Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
P AND K MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR OPTIMAL ALFALFA PRODUCTION

Fertilization with phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) is essential to maintain alfalfa productivity. Our objective was to examine how P and K fertilizer influenced alfalfa yield and yield components, plant persistence, and root physiology. Replicate plots of P (0, 50, 100, 150 lbs P2O5/A) and K (0, 100, 200, 300, 400 lbs K2O/A) treatments were arranged in a factorial design. Forage harvests occurred four times annually between 1998 and 2005 and yield, mass per shoot, and shoots per area were determined. Roots were dug in May and December of each year to estimate plant populations and determine whether plants were dying during "summer" (May to December) or during "winter" (December to May). Roots were analyzed for starch, sugar, amino acid, and protein concentrations. Total annual yield increased with application of P and K, but K application did not increase first harvest yield. Yield increases were due to greater mass per shoot, whereas stems/area were not related to forage yield. Plants died during summer and not during winter. Although P fertilizer increased forage yield significantly, it decreased plant populations by producing fewer but larger individual alfalfa plants. Fertilization with P alone resulted in faster stand thinning than observed in plots provided both P and K, and those left unfertilized. This rapid stand loss was associated with low concentrations of root reserves including starch, amino acids, and protein in taproots. Balanced P and K nutrition is essential to maintain stands and have high forage yield.
Bamboo: Plant morphology, agronomic aspects, human utilization and perspectives

Bamboos are monocot plants in the family of grasses and sub-family Bambusoideae, which comprises about 75 genera and more than 1200 species growing in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions of all continents except Europe. Several factors, such as latitude, altitude, temperature, soil and pluviometric distribution, influence on the cultivation of bamboo. There is a need to know the morphological structure of bamboo for better management of the culture, thus providing better gains for both farmers and the industry using bamboo. There is great interest due to applications in construction, food, landscaping, manufacture of tissue and mainly as raw material in industrial production of cellulose. This review is linked to cultural aspects, morphology of the plant, its utilities for man and the perspectives of bamboo.
On the convertibility of different microsite light availability indices, relative illuminance and relative photon flux density

Summary 1. To reveal the convertibility between different indices of microsite light environment, relative photosynthetically active photon-flux density (R-PPFD) and relative illuminance (RI) were measured with the ratio of red light to far-red light (R/FR) simultaneously below various types of vegetation: temperate riparian deciduous broadleaf forest, coniferous forest, mixed forest of evergreen broadleaf and coniferous trees and cooltemperate deciduous broadleaf forest, and in rice paddy in summer. 2. Within and throughout the vegetation, R-PPFD and RI were strongly correlated, but the slopes of the regression equations significantly exceeded 1, and differed among the vegetation types and varied seasonally. 3. R/FR decreased with decreasing R-PPFD. The difference between RI and R-PPFD increased with decreasing R/FR: the darker the microsite, the larger the ‘error’ of the evaluated light availability if RI was used. 4. RI data can be converted to R-PPFD. Conversion from RI to R-PPFD would allow more reliable data comparisons among the different vegetation types and among studies that use different methods to measure the light environment.
Soil‐related habitat specialization in dipterocarp rain forest tree species in Borneo

