Genotyping ex situ trees of Abies nebrodensis translocated from the original Sicilian population to enrich the gene pool

As a dynamic ex situ conservation strategy,a clonal seed orchard was started in a nursery in Pomaio(POM)in central Italy in 1993 for an assisted migration experiment of Abies nebrodensis(Lojac.)Mattei.Two artifi cial ex situ populations were planted with this gene pool:a seedling arboretum in Pieve Santo Stefano(PSS)and a small dendrological collection in Papiano(PAP),both originating from the Sicilian relict population.Here,using AFLP markers,we estimated the relatedness among the relocated genotypes of the three collections to check whether the three collections had suffi cient genetic variability to be considered as additional sources of variability to the original gene pool for the assisted migration strategy.High individual genetic variability was found in the collections;each plant had a diff erent genotype and was confi rmed to belong to its population of origin.PAP and PSS trees were shown to be only from the original population of A.nebrodensis species and were derived from a limited set of maternal fertile genotypes.Based on the Sicilian fi r population inventory,nursery production in Sicily,and structure clustering analysis,close genetic relationships among POM,PAP and several PSS trees(1–35)were evident.Similarly,the PSS group(36–78)was genetically close to tree 1 of POM and in a lesser proportion to plants 7 and 9 of POM.The sampling of seedlings used to form batches in the nursery might have infl uenced the structure of the resultant plantations.All genotypes will be useful for enriching the original gene pool.

Identification and Analysis of Genetic Diversity Structure Within Pisum Genus Based on Microsatellite Markers

To assesse the genetic diversity among wild and cultivated accessions of 8 taxonomic groups in 2 species, and 5 subspecies under Pisum genus, and to analyze population structure and their genetic relationships among various groups of taxonomy, the study tried to verify the fitness of traditionally botanical taxonomic system under Pisum genus and to provide essential information for the exploration and utilization of wild relatives of pea genetic resources. 197 Pisum accessions from 62 counties of 5 continents were employed for SSR analysis using 21 polymorphic primer pairs in this study. Except for cultivated field pea Pisum sativum ssp. sativum var. sativum （94 genotypes）, also included were wild relative genotypes that were classified as belonging to P. fulvum, P. sativum ssp.abyssinicum, P. sativum ssp. asiaticum, P. sativum ssp. transcaucasicum, P. sativum ssp. elatius var. elatius, P. sativum ssp. elatius var. pumilio and P. sativum ssp. sativum var. arvense （103 genotypes）. The PCA analyses and 3-dimension PCA graphs were conducted and drawn by NTSYSpc 2.2d statistical package. Nei78 genetic distances among groups of genetic resources were calculated, and cluster analysis using UPGMA method was carried out by using Popgene V1.32 statistical package, the dendrogram was drawn by MEGA3.1 statistical package. Allelic statistics were carried out by Popgene V1.32. The significance test between groups of genotypes was carried out by Fstat V2.9.3.2 statistical package. 104 polymorphic bands were amplified using 21 SSR primer pairs with unambiguous unique polymorphic bands. 4.95 alleles were detected by each SSR primer pair in average, of which 65.56% were effective alleles for diversity. PSAD270, PSAC58, PSAA18, PSAC75, PSAA175 and PSAB72 were the most effective SSR pairs. SSR alleles were uniformly distributed among botanical taxon units under Pisum genus, but significant difference appeared in most pairwise comparisons for genetic diversity between taxon unit based groups of genetic resources. Genetic diversity level of wild species P. fulvum was much lower than the cultivated species P. sativum. Under species P. sativum, P. sativum ssp. sativum var. sativum and P. sativum ssp. asiaticum were the highest in gentic diversity, followed by P. sativum ssp. elatius var. elatius and P. sativum ssp. transcaucasicum, P. sativum ssp. elatius var. pumilio, P. sativum ssp. sativum vat. arvense and P. sativum ssp. abyssinicum were the lowest. Four gene pool clusters were detected under Pisum genus by using PCA analysis. Gene pool ＂fulvum＂ mainly consisted of wild species Pisum fulvum, gene pool ＂abyssinicum＂ mainly consisted of P. sativum ssp. abyssinicum, and gene pool ＂arvense＂ mainly consisted of P. sativum ssp. sativum var. arvense. While gene pool ＂sativum＂ were composed by 5 botanical taxon units, they are P. sativum ssp. asiaticum, P. sativum ssp. elatius var. elatius, P. sativum ssp. transcaucasicum, P. sativum ssp. elatius var. pumilio and P. sativum ssp. sativum var. sativum. ＂sativum＂ gene pool constructed the primary gene pool of cultivated genetic resources; ＂fulvum＂ gene pool, ＂abyssinicum＂ gene pool and ＂arvense＂ gene pool together constructed the secondary gene pool of cultivated genetic resources. Pairwise Nei78 genetic distance among botanical taxon based groups of pea genetic resources ranged from 7.531 to 35.956, 3 large cluster groups were identified based on the UPGMA dendrogram. Group Ⅰ equals to ＂sativum＂ and ＂arvense＂ gene pools, Group Ⅱ equals to ＂abyssinicum＂ gene pool, and Group Ⅲ equals to ＂fulvum＂ gene pool. The UPGMA clustering results generally supporting the PCA clusting results. There were significant differences among most botanical groups under Pisum genus, with clear separation of four gene pools for genetic diversity structure. The research results partially support the traditional botanical taxonomy under Pisum genus, and pointed out its advantage and shortcoming. In order to broaden the genetic bases of pea varieties, the genetic potentials in the four gene pools should be thoroughly exploited.

