Estimates of genetic parameters using RELM/BLUP for intrapopulational genetic breeding of Platonia insignis Mart.

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters to support the selection of bacuri progenies for a first cycle of recurrent selection, using the REML/BLUP (restricted maximum likelihood/best linear unbiased prediction) procedure to estimate the variance components and genotypic values. Were evaluated twelve variables in a total of 210 fruits from 39 different seed trees, from a field trial with an experimental design of incomplete blocks with clonal replies among subplots. The three variables related with the fruit development (weight, diameter, length) showed strong correlation, and where fruit length showed higher heritability and potential to be used for indirect selection. Among the 39 progenies evaluated in this study, five present potential to compose the next cycle of recurrent selection, due they hold good selection differential either to agrotechnological variables as to development of bacuri fruit.

Population genetic structure of the parasitic nematode Camallanus cotti inferred from DNA sequences of ITS1 rDNA and the mitochondrial COI gene

The population genetic structure of fish parasitic nematode, Camallanus cotti, collected from the Yangtze River, Pearl River and Minjiang River in China was investigated. From these parasites, the similar to 730 bp of the first internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA (ITS1 rDNA) and the 428 bp of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene were sequenced. For the ITS1 rDNA data set, highly significant Fst values and low rates of migration were detected between the Pearl River group and both the Yangtze River (Fst = 0.70, P < 0.00001; Nm = 0.21) and Minjiang River (Fst = 0.73, P < 0.00001; Nm = 0.18) groups, while low Fst value (Fst = 0.018, P > 0.05) and high rate of migration (Nm = 28.42) were found between the Minjiang and the Yangtze rivers. When different host/locality populations (subpopulations) within each river were considered, subpopulations between the Yangtze River and Minjiang River had low Fst values (<= 0.12) and high Nm values (>3.72), while Pearl River subpopulations were significantly different from the Yangtze River and Minjiang River subpopulations (Fst >= 0.59; Nm < 1). The COI gene data set revealed a similar genetic structure. Both phylogenetic analyses and a statistical parsimony network grouped the Pearl River haplotypes into one phylogroup, while the Yangtze River and Minjiang River haplotypes formed a second group. These results suggested that the Yangtze River and Minjiang River subpopulations constituted a single reproductive pool that was distinct from the Pearl River subpopulations. In addition, the present study did not find host-related genetic differentiation occurring in the same drainage. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Genetic Stability of Progeny from an Artificial Allotetraploid Carp Using Sperm from Five Fish Species

Microsatellite markers and D-loop sequences of mtDNA from a female allotetraploid parent carp and her progenies of generations 1 and 2 induced by sperm of five distant fish species were analyzed. Eleven microsatellite markers were used to identify 48 alleles from the allotetraploid female. The same number of alleles (48) appeared in the first and second generations of the gynogenetic offspring, regardless of the source of the sperm used as an activator. The mtDNA D-loop analysis was performed on the female tetraploid parent, 25 gynogenetic offspring, and 5 sperm-donor species. Fourteen variable sites from the 1,018 bp sequences were observed in the offspring as compared to the female tetraploid parent. Results from D-loop sequence and microsatellite marker analysis showed exclusive maternal transmission, and no genetic information was derived from the father. Our study suggests that progenies of artificial tetraploid carp are genetically stable, which is important for genetic breeding of this tetraploid fish.

Genetic Control of Residual Variance for Teat Number in Pigs

The genetic improvement in litter size in pigs has been substantial during the last 10-15 years. The number of teats on the sow must increase as well to meet the needs of the piglets, because each piglet needs access to its own teat. We applied a genetic heterogeneity model on teat numberin sows, and estimated medium-high heritability for teat number (0.5), but low heritability for residual variance (0.05), indicating that selection for reduced variance might have very limited effect. A numerically positive correlation (0.8) between additive genetic breeding values for mean and for variance was found, but because of the low heritability for residual variance, the variance will increase very slowly with the mean.

