Summary Advanced backcross QTL (AB‐QTL) analysis was deployed to identify allelic variation in wild barley ( Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum ) of value in the improvement of grain yield and other agronomically important traits in barley ( Hordeum vulgare ssp. vulgare ) grown under conditions of water deficit in Mediterranean countries. A population of 123 double haploid (DH) lines obtained from BC 1 F 2 plants derived from a cross between Barke (European two‐row cultivar) and HOR11508 (wild barley accession) were tested in replicated field trials, under varying conditions of water availability in Italy, Morocco and Tunisia, for seven quantitative traits. Significant QTL effects at one ( P 0.001) or more trial sites ( P 0.01) were identified for all traits. At 42 (52%) of the 80 putative QTLs identified, the allele increasing a “traits' value” was contributed by H. spontaneum . For example, though the majority (67%) of QTL alleles increasing grain yield were contributed by H. vulgare, H. spontaneum contributed the alleles increasing grain yield at six regions on chromosomes 2H, 3H, 5H and 7H. Among them, two QTLs (associated to Bmac0093 on chromosome 2H and to Bmac0684 on chromosome 5H) were identified in all three locations and had the highest additive effects. The present study shows the validity of deploying AB‐QTL analysis for identifying favourable QTL alleles from wild germplasm and indicates its potential as an enhancement strategy for the genetic improvement of cultivars better adapted to drought‐prone environments.
The current study aimed to investigate the diversity and distribution of freshwater fish in the districts of Sawabi, located in the northwest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. Sawabi is home to numerous streams and rivers between the Indus and Kabul rivers, making it an important area for fishing and farming. A total of 350 fish samples were collected from February to November 2021. Eight species were identified in Sawabi, including Oreochromis niloticus, Catla catla, Carassius gibelio, Tilapia sparmanii, Mystus seenghala, Cyprinus carpio, Rutilus rutilus, Tor tor, Hypopthalmichthys molitrix, and Dorosoma cepedianum. The results suggest that overfishing and water pollution are major factors affecting the survival and expansion of fish species in the area. To improve the fish populations in the rivers and streams, proper stocking and regulations to control overfishing and pollution are needed. The study found that the Cyprinidae family was the most dominant, with ten species identified in the experimental area. However, the number of Tilapia sparmanii and Hypopthalmichthys molitrix was found to be low due to pollution, toxic heavy metals, and other environmental factors that affect breeding and other activities of fish.
La secheresse est un stress abiotique qui affecte le rendement des cereales et sa stabilite dans le bassin mediterraneen. Du point de vue agronomique, l'adaptation a la secheresse est la capacite d'une plante a maintenir un rendement a travers des environnements ou les periodes de secheresse, leurs durees et leurs intensites sont fluc¬ tuantes. Le rendement etant difficile a ameliorer directement (faible heritabilite, fortes interactions genotype x environnement...), l'etude
The research investigates the impact of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) supplementation on broilers subjected to dexamethasone-induced stress. A total of 200-day old chicks were divided into five groups (A, B, C, D and E), each group having four replicates (ten chicks/replica). Negative control group (A) received only basal diet, positive control group (B) given dexamethasone (day 21st onward) in basal diet, group C, D, and E received 0.8%, 1.2%, and 1.6% MOLP respectively. Results indicate that significant (P ≤ 0.05) improvements in liver health, evidenced by decreased levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphate (ALP) in MOLP-treated groups, urea and creatinine levels remained non-significant. Significant alterations in gut microbiota composition, with positive (P ≤ 0.05) changes in Escherichia coli, Bifidobacteria, and Lactobacilli in MOLP-treated birds, indicated potential benefits for gut health. Mineral content analysis revealed higher (P ≤ 0.05) phosphorus % in MOLP-administered groups, ash% and Ca% were non-significant. Bone morphological parameter demonstrated significant (P ≤ 0.05) improvements in tibia length, body weight, tibiotarsal index and weight/length index in 1.2% and 1.6% MOLP groups, diaphysis diameter, medullary canal diameter, medial wall diameter, lateral wall diameter and robusticity index of tibial bones were non-significant. MOLP supplements significantly (P ≤ 0.05) changed muscle fascicle diameter and muscle fascicle cross-sectional area, while muscle fiber diameter, muscle fiber cross-sectional area and muscle fiber density were remained non-significant. It was concluded that up to 1.6% MOLP in broiler feed improves broilers health.
