Revisiting rice breeding methods – evaluating the use of rapid generation advance (RGA) for routine rice breeding

Rice production needs to increase in the future in order to meet increasing demands. The development of new improved and higher yielding varieties more quickly will be needed to meet this demand. However, most rice breeding programmes in the world have not changed in several decades. In this article, we revisit the evidence in favour of using rapid generation advance (RGA) as a routine breeding method. We describe preliminary activities at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to re-establish RGA on a large scale as the main breeding method for irrigated rice breeding. We also describe experiences from the early adoption at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute. Evaluation of RGA breeding lines at IRRI for yield, flowering time and plant height indicated transgressive segregation for all traits. Some RGA lines were also higher yielding than the check varieties. The cost advantages of using RGA compared to the pedigree method were also empirically determined by performing an economic analysis. This indicated that RGA is several times more cost effective and advantages will be realized after 1 year even if facilities need to be built. Based on our experience, and previous independent research empirically testing the RGA method in rice, we recommend that this method should be implemented for routine rice breeding in order to improve breeding efficiency.     

Establishing an eyeball-weight relationship for Litopenaeus vannamei using machine vision technology

This study aimed to establish a shrimp eyeball-weight relationship model for Litopenaeus vannamei using machine vision technology. A total of 295 shrimp were sampled from a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). The long-axis length (d), body length (L), and body weight (W) of each individual was measured. The long axis length of the shrimp eyeball was identified and measured using machine vision technology. Continuous fitting and piecewise fitting models were used to construct the eyeball-weight relationship model for L. vannamei. The continuous fitting relationship model was described as: W = 38.865d^2.7914, while the piecewise model was described as: d < 2 mm, W = 0.0326d^3.7363, R² = 0.9288; 2 mm ≤ d < 3.9 mm, W = 0.0401d^3.104, R² = 0.9629; 3.9 mm ≤ d < 5.8 mm, W = 0.0421d^3.0311, R² = 0.9216; 5.8 mm < d, W = 0.103d^2.6226, R² = 0.9457. The root mean square error (RMSE) of the piecewise fitting model (0.0244, 0.1575, 0.5034, 0.7072) was smaller than the continuous fitting model (0.8229). The correlation coefficient (R²) of the piecewise model (0.9288, 0.9629, 0.9216, and 0.9457) was similar to that of the continuous fitting model (R² = 0.9621). The results indicated that the piecewise fitting model is suitable for calculating the biomass of L. vannamei in RAS and provides a novel way of estimating the biomass of L. vannamei cultured in RAS. The piecewise fitting model can also provide the foundation of evaluating the production of shrimp using underwater image recognition in intelligent aquaculture systems.     

Zinc biofortification of maize (Zea mays L.): Status and challenges

Zn deficiency is one of the leading health problems in children and women of developing countries. Different interventions could be used to overcome malnutrition, but biofortification is most impactful, convenient, sustainable and acceptable intervention. Maize is one of the major crops grown and consumed in the regions with prevalent Zn malnutrition; therefore, this is suitable target for Zn biofortification. Zn biofortification of maize could be achieved through agronomic and genetic approaches. Discussion of agronomic approaches with genetic approaches is prerequisite because soils in developing countries are deficit of Zn and availability of Zn in soils is mandatory for estimating the genetic responses of maize genotypes through genetic approaches. Seed priming, foliar and soil applications are agronomic tools for biofortification, but solo and combined applications of these treatments have different effects on Zn enrichment. Genetic approaches include the increase of Zn bioavailability or increase of kernel Zn concentration. Zn bioavailability could be increased by reducing the anti‐nutritional factors or by increasing the bioavailability enhancers. Kernel Zn concentration could be improved through hybridization and selections, whereas genetically engineered attempts for improving Zn uptake from soil, loading in xylem, remobilization in grains and sequestration in endosperm can further improve the kernel Zn concentration. Key challenges associated with dissemination of Zn biofortified maize are also under discussion in this draft. Current review emphasized all of above‐mentioned contents to provide roadmap for the development of Zn biofortified maize genotypes to curb the global Zn malnutrition.     

