Gene Kim M.

Evangelio
BSDC 3-A
Introduction to Agriculture
1.
A. Rice Breeding
Breeding for water-saving and drought-resistance rice (WDR) in
China by L. J. Luo
Rice is the staple food and rice production consumes about 50% of the
fresh water resources in China. In addition, drought is one of the most
important constraints in rice resulting in large yield losses and limiting the
average yield increase of the country. There is an urgent need to enhance
water-saving (W) capacity or drought resistance (DR) of rice. WDR
varieties can be developed through introgressing the water-saving and
drought resistance capacity mainly from the traditional upland to the
commercialized paddy rice cultivars. The breeding target is a high yield
potential under irrigation, an acceptable grain quality, and water
consumption reduced by about 50% compared with paddy rice. In a waterlimited environment, a higher level of drought resistance and reduced
yield loss by drought stress are required. In recent years, the field
drought-resistance screening facility was established and the evaluation
standard was developed. Some DR rice varieties were identified and used
in both molecular mapping and breeding programmes. Several WDR
varieties were developed and released to farmers. This article describes
our initial achievement towards this goal and provides some details on the
rationale and the specific steps and methods used.
(http://jxb.oxfordjournals.org/content/61/13/3509.full)

Rice breeding in the post-genomics era: From concept to practice

by Zhi Kang Li, Fan Zhang
Future world food security requires continued and sustainable increase in
rice production. Much of this increase has to come from new high yielding
cultivars with resistances to multiple stresses. While future rice breeding
in the post-genomics era has to build upon the progress in rice functional
genomics research, great challenges remain in understanding the
genetic/molecular systems underlying complex traits and linking the
tremendous genome sequence diversity in the rice germplasm collections
to the phenotypic variation of important traits. To meet the challenges in
future rice improvement, a molecular breeding (MB) strategy has been
practiced in China with significant progress in establishing the MB material
and information platforms in the process of breeding, and in developing
new varieties through two novel MB schemes. However, full
implementation of this strategy requires tremendous investment to build
capacities in high-throughput genotyping, reliable/precision phenotyping
and in developing and adopting new genomics/genetic information-based
analytic/application breeding tools, which are not in place in most of the
public rice breeding institutions. Nevertheless, future advances and
developments in these areas are expected to generate enormous
knowledge of rice traits and application tools that enable breeders to
deploy more efficient and effective breeding strategies to maximize rice
productivity and resource use efficiencies in various ecosystems.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369526613000435)

Integration of genomics into rice breeding by Shuichi

Fukuoka, Kaworu Ebana, Toshio Yamamoto, Masahiro Yano

One of the major challenges in genetics has been to identify the

nucleotide polymorphisms responsible for phenotypic variation. Through
intensive analysis, several major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for
agronomic traits in rice have been identified and the underlying candidate
genes have been delimited. Advanced mapping populations, including
chromosome segment substitution lines, have enhanced the power of
genetic analysis to detect QTL alleles, even those with minor effects.
Recent examples of marker-assisted selection have proven the potential of
this strategy for crop improvement. The genome-wide discovery of single
nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), even among closely related cultivars,
has enhanced the power of allele mining in a wide range of rice breeding
materials. An array-based SNP genotyping system can be used to visualize
pedigree haplotypes in breeding materials, including landraces and
modern cultivars. All of these technologies are accelerating the genetic
dissection of complex agronomic traits and further improvement of rice.
(http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12284-010-9044-9/fulltext.html)
B. Corn Nutrient Management
Evaluating agricultural management practices to improve the
environmental footprint of corn-derived ethanol by Xiaobo
Xue, YuLei Pang, Amy E. Landis
This study examines three agriculture management practices with the aim
of improving the environmental performance of corn-derived products
such as bioethanol. Corn production is energy intensive and contributes to
water quality degradation and global warming, thus affecting the
environmental impact of corn-derived ethanol. Life Cycle Assessment
(LCA) is used to quantify and compare the environmental impacts of three

management strategies: tillage, fertilizer choices and the use of buffer

strips to sequester nutrients. Detailed energy, carbon, nitrogen and
phosphorus inventories are compiled to represent corn production
scenarios within the US Corn Belt. The LCA was developed using GREET
1.8 (Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in
Transportation) and emission factors with statistical analyses to estimate
energy consumption, associated air emissions, and aqueous nutrient
runoff potentials. Results show that using manure fertilizers as opposed to
synthetic fertilizers requires less energy, however the use of manure
generates more CH4, N2O, CO2 and results in more variable
concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus leaching from farmlands. No
tillage emits less greenhouse gas emissions, sequesters more soil organic
carbon and slightly reduces nutrient runoff compared with conventional
tillage practices. Building buffer strips of certain widths is an efficient way
to reduce N and P discharge to surrounding waters with minimal effect on
the energy or global warming profile. Based on the results of the LCA
studies, replacing conventional tillage with no till, and installing buffer
strips can improve environmental performances of corn derived ethanol.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148113007039)

On-Farm Estimation of Nutrient Requirements for Spring Corn in

North China by
Yi Zhanga, Pen Houa, Qiang Gaob, Xinping Chena, Fusuo Zhanga a
nd Zhenling Cui
Estimating the nutrient requirements of corn (Zea mays L.) is crucial to
facilitate fertilizer management practices and agricultural policies. Our

understanding of crop nutrient uptake requirements is limited by

traditional site-specific nutrient recommendation algorithms. A database
composed of 1065 on-farm observations collected during 2006 to 2009 in
North China was used to assess the reciprocal internal efficiencies (RIEs,
kg of nutrients in plant dry matter per Mg of grain) calculated by the
QUantitative Evaluation of the Fertility of Tropical Soils (QUEFTS) model
under different nutrient supply conditions. We found that nutrient supply
conditions have a pronounced effect on RIEs. In the absence of nutrients,
the RIE values were higher than with other nutrient-supply treatments,
which reflect severe nutrient deficiencies in plants. In the presence of
excessive nutrients, the RIEs increased without a corresponding increase
in grain yield. Hence, using the data derived from optimal nutrient supply
plots with current corn hybrids, the RIEs simulated by QUEFTS, were 15.3
kg N, 2.9 kg P, and 8.3 kg K per Mg at 60 to 70% of the yield potential.
These values maximized the nutrient yield-producing uptake efficiency for
spring corn in North China.
(https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/aj/abstracts/104/5/1436)

Influence of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield

of sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) under temperate
conditions of Kashmir Valley by Shahid Rasool; Kanth, R.
H.; Shabana Hamid; Raja, W.; Alie, B. A.; Dar, Z. A.
The growth and yield response of sweet maize (Zea mays (L.) saccharata)
to varying levels of organic and inorganic fertilizers during the growing
seasons of kharif 2010 and 2011 was studied under temperate conditions
of Kashmir Valley. Twelve treatments comprising of sole and combination

of organic and inorganic fertilizers were laid in a randomized block design

with three replications. The results revealed that application of T 10 [75%
(NPK) + FYM (4.5 t/ha) + Biofertilizer (Azotobacter + Phosphate
solubilizing bacteria (PSB))] significantly increased the number of days
taken to tasseling, silking and milky stages and various other growth
characters viz., plant height, leaf area index and dry matter accumulation
at 15 days interval from sowing upto harvest and crop growth rate and
relative growth rate at 7 days interval from 15 DAS upto harvest whereas,
the lowest values of these parameters were recorded in unfertilized
control. The treatment T10 [75% (NPK) + FYM (4.5 t/ha) + Biofertilizer
(Azotobacter + Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB))] proved to be
significantly superior to rest of the treatments including unfertilized
control in increasing cob yield with and without husk, fodder yield and
green biomass yield during both years of experimentation, however, ratio
of cob to fodder yield during 2011 and 2012 were recorded highest in
treatment T3 [FYM (18 t ha-1)] and T2[Recommended NPK kg ha1

(90:60:40)], respectively, whereas unfertilized control recorded the

lowest ratio of cob to fodder yield.

(http://www.cabi.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2015/20153180036.pdf)
C. Banana Processing
Post-harvest Processing of Banana: Opportunities and
Challengesby Debabandya Mohapatra, Sabyasachi
Mishra, Chandra Bhan Singh, Digvir Singh Jayas
Banana has a special place in the daily diet of millions of people around
the world for sustenance and nutrient enrichment. Some of the popular
food uses of banana are chips, raw ripened fruit, cooked green banana,
fermented and unfermented beverages, juice, puree, dried flour for bakery

and infant formula food. Banana is also used as a starch source for various
chemicals and packaging materials. The storability and functional
properties of these products can be altered by the application of various
innovative food processing technologies. This review article focuses on
different banana products, their potential for non-conventional uses and
associated prospective novel processing techniques for value addition and

