Cereal variety identification using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry SNP genotyping

Correct identification of cereal varieties is important to food quality, safety and authenticity and recently, molecular markers have been applied to cereal varietal identification. Two major factors restricting the wider application of molecular markers in crop plant genetics have been throughput and cost per data point. However, in recent years, novel molecular tools, the re-invention/re-application of mature technologies, and miniaturisation of technology has both increased throughput and significantly reduced these costs. Here we have applied Sequenom^® MassARRAY^® MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry using a collection of recently developed SNPs to facilitate cereal varietal identification. We used a multiplexed Sequenom^® MassARRAY^® mass spectrometry SNP assay targeting 45 loci to genotype a collection of Australian barley varieties. Of the 45 loci screened, 33 were informative and were used to generate a unique barcode of SNPs for each variety tested. Only one variety could not be distinguished from two others due to a high level of varietal heterogeneity. This assay format provided a flexible, cost-effective, robust and moderate throughput SNP genotyping method well suited to varietal identification and purity analysis in cereals.     

Response of UK winter wheat cultivars to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Soil-borne cereal mosaic</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Wheat spindle streak mosaic viruses</Emphasis> across Europe.

Twenty-one UK winter wheat cultivars were grown over three seasons at sites with natural inoculum sources of Soil-borne cereal mosaic virus (SBCMV) and Wheat spindle streak mosaic virus (WSSMV) located in France, Italy and the UK. Plants were assessed visually for virus symptoms and leaf extracts were tested for the presence of each virus using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Cultivars showing little or no foliar symptoms and low levels of virus in leaf tissue were classified as resistant to each virus. All the trials were taken to harvest and agronomic data collected. At the most heavily infected sites, severe symptoms of SBCMV were observed in all UK cultivars except Aardvark, Charger, Claire, Cockpit, Hereward and Xi 19. The latter cultivars exhibited either light or no symptoms and little or no SBCMV infection in leaves. In fields with WSSMV, the virus failed to develop in Italy, but was detected in the leaves of all the susceptible control cultivars at a site in France. However, no UK cultivar tested positive for WSSMV. Multi-site analysis indicated that the presence of WSSMV did not increase the impact of SBCMV on the height, thousand-grain weight or yield of UK cultivars. The wheat cultivars on test gave a similar response to SBCMV across three European countries. Possible sources of SBCMV resistance are discussed.     

Rice response to simultaneous bacterial blight and drought stress during compatible and incompatible interactions

Plant response to one type of stress can be affected by simultaneous exposure to a second stress, for example when abiotic and biotic stresses occur together. Ten rice genotypes comprising those with bacterial blight (BB) resistance (R) genes, drought quantitative trait loci (QTLs) plus a BB R gene, and BB susceptible genotypes, were subjected to mild and moderate drought stress and plants were inoculated with two Xoo strains (PXO99 and PXO145) to simulate the challenges rice crops face under simultaneous stress of drought and BB. Plant height and dry shoot biomass were significantly reduced by drought stress treatments. The BB disease lesion lengths varied according to rice genotypes and PXO99 Xoo multiplication and spread in planta was higher compared to that of PXO145, which generally decreased under mild drought stress. Rice genotype IRBB7 (Xa7) showed less Xoo spread and a reduced Xoo multiplication under drought stress compared to the well-watered control with PXO145. In contrast, in genotypes with a different BB R gene and/or drought QTLs [IRBB4 (Xa4), IR87705–6-9-B (Xa4 + qDYT _2.2 ), IR87707–445-B-B-B (Xa4 + qDYT _2.2  + qDYT _4.1 ) and IR87707–446-B-B-B (Xa4 + qDYT _2.2  + qDYT _4.1 )], Xoo multiplication and spread in planta was higher with drought stress. This study has shown that drought stress affected rice response to the BB pathogen and the response varied according to the rice genotype. It is concluded that evaluating rice varieties under combined abiotic and biotic stresses will be the best strategy to determine biotic stress resistance durability under climate change.     