Heritabilities and genetic correlations for reproductive traits in an F2 reciprocal cross chicken population

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

Estimation of genetic parameters for body weights, scrotal circumference, and testicular volume measured at different ages in Nellore cattle

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

RAPD analysis of genetic variability in a multiprovenance base population of Eucalyptus grandis hill ex maiden

Este estudo visou avaliar a variabilidade e distância genética dentro de uma população-base de melhoramento genético de Eucalyptus grandis. A avaliação da variabilidade genética tem como objetivos principais analisar a base genética da população-base e montar um banco de dados marcadores moleculares da população em análise. Essa população é formada por 327 indivíduos, principalmente das procedências de Coff's Harbour, Atherton e Rio Claro. Devido à heterozigosidade natural dessa população, ela pode ser dividida em diversas subpopulações, de acordo com a latitude e longitude de origem; e dentro de subpopulações, em função do grau de melhoramento genético já realizado do material analisado no Brasil. Isso permitiu avaliar quanto da variabilidade detectada dentro da população-base foi devido a esses fatores: procedência e grau de melhoramento. A aplicação da técnica RAPD permitiu avaliar 70 locos polimórficos, que foram analisados utilizando-se o coeficiente de Jaccard, o que resultou em matrizes de similaridade genética entre os indivíduos. Os dados de similaridade genética posteriormente foram submetidos à análise estatística. Osdados indicaram que a população-base apresenta ampla base genética, com média de similaridade genética de 0,328. O subgrupo denominado Região 3, composto por material selvagem da macrorregião de Atherton, juntamente com material de APS da macrorregião de Coff's Harbour, foi um dos que mais contribuíram para a ampla base genética da população-base. Foi possível detectar diferença estatística entre as populações selvagens das procedências de Atherton e Coff's Harbour, assim como entre essas procedências e a de Rio Claro.

Genetic relationship between growth and reproductive traits in Nellore cattle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic relationship between postweaning weight gain (PWG), heifer pregnancy (HP), scrotal circumference (SC) at 18 months of age, stayability at 6 years of age (STAY) and finishing visual score at 18 months of age (PREC), and to determine the potential of these traits as selection criteria for the genetic improvement of growth and reproduction in Nellore cattle. The HP was defined as the observation that a heifer conceived and remained pregnant, which was assessed by rectal palpation at 60 days. The STAY was defined as whether or not a cow calved every year up to the age of 6 years, given that she was provided the opportunity to breed. The Bayesian linear-threshold analysis via the Gibbs sampler was used to estimate the variance and covariance components applying a multitrait model. Posterior mean estimates of direct heritability were 0.15 +/- 0.00, 0.42 +/- 0.02, 0.49 +/- 0.01, 0.11 +/- 0.01 and 0.19 +/- 0.00 for PWG, HP, SC, STAY and PREC, respectively. The genetic correlations between traits ranged from 0.17 to 0.62. The traits studied generally have potential for use as selection criteria in genetic breeding programs. The genetic correlations between all traits show that selection for one of these traits does not imply the loss of the others.

Genetic diversity of mango accessions (Mangifera indica) using new microsatellite markers and morphological descriptors.

Genetic diversity estimates based on morphological and molecular data can provide different information on the relationship between cultivars of a species. This study aimed to develop new microsatellite markers as additional tools in genetic studies on mangoes (Mangifera indica L.), and to analyze the genetic variability of 20 mango cultivars based on morphological descriptors and microsatellite markers. We aimed to better understand the cultivars enhanced breeding histories and to support crossbreeding planning. Positive clones were selected from a DNA library enriched for microsatellite regions for sequencing and primer design. Four plants of each of the 20 accessions were used for observations, based on 48 morphological descriptors. Twenty accessions were analyzed using 27 microsatellite markers, of which 16 were developed during this study. The clusters, based on the morphological descriptors by Ward - MLM strategy and the microsatellite markers, suggested that Brazilian mango cultivars have extensive genetic diversity and are related to cultivars with different provenances, demonstrating their different enhanced breeding histories.

