Showing papers by "Agrocampus Ouest published in 2009"

The complete genome sequence of Xanthomonas albilineans provides new insights into the reductive genome evolution of the xylem-limited Xanthomonadaceae

Abstract: The Xanthomonadaceae family contains two xylem-limited plant pathogenic bacterial species, Xanthomonas albilineans and Xylella fastidiosa X fastidiosa was the first completely sequenced plant pathogen It is insect-vectored, has a reduced genome and does not possess hrp genes which encode a Type III secretion system found in most plant pathogenic bacteria X fastidiosa was excluded from the Xanthomonas group based on phylogenetic analyses with rRNA sequences The complete genome of X albilineans was sequenced and annotated X albilineans, which is not known to be insect-vectored, also has a reduced genome and does not possess hrp genes Phylogenetic analysis using X albilineans genomic sequences showed that X fastidiosa belongs to the Xanthomonas group Order of divergence of the Xanthomonadaceae revealed that X albilineans and X fastidiosa experienced a convergent reductive genome evolution during their descent from the progenitor of the Xanthomonas genus Reductive genome evolutions of the two xylem-limited Xanthomonadaceae were compared in light of their genome characteristics and those of obligate animal symbionts and pathogens The two xylem-limited Xanthomonadaceae, during their descent from a common ancestral parent, experienced a convergent reductive genome evolution Adaptation to the nutrient-poor xylem elements and to the cloistered environmental niche of xylem vessels probably favoured this convergent evolution However, genome characteristics of X albilineans differ from those of X fastidiosa and obligate animal symbionts and pathogens, indicating that a distinctive process was responsible for the reductive genome evolution in this pathogen The possible role in genome reduction of the unique toxin albicidin, produced by X albilineans, is discussed

Capitalization of government support in agricultural land prices: what do we know?

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of existing literature, both theoretically and empirically, on the extent to which agricultural subsidies do translate into higher land values and rents and finally benefit landowners instead of agricultural producers. Our review shows that agricultural support policy instruments contribute to increasing the rental price of farmland, and that the extent of this increase closely depends on the level of the supply price elasticity of farmland relative to those of other factors/inputs on the one hand, and on the range of the possibilities of factor/input substitution in agricultural production on the other hand. The empirical literature shows that land prices and rents have in general a significant positive and inelastic response to government support. Such inelastic response is thought to reflect the uncertain future of the farm programmes. And in general, studies have indicated that land prices are more responsive to government-based returns than to market-based returns.

Anthropogenic disturbance on nursery function of estuarine areas for marine species

Abstract: Estuaries serve as nursery grounds for many marine fish species. However increasing human activities within estuaries and surrounding areas lead to significant habitat loss for the juveniles and decrease the quality of the remaining habitats. This study is based on the data of 470 beam trawls from surveys that were conducted in 13 French estuaries for the purpose of the European Water Framework Directive. It aimed at testing the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on the nursery function of estuaries. With a multispecific approach based on ecological guilds, two fish metrics, abundance and species richness of Marine Juvenile migrant fishes, were used as proxies for the estuarine nursery function. Indices of heavy metal and organic contaminations were used to estimate anthropogenic disturbances impacting these estuaries. Fish metrics were described with statistical models that took into account: (a) sampling protocol, (b) estuarine features and (c) contamination. The results of these models showed that the fish metrics highly depend on the sampling protocol, and especially type of gear, depth and salinity, which highlights the necessity of considering such metrics at the sampling (trawl haul) scale. Densities and species richness of Marine Juvenile fishes appeared to be strongly and negatively correlated to contamination indices. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that human disturbances impact the nursery function of estuaries. Finally, the densities of Marine Juvenile migrant species appeared as a potential robust and useful fish indicator for the assessment of the ecological status of estuaries within the Water Framework Directive.

Practice on castration of piglets in Europe

Abstract: PIGCAS (Attitudes, practices and state of the art regarding piglet castration in Europe) is to our knowledge the first project that has focused on castration practice across European countries (European Union minus Bulgaria, Malta and Romania, plus Norway and Switzerland). About 250 million pigs are slaughtered in Europe each year. Of the 125 million male pigs, approximately 20% are left entire, less than 3% are castrated with anaesthesia and the rest is castrated without anaesthesia. The study identified large variations in castration procedures, both within and between countries. In females, castration is very rare, but is practiced without anaesthesia in special breeds/production systems in some of the southern countries.

