Yields and nitrogen nutrition of intercropped maize and ricebean (Vigna umbellata [Thumb.] Ohwi and Ohashi)

Maize (Zea mays L.) and ricebean (Vigna umbellata [Thumb.] Ohwi and Ohashi) were grown in intercrop and monoculture on Tropaqualf soils under rainfed conditions in Northern Thailand yearly from 1983 to 1986. De Wit's replacement design was used to compare intercrops and monocultures with a constant plant density equivalent to 80 000 maize or 160 000 ricebean plants ha⁻¹. Combined nitrogen was applied at varying levels to 200 kg N ha⁻¹. In the final two seasons the intercrop ratio of maize: ricebean was also varied. At the time of maize maturity intercrops yielded upt 49 kg ha⁻¹ more N in the above ground plant parts than the best monoculture. Dry matter, grain and nitrogen yield of maize and ricebean in intercrop relative to their monoculture yields (RY, relative yield) were significantly greater than their respective share of the plant population. Relative yield totals (RYT) for grain, dry matter and nitrogen were always greater than 1. Nitrogen uptake per maize plant increased with progressive replacement of maize by ricebean plants. This increase was similar to that obtained by applying combined N. Available soil nitrogen tended to decrease with increasing maize:ricebean ratio. Increasing the maize:ricebean ratio increased the % of nitrogen derived from fixation in ricebean, the increase being equivalent to that obtained by decreasing combined nitrogen application. Approximately the same amount of fertilizer and soil nitrogen was taken up by maize plus ricebean in intercrop as the maize monoculture. The results suggest that the improved nitrogen economy of the intercrop resulted from the strong competitiveness of maize in the use of mineral nitrogen and the enhancement of nitrogen fixation in intercropped ricebean which made it less dependent on the depleted pool of soil nitrogen.     

Life‐history traits and geographical divergence in wild rice (Oryza rufipogon) gene pool in Indochina Peninsula region

Indochina Peninsula is the primary centre of diversity of rice and lies partly in the centre of origin of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa) where the wild ancestor (Oryza rufipogon) is still abundant. The wild gene pool is potentially endangered by urbanisation and the expansion of agriculture, and by introgression hybridisation with locally cultivated rice varieties. To determine genetic diversity and structure of the wild rice of the region we genotyped nearly 1000 individuals using 20 microsatellite loci. We found ecological differentiation in 48 populations, distinguishable by their life‐history traits and the country of origin. Geographical divergence was suggested by isolation of the perennial Myanmar populations from those of Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. The annual types would be most likely to have lost genetic variation because of genetic drift and inbreeding. The growing of cultivated and wild rice together, however, gives ample opportunities for hybridisation, which already shows signs of genetic mixing, and will ultimately lead to replacement of the original wild rice gene pool. For conservation we suggest that wild rice should be conserved ex situ in order to prevent introgression from cultivated rice, along with in situ conservation in individual countries for the recurrent evolutionary process through local adaptation, but with sufficient isolation from cultivated rice fields to preserve genetic integrity of the wild populations.     

Development of swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) embryos after parthenogenetic activation and nuclear transfer using serum fed or starved fetal fibroblasts

The knowledge of oocyte activation and somatic cell nuclear transfer in the swamp buffalo (Buballus bubalis) is extremely rare. The objectives of this study were the following: (1) to investigate the various activation treatments on the parthenogenetic development of buffalo oocytes, (2) to examine the events of nuclear remodeling and in the in vitro development of cloned buffalo embryos reconstructed with serum fed or starved fetal fibroblasts, and (3) to investigate the in vivo development of cloned embryos derived from serum fed or starved cells after transfer into the recipients. The rates of cleavage and blastocyst development were found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) when the oocytes were activated by the combination treatment of calcium ionophore (A23187) or ethanol followed by 6-DMAP than those activated by electrical pulses and 6-DMAP or other single treatments. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the percentage in the G0/G1 phase in serum starved cells was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that in serum fed cells (88.8 +/- 6.2 vs. 68.2 +/- 2.6). At 1 h post fusion (hpf), most of the transferred nuclei (71%) from serum fed cells did not change in size, and the nuclear envelope remained intact, whereas 29% underwent NEBD and PCC. When serum starved cells were used, 83% of the transferred nuclei underwent NEBD and PCC whereas 17% remained intact. The nuclear swelling and pronucleus (PN) formation were observed at 2-4 and 12 h post activation (hpa), respectively. The remodeled nuclei underwent mitotic division and developed to the 2-cell stage within 18-24 hpa. Fifty-five percent of oocytes reconstructed with serum fed cells were 2PN and 45% were 1PN, whereas 79% of the embryos reconstructed from starved cells were 1PN and 21% were 2PN. The percentage of blastocyst development of the embryos derived from starved cells was higher than that from the serum fed cells (35% vs. 21%, P < 0.05). Pregnancy was detected after the transfer of cloned blastocysts into the recipients but no recipients supported the development to term. The results of this work can be used to establish effective activation protocols for buffalo oocytes which can be used during nuclear transfer experiments.     

