Genotype by environment interaction (GEI) is one of the key factors affecting breeding value estimation accuracy for agronomic traits in plant breeding. Measures of GEI include fitting prediction models with various kernels to capture the variance due to GEI, and/or characterizing trials into mega‐environment clusters within which breeding values can be estimated to remove the main GEI effects. However

The definition of efficient selection methods for biomass yield of alfalfa and other open‐pollinated forage crops has lagged behind, despite its crucial importance for breeders. This study, performed in Northern Italy, aimed to compare nine breeding schemes encompassing the evaluation of replicated clones and half‐sib (HS), S1 or S2 families without or with within‐family selection. The comparison was

At its center of origin, the Chinese soybean germplasm pool (CSGP) consists of wild (WA), landrace (LR), and released cultivar (RC) populations. A representative sample (1,024 accessions) was studied for genetic dynamics of DTF (days‐to‐flowering)‐shortening in two evolutionary processes (WA→LR→RC and southern→northern), via direct comparisons of QTL‐allele matrices among populations/subpopulations

Wheat grain Zn concentration has important implications for Zn dietary intake in humans. Zn biofortification of wheat by Zn foliar application has been recognized as an efficient tool to enhance grain Zn level. In Serbia, wheat is a staple crop, and no attention is paid to wheat grain as a source of Zn. For the first time, we investigated the effect of Zn foliar application on grain Zn concentration

One hundred and twenty bulls were used in a randomized complete block design in 2 × 2 factorial arrangement; two supplements during the growing phase: mineral (ad libitum; MIN) or protein + energy [0.3% of body weight (BW)/animal/day; PRE] and two finishing systems: pasture plus concentrate supplementation (2% BW/animal/day; PASCO) and feedlot (25:75% corn silage:concentrate; FLOT). The supplementation

The demand for food is expected to grow substantially in the next few years; however, to feed the human population adequately it is necessary to ensure global food production. Undoubtedly this will lead to a higher protein requirement, consequently more meat. Therefore, producers, animal researchers and feed manufacturers will need to enhance animal nutrition and productivity, for instance. Growth

In this study, a maize F2:3 population and a population of RILs were constructed from a cross between Dong156 and Dong237, and SSR markers were then used to map QTL. A phenotypic index of the traits (N = 6) commonly related to seed storability, such as the germination energy, germination percentage, germination index, vigor index, seedling length, and simple vigor index generated under artificial aging

Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish, commonly known as candeia, is a threatened tree species that occurs in Seasonal Semideciduous Forests in Brazil. The tree is valued for the durability of its wood and essential oil production, from which the active agent (alpha-bisabolol) is used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Due to its high economic value, E. erythropappus has been exploited for

Genetic diversity is enhanced by introgressing wild germplasm into breeding lines and populations. Such introgression, however, commonly introduces wild traits that must be removed by backcrossing and selection before lines are useful for elite breeding programs. Selection against wild characteristics is expected to reduce genetic diversity in introgressed lines. However, the effect of such selection

Five accessions representing divergent lineages of wild peas (Pisum sativum subsp. elatius) were crossed with each other in both directions and also artificially pollinated with own pollen, to evaluate reproductive barriers inside Pisum sativum which may be important for pea pre-breeding. The outcome of hybrid seeds was evaluated for each combination of crosses. Reciprocal classes of F1 hybrids were

A low-cost technique named ‘on-farm’ seed priming is increasingly being recognized as an effective approach to maximize crop establishment. It consists of anaerobically soaking seeds in water before sowing resulting in rapid and uniform germination, and enhanced seedling vigour. The extent of these benefits depends on the soaking time. The current determination of optimal soaking time by germination

ABSTRACT Weed surveys provide the basis for weed management research in lowbush blueberry, but have not been conducted in Nova Scotia since 2001. Documented declines in herbicide efficacy, loss and/or acquisition of herbicide active ingredients, confirmation of herbicide-resistant weed biotypes, and documented vectoring of weed seeds by machinery necessitate a new weed survey. A total of 165 bearing

Understanding the relationship between genetic admixture and phenotypic performance is crucial for the optimization of crossbreeding programs. The use of small sets of informative ancestry markers can be a cost-effective option for the estimation of breed composition and for parentage assignment in situations where pedigree recording is difficult. The objectives of this study were to develop small

Thermal time models have been widely applied to predict temperature requirements for seed germination. Generally, a log-normal distribution for thermal time [θT(g)] is used in such models at suboptimal temperatures to examine the variation in time to germination arising from variation in θT(g) within a seed population. Recently, additional distribution functions have been used in thermal time models

