Composition and nutritive value of pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes) in animal feeds

Nutritive assessment of pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes) meals included proximal composition of the lipid and nitrogenous fractions. Caloric values obtained as true metabolizable energy (TME) indicate that the pejibaye has a higher content of energy than corn and that it is not necessary to separate the seeds from the fruits in animal feeds; the level of indispensable aminoacids is considerably low, especially methionine, which is lower than in corn; thin layer chromatography shows that most of the free fatty acids are present in a ratio of 2:1 in unsaturated to saturated acids. The predominant fatty acids in whole pejibaye meal are oleic and palmitic acids with adequate levels of linoleic acid. Saturated fatty acids are predominant in the seed, with a very high content of lauric and myristic acids.     

The role of the veterinary staff in mouse breeding colony management

The rapid increase in the production and use of transgenic mice has been a boon for biomedical research and a challenge for the animal care and use programs responsible for providing housing and medical care to these animals. The authors suggest ways in which the veterinary staff can successfully organize and manage transgenic mouse breeding programs to reduce uncontrolled breeding and the problems associated with it.     

Mapping of the apple scab-resistance gene Vb.

Apple scab, caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis, is the major production constraint in temperate zones with humid springs. Normally, its control relies on frequent and regular fungicide applications. Because this control strategy has come under increasing criticism, major efforts are being directed toward the breeding of scab-resistant apple cultivars. Modern apple breeding programs include the use of molecular markers, making it possible to combine several different scab-resistance genes in 1 apple cultivar (pyramiding) and to speed up the breeding process. The apple scab-resistance gene Vb is derived from the Siberian crab apple 'Hansen's baccata #2', and is 1 of the 6 "historical" major apple scab-resistance genes (Vf, Va, Vr, Vbj, Vm, and Vb). Molecular markers have been published for all these genes, except Vr. In testcross experiments conducted in the 1960s, it was reported that Vb segregated independently from 3 other major resistance genes, including Vf. Recently, however, Vb and Vf have both been mapped on linkage group 1, a result that contrasts with the findings from former testcross experiments. In this study, simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to identify the precise position of Vb in a cross of 'Golden Delicious' (vbvb) and 'Hansen's baccata #2' (Vbvb). A genome scanning approach, a fast method already used to map apple scab-resistance genes Vr2 and Vm, was used, and the Vb locus was identified on linkage group 12, between the SSR markers Hi02d05 and Hi07f01. This finding confirms the independent segregation of Vb from Vf. With the identification of SSR markers linked to Vb, another major apple scab-resistance gene has become available; breeders can use it to develop durable resistant cultivars with several different resistance genes.     

Effect of population size and unbalanced data sets on QTL detection using genome-wide association mapping in barley breeding germplasm

Over the past two decades many quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been detected; however, very few have been incorporated into breeding programs. The recent development of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in plants provides the opportunity to detect QTL in germplasm collections such as unstructured populations from breeding programs. The overall goal of the barley Coordinated Agricultural Project was to conduct GWAS with the intent to couple QTL detection and breeding. The basic idea is that breeding programs generate a vast amount of phenotypic data and combined with cheap genotyping it should be possible to use GWAS to detect QTL that would be immediately accessible and used by breeding programs. There are several constraints to using breeding program-derived phenotype data for conducting GWAS namely: limited population size and unbalanced data sets. We chose the highly heritable trait heading date to study these two variables. We examined 766 spring barley breeding lines (panel #1) grown in balanced trials and a subset of 384 spring barley breeding lines (panel #2) grown in balanced and unbalanced trials. In panel #1, we detected three major QTL for heading date that have been detected in previous bi-parental mapping studies. Simulation studies showed that population sizes greater than 384 individuals are required to consistently detect QTL. We also showed that unbalanced data sets from panel #2 can be used to detect the three major QTL. However, unbalanced data sets resulted in an increase in the false-positive rate. Interestingly, one-step analysis performed better than two-step analysis in reducing the false-positive rate. The results of this work show that it is possible to use phenotypic data from breeding programs to detect QTL, but that careful consideration of population size and experimental design are required.     

