Design and field evaluation of a ground robot for high-throughput phenotyping of energy sorghum

Precision Agriculture - This article describes the design and field evaluation of a low-cost, high-throughput phenotyping robot for energy sorghum for use in biofuel production. High-throughput...     

Optimization of solid-liquid extraction of resveratrol and other phenolic compounds from milled grape canes (Vitis vinifera)

Optimization of the solid-liquid extraction conditions for trans-resveratrol, trans--viniferin, ferulic acid, and total phenolics from milled grape canes has been investigated. The temperature and ethanol concentration were found to be major process variables for all responses, whereas the solvent to solid ratio was found not to be significant for any of the responses studied. The yields of trans-resveratrol, trans--viniferin, and total phenolics increased with increasing temperature. Maximum yields of trans-resveratrol (4.25 mg/g dw), trans--viniferin (2.03 mg/g), and total phenolics (9.28 mg/g dw) were predicted from the combination of a moderate ethanol concentration (50-70%) and the highest temperature (83.6 degrees C), whereas an ethanol concentration of 35% at the lowest temperature studied (16.4 degrees C) was optimal for the extraction of ferulic acid (1.05 mg/g dw). Effective diffusivity values of resveratrol in the solid phase, D eff for different extraction conditions, were calculated by fitting the experimental results to a model derived from the Fick's second law. Effective diffusivity of resveratrol in the solid phase varied from 3.1 x 10 (-13) to 26.6 x 10 (-13) m (2) s (-1) with changing extraction conditions. The increase in effective diffusivity of resveratrol was observed with increasing temperature, and the highest predicted level was obtained when using 54% ethanol/water mixture at 83.6 degrees C. The increase in ethanol concentration exhibited the favorable effect up to 50-55%, thereafter effective diffusivity decreased with a further increase in concentration.     

The Effect of Kefir as a Dietary Supplement on Nonspecific Immune Response and Disease Resistance in Juvenile Rainbow Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum 1792)

In this study, juvenile rainbow trout fed with commercial pellets containing kefir provided increased nonspecific immune response and improved disease resistance against lactococcosis and yersiniosis. Kefir was used as a feed supplement at 2, 5, and 10% inclusion rates and several nonspecific immune parameters were observed at day(s) 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 following the treatment. A total of four experimental groups, including control, was established. The various parameters including hematocrits, nitroblue tetrazolium positive neutrophils, total leukocytes, serum lysozyme activity, total serum protein, and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels were examined. As a result of this study, kefir‐fed fish had an increase in measured nonspecific immune parameters, especially in the group received the 10% kefir treatment. The challenged fish fed with kefir‐supplemented diet showed a better survival rate against Lactococcus garvieae than Yersinia ruckeri. Kefir supplementation reduced fish mortality significantly against L. garvieae.     

Energy Analysis and Emissions of Greenhouse Gases of Pomegranate Production in Antalya Province of Turkey

In this study, energy use patterns and the functional relationship between energy inputs and output for pomegranate production were investigated in Antalya province in Turkey. It further objective to identify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in pomegranate production. Data were obtained from 75 farms using face-to-face interview method. The results indicated that 50,605.5?MJ ? ha^?1 of total energy input was required for 76,252.3?MG ? ha^?1 pomegranate energy output. 1.51 unit energy output was provided by using 1 unit energy input. 1 unit energy output and 1?kg pomegranate require 0.66 unit and 2.57?MJ energy input, respectively. The average CO₂ emission amounts were also calculated to be 1.73?t CO₂ per hectare and 88.1?kg CO₂ per 1000?kg pomegranate production. Electricity, fertilizers and pesticides were the highest contributors to GHG emissions. Both total energy input usage and GHG emission amounts have been found to be decreasing as the farm size increases. Increasing scale of pomegranates orchards will not only increase energy efficiency and productivity but also decrease environmental pollution and damages. The regression analysis revealed that, excessive use of machinery and fuel inputs results in a decline in energy production in pomegranate.     

Properties of Edible Films Made From Anchovy By-Product Proteins and Determination of Optimum Protein and Glycerol Concentration by the TOPSIS Method

In the present study, the physicochemical and mechanical properties of films made from anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus) by-product proteins (ABPs) were characterized as a function of protein (3, 4, and 5%) and glycerol (30, 40, 50, and 60%) concentration. In particular, the thickness, color, transparency, water vapor permeability (WVP), solubility, oxygen permeability (OP), and mechanical properties of the films were measured, and generally, these properties were affected by both protein and glycerol concentration. The thickness, redness, WVP and solubility values of films increased, while their lightness and yellowness values decreased as protein concentration increased. Furthermore, lightness, yellowness, and elongation at break (EAB) values were found to increase at higher glycerol concentrations within ABP films, whereas tensile strength (TS) and elastic modulus (EM) values decreased. ABP films became more transparent with increase of glycerol concentration and decrease of protein concentration. The OP values of all films decreased depending on protein and glycerol concentration. The techniques for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method was used to determine optimum protein and glycerol concentrations. According to this method, an edible film containing 4% protein and 40% glycerol was the best film with a C value of 0.6665.     

