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.     

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.     

Yield and biochemical composition of juice from apple varieties bred at the All-Russian Fruit Crops Breeding Research Institute and their suitability for orchards producing raw materials

Long-term data on the biochemical composition and yield of juice from apply varieties bred at the All-Russian Fruit Crops Breeding Research Institute are given. The most promising apple varieties immune and highly resistant to scab are singled out for producing high-quality juice.     

Characteristics of interspecific hybrids between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleurotus ostreatus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. eryngii</Emphasis>

In this study, three species of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus osturatus, P. eryngii and P. cornucopia) were crossed together in order to aggregate benefit special attributes to the genotype (s). The monokaryon of each of these species was prepared. Then, the monokaryons of two species were placed at 5 mm distance from each other to produce dikaryon. The results showed that, from among 700 crosses, only the crosses of eryngii and osturatus monokaryons were grown toward each other and produced clamps (dikaryons). Four produced hybrids were noted H₁, H₃₂, H₁₁ and H₄₀. The spans of produced hybrids were prepared; then, they were grown into sterile media and attributions of hybrids were studied. The results indicated that H₁₁ hybrid was an appropriate hybrid in terms of the number of days until growing, number of days until the observation of the first pin and the days from planting to harvest. However, H₄₀ was the best hybrid based on cap diameter, dry and fresh weight of fruit body, yield and biomass. It is expected that these interspecific hybrids employ for future oyster mushroom breeding programs.     

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.     

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%.     

Productivity and parameters of the adaptive ability and stability of pea varieties

The complex assessment has been given to the pea varieties permitted for use by productivity and parameters of the adaptive ability based on the results of their test in three natural and climatic zones in Tyumen oblast. The best varieties by average productivity have been found—in conditions of subtaiga, Yamal’skii; in northern forest steppe, Yamal; and in southern forest steppe, Omskii 9. All varieties had strong variability of productivity. The highest level of realization of productivity potential of varieties was noticed in the conditions of subtaiga. The highest general adaptive ability was peculiar to the varieties Yamal’skii, Agrointel, and Yamal; and the largest values of a variance of the specific adaptive ability were detected in the varieties Omskii 9, Batrak, and Tyumenets. By plasticity, the varieties were divided into three groups: weakly responsive to the improvement of conditions (b _i < 1)—Omskii 9 and Batrak; intensive, with high response to the improvement of conditions (b _i > 1)—Yamal and Agrointel; and plastic, changing the productivity of which fully corresponds changing the growth environment (b _i = 1)—Tyumenets and Yamal.     

Use of interspecific hybridization for increasing buckwheat tolerance to inbreeding

The productivity of inbred buckwheat lines I₁–I₈ with the homostyly gene of Fagopyrum esculentum and Fagopyrum homotropicum is studied. The species F. homotropicum is recommended for use in buckwheat breeding as a donor of homostyly and tolerance to inbreeding depression.     

Breed characteristics associated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">LEP</Emphasis> gene polymorphisms in Holstein cattle

Genotyping of the leptin gene locus (LEP) (SNP: R25C, Y7F, and A80V) has been performed in the animals from two groups in the Holstein cattle herd. Groups 1 and 2 included the fourth to seventh lactation cows and the heifers, respectively. The objective of the surveys was to study the Holstein cattle polymorphisms of the leptin gene associated with the productive longevity according to the related literature data. It has been ascertained that the LEP gene (SNP: R25C, Y7F, and A80V) polymorphism in the Holstein animals determines the certain breed characteristics that can be used for introduction to marker assisted selection. (Particularly, a low (0.04–0.15) frequency of occurrence of the F allele is typical for the LEP-Y7F SNP; as for SNP LEP-A80V, a low frequency of occurrence (0–0.14) is typical for the homozygous animals with the VV genotype when compared to a rather high frequency of occurrence (0.36–0.45) in the heterozygous animals).     

Agronomic Evaluation of Legume Cover Crops for Sustainable Agriculture

The agronomic characteristics of different legume cover crops and their effects on soil chemical properties were investigated in a short-term field study. We compared weed biomass, nitrogen equivalence, growth rate, leaf chlorophyll content, cover crop biomass, soil total organic carbon, and soil total nitrogen under eight different legume cover crops in a short-term field experiment. We found the highest growth rate, cover crop dry biomass, N plant content, and N contribution with C. ochroleuca plants, whereas for leaf chlorophyll content, soil organic carbon, and total nitrogen the highest values were found with M. pruriens. We did not find any significant difference among C. ochroleuca and M. pruriens for cover crop dry biomass. Our findings suggest that the incorporation of cover crops into the soil can change positively the soil chemical properties, such as soil organic carbon and total nitrogen. Our results also highlight the importance of considering the short-term effect of cover crops on the tropical soil fertility maintenance, in this case, Regosol.     

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.     

RGB and multispectral UAV image fusion for Gramineae weed detection in rice fields

In this paper, a new method to fuse low resolution multispectral and high resolution RGB images is introduced, in order to detect Gramineae weed in rice fields with plants at 50 days after emergence (DAE).The images are taken from a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at 60 and 70 m altitude. The proposed method combines the texture information given by a high resolution red–green–blue (RGB) image and the reflectance information given by a low resolution multispectral (MS) image, to obtain a fused RGB-MS image with better weed discrimination features. After analyzing the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and normalized green red difference index (NGRDI) for weed detection, it was found that NGRDI presents better features. The fusion method consists of decomposing the RGB image using the intensity, hue and saturation (IHS) transformation, then, a second order Haar wavelet transformation is applied to the intensity layer (I) and the NGRDI image. From this transformation, the low–low (LL) coefficients of the NGRDI image are replaced by the LL coefficients of the I layer. Finally, the fused image is obtained by transforming the new wavelet coefficients to RGB space. To test the method, a one hectare experimental plot with rice plants at 50 DAE with Gramineae weeds was selected. Additionally, to compare the performance of the method, two indices were used, specifically, the M/M_GT index which is the percentage of detected weed area, and the MP index which indicates the precision of weed detection. These indices were evaluated in four validation zones using three Neural Networks (NN) detection systems based on three types of images; namely, RGB, RGB + NGRDI, and fused RGB-NGRDI. The best weed detection performance was obtained by the NN with the fused image, with M/M_GT index between 80 and 108% and MP between 70 and 85%.     

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.     

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.     

Micronutrient composition of woody plants in Central Yakutia

A study of micronutrient composition of twigs and needles of Dahurian larch (Larix dahurica Turcz. Ex. Trautv.), Scots pine (Pinus silvestris L.), and Siberian spruce (Picea obuvata Ledeb.) is carried out in Central Yakutia. Significant contents of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, iodine, selenium, and other macroand microelements; vitamins C, E, B₁ to B₆, and PP were found. However, the concentrations of them in the needles and branches were different. The content of heavy metals did not exceed the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) and was rather lower than that in the other regions of Russia.     

Clarification Effects of Chitosan on Apple Fruit Juice

Chitosan is a good flocculant. The paper deals with the clarification of apple juice by means of chitosan. The results showed that the transmittance was over 97% and soluble solid content was stable basically, under the technological condition of chitosan of 0.5 - 1.2 g L-1 , temperature of 45 - 55℃ and pH 4.5. After the orthogonal trial, the optimum technological conditions of apple juice clarification by using chitosan were 0.3 g L-1 chitosan, 45℃C and pH 4.5. The research of the apple juice clarification with chitosan made a basis of the application of chitosan and provided the theoretical basis for the clarification of apple juice with chitosan.     

