Genetic diversity analysis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plantago ovata</Emphasis> and some of its wild allies using RAPD markers

Plantago ovata, commonly called as the 'desert Indian wheat' is a cultivated and economically important plant of the genus Plantago, a large genus containing ~200 species. It yields Psyllium (Isabgol) which has several health benefits and applications in pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. In view of the genetic uniformity, detection of variability has remained a challenge in this species as the plant lacks inherent variability and has a narrow genetic base. During the present study, Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to determine genetic relationship and detect whatever little hidden variation exists in this species and some of its wild allies. Limited genetic variability was observed in P. ovata whereas; extensive genetic variability was seen in its wild allies. The genetic distances among different accessions of P. ovata and different species of Plantago, were used to generate a dendrogram.     

EM38 for volumetric soil water content estimation in the root-zone of deep vertosol soils

Electromagnetic induction sensors, such as EM38, are used widely for monitoring and mapping soil attributes via the apparent electrical conductivity (EC_a) of the soil. The sensor response is the depth-integrated combination of the depth-response function of the EM38 and ‘local’ electrical conductivity (EC_az) at depth. In deep, Vertosol soils, assuming the instrument depth-response function is not perturbed by the soil and where volumetric moisture content at depth (θ_v(z)) dominates EC_az, EM38 should be capable of predicting average moisture content without recourse to mathematically complicated, and unstable profile inversion processes. Firstly a multi-height EM38 experiment was conducted over deep Vertosol soils to confirm the veracity of the EM38 depth-response function and test the concomitant hypothesis of the EM38 response being an integrated (i.e. additive) combination of depth-response function and θ_v(z). Secondly, depth profiles of moisture content were used to calibrate the EM38 to infer average θ_v(z) within the ‘root-zone’ of crop plants—here taken to be surface—0.8 m and surface—1.2 m. EM38 calibration was performed using soil samples acquired from both extracted cores and excavated pits. Mathematical summation of measured θ_v(z) from sectioned cores and the known depth-response function of the EM38 was found to explain 99% and 97% of the variance in measured EC_a for horizontal and vertical dipole configurations at multiple sensor heights above the ground. Average θ_v from surface to 0.8 m () and surface to 1.2 m () explained only 37% and 46% of the variance in on-ground EC_a for vertical dipole configuration measurements compared to 55% and 56% of the variance for horizontal dipole configuration. In a separate validation experiment, the shape of the vertical moisture profile proved highly influential in determining the ability of the calibration equations to infer underlying average moisture content, especially where the depth profile shapes differed between sensor calibration and subsequent field validation (for example following rainfall or irrigation).     

Comparative analysis of three chemometric techniques for the spectroradiometric assessment of canopy chlorophyll content in winter wheat

Hyperspectral data sets contain useful information for characterizing vegetation canopies not previously available from multi-spectral data sources. However, to make full use of the information content one has to find ways for coping with the strong multi-collinearity in the data. The redundancy directly results from the fact that only a few variables effectively control the vegetation signature. This low dimensionality strongly contrasts with the often more than 100 spectral channels provided by modern spectroradiometers and through imaging spectroscopy. With this study we evaluated three different chemometric techniques specifically designed to deal with redundant (and small) data sets. In addition, a widely used 2-band vegetation index was chosen (NDVI) as a baseline approach. A multi-site and multi-date field campaign was conducted to acquire the necessary reference observations. On small subplots the total canopy chlorophyll content was measured and the corresponding canopy signature (450-2500 nm) was recorded (n_obs = 42). Using this data set we investigated the predictive power and noise sensitivity of stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR) and two ‘full spectrum’ methods: principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares regression (PLSR). The NDVI was fitted to the canopy chlorophyll content using an exponential relation. For all techniques, a jackknife approach was used to obtain cross-validated statistics. The PLSR clearly outperformed all other techniques. PLSR gave a cross-validated RMSE of 51 mg m⁻² for canopy chlorophyll contents ranging between 38 and 475 mg m⁻² (0.99 ≤ LAI ≤ 8.74 m² m⁻²). The lowest accuracy was achieved using PCR (RMSE_cv = 82 mg m⁻² and ). The NDVI, even using chlorophyll optimized band settings, could not reach the accuracy of PLSR. Regarding the sensitivity to artificially created (white) noise, PCR showed some advantages, whereas SMLR was the most sensitive chemometric technique. For relatively small, highly multi-collinear data sets the use of partial least square regression is recommended. PLSR makes full use of the rich spectral information while being relatively insensitive to sensor noise. PLSR provides a regression model where the entire spectral information is taken - in a weighted form - into account. This method seems therefore much better adapted to deal with potentially confounding factors compared to any 2-band vegetation index which can only avoid the most harmful factor of variation.     

