Genetic variances and relationship among traits of an early maturing maize population under drought-stress and low nitrogen environments

Article purchasedDrought and low soil nitrogen (low N) are major causes of low grain yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). An early maturing maize population, TZE-Y Pop DT STR, had undergone four cycles of selection for drought tolerance, followed by four selection cycles for resistance to Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth., which is normally conducted under low N (about 30 kg N ha-1). The objectives of this study were to estimate residual genetic variances, predict future gains from selection, and investigate inter-trait relationships in the population under drought-stress, low N and across research environments. North Carolina Design I was used to develop 250 full-sib progenies from the improved population, which were evaluated in three drought-stress and two low N environments in Nigeria, 2011 to 2013. Additive genetic variances were not significant for most traits under the research conditions. The predicted gains from selection for grain yield were 5.3, 8.5 and 7.5% cycle-1 under drought, low N, and across environments. These results suggested the absence of substantial genetic variability in the population to ensure progress from selection. Ears per plant (EPP), ear aspect (EASP), plant aspect (PASP), and stay green characteristic (STGR) were consistently identified as important secondary traits under both research conditions. We concluded that there is need to introgress new sources of favorable alleles for drought-stress and low N tolerance into the population for guaranteed progress from selection, using EPP, EASP, PASP, and STGR in combination with yield in a selection index under drought-stress and low N

Yield gains in extra-early maize cultivars of three breeding eras under multiple environments

Open Access JournalAvailability of extra-early maize cultivars has facilitated the expansion of maize production into savannas of West and Central Africa (WCA). Fifty-six extra-early maize cultivars of three breeding eras;1995 to 2000, 2001 to 2006, and 2007 to 2012 were evaluated for 2 yr under 24 multiple-stress and 28 non-stress environments in WCA. Objectives of the study were to determine genetic improvement in grain yield of cultivars developed during the breeding eras, and identify high-yielding and s multiple-stress and non-stress environments. Yield gains from era 1 to era 3 under multiple stresses was associated with increased days to anthesis, reduced stalk lodging, and improved husk cover. Cultivars 2004 TZEE-Y Pop STR C4, TZEE-W Pop STR QPM C0, and TZEE-W Pop STR BC2 C0 of era 2; and TZEE-W STR 107 BC1, TZEE-W Pop STR C5, and 2012 TZEE-Y DT STR C5 of era 3 were high-yielding and stable across multiple-stress environments while 98 Syn EE-W from era 1, FERKE TZEE-W STR, TZEE-W Pop STR C3, and TZEE-Y Pop STR QPM C0 from era 2, and TZEE-W Pop STR C5, 2009 TZEE-OR2 STR QPM, 2009 TZEE-W STR, TZEE-Y STR 106, and TZEE-W DT C0 STR C5 from era 3 were outstanding across non-stress environments and should be tested extensively and commercialized. Considerable improvement has been made in breeding for multiple-stress tolerant extra-early maize cultivars

Demokrasi dan Amerika Serikat

The United State of America life is always the result of interaction between the anti-democratic and nondemocratic traditions with the existing democratic traditions, and a new perception in the field of human social, religious, political necessity and political rights. While in Islamic history there are a number of concepts and images that make up a very important Islamic perception of democracy is of course different from what is believed to be in the United State of America

Growth, carcass and meat characteristics of local breed of rabbits fed diets containing soaked and dried mango (Mangifera indica) seed kernel meal

This study was conducted to find substitutes for dietary maize in rabbit rations, to minimize competition between humans and livestock over the commodity. Mango seed kernel meal (MSKM) was used to substitute up to 20% of maize in rabbit rations, to assess its effects on growth, carcass and meat characteristics. Fresh mango seeds were obtained, husks were removed and seeds soaked in fresh potable water for 48 hours. The seeds were then dried to a moisture content of about 15 %, and then milled for use. Three experimental diets were formulated, where T1 (control, had no MSKM), T2 (10% of maize was replaced with MSKM) and T3 (20% of maize was replaced with MSKM). A total of 48 six-week old rabbits of indeterminate breeds (24 males and 24 females) were assigned to the three dietary treatments (16 rabbits per treatment), and were fed ad-libitumfor 6 weeks, to determine feed intake and growth rates of the rabbits. Water was however provided ad-libitum. At the end of the feeding trial, 24 rabbits were randomly selected (8 from each treatment, equal number of males and females) and were slaughtered humanely after a 12-hour feed withdrawal, for carcass and proximate analyses of the meat. Results from the study indicate that, feed intake and growth rates of the animals reduced significantly (p<0.05) when dietary maize replacement with MSKM increased beyond 10% inclusions. However, crude protein, phosphorus,potassium and zinc contents of the meat increased significantly (p<0.05) as MSKM inclusions increased. That notwithstanding, carcass parameters and organ weights were not affected by substituting up to 20% of maize with MSKM (p>0.05). It can be concluded that MSKM can efficiently be used to substitute up to 20% of maize in rabbit rations, for reduced feed cost, improved crude protein, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc contents of the meat

Agronomic traits associated with genetic gains in maize yield during three breeding eras in West Africa

