Pedigree Research Articles

Registration of grain sorghum seed (A/B) and pollinator (R) parent lines for chilling and drought tolerance

AbstractFour sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] seed parents, male sterile A and four male fertile B maintainer lines (KS148A [Reg. no. PL‐321, PI 701488], KS148B [Reg. no. PL‐322, PI 701489], KS149A [Reg. no. PL‐323, PI 701490], KS149B [Reg. no. PL‐324, PI 701491], KS150A [Reg. no. PL‐325, PI 701492], KS150B [Reg. no. PL‐326, PI 701493], KS151A [Reg. no. PL‐327, PI 701494], KS151B [Reg. no. PL‐328, PI 701495]), and six pollinator parents [KS152R (Reg. no. PL‐329, PI 701496), KS153R (Reg. no. PL‐330, PI 701497), KS154R (Reg. no. PL‐331, PI 701498), KS155R (Reg. no. PL‐332, PI 701499), KS156R (Reg. no. PL‐333, PI 701500), and KS157R (Reg. no. PL‐334, PI 701501) from the Kansas State University, Agricultural Research Center, Hays, KS, were approved for release by the Kansas State University in July 2021. These 10 lines were from different populations and were developed through recurrent selection (random mating) followed by pedigree and backcross breeding methods between the selected germplasms (PI 574562, PI 550610, PI 574599, PI 574560, PI 550607, and IS 1269C), adapted breeding lines and different genetic male sterile ms3 lines (KP 8B, N310B, B06‐41701‐167, B9614, BHF14, BH8606‐6) in different combinations. Parent lines KS148A&B, KS149A&B, KS152R, and KS153R are tolerant to chilling stress and KS150A&B, KS151A&B, KS154R, KS155R, KS156R, and KS157R are tolerant to drought stress and are recommended to develop hybrids respectively for early (end of April to first week of May) and regular (end of May to first week of June) planting for the central Great Plains. Preliminary screening of all 10 lines showed tolerance to nine postemergence herbicides. These 10 parent lines are early to medium maturity, three‐dwarf (dw1, Dw2, dw3, dw4) in height, photoperiod‐insensitive, and possess unique combinations of plant and seed color. All 10 parent lines are tannin free with acceptable grain quality, short peduncle length, compact or semi‐compact panicles, and combining ability for yield and standability.

The Practical Model and Evidence of Organic Evolution Opposite to Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection and Sexual Selection (Human Evolution)

Hybridization (breeding) is practical evidence and a model of Darwin’s theory. But it would be true, if hybridization between two plants or animal species is possible and produced a fertile, reproductively isolated offspring. However, hybridization between two plants or animal species is not possible due to structural, behavioural differences, and seasonal isolations. If imposed, the fertilization fails, if the fertilization is successful, the embryo may abort, or the young may die. If the hybrid is survived up to maturity, it must become sterile. However, a very rare case the hybrids become fertile but those produce so-called varieties /races only; those species that produce fertile hybrids (e.g. Indian cattle Bos indicus and European cattle Bos taurus) must merge into a species.to satisfy the modern definition of species. Moreover, the artificial selection is also a skilled sexual selection, as the breeders choose the fittest, most vigour, and most fertile/productive, beautiful, colourful ornamented organism. But breeders also failed to develop a reproductively isolated species/variety/race by Johnson’s pure line selection, cloning, genetic engineering and mutation breeding. Even, a new species is not evolved by the natural hybridization. Consequently, there is no evidence of evolution of a new species either artificially or naturally. So, recent research claims that sexual selection theory is fundamentally flawed and simply wrong. Hence, evolutionary biologists rejected sexual selection. Thus, sexual selection is opposite to the evolution of humans from the lower animal like a chimpanzee. It is assumed that macroevolution occurs through hybridization; so, such an assumption is not valid.

Exploring the genetic diversity and population structure of upland cotton germplasm by iPBS-retrotransposons markers.

