The role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and cattle manure in the establishment of Tocoyena selloana Schum. in mined dune areas

In mined dune areas, revegetation with manured seedlings of native species is a common practice. Establishment of mycorrhized Tocoyena selloana seedlings in the mined coastal sand dunes of Northeast Brazil was tested. In greenhouse, seedlings were grown in substrates with 0, 5, 10, 15 or 20% cattle manure proportions and inoculated with Acaulospora longula, a mixture of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) or uninoculated. The seedlings responded positively to the inoculation, but growth was limited in the absence of manure, independently of inoculation, and was higher with fertilizing doses ≥10%. The seedlings transplanted to the field were grown in a substrate with 16.5% manure and inoculated with A. longula or Gigaspora albida. After 13 months, 19 AMF species were identified in the rhizosphere and the inoculated plants were more colonized than those uninoculated. Plants associated to G. albida were taller and those associated to A. longula had a tendency of higher biomass than the uninoculated ones. Even though this tendency was not statistically significant, considering the effect on height and the low cost of inoculation it may be a feasible practice to maximize environment restoration.     

Molecular characterisation of Cryptosporidium isolates from pre-weaned calves in Romania: is there an actual risk of zoonotic infections?

Diarrheic fecal samples from 258 pre-weaned calves (1-30 day-old) from 9 dairy farms located in Banat region, Romania, were microscopically examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts. Overall, 65 (25%) samples were found positive. A higher percent of infection was recorded in calves aged between 8 and 14 days compared with other age categories (1-7, 8-14, 15-21 and 22-30 days; p<0.05). Genetic characterization was carried out on all Cryptosporidium-positive samples. After DNA extraction, Cryptosporidium species were determined by a nested PCR of the small subunit rRNA gene (18S) followed by RFLP analysis with SspI, VspI and MboII restriction enzymes. The restriction patterns showed that animals were infected with Cryptosporidium parvum. Subsequently, subtyping of 13 C. parvum isolates, based on sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein (GP60) gene, showed 2 subtypes (IIaA15G2R1 and IIaA16G1R1) belonging to the subtype family IIa. This is the first molecular study of bovine Cryptosporidium infection in Romania.     

Genetic diversity,population structure,and correlations between locally adapted zebu and taurine breeds in Brazil using SNP markers

Genetic diversity is one of the most important issues in studies on conservation of cattle breeds and endangered species. The objective of this study was to estimate the levels of genetic differentiation between locally adapted taurine (Bos taurus taurus) and zebu (Bos taurus indicus) breeds in Brazil, which were genotyped for more than 777,000 SNPs. The fixation index (F _ST), principal component analysis (PCA), and Bayesian clustering were estimated. The F _ST highlighted genetic differentiation between taurine and zebu breeds. The taurine lines, Caracu and Caracu Caldeano, had significant genetic differentiation (F _ST close to 5%) despite their recent selection for different uses (meat and milk). This genetic variability can be used for conservation of locally adapted animals, as well as for breeding programs on zebu breeds. Introgression of zebu in locally adapted breeds was identified, especially in Curraleiro Pé-Duro breed. The Gyr breed, however, had low breed purity at genomic level due to its very heterogeneous mixing pattern.     

