LociScan,a tool for screening genetic marker combinations for plant variety discrimination

To reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of plant genetic marker fingerprinting for variety discrimination,it is desirable to identify the optimal marker combinations.We describe a marker combination screening model based on the genetic algorithm(GA)and implemented in a software tool,Loci Scan.Ratio-based variety discrimination power provided the largest optimization space among multiple fitness functions.Among GA parameters,an increase in population size and generation number enlarged optimization depth but also calculation workload.Exhaustive algorithm afforded the same optimization depth as GA but vastly increased calculation time.In comparison with two other software tools,Loci Scan accommodated missing data,reduced calculation time,and offered more fitness functions.In large datasets,the sample size of training data exerted the strongest influence on calculation time,whereas the marker size of training data showed no effect,and target marker number had limited effect on analysis speed.

Boehmeria nivea var. strigosa (Urticaceae), a new variety from Southwest China

Boehmeria nivea var.strigosa Zeng Y.Wu&Y.Zhao,a new variety of B.nivea(Urticaceae)from Southwest China,is here described based on evidence from morphology and molecular phylogeny.This new variety is mainly characterized by its green abaxial leaf blade,partly connate stipules,and densely patent strigose hairs on stems and potioles.The phylogenetic analysis based on rbc L,nrDNA and rbc L+nrDNA datasets,revealed that all individuals of B.nivea var.strigosa formed a monophyletic group.The conservation status of B.nivea var.strigosa is assessed as“Near Threatened”(NT)according to IUCN evaluation criteria.The discovery of this new variety is not only crucial for the taxonomy of ramie,but also provides reference for the exploration and utilization of ramie.

Construction of apricot variety search engine based on deep learning

Apricot has a long history of cultivation and has many varieties and types. The traditional variety identification methods are timeconsuming and labor-consuming, posing grand challenges to apricot resource management. Tool development in this regard will help researchers quickly identify variety information. This study photographed apricot fruits outdoors and indoors and constructed a dataset that can precisely classify the fruits using a U-net model (F-score:99%), which helps to obtain the fruit's size, shape, and color features. Meanwhile, a variety search engine was constructed, which can search and identify variety from the database according to the above features. Besides, a mobile and web application (ApricotView) was developed, and the construction mode can be also applied to other varieties of fruit trees.Additionally, we have collected four difficult-to-identify seed datasets and used the VGG16 model for training, with an accuracy of 97%, which provided an important basis for ApricotView. To address the difficulties in data collection bottlenecking apricot phenomics research, we developed the first apricot database platform of its kind (ApricotDIAP, http://apricotdiap.com/) to accumulate, manage, and publicize scientific data of apricot.

The Influence of Gratering, Fermentation and Variety on the Physio-Chemical Quality of Cassava Starch

The study was conducted to determine the influence of gratering and fermentation parameters on the physicochemical quality of starch obtained from two cassava varieties in Sierra Leone (i.e., SLICASS 11 and SLICASS 6). Fresh cassava roots harvested from the Department of Agricultural Engineering were peeled, washed and grated before fermentation and starch extraction. Fermentation was carried out under separate aerobic and anaerobic conditions for a period of Seven days. Physicochemical analyses were conducted at the Postharvest Food and Bioprocess Engineering Laboratory of the Department of Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering, Njala University to determine the solubility, water absorption capacity and swelling power of starch extracts obtained from various experimental treatments. Fermentation method and duration had significant effects on the solubility, water absorption capacity (WAC) and swelling power (SP) of starch extracts. Maximum solubility and WAC were recorded on the fifth day, for both cassava varieties tested, with apparent significant difference resulting from the two gratering bands (i.e., with 1.5-inch nail hole and 4-inch nail hole sizes, respectively). While swelling power increased consistently with temperature for starch obtained from SLICASS-11 variety, an irregular pattern was observed for SLICASS-6 variety. A multiple correlation analysis proposes a significant and weak correlation between temperature, WAC (+0.150) and swelling power (+0.048). Also multiple correlation analyses suggest a significant correlation between fermentation period, the functional properties of starch extracts obtained from both fermentation methods and cassava varieties (i.e., solubility (−0.226), water absorption capacity (+0.301) and swelling power (+0.329)).

