Line × tester Study in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for Important Biochemical and Morphological Traits

: Using line × tester analysis, the current research analyses parental genotypes and their combinations in normal conditions and identifies the genes influencing yield characteristics. In the present study, 15 diverse genotypes, including 10 lines, 5 testers, and 50 F1s hybrids, were evaluated for 13 morphological and 2 biochemical traits. A suitable location was taken to study the effect of 15 characters. The results exposed that ability mean squares were significant for all studied additive and non-additive components. In this direction, the general combining ability of PBW-343, DBW-39, K-402, K-1317, KRL-210, and K-68 were higher than the remaining parents. For morphological traits like yield, the top five crosses were described based on SCA effects, namely, HD-3086 × HD-3171, K-402 × K-9107, K-1317 × K-9107, HD-2967 × K-0307 and K-402 × K-68 in F1 generation. In addition, the high value of heritability was estimated for plant height (77.32%), spike length (32.26%), biological yield/plant (59.52%), and grain yield/plant (68.76%). However, the moderate values of heritability were estimated for days to maturity (22.78%) and phenol color reaction (18.00%). The higher genetic advance was not found for recorded characters; however, a moderate genetic advance was recorded for grain yield per plant (13.15%) and harvest index (11.72%). High heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance was recorded for two characters grain yield per plant and harvest index in F1 and F2 generations.

HETEROSIS IN CHICKPEA FOR GRAIN PRODUCTIVITY IN EMBU COUNTY, KENYA

Chickpea is a major source of proteins especially in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya. However, its average yield per hectare is low when compared to neighbouring countries. This research was carried out to determine the levels of hybrid vigour on yield in the F1 generation. To obtain the F1s, reciprocal crossing between Mwanza 2 and Chaina I was carried out with controls being the parental lines. The experimental layout was a randomized block design replicated thrice for three seasons. A spacing of 50x20cm was used in plants, while all other agronomic practices were maintained constant. Data on grain yield and biomass per plant was obtained by measuring the weight, then subjecting it to a one-way ANOVA in SAS 9.4 software. Mwanza 2 expressed the highest biomass (2.56g), while both parents attained a maximum grain yield of 1.69g per plant. Chaina I x Mwanza 2 hybrid expressed maximum means of F1s for biomass (2.31g) and grain yield (1.4g) per plant. Chaina I x Mwanza 2 hybrid recorded the highest biomass and grain yield in better parent heterosis with 14.36% and 330% respectively. Mid-parent heterosis means were also highest at 24.53% and 405.88% for biomass and grain yield respectively. Further, the heritability was maximum for biomass under Mwanza 2 x Chaina I, varying from 93.1% to 100%, while Chaina I x Mwanza 2, expressed maximum grain yield and harvest index. Better parent heterosis and mid-parent heterosis was highest in Chaina I x Mwanza 2 than its reciprocal, Mwanza 2 x Chaina I.

Effect of Meiotic Polyploidisation on Selected Morphological and Anatomical Traits in Interspecific Hybrids of Brassica oleracea × B. napus

In Brassica, interspecific hybridisation plays an important role in the formation of allopolyploid cultivars. In this study, the ploidy of F1 and F2 generations resulting from interspecific hybridisation between B. oleracea inbred lines of head cabbage (B. oleracea L. var. capitata) (2n = 18) and kale (B. oleracea L. var. acephala) (2n = 18) with inbred lines of rapeseed (B. napus L.) (2n = 38) was examined by flow cytometry analysis and chromosome observation. Furthermore, the effect of meiotic polyploidisation on selected phenotypic and anatomical traits was assessed. The F1 hybrids of head cabbage × rapeseed (S3) and kale × rapeseed crosses (S20) were allotriploids with 2n = 28 chromosomes, and nuclear DNA amounts of 1.97 (S3) and 1.99 pg (S20). These values were intermediate between B. oleracea and B. napus. In interspecific hybrids of the F2 generation, which were derived after self-pollination of F1 hybrids (FS3, FS20) or by open crosses between F1 generation hybrids (FC320, FC230), the chromosome numbers were similar 2n = 56 or 2n = 55, whereas the genome sizes varied between 3.81 (FS20) and 3.95 pg 2C (FC230). Allohexaploid F2 hybrids had many superior agronomic traits compared to parental B. napus and B. oleracea lines and triploid F1 hybrids. In the generative stage, they were characterised by larger flowers and flower elements, such as anthers and lateral nectaries. F2 hybrids were male and female fertile. The pollen viability of F2 hybrids was comparable to parental genotypes and varied from 75.38% (FS3) to 88.24% (FC320), whereas in triploids of F1 hybrids only 6.76% (S3) and 13.46% (S20) of pollen grains were fertile. Interspecific hybrids of the F2 generation derived by open crosses between plants of the F1 generation (FC320, FC230) had a better ability to set seed than F2 hybrids generated from the self-pollination of F1 hybrids. In the vegetative stage, F2 plants had bigger and thicker leaves, larger stomata, and significantly thicker layers of palisade and spongy mesophyll than triploids of the F1 generation and parental lines of B. oleracea and B. napus. The allohexaploid F2 hybrids analysed in this study can be used as innovative germplasm resources for further breeding new vegetable Brassica crops at the hexaploid level.

