Production,nutritional profiles and storability of ‘aadun’ and ‘kokoro’: Two corn products

Aadun and kokoro were produced from maize grains by processes involving roasting, kneading, spicing, and frying. Aadun with a moisture content (MC) of 12.5%, pH 5.3 had the following composition: crude protein, 7.49%; fat, 28.5%; total carbohydrate, 60.0%; ash, 3.0% and energy value, 3,600 kcal/kg whilst kokoro with a MC of 16% and pH 5.1 had, respectively: 6.42%; 22.9%; 66.6%; 2.84% and 3,550 kcal/kg. Whilst aadun and kokoro stored under ambient conditions (28±2°C; 75–80% RH) became mouldy within 7 days, samples treated with 1% butyl paraben did not develop off-colour and mouldiness.     

Herbage and animal responses on continuously stocked ‘Ipyporã’ and ‘Mulato II’ brachiariagrasses

New hybrid grass cultivars may enhance animal performance in forage-livestock systems if they possess traits that address edaphoclimatic challenges and pest susceptibility. The objective was to assess herbage accumulation, plant-part composition, nutritive value, and animal performance of ‘Ipyporã’ [Brachiaria ruziziensis Germ. & Evrard × B. brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf] and ‘Mulato II’ (B. ruziziensis × B. brizantha × B. decumbens Stapf) hybrids in the Brazilian Amazon biome. From May 2016 to May 2018, pastures were maintained under continuous stocking with variable stocking rates to maintain canopy height at 30-cm. Herbage accumulation (HA) was greater in Mulato II (17,370 kg dry matter [DM] ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) than Ipyporã pastures (14,930 kg DM ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) across the years. In Year 1, Mulato II had greater stocking rate (1685 vs. 1215 kg body weight [BW] ha⁻¹) and greater gain ha⁻¹ (1130 vs. 850 kg) than Ipyporã. However, in Year 2, both cultivars had similar plant and animal responses. The Year 1 ADG was similar among cultivars or seasons but in Year 2, rainy seasons had 21 and 77% greater ADG than dry seasons for Mulato II and Ipyporã, respectively. Both cultivars can contribute to the diversification of pasture-based livestock systems in humid tropical regions. Mulato II presented superior performance when soil moisture and fertility were not limiting (i.e., Year 1). However, both cultivars provide similar plant and animal responses in Year 2, offering viable alternatives for the diversification of pasture-based livestock systems in the Amazon Biome.     

Effects of Holding Temperatures on the Development of Zebra Chip Symptoms, ‘<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candidatus</Emphasis> Liberibacter Solanacearum’ Titers,and Phenolic Levels in ‘Red La Soda’ and ‘Russet Norkotah’ Tubers

‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (Lso) is the putative causal agent of zebra chip disease (ZC). Late season Lso-infected potatoes that are known to be asymptomatic at harvest may continue to develop symptoms by the time of shipment to consumers. This study observed symptom development, Lso titer changes, and changes in symptom-associated phenolic compounds in Lso-infected yet asymptomatic tubers placed at different holding temperatures. ZC symptoms present in freshly-sliced tubers were more severe in ‘Red La Soda’ or ‘Russet Norkotah’ tubers held at 3 °C than at 6 °C or 9 °C. However, Lso titers showed considerable variability in both cultivars over time and at these holding temperatures. Phenolic compound levels, known to be associated with ZC symptom severity, in tubers kept at 3 °C were greater than those kept at 6 °C or 9 °C and increased over time. These results demonstrate that ZC could develop in tubers kept in cold storage, with those kept at 3 °C having more ZC development than those kept at 6 °C or 9 °C.     

