Integrated geophysical and petrological study of fluid expulsion features along the Moroccan Atlantic margin

In this study we integrate a geophysical – carbonate petrological data set, collected during the TTR-14 cruise (summer 2004) along the Moroccan Atlantic margin in Gulf of Cadiz (Southern area, 400m – 1000m and El Arraiche mud volcano field). This allows us to investigate the deeper structure and its control on fluid venting, to address the nature of seafloor topographical features, fluid geochemistry and venting processes. The deeper structure of the Southern area is dominated by two NW trending anticlinal acoustic basement ridges. Their northern flank and top is cut by major present-day active, normal faults, along which four dome structures and the Meknes mud volcano (mv), are concentrated. These ridges correspond to rotated, faultbounded blocks breaking up the top of the accretionary wedge. This indicates the southward prolongation of extensional tectonics and its structural control on mud volcanism, south of the El Arraiche field, which is also evidenced by the typical sandstone mud breccias recovered at the Meknes mv. Carbonate cemented mud breccia from the Meknes (type M) and the Kidd (type K) mv, and cemented sediment portions from Pen Duick Escarpment (type PD), all possess similar carbon isotopic (-19 to -29%¸ VPDB) and carbonate geochemical signatures, indicating seepage of a geochemical similar thermogenic hydrocarbon-bearing fluid source. Slightly elevated d18O values of HMC-cemented type M crusts suggest the former presence and dissociation of gas hydrates. The brecciated fabric, intraclasts and aragonite cement morphology, typical of type K crusts testify of a relative vigorous fluid ascent. HMC-calcian dolomite cemented PD crusts were likely formed under conditions of slower fluid ascent. Their actual near-seafloor occurrence, well above the base of the SRZ, is hypothesized to relate to erosion and migration of the SRZ by variations in upward hydrocarbon fluxes

The Potential Of High-Resolution BAC-FISH In Banana Breeding

Abstract The genetic complexity in the genus Musa has been subject of study in many breeding programs worldwide. Parthenocarpy, female sterility, polyploidy in different cultivars and limited amount of genetic and genomic information make the production of new banana cultivars difficult and time consuming. In addition, it is known that part of the cultivars and related wild species in the genus contain numerous chromosomal rearrangements. In order to produce new cultivars more effectively breeders must better understand the genetic differences of the potential crossing parents for introgression hybridization, but extensive genetic information is lacking. As an alternative to achieve information on genetic collinearity we make use of modern chromosome map technology known as high-resolution fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). This article presents the technical aspects and applications of such a technology in Musa species. The technique deals with BAC clone positioning on pachytene chromosomes of Calcutta 4 (Musa acuminata ssp. burmanicoides, A genome group, section Eumusa) and M. velutina (section Rodochlamys). Pollen mother cells digestion with pectolytic enzymes and maceration with acetic acid were optimized for making cell spread preparations appropriate for FISH. As an example of this approach we chose BAC clones that contain markers to known resistance genes and hybridize them for establishing their relative positions on the two species. Technical challenges for adapting existing protocols to the banana cells are presented. We also discuss how this technique can be instrumental for validating collinearity between potential crossing parents and how the method can be helpful in future mapping initiatives, and how this method allows identification of chromosomal rearrangements between related Musa species and cultivar

Metabolite profiling characterises chemotypes of Musa diploids and triploids at juvenile and preflowering growth stages

Open Access Journal; Published online: 15 March 2019Bananas (Musa spp.) are consumed worldwide as dessert and cooking types. Edible banana varieties are for the most part seedless and sterile and therefore vegetatively propagated. This confers difficulties for breeding approaches against pressing biotic and abiotic threats and for the nutritional enhancement of banana pulp. A panel of banana accessions, representative of the diversity of wild and cultivated bananas, was analysed to assess the range of chemotypes available globally. The focus of this assessment was banana leaves at two growth stages (juvenile and pre-flowering), to see when during the plant growth metabolic differences can be established. The metabolic data corresponded to genomic trends reported in previous studies and demonstrated a link between metabolites/pathways and the genomes of M. acuminata and M. balbisiana. Furthermore, the vigour and resistance traits of M. balbisiana was connected to the phenolic composition and showed differences with the number of B genes in the hybrid accessions. Differences in the juvenile and pre-flowering data led to low correlation between the growth stages for prediction purposes

Intensification and diversification of banana production systems: key drivers for increased income and food and nutritional security in the Great Lakes region

Peer Revie

Expression of a rice chitinase gene in transgenic banana ('Gros Michel', AAA genome group) confers resistance to black leaf streak disease

Peer reviewe

Structural controls on basin- and crustal-scale fluid flow and resulting mineral reactions

This preface summarizes the main contents of the special issue Structural Controls on Basin- and Crustal-Scale Fluid Flow and Resulting Mineral Reactions, organized by topic. The description of contributions starts with those addressing crustal-scale processes, followed by studies of relatively shallower fluid flow mechanisms and their consequences. The final subsection summarizes contributions on structural controls on mineral reactions, as well as those evaluating how they impact geothermal reservoir properties

Assessment of metabolic variability and diversity present in leaf, peel and pulp tissue of diploid and triploid Musa spp.

Banana (Musa spp.) plants produce many health promoting compounds in leaf, peel and pulp. For a robust metabolic analysis of these tissues, leaf at five developmental stages were compared to assess suitable sampling practices. Results confirmed that the common sampling practise of leaf 3 is applicable for metabolic comparisons. The developed work flow was applied to analyse the metabolite diversity present in 18 different Musa varieties, providing baseline levels of metabolites in leaf, peel and pulp tissue. Correlation analysis was then used to ascertain whether similar trends can be detected in the three plant tissues of the diversity panel. The genome group displayed a dominant role in the composition of the metabolome in all three tissues. This led to the conclusion that a correlation between tissues was only possible within a genome group as the different parental backgrounds caused too great a variation in the metabolomes. It also suggests the metabolome could be used to monitor the interaction/hybridisation of genomes during breeding programmes

End-user preferences for plantain food products in Nigeria and implications for genetic improvement

Open Access Article; Published online: 16 Sept 2020Plantain is an important food security crop for farming households in Nigeria. This study investigates the relative importance of plantain food products and their quality descriptors from the perspective of farmers in Southern‐Nigeria, to inform end‐user oriented and socially inclusive breeding strategies that drive hybrid adoption. Surveys were conducted in twelve rural communities in three states in the plantain belt of Nigeria, consisting of key informant interviews, sex‐disaggregated focused group discussions and individual interviews. Dodo (fried plantains), boli (roasted plantains), boiled plantain, plantain with beans and porridge were the most common food products identified in the study areas. Fruit size, pulp texture (firmness/softness), colour, maturity stage and taste were identified as the most critical characteristics, with impact on quality of processed food products. There were significant differences between states regarding the importance of plantain food products, but little interstate and gender differences for fresh fruit and food product quality characteristics