70份国外小麦品种(系)的苗期和成株期抗叶锈病鉴定

小麦叶锈病是小麦生产中的重要病害之一,培育持久抗病品种是最经济、有效和环保的方法。本研究用19个不同毒力的叶锈菌小种苗期接种70份国外引进小麦品种(系)及36个已知抗叶锈病基因的载体品种进行抗性鉴定,同时在2016—2017年度分别于河北保定和河南周口对70份国外引进品种进行田间抗叶锈性鉴定。为进一步检测材料中所携带的苗期和成株抗叶锈病基因,利用12个与已知基因紧密连锁的分子标记进行检测,综合基因推导、系谱分析和分子标记检测的结果,在33份材料中鉴定出15个抗叶锈病基因,包括Lr1、Lr2a、Lr26、Lr3ka、Lr11、Lr17、Lr30、Lr10、Lr14a、Lr2b、Lr13、Lr15、Lr21、Lr44和Lr45,田间鉴定筛选出39份品种表现慢锈性。苗期和田间表现表明,国外品种中含有丰富的对我国叶锈菌小种有效的苗期和成株期抗叶锈病基因,可作为小麦抗叶锈病抗源在抗病育种中加以利用。     

Seedling and adult plant resistance to leaf rust in 46 Chinese bread wheat landraces and 39 wheat lines with known Lr genes

Wheat leaf rust,caused by Puccinia triticina(Pt),is an important foliar disease that has an important influence on wheat yield.The most economic,safe and effective way to control the disease is growing resistant cultivars.In the present study,a total of 46 wheat landraces and 34 wheat lines with known Lr(leaf rust resistance)genes were inoculated with 16Pt pathotypes for postulating seedling resistance gene(s)in the greenhouse.These cultivars and five wheat differential lines with adult plant resistance(APR)genes(Lr12,Lr22b,Lr34,Lr35 and Lr37)were also evaluated for identification of slow rusting resistance in the field trials in Baoding,Hebei Province of China in the 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 cropping seasons.Furthermore,10 functional molecular markers closely linked to 10 known Lr genes were used to detect all the wheat genotypes.Results showed that most of the landraces were susceptible to most of the Pt pathotypes at seedling stage.Nonetheless,Lr1 was detected only in Hongtangliangmai.The field experimental test of the two environments showed that 38 landraces showed slow rusting resistance.Seven cultivars possessed Lr34 but none of the landraces contained Lr37 and Lr46.Lr genes namely,Lr9,Lr19,Lr24,Lr28,Lr29,Lr47,Lr51 and Lr53 were effective at the whole plant stage.Lr18,Lr36 and Lr45 had lost resistance to part of pathotypes at the seedling stage but showed high resistance at the adult plant stage.Lr34 as a slowing rusting gene showed good resistance in the field.Four race-specific APR genes Lr12,Lr13,Lr35 and Lr37 conferred good resistance in the field experiments.Seven race-specific genes,Lr2b,Lr2c,Lr11,Lr16,Lr26,Lr33 and LrB had lost resistance.The 38 landraces showed slow rusting resistance to wheat leaf rust can be used as resistance resources for wheat resistance breeding in China.     

Analysis of the Impact of Alfalfa Forage Production under Summer Water-Limiting Circumstances on Productivity, Agricultural and Growers Returns and Plant Stand

The trade-off between summer water conservation from alfalfa production and the effects on plant growth, agricultural crop value, and grower returns in the low desert area (Imperial, Palo Verde, Parker and Yuma Valleys of California and Arizona) was analysed using an experimental plot in the Palo Verde Valley. The purpose was to provide a basis for evaluating water conservation decisions and policies. Four summer dry-down periods (withdrawing water for a predetermined period) of 0 days (control), 35 days, 70 days, and 105 days were analysed. Our results show that whereas the various dry-down periods would provide water conservation ranging from 254 to 944 million m³, the region would experience agricultural income decline by US $16 to US $73 million. For growers, benefits of dry-down would be effective only if the water price exceeds US $0.045 m⁻³ in California and US $0.036 m⁻³ in Arizona. Also dry-down would have possible adverse effects in the following areas including declines in plant stand density, long-term productivity, service industry sales, employment and biological benefits of soil fertility and organic matter that is attributed by the alfalfa plant in which case agriculture's and growers monetary losses could increase.     

