Genetic Diversity in Colonial Bentgrass (\u3ci\u3eAgrostis Capillaris\u3c/i\u3e L.) Revealed by EcoRI/MseI and PstI/MseI AFLP Markers

Colonial bentgrass species (Agrostis capillaris L.) is a potential genetic resource for the improvement of other bentgrass species (Agrostis spp.) with regard to resistance to environmental stresses and diseases. Transferring resistance from colonial to other bentgrass species is a promising goal in turfgrass breeding programs (Belanger, 2003). Assessment of genetic diversity among accessions of colonial bentgrass species will contribute to eliminate undesirable duplications in the germplasm collection and increase the efficiency of research efforts. It will allow researcher to select diverse resistance genes from different sources to incorporate and pyramid these resistance genes into creeping or other bentgrass species cultivars. The objectives of this study were to investigate the genetic diversity of colonial bentgrass species consisting of 22 PI accessions from USDA collected from 11 countries, 14 accessions from north Spain and three commercial cultivars by using AFLP markers (EcoRI/MseI and PstI/MseI enzyme combinations), and to compare the correlation between estimates of genetic diversity derived from these two enzyme combinations

Towards a Genetic Map in Creeping Bentgrass Based on SSRs, AFLPs and RFLPs

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris) (2n=4x=28) is commonly used in golf course, putting green, tees and fairways. In spite of the importance of the species in turfgrass industry, the genetic study of the creeping bentgrass has received relatively little attention. Genetic mapping, as a new tool, helps traditional turfgrass breeding methods through the construction of linkage, identification of quantitative trait loci linked to traits of interest, and application of marker assisted selection program. Molecular markers such as AFLPs, SSRs and RFLPs have been used extensively for the preparation of linkage maps of a number of crop species. The objective of this study is to construct a genetic linkage map of creeping bentgrass

Genetic Diversity in \u3cem\u3eFestuca\u3c/em\u3e Species as Shown by AFLP

Fescues (Festuca spp.) are widely occurring temperate grasses with more than 450 species that represent a vast resource for genetic improvement of turfgrass and forage cultivars. Fescues are normally outcrossing species and exhibit many ploidy levels(x=7). Much of the work in classification of Festuca is predominantly based on morphological and cytological features. Difficulties in morphological characterization, which are largely subjected to environmental influences, have resulted in many synonymous species and uncertainties in phylogenetic relationships. DNA fingerprinting is considered a more stable and reliable technique to explore genetic diversity and relationships

Monitoring of Gene Expression Profiles and Identification of Candidate Genes Involved in Drought Tolerance in Festuca Mairei with cDNA-AFLP

Drought stress is one of the most complex environmental constraints on plants. Response of plant to drought stress is manifested by various changes in physiological and metabolic processes, which are reflected at the molecular level. cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP) is a high-throughput transcript profiling technique for temporal and spatial gene expression analysis (Bachem et al., 1996). To understand the molecular genetic basis of drought tolerance of grasses, we applied the cDNA-AFLP procedure to identify the genes responding to drought stress of Festuca mairei (Fm), which showed a xeriphytic adaptation (Marlatt et al., 1997)

Development of Genetic Markers for Drought Tolerance in \u3ci\u3eFestuca-Lolium\u3c/i\u3e Complexes

Drought stress is one of the most complex environmental constraints on turf. It is a major factor limiting the growth of cool-season turf grasses in a wide range of climatic regions. As water conservation becomes increasingly limiting, the development of drought tolerant lines becomes important. However, the progress in breeding turfgrass for drought resistance has been very slow, primarily because of the genetic complexity of drought stress responses and lack of screening procedures for rapid selection of germplasm with superior drought tolerance. Marker assisted selection (MAS) provides breeders with valuable tools to develop newer germplasm with improved drought tolerance (Quarrie et al., 1999). Drought tolerance involves a cascade of events and is controlled genetically by multiple genes. To clarify the genetic network involved, key agronomic traits need to be clarified into individual components to reduce complex analysis (Tollenaar and Wu, 1999). After specific components of the genes corresponding to drought tolerance are isolated and cloned, they can be converted into PCR-based markers to assist the selection and allow us to rapidly identify genetic lines that had the desired allele and discard those without

Evaluation of Road Pavement Cracks in Malaysia

Road surface condition is one of the most important characteristics because it affects ride quality, operation cost, and vehicle dynamic load. Thus it is necessary to study all factors affect the roads conditions, and to evaluate the different types of pavement distresses occur in the Malaysian roads. For this reason, this research was conducted to evaluate the main problem that occur in the Malaysian roads, and to find out the reasons of such a pavement behavior. In order to do four federal highways profile were studied, and data was collected using four different techniques, and analyzed to specify the dominate pavement distresses occur in the Malaysian roads

Consistency of QTL for Dollar Spot Resistance Between Greenhouse and Field Inoculations, Multiple Locations, and Different Population Sizes in Creeping Bentgrass

