Bovine quantitative trait loci analysis for growth, carcass, and meat quality traits in an F2 population from a cross between Japanese Black and Limousin

A genome-wide scan for QTL affecting economically important traits in beef production was performed using an F(2) resource family from a Japanese Black x Limousin cross, where 186 F(2) animals were measured for growth, carcass, and meat-quality traits. All family members were genotyped for 313 informative microsatellite markers that spanned 2,382 cM of bovine autosomes. The centromeric region of BTA2 contained significant QTL (i.e., exceeding the genome-wide 5% threshold) for 5 carcass grading traits [LM area, beef marbling standards (BMS) number, luster, quality grade, and firmness), 8 computer image analysis (CIA) traits [LM lean area, ratio of fat area (RFA) to LM area, LM area, RFA to musculus (M.) trapezius area, M. trapezius lean area, M. semispinalis lean area, RFA to M. semispinalis area, and RFA to M. semispinalis capitis area], and 5 meat quality traits (contents of CP, crude fat, moisture, C16:1, and C18:2 of LM). A significant QTL for withers height was detected at 80.3 cM on BTA5. We detected significant QTL for the C14:0 content in backfat and C14:0 and C14:1 content in intermuscular fat around the 62.3 to 71.0 cM region on BTA19 and for C14:0, C14:1, C18:1, and C16:0 content and ratio of total unsaturated fatty acid content to total SFA content in intramuscular fat at 2 different regions on BTA19 (41.1 cM for C14:1 and 62.3 cM for the other 4 traits). Overall, we identified 9 significant QTL regions controlling 27 traits with genome-wide significance of 5%; of these, 22 traits exceeded the 1% genome-wide threshold. Some of the QTL affecting meat quality traits detected in this study might be the same QTL as previously reported. The QTL we identified need to be validated in commercial Japanese Black cattle populations.     

Germination stimulatory activity of bacterial butenolide hormones from Streptomyces albus J1074 on seeds of the root parasitic weed Orobanche minor

Damage caused by Orobanchaceae root parasitic weeds is a substantial agricultural problem for global food security. Many studies have been conducted to establish practical methods of control, but efforts are still required for successful management. Seed germination of root parasitic weeds requires host-derived germination stimulants including strigolactones (SLs). Studies on SLs have revealed that a butenolide ring is the essential moiety for SL activity as a germination stimulant. Interestingly, recent studies have revealed that butenolide hormones regulate the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and mediate communication in actinomycete bacteria. Because of the structural similarity between SLs and the bacterial butenolides, we evaluated the germination stimulatory activity of butenolides isolated from Streptomyces albus J1074 on root parasitic weeds. These butenolides were found to specifically induce seed germination of Orobanche minor. Our findings contribute to understanding the molecular mechanisms of germination stimulant perception and to the development of a method for their biological control.     

O2 supports 3-phosphoglycerate-dependent O2 evolution in chloroplasts from spinach leaves

We tested the hypothesis that the Mehler-ascorbate peroxidase (MAP) pathway supports 3-phosphoglycerate (PGA)-dependent oxygen (O₂) evolution using intact chloroplasts. Lowering O₂ concentration (<1?µM) suppressed PGA-dependent O₂ evolution rate. High O₂ concentration (about 250?µM) enhanced the electron fluxes in Photosystem II (PSII). Also, high O₂ concentration oxidized both Q_A in PSII and Cyt f in thylakoid membranes. These results indicated that the MAP pathway stimulated photosynthetic electron transport. Furthermore, electrochromic shift signal was also increased at high O₂ concentration, compared to low O₂ concentration. Non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence was also enhanced at high O₂ concentration. These data support our hypothesis that the MAP pathway functioned in intact chloroplasts and accelerated PGA-dependent O₂ evolution by inducing ΔpH formation to produce and supply adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to the conversion reaction of PGA to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate through 1,3-diphosphoglycerate in chloroplasts.     

Effects of inhibitors for signaling components on the expression of the genes for nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase in excised barley leaves

Nitrate-induced accumulation of mRNAs for nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase was strongly inhibited by treatment with inhibitors of Ca²⁺ channels, protein phosphatases, and tyrosine protein kinases in excised barley leaves. It was shown that these components may be involved in the nitrate-response signaling pathways for the expression of nitrate and nitrite reductase genes in barley leaves.     