1 We conducted a field experiment to test whether aggregated spatial distributions were related to soil variation in locally sympatric tree species in the rain forests of Sarawak, Malaysia. Dryobalanops aromatica, Shorea laxa, and Swintonia schwenkii are naturally aggregated on low‐fertility humult ultisols, Dryobalanops lanceolata and Hopea dryobalanoides on moderate‐fertility udult ultisols and Shorea balanocarpoides is found on both soil types. 2 Seedlings of all six species were grown in a nested‐factorial experiment for 20 months in humult and udult soils in gaps and in the understorey to test for soil‐specific differences in performance. Phosphorus addition was used to test for effects due to P‐limitation. 3 Four species showed significantly higher growth on their natural soils, but one humult‐soil species (D. aromatica) and the broadly distributed species were not significantly affected by soil type. 4 One udult‐soil species, D. lanceolata, had both lower relative growth rate and lower mycorrhizal colonization on humult soil. However, humult soils also had lower levels of Ca, Mg, K, N and probably water availability. 5 The overall ranking of growth rates among species was similar on the two soils. Growth rates were strongly positively correlated with leaf area ratio and specific leaf area among species in both soils. With the exception of D. aromatica, species of the higher‐nutrient soils had higher growth rates on both soils. 6 Although P addition led to elevated soil‐P concentrations, elevated root‐ and leaf‐tissue P concentrations on both soils, there was no significant growth enhancement and therefore no evidence that P availability limits the growth or constrains the distribution of any of the six species in the field. Differences in soil water availability between soils may be more important. 7 Our results suggest that habitat‐mediated differences in seedling performance strongly influence the spatial distributions of tropical trees and are therefore likely to play a key role in structuring tropical rain forest communities.
Abundance and Distribution of Zooplankton in CoastalArea of Gokceada Island (Northern Aegean Sea)

Abstract This study was carried out in order to determine population of zooplankton in the coastal waters of Gokgeada. At the 10 stations of those depths ranging from 20 in to 30 in, the measurements of temperature, salinity and oxygen were made, and zooplankton samples were collected vertically and horizontally using plankton nets. In the neritic waters of the island, the effects of the Black Sea waters through Dardanelles were observed and zooplankton species of the Black Sea found. From laboratory examinations of samples, it was de€grmined that the most important group of zooplankton was copepods. The number of Mnemiopsis leidyi, ctenophor, increased excessively during the periods of summer and autumn. Larger copepod species, such as Centropages typicus, Calanus helgolandicus, Ctenoealanus vanus, Anornalocera patersoni, appeared during winter and spring periods; however, Acartia clausi, which is considered as a indicator of polluted waters, was found to be abundant at every station all around the year. Relatively smaller species such as Corycella. rostrata, Oithona helgolandica, Euterpina acutifrons were determined in smaller numbers at most stations. Cladocers were observed at every period: of them, 'Penilia avirostris was found to be the most observed species. In the samples collected from 40 stations during the year, 51 species were determined.
Proteomic analysis of cold stress responses in tobacco seedlings

Cold stress is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting the productivity and the geographical distribution of many important crops. To gain a better understanding of cold stress responses in tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum ), we carried out a comparative proteomic analysis. Five-week-old tobacco seedlings were treated at 4°C for 4 h. Cold treatment resulted in stress phenotypes of smoothing and shallowing leaves and increased relative electrolyte leakage. The expression changes of total proteins in tobacco leaves were examined using two-dimensional electrophoresis. Quantitative image analysis revealed a total of 101 protein spots that changed their intensities significantly, 21 protein spots were down-regulated, eight were up-regulated after the cold treatment, 50 protein spots only expressed in the control sample, while 22 protein spots were only present in the cold treatment sample. Mass spectrometry analysis allowed the identification of 73 differentially expressed proteins, including well known and novel cold-responsive proteins. The identified proteins are involved in several processes such as photosynthesis, protein processing, redox homeostasis, ribonucleic acid (RNA) processing, signal transduction, translation, cell division/cycle, and metabolisms of carbon and energy. Several types of proteins showed enhanced degradation during chilling stress, especially the photosynthetic proteins. Gene expression analysis of 25 different proteins by reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of 18 genes correlated well with the protein levels. In conclusion, our study provides new insights into cold stress responses in tobacco and needs to be further studied in future. Key words : Proteomics, cold stress, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum).
Intraspecific Exploitation Competition as Cause for Density Dependent Breeding Success in the White Stork

