A comparison of popular approaches to optimize landscape resistance surfaces

Landscape Ecology - Landscape resistance surfaces are often used to address questions related to movement, dispersal, or population connectivity. However, modeling landscape resistance is...     

The value of linking paleoecological and neoecological perspectives to understand spatially-explicit ecosystem resilience

Context

Predicting ecosystem resilience is a challenge, especially as climate change alters disturbance regimes and conditions for recovery. Recent research has highlighted the importance of spatially-explicit disturbance and resilience processes to long-term ecosystem dynamics. “Neoecological” approaches characterize resilience mechanisms at relatively fine spatio-temporal resolutions, but results are difficult to extrapolate across broad temporal scales or climatic ranges. Paleoecological methodologies can consider the effects of climates that differ from today. However, they are often limited to coarse-grained spatio-temporal resolutions.

Methods

In this synthesis, we describe implicit and explicit examples of studies that incorporate both neo- and paleoecological approaches. We propose ways to build on the strengths of both approaches in an explicit and proactive fashion.

Results

Linking the two approaches is a powerful way to surpass their respective limitations. Aligning spatial scales is critical: Paleoecological sampling design should incorporate knowledge of the spatial characteristics of the disturbance process, and neoecological studies benefit from a longer-term context to their conclusions. In some cases, modeling can incorporate non-spatial data from paleoecological records or emerging spatial paleo-data networks with mechanistic disturbance/recovery processes that operate at fine spatiotemporal scales.

Conclusions

Linking these two complementary approaches is a powerful way to build a complete understanding of ecosystem disturbance and resilience.

     

Root‐associated microbes in sustainable agriculture: models,metabolites and mechanisms

Since the discovery of penicillin in 1928 and throughout the ‘age of antibiotics’ from the 1940s until the 1980s, the detection of novel antibiotics was restricted by lack of knowledge about the distribution and ecology of antibiotic producers in nature. The discovery that a phenazine compound produced by Pseudomonas bacteria could suppress soilborne plant pathogens, and its recovery from rhizosphere soil in 1990, provided the first incontrovertible evidence that natural metabolites could control plant pathogens in the environment and opened a new era in biological control by root‐associated rhizobacteria. More recently, the advent of genomics, the availability of highly sensitive bioanalytical instrumentation, and the discovery of protective endophytes have accelerated progress toward overcoming many of the impediments that until now have limited the exploitation of beneficial plant‐associated microbes to enhance agricultural sustainability. Here, we present key developments that have established the importance of these microbes in the control of pathogens, discuss concepts resulting from the exploration of classical model systems, and highlight advances emerging from ongoing investigations. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

有机态和无机态硼对柑橘枳橙砧木生长及生理的影响

以柑橘枳橙[Citrus siinensis(L.)Osb.×Poncirus trifoliata(L.)Raf.]砧木为试验材料,采用水培方式,研究有机态山梨醇—硼和无机态硼酸对其生长及各种生理指标的影响。两种形态硼都能增加砧木幼苗各部位的干、鲜质量和株高;有机态山梨醇—硼对地下部生长的促进作用尤为明显。有机态山梨醇—硼比无机态硼酸更易于向叶片等地上部位转运,有机态山梨醇—硼处理根和茎中的硼含量与无机态硼酸处理没有显著差异,但叶片中的硼含量与硼积累量均显著高于无机态硼酸处理,叶片占总硼含量的比例也显著高于无机态硼酸处理。有机态山梨醇—硼处理各部位钾、钙、镁元素含量高于对照,而无机态硼酸处理各部位元素含量则比有机态山梨醇—硼处理高。缺硼易导致叶片中糖类物质的积累,有机态山梨醇—硼比无机态硼酸能更有效地促进叶片中多糖物质的转运,有机态山梨醇—硼处理可溶性糖含量比对照和无机态硼酸处理分别降低26.3%和11.8%,淀粉含量分别降低43.5%和26.1%。在提高枳橙砧木叶片抗逆能力方面,有机态山梨醇—硼效果优于无机态硼酸,两种硼类型处理叶片中脯氨酸和伤害率均显著低于对照,有机态山梨醇—硼和无机态硼酸分别降低了20.6%和19.6%,有机态山梨醇—硼和无机态硼酸处理伤害率降低了13.3%和16.5%,有机态山梨醇—硼处理叶片中丙二醛含量显著低于无机态硼酸处理19.4%。有机态硼对改善枳橙砧木根系的生长发育的作用效果优于无机态硼酸;能有效降低叶片中碳水化合物的含量,有利于光合作用产物顺利转移;而在减少叶片有害物质的积累、保护质膜方面,有机态与无机态硼有同样的效果。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lupinus albus</Emphasis> Conglutin Gamma Modifies the Gene Expressions of Enzymes Involved in Glucose Hepatic Production <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vivo</Emphasis>

