Biofouling development in marine fish farm influenced by net colour,immersion period and environmental conditions

Biofouling poses low productivity and high maintenance in aquaculture. This study simulated the nets of fish cages to investigate biofouling composition and development as influenced by net colour, immersion period and environmental conditions. Yellow and green net panels were immersed for 60 days and sampled at 7, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. Results revealed that biofouling composition was dominated by Bryozoan Bugula sp. (31%–38% cover), tanaids Tanaidae (64–146 individuals.100 cm^‐2) and nematodes Linhomoeidae and Oncholaimidae (142–189 individuals.100 cm^‐2). Biofouling development was observed in succession patterns of harpacticoid–nematode–amphipod–tanaid in yellow nets and amphipod–nematode in green nets. Water velocity within the cages significantly and positively influenced the total cover, biomass and the densities of amphipods, bivalves, polychaetes, fish eggs and bryozoans. Polychaetes, gastropods, fish eggs and macroalgae were present in green nets and absent in yellow nets at 7 days. Uniformity of biofouling assemblage in both net colours was observed beyond 7 days which may be largely explained by brown biofilm formation. The result of the study revealed the dynamics of biofouling in a marine fish farm and provides vital information for developing strategies in biofouling management to lessen its impacts.     

Effect of environmental factors on the fatty acid profiles and physicochemical composition of oysters (Crassostrea gasar) in Amazon estuarine farming

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of environmental factors on the fatty acid profiles and physicochemical composition of Crassostrea gasar cultured in two locations with differences in salinity and precipitation gradients. The study period was divided into four seasonal divisions—the rainy–dry transition period, the dry season, dry–rainy transition and the rainy season. The salinity, pH and temperature were measured at each site during specimen collection. A total of 712 oyster samples were used for fatty acid profiling and physicochemical analysis. Salinity and precipitation were the environmental parameters that influenced the fatty acid profile and physicochemical characteristics of oysters. C. gasar exhibited excellent values of n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (DHA, EPA and eicosatrienoic), with a predominance of these acids during periods of higher precipitation. Variations in precipitation and salinity resulted in significant differences in oyster nutritional characteristics. Oysters grown in Amazonian estuaries can be considered nutritious throughout the year, with better conditions during the rainy season.     

Filling the gaps in the Argentinian distribution of orthohantavirus: First finding of Lechiguanas virus in rodents from Corrientes,Argentina

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by orthohantaviruses in the Americas. In Argentina, since 1995, several reservoirs and virus variants have been described, but the northeastern and central endemic zones in the country include an area without human or rodent infections, despite sharing rodent species with areas with that disease. The aim of this study was to search for orthohantavirus in rodent communities that inhabit this area, which borders two endemic areas of HPS. Small rodents were captured in June of 2022 through a total effort of 644 trap nights distributed in five grids located in the Iberá National Park, Corrientes, Northeastern Argentina. All rodents were sexed, weighed, and the species was recorded. Blood samples were extracted to detect ANDV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), and to extract the RNA virus. Trimmed sequences were mapped against reference sequences from GenBank. We captured a total of 36 Oligoryzomys flavescens and 15 Oxymycterus rufus. We detected the O. flavescens species infected with Lechiguanas orthohantavirus in the camping area of the National Park. A nucleotide comparison with previously published sequences shows a 98.34% similarity to the virus obtained from a human case of HPS reported in the adjacent Misiones province. This study demonstrated, for the first time, that O. flavescens is a host of the Lechiguanas orthohantavirus in this zone and contributes to closing information gaps on the distribution of orthohantavirus in Argentina. Additionally, the high similarity with the hantavirus found in the human case of Misiones suggests that the reservoir in that province would also be O. flavescens (not previously confirmed). This information permits us to focus on the preventive measurements to protect the human population.     

Rheological Behavior of Undeveloped and Developed Wheat Dough

Undeveloped wheat dough is essentially wheat flour that has become fully hydrated without being deformed. The rheological properties of this material were compared to dough (developed dough) made using the standard method involving a farinograph. Flow behavior of undeveloped and developed dough samples made from hard and soft wheat flours were tested using creep tests, frequency sweep oscillatory tests, and temperature sweep oscillatory tests. All experiments showed that the undeveloped dough requires less resistance for deformation than developed dough. The differences are due to the energy input received by the developed dough and the influence of this factor in forming the protein matrix associated with developed dough. To attain a comparable state as the dough made in the farinograph, an energy input must be applied to the undeveloped dough material. Understanding the differences between undeveloped and developed dough may lead to new products, equipment, and processes in the bakery industry.     

