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.     

Detect unique molecular structure associated with physiochemical properties in CDC varieties of oat grain with unique nutrient traits [Feed Type vs. Milling Type] in comparison with barley grain using advanced molecular spectroscopy as a non-destructive biological tool

The objective of this study was to determinate grain unique protein inherent molecular structure that are related physiochemical and nutrient profiles in CDC developed oat varieties [CDC Nasser (Feed Type) and CDC Seabiscuit (Milling Type)] grown in cool climate condition in western Canada in comparison with conventional barley variety of CDC Meredith as a control using advanced molecular spectroscopy. Multivariate analyses, including an agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis (CLA) and principal component analysis (PCA), were performed to identify protein molecular structural differences among the grains. The results revealed that CDC Seabiscuit contained greater (P < 0.05) protein structural Amide I and II than CDC Nasser and CDC Meredith, while the greater (P < 0.005) structural Amide I to II area and height ratios was detected in CDC Meredith. New oat grains had greater (P < 0.05) β-sheet height than barley grains, however, there was no difference in α-helix to β-sheet ratio values among the varieties. In conclusion, CDC Nasser and CDC Meredith had no difference in protein molecular structural features, while CDC Seabiscuit contains different protein structural characteristics as compared to CDC Meredith grain. The molecular structure features are highly associated with physiochemical and nutrient profiles in grains, which indicate that it also affect nutrient utilization and availability.     

基于YOLO v3与图结构模型的群养猪只头尾辨别方法

在利用视频监控技术对群养猪只进行自动行为监测时,对猪只准确定位并辨别其头尾位置对提高监测水平至关重要,基于此提出一种基于YOLO v3(You only look once v3)模型与图结构模型(Pictorial structure models)的猪只头尾辨别方法。首先,利用基于深度卷积神经网络的YOLO v3目标检测模型,训练猪只整体及其头部和尾部3类目标的检测器,从而在输入图像中获得猪只整体及头尾部所有的检测结果;然后,引入图结构模型,描述猪只的头尾结构特征,对每个猪只整体检测矩形框内的头尾部位组合计算匹配得分,选择最优的部位组合方式;对部分部位漏检的情况,采取阈值分割与前景椭圆拟合的方法,根据椭圆长轴推理出缺失部位。在实际猪场环境下,通过俯拍获得猪舍监控视频,建立了图像数据集,并进行了检测实验。实验结果表明,与直接利用YOLO v3模型相比,本文方法对头尾定位的精确率和召回率均有一定提高。本文方法对猪只头尾辨别精确率达到96.22%,与其他方法相比具有明显优势。     

玉米空间分层施肥装置结构优化与试验

针对玉米分层施肥作业中开沟宽度大、回土效果差导致的肥料分层效果不明显、各层肥量难以控制等问题，设计了一种各层肥量可调的空间分层施肥装置，肥料可在土壤中形成半包围种子的分布状态。通过理论分析和设计计算确定了空间分层施肥装置的基本结构参数，明确了影响分层施肥装置内肥料颗粒运动的主要因素。运用离散元法对分层施肥装置工作过程进行仿真分析，选取施肥调节片前端宽度、后端宽度和安装角为试验因素，以上层和中层排肥口出肥量为试验指标，进行二次正交旋转组合仿真试验，建立了试验指标与影响因素的回归模型，仿真结果表明，当施肥调节片前端宽度为3.61mm，后端宽度为21.52mm，安装角为43.23°时，上、中、下3层排肥口施肥量比例为最佳施肥比例3∶3∶4。为验证仿真分析结果，在不同作业速度和不同施肥量条件下，进行了空间分层施肥装置的样机性能试验，试验结果表明，空间分层施肥装置能够实现各层肥量的目标施肥配比，在不同作业速度和不同施肥量下各层施肥量变异系数不大于4.3%，各层肥料深度误差在10mm以内，各层肥料横向距离误差在6mm以内，工作性能稳定。     

Strategy to identify resistance to white mould associated with high yield for irrigated common bean in Brazil

Development of common bean cultivars with partial white mould resistance through breeding techniques has been a challenge in Brazil. As yet, lines/cultivars from breeding programmes have not been investigated for resistance; therefore, this study screened 107 lines/cultivars for their reactions to white mould in 14 preliminary trials conducted under irrigation. Thirteen resistant lines/cultivars (three of Andean origin) and six Mesoamerican cultivars (three intermediately resistant and three susceptible) were selected for further investigation. These lines/cultivars and the resistant control A195 were evaluated in six advanced trials and two straw tests to assess the effectiveness of the screening procedure. In 11 preliminary trials, screenings were performed under moderate/high or higher disease pressure. These pressures occurred in two advanced trials in which, when yields were averaged across moderate/high and high pressures, 10 Mesoamerican lines/cultivars selected for resistance yielded 14%, 23%, and 38% more than intermediately resistant cultivars, A195, and susceptible cultivars, with median disease ratings (1–9 scale) of 4.5, 5.7, 5.7, and 6.7, respectively. In the straw test, three Andean lines/cultivars (A195 included) and two susceptible cultivars in the field were among those with the highest levels of physiological resistance. Thus, field rating under high disease pressure and greenhouse rating did not correlate significantly, suggesting that field trials are critical to evaluating resistance and to identifying high-yielding beans. Therefore, lines/cultivars from breeding programmes assessed in field trials may provide a low cost and fast way to identify high-yielding bean cultivars with partial resistance to white mould in the subtropical southern hemisphere.     

