Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular marker and phenotypic analyses for low phosphorus stress tolerance in cultivars and landraces of upland rice under irrigated and drought situations

Low available phosphorous (P) is a major problem for upland rice cultivation. Pup1, a major QTL responsible for efficient P uptake is very important for upland rice. The present investigation aimed to identify rice genotypes having Pup1 QTL, thereby showing better P use efficiency. Ninety six upland rice cultivars and landraces were screened of which 46.88% showed presence of the Pup1 QTL. Seventy six genotypes accounting for 79.17% of total population showed probable presence of PSTOL1 gene. The cluster analysis distinguished the irrigated, upland and aerobic genotypes forming different sub-branches. The genotypes Dinoroda, N22, Bowdel, Tepiboro, Bamawpyan, Karni, Lalsankari, Hazaridhan, Surjamukhi and Kalinga 3 being positive for all the molecular markers considered in the study formed a distinct branch in the tree. The phenotyping study also confirmed the usefulness of the Pup1 positive genotypes. The Pup1 positive genotypes showed better Puptake than the Pup1 negative genotypes. More P-uptake was observed in the genotypes Bowdel, Lalsankari, Karni, N22, Tepiboro, Dular and Surjamukhi as compared to Kasalath taken as the positive check. But the genotypes that showed promisingly/significant better uptake than Kasalath were Surjamukhi (irrigated P normal); Karni (irrigated P deficient); Lalsankari (drought P normal); Tepiboro, N22, Karni and Lalsankari (drought P deficient). A general correspondence of irrigated situation showed decreasing trend of P-uptake in P-deficient condition as compared to P-sufficient condition. The genotypes Surjamukhi, Karni, Lalsankari, Tepiboro, N22 and Bowdel can be considered as donors to be used in marker-assisted breeding programs for incorporation of Pup1 QTL into high yielding popular varieties to increase their phosphorus uptake efficiency.
Effects of plateau pika disturbance levels on the plant diversity and biomass of an alpine meadow.

The plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) is known to influence the plant diversity and biomass of the alpine meadow, and it is regarded as a pest. The species has been subject to extensive controls without a clear target density in the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau. We investigated the effects of different plateau pika disturbance levels on plant composition, species diversity and biomass. The density of active burrow entrances was used as an index of disturbance levels I, II, III and IV (corresponding to 8, 19, 27 and 39 active burrow entrances per 625 m²). We found that the plant community composition differed with different disturbance levels. The plant replacements were mainly related to associate plants rather than dominant plants. With the increase in the plateau pika disturbance levels, the plant cover decreased, and the plant height first increased and then decreased. The plant evenness index was higher in the levels II and III disturbance conditions, while the plant diversity index and plant richness index were highest in the level IV disturbance condition. The disturbance levels had no effect on the total plant biomass; however, the intermediate disturbance levels (II and III) increased the palatable plant biomass. The total plant biomass was mainly dependent on the unpalatable plant biomass. The total plant biomass showed a positive correlation with the richness index and a negative correlation with the evenness index. The palatable plant biomass showed a positive correlation with the evenness index and a negative correlation with the richness index. These results imply that the intermediate disturbance levels are beneficial to livestock production as they increase the alpine meadow quality, and the higher disturbance level is better for plant diversity conservation in the alpine meadows of the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau.
Nutrient Composition and In vitro Digestibility of Three Neglected and Underutilized Browse Species in the Dry Savanna Zone of Ghana

