bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dry Matter Remobilization and Compensatory Effects in Various Internodes of Spring Wheat under Water Stress
Authors: Ma Jian , Huang Gao‐Bao , Yang De‐Long , Chai Qiang 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTDry matter reserved in vegetative tissues can be remobilized and contribute to crop yields. This study determined the magnitude of dry matter (DM) remobilization from various internodes in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under different water stresses. We hypothesized that the ability of DM remobilization differed between genotypes. The genotypes LC26 and LC27 were grown in a rain shelter facility under nonstress, moderate stress, and severe water stress during grain filling. Compared with the nonstress check, LC27 remobilized 22 mg plant−1 more preanthesis DM in its upper internodes under moderate stress and 32 mg plant−1 more under severe stress. Remobilization efficiency (percent maximum DM remobilized) increased by 110% in the stem, 137% in the lower internodes, and 33% in the upper internodes, under severe stress. Wheat grain yield was reduced by 21% under moderate stress and by 43% under severe stress compared with the nonstress check, but lost yields were partly compensated by DM remobilization. Remobilized DM from the stem of LC26 contributed 18% to the grain yield under nonstress, 27% under moderate stress, and 39% under severe stress. Dry matter reserved in the stem of LC27 contributed 13% to the grain yield under nonstress, 18% under moderate stress, and 37% under severe stress. The compensation from DM remobilization did not offset the lost yield, and thus, improved practices are required to manage soil water and to minimize yield losses caused by drought stress.
Relating Turfgrass Growth and Quality to Frequently Measured Soil Nitrate
Authors: Geng Xingyuan , Guillard Karl , Morris Thomas F. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTCurrently, there is no soil‐based N test used to guide N fertilizer recommendations for turfgrass. This study was conducted across 3 yr in Connecticut to determine if frequent measurement of soil nitrate–N (NO3–N) could be used to estimate color, density, clippings yield, clippings total N concentration, and clippings N uptake in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensisL.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceaSchreb.) lawns. Randomized complete block field experiments were set out on the two species with nine N rates. Soil cores and clippings were collected at 2‐wk intervals from May through October and analyzed for concentrations of NO3–N and total N, respectively. Turfgrass color was measured with chlorophyll and normalized difference vegetative index meters, and shoot count density was measured after the last sampling. Significant (p< 0.001) Cate‐Nelson, linear‐plateau, and quadratic‐plateau models were observed for all relative measures of turfgrass growth and quality as a function of soil NO3–N concentrations. The critical soil NO3–N concentrations for the three models that indicated the beginning of a plateau response or marked the Cate‐Nelson change point between likely or unlikely response ranged from 3.7 and 18.0 mg kg−1for Kentucky bluegrass and from 2.5 and 10.1 mg kg−1for tall fescue. Probability plots indicated a high likelihood of acceptable turfgrass responses at the lower range of the critical concentrations suggested by the Cate‐Nelson model. These results suggest that frequent measurement of soil NO3–N may help to guide N fertilization of Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue when managed as lawns.
Optimal Design of Preliminary Yield Trials with Genome‐Wide Markers
Authors: Endelman Jeffrey B. , Atlin Gary N. , Beyene Yoseph , Semagn Kassa , Zhang Xuecai , Sorrells Mark E. , Jannink Jean‐Luc 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTPrevious research on genomic selection (GS) has focused on predicting unphenotyped lines. Genomic selection can also improve the accuracy of phenotyped lines at low heritability, e.g., in a preliminary yield trial (PYT). Our first objective was to estimate this effect within a biparental family, using multilocation yield data for barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and maize (Zea mays L.). We found that accuracy increased with training population size and was higher with an unbalanced design spread across multiple locations than when testing all entries in one location. The latter phenomenon illustrates that when seed is limited, genome‐wide markers enable broader sampling from the target population of environments. Our second objective was to explore the optimum allocation of resources at a fixed budget. When PYT selections are advanced for further testing, we propose a new metric for optimizing genetic gain: Rmax, the expected maximum genotypic value of the selections. For budgets up to 250 yield plot equivalents per family, the optimal design did not involve genotyping more progeny than were phenotyped, even when the cost of creating and genotyping each line was only 0.25 the cost of one yield plot unit (YPU). At a genotyping cost of 0.25 YPU, GS offered up to a 5% increase in genetic gain compared with phenotypic selection. To increase genetic gains further, the training population must be expanded beyond the full‐sib family under selection, using close relatives of the parents as a source of prediction accuracy.
