Cytological identification of 1B/1R wheat-rye translocations in winter wheat breeding lines

Summary The incorporation of rye (S. cereale L.) chromatin into winter wheat (T. aestivum L.) cultivars is often achieved via hybridization of unadapted wheat-rye translocation lines with adapted wheat germplasm. Identification of progenies possessing the translocated chromosome has traditionally involved phenotypic screening for the desired rye characteristics. In this study, the Giemsa N-banding technique was evaluated as a potential screening tool for detection of 1B/1R wheat-rye translocations. Five breeding lines were examined from the pedigree Aurora/2^*TAM W-101. The differential banding patterns of chromosome 1B contributed by TAM W-101 and chromosome 1B/1R contributed by Aurora allowed unequivocal identification of translocation genotypes. Three of the lines were found to be heterogeneous, whereby plants were homozygous for either the normal 1B or the translocated 1B/1R chromosome. The remaining two lines were observed to be homozygous and homogeneous for the translocated 1B/1R chromosome. The implication of N-banding chromosomal analyses to wheat breeding is presented.Contribution No. J-5172, Department of Agronomy, Oklahoma Agriculture Experiment Station, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK74078.     

Linking Plant Spatial Patterns and Ecological Processes in Grazed Great Basin Plant Communities

Observational studies of plant spatial patterns are common, but are often criticized for lacking a temporal component and for their inability to disentangle the effect of multiple community-structuring processes on plant spatial patterns. We addressed these criticisms in an observational study of Great Basin shrub-steppe communities that have been converted to a managed grazing system of planted crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum [L.] Gaertn.) stands. We hypothesized that intraspecific interference and livestock grazing were important community-structuring processes that would leave unique spatiotemporal signatures. We used a survey-grade global positioning system to quantify crested wheatgrass spatial patterns along a chronosequence of stands that differed only in time since planting (9–57 yr), as well as in a 57-yr-old grazing exclosure to examine pattern formation in the absence of grazing. Three replicate survey plots were established in each stand, and a total of 6 197 grasses were marked with a spatial error of ≤ 2 cm. The data were analyzed using L-statistics in program R, and hypothesis testing was conducted using Monte Carlo simulation procedures. We detected fine-scale regularity, frequently considered a sign of interference via resource competition, in all stands including the exclosure. Coarser-scale aggregation, which we attributed to the effects of prolonged grazing disturbance, was only detected in the oldest grazed stand. Our results suggest that interference acts over finer spatial and temporal scales than grazing in structuring these stands, reinforcing the importance of interference in semiarid communities. Analysis of exclosure data suggests that, in the absence of grazing, crested wheatgrass stands organize into a statistically regular pattern when primarily influenced by interference. In the presence of prolonged grazing, crested wheatgrass stands become more heterogeneous over time, likely a result of seedling mortality via disturbance by cattle.     

Predicting growth and performance of Holstein steers

Refinements and additions were made to the growing cattle portion of the model of Fox et al. (1988) for predicting growth of Holstein steers. Based on observations of animal weight, DM intake (DMI), ADG, feed per gain (FPG) and diet ME, the modified model was tested on a database that included 299 feeding periods with Holstein steers fed in research trials over a period of 15 yr at Cornell University, the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin. The modified model accounted for 93, 56 and 68% of the variation in DM intake, daily gain and feed required per unit gain, respectively. Averaged over all 299 periods in the database, the error in predicting DM intake, daily gain and feed required per unit gain was 1%, 4% and 2%, respectively. Analysis of residuals indicated that ME level did not influence the difference between predicted and observed values for DMI, ADG and FPG. Residuals analysis indicated that BW did not influence the difference between predicted and observed values for ADG and FPG but DMI of heavier cattle was overpredicted (P less than .01). These results indicated that the 8% increase in DMI for cattle over 318 kg was not warranted for the Holstein steers in this database, which were predominantly less than 15 mo at slaughter. The results of the validation indicate that this model accurately predicted performance of Holstein steers.     