小麦品种‘武农148’和‘西农928’的抗叶锈病基因分析

本研究选用9个小麦叶锈菌菌系接种36个已知基因载体品种(系)、‘武农148’和‘西农928’进行抗叶锈基因苗期推导分析,在2014—2015和2015—2016连续两年两点对其进行成株抗叶锈性鉴定并结合苗期抗叶锈基因推导与系谱分析;利用9个与已知抗病基因紧密连锁的特异性标记进行标记检测,从而得出供试材料的抗性和携带的抗病基因。结果表明,‘西农928’中可能携带抗病基因Lr30、Lr42和携带有未知微效抗病基因,所检测的2个品种均不含抗病基因Lr1、Lr9、Lr10、Lr19、Lr20、Lr24、Lr26、Lr34和Lr46。针对西农928中含有的抗叶锈病基因,可作为小麦抗锈病育种中的抗源材料。     

Prevalence and associated risk factors of mycobacterial infections in slaughter pigs from Mubende district in Uganda

To date, the public health relevance of mycobacterial infections in pigs is not well investigated despite high risk of infection. Recently, there has been a documented increase in opportunistic infections and risk of acquiring opportunistic mycobacterial infections in HIV/AIDS patients in Mubende district; unfortunately, there has been no published information on the epidemiology of mycobacterial infections in this area. This study was carried out between September 2008 and February 2009. Investigations were done to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of mycobacterial infections in slaughtered pigs in Mubende district of Uganda. A total of 997 pigs (53.7% male and 46.3% female) from 31 different slaughterhouses were examined for the presence of lesions compatible with TB and mycobacterial infections. Pathologic tissue specimens were collected for culturing and isolation of mycobacteria. A cross-sectional technique was used based on convenient visits to slaughterhouses but random selection of individual slaughtered pigs for a detailed post-mortem inspection on a daily basis. The results reflected a 9.3% and 3.1% (95% CI) prevalence of Mycobacterium species based on necropsy examinations and culture isolation, respectively. The highest prevalence of mycobacterial infection was recorded in Buwekula County (the mixed agro-zone) whilst the lowest was in Kassanda County (pastoral zone). A multivariable logistical regression analysis identified age (P ≤ 0.001) and sex (P ≤ 0.05) as risk factors for mycobacterial infections in pigs. Post-estimation statistics of the regression model evaluation and validation fit it well into the data (HL, χ ² = 5.9; P = 0.69 for necropsy, HL χ ² = 2.9; P = 0.94 for culturing). This study documented a high prevalence of mycobacterial infections in slaughter pigs in Mubende district. The fact that pigs and human often share common housing and environment poses a high risk of zoonotic transmission. This then warrants further molecular investigation to identify the specific Mycobacterium species and their public health importance in this area.     

Differential Responses of Electrolyte Leakage and Pigment Compositions in Maize and Sorghum After Exposure to and Recovery from Pre-and Post-Flowering Dehydration