Effect of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">PGR</Emphasis> Genotype on Economically Valuable Traits in Animals of the Holstein Breed

Genotyping for locus PGR (progesterone receptor gene) of the Holstein servicing bulls (World Wide Sires) was carried out. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes of this locus are given. Significant (P < 0.05) superiority of the homozygous genotype AA of locus PGR was found in relation to the heterozygous genotype AG for several economically valuable traits: PTAM (predicted transmitting ability for milk, 380 points), PL (productive life, by 1.3 months), and FE (feed cost–feeding efficiency index, 37 points). Significant superiority (P < 0.05) of the homozygous genotype GG over the heterozygous genotype AG for the PL trait was also found, by 1.2 months. The obtained data can be used for marker-dependent breeding.     

Founder effect and genogeography of <Emphasis Type="Italic">CV</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">BL</Emphasis>-mutations in black-and-white cattle

The results are obtained by simultaneous diagnostics of mutant CV- and BL-alleles. Five groups of animals–carriers and noncarriers of mutations are identified. In Russia the mutant CV-alleles are met more frequently because of the intensive use of their carriers. While elimination of BL-allele was started earlier due to developed methods, the diagnostics of CV-mutations has been undertaken later. Propagation of missense-mutations in the world and the Russian Federation has been occurring through the breeding bulls and cows–carriers. Initially spermobanks and, afterwards, cows were reserves for the diagnosed BLand CV-mutations.     

Thermographic assessment of scab disease on apple leaves

Phytopathogenic fungi may affect both the cuticular and the stomatal conductance of plant tissue resulting in significant modifications of leaf temperature. Venturia inaequalis colonizes apple leaves below the cuticle (subcuticularly) causing scab disease. The suitability of digital infrared thermography for sensing and quantifying apple scab was assessed by investigating the effects of V. inaequalis on the water balance of apple leaves in relation to the disease stage and the severity of scab. Transpiration was measured by infrared thermo-imaging to evaluate spatial heterogeneity of the leaves in response to localized infections. Fungal development was assessed microscopically. Subcuticular growth of the pathogen caused localized decreases in leaf temperature before symptoms appeared that significantly increased the maximum temperature difference (MTD) of leaves. The MTD increased with scab development and was strongly correlated to the size of infection sites (r2_linear = 0.85) and overall disease severity (% diseased leaf area, r2_square = 0.71). In later stages of the disease, the MTD decreased because of leaf senescence. Thermographic measurements revealed differences in disease severity resulting from disease stage, resistance of host tissue and differences in the aggressiveness of V. inaequalis isolates. Subcuticular growth of the pathogen was beyond the area of conidia production, therefore, the area of leaf with increased transpiration was larger than the scab lesions; the proportion decreased from >70% in the early stages to <20% for mature lesions. Leaf transpiration was increased by all stages of scab development, therefore, MTD may be used not only for the differentiation between diseased and non-diseased leaves, but also for disease quantification, e.g. in screening systems and monitoring in precision agriculture.     

4种脱色方法对苹果汁色值和可溶性固形物的影响

以‘澳洲青苹’和‘95-117’优系苹果品种为试材,采用活性炭、PVPP、树脂吸附和微膜过滤4种方法对苹果汁进行脱色处理,通过测定处理前后果汁的透光率(T625)、吸光值(A420)、总色差(DE)、黄色色差(DB)及可溶性固形物含量等指标,分析了不同处理方法对苹果汁褐变的影响。结果表明:4种不同处理方法均能使苹果汁透光率提高,吸光值下降,总色差及黄色色差值降低,澄清效果依次为:PVPP>树脂>活性炭>超细滤膜过滤,其中4%的PVPP和1.6%的树脂处理效果较好。4种处理方法均降低了果汁的可溶性固形物含量,其中PVPP处理后果汁中可溶性固形物含量降低幅度最大,而树脂处理对可溶性固形物含量影响最小。综合比较,1.6%的树脂吸附是最佳的果汁脱色方法。两种苹果中‘95-117’优系果汁褐变轻,更适合作为加工型苹果,可以减少脱色剂的使用。