Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AGRONOMIC EVALUATION OF MINIMUM TILLAGE SYSTEMS FOR SUMMER FALLOW IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA

Eight summer-fallow methods for spring wheat production were compared in terms of weed control, crop residue conservation, soil erodibility, moisture conservation, NO3-N of the soil, and wheat yield on a clay loam soil from 1968 to 1976. Repeated applications of herbicides were as effective as tillage for controlling weeds during the summer-fallow season. Crop residue and soil moisture conservation were greatest when weeds were controlled with herbicides instead of tillage. Chemical fallows conserved 67% of the original crop residue compared with 43% of bladed fallows. Wheat yields from treatments involving little or no tillage during the fallow season were consistently greater than those from conventionally tilled treatments. The chemical fallow treatment with one tillage operation in the fall of the fallow season generally produced the highest yields. Although differences were small, there was some evidence, in terms of soil NO3-N levels and protein content of wheat, that wheat grown on chemical fallow .
Estoques e frações de carbono orgânico em Latossolo Amarelo submetido a diferentes sistemas de manejo

The objective of this work was to determine the effects of soil management systems on the stocks and fractions of organic carbon of an Oxisol (Xantic Ferralsol), in the cerrado of the state of Piaui, Brazil. The following systems were evaluated: a three-year-old conventional tillage; a three- and a five-year -old no-tillage system, using millet as cover crop; and a nine-year-old no-tillage, using millet as cover crop for seven and forage (Urochloa brizantha) for two years. A native cerrado area was used as a reference. Soil samples were collected in the wet and dry seasons from 0.00-0.05, 0.05-0.10, 0.10-0.20, and 0.20-0.40 m depths for determining: total organic carbon and nitrogen contents and stocks; humic substances content; and humification index. The highest carbon contents were observed in the soil under cerrado, at 0.00-0.05 m depth, in both seasons. However, the highest stocks of carbon and nitrogen as well as the highest contents of humic substances were verified in the soil with no-tillage system for five and nine years, in both seasons, at all evaluated depths. The highest humification index was also observed in these soils, in the dry season. No-tillage associated with cover crops decreases soil organic matter mineralization, increases soil carbon stocks in depth, and favors carbon sequestration in cerrado areas of Piaui state.
Nutritional Quality of Natural Foods of Juvenile and Adult Desert Tortoises (Gopherus agassizii): Calcium, Phosphorus, and Magnesium Digestibility

Abstract Exotic plants can make up a major component of the diet for some Desert Tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) in the Mojave Desert. If introduced plants differ nutritionally from native plants, they may influence the growth and welfare of young tortoises. Minerals available from a native grass (Achnatherum hymenoides), an introduced grass (Schismus barbatus), a native forb (Malacothrix glabrata), and an introduced forb (Erodium cicutarium) were measured for juvenile Desert Tortoises voluntarily eating single-species diets. We offered tortoises weighed amounts of chopped foods daily for ∼130 days (dry grasses; summer diet) or ∼90 days (green forbs; spring diet). Orts and feces were collected daily and dried to constant mass, and calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium contents of food and feces were measured and used to calculate nutrient digestibilities. Overall, tortoises gained more minerals from forbs than from grasses. Tortoises lost small but significant amounts of phosphorus when eating grasses, which may have contributed to observed decreases in tortoise mass and shell volume on grass diets. There were few nutritional differences between native and exotic forbs or between native and exotic grasses. Comparisons of nutrient availability to estimated requirements for growth by juveniles and for egg production by adult females suggest that phosphorus is more limiting than calcium or magnesium and that calcium may pose a significant osmotic challenge for excretion in this desert species. Management practices that promote availability of forbs could increase growth rates and shell ossification, which would enhance predator resistance of juvenile tortoises.
Facilitating Establishment of Advance Regeneration of Pterocarpus santalinus L.—An Endangered Tree Species from India

Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus L.) is an endangered and endemic tropical tree species from India in need of restoration. This study evaluated options for improving establishment of its advance regeneration in degraded forests. Using randomized complete block design, the effect of silvicultural treatments involving prescribed fire, in combination with disking, singling, disking with singling, and control (no treatment) on survival and growth of advanced regeneration were evaluated for a period of 2 years. Results indicate that the treatments served to ameliorate microsite conditions resulting in better survival and growth. Seedlings with fewer coppice shoots, treatments with a singling component, and treatments with disking component showed better survival and growth. The number and height of other neighboring seedlings and trees also influenced seedling establishment. Seedlings showed significantly higher survival results in the prescribed fire with disking (disking with prescribed burn [DPB]: 96%) and prescribed fires with disking and singling (singling plus disking with prescribed burn [SDPB]: 94%) treatments. Similarly, tall seedlings and those with larger root collar diameters accrued significantly higher volume growth in DPB (87%) and SDPB (97%) treatments. Although seedlings showed similar increments in DPB and SDPB treatments, better survival due to singling indicated the latter as the best option. In dense regeneration areas, preferential treatment of the taller and larger stump‐sized seedlings and, in limited regeneration areas that of smaller seedlings, may yield better results. Additionally, removal of competing vegetation and canopy opening may also help establishment of young regeneration. The results of this study have applications for restoration of endangered species in other tropical dry deciduous ecosystems worldwide.
Prevalence, Correlates and Perceptions Towards Cigarette Smoking Among Male and Female in School Adolescents (Aged 11–18 Years) in South Africa: Results from the 2008 GYTS Study

