Genetic mapping and inheritance of Russian wheat aphid resistance gene in accession IG 100695

The Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov), is an important pest of small‐grain cereals, particularly wheat, worldwide. The most efficient strategy against the RWA is to identify sources of resistance and to introduce them into susceptible wheat genotypes. This study was conducted to determine the mode of inheritance of the RWA resistance found in ICARDA accession IG 100695, to identify wheat microsatellite markers closely linked to the gene and to map the chromosomal location of the gene. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker scores were identified in a mapping population of 190 F₂ individuals and compared, while phenotypic screening for resistance was performed in F_2 : 3 families derived from a cross between ‘Basribey’ (susceptible) and IG 100695 (resistant). Phenotypic segregation of leaf chlorosis and rolling displayed the effect of a single dominant gene, temporarily denoted Dn100695, in IG 100695. Dn100695 was mapped on the short arm of chromosome 7D with four linked SSR markers, Xgwm44, Xcfd14, Xcfd46 and Xbarc126. Dn100695 and linked SSR markers may be useful for improving resistance for RWA in wheat breeding.     

ODAP levels in some <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lathyrus</Emphasis> species distributed on Burdur-Isparta provinces in Turkey

Lathyrus species are distributed in natural areas of Turkey and are cultivated for use in human and animal food. Plants and seeds of Lathyrus species contain a neurotoxic substance called \upbeta\upbeta-N-oxalyl-L- \upalpha\upalpha, \upbeta\upbeta–diamino propanoic acid (ODAP). When consumed in large quantities, ODAP may cause a kind of paralysis known as lathyrism. In this note, ODAP levels were determined in Lathyrus species collected in the Burdur-Isparta provinces. The leaves and seeds of plant samples were analysed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). ODAP was not detected in L. aphaca L. var. pseudoaphaca (Boiss.) Davis, L. sphaericus Retz., or L. aureus (Stev.) Brandza; the seed samples of L. cicera L. and L. clymenum L. contained 0.053 and 0.171% ODAP, respectively. Leaf samples of L. cicera L. contained 0.018% ODAP. This preliminary note seems to point to a secondary gene pool that may serve as a valuable source of genetic material for grass pea improvement.     

Co-expression of the Bcl-xL antiapoptotic protein enhances the induction of Th1-like immune responses in mice immunized with DNA vaccines encoding FMDV B and T cell epitopes

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most devastating animal diseases, affecting all cloven-hoofed domestic and wild animal species. Previous studies from our group using DNA vaccines encoding FMD virus (FMDV) B and T cell epitopes targeted to antigen presenting cells, allowed demonstrating total protection from FMDV homologous challenge in those animals efficiently primed for both humoral and cellular specific responses (Borrego et al. Antivir Res 92:359-363, 2011). In this study, a new DNA vaccine prototype expected to induce stronger and cross-reactive immune responses against FMDV which was designed by making two main modifications: i) adding a new B-cell epitope from the O-serotype to the B and T-cell epitopes from the C-serotype and ii) using a dual promoter plasmid that allowed inserting a new cistron encoding the anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL gene under the control of the internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) of encephalomyocarditis virus aiming to increase and optimize the antigen presentation of the encoded FMDV epitopes after in vivo immunization. In vitro studies showed that Bcl-xL significantly prolonged the survival of DNA transfected cells (p?<?0.001). Accordingly, vaccination of Swiss out-bred mice with the dual promoter plasmid increased the total IgG responses induced against each of the FMDV epitopes however no significant differences observed between groups. The humoral immune response was polarized through IgG2a in all vaccination groups (p?<?0.05); except peptide T_3A; in correspondence with the Th1-like response observed, a clear bias towards the induction of specific IFN-γ secreting CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell responses was also observed, being significantly higher (p?<?0.05) in the group of mice immunized with the plasmid co-expressing Bcl-xL and the FMDV B and T cell epitopes.     

