Long-term trends in the abundance and breeding performance in Adélie penguins:the Argentine Ecosystem Monitoring Program

In this work,we report long-term trends in the abundance and breeding performance of Adélie penguins(Pygoscelis adeliae)nesting in three Antarctic colonies(i.e.,at Martin Point,South Orkneys Islands;Stranger Point/Cabo Funes,South Shetland Islands;and Esperanza/Hope Bay in the Antarctic Peninsula)from 1995/96 to 2022/23.Using yearly count data of breeding groups selected,we observed a decline in the number of breeding pairs and chicks in crèche at all colonies studied.However,the magnitude of change was higher at Stranger Point than that in the remaining colonies.Moreover,the index of breeding success,which was calculated as the ratio of chicks in crèche to breeding pairs,exhibited no apparent trend throughout the study period.However,it displayed greater variability at Martin Point compared to the other two colonies under investigation.Although the number of chicks in crèche of Adélie penguins showed a declining pattern,the average breeding performance was similar to that reported in gentoo penguin colonies,specifically,those undergoing a population increase(even in sympatric colonies facing similar local conditions).Consequently,it is plausible to assume a reduction of the over-winter survival as a likely cause of the declining trend observed,at least in the Stranger Point and Esperanza colonies.However,we cannot rule out local effects during the breeding season affecting the Adélie population of Martin Point.

Study on Designing Standards System Framework of Hainan National Breeding and Multiplication

A preliminary feasibility study was set up for the HNBM standard system. By introducing the set theory and basic methods of the solid geometry and adopting the Verman three-dimensional structure ideology innovatively, the standards system of Hainan National Breeding and Multiplication (HNBM) was studied with the four-dimensional structure and integration by combining with the time dimension. The four-dimensional structure standards system will be useful for guiding the construction of the HNBM standards system, carrying on the division of labor and realizing the dynamic development of the standards system. The standards set of HNBM helps to computer programming and information management.

Breeding of Mycoplasmal pneumonia-negative Swine Population Using Combination Therapy,Segregated Early Weaning(SEW) and Three-point Production System

In order to explore a breeding method for mycoplasmal pneumonia-negative swine population, the purifying effects of combination therapy, SEW and three-point breeding and management system on Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae were investigated in this study. After the processes of screening pregnant sows, programmed therapy for sows, SEW, three-point breeding and management in the barrier isolation system and programmed therapy for piglets, the newly-bred piglets were monitored as long as four months by serum antibody detection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and fluorescent quantitative PCR of nose swabs. The results showed that when the newlybred five batches of piglets were older than 35 d, they were all negative by serum antibody detection and nose swab antigen detection. Therefore, the combination therapy, SEW and three-point production and management system can effectively purify Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, providing theoretical basis and clinical experience for the control and purification of domestic mycoplasmal pneumonia.

Germplasm resources and genetic breeding of Paeonia:a systematic review

Members of the genus Paeonia,which consists of globally renowned ornamentals and traditional medicinal plants with a rich history spanning over 1500 years,are widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere.Since 1900,over 2200 new horticultural Paeonia cultivars have been created by the discovery and breeding of wild species.However,information pertaining to Paeonia breeding is considerably fragmented,with fundamental gaps in knowledge,creating a bottleneck in effective breeding strategies.This review systematically introduces Paeonia germplasm resources,including wild species and cultivars,summarizes the breeding strategy and results of each Paeonia cultivar group,and focuses on recent progress in the isolation and functional characterization of structural and regulatory genes related to important horticultural traits.Perspectives pertaining to the resource protection and utilization,breeding and industrialization of Paeonia in the future are also briefly discussed.

Floral display and breeding system of Jatropha curcas L.

