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Heilongjiang, located in the cold region, is China's largest rice-producing and commercializing province. The variety selection of rice in cold regions (RCR) is indispensable in promoting the rice industry's development, and technological innovation in breeding theory plays a significant role in breeding breakthrough. Based primarily on long-term research, contemplation, and breeding practices, the 4S (selected topic, selected breeding, selected progenies, and selected promotion) phenotypic-design breeding technical system for RCR, which has revolutionized the theoretical basis and deepened the conceptual model, has been developed through systematic analyses and generalization. The system covers several key aspects such as scientific question formulation, breeding objective optimization, parental taxa hybridization, progeny population selection, and innovation dissemination, aiming to improve the foresight, precision, and efficiency of breeding. Furthermore, the system has demonstrated successful cases of rice variety breeding over the past 20 years, such as for Suijing 3, Suijing 4, Suijing 18, and a series of other rice varieties, providing theoretical and technical supports for cold-region rice breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important part of Chinese animal husbandry, the healthy development of beef cattle breeding has become a key way to promote the virtuous cycle of agricultural production system. The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of livestock and poultry environmental protection policies on the efficiency of beef cattle breeding, which is conducive to the healthy and high-quality development of the breeding industry. Based on the panel data of four beef cattle breeding advantage areas from 2008 to 2021, the efficiency of beef cattle breeding was measured by stochastic frontier analysis, and the Logit model was used to calculate the propensity score before and after the promulgation of livestock and poultry environmental protection policies in 2014. On this basis, the propensity score matching method was used to test the effect of livestock and poultry environmental protection policies on beef cattle breeding efficiency. The results showed that compared with before the promulgation of the livestock and poultry environmental protection policy, the breeding efficiency of beef cattle increased by 18.2% after the promulgation of the livestock and poultry environmental protection policy, indicating that the livestock and poultry environmental protection policy can improve the efficiency of beef cattle breeding. This conclusion is still valid after four endogenous tests: caliper matching, one-to-one matching, nuclear matching and K-proximity matching. The results show that the livestock and poultry environmental protection policy can effectively alleviate the environmental problems caused by beef cattle breeding, promote the research and development and innovation of breeding technology, and improve the efficiency of beef cattle breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective]To study the effects of sweet potato residue mixed with different auxiliary materials on the growth and development of black soldier fly. [Method] Using sweet potato residue as the main feed,eight kinds of auxiliary materials such as wheat bran,straw,dry chicken dung and edible fungus bran were mixed according to the mass ratio of 9 ∶ 1 to determine the growth and development indices of black water fly. [Result] The mixture treatment of sweet potato residue and wheat bran had the maximum mature larva weight and pre-pupa weight,body length and dry weight of larvae,and the minimum duration of larvae and pre-pupa of black soldier fly. [Conclusion]When black soldier fly were fed with sweet potato residue,the suitable auxiliary materials were wheat bran,corn straw,dried chicken manure and edible fungi bran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interspecies hybridization has been widely used in the development of aquaculture in fish species but there is not much impact in crustacean species. Several species of crustaceans that have been successfully crossed still have low hatching rates and the hybrids obtained have not met expectations. This review tries to summarize and analyse interspecific hybridization of cultured crustacean species (shrimps, lobsters, crayfish and crabs) and its potential for development of crustacean aquaculture production. The success of cross‐breeding on several species of shrimp and lobster has been supported by artificial insemination technology. In crabs, artificial insemination cannot be applied and cross‐breeding still relies on natural mating with an unstable success rate. In addition to cross‐breeding in captivity, cross‐breeding of crustacean species (shrimp, lobster, crayfish and crab) in nature has also been found. Interbreeding of crustacean species in nature cannot always be distinguished morphologically, hybrids between them can be known with certainty after carrying out molecular analysis. Even though the level of reproductive performance in cross‐breeding of shrimp, lobster, crayfish and crab species is still low, cross‐breeding efforts must be continued to obtain more information so that it can later be mapped which species have the potential to develop hybrids for cultivation. Furthermore, growth, reproductive performance, monosex hybridity and disease resistance are all hybrid parameters that must be evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heilongjiang, located in the cold region, is China’s largest rice-producing and commercializing province. The variety selection of rice in cold regions (RCR) is indispensable in promoting the rice industry’s development, and technological innovation in breeding theory plays a significant role in breeding breakthrough. Based primarily on long-term research, contemplation, and breeding practices, the 4S (selected topic, selected breeding, selected progenies, and selected promotion) phenotypic-design breeding technical system for RCR, which has revolutionized the theoretical basis and deepened the conceptual model, has been developed through systematic analyses and generalization. The system covers several key aspects such as scientific question formulation, breeding objective optimization, parental taxa hybridization, progeny population selection, and innovation dissemination, aiming to improve the foresight, precision, and efficiency of breeding. Furthermore, the system has demonstrated successful cases of rice variety breeding over the past 20 years, such as for Suijing 3, Suijing 4, Suijing 18, and a series of other rice varieties, providing theoretical and technical supports for cold-region rice breeding.