Upland cotton is one of the utmost significant strategic fiber crops, and play a vital role in the global textile industry. A total of 128 genotypes comprised Gossypium hirsutum L, Gossypium barbadense L., and pure lines were used to examine genetic diversity using iPBS-retrotransposon markers system. Eleven highly polymorphic primers yielded 287 bands and 99.65% polymorphism was recorded. The mean polymorphism information content was estimated at 0.297 and the average diversity indices for the effective number of alleles, Shannon's information index, and overall gene diversity were 1.481, 0.443, and 0.265, respectively. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that 69% of the genetic variation was within the population. A model-based STRUCTURE algorithm divided the entire germplasm into four populations and one un-classified population, the genotypes G42 (originating in Egypt) and G128 (originating in the United States), showed the highest genetic distance (0.996) so these genotypes could be suggested for breeding programs as parental lines. This is the first investigation using an iPBS-retrotransposon marker system to examine the genetic diversity and population structure of upland cotton germplasm. The rich diversity found in upland cotton germplasm could be exploited as a genetic resource when developing breeding programs and could also help with efforts to breed cotton around the world. These findings also show the applicability and effectiveness of iPBS-retrotransposons for the molecular characterization of cotton germplasm.

Using PCR and Gel Electrophoresis Techniques to Molecular Confirm and Detection for Flowering Gene Presence in Maize Hybrids

The laboratory experiment was conducted in the laboratories of the Musayyib Bridge Company for Molecular Analyzes in the year 2021-2022 to study the molecular analysis of the inbreed lines and their hybrids F1 to estimate the genetic variation at the level of DNA shown by the selected pure inbreed lines and the resulting hybrids F1 of the flowering gene. Five pure inbreed lines of maize were selected (ZA17WR) Late, ZM74, Late, ZM19, Early ZM49WZ (Zi17WZ, Late, ZM49W3E) and their resulting hybrids, according to the study objective, from fifteen different inbreed lines with flowering time. The five inbreed lines were planted for four seasons (spring and fall 2019) and (spring and fall 2020) in the spring season 2019 the inbreed lines were crossed and flowering time were recorded and in the fall season 2019 they were crossed according to the study objective (late × late), (late × early) and (early) × late) and (early × early) in the third season, The results indicated that the two initiators used with the target flowering gene are highly efficient in diagnosing genetic variations and genetic divergence between the selected inbreed lines and their resulting hybrids F1 according to the different flowering time using PCR Poly Chain Reaction and Gel electrophoresis techniques. ) and the fourth hybrid (early×early) was superior in most of its field traits. It was found that inbreed line No. 15 (ZA17WR) did not show any bands in the interaction of the PCR and the flowering gene, and this is evidence that this inbreed line is counted as being optimal for the target gene and therefore genes or genetic sites may influence the early or delayed flowering time trait Therefore, it needs future studies. The aim of the current study is to know the genetic structures that contain the flowering gene and according to the planting date, whether fall or spring, to take advantage of those results in choosing and determining the appropriate and most appropriate method in the maize crop breeding programs to obtain promising genetic structures in terms of flowering time, whether was early or late. Additionally using two techniques to gather leads to increase the usefulness of these two techniques as the number of examined hybrids and inbred lines continues to increase rapidly.

