Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soil Nutrients Effects on the Performance of Durum Wheat Inoculated with Entomopathogenic Fungi

Entomopathogenic fungi (EFs) are widely used as biological control agents. However, some strains of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium brunneum can also promote plant growth and increase nutrient uptake. We examined the effects of soil properties on the performance of Triticum durum inoculated by seed dressing with these EFs and grown on 12 agricultural soils. The plants were supplied with all nutrients except P and Zn (essential for yield and the grain quality of wheat). Fungal inoculation increased the grain yield and harvest index significantly with B. bassiana (17% and 14%, respectively) but not with M. brunneum (6% and 6%, respectively). The increase in grain yield was positively and moderately correlated with the soil available phosphorus (POlsen) in plants inoculated with B. bassiana and with the soil content in poorly crystalline Fe oxides with M. brunneum. In addition, the increase in aerial dry matter resulting from inoculation with B. bassiana was negatively correlated with soil available Zn. Furthermore, the observed increase in grain yields due to fungal inoculation resulted in P and Zn grain dilution (grain nutrient concentrations decrease). Inoculation with B. bassiana increased grain Zn uptake and the proportion of Zn in grain relative to that in aerial dry matter. Success in the mutualistic relationship between EF and wheat plants depends on the fungal strain and soil properties.
Effect of Temperature Extraction on the Potassium and Calcium Content in the Lemon and Orange Water Peel Extracts

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of temperature extraction on the potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) contents in orange and lemon peel extracts. The extractions were done at 62 ºC and 92 °C for 15 minutes and atmospheric pressure in distilled water. The fruit peel content in the extraction mixture was 5 % (w/v) in all samples. Calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) concentrations have been determined by flame photometric method. This research has revealed that by increasing the temperature of extraction, in particular, the concentration of Ca and K concentrations increased as applied extraction temperatures increased. The concentration of potassium is higher than the concentration of calcium in orange and lemon extracts, respectively. The concentration of K was 308 mg/l at 62 ºC and 361 mg/l at 92 ºC in lemon extracts, while in orange extracts the concentration of K was 476 mg/l at 62 ºC and 483 mg/l at 92 ºC. The concentration of Ca was 70.8 mg/l at 62 ºC and 71.9 mg/l at 92 ºC in lemon extracts, while in orange extracts the concentration of Ca was 91 mg/l at 62 ºC and 93.6 mg/l at 92 ºC. These results confirm that both citrus could be a very valuable source of potassium and calcium which are needed micronutrients to ensure the water and electrolyte balance and to build and maintain strong bones, proper function of muscles and nerves.
Trade-offs between productivity and ground cover in mixed farming systems in the Murrumbidgee catchment of New South Wales

Inadequate ground cover because of over-grazing of pastures, fallowing and stubble burning or excessive cultivation exposes land to degradation, yet maintaining cover can constrain productivity. We used long-term simulation analysis to investigate the impact of modifying stock and crop management practices on the trade-off between farm productivity (grain, meat and wool) and ground cover levels. Management of mixed farms at five locations (426–657 mm mean annual rainfall) in the Murrumbidgee catchment of New South Wales was represented for simulated farms that included permanent pastures, crop–pasture rotations, and a meat/wool sheep enterprise. Locations varied in their stocking rate, soil characteristics and proportion of land area allocated to various crops and pastures. At each location we investigated the impact on ground cover and farm productivity of (1) retention of wheat stubble, (2) altering stocking rate (up to ±25%) and (3) moving stock elsewhere on the farm when the mean value of ground cover fell below a given threshold (50, 60, 70, 80 or 90%) for either, all pasture on the farm or an individual paddock. The analysis showed that seasonal conditions were the dominant effect on the mean farm cover (mean range 64–98%); cover fell as low as 43–57% in severe droughts, depending on location. Retention of wheat stubble increased long-term mean cover by 1–4%, with little impact on grain yield. Altering stocking rate had the largest impact on cover at all locations (up to 4%), although there was a trade-off with productivity. Maintaining a constant stocking rate, although moving stock within the farm, had a small, positive effect on the whole-farm cover, although it reduced gross margin because of the cost of supplementary feeding. Confining stock to a 3 ha feeding lot was the most effective strategy for maintaining ground cover and minimising financial loss. Our analysis did not account for the benefits of maintaining high levels of ground cover on the long-term productive capacity of the farm through on-farm or off-farm environmental benefits. We conclude that ground cover is dominated by climatic effects, and that within the range of stock management practices examined in the present study, practices that increase minimum cover levels also reduce farm productivity. Reducing total stocking rate, or removing stock from the farm during periods of low cover, will have the greatest impact on maintaining cover, although it will reduce whole-farm profit.
Who should be admitted? Conjoint analysis of South Korean attitudes toward immigrants

