Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acúmulo de matéria seca, absorção e exportação de micronutrientes em variedades de bananeira sob irrigação

Para estimativa da demanda de micronutrientes pela bananeira (Musa spp.) e fundamental que se conhecam as quantidades de materia seca e de micronutrientes acumuladas na planta e exportadas pelo cacho. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar o acumulo de materia seca e de micronutrientes em seis variedades de bananeira sob irrigacao. Foram amostradas plantas das variedades Grande Naine, Pacovan, Pacovan-Apodi, Prata-Ana, Terrinha e Gross Michel. As variedades foram plantadas em fileiras duplas, sendo 1.666 covas por hectare. Na epoca da colheita, foram escolhidas quatro touceiras de plantas de cada variedade para amostragem da planta-mae, que foi dividida em rizoma, pseudocaule, peciolo, limbo, engaco e frutos. Foram feitas pesagens para a determinacao da materia fresca de cada parte da planta-mae de uma mesma touceira e retirada uma amostra de aproximadamente 700 g dessas partes para determinacao do acumulo de materia seca e dos teores de micronutrientes. As amostras foram lavadas rapidamente com agua de torneira, depois com agua destilada e colocadas sobre as bancadas de uma casa de vegetacao para pre-secagem. Posteriormente, foram colocadas em sacos de papel e levadas para uma estufa de circulacao forcada de ar para obtencao do acumulo de materia seca e determinacao dos teores de B, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn. As variedades Pacovan, Prata Ana e Pacovan-Apodi acumularam maiores quantidades de materia seca e de micronutrientes, quando comparadas com as variedades Grande Naine, Gross Michel e Terrinha, sendo a seguinte ordem decrescente de acumulo e de exportacao de micronutrientes: Mn > Fe > B > Zn > Cu.
Summer epidemics of apple scab : The relationship between measurements and their implications for the development of predictive models and threshold levels under different disease control regimes

A 2-year study on epidemic progress of apple scab was conducted at Randwijk, the Netherlands, in 1998 and 1999. The summer epidemic caused by conidia was studied instead of the well-described spring season epidemic originating from ascospores. The aim was to investigate relationships between disease measurements, i.e. disease incidence and severity measures of apple scab, and their implications for the development of predictive models and threshold levels. The study characterized good relationships between the measurements on cultivar Jonagold using regression analyses in three disease control regimes (untreated, organic and integrated). For fruit quality prediction, the relationship between fruit incidence (I (f) ) and leaf incidence (I (l) ) in the organic control regime was given by I (f) = 1.966 + 0.402 x (I (l) ) (R (2) = 0.92). As a result of low level of disease in the integrated control regime, shoot incidence (I (s) ), with higher values than leaf incidence, was better suited for prediction. The relationship was given by I (f) = -0.162 + 0.028 x (I (s) ) (R (2) = 0.91). For the integrated control regime, disease threshold levels were constructed for timing of the final fungicide application. If an apple grower wants to keep fruit infection under 1% incidence (harvest scab threshold), the timing of the final fungicide application (action threshold) should correspond to 4% shoot scab incidence at the beginning of August. The results are compared with similar studies and their biological interpretation is discussed.
Manganese and Oxidative Damage in Cucumber

ABSTRACT Micronutrients in low or high concentration can affect growth, respiration, photosynthesis, and reproduction in plants. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus, L.) is grown in India in areas low or high in manganese concentration in soils. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of manganese concentration on some metabolic activities affecting developmental responses in cucumber. Seed of cucumber, cv. Sonali, were grown in refined sand and provided manganese at rates of: 0.1, 1.0, 2.0, 10, 100, or 200 μM on 6 of 7 days in a week for up to 102 days. At 20 days after planting, symptoms of leaf interveinal chlorosis, which intensified later and developed into irregular brown spots, developed with daily application rates of <10 μM Mn. When daily application of >10 μM of Mn was used interveinal chlorosis on old leaves was followed by necrosis and death of the leaf lamina. Plant growth was retarded. Plants treated with Mn above or below 10 μM had lower fruit yield and lower biomass, concentrations of chlorophylls (a and b), Hill reaction activity, and catalase activity than those grown with 10 μM. There was increased activity of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase in plants treated with Mn above or below 10 μM. The Mn concentration in tissues increased as levels of Mn increased from 0.1 to 200 μM. Detrimental effects due to manganese <10 and >10 μM was related to the Mn concentration in the leaves.
Protochlorophyllide transformations and chlorophyll accumulation in epicotyls of pea (Pisum sativum)

