Trait physiology and crop modelling to link phenotypic complexity to underlying genetic systems

New tools derived from advances in molecular biology have not been widely adopted in plant breeding because of the inability to connect information at gene level to the phenotype in a manner that is useful for selection. We explore whether a crop growth and development modelling framework can link phenotype complexity to underlying genetic systems in a way that strengthens molecular breeding strategies. We use gene-to-phenotype simulation studies on sorghum to consider the value to marker-assisted selection of intrinsically stable QTLs that might be generated by physiological dissection of complex traits. The consequences on grain yield of genetic variation in four key adaptive traits – phenology, osmotic adjustment, transpiration efficiency, and staygreen – were simulated for a diverse set of environments by placing the known extent of genetic variation in the context of the physiological determinants framework of a crop growth and development model. It was assumed that the three to five genes associated with each trait, had two alleles per locus acting in an additive manner. The effects on average simulated yield, generated by differing combinations of positive alleles for the traits incorporated, varied with environment type. The full matrix of simulated phenotypes, which consisted of 547 location-season combinations and 4235 genotypic expression states, was analysed for genetic and environmental effects. The analysis was conducted in stages with gradually increased understanding of gene-to-phenotype relationships, which would arise from physiological dissection and modelling. It was found that environmental characterisation and physiological knowledge helped to explain and unravel gene and environment context dependencies. We simulated a marker-assisted selection (MAS) breeding strategy based on the analyses of gene effects. When marker scores were allocated based on the contribution of gene effects to yield in a single environment, there was a wide divergence in rate of yield gain over all environments with breeding cycle depending on the environment chosen for the QTL analysis. It was suggested that knowledge resulting from trait physiology and modelling would overcome this dependency by identifying stable QTLs. The improved predictive power would increase the utility of the QTLs in MAS. Developing and implementing this gene-to-phenotype capability in crop improvement requires enhanced attention to phenotyping, ecophysiological modelling, and validation studies to test the stability of candidate QTLs.

Structural and chemical modifications of typical South African biomasses during torrefaction

Torrefaction experiments were carried out for three typical South African biomass samples (softwood chips, hardwood chips and sweet sorghum bagasse) to a weight loss of 30wt.%. During torrefaction, moisture, non-structural carbohydrates and hemicelluloses were reduced, resulting in a structurally modified torrefaction product. There was a reduction in the average crystalline diameter (La) (XRD), an increase in the aromatic fraction and a reduction in aliphatics (substituted and unsubstituted) (CPMAS 13C NMR). The decrease in the aliphatic components of the lignocellulosic material under the torrefaction conditions also resulted in a slight ordering of the carbon lattice. The degradation of hemicelluloses and non-structural carbohydrates increased the inclusive surface area of sweet sorghum bagasse, while it did not change significantly for the woody biomasses.

Desempenho agronômico, bromatológico e estabilidade fenotípica de sorgo silageiro em Uberlândia - MG

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a good alternative to be used as silage, especially in places with water scarcity and high temperatures, due to their morphological and physiological characteristics. The appropriate management, as the ideal seeding time, interferes both productivity and the quality of silage. The work was conducted with the objective of evaluating the agronomic and bromatological performance of varieties and hybrids of silage sorghum and their phenotypic stability in two seasons, season and off-season, in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. The experiments were performed at Capim Branco Experimental Farm of Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), located in the referred city. There were two sowing dates in the same experimental area, off-season (March to June 2014) and season (November 2014 to March 2015), and the varieties and hybrids were evaluated in both situations. The design was a randomized block with 25 treatments (hybrids and varieties of sorghum) and three replications. Agronomical and bromatological data were subjected to an analysis of variance; averages were grouped by Scott-Knott test at 5% of probability, through Genes computer program; and to estimate the stability, it was opted for Annicchiarico method. The flowering of cultivars, dry matter productivity, plant height, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) and Crude Protein (CP) are affected by the environment and the variety. Regarding productivity and quality of the fiber, SF11 variety was superior, independent of the rated environment. In relation to the performance stability of dry matter, the varieties SF15, SF11, SF25, PROG 134 IPA, 1141572, 1141570 and 1141562 were highlighted. For the stability of the quality of fibers (FDA and FDN), the variety 1141562 stood out. The environment reduces the expression of characters “days of flowering”, “plant height” and “productivity of dry matter of hybrids”. From the 25 hybrids analyzed for productivity and stability of dry matter performance, seven were highlighted, regardless of the rated environment: Volumax commercial hybrid and experiments 12F39006, 12F39007, 12F37014, 12F39014, 12F38009 and 12F02006.