Effect of the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lentilactobacillus buchneri on corn and sorghum silage quality and sheep energy partition under tropical conditions

This study aimed to evaluate the silage quality, ingestive behaviour, and sheep energy partition fed corn and sorghum silages, with or without inoculation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lentilactobacillus buchneri. Whole plants of one dent corn hybrid (DCS), one flint corn hybrid (FCS), and one forage sorghum hybrid (SS) were ensiled with or without an inoculant containing L. plantarum and L. buchneri (4 × 10⁵ CFU g⁻¹), totalling six treatments (3 × 2 factorial scheme). The treatments were ensiled in metal drums with 200 L capacity. The lactic acid concentrations in the inoculated FCS and DCS were higher by 13.4% and 12.8%, respectively, than those in the non-inoculated plants. In contrast, the lactic acid concentration in the inoculated SS was 23.1% lower than that in the non-inoculated SS. Furthermore, there were differences in pH and acetic acid concentrations only in SS, which were 2.3% and 45.2% higher, respectively, in inoculated silage than in non-inoculated silage. In inoculated DCS and SS, propionic acid concentrations were 1.7 times higher (for both silages), and 1-propanol was 3.7 and 1.8 times higher compared than those in non-inoculated silages. There was a main effect of the inoculant on 1,2-propanediol concentrations, which were 37.5% higher in inoculated silages than in non-inoculated silages. However, ingestive behaviour, heat and methane production, and silage net energy concentrations were not affected by inoculant use. Fermentative modifications caused by inoculation with L. plantarum and L. buchneri in whole plant corn or sorghum silage did not modify sheep energy partition.     

Phenotyping of productivity and resilience in sweetpotato under water stress through UAV-based multispectral and thermal imagery in Mozambique

Sweetpotato is a crucial crop to guarantee food security in sub-Saharan Africa, and drought events are considered one of the most critical factors affecting sweetpotato productivity in this region. In this study, airborne imagery based on reflectance (NDVI, CI_red-edge) and canopy temperature minus air temperature (dT) indices was used to characterize sweetpotato genotypes under drought treatments in Mozambique. Two field experiments established in rainy/hot (Trial A) and dry/cool (Trial B) seasons were assessed. In Trial A, 24 genotypes were subjected to early- (ESD), mid- (MSD) and late-season (LSD) drought stress treatments and compared against a control. In Trial B, 120 genotypes were subjected to LSD only. The percentage of reduction in vine weight (PR_VW) under drought was related primarily to temporal variation of NDVI and CI, regardless of drought treatment and seasons. dT in relation to control (dT_Amp) was associated with PR_VW in ESD-Trial A and LSD-Trial B, whereas under LSD-Trial A, dT_Amp was related to total fresh storage root weight (TRW). During the rainy/hot season, higher TRW reduction was promoted under ESD; however, under LSD, it was possible to identify productive genotypes able to withstand drought stress, highlighting their relevance for drought-tolerance selection purposes.     

Water-use efficiency and evapotranspiration of mango orchard grown in northeastern region of Brazil

Knowledge of evapotranspiration (ET) and water-use efficiency (WUE) is essential in crops management mainly in arid and semiarid regions where water resources are scarce for irrigation. Field experiments were conducted at a commercial farm to obtain the WUE and ET of mango orchard growth in a semiarid environment of northeastern region of Brazil. Measurements were performed within a randomly selected experimental plot with the spacing of 10 m × 5 m between rows and plants. Soil water balance method was used to obtain the mango orchard evapotranspiration while the Penman–Monteith method (FAO/56) was used for determination reference evapotranspiration (ET_o). Soil water content was determined by six tensiometer sets installed at 0.20 m layer intervals from the soil surface down to 1.20 m soil depth. The experimental plot was irrigated with a sprinkler irrigation system based on four irrigation levels (T1 = 70%, T2 = 80%, T3 = 90% and T4 = 100% of ET_o. Results showed that ET and WUE are strongly influenced by soil water availability. Mango yield varied from a minimum value of 28.06 ton/ha in treatment T4 to a maximum value of 31.06 ton/ha in treatment T3. Such difference was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05) by Tukey's test. Results also indicated that WUE values based on irrigation and evapotranspiration were maximum and minimum for low (treatment T1) and high (treatment T4) water levels, respectively.     

