Brucella proteomes--a review

The proteomes of selected Brucella spp. have been extensively analyzed by utilizing current proteomic technology involving 2-DE and MALDI-MS. In Brucella melitensis, more than 500 proteins were identified. The rapid and large-scale identification of proteins in this organism was accomplished by using the annotated B. melitensis genome which is now available in the GenBank. Coupled with new and powerful tools for data analysis, differentially expressed proteins were identified and categorized into several classes. A global overview of protein expression patterns emerged, thereby facilitating the simultaneous analysis of different metabolic pathways in B. melitensis. Such a global characterization would not have been possible by using time consuming and traditional biochemical approaches. The era of post-genomic technology offers new and exciting opportunities to understand the complete biology of different Brucella species.     

Relationship between Concentrations of Botrytis Cinerea Conidia in Air, Environmental Conditions, and the Incidence of Grey Mould in Strawberry Flowers and Fruits

Atmospheric concentrations of Botrytis cinerea conidia were monitored for two seasons in a strawberry crop in Moguer (Huelva, southwestern Spain). Concentrations of conidia were estimated using a Burkard volumetric spore sampler. A diurnal pattern of conidial release was observed. Airborne conidial concentration was significantly and positively correlated with the average solar radiation and mean temperature, and negatively with rainfall and relative humidity. Among the weather variables considered, solar radiation showed the most consistent results in the regression analysis, explaining over 40% of airborne conidial concentration variability. Correlation between Botrytis fruit rot incidence and accumulated number of conidia over seven days was significant and positive. Two regression models containing three variables explained over 62 and 52% of the fruit rot incidence variability. A positive but non-significant correlation was established between B. cinerea incidence in flowers and airborne conidial concentration. It was not possible to fit a consistent regression model to relate flower infection incidence to conidial concentration or weather variables.     

Starch levels on performance,milk composition and energy balance of lactating dairy cows

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of starch levels in diets with the replacement of citrus pulp for corn on milk yield, milk composition, and energy balance of lactating dairy cows. Twenty-eight multiparous Holstein cows were used in seven 4?×?4 Latin squares conducted concurrently, and each experimental period consisted of 20 days (16 days for adaptation and 4 days for sampling). The experimental treatments comprised four starch levels: 15, 20, 25, and 30 % in the diet. The dry matter intake increased linearly with increasing starch levels. The milk yield and 3.5 % fat-corrected milk yield showed quadratic response to increasing starch levels. The milk protein content and milk total solids content responded linearly to increasing starch levels. The feed efficiency, milk lactose content, milk urea nitrogen, plasma urea nitrogen, and plasma glucose concentration were not affected by starch levels. The estimated net energy for lactation (NE_L) intake increased linearly as the starch level was raised. Although the milk NE_L output per kilogram of milk was not affected by starch, the milk NE_L output daily responded quadratically to starch levels. In addition, the NE_L in body weight gain also responded quadratically to increasing starch levels. The efficiency of energy use for milk yield and the NE_L efficiency for production also responded quadratically to increasing starch levels. Diets for mid-lactating dairy cows producing around 30 kg/day of milk should be formulated to provide around 25 % starch to optimize performance.

     

Deforestation and Cultivation with Maize (Zea mays L.) has a Profound Effect on the Bacterial Community Structure in Soil

In this study, the effect of deforestation and cultivation of maize (Zea mays L.) on the physicochemical characteristics and the bacterial community structure in soil were studied at the national park Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Nevado de Toluca in Mexico. Soil was sampled from three forested areas in the national park, from three deforested areas grazed by animals and from three areas cultivated with maize. The soil was characterized chemically and biologically, whilst the bacterial community structure was investigated through 454 pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The pH in the forest soil decreased from 6·1 to 5·3 in the maize‐cultivated soil, whilst the soil organic C content decreased 1·4 times in the arable soil compared with the forest soil. The microbial biomass C decreased 2·9 times in the arable soil compared with the forest soil, but the metabolic quotient qCO₂ (ratio basal respiration to microbial biomass C) nearly doubled. Deforestation and maize cultivation reduced the abundance of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes, whereas Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes and Firmicutes were resistant to these changes. It was found that soil characteristics were affected negatively by deforestation and nearly half of the organic matter was lost, and on these sloped fields, erosion will be high, further decreasing soil fertility. Although the relative abundance of a number of bacterial groups was reduced by deforestation, others were not affected by land‐use change. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Screening of Argentinian plants for pesticide activity

Aerial parts of 27 plant species native to Argentina were tested in anti-insect, germination inhibition and bactericide bio-assays. In antifeedant assays on Epilachna paenulata larvae, 11 species showed strong feeding deterrent effects (higher than 90% at 200 microg/cm(2)). Twelve plants strongly inhibited the germination of Avena sativa seeds, but only six inhibited Raphanus sativum germination at 10 mg/ml. Four plants showed complete growth inhibition of Escherichia coli at a concentration of 2 mg/ml.     

