Scientific Journals of INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria)
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Bayesian analysis of additive and non-additive genetic variances of body weight gain traits in crossbred population of Japanese quail
No full textAim of study: To select the appropriate model for body weight gain (BWG) traits in different ages and estimation of additive and non-additive genetic variances based on the best model, of a crossbred population of quail.
Area of study: Zabol, Iran
Materials and methods: Four strains of Japanese quail, including Italian Speckled, Tuxedo, Pharaoh, and A&M Texas, were used to create a crossbred population in a partial diallel design over 4 generations. BWG traits were calculated as the average growth performance of the bird in a 5-day period from hatch to 45 days of age. Analyses were performed using the Bayesian method by fitting 24 models including the additive and non-additive genetic effects. The deviance information criteria (DIC) was used for the selection of an appropriate model for each trait.
Main results: Based on DIC, the maternal genetic, maternal permanent environmental, dominance and epistasis effects had a significant contribution to the best model for BWG traits before 25 days of age, whereas these effects were not significant on BWG traits at the end of ages. With the best model, direct heritability of BWG traits in different ages ranged from 0.037 (BWG15-20) to 0.199 (BWG5-10). The maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental as a proportion of phenotypic variance was less than 10% and 5%, respectively. The ratio of dominance and epistasis variance was in the range of 0.016-0.019, and 0.016-0.019, respectively.
Research highlights: Non- additive genetic effects are important for the early BWG traits and must be included in the evaluation models to have accurate estimates
Short communication: Comparison of hemato-immunological parameters in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Palomino vs naturally pigmented varieties
No full textAim of the study: To evaluate hemato-immunological parameters in the Palomino trout compared to naturally pigmented rainbow trout.
Area of study: Fars province (SW Iran).
Material and methods: Sixty fish of both varieties (30 Palomino and 30 naturally pigmented) were sampled from the same pond. After blood sampling, hematological parameters, total serum protein and immunoglobulin (Ig), phagocytic activity, respiratory burst activity, serum lysozyme, and bactericidal activity were measured.
Main results: Number of white blood cells, total protein, total immunoglobulins, lysozyme, and bactericidal activities in serum of Palomino trout were significantly higher than those in naturally pigmented rainbow trout. However, no significant changes were observed in no. of red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, differential leukocyte count, phagocytic, and respiratory burst activity.
Research highlights: The immune system performance of Palomino trout was similar to naturally pigmented fish. However, in some cases, the immune response of Palomino fish may be even more robust than that of naturally pigmented fish. This finding helps us to favor Palomino trout in breeding programs and genetic modification
Systemin modulates defense responses in roots of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) during the pre-colonization stage of the mycorrhizal symbiosis
No full textAim of study: The symbiotic association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhances the uptake of soil minerals by the plant, predominantly phosphorus, in return for plant photosynthates. This study was performed to support the premise that the suppression of root defense responses during the pre-colonization stage is required for the subsequent colonization of tomato roots by AMF.
Area of study: This study was performed in the Plant Defense Laboratory of Cinvestav, at Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.
Material and methods: Systemin (SYS) was added, together with spore suspensions of three different AMF species, to young tomato plantlets. The roots were subsequently sampled, 0.5 to 12 h post-application, in order to quantify degree of mycorrhizal colonization, in vitro β-glucanase (GLN) and chitinase (CHI) enzyme activity and wound-responsive gene expression levels.
Main results: The sole application of exogenous SYS induced the rapid expression of a battery of early wound-responsive genes, together with a swift and transient activation of CHI, but not GLN. However, when added together with AMF spores, SYS differentially modulated the activity of these enzymes in an AMF species-dependent manner. Modified lytic activity was preceded or accompanied by the rapid and sustained induction of the RbohD, LOXD and PLA2 genes shortly after contact with AMF spores.
Research highlights: The findings of this study suggest a role for oxylipins and reactive oxygen species in the initial AMF recognition process. They also indicate that exogenous SYS is perceived by the roots, where it modulates the local root defense response to facilitate AMF colonization
Short communication: A study case on polycyclic plantations (PP) as innovative models for sustainable combined production of noble hardwood and biomass
No full textAim of study: To verify the short rotation coppices (SRC) aboveground biomass production; to define the best planting intra-row spacing for walnut and poplar growth and wood production, with the last goal to assess the possibility of obtaining competitive yields in comparison to those produced by traditional monocultures.
Area of study: Po Valley, municipality of Meleti (Northern Italy).
Material and methods: A randomized block design with three replications was applied for the experimental design. The growth-monitoring activities started in 2009 and have continued for 5 years on the SRC, 10 years on poplar clone ˈI-214ˈ, whereas on common walnut they are still going on but only data concerning the twelfth year are reported in this work. The normality of distribution was evaluated for growth and yield data of species in the SRC model; all data were analysed with ANOVA; growth data were included in a linear mixed model analysis to evaluate the effect of age, spacing and their interaction, and the effect of SRC rows on growth and yield of poplar and walnut.
