Morphological and molecular characterization of garlic (Allium sativum L.) genotypes sampled from Turkey

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Garlic is a vegetable widely used both in food and as a pharmaceutical raw material in the world due to its contents. Although morphological differences are...     

The use of iron (III) ferrocyanide soil amendment for removing salt from the soil surface

Accelerated soil salinization is a worldwide concern. Our study was carried out to determine the effects of different rates (0, 5, 10, and 15?mmol kg^?1) of iron (III) ferrocyanide application to remove salts from the soil. Within two weeks of its application, iron (III) ferrocyanide at 5, 10, and 15?mmol?kg^?1 removed 12.2%, 26.5%, and 42.9% of the total salts from the soil, respectively. Results suggested that iron (III) ferrocyanide application at 15?mmol?kg^?1 is one of the most rapid and effective ways to remove substantial amounts of salts from undrained soil (land) where fresh water is scarce.     

Determination of spermatological properties of male Liza abu (Heckel, 1843) in Atatürk Dam Lake, Şanlıurfa

The aim of this study was to determine the spermatological characteristics in male L. abu during the spawning season. Semen was collected weekly by abdominal massage from 26 males in March. In collected semen, volume, motility, duration of motility, concentration and pH were determined. In the L. abu sperm, volume (μl), motility (%), duration of motility (s), concentration (×10⁹/ml), and pH values were found 45.76 ± 3.55, 54.25 ± 2.93, 330.15 ± 37.92, 4.27 ± 0.40 and 7.87 ± 0.05, respectively. A correlation was found between semen volume and semen pH. Semen volume and the duration of sperm motility were higher in the 2nd and 3rd sampling dates than in the 1st and 4th sampling dates (P < 0.05; P < 0.01, respectively). Neither sperm motility nor sperm concentration was affected by sampling dates. Major changes in semen pH were observed in the 4th sampling date (P < 0.001). The Pearson correlation test presented significant relationships with the duration of motility, semen volume, and motility. Semen pH values were significantly correlated with the sperm concentration and semen volume. Sperm concentration was inversely correlated with semen volume. Sperm motility and duration significantly correlated with total weight. Total length significantly correlated with the duration of motility and total weight. In conclusion, these characteristics represent a valuable baseline dataset for establishing a semen quality standard and provide background information that may be useful for assisted breeding programs in this species.     

The effects of short-term recombinant bovine somatotropin treatment on fattening performance,carcass composition and visceral organ weights in karayaka lambs in Turkey

Recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST) was administered s.c. to lambs for 6 weeks to evaluate its effects on fattening performance, carcass composition and visceral organ weights. Twenty male Karayaka lambs were injected with 250 mg bST every two weeks. Body weight, live weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion rate were not affected by treatment. Head, feet, skin, liver, spleen, kidneys, filled and empty gastrointestinal tract, penis, testis, pelvic fat and internal fat weights were similar for the two groups. Lung weight increased by 17.4% (P < 0.01) and weight of heart decreased 22.7% (P < 0.05) in bST treated lambs. The only carcass characteristics that were affected by bST administration were limb muscle which increased from 1331 g to 1417 g (P < 0.05), loin fat which decreased from 275 g to 174 g (P < 0.01), shoulder fat which decreased from 26 g to 13 g (P < 0.01) and total fat/final weight percentage which decreased from 9.8% to 7.6% (P < 0.05). The results of this study show that prolonged release formulation of bST treatment reduces fat tissue, but does not significantly affect fattening performance or weights of visceral organs, muscle and bone.     

The effect of enrofloxacin on sperm quality in male mice

Current study was designed to evaluate toxic effects of enrofloxacin on male mice reproductive system. In the treatment group enrofloxacin was administered subcutaneously to male mice at a fixed dose of 150 mg/kg once daily for 15 days, whereas saline solution was given in the same regimen in the control group for the same period. Mice were sacrificed on day 15 and analyzed for sperm quality. In addition to routine examination of sperm material, spermatogenetic activity and organization of each animal were graded according to Johnsen's scoring to assess the spermatogenesis relying on seminiferous tubule cross-section scores. A significant decrease in both epididymal sperm count and sperm motility besides abnormal spermatozoa rate were observed in enrofloxacin group compared to controls (P < 0.01, for all). Johnsen's score in control mice were better than those in treatment group (P < 0.01). These results suggested that a fixed 150 mg/kg dose of enrofloxacin would lead disruption of spermatogenesis in the testes causing deterioration of motility and content of sperms as well as morphological abnormalities.     

Molecular cytogenetics and flow cytometry reveal conserved genome organization in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus mugo</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. uncinata</Emphasis>

• Introduction   

The most common representatives of the European mountain pine complex (Pinus mugo s.l.) are P. mugo s.s. and Pinus uncinata.     

Stress tolerance in hexaploid spring triticale under Mediterranean environment

The development of triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) cultivars which are tolerant to drought and heat stress is an objective in many breeding programmes, but so far success has been limited. This study was conducted to determine the susceptibility index (S) of triticale under stress conditions. Twenty genotypes were grown in replicated trials and evaluated for heat and drought tolerance under natural conditions at Adana, Turkey, from 1992 to 1996. Among the advanced lines of triticale, genetic variation for adaptation to heat and drought conditions—typical features of the Mediterranean environment—was determined. The best yielding lines under stress, hence having a low susceptibility index, were Lynx/Yogui and Zebra 31. The implications of these findings for triticale breeding in stress environments are discussed.     

How long should we measure? An exploration of factors controlling the inter-annual variation of catchment sediment yield

Purpose  

Although it is well-known that catchment suspended sediment yields (SY; tons per square kilometre per year) can vary significantly from year to year, little information exists on the magnitude and factors controlling this variability. This is crucial to assess the reliability of average SY values for a given measuring period (MP) and is of great geomorphic significance. This paper aims to bridge this research gap.