Quantitative trait loci for phytate in rice grain and their relationship with grain micronutrient content

Phytate (inositol-hexa-phosphate) has an important role in plants but it also may have anti-nutritional properties in animals and humans. While there is debate within the plant breeding and nutrition communities regarding an optimum level in grain, there appears to be little information at the molecular level for the genetics of this trait, and its association with important trace elements, in particular, Fe and Zn. In this preliminary study, quantitative trait loci (QTL) for grain phytates, Zn and Fe in glasshouse-grown rice lines from an IR64 × Azucena doubled haploid population were identified. Correlations between phytate and essential nutrients were also studied. Transgressive segregation was found for most traits. Phytate and total P concentrations had one QTL in common located on chromosome five with the (high concentration) allele contributed from Azucena. There were significant positive correlations between phytate and inorganic phosphorus (P), total P, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn concentrations for both grain concentration and content. However, the QTLs of phytate were not located on the same chromosomal regions as those found for Fe, Zn and Mn, suggesting that they were genetically different and thus using molecular markers in breeding and selection would modify the phytate level without affecting grain micronutrient density.     

Root parameters of forest trees as sensitive indicators of acidifying pollutants: a review of research of Japanese forest trees

The root parameters of forest trees can be indicators of a changing environment. We summarize the results of root studies with regard to the effects of acidifying pollutants, especially soil acidification and aluminum toxicity, on various root parameters of Japanese forest trees under experimentally controlled conditions. All root parameters such as biomass, morphology, nutritional status, and physiology can be regarded as indicators, because, under laboratory conditions, root responses occur prior to the responses in the aboveground parts. However, considering the conditions of forest sites, the nutritional status and physiological changes are better indicators of soil acidification and Al stress than the biomass and morphological response. The currently available data suggest that the most important indicator is the Ca/Al molar ratio in roots of Japanese tree species. In order to predict and detect the initial effects of soil acidification, we postulate that the specific root response to the Ca/Al molar ratio of tree roots should be considered as a parameter for use in long-term forest monitoring sites.     

Assessing freeze-tolerance in St. Augustinegrass: temperature response and evaluation methods

Winter hardiness is a major-limiting factor for St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze] grown in the transitional climatic region of the United States. Lab-based freeze tests that mimic the range of field winter survivability in St. Augustinegrass can contribute to the selection of cold hardy genotypes. This study used a whole container method, four freezing temperatures, and two data collection systems to evaluate the freezing response of nine St. Augustinegrass genotypes ranging in their winter hardiness. Results indicated ?3 and ?4 °C with average regrowth ratings of 33.6 and 17.8% respectively, were more suitable temperatures for evaluating freeze survival in St. Augustinegrass than ?5 and ?6 °C with average regrowth ratings of 0.4 and 0%, respectively. Visual ratings of surviving green tissue and regrowth were generally well correlated when evaluated over a six week period post-freeze with Pearson correlation coefficients ranging of 0.17–0.62  for ?3 °C freeze tests and 0.79–0.93 for ?4 °C freeze tests. Additionally, measurement of percent green cover using digital imaging techniques commonly utilized in turfgrass field studies were significantly correlated (0.66) with visual ratings averaged across weekly post-freeze evaluation measurements for both ?3 and ?4 °C freezing temperatures. These results provide evidence that digital imaging analyses are useful in estimating surviving green tissue and regrowth in lab-based freeze tests. This study provides additional information regarding freezing temperatures, genotype responses, and data collection methods in St. Augustinegrass, which should aid breeders in the improvement of freeze tolerance in the species.     

Elemental analysis of otoliths of Japanese anchovy: trial to discriminate between Seto Inland Sea and Pacific stock

The ability to discriminate local stocks of Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus was assessed based on data from four elements (K, Na, P, and Sr) using an electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA) and data from three elements (Ba, Mn, and Sr) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) from the otoliths of 40 anchovy (23.6–47.0 mm body length). Anchovy were caught at three sites (Aki-nada, Hiuchi-nada, and Osaka Bay) in the Seto Inland Sea, and one site (Kuroshio extension) in the Pacific Ocean in 2002. In order to discriminate different spawning grounds, EPMA data from the core portion (from core to 30 μm in the core-posterior axis) were used. Results showed that it was difficult to discriminate between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific anchovy by EPMA data. Conversely, it was possible to discriminate between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific anchovy by ICP-MS data from bulk otoliths. Our results showed that Mn contents of otoliths using ICP-MS discriminate between spawning grounds most, and Ba and Sr discriminate less. The difference in elemental compositions in anchovy otoliths between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean might be reflected by cumulative experienced elemental composition of ambient sea water during life history between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific anchovy.     

