Influence of FecGE mutation on the reproductive variables of Pelibuey ewes in the anestrus period.

The growth and differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) intervenes in the fecundity and prolificacy of the ewe, which are important variables that participate in the reproductive efficiency of a flock. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of FecGE mutation of the gene GDF9 in the natural response of the manifestation to estrus, return to estrus, ovulation rate, pregnancy, lambing, prolificacy, and fecundity rate in Pelibuey ewes, during the anestrus period. The sequences of the exon 2 of the gene GDF9 were obtained from blood samples collected in Whatman™ FTA™ cards from 42 multiparous Pelibuey ewes with reproductive records. For this purpose, the quality of the sequences was analyzed and the polymorphisms and genotypes were searched for. The ewes were grouped according to their group: (a) homozygous or Embrapa (GG), (b) wild (AA), and (c) group without gene (sG). All the ewes studied manifested estrus behavior, but none showed signs of return to estrus after natural mating (p > 0.05); likewise, the pregnancy and lambing rates (p > 0.05) did not show differences between groups. However, the group GG presented higher ovulation rate, prolificacy, and fecundity rate (p < 0.05), compared to groups AA and sG. Although no differences were found in the manifestation of estrus, return to estrus, and percentage of pregnancy and lambing in females from the genotypes studied, the homozygous ewes GG presented 1.22 and 1.72 more corpus luteum (CL, p < 0.05), prolificacy of 0.7 and 0.7, and fecundity rate of 0.8 and 1.0 more lambs per ewe (p < 0.05) than the ones produced by the wild-type AA and sG groups, respectively.

Multi-objective optimization of methionine+cysteine levels in diets for growing pigs / Nivel óptimo multiobjetivo de metionina+cisteína en dietas para cerdos en crecimiento / Otimização multiobjetivo do nível de metionina+cisteína em dietas para suínos em crescimento

Abstract Background: The addition of synthetic methionine to growing pig diets should consider the requirements of the methionine+cysteine complex, as most cysteine is obtained through dietary methionine. Objective: To determine an optimal level of methionine+cysteine (Met+Cys) in growing pig diets. Methods: Ninety-nine hybrid (Yorkshire×Landrace×Duroc) barrows were used in a completely randomized design (initial body weight: 25.90±3.99 kg). Nine levels of Met+Cys (0.500, 0.525, 0.550, 0.575, 0.600, 0.625, 0.650, 0.675, and 0.700%) were evaluated during 35 days. To determine a multi-objective optimal level of Met+Cys, growth performance and strongly related carcass traits were evaluated. Results: Average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed:gain ratio (FGR) showed a linear response to the dietary Met+Cys level (p<0.05), with estimated optimal concentration at 0.700%. Average daily gain (ADG) did not show any effect on the Met+Cys level (p>0.05). Carcass characteristics were not affected by the Met+Cys concentration (p>0.05). The multi-objective optimal level for ADG, ADFI, and FGR was 0.667% Met+Cys. Conclusions: According to our results, 0.667% Met+Cys is the best concentration in diets for growing pigs.

Resumen Antecedentes: Las dietas para cerdos en crecimiento deben adicionarse con metionina sintética para suplir los requerimientos del complejo metionina+cisteína (Met+Cis), pues ellos producen gran parte de la cisteína que requieren a partir de la metionina dietaría. Objetivo: determinar el nivel óptimo multiobjetivo de Met+Cis en dietas para cerdos en crecimiento. Métodos: noventa y nueve machos castrados híbridos (Yorkshire×Landrace×Duroc) se utilizaron en un diseño completamente al azar (peso vivo inicial: 25,90±3,99 kg). Se evaluaron nueve niveles de Met+Cys (0,500, 0,525, 0,550, 0,575, 0,600, 0,625, 0,650, 0,675 y 0,700%) durante 35 d. Para determinar el nivel óptimo multiobjetivo de Met+Cis se consideraron las variables de rendimiento de crecimiento y características de la canal que mantienen una fuerte interrelación. Resultados: el promedio de consumo de alimento diario (ADFI) y la conversión alimenticia (FGR) mostraron una respuesta lineal al nivel de Met+Cis en la dieta (p<0,05), con una concentración óptima estimada en 0,700%. El nivel de Met+Cis no afecto a la ganancia diaria de peso (ADG; p>0,05). La concentración de Met+Cis tampoco afectó las características de la canal (p>0,05). El nivel óptimo multi- objetivo de Met+Cis para ADFI, FGR y ADG fue 0,667%. Conclusión: los resultados indican que 0,667% de Met+Cis es la mejor concentración en la dieta para cerdos en crecimiento.