Microsatellite marker isolation and cultured strain identification in Carassius auratus gibelio

Microsatellites have become the preferred molecular markers for strain selection and genetic breeding in fish. In this study a total of 105 microsatellites were isolated and identified in gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) by microsatellite sequence searches in GenBank and other databases and by screening and sequencing of positive clones from the genomic library enriched for AG and GATA repeats. Moreover, nineteen microsatellites were randomly selected to design locus-specific primer pairs, and these were successfully used to identify and discriminate different cultured strains of gibel carp including strains A, D, L, and F. Three different types of microsatellite pattern were distinguished by the number and length of fragments amplified from the 19 primer pairs, and some microsatellite primer pairs were found to produce different microsatellite patterns among strains and strain-specific fragments. In addition, some duplicated alleles were also detected in two microsatellite patterns. Therefore, the current study provides direct molecular markers to discriminate among different cultured strains for selective breeding and aquaculture practice of gibel carp.

Artificial interspecific hybridization between Macrobrachium species

Viable F-1 hybrids were obtained from crosses of female Macrobrachium nipponense and male Macrobrachium hainanense involving spermatophore transfer and artificial insemination. This represents the first successful known case of hybridization of two Macrobrachium species by means of artificial insemination. The hatching rate was over 90%. About 20-60% of newly hatched larvae metamorphosed to postlarvae. The morphological characteristics of the hybrids resembled a combination of features of both parents. Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and esterase (EST) isozyme electrophoresis indicated parents and F-1 hybrids showed co-dominant expression of the paternal and maternal alleles controlling the isozymes and confirmed the hybridization. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

