Genetic Improvement Programs Research Articles

Production system analysis and breeding practices of indigenous goats in North Wollo zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT This study describes the goat production system and breeding practices in selected districts of North Wollo zone, Ethiopia. Data were collected from 180 respondents through a semi-structured questionnaire and group discussions. Descriptive and GLM procedures were employed for data analysis. A mixed crop-livestock production system was the main production system in the area. The mean number of goats per household is 9.66 and they are mainly kept for cash income and meat consumption. The flock structure of indigenous goats consisted of a large number of female goats. Natural pasture and crop residue were the major feed resources in the dry and wet seasons, with an overall mean of 37.53% and 54.26%, respectively. Feed shortage, diseases, and drought were the major constraints for goat production. Most goat owners (97.1%) practiced an uncontrolled mating system. Most farmers (88.93%) reported selecting breeding goats to be a parent for the next generation. Body conformation and coat colour were the preferred traits for the selection of goats. The current level of goat management and breeding methods would not significantly enhance goats’ productivity and profitability. Therefore, designing management and genetic improvement programmes would be vital to improving the productivity of indigenous goats.

Zootechnical parameters and hepatosomatic index of two genetic strains of Nile tilapia fed with β-Glucan + Mannan oligosaccharide (βG+MOS)

The increasing expansion and the rising demand for food require a greater intensification in the production of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and genetic improvement programs are essential to achieve this goal. In managing these programs, new genetic material is introduced after several generations of selections to reduce inbreeding and enhance genetic diversity. In this sense, analyzing the zootechnical parameters of these introductions, with an emphasis on the use of nutritional additives, is of great importance for understanding their impact on breeding programs. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the zootechnical parameters and hepatosomatic index of two genetic strains of Nile tilapia from the genetic improvement program fed with β-Glucan + Mannan oligosaccharide (βG+MOS). This study utilized a 2 × 2 factorial design containing two genetic groups and two treatments with βG+MOS (Control, 0.2%). The groups were formed from the 12th generation of the Tilamax genetic improvement program (TILAMAX) and by crossing Tilamax with an introduced test strain (CBTILAMAX). In total, 96 tilapias (31.1 ± 5.73 g) were distributed into 16 aquariums, with 6 fish per aquarium, 24 per group, and four repetitions. The experimental period lasted for 41 days, and the water parameters were measured daily and maintained under ideal conditions. The condition factor and hepatosomatic index were analyzed. Final weight, total length, and standard length were measured, and other zootechnical parameters were calculated based on these data. The condition factor showed that the fish in both groups exhibited adequate health and growth during the experiment, with no differences in strain or use of additives. Similarly, the hepatosomatic index did not differ between the groups, indicating that liver size was proportional to fish body size. Similarly, no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed for the other zootechnical parameters evaluated (initial and final total and standard lengths, final weight, total weight gain, condition factor using total and standard lengths, and specific growth rate). Based on these results, it is concluded that there were no differences between TILAMAX and CBTILAMAX related to performance and health under the effect of feeding with βG+MOS. This result is positive regarding the introduction of the test strain into the Tilamax genetic improvement program and establishes a starting point for further research that may provide greater clarity on its future effects.

Gene pyramiding an advanced approach for disease management in rice: A review

Gene pyramiding is a vital strategy for varietal development in different crops. By using fewer generations than conventional breeding, molecular marker genotyping can streamline the gene pyramiding process. Enhancing the genetic foundation of resistance is crucial for reducing the burden of pesticide residues in the food chain, making it an effective strategy. The development of different pyramided lines carrying single or in combination of different diseases resistant genes in rice viz., Xa4, xa5, xa13, Xa21, and Xa38 for bacterial leaf blight; Pi1, Pi2, Pi9, Pi54, Pi46, and Pita for blast; qSBR7-1, qSBR11-1, and qSBR11-2 for sheath blight. The pyramided lines consist of either single or combinations of various resistance genes, which are instrumental in disease-resistant genetic improvement programs. These lines are utilized to develop profitable varieties that exhibit resistance to multiple diseases.

