccinelia distans (2n = 42, x = 7), Sclerochloa dura (2n = 14,x = 7)}, Phippsia concinna (2n = 28, x = 7)]. 

The mutagenic activity of five pesticides actara, sencor, mospilan, pencozeb, fastac widely used for treatment of potato plant lands in Tatarstan was tested in the Ames test. The non toxic concentrations of the pesticides determined in preliminary cytotoxicty test were used in the Ames assay. Pesticides actara, mospilan, pencozeb, fastac did not show mutagenic effect in Salmonella typhimurium TA 100 without rat liver S9 fraction. The weak mutagenic effect of herbicide sencor was established at concentration 1 ug/plate. Metabolic activation in vitro using rat liver S9 fraction decreased the mutagenic activity of sencor and did not alter the mutagenicity rate of the pesticides actara, mospilan, pencozeb and fastac.