High temperature negatively affects cotton production worldwide. In Pakistan, cotton crop faces high temperature at peak flowering during June–July, which is a major reason for yield losses. The present study was conducted to find some agro-physiological markers for high-temperature tolerance. Fifty cotton genotypes were raised under normal sown (high-temperature stress) and late sown (optimum temperature) conditions for 2 years. Data were recorded for relative cell injury percentage (RCI), chlorophyll content (CC), canopy temperature (CT), boll retention percentage (BR), bolls per plant (BP), boll weight (BW), hundred seed weight (HSW), sympodial branches per plant (SBP), plant height (PH) and seed cotton yield (SCY). A large amount of variability was found among cotton genotypes as proved by descriptive statistics. Stable genotypes were selected based on higher SCY and yield components (BP, BW, HSW, SBP, PH and SCY) performance along with less RCI%, high CC and low CT. The results of heatmap analysis showed that the six cotton genotypes viz., FH-Noor, FH-Lalazar, FH-458, FH-466, NIAB-545 and NIAB-878 performed better under high-temperature stress. These selected genotypes can be a source for breeding high-temperature tolerance. Furthermore, the results from correlation analysis confirmed that the traits such as RCI%, CC and CT can be considered as early selection criteria due to their positive association with SCY. Whilst some other parameters such as BP, BW, BR, SBP and PH might be used as direct selection indices for SCY under high-temperature stress.

As additive manufacturing (AM) continues to grow in its abilities, so does the need for a quick and effective method of determining how it should be applied. Over time, these methods are naturally developed and passed on as tacit knowledge. However, with the rapid advancement of AM technologies, identifying parts which are eligible for AM as well as gaining insight on what value it may add to a product needs to be modelled in an objective and transferrable way. This paper presents a framework for determining the candidacy of a part or assembly for AM, represented by its economic feasibility and potential for AM-specific benefits. A set of selection criteria is developed with the goal of fast-screening in mind; that is specific data which can be automatically extracted from CAD models and resource planning databases. A case study is performed to validate the criteria and decision model chosen, as well as gain insight to the potential for a more widespread application. The decision model successfully identified economic feasibility and AM potentials, which suggests the results of the case study show promise for a semi-automatic decision support system for identifying AM candidates.

Decisions related to system architecture are difficult because of fuzziness and lack of information combined with often-conflicting objectives. We organized an industrial workshop with the objective of choosing 5 out of 800 architectures. The first step, the identification of selection criteria, proved to be the greatest challenge. As a result, designers selected system architectures that did not satisfy them without being able to explain why. It appeared that most of the difficulties faced by the designers came from the criteria used for architecture selection. This study aims to identify what made the selection criteria difficult to use. The audio recordings of the workshop were transcribed and analyzed in order to identify the obstacles related to the definition and the use of selection criteria. The analysis highlights two issues: the interdisciplinarity of system architecture makes criteria interdependent and the lack of information makes it impossible to define an exhaustive set of criteria. Finally, this study provides recommendations for selecting appropriate selection criteria and insights for future selection support tools dedicated to system architecture design.

Management of local breeds is closely linked to the global challenges involved in genetic resources management. However, it cannot be reduced to this genetic dimension alone and is an integral part of the entire farming system of which it is a part. The aim of this paper is to show why it is essential to have an approach to local breed management that takes the dynamics of livestock farming systems (LFS) into account. After a presentation of the LFS approach, we show how genetic management is strongly linked to other dimensions of farming systems, at the farm scale as well as at more comprehensive scales. We illustrate our claim with different examples of the management of local breeds of different species.