Low-temperature fluorescence emission spectra of epicotyls of 6.5-day-old dark-grown seedlings of pea (Pisum sativum L.) showed the dominance of short-wavelength protoch lorophyllide forms with emission maxima at 629 and 636 nm, respectively. The presence of long-wavelength protochlorophyllide with emission maxima around 650 nm was just detectable. Accordingly, irradiation with millisecond flashes gave a minute formation of chlorophyllide. The chlorophyll(ide) formation varied along the epicotyl. Irradiation with continuous light for 1.5 h resulted in an evident accumulation of chlorophyll(ide) in the upper part of the epicotyl. Only small amounts accumulated in the middle section. The conversion of protochlorophyllide to chlorophyllide was temperature dependent and almost arrested at 0°C. The chlorophyll(ide) formed had one dominating fluorescence peak at 681 nm. Irradiation for 24 h gave almost 100 times more chlorophyll in the upper part of the epicotyl than in the lower part. Electron micrographs from the upper part of the epicotyl irradiated for 6 h showed plastids with several developing thylakoids, while the plastids in the lower part of the epicotyl had only a few thylakoids. The dominance of short-wavelength protochlorophyllide forms indicated the presence of protochlorophyllide not bound to the active site of NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (EC 1.3.1.33). The inability of the short-wavelength form to transform into chlorophyllide with flash light denotes a dislocation from the active site. The time and temperature dependence of the chlorophyll(ide) formation in continuous light indicates that a relocation is required of the short-wavelength protochlorophyllide before chlorophyllide formation can occur.
Denitrification in estuarine sediment stimulated by the irrigation activity of the amphipod Corophium volutator

Sediment with different densities of Corophium volutator (Pallas), ranging from 0 to 19 800 ind. m-', were incubated in laboratory microcosms, and rates of oxygen uptake, denitnfication and nitrate ammonification were determined from sediment-water fluxes. The measured processes were stimulated differently by C. volutator; oxygen uptake, denitrification of NO, from nitnfication within the sediment, and denitrification of NOT from the overlying water were enhanced 2-, 3and 5-fold respectively in the presence of 19 800 ind. m-? This differential stimulation was explained by the different characteristics of diffusional solute transport at the sediment-water interface and mass transfer of water into the burrows where O2 and NO? was depleted. Denitrification rates were calculated by using the lSN isotope pairing technique. The applicability of the ' 5 ~ isotope pairing technique for measunng coupled nitrification-denitrification in bioturbated sedlment was confirmed in a test incubation with different levels of 1 5 ~ 0 < added to microcosms with 12 000 C. volutatorind. m-'
Molecular Pathways Mediating Glial Responses during Wallerian Degeneration: A Dissertation

