Genome-wide association studies of preweaning growth and in vivo carcass composition traits in Esme sheep

Sheep are considered as a major contributor of global food security. Moreover, sheep preweaning growth traits as well as in vivo carcass composition traits such as ultrasonic measurements of Longissimus dorsi muscle depth (UMD) and back-fat thickness (UFD) are crucially important indicators of meat yield and hot carcass composition. Despite their relative importance for productivity and profitability of a sheep production system, detected QTL for these traits are quite scarce. Therefore, we implemented GWAS for these traits using animal mixed model-based association approach provided by GenABEL in Esme sheep. Three genome-wide and 14 individual chromosome-wide associated SNPs were discovered. As a result, ESRP1, LOC105613082, ZNF641, DUSP5, TEAD1, SMOX, PTPRT, RALYL, POM121C, PHIP, LOC101106051, ZIM3, PEG3, TRPC7, FBXL4, LOC105610397, LOC105616489 and DNAAF2 were suggested as candidates. Some of the discovered genes and involved pathways were already annotated to contribute growth and development in various species including human, mice and cattle. All in all, the results of this study are expected to strongly contribute to shed a light on the underlying molecular mechanisms behind growth and carcass composition traits, with potential implications on studies aiming faster genetic improvement, targeted low-resolution SNP panel designs and genome-editing studies.     

A study on construction costs per unit area of irrigation projects

The cost constructing for irrigation is often given in $/ha. In deciding whether a project is worth undertaking, it is important to weigh the anticipated benefits against the expected costs. In this study, unit area construction costs based on the way of project water supply (gravity, pump) and scheme type (classic canal, flume, pipe) were calculated for the 211 irrigation projects operated and constructed by DSI (State Hydraulic Works) in Turkey. In a case study of the 27 irrigation schemes constructed by DSI in the Büyük Menderes and West Mediterranean basins, construction costs per unit area, irrigation ratio, and amount of unproductive costs were determined. As a result, though the area of 76383 ha was constructed for irrigation schemes, this area wasn??t under irrigation services with several various reasons; therefore, 641 million $US according to water supply way, and 574 million $US to the scheme type were unproductive investment for irrigation projects researched in the basins.     

The prediction of seedy grape drying rate using a neural network method

This paper presents an application which uses Feedforward Neural Networks (FNNs) to model the nonlinear behaviour of the drying of seedy grapes. First, a novel type of dryer for experimentally and mathematically evaluating the thin-layer drying kinetics of seedy grapes is developed. In the developed drying system, an expanded-surface solar air collector, a solar air collector with Phase-Change Material (PCM) and drying room with swirl element have been particularly included. Secondly, the drying rate is estimated as an exponential-type equation using non-linear regression analysis. Thirdly, the drying rate of seedy grapes is estimated using an FNN. Finally, the performance of the FNN model is compared with those of nonlinear and linear regression models by means of the root mean square errors, the mean absolute errors, and the correlation coefficient statistics. The results indicate that the FNN is more accurate and performed more consistently than alternative approaches employed in estimating drying rate.     

Cryopreservation of scaly carp (Cyprinus carpio) sperm: effect of different cryoprotectant concentrations on post-thaw motility, fertilization and hatching success of embryos

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of various cryoprotectants on post-thaw sperm quality and fertilizing capacity of cryopreserved scaly carp (Cyprinus carpio) semen. The present study focused on freezing of scaly carp sperm utilizing a practical and inexpensive protocol for aquaculture. Semen was diluted with Kurokura’s extender composing 3.6 g/l NaCl, 10 g/l KCl, 0.22 g/l CaCl₂, 0.08 g/l MgCl₂ and 0.2 g/l NaHCO₃. The extender contained three different cryoprotectants (DMSO, DMA and egg yolk) at ratios of 5, 10 and 15 %. Semen was placed into 0.25-ml straws and exposed to liquid nitrogen vapor (?120 °C) using an insulated box with an adjustable tray for 10 min and then plunged into liquid nitrogen (?196 °C) tank. The thawing process was performed in a water bath at 40 °C for 10 s. The results indicated that type of cryoprotectants and their concentrations are rather effective in scaly carp sperm cryopreservation on post-thaw sperm quality, while they are very important in order to obtain high fertilization rates. The highest fertilization rate was determined as 96.4 ± 0.15 % with 15 % egg yolk, while the highest hatching rate was determined as 99.3 ± 0.80 with 15 % DMA. In conclusion, the applied cryopreservation method for scaly carp sperm is suitable to fertilize high amounts of eggs.     

