Controlling sprouting in potato tubers using ultraviolet-C irradiance

Legislation limiting the use of chlorpropham (CIPC), the major potato sprout suppressant, has led to a need for new technologies to extend storage life of tubers. Ultra violet C (UV-C) has been used postharvest to reduce disease incidence on many crops, yet its use and efficacy as a sprout suppressant has not been investigated. The aim of this project was to identify the optimum dose and treatment timing of UV-C treatment on potato tubers as an alternative method of sprout suppression to reduce the dependence on chemical sprout suppressants. Up to six potato cultivars over two seasons were treated with varying doses of UV-C ranging from 0 to 30 kJ m⁻² either at harvest or at first indication of dormancy break. The tubers were stored at 9 °C and sprout growth and incidence assessed. Treatment with moderate UV-C doses (5–20 kJ m⁻²) suppressed sprout length and sprout incidence in a range of cultivars. Periderm DNA damage and programmed cell death were not detected in response to any of the UV-C doses. The inactive ABA metabolite, ABA-GE, increased in response to 10 or 20 kJ m⁻² within 72 h of treatment. Multivariate analysis showed a negative relationship between ABA metabolites and sprout growth/incidence during storage. This study found that UV-C reduced sprout growth in potato with no deleterious effects on tuber quality. This suggests potential for further development as an alternative or supplement to conventional sprout suppressant technologies.     

鸡脚重性状的全基因组关联分析

鸡(Gallus gallus)脚重性状为鸡产业中的重要经济性状.为了揭示鸡脚重性状的遗传基础,寻找可用于鸡脚改良的分子标记,本研究以核心群京海黄鸡为实验动物,测定其脚重,利用简化基因组测序技术在整个基因组范围内检测与脚重相关的SNPs.共检测到16个与脚重相关的SNPs位点,其中13个集中分布在4号染色体上72.8～77.9 Mb区域;2个SNP位点rs475641139和rs475548810达到5％ Bonferroni全基因组显著水平(P＜5.5E-07),其余位点达到全基因组潜在显著水平(P＜1.1E-05).筛选每个SNP周围1 Mb区域内的基因,共找到9个可能的候选基因,并使用基因本体论(Gene Ontology,GO)数据库对9个候选基因的细胞组分、分子功能和参与的生物学进程进行了分析.结果表明二氢蝶啶还原酶(dihydropteridine deductase,QDPR)基因、LIM域结合蛋白2(LIM domain-binding protein 2,LDB2)基因、类184B家族(family with sequence similarity 184 memberB,FAM184B)基因、复合信号免疫球蛋白J结合蛋白(recombination signal binding protein for immunoglobulin kappa J region,RBPJ)基因、纤维母细胞生长因子结合蛋白2(fibroblast growth factor-binding protein 2,FGFBP2)基因、富亮氨酸重复蛋白5(F-box and leucine-rich repeat protein 5,FBXL5)基因、胆囊收缩素受体A(cholecystokinin receptor type A,CCK1R)基因、肌动蛋白互作蛋白1 (WD repeat containing protein 1,WDR1)基因和类桶状蛋白4(tubby like protein 4,TULP4)9个基因和4号染色体72.8～77.9 Mb区域可能为影响鸡脚重性状的重要候选基因和潜在功能区域.本研究为鸡脚重性状的标记辅助选择提供了理论依据.     

不同生态环境下甘蔗组合的生长表现和适应性

以2017—2018年组配的119个甘蔗组合为材料,分别在广西的南宁、崇左、来宾同时开展组合评价试验,基于锤重性状进行联合方差分析和遗传参数估计,并采用回归分析和AMMI模型对组合进行稳定性分析。结果表明:不同的组合、环境及组合与环境互作在锤重间的差异均达到了极显著水平(P0.01);3个试验点锤重的广义遗传率均属于中等偏低水平;崇左、来宾试验点的锤重变异系数较大,南宁试验点的锤重变异系数较小;643、404、575、972、636、144、YC95、1470、755、409、701、832、YC37、579等组合表现出高产、稳产和适应性广的特性;结合锤重和组合入选率综合分析,组合449、YC127、796、YC44、533、570、YC123、391、546、403、YC90、252在南宁试验点的表现为锤重和组合入选率较高;组合643、212、YC61、432、903、YC95、YC44、368、YC83、YC127、YC112、701、411、YC90、YC123在崇左试验点的表现为锤重和组合入选率较高;组合643、404、449、144、403、YC48在来宾试验点的表现为锤重和组合入选率较高。     

Effect of feeding different sources of selenium on growth performance and antioxidant status of broilers

ABSTRACT

1. This study was conducted to determine the effect of different sources of selenium (Se) on breast and liver tissue deposition, apparent metabolisable energy (AME), growth performance and antioxidant status of broilers, measured as Se content in liver and breast tissues and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in blood, when used in 0–35 d broiler chicken diets.

2. A total of 200 male Ross 308 broilers were used in the feeding trial, which comprised two dietary phases, a starter from 0 to 21 d and finisher from 21 to 35 d of age. Four treatments with 10 replications each were used. A control diet (C) was formulated that was sufficient in protein and energy (230 and 215 g/kg of crude protein and 12.67 and 13.11 MJ/kg of metabolisable energy, respectively), for both phases, but contained background Se only from the feed ingredients. Diet 2 (IS) was supplemented with 10.35 g/t inorganic, elemental source of Se. Diet 3 (SY) was supplemented with 136.36 g/t selenised yeast, an organic source derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Diet 4 (SS) was supplemented with 0.666 g/t sodium selenite, an inorganic source.

