Hybrid breeding for biomass yield in winter triticale: II. Combining ability and hybrid prediction

Accurate hybrid prediction and knowledge about the relative contribution of general (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) are of utmost importance for efficient hybrid breeding. We therefore evaluated 91 triticale single-cross hybrids in field trials at seven environments for plant height, heading time, fresh biomass, dry matter content and dry biomass. Fresh and dry biomass showed the highest proportion (23%) of variance due to SCA. Prediction accuracies based on GCA were slightly higher than based on mid-parent values. Utilizing parental kinship information yielded the highest prediction accuracies when both parental lines have been tested in other hybrid combinations, but still moderate-to-low prediction accuracies for two untested parents. Thus, hybrid prediction for biomass traits in triticale is currently promising based on mid-parent values as emphasized by our simulation study, but can be expected to shift to GCA-based prediction with an increasing importance of GCA due to selection in hybrid breeding. Moreover, the performance of potential hybrids between newly developed lines can be predicted with moderate accuracy using genomic relationship information.     

Changes in wettability of wood surface using electron beam irradiation

ABSTRACT

This study deals with the influence of electron beam irradiation (EBI) on the wettability of Norway spruce surface samples. To evaluate this possible effect in detail, the changes in chemistry and wood structure were analysed using the methods of IR spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The surface wettability was determined by the contact angle measurement method. The results of infrared spectra show decreased relative numbers of available hydrophilic groups (e.g. hydroxyl and carbonyl groups) in the wood surfaces due to the electron beam irradiation. This behaviour is consistent with the values from the surface wettability measurements. Structural differences of the wood surfaces after electron beam irradiation were not detectable. Based on these findings pre-treatment of wood surfaces for industrial usages can be a potential field of application of this technology.     

不同氮肥水平下蚯蚓粪施用对水稻生长特性及产量的影响

以两优培九为材料,采用大田微区试验,研究不同氮肥水平(N1,9 g/m~2;N2,12 g/m~2;N3,15 g/m~2)下不同蚯蚓粪施用量(EC0,0;EC_1,16.88 kg/m~2;EC_2,33.76 kg/m~2)对水稻生长及产量形成的影响。结果表明,移栽40 d后EC_2和EC_1处理的茎蘖数均显著高于EC0(P0.05);幼穗分化期和乳熟期EC0处理的SPAD值均显著低于EC_1和EC_2处理(P0.05);齐穗期EC0处理的叶面积指数分别比EC_1和EC_2处理低32.7%和80.7%,地上部总干物质量分别比EC_1和EC_2处理低30.6%和59.8%;成熟期有效穗数、地上部干物质量和水稻产量均表现为EC_2EC_1EC0,EC_2和EC_1处理的有效穗数分别比EC0处理多41.5%和21.3%、地上部干物质量分别比EC0处理高47.7%和25.8%、产量分别比EC0处理高35.4%和34.3%。由此可见,施用蚯蚓粪便可促进水稻分蘖,提高水稻叶面积、SPAD值和地上部干物质量,进而提高水稻籽粒产量。     

木材硅石改性剂的制备工艺

为了降低木材硅化改性成本促其应用,直接将固态硅石粉高效液态活化,通过正交试验和极差分析优化制备了木材硅石改性剂,测试分析了浸渍改性杨木的性能。结果表明:①反应时间和原料n(SiO2)∶n(NaOH)对活化溶液的pH值、黏度和密度影响不显著,碱料种类和反应温度对活化溶液的黏度、密度、SiO2转化率、固体质量分数和生产成本影响显著,对溶液性能综合影响最大的是反应温度和碱料种类,其次是n(SiO2)∶n(NaOH)和反应时间;②pH值随反应时间、温度和n(SiO2)∶n(NaOH)增大而减小,密度、黏度、固体质量分数、SiO2转化率和模数随反应时间、温度和n(SiO2)∶n(NaOH)增大而增大,KOH活化效果更好但价格较高,综合平衡优化工艺为:反应温度200℃、碱料为NaOH、n(SiO2)∶n(NaOH)=1.715∶1、反应时间4 h;③硅石改性剂能充分渗入杨木,使其吸药量达252%,密度提高81%,抗弯强度提高69.6%,炭化温度减小89℃,残炭率提高41%,改性效果优于硅溶胶。     

The ecosystem services concept: a new Esperanto to facilitate participatory planning processes?

Landscape Ecology - Several case studies investigated the role of ecosystem services in participatory planning processes. However, no systematic study exists that cuts across a large number of...     

