Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liming improves herbage yield, essential oil yield and nutrient uptake of rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium capitatum×P. radens) on acidic soils

A field experiment was conducted on rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium sp.) in Pretoria, South Africa, to evaluate plant response to liming on acidic soils. Treatments were dolomitic limestone at 0 (control), 2, 4 and 6 t/ha, laid out as a randomized complete block design. Soil pH was not influenced by liming for any of the treatments at the first harvest, whereas at the second, third and fourth harvests an increase in pH was observed for all the limed treatments. At the time of the first harvest, plants did not respond significantly to 2 and 4 t/ha of liming, but responded positively to 6 t/ha, with higher herbage yield compared with the control and 2 t/ha lime treatments. At the second, third and fourth harvests fresh herbage and essential oil yield increased significantly due to liming. The differences among limed treatments were not significant for fresh herbage and essential oil yield. Cumulative fresh herbage and essential oil yields of all harvests were higher on the limed treatments than the control. Soil pH above 5.5 and soil base saturation above 55% increased fresh herbage and essential oil yield (per ha), which corresponded in this case with 2 to 6 t/ha of lime application. Oil content (%) was not affected by application of lime or an increase in soil pH but was more dependent on air temperature fluctuations. Similarly, no clear differences were observed in the composition of the essential oil throughout the experimental period due to liming. The ratio between citronellol and geraniol correlated with seasonal differences in maximum temperatures and not with liming. The implication of this study is that optimum growth of rose-scented geranium can be achieved by application of lime when plants are grown on acidic soils (pH (H2O) <5.5) but without any effect on oil content and essential oil composition.
Seasonality of foliar respiration in two dominant plant species from the Arctic tundra: response to long-term warming and short-term temperature variability.

Direct measurements of foliar carbon exchange through the growing season in Arctic species are limited, despite the need for accurate estimates of photosynthesis and respiration to characterise carbon cycling in the tundra. We examined seasonal variation in foliar photosynthesis and respiration (measured at 20°C) in two field-grown tundra species, Betula nana L. and Eriophorum vaginatum L. , under ambient and long-term warming (LTW) conditions (+5°C), and the relationship of these fluxes to intraseasonal temperature variability. Species and seasonal timing drove most of the variation in photosynthetic parameters (e.g. gross photosynthesis (Agross)), respiration in the dark (Rdark) and light (Rlight), and foliar nitrogen concentration. LTW did not consistently influence fluxes through the season but reduced respiration in both species. Alongside the flatter respiratory response to measurement temperature in LTW leaves, this provided evidence of thermal acclimation. The inhibition of respiration by light increased by ~40%, with Rlight : Rdark values of ~0.8 at leaf out decreasing to ~0.4 after 8 weeks. Though LTW had no effect on inhibition, the cross-taxa seasonal decline in Rlight : Rdark greatly reduced respiratory carbon loss. Values of Rlight : Agross decreased from ~0.3 in both species to ~0.15 (B. nana) and ~0.05 (E. vaginatum), driven by decreases in respiratory rates, as photosynthetic rates remained stable. The influence of short-term temperature variability did not exhibit predictive trends for leaf gas exchange at a common temperature. These results underscore the influence of temperature on foliar carbon cycling, and the importance of respiration in controlling seasonal carbon exchange.
Large scale killing of poultry species on farm during outbreaks of diseases: evaluation and development of a humane containerised gas killing system

Various forms of containerised gas killing systems have been used to slaughter large numbers of poultry on farms during outbreaks of notifiable diseases. However, none of the systems have been fully evaluated to assess bird welfare, operators' health and safety and biosecurity during operation. In addition, standard operating procedures associated with containerised gas killing systems are lacking in the literature. Therefore, a research and development project was initiated by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the UK with the primary objective being to develop humane systems for culling poultry on farm and to produce operating procedures based on sound scientific principles. A series of studies have been conducted to achieve the objective and relevant observations and operating procedures are reviewed in this paper.
The Impact of Rabbit Control on Predator Sightings in the Semi-Arid High Country of the South Island, New Zealand.

