福建将乐林场常绿阔叶次生林主要种群种间联结性研究

【目的】研究福建省将乐国有林场常绿阔叶次生林主要种群间的联结性,为探索植物群落演替及原生性植被类型的恢复提供依据,为该林场常绿阔叶次生林的可持续经营提供参考。【方法】采用样地调查法,在福建将乐林场选取重要值较大的22个树种,利用种间联结指数VR研究群落的整体关联性;利用χ2检验、Pearson相关系数检验、Spearman秩相关系数检验分析种对间的联结性。【结果】该林场常绿阔叶次生林种间联结指数VR为1.014,主要种群总体呈现较弱的正关联。231个种对中,χ2检验结果显示,正、负关联的种对数分别为110和119对,正负关联种对数的比值为0.924;显著和极显著相关种对数占总数的11.3%。Pearson相关系数检验结果表明,正、负相关的种对数分别为77和153对,正负关联种对数的比值为0.503;显著和极显著相关的种对数占总数的7.4%。Spearman秩相关系数检验结果表明,正、负相关的种对数分别为100和129对,正负关联种对数的比值为0.775;显著和极显著相关的种对数占总数的13.9%。【结论】福建将乐林场的常绿阔叶次生林总体联结程度较小,22个主要树种种对间关系以负相关较多,种间关联性不明显,主要种群独立出现的概率较大。     

Phenotyping Castanea hybrids for Phytophthora cinnamomi resistance

Castanea sativa is susceptible to Phytophthora spp., a serious root pathogen causing ink disease, while C. crenata and C. mollissima show resistance to infection. Interspecific controlled crosses were established for introgression of resistance genes from the resistant species into the susceptible C. sativa, and two mapping populations were created. Phytophthora cinnamomi resistance of each progeny was evaluated by root and excised shoot inoculation tests. The number of days of survival after root inoculation was the best discriminator of resistance to P. cinnamomi while the percentage of shoots with internal lesions was the symptom most associated with survival. The lesion progression rate in the excised shoot inoculation test was strongly and negatively correlated with survival in the root inoculation test. The excised shoot inoculation test appears to be a reliable approach for screening the resistance of chestnut genotypes to P. cinnamomi. Strong genetic correlations were obtained between survival and ink disease symptoms and among symptoms, indicating that common or linked genes might influence resistance to P. cinnamomi. The most resistant genotypes selected from this study will be tested for other commercial variables, such as ease of vegetative propagation and stock–scion compatibility.     

Heritability of foot conformation and its relationship to sports performance in a Dutch Warmblood horse population

Reasons for performing study: Warmblood horse studbooks aim to breed horses with a conformation that will enable elite future performance, but reduce the risk of injuries and lameness. Negative conformational traits, such as asymmetrical or ‘uneven’ forefeet would possibly diminish performance. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and heritability of uneven feet and its genetic relationship to other conformation traits as well as to sporting performance later in life in Warmblood riding horses. Methods: The databases of the Royal Dutch Warmblood Studbook (KWPN, n = 44,840 horses) and Royal Dutch Equestrian Sports Federation (KNHS, n = 33,459 horses in dressage and n = 30,474 horses in showjumping) were linked through the unique number of each registered horse. Therefore, heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations could be estimated from the scores of the jury at studbook admission and the sports performance of that population in dressage and jumping over the period 1990–2002. Results: The prevalence of uneven feet was 5.3% on average, and increased from under 4.5% during the first 3 years of recording to over 8% in the years from 2000 onwards. Heritability estimates of foot conformation traits were moderate and ranged from 0.16 for heel height to 0.27 for hoof shape. The genetic correlation between the trait of uneven feet and performance in competition was negative but weak: ?0.09 with dressage and ?0.12 with showjumping. Conclusions: Predisposition to uneven feet can be reduced by selection. Because of weak genetic correlations, the increased prevalence is not directly associated with selection for better sports performance or higher conformation grade. If the trait ‘uneven feet’ arises from a disproportionate relationship between height at the withers and neck length, then selection on conformation grade might result in development of uneven feet. In general, limb conformation has a moderate genetic relationship to conformation grade and foot conformation traits have a genetic relationship to sporting performance. Reducing occurrence of uneven feet by selection is possible, without limiting progress in sport performance.     

