Takehiro Furukawa, Fumihiro Yamane, Takuji Okumura
et al.
Insulin-like androgenic gland factor (IAG) is considered a key regulator of male sexual differentiation and maturation in decapod crustaceans. In several species, <i>IAG</i> expression is thought to be negatively regulated by the eyestalk, as demonstrated by eyestalk ablation (ESA) experiments. In the kuruma prawn <i>Marsupenaeus japonicus</i>, however, the upstream regulatory mechanisms of <i>IAG</i> (<i>Maj-IAG</i>) remain largely unclear. In the present study, males of different body sizes were subjected to ESA to elucidate these mechanisms. Bilateral ESA induced upregulation of <i>Maj-IAG</i> expression from day 7 onward, whereas unilateral ESA did not. Moreover, enhanced development of male reproductive organs and hypertrophy of the androgenic gland were observed from day 7 after bilateral ESA. These findings indicate that <i>Maj-IAG</i> is regulated by eyestalk-derived factor(s), supporting the presence of an eyestalk–androgenic gland endocrine axis in <i>M. japonicus</i>. By contrast, the expression of <i>Maj-Dsx2</i>, a homolog of doublesex (<i>Dsx</i>) that has recently been proposed as an upstream regulator of IAG, did not show a consistent increase following bilateral ESA across all experiments, suggesting that the involvement of <i>Maj-Dsx2</i> in this axis remains unclear. Overall, this study provides fundamental insights into the regulatory mechanisms of decapod male reproduction.
High-quality, naturally protected seeds prior to sowing, along with growth activation of seedlings, represent a promising approach to stabilising crop yield and quality. Enhancing plant resistance to dynamic environmental stresses, including harmful organisms, is one of the strategies for realising the biological potential of crop yields in breeding and seed production. This research aimed to experimentally evaluate a preparation based on humic substances, film formers, a nanocomposite, succinic acid, and microbiological carotene. Experiments were conducted using spring barley and wheat seeds. A seed encrustation technology employing a functional preparation was applied. Laboratory and field experiments were conducted at V. Dokuchaev Kharkiv National Agrarian University, Department of Plant Growing, over two years. The experimental design and economic efficiency assessment of the functional preparation in enhancing yield was carried out according to established methodologies. Pre-sowing seed treatment with the preparation resulted in improved field germination, synchronised seedling emergence, and increased yield. Comprehensive studies revealed that the preparation was compatible with fungicides, demonstrating a synergistic effect of their joint protective effect. Experimental results confirmed that seed incrustation with protective and stimulating formulations based on water-soluble polymers is an effective method for protecting plants from seed- and soil-borne infections while reducing the level of environmental pollution. The extended and enhanced fungicidal activity of film-forming protective and stimulating compositions was also demonstrated. Agricultural production tests indicated that the developed preparation was user-friendly, environmentally safe, and economically efficient, contributing to increased crop yields. The positive test results support practical recommendations for its application in both seed encrustation and grain crop spraying during the tillering and milky-wax ripeness phases
Pavel Pereslavtsev, Christian Bachmann, Joelle Elbez-Uzan
et al.
There is widespread use of nuclear radiation for medical imagery and treatments. Worldwide, almost 40 million treatments are performed per year. There are also applications of radiation sources in other commercial fields, e.g., for weld inspection or steelmaking processes, in consumer products, in the food industry, and in agriculture. The large number of neutrons generated in a fusion reactor such as DEMO could potentially contribute to the production of the required radioactive isotopes. The associated commercial value of these isotopes could mitigate the capital investments and operating costs of a large fusion plant. The potential of producing various radioactive isotopes was studied from material pieces arranged inside a DEMO equatorial port plug. In this location, they are exposed to an intensive neutron spectrum suitable for a high isotope production rate. For this purpose, the full 3D geometry of one DEMO toroidal sector with an irradiation chamber in the equatorial port plug was modeled with an MCNP code to perform neutron transport simulations. Subsequent activation calculations provide detailed information on the quality and composition of the produced radioactive isotopes. The technical feasibility and the commercial potential of the production of various isotopes in the DEMO port are reported.
