Life Sciences Commons^™

Gyrfalcon Diet During The Brood Rearing Period On The Seward Peninsula, Alaska, In The Context Of A Changing World, Bryce W. Robinson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

As climate change impacts increase so does our need to understand their effects on ecosystem dynamics. I studied Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) diet during the brood rearing period to improve our knowledge on dietary habits during nesting, and provide necessary information for understanding climate change impacts to Arctic ecosystems. I studied diet over two breeding seasons on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, using two methods: motion-activated cameras and the collection of prey remains. I observed three important dietary shifts: the proportion of ptarmigan in the diet declined significantly throughout the season, the proportion of large prey items declined significantly throughout …

Genetic Determinism Of Xanthomonas Arboricola Pv. Pruni (Xap) Resistance, Fruit Quality, And Phenological Traits In Peach And Incorporation Of Marker-Assisted Selection (Mas) In The University Of Arkansas Peach And Nectarine Breeding Program, Terrence James Frett

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

For over two decades the incorporation of marker-assisted selection (MAS) has been discussed as an innovative approach to increase peach breeding efficiency. Although hundreds of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) have been identified, only a few have been converted into usable MAS tools. This highlights a disconnect between genomic discoveries and practical application in breeding programs, which has delayed use of MAS.

In this dissertation, three sequential steps were performed with the objective to bridge this gap and develop breeding-relevant DNA tests for MAS of fruit bacterial spot resistance (Xap1 and Xap6), fruit quality [blush (Rf), acidity (D), and acidity and …

Genetic Analysis Of Soybean Mosaic Virus (Smv) Resistance Genes In Soybean [Glycine Max (L.) Merr.], Mariola Klepadlo

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) causes the most serious viral disease in soybean worldwide. Seven SMV strains, G1 - G7, and three independent multi-allelic loci for SMV resistance, Rsv1, Rsv3, and Rsv4, have been identified. In the initial study, 299 soybean germplasm lines were genotyped for Rsv4 region, inoculated with SMV-G1 and G7 strains, and classified into several resistance groups. The Glyma.02g121400 locus was sequenced from ten soybean accessions, and alignment of the sequences revealed three SNPs displaying 100% polymorphic consistency when a soybean genotype carrying the Rsv4 gene was present. A cross between V94-5152 × Lee 68 was made to …

Preserving Rice Quality: Fine-Mapping And Introgressing A Fissure Resistance Locus, Haley Marie Sater

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) kernel fissuring is a major concern of both rice producers and millers. Fissures are small cracks in rice kernels that increase breakage of kernels when milled, and decrease the value of processed rice. This study employed molecular gene tagging methods to fine-map a fissure resistance (FR) locus found in ‘Cybonnet’, a semidwarf tropical japonica cultivar, as well as transfer this trait to rice genotypes of taller, non-semidwarf plant height that are better adapted to some rice production systems. Three QTLs for FR were previously reported; the FR locus with strongest effect resides near the semidwarf sd-1 …

A Potential Mate Influences Reproductive Development In Female, But Not Male, Pine Siskins, Heather E. Watts, Bruce Edley, Thomas P. Hahn

Biology Faculty Works

The role of photoperiod in avian reproductive timing has been well studied, and we are increasingly recognizing the roles of other environmental cues such as social cues. However, few studies have evaluated the extent to which males and females of the same species respond similarly to the same type of cue. Moreover, previous studies have rarely examined how variation in the quality or nature of a given social cue might modulate its effect. Here, we examine the sensitivity of male and female pine siskins (Spinus pinus) to a potential mate as a stimulatory cue for gonadal recrudescence, and …

Use Of Anti-Mullerian Hormone To Select For Fertility In Beef Heifers, Hannah Newberry, Beth Kegley, Charles Rosenkrans, Rick Rorie

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

A study was conducted to determine whether concentration of serum Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) at weaning and/or breeding could predict subsequent fertility in beef heifers. Frequency distribution was used to assign serum AMH concentration measured at weaning, breeding, and the change from weaning to breeding into quartiles. Comparison of heifers based on serum AMH quartiles at weaning failed (P ≥ 0.35) to detect any effect of AMH on subsequent heifer cyclicity at breeding, estrous response after synchronization, artificial insemination (AI) pregnancy rate, overall breeding season pregnancy rate, or estimated estrous cycle of the breeding season when conception occurred. Based on AMH …

