Breeding for increased grain protein and micronutrient content in wheat: Ten years of the GPC-B1 gene

To provide food and nutrition security for a growing world population, continued improvements in the yield and nutritional quality of agricultural crops will be required. Wheat is an important source of calories, protein and micronutrients and is thus a priority to breed for improvements in these traits. The GRAIN PROTEIN CONTENT-B1 (GPC-B1) gene is a positive regulator of nutrient translocation which increases protein, iron and zinc concentration in the wheat grain. In the ten years since it was cloned, the impacts of GPC-B1 allelic variation on quality and yield traits have been extensively analyzed in diverse genetic backgrounds in field studies spanning forty environments and seven countries. In this review, we compile data from twenty-five studies to summarize the impact of GPC-B1 allelic variation on fifty different traits. Taken together, the results demonstrate that the functional copy of the GPC-B1 gene is associated with consistent positive effects on grain protein, Fe and Zn content with only marginally negative impacts on yield. We conclude that the GPC-B1 gene has the potential to increase nutritional and end use quality in a wide range of modern cultivars and environments and discuss the possibilities for its application in wheat breeding.     

Quantitative trait loci for fruit size and flowering time-related traits under domestication and diversifying selection in cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

In cucumber, the genetic basis of traits under domestication and/or diversifying selection is not well understood. Here, we reported QTL mapping for flowering time and fruit size-related traits with segregating populations derived from a cultivated × wild cross. Phenotypic data of flowering time (FT), fruit size (FS), fruit number (FN) and fruit weight per plant (FW) were collected in multiple environments. QTL analysis identified 19 QTL for these traits. We found that the major-effect QTL FT1.1 played an important role in regulating flowering time in cultivated cucumber, whereas the minor-effect QTL FT6.3 contributed to photoperiod sensitive flowering time during domestication. Two novel consensus FS QTL, FS1.4 and FS2.3, seem to be the targets of selection during breeding for the US processing cucumber. All other FS QTL were co-localized with previously detected QTL using populations derived from cultivated cucumbers, suggesting that they were under selection during both initial domestication and subsequent improvement. Results from this study also suggested that the wild cucumber is a useful resource for capturing positive transgressive segregation and novel alleles that could be explored in cucumber breeding.     

不同地区楼葱栽培种的性状与品质分析

为了研究不同地区楼葱的特性,试验对我国不同地区12个楼葱栽培种的数量性状和品质性状进行了测定分析。14个数量性状的相关分析结果显示,主成分分析数量指标后,单株质量、株高、假茎质量、花葶高、叶形指数和假茎指数影响分类;相关性分析说明主要数量指标间具有极显著相关性(P<0.01)。聚类分析后,遗传距离为3.1时可将楼葱种质根据所得主要数量性状分为4个类群。测定不同地区楼葱6个品质指标后,相关性分析结果表明,紧实度与蛋白质含量、干物质率、香辛油含量、总糖含量、游离氨基酸总量存在着极显著正相关或相关性,主成分分析表明主成分反映了89.99%的原有信息量,楼葱的干物质率与紧实度为主要成分;应用灰色关联度分析了品质与数量性状的关系,假茎直径、出叶孔间距、单株质量这3个数量性状对楼葱品质的影响居前3位。研究表明楼葱种质材料具有极其丰富的遗传多样性,宁夏同心2个地区黄水桥HSQ、石羊圈SYJ的楼葱种质距其他种质资源间亲缘关系最远且干物质率含量及紧实度最高。     

Assessment of molecular detection of Fusarium circinatum in insects and passive spore traps in Pinus radiata plantations