Nutritive value of forage legumes used for grazing and silage

Abstract: Legume forages have an important position in ruminant production in Western Europe and with further development can play an even larger role. Red clover for silage and white clover in grazed swards lead to enhanced growth rate and milk yield in comparison with pure grasses. Much of the production benefit of these legumes relates to enhanced intake since digestibilities are not markedly different to grasses. The higher intake of legume silages reflects differences in the cell structure of legume plants which combined with high fermentation rates means that they break down into small particles in the rumen, and leave the rumen more rapidly than perennial ryegrass. Ease of ingestion leads to high rates of intake, which explains higher intakes for grazed legumes. A further benefit of legumes is the reduced rate of decline in digestibility with advancing maturity. Whilst legumes have limited effects on gross milk composition or carcass characteristics, there are marked increases in levels of beneficial n-3 PUFA. Legumes have often led to a reduc tion in methane production from the rumen and again, this relates to both physical and chemical differences between forage species. The high rates of release of soluble protein and of breakdown to small particles from clovers and lucerne is associated with suscep tibility to bloat, which is a limitation to further exploitation in grazing systems. The high concentration of rapidly degraded protein in legumes also leads to inefficient utilisation of dietary N and increased urinary N output. Research with tanniniferous forages, such as birdsfoot trefoil and sulla, demonstrates the potential for future legumes with reduced environmental and health effects, though these particular forage legumes are not well adapted to temperate regions of Western Europe that are the focus of this review.

Protein composition of oil bodies from mature Brassica napus seeds.

Abstract: Seed oil bodies (OBs) are intracellular particles storing lipids as food or biofuel reserves in oleaginous plants. Since Brassica napus OBs could be easily contaminated with protein bodies and/or myrosin cells, they must be purified step by step using floatation technique in order to remove non-specifically trapped proteins. An exhaustive description of the protein composition of rapeseed OBs from two double-zero varieties was achieved by a combination of proteomic and genomic tools. Genomic analysis led to the identification of sequences coding for major seed oil body proteins, including 19 oleosins, 5 steroleosins and 9 caleosins. Most of these proteins were also identified through proteomic analysis and displayed a high level of sequence conservation with their Arabidopsis thaliana counterparts. Two rapeseed oleosin orthologs appeared acetylated on their N-terminal alanine residue and both caleosins and steroleosins displayed a low level of phosphorylation.

Effect of different feeding strategies on lactation performance of Holstein and Normande dairy cows.

Abstract: The dairy farming systems of Western Europe are based on a simple feeding system composed of grazed and preserved grass, maize silage and concentrates in variable proportions. There is, nevertheless, a great diversity of feeding strategies between dairy farms. Over 5 years, we studied the direct and delayed effects of four feeding strategies on the lactation and reproduction performances of Holstein and Normande dairy cows. The four feeding strategies (denoted Hh, Hl, Lh and Ll) correspond to two total mixed rations applied in winter from calving to turnout (maize silage with 30% concentrate or grass silage with 15% concentrate), which were subsequently crossed with two levels of concentrate supplementation at grazing to 210 days. Each year, 72 dairy cows managed in grouped winter calving were assigned to the four strategies. Finally, the results of 325 lactations and 295 inseminated cows were analysed. The four strategies resulted in considerable variation in nutrient intake and, in particular, in differences in concentrates consumed, with values of 1407, 1026, 773 and 392 kg dry matter per cow for strategies Hh, Lh, Hl and Ll, respectively. Total milk production (7567, 7015, 6720 and 6238 kg per cow for treatments Hh, Lh, Hl and Ll, respectively), milk fat content (39.0, 37.1, 40.3 and 38.5 g/kg, respectively), milk protein content (33.0, 31.8, 33.1 and 31.6 g/kg, respectively), and the character of the lactation and body condition curves were all highly sensitive to the strategies applied. While no significant interaction was detected on total lactation yield, the Holstein cows reacted more dramatically to each dietary change at each period, compared with the Normande cows. Winter feeding did not affect the production of milk at pasture whereas, at pasture, the milk from the cows of the H groups in winter was higher in milk fat and protein content. Reproduction performance was unaffected by feeding strategy. The Holstein cows, well fed and producing the most milk (Hh and Hb), had the lowest rate of success at first artificial inseminations (21.5%). The dual-purpose Normande cows had a pregnancy rate 10 points higher than Holstein cows. This comparison of strongly contrasting feeding strategies confirms the immediate reactivity of dairy cows (in terms of milk performance and body condition) to variations of nutritive intake throughout lactation, with a weak carryover effect from feeding levels early in lactation. In contrast, reproduction performance was less sensitive to variation in nutrient supply.

