Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological Variation in Populations of Ranunculus repens from the Temporary Limestone Lakes (Turloughs) in the West of Ireland

An unusual form of Ranunculus repens L. occurs in turlough basins (temporary lakes) in the West of Ireland. It is characterized by more highly-dissected and glabrous leaves than the more typical broad-leaved form. Leaf dissection of both forms was quantified using seed-derived plants which were cultivated in standard conditions. Leaves of both forms showed heteroblastic development and became increasingly dissected with each successively produced leaf until the adult leaf shape was attained around leaf 8. The dissection index of adult leaves was genetically based and had a high heritability. Changes in leaf dissection were recorded across a relatively deep, undulating turlough basin. The most dissected leaf form was found deep within the basin among a highly specialized species-poor community which was subjected to the most prolonged period of inundation. An intermediate-leaved form occurred higher up the sides of the basin in a damp grassland community, where the period of inundation was more transient. A broad-leaved form occurred around the upper fringes of the basin among a dry pastureland community. The intermediate-leaved form may have resulted from gene flow between the broad- and dissected-leaved populations, or may have evolved a distinct leaf shape adapted to the prevailing conditions at that point within the basin.
Mesotrione Alone and in Mixtures with Glyphosate in Glyphosate-Resistant Corn (Zea mays)1

Field studies were conducted in 1999, 2000, and 2001 to investigate weed control and glyphosate-resistant corn tolerance to postemergence applications of mesotrione at 70, 105, and 140 g ai/ha applied with and without glyphosate at 560 g ai/ha. Mesotrione alone and mixed with glyphosate controlled smooth pigweed greater than 97% and common lambsquarters 93 to 99%. Control of common ragweed and morningglory species was variable. Common ragweed control was generally best when mesotrione was applied at 105 or 140 g/ha, and control increased only in 2000 with the addition of glyphosate. Giant foxtail control was below 25% with all rates of mesotrione, but mixtures of mesotrione plus glyphosate controlled giant foxtail 65 to 75%. Mesotrione injured glyphosate-resistant corn 4 to 24% when averaged over glyphosate rates, and injury was usually increased by higher mesotrione rates, with rainfall after herbicide applications, and in mixtures with glyphosate. Injury was transient and did not reduce corn yields. Mesotrione injury on glyphosate-resistant corn was confirmed in the greenhouse, where all mesotrione treatments reduced glyphosate-resistant corn biomass 9 to 23% compared with the nontreated check. Nomenclature: Glyphosate; mesotrione; common lambsquarters, Chenopodium album L. #3 CHEAL; common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. # AMBEL; giant foxtail, Setaria faberi Herrm. # SETFA; morningglory species, Ipomoea spp. # IPOSS; smooth pigweed, Amaranthus hybridus L. # AMACH; corn, Zea mays L. ‘Dekalb 626RR’, ‘Dekalb 5863RR’. Additional index words: IPOHE, IPOLA, Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq. , Ipomoea lacunosa L. , Ipomoea purpurea L. Roth, IPOPU, total postemergence, transgenic crops, triketone herbicide. Abbreviations: DAT, days after treatment; POST, postemergence; WAT, weeks after treatment.
Genetic variability and correlation studies in ‘egusi’ melon [ Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai]

Genetic variability and correlation analysis were studied in 20 accessions of ‘egusi’ melon during two growing seasons. The genotypic correlation coefficients with seed yield were partitioned into direct and indirect effect causes. Heritability in the broad sense ranged from 17% for fruit circumference to 90% for days to germination and flowering in the early season, while in the late season, heritability ranged from 7% for seed weight per fruit to 88% for days to germination. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were recorded for seed yield while days to maturity had the lowest in both seasons. Fruit circumference and fruit weight had significant genotypic and phenotypic correlation with seed yield in the early season, while number of branches per plant, vine length per plant, number of fruits per plant and fruit circumference per plant showed significant genotypic and phenotypic correlation with seed yield in the late season. Environmental correlation coefficients were significant bet.
Bio-agronomic Evaluation of Old and Modern Wheat, Spelt and Emmer Genotypes for Low-input Farming in Mediterranean Environment