Grain Weight Response to Different Postflowering Source:Sink Ratios in Modern High‐Yielding Argentinean Wheats Differing in Spike Fruiting Efficiency
Authors: González Fernanda G. , Aldabe María L. , Terrile Ignacio I. , Rondanini Deborah P. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTImproving wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield potential via higher grain number per unit area (GN) may reduce average grain weight and consequently the yield increment would be low. Thirty‐nine high‐yielding modern cultivars differing in spike fruiting efficiency (FE) (number of grains per gram of no‐grain spike) were grown under potential conditions during two temperature‐contrasting years to study the level of source limitation during grain filling and rank the main physiological determinants of potential grain weight (PGW) and actual grain weight. The response of grain weight to a 100% higher source ranged from 0 to 25%, depending on cultivar and year. No general relationship was observed between PGW and FE. The stabilized grain water content, which was partially correlated with the endosperm cell number per grain (r2 = 48%, p < 0.05), was the main variable associated to grain weight variation (r2 = 77%, p < 0.00001) in both temperate and warm years. Genetic improvement focused on increasing the sink strength through higher GN is still an alternative to increase yield potential in modern cultivars as no source limitation during grain filling was observed. The improvement of FE could be used to increase GN and yield as no general negative relationship was observed between PGW and FE.
Measuring Genotypic Variation in Wheat Seed Iron First Requires Stringent Protocols to Minimize Soil Iron Contamination
Authors: Yasmin Zarina , Paltridge Nicholas , Graham Robin , Huynh Bao‐Lam , Stangoulis James 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTMeasuring genotypic variation in Fe is an important task for plant breeders trying to biofortify wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), but levels of Fe are often enhanced in wheat seed due to soil derived contamination. Seed Al levels can be used to identify genotypes that are contaminated with Fe. The sources of contamination were identified and removed by milling the wheat grains in a modified Kett mill for 5 s before analysis. Thirty contaminated lines from Australia and 240 contaminated lines from Pakistan were cleaned for the validation of the 5 s milling method. Before cleaning, average Al concentrations were 10 mg kg−1. After cleaning, 183 out of the 240, or 76%, had Al less than 5.0 mg kg−1, and average Al levels were 4.2 mg kg−1. Therefore, the cleaning procedure was highly successful in reducing Al levels in contaminated samples. The ratio between Al removed and Fe removed was fairly consistent and followed a 1:1 relationship across two environments. Twenty genotypes of a wheat population were evaluated for their Fe concentration before and after cleaning and ranking changed significantly and cleaning also improved the precision of quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis, with QTL QGFe.ta‐3B having a logarithm of the odds score of 1.1 before cleaning, which rose to 3.4 after cleaning. The method provides a valuable cleaning procedure for plant breeders wanting to analyze wheat seed and also provides evidence for reducing the influence of soil Fe contamination on seed by simply adjusting the Fe concentrations based on the level of Al in the grain.
