Economics of Fiber Separation from Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) Using Sieving and Elutriation

Separation of fiber from distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) provides two valuable coproducts: 1) enhanced DDGS with reduced fiber, increased fat and increased protein contents and 2) fiber. Recently, the elusieve process, a combination of sieving and elutriation was found to be effective in separating fiber from two commercial samples of DDGS (DDGS‐1 and DDGS‐2). Separation of fiber decreased the quantity of DDGS, but increased the value of DDGS by increasing protein content and produced a new coproduct with higher fiber content. Economic analysis was conducted to determine the payback period, net present value (NPV), and internal rate of return (IRR) of the elusieve process. The dependence of animal foodstuff prices on their protein content was determined. Equipment prices were obtained from industrial manufacturers. Relative to crude protein content of original DDGS, crude protein content of enhanced DDGS was higher by 8.0% for DDGS‐1 and by 6.3% for DDGS‐2. For a dry‐grind plant processing corn at the rate of 2,030 metric tonnes/day (80,000 bushels/day), increase in revenue due to the elusieve process would be $0.4 to 0.7M/year. Total capital investment for the elusieve process would be $1.4M and operating cost would be $0.1M/year. Payback period was estimated to be 2.5–4.6 years, NPV was $1.2–3.4M, and IRR was 20.5–39.5%.     

Identification and Molecular Mapping of a Gene Conferring Resistance to Pyrenophora tritici-repentis Race 3 in Tetraploid Wheat

ABSTRACT Race 3 of the fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, causal agent of tan spot, induces differential symptoms in tetraploid and hexaploid wheat, causing necrosis and chlorosis, respectively. This study was conducted to examine the genetic control of resistance to necrosis induced by P. tritici-repentis race 3 and to map resistance genes identified in tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum). A mapping population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was developed from a cross between the resistant genotype T. tur-gidum no. 283 (PI 352519) and the susceptible durum cv. Coulter. Based on the reactions of the Langdon-T. dicoccoides (LDN[DIC]) disomic substitution lines, chromosomal location of the resistance genes was determined and further molecular mapping of the resistance genes for race 3 was conducted in 80 RILs of the cross T. turgidum no. 283/Coulter. Plants were inoculated at the two-leaf stage and disease reaction was assessed 8 days after inoculation based on lesion type. Disease reaction of the LDN(DIC) lines and molecular mapping on the T. turgidum no. 283/Coulter population indicated that the gene, designated tsn2, conditioning resistance to race 3 is located on the long arm of chromosome 3B. Genetic analysis of the F(2) generation and of the F(4:5) and F(6:7) families indicated that a single recessive gene controlled resistance to necrosis induced by race 3 in the cross studied.     

Organic-acid-producing,phytate-mineralizing rhizobacteria and their effect on growth of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan)

