The roles of light and pericarp on seed dormancy and germination in feral Raphanus sativus (Brassicaceae)

The timing of seed germination may determine the success of a weed species in an agroecosystem, and its expression is modulated by environmental conditions, but also by seed physiology and anatomy. The aims of this study were to investigate the roles of light, pericarp, dry storage and cold stratification on seed dormancy and germination in feral radish, a troublesome agricultural weed in temperate zones of the Americas that reduces crop yields. To this end, we used isolated intact pods and extracted seeds to test germination over time under contrasting temperature, light and storage conditions. Here, we showed that fresh seeds were non‐dormant, but that light and the presence of the pericarp reduced germination, especially under low temperatures. The pericarp reduced the final water content absorbed by seeds inside pods and decreased absorption/dehydration rates. The pericarp showed several small lignified cell layers in the endocarp, and x‐ray images displayed the lack of space between the partially embedded seed and the endocarp. Dry storage and cold stratification were ineffective in breaking the dormancy imposed by the pericarp. The apparent requirement for darkness and the mechanical restriction of the pericarp may have the potential to induce dormancy, spreading the timing of seed germination over a more extended period and hindering the control of feral radish.     

Pigeonpea improvement: An amalgam of breeding and genomic research

In the past five decades, constant research has been directed towards yield improvement in pigeonpea resulting in the deployment of several commercially acceptable cultivars in India. Though, the genesis of hybrid technology, the biggest breakthrough, enigma of stagnant productivity still remains unsolved. To sort this productivity disparity, genomic research along with conventional breeding was successfully initiated at ICRISAT. It endowed ample genomic resource providing insight in the pigeonpea genome combating production constraints in a precise and speedy manner. The availability of the draft genome sequence with a large‐scale marker resource, oriented the research towards trait mapping for flowering time, determinacy, fertility restoration, yield attributing traits and photo‐insensitivity. Defined core and mini‐core collection, still eased the pigeonpea breeding being accessible for existing genetic diversity and developing stress resistance. Modern genomic tools like next‐generation sequencing, genome‐wide selection helping in the appraisal of selection efficiency is leading towards next‐generation breeding, an awaited milestone in pigeonpea genetic enhancement. This paper emphasizes the ongoing genetic improvement in pigeonpea with an amalgam of conventional breeding as well as genomic research.     

Regional inequality: An analysis under the core–peripheral model

Desmet, Gumpert, and Ort?n have analyzed regional development using the Ricardian model or the Heckscher–Ohlin theorem. However, aspects such as consideration of combined wages, substitution elasticities, marginal costs, fixed costs, and number of companies were completely ignored. This study investigates the underdevelopment of regions in light of Krugman`s core–peripheral model. The extension of the model is intended to analyze the aspects that have so far been ignored and their influence on the benefits of the two regions. The following aspects characterize the model. Two regions with two sectors are considered for the model. The regions are characterized by different technological equipment. The first region is industrial. The second region has an agricultural character. When a new technology is available, both regions can benefit under certain conditions. The financial transfers lead to a convergence of wages.     

Development of a core set of KASP markers for assaying genetic diversity in Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis Makino

Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are rapid, economical and reliable genotyping tools. Non‐heading Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. subsp. chinensis Makino) is now an economically important vegetable crop worldwide. In this study, 1,167 SNPs were evaluated for 7polymorphism among 70 representative non‐heading Chinese cabbage inbred lines using a Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) genotyping assay. On the basis of identified polymorphisms and the results of a principal component analysis, we selected 50 core SNPs that were balanced sufficiently to provide adequate information for genetic identification. The core SNPs were used for construction of a neighbour‐joining dendrogram that separated the 70 inbred lines into four main groups and several subgroups corresponding to Caixin, Heiyebaicai, Huangxinwu, Naibaicai, Taitsai, Pak‐choi, and Wutatsai. This categorization was superior to that achieved using a dataset of 479 polymorphic SNPs. To confirm the utility of the core SNP markers in genetic identification, we tested their stability and resolution using 162 commercial hybrid cultivars. The SNPs, which represent a cost‐effective, accurate marker set for germplasm analysis and cultivar identification, are suitable for molecular marker‐assisted breeding in non‐heading Chinese cabbage.     

