Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Entomopathogenic fungi in soils from Alicante province [Spain]

We have used Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus, 1758) larvae as a bait for detecting insect pathogens in soils from Alicante(SE Spain). Soil from 61 sites was collected including agricultural fields, forests and a mediterranean shrub(Nerium oleander L.) growing under natural or garden environments. The most frequently insect pathogens found werefungi (32.8% soils), being Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill (21% soils) the species most abundant. Metarhiziumanisopliae (Metschn.) Sorok (6.4%) and Lecanicillium lecanii (Zimm.) Gams [= Verticillium lecanii Zimm. ] (4.8%)were less frequent. B. bassiana also scored the highest infection percentage in a single soil sample (ca. 90% of insectsinfected), and was also the most frequent (77.8%) entomopathogenic fungus detected in soils under N. oleander.
Insecticidal Activity of Tagetes erecta Extracts on Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

ABSTRACT The bioinsecticidal activity of organic extracts of Tagetes erecta L. (Asteraceae) was evaluated on neonate larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) a major maize pest in the world. The acetone leaf extract (500 ppm) of T. erecta induced an antifeedant effect, causing a 50% reduction of larval weight in comparison with the control. Larval weights were drastically reduced at 7 d, but even more so at 14 d, when T. erecta extracts also caused substantial mortality. Three leaf extracts of T. erecta caused high larval mortality, with hexane (48%), acetone (60%) and ethanol (72%). Further T. erecta leaf extracts caused pupal mortalities of 40–80%. The use of such plant extracts can be proposed as bioinsecticides to control S. frugiperda, in a more environment-friendly manner.
Impacts of multiple extreme winter warming events on sub‐Arctic heathland: phenology, reproduction, growth, and CO2 flux responses

Extreme weather events can have strong negative impacts on species survival and community structure when surpassing lethal thresholds. Extreme, short‐lived, winter warming events in the Arctic rapidly melt snow and expose ecosystems to unseasonably warm air (for instance, 2–10 °C for 2–14 days) but upon return to normal winter climate exposes the ecosystem to much colder temperatures due to the loss of insulating snow. Single events have been shown to reduce plant reproduction and increase shoot mortality, but impacts of multiple events are little understood as are the broader impacts on community structure, growth, carbon balance, and nutrient cycling. To address these issues, we simulated week‐long extreme winter warming events – using infrared heating lamps and soil warming cables – for 3 consecutive years in a sub‐Arctic heathland dominated by the dwarf shrubs Empetrum hermaphroditum, Vaccinium vitis‐idaea (both evergreen) and Vaccinium myrtillus (deciduous). During the growing seasons after the second and third winter event, spring bud burst was delayed by up to a week for E. hermaphroditum and V. myrtillus, and berry production reduced by 11–75% and 52–95% for E. hermaphroditum and V. myrtillus, respectively. Greater shoot mortality occurred in E. hermaphroditum (up to 52%), V. vitis‐idaea (51%), and V. myrtillus (80%). Root growth was reduced by more than 25% but soil nutrient availability remained unaffected. Gross primary productivity was reduced by more than 50% in the summer following the third simulation. Overall, the extent of damage was considerable, and critically plant responses were opposite in direction to the increased growth seen in long‐term summer warming simulations and the ‘greening’ seen for some arctic regions. Given the Arctic is warming more in winter than summer, and extreme events are predicted to become more frequent, this generates large uncertainty in our current understanding of arctic ecosystem responses to climate change.
Area-wide approach for improved control of oriental fruit moth Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) by mating disruption.

