Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research
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Short communication: Melatonin implantation during the non-growing period of cashmere increases the cashmere yield of female Inner Mongolian cashmere goats by increasing fiber length and density
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate if melatonin implantation at the end of April and June was able to increase cashmere production in female Inner Mongolian cashmere goats and to search for contributing factors accounting for the melatonin increasing in cashmere production. One hundred and fifty female Inner Mongolian cashmere goats (initial body weight 37.2 ± 3.3 kg) were randomly assigned to either a control (n=75) or a treatment (n=75) group. Goats in the treatment group were implanted with melatonin (2 mg/kg of body weight) on April 30 and June 30, 2014 while goats in the control received no treatment. Melatonin implantation increased cashmere yield by 23.4% while increasing the length and density of the cashmere fiber by 19.8% and 11.4%, whereas it decreased cashmere fiber diameter by 4.4%. Melatonin treatment had no effect on doe growth, litter size or birth and weaning weights of kid. Melatonin implantation promoted cashmere yield by increasing fiber length and density without impacting the performance of goats and their offspring. Therefore, melatonin implantation during the cashmere non-growing period (late April and June) is an effective way to increase cashmere yield and improve cashmere characteristics of goats
Genetic diversity and population structure in caprifigs (Ficus carica var. caprificus) using SSR markers
No full textAbundant wild and cultivated fig germplasm can be found in Turkey, a center of diversity for figs; however, many of these valuable genetic resources have not yet been identified or characterized using molecular markers. In the present study, microsatellite markers were used to characterize a set of 96 caprifig (Ficus carica var. caprificus) accessions from Turkey. The caprifig accessions showed considerable polymorphism with an average of 8.3 alleles per locus. The number of alleles per locus varied from three for the loci LMFC18 and LMFC23, to 14 for the loci FCUPO38-6 and FCUPO08. Genetic distance values and cluster analyses revealed high genetic similarities, except for the reference group, among the caprifig groups. Factorial correspondence analysis also separated the caprifig groups, suggesting that caprifig populations from Turkey were unmixed, probably because of low gene flow, likely because germplasm has not yet been moved among geographical areas and because many caprifig populations arose from propagation by seed. In our population structure analysis, the caprifig accessions could be grouped according to the regions from where they were sampled. Our molecular data revealed great genetic diversity within this caprifig germplasm. This genetically rich caprifig germplasm resource will be useful for both fig breeding programs and analysis of the complex genetic structure of figs that reproduce using various pollination strategies
Screening of transgenic maize using near infrared spectroscopy and chemometric techniques
No full textThe applicability of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometrics was examined to develop fast, low-cost and non-destructive spectroscopic methods for classification of transgenic maize plants. The transgenic maize plants containing both cry1Ab/cry2Aj-G10evo proteins and their non-transgenic parent were measured in the NIR diffuse reflectance mode with the spectral range of 700–1900 nm. Three variable selection algorithms, including weighted regression coefficients, principal component analysis -loadings and second derivatives were used to extract sensitive wavelengths that contributed the most discrimination information for these genotypes. Five classification methods, including K-nearest neighbor, Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy, Naive Bayes Classifier, Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) and Radial Basis Function Neural Network were used to build discrimination models based on the preprocessed full spectra and sensitive wavelengths. The results demonstrated that ELM had the best performance of all methods, even though the model’s recognition ability decreased as the variables in the training of neural networks were reduced by using only the sensitive wavelengths. The ELM model calculated on the calibration set showed classification rates of 100% based on the full spectrum and 90.83% based on sensitive wavelengths. The NIR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics offers a powerful tool for evaluating large number of samples from maize hybrid performance trials and breeding programs
Short communication: The percentage of egg yolk in the freezing media affects mouflon (Ovis musimon) epididymal sperm cryosurvival