Morphological and morphometric characterization of domestic cat epididymal sperm

Sperm morphometry is the tool that confers objectivity to the morphological evaluation by accurately measuring the dimensions of the gamete and its structures. Thus, the aim of the study was to perform a morphometric characterization of the domestic cat sperm. Therefore, sperm samples were collected from twenty pairs of epididymis in a TRIS extender at 37ºC. An aliquot of the sample was used to make a smear with Rose Bengal solution, and afterwards, the morphology and morphometry were analysed. In the morphology, were quantified the percentage of normal sperm cells, morphological changes of head, midpiece and tail. In morphometry, each normal sperm cell was measured for length, width, area and perimeter of head and midpiece, tail length and total length. The parameters ellipticity, elongation, regularity and rugosity were also determined. The percentage of normal sperm was 67.21%. Of the abnormalities, the curled/folded tail, followed by the curved midpiece, abnormal shaped head and detached head were the most quantified. The sperm head presented 5.56 ± 0.01 μm and 3.10 ± 0.01 μm of length and width, respectively. The head area was 16.94 ± 0.05 μm², while the perimeter was 16.16 ± 0.03 μm. In the derived parameters, the values were as follows: ellipticity of 1.81 ± 0.00; elongation of 21.39 ± 0.12; regularity of 0.81 ± 0.00; and rugosity of 0.14 ± 0.00. The midpiece presented length and width of 7.96 ± 0.01 μm and 0.76 ± 0.01 μm, respectively. The mean length of the sperm tail was 45.12 ± 0.06 μm, and the total cell size was 58.67 ± 0.06 μm. Thus, it was concluded that the cat sperm is an elongated cell, with high rugosity and regularity. The spermatic tail represents more than ¾ of the total length of the cell and the midpiece exceeds the length of the head.     

Water erosion risk assessment and impact on productivity of a Venezuelan soil

Soil losses affect the physical, chemical and biological soil properties and as a consequence reduce soil productivity. Erosion reduces or eliminates root-explorable soil depth and crop available water, selectively decreases the nutrient and organic matter content, and exposes soil layers with unsuitable characteristics for crop growth. Yield is hence assumed to be a function of root growth, which in turn is a function of the soil environment. In order to evaluate the water erosion impact on soil properties and productivity, a study was carried out on a Typic Haplustalfs soil, with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench), located in Chaguaramas in the Central Plains of Venezuela. Four different study locations with the same soil type, with slopes ranging from 3% to 6% and with different levels of erosion were selected: Chaguaramas I (slightly eroded), Chaguaramas II, (moderately eroded), Chaguaramas III (moderately eroded), and Chaguaramas IV (severely eroded). A sorghum–livestock farming system was introduced 30 years ago. Secondary tillage with a disc harrow (without mulch on the topsoil) was applied for seedbed preparation. Fertilizers and pesticides were applied uniformly over the entire fields. Soil samples from each horizon were analysed for particle size distribution, water retention, bulk density, pH and organic matter content. The relative production potential was estimated using the Productivity Index developed by Pierce et al. [Pierce, F.C., W.E. Larson, R.H. Dowdy and W.A. Graham. 1983. Productivity of soils: assessing long-term changes due to erosion. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 38 39–44.], and adapted to the methodology proposed by Delgado [Delgado F. 2003. Soil physical properties on Venezuelan steeplands: applications to conservation planning. The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics. College on Soil Physics. 11 pp.] for Venezuelan soil conditions. The Productivity Index (PI) could estimate the tolerable rate of soil productivity loss. A soil erosion risk was assessed by the Erosion Risk Index (ERI) taking into account the soil hydrological characteristics (infiltration–runoff ratio), rainfall aggressiveness and topography (slope). The Productivity Index (PI) and the Erosion Risk Index (ERI) were used to classify the lands for soil conservation priorities, for conservation requirements and for alternative land uses. The results showed that: (a) the Productivity Index (PI) decreased with increasing level of erosion, (b) the Productivity Index (PI) was mainly affected by changes in available water storage capacity, bulk density and pH, (c) the erosion risk (ERI) was strongly affected by slope gradient and rainfall aggressiveness, (d) the areas were classified as critical lands and super-critical lands, with high to very high soil conservation requirements, depending on the level of soil erosion.     