An area-wide mating disruption approach was employed to improve the protection of pome and stone fruit orchards against migration, edge damage and outbreaks of oriental fruit moth. The experiment started in the 1997-98 season, with an area of over 800 hectares comprised of 18 orchards treated with mating disruption in northern Victoria, Australia. The treated area was expanded in the 1998-99 season to encompass an area of over 1,100 hectares comprised of 40 orchards. Mating disruption dispensers were applied to every fruit tree in the area including not only peach and nectarine orchards disrupted in previous years, but also pear, apple, apricot and plum orchards where growers had not previously used mating disruption. Detailed monitoring of oriental fruit moth population and shoot tip and fruit damage indicated that application of area-wide mating disruption during two consecutive seasons provided sufficient control of oriental fruit moth. The areawide mating disruption program in the first year helped growers to reduce the number of insecticide sprays by half and in the second year, most of the growers did not spray against oriental fruit moth. Hot spots and edge infestations of oriental fruit moth were reduced or eliminated through use of the area-wide approach.
Note: Stability of Calcium Bioaccessibility and Sensory Parameters During the Storage of Fortified Juices

Changes in calcium bioaccessibility and sensory attributes of four different calcium compounds (calcium hydroxide lactate, emulsified calcium triphosphate, calcium pidolate and calcium amino acid chelate) added to a citric juice were studied at 0, 6 and 12 months of storage. Type of calcium compound showed significant differences (p 0.05) in calcium bioaccessibility at the three periods of the study. The maximum value at month 0 and month 6 corresponded to the calcium amino acid chelate (45.09±0.59%) followed by calcium pidolate (38.09±0.28%), calcium lactate (32.4±2.17%) and calcium triphosphate (31.21±4.43%). There were no changes in calcium bioaccessibility through time of storage in any juice added with the different calcium salts, however organoleptic changes were critical in the most available samples at month 6. According to these results three of the salts (calcium hydroxide lactate, calcium pidolate and calcium triphosphate) were equally valid for adding to a citric fruit juice for up to 12 months of storage.
Burning issues for conservation: A critique of faunal fire research in Southern Africa

Fire is a key ecological process in several biomes worldwide. Although many conservation agencies have the protection of biodiversity as at least one of their major goals, information on the effects of fire on fauna in these biomes is fragmentary. Here we provide an overview of the published research undertaken to date on the effects of fire on fauna using examples from Southern Africa. We found that few studies have examined the effects of fire on amphibians or reptiles, and work on invertebrates is likewise sparse. The majority of studies that have been published are observational reports, and few experimental studies have been undertaken using an experimental fire regime, or over appropriately long time intervals. Replication was often not reported and where this was done, it was generally inadequate. The majority of the studies failed to report the area over which the studies were undertaken and sampling unit size was often not reported. Despite the importance of fire duration, ignition method, season and time of day of fire, few studies investigated these variables. We conclude that at present the information on the effects of fire on fauna in Southern Africa is fragmentary and, consequently, informed management decisions regarding the consequences of burning policies on the conservation of biodiversity both within and outside protected areas are problematic. We recommend that future studies, both in Southern Africa and elsewhere, be based on a suite of large-scale and experimental approaches (the latter firmly grounded in the principles of sound experimental design), use non-classical statistics to explore the effects of large-scale or unreplicated fires, and where possible include baseline information such as that gathered in fragmentation experiments.
Genetic Resistance to Cucurbit Leaf Crumple Virus in Melon

Cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV) is a geminivirus transmitted by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B (SPW-B) and common in melons (Cucumis melo L.) planted from July through September in the desert southwestern United States. Symptoms include chlorotic leaf spots, leaf curling and crumpling, and interveinal yellowing, and plants may be stunted. Melon breeding line MR-1, and six plant introductions (PIs; PI 124111, PI 124112, PI 179901, PI 234607, PI 313970, and PI 414723) exhibited partial resistance to CuLCrV in naturally infected field tests and controlled inoculation greenhouse tests. PI 236355 was completely resistant in two greenhouse tests. Partially resistant plants exhibited chlorotic spots, or mild expression of other typical CuLCrV symptoms; all such plants were positive for presence of virus using polymerase chain reaction analysis with a CuLCrV-specific primer pair from the BC1 region. Genetic resistance to CuLCrV in melon was recessive. Field and greenhouse data from F 1 , F 2 , and backcrosses of the F 1 to 'Top Mark' and PI 313970 demonstrated a single, recessive gene for resistance to CuLCrV. Progenies from crosses of four partially resistant cultigens with 'Top Mark' were susceptible. Resistance in PI 313970 appeared to be allelic, with resistance in the other six cultigens based on F 1 data. The name cucurbit leaf crumple virus and symbol culcrv are proposed for this gene.
Potensi Ekstrak Piper methysticum (Piperaceae) sebagai Insektisida Botani untuk Pengendalian Hama Plutella xylostella

