Damage Constitutive Equation and Experiment of Layered Rock

The microcosmical study on many speciments of sedimentary rock by SEM and petrography theory show that rock is formed of microcrystalline and micropore with all kinds of forms.Therefrom the microstructure model of rock is established.Further the three dimensional nonlinear damage constitutive equation and damage evolution equation of layered rock including respective process of damage evolution,mechanical parameter,effective stresses,and unequal biaxial stress in different rocks are derived.The results of the experiment indicate that the theoretical curve is fairly close to the experimental curve.     

Determination of F1 hybrid seed purity in pepper using PCR-based markers

We present the potential use of two kinds of PCR-based markers, RAPDs (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) and SPARs (Single Primer Amplification Reactions), as tools for hybrid seed purity determination. Five F₁ pepper hybrids (Capsicum annuum L.) and their parents were analyzed with 100 10-mer primers and 10 nucleotide repeat primers. We found at least one useful marker for testing the purity of all hybrids studied. Despite their dominant inheritance these markers could be an efficient implement in the process of quality testing of hybrid seeds. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The inheritance of chemical phenotype in Cannabis sativa L. (II): Cannabigerol predominant plants

This paper aims to clarify the genetic mechanism that is responsible for the accumulation of cannabigerol (CBG) in certain phenotypes of Cannabis sativa L. CBG is the direct precursor of the cannabinoids CBD, THC and CBC. Plants strongly predominant in CBG have been found in different fibre hemp accessions. Inbred offspring derived from one such individual were crossed with true breeding THC predominant- and CBD predominant plants, respectively. The segregations in the cross progenies indicate that CBG accumulation is due to the homozygous presence of a minimally functional allele, tentatively called B₀, at the single locus B that normally controls the conversion of CBG into THC (allele B_T) and/or CBD (allele B_D). The fact that CBG accumulating plants have so far been found in European fibre hemp populations that are generally composed of B_D/B_D plants, and the observation that the here investigated B₀ allele possesses a residual ability to convert small amounts of CBG into CBD, make it plausible that this B₀ is a mutation of normally functional B_D. Therefore, B₀ is considered as a member of the B_D allelic series encoding a CBD synthase isoform with greatly weakened substrate affinity and/or catalytic capacity.     

Uncertainty assessment of soya bean yield gaps using DSSAT‐CSM‐CROPGRO‐Soybean calibrated by cultivar maturity groups

Soya bean yield gap can be caused by different factors resulting in uncertainties when the objective is to use such information for farm decision‐making and reference yield determination. Thus, this study aimed to quantify the soya bean yield gap for four sites, located in Southern and Midwestern Brazil, as well as the uncertainties of that related to cultivars, sowing dates, soil types and reference yields. The crop simulation model DSSAT‐CSM‐CROPGRO‐Soybean was calibrated for cultivars with similar maturity groups, based on the data obtained from the best farmers at the county level. The yield gap by water deficit (YG_WD) was obtained through the difference between potential and attainable yields, and that one caused by sub‐optimum crop management (YG_CM) by subtracting actual yield of each county, obtained from official statistics between 1989/90 and 2014/15 growing seasons, from the estimated attainable yield. The yield was simulated using four sowing dates, three soil types and two soya bean maturity groups by county. The reference yield uncertainty was quantified using yield reference from crop model and regional winners of the soya bean yield context, conducted by CESB (Brazilian Soybean Strategic Committee), for the growing seasons from 2013/14 to 2015/16. The crop model showed a good agreement between measured and simulated crop development and growth using calibration by maturity group, with low root mean square error (347 kg/ha). Southern sites had a mean YG_WD of 1,047 kg/ha, while in the Midwest, it was lower than 100 kg/ha. The YG_CM was 1,067, 528, 984 and 848 kg/ha, respectively, for Castro, PR, Mamborê, PR, Montividiu, GO and Primavera do Leste, MT, representing the opportunity for yield gain when having the best farmers as reference. The maturity groups, sowing dates and soil types showed to be an important source of uncertainty for yield gap determination, being recommended to investigate the farms in detail for an appropriate quantification. The reference yield showed expressive uncertainties, with some farmers presenting conditions to increase their soya bean yields by more than 3,000 kg/ha, when considering as reference the yields obtained by the winners’ farmers. These results show that uncertainties must be reduced when assessing farm yield gaps, in order to ensure that expected rate of soya bean yield growth could be reached by adopting the same technologies from CESB winners and best farmers in the county as a reference.     

Allelic variation in linolenic acid content of high erucic acid Ethiopian mustard and incorporation of the low linolenic acid trait into zero erucic acid germplasm

Zero erucic acid germplasm of Ethiopian mustard is characterized by high levels of linolenic acid (about 21%). Two genetic sources of low linolenic acid (N2‐4961 and HF‐186, about 5%), have been developed in a high erucic acid background. The objectives of this research were to study the genetic relationship between the two low linolenic acid lines and to transfer the trait to zero erucic acid germplasm. F1 seed generations from crosses between both lines had higher average linolenic acid concentration than both parents. F2 seeds segregated for linolenic acid content following a continuous variation from 1.8 to 7.4%, exceeding the limits of the parental distribution ranges. Transgressive recombinants with very low linolenic acid concentration (0.7‐2.7%) were confirmed in the F3 seed generation. The results suggested that N2‐4961 and HF‐186 possess alleles for low linolenic acid at different loci. Transgressive low linolenic acid F3 plants were crossed with plants of a zero erucic acid line and a selection for zero erucic, low linolenic acid was conducted. As a result, a zero erucic acid F3:4 line containing 1.5 ± 0.7% linolenic acid was developed.     

