Diallel inheritance of relevant traits in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) adapted to acid-soil savannas

There is a limited knowledge on the inheritance of traits with agronomic relevance in cassava. A diallel study among 10 parental clones was conducted in the acid-soils environment in the eastern savannas of Colombia. Thirty clones were obtained for each F1 cross. Each clone was represented by six plants, which were distributed in three replications at two locations. Therefore, the same 30 genotypes of each F1 cross were planted in the three replications at the two locations. Analysis of variance suggested significant effects for five of the six variables analyzed (harvest index, dry matter content, height of first branching, reaction to super elongation disease, and plant type scores). Fresh root yield showed strong genotype × environment interaction and differences between crosses reached statistical significance in only one of the two environments analyzed. General and specific combining ability effects and their interaction with the environment were significant for most of the variables as well. Results suggested that dominance plays an important role particularly in the cases of fresh root yield and harvest index.     

不同栽培环境下有机与常规蔬菜土壤的细菌群落多样性差异

土壤细菌群落在蔬菜栽培中发挥着重要作用。基于DNA和RNA水平,利用PCR-DGGE技术研究了不同栽培环境下有机与常规蔬菜土壤细菌群落多样性差异,以及土壤理化性质与细菌群落多样性的关系。结果表明：不同栽培方式下土壤细菌多样性存在明显差异,土壤微生物的优势种群和数量受有机、常规栽培和季节影响,有机栽培较之常规栽培能够显著增加土壤细菌群落多样性;聚类分析表明,16S rDNA细菌群落多样性与季节相关,而16S rRNA细菌群落多样性与栽培方式相关;差异条带测序显示,大多细菌与不可培养细菌种属有较高同源性,其余9种推测属于假单胞菌属;CCA分析说明pH是影响土壤细菌群落多样性的主要因素,有机栽培土壤中微生物生物量C、N以及有机质含量显著高于常规栽培土壤。综上,有机栽培能够丰富活性细菌群落多样性,具有土壤优化效应。     

Grain quality characteristics of rice in Madagascar retail markets

A survey of rice in retail markets of Madagascar with emphasis on the surplus regions of Marovoay and Lac Alaotra and the deficient area, Antananarivo City showed rices of Madagascar to be predominantly medium-long, medium-shaped, with high apparent amylose content, low gelatinization temperature, and soft, hard or medium gel consistency. Mean protein content was 7.5%. Percent white grains among red and white grains ranged from 0 to 100% (mean 56%), head rice 0–94%, translucency 6–66% and Kett whiteness 12–48%.     

Preparation of additional monoclonal antibodies for detection and discrimination of potato virus Y isolates infecting potato

Summary Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) specific to potato virus Y (PVY) were obtained from hybrid cells produced by fusion of a non-secreting myeloma cell line with spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with isolate Bintje PVY^o. Six MAb were characterized. The reactions of the MAb have been assayed by indirect double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA-IDAS) against forty-nine PVY isolates and other potyviruses, representative of different potato areas in the world. All MAb reacted to at least some isolates in group O+C in ELISA-IDAS. One MAb did not react to any group N isolates. MAb 10E3 reacted to all isolates tested. Using standard double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA-DAS), two MAbs did not react to any isolates, one reacted to some isolates in group O+C and MAb 10E3 reacted to all isolates but two in group C. A mixture of MAb 10E3 and 1E10 detected all isolates in ELISA-DAS and sensitivity was improved over that obtained with polyclonal antibodies from antisera.     