Melatonin Ameliorates Developmental Landmarks Induced by Gestational and Lactational Coexposure to Chlorpyriphos and Cypermethrin in F1 Male Rats

The ameliorative potentials of melatonin (ML) on developmental changes evoked by gestational and lactational co-exposure to chlorpyriphos (CP) and cypermethrin (CY) was investigated in male Wistar rats. Pregnant dams were divided at random into 6 groups of 10 animals each and treated orally by gavage from gestation day 1 to postnatal day 21 with the following regimens: The DW, SO and ML groups were administered distilled water (2 ml/kg), soya oil (2 ml/kg) and melatonin (0.5 mg/kg), respectively; CC group was co-administered CP (1.9 mg/kg) and CY (7.5 mg/kg); MC group was pretreated with ML (0.5 mg/kg) and followed by co-administration of CP and CY while the CM group was administered CP and CY and then treated with ML. We evaluated the developmental parameters on the F1 generation male rats at different postnatal intervals following parturition. Alterations in litter size and weight, number of live/dead pups, anogenital distance, crown-rump length, time of eye and ear openings, and testicular descent induced by gestational and lactational exposure to CP and CY in F1 male rats were mitigated by pre- and post-administration of ML. These curative and prophylactic potentials of ML may be partly attributed to its widely known antioxidant property.

Improvement of yield in Guizotia abyssinica (L.F.) Cass. by using backcross method

Guizotia abyssinica (L.F.) Cass. is one of the important oilseed crops cultivated in India. The seed of the plant is used by the tribal and rural people of our country as a source of edible oil. The present investigation of the Niger plant deals with the study of the back cross-program and improvement in the variety. Unknown local variety (A) of niger was selected as a non-recurrent parent because of having some desirable characters like less vegetative growth (dwarf), resistance to waterlogged condition, and large seed grains while IGP-76 variety (B) was selected as a recurrent parent and used as a female having characters like small black grains, resistant to leaf-eating cater Piller and powdery mildew result shows successfully transfer of the characters in the F1 generation. The average number of capitulum/plant shows very good and positive results in F1 as well as BC1 generation. As compared to the recurrent parent (B) an average number of capitulum per plant was increased in F1 generation by 14.28% and in BC1 generation by 28.5%. The table indicates that there is incensement in the average number of seeds per capitulum. The average number of seeds per capitulum was increased by 8.3% in the F1 generation and by 11.11 % in the BC1 generation as compared to the recurrent parent. Average weights of 1000 seeds were also increased in F1 generation by 31.78% and in BC1 generation by 47.28% along with the total yield per plant.

Behavioral parameters evaluation after homeopathic Zincum metallicum treatment: a transgenerational study in mice

Background: ZINCUM METALLICUM (ZM) is a homeopathic medicine whose materia medica is defined by diverse behavioral and mental symptoms, including depression. Moreover, as a microelement, zinc itself is involved in several functions of Central Nervous System, including development and cell maturity during the intra-uterus life. Aims: Herein, the putative transgenerational effects of different homeopathic potencies of ZM upon behavioral parameters in P and F1 generations were evaluated. Methodology: Since mice and the tail suspension test (TST) are references for evaluating antidepressant agent activity, the TST together with the open field test (OPT) and the elevated plus maze test (EPM) were used to analyze offspring behavioral parameters. All animal procedures were in agreement with the Brazilian ethical research practices and were approved by the institutional ethical committee (CEUA-UNIP) under the protocol 156/2013. Four groups of seven females Balb/C mice were exposed to 0,1mL of ZM 5cH, 30cH, 200cH and lactose 5cH, diluted in 250mL of drinking water, during pregnancy and post partum period, in a total of 31 days. The flasks were coded before the remedies administration and all experimental procedures, including statistical analysis were done in blind. The parents were previously distributed in a Completely Randomized Design for the mates, according to the TST previous results. Mothers were re-evaluated for TST after weaning and mice of F1 generation were evaluated for TST, EPM and OPT when they reached two months old. According to the time of immobilization in TST, animals were classified as healthy (h), intermediate (i) and depressed (d) (< 116; 117-180 and >180 seconds of immobilization, respectively). Results: No significant changes were seen among the groups regarding to the number of newborns, sex proportions, TST, OPT and EPM behavioral parameters, besides the fact that the treatment with ZM 200cH was associated to the majority of healthy F1 mice (male: n=8: 7h+1i+0d; female: n=8: 8h+0i+0d), in relation to the number of delivery per group (Fisher test, p ≤ 0.01). Treatment with ZM 5cH, instead, produced reduced number of pups with no male mouse among F1 generation. We conclude that the treatment of pregnant females with ZM 200cH produced the best results in F1 generation regarding reproduction and behavioral parameters and the treatment with ZM 5cH reduced births in relation to control. The involved mechanisms have to be elucidated in the next steps of the study.

