Application of Reactions Norms in Study of Genotype Environmental Interaction for Milk Yield of Buffaloes

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for milk yield (MY) in buffaloes using reaction norms. Model included the additive direct effect as random and contemporary group (herd and year of birth) were included as fixed effects and cow age classes (linear) as covariables. The animal additive direct random effect was modeled through linear Legendre polynomials on environment gradient (EG) standardized means. Mean trends were taken into account by a linear regression on Legendre polynomials of environmental group means. Residual variance was modeled trough 6 heterogeneity classes (EG). These classes of residual variance was formed : EG1: mean = 866,93 kg (621,68 kg-1011,76 kg); EG2: mean = 1193,00 kg (1011,76 kg-1251,49 kg); EG3: mean = 1309,37 kg (1251,49 kg -1393,20 kg); EG4: mean = 1497,59 kg (1393,20 kg-1593,53 kg); EG5: mean = 1664,78 kg (1593,53 kg -1727,32kg) e EG6: mean = 1973,85 kg (1727,32 kg -2422,19 kg).(Co) variance functions were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood (REML) using the GIBBS3F90 package. The heritability estimates for MY raised as the environmental gradient increased, varying from 0.20 to 0.40. However, in intermediate to favorable environments, the heritability estimates obtained with Considerable genotype-environment interaction was found for MY using reaction norms. For genetic evaluation of MY is necessary to consider heterogeneity of variances to model the residual variance.

Evaluation of a commercially available organic acid product on body weight loss, carcass yield, and meat quality during preslaughter feed withdrawal in broiler chickens: A poultry welfare and economic perspective

The effect of a commercial organic acid (OA) product on BW loss (BWL) during feed withdrawal and transportation, carcass yield, and meat quality was evaluated in broiler chickens. Two experiments were conducted in Brazil. Commercial houses were paired as control groups receiving regular water and treated groups receiving OA in the water. Treated birds had a reduction in BWL of 37 g in experiment 1 and 32.2 g in experiment 2. In experiment 2, no differences were observed in carcass yield between groups. Estimation of the cost benefit suggested a 1: 16 ratio by using the OA. In experiment 3, conducted in Mexico, significant differences on water consumption, BWL, and meat quality characteristics were observed in chickens that were treated with the OA (P < 0.05). These data suggest this OA product may improve animal welfare and economic concerns in the poultry industry by reducing BWL and improving meat quality attributes.

Using Slaughter Weight to Predict Weight and Yield of Primal Cuts of Carcass from Buffaloes

The knowledge of the meat production from different buffalo breeds and their crossings in different feeding systems becomes necessary for the supply of subsidies to whole productive meat chain. Some quantitative carcass traits of Mediterranean buffaloes bulls, finished in feedlot, with initial age of fourteen months and 330 kg live weight, slaughtered with 450, 480, 510 and 540 kg, were evaluated. The diet contained 13% crude protein, 2.68 Mcal digestible energy/kg DM and a roughage : concentrate ratio of 25:75. Regression equations for prediction weight and yield of primal cuts of carcass as a function of slaughter weight were obtained. Carcass dressing percent increased as the slaughter weight increased (49.2; 49.5; 49.7; and 49.9%). The Pistola Style cut weight although increasing linearly in weight (108.2; 117.6; 124.0 and 130.7 kg) as the slaughter weight increased, declined linearly when expressed in relation to cold carcass weight (49.5; 49.0; 48.6 and 48.2%). In this experimental conditions Mediterranean young bulls slaughtered between 450 to 540 kg of live weight showed increasing yields of cold carcass, forequarter and thin flank.

Yield, changes in proteolysis, and sensory quality of Prato cheese produced with different coagulants

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A Spatial and Temporal Prediction Model of Corn Grain Yield as a Function of Soil Attributes

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estimates of genetic parameters for total milk yield over multiple ages in Brazilian Murrah buffaloes using different models

The objective of this study was to estimate variance components and genetic parameters for accumulated 305-day milk yield (MY305) over multiple ages, from 24 to 120 months of age, applying random regression (RRM), repeatability (REP) and multi-trait (MT) models. A total of 4472 lactation records from 1882 buffaloes of the Murrah breed were utilized. The contemporary group (herd-year-calving season) and number of milkings (two levels) were considered as fixed effects in all models. For REP and RRM, additive genetic, permanent environmental and residual effects were included as random effects. MT considered the same random effects as did REP and RRM with the exception of permanent environmental effect. Residual variances were modeled by a step function with 1, 4, and 6 classes. The heritabilities estimated with RRM increased with age, ranging from 0.19 to 0.34, and were slightly higher than that obtained with the REP model. For the MT model, heritability estimates ranged from 0.20 (37 months of age) to 0.32 (94 months of age). The genetic correlation estimates for MY305 obtained by RRM (L23.res4) and MT models were very similar, and varied from 0.77 to 0.99 and from 0.77 to 0.99, respectively. The rank correlation between breeding values for MY305 at different ages predicted by REP, MT, and RRM were high. It seems that a linear and quadratic Legendre polynomial to model the additive genetic and animal permanent environmental effects, respectively, may be sufficient to explain more parsimoniously the changes in MY305 genetic variation with age.