Dietary profile of n‐3 series LC‐PUFAs in rainbow trout under regular stripping condition: Semen production and quality,hepato‐somatic index,haemato‐immunologic values,oxidative stress and fatty acid composition of liver,muscle and semen

In this study, the semen production and quality, hepato‐somatic index, haemato‐immunologic values, oxidative stress and the fatty acid contents in liver, muscle and semen of rainbow trout fed diets supplemented n‐3 series long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC‐PUFAs) under regular stripping condition were investigated. For this aim, three diets (Control, D1 and D2) were prepared. These diets were contained n‐3 LC‐PUFAs (as a percentage of dietary total fatty acid) at 3.14%, 7.84% and 13.63% respectively. Experimental fish were fed with the control and test diets. The highest hepato‐somatic index, spermatologic (semen pH and volume, sperm motility and density), haematologic (haematocrit value, haemoglobin, erythrocyte count, corpuscular volume, haemoglobin and its concentration in corpuscular), immunologic (nitroblue tetrazolium activity, leucocyte count, phagocytic index, protein and immunoglobulin [IgM] in total plasma) and antioxidants (reduced glutathione, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) values were found in fish fed the D2, D1 and control diets respectively (p < 0.01). Increase in the dietary n‐3 LC‐PUFAs was not significantly (p > 0.01) increased the oxidative stress (malondialdehyde) in fish. The results indicated that the n‐3 LC‐PUFAs at 13.63% level of total fatty acid in the diet could increase the semen production and quality, hepato‐somatic index, haematologic and immunologic values, and the n‐3 LC‐PUFA contents in liver, muscle and semen of rainbow trout broodstock under regular stripping condition.     

Effects of 17β-estradiol injection on the reproductive efficiency of freshwater crayfish,Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823)

The effects of 17β-estradiol injection (10^?7mol/crayfish) in adult female Astacus leptodactylus on the reproductive efficiency (i.e., pleopodal egg and stage 1 juvenile numbers) were investigated. In addition, hepatosomatic index, gonodosomatic index, and 17β-estradiol (E2) levels of crayfish ovary, hepatopancreas, and heamolymph before and after injections were also determined. Results showed that E2 injection to females enhances the reproductive efficiency of A.leptodctylus. E2 injection significantly increased pleopodal egg and stage 1 juvenile numbers, GSI, HSI, and concentrations of E2 in heamolymph, ovary, and hepatopancreas. However, E2 injection did not accelerate time of mating and proportion of pleopodal egg-berried females at the first week of reproduction season in this species. This study highlights that to improve the reproductive efficiency of A.leptodctylus by using hormones to regulate the ovarian cycle, E2 should be used at least 1.5 months before the commencement of the breeding season.     

Nutrient Loss Following Phragmites australis Removal in Controlled Soil Mesocosms

Mechanisms to remove Common reed (Phragmites australis) typically include a combination of herbicide applications and mechanical cutting or plowing of the soil. The objective of this study was to remove P. australis by various mechanisms and measure the subsequent short-term release of nutrients via simulated rain events. Three rain events of similar duration and intensity were conducted on a control subset and three treatments (above and belowground biomass removal, herbicide application, and basal cut) of soil mesocosms (n?=?6) that were designed to export excess water as either surface runoff or leachate through the soil profile. The dominant pathway for soluble reactive phosphorus (p?<?0.001) and ammonium (p?<?0.001) export were surface runoff while nitrate (p?<?0.001) was leached through the soil profile. More nitrate was exported in the vegetation removal treatments (i.e., biomass removal, herbicide, and basal cut) than the control (p?<?0.001) while more soluble reactive phosphorus was exported in the herbicide and basal cut treatment compared to the control (p?=?0.010). In regards to ammonium, a higher export was observed in the herbicide treatment compared to the control, biomass removal, and basal cut treatments (p?<?0.001). We attribute the higher amount of ammonium export in the herbicide treatment to the fact that the glyphosate herbicide used was in an isopropylamine salt form. After examining pre- and postmanipulation soil cores, there was a larger decrease in extractable ammonium in the control and all treatments compared to soil extractable nitrate, which displayed a smaller decrease and in some treatments actually increased during the course of the experiment. Ultimately, in this study, we observed a strong potential for nitrogen biogeochemistry to occur and the removal of vegetation-enhanced nutrient export.     

Ozone disinfection of eggs from gilthead seabream Sparus aurata, sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax, red porgy, and common dentex Dentex dentex

The risk of fish pathogen transmission via eggs can be reduced by disinfection in ozonated seawater. The aim of this study was to determine the suitable conditions for ozone disinfection of the eggs of gilthead seabream Sparus aurata, sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax, red porgy Pagrus pagrus, and common dentex Dentex dentex. The eggs were disinfected with a concentration (C) of 0.5 mg of ozone/L of water at four different exposure times (T = 2, 4, 8, and 16 min). The hatching rate was determined in triplicate for each treatment. Bacterial colonies were counted on tryptic soy agar and thiosulfate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose agar. At the end of the experiment, bacterial load and hatching rate were assessed together to determine the optimal ozone treatment values, which were estimated in CT units (i.e., C [= 0.5 mg/L] x T [min]). Optimal values were CT 2-4 (T = 4-8 min; 18 degrees C) for gilthead seabream and red porgy, CT 2 (T = 4 min; 18 degrees C) for common dentex, and CT 4 (T = 8 min; 15 degrees C) for sea bass.