The genetics of resistance in sunflower capitula to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum measured by mycelium infections combined with ascospore tests

To enhance efficiency of breeding programmes for Sclerotinia sclerotiorum resistance in sunflower capitula, two separate resistance tests have been recommended. However, the time necessary to develop genotypes with two types of resistance makes this impractical. A strategy to combine the two tests was consequently proposed to reduce the number of seasons per selection cycle, but genetic studies were necessary to determine if it could be applied in breeding programmes. This was the objective of this work. Data from two genetically different sunflower inbred lines and their F1, F2 and backcross generations were analysed in two years to determine the genetics of resistance to S. sclerotiorum in capitula measured by application on the same plants of a mycelium test combined with an ascospore test. Effects of maternal origin were detected when the reciprocal generations were evaluated for the mycelium test. This suggests the importance of choice of the inbred line used as female in population formation by hybridisation. Progeny subjected to the mycelium test did not show any change in relative reactions to two S. sclerotiorum isolates suggesting that ranking genotypes according to the results of combined S. sclerotiorum tests is repeatable across Sclerotinia isolates and experimental seasons. Moderate narrow sense heritability indicated that selection of the best F2 plants should be effective. Genetic gain from selection is possible because a reduction of lesion areas produced by the mycelium test can be expected. Additive gene effects contribute significantly to reduction in lesion area. Consequences of results in population improvement for S. sclerotiorum resistance in capitula are discussed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Interaction between quinclorac and imidazolinones in the control of resistant Cyperus iria to ALS inhibitors

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Herbicides belonging to the chemical group imidazolinones and the quinclorac herbicide are important to control weeds in flooded rice. The objective of...     

Effect of activated charcoal on Brassica oleracea microspore culture embryogenesis

The effect of the addition of a 0.1 ml drop of activated charcoal (AC) on microspore culture embryogenesis was studied in nine morphotypes of Brassica oleracea. Embryo yields were significantly increased in all of the morphotypes by the addition of the 0.1 ml drop of AC to the microspore culture media. The magnitude of the response to the addition of AC varied with the different plants and morphotypes. The addition of AC never produced a detrimental effect. A qualitative improvement of the subsequent development of embryos to plants was also observed with the addition of AC. Data suggest that the addition of AC to microspore culture media promoted embryo production in different B. oleracea morphotypes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Multisited Versus Compact Producer Service Firms: Insights from the French Case

Much of the literature on the location of producer services is concerned with their uneven spatial development across regions. Although this approach is useful, it proves to be limited, and a complementary analytical framework is required. This paper uses data from France's Annual Survey of Services to address producer service location from a novel perspective, that of the firm. A basic distinction is made between single site (compact) and multisite (network) producer service firms, and the natures of these two types are analyzed in terms of business strategies, location and performance. Further analyses are then based upon the distinctions between sales and servuction networks, and between specialized and diversified networks. Although significant for producing higher output levels, a network structure does not necessarily ensure a higher level of profitability.     

Multi-level characterization of perennial cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. race marie-galante Hutch.) populations from the northeastern Brazil to the breeding and conservation of this germplasm

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - The remaining populations of perennial cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. r. marie-galante Hutch.) that occur in northeastern Brazil are part of the primary gene...     

Manganese in RR Cotton as Affected by Glyphosate

There is evidence that glyphosate application in soybean tolerant to herbicides could interfere in the manganese (Mn) nutrition of the crop, but there is no information on this effect in cotton plants. This study aimed at assessing manganese accumulation and distribution in cotton as affected by glyphosate application. The experiment was conducted in nutrient solution with four Mn concentrations and two cotton cultivars: conventional NuOpal and NuOpal tolerant to glyphosate (RR). Glyphosate was applied or not to the tolerant cultivar. The inclusion of the glyphosate resistance gene in cotton and herbicide, application increased shikimic acid (ShA) concentration in the plants. Glyphosate application decreased cotton leaf area and the dry matter production of the plant structures. The adverse effects of glyphosate were not overcome with higher Mn rates in the solution.     

Quality Assessment of Three Industry-Derived Organic Amendments for Agricultural Use

The quality of three types of treated sludges (sludge from the paper recycling industry, and sewage sludge treated by composting with pruning waste and thermally dried) was assessed in this work. The amendments were physicochemically characterized and evaluated for their microbiological quality and for contamination with pollutants. All three organic amendments showed an absence of pathogens, so they are microbially suitable for agricultural use. The pollutants studied in the amendments included eight heavy metals and 83 organic compounds. Heavy metals, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, octylphenol, bisphenol A, and parabens were found in the organic amendments. The amount and type of contaminants depended on the sample sources and differed between samples from a single origin. The presence of some of the pollutants found has not been previously reported in organic amendments. The germination assay showed that these amendments may be applied to soil in controlled doses. As far as we know, this is the first reported study that has evaluated a great variety of pollutants (heavy metals, pesticides, persistent and emerging organic pollutants) in sludge from the recycled paper industry; moreover, studies in other waste products in which such a broad range of pollutants has been evaluated have been scarce until now due to the complexity of these matrices.