bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marigold (Tagete erecta): An Effective Meloidogyne incognita Trap Plant
Authors: Wu Wentao
Published: March 2021

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are soil-borne pathogens that can cause severe damage to agricultural production. The most common approaches to prevent root-knot nematode infections are based on crop rotation with non-host plants, use of chemical insecticides, biological control methods, and use of nematode-antagonistic or trap plants. Marigolds (Tagetes erecta) are used as nematode-killing plants, but there is controversy over the mechanism through which they control root-knot nematodes. This study confirmed that marigold root-exudates are lethal to root-knot nematodes, illustrated that marigolds act as trap plants for root-knot nematodes when planted close to nematode host plants such as tomato. We investigated the rates of infection and development of nematode larvae injected into the marigold root system to evaluate whether marigolds could act as a non-host plant for root-knot nematodes. We found that aqueous solutions of marigold root-exudates showed strong lethal and inhibitory effects on sec-stage juveniles and eggs of root-knot nematodes. Marigold roots secreted substances that attracted nematodes from the surrounding environment. Furthermore, marigold root cells contained substances that had a strong inhibitory effect on the development of root-knot nematodes, resulting in diapause in nematodes, and inhibition of further infection. Herein we report a preliminary exploration of the antagonistic mechanism in marigolds for controlling the growth and development of root-knot nematodes. Our research provides basis for promoting the use of marigold for the control of nematodes as an important part of sustainable cropping strategies that rely on biological pest control. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Genotype × Environment × Management (G×E×M) Impacts on Grain Yield and Quality of Spring Malting Barley (Hordeum vulgare)
Authors: Stupar Vladanka
Published: March 2021

Agronomic management and environment affect malting barley yield and quality. The objective of this study was to determine optimum agronomic practices (cultivar, fertilization, and seeding rate) for yield and quality of malting barley. A study was conducted during 2012–2014 in the region of Požarevac, southeastern Serbia, to evaluate the weather-dependent effect of seeding rate (S1=350, S2=450 and S3=550 seeds m–2) and nitrogen fertilization rate (N1=45, N2=75, N3=95 and N4=135 kg N ha–1) on the yield and quality of spring malting barley cultivars ('Novosadski 448', 'Novosadski 456', 'Dunavac' and 'Jadran'). Increasing seeding rate had a significantly negative effect on the quality, whereas the effect on yield was dependent upon weather during the growing season. Grain yield and grain protein content significantly increased with an increase in nitrogen rate up to 135 kg N ha–1. The optimum nitrogen rate for the average thousand-kernel weight and percentage of kernels ≥ 2.5 mm in all years was 75 kg N ha–1, and for test weight 105 kg N ha–1. Germinative energy depended on genotype and weather conditions, whereas seeding and nitrogen rates had a significant effect only during the first year. Results indicated that seeding rates above 350 seeds m–2 and nitrogen rates above 75 kg N ha–1 led to substantial grain quality deterioration in barley cultivars. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Straw Return with Dolomite Application Increase Flue-Cured Tobacco Leaf Yield and Quality
Authors: Jiang Chaoqiang
Published: March 2021

Straw return and liming are often applied to improve soil fertility and crop yield on acidic soils. Albeit, there are several studies for the effect of these practices on soil physical and chemical characteristics and crop plant growth, it is still unclear whether or how straw return and liming affect tobacco yield and quality. A field experiment was conducted from 2015 to 2018 to study the effect of both tobacco straw return and dolomite application and their interaction on soil pH, yield, quality and chemical elements of flue-cured tobacco leaf. Results showed that compared with the CK, straw return with liming (St + L) or with dolomite (St + D) increased trade yield by 21.4 and 11.7%, and the market value increased by 33.7 and 24.7% in 2018, respectively. The St + L and St + D significantly increased the smoking quality and K concentration of cured leaves compared to the CK, moreover, the reducing sugars in St + D (26.7–27.0%) were significantly higher than other treatments. Since 2016, St + D significantly increased the Mg concentration of leaves compared with all other treatments. The Mg concentration of leaves in St + D increased with the increase of treatment time, while decreased in St + L. Therefore, it is suggested that dolomite should be applied with straw return to enhanced tobacco leaf quality, particularly for Mg concentration and reducing sugars content in tobacco-rice cropping system. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Biotic and Abiotic Factors Causing Rind Blemishes in Citrus and Management Strategies to Improve the Cosmetic Quality of Fruits
Authors: Malik Aman Ullah
Published: March 2021