Ali Qorbani, Mohammad Khalili, Saeidreza Nourollahifard
et al.
Abstract Rickettsia occurs worldwide and rickettsiosis is recognized as an emerging infection in several parts of the world. Ticks are reservoir hosts for pathogenic Rickettsia species in humans and domestic animals. Most pathogenic Rickettsia species belong to the spotted Fever Group (SFG). This study aimed to identify and diagnose tick fauna and investigate the prevalence of Rickettsia spp. in ticks collected from domestic animals and dogs in the rural regions of Kerman Province, Southeast Iran. In this study, tick species (fauna) were identified and 2100 ticks (350 pooled samples) from two genera and species including Rhipicephalus linnaei (1128) and Hyalomma deteritum (972) were tested to detect Rickettsia genus using Real-time PCR. The presence of the Rickettsia genus was observed in 24.9% (95%CI 20.28–29.52) of the pooled samples. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of Rickettsia aeschlimannii (48.98%), Rickettsia conorii israelensis (28.57%), Rickettsia sibirica (20.41%), and Rickettsia helvetica (2.04%) in the positive samples. The results showed a significant association between county variables and the following variables: tick spp. (p < 0.001), Rickettsia genus infection in ticks (p < 0.001) and Rickettsia spp. (p < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant association between tick species and host animals (dogs and domestic animals) (p < 0.001), Rickettsia spp infection in ticks (p < 0.001), and Rickettsia spp. (p < 0.001). This study indicates a high prevalence of Rickettsia spp. (SFG) in ticks of domestic animals and dogs in rural areas of Kerman Province. The health system should be informed of the possibility of rickettsiosis and the circulating species of Rickettsia in these areas.
Darko Uher, Sanja Fabek Uher, Nevena Opačić
et al.
Cultivated nettle Urtica dioica L., a member of the Urticaceae family, is widely distributed throughout the temperate regions of the world and can be used as a nutritious feed for animals through the winter period. The aim of this research was to determine (i) the nutritional value of freshly cultivated nettle Urtica dioica L. grown in the open field and (ii) the fermentation value of cultivated nettle Urtica dioica L. ensiled with additives, including a commercial inoculant containing bacteria that produce lactic acid and molasses from sugar beet after 60 days of ensiling. Cultivated nettle Urtica dioica L. was ensiled in six treatments: without additions (control); with sugar beet molasses (2, 4, and 6%) per 1 kg of fresh mass and a commercial inoculant (2 and 4 g/t of fresh mass) in five replicates. The results of this research showed that the cultivated nettle Urtica dioica L. contains a large proportion of proteins and some essential minerals, including calcium, and is especially rich in magnesium and iron. Without the addition of sugar beet molasses and without treatment with a commercial inoculant, poorly preserved silage from cultivated nettle was obtained. With 2% molasses, poorly preserved silage was obtained, but with 4 and 6% molasses, well-preserved silage from cultivated nettle was obtained. Based on the results of these studies, it is recommended to use sugar beet molasses during ensiling in a concentration of 4 to 6% of the fresh mass of cultivated nettle. In future research, it would be interesting to test the joint application of commercial inoculants and sugar beet molasses when preparing cultivated nettle Urtica dioica L. for silage on the farm.
Catarina Leal, Ales Eichmeier, Kateřina Štůsková
et al.
With a reduction in available chemical treatments, there is an increased interest in biological control of grapevine trunk diseases. Few studies have investigated the impact of introducing beneficial microorganisms in the rhizosphere on the existing indigenous soil microbiome. In this study, we explored the effect of two biocontrol agents (BCAs), Trichoderma atroviride SC1 (Ta SC1) (Vintec; Certis Belchim) and Bacillus subtilis PTA-271 (Bs PTA-271), on the grapevine rhizosphere bacterial and fungal microbiome as well as plant defense expression using high-throughput amplicon sequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. Additionally, we quantified both Ta SC1 and Bs PTA-271 in the rhizosphere over time using droplet digital PCR. The fungal microbiome was more affected by factors such as soil type, BCA treatment, and sampling time compared with the bacterial microbiome. Specifically, Ta SC1 application produced negative impacts on fungal diversity, whereas application of BCAs did not affect bacterial diversity. Interestingly, the survival and establishment of both BCAs showed opposite trends depending on the soil type, indicating that the physicochemical properties of soils have a role in BCA establishment. Fungal co-occurrence networks were less complex than bacterial networks but highly impacted by Ta SC1 application. Soils treated with Ta SC1 presented more complex and stable co-occurrence networks, with a higher number of positive correlations. Induced grapevine defenses also differed according to the soil, being more affected by BCA inoculation on sandy soil. The findings of this research emphasize the complex relationships among microorganisms in the rhizosphere and highlight the significance of taking into account various factors, such as soil type, sampling time, and BCA treatment, and their influence on the structure and dynamics of microbial communities.