Evaluation of perennial wild <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cicer</Emphasis> species for drought resistance

About 90% of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in the world is grown under rainfed conditions where drought is one of the major constraints limiting its productivity. Unlike the cultivated chickpea, wild Cicer species possesses sources of resistance to multiple stresses; we therefore evaluated perennial wild Cicer species for resistance to drought. C. anatolicum, C. microphyllum, C. montbretii, C. oxydon and C. songaricum were compared with special checks; C. echinospermum, C. pinnatifidum and C. reticulatum and five cultivated chickpeas. After the cultivated chickpeas were killed, accessions were evaluated using a 1–5 scale, where 1 = highly drought resistant (no visible drought effect and full recovery after three successive wiltings) and 5 = highly drought susceptible (leaves and branches dried out, no recovery at all). All accessions of perennial wild Cicer species were significantly superior to those annual wild species and the cultivated chickpeas including the best drought tolerant chickpea, ICC 4958 under drought conditions. Perennial wild Cicer species did not only recover after wilting and drying out above ground level, they also tolerated high temperatures up to 41.8°C. But, they do not cross with the cultivated chickpeas. C. anatolicum should be taken account in long term breeding programs because it has closer affinities to the first crossability group than the others.     

Effects of fruit collection date on Phillyrea latifolia L. seed germination

This study was conducted to determine the effects of date of fruit collection on the germination of Phillyrea latifolia L. Fruits were collected between September and December of 2007, in Egirdir, Turkey. It was found that the one thousand seed weight for the species seeds was 400 g, with significant differences among dates of fruit collection. The highest germination percentage of 58% was obtained from the seeds collected on the ground from previous years on the 1st of September 2007. The seeds from crown on the 1st of September 2007 had a germination percentage of 42%. Moreover, seeds from crown on the 1st of November and December 2007 and 15th of October and November 2007 did not germinate. In conclusion, P. latifolia seeds collected on the ground from previous years could be sown in early autumn to obtain a high germination rate.     

Evaluation of Alternative Methods of Applying Sulfur Fertilizers to Chrysanthemums

ABSTRACT

Previous research has shown that supplying adequate sulfur (S) continuously in combination with reduced amounts of nitrogen (N) will produce a quality plant. However, not all commercially available fertilizers use the same source of S, contain the same or optimal concentration of it, or contain any S at all. Additionally, nutrient incompatibility can occur if all the macronutrients are combined in one solution or one dry fertilizer. Thus, the objective of this research was to determine the effect of different methods of application and different types of S fertilizers on chrysanthemum growth. Two experiments were conducted in which three S sources (H₂SO₄, MgSO₄, and K₂SO₄) were applied in combination with three N concentrations (50, 100, and 150 mg L^?1) as fertilizer treatments. Sulfur was applied at 10 mg L^?1, either continuously—by slightly acidulating the fertilizer solution with H₂SO₄—or in one, two, or three single, discrete applications as either K₂SO₄ or MgSO₄. Leaf N concentration was greatest when 100 or 150 mg N L^?1 was applied. As expected, S applied continuously by slightly acidulating the fertilizer solution with sulfuric acid resulted in higher leaf S concentration and larger flower diameter than under any of the other treatments. Together, plants fertilized with S continuously at 10 mg S L^?1 and N at 100 mg L^?1 were the largest, had the largest flower diameter, and contained the greatest leaf N and S concentrations. Sulfur concentration in the mix was highest and N concentration lowest when S was supplied continuously. Thus, if growers need to supply S and acidulate their water, sulfuric acid would be the best choice. If there are concerns about possible S contamination in landfills or in mix recycling, either potassium or magnesium S, applied multiple times as single applications in combination with 100 or 150 mg N L^?1, may be a better choice.     

INHERITANCE OF RESISTANCE TO IRON DEFICIENCY CHLOROSIS IN CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.)

Iron (Fe)-deficiency chlorosis causes considerable yield losses in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) when susceptible genotypes are grown in calcareous soils with high pH. The most feasible method for alleviating Fe deficiency is the selection of suitable cultivars resistant to Fe deficiency chlorosis. ICC 6119 (desi type), which is Fe-deficient chlorosis, was crossed with CA 2969 and Sierra (kabuli types), resistant to Fe deficiency chlorosis. Inheritance of resistance to Fe deficiency in chickpea revealed that the resistance was controlled by a single dominant gene in these genotypes crossed. A negative selection for resistance to Fe deficiency chlorosis will be effective after segregating generations.