Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of micronutrients foliar application on yield and seed oil content of safflower ( Carthamus tinctorius )

In order to investigate the effects of micronutrient foliar application on quantitative traits and seed oil content of safflower, a field experiment was carried out in 2008 to 2009 growing season at Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Zabol University, Iran. The experiment was done using randomized complete block design with three replications. The experiment treatments included of: F1: control, F2: Fe, F3: Zn, F4: B, F5: Mn, F6: Fe+B, F7: Fe+Mn, F8: Fe+Zn and F9: Zn+B. These micronutrient fertilizers were used in two times as: 60 days after planting and 80 days after planting. The results revealed that micronutrients foliar application had a significant effect on seed and biological yield, 1000-seed weight and seed oil percentage; but the harvest index and number of seed per head was not significantly influenced by applied treatments. The maximum seed yield and biological yield as well as 1000-seed weight obtained from F2 treatment and the maximum oil percentage was achieved from F6. Also, maximum number of seed per capitol was obtained from F3. Overall, we concluded that micronutrient had positive effects on quantitative and qualitative traits of safflower in conditions of studied area. Key words: Micronutrient foliar application, yield, oil content, safflower.
The role of Desulfitobacterium spp. in the global network of O-demethylation in soil

Bacteria that belong to the genus Desulfitobacterium are able to cleave the ether bond of lignin-borne phenyl methyl ethers via O-demethylation of the methoxy moiety. Phenyl methyl ethers occur naturally in soils and originate from lignin degradation by white rot fungi under aerobic conditions. In order to assess the possible involvement of the anaerobic desulfitobacteria in the network of lignin degradation in soils, their participation in the O-demethylation of phenyl methyl ethers in the environment was studied. In growth experiments, several Desulfitobacterium spp. were able to O-demethylate the phenyl methyl ethers 4-hydroxyanisole, syringate, vanillate and isovanillate in the presence of fumarate, nitrate, thiosulfate or Fe(III) as electron acceptor. Only D. metallireducens completely lacked this ability. Up to 18 putative demethylase operons were identified in the genomes of desulfitobacteria. Bacterial enrichment cultures that originated from five different topsoils sampled in the vicinity of Jena (Germany) were used to assess desulfitobacterial O-demethylation in anoxic consortia. Enrichment with syringate and thiosulfate triggered an increase in Desulfitobacterium-specific 16S rRNA genes in all cultures as confirmed via quantitative PCR. The enrichment was followed by a loss of desulfitobacterial gene copies over time. Community-scale sequencing suggested an outcompetion of desulfitobacteria by acetogens. To allow a better quantification of desulfitobacteria in environmental samples, a new qPCR assay was established that uses the Desulfitobacterium-specific formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (FTHFS) gene as marker. In contrast to the 16S rRNA gene assay, which detects several gene copies per genome, the new FTHFS assay detects only one gene copy. It is concluded that Desulfitobacterium spp. are involved in the O-demethylation of phenyl methyl ethers in the environment and play an important role within the network of lignin degradation in soils.
The influence of extreme climatic events and human disturbance on macroinvertebrate community patterns of a Mediterranean stream over 15 y

