Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variation in Seed Protein Concentration and Seed Size Affects Soybean Crop Growth and Development

Developing high protein (HP) cultivars is often precluded by the inverse relationship between protein and yield. We hypothesized that attaining HP concentration based on contrasting seed size impacts crop growth and development differently. We screened 97 soybean genotypes and found lines with HP concentration (~450 g kg−1) associated with (i) increased protein content (mg seed−1) in large seed genotypes, and (ii) reduced oil and carbohydrate contents in small seed ones. Then, we evaluated different growth traits in a subset of three HP large and three HP small seed genotypes, as well as in three high-yielding genotypes with average seed size and protein concentration. High-yielding genotypes showed higher leaf area duration and harvest index when compared with HP genotypes, regardless of seed size. High protein large seed was associated with more assimilate availability per seed during seed filling, while HP small seed showed higher leaf area at the beginning of seed fill, more canopy biomass production, and very low levels of assimilate per seed. Results show that selecting for seed protein concentration can impact crop growth and development differently, depending on the strategy used for selection in terms of seed size. These findings, if utilized for parental selection, might contribute to eliminating negative correlations between seed protein and yield, since these strategies may be under different genetic control and/or determine different biophysical constraints. F. Poeta, L. Borrás, and J.L. Rotundo, Dep. de Producción Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Univ. Nacional de Rosario, S2125ZAA, Zavalla, Santa Fe, Argentina. Received 14 Jan. 2016. Accepted 23 June 2016. *Corresponding author ( jrotundo@unr.edu.ar). Assigned to Associate Editor Zenglu Li. Abbreviations: HI, harvest index; HP, high protein; LAI, leaf area index; LAIR5, leaf area index at the beginning of seed filling; LAIperSeed, LAIR5 per unit seed; LAD, leaf area duration; QTL, quantitative trait loci; SenCoef, leaf senescence coefficient; SFD, duration of linear phase of seed filling; SGR, individual seed growth rate; TotBioR7, total biomass at maturity. Published in Crop Sci. 56:1–13 (2016). doi: 10.2135/cropsci2016.01. 0025 © Crop Science Society of America | 5585 Guilford Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA All rights reserved. Published August 18, 2016
Observations of Steinernema Nematode and Tachinid Fly Parasites in Horned Passalus Beetles, Odontotaenius disjunctus, from Georgia, U.S.A.

ABSTRACT: This report describes a series of observations made on 2 parasite species infecting a collection of horned passalus beetles (Odontotaenius disjunctus, n = 135), from Georgia, U.S.A. , that were collected as larvae in the wild and were reared to metamorphosis in captivity. Tachinid fly maggots emerged from 15 beetle larvae (11%) and, when they completed their development into adults, we identified them as Zelia vertebrata, a known but little-studied parasitoid of O. disjunctus. We also observed infections by Steinernema nematodes (n = 11 cases, or 8%), which killed and consumed the carcasses and which produced thousands of infective juveniles in the rearing containers. Based on morphological measurements of infective juvenile and adult worms, these nematodes were consistent with Steinernema carpocapsae, members of which infest the surface of soils and which infect a wide range of insects. This report is the first to describe Steinernema infections in O. disjunctus, and our observations of Z. vertebrata infections and prevalence will be useful for comparative purposes or future study.
Studies in Cyperaceae. IX: Problems in the lectotypification and infrageneric taxonomy of Cyperus L.

The history of the lectotypification of Cyperus with C. esculentus is documented. It is suggested that 1) Mariscus Vahl, Torulinium Desvaux ex Hamilton, and a few small genera are to be included, and that 2) Courtoisina, Pycreus, Queenslandiella, and Kyllinga plus a few more highly specialized, small genera are to be excluded from Cyperus. Cyperus in this circumscription is divided in two groups, the subgenus Anosporum (uniting the species with eucyperoid anatomy), and the subgenus Cyperus (uniting the species with chlorocyperoid anatomy). The hypothesis of a unique origin of the chlorocyperoid anatomy within Cyperus is made highly probable. A full account of the subgeneric and generic synonyms is presented, with an annotated lectotypification for many of these names.
Phytotoxic evaluation of wasteland weed species

