The theoretical and experimental grounds for controlling radionuclide content in woody plants were elaborated for the first time. This enables one to grow clean timber under the conditions of radioactive contamination.
An integral analysis of the state of genetic resources of commercial forest-forming coniferous species of Belarus was carried out. This allowed to direct the basic ways to the development of reafforestation and forest planting. Linkage analysis for isozyme loci in pines and spruces was carried out and genetic maps for 6 to 9 loci were constructed.
An ecological and economic evaluation technique of fruit and berry plants resources was worked out. Ecological and biological peculiarities of forest berry-fields (cranberries, clusterberries, blueberries) and edible mushroom xylophages (oyster mushrooms, shiitekes, summer mushrooms) under the conditions of culture were studied. Regional culture practices of berry-field cultivation and mushroom growing technology under the controlled conditions were worked out.
Parameters have been set up for the optimum growth and development of trees in pine cultivated cenoses and pine-birch stands of Belarus which occur under the conditions of an intensive industrial impact.
The immunity of the most dangerous phyllophagous insects has been investigated. Anti-infective lysozyme-like and cecropin-like components were determined and identified. These enhances the capabilities of pest insects generation prediction and control efficiency.
Transgenic plants of 8 potato genotypes with kanamycin resistance genes and insectotoxin gene were produced by the method of agrobacterial transformation of leaf disks. A high degree of integration stability but different efficiency of alien gene expression among transgenic plants was revealed by vegetative and sexual propagation of potato transformants. The results obtained made it possible to improve the method of potato plant transformation and made a certain contribution to the study on mechanisms of interaction between plant genome and transgenes.
Field trials of previously developed nitrogen-fixing bacteria strain in triticale and in perennial grasses have shown that plant treatment with a new strain increases grain yield in triticale by 6.2 c/ha and green weight of grass by 30 c/ha under harvesting that is equivalent to additional application of 30--40 kg/ha of mineral nitrogen. (In cooperation with the Belarusian Research Institute of Agriculture and Fodder and the Belarusian Research Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry.)
A reconstruction of hexaploid triticale karyotype was performed by developing D(A)- and D(B)-chromosome substitutions. The fixation process of different substitution types was shown to be of non-casual character and there were revealed factors affecting it that gives the scope for directional synthesis of the substituted forms. The data obtained show an outlook for introgression of D-genome chromosomes into hexaploid triticale in terms of improving technological properties of grain in this crop (by findings of the analysis of the total protein content and by sedimentation indices).
A significant modifying influence of cytoplasms of Triticum, Aegilops and Agropyron species on the degree of wheat seeding resistance to a phytopathogenic fungus Septoria nodorum was revealed. Alien cytoplasms were shown to modify manifestation of partial wheat resistance to septoriosis in a specific way and unidirectionally that depends on nuclear genetic background and on pathogene genotype. High-effective resistance genes to the Belarusian populations of brown rust and mildew were detected that makes it possible to recommend them for breeding for immunity.
It was revealed that by incomplete surgical removal of different genotype tumors and under growth of tumor relapse an increased amount of native immune complexes, a complex of free tumorous antigenes including embryospecific antigenes were observed in blood serum of mice. At the same time there were no antitumorous antigenes, the state of cancer anergy was not changed with antitumorous resistance (immunity). The level of immune complexes decreases in blood serum, free tumorous antigenes disappear, antitumorous antibodies appear and pronounced antitumorous immunity develops by complete surgical removal of the tumor. The results obtained are of an important value for understanding the mechanism of cancer anergy development, immunogenetic interrelationships between tumor and organism, and for working out methods of specific immunological diagnosis of tumor growth based on its pathogenesis.
Genetic screening of people living in radiocontaminated areas of Belarus due to the Chernobyl accident was carried out, 27 families with autosomal dominantly inherited syndromes being revealed by a clinicogenealogical analysis. Oncorisk groups were formed: 106 members of "highcancer" families were included in an "increased oncorisk" group and 65 -- in a "high oncorisk" group. The revealed persons are subject to a regular medical examination.
