Effects of Sowing Dates and Seeding Rates on Nitrogen and Water Use Efficiency of Facultative Wheat

In this study, effects of different sowing dates and seeding rates on N uptake efficiency (NUE), N translocation efficiency (NTE), agronomic efficiency (AE), physiological efficiency (PE), water use efficiency for grain yield (WUE_g) and water use efficiency for biomass (WUE_b) of facultative wheat were investigated. As the average of cropping year, sowing dates and seeding rates, N uptake efficiency (NUE), N translocation efficiency (NTE), agronomic efficiency (AE), physiological efficiency (PE), water use efficiency for grain yield (WUE_g) and water use efficiency for biomass (WUE_b) values were respectively obtained as 1.17?kg N_uptake/kg N_applied, 68.5%, 36.9?kg grain/kg N_applied, 31.2?kg grain/kg N_uptake, 5.19?kg ha^?1 mm^?1 and 18.04?kg ha^?1 mm^?1.

Nitrogen and water use efficiencies decreased with delayed sowing dates and increased with increasing seeding rates. It is possible to maintain a high wheat yield, nitrogen and water use efficiency by increasing plant density through winter sowing. It was concluded based on present findings that sowing date and seeding rates had significant effects on nitrogen and water use efficiencies and winter sowing should be practiced as not to cause yield losses and high seeding rates (575 seeds m^?2) yielded greater nitrogen-water use efficiencies.

     

Genetic diversity of the pea root pathogen Aphanomyces euteiches in Europe

The oomycete pathogen Aphanomyces euteiches causes root rot in various legume species. In this study we focused on A. euteiches causing root rot in pea (Pisum sativum), thereby being responsible for severe yield losses in pea production. We aimed to understand the genetic diversity of A. euteiches in Europe, covering a north-to-south gradient spanning from Sweden, Norway and Finland to the UK, France and Italy. A collection of 85 European A. euteiches strains was obtained, all isolated from infected pea roots from commercial vining pea cultivation fields. The strains were genotyped using 22 simple-sequence repeat markers. Multilocus genotypes were compiled and the genetic diversity between individual strains and population structure between countries was analysed. The population comprising strains from Italy was genetically different and did not share ancestry with any other population. Also, strains originating from Finland and the eastern parts of Sweden were found to be significantly different from the other populations, while strains from the rest of Europe were more closely related. A subset of 10 A. euteiches strains from four countries was further phenotyped on two susceptible pea genotypes, as well as on one genotype with partial resistance towards A. euteiches. All strains were pathogenic on all pea genotypes, but with varying levels of disease severity. No correlation between the genetic relatedness of strains and virulence levels was found. In summary, our study identified three genetically distinct groups of A. euteiches in Europe along a north-to-south gradient, indicating local pathogen differentiation.     

Molecular breeding for the BaMMV/BaYMV resistance gene ym4 in winter barley

The aim of this investigation was to develop a procedure for the largescale molecular breeding for ym4, allowing resistance to BaMMV/BaYMV to be fixed in early breeding generations of winter barley. A codominant STS marker derived from the restriction fragment length polymorphism marker MWG838 for the ym4 resistance gene was combined with a new and easy procedure for preparing leaf samples for polymerase chain reaction (PCR), theoretically allowing one person to extract DNA from 5000 samples in a single day. In the procedure for molecular breeding for ym4, all steps, including leaf sampling, DNA extraction, PCR amplification and digestion with restriction enzyme were assembled in microtitre plates allowing multipipetting throughout the procedure, including the loading of gels. The method is amenable to further automation with the aid of a robot arm. Double haploid (DH) lines, as well as F₂ and F₄ breeding lines were analysed and, based on markers, homozygous and heterozygous BaMMV/BaYMV resistant plants were identified for further breeding. The winter barley breeding programmes were modified to include marker-based selection for BaMMV/BaYMV resistance on DH or on F₂ individuals, which had been preselected for mildew and leaf rust resistance.     

Development,characterization and mapping of microsatellite markers for lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

Lentil is the sixth most important pulse crop terms of production in the world, but the number of available and mapped SSR markers are limited. To develop SSR markers in lentil, four genomic libraries for (CA)n, (GA)n, (AAC)n and (ATG)n repeats were constructed. A total of 360 SSR primers were designed and validated using 15 Turkish lentil cultivars and genotypes. The most polymorphic repeat motifs were GA and CT, with a mean number of alleles per locus of 7.80 and 6.55, respectively. Seventy‐eight SSR primers amplified a total of 400 polymorphic alleles, whereas 71 SSR primers produced markers within the expected size range. For 78 polymorphic SSR primers, the average number of alleles per locus was 5.1 and PIC value ranged from 0.07 to 0.89, with an average of 0.58. A linkage map was constructed using 92 individual F₂ plants derived from a cross between Karacada? × Silvan, with 47 SSR markers. The SSR markers developed in this study could be used for germplasm classification and identification and mapping of QTL in lentil.     