3. Birds fed the SY diet consumed less and weighed less than those fed IS or C (P < 0.05; 0–35 d of age), but there was no difference compared to birds fed SS diets. There were no differences in FCR or dietary AME between broilers fed different Se sources. All diets containing supplementary Se increased concentrations in the liver and breast muscle, and for GSH-Px levels in blood compared to birds fed the C diet (P < 0.001). Birds fed SY diets had greater Se levels in liver and breast tissues compared to birds fed any of the other diets (P < 0.001).

4. Diets supplemented with Se had variable effects on broiler growth performances and antioxidant status. Feeding Se from a yeast source has higher transfer into breast tissues. Feeding different sources and levels of Se to birds in a more challenging situation to induce oxidative stress may bring more conclusive results.     

玉米粒重一致性QTL整合图谱的构建及元分析

为进一步研究候选基因发掘、克隆以及基因组结构,在生物信息学基础上,利用公共网络资源上已发表的149个玉米粒重相关QTL位点信息,初步探讨了玉米粒重"一致性"QTL发掘。结果表明:构建出一个包含了80个玉米粒重QTL位点的整合图谱,并在第7染色体上确定出一个"一致性"QTL,由标记bcd349和gpm760a界定,置信区间为463.29~505.50,间距42.21cM。     

The value of incorporating carcass trait phenotypes in terminal sire selection indexes to improve carcass weight and quality of heavy lambs

Genetic selection for carcass traits is paramount to maximize the profitability and long‐term sustainability of any meat‐producing livestock species. The main objectives of this research were to evaluate the efficiency of indicator traits for the genetic improvement of lamb carcass traits and to determine the value of including carcass traits into terminal sire selection indexes for the Canadian sheep industry. The carcass traits included hot carcass weight (HCW), fat depth at the GR site (FATGR) and average carcass conformation score (AVGCONF), and were measured on heavy lambs (slaughter age less than 365 days and HCW greater than 16.3 kg) in commercial abattoirs. Growth traits were found to be moderately efficient indicator traits for the genetic improvement of HCW but selection on ultrasound traits was necessary to substantially improve the carcass quality traits (FATGR and AVGCONF). Economic selection indexes were designed by adding various combinations of carcass traits into the Canadian Sheep Genetic Evaluation System terminal indexes. Records measured on individuals and progeny were assumed to be the sources of information for live animal and carcass traits, respectively. The changes in index accuracy, efficiency and expected correlated response were used to assess the value of their inclusion. HCW was found to have a large economic value, and its inclusion into terminal selection indexes was expected to substantially increase their accuracy (0.08–0.12 points) and efficiency (20%–30%). However, further including FATGR (measured 110 mm from the carcass midline over the 12th rib) and AVGCONF had little impact on the accuracy (≤0.03) and efficiency (1%–7%) of the proposed indexes. Thus, the inclusion of carcass traits into the existing terminal selection indexes could be beneficial for the genetic improvement of HCW, but further research is needed to determine optimal methods of increasing carcass fatness and muscularity.     

计算机视觉技术在智慧羊场中的研究进展

智慧羊场具有科学化、标准化管理的优点,是羊场转型发展的趋势。计算机视觉技术是人工智能的核心,可以实现非接触性、自动化、实时监测羊的个体信息。本文总结并分析了计算机视觉在羊场的个体识别方法、行为识别方法、体尺与体重估测、疾病监测的研究现状,并指出计算机视觉在智慧羊场的进一步发展趋势。 [关键词] 计算机视觉|智慧羊场|个体识别|行为识别|体尺与体重估测|疾病监测     

Soil aggregate formation and stability induced by starch and cellulose

Soil aggregate (SA) can be formed and stabilized when soil organic matter (SOM) is decomposed in the soil. However, the relationships between the SA dynamics and SOM with different decomposition rates have not been clarified. Therefore, this study examined the effects of the addition of polysaccharides to soil on SA formation and stability. A Japanese tropical soil was incubated for 99 d at 30 °C in a dark environment following the addition of 0.5% (w/w) starch or cellulose. The decomposition rates of the amendments, and SA formation and stability were evaluated by measuring soil respiration rates, and distribution fractions of soil aggregate sizes and mean weight diameter (MWD) of SA, respectively. The cumulative soil respirations with all treatments rapidly increased until Day 12 of the incubation. The initial slope of the cumulative soil respiration in the soil with starch was significantly higher than that in the soil with cellulose. In either soil with starch or cellulose, the fractions of macro-aggregates (>1000 μm in diameter) significantly increased, respectively, compared with control soil. However, the fractions of meso-aggregates (250–1000 μm) and nano-aggregate (<20 μm) in the soil with starch significantly decreased, while those fractions in the soil with cellulose fluctuated until Day 6. The MWDs reached the maximum on Day 6, indicating the SA formation in the soils with starch or cellulose. The increasing rate of the SA formation in the starch-amended soil was greatly higher than that in the cellulose-amended soil. After Day 6, the MWDs in the soils with either polysaccharide decreased with similar trends with no significant differences between treatments, indicating similar stability of the SA in both treatments. This study showed that the different decomposability of the organic amendments might influence the SA formation differently, but not the SA stability.