Unravelling the Genetic Architecture of Serum Biochemical Indicators in Sheep.

Serum biochemical indicators serve as vital proxies that reflect the physiological state and functions of different organs. The genetic parameters and molecular mechanisms underlying serum biochemical indicators of sheep (Ovis aries) have not been well understood. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify the genetic architecture and genomic loci underlying ten serum biochemical indicators in sheep, including alanine transaminase, aspartate transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, cholesterol, glucose, phosphorus, calcium, creatinine, urea and total protein levels. We implemented genetic parameter estimations and GWASs for each trait in 422 Akkaraman lambs. Overall, low to moderate heritability estimates were found in the range of 0.14-0.55. Additionally, low to high genetic correlations were observed among traits. In total, 23 SNP loci were associated with serum biochemical indicators leading to 19 genes. These were SPTA1, MGST2, CACUL1, IGFBP7, PARD3, PHB1, SLC15A5, TRIM35, RGS6, NUP93, CNTNAP2, SLC7A11, B3GALT5, DPP10, HST2ST1, NRP1, LRP1B, MAP3K9 and ENSOARG00020040484.1, as well as LOC101103187, LOC101117162, LOC105611309 and LOC101118029. To our knowledge, these data provide the first associations between SPTA1 and serum cholesterol and between ENSOARG00020040484.1 and serum glucose. The current findings provide a comprehensive inventory of the relationships between serum biochemical parameters, genetic variants and disease-relevant characteristics. This information may facilitate the identification of therapeutic targets and fluid biomarkers and establish a strong framework for comprehending the pathobiology of complex diseases as well as providing targets for sheep genetic improvement programs.

Deciphering the fiber quality of Gossypium barbadense L. var. brasiliensis in La Convención, Cusco, Perú

BackgroundThe quality of cotton fiber determines its value in the textile market, influencing agricultural profitability and the efficiency of textile processing. The selection of genotypes with superior fibers is a key factor for genetic improvement programs seeking adaptability and sustainability in the face of climate change. This demonstrates the strategic importance of this plant for sustainable agriculture and the global textile industry. The objective of this research was to decipher the fiber quality of Gossypium barbadense var. brasiliensis in the native Amazonian communities of La Convención, Cusco-Perú, and to evaluate other critical aspects of native cotton that have not yet been identified. The methodology included non-probability sampling for accessibility, qualitative and quantitative analyses, and multivariate analyses. The fiber length (mm), micronaire index (maturity/fineness), fiber strength (gf/tex), length uniformity index (%), fiber elongation (%), maturation index (%), and short fiber index (%) were the fiber characteristics evaluated using the HVI method in cotton genotypes.ResultsCotton accessions collected from Koribeni (Gossypium spp.) and Shivankoreni (Gossypium barbadense var. brasiliensis) stood out for their fiber quality properties, especially length, strength, and uniformity, which highlights their relevance for advanced textile applications and potential for use in plant genetic improvement programs.ConclusionThese findings reinforce the need to conserve and study these native cotton accessions from the Peruvian Amazon region, which can offer promising perspectives for the textile industry and agricultural biodiversity.

Breeding practice of indigenous village chickens, and traits and breed preferences of smallholder farmers.

Indigenous village chickens, or (IVCs), significantly contribute to rural livelihoods. Although natural selection has a disproportionate impact on the genetic structure of IVCs, farmers have developed locally tailored breeding practices to get the most out of their flocks. Small-scale farmers' insights on trait breed preferences and family flock breeding practices are presented in this cross-sectional study. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two agroecological zones using face-to-face individual interviews with 119 general informants. Farmers prefer IVCs because they are multipurpose birds. Unlike policymakers, who usually underestimate the importance of IVCs, small-scale farmers acknowledge the coexistence of local and commercial chickens. Only 15.7% of farmers recruited homegrown cocks, whereas 47.9% outsourced breeding cocks from local markets and 36.4% from neighbours (χ-squared=15.976, df=2, p=0.0003395). About 49.2% of small-scale farmers believed that consanguineous mating-induced inbreeding has only trivial effects. High flock turnover significantly reduces inbreeding. Regardless of the low production capacity, small-scale farmers prefer local (rank=1.47) chickens to commercial (rank=1.61). For cocks, fertility and growth traits were highly sought after, whereas for hens, maternal instincts and laying performance were prioritized. Compared to the highlands, the lowlands had a longer egg storage period (t=2.677, df=117, p=0.009, 95% CI: -3.7607, -0.5622). This study documented the wisdom of small-scale farmers and encouraged the incorporation of their insights into a sustainable genetic improvement program.

