Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fattening Cinta Senese pigs with chestnuts: effect on meat and fat characteristics

The aim of this trial was to identify the effect of feeding pigs chestnut on some meat and fat characteristics. Thirty-three Cinta Senese pigs were reared indoors and allotted into three groups. One group was fed only commercial feed (0-CH); the other two groups were fed chestnut for one (1-CH) and three (3-CH) months before slaughtering. The chestnut diet contained a minimal supplement of bran. Pigs were slaughtered at 130 kg of live weight, on average. Regarding carcass characteristics, the only parameter affected by the diet was pH24 where the 1 -CH group showed the lowest value. Also in sample joint dissection, a rare effect of diet was found; the only significant difference among groups was in intermuscular fat content, which was highest in the 1-CH group. There was a strong effect of diet on the colour parameters of Longissimus lumborum: the chestnut diet led to more coloured meat, due to higher L*, a* and b* values in the 1-CH and 3-CH groups. A negative effect of chestnut on meat quality traits was found: the 3-CH group showed the highest values of drip loss, cooking loss and WB on raw meat. As for fatty acid composition, the animals fed chestnut throughout the fattening period showed the highest level of unsaturation due to the highest percentage of mono-unsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The 1-CH group was in an intermediate position for all unsaturated fatty acids detected.
PHYLOGEOGRAPHY OF THE SUBTERRANEAN RODENT CTENOMYS AUSTRALIS IN SAND-DUNE HABITATS: EVIDENCE OF POPULATION EXPANSION

Abstract In this work we examined the geographic genetic structure of the subterranean herbivorous rodent Ctenomys australis (sand-dune tuco-tuco) using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (D-loop) sequences. We found 24 haplotypes in the analysis of 70 individual 403–base pair sequences; most were restricted to single populations, although a few haplotypes were shared broadly across the species' range. Genetic differentiation was not consistent with a simple model of isolation by distance, possibly evidencing a lack of equilibrium between gene flow and local genetic drift. The analysis of mismatch distributions, Fu's FS-test of neutrality and the “starlike” topology of the gene genealogy showed a pattern consistent with a recent population expansion event. However, we could not rule out an alternative explanation based on departures from strict neutrality of mtDNA.
A two-step approach to estimating selectivity and fishing power of research gill nets used in Greenland waters

Les prises de morue franche (Gadus morhua) lors de la campagne d'echantillonnage au filet maillant dans les eaux du Groenland ont ete analysees par une approche a deux etapes. Dans la premiere etape, la forme de la courbe de selection etait binormale, ce qui etait attribuable au poisson capture par les ouies ou par les maxillaires. Les deux procedes de capture pourraient etre decrits par des distributions normales et pourraient etre lies au maillage conformement au principe de similarite geometrique. Dans la deuxieme etape, les parametres de selection ont ete evalues au moyen d'un ajustement par les moindres carres non lineaire. Le modele a egalement estime l'efficacite relative des deux methodes de capture et du pouvoir pechant des differentes sections du filet. La prise par les ouies etait environ trois fois plus efficace que le prelevement par les maxillaires et le pouvoir pechant pouvait etre lie au rapport entre le diametre du fil et la taille de la maille. On propose que cette information sur la facon de capturer les poissons soit incluse dans la modelisation de la selectivite du filet maillant etant donne que l'absence de ces donnees peut entrainer la formulation de modeles de selection peu realistes.
Interactive effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and zinc on growth and yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

An experiment "interactive effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) on growth and yield of tomato" was carried out at North Mingora Agriculture Research Station, Pakistan. The experiment was laid out by three factors factorial in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and all treatments were replicated three times. Four levels of nitrogen (0, 100, 150 and 200 kg/ha), four levels of phosphorus (0, 60, 80 and 100 kg/ha) and three levels of zinc (0, 5 and 10 ppm) were applied. The results pertaining to various growth and yield parameters showed that early flowerings were observed when plots received phosphorus at 100 kg/ha and zinc at 10 ppm without nitrogen. In contrast, flowerings were significantly delayed when plots received nitrogen alone at 200 kg/ha. The minimum disease incidence (3.67%) was recorded in plots applied with phosphorus at 100 kg/ha and zinc at 10 ppm without nitrogen. Maximum number of fruit per plant (41.67) was observed when plots received nitrogen at 150 kg/ha, phosphorus at 100 kg/ha and zinc at 10 ppm. Total yield (28.43 t/ha) was 100% increased as compared to control (13.44 t/ha) when plots received nitrogen at 150 kg/ha, phosphorus at 100 kg/ha and zinc at 10 ppm. Key words: Nitrogen (N) - phosphorus (P) – zinc (Zn) interactions, tomato, growth, yield.
Dinucleotide microsatellite markers from the Antarctic seals and their use in other Pinnipeds

Twenty-four microsatellite loci were isolated from three species of Antarctic seals (Subfamily Monachinae, Tribe Lobodontini). Eleven loci were cloned from Weddell seal, Leptonychotes weddellii, seven from leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, and six from crabeater seal, Lobodon carcinophagus. Variability was assessed in Weddell seals collected in McMurdo Sound, leopard seals from Bird Island, South Georgia, and crabeater seals sampled in the eastern Ross Sea. All loci were variable in the three species used for cloning and 22 of these loci amplified variable products in the Ross seal, Ommatophoca rossii. Cross-species amplification was largely successful, with an average of 19 loci amplifying products in other phocids.
FlowCAM as a tool for studying small (80–1000 µm) metazooplankton communities

FlowCAM was assessed as a tool for studying small (80-1000 mu m) metazooplankton communities by comparing the abundances estimated using FlowCAM with those estimated using a stereomicroscope for eight groups of organisms. With the exception of poecilostomatoid copepods, estimates of the number of organisms in samples using FlowCAM were similar to those using the stereomicroscope. These results suggest that FlowCAM is an effective tool for enumerating small metazooplankton.
Phenotypic Screening of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Varieties for Brown Planthopper [Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)] Resistance

The experiments were conducted at Genetics glass house, CPBG, TNAU, Coimbatore to assess the level of resistance in 254 rice accessions (Land races and cultivated varieties) against Brown planthopper (BPH) infestationat seedling stage by the Modified Seed-box Screening Test (MSST). MSST screening results revealed that, among the 254 entries only three entries (Bharathi, PTB 33 and Rathu heenathi) showed higher level of resistance to BPH with a score range from 2.2 to 3.0, while 22 entries were found to be moderately resistant (3.1 to 5.0). Sixty four entries were observed with a range of 5.1 to 7.0(moderately susceptible), however, 136 entries were found to be susceptible (7.1 to 8.9). Among the entries, 29 entries were found to be highly susceptible with a score of 9.0.
Reduced Rates and Multiple Sprays of Paclobutrazol Control Growth and Improve Fruit Quality of 'Delicious' Apples

J. Ame Abstract. ‘Gardiner Delicious’/MM.lO6 apple (Malus domestics Borkh.) trees were initially sprayed in 1985 with paclobutrazol (PB) at 250 mg.liter at tight cluster and again on 10 and 25 June and 29 July. From 1986 through 1988, PB sprays of 85 or 100 mg·liter were applied at either petal fall (PF) + 2 or PF + 4 weeks and one to two additional sprays were applied per year when growth resumed. Promalin was applied to one group of trees that received PB starting at PF + 2 weeks. PB reduced terminal, lateral, and total shoot growth the year of application and in subsequent years. Although average shoot length of lateral and terminal shoots was reduced, the greatest reduction in growth occurred because PB prevented spurs from growing into lateral and terminal shoots. Compared to unsprayed trees, PB reduced pruning time in all 4 years by 23% to 70%. PB increased bloom only the first year after application, but increased fruit set for 2 years due to a carryover effect. Application of PB in 1985 caused a reduction in fruit size, sometimes in soluble solids concentration, length : diameter (L : D) ratio, and pedicel length. Promalin either overcame the reduction in the ratio or increased it in 1986. Reduced rates of PB in subsequent years caused few adverse effects on the fruit. PB increased flesh firmness when applied at PF + 2 weeks but not at PF + 4 weeks. Trees treated with PB produced fruit with higher flesh Ca and less bitter pit, cork spot, and senescent breakdown following regular air storage. Chemical names used: s -(4 -chlorophenyl)methyl -( 1,1-dimethylethyl) -1Hl,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol (paclobutrazol, PB); gibberellins A4+7 plus N-(phenylmethyl) -1H-purine-6-amine (Promalin).
Use of a crop water stress index for scheduling the irrigation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