Origin and distribution of the brachial plexus of the Van cats

Knowing the structure and variations of the plexus brachialis is important in neck and shoulder surgery. The knowledge of the brachial plexus reduces the injury rate of the nerves in surgical interventions to the axillary region. The major nerve trunks of the thoracic limb were the suprascapular, subscapular, axillary, radial, musculocutaneous, median and ulnar nerves. In Van cats, the brachial plexus was formed by the ventral branches of the spinal nerves, C6-C7-C8 and T1. The 7th cervical nerve was quite thick compared to the others. The subscapular nerve was the thinnest (on the right side, the average length was 6.55 ± 0.60 mm and on the left side was 6.50 ± 0.60 mm), and the radial nerve was the thickest (the average length on the right side was 28.48 ± 0.44 mm and on the left side was 29.11 ± 0.55 mm). The suprascapular nerve was formed by the ventral branch of the 6th cervical nerve. The subscapular nerves were formed by a branch originating from the 6th cervical nerve and the two medial and caudal branches originating from the 7th cervical nerve. No communicating branch between the ulnar nerve and the median nerve was observed in the palmar region. The axillary nerve was formed by the ventral branches of the 7th nerve, the musculocutaneous nerve was formed by ventral branches of the 6th and 7th cervical nerves, and the ulnar nerve was formed by ventral branches of the 8th cervical and the 1st thoracic nerves. The radial nerve was the thickest branch in the brachial plexus. In Van cats, the origin and distribution of nerves were similar to those reported in the literature for other species of cats, with the exception of the suprascapular, subscapular and axillary nerves.     

Application of quantum dot-based biosensor to the conjunctiva in Wistar albino rats

This study was conducted to get an idea about the distribution of the lymphatic fluid in conjunctiva throughout the body parts. For this purpose, Qdot655 (QD), fluorescence nanoparticles, spread onto the conjunctiva were used on Wistar albino rats. Drainage of QD particles from conjunctiva was followed up via fluorescence images at different hours on body parts such as eye, ears, forearms, hind legs and tails. The first fluorescence signals within the 30th minutes following administration of QD were observed in the nasal region and the anterior extremities. Whereas within 60th minutes following QD spread, fluorescent signals were obtained from the ears, forearms, hind legs and tail of the female and male rats.     

Possibilities of using sewage sludge as nitrogen fertilizer for maize

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of nitrogen fertilizer sources of ammonium sulphate and municipal sewage sludge on yield, N content and uptake of the maize (Zea mays L.). Nutrient and heavy metals were determined in soil and plant. The experiment with three sludge rates (256, 513 and 1026 kg total N ha^?1 or 9.5, 18.0 and 38.1 t ha^?1 sludge), two nitrogen rates (80 and 160 kg N ha^?1) and zero-N control were conducted on a clay loam soils under irrigated conditions in Eastern Anatolia region in Turkey. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Yield, N content and total N uptake of maize increased significantly with sludge application. 9.5 t and 19.0 t ha^?1 sewage sludge applications did not significantly affect heavy metal content of leaf and grain. However, 38.1 t ha^?1 sludge applications increased leaf Pb and Zn. DTPA-extractable Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn concentrations of the soil increased at applications of 38.1 t ha^?1 sewage sludge, whereas applications of 9.5 t and 19.0 t ha^?1 sludge only resulted in elevated levels of Cu and Zn, We conclude that if sewage sludge is to be used in production of maize, applications rate up to 19 t ha^?1 could be accepted. However, this means also that the N requirement of maize crop is not covered by the sludge; therefore, the rest of nitrogen could be supplied as inorganic N.     

The effect of lygus bugs (Exolygus prantensis L.) on marketing price of red lentil in Anatolia, Turkey

The aim of this study was to assess the damage commonly known as chalky spot syndrome caused by the lygus bug on red lentil and the negative relation to the resulting marketing price in the commodity market of Sanliurfa, Turkey. Analysis showed that there was significant difference among the content (%) of chalky spot damage (range 1.45–29%) of lentil samples collected from the farmers who brought their crops to sell in the commodity market and this was negatively related to the market price that farmers received. Marketing prices of samples were also found to be significantly affected. The correlation between visually inspected chalky spot damage (%) and that of decorticated and weighted lentils was found to be positive and significant. Marketing prices also were found to be negatively correlated with the results of both inspection methods. Further analysis indicated that regression equations could be used for price estimation of lentil with different ratios of chalky spot. It was concluded that 10% chalky spot can reduce the marketing price from 0.426 to 0.396 $ kg⁻¹ when visually inspected and from 0.438 to 0.358 $ kg⁻¹ when decorticated.     

