Parental participation in progeny and effective population sizes in experimental seed orchards of wild cherry Prunus avium L. (Batsch)

Parents and progenies genetic diversity, and male and female contributions to the seed crop were assessed in three experimental Prunus avium seed orchards. Collected data were used to compare different effective population sizes, based on phenological, seed crop and paternity analysis. Our results did not show any difference of genetic diversity between parents and progenies. A limited pollen pollution was detected. We showed that distance and coflowering among clones had a significant effect on effective pollination, and a significant effect of the production of flowers was revealed in one of the seed orchards. Our study also revealed a quite low number of effective size of fathers per mother, but high effective sizes of mothers, fathers and parents at the level of the seed orchard. Finally, the calculation of effective size of mothers, fathers and parents was not highly modified when having the complete information based on the paternity analysis.     

Influence of plantation site and wastewater sludge fertilization on the performance and foliar nutrient status of two willow species grown under SRIC in southern Quebec (Canada)

Salix discolor Mühl. (Sd) and Salix viminalis L. (Sv) were planted under short-rotation intensive culture (SRIC) on three unirrigated abandoned farmland sites with different drainage conditions, one well-drained (S₁) and the other two poorly-drained (S₂, S₃). One dose of dried and granulated sludge equivalent to 150 (T₁) kg of “available” N ha⁻¹ was applied to some plots in the spring of the second season while others were left unfertilized (T₀). The aims of the experiment were (i) to investigate plant response (growth and productivity) to plantation site conditions and sludge application; (ii) study nutrient status by foliar analysis. Over three seasons, growth in height and aboveground biomass were greater for S. viminalis than for S. discolor on all sites. S. viminalis planted on poorly-drained site 2 had the highest biomass yield (45.28 t ha⁻¹). Both species showed best height and diameter growth on poorly-drained sites. For both species, best performances were obtained on wastewater sludge fertilized plots. Comparative foliar analysis suggested that unfertilized sandy soil (S₁) and low foliar nitrogen concentration and content were limiting factors in the performance of the two species. Soil nitrate concentration increased as a result of sludge application. Heavy metal accumulation from sludge does not represent a risk to the environment. It was concluded that S. viminalis had the best productivity on clay sites, and that a moderate dose of dried and pelleted sludge (150 kg of “available” N ha⁻¹) may be a good fertilizer during the establishment of willows in SRIC, and may reduce nitrate leaching.     

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Artemisia annua essential oil

The essential oil of Artemisia annua aerial parts, consisting of camphor (44%), germacrene D (16%), trans-pinocarveol (11%), beta-selinene (9%), beta-caryophyllene (9%) and artemisia ketone (3%), was screened for its antimicrobial activity. The essential oil remarkably inhibited the growth of tested Gram-positive bacteria Enterococcus hirae and both tested fungi. This oil has shown an antioxidant activity equivalent to 18% of the reference compound (alpha-tocopherol).     

Anhydrous goat's milk fat: thermal and structural behaviors studied by coupled differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. 2. Influence of cooling rate

Crystallization and melting properties of triacylglycerols (TGs) in anhydrous goat's milk fat (AGMF) are investigated by X-ray diffraction as a function of temperature (XRDT) coupled with high-sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), using synchrotron radiation and Microcalix. The polymorphic behavior of AGMF was monitored by varying the cooling rates between 5 and 1 degrees C/min from 45 to -20 degrees C with their subsequent melting at 1 degrees C/min. Quenching of AGMF at -20 degrees C was also examined to determine the metastable polymorphic form of AGMF. At intermediate cooling rates, TGs in AGMF crystallize, from about 18 degrees C in two different lamellar structures with triple chain length 3Lalpha stacking of 72 A and a double chain length 2Lalpha stacking of 48 A, which are correlated to two overlapped exothermic peaks recorded by DSC. A reversible transition sub alpha <--> alpha was observed. Subsequent heating at 1 degrees C/min shows numerous structural rearrangements before final melting. At fast cooling of AGMF (5 degrees C/min), similar unstable crystalline varieties are formed while three endotherms are recorded. Several new unstable lamellar structures are observed after quenching. All of these data are compared to those previously reported at slow cooling (0.1 degrees C/min) showing a relative stability of the structures formed. In spite of general similitude, the thermal and structural behavior of the goat's milk is more complex than that of the cow's milk.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the SSU rRNA gene from the piscine diplomonad Spironucleus torosus (Diplomonadida: Hexamitinae)