This study was designed to evaluate different threshold crop water stress index (CWSI) values to schedule irrigation for sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) grown under furrow irrigation. Irrigations were started when CWSI values reached 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 (non-irrigation). The CWSI values were computed from measurements of canopy temperature, air temperature and atmospheric vapor pressure deficit. Total irrigation water amounts of 679, 584, 470 and 227 mm were applied to the T0.2, T0.4, T0.6 and T0.8 treatments, respectively. The maximum seasonal evapotranspiration (ET), 809 mm was measured from the T0.2 treatment. Irrigation levels significantly affected seed yield. Although the highest seed yield (4.38 t ha -1 ) was obtained from the T0.2 treatment, the T0.4 and T0.6 treatments were not significantly different from the T0.2 treatment. Therefore, based on these results, a CWSI value of 0.6 can be used for the irrigation time of sunflower under Tekirdaconditions. Bitki Su Stresi ‹ndeksi Deerlerinin Ayciceinin Sulama Zaman› Planlanmas›nda Kullan›m› Ozet: Bu cal›flma, kar›k sulama yontemi ile sulanan ayciceinin sulama zaman›n›n planlanmas›nda farkl› bitki su stresi indeksi (CWSI) deerlerinin kullan›m olanaklar›n›n araflt›r›lmas› amac›yla yurutulmufltur. Araflt›rmada, CWSI deerleri; yuzey s›cakl›¤›, hava s›cakl›¤›, buhar bas›nc› ac›¤› dikkate al›narak hesaplanm›fl ve sulamalara bu deer, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 ve 1.0'a (susuz) ulaflt›¤›nda bafllanm›flt›r. Araflt›rma sonucunda, toplam uygulanan sulama suyu miktarlar›; T0.2, T0.4, T0.6, T0.8 ve deneme konular› icin s›ras›yla, 679, 584, 470 ve 227 mm olarak deiflmifltir. Deneme konular› aras›nda maksimum bitki su tuketimi, 809 mm ile T0.2 konusundan olculmufltur. Farkl› sulama seviyeleri aycicei dane verimini etkilemifltir. En yuksek dane verimi 4.38 t ha -1 ile T0.2 deneme konusundan elde edilmesine ramen, T0.4 ve T0.6 deneme konular›da istatistiksel olarak ayn› grup icerisinde yer alm›flt›r. Tum sonuclar deerlendirildiinde, Tekirdakoflullar›nda aycicei sulamas›nda CWSI deeri 0.6'ya ulaflt›¤›nda sulamaya bafllanmas›n›n daha uygun olaca¤› sonucu c›km›flt›r.
INTERFERENCE BETWEEN MAIZE AND XANTHIUM STRUMARIUM OR DATURA STRAMONIUM

Summary Xanthium strumarium and Datura stramonium are two of the most important weeds of maize in Iran. Their growth was compared in a field study conducted over 2 years. Relationships were derived between weed density and crop yield, yield components and various growth parameters. Yield, grain number ear )1 and grain weight were affected more by X. strumarium than by D. stramonium. Xanthium strumarium followed a pattern of growth resembling that of the maize, whereas D. stramonium continued growing for a longer period, mainly affecting maize during the grain-filling period. A large portion of the loss in maize yield caused by X. strumarium could be explained by a reduction in grain number ear )1 , whereas a greater portion of the maize yield loss from D. stramonium was explained by a reduction in grain weight. Weed biomass was greater for X. strumarium than for D. stramonium, whereas seed production was higher for D. stramonium. It is concluded that although X. strumarium should be given the highest priority for control in maize on the basis of its superior competitive ability, control of D. stramonium is also essential because of both its considerable competitiveness in the current crop and its long-term effects resulting from its greater seed production.
Effect of plant age and turfgrass competition on the efficacy of the Sclerotinia minor granular bioherbicide on broadleaf plantain and prostrate knotweed

