Variation of qualitative and quantitative traits in day old chick crossbred of Bangkok and Lohman laying hens

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the body weight based on feather color and shank color in one-day-old (DOC) crossbred of Bangkok and Lohmann laying hens. The research material used was 373 Crossbred Day-Old Chick (DOC). The variables measured were body weight as quantitative traits, therefore feather and shank color as qualitative traits. The results showed that the feather color of Crossbred chicken varied, namely brown, grey, white, yellow, and black, with a percentage of 17.69%, 1.87%, 6.87%, 42.62%, and 30.83%, respectively. The shank colors were yellow and black, with a rate of 67.56% and 32.42%, respectively. The mean body weight for brown, grey, white, yellow, and black feather color was 40.12 ± 4.38 g; 42.43 ± 2.76 g; 40.65 ± 3.03 g; 39.82 ± 3.38 g; and 39.61 ± 3.67 g, respectively. The analysis showed that body weight was not different between feather colors. The highest percentage of color for feather and shank was yellow. The quantitative traits measured in crossbred DOC of Bangkok and Lohmann were above the DOC national standard. The results showed that the dominant qualitative trait in Crossbred chicken for feather color was yellow at 42.62%, shank color was yellow at 67.56%.

Evaluation of barley genotypes for the content of β-glucans in grain and other valuable features in Eastern Siberia

Background.The aim of the research was to identify barley germplasm accessions with the minimum and maximum content of β-glucans in their grain in combinations with other improved useful traits.Material and methods.The material for analysis were 18 hulled and 8 naked barley accessions of various ecogeographic origin from the collection of the N.I. Vavilov AllRussian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR), which were grown under the conditions of Eastern Siberia in 2016–2018.Results.Hulled accessions yielded grains with β-glucan content from 3.18 to 4.51%; naked ones, from 3.18 to 5.21%. According to the minimum value of the studied qualitative trait (3.18–3.43%), cultivars of Siberian breeding were identified: ‘Mayak’ (k-29622, Krasnoyarsk Territory) and ‘Tarsky 3’ (k-30719, Omsk Province), plus cv. ‘AC Albright’ (k-30599, Canada); according to the maximum value (5.06–5.21%), the naked accessions Nudum 155 (k-13328, Ukraine) and ‘Nudum 95’ (k-31125, Chelyabinsk Province). The highest protein content in grain (16.63–18.36%) was found in the accessions Nudum 155, Nudum 7566 (k-29453, Kyrgyzstan) and ‘Nudum 95’. The accessions Nudum 155 and ‘Nudum 95’ were characterized by combined high contents of β-glucans and protein in their grain. Early maturity and increased productivity were shown by the cultivars ‘Tarsky 3’, ‘Kolchan’ (k-31039, Altai Territory), ‘Zolotnik’ (k-30845, Altai Territory), ‘Abalak’ (Krasnoyarsk Territory, Tyumen Province), and ‘AC Albright’ (Canada). A significant positive relationship was found between the content of β-glucans and the weight of 1000 grains in both forms of barley.Conclusion.According to β-glucan content combined with other valuable characteristics in grain, the accessions ‘Mayak’, ‘Tarsky 3’ and ‘AC Albright’ are of interest for the improvement of fodder cultivars, while ‘Nudum 95’ and Nudum 155 are promising for breeding for food.

Effects of biological fertilizers and sulfur on the quantitative and qualitative traits of cultivated shallot (Allium altissimum Regal) and comparison of these traits with those ones in the natural habitat

The present study was conducted aiming at the protection of the shallot (Allium altissimum Regal) in natural habitat, which is endangered due to excessive harvesting. In order to increase the sustainability of this product, its wild ecotypes were planted in agricultural land and the effect of bio-fertilizers (nitroxin and phosphate) and sulfur on quantitative (yield and yield components) and qualitative (the active ingredient, allicin, crude protein, and the amount of phosphorus and potassium) traits were investigated. The results showed that the amount of allicin, crude protein, phosphorus, potassium, and yield in the planted ecotypes were significantly higher than the wild type in the studied natural habitat. The results of this study indicated a significant difference respecting quantitative and qualitative trait of cultivated shallot with proper nutritional management compared to wild shallot. Therefore, the expansion and development of this method can lead to the sustainability of the production of shallot and will conserve diversity of its populations in natural habitat.

Genetic diversity and population structure of breeds of Askanian sheep by analysing polymorphisms in qualitative trait loci

Aim. To determine the level of polymorphism of some genes, pertaining to the quantitative traits of sheep and to study the genetic diversity and population structure of breeds of Askanian sheep and one of its hybrids. Methods. Molecular–genetic, population–statistical, biometric methods. Results. The genetic structure of populations of the Askanian Fine-Fleeced (AFF, n = 33), Askanian Meat-and-Wool (AMW, n = 22) and Askanian Karakul (AK, n = 46) breeds and a hybrid of Askanian Fine-Fleeced × Texel (AFFT, n = 40) has been studied for the fi rst time in terms of the polymorphisms of the following qualitative trait genes (loci) : meat productivity genes: ovine growth hormone (GH), calpastatin (CAST) and myostatin (MSTN); prolifi cacy genes: Booroola (fecundity gene FecB) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP15). The sheep in all studied breeds and the hybrid mentioned above are characterized by the polymorphism of two loci, GH and CAST. The other three loci studied did not show polymorphism for the markers studied. GH is present as two genotypes (A/A, A/B), and CAST as three genotypes (A/A, A/B, B/B). The remaining genes were found to be in the monomorphic state. The frequencies of certain genotypes and alleles change in the direction from fi ne–fl eeced to meat animals. For instance, the concentration of heterozygous growth hormone (GH) genotype A/B increases from 0.0 % (AFFB) to 38.2 % (AMWB), and the concentration of allele A – from 0.083 to 0.191. The live bodyweight of fi ne–fl eeced lambs with GH genotype A/B at birth equaled 4.5 kg, and those with homozygous genotype A/A – 4.9 kg (P < 0.001). Therefore, homozygous genotype А/А determined the increased level of meat productivity of sheep. A similar dependence was established at birth for the Askanian Karakul breed. Conclusions. The specifi city of genetic structure of Askanian breeds and hybrid is polymorphism of the GH and CAST and absence of polymorphism of BMP15 and FecB genes, determining the prolifi cacy (reproduction) trait. According to the distribution of polymorphic loci variants, the gene pools of Askanian Meat-and-Wool breed and the local Askanian-Texel hybrid are closely related and therefore explains the same direction of their productivity. At the same time, all populations are in a state of genetic equilibrium according to Hardy-Weinberg, which indicates a high level of their consolidation. Sheep which have the A/A homozygote of the gene growth hormone are characterized by an increased level of the body weight development.