Hyperspectral discrimination of foliar biotic damages in rice using principal component analysis and probabilistic neural network

Assessment of crop health status in real time could provide reliable and useful information for making effective and efficient management decisions regarding the appropriate time and method to control crop diseases and insect damage. In this study, hyperspectral reflectance of symptomatic and asymptomatic rice leaves infected by Pyricularia grisea Sacc, Bipolaris oryzae Shoem, Aphelenchoides besseyi Christie and Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guen was measured in a laboratory within the 350–2?500 nm spectral region. Principal component analysis was performed to obtain the principal component spectra (PCs) of different transformations of the original spectra, including original (R), common logarithm of reciprocal (lg (1/R)), and the first derivative of original and common logarithm of reciprocal spectra (R′ and (lg (1/R))′). A probabilistic neural network classifier was applied to discriminate the symptomatic rice leaves from asymptomatic ones with the front PCs. For identifying symptomatic and asymptomatic rice leaves, the mean overall discrimination accuracies for R, lg (1/R), R′ and (lg (1/R))′ were 91.3, 93.1, 92.3 and 92%, and the mean Kappa coefficients were 0.771, 0.835, 0.829 and 0.82, respectively. To discriminate between disease and insect damage, the overall accuracies for R, lg (1/R), R′ and (lg (1/R))′ were 97.7, 98.1, 100 and 100%, and the Kappa coefficients were 0.962, 0.97, 1 and 1, respectively. These results demonstrated that hyperspectral remote sensing can discriminate between multiple diseases and the insect damage of rice leaves under laboratory conditions.     

The Finding and Phylogenetic Evolution Analysis of Bovine Piroplasms in the Rasǒn Area of North Korea

The objective of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of bovine Piroplasms infections in the Rasǒn area of North Korea.The survey was carried out by light microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears,PCR,and phylogenetic evolution analysis of 128 blood samples collected from the Rasǒn area.The results showed that the infection rates of the small and large parasites were about 2.5 and 1.5% on average,respectively,in all Theileria sergenti and Babesia ovatapositive blood smears by microscopic examination of blood smears.The detection rate of T.sergenti Giemsa-stained smears was 43.75%,while that with PCR was 67.97%.The detection rate of B.ovata Giemsa-stained smears was 49.21%,while that with PCR was 71.88%.The sequence and phylogenetic analysis of DNA showed 98.84% homology between the 18S rRNA gene sequences of T.sergenti isolates from North Korean and that of Yanbian state from China,indicating the closest genetic relationship between both of them.Moreover,100% homology was shown between the 18S rRNA gene sequence of B.ovata isolates from North Korea and the published sequence AY081192 of GenBank,indicating the closest genetic relationship between both of them.This survey confirmed that Ras n is the endemic area of T.sergenti and B.ovata in North Korea.     

