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Genome-wide association study of seedling-plant resistance to stripe rust in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes
Get PDFFungal diseases, such as stripe rust, are major bottlenecks in Ethiopian wheat production. They can significantly reduce yields and impact regional food security. To enhance Ethiopian wheat production, incorporating genetically resistant cultivars into breeding programs is essential. Accordingly, this study aimed at exploring the genome-wide association of seedling resistance in 178 wheat genotypes to identify genetic markers linked to yellow rust resistance. The panel was phenotyped for yellow rust seedling resistance at Kulumsa Agricultural Research Centre Pathology Laboratory. Additionally, the association panel was genotyped using the genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) platform and a total of 6,788 polymorphic SNPs were used in genome-wide association analysis to identify effective yellow rust resistance genes. The Genome Association and Prediction Integrated Tool (GAPIT) was used to analyze marker-trait associations. The overall linkage disequilibrium (LD) decreased within an average physical distance of 31.44 Mbp at r2 = 0.2. Marker-trait association (MTA) analysis revealed 102 loci that are significantly (p = 0.001) related to yellow rust seedling-plant resistance. The majority of the discovered resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were located on the same chromosomes as previously reported QTLs for yellow rust resistance, specifically on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2D, 3A, 3B, 3D, 5A, 5B, 5D, 6A, 6B, 6D, 7A, 7B, and 7D. However, seven of the detected MTAs had not previously been documented in wheat literature or the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC), suggesting that they may represent potentially novel loci for stripe rust resistance. Zooming in on QTL regions in the IWGSC RefSeq Annotation v1.1 revealed critical disease resistance-associated genes involved in plant defensive mechanisms against pathogen infections. The newly identified QTLs will be useful for marker-assisted wheat breeding to boost resistance to stripe rust
Evaluation of a composite pain scale including facial expressions for detecting orthopedic pain in lame dairy cows
Get PDFOrthopedic disease, presenting as lameness, is a common cause of pain in dairy cattle, often implying a prolonged course of disease, with significant economic losses and impaired animal welfare. To mitigate these negative effects, early identification of lameness and monitoring of pain levels during recovery are crucial. This study aimed to evaluate whether the Cow Pain Scale (CPS) can be used to detect pain behaviors in stationary dairy cows with mild to moderate lameness or not, and to investigate the association between certain CPS items and orthopedic disease. Data were collected on a research dairy farm with a loose-housing system and included 36 clinical lameness cases from 34 individual cows. Each lameness case consisted of 2 trials: when the cow was found to be lame (initial trial), and after treatment and improvement (follow-up trial). Each trial included an on-site pain assessment with the CPS with simultaneous video recording, followed by Sprecher lameness scoring and clinical examination. Blinded pain assessments using the CPS were performed from the video recordings by 3 trained observers at 2 different occasions, 3 wk apart. Using linear mixed models, a significant positive correlation between CPS total scores and Sprecher lameness scores was identified for both video and on-site pain assessments. Predicted CPS total scores increased with increasing lameness scores; however, there was a large overlap in CI, indicating a complex relationship between pain score and pain intensity. Multiple correspondence analysis identified different CPS item combinations, including facial expressions, which were associated with orthopedic pain. Video scoring showed moderate inter-and good intrarater agreement in CPS total scores, but there was considerable variation in inter-and intrarater agreement for different scale items. The scale items "head position" and "back position" showed an overall strong agreement and "attention toward the surroundings" a moderate agreement. In contrast, intrarater agreement for the items "facial expression" and "ear position" was generally weak, which may indicate that these items are harder to assess. The CPS proved to be a reliable tool for video pain assessment in dairy cows with orthopedic pain. Furthermore, we showed that behavioral patterns varied among lame cows, which is why single items within the CPS should be interpreted with caution
Partitioning behavior and crystallization of urea, salts and water during stepwise dehydration of acidified human urine by evaporation