Fusarium circinatum is the causal agent of pitch canker, a destructive disease that threatens natural and planted pine forests around the world. Although pitch canker has caused problems in Spain and Portugal, concerning Europe as a whole, the fungus is not established across the pine distribution area. Its dispersion by wind and/or insect vectors could nevertheless play a role in the colonization of currently uninfected stands. It is therefore crucial to develop monitoring tools for its detection. To this end, we assessed the molecular detection of the pathogen in environmental samples of bark beetles and passive spore traps, collected in two infected Pinus radiata plantations in Basque country, Spain. The spread pattern of F. circinatum was assessed by an experimental design that included insect and spore traps installed at the centre, at the edge and outside the plots. Our results showed that F. circinatum was detected in both types of samples, at almost all collection dates. In both type of samples, positive detections were mainly found at the centre of the plots, a lower proportion at the edge, and very few outside. This suggests that long‐distance dispersion of Fusarium circinatum does not rely on wind spore dispersal neither on insect flight. Our study also shows that molecular methods are a powerful tool to monitor the pathogen in environmental samples.     

The use of the hand-held infrared thermometer as an early detection tool for exertional heat illness in Thoroughbred racehorses: A study at racetracks in eastern Australia

Thoroughbred racehorses perform exercise at maximal intensities and typically display a hyperthermic exercise response, which can drive core body temperature to critical levels. Despite extremely efficient thermoregulatory mechanisms, certain weather conditions may affect the horse’s ability to cool and result in a syndrome referred to as exertional heat illness (EHI). This is characterised by central nervous system dysfunction, as well as cytotoxic effects of heat on cells, which can produce deleterious consequences. Early detection of exertional heat illness (EHI) in Thoroughbred racehorses can be difficult because signs are often vague and the measurement of rectal temperature as an indicator of hyperthermia is not practical. Best practice in the treatment of EHI in horses, as in human subjects, centres on early detection, rapid assessment and aggressive cooling. Research in human subjects has shown that EHI is manageable when recognised early and appropriate treatment provided. The aim of this study was to investigate the measurement of skin surface temperature (SST) by an infrared thermometer as an aid in the early detection of EHI. A skin surface temperature ≥39°C in the immediate postrace period is considered to be hot. It reflects the interaction of exercise-related metabolic heat production, physiological adjustments to the skin surface such as vasodilation and sweating, together with the effect of high ambient temperature. Most importantly, high SST is associated with a reduced core-to-skin temperature difference, which retards heat transfer from the deep body tissues to the skin and can hinder heat dissipation. Identification of horses with high SSTs can prioritise them for rapid cooling and curtail possible progression to EHI.     

青虾源维氏气单胞菌双重PCR检测方法的建立

根据NCBI已发表的维氏气单胞菌(Aeromonas veronii)促旋酶B亚单位基因gyrB和编码细菌RNA聚合酶σ70因子基因rpoD的保守序列设计引物,建立了一种快速检测青虾源维氏气单胞菌的双重PCR检测方法。结果显示:青虾源维氏气单胞菌gyrB和rpoD基因PCR扩增产物大小分别为815 bp、554 bp,而对嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)、弗氏柠檬酸杆菌(Citrobacter freundii)、哈维弧菌(Vibrio harveyi)、副溶血性弧菌(Vibrio parahemolyticus)、需钠弧菌(Vibrio natriegens)、非O1霍乱弧菌(non-O1 Vibrio cholerae)、阴沟肠杆菌(Enterobacter cloacae)、产气肠杆菌(Enterobacter aerogenes)扩增结果皆为阴性;灵敏性试验结果显示该方法检测到的最低菌体DNA量为1.8×10-2 ng/μL,且10份送检样本检测结果与传统细菌分离鉴定结果相一致。结果表明,双重PCR检测方法特异性好、灵敏性高,适用于青虾源维氏气单胞菌的快速检测。     

Quantitative trait loci mapping for yield-related traits under low and high planting densities in maize (Zea mays)

