Citrus leaves, which are a rich source of plant volatiles, have the beneficial attributes of rapid growth, large biomass, and availability throughout the year. Establishing the leaf volatile profiles of different citrus genotypes would make a valuable contribution to citrus species identification and chemotaxonomic studies. In this study, we developed an efficient and convenient static headspace (HS) sampling technique combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and optimized the extraction conditions (a 15-min incubation at 100 ˚C without the addition of salt). Using a large set of 42 citrus cultivars, we validated the applicability of the optimized HS-GC-MS system in determining leaf volatile profiles. A total of 83 volatile metabolites, including monoterpene hydrocarbons, alcohols, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, aldehydes, monoterpenoids, esters, and ketones were identified and quantified. Multivariate statistical analysis and hierarchical clustering revealed that mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) and orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) groups exhibited notably differential volatile profiles, and that the mandarin group cultivars were characterized by the complex volatile profiles, thereby indicating the complex nature and diversity of these mandarin cultivars. We also identified those volatile compounds deemed to be the most useful in discriminating amongst citrus cultivars. This method developed in this study provides a rapid, simple, and reliable approach for the extraction and identification of citrus leaf volatile organic compound, and based on this methodology, we propose a leaf volatile profile-based classification model for citrus.

China is the largest kiwifruit producer in the world, accounting for more than half of the total. However, in terms of yield per unit area, China is much lower than the global average and lags behind that of other countries. Yield improvement is of critical importance for the current kiwifruit industry in China. In this study, an improved overhead pergolas trellis (OPT) system, namely, the umbrella-shaped trellis (UST) system, was developed for Donghong kiwifruit, which is now the second most popular and widely cultivated red-fleshed kiwifruit in China. Surprisingly, the estimated yield on the UST system was more than two times higher than that with a traditional OPT, while the external fruit quality was maintained and the internal fruit quality was improved. One of the mechanisms contributing to the yield improvement was the significant promotion of the vegetative growth of canes at 6 ~ 10 mm in diameter by the UST system. The upper canopy of the UST treatment served as a natural shading condition for the lower fruiting canopy and thus had positive effects on the accumulation of chlorophylls and total carotenoids in the fruiting canopy. The most productive zones on the fruiting canes (6 ~ 10 mm in diameter) contained significantly higher (P < 0.05) levels of zeatin riboside (ZR) and auxin (IAA) and ratios of ZR/gibberellin (GA), ZR/abscisic acid (ABA), and ABA/GA. A relatively high carbon/nitrogen ratio may promote the flower bud differentiation process of Donghong kiwifruit. The outcomes of this study provide a scientific basis for manifold increase in production of kiwifruit and contribute to the sustainability of the kiwifruit industry.

Abstract. Ecotourism resources in China call for protection by strictly making and implementing corresponding laws in spite of the false booming tourism market which has been doing destructive damages to the vulnerable and valuable tourism resources and environment because of the awareness absence of great values and significance of ecotourism，and the absence of laws and enforcement. Based on the detailed analysis of the status quo, we suggest a comprehensive law frame to include clarifying the ownership of tourism resources, setting severe punishment onto those illegal activities and law breakers, banning commercial and industrial development surrounding tourism resources, preventing any man-made scenic sports from being developed, granting the citizens the right to free access to public scenic spots, strengthening law enforcement, civilizing tourists with protection awareness, and beautifying every place to ease the tension of ecotourism resources protection.

To translate western animal models into TCM means to combine TCM aetiological characteristics and pathobiology of western medicine to establish animal models. Translating western animal models into TCM does provide us with a new approach which will be able to help TCM diagnose diseases on more objective basis and quantitative basis. Traditionally, animal models of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are not easily reproducible, where syndromes are mostly appreciated. Most duplicated animal models could hardly reflect the natures and whole pictures of diseases. In addition, the modeling method based on disease syndromes could only reflect single aspect of a disease, since different diseases may most probably share the same syndromes. On the opposite side, western models appreciate diseases as the first priority. Anyhow, both separate the relationship between diseases and syndromes. Translating the animal models of western medicine into the experimental research of traditional Chinese medicines has the advantages of reliable results and high degree of recognition. The diseases-and-syndrome-combined animal models are more reliable and stable, allowing consistent and dynamic observation on macro and micro variations happened on such models, so as to very closely simulate clinical experiences.