Values For Most Traits Research Articles

Procena primene azotnog đubriva i nano-silicijum spreja na performanse i komponente prinosa semena suncokreta

Considering the climatic altering and the noteworthy increment within the late seasonal dry stress on sunflower in semi-arid regions, it is fundamental to utilize modern administration like application nano silicon to reduce the unfavourable impacts of such stresses. A field trial was performed to study the effects of nitrogen levels (40, 80, and 120 kg ha-1 ) and foliar spray treating of nano silicon (50, 100, and 150 ppm) on some traits of sunflower. The first two factors explained 79% of the variation and showed strong positive association of yield and thousand-seed weight. The N4-Si3 (120 kg ha-1 nitrogen plus 150 ppm nano silicon) indicated the higher values for most traits, leaf and head properties and seed yield. For confirmation findings of factor analysis, the clustering of traits and treatments was performed and categorized the measured traits and treatments into three clusters. The medium and high concentrations of nitrogen and nano silicon (80 and 120 kg ha-1 nitrogen; 100 and 150 ppm nano SiO2) were grouped with each other in the same cluster and were the best treatments. The nitrogen is one of the important fertilizers for sunflower production and low magnitudes of nitrogen could not be sufficient in semiarid environments. The nano silicon has beneficial ability to minimize the harmful influences of environmental stresses and can provide the goals of sustainable and low input agricultural systems in production of sunflower under semi-arid regions.

A genome-wide association and prediction study in grapevine deciphers the genetic architecture of multiple traits and identifies genes under many new QTLs.

To cope with the challenges facing agriculture, speeding-up breeding programs is a worthy endeavor, especially for perennial species such as grapevine, but requires understanding the genetic architecture of target traits. To go beyond the mapping of quantitative trait loci in bi-parental crosses, we exploited a diversity panel of 279 Vitis vinifera L. cultivars planted in 5 blocks in the vineyard. This panel was phenotyped over several years for 127 traits including yield components, organic acids, aroma precursors, polyphenols, and a water stress indicator. The panel was genotyped for 63k single nucleotide polymorphisms by combining an 18K microarray and genotyping-by-sequencing. The experimental design allowed to reliably assess the genotypic values for most traits. Marker densification via genotyping-by-sequencing markedly increased the proportion of genetic variance explained by single nucleotide polymorphisms, and 2 multi-single nucleotide polymorphism models identified quantitative trait loci not found by a single nucleotide polymorphism-by-single nucleotide polymorphism model. Overall, 489 reliable quantitative trait loci were detected for 41% more response variables than by a single nucleotide polymorphism-by-single nucleotide polymorphism model with microarray-only single nucleotide polymorphisms, many new ones compared with the results from bi-parental crosses. A prediction accuracy higher than 0.42 was obtained for 50% of the response variables. Our overall approach as well as quantitative trait locus and prediction results provide insights into the genetic architecture of target traits. New candidate genes and the application into breeding are discussed.

The Study of Morphological Characteristics and Statistics of the Phenotypes and Correlation in Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Germplasm

Faba bean is amongst the most important food legumes in the world. Ninety landraces and six released faba bean accessions were evaluated for variability parameters, correlation, and path coefficients for nineteen traits at two locations over two years. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) to very high significant differences (P < 0.001) among accessions for all traits considered in all environments except for leaf width, days to flowering, number of seeds per pod, and seed filling period which were non-significant at Girar Jerso in 2018 and number of branches per plant was also non-significant at Degem in 2018. In this study phenotypic coefficient of variation, genotypic coefficient of variation, and broad-sense heritability also revealed medium to high values for most traits. Genetic gains expected from selecting the top 5% of the genotypes, as a percent of the mean varied from 0.49% to 145.83%. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for most of the traits, indicating an improvement in these traits through simple selection. Path coefficient analysis indicated, traits that had a positive direct effect and correlation with grain yield, could be used as a reliable indicator in indirect selection for higher grain yield.