Get PDFThis study evaluated the stepwise evaporative concentration of acidified human urine, focusing on dehydration dynamics, crystallization sequence, and the partitioning of major constituents between liquid and solid phases. Unhydrolyzed urine, stabilized with sulfuric acid, was concentrated by convective evaporation, achieving concentration factors (CF) of up to 30 at 20 °C and 43 at 70 °C. Water activity (aw) was a reliable indicator for monitoring urine dehydration progress, with a critical threshold of 0.3 aw identified at CF 43, indicating tightly bound residual moisture which prevented further urine dehydration. No detectable losses of urea, major cations, or anions were observed throughout the treatment, suggesting that previous findings on nutrient loss were likely affected by analytical limitations as opposed to chemical degradation. Reconstitution to CF 1, followed by colorimetric analysis, was effective in determining nutrient content in viscous and solidified urine samples. At CFs above 30, over 80 % of urea, ammonium, and orthophosphate remained in the liquid phase, whereas sulphate, chloride, and potassium preferentially crystallized, forming compounds such as gypsum, syngenite, and biphosphammite. These findings demonstrate that adjusting dehydration conditions enables the nutrient profile of urine-derived fertilizers to be tailored to meet specific agricultural or environmental requirements. Overall, this study shows that stepwise evaporation-crystallization of acidified human urine can effectively produce multi-nutrient fertilizers with customizable nutrient compositions, thus enhancing targeted nutrient recirculation in agriculture
Use of secondary fibres from recycling processes of fibreboard manufacturing and post-consumer waste in medium density fibreboard
Get PDFRecycling medium-density fibreboard (MDF) enhances material efficiency and contributes to waste management. This study investigates the impact of secondary fibres, generated from recycling of both processing and post-consumer waste, on the properties of new MDF panels. The fibres were recycled using a modified thermo-mechanical pulping (mTMP) and steam treatment (ST) processes. Virgin pine and secondary fibres were studied for their size distributions and morphological features. MDF panels were fabricated by substituting virgin fibres with secondary fibres at 15% and 25% rates, with additional 100% recycled MDF produced using ST-obtained fibres. Secondary fibres from both waste sources were shorter and had more fines than virgin fibres. For recycled MDF incorporating ST fibres, a notable drop in internal bond strength was observed when using fibres from post-consumer fibreboard waste, while modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, thickness swelling, and water absorption remained consistent. Increasing substitution rates from 15 to 25% resulted in an insignificant change in the aforementioned physical and mechanical properties. However, MDF produced with 100% recycled fibres exhibited a dramatic decrease in physical and mechanical properties, despite a reduction in formaldehyde content. Compared to MDF with virgin fibres, the internal bond strength of recycled MDF statistically decreased at all substitution ratios. In contrast, other properties were comparable at 15% or 25% rates for fibres produced using the mTMP process. Finally, MDF containing mTMP fibres showed similar density profile values, slightly higher than MDF with ST fibres
Rest to roam: behavioural adaptations of tigers in anthropogenically altered landscapes
Get PDFBackgroundLarge carnivores in human-dominated landscapes face significant risks from increased anthropogenic pressure, making it crucial to understand their movement behaviour for conservation strategies.MethodsWe used conventional and generalised hidden Markov models (HMMs) to analyse GPS telemetry data collected from 2016 to 2022 on 15 subadult tigers to classify behavioural states across three life stages (pre-dispersal, dispersal, post-dispersal) in the Eastern Vidarbha Landscape, India. We further examined how intrinsic and extrinsic factors influenced transitions between these behavioural states.ResultsThree distinct behavioural states were identified: resting (stationary movement with very short step lengths), area-restricted movement (tortuous movement with short to intermediate step lengths), and travelling (highly directional movement with long step lengths). During the pre-dispersal phase, tigers displayed exploratory movement within their natal range, with significant emphasis on area-restricted movement (42.10%), followed by travelling (30.47%), and resting (27.42%). Travelling peaked at dusk and showed the highest probability of occurrence throughout the night until dawn and exhibited faster movement in areas with high human density. Area-restricted movement was most frequent during the day and peaked between 09:00-11:00 h, while resting showed the highest probability between 22:00-23:00 h. Dispersing tigers allocated their activity budget equally among resting (32.09%), area-restricted movement (35.77%), and travelling (32.14%), as they navigated fragmented landscapes comprising of forests, wildlife corridors, agricultural fields, and human settlements. They exhibited faster, directed movements in low-cover areas and increased step lengths in fragmented, non-forest habitats, with a greater likelihood of travelling at dusk and night. Tigers in the post-dispersal phase had stable home ranges and maintained well-defined territorial boundaries. During area-restricted movement, they exhibited longer step lengths in forest habitats and faster travel speeds in a human-agricultural matrix. Moreover, they tended to rest at high temperatures and travelled more when the temperatures were between 20 and 30 degrees C.ConclusionsOur study provides crucial insights on tiger movements in human-dominated landscapes across different life stages and habitats. Understanding their behavioural patterns and implementing effective conservation efforts can ensure the long-term survival of tigers and their coexistence with humans
