A QTL controlling low temperature induced spikelet sterility at booting stage in rice

Low temperature is a major abiotic stress for rice cultivation, causing serious yield loss in many countries. To identify QTL controlling low temperature induced spikelet sterility in rice, the progeny of F2, BC1F1 and BC2F1 populations derived from a Reiziq × Lijiangheigu cross were exposed to 21/15°C for 15 days at the booting stage, and spikelet sterility was assessed. For genotyping, 92 polymorphic markers from 373 SSR and 325 STS primer pairs were used. A major QTL was initially indentified on the short arm of chromosome 10 by selective genotyping using highly tolerant and susceptible progeny from F2 and BC1F1 populations. The QTL (qLTSPKST10.1) was validated and mapped by genotyping the entire F2 (282 progeny) and BC1F1 (84 progeny) populations. The results from the F2 population showed that qLTSPKST10.1 could explain 20.5% of the variation in spikelet sterility caused by low temperature treatment with additive (a = 14.4) and dominant effect (d = −7.5). From the analysis of 98 selected BC2F1 progeny, the QTL located in the 3.5 cM interval between S10010.9 and S10014.4 was further confirmed. Based on the studies of 3 generations in 2 years, it was clear that the QTL on chromosome 10 is a major determinant of the control of low temperature induced spikelet sterility at booting stage.     

Adsorption of whey protein isolate at the oil-water interface as a function of processing conditions: a rheokinetic study

In this paper we present surface dynamic properties (interfacial tension and surface dilational properties) of a whey protein isolate with a high content of beta-lactoglobulin (WPI) adsorbed on the oil-water interface as a function of adsorption time. The experiments were performed at constant temperature (20 degrees C), pH (5), and ionic strength (0.05 M). The surface rheological parameters and the interfacial tension were measured as a function of WPI concentration (ranging from 1 x 10(-)(1) to 1 x 10(-)(5)% w/w) and different processing factors (effect of convection and heat treatment). We found that the interfacial pressure, pi, and surface dilational modulus, E, increase and the phase angle, phi, decreases with time, theta, which should be associated with WPI adsorption. These phenomena have been related to diffusion of the protein toward the interface (at short adsorption time) and to the protein unfolding and/or protein-protein interactions (at long-term adsorption) as a function of protein concentration in solution and processing conditions.     

Subcellular localization and isoenzyme pattern of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase in beet root (Beta vulgaris L.)

The two enzymes involved in enzymatic browning reactions, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (PO), have been partially purified and extracted from different fractions of beet root. PPO is mainly located in the membrane fraction, and it was also found in the soluble fraction. In both cases PPO was in its latent state. However, PO activity was higher in the soluble fraction than in the membrane fraction. Nevertheless, the highest values of specific activity for PO were obtained from the solubilized enzyme from acetone powders. Under native isoelectric focusing (IEF), several PPO isoenzymes were present in the pH range of 4.8-5.8. All of these isoenzymes shared a single band with a similar apparent mass under sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. PO was also analyzed by IEF, showing a complex isoenzyme pattern in all fractions. The characteristic basic PO isoenzyme of high pI found in both the soluble fraction and the solubilized enzyme from acetone powders was not detected in the membrane fraction. The kinetic characterization of PPO and PO from all fractions was carried out.     

Analysis of organophosphorus pesticides in honeybee by liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry

Pesticides applied in extended agricultural fields may be controlled by means of bioindicators, such as honeybees, in which are the pesticides bioaccumulate. Liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-APCI-MS) experiments with positive (PI) and negative (NI) ion modes were optimized for the analysis of 22 organophosphorus pesticides in honeybee samples. The extraction required 3 g of sample, which was extracted with acetone. The extract was purified with coagulating solution and reextracted with Cl(2)CH(2). Pesticides studied could be detected by both ionization modes except for parathion, parathion-methyl, and bromophos, which did not give signals in PI mode, and triazophos, which was not detected in NI mode. Fragmentation voltage and vaporizer temperature were optimized to achieve the highest sensitivity. The spectra profile of each pesticide in PI mode showed the [M + H](+) ion as the main signal, whereas in NI mode only fragment ions were shown. The detection limit obtained in selected ion monitoring mode ranged from 1 to 15 microg kg(-1). The average recoveries from spiked honeybees at various concentration levels (0.5-5 mg kg(-1)) exceeded 65% with relative standard deviations of 4-15%. The method was applied to real samples, in which residues of coumaphos and dimethoate were detected.     