Divergence in life history and behaviour between hybridizing Phymata ambush bugs (Heteroptera: Reduviidae)

Abstract Life-history variation plays a central role in evolutionary and ecological processes and might be especially pertinent to divergence in closely related species. We investigated differences in life history in a pair of parapatric species of ambush bugs (Phymata) and a putative hybrid population. Despite the evidence of gene flow among these species, we found clear divergence between these parapatric populations for a suite of juvenile and adult life-history traits, including components of fitness. The higher latitude species was also less active, suggestive of potential divergence in dispersal. Increased melanism was correlated with longevity in one species, although it was unclear whether this relationship was causal. Observed differences in the life history between species were consistent with expectations of high-latitude species putting a premium on early or rapid development and increased reproductive rates. However, these results were not consistent with ‘pace-of-life syndromes’ at the species level. Individuals from the putative hybrid zone exhibited intermediate values for most traits, although they had slower development and reduced mobility, consistent with some previous work suggesting natural selection via hybrid breakdown.

The Effect of Harvesting Stages and Locations on Seed Yield and its Components of Some Narbon Vetch (Vicia narbonensis) Lines under Rainfed Condition of Sulaimani Governorate- Iraq

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This study was carried out at two locations of sulaimani region were Qlyasan and Kanipanka during the winter season of 2017-2018 to determine the effect of harvesting stages and locations on seed yield and its components of some narbon vetch lines under rainfed condition, experimental design was split plot with CRBD arrangement in three replications, six lines of narbon vetch (ICARDA2392, ICARDA2384, ICARDA2383, ICARDA2561, ICARDA2380, ICARDA2816)&nbsp; butting in main plots, and subplots consists of&nbsp; different harvesting stages were (Control, beginning of flowering, 50% flowering and full flowering). &nbsp;The mean of treatments where compare using the least significant differences (LSD) test at 0.05 significant level. As the average both locations, the results revealed that the differences among the narbon vetch lines were highly significant in most yield traits such as biological yield, pod yield and seed yield but not significant on other traits straw yield and harvest index,&nbsp; maximum values for most seed yield traits exhibited by line 4 and 5. Harvesting stages effect on all yield traits of narbon vetch was highly significant, control treatment (without harvesting ) recorded the best value due to all traits biological yield, pod yield, seed yield, straw yield and harvest index. The interaction effect between the lines and harvesting stages were highly significant on all yield traits of narbon vetch except harvest index which was not significant, the highest biological yield, pod yield and straw yield produced by the interaction between L2 with control treatment, but the highest seed yield was obtained by association between L5 and control treatment. The effect of locations on all yield in bred lines was highly significant. Kanipanka location predominated Qlyasan location and gave maximum values of biological yield, pod yield, seed yield and straw yield. But, maximum value of harvest index recorded in Qlyasan location. Regarding yield components of narbon vetch, the results of the averages of both location confirmed that the differences among narbon vetch lines were highly significant for both traits no of pod m-2 and 100 seed weight while significant for seeds number pod-1and not significant for pod length and seeds weight pod-1, line1 recorded the highest value of most traits. All yield component traits of narbon vetch responded highly significantly to different harvesting stages, maximum values of most traits exhibited by control treatment. The interaction between the lines and harvesting stages was highly significant on no. of pods m-2 and 100 seed weight while the effect was significant on seeds number pod-1 and seeds weight pod-1 but not significant for pod length. The effect of locations on yield components of narbon vetch were highly significant for all characters. Kanipanka location exceeded Qlyasan location and gave the highest values of these traits no. of pods.m-2, pods length, seeds number pod-1 and seeds weight pod-1, while Qlyasan location had the highest value of 100 seed weight, in compare to Kanipanka location.

Improvement of wheat quality and soil fertility by integrates chemical fertilizer with rhizobial bacteria

