Ostrich meat: Production,quality parameters,and nutritional comparison to other types of meats

The poultry industry is considered one of the most efficient industries in producing animal protein. Poultry production consists of several main segments: broilers, commercial eggs, turkeys, ducks, and other poultry, including geese, guinea-fowl, pheasants, quail, and ratites. Currently, ostrich meat is marketed as a healthy red meat because it is characterized by high polyunsaturated fatty acid contents, low saturated fatty acid content, and low cholesterol level compared with red meats, such as beef, while tasting similar to lean beef. Ostrich meat contains lower sodium and higher iron contents than other kinds of meat, making it preferable to hypertensive people and those with anemia. Taken together, ostrich meat is considered as an ideal red meat for individuals seeking healthier lifestyle. Moreover, many different ostrich products, such as leather and feathers, are used by people. The current review paper considers the quality characteristics of ostrich meat, including physical traits, and compares it to other types of meats, such as bovine and other poultry meats.     

Control of Helminthosporium leaf blight of spring wheat using seed treatments and single foliar spray in Indo-Gangetic Plains of Nepal

Four fungicides for seed treatments and one as foliar spray were tested in replicated field experiments in a strip plot design to determine the effect of fungicides on Helminthosporium leaf blight (caused by Cochliobolus sativus and Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) severity and grain yield of wheat. Wheat seed cv. RR 21 was treated with fungicides, carbendazim (Areestin), triadimenol (Baytan), tebuconazole (Raxil), and carboxin + thiram (Vitavax 200B). Single foliar application of propiconazole (Tilt) was sprayed at flowering stage. Controls were included for both factors and treatments were replicated four times. Triadimenol and carboxin + thiram increased seed germination in both years. Triadimenol, tebuconazole, and carboxin + thiram reduced the number of infected seedlings and seedling root rot severity in both years. Number of tillers was higher in carboxin + thiram treated plots compared to other seed treatments. Compared to the control, carboxin + thiram increased grain yield by 9% and 8% in 2004 and 2005, respectively, and triadimenol by 6% in both years. The foliar spray of propiconazole significantly reduced Helminthosporium leaf blight severity and increased thousand-kernel weights. Propiconazole spray increased grain yield by 15% and 14% in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Therefore, seed treatment either with triadimenol or carboxin + thiram in combination with single post-flowering foliar spray of fungicides should minimize grain yield loss due to wheat foliar blight in South Asia. The findings of this study could be useful in developing strategies to manage Helminthosporium leaf blight in South Asia and other warm wheat growing regions of the world.     

Short time effects of biological and inter-row subsoiling on yield of potatoes grown on a loamy sand,and on soil penetration resistance,root growth and nitrogen uptake

Soil compaction, especially subsoil compaction, in agricultural fields has increased due to widespread use of heavy machines and intensification of vehicular traffic. Subsoil compaction changes the relative distribution of roots between soil layers and may restrict root development to the upper part of the soil profile, limiting water and mineral availability. This study investigated the direct effects of inter-row subsoiling, biological subsoiling and a combination of these two methods on soil penetration resistance, root length density, nitrogen uptake and yield. In field experiments with potatoes in 2013 and 2014, inter-row subsoiling (subsoiler) and biological subsoiling (preceding crops) were studied as two potential methods to reduce soil penetration resistance. Inter-row subsoiling was carried out post planting and the preceding crops were established one year, or in one case two years, prior to planting. Soil resistance was determined with a penetrometer three weeks after the potatoes were planted and root length density was measured after soil core sampling 2 months after emergence. Nitrogen uptake was determined in haulm (at haulm killing) and tubers (at harvest). Inter-row subsoiling had the greatest effect on soil penetration resistance, whereas biological subsoiling showed no effects. Root length density (RDL) in the combined treatment was higher than in the separate inter-row and biological subsoiling treatments and the control, whereas for the separate inter-row and biological subsoiling treatments, RLD was higher than in the control. Nitrogen uptake increased with inter-row subsoiling and was significantly higher than in the biological subsoiling and control treatments. However, in these experiments with a good supply of nutrients and water, no yield differences between any treatments were observed.     

蒙古黄芪根腐病病原鉴定及防治药剂室内筛选

为鉴定青海省民和地区蒙古黄芪(Astragalus membranaceusvar.mongholicus)根腐病病原菌及筛选防治该病害的有效杀菌剂,本研究基于形态学特征、rDNA-ITS,TEF-1α和RPB2序列分析对蒙古黄芪根腐病病原进行鉴定,并利用菌丝生长速率法测定8种杀菌剂对病原菌的抑制作用。结果发现,引起黄芪根腐病的病原菌为腐皮镰刀菌(Fusarium soani)、逗号镰刀菌(F.virguliforme)、木贼镰刀菌(F.equiseti)和锐顶镰刀菌(F.acuminatum)。室内药剂试验表明硅唑·咪鲜胺对4种镰刀菌的抑制作用最好,EC₅₀在0.195~0.588 mg·L^-1之间;多菌灵对腐皮镰刀菌、木贼镰刀菌和锐顶镰刀菌的抑制作用较强,EC₅₀在0.113~0.869 mg·L^-1之间;咯菌腈对逗号镰刀菌、木贼镰刀菌和锐顶镰刀菌的抑制作用较强,EC₅₀在0.153~0.390 mg·L^-1之间;甲基硫菌灵、噁霉灵、溴菌腈和石硫合剂对4种镰刀菌的抑制作用较差,EC₅₀在1.018~4.360 mg·L^-1之间。试验结果为生产上合理选用杀菌剂防治黄芪根腐病提供了科学依据。     

