A genetic linkage map in southern‐by‐spring oat identifies multiple quantitative trait loci for adaptation and rust resistance

We developed 178 recombinant inbred lines from a southern‐by‐spring oat population designated as “TxH.” These lines were genotyped to generate a high‐quality linkage map that resolved 6,902 markers into 21 linkage groups that matched closely with the latest hexaploid oat consensus map. Three major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting heading date were found in locations that are consistent with known QTLs and candidate genes, and two other QTLs affecting heading date were found in novel locations. Five QTLs affecting plant height were found. Both sets of QTLs are responsible for transgressive segregation observed for these two traits. Four QTLs affecting resistance to crown rust, caused by the pathogen Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae, were identified. Two of these QTLs are consistent with known clusters of rust resistance genes, while two may represent new locations of novel rust resistance genes. A complete set of SNP sequences suitable for generating markers for molecular selection is provided.     

Whitened kernel surface: A fast and reliable method for assessing Fusarium severity on cereal grains by digital picture analysis

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a cereal disease of major importance responsible for yield losses and mycotoxin contaminations in grains. Here, we introduce a new measurement approach to quantify FHB severity on grains based on the evaluation of the whitened kernel surface (WKS) using digital image analysis. The applicability of WKS was assessed on two bread wheat and one triticale grain sample sets (265 samples). Pearson correlation coefficients between Fusarium‐damaged kernels (FDK) and WKS range from r = 0.77 to r = 0.81 and from r = 0.61 to r = 0.86 for the correlation between deoxynivalenol (DON) content and WKS. This new scoring method facilitates fast and reliable assessment of the resistance to kernel infection and shows significant correlation with mycotoxin content. WKS can be automated and does not suffer from the “human factor” inherent to visual scorings. As a low‐cost and fast approach, this method appears particularly attractive for breeding and genetic analysis of FHB resistance where typically large numbers of experimental lines need to be evaluated, and for which WKS is suggested as an alternative to visual FDK scorings.     

典型山地草甸草原主要牧草生长发育情况分析

对天山北坡中山带典型山地草甸草原4种具有代表性的天然牧草——老芒麦（Elymus sibiricus）、黄（Astragalus membranaceus）、老鹳草（Geranium wilfordii）、千叶蓍（Achillea millefolium）的生长发育情况进行了研究。结果表明，4种牧草的高度变化趋势表现为“慢-快-慢”的植物基本生长规律；老芒麦、千叶蓍、老鹳草的生长速率在返青期到分蘖期时较快，而黄芪的生长速率则在返青后就较快，分蘖期后4种牧草的生长速率开始变慢；盖度和产量的最大值出现在6月和7月。     

茶氨酸合成酶基因的SNP挖掘和遗传定位

茶氨酸合成酶(Theanine synthetase,TS)基因是茶树茶氨酸代谢过程中的关键酶基因。本研究以氨基酸含量差异明显的亲本及其杂交所得F_1子代为研究材料,克隆TS基因的c DNA序列,挖掘其SNPs位点,并成功将杂合SNP位点定位在遗传连锁群上。研究结果显示,通过序列比对在亲本间检测到3个SNPs,验证得到1个杂合的位点SNP735。将此位点成功转化为dCAPS标记,该标记在子代中的基因型分离比为1∶1,利用该群体已构建的茶树遗传图谱进行遗传定位,将dCAPS标记定位在连锁群LG03上,相邻标记为TM299和TM517。联合此标记及其相邻标记与游离氨基酸总含量和茶氨酸含量进行统计分析,表明具有显著的相关性。     

Evaluating the Effects of Dietary Prebiotic Mixture of Mannan Oligosaccharide and Poly‐β‐Hydroxybutyrate on the Growth Performance,Immunity, and Survival of Rainbow Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum 1792), Fingerlings

This study investigated the effects of dietary poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, and disease resistance of rainbow trout fingerlings. A total of 420 fingerlings, distributed equally into four different groups, each with three replicates, were fed a basal diet (control), 2% PHB (PHB), 0.2% MOS (MOS), or a diet supplemented with a mixture of 2% PHB and 0.2% MOS (PHB+MOS) for 60 d. Results showed that dietary PHB and/or MOS did not cause significant improvement in the growth performance of the fingerlings. The gut pH was markedly reduced; however, the activities of the digestive enzymes (except for pepsin and amylase by dietary PHB) were not significantly improved by the dietary supplements. Results also showed that dietary PHB and/or MOS markedly increased the resistance of the fingerlings toward Yersinia ruckeri infection, while the lowest total antibody was observed in fish fed control and MOS, indicating that MOS exerts its protective effects by modulating other mechanisms. Overall, this study provided a first screening effort to determine the effects of PHB and/or MOS as dietary supplements in rainbow trout fingerlings to develop an optimal prebiotic mix for improving the growth and health status of rainbow trout.     

