Optimizing injection time of GFP plasmid into sheep zygote

Microinjection of exogenous DNA into the cytoplasm of matured oocytes or zygotes is a promising technique to generate transgenic animals. However, the data about the microinjection time and procedure in sheep are limited and have not treated in detail. To obtain more in-depth information, the Sarda sheep oocytes from abattoir-derived ovaries were subjected to IVM and IVF. Then, the GFP plasmid as a reporter gene was injected into the cytoplasm of MII oocytes (n: 95) and zygotes at different post-insemination intervals (6–8 hpi, n: 120; 8–10 hpi, n: 122; 10–12 hpi, n: 110 and 12–14 hpi, n: 96). There were no significant differences in the cleavage rates between the groups. However, blastocyst rate of injected zygotes at all-time intervals was significantly lower than injected MII oocytes and control group (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the proportion of GFP-positive embryos was higher at 8–10 hpi compared with other injected groups (4 % versus 0 %, p  < 0.01). Among these, the proportion of mosaic embryos was high and two of those embryos developed to the blastocyst stage. In conclusion, we settled on the cytoplasmic microinjection of GFP plasmid at 8–10 hpi as an optimized time point for the production of transgenic sheep and subsequent experiments.     

Comparison of yield,fruit quality,antioxidant activity,and some phenolic compounds of white seedless grape obtained from organic,conventional, and integrated fertilization

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of three different fertilizing systems, including organic, conventional, and integrated ones, on the yield, fruit quality, antioxidant activity, and some phenolic compounds of white seedless grape. The study was carried out on several 6-year-old white seedless grapevine located in the Urmia Province (North-West Iran). The results showed that the fruit physical characteristics and yield were affected significantly by different fertilization systems. The highest yield was observed in the conventional fertilization, followed by organic and integrated systems. The leaf mineral contents were obviously dependent on the different fertilization used, whereas pH and titratable acidity were not affected. Based on our results, the highest values of antioxidant activity and total flavonoid were found in the organic and integrated fertilization systems, respectively. Also, the highest contents of total phenolic, catechin, and quercetin-3-galactoside were observed in the organic fertilization system. Overall, the highest nutritional quality and biochemical characteristics of white seedless grape were obtained in organic fertilization system, which improved antioxidant capacity by enhancing total phenolics, total flavonoids and valuable phenolic compounds.     

Effect of oat decortication on chemical composition,in vitro digestibility and in situ degradability

The effect of decortication on chemical composition and degradability characteristics of four Danish oat varieties was investigated. Effective degradability (ED) and post-ruminal disappearance (PRD) were measured by in situ and mobile bag techniques respectively. Decorticated oat showed higher (p = .01) concentrations of crude protein (CP; 134 vs. 108 g/kg DM) and crude fat (71.6 vs. 53.1 g/kg DM) and a higher (p = .001) organic matter digestibility (OMD; 888 vs. 703 g/kg OM) than oat. The content of total fatty acids (FA) in DM was higher in decorticated oat. The proportion of linoleic acid (C18:2 n6) increased (p < .05) due to decortication, while the linolenic acid (C18:3 n3) proportion of total FA decreased in decorticated oat. Decortication increased (p = .01) the concentration of amino acids (AA), but the proportion of lysine in total AA decreased (p < .002). Effective degradability (ED) of both DM and CP was (p < .001) higher in decorticated oat. Decortication increased the total tract disappearance (TTD) and PRD of CP (p < .001). In conclusion, decortication can be used as a practical approach to increase the nutritional value of oat.     

cDNA-AFLP technique discloses differential gene expression in response to salinity in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Salinity is one of the well-known abiotic stresses resulting in loss of wheat yield. The identification of differentially induced genes and then becoming...     

Diesel oil consumption,work duration,and crop production of corn and durum wheat under conventional and no-tillage in southeastern France

In no-tillage (NT) system, precedent crop residue retains on the soil surface to preserve soil water for crop growth. In response to the negative impact of soil degradation under conventional tillage (CT) system based on soil tillage, NT system without tillage practice and with protective cover of crop residue is being developed in many parts of the world. However, NT is a successful system especially in the South of America, but the impacts of this system on the Mediterranean climate especially in the southeast (SE) of France is less known; therefore, this study has been carried out within the scope of a European project. Durum wheat and corn were sown under CT and NT. Time requirement and fuel consumption in these two systems were measured. The results showed that durum wheat and corn yields were the same in both systems except of 2008, while work duration and energy requirement were 87% and 83% lower in NT system, respectively. Furthermore, NT could mitigate CO₂ emission up to 50% as compared with CT. These results show that NT can be considered as a relevant alternative for CT regarding economical and environmental advantages.     

Comprehensive SAS code for computing several selection indices

Crop breeders often have to consider multiple traits for selecting and advancing superior genotypes. Under such circumstances, use of selection indices is considered superior to other selection approaches, such as tandem selection and independent culling. While many types of selection indices have been developed (e.g., Smith and Hazel index, Desired gain index, Brim index, and Robinson index), programs for computing some of them (e.g., Desired gain index, Brim index, and Robinson index) are not available. We have developed a comprehensive SAS (Statistical Analysis System) code to compute the following indices: Smith and Hazel index, Desired gain index, Brim index, and Robinson index. The program also computes efficiency and genetic gain associated with these indices. The computer program reported here is named Shiri-SAS-Index-Selection, which is simple and easy to use. We present examples of SAS output generated by the Shiri-SAS-Index-Selection program for two breeding strategies. The program can be accessed here.     