Estimation of Hybrid Vigor for Flowering and Yield Cherry Tomato Hybrids

The experiment was carried out in the greenhouses of the extension farm in Diyala governorate for the seasons (2020-2021) and (2021-2022), where ten strains of cherry tomatoes imported from the Tomato Genetic Resources Center (TGRS) at the University of California Davis Institute were planted in the first season. Tomatoes were selected (5 ) pure lines (LA4451, LA4753, LA3334, LA3538 and LA4689) and their symbols (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5), respectively, and entered into a Full Diallel crossing program to produce individual hybrids, and in the second season it included an experiment to evaluate the genotypes (5 parents + 20 hybrids) according to the RCBD design and with three replications, and the results were as follows: Genotypes: There was a significant effect of genotypes, as the parent (1) outperformed in the average fruit weight, per plant yield and total yield (8.41 g, 2.72 kg and 3.40 tons), respectively. The parent (2) outperformed the contract (94.11). parent (5) was superior in the number of flowers in the inflorescence, the number of total flowers and the number of fruits per plant (82.66 inflorescences. plants, 937.00 flowers. plants, and 512.33 fruits. plants). The hybrid (1×4) was also significantly superior in the percentage of the fruit set (95.13), the average fruit weight, the yield of one plant and the total yield (13.45 g, 4.66 kg and 5.82 tons, respectively). While the hybrid (2×5) was superior in the number of total flowers (941.33 flowers). Hybrid (5×2) outperformed in the number of flowers in the inflorescence (90.00 flowers). The superiority of the hybrid (5×4) in the number of fruits (521.33 fruits). Genetic analysis: The hybrid (1×5) showed desirable and significant hybrid vigor for the characteristics of the number of flowers in the inflorescence, the number of total flowers and the number of fruits in the plant). It was also found that the hybrid (5×2) showed a significant hybrid strength for the two traits (one plant yield and total yield). While the hybrid (2×5) and (5×1) recorded the strength of the hybrid for one trait for each of them (the percentage of the knot and the average weight of the fruit) respectively for the best parents.

Nuclear high-ionisation outflow in the Compton-thick AGN NGC 6552 as seen by the JWST mid-infrared instrument

Context. During the commissioning of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the mid-infrared instrument (MIRI) observed NGC 6552 with the MIRI Imager and the Medium-Resolution Spectrograph (MRS). NGC 6552 is an active galactic nucleus (AGN) at a redshift of 0.0266 (DL = 120 Mpc) classified as a Seyfert 2 nucleus in the optical and Compton-thick AGN in the X-ray. Aims. This work exemplifies and demonstrates the MRS capabilities to study the mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectra and characterise the physical conditions and kinematics of the ionised and molecular gas in the nuclear regions of nearby galaxies. Methods. MIRI Imager observations covers the full NGC 6552 galaxy at 5.6 μm. MRS observations covers its nuclear region (3.6×4.3 kpc at 17.7–27.9 μm) in a wavelength range between 4.9 and 27.9 μm. These observations were obtained with the aim to investigate the persistence of the MIRI detectors (residual signal left from previous bright source observations). However, NGC 6552 observations demonstrate the performance and power of the MIRI instrument even with a non-optimal observational strategy. Results. We obtained the nuclear, circumnuclear, and central mid-IR spectra of NGC 6552. They provide the first clear observational evidence for a nuclear outflow in NGC 6552. The outflow contributes to 67±7% of the total line flux independent of the ionisation potential (27–187 eV) and critical densities (104–4×106 cm−3), showing an average blue-shifted peak velocity of −127±45 km s−1 and an outflow maximal velocity of 698±80 km s−1. Since the mid-IR photons penetrate dusty regions as efficiently as X-ray keV photons, we interpret these results as the evidence for a highly ionised, non-stratified, AGN-powered, and fast outflowing gas in a low density environment (few 103 cm−3) located very close (< 0.2 kpc) to the Compton-thick AGN. Nine pure rotational molecular Hydrogen lines are detected and spectrally resolved, and exhibit symmetric Gaussian profiles, consistent with the galactic rotation, and with no evidence of outflowing H2 material. We detect a warm H2 mass of 1.9 ± 1.1 × 107 M⊙ in the central region (1.8 kpc in diameter) of the galaxy, with almost 30% of that mass in the circumnuclear region. Line ratios confirm that NGC 6552 has a Seyfert nucleus with a black hole mass estimated in the range of 0.6–6 million solar masses. Conclusions. This work demonstrates the power of the newly commissioned MIRI Medium Resolution Spectrograph to reveal new insights in the kinematics and ionisation state of the interstellar medium around the dusty nuclear regions of nearby active galaxies.