A field experiment was carried out in Erbil city at Agricultural Research Center, during winter season 2017 - 2018, to study the effect of three levels (120, 240, 360 kg.ha-1) of NPK (20:20:20) fertilizer, five species of Rhizobial&nbsp; inoculation (Control, Bradyrhizobium sp. (Vigna) (B1), Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. Viciae (B2). Bradyrhizobium Mungbean (B3), Mesorhizobium ciceri (B4) and Rhizobium leguminosarum bv phaseoli (B5)) and two wheat cultivar soft (Triticum aestivum L.)&nbsp; Hawler2,and hard (Triticum durum L.) Seminto and their combination on leaf (Nitrogen, Phosphor, Potassium, Calcium and Iron)contents, soil nutrient (Total Nitrogen, available Phosphor, Potassium and Iron contents, leaf (Auxin IAA, Gibberellin GA and Cytokinin CK) contents, grain number.plot-1, weight of 1000 grain(g), grain yield kg.hac-1, biological yield kg.hac-1 and harvest index% by utilizing complete randomized block design (CRBD) with three replication. Rhizobial inoculation individually increased significantly all tested parameters of growth. Generally, Seminto significantly surpassed Hawler2 in most traits under study. Interaction between of chemical fertilizer with rhizobial bacteria was more evident than that of chemical fertilizer alone for all mentioned traits. The combination of chemical fertilizer, rhizobial bacteria and wheat cultivars had a synergistic effect and improved leaf (N,P,K,Ca and Fe) contents, fertility of soil, phytohormone concentration in leaves and yield components. The finding indicated that the combination between the lower levels of NPK fertilizer with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv phaseoli inoculation for Triticum aestivum increased grain yield by 114.39% over the control. We recommend using rhizobial bacteria in combination with lower levels of NPK to reduce chemical fertilizer dose and improving yield production and soil fertility because combination between mentioned factors gave the highest values of most traits under study.

Effect of Seed Extracts of Vigna unguiculta and Hordeum vulgare on Kidney Homogenate and Rat Kidney Injury Molecule-1 in Ethylene Glycol and Ammonium Chloride Induced Urolithasis in Rats

The experiment was carried out to study the therapeutic efficacy of aqueous, alcoholic, and biherbal extracts of Vigna unguiculata (VU) and Hordeum vulgare (HV) in ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride-induced urolithiasis in female Wistar rats. Rats were divided into 14 groups, each of 6 rats, except the lithiatic control group, which consisted of 8 rats. Group I and II served as lithiatic and vehicle control, respectively. In group I and III to XIV urolithiasis were induced by administration of 0.75 % (v/v) ethylene glycol and 2% (w/v) ammonium chloride along with drinking water for 28 days. Group II was given 0.5% sodium bicarbonate. After the 28th day, the rats of urolithiatic treatment Groups III to XIV were given aqueous and alcoholic seed extracts of VU and HV @ 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg b.wt. orally as either single extract or combination as biherbal extracts (1:1) in 0.5 % sodium bicarbonate for another 35 days using syringe and rat gavage needle. Blood samples were collected twice: on the 28th day of induction of urolithiasis and 63rd day experiment/herbal treatment. Significantly (p less than 0.01) increased levels of calcium, oxalate, phosphate, and decreased levels of magnesium in the kidney homogenate were observed in the calculi induced groups as compared to the vehicle control group on 28th day. However, significantly increased rat Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1) was observed in the calculi induced groups as compared to the vehicle control group in serum on the 28th day. Results of kidney homogenate and KIM-1 revealed that aqueous and alcoholic extracts of VU and HV possess good therapeutic efficacy against urolithiasis. The effect of biherbal alcoholic extract of the seeds at higher dose rate was much better in reducing or normalizing the values of most traits by 35 days of treatment, i.e., by 63rd day of the experiment and thus the continuation of treatment for some more days would be expected to restore the normal profile.

BREEDING FOR SOME QUANTITATIVE TRAITS IN COMMON WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L) USING DIALLEL CROSSES.

