Exploring genetic diversity for heat tolerance among lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) genotypes of variant habitats by simple sequence repeat markers

The study was carried out to assess genetic diversity among 119 lentil genotypes grown in different habitats for heat tolerance using morpho‐physiological and reproductive traits and SSR markers. High‐temperature stress was applied at seedling (35/33°C) and anthesis stages (35/20°C) to study the effects on morpho‐physiological and reproductive traits under hydroponic condition, which was compared with non‐stressed and stressed field conditions. A set of 209 alleles were identified by 35 SSR markers among the genotypes. Genetic diversity and polymorphism information content values varied between 0.0494–0.859 and 0.0488–0.844, with mean values of 0.606 and 0.563, respectively. Genotypes were clustered into nine groups based on SSR markers. Morpho‐physiological and reproductive traits under heat stress were found to be significantly different among SSR clusters. These findings suggest that heat adaptation is variable among the genotypes and the tolerant materials can be evolved through hybridization using parents from different clusters with diverse mechanisms of heat tolerance.     

Use of diatomaceous earth for the management of stored-product pests

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is almost pure amorphous silicon dioxide, made up of fossilised diatoms; it acts as an insecticide by absorption of epicuticular lipids and fatty acids, leading to desiccation in arthropods. Numerous DE formulations have been attempted for the management of stored-product pests with good results. DE is persistent in its action, poses few or no pest resistance problems, and it leaves no residue. The efficacy of DE is affected by factors such as: its provenance, temperature, humidity and characteristics of target pests and substrate. Application of DE at currently recommended doses causes changes in bulk density of the grain; however, the use of enhanced DE formulations provides control at much lower doses. Therefore, new formulations of DEs usually include other low toxicity insecticides.     

Genetic progress in wheat yield and associated traits in China since 1945 and future prospects

Genetic progress has brought about a dramatic increase in yield potential per se for almost all production areas around the world. The present study examines the relationship of wheat yield with year of release, yield components, harvest index (HI), biomass production, and plant height. We used aggregative data from 1945 to 2010 to calculate genetic gain in wheat yield across different zones in China. A deeper understanding of these issues facilitates the identification of specific yield-limiting factors that can be used for future breeding strategies. Absolute yield gain for the different zones was found to range from 20 to 103 kg ha^?1 year^?1, whereas relative yield gain ranged from 0.33 to 1.42 % per year. When data from all the Chinese wheat production zones was pooled, yield gain at the national level had an absolute value of 66 kg ha^?1 year^?1 and a relative value of 1 % per year. Grain weight and spike weight, rather than the other yield components, are significantly correlated with year of release for most zones, suggesting that these two were the most promising traits for breeders in the past. These two traits are also responsible for the significant genetic progress in wheat yield in China since 1949. HI and biomass production also showed strong correlation with year of release and grain yield. In China, HI and grain weight have experienced such a substantial increase that both have almost reached their theoretical maxima in the period 1945–2010. Further improvement in the yield potential of wheat will have to involve increase in biomass production and grain number. This paper also reviews cropping systems and technologies as well as improvement in physiological trait from 1945 onwards during the period of genetic gain.     

体外法研究日粮不同来源氮和碳水化合物比例对干物质体外降解率的影响

本试验的氮源是纯化大豆蛋白(IsolatedSoybeanProtein,ISP)和尿素(NPN),按80:20、50:50和20:80分3组;碳水化合物源分别是从干草中提取的中性洗涤纤维(NDF)、玉米淀粉和蔗糖,按10:85:5、10:80:10、10:75:15、30:65:5、30:60:10、30:55:15、50:45:5、50:40:10和50:35:15分9组的3×9因子实验设计。应用体外尼龙袋发酵技术,研究了奶牛日粮不同来源氮和碳水化合物及其比例对干物质(DM)体外降解率的影响。结果表明,过量补充尿素及随着日粮中淀粉和蔗糖比例的增加,日粮干物质的体外降解率均下降。根据试验结果,建议在泌乳期奶牛的全混合日粮中尿素的补充量应低于干物质的2.8%,非结构性碳水化合物的含量不应超过干物质的45%。     

The optimal immunization procedure of DNA vaccine pcDNA–TA4–IL-2 of Eimeria tenella and its cross-immunity to Eimeria necatrix and Eimeria acervulina

The immunization procedure of DNA vaccine pcDNA–TA4–IL-2 of Eimeria tenella, including route, dose, time of immunization and age of primary immunization of chicken, was optimized. The stability and the cross-species protection of the vaccine were also analyzed. Efficacy of immunization was evaluated on the basis of oocyst decrease ratio, lesion score, body-weight gain and the anti-coccidial index (ACI). Chinese Yellow chickens were randomly distributed into corresponding groups (30/group). The challenged, unchallenged and vector control groups were designed. The results illustrated that 25 μg was the optimal dose and intramuscular injection was the most effective route to induce protective immunity. There were no significant differences of ACIs between boosting and non-boosting groups. Storage time and temperature had little effect on the immunizing efficacy of the vaccine. The vaccine could provide partial cross-protection against the challenge with E. necatrix and E. acervulina, but not with E. maxima.     