Dampak negatif yang disebabkan oleh insektisida sintetik, menjadikan insektisida botani sebagai alternatif dalam pengendalian hama tanaman. Piper methysticum merupakan tanaman obat yang berasal dari Papua yang mempunyai potensi sebagai insektisida botani. Penelitian ini bertujuan menguji aktivitas ekstrak n-hexane dan etil asetat P. methysticum sebagai insektisida, hambatan makan atau antifeedant dan penghambatan berat larva P. xylostella. Penelitian menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap dengan beberapa perlakuan konsentrasi ekstrak n-hexane dan etil asetat P. methysticum, yaitu konsentrasi 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 3500, dan 4000 ppm. Pengujian menggunakan metode celup pakan, setiap perlakuan menggunakan 20 larva dan diulang empat kali. Data yang diperoleh adalah mortalitas larva, jumlah pakan yang dimakan dan pertambahan berat larva P. xylostella dari intar II sampai menjadi pupa. Data dianalisis menggunakan analisis varians dengan uji lanjut jarak berganda Duncan. Nilai LC50 ditentukan dengan analisis probit menggunakan program POLO PC. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ekstrak daun P. methysticum mempunyai sifat insektisida, antifeedant dan penghambat berat larva P. xylostella. Ekstrak n-hexane daun P. methysticum memperlihatkan aktivitas insektisida yang paling kuat dengan tingkat mortalitas 63,33% dengan LC50 4,047 ppm, konsentrasi 0,015-0,38% menyebabkan hambatan makan 11,69- 85,54% dan hambatan berat larva 34,75-81,88%. Kata Kunci: bioaktivitas; Piper methysticum; Plutella xylostella; insektisida; antifeedant; penghambatan berat
Genome sequencing of the perciform fish Larimichthys crocea provides insights into stress adaptation

The large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea (L. crocea) is one of the most economically important marine fish in China and East Asian countries. It also exhibits peculiar behavioral and physiological characteristics, especially sensitive to various environmental stresses, such as hypoxia and air exposure. These traits may render L. crocea a good model for investigating the response mechanisms to environmental stress. To understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the adaptation and response of L. crocea to environmental stress, we sequenced and assembled the genome of L. crocea using a bacterial artificial chromosome and whole-genome shotgun hierarchical strategy. The final genome assembly was 679 Mb, with a contig N50 of 63.11 kb and a scaffold N50 of 1.03 Mb, containing 25,401 protein-coding genes. Gene families underlying adaptive behaviours, such as vision-related crystallins, olfactory receptors, and auditory sense-related genes, were significantly expanded in the genome of L. crocea relative to those of other vertebrates. Transcriptome analyses of the hypoxia-exposed L. crocea brain revealed new aspects of neuro-endocrine-immune/metabolism regulatory networks that may help the fish to avoid cerebral inflammatory injury and maintain energy balance under hypoxia. Proteomics data demonstrate that skin mucus of the air-exposed L. crocea had a complex composition, with an unexpectedly high number of proteins (3,209), suggesting its multiple protective mechanisms involved in antioxidant functions, oxygen transport, immune defence, and osmotic and ionic regulation. Our results provide novel insights into the mechanisms of fish adaptation and response to hypoxia and air exposure.
Species dynamic, forage yield, and nutritive value of seeded native plant mixtures following grazing