Integrating animal movement with habitat suitability for estimating dynamic migratory connectivity

Context

High-resolution animal movement data are becoming increasingly available, yet having a multitude of empirical trajectories alone does not allow us to easily predict animal movement. To answer ecological and evolutionary questions at a population level, quantitative estimates of a species’ potential to link patches or populations are of importance.

Objectives

We introduce an approach that combines movement-informed simulated trajectories with an environment-informed estimate of the trajectories’ plausibility to derive connectivity. Using the example of bar-headed geese we estimated migratory connectivity at a landscape level throughout the annual cycle in their native range.

Methods

We used tracking data of bar-headed geese to develop a multi-state movement model and to estimate temporally explicit habitat suitability within the species’ range. We simulated migratory movements between range fragments, and calculated a measure we called route viability. The results are compared to expectations derived from published literature.

Results

Simulated migrations matched empirical trajectories in key characteristics such as stopover duration. The viability of the simulated trajectories was similar to that of the empirical trajectories. We found that, overall, the migratory connectivity was higher within the breeding than in wintering areas, corroborating previous findings for this species.

Conclusions

We show how empirical tracking data and environmental information can be fused for meaningful predictions of animal movements throughout the year and even outside the spatial range of the available data. Beyond predicting migratory connectivity, our framework will prove useful for modelling ecological processes facilitated by animal movement, such as seed dispersal or disease ecology.

     

Effects of landscape urbanization on magpie occupancy dynamics in France

Responses of species to landscape modifications are generally documented through their distribution at a given time along an intensity gradient of land transformation. By focusing on patterns, we are limited to infer ecological processes occurring within a system and its response to environmental disturbances which can further change over time. Using diachronic datasets at the scale of France, we analyzed the spatial responses of the black-billed magpie, which has recently colonized cities, to landscape urbanization. This study applied recently developed statistical approaches incorporating detection uncertainty of the magpie, based on the capture-recapture statistical framework. We tested whether, and how, extinction and colonization mechanisms influenced variations of magpie occupancy from 2001 to 2005. In addition, we assessed the importance of the recent urbanization of the French countryside in determining population dynamics. Overall, our analysis proved that the proportion of urban areas and recent urbanization in France led to an increase in the probability of magpie occupancy. Unexpectedly, the species is concomitantly disappearing from the countryside, leading to a rapid change in the distribution of the species. This study stressed the importance of incorporating detection uncertainty in inference process about spatial dynamics. Overall, we show how useful it is to account for the dynamic evolution of the landscape in ecological studies.     

Evaluation of Magnetic Coagulant (α-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-MO) and its Reuse in Textile Wastewater Treatment

The textile industries are characterized as one of the biggest consumers of potable water and chemical products throughout its process, being responsible for the elevated wastewater generation with intense coloration and wide polluting potential. In this context, the present study proposes the development and application of a new coagulant material for textile wastewater treatment. The proposed coagulant (α-Fe₂O₃-MO) was composed by hematite nanoparticles (α-Fe₂O₃) obtained by a simple non-pollutant methodology, associated with Moringa oleifera (MO) seeds saline extract compounds. Coagulation/flocculation (CF) efficiency was evaluated by removal of physicochemical parameters such as apparent color, turbidity, and compounds with absorption at UV_254nm (UV_254nm) through CF tests carried out on Jar test equipment and sedimentation carried out in the presence and absence of external magnetic field (600 k Am^?1). Kinetics sedimentation was from 0 to 90 min. The use of this new coagulant allowed the removal of 92.37% for apparent color, 91.43% for turbidity, and 46.09% for UV_254nm, indicating that the proposed coagulant association was efficient in the treatment of this type of wastewater under external magnetic field with only 10 min of sedimentation. In addition, the resulting sludge from CF process was tested as base material for a new coagulant synthesis, demonstrating great reuse potential. Therefore, the new proposed coagulant, composed of α-Fe₂O₃ and the compounds present in the seed extract of MO, has applicability for textile wastewater treatment demonstrating high removal rate for all evaluated parameters with cost reduction in the proposed treatment for this wastewater.     

