Phenotypic and genetic parameter estimates for reproductive traits in Zandi sheep

This study reports on the phenotypic and genetic (co)variance components for reproductive traits in Zandi sheep, using between 1,859 and 2,588 records obtained from 577 ewes. The data were collected from the Khojir Breeding Station of Zandi sheep in Tehran, Iran from 1994 to 2008. The basic traits were litter size at birth (LSB), litter size at weaning (LSW), litter mean weight per lamb born (LMWLB), and litter mean weight per lamb weaned (LMWLW), and the composite traits were total litter weight at birth (TLWB) and total litter weight at weaning (TLWW). Genetic analyses were carried out using the restricted maximum likelihood method that was explored by fitting the additive direct genetic effects and permanent environmental effects of the ewes as random effects and the ewe age at lambing and lambing year as fixed effects for all of the investigated traits. Akaike’s information criterion was used to choose the most appropriate model. LSB, LSW, LMWLB, LMWLW, TLWB, and TLWW direct heritability estimates were 0.07, 0.05, 0.12, 0.10, 0.08, and 0.14, respectively. The estimated fractions of variance due to the permanent environmental effects of the ewe ranged from 0.03 for LMWLB to 0.08 for LMWLW and TLWW. Corresponding repeatability estimates ranged from 0.10 for LSW to 0.22 for TLWW. Direct genetic correlations varied from ?0.61 for LSB–LMWLB to 0.88 for LSB–LSW and LSB–TLWB. Results indicate that genetic change depends not only on the heritability of traits, but also on the observed phenotypic variation; therefore, improvement of non-genetic factors should be included in the breeding programs.     

Pregnancy in the Caspian Miniature Horse Using Frozen Semen Cryopreserved with the EquiPRO CryoGuard Freeze Medium and Customized Freezing Protocols

The primary goal of this project was to establish a protocol to freeze the sperm of the Caspian miniature horse in an attempt to start an intensive artificial insemination program to effectively increase the population of this breed, which has been listed as “Critical Rare Breed” by the American Livestock Breed Conservancy and is in danger of extinction. Commercially available equine freezing medium (EquiPRO CyoGuard Complete egg-yolk extender) was used for the initial setup of two different freeze protocols: slow and fast. The fast-freeze protocol had slightly better postthaw results and was used for a fertility demonstration. Five mares of proven fertility, aged 3 to 12 years, were used in the fertility trials, two of which resulted in pregnancy. This is the first report of pregnancy in the Caspian miniature horse using frozen semen, and the results seem to be a promising start to an extensive program to help this endangered breed, although further research on freezing protocols and conditions for this process are necessary to further improve the survival of semen and pregnancy rate.     

The effect of survey density on the results of geopedological approach in soil mapping: A case study in the Borujen region, Central Iran

Landscapes are considered to be complex systems that are hierarchically structured and spatially scale-dependent. Geopedology allows a systematic approach in geomorphic analysis for soil mapping that extrapolates the results obtained at sample areas up to similar units. This paper examines the influence of sampling intervals on the accuracy of geopedological results in the Borujen region, Central Iran. After a primary interpretation of the study area on air photos (1:20 000), a geomorphic unit that encompassed the maximum surface of the sample area (and also the study area) was selected and was surveyed at three different scales: 500, 250 and 125 m intervals. The credibility of generalization of the results of the geopedological approach for the studied unit was tested by comparison with three profiles in a similar unit outside the sample area, named the validation area. Although the type of mapping unit in the sample area and the validation area was the same (complex) at the three different scales, the dominant soil in the validation area was different in comparison with the sample area at 125 and 250 m intervals. The results indicate that the geopedological approach to soil mapping is better carried out in reconnaissance or exploratory surveys. Comparison of soil types between the unit in the sample area and the validation area at three scales indicated that by increasing the taxonomic accuracy, the hidden aspects of the soils may be more identifiable. Therefore, although the geopedological approach tries to distinguish more homogeneous soil mapping units, it still is not able to fully define and represent the variability and apparent chaotic nature of the soils. We recommend further investigations on different techniques of stratifying the landscape in order to better analyze and understand the soil forming processes and soil variability and to improve sampling and mapping approaches.     

Identification and characterization of fungi associated with internal wood lesions and decline disease of willow and poplar trees in Iran

During the study of fungal trunk pathogens associated with urban trees decline in Shiraz (Iran), a serious decline of willow and poplar trees was observed. Therefore, an investigation was conducted on these trees in some areas of this city during spring and summer 2012 and 2013, to determine the main fungal trunk pathogens associated with these ornamental plants. Plant materials were collected from trees exhibiting disease symptoms such as yellowing, shoot canker, shoot dieback, defoliation and internal wood necrosis and decayed wood. Fungal isolations were made from discoloured or decayed wood tissue onto 2% malt extract agar (MEA) amended with streptomycin sulphate. Nine species, Fomes fomentarius, Diplodia seriata, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Dothiorella sarmentorum, Neoscytalidium hyalinum, Diatrype whitmanensis, Phaeoacremonium rubrigenum, P. aleophilum and P. parasiticum, were identified based on morphology and DNA sequence comparisons. Pathogenicity tests were performed on detached shoots of willow and poplar trees under greenhouse conditions. Lasiodiplodia theobromae caused the longest lesions on willow. On poplar shoots, the longest lesions were caused by P. parasiticum. Diplodia seriata produced the smallest lesions on both woody hosts. First reports from willow wood include P. parasiticum, P. rubrigenum, D. whitmanensis, L. theobromae, D. seriata and N. hyalinum, while new reports from poplar wood include P. parasiticum and Do. sarmentorum. Based on our knowledge, this is also the first report of D. whitmanensis in Iran.     

