MORE PANICLES 3, a natural allele of OsTB1/FC1, impacts rice yield in paddy fields at elevated CO2 levels.

Improving crop yield potential through an enhanced response to rising atmospheric CO2 levels is an effective strategy for sustainable crop production in the face of climate change. Large-sized panicles (containing many spikelets per panicle) have been a recent ideal plant architecture (IPA) for high-yield rice breeding. However, few breeding programs have proposed an IPA under the projected climate change. Here, we demonstrate through the cloning of the rice (Oryza sativa) quantitative trait locus for MORE PANICLES 3 (MP3) that the improvement in panicle number increases grain yield at elevated atmospheric CO2 levels. MP3 is a natural allele of OsTB1/FC1, previously reported as a negative regulator of tiller bud outgrowth. The temperate japonica allele advanced the developmental process in axillary buds, moderately promoted tillering, and increased the panicle number without negative effects on the panicle size or culm thickness in a high-yielding indica cultivar with large-sized panicles. The MP3 allele, containing three exonic polymorphisms, was observed in most accessions in the temperate japonica subgroups but was rarely observed in the indica subgroup. No selective sweep at MP3 in either the temperate japonica or indica subgroups suggested that MP3 has not been involved and utilized in artificial selection during domestication or breeding. A free-air CO2 enrichment experiment revealed a clear increase of grain yield associated with the temperate japonica allele at elevated atmospheric CO2 levels. Our findings show that the moderately increased panicle number combined with large-sized panicles using MP3 could be a novel IPA and contribute to an increase in rice production under climate change with rising atmospheric CO2 levels.

Deep Learning Enables Instant and Versatile Estimation of Rice Yield Using Ground-Based RGB Images.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important cereals, which provides 20% of the world's food energy. However, its productivity is poorly assessed especially in the global South. Here, we provide a first study to perform a deep-learning-based approach for instantaneously estimating rice yield using red-green-blue images. During ripening stage and at harvest, over 22,000 digital images were captured vertically downward over the rice canopy from a distance of 0.8 to 0.9 m at 4,820 harvesting plots having the yield of 0.1 to 16.1 t·ha-1 across 6 countries in Africa and Japan. A convolutional neural network applied to these data at harvest predicted 68% variation in yield with a relative root mean square error of 0.22. The developed model successfully detected genotypic difference and impact of agronomic interventions on yield in the independent dataset. The model also demonstrated robustness against the images acquired at different shooting angles up to 30° from right angle, diverse light environments, and shooting date during late ripening stage. Even when the resolution of images was reduced (from 0.2 to 3.2 cm·pixel-1 of ground sampling distance), the model could predict 57% variation in yield, implying that this approach can be scaled by the use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Our work offers low-cost, hands-on, and rapid approach for high-throughput phenotyping and can lead to impact assessment of productivity-enhancing interventions, detection of fields where these are needed to sustainably increase crop production, and yield forecast at several weeks before harvesting.

Effect of relationships among clinical mastitis incidence, reproductive performance, and culling rate on the lifetime of dairy cows at Hiroshima University Farm.

Farm managers' decision to cull dairy cows is based on the cows' milk production, history of disorder(s), and reproductive performance, each of which affects dairy cows' lifetime (herd life and productive lifespan). We investigated the relationships among the incidence of clinical mastitis (CM), the reproductive performance, and the culling rate. We also assessed the effects of these relationships on the lifetimes of dairy cows, using the records made before and after the introduction of an automatic milking system (AMS) at Hiroshima University Farm. Milk yield, CM incidence density, and culling rate of dairy cows increased after the AMS introduction. The CM incidence was associated with an elongation of the calving interval in cows with the same parity. CM in the 1st parity might have caused the reductions of the cows' lifetime and their parity at culling. A higher age at first calving (AFC) was associated with an increase in culling rate but did not lead to a significant decrease in lifetime. Investigations of the factors mediating CM in the 1st parity or AFC with CM incidence or culling rate in the later stages might contribute to the control of lifetime of dairy cows.