Wood tensile strength at temperatures and moisture contents simulating fire conditions

Summary The immediate tensile strength parameters for spruce parallel to the grain and for hardboard have been determined at equilibrium conditions at temperatures up to 250°C. Below 100°C the moisture content has been varied between 0 and 30%. Above 100°C dry samples have been studied. An increase in moisture content up to about 12% leads to a slight increase in the tensile strength of spruce whereas the modulus of elasticity remains constant. With a further increase in moisture content, both properties decrease significantly. At any given moisture content, both properties decrease with increasing temperature. The corresponding strain at rupture is constant. An increase in temperature leads to a more or less linear decrease in the tensile strength and in the modulus of elasticity up to about 200°C. Above 200°C there is a more rapid decrease due to thermal softening. It is most relevant to consider the relative strength decrease since the absolute levels may be quite high due to the fact that wood samples without any irregularities were used. Such relative strength data are compared with the small amount of similar data found in the literature. The effects on the modulus of elasticity are discussed in terms of thermal softening and of water as a softener for the cellulose/hemicellulose polymers. The glass transition temperature is determined as a function of the moisture content.A special thank to Ms. K. Bojadzijev for skillful experimental assistance, to Prof. E. L. Back for stimulating discussions and to the fund for research in woodworking industries for financial support     

Effects of coated hatching eggs obtained from old broiler breeders with chitosan on embryonic growth,hatching results and chick quality

The aim of this research was to determine the effects of coating broiler hatching eggs with chitosan on egg quality, embryonic growth, hatching results and chick quality. Eggs obtained from old broiler breeder, aged 59 weeks, were used. Eggs were divided into two groups (coated with chitosan and uncoated) groups. Each group was divided into three groups according to the storage period. Eggs were stored for periods of 1, 4 and 7 days at 15°C and 80% humidity. Then, they were incubated. Storage period of eggs up to 7 days did not affect the egg quality, egg weight loss, embryo growth, chick properties and hatchability of fertile eggs. However, embryo development, relative residual yolk sac weight and relative chick weight were affected by coating eggs with chitosan. Interaction was not found between storage lengths and coating of eggs with chitosan for all examined parameters. The results of the present study suggested that hatching eggs obtained from old broiler breeder flocks were immersed into chitosan solution once and quickly have negative effect on the embryo weight, yolk sac absorption and relative chick weight. It has been observed that covering the hatching eggs with chitosan is not suitable in this respect even if immersion takes place once and in a short time.     

Pathological,biochemical and haematological investigations on the protective effect of α-lipoic acid in experimental aflatoxin toxicosis in chicks

1.?The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of α-lipoic acid (LA) on aflatoxin (AF) toxicosis in chicks.

2.?Groups of 10 Ross PM3 chicks were given, for 21 d, no AF (C), 60 mg/kg/bwt of α-lipoic acid (LA), 150 ppb of aflatoxin (AF1), 150 ppb of aflatoxin plus 60 mg/kg/bwt of α-lipoic acid (AF1 + LA), 300 ppb of aflatoxin (AF2), and 300 ppb of aflatoxin plus 60 mg/kg/bwt of α-lipoic acid (AF2 + LA). Before the animals were killed, blood samples were drawn for haematological analysis, and then tissue samples were collected for histopathological investigation. Immunohistochemical staining was performed against inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine on liver samples. Apoptotic cell death in liver was assessed by in situ TUNEL assay. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrayions in liver and kidney were also determined.

3.?Hydropic degeneration and occasional necrosis, bile duct hyperplasia and periportal fibrosis were observed in the livers of AF-treated groups. The severity of these changes was reduced in LA-supplemented AF groups. Occasionally, thymic cortical atrophy, lymphoid depletion in spleen and bursa of Fabricius, and degeneration in the kidney tubule epitheliums were detected in AF groups. The severity of these degenerative changes was slightly reduced in LA supplemented groups.

4.?There was moderate to strong iNOS and nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity in the livers of AF groups, while decreased immunoreactivity was observed against both antibodies in the LA supplemented groups. Apoptotic cells were numerous in the AF groups, while greatly reduced in LA supplemented groups.

5.?In the liver and kidney of AF-treated groups given 300 ppb of aflatoxin, MDA concentrations were increased as GSH decreased, compared to the control group. LA supplementation of AF-treated birds improved the results compared to the AF only groups, however a statistical difference was observed only in liver tissues between AF2 + LA and AF2 groups. Haematological variables showed no differences among the groups.

6.?In conclusion, supplementation of feed with the antioxidant LA, might ameliorate the degenerative effects caused by aflatoxin due to lipid peroxidation.     

Observations on hand‐mating behaviors,several physiological and hematological parameters in Turkish dairy goats

The aims of this study were to examine hand‐mating behavior of doe and buck and relationships of courtship behavior and physiological and hematological traits according to gestation results. Duration from beginning of observation until mating (M‐C), duration between two copulations (C‐C) and courtship behavioral index value of each sex (CBIVD; courtship behavioral index value of doe, CBIVB; courtship behavioral index value of buck) and mounting behavior of buck, were observed. Experience of doe was affected of CBIVD and CBIVB (P = 0.01 and P = 0.01, respectively). Bucks mounted significantly higher times on experienced does than on inexperienced ones (P = 0.00). On the other hand service number decreased with an increase in M‐C (P = 0.00). Elevated service number was observed with increased mounting frequency of buck (P = 0.03). There were strong correlations between CBIVD and CBIVB (r = 0.48, P = 0.00). Pregnancy was not influenced by vaginal pH value. Does, which gave multiple births, had higher vaginal pH (P = 0.05). Rectal temperature difference of doe had no influence on success of mating and birth type. On the other hand, birth type was affected by rectal temperature difference of buck. There was no significant difference of hematological parameters according to mating results. Hemoglobin, red blood cell count and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration values were higher in single births and mean cell volume value was lower in single births.