Tree species selection for ecosystem services and resilience in agroforestry systems
Get PDFContext: Agroforestry systems have generated significant interest from research, policy and practice for their potential to deliver multiple ecosystem services alongside food production. However, information on tree species selection to maximise benefits and minimise risks is highly fragmented. Objective: This study evaluates how tree species in agroforestry systems influence ecosystem services and resilience to climate change and biotic threats, focussing on a UK context. Methods: A rapid literature review assessed 33 tree species and 17 attributes related to ecosystem services and resilience, selected with input from 28 stakeholders. We analysed correlations among attributes of tree species relating to ecosystem services and resilience and identified synergies and trade-offs. We used cluster analysis to define functional groups of tree species. Results and conclusions: Nine species clusters were identified, each with distinct benefits and risks in terms of ecosystem services and resilience attributes. Taxonomically similar species tended to have similar ecosystem service and resilience attributes. Correlation analysis identified trade-offs between the value of tree species to wildlife and projected future range. We identify further research needs to understand and communicate the role of tree species selection for agroforestry systems, particularly with regard to soil-related factors such as acidification, nutrient and organic matter accumulation, and pollution mitigation. Significance: Species selection at farm and local levels should be guided by local ecosystem service and resilience priorities alongside management objectives. At regional and national levels, we advocate for a taxonomically diverse range of species to support multifunctional, resilient agroforestry systems
Management and biosecurity practices associated with Mycoplasma bovis seropositivity in Swedish dairy herds: a questionnaire study
Get PDFBackground and objective: Mycoplasma (M.) bovis is a significant cause of pneumonia and mastitis in cattle worldwide and is recognized for its impact on both animal welfare and farm economics. In the absence of an effective vaccine or treatment, control and prevention efforts rely on identifying risk factors associated with both within- and between-herd transmission. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between herd-level M. bovis seropositivity and biosecurity and management routines in Swedish dairy herds. Methodology: An online questionnaire was distributed to 146 dairy farmers in southern Sweden. The questionnaire contained 66 closed questions regarding external and internal biosecurity, calf management practices, milking routines and animal health. The targeted herds were already participating in another study, in which bulk tank milk and milk from primiparous (PP) cows were collected and analysed with IDvet ELISA to detect M. bovis antibodies. Results: The response rate to the questionnaire was 79% (n = 115) and herds were categorized as antibody negative if both bulk tank milk and samples from PP cows were negative. Of the participating herds, 31% (n = 36) were categorized as antibody positive as they had positive bulk tank milk and/or positive PP cows. Many farm management practices, such as purchase of cattle, were similar between M. bovis antibody-negative and antibody-positive herds. As a result, few management factors showed a significant association with M. bovis status. For external biosecurity, affiliation to the national biosecurity program (“Smittsäkrad besättning”) was associated with M. bovis antibody-negative status. Regarding internal biosecurity, feeding calves with milk replacer and housing weaned calves in groups of more than 15 were more common in M. bovis antibody-positive herds. Mycoplasma bovis status was also associated with animal health, as antibody-positive herds reported higher numbers of youngstock over 6 months of age that required treatment or euthanasia due to arthritis. Conclusion: These findings indicate that both internal and external biosecurity measures, including participation in a national biosecurity program and specific calf management practices, may contribute to reducing the risk of M. bovis infection in dairy herds
Regional differences in crippling rate in greylag geese Anser anser