Comparison Of Different Androgenesis Protocols For Doubled Haploid Plant Production In Ornamental Pepper (Capsicum Annuum L.), Esi̇n Ari, Tolga Yildirim, Nedi̇m Mutlu, Saadet Büyükalaca, Ümmü Gökmen, Ecehan Akman

Turkish Journal of Biology

Doubled haploid (DH) plant production plays an important role in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) breeding for development of new varieties. However, information is lacking for DH plant production in pepper genotypes carrying ornamental value. The major goal of this study was to produce DH ornamental pepper lines having the mentioned value. Androgenic responses of 48 genotypes at the F2 or F3 generation were compared in each of three androgenesis protocols to determine the most effective method. Of the three protocols tested, anthers were placed on two different semisolid culture media and on a double-layer medium also called shed-microspore culture medium. …

Antioxidant Potential Of Turkish Pepper (Capsicum Annuum L.) Genotypes At Two Different Maturity Stages, Davut Keleş, Şenay Özgen, Onur Saraçoğlu, Ati̇lla Ata, Mustafa Özgen

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Improved phytochemicals and antioxidant properties in crops are becoming important traits in many breeding programs. In this study, along with several other horticultural attributes, total phenolic content (TP) and antioxidant capacity (ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)) of 52 superior pepper genotypes from the Alata Pepper Breeding Program were examined. The fruits from these plants were harvested at immature and mature stages. The genotypes greatly varied for TP, FRAP, TEAC, soluble solids, vitamin C content, and fruit color as determined by L, a and b values. The range for TP was 319-4047 µg GAE/g …

Cherry Tree Growth Models For Orchard Management Improvement, Mirjana Ljubojevic, Vladislav Ognjanov, Goran Barac, Jovana Dulic, Maja Miodragovic, Mirjana Sekulic, Natasa Jovanovic Ljeskovic

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Twelve cultivars and selections of sweet and sour cherries were surveyed and characterized agromorphologically. A total of 33 characters, mainly defined by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute and the International Union for the Protection of New Cultivars of Plants, were used to describe the tree, branches, leaves, blooming, and fruits. This allowed unequivocally clear separation between six distinct growth forms-compact, dwarf, upright (pillar), columnar, weeping, and standard form-as well as evaluation of their interaction with four rootstocks of different vigor. Natural tree habit diversity within distinct growth forms has the potential to reduce pruning and training requirements in cherry, …

Evaluation Of The Reproductive And Metabolic Problems Encountered During Two Breeding Seasons In Barren Arabian Mares, Erol Koca, Erhan Özenç, Esra Şeker, Alper Sevi̇mli̇, Mehmet Rifat Vural, Mehmet Uçar, Şükrü Küplülü

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to investigate the reproductive problems and determine the effect of treatment method on the pregnancy and foaling rates of 27 barren Arabian mares. The mares were examined over two study seasons. Ultrasonography and gynecological examinations were performed for all mares that were unable to conceive during the previous season and mares for which pregnancy was not achieved even after mating with stallions three times during each season. Endometrial swab samples were also obtained for microbiological examination. Cytology and endometrial biopsy samples were obtained from all mares in the first study season. Endometrial biopsy samples …

Fidelity And Survival Of Breeding Mallards In The Nebraska Sandhills, Zachary J. Cunningham, Larkin Powell, Mark P. Vrtiska

The Prairie Naturalist

Assessment of demographic parameters of a population allows managers to better understand factors affecting populations and increase efficiency of conservation efforts. Few data on demographics exist for mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) breeding in the Nebraska Sandhills. Thus, we used banding data to estimate probabilities of fidelity, survival, band recovery, and recapture of mallards banded in the eastern Sandhills, 2005–2008. Our recapture probability estimate for mallards was 0.074 (95% CI: 0.033–0.158), and the recovery probability estimate was 0.300 (95% CI: 0.156–0.497). Mallard annual survival was 0.795 (95% CI: 0.609–0.906) with a fidelity probability of 0.618 (95% CI: 0.283–0.868). High annual …