Abstract Background Artificial insemination (AI) is a routine breeding technology in animal reproduction. Nevertheless, the temperature-sensitive nature and short fertile lifespan of ram sperm samples hamper its use in AI. In this sense, nanotechnology is an interesting tool to improve sperm protection due to the development of nanomaterials for AI, which could be used as delivery vehicles. In this work, we explored the feasibility of vitamin E nanoemulsion (NE) for improving sperm quality during transport. Results With the aim of evaluating this proposal, ejaculates of 7 mature rams of Manchega breed were collected by artificial vagina and extended to 60 × 106 spz/mL in Andromed®. Samples containing control and NE (12 mmol/L) with and without exogenous oxidative stress (100 µmol/L Fe2+/ascorbate) were stored at 22 and 15 ºC and motility (CASA), viability (YO-PRO/PI), acrosomal integrity (PNA-FITC/PI), mitochondrial membrane potential (Mitotracker Deep Red 633), lipoperoxidation (C11 BODIPY 581/591), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA status (SCSA®) monitored during 96 h. Our results show that NE could be used to maintain ram spermatozoa during transport at 15 and 22 ºC for up to 96 h, with no appreciable loss of kinematic and physiological characteristics of freshly collected samples. Conclusions The storage of ram spermatozoa in liquid form for 2–5 d with vitamin E nanoemulsions may lead more flexibility to breeders in AI programs. In view of the potential and high versatility of these nanodevices, further studies are being carried out to assess the proposed sperm preservation medium on fertility after artificial insemination. Graphical Abstract

Crop breeding is an important global strategy to meet sustainable food demand. CRISPR/Cas is a most promising gene-editing technology for rapid and precise generation of novel germplasm and promoting the development of a series of new breeding techniques, which will certainly lead to the transformation of agricultural innovation. In this review, we summarize recent advances of CRISPR/Cas technology in gene function analyses and the generation of new germplasms with increased yield, improved product quality, and enhanced resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. We highlight their applications and breakthroughs in agriculture, including crop de novo domestication, decoupling the gene pleiotropy tradeoff, crop hybrid seed conventional production, hybrid rice asexual reproduction, and double haploid breeding; the continuous development and application of these technologies will undoubtedly usher in a new era for crop breeding. Moreover, the challenges and development of CRISPR/Cas technology in crops are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Artificial insemination (AI) is a routine breeding technology in animal reproduction. Nevertheless, the temperature-sensitive nature and short fertile lifespan of ram sperm samples hamper its use in AI. In this sense, nanotechnology is an interesting tool to improve sperm protection due to the development of nanomaterials for AI, which could be used as delivery vehicles. In this work, we explored the feasibility of vitamin E nanoemulsion (NE) for improving sperm quality during transport. Results: With the aim of evaluating this proposal, ejaculates of 7 mature rams of Manchega breed were collected by artificial vagina and extended to 60 × 106 spz/mL in Andromed®. Samples containing control and NE (12 mmol/L) with and without exogenous oxidative stress (100 µmol/L Fe2+/ascorbate) were stored at 22 and 15 ºC and motility (CASA), viability (YO-PRO/PI), acrosomal integrity (PNA-FITC/PI), mitochondrial membrane potential (Mitotracker Deep Red 633), lipoperoxidation (C11 BODIPY 581/591), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA status (SCSA®) monitored during 96 h. Our results show that NE could be used to maintain ram spermatozoa during transport at 15 and 22 ºC for up to 96 h, with no appreciable loss of kinematic and physiological characteristics of freshly collected samples. Conclusions: The storage of ram spermatozoa in liquid form for 2–5 d with vitamin E nanoemulsions may lead more flexibility to breeders in AI programs. In view of the potential and high versatility of these nanodevices, further studies are being carried out to assess the proposed sperm preservation medium on fertility after artificial insemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zelkova serrata is a kind of precious trees belonging to Zelkova of Ulmaceae which has a wide distribution range in China, high ornamental value, and good ecological