Population genetics of self-incompatibility and developing self-compatible genotypes in niger (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Guizotia abyssinica</Emphasis>)

Two cucumber recombinant inbred lines (RILs) differing in plant habit were crossed and progeny self-pollinated to produce F₃ individuals upon which phenotypic selection was practiced to identify a base population which in turn underwent either two cycles of MAS or random mating without selection (RAN). MAS and RAN were practiced to produce F₄ and F₅ progeny sets. RIL, crossing parents, and F₃–F₅ progeny sets were then evaluated under replicated field conditions for fruit yield and quality (L:D and E:T) to evaluate gain from selection (ΔG). The broad-sense heritability (h ² B) over cycles (C) of selection ranged 0.22–0.45, 0.09–0.20, and 0.11–0.15 for yield, L:D, and E:T, respectively. Although one cycle of PHE selection followed by MAS was effective in conserving the performance of the traits examined during inbreeding, progeny performance during RAN fluctuated (F₄–F₅ generation; C₂). Lack of ΔG during advanced generations (F₄–F₅) of MAS was likely due to allelic fixation and/or optimized epistatic complementation.     

Simulating the production potential and net energy yield of maize-ethanol in the southeastern USA

The interest in producing ethanol from maize has increased during recent years. However, the potential for maize-ethanol production is restricted to the extent of the feedstock production and the feedstock collection radius around an ethanol processing plant. The harvested acreage of maize in Alabama, Florida and Georgia has varied from 115,000 ha to 1.4 million ha during the last 50 years. One basic criterion for a sustainable production of renewable bio-ethanol is a positive net energy yield (NEY), i.e. more energy must be produced than the non-renewable energy that is used in the energy production chain, including the feedstock production and transportation and the biofuel processing. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential to produce renewable energy the form of maize-ethanol in a region with typical southeastern USA maize cropping conditions. Two maize production acreages, which represent current and historical large acreages, and two feedstock collection radii of 100 and 200 km around an ethanol plant in southwest Georgia were evaluated. Maize growth and yield were simulated with the Cropping System Model (CSM)-CERES-Maize model to account for climate and soil variability. The simulations included weather data for 68 years. The potential ethanol production and NEY were calculated based on the simulated yields and energy requirements for the production. The ethanol production potential was 30–40 times greater for the large production acreage than for the small acreage. The average NEY across all simulated years was positive for all evaluated production acreages and collection radii. However, it was negative for the large production acreage under certain weather conditions. This study showed the potential to provide for an increase in renewable ethanol production from maize in the southeastern USA to meet the demand of the ethanol processing infrastructure.     

Introducing host‐plant resistance to anthracnose in Kyrgyz common bean through inoculation‐based and marker‐aided selection

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the most important legume crops for human consumption. However, its grain yield can be reduced by up to 90% by the seedborne disease, anthracnose. Fungicide treatment is costly and time‐consuming. The introduction of host plant resistance against this disease appears, therefore, to be crucial for enhancing the productivity of this crop in Kyrgyzstan. The use of DNA‐based markers in backcrossing programmes may help speed up the breeding for resistance. In this study, we used a combination of inoculation tests and a DNA marker (SCAreoli marker) to track the transfer of host‐plant resistance (Co‐2 gene) from two donor cultivars, ‘Vaillant’ and ‘Flagrano’, to susceptible Kyrgyz cultivars ‘Ryabaya’, ‘Kytayanka’ and ‘Lopatka’, which are widely grown in the country. The segregating offspring were evaluated to test the reliability of the SCAreoli marker as selection aid for host‐plant resistance to anthracnose. Our study showed that a co‐dominant DNA marker can successfully be used in backcross breeding to distinguish segregating material in different market classes of common bean.     

Pre-caecal digestible phosphorus in maize and wheat for broiler chickens

1. The objective of this study was to determine the coefficient of pre-caecal digestion of P in maize (3.9 g/kg of total P, 0.83 g/kg of phytate P, 138 FTU [phytase units]/kg) and wheat (3.17 g/kg of total P, 1.94 g/kg of phytate P, 666 FTU/kg) in broilers according to the WPSA protocol.