ABSTRACT Gossypium arboreum (Desi Cotton) holds a special place in cotton industry because of its inherent ability to withstand drought, salinity, and remarkable resistance to sucking pests and cotton leaf curl virus. However, it suffers yield losses due to weeds and bollworm infestation. Genetic modification of G. arboreum variety FBD-1 was attempted in the current study to combat insect and weedicide

ABSTRACT The safety of transgenic Bt rice containing bacteria-derived mCry1Ac gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) was assessed by conducting field trials at two locations for two consecutive years in South Korea, using the near-isogenic line comparator rice cultivar (‘Ilmi’, non-Bt rice) and four commercial cultivars as references. Compositional analyses included measurement of proximates, minerals

Despite much effort, little exotic germplasm has been introduced in temperate maize breeding programs. Tropical and subtropical maize germplasm from CIMMYT is the most genetically diverse in the world and should be useful in widening the genetic base of temperate maize germplasm. Extracting the most suitable material from exotic germplasm is a tough challenge for plant breeding programs. This study

Nitrogen (N) losses from the N sources such as manures, fertilizers etc. applied to crops are considered as the largest non-point source of nitrogen-nitrate pollution in surface and groundwater bodies. The extent of water bodies polluted with N is worsening day by day, worldwide, with its severe impact on the quality of drinking water. This necessitates the development of crop specific N management

Ear‐related traits are crucial factors in grain yield, and understanding the genetic analysis of these traits provides important insights into maize breeding. This study derived a F5:6 recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping population including 201 families from a cross between KA105 and KB020 lines. Genotyping by target sequencing was then used to construct a high‐density genetic map with 2,248 markers

Striga hermonthica, causes up to 100% yield loss in maize production in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Developing Striga‐resistant maize cultivars could be a major component of integrated Striga management strategies. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of maize breeding activities related to Striga resistance and its management. Scientific surveys have revealed that conventional breeding strategies

Medicago archiducis-nicolai Sirjaev and M. ruthenica (L.) Ledebour are two phylogenetically closely related species in the section Platycarpae within Medicago. M. archiducis-nicolai is endemic to the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP), shows more tolerance to abiotic stress than M. ruthenica, which inhabits relatively temperate areas, and has the potential to be domesticated and used as a legume forage

Strychnos spinosa Lam. is an important wild edible fruit tree (WEFT) that is increasingly threatened due to anthropogenic pressure. Despite its remarkable socio-economic potential, commercial plantations for the species are rare. Characterization of the genetic diversity and potential of WEFT is a prerequisite for domestication and genetic improvement. This study assessed the morphological diversity

Recent polyploidy in gymnosperms is unusually scarce being present in only 9.80 % of the 714 taxa studied cytologically. Polyploid forms are represented by sporadic seedlings and individual trees, intraspecific polyploidy in cultivation or in wild and entirely polyploid species and genera. Polyploidy shows a non-random distribution in different genera being mostly prevalent in Ephedra and Juniperus

Provenance trials remain an important tool for understanding genetic variation in forest trees. Maintaining decades-old experiments is critical for revealing maladaptation of translocated populations to local sites and meaningful divergence in survival and growth. We revisited the Second International Larch Provenance Test in southeastern Michigan, which featuring 24 provenances of European and Japanese

Agricultural land management may influence crop nutritional quality. However, few studies have explored potential connections between crop quality with different land management strategies. We analyzed mineral and crude protein concentrations in spring wheat grain (Triticum aestivum L.) samples from a study in Mandan, North Dakota conducted from 2006–2014. The study introduced a perennial forage phase

Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) could serve as a cool‐season perennial in southeastern production systems, but often does not behave as a true perennial under high temperature stress conditions of the region. This work sought to develop heat tolerant orchardgrass germplasm through recurrent phenotypic selection (RPS) that would both reduce secondary seed dormancy caused by high soil temperatures

PIRINs (PRNs) comprise a family of cupin domain-containing proteins that are conserved between prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, but whose functions remain largely elusive. A member of the PIRIN family has been recently characterized as a transcriptional co-regulator of lignin deposition in the eudicot Arabidopsis thaliana, consisting of another player in the complex regulatory mechanism controlling

Breeding of heat-tolerant cultivars requires knowledge of the genetic behavior of morpho-physiological traits. Gene action was investigated using wide phenotypic segregation ranging across six generations (P1, P2, F1, BC1, BC2 and F2) of four different tolerant × sensitive crosses for grain filling duration, GFD (40.14–46.20); canopy temperature depression, CTD (2.42–5.97); normalized difference vegetation