preservation.
Studies of the processing and characterization of corn starch and
its composites with banana and sugarcane fibers from Brazil by J.
L. Guimares, F. Wypych, C. K. Saul, L. P. Ramos, K. G.
Satyanarayana
This paper presents results on the characterization of corn starch by X-ray
powder diffraction and thermal analysis, as well as processing and
characterization of starchbanana/sugarcane bagasse fiber composites. Xray diffraction studies revealed that the starch sample belongs to the Atype, common in cereals. Thermal analysis showed good thermal stability
for making composites, while fractographic studies of 70 wt.% starch and
30% glycerol matrix revealed cracks between smooth and rough surface
and dimples in rough regions, suggesting the sample was ductile. The
composites of this matrix with banana and bagasse fibers prepared by
compression molding showed more homogeneous composites with crude
glycerin and structural changes in both the fiber composites, while their
morphology was dictated by the properties of the fibers rather than by
those of the matrix. Improvements in tensile properties were observed in
these composites over those of the matrix, which are explained based on

fractographic observations.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0144861709006341)
The banana code-natural blend processing in the olfactory
circuitry of Drosophila melanogaster by Marco Schubert, Bill S.
Hansson, Silke Sachse
Odor information is predominantly perceived as complex odor blends. For
Drosophila melanogaster one of the most attractive blends is emitted by
an over-ripe banana. To analyze how the fly's olfactory system processes
natural blends we combined the experimental advantages of gas
chromatography and functional imaging (GC-I). In this way, natural
banana compounds were presented successively to the fly antenna in
close to natural occurring concentrations. This technique allowed us to
identify the active odor components, use these compounds as stimuli and
measure odor-induced Ca(2+) signals in input and output neurons of the
Drosophila antennal lobe (AL), the first olfactory neuropil. We demonstrate
that mixture interactions of a natural blend are very rare and occur only at
the AL output level resulting in a surprisingly linear blend representation.
However, the information regarding single components is strongly
modulated by the olfactory circuitry within the AL leading to a higher
similarity between the representation of individual components and the
banana blend. This observed modulation might tune the olfactory system
in a way to distinctively categorize odor components and improve the
detection of suitable food sources. Functional GC-I thus enables analysis of
virtually any unknown natural odorant blend and its components in their
relative occurring concentrations and allows characterization of neuronal
responses of complete neural assemblies. This technique can be seen as a

valuable complementary method to classical GC/electrophysiology

techniques, and will be a highly useful tool in future investigations of
insect-insect and insect-plant chemical interactions.
(http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fphys.2014.00059/full)
D. Swine Diseases
Emerging Swine zoonoses by Tara C Smith, Abby L
Harper, Rajeshwari Nair, Shylo E Wardyn, Blake M Hanson, Dwight
D Ferguson, Anne E Dressler
The majority of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in origin. Swine
represent a potential reservoir for many novel pathogens and may
transmit these to humans via direct contact with live animals (such as
swine farmers and large animal veterinarians), or to the general human
population via contaminated meat. We review recent emerging microbes

associated with swine and discuss public health implications.

A serosurvey for Brucella suis, classical swine fever virus, porcine
circovirus type 2, and pseudorabies virus in feral swine (Sus
scrofa) of eastern North Carolina by Mark R Sandfoss, Christopher
S DePerno, Carl W Betsill, Maria Baron Palamar, Gene
Erickson, Suzanne Kennedy-Stoskopf
As feral swine (Sus scrofa) populations expand their range and the
opportunity for feral swine hunting increases, there is increased potential
for disease transmission that may impact humans, domestic swine, and
wildlife. From September 2007 to March 2010, in 13 North Carolina, USA,
counties and at Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center, we
conducted a serosurvey of feral swine for Brucella suis, pseudorabies virus
(PRV), and classical swine fever virus (CSFV); the samples obtained at
Howell Woods also were tested for porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2). Feral
swine serum was collected from trapped and hunter-harvested swine. For

the first time since 2004 when screening began, we detected B. suis
antibodies in 9% (9/98) of feral swine at Howell Woods and <1% (1/415) in
the North Carolina counties. Also, at Howell Woods, we detected PCV-2
antibodies in 59% (53/90) of feral swine. We did not detect antibodies to
PRV (n=512) or CSFV (n=307) at Howell Woods or the 13 North Carolina
counties, respectively. The detection of feral swine with antibodies to B.
suis for the first time in North Carolina warrants increased surveillance of
the feral swine population to evaluate speed of disease spread and to
establish the potential risk to commercial swine and humans.

