Comparison of Resistance to Tomato Leaf Curl Virus (India) and Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (Israel) among Lycopersicon Wild Species, Breeding Lines and Hybrids

The objective of this study was to screen wild and domesticated tomatoes for resistance to Tomato yellow leaf curl virus, Israel (TYLCV-Is) and Tomato leaf curl virus from Bangalore isolate 4, India (ToLCV-[Ban4]) to find sources of resistance to both viruses. A total of 34 tomato genotypes resistant/tolerant to TYLCV-Is were screened for resistance to ToLCV-[Ban4] under glasshouse and field conditions at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India. Resistance was assessed by criteria like disease incidence, symptom severity and squash-blot hybridization. All the tomato genotypes inoculated with ToLCV-[Ban4] by the whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) produced disease symptoms. In some plants of the lines 902 and 910, however, the virus was not detected by hybridization. The tomato genotypes susceptible to ToLCV-[Ban4] by whitefly-mediated inoculation were also found susceptible to the virus under field conditions. However, there were substantial differences between genotypes in disease incidence, spread, symptom severity and crop yield. Despite early disease incidence, many genotypes produced substantially higher yields than the local hybrid, Avinash-2. Sixteen tomato genotypes from India resistant/tolerant to ToLCV-[Ban4] were also tested for TYLCV-Is resistance at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel. Accessions of wild species, Lycopersicon hirsutum LA 1777 and PI 390659 were the best sources of resistance to both viruses. Lines 902 and 910, which were, resistant to TYLCV-Is were only tolerant to ToLCV-[Ban4] and accession Lycopersicon peruvianum CMV Sel. INRA, resistant to ToLCV-[Ban4], was only tolerant to TYLCV-Is. Implications of using the resistant lines in breeding programme is discussed.     

Efficiency of early selection for rotation-aged wood quality traits in radiata pine

A total of 360 bark-to-bark-through-pith wood strips were sampled at breast height from 180 trees in 30 open-pollinated families from two rotation-aged genetic trials to study inheritance, age-age genetic correlation, and early selection efficiency for wood quality traits in radiata pine. Wood strips were evaluated by SilviScan® and annual pattern and genetic parameters for growth, wood density, microfibril angle (MFA), and stiffness (modulus of elasticity: MOE) for early to rotation ages were estimated. Annual ring growth was the largest between ages 2–5 years from pith, and decreased linearly to ages 9–10. Annual growth was similar and consistent at later ages. Wood density was the lowest near the pith, increased steadily to age 11–15 years, then was relatively stable after these ages. MFA was highest (35°) near the pith and reduced to about 10° at age 10–15 years. MFA was almost unchanged at later ages. MOE increased from about 2.5 GPa near the pith to about 20 GPa at ages 11–15 years. MOE was relatively unchanged at later ages. Wood density and MOE were inversely related to MFA. Heritability increased from zero near the pith and stabilised at ages 4 or 5 for all four growth and wood quality traits (DBH, density, MFA and MOE). Across age classes, heritability was the highest for area-weighted density and MFA, lowest for DBH, and intermediate for MOE. Age-age genetic correlations were high for the four traits studied. The genetic correlation reached 0.8 after age 7 for most traits. Early selection for density, MFA and MOE were very effective. Selection at age 7–8 has similar effectiveness as selection conducted at rotation age for MFA and MOE and at least 80% effective for wood density.     

Chemical Characterization of Rain and Fog Water in the Cervenohorske Sedlo (Hruby Jesenik Mountains, Czech Republic)

