Thresholds,sensitive stages and genetic variability of finger millet to high temperature stress

Finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] is an important coarse cereal crop grown in the arid and semi‐arid regions and often experiences high temperature (HT) stress. The objectives of this research were (i) to quantify effects of season‐long HT stress on physiological and yield traits, (ii) to identify the developmental stages most sensitive to HT stress and (iii) to quantify the genetic variability for HT stress tolerance in finger millet. Research was conducted in controlled environment conditions. HT stress decreased the chlorophyll index, photosystem II activity, grain yield and harvest index. Maximum decrease in number of seeds per panicle and grain yield per plant was observed when stress was imposed during booting, panicle emergence or flowering stages. Maximum genotypic variation was explained by panicle width and number of seeds per panicle at optimum temperature (OT) and grain yield per plant at HT and number of seeds at HT. Based on the stress response and grain yield, tolerant or susceptible genotypes were identified. Finger millet is sensitive to HT stress during reproductive stages, and there was genotypic variability among the finger millet genotypes for number of seeds per panicle and grain yield under HT, which can be exploited to enhance stress tolerance.     

Comparison of immune responses and antioxidant status of different generations of growth‐selected Portunus trituberculatus families

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of inbreeding on the immune responses and antioxidant status of Portunus trituberculatus juveniles. Results showed that inbreeding affected the total haemocyte count, and phagocytic, pro‐phenoloxidase (propo), phenoloxidase and antibacterial activities decreased after the seventh generation. Antioxidant status showed a similar pattern: total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and GSH/GSSG in the cell‐free haemolymph and hepatopancreas decreased, while catalase activity in the cell‐free haemolymph increased (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in α₂‐macroglobulin and bacteriolytic activities in the cell‐free haemolymph and glutathione peroxidase activity in the cell‐free haemolymph and hepatopancreas among nine inbreeding generations. Gene expression levels of proPO and crustin in haemocytes and SOD in haemocytes and hepatopancreas also decreased significantly as the inbreeding generations increased. The results suggest that a high level of inbreeding could severely reduce the physiological health of P. trituberculatus. Our obtained data would be particularly useful for P. trituberculatus breeding programmes.     

用线粒体D-loop和Cyt b基因序列分析拉氏(鲮)3个群体的遗传结构和遗传分化

用线粒体DNA的D-loop和Cytb基因序列分析方法研究了吉林延吉、敦化和辽宁法台3个区域的29尾拉氏鱼岁Phoxinus lagowskii Dybowsky的遗传多样性.经PCR扩增和测序,获得了783～785bp D-loop和818bpCyt b的同源序列.两者多态性遗传参数统计显示,29尾个体分别存在47(D-loop)和89(Cyt b)个变异位点,分别检测出15 (D-loop)和1l(Cyt b)个单倍型,总群体单倍型(Hd)分别为0.8966 (D-loop)和0.8990(Cyt b),核苷酸多样性指数(Px)分别为0.0246(D-loop)和0.0498 (Cyt b),平均核苷酸差异数(K)分别为19.2857(D-loop)和40.7365(Cytb).分子方差分析(AMOVA)结果表明,79.02％(D-loop)和81.69％(Cyt b)变异来自群体间,20.98％(D-loop)和18.31％(Cyt b)来自群体内.单倍型呈明显的地理差异,分成2个分支,一个以延吉群体为主,一个以法台群体为主.拉氏(鲮)的遗传多样性水平较高,群体间遗传分化明显.该结果可为拉氏(鲮)的种质资源保护提供参考.     