关中-天水经济区人类活动对植被覆盖变化的影响

为探究植被覆盖变化及人类活动对改善关中地区及西北地区的生态环境影响,利用植被覆盖和地表温度数据,结合Sen趋势与Mann-Kendall检验分析关中-天水经济区2001—2016年的植被覆盖变化趋势,并根据估算的土壤湿度因子,应用残差法评价人类活动对植被覆盖变化的影响程度及影响方向。结果表明:1)从时间变化维度来看,2001—2016年关中-天水经济区植被覆盖变化总体呈良好趋势,且整体表现为在不断波动中递增,表明关天经济区进行的生态环境建设工程正在慢慢凸显它的生态效应。2)从空间变化维度来看,关中-天水经济区植被覆盖显著增长的区域面积占35.87%,主要集中在研究区南北两侧。而显著下降的面积区域占3.21%,主要分布在城市中心,即经济发展活跃的地区,如西安市区,宝鸡市区,天水市区,铜川市区等。3)关中-天水经济区植被覆盖受自然因素影响较小,受其他因素影响大。其正相关区域占13.43%,不显著相关区域占85.26%。4)关中-天水经济区人类活动对植被覆盖变化的正作用大于负作用。其中,正作用区域主要分布在研究区北部和东南地区,其主要原因是人类活动不频繁,建设生态屏障、加强退耕还林、三北防护林保护以及水土保持等生态工程促进植被NDVI增长。负作用区域主要分布在渭河沿线、经济活动较高地区,其主要原因有:人类活动频繁、过度城市化、工业化等抑制植被生长。5)植被覆盖的增长和下降区域与人类活动对植被影响的正作用和负作用区域大致相同。这也从侧面反映了关天经济区植被覆盖情况受人类活动影响大。总之,在负作用区域,在经济建设发展的同时也要注重植被建设、以及对植被乃至生态环境的保护。     

Spatiotemporal patterns of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) in response to a restoration of longitudinal connectivity

To examine the role of longitudinal connectivity on the spatial and temporal dynamics of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni), we quantified movement and population dynamics following installation of the Landsburg Dam fishway, Cedar River, WA, USA. Mountain whitefish is widely distributed, poorly studied and not the focus of restoration. Before the fishway, mountain whitefish were not observed above the dam. Here, we focus on snorkel counts collected at reach and mesohabitat (e.g. pools) scales over 11 summers on the 20‐km above‐dam segment following restoration. A camera within the ladder provided number, size and movement timing, thereby informing on behaviour and recolonisation. Segment‐scale abundance increased following fish passage reaching an asymptote in 7 years, and mountain whitefish were detected throughout the main stem in 10 years. Annual movement through the ladder increased over time and was positively correlated with instream abundance and discharge, but negatively correlated with water temperature. About 60% of fish movements occurred in spring and early summer, potentially for foraging opportunities. Reach‐scale abundance peaked between 7 and 10 km from the dam; deep, cool (~10.6 to 11.6°C) conditions characterised these reaches. At the mesohabitat scale, mountain whitefish detection increased with depth and velocity after accounting for distance from the dam. Our results show how restoring longitudinal connectivity allowed this nontarget species to colonise newly available habitat. Their response supports the critical roles of longitudinal connectivity and environmental conditions, that manifest at different spatial scales, in dictating how freshwater fish respond to habitat disturbance.     

Soil protection for a sustainable future: options for a soil monitoring network for Ireland

The increased recognition of the importance of soil is reflected in the UN Post‐2015 Development Agenda with sustainable development goals that directly and indirectly relate to soil quality and protection. Despite a lack of legally binding legislation for soil protection, the European Commission remains committed to the objective of soil protection. However, the achievement of a legally binding framework for soil protection relies on the implementation of a soil monitoring network (SMN) that can detect changes to soil quality over time. As beneficiaries do not pay for the provision of soil information, the options for soil monitoring are limited. The use of existing data sets should be considered first. Using Ireland as an example, this research explored the opportunities for a SMN for Ireland considering three existing national data sets. The options for a SMN are considered in terms of their spatial and stratified distribution, the parameters to be measured and an economic analysis of the options proposed. This research finds that for Ireland, either a 10 or a 16 km² grid interval stratified by land use and drainage class offers the best potential in relation to the spatial distribution of existing data sets to reflect local data at a national level. With existing data, the stratified SIS data using the 16 km² grid offers the best value for money, with baseline costs for analysis, excluding field costs, of between €706 481 and €2.8 million. Acknowledging the impossibility of measuring all parameters with ideal frequency, this study proposes a two‐tier system for optimized monitoring frequency. Parameters must anticipate future policy requirements. Finally, the implementation of a SMN must be accompanied by standardized methods, defined thresholds and action mandates to maintain soil quality within allowable limits.