Glia are the understudied brain cells that perform many functions essential to maintain nervous system homeostasis and protect the brain from injury. If brain damage occurs, glia rapidly adopt the reactive state and elicit a series of cellular and molecular events known as reactive gliosis, the hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. However, the molecular pathways that trigger and regulate this process remain poorly defined. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has glial cells that are strikingly similar to mammalian glia, and which also exhibit reactive responses after neuronal injury. By exploiting its powerful genetic toolbox, we are uniquely positioned to identify the genes that activate and execute glial responses to neuronal injury in vivo. In this dissertation, I use Wallerian degeneration in Drosophila as a model to characterize molecular pathways responsible for glia to recognize neural injury, become activated, and ultimately engulf and degrade axonal debris. I demonstrate a novel role for the GEF (guanine nucleotide exchange factors) complex DRK/DOS/SOS upstream of small GTPase Rac1 in glial engulfment activity and show that it acts redundantly with previously discovered Crk/Mbc/dCed-12 to execute glial activation after axotomy. In addition, I discovered an exciting new role for the TNF receptor associated factor 4 (TRAF4) in glial response to axon injury. I find that interfering with TRAF4 and the downstream kinase misshapen (msn) function results in impaired glial activation and engulfment of axonal debris. Unexpectedly, I find that TRAF4 physically associates with engulfment receptor Draper – making TRAF4 only second factor to bind directly to Draper – and show it is essential for Draper-dependent activation of downstream engulfment signaling, including
Phytosociological description of the forest vegetation of southeastern Labrador

A floristic analysis of the forest vegetation of southeastern Labrador was conducted using the phytosociological methods of Braun-Blanquet and a phytosociological table was constructed with the FORTRAN program TWINSPAN, which produces hierarchical classifications by two-way indicator species analysis. A total of 88 releves incorporating 77 species are grouped into five major assemblages: birch, fir – spruce – feather moss, spruce–fir, spruce–Pleurozium, and spruce – Sphagnum fuscum communities. The five communities, as arranged from birch to spruce – Sphagnum fuscum, display decreasing trends in productivity, site quality, and richness of vascular flora, and increasing prominence of oligotrophic species, primarily cryptogams and ericaceous shrubs. Black spruce and balsam fir comprise more than 95% of the forest canopy in this region, whereas paper birch is restricted to moist and well-drained slopes, and white spruce, aspen, and balsam poplar are rare. Factors suggested as responsible for the limited prod.
Evaluation of methods for DNA extraction from must and wine

The quality of wine depends on many factors. One of the most important is the selection of appropriate and defined grape varieties. The analysis of phenolic compounds, amino acids, trace elements and isotopes of wines, used for the identification of grapes varieties, is not sufficient and requires a lengthy analysis period. The development of molecular techniques such as restriction fragment length polymorphism, random amplified polymorphic DNA and microsatellites provides opportunities for the differentiation of grape varieties. In this regard, the use of DNA extracted from must and wine appears to be a good marker for the identification of grape varieties used in wine production. In this study, DNA was extracted from grape, leaf, must and wine samples of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc origin and examined using different extraction methods. Of the DNA extraction methods tested, the method using absorption at 260/280 nm (with values of 0.19 and 1.92) was considered the method of choice. Copyright © 2014 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling
Pharmacological activity of the extracts of two Satureja obovata varieties on isolated smooth muscle preparations

Aqueous extracts of two varieties of Satureja obovata Lag. subsp. obovata: var. valentina and var. obovata, exhibited a dose‐dependent inhibitory effect on the contractions induced by acetylcholine (Ach) (3.4 × 10−8−6.8 × 10−5M) and CaCl2 (2 × 10−4−1.28 − 10−2M) in rat duodenum and by noradrenaline (NA) (10−9−5.12 × 10−7 M) and CaCl2 (2 × 10−4−1.28 × 10−2 M) in rat aorta. The extracts also produced relaxant effects in both tissue preparations precontracted with K+ (75 mM) and in rat aorta precontracted with NA (10−6 M). Vasodilatory effects of the two extracts were attenuated when the endothelium was removed. The inhibitory effects of var. valentina were stronger. These results indicated a smooth muscle relaxant effect that could account for the use of these extracts in traditional medicine.
Root Development and Nutrient Uptake