A diallel cross set was carried out among six parents of common wheat without reciprocal crosses to study the inheritance of heading date, maturity date, plant height, spike length, number of spikes per plant, number of kernels per spike,1000 grain weight and grain yield per plant using Hayman approach and Jones method. The parental varieties and their possible 15 crosses were sown under two different nitrogen levels i.e.,70 kg /faddan (normal) and 35 kg/faddan (stress) using randomized complete block design with three replicates per each nitrogen level . The diallel cross analysis were carried out using the approaches proposed by Hayman (1954) and Jones (1965). Mean squares for fertilizations were found to be significant for all traits studied except days to maturity and plant height, indicating differences between the two different nitrogen fertilization levels for most characters. Genotypes, parents and the resultant crosses mean squares were found to be highly significant for most traits studied at the two different nitrogen levels and their combined data. The additive genetic variance () was found to be highly significant for all traits studied at the two different nitrogen fertilizations except number of grains per spike and grain yield per plant at the two different nitrogen levels . The dominance genetic variation and were found to be highly significant for all traits studied at the two different nitrogen fertilizations. Moreover, the estimated values of dominance components and were found to be greater in their magnitude than the corresponding additive genetic variations () for most traits under investigation. Estimates of the ratio of dominant to recessive alleles in the parents (KD / KR) were found to be more than unity for all traits studied at the two different nitrogen levels, except grain yield per plant. Moderate heritability values were detected for heading date, plant height and spike length . For the other traits, low heritability in narrow sense was detected. The additive genetic variance (a) was found to be highly significant for all characters studied at both two nitrogen fertilizer levels. The dominance genetic variation (b) was highly significant for all-characters studied at the different two nitrogen fertilizer levels. The (a) values were found to be larger in magnitude than the corresponding (b) values for most traits studied.

Transgressive segregations in two pea F2 populations and their respective F2:3 families

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the variability present in two pea (Pisum sativum) F2 populations and their corresponding F2:3 families, as well as to determine, in both generations, the frequency of transgressive segregants in order to isolate early superior families. The study was conducted from a cross of green pea varieties (Ilca 5115 and Turf) and a cross of yellow pea varieties (Zavalla 15 and Amarilla). In both generations, morphological traits were evaluated. Phenotypic and genotypic variances, experimental error variance, genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, broad-sense heritability, and transgressive segregants were determined. The green F2 population showed greater variation, whereas the yellow F2:3 families had higher average values for most traits. In the green F2:3 population, the percentage of transgressive segregants was greater or equal to 20, while, in the yellow one, no traits had a percentage greater than 20. High heritability values were obtained for most traits in both generations. Considering all traits, 45% of the transgressive segregants are found in the F2 populations and 42% of the F2 transgressive segregants in the F2:3 generation. The distribution of F2:3 families allows to select promising families according to the breeding program objectives.

Estimates of Genetic Parameters in Bambara Groundnut {Vigna subterranea (L.) VERDC.}

Field evaluation of 33 Bambara groundnut lines were carried out to estimate genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) result showed significant differences for 14 of the 17 agronomic traits studied. The results on the variance components revealed that phenotypic variance had values (vigour index 2.30, pod length 10.09, seed length 1.64) that were slightly higher than the respective genotypic variance (vigour index 1.68, pod length 9.88, seed length 0.26). Similarly, the values (number of branches 41.91, number of nodes 68.72, internode length 59.02) of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were slightly higher than the corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) (number of branches 40.11, number of nodes 66.98, internode length 57.31), suggesting a substantial genetic variability that can serve as a base for Bambara groundnut improvement. High estimates of heritability were observed for most characters like number of branches (95.70%), number of nodes (97.46%), internode length (97.10%), pod length (97.91%), and seed length (93.79%). Likewise, genetic advance values for most traits were high, pod length (201), number of nodes (200), internode length (200), number of branches (197) and seed yield (195), implying that improvement of seed yield in Bambara groundnut can be achieved through direct selection.

Contrasting grapevines grafted into naturalized rootstock suggest scion-driven transcriptomic changes in response to water deficit

Viticulture is facing water deficit problems related to climate change, new extremes in heat and precipitation regimes and drought events. Rootstocks use was assessed as strategy for enhancing performance of Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) and Syrah (Sy) under water deficit. Vines were grafted onto naturalized grapevines selected from hyper-arid Chile, and compared to own-grafted and commercial Ruggeri 140. Plants were submitted to optimal (100 % ETc) and deficit (30 % ETc) irrigation throughout two seasons at field conditions. Functional traits along both seasons were determined. Water deficit reduced all growth and physiological traits especially in CS. R32 rootstock induced significantly higher values for most traits irrespective of cv and seasons associated to higher root growth. Transcriptomic analysis was further performed in both cultivars grafted over R32 rootstock by RNA-Seq, determining that gene up-regulation extent was higher in Sy. More stable transcriptional landscape was determined in CS than Sy, which might be linked to its hydric strategy. Unexpectedly, major differences in transcriptional behaviour were detected in R32 rootstock, revealing major transcriptional changes occurring at root level, suggesting scion-driven transcriptional regulation in response to stress. Finally, R32 rootstock can be considered for both near iso and anisohydric grapevines as adaptive strategy for climate constrains.

