Type and quantity of organic amendments determine the amount of carbon stabilized in particle-size fractions of a semiarid degraded soil

A 9-month lab experiment was carried out with three different amendments (vine pruning wastes, PW; composted vine pruning wastes, cPW; and sewage sludge, SS) added at three different rates (90, 180, and 240 t ha^?1, dry weight) in order to test whether the type or the quantity of the amendments applied to a semiarid, degraded soil determined the C_org accumulation in its particle-size fractions (coarse sand, 200–2,000 µm; fine sand, 63–200 µm; silt, 2–63 µm; and clay, 0.1–2 µm). All amendments, independently of their C/N ratios, resulted in similar C_org content and accumulation in coarse sand and silt-sized fractions after 9 months. In the clay-sized fraction, enrichment in C_org produced the incorporation of particles from this particle-size fraction into the silt-sized fraction. Likewise, increasing the application rates of the amendments led to larger C_org contents into the particle-size fractions of all amended soils except for the clay-sized fraction. The application of SS resulted in lower basal respiration-to-C_org ratios in the clay-sized fraction than the application of PW and cPW, suggesting a higher protection of the C_org in the SS treatment. These results indicate that organic amendments from woody plants with C/N ratios higher than 30, such as PW, favor C_org accumulation in the fine sand-sized fractions. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the application rate of such amendments, rather than the C/N ratios and amendment origin (from sludge or woody plants), is the key factor for promoting C_org accumulation in the silt-sized fractions of semiarid degraded soils.     

Changes in Hydrocarbon Composition and Autochthonous Microorganism Growth of Contaminated Mining Soil During Bioremediation

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of high Tween 80 concentrations on hydrocarbon contaminants and hydrocarbonoclastic microorganisms present in contaminated mining soil during a bioremediation process. The independent variables included Tween 80 concentration and process time. The elected response variables included concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), the chemical composition of contaminants, viable microbial count, and CO₂ production. These were measured at various time points during the bioremediation process, which was conducted at room temperature. Higher removal of pollutants occurred at low Tween 80 concentrations. An analysis of the normalized variables shows that the rate of TPH degradation depended on microbial growth rate, which depended on Tween 80 concentration. The addition of Tween 80 changed the concentration and type of the residual hydrocarbon contaminants present, as well as the count and genus of the hydrocarbonoclastic microorganisms that grew during the bioremediation process. Higher concentrations of Tween 80 increased the levels of the chemical compounds present in the bioremediated soil while reducing the viable count and microbial diversity during the bioremediation process. Conversely, low Tween 80 concentrations produced only monoethylhexyl phthalate, which is not a petroleum hydrocarbon derivative. Overall, these results prove that the removal of TPH is dependent on the count and genus of active indigenous hydrocarbonoclastic microorganisms in soil, and these conditions may be controlled by modulating the concentration of Tween 80 that is applied.     

Comparison of the welfare of layer hens in 4 housing systems in the UK

1. The welfare of hens in 26 flocks (6 conventional cage, 6 furnished cage, 7 barn, 7 free-range) was assessed throughout the laying period using a combination of data on physical health, physiology and injurious pecking, collected by researchers on farm and during post-mortem analysis, and information submitted by producers. 2. There was an effect of housing system on 5 of the indicators recorded by researchers: gentle feather pecks given, feather damage score, proportion of hens with feather damage, proportion of the flock using perches, and faecal corticosterone. 3. Post-mortem analysis revealed several differences between housing systems in skin damage, plumage damage to the vent and abdomen, keel protrusion, bodyweight, and the proportion of hens that were vent pecked and that had old and recent keel fractures. 4. There was an effect of housing system on 5 indicators recorded by producers: proportion of egg shells with calcification spots, proportion of egg shells with blood stains, weight of hens found dead, temporal change in the proportion of egg shells with stains, and temporal change in proportion of hens found dead. 5. Each housing system had positive and negative aspects but overall, hens in barn systems had the highest prevalence of poor plumage condition, old fractures, emaciation, abnormal egg calcification, and the highest corticosterone. Hens in conventional cages sustained more fractures at depopulation than birds in other systems. Vent pecking was most prevalent in free-range flocks. The lowest prevalence of problems occurred in hens in furnished cages. 6. Although housing system had an influence on the hens' physical condition and physiological state, the high prevalence of emaciation, loss of plumage, fractures and evidence of stress is of concern across all housing systems, and suggests that the welfare of modern genotypes is poor.     