Nitrogen fixation and soil N level during maturation affect the contents of storage compounds of soybean seeds

We compared the concentrations and contents of protein and oil in mature seeds from nodulated and non-nodulated soybean plants grown on soils with four different N levels during maturation. We observed a positive correlation between the contents of protein and oil in seeds from nodulated plants. Seeds from nodulated plants grown on urea-treated soil showed higher protein and lower oil contents than those from plants grown on soil treated with coated slow release N fertilizer (LP-100). Contents of these compounds in seeds from nodulated plants grown on LP-100 soil were almost the same as those from non-nodulated plants on the same soil. These observations indicated that N economy in roots during seed maturation affects the contents of storage compounds. We suggested that the control of the N₂ fixation activity of soybean plants and management of soil N level during seed maturation are important to determine the contents of protein and oil in seeds.     

Response of oilseed rape plant to low root temperature and nitrate: Ammonium ratios

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) response to root temperature regimes (20/20, 16/8 and 12/12°C day/night) at constant 20°C air temperature was studied. At each regime, three NO₃ ^‐:NH₄ ⁺ ratios (10:0, 8:2, or 6:4), at constant 10 mM N, in the irrigation solution were tested. Plant growth, transpiration, ionic composition and level of cytokinins and gibberellins in the xylem exudate were monitored. The two low root temperature regimes, 12/12 and 16/8°C, reduced rape shoot growth by 28 and 22%, and increased the accumulation of soluble carbohydrates by 42 and 26% in the roots, respectively, as compared to the 20/20°C regime. Low root temperatures reduced plants transpiration. The NO₃ ^‐:NH₄ ⁺ ratios had no effect on rape growth. At low root temperatures NO₃ ^‐contents increased in the shoot and decreased in the roots. The sum of cations and that of anions at 12/12 and 16/8°C root temperatures decreased significantly as compared to 20/20°C. The presence of NH₄ ⁺ in the irrigation solution decreased the concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the shoots and roots and increased that of Cl^‐ in the shoots and of H₂PO₄ ^‐ in the roots at all root temperatures. Cytokinins and gibberellins contents in the xylem exúdate decreased at the low root temperature regimes. Low root temperature reduced total upward transport of the mineral nutrients and phytohormones, most probably because of reduced water flow through the plant.     

Challenges and opportunities for improving N use efficiency for rice production in sub-Saharan Africa

ABSTRACT

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), rice production from smallholder farms is challenged because of a lack of fertilizer inputs and nutrient-poor soils. Therefore, improving nutrient efficiency is particularly important for increasing both fertilizer use and rice yield. This review discusses how to improve the return from fertilizer input in terms of agronomic N use efficiency (AE_N), that is, the increase in grain yield per kg of applied N, for rice production in SSA. The AE_N values we summarized here revealed large spatial variations even within small areas and a certain gap between researcher-led trials and smallholder-managed farms. Experimental results suggest AE_N can be improved by addressing spatial variations in soil-related factors such as P, S, Zn, and Si deficiencies and Fe toxicity in both irrigated and rainfed production systems. In rainfed production systems, differences in small-scale topography are also important which affects AE_N through dynamic changes in hydrology and variations in the contents of soil organic carbon and clay. Although empirical evidence is further needed regarding the relationship between soil properties and responses to fertilizer inputs, recent agricultural advances have generated opportunities for integrating these micro-topographical and soil-related variables into field-specific fertilizer management. These opportunities include UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) technology to capture microtopography at low cost, database on soil nutrient characteristics at high resolution and more numbers of fertilizer blending facilities across SSA, and interactive decision support tools by use of smartphones on site. Small-dose nursery fertilization can be also alternative approach for improving AE_N in adverse field conditions in SSA.

ABBREVIATIONS: AE_N: agronomic nitrogen use efficiency; FISP: farm input subsidy program; VCR: value cost ratio; SOC: soil organic carbon; SSA: sub-Saharan Africa; UAV: unmanned aerial vehicle     

Relationships between immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G or A in colostrum of Japanese black multiparous cows

This study was conducted to clarify the relationships among immunoglobulin (Ig)M, IgG, IgA, β‐carotene, vitamin A and α‐tocopherol contents in colostrum of 24 Japanese Black multiparous cows in order to evaluate the role of IgM on colostral IgG and IgA production. Compared with colostral IgG, colostral IgM and IgA were very low but varied widely. There was positive correlation between colostral IgM and IgG, but colostral IgM was not related with colostral IgA. There was no relationship between colostral IgM and age of cows, although colostral IgG was increased with aging. There were positive correlations among colostral β‐carotene, vitamin A and α‐tocopherol and these vitamins were positively correlated with colostral IgM and IgG. These results indicate that fat‐soluble vitamins may affect colostral IgG and IgM in cows and colostral IgG increases with the increase of colostral IgM.