Ecological Genetics and Genomics最新文献

Understanding the basal expression kinetics of genes related to innate immunity aids effective genetic selection for immune response and how host genetics behaves with tolerance to Newcastle disease (ND) is obscure. It was hence aimed to investigate post-immunization mRNA expression kinetics of some immune response genes in White Leghorn, Aseel and Kadaknath chicken. Day-old chicks were vaccinated with ND RDF-1 strain with booster dose at 28-days of age at the experimental layer farm of ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar (India) and lymphoid tissues were collected in RNAlater at 42-days of age. Total RNA was extracted and first strand cDNA was synthesized. Relative quantification of mRNA expression of IL1-β, IFN-γ, iNOS and TLR15 gene was assessed by qRT-PCR. The mRNA expressions significantly varied among the genes in spleen and thymus, and moderate expression of IFN-γ in all chicken genotypes suggested good protection against Newcastle disease virus. IL1-β-mRNA expressed at the highest level (P˂ 0.05) in spleen followed by thymus and bursa, whereas IFN-γ and iNOS expressed highly (P˂ 0.05) in thymus followed by spleen and bursa. In case of TLR15, the expression was significantly the highest in spleen followed by bursa and thymus. Kadaknath had the highest (P˂ 0.05) expression of IL1-β in thymus and that of iNOS in spleen, whereas Aseel showed the least (P > 0.05) expression than Kadaknath and White Leghorn. The study revealed the existence of wide variation in basal expression levels of immune response genes among different lymphoid tissues and lack of discernible differences in the expression between the chicken genotypes.

Within the cocoa germplasm used for variety development in West Africa, knowledge of varieties that are suitable as rootstocks to promote growth and precocity of clones is lacking. Six cocoa varieties were used to generate 36 clones for evaluation. For each of the six scions selected as ortets from previous progeny trials, the corresponding seed-derived family was regenerated through manual pollinations. The scions were grafted in a full diallel fashion on each of the six seed-derived family, and field evaluated in four replications following a randomized complete block design. Also, seed-derived varieties were evaluated in the nursery for vigour characteristics, and under similar conditions as the 36 clones in the field. Genotype heterozygosity at 72 SNP loci was significantly correlated with vigour characteristics of the six varieties. Seed-derived varieties of high vigour benefited clone performance for vigour, and dry bean yield when used as rootstocks but not as scion. The maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) was different among seed-derived varieties and clones in the dry season but not the rainy season. Among clones, higher Fv/Fm values were associated with higher-vigour rootstock varieties. Diallel grafting model enabled partitioning of total variance into several sub-components. The variance due to specific compatibility ability was not significant for any of the measured traits. Decomposition of the reciprocal variance revealed that significant reciprocal effects were mainly due to significant maternal (rootstock) effects. The key finding is that, for any scion, the most precocious clone is obtained by grafting on high vigour rootstock varieties.

The bulk of senna plant components are used to make herbal medications to treat infections and other ailments. Except for grading, more than 80% of dried leaves are exported from India. The current study examined the genetic variability, correlations, and character contributions of 25 senna accessions. The amplitude of the GCV was larger than that of the PCV, showing that the selected factors interact genetically. X1 had substantial and positive connections with X4, X5, X6, X8, X11, and X13, while X2 had significant and positive links with X7, X10, X11, X12, X13, and X14. The characteristic X11 made the largest direct contribution to the X14 attribute. In X1 and X13, the indirect effect was greater. Fresh and dry leaf weight had high heritability and medium GA over the mean, respectively, whereas pod weight had high heritability and GA over the mean, at 93.62 and 94.93%. The mean, heritability, and GA over the mean of genotypes Gen 1, 2, 3, 4, and 25 were selected for high yield in the most economically significant traits. As a result, the senna genotypes mentioned above may be effectively exploited.

Aphid infestations pose a significant threat to wheat production worldwide, leading to substantial yield losses. Understanding the variation in wheat genotype response to aphids’ infestation across different sowing dates is crucial for effective insect pest management approaches. In this study, we investigated the relative resistance of various wheat genotypes to aphid infestations under varying sowing dates over multiple growing seasons 2019–20 and 2020–21 at Cereal Crops Research Institute, Pirsabak, Nowshera, Pakistan. The objectives were to assess the impact of sowing date on aphid infestations and to identify wheat genotypes that exhibit consistent resistance to aphids. The results revealed significant variations in aphid infestations across different sowing dates, with early-sown (October) wheat genotypes; Khaista-17 and PR-123 having 5.53 and 5.22 aphids/tiller, respectively, experiencing higher aphid pressure among all sowing dates, while lower aphid infestation 1.91 and 2.30 aphids/tiller observed on PR-125 and PR-127 respectively in late-sown (January). In contrast, Khaista-17 and PR-126 sown in October attained higher yield (4041 and 3639 kg ha⁻¹), while the same genotypes attained 448 and 441 kg ha⁻¹ respectively, that late-sown at January 2019–20. Similarly, these genotypes, Khaista-17 and PR-131 with 4.44 and 4.31 aphids/tiller not only sustained lower aphid populations but also demonstrated minimal yield loss due to aphid damage during 2020–21. This research highlights the importance of considering sowing date as a critical factor in wheat-aphid interactions. Furthermore, this study offers valuable insights for pest management strategies aimed at mitigating aphid-related yield losses and improve overall wheat production sustainability.

The conservation of animal genetic resources guarantees the continual existence of diversified nature and thereby ensures the achievement of valuable economic, ecological, social, and cultural demands. Animal genetic resources can be conserved in their natural environments (in-situ conservation) and outside their natural habitats (ex-situ conservation) through different techniques such as zoo, captive breeding, aquarium, and in gene banks by collecting and preserving their germplasm. Reproductive technologies and cryopreservation of genetic materials play a pivotal role in preserving genetic diversity, supporting breeding programs, contributing to biodiversity conservation, adapting to changing environments, and fostering advancements in agriculture and animal husbandry. Its importance extends to ensuring food security, resilience in the face of climate change, and economic opportunities for communities. The collection and cryopreservation of genetic materials, including sperm, oocytes, embryos, and other biological materials capable of generating new offspring, have critical importance in supporting in-situ conservation efforts of threatened animals and the rehabilitation of extinct species and breeds. Advancements in reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination, in-vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, and nuclear transfer have greatly promoted efficiencies in animal reproduction and serve as a significant tool for domestic and wildlife animal conservation, particularly those threatened with extinction. Cryopreservation of germplasm and the application of reproductive technologies possess great success in breeding improvements and genetic resource conservation strategies, increasing the possibility of population rehabilitation. Good achievements have been observed in reconstituting animal populations in different parts of the world, while successful attempts have also been recorded in recovering extinct animals from cryopreserved genetic materials. In Ethiopia, reproductive technologies, such as cryopreservation and artificial insemination, are limited to the collection and distribution of bovine semen for genetic improvement and/or restocking activity. However, other reproductive technologies, including in vitro fertilization, ovulation induction, and reproductive surgeries, are not yet fully implemented due to various limitations. Initiative efforts are started in semen collection from indigenous cattle breeds, horses, and the endangered Ethiopian wolf for the conservation of the animal species or breed. Therefore, animal conservation strategies should adopt and benefit from advances in animal reproduction and cryopreservation technologies. Furthermore, proper emphasis and attention should be given to the development and use of cryopreservation and reproductive technologies in the conservation of animal genetic resources. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to emphasize the commonly utilized reproductive technologies