Scientific Journals of INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria)
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Short communication: Molecular detection of honeybee viruses in Ecuador
Get PDFAim of study: The honeybee, Apis mellifera, is one of the most important pollinators in the world. Apicultural activity and pollination services have been affected by the decline in the honeybee population, which may be due to the interaction of multiple risk factors, such as changes in agricultural production, use of pesticides and presence of pathogens. Viruses, in particular, are suspected to be drivers of colony mortality. In this scenario, the aim of this study was to determine the presence of honeybee viruses (IAPV, DWV, SBV, ABPV, BQCV, CBPV) in A. mellifera populations using a RT-mPCR assay.Area of study: Apiaries were situated in Pichincha, Ecuador.Material and methods: Samples were collected from seventeen apiaries that exhibited mortality but without specific clinical signs. Each sample comprised 15 individuals. After RNA extraction, a multiplex PCR analysis was performed for presence of six viruses (IAPV, DWV, SBV, ABPV, BQCV, CBPV).Main results: Four of the viruses (ABPV, DWV, BQCV and SBV) were found in co-infections in these colonies, with ABPV and SBV also being found in simple infections.Research highlights: To our knowledge, this is the first molecular detection of BQCV and SBV in Ecuador. These findings suggest that some of the above viruses could be involved in weakening these colonies
Production efficiency of green beans integrated with tilapia in a circular farming system of media-filled aquaponics
Get PDFAim of study: To evaluate the biomass production of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in a media-filled aquaponics system together with Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia, GIFT (Oreochromis niloticus).Area of study: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (Malaysia).Material and methods: The experiment involved modulating and optimizing the density of extractive species (plants) in the hydroponic tank (55 cm × 35 cm). Five treatments were carried out: T0 (control-without plant), T2 (2 plants), T4 (4 plants), T8 (8 plants), T12 (12 plants) where the stocking density of GIFT was 30 tails (identical in all the treatments). Water volume in each treatment was 800 L and the experimental set up was closed recirculating type. The trials were carried out over a period of 90 days.Main results: Growth of the GIFT was not affected by the presence of green bean or by manipulation of the stocking density. Treatment T4 yielded significantly higher biomass production of green beans (1556.4 ± 88.9 g), compared to T2 (1083.6 ± 86.9 g), T8 (404.6 ± 47.9 g), and T12 (401.8 ± 98.1 g). There were noticeable fluctuations in the concentrations of NH3-N (ammonia), NO2-N (nitrite), NO3-N (nitrate) and PO4-P (phosphate) over the experimental period that indicated the process of nitrification and absorption of nutrients.Research highlights: The nitrogenous waste produced by the fish supported the biomass of the green beans in the aquaponics system and the waste uptake of this extractive species is effective enough for reuse of the water for rearing of GIFT
Effect of freezing conservation time on loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) pollen germination
Get PDFAim of study: Several studies point out that storage at -20 ºC is a suitable method for preserving pollen of many species in the long term. Part of those studies indicate the total storage time at which these conditions are optimal. However, we have found a lack of information about the freezing time conditions and incubation temperature of loquat pollen. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the -20 ºC conservation temperature on loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.) pollen.Area of study: The study was conducted in Montserrat (Valencia, Spain).Material and methods: Loquat flowers were collected in November 2017 and stored at -20 ºC for three time periods: 4 (T1), 6 (T2) and 8 (T3) months. Subsequently, pollen grains were incubated at different temperatures for 72 h. We analyzed (i) the effect of freezing conservation time; (ii) the effect of incubation temperature on germination; (iii) the interaction between these two factors.Main results: T1 showed higher germination percentage and tube length values (mean and maximum) than T2 and T3. The highest germination percentage (52.77%) was detected for T1 at an incubation temperature of 25 ºC. The interaction between freezing time and incubation temperature showed more consistent results for T1 than for T2 and T3.Research highlights: This suggests that storing at -20 ºC for more than 4 months affects pollen grain and reduces germination and pollen growth. Therefore, -20 ºC loquat pollen storage should not exceed 4 months
Newly invaded territories by Dryocosmus kuriphilus in Spain and first records of Torymus sinensis in the Sistema Central