Variety Selection and Green Cultivation Technology of Courtyard Ornamental and Edible Peppers

In order to comply with the development trend of the multifunctional use of peppers,we conducted an investigation into the characteristics and features of varieties,potting management techniques,and the methods of extending the fruit ornamental period and other aspects of courtyard ornamental and edible peppers.A set of cultivation techniques suitable for courtyard ornamental and edible peppers has been developed,including timely sowing and seedling,nutrient soil preparation,water and fertilizer management,trimming and pruning,preservation of flowers and fruits,green prevention and control of diseases and pests,harvesting,and so on.

Effect of Variety and Plant Spacing on Growth and Yield of Groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.)

A field experiment was carried out to determine the effect of variety and plant spacing on yield and growth of groundnuts. The field experiment was laid in a 3 × 3 factorial experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three (3) replications. The factor A included three (3) groundnut varieties (Nkatie Sari, Sum Nutt 22 and Yenyawoso) and Factor B was the three (3) spacing of 30 cm × 15 cm, 30 cm × 30 cm and 30 cm × 40 cm. All recommended agronomic practices were followed. Data was collected from eight (8) tagged plants. Growth data were recorded on plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, and the number of flowers while yield data were collected on the number of flowers, number of pods per plant, 100 seeds weight and the pod yield (kg/ha). The plant spacing significantly influenced (P < 0.05) the growth and yield parameters. Groundnut grown at a spacing of 30 cm × 15 cm produced the maximum plant height, whereas the maximum number of leaves, number of branches and number of flowers were produced from 30 cm × 40 cm. Yenyawoso variety with a wider plant spacing performed better vegetatively among all the varieties. The Yenyawoso variety produced the highest number of pods, 100 seeds weight and pod yield as compared to the other varieties. Also, Yenyawoso at 30 cm × 40 cm spacing and Nkatie Sari at 30 cm × 15 cm spacing produced the maximum pod yield.

Anti-Ecology of the “Lavon” Lily Variety in Different Growing Conditions of the Samarkand Region, Uzbekistan

Lilies are widely recognized as beautiful and ornamental flowers, renowned throughout the world. They are the most popular perennial plants used in landscape design, commonly found in gardens and boulevards, but in recent years, they have also become increasingly popular as houseplants. Lilies have been known in culture for thousands of years and cultivated as food, medicinal and ornamental plants, decorating palaces and temples. Today, these garden flowers occupy one of the leading places in landscaping due to the variety of forms, aroma and rich flower coloring. The color palette of lilies includes almost all colors and shades, with the exception of blue tones. Lilies are distinguished by a long, plentiful flowering, and you can admire them almost all summer, if you choose the right species and varieties [1]. The British Royal Horticultural Society, in conjunction with state commissions, is actively engaged in testing new varieties of lilies in many countries, with the aim of creating new varieties for international registration. One such cultivar is the “Lavon” lily, which is characterized by early flowering and entomophilous traits. As the timing of flower opening during the day is closely related to the summer dynamics of insect pollinator activity, the “Lavon” lily has the potential to be an important addition to the world of horticulture. For the first time in the conditions of closed and open ground in the city of Samarkand, the morphological features of the flowers of the lily variety “Lavon” and the biology of flowering were studied. The phenology of this variety was revealed and its phenospectrum was compiled.

Effect of Paclobutrazol plus Ethephon Treatment on Endogenous Hormones and Carbon and Nitrogen Nutrients in Litchi Variety ‘Feizixiao'

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effect of spraying the mixture of paclobutrazol and ethephon on the endogenous hormones and carbon and nitrogen nutrients in litchi variety ＇Feizixiao＇.[Method] [Result] The results showed that foliar spraying of the mixture of paclobutrazol and ethephon could effectively inhibit litchi variety ＇Feizixiao＇ to produce winter shoots,promote the flower bud differentiation and improve flower formation rate; meanwhile,this treatment could also increase the contents of ABA and ZR,and the ratios of ABA/IAA,ABA/GA3,ZR/IAA,ZR/GA3,and decrease the contents of IAA and GA3; additionally,it could increase the contents of soluble sugar,starch and total nitrogen,and raise C/N ratio,thus improving the flower formation rate.[Conclusion] Foliar spraying of the mixture of paclobutrazol and ethephon is an effective pathway for solving warmth damage to litchi.