Genetic analysis of nutritional and antioxidant traits in eggplant (S. melongena)

Six generations of eggplants (P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2) obtained from two crosses SM001-07 x ST004-03 and SM001-07 x San005-01 were grown in an open field using Randomized complete Block Design with four replications. The experiment was conducted to determine gene effects for the inheritance of twelve nutritional and antioxidant traits in eggplant using generation mean analysis. The analysis of variance showed significant differences for most traits indicating the presence of sufficient variation in the eggplant materials under study. Additive-dominance effect was adequate to demonstrate the genetic variation and its significance in the inheritance of protein and magnesium contents, while non-allelic interactions were observed to be important for iron, zinc and total phenol in both crosses. The study also showed low values for dominance and environmental variances that resulted in high heritability values for most traits. Therefore, to improve these traits population improvement approaches (recurrent selection or pure line) followed by delayed selection in segregating generation would yield better results.

Morpho-physiological and biochemical responses of bladder cherry (Physalis alkekengi L.) induced by multienzymatic biostimulant, IBA, and citric acid

Abstract Plant enzymes, growth regulators and organic acids are the main groups of plant biostimulants (PBs), and their combined use in the final formulation may be important for increasing the quantitative and qualitative composition of plant products. This study aimed to determine the effects of a multienzymatic biostimulant (MB), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and citric acid (CA) on the morphological and phytochemical traits of bladder cherry (Physalis alkekengi L.). The treatments included different concentrations of MB (0, 0.5 and 1.0%), IBA (0, 25, and 50 ppm), and CA (0, and 500 mg dm−3), which were sprayed four times during the vegetative stage, at 12-day intervals, 35 days after planting. The results showed that the treatments had a significant effect on plant height, stem number, diameter and weight, leaf number and weight, fruit number, diameter and weight, the amounts of total phenols, alkaloids and flavonoids, and on the radical scavenging activity. The most effective formulation for improving the fruit yield of bladder cherry was 1% MB with 50 ppm IBA and 500 ppm CA. However, the best treatment for increasing the total phenolic and alkaloid contents, and radical scavenging activity was 0.5% MB. In general, the maximum values of most traits were obtained by spraying the plants with 0.5 and 1% MB combined with IBA and CA. The concentration of alkaloids, the main pharmaceutical metabolites of bladder cherry, increased as a result of the application of the multienzymatic biostimulant.

Evaluating the Potential of Three-Dimensional Laser Surface Scanning as an Alternative Method of Obtaining Morphometric Data

External anatomical measurements have a long tradition in morphometric studies. Recently, three-dimensional laser surface scanners have revolutionized the way such measurements can be obtained. The aim of this study was to quantify measurement error (hereafter ME) and reliability of several linear skull measurements of the red fox obtained with three different techniques: using calipers, and by analyzing two- and three-dimensional digital images. Differences between observers had the highest ME values for most traits, followed by method and replicate. Inter-observer variability contributed the most to total ME. Measurements obtained from calipers and two-dimensional digital images showed high agreement, validating their use in traditional morphometric studies. The laser surface scanner was unreliable when compared with the reference in almost half the traits. To achieve greater accuracy, in future studies full advantage of the device's capabilities should be taken. Objects should be scanned in high defini...

&lt;b&gt;Harvest growth stages in soybean cultivars intended for silage

This study aimed to characterize the harvest phenological stages of soybean cultivars intended for silage. Cultivars were evaluated for dry weight of the composite sample, branches, leaves and pods; wet mass of branches, leaves, pods and ground natural matter. This experiment was a 3 x 2 factorial randomized block design, with four replications each, where the first factor corresponds to the harvest stage: R4, R5 and R6; and the second factor refers to two soybean maturity groups (8.0 and 8.1). A significant interaction was detected only for ground natural matter. Higher values of most traits evaluated were observed for the R6 harvest phenological stage. The cultivar with maturity group 8.0 showed higher values for ground natural matter.

