Morphological and Genetic Variation in Mexican Wild Populations ofTamarixia radiata(Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

En el presente estudio se analizó la variación morfológica y genética del ectoparasitoide ninfal del psílido asiático de los cítricos Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) en dos regiones de México, región noreste (representada por los estados de Nuevo León, y Tamaulipas) y región occidente (representada por los estados de Colima y Michoacán). Se encontró que la variación morfológica de los especímenes analizados recae principalmente en variables cromáticas. En el estudio morfométrico se encontró que a diferencia de las hembras, los machos presentan heterogeneidad, la cual se concentró en el estado de Colima. La variación morfológica en el parasitoide no se asoció de forma exclusiva por alguna de las zonas geográficas de estudio. El análisis molecular reveló la presencia de dos haplotipos (H1 y H2), los cuales se han encontrado en investigaciones previas entre las poblaciones del parasitoide introducidas a Florida, E.U.A. El haplotipo H2 se encontró en todas las áreas de estudio y con mayor frecuencia que el H1, el cual se localizó solamente en la región noreste (estado de Tamaulipas), sugiriendo posibles puntos de flujo génico entre México-E.U.A. Los resultados poseen implicaciones para el uso extensivo de T. radiata en los programas de control biológico del psílido asiático de los cítricos. ABSTRACT We analyzed the morphological and genetic variation of the Asian citrus psyllid nymphal ectoparasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in 2 regions of Mexico, in the northeast (represented by the states of Nuevo León and Tamaulipas) and the west (represented by the states of Colima and Michoacán). We found that the morphological variation of the specimens lay mainly in body color traits. The morphometric study indicated that in comparison with females, males presented heterogeneity, and it was concentrated in the state of Colima. Despite the morphological variation found in the species, it was not exclusively associated with any of the geographical regions. Molecular analysis revealed the presence of 2 haplotypes (H1 and H2), which were the same found in previous research among strains introduced to Florida. Haplotype H2 was found in both studied regions and more frequently than haplotype H1, which was collected only in the northeast (Tamaulipas state), suggesting possible points of gene flow between Mexico and the USA. Our results have implications for the extensive use of T. radiata in biological control programs of the Asian citrus psyllid

Genomic Selection for Processing and End-Use Quality Traits in the CIMMYT Spring Bread Wheat Breeding Program

Citation: Battenfield, S. D., Guzman, C., Gaynor, R. C., Singh, R. P., Pena, R. J., Dreisigacker, S., . . . Poland, J. A. (2016). Genomic Selection for Processing and End-Use Quality Traits in the CIMMYT Spring Bread Wheat Breeding Program. Plant Genome, 9(2), 12. doi:10.3835/plantgenome2016.01.0005Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars must possess suitable end-use quality for release and consumer acceptability. However, breeding for quality traits is often considered a secondary target relative to yield largely because of amount of seed needed and expense. Without testing and selection, many undesirable materials are advanced, expending additional resources. Here, we develop and validate whole-genome prediction models for end-use quality phenotypes in the CIMMYT bread wheat breeding program. Model accuracy was tested using forward prediction on breeding lines (n = 5520) tested in unbalanced yield trials from 2009 to 2015 at Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico. Quality parameters included test weight, 1000-kernel weight, hardness, grain and flour protein, flour yield, sodium dodecyl sulfate sedimentation, Mixograph and Alveograph performance, and loaf volume. In general, prediction accuracy substantially increased over time as more data was available to train the model. Reflecting practical implementation of genomic selection (GS) in the breeding program, forward prediction accuracies (r) for quality parameters were assessed in 2015 and ranged from 0.32 (grain hardness) to 0.62 (mixing time). Increased selection intensity was possible with GS since more entries can be genotyped than phenotyped and expected genetic gain was 1.4 to 2.7 times higher across all traits than phenotypic selection. Given the limitations in measuring many lines for quality, we conclude that GS is a powerful tool to facilitate early generation selection for end-use quality in wheat, leaving larger populations for selection on yield during advanced testing and leading to better gain for both quality and yield in bread wheat breeding programs

Comparación florística y estado trófico basado en plantas indicadoras de lagunas costeras de la región de La Araucanía, Chile