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and identify correlates of current cigarette use among 8,470 school-going adolescents (aged 11 to 18 years) in South Africa. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2008 in South Africa within the framework of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS). Overall prevalence of current cigarette smoking was 16.5%. Significantly more males (22.8%) than females (10.5%) were current smokers (p < .001). Cigarette smoking among boys and girls was positively associated with parental and/or peer smoking and greater risk perception, and among girls smoking attitudes variables (having more friends among girls, greater attractiveness of boys and weight change) and various higher exposure to smoking advertising and promotion activities were positively associated with cigarette smoking. However, antismoking advertising and community and family education were positively associated with current smoking, while only having school or community special groups or classes for students who want to stop smoking was protective of smoking. Cigarette smoking and other tobacco use is a significant public health problem in South Africa. Public health efforts aimed at preventing adolescent cigarette/tobacco use should incorporate knowledge on the associated factors related to smoking.
Floating Oyster, Crassostrea virginica Gmelin 1791, Aquaculture as Habitat for Fishes and Macroinvertebrates in Delaware Inland Bays: The Comparative Value of Oyster Clusters and Loose Shell

ABSTRACT The substantial decline of eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) stocks along the east coast of the United States has prompted the growth of many types of restoration and enhancement efforts. One of the most recent types is oyster gardening. Oysters grown in floating structures are subsequently planted in bays, where they continue to live, grow, and spawn; filter the water; contribute to the larval pool; and provide habitat. Our study is one of the first evaluations of habitat value provided by floating oyster gardens in a degraded mid-Atlantic estuary. Oyster growth and survival within the floats was monitored in a eutrophic, turbid, periodically hypoxic, soft-bottom coastal lagoon system. We examined the abundance and diversity of fishes and invertebrates with respect to 3 replicated treatments: live oyster clusters, disarticulated oyster shell, and a float with no shells or oysters. We also studied the effects of 2 cleaning frequencies (biweekly and monthly) on species assemblages, and the growth and survival of oysters, and monitored basic water quality parameters. The species assemblages in floats with oyster clusters were very similar to those with loose shell but considerably different than that of empty floats. Cleaning frequency (biweekly and monthly) did not affect the growth or survival of oysters. Location of floats within the canal system, however, was a large determinant of oyster vital rates as well as community structure. Forty-nine species of fishes and invertebrates, and 8 species of macroalgae were collected from floating oyster gardens, including 9 commercial or recreational fishery species, many of which are likely habitat limited in the Inland Bays because of the loss of tidal wetlands, oyster reefs, and seagrass beds. Newly settled juvenile oysters have been found for the first time within the floating oyster gear in the manmade, residential canal systems. Our results will be used to gauge the success of enhancement efforts and to improve our understanding of the effects oyster gardens on the Inland Bays ecosystem.
Effects of Rht dwarfing alleles on wheat seed vigour after controlled deterioration

Abstract. Reduced height (Rht) alleles, commonly known as the ‘Green Revolution’ genes, have facilitated wheat breeding programs and achieved globally a more than 10% wheat yield increase. However, studies in barley indicate that shorter plant habits are associated with reduced seed vigour and longevity. Therefore, wheat seeds of six near-isogenic lines (NIL) carrying the dwarfing alleles Rht-B1b, Rht-D1b, Rht-B1c, Rht-B1b+-D1b, Rht-B1c+-D1b and the wild-type allele Rht-B1a+-D1a, each in four background cultivars, were stressed by controlled deterioration. Seed vigour expressed as root and shoot lengths, time to 50% (T50) and time between 16 and 84% (T16-84) germination showed significant changes after treatment. However, after controlled deterioration only a combination of Rht alleles highly affected T16-84 and T50, which followed the general pattern Rht-B1c+-D1b followed by > Rht-B1c > Rht-B1b+-D1b > Rht-B1b > Rht D1b = Rht-B1a+-D1a (wild type). Interestingly, only under control conditions seed vigour correlated positively with thousand-kernel weight, which decreased with severity of Rht type. Further, the seed length was not affected by the different NIL. In conclusion, NIL carrying combinations of Rht alleles tend to influence seed vigour, which could influence seed longevity. Therefore, plant breeders but especially genebank managers should consider that the genetic background of genotypes may affect seed deterioration processes, which could be an economically important aspect in future.
Topographic and climatic controls on soil respiration in six temperate mixed‐hardwood forest slopes, Korea