A Growth Performance and Nonlinear Growth Curve Functions of Large- and Normal-Sized Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica).

This study aimed to evaluate the differences between the growth patterns of large- and normal-sized Japanese quail strains and their F1 progeny, by fitting their growth parameter values to five nonlinear regression growth models (Weibull, Logistic, Gompertz, Richards, and Brody). The Richards model presented the best fit for both sexes of the large-sized quail strain, whereas the Gompertz model presented the best fit for both sexes of the normal-sized quail strain, based on goodness-of-fit criteria (higher adjusted R2 and lower Akaike and Bayesian information criteria). Both sexes of F1 birds derived from the cross between normal-sized females and large-sized males were best fitted by the Richards model. In contrast, growth parameters of the F1 birds derived from the cross between large-sized females and normal-sized males were best fitted to the Gompertz model. The data could be fitted nearly as well to the Weibull and Logistic models as to the Richards and Gompertz models. The Brody model presented the poorest fit for the growth parameter values. The results indicated that the Richards and Gompertz models could best describe the growth characteristics of both large- and normal-sized quails. Moreover, the observed growth pattern of the F1 birds was likely inherited from the male parental strain. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study comparing the growth curves of the reciprocal F1 generations with their parental strains in quails.

P-dipping of rice seedlings increases applied P use efficiency in high P-fixing soils.

Applied phosphorus (P) use efficiency is generally low due to the low mobility of P in soil and its affinity to form insoluble complexes. Localized P application nearby the root zone is a potential approach to overcome this issue in crop production. However, the interaction with soil conditions is little understood, which results in less effective application of this approach. Using root-box experiments and changing P-retention capacity of soils, we revealed that applied P use efficiency of rice can be substantially improved by dipping seedlings in P-enriched slurry at transplanting (P-dipping) even in highly P-fixing soils. Spatial analysis of soluble P in soils indicated that P-dipping creates a P hotspot because the P-enriched slurry is transferred with seedling roots. The P hotspot could have induced vigorous surface root and facilitated further P uptake from the spot. In contrast, the effect of conventional P incorporation depended on P-retention capacity of soils; no increases in soluble P content in soils or plant P uptakes were observed when P-retention capacity was high. Our finding of significant interaction between localized P application and a specific soil property should help improving applied P use efficiency and achieving sustainable rice production against depleting P fertilizer resources.

Effect of varying fermentation conditions with ensiling period and inoculum on photosynthetic pigments and phytol content in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) silage.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of an ensiling period (Experiment 1) and adding lactic acid bacteria (LAB, Experiment 2) on the changes in carotenoid, chlorophyll, and phytol in ensiled Italian ryegrass (IR, Lolium multiflorum Lam.). In Experiment 1, the IR herbage ensiled into plastic bags was analyzed for the contents of photosynthetic pigments and phytol over a 5-week period. During the ensiling process, the ß-carotene content decreased (p < .05), whereas the lutein content did not change. Although the chlorophyll content decreased (p < .05) after ensiling, the phytol content barely changed until week 5. In Experiment 2, IR herbage was ensiled without additive, as a Control, or with LAB for 60 days. The pH was lower (p < .05) and lactic acid content was higher (p < .05) for the LAB silage than for the Control. The chlorophyll content in silage was not affected by the LAB; however, the ß-carotene content was higher (p < .05) for the LAB silage than for the Control. Phytol and lutein contents in the herbage did not change after ensiling. These results indicate that phytol and lutein in IR herbage can be preserved well in silage, irrespective of their fermentation condition.