Genetic correlations between similar traits in the Danish and Swedish Warmblood sport horse populations

Genetic correlations between phenotypically similar or related traits tested at young horse performance tests for Danish Warmblood (DWB) and Swedish Warmblood (SWB) horses were calculated using Multi-trait Across Country Evaluation (MACE). Data comprised stallions with an estimated breeding value (EBV) from the national genetic evaluations (NGE) based on at least 10 progeny tested in performance tests, and the ancestors of those stallions in two generations. The DWB data included 349 stallions and the SWB data 426 stallions. Of these, 28 had EBVs in both DWB and SWB. Additionally 151 pedigree animals were common between DWB and SWB. The dependent variables used were NGE results of stallions born 1980 and later, which reduced the number of common stallions with EBVs to 23. The genetic correlations were very high for jumping traits (0.99) and dressage related traits (0.89–0.97). For conformation traits correlations varied between 0.10 and 0.98. Because of the high genetic correlations and frequent use of same or closely related foreign stallions, breeders of both DWB and SWB would benefit from using the NGEs for performance traits across countries, although the genetic correlations do not consider differences in genetic merit levels between the populations. It would be feasible to perform a joint genetic evaluation using MACE, which would improve the reliability of estimated breeding values, and enable ranking of all stallions according to the national scale of each country.     

北京山区黑桦天然次生林不同种群的格局分析

根据2006年6月对北京八达岭林场0.5 hm2黑桦天然次生林样地的调查结果,采用点格局分析方法,对群落内主要种群和黑桦种群各龄级个体在不同尺度下的空间分布格局和相互关系进行了研究。结果表明:①黑桦和蒙椴种群单种格局在研究的空间尺度范围内呈显著的集群分布,元宝槭种群在小尺度上呈集群分布,在较大尺度上呈随机分布。②主要树种之间存在种间关联,重要值最高的黑桦和蒙椴呈显著负相关关系,说明此群落组成和结构不稳定,正处于植被演替阶段。③黑桦种群各龄级木的分布格局随树龄的增加,由集群分布逐渐趋向于随机分布。④黑桦种群相邻龄级木之间的相互关系主要是正相关关系,而不相邻龄级木之间的关系多为负相关关系。      

Genetic parameters estimates for ewes’ behavioural reactivity towards their litter after lambing

In livestock, improving maternal reactivity towards the litter is an important issue in breeding strategies to promote production and animal welfare. As of yet, no studies have investigated the within-breed genetic variation of maternal reactivity in sheep. The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters of maternal reactivity traits. A total of 1,095 primiparous and 1,441 multiparous Romane ewes were phenotyped 24 hr postlambing using a behavioural test (arena test, AT) over a 10-year experimental period. The test consisted of three successive phases evaluating the ewe's attraction to her litter, reactivity to separation from her litter, and reactivity to a conflict between attraction to her litter and avoidance of a motionless human. The ewes were reared exclusively on rangelands (South of France) and lambed outdoors in the spring. High-pitched bleating and low-pitched bleating in the AT were mostly highly heritable (0.39‒0.46). Heritabilities were moderate for proximity to the litter in the presence of a human (0.27) and low for locomotion and vigilance in the AT (0.09‒0.15). The measurements of a given behaviour in the three phases of the AT were highly genetically correlated. Few genetic correlations were found between the different behavioural traits in the AT, the highest correlations being between high-pitched bleating and low-pitched bleating (−0.43 to −0.77). In conclusion, our findings demonstrate moderate-to-high heritability for maternal reactivity traits. These traits could be included in genetic selection schemes to enhance maternal attachment provided there is no unfavourable link with other production traits.     

