Genetic Variability among Genotypes of Physic Nut Regarding Seed Biometry

With probable center of origin in Brazil, the species Jatropha curcas L., known as physic nut, is a tropical oilseed with potential for cultivation aiming at the production of biodiesel. This study was conducted with the objective of investigating the genetic variability regarding the morphology of seeds of physic nut, using biometric analyses to identify variables that have potential for the study of the diversity of the species and the classification of genotypes. Seeds of 22 genotypes of physic nut, from the germplasm bank of Embrapa Agroenergia (Brazil) were evaluated regarding characteristics of size and mass. The genotypes of Jatropha curcas L. selected by the Brazilian breeding program presented high diversity for characteristics of the seeds, allowing the exploration of this genetic variability to classify genotypes in different groups. In addition, variables related to the biomass of the seeds present high relative contributions to the diversity observed in the genotypes.

Microbial Carbon, Mineral-N and Soil Nutrients in Indigenous Agroforestry Systems and Other Land Use in the upper Solimões Region, Western Amazonas State, Brazil

Slash and burn cultivation systems carried out by many farmers in the Amazon region lead to changes in biogeochemical cycles of nutrients. To assess the extent of the impact of shifting cultivation on the soil in a floodplain portion of this region, samples of an Inceptisol surface layer (0 - 5 cm) under primary forest (FP), secondary forest at an advanced stage of recovery (FS), secondary forest at an initial stage of recovery (CAP), agroforestry (SAF), plantations (R?) in indigenous communities and small farmers, and pasture (PAS) in the Upper Solim?es region, Amazonas, were subjected to analysis of chemical composition during the wet (May) and dry (October) seasons, 2007. Soils were fertile with levels of P, K, Ca and Mg above those generally found in Amazon soils. Microbial content did not vary significantly in the systems studied in the wet season, but there was a reduction of around 60% with the change of season, except for soils with SAF. Ammonium nitrogen was predominant in all systems and seasons studied. Nitrate content was higher in R? soil, in two seasons, and lower in PAS. The type of management adopted by farmers in the region’s indigenous agroforestry systems resulted in small changes in P, K, Mg, MBC and mineral-N levels, independent of soil moisture.

Genotype-environment interaction in Cordia trichotoma(Vell.)Arráb.Ex Steud.progenies in two different soil conditions

Investment in silvicultural techniques is noticeably lacking,especially in breeding programs for non-conventional wood species.Studying genotype×environment interaction(G×E)is essential to the development of breeding programs.Thus,this study aimed to estimate genetic diversity of and the effects of G×E interaction on two progeny tests of Cordia trichotoma,including the estimation of genetic gain and genetic diversity after selection.For the experiment,30 progenies of C.trichotoma were tested at two sites with differing soil textures.Diameter at breast height(1.30 m above soil surface,dbh-cm),total height,diameter at 30 cm from the soil,first branch height,and survival were all monitored for four years.Statistical deviance,best linear unbiased estimator,and harmonic mean of relative performance of genetic values(MHPRVG)were all calculated to predict breeding values,estimate genetic parameters,and analyze deviance.All quantified traits varied significantly among progenies by soil type,with greatest variation recorded for genetic variability.Heritability of the progenies led to predictions of genetic gain,ranging from 7.73 to 15.45%,for dbh at four years of age.The calculated decrease in genetic diversity after selection showed that this parameter should be monitored in subsequent breeding cycles.G×E was low for all tests.The best-performing progenies proved most stable and best adapted to the different environmental conditions tested.

Co-expression network analysis predicts a key role of microRNAs in the adaptation of the porcine skeletal muscle to nutrient supply