Molecular-functional heterogeneity of pestindepolymerases in mycelial fungi shown to be determined by complex regulatory mechanisms may be regarded as adaptation factor providing for high competitiveness and ecological flexibility of mycelial fungi.
Extracellular protein-polysaccharide complexes of bifidobacteria have been isolated and characterized, the ability to enhance population adaptation potential and high biological activity was demonstrated.
It was established that top antioxidative activity of fungus Lactiporus sulphureus was reached in complex lipid-soluble mixtures evidencing their mutually stabilizing effect and synergistic interaction of carotenoids with other lipid compounds.
A microbial transformation of synthetic antiviral nucleoside 2'-nor-2'-deoxyguanosine (gancyclovir) into 5'-triphosphate derivative was carried out for further medico-biological examination.
The method for soil decontamination from oil and diesel fuel based on Rodobel-T preparation incorporating microbial association of hydrocarbon degraders immobilized on peat sorbent has been elaborated and applied in commercial practice.
By method based on registration of phosphorescent spectral and kinetic parameters of lipid peroxidation products (LPO) the possibility of realization of LPO processes in biological membranes was shown. This follows from the discovered fact of different accumulation of LPO products in annualar and free-of-protein zones of lipid matrix.
The heterogeneity of pores was found in erythrocyte membrane with increasing the concentration of lipophilic hemolysins; this accounts for the existence of planar heterogeneity of lipids in plasma membrane.
It was established that hypotonic swelling of isolated rat brain synaptosomes results in the opening of the presynaptic plasma membrane calcium channels with properties different from those of the earlier described voltage-sensitive ones. It is suggested that these channels are involved in the reactions of volume homeostasis in nervous cells.
It is found that the treatment of etiolated barley leaves by levulinic acid inhibites the chlorophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis and doesn't influence distinctly on the apoprotein LHCP II content. The absence of correlation between pigment and protein LHCP II component synthesis indicates that the chlorophyll biosynthesis system controls the LHCP II formation at posttranslation assembly stage.
The formation of the competent photosystem 2 without action of light is found in dark-grown (etiolated) leaves of angiosperms containing neither chlorophyll nor the both photosystems of photosynthesis after supplying them with chlorophyll precursor -- chlorophyllide and the redox cofactor -- NADPH. Thus, the chlorophyll formed in plant from chlorophyllide in the presence of NADPH induces the selfassembly of supramolecular ensemble of photosystem 2 with its completely functioning photochemical apparatus.
By complex investigation of triticale photosynthetic apparatus on different organization levels it has been established the reliable (trustworthy) genotypical distinguishes of pigment characteristics (chlorophyll and carotenoid contents) for parental forms and their hybrids of the first and the second generations. It was shown a marked subscription of nonnucleus genome to form of signs, determined by chlorophyll b content (Chl a/b ratio and LHCP). These data supplement essentially the idea about character of genetic determination of pigment indexes and create the base for their use in selection.
It is found that natural and antropogenic mozaicity of landscapes and the character of ecotones play the leading role in maintaining the existing species diversity and the population structure of the various ecotones of terrestrial animals (mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects and other arthropods, soil mesofauna, aquatic invertebrates, parasite organisms) with distinct manifestation of their natural zonal specificity.
On the basis of zoocenotic criteria, a basically new concept of stability of hydrobiont communities has been developed: the stability level is determined by the species diversity, spatial structuring of communities and the strategy of vital cycles. The principle of layer-by-layer of plankton in stratified water bodies has been scientifically justified for the first time. It has been tested in studying the efficiency of energy transfer in a consument community.
Studies of the fauna of lakes different in their succession ages and peat content type have revealed that as a typical ecotone, their littoral zone is the most sensitive component of the ecosystem reacting to any changes in the trophic status of a water body, including water bodies under anthropogenic eutrophication.