养殖大鳞鲃发病死亡F_3个体的微卫星标记分析

采用24个已报道的多态微卫星标记对天津市天祥水产有限责任公司养殖的大鳞鲃Barbus capito F_2亲本及F_3成活和病发死亡个体进行基因分型,结果有8个标记无多态,13个标记用以分析本研究群体的遗传多样性、亲缘关系及遗传结构。遗传参数分析显示,13个标记在87个大鳞鲃个体中分别检测到2~7个等位基因,平均等位基因数(4.27~4.53)极显著高于平均有效等位基因数(3.09~3.22)(P0.01);观察杂合度(0.58~0.64)整体低于期望杂合度(0.64~0.65),多态位点比例明显下降(8/24),表明大鳞鲃F2及F_3个体的纯合度增加,遗传多样性下降。聚类分析显示,F2亲本与成活子代亲缘关系更近,聚在一起;而死亡子代单独聚为1支。遗传结构分析显示,亲本与子代清晰地划分成两大类群,多数亲本与多数成活个体归为第一类群(划分概率为51.8%~97.7%),少数亲本与多数死亡个体归为第二类群(划分概率为52.9%~98.4%),这与亲缘关系分析的结果一致,表明少数亲本是F_3死亡个体遗传组成的直接贡献者。本研究初步认定,由于几个亲本的近亲交配,子代基因组纯合度增加,遗传多样性下降,抗逆性下降,这可能是F_3出现不明缘由病发死亡的主要原因之一。     

饲料异亮氨酸水平对卵形鲳鲹消化酶活性和免疫指标的影响

实验旨在研究饲料异亮氨酸(Ile)水平对卵形鲳鲹(Trachinotus ovatus)消化酶活性和免疫指标的影响。以鱼粉、豆粕、花生粕和L-晶体氨基酸为蛋白源,配制含粗蛋白430 g·kg~(-1)的6种等氮饲料,各组分别含有13.2 g·kg~(-1)、15.7 g·kg~(-1)、18.2 g·kg~(-1)、20.7 g·kg~(-1)、23.2 g·kg~(-1)和25.7g·kg~(-1)(以干物质计)异亮氨酸。每组3个重复,每个重复随机放置20尾鱼[初始体质量(6.36±0.03)g],实验时长8周。结果显示,各实验组的肠淀粉酶和胃蛋白酶活性、血清总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、溶菌酶(LZM)活性、免疫球蛋白M和补体(C3和C4)浓度均随着饲料Ile水平的升高而先上升后下降,这5个指标的较高值出现在18.2 g·kg~(-1)和20.7 g·kg~(-1)组,而较低值则出现在13.2 g·kg~(-1)和25.7 g·kg~(-1)组,上述4组与其他2组差异显著。血清尿素氮和丙二醛(MDA)浓度的变化趋势则与上述7个指标相反,较低值出现在18.2 g·kg~(-1)和20.7 g·kg~(-1)组,且显著低于其他4组。血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性则随着饲料Ile水平的增加而显著升高,18.2~25.7 g·kg~(-1)这4组SOD活性没有显著性差异。综上所述,饲料Ile水平为18.2~20.7 g·kg~(-1)时,卵形鲳鲹具有较好的消化性能和免疫机能。     

华南6水系与澜沧江-湄公河攀鲈线粒体ND2基因的遗传多样性分析

测定了中国华南6水系及澜沧江(云南勐腊)-湄公河流域(柬埔寨洞里萨湖)的125尾攀鲈(Anabas testudineus)线粒体部分ND2基因1 010 bp序列,分析发现39个变异位点和12个单倍型,总遗传多样性较低(h=0.369,π=0.003 8),推测可能经历过严重的瓶颈效应;中国攀鲈群体遗传多样性更低(h=0.282,π=0.000 4),处于边缘区的中国攀鲈群体是造成低遗传多样性的主要原因。在单倍型网络图中柬埔寨和中国攀鲈各自聚类,具有明显地理结构和谱系结构,推测地质运动和气候变化导致基因交流受阻所致。核苷酸错配图和中性检验表明中国群体经历过种群扩张,时间约为(5.94~4.13)万年前。华南水系群体间基因交流通畅,不存在明显分化;但与云南澜沧江群体间分化大而显著(FST=0.775,P0.01),AMOVA分析显示变异主要来自组群间(77.41%),推测二者分化时间约为(4.0~2.8)万年前,云南群体受末次冰期的影响,基因交流受阻而出现分化。中国群体和柬埔寨群体可作为2个管理单位进行保护;就中国群体而言,韩江水系群体遗传多样性最高,建议优先保护;澜沧江与华南水系间群体分化显著且遗传多样性极低,建议对澜沧江水系群体进行保护,以避免种质资源灭绝。     

Effects of Panax ginseng extract in practical diets for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) on growth performance,immune response and resistance to Yersinia ruckeri