Fontes de matéria orgânica para a formulação de fertilizantes organominerais peletizados no desenvolvimento da cultura do sorgo

Organo-mineral fertilizers have been used to both meet plants’ nutritional needs and reduce producers’ reliance on mineral fertilizers. This practice improves both the use of nutrients by plants and the soil structure due to the organic matter in these fertilizers. This study aimed to determine the effect of organic matter sources in the composition of organomineral fertilizers and compare it to the effect of traditional mineral fertilizers when it comes to the initial development of sorghum. Research was carried out in a greenhouse at the Federal University of Uberlandia, in Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Sorghum seeds of grain-bearing simple hybrid 1G100 were used in the seeding process. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design in a 4 x 3 + 2 factorial arrangement. Factors included four levels (50, 75, 100 and 125% of 450 kg ha-1, which is the recommended dose for sorghum crops), three organic matter sources in the composition of the organomineral fertilizers (sewage sludge, filter cake, and peat), a control (100% mineral fertilizer), and an untreated check (no fertilizers). Each experimental plot consisted of four plants divided into two pots. Oxisol was used in all pots. Analyses were performed at 30 and 60 days after seeding (DAS) and targeted: plant height, stem diameter, chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B, and leaf area. After this period, plants were removed from the soil, and had their aerial parts isolated to be dried in an air-forced oven before measurement of their dry mass. Means of the organomineral fertilizers outperformed those of both control and untreated check plots in almost all variables at 30 DAS. The only exception was variable stem diameter, in which organomineral fertilizers outperformed untreated check plots only. Sorghum fertilized with organomineral fertilizers also showed positive results in the variables analyzed at 60 DAS: even with dose reduction, their means were similar to those found in control plots. Organomineral fertilizers had higher means in some variables, such as diameter and dry mass of the aerial part, than both control and untreated check plots. In the conditions set in this study and considering the variables herein reported, organomineral fertilizers can substitute mineral fertilizers in the initial development of sorghum, even with some dose reductions.

Exoenzimas em rações de frangos de corte

The study aimed to evaluate performance, relative weight of the small intestine, digestibility and deposition of minerals in the bone of broilers supplemented with enzymatic complex (carbohydrases and phytase) in sorghum-based diets or sorghum and millet. In the experiments based of sorghum and sorghum and millet were used 912 day-old male and female Hubbard Flex chicks (50:50) were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2x2 factorial arrangement (Feed Control base Sorghum (Contcs); FeedReducedbase Sorghum (RedS); Feed Control base sorghum + Enzymatic Complex (Contcs + Enz);. Feed reduced base sorghum + Enzymatic Complex (RedS + Enz) in the study of feed basis of sorghum and millet the design was similar (Feed Control base sorghum + millet ( ContSM); Reduced feed based on Millet + Sorghum (RedSM); Feed Control based Sorghum + Millet + EnzimaticComplex (ContSM + Enz); Reduced Feed base Sorghum+ Millet + Enzimatic Complex (RedSM + Enz). At 35 and 42 days of age were determined performance data: feed intake (CR), body weight (BW), feed conversion (FC), viability (VIAB), relative weight of the small intestine and deposition of minerals in the bone. The digestibility was evaluated sorghum grain size (crushed and whole) with and without exoenzimatico complex. They used 32 birds, eight birds per treatment, in periods from 17 to 21 (initial) and 31 to 35 days of age (fattening). The exoenzimático complex used in feed favored the weight gain results, feed conversion and bone mineralization when compared to a control diet not added to enzymes, demonstrating its effect on non-starch polysaccharides and phosphorus phytic present as anti-nutritional factors in these diets, increasing the digestibility and supply of metabolizable energy, essential amino acids, methionine and lysine and calcium and phosphorus for bone formation. It is concluded that a safe strategy for inclusion in feed is based on the reduction of energy levels, essential amino acids, methionine and lysine and calcium and phosphorus in the expected result of the constant activity of the enzymes of this exoenzimático complex.