皱纹盘鲍的遗传育种与养殖技术研究

优良的种质是产业发展的重要保证，品种更新和养殖技术的发展已经给世界农业带来了令人瞩目的成就，然而我国水产生物的育种工作刚处于起步阶段，而育种技术的研究则更是滞后。借鉴陆生生物中发展起来的相对成熟的研究方法，可以帮助加快海洋生物遗传育种相关研究的进度。本研究以我国北方海区重要的海洋经济动物－皱纹盘鲍为研究对象，从表型遗传、数量性状遗传等2个方面开展了皱纹盘鲍的遗传育种研究，同时从幼鲍培育密度与分选效应等方面研究了皱纹盘鲍的中间培育技术。 主要结果如下： 1. 皱纹盘鲍的贝壳颜色遗传、食物对贝壳颜色表现型的影响，贝壳颜色与生长速度间的关系 将贝壳颜色为橘红色（O表型）的突变型皱纹盘鲍与贝壳颜色为绿色（G表型）的野生型皱纹盘鲍进行了连续2代的交配实验。结果表明：皱纹盘鲍橘红色的贝壳颜色相对于绿色的贝壳颜色为隐性性状，皱纹盘鲍的贝壳颜色表型受单位点、2个等位基因遗传控制，其中基因型为oo的个体，贝壳颜色的表现型为橘红色（O表型），而基因型为GG或Go的个体，贝壳颜色的表现型为野生型（G表型）。 为探讨食物类型对不同基因型皱纹盘鲍贝壳颜色表现型的影响，对不同贝壳颜色表型的个体投喂不同种类的食物，结果表明，除遗传因素外，皱纹盘鲍的贝壳颜色表现型显著地受食物类型的调控。其中oo基因型的个体，在摄食底栖硅藻（Navicula sp.）和红藻时，贝壳颜色的表型为橘红色；而在摄食褐藻、绿藻和以海带粉为唯一海藻源的人工配合饵料时，贝壳颜色的表型为黄色。GG和Go基因型的个体，在摄食底栖硅藻、红藻时，贝壳颜色的表型为褐红色；在摄食褐藻、绿藻和以海带粉为唯一海藻源的人工配合饵料时，贝壳颜色的表型为绿色。该结果表明，相同基因型的皱纹盘鲍在摄食不同类型的食物时，贝壳表现型不同，即不同类型的食物可以导致2种基因型皱纹盘鲍的贝壳颜色表现型在一定范围内发生转换：oo基因型的个体，贝壳的颜色可以表现为橘红色或者黄色，不会出现野生型皱纹盘鲍的褐红色或绿色；而GG与Go基因型的个体，相应的贝壳颜色表型只能是褐红色或者绿色，不会出现oo基因型可能表现的橘红色或黄色。特定基因型的皱纹盘鲍，在摄食特定类型的食物时贝壳的相应部位可表现出特定的颜色。皱纹盘鲍的这种“食物－贝壳颜色”的相关性可作为一种形态标记，用于标识皱纹盘鲍的个体和群体，该标记技术可用于皱纹盘鲍的养殖技术和遗传学研究。 此外，选用了贝壳颜色遗传学实验中建立的贝壳颜色发生分离的家系为实验材料，以壳长为指标，分析比较了来自相同家系的O表型与G表型个体之间的生长速度。结果表明，在幼鲍发育至412天止的3-5个统计时段内，没有在同一家系来源的2种贝壳颜色表型个体之间检验到生长速度的显著差异。 2. 皱纹盘鲍不同选育群体及杂交群体的贝壳形态参数分析 在皱纹盘鲍的7个群体中（包括已经对生长速度为指标进行了多代人工选育的群体4个、野生群体之间直接杂交繁育的杂交F1群体3个），测量了4-6龄成体样本的壳长（L）、壳宽（W）、壳高（H）和壳重（Sw），并计算了L/（L+W+H）、W/（L+W+H）、H/（L+W+H）和Sw/（L×W×H）等4个壳形态学参数。用方差分析方法（MANOVA、ANOVA）统计并比较了这些壳形态参数在皱纹盘鲍群体间的遗传变异。结果表明，4个壳形态参数在不同群体间变异系数分别为0.34、0.74、2.62和6.54，其中，H/（L+W+H）与Sw/（L×W×H）在各供试群体间均具有较高的多态性且差异达显著水平，表明这2个参数在不同群体间存在较高的遗传变异。由于在活体情况下无法测量壳重（Sw）性状，建议以参数H/（L+W+H）为指标对皱纹盘鲍贝壳形态（如壳型）等进行人工选择。 3. 皱纹盘鲍成体阶段生长性状的遗传参数估计 采用巢式设计，分析了成体阶段不同发育期皱纹盘鲍的壳长与生长速率的遗传力、不同发育期的壳长性状之间的遗传相关、以及不同发育期的生长速率之间的遗传相关，结果表明：（1）壳长遗传力在受精后第70 、130、320、320、380、490与550天的雄性组分估计值分别为0.161 ± 0.075、0.312 ± 0.131、0.326 ± 0.331、0.135 ± 0.228、0.153 ± 0.185和0.180 ± 0.106；雌亲组分估计分别为0.312 ± 0.172、0.699 ± 0.168、0.695 ± 0.168、0.977 ± 0.407、0.427 ± 0.195和0.449 ± 0.027。