Video tracking analysis of behavioral patterns during estrus in goats

Here, we report a new method for measuring behavioral patterns during estrus in goats based on video tracking analysis. Data were collected from cycling goats, which were in estrus (n = 8) or not in estrus (n = 8). An observation pen (2.5 m × 2.5 m) was set up in the corner of the female paddock with one side adjacent to a male paddock. The positions and movements of goats were tracked every 0.5 sec for 10 min by using a video tracking software, and the trajectory data were used for the analysis. There were no significant differences in the durations of standing and walking or the total length of movement. However, the number of approaches to a male and the duration of staying near the male were higher in goats in estrus than in goats not in estrus. The proposed evaluation method may be suitable for detailed monitoring of behavioral changes during estrus in goats.     

A relative expression of Xa7 gene controlling bacterial leaf blight resistance in indonesian local rice population (Oryza sativa L.)

Discovery of new alleles at important gene loci through allele mining could support the rice improvement program to sustain national food security. Evaluation of the existing Indonesian local rice landraces is an important point to detect the potential of functional alleles. One of the bacterial leaf blight (BLB) resistance alleles, Xa7 was detected in Indonesian rice landrace germplasm, Parekaligolara. To validate this potential allele, field evaluation on the segregating population, expression analysis using real time RT-PCR, and sequencing were carried out. Two selected Parekaligolara progenies lines (F₄ and F₆) from double crosses with other selected landraces were clearly more resistant to a dominant Indonesian BLB, Race IV. Specific primers of Xa7-LD40 successfully amplified the alleles of F₄ and F₆ lines approximately 300 bp in length. The amplicon sequenced using vector-targeted primers, resulting 264 bp which were flanked between 602 and 866 bp sites. The translated sequence which produced 60 amino acids (open reading frame) ORF, showed homology with the encoding gene associated with the defense system to biotic stress, BTB/POZ. As integrated researches for many potential biotic and abiotic stresses alleles on Indonesian landraces germplasm, this outcome expectedly supports rice landraces utilization for developing of elite cultivars which survive on global changed conditions and benefiting to national food security.     

玛纳斯河流域生态补偿机制探析

由于人类不合理的开发利用,导致玛纳斯河流域生态环境状况恶化,破坏了生态系统的正常运行,使生态服务功能下降。为了恢复流域生态系统,需要对流域生态的受损者和受益者进行补偿。根据生态系统的结构、功能和所处的位置,将流域划分为上游山地生态服务区、中游平原绿洲生态受益区和下游荒漠生态受损区。在分析了各功能区存在的生态问题的基础上,明确了生态补偿的主客体、补偿标准和补偿原则,提出了相应的生态补偿对策和建议。     

DNA markers for eating quality of indica rice in Indonesia

Rice eating quality is considered to be one of the top priorities in determining the agronomical value of rice; thus, the rapid evaluation of eating quality at early breeding generations in breeding programmes for better eating quality is of great importance. In an attempt to develop DNA markers associated with eating quality of indica rice, we used multiple regression analysis to test 54 markers, which were preselected for their possible association with eating quality, using 24 indica varieties with different palatability scores. Of these markers, eighteen markers were found to be significantly associated with palatability according to sensory evaluation. Accordingly, a marker set in the model regression equation with a high R² (0.997) was formulated to estimate indica rice palatability. Validation suggests that markers and the statistical parameters formulated by the equation could be a potential tool to predict the palatability of cooked Indonesian indica rice and could be reliable in developing country‐dependent model equations for eating quality.     

Mapping quantitative trait loci conferring blast resistance in upland indica rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.)

A genetic analysis of blast resistance in upland rice variety is very crucial. In this study, we performed a linkage mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for blast resistance using an advanced backcross population from a cross between Way Rarem (susceptible indica variety) and Oryzica Llanos 5 (durable resistant indica variety). A transgressive segregation was observed in the advanced backcross population of Way Rarem//Oryzica Llanos 5. A total of 16 QTLs have been identified along chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11 against eight blast pathogen isolates. Each QTL accounted from 11.31 to 45.11% of the variation in blast resistance. Most QTLs showed race specificity, demonstrating the small effect of such QTLs. Unexpectedly, several superior blast resistance alleles were contributed by Way Rarem, the susceptible-recurrent parent. Among eight candidate defense response genes detected in several loci, a single gene (oxalate oxidase) present on chromosome 3 was found to be associated with blast resistance in upland indica rice. Ultimately, these advanced backcross lines with resistance to blast tagged by markers might be useful for pyramiding blast resistance alleles in upland rice.     