Abstract We analyzed long-term changes in macroinvertebrate communities in a Mediterranean temporary stream in southern Portugal over 15 y (1993–2008) at 10 locations with 3 degrees of physicochemical disturbance (reference, high disturbance, and mild disturbance). We related year-to-year variation of macroinvertebrate communities to long-term (59 y) information on precipitation and temperature. Our goals were to: 1) determine the stability of macroinvertebrate communities in the stream, 2) establish the influence of physicochemical disturbance on community stability, 3) assess the influence of climate change on the macroinvertebrate communities, and 4) assess the interactive effects of climate change and disturbance level on macroinvertebrate communities. Community structure varied naturally from year to year, but changes in taxon richness and evenness were much stronger and more unpredictable in disturbed than in other sites. In the long term, the more diverse (reference) and the poorest (disturbed) communities were stable, whereas communities affected by mild disturbance slowly decreased in taxon richness (slope = −0.07, r2 = 0.38). This decrease could be a response to the continuous stress or to climate change. The multivariate patterns over time of invertebrate communities at mildly disturbed sites were the only patterns significantly correlated with climatic patterns. In the past 59 y in this Mediterranean area (southeastern Europe), winter temperature has increased 1°C and precipitation has decreased 1.5 mm/d. Marked changes in community composition (70–80% Bray–Curtis dissimilarity) occurred only in years of extremely low precipitation or temperature. In years of climatic extremes and at chemically disturbed sites, Orthocladiinae and Simuliidae became dominant. In this stream, a shift in community equity occurs before species elimination. This shift might be useful as an early warning for biodiversity loss because of disturbance or climate change. We recommend continued sampling of reference sites for monitoring purposes so that effects of climate change can be established and so that contemporary human disturbance can be assessed relative to an adjusted reference condition.
Optimized Atrazine Degradation by Pleurotus ostreatus INCQS 40310: an Alternative for Impact Reduction of Herbicides Used in Sugarcane Crops

The herbicide atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamine-6-isopropylamine-s-triazine) is extensively used for weed control in sugarcane crops. The application of fungi for the biodegradation of xenobiotics has been studied with promising results. Therefore, atrazine degradation mediated by Pleurotus ostreatus INCQS 40310 was evaluated, and the involvement of ligninolytic enzymes along with the degradation process was also investigated. To promote high degradation percentages and rates, a fractional factorial experimental design was first used to determine the most significant medium components for atrazine degradation. This strategy improved atrazine degradation from 39.0% to 71.0% after 15 days, with the formation of different metabolites. Afterward, a 32 full factorial design was performed using the variables selected in the first part of this study. The salts FeSO4 and MnSO4 showed significant influence in the percentages and the rates of atrazine degradation. The medium optimization resulted in 90.3% and 94.5% of atrazine degradation after 10 days and 15 days, respectively. Although laccase activity was measured during the degradation process, it was not possible to correlate laccase activity with atrazine degradation. The results demonstrated the efficiency of P. ostreatus INCQS 40310 for atrazine degradation, thus demonstrating the potential of this fungus as a bioremediation agent.
Habitats Used by the Endangered Fountain Darter (Etheostoma fonticola) in the San Marcos River, Hays County, Texas

Abstract We examined algae and macrophytes used as habitats by the endangered fountain darter Etheostoma fonticola through examination of six probable microhabitats. Rhizoclonium, Ludwigia repens, and Hydrilla verticillata had the greatest densities of fountain darters, although all six species of plants tested had fountain darters in ≥5% of samples. The smallest darters were in Rhizoclonium, and the largest were in Potamogeton illinoensis. This likely was due to differences in current velocity among microhabitats. In the San Marcos River, it is important for fountain darters to have vegetated areas with dense cover to provide food, reproductive habitats, and refugia. Resumen Examinamos las algas y macrofitas utilizadas para hábitats por Etheostoma fonticola (un pececito en peligro de extinción) a través de una examinación de seis probables microhábitats. Rhizoclonium, Ludwigia repens, y Hydrilla verticillata tuvieron las mayores densidades de E. fonticola, aunque todas de seis especies de plantas analizadas tuvieron E. fonticola en ≥5% de las muestras. Etheostoma fonticola más pequeños estuvieron en Rhizoclonium, y los dardos más grandes estuvieron en Potamogeton illinoensis. Esto fue probablemente a causa de las diferencias en la velocidad de la corriente entre los microhábitats. En el río San Marcos, es importante que E. fonticola tenga áreas con vegetación con cobertura densa que pueda proporcionar alimento, hábitat para reproducción y refugio.
Long‐Term Effects of Fertilizers on the Soil Fertility and Productivity of a Rice–Wheat System