Hexavalent Chromium Removal by Candida sp. in a Concentric Draft-Tube Airlift Bioreactor

The main purpose of this work was to conduct a kinetic study on cell growth and hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] removal by Candida sp. FGSFEP in a concentric draft-tube airlift bioreactor. The yeast was batch-cultivated in a 5.2-l airlift bioreactor containing culture medium with an initial Cr(VI) concentration of 1.5 mM. The maximum specific growth rate of Candida sp. FGSFEP in the airlift bioreactor was 0.0244 h^?1, which was 71.83% higher than that obtained in flasks. The yeast strain was capable of reducing 1.5 mM Cr(VI) completely and exhibited a high volumetric rate [1.64 mg Cr(VI) l^?1 h^?1], specific rate [0.95 mg Cr(VI) g^?1 biomass h^?1] and capacity [44.38 mg Cr(VI) g^?1 biomass] of Cr(VI) reduction in the airlift bioreactor, with values higher than those obtained in flasks. Therefore, culture of Candida sp. FGSFEP in a concentric draft-tube airlift bioreactor could be a promising technological alternative for the aerobic treatment of Cr(VI)-contaminated industrial effluents.     

Step-wise drops in modularity and the fragmentation of exploited marine metapopulations

Context

Many nearshore species are distributed in habitat patches connected only through larval dispersal. Genetic research has shown some spatial structure of such metapopulations and modeling studies have shed light onto possible patterns of connectivity and barriers. However, little is known about human impact on their spatial structure and patterns of connectivity.

Objectives

We examine the effects of fishing on the spatial and temporal dynamics of metapopulations of sedentary marine species (red sea urchin and red abalone) interconnected by larval dispersal.

Methods

We constructed a metapopulation model to simulate abalone and sea urchin metapopulations experiencing increasing levels of fishing mortality. We performed the modularity analysis on the yearly larval connectivity matrices produced by these simulations, and analyzed the changes of modularity and the formation of modules over time as indicators of spatial structure.

Results

The analysis revealed a strong modular spatial structure for abalone and a weak spatial signature for sea urchin. In abalone, under exploitation, modularity takes step-wise drops on the path to extinction, and modules breakdown into smaller fragments followed by module and later metapopulation collapse. In contrast, sea urchin showed high modularity variation, indicating high- and low-mixing years, but an abrupt collapse of the metapopulation under strong exploitation.

Conclusions

The results identify a disruption in larval connectivity and a pattern of collapse in highly modular nearshore metapopulations. These results highlight the ability of modularity to detect spatial structure in marine metapopulations, which varies among species, and to show early changes in the spatial structure of exploited metapopulations.

     

Aboveground biomass,transpiration and water use efficiency in eucalypt plantation fertilized with KCl,NaCl and phonolite rock powder

Potassium has important physiological functions in eucalypt plantations, increasing their productivity when applied to soil via mineral fertilizers. There is interest in identifying alternative sources to KCl owing to its high cost and limited reserves. The aim of the study was to test the effect of replacing KCl with NaCl and phonolite rock powder. Two comparisons were made: (1) application of 283 kg ha^?1 of KCl compared with that of 2125 kg ha^?1 of phonolite rock powder (equivalent to 170 kg ha^?1 of K₂O in both treatments); (2) application of 139 kg ha^?1 of NaCl compared with that of 183 kg ha^?1 of KCl (equivalent to 2.33 kmol Na and K, respectively). Radial growth, soil water content, leaf water potential (Ψ), accumulated transpiration, stem volume and biomass increment, as well as water use efficiency (WUE) were evaluated. In the first comparison, both fertilizations presented equal values for all characteristics evaluated. In the second, the accumulated transpiration in trees fertilized with KCl was 17% higher than that in plants fertilized with NaCl. In contrast, the WUE was 20% higher in the trees fertilized with NaCl than in those fertilized with KCl, reflecting the lower water consumption for the same increment in stem volume and biomass. We conclude that phonolite rock powder and NaCl are possible substitutes for conventional K fertilization performed with KCl.

     

Effect of combined stress (salinity + hypoxia) and auxin rooting hormone addition on morphology and growth traits in six Salix spp. clones

New Forests - Willows plantations development could be an alternative for hydro-halomorphic soils but it is limited by combined stress salinity?+?hypoxia (main stressor under...     

Successive grafting confers juvenility traits to adult Spanish red cedar (Cedrela odorata Linnaeus): a tool for the rescue of selected materials

New Forests - Spanish red cedar, Cedrela odorata L. (Meliaceae), is a valuable timber tree in tropical American forests. Existing demand for elite individuals endangers the conservation of...