Genetic divergence in two tropical maize composites after four cycles of reciprocal recurrent selection

Two tropical maize composites were subjected to four cycles of reciprocal recurrent selection to develop divergent inbred lines with good combining ability. This study was conducted to examine the extent of genetic diversity, changes in allele composition and genetic structure, of 100 randomly selected S₁ lines each from the original (C₀) and advanced (C₄) selection cycles of TZL COMP3 and TZL COMP4, genotyped using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Results revealed that the proportion of alleles at both low and high frequencies decreased from C₀ to C₄, whereas those at intermediate frequencies increased at C₄ in the two composites. More unique and other alleles were lost at C₄ in TZL COMP3 relative to those in TZL COMP4. The changes in different measures of genetic diversity were either small or negligible with selection in the two composites. The proportion of markers departing from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) decreased with selection, whereas the total number of pairs of markers in linkage disequilibrium increased with selection in the two composites. Examination of changes in population structures using a model‐based approach as well as cluster and multivariate analyses found a high degree of concordance in stratifying the 400 S₁ lines into four non‐overlapping groups corresponding to the two selection cycles each within the reciprocal composites. The observed molecular‐based divergence between cycles within the same composite and the clear differentiation between the complementary composites highlight the importance of reciprocal recurrent selection for preserving genetic diversity for long‐term selection. This increases the potential of the advanced selection cycles to sustain genetic gain in productivity of hybrids adapted to the savannas in West and Central Africa.     

Crop loss and control of Pseudocercospora fruit and leaf spot of citrus in Ghana

Pseudocercospora fruit and leaf spot (PFLS) of citrus, caused by Pseudocercospora angolensis, was recently described in Ghana and has spread in most citrus-growing areas of the country. A survey of PFLS incidence was conducted in the Eastern Region. Orchards were georeferenced and data on altitude, annual mean temperature, and annual precipitation were obtained from the WorldClim database. Fruit drop due to PFLS and other pests and diseases was evaluated in three orchards. Field efficacies of 4-week, 6-week and 8-week schedules with carbendazim + mancozeb were evaluated in the major and minor fruit production seasons. Ordinal logistic regression and generalized linear models were fitted in each case according to the nature of the data and possible overdispersion. Disease incidence in the sweet orange orchards surveyed was 25–100 %, with higher values in higher altitude areas exposed to lower temperatures and higher rainfall. PFLS was the main problem causing yield losses, associated with 84–87 % of fruit dropped on the orchard floor. PFLS severity on shoots and incidence on fruit 12 weeks after full bloom was significantly reduced by all fungicide schedules evaluated. The effects of fungicides on PFLS severity in fruit at harvest were not substantial because of intense fruit drop. The 8-week schedule showed the lowest effectiveness in reducing fruit drop and thus the 6-week schedule is preferred. Further research is needed for an integrated management of PFLS in Ghana.     

加纳农业机械化发展潜力及制约因素（摘选）

作为政府职能的一部分实现联合国千年计划,即到2015年消除饥饿和极度贫困,为了实现经济可持续增长就需要现代化的农业。就这个问题而言,基于食品安全的必要性,在撒哈拉以南的非洲地区和加纳,发展的重点正逐步转向农业机械化。如果没有行之有效的农业机械化,加纳的食品和农业部门将无法达到预期的经济影响。该文旨在归纳农业机械化的制约因素,提出适合加纳的有效的机械化途径。主要制约机械化的因素包括缺乏熟练的农机操作人员,农场规模小,不适当的政府政策和农机成本高。在认识到机械化对于国家农业发展中的巨大作用后,就需要制定适合的土地所有制政策框架,鼓励联合经营和定制雇佣机械,向农民传授有关投资知识,鼓励标准服务投入。      