Classical biological control is a key method for managing populations of pests in long-lived crops such as plantation forestry. The execution of biological control programmes in general, as the evaluation of potential natural enemies remains, to a large extent, an empirical endeavour. Thus, characterizing specific cases to determine patterns that may lead to more accurate predictions of success is an important goal of the much applied ecological research. We review the history of introduction, ecology and behaviour of the parasitoid Ibalia leucospoides. The species is a natural enemy of Sirex noctilio, one of the most important pests of pine afforestation worldwide. We use an invasion ecology perspective given the analogy between the main stages involved in classical biological control and the biological invasion processes. We conclude that success in the establishment, a common reason of failure in biocontrol, is not a limiting factor of success by I. leucospoides. A mismatch between the spread capacity of the parasitoid and that of its host could nevertheless affect control at a regional scale. In addition, we suggest that given its known life history traits, this natural enemy may be a better regulator than suppressor of the host population. Moreover, spatial and temporal refuges of the host population that may favour the local persistence of the interaction probably reduce the degree to which S. noctilio population is suppressed by the parasitoid. We emphasize the fact that some of the biological attributes that promote establishment may negatively affect suppression levels achieved. Studies on established non-native pest–parasitoid interactions may contribute to defining selection criteria for classical biological control which may prove especially useful in integrated pest management IPM programmes of invasive forest insects.

A household survey and measurements of different body traits from 120 households and from 1 009 goats were collected to characterize the production system and morphological features of Western lowland and Abergelle goat breeds of Ethiopia. Goats were kept for multifunctional roles in both areas, but mainly to generate cash. The average ± SD of flock sizes per household were 10.8 ± 7.25 and 48.56 ± 52.21 for Western lowland and Abergelle, respectively. Production characters such as body conformation, multiple births and milk yield were reported as major selection criteria of breeding goats. The majority of Abergelle goats have red brown (23.8 percent) and brown (19.7 percent) coat colours with short and smooth hair. All Abergelle goats have horns, 11.1 percent have wattles, 8.0 percent of males have ruff. White (20.4 percent) and a mixture of white with other colours were the predominant coat colours of Western lowland goats. A total of 42.3 percent males and 5.1 percent females of the Western lowland population have ruff. The least square means of body weight, chest girth, body length and height at withers of Western lowland female goats were 24.00 ± 0.19 kg, 65.27 ± 0.23 cm, 54.8 ± 0.21 cm and 62.60 ± 0.22 cm, respectively. The corresponding values for Abergelle female goats were 18.34 ± 0.22 kg, 61.03 ± 0.27 cm, 51.00 ± 0.24 cm and 58.99 ± 0.25 cm, respectively. Breed improvement programmes in these areas should take into account the multifunctional roles of goats, goat breeding practices and traits preference of the farmers.

Introduction. Tejocote (Crataegus spp.) is an edible fruit species that some Mesoamerican cultures have cultivated since pre-Hispanic times in Mexico; however, this fruit crop has not undergone formal breeding. It is unknown whether morphological markers associated with fruit size exist to be used for indirect selection; this could be important, because this species has a large cycle. Our research aimed at studying phenotypic correlations between leaf and stomata characters with fruit weight; such correlations might be used as morphological markers for selection of superior germplasm for fruit weight. Materials and methods. Pearson’s correlation coefficients of 36 leaf variables and three leaf stomata variables with fruit weight were calculated in 94 genotypes of four different species. Results. As expected, the correlations calculated for each species and for the species pool differed. However, the number of veins in leaves of reproductive shoots was positively correlated with fruit weight (P ≤ 0.05) in the two most important horticultural species. On the other hand, C. mexicana was the best option for selecting superior germplasm, and the most significant variables correlated with fruit weight in this species were leaf major axis length of large vegetative shoots, leaf elongation ratio and number of veins of reproductive shoot leaves. Discussion. These variables could be good selection indices or morphological markers that can be used for early screening of germplasm for yield potential.