Enhanced resistance to a lepidopteran pest in transgenic sugar beet plants expressing synthetic <Emphasis Type="Italic">cry1Ab</Emphasis> gene

Two diploid sugar beet genotypes of agronomical importance were transformed using Agrobactrium tumefaciens harboring pBI35Scry containing a synthetic cry1Ab gene. Leaf blade with attached shoot bases, a highly regenerative tissue, were used as explant substratum for transformation. PCR screening with cry1Ab-specific primers showed the presence of transgene in more than 50% of the regenerated kanamycin-resistant plants after treatment with the antibiotic. A transformation rate of 8.8–12.2% (depending on genotype) was achieved as revealed by genomic DNA dot blotting. The intact integration of transgene cassette into the genome was furthermore confirmed by Southern blot analysis. The expression of the cry1Ab gene encoding a truncated endotoxin (67 kDa) at about 0.1% of total soluble protein was achieved in the leaves of transgenic plants as shown by Western blot analysis. Bioassays under in vitro conditions with Spodoptera littoralis, one of the most important pests in sugar beet fields, demonstrated enhanced resistance against this pest. The inheritance of the inserted transgene was confirmed in F₁ plants obtained through crossing of T₀ plants with a cytoplasmic male sterile line. Transgenic plants are currently grown in a greenhouse and will be subjected to further bioassay analyses against other lepidopteran pests of sugar beet.     

Nitrogen application and sowing date affect okra pod and seed characteristics

The effect of nitrogen (N) application rate and sowing date on seed quality and pod production of four cultivars of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) were examined. Seeds of four okra cultivars (cv. ‘Boyatiou’, ‘Veloudo’, ‘Clemson’, and ‘Pylaias’) were sown on 13 May (1st sowing) and 2 June (2nd sowing). Plants were subjected to three N levels: F₁, F₂, and F₃ (150, 300, and 450 mg N L^?1). The 2nd sowing improved flower induction and pod set, without however affecting pod size. The number of seeds per pod was not affected by sowing time, but the mean 100 seed weight was generally lower in the 2nd sowing. In all cultivars, except cv. ‘Veloudo’ germination increased in the 2nd sowing mainly as a result of lower seed hardness. Germination was also improved by increasing N levels, or by seed storage, acid scarification, or seed priming.     

Assessment of genetic diversity and relationships among <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum urartu</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum boeoticum</Emphasis> populations from Iran using IRAP and REMAP markers

Einkorn wheat is known as the donor of ‘A’ genome to cultivated wheat and source of many important genes. Therefore, genetic erosion in cultivated wheat provides a good reason to investigate genetic diversity in these species. In the present study, genetic diversity of 14 populations of Triticum urartu and Triticum boeoticum collected from west and north-west of Iran was examined by IRAP and REMAP markers. In total, 26 out of 36 IRAP and 41 out of 88 REMAP combinations amplified polymorphic and scorable banding patterns. IRAP and REMAP combinations produced 6.53 and 5.21 polymorphic bands per assay, respectively. Mean of polymorphism information content for IRAPs and REMAPs were 0.38 and 0.40 and marker index values for them were 2.60 and 2.09, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance based on IRAP and REMAP data revealed significant within and among population variances, although within population variance was higher than that of among population. Primer combinations based on Sukkula and Nikita retrotransposons produced the highest number of markers in the whole population. Cluster and principal coordinate analyses using REMAP data grouped the populations based on the species and geographical origin, but grouping based on IRAP could not separate the two species. However, based on both marker systems considerable diversity was observed among and within the studied populations.     

Influence of nano-iron oxide and zinc sulfate on physiological characteristics of peppermint

To evaluate the impact of nano-iron oxide and zinc sulfate fertilizers on peppermint in field conditions, a factorial split experiment with two micro-nutrient fertilizers [Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe)] in RCBD with three replicates was conducted at University of Tehran, during 2014 and 2015. Fe at four levels (0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 g L-1) and Zn at three levels (0, 2.5, and 5 g L-1) were applied. Fe and Zn fertilizer application significantly improved photosynthetic pigments, mineral nutrient content, essential oil concentration, and dry matter yield in peppermint. The highest iron content (1578.00 mg kg^?1) was achieved when 5 g L^?1 of Zn was applied along with 0.75 g L^?1 Fe. According to our results, the application of 2.5 g L^?1 of Zn plus 0.5 g L^?1 Fe fertilizers could be recommended to achieve the highest plant dry matter and essential oil yield.