Resumo Antecedentes: a adição de metionina em dietas para suínos em crescimento deve ser feita para atender às exigências do complexo metionina+cisteína (Met+Cis), porque grande parte da cisteína é obtida através da dieta com metionina. Objetivo: determinar o nível multiobjetivo ótimo de Met+Cis em dietas para suínos em crescimento. Métodos: noventa e nove suínos machos castrados híbridos (Yorkshire×Landrace×Duroc) foram utilizados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com peso inicial de 25,90±3,99 kg. Nove níveis de Met+Cis (0,500, 0,525, 0,550, 0,575, 0,600, 0,625, 0,650, 0,675 y 0,700%) foram avaliados em suínos em crescimento por 35 d. Para determinar o nível multiobjetivo ótimo de Met+Cis, foram consideradas as variáveis de comportamento de crescimento e características do canal que mantêm uma forte inter-relação. Resultados: a ingestão média diária de alimentos (ADFI) e a conversão alimentar (FGR) mostraram uma resposta linear ao nível de Met+Cis na dieta (p<0,05), estimando a concentração ótima em 0,700%. O ganho de peso diário (ADG) não mostrou efeito devido ao nível de Met+Cis na dieta (p>0,05). As características da carcaça não foram afetadas pela concentração de Met+Cis na dieta (p>0,05). Com ADFI, FGR e ADG, o nível ótimo de Met+Cis foi obtido, encontrando este nível em 0,667%. Conclusões: os resultados indicam que 0,667% de Met+Cis é a melhor concentração na dieta para suínos em crescimento.

Genome-based prediction of Bayesian linear and non-linear regression models for ordinal data.

Linear and non-linear models used in applications of genomic selection (GS) can fit different types of responses (e.g., continuous, ordinal, binary). In recent years, several genomic-enabled prediction models have been developed for predicting complex traits in genomic-assisted animal and plant breeding. These models include linear, non-linear and non-parametric models, mostly for continuous responses and less frequently for categorical responses. Several linear and non-linear models are special cases of a more general family of statistical models known as artificial neural networks, which provide better prediction ability than other models. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian Regularized Neural Network (BRNNO) for modelling ordinal data. The proposed model was fitted using a Bayesian framework; we used the data augmentation algorithm to facilitate computations. The proposed model was fitted using the Gibbs Maximum a Posteriori and Generalized EM algorithm implemented by combining code written in C and R programming languages. The new model was tested with two real maize datasets evaluated for Septoria and GLS diseases and was compared with the Bayesian Ordered Probit Model (BOPM). Results indicated that the BRNNO model performed better in terms of genomic-based prediction than the BOPM model.

Developing a Hierarchical Model for the Spatial Analysis of PM10 Pollution Extremes in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area.

We implemented a spatial model for analysing PM 10 maxima across the Mexico City metropolitan area during the period 1995-2016. We assumed that these maxima follow a non-identical generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution and modeled the trend by introducing multivariate smoothing spline functions into the probability GEV distribution. A flexible, three-stage hierarchical Bayesian approach was developed to analyse the distribution of the PM 10 maxima in space and time. We evaluated the statistical model's performance by using a simulation study. The results showed strong evidence of a positive correlation between the PM 10 maxima and the longitude and latitude. The relationship between time and the PM 10 maxima was negative, indicating a decreasing trend over time. Finally, a high risk of PM 10 maxima presenting levels above 1000 µ g/m 3 (return period: 25 yr) was observed in the northwestern region of the study area.

[Fitness of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) B Biotype (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) populations with different levels of susceptibility to the thiametoxam insecticide]. / Aptitud biológica de poblaciones de Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) Biotipo B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) con diferente susceptibilidad al insecticida thiametoxam.

In two field-collected populations of de Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) B biotype previously selected with the neonicotinoid insecticide thiamethoxam (NEO-R, NEO-N), and a population susceptible to insecticides (SUSC), the level of response to the insecticide thiametoxam, as well as the life and fertility tables were determined. At LC95, the NEO-R population showed a resistance ratio (RR95) value of 8.8-fold, an intrinsic rate of increase (r m) of 0.72. The fitness of the NEO-R and NEO-N populations in relation to the SUSC was 1.5 and 2.0, respectively. The RR95 value for NEO-N was 1.9-fold; it's r m value was 0.082, while in the SUSC population was 0.041. The developmental time of egg and adult were longer in NEO-R population, while the nymph and pupa lasted longer in the NEO-N and SUSC populations. The developmental time was different in the three NEO-R, NEO-N, and SUSC populations with 19.7 d (315.84 degree days or dd), 15.7 d (250.4 dd) and 18.5 d (296.6 d), respectively. The populations previously selected with thiamethoxam did not reproduce faster than their susceptible counterpart.