Abstract Broadleaf plantain and prostrate knotweed are important weeds of turfgrass systems. The fungus Sclerotinia minor Jagger (IMI 344141) has been registered as a biological herbicide (Sarritor™) for dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) in Canadian turfgrass habitats. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of plant age and turfgrass environment on the efficacy of S. minor against two additional weeds; broadleaf plantain and prostrate knotweed. The turfgrass environment alone exerted significant reduction of above and below ground biomass of broadleaf plantain, to the same magnitude as the S. minor treatment in a grass-free environment. Prostrate knotweed biomass, however, was not reduced to this extent by competition with turfgrass. In the presence of grass, S. minor caused a significant biocontrol effect on all studied variables with more than 90% above ground damage on both weed species. Severe damage occurred on 3–6-week-old plantains with 100% above and below ground reduction, although smaller dry weight reductions were observed on older plantains. Treatment with S. minor reduced the dry matter of 3–5-week-old prostrate knotweed by 65–85%, but less damage occurred on older prostrate knotweed. The bioherbicide fungus is destructive for both species, but variation in area of contact due to different growth forms, growth rates and resource allocation patterns due to different life forms resulted in different biocontrol efficacy on the two species. Control of broadleaf plantain was effective – similar to that previously reported for dandelion – but control of prostrate knotweed was only partial.
PREDATION BY GRAY CATBIRD ON BROWN THRASHER EGGS

Abstract The gray catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) has been documented visiting and breaking the eggs of artificial nests, but the implications of such observations are unclear because there is little cost in depredating an undefended nest. During the summer of 2001 at Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas, we videotaped a gray catbird that broke and consumed at least 1 egg in a brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) nest. Our observation was consistent with egg predation because the catbird consumed the contents of the damaged egg after breaking it. The large difference in body mass suggests that a catbird (37 g) destroying eggs in a thrasher (69 g) nest might risk injury if caught in the act of predation and might explain why egg predation by catbirds has been poorly documented. Our observation indicated that the catbird should be considered as an egg predator of natural nests and that single-egg predation of songbird nests should not be attributed to egg removal by female brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) without additional evidence.
Cogongrass suppression by intercropping cover crops in corn/cassava systems

Abstract Cogongrass is a difficult weed to control in small-scale farming systems and often causes significant crop yield reduction. Field experiments were conducted from 1996 to 1999 at three sites located in the forest/savanna transition zone of Nigeria to determine the influence of intercropping cover crops on cogongrass, corn, and cassava growth. Total cogongrass biomass (shoots and rhizomes) at the onset of the study was highest at Ijaiye (889 g m−2), followed by Umumba (445 g m−2), and least in Ezillo (138 g m−2). Velvetbean had the highest percent ground cover at Umumba and Ijaiye (67 to 89%) 10 wk after planting and shaded the ground longer at all locations. Twelve months after planting, plots with cover crops had 66, 71, and 52% lower cogongrass biomass than the weedy control without cover crops at Ijaiye, Umumba, and Ezillo, respectively. Velvetbean at all locations, L. purpureus at Ijaiye, and tropical kudzu at Umumba and Ezillo were the cover crops most effective in reducing rhizome biomass of cogongrass. Annual weeds dominated the plots sown to cover crops after 2 to 3 yr. At Ijaiye and Umumba, cogongrass competition affected the yield of cassava more than the yield of corn. At all locations, cover crops and weeded control treatments had 27 to 52% more corn grain yield than the weedy control. At Ijaiye, corn grain yields from velvetbean and L. purpureus plots were similar to that from the weeded control plot. At Umumba, all plots with cover crops had corn grain yields similar to that of the weeded control. At all locations, almost all cover crop treatments had cassava root yields higher than the weedy control. Except at Ijaiye, root yields from weeded control plots were 17 to 88% higher than in cover-cropped treatments, suggesting competition between cover crops and cassava. Nomenclature: Cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz ‘TMS 30572’; cogongrass, Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. IMPCY; corn, Zea mays L. ‘SUWAN 1 SR’; Lablab purpureus (L.); tropical kudzu, Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth. ; velvetbean, Mucuna cochinchinensis (Lour.) A. Chev.
Seasonal Concentrations of Non-structural Carbohydrates of Five Actinidia Species in Fruit, Leaf and Fine Root Tissue

