Durum wheat varieties in N‐deficient environments and organic farming: a comparison of yield,quality and stability performances

Stability and reliability of yield and quality for 15 durum wheat genotypes (old and modern) were evaluated in a 5‐year experiment (southern Italy) in organic farming. Genotypes were grown at two N levels (0 and 80 kg/ha), with the aim of evaluating ‘genotype × environment’ (GE) interactions and their role on genotype selection in N‐limited environments. Several approaches to stability were used, within the frame of mixed models and additive main effects and multiplicative interaction analysis, and their validity in stressful conditions and organic farming was discussed. Especially for protein and gluten content, results indicate high environmental variability and the presence of crossover ‘N × environment’ interactions, which supports the need for specific breeding programmes in N‐deficient environments. The average response was strongly affected by N availability (on average, yield was 2.95 and 3.42 t/ha, protein content was 11.6% and 12.85%, gluten content was 8.55% and 9.92%, respectively, at 0 and 80 kg N/ha), and few genotypes gave high yield and quality at both fertilization levels. Only ‘Gargano’ and ‘Fortore’ showed a good inter‐year stability at both N levels. The old cultivars gave minimal responsiveness to increased N input, but gave good results in limiting conditions, indicating that they may play a role in organic farming.     

Algal Phlorotannins as Novel Antibacterial Agents with Reference to the Antioxidant Modulation: Current Advances and Future Directions

The increasing drug resistance of infectious microorganisms is considered a primary concern of global health care. The screening and identification of natural compounds with antibacterial properties have gained immense popularity in recent times. It has previously been shown that several bioactive compounds derived from marine algae exhibit antibacterial activity. Similarly, polyphenolic compounds are generally known to possess promising antibacterial capacity, among other capacities. Phlorotannins (PTs), an important group of algae-derived polyphenolic compounds, have been considered potent antibacterial agents both as single drug entities and in combination with commercially available antibacterial drugs. In this context, this article reviews the antibacterial properties of polyphenols in brown algae, with particular reference to PTs. Cell death through various molecular modes of action and the specific inhibition of biofilm formation by PTs were the key discussion of this review. The synergy between drugs was also discussed in light of the potential use of PTs as adjuvants in the pharmacological antibacterial treatment.     

Chemical composition and pasting properties of einkorn (Triticum monococcum L. subsp. monococcum) whole meal flour

Einkorn (Triticum monococcum L. subsp. monococcum) is an ancient wheat appreciated for its high proteins, carotenoids and tocols content. To better understand its potential for human consumption and food preparation, composition and pasting properties of 65 einkorn accessions, of different geographical origin but cultivated at S. Angelo Lodigiano (Italy), were evaluated. Eight Triticum turgidum and seven Triticum aestivum cultivars, belonging to different subspecies, were assessed as controls.On average, the einkorn samples had light seeds (25.0 mg/kernel), extra-soft texture (238.3 g), high protein content (18.2%), high ash content (2.35%), low SDS sedimentation volume (25.6 ml), high carotenoids (8.36 μg/g) and high yellow pigments (8.46 μg/g). The pasting parameters studied were peak viscosity (average: 2426 cP), breakdown (765 cP), final viscosity (2788 cP) and setback (1126 cP). Total amylose (25.7%) and total starch (65.5%) were also measured. Significant differences from the controls and a broad variation for all the traits analysed were observed. Einkorns from diverse geographical areas showed different mean values for all characters, apart from ash content.The good pasting properties, coupled with high proteins and carotenoids content, suggest that einkorn is particularly suited for the production of baby and specialty foods.     

Ectomycorrhizal fungus (Paxillus involutus) and hydrogels affect performance of Populus euphratica exposed to drought stress

? Mycorrhizal fungi and hydrogels (water-absorbing polymers) can improve water availability for trees. The combination of both factors for plant performance under water limitation has not yet been studied.

? To investigate the influence of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus, hydrogel and the combination of both factors, a drought-sensitive poplar, Populus euphratica, was examined in this study.