Root system formation proceeds in close coordination with shoot growth. Accordingly, root growth and its functions are regulated tightly by the shoot through materials cycling between roots and shoots. A plant root system consists of different kinds of roots that differ in morphology and functions. The spatial configuration and distribution of these roots determine root system architecture in the soil, which in turn primarily regulates the acquisition of soil resources like nutrients and water. Morphological and physiological properties of each root and the concomitant tissues further affect nutrient uptake and transport, while the root traits that are related to such acquisition also depend on the kinds of nutrients and their mobility in the soil. In addition, mechanisms involved in the uptake and transport of mineral nutrients recently have been elucidated at the molecular level. A number of genes for acquisition and transport of various mineral nutrients have been identified in model plant systems such as Arabidopsis thaliana, and rice, and in other plant species. An integration of studies on nutrient behavior in soils and the morphological and physiological functions of root systems will further elucidate the mechanism of plant nutrient uptake and transport by roots, and offer a real possibility of genetically improving crop productivity in problem soils. Referee: Dr. Bobbie McMichael, Plant Physiologist, USDA-ARS, Plant Stress and Germplasm Development Unit, 3810 4th St., Lubbock, Texas 79415
Improved artificial diets for laboratory rearing of the spiny bollworm, Earias insulana (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae)

Abstract Modifications were made in a diet reported in the literature for rearing the spiny bollworm, Earias insulana (Boisduval), a major pest of cotton and okra, in India, with an objective of obtaining reproductively competent adults. Out of the six diets evaluated, two modified diets were found to be nutritionally adequate to produce adults with a satisfactory reproductive performance (about 165 eggs per female with more than 90% viability). These two diets contained maize semolina, wheat bran, wheat germ oil, brewer's yeast, salt mixture, ascorbic acid, agar and distilled water in prescribed proportions. In addition to these ingredients one diet contained soybean powder and vitamin mixture, whereas the other contained decorticated glandless‐cotton seed powder. Data are presented on the development and reproductive performance of the insects reared on these two diets for three successive generations.
Genetic variability of rhizobacteria from wild populations of four Lupinus species based on PCR-RAPDs§

The metabolic capacities of rhizosphere bacteria can depend on intraspecific genetic variability at strain level. We sampled bacteria from the rhizosphere of three populations of four different Lupinus species at two growth stages (flowering: GS1 and fruiting: GS2) Isolates were identified to the genus level by classical biochemical tests. The most abundant genera found were Bacillus, Aureobacterium, Cellulomonas, Pseudomonas, and Arthrobacter. Genetic divergence of rhizobacteria was tested by PCR-RAPDs. The genetic distances were low, with mean values of 37 % for Bacillus, 25 % for Aureobacterium, 46 % for Cellulomonas, 16 % for Pseudomonas, and 23 % for Arthrobacter. Aureobacterium, the most abundant genus, predominated in the rhizosphere of all populations and at both growth stages (GS1 and GS2) of L. angustifolius. The Aureobacterium strains consisted of 11 groups with 90 % similarity indexes. The cluster analysis of these groups shows that strains isolated front different lupin species and sampling times have extraordinary low diversity indexes, or are even identical. This fact, together with the low genetic distance detected in the rhizosphere, reveals a clear specificity in the plant-bacteria interaction, This spe cificity could be related with several aspects of plant physiology.
Effects of Increasing Rumen-Undegradable Protein Supplementation Levels on Early Weaned Calves Grazing Stargrass

Early weaned beef calves ( Bos spp.) grazing warm-season grasses may benefit from increas - ing levels of rumen-undegradable protein ( rUp) supplementation due to the limited rUp sup- plied by the forage and their high nutrient requirements. The objective of this study was to test the effects of increasing levels of r Up sup- plementation on performance of early weaned calves grazing stargrass ( Cynodon nlemfuensis
Secretion of specific extracellular proteins by somatic embryos of Picea abies is dependent on embryo morphology

