Kernel morphometric traits in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are modulated by intricate QTL × QTL and genotype × environment interactions

Wheat kernel size and shape influence its flour yield and market price. A hexaploid wheat population of 185 recombinant inbred lines was evaluated for five kernel morphometric traits namely, 1000-kernel weight, kernel length, width, length–width ratio and factor form density in two diverse agro-climatic regions in India in five to eight year–location combinations. Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction analysis revealed significant contributions from genotype (G) and genotype × environment (G × E) effects for these traits. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis by composite interval mapping (CIM) was performed using a linkage map of 251 SSR markers and 59 QTLs distributed on 16 chromosomes were identified. The majority of the QTLs were located on the D genome (44.07%) and the homeologous chromosomes of Group 2 (38.98%). Stable QTLs detected in three or more year–location combinations were identified for four traits. Multi-trait CIM showed 10 chromosomal regions harboring putative pleiotropic loci. Complexity in the genetic effects was further revealed by QTL analysis based on mixed-linear model that indicated 19 QTLs with significant individual effects (main-effect QTLs) and 14 QTL × QTL interactions. Five of these nineteen main-effect QTLs and one of the fourteen QTL × QTL interactions showed environmental influence.     

基于RAPD—PCR标记的印度亚麻品种遗传多样性和指纹图谱分析

栽培的亚麻（L.usitatissimum）通常为亚麻籽,以其油分和纤维而被认为是具有较高经济价值的作物之一。开发亚麻遗传资源并进一步进行遗传改良,须了解其遗传变异的范围和结构。位于坎普尔的C．S．农业科技大学种质管理单位保存有广泛收集而来的2772份栽培和野生亚麻资源。从中选出23份不同基因型栽培亚麻品种包括5份两用品种、4份种用品种、14份具有不同形态和经济特性的引进种用品种以及1份野生品系（L．grandiflorum）,采用RAPD标记进行遗传多样性分析。20条随机引物共产生242条带,每条引物扩增带数为1—20条,平均为10．95条。所有基因型和位点的RAPD多态性比例为90．49％。DICE系数相似矩阵分析揭示其遗传相似性为0．63～0．97,平均相似系数为82％,说明这些亚麻品种（系）的遗传背景较窄。采用UPGMA法以及NTSYS-pc软件的SAHN聚类分析模型对遗传相似矩阵进行聚类分析,发现属于L．uitatisimums的所有栽培品种在X轴上可聚为一类,而L．granditlomm野生种单独在Y轴上聚为一类。主成分分析结果表明,除了Shekhar（优良种用品种）和野生种Lgrandiflorum广泛分布外,其他所有种用品种、两用品种和外来品种聚类很近。由于亚麻栽培品种的遗传关系相近,须对亚麻种质的各种基因型进行鉴定,以拓宽今后育种计划中的遗传基础。     

High-credibility RFID-based animal data recording system suitable for small-holding rural dairy farmers

In order to remain globally competitive and to ensure traceability, intensive and extensive livestock operations are adopting radio-frequency-based electronic identification (RFID) and data recording systems. Such integrated systems offer dual advantages of lowered labor costs due to automation and enhanced profits due to optimization of animal productivity, health and welfare. However, RFID-based systems might not be economically viable for small-hold livestock farmers unless there is considerable value advantage. Further, the set up and operation of a data recording system for small-hold farmers is also difficult due to size-constraints and distant farm units. We have developed an integrated system for small-hold dairy farmers to enable employing of RFID technology to ensure credibility of data recording, and avoidance of livestock insurance-related claim malpractices. The system can additionally be used to periodically collect performance records and to operate veterinary service delivery. The integrated system comprises of: (a) an RFID tag or insert; (b) an RFID reader; (c) a PDA/mini-laptop with custom software installed; (d) a USB modem internet connection; and (e) a central data server on web platform with dedicated server-level software. The unique feature of the system is that the veterinary health worker (VHW) is able to register and enter new records only when the RFID reader connected to a mini-laptop is within reading range of the associated RFID tag. This also authenticates the visit by the VHW. Other data management operations such as browsing, sorting, data analysis and report generation can be carried out when the VHW is away from the RFID field. We have deployed and validated the system in a cluster of 5000 dairy animals spread over more than 10 villages with an average of two to three animals per farmer in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. The system is user-friendly and easy to operate in that the animals’ insurance registration and issuance of policy documents can be done in a single farm visit. The system can also be used for collecting periodic animal records and sending SMS ‘alerts’ to the farmers. Initial economic analysis suggests that the investment cost would be recovered even if fraudulent claims in around 0.5% of the insured animals can be prevented. The sustenance cost can be recovered from the improvised health and production management service delivery to the farmers. It is however emphasized that the system can only be implemented in organized dairy operations wherein the milk processing company can establish functional collaboration with veterinary service providers, insurance company micro-finance companies and this consortium can bear the cost of RFID in exchange for long term multilateral benefits to all the stakeholders.     

The annual reproductive cycle and sex inversion of the Picnic seabream,Acanthopagrus berda (Forsskål 1775) from Indian waters: Histological and morphometric description

The annual reproductive cycle of picnic seabream, Acanthopagrus berda (Forsskål, 1775), one of the potential aquaculture candidate from estuarine waters of Calicut, Kerala (India) was studied. Based on the morphological and histological studies, the ovotestes of A. berda were classified as active male, active female, inactive male, inactive female, transitional and undifferentiated. Histological observation of transitional gonads showed signs of degeneration in the testicular lobe, proliferation of connective tissue and empty sperm ducts indicating protandrous hermaphroditism in A. berda. Ovary was classified into seven maturity stages (virgin, developing virgin, developing, maturing, mature, running, spent) and testis into five maturity stages (resting, maturing, mature, running, spent). Gonadal development in A. berda indicated resting phase (February–July), pre‐spawning phase (March–August) and spawning phase (August–December). Inactive (24.6%) and active males (21.6%) were observed as dominant in smaller length classes (140–250 mm TL), whereas inactive (18%) and active females (51%) were observed as dominant in larger length classes (251–450 mm TL). Few primary females (28.1%) were observed in smaller (below 250 mm TL) and few primary males (28.5%) were observed in larger length classes (above 250 mm TL). From the present study, it can be concluded that in A. berda, most of the individuals function first as males and then change sex to female, but few continue to function as either male or female throughout their lifespan indicating digynous protandrous hermaphroditism.     

Molecular distinction and population structure of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.]

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Rapeseed-mustard is one of the most important oilseed crops and providing a major source of edible oil in the world besides having other economic importance...     

Understanding of genetic variables for growth and yield traits of dill (Anethum graveolens L.)

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Dill (Anethum graveolense L.) is one of the neglected and minor spice crop, with low genetic variability. The genetic improvement of dill is being limited due...     

Complement test for distinctiveness,uniformity and stability testing of kharif onion (Allium cepa L.) varieties

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - The distinctiveness, uniformity and stability (DUS) testing is important for varietal identification and protection of plant variety. It has become one of the...