Oscillating potentials on the B-wave of the ERG in the dog]

The oscillatory potentials (OP) on the b-wave of the canine ERG are characterized. Normal values for an OP-index, implicit times and periodicity are given. The OP-index increases during dark adaptation as well as with increasing stimulus intensities for white light flashes. Scotopic blue and red stimuli, although balanced for the maximum b-wave amplitude, surprisingly result in higher OP-indices for red flashes. Implicit times decrease for all OP with increasing stimulus intensities. Scotopic balanced red light results in OP with markedly reduced implicit times compared to blue light stimulation. The intervals between two OPs remain constant during dark adaptation, however, intervals between OPs with longer implicit times tend to be shorter. In contrast, the b-waves for scotopic balanced stimuli show rhythmic oscillations with constant intervals between them, the intervals being shorter for blue light than for red light. The intervals between OPs tend to become shorter with increasing stimulus intensities. This investigation indicates that OPs are influenced but not generated by photoreceptors. The examination of a dog with optic nerve hypoplasia indicates that the ganglion cells do not contribute to the biogenesis of OPs. The prognostic value of OPs in the early diagnosis for hereditary retinal degenerations in the dog is discussed.     

The oxygen uptake capacity of swine

Comprehensive studies into domestic pigs and wild boars together with literature data provided a basis for an assessment of aerobic metabolic capacity (VO2max) of swine. The values quoted, from 20 to 94 ml/min-1/kg, had been due to several factors of methodological approach, growth, training, and nutrition as well as to pathophysiological aspects. For full capacity utilisation of VO2max, untrained pigs can be challenged at belt velocities between 0.8 and 1.8 m/s-1 and trained animals at 5 m/s-1.     

Ueber Bemäfferung der Walbungen

Ohne Zusammenfassung Bergleiche Auguftheft diefer Bl?tter, in melchem gleichfalls auf die Wichtigfeit diefes Qegenftandes hingemiefen murde. Die Red.     

Skeletal muscle fiber size in untrained and endurance-trained horses.

The mean area and minimal diameter of 3 histochemically determined myofiber types (1, 2A, and 2B; myosin ATPase in acid buffer) were calculated in middle gluteal muscle biopsy specimens from 62 stallions, 47 Andalusians and 15 Arabians, ranging in age from 6 to 12 years. Fourteen Andalusians and 7 Arabians were untrained, and the remainder were actively endurance-trained. The 6-month training schedules involved walking, slow trotting, and cantering. Fourteen Andalusians were moderately endurance-trained, whereas the other 19 Andalusians and 8 Arabians were strongly endurance-trained. Significant differences were not recorded between untrained and endurance-trained Arabians with respect to the area (type 1, 3,194 +/- 869 microns 2 and 3,150 +/- 370 microns 2; type 2A, 3,819 +/- 890 microns 2 and 3,380 +/- 356 microns 2; and type 2B, 4,872 +/- 962 microns 2 and 4,417 +/- 646 microns 2) or minimal diameter (type 1, 52.2 +/- 7.4 microns and 52.8 +/- 3.1 microns; type 2A, 58.1 +/- 6.7 microns and 55.0 +/- 2.8 microns; and type 2B, 65.3 +/- 6.4 microns and 63.4 +/- 4.3 microns) of the 3 fiber types, nor between untrained and endurance-trained Andalusians with respect to the area (untrained, 3,990 +/- 690 microns 2; moderately endurance-trained, 3,882 +/- 347 microns 2; and strongly endurance-trained, 3,758 +/- 510 microns 2) and minimal diameter (untrained, 58.1 +/- 4.7 microns; moderately endurance-trained, 59.7 +/- 2.7 microns; and strongly endurance-trained, 58.7 +/- 4.5 microns) of 2A fibers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Protection of chickens from Newcastle and Marek's diseases with a recombinant herpesvirus of turkeys vaccine expressing the Newcastle disease virus fusion protein.

Recombinant strains of herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) were constructed that contain either the fusion protein gene or the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase gene of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) inserted into a nonessential gene of HVT. Expression of the NDV antigens was regulated from a strong promoter element derived from the Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat. Recombinant HVT strains were stable and fully infectious in cell culture and in chickens. Chickens receiving a single intra-abdominal inoculation at 1 day of age with recombinant HVT expressing the NDV fusion protein had an immunological response and were protected (> 90%) against lethal intramuscular challenge at 28 days of age with the neurotropic velogenic NDV strain Texas GB. Recombinant HVT expressing the NDV hemagglutinin-neuraminidase provided partial protection (47%) against the same challenge. Chickens vaccinated with recombinant HVT vaccines had low levels of protection against NDV replication in the trachea when challenged ocularly. Recombinant HVT vaccines and the parent HVT strain provided similar levels of protection to chickens challenged with the very virulent RB1B strain of Marek's disease virus, indicating that insertion of foreign sequences into the HVT genome did not compromise the ability of HVT to protect against Marek's disease.