Genetic association between milk yield, stayability, and mastitis in Holstein cows under tropical conditions

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Multiple-trait genomic evaluation for milk yield and milk quality traits using genomic and phenotypic data in buffalo in Brazil

The use of markers distributed all long the genome may increase the accuracy of the predicted additive genetic value of young animals that are candidates to be selected as reproducers. In commercial herds, due to the cost of genotyping, only some animals are genotyped and procedures, divided in two or three steps, are done in order to include these genomic data in genetic evaluation. However, genomic evaluation may be calculated using one unified step that combines phenotypic data, pedigree and genomics. The aim of the study was to compare a multiple-trait model using only pedigree information with another using pedigree and genomic data. In this study, 9,318 lactations from 3061 buffaloes were used, 384 buffaloes were genotyped using a Illumina bovine chip (Illumina Infinium (R) bovineHD BeadChip). Seven traits were analyzed milk yield (MY), fat yield (FY), protein yield (PY), lactose yield (LY), fat percentage (F%), protein percentage (P%) and somatic cell score (SCSt). Two analyses were done: one using phenotypic and pedigree information (matrix A) and in the other using a matrix based in pedigree and genomic information (one step, matrix H). The (co) variance components were estimated using multiple-trait analysis by Bayesian inference method, applying an animal model, through Gibbs sampling. The model included the fixed effects of contemporary groups (herd-year-calving season), number of milking (2 levels), and age of buffalo at calving as (co) variable (quadratic and linear effect). The additive genetic, permanent environmental, and residual effects were included as random effects in the model. The heritability estimates using matrix A were 0.25, 0.22, 0.26, 0.17, 0.37, 0.42 and 0.26 and using matrix H were 0.25, 0.24, 0.26, 0.18, 0.38, 0.46 and 0.26 for MY, FY, PY, LY, % F, % P and SCCt, respectively. The estimates of the additive genetic effect for the traits were similar in both analyses, but the accuracy were bigger using matrix H (superior to 15% for traits studied). The heritability estimates were moderated indicating genetic gain under selection. The use of genomic information in the analyses increases the accuracy. It permits a better estimation of the additive genetic value of the animals.

Carbohydrate production and transport in cotton cultivars grown under boron deficiency

An adequate supply of boron (B) is required for the optimal growth and development of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants, but the low phloem mobility of B limits the possibilities of correcting B deficiency. There are indications that different cotton cultivars could have different responses to B deficiency. The differences in responses of cotton cultivars to B regarding photoassimilate production and transport were studied in a greenhouse experiment with nutrient solution. Treatments consisted of three cotton cultivars (FMT 701, DP 604BG and FMX 993) and five concentrations of B (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mu mol L-1). Sampling began at the phenological stage B1 (first square) and continued for four weeks. The leaf area and the number of reproductive branches and structures decreased due to B deficiency. A higher level of abortion of reproductive structures was observed under B deficiency. Boron deficiency increased the internal CO2 concentration but decreased the transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and photosynthesis. Despite the decrease in photosynthesis, nonstructural carbohydrates accumulated in the leaves due to decreased export to bolls in B-deficient plants. The response to B deficiency is similar among cotton cultivars, which shows that the variability for this trait is low even for cultivars with different genetic backgrounds.

Sensitivity of cotton cultivars to soil compaction

Cotton is one of the most sensitive crops to soil compaction, but there may be genetic variability for this trait. The objective of this study was to evaluate cotton cultivars sensitivity to soil compaction. Soil columns were built with three pvc rings with internal diameter of 10 cm and filled with an alfisol. The heights of the top and bottom rings were 15 cm, and the intermediate ring, in which the soil was compacted, was 3.5 cm high. The levels of compression used in the subsurface were characterized by penetration resistances of 0.41, 0.93, 1.41 and 1.92 MPa. The cultivars 701 FMT, FMT 705, FMT 707, FMX 951 LL and FMX 966 LL were grown up to 23 days after plant emergence, when the dry matter of shoots and roots, root length density and root diameter were determined. The cotton cultivars have variability in their sensitivity to resistance to penetration. The cultivar 707 FMT is more sensitive to soil compaction, while the FMT 701 is more tolerant. Penetration resistance of around 0.92 to 1.06 MPa reduce 50% cotton root growth, but resistance to penetration of 1.92 MPa did not totally prevent growth.

Absence of detection of xanthomonas axonopodis pv. malvacearum in cotton seeds used in the Northeast Region of Mato Grosso do Sul in a three-based crop season study

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Boron uptake and translocation in some cotton cultivars

Boron (B) is the most deficient micronutrient in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). It is generally accepted that B is immobile in cotton phloem, but some cultivars could remobilize the nutrient. In order to further understand B uptake and mobility in various cotton cultivars two experiments were conducted.In experiment-1, cotton cultivars were grown in B-10 enriched or natural abundance nutrient solutions for 4 weeks and transferred to nutrient solutions ranging from deficient to sufficient in B. In experiment-2 B-10 enriched boric acid was applied to cotton leaves and B mobilization was determined.In deficient plants, B previously supplied to roots was remobilized from older to younger plant tissues, but the amount was insufficient to maintain growth. Boron deficiency symptoms appeared and progressed with time. Boron applied to leaves was taken up and remobilized within 24 h. Boron mobilization was higher to plant parts above the treated region.Boron uptake and mobilization was similar among cotton cultivars. Boron applied to cotton leaves shows a preferential translocation to younger tissues. Foliar sprays of B to cotton may be used to cope with a temporary deficiency, but to achieve full growth and development B must be available to cotton throughout the plant cycle.

Age of No-Till System and Nitrogen Management on Common Bean Nutrition and Yield

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Dry matter yield and tillering of brachiarias sown at depths intercropped with corn

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Heavy metals and yield of cowpea cultivated under composted tannery sludge amendment

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)