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.     

The Use of a Metabolic Disorder Index as a Predictor for Metabolic Eliminations in Endurance Horses

The equine endurance race involves both aerobic and anaerobic metabolisms of the horse. The intense physical activity over an extended period often causes susceptible horses to develop metabolic signs or problems resulting in elimination from races. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop a method for prediction and validation of a metabolic disorder index (MDI) to be used before endurance races. Three hundred seventy-five Arabian (n = 152) and Arabian cross (n = 223) endurance horses aged from 6 to 15 years and weighing between 350 and 450 kg were selected for the study in Malaysia. Blood samples were collected at pre- and post-race periods. The significant (P < .05) findings in horses with metabolic disorder were packed cell volume (0.50 ± 0.06 LL−1), creatine kinase (1,275.89 ± 121.45 UL−1), interleukin-6 (2.01 ± 0.89 ng/mL), decreased glutathione reductase (26.57 ± 3.95 ng/mL), and chloride (94.98 ± 8.12 mmol/L). A new method called MDI was developed as a predictor for horses with the potential to develop metabolic disorders in endurance races. The MDI indicated a higher value greater than 5.5 for those eliminated and lower value below 5.5 for those that completed the race successfully, this proved to be accurate in the prediction of metabolic disorder in endurance horses. The MDI is an innovative and simple method used as a prediction method that will assist the equine endurance society to reduce the rate of elimination and to safeguard against serious medical problems during endurance races in the tropics.     

The microbial diversity and structure in peatland forest in Indonesia

The microbial community structure and function under forest in tropical peatlands are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the microbial community structure and diversity in natural peat swamp forest soil, disturbed peat soil and mineral soil in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, using 454 pyrosequencing. The results showed that the natural peat soil had the greatest fungal species richness (Chao1), which was significantly (p < .05) larger than that in the other two soils. Community structure of both fungi and bacteria in natural peat soil differed significantly from that in the disturbed peat soil (p = .039 and p = .045, respectively). Ascomycota (40.5%) was the most abundant phylum across the three soils followed by Basidiomycota (18.8%), Zygomycota (<0.1%) and Glomeromycota (<0.1%). The linear discriminant analysis with effect size (LEfSe) showed that Ascomycota (p < .05) and genus Gliocephalotrichum (p < .05) dominated in natural peat soil. Functionally, pathotrophs were more abundant in disturbed peat soil (p < .05). Proteobacteria (43.8%) were the most abundant phylum followed by Acidobacteria (32.6%), Actinobacteria (9.8%), Planctomycetes (1.7%). Methylocystis, Telmatospirillum, Syntrophobacter, Sorangium and Opitutus were the more abundant genera in disturbed peat soil, whereas Nevskia and Schlesneria were more abundant in mineral soil and natural peat soil, respectively. The natural peat forest soil supported a more diverse microbiology; however, the land use of such a soil can change its microbial community structure. The results provide evidence that the disturbance of tropical peat land could lead to the introduction and spread of a large number of fungal diseases     

放牧对土壤理化性状及植被多样性的影响

放牧是家畜饲养方式之一,是草地最简单而又有效的利用方式,但放牧中的家畜家禽通过采食牧草、践踏土壤和牧草以及粪便排泄影响着草地植被和土壤,不同的强度的放牧对地下土壤与地上植被的影响不同,本文综述了近几年来放牧对地下部土壤有机质、氮、磷、钾,土壤容重、有机碳以及微生物多样性的影响,对植被多样性及草群成分的影响等,旨在为今后家畜放牧行为研究以及放牧科学研究提供理论依据。     