Sources of dissolved organic carbon during stormflow in a headwater agricultural catchment

Abstract: Increasing dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations have been reported during the last 15 years in streams from the United Kingdom, Northern Europe and North America. Identifying the sources of DOC and the controls of the delivery to the stream is important to understand the significance of these trends. This relies on the availability of observations of DOC dynamics during storm events, since much of the DOC export from soils to streams occurs during high flows. This study analyses DOC data for eight storm events during winter 2005-2006 in a small agricultural experimental catchment - the Kervidy-Naizin experimental catchment - located in Western France. A four end-member mixing approach was applied to the eight monitored storm events to identify DOC sources and quantify their respective contribution to DOC stream fluxes, using DOC, nitrate, sulphate and chloride as tracers. The results show that DOC concentrations in the stream at the outlet of this catchment increase markedly during storm events. The slope of the linear regression between DOC concentration and discharge was not constant for the eight events and depended on pre-event hydrological conditions. Between 64 and 86% of the DOC that enter the stream during storms originated from the upper layers of the riparian wetland soils. The variation of the delivery of DOC seems to be controlled by hydrological processes only, the wetland soils acting as a non-limiting store.

Estimates of the mortality and the duration of the trans‐Atlantic migration of European eel Anguilla anguilla leptocephali using a particle tracking model

Abstract: Using Lagrangian simulations, based on circulation models over three different hydroclimatic periods in the last 45 years in the North Atlantic Ocean, the trans-Atlantic migration of the European eel Anguilla anguilla leptocephali was simulated via the passive drift of particles released in the spawning area. Three different behaviours were modelled: drifting at fixed depth, undergoing a vertical migration or choosing the fastest currents. Simulations included mortality hypotheses to estimate a realistic mean migration duration and relative survival of A. anguilla larvae. The mean migration duration was estimated as 21 months and the mortality rate as 3.8 per year, i.e. < 0.2% of A. anguilla larvae may typically survive the trans-Atlantic migration.

Staphylococcus aureus Virulence Expression Is Impaired by Lactococcus lactis in Mixed Cultures

Abstract: Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for numerous food poisonings due to the production of enterotoxins by strains contaminating foodstuffs, especially dairy products. Several parameters, including interaction with antagonistic flora such as Lactococcus lactis, a lactic acid bacterium widely used in the dairy industry, can modulate S. aureus proliferation and virulence expression. We developed a dedicated S. aureus microarray to investigate the effect of L. lactis on staphylococcal gene expression in mixed cultures. This microarray was used to establish the transcriptomic profile of S. aureus in mixed cultures with L. lactis in a chemically defined medium held at a constant pH (6.6). Under these conditions, L. lactis hardly affected S. aureus growth. The expression of most genes involved in the cellular machinery, carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism, and stress responses was only slightly modulated: a short time lag in mixed compared to pure cultures was observed. Interestingly, the induction of several virulence factors and regulators, including the agr locus, sarA, and some enterotoxins, was strongly affected. This work clearly underlines the complexity of L. lactis antagonistic potential for S. aureus and yields promising leads for investigations into nonantibiotic biocontrol of this major pathogen.

How fast can the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) larvae cross the Atlantic Ocean

Abstract: The migration duration of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) larvae (leptocephali) from the spawning areas in the Sargasso Sea to the European continental shelf remains highly controversial, with estimates varying from 6 months to more than 2 yr. We estimated the fastest migration period and the shortest distance travelled by eel larvae by simulating Lagrangian particles released in the Sargasso Sea and by simulating a range of larval behaviours (fixed-depth drift, vertical diurnal migration and active-depth selection to maximize current velocity). This enabled us to compute (i) a passive drift speed, and (ii) a hypothetic swimming speed needed for European eel larvae to cross the Atlantic in 6 months (i.e., the migration duration estimated from otolith daily growth increments). Our results show that the minimum travel time for an eel larva that is passively drifting was 10 months and 3 days. Active behaviours (vertical diurnal migration and rheotaxis) paradoxically increased the migration period. We found that for leptocephali to cross the Atlantic Ocean in 6 months, they would need to swim a minimum of 3.4 body lengths per second for 8200 km. No larvae have been observed with such swimming capabilities. These results provide evidence that leptocephali cannot cross the Atlantic in 6 months.

