Scientific Journals of INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria)
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A haplotype regression approach for genetic evaluation using sequences from the 1000 bull genomes Project
Get PDF Haplotypes from sequencing data may improve the prediction accuracy in genomic evaluations as haplotypes are in stronger linkage disequilibrium with quantitative trait loci than markers from SNP chips. This study focuses first, on the creation of haplotypes in a population sample of 450 Holstein animals, with full-sequence data from the 1000 bull genomes project; and second, on incorporating them into the whole genome prediction model. In total, 38,319,258 SNPs (and indels) from Next Generation Sequencing were included in the analysis. After filtering variants with minor allele frequency (MAF< 0.025) 13,912,326 SNPs were available for the haplotypes extraction with findhap.f90. The number of SNPs in the haploblocks was on average 924 SNP (166,552 bp). Unique haplotypes were around 97% in all chromosomes and were ignored leaving 153,428 haplotypes. Estimated haplotypes had a large contribution to the total variance of genomic estimated breeding values for kilogram of protein, Global Type Index, Somatic Cell Score and Days Open (between 32 and 99.9%). Haploblocks containing haplotypes with large effects were selected by filtering for each trait, haplotypes whose effect was larger/lower than the mean plus/minus 3 times the standard deviation (SD) and 1 SD above the mean of the haplotypes effect distribution. Results showed that filtering by 3 SD would not be enough to capture a large proportion of genetic variance, whereas filtering by 1 SD could be useful but model convergence should be considered. Additionally, sequence haplotypes were able to capture additional genetic variance to the polygenic effect for traits undergoing lower selection intensity like fertility and health traits
Body growth and phenotypic variation of the carcasses of native duck lineages (Cairina moschata)
Get PDFNatives ducks are birds that require little handling and are resistant to many diseases that affect chickens. Thus, they adapt to low-input farming conditions, which contributes to the food security of small farmers. Although they exhibit potential for growth, their production characteristics are relatively unknown, so they are underexploited. The objective of this study was to compare how nonlinear models fit the growth curve of two genetic groups of duck and to evaluate variation based on carcass characteristics. Two hundred and twenty four animals were weighed weekly, from birth to 90 days of age. We used nonlinear models (Brody, Richards, Gompertz, Von Bertalanff and Logistic) to describe growth curve. For the evaluation of phenotypic variation, we measured seven carcass traits from 81 ducks carried out by principal component analysis. The logistic model best fit the growth curve, and the absolute growth rates (AGR) for the Catolé duck showed that females reached their maximum AGR at approximately 30 days but did not reach their ideal commercial weight. The drumstick, thigh and liver yields accounted for 41.17% of the differences between the Catolé and Paysandu ducks. The slaughter of male Catolé ducks is recommended between 70 and 90 days because a drastic decrease in growth occurs after this time. For the slaughter of females, feeding management modifications and improvement in growth indices are recommended to increase the final weight and AGR. The carcass yields indicate potential for native duck meat production
Influence of spunbond degradable floating row covers on microclimate modification and yield of field cucumber
Get PDFIn recent years, there has been an increase in interest in innovative plastic materials for use in horticulture. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of (bio)degradable floating covers (polylactide nonwoven ‒ PLA, and oxo-degradable polypropylene nonwoven with 0.1% iron stearate ‒ PP photo, both 20 g/m2) compared to the conventional PP nonwoven (control, 20 g/m2) on microclimate modification and yield of field-grown cucumber. The greatest PAR transmittance was recorded for the control nonwoven (83%), while the degradable materials transmitted 8% less radiation. Maximum soil surface temperatures were the highest under the PLA nonwoven, but minimum temperatures ‒ under the oxo-degradable fleece. The mean temperature under the oxo-degradable material was comparable to the control, while PLA increased the soil temperature by 1.8 °C, on average. The yield from cucumber plants covered with degradable materials was similar to that from the plants cultivated under the conventional oil-based nonwoven fleece. There were no significant changes in dry weight and soluble sugar content in cucumber fruits in 2013; however, the degradable nonwovens decreased these parameters in 2012. The lifespan of the oxo-degradable nonwoven was limited only to one growing season, thus the durability of the polymer must be increased. Polylactide nonwoven can be a sustainable ecological alternative to conventional non-degradable PP covers
Olive fruit detachment force against pulling and torsional stress