Main results: After 5 years of cultivation under SRC system, biomass yields obtained from the poplar clone ˈAF2ˈ were 39.9 Mg ha-1, from the elm 31.9 Mg ha-1 and from the plane 14.8 Mg ha-1. After 10 years high timber production was obtained from poplar clone ˈI-214ˈ (average volume 98.2 m3 ha-1). After 12 years, walnut trees reached a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 17.8±0.2, 18.9±0.2 and 18.7±0.3 cm, respectively, for planting distances of 6, 7 and 8 m, and showed diameter increments of 1.5-2.0 cm yr-1. With these growth rates, walnut can reach a merchantable dimension within 25-30-years.
Research highlights: Polycyclic wood plantations are a recent arboriculture model able to produce, on the same site, different assortments using various crop trees characterized by different growth rates and turnovers. This new type of mixed plantation is more environmentally sustainable compared to monoculture and allows diversification of production, obtaining continuous wood yields over the years (5, 10, 20, 30 years)
Short communication: Organic fertilization for the improvement of production and quality of ripe figs
No full textAim of study: The use of natural inputs in farming practices and the consumption of in natura products have been on the rise. Natural crop fertilizing sources gains force when the intent lies in crop by way of an ecologically correct agricultural system. To this end, this paper targeted assessing the use of cattle (CM) and bird manure (BM) in organic fertilization of fig culture in organic handling, and its effect on the production of ripe figs.
Area of study: Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
Material and methods: In 2011, an experimental fig orchard was established using the ‘Roxo de Valinhos’ cultivar. The experimental outline adopted was in randomized blocks, with 3 repetitions and 7 treatments comprised of: the control and 6 types of fertilization using CM and/or BM. Harvests were performed in 2016 and 2017. The characteristics evaluated were mean weight, length and diameter of individual fruits, mean weight and number of fruits per tree, total soluble solids content, total titratable acidity and pH.
Main results: Organic fertilization with 5 L of CM per fig tree promoted the best results in all biometric variables as compared to the plants that were not fertilized. Considering quality, only 5 L of CM or 1.25 L of BM provided equal total titratable acidity in comparison with control. Plants fertilized with 2.5 L of CM produced figs with higher maturation index against plants fertilized with 5 L of CM or 1.25 L of BM.
Research highlights: Considering the fig tree productivity and quality of ripe figs, organic fertilization with CM and BM promoted good characteristics
Use of two relative depths of the soil apparent electrical conductivity to define experimental blocks with spatial regression models
No full textAim of study: Our main objective was to take advantage of the ECa information that the EM38-MK2 sensor records simultaneously at two relative depths for modeling using spatial regression and the subsequent blocking of the conductivity estimate values, incorporating elevation.
Area of study: A 23.1-ha field located in the municipality of Puerto López (Meta, Colombia).
Material and methods: A series of georeferenced data (15438) was collected from the EM38-MK2 sensor, through which the ECa was obtained at two depths, a spatial aggregation was performed using a grid of 40 m ´ 40 m (167 grid cells), to provide data in Lattice form, the centroid of the cells was determined as the new representative spatial coordinates, to adjust a Spatial Autoregression Model (SAC), and then define the blocks from the predictions of the adjusted model.
Main results: The adjusted model has a comparative purpose with the usual proposals for delimiting management zones separately, so it was convenient to incorporate in the model a 3D weighting matrix relating the two relative depths recorded by the EM38MK2 sensor. By mapping the surface layer with the predictions of the SAC model, two distinguishable blocks were delimited in its ECa and management zone analyst (MZA), which can be suitable for experimentation or agricultural management.
Research highlights: These results can be adopted to define the shape and dimension of the blocks in the context of experimental design so that with adequate blocking, the effect of spatial dependence associated with the physicochemical properties of soils related to ECa can be mitigated or suppressed
Economic and environmental assessment of a multifunctional poplar plantation for roundwood and wood chip production in Spain
No full textAim of study: To analyze the environmental and economic performance of a multifunctional poplar plantation (MPP), which was managed to produce timber for sawn wood and chips for bioenergy.
Area of study: The plantation was located in Southern Spain producing roundwood and woodchips (from tops and branches).
Material and methods: The life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was chosen to perform the environmental impact assessment from a cradle-to-gate perspective. Capital goods, including machinery-manufacturing processes, were included. One oven dry tonne (odt) of forest biomass was chosen as functional unit. The economic analysis was performed using present costs and common indicators: net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR).