假地豆响应缺磷胁迫的代谢衍生物分析

为探究假地豆（Desmodium heterocarpon）对缺磷胁迫的生理和代谢响应,本研究通过水培试验,分析了正常供磷（+P处理）和缺磷（-P处理）对假地豆生长及代谢物积累的影响。结果表明：缺磷胁迫降低了假地豆地上部干重和磷含量,但促进了根系生长。随后,代谢组共检测到假地豆叶片和根系的267个代谢物,可被分为12类。其中,叶片和根系的缺磷胁迫差异累积代谢物（DAMs）均为79个。缺磷处理导致假地豆叶片和根系的原花青素、槲皮素及其衍生物的积累显著增加,而2'-脱氧腺苷5'-单磷酸（dAMP）的积累显著减少。此外,缺磷处理使根系的8个有机酸和4个糖及醇类的积累显著增加。综上,假地豆通过促进根系生长和调整代谢物积累来提高对缺磷胁迫的适应性。本研究将为进一步解析假地豆适应缺磷胁迫的机理提供理论参考。     

3种圭亚那柱花草根系分泌物对杂草幼苗生长的影响

为明确3种圭亚那柱花草（Stylosanthes guianensis Sw.）（‘热研2号’、‘热研5号’和热研21号）的根系分泌物对杂草生长的化感效应,采用营养液培法分别收集其根系分泌物,研究其对5种外来入侵杂草幼苗形态特征及生物量分配的影响。结果表明,除对含羞草（Mimosa pudica L.）幼苗无显著影响外,3种圭亚那柱花草对其余4种杂草的总化感综合效应均为抑制作用。‘热研5号’柱花草对杂草幼苗生长的化感抑制效应强于其他二者,对蒺藜草（Cenchrus echinatus L.）幼苗的根长、株高、地下生物量、地上生物量、总生物量和根冠比均有显著抑制效应（P<0.05）,对羽芒菊（Tridax procumbens L.）幼苗的侧根数、地下生物量和根冠比有显著抑制效应（P<0.05）,也显著抑制假臭草（Eupatorium catarium V.）幼苗的生物量向地下分配（P<0.05）,仅对鬼针草（Bidens pilosa L.）幼苗的抑制效应相对较弱。灰色关联分析表明,进行圭亚那柱花草的化感效应研究中应重点关注总生物量、地上生物量和株高。由此推测,3种圭亚那柱花草品种中,‘热研5号’柱花草具有防控外来入侵杂草的潜力。     

基于选择信号分析揭示猪终端父本群体间性状趋同的关键基因

【目的】试验旨在揭示终端父本皮特兰猪与杜洛克猪在人工选择作用下重要经济性状呈现出表型趋同的基因组变化特征。【方法】利用376头皮特兰猪、451头杜洛克猪品系Ⅰ、841头杜洛克猪品系Ⅱ和497头杜洛克猪品系Ⅲ群体的50K SNP芯片数据,以100 kb窗口、50 kb步长计算综合单倍型评分(iHS)和等位基因频率差(△AF),分别取前5%作为猪群体内、群体间的基因组选择信号候选区域;利用bedtools分别对iHS、△AF按照左右200 kb进行合并,每2个群体间合并后的iHS、△AF统计量的重叠区域定义为性状趋同区域,并挖掘该区域与猪重要经济性状相关的平行选择信号。【结果】iHS结果显示,在皮特兰猪和杜洛克猪4个群体内共检测到5 112个选择信号候选区域,总长约487.51 Mb。基于△AF方法,于皮特兰猪和杜洛克猪每2个群体间共检测到9 579个选择信号显著区域,总长约913.50 Mb。基于合并后的iHS和△AF,共检测到52个性状趋同区域,总长约4.67 Mb,注释到88个与猪的繁殖、胴体和肉质等性状相关的平行选择候选基因。【结论】皮特兰猪和杜洛克猪群体间存在性状趋同的基因组选择区域有52个,平行选择信号主要涉及猪的繁殖、胴体及肉质等重要经济性状,这与瘦肉型猪种相同的育种方向相关,这些关键基因的发现可为后续商业猪品种遗传改良提供参考。     