Get PDFOlive harvesting often requires high hand labour, considering that workers, with long poles or hand held devices, aid trunk shaker due to low harvesting efficiency. Currently, fruit detachment force (FDF) and fruit fresh weight were used to predict harvesting efficiency, although during harvesting process, fruit is subjected to bending and twisting movement besides pulling forces simulated by FDF measurements. For these reasons, the aim of the present study was to determine FDF evolution under different stalk twisting angles. In order to provide more information about mechanical behaviour of olive stalk, a trial was carried out during ripening process on four olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars: Frantoio, Arbequina, Leccino and Maurino. FDF under traction force was measured after applying different stalk twisting angles (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°, 360°, 540°, 720º). FDF was considered to be 0 when fruit was detached from the bearing branch during the twisting process. Fruit weight, firmness, ripeness index and oil content were also measured to determine the optimal period for olive harvesting and olive ripening stage at each sampling date. FDF was significantly reduced, usually over 180º, when stalk was rotated before applying the pull force to measure FDF, keeping differences along fruit ripening process. Moreover, stalk twisting was an important variable for olive detachment, considering that fruits detached without pulling forces varied between 10.7 and 58.8% of the total fruits according with the different sampling dates. For these reasons, present and future harvesting systems, should take advantage of stalk susceptibility against torsion or bending strain to increase harvesting efficiency
Pig’s behavioral response in nursery and growth phases to environmental enrichment objects
Get PDFThe objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of environmental enrichment on the behavior of pigs in nursery and growth phases. (i) Ninety animals (females, 65 days, 25 kg) were divided into three treatments (T1- Pen enriched with objects made of destructible material by the animal, T2- Pen enriched with objects made of non-destructible material by the animal, T3- Pen without environmental enrichment objects - control treatment) - in a completely randomized design and reference of the animals by objects of enrichment of different colors (red, blue or yellow). (ii) males, 25 days old, 7 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments (cloves, garlic, alternating aromas and absence of control smells) and six replicates each. (iii) determine the appropriate ratio between the number of enrichment objects and the animals present in the animals (n = 138; females; 65 days; 25 kg) were distributed in three treatments, in a completely randomized experimental design (proportion of one enrichment object for each 1511 animals or 9 animals, respectively). Environmental enrichment objects made from destructible materials are more attractive to pigs. No preference for pigs for environmental enrichment objects of specific colors was observed. Environmental enrichment objects with garlic aroma had a repellent effect. No effect was observed of alternating perfumes in the animals retaining interest in the objects since the smell of garlic acted as a repellent. Thus, the proportion of one enrichment object for each 15 pigs is sufficient to avoid problems of dispute between the animals
Effect of breed and finishing diet on growth performance, carcass and meat quality characteristics of Mos young hens
Get PDFMos breed is a Spanish authoctonus breed linked to raising and natural food, with a growing market niche in the restoration due to their meat is associated with high quality products. The effect of breed (Mos and Sasso X44) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of breast and drumsticks was examined in young hens reared 20 weeks in free-range system. The effect of finishing feeding (fodder, corn and linseed) was also evaluated on the aforementioned parameters. The Sasso group grew faster and the maximum weights were higher (p<0.001), but there was no effect of genotype or feed on final weight or growth efficiency. With the exception of breast piece, the highest percentages of commercial cuts were achieved in Mos birds, when breed was the studied effect. On the other hand, color parameters were not affected by breed. However, significant differences were found among feeding, since animals fed with corn achieved the highest redness values in drumstick (11.94 vs. 10.09 for corn and fodder, respectively; p<0.05). Regarding chemical composition, intramuscular fat (IMF) displayed significant differences between breeds (p<0.05), showing higher values in Sasso X-44. On the contrary, with the exception of IMF, significant differences (p<0.05) on chemical composition were observed among feeding groups. Finally, fatty acid profile was significantly affected by breed and feeding since animals fed with linseed presented better nutritional indices (lower SFA, n-6/n-3 ratio and higher PUFA and P/S ratio). The results show the suitability of Mos breed to produce high quality poultry products
Habitat quality modelling and effect of climate change on the distribution of Centaurea pabotii in Iran
Get PDFClimate change resulting from increased greenhouse gases affects the distribution of weeds by commonly expanding and shifting their future distribution. In this study, habitat distribution of Behbahanian Knapweed (Centaurea pabotii) was modelled as an endemic weed of wheat fields in four provinces in the southwest of Iran. Then, the current and the predicted future distributions were compared under two scenarios based on the lowest and highest carbon dioxide emissions. Field survey was carried out during March-May of 2015-2017 to collect presence points of C. pabotii. Habitat modelling was done using MaxEnt software using eight environmental variables and 25 presence points. To predict the future distribution, modelling projection of CCSM4 was performed for the year 2070 under scenarios of representative concentration pathways (RCP) 2.6 and RCP 8.5 using the current and the projected future bioclimatic variables in MaxEnt. Our results revealed that the suitable area of distribution will be approximately doubled in the future for both scenarios and will be shifted to lower latitudes and higher altitudes. Also, in the most western province of the study area, a new isolated and large suitable area will occur in the future. Therefore, it was suspected that this plant will be expanded to the wheat fields of this province. Expanding and shifting in the distribution of C. pabotii should be taken into consideration by agricultural managers in Iran