This study describes and analyses plant species diversity and identifies indicator species for nitrogen eutrophization in four coastal lagoons in the Araucanian Region, Chile. A total of 82 vascular macrophyte species were identified. Tromen lagoon has the highest species richness (45 taxa), followed by Patagila and Peule with 42 species each, while only 36 were found in Puyehue. Patagüa and Peule have the most similar flora, while Puyehue is the most dissimilar. Aloctonous species predominate in all four lakes (more than 47% being introduced species), and the most common life form are the hemicryptophytes with 40 species, indicating a strong human impact on their lakeshores. Patagüa lagoon has the greatest number of eutrophication indicators (8 species), showing a high trophic level. Puyehue, on the other hand, has only three, coinciding with the lowest species richness, so its trophic level should be lower

Comparison of low molecular weight glutenin subunits identified by SDS-PAGE, 2-DE, MALDI-TOF-MS and PCR in common wheat

Low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS) play a crucial role in determining end-use quality of common wheat by influencing the viscoelastic properties of dough. Four different methods - sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE, IEF × SDS-PAGE), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), were used to characterize the LMW-GS composition in 103 cultivars from 12 countries

Dinámica del paisaje para el período 1980-2004 en la cuenca costera del Lago Budi, Chile : Consideraciones para la conservación de sus humedales

The landscape corresponds to a complex, open, space-time system, intermediate between nature and society. Its conditions and dynamics are determined by natural processes and human presence in which local and regional alterations modify ecological processes and patterns of biodiversity. Conspicuous in the Budi lake/river basin landscape are continental wetlands and marshy bodies of water and forests. Conflicts have arisen due to substitution and land-use change. Using the framework and scale of analysis of landscape ecology, the landscape dynamics of the Budi lake/river basin has been analyzed as an input for ecological planning of this area and conservation of its wetlands. Studies of variation of areas destined for different uses and land cover, as well as rate of change starting from category maps drawn up on the basis of photo-interpretation of aerial photographs of the area under study taken in 1980, 1994 and 2004, were done. Eight landscape types were identified, starting from previously drawn up classifications of ground cover and land-use. We also evaluated the variation in landscape patterns through the application of 21 measuring processes related to typology and surface, perimeters, shapes, diversity, aggregation and adjacency as indicators of landscape dynamics and evolution, which were applied in three levels: patches, classes and total landscape area. Among others, results showed a significant increase of the area of riverside wetlands (3,039.7 hectares in 1980 compared to 4,384.8 hectares in 2004), and a decrease in clear- water surface area. Furthermore, in the last 30 years there were increases in forestry plantations, of 17.6% between 1980 and 1994, and of 27.2% between 1994 and 2004; meanwhile, farming and cattle-raising have steadily decreased. Also, an increase in the number of patches and a decrease in their average size (except for wetlands), an increase in the total perimeters, and a decrease of distances between neighbours were assessed; all of which points to a landscape which is undergoing a process of fragmentation, with patches interspersed within the dominant pattern. The analysis carried out defines a system of wetlands having high connectivity with the contributing watersheds, spatial heterogeneity and intermixing of classes, in which current watershed uses are affecting the evolution of riverside areas. These indicates the extent of alteration of the system as well as the importance of the anthropogenic variable in its evolution; factors to be taken into account during the decision-making process of future proposals for land-use regulations involving control of sedimentation, protection of vegetation and maintaining connectivity

Dactylorhiza ×hjertsonii, nothosp. nov. (Orchidaceae), un nuevo híbrido para la flora ibérica

Dactylorhiza ×hjertsonii (Orchidaceae), a new hybrid for the Iberian Peninsula. A new nothotaxon of the genus Dactylorhiza (Orchidaceae), D. ×hjertsonii nothosp. nov., is described from the hybridization between D. elata and D. fuchsii. A morphological description is reported, emphasizing the main diagnostic characters among the hybrid and the parents. This hybrid has been found on the Mijares River (in Cedrillas), and near to Alcalá de la Selva (Teruel province, Spain)

Monitoring ground subsidence in the Vega Media of the river Segura through Differential SAR Interferometry (DInSAR)

Ground subsidence caused by aquifer exploitation is a geotechnical hazard that affects wide areas, causing important economic damages. This phenomenon is due to soil consolidation produced by the increase of effective stress caused by piezometric depletion. In this work a Remote Sensing Technique called Coherent Pixel (CPT) is applied to monitor subsidence in the Vega Media of the Segura River during a period of eleven year

Radar interferometry techniques for the study of ground subsidence phenomena: a review of practical issues through cases in Spain