Rice–wheat cropping system to which graded levels of NPK fertilizers had been applied for 20 years were compared for yield trends, and changes in response function, soil organic-C and available N, P, K and S status. This study of system in which only chemical fertilizers had been used over a long period enabled long-term yield declines of rice and wheat at different levels and combinations of NPK fertilizers to be evaluated. The highest rate of yield decline in both rice and wheat was found when 120 kg ha−1 N was applied alone. The lowest rate of decline was observed when all three nutrients (N, P and K) were applied, at 40, 35 and 33 kg ha−1 for N, P and K, respectively, followed by 120, 35 and 33 kg ha−1 (currently recommended levels). The yield response of rice and wheat to N fertilizer declined over the 20 years, with a higher rate of decline in wheat. In contrast, the response to applied P and K increased with time in both crops, with a higher response rate in wheat. With continuous application of N and P fertilizers, there was a marginal change in available N and K in the soil over time, but an approximately 3-fold increase in available P and an approximately 2-fold increase in available S were obtained by regular dressing of P fertilizer (SSP: 7 % P, 12 % S) over 20 years. The results revealed that balanced, high doses of NPK fertilizers are required to maintain soil fertility and raise grain yields. Langzeitwirkungen von Dunger auf die Bodenfrucht-barkeit und die Produktivitat von Reis-Weizen-Anbausystemen Die Ergebnisse unterschiedlicher Konzentrationen von NPK-Dungern in einem 20 Jahre wahrenden Reis-Weizenanbausystem hinsichtlich der Ertragstrends, Anderungen in der Reaktionsfunktion, bodenorganischem C und verfugbaren N, P, K, S wurden untersucht. Die Anwendung auf Dauer von nur einem chemischen Dunger weist Ertragsruckgange von Reis und Weizen in unterschiedlichem Ausmas im Zusammenhang mit NPK-Dungern auf. Die hochste Ertragsabnahme von Reis und Weizen wurde gefunden, wenn mit 120 kg N ha−1 allein gedungt wurde. Die geringste Abnahme wurde beobachtet, wenn alle drei Nahrstoffe (N, P, K) angewendet in Mengen von 40-35-33 kg ha−1 wurden, gefolgt von 120-35-33 kg N-P-K ha−1 (z. Zt. empfohlene Mengen). Die Ertragsreaktionen von Reis und Weizen gegenuber N-Dunger nahm uber die zwanzig Jahre ab, wobei der Ruckgang in Weizen starker war. Die Reaktion auf P und K verstarkte sich im Laufe der Jahre in den Bestanden beider Arten, wobei die Reaktion bei Weizen starker war. Bei einer anhaltenden Anwendung von N- und P-Dungern war nur eine marginale Anderung im verfugbaren N und K im Boden im Laufe der Jahre festzustellen; es wurde aber eine dreifache Zunahme im verfugbaren P und etwa eine zweifache Zunahme im verfugbaren S bei einer regularen Anwendung von P-Dunger (SSP: 7 % P, 12 % S) im Verlauf von zwanzig Jahren beobachtet. Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass Ausgeglichenheit und hohere Anwendungsmengen von NPK-Dungern benotigt werden, um die Bodenfruchtbarkeit zu erhalten und die Kornertrage zu steigern.
Cadmium in Podarcis sicula Disrupts Prefollicular Oocyte Recruitment byMimicking FSH Action

Cadmium is a highly polluting heavy metal known to have undesirable effects on health in both animals and humans, targeting the kidneys, the liver and the vascular system. A wide spectrum of deleterious effects has been reported also on the reproductive organs and the developing embryo. Cadmium in fact is a strong endocrine disruptor that interferes with functioning of endogenous receptors and hormones causing detrimental effects on offspring production and survival. In spite of the wide number of studies carried out in laboratory mammals, data on cadmium effects on gonadic tissues, fertility and reproduction of wild terrestrial vertebrates are still limited. In particular, information on the consequences of environmental cadmium exposure on reptiles survival and biodiversity is particularly scanty. Reptiles are presently considered highly susceptible to a number of environmental pollutants and this has contributed to the global decline of several wild populations of turtles, crocodilians and lizards. In addition, several reptile species have been identified as good bioindicators of pollution in their environments due to their persistence in a variety of habitats, wide geographic distribution, longevity and site fidelity. In consideration of the few data currently available we decided to investigate cadmium effects on oogonial proliferation and oocyte recruitment in a species of lizard and to verify whether this metal acts as an endocrine disruptor. For this purpose, we treated adult females with cadmium or, alternatively, with estradiol, progesterone or follicle stimulating hormone. Results indicate that cadmium stimulates oogonial proliferation and oocyte recruitment by mimicking the effects exerted by gonadotropins. Treatment, in fact, increases preleptotene and zygotene-pachytene oocytes numbers that reach values comparable to those observed after FSH treatment. These values are significantly different, either lower or higher, from those observed after estradiol or progesterone administration. Results also indicate that the supernumerary oocytes produced after cadmium treatment are destined to degenerate and that fecundity is reduced by a significant increase in follicular atresia.
Comparative analysis of 16S/23S intergenic region of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus associated with citrus greening disease in different citrus cultivars of Assam