To better understand the effects of local topography and climate on soil respiration, we conducted field measurements and soil incubation experiments to investigate various factors influencing spatial and temporal variations in soil respiration for six mixed‐hardwood forest slopes in the midst of the Korean Peninsula. Soil respiration and soil water content (SWC) were significantly greater (P=0.09 and 0.003, respectively) on north‐facing slopes compared to south‐facing slopes, while soil temperature was not significantly different between slopes (P>0.5). At all sites, soil temperature was the primary factor driving temporal variations in soil respiration (r2=0.84–0.96) followed by SWC, which accounted for 30% of soil respiration spatial and temporal variability. Results from both field measurements and incubation experiments indicate that variations in soil respiration due to aspect can be explained by a convex‐shaped function relating SWC to normalized soil respiration rates. Annual soil respiration estimates (1070–1246 g C m−2 yr−1) were not closely related to mean annual air temperatures among sites from different climate regimes. When soils from each site were incubated at similar temperatures in a laboratory, respiration rates for mineral soils from wetter and cooler sites were significantly higher than those for the drier and warmer sites (n=4, P<0.01). Our results indicate that the application of standard temperature‐based Q10 models to estimate soil respiration rates for larger geographic areas covering different aspects or climatic regimes are not adequate unless other factors, such as SWC and total soil nitrogen, are considered in addition to soil temperature.
Evolution of pollen, stigmas and ovule numbers at the caesalpinioid–mimosoid interface (Fabaceae)

In this study we examine the pollen, stigmas and ovaries from 62 collections of herbarium material representing 16 genera, using light and scanning electron microscopy. The caesalpinioid Dimorphandra group (Burkea, Dimorphandra, Erythrophleum, Mora, Pachyelasma, Stachyothyrsus and Sympetalandra) pollen grains are small, tricolporate monads, with perforate or psilate ornamentation. Dinizia, Pentaclethra and Aubrevillea have morphological characters that have suggested either a mimosoid or caesalpinioid placement. Dinizia pollen is in permanent tetrads with clavate ornamentation. Pentaclethra pollen grains are monads, two species have tricolporate pollen and the third is porate. Aubrevillea has tricolporate, finely reticulate monads. All ten genera have variable, non-predictable stigma type and ovule number. The mimosoid Adenanthera group (Adenanthera, Tetrapleura, Amblygonocarpus, Pseudoprosopis, Calpocalyx and Xylia) pollen grains are in 8- to 16-grain polyads. In all Adenanthera group species, the stigmatic cavity is only large enough to accommodate one polyad. In addition, the number of ovules present matches the number of pollen units in one polyad. Polyads have porate, operculate apertures that differ in layout, aperture morphology and development when compared with caesalpinioid and other eudicot pollen. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 162, 594–615.
Predator-induced reductions in nest visitation rates are modified by forest cover and food availability

Bird parents can alert predators to the location of their nest. One mitigating option is that parents reduce their nest visitation rate in exchange for a lower predation risk. Here, using field data and experiments, we show that Siberian jay Perisoreus infaustus parents adjust feeding visit rates depending on an interaction of 3 factors: predator activity, nest concealment, and food availability. The rate of nest visits increased with the degree of nest concealment; yet, this relationship was modified by the presence of corvid predators. As the vegetation became more dense, parents at sites with high corvid activity disproportionately increased their feeding visit rates when compared with birds at sites with low corvid activity. We experimentally assessed how nesting cover affects this response of parents to the presence of corvids by using an Eurasian jay Garrulus glandarius model. Parents nesting at open sites ceased nest visits, whereas those nesting in dense forest continued feeding, albeit at a lower rate. Cover may thus not fully compensate for the effect of predator activity on feeding visit rates. However, offspring exposed to high predator activity might still receive the same amount of food because parents may adjust load sizes to compensate. This idea was confirmed by an experiment showing that in areas of high predator activity, food-supplemented birds significantly decreased nest visits when compared with nonsupplemented birds. These results indicate that some bird species can employ multiple nest-defense strategies to reduce predator-attracting nest visits; yet, these strategies may carry fitness consequences through reduced offspring quality. Copyright 2008, Oxford University Press.
Stomach contents analysis—a review of methods and their application

Methods for analysing fish stomach contents are listed and critically assessed with a view to their suitability for determining dietary importance—this term is defined. Difficulties in the application of these methods are discussed and, where appropriate, alternative approaches proposed. Modifications which have practical value are also considered. The necessity of linking measurements of dietary importance to stomach capacity is emphasized and the effects of differential digestion upon interpretation of stomach contents outlined. The best measure of dietary importance is proposed as one where both the amount and bulk of a food category are recorded.
Isolation and Characterization of Starches from eight Dioscorea alata cultivars grown in Jamaica