Background:The role of non-coding RNAs in the porcine muscle metabolism is poorly understood,with few studies investigating their expression patterns in response to nutrient supply.Therefore,we aimed to investigate the changes in microRNAs(miRNAs),long intergenic non-coding RNAs(lincRNAs)and mRNAs muscle expression before and after food intake.Results:We measured the miRNA,lincRNA and mRNA expression levels in the gluteus medius muscle of 12 gilts in a fasting condition(AL-T0)and 24 gilts fed ad libitum during either 5 h.(AL-T1,N=12)or 7 h.(AL-T2,N=12)prior to slaughter.The small RNA fraction was extracted from muscle samples retrieved from the 36 gilts and sequenced,whereas lincRNA and mRNA expression data were already available.In terms of mean and variance,the expression profiles of miRNAs and lincRNAs in the porcine muscle were quite different than those of mRNAs.Food intake induced the differential expression of 149(AL-T0/AL-T1)and 435(AL-T0/AL-T2)mRNAs,6(AL-T0/AL-T1)and 28(AL-T0/AL-T2)miRNAs and none lincRNAs,while the number of differentially dispersed genes was much lower.Among the set of differentially expressed miRNAs,we identified ssc-miR-148a-3p,ssc-miR-22-3p and ssc-miR-1,which play key roles in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism.Besides,co-expression network analyses revealed several miRNAs that putatively interact with mRNAs playing key metabolic roles and that also showed differential expression before and after feeding.One case example was represented by seven miRNAs(ssc-miR-148a-3p,ssc-miR-151-3p,ssc-miR-30a-3p,ssc-miR-30e-3p,ssc-miR-421-5p,ssc-miR-493-5p and ssc-miR-503)which putatively interact with the PDK4 mRNA,one of the master regulators of glucose utilization and fatty acid oxidation.Conclusions:As a whole,our results evidence that microRNAs are likely to play an important role in the porcine skeletal muscle metabolic adaptation to nutrient availability.

In vitro induced pluripotency from urine-derived cells in porcine

BACKGROUND The generation of induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSC)has been a game-changer in translational and regenerative medicine;however,their large-scale applicability is still hampered by the scarcity of accessible,safe,and reproducible protocols.The porcine model is a large biomedical model that enables translational applications,including gene editing,long term in vivo and offspring analysis;therefore,suitable for both medicine and animal production.AIM To reprogramme in vitro into pluripotency,and herein urine-derived cells(UDCs)were isolated from porcine urine.METHODS The UDCs were reprogrammed in vitro using human or murine octamer-binding transcription factor 4(OCT4),SRY-box2(SOX2),Kruppel-like factor 4(KLF4),and C-MYC,and cultured with basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)supplementation.To characterize the putative porcine iPSCs three clonal lineages were submitted to immunocytochemistry for alkaline phosphatase(AP),OCT4,SOX2,NANOG,TRA181 and SSEA 1 detection.Endogenous transcripts related to the pluripotency(OCT4,SOX2 and NANOG)were analyzed via reverse transcription quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction in different time points during the culture,and all three lineages formed embryoid bodies(EBs)when cultured in suspension without bFGF supplementation.RESULTS The UDCs were isolated from swine urine samples and when at passage 2 submitted to in vitro reprogramming.Colonies of putative iPSCs were obtained only from UDCs transduced with the murine factors(mOSKM),but not from human factors(hOSKM).Three clonal lineages were isolated and further cultured for at least 28 passages,all the lineages were positive for AP detection,the OCT4,SOX2,NANOG markers,albeit the immunocytochemical analysis also revealed heterogeneous phenotypic profiles among lineages and passages for NANOG and SSEA1,similar results were observed in the abundance of the endogenous transcripts related to pluripotent state.All the clonal lineages when cultured in suspension without bFGF were able to form EBs expressing ectoderm and mesoderm layers transcripts.CONCLUSION For the first time UDCs were isolated in the swine model and reprogrammed into a pluripotentlike state,enabling new numerous applications in both human or veterinary regenerative medicine.

Differential Growth of Genotypes of Physic Nut Conditioned by Nitrogen Fertilization

The adequate supply of nitrogen is essential for the plant metabolism. This nutrient has an irreplaceable role on the vegetative and reproductive growth of physic nut;therefore the correct management of the fertilization is very important, particularly in tropical regions, which present considerable losses of nitrogen by leaching and volatilization processes. This study was made with the objective of evaluating the growth of genotypes of physic nut conditioned by nitrogen fertilization. The experiment was conducted in controlled environment, following a factorial scheme 12 × 4, with 12 Brazilian genotypes of Jatropha curcas L. and 4 levels of nitrogen fertilization (0%, 50%, 100% and 150% of the recommendation), in completely randomized design, with four replications. The growth of the genotypes was evaluated at 100 days of cultivation. Positive response to the increase in the nitrogen supply was observed in most genotypes, with gain in plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area and root volume. The levels of nitrogen fertilization promoted differential growth between genotypes, being possible to identify genotypes with superior growth for each level.