猪繁殖性状的遗传改良策略

猪繁殖性能的提高将为养猪业带来巨大的经济效益 ,目前多数育种者将提高猪的繁殖力作为主要育种目标 ,并用数学遗传学方法和分子育种技术对繁殖性状进行改良。     

基于模糊建模的混炼胶粘度测量

提出了一种在线测量混炼胶粘度的新方法．该方法以模糊建模技术为基础，综合考虑混炼过程各因素对胶料粘度的影响，建立起胶料粘度的在线测量模型．在模糊建模中，采用T-S模型描述胶料粘度变化的非线性过程，提出了一种基于相似性判别的模糊聚类算法以自动确定合适的聚类组数目，并用实数编码的遗传算法优化全局参数，从而获得了规则简化的、具有较高精度的模糊模型．根据此方法，设计了测量装置，并进行了现场试验．试验结果表明模糊模型输出与实验室测量值基本一致，平均误差较低且最大误差未超过1门尼．该方法较大地提高了橡胶混炼的生产效率，为粘度最优控制奠定了基础．     

州河鲤、建鲤和框鳞镜鲤3个群体同工酶的分析

使用水平式淀粉凝胶电泳法,对采自天津地区的州河鲤、建鲤和框鳞镜鲤3个群体进行了AAT、α-GPD、GPI、IDH、MDH和PGM共6种同工酶以及肌浆蛋白(PROT)的电泳分析。结果表明:在检测出的12个基因座位中,州河鲤群体中存在变异的是α-GPD*、GPI*、MDH-2*、PGM*、PROT*,建鲤群体中存在变异的是α-GPD*、GPI*和PGM*,框鳞镜鲤群体中存在变异是α-GPD*、GPI*、PGM*和PROT*;州河鲤、建鲤、框鳞镜鲤的多态基因座位比例(P0.99)分别为41.67%、25.00%和33.33%,平均杂合度预期值(He)分别为0.0449、0.0749、0.0518;PGM*可以作为区分3个群体的标记基因座位,州河鲤群体中*c/c基因型占85.71%,建鲤群体中*b/c基因型占65.71%,框鳞镜鲤群体中*b/b基因型占56.67%。     

山东境内五个山羊种群生化遗传多态性研究

应用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法(PAGE),对山东省境内山羊种群的血液生化遗传标记多态性进行分析。结果表明,所测5个山羊品种中,Tf、Akp及EsⅠ基因座均表现出多态性,Hb和EsⅡ基因座仅分别在崂山奶山羊和莱芜黑山羊品种中表现出多态性,Amy未表现出多态性;平均杂合度为0.2876,基因纯合系数在0.6以上,群体的遗传分化系数为0.02614,说明这些山羊群体的遗传变异较低,其97.386%来自群体内遗传多态现象。基于3个多态位点基因频率的系统发育分析证明,带有共同遗传基础的济宁青山羊、鲁北白山羊和崂山奶山羊遗传距离较近,引进的南非波尔山羊与4个地方山羊品种遗传距离最远。     

双重关系——社会工作中专业关系的伦理困境

伦理是社会工作中的重要议题。在实务领域中，当社会上作者与案主不单是两者之间的专业关系，而产生了朋友、雇主、师生、商业伙伴甚至性伙伴等关系的时候，他就陷入了双重关系的困境。文章从美国社会工作伦理守则历次修订对此的限制入手。完整介绍双重关系的定义与分类，并提出处理双重关系的办法与建议。     

沙黄松选择增益结构模式初步研究

采用沙黄松天然林自由授粉家系７年生树干材积的材料，分析了联合选择遗传增益结构模式。结果表明：亚群体间存在极显著差异，亚群体内家系间差异不显著；联合选择增益结构模式为亚群体间７２．４４％、亚群体内家系间３．５５％、单株间２４．０１％。     

金属热防护系统多层隔热材料的传热分析及参数优化

采用能量平衡方程和离散坐标法近似地建立了金属热防护系统多层隔热材料的一维稳态传热的数学模型，并利用遗传算法和纤维隔热材料的有效导热系数试验数据求解传热反问题，从而得到了模型中的纤维隔热材料的辐射衰减系数、反照率和隔热屏表面辐射发射系数。最后，由实验测得了多层隔热材料的有效导热系数，验证了采用优化参数后，多层隔热材料的传热模型的正确性。