Extensive rabbit-poisoning operations were conducted under the Rabbit and Land Management Programme between 1990 and 1993 in the semi-arid high country of New Zealand. Repeated surveys of 371 km of spotlight transects that initially supported more than 40 rabbits per spotlight km showed a 95% decline in sighted rabbits. This was followed within a year by a 71% decline in sighted cats and ferrets. Wild cats and ferrets harbour bovine tuberculosis (Tb) and have an impact on protected native fauna. The means by which these apparent declines in predator numbers occur is important in assessing the role that rabbit control might play in managing for Tb and nature conservation.
Effet variétal et du traitement fongicide sur la sévérité de la maladie des taches angulaires et le rendement du haricot commun ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) à l’Ouest-Cameroun

Au Cameroun, la maladie des taches angulaires (MTA) due a Phaeoisariopsis griseola constitue la contrainte pathologique majeure de la culture du haricot commun ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Les pertes de rendements et les strategies de lutte sont peu etudiees. L’objectif de cette etude est d’ameliorer la production du haricot commun dans l’Ouest-Cameroun. A cet effet, 12 varietes ont ete evaluees dans un dispositif experimental en Split-Plot. Le stade de remplissage des gousses (R 8 ) a ete le plus sensible quelle que soit la variete. Les varietes volubiles ont ete moins sensibles a la MTA que les varietes naines. Parmi les varietes volubiles, la variete exotique MEX 142, bien que sensible, a donne le rendement le plus eleve (2 517 kg.ha -1 ). Le fongicide manebe a reduit significativement (P ˂ 0,05) la severite de la MTA (6,25%) quel que soit le port de la variete et son origine. Les gains de rendements dus au manebe ont atteint 158%. L’etude montre que la variete exotique MEX 142 est tolerante a la MTA et que l’utilisation integree des varietes moins sensibles (PNG, PNN et TY 3396-12), des varietes fortement productives (MEX 142 et MAC 33) et du fongicide manebe ameliore la production du haricot commun. Mots cles : Varietes, taches angulaires, severite, lutte integree (genetique et chimique), gain de rendement
In vivo embryo production in buffalo: current situation and future perspectives

Abstract Buffaloes constitute a significant part of the domestic stock and contribute very significantly in the rural economy, especially in South and South-East Asia. Embryo transfer technique (ETT), a proven tool for faster multiplication of desired genetic resource has been satisfactorily used for cattle and is being adopted for buffalo. Following very limited research in buffalo, the viable embryo production has increased significantly from less than 1 per flushing to 2.5–3.0 in general and over 4 in isolated cases and conception rate following embryo transfer improved from about 10% to about 30-40%. However, response to superovulatory treatments and recovery of viable embryos following superovulation is still low compared to cattle due to various factors. This paper deals with the present success rate and information on some of the factors affecting in vivo embryo production, and future possibilities to make this technique more efficient and economic for wider use, in buffalo.
Survey of Fusarium spp. Associated with Fruit Rot of Pumpkin in Ohio

From 2000 to 2002 commercial pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) fields in Ohio were surveyed for Fusarium fruit rot. From six counties in 2000, 2001, and 2002, a total of 43 isolates from eight farms, 84 isolates from nine farms, and 40 isolates from six farms were collected, respectively. Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae race 1 was the most commonly isolated Fusarium species from infected pumpkin fruit in Ohio. Other Fusaria isolated from infected fruit included F. oxysporum, F. graminearum, and F. acuminatum. A survey of infected pumpkin fruit in the field and inoculation studies of mature, healthy pumpkin cultivar Magic Lantern in the laboratory resulted in three types of fruit rot symptoms. Type 1, caused by F. oxysporum and F. acuminatum, resulted in a slow-expanding rot just below the rind surface of the infected fruit. Type 2, caused by F. graminearum, resulted in an expanding, slightly sunken, irregular rot of the rind surface. Type 3, caused by F. solani resulted in expanding, circular sunken lesions on the fruit surface bearing white to tan sporodochia. This is the first report of F. solani f. sp. cucurbitae race 1, F. oxysporum, F. acuminatum, and F. graminearum causing fruit rot of pumpkin
The captive breeding and educational display of the Medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis (Linnaeus 1758) at Bristol Zoo Gardens