Estimated breeding values of dairy sires for cow colostrum and transfer of passive immunity traits

The objective of this study was to derive the estimated breeding values (EBVs) of Holstein sires for colostrum and passive transfer of immunity traits to a) estimate the genetic association between these new traits and established production, conformation, and functional, and b) explore whether sires can be classified in specific profiles regarding the new traits. For cow colostrum traits, the study included 699 daughters of 67 sires from 6 commercial dairy herds. The number of daughters per sire ranged from 5 to 49. Passive transfer of immunity was measured as the blood serum total protein content in 854 purebred Holstein calves of 61 sires from 8 commercial dairy herds. The number of calves per sire ranged from 5 to 44. Data were statistically analyzed using mixed models. Approximate genetic correlations of the derived sire EBVs for cow colostrum and calf serum total protein with EBVs for several other traits were estimated. Moreover, sires were classified into colostrum and calf serum total protein profile groups. Approximate genetic correlations of cow colostrum and calf serum traits with milk production, conformation, and functional traits were mostly unfavorable. Colostrum total solids and protein contents were negatively correlated with milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, productive life, and livability. The only favorable correlation found was between colostrum total solids/calf serum total protein and daughter pregnancy rate. However, several bulls had favorable profiles in both colostrum/passive transfer of immunity and production traits. Colostrum/passive immunity traits could be included in future genetic improvement programs after careful structure of relevant indexes.

Quantitative descriptors that contribute to variability in the F3 population of ornamental pepper

The diversity of peppers from the Capsicum genus has always enriched global cuisine and is currently driving the growth of the ornamental plants market. In this sense, breeding programs with ornamental peppers play a crucial role in the evolution of the ornamental market. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate genetic variability in an F3 population of ornamental pepper through principal component analysis (PCA) based on quantitative descriptors of ornamental interest and identify correlations between them through Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis. In the F3 generation of a genetic improvement program with ornamental pepper plants at the State University of Montes Claros, 200 genotypes were conducted. In these, four quantitative descriptors were evaluated: plant height (PH), fruiting stages (FS), production (PD) and average fruit mass (AFM). The data were subjected to normality and homogeneity of variance tests (p<0.05) and, subsequently, to principal component analysis (PCA) to evaluate genetic diversity between genotypes. Analyzes were performed using PAST software. The PCA results demonstrated that the variables PD and PH were the ones that contributed most to PCA I, while for PCA II it was FS. In the Pearson correlation coefficient, it was observed that the most significant correlation occurred between the PH and PD variables. AFM and PD were negatively correlated, indicating that the greater the average fruit mass, the lower the number of fruits produced. The results of this study will open up opportunities for the development of new cultivars of ornamental peppers, which are cultivated mainly by small producers or family farmers.

Reaction of Tomato Lineages and Hybrids to Xanthomonas euvesicatoria pv. perforans

The use of resistant varieties is an important strategy for managing tomato bacterial spot. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reaction of tomato genotypes to Xanthomonas euvesicatoria pv. perforans. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with 10 genotypes and four repetitions. The genotypes consisted of hybrids (UFU-1, UFU-2, UFU-3), wild resistant accession Solanum pennellii, commercial susceptible cultivar Santa Clara and homozygous lines (UFU-5, UFU-6, UFU-11, UFU-12, UFU-15). The UFU B8 isolate of X. euvesicatoria pv. perforans was used. The bacterial suspension was prepared and adjusted in a spectrophotometer OD550 = 0.5 (1 × 109 CFU mL−1). Inoculation occurred 10 days after transplantation. Disease severity was assessed at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days after inoculation, and the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated. There was a significant difference between the genotypes regarding the severity of the disease at 3, 6 and 12 days after inoculation. Lineages 5, 6 and 12, the hybrid UFU-1 and the wild accession S. pennellii showed the lowest severity of the disease, being promising for promoting genetic improvement programs aimed at resistance to the bacteria.