Plant flowering and breeding characteristics are important for us to understand the reproduction of plant populations. In this paper, we studied the reproduction characteristics of Jatropha curcas in Yuanjiang County （23°36＇1＇4, 101°00＇E）, Yunnan Province. The plant produces flowers in dichasial inflorescences. Normally, the flowers are unisexual, and male and female flowers are produced in the same inflorescence. Only a few male flowers are produced in an inflorescence, and fruits are produced only through pollination between different flowers from the same or different plants. By the treatments of emasculation, bagging and artificial pollination in this experiment, there were few but same fruit set ratios when the inflorescences were emasculated, bagged, or bagged with net, except artificial pollination treatments, which showed that Jatropha curcas could produce fruit through apomixis but not wind pollination. When the inflorescences were unbagged, unemasculated and with free pollination treatments, or bagged, emasculated and with artificial cross-pollination treatments, or unbagged, emasculated and with free pollination treatments, there were many fruits produced. It showed that Jatropha curcas shows outcrossing, is self-compatible, and demanding for pollinators. Normally, the male flowers open first and a few flowers bloom in one day in a raceme. These flowers last a long time in bloom. However, a large number of female flowers open from the third to the fifth day, with some female flowers opening first in a few raceme. This shows a tendency to promote xenogamy and minimize geitonogamy.

Improving the phenotypic expression of rice genotypes:Rethinking “intensification” for production systems and selection practices for rice breeding

Intensification in rice crop production is generally understood as requiring increased use of material inputs: water, inorganic fertilizers, and agrochemicals. However, this is not the only kind of intensification available. More productive crop phenotypes, with traits such as more resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and shorter crop cycles, are possible through modifications in the management of rice plants, soil, water, and nutrients, reducing rather than increasing material inputs. Greater factor productivity can be achieved through the application of new knowledge and more skill, and(initially) more labor, as seen from the System of Rice Intensification(SRI), whose practices are used in various combinations by as many as 10 million farmers on about 4 million hectares in over 50 countries. The highest yields achieved with these management methods have come from hybrids and improved rice varieties, confirming the importance of making genetic improvements. However,unimproved varieties are also responsive to these changes, which induce better growth and functioning of rice root systems and more abundance, diversity, and activity of beneficial soil organisms. Some of these organisms as symbiotic endophytes can affect and enhance the expression of rice plants' genetic potential as well as their phenotypic resilience to multiple stresses, including those of climate change. SRI experience and data suggest that decades of plant breeding have been selecting for the best crop genetic endowments under suboptimal growing conditions, with crowding of plants that impedes their photosynthesis and growth, flooding of rice paddies that causes roots to degenerate and forgoes benefits derived from aerobic soil organisms, and overuse of agrochemicals that adversely affect these organisms as well as soil and human health. This review paper reports evidence from research in India and Indonesia that changes in crop and water management can improve the expression of rice plants' genetic potential, thereby creating more productive and robustphenotypes from given rice genotypes. Data indicate that increased plant density does not necessarily enhance crop yield potential, as classical breeding methods suggest. Developing cultivars that can achieve their higher productivity under a wide range of plant densities—breeding for density-neutral cultivars using alternative selection strategies—will enable more effective exploitation of available crop growth resources. Density-neutral cultivars that achieve high productivity under ample environmental growth resources can also achieve optimal productivity under limited resources, where lower densities can avert crop failure due to overcrowding. This will become more important to the extent that climatic and other factors become more adverse to crop production. Focusing more on which management practices can evoke the most productive and robust phenotypes from given genotypes is important for rice breeding and improvement programs since it is phenotypes that feed our human populations.

Revolutionize livestock breeding in the future: an animal embryo-stem cell breeding system in a dish

Meat and milk production needs to increase ～ 70–80% relative to its current levels for satisfying the human needs in 2050.However,it is impossible to achieve such genetic gain by conventional animal breeding systems.Based on recent advances with regard to in vitro induction of germ cell from pluripotent stem cells,herein we propose a novel embryo-stem cell breeding system.Distinct from the conventional breeding system in farm animals that involves selecting and mating individuals,the novel breeding system completes breeding cycles from parental to offspring embryos directly by selecting and mating embryos in a dish.In comparison to the conventional dairy breeding scheme,this system can rapidly achieve 30–40 times more genetic gain by significantly shortening generation interval and enhancing selection intensity.However,several major obstacles must be overcome before we can fully use this system in livestock breeding,which include derivation and mantaince of pluripotent stem cells in domestic animals,as well as in vitro induction of primordial germ cells,and subsequent haploid gametes.Thus,we also discuss the potential efforts needed in solving the obstacles for application this novel system,and elaborate on their groundbreaking potential in livestock breeding.This novel system would provide a revolutionary animal breeding system by offering an unprecedented opportunity for meeting the fast-growing meat and milk demand of humans.