Crop loss, aetiology, and epidemiology of citrus black spot in Ghana

Citrus Black Spot (CBS), caused by Guignardia citricarpa, was detected for the first time in Ghana and in West Africa. The disease was first observed in the Eastern Region in 1999 with typical disease symptoms including hard spot, virulent spot and false melanose were observed on several citrus species. A survey revealed that the disease has reached epidemic levels in the citrus-producing areas of the Eastern and Ashanti regions and is spreading rapidly within these areas and to other regions of the country. Currently, CBS is the most important fruit disease of citrus in Ghana, causing about 22% crop loss. Although the disease does not cause postharvest decay and the internal quality of the fruit is not affected, significant amounts of blemished fruit are discarded at the markets. Disease incidence and severity was found to be higher on mature than on young citrus trees. Pycnidia were found on fruit with hard spot symptoms, and pycnidia and pseudothecia typical of Guignardia spp. were found on decomposing leaves. Two species, G. citricarpa and G. mangiferae, were isolated from 15% of the samples collected and identified using the Oatmeal Agar test and by PCR with species-specific DNA primers. Isolates of G. citricarpa produced CBS symptoms after 80 to 233?days on 75% of the artificially inoculated young fruit of Valencia Late sweet orange. The fungus was re-isolated from symptomatic, inoculated fruit completing Koch’s postulates. Isolates of the endophyte G. mangiferae did not induce symptoms in the pathogenicity tests. In epidemiological studies, infections were detected from November to February for the minor cropping season and from May to November for the major season. Fruit of Valencia Late sweet orange were susceptible to G. citricarpa infection for up to 7?months after petal fall. Knowledge of the disease cycle in Ghana will improve methods for disease control.     

The role of N form supply for PGPM‐host plant interactions in maize

The form of nitrogen (N) supply has a significant impact on rhizosphere chemistry and root growth responses of higher plants. The respective effects are also employed as management options to improve nutrient acquisition and to minimize nutrient losses in cropping systems. However, surprisingly little is known concerning the interactions with rhizosphere biota. In this study, we investigated the effects of selected bacterial and fungal inoculants with proven plant growth‐promoting and phosphate (P)‐solubilizing potential (plant growth‐promoting microorganisms, PGPM) in maize with nitrate or stabilized ammonium supply, on soils with limited P availability and sparingly soluble rock phosphate (Rock‐P) applied as P fertilizer. The combination of the bacterial inoculants Pseudomonas sp. DSMZ 13134 (Proradix) and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 with ammonium sulphate fertilization, stabilized with the nitrification inhibitor 3,4‐dimethylpyrazole‐phosphate (DMPP), resulted in a superior shoot biomass production (79–111%) and shoot P accumulation (109–235%) as compared with nitrate supply. This effect could be partially attributed to (1) ammonium‐induced rhizosphere acidification via increased root extrusion of protons, (2) promotion of root hair elongation, and (3) increased shoot concentrations of hormonal growth regulators (indole‐3‐acetic acid, zeatin, gibberellic acid). The effects, induced by the microbial inoculants were mainly related to increased root length development (43–44%), associated with a 60% increase in auxin production potential. No inoculant effects were detected on root hair elongation or on chemical modifications of the rhizosphere involved in P solubilisation, such as rhizosphere acidification, release of carboxylates or secretory phosphohydrolases. However, the ammonium‐induced stimulation of root hair elongation increased preferential sites for root colonization by the selected inoculants, which may explain the increase in rhizosphere abundance of PGPMs, exemplarily recorded for the fungal inoculant Trichoderma harzianum OMG16 (210%). The presented data suggest a network of positive interactions between stabilized ammonium fertilization and plant growth‐promoting functions of various bacterial and fungal PGPM inoculants. This offers perspectives to increase the efficiency and the reproducibility of PGPM‐assisted fertilization strategies.     

Assessment of the bending strength of mortise-tenon and dovetail joints in leg-and-rail construction using Klainedoxa gabonensis Pierre Ex Engl. and Entandrophragma cylindricum (Sprague) Sprague

Mortise-tenon joints for working chair construction fail under bending stresses. Dovetail joints could offer an alternative due to their resistance to bending. However, furniture joint strength depends on the design of the parts and appropriateness of the timber for the construction. Information on timber-joint design combination that would improve joint strength is lacking for most secondary timbers with prospects for joinery-making. This study assessed the bending strengths of two joint designs (dovetail and mortise-tenon) for leg-and-rail construction from Klainedoxa gabonensis (a secondary timber) and Entandrophragma cylindricum (popularly used for furniture). Dovetail joints were stronger than those of mortise-tenon. For both joints, the design with longer, wider and thicker tails and tenons [large-sized (Type LS)] was stronger than its counterpart [small-sized (Type SS)]. Joints manufactured from K. gabonensis were also stronger than those from E. cylindricum. Thus, K. gabonensis could be an appropriate material for joinery/furniture production. This would broaden the raw material base for the furniture sector. However, its working chairs designed with Type LS dovetail joints would resist bending forces better and ensure stronger furniture than mortise-tenon. To offset frequent furniture breakdown, this study provides designers with reliable information regarding joint strength from different timbers to guide selection.