Identification of Monoallelically Expressed Genes Associated with Economic Traits in Hanwoo (Korean Native Cattle)

Hanwoo, an indigenous Korean cattle breed, has been genetically improved by selecting superior sires called Korean-proven bulls. However, cows still contribute half of the genetic stock of their offspring, and allelic-specific expressed genes have potential, as selective targets of cows, to enhance genetic gain. The aim of this study is to identify genes that have MAEs based on both the genome and transcriptome and to estimate their effects on breeding values (BVs) for economically important traits in Hanwoo. We generated resequencing data for the parents and RNA-sequencing data for the muscle, fat, and brain tissues of the offspring. A total of 3801 heterozygous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in offspring were identified and they were located in 1569 genes. Only 14 genes showed MAE (seven expressing maternal alleles and seven expressing paternal alleles). Tissue-specific MAE was observed, and LANCL1 showed maternal allele expression across all tissues. MAE genes were enriched for the biological process of cell death and angiogenesis, which included ACKR3 and PDCL3 genes, whose SNPs were significantly associated with BVs of lean meat production-related traits, such as weight at 12 months of age, carcass weight, and loin eye area. In the current study, monoallelically expressed genes were identified in various adult tissues and these genes were associated with genetic capacity in Hanwoo.

Assessment of carotenoid degradation of grits from orange corn packaged in high barrier thermosealed pouches

Genetically improved maize varieties with high carotenoid levels and dark orange color have been developed to increase dietary consumption of macular carotenoids. However, postharvest and food processing conditions can cause isomerization and oxidation of carotenoids, reducing their potential impact on consumers' health. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of high barrier pouches in reducing carotenoid losses during the storage of dry-milled corn products. Orange corn grits were packaged in paper pouch bags, and three types of low-oxygen and low-moisture permeable (LOMP) pouches. Grits were packaged in each type of LOMP pouch with (LOMP-oxy) and without (LOMP-noxy) an oxygen scavenger. For six months, all pouches were stored at semi-controlled environmental conditions (22.5 ± 1.3°C, 32 ± 18% RH). After the storage period, orange corn grits stored in paper pouch bags lost 55% of total xanthophylls, whereas grits packaged in LOMP pouches only lost 8% of total xanthophylls. Orange Corn grits packaged in LOMP-oxy pouches had slightly higher carotenoid content than in LOMP-noxy pouches. Relative humidity fluctuation in the storeroom could have caused fluctuation in moisture content in the orange corn grits packaged in paper pouches, which may affect the rate of carotenoid degradation in the orange corn grits. Therefore, an effective control of the moisture content of the packaged dry-milled product and effective control of the temperature of pouches during storage conditions is essential to maximize carotenoid retention during the storage of dry-milled high carotenoid orange corn grits.

Technical note: Growth performance evaluation of fingerlings from different lineages of Oreochromis niloticus farmed at sub-optimal temperature in earthen ponds / Nota técnica: Avaliação do desempenho de crescimento de alevinos de diferentes linhagens de Oreochromis niloticus cultivados em temperatura sub-ótima em viveiros escavados

O estudo avaliou o desempenho produtivo de duas linhagens de Oreochromis niloticus, GIFT (Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia) e Chitralada (Thai), cultivadas em viveiros escavados com temperaturas sub-ótimas. Os viveiros foram povoados com densidade de dois peixes m-3 e três repetições para cada grupo. Inicialmente, os peixes foram alimentados com ração comercial (40% de proteína bruta). Após 30 dias, uma ração comercial com teor de 32% de proteína bruta foi utilizada até o final do estudo. Após 127 dias de cultivo, não foi observada diferença significativa nos índices produtivos entre as linhagens.

Cytogenetic and cytological analysis of advanced genetic material of cape gooseberry Physalis peruviana for use in plant breeding

The cape gooseberry, Physalis peruviana L., is a crop that is transitioning from a semi-wild rural food source to becoming an international export commodity fruit deserving of greater attention from the scientific community, producers, policy makers and opinion makers. Despite its importance, the crop has serious technological development challenges, mainly associated with the limited supply of genetically improved materials for producers and consumers. In the present study, the level of ploidy of 100 genotypes of gooseberry from a working collection was determined by counting the number of chromosomes and chloroplasts, to include them in the breeding program. The number of chromosomes in dividing cells of root-tip meristems, as well as the number of chloroplasts per guard cell, from plants grown in vitro and ex vitro conditions were determined. Haploid with 24 chromosomes, doubled haploid-tetraploid with 48 chromosomes, aneuploid (44 and 49 chromosomes) and mixoploid genotypes with 36 to 86 chromosomes were found. The number of chloroplasts / cell guard ranged from 4-8, 6-16, 7-16 and 9-21 for the haploid, aneuploid, doubled haploid-tetraploid and mixoploid genotypes, respectively. Evidence of a high cytogenetic diversity in the evaluated genotypes.

The use of improved cajuput seeds to encourage self-sufficiency in cajuput oil in Indonesia

Melaleuca cajuput sub sp cajuput is an indigenous species in Indonesia which primarily used for the cajuput oil industry. The demand for cajuput oil is reported at around 3,500 tons/year, while the national capacity production is only around 600 tons years−1 due to lack of grower interest in planting and low productivity of the existing plantations. Following the success of the genetic improvement of cajuput in which oil yield and cineole content are improved, carried out by CFBTI, a program to increase oil production through developing plantations using genetically improved seeds was developed in six provinces. Five small-growers and one company were involved in the program covering 35 ha and 2000 ha of a plantation, respectively. This paper aims to report the progress of the program by focusing on the impact of the improved seed and people’s participation in developing cajuput plantations. The paper also discusses the projected impact for further development of the plantations, including government policy to support increased national production of cajuput oil as well as ensuring the market. The results showed that oil productivity varied among small-grower sites ranging from 93.75 to 171.6 kg ha−1 year−1, while for the company it could be increased to reach oil productivity of 175.5 kg ha−1 year−1 through innovative technology either in the plantation or in the distillation process. As compared to the previous system using ordinary un-improved seed, the oil productivity in the program increased around 62 – 116 %. The program also revealed that the cajuput industry could be managed effectively and efficiently while maintaining the sustainability and continuity of high oil production so that Indonesia will become self-sufficient in cajuput oil.