Production of Energy and Biofertilizer from Cattle Wastewater in Farms with Intensive Cattle Breeding

This study evaluates the treatment efficacy and biogas yield of an integrated system composed of a plug-flow biodigester (with sludge recirculation) followed by polishing in a stabilization pond. The system was operated in real scale for 12 months at ambient temperature and under continuous flow. The volumetric yields of biogas varied according to the organic loads applied, between 114 and 294 Kg COD day^?1, reaching levels of 0.026 to 0.173 m³ m^?3 day^?1, with concentrations of CH₄ between 56 and 70%. The monthly biogas productions were between 378.5 and 2186.1 m³ month^?1 equal to an energy potential of approximately 2070 to 19,168 KWh month^?1.The average yearly removals of BOD_5,20 and COD by the integrated treatment system were 70 and 86%, respectively. The average annual removals of NH₄ and TKN were 88.5 and 85.5%, respectively. The pH values were always near neutral, and the alkalinity was in ranges propitious for anaerobic digestion. The results of this study indicate good efficacy in terms of removal of organic matter and nitrogen compounds, with the added benefits of generation of energy and use of the treated effluent as biofertilizer, enabling significant cost reductions to cattle farmers.     

The effect of foliar application of Moringa leaf extract on biomass,grain yield of wheat and applied nutrient efficiency

Moringa leaf extracts (MLE) from two varieties of Moringa oleifera Lam. were applied to leaves of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in two glasshouse experiments. MLE was extracted from the leaves of using three different solvents (hexane, butanol; ethyl-acetate). The extracts were applied as foliar sprays at different growth stages of wheat (T. aestivum L.) grown on two soil types with either adequate or low phosphorus (P) nutrient additions at Albany, Western Australia. Sprays were applied at the 4–5 leaf (tillering) and the 7-leaf (Boot) stage either as a single spray or a combination of sprays at tillering and boot stage. The application of MLE either at tillering or boot stage increased the dry weight of shoots (biomass) and grain yield of wheat. A foliar spray of MLE applied at tillering increased biomass at the boot stage by ～37% and grain yield increased by ～34% compared to nil MLE spray. A single spray of MLE increased grain yield by ～30% when applied at boot stage. A single application at tillering gave a better yield response than a single spray at the 7-leaf or boot or than a double spray applied at tillering and boot stage. A 50% dilution of the extractant concentration gave the same grain yield response as the original concentration applied at tillering stage. The hexane extracts gave the significantly higher grain yield responses. Plant tissue and grain analysis showed no significant difference in protein and nutrient concentration of wheat grain from plants sprayed with and without MLE. A MLE spray at boot also increased grain yield by 44% on the red sandy-loam soil where P application was at sub-optimum levels, ～80% of P requirement for maximum yield. The partial factor productivity (PFP) index indicated that the P and potassium (K) use improved where MLE was applied as a foliar spray. For example, the PFP of P and K for grain yield increased by about 30%, where MLE was sprayed to foliage. The results of this study indicate that MLE extracted can potentially be a viable option to increase wheat grain yield and fertilizer efficiency use, particularly P and K, in Mediterranean wheat production system.     

美国德州米克蓝浆果农场20年生产的回顾性分析

兔眼蓝浆果干20世纪60年代引入德州,70～80年代进入商品性栽培.米克蓝浆果农场位于纳客多切斯西10 km,属抗寒性8区.1988年种植兔眼蓝浆果28 hm2,2003年又种植6 hm2,共计34 hm2.该地年雨量约1 200 mm,冬春潮湿而夏季以早、热为特征.晚春的霜冻对蓝浆果的生产是重大的挑战.从2001-2008年各品种平均产量分别为"顶峰"6.396 t/hm2,"杰兔"6.265 t/hm2,"灿烂"11.164 t/hm2,"梯扶蓝"9.378 t/hm2,"粉蓝"16.457 t/hm2.本文是该场多年来田问生产和经营策略的回顾.     

Field trial of praziquantel for control of fishborne zoonotic trematodes in reservoir hosts in Vietnam

This field trial was conducted to determine whether 40 or 75 mg/kg of praziquantel is suitable for treatment of fishborne zoonotic trematodes (FZT) in naturally infected dogs (n=10) and cats (n=11). Three days after treatment all animals at either dose were negative for small trematode eggs. In two cats and one dog treated with 75 mg/kg, however, a few damaged eggs were found 3 days post-treatment; no small trematode eggs were seen in these animals at day 14 post-treatment. In addition, at the 75 mg dose, two cats and two dogs experienced vomiting or diminished appetite. Therefore a praziquantel dose of 40 mg/kg is suggested for treatment of FZT in dogs and cats.