Variability for Seed Phytosterols in Sunflower Germplasm
Authors: Fernández‐Cuesta A. , Jan C. C. , Fernández‐Martínez J. M. , Velasco L. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTSunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds and oils are rich sources of phytosterols, which are important compounds for human nutrition. There is limited information on variability for seed phytosterols in sunflower germplasm. The objective of this research was to evaluate kernel phytosterol content and profile in sunflower germplasm and to confirm phytosterol traits under several environments. Kernel phytosterol content in a collection of 985 accessions ranged from 1319 to 5119 mg kg‐1. Large variation was also observed for the concentrations of campesterol (32 to 197 g kg‐1 phytosterols), stigmasterol (41 to 128 g kg‐1), β‐sitosterol (448 to 755 g kg‐1), and Δ7–stigmastenol (8 to 274 g kg‐1). Seventy‐two accessions selected for high phytosterol content and/or different profiles were evaluated for 2 yr under sib‐pollination. From these, 20 accessions were selected based on phytosterol traits and further evaluated in two replicated field trials. Lines HA 89 and IASP‐18, with conventional and high phytosterol content, respectively, were used as controls. Phytosterol traits such as high phytosterol content (up to 3682 mg kg‐1 compared to 2686 mg kg‐1 in HA 89 and 4957 mg kg‐1 in IASP‐18) as well as high concentrations of campesterol (180 g kg‐1 compared to a maximum of 66 g kg‐1 in control line IASP‐18), stigmasterol (161 g kg‐1 compared to 64 g kg‐1 in HA 89), and Δ7–stigmastenol (300 g kg‐1 compared to 163 g kg‐1 in HA 89) were confirmed. Selected accessions will be of great value for future basic and applied research on phytosterols in sunflower.
Genomewide Selection when Major Genes Are Known
Authors: Bernardo Rex 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTCurrent methods for genomewide selection do not distinguish between known major genes and random genomewide markers. My objectives were to determine if explicitly modeling the effects of known major genes affects the response to genomewide selection, and to identify situations in which considering major genes as having fixed effects is helpful. Simulation experiments showed that having a fixed effect for a major gene became more advantageous as the percentage of genetic variance (VG) explained by a major gene (R2) increased and as the heritability on an entry‐mean basis (h2) increased. With R2 = 50% and h2 = 0.80, the relative efficiency (based on selection gains in Cycle 4) with a major gene having a fixed versus random effect was 112–121%. Specifying a fixed effect for a single major gene was never disadvantageous except with R2 < 10%. With h2 ≥ 0.50, specifying a fixed versus random effect for a single major gene had little effect on prediction accuracy in Cycle 0. However, prediction accuracy in later cycles declined more rapidly when a major gene had a random effect instead of a fixed effect. The results with L = 2 or 3 major genes were similar to those with one major gene. In contrast, the usefulness of gene information was low with L = 10 major genes. Overall, major genes should be fitted as having fixed effects in genomewide selection when only a few major genes are present and each major gene accounts for ≥10% of VG.
Genetic Gain × Management Interactions in Soybean: II. Nitrogen Utilization
Authors: Wilson Eric W. , Rowntree Scott C. , Suhre Justin J. , Weidenbenner Nicholas H. , Conley Shawn P. , Davis Vince M. , Diers Brian W. , Esker Paul D. , Naeve Seth L. , Specht James E. , Casteel Shaun N. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTSoybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] grain yield has annually increased nearly 23 kg ha−1, but the interaction of genetic advancement and improved agronomic practices has not been well quantified, including N utilization and fertilization. A field study with soybean cultivars released from 1923 to 2008 in maturity group (MG) II and MG III was conducted in multiple environments with a nonlimiting supply of fertilizer N to examine the main effects and interactions of N supply and release year on grain yield and seed quality. We hypothesized that grain yield and seed quality would be improved with the nonlimiting supply of N, especially for the modern cultivars. Supplemental N totaled 560 kg N ha−1 with 40% applied at planting and 60% applied at V5. Grain yield increased with release year in MG II (17.2 kg ha−1 yr−1). Application of N to MG II cultivars increased seed protein by 10 to 19.5 g kg−1 across all release years, but grain yield and seed oil was not affected. Grain yield gains of MG III cultivars fertilized with N was 27.4 kg ha−1 yr−1, which was 20% better than unfertilized (22.8 kg ha−1 yr−1). Application of N to MG III cultivars increased seed mass (11%) across release years with no changes in seed protein and oil. The nonlimiting supply of N increased seed protein across all release years in MG II cultivars, and the N supply from the soil and biological N fixation was insufficient to maximize grain yield in modern, MG III cultivars in the tested environments.