A study on possibility of Rosa canina seed use as feed ?ngredient in diets of Morkaraman male lambs

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the ground Rosa canina seed at various levels (0%, 5%, and 15%) in barley-soybean-based concentrates offered to Morkaraman male lambs at approximately 8?months of age, on fattening performance, carcass, and meat quality characteristics. The lambs were divided into three treatment groups including R1 (concentrate without R. canina seed; n?=?12), R2 (concentrate with 5% R. canina seed; n?=?12), and R3 (concentrate with 15% R. canina seed; n?=?12) at the beginning of fattening period. The soybean meal was used as main protein source in treatment groups. All of the groups were fed a diet consisting of concentrate offered ad libitum and 300?g of grass hay per lamb per day during 60-day fattening period. The effect of diet on daily weight gain was found statistically significant. The control group had higher daily weight gain than R3 groups with 15% of ground R. canina seed. The hot carcass and cold carcass weights and dressing percentage values were affected by diets, and R3 group fed concentrate with 15% R. canina seed had higher carcass weights and dressing percentages than R1 and R2 groups. Differences among the groups in terms of leg, rib, and hindshank weights were found highly significant. While R1 and R2 groups were not significantly different, R3 group was significantly higher to R1 and R2 groups in leg, rib, and hindshank weights. In addition, meat color parameters and pH values were not affected by diets in present study.     

Determination of responses of different bean cultivars against races of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas syringae</Emphasis> pv <Emphasis Type="Italic">phaseolicola</Emphasis>, causal agent of halo blight of bean

Use of resistant plant varieties combined with other disease management practices is regarded as the most practical approach to control of seed-borne bacterial disease agents. In this study, responses of different bean cultivars to nine different races of Pseudomonas syringae pv phaseolicola, the causal agent of bacterial halo blight of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), were determined. During compatible interaction in susceptible cultivars, virulent bacterial races caused water soaked lesion at sites of inoculation. Similar lesions developed in moderately resistant cultivars but symptoms were later associated with more tissue browning around the sites of inoculation. In contrast, the resistant response, produced the characteristic hypersensitive reaction (HR), was characterized as a small discrete browning and tissue collapse at site of inoculation. No local cultivars showed complete resistance to all races tested. Bean cultivars Sehirali-90 and Göynük-98 were found to be resistant or moderately resistant to five different bacterial races. Bean cultivar, Karaca?ehir-90, on the other hand, was found to be resistant or moderately resistant to six different bacterial races. Analysis of bacterial growth and the accumulation of isoflavonoid bean phytoalexin, phaseollin in planta were carried out for tissues expressing compatible and incompatible interactions to enable a link to be made between reaction phenotypes and restriction of bacterial growth and phytoalexin accumulations. Development of the HR was clearly associated with the restricted multiplication of bacteria during incompatible interactions. A time-course accumulation analysis on pods treated with different races of bacterial agent showed that a strong correlation was observed between the timing and extent of cell death and accumulation of phaseollin, being rapid and extensive in incompatible interactions compared to compatible interaction.     

Evaluation of suppression of rhizomania disease by earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris L.) and its effects on soil microbial activity in different sugar beet cultivars

The ability of earthworm Lumbricus terrestris L. to suppress the multiplication of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) transmitted by Polymyxa betae and its effects on soil microbial activity were investigated under controlled conditions. BNYVV-infested and a combination of earthworm with BNYVV-infested soil were compared to non-infested soils for their effects on plant and root weights and virus content of two different sugar beet cultivars by using partially resistant (cv. Leila) and susceptible (cv. Arosa) cultivars to the rhizomania disease. Soil testing with sugar beet baiting plants followed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to diagnose virus. The results of the statistical analyses showed that total fresh plant and root weights were negatively correlated with BNYVV infection. Addition of L. terrestris significantly enhanced plant and root weights. The earthworm-added soils had higher microbial activity such as basal soil respiration and dehydrogenase activity. The presence of earthworms in the soil did not statistically suppress BNYVV infection (p < 0.05). Sugar beet production may be enhanced by using resistant cultivars with adding L. terrestris into soil where rhizomania is present.