Average maize yield per hectare has increased significantly because of the improvement in high-density tolerance, but little attention has been paid to the genetic mechanism of grain yield response to high planting density. Here, we used a population of 301 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross YE478 × 08–641 to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for 16 yield-related traits under two planting densities (57,000 and 114,000 plants per ha) across four environments. These yield-related traits responded differently to high-density stress. A total of 110 QTLs were observed for these traits: 33 QTLs only under low planting density, 50 QTLs under high planting density and 27 QTLs across both densities. Only two major QTLs, qCD6 and qWKEL2-2, were identified across low- and high-density treatments. Seven environmentally stable QTLs were also observed containing qED6, qWKEL3, qRN3-3, qRN7-2, qRN9-2 and qRN10 across both densities, as well as qRN9-1 under low density. In addition, 16 and eight pairs of loci with epistasis interaction (EPI) were detected under low and high planting densities, respectively. Additionally, nine and 17 loci showed QTL × environment interaction (QEI) under low- and high-density conditions, respectively. These interactions are of lesser importance than the main QTL effects. We also observed 26 pleiotropic QTL clusters, and the hotspot region 3.08 concentrated nine QTLs, suggesting its great importance for maize yield. These findings suggested that multiple minor QTLs, loci with EPI and QEI, pleiotropy and the complex network of “crosstalk” among them for yield-related traits were greatly influenced by plant density, which increases our understanding of the genetic mechanism of yield-related traits for high-density tolerance.     

A genetic linkage map in southern‐by‐spring oat identifies multiple quantitative trait loci for adaptation and rust resistance

We developed 178 recombinant inbred lines from a southern‐by‐spring oat population designated as “TxH.” These lines were genotyped to generate a high‐quality linkage map that resolved 6,902 markers into 21 linkage groups that matched closely with the latest hexaploid oat consensus map. Three major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting heading date were found in locations that are consistent with known QTLs and candidate genes, and two other QTLs affecting heading date were found in novel locations. Five QTLs affecting plant height were found. Both sets of QTLs are responsible for transgressive segregation observed for these two traits. Four QTLs affecting resistance to crown rust, caused by the pathogen Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae, were identified. Two of these QTLs are consistent with known clusters of rust resistance genes, while two may represent new locations of novel rust resistance genes. A complete set of SNP sequences suitable for generating markers for molecular selection is provided.     

Bulk pollen pollination in maize for efficient construction of introgression populations with high genome coverage

Introgression populations consist of a set of introgression lines or families, constructed by continuous backcrossing to the recurrent parent, while carrying a limited number of chromosome segments from a donor parent in their genomes. Increasing the genome coverage is an important aim when constructing introgression population. In this study, we proposed bulk pollen pollination (BPP) method and used it to increase the genome coverage of a maize introgression population. The results showed that the genome coverage of the introgression population constructed using BPP method reached 100% at BC₃ generation, which accorded with the simulation result. The BPP‐based BC₃F_1:2 population could identify most quantitative trait loci (QTL) detected using the F_2:3 population, especially major QTL. Simulation analysis showed that the genome coverage of introgression population increased with the increase of population size and the number of bulked plants, and decreased with the increase of backcross generation. Our results proved the reliability of the BPP‐based introgression population in increasing genome coverage and detecting QTL, and provided references for constructing high‐coverage introgression populations.     

基于逆运动学降维求解与YOLO v4的果实采摘系统研究

为提高采摘设备的执行效率，采用六自由度机械臂、树莓派、Android手机端和服务器设计了一种智能果实采摘系统，该系统可自动识别不同种类的水果，并实现自动采摘，可通过手机端远程控制采摘设备的起始和停止，并远程查看实时采摘视频。提出通过降低自由度和使用二维坐标系来实现三维坐标系中机械臂逆运动学的求解过程，从而避免了大量的矩阵运算，使机械臂逆运动学求解过程更加简捷。利用Matlab中的Robotic Toolbox进行机械臂三维建模仿真，验证了降维求解的可行性。在果实采摘流程中，为了使机械臂运动轨迹更加稳定与协调，采用五项式插值法对机械臂进行运动轨迹规划控制。基于Darknet深度学习框架的YOLO v4目标检测识别算法进行果实目标检测和像素定位，在Ubuntu 19.10操作系统中使用2000幅图像作为训练集，分别对不同种类的果实进行识别模型训练，在GPU环境下进行测试，结果表明，每种果实识别的准确率均在94%以上，单次果实采摘的时间约为17s。经过实际测试，该系统具有良好的稳定性、实时性以及对果实采摘的准确性。