Get PDFAim of the study: To update the distribution of Dryocosmus kuriphilus, the Asian chestnut gall wasp, focusing on the central area of the country (Sistema Central). Gall samplings of these areas were carried to obtain the first records of parasitoids on D. kuriphilus in this area.Area of study: Spain and, especially, the Sistema Central.Materials and methods: Georeferenced new records were used to produce a map with the updated distribution of D. kuriphilus as of 2019. Galls were collected and stored in emergence boxes. Parasitoids that emerge from these galls were collected and identified at the most detailed taxonomic level.Main results: The alien species D. kuriphilus was found in the Spanish Sistema Central. Infestation focal points were detected in the Valle del Jerte (South of Sierra de Gredos), Sierra de Francia and in the mountains southwest of Madrid. In all detected focal points of infestation, the available evidence indicates that introduction was caused by the accidental mobilization of infested chestnut material. Alongside other parasitoids recruited by D. kuriphilus, we found individuals of Torymus sinensis, constituting the first records of this foreign species in the Sistema Central.Research highlights: We updated the previously published distribution of D. kuriphilus in Spain, an alien species and pest of chestnut forests and orchards. We also reported the first list of recruited parasitoids by D. kuriphilus and, more specifically, the first records of T. sinensis in the Sistema Central.Keywords: Asian chestnut gall wasp; Torymus sinensis; parasitoids; galls; Iberian Peninsula; pest species; alien species
Accession impact and outlook for Croatian and EU crop and livestock markets
Get PDFAim of study: To investigate the impact of Croatia’s accession to the EU on its agricultural sector, its market outlook and the EU’s key agricultural products up to 2030.Area of study: Croatia and European Union member statesMaterial and methods: Comparative approach was used in order to identify similarities of the changes that took place when other Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) acceded to the EU (results of previously conducted research) with the changes that happened in Croatia (historical data between 2010 and 2016). The second approach involved the AGMEMOD partial equilibrium model, which has been used as a comprehensive tool to model the complex outlook of Croatian agricultural markets. The results of the Croatian outlook were compared to the EU’s AGMEMOD outlook results in order to identify future trends in key agricultural market development (production, yield and net trade) and whether these newly established trends were comparable with EU trends.Main results: The changes that took place in the Croatian agricultural sector during and after the EU accession period are not significantly different from the trends and changes observed in other Central and Eastern EU member states. Similarities can especially be found in neighbouring CEEC countries (Hungary and Slovenia), which kept their producer prices close to EU levels prior to accession. Furthermore, the results indicate a similarity with CEEC trends in terms of the strengthening of crop production compared to livestock.Research highlights: Positive effects of EU integration on the Croatian agricultural sector took place after a few years of adjustment. Simulations of future market developments indicate many similarities between Croatia and EU 13 member states
Short communication: Presence of Fusarium graminearum sensu stricto associated with triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) in Argentina
Get PDFAim of study: To report the occurrence of Fusarium graminearum sensu stricto (s.s.) on triticale grains from field samples in Argentina and the potential mycotoxin production for these isolates.Area of study: Buenos Aires province, ArgentinaMaterial and methods: A total of 40 samples from different crops (barley, rye, triticale, and wheat) showing Fusarium head blight symptoms were taken during 2017/2018 harvest season. Colonies with colour and mycelium similar to Fusarium were taken and were morphologically and molecularly identified. The potential to produce deoxynivalenol, 15-acetyl deoxynivalenol and zearalenones was determined. Also, the Koch´s postulates were used to evaluate the pathogenic capacity of the F. graminearum s.s. isolates in triticale.Main results: Two Fusarium isolates were identified morphologically as F. graminearum, which were confirmed molecularly by PCR using the specific Fg16 F/R primers pair and by sequencing red and tri101 genes. The sequences obtained were compared with those available in the NCBI database using BLAST tools, showing 99-100% homology with those belonging to F. graminearum s.s. The results demonstrated that F. graminearum s.s. isolates were pathogenic when triticale spikes were inoculated by spraying under greenhouse conditions.Research highlights: To our knowledge, this is the first time that the presence of F. graminearum s.s. is reported associated with triticale in Argentina
Foliage applications of jasmonic acid modulate the antioxidant defense under water deficit growth in sugar beet
