Mapping of QTLs for Germination Characteristics under Non-stress and Drought Stress in Rice

Identification of genetic factors controlling traits associated with seed germination under drought stress conditions, leads to identification and development of drought tolerant varieties. Present study by using a population of F2：, derived from a cross between a drought tolerant variety, Gharib （indica） and a drought sensitive variety, Sepidroud （indica）, is to identify and compare QTLs associated with germination traits under drought stress and non-stress conditions. Through QTL analysis, using composite interval mapping, regarding traits such as germination rate （GR）, germination percentage （GP）, radicle length （RL）, plumule length （PL）, coleorhiza length （COL） and coleoptile length （CL）, totally 13 QTLs were detected under pole drought stress （-8 MPa poly ethylene glycol 6000） and 9 QTLs under non-stress conditions. Of the QTLs identified under non-stress conditions, QTLs associated with COL （qCOL-5） and GR （qGR-1） explained 21.28% and 19.73% of the total phenotypic variations, respectively Under drought stress conditions, QTLs associated with COL （qCOL-3） and PL （qPL-5） explained 18.34% and 18.22% of the total phenotypic variations, respectively. A few drought-tolerance-related QTLs identified in previous studies are near the QTLs detected in this study, and several QTLs in this study are novel alleles. The major QTLs like qGR-1, qGP-4, qRL-12 and qCL-4 identified in both conditions for traits GR, GP, RL and CL, respectively, should be considered as the important and stable trait-controlling QTLs in rice seed germination. Those major or minor QTLs could be used to significantly improve drought tolerance by marker-assisted selection in rice.     

Biofortification of onion bulb with selenium at different levels of sulfate

In this research experiment, two commercial onion cultivars (Allium cepa L., cvs. Dorrcheh and Cebolla Valenciana) were grown in sand culture and exposed to two levels of selenium (Se) (0 and 25?µM) and two levels of sulfate (1 and 3?mM). According to the results obtained, addition of 25?µM Se in combination with 3?mM sulfate was not only effective in significant increase of onion bulb yield, but it significantly increased Se concentration of bulb. By considering the average consumption of onion in central Iran, the daily intake of Se via consumption of Se-biofortified onion is estimated to be 68.4–77.2?µg in spring and summer and 72.6–117.1?µg in fall and winter. These amounts of daily intakes of Se is higher than the sufficient levels of Se recommended by world health organization (WHO) but less than the maximum tolerable level of Se (400?µg Se per day) for human.     

Nitrogen release dynamics of a slow release urea pellet and its effect on growth,yield, and nutrient uptake of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

Manure urea pellets were produced and their nitrogen release rate was evaluated in soil incubation at different water contents of 90, 75, and 60% soil filed capacity (FC). In another experiment, sweet basil growth was evaluated during eight months (with three shoot harvests) under the pellet application. The nitrogen release and pellet dispersion rates were slow after two months or at lower soil water content (60% FC), but they were significant after four months of soil incubation, or at higher soil water content (75 or particularly 90% FC). Application of pelleted urea reduced plant growth and yield at first harvest than urea treatment. However, at second and particularly at third harvest (and the average of three harvests) significant improvement in growth parameters of SPAD value, leaf area, plant height, shoot fresh weight, pot yield, and` leaf N and K concentrations were achieved by application of pelleted urea fertilization.     