Aptitud biológica de poblaciones de Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) Biotipo B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) con diferente susceptibilidad al insecticida thiametoxam / Fitness of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) B Biotype (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) populations with different levels of susceptibility to the thiametoxam insecticide

In two field-collected populations of de Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) B biotype previously selected with the neonicotinoid insecticide thiamethoxam (NEO-R, NEO-N), and a population susceptible to insecticides (SUSC), the level of response to the insecticide thiametoxam, as well as the life and fertility tables were determined. At LC95, the NEO-R population showed a resistance ratio (RR95) value of 8.8-fold, an intrinsic rate of increase (r m) of 0.72. The fitness of the NEO-R and NEO-N populations in relation to the SUSC was 1.5 and 2.0, respectively. The RR95 value for NEO-N was 1.9-fold; it's r m value was 0.082, while in the SUSC population was 0.041. The developmental time of egg and adult were longer in NEO-R population, while the nymph and pupa lasted longer in the NEO-N and SUSC populations. The developmental time was different in the three NEO-R, NEO-N, and SUSC populations with 19.7 d (315.84 degree days or dd), 15.7 d (250.4 dd) and 18.5 d (296.6 d), respectively. The populations previously selected with thiamethoxam did not reproduce faster than their susceptible counterpart.

Optimización de la producción de conidia sumergidas de Lecanicillium lecanii (Fungi: Hypocreales: Moniliaceae) por medio de un experimento de optimización / Optimization of submerged conidia production Lecanicillium lecanii (Fungi: Hypocreales: Moniliaceae) through an optimization experiment

Cada vez se hace más importante el estudio de controladores biológicos para las plagas que se presentan en los diversos cultivos. El hongo Lecanicillium lecanii se construye en un agente de control biológico, cuyo uso puede aplicarse a la regulación de insectos chupadores que originan grandes pérdidas a los cultivos. En esta investigación, se optimizaron los niveles de medio de cultivo y cantidad de inóculo necesario para la producción de conidia en dos tiempos de L. lecanii, con la ayuda de un diseño compuesto central para superficie de respuesta. La mayor concentración de conidia (8.88 x 108) se obtiene con 0.8 x 106 esp como inóculo en 11.36 ml de medio de cultivo. En la superficie de respuesta, se observa que la variable respuesta producción de esporas es directamente proporcional a la cantidad de medio de cultivo y no a la cantidad de inóculo.

Every time is most important to study the biological controllers against plagues that attack different crops. The fungus Lecanicillium lecanii is a biological controller taht can be used as a regulator of plantsucking insects that cause severe losses to crops. The levels of culture media and the necessary inoculants quantity for the production of conidia in two phases of L. lecanii were optimized in this research, using a central composite design for response surface. The biggest concentration of conidia (8.88 x 108) was obtained with 0.8 x 10 spores as inoculants in 1.36 ml of media culture. In the response answer it was observed that the response spore production variable is directly proportional to the quantity of media culture and not to the quantity of inoculants.

Alteración de la fertilidad del suelo por el cambio climático y su efecto en la productividad agrícola / Soil fertility alteration due to the climate change and its effect on agricultural crop productivity

Los pronósticos de vulnerabilidad del rendimiento de cultivos en relación con los escenarios existentes del cambio climático durante el siglo XXI se realizan, generalmente, sin considerar la alteración de la fertilidad del suelo atribuible al cambio climático. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estimar el papel de ese factor en el pronóstico del cambio en la productividad del maíz (C4) y trigo (C3) de temporal en varias zonas de referencia de México, utilizando los pronósticos desarrollados por el Centro de Ciencias de la Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, para el escenario de duplicación del CO2 en la atmósfera, al final del siglo XXI. Para estimar la alteración de la fertilidad del suelo se estableció una relación cuantitativa entre el índice integral de fertilidad del suelo (F) para suelos con la misma génesis y un índice climático. Se pronosticaron cambios en las productividades real y potencial, en el índice F y en la disponibilidad hídrica para los cultivos. La alteración de la fertilidad del suelo puede causar cambio del rendimiento hasta en 20 por ciento, lo que índica su importancia en los pronósticos de rendimientos. Los resultados pronóstican incrementos en el rendimiento hasta de 463 kg.ha-¹ en las zonas aridas y semiáridas, y disminuciones hasta de 392 kg.ha-¹ en las zonas húmedas y semi-humedas, para el caso del maíz; y, en general, incrementos en la producción del trigo de hasta 1100 kg-ha-¹.