Subsidence related to multiple natural and human-induced processes affects an increasing number of areas worldwide. Although this phenomenon may involve surface deformation with 3D displacement components, negative vertical movement, either progressive or episodic, tends to dominate. Over the last decades, differential SAR interferometry (DInSAR) has become a very useful remote sensing tool for accurately measuring the spatial and temporal evolution of surface displacements over broad areas. This work discusses the main advantages and limitations of addressing active subsidence phenomena by means of DInSAR techniques from an end-user point of view. Special attention is paid to the spatial and temporal resolution, the precision of the measurements, and the usefulness of the data. The presented analysis is focused on DInSAR results exploitation of various ground subsidence phenomena (groundwater withdrawal, soil compaction, mining subsidence, evaporite dissolution subsidence, and volcanic deformation) with different displacement patterns in a selection of subsidence areas in Spain. Finally, a cost comparative study is performed for the different techniques applied.The different research areas included in this paper has been supported by the projects: CGL2005-05500-C02, CGL2008-06426-C01-01/BTE, AYA2 010-17448, IPT-2011-1234-310000, TEC-2008-06764, ACOMP/2010/082, AGL2009-08931/AGR, 2012GA-LC-036, 2003-03-4.3-I-014, CGL2006-05415, BEST-2011/225, CGL2010-16775, TEC2011-28201, 2012GA-LC-021 and the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship to PJG

Determinación del nivel de antropización de humedales como criterio para la planificación ecológica de la cuenca del lago Budi, IX Región de La Araucanía, Chile

The level of human impact on the wetlands of the Lago Budi Basin was established, as a function of the degree of alteration to the basin and the degree of alteration to the wetlands. The former was evaluated on the basis of a spatial analysis of the fragility and stability of the hydrographical basin. The latter through a modified impact model, with a panel of experts who evaluated the fulfilment of the wetlands' function and their state. Four principal types of wetlands were recognized: estuarine, meadow, waterside and marshy. It was found that 98% of the total surface presents a high degree of alteration, as determined by its instability and fragility. Farm use was weighted as the principal agent of alteration of the wetlands' functions, with 61% of this showing alteration in the maximum degree. This evaluation makes it possible to differentiate areas and generate base criteria for the conservation of wetlands in the basin.Se determinó el nivel de antropización de los humedales de la cuenca del Budi, en función del grado de alteración de cuencas y el grado de alteración de humedales. El primero, evaluado a partir del análisis espacial de la fragilidad y estabilidad de la hoya hidrográfica. El segundo, a través de un modelo de impacto modificado, con panel de expertos que valoró el cumplimiento de funciones de humedales y su estado. Se reconocieron principalmente 4 tipos de humedales: estuarino, palustre, ribereño y de marisma. Por otro lado, el 98% de la superficie total presenta altos grados de alteración, determinados por su inestabilidad y fragilidad. El uso agrícola fue ponderado como el principal agente de alteración de las funciones de los humedales, presentándose un 61% de estos en categoría de máxima alteración. La evaluación realizada permite discriminar áreas y generar criterios de base para la conservación de humedales en la cuenca

Genomic Prediction of Gene Bank Wheat Landraces

This study examines genomic prediction within 8416 Mexican landrace accessions and 2403 Iranian landrace accessions stored in gene banks. The Mexican and Iranian collections were evaluated in separate field trials, including an optimum environment for several traits, and in two separate environments (drought, D and heat, H) for the highly heritable traits, days to heading (DTH), and days to maturity (DTM). Analyses accounting and not accounting for population structure were performed. Genomic prediction models include genotype × environment interaction (G × E). Two alternative prediction strategies were studied: (1) random cross-validation of the data in 20% training (TRN) and 80% testing (TST) (TRN20-TST80) sets, and (2) two types of core sets, “diversity” and “prediction”, including 10% and 20%, respectively, of the total collections. Accounting for population structure decreased prediction accuracy by 15–20% as compared to prediction accuracy obtained when not accounting for population structure. Accounting for population structure gave prediction accuracies for traits evaluated in one environment for TRN20-TST80 that ranged from 0.407 to 0.677 for Mexican landraces, and from 0.166 to 0.662 for Iranian landraces. Prediction accuracy of the 20% diversity core set was similar to accuracies obtained for TRN20- TST80, ranging from 0.412 to 0.654 for Mexican landraces, and from 0.182 to 0.647 for Iranian landraces. The predictive core set gave similar prediction accuracy as the diversity core set for Mexican collections, but slightly lower for Iranian collections. Prediction accuracy when incorporating G × E for DTH and DTM for Mexican landraces for TRN20-TST80 was around 0.60, which is greater than without the G × E term. For Iranian landraces, accuracies were 0.55 for the G × E model with TRN20-TST80. Results show promising prediction accuracies for potential use in germplasm enhancement and rapid introgression of exotic germplasm into elite materials