Silvia Melissa Manrique-Veja, Oscar Alvarado-Sanabria
Abstract This study aims at assessing the impact of compost application on the physical (porosity, volumetric-moisture and bulk density) and the chemical traits of soil (pH, organic carbon, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity and soil nutrients) on the leaf nutrient concentration and growth (height, diameter, new leaf-structures and chlorophyll content) of five native species used in urban forestry. Using a two-way factorial design, we evaluated three substrates: i) Soil (ii) Soil-compost mixture SC-12.5 (12.5 % compost (v/v)) (iii) Soil-compost mixture SC-25 (25 % compost (v/v)) and five species: Retrophyllum rospigliosii, Inga edulis, Citharexylum montanum, Caesalpinia spinosa, and Citharexylum sulcatum. We found that SC-25 and SC-12.5 increased the electric conductivity, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon, and soil base saturation. Moreover, compost addition increased the growth of the five native species evaluated. Such results suggest that compost-application is a viable option to improve soil fertility and promote the growth of native trees.
L. J. Abendroth, G. Chighladze, J. R. Frankenberger
et al.
AbstractThis paper describes a multi-site and multi-decadal dataset of artificially drained agricultural fields in seven Midwest states and North Carolina, USA. Thirty-nine research sites provided data on three conservation practices for cropland with subsurface tile drainage: saturated buffers, controlled drainage, and drainage water recycling. These practices utilize vegetation and/or infrastructure to minimize off-site nutrient losses and retain water in the landscape. A total of 219 variables are reported, including 90 field measurement variables and 129 management operations and metadata. Key measurements include subsurface drain flow (206 site-years), nitrate-N load (154 site-years) and other water quality metrics, as well as agronomic, soil, climate, farm management and metadata records. Data are published at the USDA National Agricultural Library Ag Data Commons repository and are also available through an interactive website at Iowa State University. These multi-disciplinary data have large reuse potential by the scientific community as well as for design of drainage systems and implementation in the US and globally.
Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae), is one of the most destructive diseases threatening rice production worldwide. Development of resistant cultivars using broad-spectrum resistance (R) genes with high breeding value is the most effective and economical approach to control this disease. In this study, the breeding potential of Pigm gene in geng/japonica rice breeding practice in Jiangsu province was comprehensively evaluated. Through backcross and marker-assisted selection (MAS), Pigm was introduced into two geng rice cultivars (Wuyungeng 32/WYG32 and Huageng 8/HG8). In each genetic background, five advanced backcross lines with Pigm (ABLs) and the same genotypes as the respective recurrent parent in the other 13 known R gene loci were developed. Compared with the corresponding recurrent parent, all these ABLs exhibited stronger resistance in seedling inoculation assay using 184 isolates collected from rice growing regions of the lower region of the Yangtze River. With respect to panicle blast resistance, all ABLs reached a high resistance level to blast disease in tests conducted in three consecutive years with the inoculation of seven mixed conidial suspensions collected from different regions of Jiangsu province. In natural field nursery assays, the ABLs showed significantly higher resistance than the recurrent parents. No common change on importantly morphological traits and yield-associated components was found among the ABLs, demonstrating the introduction of Pigm had no tightly linked undesirable effect on rice economically important traits and its associated grain weight reduction effect could be probably offset by others grain weight genes or at least in the background of the aforementioned two varieties. Notably, one rice line with Pigm, designated as Yangnonggeng 3091, had been authorized as a new variety in Jiangsu province in 2021, showing excellent performance on both grain yield and quality, as well as the blast resistance. Together, these results suggest that the Pigm gene has a high breeding value in developing rice varieties with durable and broad-spectrum resistance to blast disease.