Introduction. Mamey (Mammea americana L., Clusiaceae) was present in Martinique before the Spanish colonization. Its distribution area includes tropical America and the Caribbean. A significant phenotypical diversity is observed on the island, with fruits of very uneven quality as well as various agronomic, pomological and biochemical characteristics. The aim of our work was to localize, identify and characterize trees considered of superior quality. Materials and methods. A survey carried out between April and September 2005 allowed the selection of 10 trees renowned by the people as bearing high-quality fruits. These fruits present a small number of seeds and nonadhesive pulp, and develop a sweet taste as well as a strong flavor. During the year 2006, pomological description and biochemical analysis (total soluble solids and total titrable acidity) were carried out on the fruits. Results and discussion. The biometric and biochemical characteristics measured were generally better than those cited in the literature. Some accessions stand out and present great assets for their promotion for the fresh market as well as for processing. Moreover, some tendencies emerged from the variability observed for a few characters: thus, the variability of the biochemical characteristics measured within one accession, as well as between accessions originating from the same land, is low. It is null for the seed adhesion to the pulp for fruits belonging to the same accession. Conclusion and perspectives. Our work is one of the first relating to identification and characterization of phenotypical diversity of the M. americana L. species, especially in Martinique Island. Our results are likely to promote the development of a diversification network. Some highlighted trends suggest new research to be able to distinguish the role of the environmental versus genetic components in the performance of the phenotypes observed.

A maternal breeding goal for the UK beef industry is described and economic selection indexes are developed to assist in the selection of animals for the goal. The breeding objective is made up of general maternal ability traits, cow size, calving and carcass traits. The general maternal ability traits include calving interval, age at first calving, lifespan, maternal weaning weight and maternal calving difficulty. The calculations of economic values for the traits are outlined and discounted genetic expression coefficients are presented. Three selection indexes are illustrated. The first provides a general dualpurpose index for the selection of bulls to produce replacement heifers in most situations. The second, the hardy breed index, is designed to allow selection for improved maternal performance in extensive and hardy environments. The third, the fertile herd index, allows producers who do not have herd fertility problems to place more selection emphasis on objectives other than fertility. A sample of data from the Limousin breed was used to calculate estimated breeding values (EBVs) which were used to investigate response to the three indexes when the top 20% of sires were selected from either sires with 50 or more grand-maternal progeny or bulls with no recorded progeny. Approximately two thirds of the economic response seen in the selection of heavily used bulls was observed in bulls with no progeny for the hardy and dual-purpose indexes. Bulls were also selected using the existing UK terminal sire index and the resulting bulls assessed in the dual-purpose maternal index. There was found to be a negative economic response to the maternal aspect of the index, though a positive response was seen in the carcass objective. The indexes are presented as the sum of four subindexes emphasizing the contribution of maternal ability, cow size, calving and carcass, respectively to the total index. This further assists commercial producers in selection decisions.

The question of which cut-off point would be more appropriate in the selection of sub-clinical obsessive-compulsive (OC) samples is an important methodological issue that has not been formally addressed, hence prompting the current study. Three groups of sub-clinical OC subjects, scoring 1, 1.5, and 2 standard deviations (SD) above the mean on the Padua Inventory, and a matched non-OC control group, were compared on various clinical and personality measures. As expected, the three sub-clinical groups had higher scores than the non-OC group on measures of OC symptoms (including obsessional slowness), depression, anxiety, and on personality measures of neuroticism, psychoticism, and obsessional traits. However, no significant differences were observed between the three sub-clinical groups on most measures, although the 2 SD group had higher scores on neuroticism and obsessional personality traits. It is concluded that a wide range of selection criteria can yield similar results that are interpretable within the current theoretical models of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It is suggested that subjects with a diagnosis of OCD should be carefully excluded from sub-clinical studies. [A Spanish abstract follows the references.]

Economic values for average ad libitum food intake capacity (FIC) were estimated with two different linear-plateau models. One model based on a constant minimum fat to protein deposition ratio (Rmin). The other model relied on a constant minimum marginal ratio between fat and protein deposition (MR). Economic values were used to define aggregate genotypes where the driving variables of the growth models were considered as traits. The consequences of a possible implementation of such aggregate genotypes were evaluated with a comparison of the expected selection responses for the different traits.