Characteristics of growth and quality,and factors contributing to high yield in newly developed rice variety ‘Akidawara’

The newly developed rice variety ‘Akidawara’ (AKI) combines the traits of high yield and highly palatability, and its cultivation is expected to spread. We examined characteristics of growth and quality, and factors contributing to high yield in AKI by comparing with ‘Nipponbare’ (NIP). Grain yield for AKI were 703 g m^?2 (9% more than NIP) and 781 g m^?2 (14% more than NIP) under the standard and heavy fertilizer regimes. It was also suggested that increase in the sink capacity was the key contributors to the high yield in AKI resulting from a conspicuous increase in the number of spikelets, which is likely due to introgression of the high-yielding variety allele. Furthermore, AKI achieved the similar degree of sink filling in spite of its larger sink capacity. In this point, panicle dry weight increase during ripening (ΔP) was significantly higher for AKI than for NIP despite the fact that no differences in shoot dry weight increase were observed between varieties. The greater ΔP in AKI might be derived from its larger sink capacity and the difference between varieties involves the translocation of nonstructural carbohydrate. In the grain quality, the reduction in perfect grain ratio was negligible and regarded as a small trade-off for AKI’s 14% increase in yield, and grain protein content increased to a lesser degree in AKI at the same yield level. These results suggest that over 700 g m^?2 high yield can be achieved with relative high grain quality and lower protein content in AKI.     

Identification and Selection for Tuber Calcium,Internal Quality and Pitted Scab in Segregating ‘Atlantic’ x ‘Superior’ Reciprocal Tetraploid Populations

Developing chipping cultivars with improved tuber quality and disease resistance is a major interest for breeders and the potato industry. A popular chipping cultivar ‘Atlantic’, is desired for its high yield and gravity. However, this cultivar suffers from poor internal tuber quality and high scab susceptibility. On the contrary, cultivar ‘Superior’ is known to have excellent tuber internal quality and moderately scab resistance. In addition, this cultivar is known to have high tuber calcium as compared to ‘Atlantic’. The present study intended to generate populations that can be suitable for the genetic study of tuber calcium, internal quality, common scab, and other commercially important traits such as yield, specific gravity and chip quality at the tetraploid level. Two populations obtained by reciprocally crossing the cultivars ‘Atlantic’ and ‘Superior’ were evaluated during 2009 to 2012 at Hancock, Wisconsin. Significant genotype effects and moderately low to high broad-sense heritabilities were identified for all traits evaluated indicating that the observed phenotypic variation has an important genetic component. In addition, the parents differed significantly for all traits across trials, and most genotypes performed in between the two parents but some genotypes were more extreme than the parents. Furthermore, evidence of reciprocal effects was found for some traits. In addition to learning about the genetics of these important traits we were able to identify some genotypes that combined the commercially desired traits of the two cultivars.     

Distribution and function of LMW glutenins,HMW glutenins,and gliadins in wheat doughs analyzed with ‘in situ’ detection and quantitative imaging techniques

The different gluten subunits, gliadins, LMW glutenins, and HMW glutenins have been reported to play different key roles in different type of wheat products. This paper studied the interaction between gliadin, LMW and HMW glutenins in soft, hard and durum semolina flour doughs during different stages of mixing. In order to see how do the gluten subunits (gliadin, LMW glutenin and HMW glutenin) redistribute during mixing, dough samples were taken at maximum strength and 10 min after maximum strength. The doughs have been mixed with the same level of added water (55%), therefore they all have different strengths values due to their changes in proteins content. Oscillatory rheological measurements were performed on the doughs. It has been found that HMW glutenins are relatively immobile because of their less molecular mobility and do no redistribute themselves especially at high strength for doughs such as hard wheat flour. LMW glutenins and gliadins on the other hand redistribute themselves at even at high dough strengths forming a more stable network. In weaker doughs such as soft wheat, the breakdown of the three proteins subunits is responsible for the decay in dough strength. We have also visualized how the greater amount of LMW glutenins in semolina is in constant interaction with HMW glutenins and gliadins allowing the dough to maintain a stable strength for an extended mixing time. Finally, we have found the ‘in situ’ detection and quantitative analysis techniques to be more sensitive to the changes occurring in the gluten network of the dough than the oscillatory rheological analysis.     