Genomic prediction in pigs using data from a commercial crossbred population: insights from the Duroc x (Landrace x Yorkshire) three-way crossbreeding system

BackgroundGenomic selection is widely applied for genetic improvement in livestock crossbreeding systems to select excellent nucleus purebred (PB) animals and to improve the performance of commercial crossbred (CB) animals. Most current predictions are based solely on PB performance. Our objective was to explore the potential application of genomic selection of PB animals using genotypes of CB animals with extreme phenotypes in a three-way crossbreeding system as the reference population. Using real genotyped PB as ancestors, we simulated the production of 100,000 pigs for a Duroc x (Landrace x Yorkshire) DLY crossbreeding system. The predictive performance of breeding values of PB animals for CB performance using genotypes and phenotypes of (1) PB animals, (2) DLY animals with extreme phenotypes, and (3) random DLY animals for traits of different heritabilities ({h}^{2} = 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5) was compared across different reference population sizes (500 to 6500) and prediction models (genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) and Bayesian sparse linear mixed model (BSLMM)).ResultsUsing a reference population consisting of CB animals with extreme phenotypes showed a definite predictive advantage for medium- and low-heritability traits and, in combination with the BSLMM model, significantly improved selection response for CB performance. For high-heritability traits, the predictive performance of a reference population of extreme CB phenotypes was comparable to that of PB phenotypes when the effect of the genetic correlation between PB and CB performance ({r}_{pc}) on the accuracy obtained with a PB reference population was considered, and the former could exceed the latter if the reference size was large enough. For the selection of the first and terminal sires in a three-way crossbreeding system, prediction using extreme CB phenotypes outperformed the use of PB phenotypes, while the optimal design of the reference group for the first dam depended on the percentage of individuals from the corresponding breed that the PB reference data comprised and on the heritability of the target trait.ConclusionsA commercial crossbred population is promising for the design of the reference population for genomic prediction, and selective genotyping of CB animals with extreme phenotypes has the potential for maximizing genetic improvement for CB performance in the pig industry.

“Iberians are different”

Historically, Iberian breeds were considered the height of perfection, but with the development of the Thoroughbred (the embodiment of enlightened modernity) they increasingly were aligned with Spanish obsolescence. However, this dichotomy is too simple and often incorrect. As this paper illustrates, the Spanish Pure Breed itself is the outcome of a major modernization effort in the sixteenth century, linked to the Spanish colonial empire’s own early modernity. Furthermore, “modernizing” attempts continue to shape the breed as breeders and breed organizations attempt to meet the demands of the sport horse market, emulating the success of the modern sport horse breeds. Thus, as this paper argues, within complex temporal interactions between older and newer forms of modernity, the resurgence of older, presumably superseded, projects presents a kind of queer subversion of the temporal narratives of progress, modernity, and modernization. This subversion is instantiated in the present moment by the traditional Iberian horse (as the product and icon of an older, presumably superseded form of modernity). As a natureculture, this older modernity reverberates not only as a cultural investment but also as a “natural” resurgence of genetic diversity and multiplicity. This article theorizes the marginalized early modernities of Spain and Portugal in their baroque colonial multiplicities, and thereby rewrites the way European modernity has been understood.

Production of double haploid watermelon via maternal haploid induction.

Production of double haploid watermelon via maternal haploid induction.

Phylogenetic identification of feline leukemia virus A and B in cats with progressive infection developing into lymphoma and leukemia