Classification of Soybean Genotypes as to Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur Content Using Machine Learning Models and UAV–Multispectral Sensor

Making plant breeding programs less expensive, fast, practical, and accurate, especially for soybeans, promotes the selection of new soybean genotypes and contributes to the emergence of new varieties that are more efficient in absorbing and metabolizing nutrients. Using spectral information from soybean genotypes combined with nutritional information on secondary macronutrients can help genetic improvement programs select populations that are efficient in absorbing and metabolizing these nutrients. In addition, using machine learning algorithms to process this information makes the acquisition of superior genotypes more accurate. Therefore, the objective of the work was to verify the classification performance of soybean genotypes regarding secondary macronutrients by ML algorithms and different inputs. The experiment was conducted in the experimental area of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, municipality of Chapadão do Sul, Brazil. Soybean was sown in the 2019/20 crop season, with the planting of 103 F2 soybean populations. The experimental design used was randomized blocks, with two replications. At 60 days after crop emergence (DAE), spectral images were collected with a Sensifly eBee RTK fixed-wing remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), with autonomous takeoff control, flight plan, and landing. At the reproductive stage (R1), three leaves were collected per plant to determine the macronutrients calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) levels. The data obtained from the spectral information and the nutritional values of the genotypes in relation to Ca, Mg, and S were subjected to a Pearson correlation analysis; a PC analysis was carried out with a k-means algorithm to divide the genotypes into clusters. The clusters were taken as output variables, while the spectral data were used as input variables for the classification models in the machine learning analyses. The configurations tested in the models were spectral bands (SBs), vegetation indices (VIs), and a combination of both. The combination of machine learning algorithms with spectral data can provide important biological information about soybean plants. The classification of soybean genotypes according to calcium, magnesium, and sulfur content can maximize time, effort, and labor in field evaluations in genetic improvement programs. Therefore, the use of spectral bands as input data in random forest algorithms makes the process of classifying soybean genotypes in terms of secondary macronutrients efficient and important for researchers in the field.

Advancing selective breeding in leopard coral grouper (P. leopardus) through development of a high-throughput image-based growth trait

Utilizing image-based computer vision techniques, many high-throughput phenotyping methods have been employed to capture intricate growth trait characteristics, offering reliable estimates of phenotypic traits crucial for breeding programs. In this study, we explored the application of partial differential equation (PDE)-based level set approaches to introduce image-based body area percentage (IBAP) as a novel growth trait in Plectropomus leopardus, as a substitution for the traditional growth trait body weight (BW). Assessing the genetic parameters essential for robust growth trait improvement in P. leopardus breeding programs, we estimated SNP-based heritability for IBAP and BW using a comprehensive set of SNPs (673,039 SNPs with MAF >2%). Results revealed heritability estimates of 0.515 (S.E. 0.06) for IBAP and 0.542 (S.E. 0.06) for BW. Moreover, strong phenotypic and genetic correlations of 0.812 (S.E. 0.001) and 0.903 (S.E 0.021) between IBAP and BW, respectively, underscored the potential for IBAP as a surrogate trait of BW for the genetic improvement of P. leopardus. We established a linear regression model of IBAP and BW (y ​= ​−730 ​+ ​1700×, (R2 ​= ​0.71)), after rigorous assessments of linearity, normality, and homoscedasticity, to confirm model fit. Evaluation of breeding value prediction accuracies using two linear models (rr-GBLUP and Bayes B) and a non-linear (RKHS) model demonstrated the superior performance of RKHS across IBAP and BW. Exploring the impact of varied marker densities for SNP selection on genomic prediction accuracy for IBAP and BW demonstrated a threshold of 10,000 SNPs for maximal model accuracy. These findings provide essential reference information and methodological groundwork for leveraging image-based traits in P. leopardus breeding endeavors, facilitating more efficient and precise genetic improvement programs.