Determination of Anthocyanins and Antioxidants in ‘Titanbicus’ Edible Flowers In Vitro and In Vivo

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Titanbicus (TB), a hybrid of Hibiscus moscheutos × H. coccineus (Medic.) Walt., has potential to be used as an edible flower. In this study, proximate...     

The effects of ‘Vicia faba L.’ polyphenols on absorption,growth and metabolism in the rat

Two varieties of ‘Vicia faba L.’equina andminor, were studied. Theequina variety had a higher polyphenolic content than theminor variety. Both varieties significantly inhibited rat growth rate and ‘in vivo’ intestinal glucose transport, theequina variety being a more powerful inhibitor than theminor variety. However the raw legume fed animals showed a normal urinary excretion rate of 3-Methylhistidine.     

Studies on the influence of temperature,relative humidity and microenvironment on the natural fermentation of African oil bean seeds to ‘Ugba’

Studies on the enhancement of the traditional production of Ugba (a protein-rich fermented food) from African oil bean seeds were undertaken by fermenting the bean seeds at different temperatures, relative humidities (RH) and microenvironments. Fermentation was monitored by pH, texture, amino-nitrogen content and the viable cell count of the substrate. The 40 °C, 98% RH or the 130 m high density polyethylene (HDPE) treatment increased the fermentation microflora from ca. 106 CFU/g to ca. 108 CFU/g with high initial changes in pH (5.8–ca. 7.9) and texture (2.0 kg/cm2 to between 1.4 kg/cm2 and 0.9 kg/cm2) in 24 hours. Products with amino-nitrogen contents of between 12.00 mg N/100 g dry matter and 14.00 mg N/100 g dry matter were obtained in 3 days. The cell count of the 30 °C, 80% RH or 70 m treatment increased from 106 CFU/g to ca. 107 CFU/g and the pH increased from 5.8 to about 6.7 with a coincident decrease in the texture value from 2.0 kg/cm2 to about 1.7 kg/cm2 in 24 hours. Products with amino-nitrogen contents between 15.00 mg N/100 g dry matter and 19.2 mg N/100 g dry matter were obtained after 3 days. Changes in the fermentation indicators were not significant at p0.05 (pH and texture) and at p0.01 (amino-nitrogen) after 3 days for the 25 °C, 59.9% RH or 50 m low density polyethylene (LDPE) treatment. Products of fermentation at the combined optimal conditions (80% RH, 35 °C and 70 m HDPE) compared very well with the traditionally fermented products in terms of pH, texture and amino-nitrogen content.     

A colorimetric quantification of softened polylactic acid and polyester filament knitted fabrics to ‘Water-spotting’

Water droplets falling onto finished fabrics can create spots which can spoil the appearance of the fabric. This study compares the propensity of softened filament polylactic acid and polyester fabrics to exhibit the adverse affects of ‘water-spotting’, and to identify suitable softeners and methods for their application to minimise and eliminate the problem. The degree of water spotting was greater on softened polylactic acid fabrics than on softened polyester fabrics. Polylactic acid and polyester fabrics with hydrophobic properties did not exhibit any water spotting. Softeners applied by an exhaustion process resulted in a finished fabric which exhibited no water spotting for either dyed polylactic acid or dyed polyester fabrics. The softening active agent was not responsible for the water spotting. The other components in the softener formulation (such as emulsifier, wetting agent), which carries the unfixed dyes with water, were found to be responsible. The water spot halo disappeared after a single machine laundering process.     