To date, only a few studies have examined the impacts of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) subgroups on disease development in spontaneously infected cats. The present study identified FeLV-A and FeLV-B subgroups in cats with lymphoma and leukemia and explored the phylogenetic relationships of env sequences. Twenty-six cats with lymphoma (n=16) or leukemia (n=10) were selected. FeLV p27 antigen positivity was determined using ELISA, and proviral DNA in blood samples was detected using nested PCR. Positive animals in both tests were classified as cases of FeLV progressive infection and subjected to a second nested PCR for env amplification and subgroup determination. Six samples of FeLV-A and five samples of FeLV-B were sequenced using the Sanger method, and the results were used to build a phylogenetic tree and estimate evolutionary divergence. Among cats with lymphoma, 68.8% carried FeLV-AB and 31.2% FeLV-A. Among cats with leukemia, 70% carried FeLV-AB and 30% FeLV-A. Regarding cat characteristics, 50% were young, 30.8% young adults, and 19.2% adults; 88.5% were mixed-breed and 11.5% pure breed; and 42.3% were males and 57.7% were females. Among lymphomas, 62.5% were mediastinal, 31.3% multicentric, and 6.3% extranodal. Regarding histological classification, lymphoblastic and small non-cleaved-cell lymphomas were the most frequently detected. Among leukemia cases, 30% were acute lymphoid, 30% chronic myeloid, and 40% acute myeloid. Phylogenetic analysis showed that FeLV-A SC sequences were closely related to the Arena, Glasgow-1, and FeLV-FAIDS variants. Meanwhile, FeLV-B SC sequences were divergent from one another but similar to the endogenous FELV env gene (enFeLV). In conclusion, FeLV-AB is prevalent in cats with lymphoma and leukemia, highlighting the genetic diversity involved in the pathogenesis of these neoplasms in Brazil.

Resequencing of a Pekin duck breeding population provides insights into the genomic response to short-term artificial selection.

Short-term, intense artificial selection drives fast phenotypic changes in domestic animals and leaves imprints on their genomes. However, the genetic basis of this selection response is poorly understood. To better address this, we employed the Pekin duck Z2 pure line, in which the breast muscle weight was increased nearly 3-fold after 10 generations of breeding. We denovo assembled a high-quality reference genome of a female Pekin duck of this line (GCA_003850225.1) and identified 8.60 million genetic variants in 119 individuals among 10 generations of the breeding population. We identified 53 selected regions between the first and tenth generations, and 93.8% of the identified variations were enriched in regulatory and noncoding regions. Integrating the selection signatures and genome-wide association approach, we found that 2 regions covering 0.36 Mb containing UTP25 and FBRSL1 were most likely to contribute to breast muscle weight improvement. The major allele frequencies of these 2 loci increased gradually with each generation following the same trend. Additionally, we found that a copy number variation region containing the entire EXOC4 gene could explain 1.9% of the variance in breast muscle weight, indicating that the nervous system may play a role in economic trait improvement. Our study not only provides insights into genomic dynamics under intense artificial selection but also provides resources for genomics-enabled improvements in duck breeding.

The efficient procedure of embryogenic callus formation from anther in Capsicum pubescens Ruiz & Pav

The peppers or ajies (Capsicum spp.) are one of Peru's main productive crops, which is why it is among the top ten countries in production and exports. Among the species cultivated in Peru is Capsicum pubescens Ruiz & Pav., commonly called rocoto, and represents one of the most critical species in local and national gastronomy. The rocoto ecotype "Selva" or "de Monte" is characterized by its large size and is used to prepare rocoto relleno arequipeño. This crop presents the restriction to obtain homozygous lines for being self-incompatible. Using biotechnology, pure lines can be obtained from the anther culture, and homozygous lines can be obtained. The objective was to induce embryogenic callus formation from anther culture of Capsicum pubescens Ruiz & Pav. Ecotype "de Monte". In the results, 74.1% of embryogenic callus was induced in rocoto anthers with a longitudinal ratio of 1.04 mm; the induction was carried out using Murashige and Skoog culture medium added with 2.0 mg/L of 2,4-D. Likewise, the formation of somatic embryos in the globular stage was evidenced after 12 weeks in the culture medium.