（2）生长速率遗传力在受精后第320~380天、490 ~ 550天，雄、雌组分估计值分别为0.080 ± 0.120（雄）、 0.210 ± 0.191（雌）以及0.299 ± 0.146（雄）、0.306± 0.148（雌）。雌亲组分的壳长遗传力和生长速率遗传力估计值较大且均达显著水平，表明皱纹盘鲍在成体阶段依然受母性效应的影响。成体阶段生长性状遗传力水平的估计对制定科学的皱纹盘鲍育种方案有指导意义。（3）雄亲组分估计的不同发育期（第390 ~ 550天）壳长间遗传相关为0.597 ~ 1.000，雌亲组分估计为0.589 ~ 1.177。由雄亲、雌亲组分估计，受精后第320~380天与第490 ~ 550天两个发育阶段生长速率间遗传相关均接近于0。雌亲组分估计不同发育期壳长间遗传相关均达显著水平（t0.05, d.f.=13 = 4.33 ~ 11.69，P<0.01），表明壳长性状早期选择有效，即在皱纹盘鲍早期阶段依据壳长性状对个体进行择优或去劣可在后期阶段获得壳长较大的个体。由于使用的雄亲数目少（8个父系半同胞），实验中以雄亲组分估计的遗传参数误差较大。 4. 皱纹盘鲍选育系间的群体杂交 进行了皱纹盘鲍4个人工选育系之间的完全双列杂交实验，以群体交配的方式共建立了16个组合；此外，以大连“98”选群与汕头“S”选群为亲本，以群体交配的方式建立了4个交配组合。对不同方向的杂交组合进行了中亲杂种优势、超亲杂种优势以及配合力等方面的评价。 （1）测量了4个选育群体（R、97、S和J）及其各杂交组合在受精后第9、20和30天时的壳长，统计分析了不同选育系间壳长性状的差异、评价了不同方向杂交组合的中亲与超亲杂种优势、以及配合力。结果如下： 选育系群体内交配繁育的4个组合，在受精后第9、20和30天的壳长均有显著差异，其中，97  97组合在早期发育各阶段均为最小，分别为0.462 ± 0.023mm、0.698 ± 0.057mm和1.476 ± 0.234mm；S  S组合的3次测量值均为最大，分别为0.522 ± 0.023mm、0.824 ± 0.084mm和1.798 ± 0.229mm。 两个方向杂交组合与选育系亲本群体内交配组合的平均值和高亲值比较，得到如下结果：（A）受精后第9天壳长表现正向中亲杂种优势的组合有6个、表现负向中亲杂种优势的组合6个，其中J  97组合的中亲优势率最高，为9.05%；R  S组合最低，为-6.61%。正向高亲杂种优势组合有4个、负向高亲杂种优势组合有8个，其中S  J组合的高亲优势率最高，为5.77%；R  S组合最低，为-7.96%。（B）受精后第20天壳长表现正向中亲杂种优势的组合有7个、表现负向中亲杂种优势的组合5个，其中J  97组合的中亲优势率最高，为12.60%；J  R组合最低，为-8.72%。正向高亲杂种优势组合有3个、负向高亲杂种优势组合有11个，其中J  97组合的高亲优势率最高，为12.20%；J  R组合最低，为-12.67%。（C）受精后第30天壳长表现正向中亲杂种优势的组合有7个、负向中亲杂种优势的组合5个，其中97  S组合的中亲优势率最高，为24.08%；S  97组合最低，为-12.69%。正向高亲杂种优势组合有6个、负向高亲杂种优势组合有6个，其中97  S组合的高亲优势率最高，为15.95%；S  J组合最低，为-19.44%。上述结果表明，皱纹盘鲍不同选育系之间的交配组合，杂种优势率差异很大，因此，通过组配实验，将杂种优势率高的交配组合选择出来应用于生产，可望显著提高目标性状的产量。 对早期发育阶段各生长期壳长性状，亲本一般配合力（GCA）、各杂交组合间特殊配合力（SCA）以及正反交（REC）效应值进行方差分析，结果表明：各亲本GCA差异显著，说明各选育群体存在显著的遗传差异，其中汕头选群“S”在测量的各个生长期均为正值且显著大于其它各亲本；特殊配合力（SCA）以及正反交（REC）效应值较大在各杂交组合间存在显著差异，说明在早期生长发育阶段非加性遗传效应（显性和上位效应）占主导地位。综合各个生长期亲本GCA和杂交组特殊配合力（SCA）以及正反交（REC）效应值，杂交组合97×S在早期生长阶段不仅有较高SCA值而且两个亲本也具有较大的GCA值，表明选育系97和S较适宜作为杂交亲本使用。 （2）大连“98”选群与汕头“S”选群进行2×2因子设计的群体杂交实验，比较了各交配组合早期存活相关性状如受精率、孵化率、变态率以及壳长性状，评价了两个方向杂交组合平均以及不同方向杂交组合的中亲杂种优势率。