Transformation of beech forest litter as a factor that triggers arsenic solubility in soils developed on historical mine dumps

Purpose

Soils that develop on the dumps in historical arsenic mining sites contain high concentrations of As thus constituting a serious environmental risk. This study was aimed to examine the changes in arsenic solubility in mine soils as induced by organic matter introduced with forest litter.

Materials and methods

Four large samples of initially developed soils were collected from the dumps remaining in former mining sites and were incubated for 90 days at various moistures: 80% of maximum water holding capacity and 100% (flooded conditions), with and without addition of beech forest litter (BL), 50 g/kg. Soils contained up to 5.0% As. Soil pore water was collected periodically with MacroRhizon suction samplers and examined on As, Mn, and Fe concentrations, pH, Eh, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The properties of dissolved organic matter were characterized by UV-VIS spectroscopic parameters A4/A6 and SUVA₂₅₄.

Results and discussion

Application of BL resulted in an intensive release of As from soils, particularly at 100% moisture. As concentrations in soil pore water increased strongly during the first 2 or 4 weeks of incubation and then started to decrease in all cases, except for one flooded soil. As was released particularly intensively from carbonate-containing soils. The mechanisms of As mobilization, including reductive dissolution of Mn and Fe oxides and the competition with DOC for sorption sites on the oxides, were discussed as related to soil properties. Pore water concentrations of DOC were increasing at the beginning of incubation and started to decrease after two or four weeks. Spectroscopic parameters of dissolved organic matter in ZS soils indicated increasing aromaticity and progress of humification.

Conclusions

Forest litter introduced to mine dump soils causes a mobilization of As into soil pore water. This effect, particularly strong in carbonate-rich soils, is apparently related to high concentrations of DOC and usually declines with time, which may be explained by the progress in humification. The relationships between DOC properties and As speciation in soil pore water should be dissected for better interpretation of experimental results.

     

Host selection of small cedar longicorn beetle, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Callidiellum rufipenne</Emphasis> (Coleoptera:Cerambycidae), on Japanese cedar, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>, in terms of bark water content of host trees

We caught the adults of a secondary wood-boring insect, Callidiellum rufipenne (Motschulsky), on Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica D. Don., trees and logs with manipulated bark water contents to clarify the mechanism of host selection by C. rufipenne. More C. rufipenne were trapped when the bark water content range was ca. 120–200%. Fewer C. rufipenne were trapped at higher and lower bark water contents. These findings indicate that C. rufipenne adults do not simply select weakened or dying trees. Bark water content is one of important factors for C. rufipenne choosing their host for oviposition.     

Incidence and etiology of postharvest fungal diseases of loquat fruit (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eriobotrya japonica</Emphasis> (Thunb.) Lindl. cv. ‘Algerie’) in Alacant province (Spain)

‘Algerie’ is currently the most important loquat cultivar in Spain. The incidence and etiology of postharvest diseases affecting this cultivar were determined under local conditions. Latent and wound pathogens were evaluated for two consecutive seasons on commercially grown loquats from two orchards. Healthy loquats were either surface-disinfected or artificially wounded in the rind and placed in humid chambers at 20 °C for up to 5 weeks. Additionally, decay was assessed on commercially-handled loquats stored at 5 °C for up to 20 weeks. The most frequent disease was caused by Alternaria alternata, followed by Penicillium expansum. These two pathogens were present on fruit assessed for all types of infection. Moreover, decay caused by Botrytis cinerea was abundantly observed on both wounded and cold-stored fruit, while Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was frequently found on surface-disinfected fruit. Other pathogens that were observed causing latent infection to a lesser extent included Pestalotiopsis clavispora and Diplodia seriata. Common isolates were identified by macroscopic and microscopic morphology and/or DNA amplification and sequencing. Pathogenicity of selected isolates was demonstrated by fulfilling Koch’s postulates and disease development was assessed on artificially inoculated loquats stored at either 20 or 5 °C.