Establishment of Three Breeding System of Virus-free Strawberry Plantlet in Infantry Regiment of the Twelve Division

Shoot-tip culture of strawberry is the most important way to get virus-free plants.Moreover,detoxification and rapid propagation are the key techniques for producing high-quality seeds and seedlings massively and rapidly and achieving the high-quality,high-yield and high-efficiency development of strawberry industry.We have recently produced virus-free strawberry seedlings by combing tissue culture technology and stolon-reproduction method and this technology has been widely used.In addition,a relatively perfect three breeding system of virus-free strawberry seedlings was established after production practices,guaranteeing the supply of high-quality seeds and seedlings and technical support for strawberry industry in corps.

Neutronics Optimization of LiPb-He Dual-Cooled Fuel Breeding Blanket for the Fusion-Driven sub-critical System

The concept of the liquid Li17Pb83 and Helium gas dual-cooled Fuel Breeding Blanket (FBB) for the Fusion-Driven sub-critical System (FDS) is presented and analyzed. Taking self-sustaining tritium (TBR >1.05) and annual output of 100 kg or more fissile 239Pu (FBR > 0.238) as objective parameters, and based on the three-dimensional Monte Carlo neutron-photon transport code MCNP/4A, a neutronics-optimizated calculation of different cases was carried out and the concept is proved feasible. In addition, the total breeding ratio ( BR = TBR + FBR ) is listed corresponding to different cases.

Report on a breeding objective that may reduce the carbon footprint of extensive cow-calf production systems

Most measurements for beef improvement in South Africa are per individual (weaning weight, calving interval, growth rate, etc.). A measurement that expresses performance per constant unit, e.g. kilogram calf weaned per Large Stock Unit (LSU) can eventually be translated to kilogram calf produced per kg CO2 equivalent. A LSU is defined as a bovine requiring 75 MJ Metabolisable Energy (ME) per day. If more kilogram weaner calf can be produced per LSU (KgC/LSU), the carbon footprint of beef can be reduced. This study used breed average values to investigate the KgC/LSU for the 30 beef and dual purpose breeds in South Africa. The breeds were categorized in the following breed types: Sanga (indigenous to South Africa) Sanga derived, Zebu, Zebu derived, British and European. No relationship was found between cow weights and KgC/LSU, indicating that it is independent of cow weight between breeds. However, when the data is summarized into breed types, the Sanga and European breed types produce the least KgC/ LSU and Sanga derived breed types the most. This high value of the Sanga derived breeds is probably due to retained heterosis. Composite breeds are mostly intermediate to parental breeds for individual traits but superior for composite traits and KgC/LSU is a composite trait. These calculations were only done on breed averages. A genetic analysis on a breed level to estimate genetic parameters for this trait, and its genetic correlations with other traits now needs to be done before a decision can be taken whether selection for KgC/LSU will be feasible. The ultimate aim with a trait like this is to reduce the carbon footprint of weaner calf production since more kilogram calf will be produced per LSU (constant feed unit).

Creating large EMS populations for functional genomics and breeding in wheat

Wheat germplasm is a fundamental resource for basic research,applied studies,and wheat breeding,which can be enriched normally by several paths,such as collecting natural lines,accumulating breeding lines,and introducing mutagenesis materials.Ethyl methane sulfonate(EMS)is an alkylating agent that can effectively introduce genetic variations in a wide variety of plant species.In this study,we created a million-scale EMS population(MEP)that started with the Chinese wheat cultivars‘Luyan 128’,‘Jimai 38’,‘Jimai 44’,and‘Shannong 30’.In the M1 generation,the MEP had numerous phenotypical variations,such as>3,000 chlorophyll-deficient mutants,2,519 compact spikes,and 1,692 male sterile spikes.There were also rare mutations,including 30 independent tillers each with double heads.Some M1 variations of chlorophyll-deficiency and compact spikes were inheritable,appearing in the M2 or M3 generations.To advance the entire MEP to higher generations,we adopted a single-seed descendent(SSD)approach.All other seed composites of M2 were used to screen other agronomically important traits,such as the tolerance to herbicide quizalofop-P-methyl.The MEP is available for collaborative projects,and provides a valuable toolbox for wheat genetics and breeding for sustainable agriculture.