2. For the diets, monosodium phosphate was used as an additional P supplement. Two sets of diets containing 200, 460 and 740 g/kg of wheat or 200, 500 and 740 g/kg of maize were formulated. A total of 288 21-d-old male broilers (Ross 308) were assigned to 24 cages (8 birds per cage) and the 6 test diets were assigned to cages. The coefficient of pre-caecal digestion of P was determined by the indicator method and linear regression.

3. In both ingredients, pre-caecal digestible P increased linearly with increasing inclusion levels of maize or wheat (P < 0.05). The coefficients of digestion of pre-caecal P were estimated to be 0.18 for wheat and 0.33 for maize.     

Nitric oxide in bovine corpus luteum: Possible mechanisms of action in luteolysis

Although prostaglandin (PG) F_2α is considered as the principal luteolytic factor, its action on the bovine corpus luteum (CL) is mediated by other intraovarian factors. Among them, nitric oxide (NO) seems to play a mandatory role in luteolysis. In this article we review the background and current status of work on possible roles of NO in the CL function, based on available information and our own experimental data. NO is produced in all three main types of bovine CL cells: steroidogenic, endothelial and immune cells. PGF_2α and some luteolytic cytokines (tumor necrosis factor, interferon) increase NO production and stimulate NO synthase expression in the bovine CL. NO inhibits progesterone production, stimulates the secretion of PGF_2α and leukotriene C4, reduces the number of viable luteal cells and, finally, participates in functional luteolysis. NO induces the apoptotic death of CL cells by the modulation of bcl‐2 family gene expression and the stimulation of caspase‐3 gene expression and activity. However, this simple molecule shows both luteolytic and luteotropic actions during the estrous cycle in ruminants. The aim of this overview is to present and discuss the recent findings crucial for understanding NO role in the process of CL regression in cattle.     

Measurement of the uptake of linseed oil in pine by the use of an X-ray microdensitometry technique

Pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris) was impregnated with linseed oil to three levels of uptake. The distribution of the penetrant was found by taking microdensity measurements of an impregnated sample and then using an ethanol extraction procedure to remove the linseed oil. A second set of X-ray measurements at identical locations in the same sample allowed the linseed oil to be indirectly mapped. An uneven distribution of linseed oil in the specimens with the lowest uptake (25% increase in weight) was seen as sharp gradients in the densitometry curves. With increased filling by the linseed oil, these gradients were gradually smoothed. Microstructural changes in specimens with high uptake were revealed using scanning electron microscopy. Through a combination of X-ray microdensitometry investigation and changes observed in the wood's mechanical properties and morphology, it was concluded that liquid flow during impregnation results in significant damage to the cell structure.     

A conceptual model for understanding social practices in family forestry

This paper presents a conceptual model for better understanding of the various aspects or phenomena in family forestry. In this model, land is considered as the basic resource around which work and family life are organised. With the land follows specific property rights, giving the children, as a result of marriage, the right to inheritance. To generate revenue from the capital invested or to increase the value of the property, self-employment in practical work and decision-making is needed. Taxes are charged on the revenue of the property. Gender has an impact on inheritance position, division of work, and pattern of marriage. By connecting these institutions or concepts to each other with threads of social practices, a ‘cobweb model’ is developed which allows the structure of the social reality in family forestry to be visualised. The cobweb model has been applied in order to examine social practices in contemporary Swedish family forestry. Results based on a nationwide survey, reveal significant differences between different forest owner categories regarding the impact of gender, inheritance, marriage, property rights and self-employment. Furthermore, the analytical potential of the model is demonstrated.     