Citrus is the major tree fruit crop grown and traded worldwide. Citrus industry around the globe has been facing deterioration in fruit cosmetic quality and increased farmgate rejections, mainly due to high incidence of rind blemishes. Rind blemishes are caused by various biotic (diseases and insects) and abiotic (environmental, physical and physiological) factors at various stages of fruit development, however initial 8–12 weeks of fruit setting are the most critical. While the causes and intensity of blemishes varies with agroecological conditions and citrus species, and fruits position in canopy, the blemishes due to melanose, scab, canker, thrips, mites, scales, and wind are generally the most common. Being a complex issue involving multiple factors in the field (environment, pathogens, tree, fruit, cultural practices), its control has always been very challenging. R&D progress overtime showed a great deal of work done on the subject, however for commercial success, an integrated approach is essential to reduce rind blemishes and improve fruits cosmetic quality. The key interventions include maintaining tree vigor and hygiene with judicial pruning, selective and timely application of pesticides at critical stages, particularly during initial 12 weeks of fruit development. Keeping in view the increasing concerns regarding food safety, the application of horticultural mineral oils (HMOs) and effective biological tools need to be integrated. To some degree, harvest and postharvest supply chain operations may also contribute towards some fruit blemishes (oleocellosis, rind/stem end breakdown, chilling injury, etc.) and are to be managed appropriately. While various advance technologies i.e., near-infrared (NIR), ultraviolet (UV), ultraviolet fluorescence (UVF), laser backscattering imaging (LBI) and hyperspectral imaging (HI) have been tested /developed for blemish-based fruit sorting, their high cost is prohibitive in adaptation particularly in developing countries. Future research needs to focus on assessing the impact of climate change on dynamics of biotic factors, blemish free fruit production under small tree-framework system, development of new chemistry low residue pesticides, reducing cost of high-tech sorting machines and consumer education to have acceptance of blemished fruit (still with good internal quality) to some degree. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Drought Stress Induces Differential DNA Methylation Shift at Symmetric and Asymmetric Cytosine Sites in the Promoter Region of ZmEXPB2 Gene in Maize
Authors: Rehman Zainab
Published: March 2021

β-expansin 2 (EXPB2) gene induces drought tolerance in different plant species including maize. Different epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation, histone modification and RNA interference affect the gene activities under stress conditions. DNA methylation, an important epigenetic mechanism, could be involved in the regulation of ZmEXPB2 gene under drought stress in maize. Plants of drought sensitive variety „Jalal‟ were grown till 4th leaf stage under well-watered conditions. At 5th leaf stage, plants were divided in two groups i.e., well-watered (100% water holding capacity) or drought stress (0% water holding capacity for 15 days). Plants subjected to drought stress showed clear signs of stress by significant decrease in fresh weight of whole plant, 6th leaf length, stunted secondary root growth and increased primary root length. DNA methylation profile of three regions (denoted as -1.7 k, -1.3 k and -0.8 k) in the promoter of ZmEXPB2 gene, of root DNA, were evaluated. Under well-watered conditions, heterogeneity in DNA methylation profile along the promoter sequence was observed. Regions -1.7 k and -1.3 k were methylated whereas the region -0.8 k was nonmethylated. After the comparison of DNA methylation profile of well-watered and drought stress plants, no change in -1.7 k and -0.8 k regions was observed. However, the -1.3k region had significant decrease in the DNA methylation at symmetric cytosine sites i.e., cytosine-guanine (CG) dinucleotides and cytosine-adenine/cytosine/thymine-guanine (CHG where H = A, C or T) trinucleotide and significant increase at asymmetric cytosine sites (CHH) under the stress condition. In addition, significant increase in the gene expression of ZmEXPB2 under drought was also observed. In conclusion, drought stress conditions induce DNA hypomethylation at CG, and CHG sites and DNA hypermethylation at CHH sites in the middle region of the promoter of ZmEXPB2 gene. This shift can be associated with the up regulation of ZmEXPB2 gene which in turn increased primary root length as a plant stress response mechanism. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Effects of Bacterial Leaf Blight on Photosynthesis and Chlorophyll a Fluorescence in Susceptible and Resistant Rice Cultivars
Authors: Liu Zengbing
Published: March 2021

Bacterial leaf blight (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae is a serious disease affecting rice. Understanding of the effects of this disease on photosynthesis and chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence is important in rice management. We studied the effect of BLB on enzyme activities, photosynthetic rate (Pn) and Chl a fluorescence transient in susceptible Neiwuyou 8015 and resistant Shenzhou 98 rice cultivars. BLB had a negative effect on rice net photosynthesis (Pn) and stomatal conductance (Gs). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were increased while Chl content was decreased, indicating that rice photosynthetic functions were damaged by BLB. The effect of BLB on photosynthesis was greater in susceptible rice than in resistant rice. A significant difference of Chl a fluorescence transient curves was observed between BLB treatments and healthy ones. Parameters measured in transient rice Chl a fluorescence showed the photosynthetic reaction center was inactive after BLB. These findings will help in evaluating rice resistance and may be useful for rice disease management. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Effects of Different Tillage Methods on Bacterial Community and Enzyme Activity of Rhizosphere of Flue-Cured Tobacco in Yunnan Mountains
Authors: Tong Wenjie
Published: March 2021