A Gene-Pool Based Genetic Algorithm for TSP

Based on the analysis of previous genetic algorithms (GAs) for TSP, a novel method called Ge- GA is proposed. It combines gene pool and GA so as to direct the evolution of the whole population. The core of Ge- GA is the construction of gene pool and how to apply it to GA. Different from standard GAs, Ge- GA aims to enhance the ability of exploration and exploitation by incorporating global search with local search. On one hand a local search called Ge- Lo-calSearch operator is proposed to improve the solution quality, on the other hand the modified Inver-Over operator called Ge InverOver is considered as a global search mechanism to expand solution space of local minimal. Both of these operators are based on the gene pool. Our algorithm is applied to 11 well-known traveling salesman problems whose numbers of cities are from 70 to 1577 cities. The experiments results indicate that Ge- GA has great robustness for TSP. For each test instance, the average value of solution quality, found in accepted time, stays within 0. 001% from the optimum.

Genetic diversity and differentiation among populations of the pedunculate oak(Quercus robur)at the eastern margin of its range based on a new set of 95 SNP loci

The aim of this study is to determine the genetic variability and differentiation among populations of pedunculate oak(Quercus robur)at the eastern margin of the species distribution range.We applied new set of 95 geographically informative nuclear SNP(single nucleotide polymorphism)loci developed using Double Digest Restriction Site Associated DNA(ddRAD),a new generation DNA sequencing technology.The study area is located in the basins of the Volga River and its two main tributaries,Kama and Belaya.Despite the strong reduction and fragmentation of pedunculate oak forests over the last several centuries and comparatively small sizes of present stands,a relatively similar genetic diversity of seven populations was observed(on average,allelic diversity v_(a)=1.472-1.603,observed heterozygosity H_(O)=0.305-0.358,expected heterozygosity H_(E)=0.272-0.343).The genetic distances between populations vary between 0.102 and 0.170(on average,d_(0)=0.128).We have identified the absence of a spatial genetic structure and the existence of genetically peculiar populations in the territory studied.The genetic distances of Gregorius between populations vary between 0.102 and 0.170(on average,d_(0)=0.128).Genetic differentiation among populations was statistically significant with a mean of the fixation index FST of 0.075.Populations from the Privolzhye Upplands and from northern parts of the study area make the most contribution to overall inter-population differentiation(d_(0)=0.137).No significant differences exist among the samples at lowlands along the Volga river(d_(0)=0.110).It was concluded that the multiplicity and different ages of local populations and the complexity of migration routes of the pedunculate oak from Pleistocene refugia and secondary Holocene shelters can cause this phenomenon.