Characterizing Spatial Variability of Soil Textural Fractions and Fractal Parameters Derived from Particle Size Distributions

Soil particle size distribution (PSD) is a fundamental physical property affecting other soil properties. Characterizing spatial variability of soil texture is very important in environmental research. The objectives of this work were: 1) to partition PSD of 75 soil samples, collected from a flat field in the University of Guilan, Iran, into two scaling domains using a piecewise fractal model to evaluate the relationships between fractal dimensions of scaling domains and soil clay, silt, and sand fractions and 2) to assess the potential of fractal parameters as an index used in a geostatistical approach reflecting the spatial variability of soil texture. Features of PSD of soil samples were studied using fractal geometry, and geostatistical techniques were used to characterize the spatial variability of fractal and soil textural parameters. There were two scaling domains for the PSD of soil samples. The fractal dimensions of these two scaling domains (D₁ and D₂) were then used to characterize different ranges of soil particle sizes and their relationships to the soil textural parameters. There was a positive correlation between D₁ and clay content (R² = 0.924), a negative correlation between D₁ and silt content (R² = 0.801), and a negative correlation between D₂ and sand content (R² = 0.913). The geometric mean diameter of soil particles had a negative correlation with D₁ (R² = 0.569) and D₂ (R² = 0.682). Semivariograms of fractal dimensions and soil textural parameters were calculated and the maps of spatial variation of D₁ and D₂ and soil PSD parameters were provided using ordinary kriging. The results showed that there were also spatial correlations between D₁ and D₂ and particle size fractions. According to the semivariogram models and validation parameters, the fractal parameters had powerful spatial structure and could better describe the spatial variability of soil texture.     

The effects of socio-economic status on BMI, waist:hip ratio and waist circumference in a group of Iranian women

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of socio-economic status (SES) on BMI, waist:hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC) in a group of Iranian women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 888 women in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. SES was measured using level of education. In addition, parity, marital status and physical activity were assessed. Standardized measurements were taken, BMI and WHR were calculated. RESULTS: Low education level was a strong determinant of overweight and obesity among Iranian women. After controlling for age, women with higher education level had significantly lower BMI, WC and parity. Multiple linear regression analysis found a significant negative association of BMI and WC with education level and a significant positive association of BMI and WC with parity. Significant factors associated with obesity by a logistic regression model were education level (OR for university graduates v. illiterate or low literacy levels: 1.00 v. 3.70; P = 0.01), living with spouse (OR for married v. single subjects: 1.00 v. 0.15; P = 0.05), parity (OR for more than five v. less than two pregnancies: 1.00 v. 0.34; P = 0.03) and WC (OR for < 0.88 cm v. > or = 0.88 cm: 1.00 v. 11.20; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that educational level, multiple pregnancies, marital status and lack of exercise are some possible explanations for the obesity among Sistan and Baluchestan women.     

Wide hybridization and introgression breeding in safflower: Effectiveness of different selection methods

Possibility of using interspecific hybridization to increase genetic diversity of drought tolerance in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and effectiveness of different selection methods is poorly understood. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of (a) interspecific hybridization to expand genetic diversity in safflower for agronomic traits and drought tolerance in advance generations and (b) different selection methods (direct vs. indirect) for improving seed yield. Interspecific hybridizations were performed between species of C. tinctorius × C. palaestinus (TP), C. palaestinus × C. oxyacantha (PO) and C. tinctorius × C. oxyacantha (TO). Based on the field screening of genotypes in F3 generation, four groups of selected genotypes (derived from combination of direct and indirect selection under both drought and normal environments along with selection based on drought tolerance index (STI)) were evaluated in F4 and F5 generations. Indirect selection for seed yield was significantly more efficient than direct selection. Selection in stress environment resulted to more efficiency than selection in normal environment. No significant difference was observed between direct selection and selection based on STI. The result showed that TP was the best population to combine high seed yield and drought tolerance in safflower.     

The true nature of Ganoderma in Iran: Taxonomy based on ITS and mtSSU rDNA

The genus Ganoderma Karst. has broad‐spectrum usage in biotechnology, medicine and the food industry. The complexity of the morphology within species has led to uncertain identification in the past, but recent advancements in molecular identification methods have provided scientists with the opportunity to better understand the taxonomy of the species. The present study attempts for the first time to elucidate the distinctiveness of the Ganoderma species growing in Iran concerning those elsewhere in the world based on mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA (mtSSU rDNA) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data. The results disclosed that the G. lucidum Karst. samples collected in Iran are more similar to the European Ganoderma species than to the Asian (Chinese) one used in this study.     