The microbial activity and soil enzyme activity are closely related to soil ecological functions. In this study, a flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) variety, K326, was planted and subjected to tillage methods of 20 cm of rotary tillage (control, RT20), 30 cm of deep tillage (DT30), 30 cm (ST30) and 40 cm (ST40) of subsoiling tillage. The expression profiling was conducted using Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing, and the changes of bacterial community structure and enzyme activity in the rhizosphere soil under different tillage treatments were assessed. In the results, the DT30, ST30 and ST40 measures significantly reduced activity of catalase, increased the activities of urease, acid phosphatase and cellulose, and increased the diversity and richness of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere soil. Compared to RT20 (control), the Shannon index of DT30 treatment increased by 3.58%, the Simpson index decreased by 47.46% and the ACE and Chao1 indexes of ST40 treatment increased by 2.77 and 3.38%, respectively. At the phylum and genus levels, the dominant bacterial communities and relative abundance of the bacterial communities under different tillage treatments were significantly different. Compared with RT20, the DT30, ST30 and ST40 treatments increased the relative abundance of Gemmatimonadetes phylum by 30.93, 20.97 and 11.44% and the relative abundance of Nitrospirae phylum increased by 54.55, 22.73 and 11.36%, respectively. In addition, the relative abundances of beneficial microorganisms such as Nocardioides, Gemmatimonas, and Sphingomonas genus in DT30 and ST30, ST40 treatments were more than control (RT20) treatments. In conclusion, the different ecological niche may create by great disturbance to soil in DT and ST treatments, the selection and adaptation of different microorganisms to the ecological niche may result in great changes in microbial species composition and community structure. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers © 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers© 2021 Friends Science Publishers©
Estimation of Genetic Parameters and Breeding Values of Milk Yield Using Test Day Model with Cubic Splines and Legendre Polynomials in Chinese Holstein Cattle
Authors: Lv Wan
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to estimate the genetic parameters and breeding values of milk yield traits of Holstein cows in Shandong Province using the best model identified by a comparison between a numbers of alternative random regression test day models (RRMs). The data included 585,702 test day records of milk yield in the first lactation of 88,215 Holstein cows, covering 219 cattle farms in Shandong Province during the period from 2005 to 2016. Different models were investigated, which differed in the number of knots of Spline functions to improve the fitting of population lactation curve and in orders (2, 3, or 4) of Legendre polynomials to fit additive genetic effect and permanent environmental effect. The optimal test day model was screened out by Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) criteria. Detailed analysis of genetic parameters and accuracy of estimation of breeding values were performed using the optimal model. In the results, the optimal model (Sp15-La4-Lp3) for analyzing the milk yield data was the one with 15 knots of Splines, 4 orders of Legendre polynomials for additive genetic effect and 3 orders of Legendre polynomials for permanent environmental effect. Using the optimal model, estimates of additive genetic variances of milk yield at different days in milk (DIM) during the whole lactation ranged from 8.54 to 15.39, the permanent environmental variance ranged from 17.65 to 31.42. Correspondingly, the heritability ranged from 0.20 to 0.30, and repeatability ranged from 0.43 to 0.54. Rank correlations between EBV of bull with different number of daughters and the bull’s parent average ranged from 0.79 to 0.94, and the correlations between EBV of bulls and the sire-maternal grandsire index ranged from 0.48 to 0.86. In conclusion, Sp15-La4-Lp3 could be the optimal model for estimation of genetic parameters and prediction of breeding values of milk in Shandong Holstein population. The amount of progeny information is critical to the conventional genetic evaluation of bulls. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
The Stay-green Mutation Contributes to Enhanced Antioxidative Competence and Delays Leaf Senescence in Soybean Hybrid Z1
Authors: Wang Peng
Published: March 2021

The new soybean stay-green variety Jinda Zhilv No. 1 (Z1) was obtained through crossing a stay-green mutant with the super-high yielding soybean cultivar Jinda No. 74 (JD74). Here, we compared the antioxidant enzyme activities and reactive oxygen species content of the Z1 and JD74 varieties under natural and dark-induced senescence. Dark treatment was imposed at the seedling stage for 13 days. Fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to investigate the expression of isozyme genes related to superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate–glutathione cycle. The results indicated that compared with JD74, Z1 exhibited enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, with rates of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion accumulation being lower in Z1 after flowering. The expression levels of antioxidant enzyme isogenes, including Mn-SOD, Chl Cu/Zn-SOD, peroxisome Cu/Zn-SOD, CAT5, MDHAR1, and DHAR3, were higher in Z1 than in JD74 during the seed-filling stage. After 6 days of dark treatment, the membrane system of JD74 leaves showed severe oxidative damage and the leaves had turned completely yellow. These changes were accompanied by reduced contents of chlorophyll and soluble protein after 13 days of dark treatment. In contrast, Z1 was observed to be more tolerant to dark stress. Its internal reactive oxygen metabolism balance remained unimpaired, and the leaves showed no obvious senescence traits. In conclusion, the higher antioxidant capacity in Z1 contributes to delayed leaf senescence, which is a significant finding with respect to the application of stay-green mutants in soybean breeding and germplasm innovation. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Resistance to Red Rot Disease (Colletotrichum falcatum) Varies among Different Germplasm Sources of Sugarcane
Authors: Walayat Ali Khan Hafiz Muhammad
Published: March 2021