Analysing innovations among cattle smallholders to evaluate the adequacy of breeding programs

Many breeding programs have been implemented in developing countries, many of which have been unsuccessful. To better understand the failure of these breeding programs, it is proposed to analyze their adequacy with innovations that are actually adopted by smallholders. The proposed methodology takes account of these innovations, the reasons for their adoption and the objectives of livestock keeping. The N’Dama cattle-breeding program in Senegal was used as a case study. Surveys were carried out among 54 farmers: 27 breeders who participated in this program, 17 of whom recently resigned, and 27 breeders who have never participated. Feeding was the most frequently cited area of innovation, followed by infrastructure. Genetics, animal health and reproduction held the third rank. Milk production appeared as an important objective of breeders, although the context remains one of strong multifunctionality. Principal component analysis highlighted three categories of breeders according to the innovations they adopted: institutional, modernizing, and integrating innovators. The groups of institutional and modernizing innovators dominate, gathering each 41% of the farmers. In the first category, breeders have organized themselves in an association and use N’Dama sires, livestock aiming at an insurance objective. In the second category, artificial insemination with exotic breeds and other technical innovations (cowshed, vaccination, urea treatment of straw) are used to improve production of milk and meat. The third group is termed ‘integrating innovators,’ since their innovations aim at integrating livestock and crop production. Gathering 18% of the sampled breeders, this group presents intermediate features between the two previous groups, using animals as draught power and for manure production. These results indicate that a process of intensification is at play and that the genetic improvement through the selection of N’Dama cattle for production criteria does not meet the breeders’ demand. However, the N’Dama’s adaptive traits justify its use as part of the breeding strategy of farmers, either in pure-breeding or in crossbreeding. The study thus tends to show the interactive link between genetic improvement and other innovations. It suggests that the success of a breeding program depends on its adequate positioning within the set of innovations adopted by breeders and proposes a method to inform breeding programs accordingly.     

Increased genetic gains in sheep,beef and dairy breeding programs from using female reproductive technologies combined with optimal contribution selection and genomic breeding values

Background

Female reproductive technologies such as multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) and juvenile in vitro embryo production and embryo transfer (JIVET) can boost rates of genetic gain but they can also increase rates of inbreeding. Inbreeding can be managed using the principles of optimal contribution selection (OCS), which maximizes genetic gain while placing a penalty on the rate of inbreeding. We evaluated the potential benefits and synergies that exist between genomic selection (GS) and reproductive technologies under OCS for sheep and cattle breeding programs.

Methods

Various breeding program scenarios were simulated stochastically including: (1) a sheep breeding program for the selection of a single trait that could be measured either early or late in life; (2) a beef breeding program with an early or late trait; and (3) a dairy breeding program with a sex limited trait. OCS was applied using a range of penalties (severe to no penalty) on co-ancestry of selection candidates, with the possibility of using multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) and/or juvenile in vitro embryo production and embryo transfer (JIVET) for females. Each breeding program was simulated with and without genomic selection.

Results

All breeding programs could be penalized to result in an inbreeding rate of 1 % increase per generation. The addition of MOET to artificial insemination or natural breeding (AI/N), without the use of GS yielded an extra 25 to 60 % genetic gain. The further addition of JIVET did not yield an extra genetic gain. When GS was used, MOET and MOET + JIVET programs increased rates of genetic gain by 38 to 76 % and 51 to 81 % compared to AI/N, respectively.

Conclusions

Large increases in genetic gain were found across species when female reproductive technologies combined with genomic selection were applied and inbreeding was managed, especially for breeding programs that focus on the selection of traits measured late in life or that are sex-limited. Optimal contribution selection was an effective tool to optimally allocate different combinations of reproductive technologies. Applying a range of penalties to co-ancestry of selection candidates allows a comprehensive exploration of the inbreeding vs. genetic gain space.     