Reciprocal Diallel Crosses Impact Combining Ability, Variance Estimation, and Heterotic Group Classification
Authors: Fan X.M. , Zhang Y.D. , Yao W.H , Bi Y.Q. , Liu L. , Chen H.M. , Kang M.S. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTQuestions such as the following often arise: “Should reciprocal crosses be included in a diallel?” and “Would their inclusion in a diallel impact grain yield (GY), estimates of general (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects, and heterotic group classification in maize (Zea mays L.)?” We evaluated a 12‐parent maize diallel cross (Griffing's Method 3 and Method 4) in three environments to determine (i) if reciprocal crosses impact GY of crosses and GCA and SCA effects, (ii) if reciprocal crosses influence the GCA and SCA and residual variance estimates in a diallel analysis, and (iii) if reciprocal crosses impact maize heterotic group classification. The results showed that inclusion of reciprocal crosses in a diallel greatly impacted GY and estimates of GCA and SCA effects. Under the assumption of a random‐effects model, the inclusion of reciprocal crosses caused the residual and GCA variances to decrease and the SCA variances to increase as the number of parental lines increased in a diallel cross. Because inclusion of reciprocal crosses impacted GY and SCA estimates, reciprocal crosses would have great impact on maize heterotic group classification. The maize heterotic groups might be classified differently with and without the inclusion of reciprocal crosses. Based on our dataset from southwest China, three heterotic groups seemed to be an ideal number for improving maize‐breeding efficiency.
Turfgrass Growth and Color Correlated to Spring Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test and Soil Permanganate‐Oxidizable Carbon Concentrations
Authors: Geng Xingyuan , Guillard Karl , Morris Thomas F. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTThe Illinois soil nitrogen test (ISNT) and soil permanganate‐oxidizable C (POXC) concentrations have been used to estimate mineralization potential of agricultural soils, assess soil quality, distinguish differences between crop management treatments, and predict crop response to N fertilization. However, it is not known if these measures are correlated to growth and color quality responses of cool‐season turfgrasses. This study was conducted across 5 yr (2008–2012) in Connecticut to determine if a single spring measurement of Illinois soil nitrogen test‐N (ISNT‐N) and POXC concentrations could be used to estimate color and growth responses of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) lawns. Randomized complete block field experiments were set out on the two species with varying rates of an organic fertilizer. Soil samples were collected in early May of each year and analyzed for concentrations of ISNT‐N and POXC. Turfgrass color, clippings yield, clippings total N concentration, and clippings total N uptake were measured from May through October. Turfgrass responses showed consistent positive linear responses (p < 0.05) as a function of ISNT‐N and POXC. Across species and years, ISNT‐N and POXC were generally greater under tall fescue than under Kentucky bluegrass. A single spring measurement of soil ISNT‐N and POXC shows promise in categorizing Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescues lawns as to their likelihood of N fertilization response. The data suggest a low probability of meaningful Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescues lawn responses to N fertilization when spring ISNT‐N and POXC concentrations exceed 250 mg kg−1 and 1300 mg kg−1, respectively.
Critical Nitrogen Concentration Declines with Soil Water Availability in Tall Fescue
Authors: Errecart Pedro M. , Agnusdei Mónica G. , Lattanzi Fernando A. , Marino María A. , Berone Germán D. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTThe diagnosis of the N status of crops is based on the concept of critical N concentration (Ncr), which is the minimum N concentration in shoot biomass (SB) required for maximizing growth. A reference curve of Ncr decrease (Ref‐Ncr) with SB increase proposed for C3 species (Ref‐Ncr=48 SB‐0.32) was validated for several crops growing without water deficiency in different sites and seasons; however, the validity of Ref‐Ncr is uncertain when water is limiting. The objective was to assess whether water stress affects Ncr. Five regrowths of a temperate‐type tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] were followed during autumn, spring, and summer in Balcarce, Argentina. Several N rates were applied and SB accumulation and N concentration were measured in each of four to six sequential SB harvests performed at every regrowth. SB, Ncr, available soil water, reference evapotranspiration (ET0), and real evapotranspiration (RET) were estimated. Ncr agreed well with Ref‐Ncr when soil water was nonlimiting, but it was consistently lower than Ref‐Ncr whenever crop RET was reduced (RET/ET0<1). Indeed, crop average Ncr during an entire regrowth scaled linearly with the average level of water stress in the period: (Ncr/Ref‐Ncr)avg = 0.83 (RET/ET0)avg + 0.22 (R2 = 0.90, p < 0.0001). Hence, while Ref‐Ncr remains appropriate for assessing crop N status under adequate water availability conditions, the N nutrition management of water stressed crops should be guided by their actualNcr.