adaptability. Due to the lack of resource protection and development for a long time, and the breeding of superior plants cannot keep up with the market demand, causing that the destruction of wild germplasm resources is serious, the cultivars with independent intellectual property rights are lacking, and the utilization of excellent local resources is insufficient. In order to guide the in-depth research and rational development of Zelkova serrata and promote its popularization and application in landscaping, in this paper, research on the germplasm resources of Zelkova serrata at home and abroad was comprehensively reviewed in terms of geographical distribution, population dynamics, biological characteristics, breeding and cultivation, genetic characteristics and breeding of improved varieties, as well as garden applications. And the future research directions of Zelkova serrata was also prospected. The results showed that factors restricting the application and popularization of Zelkova serrata in the domestic market were the immature breeding technology and the relative lag in genetic breeding. In the future, more research and investment should be focused on the aspects such as promotion of the natural reproduction mechanism, enhancement of collection and protection of germplasm resources of Zelkova serrata, intensification of breeding for Zelkova serrata, improvement of vegetative propagation technology of Zelkova serrata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotech seed industry is a strategic core industry. Biotechnology combined with digital technology has promoted the seed industry into an intelligent era, and the breeding paradigm has changed from "experimental selection" to "computational selection". Biotech seed industry has become a research and development intensive industry, and the market is highly concentrated, which is controlled by large multinational enterprises. The scientific and technological output of China and the United States is in the first echelon, and the number of papers and authorized patents ranks among the top two in the world. From the perspective of core competitiveness, the United States is a global leader with monopoly advantages in original basic research and key technology. China has made great progress in the application of breeding technology, but it still needs to breakthrough in basic theory research, key technology development, and high value seed product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Seaweed has emerged as one of the most promising resources due to its remarkable adaptability, short development period, and resource sustainability. It is an effective breakthrough to alleviate future resource crises. Algal resources have reached a high stage of growth in the past years due to the increased output and demand for seaweed worldwide. Several aspects global seaweed farming production and processing over the last 20 years are reviewed, such as the latest situation and approaches of seaweed farming. Research progress and production trend of various seaweed application are discussed. Besides, the challenges faced by seaweed farming and processing are also analyzed, and the related countermeasures are proposed, which can provide advice for seaweed farming and processing. The primary products, extraction and application, or waste utilization of seaweed would bring greater benefits with the continuous development and improvement of applications in various fields. Graphical Abstract

Copyright of China Brewing is the property of China Brewing Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Luomai 26 is a new wheat variety with high yield, multiple resistance, and wide adaptability bred by Luoyang Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences using hybrid wheat breeding method of multiple resistance and wide adaptability. According to Henan regional climate characteristics, the breeding goal was made, via the breeding techniques including mataching of complementary parents, early generation single plant selection-mixing and high generation pedigree method selection, simultaneously, by various filed technological identification such as elimination of spring seedlings in early generation, disease vaccination screening, and plang height generation gradient control and formed strain quality near infrared detection, multiple identification technologies such as excellent subunit assistant analysis, measurement of heat tolerance and lodging resistance, Luomai 26 was bred. The variety had the following outstanding characteristics: short plant and lodging resistance, 68- 73 cm of plant