Genetic variation in high-protein pea

Of the four high-protein genotypes isolated after induced mutations and breeding, two exhibited height and yield nearly equal to the Bonneville pea variety, but matured later. Their stability for protein yield over generations and locations, aminogram pattern and nutritional value remains to be determined. Path analysis and correlations indicate that developing a short-statured pea with higher yield and increased protein content may not be possible with the available breeding methods and germ plasm.     

Genetic variation in a Norwegian germplasm collection of white clover (Trifolium repens L.)

Phenotypic (r_p), genotypic (r_g), genotype × location (r_gl) and error (r_e)correlations for important agronomic characters were estimated for eleven Norwegian populations of white clover (Trifolium repens L.), originating from between 58^°52′N and 69^°30′N latitude, and from altitudes of 10 to 450 m a.s.l. The populations were evaluated in monoculture clonal field plots for two years at two locations in Norway. All pairwise correlations between foliage height, leaflet length, dry matter yield (DMY) and general performance were positive and significant. Winter survival was positively correlated with general performance, spring growth and DMY, but negatively associated with internode length, while seed yield showed a small positive genotypic correlation with foliage height. Considerable differences were, however, revealed among populations with regard to sign and magnitude of the estimated correlations. Within-population estimates of r_g were consistently positive between DMY, general performance and most other characters; between foliage height on the one hand and leaflet length, winter survival and seed yield on the other hand, and between internode length and leaflet length, indicating pleiotropy. Correlations involving other character-combinations varied substantially among populations, and imply presence of linkage and/or coadaptation. Path coefficient analysis was used to partition the genotypic correlations between some of the characters into direct and indirect effects. Path coefficients revealed that foliage height had the highest positive direct effect on DMY, followed by winter survival and internode length. Leaflet length, which showed a positive, significant simple correlation with DMY, exhibited a negligible direct influence, counterbalanced nearly completely by the positive indirect effect on DMY via foliage height. Positive indirect effects on DMY via foliage height were also found for winter survival and internode length. The coastal populations from North and Middle Norway, and a southern highland population showed the largest expected responses to phenotypic selection for most of the characters. The results demonstrate that there is enough genetic variation in adapted local populations to develop new improved cultivars adapted to high-latitude environments that combine upright growth habit with sufficient winter-hardiness and persistency. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Phosphorus,copper and zinc supply levels influence growth and nutrition of a young Populus trichocarpa (Torr. & Gray) × P. deltoides (Bartr. ex Marsh) hybrid

Growth and nutrient responses of a P.trichocarpa × P. deltoides hybrid to phosphorus(P), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were examined in a 4P× 3Cu × 3Zn factorial experiment conducted in anunheated greenhouse from 20 May until 25 August, 1997. Increase of growth medium P concentration from 37 to356 mg kg^-1 resulted in a mean increase in treedry weight of 53%, and increase of P concentrationfrom 37 to 500 mg kg^-1 was associated with a stemvolume increase of 47%. Increase from 0 to 0.32 µM Cu in solution applied thrice weekly wasassociated with a 61% increase in tree dry weight anda 59% increase in stem volume. There was also asmaller increase in stem volume (9.4%) resulting fromincrease in concentration of Zn from 0 to 0.31 µMin nutrient solution. Mean minimal leafconcentrations for satisfactory stem growth were foundto be 2.5 g kg^-1 P, 2.4 mg kg^-1 Cu and 74 mgkg^-1Zn. Visual deficiency symptoms wereassociated with mean leaf P concentrations below 1.6 gkg^-1, and Cu concentrations below 1.7 mgkg^-1. Increase in leaf P concentration wasassociated with decreases in leaf Cu and Znconcentrations, and high leaf Zn appeared tocompensate in some degree for low leaf Cu. Totalplant dry weight was satisfactorily predicted by stemvolume (r² = 0.85), but not by mean leaf weightor area.