Lupinus albus seeds contain conglutin gamma (Cγ) protein, which exerts a hypoglycemic effect and positively modifies proteins involved in glucose homeostasis. Cγ could potentially be used to manage patients with impaired glucose metabolism, but there remains a need to evaluate its effects on hepatic glucose production. The present study aimed to analyze G6pc, Fbp1, and Pck1 gene expressions in two experimental animal models of impaired glucose metabolism. We also evaluated hepatic and renal tissue integrity following Cγ treatment. To generate an insulin resistance model, male Wistar rats were provided 30% sucrose solution ad libitum for 20 weeks. To generate a type 2 diabetes model (STZ), five-day-old rats were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin (150 mg/kg). Each animal model was randomized into three subgroups that received the following oral treatments daily for one week: 0.9% w/v NaCl (vehicle; IR-Ctrl and STZ-Ctrl); metformin 300 mg/kg (IR-Met and STZ-Met); and Cγ 150 mg/kg (IR-Cγ and STZ-Cγ). Biochemical parameters were assessed pre- and post-treatment using colorimetric or enzymatic methods. We also performed histological analysis of hepatic and renal tissue. G6pc, Fbp1, and Pck1 gene expressions were quantified using real-time PCR. No histological changes were observed in any group. Post-treatment G6pc gene expression was decreased in the IR-Cγ and STZ-Cγ groups. Post-treatment Fbp1 and Pck1 gene expressions were reduced in the IR-Cγ group but increased in STZ-Cγ animals. Overall, these findings suggest that Cγ is involved in reducing hepatic glucose production, mainly through G6pc inhibition in impaired glucose metabolism disorders.     

Some Nutritional Characteristics of Enzymatically Resistant Maltodextrin from Cassava (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Manihot esculenta</Emphasis> Crantz) Starch

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) native starch was treated with pyroconversion and enzymatic hydrolysis to produce a pyrodextrin and an enzyme-resistant maltodextrin. Some nutritional characteristics were quantified for both compounds. Pyroconversion was done using a 160:1 (p/v) starch:HCl ratio, 90 °C temperature and 3 h reaction time. The resulting pyrodextrin contained 46.21% indigestible starch and 78.86% dietary fiber. Thermostable α-amylase (0.01%) was used to hydrolyze the pyrodextrin at 95 °C for 5 min. The resulting resistant maltodextrin contained 24.45% dextrose equivalents, 56.06% indigestible starch and 86.62% dietary fiber. Compared to the cassava native starch, the pyrodextrin exhibited 56% solubility at room temperature and the resistant maltodextrin 100%. The glycemic index value for the resistant maltodextrin was 59% in healthy persons. Its high indigestible starch and dietary fiber contents, as well as its complete solubility, make the resistant maltodextrin a promising ingredient for raising dietary fiber content in a wide range of foods, especially in drinks, dairy products, creams and soups.     

