Crecimiento y desarrollo de genotipos de la Veza de Narbona (Vicia narbonensis L.) en la Turquía semiárida central

In order to investigate the growth and yield potential of narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis L.), to elucidate the possible associations of plant traits, to inquire the basics of responses shown by genotypes across years through examining of genotype × year interaction effect, and to extrapolate the nature of adaptation, 27 accessions were evaluated for yield and yield related characters over four subsequent cropping seasons (1994-98) in the central Turkey. Days to harvest, biomass, seed yield, and harvest index were measured, and the results were analyzed by multiple statistical procedures: principal component analysis, linear regression analysis, cluster analysis, descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and additive and multiplicative model analysis. Four year effects were grouped into three classes (good, fairly-good and poor). Seed yield was positively correlated with days to harvest in the first (p<0.05) and fourth (p<0.001) years, and with biomass in all years, which made them plastic and fixed traits respectively. For seed yield, the 27 genotypes were separated into four groups, and year and interaction effects were found to be highly significant (p<0.001). Certain genotypes behaved differently; G25 and G11 were more suitable for specific adaptation, while G2, G4, G6 and G27 were best for broad adaptation. These selected genotypes could be used as a set of reference lines in the evaluation of narbon vetch germplasm for better yield and adaptation. The enhanced developmental flexibility through adjusting plant growth-longevity combined well with higher biomass and harvest index is the primary form of narbon vetch adaptation to the semi-arid central Turkey and similar environments in the Mediterranean area.Con el fin de investigar el crecimiento y el rendimiento potencial de la Veza de Narbona (Vicia narbonensis L.), dilucidar las posibles asociaciones de caracteres de las plantas, investigar los fundamentos de la respuesta mostrada por los genotipos a través de los años mediante un examen del efecto de la interacción genotipo×año, y extrapolar la naturaleza de la adaptación, 27 accesiones fueron evaluados para rendimiento, y los caracteres relacionados con el rendimiento evaluados durante cuatro temporadas (1994-98). Se midieron los días a cosecha, la biomasa, rendimiento de semillas e índice de cosecha. Los resultados se analizaron por varios procedimientos estadísticos: análisis de componentes principales, análisis de regresión lineal, análisis de grupos, estadística descriptiva, análisis de varianza y AMMI. Los efectos de los 4 años se agruparon en tres clases (buenos, bastante buenos y malos). El rendimiento de semillas se correlacionó positivamente con los días a cosecha en el primer (p<0,05) y cuarto (p<0,001) año, y con la biomasa todos los años, lo que les hace caracteres plásticos y fijos, respectivamente. Los 27 genotipos se diferencian en cuatro grupos según el rendimiento de semillas, y los efectos del año y su interacción fueron altamente significativos (p<0,001). Ciertos genotipos se comportaron de manera diferente, G25 y G11 son más adecuados para una adaptación específica, mientras que G2, G4, G6 y G27 fueron mejores para una adaptación amplia. Estos genotipos pueden utilizarse como referencia para la evaluación de germoplasma de Veza de Narbona para un mejor rendimiento y adaptación. Una mayor flexibilidad en el desarrollo del crecimiento de las plantas combinada con mayor biomasa e índice de cosecha es la forma primaria de adaptación de la Veza de Narbona en la Turquía central semiárida y ambientes similares del área mediterránea

An overview of biodiversity and conservation status of steppes of the Anatolian Biogeographical Region

The Anatolian Biogeographical Region is unique in the Palearctic realm, with high plant and butterfly species richness and populations of globally threatened birds, mammals and herptiles (amphibians and reptiles). It is a place of diverse land-use practices, dating back to the earliest farming practices in the world. Among 10,930 species of vascular plants, birds, butterflies, mammals and herptiles distributed in Turkey, we identified 1130 living predominantly in steppic environments and being classified either as threatened, near-threatened or data deficient at the national level, if not globally. A total of 28 effective protected areas were present in the region, covering 1.5 % of the 391,597 km(2) land area. Only 16.2 % of the threatened and near-threatened species (n = 809) were distributed within the protected area network, ranging from 94.1 % for birds to as low as 12.9 % for vascular plants. The total area of steppe and steppe forest vegetation has been reduced by at least 44 % of its former extent due to diverse habitat destructive activities. The most significant threats arise from unsustainable agricultural activities including overgrazing, conversion to croplands and afforestation. To maintain steppe diversity, we propose a "to-do list", including mainstreaming biodiversity, effective implementation of Turkey's Rangeland Act, conducting effective environmental impact assessments, establishing an effective site network for steppe biodiversity conservation and filling gaps in scientific knowledge

A high-density genetic map of the Medicago truncatula major freezing tolerance QTL on chromosome 6 reveals colinearity with a QTL related to freezing damage on Pisum sativum linkage group VI

Freezing is one of the most serious abiotic stress factors that affect cool-season legumes. It limits species geographic distribution and causes severe yield losses. Improving tolerance to freezing has long been a main concern for legume breeders. Medicago truncatula Gaertn. has been selected as a model species for legume biology. Various studies have shown significant macrosynteny between M. truncatula and agronomically important crop legumes. A major freezing tolerance quantitative trait locus (QTL), herein referred to as Mt-FTQTL6, was previously identified on M. truncatula chromosome 6. The physical location of this QTL was determined in this study and its corresponding chromosomal interval was enriched with additional markers. Markers were first developed using the draft sequence of M. truncatula euchromatin (release versions Mt3.0 and Mt3.5). Because Mt-FTQTL6 was found to coincide with an assembly gap, the Glycine max (L.) Merr. genome sequence was also used to generate markers. Five Mt-FTQTL6-linked markers were found to be common to a region on Pisum sativum L. linkage group VI harboring a QTL for freezing damage. A subset of markers was tested for transferability across 11 additional legume species. This study lays the groundwork for identifying the molecular basis of Mt-FTQTL6. Cross-legume markers will be useful in future efforts aiming to investigate the conservation of Mt-FTQTL6 in cool-season legumes and subsequently the existence of common mechanisms for response to freezing between M. truncatula and crop legumes

The database of the PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems) project

The PREDICTS project—Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)—has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity

The database of the PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems) project

The PREDICTS project-Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)-has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity