Genome classification of banana cultivars from South India using IRAP markers

Summary The banana cultivars are originated from the intra- and inter-specific hybridization of two wild diploid species, Musa acuminata Colla and Musa balbisiana Colla, contributing the A and B genomes, respectively. They are classified into genomic groups by scoring morphological features. Molecular markers provide a quick and reliable system of genome characterization and manipulation in breeding lines. In the present study a PCR based molecular marker specific for B genomes is been reported. The IRAP primer, designed based on the LTR sequence of banana Ty3-gypsy-like retroelement (Musa acuminata Monkey retrotransposon, AF 143332), was used to identify the B genome in the banana cultivars. Further a primer pair designed from B specific bands of Musa balbisiana `Pisang Gala' was used to classify AAB and ABB cultivars in the collection. Among the 36 cultivars tested with this primer, the B specific band was absent in the AA and AAA cultivars (except in one AAA and AAB cultivar) but present in all other AB, AAB and ABB cultivars. Among the triploid AAB/ABB, the PCR products with B specific primers showed restriction pattern polymorphism with AluI. In ABB genomes the band intensity was high whereas low intensity band observed in AAB genomes. Four cultivars reported to have the ABB genome showed a pattern similar to AAB, and one cultivar reported to have AAA genome showed a pattern similar to ABB genome, suggesting missampling or misidentification. The primers used in this study are useful to identify the presence of B genome in banana cultivars, and band intensity may be a preliminary indicator of ploidy level of the B genome but needs further studies with competitive PCR for clarification. These authors contributed equally in this paper.     

Performance of ponderosa pine seedlings under four herbicide regimes in northeast Oregon

The herbicide, hexazinone, was applied four ways over ponderosa pine, 2–0 seedlings planted in northeast Oregon. The four treatments were two broadcast applications, a single broadcast application, a large spot application, and a small spot application. Seedling survival and growth were monitored for five growing seasons. Results indicate that survival more than doubled with either large or small spot applications compared to no application, and either one or two broadcast applications can increase survival an additional 30% over spot applications. Differences in stem volume were substantial, with two broadcast applications yielding more than twice the volume of a single broadcast treatment and more than five times the volume of seedlings treated with spot applications. Trees in small spots were still three times bigger than surviving seedlings in the control. These results are consistent with the concept of competition threshold. Management implications were considered in terms of cost of established seedlings. Although broadcast applications cost more per acre than spot applications, gains in seedling survival, growth and quality offset the additional cost and translate into lower established seedling costs. The cost effectiveness of broadcast applications also may be seen in the elimination of replanting or in-planting requirements and increases in long-term growth potential of the established trees.     

Stir bar sorptive extraction combined with GC-MS analysis and chemometric methods for the classification of South African Wines according to the volatile composition

A simple method for the analysis of major wine volatiles and semivolatiles by stir bar sorptive extraction in combination with thermal desorption and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SBSE-TD-GC-MS) was developed. Significant experimental parameters such as extraction time, temperature, salt addition, pH, and thermal desorption parameters were optimized to provide a sensitive and robust analytical method. The method provided good repeatability (%RSD < 10%) for 38 major wine volatile compounds, including alcohols, acids, esters, phenols, aldehydes, ketones, and lactones. Quantitative data for 62 South African red and white wines were used to study the suitability of major volatile data for the differentiation of wine samples according to grape variety or cultivar. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) showed that most of the variation in volatile composition between wine samples could be ascribed to differences in wine age, wood contact, and fermentation practices. Despite the contribution of these factors, discriminant analysis (DA) was successfully applied to the classification of red and white wine samples according to cultivar.     

