Biological characteristics of Orius similis Zheng (Heteroptera,Anthocoridae) by feeding on different aphid species as prey

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The predatory flower bug Orius similis Zheng (Heteroptera, Anthocoridae) which originated in China is a polyphagous predator that feeds on a wide range of...     

A comparative histopathological, immunohistochemical and nested-PCR study for diagnosis of infectious pancreatic necrosis in the naturally infected cultured rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

To confirm the diagnosis of the infectious pancreatic necrosis, the pancreas, liver, kidney and spleen specimens from 140 rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) of weight ranges from 15 to 250?g were processed for routine histopathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) studies together with a nested-PCR using primers that amplify a 164-bp product. Of the 140 fish samples, 37 (26.4%) had a final diagnosis of IPN on the basis of hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E), while 39/45 (86.6%) were positive by IHC method. With the nested-PCR, 59/140 (42.1%) fish samples were positive. The IHC and nested-PCR showed higher prevalence than histopathology (P?<?0.05). Based on the nested-PCR, as the fish weight increased, IPN positive results decreased (P?<?0.05). However, IHC method detected IPNV constantly in these weight ranges. Only IPNV serotype Sp was identified by nucleotide sequencing and immunohistochemistry, and antiserum to IPNV serotype Ab and IHNV showed negative results in IHC. This is the first comparative diagnostic study of IPN at different weight ranges in cultured salmonids.     

Integrated use of GIS,remote sensing and multi-criteria decision analysis to assess ecological land suitability in multi-functional forestry

The Zagros forests are a treasure of valuable oak forests, but they have been severely degraded from long-term misuse. Geographic information systems (GIS) and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) have been increasingly used to improve the management of vulnerable ecosystems to prevent further degradation and increase the sustainability of land use. This study presents a methodology to assess land suitability using remote sensing (RS) to obtain wall-to-wall data for the calculations, GIS to analyze the data, and MCDA to rank alternative land uses. The criteria and subcriteria affecting the suitability of land for different uses were identified and weighted using an analytic hierarchy process. Variables used as subcriteria were assessed using satellite data and other sources of information such as existing maps and field surveys. Numerical values for the subcriteria were classified, and each class was given a priority rating according to expert judgments. Based on the ratings and weights of the subcriteria, a priority map was created for each land use using the weighted linear combination method. The priority maps for different land uses were overlaid to obtain a preliminary land use map, which often indicated several simultaneous land uses for the same location. The preliminary map was further edited by removing unrealistic, mutually exclusive land-use combinations. The study tested and demonstrated the potential of integrating RS, GIS and MCDA techniques for solving complicated land allocation problems in forested regions using a scientifically sound and practical approach for efficient and sustainable allocation of forestland for different uses.     

Phylogenetic relationships of fluorescent <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonad</Emphasis> isolates associated with bacterial canker of stone fruit trees in Kurdistan province,Iran

Bacterial canker is one of the most important diseases of stone fruit trees in various locations of Kurdistan province, Iran. Genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships among 20 fluorescent pseudomonads isolated from stone fruit trees with symptoms similar to bacterial canker were investigated using a polyphasic approach by means of phenotypic characterizations, repetitive PCR using the REP and ERIC primers and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of four housekeeping genes (gapA, rpoD, gyrB and gltA). The pathogenicity of strains was carried out under greenhouse conditions. Twelve strains produced an expected amplified DNA fragment of about 752-bp which indicated the presence of the syrB gene. Based on MLST, these strains belonged to P. syringae species complex and included in the genomospecies 1, phylogroup 2b and 2d. Phylogenetic analysis of the other eight fluorescent pseudomonad strains by using gyrB and rpoD sequences allowed the identification of strains into P. fluorescens, P. putida and P. lutea groups. Unweighted pair group method analysis (UPGMA) of genomic fingerprints obtained by rep-PCR revealed 17 different patterns which grouped P. syringae strains into three clusters clearly separated from other fluorescent pseudomonads. MLST confirmed the genetic variability among strains obtained by rep-PCR. Grouping identified of P. syringae strains by both rep-PCR and MLST was related to geographic locations of strains.     

Diachronic (1979–2003) analysis of rice genetic diversity in Guinea did not reveal genetic erosion

Greater insight into the dynamics of genetic resources of crop plants is needed in order to pinpoint detrimental evolutionary patterns and draw up conservation priorities. Temporal evolution of rice genetic diversity was monitored in Maritime Guinea where subsistence-oriented agriculture prevails. Diachronic comparison was performed between samples collected in six villages during the 1979/1982-period and in 2003, based on the names and number of varieties inventoried and the polymorphism of microsatellite markers. The number of varieties appeared not to be comparable between the two dates, due to differences in the collection methods. The varietal composition had evolved very substantially between the two collection dates. Many long-duration varieties present in 1979/1982 had been abandoned and several improved varieties had been introduced. The mean number of alleles per locus and per accession was significantly higher in accessions collected in 2003. Pairwise comparisons of the mean number of alleles per locus in 1979/1982–2003 homonymous accession pairs indicated higher intra-accession diversity for the 2003 collections. Genetic differentiation, measured with the F _ST values, was very high and significant for more than 80% of these pairs of accessions. The overall genetic differentiation between accessions from the two collections dates was also significant. Significant changes were also observed for allelic composition. However, alleles specific of each collection date had much lower frequency, compared to alleles common to the two collection dates. These results suggest that rice genetic diversity in Maritime Guinea has been maintained or even enhanced. Old collections of crop genetic resources are often not exhaustive enough to undertake perfect diachronic comparison. New methods to utilize this historical data for diversity monitoring are needed.     