Resistance of sugarcane varieties to red rot disease is essential for their successful commercial cultivation in Pakistan. Evaluation of sugarcane germplasm for red rot resistance is a basic component of the varietal development system in Punjab. The studies on varietal screening against red rot disease of exotic sugarcane germplasm were conducted at the research farm of the Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad from 2008–2009 to 2010–2011. The screening test was carried out at different varietal development stages including sugarcane nursery-2, nursery-3, semi-final varietal trial, final varietal trial and National Uniform Yield Trial by using plug method of inoculation. In three years, 724 sugarcane genotypes were examined in screening test against red rot disease, which were developed from germplasm (fuzz), imported from different sugarcane breeding organizations of the world. Fuzz is a true seed of sugarcane used to develop new sugarcane variety(ies) through repeated selection in any varietal development program. The results of three years experimentation revealed that 425 genotypes were resistant, 141 moderately resistant, 48 moderately susceptible and 110 susceptible to red rot disease. It was also concluded that sugarcane germplasm belongs to the USA, proved to be superior for resistance to red rot disease with 91% genotypes followed by Brazil and Australia with 86 and 68% genotypes, respectively, which were classified in resistant and moderately resistant category. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
opulation Structure Analysis and Genome-Wide Association Study of Rice Landraces from Qiandongnan, China, using Specific–Locus Amplified Fragment Sequencing
Authors: Li Yan
Published: March 2021

Uncovering the genetic basis of rice landraces has important applications in breeding. In this study, the specific-locus amplified fragment (SLAF) sequencing method was used to analyze the population structure and conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of the agronomic traits of 60 rice species in Southeast Guizhou. We obtained a total of 178,287,776 reads, 314,065 SLAFs, and 571,521 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree, admixture proportions, and principal component analyses revealed that the investigated landraces were divided into japonica (heterozygosity rate 0.062) and indica (heterozygosity rate 0.073) groups. The groupings were consistent with the local classifications of ―He‖ and ―Gu‖ based on the resistance to seed shattering, and the SNPs clustered in the qSH1 gene. The GWAS of eight agronomic traits revealed that the signal peaks at four locations were closely related to previously reported genes or gene regions. This study demonstrates that the SLAF sequencing method combined with a GWAS may be effective for investigating the evolution of rice and identifying genes regulating complex traits in rice landraces cultivated in relatively isolated regions. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Aeromonas hydrophila as a Causative Agent of Fester-Needle Tail Disease in Guppies (Poecilia reticulata)
Authors: Huang Yuxi
Published: March 2021

Nowadays, increases in the scale of guppy (Poecilia reticulata) breeding have been accompanied by increases in the frequency of disease, resulting in economic losses. One such disease, the fester-needle tail disease was notorious. In the current study, an epidemiological investigation was carried out for 1 year, and a total of 138 needle tail cases with obvious symptoms of rot were collected from 5 guppy farms in Anshan and Liaoyang cities in Liaoning Province, China. Microscopic observations excluded fungal and parasitic infections as causes of the disease. Transmission electron microscopy did not detect any viral inclusions in the diseased site. There was a high density of nucleiin the cells, with cells becoming longer and narrower, and containing an increasing number of vesicles. Intotal, 232 bacterial strains were isolated from fish with needle tail disease. Results of 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing, and physiological and biochemical identification showed that Aeromonasspp. accounted for 35.3% of all the isolates, with Aeromonas hydrophila being the most isolated strain; in total 37strains were isolated, accounting for 45.1% of the Aeromonas spp. isolates. A bacterial challenge experiment with A. hydrophila revealed it to be a possible causative agent of fester-needle tail disease. Histopathological observations in the controlled infection showed that epithelial cells in the caudal fin became more compacted, with all cells showing different degrees of karyotheca dissolution. These results provide a reference for further research and scientific control of needle tail disease in this economically important species.© 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Comparative Transcriptome Profiling Analysis to Unravel the Potential Mechanism of Seed Abortion in Lumnitzera littorea
Authors: Zhang Jingwen
Published: March 2021

Lumnitzera littorea (Jack) Voigt. is a species of mangrove plant belonging to the family Combretaceae. Natural reproduction of L. littorea is extremely difficult due to its seed abortion in China. To reveal the molecular mechanism of seed abortion, we performed transcriptome to analyze the seeds of L. littorea-T (normal seeds) and L. littorea-S (abortive seeds). After analysis of the raw data, 64,868 transcripts (mean length = 658 bp) were assembled. Among these transcripts, 39,779 were functionally annotated. Then, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened, and 23,513 transcripts were identified that were likely involved in seed abortion. About 207 DEGs assigned to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, and approximately 12.1% fell into reproduction categories. Genes involved in response to sucrose and starch metabolism, and phytohormone biosynthesis showed significant different expression levels between normal and abortive seeds of L. littorea. Further expressions patterns of key genes contribute to seed development were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR, and the results were consistent with high-throughput sequencing data. The information obtained in this study will aid in the research of the mechanism of seed abortion in further molecular studies of L. littorea. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Effect of Stable Negative Pressure Irrigation on the Growth and Development of Eggplant (Solanum melongena)
Authors: Zhang Jingyu
Published: March 2021