Citrus greening, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB) is one of the most destructive diseases to commercial citrus plantations in India. Among the three different species of the causal bacterium reported worldwide, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus is the only species prevalent with HLB throughout the country. Though HLB has long been observed in different citrus cultivars and insect vectors (citrus psylla, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama) from North eastern territory of India, knowledge on the molecular variability in ' Ca . L. asiaticus' populations from this geographical region is limited. In this study, HLB was detected and identified by symptomatology, biological indexing on indicator plants and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) with ' Ca . L. asiaticus' specific 16S rDNA primers. Comparative analysis of 16S/23S intergenic region sequences of six representative ' Ca . L. asiaticus' isolates infecting three different citrus cultivars in Assam viz. Khasi mandarin ( Citrus reticulata ), Assam lemon ( Citrus limon ) and Sweet orange ( Citrus sinensis ) revealed that sequences were 99-100% similar to the published sequences of ' Ca. L. asiaticus' from Brazil, Taiwan, USA and some Indian (Poona) strains. However, approximately 88% sequence identity was seen with an Africanas strain (JF819885). Phylogenetic analysis with various published Candidatus Liberibacter species sequences revealed that all asiaticus isolates remained in one group while AsL-i isolate was quite distinct from other strains and close to a Chinese strain of the pathogen. The data also reveals that the genomic region can be used for HLB detection but not for strain differentiations.
Antibacterial Activity and Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis of Selected Seaweeds from Gulf of Mannar Region

The phytochemical analysis of the aqueous extracts of some commonly occurring green seaweed Cladophora glomerata , Ulva lactuca and Ulva reticulata , the red seaweed Gracilaria corticata and Kappaphycus alvarezii and the brown seaweed Sargassum wightii and their evaluated for antibacterial activity by well diffusion assay . Two different solvents namely aqueous and methanol were used for extraction. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of Carbohydrates, Alkaloids, Steroids, Tannin & Phenols, Saponins, Fixed oils & Fats, Gums & Mucillage, Proteins, Flavonoids and Volatile oils in varying concentration. The zone of inhibition ranged between 45 – 9mm in aqueous extract and 40 – 6mm in methanolic extract. The maximum activity (45mm) was recorded from 200mg of aqueous extract of Ulva reticulata against Salmonella typhi and minimum (9mm) by Ulva lactuca against Streptococcus pyogenes at 50mg level whereas, the methanolic extract showed the maximum activity (40mm) was recorded from 200mg of U. reticulata against Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes and Cladophora glomerata against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and minimum (6mm) by 50mg of Kappaphycus alvarezii against Staphylococcus epidermis. --- 1 Department of Botany, Govt. Arts College, Thiruvannamalai – 606 603, Tamil Nadu, India; 2 Aquagri Processing Pvt. Ltd., Manamadurai, Tamil Nadu, India --- Please Cite This Article As: Periasamy Mansuya, Pandurangan Aruna, Sekaran Sridhar, Jebamalai Suresh Kumar and Sarangam Babu. 2010. Antibacterial Activity and Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis of Selected Seaweeds from Gulf of Mannar Region. 1(8):23-26.
Remote camera-trap methods and analyses reveal impacts of rangeland management on Namibian carnivore communities

