A SCAR marker linked to the N gene for resistance to root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

The root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are important nematode pests and cause serious diseases in pepper in the world. No molecular markers linked to the nematodes resistance N gene have been reported. In this paper, ‘Carolina Wonder’ (Capsicum annuum L.), a sweet pepper line resistant to root-knot nematode with N gene, ‘20080-5-29’ (C. annuum L.), an inbred line susceptible to root-knot nematode with good horticultural characteristics, and their F₂ progeny with 320 individuals were used as materials. Evaluation of resistance and susceptibility of parental lines, F₁ and F₂ progeny inoculated with root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) were carried out. ‘Bulked segregant analysis’ method was used to search for polymorphic markers from 512 pairs of AFLP primers. Based on the assessment of resistance and susceptibility and polymorphism of the AFLP marker in F₂ population, the genetic linkage distance between the AFLP marker and the N gene was estimated. One AFLP marker E39/M41-339 was obtained and transferred to a SCAR marker amplifying a 315 bp DNA fragment linked to the N resistant allele and a 331 bp fragment linked to the N⁺ susceptible allele. The distance between the molecular marker and the nematodes resistance N gene is 6.3 cM. This research delivered a valuable tool for the marker assisted selection of nematodes resistance in pepper.     

Digestibility of the defatted microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. and Desmodesmus sp. when fed to Atlantic salmon,Salmo salar

The aim of the study was to investigate the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of defatted biomass derived from microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. and Desmodesmus sp. when fed to Atlantic salmon postsmolts in seawater. Two experiments, one employing cold‐pelleted and the other employing extruded pellets, were carried out to determine the ADC of dry matter (DM), protein, ash and energy. The test feeds consisted of a fishmeal‐based reference feed and the algal biomass, at a ratio of 70:30, and yttrium oxide as the inert marker. The ADC of DM and protein in fish fed microalgae‐incorporated cold‐pelleted feeds were significantly higher for Nannochloropsis sp. compared with Desmodesmus sp. The Nannochloropsis sp. inclusion in extruded feeds also led to higher ADCs of DM and energy compared with Desmodesmus sp. The extrusion processing significantly increased the ADC of ash in both defatted microalgae biomass, as well as ADCs of DM in Nannochloropsis and protein in Desmodesmus sp. In conclusion, the microalga Nannochloropsis sp. was more digestible than Desmodesmus sp., and extrusion processing can be used as a means to improve digestibility of certain nutrients.     

Does resource complementarity or prevention of lodging contribute to the increased productivity of rice varietal mixtures in Yunnan,China?

We conducted an experiment in Gejiu, Yunnan Province of China during the wet season of 2002 to examine the importance of resource complementarity and prevention of lodging in the fast-spreading practice of growing rice varietal mixtures in China to suppress rice blast disease and its associated damage. The hybrid rice variety Shanyou 63 and the glutinous or sticky rice variety Huangkenuo were used to study intra- and inter-varietal competition in the rice intercropping system. The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design in four replications with pure stands and mixtures of both varieties at different total planting densities and mixing ratios. In half of the pure stand treatments of glutinous rice a metal frame was installed to prevent lodging. The results showed that resource complementarity between the two rice varieties, resulting from niche differentiation, was marginal and did not greatly enhance the productivity of the rice varietal mixtures. In contrast, prevention of lodging of glutinous rice was identified as an important additional advantage of growing these rice varieties in mixture.     

Evidence for brainstem structures participating in oculomotor integration

The cerebellar flocculus has been implicated in vestibulo-oculomotor control. One major central input to this structure originates from brainstem cells in the paramedian tract (PMT), whose function is unknown. Here it is reported that PMT cells in the pons carry vestibular and eye movement signals and their pharmacological inactivation produces a leaky integrator combined with vestibular imbalance. The results suggest that PMT cells provide the cerebellum with sensory and motor signals that are essential for velocity-to-position integration, a common premotor process that is required in all motor systems.     

Phenylmercuric acetate: metabolic conversion by microorganisms

Phenylmercuric acetate, an organomercurial that has been widely used as a fungicide and slimicide, was found to be metabolized quickly by soil and aquatic microorganisms. One of the major metabolic products was identified to be diphenylmercury. In none of the cases has a methylmercury derivative been found among the microbial metabolic products of phenylmercuric acetate.     

Response of labile organic C and N pools to plastic film removal from semiarid farmland soil

To examine the effects of plastic film removal on grain yield and soil organic matter (SOM), a spring maize (Zea may L.) field experiment was conducted for 5 yr at Changwu Agricultural and Ecological Experimental Station of Northwest China. Compared with traditional plastic film mulching during entire growing stages (FM), plastic film removal at the silking stage (RM) resulted in a 6.3% higher average maize yield. Under the RM treatment, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen significantly increased after the 5‐yr cultivation in the 0‐ to 20‐cm layer. Significant increases in extractable organic C (EOC), KMnO₄‐oxidizable C (KMnO₄‐C) and C management index (CMI) in the 0‐ to 20‐cm layer, and light fraction organic C and EOC in the 20‐ to 40‐cm layer were observed in response to plastic film removal after the 1‐yr treatment; the responses were more significant after 5 yr. Under the RM treatment, significant increases in microbial biomass C, light fraction organic N, extractable organic N, KMnO₄‐C and CMI were also observed after five years in the 20‐ to 40‐cm layer. Moreover, KMnO₄‐C and EOC were much more sensitive than other labile SOM fractions to the application of RM, even after only 1 yr of cultivation. Therefore, compared with mulching for the whole growing season, plastic film removal at the maize silking stage is an effective option for increasing yields and enhancing SOM concentration and soil sustainability in the regions with semiarid monsoon climates that have sufficient rainfall during maize reproductive stages.     

Recovery from adverse effects of heat stress on slow-growing chicks in the tropics 1: Effect of ascorbic acid and different levels of betaine

Three hundreds, 21 d-old slow-growing chicks were randomly divided among 5 treatments, of 5 replicates each. Each replicate contained 12 unsexed chicks housed in (1 × 1) a floor pen. A group was kept under thermoneutral condition at 28 ± 4°C and RH was 55 ± 3% during 21–84 d of age (positive control) and fed corn-soybean meal diet. The other four groups were kept for three successive days per week under heat stress (HS) at 38 ± 1.4°C and 49 ± 2% RH from 12.00 to 16.00 pm. Chicks in HS treatments were fed corn-soybean meal diet without (negative control) or with 250 mg AA/kg diet and Bet at 0.5 and 1 g/kg diet. HS decreased productive performance, increased (P < 0.05) meat dry matter, plasma triglyceride and serum calcium whereas decreased (P > 0.05) plasma glucose, serum total protein and water holding capacity (WHC) of meat. AA and 1 g of Bet/kg diet was equally potent for partial relief (P < 0.05) of the negative effect of HS on growth, increased (P < 0.05) feed intake, protein digestibility (P < 0.05), dressing out percentage, liver and giblets, whilst improved (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR). Also, a complete recovery from the negative effect (P < 0.05) of HS shown on plasma glucose and partial recovery (P < 0.05) observed in total protein, triglyceride, blood pH, packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hgb), rectal temperature (RT) and respiration rate (RR) and improved humoral immune competence to sheep red blood cell (SBRCs) test.