Variation and heritability of seed mass in chia (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvia hispanica L.</Emphasis>)

Variation and heritability of seed mass in the Mesoamerican crop chia, Salvia hispanica L. was studied to examine the feasibility of selection for the trait. Genotypic variation in seed mass in wild/cultivated and domesticated accessions of chia from different origins was assessed. Broadsense heritability of seed mass was estimated using variances associated with parental and F2 generations derived from two crosses and from the response to one cycle of selection. Significant (P . 0.0001) genotypic variation was observed among accessions. Mean seed mass for domesticated accessions (14.84 mg/100 seeds) was greater than that of the wild accessions (11.29 mg/100 seeds) by 31%. The heritability of seed mass was relatively high in chia (0.75), suggesting that this trait is under strong genetic control. This conclusion was supported by a single selection cycle from the F2 to F3 generation that produced a 16% increase in mean seed mass. The realized heritability estimated based on this one cycle of selection also was 0.75. These observations indicate that gains from selection in chia seed mass are possible when mass selection is conducted in early generations. Basic information is thus provided for future breeding efforts in a species for which little or no knowledge of inheritance currently exists.     

Assessment of logging moratorium using analytical network process in Iranian Hyrcanian forests

The aim of this research is to evaluate three forthcoming scenarios (continuing of forest management plans, logging ban, and forest management plans halt) in terms of policy change and select the best method based on sustainable forest management strategies in Iranian Hyrcanian forests. For this propose a two-layer evaluation process was considered for choosing the best alternative. Analytic network process as a decision approach is applied with Benefit–Opportunity–Cost–Risk (BOCR) merit. The data were obtained either from the previous research or through questionnaires. The results indicated that the benefits and risks were more important in terms of decision-making, compared to the opportunities and costs. Finally, the scenario of ‘continuity of forest management plans’ was selected as the most suitable alternative. The decision framework proposed in this study offers a rational means for decision-making of forest policy.     

Growth,development and behaviour of Persian sturgeon Acipenser persicus larvae in different light regimes

The effects of five different light regimes on growth performance and behaviour of Persian Sturgeon larvae were examined. Larvae were reared under five different photoperiods (24L, 12L:12D, 16L:8D, 8L:16L and 24D), from hatching (25.8 ± 8.1 mg; 12 ± 0.6 mm) to 28 days post‐hatch (dph). Except the last week, there was no significant difference in growth parameters among the experimental groups. Growth performance significantly improved in larvae reared under a continuous light regime. The highest final length (34.5 ± 1.7 mm) was measured in 24L and the lowest one (29.5 ± 0.4 mm) in the constant darkness. Relative to other experimental groups, the continuous darkness had a retarding impact on the yolk sac absorption and swarming behaviour. Among the whole body compositions, the lowest body moisture content was measured in the continuous light group. Persian Sturgeon pre‐larvae and larvae were not completely dependent on light regimes (in 1–21 days), whereas on the basis of measured parameters (total length, wet and dry weight and digestive fullness index) a continuous light regime played a decisive role on growth performance beyond 21 dph.     

Long-Term Trends of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Use and Soil pH Change in Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington

Extension educates growers about using best management practices (BMPs) for nutrient management. However, it is important to understand grower management trends to prepare the best possible educational programs for growers. Three mail-based grower surveys conducted in 1981, 1996, and 2011 were used to document changing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer use and soil pH trends in the >450-mm precipitation zone of northern Idaho and eastern Washington, USA. The information collected in this paper spans a 40-year period. Nitrogen application rates have slightly increased, while P application rates on cereal crops have remained constant over the past 40 years. Average soil pH values have declined significantly over this time period; however, only about half of the surveyed growers were aware of this. This study is valuable because it (1) contains important information provided by growers on fertilization trends for the past 40 years (1971 to 2011), (2) quantifies the awareness of growers about soil pH decline in the region, and (3) provides baseline information, which can be used both in educational programming and to compare with future nutrient management.     