Incidence and Pattern of Thyroid Dysfunction in Patients on Chronic Amiodarone Therapy: Experience at a Tertiary Care Centre in Oman
Authors: Farhan H. , Albulushi A. , Taqi A. , Al-Hashim A. , Al-Saidi K. , Al-Rasadi K. , Al-Mazroui A. , Al-Zakwani I. 
Published: December 2013

Objective:To determine the incidence and pattern of thyroid dysfunction (TD) in patients on chronic amiodarone therapy.Methods:A retrospective study which evaluated 59 patients who had received amiodarone therapy regularly for at least 12 months from a period of 3 years from October 2007 to October 2010. The patients were followed-up at the cardiac clinic at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.Results:The mean age of the cohort was 63 ± 13 years ranging from 27 to 98 years. Fifty-one percent (n = 30) of the patients were female. There were 11 (19%) cases of thyroid dysfunction (TD). Seven (12%) patients were hypothyroid, 3 (5%) had hyperthyroidism and 1 (2%) patient had sub-clinical hypothyroidism; no cases of sub-clinical hyperthyroidism were noted. Female gender and presence of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies were significantly associated with amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism (p = 0.001) while age, amiodarone dose and duration of therapy were not correlated with the development of TD (all p-values > 0.05).Conclusion:Amiodarone-induced thyroid dysfunction is prevalent. Hypothyroidism was more frequent and seen more in female patients and those who had positive anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Initial screening and periodic monitoring of thyroid function is mandatory for all patients on amiodarone therapy.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for cerebellopontine angle meningiomas
Authors: Park Seong-Hyun , Kano Hideyuki , Niranjan Ajay , Flickinger John C. , Lunsford L. Dade 
Published: December 2013

Object
To assess the long-term outcomes of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for cerebellopontine angle (CPA) meningiomas, the authors retrospectively reviewed data from a 20-year experience. They evaluated progression-free survival as well as improvement, stabilization, or deterioration in clinical symptoms.

Methods
Seventy-four patients with CPA meningiomas underwent SRS involving various Gamma Knife technologies between 1990 and 2010. The most common presenting symptoms were dizziness or disequilibrium, hearing loss, facial sensory dysfunction, and headache. The median tumor volume was 3.0 cm3 (range 0.3–17.1 cm3), and the median radiation dose to the tumor margin was 13 Gy (range 11–16 Gy). The median follow-up period was 40 months (range 4–147 months).

Results
At last imaging follow-up, the tumor volume had decreased in 46 patients (62%), remained stable in 26 patients (35%), and increased in 2 patients (3%). The progression-free survival after SRS was 98% at 1 year, 98% at 3 years, and 95% at 5 years. At the last clinical follow-up, 23 patients (31%) showed neurological improvement, 43 patients (58%) showed no change in symptoms or signs, and 8 patients (11%) had worsening symptoms or signs. The neurological improvement rate after SRS was 16% at 1 year, 31% at 3 years, and 40% at 5 years. The post-SRS deterioration rate was 5% at 1 year, 10% at 3 years, and 16% at 5 years. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that trigeminal neuralgia was the symptom most likely to worsen after SRS (HR 0.08, 95% CI 0.02–0.31; p = 0.001). Asymptomatic peritumoral edema occurred in 4 patients (5%) after SRS, and symptomatic adverse radiation effects developed in 7 patients (9%).

Conclusions
Stereotactic radiosurgery for CPA meningiomas provided a high tumor control rate and relatively low risk of ARE. Tumor compression of the trigeminal nerve by a CPA meningioma resulted in an increased rate of facial pain worsening in this patient experience.