Peculiarities of growth and further productivity of purebred and crossbred cows

Use of genetic specifics of pure breeding in animal husbandry allows cross breeders to produce herds that are completely of high breeding value, and also improve genetic potential of the best breeds. A relevant issue is determining the efficiency of crossbreeding of dairy breeds by analyzing the growth intensity of young bovine cattle, their reproductive ability and dairy productivity. We performed an analysis of experimental studies of using effective methods of selection, carried out a theoretical analysis, formulated hypotheses, used genealogical, biometrical and statistical methods, and assessed the productive properties of animals. We determined that the heifers from cross of the Ukrainian Red-Spotted cows with the sires of the Montbeliard breed – compared with the heifers from the Holstein bulls – had higher growth intensity and greater live weight during all the age periods. From birth until the age of one year, the Ukrainian Black-Spotted dairy heifers from the Holstein and Norwegian Red sires had no significant difference in weight. The heifers that resulted from cross of the Montbeliard and Ukrainian Red-Spotted dairy breeds had advantages over the purebred animals during all age periods, namely in the measurements of chest width, hook bone width, chest girth, ring metacarpal length. Body measurements of the replacement heifers, derived from the Norwegian Red and Holstein sires, varied within insignificant ranges depending on genotype, without significant difference. The animals were compact and proportionate; having received sufficient and complete diets, they had satisfactory weight categories. We determined that increase of the age of first insemination and first pregnancy was followed by decrease in the dairy productivity of cows. It ranged 0.021 to 0.064 in the bred heifers of different genotypes and breeds. There was observed an insignificant direct relationship between the abovementioned factors and the contents of fat and protein in milk. The shares of influence of age when the animals were first inseminated on milk yield accounted for 7.1% to 11.4%, 5.4–6.9 on fat content in milk, and 8.0–12.2% on protein fraction in milk. Crossbreeding can efficiently decrease the percentage of complicated deliveries and stillbirth rate, which in turn decreases the expenses for treatment of consequences of difficult calving, including the risk of decline in milk productivity and longer calving interval. However, there should be a careful approach to the selection of a breed, sire (preferably, its evaluation should be taken into account according to calving ease, especially when using the Montbeliard breed) and analysis of dams that are to be crossed with. Upgrading by mating to the Montbeliard and Norwegian breeds resulted in the crossbred cows that produced the greatest profit due to their heightened productivity. We should note that the estimated prices of extra products per cow give us grounds to state a positive effect from crossbreeding with the Montbeliard and Norwegian Red breeds. The performed studies confirm the benefits of identifying the efficiency of crossbreeding dairy breeds by an analysis of growth intensity of young bovine cattle.

A genome-wide association study for eumelanin pigmentation in chicken plumage using a computer vision approach.

Chicken plumage colouration is an important trait related to productivity in poultry industry. Therefore, the genetic basis for pigmentation in chicken plumage is an area of great interest. However, the colour trait is generally regarded as a qualitative trait and representing colour variations is difficult. In this study, we developed a method to quantify and classify colour using an F2 population crossed from two pure lines: White Leghorn and the Korean indigenous breed Yeonsan Ogye. Using red, green, and blue values in the cropped body region, we identified significant genomic regions on chromosomes 33:3 160 480-7 447 197 and Z:78 748 287-79 173 793. Furthermore, we identified two potential candidate genes (PMEL and MTAP) that might have significant effects on melanin-based plumage pigmentation. Our study presents a new phenotyping method using a computer vision approach and provides new insights into the genetic basis of melanin-based feather colouration in chickens.

Deciphering the genetic basis of resistance to soybean cyst nematode combining IBD and association mapping

Key messageIBD analysis clarified the dynamics of chromosomal recombination during the ZP pedigree breeding process and identified ten genomic regions resistant to SCN race3 combining association mapping.Soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) is one of the most devastating pathogens for soybean production worldwide. The cultivar Zhongpin03-5373 (ZP), derived from SCN-resistant progenitor parents, Peking, PI 437654 and Huipizhi Heidou, is an elite line with high resistance to SCN race3. In the current study, a pedigree variation map was generated for ZP and its ten progenitors using 3,025,264 high-quality SNPs identified from an average of 16.2 × re-sequencing for each genome. Through identity by decent (IBD) tracking, we showed the dynamic change of genome and detected important IBD fragments, which revealed the comprehensively artificial selection of important traits during ZP breeding process. A total of 2,353 IBD fragments related to SCN resistance including SCN-resistant genes rhg1, rhg4 and NSFRAN07 were identified based on the resistant-related genetic paths. Moreover, 23 genomic regions underlying resistance to SCN race3 were identified by genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 481 re-sequenced cultivated soybeans. Ten common loci were found by both IBD tracking and GWAS analysis. Haplotype analysis of 16 potential candidate genes suggested a causative SNP (C/T, − 1065) located in the promoter of Glyma.08G096500 and encoding a predicted TIFY5b-related protein on chr8 was highly correlated with SCN race3 resistance. Our results more thoroughly elucidated the dynamics of genomic fragments during ZP pedigree breeding and the genetic basis of SCN resistance, which will provide useful information for gene cloning and the development of resistant soybean cultivars using a marker-assisted selection approach.