Complex trait differentiation between host-populations of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris): implications for the evolution of ecological specialisation

Abstract: Variation in traits affecting preference for, and performance on, new habitats is a key factor in the initiation of ecological specialisation and adaptive speciation. However, habitat and resource use also involves other traits whose influence on ecological and genetic divergence remains poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the extent of variation of life-history traits among sympatric populations of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, which shows several host races that are specialised on various plants of the family Fabaceae plants and is an established model for ecological speciation. First, we assessed the community structure of microbial partners within host populations of the pea aphid. The effect of these microbes on host fitness is uncertain, although there is growing evidence that they may modulate various important adaptive traits of their host such as plant utilisation and resistance against natural enemies. Second, we performed a multivariate analysis on several ecologically relevant features of host populations recorded in the present and previous studies (including microbial composition, colour morph, reproductive mode, and male dispersal phenotype), enabling the identification of correlations between phenotypic traits. We discuss the ecological significance of these associations of traits in relation to the habitat characteristics of pea aphid populations, and their consequences for the evolution of ecological specialisation and sympatric speciation

Parallel changes in genetic diversity and species diversity following a natural disturbance

Abstract: We examined the spatial and temporal variation of species diversity and genetic diversity in a metacommunity comprising 16 species of freshwater gastropods. We monitored species abundance at five localities of the Ain river floodplain in southeastern France, over a period of four years. Using 190 AFLP loci, we monitored the genetic diversity of Radix balthica, one of the most abundant gastropod species of the metacommunity, twice during that period. An exceptionally intense drought occurred during the last two years and differentially affected the study sites. This allowed us to test the effect of natural disturbances on changes in both genetic and species diversity. Overall, local (alpha) diversity declined as reflected by lower values of gene diversity HS and evenness. In parallel, the among-sites (beta) diversity increased at both the genetic (FST) and species (FSTC) levels. These results suggest that disturbances can lead to similar changes in genetic and community structure through the combined effects of selective and neutral processes.

Individual and combined action of pancreatic lipase and pancreatic lipase-related proteins 1 and 2 on native versus homogenized milk fat globules.

Abstract: Pancreatic lipase (PL) and pancreatic lipase-related proteins 1 and 2 (PLRP1 and PLRP2) display different functional properties, despite close structures. The aim of the study was to compare the kinetic properties of recombinant human PLRP1, PLRP2, and PL on a physiological substrate: the milk fat under native and homogenized structures. No lipolytic activity is measured for PLRP1. PLRP2 hydrolyses milk fat with a lower catalytic efficiency than that of PL. PLRP2 activity, higher on homogenized than on native milk fat, is differently influenced by fatty acids (FA) and colipase depending on a proteolytic cleavage in the lid domain. FA enhance the activity on both milks. A colipase positive effect on the non-proteolyzed PLRP2 is observed on homogenized milk and with FA on native milk fat. Bile salts are necessary. An original observation is a synergic effect between PL and PLRP2 on the two milks. An inhibitory effect of PLRP1 on PL activity is also demonstrated. The combined action of pancreatic lipases on milk fat digestion proposes PLRPs as modulators of PL. Our study supports the hypothesis of a major role of PLRP2 in fat digestion in newborns and brings new insights to understand the physiological role of PLRPs.

The standardized ileal digestible valine-to-lysine requirement ratio is at least seventy percent in postweaned piglets.