Purification and Characterisation of Keratinase from a Thermotolerant Feather-degrading Bacterium

Summary Isolation and identification of a thermotolerant feather-degrading bacterial strain from Thai soil as well as purification and properties of its keratinase were investigated. The thermotolerant bacterium was identified as Bacillus licheniformis. The keratinase was purified to homogeneity by three-step chromatography. The purified enzyme exhibited a high specific activity (218 U mg⁻¹) with 86-fold purification and 25% yield. The enzyme was monomeric and had a molecular mass of 35 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature for the enzyme were 8.5 and 60 °C, respectively. The enzyme activity was significantly inhibited by PMSF and partly inhibited by EDTA and iodoacetamide, but was stimulated by metal ions. It hydrolysed soluble proteins with a relative activity of 4–100% and insoluble proteins, including keratins, with a relative activity of 3–35%. Therefore, the enzyme could improve the nutritional value of meat- and poultry-processing wastes containing keratins, collagen and gelatin.     

Genotypic variation in plant response to low boron and implications for plant breeding

Plant response to low B in the soil varies widely among species, and among genotypes within a species. Boron efficient genotypes are those that are able to grow well in soils in which other genotypes are adversely affected by B deficiency. This review considers the extent of variation in B efficiency in plant species and genotypes, the physiological nature of the efficiency mechanisms, what is known of the genetic basis for inheritance, screening techniques and the practical implications of the genotypic variations.Frequently, B efficiency is the sole reason for a difference between an average yield and complete crop failure. Severe yield losses can be effectively prevented by the inclusion of B efficiency as a selection criterion in crop breeding and improvement programmes for regions with low B soils. In addition, the expression of B deficiency primarily through male sterility, which is common in many species, creates opportunities for outcrossing in normally self-fertilised species. This, in turn, leads to two possibilities. Firstly, self fertilisation, and therefore maintenance of pure lines, cannot always be assumed in self pollinated species where B efficient and inefficient genotypes are grown side by side on low B soils. Secondly, B deficiency, in soil or artificial media, may be used as a fertility selective medium in which the male sterile B inefficient genotypes and the male fertile B efficient genotypes could hybridise naturally. This would be useful as a simple and economical method for creating heterozygous populations in breeding programmes as well as for producing hybrid seeds. Now that the roles of B in plant growth and development are beginning to be clarified, the efficiency mechanisms as well as the governing genetics can be explained. Practical benefits from the genetic diversity of B efficiency will be enhanced by a better understanding of B efficiency mechanisms and the molecular bases for their genetic control.     

Who Counts? Demography of Swidden Cultivators in Southeast Asia

Swidden cultivators are often found as a distinct category of farmers in the literature, but rarely appear in population censuses or other national and regional classifications. This has led to a worldwide confusion on how many people are dependent on this form of agriculture. The most often cited number of 200–300 million dates back to the early 1970s, but the source is obscure. We assess available, published data from nine countries in Southeast Asia and conclude that on this basis it is not possible to provide a firm estimate of the number of swidden cultivators in the region. A conservative range of 14–34 million people engaged in swidden cultivation in the region is suggested, however. We argue that along with improved knowledge of swidden livelihoods, there is an urgent need to develop techniques that will allow for better estimates of swidden populations in order to secure appropriate rural development and poverty reduction in swidden areas.     

Consequences of Swidden Transitions for Crop and Fallow Biodiversity in Southeast Asia

Swidden agriculture, once the dominant form of land use throughout the uplands and much of the lowlands of Southeast Asia, is being replaced by other land uses. While change and adaptation are inherent to swiddening, the current rapid and widespread transitions are unprecedented. In this paper we review some recent findings on changes in biodiversity, especially plant diversity at various scales, as swidden farming is replaced by other land uses. We focus particularly on two areas of Southeast Asia: northern Thailand and West Kalimantan. We examine actual and potential changes in the diversity of crops that characterize regional swidden systems, as well as that of the spontaneously occurring plants that appear in swidden fields and fallows. Severe declines in plant diversity have been observed in most areas and at most spatial scales when swidden is replaced by permanent land use systems. However, shifts away from swidden agriculture do not invariably result in drastic declines or losses of biological diversity, but may maintain or even enhance it, particularly at finer spatial scales. We suggest that further research is necessary to understand the effects of swidden transitions on biodiversity.     

