Differential contribution of two Ppd-1 homoeoalleles to early-flowering phenotype in Nepalese and Japanese varieties of common wheat

Wheat landraces carry abundant genetic variation in heading and flowering times. Here, we studied flowering-related traits of two Nepalese varieties, KU-4770 and KU-180 and a Japanese wheat cultivar, Shiroganekomugi (SGK). These three wheat varieties showed similar flowering time in a common garden experiment. In total, five significant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for three examined traits, the heading, flowering and maturation times, were detected using an F₂ population of SGK/KU-4770. The QTLs were found at the Ppd-1 loci on chromosomes 2B and 2D and the 2B QTL was also confirmed in another F₂ population of SGK/KU-180. The Ppd-D1 allele from SGK and the Ppd-B1 alleles from the two Nepalese varieties might be causal for early-flowering phenotype. The SGK Ppd-D1 allele contained a 2-kb deletion in the 5′ upstream region, indicating a photoperiod-insensitive Ppd-D1a allele. Real-time PCR analysis estimating the Ppd-B1 copy number revealed that the two Nepalese varieties included two intact Ppd-B1 copies, putatively resulting in photoperiod insensitivity and an early-flowering phenotype. The two photoperiod-insensitive Ppd-1 homoeoalleles could independently contribute to segregation of early-flowering individuals in the two F₂ populations. Therefore, wheat landraces are genetic resources for discovery of alleles useful for improving wheat heading or flowering times.     

基于灰色GM(1,N)的生态旅游市场需求预测研究——以越南风雅-格邦国家公园为例

指出了生态旅游市场需求受到众多因素影响,而且各因素之间存在复杂的相关性,因素度量信息不足,所以可以将生态旅游市场需求预测系统视为灰色系统。以风雅-格邦国家公园为分析对象,基于预测模型GM(1,N),分析诸多因素对越南生态旅游市场需求的综合影响,主要考虑各因素之间的相关度基础上选择最合适的因素建立灰色预测模型,从研究结果中可以得到:影响生态旅游市场需求的因素之间,客源地的教育水平最具有相关性,其次是性别,收入以及旅游资源状况等,灰色预测模型的结果表明:2012～2021年越南生态旅游市场需求增长总体呈现上涨趋势,但增幅较为平缓。     

Effects of replacing fish meal with soy cake in a diet based on urea-treated rice straw on performance of growing Laisind beef cattle

The present study was to test if different ratios of fish meal to soy cake as protein supplements in the diet are not significantly different in effects on feed intakes and performance of growing beef cattle fed urea-treated rice straw (URTRS) as basal diet under local conditions in North Vietnam. Thirty-six male cattle of Laisind (50 % local Yellow cattle and 50 % Sindhi, both Bos indicus) at around 12 months of age with an average live weight of 124?±?12 kg at start were used in six groups of the experiment. Six diets named A, B, C, D, E, and F used in the experiment were similar in crude protein (CP) level, except for diet A with no supplementation, but different in fish meal/soy cake ratio based on CP content as follows: diet A 0/0, diet B 100/0, diet C 75/25, diet D 50/50, diet E 25/75, and diet F 0/100. Following a 4-week adaptation period, a comparison period lasted 24 weeks. The total intakes of dry matter (DM), DM from roughage, metabolizable energy (ME), and CP were 6, 7, 6, and 20 % higher in diets B–F than diet A with P values ≤0.05, 0.05, 0.05, and 0.001, respectively. The average daily gain (ADG) was 50 % higher (P?<?0.001) in diets B–F than that in diet A. Compared to diet A, diets B–F had lower feed conversion ratio (FCR)_DM, FCR_ME, and FCR_CP by 30, 20, and 30 %, respectively (all at P?<?0.001). There were no significant differences between diets B–F in the intakes, FCRs, and ADG. The apparent digestibility of CP was 12 to 24 % higher (P?<?0.001) in diets B–F than that in diet A. There was a tendency that the apparent digestibilities of DM, CP, and CF were increasing with increasing level of soy cake in this study. The ratio of fish meal to soy cake did not significantly affect feed intakes, ADG, FCR, and apparent nutrient digestibilities of the cattle. Soy cake can therefore be used to partially or fully replace fish meal as a protein supplement in the diet of growing beef cattle fed URTRS without any negative effects on animal performance.     

Assessment of genetic diversity and population structure of Vietnamese indigenous cattle populations by microsatellites

Cattle play a very important role in agriculture and food security in Vietnam. A high level of cattle diversity exists and serves different needs of Vietnamese cattle keepers but has not yet been molecularly characterized. This study evaluates the genetic diversity and structure of Vietnamese indigenous cattle populations, using microsatellite markers. A total of 410 individuals from six indigenous cattle populations and an exotic breed was characterized using 27 microsatellite markers A total of 362 alleles was detected and the number of alleles per locus ranged from 8 (INRA005 and ILSTS005) to 17 (ETH185). The level of gene diversity was high indicated by a mean expected heterozygosity (He) across populations and loci of 0.73. Level of inbreeding (mean F_IS=0.05) and genetic differentiation (mean F_ST=0.04) was moderate. The phylogenetic tree based on Reynolds genetic distance reflected geographic distances. Structure analysis indicated five homogeneous clusters. The Brahman, Lang Son, Ha Giang and U Dau Riu cattle were assigned to independent clusters while Nghe An, Thanh Hoa and Phu Yen cattle were grouped in a single cluster. We conclude that Vietnamese indigenous cattle have high levels of genetic diversity and distinct genetic structures. Based on these results, we recommend that for conservation homogenous populations (Nghe An, Thanh Hoa and Phu Yen) can be grouped to reduce costs and U Dau Riu, Lang Son and Ha Giang populations should be conserved separately to avoid loss of genetic diversity.     