Genetics and non-genetics parameters of body weight for post-weaning traits in Raini Cashmere goats

Genetic parameters were estimated for 6-month weight (W6), 9-month weight (W9), 12-month weight (W12), average daily gain from birth to 6 months old (ADG6), and Kleiber ratio at 6 months (KL6) traits using 6,442 records obtained from a Raini Cashmere goat flock. The parameters were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood procedure and applying four animal models excluding or including maternal additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. Heritability estimates for W6, W9, W12, ADG6, and KL6, under the most appropriate model were 0.028, 0.26, 0.29, 0.02, and 0.25, respectively. The estimates of genetic and phenotypic correlations among W6, W9, W12, and ADG6 were high and ranged from 0.73 to 0.99. The estimates of genetic and phenotypic correlations among KL6 and others traits were negative and low. Thus, these estimates of genetic parameters may provide a basis for deriving selection indices for postweaning growth traits also low genetic correlation between growth traits with KL6, it is possible to increase efficiency in Raini kids by multitrait selection.     

Estimating non-genetic and genetic parameters of pre-weaning growth traits in Raini Cashmere goat

Data and pedigree information used in the present study were 3,022 records of kids obtained from the breeding station of Raini goat. The studied traits were birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), average daily gain from birth to weaning (ADG) and Kleiber ratio at weaning (KR). The model included the fixed effects of sex of kid, type of birth, age of dam, year of birth, month of birth, and age of kid (days) as covariate that had significant effects, and random effects direct additive genetic, maternal additive genetic, maternal permanent environmental effects and residual. (Co) variance components were estimated using univariate and multivariate analysis by WOMBAT software applying four animal models including and ignoring maternal effects. Likelihood ratio test used to determine the most appropriate models. Heritability ( \texth_\texta² ) \left( {{\text{h}}_{\text{a}}^2} \right) estimates for BW, WW, ADG, and KR according to suitable model were 0.12 ± 0.05, 0.08 ± 0.06, 0.10 ± 0.06, and 0.06 ± 0.05, respectively. Estimates of the proportion of maternal permanent environmental effect to phenotypic variance (c ²) were 0.17 ± 0.03, 0.07 ± 0.03, and 0.07 ± 0.03 for BW, WW, and ADG, respectively. Genetic correlations among traits were positive and ranged from 0.53 (BW-ADG) to 1.00 (WW-ADG, WW-KR, and ADG-KR). The maternal permanent environmental correlations between BW-WW, BW-ADG, and WW-ADG were 0.54, 0.48, and 0.99, respectively. Results indicated that maternal effects, especially maternal permanent environmental effects are an important source of variation in pre-weaning growth trait and ignoring those in the model redound incorrect genetic evaluation of kids.     

Impact of integrated management of nitrogen fertilizers on yield and nutritional quality of potato

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different compositions of nitrogen (N) sources on yield and nutritional quality in potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L.). The experiment used a factorial arrangement as two factors in randomized complete block design. Factor (A) was nitrogen sources: control, 75% M?+?25%V, 50% M?+?50%V, 100% M, where M plots received nitrogen from mineral fertilizer and V plots received nitrogen from vermicompost. Factor (B) was potato cultivars (Sante and Savalan). In Sante cultivar, 75% M?+?25%V produced the highest total and marketable yield. In Savalan, cultivar application of vermicompost in 75% M?+?25%V and 50% M?+?50%V increased significantly total and marketable yield as compared with 100% M. Application of vermicompost significantly decreases tuber nitrate content and increases nitrogen-use efficiency. In Savalan, cultivar 50% V?+?50%M and in Sante cultivar 75% V?+?25%M can effectively be used for improving yield and nutritional quality of tuber.     

Nutrient digestibility and evaluation of protein and carbohydrate fractionation of citrus by‐products

The protein and carbohydrate fractionation and nutrient digestibility of citrus by‐products were determined. Ruminal, intestinal and total tract CP disappearance values were measured by a modified three‐step (MTSP) method and in vitro CP disappearance method (IVCP). Test feeds were orange pulp (OP), lime pulp (LP), lemon pulp (LEP), grapefruit pulp (GP), sweet lemon pulp (SLP), bitter lemon pulp (BLP), bergamot orange pulp (BP) and tangerine pulp (TP). The rumen undegradable protein (RUP) fractions of the feedstuffs were obtained by ruminal incubation in three cannulated wethers and incubation in protease solution (protease type xiv, Streptomyces griseus). The data were analysed using completely randomized design. There were significant differences between the tested feeds in protein fractions and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN; C fraction) was highest in GP (14.56%) (p < 0.001). For carbohydrate fraction, the highest C fraction was also observed in GP (2.67%) and in relation to the other citrus pulps (p < 0.001). Ruminal CP disappearance was highest in OP (71.89%) (p < 0.001). The level of post‐ruminal CP disappearance, measured by MTSP, was highest for BP (34.94%) (p < 0.001). The highest in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) was found for TP (80.44%) followed by that estimated for BP (78.38%) (p < 0.001). The estimated metabolizable energy (MJ/kg DM) varied from 9.77 for LP to 12.91 for BP. Tangerine pulp had the highest true rumen digestibility (TRD) (p < 0.001). According to the results, it could be concluded that citrus by‐products have high nutritive value and also, the in vitro techniques can be easily used to determine of the nutritive value of citrus by‐products.