施磷水平对不同基因型花生种子发芽期耐寒能力的影响

以3种基因型(耐寒型、中间型和敏感型)共10份花生种子为材料,于6个浓度梯度的过磷酸钙溶液(0浓度为对照)浸泡进行发芽试验,以露白率,发芽率及相对发芽率为指标,研究了在常温(25℃)浸种与低温(2℃)浸种下不同基因型花生种质发芽能力。结果表明:在种子吸胀萌发期,25℃/72h平均露白率由高到低为P2P3P4P1P5P0;2℃/72h平均露白率由高到低P4P2P5P3P1P0,无论常温浸种还是低温浸种,72h露白率都高于对照水平。3种基因型的10份花生种质25℃/120h发芽率明显高于2℃/120h发芽率,经低温处理后,耐寒型种质(S8,B1,Y4)和中间型种质(E4,Q2)发芽率高于中间型种质(H56)和敏感型种质(H33,J11,J19,J4),且敏感型种质随磷浓度的增高种子的发芽率随之增高。通过露白率与发芽率的相关性分析发现,针对不同基因型可以增施不同浓度的磷肥来提高花生种子发芽期的耐寒能力,耐寒型种质以P3最明显,中间型种质以P2最明显,敏感型种质以P5最明显。     

A 3-Year Adaptation Study of Three Distinct Grapevine Cultivars under Midwestern Field Conditions

Simultaneous responses of American (Concord), European (Pinot Noir), and American-European hybrid (Traminette) cultivars to seasonal and diurnal variation in field environmental conditions were assessed to propose suitable cultivars for potential use for selection and breeding in grapevines in dry areas. ‘Pinot Noir’ had higher gas exchange parameters, higher water potential, and chlorophyll fluorescence, while ‘Concord’ had the lowest values in all three seasons and experienced moderate stress by the end of each season. The dry conditions in 2005 caused water potential to decline sharply compared to values recorded in 2004 and 2006. ‘Pinot Noir’ and ‘Traminette’ exhibited a mild stress, while ‘Concord’ exhibited a moderate stress in 2006. Photosynthetic rate decreased slightly during the summer with a slight recovery at the beginning of September, and did not differ across the seasons among cultivars. Stomatal conductance followed the same pattern. However, in both 2004 and 2005, stomatal conductance dropped sharply late in the season because of frequently occurring high temperatures that were greater than 32 °C. Maximum morning values of Fv/Fm were within the optimal range. The study suggests the presence of marginal photoinhibition during mid-summer in Concord cultivars, because no full recovery of photochemical efficiency early in the evening was observed. The European cultivar (Pinot Noir) and the American-European hybrid (Traminette) are more adapted to field conditions in Kansas than Concord cultivars. However, high cold-mortality of Pinot Noir due to high sensitivity to cold winter temperature makes the hybrid cultivars the most suitable cultivar for Midwest regions with relatively cold winters.     

Characterization of Pilot Scale Processed Canadian Organic Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) Juice Pressing Residues and Phenolic-Enriched Extractives

This work examined the processing yields, physico-chemical characteristics, and bioactive properties of Canadian organic cranberry and blueberry pomace and phenolic-enriched extractives. The ethanol extracts from each berry contained three to four times the soluble solids and sugar contents compared to the pomace. The lipid content of organic cranberry pomace (4.44%), cranberry ethanol extractives (3.86%), and blueberry ethanol extractives (4.44%) were significantly lower than the lipid content of the organic blueberry pomace (5.42%). The organic blueberry pomace showed higher protein content (8.41%) than organic cranberry pomace (5.76%); however, both organic cranberry and blueberry ethanol extracts showed similarly low protein contents. Significant differences were observed in the mineral and elemental contents of both pomaces and their extractives. Total phenolics, tartaric esters, flavonols, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activities were increased by two to three times in both organic cranberry and blueberry ethanol extracts compared to their respective pomaces. The major anthocyanins detected in organic blueberry pomace and ethanol extracts were peonidin 3-glucoside, malvidin 3-galactoside, malvidin 3-glucoside, and cyanidin 3-arabinoside. Peonidin 3-galactoside, cyanidin 3-galactoside, cyanidin 3-arabinoside, and peonidin 3-arabinside were the major anthocyanins in the organic cranberry and ethanol extacts. Results indicated that cranberry and blueberry pomace could be used to develop bioactives with antioxidant activity for potential health benefit and/or bioenergy production.