In vivo evaluation of gelatin/hyaluronic acid nanofiber as Burn-wound healing and its comparison with ChitoHeal gel

The study aims at performing a comparative assessment of two types of burn wound treatment. The present study was designed to prepare crosslinked and blended two natural polymers nanofiber scaffolds using gelatin (GE) and hyaluronic acid (HA). The GE/HA composite nanofibrous membranes with varied GE/HA weight ratio have also been successfully fabricated by an electrospinning method. The average diameter of GE/HA fibers was in the range of 20 to 150 nm. In vivo efficacy was also investigated based on a deep second degree burns model for Wistar rats. At 14 days post-operation, the dermal defect basically recovered its normal condition. A percentage of wound closure of GE/HA composite nanofibrous membranes and ChitoHeal gel reached up to 81.9 % and 77.8 % respectively, compared with 65 % of the untreated control (p<0.05). Also, histological parameters were assessed on postoperative day 7 and 14. The results of in vivo experiments showed that more epidermis was formed in the gel and scaffold groups compared to the control group. The numbers of inflammatory cells in these two groups were also smaller as compared with the control group, which could well be the reason for the delayed healing in the control group.     

Comparison of seasonal development of tuber specific gravity among seven potato clones

Specific gravity of potato tubers provides an estimate of starch content of which uniformly high levels are important for product quality. The objectives of this study were to document the relationship between the level of specific gravity and the variability among tubers and to model the seasonal development o f specific gravity for seven potato clones. Individual determinations were made on twenty tubers from each plot using the weight-in-air, weight-in-water method on each of eight harvest dates spanning the tuber growth period. For each plot, the mean and standard deviation of specific gravity were calculated and used to define the correlation between specific gravity level and tuber-to-tuber variability and to construct a predictive model of the seasonal specific gravity developmental pattern. As the season progressed, tuber-to-tuber variability of specific gravity increased for some clones but not for others. A positive correlation existed between tuber specific gravity mean and its standard deviation for four of the seven clones in 1991 and five in 1992. Correlation coefficients were generally low, suggesting only a weak association between specific gravity and its standard deviation. Tuber specific gravity developed in a similar seasonal pattern for the seven clones. It generally started low, reached a maximum approximately seven to eleven weeks after tuberset, at which time some clones showed a tendency to decline through the remainder of the season. Quadratic regression equations provided an adequate model to describe specific gravity development for all seven clones over the tuber growth period. Statistical contrasts were used to test for differences in equation parameters, including line coincidence, line slope, and intercept. The model showed that initial specific gravity level at tuber set, the rate of early season increase, as well as the length of time from tuber set to specific gravity maximum, varied by clone and determined the level of specific gravity at season’s end.     

Dispersible exfoliated zeolite nanosheets and their application as a selective membrane

Thin zeolite films are attractive for a wide range of applications, including molecular sieve membranes, catalytic membrane reactors, permeation barriers, and low-dielectric-constant materials. Synthesis of thin zeolite films using high-aspect-ratio zeolite nanosheets is desirable because of the packing and processing advantages of the nanosheets over isotropic zeolite nanoparticles. Attempts to obtain a dispersed suspension of zeolite nanosheets via exfoliation of their lamellar precursors have been hampered because of their structure deterioration and morphological damage (fragmentation, curling, and aggregation). We demonstrated the synthesis and structure determination of highly crystalline nanosheets of zeolite frameworks MWW and MFI. The purity and morphological integrity of these nanosheets allow them to pack well on porous supports, facilitating the fabrication of molecular sieve membranes.     

Estimation of cardinal temperatures in germination data analysis

Seed germination is a complex biological process that is influenced by various environmental and genetic factors. The effects of temperature on plant development are the basis for models used to predict the timing of germination. Estimation of the cardinal temperatures, including base, optimum, and maximum, is essential because rate of development increases between base and optimum, decreases between optimum and maximum, and ceases above the maximum and below the base temperatures. Nonlinear growth curves can be specified to model the time course of germination at various temperatures. Quantiles of such models are regressed on temperature to estimate cardinal quantities. Bootstrap simulation techniques may then be employed to assure the statistical accuracy of these estimates and to provide approximate non parametric confidence intervals. A statistical approach to modeling germination and estimation of cardinal temperatures is presented with reference to replicated experiments designed to determine the effect of temperature gradient on germination of three populations of an introduced weed species, common crupina (Crupina vulgaris Per.).