South Korea is slowly but steadily becoming a country of immigrants. In 1998, there were barely 300,000 foreign residents in South Korea. As of 2018, there were more than 2.3 million. The immigrant population has yet to reach 5% of the total population, but it is predicted to rise significantly in the years to come. Despite the increase in newcomers, it is not well understood who native South Koreans prefer as immigrants and why. Are immigrant attitudes motivated by co-ethnic solidarity, or are they primarily based on economic and sociotropic concerns? To isolate attitudes on these crucial questions, this research uses a conjoint experiment that simultaneously tests the influence of seven immigrant attributes in generating support for admission. Our results show that broad sociotropic concerns largely drive attitudes towards immigrants in South Korea, but an immigrant’s origin also matters. Prospective newcomers from culturally similar and higher-status countries who can speak Korean and have clear plans to work are most preferred. The research findings will be relevant to the comparative study of immigration attitudes, as well as to researchers interested in the specifics of the South Korean case.
Diversity, distribution and conservation status of island conifers: a global review

Conifers comprise an ancient and diverse group of plants showing a wide distribution range. To better understand the general patterns of species successfully established on islands, this review compiles information about the distribution, diversity, dispersal potential and conservation status of insular conifers, with special emphasis on those inhabiting remote oceanic islands.
Breeding and larval rearing of the camouflage grouper Epinephelus polyphekadion (Bleeker) in the hypersaline waters of the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia

This is the first report on the successful year-round natural spawning and larval rearing of Epinephelus polyphekadion (Bleeker) in captivity and under hypersaline water conditions of 42-43%0 salinity in the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia. Although the fish spawned naturally once or twice a year during 1992-94 culture period, incorporation of cod-liver oil in the broodstock diet during the 1995 culture period enabled the fish to spawn continuously for 2-3 days in each month during March, April, May and August. The egg fertilization and hatching rates also increased during the 1995 spawning period. The egg fertilization rate varied from 90 to 100% with a mean of 96.5 ± 3.38%. The egg hatching rate varied from 70 to 95% with a mean of 83.1 ± 10.12%. The fertilized egg diameter averaged 757.3 ± 37.36 μm. There was a linear relation between the fertilized egg size and the egg hatching rate. The increase in the hatching rate relevant to the egg size was statistically significant (P 0.05) in growth and survival was observed between the larvae reared using white and grey coloured tanks. The larval survival up to metamorphosis was 1.6-4.7% with a mean of 2.98 ± 1.56% in the grey coloured tanks and 1.6-1.9% with a mean of 1.73 ± 0.16% in the white tanks. The results demonstrated the possibility of breeding E. polyphekadion under captive culture conditions. However, methods to improve the larval survival have to be pursued further for commercial farming of this species.
Nutrition, yield and nutrient export in common bean under zinc fertilization in no-till system

