The use of allozymes at three life stages influences genetic variation analysis and clustering in Cicer arietinum germplasm collections

Levels of genetic variation using 6 enzyme systems for a total of 11 interpretable loci were examined in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) originating from 9locations in Bangladesh. The measurement of genetic variation at enzyme loci was carried out on the seed embryo, on the early leaves of seedlings and on the mature leaves at the vegetative stage. A total of 592individuals, including 240 seeds, 200 seedlings and152 mature leaves were investigated. Using electrophoretic data, chickpea was found to express higher percentages of polymorphic loci at the seed stage (36–64%) than at seedling (22–56%) or the vegetative stage (11–44%). The proportion of mean number of alleles and the average mean observed heterozygosity also were higher at the seed stage when compared to the seedling and vegetative stages. Unique alleles were absent, and only differences infrequencies could be noticed. Positive values of the fixation index were noted for pgm-1 and 6pg-1 for all stages and in both mnr loci for the seed embryo's. A trend towards lower genetic distances of all possible pairs of populations could be observed when comparing those of seed embryo's with seedlings or mature leaves. This trend was even more pronounced when pooling the data of 9 populations into their 3regions. Slight differences in genetic distances caused a separative clustering of population 3 at seed embryo, of population 2 at seedling and of population5 at vegetative stages. It is suggested that careful examination of enzyme polymorphisms at different developmental stages is a prerequisite before drawing conclusions on the genetic distance between germplasm collections from different origins since small differences in the data entry for clustering results in ties that may affect tree topologies. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

不同林龄杨树人工林对土壤微生物状况和酶活性的影响

对文安县不同林龄的中林-46（Zhonglin-46）杨人工林的土壤微生物和酶活性进行了测定分析。结果表明不同林龄的土壤微生物和土壤酶活性均存在差异,0~20cm的表土层明显高于20~40cm的亚表层和40~60cm深层。在测定时间内（2006年4月—11月）各个林龄的土壤微生物总数在春季较高,夏季较低,秋季又增高,总体上表现为高-低-高的变化。土壤微生物和酶活性之间表现出较高的相关性,土壤微生物的总数和酶活性随着取样深度的增加均表现为逐渐降低。     

Linkage disequilibrium and genomic scan to detect selective loci in cattle populations adapted to different ecological conditions in Ethiopia

Despite the wide range of observed phenotypic diversities and adaptation to different ecological conditions, little has been studied regarding the genetics of adaptation in the genome of indigenous cattle breeds of developing countries. Here, we investigated the linkage disequilibrium (LD) and identified the subset of outlier loci that are highly differentiated among cattle populations adapted to different ecological conditions in Ethiopia. Specifically, we genotyped 47 unrelated animals sampled from high‐ versus low‐altitude environments using a Bovine 50K SNP BeadChip. Linkage disequilibrium was assessed using both D′ and r² between adjacent SNPs. We calculated F_ST and heterozygosity at different significance levels as measures of genetic differentiation for each locus between high‐ and low‐altitude populations following the hierarchical island model approach. We identified 816 loci (p < 0.01) showing selection signals and are associated with genes that might have roles in local adaptation. Some of them are associated with candidate genes that are involved in metabolism (ATP2A3, CA2, MYO18B, SIK3, INPP4A, and IREB2), hypoxia response (BDNF, TFRC, and PML) and heat stress (PRKDC, CDK1, and TFDC). Average r² and D′ values were 0.14 ± 0.21 and 0.57 ± 0.34, respectively, for a minor allele frequency (MAF) ≥ 0.05 and were found to increase with increasing MAF value. The outlier loci identified in the studied Ethiopian cattle populations indicate the presence of genetic variation produced/shaped by adaptation to different environmental conditions and provide a basis for further validation and functional analysis using a reasonable sample size and high‐density markers.     