Drought stress is often the most limiting factor to maize and sorghum production in the semi-arid areas.This study evaluates the response of electrolyte leakage,chlorophyll,carotenoid and anthocyanin contents in maize （cv.Melkassa-2 and sorghum cv.Macia） after exposure to and recovery from pre- and post-flowering dehydration in plants grown in a controlled environment growth chamber under constant environmental conditions （12/12 h day/night,28-32/17°C day/night temperature,60-80% RH and PPFD of 1 200-1 400 μmol m-2 s-1）,at the Department of Botany,University of Cape Town,South Africa.It was revealed that dehydration induced increases in electrolyte leakage was observed in both species during both pre- and post-flowering stages.Electrolyte leakage was however,higher during post- than pre-flowering dehydration in both species.Dehydration during both pre- and post-flowering stages caused a decrease in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in both maize and sorghum.Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of both pre- and post-flowering dehydrated sorghum was markedly higher than that of maize throughout the duration of the dehydration period.As opposed to chlorophyll and carotenoid contents,anthocyanin contents increased during pre- and post-flowering dehydration in both species.Differences were however,observed between both species in the response of anthocyanin content to pre- and post-flowering dehydration.Full recovery of chlorophyll,carotenoid and anthocyanin contents were observed in those plants rehydrated during pre-flowering stages.There was however,no recovery in both species during post-flowering rehydration.This study should help understand some adaptive mechanisms developed by maize and sorghum during the dehydration and rehydration periods and contribute to identify useful traits for breeding programs.     

Optimal feed level during the transition period to achieve faster farrowing and high colostrum yield in sows

This study aimed to determine the optimal supply of lactation feed during the transition period to minimize farrowing duration (FD) and maximize colostrum yield (CY) and quality with the overall aim of reducing piglet mortality. A total of 48 sows were stratified for body weight and assigned to six levels of feed supply (1.8, 2.4, 3.1, 3.7, 4.3, and 5.0 kg/d) from day 108 of gestation until 24 h after the onset of farrowing. The number of total born, live-born, and stillborn piglets; birth time and birth weight of each piglet; and frequency of farrowing assistance (FA) was recorded, and blood samples were obtained from newborn piglets at birth. Live-born piglets were further weighed at 12 and 24 h after birth to record weight gain, which in turn was used to estimate intake and yield of colostrum. Colostrum samples were collected at 0, 12, 24, and 36 h after the onset of farrowing. FD was shortest (4.2 h) at intermediate (3.7 kg/d), longest (7.1 to 7.6 h) at low (1.8 and 2.4 kg/d), and intermediate (5.6 to 5.7 h) at high (4.3 and 5.0 kg/d) feed intake (P = 0.004; mean comparison). FA was lowest (0.7% to 0.8%) at intermediate feed intake (3.7 and 4.3 kg/d) and substantially elevated (4.3% to 4.7%) at both lower and higher feed intake (P = 0.01; mean comparison). The cubic contrast revealed 4.1 kg/d as the optimal feed intake to achieve the shortest FD and to minimize FA. Newborn piglets from second-parity sows were less vital than piglets from gilts as evaluated by blood biochemical variables immediately after birth. CY was greatest at 3.1 kg/d (P = 0.04), whereas the cubic contrast revealed 3.0 kg/d as the optimal feed intake to maximize CY. Concentrations of colostral components were affected by the diet, parity, and their interaction except for lactose concentrations. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the importance of proper feed level during the transition period on sow productivity. Moreover, this study estimated 4.1 and 3.0 kg/d as the optimal feed intake during the transition period to improve farrowing characteristic and CY, respectively, and these two feed intake levels supplied daily 38.8 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) and 23.9 g standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (3.0 kg/d) or 53.0 MJ ME and 32.7 g SID lysine (4.1 kg/d). The discrepancy of optimal feed intake for optimal farrowing and colostrum performance suggests that it may be advantageous to lower dietary lysine concentration in the diet fed prepartum.     

Identification of leaf rust resistance genes in common wheat varieties from China and foreign countries