ABSTRACT Zinc (Zn) is one of the most deficient plant micronutrients in agricultural crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate plant nutrition, grain yield and nutrient export rate in response to soil and foliar Zn fertilization in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Two field experiments in no-till system were carried out using two common bean cultivars, BRS Esteio (black bean) and IPR Campos Gerais (Carioca bean). Treatments were composed of soil Zn application during sowing and foliar Zn spray at flowering stage. Soil Zn application had effect on leaf Zn concentration in IPR Campos Gerais and did not affect grain yield of both cultivars. Foliar Zn spray increased leaf Zn concentration by approximately two times in both cultivars, but negatively affected the grain yield in BRS Esteio. Leaf concentration of N, Ca and S were affected by soil Zn application and leaf concentration of Mn was affected by foliar Zn spray, while leaf concentration of P, K, Mg, Cu and Fe were not influenced by the soil and foliar Zn treatments. In treatments without Zn, the descending order of nutrient export rate from the experimental site was as follows: N > K > P > Ca ≈ S > Mg for macronutrients and Fe > Mn > Cu > Zn for micronutrients. Foliar Zn spray increased the export rate of Zn, P, Ca, Mg, S, Mn, Cu and Fe in IPR Campos Gerais, while soil Zn application resulted in higher export rate of P, K and Mn in BRS Esteio.
Impact of ray feeding disturbances on sandflat macrobenthos: do communities dominated by polychaetes or shellfish respond differently?

Studies of the influence of small-scale disturbances on soft-bottom communities have usually been conducted on one type of community only. We utilized polychaete and bivalve dominated macrobenthic communities in 2 physically similar intertidal sandflat sites to study differences in recolonization of pits created by feeding eagle rays Myljobatis tenuicaudatus. In both communities ray pits were sampled on 6 occasions until 12 d after their creation. Ray pits rapidly infilled with sediment of similar grain size to that of the surrounding sandflat. Organic carbon content only became elevated in the pits in the polychaete dominated community. The intensity of ray disturbance ind~cated that sediment within an area of 700 to 800 mZ at either site would be turned over about every 70 d. Rapid recolonization of pits by macrofauna occurred in both communities, although bivalves tended to recolonize more rapidly than polychaetes. An epibenthic crustacean was the only species to indicate possible preferential exploitation of pits. Rapid recolonization and sediment infilling emphasise the importance of passive transport of adults into pits. The tube-mat forming polychaete Boccardia syrtis, dominant at one site, was the only common species which did not colonize pits in the same proportion to that found in the sediment adjacent to pits. The rate of sediment turnover by rays and the rapid recolonization by macrofauna indicate that rays may tend to smooth out distribution patterns, particularly those of long-lived infauna, and play a role in maintaining dominance patterns in both polychaete and bivalve communities.
A persistent seed bank of the bull thistle Cirsium vulgare

Seeds of Cirsium vulgare were collected from two populations in southwestern Ontario and stored at the site of collection at three depths in the soil. After intervals of 6 to 30 months, seed samples were extracted, the seeds classed as germinated, dead, or firm, and then the firm seeds were set to germinate in a growth cabinet. Both populations established a persistent seed bank when left at the 15 cm depth; however, most seeds do not get buried at great depths. After storage at the surface or 3 cm deep, seeds in an arable sandy soil did not persist beyond 6 months. In contrast, some seeds stored in shaded conditions in a clay loam soil maintained viability for 30 months at die surface and at 3 cm. In some cases, the germination rate of seeds was retarded after storage, especially for seeds that were extracted from soils subjected to wetting and drying before seed retrieval. A separate experiment confirmed that wetting and drying can delay the germination of some seeds of C. vulgare. Key words: seed bank,.
Effects of El Niño events on natural kelp beds and artificial reefs in southern California