The nutrient composition and in vitro gas production of 3 neglected and underutilized browse specie (NUS) in the dry savanna zone of Ghana were evaluated. The NUS were Detarium microcarpum, Piliostigma thonningii and Icacina oliviformis. Leaves and seeds of NUS were harvested from 15 randomly selected matured trees within native fields in Nyankpala in the Guinea savanna zone. The in vitro gas production was evaluated in a 3 x 2 x 2 factorial design. The factors were the 3 NUS, 2 fractions (seed and leaf) and 2 levels of Polyethylene glycol (PEG). With the exception of I. Oliviformis, the seed fraction of all NUS was found to be higher in CP than the leaf. The NDF was in the range of 463.3 and 663 g/kg with the seed fraction of D. microcarpum having the highest. The ADF concentration of the seed was relatively lower than that of the leaf fraction with the least reported in the seed of I. Oliviformis. There was a significant effect of NUS x Fraction x PEG interaction on the asymptote gas production. The in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and metabolizable energy (ME, MJ/Kg DM) were significantly affected by the Fraction x NUS interaction. The study revealed that the 3 NUS had nutritional potentials for use in ruminant feeds. The seed fraction of most of the NUS had higher CP and lower ADF than the leaf fraction. The ME reported for all the treatments was above the 4.7 MJ/Kg/d of growing lambs gaining 0-50 g/d.
Iron storage capacities and associated ferritin gene expression among marine diatoms

In large regions of the ocean, low iron availability regulates diatom growth and species composition. Diatom species often vary in their physiological response to iron enrichment, with natural and artificial iron additions in iron‐limited regions of the ocean resulting in large blooms of primarily pennate diatoms. The ability of pennate diatoms to proliferate following pulse iron additions has been partly attributed to their ability to acquire and store excess intracellular iron in the iron storage protein ferritin. Recent transcriptome sequencing of diatoms indicate that some centric diatoms also possess ferritin. Using a combination of physiological and molecular techniques, we examined the iron storage capacities and associated ferritin gene expression in phylogenetically diverse centric and pennate diatoms grown under high and low iron concentrations. There were no systematic differences among ferritin‐containing and non‐containing diatom lineages in their ability to store iron in excess of that needed to support maximum growth rates. An exception, however, was the ferritin‐containing pennate diatom Pseudo‐nitzschia granii, native to iron‐limited waters of the Northeast Pacific Ocean. This species exhibited an exceptionally large luxury iron storage capacity and increased ferritin gene expression at high iron concentrations, supporting a role in long‐term iron storage. By contrast, two other diatoms species that exhibited minimal iron storage capacities contained two distinct ferritin genes where one ferritin gene increased in expression under iron limitation while the second showed no variation with cellular iron status. We conclude that ferritin may serve multiple functional roles that are independent of diatom phylogeny.
Genetic diversity and field performance of mung bean, faba bean and lentil genotypes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Grain legumes are grown for their high proteins and biological nitrogen fixation ability. In this study, 3 mung bean, 4 lentil and 20 faba bean genotypes from the Kingdom of the Saudi Arabia were evaluated for genetic diversity. There were significant differences in the morphological and molecular characteristics in the tested mung bean (Vigna radiata L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.) genotypes. The sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) and amplified fragments length polymorphism (AFLP) markers exhibited a considerable genetic diversity among the tested genotypes of all three legume crops. The genotypes differed for plant height, primary branches, pod length, pods per plant, grain per pod and 100-grain weight. All the tested genotypes of mung bean, lentil and faba bean differed in the number of alleles. Maximum number of alleles per primer combination was 112 in mung bean, 72 in lentil and 126 in faba bean. Polymorphism percentage of all the tested genotypes of the mung bean and lentil was 100% and in faba bean, it ranged from 97 to 100%. Existence of genetic diversity of these tested mung bean, lentil and faba bean genotypes offers opportunities to exploit favourable alleles for use in the breeding program aimed at yield improvement. © 2017 Friends Science Publishers
Discovery of a new species of Stromatium Audinet‐Serville, 1834 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) native to Australia, based on morphology and DNA barcoding