Soil Mapping of a Small Watershed in a Brazilian Savanna Biome: A Semi-Automatic Approach

The objective of this work is to propose a semi-automatic methodology for the creation of a semidetailed to detailed watershed’s soil map. This methodological proposal is based on the traditional method (field work and photo interpretation) and on morphometric variables analysis, using data originated from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) program. The steps taken through this methodological proposal were the identification of the hydromorphic areas boundaries through interpretation of aerial orthophotographs;the compartmentalization of the relief through color composition techniques using the morphometric variables—slope, altimetry and horizontal curvature;the development of a pedological database based on data gathered in the field;the elaboration of a preliminary soil map based on the compartmentalized relief and on the dataset of the soils sampled in the field;the elaboration and adjustment of the final soil map according to the interpretation of aerial photographs and also the physical and chemical analyses of the soils. This semi-automatic methodology demonstrated improved efficiency in defining the soil units, reducing operation time and subjectivity of the process, thereby contributing to the systematization of soil mapping at watershed level in scale 1:50,000, as well as, promoting better knowledge between the relation of the geomorphic and soil variables in the Brazilian Savanna Cerrado.

Fruit-Based Non-Dairy Beverage: A New Approach for Probiotics

The growing interest of consumers in using foods that improve health has motivated researchers and the food industry to develop new functional products such as foods with probiotics. Probiotic cultures, for example, from lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria have been highlighted for their ability to promote balance in the intestinal microbiota as well as other benefits such as anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic effects, reduced plasma cholesterol levels, decreased symptoms of lactose intolerance, and stimulation of the immune response. Traditionally, probiotics are incorporated into dairy products. However, because of the growing number of individuals affected by lactose intolerance and/or vegans, other food matrices have been studied as potential carriers for these microorganisms. Considering all the facts mentioned above, cereals, legumes, fruits, and vegetables could be potential substrates, where probiotic bacteria can be used for the development of non-dairy beverages. This review aimed to highlight the research carried out on 1) probiotic micro-organisms, including the more recent reclassification according to their phylogenetic position, 2) probiotic beverages from non-dairy sources which emerged as an alternative for lactose-intolerant consumers and, 3) the aspects of improving the gut microbiota.

Identification,Structure Analyses and Expression Pattern of the ERF Transcription Factor Family in Coffea arabica

Members of the ERF Family of Transcription Factors play an important role in plant development and gene expression that regulates responses to biotic and abiotic stress.This work identified 36 ERF family genes in Coffea arabica within the AP2/ERF full domain,using the EST-based genomic resource of the Brazilian Coffee Genome Project.The ERF family genes were classified into nine of the ten existing groups through phylogenetic analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences and comparison with the sequences of the ERF family genes in Arabidopsis.In addition to the AP2 domain,other conserved domains were identified,typical of members of each group.The in silico analysis and expression profiling showed high levels of expression for libraries derived from tissues of fruits,leaves and flowers as well as for libraries subjected to water stress.These results suggest the participation of the ERF family genes of C.arabica in distinct biological functions,such as control of development,maturation,and responses to water stress.The results of this work imply in the selection of promising genes for further functional characterizations that will provide a better understanding of the complex regulatory networks related to plant development and responses to stress,opening up opportunities for coffee breeding programs.

Evaluation of Tropical Legume Cover Crops for Copper Use Efficiency

Cover crops are important components of cropping systems due to their role in improving soil quality. Lack of adequate levels of soil micronutrients prevents the success of cover crops in highly weathered tropical soils. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with the objective to evaluate copper use efficiency of nine tropical legume cover crops. The copper levels used were 0, 5, 10 and 20 mg Cu kg-1 of soil. Shoot dry weight, maximum root length and root dry weight significantly increased in a quadratic fashion with increasing soil Cu levels in the range of 0 to 20 mg kg-1 soil. Cu x cover crops interactions for shoot dry weight, root dry weight, maximum root length and contribution of root to the total dry weight were significant, indicating different responses of cover crops with the variation in soil Cu levels. Overall, maximum shoot dry weight was obtained with the application of 13 mg Cu kg-1. Similarly, maximum root dry weight and maximum root length were obtained with the application of 12 and 14 mg Cu kg-1 of soil. Root dry weight and maximum root length were significantly and positively related to shoot dry weight, indicating that a vigorous root system is important for improving productivity of cover crops grown on Brazilian Oxisols, especially where deficiency of micronutrients such as Cu exists. The Cu concentration in the plant tissue decreased in a quadratic fashion whereas, Cu uptake increased with increasing Cu application rate from 0 to 20 mg kg-1 soil. There was a significant variation observed in Cu use efficiency among cover crop species. Increasing applied Cu levels significantly increased soil pH and Mehlich 1 extractable soil Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe concentrations in the soil solution.