This study was conducted with an objective to determine the optimal negative pressure irrigation suitable for growth and development of eggplant. The total water consumption, yield, growth and development, physiological activity, and quality of eggplant were tested using a pot experiment in a greenhouse with four treatments, namely -3, -8, -15 kPa and normal irrigation (C). The negative pressure was maintained using a stable negative pressure irrigation device. The total water consumption of eggplant was decreased by 20.51–70.00%, the total water consumption intensity was decreased by 22.18–70.27%, and the water use efficiency was increased by up to 7.45–41.48% under negative pressure irrigation compared with control (C). When the irrigation pressure was controlled at -3 kPa, the nitrate reductase activity, root activity, and chlorophyll content were increased by 6.14–15.5%, 11.11–33.33% and 20.04–51.58%, respectively. The yield of eggplant was also increased by 12.43% compared with control. The soluble sugars, soluble protein, and vitamin C contents of eggplant fruits at different maturation stages were increased by 14.47–47.22%, 16.33–58.78%, and 19.64–43.42% at -3 kPa, respectively, compared with the control. Taken together, it was observed that stable negative pressure irrigation in the range of -3 to -15 kPa obviously reduced water consumption of eggplant, and had a water saving effect. Negative pressure irrigation (-3 kPa) improved the water use efficiency, physiological activity, growth and development, and yield and quality of eggplant. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Foxtail Millet Stress Associated Protein Gene SiSAP4 Enhances Drought Stress Tolerance in Transgenic Arabidopsis
Authors: Li Wenlu
Published: March 2021

Abiotic stresses like drought affect plant growth and crop yield with climate change worsening. Stress associated proteins (SAPs), as the zinc finger proteins with A20/AN1 domain, play an important role in regulating abiotic stress response. As a typical summer dryland grain crop in the north of China, foxtail millet has the characteristics of drought resistance, making it a valuable resource for anti-stress gene exploitation and utilization. In this study, SiSAP4 gene was cloned from foxtail millet variety Yugu 1. Analysis showed that SiSAP4 gene was expressed in roots, stems and leaves at seedling stage, and the highest expression level was detected in leaves. Expression patterns under different stress conditions showed that expression level of SiSAP4 gene was significantly up-regulated under drought stress, suggesting it may be involved in drought stress response. Subcellular localization indicated that SiSAP4 was present in the nucleus and cytoplasm. It was revealed that SiSAP4 had no function in transcriptional activation in the yeast system. Overexpression of SiSAP4 in transgenic Arabidopsis resulted in enhanced tolerance to drought stress, which was simultaneously demonstrated by increased expression of a broad range of stress response genes. Based on those results, SiSAP4 has the potential to be used in transgenic breeding to improve drought stress tolerance in other crops. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
On Hair Follicle Development and Wool Production Traits in Sheep: A Review
Authors: Sun Wu
Published: March 2021

Hair follicle and skin development is a complex biological process involving many regulatory molecules. Wool trait is a complex quantitative trait controlled by multiple genes and affected by environment. In this paper, the histomorphology of hair follicle development in sheep and the molecular mechanism of hair follicle and wool traits formation were reviewed in order to provide theoretical basis for breeding and selection of sheep wool traits. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Comparative Demographic Traits of the Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) B Biotype against different Host Plants
Authors: Farooq Muhammad
Published: March 2021

The sucking pests, especially whitefly, have damaged various fields and fruit crops across the globe. The study of life-history is of prime importance to monitor the dynamics for preference of a species to its host. This study tested the prevalence and preference of a whitefly species, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) B biotype (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on tomato, cotton, pepper, and okra as hosts using age-stage two-sex life table. Results revealed the highest pre-adult developmental duration, survival rate, and fecundity on tomato while the lowest values on okra. Population parameters such as the net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r), and finite rate of increase (λ) were demonstrated longer on cotton and tomato compared to much lower R0, r, and λ on pepper and okra. Okra responded significantly differently in the case of the mean generation time, T among all tested genotypes. These findings suggest the possibility of summer vegetables as more favorable hosts for B. tabaci. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Genetic Diversity Analysis and In Silico Investigation of Post-Translational Modifications of Carboxypeptidase A1 (CpA1) in Sordaria fimicola
Authors: Naureen Uzma
Published: March 2021

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) regulate different complex mechanisms of cell and affect cell growth, stress, evolution of living organisms and adaptations due to environment. The purpose of the present research is to investigate the genetic diversity and PTMs of protease (Carboxypeptidase A1) n Sordaria fimicola. They perform a variety of functions ranging from housekeeping: e.g., protein maturation, signal peptide cleavage, signal transduction, intracellular protein turnover, immune response, apoptosis, and reproduction. S. fimicola is a microscopic filamentous fungus, has been preferably used in this study because of its easy growing pattern on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and a short life cycle of 7 to 12 days. The genomic DNA of six of the strains S. fimicola was used to amplify the carboxypeptidases A1 gene (CpA1), the product size was 940 bp. The multiple sequence alignment of the nucleotide sequences of six strains of S. fimicola with Neurospora crassa (as a reference strain) was studied. The numbers of polymorphic sites in six strains of S. fimicola with respect to N. crassa were six. Posttranslational modifications were depicted by using bioinformatics tools i.e., YinOYang1.2, NetPhos 3.1 and NetNES 1.1 Server to calculate O-glycosylation, phosphorylation sites, and nuclear export signals respectively. The study has predicted 19 phosphorylation sites on serine residues for protease Carboxypeptidase A1 in S1 strains of S. fimicola while 15 phosphorylation sites on serine in N7 strain and 17 serine phosphorylation modifications were predicted in N. Crassa. The results of this research will be helpful for further in vitro investigations of this industrially important enzyme under study. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Water Deficit and Recovery-Induced Changes in Growth, Photosynthetic Characteristics, Antioxidant Enzymes and Yield of Two Tartary Buckwheat Genotypes
Authors: Wan Yan
Published: March 2021