IN VITRO DIPLOIDIZATION OF HAPLOID PLANTLET FROM ANTHER CULTURE OF EGGPLANT (Solanum melongena L.) USING PENDIMETHALIN

The availability of anther culture methods for producing pure lines in a doubled-haploid (DH) plant form makes it possible to accelerate the development of hybrid varieties in eggplant. Previous studies have developed an efficient eggplant anther culture method. However, the formation of spontaneous DH plants through this method is relatively low, ranging from 25%–30%. Recently several studies reported that pendimethalin effectively duplicates the chromosome numbers of several plant species in vitro. This study aimed to determine the pendimethalin effect on the diploidization of eggplant haploid plantlets from anther culture. The study compared three concentrations of antimitotic pendimethalin: 100 μM, 300 μM, and 1000 μM in three incubation durations: two, four, and six days. The results showed the treatment with a pendimethalin concentration of 300 μM incubated for two days gave the highest level of plantlet diploidization at 75.0%. In vitro, chromosomal duplication treatment using pendimethalin with different concentrations and duration of incubation time affected the plantlet survival and growth of eggplant haploid plantlets. The increase in pendimethalin concentration and incubation duration inhibited the physiology and growth of plantlets and affected alteration in the ploidy level of eggplant haploid plantlets.

Sericin Ser3 Ectopic Expressed in Posterior Silk Gland Affects Hemolymph Immune Melanization Response via Reducing Melanin Synthesis in Silkworm

The transgenesis of silkworms is an important way to innovate genetic resources and silk function. However, the silk-gland (SG) of transgenic silkworms, which is the most concerned target tissue of sericulture, often suffers from low vitality, stunting and other problems, and the reasons are still unknown. This study trans engineered recombinant Ser3, a middle silk gland (MSG) specific expression gene, in the posterior silk gland (PSG) of the silkworm, and studied hemolymph immune melanization response changes in mutant pure line SER (Ser3+/+). The results showed that although the mutant had normal vitality, the melanin content and phenoloxidase (PO) activity in hemolymph related to humoral immunity were significantly reduced, and caused significantly slower blood melanization and weaker sterilization ability. The mechanism investigation showed that the mRNA levels and enzymatic activities of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine decarboxylase (DDC) in the melanin synthesis pathway in mutant hemolymph, as well as the transcription levels of the PPAE, SP21 and serpins genes in the serine protease cascade were significantly affected. Moreover, the total antioxidant capacity, superoxide anion inhibition capacity and catalase (CAT) level related to the redox metabolic capacity of hemolymph were significantly increased, while the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and glutathione (GSH), were significantly decreased. In conclusion, the anabolism of melanin in the hemolymph of PSG transgenic silkworm SER was inhibited, while the basic response level of oxidative stress was increased, and the hemolymph immune melanization response was decreased. The results will significantly improve the safe assessment and development of genetically modified organisms.

