Effects of Soil Characteristics on Spring-Harvested Switchgrass Biomass Composition

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a promising bioenergy crop for temperate regions. Overwintering has been used to improve biomass quality, resulting in a more efficient combustion, partially due to a reduction in minerals concentration. This study examines the effects of soil composition on overwintered switchgrass composition. Samples were collected in the spring from 58 environments in Southern Quebec to determine possible relationships between soil composition and biomass quality. Principal component analysis and stepwise regressions were used to identify relationships between soil and biomass compositions. Soil parameters monitored explained 74% of the variation in biomass silicon (Si) concentration, 45% of the variation in ash, and 32% of the variation in magnesium (Mg). Soil composition had limited effects on the concentration of other elements in switchgrass biomass. Switchgrass biomass quality is influenced by soil composition and appears well suited to biomass combustion when overwintered and harvested in the spring.     

伊朗里海森林山坡上生长的欧洲鹅耳根系分布和抗张强度研究

对生长在伊朗北部丘陵地带的8株欧洲鹅耳的根面积比率和根系拉伸强度进行了测定,评估了欧洲鹅耳根系生物力学特性。应用剖面挖掘法测得土层深度为0．1米的样品根面积比率。共用了123份根样品分析根系拉伸强度。结果表明,根面积比率随土层深度增加而减小,变化规律遵从幂函数;上坡面和下坡面根面积比率无统计差别。根系可达到的最大土层深度为0．75米,但是最大根面积比率存在于土层深度0．1米内。下坡面最小和最大根面积比率分别为0．004％和6．431％;而上坡面的根面积比率分别为0．004％和3．995％。上、下坡面根数无显著差异,而且90％以上的根系深入到50-60厘米的土层中。Spearman双变量相关性分析结果表明,根面积比率与根数无显著关系。平均根拉伸强度为31．51±1．05MPa,且根系直径越粗根拉伸强度越小,遵从幂函数变化。图5表1参38。     

Molecular phylogeny and pathotyping of Fusarium solani: a causal agent of Dalbergia sissoo decline

Sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo), commonly known as shisham, is amongst the finest woods of South Asia, but ‘wilt’ disease has caused a rapid decline in this species. The cause of the disease remains uncertain. The aim of this study is to identify the causal agent of the disease and characterize isolates made from diseased trees, based on genomic data and variations in virulence. Samples of infected roots, stems and the ooze exuded from infected trees were obtained from plants showing symptoms in different geographical regions of India for the isolation of microorganisms. Isolates were used to inoculate healthy plants. Based on the morphological characteristics, genus‐ and species‐specific PCR, and in silico analysis of 5.8S rDNA‐ITS regions, of the 38 fungal isolates, 24 and 14 were identified as Fusarium solani and Fusarium sp., respectively. In a pathotyping study, eighteen F. solani isolates, isolated from roots and stem parts of symptomatic plants, induced typical wilt symptoms when inoculated through soil and roots on D. sissoo seedlings of 1–15 months in age. The population of F. solani was the highest in infected roots and the lowest in parts of stems, gradually decreasing with height, and was isolated constantly up to approximately 40% height of the seedling. F. solani isolates used in inoculations were successfully re‐isolated from the rhizosphere, infected roots and wilted stems, as confirmed using isolate‐specific DNA fingerprints. Molecular phylogenies based on rDNA‐ITS sequences showed that the 38 isolates fell into 2 groups. Group I comprised of F. solani isolates from D. sissoo and F. solani sequences in the NCBI GenBank database, whereas group II included Fusarium isolates other than F. solani. These results are helpful in developing integrated control measures for this highly variable pathogen and to establish a base for future population studies.     

Effect of storage temperatures and duration on quality of prepared chicken breast with paprika oleoresin

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of storage temperatures and time on discoloration and oxidation of prepared chicken breast with paprika oleoresin. Freshly prepared chicken breast containing paprika oleoresin was stored at ?2, ?10, ?18°C, and an oscillating temperature between ?10 and ?18°C (?10/?18°C). A significant decrease in redness was detected at ?2, ?10, and ?10/?18°C. The lowest TBARS values and carbonyl contents were observed in the samples stored at ?18°C for 5 weeks. Also, the values of sulfhydryl groups gradually decreased with the increase in storage temperatures and duration. The results suggest a positive correlation between the loss of redness and oxidation in all samples. The findings indicated that the discoloration and oxidation of prepared chicken breast added with paprika oleoresin were inhibited significantly when stored at ?18°C.     

Remarks on genetic diversity and relationship of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Punica protopunica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. granatum</Emphasis> assessed by molecular analyses

Here, two Punica species, viz., P. protopunica Balf. fil., reported as native to Socotra, and P. granatum L., were compared for the first time. Analysis of one P. protopunica and eleven P. granatum accessions was performed using three molecular markers, i.e., sequence related amplified polymorphism (SRAP), target region amplification polymorphism (TRAP), and intron targeted amplified polymorphism (ITAP), along with analysis of pgWD40 sequences, a gene involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis. All markers revealed the relationship between the two species and placed them at 33% similarity. SRAP, TRAP, and ITAP generated a total of 299, 260, and 160 bands, respectively. Of these, 78, 74, and 41 bands were specific for P. protopunica, and 92, 85, and 57 bands, respectively, were shared between both species. Sequence analysis of pgWD40~870 bp amplicons exhibited 100% identity among P. granatum accessions and 98% identity to that of P. protopunica. Phylogenetic analysis of WD40 sequences from monocot and dicot species, including both Punica species confirmed the relation between P. protopunica and P. granatum, supporting earlier reports that P. protopunica could be an ancestral species of P. granatum. Furthermore, the genetic diversity among and within P. granatum accessions from Egypt (3), Mexico (5), and Yemen (3) was assessed. Molecular marker-based relationships among region-bulked accessions was approximately the same (~90% similarity), whereas the degree of genetic variation was altered within each region. Specific bands (alleles) for accessions of each region along with those shared among them were identified. Thus, these bands could be used for pomegranate genotyping and breeding programs.     