No full textSperm cryopreservation protocols are not well defined in many wild species such as the mouflon. The aim was to study the effect of different concentrations of EY on mouflon epididymal sperm cryosurvival. Samples were collected by the flushing method and cryopreserved by the conventional freezing technique in straws using a TEST (TES, Tris, glucose) 5% v/v glycerol medium containing either 6% v/v (n=16) or 12% v/v (n=13) clarified EY. The membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, motility, and morphological abnormalities were assessed in fresh and frozen/thawed samples. Fresh sperm quality parameters did not differ between groups except for the acrosome integrity that was lower in the TEST-6% EY than in the TEST-12% EY group (88.9 ± 2.1% vs 94.7 ± 0.8%). Membrane integrity (31.6 ± 4.6% vs 11.6 ± 4.5%), total motility (32.8 ± 4.6% vs 17.2 ± 5.6%), progressive motility (13.3 ± 2.7% vs 6.1 ± 2.9) were higher in frozen-thawed sperm with TEST-6% EY than with TEST-12% EY (p<0.05). Other motility parameters such as curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, average path velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement were also higher (p<0.05) in frozen-thawed sperm with TEST-6% EY. Frozen-thawed acrosome integrity (85.1 ± 3.3% vs 91.9 ± 2.3) and morphological abnormalities (34.0 ± 3.7% vs 29.1 ± 3.6%) did not differ between extenders. In conclusion, high EY concentration had detrimental effects on post-thaw quality parameters, therefore the use of TEST based extender containing 6% EY is recommended for the cryopreservation of mouflon epididymal sperm
Susceptibility of non-cereal crops to Fusarium graminearum complex and their role within cereal crop rotation as a source of inoculum for Fusarium head blight
No full textFusarium graminearum, the cause of Fusarium head blight (FHB), is an important cereal pathogen. Moreover, some non-graminaceous crops are also known to be susceptible to F. graminearum infection. This study assessed the presence of F. graminearum species complex on non-cereal plants, grown in a cereal crop rotation and evaluated its pathogenicity to non-cereal plants in vitro and to spring wheat under field conditions. The relative density of Fusarium species isolated from oilseed rape, pea, potato and sugar beet plants was assessed in 2015 and 2016. A total of 403 isolates of Fusarium spp. were obtained from non-cereal plants and only 5% of the isolates were identified as F. graminearum. The pathogenicity test revealed that isolates of F. graminearum from spring wheat and non-cereal plants caused discolourations on leaves of faba bean, fodder beet, oilseed rape, pea, potato and sugar beet. The pea was the crop most susceptible to F. graminearum isolated from spring wheat. The pathogenicity of F. graminearum from sugar beet, oilseed rape, pea and potato to the same hosts differed depending on isolate and inoculated plant. Under field conditions, F. graminearum isolates from pea, potato, oilseed rape and wild viola were able to cause typical FHB symptoms in spring wheat. Based on the information generated in this study, we conclude that under congenial conditions, growing faba bean, pea, sugar beet, fodder beet, oilseed rape and potato plants in a cereal crop rotation may serve as alternative or reservoir hosts for F. graminearum pathogens
Descriptive epidemiology of endemic Classical Swine Fever in Cuba
No full textIn Cuba, Classical Swine Fever (CSF) has become an endemic disease since 1993 with several outbreaks each year despite the compulsory vaccination program implemented. To deepen the disease characterization is essential for improving the CSF control measures and to achieve its eradication. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of CSF occurrences in Cuba during a seven-year period within the endemic situation. Data on CSF occurrence from January 2010 to December 2016 were analyzed. The seven-year period shows a tendency of the number of affected premises to increase (r=0.31, p=0.005) over time (month). Directional distribution (1SD ellipse) indicated a great dispersion of affected premises by year across the country with a trend to a higher occurrence to the west. It was demonstrated by the negative correlation (r=-0.893, p=0.007) between the longitude of the mean center of the ellipses over the years. The Kernel density indicated that the disease was spatially distributed across the whole country, but four hot spots were found in the western (Pinar del Río and Artemisa) and eastern (Guantánamo and Holguín) regions. The clinical sign most frequently reported in affected premises was fever, followed by loss of appetite, conjunctivitis, and diarrhea. The most frequent observed clinical signs were non-specific, which complicates the disease recognition in the field. The obtained results have a practical importance for improving the efficiency of the CSF control program implemented in the country and contribute to enhance epidemiological surveillance taking into account the risk based principles
Editorial: Identifying agri-food research priorities for Spain - 2017 results
No full textAmong other functions, the INIA is involved in national and international cooperation in the field of agri-food research. The process of identifying and classifying gaps in our knowledge forms an essential part of this effort. This article describes that process, the tools and the materials used to achieve the final objective, namely, the identification of research priorities in the Spanish agri-food sector in order to deal with the societal challenges posed by society and the stakeholders involved. These challenges, within the context of the bioeconomy, are the sustainability of primary and forestry production systems, the safety and quality of food and bioproducts as well as the competitiveness of farmers and companies in this sector. It is necessary to optimize resource management and means of production along with improved efficiency to guarantee sustainability throughout the value chain process. The main goal, under the current scenario of climate change, is to develop models which lead to a balance between food quality and production costs (competitiveness and economic sustainability), ecosystem conservation and mitigation of the environmental impacts (environmental sustainability) while maintaining the population in rural areas (social sustainability). These models will be based on new technology in both intensive and extensive production systems. They should support the improvement and valuation of traditional products together with the formulation and development of foods with new functionalities and quality while at the same time ensuring safety. As well as satisfying consumer demand, improved knowledge must lead to a more efficient use of our own resources and by-products within the framework of a circular economy, including the development of bioproducts, eco-innovation and eco-design