From analysis of the data obtained in studies of ichthyocenoses of the unique system of lakes (the Perebrody group), the main trends in succession of their ichthyocenoses have been determined. It is shown that for wise management of fish resources in water bodies of Belarus, it is necessary to improve "The Rules of Fishing" by introducing limiting catches based on the estimation structure of the ichthyocenoces, the number, ichthyomass, production, specificity of the growth of the main commercial fishes with obligatory account of the typology of water bodies, contingent and selectivity of catching tools used.
On the basis of generalization and analysis of the results of studies conducted for many years on the parameters of state and relations of distribution of birds from the various habitat types, for the first time in Belarus, the levels of their numbers were calculated as a basis for estimation of the genetic base of ornithofauna and implementation of a system of state cadaster and a system of monitoring of animals.
The character of action of key abiotic, biotic and anthropogenic factors on the number, structure and productivity of populations of the most important commercial hunting species of large animals (the elk, wild boar, dee, roe deer, beaver, wolf, etc.) in Belarus has been found, which is necessary for development of the program of rational use of these animal species and increase of the efficiency of their conservation and hunting management.
A preliminary pattern version of the first volumes of "Flora in Belarus" (vascular plants, mossy plants and lichen) has been worked out. On the basis of the carried out evolution process reconstruction of the mossy plants has been determined the relationship of such notions as monophyly, paraphyly and polyphyly in this process as well as were shown aromorphosis manifestation features -- the important phenomenon in evolution.
A series of detailed maps was compiled and an inventory of plant covering in Belarus was completed. The following factors were studied: typological structure, patterns of location, formation and alternation of vegetation and its anthropogenic dynamics. The levels of technogenic contamination (heavy metals, benzopyrene, nitrates), pollutant accumulation in phytomass and their effect on the state and dynamics of forest ecosystems were investigated. The reserves and utilization of plant and recreation resources of the Republic as well as reserves and dynamics of plant organic matter in galacenosis were shown. In terms of the analysis of the functioning system of the particularly protected natural area and prospects of development, the proposals for its extension and optimization were worked out and scientifically substantiated for the most complete preservation of valuable gene pool and biological diversity of vegetation.
Regularities of growth correlations in cereal plant as a shoot system were studied, methods for their quantitative characteristic were suggested and on this basis was developed and protected by three patents the method for modification of correlation between shoots of spring barley plants and treatment with growth regulators that makes it possible to increase greatly grain productivity of primary tillering shoots.
Phytoprotective effect of brassinosteroid phytohormones was revealed to proceed due to joint regulatory and antibiotic activities, intensification and subsequent stabilization of auxin exchange and accumulation of phenolic protective substances.
Caesium-137 radionuclide was shown to be discharged into the atmosphere during vegetation period in radiocontaminated zones in the course of plant transpiration in the amount exceeding its content in plant green weight that is indicative of an active participation of vegetation in scattering and redistribution of radionuclides in the environment and accounts for the cause of rise in soil- and plant radioactivity in relatively clean regions of the Republic.
The information on organelle biochemistry during callus genesis in plants has been integrated. Structural components of a protein-lipid fraction of supermolecular complexes of cell nucleus (a portion of nonhistonic proteins, phosphatidylinositol and other phospholipide, sterols and their ethers) were shown to take part in the processes of controlling proliferation activity of initial explants and calli that offers ample scope for controlling growth and development of plant tissues.
In the framework of the European Ecological Monitoring an assessment is given to ecological state of Belarus forest ecosystems, and the direction of bioproduction processes in pine phytocenoses at different technogenic stresses is indicated.
Features of stress metabolism are identified in main aboriginal and introduced woody plants used for planting greenery in the conditions of complex impact of industry and transport contaminants of urban environment.
An estimate is given to the collection genetic fund of clusterberry for biological active compounds accumulation in vegetative bodies, the influence of geographic and genetic factors is defined as well as means of biochemical decomposition of clusterberry leaves which is the scientific basis for further introduction and selection research. Most perspective forms for introduction into industry are defined as well as optimal terms for clusterberry leaves gathering in Belarus.
Source: "Main Results of Fundamental Research.1995". Eds. A.M.Goncharenko and N.N.Kostyukovich. Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Minsk, 1996
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