Genomic insights into the origin and evolution of spelt(Triticum spelta L.)as a valuable gene pool for modern wheat breeding

Spelt(Triticum aestivum ssp.spelta)is an important wheat subspecies mainly cultivated in Europe before the 20th century that has contributed to modern wheat breeding as a valuable genetic resource.However,relatively little is known about the origins and maintenance of spelt populations.Here,using resequencing data from 416 worldwide wheat accessions,including representative spelt wheat,we demonstrate that Eu-ropean spelt emerged when primitive hexaploid wheat spread to the west and hybridized with pre-settled domesticated emmer,the putative maternal donor.Genomic introgression regions from domesticated emmer confer spelt’s primitive morphological characters used for species taxonomy,such as tenacious glumes and laterflowering.We propose a haplotype-based"spelt index"to identify spelt-type wheat vari-eties and to quantify utilization of the spelt gene pool in modern wheat cultivars.This study reveals the ge-netic basis for the establishment of the spelt wheat subspecies in a specific ecological niche and the vital role of the spelt gene pool as a unique germplasm resource in modern wheat breeding.

Bolting and Flowering Response of <i>Lactuca georgica</i>, a Wild Lettuce Relative, to Low Temperatures

To learn about the phenological adaptation of Lactuca georgica Grossh., a wild relative of domesticated lettuce, we studied seed sampled accessions obtained from individual plants at 19 locations throughout six regions in Armenia, and from two natural populations in Dagestan (Russian Federation) collected as bulk samples. The effects of various vernalization treatments on time to bolting, flowering and seed production time were investigated during four successive years at different growth stages of L. georgica plants. We demonstrate that low temperatures play a major role in stimulating the reproduction process of L. georgica plants. Our results would suggest that for L. georgica: 1) There is an obligatory (or nearly so) vernalization requirement;2) Plant age, vernalization duration, and genotype of original sample have a role in bolting and flowering regulation;3) Some plants behaved as typical annuals, responding to vernalization treatment at the seedling stage, but, most did not;4) Four months of vernalization could be adequate to reach bolting in plants with a developed vegetative rosette, for most—but not all—samples;5) In order to find the best solution for stimulating the reproductive process of multiple genotypes, it seems that further study should focus on about 4 - 6 months of vernalization at 4°C applied to plants of about 10 - 22 months old vegetative rosettes, with controlled post-vernalization condition;6) L. georgica germplasm could be used as a source for delayed bolting in breeding of domesticated lettuce varieties.

Target chromosome-segment substitution: A way to breeding by design in rice

Progress in plant breeding depends on the development of genetic resources,genetic knowledge,and breeding techniques.The core of plant breeding is the use of naturally occurring variation.At the beginning of the post-genomic era,a new concept of"breeding by design"was proposed,which aims to control all allelic variation for all genes of agronomic importance.In the past two decades,we have applied a three-step strategy for research on rice breeding by design.In the first step,we constructed a singlesegment substitution line(SSSL)library using Huajingxian 74(HJX74),an elite xian(indica)rice cultivar,as the recipient in which to assemble genes from the rice AA genome.In the second step,we identified a series of desirable genes in the SSSL library.In the third step,we designed new rice lines,and achieved the breeding goals by pyramiding target genes in the HJX74-SSSL library.This review introduces the background,concept,and strategy of breeding by design,as well as our achievements in rice breeding by design using the HJX74-SSSL platform.Our practice shows that target chromosome-segment substitution is a way to breeding by design.

Study on security and protection of original ecotourism resources in the mountain areas of western Guangxi

Original ecotourism resources mainly refer to natural and human original ecotourism resources, and it＇s of fragility, rarity and irreversibility. As a valuable historic heritage and hnportant tourism resources, it plays a significant role in developing tourism and economy in such areas as the underdeveloped areas, the mountain areas and mimority areas. The tourism resources in the western mountain areas of Guangxi owe ,superiorities and characteristics ＇o their original ecology, Yet, western Guangxi is an ethnic region with fragile karst eco-environment, so it is specialto exploit the tourism resources. The paper defines original eeotourism and analyses the specialties and advantages of the original ecotourism resources as well as thefrailty of the ecotourism resources of the region. The ways of thinking are put forward for safe preservation and sustainable development of the original ecotourism resources, i.e. carrying out measures for the multi-grade protection of heritage resources, setting up a ethnic eco-museum/ ethnic culture eco-park and a gene pool of ethnic cultures, etc.