The Relationship between Drought Tolerance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laurus nobilis</Emphasis> L. and Environmental Factors in Conditions of the Southern Coast of Crimea

The present studies have shown Laurus nobilis L. to be a drought tolerant species. When the plant was first subjected to dehydration, the rate of net photosynthesis decreased from Pn = (8–10) to –1 μmol/(m² s) and to –3 μmol/(m² s) during the second dehydration before it was subsequently irrigated. The rewatering on August 5 and August 8 promoted a sharp burst of this parameter, but the Pn value was restored to its original level only after August 8. Soil drought caused a drop in a rate of transpiration from 65–70 to 10 mg/(m² s). Watering soil up to a 15% moisture level brought an increase in E = 25 mg/(m² s), but only the second watering managed to fully restore it to the initial value. Apical growth of the plants was closely correlated with soil moisture. As the soil moisture was reduced to W = 15–5%, the terminal growth reached a saturation point and started to plateau. Watering the soil up to W = 15% promoted apical growth by 4 mm. Reducing soil moisture to W = 3–4% caused a complete cessation of the growth. Subsequent watering to W = 27–28% led to a gradual and complete recovery of turgor and an increase in the growth rate up to 6–8 mm per day. The surface response functions Pn = f(I, W) and E = f(I, W) allowed us to determine conditions and levels of potential maximums and boundaries of the areas of optimum photosynthesis and transpiration: optimum Pn = 8–9 μmol/(m² s) with I = 900–1400 μmol/(m² s) and W = 17–24% and the optimum E = 25–35 mg/(m² s) with I = 1000–1400 μmol/(m² s) and W = 16–24%.     

Distribution of Fungi from the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> Link. on Cereals

The species composition of fungi from the genus Fusarium was studied, and the frequency of occurrence on cereals was determined. Populations of Fusarium spp. were represented by widespread species F. culmorum, F. heterosporum, F. sporotrichioides, F. oxysporum, F. nivale, F. graminearum, F. avenacеum, F. gibbosum, F. sambucinum, F. moniliforme, etc. The dynamics and frequency of occurrence of Fusarium spp. has made it possible to characterize the state of the species of fungi in a wide range of climatic areas of cereal cultivation in the Russian regions. The prevalence of the genus Fusarium was caused by the cultivars’ susceptibility to micromycetes. The frequency of occurrence of Fusarium species isolated from roots was steady, and, on the ears, it depended on the influence of weather conditions during the growing season of plants. The study of the intraspecific variability of fungi from the genus Fusarium has revealed a significant difference in signs of toxicity and pathogenicity depending on biotic and abiotic factors. More than 50% of strains from the genus Fusarium possessed low pathogenicity but had severe toxicity to wheat seedlings. Most strains of F. sporotrichiodes, F. culmorum, and F. sambucinum were highly pathogenic (from 36.4 to 55.6%) and toxic (from 55.6 to 81.3%). High adaptability to preservation in the soil and on the roots of weeds and crop residues of most crops expressing pathogenic and toxic activity was conductive to the widespread Fusarium spp.     

Intervalent Crosses: the Main Way of Creating Triploid Apple Cultivars

This paper presents history and ways of creating triploid apple cultivars differing from common diploid ones by less pronounced fruiting periodicity by years, higher marketability and weight of fruits, and self-fertility. In the search for an effective method of mass production of triploid seedlings, crosses of the type 4x × 4x, 4x × 3x, 4x × 2x, 3x × 4x, 3x × 3x, 3x × 2x, 2x × 4x, and 2x × 3x were studied. The most effective way of mass production of triploid seedlings was the 2x × 4x cross (diploid × tetraploid). In the group of 2x × 4x crosses, more than 9000 seedlings from different families were subjected to cytological analysis. The ratio of hybrid progeny in terms of ploidy levels was as follows: 30.3% diploids, 69.5% triploids, 0.2% tetraploids, and 0.04% aneuploids. It was established that triploids can also be obtained in 4x × 2x crosses; however, it is necessary to castrate the flowers in the maternal parent, since all apple tetraploids have high self-fertility. For the first time in the world, a series of triploid cultivars (approximately 20) was obtained from intervalent crosses of the diploid × tetraploid type in the All-Russia Research Institute of Fruit Crop Selection. Particularly interesting are triploid cultivars that have immunity to scab, which include nine cultivars, of which Aleksandr Boiko, Vavilovskoe, Maslovskoe, and Yablochnyi Spas are included in the State Register of breeding achievements allowed for use.     