Phytates represent a significant pool of organic phosphorus (Po) that is largely unavailable to plants. This study deals with phytate-mineralizing (PM), organic-acid-producing (OAP) rhizobacterial isolates, their characterization and their effect on plant growth. Their genetic diversity was assessed by 16S rRNA amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) and selected isolates were identified by partial sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. Na-phytate and Po rich poultry farm manure (PFM) used as sources of phosphorus in semi-solid-agar (SSA) medium and soil respectively, for plant inoculation studies, where Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea) used as plant. Of thirty-nine rhizobacterial isolates, nineteen were proficient at releasing phosphate (Pi) (up to 85 μg/ml) from sparingly soluble calcium (Ca)-phytate and concomitantly decreasing the pH of minimal medium with 100 mM glucose from 8.0 to below 5. When the medium contained glycerol in place of glucose, Ca-phytate remained undissolved with no significant Pi released and no decline in pH. Genetic diversity of phytate-mineralizing (PM) rhizobacterial isolates suggests that the isolates mainly fall in two populations: acid-producing (AP) population (mainly represented by members of Enterobacteriaceae) and non-AP population. OAP-PM rhizobacterial isolates were identified as Citrobacter, Pantoea, Klebsiella and Enterobacter species. Organic acids (OAs) secreted by PM isolates were detected by HPLC, showed secretion of gluconic and acetic acids. Importance of OAs in Ca-phytate dephosphorylation was demonstrated in vitro using A. ficuum phytase. Gluconate and acetate additions enhanced phytase catalyzed dephosphorylation of Ca-phytate in vitro. Sonicated cell lysates of isolates showed significant Pi release from Ca-phytate compared to whole cells, indicating inaccessibility of Ca-phytate due to poor solubility. Selected isolates showed that they possess cell-associated acid phytase and modulators of phytase activity suggested that the enzymes are histidine acid phosphatase (HAP) type of phytase. OAP-PM isolates PP1 and DHRSS showed significant increase in dry shoot/root ratio and P content of shoot in Na-phytate containing semi-solid agar (SSA) medium, but isolate DHRSS did not increase dry shoot/root ratio in soil experiments containing poultry farm manure as source of P, although it significantly increased shoot P content of plants. The inoculation of isolates enhanced the shoot P content and dry shoot/root ratio, but did not increase the dry weight in SSA medium. It may be concluded that some OAP-PM rhizobacterial isolates that release P from Ca-phytate show increase in shoot P content in phytate containing SSA medium and in soils.     

Assessment of cocoa input needs using soil types and soil spectral analysis

In this study, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) approach was examined for making input recommendations in the smallholder cocoa farms of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Soil samples were collected from four provinces of PNG. Soil samples from four different depths (0–10, 10–30, 30–60 and 60–90 cm) of 32 profiles in each of these site were used to create a database of soil chemical and physical properties. Spectral reflectance values at 1 nm interval covering visible to shortwave‐infrared (350–2,500 nm) were collected for each of these soil samples to develop partial least squares regression models. Soil textural fractions, soil organic carbon contents and available N were well predicted by the DRS approach with R² values larger than 0.75. Moderate to poor estimation efficiencies were observed for remaining parameters. Nevertheless, the estimated soil attributes and their corresponding measured soil parameters were used as inputs to an input recommendation model of soil diagnosis to create input recommendation for a targeted cocoa yield of 1,000 kg dry cocoa beans ha^‐1 Resulting input recommendations were similar for both of these input sources (measured and DRS‐estimated) suggesting that the DRS approach may provide an easy way to create input recommendations.     

First report of Curvularia eragrostidis leaf spot on Populus deltoides

Poplars are affected by a large number of foliar pathogens in nurseries and in the field, which result in biomass reductions. Management of these diseases is essential to minimise losses. During field surveys between 2008 and 12, an unrecognized leaf spot disease was observed on several commercial clones of P. deltoides (G‐48, Udai, WSL‐22 & WSL‐39). The pathogen was identified as Curvularia eragrostidis. Pathogenicity was proven on all host clones. This paper is the first report of the pathogen affecting poplars.     

Composition,structure and diversity characterization of dry tropical forest of Chhattisgarh using satellite data

The purpose of this study was to characterize the land use, vegetation structure, and diversity in the Barnowpara Sanctuary, Raipur district, Chhattisgarh, India through the use of satellite remote sensing and GIS. Land cover and vegetation were spatially analyzed by digitally classifying IRS 1D LISS III satellite data using a maximum likelihood algorithm. Later, the variations in structure and diversity in different forest types and classes were quantified by adopting quadratic sampling procedures. Nine land-cover types were delineated: teak forest, dense mixed forest, degraded mixed forest, Sal mixed forest, open mixed forest, young teak plantation, grasslands, agriculture, habitation, and water bodies. The classification accuracy for different land-use classes ranged from 71.23% to 100%. The highest accuracy was observed in water bodies and grassland, followed by habitation and agriculture, teak forest, degraded mixed forest, and dense mixed forest. The accuracy was lower in open mixed forest, and sal mixed forest. Results revealed that density of different forest types varied from 324 to 733 trees ha-1, basal area from 8.13 to 28.87 m2·ha-1 and number of species from 20 to 40. Similarly, the diversity ranged from 1.36 to 2.98, concentration of dominance from 0.06 to 0.49, species richness from 3.88 to 6.86, and beta diversity from 1.29 to 2.21. The sal mixed forest type recorded the highest basal area, diversity was highest in the dense mixed forest, and the teak forest recorded maximum density, which was poor in degraded mixed forests. The study also showed that Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI) was strongly correlated to with the Shannon Index and species richness.     