This paper provides information on the culture of the Medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis, including housing and environmental requirements, husbandry protocols and captive breeding. The conservation status of the Medicinal leech and issues surrounding its preservation, and also uses for this species in medicine and as an educational-display subject, are discussed. This species has been maintained at Bristol Zoo Gardens, UK, from May 1996 to the present and has been bred successfully since 2001. The Medicinal leeches that are used in both the husbandry trials and educational display at Bristol Zoo Gardens originated from Turkish stock and were obtained from Biopharm UK Ltd, Dyfed, UK.
NATURAL INFECTIONS WITH FILARIAL LARVAE IN TWO SPECIES OF BLACK FLIES (DIPTERA : SIMULIIDAE) IN NORTHERN THAILAND

To find out the natural infection with filarial larvae, female adult black flies were collected on a human attractant in December, 2001 at Tambol Ban Laung (altitude 750 m), Doi Inthanon National Park, in northern Thailand. The total number of females collected was 823 : of which 557 (67.7%) were identified as Simulium asakoae Takaoka et Davies, 144 (17.5%) as S. nigrogilvum Summers, 97 (11.8%) as S. nakhonense Takaoka et Suzuki and 25 (3%) as other six simuliid species. By dissections, eight third-and one second-stage larvae of unidentified filarial species were found in one of 138 S. nigrogilvum and one of 484 S. asakoae, respectively. Non-filarial nematodes were found in 1.03% (5/484) of S. asakoae. This is the first report of natural infections of two black-fly species, S. nigrogilvum and S. asakoae, with a filarial larva.
Mechanisms of arm regeneration in the feather star Antedon mediterranea: Healing of wound and early stages of development

Crinoids have remarkable regenerative capacities. After traumatic or self-induced amputation they can replace one or several arms through a complex sequence of morphogenetic events which lead quickly to the complete reconstruction of the lost part. These phenomena are well known in their general aspects and a comprehensive description of arm regeneration was previously provided (Candia Carnevali et al., Recent Trends in Regeneration Research. Plenum Press, New York, '89). However, there is a considerable gap in knowledge of the early regenerative phases which are particularly significant for the following development. The aim of the present work is to describe and interpret the different aspects of these early stages of arm regeneration in Antedon mediterranea. According to our results the regenerative development of Antedon arm seems to consist of an epimorphic process which essentially implies the involvement of proliferating undifferentiated cells. The early stages of this process can be distinguished in a first repair phase, which includes the overall 24 hr post-amputation period and is characterized mainly by the processes of wound healing and tissue repair, and in a second regenerative phase, which includes the 24–72 hr post-amputation period and is characterized by the first regenerative events. The different arm components involved in the amputation/regeneration phenomena seem to play different and specific roles in these initial phases. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Influence of Cephradine on Microbial Colonisation Resistance in Healthy Volunteers

Cephradine has been described as one of the antimicrobials that do not impair microbial colonisation resistance. However, this view was based on data obtained in animals, and has not been proven in man. In this study we investigated the influence of cephradine, 500 mg twice daily, on microbial colonisation resistance in six healthy volunteers. Increase in the faecal concentrakion of gram-negative bacilli, aerobic gram-positive cocci or yeasts, and increase in secondary colonisation by strains acquired spontaneously or administered deliberately (challenge), were used as indicators for disturbance of the flora that provides colonisation resistance. In two of six volunteers none of these indicators was found to be positive. In the other four volunteers one or more indicators became positive. It is concluded that even this low dosage of cephradine may impair colonisation resistance. Therefore the view that cephradine does not impair colonisation resistance in a dosage of up to 9 g daily is probably incorrect. Keywords: Colonisation resistance; Cephradine; Indigenous aerobic flora.
Diversification of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)-Based Crop Sequences for Higher Production Potentials and Economic Returns in India's Central Uttar Pradesh