height, short basal internode, lodging resistance index 1.23; good comprehensive disease resistance, medium resistance to stripe rust and grain blight; 1000-grain weight heat sensitivity index 0.433, bulk weight heat sensitivity index 0.71, heat tolerance; the average test yield of 8 076 kg/ha, the average test yield of 10 806 kg/ha, high yield potential; the test adaptability was 75.00%-92.31%, the yield increasing point rate of production test was 100%, wide adaptability. Molecular marker identification indicated that the variety contained 1, 7+8, 5+10 excellent subunits, and was a high-quality medium gluten variety. The variety was well integrated excellent genetic genes of the parents, and was suitable for being planted in high)water-fertilizer land in Huang-Huai region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of South China Agricultural University is the property of Gai Kan Bian Wei Hui and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The freshwater bivalve Anodonta woodiana is native to China and widely distributed in Asia, Europe, and North America. However, natural populations of A. woodiana in China have dramatically declined recently. Several fish species have been used as potential hosts in breeding programs; nonetheless, the optimal host species is yet to be identified. In this study, we examined the suitability of five potential host fish species (bighead carp, common carp, crucian carp, yellow catfish, and tilapia) for A. woodiana under laboratory conditions. No significant difference was found in the number of glochidia attached to the five fish species; however, tilapia hosted more transformed juveniles than bighead carp, common carp, or yellow catfish (p < 0.05), with bighead carp hosting the least (p < 0.05). Yellow catfish had the highest host capacity index (the number of successfully transformed juveniles/the weight of the host fish × the survival rate of the host fish), 133 times higher than bighead carp and 1.3–2.9 times higher than the other species. The shell length and height of freshly transformed juveniles from yellow catfish were significantly larger than those of other host fish (p < 0.05). The juvenile index (shell length × shell height) of yellow catfish was significantly higher than that of other fish species (p < 0.05). In conclusion, yellow catfish appears to be the most suitable host fish out of the five species tested here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seaweed has emerged as one of the most promising resources due to its remarkable adaptability, short development period, and resource sustainability. It is an effective breakthrough to alleviate future resource crises. Algal resources have reached a high stage of growth in the past years due to the increased output and demand for seaweed worldwide. Several aspects global seaweed farming production and processing over the last 20 years are reviewed, such as the latest situation and approaches of seaweed farming. Research progress and production trend of various seaweed application are discussed. Besides, the challenges faced by seaweed farming and processing are also analyzed, and the related countermeasures are proposed, which can provide advice for seaweed farming and processing. The primary products, extraction and application, or waste utilization of seaweed would bring greater benefits with the continuous development and improvement of applications in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Big Data is the property of Journal of Agricultural Big Data Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Crop breeding is an important global strategy to meet sustainable food demand. CRISPR/Cas is a most promising gene-editing technology for rapid and precise generation of novel germplasm and promoting the development of a series of new breeding techniques, which will certainly lead to the transformation of agricultural innovation. In this review, we summarize recent advances of CRISPR/Cas technology in gene function analyses and the generation of new germplasms with increased yield, improved product quality, and enhanced resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. We highlight their applications and breakthroughs in agriculture, including crop de novo domestication, decoupling the gene pleiotropy tradeoff, crop hybrid seed conventional production, hybrid rice asexual reproduction, and double haploid breeding; the continuous development and application of these technologies will undoubtedly usher in a new era for crop breeding. Moreover, the challenges and development of CRISPR/Cas technology in crops are also discussed.