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) is an important food crop that is widely adaptable to hostile environments. In this study the responses of two Tartary buckwheat genotypes: drought-susceptible Chuanqiao No. 1 (CQ) and drought-tolerant Jingqiao No. 2 (JQ) in terms of morphology, photosynthesis, physiology and yield to a progressive water deficit and recovery treatment (WD-R) were evaluated. Plants in the well-watered (WW) treatment were watered throughout the experiment. Compared to the WW treatment, water deficit in the WD-R treatment caused decreases in plant height, stem diameter, branch number, stem node number, biomass, seed number, soil water content (SWC), leaf relative water content (RWC), net photosynthesis rate (Pn), intercellular CO2 concentration, stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr) and Fv/Fm in both CQ and JQ plants. Leaf wilting, malondialdehyde content, superoxide dismutase activity, peroxidase activity, initial fluorescence (F0) and root-to-shoot ratio were significantly increased under water stress in the WD-R treatment. Under the WD-R treatment, compared to CQ, JQ maintained higher RWC, SWC, Pn, Gs, WUE, Fv/Fm, plant height, branch number, stem node number, root biomass, stem biomass, leaf biomass, total biomass, root-to-shoot ratio, seed number per plant, and yield, but a lower Tr and F0. By correlation analysis, Gs was positively correlated with leaf RWC and SWC. These differential growth indexes, biochemical traits and physiological responses might be useful for understanding drought-tolerance genotypes that can grow under water-deficit conditions with minimum yield loss. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
GI (GIGANTEA) Genes from Chia (Salvia hispanica): Molecular Characterization, Flowering-Related Expression and Evolutionary Features
Authors: Chen Bao-Jun
Published: March 2021

Chia (Salvia hispanica), originated in Mexico, has outstanding nutritional and health-promoting values, but it is the only ancient American Indian staple crop failed in introduction to the Old Continents. After the rediscovery and revival of chia as a new crop in recent years, the short-day (SD) habit is a crucial limitation for its worldwide cultivation. The circadian oscillator GIGNATEA (GI) is an important transcription factor regulating flowering time through photoperiod-pathway. In this study, we cloned the full-length cDNAs of two GI genes from chia, and analyzed the molecular characteristics of the genes and the encoded proteins. Alternative transcription initiation sites, alternative poly A tailing sites, and 5’-UTR intron retention exist in some of their mRNAs. The origin of GI gene accompanied with the transition from aquatic to terrestrial habits during plant evolution. GI duplication events occurred at order, family and genus levels in angiosperms. ShGI-1 and ShGI-2 were similar to each other in organ specificity with peak expression in small buds. In mature leaf, ShGI-2 is dominant over ShGI-1 in terms of expression level with highest expression in the afternoon, but on the Autumnal Equinox day ShGI-1 is dominant over ShGI-2 with peaks at noon and in the evening. KT, BR, GA3 and IAA upregulated the expression of ShGI-1 and ShGI-2 in long-days (LDs) and inhibited their expression in SDs, with GA3 being the most effective phytohormone. Under most abiotic stresses, ShGI expression fluctuated and returned to near-basal levels. ShGI expression was upregulated by low temperature. SA sharply upregulated ShGI expression after 24 h of treatment. This is the first report of GI genes from the order Lamiales, which will promote the dissection of flowering mechanism of chia and other Lamiales plants, enrich the evolution and expression characteristics of plant GIs, and promote the study on interaction between photoperiod and hormone pathways in flowering time control. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Substitution of Non-Protein Nitrogen for True Protein Increases Microbial Growth and Degradation of Fibrous Carbohydrates from Buffel Grass
Authors: Santana Neto Jose Adelson
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different sources of nitrogenous compounds on the in vitro utilisation of neutral detergent fibre from buffel grass in advanced phenological stage, the experiment consisted of testing five levels of substitution of urea for casein: 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%. The effects of the substitution levels were evaluated by in vitro incubation at different times: 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 h. The degradation rate of potentially degradable NDF increased up to the replacement level of 50%, but declined by 6.53 and 13.57% in the treatments with 75 and 100% substitution of urea for casein, respectively, as compared with the treatment without substitution. Discrete lag time was reduced by 1.31 h in the treatment with 50% substitution and by 2.7 h at 100% substitution, as compared with 0% substitution. The substitution of up to 50% non-protein nitrogen for true protein increased microbial growth efficiency by 16.1% as compared with the treatment without substitution. Acetate and propionate concentrations were not affected by the substitution of urea for casein. The use of 50% non-protein nitrogen and 50% true protein as nitrogen sources for rumen microorganisms favour microbial growth and optimise the degradation of neutral detergent fibre from low-protein buffel grass. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Dry Matter Accumulation and Phosphorus Utilization Efficiency in Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris) under Varied Irrigation and Phosphorus Supply
Authors: Wang Ning
Published: March 2021