Selection of New Sugarcane Variety Guitang 42 with High Yield and High Sugar Content and Suitable for Mechanized Production

[Objective] This study was conducted to provide and promote high-yield,high-sugar, high-lodging resistance cane varieties and change the situation of singleness of sugarcane variety in Guangxi. [Method] The variety, Guitang 04-1001（Guitang 42）, a progeny of the cross ROC22 ×Guitang 92-66, was bred and evaluated in the aspects of morphological characteristics and production characteristics through the breeding program of a five-nursery-system protocol by both regional and production trials. [Results] Under many years of experiments, Guitang 42 was shown with high stalk, medium to large stalk diameter, easy stripping, good germination, medium tillering ability, and more population of millable stalks; and high resistance to mosaic and pokkah boeng, medium resistance to smut, high drought tolerance, and good ratooning ability. During the five-nursery-system procedure, the average of cane and sugar yield was 95.06-108.87 t/hm^2 and 15.11-16.85 t/hm^2, which were higher than CK by 11.3%-14.1% and 16.0%-18.9%, respectively. In the regional trial in 2011 and 2012, the achieved cane yield of 101.7 t/hm^2, sugar yield of 15.03 t/hm^2 and sucrose contents of 14.46% were higher than CK by 9.26%, 14.45% and0.66%, respectively. In the production trial in 2012, the average cane yield was88.62 t/hm^2, which was higher than ROC22 by 7.9%. Guitang 42 was approved by Guangxi Crop Variety Approval Committee in 2013 and elected to Guangxi Top 10 sugarcane commercial variety in 2014. [Conclusion] Guitang 42 has the characteristics of early maturity, high yield, high sugar content, good ratooning ability, and high resistance to lodging（i.e., good comprehensive traits）, and could be popularized in south sugarcane regions in China.

Breeding of a New Silkworm Variety "Yesanyuan" with Healthiness and Hypersilk

[Objective] The study aimed to breed eminent mulbery wild silb with hypersilk.[Method] Eminent mulberry wild silkworm basic materials Ye A and Ye B were bred by distant complex crossing of wild mulberry silkworm with strong stress resistance and hypersilkgeneous silkworm,then hybridized with Japanese silkworm strain,the new silkworm variety "Yesanyuan" with healthiness and hypersilkgene was bred.[Ressult]The results of laboratory identification and rural productive test in Jiangsu Province showed that it has excellent feeding habit,strong stress resistance,high yield,excellent silk quality and excellent fecundity.The new silkworm variety "Yesanyuan" had been approved by Silkworm Variety Evaluation Commission of Jiangsu Province in 2008,it is suitable to rear in Yangtze River catchment for Spring and Autumn,North sericultural area for all-year.[Conclusion] The study is helpful for the development of silkworm industry.

Introduction and Breeding of Olive Variety‘Picual'

The olive variety ＂Picual＇ is native to Jaen Province, Spain and is the main cultivar of olive. In 1979, scions were introduced into China and were grafted in Wuchang of Hubei, Chenggu of Shaanxi, Santai and Xichang of Sichuan, and Kunming of Yunnan. Its fruit is oval, and the weight of a single fruit is 5.38 g. The top of fruit is rounded, and stigma exists. The base of fruit is flat. There is a mouth on the top of its fruit, and it is asymmetric. Oil content in fresh fruit is 24.69%, and oleic acid content is 77.5%; the oil quality is good. In the areas with cold winter in dry and hot valleys of the Jinsha River in Yunnan, its fruit matures in late September. In 2016, it was approved to be a good variety by Yunnan Forest Tree Variety Examination and Approving Committee.