Dollar spot caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa F. T. Bennett is the most economically important turf disease in North America. Previous work indicated differences among cultivars in their susceptibility to dollar spot (Bonos et al., 2003). Studies have indicated that dollar spot resistance might be quantitatively inherited (Bonos et al., 2003) but the number, location and effect of genomic regions conferring resistance is still not known. Therefore the objective of this research is to understand the effect of population size, inoculation assays, and field locations on QTL for dollar spot resistance in creeping bentgrass

Unilateral Adrenal Hemorrhage: A Rare Complication of Anticoagulant Use

Unilateral adrenal hemorrhage is a rare but deadly complication that can occur secondary to causes such as trauma and metastasis. A 55-year-old male with a history of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma and deep vein thrombosis managed with rivaroxaban presented with acute right abdominal and flank pain. A CT angiogram of the abdomen showed a retroperitoneal hematoma around the right adrenal gland, consistent with a unilateral adrenal hemorrhage. An MRI showed no signs of adrenal metastasis and the patient had no history of trauma. The volume of the hematoma did not change in size and the patient was hemodynamically stable, which only prompted supportive management. Anticoagulant use is a known risk factor for bilateral adrenal hemorrhage. However, this case demonstrates that unilateral adrenal hemorrhage can also be a complication, one that usually appears subclinically. It can present non-specifically but may progress to a more fatal bilateral hemorrhage. Hence, it demands a high index of suspicion for patients on systemic anticoagulation

Agromorphological characterization and dollar spot fungus susceptibility in accessions of common bent (Agrostis capillaris L.) collected in northern Spain

Abstract Fourteen Agrostis capillaris accessions collected in northern Spain were characterized in a trial with a lowfertilization regime, carried out in two successive years (2004 and 2005). The commercial cultivar 'Golfin' was included in the study as a control. All accessions and the commercial cultivar were evaluated for 11 agromorphological characteristics and susceptibility to dollar spot disease, caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa F.T. Bennet. The data obtained were reduced to five principal components that cumulatively explained 85.4% of the total variance. Cluster analysis was useful in identifying four groups of accessions that described 50% of the phenotypic variation among accessions. Cluster 1 consisted of four accessions with the highest resistance to dollar spot, dark green colour, late heading date and high autumn turf quality. Cluster 2 included the two earliest heading accessions, dark green colour, intermediate tolerance to dollar spot and low autumn turf quality. Cluster 3 comprised six accessions with the latest heading date, dark green colour and low tolerance to dollar spot. Cluster 4 consisted of two accessions and the 'Golfin' cultivar, with lightest green colour, low autumn turf quality and the poorest tolerance to dollar spot. The results of this study suggest the potential value of some of these common bent accessions collected in northern Spain for turf and forage improvement. Additional key words: Agrostis tenuis, artificial inoculation, browntop, colonial bentgrass, multivariate analysis, turfgrass. Resumen Caracterización agromorfológica y susceptibilidad al hongo «dollar spot» en accesiones de agrostis común (Agrostis capillaris L.) recogidas en el Norte de España Catorce accesiones de Agrostis capillaris procedentes del norte de España se caracterizaron en un régimen de baja fertilización durante dos años (2004 y 2005) en un diseño de bloques completos al azar con dos repeticiones de 15 plantas por accesión (en total 30 plantas por accesión). El cultivar comercial 'Golfin' se incluyó como control en el estudio. Todas las accesiones y el cultivar 'Golfin' se evaluaron mediante 11 caracteres agromorfológicos y la susceptibilidad a la enfermedad fúngica «dollar spot» (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa F.T. Bennet). Los datos obtenidos se redujeron a cinco componentes principales que explicaron el 85,4% de la varianza total. Mediante una clasificación jerárquica se identificaron cuatro grupos, que describen el 50% de la variación fenotípica entre las accesiones. El grupo 1 incluyó cuatro accesiones con la mayor resistencia al «dollar spot», color verde oscuro, espigado tardío y muy buena calidad de césped en el otoño. El grupo 2 incluyó las dos accesiones más precoces de espigado, tolerancia intermedia al «dollar spot» y mala calidad de césped en el otoño. El grupo 3 comprendió seis accesiones tardías de espigado, color verde oscuro y baja tolerancia al «dollar spot». El grupo 4 incluyó dos accesiones y el cultivar 'Golfin' con color verde más claro, baja calidad otoñal de césped y la menor tolerancia al dollar spot. Los resultados de este estudio muestran el potencial de algunas de las accesiones de agrostis común procedentes del norte de España para uso en mejora de céspedes y forrajes. Palabras clave adicionales: Agrostis tenuis, análisis multivariable, césped, inoculación artificial

Relationship between Petrostates and Political Instability. Libya’s Political History with Petroleum

Libya’s socio-political structure has been structured through colonization, the influence of petroleum, and unacceptable political regimes from Gaddafi’s dictator-monarch rule, which limited Libyans from economic prosperity till present day. The purpose of this study is to evaluate Libya’s political state from pre-petroleum to petroleum influenced state. This research identifies Libya through its historical colonial context, highlights pre-oil Libya, the influence of petroleum and how that effects Libya’s current socio-economic and political framework. I offer policy recommendations to reduce political instability in petrostates and explain whether or not renewable energy is a decolonizing factor to political instability