Low-input cropping systems are characterised by the reduction of pesticides and chemical fertilizers and, often, by the use of old cultivars to realize sustainable crop production which can easily integrate in the European Union agricultural subsidies. Market prices and environmental concerns favour low-input wheat production systems, nevertheless protein standards become particularly difficult to achieve in these conditions due to a minimal nitrogen supply. This study assesses the efficiency of a specific breeding program dedicated to improve yield and quality in emmer and spelt wheat in low-input environments. Ten tetraploid (emmer and durum wheat) and four hexaploid (spelt and bread wheat) wheat genotypes (including parent cultivars and offspring breeding lines selected for adaptation to low-input conditions) were investigated for 1 yr (2003-2004) in Italy in three locations in conventional and low-input cropping systems. The main agro-morphological and qualitative traits were recorded (HD, PH, GY, PC GPY, TKW, TW, GC). The results of this study show encouraging agronomic performances of new emmer and spelt genotypes under conventional and low-input cropping systems. The new genotypes are characterized by a yield potential similar to that of the modern wheat cultivar as well as by a protein content higher than old emmer and spelt accessions. The new genetic materials were also characterized by a higher responsiveness to improved environmental conditions. The results described in this study support the suitability of modern emmer and spelt genotypes, improved by introgressing wheat yield and quality traits, for organic farming in Mediterranean environments.
Effect of time of weed removal on growth and yield of potato

Summary The effects of weed removal at five dates after planting the crop were examined and compared with weed-free and unweeded controls. The results revealed that the total weed population increased up to 6 weeks after planting and then decreased drastically in both the years. Total dry weight of weeds (at weeding and at haulm-cutting) was greatest in the unweeded control, followed by weeding at 10 weeks after planting. In both years, maximum yield was obtained where plots were kept weed-free, followed by weeding at 4 and 6 weeks after planting. The remaining treatments, including weeding at 2 weeks after planting, resulted in significant reductions in tuber yield. In unweeded control plots the tuber yield of potato was reduced by 40–43%.
Leaf Carbohydrates and Flower Formation in Citrus

The carbohydrate contents of the leaves of satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) trees were altered before or during the low temperature flower induction period to determine the relationship between gross levels of carbohydrates and flower formation. Early removal of the fruit and girdling of the branches on either fruiting or defruited trees caused an accumulation of carbohydrates in the leaves and increased flower formation. Shading the trees resulted in a transient reduction in leaf carbohydrate levels and in a decrease in flower formation. Although a relationship between carbohydrate levels and flowering was consistently found, our results show that the gross levels of carbohydrates do not appear to limit flower formation in citrus.
Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Lippia species

Chemical composition of the hexanic fraction, antioxidant activity (DPPH assay) and total phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteau assay) of aerial parts of sixteen Lippia species were determined. Hexanic fraction was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The compounds β-myrcene, limonene, γ-terpinene, linalool, β-caryophyllene, germacrene D, α–copaene, β-bourbunene, β-elemene, aloaromadendrene, bicyclogermacrene, and δ-cadinene appeared in the chemical analysis in most of the Lippiahexanic fraction studied. This fraction showed low radical scavenging activity; however, the ethanolic fraction of Lippia species showed higher radical-scavenging activity than the commercial antioxidant butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT). Total phenolic content of the polar fraction, as gallic acid equivalents, ranged from 105.5 mg/g in Lippia pseudo-thea to 255.4 mg/g in Lippia sericea. The presence of phenolic compounds in the ethanolic fraction ofLippia spp. may also be the major cause of its high radical-scavenging activities. Key words: Verbenaceae, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), phenolic content, antioxidant assay.
Relationship between serum leptin concentrations and the marbling scores in Japanese Black Cattle

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between marbling and serum leptin concentrations. First, we compared serum leptin concentrations between Japanese Black cattle and Holstein calves, and found that the mean serum concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Japanese Black cattle (2.67 ± 0.41 ng/mL, n = 13) than in Holstein calves (1.79 ± 0.43 ng/mL, n = 5). We then examined the effects of roughage intake or vitamin A on the serum leptin concentrations in Japanese Black cattle. Although the leptin concentrations for the high roughage group were significantly higher than those for the low roughage group at 4, 7 and 20 months old, there was no significant difference in the carcass characteristics of the two groups. In addition, although there was a significant difference in the marbling score between the high vitamin A group and low vitamin A group, there was no significant difference in serum leptin concentrations between the groups. These results suggest that although serum leptin concentrations were not significantly correlated to the marbling scores they may be related to the genetic advantage for marbling in Japanese Black cattle.
Does Organic Production Enhance Phytochemical Content of Fruit and Vegetables? Current Knowledge and Prospects for Research

Demand for organically grown produce is increasing, largely due to concerns of consumers about health and nutrition. Previous studies have not shown a consistent difference of essential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, between organic food crops and the conventional counterparts. However, to date, little consideration has been given to phytochemicals, secondary plant metabolites with potential health-promoting properties. We fi rst discuss factors that can infl uence the levels of phytochemicals in crops, and then we critically review the results of published studies that have compared the effects of organic and conventional production systems on phytochemical contents of fruit and vegetables. The evidence overall seems in favor of enhancement of phytochemical content in organically grown produce, but there has been little systematic study of the factors that may contribute to increased phytochemical content in organic crops. It remains to be seen whether consistent differences will be found, and the extent to which biotic and abiotic stresses, and other factors such as soil biology, contribute to those differences. Problems associated with most studies tend to weaken the validity of comparisons. Given the limitations of most published studies, needs for future research are discussed.
Transgenic Tomato Plants Expressing Satellite RNA Are Tolerant to Some Strains of Cucumber Mosaic Virus

Additional index words. CMV, Lycopersicon esculentum, virus resistance Abstract. Transgenic tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) expressing cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) satellite RNA fused to a gene for β-glucuronidase were produced using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The R 1 progeny of self-crossed R 0 plants were challenge-inoculated with virion or RNA preparations of CMV or tomato aspermy virus (TAV). The transgenic plants challenged with CMV-1 showed mild disease symptoms in the first 2 weeks postchallenge followed by a decrease in symptoms, resulting in little difference between the transgenic and uninfected control group by the fourth week. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed about a 10-fold decrease in virus accumulation in the transgenic plants compared to controls. Tolerance was evident only in plants that contained the recombinant insert and produced mature unit-length satellite RNA after CMV infection. Plants challenged with TAV showed no significant tolerance to virus-induced symptoms.
Repellency of inseminated Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) females to various wing‐beat sound frequencies in modulated intensities in a flight chamber

Wing‐beat sound frequencies at 370, 440, 493 and 554 Hz were evaluated for female mosquito repellency. One hundred inseminated females of Culex pipiens were introduced into a 30 cm × 30 cm × 3 m screened cage with an electronic device (cellular phone) emitting selected frequencies positioned at one end of the chamber. The mosquitoes were counted in areas of 0.0–0.5, 0.5–1.0, 1.0–2.0 and 2.0–3.0 m from the cellular phone. In a second test, 50 Cx. pipiens were released in the screened cage with a shaved rat as bait placed beside the cellular phone (370 Hz) at the center of the chamber. Statistical analysis (anova) showed that significantly fewer (P < 0.05) mosquitoes rested near the cellular phone at 370 Hz, but not at the other frequencies. Similarly, there was significant reduction (mean 33.0%) in the number of mosquitoes taking a blood meal on the shaved rat when the cellular phone was turned on (P < 0.01).
Scanning Electron Microscope Observations on the Antennal Sensilla of Two Stored Grain Pests Trogoderma granarium and Trogoderma variabile (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