The crane is a large, beautiful animal with long necks, legs, and life expectancy. Like a few other wild wildlife, this group of birds has the potential to lift people's emotions. The current study was carried out from September 2019 to June 2022 in District Bannu Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan to check the hunting rate of Demoiselle crane. Different sites were visited and the data was collected in the form of questionnaires. The entire hunting area was visited, along with the rivers Kurram and Kashu, and the hunters were observed and interviewed during that time. The River Kurram, River Kashu, and River Gambilla, which are located in the Bannu and Lakky Marwat Districts, respectively, are the well-known locations for hunting in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa. Out of the seventy-one hunter groups, group 1 (comprising sixty-three people) reported that there were sixty-five hunting sites along the Kurram River; group 2, comprising thirty-seven members, reported that there were fifty-two hunting sites along the same river. The majority of hunters (70%) felt that early spring (March) was the ideal time to hunt. Majority of hunters (80%; 56/70) found that late night was the optimum time to hunt Demoiselle cranes, with the remaining 10% hunting in the early morning (07/70 and daytime 5.7% (04/70). When hunting Demoiselle cranes, the majority of hunters employed both soya and gun shooting (54/70; 77%), followed by twenty percent (14/70) who used only soya, and three percent (one out of seventy) who exclusively employed gunfire. The selected area is one of the better significant places for Demoiselle crane, which is significantly impacted by a number of risk factors that are in charge of the species' limited migration and population. The best methods for conservation are legislative protection through prohibitions on gaming and rearing, where it is removed from the Red List of Endangered Species.
Abstract Many tropical invasive species have strong allelopathic effects. Chromolaena odorata is reported to have the best potential to act as bioherbicide against several weeds on crops. This research was conducted in May-September 2019 to evaluate the efficacy of C. odorata extract on soybean plant. This study employed Randomized Block Design (RBD) Factorial with two factors. The first factor was 4 different doses of C. odorata extracts: 0, 8, 16 and 24 tons ha −1 . The second factor was 3 different times of application: 0, 7 and 14 days after planting. Variables observed were number of pods per plant, seed weight per plant, weight of 100 seeds and dry seed yield. The findings indicated that the extract did have effect on seed weight per plant, weight of 100 seeds and yield of dry seeds. The application of extract 16-24 tons ha −1 has improved the seed weight per plant, weight of 100 seeds, and yield of dry seeds. There was no interaction between siam weed extract and time of application in all variables observed.
Summary A review is presented of genetic strategies deployed in a 3‐yr project on drought tolerance in barley. Data were collected on genetic, physiological and agronomic traits in non‐irrigated and irrigated field trials in Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. A wide range of barley germplasm (developed from African and European cultivars, adapted landraces and wild barleys) was tested, and positive traits were found in each gene pool. The contrasting environments of the three North African countries had major effects on plant/genotype performance. Genetic effects were also detected, as were genotype × environment interactions. A range of strategies were deployed to investigate the physiology and genetics of quantitative traits associated with field performance. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was performed using backcross lines, recombinant inbred lines and doubled haploid mapping populations. A detailed genetic map was generated in the Tadmor × (ER/Apm) recombinant inbred lines, an important mapping population specifically developed by ICARDA (Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas) and CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center) to study drought. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for grain yield and other important morphological and physiological traits were also identified in a population of doubled haploids derived from F2BCj plants from a cross between a cultivar and a wild barley accession. Significantly, the wild parental line was found to contribute a number of positive alleles for yield. Effects of major developmental genes could explain many of the responses observed. QTLs were found to cluster around major genes controlling flowering time ( sghI ), plant stature ( sdwI and arie .GP) and ear type ( vrsl ), and it is highly likely that the associations represent pleiotropic effects. Some QTLs were associated with candidate genes such as dehydrins and rubisco activase. One of the most significant results was the identification and generation of material that out performed the best local standards in the three participating North African countries; the selected lines have now entered local breeding programmes. The strategies adopted provided information on physiological traits, genotypes and genetic markers that could be used for marker‐assisted selection. Target QTLs and their associated genetic markers may be deployed in marker assisted selection programmes to match crop phenology to the field environment.
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