This study was conducted to examine the effects of including palm kernel cake (0, 120, 240, and 360 g kg−1) in high-concentrate diets for feedlot goats on carcass traits and meat quality. Thirty-two non-pregnant, mixed-breed goats (average age: 1 year; initial body weight: 24.70 ± 3.72 kg) were evaluated in a completely randomized experimental design. Hot (P = 0.007) and cold (P = 0.008) carcass weights

Water buffalo is one of the most important livestock species in the world. Two types of water buffalo exist: river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis bubalis) and swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis carabanensis). The buffalo genome has been recently sequenced, and thus a new 90 K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) bead chip has been developed. In this study, we investigated the genomic population structure and

In this study, we investigated the starch properties of Aegilops sharonensis (R7), tetraploid wheat (Z636), and their amphidiploid (Z636 × R7). The results of protein electrophoresis showed that waxy protein of Ae. sharonensis (R7) and tetraploid wheat (Z636) is expressed in the amphidiploid (Z636 × R7). The total starch content and amylose content of the amphidiploid (Z636 × R7) were higher than Ae

Neonate calves are usually handled a day after birth for navel care and identification. During this procedure the newly calved cows usually become agitated and, in some cases, exhibit aggressive behavior toward humans, increasing the risk of accidents for both, humans and animals. In order to understand the dynamic relationships between cow, calf, and cowhand's behavior expressed in this particular

The effects of acute stress on sow reproductive performance are well established, but we know less about the implications of chronic stress for sow performance. This study investigated associations between total skin lesion counts 24hr and 3 weeks post-mixing, hair cortisol concentrations at the end of pregnancy, and reproductive performance of sows. Sows (n = 264; parity 1-5) were artificially inseminated

Whole-genome sequence (WGS) data are increasingly available on large numbers of individuals in animal and plant breeding and in human genetics through second-generation resequencing technologies, 1000 genomes projects, and large-scale genotype imputation from lower marker densities. Here, we present a computationally fast implementation of a variable selection genomic prediction method, that could

The common potato, Solanum tuberosum L. (2n = 4x = 48), has 100–200 related wild taxonomic species endemic to the Americas, which constitute invaluable sources of genetic diversity. They form a polyploid series with 2n = 2x‐6x (x = 12), and can reproduce asexually by tubers and stolons and/or sexually by seeds. Information is scarce on their preponderant mode of reproduction, and its consequences on

Teosinte Branched, Cycloidea, Proliferating Cell Factor proteins are a large family of transcription factors in angiosperms and are specific for each plant species, presenting a highly conserved TCP domain. In plants, they play a key role in the development and metabolism processes. In this study MaTCP genes have been updated, so, 46 MaTCP, 12 MbTCP and 25 MiTCP genes were identified in Musa acuminata

Organic acids (OA), especially benzoic acid, have long been used for their wide antimicrobial activity and have shown to promote intestinal health and increase average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of pigs. On the other side, the European Commission decided to ban the use of pharmacological levels of zinc oxide (ZnO) in diets for this animal species from 2022. The

The influence of various slaughter age options and short-term freezing storage on Iberian loin (longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL)) quality traits was assessed. Three batches of 15 animals each one were established (IBxD8, IBxD10 and IBxD12) to be slaughtered at 8, 10 and 12 months old, respectively, but similar live weight. After slaughtering, LTL muscles were dissected and assigned to three sets:

Wheat is a staple crop in Nepal and is the third major cereal crop grown across the country. To improve the productivity of the crop and increase the number of farmers growing wheat, the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), since 1962, has been releasing new wheat varieties with higher productivity and disease resistance. Accurate identification of the varieties grown in farmer's fields is critical

Knowledge about the key traits related to genetic gains in grain yield (GY) is necessary for understanding the main yield‐limiting factors and guiding future wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding. The objective of this research was to investigate the genetic progress in GY and the associated physiological traits in popular wheat cultivars released from 1969 to 2012 in southwestern China. Field experiments

Producers on the Canadian Prairies grow barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as a forage crop for ruminants, especially cattle. The purpose of our study was to determine methods to improve our selection of barley lines with superior forage value for ruminants. Data from the Western Cooperative Forage Barley Registration Test were used with permission of the Prairie Recommending Committee for Oat and Barley

Petal colour is considered as an important trait and major visual signal for insect‐pollinated plants and landscaping. In previous study, we isolated and identified two genes (BnPC1 and BnPC2) that control the orange petal colour (OPC) in rapeseed. To identify the molecular markers linked to the orange petal colour, we constructed a B. napus linkage map with four newly developed simple sequence repeat

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

ABSTRACT In the present study, total phenolic and flavonoid contents in the methanol extracts of kernels obtained from the selected fruits such as Mangifera indica, Citrus sinensis, Citrus limetta, Punica granatum, and Carica papaya commonly marketed in India and their antioxidant properties were studied. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in kernel extracts (measures in mg gallic acid equivalent