? After 16 weeks of inoculation, no ectomycorrhizas were found. Nevertheless, P. involutus-inoculated poplars displayed increased concentrations of soluble sugars and osmolality, leading to an improved water status. Growth was diminished compared with non-inoculated P. euphratica. The presence of hydrogels in the rooting medium resulted in increased biomass and higher plant water content and decreased the osmolality of plant tissues. Drought markedly decreased water contents in rooting medium and plants, and leaf chlorophyll fluorescence, and stimulated the root growth, concentrations of soluble sugars and osmolality in plants. Under drought conditions, P. euphratica exhibited osmoregulation by accumulation of low-molecular-weight carbohydrates.

? These data indicate that adding hydrogels to soils may improve the plant performance. The reasons for improved osmoregulation by fungi and hydrogels were probably related to their stimulating influence on the formation of soluble carbohydrates under drought conditions.

     

Nutritional and pathogenic fungi associated with the pine engraver beetle trigger comparable defenses in Scots pine

Conifer bark beetles are often associated with fungal complexes whose components have different ecological roles. Some associated species are nutritionally obligate fungi, serving as nourishment to the larvae, whereas others are pathogenic blue-stain fungi known to be involved in the interaction with host defenses. In this study we characterized the local and systemic defense responses of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) against Ophiostoma brunneo-ciliatum Math. (a blue-stain pathogen) and Hyalorhinocladiella macrospora (Franke-Grosm.) Harr. (a nutritional fungus). These fungi are the principal associates of the pine engraver beetle, Ips acuminatus (Gyll.). Host responses were studied following inoculation with the fungi, singly and as a fungal complex, and by identifying and quantifying terpenoids, phenolic compounds and lignin. Although the length of the necrotic lesions differed between control (wound) and fungal treatments, only two compounds (pinosylvin monomethyl ether and (+)-α-pinene) were significantly affected by the presence of the fungi, indicating that Scots pine has a generic, rather than specific, induced response. The fact that both nutritional and blue-stain fungi triggered comparable induced defense responses suggests that even a non-pathogenic fungus may participate in exhausting host plant defenses, indirectly assisting in the beetle establishment process. Our findings contribute to the further development of current theory on the role of associated fungal complexes in bark beetle ecology.     

Relating genetic variation of ecologically important tree traits to associated organisms in full-sib aspen families

Knowledge on phenological, morphometric, and phytochemical variation of local progenies of European aspen (Populus tremula, L.) is limited. The goal of this study was to characterize variation in growth and ecologically important leaf properties in aspen full-sib families in relation to interacting organisms (mycorrhiza, endophytes, and insects) and to determine whether these interactions were affected by soil application of a systemic fungicide. In local progenies, within-family variation of neutral molecular genetic markers (nuclear microsatellites) was higher than between families. Significant variation in growth, production of phenolic defensive compounds and other phytochemical leaf traits was found between families. Phenolic compounds showed clear negative correlation with generalist herbivores, but did not result in negative trade-off with biomass production. Differences in mycorrhizal colonization were not found among full-sib families and application of a systemic fungicide suppressed neither mycorrhizal colonization nor infestation with insects. However, a strong suppression of endophytes occurred, whose long-term consequences may require attention when fungicides are used in agroforestry plantations.     

Examining the Microbial Degradation of Naphthenic Acids Using Stable Isotope Analysis of Carbon and Nitrogen

Naphthenic acids (NAs) are a complex group of naturally occurring oil sands constituents that constitute a significant portion of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pool available for microbial degradation in the process-related waste water associated with oil sands mine sites. One approach to understanding the biological fate of oil sands process-derived carbon and nitrogen in aquatic reclamation of the mine sites involves the use of stable isotope analyses. However, for stable isotope analyses to be useful in such field-based assessments, there is a need to determine how microbial degradation of a complex mixture of NAs might change the stable isotope values (δ ¹³C, δ ¹⁵N). In batch cultures and semi-continuous laboratory microcosms, utilization of a commercial mixture of NAs by oil sands-derived microbial cultures resulted in microbial biomass that was similar or slightly ¹³C enriched (1.4‰ to 3.0‰) relative to the DOC source, depending on the length of incubation. Utilization of a NA-containing extract of oil sands processed water resulted in greater ¹³C enrichment of microbial biomass (8.5‰) relative to the DOC source. Overall, the δ ¹³C of the DOC comprised of complex mixtures of NAs showed minimal change (?0.5‰ to ?0.1‰) during the incubation period whereas the δ ¹³C of the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) was more variable (?5.0‰ to +5.4‰). In tests where the concentration of available nitrogen was increased, the final biomass values were ¹⁵N enriched (3.8‰ to 8.4‰) relative to the initial biomass. The isotope trends established in this study should enhance our ability to interpret field-based data from sites with hydrocarbon contamination, particularly in terms of carbon source utilization and ¹⁵N enrichment.     