Establecimiento y desarrollo de plántulas de Tabebuia rosea (Bignoniaceae) en una selva subcaducifolia manejada de la costa Pacífica de México / Establishment and development of Tabebuia rosea (Bignoniaceae) seedlings in a semideciduous tropical forest under management, Pacific coast of Mexico

We evaluated the effect of soil "scarification" and vegetation clearing treatments on the natural regeneration and initial development of Tabebuia rosea (Bertold) DC. seedlings in a moderate sized semideciduous tropical forest subjected to wood harvesting on the coast of Jalisco, Mexico. The treatments were applied under "seed" trees, and the number of germinated seedlings and their development were evaluated for nine months. Soil "scarification" promoted seed germination and initial seedling development, while the control of the competing vegetation increased the seedling growth and reduced their mortality. These results should be taken into account for the natural regeneration of this species, after clearing, to improve wood production, and should be incorporated into the silvicultural techniques currently developed in the region.

Evaluamos el efecto de los tratamientos de remoción de suelo y roza de vegetación sobre el establecimiento y desarrollo inicial de la regeneración natural de Tabebuia rosea (Bertold) DC. en una selva mediana subcaducifolia sometida a aprovechamiento maderable en la costa de Jalisco, México. Los tratamientos se aplicaron bajo la copa de árboles “semilleros” y se evaluó el número de plántulas emergidas y su desarrollo durante nueve meses. El tratamiento de remoción de suelo favoreció la emergencia de plántulas y su desarrollo inicial, mientras que el control de la vegetación competidora promovió un mayor crecimiento y menores porcentajes de mortalidad. Estos aspectos deben tomarse en cuenta para la regeneración natural de la especie después de la aplicación de las cortas con fines de aprovechamiento maderable y se sugiere incorporarlos a las técnicas silvícolas que actualmente se desarrollan en la zona.

[Establishment and development of Tabebuia rosea (Bignoniaceae) seedlings in a semideciduous tropical forest under management, Pacific coast of Mexico]. / Establecimiento y desarrollo de plántulas de Tabebuia rosea (Bignoniaceae) en una selva subcaducifolia manejada de la costa Pacífica de México.

We evaluated the effect of soil "scarification" and vegetation clearing treatments on the natural regeneration and initial development of Tabebuia rosea (Bertold) DC. seedlings in a moderate sized semideciduous tropical forest subjected to wood harvesting on the coast of Jalisco, Mexico. The treatments were applied under "seed" trees, and the number of germinated seedlings and their development were evaluated for nine months. Soil "scarification" promoted seed germination and initial seedling development, while the control of the competing vegetation increased the seedling growth and reduced their mortality. These results should be taken into account for the natural regeneration of this species, after clearing, to improve wood production, and should be incorporated into the silvicultural techniques currently developed in the region.

Caracterización morfológica de poblaciones nativas de maíz del istmo de tehuantepec México / Morphological characterization of native populations of maiz from tehuantepec isthmus México

Con la finalidad de conocer la variación del maíz (Zea mays L) de la región del Istmo de Tehuntepec, considerada el ñarea de la distribución de la raza Zapalote Chico, se colectaron 120 poblaciones nativas, más 12 poblaciones típicas de otras razas descritas. Las 132 poblaciones se evaluron en tres localidades, caracterizándolas con 18 variables cuantitativas, principalmente sobre estructuras reproductivas. Con el auxilio de un análisis de componentes principales se observaron seis grupo, tres de ellos integraron poblaciones conocidas regionalmente como Maíz Chico, correspondientes a la raza Zapalote Chico con valores menores en variables de naturaleza reproductiva, vegetativa y fenológica: los otros tres grupos agregaron poblaciones denominadas regionalmente como Maíz Grande, con valores altos de las mismas variables, y corresponen a una amplia base de la raza Zapalote Chico, con introgresión de las razas Vandeño, Tepecintle y Tuxpeño. La variación genética del maíz se relaciona con la variación ambiental determinada por la altitud, humedad relativa y con la disponibilidad de humedad en el suelo, señalando a la planicie costera del Istmo Oaxaqueño como el área de distribución natural de la raza Zapalote Chico. Se obtuvo un dendrograma usando distancias euclidianas con el método de agrupamiento de vecinos, que revela que los grupos de Maíz Grande evolucionaron hacia poblaciones tardías, y los de Maíz Chico hacia poblaciones precoces y tardías. Se concluye que en la región existe variación genética a nivel de raza y entre poblaciones de la raza Zapalote Chico