Schellenberg, M. P, Biligetu, B. and Iwaasa, A. D. 2012. Species dynamic, forage yield, and nutritive value of seeded native plant mixtures following grazing. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 699-706. There is increasing interest in native plants of North America for rangeland reseeding in the semiarid regions of western Canada. However, there is limited information available on forage yield, nutritive value and response to grazing of seeded native plant mixture. The objective of this study was to compare foliar cover, forage yield, and nutritive value of two different native plant mixtures under grazing. In 2001-2004, a study was initiated on Orthic Brown Chernozemic (Aridic Haploboroll) soil near Swift Current (lat. 50°25'N, long. 107°44'W), Canada. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with a full factorial arrangement of seed mixtures (7 species and 14 species) and stocking rates (1.3 and 2.7 animal units ha-1) with four replications of each treatment combination. The 7-species mixture produced more forage than the 14-species mixture in July, August, and September of all study years. The 7-species mixture, however, had lower crude protein than the 14-species mixture in August and September in 2002 and 2003. Neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber concentrations were generally similar between the two mixtures for July, August, and September sampling for all 3 yr. Foliar cover of awned wheatgrass [(Elymus trachycaulus (Link) Gould & Shin. ssp subsecundus (Link) A. & D. Love. ] and slender wheatgrass [Elymus trachycaulus (Link) Gould subsp. trachycaulus] was higher in the 7-species mixture than the 14-species mixture, but foliar cover of other species was similar between the two mixtures. Shrub species were rarely observed in the stand at any year. Higher stocking rate decreased foliar cover of slender wheatgrass and weeds, but foliar cover of other species was similar between the two stocking rates. Based on the results, a seed mixture of native cool-season grasses may be more productive than a combination of native warm- and cool-season grasses under semiarid region of western Canada, but inclusion of warm-season grasses could improve nutritive value by increasing protein content in the late summer months.
Sugar signaling is involved in histone deacetylase-mediated repression of embryonic characteristics after germination

Sugars are important regulators of germination and seedling development, and sugar signaling is thought to be involved in the repression of embryonic characteristics after germination. In contrast, chromatin remodeling induced by histone modification plays an important role in the control of plant development. We found that HDA6 and HDA19 redundantly repress embryo-specific gene expression during germination in Arabidopsis. We analyzed the effects of sucrose-containing or sucrose-free medium on post-germination growth arrest in an HDA6/19 double repression line (HDA6/19:RNAi). Although HDA6/19:RNAi seeds showed post-germination growth arrest when grown in sucrose-containing medium, sucrose-free medium relieved growth arrest, indicating the suppression of embryo-specific genes. Thus, sugar signaling may prevent the HDAC-mediated repression of embryonic characteristics after germination. Based on expression analyses of VSP2 in HDA6/19:RNAi seedlings, the repression of HDA6 and HDA19 may not affect sugar signaling. During germination, HDA6 and HDA19 repress embryonic properties via regulation of embryo-specific transcription factors. Sugar signaling may also contribute to this repression of embryonic properties.
SURVEY AND GENETIC DIVERSITY OF GRAPEVINE LEAFROLL ASSOCIATED VIRUS 2 IN ALGERIA

Vineyards in western and center regions of Algeria were surveyed for the Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 2 (GLRaV-2). Analyses by DAS-ELISA and Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) reveal 15, 8% prevalence. The genetic diversity of the GLRaV-2 population was studied by phylogenetic analyses of the HSP70h gene region of seven samples sequenced in this study and other sequences downloaded from GenBank. Results reveal segregation of the GLRav-2 population into six distinct groups. An estimation of the ratio of non-synonymous substitutions per non-synonymous site to synonymous substitutions per synonymous site indicated that HSP70h gene evolve under positive selection. Similarity plot constructed with representative sequence from each group confirmed previous results. All Algerian isolates belong to group PN. As far as we know, this is the first characterization of GLRaV-2 isolates from Algeria.
The mitochondrial genome of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), an informative genetic marker for the evolutionary biology and population genetics of the species