-1 for Darknight yam to 23.001 ± 0.058 gKg -1 for Barbados. The starch granules were found to display an asymmetric "Maltese" cross upon exposure to polarized light with projected mean granule diameters ranging from 22.89 µm to 28.01 µm. The starch granules were predominantly ellipsoidal in shape with only Renta yam and Barbados yam displaying triangular shaped granules. The swelling power of the starches were found to increase with temperature, with Moonshine (895.551 ± 1.051%) having the highest swelling power and Renta yam (757.401 ± 6.101%) the lowest at 95°C. Variations were also observed in the solubility, phosphorous content, crude fat content and gelatinization temperatures of the different yam starches. The properties of the different Dioscorea alata starches may prove useful in nutritional applications.
Indigenous naked neck chicken: a valuable genetic resource for Bangladesh

The present review work aims at determining the potential usefulness of indigenous naked neck (INN) chicken (D. Nana) for poultry production in a hot-humid climate. INN chicken has good heat dissipation mechanism and well adaptive to harsh tropical environment and nutrition, and is highly resistant to disease and superior to indigenous full-feathered and exotic egg-type or exotic naked neck counterparts in terms of growth rate, egg production, egg quality and meat yield traits. It can produce double the standard number of eggs under improved nutrition and management conditions. Crossbreds of INN with exotic chicken can perform even better than that of exotic chicken in respect of productive and reproductive traits. Consumers prefer the meat and eggs of INN chickens for reasons of pigmentation, leanness, taste, firmness, and they are also used in special dishes. INN chicken prices are typically higher compared with those of products from exotic stocks. There are a very few published papers on the molecular aspects of INN chickens, although this is essential to determine genetic distance or relationship within or between INN chicken and indigenous full-feathered (IFF) varieties (D. nana) for future breeding plans. Therefore INN strains may be a promising and worthy genetic resource for the development of a breed or strain through selective or crossbreeding program suited to Bangladesh and in other countries where similar environments and socio-economic conditions exist. Thus, the present review provides genetic and performance information on INN chickens which may be useful for further improvement of tropical breeds.
Synchrony between Legume Nitrogen Release and Corn Demand in the Upper Midwest

If legume cover crops are to be an effective, environmentally sound N source for corn (Zea mays L.), there must be a synchrony between legume N release and corn demand. A field study was conducted in Wisconsin during 1991 and 1992 that measured the release of legume N throughout the growing season using mesh bags, and compared resultant levels of soil mineral N following legume incorporation to those following fertilizer N applied at the recommended rate (179 kg N ha -1 ) and a control (no cover crop, no fertilizer) in a conventional tillage (CT) system. Corn N uptake during the growing season was also measured to determine if legume N could meet uptake demands. Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) residues decomposed rapidly, releasing half of their N within 4 wk after burial, while very little N was released after 10 wk (corresponding to corn silking). Soil tests indicated an increase in mineral N levels corresponding to legume N release, similar to those following an application of 179 kg ha -1 fertilizer N, occurring before the period of rapid N uptake by corn. Mean corn grain yields of 11.25 Mg ha -1 in 1991 and 10.89 Mg ha -1 in 1992 following the legumes were similar to those produced with 179 kg ha -1 fertilizer N, indicating that, in addition to releasing N in synchrony with the uptake pattern of corn, legumes released N in adequate amounts for corn production. Finally, postharvest levels of potentially leachable soil NO 3- N following the legumes were similar to or less than when following fertilizer. Therefore, legume cover crops can be an effective N source for corn in the Upper Midwest.
Limitation of net CO2 assimilation rate by internal resistances to CO2 transfer in the leaves of two tree species (Fagus sylvatica L. and Castanea sativa Mill.)

Using a combination of gas-exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements, low apparent CO 2 /O 2 specificity factors (1300 mol mol −1 ) were estimated for the leaves of two deciduous tree species (Fagus sylvatica and Castanea sativa). These low values contrasted with those estimated for two herbaceous species and were ascribed to a drop in he CO 2 mole fraction between the intercellular airspace (C i ) and the catalytic site of Rubisco (C c ) due to internal resistances to CO 2 transfer. C c was calculated assuming a specificity of Rubisco value of 2560 mol mol −1 . The drop between C i and C c was used to calculate the internal conductance for CO 2 (g i ). A good correlation between mean values of net CO 2 assimilation rate (A) and g i was observed within a set of data obtained using 13 woody plant species, including our own data. We report that the relative limitation of A, which can be ascribed to internal resistances to CO 2 transfer, was 24-30%. High internal resistances to CO 2 transfer may explain the low apparent maximal rates of carboxylation and electron transport of some woody plant species calculated from A/C i curves