Rice Heat Tolerance Breeding: A Comprehensive Review and Forward Gaze

The yield potential of rice is seriously affected by heat stress due to climate change. Since rice is a staple food globally, it is imperative to develop heat-resistant rice varieties. Thus, a thorough understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms underlying heat tolerance and the impact of high temperatures on various critical stages of the crop is needed. Adoption of both conventional and innovative breeding strategies offers a long-term advantage over other methods, such as agronomic practices, to counter heat stress. In this review, we summarize the effects of heat stress, regulatory pathways for heat tolerance, phenotyping strategies, and various breeding methods available for developing heat-tolerant rice. We offer perspectives and knowledge to guide future research endeavors aimed at enhancing the ability of rice to withstand heat stress and ultimately benefit humanity.

Corrigendum to“Migration pattern of a population of Barn Swallows(Hirundo rustica)breeding in East Asian tropical region”[Avian Res.15(2024)100192]

The authors regret that the caption of Fig.4 should be replaced as below.

Validating the Classification of Smallholder Dairy Farming Systems Based on Herd Genetic Structure and Access to Breeding Services

Smallholder dairy farming in Africa is classified into rural, peri-urban and urban systems. The major classification criterion is demographic. Dairy systems are extensively characterized, but not based on rigorous statistical analyses. We validated this classification based on herd genetic structure and identify determinants of within-system variations, taking Ethiopia as a case study. Discriminant function analysis correctly classified 38% - 50.6% of the 360 sampled farms into the three systems. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that rural and peri-urban farmers were 1.26 (P < 0.1) to 1.45 (P < 0.001) times more likely to keep local and low grade crossbreds and fewer high grade crosses (P < 0.05;odds ratio = 2.35) than the urban farmers. In the rural system, proportion of high grade crosses declined and low grades increased over generations, whereas in urban system the reverse was observed. Access to breeding services and land resources significantly determined the adoption of crossbred dairy herd within systems. In conclusion, considering farms within systems as a uniform unit to target development interventions may not be appropriate and thus farm topologies and system specific determinants of farmers’ breeding strategies need to be considered to design and introduce appropriate breeding interventions.

Sheep Production and Breeding Systems in North Western Lowlands of Amhara Region, Ethiopia: Implication for Conservation and Improvement of Gumz Sheep Breed

A questionnaire survey and focused group discussions were conducted to characterize sheep production systems and traditional breeding practices of Gumz sheep as an essential step for designing the Gumz sheep breed conservation and improvement programme. A total of 240 households were included in the study during the period of November 2016 to March 2016. Smallholder farmers kept sheep as a source of income, meat and wealth with an index value of 0.43, 0.19 and 0.15, respectively. Important purposes of large scale farmers for keeping sheep were source of cash income (0.57) and investment opportunity (0.22). Average sheep flock sizes were 17.25 ± 0.68 and 90.63 ± 5.38 at smallholder and large scale production systems, respectively. Smallholder sheep flocks’ composition was 7.47 ± 0.28 Gumz, 3.68 ± 0.25 Rutana and 4.52 ± 0.22 Rutana-Gumz crossbred sheep. The corresponding figures for large scale farms were 21.2 ± 1.4, 30.7 ± 1.69 and 24.7 ± 1.47 sheep. The average numbers of rams in the smallholder sheep flocks were 0.31 ± 0.04 Gumz, 0.39 ± 0.04 Rutana and 0.24 ± 0.03 crossbreds, respectively. The corresponding figures for large scale farms were 3.10 ± 0.13 Rutana and 0.90 ± 0.14 crossbreds. The Gumz sheep was large in number, but farmers prefer Rutana and its crosses than Gumz in both systems. Diseases, stock theft and labour shortage were reported as the main constraints of sheep production. Although the pure Gumz breed meets the multifaceted roles of sheep for the smallholder farmers, the Gumz sheep population was declining in number in the study area due to uncontrolled breeding with Rutana and high preference of farmers for crossbreds over Gumz sheep. It is observed that there is a risk of dilution and loss of genetic diversity of the Gumz sheep. Hence, we recommend designing of conservation-based breeding program to conserve the locally adapted Gumz breed as well as to improve sheep production and productivity in the area through rational utilization of all the three genotypes.