Abstract Intraspecific exploitation competition as a cause for density dependent breeding success in White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) was investigated. Breeding success of 101-126 pairs of White Storks was documented between 1999 and 2004 over an area of 1026 km2 and which included suboptimal foraging conditions. Pairs were classified in density groups according to the number of neighboring breeding pairs within their home range (i.e., within a radius of 1.5 km from the nest). The surface of potential feeding habitats was used as a food resource indicator and analyzed for all nests within the home range and compared among density groups. Breeding success was density dependent. Pairs breeding alone and pairs with one neighbor within the home range most frequently reared three chicks, pairs with two neighbors reared two, but pairs with three or four neighbors most frequently failed to raise a single chick. Regarding the use of organism-weighted densities expressed as the number of conspecific neighbors breeding within a pairs’ home range and foraging biology of the species, intraspecific exploitation competition was a possible cause for density dependent breeding success.
Root Associated Bacteria from the Local Variety of Rice GJ-17 Antagonized the Growth of Magnaporthe grisea

Root associated bacteria were isolated from the rice field of Gujarat by using nitrogen free selective medium. The biochemical tests and molecular analysis were preformed for the identification of isolates. Then the sequences obtained were analyzed by using bioinformatics software and the cultures were identified as Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes, Bacillus pumilus and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Then these isolates were in-vitro inoculated to paddy plant to study the effect on plant growth promotion and resistance against pathogen. Results obtained during greenhouse and field assay showed antagonistic effect of these isolates against Magnaporthe grisea and isolates also enhance other growth parameters.
Uteroperitoneal fistula post-caesarean section—Uterine conservation through a combined medical and surgical approach

Introduction: A uteroperitoneal fistula is a rare complication of caesarean section which can present as a recurrent pelvic hematoma. Case Report: We present a case of a primigravida who underwent an emergency caesarean section complicated by a recurrent bladder flap hematoma (BFH). This was initially managed with a laparoscopic approach followed by percutaneous drainage. Ultimately she required a laparotomy due to further hematoma recurrence at which point a uterine dehiscence was noted and repaired. Unfortunately the dehiscence recurred resulting in a uteroperitoneal fistula identified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This was managed with a gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist which resulted in closure of the fistulous tract with conservation of the uterus. Conclusion: This case illustrates the complexities of diagnosing and managing this rare complication and proposes that uterine conservation is possible through a combined surgical and medical approach.
Behavioral Response of Mantid Hierodula patellifera to Wind as an Antipredator Strategy

ABSTRACT We tested the hypothesis that the mantid Hierodula patellifera (Serville) sways its body to mimic trembling leaves in the wind as an antipredator strategy. In the field, walking and bodyswaying behavior were observed more frequently when the wind blew harder; mantids began walking and swaying as wind velocity increased. In the laboratory, walking and swaying behavior were observed more frequently under windy than under windless conditions, and mantids walked and swayed more frequently when wind velocity was variable than under constant velocity conditions. The discovery rate of the prey mantids by predators was significantly lower on swaying leaves than on fixed leaves. Our results thus indicate that mantids responded actively to wind, and we suggest that walking and body-swaying behaviors are adaptive in reducing the risk of predation.
Propagation végétative d'une variété améliorée de jujubier introduite au Sénégal

Le microgreffage in vitro mis au point permet un taux de reussite superieur a 90%, largement superieur a celui obtenu avec des methodes de greffege horticole. Il devrait assurer une production massive des varietes de jujubier adaptees aux zones arides. Les travaux ont porte essentiellement sur la variete Gola, d'origine indienne, dont les fruits ont un volume environ vingt fois superieur a ceux recoltes dans les peuplements naturels. (Resume d'auteur)
Vieillissement normal et cognition

Le vieillissement normal est accompagne de modifications du fonctionnement cognitif. Les plus frequentes touchent la memoire, l’attention ou les habiletes visuospatiales. Des facteurs generaux et des facteurs specifiques expliquent ces changements indicateurs du vieillissement cerebral. Ils ne sont cependant pas obligatoires, mais dependent des reserves en ressources cognitives que les individus possedent, et de la facon dont ils continuent a les entretenir et a les exploiter. Le cerveau est en effet un organe qui s’adapte si on le met dans de bonnes conditions. Il est donc possible de retarder les effets du vieillissement et, dans certains cas, de les moduler.
Food limitation and social regulation in a red fox population