Large-scale genome-wide SNP analysis reveals the rugged(and ragged)landscape of global ancestry,phylogeny,and demographic history in chicken breeds

The worldwide chicken gene pool encompasses a remarkable,but shrinking,number of divergently selected breeds of diverse origin.This study was a large-scale genome-wide analysis of the landscape of the complex molecular architecture,genetic variability,and detailed structure among 49 populations.These populations represent a significant sample of the world's chicken breeds from Europe(Russia,Czech Republic,France,Spain,UK,etc.),Asia(China),North America(USA),and Oceania(Australia).Based on the results of breed genotyping using the Illumina 60K single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)chip,a bioinformatic analysis was carried out.This included the calculation of heterozygosity/homozygosity statistics,inbreeding coefficients,and effective population size.It also included assessment of linkage disequilibrium and construction of phylogenetic trees.Using multidimensional scaling,principal component analysis,and ADMIXTURE-assisted global ancestry analysis,we explored the genetic structure of populations and subpopulations in each breed.An overall 49-population phylogeny analysis was also performed,and a refined evolutionary model of chicken breed formation was proposed,which included egg,meat,dual-purpose types,and ambiguous breeds.Such a large-scale survey of genetic resources in poultry farming using modern genomic methods is of great interest both from the viewpoint of a general understanding of the genetics of the domestic chicken and for the further development of genomic technologies and approaches in poultry breeding.In general,whole genome SNP genotyping of promising chicken breeds from the worldwide gene pool will promote the further development of modern genomic science as applied to poultry.

Hv-SEMIGROUP STRUCTURE ON F2-OFFSPRING OF A GENE POOL

Mendel, the father of genetics took the first steps in defining ＂contrasting characters, genotypes in F1 and F2... and setting different laws＂. The genotypes of F2 is dependent on the type of its parents genotype and it follows certain roles. Purpose of this paper is to analyze the second generation genotypes of monohybrid and a dihybrid with a mathematical structure. We use the concept of Hv-semigroup structure in the F2-genotypes with cross oper- ation and prove that this is an Hv-semigroup. We determine the kinds of number of the Hv-subsemigroups of F2-genotypes.

Gene expression changes in blood RNA after swimming in a chlorinated pool

Exposure to disinfection by-products（DBP） such as trihalomethanes（THM） in swimming pools has been linked to adverse health effects in humans, but their biological mechanisms are unclear. We evaluated short-term changes in blood gene expression of adult recreational swimmers after swimming in a chlorinated pool. Volunteers swam 40 min in an indoor chlorinated pool. Blood samples were drawn and four THM（chloroform,bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform） were measured in exhaled breath before and after swimming. Intensity of physical activity was measured as metabolic equivalents（METs）. Gene expression in whole blood m RNA was evaluated using Illumina Human HT-12v3 Expression-Bead Chip. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate the relationship between gene expression changes and THM exposure. Thirty-seven before-after pairs were analyzed. The median increase from baseline to after swimming were： 0.7 to 2.3 for MET, and 1.4 to 7.1 μg/m^3 for exhaled total THM（sum of the four THM）.Exhaled THM increased on average 0.94 μg/m^3 per 1 MET. While 1643 probes were differentially expressed post-exposure. Of them, 189 were also associated with exhaled levels of individual/total THM or MET after False Discovery Rate. The observed associations with the exhaled THM were low to moderate（Log-fold change range：-0.17 to 0.15）. In conclusion, we identified short-term gene expression changes associated with swimming in a pool that were minor in magnitude and their biological meaning was unspecific. The high collinearity between exhaled THM levels and intensity of physical activity precluded mutually adjusted models with both covariates. These exploratory results should be validated in future studies.