The present study investigated the effects of irrigation and phosphorus fertilizer on dry matter accumulation and phosphorus use efficiency in sugar beet for two growing seasons during 2016 and 2017, using H003 cultivar. The experiment was comprised of four treatments including NP0K-rainfed (C1), NPK-rainfed (C2), NP0K-irrigation (C3), and NPK-irrigation (C4) using 105 kg P ha-1 compared with 0 kg P ha-1. The results showed that during the whole growth period of crop, chlorophyll contents was in the order of C4 > C3 > C2 > C1. The sugar contents were higher in irrigation treatments than rain-fed. At harvest, 105 kg P ha-1 under NPK-irrigation treatment had the highest sugar yield up to 11.59 and 10.64 t∙hm-2 in 2016 and 2017 respectively. The percent increase in yield was 20.19–27.07%, 15.79–21.62% and 14.57–14.93% than C1, C2 and C3 treatments, respectively. In C4 treatment, the dry matter accumulation in roots and leaves were 25.36 and 27.48 t∙hm-2, 9.22 and 10.67 t∙hm-2 in 2016 and 2017 respectively, with 0.39% and 5.53, 11.61 and 25.02% higher than in C2 treatment. The phosphorus accumulation in roots of C4 treatment at harvesting was 9.46 and 9.97 t∙hm-2 while phosphorus accumulation in leaves of same treatment was 3.58 and 3.80 t∙hm-2 in 2016 and 2017, respectively. In irrigation treatments, the utilization efficiency of phosphate fertilizer was 16.97 and 17.33% in 2016 and 2017, respectively, with 25.52 and 29.02% higher than corresponding rainfed treatment, indicating that irrigation could significantly improve the utilization efficiency of P fertilizer. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Study on Indoor and Outdoor Fine Particle Exposure Level, Bacterial Composition, and Diversity in a Severe Cold Region of China
Authors: Chen Xi
Published: March 2021

As there is a frequent occurrence of haze during the heating season in China’s severely cold regions, the environmental parameters of the three types of buildings in Daqing were monitored to investigate the concentration and exposure level of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5). The short-term exposure levels of PM2.5for people of different ages and genders were analyzed. The composition and diversity of bacteria were analyzed using 16S rDNA technology. The results showed that the average PM2.5 concentrations of office buildings were higher than that of residential buildings, which was then higher than that of teaching buildings in Daqing. The exposure level of adults in urban areas was 12.0% higher than those in rural areas. Children had almost the same overall exposure. The potential comprehensive dose and its average dose for adults in urban areas were higher than those in rural areas, and the number of males was higher than females. The risk of exposure increased with age and was higher for males than females. Among the three types of buildings in Daqing, the main bacteria were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. In the same type of buildings, the total number of bacteria was higher outdoors than indoors and the alpha diversity of bacteria was higher outdoors than indoors. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Influence of Bacterial Inoculation on Photosynthetic Capacity, Mineral Uptake, Total Protein and Amino Acid Content of Maize (Zea mays) under Diesel Stress
Authors: Ummara Ume
Published: March 2021

This study was undertaken to explore the influence of diesel contaminated soil and bacterial consortium on photosynthetic efficiency, ion uptake, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll pigments, amino acids and total protein content of maize crop. The experiment was consisted of (a) two maize varieties (MMR1 yellow and Pearl white), (b) diesel levels (0, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 g kg-1 soil) and (c) two bacterial strains inoculation levels, (non-inoculated) and inoculated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa BRRI54, Acinetobacter sp. ACRH80 and Acinetobacter sp. BRSI56 with completely randomized design having four replication The results exhibited that diesel contaminated soil decreased photosynthetic efficiency, photosynthetic pigments i-e., „a‟, „b, carotenoids, chlorophyll fluorescence and k+ content, however, there is increase in amino acid accumulation, total protein and Na+ uptake. But inoculation of different bacterial strains enhanced the photosynthetic capacity of PSII, quantum yield (Fv/Fm), K+ uptake as compared to non-inoculated group along with hydrocarbon stress. The marginal lands contaminated with diesel oil could be ameliorated with inoculation of bacterial strains, which are highly adapted to various farming systems. The maize crop could be successively grown on polluted soil which are contaminated with poly aromatic hydrocarbons. The small holding farming families will be greatly benefited to improve their crop yields. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Falocentrismo e heteronormatividade na tradución: de como varren as mulleres e as lesbianas da historia cun golpe de penæ
Authors: Neal Baxter Robert
Published: March 2021