Genetic diversity of Apis melliferacomplementary sex determiner (csd) in four Australian breeding populations

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) breeding has intensified as populations experience increasing stress and pollination demand increases. Breeding programmes risk genetic diversity losses as mating is focused on a small group of individuals. Loss of diversity at the complementary sex determiner (csd) locus results in decreased viability and reduced honey production. Bees that are homozygous at csd become inviable males rather than workers. We examined csd diversity in four Australian breeding populations: a queen bee breeder from New South Wales, another from Queensland, a Western Australian breeding programme involving 11 bee breeders, and a research population at the NSW Department of Primary Industries. We found 82 unique csd alleles across the four populations, 16 of which have not been previously reported. This study provides a snapshot of csd diversity in Australia which will be useful for the national honey bee genetic improvement programme (Plan Bee).

Growth of Clones of Eucalyptus urophylla in Two Contrasting Soil Conditions in Plantations of Southeastern Mexico

Eucalyptus urophylla is important for the establishment of commercial forest plantations in Mexico. Genetic improvement programs are currently being implemented to increase timber productivity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the adaptability and growth stability of 26 clonal lines of E. urophylla in Acrisol and Fluvisol soils and to identify the most suitable genotypes for each soil type. Tree survival, diameter at breast height, and total height were measured annually for six years. These variables were used to estimate individual volume, volume per hectare, and mean annual (MAIv) and current annual (CAIv) volume increment. Survival ranged from 14 to 100% in the Acrisol soil and from 0 to 89% in the Fluvisol soil. Volume per hectare ranged from 65.3 to 488.7 m3, MAIv from 11.1 to 83.1 m3 ha−1 year−1, and CAIv from 2.4 to 134.7 m3 ha−1 year−1. Individual heritability (Hi2) was moderate (0.29–0.49) while the mean heritability of the cloned lines was high (0.73–0.90), indicating that growth is subject to high genetic control. Diameter, height, and volume presented no genotype × environment interaction effects, demonstrating stability in the growth of the clonal lines in both soil types.

Effect of spontaneous micro-fermentation on the physicochemical characteristics of Theobroma cacao L. beans

Objective: To evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of cacao beans during the spontaneous fermentation process in tepemixtle wooden boxes of three different sizes. Design/Methodology/Approach: Trinitarian-type cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) fruits were collected in a commercial orchard. The beans were fermented in boxes with the following operating conditions: volume of cacao with pulp, box size, a six-day period, and uncontrolled temperature and pH. The experiments were carried out in triplicate and an analysis of variance and a multiple comparison of means were performed with the Tukey test (p<0.05) using the R program. Results: The parameters evaluated had the same behavior in the 4 kg box than in the 25 kg box and the 60 kg box, which indicates that the physicochemical and quality characteristics of cacao beans are not impacted by the decrease in the box size. Therefore, smaller boxes are viable for small-scale fermentations. Study Limitations/Implications: Only cacao beans from the Trinitarian genetic group were evaluated. Findings/Conclusions: Small-scale fermentations can be an option for the evaluation of varieties when the beans must be fermented for the sensory analysis of their qualitative attributes. This micro-fermentation methodology can also be incorporated into genetic improvement programs or the evaluation of the processes aimed at their optimization.

Complete Mitogenome of "Pumpo" (Bos taurus), a Top Bull from a Peruvian Genetic Nucleus, and Its Phylogenetic Analysis.