Abstract In this study both adult male and female antennal sensilla of Trogoderma granarium Everts, 1896 and Trogoderma variabile Ballion, 1878 (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) were observed by scanning electron microscope. The antennae of both species were found to consist of a scape, a pedicel and a flagellum with 9 subsegments, i.e., flagellomeres. Four categories of antennal sensilla including 10 types were found in these 2 species. The sensilla were designated, sensilla chaetica I, sensilla chaetica II, sensilla chaetica III, sensilla basiconica I, sensilla basiconica II, sensilla basiconica III, sensilla basiconica IV, sensilla basiconica V, sensilla coeloconica and Böhm bristles. The characteristics and distribution of these antennal sensilla were described, and relevant differences between the male and the female were compared. Finally, the probable functions and their applications in taxonomy were briefly discussed. These findings provide an improved understanding of the morphology of the antennae in these 2 species and can help to distinguish them clearly. Besides, these results also will support investigations into adaptions of these Trogoderma species to storage environments.
Evaluations of Nutrient Compositions and In Situ Ruminal Disappearance Rates of Roughage Sources Commonly Used in Korea

This study is conducted to estimate the nutrient compositions and in-situ ruminal disappearancerates of roughage sources which are commonly used in South Korea. Twelve types of roughage sources are being selected based on surveys from more than 50 farms, and 12 samples from various farms and companies are collected and analyzed for their nutritive components and minerals. Two Hanwoo steers (BW 526 ± 14 kg) with ruminal cannula are used to investigate in situ ruminal degradability. Five roughage sources, timothy hay, alfalfa pellet, rice straw, klein grass hay and tall fescue straw, are all selected from 12 roughage sources above for further experiments. Overall, the nutrient components and minerals from the 12 roughage sources have shown low values when comparing with standard tables of feed compositions in Korea. In situ dry matter disappearance rate is recorded as high in order of klein grass, timothy, alfalfa pellet, tall fescue and rice straw. In situ crude protein disappearance rate is high in order of alfalfa pellet, klein grass, timothy, tall fescue and rice straw. (
Antimicrobial activities of Vernonia tenoreana

The antimicrobial activity of Vernonia tenoreana was investigated. Crude extracts and solvent fractions of the leaf and bark of V. tenoreana were obtained using methanol and distilled water (2:3, v:v), ethylacetate, chloroform, and n-hexane as solvents of extraction. The crude and solvent fractions showed broad spectrum activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus, Shigella dysenteriae, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris, with zones of inhibition ranging from 1.7 to 18.3 mm. The leaf extracts showed better antimicrobial activities, as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for most of the isolates was 10 mg/ml with a least value of 5 mg/ml recorded for P. aeruginosa (NCIB 950). On the contrary, in the case of bark extract, 15 mg/ml was the MIC value recorded for most of the test isolates with the least value of 10 mg/ml recorded for S. aureus, B. subtilis, and K. pneumoniae. Out of all the solvent fractions, the chloroform fractions exhibited the highest antimicrobial activities. The bark extracts exercised antifungal activities against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and A. flavus, while the leaf extract was inactive against all the fungal isolates. Phytochemical constituents revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, and anthraquinones in the bark extracts, while, tannins, anthraquinones, and cardenolides were present in the leaf extract.
Precision phosphorus nutrition

Abstract Formulating to meet minimum phosphorus requirements of the bird is not a simple matter. It is necessary to consider not only performance and environment but numerous interacting factors that can influence phosphorus metabolism and thus dietary requirement. Source of phosphorus, dietary calcium level, phytase enzyme, some vitamin D3 metabolites, and dietary electrolyte balance can influence an animal's phosphorus requirement. In the past, liberal quantities of dietary phosphorus have been added to poultry diets since many interacting factors have only marginal effects on phosphorus utilization at higher levels. Today, however, with greater emphasis on precision formulation to enhance the economics of production and reduce potential environmental pollutants, the whole area of phosphorus nutrition needs to be re-evaluated.
Nitrate reductase and molybdenum cofactor in annual ryegrass as affected by salinity and nitrogen source