To characterize the phytotoxic potential, a laboratory experiment was conducted by considering some prominent wasteland weeds like Parthenium hysterophorus, Croton bonplandianum, Cassia occidentalis, Cassia obtusifolia, Calotropis procera, and Tephrosia purpurea. Aqueous leachates of leaf and root of different concentrations (50 and 100%) were tested against seed germination and seedlings growth of wheat and barley, as test plants. High concentration (100%) of leaf leachates showed remarkable inhibition on seed germination, radicle and plumule length and decreased biomass respectively, closely followed by the 50% concentration of leaf leachates. Maximum inhibition (> 70.00%) was recorded in 100% concentration of P. hysterophorus, C. occidentalis and C. obtusifolia leaf leachates as compared to root leachates (< 65.00%) except P. hysterophorus and similar trend of inhibition in radicle, plumule length and biomass was recorded. Root leachates showed least inhibitory effects at 50% concentration whereas 100% root leachates were comparatively more effective than 50% leaf leachates. A statistically significant interaction between leachates, concentrations and plants (P < 0.001) was observed; hence a significant inhibition was seen at higher concentration of leaf leachates. Inhibition potential of considered weeds clearly indicates the presence of phytotoxic chemicals in their tissues that supports them in establishment, competing and replacement of surrounding flora.
Exercício físico no ganho de peso e resultados perinatais em gestantes com sobrepeso e obesidade: uma revisão sistemática de ensaios clínicos

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exercise on weight gain and perinatal outcomes among overweight and obese pregnant women, through a systematic review in MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, and SciELO. We included ten clinical trials that evaluated the effectiveness of exercise with or without combined diet in the control of gestational weight gain. Three studies were randomized, and methodological quality was assessed using the CONSORT 2010 Checklist, but none met all the criteria. Four studies showed weight gain differences between groups. The majority (60%) of studies showed no differences in perinatal outcomes (mode of delivery, gestational age at birth, birth weight). In conclusion, few studies confirmed the positive effect of exercise in controlling weight gain during pregnancy, thus requiring more research in this direction. Regarding perinatal outcomes, mild to moderate exercise does not appear to be decisive for perinatal outcomes, and is safe for pregnant women with overweight and obesity.
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) (Fabaceae) landrace diversity in Northern Ethiopia.

This study was carried out to identify and document the landrace (farmers’ variety) diversity and ethnobotany of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. ) (Fabaceae) in Northern Ethiopia. A total of 54 germplasm accessions and six representative voucher specimens of cowpea were collected from different geographical locations of Ethiopia ranging from 1260–2140 m a.s. l. within the grid references of 10o 00’ to 14o 00’ N and 38o 00’ to 40o 00’ E. Of these, 45 (83%) were local farmers’ varieties and 9 (17%) were commercial varieties introduced by the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture and the Melkassa Agricultural Research Center (MARC). The majority of farmers (60) (75%) preferred the erect type of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata subsp. cylindrica (L.) Verdc. farmers’ variety locally named Kimite (short drought resistant) and subsp. cylindrica (L.) Verdc. farmers’ variety Chekele (dry season crop). The spreading type of cowpea (subsp. unguiculata farmers’ variety Jergadie - stretched type) produces much more vegetative parts than grains. Farmers mainly used it for improving soil fertility and for animal feed. In Amhara Region, cowpea is mainly used for human food in the form of boiled grains (Nifro), bread (Kita) and as ingredient for various sauces (Shiro Wet). There are high potential areas for cowpea production; but the actual production by local farmers is restricted to only few areas. Given the current paucity in making use of the locally available germplasm by farmers, the responsible body (MARC) for cowpea research and development would need to mount an aggressive enhancement and/or distribution of the important cowpea landraces to the areas where the crop can be suitably grown by local small scale farmers. Key words: Cowpea, Ethiopia, ethnobotany, farmers’ knowledge, farmers’ variety, landrace.
Foliar nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry of alien invasive plants and co-occurring natives in Xishuangbanna