Physiological and molecular responses of seedlings of an upland rice (‘Tung Lu 3’) to total submergence compared to those of a submergence-tolerant lowland rice (‘FR13A’)

Background

Understanding the responses of rice to environmental stresses such as unscheduled submergence is of pressing important owing to increasing severity of weather thought to arise from global climate change. When rice is completely submerged, different types adopt either a quiescence survival strategy (i.e., minimal shoot elongation) or an escape strategy (i.e., enhanced shoot elongation). Each strategy can prolong survival depending on the circumstances. While submergence responses have been studied in rice typical of lowland and flood-prone areas, few studies have explored the physiological and molecular properties of upland rice under submergence. Here, we use seedlings of the upland rice ‘Tung Lu 3’ (‘TL3’) to analyze physiological and molecular responses to submergence. We compare them with those of ‘FR13A’, a lowland rice that tolerates submergence by adopting the quiescence strategy.

Results

Plant height and distance between leaf sheaths, increased rapidly in ‘TL3’ under submergence. Although this indicated a strong escape strategy the seedlings remained totally underwater for the duration of the experiments. In contrast, ‘FR13A’ elongated much less. Consequently, after 4 days complete submergence followed by drainage, ‘TL3’ lodged much more severely than ‘FR13A’. After 10 d complete submergence, 55% of ‘TL3’ seedlings survived compared to 100% in ‘FR13A’. Chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll concentrations of the 2^nd oldest leaves of ‘TL3’ were also significantly above those of ‘FR13A’ (but were lower than ‘FR13A’ in the 3^rd oldest leaves) and less hydrogen peroxide accumulated in ‘TL3’. Peroxidase activity in submerged ‘TL3’ was also greater than in ‘FR13A’ 1 day after submergence. Quantitative RT–PCR showed increased expression of sucrose synthase 1 and alcohol dehydrogenases 1 after 2 days complete submergence with significantly higher levels in ‘TL3’ compared to ‘FR13A’. Expression was also higher in ‘TL3’ under non-submerged conditions.

Conclusions

The upland rice line ‘TL3’ gave a stronger elongation response than ‘FR13A’ to complete submergence. This escape strategy is widely considered to prejudice survival when the plant remains totally submerged. However, contrary to expectations, ‘TL3’ survival rates were substantial although below those for ‘FR13A’ while physiological, biochemical and molecular parameters linked to adaptation differed in detail but appeared to be broadly comparable. These findings highlight that submergence tolerance is determine not only by the adoption of quiescence or escape strategies but maybe by metabolic and physiological properties unrelated to the underwater elongation rate.

     

Effects of Seeding Rate and Nitrogen Application Rate on Grain Yield and Protein Content of the Bread Wheat Cultivar ‘Minaminokaori’ in Southwestern Japan

Abstract

We examined the effects of seeding rate, 50 or 150 seeds m-², nitrogen (N) application rate at active tillering and jointing, 4 and 2 g N m-², respectively, or none, and N application rate at anthesis, 0, 2, 4, or 6 g N m-², on grain yield and protein content of a bread wheat cultivar, ‘Minaminokaori’, during the 2004–2005 crop season in southwestern Japan. Grain yield was similar at a seeding rate of 50 and 150 seeds m-². It was higher when 4 and 2 g N m-² were applied at active tillering and jointing, respectively (4–2N), than when no N was applied at these stages (0–0N). However, it was not influenced by N application rate at anthesis. Grain protein content was similar at 50 and 150 seeds m-². It was higher in 4–2N than in 0–0N. It was the highest when 6 g N m-² was applied at anthesis, followed by 4, 2, and 0 g N m-². The SPAD value at anthesis was higher at 50 than 150 seeds m-², but leaf area index (LAI) at anthesis was similar at 50 and 150 seeds m-² and protein content of grain was nearly the same at 50 and 150 seeds m-² irrespective of N application rate at anthesis. LAI and the SPAD value were higher in 4–2N than in 0–0N and the protein content of grain was also higher in 4–2N than in 0–0N irrespective of N application rate at anthesis. Therefore, both LAI and the SPAD value may be important traits related to the N application rate at anthesis suitable for yielding wheat grain with a high protein content.     