The influence of salinity on the activity of nitrate reductase (NR, EC 1.6.6.1) and the level of the molybdenum cofactor (MoCo) as affected by the source and concentration of nitrogen was studied in annual ryegrass (ilium multiflorum cv. Westerwoldicum). Plants grown in sand were irrigated with nutrient solution with an electrical conductivity of 2 or 11.2 dS m -1 , containing nitrogen (0.5 or 4.5 mM) in the form of NH 4 NO 3 or NaNO 3 . Salinity-treated (11.2 dS m -1 ) plants produced less biomass and more organic nitrogen while accumulating more NO 3 - than control plants. Increased nitrogen concentration in the irrigation solutions enhanced biomass and organic nitrogen production as well as NO 3 - accumulation irrespective of the electrical conductivity. Salinity inhibited shoot growth and increased shoot NR activity of plants receiving 4.5 mM NH 4 NO 3 or NaNO 3 . Similar effects were observed in roots of plants grown in 4.5 mM NaNO 3 . Nitrate added to a complementation medium containing ryegrass MoCo and the NR apoprotein of Neurospora crassa mutant nit- stimulated the activity of the reconstituted NR (NADPH-nitrate reductase, EC 1.6.6.3). Increased salinity and nitrogen in the nutrient solutions caused an increase of MoCo content in roots and shoots. Similar results were observed for NR activity in the shoots. The increase of MoCo in response to salinity was more pronounced than that of NR, especially in the roots. We conclude that the pool size of MoCo in ryegrass is not constant, but varies in response to nutritional and environmental factors.
Production enhancement of Cyclosporin 'A' by Aspergillus terreus through mutation

Cyclosporin ‘A’ is an important immunosuppresive drug used in organ and bone marrow transplantations. Nine isolates of Aspergillus terreus was used for the production of Cyclosporin ‘A’ by submerged fermentation in this study. The highest drug yielding isolate FCBP-58 was subjected to both physical and chemical mutation to increase the biosynthetic capabilities of Cyclosporin ‘A’. In this study, mutation was carried out by ultraviolet radiation (254 nm) and alkylating agent ethylmethane sulphonate (EMS). UV 5 min time treatment was proved to be the best treatment because most of the resulted mutants showed enhancement in drug production. Chemical treatment of 200 μg/ml produced best mutants, among which MC 3.2 showed maximum increment of 885% in Cyclosporine ‘A’ production when compared to the parental isolate. Key words: Cyclosporin ‘A’, Aspergillus terreus , UV radiation, EMS.
The application of sequences of the ribosomal cistron to the systematics and classification of the florideophyte red algae (Florideophyceae, Rhodophyta)

Cette revue discute de l'impact des etudes moleculaires des regions geniques et des espaceurs du cistron ribosomal sur la systematique et la classification des algues rouges Florideophytes. Chaque cistron ribosomal est constitue par un espaceur non trancrit (NTS), une region espaceur externe transcrite (ETS), le gene de la petite sous-unite (SSU) de l'ARN ribosomal, la region 1 de l'espaceur interne transcrit (ITS 1), le gene 5.8S de l'ARNr, la region de l'espaceur interne transcrit (ITS 2) et le gene de la grande sous-unite (LSU) de l'ARNr. A ce jour, la plupart des etudes moleculaires sur les Rhodophytes ont utilise les sequences de la SSU et, dans une moindre mesure, les regions des ITS. Nous detaillons les methodes et les protocoles que nous avons utilises pour obtenir les sequences des differentes regions du cistron ribosomal. Une discussion des avancees recentes sur la systematique des algues rouges au sein des quatre lignees de Florideophytes, deja abordee par Saunders & Kraft (1997), est presentee. Nous achevons cette revue par une introduction et une discussion de l'utilisation potentielle des sequences de la LSU pour resoudre des parentes evolutives chez les Rhodophytes.