Previous studies have recorded Spironucleus torosus Poynton et Morrison, 1990 from several species of gadoid fishes, including the only freshwater gadoid, the burbot Lota lota (L.). Two morphologically different isolates of S. torosus have been described (elongate and pyriform). Both have been found in saltwater, while only the elongate has been found in freshwater. To address the conspecificity of the two morphs of S. torosus, and to identify the source of S. torosus in burbot in Norway, we have sequenced the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene from 43 isolates of S. torosus from six species of gadoid fishes sampled at 15 localities in Norway, Sweden and the Baltic Sea. Phylogenetic analyses of the SSU rRNA gene sequence data recovered two major clades, one containing mainly isolates from burbot, while the other contained isolates from marine gadoid fishes only. The genetic distance (based on 25 nucleotide substitutions in 789 base pairs) separating the two assemblages was not large enough to consider the two groups separate species. Spironucleus torosus isolated from burbot displayed limited genetic variation in the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene along the post-Pleistocene migration route of its host. The present study is the first report of S. torosus in tusk Brosme brosme (Ascanius), whiting Merlangius merlangus (L.), and fourbeard rockling Enchelyopus cimbrius (L.).     

Yield map generation of perennial crops for fresh consumption

Yield mapping technologies can help to increase the quantity and quality of agricultural production. Current systems only focus on the quantification of the harvest, but the quality has equal or greater importance in some perennial crops and impacts directly on the financial profitability. Therefore, a system was developed to quantify and relate the quality obtained in the classification line with the plants of the orchard and for decision-making. The system is comprised of hardware, which obtains the location of the harvester bag during harvesting and unloading at the unloading site, and software that processes the collected data. The cloud of real-time data contributed from the different collectors (bins) allows the construction of yield maps, considering the multi-stage harvesting system. Further, the system enables the creation of a detailed map of the plants and fruits harvested. As the harvest focuses on quality, it takes place in stages, depending on the ripening of the fruits. In addition to the yield maps, the system allows identification of the efficiency of each worker undertaking the harvest by the number of performed discharges and by the time spent. The system was developed in partnership with the Federal Technological University of Paraná and Embrapa Uva & Vinho and was tested in apple orchards in southern Brazil. Although the system was evaluated with only data from apple cultivation, monitoring the quality and quantifying other orchard fruits can positively impact the fruit sector.

     

Microscopic examination of the intestinal wall and selected organs of minipigs orally supplemented with humic acids

Humic acids are used to prophylactically treat intestinal diseases in a wide number of species, yet the mechanism of action remains unknown. The general assumption has been that humic acids act locally; however studies using young piglets show orally supplemented humic acids can penetrate the intestinal wall, and thus potentially act systemically. The objective of this study was to determine if humic acids could also cross the intestinal barrier in adult pigs and be detected in other organs. Adult minipigs (>18 months old) orally received either 1 g humic acids/kg body weight (verum, n = 3) or placebo (control, n = 3), for 2 weeks. At the end of the feeding period tissue samples were harvested from the intestine, various glands and organs. Unstained tissue samples were examined by light microscopy for the presence of humic acid particles. No humic acid particles were detected in any of the unstained tissues from verum or control pigs.     

Comparison of tick resistance of crossbred Senepol × Limousin to purebred Limousin cattle

The comparison of resistance to natural tick infestation by Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1887) of crossbred Senepol?×?Limousin and purebred Limousin cattle was investigated. The Senepol breed, originated from St Croix Island in the Caribbean is considered as a Bos taurus breed adapted to tropical conditions. Despite its B. taurus genetic background, it is believed to have a good tick resistance, but this resistance has never been assessed previously. Tick counts under natural infestation were carried out to investigate the difference of susceptibility between crossbred Senepol?×?Limousin and purebred Limousin cattle. Mixed-effect models were used to assess the effect of the breed on the number of ticks. Results show that Senepol?×?Limousin are five times less infested by ticks than purebred Limousin. These results underline the opportunity to use Senepol cattle for crossing with susceptible B. taurus breeds in tick infested areas, to combine tick resistance with beef production abilities.