Chemical composition and nutritional value of Mexican varieties of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Chemical composition and protein quality of the main chickpea varieties cultivated in Mexico were determined. The raw and cooked chickpeas analyzed were: Surutato, Surutato 77, Sonora, Sonora 80, Porquero, Macarena, Breve Duro and a mixture of broken seeds used mainly for animal feeding. The chemical composition of the raw chickpea studied was very similar; the average values of the nutrients were: ash 3.1±0.2, fat 5.0±1.0, protein 19.5±1.2 and fiber 3.7±2.1. Cooking diminished only the ash content and the Porquero variety was the only one that had a high content of crude fiber (9.1%). There was not found agglutinating activity to rabbit RBC in any of the raw chickpeas studied and the trypsin inhibitor activity average was 11.8±2.4 TUI/mg sample. Cooking destroyed 57% of this activity. Digestibility was the same in the raw and in the cooked chickpea (78%). There were not found significant differences in the PER values of the raw and cooked seeds: 1.65–2.30 and 1.80 to 2.61 respectively. The Surutato and Breve Duro varieties were statistically similar to the casein PER (2.5). It could be recommended to use these two varieties mainly for infant feeding.     

Diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ullucus tuberosus</Emphasis> (Basellaceae) in the Colombian Andes and notes on ulluco domestication based on morphological and molecular data

Ullucus tuberosus (common name ‘ulluco’) is a popular tuber crop of Andean highlands. Until now attention has been focused on ulluco from Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador, but little is known about its diversity in Colombia. Thirty-six accessions of cultivated ulluco preserved in the Gene Bank of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia were studied to assess the genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure of Colombian ulluco. We used morphological characters, molecular markers (total proteins, isozymes and RAPDs) and ploidy level. High morphological variability, especially for tuber shape and colour characters, was found. Eight accessions from north-east Colombian Andes showed some typical character-states of wild ulluco, suggesting that they could be partially domesticated forms. Genetic analysis using RAPD markers indicated that these accessions were very similar to other cultivated ullucos belonging to the same region. The regional structure observed in isozyme and RAPD dendrograms was confirmed by AMOVA results (52.6% among-region variation) and the spatial correlogram, showing the presence of two gene pools of ulluco in Colombia. Our results and the accumulated data suggest that ulluco was introduced to Colombia at least two times. Initially, semi-domesticated forms would have come from the central Andes to north-east Colombian Andes, where the native inhabitants would have completed the domestication process. Again, fully domesticated ullucos might have been introduced to south-west Colombian Andes.     

Evaluation of vegetation indices and apparent soil electrical conductivity for site-specific vineyard management in Chile

Spatial variability of Chilean vineyards, in terms of yield and quality, is high, which fully justifies site-specific management, particularly differential harvest. In this study, the most common zoning tools (NDVI and ECa measurements) were evaluated and compared. Comparisons also included a calibrated GVI. Two contrasting large field experiments (pruning, irrigation, and N fertilization treatments) were established in vineyards to (1) evaluate two vegetation indices: (i) a non-calibrated airplane-based NDVI and (ii) calibrated satellite-based GVI and to (2) evaluate the ECa measurements. The GVI was also assessed at the commercial level, in different vineyards and valleys. The GVI was more sensitive in discriminating grape yields and quality while the NDVI failed to adequately sense vigor patterns and fruit quality in the more homogeneous site. Thus, a calibrated GVI can be recommended as a better tool than NDVI for defining management zones as well as making spatial and temporal comparisons among fields and seasons. In general, ECa explained few differences in the alluvial soil properties and did not predict differences in plant vigor as measured by either vegetation indices, therefore ECa by itself was not a good estimator of the most commonly measured soil properties for establishing management zones in these fields with low variability in terms of EC and other soil characteristics.     