Field performance of Lynfield and McPhail traps for monitoring male and female sterile Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) and wild Dacus newmani (Perkins)

BACKGROUND: McPhail traps, baited with protein food lure, are used worldwide for surveillance of many species of fruit flies. Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a native Australian fruit fly and normally monitored using Lynfield traps baited with cuelure. On some occasions, McPhail traps with wet food lures are deployed to detect female flies or to find the incursion epicentre. This paper reviews field results on the merits of Lynfield and McPhail traps for detection of male and female Qfly. RESULTS: Following release of equal numbers of sterile males and females, Lynfield traps baited with cuelure captured more Qfly males than protein autolysate or orange concentrate in McPhail traps. Significantly more male than female Qfly were captured in McPhail traps baited with protein autolysate or orange. There was no significant difference between orange concentrate lure and protein autolysate lure in attracting either males or females. Another Australian native fruit fly, Dacus newmani (Perkins), was attracted to cuelure in Lynfield traps but not to either lure in McPhail traps. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained run counter to the reputation of McPhail traps baited with protein autolysate or orange concentrate as a specialist lure/trap combination for female Qfly. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Estimating trends and magnitudes of bycatch in the tuna fisheries of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean

Minimising the unintended capture of fish, marine mammals, reptiles, seabirds and other marine organisms is an important component of responsible fisheries management and for stabilising declines and rebuilding populations of threatened species. The analyses presented were designed to establish the first quantitative baseline of historical catches, catch rates and species composition for the dominant tuna fisheries operating in the western and central Pacific, the world's largest in terms of tuna catch. Using records from 612,148 fishing events collected by independent ‘at sea’ observers, estimates for finfish, billfish, elasmobranchs, marine mammals and sea turtles show that the composition and magnitude of catches varied considerably by fishery type and practice for the period 2003–2019. Simulations indicated that precision in longline estimates would be improved by monitoring a proportion of fishing sets from all fishing trips rather than full coverage from a proportion of all fishing trips. While attributing reasons for temporal trends in estimated bycatch was difficult due to the confounding impacts of changing abundances and fishing practices, the trends identified the nature of potential relationships for species that are not accurately quantified, or not covered, by fishing vessel logbooks. The trends in catch estimates, and the catch rate models, have utility in identifying species which may require targeted additional analyses and management interventions, including species of conservation interest (either due to their threatened status or vulnerability to fishing) such as elasmobranchs and sea turtles. Moreover, the estimates should support future evaluations of the impact of these industrial-scale fisheries on bycatch species.     

Relationship between common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) gluten proteins and dough rheological properties

This paper reports the correlation between the rheological properties of bread wheat dough and the types and quantities of endosperm proteins in 28 common wheat cultivars. Different methods were used to analyse the allelic composition of these cultivars and the relative quantities of the different proteins contributing to the gluten structure. Neither dough strength (W) nor tenacity/extensibility (P/L) correlated with allelic composition. Different wheats with the same allelic composition (i.e., with respect to glutenins) showed different rheological properties. The glutenins were the most influential components of W and P/L, especially the high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunits and in particular the type x form. These proteins seem to increase W and are the main constituents of the gluten network. The gliadins and low molecular weight (LMW) glutenin subunits appear to act as a “solvent”, and thus modify the rheological properties of the dough by either interfering with the polymerisation of the HMW glutenin subunits, or by altering the relative amounts of the different types of glutenin available. Thus, the protein subunits coded for by the alleles Glu-B1x7 and Glu-D1x5 stabilised the gluten network, whereas those coded for by Glu-B1x17 and Glu-D1x2 had the opposite effect. Dough properties therefore appear to depend on the glutenin/gliadins balance, and on the ratio of the type x and type y HMW proteins. The influence of external factors seems to depend on the allelic composition of each cultivar.     