Grove, R. S. , Zabloudil, K. , Norall, T. , and Deysher, L. 2002. Effects of El Nino events on natural kelp beds and artificial reefs in southern California. - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 59: S330-S337. Since 1978, bottom characteristics and giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) population dynamics of three historically productive natural kelp beds located south of San Clemente, California, have been monitored on a semi-annual basis using diver observations, sidescan sonar, and downlooking sonar. Aerial photographs of the kelp-bed surface canopies have been recorded annually since 1968. Since 1981, studies have been intermittently performed on the Pendleton Artificial Reef. Ecological studies were also conducted pre- and post-1997-1998 El Nino and qualitatively from 1994 to 1999 at the Mission Beach Artificial Reef. El Nino events have been associated with catastrophic ecological conditions in the southern California nearshore zone that may have significant influence on both reef structure and reef community. The variation of kelp populations in the three natural kelp beds is reviewed relative to recent El Nino events, local wave climate, local sea surface temperatures, and regional precipitation. The local temperature and precipitation data show that El Nino periods have had varying and non-consistent effects with respect to kelp growth. Yet, periods of low kelp density appear to be related to extended periods of above normal sea surface temperatures and increased precipitation generally associated with El Nino events. Examination of artificial reef data from the standpoint of substrate and kelp persistence through the latest 1997-1998 El Nino event revealed effects that are consistent with natural kelp bed information. The population dynamics of natural kelp beds through various El Nino periods indicate that the range of kelp density fluctuations over time on an artificial reef designed for kelp can be expected to be quite high.
‘I had no control over my body’: Women’s experiences of reproductive coercion in Aotearoa New Zealand

INTRODUCTION: Reproductive coercion broadly describes behaviour intended to undermine the reproductive autonomy of a victim through pregnancy coercion, contraceptive sabotage, and controlling pregnancy outcomes. This research sought to understand the experiences of victims of reproductive coercion in Aotearoa New Zealand. METHODS: Participants shared their experiences of reproductive coercion from an intimate partner through an online survey that was distributed via social media and posters that were put up primarily in Family Planning clinics across the country. Five participants subsequently participated in in-depth interviews. FINDINGS: Participants (mostly women) in this research experienced high rates of controlled access to contraceptives (83.8%), contraceptive sabotage (58.6%), and pregnancy coercion (64%) by an intimate partner. Furthermore, 40.5% of participants who had ever been pregnant had experienced a partner attempting to prevent them from accessing an abortion, and over 30% were subjected to a partner’s attempts to force an induced abortion or miscarriage. Many also expanded on their partners’ coercion regarding reproductive decisions, and abuse during, and after, labour and birth. However, they were rarely asked about reproductive coercion and abuse by health care or social service practitioners. CONCLUSIONS: Reproductive coercion is a phenomenon that is globally under-researched. Emerging evidence suggests this is a highly gendered issue, and that there needs to be greater focus on promoting how we can improve and protect women’s reproductive autonomy. Findings from this research indicate the need to incorporate discussions about reproductive autonomy and coercion in screening for intimate partner violence.
Antagonism of the yeast‐like phylloplane fungus Sporothrix flocculosa against Erysiphe graminis var tritici

Microscopic studies of the interaction between the yeast‐like fungus Sporothrix flocculosa and the wheat powdery mildew pathogen, Erysiphe graminis var. tritici (Egt) were undertaken in an attempt to determine the potential antagonistic activity of Sp. flocculosa against Egt and to gain a better insight into events underlying this interaction. On detached leaf segments infected with Egt, application of a spore suspension of Sp. flocculosa resulted in a rapid degeneration of Egt mycelium and conidia. Scanning electron microscope observations revealed that the antagonist colonized and developed profusely on Egt within 12 h and induced a general collapse of conidial chains within 24 h. Under transmission electron microscopy, first consistent reactions were observed 12 h following application of the antagonist. These reactions were characterized by a sequence of ultrastructrural changes beginning with retraction of the plasmalemma followed by complete disintegration of the cytoplasm and death of host cells af.
Biases in Maximum Likelihood and Parsimony: A Simulation Approach to a 10‐Taxon Case

Biases present in maximum likelihood and parsimony are investigated through a simulation study in a 10‐taxon case in which several long branches coexist with short branches in the modeled topology. The performance of these methods is explored while increasing the length of the long branches with different amounts of data. Also, simulations with different taxonomic sampling schemes are examined through this study. The presence of a strong bias in parsimony is corroborated: the well‐known long‐branch attraction. Likelihood performance is found to be sensitive to the mere presence extreme of branch length disparity, retrieving topologies compatible with long‐branch attraction and long‐branch repulsion, irrespective of the correctness of the model used.
The role of phosphorus release by roach [Rutilus rutilus (L.)] in the water quality changes of a biomanipulated lake