Abstract Embryogenic cell lines ofPicea abieswere categorized into two groups, A and B, based on the morphology of the somatic embryos and the ability of the somatic embryos to proceed through a maturation process when treated with ABA. Group A embryos had a distinct, densely-packed embryonic region whereas group B embryos had loosely packed cells in their embryonic region. Embryo morphology was shown to be regulated by changes in the plant growth regulators in the culture medium. Treatment with N6-benzyladenine stimulated embryos to develop large embryonic regions. The morphology of somatic embryos and especially that of the embryonic regions was correlated with the presence of specific extracellular proteins. Only somatic embryos with densely packed cells in the embryonic regions secreted proteins with relative molecular weights of 28, 66 and 85kD. The extracellular protein of 28kD was isolated and the first 21 amino acids in the N-terminus were identified. These showed 52–57% identity with the N-terminal sequence conserved among members of a protein family which includes zeamatin and which have been shown to be involved in plant anti-fungal mechanisms. Immunological studies of extracellular chitinases and zeamatin-like proteins, as well as of activity of extracellular peroxidase, revealed a close correlation between the presence of specific chitinases and embryo morphology.
L'efficacité des systèmes de culture semi-automatisés sur la formation de microtubercules d'igname (Dioscorea alata L.)

Le clone d'igname 'Belep' donne des resultats favorables en ce qui concerne la formation de microtubercules avec le systeme d'immersion temporaire. Des plants cultives dans ce type de systeme de culture ont ete les premiers a initier la formation de microtubercules et ont produit le nombre le plus eleve de microtubercules par plant par rapport aux systemes CIS (Systeme d'Immersion Constante) et SLS (Systeme avec Milieu Liquide Statique). Ces microtubercules se caracterisaient par les poids frais et secs les plus eleves et les diametres les plus grands. Le systeme d'immersion temporaire donne le plus grand nombre total de microtubercules et des microtubercules utilisables comme materiel de plantation. Les microtubercules obtenus par ce type de systeme de production se distinguent par leur qualite exprimee par le taux de matiere seche tres eleve et par leur concentration en amidon. Pour renouveler les milieux de culture et maintenir une croissance de culture continue pour un materiel de plantation directe, des informations sont fournies quant aux preferences et a la diminution d'ions dans le milieu de culture durant la formation de microtubercules de l'igname dans le systeme d'immersion temporaire.
Genetic variation in Sanguisorba minor after 6 years in situ selection under elevated CO2

Genetic variation within plant species in their response to elevated CO2 could be important for long‐term changes in plant community composition because it allows for selection of responsive genotypes. Six years of in situ CO2 enrichment in a temperate grassland offered a unique opportunity to investigate such microevolutionary changes in a common herb of that plant community, Sanguisorba minor. Plants were grown from seeds collected at the end of a 6‐year treatment in either ambient or elevated CO2. The resulting seedlings were grown under ambient or elevated CO2 and with or without interspecific competition by Bromus erectus in the greenhouse for two seasons. The effect of competition was included because we expected selection under elevated CO2 to favour increased competitive ability. Elevated CO2 in the greenhouse and competition both caused a significant reduction of the total dry mass in S. minor, by 12% and 40%, respectively, with no interaction between CO2 and competition. Genetic variation in all traits was substantial. Seed families responded differently to competition, but the family × greenhouse CO2 interaction was rather weak. There was no main effect of the field CO2 treatment on any parameter analysed in the greenhouse. However, the field CO2 treatment did significantly interact with the greenhouse CO2 treatment for the cumulative number of leaves, suggesting microevolutionary change in this plant trait. Families from ambient field CO2 produced fewer leaves under elevated greenhouse CO2, whereas families from elevated field CO2 retained constant number of leaves in either greenhouse CO2 treatment. Since this resulted in increased litter production of the families from elevated field CO2 under elevated greenhouse CO2, the microevolutionary response should, in turn, affect ecosystem functions through dry matter recycling.