The mitochondrial genome of Pumpo (Bos taurus), a prominent breed contributing to livestock farming, was sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. Assembly and annotation of the mitochondrial genome were achieved through a multifaceted approach employing bioinformatics tools such as Trim Galore, SPAdes, and Geseq, followed by meticulous manual inspection. Additionally, analyses covering tRNA secondary structure and codon usage bias were conducted for comprehensive characterization. The 16,341 base pair mitochondrial genome comprises 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis places Pumpo within a clade predominantly composed of European cattle, reflecting its prevalence in Europe. This comprehensive study underscores the importance of mitochondrial genome analysis in understanding cattle evolution and highlights the potential of genetic improvement programs in livestock farming, thus contributing to enhanced livestock practices.

Genotyping-by-sequencing and weighted gene co-expression network analysis of genes responsive against Potato virus Y in commercial potato cultivars.

Potato is considered a key component of the global food system and plays a vital role in strengthening world food security. A major constraint to potato production worldwide is the Potato Virus Y (PVY), belonging to the genus Potyvirus in the family of Potyviridae. Selective breeding of potato with resistance to PVY pathogens remains the best method to limit the impact of viral infections. Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of potato germplasm is important for breeders to improve new cultivars for the sustainable use of genetic materials in potato breeding to PVY pathogens. While, genetic diversity improvement in modern potato breeding is facing increasingly narrow genetic basis and the decline of the genetic diversity. In this research, we performed genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS)-based diversity analysis on 10 commercial potato cultivars and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify candidate genes related to PVY-resistance. WGCNA is a system biology technique that uses the WGCNA R software package to describe the correlation patterns between genes in multiple samples. In terms of consumption, these cultivars are a high rate among Iranian people. Using population structure analysis, the 10 cultivars were clustered into three groups based on the 118343 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated by GBS. Read depth ranged between 5 and 18. The average data size and Q30 of the reads were 145.98 Mb and 93.63%, respectively. Based on the WGCNA and gene expression analysis, the StDUF538, StGTF3C5, and StTMEM161A genes were associated with PVY resistance in the potato genome. Further, these three hub genes were significantly involved in defense mechanism where the StTMEM161A was involved in the regulation of alkalization apoplast, the StDUF538 was activated in the chloroplast degradation program, and the StGTF3C5 regulated the proteins increase related to defense in the PVY infected cells. In addition, in the genetic improvement programs, these hub genes can be used as genetic markers for screening commercial cultivars for PVY resistance. Our survey demonstrated that the combination of GBS-based genetic diversity germplasm analysis and WGCNA can assist breeders to select cultivars resistant to PVY as well as help design proper crossing schemes in potato breeding.

Microbiota Analysis of Ejaculated Honey Bee Drone Semen and the Effect of Semen Collection Method on Bacterial Loads.

Artificial insemination in queen honey bees is the only tool that provides complete control over mating for research and breeding purposes, making it essential in genetic improvement and conservation programs in this species. The aims of this study were to characterize drone semen bacterial loads by culture-dependent and independent methods and to describe their variation depending on the method of semen collection, the colony and the apiary. In the first experiment, the bacterial loads of semen collected from the seminal vesicles or from ejaculates was studied using culture-dependent methods. The collection method had a significant influence on the overall bacterial count in semen. Out of the 42 semen samples analyzed, 26 (61.9%) tested positive for bacterial isolation. This encompassed the entirety of samples obtained from the seminal vesicles (21 of 21), whereas only 23.8% of those derived from ejaculates (5 out of 21) showed bacterial isolation. In the second experiment, next-generation sequencing techniques were used to describe the microbiome of ejaculated drone semen for the first time. The most abundant phyla were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidota and Actinobacteriota, while the most abundant genera were Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus, Prevotella, Alloprevotella and Streptococcus. The results showed that the apiary had a significant effect on the community structure composition and abundance of the seminal microbiota, and significative differences in abundance were observed for the genera Sphingomonas, Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum, Bifidobacterium and Alloprevotella. Significant differences were also observed in the richness of the microbiota between apiaries and colonies.

Phenotypic characterization of Guraghe and Jimma cattle breeds in Ethiopia: Implications for breed differentiation and in-situ conservation.

