Nutritional profiling, SNP-based genomic tools development for population genetic analysis and genotype-by-environment interaction in noug (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.)

Noug (Guizotia abyssinica) is an economically important oilseed crop and has its primary center of origin and diversity in Ethiopia. It is mainly cultivated in Ethiopia and India. Noug is a self-incompatible dicotyledonous annual herbaceous semi-domesticated crop. The nutritional content of diverse germplasm of noug seed was evaluated for total lipid, fatty acids, protein and 12 macro and micro-mineral elements using standard bioanalytical techniques. Noug seed contains 33–49% lipid with rich linoleic acid, an essential polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid (72–79%) and consequently low in oleic acid (5–9%). The total protein content of noug seeds ranged from 25 to 28%. Significant differences in mineral element contents were revealed across experimental locations with potassium (K) being the highest 9254 (µg g-1 ) in concentration. Meeting the demands of the world´s growing population in the presence of climate change demands intensive crop breeding. Breeding oilseed crops is part of the race to meet consumers' rising demands. However, before an intensive breeding program is initiated, we have to lay the foundation with prebreeding. Genomic tools facilitate our deep insights into crop genetic diversity, population structure, genotyping, and marker-assisted selection, which are valuable for breeding and conservation programs. This research developed novel DNA markers for noug based on transcriptome sequencing. For this, 959 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified from 628 transcripts of two noug genotypes. Thereafter, kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers were developed based on these SNPs and utilized in genotyping noug accessions. The genotypic data were utilized for population genetic analyses. The SNP loci had an average of 0.24 polymorphic information content (PIC) and about 50% of the loci showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The markers revealed a high genetic variation within accessions. The developed genomic resources proved useful for population genetic diversity analysis. Breeding noug involves improving its oil content, quality, and productivity, as well as adaptability to diverse environments. This research also evaluated the magnitude of the effect of genotype-by-environment interaction and stability of noug nutritional value traits including oil content, linoleic, oleic, palmitic and stearic acids, and the results provided useful insights, which could facilitate the development of superior cultivars through breeding

Utilization and barriers of inclusive education resource centers: The case of Gamo zone primary schools

This study aimed to examine teachers’ utilization of Inclusive Education resource centers and identify the barriers that hinder the function of the centers in primary schools of Gamo Zone. For this purpose, the study employed a mixed methods explanatory sequential design. Primary data were collected from 95 teachers and 41 members of Resource Center Core Teams. Self-developed questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis were used to gather data. Quantitative data analysis involved the use of percentage, mean, standard deviation, and independent sample t-tests, while qualitative data was analyzed through narrative and descriptive techniques. Results revealed that teachers did not adequately utilize the centers. Moreover, barriers such as shortage of specialized staff, inadequate training, lack of specialist support, limited resources, absence of qualified personnel, insufficient monitoring tools for students with special needs, and inadequate funding were identified. Finally, measures that aimed to enhance teachers’ utilization of the centers and address the barriers identified are forwarded

Using household survey data to explore the effects of the domiciliary environment on weight at birth:a multilevel mixed-effects analysis of the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with infant mortality and postpartum health complications. In previous studies, overall LBW has been found to be significantly associated with several sociodemographic factors, including ethnicity, maternal age, and family income. Few studies have evaluated the association between environmental risk factors and LBW rates. This study investigated the effect of pre-birth water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and housing conditions on self-reported low birth weight. Methods: The Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey, which covered all administrative regions of Ethiopia from January to June 2016, provided data for this study. STATA version 16 was used to analyze 12,125 participants across weighted samples. Multivariable multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the effects of each factor on the outcome while accounting for data clustering. The adjusted odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were used to determine the statistical significance of the independent variables. Results: One thousand five hundred and seventeen newborns, or 12.59% [95% CI (10.2- 15.3)], had low birth weights. When other factors were taken into account, the following factors were significantly associated with low birth weight: not using small-scale water treatment technology before using water [AOR (95% CI) 1.36 (1.08–2.23)], burning solid fuels for energy [AOR (95% CI) 1.99 (1.60–2.21)], living in homes with natural wall coverings [AOR (95% CI) 1.81 (1.47–2.21)], using a shared latrine within a woman's housing complex or compound [AOR (95% CI) 1.63(1.06–2.25)], and living in peripheral, isolated regions [AOR (95% CI) 1.38 (1.06–2.21)]. Conclusion: A little more than one out of every ten deliveries in Ethiopia was under normal (recommended) weight. This study shows that poor housing conditions and lack of household WASH infrastructure are independent predictors of poor birth outcomes among Ethiopian women, adding to the limited evidence that environmental factors within the domicile contribute to low birth weight. Interventions to address these issues may help lower the prevalence of LBW.</p

