Identification of a major QTL conferring resistance to derived from the winter wheat 'Hokkai 240' on chromosome 2AS.

Wheat yellow mosaic disease is a soilborne disease caused by (WYMV). Symptoms include yellow mosaic coloring of leaves, stunting, and growth inhibition. Here we conducted a detailed analysis of resistance to this virus in winter wheat 'Hokkai 240' by carrying out inoculation tests of WYMV and conducting field tests.

Suitable indicator of heat stress for genetic evaluation of heat tolerance in Holstein cows in Japan.

Only a few, principal, weather stations in Japanese prefectures have the daily humidity records required to calculate the temperature-humidity index (THI) as a dairy cow heat-stress indicator. We compared three heat-stress indices: (1) THI calculated from daily average temperature and daily relative humidity at a principal weather station (PTHI); (2) daily average temperature at each herd's closest local weather station (TEMP); and (3) THI calculated from daily average temperature at each herd's closest local weather station and daily relative humidity at the principal weather station (HTHI). We used daily records from 532 provincial weather stations and test-day records of milk production from Days 6 to 305 post-first-calving in Holsteins to compare the indices as indicators of heat-stress effects on milk yield and somatic cell score (SCS).

Chemerin Regulates Epithelial Barrier Function of Mammary Glands in Dairy Cows.

Epithelial barrier function in the mammary gland acts as a forefront of the defense mechanism against mastitis, which is widespread and a major disorder in dairy production. Chemerin is a chemoattractant protein with potent antimicrobial ability, but its role in the mammary gland remains unelucidated. The aim of this study was to determine the function of chemerin in mammary epithelial tissue of dairy cows in lactation or dry-off periods.

Two Nicotiana occidentalis accessions enable gene identification for Type II hybrid lethality by the cross to N. sylvestris.

Hybrid lethality, meaning the death of F hybrid seedlings, has been observed in many plant species, including Nicotiana. Previously, we have revealed that hybrids of the selected Nicotiana occidentalis accession and N. tabacum, an allotetraploid with S and T genomes, exhibited lethality characterized by the fading of shoot color.

First report of soft rot of cabbage caused by Pectobacterium wasabiae in Japan.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is one of the important vegetables in Japan. In the summer of 2019, some cabbages with soft rot were found in commercial fields in Hokkaido, the northern island in Japan.

First report of soft rot of onion caused by Pectobacterium wasabiae in Japan.

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the important vegetables in Japan. In the summer of 2019, onions with soft rot were found in commercial fields in Hokkaido, the northern island in Japan.

Decreased expression of fructosyltransferase genes in asparagus roots may contribute to efficient fructan degradation during asparagus spear harvesting.

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) accumulates inulin and inulin neoseries-type fructans in root, which are synthesized by three fructosyltransferases-sucrose:sucrose 1-fructosyltransferase (1-SST, EC 2.4.

Genetic evaluation of heat tolerance in Holstein cows in Japan.

We used test-day records and daily records from provincial weather stations in Japan to evaluate heat tolerance (HT) in Holstein cows according to a random regression test-day model. Data were a total of 1,641,952 test-day records for heritability estimates and 17,245,694 test-day records for genetic evaluation of HT by using milk yield and somatic cell score (SCS) in Holstein cows that had calved for the first time in 2000 through 2015. Temperature-humidity index (THI) values were estimated by using average daily temperature and average daily relative humidity records from 60 provincial Japanese weather stations.

Mapping QTL conferring speckled snow mold resistance in winter wheat ( L.).

Speckled snow mold caused by is one of the most devastating diseases of winter wheat in Hokkaido, Japan and parts of the Pacific Northwest region of USA. Münstertaler is a winter wheat landrace from Switzerland that has very high resistance to snow mold and superior freezing tolerance. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to speckled snow mold were identified in a doubled haploid population derived from a cross between Münstertaler and susceptible variety Ibis, both under field conditions and controlled environment tests.

A putative AGAMOUS ortholog is a candidate for the gene determining ease of dehulling in Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum).

Tartary buckwheat rice-type cultivars, which allow easy dehulling, lacked periclinal cell divisions that proceed underneath the epidermis in the proximity of ovary midribs in non-rice-type cultivars. The easy dehulling in these cultivars was associated with a G→A substitution in an AGAMOUS ortholog. Ease of dehulling in Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) can affect the quality of its products.

Purification, characterization, and functional analysis of a novel 6G&1-FEH mainly hydrolyzing neokestose from asparagus.

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) accumulates inulin- and inulin neoseries-type fructans. Fructose released by the hydrolysis of fructans is an energy source for emerging asparagus spears.

Seasonal and diurnal patterns of soil respiration in an evergreen coniferous forest: Evidence from six years of observation with automatic chambers.

Soil respiration (Rs) plays a key role in the carbon balance of forest ecosystems. There is growing evidence that Rs is strongly correlated with canopy photosynthesis; however, how Rs is linked to aboveground attributes at various phenological stages, on the seasonal and diurnal scale, remains unclear. Using an automated closed dynamic chamber system, we assessed the seasonal and diurnal patterns of Rs in a temperate evergreen coniferous forest from 2005 to 2010.