Insecticides on the basis of analogs of insect juvenile hormones

Analogs of juvenile hormones (JHAs)—azadirachtin (NeemAzal, EC (10 g/L), fenoxycarb (Phasis, WP (250 g/kg), and pyriproxyfen (Admiral, EC (100 g/L) and Inoxyfen, EC (100 g/L)—have been tested. The effectiveness of insectoacaricide NeemAzal in regulating the population numbers of sucking insects was assessed using glasshouse cucumber in Leningrad oblast. Three applications of this product in 0.5% concentration effectively protected this culture against red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch.) and onion thrips (Thrips tabaci Lind) and, less significantly, against melon aphid (Aphis gossypii Glov). Insecticide Phasis protected vineyards against European vine moth (Lobesia botrana Den&Schiff). Juvenoid Admiral effectively decreased the number of imagoes and larvae of greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum Wsfw.) in glasshouse cucumber and tomato in different regions of Russia, while Inoxyfen protected apples against codling moth (Cydia pomonella). The tested products belong to the group of biorational pesticides that can be used in ecologically sound systems of plant protection.     

CNP Ratio and Dose Regulated Production of Water Chestnut <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trapa</Emphasis>: Social and Environmental Implications

Water chest nut Trapa is a minor fruit crop and potential carbon sequester of atmospheric carbon. Mass production of water chest nut using a vast number of unused small water bodies and derelict waters is a win-win-win-win strategy toward mitigation of global warming, nutritional security, empowerment and resource utilization. Growth performance of Trapa was conducted in small culture units using different CNP ratios (25:02:01; 101:08:01; 290:01:01) at a fixed dose (0.2 kg/tank) of mixed manure with different doses (100, 200, 400, 600 g) of optimal CNP ratio (101:08:01) during the life cycle of Trapa. The total number of fruits and the wet weight of Trapa in different dose treatments ranged from 56 to 192 and from 258 to 379 g/tank. Yield of Trapa remained maximum when CNP ratio was 101:8:1 at 200 g/tank and the dosage was 200 g/tank with the optimal CNP ratio (134 g) and then declined with further rise in fertilizer dose. The proximate analysis of Trapa revealed the highest phosphorus content in all the tissues (fruit, leaf, and root) of Trapa grown in the CNP ratio of 101:08:01. Of the total amount of carbon in Trapa, contribution was maximum by the fruit (38–41%), followed by leaf (27–35%) and root (23–32%) in different ratio treatment. The C content of harvested Trapa grown in different CNP ratios (Table 4) was higher in fruit (38–41%) followed by leaf (27–35%) and root (23–32%) among tissues. The amount of C observed in control (32%) increased by 6% in 25:02:01 (34%) which was higher than remaining two treatments (31%). Dry weight or total carbon content of water chestnut tended to rise with increasing levels of phosphate of water from the dosage of 100 to 200 g with optimal CNP ratio and declined thereafter. A direct relationship between the dry weight or carbon content of Trapa and the total carbon content or phosphate to total carbon ratio of water was established. However, the carbon content remained between 27–32% in all the three tissues of Trapa culture when cultured in different dose treatments. It is reasonable to conclude that water chestnut may be promoted for mass cultivation using the recommended culture protocol that would help trapping atmospheric carbon, provide nutritional security and employment generation and resource utilization.     

The recognition of apple fruits in plastic bags based on block classification

The recognition of apple fruits in plastic bags is easy to be affected by reflected and refracted light. In order to weaken the influence of light, a method based on block classification is proposed. The method adopts watershed algorithm to segment original images into irregular blocks based on edge detection results of R–G grayscale images firstly. Compared with the watershed algorithm based on gradient images, the segmentation method can preserve fruits edge and reduce the number of blocks by 20.31%, because graying image method, R–G, filters most of leaves and edge detection operator insures that the edge of fruits are detected accurately. Next, these blocks are classified into fruit blocks and non-fruit blocks by support vector machine on the basis of the color and texture features extracted from blocks. Compared with the image recognition method based on pixel classification, the proposed method can restrain the interference of light caused by plastic bags effectively. The false negative rate (FNR) and false positive rate (FPR) of the method based on pixel classification are 21.71 and 14.53% respectively. The FNR and FPR of the proposed method are 4.65 and 3.50% respectively.     