Contribution to the ethnobotanical study of antidiabetic medicinal plants of the Central Middle Atlas region (Morocco)

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants was carried out in the Central Middle Atlas in the years 2013 and 2014 to establish the catalog of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in the treatment of diabetes. Thus, 1560 people were interviewed, using questionnaires. The latter enabled us to gather information on traditional healing practices of the local population including scientific name, French name, vernacular name, plant parts used , therapeutic indications , revenues and mode of administration. The results show that 76 medicinal species were inventoried in the study area. These plant species are included into 67 genus and 40 families. The most represented families are: Lamiaceae (12 species), Asteraceae and Brassicaceae species with 14 each. Of 76 medicinal species found in the region, four species are reported for the first time in the traditional treatment of diabetes in Morocco. They are Pistacia atlantica, Ptychotis verticillata, Anacyclus pyrethrum, Alyssum spinosum, Cistus albidus, Juniperus thurifera, Ephedra nebrodensis, Thymus algeriensis, Th. munbyanus, Th. zygis, Abelmoschus esculentus, Fraxinus augustifolia, Sorghum vulgare and, Eriobotrya japonica. The leaves are the most used organs (38%). The decoction is the dominant mode of preparation (50%) and administration is mostly for oral use (97%).

Techno-Economic and Life Cycle Assessment for the Production of Green Composites

Botanically, green composites belong to an economically important seed plant family that includes maize, wheat, rice, and sorghum known as Saccharum offi cinarum. There are so many natural fibers available in the environment such as rice husk, hemp fibers, flax fibers, bamboo fibers, coconut fiber, coconut coir, grawia optiva and many others also. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a process to estimate the environmental feature and potential impacts related to a product, by organizing a directory of pertinent inputs and outputs of a product system, assessing the potential environmental impacts related with the said inputs and outputs, explaining the results of the inventory analysis and impact evaluation phases in connection to the objectives of the study. Particularly Bagasse, an agricultural residue not only becomes a problem from the environmental point of view, but also affects the profitability of the sugarcane industries. This chapter discusses the properties, processing methods and various other aspects including economic and environmental aspects related to green composites.

Good year, bad year: changing strategies, changing networks? A two-year study on seed acquisition in northern Cameroon

Analysis of seed exchange networks at a single point in time may reify sporadic relations into apparently fixed and long-lasting ones. In northern Cameroon, where environment is not only strongly seasonal but also shows unpredictable interannual variation, farmers’ social networks are flexible from year to year. When adjusting their strategies, Tupuri farmers do not systematically solicit the same partners to acquire the desired propagules. Seed acquisitions documented during a single cropping season may thus not accurately reflect the underlying larger social network that can be mobilized at the local level. To test this hypothesis, we documented, at the outset of two cropping seasons (2010 and 2011), the relationships through which seeds were acquired by the members of 16 households in a Tupuri community. In 2011, farmers faced sudden failure of the rains and had to solicit distant relatives, highlighting their ability to quickly trigger specific social relations to acquire necessary seeding material. Observing the same set of individuals during two successive years and the seed sources they solicited in each year enabled us to discriminate repeated relations from sporadic ones. Although farmers did not acquire seeds from the same individuals from one year to the next, they relied on quite similar relational categories of people. However, the worse weather conditions during the second year led to (1) a shift from red sorghum seeds to pearl millet seeds, (2) a geographical extension of the network, and (3) an increased participation of women in seed acquisitions. In critical situations, women mobilized their own kin almost exclusively. We suggest that studying the seed acquisition network over a single year provides a misrepresentation of the underlying social network. Depending on the difficulties farmers face, they may occasionally call on relationships that transcend the local relationships used each year.

Silagem do bagaço de sorgo sacarino

Brazilian sweet sorghum is used to generate ethanol and the bagasse is burned in industrial boilers or deposited on soil polluting the environment. This study evaluated the performance of sorghum plants and its bagasse silage nutritional value aiming to use it in the ruminant nutrition. Experiments were set up on the UTFPR campus at Dois Vizinhos-PR. The first trial was established on October 2nd, 2012 using the genotypes ADV 2010, Hunnigreen, Sugargraze, Volumax, BR 505, 503, 501 and the second trial at 2013 on November 27th assessing the materials ADV 2010, Sugargraze, Hunnigreen, EX 5110, BR 506, 508, 509 and 511. Experimental was laid out as a randomized block design with three replications. Results were analyzed through ANOVA comparing the averages by Duncan test at 5% error probability. As field variables were evaluated: plant height (Pl hei), green mass production (GM Prod), percentage of leaves, stems and panicles in relation to the plant, stems production without straw (Prod stems with straw), whole stems production (Who stems Prod), stem diameter (Stem diam), juice production (Juice prod) and Brix degree (oBrix). After juice plant extraction, forage bagasse was crushed and packed in silos for 60 days and green matter yield was estimated (GM). In bagasse silage gauged to buffer capacity (BC), dry matter (DM), mineral matter (MM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), total carbohydrates (TC), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFCH), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin (LIG ) and digestibility "in vitro" (DIGIV). There was no significant difference (P> 0.05) between genotypes regarding to green matter production and on average, the second crop yield was lower and reflected in the reduction of bagasse production. Bagasse silage DM was of 32.3% and 33.1%; NDF 73% and 65.8%, crude protein 3.8% and 5.9; pH 3.7 and 3.7; TC and 9.8 and 10.7. mg MS-1; the amount of NFCH was 11.1 and 13.5%; DIG of DM 36.9 and 62.4% for the respectively to the bagasse produced from materials grown in the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 seasons. Hybrid genotypes had a better agronomic performance while the varieties were more efficient in bromatological indexes. And despite the high percentage of NDF and the low protein level, it is possible to feed ruminants with this coproduct.