Field study at the Cervenohorske sedlo (1,013 m a.s.l.) (Hruby Jesenik Mountains, the Czech Republic, Central Europe) during 1999–2002 has been conducted in order to analyse the chemistry of rain/snow water using bulk and throughfall collector and fog/cloud water using modified passive Grunow collector. Fog water input to coniferous forest (Picea abies) was quantified using canopy balance method. For all samples pH, and the concentrations of $ {\text{NH}}^{{\text{ + }}}_{{\text{4}}} $ , Ca²⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, Cl^?, $ {\text{NO}}^{{\text{ - }}}_{{\text{3}}} $ , and $ {\text{SO}}^{{{\text{2 - }}}}_{{\text{4}}} $ were measured. The volume-weighted mean pH value varied from 4.92 to 5.43 in open bulk precipitation, from 4.30 to 4.71 in throughfall and from 4.66 to 5.23 in fog water. The fog droplets generally contain higher ion concentrations than rainwater. The related enrichment factors lie between 1.1 and 10.7 for the relevant species. The fog samples exhibit higher concentrations of $ {\text{NO}}^{{\text{ - }}}_{{\text{3}}} $ and $ {\text{NH}}^{{\text{ + }}}_{{\text{4}}} $ as compared to the bulk samples during 2000–2002. $ {\text{NO}}^{{\text{ - }}}_{{\text{3}}} $ are 5.7–10.7 times more concentrated in fog water and $ {\text{NH}}^{{\text{ + }}}_{{\text{4}}} $ are 3.4–7.2 times more concentrated in fog water. These differences may result from the height and characteristics of formation of the droplets. Based on canopy balance method, the annual fog water inputs were estimated to be 22 and 19% of rain and snow annual amounts in 1999 and 2000, respectively. For $ {\text{NO}}^{{\text{ - }}}_{{\text{3}}} $ , $ {\text{NH}}^{{\text{ + }}}_{{\text{4}}} $ , and $ {\text{SO}}^{{{\text{2 - }}}}_{{\text{4}}} $ , the contribution of fog deposition in total (bulk + fog) deposition is estimated as 54, 47, and 42%, respectively.     

Effect of type of oil and addition of delta-tocopherol on model flavor compound stability during storage

The objective of this study was to investigate approaches to protect selected flavor compounds from deterioration when stored in an oil matrix. An aroma compound model mixture was prepared in a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) or sunflower oil (SfO) matrix and stored under either an ambient air or argon atmosphere containing, respectively, ca. 20 and <0.5% residual oxygen as controls or containing a natural antioxidant, delta-tocopherol (0.01%). Samples were analyzed by static headspace GC/FID to determine the stability over time of the compounds in mixture. It was found that the type of oil had the greatest effect (P < 0.01) on overall compound stability. A low-oxygen atmosphere also had a significant (P < 0.05) protective effect on the aroma compounds in both oils. The addition of delta-tocopherol generally offered little additional protection. No significant relationship could be determined between the oxidation of the lipid matrix and the loss of oxidation-sensitive thiol compounds.     

Bioaccumulation and Effects of Heavy Metals in Crayfish: A Review

Metal pollution is a global problem which represents a growing threat to the environment. Because of bioaccumulation and negative effects of heavy metals, their bioavailability needs to be monitored. Many studies showed accumulation of metals in crayfish tissues as dose- and time-dependent without significant differences in tissue concentration levels comparing males and females. Muscles and exoskeleton were considered as specific for accumulation of mercury and nickel, respectively. Cadmium, zinc, copper, lead, and chromium accumulated mainly in hepatopancreas. By analyzing these specific tissues, it is possible to deduce the bioavailability and, by presumption, the level of environmental pollution by specific metals. However, in the case of zinc and copper, their utility is limited to assessing bioavailability because rapid depuration of these metals renders them less useful for long-term environmental monitoring programs. The literature reporting heavy metal impacts on freshwater crayfish, with reference to accumulation levels, is reviewed and summarized with respect to their suitability as bioindicators. Summarized published data from unpolluted or control localities can be used as referential values in crayfish, and consequently help with evaluation of monitored sites.     

A random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) molecular marker for the Tm-2 a gene in tomato

Summary A RAPD marker, linked to the Tm-2 ^agene engendering TMV resistance in tomatoes, was identified. The validity of the RAPD marker was corroborated by screening several tomato varieties, and correctly identifying those which carried Tm-2 ^a, as well as by F₂ segregation analysis. All tested resistant varieties descending from a common Lycopersicon peruvianum/esculentum ancestor, LA1791, exhibited this marker.     