Transmission of important chromosomal regions under selection revealed in rice pedigree breeding programs

Genetic analysis across a whole plant genome based on pedigree information offers considerable potential for enhancing genetic gain from plant breeding programs through quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping and marker-assisted selection. Here, we report its application for graphically genotyping varieties used in Chinese japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) pedigree breeding programs. We identified 34 important chromosomal regions from the founder parent that are under selection in the breeding programs, and by comparing donor genomic regions that are under selection with QTL locations of agronomic traits, we found that QTL clustered in important genomic regions, in accordance with association analyses of natural populations and other previous studies. The convergence of genomic regions under selection with QTL locations suggests that donor genomic regions harboring key genes/QTL for important agronomic traits have been selected by plant breeders since the 1950s from the founder rice plants. The results provide better understanding of the effects of selection in breeding programs on the traits of rice cultivars. They also provide potentially valuable information for enhancing rice breeding programs through screening candidate parents for targeted molecular markers, improving crop yield potential and identifying suitable genetic material for use in future breeding programs.     

奶牛重要经济性状全基因组关联分析研究进展

产奶性状是奶牛最重要的生产性状,随着平衡育种理念的提出和发展,繁殖性状、体型性状、健康性状和长寿性等功能性状也逐渐被重视并纳入育种规划中。鉴定产奶性状和功能性状主效基因或遗传标记并将之应用于奶牛标记辅助选择可望加快遗传进展。随着高密度SNP标记的高通量检测技术的发展,全基因组关联分析已成为鉴定畜禽重要经济性状基因的重要途径。文章对奶牛产奶性状和功能性状全基因组关联分析研究进展进行综述。     

Natural Variation for Nutrient Use and Remobilization Efficiencies in Switchgrass

Nutrient management in biomass production systems serves to maximize yield and minimize production costs and environmental impact. Loss of soil nutrients with harvested biomass can be reduced by the judicious choice of genotype and harvest time. Sustainable production of switchgrass for biofuel will depend, in part, on breeding of varieties that are conservative in their use of soil nutrients to produce biomass. To aid such breeding programs, we assessed the natural variation in nutrient-use and remobilization efficiencies of 31 accessions of Panicum virgatum by measuring the concentration of 20 elements (N, P, K, Li, B, Na, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, and Cd) in shoots of field-grown plants harvested at two different stages of development. Significant differences between accessions were found for elemental composition at maturity and after senescence. The concentration of several elements (N, P, K, and Rb) decreased in the shoots of all accessions during senescence, although the efficiency of remobilization ranged from 20% to 61% for N, 31% to 65% for P, 25% for 84% for K, and 33% to 84% for Rb. The accessions/cultivars with the greatest nutrient-use efficiency (smallest loss of nutrient per unit biomass) were BN-14668-65, Kanlow, Caddo from the point of view of N content, and Kanlow, Cave-in-Rock, and Blackwell from the point of view of P content in senescent shoots. Finally, differences in elemental composition between upland and lowland ecotypes were also found. The information presented here will help to guide future breeding programs and nutrient management practices.     

Potato Glycoalkaloids: A Burden or a Blessing?

Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) are produced following the general steroid biosynthesis pathway, starting from acetyl-coenzyme A and followed by the intermediates mevalonic acid, squalene, cycloartenol, and cholesterol. α-Chaconine and α-solanine are the main SGAs of the cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum), whereas many other SGAs are known in the wild potato species. Low concentrations of SGAs improve the taste of potato, but concentrations greater than 200 mg/kg can have toxic effects on animals and humans. SGAs have antimicrobial activity and confer resistance to some insects, but many such pests of potato are not greatly affected. Certain environmental conditions and wounding enhance SGA accumulation in tubers in the field and storage. Low production of SGAs is a dominant character inherited in a relatively simple manner and can be selected for in potato-breeding programs, whereas the use of wild potato germplasm tends to increase the SGA accumulation in the breeding lines. Further efforts are likely to be directed toward the reduction of the SGA content in the edible potato products through breeding and biotechnological methodologies, whereas potato genotypes with high SGA production may be developed for use in the pharmaceutical industry.     