Are tree breeders properly predicting genetic gain? A case study involving <Emphasis Type="Italic">Corymbia</Emphasis> species

The estimation of quantitative genetic parameters in breeding programs is important to ensure efficient selection. In this context, knowledge of the mating system is critical, as it underpins assumptions about inter-relatedness on which variance component estimation depends. However, proper account of the breeding system is not always taken, either because it is unknown and/or because it is ignored. That eucalypts have a mixed-mating system is well-established, however many breeders use models that assume outcrossed mating with an infinite number of male parents (i.e. allogamous mating), from which genetic parameter estimates are then used to predict genetic gains. First-generation, open-pollinated progeny tests of Corymbia citriodora subsp. citriodora and C. citriodora subsp. variegata, being managed for seed production, were used to investigate the likely bias, resulting in overestimation of genetic parameters under the assumption of allogamous mating. When we assumed allogamous mating, we observed inflated predictions of additive variance and narrow-sense heritability (\(\hat{h}_{a}^{2}\)) of diameter at breast height and height. The overestimate of \(\hat{h}_{a}^{2}\) was approximately 32% for C. citriodora subsp. citriodora and 21% for C. citriodora subsp. variegata. Inappropriate modelling of relatedness in eucalypts that assumes panmictic outcrossing when in fact these species have a mixed-mating system results in overestimates of the population genetic gain with selection.     

Implications of early selection for grain colour on iron and zinc content and productivity of common bean

Brazilian consumers prefer beans of the beige grain colour. Common beans help supply dietary requirements for iron and zinc. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine whether early selection for grain colour affects the iron and zinc content and the grain yield in common beans and (ii) if an association between these characteristics was found, to obtain lines of carioca‐type grains with a high iron and zinc content and good grain yield. We evaluated 96 F_3:4, F_3:5 and F_3:6 progeny at two locations for iron and zinc content and grain yield. We selected 48 progeny for grain colour and chose 48 others at random. We found that early selection for grain colour does not affect the zinc content and grain yield. A positive and high association was found between iron and zinc content, and both iron and zinc content were slightly negatively correlated with grain yield. It is possible to obtain common bean lines combining a high iron and zinc content with good grain yield as long as a selection index is used.     

Implications of the number of years assessment on recommendation of common bean cultivars

In the common bean crop in Brazil, the requirement of the value for cultivation and use trials is that these experiments must be conducted over two years in three locations per region. Information in regard to the necessary number of years to ensure precision in cultivar recommendation and the influence of evaluated years in the estimation of the GE interaction are still scarce. Using grain yield of five check varieties assessed over 11 years in three sowing seasons per year, the aims of this study are as follows: to measure the relative contribution of the GE interaction, evaluating the implication of the number of years in the estimates of the GE interaction, and infer how many years are needed to ensure precision in cultivar recommendation. For instances, analysis of variance was carried out involving all environments and also combinations of years. The results showed that the GE interaction was greater than all other cross‐effects involving lines. The use of at least two years allows good coincidence in cultivar recommendation compared to the whole period. Increasing the evaluation time is a good strategy, especially when it is difficult to grow three different sowing seasons.     

Prediction of parental combination for introduction of stay-green associated loci in wheat

In wheat, the increase of yield and stability associated traits can be achieved by combining parents containing the stay-green trait and favorable alleles for grain yield. The aim of this work was to analyze the genetic dissimilarity between wheat lines from stay-green and synchronized maturation groups and elite cultivars. Moreover, to propose promising combinations seeking the selection of high-grain yield and high bread-making quality genotypes containing stay-green trait. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with three replications in 2003, 2004, and 2005, using sister-lines with the presence and absence of stay-green trait and elite cultivars. Genetic variability exists among wheat strains from the synchronized stay-green maturation group and elite cultivars. Genotypes of maturation group stay-green obtained an average performance superior to the synchronized group. Crosses between stay-green lines and the CEP 29 and BRS 177 cultivars are promising in the selection of genotypes carrying the stay-green trait with high yield and bread-making quality.     

Antixenosis resistance to leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella in Coffea species

The coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella, is the most important pest of Coffea arabica plantations in Brazil, and all cultivars are susceptible to the insect. However, distinct reactions have been observed in other species, such as C. congensis and C. canephora. In this work, the occurrence of antixenotic response was surveyed in individuals of Coffea species, selected for resistance to the leaf miner at both field and laboratory conditions. Tests performed on young plants from C. arabica cultivars Icatu Precoce IAC 3282, Mundo Novo IAC 515-20, Tupi IAC 1669-33 and Catuaí Amarelo IAC 62 demonstrated that these were preferred for oviposition when pooled with seedlings from C. canephora cv. Apoat? IAC 2258. Apoat? was also preferred over C. racemosa for oviposition. Similar results were observed in tests using detached leaves, and higher amount of eggs was counted in the cv Obat? IAC 1669-20 and Catuaí Vermelho IAC 81, and lower oviposition frequency was observed in C. canephora cv. Guarini IAC 1598. C. congensis showed an oviposition frequency between C. arabica and C. canephora. Also, the results suggest that the frequency of oviposition is co-related with the plant resistance level, during larvae infection.