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Saussurea pseudogracilis Kitam. is characterized by its slender leaves, small involucre and small number of involucral bracts compared to Saussurea gracilis Maxim. But some taxonomists insist that it is hard distinguih S. pseudogracilis from S. pseudogracilis. We tried to discern taxonomic identification of S. pseudogracilis by measuring and analyzing 45 qualitative characters and 42 quantitative characters on 165 specimen. S. pseudograilis was not distinguished from S. gracilis not only by qualitative characters but also by quantitative characters even on statistical analysis(PCA). Therefore, S. pseudogracilis is not independent taxonomic species and it is proper to consider S. pseudogracilis as a synonym of S. gracilis.

We investigated the flora of Mudeung-san (Mt.) located in Gwangju-gwangyeoksi, Hwasun-gun and Damyang-gun and discussed the vascular plants found there. 22 days separate fild trips were completed from March of 2009 to November 2011. As a result, we identified the distribution of 816 taxa in Mudeung-san (Mt.), comprising 123 families, 441 genera, 668 species, 5 subspecies, 121 varieties and 18 forms. There are a total 111 taxa of floristic regional indicator plants. The floristic regional indicator plants are as follows; nine taxa of level V such as Gastrodia elata Blume, six taxa of level IV such as Hylomecon hylomeconoides T. Lee, 21 taxa of level III such as Stewartia korena Nakai, 18 taxa of level II, and 66 taxa of level I. In addition, two critically endangered species (CR), Galeola septentrionalis Rchb.f. and Paeonia obovata Maxim., two endangered species (EN), Dryopteris cycadina (Franch. & Sav.) C.Chr. and Jeffersonia dubia Benth., and eight vulnerable species (VU), such as Lilium callosum Siebold & Zucc, were found in the investigated area. Also, 14 endermic plants of Korea, such as Salix koriyanagi Kimura and Aconitium chiisanense Nakai, were found.

L-type lectin receptor-like kinases (L-LecRKs) act as a sensor of extracellular signals and an initiator for plant immune responses. However, the function of LecRK-S.4 on plant immunity has not been extensively investigated. At present, in the apple (Malus domestica) genome, we identified that MdLecRK-S.4.3, a homologous gene of LecRK-S.4, was differentially expressed during the occursion of Valsa canker. Over-expression of MdLecRK-S.4.3 facilitated the induction of immune response and enhanced the Valsa canker resistance of apple and pear fruit, and ‘Duli-G03’ (Pyrus betulifolia) suspension cells. On the contrary, the expression of PbePUB36, RLCK XI subfamily member, was significantly repressed in the MdLecRK-S.4.3 overexpressed cell lines. Over-expression of PbePUB36 interfered with the Valsa canker resistance and immune response caused by up-regulation of MdLecRK-S.4.3. Furthermore, MdLecRK-S.4.3 interacted with BAK1 or PbePUB36 in vivo. In conclusion, MdLecRK-S.4.3 activated various immune responses and positively regulate Valsa canker resistance, which could be largely compromised by PbePUB36. MdLecRK-S.4.3 interacted with PbePUB36 and/or MdBAK1 to mediate the immune responses. This finding provides a reference for studying the molecular mechanism of resistance to Valsa canker and resistance breeding.

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