The impact of a community-based food skills intervention on cooking confidence, food preparation methods and dietary choices - an exploratory trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of undertaking a food skills intervention study in areas of social deprivation aimed at altering cooking confidence, food preparation methods and dietary choices. DESIGN: A standardised skills programme was implemented in community-based settings. Pre- (T1) and post-intervention (T2) and 6-month follow-up (T3) measures (7-day diaries and self-administered questionnaires) were undertaken in intervention and comparison groups. SETTING: Eight urban communities in Scotland. SUBJECTS: One hundred and thirteen adults living in areas of social deprivation. RESULTS: It was clear that many subjects led fragmented lives and found commitment to intervention classes problematic. Sixty-three subjects completed the final (T3) assessments. The response to each component varied due to inability to attend sessions, illness, study requirements, employment, moving out of the area, change in circumstances, loss of interest and loss of postal questionnaires. At baseline, reported consumption of fruit and vegetables was low (mean frequency 8.1 +/- 4.78 times per week). Fruit intake increased significantly (P < 0.05) between T1 and T2 in the intervention group (1.7 +/- 2.36 to 2.7 +/- 3.28 times per week) only. Between T1 and T3, there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in intervention subjects who reported confidence in following a recipe (67-90%,). CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory trial shows that a food skills intervention is likely to have a small but positive effect on food choice and confidence in food preparation. A full-scale randomised controlled trial in this hard-to-reach group would require a range of flexible approaches rather than a fully defined intervention, and presents challenges for trial design.     

Survival ofEscherichia coli in great salt lake water

Survival ofEscherichia coli was studied in water from the Great Salt Lake, a highly saline lake with an ionic composition much like sea water. Samples used were from the most concentrated north arm (343.1 g l^?1 solids) and the less concentrated south arm (about 113 g l^?1 solids). At temperatures from 20°C to 9°C the bacterial death rate (k) for the north arm was ?0.17 log day^?1 and the south arm and 1:3 dilution ?0.28 log day^?1. Above 9°C the rate of death increased approximately exponentially and at 19°C the rate of death increased approximately exponentially and at 19°C the death rate was ?1.31 log day^?1 in the north arm and ?0.98 log day^?1 in the lower salinity water. These rates fall within those reported for sea water and are much higher than fresh water. Possible causes of death are discussed with the most likely being the high concentrations of minor elements or osmotic stress. The survival characteristics ofE. coli in waters with a sea water-like composition should require the same health concern as sea water regardless of the actual concentration of salt. High salt water of other ionic composition may behave differently, however.     

The analysis of vegetation for total mercury

Over four hundred vegetation samples were collected for total Hg determination as part of a biogeochemical survey in the Precambrian Shield region near Huntsville, Ontario. An objective of the survey was to obtain accurate data describing the spatial and temporal variation of Hg concentrations in vegetation. Five tree species, clubmosses, mosses, lichen and fungi were collected along three transects each 8 to 10 km long. The samples were digested using a hot H₂SO₄/HNO₃ mixture followed by cold-vapor AAS detection. Very low detection limits (less than 1.0 ng g⁻¹) were achieved by performing the analyses in a clean, Hg-free laboratory. The Hg concentration of coniferous needles did not vary significantly over eight weeks of the summer, but did vary significantly between first and second year growth. In all tree species examined, Hg concentrations in needles/leaves were two to three times as high (by dry weight) as that in twig tissue from the same branch. Differences in Hg content between tissues of different types and ages constituted a major source of within-site variation between plants of the same species.     

Further comparison of adjuvants for an inactivated infectious coryza vaccine

Inactivated infectious coryza vaccines containing different adjuvants were administered to 6-week-old chickens as a single dose containing 10(8) colony-forming units of Haemophilus paragallinarum HP31. After 3 weeks, all chickens were challenged by intrasinus inoculation of HP31. Two vaccines, one containing an aluminum-hydroxide adjuvant and the other a combined aluminum-hydroxide + avridine (a lipoidal amine) adjuvant, were effective. The three remaining vaccines--containing mineral-oil double-emulsion, avridine, or a combination of mineral-oil double-emulsion + avridine--gave much lower levels of protection. No adverse reactions were seen with any vaccine.