Get PDFGoose populations across Europe have been subjected to long-standing harvest practices, which include shotgun hunting. In addition to immediate mortality, hunting can affect an animal's fitness by inflicting non-lethal injuries, often referred to as 'crippling' or 'wounding'. This could subsequently have negative effects on the population level and causes ethical concerns, ultimately challenging the legitimacy of hunting as a management tool. Understanding spatial variation in crippling rate can assist management to prioritize regions for enhancing awareness and implementing measures aimed at reducing crippling. We examined greylag geese from three subpopulations (Nyk & ouml;ping, & Ouml;rebro, and Hudiksvall) breeding in three regions in Sweden (S & ouml;dermanland, & Ouml;rebro, and G & auml;vleborg) to record prevalence of imbedded shotgun pellets and to quantify crippling impact. Our approach excludes birds that were wounded and subsequently died without being retrieved. We found that across the three subpopulations, 21% of the 176 x-rayed greylag geese were carrying imbedded pellets (average 2.33 pellets, range 1-16). Crippling rate varied among the subpopulations, being twice as high in & Ouml;rebro and Nyk & ouml;ping (26.4 and 25.0%, respectively) compared to Hudiksvall (11.7%). However, the probability of being crippled differed significantly only between Nyk & ouml;ping and Hudiksvall (p = 0.04), but not between & Ouml;rebro and Hudiksvall (p>0.05) or between Nyk & ouml;ping and & Ouml;rebro (p > 0.05). This study could not elucidate the mechanisms underlying the observed regional variations in crippling rate. Nevertheless, the regional disparities in these rates, and the potential links between crippling rate, levels of crop damage, attitudes, and hunting behaviors, present intriguing avenues for future exploration
Establishing assessment criteria for soil bioindicators: insights from case studies in Europe
Get PDFThe new EU Soil Strategy aims to restore soil health across Europe by 2050, requiring policy-relevant indicators with robust assessment criteria to control and monitor its achievement. Despite the importance of biological conditions for soil health, few EU Member States have currently established criteria (e.g., target or threshold values) for evaluation of monitoring data. Our study examines the challenges and opportunities in developing such criteria based on the normal operating ranges of bioindicators in the context of soil units (i.e., homogenous soil texture and land use). Leveraging on national case studies across Europe, we find that for most bioindicators criteria could not be defined, due to data insufficiency and environmental bias. Only in France could normal operating ranges be established for earthworms, for some soil units. We identify priorities for the development of robust assessment criteria: (1) Harmonization of evaluation units and definitions, to minimize disparities in current soil texture and land use classifications between Member States, that complicate comparability of evaluation across Europe; (2) Inclusion of climatic-region specific thresholds/targets in addition to land use and soil texture; and (3) Standardization of protocols to reduce the observed variability in methods for sampling and data aggregation. As a temporary solution to optimize monitoring sampling efforts, guidelines for dealing with data deficiencies and pseudo-replication are proposed. On the longer term, our findings highlight the importance of integrated data systems and standardised frameworks for monitoring bioindicators to evaluate progress towards achievement of the EU soil health targets
Evaluating morphological diversity in male date palm genotypes from Tunisia: insights from vegetative and reproductive descriptors for selection criteria
Get PDFDate palm cultivation is vital for sustaining agricultural economies in arid regions, where efficient pollination is essential for optimal fruit yield and quality. This study analyzed 47 morphological parameters in 10 date palm pollinators, including 32 vegetative and 15 reproductive traits, which were treated separately. The correlation matrix revealed strong positive correlations, such as pollinator vigor with palm angle and cornaf persistence with fibrillium hardness. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified eight highly discriminating vegetative traits (e.g. total palm length, palm angle) and six reproductive traits (e.g. spathe length, spikelet number). Genetic distance analysis showed close values (0.233-0.25), thereby indicating significant morphological diversity. Hierarchical classification grouped genotypes based on phenotypic similarities, with vegetative traits exhibiting greater dissimilarity (0.225-5.85) than reproductive traits (0.1-3.85). Heatmap analysis revealed that dense crowns correlated with long spikelets, while wide spines were associated with dense inflorescences. These findings underscore the importance of morphological traits for selecting and distinguishing pollinators, enhancing pollination efficiency, and ensuring sustainable production in date palm-dependent regions