The measurement,prediction, and development of soil management zones in low-relief sodic soils

Inexpensive, accurate, and rapid measurements of sodicity are required to identify the restoration options for degraded sites. This study determined the spatial variability of the percent of ammonium acetate extractable Na (%Na), apparent electrical conductivity (EC_a), pH_1:1, elevation and topographic wetness index, and used this information to create %Na management zones. In an 8.1 ha North Dakota field that contained Natraquolls and Calciaquolls, 1088 soil samples from the 0–0.3 and 0.3–0.6 m were collected from a 12.2 by 12.2 m geo-referenced grid. At each grid point, the elevation and ECa was determined using a differential corrected global positioning system and EM38m, respectively. Soil samples were analyzed for the %Na, EC_1:1, pH_1:1, and soil dispersion. Exponential semi-variogram models explained 96.7% of the ln-transformed %Na data in the 0–0.3 m soil depth, and %Na was correlated to EC_1:1 (r = 0.54), pH_1:1 (r = 0.68), clay dispersion (r = 0.68), ECav (r = 0.49), and ECah (r = 0.57). Forward stepwise regression models based on elevation, EC_1:1, pH_1:1, and ECah explained 64 and 74% of the %Na variability in the surface 0.3 m and subsurface 0.3–0.6 m, respectively. Management zones were identified that reduced the %Na variability up to 82%.     

Genetic diversity of genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Malus</Emphasis> Mill. for scab resistance genes

The results of molecular genetic analysis of wild species and varieties of genus Malus Mill. for loci of monogenic scab resistance are presented. Dominant allele of gene Rvi6 was identified in varieties of M. robusta 43199, M. hupehensis, and M. floribunda. Locus Rvi4 was detected in genotypes of M. robusta v. persicifolia, M. asiatica 2343, M. sieversii 13280, M. niedzwetzkyana 13279, M. purpurea 2392, M. orientalis 41623, M. orientalis 29476, M. orientalis 29 460, M. spectabilis v. albi plena, and M. spectabilis v. rubra plena. Gene Rvi5 in the test collection of wild species is absent.     

Study of intracellular ion composition of yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis> biomass

The ionic composition of the of the intracellular content of the alcohol yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae R. 1039 biomass was studied for confirmation of their use perspectiveness as a mediator to enable the management the mineral content of food in the manufacture of food and feed additives. The ionic composition of the obtained extracts were identified using the method of capillary electrophoresis. It is found that the quantitative ion content in the cell extracts depends on the concentration of the nutrient medium. When the yeast S. cerevisiae R. 1039 was cultivated on the medium with the soluble solids concentration of 30%, the intracellular ion content in the extracts was 1.3 times higher than when the yeast was cultivated on 12% wort by increasing the concentration of chlorides, sulfates, formates, potassium ions, and calcium. The yield of the yeast S. cerevisiae R. 1039 biomass increased 1.6 times per unit of volume of the medium with increase of the soluble solids concentrations from 12% to 30%.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">GH</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">DGAT1</Emphasis> gene polymorphism on feeding qualities of bull calves