In a preliminary in vitro study, a Panax ginseng extract exhibited an evident antibacterial activity against Yersinia ruckeri and Lactococcus garvieae and affected the respiratory burst and proliferation of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss leukocytes. Subsequently, the effects of a dietary ginseng extract supplementation on growth, blood biochemical profile, innate immune response and resistance against Y. ruckeri infection were investigated in vivo in rainbow trout juveniles. Four experimental diets were obtained by adding 0.0%, 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.03% of ginseng ethanolic extract to a commercial feed. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of fish (mean body weight 30.5 ± 0.15 g) at 1% of body weight day^?1 for 10 weeks. The dietary supplementation with ginseng extract did not affect growth performance, feed utilization, biometric traits and fish whole body composition (P > 0.05). No major changes due to graded levels of ginseng extract in the diet were observed in blood biochemical parameters except for increasing plasma triglycerides and non‐esterified fatty acids in fish fed diets including 0.01% and 0.02% of extract (P < 0.05). The innate immune response was barely modulated by the dietary addition of ginseng extract. Serum lysozyme and leukocytes respiratory burst activities were just slightly increased in fish fed all the ginseng extract‐supplemented diets compared with controls, whereas serum antiproteases and leukocyte MPO were not affected (P > 0.05). The dietary administration of ginseng extract induced a reduction in mortality of rainbow trout infected with Y. ruckeri, although no significant differences between treated and control groups were observed (P > 0.05).     

Probiotic efficiency of Bacillus sp. in Labeo rohita challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila: assessment of stress profile,haemato‐biochemical parameters and immune responses

Fish are always susceptible to a wide variety of deadly pathogens which cause a huge loss in aquaculture industries. In this investigation, we have demonstrated the in vivo probiotic efficiency of Bacillus sp. MVF1 (GenBank Acc. No. KP256503) in Labeo rohita challenged with pathogenic strain of Aeromonas hydrophila (MTCC 1739). To check the probiotic potential of the selected bacterial strain, fish were divided into four groups: control, D1, D2 and D3. A total of 100 days (70 days probiotic feeding + 71th day sampling and 28 days challenged test + 29th day sampling) of feeding trial was conducted. To establish the probiotic potential of Bacillus sp. MVF1, certain haematological parameters (haemoglobin, total erythrocyte and leucocyte count), serum biochemical parameters (total protein, albumin and globulin), immune parameters (serum lysozyme and total IgM levels) and hepatic stress profile (malondialdehyde production, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity) have been measured. Our results demonstrated that red blood cell number, white blood cell number and haemoglobin content were much higher in D2 group fish compared to other groups and control fish. Similarly, total protein contents, albumin concentration, globulin concentration, lysozyme activity and IgM production were also recorded to be highest in D2 group fish. This finding clearly indicated the probiotic potential of Bacillus sp. MVF1 in L. rohita. Furthermore, our results also demonstrated that 1 × 10⁷ CFU g^?1 feed (D2) provides better immunity compared to 1 × 10⁵ (D1) and 1 × 10⁹ (D3). Due to beneficial effects, the bacterium Bacillus sp. MVF1 might be useful in aquaculture industries to reduce the disease susceptibility.     

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.     

Seasonal variations of immune parameters in the coelomic fluid of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus cultured in pond

In order to understand the effects of seasonal change on the immunity of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus cultured in pond, A. japonicus with body weight of 12.2 ± 4.5 g (sample A) and 32.6 ± 7.1 g (sample B), respectively, were collected monthly and randomly from a typical pond during a year cycle and employed for the evaluation of immunocompetence. Simultaneously, the environmental factors in the pond including water temperature, pH, salinity and dissolved oxygen (DO) were measured using a handheld multiparameter meter. The activities of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lysozyme (LYZ), phenoloxidase (PO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the coelomic fluid were selected for the evaluation of A. japonicus immunocompetence and determined using biochemical methods. The results showed that in both samples, the activities of all determined enzymes had small values in winter and early spring, and LYZ, CAT and MPO activities also presented small values in summer, suggesting that pond‐cultured A. japonicus underwent immunosuppression twice during a year cycle, and the immunosuppression occurred in winter and early spring was more severe than that occurred in summer. In addition, most of the determined enzymes showed different variations between the two samples, and had significantly negative correlation with protein concentration, which was significantly and negatively correlated with water temperature, revealing that body weight and water temperature might have crucial effects on the immunity of A. japonicus cultured in pond.