Studies on genetic gains in grain yield in maize (Zea mays L) is crucial to identify traits of potential value and the necessary modifications in breeding methodologies and strategies for increased progress in future breeding ef-forts. Fifty early-maturing maize cultivars developed during three breeding eras were evaluated for 2 yr in two field experiments involving 16 multiple stress (drought, Striga-infested, and low soil nitrogen) environments and 35 optimum environments to determine the changes in agronomic traits associated with the genetic gains in grain yield over three breeding eras. The average rate of increase in grain yield was 30 kg ha–1 yr-1 corresponding to 1.59% annual genetic gain across multiple stresses. Among the agronomic traits under stress, only ears per plant (0.32% year-1), ear aspect (-0.51% year-1), plant aspect (-0.24% year-1) and days to anthesis (0.11% year-1) changed significantly (P<0.05 or <0.01) during the three eras. The increase in grain yield from the first to the third generation cultivars across stress environments was associated with significant improvements in plant and ear aspects, increased ears per plant and stay green characteristic. Under optimal growing environments, the increase in grain yield from the first to the third generation cultivars was 1.24% per annum and the gain was associated with significant improvements in plant and ear heights, plant and ear aspects, husk cover, and increased ears per plant. The results indicated that substantial progress has been made in breeding for cultivars with combined tolerance/resistance to the three stresses during the past 22 years

Effectiveness of Impeachment Against Deputy Regent of Gorontalo Regency

The purpose of this research is to know and analyze the Legal Regulation of The Impeachment of Regional Heads and/or Deputy Heads of Regions according to The Provisions of Law No. 23 of 2014 on Local Government and the effectiveness of impeachment against the deputy Regent of Gorontalo Regency. The type of research used by researchers in the preparation of this study is to use normative research types that are supported by the existence of field data (empirical) using   2 (two) approaches, namely the Legislative And Case Approach.  The results of this study show that the effectiveness of impeachment against the deputy Regent of the Gorontalo Regency is influenced by 3 (three)factors that affect the effectiveness of dismissal against the deputy Regent of the Gorontalo Regency, namely: the legal factor.   alone, where there is no normative framework that regulates the law of dismissal events in the head of the region, second, law enforcement factors, namely regarding the competence of judges in the break the case and the unclear involvement of legal counsel (advocate), third, the legal culture factor characterized by the disobedience of the Ministry of Home Affairs to the deadline which has been made imitatively in Law 23 of 2014 concerning Local Government.

Clinical utility of ultrasound imaging for measuring anterior thigh thickness after anterior cruciate ligament injury in an individual patient to assess postsurgery outcome

The present study investigated the clinical utility of ultrasound imaging (USI) for assessing changes in an individual’s quadriceps muscle and subcutaneous fat (SF) thickness of the anterior thigh and their relative proportions. A patient was studied prior to and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery and during rehabilitation. This case study involved an 18-year-old female recreational athlete with a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Tissue thickness (SF and quadriceps muscle) was measured from transverse USI of the anterior thigh before surgery, at weekly intervals during 12 weeks of postsurgery, and then every 2 weeks for the following 12 weeks (total of 21 measurement sets). Statistically significant differences presurgery to postrehabilitation were found for muscle thickness () and SF tissue thickness () measurements. There was no difference in muscle to fat ratio (). Changes in measurements greater than the reported minimal detectable change (MDC) demonstrate the sensitivity of the USI technique as an objective tool to assess clinically useful changes in an individual’s anterior thigh muscle thickness post-ACLR surgery and during rehabilitation

Anterior thigh composition measured using ultrasound imaging to quantify relative thickness of muscle and non-contractile tissue: a potential biomarker for musculoskeletal health

This study aimed to use ultrasound imaging to provide objective data on the effects of ageing and gender on relative thickness of quadriceps muscle and non-contractile tissue thickness (subcutaneous fat, SF, combined with perimuscular fascia). In 136 healthy males and females (aged 18-90 years n=63 aged 18-35 years; n=73 aged 65-90). Images of the anterior thigh (dominant) were taken in relaxed supine using B-mode ultrasound imaging. Thickness of muscle, SF and perimuscular fascia were measured, and percentage thickness of total anterior thigh thickness calculated. Independent t-tests compared groups. Correlation between tissue thickness and BMI was examined using Pearson’s coefficient. Muscle thickness was: 39±8mm in young males, 29±6mm in females, 25±4mm in older males and 20±5mm in females. Percentage muscle to thigh thickness was greater in young participants (p=0.001). Percentage SF and fascia was 17±6% in young and 26±8% in older males, 32±7% in young and 44±7% in older females. BMI was similar for age and correlated moderately with non-contractile tissue (r=0.54; p&lt;0.001) and poorly with muscle (r=-0.01; p=0.93). In conclusion, this novel application of ultrasound imaging as a simple and rapid means of assessing thigh composition (relative thickness of muscle and non-contractile tissue) may help inform health status, e.g. in older people at risk of frailty and loss of mobility, and aid monitoring effects of weight loss or gain, deconditioning and exercise