Production of Wild Buffalo (Bubalus arnee) Embryos by Interspecies Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Using Domestic Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Oocytes

The objective of this study was to explore the possibility of producing wild buffalo embryos by interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) through handmade cloning using wild buffalo somatic cells and domestic buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) oocytes. Somatic cells derived from the ear skin of wild buffalo were found to express vimentin but not keratin and cytokeratin‐18, indicating that they were of fibroblast origin. The population doubling time of skin fibroblasts from wild buffalo was significantly (p < 0.05) higher, and the cell proliferation rate was significantly (p < 0.05) lower compared with that of skin fibroblasts from domestic buffalo. Neither the cleavage (92.6 ± 2.0% vs 92.8 ± 2.0%) nor the blastocyst rate (42.4 ± 2.4% vs 38.7 ± 2.8%) was significantly different between the intraspecies cloned embryos produced using skin fibroblasts from domestic buffalo and interspecies cloned embryos produced using skin fibroblasts from wild buffalo. However, the total cell number (TCN) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower (192.0 ± 25.6 vs 345.7 ± 42.2), and the apoptotic index was significantly (p < 0.05) higher (15.1 ± 3.1 vs 8.0 ± 1.4) for interspecies than that for intraspecies cloned embryos. Following vitrification in open‐pulled straws (OPS) and warming, although the cryosurvival rate of both types of cloned embryos, as indicated by their re‐expansion rate, was not significantly different (34.8 ± 1.5% vs 47.8 ± 7.8), the apoptotic index was significantly (p < 0.05) higher for vitrified–warmed interspecies than that for corresponding intraspecies cloned embryos (48.9 ± 7.2 vs 23.9 ± 2.8). The global level of H3K18ac was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in interspecies cloned embryos than that in intraspecies cloned embryos. The expression level of HDAC1, DNMT3a and CASPASE3 was significantly (p < 0.05) higher, that of P53 was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in interspecies than in intraspecies embryos, whereas that of DNMT1 was similar between the two types of embryos. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that wild buffalo embryos can be produced by iSCNT.     

Application of the Cropping System Model (CSM)‐CROPGRO‐Soybean for Determining Optimum Management Strategies for Soybean in Tropical Environments

The determination of optimum crop management practices for increasing soybean production can provide valuable information for strategic planning in the tropics. However, this process is time consuming and expensive. The use of a dynamic crop simulation model can be an alternative option to help estimate yield levels under various growing conditions. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of the Cropping System Model (CSM)‐CROPGRO‐Soybean and to determine optimum management practices for soybean for growing conditions in the Phu Pha Man district, Thailand. Data from two soybean experiments that were conducted in 1991 at Chiang Mai University and in 2003 at Khon Kaen University were used to determine the cultivar coefficients for the cultivars CM 60 and SJ 5. The CSM‐CROPGRO‐Soybean model was evaluated with data from two experiments that were conducted at Chiang Mai University. The observed data sets from farmers’ fields located in the Phu Pha Man district were also used for model evaluation. Simulations for different management scenarios were conducted with soil property information for seven different soil series and historical weather data for the period 1972–2003 to predict the optimum crop management practices for soybean production in the Phu Pha Man district. The results of this study indicated that the cultivar coefficients of the two soybean cultivars resulted in simulated growth and development parameters that were in good agreement with almost all observed parameters. Model evaluation showed a good agreement between simulated and observed data for phenology and growth of soybean, and demonstrated the potential of the CSM‐CROPGRO‐Soybean model to simulate growth and yield for local environments, including farmers’ fields, in Thailand. The CSM‐CROPGRO‐Soybean simulations indicated that the optimum planting dates from June 15 to July 15 produced maximum soybean yield in a rainfed environment. However, the planting date December 15 produced the highest yield under quality irrigation. Soybean yield was slightly improved by applying nitrogen at a rate of 30 kg N ha^?1 at planting. Soybean yield also improved when the plant density was increased from 20 to 40 plants m^?2. The results from this study suggest that the CSM‐CROPGRO‐Soybean model can be a valuable tool in assisting with determining optimum management practices for soybean cropping systems in the Phu Pha Man district and might be applicable to other agricultural production areas in Thailand and southeast Asia.     

Linkage relationships among loci controlling morphological traits in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)

Summary Linkage among loci controlling various morphological traits in cowpea were determined using F₂ progenies. Data were collected on individual plants of four crosses segregating for several loci. Recombination estimates between the following pairs of loci were as follows: Sw (swollen vs normal stem base)-Fbc (cream vs green flower buds) (41±4.8%), Pu^s(purple vs green stems)-Cbr (cocoa-brown vs straw-yellow dry pods) (31±5.7%), Pu^p(purple vs green immature pods)-Cbr (30±5.7%), Pu^s-Pu^p (4±1.5%), Ndt (non-determinate vs determinate)-Pd (peduncle colour) (26±2.8%), Ndt-Hg (semi-erect vs erect plant type) (26±2.8%), P^t(purple vs green pod tips)-Bk (greyish-black vs straw-yellow dry pods) (19±2.4%) and Hg-Bpd (normal vs branching peduncle (24±9.5%). Four linkage groups (LG) were identified in these studies. The proposed LG I contained loci Sw and Fbc; LG II loci Pu^s, Pu^p, and Cbr; LG III loci Pd, Ndt, Gh, and Bpd; and LG IV loci P^tand Bk.     

Vacuum Squeezing of Solids: Macroscopic Quantum States Driven by Light Pulses

Femtosecond laser pulses and coherent two-phonon Raman scattering were used to excite KTaO3 into a squeezed state, nearly periodic in time, in which the variance of the atomic displacements dips below the standard quantum limit for half of a cycle. This nonclassical state involves a continuum of transverse acoustic modes that leads to oscillations in the refractive index associated with the frequency of a van Hove singularity in the phonon density of states.     

Low-Temperature Nonoxidative Activation of Methane over H-Galloaluminosilicate (MFI) Zeolite

Conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons by its low-temperature activation without forming undesirable carbon oxides is of great scientific and practical importance. Methane can be highly activated, yielding high rates of conversion to higher hydrocarbons and aromatics (10 to 45 percent) at low temperatures (400° to 600°C), by its reaction over H-galloaluminosilicate ZSM-5 type (MFI) zeolite in the presence of alkenes or higher alkanes. The methane activation results from its hydrogen-transfer reaction with alkenes.     

Tillage systems and soils in the semi-arid tropics

Even though conservation tillage may be ideal for the semi-arid tropics (SAT) in view of results from studies and tillage practices in the U.S.A. and Australia, studies conducted in semi-arid regions of Africa appear to support the use of conventional tillage systems. Some of the reasons for this apparent discrepancy are because of the physical properties of the soils in semi-arid Africa, particularly the Sahelian zones where the soils are sandy, have high bulk densities and therefore low total porosities and form crusts upon wetting and drying. Consequently, no-till or reduced tillage systems that do not have the soil surface covered by residue in irder to prevent formation of crust as a result of raindrop impact, tend to lose water through runoff in a region where water economy is essential. Also, because these soils have inherently high bulk densities, conventional tillage systems appear to be suitable since they increase the macropores, reduce both bulk density and strength and thus ensure prolific root distribution and the resultant exploration of water and nutrients at greater soil depths. Notwithstanding, it seems that since most of the SAT soils are structurally unstable, further conventional tillage even though it has ephemeral advantages, may in the long term be exacerbating the problems of structural instability and their deleterious effect on water and soil conservation and therefore on crop production. We suggest that at this stage soil tillage research in the semi-arid regions of Africa and Asia should re-examine some of the concepts of conservation tillage in relation to soil physical properties and processes in order to obtain a tillage system that ensures high crop yields without destruction of the soil resource.     

Determination of a chemical basis of air-pollution stress in wood of mature white pine trees in the susceptive forest ecosystems

This paper describes a pilot investigation dealing with changes in chemical composition of wood in pollution-stressed white pine trees, taken from two forested ecosystems of Southern Ontario, Canada. The implications of this research lie in a much needed search for a potential bloindicator of a pre-decline, incipient-stress induced (and/or contributed by) the air-pollutants.