Abstract: To reduce the impact of animal produc- tion on the environment, the CP content of the diet can be reduced by limiting the excess supply of AA. Improv- ing the balance between AA relative to the requirement of the animal implies that we need to have accurate knowledge of the requirement of individual AA. The purpose of this study was to determine the Val require- ment in postweaned piglets (12 to 25 kg) because Val is considered to be potentially limiting to performance after Lys, Met (and Cys), Thr, and Trp. The first ex- periment was carried out to identify a diet limiting in Lys supply. In this experiment, piglets were offered 1 of 3 diets: a low-CP diet containing low or adequate Lys concentrations (providing 1.0 and 1.2% standardized il- eal digestible (SID) Lys, respectively) or a normal-CP diet with 1.2% SID Lys. Average daily gain of piglets receiving the diet containing 1.0% SID Lys was signifi- cantly less than that of piglets receiving diets contain- ing 1.2% SID Lys at low or normal CP (486 vs. 522 g/d, respectively; P 0.10). Experi- ment 3 was conducted to evaluate the response of pig- lets to an increasing Val supply provided by 2 sources of l-Val differing in the degree of purity. Increasing the Val supply from 58 to 66% SID Val:Lys resulted in a linear increase in both feed intake and daily gain by 24 and 30%, respectively (P 0.10). Experiment 4 was a dose-response study using 5 con- centrations of Val supply (ranging from 60 to 80% SID Val:Lys). The estimated SID Val:Lys requirements for maximizing ADFI, ADG, and G:F were, respectively, 74, 70, and 68% using a linear-plateau model, and 81, 75, and 72% using a curvilinear-plateau model. Plasma Val, plasma α-ketoisovaleric acid, Ile, and Leu concen- trations after an overnight fast increased with increas- ing Val supply (P < 0.001). The results of these ex- periments indicated that the SID Val:Lys was at least 70%, which was slightly greater than the current NRC recommendation.

Physico-chemical changes in casein micelles of buffalo and cow milks as a function of alkalinisation

Abstract: By modifying the forces (hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding and presence of micellar calcium phosphate) responsible for the structure and the stability of casein micelles, alkalinisation induces a disruption of casein micelles in milk. The objective of this work was to compare the alkalinisation-induced physico-chemical changes of casein micelles of buffalo and cow milks with a special attention to the mineral fraction. The whiteness and viscosity were determined as global characteristics of milk. The aqueous and micellar phases of milks were ascertained for the distributions of the concentrations of nitrogen, casein molecules, calcium, inorganic phosphate and water as their supramolecular and molecular characteristics. These parameters were measured at six pH values between pH 6.7 and 10.8. Between pH 6.7 and 10.8, the whiteness decreased from 73.5 to 50.9 and from 71.3 to 50.9 units and the viscosity increased from 1.8 to 10.2 and from 1.5 to 4.8 mPa·s for buffalo and cow milks, respectively. Simultaneously, > 90% of nitrogen contents were in the supernatants of ultracentrifugation at pH 9.7 and 8.6 for buffalo and cow milks, respectively. Chromatographic analyses showed that caseins were totally solubilised at these pH values. Calcium and inorganic phosphate concentrations progressively increased in the supernatants of ultracentrifugation and decreased in the ultrafiltrates. At alkaline pH, the negative charge of caseins increased and the inorganic phosphate ion changed its ionisation state from HPO4 2− to PO4 3− form. This form has a greater affinity for calcium and can demineralise casein micelles. The consequences were modifications of protein-protein and protein-minerals interactions resulting in micellar disruption. The dissociations took place at pH 9.7 and 8.6 for buffalo and cow milks, respectively. These differences were due to higher concentrations of casein and minerals in buffalo than in cow milk, which were also our criteria of selection of the former as a model.

Role of the Heat-Induced Whey Protein/κ-Casein Complexes in the Formation of Acid Milk Gels: A Kinetic Study Using Rheology and Confocal Microscopy

Abstract: The effect of heat treatment of milk on the formation of acid gel was examined using confocal scanning laser microscopy and low-amplitude dynamic oscillation throughout acidification. Milk samples were reconstituted by mixing colloidal phase from unheated or preheated skim milk, labeled with rhodamine B isothiocyanate, with the aqueous phase from unheated or preheated milk, labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. Gels were made by acidification with glucono-δ-lactone. The presence of material from preheated milk, that is, either the colloidal or the aqueous phase or both, led to an increase in the gelation pH and in the final elastic modulus and to a more branched network with larger pores. During acidification, the heat-induced serum complexes and the casein micelles did not appear to form separated gels with time or in space. Moreover, the colocalization in the final network of serum heat-induced complexes and casein micelles is particularly well observed in the presence of an aqueous phase obtained fr...