Pea Grain Protein Content Across Italian Environments: Genetic Relationship With Grain Yield, and Opportunities for Genome-Enabled Selection for Protein Yield

Wider pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivation has great interest for European agriculture, owing to its favorable environmental impact and provision of high-protein feedstuff. This work aimed to investigate the extent of genotype × environment interaction (GEI), genetically based trade-offs and polygenic control for crude protein content and grain yield of pea targeted to Italian environments, and to assess the efficiency of genomic selection (GS) as an alternative to phenotypic selection (PS) to increase protein yield per unit area. Some 306 genotypes belonging to three connected recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations derived from paired crosses between elite cultivars were genotyped through genotyping-by-sequencing and phenotyped for grain yield and protein content on a dry matter basis in three autumn-sown environments of northern or central Italy. Line variation for mean protein content ranged from 21.7 to 26.6%. Purely genetic effects, compared with GEI effects, were over two-fold larger for protein content, and over 2-fold smaller for grain and protein yield per unit area. Grain yield and protein content exhibited no inverse genetic correlation. A genome-wide association study revealed a definite polygenic control not only for grain yield but also for protein content, with small amounts of trait variation accounted for by individual loci. On average, the GS predictive ability for individual RIL populations based on the rrBLUP model (which was selected out of four tested models) using by turns two environments for selection and one for validation was moderately high for protein content (0.53) and moderate for grain yield (0.40) and protein yield (0.41). These values were about halved for inter-environment, inter-population predictions using one RIL population for model construction to predict data of the other populations. The comparison between GS and PS for protein yield based on predicted gains per unit time and similar evaluation costs indicated an advantage of GS for model construction including the target RIL population and, in case of multi-year PS, even for model training based on data of a non-target population. In conclusion, protein content is less challenging than grain yield for phenotypic or genome-enabled improvement, and GS is promising for the simultaneous improvement of both traits.

Yield and Quality Prediction of Winter Rapeseed—Artificial Neural Network and Random Forest Models

As one of the greatest agricultural challenges, yield prediction is an important issue for producers, stakeholders, and the global trade market. Most of the variation in yield is attributed to environmental factors such as climate conditions, soil type and cultivation practices. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) and random forest regression (RFR) are machine learning tools that are used unambiguously for crop yield prediction. There is limited research regarding the application of these mathematical models for the prediction of rapeseed yield and quality. A four-year study (2015–2018) was carried out in the Republic of Serbia with 40 winter rapeseed genotypes. The field trial was designed as a randomized complete block design in three replications. ANN, based on the Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno iterative algorithm, and RFR models were used for prediction of seed yield, oil and protein yield, oil and protein content, and 1000 seed weight, based on the year of production and genotype. The best production year for rapeseed cultivation was 2016, when the highest seed and oil yield were achieved, 2994 kg/ha and 1402 kg/ha, respectively. The RFR model showed better prediction capabilities compared to the ANN model (the r2 values for prediction of output variables were 0.944, 0.935, 0.912, 0.886, 0.936 and 0.900, for oil and protein content, seed yield, 1000 seed weight, oil and protein yield, respectively).

Effects of Microencapsulated Methionine on Milk Production and Manure Nitrogen Excretions of Lactating Dairy Cows

The study objective was to determine the effects of rumen-protected methionine (Met) by microencapsulation (RPM) on amino acid (AA) supply to the udder, milk production, and manure nitrogen (N) losses of dairy cows. A corn and soybean-based diet deficient in metabolizable Met (~10 g/d) was supplemented with RPM providing 0, 11.0, 19.3, and 27.5 g/d of Met. Dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, plasma essential AA (EAA), mammary plasma flow (MPF), and fecal (FN) and urinary N (UN) outputs (g/d) were determined. The RPM increased linearly milk yield, milk protein yield, and energy corrected milk yield (p < 0.040) without affecting DMI. Milk protein yield increased by 50 g/d for the 19.3 vs. 0 g/d dose (p = 0.006) but the rate of increment decreased for 27.5 g/d dose. Plasma Met, and MPF increased linearly with RPM dose (p < 0.050). Apparent total tract digestibility of crude protein (p = 0.020) and FN (p = 0.081) decreased linearly with RPM. The UN did not change but total manure N decreased linearly with RPM (p = 0.054). The RPM (19.3 g/d) seemed to help cows overcome the metabolizable Met deficiency while mitigating manure N excretions to the environment.

Production efficiency of different crop rotations and tillage systems

Aim of study: The production efficiency of crop rotations was evaluated based on the yield of the main crop (cereal grains and pea seeds) and yield of the by-product (straw) converted per cereal units (CU), and on total protein yield. Area of study: South-eastern Poland, Europe (2017-2019). Material and methods: The first order experimental factor included crop rotations: A): peas–durum wheat–spring barley; B): spring wheat–durum wheat–spring barley +oats; and C): spring barley–durum wheat–spring wheat. The second order experimental factor included tillage systems: CT, conventional tillage, RT, reduced tillage, and NT, no-tillage. Main results: The yield of pea seeds, cereal grains, and straw per CU was higher in crop rotation A than B (127.8 CU vs. 101.1 CU). Higher CU yields were also recorded in crop rotation C than B (by 18.9 CU). The tillage system had no effect on CU yield. The total protein yield was significantly higher in crop rotation A (2110.7 kg ha-1) than in crop rotations B (by 808.8 kg ha-1) and C (by 448.0 kg ha-1). A higher protein yield was also recorded in RT than in the NT system. Research highlights: The units used for CR assessment, i.e. CU and total protein yield, enable to reliably evaluate the production yield of both CRs and tillage systems.