Structure of Fucoidan from Brown Seaweed Turbinaria ornata as Studied by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESIMS) and Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) Techniques

The purpose of this study is to elucidate both the chemical and conformational structure of an unfractionated fucoidan extracted from brown seaweed Turbinaria ornata collected at Nha-trang bay, Vietnam. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used for determining the chemical structure and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) provided conformational of the structure at the molecular level. The results showed that the fucoidan has a sulfate content of 25.6% and is mainly composed of fucose and galactose residues (Fuc:Gal ≈ 3:1). ESIMS analysis suggested that the fucoidan has a backbone of 3-linked α-l-Fucp residues with branches, →4)-Galp(1→ at C-4 of the fucan chain. Sulfate groups are attached mostly at C-2 and sometimes at C-4 of both fucose and galactose residues. A molecular model of the fucoidan was built based on obtained chemical structure and scattering curves estimated from molecular model and observed SAXS measurement were fitted. The results indicated that fucoidan under study has a rod-like bulky chain conformation.     

Weed flora of water rice in the Red River Delta,Vietnam

The occurrence of weeds in water rice was surveyed in the Red River Delta, Vietnam during spring and summer rice-growing seasons in 1995 and 1996. Sixty different weeds from 19 plant families were recorded. The most important plant families as weeds of rice were Poaceae and Cyperaceae. The most important weed however was Rotala indica (Willd.) Koehne (Lythraceae) followed by Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. and Cyperus difformis L. A brief comparison of this rice weed flora and those of Australia and California was made.     

Evaluation of the mayfly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ephoron virgo</Emphasis> for European sediment toxicity assessment

Purpose  

The mayfly Ephoron virgo plays a key role in the ecological recovery in large European rivers. The larvae spend their life in the sediment and are therefore exposed to contaminants in various ways. In this study, the use of E. virgo as a test species for whole sediment bioassays was evaluated. The sensitivity was compared with Hexagenia limbata (a North American mayfly recommended for standard sediment testing). Lead (Pb) was used as a model contaminant.     

Formulated Feeds Containing Fresh or Dried Artemia as Food Supplement for Larval Rearing of Black Tiger Shrimp,Penaeus monodon

Supplementation of microalgae and Artemia nauplii with practical formulated feeds containing fresh or dried Artemia biomass for larval rearing of black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon, was assessed. Five feeding treatments were carried out in a recirculating seawater system with fifteen 30-L fiberglass tanks. Shrimp nauplii were stocked at a density of 150 L^?1 for 23 days. In the control treatment, live feed was supplemented with commercial formulated feed (Inve Aquaculture NV, Belgium). In two other treatments, live feed was supplemented with a pelleted feed based on either fresh or dried Artemia. In the remaining two treatments live feed was supplemented with a combination of 50% commercial feed and 50% fresh or dried Artemia feeds. Overall, performance of PL in the combination treatments (commercial feed and Artemia diets) were equal to or better than those fed commercial feed alone as seen by the better growth rate and higher resistance to formalin stress. The results indicate that feed containing fresh or dried Artemia biomass can partially supplement live feeds for larval rearing of P. monodon.     

Effect of dietary oxidized fish oil and vitamin C supplementation on growth performance and reduction of oxidative stress in Red Sea Bream Pagrus major

A 50‐day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of dietary oxidized fish oil (OFO) and vitamin C (VC) on growth and oxidative stress in juvenile red sea bream. Test diets were formulated with 2 degrees of peroxide value (23 and 29 meq kg^?1) combined with 3 levels of VC (0, 400 and 800 ppm). No significant difference was found on growth performance between fish fed OFO with 400 or 800 mg VC and the control group that fed a diet with fresh fish oil after 50 days. However, fish fed OFO without VC supplement indicated significantly poor growth than the control group. Liver and muscle thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were reduced by increased VC intake of fish. Fish fed diets containing low OFO with 400 and 800 mg VC, high OFO with 800 mg VC, and fresh fish oil are allocated in the zone of high resistance against oxidative stress together with low oxidative stress condition. On the other hand, no VC supplemented group was under the highest oxidative stress condition. In conclusion, dietary oxidized lipid increased the oxidative stress condition of fish, but more than 400 mg VC kg^?1 of dietary supplement improved growth and health of juvenile red sea bream.     

A DEMAND ANALYSIS FOR CRUSTACEANS AT THE U.S. RETAIL STORE LEVEL

This study used a LA/AIDS model to estimate demand system for crustacean species, shrimp, crab, crawfish and lobster at the U.S. retail store level. Shrimp demand is price elastic; crab, crawfish and lobster are price inelastic. Shrimp price significantly affects market shares of crustacean products. Shrimp has more substitutes than other crustaceans, and lobster has less substitutes than others. The demand for crab and lobster grow faster than the demand for shrimp and crawfish when expenditure increases. Promotion has positive effects on market shares and sales volume of own products and negative effects on cross-products. Shrimp price-reduction promotion strategies will be effective in term of raising shrimp sales value. Marketing programs that increase consumers’ marginal utility with an additional small increase in the selling price of crab, crawfish and lobster products will be feasible, and bring higher sale values.