Este artigo interdisciplinar parte de estudos baseados na tradución como ferramenta metodolóxica para indagar na maneira en que as/os tradutoras/es entendidas/os como usuarias/os arquetípicas/os da linguaxe poden proxectar mediante o uso inapropiado da linguaxe normas heterosexistas socialmente dominantes sob o pretexto de seren de interpretacións neutrais.Máis especificamente, aborda a cuestión das normas androcéntricas que rexen a linguaxe e que levan, por forza, a estereótipos sexuais e de xénero no xeral e ao heterosexismo en particular. Alén de analizar instancias nas que a tradución ten sido utilizada de maneira consciente para censurar papeis de xénero que se sitúen fóra das normas falocéntricas, e máis especialmente a sexualidade feminina, dentro do cadro teórico de xénero latente (covert) face axénero patente (overt) asociado cos conceptos relacionados de denotación e connotación semántica, o artigo afunda na maneira en que poden ser útiles exercicios baseados na tradución construídos ao redor de pares de linguas que non marcan o xénero gramaticalmente con outras que si o marcan de maneira obrigatoria para así tornar visíbeis calquera preconceptos até inclusive inconscientes por parte das/os propias/os tradutora/es. A un nivel xa máis amplo, o artigo tenta desvelar as potenciais implicacións que leva parello a tradución como un medio que serve para censurar non só sexualidades socialmente marxinalizadas senón tamén para proxectar determinadas visións ideoloxizadas do que se entende como normal ou non, o que leva á necesidade de as tradutoras e os tradutores se tornaren máis conscientes e responsábeis a respecto das súas propias expectativas social e culturalmente condicionadas.
Prós e Contras: o debate político televisivo como sub-género/sub-tipo de interacção verbal
Authors: Braga Daniela
Published: March 2021

Neste artigo, temos como objectivo caracterizar a especificidade do debate político televisivo enquanto sub-género/sub-tipo de interacção verbal, numa perspectiva interaccionista, a partir da descrição do funcionamento do seu quadro comunicativo. Pretendemos também sublinhar que a sua natureza política conduz ao discurso polémico, espaço de argumentação e dialogismo.
Do cancioneiro anónimo á lírica culta. Consideracións lingüísticas sobre as cántigas recollidas por Marcial Valladares no Diccionario gallego-castellano (1884)
Authors: Eirín García Leticia
Published: March 2021

Un dos obxectivos deste artigo será a análise do papel desenvolvido pola lírica popular no nacemento da literatura culta en lingua galega ao longo dos tempos, xa que se atopa nas orixes da lírica medieval galego-portuguesa e na renacenza das nosas letras séculos despois, no período do Rexurdimento. Mais o presente traballo tamén incluirá un achegamento á lingua das cántigas tradicionais recollidas por Marcial Valladares e incluídas no seu Diccionario gallego-castellano (1884), dada a relevancia destas pezas como testemuño fundamental da fala popular e medio de expresión do pobo galego.
Uma aproximação à "língua" das cantigas galego-portuguesas
Authors: Lagares Xoán Carlos
Published: March 2021

A análise da variação e da mudança linguística permite estudar os textos do período arcaico considerando as complexas relações que existem entre escrita e oralidade, as formas de transmissão dos diferentes gêneros textuais e as tradições discursivas em que se encaixam. A língua das cantigas, nesse sentido, apresenta características relacionadas com a tradição de cada gênero lírico, constituindo um primeiro modelo de "língua elaborada" dentro do sistema galego-português.
Documentação foraleira dionisina de alguns concelhos do Alto Trás-os-Montes
Authors: Pereira Costa Ana Lúcia , Rodrigues Santana Maria Olinda
Published: March 2021

O presente artigo pretende dar conta dos resultados alcançados pelo projecto de investigação levado a cabo no âmbito de um curso de mestrado em Cultura Portuguesa, realizado no Departamento de Letras da Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. Desse projecto resultou uma dissertação de mestrado intitulada Documentação Foraleira Dionisina dos Concelhos de Alfândega da Fé, Carrazeda de Ansiães, Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Mirandela, Torre de Moncorvo e Vinhais. Contextualização histórico- geográfica e edição (Costa 2003).
Algunhas consideracións sobre os dativos non argumentais
Authors: Pita Rubido María Luísa
Published: March 2021

Existe un grande caos para definir, delimitar e clasificar os que demos en chamar dativos non argumentais, aqueles elementos oracionais que non pertencen ao esquema actancial do verbo porque non veñen exixidos obrigatoriamente por este, mais que desempeñan sen ningunha dúbida unha función importante na configuración do enunciado. A súa similitude formal co tradicionalmente chamado complemento ou obxecto indirecto levou a confusións e interpretacións imprecisas, normalmente asentadas en criterios de carácter semántico, dando lugar a tipoloxías condicionadas polo contexto referencial máis que polos trazos formais que estes dativos posúen. A nosa intención neste breve artigo é a de dar conta de certos aspectos que nos parecen importantes para abordar unha caracterización e unha clasificación dos dativos non argumentais que se pretenda lingüisticamente obxectiva.
Recensión: Xosé Ramón Freixeiro Mato / Xosé Manuel Sánchez Rei / Goretti Sanmartín Rei: A lingua literaria galega no século XIX
Authors: Eirín García Leticia
Published: March 2021

Recensión: Xosé Ramón Freixeiro Mato / Xosé Manuel Sánchez Rei / Goretti Sanmartín Rei, A lingua literaria galega no século XIX, A Coruña, Universidade da Coruña, 2005, 789 páxinas.
Recensión: Xosé Manuel Sánchez Rei: A lingua galega no cancioneiro de Pérez Ballesteros
Authors: Freixeiro Mato Xosé Ramón
Published: March 2021

Recensión: Xosé Manuel Sánchez Rei: A lingua galega no cancioneiro de Pérez Ballesteros, Laiovento, 2006.