Nitrogen concentrations and proportions of ammonium and nitrate in the nutrition and growth of yellow passion fruit seedlings

Abstract

Despite the importance of nitrogen (N) supply to plants, there are still doubts concerning the optimal relations of ammonium and nitrate in the nutrition of yellow passion fruit seedlings. This study aims to evaluate the interaction between nitrogen concentrations and ammonium and nitrate proportions in the nutrition, growth, and dry matter production of passion fruit seedlings grown in a substrate with a nutrient solution. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in randomized complete block design with three replications in a 4 × 5 factorial design, consisting of four N concentrations (2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0?mmol L^?1) and five ammonium proportions (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% in relation to the total N supply). At 60?days after transplanting, green color index; accumulation of N, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in roots and shoots; stem diameter; leaf area; root length; nitrogen use efficiency (NUE); and dry matter of roots and shoots were evaluated. For the formation of seedlings of yellow passion fruit, the nutrient solution should have 13?mmol L^?1 of N, with 40% of this nutrient in the form of ammonium. The passion fruit is a plant tolerant to ammonium. However, a critical concentration above 5.7?mmol L^?1 of NH₄⁺ in the nutrient solution decreases absorption of cations, NUE, and production of dry matter.     

Early development of the silver catfish Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) (Pisces:Heptapteridae) from the São Francisco River Basin, Brazil

The silver catfish, Rhamdia quelen , is endemic to North, Central and South America with high aquaculture potential and wide acceptance in the market. Breeder fish were subjected to induced reproduction through hypophysation using a crude common carp pituitary extract. Egg characteristics, oocyte surface ultrastructure and histology of larval ontogenesis until whole yolk resorption were described for the first time for this species. Oocytes and semen were obtained by manual extrusion, and fertilization was conducted using the dry method. After fertilization, eggs were kept in incubators at 24 °C. The embryonic development was monitored using a stereomicroscope every 10 min until hatching. To analyse the larval development, larvae samples were collected from incubators daily until the fifth day, fixed in Bouin's fluid and subjected to routine histological techniques. The oocyte extrusion occurred 8 h after the second hormone dose at 26 °C. The oocytes were spherical, non-adhesive and yellow, with a diameter of 1471.75±47.63 μm. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a thin jelly coat covering the zona radiata in the animal pole around the micropyle. The blastopore closure occurred within 8 h after fertilization, and the fertilization rate was 79.9±5.2% at 24 °C. Embryonic development was completed within 25 h 30 min after fertilization. The complete resorption of the yolk and the formation of the digestive system organs and the mouth opening occurred on the fifth day, indicating a need for exogenous feeding. The results of this study provide information important for improvement in R. quelen culture and management.     

Assessing satellite-based basal crop coefficients for irrigated grapes (Vitis vinifera L.)

A combined methodology of basal crop coefficient (K_cb) derived from vegetation indices (VI) obtained from satellite images and a daily soil water balance in the root zone of the crop was proposed to accurately estimate the daily grape crop coefficient and actual evapotranspiration. The modeled values were compared with field measurements of crop evapotranspiration (ET) using an energy balance eddy-covariance flux tower and adjusted for closure using the measured Bowen ratio. A linear relation between K_cb and VI for vineyard was obtained, K_cb = 1.44 × NDVI-0.10 and K_cb = 1.79 × SAVI-0.08. The correlation of the measured crop coefficient (K_c) and modeled (K_crf) exhibits a linear tendency, K_c = 0.96K_crf, r² = 0.67. Other derived parameters such as weekly K_c and daily and weekly ET show good consistency with measurements and higher coefficients of determination. The study of the soil water balance suggests the importance of soil water storage in grapes within the La Mancha region. These results validate the use of remote sensing as a tool for the estimation of evapotranspiration of irrigated wine grapes planted on trellis systems.