Effects of nitrogen fertilizer and harvesting stage on photosynthetic pigments and phytol contents of Italian ryegrass silage.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application and harvesting stage on the contents of chlorophyll, phytol and carotenoids (ß-carotene and lutein) in Italian ryegrass herbage before and after ensiling, and the extent of phytol preservation after ensiling. Three rates of N fertilizer (0, 60 and 120 kg N/ha) were applied by top-dressing as an additional fertilizer. The herbage harvested at booting stage (27 weeks of age) or heading stage (29 weeks of age) were wilted for 1 day, then ensiled for 60 days using a small-scale pouch system. In the pre-ensiled herbages, increasing N fertilizer application increased the contents of crude protein and photosynthetic pigments, and these contents were also higher at the booting stage compared with the heading stage. In the silage, increasing N fertilizer application also increased the contents of crude protein, the photosynthetic pigments and their derivatives (pheophytin and pheophorbide), while harvesting stage did not affect the contents of ß-carotene, chlorophylls or pheophorbide. Nitrogen fertilizer application and early harvesting of herbage increased lutein and phytol contents in Italian ryegrass silage. Lutein and phytol in Italian ryegrass herbage are indicated to be well preserved during ensiling.

Inter- and intra-specific genetic divergence of Asian tiger frogs (genus Hoplobatrachus), with special reference to the population structure of H. tigerinus in Bangladesh.

The five frog species of the genus Hoplobatrachus are widely distributed in Asia and Africa, with Asia being considered the genus' origin. However, the evolutionary relationships of Asian Hoplobatrachus species remain ambiguous. Additionally, genetic diversity and fundamental differentiation processes within species have not been studied. We conducted molecular phylogenetic analysis on Asian Hoplobatrachus frogs and population genetic analysis on H. tigerinus in Bangladesh using the mitochondrial CYTB gene and 21 microsatellite markers. The resultant phylogenetic tree revealed monophyly in each species, notwithstanding the involvement of cryptic species in H. chinensis and H. tigerinus, which are evident from the higher genetic divergence between populations. Bayesian inference of population structure revealed genetic divergence between western and eastern H. tigerinus populations in Bangladesh, suggesting restricted gene flow caused by barriers posed by major rivers. However, genetic distances among populations were generally low. A discrete population is located in the low riverine delta region, which likely reflects long-distance dispersal. These results strongly suggest that the environment specific to this river system has maintained the population structure of H. tigerinus in this region.

A comparison of plasma glucose and oxidative status in lactating dairy cows in summer and autumn.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the hot summer season on plasma glucose and oxidative stress markers. For two 14-day experimental periods, namely periods 1 (July-August) and 2 (October-November), 12 and 14 lactating dairy cows, respectively, that were milked using an automatic milking system, were fed diets containing similar ingredients, and their milk production, plasma metabolites and oxidative status markers were investigated. Dry matter intake and milk yield were not affected by the experimental period. Rectal temperature at 18.00 hours and milk protein concentration in period 1 were higher and lower, respectively, than in period 2 (P < 0.05), suggesting that the hot summer season had an effect on the experimental dairy cows. Plasma glucose and the ascorbic acid + dehydroascorbic acid (AA) concentrations in period 1 were lower than in period 2 (P < 0.01). The plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration did not differ between the experimental periods. The increase in the cellular AA uptake in peripheral tissues in period 1 might be a possible compensatory mechanism to balance the occurrence of reactive oxygen species and the antioxidant capacity in the cells, resulting in the absence of an effect of the hot summer season on plasma MDA concentration. © 2016 Japanese Society of Animal Science.

Temporal change and its spatial variety on land surface temperature and land use changes in the Red River Delta, Vietnam, using MODIS time-series imagery.