Economic values for the traits under the two models indicated the same direction of selection and differed only slightly in their magnitude. For a FIC below its optimum, FIC had a positive and Rmin or MR a negative, economic value. In this situation the maximum protein deposition rate Pdmax had no influence on the production costs and therefore an economic value of zero. Selection emphasis is then mainly put on FIC which leads to an increase in average daily gain (ADG). If FIC is above its optimum, economic values for FIC were negative, positive for Pdmax and equal to zero for Rmin or MR. Practically no differences between the selection responses under the two growth models were observed.

The use of growth models to estimate economic values for FIC allowed to attribute a positive economic value to this trait if it is below its optimum. This is not possible when economic values are estimated with an economic production model.

A biological growth model was developed to study economic values for average ad libitum food intake capacity (FIC) in growing pigs. The model was based on the linear/plateau relationship between protein deposition and food intake. Input variables were: minimum fat to protein deposition ratio (R), maximum protein deposition rate (Pdmax)and food intake (FI). Output variables were production traits and production costs.

Economic values (under commercial conditions with ad libitum feeding) were derived with the growth model for each of the traits FIC, R, and Pdmax keeping the other two traits constant, for three alternative levels of FIC. If FIC was too low to realize Pdmax, FIC had a positive economic value, R had a negative economic value and the value of Pdmax was zero. If FIC was higher than necessary to realize Pdmax, economic values were negative, zero and positive for FIC, R, and Pdmax respectively. If FIC was just sufficient to realise Pdmax, the lowest production costs occurred. Now, R had a negative economic value and Pdmax had a positive economic value.

With a restricted feeding regimen under commercial conditions a daily food supply just sufficient to realize Pdmax should be pursued. It was concluded that use of a biological growth model to estimate economic values for FIC would give more insight into correct selection strategies than would the use of an economic model.

Optimum selection directions for average ad libitum food intake capacity (FIC) in growing pigs were derived by means of a biological growth model based on the linear/plateau relationship between protein deposition and food intake. Breeding goal traits were minimum fat to protein deposition ratio (R), maximum protein deposition rate (Pdmax) and FIC. The selection index included FIC, daily weight gain (DG), backfat thickness and proportion of lean meat in the carcass of a full-sib.

Selection indexes were developed for three alternative levels of FIC. If FIC was too low to realize Pdmax, the economic weight of FIC was positive and optimal selection emphasis should be mainly on FIC, resulting in a rapid increase of DG. If FIC was higher than necessary to realize Pdmax, the economic weight of FIC was negative, and short-term selection resulted in increase of carcass leanness but decrease of FIC and DG. If FIC was just sufficient to realize Pdmax, selection should be for R and Pdmax. In this third alternative, the gain in FIC should follow the gain in R and Pdmax in an optimal way and selection should best be carried out with a desired gains index, which results in improvement of DG and carcass leanness.

It was shown that, in cases where FIC was higher than necessary to realize Pdmax, selection with a desired gainsindex should be preferred because this was more profitable in the long term. From the model calculations, it followed that future profit from selection of growing pigs for production traits is likely to decline because of the necessity to increase FIC.

Host-plant resistance plays an important role in the insect-pest management either alone or in combination with other control methods. A number of sorghum genotypes showing varying levels of resistance to spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus Swinhoe have been identified using natural and artificial infestations. Major resistance mechanisms are antibiosis and tolerance, though some genotypes exhibit ovipositional non-preferences. There have been a number of factors involved in spotted stem borer resistance; a resistant genotype possesses either one or a combination of these traits. Progress has been made in developing borer resistant breeding lines with moderate yield and acceptable grain quality. Borer resistance is a quantitatively inherited trait governed by additive and non-additive genes. Epistatic gene effects are more pronounced under artificial borer infestation. Cytoplasmic effects appear to be present.