Responses to various protein and energy supplements by steers fed low-quality tropical hay. 1. Comparison of response surfaces for young steers

Response curves were established for different supplements, offered at intakes ranging from 0 to 20 g/kg liveweight (W).day to young Bos indicus crossbred steers fed low-quality Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay ad libitum in two pen experiments. Supplements included protein meals of varying rumen-degradability (cottonseed meal (CSM) or fishmeal), as well as ‘energy sources’ comprising grains of high and low ruminal starch degradability (barley and sorghum) and a highly fermentable sugar source (molasses), with all diets adjusted for rumen-degradable nitrogen and mineral content. Unsupplemented steers gained 0.08 and 0.15 kg/day, in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Growth of steers increased linearly with intake of ‘energy source’ supplements in increasing order of molasses, sorghum and barley (all differences P < 0.05). Steer growth rate also increased linearly with fishmeal, albeit over a narrow intake range (0–4.1 g/kg W.day), whereas the response with CSM was asymptotic, showing a steep response at low intake before levelling at ~1.2 kg/day. All supplement types were associated with a linear reduction in hay intake by the steers (energy substitution) where the reduction was greater (P < 0.05) for barley and molasses (not different) than for sorghum (P < 0.05), and for fishmeal compared with CSM (P < 0.05). In concurrent metabolism studies with the same rations, organic matter digestibility of the total ration (561–578 g/kg DM, unsupplemented) was increased linearly by barley and molasses (both P < 0.05) but was unaffected by CSM and sorghum supplements. The efficiency of microbial protein synthesis in steers increased linearly, from 91 g microbial crude protein/kg digestible organic matter (unsupplemented), in both molasses and CSM-supplemented steers, with the trend for a higher response to molasses (P = 0.05), and appeared most closely related to digestible organic matter intake. The response curves from these studies provide the practical framework upon which to formulate rations for cattle grazing low-quality forages.

Markers for seedling and adult plant crown rot resistance in four partially resistant bread wheat sources

QTL identified for seedling and adult plant crown rot resistance in four partially resistant hexaploid wheat sources. PCR-based markers identified for use in marker-assisted selection. Crown rot, caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum, is an important disease of wheat in many wheat-growing regions globally. Complete resistance to infection by F. pseudograminearum has not been observed in a wheat host, but germplasm with partial resistance to this pathogen has been identified. The partially resistant wheat hexaploid germplasm sources 2-49, Sunco, IRN497 and CPI133817 were investigated in both seedling and adult plant field trials to identify markers associated with the resistance which could be used in marker-assisted selection programs. Thirteen different quantitative trait loci (QTL) conditioning crown rot resistance were identified in the four different sources. Some QTL were only observed in seedling trials whereas others appeared to be adult plant specific. For example while the QTL on chromosomes 1AS, 1BS, and 4BS contributed by 2-49 and on 2BS contributed by Sunco were detected in both seedling and field trials, the QTL on 1DL present in 2-49 and the QTL on 3BL in IRN497 were only detected in seedling trials. Genetic correlations between field trials of the same population were strong, as were correlations between seedling trials of the same population. Low to moderate correlations were observed between seedling and field trials. Flanking markers, most of which are less than 10 cM apart, have now been identified for each of the regions associated with crown rot resistance.