Zinc Requirements of Tropical Legume Cover Crops

Tropical soils are deficient in essential plant nutrients, including zinc (Zn). Using cover crops in cropping systems is an important option to improve soil fertility for sustainable crop production. However, success of cover crops in highly weathered tropical infertile acid soils is greatly influenced by adequate levels of available soil micronutrients. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the Zn requirements of ten major tropical legume cover crops. The Zn levels used were 0, 10, 20 and 40 mg·kg-1 soil. Overall, shoot and root dry weight and maximum root length increased significantly in a quadratic fashion with increasing Zn rates in the range of 0 to 40 mg·kg-1. The Zn × cover crops interactions for shoot and root dry weight, maximum root length, Zn concentration (content per unit dry weight), Zn uptake (concentration × dry weight) and Zn use efficiency (dry weight per unit Zn uptake) were significant, indicating variation in these traits with the change in soil Zn levels. Collectively, maximum shoot dry weight was achieved with the application of 22 mg Zn·kg-1 of soil. Similarly, maximum root dry weight and root length were obtained with the addition of 22 and 17 mg Zn·kg-1 soil, respectively. Overall, Zn concentration and Zn uptake were significantly increased in a quadratic manner with the increase in the soil Zn levels in the range of 0 to 40 mg·kg-1. However, Zn use efficiency (dry weight per unit Zn uptake) decreased in a quadratic fashion with the increasing soil Zn levels from 0 to 40 mg·kg-1. Jack bean, black velvet bean, pueraria, and gray velvet bean with high Zn use efficiency appear to be suitable cover crops for low Zn soils.

Portable Diagnostic Platform for Detection of Microorganisms Coliforms and E.coli

Portable diagnostic devices are a viable and low-cost alternative for the detection of pathogens, since they reduce the time of analysis of results availability. Ease of sample collection and quick diagnosis allow this new input to be applied in the diagnosis of the main contaminating microorganisms present in the water. Laboratory tests evaluated the technical viability of the diagnostic device, using commercial strains which were inoculated and optimized in the devices and their growth compared to the conventional method in Petri dishes. Samples of 100 μL bacterial suspension were tested and compared with the traditional sample inoculation method. The device viability was determined by detecting characteristic bacterial colonies in a specific culture medium through the colorimetric development of the obtained colonies. The feasibility assessments allow us to affirm that the device enables both qualitative and quantitative detection of the target bacteria present in liquid samples, and is promising to be applied to assess the quality of water, food and environmental surfaces.

Priority areas for watershed service conservation in the Guapi-Macacu region of Rio de Janeiro,Atlantic Forest,Brazil

Introduction:Land use intensification and urbanisation processes are degrading hydrological ecosystem services in the Guapi-Macacu watershed of Rio de Janeiro.A proposal to pay farmers to restore natural watershed services might be an alternative to securing the water supply in the long-term for the around 2.5 million urban water users in the study region.This study quantifies the costs of changing current land use patterns to enhance watershed services and compares these costs to the avoided costs associated with water treatment for public supply.Methods:We use farm-household data to estimate the opportunity costs of abandoning current land uses for the recovery of natural vegetation;a process that is very likely to improve water quality in terms of turbidity due to reduced inputs from erosion.Opportunity cost estimates are extrapolated to the watershed scale based on remote sensing land use classifications and vulnerability analysis to identify priority zones for watershed management interventions.To assess the potential demand for watershed services,we analyse water quality and treatment cost data from the main local water treatment plant.Results:Changing agricultural land uses for watershed services provision generally comes at high opportunity costs in our study area near to the metropolis of Rio de Janeiro.Alternative low cost watershed conservation options do exist in the livestock production sector.These options have the potential to directly reduce the amount of sediments and nutrients reaching the water bodies,and in turn decrease the costs of treatment needed for drinking water.Land cover changes at the scale needed to improve water quality will,nonetheless,likely exceed the cost of additional investments in water treatment.Conclusions:The state water utility company’s willingness to pay for watershed services alone will not be enough to induce provision of additional watershed services.We conclude that monetary incentives conditioned on specific adjustments to existing production systems could still have a complementary role to play in improving watershed services.However,we note that our willingness to pay analysis focusses on only one of the potentially wide range of ecosystem services provided by natural vegetation in the Guapi-Macacu watershed.Factoring these ecosystem services into the willingness to pay equation is likely to change our assessment in favour of additional conservation action,be it through PES or other policy instruments.