(http://www.jwildlifedis.org/doi/pdf/10.7589/0090-3558-48.2.462)
Exposure to swine H1 and H3 and avian H5 and H9 influenza a
viruses among feral swine in Southern China, 2009 by Jing
Luo, Guoying Dong, Kai Li, Zongji Lv, Xiaowei Huo, Hongxuan He
Swine play an important role in the disease ecology of influenza. Swine
may provide the potential for mixed infections and genetic reassortment
between avian, human, and porcine influenza viruses. We investigated the
prevalence of antibodies to swine H1 and H3 influenza viruses and avian
H5 and H9 influenza viruses in feral swine in southern China. Serum
samples were collected from 31 feral swine harvested in 2009 in southern
China. Of 31 serum samples tested, 14 (45%) had detectable antibody to
H1 influenza virus and 23 (74%) were positive for H3 subtype. The
antibody prevalence against both the swine H1 virus and the swine H3
virus was 45% (14/31). Five samples were reactive with both H1 and N1
subtype viruses, suggesting exposure to H1N1 viruses. All the sera tested
were negative for avian H5 and H9 influenza viruses. Further
investigations of influenza virus exposure of feral swine are needed to

clarify their role in influenza ecology.

(http://www.jwildlifedis.org/doi/pdf/10.7589/2012-03-079)
E. Poultry Feeds and Feeding
Nutrition and feeding of organic poultry by D V M Charlotte
Organic poultry production has increased significantly in recent years in
response to increasing consumer demand for organic eggs and meat. This
is the first comprehensive text on feeding organic poultry, presenting
advice on selecting suitable ingredients, preparing appropriate feed
mixtures and integrating them into organic poultry production systems.
The international standards of organic feeding, the species and breeds of
poultry most suitable for organic farming, up to date information on the
nutritional requirements of poultry, and examples of diets formulated to
organic standards are all outlined.
(http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00071660902763965#abstr

act)
Simultaneous assessment of zinc, cadmium, lead and copper in
poultry feeds by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry
by S a Mahesar, S T H Sherazi, Abdul Niaz, M I Bhanger, Siraj
Uddin, Abdul Rauf
In the present work four metals (Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu) were determined
simultaneously in 28 commercial broiler poultry feeds by differential pulse
anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) using hanging mercury drop
electrode (HMDE). The digestion of poultry feeds was carried out with
concentrated nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide (2:1) with the help of
microwave heating. Acetate buffer of pH 5 was used as a supporting
electrolyte. The limit of detection for Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu was 0.69, 0.35,
0.68 and 0.24 microg/kg, respectively. The amount of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu in
the analyzed poultry feeds was ranged between 54.3-482.2, 3.8-33.6,

23.2-32.6 and 12.3-65.8 mg/kg, respectively. In most of analyzed poultry

feed samples, the amount of Cd and Pb was found to be greater than the
maximum tolerable level (MTL) which could be harmful for the poultry.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691510003649)
Extended-spectrum beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing multidrug
resistant enterobacteria from commercial poultry feeds in Nigeria
by J M A Oyinloye Jr., C N Ezekiel
A total of 17 multidrug resistant (MDR) enterobacteria belonging to five
genera: Escherichia, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Enterobacter and Yersinia;
were evaluated for their potential to liberate Extended-spectrum Lactamases (ESBL) by the double disc synergy test. E. coli, K. pneumoniae
and S. enterica serovar Typhi had MDR strains expressing ESBL enzyme.
All MDR strains were highly resistant to amoxycillin, ceftriaxone,
cotrimoxazole and gentamycin while S. typhi showed zero resistance to
tetracycline and the fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin). On the
overall, 20.7% of the MDR strains were positive for ESBL enzyme
expression with S. enterica ser. Typhi having the highest incidence of ESBL
expression (50%) although it recorded the least MDR incidence, 6.9%. This
is the first report of ESBL-producing MDR enterobacteria from poultry feed
in Nigeria. (http://scholarsresearchlibrary.com/ABR-vol2-iss2/ABR-2011-22-250-254.pdf)

2.
L. J. Luo
Toshio Yamamoto
Tara C Smith

3.
DOST
DAR
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