Estimation of genetic parameters of eggshell translucency and production traits in different genotypes of laying hens

The translucency of eggshells is a ubiquitous appearance problem caused by moisture translocation and the accumulation of egg contents into the eggshellultrastructure. Previous studies have mainly investigated the causes of eggshell translucency from nutritional and environmental perspectives. However, little is known of the effect of genetics the causes of eggshell translucency on hen production performance. To evaluate the genetic parameters of eggshell translucency and other production performance indicators, we performed an experiment on 3 pure hen lines: 624 Dwarf Layer-White, 1,612 Rhode Island Red, and 813 Rhode Island Red-White. We collected eggs from each hen over 5 d and measured eggshell translucent level (TL) using the grading method. Additionally we measured indicators of each hen during the laying period, including age at laying of the first egg (AFE), body weight at laying of the first egg (BWFE), weight of the first egg (FEW), body weight at 40 wk (BW40), egg weight at 40 wk (EW40), egg production up to 40 wk of age (EN), and calculated the genetic parameters among the indicators. The results showed that the estimated heritability of TL in the 3 genotypes were 0.30, 0.24, and 0.20, respectively, suggesting a low or moderate level of heritability. We found a positive correlation between TL and AFE, with genetic correlation coefficients 0.19 to 0.41, and negative genetic correlation between TL and EN, with correlation coefficient -0.36 to -0.19. Additionally, we observed positive correlation exists between AFE and FEW, BWFE and FEW, and BW40 and EW40; and negative correlation between AFE and EN in the 3 pure lines. These results enriched the research on heritability of eggshell translucency in different hen breeds and demonstrated moderate or low heritability of the indicator. Furthermore, eggshell translucency was negatively affected by AFE and EN. Our results provide a valuable reference for predicting selection response of eggshell translucency and production performance in brood hens, and locating the genes regulating eggshell translucency.

The Architects’ Practice Knowledge, Expressions and Communications of Architectural Design Intentions in Southwest Nigeria

This study investigates the knowledge of Architects in the practice of designintentions, communications, principles, and expressions of architecturaldesign in selected Architectural practices to improve architectural designdelivery in Southwest Nigeria. Data collection was enhanced with astructured questionnaire from 250 participants comprising practicingArchitects at various levels. The survey data were analyzed by descriptivestatistics and the key finding is that Architects' practice knowledge of intentions,communications, principles, and expressions of architectural design in the studyarea is very high. Appreciably, 66.6% of the respondents use pure lines tocommunicate design intentions, 25% of the respondents communicate throughforms and shapes while 4.2% of the respondents each use geometry and materialsas elements of communication of architectural intentions. The Pearson Correlationanalysis to establish relationships between the tested variables reveals significantrelationships between the meaning of architecture and visual communication ofarchitectural intentions (p < 0.05; r = 0.359). This study recommends thatArchitecture as a utilitarian art requires the effective and clear conveyance ofthought through pure visuals, clear lines, forms, and materials to communicateclear intentions, culture, personality, and status as well as create an importanthuman-environmental link.

Estimation of microsatellite-based autozygosity and its correlation with pedigree inbreeding coefficient in crossbred cattle

In countries where farming is largely subsistence, no pedigree records of farm animals are maintained at farmers’ herd and scientific mating plans are not observed which leads to the accumulation of inbreeding and loss of production potential. Microsatellites have been widely used as reliable molecular markers to measure inbreeding. We attempted to correlate autozygosity estimated from microsatellite data with the inbreeding coefficient (F) calculated from pedigree data in Vrindavani crossbred cattle developed in India. The inbreeding coefficient was calculated from the pedigree of ninety-six Vrindavani cattle. Animals were further grouped into three groups viz. acceptable/low (F: 0–5%), moderate (F: 5–10%) and high (F: ≥10%), based on their inbreeding coefficients. The overall mean of the inbreeding coefficient was found to be 0.070 ± 0.007. A panel of twenty-five bovine-specific loci were chosen for the study according to ISAG/FAO. The mean F IS, F ST, and F IT values were 0.0548 ± 0.025, 0.012 ± 0.001 and 0.0417 ± 0.025, respectively. There was no significant correlation between the FIS values obtained and the pedigree F values. The locus-wise individual autozygosity was estimated using the method-of-moments estimator (MME) formula for locus-specific autozygosity. The autozygosities ascribing to CSSM66 and TGLA53 were found to be significantly (p < .01 and p < .05, respectively) correlated with pedigree F values.