Flower yield performance and stability of various Rosa damascena Mill. landraces under different ecological conditions

The flower yield stability of Damask rose as an important medicinal and aromatic plant at different environments has not been well documented. In order to evaluate flower yield and stability, 35 landraces of Damask rose were studied at 8 locations in Iran during 2007–2008. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) among landraces (G), environments (E), locations (L) and for landrace × environment (GE) and landrace × location (GL) interactions. Both GE and GL interactions were mainly crossover, a large portion of which was accounted for by non-linear (unpredictable) component. The landraces of IS9, YZ2, WA1, IS7 and IS1 with 3120.63, 2941.63, 2894.62, 2769.15 and 2716.92 kg/ha respectively produced the highest flower yield among studied landraces. Kerman with average flower yield of 3635.46 kg/ha produced the highest yield among studied locations. According to the results, most of landraces that originated from temperate, warm temperate and arid regions produced higher flower yield than those from cool, cool temperate, semi-arid and humid regions. The landraces of YZ2, IS5, IS8, IS4, KZ1, AR1_, IS3 and BA1 were stable and YZ2, IS5, IS8, IS4, KZ1, AR1 IS6, IS3, BA1, IS10 and YZ1 were adaptable landraces for flower yield according to Eberhart and Russell (1966) model. The presence of some high flower yield and stable landraces such as YZ2 and IS5 suggests that a genotype can demonstrate high flower yield and stability for yield simultaneously. Thus, simultaneous selection for flower yield and stability using nonparametric methods could be possible. In addition, taking into consideration flower yield and stability potential, the landraces of YZ2, IS5, IS8, IS4 and KZ1 as general stable, adaptable, and high flower yield are recommended. Furthermore, the landraces of IS9 and WA1 as high flower yield and specific adaptable landraces can be recommended for temperate and arid areas and the landraces of IS7 and IS1 for semitemperate and cool areas.     

Sperm of feral carp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis>: optimization of activation solution

The spermatozoa of oviparous fish, such as feral carp (Cyprinus carpio), are immotile in the presence of semen plasma or isotonic solutions, and to obtain good motility, they must be diluted with suitable medium. The objective of this study was to identify the best activating solution for feral carp sperm. Sperm motilities were compared in the new activating solution (a): (50 mM NaCl, 30 mM KCl, 30 mM Tris, pH = 8.5) and activating solution (b): (50 mM NaCl, 40 mM KCl, 30 mM Tris, pH = 8.5) based on effect of pH with everyone of Na⁺ and K⁺ ions versus four other activating solutions Billard’s saline solution, Poupard’s saline solution, distilled water and hatchery water that is routinely used for extending carp semen. Our results showed that maximum total motility period and percentage of motile sperm were seen in selected saline solution (a). The present study describes an activating solution that prolongs feral carp sperm motility.     

Improving Local Manufacturing Employment Forecasts Using Cointegration Analysis

Procedures for tracking and forecasting economic conditions in regional economies have evolved significantly over the last 30 years. Much of this evolution has followed developments in macroeconomics, where techniques for tracking/forecasting key economic variables have tended to originate. This technique adoption and adaptation process continues today, as developments in the technique adoption and adaptation process continues today, as developments in the modeling of cointegrated macroeconomic time series have begun to appear in the regional modeling and forecasting literature. This paper presents an effort at modeling a segment of a regional economy using the cointegration testing procedures suggested by Johansen and Jusilius (1990) to develop a forecasting model for manufacturing employment in Milwaukee, WI. The paper demonstrates how Vector Error Correction (VEC) modeling can lead to gains in the accuracy of local manufacturing employment forecasts relative to more traditional VAR models in either levels or first-differenced form. In the process, it demonstrates procedures for developing a relatively simple VEC model that reveals something about the structure of the local manufacturing sector, including possible linkages to the national economy. This information can assist local policy makers in anticipating and adapting to business cycle-related fluctuations in this critical sector of the local economy.     

Effects of spatial,temporal, and spectral resolutions on the estimation of wheat and barley leaf area index using multi- and hyper-spectral data (case study: Karaj,Iran)

Precision Agriculture - Leaf area index (LAI) is a key parameter for the calculation of crop biophysical and biochemical processes. Therefore, the accurate estimates of LAI has been always of great...     

Phenotypic diversity analysis of grain yield and yellow pigment content in germplasm collected from Iranian durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) landraces

This study was undertaken to compare patterns of agronomic characters and yellow pigment content diversity between Iranian durum landraces and modern varieties. In four field experiments, a collection of 127 accessions of landraces and 23 modern cultivars tetraploid wheat representing Iranian and global genetic diversity were tested under optimum and rain-fed conditions. Across the environments, the yellow pigment concentrations ranged from 1.85 mg kg^?1 to 8.95 mg kg^?1 in the field-grown samples. Multivariate analysis detected five groups, four including landraces and one comprising modern cultivars. As a group, modern cultivars were the most productive and showed high mean values for harvest index, grains per spike and yellow pigment, but they had the lowest plant height. Landraces had the highest mean number of spikes per m² and 1000-kernel weight, but were characterized by low plant height and yellow pigment content. Clustering analysis also showed that, based on yield and yellow pigment content, the accessions in different groups were of different origins, suggesting that there was no clear relationship between accessions and geographical diversity. According to our results, Iranian landraces can be particularly useful as germplasm in breeding programmes to improve spikes per m² and 1000-kernel weights.     