Novel technique for definite blastomere inhibition and distribution of maternal RNA in sterlet Acipenser ruthenus embryo

Fisheries Science - The cleavage pattern of a vertebrate’s embryo is either holoblastic (complete) or meroblastic (partial). Sturgeon and other basal bony fishes represent a transition of the...     

A comparison of the effect of organic acids and dicalcium phosphate supplementation on phosphorus bioavailability,growth performance and digestive enzyme activities of Labeo rohita fingerlings

The effect of organic acids (OA) and dicalcium phosphate (P_i) supplementation in the feed of Labeo rohita fingerlings was studied by formulating seven practical diets, designed as D1 with no feed additives {dicalcium phosphorus (P_i) and organic acid (OA) blend} while, D2, D3, D4 and D5 were supplemented with P_i at the graded levels of 5, 10, 15 and 20 g/kg, respectively, whereas D6 and D7 contained blend of OA at 15 and 30 g/kg, respectively. The diet supplemented with OA blend exhibited increase (p < .05) in growth of L. rohita fingerlings compared with the diet supplemented with P_i. The OA supplementation at both levels showed significant improvement in nutrients digestibility and minerals absorption in fingerlings. Moreover, in case of muscle proximate composition, crude fat (CF) and crude protein (CP) were increased (p < .05) with the inclusion of OA blend in the diet while crude ash (CA) was improved by P_i supplementation. Additionally, digestive enzyme activities were not affected (p ? .05) by OA blend supplementation while increased activities were observed in the fingerlings fed with P_i diet. Consequently, supplementation of OA blend in the diet improved the growth performance and nutrient status while P_i enhanced digestive enzyme activities of L. rohita fingerlings.     

A molecular modeling approach applied to a study of the photochromic behaviour of screen printed protein and polyamide substrates

A specifically-synthesized water-soluble photochromic acid dye has been applied by screen printing on to silk, wool and nylon. The influence of processing parameters and the nature of the substrate on the photochromic response of the printed materials has been evaluated using specifically-developed colour measurement methodology. The printed substrates show photochromic colour change from weakly coloured to an intense blue colour under sunlight or UV irradiation. In most cases, the photochromic colour build up is higher on wet substrates than after drying. Computer aided molecular modelling techniques have been used to explain aspects of the photochromic behaviour.     

砂姜黑土玉米秸秆有机碳的矿化特征

 【目的】探讨不同温度（10℃、20℃、30℃）、不同秸秆加入量（秸秆全量和过量）条件下,玉米秸秆还田对土壤有机碳矿化特征及其环境因子的响应机制。【方法】采用室内恒温控湿好气培养试验,对安徽淮北砂姜黑土在不同温度（10℃、20℃、30℃）条件下,设置50 g土样中加秸秆0.3 g（处理Ⅰ）、1.5 g（处理Ⅱ）、3.0 g（处理Ⅲ）及不加秸秆（CK）的处理,进行240 d的矿化培养。【结果】温度对有机碳矿化影响显著,在对照（CK）和秸秆加入量相同的处理中,有机碳的矿化累积量均随温度（10—30℃）升高而增加;温度较低（＜20℃）时,CK、Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ各处理的有机碳矿化温度系数（Q10）平均值约为1.229、1.251、1.572、1.399,温度较高（＞20℃）时,CK、Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ的Q10平均值约1.006、1.249、1.401、1.374,Q10值在温度较低时大于温度较高时,说明低温条件下,有机碳矿化速率对升温更敏感。同一温度条件下,不同处理秸秆加入量越大,有机碳矿化累积量越高,有机碳矿化的日变化量也越大。本试验中,一级动力学方程能较好地描述了不同处理土壤有机碳的矿化累积动态。土壤有机碳的潜在矿化量（C0）随温度变化不明显,在同一温度条件下,秸秆加入量越大,C0值越大。【结论】一级动力学方程能较好地描述不同处理土壤有机碳的矿化累积动态。不同温度、不同秸秆还田量及温度和秸秆还田量的交互作用,对玉米秸秆矿化过程中土壤有机碳含量的影响均达到显著水平。     

Quantitative analysis of minerals and electric conductivity of red grape homogenates by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy

The use of near infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy to measure the concentration of minerals and electric conductivity (EC) in red grape homogenates was investigated. Wine grape samples (n = 209) from two vintages, representing a wide range of varieties and regions were analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICPOES) for the concentrations of calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), sulphur (S), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) and scanned in reflectance in a NIR instrument (400-2500 nm). The spectra were pre-processed using multiple scatter correction (MSC) before developing the calibration models using partial least squares (PLS) regression and cross validation. Coefficients of determination in cross validation (R²) and the standard errors of cross validation (SECV) obtained were for Fe (0.60 and 1.49 mg kg⁻¹), Mn (0.71 and 0.41 mg kg⁻¹), Ca (0.75 and 60.89 mg kg⁻¹), Mg (0.84 and 12.93 mg kg⁻¹), K (0.78 and 285.34 mg kg⁻¹), P (0.70 and 40.19 mg kg⁻¹), S (0.88 and 14.45 mg kg⁻¹) and EC (0.87 and 7.66 mS). The results showed that Mg, S and EC in grape berries might be measured by NIR reflectance spectroscopy.