Aims How alien invasive plants and co-occurring native plants utilize nutrients is one of major issues in invasion ecology. Foliar nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents and stoichiometry can elucidate the uptake ability and limitation status of nutrients in plants, which provides basic knowledge for understanding the invading ability and co-occurrence or disappearance of plants. Methods Based on typical alien invasive plants ( Chromolaena odorata, Ageratina adenophora ) and native plants in southwestern China, this study focused on strategies of N and P utilization among invasive plants and native plants under different invasion conditions. The species compositions, aboveground biomass, leaf N and P contents and leaf N:P were investigated for plants in plots with no invasion and with different invasion extents (estimated by the plot-based percentage of invaders’ biomass in total community) at Mt. Kongming in Xishuangbanna region, Yunnan Province, China. of . A . adenophora, although the aboveground biomass was greatly enhanced. Leaf N and P contents did not differ between the two studied invaders, but they showed significantly higher N and P levels than both co-occurring and only native species ( p < 0.05). Besides, leaf N and P contents of invaders increased with the invasion extent, and leaf N of native plants also showed an increasing trend with the invasion extent. When the influence of invasion was checked for the same species, leaf P contents decreased, whereas leaf N and N:P increased for most native plants under invasion. Based on the absolute foliar N and P contents, N:P values, we inferred that native plants were still limited by N, although N availability might be enhanced by invasion. Both invasive plants had leaf N:P values lower than 10, suggesting a higher P uptake relative to N uptake. All above results highlighted a higher N and P uptake of typical alien invasive plants in southwestern China.
Nanosilica and jasmonic acid as alternative methods for control Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in tomato crop under field conditions

Abstract Recently, Tuta absoluta became one of the major pests that attack commercial tomato globally. Field test was done to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of nanosilica (NS) and jasmonic acid (JA), and compared them with indoxacrb (recommended insecticide) on reduction of damage rate caused by T. absoluta larvae under field conditions. Nanosilica (600 ppm) and indoxacrb (0.25 cm3/L) had the highest efficiency to reduce the rate of mines in the leaves. Jasmonic acid at rate 1.141 μM/plant showed a good reduction of number of fruits damaged. Nanosilica with 600 ppm concentration and Jasmonic acid at rate 1.141 μM/plant is used to control T. absoluta in the field.
Evaluation of antagonistic plants for root-knot nematode (meloidoygyne spp.) management in tomato

Tomato is attacked by several plant parasitic nematodes but root-knot nematodes are the most important causing considerable losses. Studies were undertaken in the greenhouse to determine the suppressiveness of a wide range of plant species to root knot (Meloidogyne spp.) nematodes. Plants were grown in pots and inoculated with 6000 eggs and /or juveniles. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with 10 replications. After sixty days, the experiment was terminated and galling, egg mass indices and juvenile counts determined on a scale of 1-9 and the modified Baermann funnel technique, respectively. A field experiment was conducted to verify the greenhouse results in nematode infested microplots. This was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. After three months the experiment was terminated and similar data taken. Among the plants tested, Tagetes patula, Gossypium hirsutum, Desmodium unicinatum, Chloris gayana, Zea mays, Alstromeria sp. , Capscium allium, Crotalaria juncea, Arachis hypogaea, Sorghum bicolor, Tithonia diversiflora and Pennisetum purpureum were rated as suppressive with galling and egg mass indices ranging from 0-3. High galling and egg mass indices of 7.09. 0 were recorded on Allium cepa, Statice sp. , Brassica oleracea var. capitata, Helianthus annuus, Lablab purpureus, Coriandum sativum and Vigna subterranea while the rest of the other plants were rated moderately resistant with galling and egg mass indices ranging from 3.0-6.1. Results of an experiment conducted in the greenhouse to determine the level of root penetration of resistant plants by Meloidogyne juveniles showed that penetration was lower in some plants. Penetration was 95% lower in 7. patula and 80% lower in crotalaria as compared to the control (tomato). Damage by nematodes was significantly (P< 0.05) reduced in tomato plants planted following a crop of sweetcorn alone or in combination with Tagetes patula, Crotalaria juncea, sorghum bicolor and Asparagus sp. in the field. After the first season, nematode population density continued to decrease in all the treatments while it continued to increase throughout the two seasons under tomato monoculture. Tomato plants grown in association with Tagetes patula, rhodes grass and sweetcorn had lower galling indices of not more than 1.5 compared to associations with cotton, crotalaria, sorghum, asparagus, garlic, chrysanthemum, tithonia, spring onion and sesame where gall indices were higher than 2.0. This study shows that despite the wide host range of Meloidogyne species, there is a wide range of economically important plants from which suitable candidate crops can be chosen and incorporated into different cropping systems. Some of the plants can be grown for advantages of soil fertility improvement through nitrogen fixization, to prevent soil erosion, quality forage and ornamental value. Extensive on-farm studies in different agroecological zones needs to be carried out and the mechanisms of nematode suppression established.
POTENTIAL DENITRIFICATION AND NITRIFICATION TESTS FOR EVALUATION OF PESTICIDE EFFECTS IN SOIL