New transcriptome-based SNP markers for noug (Guizotia abyssinica) and their conversion to KASP markers for population genetics analyses

The development and use of genomic resources are essential for understanding the population genetics of crops for their efficient conservation and enhancement. Noug (Guizotia abyssinica) is an economically important oilseed crop in Ethiopia and India. The present study sought to develop new DNA markers for this crop. Transcriptome sequencing was conducted on two genotypes and 628 transcript sequences containing 959 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were developed. A competitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) assay was developed for the SNPs and used for genotyping of 24 accessions. A total of 554 loci were successfully genotyped across the accessions, and 202 polymorphic loci were used for population genetics analyses. Polymorphism information content (PIC) of the loci varied from 0.01 to 0.37 with a mean of 0.24, and about 49% of the loci showed significant deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The mean expected heterozygosity was 0.27 suggesting moderately high genetic variation within accessions. Low but significant differentiation existed among accessions (FST = 0.045, p &lt; 0.0001). Landrace populations from isolated areas may have useful mutations and should be conserved and used in breeding this crop. The genomic resources developed in this study were shown to be useful for population genetics research and can also be used in, e.g., association genetics

Quantitative trait loci for bone traits segregating independently of those for growth in an F-2 broiler X layer cross

An F broiler-layer cross was phenotyped for 18 skeletal traits at 6, 7 and 9 weeks of age and genotyped with 120 microsatellite markers. Interval mapping identified 61 suggestive and significant QTL on 16 of the 25 linkage groups for 16 traits. Thirty-six additional QTL were identified when the assumption that QTL were fixed in the grandparent lines was relaxed. QTL with large effects on the lengths of the tarsometatarsus, tibia and femur, and the weights of the tibia and femur were identified on GGA4 between 217 and 249 cM. Six QTL for skeletal traits were identified that did not co-locate with genome wide significant QTL for body weight and two body weight QTL did not coincide with skeletal trait QTL. Significant evidence of imprinting was found in ten of the QTL and QTL x sex interactions were identified for 22 traits. Six alleles from the broiler line for weight- and size-related skeletal QTL were positive. Negative alleles for bone quality traits such as tibial dyschondroplasia, leg bowing and tibia twisting generally originated from the layer line suggesting that the allele inherited from the broiler is more protective than the allele originating from the layer

GENETIC DIVERSITY AND ECO-GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF ELEUSINE SPECIES COLLECTED FROM ETHIOPIA