Stromatium Audinet‐Serville 1834 is considered to be one of the most economically important genera of Cerambycidae. Three species of this genus, Stromatium barbatum (Fabricius ), Stromatium longicorne (Newman 1842) and Stromatium auratum (Böber 1793), are able to develop to maturity in seasoned timber and are distributed worldwide due to human commerce. We clarified here the status of wild populations of Stromatium in Australia. Stromatium darwinense Jin & Weir sp. nov. is described from the Northern Territory in Australia, based on evidence from morphological characters and mtDNA barcode sequences (421 bp fragment of COI). The new species is morphologically very similar to S. longicorne, which is native to Christmas Island but not to mainland Australia. We redescribe S. barbatum and S. longicorne, the introductions of which still remain high risks for Australian biosecurity.
Vicia villosa protein isolate: a new source of protein to make a biodegradable film

Edible films from Vicia villosa protein isolate (VVPI) containing different contents of glycerol and sorbitol (30, 40, 50 and 60%w/w of protein) were developed. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of type and concentration of plasticizers on the properties of edible films obtained from VVPI. Type and concentration of plasticizer significantly (p <0.05) affected the mechanical, barrier, thermal and surface properties as well as opacity of the films. As plasticizer concentration increased, tensile strength decreased concomitant with increase in elongation at break and water vapor permeability. The similar trend behavior was observed for the film solubility, which increased with increasing plasticizer concentration. Sorbitol plasticized films, showed higher film solubility compared to glycerol plasticized films. Sorbitol plasticized films provided the most tensile strength values; however, its effect on water vapor permeability was low. In contrast, glycerol plasticized films exhibited the least tensile strength values, resulting in increasing water vapor permeability. Opacity of glycerol plasticized films was lower than that of sorbitol plasticized films, and decreased with increasing plasticizer content ( p <0.05). Also, a significant decrease ( p <0.05) was observed in thermal features and surface hydrophobicity values with increasing in plasticizer contents. It was observed that the films plasticized with sorbitol had lower moisture content than those with glycerol.
Evaluation of fungal and bacterial antagonists for managing phytopathogen Fusarium moniliforme var. subglutinans Sheldon, causing Pokkah Boeng disease of sugarcane

In the present investigation potential fungal and bacterial antagonists were tested under laboratory and field conditions against the phytopathogen Fusarium moniliforme var. subglutinans Sheldon, causing Pokkah Boeng disease of sugarcane. Different strains of fungal anatagonists viz; Trichoderma spp. (strains TCMS36, TCMS43, Th3, TCMS9, Th14) and bacterial antagonists viz; Pseudomonas fluorescens (strains Psf173 and Psf02) and Bacillus sp. were tested against the pathogen under in vitro conditions by employing dual culture technique and volatile assay. The results from dual culture revealed that TCMS36 showed the maximum radial growth inhibition i.e., 73.33 per cent followed by Th14 (69.01%), Psf02 (68.33%), Th3(66.04%),TCMS43 (64.7%), Bacillus sp. (63.95%) and TCMS9(63.74%). Volatile assay depicted that the maximum radial growth inhibition was found in TCMS36(70.01%) followed by TCMS9 (60.10%), Th3 (57.25%), Th14 (55.36%), Psf02 (50.83%) and Bacillus sp. (51.79%), while minimum growth inhibition was observed in Psf173 (40.49%). Further studies were conducted in field, where, Th 14, Psf02 and the consortium of both (Th 14+Psf 02) were tested through sett treatment. The minimum disease incidence was observed in the treatment where setts were treated with P. fluorescens (Psf02) followed by consortium (Th 14+Psf 02) and Th 14 i.e. 0.92%, 1.51% and 5.53%, respectively. The findings from research conclude that the fungal and bacterial antagonist strains can exert an inhibitory effect on the radial growth of Fusariu m sp. as well as reduce the disease incidence in field. Application of these antagonists in field could be a better management tool without having to depend on hazardous chemicals.
Dynamics and evolution of Turgay‐type vegetation in Western Siberia throughout the early Oligocene to earliest Miocene—a study based on diversity of plant functional types in the carpological record