1. Following fish removal, the water quality in biomanipulated lakes often improves concomitant with decreased phosphorus (P) levels. Because the decrease in P concentrations derives most probably either directly or indirectly from fish, which are the main target of biomanipulation, this study examined the P release of 0+, 1+ and 2+ roach [Rutilus rutilus (L.)] and changes in the P release during summer in a shallow eutrophic lake in Finland. 2. The P release was separated into P derived from benthic and littoral food items and into recycled P derived from feeding on zooplankton, to estimate the contribution of net P additions to the water column by the fish to the increase in P concentrations of the lake water (75-110 mg P m -3 ) in summer 1991-96. 3. Individual P release of roach by both egestion and excretion was estimated with a bioenergetics model. The size of the roach population was estimated with a depletion method and the proportions of different age groups from catch samples, using a programme separating mixtures of normal distributions. The sensitivity of the release estimates to variation in the growth data was estimated with the jackknife technique. 4. The biomass-specific P release by 0+ roach (0.36-0.54 mg P g -1 day -1 ) was higher than that by older roach (0.07-0.16 mg P g -1 day -1 ) throughout the summer. The P release by the whole roach population deriving from benthic and littoral food items (0.7-2.7 mg m -3 during July to August, representing a net addition to the water column) was 5-19 times lower in 1991-96 than the recycled P release deriving from zooplankton (8.9-25.7 mg m -3 ), and too low to explain the increase in the P concentration of the lake water during the summer. Because the biomass-specific P release and roach diet composition vary with fish age, it is important to consider the age structure of fish populations to obtain correct estimates of P release and net additions to the water column. 5. The removal of roach by fishing diminished the roach stock greatly, but the fish-mediated P release to the water column changed little. This effect was because of the high compensation capacity of the roach population, leading to high recruitment of young fish with higher biomass-specific P release rates. 6. External loading is very low during summer months and therefore it cannot explain the increase in the P concentration of water during that time. Internal loading from the sediment might be as high as 10.2 mg P m -2 day -1 , i.e. 50 times higher than the maximum net P addition by the total roach population.
Chemical investigations on resistance to coffee berry disease in Coffea arabica. An antifungal compound in coffee cuticular wax

SUMMARY Investigations have been made into the possibility of a chemical basis for resistance to coffee berry disease in certain Coffea arabica varieties. Chloroform extracts of the cuticular wax of berries, purified by fractionation and chromatography, proved toxic to a range of fungi including Colletotrichum coffeanum, the causal organism of coffee berry disease. Leaf cuticular wax also contained this fungitoxic principle, though at a lower level. The possible importance of this antifungal material in determining resistance to coffee berry disease is discussed.
Plant mechanisms to optimise access to soil phosphorus

Phosphorus (P) is an important nutrient required for plant growth and its management in soil is critical to ensure sustainable and profitable agriculture that has minimal impact on the environment. Although soils may contain a large amount of total P, only a small proportion is immediately available to plants. Australian soils often have low availability of P for plant growth and P-based fertilisers are, therefore, commonly used to correct P deficiency and to maintain productivity. For many soils, the sustained use of P fertiliser has resulted in an accumulation of total P, a proportion of which is in forms that are poorly available to most plants. The efficiency with which different P fertilisers are used in agricultural systems depends on their capacity to supply P in a soluble form that is available for plant uptake (i.e. as orthophosphate anions). In addition to fertiliser source, the availability of P in soil is influenced to a large extent by physico-chemical and biological properties of the soil. Plant access to soil P is further affected by root characteristics (e.g. rate of growth, specific root length, and density and length of root hairs) and biochemical processes that occur at the soil–root interface. The ability of roots to effectively explore soil, the release of exudates (e.g. organic anions and phosphatases) from roots that influence soil P availability, and the association of roots with soil microorganisms such as mycorrhizal fungi are particularly important. These processes occur as a natural response of plants to P deficiency and, through better understanding, may provide opportunities for improving plant access to soil and fertiliser P in conventional and organic agricultural systems.