Increasing Farm Productivity and Soil Fertility on Sustainable Basis Through “Summer Gap” Utilization with Biochar and Legumes

To reduce reliance on scientific fertilizer due to rapid increase of fertilizer prices and environmental constraint, it necessary to improve crop productivity and soil fertility on sustainable basses. Utilization of “summer gap” through biochar and legumes have pleasant effects on improving crop productivity and soil fertility on long term basses. Two years’ field experiments were conducted on wheat and maize crops with “summer gap” utilization with legumes and biochar at research farm of agronomy, the University of Agriculture Peshawar during 2011–2013. Wheat-maize-wheat cropping system was followed with the adjustment of legumes in “summer gap” (land available after wheat harvest till maize sowing). Legumes i.?e. mung bean, cowpea and Sesbania with a fallow were adjusted in the “summer gap” with and without biochar application. Biochar was included at the rate of 0 and 50?t?ha^-1 with four N levels of 0, 90, 120, 150 and 0, 60, 90, 120?kg?ha^-1 to subsequent maize and wheat crops, respectively. In legumes’ experiment, biochar increased fresh and dry fodder yield in cowpea and Sesbania, grain and biological yields in mung bean. In maize experiments, biochar improved grain yield. Nitrogen application increased grain and biological yields. In wheat experiments with increasing nitrogen level enhanced biological and grain yields. It is concluded that use of biochar and legumes in “summer gap” improve overall farm productivity and soil fertility on sustainable basses.     

Molecular Genetic Analysis of the Variable Number of Tandem-Repeat Alleles at the Phenylalanine Hydroxylase Gene in Iranian Azeri Turkish Population

Background:

The variable numbers of tandem-repeat (VNTR) alleles at the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene have been used in carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis in phenylketonuria families. This study was carried out to analyze VNTR alleles at the PAH gene in Iranian Azeri Turkish population.

Methods:

In this study, 200 alleles from general population were studied by PCR.

Results:

The frequencies of VNTR alleles were 45%, 46%, 2%, 3%, 1%, and 3% in studied group regarding 3, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13 repeat copies, respectively. Statistically significant differences were not found between expected and observed frequencies of VNTR genotypes (P > 0.05).

Conclusions:

VNTR alleles with three and eight repeats were frequent, and the VNTR alleles with 13 repeats showed 3% frequency in the tested group. This study is the first report on tested population genetic structure using VNTR alleles at the PAH gene. Key Words: Phenylalanine hydroxylase, Population genetics, Variable numbers of tandem-repeat     

How does organic matter affect the physical and mechanical properties of forest soil?

Determining the physical and mechanical properties of soil and its behavior for engineering projects is essential for road construction operations. One of the most important principles in forest road construction, which is usually neglected, is to avoid mixing organic matter with road materials during excavation and embankment construction. The current study aimed to assess the influence of organic matter on the physical properties and mechanical behaviors of forest soil and to analyze the relation between the amount of organic matter and the behavior of forest soil as road material. A typical soil sample from the study area was collected beside a newly constructed roadbed. The soil was mixed with different percentages of organic matter(control treatment, 5, 10, and 15% by mass) and different tests including Atterberg limits, standard compaction, and California bearing ratio(CBR) tests were conducted on these different soil mixtures. The results showed that soil plasticity increased linearly with increasing organic matter.Increasing the organic matter from 0%(control) to 15%resulted in an increase of 11.64% of the plastic limit and 15.22% of the liquid limit after drying at 110 ℃. Also,increasing the organic matter content reduced the soil maximum dry density and increased the optimum moisture content. Increasing the organic matter from 0 to 15% resulted in an increase of 11.0% of the optimum moisture content and a decrease of 0.29 g/cm~3 of the maximum dry density. Organic matter decreased the CBR, which is used as the index of road strength. Adding 15% organic matter to the soil resulted in a decrease of the CBR from 15.72 to 4.75%. There was a significant difference between the two drying temperatures(60 and 110 ℃) for the same organic matter mixtures with lower water content values after drying at 60 ℃. The results revealed the adverse influence of organic matter on soil engineering properties and showed the importance of organic matter removal before excavation and fill construction.     

Nitrogen nutrition and adaptation of glycophytes to saline environment: a review

Relations between nitrogen (N) nutrition and salinity tolerance in plants are multifaceted and varies significantly depending on many soil and plant factors. Saline environment might experience an N dilemma due to the opposing effects of salt ions on N uptake, translocation and metabolism within the plant body. Adequate regulation of N under saline conditions can be a promising approach to alleviate salinity’s effects on plants by ameliorating ion toxicity and nutrient imbalances through its impacts on the uptake and redistribution of salt ions within the plant. Certain N-containing compounds including proline, glycine betaine, proteins and polyamines help the plants to tolerate salinity through their involvement in improving water uptake and water use efficiency, membrane integrity, enzyme activation, hormonal balance, chlorophyll synthesis, stimulation of photosystems and CO₂ assimilation under salinity stress. Nitrogen, particularly NO₃^? represents a stress signal that triggers the activation of antioxidant enzymes to protect the plants against salinity-induced oxidative damage. Furthermore, the source/form of N application can affect not only N-interactions but also the behavior of other nutrients in stress environment. The present review deals with N-salinity relations in plants, particularly glycophytes, emphasizing on N-induced mechanisms which can improve plant adaptation to saline environment.