DETECTING AND ESTIMATION OF DIFFERENT COMPONENTS OF GENETIC VARIATION (ADDITIVE, DOMINANCE AND EPISTASIS) UNDER STRESS AND NON-STRESS CONDITIONS IN BREAD WHEAT

Twenty four common wheat varieties were used to establish the experimental materials for the two biometrical tools used in this concern i.e., triple test cross analysis and six populations analysis. Mean values of backcrosses to F1’s (L3i) showed increased in mean values and surpassed the other backcrosses for all traits studied, showing highly grain yield / plant and other yield contributed traits. It is clear that the backcrosses to L2 (Sids 12) tended to decreased in mean values for most traits showing low grain yield / plant with other yield attributes. On the other side, mean values of hybrids (L1, L2 and L3) surpassed lines in most traits indicating some sort of hybrid vigour. The means of lines and testers differed significantly from each other. The mean square for deviations L1i + L2i – 2L3i revealed presence of highly significant over all epistasis for all traits studied. The data revealed highly significant mean squares due to sums (L1i + L2i) for all traits studied. However mean square due to differences (L1 i- L2i) were significant only for 1000 grain weight, heading date, main culm spike length, number of spikelets / main culm spike, number of spikes / plant and plant height. The highest proportion of recombinants that possible outperform parental range was obtained for number of grains / spikelets followed by main culm spike length and main spike yield. These results reflecting fair amount of genetic variability and considered valuable further breeding studies aiming to improve such chatacters. Significant positive between epistasis gene effects controlling main spike yield and number of grain / main culm spike, and between number of grain / spikelets with number of spikes / plant. The main spike yield, main culm spike length, number of grains / main culm spike and number of spikeletes / main culm spike had a strong relation with grain yield. Dominance gene effects (d) were found to be significant in the four crosses for number of spikelets/main culm spike under 35kg.n./f only. The three epistatic types were found to be significant for most traits under investigation. High heritability estimates in broad sense were detected for nearly all traits studied. High estimates of narrow sense heritability were found for all crosses for heading date, plant height, number of spikes per plant, main culm spike length, number of kernels per spikelets, number of kernels per main culm spike and grain yield per plant under 35 kg.n./f. High genetic advance under selection was found to be associated with high narrow sense heritability estimates for number of spikes per plant and grain yield per plant for all crosses under 35 kg.n./f. for all crosses, number of kernels per spikelets under 35 kg.n./f. for third and fourth crosses.

Morphological characterization and genetic diversity studies of promising brinjal genotypes for hybridization program in Bangladesh

In this Morphological variation of thirty-five brinjal genotypes was investigated in order to screen efficient genotypes for a hybridization program in Bangladesh. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than that for the genotypic. The PCV estimates were high for the number of branches, number of fruits per plant, and single fruit weight. Heritability estimates were high for the single fruit weight with high genetic advance. In spite of high heritability values for most traits, the expected genetic advance as a percentage of the mean ranged from 19.92 to 121.51. Multivariate analysis was performed using principal component analysis (PCA), principal coordinate analysis, cluster analysis and canonical variate analysis. With PCA, multivariate analysis of Mahalanobis's distance (D2), and cluster analysis, the genotypes were grouped into six clusters. The longest inter-cluster distance was between clusters II and III, and the shortest was between clusters V and VI. Cluster VI showed the longest intra-cluster distance but cluster II showed the shortest. Genotypes of cluster I were suitable for the number of branches per plant, cluster II for the fruit length, cluster III for the number of fruits per plant, and cluster IV for the single fruit weight and yield. Considering the performances, genotypes SM-111, SM-84, EGN-27, SM-183, and BARI begun-6 are suitable parents for the hybridization program.

Trait--environment relationships remain strong despite 50 years of trait compositional change in temperate forests.