The acute toxicity effects of 54 pesticides on denitrification and nitrification in soil were studied in the laboratory. Potential denitrification activity (PDA) was assayed with an acetylene inhibition method, during which the specific growth rate constant of denitrifiers (l-LPDA) could also be determined. Potential ammonium oxidation activity (PAO) was assayed with the chlorate inhibition method. A first screening test of the pesticides at 100 gg active ingredient (a.i.) g-1 dry soil (d.s.), revealed that 23% had a significant effect on PDA, 26% on gPDA and 35% on PAO. For denitrification both stimulatory (8-11% of the pesticides) and inhibitory (15%) effects were observed, while effects on nitrification were all inhibitory. In a subsequent doseresponse test NOEC, EC50 and EC0, were determined for mancozeb (PDA and PAO) and 2,4-DB, ioxynil, maneb, zineb and nitrapyrin (PAO). The NOEC of mancozeb were 1.0 and 0.4 jig a.i. g-1 (d.s.) for PDA and PAO, respectively, and the corresponding EC50 were 7.1 and 2.1 jig a.i. g-, respec-tively. The methods emphasize short incubation periods with relatively short intervals between determination of product formation, thus allowing quantitative measure-ments with kinetic considerations. In addition to being rapid and sensitive, PDA, jPDA and PAO reflect different parts of the bacterial biomass and hence complement each other in the interpretation of test results. Therefore, all three parameters are suitable for inclusion in a test system for assessing effects on the soil environment.
Characteristics of Fungi Growing inside Washing Machines

Four kinds of fungi were cultured on various media, including different surfactants, and their growth was compared. Cladosporium cladosporioides and Aureobasidium sp. , which are common fungi in indoor environments, were inhibited by detergents, especially synthetic detergent. On the other hand, Scolecobasidium sp. and Exophiala alcalophila, the dominant varieties inside washing machines, were not inhibited. Moreover, growth of the latter two fungi was promoted even on media containing 0.25% of detergent. Scolecobasidium sp. and E. alcalophila are thought to utilize detergent as a nutrient, and to be adapted to the environmental conditions inside washing machines.
Algunas consideraciones para la explotación sostenida de la agarófita Gracilaria blodgettii Harvey de la Bahía de Cienfuegos

En este trabajo, se exponen parte de los resultados fundamentales del proyecto territorial sobre la caracterizacion de la Gracilaria blodgettii en la Bahia de Cienfuegos, region Surcentral de Cuba. En la prospeccion a este acuatorio fueron encontrados quince bancos naturales, cuyas caracteristicas comunes han sido la presencia de piedras, conchas y otras estructuras donde las algas pueden fijarse, incompleta dominancia del alga y una profundidad entre 0.2 y 2 metros. Diferentes aspectos biologicos de esta especie fueron evaluados en un banco natural ubicado en la Ensenada de Marsillan, en el periodo comprendido entre 1990 y 1999. Ademas, se realizo un estudio de presion de cosecha en el banco natural de O’ Bourke, cuyos resultados brindan una valiosa informacion para la futura elaboracion de un plan de manejo de esta especie. De acuerdo con los resultados, la variacion anual y estacional de la biomas a humeda fue alta y la biomasa a cosechar fue mayor de abril a junio. La reproduccion por cistocarpos fue mas elevada de febrero a abril y se corroboro ademas una influencia negativa de las grandes lluvias sobre el aumento de la biomasa. Se recomienda el cu ltivo de esta alga como medida preventiva para realizar la explotacion sostenida de la misma con interes de uso loca l debido a que los cambios ambientales, principalmente las precipitaciones, provocan vari aciones en su produccion
Amino acid of six grains and winter wheat forage

