Economic Losses Caused By Rodents in Some Cultivars of Rodents in Maize Fields

This study was conducted to estimate the quantitative damage caused by rodent infestation to some types of maize and its financial transfer. At Al-Dahsa village in Farshout district, Qena Governorate, Egypt, during study period 2018 / 2019. The results showed the (quantitative) loss in corn varieties over the years 2018 and 2019, the damages of rodents to the type of maize (Hay tak 2066) were about (3.91 and 3.00 Irdabb/ feddan) with a value of about (2737 and 2100 pounds), followed by the Balady type with about ( 3.90 and 2.34 Irdabb/ feddan) with a value of about (2730 and 1638 pounds), followed by the single hybrid genotype (Hay tak 2055) about (3.26 and 2.57 Irdabb/ feddan) with a value of about (2282 and 1799 pounds), while the moderate loss was recorded in crossbreeding Triple genetic (national 11) about (2.40 and 2.10 Irdabb/ feddan) with a value of about (1608 and 1407 pounds) , followed by the three-way genotype (Watania 310) with about (2.30 and 1.84 Irdabb/ feddan) with a value of about (1541 and) 1233 pounds, while the lowest value was recorded in the individual genotype (Watania 6) with about (1.30 and 1.04 Irdabb/ feddan) with a value of about (1.30 and 1.04 Irdabb/ feddan) About (871 and 697 pounds), followed by the individual hybrid genotype (Wataniya 4), about (1.50 and 1.20 Irdabb/ feddan) with a value of about (1005 and 804 pounds). The study showed significant differences between the types of maize.

Hybrid Genotype of Anisakis simplex (s.s.) and A. pegreffii Identified in Third- and Fourth-Stage Larvae from Sympatric and Allopatric Spanish Marine Waters

The sibling species Anisakis simplex (s.s.) and Anisakis pegreffii are parasites of marine mammals and fish worldwide and the main causative agents of human anisakiasis. In sympatric areas, a hybrid genotype between the two species has been identified, mainly in third-stage larvae, but rarely in fourth-stage and adult forms. The aim of this study was to confirm the presence of hybrid genotypes in larvae parasitizing fish caught in sympatric and allopatric Spanish marine waters, the North-East Atlantic and West Mediterranean, respectively, and to study possible differences in the growth behaviour between genotypes. Of the 254 molecularly analysed larvae, 18 were identified as hybrids by PCR-RFLP analysis of the rDNA ITS region, 11 of which were subsequently confirmed by EF1 α-1 nDNA gene sequencing. These results therefore indicate an overestimation of hybrid genotypes when identification is based only on the ITS region. We also report the detection of a hybrid specimen in a host from the West Mediterranean, considered an allopatric zone. Additionally, fourth-stage larvae with a hybrid genotype were obtained in vitro for the first time, and no differences were observed in their growth behaviour compared to larvae with A. simplex (s.s.) and A. pegreffii genotypes.

Economic losses caused by rodents in some types of maize fields at Farshout District, Qena Governorate, Egypt

This study was conducted to estimate the quantitative damage caused by rodent infestation to some types of maize and its financial transfer, at Al-Dahsa village in Farshout district, Qena Governorate, Egypt, during study period 2018/2019. The percentage of the quantitative and economic losses in maize varieties caused by rodents show that the highest value of loss was recorded in genotype single cross (HYTECH 2066) were about (3.91 and 3.00 Ardab/ feddan with a value of about (2737 and 2100 pounds), followed by the (Balady) type with about (3.90 and 2.34 Ardab/fed) with a value of about (2730 and 1638 pounds), followed by the single hybrid genotype (HYTECH 2055) about (3.26 and 2.57 Ardab/fed) with a value of about (2282 and 1799 pounds), while the moderate loss was recorded in crossbreeding Triple genetic (National seeds 11 "National seeds company") about (2.40 and 2.10 Ardab/fed) with a value of about (1608 and 1407 pounds), followed by the three-way genotype (National seeds 310) with about (2.30 and 1.84 Ardab/fed) with a value of about (1541 and 1233) pounds, while the lowest value was recorded in the individual genotype (National seeds 6) with about (1.30 and 1.04 Ardab/fed) with a value of about (871 and 697 pounds), followed by the individual hybrid genotype (National seeds 4), about (1.50 and 1.20 Ardab/fed) with a value of about (1005 and 804 pounds). The study indicates the interest in agricultural operations, taking preventive measures and implementing appropriate control programs for the maize varieties most infested with rodents. Keywords: Rodent Infestation; Financial Transfer; Type of Maize; Ardab; Feddan