Breeding and Characterization of Yunchachunhao, a New Tea Variety with Full Aroma and High Quality

[Objective] The aim of this study was to select a tea variety with full aro- ma and high quality. [Method] The quality of Yunchachunhao was identified using Yunkang 10 and Fudingdabaicha as the controls in variety comparison test, using Yunkang 10 and Dangdidayezhong as the controls in reginal test. [Result] In variety comparison test, the yield of Yunchachunhao was 39.3% more than that of Yunkang 10, and 29.6% more than that of Fudingdabaicha. In reginal test, the yield of Yun- chachunhao was 2.5% （Baoshan） and 10.2% （Lancang） more than that of Yunkang 10. The roast-dried green tea of Yunchachunhao was characterized by flowery fla- vor, good taste and bright green infused leaves. It got the total scores of 91.13 in quality identification, which was higher than that of Fudingdabaicha （90.75） and Yunkang 10 （88.85）. The steam fixed green tea of Yunchachunhao contained 28.0% polyphenols and 2.7% amino acids; and the ratio of polyphenols to amino acids was 10.4, lower than that of Fudingdabaicha （10.6） and Yunkang 10 （17.3）. Yun- chachunhao had better resistance to drought and blister blight than Yunkang 10. [Conclusion] The survival rates of cuttings and transplanted seedlings of Yun- chachunhao are higher than that of control varieties, suggesting it has better adapt- ability and can be promoted in the large-leaf tea planting area of Yunnan Province.

Excavation and Screening Utilization of Strong Aroma Tobacco Variety in Chizhou Tobaccogrowing Area

[Objective] This study was aimed to screen out the strong-aroma tobacco variety with good ecological adaptability as the best cultivar in Chizhou. [Method] Based on the ecological conditions that formed the strong aroma style of tobacco leaves in the tobacco-growing area, 6 varieties（K326, NC55, NC71, 0508, Yunyan99, Yan240） were selected and compared through combining the demand characteristics of industrial enterprise to the quality. [Results] The output value of 0508 was the highest and NC71 had a medium output value but with coordinated chemical composition. The system evaluation of this study on the quality and characteristic style further clarified the feature strength and utility value of various tobacco varieties with strong aroma. [Conclusion] NC71 is the best cultivar in Chizhou tobacco-growing area, and it is suggested using NC71 as the demonstrative variety of the next year. The study on the excavation and screening utilization of tobacco varieties with local features is of great significance to the tobacco production industry.

Breeding of New Winter Wheat Variety Nongda No.399

The winter wheat variety Nongda No. 399 was developed by Agriculture and Biotechnology College of China Agricultural University and Hebei Jincheng Seed Corporation Ltd. with the characteristics of high yield, high-resistance and wide adaptation. The variety is suitable for direct seeding in the winter wheat planting area of the central and southern Hebei Province.

Selection of Cotton Variety Suitable for Cottonwheat Intercropping in Rainy and Poor Sunshine Years

The year of 2013 is a typical rainy and poor sunshine year, and the monthly sunshine hours from May to October were all lower than the average, which from July to September was only 69.3%,71.1% and 56.2% of average, respectively. In cotton-wheat system 10 cotton varieties （lines） were planted to select the most suitable varieties for cotton-wheat system in rainy and poor sunshine years through investigating cotton growing traits in 2013. The results showed that in cotton-wheat system the vegetative growth of cotton was mainly from late June to middle July especially in rainy and poor sunshine years. And with the increase of the cotton growth period the peak of vegetative growth delayed, the ratio of the autumn bolls increased, and the ratio of pre-frost yield decreased. In all the varieties unginned cottonyield of Zhongmiansuo 50 with shorter growth period, higher rate of summer bolls and better fiber quality, seed yield reached 3 814.1 kg/hm2, higher than that of other varieties （lines） significantly, and the rate of pre-frost yield reached 83.4%, which was the most suitable variety for cotton-wheat system in rainy and poor sunshine years.

Breeding of New Maize Variety ‘Wan-de No.1' with High Quality, High Yield and Multi-resistance

Considering the ecological environment of Sichuan area, an experiment was conducted to breed new maize varieties with high yield, high quality, multi re- sistance and wide adaptability. According to the principle of gene recombination, the authors combined the local tropical germplasm with PB germplasm, which was rich in disease-resistant, lodging-resistant and drought-tolerant genes, and the integration was used as the innovative strategy for breeding. Inbred-line ＇LSC 107＇ was suc- cessfully bred and the new maize hybrid ＇Wande No.l＇ was bred by crossing ＇LSC 107＇ with ＇Yi 99-19＇. The results showed that the maize hybrid had good performance, including high yield, good stability, high quality, excellent disease re- sistance and lodging resistance, and wide adaptation. So it was adaptable for plant- ing in plain and hilly areas of Sichuan Province. With hybrid recombination between local tropical germplasm and PB inbred lines, the inbred-line had high general com- bining ability and strong adaptability, and the hybrid had high yield, high quality and wide adaptability, and had broad prospects of popularization and application.