Influence of nanochitosan/zeolite composite on growth performance,digestive enzymes and serum biochemical parameters in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Protective effects of nanochitosan/zeolite composite besides zeolite and chitosan/zeolite composite on rainbow trout growth, digestive enzyme activities and biochemical parameters were studied. Nanochitosan/zeolite hybrid composites with three different ratio of nanochitosan:zeolite (35:100, 3.5:100 and 0.35:100) were synthesized and analysed by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermal gravim (TG) analysis and scanning electron microscope (SEM) methods. Prepared composites as well as zeolite and control diets were fed to rainbow trout (50 g) for a period of 60 days. The addition of treated diets significantly improved growth performance compared to the control diet. Supplemental zeolite could only enhance the amylase activity in fish intestine, whereas other treatment groups could increase the pepsin activity besides intestinal alkaline phosphatase, trypsin and amylase activities. No differences were observed for intestinal acid phosphatase and lipase activities among the experimental diets. Meanwhile, serum total antioxidant activity and lipid peroxidation product, indicated by malondialdehyde (MDA), significantly increased and decreased, respectively, with some doses of administration, indicating the elevated antioxidant status in treatment groups. Serum‐specific marker enzymes, namely aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), were not affected in all groups. Meanwhile serum total protein in most treatment groups was significantly higher than the control group. Results showed that synthesized composites especially nanochitosan/zeolite composite at 5 g/kg had potential to enhance growth performance, digestive enzyme activities and some biochemical parameters in rainbow trout.     

Sperm of feral carp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis>: optimization of activation solution

The spermatozoa of oviparous fish, such as feral carp (Cyprinus carpio), are immotile in the presence of semen plasma or isotonic solutions, and to obtain good motility, they must be diluted with suitable medium. The objective of this study was to identify the best activating solution for feral carp sperm. Sperm motilities were compared in the new activating solution (a): (50 mM NaCl, 30 mM KCl, 30 mM Tris, pH = 8.5) and activating solution (b): (50 mM NaCl, 40 mM KCl, 30 mM Tris, pH = 8.5) based on effect of pH with everyone of Na⁺ and K⁺ ions versus four other activating solutions Billard’s saline solution, Poupard’s saline solution, distilled water and hatchery water that is routinely used for extending carp semen. Our results showed that maximum total motility period and percentage of motile sperm were seen in selected saline solution (a). The present study describes an activating solution that prolongs feral carp sperm motility.     

Effects of supplemental dietary l‐carnitine and ractopamine on the performance of juvenile rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

This study was carried out to investigate a possible protein‐sparing action of l ‐carnitine and ractopamine in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. An 8‐week feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the effects of supplementation of three levels of l ‐carnitine (0, 1 and 2 g kg^?1) and two levels of ractopamine (0 and 10 mg kg^?1) on growth performance, fillet fatty acid compositions and blood biochemical parameters in a 3 × 2 factorial experimental design. Ractopamine and 1 g kg^?1 carnitine improved the specific growth rate (1.03% and 1.05% day^?1), feed conversion ratio (FCR, 1.3 and 1.29), protein efficiency ratio (PER, 1.88 and 1.85) of fish and crude protein (73.5 and 73.8) content of fish fillet. l ‐carnitine and ractopamine increased the levels of albumin, total protein and globulin in the serum of fish. Apart from eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, other fatty acids of fish fillet were increased by ractopamine, while total saturated fatty acids were almost intact. However, the total n‐3 poly unsaturated fatty acids were reduced by l ‐carnitine supplementation (P<0.05). The present study showed that 1 g kg^?1l ‐carnitine and 10 mg kg^?1 ractopamine each can improve the performance of rainbow trout and their combination in diet could enhance the protein level and change the fatty acids profile in fillet muscle.