Virulence of Pasteurella multocida recA mutants

In order to determine the role of the RecA protein in the virulence of Pasteurella multocida, a recA mutant was constructed and used in studies of virulence and competition in relation to wild-type strain. To achieve this, firstly, the recA gene was isolated and sequenced, showing an Escherichia coli-like SOS box and encoding a protein of 354 amino acids which has the closest identity with the Haemophilus influenzae RecA protein. Further, the recA mutant was constructed, by inactivating this gene by single recombination of a suicide plasmid containing an internal region of the P. multocida recA gene, and shown to be more sensitive to UV radiation than the parental strain. The P. multocida mutant was slightly attenuated in virulence, as indicated by the LD(50), the time of death of infected animals, and a failure to compete with the wild-type strain in mixed infections. Compared to the parent strain, the mutant had a similar growth rate but a longer lag phase. These data suggest that the diminished virulence of the recA mutant as well as its failure in competition were more a consequence of the long lag phase rather than a direct effect of the inactivation of the recA gene on genes involved in virulence.     

Selection and realized heritability for growth in the scallop,Euvola ziczac (L.)

Specimens taken from natural populations of the scallop, Euvola ziczac (L.), were mass spawned in order to produce an initial stock of parents for a selection experiment. The purpose of the present study was to improve scallop shell growth and to calculate the degree of heritability of this characteristic. At one year of age, the top 10‰ of the stock (i.e. the larger scallops) were segregated to create the selected line. An equal number of mean-sized scallops was used to create the control line. In the second generation, after 294 days in culture, the heritability values of the scallops were calculated. Heritability estimates fluctuated between 0.47 and 0.54 depending on the character investigated, i.e. shell length or shell height. The selected line was 5.5‰ longer and 4.5‰ higher than the control line, and 7.3‰ longer and 9.4‰ higher than the parental line.     

Fish meal replaced by hydrolysed soybean meal in diets increases growth and improves the antioxidant defense system of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen)

One of the current challenges of global fish farming is developing plant‐based proteins as a feasible substitute for fishmeal in the formulation of aquafeeds. Substitution levels of fishmeal with hydrolyzed soybean meal (HSM) in diets for silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) were evaluated for growth, protein metabolism and antioxidant activity. The experiment was carried out in a recirculation system of 20 tanks of 250 L. A total of 300 silver catfish juveniles were used to compose five treatments and four replicates per treatment. Levels of soybean hydrolysate (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) were tested in diets (39% protein and 3,500 Kcal) for 60 days. Silver catfish growth was higher at all inclusion levels of HSM when compared to the control diet. No change was shown for body protein deposition. The production of nitrogenous compounds in the liver and muscle was also unaffected by any of the diets. The diet containing 20% HSM promoted an increase in the amounts of non‐protein thiols in the gills and brain. The HSM substitution levels of up to 20% of fishmeal in the diet increases growth and contributes to silver catfish antioxidant activity.     

盐胁迫对巴西盾柱木幼苗生长的影响

利用不同渗透势的NaCl、CaCl2、KCl、Na2SO4溶液对巴西盾柱木(Peltophorum dubium)幼苗进行胁迫处理,研究盐胁迫对其幼苗生长状况的影响,结果表明:随着溶液渗透势的增加,对根和茎生长的抑制作用增强;子叶的干物质量在多数情况下是随着溶液浓度的增加而增加;根的长度和干物质量与总长度和总干物质量的比例一般与胁迫程度呈正相关关系,有利于其根系深入到盐胁迫程度较低的土壤深层。根的生物量和长度与非盐逆境相比,其值较低,说明其对盐逆境的生态适应能力较弱;CaCl2对巴西盾柱木幼苗生长胁迫程度最高,其次是Na2SO4和NaCl,KCl胁迫,对幼苗影响较小。巴西盾柱木的自然生长环境Ca2 含量较高,可能是巴西盾柱木不适应盐逆境的主要原因。     

Landscape changes as visible indicators in the social,economic and political process of soil erosion: A case study of the municipality of puebla de valles (Guadalajara Province), Spain

This paper proposes a methodological approach to data gathering as a sound basis for understanding land degradation processes, breaking down barriers of distrust between Government officials and land users, and promoting participation in planning for soil and water conservation. It examines how landscape changes, of value as indicators of erosion, are perceived by land users and can be used in planning. It is proposed that the participation of land users in the construction of questionnaires, data gathering, analysis and writing up of the findings are examples of the participatory initial stages in planning.