Application of Computer Vision Technique to Maize Variety Identification

Variety identification is important for maize breeding, processing and trade. The computer vision technique has been widely applied to maize variety identification. In this paper, computer vision technique has been summarized from the following technical aspects including image acquisition, image processing, characteristic parameter extraction, pattern recognition and programming softwares. In addition, the existing problems during the application of this technique to maize variety identification have also been analyzed and its development tendency is forecasted.

Mapping of a Major Stripe Rust Resistance Gene in Chinese Native Wheat Variety Chike Using Microsatellite Markers

Chike （accession number Su1900）, a Chinese native wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） variety, is resistant to the currently prevailing physiological races of Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici in China. Genetic analysis indicated that resistance to the physiological race CY32 of the pathogen in the variety was controlled by one dominant gene. In this study, BSA （bulked segregant analysis） methods and SSRs （simple sequence repeats） marker polymorphic analysis are used to map the gene. The resistant and susceptible DNA bulks were prepared from the segregating F2 population of the cross between Taichung 29, a susceptible variety as maternal parent, and Chike as paternal parent. Over 400 SSR primers were screened, and five SSR markers Xwmc44, Xgwm259, Xwmc367, Xcfa2292, and Xbarc80 on the chromosome arm 1BL were found to be polymorphic between the resistant and the susceptible DNA bulks as well as their parents. Genetic linkage was tested on segregating F2 population with 200 plants, including 140 resistant and 60 susceptible plants. All the five SSR markers were linked to the stripe rust resistance gene in Chike. The genetic distances for the markers Xwmc44, Xgwm259, Xwmc367, Xcfa2292, and Xbarc80 to the target gene were 8.3 cM, 9.1 cM, 17.2 cM, 20.6 cM, and 31.6 cM, respectively. Analysis using 21 nulli-tetrasomic Chinese Spring lines further confirmed that all the five markers were located on chromosome lB. On the basis of the above results, it is reasonable to assume that the major stripe rust resistance gene YrChk in Chike was located on the chromosome arm 1BL, and its comparison with the other stripe rust resistance genes located on 1B suggested that YrChk may be a novel gene that provides the resistance against stripe rust in Chike. Exploration and utilization of resources of disease resistance genes in native wheat varieties will be helpful both to diversify the resistance genes and to amend the situation of resistance gene simplification in the commercial wheat cultivars in China.

The Breeding and Application of a New Super High-yield Mini Watermelon Variety ‘Jinmi 2'

[Objective] The aim was to breed early ripening and high-yielding moderate or small watermelon variety prone to planting. [Method] ‘Jinmi 2＇ is a new super high-yielding hybrid mini watermelon developed by crossing J52 as female parent with X712 as a male parent. [Result] The variety is early maturing with 31 days fruit developing period and 108 days growth period. The average fruit weight is 2.4 kg and yield at 31 455 kg/hm2. The fruit is oblong shaped and it has a light green rind with jagged dark green stripes. The fresh is red, and tastes crisp and sweet, with center soluble solid content at 11.0% and margin at 7.8%. [Conclusion] The variety is suitable for production in most areas of Zhejiang.

谈韩国TV艺能节目的类型创新——以real variety节目《无限挑战:■■■■》为例

韩国TV艺能节目在中国越来越受到TV观众,尤其是中国年轻TV观众欢迎。该节目在韩国一直以来也深得韩国TV观众的支持和厚爱。另外,该节目已经成为评价韩国国内其他韩国TV艺能节目的行为典范。所以本文通过韩国TV艺能节目Real Variety《无限挑战;■■■■》来分析该节目的主题策划、MC的主持特点等等给大家展现出韩国TV艺能节目的创新性。以及《无限挑战;■■■■》节目的不足之处,其节目的展望。本文通过对real variety《无限挑战;■■■■》节目的内容特点以及主持特点的分析,做了有益的探索。