Temperate North American forest communities have changed considerably in response to logging, fragmentation, herbivory, and other global change factors. Significant changes in the structure and composition of seemingly undisturbed Wisconsin forest communities have occurred over the past 50 years, including widespread declines in alpha and beta species diversity. To investigate how shifts in species composition have affected distributions of plant functional traits, we first compiled extensive data on understory plant species traits. We then computed community-weighted trait means and functional diversity metrics for communities in both the 1950s and 2000s. We examined how trait values and diversity varied across environmental gradients and among Wisconsin's four main ecoregions. Trait means and diversity values reflect conspicuous gradients in species composition, soils, and climatic conditions. Over the past 50 years, values of most traits have changed as communities shifted toward species with higher leaf nutrient levels and specific leaf area, particularly in the southern ecoregions. Trait richness and diversity have declined, particularly in historically species- and trait-rich unglaciated southwestern Wisconsin. Reductions in within-site trait diversity may be diminishing the ability of these forest communities to resist or resiliently respond to shifts in environmental conditions. Despite changes in trait and community composition, trait-environment relationships measured directly via fourth-corner analysis remain strong for most plant traits. Nevertheless, accelerating ecological change (including climate change) could outstrip the ability of plant species and traits to match their environment, particularly in more fragmented landscapes.

Physiological and proteomic analyses of Saccharum spp. grown under salt stress.

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is the world most productive sugar producing crop, making an understanding of its stress physiology key to increasing both sugar and ethanol production. To understand the behavior and salt tolerance mechanisms of sugarcane, two cultivars commonly used in Brazilian agriculture, RB867515 and RB855536, were submitted to salt stress for 48 days. Physiological parameters including net photosynthesis, water potential, dry root and shoot mass and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of leaves were determined. Control plants of the two cultivars showed similar values for most traits apart from higher root dry mass in RB867515. Both cultivars behaved similarly during salt stress, except for MDA levels for which there was a delay in the response for cultivar RB867515. Analysis of leaf macro- and micronutrients concentrations was performed and the concentration of Mn2+ increased on day 48 for both cultivars. In parallel, to observe the effects of salt stress on protein levels in leaves of the RB867515 cultivar, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by MS analysis was performed. Four proteins were differentially expressed between control and salt-treated plants. Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase was down-regulated, a germin-like protein and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase showed increased expression levels under salt stress, and heat-shock protein 70 was expressed only in salt-treated plants. These proteins are involved in energy metabolism and defense-related responses and we suggest that they may be involved in protection mechanisms against salt stress in sugarcane.

Effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms in GH gene promoter region on carcass traits and intramuscular fatty acid compositions in Japanese Black cattle

Previous studies demonstrated that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in exon 5 of the bovine growth hormone (GH) gene affected live weight and carcass traits in Japanese Black cattle. The aims of the present study were to identify SNPs in the promoter region of the GH gene and to analyze their effects on carcass traits and intramuscular (i.m.) fatty acid compositions in Japanese Black cattle (511 steers and 252 heifers; 30.5±0.1 months old). SNPs in the promoter region of the GH gene were detected at g.253, g.303, and g.502 and classified into 4 haplotypes, i.e. haplotype P (T-C-C), Q (C-C-C), R (C-C-T), and S (T-T-C). Among genotypes at g.253, genotype TT had the highest carcass weight (CW), rib thickness (RT), and C14:0 and C16:1 contents, but the lowest C18:0 content. The rib eye area (REA) in genotype TT was higher compared with that in genotype CC. Genotype CC had the lowest C16:0 content and higher C18:1 and MUFA contents compared with those in genotype TT. Among genotypes at g.303, genotype CC had the highest C14:0, C16:0, and C16:1 contents, but the lowest C18:1 content. Genotype TT had the lowest CW and RT, but the highest C18:0 content. At both locations, the heterozygous animals showed intermediate values for most traits. Regarding GH promoter diplotypes, diplotype PP had higher CW, C16:0, and C16:1 than diplotype SS and tended to have the lowest C18:0 compared with diplotype QQ and SS. In conclusion, SNPs at g.253 and g.303 in the GH promoter region affects carcass traits in Japanese Black cattle.