SNP markers for the genetic characterization of Mexican shrimp broodstocks

Selective breeding of shrimp has major potential to enhance production traits, including growth and disease resistance. Genetic characterization of broodstock populations is a key element of breeding programs, as it enables decisions on inbreeding restrictions, family structure, and the potential use of genomic selection. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) are suitable genetic markers for this purpose. A set of SNPs was developed to characterize commercial breeding stocks in Mexico. Individuals from local and imported lines were selected for sequencing using the nextRAD technique, resulting in the identification of 2619 SNPs. Genetic structure analysis showed three to five genetic groups of Ecuadorian and Mexican origins. A subset of 1231 SNPs has potential for stock identification and management. Further, three SNPs were identified as candidate sex-linked markers. The role of SNPs possibly associated with genes related to traits of importance to shrimp farming, such as growth and immune response, should be further investigated.     

Evaluating Agronomic Performance and Investigating Molecular Structure of Drought and Heat Tolerant Wild Alfalfa (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago sativa</Emphasis> L.) Collection from the Southeastern Turkey

Drought is a major stress factor for agricultural production including alfalfa production. One way to counterbalance the yield losses is the introgression of drought tolerant germplasm into breeding programs. As an effort to exploit such germplasm, 16 individual plants were selected from the Southeastern Turkey from their natural habitat and clonally propagated in field trials with an ultimate goal to use the germplasm as parents for releasing a synthetic cultivar. Forage yield and forage quality traits were evaluated and molecular genetic diversity among genotypes were determined using inter simple sequence repeat markers. Genotypes showed a variation from growth habit to yield and quality traits indicating sufficient phenotypic variation for diverse breeding efforts (for grazing or harvesting) and long term selection schemes. A large amount of genetic variation was observed even with a limited number of marker and genotypes. However, no pattern of spatial genetic structure was observed for the scale of the study when genetic variation is linked to the geographic origin. We conclude that ex situ natural variation provides a wealth of germplasm that could be incorporated into breeding programs aiming to improve drought tolerance. We also suggest an extensive collection of seeds/plant tissue from unique plants with desirable traits rather than putting more efforts to create a spatial germplasm sampling efforts in narrow regions.     

红瘰疣螈的繁殖生态

红瘰疣螈(Tylototriton shanjing)为国家Ⅱ级重点保护野生动物,对其繁殖生态尚无系统的研究。2007～2010年在云南省新平县哀牢山对红瘰疣螈形态、繁殖栖息地、求偶和交配行为、产卵及孵化等繁殖特征进行了研究。结果表明,红瘰疣螈雌雄两性在广泛的形态学度量特征上存在着差异;繁殖栖息地主要为稻田和潮湿的沟渠;参与繁殖的雌雄成体性比随繁殖时间的推移而不断变化,繁殖前期和后期雄性比例高,中期雌性比例高。求偶和交配主要在陆地潮湿的水沟中完成,也可在静水中进行。成体产卵活动从5月初持续至6月下旬,呈现出波浪式的产卵进程,个体完成产卵平均时间为(22.2±2.7)h。繁殖前期雌螈产卵于稻田,中后期产于多杂草的田埂草丛和泥壁,平均产卵数(126±18)枚(n=17)。平均孵化期(17.3±0.1)d(n=225),孵化率59.8%(n=79),孵化时幼体平均体长12.7mm(n=6)。     

Wild genetic diversity preservation in a small-sized first generation breeding population of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Allanblackia floribunda</Emphasis> (Clusiaceae)