Based on ecospectra of 66 published carpofloras we study dynamics and evolution of Turgay vegetation in Western Siberia during the early Oligocene to earliest Miocene. The ecospectra are obtained using a Plant Functional Type (PFT) classification system comprising 26 herbaceous to arboreal PFTs. The carpofloras originate from seven floristic levels covering the time‐span from the Rupelian to early Aquitanian. Key elements of these levels are documented based on original collection materials. Although impacted by local edaphic conditions, the ecospectra can be interpreted in terms of changing vegetation. Our data show that warm temperate mesophytic, mixed conifer‐broad‐leaved deciduous forest assemblages persisted throughout the Oligocene and earliest Miocene in this core area of Turgai type vegetation. This is in line with comparatively stable climate conditions persisting in the studied time‐span, showing a minor temperature decline and coeval moderate increase in seasonality and precipitation. Concurrently, the reconstructed ecospectra contradict significant continental drying throughout the Oligocene and earliest Miocene. Spatial variability of the proportions of PFTs within the single floristic horizons primarily reflects local edaphic conditions. High diversities of PFTs characteristic for swamp vegetation are mainly confined to the early Oligocene and have a regional focus. Our results indicate that taxonomical diversity, particularly concerning mesic herbs and deciduous shrubs and trees, increased towards the end of the Oligocene. This increase in biodiversity probably can be attributed to an increase in rainfall and extension of terrestrial habitats after the final retreat of the Paratethys.
Factors associated with health effects from occupational exposure to pesticide residues among greengrocers in fresh market, Bangkok, Thailand

ABSTRACT Greengrocers are occupationally exposed to pesticide residues (PRs) on vegetables via dermal contact, especially organophosphates (OPs). The study's aim was to explore health effects from exposure to PRs. Eighty five vegetable vendors at a large fresh market in Bangkok were tested blood cholinesterase activity by the Test-mate ChE Kit (Model 400). The average acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and plasma cholinesterase (PChE) levels were 3.33 ± 0.66 U/ml and 2.06 ± 0.46 U/ml, respectively. The subjective symptoms were skin rash/itching, fatigue/tiredness, eye irritation/blurred vision, headache, and excessive sweating. Multiple linear regression analysis showed a positively significant association between scores of practices regarding exposure to PRs and AChE levels, and a negatively significant relationship between OP residues on hands and PChE levels (p-value < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that either AChE or PChE was significantly associated with eye symptoms and neuromuscular symptoms (p-value < 0.05). A statistically significant association between low score of dermal practice and having skin symptoms was found. Exposure to PRs by hand contact and consumption with poor hygiene habits can pose health problems among greengrocers. The findings emphasized that good personal hygiene practices such as wearing gloves and washing hands can prevent and reduce the health effects from exposure to PRs.
The Ability of Nile Tilapia to Regulate Protein and Energy Intake Evaluated by Carbon Relative Enrichment (δ13C)

: The aim of this study was to assess the ability of Nile tilapia to balance its own diet, when two ingredient mixes were offered, using carbon stable isotopes. In order to accomplish that, 225 Nile tilapia juveniles (average initial weight 5.0 g  0.5 g) were distributed in five tanks, each containing a group of 45 fish. One group of fish were fed exclusively with a high protein mix (HPM; δ 13 C = -22.62‰), the second one fed only with a low protein mix (LPM; δ 13 C = -14.34‰). The other groups had free access to both mixes (free choice system). The fish from all tanks were fed four times a day. Muscle, liver and blood samples were collected at each five days (from 2 fish/tank/collection) for 86 days, except for the fish fed with LPM (fed for a 120 days period). The samples were analyzed in a mass spectrometer and proportions of the mixes consumed were estimated through its carbon isotope enrichment ( δ 13 C). Energy intake slightly decreased after the 50th day and protein consumption increased after the same period. However, consumption did not present a clear pattern in relation to the individual weight, i.e., protein consumption patterns are mainly related to the age of the individuals and it is not clear if it is also correlated to their weight. Additionally, this technique allowed the observation of differences regarding consumption among the individuals from the experimental
Effects of egg weight and in ovo injection of α -tocopherol on chick development, hatching performance, and lipid-soluble antioxidant concentrations in quail chick tissues