Wheat leaf rust, triggered by Puccinia triticina Eriks(Pt), is among the most important diseases of wheat worldwide. Deploying resistant varieties against leaf rust is the most effective, environmentally-friendly and economic way to control the disease. In the present study, 66 wheat varieties form China and foreign countries were tested with 17 Pt races for gene postulation during the seedling stage in the greenhouse. All the varieties were also planted to identify slow rusting responses to leaf rust at the adult plant stage in Baoding and Zhoukou field trials during the 2016/2017 to 2017/2018 cropping seasons. Moreover, 12 closely linked molecular markers to known leaf rust resistance(Lr) genes were used for assessing all the varieties. The results of both gene postulation and molecular marker identification showed that a total of eight Lr genes, Lr1, Lr10, Lr17, Lr20, Lr26, Lr34, Lr37 and Lr46, either singly or in combination were detected in 32 varieties. Known Lr genes were not identified in the remaining 34 varieties. Seventeen varieties were found to have slow rusting resistance. The resistance sources identified in this study can be used as resources for resistance against leaf rust in wheat breeding programs in China and the respective foreign countries.     

Breed and trait preferences of Sheko cattle keepers in southwestern Ethiopia

Like their smallholder subsistence counterparts in developing countries, breed and trait preferences of Sheko cattle keepers have broad perspectives. Our study has documented breed and trait preferences of Sheko cattle keepers in southwestern Ethiopia—the natural breeding tract of Sheko cattle. Our results showed that due to their multifunctionality, cattle are the most preferred livestock species. Overall, farmers showed slightly more preference to local Zebus over Sheko breed. This is due to voracious feeding behavior of Sheko cattle, which make them less preferable in the face of worsening feed shortage, and due to aggressive temperament of Sheko cattle. This is despite Sheko's outperforming potential over local Zebus in their milk production, draft power, and hardiness. At trait level, overall milk production was consistently reported as the most preferred trait followed by fertility and traction. This trait preference rank has matched with the reported frequency count ranks for Sheko cattle use. However, breed preference rank has not matched with reported trait preference ranks because Sheko excels local Zebus in all the three most preferred traits, but it was ranked second. Therefore, to minimize these conflicting interests, breed management plans for Sheko cattle should target on strategies that help to solve feed shortage problem and to improve feeding practices, and on selection of less aggressive Sheko cattle. Therefore, these strategies should be considered in line with Sheko cattle conservation and genetic improvement programs.     

Effects of drip irrigation levels and planting methods on yield and yield components of green pepper (Capsicum annuum, L.) in Bako, Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of drip irrigation and planting methods on yield and yield components (number of fruits per plant, number of primary and secondary branches per plant, and plant height) of green pepper (Capsicum annuum, L.) in Bako, Ethiopia. Three irrigation levels (50, 75 and 100% of ET_c) and two planting methods (normal and paired-row planting) were applied. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design, with irrigation levels as main plots and planting methods as sub-plots, in three replications. It was found that the effects of both treatments on yield, number of fruits per plant and plant height of green pepper were highly significant (p < 0.01) whereas the number of primary and secondary branches per plant was affected significantly (p < 0.05). The maximum and minimum values of the yield and yield components were recorded from treatment plots I₁₀₀P (full irrigation level with paired-row planting method) and I₅₀P (50% of ET_c irrigation level with paired-row planting method), respectively, with the exception of plant height. However, the average plant height (cm) recorded from the I₁₀₀N treatment plot was not significantly different from the I₁₀₀P treatment plot. Moreover, it was found that the effect of treatment interactions on both yield and yield components of green pepper was found to be highly significant (p < 0.01). A 50% reduction in irrigation level caused a reduction in yield of about 48.3 and 74.4% under the normal and paired-row planting methods, respectively, whereas, a 25% reduction in irrigation level caused a reduction in yield of about 22.8 and 47.7% under the same planting methods. Under both deficit irrigation levels (I₅₀ and I₇₅), the normal planting method gave higher total yield and yield components of green pepper than the paired-row planting method. Yield response factor (k_y) values of 0.96 and 1.57 were determined for the normal and paired-row planting methods, respectively, suggesting utmost precautions when using the paired-row planting in areas with limited water supply. The results revealed that full irrigation water supply under paired-row planting method (I₁₀₀P) could be used for the production of green pepper in an area with no water shortage. Moreover, it was found that the average yields recorded from the I₇₅ under the paired-row planting method is fairly greater than the national average.