This study evaluates a conceptual model on functional and numerical response to short-term fluctuating vole populations of a red fox (Vulpes vulpes L.) population in south-central Sweden. The model assumes that this particular population is located in between socially regulated stable populations to the south and direct food-limited populations to the north. The model predicts: (1) food availability as the primary factor for limiting fox numbers, causing reduced rates of reproduction and survival during years of low vole densities, and (2) density-dependent regulation during years of increasing and high vole densities resulting in increased group sizes within territories of fixed dimensions. During 1973–1980 data were obtained from 1216 fox scats, 874 fox carcasses, 63 tagged foxes, nine radio-collared females and from yearly den counts in an area of 130 km2, Eight predictions of the model were tested. These concerned the occurrence of small rodents in fox diet, fluctuations in the density of foxes, variations in the number of fox litters, the effect on reproduction of providing supplemental food during January–May, the proportion of vixens bearing a litter different years, dispersal of young males relative to that of young females throughout the vole cycle, and variations in mortality rates of young males and females. All tests were in favour of the conceptual model, and contradictory to alternative models.
Pigmentation patterns of Siderastrea stellata Verrill, 1868 (Cnidaria, Scleractinia) from coastal reefs in Northeastern Brazil and its relation with zooxanthellae and other microsymbionts

Changes in the pigmentation patterns of 70 randomly-selected colonies of Siderastrea stellata growing on coastal reefs at Cabo Branco, Paraiba State, Brazil, were examined using photographic records and visual inspections following Coral Health Chart criteria, between September/2008 and May/2009. Fragments of healthy colonies with different pigmentation patterns were collected monthly to analyze the zooxanthellae and other associated microsymbionts, and to identify the Symbiodinium clades. The highest percentages of colonies demonstrating color pattern alterations were observed in the summer and at the begining of the rainy season. Colonies showing color alterations demonstrated expressive losses of zooxanthellae (often up to 100%) and significant increases in zooxanthellae mitotic index. Molecular studies indicated that Siderastrea stellata contains clade C zooxanthellae. Healthy (tonalities C or D, and scores 5-6), moderate bleached (tonalities C or D, and scores 3-4), bleached (tonalities C or D, and scores 1-2), and pink colonies (tonality C, and scores 3-2) demonstrated wide diversity of associated symbionts, including foraminiferans, diatoms, cyanobacteria, worms (like nematodes), and microcrustaceans.
The Localization of Insulin, Glucagon, Somatostatin Immunoreactive Cells in the Pancreas of the Martes Foina

In this study, three kinds of the immunoreactive endocrine cells were detected using to insulin, glucagon and somatostatin antisera in the pancreas of the Martes foina. Different regional distributions and relative frequencies of these immunoreactive cells were observed in the different pancreatic regions. Insulin immunoreactive cells were located in the central regions with high frequency, and a few of these cells were also demonstrated in the mantle zones. Glucagon immunoreactive cells were mainly restricted to mantle zones but a few of these cells were also demonstrated in the central zones. Howewer; rare examples were found in the peripheral regions. Somatostatin immunoreactive cells were detected in the mantle zones and peripheral regions with moderate and rare frequencies, respectively. However, somatostatin immunoreactive cells were not demonstrated in the exocrine portions.
Physiological and NPK Studies for Developing Agrotechniques for SRHD Energy Plantations in the North-Western Himalayas

The study was undertaken to develop agrotechniques for raising short-rotation, high-density (SRHD) energy plantations as a renewable energy source by using planting densities of 10,000 and 14,000 plants/ha. Under Species × Spacing × Fertilizers (N:P:K), the effect of fertilizers was more evident on plant height than on stem diameter. The species as Grevillea robusta, Bauhinia variegata, and Eucalyptus showed the most statistically significant vertical and radial growth in both of the spacings. The N:P:K::50:25:25 kg/ha produced statistically significant growth. The photosynthesis rate, as recorded, showed that Salix tetrasperma had high rates of CO2 assimilation but poor aerial growth. The photosynthetic rate under varying fertilizer treatments remained unchanged, but the biomass improved significantly. In G. robusta, excellent aerial growth was observed despite a low rate of photosynthesis (even at low water potential). The dry weight of Eucalyptus was recorded (60 and 233 t/ha; spacing 1 m × 1 m and 1 m × 0.71 m) after 3 yr. After 10 yr, the highest dry weight was recorded again in Eucalyptus at 1,471.44 t/ha. The lowest moisture content (36–38%) was recorded in Morus alba, while the highest moisture content was recorded in Eucalyptus (66–70%). In all tested species, G. robusta (26%) showed the maximum calorific value.
Hard Red Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Tolerance to Postemergence Grass Herbicides1