Land cover and conservation in the area of influence of the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve,Mexico

Tropical deforestation and habitat fragmentation in areas around conservation areas have been an important element for discussion in the conservation and policy-making community. In this paper, we evaluate land cover change processes around one of the most important tropical dry forest reserves in the Americas: the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. The analysis is conducted at three scales: regional scale (coast of the State of Jalisco), proximity to the reserve (via a 30-km buffer zone analysis), and inside the Biosphere Reserve. The proximity analysis is complemented by a unique data set that represents the extent and boundaries of Ejidos (local land management units) in the region. Results indicate that areas surrounding the reserve have low deforestation, with Ejidos and buffer areas having more forest cover as they get closer to the reserve. The nature of this important phenomenon is discussed in the context of the socio-economic conditions of the local communities. Our work suggests that the creation of a network of “Ejidos’ Conservation Areas”, in the context of an approach that will recognize payments for environmental services provided to local communities, could contribute to the conservation and maintenance of the rich biodiversity in a region that has one of the highest levels of endemism in the world.     

Succession and management of tropical dry forests in the Americas: Review and new perspectives

Understanding tropical forest succession is critical for the development of tropical forest conservation strategies worldwide, given that tropical secondary forests can be considered the forests of the future. Tropical dry forests (TDF) are among the most threatened tropical ecosystems, there are more secondary forests and forest restoration efforts that require a better understanding of successional processes. The main goal of this synthesis for this special issue on the ecology and management of tropical dry forests in the Americas is to present a summarized review of the current knowledge of the ecology and management implications associated to TDF succession. We explore specific issues associated to tropical dry forest succession with emphasis on the use of chronosequences, plant diversity and composition, plant phenology and remote sensing, pollination, and animal–plant interactions; all under the integrating umbrella of ecosystem succession. We also emphasize the need to conduct socio-ecological research to understand changes in land-use history and its effects on succession and forest regeneration of TDF. We close this paper with some thoughts and ideas associated with the strong need for an integrating dimension not considered until today: the role of cyberinfrastructure and eco-informatics as a tool to support sound conservation, management and understanding of TDF in the Americas.     

Genetic variation in wood color and its correlations with tree growth and wood density of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calycophyllum spruceanum</Emphasis> at an early age in the Peruvian Amazon

Calycophyllum spruceanum (Benth.) Hook. f. ex K. Shum. is an important timber-tree species in the Peruvian Amazon Basin. Markets currently prefer wood with a uniform, light yellow color, but these preferences may change in the future. As farmers and industry commonly use wood from young trees, it is important to investigate genetic and environmental variation in juvenile-wood properties to assess whether tree improvement programs could make adjustments to changing preferences. A provenance/progeny test was established to evaluate genetic variation in growth and wood properties of young trees, the strength of their genetic control as well as their interrelationships both at the genetic and the phenotypic level in different planting zones. This paper presents analyses of variation in wood color at 39 months, and their correlations with tree growth and wood basic density. CIELab means for lightness ranging from black to white (L), green to red hues (a*) and blue to yellow hues (b*) were 67.63, 5.34 and 22.12, respectively; means for chroma (C) and hue angle (h)* were 22.76 and 76.43, respectively (C and h* were estimated from a* and b*). Significant variation due to provenances and especially due to families within provenances was found in some wood color characteristics, and some color characteristics also differed significantly among planting zones. Genetic correlations indicate that, in general, selection of faster growing trees and/or trees with denser wood would have little effect on wood color and its uniformity. In general, wood color had relatively low heritability (h _i ²): among all trees, h _i ² = 0.31 for L; and variance due to families was not significant for a* and b*. Genetic control of color was highest in the planting zone where trees grew most rapidly: h _i ² = 0.48 and 0.52 for a* and b*, respectively; but variance due to families was not significant for L. Results suggest that selection based on wood color would be more effective in zones with more fertile soils and higher rainfall.      

