bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Eulerian and Lagrangian moisture source diagnostics – the flood event in eastern Europe in May 2010
Authors: Winschall A. , Pfahl S. , Sodemann H. , Wernli H.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Moisture convergence from different sources is an important prerequisite for a heavy precipitation event. The contributions from different source regions can, however, hardly be quantified from observations, and their assessment based on model results is complex. Two conceptually different numerical methods are widely used for the quantification of moisture sources: Lagrangian approaches based on the analysis of humidity variations along backward trajectories and Eulerian methods based on the implementation of moisture tracers into a numerical model. In this study the moisture sources for a high-impact heavy precipitation event that affected eastern Europe in May 2010 are studied with both Eulerian and Lagrangian moisture source diagnostics. The precipitation event was connected to a cyclone that developed over northern Africa, moved over the Mediterranean towards eastern Europe and induced transport of moist air towards the Carpathian mountains. Heavy precipitation and major flooding occurred in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia between 16 and 18 May 2010. The Lagrangian and Eulerian diagnostics consistently indicate a~wide spatial and temporal range of moisture sources contributing to the event. The most important source is local evapotranspiration from the European land surface, followed by moisture from the North Atlantic. Further relevant contributions come from tropical Western Africa (10–20° N). Contrary to expectations, the Mediterranean Sea contributes only about 10% to the precipitation event. A detailed analysis of exemplary trajectories corroborates the general consistency of the two approaches, and underlines their complementarity. The Lagrangian method allows for mapping out moisture source regions with computational efficiency, whereas the more elaborate Eulerian model requires predefined moisture sources, but includes also processes such as precipitation, evaporation and turbulent mixing. However, in the Eulerian model, uncertainty concerning the relative importance of remote versus local moisture sources arises from different options to parameterise moisture tagging at the surface. Ultimately a more sophisticated parameterisation scheme will be required to reduce this uncertainty.
Examining soil carbon uncertainty in a global model: response of microbial decomposition to temperature, moisture and nutrient limitation
Authors: Exbrayat J.-F. , Pitman A. J. , Zhang Q. , Abramowitz G. , Wang Y.-P.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Reliable projections of future climate require land–atmosphere carbon (C) fluxes to be represented realistically in Earth system models (ESMs). There are several sources of uncertainty in how carbon is parameterised in these models. First, while interactions between the C, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycles have been implemented in some models, these lead to diverse changes in land–atmosphere fluxes. Second, while the first-order parameterisation of soil organic matter decomposition is similar between models, formulations of the control of the soil physical state on microbial activity vary widely. For the first time, we address these sources of uncertainty simultaneously by implementing three soil moisture and three soil temperature respiration functions in an ESM that can be run with three degrees of biogeochemical nutrient limitation (C-only, C and N, and C and N and P). All 27 possible combinations of response functions and biogeochemical mode are equilibrated before transient historical (1850–2005) simulations are performed. As expected, implementing N and P limitation reduces the land carbon sink, transforming some regional sinks into net sources over the historical period. Meanwhile, regardless of which nutrient mode is used, various combinations of response functions imply a two-fold difference in the net ecosystem accumulation and a four-fold difference in equilibrated total soil C. We further show that regions with initially larger pools are more likely to become carbon sources, especially when nutrient availability limits the response of primary production to increasing atmospheric CO2. Simulating changes in soil C content therefore critically depends on both nutrient limitation and the choice of respiration functions.
Methyl iodide production in the open ocean
Authors: Stemmler I. , Hense I. , Quack B. , Maier-Reimer E.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Production pathways of the prominent volatile organic halogen compound methyl iodide (CH3I) are not fully understood. Previous model studies suggest either production via photochemical degradation of organic material or rather phytoplankton production. Correlations between biological and environmental variables derived from observations also suggest both production pathways. In this study we aim to address this question of source mechanisms with a global three-dimensional ocean general circulation model including biogeochemistry (MPIOM-HAMOCC) by carrying out a series of sensitivity experiments. Simulated distribution patterns and emissions of CH3I differ largely for the different production pathways. However, the evaluation of our model results with observations from a newly available global data set shows that observed surface concentrations of CH3I can be best explained by the photochemical production pathway. Our results further emphasize that correlations between CH3I and abiotic or biotic factors do not necessarily provide meaningful insights concerning the source of origin. Overall, we find a net global annual CH3I air–sea flux that ranges between 70 and 260 Gg yr−1. Hence, at the global scale the ocean is a net source of methyl iodide for the atmosphere, though in some regions in boreal winter fluxes are of opposite direction (from the atmosphere to the ocean).
