Mate choice of an endogeic earthworm revealed by microsatellite markers

Endogeic earthworms are difficult study subjects due to the cryptic medium in which they live; thus, only the behaviour of epigeic and anecic earthworms has been studied before. We used microsatellite markers as a tool to elucidate the mate choice processes of Hormogaster elisae, an endogeic earthworm. It was shown to normally mate with two partners, preferably of the same size that are found in close proximity thereby eliminating the need for long-distance dispersion, which could explain the previously observed high genetic differentiation between populations. The genetic analyses of the sperm within each of its four spermathecae showed a uniform distribution with no signs of differential storage of sperm from different partners.     

Use of a Japanese quail fibrosarcoma cell line (QT-35) in serologic assays to determine the antigenic relationship of avian metapneumoviruses.

The ability of a Japanese quail fibrosarcoma cell line (QT-35) to support the replication of avian metapneumoviruses belonging to the 3 subgroups A (14/1 virus), B (Colorado virus), and C (Hungary virus) enabled the development of assays for the detection and evaluation of virus-specific antibodies. On the basis of the results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), plaque reduction neutralization assay (PRNA), immunofluorescent assay (IFA), and Western blot analysis, some degree of antigenic cross-reactivity was observed between prototype viruses belonging to each of the 3 subgroups A, B, and C. The antigen produced in QT-35 cells was found to be superior with respect to its reactivity with virus-specific antibodies, as determined when used in ELISA and IFA. Standardization of both the input virus and the virus-specific antibodies in PRNA enabled a more detailed analysis of the antigenic relationship between these viruses. Specifically, it was observed that 14/1 virus shared more neutralizing regions with Hungary and Colorado viruses than did either of these viruses with 14/1 virus. In addition, Hungary virus shared comparatively fewer neutralizing epitopes with the Colorado virus than did 14/1 virus. Western blot analysis of the reactivity patterns of virus antigen, produced in QT-35 cells, with subgroup-specific antibodies identified a cross-reactive protein migrating at approximately 18 kD. These assays and the information from the Western blot will enable further analysis of avian metapneumovirus isolates to determine antigenic relationships.     

Multi‐temporal Digital Photogrammetric Analysis for Quantitative Assessment of Soil Erosion Rates in the Landola Catchment of the Upper Orcia Valley (Tuscany,Italy)

This paper focuses on the analysis of the slope and catchment erosion dynamics in a typical Mediterranean context and its sensitivity to recent climatic and socio‐economic changes. The main objective of the present study is to test the reliability of digital photogrammetric analysis to evaluate the time and space evolution of erosion processes mainly triggered by surface running waters and landslides for about the last 60 years. The selected test area is the Landola catchment, a minor tributary of the Upper Orcia River Valley (Southern Tuscany). The Upper Orcia valley is a key site for the comprehension of denudation processes typically acting in Mediterranean badland areas thanks to the following: (i) the availability of long‐lasting erosion monitoring datasets (20 years' long direct measurements at erosion ‘hot spots’); (ii) its representativeness as a sub‐humid Mediterranean badland area; and (iii) the rapidity of development of erosion processes, which makes it suitable as an open‐air laboratory for the study of badland dynamics. The outputs of this work highlight that the application of high‐resolution digital photogrammetric methodologies can represent a powerful and low‐cost tool to evaluate rates and spatial–temporal distribution of denudation processes, as confirmed by the validation through field point monitoring in areas close to the study area. The results obtained for the study area confirm that high erosion rates are a persistent environmental problem for the Upper Orcia Valley, which is not solved up to now, despite various land conservation interventions. The performed multi‐temporal analysis shows a slight decrease in the average water erosion rate during the last 60 years and a parallel increase in the frequency of mass wasting events. These variations are most likely related to a complex interplay between land use changes that have affected the study area during the studied period, revealing a very delicate equilibrium between farming activities and erosion processes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pyramiding genes affecting sprouting resistance in Rye by means of marker assisted selection

The 541 × Ot1-3 intercross population and bulked segregant analysis (BSA) were used to search for molecular markers linked to genes underlying sprouting and alpha-amylase activity. Six RAPD markers showing association with studied traits were tested for their potential effectiveness in selecting sprouting resistant genotypes. It was shown that although individual effects of markers were not high, their accumulation in one genotype gives substantial increase in sprouting resistance.     

拉丁美洲花卉业:跟上时代步伐

如今,在这个全球伴随着激烈竞争的市场环境下,非洲及亚洲的花卉从业者成为国际上花卉栽培大军中的一支新兴队伍,并且这支队伍的力量正在与日俱增,     

Agronomical and morphological differentiation among winter and spring triticales

A collection of 299 secondary hexaploid triticale cultivars and advanced breeding lines from 18 countries, which were considered a representative sample of the existing diversity, was evaluated for morphological and agronomical characters with autumn planting at Lleida, Spain, from 1988 to 1991. The entries were classified as having winter (84) or spring (215) growth habit and among this latter group were complete (73) or substituted (147) types according to CIMMYT's terminology. Winter and spring triticales were grouped by cluster and principal component analyses. Winter triticales were taller with longer growth cycles, longer spikes, and more spikelets per spike than spring types. At early stages they also had prostrate growth. Spring-substituted types were separated from complete material. As a group, spring-substituted triticales differed more from winter types than the spring complete genotypes, which showed intermediate characteristics. Complete types of spring habit had tendency to be taller, with longer spikes, more spikelets per spike and bigger and heavier grains than substituted triticales. Greater variation in morphological and agronomical parameters was detected among winter triticales followed by the complete-spring group.     