Characterization of Some Typical Soils of the Miombo Woodland Ecosystem of Kitonga Forest Reserve,Iringa, Tanzania： Physico-Chemical Properties and Classification

Despite the fact that miombo woodland soils have significant implications in global climate change processes, few studies have been done to characterize and classify the soils of the miombo woodland ecosystem of Tanzania. The current study was carried out to map and classify soils of Kitonga Forest Reserve, which is a typical miombo woodland ecosystem, in order to generate relevant information for their use and management. A representative study area of 52 km2 was selected and mapped at a scale of 1：50,000 on the basis of relief. Ten representative soil profiles were excavated and described using standard methods. Soil samples were taken from genetic soil horizons and analyzed in the laboratory for physico-chemical characteristics using standard methods. Using field and laboratory analytical data, the soils were classified according to the FAO-World Reference Base （FAO-WRB） for Soil Resources system as Cambisols, Leptosols and Fluvisols. In the USDA-NRCS Soil Taxonomy system the soils were classified as Inceptisols and Entisols. Topographical features played an important role in soil formation. The different soil types differed in physico-chemical properties, hence exhibit differences in their potentials, constraints and need specific management strategies. Texture varied from sandy to different loams; pH from 5.1 to 5.9; organic carbon from 0.9 g/kg to 20 g/kg; and CEC from 3 cmol/（＋）kg to 24 cmol/（＋）kg. Sustainable management of miombo woodlands ecosystem soils requires reduced deforestation and reduced land degradation.     

Monoparesis in association with feline pulmonary carcinoma: A literature review with 3 new cases

We describe 3 cases of cats that were presented with a sudden onset of monoparesis as a result of arterial thromboembolism without evidence of cardiovascular disease that were subsequently diagnosed with a primary pulmonary carcinoma. Arterial tumor thromboemboli due to pulmonary carcinoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of lameness or paresis in older cats. We theorize that large tumor emboli may obstruct peripheral arteries leading to acute monoparesis.     

Methane emissions from river buffaloes fed on green fodders in relation to the nutriet intake and digestibility

Fifteen male Murrah buffalo calves (15–18 months, 227.98?±?4.44 kg body weight) were distributed randomly in to three equal groups and fed solely on either berseem (G₁), oats (G₂), or chicory fodder (G₃). A digestibility trial followed by methane measurement using SF₆ tracer technique was conducted. No significant difference was observed in nutrient intake; however, crude protein (CP) intake was lower in G₂ (0.35 kg) than G₁ (0.7) and in G₃ (0.71) and non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), and neutral detergent insoluble CP (NDICP) intake was significantly (p?<?0.05) higher in G₃ (1.54 and 0.31 kg) followed by G₂ (1.27 and 0.2 kg) and G₁ (1.06 and 0.18 kg). The digestible dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and ether extract intake was similar in all the groups, whereas the digestible CP and NFC intake was lower in G₂ compared to G₁ and G₃. Chicory- and berseem-fed groups emitted 12.2 and 5.2 % less methane than oats-fed group. However, no significant difference was observed in the absolute methane loss and methane loss as percentage of energy intake (p?>?0.05) among the groups. There was positive correlation between nutrient intake and total methane production. However, an inverse relationship was observed between total digestible carbohydrate intake and methane production (g/kg dry matter intake). The following regression equations were developed to estimate methane production: methane (g/kg BW) = 128.8553 + (167.7456 × dNDFI) + (216.32 × dCPI) ? (40.3313 × dNFCI) and methane (g/d) = ?1.7494 + (41.42 × NDFI) + (39.8686 × CPI) + (0.5197 × NFCI).