Born without night: The consequence of the no-night environment on reproductive performance in diurnal zebra finches

We investigated the consequence of no night environment (constant light, LL) on reproductive performance in zebra finches in the parent (P) and subsequent F1 generation. As a measure of the overall effects on the metabolic reproductive health, we monitored daily activity behaviour, recorded song and cheek patch size in males, and measured body size and hormone levels. As compared to controls under 12 h light: 12 h darkness (12:12 h LD), both P and F1 pairs showed a compromised reproductive success, as evidenced by fewer fledglings and viable offsprings with longer fledging durations, and increased offspring mortality with successive three clutches under LL. The overall negative effect of the no-night environment was increased in the F1generation. As compared to P pairs, F1pairs had more failed nesting and breeding attempts, took longer to initiate reproduction, incubated fewer eggs, produced fewer viable offspring with longer fledging duration, and showed increased offspring mortality. Consistent with negative reproductive effects, P males showed significant changes in the motif duration and other spectral features of song, and both F1 and F2 males copied poorly the song of their parent under LL. Plasma corticosterone and sex hormones (testosterone in males and estradiol in females) levels were significantly lower under LL. Daily plasma melatonin rhythm persisted but with a reduced amplitude under LL. These results demonstrate the importance of night in reproduction in a continuously breeding diurnal species, and give insights into the possible impact on physiology of animals whose surrounding environment is consistently losing the darkness of night.

Ground Applications of Vectobac® WDG with A1 Super-Duty Mist Sprayer® and Micronair® AU5000 Atomizer for Suppression of Aedes aegypti Populations in the Florida Keys

ABSTRACT Since 2011, the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD) has used the WALS® application strategy with VectoBac® WDG containing Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis via helicopter in Key West for the control of Aedes aegypti larval populations. In 2018, FKMCD conducted a study to determine the effectiveness of using a trailer-mounted A1 Super Duty Mist Sprayer® (A1 Mist Sprayers) with a Micronair® AU5000 (Micron Group) atomizer to apply VectoBac WDG by ground at the rate of 0.5 lb/acre (0.56 kg/ha). Bioassay cups were placed in a residential area encompassing open, moderate, and heavy cover scenarios between 0 and 300 ft (0–91.44 m) perpendicular to the spray line. An application rate of 0.5 lbs/acre (0.56 kg/ha) was used. Bioassay cups were collected after application and returned to the laboratory where 100 ml of distilled water and 10 F1 generation Ae. aegypti larvae were added. Laval mortality was monitored at 2, 4, and 24 h. Three separate runs were completed during the summer of 2018. Average larval mortality at 24 h was &gt;90%. The field trial demonstrated sufficient efficacy to introduce this method of larviciding into operational use.

Daphnia magna egg piRNA cluster expression profiles change as mothers age.

PiRNAs prevent transposable elements wreaking havoc on the germline genome. Changes in piRNA expression over the lifetime of an individual may impact on ageing through continued suppression, or release, of transposable element expression. We identified piRNA producing clusters in the genome of Daphnia magna by a combination of bioinformatic methods, and then contrasted their expression between parthenogenetically produced eggs representing maternally-deposited germline piRNAs of young (having their 1st clutch) and old (having their 5th clutch) mothers. Results from eggs were compared to cluster expression in three generations of adults. As for other arthropods, D. magna encodes long uni-directionally transcribed non-coding RNAs which consist of transposable element fragments which account for most piRNAs expressed. Egg tissues showed extensive differences between clutches from young mothers and those from old mothers, with 578 and 686 piRNA clusters upregulated, respectively, although most log fold-change differences for significant clusters were modest. When considering only highly expressed clusters, there was a bias towards 1st clutch eggs at 41 upregulated versus eight clusters in the eggs from older mothers. F0 generation differences between young and old mothers were fewer than eggs, as 179 clusters were up-regulated in young versus 170 old mothers. This dropped to 31 versus 22 piRNA clusters when comparing adults in the F1 generation, and no differences were detected in the F3 generation. These patterns were similar to that observed for D. magna micro-RNA expression. Little overlap in differentially expressed clusters was found between adults containing mixed somatic and germline (ovary) tissues and germ-line representing eggs. A cluster encompassing a Tudor domain containing gene important in the piRNA pathway was upregulated in the eggs from old mothers. We hypothesise that regulation of this gene this could form part of a feedback loop that reduces piRNA pathway activity explaining the reduced number of highly-expressed clusters in eggs from old mothers.