Assessing the abundance and distribution of mammalian carnivores is vital for understanding their ecology and providing for their long-term conservation. Because of the difficulty of trapping and handling carnivores many studies have relied on abundance indices that may not accurately reflect real abundance and distribution patterns. We developed statistical analyses that detect spatial correlation in visitation data from combined scent station and camera-trap surveys, and we illustrate how to use such data to make inferences about changes in carnivore assemblages. As a case study we compared the carnivore communities of adjacent communal and freehold rangelands in central Namibia. We used an index of overdispersion to test for repeat visits to individual camera-trap scent stations and a bootstrap simulation to test for correlations in visits to camera neighbourhoods. After distilling our presence-absence data to the most defensible spatial scale, we assessed overall carnivore visitation using logistic regression. Our analyses confirmed the expected pattern of a depauparate fauna on the communal rangelands compared to the freehold rangelands. Additionally, the species that were not detected on communal sites were the larger-bodied carnivores. By modelling these rare visits as a Poisson process we illustrate a method of inferring whether or not such patterns are because of local extinction of species or are simply a result of low sample effort. Our Namibian case study indicates that these field methods and analyses can detect meaningful differences in the carnivore communities brought about by anthropogenic influences.
Status and diurnal activity budget of non-breeding White-headed Ducks Oxyura leucocephala in Algeria

In Algeria, the Globally Endangered White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala is resident throughout the year in the coastal wetlands of north-east Algeria and the Hauts Plateaux, where it occupies habitats that range from freshwater ponds and brackish marshes to hypersaline lakes. In autumn and winter, at two study sites sleeping (49% and 68%) and resting (9% and 20%) dominated, whereas feeding (7% and 10%) represented a minor proportion of, diurnal activities. There was no marked seasonal change in the activity pattern, as would be expected for a resident bird. The breeding and winter distributions of the species were similar, but seasonal and diel patterns of dispersion among habitats remain poorly known. Human encroachment on wetland habitat, habitat degradation and illegal hunting in protected areas are the major threats to the persistence of the species and probably similar threatened species in Algeria.
New records of Paraprionospio (Annelida: Spionidae) from Chinese waters, with the description of a new species

ABSTRACT Paraprionospio pinnata (Ehlers, 1901), a poorly known and potentially cosmopolitan polychaete, was examined from museum specimens and from collections in Jiaozhou Bay, the Yellow Sea. New observations indicate that previous Chinese records of P. pinnata are doubtful, and that Chinese waters contain at least three valid species of Paraprionospio, two are known and one is new. Paraprionospio inaequibranchia (Caullery, 1914) and Paraprionospio coora Wilson, 1990, previously misidentified as P. pinnata, are reported from Chinese waters for the first time. Paraprionospio cristata, new species, is characterized by having brown pigment patches on the prostomium, ventral crests on chaetigers 9 and 10, dorsal crests on the middle part of the body (from chaetigers 21–23, not beyond chaetiger 29), thin filaments on chaetiger 3, and bifoliate branchial lamellae.
Changes in Fish Assemblages, Solomon River Basin, Kansas: Habitat Alterations, Extirpations, and Introductions

Abstract We sampled fishes four times each year at 12 sites on the Solomon, North Fork Solomon, and South Fork Solomon rivers in north-central Kansas during 1996 and 1997. Kirwin and Webster reservoirs are located on the North Fork Solomon River and South Fork Solomon River, respectively, and Waconda Reservoir inundates the confluence of these two rivers at the head of the Solomon River. Multivariate analyses identified two fish assemblages that were related to stream discharge. One fish assemblage was associated with stream segments that had lower discharges, such as those located upstream from Kirwin and Webster reservoirs. This assemblage was characterized by equal numbers of extirpations of native species and introductions of nonnative species. The other fish assemblage was associated with the reservoirs and stream segments that had higher discharges. This assemblage was characterized by a large number of species that were introduced or had immigrated into these areas. For the basin as a whole, 32% of the native species of fishes have been extirpated, and 51% of the present assemblage was comprised of nonnative species. Most of the extirpations and introductions are associated with habitat changes caused by agricultural development and the construction of impoundments. The relatively large component of the fish assemblage comprised of nonnative species reflects the trend toward homogenization of fish assemblages throughout the United States.