In vitro experimental environments lacking or containing soil disparately affect competition experiments of Aspergillus flavus and co-occurring fungi in maize grains

In vitro experimental environments are used to study interactions between microorganisms, and predict dynamics in natural ecosystems. This study highlights that experimental in vitro environments should be selected to closely match the natural environment of interest during in vitro studies to strengthen extrapolations about aflatoxin production by Aspergillus and competing organisms. Fungal competition and aflatoxin accumulation was studied in soil, cotton wool or tube (water-only) environments, for Aspergillus flavus competition with Penicillium purpurogenum, Fusarium oxysporum or Sarocladium zeae within maize grains. Inoculated grains were incubated in each environment at two temperature regimes (25oC and 30oC). Competition experiments showed interaction between main effects of aflatoxin accumulation and environment at 25oC, but not so at 30oC. However, competition experiments showed fungal populations were always interacting with their environments. Fungal survival differed after the 72-hour incubation in different experimental environments. Whereas, all fungi incubated within the soil environment survived; in the cotton-wool environment, none of the competitors of A. flavus survived at 30 oC. With aflatoxin accumulation, F. oxysporum was the only fungus able to interdict aflatoxin production at both temperatures. This occurred only in the soil environment and fumonisins accumulated instead. Smallholder farmers in developing countries face serious mycotoxin contamination of their grains, and soil is a natural reservoir for the associated fungal propagules, and a drying and storage surface for grains on these farms. Studying fungal dynamics in the soil environment and other environments in vitro can provide insights into aflatoxin accumulation post harvest.

Optimisation de l'extraction, en réacteur "batch", de biomasse énergétique à l'aide d'émulsions ultrasoniques de solvants verts

L’industrie des biocarburants de deuxième génération utilise, entre autre, la biomasse lignocellulosique issue de résidus forestiers et agricoles et celle issue de cultures énergétiques. Le sorgho sucré [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] fait partie de ces cultures énergétiques. L’intérêt croissant de l’industrie agroalimentaire et des biocarburants pour cette plante est dû à sa haute teneur en sucres (jusqu’à 60% en masse sèche). En plus de se développer rapidement (en 5-6 mois), le sorgho sucré a l’avantage de pouvoir croître sur des sols pauvres en nutriments et dans des conditions de faibles apports en eau, ce qui en fait une matière première intéressante pour l’industrie, notamment pour la production de bioéthanol. Le concept de bioraffinerie alliant la production de biocarburants à celle de bioénergies ou de bioproduits est de plus en plus étudié afin de valoriser la production des biocarburants. Dans le contexte d’une bioraffinerie exploitant la biomasse lignocellulosique, il est nécessaire de s’intéresser aux différents métabolites extractibles en plus des macromolécules permettant la fabrication de biocarburants et de biocommodités. Ceux-ci pouvant avoir une haute valeur ajoutée et intéresser l’industrie pharmaceutique ou cosmétique par exemple. Les techniques classiques pour extraire ces métabolites sont notamment l’extraction au Soxhlet et par macération ou percolation, qui sont longues et coûteuses en énergie. Ce projet s’intéresse donc à une méthode d’extraction des métabolites primaires et secondaires du sorgho sucré, moins coûteuse et plus courte, permettant de valoriser économiquement l’exploitation industrielle du de cette culture énergétique. Ce travail au sein de la CRIEC-B a porté spécifiquement sur l’utilisation d’une émulsion ultrasonique eau/carbonate de diméthyle permettant de diminuer les temps d’opération (passant à moins d’une heure au lieu de plusieurs heures) et les quantités de solvants mis en jeu dans le procédé d’extraction. Cette émulsion extractive permet ainsi de solubiliser à la fois les métabolites hydrophiles et ceux hydrophobes. De plus, l’impact environnemental est limité par l’utilisation de solvants respectueux de l’environnement (80 % d’eau et 20 % de carbonate de diméthyle). L’utilisation de deux systèmes d’extraction a été étudiée. L’un consiste en la recirculation de l’émulsion, en continu, au travers du lit de biomasse; le deuxième permet la mise en contact de la biomasse et des solvants avec la sonde à ultrasons, créant l’émulsion et favorisant la sonolyse de la biomasse. Ainsi, en réacteur « batch » avec recirculation de l’émulsion eau/DMC, à 370 mL.min[indice supérieur -1], au sein du lit de biomasse, l’extraction est de 37,91 % en 5 minutes, ce qui est supérieur à la méthode ASTM D1105-96 (34,01 % en 11h). De plus, en réacteur « batch – piston », où la biomasse est en contact direct avec les ultrasons et l’émulsion eau/DMC, les meilleurs rendements sont de 35,39 % en 17,5 minutes, avec 15 psig de pression et 70 % d’amplitude des ultrasons. Des tests effectués sur des particules de sorgho grossières ont donné des résultats similaires avec 30,23 % d’extraits en réacteur « batch » avec recirculation de l’émulsion (5 min, 370 mL.min[indice supérieur -1]) et 34,66 % avec le réacteur « batch-piston » (30 psig, 30 minutes, 95 % d’amplitude).