Effect of nitrogen fertilizer levels and irrigation on quality characteristics in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In order to evaluate irrigation regimes and nitrogen fertilization on quality characteristics of wheat cultivars, a field experiment was carried out using split-plot factorial design based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Quchan, Iran (2010–2012). Main plots were assigned with four irrigation regimes; I1, 90 mm; I2, 130 mm; I3, 170 mm based on evaporation from a class A pan; and I4, water deficit stress during post-anthesis stage; sub-plots were assigned with four levels of nitrogen (N1, 0; N2, 70; N3, 140; and N4, 210 kg ha^?1); and three wheat cultivars (V1, Mihan; V2, C-87-6; and V3, C-87-11) were used as factorial. The results showed that nitrogen fertilization increased some quality characteristics. Under water deficit (I4), gluten index, grain protein content, grain yield, and sedimentation volume decreased. Significant interactions between irrigation regimes and both nitrogen levels and cultivars were observed.     

The study of some haematological and serum biochemical parameters of juvenile beluga (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Huso huso</Emphasis>) fed oligofructose

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary oligofructose (1, 2 and 3%) on the blood profiles of beluga (Huso huso) juveniles (18.77 ± 0.76 g) compared to fish fed an un-supplemented diet. After 7 weeks of feeding on the experimental diets, haematological parameters, metabolic products (cholesterol, glucose and total protein) and serum enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) were measured. Compared to the control group (0% oligofructose), dietary oligofructose had no effect on red blood cell counts (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cellular haemoglobin (MCH) or mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (P > 0.05). However, haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, leucocyte (WBC) levels and the proportion of lymphocytes were significantly higher (P > 0.05) in the 2% oligofructose fed fish than in the 3% oligofructose fed fish. Additionally, haematocrit (Hct) values (P = 0.049) and the proportion of lymphocytes (P ≤ 0.01) were significantly higher in the 2% oligofructose group than in the control group. Although serum glucose and total protein remained unaffected, serum cholesterol was significantly lower in the 2% oligofructose group than in the control and 3% oligofructose group (P < 0.05). The results of the present study showed that oligofructose had no significant effects on serum lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. These results indicate that fish blood profiles could be affected by prebiotics, which should be taken into account in future studies.     

Potential Cytotoxic Effects of Peptide Fractions from Dunaliella salina Protein Hydrolyzed by Gastric Proteases

Dunaliella salina is a halotolerant microalga with high protein content. Until now, there was no report on biological properties of peptides prepared by enzymatic digestion of D. salina proteins. Therefore, antimicrobial and antiproliferative effects of the abundant protein of D. salina were investigated. The extracted proteins were separated by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC), and protein hydrolysis was carried out with intestinal proteases such as trypsin and chymotrypsin. The antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities of the hydrolyzed peptides were examined on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Helicobacter pylori, and colon cancer cell lines, respectively. The results demonstrated that 63 kDa protein and its derived peptides caused a decrease in bacteria growth, and <3 kDa peptide fraction significantly reduced SW480 cell viability. Therefore, the peptide fractions with antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities are worthy of further investigation as functional food ingredients for health benefits.     

Metallothionein biosynthesis as a detoxification mechanism in mercury exposure in fish,spotted scat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Scatophagus argus</Emphasis>)

It is of crucial importance to study on the biomarkers types to assess the specification of the pollutants and health status of marine ecosystems in environmental evaluation projects. In this respect, total metallothionein biosynthesis and mercury bioaccumulation in the liver and gills under acute mercury exposure were investigated in fish, Scat (Scatophagus argus). Spotted scat was exposed to different mercury concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30) for 24, 48, 72 h. Total MT levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Mercury contents were determined through cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS). Induction of MT during exposure was tissue specific, displaying different response pattern in gills and liver. Mercury accumulated in liver much higher than in gills and the latter also showed lower MT level (P < 0.05). MT biosynthesis in liver showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase after exposure to different mercury concentration with increase in exposure time, whereas total MT content did not significantly (P > 0.05) change in gills except for 72 h exposure at 30 μg l⁻¹. Nonetheless, the relationship between MT biosynthesis and Mercury bioaccumulation in both tissues was significant (P < 0.05). The results suggest that this form of MT in S. argus was Hg inducible and could be extended as a biomarker of mercury pollution in marine ecosystems.     

Predicting Cationic Exchange Capacity in Calcareous Soils of East-Azerbaijan Province,Northwest Iran

The aim of this research is to study the efficiency of pedotransfer functions (PTFs) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) for cationic exchange capacity (CEC) prediction using readily available soil properties. Here, 417 soil samples were collected from the calcareous soils located in East-Azerbaijan province, northwest Iran and readily available soil properties, such as particle size distribution (PSD), organic matter (OM) and calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE), were measured. The entire 417 soil samples were divided into two groups, a training data set (83 soil samples) and test data set (334 soil samples). The performances of several published and derived PTFs and developed neural network algorithms using multilayer perceptron were compared, using a test data set. Results showed that, based on statistics of RMSE and R², PTFs and ANNs had a similar performance, and there was no significant difference in the accuracy of the model results. The result of the sensitivity analysis showed that the ANN models were very sensitive to the clay variable (due to the high variability of the clay). Finally, the models tested in this study could account for 85% of the variations in cationic exchange capacity (CEC) of soils in the studied area.

Abbreviations: ANN: arti?cial neural networks; MLP: multilayer perceptron; MLR: multiple linear regression; PTFs: Pedotransfer Functions; RBF: Radial Basis Function; MAE: mean absolute error; MSE: mean square error; CEC: cationic exchange capacity