Foliar application of seed water extract of Nigella sativa improved maize growth in cadmium-contaminated soil

Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread heavy metal, which commonly exert negative impacts on agricultural soils and living organisms. Foliar application of seed water extract of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) can mitigate the adverse impacts of Cd-toxicity in plants through its rich antioxidants. This study examined the role of seed water extracts of N. sativa (NSE) in mitigating the adverse impacts of Cd-toxicity on maize growth. Two maize genotypes (synthetic ‘Neelum’ and hybrid ‘P1543’) were grown under 0, 4, 8 and 12 mg Cd kg-1 soil. The NSE was applied at three different concentrations (i.e., 0, 10 and 20%) as foliar spray at 25 and 45 days after sowing. All Cd concentrations had no effect on germination percentage of both genotypes. Increasing Cd concentration linearly decreased root and allometric attributes, gas exchange traits and relative water contents of hybrid genotype. However, gas exchange traits of synthetic genotype remained unaffected by Cd-toxicity. Overall, hybrid genotype showed better tolerance to Cd-toxicity than synthetic genotype with better germination and allometric attributes and less Cd accumulation. Foliar application of NSE lowered negative effects of Cd-toxicity on all studied traits, except relative water contents. In conclusion, foliar application of NSE seemed a viable option to improve maize growth in Cd-contaminated soil.

The effect of hybridization on transposable element accumulation in an undomesticated fungal species

Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic elements that can profoundly impact the evolution of genomes and species. A long-standing hypothesis suggests that hybridization could deregulate TEs and trigger their accumulation, although it received mixed support from studies mostly in plants and animals. Here, we tested this hypothesis in fungi using incipient species of the undomesticated yeast Saccharomyces paradoxus. Population genomic data revealed no signature of higher transposition in natural hybrids. As we could not rule out the elimination of past transposition increase signatures by natural selection, we performed a laboratory evolution experiment on a panel of artificial hybrids to measure TE accumulation in the near absence of selection. Changes in TE copy numbers were not predicted by the level of evolutionary divergence between the parents of a hybrid genotype. Rather, they were highly dependent on the individual hybrid genotypes, showing that strong genotype-specific deterministic factors govern TE accumulation in yeast hybrids.

Quantitative Proteomics Comparison of Total Expressed Proteomes of Anisakis simplex Sensu Stricto, A. pegreffii, and Their Hybrid Genotype

The total proteomes of Anisakis simplex s.s., A. pegreffii and their hybrid genotype have been compared by quantitative proteomics (iTRAQ approach), which considers the level of expressed proteins. Comparison was made by means of two independent experiments considering four biological replicates of A. simplex and two each for A. pegreffii and hybrid between both species. A total of 1811 and 1976 proteins have been respectively identified in the experiments using public databases. One hundred ninety-six proteins were found significantly differentially expressed, and their relationships with the nematodes’ biological replicates were estimated by a multidimensional statistical approach. Results of pairwise Log2 ratio comparisons among them were statistically treated and supported in order to convert them into discrete character states. Principal component analysis (PCA) confirms the validity of the method. This comparison selected thirty seven proteins as discriminant taxonomic biomarkers among A. simplex, A. pegreffii and their hybrid genotype; 19 of these biomarkers, encoded by ten loci, are specific allergens of Anisakis (Ani s7, Ani s8, Ani s12, and Ani s14) and other (Ancylostoma secreted) is a common nematodes venom allergen. The rest of the markers comprise four unknown or non-characterized proteins; five different proteins (leucine) related to innate immunity, four proteolytic proteins (metalloendopeptidases), a lipase, a mitochondrial translocase protein, a neurotransmitter, a thyroxine transporter, and a structural collagen protein. The proposed methodology (proteomics and statistical) solidly characterize a set of proteins that are susceptible to take advantage of the new targeted proteomics.