Founder group size is of prime importance in tree breeding programs. We determined whether sampling 20-plus trees for breeding in Allanblackia floribunda, a tropical forest tree species that has been recently enrolled in tree improvement program for fruit and seed production, would affect neutral genetic diversity and inbreeding level in both breeding and production populations. Using eight informative microsatellite loci, we: (a) assessed the nuclear genetic diversity of ten natural populations, and of the breeding population in the humid forest zone of Cameroon; (b) investigated temporal effective-size fluctuations in A. floribunda natural populations, with a view to identifying the role of past demographic events in the genetic structure of the studied species; and (c) tested the hypothesis that genetic diversity in a founder group of 20 individuals is not different from that existing in the wild. The eight loci were variable. High levels of genetic diversity (A = 4.96; H _E = 0.59) and moderate differentiation (R _ST = 0.061) were found within and among populations in wild stands. High genetic distances existed between populations ( \textaverage chord distance = 0.\text2769 ±0.00\text554 ) \left( {{\text{average chord distance}} = 0.{\text{2769}} \pm 0.00{\text{554}}} \right) . Eight of the ten surveyed populations showed signs of deviation from mutation-drift equilibrium, suggesting Pleistocene population bottlenecks and fluctuations in effective population size. Mantel tests did not reveal any relationships between genetic and geographic distances. A neighbor-joining dendrogram showed a population structure that could be explained by historical factors. The hypothesis tested has been accepted. However, a slight increase in inbreeding was observed in the breeding population.     

Strategies for establishing and using genome resource banks to protect genetic diversity in conservation breeding programs

Genome resource banks (GRBs) have the potential to preserve the genetic diversity of a species over time, yet they are rarely utilized as effective components of conservation breeding programs. Advances have been made in reproductive biology, collection and storage techniques, and use of stored gametes for achieving successful reproduction, but there are few guidelines for integrating GRBs into established breeding programs. Here we present basic guidelines, focusing on strategies for the collection, maintenance, and use of semen GRBs for protecting genetic diversity. These guidelines should be applied in the context of the specific purposes and roles of a breeding program's GRB, which will differ among species depending on vulnerability to loss and the status of rescue and conservation efforts. We recommend establishing up to three types of collections: (1) a National Reserve to preserve a species' genetic diversity, to be used only as a last resort; (2) a Savings Account to be used periodically to invigorate a genetically depauperate population; and (3) a Checking Account to be used as a regular part of the breeding program. We present methods for identifying donors to maximize genetic diversity in a GRB, as well as strategies for maintaining and optimally using GRBs.     

Congruence between selection on breeding values and farmers' selection criteria in sheep breeding under conventional nucleus breeding schemes

Designing breeding schemes suitable for smallholder livestock production systems in developing regions has hitherto been a challenge. The suggested schemes either do not address farmers' breeding goals (centralized station-based nucleus schemes) or yield slow genetic progress (village-based schemes). A new breeding scheme that integrates the merits of previously suggested schemes has been designed for Menz sheep improvement in Ethiopia. It involves selection based on breeding values in nucleus flocks to produce elite rams, a one-time only provision of improved rams to villagers and a follow-up village-based selection to sustain genetic progress in village flocks. Here, we assessed whether conventional selection of breeding rams based on breeding values for production traits, which is the practice in station-based nucleus flocks, meets farmers' breeding objectives. We also elicited determinants of farmers' ram choice. Low but significant correlations were found between rankings of rams based on farmers' selection criteria, estimated breeding values (EBV) and body weight (BW). Appearance traits (such as color and horn) and meat production traits (BW and linear size traits) significantly determined farmers' breeding ram choice. The results imply that conventional selection criteria based solely on EBV for production traits do not address farmers' trait preferences fully, but only partially. Thus, a two-stage selection procedure involving selection on breeding values in nucleus centers followed by farmers' selection among top- ranking candidate rams is recommended. This approach accommodates farmers' preferences and speeds up genetic progress in village-based selection. The Menz sheep scheme could be applied elsewhere with similar situations to transform conventional station-based nucleus breeding activities into participatory breeding programs.