The aim of this study was to phenotypically characterize Guraghe and Jimma cattle breeds at the farm level and quantify the relationships between them. Eight morphometric measurements and sixteen morphological traits were recorded for a total of 313 (221 females and 92 males) randomly selected adult cattle from three purposively selected districts. Univariate and multivariate analysis procedures of Statistical Analysis Software (SAS 9.0) were used to analyze the data. Clear morphological and morphometric variations were not observed between the two cattle breeds. All of the studied cattle populations possessed straight-edged ears, a sloppy rump profile, and straight face and back profiles. Moreover, the majority of the studied cattle possess widely spaced curved horns, red-colored uniform body color patterns, and erected small humps located at the cervicothoracic position. In addition to their phenotypic similarities, multivariate analysis also failed to reveal significant differences between the two breeds. These results suggest the inseparable nature of the two cattle breeds. However, such similarities in phenotypic traits between the two cattle breeds do not necessarily indicate genetic similarities. Therefore, further genetic characterization is recommended to quantify the degree of genetic relationship between the breeds. In the meantime, it is recommended to design breed-specific in situ conservation as well as genetic improvement programs that consider cattle breeds as one. Furthermore, an inclusive and uniform breed name that can represent the two cattle populations is obtained from the country's steering committee for indigenous animal genetic resources.

EVALUACIÓN DEL CICLO FENOLÓGICO Y CARACTERIZACIÓN MORFOLÓGICA DE GENOTIPOS DE QUINUA (Chenopodium quinua Willd.)

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Background: Morphological characterization studies and determination of the phenological cycle of quinoa in Colombia are scarce, which are necessary for the identification of new planting materials. <strong>Objective:</strong> The aim of this study was to evaluate the phenological cycle of quinoa materials to identify early and late genotypes; study the morphological characteristics to identify discriminatory descriptors for the genetic improvement of this species in the Department of Cauca. <strong>Methodology:</strong> Fourteen families and three commercial controls (Blanca de Jericó, Aurora, and Tunkahuan) were evaluated in two locations in the department of Cauca under a completely randomized block design with four replications. Twelve phenological stages and 20 morphological descriptors were evaluated. The data were analyzed using an Analysis of Variance and Duncan's Multiple Range Test (p<0.05), in addition, a Multiple Correspondence Analysis was performed. The information was analyzed with the statistical package “R” version 4.3. <strong>Results:</strong> It was found that the Flia27 family was the earliest in Silvia and Totoró. The clustering analysis based on the 20 morphological descriptors grouped the 17 genotypes into five groups, differentiating the controls from the rest of the 14 evaluated families. The families were grouped to present an architecture with low stature and easy management, compact panicle form, and simple growth habit, in contrast to what was found in the controls which exhibited high stature, lax panicle, and branching up to the lower third. <strong>Implications:</strong> It is necessary to study with more homogeneous materials to determine which characteristics exactly are variable depending on the genotype and which show genotypic stability. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Flia27 was the earliest, making it interesting to be included in a quinoa genetic improvement program. The most discriminatory descriptors were leaf shape, leaf margin, and panicle color.</p>

Land Tenure Policies and Property Rights Affecting Livestock Production in Bangladesh

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate land tenure policies and property rights affecting livestock production in Bangladesh. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study revealed a significant influence of secure land tenure on livestock productivity, investment decisions, and sustainability. Secure property rights are consistently associated with higher levels of livestock productivity, increased investment in animal husbandry practices, and improved land management strategies among rural households. Moreover, tenure security facilitates long-term investments in livestock genetic improvement programs, leading to higher milk yields and improved household incomes among dairy farmers. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Institutional Theory & Property Rights Theory may be used to anchor future studies on land tenure policies and property rights affecting livestock production in Bangladesh. Promote community-based natural resource management approaches that recognize customary land tenure systems. Empowering local communities to manage their grazing lands can enhance ecological sustainability, reduce conflicts, and improve livelihoods among pastoralist groups. Advocate for the legal recognition of customary land rights and indigenous knowledge systems in national land tenure policies. Acknowledging traditional tenure arrangements can strengthen tenure security, promote social equity, and enhance the resilience of livestock production systems.