Evaluation of Hybrids and Cultivars of Single type Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)

Hybrids and cultivars of single type tuberose was evaluated to fulfill the need to develop new hybrids as demanded by commercial growers. Evaluation of fifteen genotypes showed significant variation in growth, floral and bulb characters. Cultivar Arka Prajwal was significantly superior over all genotypes, which recorded least number of days for opening of 1st floret (78.55 days) with maximum diameter of spike (1.18 cm), length of floret (6.05 cm), weight of individual floret (3.12 g) and weight of spike (121.43 g).The hybrid genotype L1P4 (Variegated X Phule Rajani) was observed to be superior in terms of rachis length (39.78 cm), inter-nodal length (7.25 cm), length of bulb (8.09 cm), diameter of bulb (3.76 cm) and diameter of bulb-lets (1.85 cm). Among the hybrid genotypes L1P4 also recorded maximum plant height (116.39 cm), spike length (109.58 cm), weight of cut spike (105.08 g) and vase life (11.00 days). However, it was foundto be at par for number of florets per spike (57.25), length of floret (5.92 cm) and number of spikes per clump (10.14) with all other cultivars and hybrids tested. From the overall performance, it was found that the cultivar Arka Prajwal was the best. Genotype L1P4 found promising for loose as well as cut flower production because of its number of florets, inter-nodal length and spikes per clump which are important characters considering loose flower for taking maximum number of pickings. However, characters such as rachis length, spike length, vase life and weight of spike which are imperative for cut flowers are also noted superior in genotype L1P4.

The effect of hybridization on transposable element accumulation in an undomesticated fungal species

Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic elements that can profoundly impact the evolution of genomes and species. A long-standing hypothesis suggests that hybridization could deregulate TEs and trigger their accumulation, although it received mixed support from studies in plants and animals. Here, we tested this hypothesis in fungi using incipient species of the undomesticated yeast Saccharomyces paradoxus. Population genomic data revealed no signature of higher transposition in natural hybrids. As we could not rule out the elimination of past transposition increase signatures by natural selection, we performed a laboratory evolution experiment on a panel of artificial hybrids to measure TE accumulation in the near absence of selection. Changes in TE copy numbers were not predicted by the level of evolutionary divergence between the parents of a hybrid genotype. Rather, they were highly dependent on the individual hybrid genotypes, showing that strong genotype-specific deterministic factors govern TE accumulation in yeast hybrids.

Yield potential of super sweet corn genotypes in progressive breeding stages

This study aimed to present the advancements in different breeding stages of super sweet corn (SS), from heterotic field corn populations to the single-cross of SS. Two parental field corn populations, four backcrossed SS populations, four SS intervarietal hybrids (SS-IH), eighteen SS single hybrids (SS-SCH) and two controls were evaluated in two environments over two crop years. The SS-IH and SS-SCH categories presented the highest ear yield, and SS-SCH presented the highest ear yield without husk (11.3 t ha-1). Although SS-SCH was the most productive category, it presented the lowest husk coverage quality. The ear yield and husk cover traits expressed the highest heterosis based on the midparents. The hybrid genotype categories (SS-SCH, SS-IH and controls) had the greatest ear length and diameter, as well as plant and ear height. It was possible to conclude that the techniques used to exploit heterosis are efficient in increasing SS yield but not husk coverage, since this trait requires productive parents. Single-crosses, such as LCSH-116 x LP8HS-129 and LCSH-116 x LP8HS-130, stood out as promising genotypes for registration since they recorded high husk coverage yield and quality.

Expansion of frozen hybrids in the guppy ectoparasite, Gyrodactylus turnbulli

Hybridization is one of the major factors contributing to the emergence of highly successful parasites. Hybrid vigor can play an important role in this process, but subsequent rounds of recombination in the hybrid population may dilute its effects. Increased fitness of hybrids can, however, be frozen by asexual reproduction. Here, we identify invasion of a “frozen hybrid” genotype in natural populations of Gyrodactylus turnbulli, a facultatively sexual ectoparasitic flatworm that causes significant damage to its fish host. We re-sequenced genomes of these parasites infecting guppies from six Trinidad and Tobago populations, and found surprisingly high discrepancy in genome-wide nucleotide diversity between islands. The elevated heterozygosity on Tobago is maintained by predominantly clonal reproduction of hybrids formed from two diverged genomes. Hybridization has been followed by spread of the hybrids across the island, implying a selective advantage compared to native genotypes. Our results thus highlight that a single outcrossing event may be independently sufficient to cause pathogen expansion.