The aim of this paper is to study effects of GH and DGAT1 gene polymorphisms on feeding qualities of Hereford and Limousin bull calves bred in conditions of the Cis-Ural steppe zone. SNPs of genes GH and DGAT1 are investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The studied population of animals was assessed by defining the allele frequency and animal genotype occurrence for the studied gene SNPs, indicators of the actual and expected heterozygosity, and Pearson’s test. A study of polymorphism C214G of gene GH revealed that genotype LL prevails in Hereford and Limousin animals, 47.37 and 57.7%, respectively, while frequency of allele L is higher in Limousin bull calves (0.731). A study of polymorphism K232A of gene DGAT1 gene in both the populations showed absence of genotypes AA, which can be related to the low number of the studied animals. Expected heterozygosity indicators of gene GH are higher than the observed ones, and the observed heterozygosity is higher for DGAT1. The number of efficient alleles for the studied genes is higher for Hereford bull calves. In general, according to Pearson’s test, both the studied populations are in equilibrium. There is a significant effect of GH gene polymorphism on live weight gain rates at the end of sagination and total and average daily weight gains during animal raising.     

Development of Soil-Borne Infections in Spring Wheat and Barley as Influenced by Hydrothermal Stress in the Forest-Steppe Conditions of Western Siberia and the Urals

This is a first-time assessment of the direct and indirect effects of hydrothermal conditions on pathogenesis of root infections in cultivated varieties of spring wheat and barley. Long-term field research (2000–2015) was carried out in the area of risk farming combined with laboratory experiments. The effects of the phytosanitary condition of soil, seeds, and underground plant organs were taken into account. It was found that soil pathogenic population and the development of soil-borne infections largely depend on hydrothermal factors. The development of root rot of spring wheat was stimulated by arid conditions during tillering and heading: the disease rate was increased by 33.5% compared to the optimal moisture supply against a background of a high plant pathogen population of the soil. In drought conditions, the number of saprotrophic microorganisms decreased 3.3 times and suppressive soil activity fell 3.0 times provoking root infections. Microorganisms consuming inorganic forms of nitrogen and cellulolytic agents were found to be highly sensitive to hydrothermal factors. Arid conditions increased the plants’ susceptibility to the inoculum of soil origin, since the increase in the number of conidia in the inoculum from 5–15 to 150–180 per 1 g of soil increased the frequency of infections by root rots by 7.8 times, especially on the epicotyl and the base of the stem. Damage of root rot was increased by pest flies Oscinella frit L., O. pusilla Mg., Phorbia genitalis Schnb., and Mayetiola destructor Say. Their activity increased in warm, arid conditions. Drought-resistant gramineous weeds Panicum miliaceum ssp. ruderales L. (Kitag.) Tzvei., Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv., Avena fatua L., Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv. competed with the crop and consequently increased the development of root rot by 20% or more in dry years. Seeds of gramineous weeds, multiplied after dry years, contributed to reproduction and survival of many soil-borne phytopathogens. Grain ripening in moistened conditions led to transmission of the root rot agents Bipolaris sorokiniana Sacc. Shoem. (syn. Helminthosporium sativum Pam., King et Bakke) and Fusarium fungi via seeds. This led to proliferation of root rot in the germination phase and significantly (53%) affected the cereals’ germ.     

Genetic differentiation of the Novosibirsk population of Primorsky honey bee

Seven microsatellite loci were evaluated to compare the allele pool of Primorsky honeybee population (n = 90), which was introduced into the Novosibirsk region (south-western Siberia), with the populations of Middle Russian (n = 191, A.m. mellifera), Mountain Grey Caucasian (n =113, A.m. caucasica), Carniolan (n = 61, A.m. carnica) and Carpathian (n = 184, A.m. carpatica) races. The degree of genetic differentiation in Novosibirsk population using a variety of criteria (Fst, Rst (AMOVA), Nei genetic distances) was evaluated.     

Genetic shifts in selection of hybrid offspring soybeans to economic-valuable signs

The article presents the importance of plant genetic hybrid shift in the elements of productivity, allowing the prediction of the conduct in the selection of promising lines obtained by interspecific hybridization spontaneous soybeans for further study in the selection process. The maximum shift of genetic selection on the basis of elements of efficiency in terms of the number of marked beans in combinations Volzhan × KZ-671, KZ-Rosinka × 1236, and Luch nadezhdy × KZ-6332 in terms of the mass of 1000 seeds only in the combination Luch nadezhdy × KZ-6332.