Genetic improvement of wheat grain quality at CIMMYT

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is the global leader in publicly-funded maize and wheat research and in farming systems based on these crops. CIMMYT leads the Global Wheat Program (GWP), which includes some of the largest wheat breeding programs in the world. The GWP has been successful in developing wheat germplasm that is used extensively worldwide. Wheat quality improvement is a central component of all the breeding efforts at CIMMYT and the Wheat Chemistry and Quality Laboratory represents an integral part of the breeding programs. Wheat quality is addressed at CIMMYT over the full range of this very wide and variable concept with milling, processing, end-use and nutritional quality targeted. Wheat progenitors and advanced lines developed by the breeders are assessed for diverse quality attributes, with the aim of identifying those that fulfill the requirements in terms of milling, processing, end-use and nutritional quality in different target regions. Significant research is conducted to make more efficient the integration of wheat quality traits in the breeding programs. The main topics being addressed are (1) methodologies to analyze grain quality traits, (2) genetic control and environmental effects on quality traits, (3) characterization of genetic resources for quality improvement, and (4) diversifying grain properties for novel uses.     

Fine roots for uptake and translocation of zinc into young leaves as important traits for zinc efficiency of maize genotypes

Suitable germplasm and breeding for zinc (Zn)-efficient genotypes has been prioritized to combat Zn deficiency problem. Six maize genotypes were grown in a nutrient solution with or without Zn to identify genotype tolerance to low Zn and its mechanism. Zhongnong 99 was found to be about 2-fold more Zn-efficient than L69 × 178. Young shoot Zn concentration and content was significantly correlated with Zn efficiency (ZE). Furthermore, Zn-efficient genotype as Zhongnong 99 distributed more Zn into young parts of shoot and also developed longer and thinner roots (≤ 0.2 mm) under -Zn conditions than inefficient genotypes. The close relationship (0.82***, 0.88***, 0.90***) between Zn content of young shoots and fine roots indicated that fine roots (≤ 0.2 mm) contributed more efficient Zn uptake into old parts which distributed to young parts. In conclusion, the analysis of young shoots and fine roots (≤ 0.2 mm) represent a suitable screening technique for ZE evaluation of under -Zn conditions.     

Livelihood implications of in situ-on farm conservation strategies of fruit species in Uzbekistan

The aim of this paper is to analyze the impact of a set of interventions related to on-farm/in situ conservation and use of fruit species (cultivated and wild) on farmers’ livelihoods and species diversity in Central Asia. Specifically, a difference-in-differences propensity score matching is used to evaluate the outcome of a development research program in Uzbekistan between 2005 and 2010. Species crop diversity maintained by farmers before and after the project increased as a result of the interventions, showing the efficacy of the interventions promoted by the projects in terms of conservation. Furthermore, innovations provided by the program increased both household propensity of marketing and self-consumption of target fruit. However, the program’s interventions did not seem to impact significantly any of the indicators related to household livelihoods. The short time elapsed between the end of the project and the impact assessment may be too brief to capture any observable impact on livelihoods.     

Genetic diversity and population structure analysis of Pistacia species revealed by phenylalanine ammonia-lyase gene markers and implications for conservation

Information on population genetic structure and crop genetic diversity is important for genetically improving crop species and conserving threatened species.The PAL gene sequence is part of a multigene family that can be utilized to design DNA marker systems for genetic diversity and population structure investigation.In the current study, genetic diversity and population structure of100 accessions of wild Pistacia species were investigated with 78 PAL markers.A protocol for using PAL sequences as DNA markers was developed.A total of 313 PAL loci were recognized, showing 100% polymorphism for PAL markers.The PAL markers produced relatively more observed and effective alleles in Pistacia falcata and Pistacia atlantica, with a higher Shannon's information index and expected heterozygosity in P.atlantica, Pistacia vera and Pistacia mutica.Pairwise assessment of Nei's genetic distance and genetic identity between populations revealed a close association between geographically isolated populations of Pistacia khinjuk and Pistacia chinensis.The accessions of wild Pistacia species had more genetic relationship among studied groups of species.Analysis of molecular variance indicated 19% amongpopulation variation and 81% within-population variation for the PAL gene based DNA marker.Population structure analysis based on PAL revealed four groups with high genetic admixture among populations.The results establish PAL markers as a functional DNA marker system and provide important genetic information about accessions from wild populations of Pistacia species.     

Effect of acid modification on dyeing properties of Rajshahi silk fabric with different dye classes

In this paper, Rajshahi silk fabric was modified by acetic acid, tannic acid and their mixture. After acid modification, the silk fabric was dyed with three dyes classes namely: Reactive Orange 14, Direct Yellow 29 and Mordant Blue 9. Results revealed that the fabric modified with acid mixture of 30 % acetic acid and 20 % tannic acid improved the colorfastness of the dyed fabric after 7 days exposure on simulated sunlight and washing with hot soap solution. Also, the acid modification could improve the dyed fabrics’ colorfastness properties to acids and alkalis. Optimum dyeing condition was observed at 1.5, 2.0, and 2.0 % dyes for Reactive Orange 14, Direct Yellow 29 and Mordant Blue 9 respectively. The optimum dyeing time was observed 50, 60, and 50 min; and temperature was 90, 100 and 80 °C respectively. Modification of silk fabrics with acids improves the dyeability and colorfastness of Rajshahi silk fabrics. However, the acid modification could reduce the loss in tenacity of silk fabric upon exposure to sunlight.     