Etude de la teneur en aminoacides, de l'equilibre de leur composition, de leur repartition dans le ble-fourrage et le ble-grain, dans le grain de plusieurs cultivars de triticale, de seigle, et pour des cultivars particuliers d'orge, d'avoine et de soja
Canopy dynamics, light interception, and radiation use efficiency of selected loblolly pine families

Needlefall, aboveground net primary production (ANPP), canopy light interception and attenuation, and "radiation use efficiency" of five open-pollinated Ioblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) families were investigated using 100-tree family block plots near Summerville, SC. Family variation in annual needlefall amounts was significant during the fourth (from 4796 to 6191 kg ha -1) and fifth growing seasons (from 4717 to 5721 kg ha-l); needlefall patterns for the poorest performing family were asynchronous from those of the others, with notably higher needlefall rates from April to July. Estimates of ANPP at age 4 yr varied by 16% (from 32.9 to 38.2 Mg ha -1) among families, and were generally commensurate with progeny test rankings based on height growth. The relationship between ANPP and leaf area index (LAI) was both significant and curvilinear, with an apparent optimum level of production (42.6 Mg ha -1) achieved at a LAI of about 13 (all-sided; February). The least productive families had the lowest mean LAI (e.g., 7.9), while the most productive families generally had higher levels of LAI (e.g., 13.6). Significant family differences in canopy light interception were present in every month sampled except June, when photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) interception exceeded 90% for all families. Light extinction coefficients (k) for February differed significantly among the five families, and ranged from 0.28 to 0.38; families with the largest LAIs generally had the lowest values of k and the highest levels of PAR interception. A strong linear relationship (- = O. 74) was found between ANPP and intercepted PAR. Estimates of the dry matter:radiation quotient (; "radiation use efficiency") differed significantly among families, and ranged from 1.33 g MJ -1 to 1.48 g MJ -1. Results of this study suggest that fundamental differences exist in production ecology among Ioblolly pine families, and that canopy-level characteristics such as LAI, PAR interception, and "radiation use efficiency" are important
Genetic Diversity Analysis in Sub-tropical Maize (Zea Mays L.) germplasm

The present investigation was conducted to examine the genetic diversity existing among 50 genotypes of maize, during Rabi-2014sown under randomized block design with three replications. The data were recorded for sixteen quantitative characters to obtain estimates of variability, heritability, genetic advance and genetic divergence. Significant differences were observed among the genotypes for all the characters studied except for number of cobs per plant. High estimates of GCV and PCV were observed for leaf area indexfollowed by leaf area per plant and number of grains per row. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was recorded for leaf area per plant and plant height. MahalanobisD 2 analysis revealed considerable amount of diversity in the material. The 50genotypes were grouped into 8 heterogeneous clusters. Among these clusters,Cluster Ihad maximum number of genotypes (14 genotypes). On the basis of mean performance genotypesHKI 193-1-1, R-13-1, TARUN 83-1-32, R-13-1-17 was found to be the best genotypes in Allahabad agro-climatic conditions. The characters such as leaf area per plant, plant height, days to 50 % tasseling, days to 50 % silking, seed fill duration and cob height showed high heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance which indicates that there is more chance of inheritance from progeny to their offspring, therefore these characters should be given top priority for effective selection.The present investigation revealed that ClusterVI and VIIIwere most diverse.Genotypes constituted in these clusters may be used as parents for future