Evaluation of Breeding Substrates for Cocoa Pollinator, <i>Forcipomyia</i>spp. and Subsequent Implications for Yield in a Tropical Cocoa Production System

A comparative study was carried out to determine the most suitable substrate for breeding of midges (Forcipomyia spp.) and the implications for pollination and yield in a typical cocoa production system in the forest ecological zone of Ghana. For the field experiment, the typically available substrates in cocoa farms which were used as the treatments under cocoa trees were: 1) rotten cocoa leaf litter;2) rotten cocoa pod husks;and 3) rotten banana pseudostem. The untreated cocoa trees served as control. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with three replications. For the laboratory experiment, the design was completely randomized design with four replications. The objective was to determine which substrate best supported breeding of the midges. The rotten banana pseudostem substrate recorded the highest population (7680) of Forcipomyia spp. after 56 days of observation. The cocoa pod husk and cocoa leaf litter recorded populations of 5226 and 1920, respectively. Similar observations were recorded in the level of pollination of the cocoa trees treated with rotten banana pseudostem (95.78%), cocoa pod husks (89.05%) and cocoa leaf litter (68.42%). Application of all substrates to the cocoa tree resulted in a 77% mean reduction in flower abortion as compared to the control. Fruit abortion, on the other hand, was significantly greater in trees treated with rotten banana pseudostem (73.7%) and rotten cocoa pod husks (71.3%) than in trees treated with rotten cocoa leaf litter (54.3%). Application of banana substrate explained 88% of the variation in cherelle production (fruit set) whereas cocoa pod husks and cocoa leaf litter accounted for 71% and 94%, respectively, of the variation in cherelle production. The study concluded that although cocoa leaf litter resulted in average increases in midges population and subsequently not too high levels of pollination, there was a significantly higher number of set fruits retained which implied high cocoa pod yields. Consequently, in accordance with the observed trend cocoa leaf litter should be considered as the most appropriate substrate for midges activity in cocoa for high yields.

Effects of Distiller's Grain Substrate with Acid Regulation on the Growth of Tobacco Seedlings in Floating Breeding System

In order to reduce the use of peat resources and realize the sustainable development of tobacco, the pH of distiller s grain substrate was adjusted with humic acid, and the effects of various distiller s grain substrates on the growth of tobacco seedlings were studied to find out the method of cultivating high-quality tobacco seedlings by using distiller s grain substrate. The results showed that when 60% of humic acid was added to the distiller s grain substrate made from coarse distiller s grains, fine distiller s grains, perlite and vermiculite, both the pH and electrical conductivity decreased significantly and were similar to that of the conventional substrate. Moreover, the emergence rate of tobacco seedlings, the rate of strong tobacco seedlings, leaf number, stem height, root growth and quality of tobacco seedlings were good.

Design and Implementation of Environment Monitoring and Alarm System for Broiler Breeding Based on Internet of Things

Environment plays a vital role in the breeding process of broilers. In order to effectively monitor and control the breeding environment of broilers, a broiler breeding environment monitoring and alarm system based on internet of things is studied and established. The system adopts the narrow band internet of things communication technology, and can transmit the temperature, humidity, illumination and ammonia and other environ-mental data in the chicken house remotely through terminal collection unified interface device. Meantime, it realizes the control of fans, wet cur-tains, small windows and illumination in the chicken house by threshold method. The system software is designed and implemented by C#, SQL Server, WeX5 and other development tools, including platform terminal and enterprise terminal. Since its operation, the system is featured by stable state, reliable data and timely alarm, which solves the problem of unified control of different sensors and realizes the effective control of house envi-ronment.

Optimized Design of Intelligent Management and Analysis System for Broiler Breeding Information

For a long time,the management and analysis of broiler breeding information in China remain in the 1.0 era of manual recording,careless processing,non-standard analysis and non-standard filing,and lack of accurate and intelligent information management and analysis system,which limit the development of broiler breeding industry.Based on the actual needs of broiler breeding in China,the project team focused on the collection,management and analysis of broiler breeding information and successfully developed Intelligent Management and Analysis System for Broiler Breeding Information.The system is the most complete management and analysis system of broiler breeding information in China,which is closely combined with practice.It has been successfully applied to broiler breeding by more than 10 breeding institutions in China,some of which are national-level core broiler breeding farms.The successful development and application of the system will effectively improve the efficiency of broiler breeding in China,narrow the gap between China and developed countries,open the 2.0 era of precise,intelligent and modular broiler breeding,and improve the core competitiveness of broiler breeding in China.