Genetic gains in Nordic spring barley breeding over sixty years

Accurate assessments of genetic gains ensuing from plant breeding for the most important agronomic characteristics in Nordic spring barley (Hordeum vulgareL.) are not available. Hence this research was aimed to determine the rate of genetic improvement in the Nordic barley breeding pool. This study included 90, 2-row spring barley cultivars released (1942–1988) and29, 6-row spring barley cultivars released(1930–1991) adopted by Nordic farmers that were tested in four Nordic locations for three consecutive years. Relative genetic gain owing to plant breeding was 13% in2-row barley and 34% in 6-row barley for grain yield. The absolute gain for this characteristic was 13 ± 3 kg ha^-1 year ^-1 in 2-row barley, and22 ± 3 kg ha^-1 year^-1 in6-row barley. Improved yield was achieved in Nordic barley by reducing plant height(0.20 ± 0.04 cm year^-1 for 2-rowbarley and 0.16 ± 0.06 cm year^-1for 6-row cultivars), thereby reducing significantly lodging (0.5 ± 0.1%year^-1 and 0.4 ± 0.1year^-1), and increasing significantly the harvest index (0.0008 ± 0.0002year^-1 and 0.0018 ± 0.0002year^-1). Additionally, in 2-row spring barley cultivars resistance to powdery mildew (0.19 ± 0.08% year^-1)and thousand-kernel weight (0.07 ±0.03 g year^-1) were also significantly enhanced, whereas hectoliter weight was improved (0.06 ± 0.02 kg year^-1)in 6-row barley cultivars in the period investigated. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

When is it biological control? A framework of definitions,mechanisms, and classifications

Journal of Pest Science - Biological control, or biocontrol, is the exploitation of living agents (incl. viruses) to combat pestilential organisms (incl. pathogens, pests, and weeds) for diverse...     

Correction to: When is it biological control? A framework of definitions,mechanisms, and classifications

Journal of Pest Science - A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-021-01386-z     

Analysis of acid-soluble glycogen in pork extracts of two PRKAG3 genotypes by 1H liquid-state NMR spectroscopy and biochemical methods

Meat extracts with acid-soluble glycogen (macroglycogen) from M. longissmus dorsi of carriers and noncarriers of the PRKAG3 mutation (RN(-) and rn(+) genotype) were analyzed by both (1)H liquid-state NMR spectroscopy and a biochemical method. The (1)H NMR analysis revealed that shorter polymers (dimers, trimers, etc.) of α-1,4-linked glucose were generated 24-48 h post-mortem. This is not possible to elucidate with the biochemical method, by which only the total amount of hydrolyzed glucose residues is determined. The shorter polymers were primarily formed in carriers of the PRKAG3 mutation, suggesting different post-mortem glycogen degradation mechanisms in the two genotypes.     

Evaluation of a killed feline panleukopenia virus vaccine against canine parvoviral enteritis in dogs

Immunogenic potency of a killed feline panleukopenia virus vaccine against canine parvoviral enteritis in dogs was examined. The vaccine elicited hemagglutination-inhibition antibodies to canine parvovirus (CPV) in all of the 72 dogs which were vaccinated. The vaccine was protective in dogs against both experimentally induced and naturally occurring CPV-induced disease. By statistical analysis, 4 weeks was found to be the optimal spacing between 2 vaccinal doses resulting in hemagglutination-inhibition antibody titers up to 1:5,120. Adverse reactions to the vaccine were not observed. Atypical lymphocytes were found consistently in the CPV-infected control dogs.     

Loss of imprinting of Igf2 alters intestinal maturation and tumorigenesis in mice

Loss of imprinting (LOI) of the insulin-like growth factor II gene (IGF2) is an epigenetic alteration that results in a modest increase in IGF2 expression, and it is present in the normal colonic mucosa of about 30% of patients with colorectal cancer. To investigate its role in intestinal tumorigenesis, we created a mouse model of Igf2 LOI by crossing female H19+/- mice with male Apc+/Min mice. Mice with LOI developed twice as many intestinal tumors as did control littermates. Notably, these mice also showed a shift toward a less differentiated normal intestinal epithelium, reflected by an increase in crypt length and increased staining with progenitor cell markers. A similar shift in differentiation was seen in the normal colonic mucosa of humans with LOI. Thus, altered maturation of nonneoplastic tissue may be one mechanism by which epigenetic changes affect cancer risk.     

Gene for improved nutritional value in barley seed protein

Genetically dependent 20 to 30 percent increase in lysine per 16 grams of nitrogen results in improved nutritional values in feeding trials with mice and rats. The recessive gene was selected from the World Barley Collection. Other amino acids are also influenced by the gene. Protein content segregates independently of the changed amino acid pattern. The gene putatively influences the matrix proteins, which characteristically adhere to the starch grains in meal preparations. The morphological character permits rapid microscopic screening of single seeds without affecting viability. Low yield is considerably improved by crossing and selection.     

Human attitudes towards wolves, a matter of distance

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that distance is an important factor affecting attitudes towards wolves, i.e. people living far from wolf territories have more positive attitudes towards wolf conservation than those living within or close to wolf territories. We used multiple regression (an ordered probit model) with both socio-economic variables and information about the respondents’ distance to the nearest wolf territory. We found that favourable attitudes towards wolf conservation were positively associated with distance to the nearest wolf territory. The variable distance to the nearest wolf territory affected attitudes just as much as the variables of membership of nature conservation organisations, being a hunter, owning livestock, or owning a hunting dog. This was true even on the micro-level, i.e. people living in wolf territories had a more negative attitude towards conservation of wolves than people living just outside. Furthermore, we suggest that attitudes towards wolves are more likely a result of indirect experience than direct experience of wolf presence. Our findings are important when interpreting studies of human attitudes towards conservation of controversial species in general and large carnivores in particular, and should be used when designing future surveys of human attitudes towards conservation and management initiatives.     

Genetic analysis of Atlantic salmon captured in a netting station reveals multiple escapement events from commercial fish farms

Microsatellite DNA analysis and statistical assignment methods were implemented to identify the origin of 190 farmed escaped Atlantic salmon recaptured over a period of 2 months at a netting station located in Trondheim fjord, Norway. Samples were also collected from farms within the region. The escapees originated from a minimum of two sources, separated in time of capture at the netting station. The majority of the escapees captured in the early period probably originated from a single farm within the region, while escapees captured in later period probably originated from multiple farms, including from outside of the region. Biological data from the escapees supported these conclusions. This study serves to exemplify the use of genetic methods to assist fisheries management.