Morphological and physiological responses of rice (Oryza sativa) to limited phosphorus supply in aerated and stagnant solution culture

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Rain-fed lowland rice commonly encounters stresses from fluctuating water regimes and nutrient deficiency. Roots have to acquire both oxygen and nutrients under adverse conditions while also acclimating to changes in soil-water regime. This study assessed responses of rice roots to low phosphorus supply in aerated and stagnant nutrient solution. METHODS: Rice (Oryza sativa 'Amaroo') was grown in aerated solution with high P (200 micro m) for 14 d, then transferred to high or low (1.6 micro m) P supply in aerated or stagnant solution for up to 8 d. KEY RESULTS: After only 1 d in stagnant conditions, root radial oxygen loss (ROL) had decreased by 90 % in subapical zones, whereas near the tip ROL was maintained. After 4 d in stagnant conditions, maximum root length was 11 % less, and after 8 d, shoot growth was 25 % less, compared with plants in aerated solution. The plants in stagnant solution had up to 19 % more adventitious roots, 24 % greater root porosity and 26 % higher root/shoot ratio. Rice in low P supply had fewer tillers in both stagnant and aerated conditions. After 1-2 d in stagnant solution, relative P uptake declined, especially at low P supply. Aerated roots at low P supply maintained relative P uptake for 4 d, after which uptake decreased to the same levels as in stagnant solution. CONCLUSIONS: Roots responded rapidly to oxygen deficiency with decreased ROL in subapical zones within 1-2 d, indicating induction of a barrier to ROL, and these changes in ROL occurred at least 2 d before any changes in root morphology, porosity or anatomy were evident. Relative P uptake also decreased under oxygen deficiency, showing that a sudden decline in root-zone oxygen adversely affects P nutrition of rice.     

Somatic cell nuclear transfer in domestic cat oocytes treated with IGF-I for in vitro maturation

Oocyte maturation and somatic cell nuclear transfer (NT) studies conducted in the domestic cat can provide valuable insights that are relevant to the conservation of endangered species of felids. The present investigation focuses on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of domestic cat oocytes stimulated by insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and their possible use as recipient cytoplasts for somatic cell NT. In Experiment I, the effects of IGF-I on cat oocyte IVM were monitored. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were recovered in TALP-HEPES medium following ovarian follicular aspiration and were classified under a stereomicroscope into four grades using criteria based on cumulus cell investment and the uniformity of ooplasm. The COCs were either cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) alone as a control group or supplemented with 100 ng/ml IGF-I. After culturing for 32-34 h, oocytes were denuded and maturation rate was evaluated by observing the extrusion of the first polar body and staining with aceto-orcein. The percentages of maturation of Grades 1 and 2 oocytes were significantly increased (P<0.05) in IGF-I supplemented medium compared with medium alone (85.8 versus 65.5 and 70.3 versus 51.8, respectively) whereas the maturation rates of Grades 3 and 4 oocytes were not different. The IVM of Grade 1 oocytes was significantly higher (P<0.05) than for all other grades in both control and experimental groups. In Experiment II, the in vitro development of cat NT embryos using cumulus cells, fetal or adult fibroblasts as donor nuclei was investigated. The IVM oocytes in medium containing IGF-I were enucleated and fused with cumulus cells, fetal or adult fibroblasts between passages 2 and 4 of culture. Reconstructed embryos were cultured and monitored every 24h for progression of development through Day 9. There was no significant difference in the percentage of fusion of NT embryos using different donor nuclei whereas the cleavage rates of NT embryos reconstructed with fetal fibroblasts and cumulus cells were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those reconstructed with adult fibroblasts (72.5 and 70.7% versus 54.8%, respectively). Development of NT embryos reconstructed with adult fibroblast to the morula stage was significantly lower (P<0.05) compared with cumulus cell or fetal fibroblast donor cells (25.8% versus 37.9 or 47.5%, respectively). However, no difference was observed in development to the blastocyst stage. These results demonstrated that IGF-I promoted the IVM of domestic cat oocytes. The enucleated IVM oocytes could be used as recipient cytoplasm for fetal and adult somatic cell nuclei resulting in the production of cloned cat embryos.     

Boron deficiency in maize

Boron (B) deficiency depresses wheat, barley and triticale yield through male sterility. On the basis of field responses to B fertilization, maize (Zea mays L.) is affected by B deficiency in five continents. In a series of sand culture trials with maize subject to B0 (nil added B) and B20 (20???M added B) treatments, we described how B deficiency depressed maize grain yield while showing an imperceptible effect on vegetative dry weight. With manual application of pollen to the silk of each plant, B0 plants produced 0.4 grain ear^?1 compared with 410 grains ear^?1 in B20 plants. Symptoms of B deficiency was observed only in B0 plants, which exhibited symptoms of narrow white to transparent lengthwise streaks on leaves, multiple but small and abnormal ears with very short silk, small tassels with some branches emerging dead, and small, shrivelled anthers devoid of pollen. Tassels, silk and pollen of B0 plants contained only 3?C4?mg B kg^?1 DW compared with twice or more B in these reproductive tissues in B20 plants. A cross-fertilization experiment showed that, although the tassels and pollen were more affected, the silk was more sensitive to B deficiency. Pollen from B20 plants applied to B0 silk produced almost no grains, while pollen from B0 on B20 silk increased the number of grains to 37% of the 452 grains plant^?1 produced from B20 pollen on B20 silk. Therefore, the silk of the first ear may be targeted for precise diagnosis of B status at maize reproduction, for timely correction by foliar B application, and even for B-efficient genotype selection.