Increasing canopy photosynthesis in rice can be achieved without a large increase in water use-A model based on free-air CO enrichment.

Achieving higher canopy photosynthesis rates is one of the keys to increasing future crop production; however, this typically requires additional water inputs because of increased water loss through the stomata. Lowland rice canopies presently consume a large amount of water, and any further increase in water usage may significantly impact local water resources. This situation is further complicated by changing the environmental conditions such as rising atmospheric CO concentration ([CO ]).

Quantitative trait loci for large sink capacity enhance rice grain yield under free-air CO enrichment conditions.

The global atmospheric CO concentration has been increasing annually. To determine the trait that effectively increases rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain yield under increased atmospheric CO concentrations, as predicted in the near future, we grew a chromosome segment substitution line (CSSL) and a near-isogenic line (NIL) producing high spikelet numbers per panicle (CSSL-GN1 and NIL-APO1, respectively) under free-air CO enrichment (FACE) conditions and examined the effects of a large sink capacity on grain yield, its components, and growth-related traits under increased atmospheric CO concentrations.

Plants prioritize phytochelatin synthesis during cadmium exposure even under reduced sulfate uptake caused by the disruption of SULTR1;2.

Glutathione and phytochelatins are sulfur containing compounds playing an important role in cadmium (Cd) detoxification. We examined the Cd-induced changes in the percentage of sulfur containing compounds to total sulfur in wild-type and sulfate transporter 1;2 knockout mutant, sel1-10. Cd treatment increased the proportion of sulfate and thiols in the total sulfur content.

Intraduodenal infusion of cyanidin-3-glucoside transiently promotes triglyceride excretion into bile in rats.

Flavonoids purportedly have a role in improving lipid metabolism. In our preliminary study, highly concentrated flavonoid metabolites appeared in bile juice in rats, which also contains various lipids. Biliary flavonoid metabolites generally have amphiphilic properties, may influence lipid solubility, and possibly contribute to the improvement of dyslipidemia.

Mapping a QTL conferring resistance to Fusarium head blight on chromosome 1B in winter wheat ( L.).

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most devastating diseases of wheat ( L.), and the development of cultivars with FHB resistance is the most effective way to control the disease. Yumechikara is a Japanese hard red winter wheat cultivar that shows moderate resistance to FHB with superior bread-making quality.

Mapping of a major QTL associated with protein content on chromosome 2B in hard red winter wheat ( L.).

A quantitative trait locus (QTL) controlling wheat grain protein content (GPC) and flour protein content (FPC) was identified using doubled haploid (DH) lines developed from a cross between the hard red winter wheat variety 'Yumechikara' with a high protein content used for bread making, and the soft red winter wheat 'Kitahonami' with a low protein content used for Japanese white salted noodles. A single major QTL, , was identified on the short arm of wheat chromosome 2 for both the GPC and FPC over 3 years of testing. was mapped on the flanking region of microsatellite marker .

Isolation and characterization of genes encoding leucoanthocyanidin reductase (FeLAR) and anthocyanidin reductase (FeANR) in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum).

Proanthocyanidins (PAs) are a major group of flavonoids synthesized via the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, however the pathway has not been fully characterized in buckwheat. Anthocyanidin reductase (ANR) and leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR) are involved in the last steps of PA biosynthesis. To isolate the genes for these enzymes from buckwheat we performed PCR using degenerate primers and obtained cDNAs of ANR and LAR, which we designated FeANR and FeLAR1.

Effects of Cadmium Treatment on the Uptake and Translocation of Sulfate in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic and non-essential element for plants, whereas phytochelatins and glutathione are low-molecular-weight sulfur compounds that function as chelators and play important roles in detoxification. Cadmium exposure is known to induce the expression of sulfur-assimilating enzymes and sulfate uptake by roots. However, the molecular mechanism underlying Cd-induced changes remains largely unknown.

Multi-stage hybrid subsurface flow constructed wetlands for treating piggery and dairy wastewater in cold climate.

This study followed three field-scale hybrid subsurface flow constructed wetland (CW) systems constructed in Hokkaido, northern Japan: piggery O (2009), dairy G (2011), and dairy S (2006). Treatment performance was monitored from the outset of operation for each CW. The ranges of overall purification efficiency for these systems were 70-86%, 40-85%, 71-90%, 91-96%, 94-98%, 84-97%, and 70-97% for total N (TN), NH-N, total P, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solid, and total Coliform, respectively.

Effects of heat stress on production, somatic cell score and conception rate in Holsteins.

We examined the effects of heat stress (HS) on production traits, somatic cell score (SCS) and conception rate at first insemination (CR) in Holsteins in Japan. We used a total of 228 242 records of milk, fat and protein yields, and SCS for the first three lactations, as well as of CR in heifers and in first- and second-lactation cows that had calved for the first time between 2000 and 2012. Records from 47 prefectural weather stations throughout Japan were used to calculate the temperature-humidity index (THI); areas were categorized into three regional groups: no HS (THI < 72), mild HS (72 ≤ THI < 79), and moderate HS (THI ≥ 79).