The dominant cropping system of rice-wheat (covering 10.5 million hectares) is widely adopted by the farmers of the Indo-Gangetic Plains Region of India, which accounts for 25% and 40% of the total area under rice and wheat, respectively. The yield stagnation of both the crops is due to the monotony of the system, the over exhaustive nature of cereal-cereal crop sequences, and the huge over-exploitation of the natural resource base. Other high value and volume crops can effectively be included in the system replacing wheat, while promoting sustainability and profitability of the system. Results showed that rice (Oryza sativa L.)- potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)- onion (Allium cepa L.) and rice-potato-japanese mint (Mentha arvensis L.) crop sequences are statistically at par with each other, produced a significantly higher rice equivalent yield of 288.80 q ha−1 and 266.40 q ha−1, respectively than that obtained under rice–potato–green gram (Vigna radiata L.) (193 qha−1), rice–frenchbean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)–Japanese mint (173.5 qha−1), rice-mustard (Brassica compestris L.)–Japanese mint(167.4 qha−1), rice-lentil (Lens esculenta L.)–japanese mint (161.0 qha−1) and rice–wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.)–japanese mint (which is the most common farmers' practice) (142.0 q ha−1) crop sequences. The rice-potato-japanese mint and rice–potato–onion crop sequences are more productive and economically viable as they also fetched more net returns per unit area for time invested, and can be a better option for the farmers of the Central Plains Zone of India. These two cropping sequences were also judged as most sustainable by the farmers in their local agricultural production system.
Effect of rate of nitrogen fertilizer on the above- and below-ground biomass of irrigated bromegrass in southwest Saskatchewan

A 9-yr study was conducted on an alluvial clay loam at Swift Current, Saskatchewan to determine the effect of annual applications of urea-N (46-0-0) fertilizer on production, nutrient quality, N use efficiency, root mass, and root distribution of bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.). Nitrogen was applied annually at the rates of 0, 50, 100, and 200 kg ha−1 N to an established stand of bromegrass. Plots were flood irrigated. Forage DM yields increased linearly with rate of N applied. In all years, the slope of the response was similar and averaged 24 kg DM kg−1 N. The average y-intercept value was 1794 kg DM ha−1. In years 1–4, the N concentration in the grass was depressed at low N rates but after 5 yr the N concentration increased at all N rates. Tissue levels over 100 ppm occurred at the 200 kg N rate after 3 yr. Applications of N reduced plant P in all years; the extent depended on N rate. Uptake of N increased with increasing N rate as did the apparent N recovery. Nitrogen rate had no effect on root mas.
Shade Effects on Phaseolus vulgaris L. Intercropped with Zea mays L. under Well-Watered Conditions

Field experiments were carried out under unstressed conditions of soil water during two summer crop growing seasons (1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons) in a South African semi-arid region (Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa). The aim of this study was to investigate shade effects on beans intercropped with maize in terms of plant mass and radiation use. The experimental treatments were two cropping systems (no shading/sole cropping and shading/intercropping) and two row orientations (north-south and east-west). At the top of bean canopies shaded by maize, incident radiation was reduced by up to 90 %. Shading reduced total dry matter of beans by 67 % at the end of the growing season, resulting in yield losses. The dry matter partitioning into leaf and stem (the ratios of leaf and stem to total biomass) was about 50 % higher in intercropping than sole cropping. In contrast, intercropped beans had 40 % lower dry matter partitioning into pod (the ratio of pod to total biomass). Fraction of radiation intercepted by sole-cropped beans steeply increased until canopy closure (0.9) and then slowly decreased, while fraction of radiation intercepted by intercropped beans remained constant between 0.0 and 0.2 throughout the growing seasons. However, intercropped beans had 77 % higher radiation use efficiency (RUE) than sole-cropped beans. In contrast, for maize, no effect of intercropping (shading) was found on growth, partitioning, yield, radiation interception or RUE. Consequently, lower bean yield losses can be attained in association with late shading rather than early shading. This can be controlled by growing crops with different temporal and spatial treatments. As regards row treatment, no effect of row direction was found on growth, partitioning, yield, radiation interception or RUE.
Copigmentation of simple and acylated anthocyanins with colorless phenolic compounds