Main results: The harvest operations are the most environmental impacting subsystem and cultivation the costliest. Chipping was the process contributing the most to the environmental burden. The use of fertilizers, within the cultivation subsystem, had a notable impact on certain midpoint categories. In terms of climate change potential, 1 odt of delivered wood chips generated 64.1 kg CO2-eq. When considering the whole system (including the roundwood fraction), this value was 45.2 kg CO2-eq odt-1. MPP was hardly profitable with land rental and irrigation being the most expensive items. NPV, including harvesting and transport subsystems, was 1,582 € ha-1, while IRR reached 6.3%.
Research highlights: Our results allow to identify the costliest operations and those with the greatest impact to improve the system. Finally, these figures can be compared with other crop alternatives such us poplar short rotation coppice (SRC)
Assessment of consumer-grade camera-derived vegetation indices for monitoring nitrogen and leaf relative water content of maize
No full textAim of study: To develop non-destructive and rapid monitoring of water and nitrogen status in maize crops.
Area of study: Bu-ali Sina University, Hamedan province, Iran.
Material and methods: We used a low-cost modified consumer-grade camera to extract 40 vegetation indices for monitoring leaf N concentrations, SPAD values and relative water content (RWC). In this regard, 528 images taken by the low-cost camera in two consecutive years (2017 and 2018) from maize plants cultivated in a greenhouse under different irrigation and N treatments were evaluated.
Main results: Results showed that the best performance outcomes regarding the studied vegetation indices were MCARI, CTVI and CR for SPAD values; MCARI, HUE and CTVI for leaf N concentrations; and TRVI, NDVI and DVI for RWC. In order to increase accuracy of estimated measured data, multiple linear regression equations with combinations of the MCARI, TRVI, NDVI and EVI indices were used. As observed, R2 value was 0.91, 0.60 and 0.90 for SPAD, leaf N concentration and RWC estimation, respectively.
Research highlights: The combination of MCARI, TRVI, NDVI and EVI indices provided more accuracy to most of the previous single variable regression models
Replacement of inorganic trace minerals by chelated minerals in pullet diets (12 to 20 weeks of age)
No full textAim of study: An experiment was carried out aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels and sources of trace mineral to laying pullets with two initial body weights (BWs).
Area of study: The experiment was carried out in Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
Material and methods: Two hundred and eighty eight Bovans White pullets aged 12 weeks old were allotted in a completely randomized design and a 2×3 factorial arrangement, wherein the main effects included initial BW (light-weight and heavy-weight) and three dietary trace mineral sources and levels (100% inorganic, 100% chelated and low-dose corresponding to 50% chelated), totalizing six treatments with eight replicates of six birds. The performance, the metabolizability coefficient of nutrients, and the onset of lay were evaluated at rearing phase (12 to 20 weeks). At 17th and 20th weeks of age, the relative weight of reproductive and digestive organs, abdominal fat, and tibia quality were assessed. A residual effect was evaluated at production phase on productive performance and egg quality.
Main results: The mineral source did not affect the performance of pullets. Birds fed 50% chelated mineral produced the lowest eggshell. The heavy-weight birds showed higher egg weight and eggshell quality. The lighter birds showed lower abdominal fat weight and lower tibia robustness index.
Research highlights: The replacement of 100% of inorganic mineral for chelated mineral do not result in decrease of bird performance at rearing and at production phase, but a minimum amount should be provided to ensure growth and nutrient metabolizability
The modernization of traditional vineyards into intensive trellis systems reduces the species richness and abundance of reptiles
No full textAim of the study: Traditional vineyards have, in the last few decades, been transformed into trellis systems, but little research has been carried out into the consequences as regards biodiversity. We compared the abundance and species richness of reptiles in conventional-traditional vineyards and trellis vineyards.
Area of study: The study was conducted in a wine appellation area of origin denominated as Montilla-Moriles, Southern Spain.
Material and methods: Reptile’s species richness and abundance were estimated by walking transects in 24 different vineyards (12 trellis and 12 traditional vineyards) in four consecutive years.
Main results: The results showed an extremely low abundance in both management systems, since no reptiles were recorded in 43.1% of the transects. However, there was a greater abundance and diversity of reptiles in the traditional vineyards than in the trellis vineyards, with 7 vs. 3 species being found in traditional and trellis vineyards, respectively.
Research highlights: The lack of refuge in trellis vineyards owing to the vertical growth of plants, whose branches grow higher from the ground, is probably the main cause of the lower abundance and species richness found in trellis systems, since both types of vineyard had bare ground owing to ploughing and the application of herbicides. Since the transformation of traditional vineyards into those with trellis systems is often subsidized, this modernization should be accompanied by certain agri-environmental measures (e.g., cover crops, artificial refuges or natural hedges) in order to compensate for the associated negative effects