Effect of Wheat Genotype and Environment on Relationships Between Dough Extensibility and Breadmaking Quality

Dough extensibility affects processing ease, gas retention, and loaf volume of finished products. The Kieffer dough extensibility test was developed to assess extensibility of small dough samples and is therefore adapted for use in breeding programs. Information is lacking on relationships between wheat growing environments and dough properties measured by the Kieffer dough extensibility test. This study documents the variability of dough extensibility (Ext), maximum resistance to extension (Rmax), and area under the extensibility curve (Area) in relation to breadmaking quality, and the effect of wheat growing environments. Mixograph, Kieffer dough extensibility, and bake tests were performed on flour milled from 19 hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes grown during three growing seasons (2007‐2009) at six South Dakota locations. Although both genotype and environment had significant effects on Kieffer dough extensibility variables, environment represented the largest source of variation. Among genotype means, Area was most correlated (r = 0.63) with loaf volume, suggesting that by selecting lines with increased Area, loaf volume should improve. Rmax was positively correlated (r = 0.58) with loaf volume among genotype means but negatively correlated (r = –0.80) among environmental means. Ext was positively correlated (r = 0.90) with loaf volume among environmental means. Weather variables were correlated with Rmax, Ext and loaf volume and therefore could help predict end‐use quality.     

Plant Responses of Ultra Narrow Row Cotton to Nitrogen Fertilization

ABSTRACT

Recent developments in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production technology in the Mississippi River Delta region include drill planting cotton. Production systems that include drill planting cotton are referred to as ultra narrow row (UNR). Ultra narrow row cotton production is a low input system designed to maximize economic returns. Cotton grown under UNR systems is generally lower yielding and lower returning than conventionally spaced cotton, but the inputs and input costs are also generally reduced compared to conventionally spaced cotton production systems. Studies were conducted for five location-years in southeastern and northeastern Arkansas to determine the optimum N-fertilizer rate for UNR cotton. Plant maturity was estimated using nodes above white flower (NAWF) measurements. The NAWF indicated that greater nitrogen (N)-rates delayed maturity of the crop, although differences were not always significant. Lint yields were significantly different in only three of five location-years. Yield responses of UNR cotton tended to maximize with N-treatments between 56 and 84 kg N ha^{? 1} when significant differences were observed. Plant height, similar to lint yield, was significantly different due to N-treatments in three out of five location-years, and generally increased with increasing N-fertilization up to 112 kg N ha^{? 1}. Boll load was significantly influenced by N-fertilization in only two of five location years. In these two instances, 84 kg N ha^{? 1} was sufficient to maximize boll load. Boll weight, a component of yield, was determined in the southern Arkansas location only. Significant differences in boll weight due to N-fertilization were found in only two of four years. Boll weight generally increased with increasing N-fertilization.     

Neural systems underlying the suppression of unwanted memories

Over a century ago, Freud proposed that unwanted memories can be excluded from awareness, a process called repression. It is unknown, however, how repression occurs in the brain. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify the neural systems involved in keeping unwanted memories out of awareness. Controlling unwanted memories was associated with increased dorsolateral prefrontal activation, reduced hippocampal activation, and impaired retention of those memories. Both prefrontal cortical and right hippocampal activations predicted the magnitude of forgetting. These results confirm the existence of an active forgetting process and establish a neurobiological model for guiding inquiry into motivated forgetting.     

光稳定性拟除虫菊酯的应用研究 Ⅲ.拟除虫菊酯—杀虫脒合剂棉虫防治应用领域的研究——(1)杀灭菊酯—杀虫脒合剂对棉蚜的增效作用研究初报

根据拟除菊酯—杀虫脒合剂对棉铃虫等多种夜蛾科幼虫具有增效作用特性(7,14),我们通过室内触杀毒力试验和两个棉区一、二年田间药效试验,初步发现杀灭菊酯—杀虫脒盐酸盐(1:5—10)合剂对棉蚜也具有明显的增效效果。通过合剂的应用,杀灭菊酯高效控制棉蚜的经济施药剂量可较大幅度降低,这对促进棉花生产、降低进成本具有现实意义。现初步报导于下。     

From sequence to chromosome: the tip of the X chromosome of D. melanogaster

One of the rewards of having a Drosophila melanogaster whole-genome sequence will be the potential to understand the molecular bases for structural features of chromosomes that have been a long-standing puzzle. Analysis of 2.6 megabases of sequence from the tip of the X chromosome of Drosophila identifies 273 genes. Cloned DNAs from the characteristic bulbous structure at the tip of the X chromosome in the region of the broad complex display an unusual pattern of in situ hybridization. Sequence analysis revealed that this region comprises 154 kilobases of DNA flanked by 1.2-kilobases of inverted repeats, each composed of a 350-base pair satellite related element. Thus, some aspects of chromosome structure appear to be revealed directly within the DNA sequence itself.     

Carbonate Rocks: Cleaning with Suspensions of Hydrogen-Ion Exchange Resin

The surface of carbonate rocks may be cleaned by etching or polishing or both, with hydrogen-ion exchange resin. This treatment reveals details in texture and fossil morphology so clearly that thin sections may be often dispensed with. Of four cleaning methods, (i) allowing resin to settle around the sample, (ii) stirring with a magnetic stirrer, (iii) agitating with an ultrasonic generator, and (iv) directing a jet stream at the sample, the first method was best for large specimens and the second method was best for well cuttings and chips.     

Genetic effects of the soft starch (h) and background loci on volume of starch granules in five inbreds of maize

Larger particle volume is beneficial for many aspects of maize starch processing, and may improve the performance of some starch attributes. This study focused on the soft starch (h) locus to identify its potentially influential role in starch particle volume distribution. The objectives were to study the genetic expression of starch particle volume of the h locus in different genetic backgrounds and the gene action conditioning starch particle volume of other loci in both normal‐starch and h‐starch backgrounds. Forty‐five populations (five intra‐inbred F_1s, 10 hybrid F_1s 10 F_2s, 10 BC₁F_1s to h/h parent, and 10 BC₁ to h:h conversion of normal parent) were planted in 1993 at two locations and in 1995 at one location. Selfed heterozygotes (±/h) in all generations provided intra‐ear comparisons of normal and h starch, and F₃ and BC₁F₂ generations provided inter‐ear comparisons. Significant differences were found between normal and h:h genotypes in all intra‐ear and inter‐ear comparisons. In all cases, general combining ability effects were highly significant, suggesting the presence of additive gene effects. Generation mean analysis of normal and h:h starch materials yielded similar results, indicating the predominance of additive and some dominance effects for other loci on starch particle volume. These results indicate the usefulness of the soft starch gene and additional genetic variation among inbreds in the improvement of starch particle volume for increased starch recovery in wet milling.