Iron Toxicity in Lowland Rice

Lowland rice is a staple food for more than 50% world population. Iron toxicity is one of the main nutritional disorders, which limits yield of lowland rice in various parts of the world. The toxicity of iron is associated with reduced soil condition of submerged or flooded soils, which increases concentration and uptake of iron (Fe^{2 +}). Higher concentration of Fe^{2 +} in the rhizosphere also has antagonistic effects on the uptake of many essential nutrients and consequently yields reduction. In addition to reduced condition, increase in concentration of Fe^{2 +} in submerged soils of lowland rice is associated with iron content of parent material, oxidation-reduction potential, soil pH, ionic concentration, fertility level, and lowland rice genotypes. Oxidation-reduction potential of highly reduced soil is in the range of –100 to –300 mV. Iron toxicity has been observed in flooded soils with a pH below 5.8 when aerobic and pH below 6.5 when anaerobic. Visual toxicity symptoms on plants, soil and plant tissue test are major diagnostic techniques for identifying iron toxicity. Appropriate management practices like liming acid soils, improving soil fertility, soil drainage at certain growth stage of crop, use of manganese as antagonistic element in the uptake of Fe^{2 +} and planting Fe^{2 +} resistant rice cultivars can reduce problem of iron toxicity.     

Genetic parameter estimation for pre- and post-weaning traits in Brahman cattle in Brazil

Beef cattle producers in Brazil use body weight traits as breeding program selection criteria due to their great economic importance. The objectives of this study were to evaluate different animal models, estimate genetic parameters, and define the most fitting model for Brahman cattle body weight standardized at 120 (BW120), 210 (BW210), 365 (BW365), 450 (BW450), and 550 (BW550) days of age. To estimate genetic parameters, single-, two-, and multi-trait analyses were performed using the animal model. The likelihood ratio test was verified between all models. For BW120 and BW210, additive direct genetic, maternal genetic, maternal permanent environment, and residual effects were considered, while for BW365 and BW450, additive direct genetic, maternal genetic, and residual effects were considered. Finally, for BW550, additive direct genetic and residual effects were considered. Estimates of direct heritability for BW120 were similar in all analyses; however, for the other traits, multi-trait analysis resulted in higher estimates. The maternal heritability and proportion of maternal permanent environmental variance to total variance were minimal in multi-trait analyses. Genetic, environmental, and phenotypic correlations were of high magnitude between all traits. Multi-trait analyses would aid in the parameter estimation for body weight at older ages because they are usually affected by a lower number of animals with phenotypic information due to culling and mortality.     

Race 1 fusarium wilt tolerance on banana plants selected by fusaric acid

Summary The selection of tolerant variants to race 1 fusarium wilt of banana was carried out through the effects of fusaric acid onin vitro banana multiple bud clumps (MBCs). The MBCs of Maçã cultivar (Musa sp., AAB, Silk), which is susceptible to the race 1 fusarium wilt, were used. And, Nanicão cultivar (AAA, Cavendish subgroup) was used in the tolerant tests as control of a disease tolerant variety. Firstly, to aim at determining an appropriate concentration of the toxin for the tolerant selection, the MBCs were cultured on the Modified Murashige & Skoog medium supplemented with 0.05 to 1.6 mM fusaric acid. The growth on both cultivars was completely inhibited on the medium containing 0.1 mM fusaric acid.Tolerant variants of Maçã were, then, selected with 0.1 mM fusaric acid after chemical mutagen treatment. The results showed an increased tolerance of the selected Maçã plants to the race 1 fungus in greenhouse tests. In vitro selection by fusaric acid is a very useful method for obtaining fusarium disease tolerance, although the tolerance mechanism of the selected plants may be different from that of existing tolerant cultivars.     

Genetic progress after four cycles of recurrent selection for yield and grain traits in common bean

The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic progress after four cycles of recurrent selection in common bean. The base segregating population was obtained from 10 parents, and derived the S_0:1 and S_0:2 families that were evaluated. The S_0:3 families with higher grain yield and grain color, like the standard carioca were selected, and were intercrossed to generate the population of the following cycle. This process was repeated for four cycles. The best families were evaluated in each cycle by many generations and locations, and the five best lines of each cycle were identified. The 20 lines thus obtained were evaluated in two growing seasons, sown in July and November 2002. The grain yield (kg/ha) and grain type (scale of scores) were evaluated. Genetic progress was confirmed for both traits. The mean annual gain with selection for the grain type was 10.5% and 5.7% for grain yield, with no evidence of variability reduction in the population. These results show that recurrent selection is a good alternative for improving common bean quantitative traits.