Eleusine is a small grass genus with three basic chromosome numbers (x=8, 9 and 10) and comprises of eight species including E. coracana subsp. coracana, (finger millet), which is an important subsistence crop in Africa and India. Research on these species could assist the development of high yielding and multiple stress tolerant variety(s) of the cultivable species, and also guide development of strategic genetic resource management and utilisation of the genus. A total of 72 accessions, sampled from five major species, E. coracana (including both E. coracana subsp. coracana and E. coracana subsp. africana), E. intermedia, E. indica, E. multiflora and E. floccifolia were analysed for genetic variation and inter-relationships using 20 microsatellite markers. All the SSR markers displayed high genetic polymorphism, with polymorphic information content ranging from 0.46 (UGEP110) to 0.91 (UGEP66). A total of 286 alleles were observed with an average of 14.3 alleles per locus. Classic F-statistics revealed the highest intra-specific polymorphism recorded for E. africana (32.45%), followed by E. coracana (16.83%); implying that genetic polymorphism is higher in the cultivable subspecies and its wild relatives, than the other species. Allelic frequency based inter-species genetic distance analysis, showed wider genetic distance between E. indica and E. multiflora (0.719); a narrow genetic distance between E. coracana sub-species africana and E. coracana subspecies coracana (0.3297). The weighted neighbor joining-based clustering revealed that the majority of the accessions in a species share strong similarity and are grouped together than do accessions of inter species.Eleusine est une herbe avec trois nombres de chromosomes de base (x=8, 9 et 10) et comprend huit esp\ue8ces dont E. coracana subsp. coracana, (finger millet), qui est une culture de subsistence importante en Afrique et en Inde. La recherche sur ces esp\ue8ces pourrait aider dans le d\ue9veloppement des vari\ue9t\ue9s d\u2019esp\ue8ces cultivables \ue0 rendement \ue9lev\ue9 et de tol\ue9rance aux stress multiples, et guider le d\ue9veloppement de la gestion des ressources g\ue9n\ue9tiques strat\ue9giques et l\u2019utilisation du genus. Un total de 72 accessions \ue9chantillonn\ue9es de cinq esp\ue8ces majeurs \ue0 savoir E. coracana (incluant E. coracana subsp. coracana et E. coracana subsp. africana), E. intermedia, E. indica, E. multiflora et E. floccifolia \ue9taient analys\ue9es pour variation g\ue9n\ue9tique et relations mutuelles utilisant 20 marqueurs microsatellites. Tous les marquers SSR ont manifest\ue9 un polymorphisme g\ue9n\ue9tique \ue9lev\ue9, avec un contenu d\u2019information polymorphique allant de 0.46 (UGEP110) \ue0 0.91 (UGEP66). Un total de 286 all\ue8les \ue9tait observ\ue9 avec une moyenne de 14.3 all\ue8les par locus. Les statistiqies classiques F ont r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 le polymorphisme intrasp\ue9cifique le plus \ue9lev\ue9 enregistr\ue9 pour le E. africana (32.45%), suivi de E. coracana (16.83%), ce qui implique que le polymorphisme g\ue9n\ue9tique est le plus \ue9lev\ue9 dans les sous esp\ue8ces cultivables et ses homologues sauvages que les autres esp\ue8ces. L\u2019analyse de la fr\ue9quence all\ue9lique de la distance g\ue9n\ue9tique entre esp\ue8ces a montr\ue9 une plus large distance g\ue9n\ue9tique entre E. indica et E. multiflora (0.719); une \ue9troite distance g\ue9n\ue9tique entre les sous esp\ue8ces Africana de E. coracana et les sous esp\ue8ces coracana de E. coracana (0.3297). La pond\ue9ration des groupements a r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 que la majorit\ue9 des accessions au sein d\u2019une esp\ue8ce partage une forte similarit\ue9 et sont group\ue9es ensemble en comparaison aux accessions des intra-esp\ue8ces

Genetic association between longevity and linear type traits of Holstein cows

Longevity is a desirable trait in the dairy industry because of its relationship to profitability. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for longevity measurements related to productive life, or life in the herd, and linear type traits of Brazilian Holstein cows born between the years 1990 and 2008. The (co) variance components were estimated by the restricted maximum likelihood method. The heritability for measurements of longevity and linear type traits ranged from 0.05 to 0.07 and 0.08 to 0.39, respectively. The genetic correlations between measurements of longevity and linear type traits ranged from -0.39 to 0.31. Direct selection for longevity does not necessarily lead to long-lived cows, due to low heritability. Indirect genetic selection for udder depth, bone quality, udder height, rear teat placement and conformation traits showed the highest genetic correlations with measurements of time between birth and last milk record and time from first calving to last milk record