Identification of bacterial agents causing mortality in postlarvae of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in south‐west coastal districts of Bangladesh

Following an incidence of freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii postlarvae (PL) mortality in hatcheries in summer 2012, samples from dead PL, rearing water and prawn feed from two south‐west coastal districts of Bangladesh were collected to isolate, identify and characterize the agents causing PL mortality. Antibiogram profile of sixteen randomly selected bacteria, isolated from dead PL, that grew on TCBS, to 20 different antibiotics belonging to 12 major groups revealed that the drug resistance pattern varied from moderate (56% to the drugs: ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime, nitrofurantoin, kanamycin) to complete (to penicillin, ceftazidime and oxacillin) level. To identify the isolates, amplified rDNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) classified them in to four groups, and RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) typing yielded nine different types of isolates within these four ARDRA groups. The 16S rDNA gene sequences identified that the groups were genotypically diverse belonging to the bacterial species: Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Exiguobacterium profundum and Enterococcus casseliflavus, respectively, that all demonstrated their killing potential to PLs in a simulated environment. The study therefore identified four different bacterial pathogens, one of which, Exiguobacterium profundum is reported for the first here in Bangladesh, that demand special consideration for disease management strategy.     

Short-term hooking mortality of three marine fish species (Sparidae) caught by recreational angling in the south Portugal

Short-term hooking mortality was evaluated for three sparid species [Diplodus vulgaris (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire), Sparus aurata L. and Spondyliosoma cantharus (L.)] in the Algarve, south Portugal. Fishes were caught from the shore during October 2009 at a fish farm reservoir (Ria Formosa), using three different hook sizes. The relationships between hooking mortality and seven independent variables were analyzed using logistic regression models. In all, 384 fishes representing the three target species were caught during the angling sessions. The most caught species was S. cantharus (n = 181; 100% undersized), followed by S. aurata (n = 137; 89% undersized) and D. vulgaris (n = 66; 97% undersized). Mortalities ranged between 0% for D. vulgaris and 12% for S. aurata (S. cantharus, 3%). For S. aurata, anatomical hooking location was the main predictor of mortality, with 63% of the fishes that died being deeply hooked. Our results support the current mandatory practices of releasing undersized fish for the studied species, given the low post-release mortality rates observed.     

Effects of growing region and maturity stages on oil yield and fatty acid composition of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) fruit

Changes on oil yield and fatty acid profiles were studied during maturation of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) fruits cultivated in Menzel Temime and Oued Beja, Tunisia. Oil and petroselinic acid biosynthesis proceeded at a steady rate up to 16 DAF in Oued Beja and in 33 DAF in Menzel Temime. The first results show that a rapid oil accumulation started at newly formed fruits and continued until their full maturity. During fruit maturation, fatty acid profiles varied significantly among the growing regions and stages of maturity. Petroselinic acid had the highest amount at the 16th and the 33th DAF, in Oued Beja and Menzel Temime, respectively. In Oued Beja, at full maturity, the main fatty acids were petroselinic acid (80.90 ± 9.45%), followed by oleic (14.79 ± 2.25%), palmitic (3.50 ± 0.65%) and stearic (0.49 ± 0.09%) acids. Fatty acid profile of fruits cultivated in Menzel Temime showed that in fully ripe fruit, petroselinic acid is the main compound (80.86 ± 7.23%) followed by oleic (14.83 ± 2.05%), palmitic (3.27 ± 3.12%) and stearic (0.31 ± 0.05%) acids. In both growing region, fruit development resulted mainly in an increase of petroselinic acid and a decrease of palmitic acid. Saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased significantly and monounsaturated fatty acids increased during maturation of fruit. Oil composition at the first four stages of maturity has a healthy and nutritionally value and the last stages were with important economic and industrial applications. Coriander fruit is potentially an important source of petroselinic which have numerous industrial applications.     

Effect of ricinoleic acid esters from castor oil (Ricinus communis) on the oocyte yolk components of the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae)

Rhipicephalus sanguineus are bloodsucking ectoparasites, whose main host is the domestic dog, thus being present in urban areas and closely located to people. Eventually, this tick species parasitize humans and can become a potential vector of infectious diseases. Methods to control this type of pest have been the focus of many research groups worldwide. The use of natural products is increasingly considered nowadays, due to the low toxicity levels to the host and low waste generation to the environment. This study tested the effect of ricinoleic acid esters from castor oil (as an potential acaricide) on the reproductive system of R. sanguineus females, more specifically on the vitellogenesis process. For this, two groups were established: the control group (CG) and the treatment group (TG) with five rabbits in each (New Zealand White), used as hosts. NaCl and ester were added to rabbits’ food and offered to the hosts. After full engorgement, the females were collected and had their ovaries extracted. The ticks ovaries were submitted to histochemical techniques so the effects of esters could be observed over polysaccharides, proteins and lipids yolk. Changes in the deposition of yolk components were observed. This caused modifications on elements of polysaccharide origin and on glycoprotein compounds, interfering in the final yolk synthesis and compromising the development of the future embryo.     

Chemical composition and larvicidal activities in vitro and in vivo of essential oils of Thymus vulgaris (L) and Lavandula angustifolia (Mill) against pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa Den. & Schiff. in Ain Defla (Algeria)

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Biological tests with Thymus vulgaris against both third and fifth instar larvae of Thaumetopoea pityocampa showed positive correlation between the used...