Mepiquat chloride (MC) has been widely used for the field management of cotton and could enhance yield and quality. However, it is not completely clear how MC influences cotton development. A field study was conducted during 2011∼2012 cotton growing seasons to determine the effects of multiple MC applications (from the late seedling stage to near cutout) on the development of each fruit by calendar

Genomic‐wide selection (GWS) consists of the use of a large number of molecular markers for the prediction of genetic values and has been shown to be highly relevant for genetic improvement. The objective of this work was to evaluate and compare the predictive performance of statistical (RR‐Blup and BayesB) and machine learning methods through GWS in simulated populations, with traits presenting different

Fusarium root rot (Fusarium cuneirostrum) and Fusarium wilt (F. oxysporum) are major constraints on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production worldwide as limited genetic resistance is available in current cultivars. Wild accessions have greater genetic diversity than cultivated germplasm and could provide novel sources of resistance for these diseases. We screened 248 wild bean accessions in

Lignin is a phenolic biopolymer that limits the intake potential and energy availability of forage crops. In order to understand the lignification process, enzymatic and biochemical studies were conducted at four different growth stages of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). An increase in phenylalanine ammonia lyase and tyrosine ammonia lyase activity was observed with advancement of growth

The agouti signaling protein (ASIP) gene has a crucial role in pigmentation by encoding a protein that binds the melanocortin 1 receptor and stimulates the synthesis of pheomelanin rather than eumelanin. Several studies have suggested that an increased copy number of the ASIP gene might explain the white pigmentation of certain goat breeds, as previously demonstrated in sheep. In the current work,

This study evaluated the effects of walking exercise and nutritional plan on metabolic variables and the growth of stabled goats. Thirty-six goats [body weight (BW) = 21 ± 0.3 kg] were allocated in individual pens, and the treatments were randomly assigned to the animals in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The treatments consisted of walking exercise (7,5 km/day) or not and two nutritional plans [90 % (0

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of difructose anhydride (DFA) III on dry matter intake in multiparous cows immediately after calving. Seventy-four transition multiparous Holstein cows were allocated into control (CONT) and DFA groups. The average parity number in the CONT and DFA groups was 3.70 ± 0.25 and 3.67 ± 0.26, respectively. Individual cow measurements were collected from

The present study evaluated the physicochemical and sensory traits of marketed table eggs, deriving from different farming methods (cage, barn, and organic) and sampled in different marketing periods (June, July, September, October). A total of n=540 eggs (n=45 eggs/farming method/sampling period) of “medium” weight-grading were purchased and subjected to physical measurements (shell, yolk, and albumen

This study focuses on extensive grassland-based dairy systems, where cows may be exposed to various hazards (climatic, health…) and limiting environments (feeding conditions) over their life. In such livestock systems, the ability of cows to remain in the herd (i.e. lifespan) reveals their ability to cope with such perturbations and to continue meeting the farmer's expectations. Productive lifespan

Among abiotic stressors, cold is one of the most harmful for the cultivated potato, a frost‐sensitive crop. RNAseq profiling of two different clones of S. commersonii contrasting in their capacity to withstand low temperatures revealed a higher number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under non‐acclimated (NAC) conditions in tolerant clone cmm1T compared to the susceptible cmm6‐6 (1,002 and

Previous results from our lab have shown that optical sorter‐based indirect selection reduced deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation in soft red winter wheat (SRWW). In this paper we evaluate the efficacy of optical sorter‐augmented genomic selection (OSA‐GS) for lower DON accumulation at three selection intensities across two years. In total, 758 SRWW breeding lines were genotyped and then phenotyped in

Hard fescue (Festuca brevipila Tracey, 2n = 6x = 42) is a cool season turfgrass with a fine leaf texture that performs well under low‐input management. Breeding and genetics studies of F. brevipila have been limited due to the complexity of its hexaploid genome. To advance our knowledge of F. brevipila genomics, we used PacBio isoform sequencing to develop a reference transcriptome for this species

Drought stress is one of the most important factors limiting soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) productivity and reducing yield stability. Soybean breeders need phenotypic and genotypic tools to improve the drought stress tolerance but most of available strategies are expensive and unaffordable for small‐scale public breeding programs. In this context, elite germplasm of a locally adapted breeding population

A critical step towards the success of the doubled haploid (DH) technique is the haploid identification within induction crosses. The R1‐nj marker is the principal mechanism employed in this task enabling the selection of haploids at the seed stage. Even though it seems easy to identify haploid seeds, this task is performed manually by visual classification, which becomes an inefficient process in