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The genetic basis of heterosis was investigated in all elite rice hybrid by using a molecular linkage map with 150 segregating loci covering the entire rice genome. Data for yield and three traits that were components of yield were collected over 2 years from replicated field trials of 250 F2:3 families. Genotypic variations explained from about 50% to more than 80% of the total variation. Interactions between genotypes and years were small compared with the main effects. A total of 32 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were detected for the four traits; 12 were observed in both years and the remaining 20 were detected in only one year. Overdominance was observed for most of the QTLs for yield and also for a few QTLs for the component traits. Correlations between marker heterozygosity and trait expression were low, indicating that the overall heterozygosity made little contribution to heterosis. Digenic interactions, including additive by additive, additive by dominance, and dominance by dominance, were frequent and widespread in this population. The interactions involved large numbers of marker loci, most of which individually were not detectable on single-locus basis; many interactions among loci were detected in both years. The results provide strong evidence that epistasis plays a major role as the genetic basis of heterosis

The aim of this study is to characterize morphologically the parental and plants and those obtained from the diallel crosses, to identify the variety obtained and to confirm the hybrid nature of these. Three morphological descriptors of root were used to characterize the parental and 68 of the 162 plants obtained from crosses, each with their replication, in total 834 plants were evaluated. Finally 44 hybrids were obtained, 8 plants with no specific hybridization to no identify if there was cross but inheriting only the characters of the female parent or are replications of this, 9 plants with a non-specific hybrid origin unable to determine whether there was hybridization inheriting shared characters by both parents or single characters of the female parent or not; 7 plants whose male parent is not corresponding to the cross, 2 replications of three hybrids and one replication 1 of 1 of 9 plants with a non-specific hybrid origin also presented a different male parent. The parental V24 showed precocity and the loss of irregular reddish purple specks (anthocyanins indicator) was observed in 44 plants with parental that has this character.

Although the evolutionary success of polyploidy in higher plants has been widely recognized, there is virtually no information on how polyploid genomes have evolved after their formation. In this report, we used synthetic polyploids of Brassica as a model system to study genome evolution in the early generations after polyploidization. The initial polyploids we developed were completely homozygous, and thus, no nuclear genome changes were expected in self-fertilized progenies. However, extensive genome change was detected by 89 nuclear DNA clones used as probes. Most genome changes involved loss and/or gain of parental restriction fragments and appearance of novel fragments. Genome changes occurred in each generation from F2 to F5, and the frequency of change was associated with divergence of the diploid parental genomes. Genetic divergence among the derivatives of synthetic polyploids was evident from variation in genome composition and phenotypes. Directional genome changes, possibly influenced by cytoplasmic-nuclear interactions, were observed in one pair of reciprocal synthetics. Our results demonstrate that polyploid species can generate extensive genetic diversity in a short period of time. The occurrence and impact of this process in the evolution of natural polyploids is unknown, but it may have contributed to the success and diversification of many polyploid lineages in both plants and animals

Three-week-old plants of two unrelated lines of maize (Zea mays L.) and their hybrid were submitted to progressive water stress for 10 d. Changes induced in leaf proteins were studied by two-dimensional electrophoresis and quantitatively analyzed using image analysis. Seventy-eight proteins out of a total of 413 showed a significant quantitative variation (increase or decrease), with 38 of them exhibiting a different expression in the two genotypes. Eleven proteins that increased by a factor of 1.3 to 5 in stressed plants and 8 proteins detected only in stressed plants were selected for internal amino acid microsequencing, and by similarity search 16 were found to be closely related to previously reported proteins. In addition to proteins already known to be involved in the response to water stress (e.g. RAB17 [Responsive to ABA]), several enzymes involved in basic metabolic cellular pathways such as glycolysis and the Krebs cycle (e.g. enolase and triose phosphate isomerase) were identified, as well as several others, including caffeate O-methyltransferase, the induction of which could be related to lignification

Sturgeons (Chondrostei: Acipenseriformes) display markedly disjunction distributions with a wide distribution in the northern hemisphere. Their unique benthic specializations and conserved morphology, evolutionary age, the variation in their basic diadromous life history, and the large public interest due to their near extinction or critically endangered status make sturgeons and paddlefishes interesting groups for molecular and cytogenetic studies. From altogether 27 acipenseriform species, seventeen species are supposed to be critically endangered, two species are classified as endangered, four species are vulnerable and other species are near threatened or in low-risk (IUCN Red list 2010). Sturgeons are characteristic by a relatively high number of chromosomes in cell nuclei and differences in ploidy levels. Sturgeons displayed a strong tendency for interspecific and inter-generic hybridization under altered environmental conditions as well as under conditions of artificial propagation. Almost 20 inter-specific sturgeon hybrids were described. The decrease of natural populations and tendencies leading to restocking may result in uncontrolled restocking, production of hybrid specimens (even with non-native species) and decrease of natural genetic diversity of species in their original distribution area. Identification of parental species of natural hybrids by modern methods of molecular biology is still not easy. Here, we attempt to briefly summarize the major aspects of sturgeon genetics and cytogenetics related to ploidy levels and interspecific hybridization.