Suspended culture evaluation of Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas in a tropical estuary

The growth and survival of Crassostrea gigas were evaluated in hanging culture in the Chone River estuary (Bahía de Caráquez), Manabí province, Ecuador. Oyster seeds (~10 mm) were confined in lantern nets at a density equal to the occupation of half the surface of the basket base, until reaching commercial size (80 mm). A sample for oyster biometric, parasitic and bacterial analysis was obtained monthly. Temperature, salinity, oxygen concentration, seston and phytoplankton biomass were determined. At the end of the study, the oysters were analysed for heavy metal concentration. The commercial oyster production was extrapolated to estimate the possible economic performance of a family production module (a 7 × 7 m bamboo raft). The results show a great biological feasibility of culture of C. gigas with harvests of commercial size oysters in only 5 months and acceptable survivals (accumulated >70%, after 3 weeks of crop seed selection). The heavy metal concentrations and the parasitological and bacteriological analyses did not indicate levels of contamination. The economic projections suggest that, even with a profitability of 57%, the initially invested capital could be recovered within the first harvest.     

Midinfrared spectroscopy for juice authentication-rapid differentiation of commercial juices

The determination of food authenticity is a crucial issue for food quality and safety. Midinfrared spectroscopy provides rapid chemical profiling of agricultural products and could become an effective tool for authentication when coupled to chemometrics. This study developed a simple protocol for classifying commercial juices using attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy. Spectra from a total of 52 juices together with their extracted sugar-rich and phenol-rich fractions were obtained to construct multivariate models [hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA)] for pattern recognition analysis and prediction. Spectra of the sugar-rich fraction, comprised primarily of sugars and simple acids, almost superimposed the whole juice spectra. Solid-phase extraction enriched phenol compounds and provided signature-like spectral information that substantially improved the SIMCA modeling power over the whole juice or sugar-rich fraction models and allowed for the differentiation of juices with different origins. Zero percent misclassification was achieved by the phenol-rich fraction model. HCA successfully recognized the natural grouping of juices based on ingredients similarity. The infrared technique assisted by a simple fractionation and chemometrics provided a promising analytical method for the assurance of juice quality and authenticity.     

Susceptibility of eucalypt taxa to a natural infestation by Leptocybe invasa

New Forests - Recently, pest occurrence in forest plantations has been increasing influenced by genotypes and environmental conditions such as climate change, thus impacting production negatively....     

Ecological intensification of cropping systems enhances soil functions,mitigates soil erosion,and promotes crop resilience to dry spells in the Brazilian Cerrado

Water scarcity threatens global food security and agricultural systems are challenged to achieve high yields while optimizing water usage. Water deficit can be accentuated by soil physical degradation, which also triggers water losses through runoff and consequently soil erosion. Although soil health in cropping systems within the Brazilian Cerrado biome have been surveyed throughout the years, information about soil erosion impacts and its mitigation are still not well understood; especially concerning the role of cropping system diversification and its effects on crop yield. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess whether ecological intensification of cropping systems –inclusion of a consorted perennial grass and crop rotation– could promote soil coverage and consequently decrease water erosion and soil, water, and nutrient losses. This work studied the effects of crop rotation and consorted Brachiaria, along with different levels of investment in fertilization on soil physical quality and on soil, water, and nutrient losses, and crop yields. Results proved that soybean monoculture (SS) is a system of low sustainability even under no-till in the Brazilian Cerrado conditions. It exhibited high susceptibility to soil, water, and nutrient losses, causing low crop yields. Our results showed that water losses in SS cropping system were approximately 10% of the total annual rainfall, and total K losses would require an additional 35% of K application. Conversely, ecological intensification of cropping systems resulted in enhanced soil environmental and agronomic functions, increased grain yield, and promoted soil and water conservation: high soil cover rate, and low soil, water and nutrient losses. Ecological intensification proved to be an adequate practice to boost crop resilience to water deficit in the Brazilian Cerrado.