中国荷斯坦牛PIK3CB基因多态性及其与繁殖和产奶性状的关联分析

【目的】 探究磷脂酰肌醇-4,5-二磷酸3-激酶催化亚单位β（PIK3CB）基因多态性及其与中国荷斯坦牛繁殖和产奶性状的关系。【方法】 通过混池测序对中国荷斯坦牛PIK3CB基因进行单核苷酸多态性（SNP）位点筛选,采用竞争性等位基因特异性PCR （KASP）技术在1 160头健康泌乳中国荷斯坦牛中进行SNP分型并进行群体遗传学分析,采用线性模型进行SNP与11个繁殖和产奶性状基于单位点和单倍型组合的关联分析。【结果】 在PIK3CB基因中共检测到了17个SNPs,筛选出7个SNPs用于后续分析。关联分析发现,7个SNPs与多个目标性状存在显著或极显著的关联（P<0.05;P<0.01）;位于外显子区域的g.130433743 A>G位点AA基因型个体和位于可变剪接区域的g.130448069 G>A位点GG基因型个体,其经产牛首末次配种间隔、产奶量、乳蛋白量和乳脂量最低,体细胞评分最高,上述基因型个体具有较短的首末次配种间隔,而产奶性能相对较差;g.130387717 G>A位点AA基因型个体,其初配日龄和青年牛首末次配种间隔最低,产奶量、乳蛋白量和乳脂量最高,该基因型个体的繁殖和产奶性能均较好,上述3个SNPs位点可作为中国荷斯坦牛繁殖和产奶性状的候选位点重点关注。单倍型分析发现,PIK3CB基因的g.130387717 G>A、g.130430832 A>－、g.130433743 A>G、g.130433982 C>T、g.130446073 C>T和g.130448069 G>A 6个SNPs紧密连锁形成一个单倍型块,且与多个目标性状存在显著或极显著关联（P<0.05;P<0.01）,其中H2H3和H2H4单倍型组合个体的繁殖和产奶性能较好,为优势单倍型组合。【结论】 中国荷斯坦牛PIK3CB基因存在丰富的遗传变异,其多态性与繁殖和产奶性状存在关联,g.130433743 A>G、g.130448069 G>A和g.130387717 G>A位点可作为潜在分子标记,为中国荷斯坦牛的平衡育种提供理论依据。     

比较机器学习等算法对肉鸡产蛋性状育种值估计的准确性

我国白羽肉鸡育种中,通过遗传途径提高产蛋数和控制合适的蛋重是培育优良品系的一个重要方面。为探索适合我国白羽肉鸡育种中的基因组选择模型,本研究以2 474只白羽肉鸡品系的产蛋性状为研究对象,主要分析了机器学习算法KAML、BLUP(包括：PBLUP、GBLUP、SSGBLUP)和Bayes(包括：Bayes A、Bayes B和Bayes Cπ)方法对产蛋数和蛋重性状的预测准确性,准确性以5倍交叉验证进行评估。利用系谱以及基因组信息估计了产蛋数和蛋重性状的遗传力和遗传相关。结果表明,产蛋数性状遗传力为0.061~0.16,属于低遗传力性状;蛋重遗传力为0.28~0.39,属于中等遗传力性状;产蛋数与蛋重是中等遗传负相关(-0.518~-0.184),不同阶段产蛋数之间是强的遗传正相关(0.736~0.998)。不同模型预测43周产蛋数和52周蛋重的育种值估计准确性结果表明,KAML方法对两者的预测准确性分别为0.115和0.266,与GBLUP方法(准确性分别为0.118和0.283)和SSGBLUP方法(准确性分别为0.136和0.259)的准确性差异显著,同时显著低于Bayes方法(准确性分别为0.230~0.239、0.336~0.340)的预测准确性, PBLUP方法预测准确性最低(准确性分别为0.095和0.246)。因此,在白羽肉鸡产蛋数和蛋重性状中应用Bayes方法将获得最高的育种值估计准确性。     

利用相同来源F2:3和BC2S1群体定位玉米生育期QTL

以普通玉米自交系丹232和爆裂玉米自交系N04为亲本构建259个F2:3和220个BC2S1家系群体,利用SSR标记构建分子标记遗传图谱,利用复合区间作图方法对4个生育期性状进行QTL定位和效应分析。利用F2:3群体共检测到4个抽雄期QTL、6个吐丝期QTL和3个散粉期QTL。单个QTL可解释的表型变异为6.7%~18.4%,可解释的表型总变异为28.9%~50.3%,11个QTL的增效基因来自生育期较长的亲本丹232,其余2个QTL的增效基因来自生育期较短的亲本N04;BC2S1群体检测到8个与4个生育期性状相关的QTL,单个QTL可解释的表型变异为4.5%~11.6%,可解释的表型总变异为13.2%~18.5%,增效基因来自两个亲本的QTL为3个和5个。两类群体检测出QTL的数目、位置、效应和贡献率均存在较大差异,主要原因在于BC2S1群体抽样选择所引起的群体结构差异,F2:3群体显示出较高的QTL检测能力,但回交育种过程中应慎重依据F2:3群体QTL定位结果进行标记辅助选择(MAS)。