Mitotic analysis of sticky chromosomes in aluminum tolerant and susceptible wheat lines grown in soils of differing aluminum saturation

Plant resistance is currently the most effective and environmentally safe method to control plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs). Resistance genes generally act against sedentary PPNs by inducing a hypersensitive reaction that prevents the parasite installation and/or reproduction. However, the recent emergence of virulent biotypes able to overcome the plant resistance genes may constitute a severe limitation to this control strategy. In selection experiments conducted under controled environment, the genetic variation, specificity and inheritance of nematode virulence have been demonstrated. Moreover, the occurrence of gene-for-gene interactions has been shown in a few cases. Moleculars markers have been extensively used to investigate the genetic variability of PPNs, but so far, the genomic polymorphisms observed are largely independent of virulence. Such data suggest that, within a species, virulent isolates do not share a common origin, but are probably the result of independent mutational events. To understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for virulence in PPNs, several strategies have been developed, in relation with their mode of reproduction (parthenogenesis versus amphimixis). As an example, recent results obtained in our laboratory on the root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne spp. are presented. On a more general point of view, factors that may induce stable genome variability in PPNs, e.g. Transposition of mobile elements and chromosomal rearrangements (leading to polyploidy, aneuploidy, etc) will also be considered. Advances in knowledge in these areas should have important consequences for the management and durability of natural resistance genes, and for the engineering of new forms of resistance. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nitrogen form effects on early corn root morphological and anatomical development

Enhanced NH4 nutrition causes thicker roots (higher g/m root length) than NO₃ nutrition. This study examined the underlying anatomy of N‐form altered root morphology. Corn (B73xLH51) was cultured in complete nutrient solutions containing NO₃‐ or NH₄‐N. Plants were harvested four times between 13 and 20 days after germination. Root lengths were measured and photomicrographs taken of primary and nodal root cross‐sections. Plants grew better under the NH₄ regime. This was probably due to controlling acidity in the pH 6.0 to 6.5 range using 2.0 mM MES. The primary root system was 16% thicker under NH₄‐N. No difference due to N form in the cross‐sectional area of the primary axis base was detected, suggesting that NH₄‐N caused thicker laterals. Cross sectional areas of the first tier nodal roots were 27%‐ and 2nd tier roots 10.5%‐ greater under NH₄‐N. Changes in the stelar and cortical regions were proportional in 1st tier nodal roots, but the cortex accounted for most of the NH₄‐induced thickening in 2nd tier nodal roots. The number of late metaxylem elements was not affected by N form. Possible implications of these morphological and anatomical differences are discussed.     

The fungicide captan reduces nuclear DNA content in maize seedlings

Captan, a major fungicide used by the US maize industry, was studied to determine its effect on the nuclear DNA content of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. Captan was applied to kernels at the recommended agronomic rates. The nuclear DNA content of the seedlings was determined by flow cytometry. In two maize hybrids examined, a reduction in nuclear DNA content was observed. Two different fluorochromes, with different staining mechanisms, were used to determine nuclear DNA content. Both of these fluorochromes revealed a reduction in nuclear DNA. Captan is reported to inhibit DNA synthesis in several animal systems. The reduction of maize nuclear DNA observed in this study may be a result of DNA synthesis inhibition induced by captan.     

Preclinical Pharmacology of BA-TPQ,a Novel Synthetic Iminoquinone Anticancer Agent

Marine natural products and their synthetic derivatives represent a major source of novel candidate anti-cancer compounds. We have recently tested the anti-cancer activity of more than forty novel compounds based on an iminoquinone makaluvamine scaffold, and have found that many of the compounds exert potent cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines. One of the most potent compounds, BA-TPQ [(11,12),7-(benzylamino)-1,3,4,8-tetrahydropyrrolo[4,3,2-de]quinolin-8(1H)-one], was active against a variety of human cancer cell lines, and inhibited the growth of breast and prostate xenograft tumors in mice. However, there was some toxicity noted in the mice following administration of the compound. In order to further the development of BA-TPQ, and in a search for potential sites of accumulation that might underlie the observed toxicity of the compound, we accomplished preclinical pharmacological studies of the compound. We herein report the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of BA-TPQ, including its stability in plasma, plasma protein binding, metabolism by S9 enzymes, and plasma and tissue distribution. We believe these studies will be useful for further investigations, and may be useful for other investigators examining the use of similar compounds for cancer therapy.