Dealing with the variability in biofumigation efficacy through an epidemiological framework

Biofumigation, as originally defined, is the use, in agriculture, of the toxicity of Brassica crop residues to control soilborne plant pathogens. This toxicity is specifically attributed to the release of toxic isothiocyanates, through the hydrolysis of glucosinolates present in the crop residues. This technique is considered a possible alternative to the use of pesticides, but field studies have generated conflicting data concerning the efficacy of biofumigation at field scale, limiting the use of this technique. Analytical studies based on a systematic approach involving evaluation of the potential effects of isothiocyanates can be used to address this problem in a rigorous manner. However, many recent studies have indicated that the mechanisms underlying biofumigation are much more complex than a simple toxic effect of residues. In this review, we dissect and discuss the problems encountered when trying to understand the variability in biofumigation efficacy and propose an integrative epidemiological approach to overcome these problems. This approach involves separating the effects of the different parameters of the system, such as the effects of different management phases of the biofumigant crop (i.e. the period of biofumigant crop growth and the phase during which crop residues are pulverised and incorporated into the soil) on the epidemiological mechanisms driving the development of an epidemic (density of primary inoculum and dynamics of disease progression). Finally, we propose new avenues of research into biofumigation in which the use of epidemiological tools and methods may improve our understanding of the factors underlying variation in the efficacy of biofumigant crops.     

Molecular genetics of the adrenocortical axis and breeding for robustness

The concept of robustness refers to the combination of a high production potential and a low sensitivity to environmental perturbations. The importance of robustness-related traits in breeding objectives is progressively increasing toward the production of animals with a high production level in a wide range of climatic conditions and production systems, together with a high level of animal welfare. Current strategies to increase robustness include selection for "functional traits," such as skeletal and cardiovascular integrity, disease resistance, and mortality at various stages. It is also possible to use global evaluation of sensitivity to the environment (eg reaction norm analysis or canalization), but these techniques are difficult to implement in practice. The glucocorticoid hormones released by the adrenal cortex exert a wide range of effects on metabolism, the cardiovascular system, inflammatory processes, and brain function, for example. Protein catabolism toward energy production and storage (lipids and glycogen) supports their pivotal role in stress responses aiming at the adaptation and survival of individuals under strong environmental pressure. Large individual variations have been described in adrenocortical axis activity, with important physiopathological consequences. In terms of animal production, higher cortisol levels have negative effects on growth rate and feed efficiency and increase the fat:lean ratio of carcasses. On the contrary, cortisol has positive effects on functional traits and adaptation. Intense selection for lean tissue growth and more generally high protein output during the past decades has concomitantly reduced cortisol production, which may be responsible for the negative effects of selection on functional traits. In this paper, we review experimental evidence suggesting that the balance between production and functional traits was modified in favor of improved robustness by selecting animals with higher adrenocortical axis activity, as well as the molecular genetic tools that can be used to fine-tune this objective.     

Genetic diversity in the parental lines and heterosis of the tropical rice hybrids

Genetic diversity within and between the maintainer (B) and restorer (R) lines used in hybrid breeding programs of the Philippine was investigated with information from analysis of pedigree record, quantitative traits and SSR assays. Mean coefficients of coancestry were calculated as 0.11 within R lines, 0.27 within B lines, and 0.04 between R and B lines, indicating greater diversity among R lines than among B lines, and the significant divergence between B and R lines. These results are consistent with those obtained from quantitative trait analysis and SSR marker assays. Relative gene diversity for 37 random SSR markers averaged 0.20 within B lines,0.28 within R lines, and 0.52 between two groups of lines. There were no consistent associations among various genetic diversity measures. Random sets of SSR marker and pedigree based diversity measures had no significant correlation with mid-parent heterosis for grain yield and biomass, indicating that prediction of heterosis for complex traits based on these two genetic diversity estimates is difficult. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

海南特种野猪肌肉组织特性与胴体肉质性状的相关性研究

为了研究海南特种野猪肌肉组织学特性及其与胴体肉质性状之间的关系,试验测定了海南特种野猪骨骼肌不同部位肌纤维形态和胴体肉质性状指标,并进行了相关分析。结果表明,海南特种野猪肌纤维直径较小,肌纤维密度较大,肌纤维面积适中;肌纤维等效直径、面积、密度均与剪切力呈显著(P0.05)正相关;肌纤维等效直径和面积与肌内脂肪呈显著(P0.05)负相关;肌纤维长径与肉色和大理石纹均呈显著(P0.05)正相关。结果揭示了海南特种野猪肌纤维等效直径、面积、密度与肉质性状存在显著相关关系。其肌纤维细,肌纤维密度高,肌肉表面纹理细腻致密,嫩度好,肉质优良。     

Integrated pest management in field vegetable crops in northern Europe — with focus on two key pests

Improvements in (1) insecticide application, (2) supervised control, and (3) pest forecasting systems have each helped to reduce considerably the amounts of insecticides required to control fly, caterpillar and aphid infestations in vegetable crops in northern Europe. By growing plants that are partially resistant to certain major pests, it is now possible to apply even less insecticide than the dose recommended for the crop. In crops where only small amounts of insecticides are applied, natural predators should prevent large increases in pest insect populations and natural parasitoids should reduce the numbers of pest insects entering subsequent generations. The possible impact of introducing transgenic plants and the use of physical (crop covers), cultural (crop rotation, undersowing) and microbial (e.g. fungi, bacteria and nematodes) methods of control are also discussed. The withdrawal of certain insecticides, as a result of environmental and commercial pressures, means that some crops may soon be without appropriate insecticides for controlling one or more of the major pest species. Whether such systems will be sustainable, remains to be seen.