多种群竞争遗传算法及其性能分析

在指出传统遗传算法收敛中所存在的收敛速度慢及局部收敛问题的基础上,引入了一种新的改进遗传算法——多种群竞争遗传算法。该算法以种群间竞争为基础,不断淘汰相似个体,并不断补充新个体,增加种群的多样性,以提高收敛速度。最后,用一个典型的测试函数对传统遗传算法和多种群遗传算法进行测试,结果表明多种群遗传算法的性能优于传统遗传算法。     

The Effect of Yucca schidigera Extract on Ruminal Fermentation and Parameters Traits in Sheep

In a completely randomized block design experiment, 16 ruminally cannulated sheep (40 ± 2.1 kg)fed a 50% concentrate 50% forage diet (DM basis) were given intraruminal doses of powdered Yucca schidigera extract (YSE). Doses of 0 (control), 100, 200, or 300 mg kg-1 diet were given at 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. On 15, 16, and 17 d of the experimental period, ruminal contents were sampled 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after dosing, and blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment (18th and 19th d). Acidity was not affected (P＞0.05) by the addition of YSE. Compared with the control, ruminal propionate concentration was increased by 29.4 and 29.8% (P＞0.05) and the acetic acid concentration was decreased by 15.1 and 19.8% (P＞0.05) at 4 and 6 h after YSE (300 mg kg-1) dosing, respectively. Ruminal ammonia concentration in the first 2 h after feeding was higher (P＜0.05) in the sheep that did not receive YSE (increased by 17.57 mg 100 mL-1) than in those that received 200 mg kg-1 (increased by 6.77 mg 100 mL-1) or 300 mg kg-1 (increased by 6.50 mg 100 mL-1) YSE. Protozoan populations in the rumen were lower (P ＜ 0.05) in the animals that received 300 mg kg-1 of YSE compared with the control. All serum parameters of the four groups were in the normal range and were similar among the treatment groups (P＞0.05), after being fed for 19 d with different doses of YSE. The effect of YSE on ruminal ammonia concentration likely resulted from a decreased concentration of protozoan populations and, presumably, from ammonia binding by YSE.     

Earthworm influence on carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide fluxes from an unfertilized corn agroecosystem

Earthworms modify the soil environment through their feeding, casting, and burrowing activities, which may lead to more decomposition and respiration in aerobic microsites and more denitrification in anaerobic microsites. The objective of this study was to determine whether earthworms increase CO₂ and N₂O fluxes from an unfertilized corn agroecosystem. Earthworm populations within field enclosures (2.9 m²) were reduced by repeatedly applying carbaryl insecticide, then single and mixed populations of Lumbricus terrestris L. and Aporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny) were added. Gas samples were collected once a week for 14 weeks, from June to September 2005. Carbaryl applications reduced, but did not eliminate earthworms from enclosures. The CO₂ and N₂O fluxes were affected by the sampling date, with peak gas fluxes after rainfall events. Mean CO₂ and N₂O fluxes during the study period tended to be greater from enclosures with added earthworms than the control (no earthworms added), but were not significantly affected by earthworm treatments due to the low survival rate of introduced earthworms. Better control of earthworm populations in the field is required to fully assess the impact of earthworms on CO₂ and N₂O fluxes from temperate agroecosystems.     

Influence of tillage system on denitrification in maize-cropped soils

Denitrification losses show an irregular pattern through the year, often being caused by climatic conditions and management practices. The objectives of the present work were to quantify denitrification losses and to determine the influence of tillage system on the factors that control denitrification in fertilized soils. The modal profile of the soil was an Vertic Argiudoll, clay loam texture, located in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. The treatments were: (a) fertilized, (b) incorporated fertilization and (c) without fertilization for both no tillage and conventional tillage systems. Chambers were placed in the field to measure denitrification. In this clayish soil the estimated mean values of accumulated denitrification during the crop cycle (90 days) were 0.190kgNha^–1 for conventional tillage and 0.350kgNha^–1 for no tillage. In treatments with no tillage, losses by denitrification were approximately twice those of conventional tillage. These differences were also evidenced by the number of microorganisms, which were significantly higher (P<>;5%) for no tillage on all dates, except for at flowering. The increase at flowering coincided with the period of highest rainfall and consequently the highest water contents in the soil. The highest denitrification losses, except for sowing, were measured when soil moisture content was more than 30% (v/v). Denitrification increased in conjunction with an increase in the availability of carbon that is consumed by the heterotrophic microorganisms (including the denitrifiers). Received: 30 July 1996     

Effects of resident rhizobial communities and soil type on the effective nodulation of pulse legumes

