High quality haplotype-resolved genome assemblies of Populus tomentosa Carr., a stabilized interspecific hybrid species that is widespread in Asia

Populus has a wide ecogeographical range spanning the Northern Hemisphere, and exhibits abundant distinct species and hybrids globally. Populus tomentosa Carr. is widely distributed and cultivated in the eastern region of Asia, where it plays multiple important roles in forestry, agriculture, conservation, and urban horticulture. Reference genomes are available for several Populus species, however, our goals were to produce a very high quality de novo, chromosome-level genome assembly in P. tomentosa genome that could serve as a reference for evolutionary and ecological studies of hybrid speciation. Here, combining long-read sequencing and Hi-C scaffolding, we present a high-quality, haplotype-resolved genome assembly. The genome size was 740.2 Mb, with a contig N50 size of 5.47 Mb and a scaffold N50 size of 46.68 Mb, consisting of 38 chromosomes, as expected with the known diploid chromosome number (2n=2x=38). A total of 59,124 protein-coding genes were identified. Phylogenomic analyses revealed that P. tomentosa is comprised of two distinct subgenomes, which we deomonstrate is likely to have resulted from hybridization between Populus adenopoda as the female parent and Populus alba var. pyramidalis as the male parent, approximately 3.93 Mya. Although highly colinear, significant structural variation was also found between the two subgenomes. Our study provides a valuable resource for ecological genetics and forest biotechnology.

Legal Implications on Mismanagement of Agrochemicals in Smallholders’ Agro Production in Malaysia

Purpose of this study is attempted to look into laws on mismanagement of agrochemicals towards the agro food production and conservation of ecosystem in Malaysia. Artificial fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and insecticides in manageable of rural farmers’ food yielding production could cost human hardship upon consumptions and detrimental to conservation. Economic sustainable minimal or chemical free tropical food yielding agriculture food crop not only will reap in profits in upgrading income and livelihood but will definitely create a good environment in developing countries. There are significant differences on laws on the issue of mismanagement of agrochemical application towards the production and conservation of ecosystems in Malaysia with the implementation of laws on agriculture chemicals. Keywords: Agriculture; conservation; agrochemicals; food production eISSN 2514-7528 © 2018. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.

Mudanças climáticas e a Geopotencialidade à fruticultura em municípios de Pernambuco: subsídios à agricultura familiar / Climate change and horticulture Geopotenciality in the municipalities of Pernambuco: subsidies for family agriculture

<div id="titleAndAbstract">As mudanças climáticas representam grande ameaça à produtividade agrícola, sobretudo do pequeno e médio produtor. Diante disso, o presente artigo expõe o mapeamento da Geopotencialidade à fruticultura em municípios do estado de Pernambuco, levando em consideração o cenário de mudanças climáticas B2. Para realização do presente estudo foram levantados dados referentes ao tipo de uso e cobertura das terras, características dos solos, geomorfologia, número de meses secos e deficiência hídrica. Posteriormente, para a obtenção da carta de Geopotencialidade à fruticultura, os referidos atributos foram cruzados com auxílio de um software de Geoprocessamento. Para simulação de clima futuro, foi utilizado o cenário B2 (otimista) do modelo climático regional PRECIS, para o ano de 2050. Os resultados indicam um crescimento significativo das áreas de baixo Geopotencial à fruticultura. Considerando que as áreas vegetadas são classificadas como impróprias para o desenvolvimento da agricultura (proposta de conservação), constata-se que os perímetros classificados como de alta Geopotencialidade à fruticultura, praticamente desaparecem na simulação para o ano de 2050. Tal fato só veio a confirmar a grande importância das variáveis climáticas para o estudo. Nesse sentido, é fundamental traçar planos e metas para tentar minimizar os efeitos causados pelas mudanças climáticas no semiárido nordestino, uma vez que a região enfrenta naturalmente problemas relacionados a escassez hídrica.</div><div id="indexing"><p><strong>Palavras-chave:</strong> caatinga; déficit hídrico; meses secos; semiárido, irrigação.</p><p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p>Climate change is major threat to agricultural productivity especially for small and medium producer. Therefore, this article presents the mapping of Geopotential to fruit-growing municipalities in the state of Pernambuco, taking into account some of the climate change scenarios. To carry out this study data was collected on the type of land use and land cover, soil characteristics, geomorphology, number of dry months and water stress. Subsequently, to obtain the letter of Geopotential to fruit, these attributes were crossed with the aid of GIS software. To simulate future climate, we used the B2 scenario (optimistic) regional climate model PRECIS, for the year 2050. The results indicate a significant increase in low areas geopotential to fruit. Whereas the vegetated areas are classified as unfit for the development of agriculture (conservation proposal), it appears that the perimeters classified as high Geopotential to fruit, practically disappear in the simulation for the year 2050. This fact only came to confirm the great importance of climate variables for the study. In this sense, it is essential to draw plans and goals to try to minimize the effects caused by climate change in semi-arid northeast, since there was already serious problems related area water availability.</p><p><strong>Keywords</strong>: savanna; drought; dry months; semiarid, irrigation</p></div>