Pineapple is the most important economic plant in the family Bromeliaceae and the third-most economically important tropical fruit in the world. It has become an important tropical fruit in Guangdong, Hainan, and Guangxi, which are suitable areas for its cultivation. However, modern and well-organized breeding systems have not yet been established for pineapple. In this review, we describe the current status of the geographical distribution, industrial development, and breeding of pineapple in China. The current status of pineapple breeding is introduced, including traditional breeding methods, such as crossbreeding, mutagenesis breeding, and biotechnology breeding, combining cell engineering and gene engineering. In addition, the research progress on assisted breeding technology based on genetic map construction and molecular marker development is presented. New challenges and perspectives for obtaining high fruit quality are discussed in the context of breeding programs for pineapple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freshwater bivalve Anodonta woodiana is native to China and widely distributed in Asia, Europe, and North America. However, natural populations of A. woodiana in China have dramatically declined recently. Several fish species have been used as potential hosts in breeding programs; nonetheless, the optimal host species is yet to be identified. In this study, we examined the suitability of five potential host fish species (bighead carp, common carp, crucian carp, yellow catfish, and tilapia) for A. woodiana under laboratory conditions. No significant difference was found in the number of glochidia attached to the five fish species; however, tilapia hosted more transformed juveniles than bighead carp, common carp, or yellow catfish (p < 0.05), with bighead carp hosting the least (p < 0.05). Yellow catfish had the highest host capacity index (the number of successfully transformed juveniles/the weight of the host fish × the survival rate of the host fish), 133 times higher than bighead carp and 1.3–2.9 times higher than the other species. The shell length and height of freshly transformed juveniles from yellow catfish were significantly larger than those of other host fish (p < 0.05). The juvenile index (shell length × shell height) of yellow catfish was significantly higher than that of other fish species (p < 0.05). In conclusion, yellow catfish appears to be the most suitable host fish out of the five species tested here.

High-yield and high-quality forage varieties are the key to sustainable development of grass-based livestock husbandry in China. However, the forage breeding was started late in China, and the progress is very slow, and the forage varieties of independent intellectual property rights are seriously lacked. Forages generally have self-incompatibility, natural allogamy, polysomic inheritance, and marked inbreeding effects. Subsequently, it is difficult to characterize agronomically important complex traits, resulting that the breeding technology is still in the 2.0 era of hybrid breeding. The molecular design-based breeding is a fine strategy to speed up the breeding process, however, there is a lack of theoretical and technical system for the molecular design-based forage breeding. Recently, the Chinese Academy of Sciences has launched the strategic priority program “Establishing Scientific and Technological System of Ecological Grass and Animal Husbandry”, to dissect complex forage genomes, establish a new molecular design-based forage breeding technologies, and breed high-yield and high-quality forage varieties with independent intellectual property rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breeding technology of sunflower inbred lines with four generations in one year was explored through the research on the biological characteristics of sunflower itself and the breeding status of sunflower inbred lines using the young embryo culture technology, the greenhouse seedling technology and field test planting, based on sunflower field breeding and planting combined with greenhouse planting. The reasonable selection of planting sites as the core of the breeding technology of sunflower inbred lines with four generations in one year is a guarantee. Embryos can be taken 7 - 10 d after pollination to enter the next generation of cultivation, thus shortening the generational cultivation cycle. The establishment of a breeding method of sunflower inbred lines with four generations in one year reduces the cost of breeding and has a practical role and significance for the field of sunflower inbred line breeding technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Heterosis utilization is the most effective way to improve rice yields. The cytoplasmic male‐sterility (CMS) and photoperiod/thermosensitive genic male‐sterility (PTGMS) systems have been widely used in rice production. However, the rate of resource utilization for the CMS system hybrid rice is low, and the hybrid seed production for the PTGMS system is affected by the environment. The technical limitations of these two breeding methods restrict the rapid development of hybrid rice. The advantages of the genic male‐sterility (GMS) rice, such as stable sterility and free combination, can fill the gaps of the first two generations of hybrid rice technology. At present, the third‐generation hybrid rice breeding technology is being used to realize the application of GMS materials in hybrid rice. This study aimed to use an artificial CMS gene as a pollen killer to create a smart sterile line for hybrid rice production. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR‐associated 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) technology was used to successfully obtain a CYP703A3‐deficient male‐sterile mutant containing no genetically modified component in the genetic background of indica 9311. Through young ear callus transformation, this mutant was transformed with three sets of element‐linked expression vectors, including pollen fertility restoration gene CYP703A3, pollen‐lethality gene orfH79 and selection marker gene DsRed2. The maintainer 9311‐3B with stable inheritance was obtained, which could realize the batch breeding of GMS materials. Further, the sterile line 9311‐3A and restorer lines were used for hybridization, and a batch of superior combinations of hybrid rice was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking Web of Science database as the main data source, based on bibliometrics, citeSpace and VOSviewer visualization tools were used to comprehensively analyze the scientific and technological papers on maize breeding research from 2013 to 2018 in terms of research strength and distribution, research frontiers, research hotspots and theme evolution. The results showed that China and the United States were the leaders of both scientific research strength and influence in the field of Maize Breeding in the world. Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, United States Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service and China Agricultural University were the key research institutes. The international cooperation has gradually changed from intraregional cooperation to cross-regional cooperation. Crop domestication, major quantitative trait locus, genomic selection and radiation hybrid qtl mapping are the research frontiers in Maize breeding. Under current situation, China should attach importance to the quality of scientific research papers, strengthen international exchanges and cooperation, rationally arrange research forces, seize development opportunities, pursue scientific research and innovation, and improve the global influence of China in Maize Breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soil wind erosion is the main reason for the degradation of cultivated land and the decline of productivity in the agro-pastoral region in Northern China.The dust pollution of farmland has greatly affected the construction and protection of the agricultural ecological environment in China,and has become a shortboard for the construction of the life community of “mountains,rivers,forests,fields,lakes,and grasses” in Northern China.Therefore,improving the prevention and control of wind erosion and soil fertility cultivation in farmlands in the farming-pastoral interlacing areas in the north is the key to solving the problems of the ecological environment and the agricultural production in the north of China.This paper aims at the problems of the soil degradation,the soil fertility decline,and the resource utilization efficiency in the typical ecological areas of The Greater Hinggan Mountains along the foothills,Yanshan hills and Yinshan foothills.Based on the long-term positioning test,the indoor control test,and the simulation test,combined with the analysis of the literature data,the mechanism of wind erosion,the mechanism of the soil fertility decline,and the characteristics of the water holding capacity were revealed;the key technologies and models of cultivation and sustainable utilization of the wind erosion degraded farmland were innovated,which provided a theoretical basis and technical support for prevention and control of wind erosion and sustainable cultivation of farmland in Inner Mongolia and the agro-pastoral region in Northern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybridization is widely used. However, for a long time, systematic theories and technologies related to hybridization in fish have been lacking. In this study, through long-term systematic research, we investigated and obtained the main rules regarding inheritance and reproduction related to fish distant hybridization. Furthermore, we established one-step and multistep breeding technologies that were suitable for interspecific hybridization and intraspecific hybridization. Simultaneously, we used these two breeding technologies to produce a batch of diploid fish lineages and tetraploid fish lineages and improved fishes. In addition, we widely discuss the methods, technologies and results of hybridization breeding, referring to the domestic and foreign literature on fish hybridization. We hope that this paper will be beneficial for the research and application of fish hybrid breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the design of a reference intelligence expert system for sheep breeding. The process of its design and its functional capabilities are described. The developed reference intelligence expert system makes it possible to display recommendations and tips on the computer screen to select a rational and effective sheep breeding technology, as well as to print the received data. The developed system has a two-tier structure, namely, dialog selection of input criteria (data), as well as a module for logical processing and output of reasonable technology recommendations (output data). The step-by-step method of designing the system is determined. The first step is to obtain a technical specification from the customer (farm, enterprise, farmer, etc.) for the development of a reference system. The second step is to determine criteria for the technology in keeping with the farm requirement specification according to the literature and sheep breeding requirements. The third step is to identify the most important factors influencing the process of sheep raising for each of these criteria. The fourth step is to define the main production rules for which the system will be programmed, namely, the module for logical knowledge processing for this technology (and these are the input parameters (factors) when designing the system). The fifth step is to determine the main output criteria (factors) that will be displayed after processing the input rules of the system based on logical deduction rules according to the appropriate sheep breeding technology. The sixth step is to design buttons for more convenient system usage, in addition, if necessary, or at the request of the customer (for example, a button for deleting previous information in windows, a button for storing recommendations in a separate text file, the exit button, etc.). The seventh step is to test the system by users and the customer. The eighth step is to adopt the developed system by the customer and correct it, if necessary. The ninth step is to provide maintenance of the developed system. The block of input data of the developed intelligence expert system has the following elements: a) sheep handling (pasture-stall, stall-pasture); b) sheep condition (higher condition, average condition, lower than average condition); c) sheep breeding type (meat, milk, meat and milk, wool); d) sheep feeding (meat-and-wool sheep, rams of meat-and-goat sheep, sucking females to lactation); e) methods of breeding (purebred, crossing). The block of output factors where appropriate rational recommendations for sheep breeding technology comprises: a) recommendations for sheep handling; b) recommendations for treatment of sheep diseases; c) recommendations for sheep feeding; d) sheep slaughter and storage of products; e) recommended sheep breeds; f) recommendations for sheep breeding; g) characteristics of products. The developed system is intended primarily for private national farmers or interested private householders. It is noted that the use of this system will allow private households to increase the production and quality of meat, wool, lambskin and furs when breeding sheep. This will reduce the cost of the breeding technology, save the farmer time, allow to save on medicines, feeds, which, in turn, will increase profits and profitability of farms.

Sipunculus nudus is an important economic species because of its high nutritional and medicinal values. The exploitation and utilization of S. nudus primarily occur in the coastal regions of the Beibu Gulf. However, wild resource of S. nudus is rapidly decreasing because of the overexploitation, which has led to considerable developments of artificial breeding techniques. The cultivation scale of S. nudus has increased in response to successful artificial breeding; however, methods for culturing S. nudus in tidal flats or ponds require further study. Most studies have focused on the breeding, nutrition, medical value and ecological impact of these worms. Studies on the distribution, sediment requirements, nutrition characteristics, breeding techniques and aquaculture ecology of this species are summarized in this paper to promote the development of the aquaculture industry for S. nudus. The high biomass of S. nudus in the Beibu Gulf is positively correlated with the sediment characteristics and water quality of the region. The production of peanut worm has improved to some extent through culturing; however, the nutrient value and ecological environment problems have been observed, which reflect the over exploitation of trace elements and the sediment. These problems will worsen unless they are resolved, and the release of organic materials, nitrogen and phosphorus during harvesting impacts the coastal environment. Moreover, genetic erosion is a potential risk for larvae in artificial breeding programs in tidal flats. Therefore, culturing and collecting methods should be improved and the wild resource conservation should be implemented to promote the sustainable development of the peanut worm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yunjing 29 bred by Institute of Food Crops of Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences is a new conventional japonica rice variety with fragrant and soft rice, it was examined and approved by Yunnan Provincial Variety Examination and Approval Committee in March of 2011. The variety is early-maturing, high-yield and good-quality, and has resistances to lodging, blast and bacterial leaf blight, its rice is sweet soft, goluptious and lucidus as well as not coarse when it is cold, so it is a good commodity. To further promote the popularization and cultivation of the variety, maintain its characteristics of high quality and high yield, and prevent commingling and degeneration, the purification and rejuvenation as well as breeding technology of high-quality seeds were proposed after continuous exploration and study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apple is a fruit crop of significant economic importance, and breeders world wide continue to develop novel cultivars with improved characteristics. The lengthy juvenile period and the large field space required to grow apple populations have imposed major limitations on breeding. Various molecular biological techniques have been employed to make apple breeding easier. Transgenic technology has facilitated the development of apples with resistance tofungal or bacterial diseases, improved fruit quality, or root stocks with better rooting or dwarfing ability. DNA markers for disease resistance (scab, powdery mildew, fire-blight, Alternaria blotch) and fruit skin color have also been developed, and marker-assisted selection (MAS) has been employed in breeding programs. In the last decade, genomic sequences and chromosome maps of various cultivars have become available, allowing the development of large SNP arrays, enabling efficient QTL mapping and genomic selection (GS). In recent years, new technologies for genetic improvement, such as trans-grafting, virus vectors, and genome-editing, have emerged. Using these techniques, noforeign genes are present in the final product, and some of them show considerable promise for application to apple breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristic of the new variety of Cucurbita ficifolia (Cucurbita ficifolia Bouche.), «In honor of Memory Tarakanov», is provided. The variety is mid ripening, the yield of marketable fruits is 16,0-22,0 t / ha. The fruits are transportable, tasting score - 4.5-4.6 points with a strong aroma of watermelon; keep marketable quality within 250-270 days after harvest. Intended use is fodder and universal.