Mitigation of salinity stress in canola plants by sodium nitroprusside application
Get PDFSalinity is a global issue threatening land productivity and food production. The present study aimed to examine the role of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on the alleviation of NaCl stress on different parameters of canola (Brassica napus L.) plant growth, yield as well as its physiological and anatomical characteristics. Canola plants were grown under greenhouse conditions in plastic pots and were exposed to 100 mM NaCl. At 50 and 70 days from sown, plants were sprayed with SNP (50 and 100 µM) solutions under normal or salinity condition. Growth and yield characters as well as some biochemical and anatomical changes were investigated under the experimental conditions. Salinity stress caused an extremely vital decline in plant growth and yield components. A significant increase was found in membrane permeability, lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide, sodium, chloride, proline, soluble sugars, ascorbic and phenol in canola plants under salinity stress. Under normal conditions, SNP application significantly increased all studies characters, except sodium, chloride, hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation, membrane permeability that markedly reduced. Application of SNP to salt-affected plants mitigated the injuries of salinity on plant growth, yield, and improved anatomical changes. The present investigation demonstrated that SNP has the potential to alleviate the salinity injurious on canola plants
Sharing the gains in forest management: Insights from the application of principles of collective action
Get PDFAim of study: To analyze the factors that motivate the sharing of a contribution to a common pool resource (CPR).Area of study: We obtained data from Galicia communal forests during 2013-2014. Material and methods: A survey among forest owners in which questions about decisions, mimicking those in public good games, were included. In addition, the compliance with the principles of collective action (PCA), and their implications in the management of CPR were tested.Main results: PCA are not functioning perfectly in our sample of communal forest owners. In line with previous literature, results suggest that individuals are willing to share an important amount of endowment in a CPR. Examining the role that PCA play in individuals’ decisions, it was observable that when owners face the sharing of an endowment, the monitoring, conflict resolution mechanism and minimal recognition of rights imply more cooperative results. Current communal forests should promote a better application of these PCA in order to obtain a more cooperative behavior from their members.Research highlights: Communal forest owners are quite generous according to the results obtained. In addition, it has also been found that the endowment is an important factor to consider, while social aspects represented through the PCA also matter when explaining sharing decisions. The present study may be useful in order to promote stronger cooperation in local communities
Accounting for windthrow risk in forest management planning: a Romanian tailor-made solution
Get PDFAim of study: To better estimate the annual allowable cut reserve (AACR), taking into consideration the endemic windthrows (EW), we combined a series of existing algorithms into a coherent methodology to use the data available at district level, without any additional fieldworks.Area of study: The algorithm was tested on the EW occurred in the last 20 years in Brosteni FD (Eastern Carpathians, Romania) that covers 21,013 ha and we found that every year from an AAC of 37,000 m3 no more than 2,700 m3 shall be spared for EW that might occur next year.Material and methods: We considered three EW enabling factors (stand slenderness, location on pits and mounds, and the vicinity of canopy gap) and three contingency tables of the EW produced between 1999 and 2008, one for each 40-year age group. Then we calculated a Bayesian model for all six permutations of enabling factors, each of them being tested on the data referring to 2008-2017 periodResults: Plugging the posterior EW likelihoods into a Markov chains (MC) model, we produced a formula that enables a better estimation of the optimal AACR that could be replaced with salvage cuttings every next year. Other options of using the EW likelihoods are also presented at length, such as the type of age-class structure that requires no AACR, that is a “U” shape age structure, as well as a rough assessment of the additional demand for seedlings needed to re-plant the stands affected by EW. The relatively short period of time the input data refer to, which is ten years, equals the time window of the forest planning and this parity allows a ten-year forecast period, enough for modeling the stationary age-structure of even-aged forests.Research highlights: A new model for optimizing the annual allowable cut (AAC) in even-age forests in the context of endemic windthrows (EW) scenario has been developed and evaluated.Keywords: Bayes’ rule, forest management planning, endemic windthrows