Somatic Mining for Phytonutrient Improvement of ‘Russet Burbank’ Potato

Screening of >800 somaclones of ‘Russet Burbank’, North America’s leading French fry cultivar, for improved yield and processing quality, led to the selection of 25 advanced lines. Three replicates of 3–5 tubers each from advanced lines were assessed after 5 months storage for antioxidant and polyphenol attributes; a subject receiving increased attention among plant breeders, nutritionists, and consumers. Phytonutrients affecting antioxidant components and total antioxidant capacity per serving (150 g fresh matter; one serving size) varied significantly among tubers of the 25 somaclones as well as between these somaclones and ‘Russet Burbank’ control plants (field tuber-derived and plantlet-derived). Several phenolics, including chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid derivatives, ferulic acid derivatives as well as the flavonoid rutin, ranged in concentration from 10- to 100-fold with some lines exceeding control tuber concentrations by >7-fold. Similarly, ascorbic acid ranged >3-fold (47.21 to 208.63 mg) on a per serving basis with some lines showing significantly greater concentrations than the control plantlet derived tubers (93.82 mg) by >2-fold. Antioxidant capacity, estimated using 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), ranged up to 5-fold for the advanced somaclones (2,121.34 to 11,163.07 μM trolox equivalent/serving). Less variation occurred with other antioxidant capacity tests (DPPH, Folin-Ciocalteu). Overall 17/25 lines had increased antioxidant components. HPLC assays were necessary to confirm lines with better phytonutrient profiles. Somaclonal selection offers clear benefits for phytonutrient improvement in potato and can follow selection for yield and processing attributes.     

Description of Aphelenchoides besseyi from Abnormal Rice with ‘Small Grains and Erect Panicles’ Symptom in China

In recent ten years, the symptom 'small grains and erect panicles' in rice was widespread in most rice growing areas of China, which generally caused yield loss ranging from 10% to 30%, even as high as 50% in heavily infected regions . It is a serious problem in the middle of Jiangsu Province and some regions of southern Jiangsu Province. The occurrence of the phenomenon 'small grains and erect panicles' in rice totaled 3.3 ×105 ha during 2001-2003 in Jiangsu Province, resulting in at least…     

Development of a PCR Assay for the Rapid Detection and Differentiation of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ Haplotypes and Their Spatiotemporal Distribution in the United States

Zebra chip, or zebra complex (ZC) has become an important invasive disease of potato in the United States and New Zealand and is caused by a phloem-limited bacterium, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (Lso). A PCR assay using a single pair of simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers was developed for simultaneous detection and genotype differentiation of Lso haplotypes associated with zebra chip disease of potato. The sensitivity of the SSR PCR was similar to a 16S PCR assay, with detection limit of 100 copies of the Lso genome in haplotype A infected potato and psyllid samples and 10 copies of Lso genome in haplotype B potato and psyllid samples. The Lso detection frequency of the SSR PCR assay was 79.1 % in potato and 26.4 % in psyllid samples, respectively; whereas the detection frequency of the 16S PCR assay 59.0 % in potato and 25.9 % in psyllid samples, respectively. Samples of Lso positive potato plants and psyllids from multiple states in the US were demonstrated to have either haplotype A or haplotype B Lso and occasionally both haplotypes were found in individual samples. This is the first report that co-infection of the two haplotypes of Lso exists in potato and potato-psyllid samples. Only haplotype A Lso was detected in North Dakota psyllid samples collected in 2010, in Idaho and Washington ZC potato samples sampled from storage in 2011, and in Idaho ZC potato samples in 2012. Haplotype A Lso was also detected in New Zealand ZC affected potato samples and psyllid samples collected in 2010 and 2011. The PCR assay developed is as sensitive as previously developed assays and has the advantage of simultaneously detecting and differentiating Lso haplotypes of the ZC bacterium, thus making it extremely useful for epidemiological studies.     