The Scyphozon Cyanea nozakii is a common jellyfish species that blooms in Chinese seas. However, little is known of the field ecology of this species for the lack of polyps. Here, we studied a breeding technology of C. nozakii that included artificial acclimation of wild jellyfish, stimulation of spawning, as well as polyp and medusa rearing. Female and male medusae were observed to have dark brown ovaries and milky white testes, respectively. Massive spawning was stimulated by continuous light (1,000-1,500 lux) about 4 h a day. Planulae of C. nozakii were used as initial feed for rearing four-tentacle polyps. This food was replaced by Artemia nauplii when polyps developed to intermediate and fully developed stages. Ephyrae and 50 mm medusae were also obtained under laboratory conditions, though the survival rates of both stages were only about 20%. In this paper, we described a process of large-scale breeding of C. nozakii polyps, and finally making about 600 pieces of 30 × 40 cm corrugated plates adhered with four polyps per cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvement of crop technology in Asparagus plumosus Bak. A 0,1% nutritive solution of the N, P, K, elements in raport of 3:1:2; 4:2:3 and 4:3:3 respectively was used to fertilise the plants Asparagus plumosus Bak., for the period between February and Octomber. A 29,8 to 35,20 posesive semnificative increase production of the shoot number per m2 was obtained. The quality of the shoots was not semnificatively influenced by the applied fertilisation system but it appeared to be determined by the cultural factors, light and temperature.

Fungal diseases pose a major threat to ornamental plants, with an increasing percentage of pathogen-driven host losses. In ornamental plants, management of the majority of fungal diseases primarily depends upon chemical control methods that are often non-specific. Host basal resistance, which is deficient in many ornamental plants, plays a key role in combating diseases. Despite their economic importance, conventional and molecular breeding approaches in ornamental plants to facilitate disease resistance are lagging, and this is predominantly due to their complex genomes, limited availability of gene pools, and degree of heterozygosity. Although genetic engineering in ornamental plants offers feasible methods to overcome the intrinsic barriers of classical breeding, achievements have mainly been reported only in regard to the modification of floral attributes in ornamentals. The unavailability of transformation protocols and candidate gene resources for several ornamental crops presents an obstacle for tackling the functional studies on disease resistance. Recently, multiomics technologies, in combination with genome editing tools, have provided shortcuts to examine the molecular and genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying fungal disease resistance, ultimately leading to the subsequent advances in the development of novel cultivars with desired fungal disease-resistant traits, in ornamental crops. Although fungal diseases constitute the majority of ornamental plant diseases, a comprehensive overview of this highly important fungal disease resistance seems to be insufficient in the field of ornamental horticulture. Hence, in this review, we highlight the representative mechanisms of the fungal infection-related resistance to pathogens in plants, with a focus on ornamental crops. Recent progress in molecular breeding, genetic engineering strategies, and RNAi technologies, such as HIGS and SIGS for the enhancement of fungal disease resistance in various important ornamental crops, is also described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This mini-review focus primarily on the current knowledge and techniques of portunid breeding and larva rearing. Topics include; (i) natural breeding in captivity and artificial breeding for breeding techniques and (ii) environmental conditions, diet requirements and developing factors for larval rearing. Specific knowledge of portunid crab breeding and larval rearing essential for optimizing breeding and culture conditions are shared. On the whole, this work allows for a better understanding of the portunid crab breeding and larval rearing and helps pave the way for future sustainable aquaculture of portunid crabs, among commercially important crustacean family in the world.