Rice Root Genetic Architecture: Meta-analysis from a Drought QTL Database

During the last 10 years, a large number of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling rice root morphological parameters have been detected in several mapping populations by teams interested in improving drought resistance in rice. Compiling these data could be extremely helpful in identifying candidate genes by positioning consensus QTLs with more precision through meta-QTL analysis. We extracted information from 24 published papers on QTLs controlling 29 root parameters including root number, maximum root length, root thickness, root/shoot ratio, and root penetration index. A web-accessible database of 675 root QTLs detected in 12 populations was constructed. This database includes also all QTLs for drought resistance traits in rice published between 1995 and 2007. The physical position on the pseudo-chromosomes of the markers flanking each QTL was determined. An overview of the number of root QTLs in 5-Mb segments covering the whole genome revealed the existence of “hot spots,” The 32 trait × chromosome combinations comprising six or more QTLs were subjected to a meta-QTL analysis using the software package MetaQTL. The method enabled us both to determine the likely number of true QTLs in these areas using an Akaike information criterion and to estimate their position. The meta-QTL confidence intervals were notably reduced and, for the smallest ones, encompassed only a few genes.     

Comparative study on immunomodulatory and growth enhancing effects of three prebiotics (galactooligosaccharide,fructooligosaccharide and inulin) in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

This study investigated the effects of different prebiotics, including galactooligosaccharide (GOS), fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and inulin (INL), on skin mucosal immune parameters, humoral immune responses as well as performance of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Two hundred and forty specimens (13.85 ± 0.85 g) were stocked in 12 fibreglass tanks assigned into three treatments and a control group. The experimental diets were formulated to have equal level (2%) of the prebiotics. At the end of the feeding trial, the highest skin mucus lysozyme activities and total immunoglobulin (total Ig) were observed in GOS‐fed group (P < 0.05). However, skin mucus protease activity showed no significant difference among different dietary groups (P < 0.05). Blood respiratory burst activity was significantly increased in all prebiotic‐fed fish compared to the control group (P < 0.05); the highest activity was observed in GOS treatment. Furthermore, evaluation of humoral immune response revealed that feeding with GOS‐supplemented diet significantly increased lysozyme and alternative complement (ACH50) activity as well as total Ig compared to the control and other prebiotic groups. While no significant difference was observed between FOS and INL groups, common carps fed GOS‐supplemented displayed improved (P < 0.05) growth performance, including final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), compared to the control treatment. These results revealed that different prebiotics modulate carp growth and immune response in different manner, and GOS seems to be the most suitable prebiotic.     

The study of antioxidant enzymes and immune‐related genes expression in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings fed different prebiotics

The aim of the present study was to study the effects of different prebiotics (galacto‐, fructooligosaccharide and inulin) on immune response and oxidative stress of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings at the molecular level. A total number of 240 fish (13.85 ± 0.85 g) were supplied and randomly stocked in twelve fiberglass tanks (20 specimens per tank). Fish were fed a basal formulated diet (Control) or basal diet supplemented with equal level (2%) of different prebiotics (four treatments repeated in triplicated) for 8 weeks. At the end of feeding trial, the expression of immune‐related genes (interleukin 1 beta [IL‐1β], IL‐8, IL‐10, lysozyme [LYZ], tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF‐α] and transforming growth factor beta [TGF‐β]) were determined in head kidney and intestine tissues and the expression of antioxidant‐related genes (glutathione S‐transferase [GST‐α], glutathione reductase [GR] and glutathione peroxidase genes [GPX]) were studied in intestine. The results revealed that dietary administration of prebiotics modulated the expression of immune‐related genes and the degree of expression was affected by the type of prebiotics and the organ that was used for analyses. Also, evaluation of antioxidant genes expression showed that GSTα and GR expression levels increased as a result of feeding common carp with the prebiotics. According to these findings, it can be concluded that feeding on different prebiotics had altered effects on the expression of immune and antioxidant‐related genes.     

Species and space: a combined gap analysis to guide management planning of conservation areas

Landscape Ecology - With accelerating global declines in biodiversity, establishment and expansion of conservation areas (CAs) have increasingly been advocated in recent decades. Gap analysis has...     

Planning and management modeling for treated wastewater usage

Due to urban growth, some agricultural lands have been replaced by residential, municipal, and industrial areas. In some cases the remaining agricultural land will not have enough water because of transfers from agriculture to M&I (municipal and industrial) users. Therefore, in many places, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, the use of treated wastewater as a reliable source of irrigation water has already been, or will be, considered in the future. Due to its unique characteristics, this new resource has many challenges that cannot be ignored, such as health issues, water quality, and long- and short-term effects on soils and crops. The study described herein considered the development of a new GIS-based model for planning and managing the reuse of treated wastewater for the irrigation of agricultural and green lands, considering various factors such as population and urban growth. The model is composed of several different modules, including an urban growth model. These modules are designed to help in the decision-making process for allocations of water resources to agricultural areas, considering factors such as crop types, crop pattern, water salinity, soil characteristics, pumping and conveyance costs, and also by comparing different management scenarios. Appropriate crops that can be grown with a specific water salinity and soil characteristics, proper water resources for each farm (according to pumping and conveyance costs, and analysis of water demand, and water supply) can be determined through the application of this model. The model can also rank agricultural areas and open spaces in and near an urban area according to their suitability for irrigated agriculture.