Effects of Various Extraction Factors on Protein Yield of Haliotis discus hannai (Abalone)

Abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) is a widely consumed seafood in Asian countries. Rich in protein, abalone is consumed for refreshment, pregnancy care, and vitality. Although many studies have found that abalone protein has beneficial effects, the efficiency of the protein extraction method for abalone has rarely been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of various factors of abalone protein extraction, including extraction buffer, sonication, salt (NaCl) concentration, surfactant, and heating. Phosphate buffer showed higher protein yield compared with Tris-HCl buffer. In addition, the highest protein yield for each factor was observed at 60 s of sonication (84.44 µg/mg dw), 0.6 M NaCl (141.9 µg/mg dw), and 16 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (253.15 µg/mg dw). However, a combined effect was not observed. Lower protein extraction efficiency was observed for sous vide-cooked abalone. The electrophoresis assay revealed myofibrillar proteins, including paramyosin, actin, and tropomyosin. Overall, our results demonstrate that various extract conditions affect the protein extraction of abalone.

Study of quality indicators in horse bean varieties

Nutrition is the most important natural factor in human health. In modern times humanity often faces the malnutrition worldwide. At present, many countries of the world are making new contributions to breeding. They cultivate many plants in this direction and select the best and most valuable species and varieties. Plant products are utilized as food, forage, and raw materials in the light industry. From this point of view, study of horse beans is important. Horse beans are easy to grow. Amino acids, proteins, and vitamins in their composition are well absorbed by the human body. Humans get their plant protein from bread, which is part of their daily diet. This means less calories and more protein. The creation of new products is of particular interest. From this point of view, the research work on this topic is relevant and demand of the day. Quality indicators in the nursery resistant to ascochitosis (FBIABN): protein in FLIP16-029FB was 32.9%, fat in FLIP17-045FB was 6.90% and the highest humidity was found in FLIP17-045FB-13.9%. Oil yield showed variation between 0.27-3.13% (c/ha), protein yield showed variation between 2.6–16.6% (c/ ha), yield showed variation between 10,0-50.9(c/ha). In the nursery resistant to chocolate spot disease (FBICSN), protein indicators in Rebeya 40 were 30.4%. Oil content in Rebeya 40 was 8.37%. Humidity indicators showed 13.5%. Oil content showed variation between 0.34-2.70% (c/ha), protein yield between 2.55-9.4% (c/ha), yield varied between 10.0-47.5(c/ha).Quality indicators in mechanical harvesting nursery (FBIMHN): protein in FLIP 16-214 was (27.6%). Oil content in FLIP17-055FB was 5.39%. Humidity indicators in FLIP17-055 FB were 17.1%. Oil yield showed variation between 0.27-1.84% (c/ha), protein yield showed vatiation between 1.02-9.94% (c/ha), productivity showed variation between 6.0-39.9% (c/ha). In the seeds of the studied varieties, between productivity and oil yield per hectare, r = 0.983**, productivity and protein yield per hectare, r = 0.962** positive correlation was observed. From this dependence, it is possible to create high-yield and-quality varieties by breeding. Key words: horse bean, protein, fat, humidity, quality, yield

A Comparison of Calcium Aggregation and Ultracentrifugation Methods for the Preparation of Rat Brain Microsomes for Drug Metabolism Studies

Preparation of brain microsomes by the calcium chloride aggregation method has been suggested as an alternative to the ultracentrifugation method. However, the effects of the calcium chloride concentration on the quality of the microsomal fractions are not known. Brain microsomes were prepared from the adult rat brains using the high-speed ultracentrifugation and low-speed calcium chloride (10–100 mM) aggregation methods (<i>n</i> = 5–6 per group). The microsomal protein yield (spectrometry), the cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) activity (spectrometry), and the monooxygenase activities (UPLC-MS/MS) of CYP2D and CYP2E1 were determined in the obtained fractions. Increasing the concentrations of calcium chloride progressively increased the protein yield of the low-speed microsomal fractions. However, the increased yield was associated with a significant decrease in the activities of CPR, CYP2D, and CYP2E1. Additionally, the CYP2D and CYP2E1 activities were significantly correlated with the CPR activities of the fractions. In conclusion, when an ultracentrifuge is available, preparation of brain microsomes by the ultracentrifugation method might be preferable. However, the calcium aggregation method at a calcium chloride concentration of 10 mM is an acceptable alternative to the ultracentrifuge method.

Directed evolution of rRNA improves translation kinetics and recombinant protein yield

In bacteria, ribosome kinetics are considered rate-limiting for protein synthesis and cell growth. Enhanced ribosome kinetics may augment bacterial growth and biomanufacturing through improvements to overall protein yield, but whether this can be achieved by ribosome-specific modifications remains unknown. Here, we evolve 16S ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) from Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Vibrio cholerae towards enhanced protein synthesis rates. We find that rRNA sequence origin significantly impacted evolutionary trajectory and generated rRNA mutants with augmented protein synthesis rates in both natural and engineered contexts, including the incorporation of noncanonical amino acids. Moreover, discovered consensus mutations can be ported onto phylogenetically divergent rRNAs, imparting improved translational activities. Finally, we show that increased translation rates in vivo coincide with only moderately reduced translational fidelity, but do not enhance bacterial population growth. Together, these findings provide a versatile platform for development of unnatural ribosomal functions in vivo.