The relationship between feed efficiency, growth and group dominance dynamics in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)
No full textVariation among families of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) in growth, feed efficiency, and body weight variation was investigated. A total of 672 turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) originating from eight families (84 full-sibs per family) were used in this experiment. Body weight (BW) was recorded individually four times between approximately 250 and 370 days of age. Feed intake was measured for each tank during the three corresponding time periods. Feed efficiency was estimated for each tank based on the calculations of residual feed intake (RFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The within-tank coefficient of variation in body weight (CV-BW) and residual body weight variation (RBWV) were calculated to evaluate group dominance dynamics. Components of variation attributable to families were estimated from linear and quadratic random regression orthogonal polynomials. The random quadratic family component explained 14% (RFI), 22% (FCR), 76% (BW), 50% (CV-BW), and 45% (RBWV) of the total variance. The family components were significant for BW, CV-BW and RBWV (p<0.001), and was very close to significance for FCR (p=0.052). The correlation between the intercept (grand mean) of RFI and FCR was highly significant (r=0.94). Intercepts of RFI and FCR were positively correlated with CV-BW and RBWV (r=0.09 to 0.12), however, the correlations were not significant. The results indicate differences between families in FCR, which may be used in selection programs aimed at improving feed efficiency
Microbial fertilizers: A comprehensive review of current findings and future perspectives
No full textPlant growth promoting microorganisms (PGPM) are an important group of microbial inoculants, which exist in rhizosphere and have the ability to inhabit the root of the plants and improve their development. Their positive influence is achieved through solubilization of phosphorus, nitrogen fixation, production of plant nutrients and phytohormones, protection from pathogens and recovery from stressful environmental conditions. This is the main reason for the increasing usage of many PGPMs which formulations are commonly known as microbial fertilizers. Microbial fertilizers represent an attractive replacement for chemical fertilizers that are polluting the environment. They are used to increase the crop yield in an eco-friendly way while relying on sustainable agriculture principles. The biggest problem nowadays is the very poor quality of such products, which results in the lack of confidence and makes commercialization much more difficult. In order to increase production and hence the commercialization of microbial fertilizers, desired quality and stability should be achieved. For this reason, many researches are done in this particular field. In order to develop an optimal product, it is important to know and understand the process, including the physiology of bacteria and plants, mass multiplication technological processes as well as the existing formulation and the specific effect on the desired plant. For this purpose, the aim of this review is to indicate the significance of microbial fertilizers and their beneficial effects on the plants, as well as to give a brief survey of the different aspects of production processes with a special emphasis on mass multiplication
Chitosans of different molecular weight enhance potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield in a field trial
No full textPhysico-chemical features of chitosan affect its biological activity on plants. In this work, the influence of chitosan molecular mass in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yields was investigated. By using chitosan polymers of high (CH-1) and low (CH-2) molecular weight and a hydrolysed chitosan derivative (CHH), two experiments were performed under field conditions to determine the effect of these polymers on yields of two potato varieties, ‘Call White’ and ‘Santana’. For this purpose, the foliar spray of low doses of the derivatives at three cultivation moments was performed and several yield variables were determined at crop harvest. All three chitosan compounds increased the performance variables determined respect to the control, depending on the variable, the dose employed and the mass of the derivative evaluated. In most variables determined, the two lowest doses (200 and 325 mg/ha) provoked the highest increments above control. Chitosans also affected distribution of mass per tuber size, particularly; in ‘Santana’ variety the two lowest doses enhanced the commercial tuber sizes. Among the polymers, CH-1 caused the greatest increases in performance, while, compared to the polymer, CHH provoked higher yields. In conclusion, foliar application at low doses of high molecular weight and hydrolysed chitosan enhanced potato yield between 15-30%