Temporal changes in the land surface temperature (LST) in urbanization areas are important for studying an urban heat island (UHI) and regional climate change. This study examined the LST trends under different land use categories in the Red River Delta, Vietnam, using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) LST product (MOD11A2) and land cover type product (MCD12Q1) for 11 years (2002-2012). Smoothened time-series MODIS LST data were reconstructed by the Harmonic Analysis of Time Series (HANTS) algorithm. The reconstructed LST (maximum and minimum temperatures) was assessed using the hourly air temperature dataset in two land-based meteorological stations provided by the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). Significant correlation was obtained between MODIS LST and the air temperature for the daytime (R (2) = 0.73, root mean square error [RMSE] = 1.66 °C) and night time (R (2) = 0.84, RMSE = 1.79 °C). Statistical analysis also showed that LST trends vary strongly depending on the land cover type. Forest, wetland, and cropland had a slight tendency to decline, whereas cropland and urban had sharper increases. In urbanized areas, these increasing trends are even more obvious. This is undeniable evidence of the negative impact of urbanization on a surface urban heat island (SUHI) and global warming.

Nuclear and chloroplast DNA phylogeography reveals Pleistocene divergence and subsequent secondary contact of two genetic lineages of the tropical rainforest tree species Shorea leprosula (Dipterocarpaceae) in South-East Asia.

Tropical rainforests in South-East Asia have been affected by climatic fluctuations during past glacial eras. To examine how the accompanying changes in land areas and temperature have affected the genetic properties of rainforest trees in the region, we investigated the phylogeographic patterns of a widespread dipterocarp species, Shorea leprosula. Two types of DNA markers were used: expressed sequence tag-based simple sequence repeats and chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequence variations. Both sets of markers revealed clear genetic differentiation between populations in Borneo and those in the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra (Malay/Sumatra). However, in the south-western part of Borneo, genetic admixture of the lineages was observed in the two marker types. Coalescent simulation based on cpDNA sequence variation suggested that the two lineages arose 0.28-0.09 million years before present and that following their divergence migration from Malay/Sumatra to Borneo strongly exceeded migration in the opposite direction. We conclude that the genetic structure of S. leprosula was largely formed during the middle Pleistocene and was subsequently modified by eastward migration across the subaerially exposed Sunda Shelf.

Not an ancient relic: the endemic Livistona palms of arid central Australia could have been introduced by humans.

Livistona mariae is an endemic palm localized in arid central Australia. This species is separated by about 1000 km from its congener L. rigida, which grows distantly in the Roper River and Nicholson-Gregory River catchments in northern Australia. Such an isolated distribution of L. mariae has been assumed to have resulted from contraction of ancestral populations as Australia aridified from the Mid-Miocene (ca 15 Ma). To test this hypothesis at the population level, we examined the genetic relationships among 14 populations of L. mariae and L. rigida using eight nuclear microsatellite loci. Our population tree and Bayesian clustering revealed that these populations comprised two genetically distinct groups that did not correspond to the current classification at species rank, and L. mariae showed closest affinity with L. rigida from Roper River. Furthermore, coalescent divergence-time estimations suggested that the disjunction between the northern populations (within L. rigida) could have originated by intermittent colonization along an ancient river that has been drowned repeatedly by marine transgression. During that time, L. mariae populations could have been established by opportunistic immigrants from Roper River about 15 000 years ago, concurrently with the settlement of indigenous Australians in central Australia, who are thus plausible vectors. Thus, our results rule out the ancient relic hypothesis for the origin of L. mariae.

Green polymers from Geobacillus thermodenitrificans DSM465--candidates for molecularly imprinted materials.

Novel molecular recognition materials were prepared from water soluble proteins from thermophile G. thermodenitrificans DSM465 by an alternative molecular imprinting method. Water soluble proteins from G. thermodenitrificans DSM465 were converted into the molecularly imprinted materials by adopting 9-EA as a print molecule. The molecularly imprinted protein membranes recognized As in preference to Gs. The adsorption isotherms led to the conclusion that molecular recognition sites toward As were constructed by the presence of 9-EA during the membrane preparation process. The affinity constant between As and the molecular recognition site thus constructed was determined to be 1.75 x 10(5) mol(-1) dm(3). The results obtained in the present study suggest that water soluble proteins from G. thermodenitrificans DSM465 is one of environmentally-friendly 'green' polymers to be converted into molecular recognition materials by applying an alternative molecular imprinting method.