Availability of exchangeable and non-exchangeable K in Argentine soils with different mineralogy

There were two objectives in the study: 1) To determine exchangeable K and non-exchangeable K in soils with different potassium depletion levels and mineralogy as plant sources 2) To establish a relationship between the mineralogy vs exchangeable K (Ke) and non-exchangeable K (Kne) mobilization. An extraction experiment of soils was carried out in a greenhouse, with a total of 6 consecutive crops of ryegrass. Different supply rates for plant K were determined by Ke and Kne mobilization according to the soil intensity of use. The contribution of the Ke was greater and generated higher amount of K uptake during maximum availability period (from 0 to the 1st harvest) than in the later period when soil K was already depleted. For this the initial exchangeable K and the illite concentration of soils accounted for almost 100% (R² = 0.981 P=0.01) of the K taken up by ryegrass. For the following period (from the 2nd harvest to the 6th), Kne forms became more important. Plant K supply was not only a result of initial exchangeable K and illite concentration but presumably also of primary K-bearing minerals.     

Polyphenol oxidase from Dominga table grape

Dominga grape polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was extracted using phase partitioning with Triton X-114. The enzyme was obtained in latent state and could be optimally activated by the presence of 0.2% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at pH 6.0. In the absence of SDS, the enzyme showed maximum activity at acid pH. The kinetic parameters of the enzyme at pH 3.0 and 6.0 in the presence of SDS were calculated. The effect of several inhibitors was studied, tropolone being the most effective with a K(i) value of 18 muM. The effect of cyclodextrins was also studied, and the complexation constant K(c) between G(2)-beta-cyclodextrins and 4-tert-butylcatechol was calculated using the enzymatic method (K(c) = 13960 M(-)(1)). The evolution of the color parameters (L, a, b) of liquefied grape berries was inhibited by inhibitors of PPO activity, such as diethyldithiocarbamate, metabisulfite, and G(2)-beta-cyclodextrins, indicating that enzymatic browning by PPO is the main process involved in the browning of Dominga grape juice at room temperature.     

Real-time polymerase chain reaction based assays for quantitative detection of barley, rice, sunflower, and wheat

Quality assurance is a major issue in the food industry. The authenticity of food ingredients and their traceability are required by consumers and authorities. Plant species such as barley (Hordeum vulgare), rice (Oryza sativa), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), and wheat (Triticum aestivum) are very common among the ingredients of many processed food products; therefore the development of specific assays for their specific detection and quantification are needed. Furthermore, the production and trade of genetically modified lines from an increasing number of plant species brings about the need for control within research, environmental risk assessment, labeling/legal, and consumers' information purposes. We report here the development of four independent real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays suitable for identification and quantification of four plant species (barley, rice, sunflower, and wheat). These assays target gamma-hordein, gos9, helianthinin, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase sequences, respectively, and were able to specifically detect and quantify DNA from the target plant species. In addition, the simultaneous amplification of RALyase allowed bread from durum wheat to be distinguished. Limits of detection were 1 genome copy for barley, sunflower, and wheat and 3.3 copies for rice real-time PCR systems, whereas limits of quantification were 10 genome copies for barley, sunflower, or wheat and approximately 100 haploid genomes for rice real-time PCR systems. Real-time PCR cycling conditions of the four assays were stated as standard to facilitate their use in routine laboratory analyses. The assays were finally adapted to conventional PCR for detection purposes, with the exception of the wheat assay, which detects rye simultaneously with similar sensitivity in an agarose gel.     

Distribution and habitat of Spanish populations of the subtribe Hordeineae; improved views following germplasm collecting activities

A complete study was made of 20 Spanish herbaria and of the literature concerning the regional flora of Spain in order to define the geographical limits of the different genera of the subtribe Hordeineae found in Spain. Accordingly, several expeditions were undertaken to the greater part of the Spanish mainland and its islands in order to collect samples of wild populations of the genera Hordeum L., Taeniatherum Nevski and Hordelymus Jessen. This paper, which contains information garnered from both collection activities and the study of herbaria, describes the distribution and ecological characteristics of the habitats where populations of H. bulbosum, H. secalinum, H. murinum subsp. murinum, H. murinum subsp. leporinum, H. marinum subsp. marinum, H. marinum subsp. gussoneanum, Taeniatherum caput-medusae and Hordelymus europeus grow.The bioclimatic and geographical characteristics of the populations of the different genera and species from which samples were taken during collect ing expeditions are also described.