Our goal was to improve the method of obtaining double haploids (DH) by anther culture from Latvian breeding material for several agriculturally important cereals in Latvia: barley, spring and winter wheat. Hybrids from Latvian breeders were initial material. It was found that copper (2.5 mg/l) added to barley anther pre-treatment media and to both barley (C3) and wheat (liquid AMC) induction media, resulted in a higher percentage of green plants-regenerants. In general, the winter wheat hybrids exhibited lower embryogenesis than spring wheat hybrids. Obtaining a large number of DH lines from barley and wheat hybrids with unknown androgenesis response can be organized in two stages: first - selection from breeding initial material hybrids responsive in anther culture, which enables production of green plants-regenerants, and second - production of DH lines in a large scale from selected hybrids.

Sustainable construction requires innovative materials that minimize environmental impact and optimize resource use. Recycling widely discarded plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) offers a viable strategy to reduce waste accumulation and reliance on virgin resources. This study develops and characterizes a hybrid material made from recycled PET and PP combined with mineral aggregates for manufacturing eco-paving blocks intended for rural construction. Several mix proportions were tested, achieving compressive strengths of 20–25 MPa and flexural strengths near 10 MPa, values comparable to conventional concrete pavers but with significantly lower weight. Water absorption remained ≤1%, complying with Ecuadorian Standard INEN 3040 and European Standard UNE-EN 1338. The findings demonstrate that incorporating recycled plastics into paving blocks supports the circular economy, reduces plastic pollution, and provides lightweight, durable, and cost-efficient alternatives suitable for agricultural and rural infrastructure, contributing to more sustainable construction practices. La construcción sostenible exige materiales innovadores que reduzcan el impacto ambiental y promuevan el uso eficiente de los recursos. El reciclaje de plásticos ampliamente desechados, como el tereftalato de polietileno (PET) y el polipropileno (PP), surge como una estrategia viable para disminuir la acumulación de residuos y la extracción de recursos vírgenes. Este estudio desarrolla y caracteriza un material híbrido elaborado a partir de PET y PP reciclados combinados con áridos para fabricar eco-adoquines destinados a edificaciones rurales. Se evaluaron distintas proporciones de mezcla, obteniéndose resistencias a compresión de 20–25 MPa y resistencias a flexión cercanas a 10 MPa, valores comparables a los de adoquines de hormigón, pero con un peso significativamente menor. La absorción de agua fue ≤1%, cumpliendo con la NTE INEN 3040 y la norma europea UNE-EN 1338. Los resultados evidencian que incorporar plásticos reciclados en elementos constructivos impulsa la economía circular y ofrece materiales livianos, resistentes y de bajo costo adecuados para infraestructura rural sostenible.

Cocoon weight and shell weight are the key economic traits ultimately determining silk yield. In order to detect the main quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with the cocoon traits of Bombyx mori, the parents of larvae that produced cocoons that differed greatly in weight and shell weight were screened using 240 primer pairs of single nucleotide polymorphic markers (SNPs) representing all the 28 linkage groups in silkworm. Out of the 240 primer pairs, 48 revealed distinct polymorphism between the parents, which was confirmed by the co-dominant expression of both polymorphic PCR products in the F1 generation. The bulked segregant analysis (BSA) was used to compare the SNP profiles of the parents, F1 and F2 bulks using the 48 informative SNP primers. This revealed that out of 48 primer pairs, only one pair (No. 04124 of the linkage group 4) showed clear differences in the amplified products between the bulks corresponding to that of the parents with different cocoon traits suggesting that the DNA regions amplified by this primer pair are closely linked to the QTL controlling the cocoon traits. The results were also confirmed by screening the backcross progeny. This is the first report of the identification of a QTL using SNPs with BSA. The results of the present study indicate that it might be possible to use SNPs for marker assisted selection in silkworm breeding programmes aimed at improving cocoon traits.

Distributed generation is one of the most accepted strategies to attend the increase in electrical demand around the world. Since 2014, Colombian government agencies have enacted laws and resolutions to promote and regulate the introduction of different generation technologies into the country’s electrical system. The incorporation of distributed generation systems into conventional distribution networks can cause problems if technical studies are not previously carried out to determine the consequences of the start of the operations of these new generation technologies. This scenario represents a new challenge for distribution networks operators because they must ensure that their systems can integrate these new generation sources without affecting the correct operation of the grid. In this article, the IEEE 13 nodes system is modified by incorporating the load curves of the three types of consumers in the Colombian electricity market into the model. Additionally, distributed generation systems from non-conventional sources of energy are integrated into two system nodes in order to perform a quasi-dynamic analysis of the different electrical variables, which can be used to determine the impact of these new technologies on a local distribution system. The voltage profiles and active and reactive power do not show considerable changes in the behavior of the electrical network; however, in the simulation scenarios where distributed generators are operating, the system exhibits a considerable increase in lines losses. There are two alternatives to manage these unusual levels in the operation of the nodes with distributed generation: (1) operating these new DG nodes in islanded mode or (2) strengthening the local distribution system through the implementation of new distribution lines in the network.

Natural hybridization is a relatively common feature of vascular plant species and has been demonstrated to have played an important role in their evolution. Nonetheless, it is not clear whether spontaneous hybridization occurs as a general feature of all plant families and genera or whether certain groups are especially prone to spontaneous hybridization. Therefore, we inspected five modern biosystematic floras to survey the frequency and taxonomic distribution of spontaneous hybrids. We found spontaneous hybridization to be nonrandomly distributed among taxa, concentrated in certain families and certain genera, often at a frequency out of proportion to the size of the family or genus. Most of these groups were primarily outcrossing perennials with reproductive modes that stabilized hybridity such as agamospermy, vegetative spread, or permanent odd polyploidy. These data suggest that certain phylogenetic groups are biologically predisposed for the formation and maintenance of hybrids.