The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is a widely distributed decapod which ranges from Nova Scotia to the northern Argentina coasts. It is one of the most abundant estuarine invertebrates, supporting both commercial and recreational fisheries along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. This thesis presents data clearly establishing the unprecedented hyper-variability in the mitochondrial genome of C. sapidus. This variation extended to multiple regions, including the cox1, nad2, and nad4 protein coding loci as well as ribosomal 12s RNA molecule. The haplotype diversity of the nad2 gene approached 1, with a nucleotide diversity approaching 1%. This hyper-variability in the mtDNA allows using a single mtDNA gene (nad2) to distinguish hatchery-produced crabs from wild crabs after release to the wild. I found no dominant mtDNA haplotypes in wild populations but instead a distribution of a few low-frequency recurrent haplotypes with a large number of singletons. Because of this high diversity and extensive population mixing, the geographic structure in wild populations exhibits panmixia from the Atlantic to Gulf of Mexico. Some of the high genetic diversity found seems to stem from the heteroplasmic nature of the blue crab mtDNA. By cloning high fidelity PCR products, I confirmed single individual crab and megalopa harbored dozens of copies of mitochondrial haplotypes. A copy number analysis indicates discovery of unique haplotypes was probably not saturated with the possibility of inadequate sampling. The heteroplasmy in the blue crab appears to be under maternal inheritance without paternal contribution. While minor haplotypes are represented in wild populations, other minor haplotypes contained stop codons and/or non-synonymous substitutions which may influence the viability of the mitochondria. Given the blue crab inhabits a broad variety of environments and that the mtDNA genome appears to be under selective pressure, the potential for mtDNA functional correlates with this genetic diversity maybe at the basis for the robust physiological capability of the species.
Evaluation of integrated pest management modules against gram pod borer in chickpea (Cicer arietinum).

Field experiments were conducted during winter (rabi) 2003-04 and 2004-05 to evaluate the effectiveness of integrated pest management (IPM) modules against gram pod borer, [Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)], on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Amongst the various modules evaluated for 2 years on 'BG 256' chickpea in Mirzapur district, Uttar Pradesh, module M 5 (sole crop of chickpea, pheromone traps @ 20/ha, bird perches @ 20/ha, endosulfan 35 EC @ 0.07% a.i. and chlorpyriphos @ 0.05% a.i.), followed by M 2 (sole crop of chickpea, pheromone traps @ 20/ha, bird perches @ 20/ ha, methomyl 40 SP @ 1.0 kg/ha of formulated insecticide and 2 sprays of HaNPV @ 400 LE/ha) were found effective in managing the population of H. armigera. On an average, the grain yields were higher in M 5 (1 382 kg/ha), followed by M 2 (1 196 kg/ha) in comparison to the other modules including farmers' practice. The highest cost: benefit (C: B) ratio was obtained in M 5 (1:5.09), followed by M 4 (1:2.2). Though, least population of natural enemies was recorded in M 5 , the module proved superior to other modules in respect of managing pest population and C:B ratio and hence could be utilized by farmers.
Constructed wetlands: high-quality habitats for Odonata in cultivated landscapes

Abstract In Norway and throughout the rest of Europe, a continuous decline in the number of small lakes and ponds has taken place. As a consequence, many pond-dwelling organisms have become rare or extinct. Constructed wetlands (CWs) have since the 1990s been used as a remedial action against agricultural runoff. This study has investigated the potential these wetlands have as habitat for freshwater organisms, exemplified by Odonata. Four different CWs in southern Norway were investigated, and larval Odonata species composition was related to a wide range of environmental variables. The material was ordinated using Detrended Correspondence analysis (DCA) and Canonical Correspondence analysis (CCA). All the CWs had high nutrient values and high diversities of aquatic plants. Of the 11 Odonata species found, the richest CW contained 10 species. During the study, one of the CWs was exposed to diazinon (an insecticide). Sun exposure and nutrient content were the most important variables determining species composition. The species that dominated the wetlands were typically euryoecious species, indicating harsh living conditions. Despite the high nutrient content, the results clearly indicate that CWs have an obvious role in pond habitat creation, especially in areas managed according to pesticide-free management.