2018年中国部分地区猪瘟病毒2.1d亚型新流行株的基因组特征分析

为了解中国猪瘟病毒（classical swine fever virus，CSFV）的分子流行病学及遗传变异情况，本研究应用RT-PCR方法对2018年采集自河南、河北、山东、黑龙江和辽宁5个省份的350份疑似CSFV感染的病料进行E2和NS5B基因扩增，并对PCR产物进行测序和序列分析。结果显示，350份样品中21份为CSFV阳性，共获得14株CSFV的E2基因序列和7株CSFV的部分NS5B基因序列。E2全基因、NS5B部分基因序列分析表明，21份阳性样品均属于近年来在中国流行的CSFV 2.1d亚型，且新发现的2.1d亚型CSFV与中国较早2.1d亚型CSFV毒株间同源性差异不大，新发现的2.1d亚型CSFV分离株在E2基因的6个氨基酸（R³¹、S³⁴、W¹⁸²、K²⁰⁵、K³⁰³、A³³¹）上具有相同的分子特征，E2蛋白中15个位点上的半胱氨酸均未发生变异。韩国2.1d亚型CSFV在E2蛋白上具有3个独特的氨基酸（N⁹⁷、K¹⁵⁹、R²⁰⁵）特征，并且发现了韩国毒株YC11WB可能作为2.1b和2.1d亚型CSFV过渡毒株的证据，流行于中国和韩国的2.1d亚型CSFV可能分别来自于本国早期2.1b亚型CSFV的衍化。本研究证实，2018年中国及周边国家CSFV较为活跃，且流行毒株依然以2.1d亚型为主，为中国科学防控CSFV提供了依据。     

The future of genetic engineering to provide essential dietary nutrients and improve growth performance in aquaculture: Advantages and challenges

Advancements in gene technology in recent years have been driving the aquaculture industry forward. Improvements in growth performance, feed efficiency, and omega‐3 content are goals of the industry that could capitalize on applications of genetic engineering. One of the major challenges in the industry is to reduce the use of fish meal and oil, to improve the environmental and economic sustainability of aquaculture. The recent development of genetically engineered feed ingredients is one potential solution to the looming problem of fish meal and oil dependency. Furthermore, the development of transgenic fish has potential to improve production efficiency and other future desirable characteristics that relate to feed utilization and product quality. New gene technologies are beginning to revolutionize how we produce our food, and in aquaculture, will ultimately reduce pressure on wild fish stocks, help to preserve natural aquatic ecosystems, and improve nutritional profiles of farmed fish for human consumption. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the current applications of genetic engineering technology to improve aquaculture through nutrition, including the development and use of transgenic feed ingredients, transgenic fish, and ultimately their impacts on nutrition, product quality, and consumers.     

Soil Organic Carbon and Soil Physical Characteristics as Affected by Land Uses under Semiarid Irrigated Conditions

ABSTRACT

Rice-Wheat rotation is the dominant land use in the state of Punjab, resulting in over exploitation of ground water resources. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate other land uses that requires less water and are sustainable. The present investigation was planned with four land uses viz., fallow (FLU), rice-wheat (ALU), grasses (GLU) and pear (PLU) with respect to their effect on soil organic carbon and soil physical characteristics in surface and subsurface depth in district Ludhiana, Punjab. The soil organic carbon (SOC) content was higher by 10, 30.9 and 24.9% under rice-wheat, grasses, and pear than that under fallow. The grasses showed higher soil moisture characteristics curve (SMCC) and lower bulk density (Db) than that under rice-wheat. The larger mean weight diameter (MWD) were observed under pear, grasses and fallow than that under rice-wheat by 0.21, 0.51 and 0.41 mm, respectively. The saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) was higher in magnitude by 56.1, 55.4 and 28%, respectively under PLU, GLU and FLU over ALU. Of the evaluated land uses, pear and grasses proved to be more sustainable by retaining more moisture, maintaining better soil physical characteristics and SOC under semiarid irrigated conditions in the state on long term gradual response.     

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     

实木家具的拆装式结构实现路径探究

遵循结构合理、体积缩小、组装方便、外形美观的设计原则,从拆装式节点实现形式、整体结构拆装方式二个维度系统阐述了实木家具拆装结构实现路径,并对榫自锁可拆式、连接件可拆式两种实木家具拆装式节点形式及椅类、桌台类、柜类、床类家具的整体结构可拆装方式进行了详细介绍,以期为实木家具的结构优化及平板化包装提供思路。