CREBBP and WDR 24 Identified as Candidate Genes for Quantitative Variation in Red-Brown Plumage Colouration in the Chicken

Plumage colouration in birds is important for a plethora of reasons, ranging from camouflage, sexual signalling, and species recognition. The genes underlying colour variation have been vital in understanding how genes can affect a phenotype. Multiple genes have been identified that affect plumage variation, but research has principally focused on major-effect genes (such as those causing albinism, barring, and the like), rather than the smaller effect modifier loci that more subtly influence colour. By utilising a domestic × wild advanced intercross with a combination of classical QTL mapping of red colouration as a quantitative trait and a targeted genetical genomics approach, we have identified five separate candidate genes (CREBBP, WDR24, ARL8A, PHLDA3, LAD1) that putatively influence quantitative variation in red-brown colouration in chickens. By treating colour as a quantitative rather than qualitative trait, we have identified both QTL and genes of small effect. Such small effect loci are potentially far more prevalent in wild populations, and can therefore potentially be highly relevant to colour evolution.

Effect of some Agricultural Treatments on Chemical and Qualitative Characters of Five Cucumber hybrids Grown under Unheated Greenhouse

The experiment was implemented in greenhouse at College of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Mosul, During the spring growing season of 2014 to study the evaluation of genetic behavior of some traits in five cucumber hybrids (Raiane, Karol, Sayff, Karima and Baraka) under the effect of fertilization with two plant extracts treatments (control and fertilization with humic acid at concentrate 6 gm.-l) and harvesting fruits in two periods in each (two days or three days) on growth and yield of cucumber. The experiment results subjected to statistical analysis arranged in R.C.B.D. with three replications. The results can be summarized as follows, Leaves content of nutrient elements, The Baraka hybrid exhibited non-significant in N % of leaves superiority, and the hybrid Raiane in P% of leaves and the hybrid Karima in K% of leaves as compared with other hybrids. Plants fertilized with humic acid were surpassed significantly over the non-fertilized plants in N % of leaves only, The results revealed non-significance in nutrient elements percentages between the fertilized and non-fertilized plants. Treatments of triple interactions showed a significant increase in traits of N % and P % of leaves. Yield qualitative trait, The differences did not reached a significant effect between the fertilized and non-fertilized plants, The plants harvested in each of two and three days revealed non-significant differences in all traits except in trait GA3 of leaves, where the plants of two-days harvesting were superior significantly on the plants of three days harvesting.

Influence of weather factors on separate periods of fungus Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul development and level of ergot harmfulness in Kirov region

In 2001-2017 in the conditions of Kirov region 36 winter rye varieties were assessed according to the character of interrelation in a "Secale cereale - Claviceps purpurea" pathosystem. The article provides the results of this research. For assessment of the change in meteorological conditions and their influence on ergot development the average daily air temperature and amount of precipitations from May 1 to May 31 (the period of screrotia germination) and from June 5 to June 15 (the period of plants infection) were used. The study of varieties was carried out by artificial inoculation of flowers with pathogen suspension. The ergot recording was carried out at a phase of milk-wax ripeness of grain according to infection of biocenoses (quantitative trait) and on contamination of grain mass with sclerotia (qualitative trait). At an artificial inoculation all rye varieties under study were infected by ergot in limits from 8.3 up to 100% that demonstrated their strong susceptibility to disease. Only 6 varieties (Falenskaya 4, Kirovskaya 89, Rada, Flora, Dymka, and Volkhova) were infected at the level of 8.3-27.3%, contamination of grain mass by sclerotia – 0.4-1.9%. The standard variety Falenskaya 4 had a high productivity and efficiency of plants (660 g/m2 and 11.0 g), which was characterized by a high degree of re-growth after infestation with a snow mold (100%), the smallest distribution of an ergot in sowing and contamination of grain mass with sclerotia. During the correlation analysis a close relation between the infestation of plants with an ergot and contamination of grain mass with sclerotia (r = 0.76) was established. The same immunological traits significantly influenced on the productivity (r = -0.67 and -0.55) and insignificantly - on plants efficiency. The positive dependence between immunological traits and 1000-grain mass was revealed. Possibly, sterilization of an ear leads to formation of a larger grain in fertile flowers (r = 0.42 and 0.37). The regression equations between the amount of sclerotia in an ear, mass of grain per ear and a number of grains in it have proved with 95-97% probability that with 1 sclerotium increase in contamination per ear, the grain mass per ear decreases by 0.18 grams, and the amount of grains per ear – by 4.7 pieces.