Phenotypic and genotypic background underlying variations in fatty acid composition and sensory parameters in European bovine breeds

Background： Consuming moderate amounts of lean red meat as part of a balanced diet valuably contributes to intakes of essential nutrients, in this study, we merged phenotypic and genotypic information to characterize the variation in lipid profile and sensory parameters and to represent the diversity among 15 cattle populations. Correlations between fat content, organoleptic characteristics and lipid profiles were also investigated. Methods： A sample of 436 largely unrelated purebred bulls belonging to 15 breeds and reared under comparable management conditions was analyzed. Phenotypic data -including fatness score, fat percentage, individual fatty acids （FA） profiles and sensory panel tests- and genotypic information from 11 polymorphisms was used. Results： The correlation coefficients between muscle total lipid measurements and absolute vs. relative amounts of polyunsaturated FA （PUFA） were in opposite directions. Increasing carcass fat leads to an increasing amount of FAs in triglycerides, but at the same time the relative amount of PUFAs is decreasing, which is in concordance with the negative correlation obtained here between the percentage of PUFA and fat measurements, as well as the weaker correlation between total phospholipids and total lipid muscle content compared with neutral lipids. Concerning organoleptic characteristics, a negative correlation between fiavour scores and the percentage of total PUFA, particularly to n-6 fraction, was found. The correlation between juiciness and texture is higher than with flavour scores. The distribution of SNPs plotted by principal components analysis （PCA） mainly reflects their known trait associations, although influenced by their specific breed allele frequencies. Conclusions： The results presented here help to understand the phenotypic and genotypic background underlying variations in FA composition and sensory parameters between breeds. The wide range of traits and breeds studied, along with the genotypic information on polymorphisms previously associated with different lipid traits, provide a broad characterization of beef meat, which allows giving a better response to the variety of consumers＇ preferences. Also, the development and implementation of low-density SNP panels with predictive value for economically important traits, such as those summarized here, may be used to improve production efficiency and meat quality in the beef industry.

Transitions in a genotype selection model driven by coloured noises

This paper investigates a genotype selection model subjected to both a multiplicative coloured noise and an additive coloured noise with different correlation time τ1 and τ2 by means of the numerical technique. By directly simulating the Langevin Equation, the following results are obtained. （1） The multiplicative coloured noise dominates, however, the effect of the additive coloured noise is not neglected in the practical gene selection process. The selection rate μ decides that the selection is propitious to gene A haploid or gene B haploid. （2） The additive coloured noise intensity and the correlation time τ2 play opposite roles. It is noted that α and τ2 can not separate the single peak, while can make the peak disappear and ^-2 can make the peak be sharp. （3） The multiplicative coloured noise intensity D and the correlation time τ1 can induce phase transition, at the same time they play opposite roles and the reentrance phenomenon appears. In this case, it is easy to select one type haploid from the group with increasing D and decreasing τ1.

ON THE GLOBAL STABILITY CONJECTURE OF THE GENOTYPE SELECTION MODEL

In 1994, Grove, Kocic, Ladas, and Levin conjectured that the local stability and global stability conditions of the fixed point -y= 1/2 in the genotype selection model should be equivalent. In this article, we give an affirmative answer to this conjecture and prove that local stability implies global stability. Some illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the results.

Assessment of Different Traits to Evaluate Genetic Divergence in Some Wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i>L.) Genotypes under Late Sowing Condition

The research work was undertaken to identify the extent of genetic diversity in different parameters of wheat related to heat tolerance mechanism. Performances of currently available 25 spring wheat genotypes were studied at the Regional Wheat Research Institute, Shyampur, Rajshahi during the winter season of 2016/2017. All these genotypes (25) were grouped into five clusters on the basis of non-hierarchical clustering parameters viz. cluster I (G2, G5, G6, G16, G20), II (G4, G7, G9, G11, G12, G17), III (G10, G24), IV (G1, G13, G19, G21) and V (G3, G8, G14, G15, G18, G22, G23, G25). These groups were arranged into five (5) pairs of clusters viz. cluster I and III;II and III;II and V;III and IV;IV and V considering their similar potentiality of different traits. Results revealed that the maximum number of genotypes (8) was found in cluster V while cluster III comprised minimum genotypes (2). The inter-cluster distance was higher than intra-cluster distances. The highest and second highest eigenvalues belonged to spike/m2 (25.23%) and spikelets/spike (20.18%) respectively, along with positive canonical values in both the vectors 1 and 2 for these two traits identified them as major traits by exposing their highest potential toward genetic divergence. Cluster III produced the highest spike/m2 (388.8), grain/spike (48.1), plant height (89.5 cm), SPAD (54.2), yield (2799 kg/ha) and biomass (7758.1 Kg/ha) with lowest heading days (64.7 days), maturity days (98.7 days), canopy temperature at vegetative stage (21.7°C) and canopy temperature at grain filling stage (22.4°C). In contrast, cluster V produced the lowest 1000-grain weight (30.4 g) and grain yield (2172 kg/ha) belonging to the highest canopy temperature at both stages (23.8°C and 24.7°C). However, results suggested that the genotypes G10 and G24 under the cluster III, and genotypes G01, G13, G19 and G21 under the cluster IV could be considered as parents for future hybridization program, as well as the five pairs of clusters viz. cluster I and III;II and III;II and V;III and IV;IV and V might be matched as considered for getting more heterotic F1. The results of the study would help to identify the divergent genotypes associate with heat tolerance and this might be helpful in designing future breeding program.