Evaluation of selective media in antimicrobial surveillance programs capturing broad-spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli from chickens at slaughter

Antimicrobial resistance surveillance targeting agricultural animals is practiced in many countries but does not often include media selective for cephalosporin resistance. Here, we compared the frequency of recovery of resistant Escherichia coli using selective and non-selective media from the cecal contents of 116 chickens collected by the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS). Third generation cephalosporin resistance was detected in 24 samples including 12, 10, and 2 on selective, non-selective, and both media, respectively. Isolates producing the CTX-M-1 ESBL were grown from 11 samples, 10 on selective medium only. Our results suggest that current surveillance approaches underestimate the true prevalence of resistance to critically important antimicrobials.     

Long-term study of the reproductive timing of the Neotropical catfish Iheringichthys labrosus (Lütken, 1874): Influence of temperature and river discharge

Unravelling the effect of climate variability on species biology has been one of the main goals of ecological studies. Environmental factors such as river discharge and temperature have being proposed as triggers of reproductive cycle in fish. In temperate climates, fish reproduction is affected mainly by temperature, while is influenced by flood pulses in large tropical rivers. We evaluated the influence of temperature and river discharge as triggers of Iheringichthys labrosus’ reproduction. We studied the following reproductive variables: gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI) and condition factor (K). Females of I. labrosus were examined in a time series of ten years along three sites located in Lower Uruguay River at the beginning (last week of November-first week of December, spring) and by the end of the reproductive period (middle-end of April, autumn). Generalised linear models detected a positive effect of mean winter temperature and site on the spring mature female GSI. Site was significant in addition to the interaction between temperature and site. Moreover, the effect of winter temperature was stronger than water discharge in triggering reproductive timing of I. labrosus, contrary to the model proposed for other species in tropical systems. Additionally, a literature review suggested a latitudinal gradient on reproduction, occurring earlier and prolonged with decreasing latitude (and increasing temperature). In this study, we stated the effect of temperature on the life history in a Neotropical fish using a multifaceted approach, particularly important in the current context of global climate warming.     

Accumulation of Zn, Cd, Cu, and Pb in Chinese cabbage as influenced by climatic conditions under protected cultivation

Accumulation of heavy metals from agricultural soils contaminated by low levels heavy metals has important implications in the understanding of heavy metal contamination in the food chain. Through field experiments (1994-1996), the influence of thermal regime under different treatments on the accumulation of zinc, cadmium, copper, and lead in Chinese cabbage [Brassica pekinensis (Lour) Rupr. cv. Nagaoka 50] grown in a Calcareous Fluvisol (Xerofluvent) in Granada (southern Spain) was examined. Two floating row covers were used: T(1) (perforated polyethylene, 50 microm thick) and T(2) (17 g m(-2) polypropylene nonwoven fleece). An uncovered cultivation (T(0)) served as control. Zn, Cd, Cu, and Pb levels in the whole tops of experimental plants were analyzed. Treatments T(1) and T(2) gave rise to differences in environmental conditions with respect to T(0). The influence of environmental factors manipulated by floating row covers (particularly under T(1)) increased total heavy metal accumulation in the above ground plant biomass with respect to the open-air crop. The total contents of Zn, Cd, Cu, and Pb were 30, 50, 90, and 40% higher in T(1), respectively, than in T(0). This technique could be used in contaminated zones for different plant species because the thermal effect favors the process of phytoextraction and thus reduces the contamination.