Communities of resident rhizobia capable of effective nodulation of pulse crops were found to vary considerably over a range of soil environments. These populations from soils at 50 sites in Southern Australia were evaluated for nitrogen fixing effectiveness in association with Pisum sativum, Vicia faba, Lens culinaris, Vicia sativa, Cicer arietinum and Lupinus angustifolius. The values for nitrogen fixing effectiveness could be related to soil pH as determined by soil type and location. It was found that 33% of paddocks had sufficient resident populations of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv viciae for effective nodulation of faba bean, 54% for lentils, 55% for field pea and 66% for the effective nodulation of the vetch host plant. Mesorhizobium cicer populations were very low with only 7% of paddocks surveyed having sufficient resident populations for effective nodulation. Low resident rhizobial populations (<10 rhizobia g⁻¹ soil) of R. leguminosarum bv viciae and M. cicer were found in acid soil conditions. In contrast, Bradyrhizobium populations increased as soil pH decreased. Inoculation increased faba bean yields from 0.34 to 4.4 t ha⁻¹ and from 0.47 to 2.37 t ha⁻¹ for chickpeas on acid soils. On alkaline soils, where resident populations were large there was no consistent response to inoculation. Observations at experimental field sites confirmed the findings from the survey data, stressing the importance of rhizobial inoculation, especially on the acid soils in south-eastern Australia.     

Cultivation and Taxonomic Classification of Wheat Landraces in the Upper Panjsher Valley of Afghanistan After 23 Years of War

After 23 years of war, current information about the biodiversity of crops in the Hindukush mountains of Afghanistan is scarce. This study aimed at assessing the genetic composition of farmers wheat (Triticum spp.) populations through a survey of 21 randomly chosen cereal fields on both sides of the Panjsher river in the upper Panjsher valley of Northern Afghanistan. A stratified sampling of wheat heads according to morphological differences was followed by estimates of field size and grain yield and a formal interview with the landowner about the cropping sequence and the inputs used. About 75% of the cereal fields were cropped in rotation systems with faba bean (Vicia faba L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), maize (Zea mays L.) or fallow. Manure application at between 2.3 and 5.3 t ha⁻¹ was the major source of nutrient inputs at grain yield levels between 1.2 and 4.7 t ha⁻¹. The morphological characterization of the collection revealed 19 taxonomically different varieties of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) but also barley and triticale (Triticosecale Wittm.) grown in mixtures. Populations within one field consisted of up to seven botanical wheat varieties. Farmers did not differentiate between morphological differences within such mixtures but identified their populations instead according to grain color, cooking properties and resistance to mildew and frost. Triticum aestivum var. subferrugineum was the most widespread wheat variety and no effects of altitude on biodiversity of wheat was noted across the transect. Particularly interesting was the occurrence of T. aestivum var. subferrugininflatum and var. subgraecinflatum which so far have only been reported from Mongolia. The finding of triticale indicated the active seed exchange with lowland or long-distance seed sources.     

QTLs for black-point resistance in wheat and the identification of potential markers for use in breeding programmes

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for black‐point resistance have been mapped in two doubled haploid‐derived wheat populations, each thought to contain unrelated sources of resistance. In the ‘Sunco’בTasman’‐derived population, QTLs were located on chromosomes 1D, 2B, 3D, 4A, 5A and 7A with each QTL explaining between 4 and 15% of the observed phenotypic variance. QTLs were contributed by both parents. In the ‘Cascades’בAUS1408’‐derived population, QTLs from ‘Cascades’ were identified on chromosomes 2A, 2D and 7A with each QTL explaining between 12 and 18% of the phenotypic variance. Several markers were identified which are promising candidates for use in marker‐assisted selection programmes. If one, two or three of these markers would have been used to select for black‐point resistance in the ‘Sunco’בTasman’ population, then with one marker 34 of 39 resistant lines, with two markers 23 of 32 and with three markers 17 of 32 would have been selected. At the same time, 67 false positives obtained by selecting with one marker are reduced to 24 by selection with two markers and to 11 by selection with three markers. Similarly, if one, two or three markers are used to select for black‐point resistance in the ‘Cascades’בAUS1408’ populations, then with one marker 25 of 31 resistant lines, with two markers 26 of 31 and with three markers 10 of 31 are selected. At the same time, 14 false positives are obtained with one marker are reduced to six by selection with two markers and no false positives are selected using three markers.