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Potassium is essential for plant metabolism; improves immunity to stress and increase crop productivity. Soil contains insoluble form of potassium, which is unavailable for plant absorption. Potash mobilizing bacteria (KMB) solubilise complex potassium and make it available to plant. KMB with plant growth promoting (PGP) traits could enhance growth and crop productivity. Here we attempt to screen KMBs with PGP traits from different agroclimatic zones of Odisha and study dynamics of potassium in soil. Isolation of KMB and determination of PGP traits was performed with standard protocols. Pot culture experiment was aimed to study their effect on sunflower crop. Available soil potassium was quantified using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Thirty KMBs were isolated from different agro-climatic zones of Odisha, out of which 6 isolates exhibited maximum PGP traits. Moreover, after adding inoculums the available soil potassium decreased over 0 to 30 days as compared to control, with increase in shoot length. T7 (consortium) reported maximum (144 %) increase in shoot length. Available soil potassium content decreased with increase in time. A maximum decrease was reported in T7 (26.31 %), suggesting potassium accumulation by plant.
The editorial team greatly appreciates the reviewers who have dedicated their considerable time and expertise to the journal’s rigorous editorial process over the past 12 months, regardless of whether the papers are finally published or not [...]
Kenneth G. Pegg, Lindel M. Coates, Wayne T. O’Neill
et al.
Fusarium wilt of banana (also known as Panama disease) has been a problem in Australia since 1874. Race 1 of the pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense) is responsible for damage to ‘Lady Finger’ (AAB, Pome subgroup) and other less widely grown cultivars such as ‘Ducasse’ (Pisang Awak, ABB). Subtropical Race 4 (STR4) also affects these cultivars as well as Cavendish cultivars (AAA) in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales where cold temperature predisposition is involved. Tropical Race 4 (TR4) has led to the demise of the Cavendish industry in the Northern Territory, and its presence was confirmed in a North Queensland plantation in 2015, which warranted destruction of all banana plants on the property; as of this writing (April 2019), TR4 has spread to two adjacent properties. This review, which was commissioned by Biosecurity Queensland in response to the 2015 TR4 outbreak, considers the key epidemiological factors associated with the onset of a Fusarium wilt epidemic. Resistance to TR4, which is mediated by events following entry by the pathogen into the xylem, is not present in any commercially acceptable banana cultivar. Also, there is no effective chemical agent that can be used to manage the disease. Besides prevention, very early recognition and rapid containment of a disease outbreak are necessary to prevent epidemic development. A good understanding of the key factors responsible for disease development is required when devising practical protocols for the destruction of infected plants, treatment of surrounding infested soil, and reduction of inoculum in plant residues and soil.
W artykule przedstawiono ocenę zmian jakie nastąpiły w produkcji, zużyciu i handlu nasionami oleistymi i produktami ich przerobu w Unii Europejskiej w latach 2000-2013. Analizę zmian przeprowadzono dla 28 państw Unii, uwzględniając podział na stare i nowe państwa członkowskie, w oparciu o dostępne dane Organizacji Narodów Zjednoczonych do spraw Wyżywienia i Rolnictwa (FAOSTAT). Od początku XXI wieku produkcja i zużycie nasion oleistych w Unii Europejskiej dynamicznie wzrasta w ślad za szybko rosnącym popytem na oleje roślinne w sektorze przemysłowym (w produkcji biopaliw), przy niewielkich zmianach w sektorze spożywczym oraz szybko rosnącym zapotrzebowaniem na śruty oleiste w sektorze paszowym, w związku z rozwojem produkcji zwierzęcej (w tym głównie drobiarskiej) i zmianą technologii żywienia zwierząt. Mimo dynamicznego rozwoju produkcji i przetwórstwa nasion oleistych (szybszego w nowych niż strych państwach członkowskich), Unia Europejska ma niską samowystarczalność w zakresie produktów oleistych i pozostaje trwałym ich importerem (w tym szczególnie śrut oleistych).