Leaf photosynthetic properties in a willow (Salix viminalis and Salix dasyclados) plantation in response to fertilization

Specific leaf area (SLA), nitrogen and chlorophyll concentrations and photosynthetic characteristics were studied in upper and lower canopy leaves of Salix viminalis and S. dasyclados grown at two nutrition levels. Fertilization increased SLA and leaf mass-based nitrogen concentration in most cases. Positive effects of fertilization on leaf light-saturated photosynthetic rate (A _max ^A ) and maximum carboxylation rate (V _cmax) were not detected. Significant differences between the leaves from upper and lower canopy layers in area-based nitrogen, A _max ^A , SLA, mass-based chlorophyll, V _cmax and stomatal conductance were found for most plots. We attempted to estimate the fraction of non-photosynthetic nitrogen and found that it tended to be higher due to fertilization. Thus, the insensitivity of leaf photosynthesis to fertilization could be caused by higher proportion of non-photosynthetic nitrogen in the leaves of fertilized plots. Though leaf-level photosynthesis was not increased by fertilization, considerably higher leaf area index of fertilized plots still resulted in increased canopy carbon gain.     

Studies of follicular vascularity associated with follicle selection and ovulation in cattle

We reviewed recent in vivo studies of the real-time changes in the vasculature of the follicle wall during selection of the dominant follicle as well as during ovulation in cows. Changes in follicle diameter and vascularity were determined by transrectal ultrasonography. Blood flow within the walls of the two largest follicles was detected at the time of wave emergence (largest follicle=5 mm in diameter). Before selection of a follicle (largest follicle <8.5 mm in diameter), the degrees of vascularity of the two largest follicles were not significantly different. After the largest follicle reached a diameter of 10 mm, the vascularity of the largest (dominant) follicle was higher than that of the second largest (subordinate) follicle. In the preovulatory follicle, follicular vascularity gradually increased, and as ovulation approached, the LH-surge induced an increase in blood flow within the follicle wall. The above results suggest that maintenance of follicular vasculature and appropriate blood supplies to follicles are essential for establishment of follicular dominance. Consequently, only a dominant follicle with high vascularity may have a chance to reach final maturation and acquire ovulatory capacity.     

Expressions of estrogen receptors in the bovine corpus luteum: cyclic changes and effects of prostaglandin F2alpha and cytokines

Estrogen (E) exerts its function by binding to two intracellular estrogen receptors, ERalpha and ERbeta. Although ERs have been reported to be expressed in the bovine corpus luteum (CL), the mechanisms that control ER expression in the bovine CL are not fully understood. To determine the possible regulatory mechanisms of ERalpha and ERbeta that meditate distinct E functions, we examined 1) the changes in the protein expressions of ERs in the CL throughout the luteal phase and 2) the effects of prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) and interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) on the expressions of ERs in cultured bovine luteal cells. Western blot analyses revealed that ERalpha and ERbeta proteins were expressed throughout the luteal phase. The ERalpha protein level was high at the early luteal (Days 2-3 after ovulation) and mid-luteal stages (Days 8-12) and was extremely low at the regressed luteal stage (Days 19-21). The ERbeta protein level increased from the early to developing luteal stage, remained at the same level at the mid-luteal stage and decreased thereafter. The ratio of ERbeta to ERalpha was higher in the regressed stage than in the other stages. Luteal cells obtained from mid-stage CLs (Days 8-12) were incubated with PGF2alpha (0.01-1 microM), TNFalpha (0.0145-1.45 nM) or IFNgamma (0.0125-1.25 nM) for 24 h. PGF2alpha and TNFalpha inhibited ERa and ERbeta mRNA expressions. IFNgamma suppressed ERbeta mRNA expression but did not affect the expression of ERalpha mRNA. However, the ERalpha and ERbeta protein levels were not affected by any of the above treatments. These data indicate that PGF2alpha, TNFalpha and IFNgamma regulate ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA expressions in bovine luteal cells. Moreover, the changes in the ERbeta/ERalpha ratio throughout the luteal phase suggest that ERalpha is associated with luteal maintenance. Therefore, a dramatic decrease in ERalpha at the regressed luteal stage could result in progression of structural luteolysis in the bovine CL.