Effects of ‘on-farm seed priming’ on consecutive daily sowing occasions on the emergence and growth of maize in semi-arid Zimbabwe

On-farm seed priming (seed soaking) has been reported to improve crop establishment, growth and yield. However, the physiological processes leading to these benefits are not well understood. In this paper, we report how priming affected emergence and growth of maize in semi-arid Zimbabwe. In both the 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 growing seasons, primed and non-primed maize was sown on eight consecutive days into an initially moist seedbed, and soil moisture, crop emergence and growth were monitored. Plants that emerged on the same day from primed and non-primed seeds were tagged, so that any effect of priming on crop growth could be tested independently of the effect of priming on timing of emergence. In the 1999/2000 season, priming increased final emergence in all eight sowing occasions, leading to a 14% increase in crop stand. In the 2000/2001 season, priming increased final emergence in six sowing occasions but decreased it in the other two, so that the overall effect of priming was not significant. Priming decreased mean time to 50% emergence by 12 h in the 1999/2000 season and by 24 h in the 2000/2001 season. The differences in the effect of priming between sowing occasions were interpreted in terms of the soil physical conditions. There was little effect of priming on growth, time to flowering and maturity, or yield of plants that had emerged on the same day from primed or non-primed seed. It was concluded that priming benefits result from improved crop stand and from advancement of germination and emergence.     

‘纽荷尔脐橙’与‘脐橙52’品种的ISSR鉴定

应用ISSR分子标记技术对‘纽荷尔脐橙’与‘脐橙52’进行鉴定。首先从97条ISSR引物中筛选出7条能扩增出清晰度高、多态性好的引物,再对‘纽荷尔脐橙’与‘脐橙52’的基因组DNA进行ISSR-PCR扩增。结果表明:引物CW39124、CW32473和CW32474均可使‘纽荷尔脐橙’与‘脐橙52’在某些扩增位点上出现多态性。说明‘纽荷尔脐橙’与‘脐橙52’在DNA分子水平上存在明显差异,为不同品种。     

Understanding farmers’ potato production practices and use of improved varieties in Chencha,Ethiopia

This study was carried out to better understand non-adoption of improved varieties of potato (Solanum tuberosum) and associated technologies by smallholder farmers in Chencha, Ethiopia. Data were collected through a survey (n = 47) and in-depth interviews (n = 20). It shows how wealth status was a factor of major importance. Most wealthy and some medium-wealthy farmers adopted improved potato varieties and many of the improved production practices; they had access to seed, associated knowledge and support, and sufficient resources that were necessary to apply the improved practices. Non-adoption was common among many medium-wealthy and most poor farmers: they lacked—next to access to the technologies and knowledge—cash, land, and labor. Results indicated the need to rethink research and intervention efforts. Next to paying attention to differences in the access to technology and the related knowledge, there is a need to consider the variation in technology needs, supporting microcredit services, and room to experiment. As a result, different combinations of improved production practices may be adopted.     

Effect of alkaline treatment (‘akanwu’) and supplementary value of corn or crayfish on the protein quality of breadfruit (Treculia Africana)

The effect of treatment and supplementary value of corn (C) or crayfish (CR) on the protein quality of breadfruit (Treculia Africana) flours were studied in eighteen young rats. The 7030 or 701515 (Protein basis) combinations of breadfruit flours and corn or crayfish or both provided 1.6g N/100 g diet for the 35 day study. The addition of akanwu to the cooking water reduced cooking time and crude protein and saved fuel. The addition of akanwu and replacement of CR with C was not beneficial as judged by the parameters tested except for the wt. gain and PER. On the other hand, when crayfish was the only source of supplementary protein (30%) to breadfruit cooked without akanwu there were increases in all parameters tested over those with added akanwu except for the N intake, wt. gain, and PER.These results appear to suggest that addition of akanwu to TA was detrimental to its protein utilization and that TA appears to be an economic source of N in areas where it is a staple. Based on the results of this study, one would suggest that the use of akanwu as a tenderizer should be seriously looked into before further use.