Comparison of mass spectrometry-based electronic nose and solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique to assess infant formula oxidation

Two headspace techniques based on mass spectrometry detection (MS), electronic nose, and solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) were evaluated for their ability to differentiate various infant formula powders based on changes of their volatiles upon storage. The electronic nose gave unresolved MS fingerprints of the samples gas phases that were further submitted to principal component analysis (PCA). Such direct MS recording combined to multivariate treatment enabled a rapid differentiation of the infant formulas over a 4 week storage test. Although MS-based electronic nose advantages are its easy-to-use aspect and its meaningful data interpretation obtained with a high throughput (100 samples per 24 h), its greatest disadvantage is that the present compounds could not be identified and quantified. For these reasons, a SPME-GC/MS measurement was also investigated. This technique allowed the identification of saturated aldehydes as the main volatiles present in the headspace of infant milk powders. An isotope dilution assay was further developed to quantitate hexanal as a potential indicator of infant milk powder oxidation. Thus, hexanal content was found to vary from roughly 500 and 3500 microg/kg for relatively non-oxidized and oxidized infant formulas, respectively.     

Acquisition of luteolytic capacity involves differential regulation by prostaglandin F2alpha of genes involved in progesterone biosynthesis in the porcine corpus luteum

Luteolytic capacity is defined as the ability of corpora lutea (CL) to undergo luteolysis after prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha treatment. The mechanisms causing acquisition of luteolytic capacity are not yet identified but CL without luteolytic capacity have PGF2alpha receptors and respond to PGF2alpha with some changes in gene expression. Inhibition of progesterone biosynthesis is a key feature of luteolysis and therefore we postulated that genes involved in progesterone biosynthesis would be regulated by PGF2alpha differently in CL with or without luteolytic capacity. Gilts on day 9 after estrus (lack luteolytic capacity) or day 17 of pseudopregnancy (with luteolytic capacity) were treated with saline or a PGF2alpha analog (cloprostenol) and CL were collected 0.5 (Experiment I) or 10 h (Experiment II) later. In Experiment III, large luteal cells from CL on day 9 or 17 were cultured for 1, 12 and 24h with or without PGF2alpha. PGF2alpha decreased LDL receptor mRNA (27%), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) mRNA (41%), StAR protein (75%), LH receptor mRNA (55%), and LH receptor protein (45%) at 10 h after treatment in day 17 but not day 9 CL. PGF2alpha increased DAX-1 mRNA at 0.5 h (43%) and 10 h (46%) after PGF2alpha in day 17 but not day 9 CL but decreased 3betaHSD mRNA ( approximately 20% at 10 h) in both days 9 and 17 CL. In vitro, PGF2alpha decreased StAR mRNA at 12 h only in day 17 luteal cells; however, continuous treatment with PGF2alpha for 24 h decreased StAR mRNA in both days 9 and 17 luteal cells. Thus, luteolytic capacity involves a critical change in responsiveness of DAX-1, StAR, and LH receptor to PGF2alpha that results in inhibition of luteal progesterone biosynthesis.     

First report of Pseudomonas tolaasii on Agaricus bisporus in Serbia

Symptoms of brown blotch were observed on cultivated Agaricus bisporus on several mushroom farms in Serbia. Subsequently, samples were collected from nine localities during 2006?C2010 and fluorescent Gram-negative bacterial strains were isolated. All strains caused sunken brown lesions on A. bisporus tissue blocks after artificial inoculation. Isolated strains showed the LOPAT characteristics of the group Va being negative for levan production; the ability to produce a hypersensitivity reaction in tobacco; were oxidase and arginine dihydrolase positive; and lacked pectolytic activity. The results from other tests were as follows: oxidative metabolism of glucose; catalase activity positive; aesculin hydrolisis negative; Tween 80 hydrolysis positive; casein hydrolysis positive; gelatine hydrolysis and nitrate reduction negative; mannitol, erythritol, sorbitol, inositol and trehalose were used as a carbon source but not sucrose, arabinose and D(-) tartrate. Based on these features bacterial strains were identified as Pseudomonas tolaasii. The identity of isolated strains was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. This is the first report of P. tolaasii in Serbia.