结果表明早期发育阶段各组合间的受精率无显著差异，而孵化率、变态率等两个杂交方向平均的中亲杂种优势率为5.49%与12.53%，高于壳长性状的优势率（0.936-1.534%）。方差分析结果表明不同方向的杂交组合在早期发育阶段存活相关性状以及壳长性状存在显著差异。孵化率、变态率性状，S×98的中亲杂种优势率分别为13.21%与21.10%，均高于98×S的-3.84%与3.85%；而第10和25d壳长性状，S×98的中亲杂种优势率为1.14%与-2.52%，低于98×S的1.93%与4.41%。 为进一步评价“98”选群与“S”选群不同交配组合在不同温度条件下的生长，进行了基因型与环境的互作研究。从“98”选群与“S”选群的4个交配组合中分别取5月龄幼鲍100头，各组合随机分成3组，每组1个重复，分别于12°C、16°C和 22°C温度条件下进行培育，比较各交配组合基因型与温度对幼鲍生长的影响。不同温度条件下，各组合壳长生长的方差分析结果表明，基因型和温度都能够对幼鲍生长以及最终壳长产生极显著的影响（P < 0. 01），它们的交互作用也达到显著水平（P < 0.05）。杂交子代的幼鲍壳长在12°C、16°C和 22°C温度条件下均表现出杂种优势，双向杂交的中亲杂种优势率分别为5.32%、5.55%和0.03%，表明低温条件（12°C），比高温条件（22°C）下有更强的杂种优势。汕头“S”选群的早期孵化率、变态率、生长性状以及低温条件下幼鲍生长性状的单亲杂种优势率分别为16.64%、42.49%、3.42~5.79%和5.73~9.15%，单亲杂种优势率较大，表明可通过杂交手段，显著地改良汕头“S”选群在早期发育阶段的生长速度、存活率以及幼鲍期的生长性状。本研究的结果支持了Lerner（1954）杂种优势的基因与环境互作学说。 5. 皱纹盘鲍幼鲍的中间培育技术研究 （1）对南方越冬方式的评价 目前，每年的11月前后，将6-7月龄幼鲍运往南方的闽东、闽中、闽南沿海越冬，翌年4月至6月再运回到北方（大连、山东半岛）的养殖模式已经普遍应用于皱纹盘鲍的实际生产，为评价南方越冬的幼鲍培育方式，本研究分别以不同幼鲍材料在闽东三都海湾进行了越冬培育实验。 选择生产上壳长分别为18.37 ± 1.28 mm、15.89 ± 1.10 mm、14.55 ± 1.10 mm与10.59 ± 0.84 mm的幼鲍进行了为期6.5个月的越冬培育，实验结束时，存活率分别为95.56 ± 2.21%、90.55 ± 1.96%、83.97 ± 1.63%与63.30 ± 2.79%。回归分析表明，供试幼鲍在实验起始时的壳长与越冬阶段的存活率成正相关（P = 0.018 < 0.05）。该结果表明，提高幼鲍的规格可显著提高皱纹盘鲍的越冬成活率，因此对于实际生产而言，采取适当措施提高皱纹盘鲍越冬苗种的规格将大幅增加生产的收益，而采用生长速率快的品种、品系或提早采苗均可实现该目标。综合各规格组幼鲍，幼鲍在南方开放性水域进行越冬培育的平均存活率较高，可达到91.38±0.01%，从幼鲍南方越冬的存活曲线可以看出，幼鲍的死亡主要集中在从大连运至福建某地后的15天内，出现死亡高峰的原因可能是由于运输过程的胁迫。此外，2月及4月中下旬水温出现显著降低或回升时也有较明显的死亡出现。该部分结果，对皱纹盘鲍幼鲍的养成管理有指导意义，可以通过合理安排越冬时间、避开死亡的敏感期等措施减少苗种越冬阶段的死亡量。 以中国大连野生群体繁育的子一代为亲本（10♀，10♂），以群体交配的方式繁育F2代个体为实验材料，分别于南方海区以及北方室内升温水方式下进行生长、存活比较，结果表明南方越冬培育方式下，幼鲍壳长的日增长率为81.37-108.89 µm•day-1，与北方室内升温培育条件相比，壳长生长提高了1.08 ~ 1.68倍；而存活率无显著差异。皱纹盘鲍幼鲍南方越冬方式的优势主要体现在鲍鱼幼鲍的生长速度加快，同时节约养殖场的能耗 （2）幼鲍培育过程中的养殖密度与分选效应评价 以3种规格皱纹盘鲍幼鲍为材料比较幼鲍在4个培育密度以及分选或混养条件下壳长的平均日生长及特定生长率。在南方越冬培育方式下实验进行106天，多因素方差分析结果表明实验初始幼鲍的壳长以及培育密度对壳长的生长有显著影响，而且密度效应在不同幼鲍起始规格组中有不同表现；分选没有能够提高不同规格组的生长。本研究的结果对皱纹盘鲍幼鲍的越冬培育有一定的指导作用。