National inventory and prioritization of crop wild relatives in Spain

Crop wild relatives (CWR) have recently received significant attention due to their value as plant genetic resources and their contribution to world food security. We present a prioritized checklist of CWR in Spain in which the criteria of crossability with crops of economic importance, endemicity and threat status have been taken into account. First, we selected a list of genera corresponding to the most relevant crops for Spain and at the international level. These crops were classified into use categories (Food, Forage & Fodder, Ornamental, and Industrial & Other uses) depending on their main use. The wild plant species native to Spain belonging to these genera were then listed. After evaluation by national experts in plant breeding, the resulting checklist contained 929 species. Further selection based on crossability, endemicity and threat status led to the generation of the Prioritized Spanish Checklist of crop wild relatives containing 578 species. Thirty-two percent of these species belong to the Forage & Fodder use category, 28% to the Ornamental category, 24% to the Food category and 16% to the Industrial & Other uses category. Thirty-five percent of the prioritized species are endemic to Spain, and over one-fourth are classified under some category of threat according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Endemicity and threat status rates in the Prioritized Spanish Checklist of CWR were higher than those found in the prioritized CWR inventories of other countries. A ex situ assessment reporting number of accessions showed that 70% of the prioritized Spanish CWR have accessions preserved in genebanks.     

Creep feeding effects on male Nellore calves influencing behavior and performance of their dams

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different schemes of calves’ supplementation in a creep feeding system, on the behavior of Bos indicus calves and dams, and also the influence of the calves’ supplementation on dams’ performance. Forty-eight Nellore male calves (147 ± 7 kg body weight and 3 months of age) in the suckling phase and their dams (476 ± 9 kg and 6 years of age) were studied in a completely randomized design. The experiment was divided into two periods of 71 days. The treatments were 5- and 10-g supplement dry matter (DM)/kg BW day offered in periods 1 and 2, respectively (5S/10S); 10- and 5-g supplement DM/kg BW day offered in periods 1 and 2, respectively (10S/5S); 7.5-g supplement DM/kg BW day in both periods 1 and 2 (7.5S); and mineral mix ad libitum in both periods 1 and 2 (MM). No differences (P < 0.05) in body condition score (BCS), final body weight (FBW), and average daily gain (ADG) were found in dams’ performance. Calves from MM treatment spent more time (P < 0.05) grazing than the supplemented calves from 5S/10S and 10S/5S treatments, in the first period. No difference in suckling time was found between the treatments (P > 0.05) in the first evaluated period. Calves from 10S/5S treatment spent more time suckling and less time eating supplements (P < 0.05) than 5S/10S treatment animals, in the second evaluated period. Dams of MM treatment’s calves had more idle time and lower grazing time when compared with the mothers of calves from 5S/10S and 10S/5S treatments. It was concluded that different schedules of Nellore calves’ supplementation on pasture do not affect their mothers’ performance, and supplementation decreases the grazing time of calves in the suckling phase.     

Seroepidemiological survey on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptospira</Emphasis> spp. infection in wild and domestic mammals in two distinct areas of the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil

Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease that causes severe reproductive problems in livestock and generates economic losses for farmers. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in small mammals, both wild and domestic, in two distinct areas of the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil: the National Park of Serra das Confusões (NPSC), state of Piauí, a preserved area; and rural areas in the municipalities of Petrolina and Lagoa Grande, state of Pernambuco, non-preserved areas. Serum samples were evaluated using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Approximately 4% (6/152) of the wild animals were positive, all of them in the non-preserved area. Overall, the seroprevalence rates among goats and sheep were 13.4 (77/576) and 4.6% (24/518), respectively, confirmed in both areas. The seroprevalence rates in dogs and cats were 5.6 (10/180) and 4.7% (2/43) and were determined only in the non-preserved area. The risk factors associated with Leptospira spp. infection were as follows: ages of 1–3 and > 3 years for goats and sheep, region (preserved area) for goats, intensive management system for sheep, and region (non-preserved area) for dogs and wildlife. The present study confirmed the presence of circulation of Leptospira spp. in both of these areas of the Caatinga biome, as well as a variety of serotypes in these areas.