The influences of pH and structure and concentration of copigment and pigment on the copigmentation reaction of anthocyanin-colorless phenolic compounds has been investigated. It has been found that the copigmentation effect displayed by chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and rutin was greater for the acylated pelargonidin, monardaein, than for the corresponding pelargonidin 3-glucoside, and malvin solutions exhibited the greatest copigmentation effects. The pH of maximum copigmentation effect was 3.2-3.7 for chlorogenic acid and 3.5-4.7 for caffeic acid and rutin
Molecular and Microstructural Studies of Thermal Denaturation and Gelation of β-Lactoglobulins A and B

The thermal properties of β-lactoglobulins (β-lg) A and B at pH 3, 5, 7, and 8.6 were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to monitor changes in the secondary structure of the proteins when heated from 25 to 95 °C. The microstructure of β-lg A and B gels made from 10% (w/v) protein solutions by heating at 90 °C for 30 min was studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. β-Lg B had greater thermal stability and required more energy to denature than β-lg A; denaturation of β-lg B was also more cooperative. Infrared spectroscopy showed that β-lg B had a higher proportion of β-sheet than the A variant at pH 3 and 5. At pH 7 and 8.6 the secondary structures of the two variants were similar. At all four pH values, aggregation bands (1682 and ∼1622 cm-1) were observed when the proteins were heated. Electron microscopy showed that the gel matrix of β-lg B at both acid and alkaline pH was made up of larger aggregate structures than β-lg A. The .
Effects of UV‐C and UV‐B on cytomorphology and water permeability of inner epidermal cells of Allium cepa

Changes of cytomorphology and water permeability of inner epidermal cells of Allium cepa L. cvs Spartan and Keep Well were investigated with the light microscope after irradiation with UV-C (254 nm) and UV-B (280 and 310 nm). The sequence of the investigated changes of viscosity, protoplasmic streaming, organelle shape and water permeability was the same with 254 as with 280 nm. although a higher dose of 280 nm was needed to produce the same biologically equivalent effect. However, when calculated as a percentage of the lethal dose, the initial doses that produced the effects were the same for 254 and 280 nm. No changes could he observed at the cellular level after the cells were irradiated with 310 nm. The lethal dose depended upon the time between irradiation and observation. At 254 nm it was 1.1 kJ m−2 up to 1 h after irradiation and dropped to 860 J m−2 when measured 24 and 48 h later. At 280 nm a dose of 2.8 kJ m−2 killed the cells within I h while the dose needed after 24 and 48S h was 1.99 kJ m−2. The minimum doses which caused the different cytomorphological effects did not depend upon the observation time. Normal cell structure and functions that were altered immediately alter irradiation did not recover. Doses that were not immediately effective alter irradiation caused no later damage. Doses which increased water permeability were much higher than doses which influenced cytomorphological parameters of the cell.
Tracing recovery under changing climate: response of phytoplankton and invertebrate assemblages to decreased acidification

Abstract Phytoplankton and littoral invertebrate assemblages in 4 boreal lakes recovering from acidification and 4 minimally disturbed reference lakes studied over 2 decades were used to determine the pathways and trajectories of change under the influence of climatic variability. Assemblage composition (species presence–absence data) but not dominance patterns (invertebrate abundance/phytoplankton biovolume) of acidified lakes became more similar to those of reference lakes (distance decreased with time), indicating that detection of recovery varies as a function of chosen metrics. Acidified lakes had more pronounced shifts in assemblage composition than did reference lakes. The most marked differences were noted for phytoplankton assemblages. Assemblages in acidified lakes had mean between-year Euclidean distances almost 2× greater than those of assemblages in reference lakes. Trends in water chemistry showed unequivocal recovery, but responses of phytoplankton and invertebrate assemblages, measured as between-year shifts in assemblage composition, were correlated with interannual variability in climate (e.g., North Atlantic Oscillation, water temperature) in addition to decreased acidity. The finding that recovery pathways and trajectories of individual acidified lakes and the environmental drivers explaining these changes differed among assemblages shows that biological recovery is complex and the influence of climatic variability is poorly understood.