Received: 22 July 1999 Returned for revision: 1 September 1999 Accepted: 7 December 1999 To characterize seasonal patterns of carbohydrate concentrations in Actinidia species from diAerent natural habitats, leaf, fruit and fine root tissue samples from five species (A. arguta, A. deliciosa, A. chinensis, A. polygama and A. eriantha) were collected over one season, and analysed for fructose, glucose, sucrose, myo-inositol and starch concentrations. Sucrose and starch peaked in leaf tissue around flowering time. In fruit, hexose sugars and/or myoinositol transiently increased early in development. Starch accumulated in fruit of all species, beginning sooner after anthesis in A. arguta and A. polygama than in the other species. Sucrose accumulation coincided with onset of net starch degradation in A. arguta but was delayed in the other species. At final fruit sampling, concentrations of glucose and fructose were greater than sucrose in all species except A. arguta. myo-Inositol concentrations constituted 410% of total sugars for most of the season in leaf and fruit tissues of all species except A. polygama. Fine roots of A. arguta and A. polygama contained significantly more starch and sucrose for most of the year than those of the other species. Observed diAerences in seasonal carbohydrate patterns may reflect diAerent natural habitats, with A. arguta and A. polygama growing naturally in colder climates than the other species. Transient accumulation of sugars in fruit during early stages of development has been considered to act as primary osmoticum for cell expansion. However, the presence of only low sugar concentrations in A. eriantha questions this hypothesis. # 2000 Annals of Botany Company
Effect of root and foliar application of amino acids on the growth and yield of greenhouse tomato in different fertilization levels

Tomato plants (cv. ‘Belladonna’) were grown on the soil in an unheated greenhouse at the farm of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. The area of the greenhouse was divided in plots, where 3 levels of pre-planting fertilization were applied: i) conventional, ii) reduced by 20% and iii) reduced by 40%, in 4 replications each. On the day of transplanting, as well as after 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks Amino16 ® was applied either in roots or sprayed foliar in 4 combinations (% in roots + % foliar): i) 0 + 0, ii) 0.3 + 0.9, iii) 0.9 + 0.3 and iv) 2.7 + 0. Amino16 ® is a hydrolyzed protein solution containing 11.3% L-amino acids, 4% total N and 25% organic matter. During cultivation, observations regarding the plant height, node and flower’s number as well as the fruit setting were recorded. During harvesting period, each fruit was weighted, observations regarding malformation, insect infestation and fruit cracking were recorded and finally fruits were graded according to the commercial standards in class I, class II or nonmarketable. The whole harvesting period of 66 days was divided into two sub-periods: early and normal. The results showed that in conventional fertilization, the application of 0.3% Amino16 ® in roots + 0.9% foliar increased fruit weight of both class I and class II, as well as of either early or normal period. Under the same treatment, a trend for marketable yield increasing was obvious, although not significant. In reduced by 20% fertilization, the application of 0.3% Amino16 ® in roots + 0.9% foliar increased marketable yield of early period. On the other hand, in reduced by 40% fertilization, the application of 2.7% Amino16 ® in roots + 0% foliar increased both total and marketable yield and this was due to the increased fruit number. It could be concluded that the application of amino acids has appreciable effects on the yield of greenhouse tomato and its effective application way (through roots or foliar) dependents on pre-planting fertilization level.
Effects of Vegetation Traits on Habitat Preferences of Frugivorous Birds in Atlantic Rain Forest

Structural and floristic components of vegetation and fruit production were examined to evaluate the relative importance of each vegetation aspect on patterns of habitat use and to determine whether differences in degree of frugivory would affect sensitivity of birds to vegetation components. Abundances of 12 bird species were quantified in four different habitat types in the Southeastern Atlantic rain forest of Brazil using captures with mist nets. Structural and floristic traits and fruit production were sampled within plots along the mist net lines. Best explanations for the variation in species abundance were obtained by different combinations of the vegetation components (generalized linear models, Akaike information criterion; R2 mean values = 0.48, Δ AICc= 0). Although each species had a particular preference for some vegetation variables, floristic components stood out in those relationships, generating models with a stronger explanatory capacity (R2 > 0.40) and higher levels of empirical support (Δ AICc= minimum values). The variation in bird sensitivities to the floristic component was associated with bird dependence on a fruit diet: there was a correlation between the explanatory capacity of models built with only floristic composition and a species' degree of frugivory (Spearman rank correlation, r= 0.66, P= 0.04), indicating that floristics had a higher effect in more frugivorous birds. For the other vegetation components, there was no clear pattern with statistical support. These results indicate that sensitivities of bird species to vegetation aspects are associated with their dependence on a fruit diet.