Nutritional Value and Biofunctionalities of Two Edible Green Seaweeds (Ulva lactuca and Caulerpa racemosa) from Indonesia by Subcritical Water Hydrolysis

Caulerpa racemosa (sea grapes) and Ulva lactuca (sea lettuces) are edible green seaweeds and good sources of bioactive compounds for future foods, nutraceuticals and cosmeceutical industries. In the present study, we determined nutritional values and investigated the recovery of bioactive compounds from C. racemosa and U. lactuca using hot water extraction (HWE) and subcritical water extraction (SWE) at different extraction temperatures (110 to 230 °C). Besides significantly higher extraction yield, SWE processes also give higher protein, sugar, total phenolic (TPC), saponin (TSC), flavonoid contents (TFC) and antioxidant activities as compared to the conventional HWE process. When SWE process was applied, the highest TPC, TSC and TFC values were obtained from U. lactuca hydrolyzed at reaction temperature 230 °C with the value of 39.82 ± 0.32 GAE mg/g, 13.22 ± 0.33 DE mg/g and 6.5 ± 0.47 QE mg/g, respectively. In addition, it also showed the highest antioxidant activity with values of 5.45 ± 0.11 ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE) mg/g and 8.03 ± 0.06 trolox equivalents (TE) mg/g for ABTS and total antioxidant, respectively. The highest phenolic acids in U. lactuca were gallic acid and vanillic acid. Cytotoxic assays demonstrated that C. racemosa and U. lactuca hydrolysates obtained by HWE and SWE did not show any toxic effect on RAW 264.7 cells at tested concentrations after 24 h and 48 h of treatment (p < 0.05), suggesting that both hydrolysates were safe and non-toxic for application in foods, cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals products. In addition, the results of this study demonstrated the potential of SWE for the production of high-quality seaweed hydrolysates. Collectively, this study shows the potential of under-exploited tropical green seaweed resources as potential antioxidants in nutraceutical and cosmeceutical products.     

基于土壤微生物生物量碳和酶活性指标的土壤肥力质量评价初探

土壤质量评价是分析土壤管理措施对土壤质量影响的最重要的手段。以松嫩平原草地为对象,分析玉米地、苜蓿地、自然恢复草地、羊草地和羊草割草地5种利用方式短期(4年)内土壤微生物生物量碳含量以及过氧化氢酶、脲酶、蔗糖酶和碱性磷酸酶活性的变化,采用土壤质量指数法对不同土地利用方式下的土壤肥力质量进行定量评价,探讨基于土壤微生物生物量碳和酶活性指标的土壤肥力质量变化的原因。结果表明,土地利用方式对土壤微生物生物量碳含量、脲酶活性和蔗糖酶活性具有极显著(P0.01)的影响,而对过氧化氢酶活性和碱性磷酸酶活性没有显著影响。草地恢复明显提高了土壤微生物生物量碳的含量与土壤酶的活性,其中蔗糖酶活性增加幅度最大,4种草地利用方式的敏感性指数均大于1.94,响应最敏感,而过氧化氢酶活性的增加幅度最小,4种草地利用方式的敏感性指数均小于1.13,响应最差。苜蓿地、自然恢复草地、羊草地和羊草割草地中分别有4个、3个、2个和1个土壤微生物指标的敏感性指数大于1.5,研究区内种植苜蓿对土壤微生物指标的改善作用最大。线性与非线性土壤质量指数间具有极显著的正相关关系,表明它们均能准确的反映出土地利用变化对土壤肥力质量的影响。草地恢复显著提高了研究区内的土壤肥力质量,其中苜蓿地的土壤质量指数最高,其线性和非线性土壤质量指数分别为0.89和0.60,自然恢复草地、羊草割草地和羊草地次之,玉米地最低,其线性和非线性土壤质量指数仅为0.55和0.30。研究表明,在松嫩平原土壤条件较差的地区种植苜蓿可能是改善土壤肥力质量最佳的利用方式之一。