Abstract. Lipid-soluble antioxidants can be more effective for chick development when provided via in ovo (IO) injection than when supplemented to the maternal diet. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of egg weight (EW) and IO injection of α -tocopherol on chick development, hatching performance and lipid-soluble antioxidant concentrations in residual yolk sac (RYS), liver and brain tissues of quail chicks. Eggs were obtained from quail breeders at days 72 and 128 of age and incubated at 37.8 ∘ C and 60 % relative humidity. Each egg was numbered and weighed prior to incubation, and the average EW of all eggs was 11.76 ± 0.05 g. The eggs were divided into light (< 11.76 EW; EWL) and heavy (> 11.76 EW; EWH) groups (148 eggs per EW). Each EW group was divided into two IO groups: the control (non-injection) group and α -tocopherol group, in which 3.75 mg of α -tocopherol per egg was injected into the yolk sac followed by a 120 h incubation period. There were 64 eggs for each EW–IO treatment combination (16 eggs per EW per tray). The chick and RYS weights were significantly lower in the EWL group than in the EWH group. A significant EW by IO interaction suggested that IO increased the eggshell temperature of light quail eggs. The non-injected light eggs had a shorter hatching time due to the interaction of EW with IO. Hatchability, embryonic mortalities, and the cumulative hatching rate were not affected by EW or IO. The chick and middle toe lengths increased following IO administration ( P < 0.05), which indicated that IO administration had positive effects on chick quality. However, shank length decreased following IO administration with an unchanged relative asymmetry (RA). IO significantly affected the absolute weights of the liver and heart and the relative weight of the heart, which was lower in the α -tocopherol group than in the control group. IO administration had no effect on total retinol and carotenoid concentrations in the RYS, liver and brain. Vitamin E, α -tocopherol and δ -tocopherol concentrations in the RYS, liver and brain were significantly higher in the α -tocopherol-treated chicks than in the control chicks. The highest brain α -tocopherol concentration was found in the α -tocopherol-treated chicks of the EWH group, indicating a significant interaction between EW and IO. The highest total lipid-soluble antioxidant concentrations were obtained following IO α -tocopherol treatment ( P < 0.05), in the order brain < liver < RYS, but this pattern was not observed with δ -tocopherol. In conclusion, IO injection of α -tocopherol into the yolk sac affected the concentrations of tissue-specific lipid-soluble antioxidants in the RYS and tissues of newly hatched quail chicks, and EW had effects on various parameters.
Recruitment Niches of Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong: Functional Acclimations to Light

Adjustments that a tree species displays in acclimating to light conditions may explain its fate in different forest successional stages. Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong is a tree found in contrasting light environments and used in reforestation programs because of its rapid growth. This study analyzed the performance of tamboril seedlings grown in three light environments: FS—full sun (100% of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and a red/far-red ratio (R/FR) of 1.66), S—shade net (38% of PAR and a R/FR of 1.54) and I—Insulfilm® (Insulfilm, Sao Paulo, Brazil) shade cloth (24% of PAR and a R/FR of 0.69). Greater net assimilation, higher root/shoot ratio, higher stomatal density, and reduced leaf area are some of the functional traits developed by tamboril to acclimate to full sun. On the other hand, a larger leaf area associated with a greater specific leaf area, higher leaf area ratio, higher leaf number and leafing intensity, as well as higher chlorophyll and carotenoid contents are among the most important traits for tamboril to acclimate to shade. The seedlings growing in FS displayed the best quality index. However, the traits developed in the nursery under each light condition could promote the successful installation and survival of tamboril seedlings under similar conditions in the field.