Eight hard red spring wheat cultivars were tested for tolerance to five postemergence grass herbicides at two locations in Minnesota in 1999 and 2000 at the labeled, one and one-half, or twice the labeled rate. Fenoxaprop plus safener and ICIA 0604 caused the least injury and did not reduce grain yield for most cultivars. Flucarbazone caused intermediate injury and a slight decrease in grain yield for half the cultivars tested. Difenzoquat caused the most injury, regardless of whether the cultivar was genetically sensitive to difenzoquat. Tank-mixing difenzoquat with imazamethabenz reduced injury, even for cultivars that were not genetically sensitive to difenzoquat. Drought stress before application of the postemergence grass herbicides that contain difenzoquat resulted in more potential for crop injury. Excess precipitation combined with high temperatures after application resulted in more potential for crop injury for the other postemergence grass herbicides included in this experiment. Nomenclature: Difenzoquat; fenoxaprop; flucarbazone; ICIA 0604 (proposed common name, tralkoxydim; 2-cyclohexen-[1-one,2-]1-(ethoxyimino)propyl]-3-hydroxy-5-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-(9CI)); imazamethabenz; wheat, Triticum aestivum L. emend. Thell. Additional index words: Crop injury, herbicide tolerance. Abbreviations: HRSW, hard red spring wheat.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTAKE OF SILAGE AND ITS CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND IN VITRO DIGESTIBILITY

Twenty experimental silages were made from seven pasture species at different stages of maturity. In vivo dry matter, organic matter, and energy ad libitum intakes and digestibilities of the silages were determined with standardized pairs of Merino wethers. The following chemical characteristics of the silages were measured: nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, total titratable acids, acetic, propionic, butyric, and lactic acids, total volatiles lost during oven drying, lactic acid as a percentage of the total organic acids, pH, acid pepsin dry matter disappearance, dry matter content, and in vitro digestibility and rate of digestion. When all 20 silages were considered, energy intakes on a body weight basis were significantly related to silage pH (r = 0.55) and rate of in vitro digestion (r = 0.58). When the five legume silages were removed from the analysis and only the 15 grass-dominant silages were considered, dry matter intakes were significantly related to acetic (r = –0.57) and propionic acid (r = –0.55) concentrations. Multiple regression analyses did not significantly increase the accuracy of predicting intake. The results suggested that silage intake was negatively related to the degree of fermentation that occurred during the ensiling process.
Biology of Ancistrocerus gazella (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea: Eumenidae) in New Zealand

Ancistrocerus gazella(Panzer, 1798) is common in Central Otago, New Zealand. Details are provided of its typically tubular, generally multicelled nests in hollow stems, artificial trap nests, abandoned wood-boring insect galleries, cracks and holes in stone walls and old nail and bolt holes in cement, concrete and wood. After an egg is suspended by a slender thread from the roof of the cell near its inner end, 2-19 (mode =8) lightly paralysed lepidopterous larvae are placed in the cell. The cell is then sealed with a plug of moulded mud. Host species so far identified are Planotortrix octo Dugdale, Ctenopseustis obliquana (Walker), Epiphyas postvittana Walker. Eurythecta zelaea Meyrick, Hannologa amplexana (Zeller), H. sisyrana Meyrick, Harmologa sp. , Crocidosema plebejana Zeller, Pyrgotis plagiatana (Walker) (all Tortricidae), an unidentified species of Gelechiidae, Epiphthora melanombra Meyrick (Gelechiidae) and Chloroclystis filata Guenee (Geometridae).