Influence of soil phosphorus status,texture, pH and metal content on the efficacy of amendments to pig slurry in reducing phosphorus losses

Cost‐effective strategies for using chemically amended organic fertilizers need to be developed to minimize nutrient losses in surface and groundwater. Coupling specific soil physical and chemical characteristics with amendment type could increase their effectiveness. This study investigated how water‐extractable phosphorus (P) was affected by chemical amendments added to pig slurry and how this effect varied with soil properties. A 3‐month incubation study was conducted on 18 different mineral soils, stored at 10 °C and 75% humidity and treated with unamended and amended slurry which was incorporated at a rate equivalent to 19 kg total P (TP )/ha. The amendments examined were commercial‐grade liquid alum, applied at a rate of 0.88:1 [Al:TP ], and commercial‐grade liquid poly‐aluminium chloride (PAC ), applied at a rate of 0.72:1 [Al:TP ]. These amendments were previously identified by the authors as being effective in reducing incidental losses of P. The efficacy of the amendments varied with the soil test P, the degree of P saturation (DPS ) and the Mehlich aluminium, iron and calcium, but not soil texture. Chemical amendments were most effective in soils with DPS over approximately 20%. Due to their high cost, the incorporation of amendments into existing management practices can only be justified as part of a holistic management plan where soils have high DPS .     

13～18周龄笼养蛋鸭适宜蛋白质和蛋氨酸水平的研究

用 32 4羽满 1 2周龄的金定鸭 ,通过饲养试验、代谢试验、屠宰试验和对试鸭产蛋期 (1 9～ 2 8周龄 )产蛋性能的观察 ,研究了在等能条件下(ME :1 1 51MJ/kg) ,不同蛋白质水平 (CP :1 3 %、 1 5 %、 1 7% )和蛋氨酸水平 (Met/CP :0 0 1 7、 0 0 2 2、 0 0 2 7)组成的 9种饲粮对 1 3～ 1 8周龄笼养蛋鸭的生长性能、养分利用、体成分沉积和产蛋期产蛋性能的影响。结果表明 :该阶段饲粮粗蛋白、蛋氨酸水平对体增重影响不显著 (P >0 0 5) ;体增重与蛋氨酸 (% )呈一定的正相关 (r=0 4574) ;CP为 1 3%、Met/CP为 0 0 2 7组采食量一直较稳定、较高 ,且饲料效率又好。代谢试验 :不同粗蛋白、蛋氨酸水平饲粮对试鸭氮存留率和能量的利用率影响显著(P <0 0 5或P<0 0 1 ) ,且它们随饲粮CP水平的升高而降低 ,随蛋氨酸水平升高而升高 ;磷的利用率也分别以CP为 1 3%的水平和Met/CP为 0 0 2 7的水平极显著地高于其他水平对磷利用率 (P <0 0 1 )。屠宰试验 :当Met/CP为 0 0 2 7时 ,体氮沉积量和体磷沉积量最佳。产蛋性能 :开产日龄和高峰日龄与 1 3～ 1 8周龄CP食入量呈弱的负相关 (r=- 0 1 83 3和r=- 0 0 984) ,与蛋氨酸食入量呈正相关 (r =0 5780和r =0 435 0 )。饲粮粗蛋白、蛋氨酸水平对 1 9～ 2 8周龄     

莫能菌素浓度对混合瘤胃微生物体外发酵的影响

本试验研究了莫能菌素对混合瘤胃微生物体外发酵的影响 ,以期确定莫能菌素在瘤胃内容物中的适宜添加浓度。混合瘤胃微生物由饲喂花生秧基础日粮的阉公牛瘤胃内容物和瘤胃液制备 ,用简易人工瘤胃装置测定莫能菌素浓度对产气量、瘤胃乙丙酸比例、粗纤维降解率和真蛋白产量的影响。结果表明 ,莫能菌素浓度强烈地抑制产气量 ,两者呈线性负相关(P<0.05);粗纤维降解率开始时随莫能菌素浓度的升高而增加 ,在浓度为0.078mg/L时达到最大值 ,两者呈二次幂函数关系 ;添加莫能菌素降低了瘤胃乙丙酸比例 ,但瘤胃乙丙酸比例随莫能菌素浓度的提高有逐渐增加的趋势 ;在莫能菌素浓度为0.1～2.0mg/L的范围内 ,添加莫能菌素对蛋白质的产量没有明显影响