Get PDFAims of study: Water deficit (WD) is becoming an alarming problem in many regions of the world. Jasmonic acid (JA) is considered an important intracellular plant growth regulator. The aim of the current research was to investigate the important role of JA in mitigating the negative effects of WD on plant growth.Area of study: Sugar beet production systems of two locations in Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari province, Iran.Material and methods: A field trial was conducted to assess the foliar applications of JA (0, 5 µM and 10 µM) and WD (50%, 75%, 100% plant water requirements) effects on physiological yield components of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) plants.Main results: WD significantly (p<0.05) increased catalase, ascorbate and peroxidase activities, and malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and white sugar content (WSC); however, it caused a reduction in white sugar yield and root yield (RY). JA foliage applications further enhanced the enzymes activity in WD treated plants resulting in higher WSC, potassium concentrations, white sugar and final RY. Interestingly the effects of JA applications were more pronounced under severe WD (50%) compared to mild (75%) or well-watered plants (100%). JA (10 µM) foliage applications increased the RY and white sugar production by 21% and 24% under severe WD.Research highlights: JA can ameliorate the adverse effects of WD and increase the WD tolerance of sugar beet crop by upregulating the antioxidant enzyme activities to withstand adverse environmental conditions
Genomic differentiation among varieties of Iberian pig
Get PDFAim of study: The objective of this study was to identify the autosomal genomic regions associated with genetic differentiation between three commercial strains of Iberian pig.Area of study: Extremadura (Spain).Material and methods: We used the Porcine v2 BeadChip to genotype 349 individuals from three varieties of Iberian pig (EE, Entrepelado; RR, Retinto; and TT, Torbiscal) and their crosses. After standard filtering of the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers, 47, 67, and 123 haplotypic phases from EE, RR, and TT origins were identified. The allelic frequencies of 31,180 SNP markers were used to calculate the fixation index (FST) that were averaged in sliding windows of 2Mb.Main results: The results confirmed the greater genetic closeness of the EE and RR varieties, and we were able to identify several genomic regions with a divergence greater than expected. The genes present in those genomic regions were used to perform an Overrepresentation Enrichment Analysis (ORA) for the Gene Ontology (GO) terms for biological process. The ORA indicated that several groups of biological processes were overrepresented: a large group involving morphogenesis and development, and others associated with neurogenesis, cellular responses, or metabolic processes. These results were reinforced by the presence of some genes within the genomic regions that had the highest genomic differentiation.Research highlights: The genomic differentiation among varieties of the Iberian pig is heterogeneous along the genome. The genomic regions with the highest differentiation contain an overrepresentation of genes related with morphogenesis and development, neurogenesis, cellular responses and metabolic processes
Short communication: Genetic analysis of lactation curves in buffaloes, using Wood’s model
Get PDFAim of study: To estimate the heritability and genetic correlations for lactation curve traits in buffaloes.Area of study: The buffalo cows were raised on properties located in the states of São Paulo, Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.Material and methods: The individual parameters of Wood’s model ( , , and ) were obtained using a non-linear mixed model. Peak yield (PY), peak time (PT) and lactation persistency (LP) were also calculated. These individual parameters were employed in multi-trait analysis with the milk yield (MY) using Bayesian inference.Main results: The heritability estimates were of low to moderate magnitudes, with values ranging from 0.156 ( ) to 0.299 (PY). The estimates for genetic correlation between the Wood’s parameters and MY were of low to high magnitude and ranged from -0.533 ( and MY) to 0.983 (PY and MY).Research highlights: The heritability estimates obtained indicate that the traits studied can be used in animal breeding programs
Responses to different feeding levels during the first month post-insemination in highly prolific multiparous sows
Get PDFAim of study: To evaluate the impact of the feed level during the first month of gestation on body weight evolution, backfat and loin muscle depths and reproductive performances in highly prolific sows.Area of study: Galicia (Northwestern Spain).Material and methods: Thirty-six Danbred sows were assigned to three experimental groups (n=12) receiving, from day 1 to 30 of pregnancy, 2.5, 3.0 or 3.5 kg/d of a standard diet (8.83 MJ net energy and 138.5 g crude protein/kg). In each group, the number of sows in the second-, third- and fourth-cycle was the same. All animals received, of the same diet, 2.5 kg/d from day 31 to 90 and 3.0 kg/d from day 91 to 107. Seven days prior the parturition, sows were moved to the farrowing-lactating facilities where spent until weaning receiving a common standard lactation diet. At 24 h post-farrowing, litters were standardized to 13 piglets each by cross-fostering.Main results: The optimal feeding level during the first 30 days of gestation was 3.0 kg/d because a lower amount penalized their body weight gain and a higher amount did not improve their fatty reserves. It is worth considering that the increase from 2.5 to 3.5 kg/d generated advantages at birth (higher and more homogenous piglet weights) but also handicaps (lower litter size). The effects were similar irrespective of the cycle number.Research highlights: Different feeding levels during the early pregnancy were tested because it is a critical period. Suppling 3.0 kg/d carried out the best productive and reproductive implications