Recomendacoes tecnicas para a cultura da soja na Regiao Central do Brasil.

Solos e nutricao vegetal; Conservacao do solo; Correcao de solo e manutencao de fertilidade; Calagem; Qualidade do calcario e condicoes de uso; Correcao da acidez subsupercial; Adubacao em solos do Cerrado; Adubacao fosfatada; Adubacao potassica; Adubacao com micronutrientes; Adubacao foliar com macro e micronutrientes; Inoculacao; Plantas daninhas; Tecnologia de sementes; Estabelecimento de campo de semente; Colheita; Avaliacao; Manejo de pragas; Praticas culturais; Manejo do solo; Rotacao de culturas; Epoca de semeadura; Genetica e melhoramento; Fitopatologia.

Evolution of methodology for the study of adaptability and stability in cultivated species.

The GxE interaction only became widely discussed from evolutionary studies and evaluations of the causes of behavioral changes of species cultivated in environments. In the last 60 years, several methodologies for the study of adaptability and stability of genotypes in multiple environments trials were developed in order to assist the breeder's choice regarding which genotypes are more stable and which are the most suitable for the crops in the most diverse environments. The methods that use linear regression analysis were the first to be used in a general way by breeders, followed by multivariate analysis methods and mixed models. The need to identify the genetic and environmental causes that are behind the GxE interaction led to the development of new models that include the use of covariates and which can also include both multivariate methods and mixed modeling. However, further studies are needed to identify the causes of GxE interaction as well as for the more accurate measurement of its effects on phenotypic expression of varieties in competition trials carried out in genetic breeding programs.

Effect of inbreeding on growth and reproductive traits of Nellore cattle in Brazil

The objective of this study was to identify and quantify the influence of F (inbreeding coefficient) on weaning weight (WW), weight gain from weaning to 18 months of age (WG345), finishing visual score (precocity) at 18 months of age, muscling visual score at 18 months of age (MUS), hip height (HH), scrotal circumference at 18 months of age (SC), heifer probability of pregnancy at 14 months of age (PP14), and stayability (STAY) in Brazilian Nellore cattle. The complete pedigree included 417,552 animals born between 1984 and 2007 on 12 farms located in the states of Mato Grosso do Sul, Sao Paulo and Bahia. Following the observation of a statistically significant effect (P<0.05) of the covariates individual inbreeding coefficient (F) and maternal inbreeding coefficient, regression analysis of each trait, adjusted for all other effects, was performed as a function of the linear and quadratic effect of F and maternal F (when significant). Inbreeding negatively affected all traits studied (P<0.05), except for muscling. A quadratic effect of individual F on WW, WG345, HH and PP14, and a quadratic effect of maternal F on WG345 and HH were observed. Levels of inbreeding higher than 7-11% affected negatively growth and reproductive performance of Nellore cattle. Therefore, inbreeding should be avoided, except for purposes of genetic breeding whose main objective is the fixation of certain alleles in the population. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.