Stewardship and management of freshwater ecosystems: From Leopold's land ethic to a freshwater ethic

1. In 1949, Aldo Leopold formalized the concept of the ‘land ethic’, in what emerged as a foundational and transformational way of thinking about natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and stewardship in terrestrial systems. Yet, the land ethic has inherent linkages to aquatic ecosystems; Leopold himself conducted research on rivers and lakes, and freshwater ecosystems figured widely in his writing.
2. We reflect on the land ethic and other aspects of Leopold's scholarship to identify key messages that provide insight into the stewardship and management of freshwater ecosystems around the globe. We also frame what we call the ‘freshwater ethic’ around Leopold's legacy. Although Leopold could not have envisaged the stressors affecting modern aquatic ecosystems, his core principles remain salient. These apply not only to ecosystem protection, but also to the ethics of modern conservation economics, sustainability, and the protection of natural capital, in which lakes, rivers, and wetlands now figure prominently.
3. We identify key ‘Aldo-inspired’ recommendations for protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems in the Anthropocene that emanate directly from his writings (e.g. adopt an ecosystem approach, identify win–win–win scenarios, recognize the irreplaceability of wild waters, and strive for freshwater optimism).
4. In an epoch where links between people and nature are becoming more explicit in environmental management, policy, and governance, we suggest that Aldo Leopold's work illustrates how inspirational, seminal thinkers have offered leadership in this domain. We contend that today there is still much that can be learned from Leopold, especially by the next generation of environmental practitioners, to ensure the effective stewardship of our aquatic ecosystems.
5. We submit that the adoption of a freshwater ethic in parallel with Leopold's land ethic will enhance the stewardship of the world's increasingly threatened fresh waters by raising the profile of the plight of fresh waters and identifying enduring actions that, if embraced, will help conserve and restore biodiversity.

     

Spillover effects of a Mediterranean marine protected area on the European spiny lobster Palinurus elephas (Fabricius, 1787) resource

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Aerosol transmission of arthropathic and amyloidogenic Enterococcus faecalis.

One-day-old brown layer chicks were exposed to an aerosol of an arthropathic and amyloidogenic Enterococcus faecalis strain alone or after being subjected to treatment with formaldehyde gas (100-200 ppm). Four-day-old chicks were also treated with the same aerosol but after treatment with a Newcastle disease vaccine virus (NDVV) aerosol or intramuscular injection with methylprednisolon at day 1. The same E. faecalis strain was inoculated intramuscularly in day-old chicks as positive control. Bacteremia with time showed that 24 hr after the aerosol the day-old exposed chicks had the highest rate of positive blood cultures (70%-80%). Lower numbers of bacteremic birds at this point in time were found in the chicks treated with E. faecalis aerosol at day 4 (3/10 in the methylprednisolon-treated group and 0/10 in the NDVV-treated group) and the E. faecalis intramuscular-injected group at day 1 (2/10). Formaldehyde gas treatment did not favor the occurrence of bacteremia. NDVV aerosol exposure or injection with corticosteroids did not favor the occurrence of bacteremia 24 hr after E. faecalis aerosol exposure at day 4 either, although 66 days after aerosol, one bird (1/14) treated with NDVV showed bacteremia. A few bacteremic birds were found 10 days after aerosol in the NDVV- and methylprednisolon-treated groups, whereas at 14 days after aerosol, one bacteremic bird was seen in the group subjected to E. faecalis aerosol at day 1, indicating the occurrence of chronic bacteremia. In contrast to the E. faecalis intramuscular-inoculated birds, no joint pathology was seen in the aerosol-exposed groups in spite of the occurrence of chronic bacteremia.