东北三省大豆种质品质性状鉴评与综合分析

根据目标性状有的放矢的选配杂交亲本是提高优异品质组成品种的选择效率的基本前提。本研究对东北三省102份大豆种质资源的蛋白、氨基酸组分、油份及脂肪酸组分进行测定,通过遗传多样性、主成分和聚类分析,对其进行表型鉴定及基因型分类以综合评价种质品质特性。结果表明:东北三省大豆种质油份及脂肪酸组分变异较丰富,遗传多样性程度较高。根据主成分分析筛选到9个主成分进行聚类分析,通过聚类分析将供试种质资源分为5类。第I类群蛋白含量较高、油份含量偏低,第II类群蛋白、油份含量均居中,第III类群油份含量较高、蛋白含量偏低,第IV类群高油,第V类群高蛋白,类群间的氨基酸、脂肪酸组分各有差异。需根据育种目标在群体间选配亲本,以提高品质育种的效率。     

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.     

油-棉连作棉田油菜秸秆覆盖对棉田杂草发生及土壤杂草种子库的动态影响

在安徽省沿江棉区开展了油菜秸秆覆盖对棉田杂草发生、棉花生长及土壤杂草种子库影响的研究。结果表明,随着油菜秸秆覆盖量的增加,对棉田杂草的抑制效果增强。与未覆盖秸秆且不除草处理相比较,7000Kg/hm²秸秆覆盖量处理棉花单株铃数和子棉产量显著提高。7000Kg/hm²秸秆覆盖量处理在覆盖后30d、60d和120d逐步减少0-20cm土层杂草种子库密度,与全程除草剂处理较一致；随着覆盖量减少,对0-20cm土层杂草种子库密度降低幅度减小。全程除草剂处理降低0-5cm土层杂草种子库多样性,而油菜秸秆覆盖则可能增加0-5cm土层的杂草种子库多样性。3500Kg/hm²覆盖量+秸秆覆盖30d后喷施除草剂处理的抑草效果和增产效果与全程除草剂处理一致。因此,在安徽省沿江棉区油-棉连作棉田推荐使用3500Kg/hm²油菜秸秆覆盖量+秸秆覆盖30d后喷施除草剂。     

天山云杉林冠层结构对草本物种多样性的影响

为研究天山云杉林冠层特征与林下草本物种多样性的相互关系，以新疆天格尔森林公园天山云杉林的4个龄级的林分（幼林龄、中林龄、近熟林、成熟林）为研究对象，以冠层分析仪获得的冠层结构特征和林下光环境指数等野外实际调查数据为依据，通过计算 α 多样性指数分析4个龄级的草本物种多样性，利用多元统计方法研究冠层结构对草本多样性的影响。结果表明，各个指标在不同龄级间均有一定的差异，且随着林分的生长和更新，天山云杉林呈现林冠开度逐渐减小、叶面积指数增大、林下光辐射均减弱、物种多样性指数均减小的趋势；典型模型表明林冠开度对冠层结构起到主要作用（呈极显著正相关P<0.01），叶面积指数次之（呈极显著负相关P<0.01）；在林下辐射中，林下总辐射对林内光环境起主要作用；相比冠层结构，林下光照对草本层物种多样性的作用更大，其中林冠开度和丰富度指数之间呈显著正相关，林下总辐射、林下直射辐射和多样性指数、均匀度指数之间均呈显著正相关。     

国际30年来土壤食物网的研究历程与热点分析

利用文献计量学方法,研究1989—2018年来土壤食物网研究领域的热点内容,概括土壤食物网的研究脉络及国际土壤食物网未来的研究方向。结果显示:土壤生物多样性、食物网的碳氮循环功能及管理方式对土壤食物网结构的干扰是现在研究热点,而土壤食物网功能多样性、系统稳定性、及土壤食物网对全球变化的响应则是新兴的研究方向。     

放牧牦牛采食量和几种消化生理指标的测定

在莎草科 +禾本科草地上对放牧条件下牦牛采食量和几种消化生理指标进行测定。结果表明 :牦牛的干物质消化率为 69 3 6%± 5 87% ,放牧牦牛日干物质采食量为 12 2 13g/kg·W0 75,大部分食糜在采食后 60小时左右排出 ,但完全排出要在 5天以后