Modeling economic costs of disasters and recovery involving positive effects of reconstruction: analysis using a dynamic CGE model
Authors: Xie W. , Li N. , Wu J.-D. , Hao X.-L.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Disaster damages have negative effects on economy, whereas reconstruction investments have positive effects. The aim of this study is to model economic causes of disasters and recovery involving positive effects of reconstruction activities. Computable general equilibrium (CGE) model is a promising approach because it can incorporate these two kinds of shocks into a unified framework and further avoid double-counting problem. In order to factor both shocks in CGE model, direct loss is set as the amount of capital stock reduced on supply side of economy; A portion of investments restore the capital stock in existing period; An investment-driven dynamic model is formulated due to available reconstruction data, and the rest of a given country's saving is set as an endogenous variable. The 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake is selected as a case study to illustrate the model, and three scenarios are constructed: S0 (no disaster occurs), S1 (disaster occurs with reconstruction investment) and S2 (disaster occurs without reconstruction investment). S0 is taken as business as usual, and the differences between S1 and S0 and that between S2 and S0 can be interpreted as economic losses including reconstruction and excluding reconstruction respectively. The study showed that output from S1 is found to be closer to real data than that from S2. S2 overestimates economic loss by roughly two times that under S1. The gap in economic aggregate between S1 and S0 is reduced to 3% in 2011, a level that should take another four years to achieve under S2.
Numerical simulations of tsunami generated by underwater volcanic explosions at Karymskoye lake (Kamchatka, Russia) and Kolumbo volcano (Aegean Sea, Greece)
Authors: Ulvrová M. , Paris R. , Kelfoun K. , Nomikou P.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Increasing human activities along the coasts of the world arise the necessity to assess tsunami hazard from different sources (earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity). In this paper, we simulate tsunamis generated by underwater volcanic explosions from (1) a submerged vent in a shallow water lake (Karymskoye Lake, Kamchatka), and (2) from Kolumbo submarine volcano (7 km NE of Santorini, Aegean Sea, Greece). The 1996 tsunami in Karymskoye lake is a well-documented example and thus serves as a case-study for validating the calculations. The numerical model reproduces realistically the tsunami runups measured onshore. Systematic numerical study of tsunamis generated by explosions of Kolumbo volcano is then conducted for a wide range of energies. Results show that in case of reawakening, Kolumbo volcano might represent a significant tsunami hazard for the northern, eastern and southern coasts of Santorini, even for small-power explosions.
Using ensemble data assimilation to forecast hydrological flumes
Authors: Amour I. , Mussa Z. , Bibov A. , Kauranne T.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Data assimilation, commonly used in weather forecasting, means combining a mathematical forecast of a target dynamical system with simultaneous measurements from that system in an optimal fashion. We demonstrate the benefits obtainable from data assimilation with a dam break flume simulation in which a shallow-water equation model is complemented with wave meter measurements. Data assimilation is conducted with a Variational Ensemble Kalman Filter (VEnKF) algorithm. The resulting dynamical analysis of the flume displays turbulent behavior, features prominent hydraulic jumps and avoids many numerical artifacts present in a pure simulation.
Research Note: Macroeconomic Impacts of the Tourism Industry and the Contemporaneous Feedback Effect — An Australian Case Study
Authors: Chaiechi Taha , Pryce Josephine , Bhati Abhishek
Published: November 2013

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate methods for analysing the dynamic impact of the tourism sector on key drivers of economic growth for destinations in Australia, while allowing for simultaneity of economic variables. The tourism sector is captured through the proxy of ‘tourism receipts’. In addition, investment and productivity growth are selected as sources of economic growth, in accordance with post-Keynesian growth theory. The paper uses time series quarterly data, covering the period 1995:Q1–2011:Q4, and employs time series estimation techniques, including structural vector autoregressive modelling and impulse response analysis, to describe the macroeconomic responses to sudden shocks in the tourism sector. The results indicate that the growth benefits of an increase in tourist expenditure are positive and statistically significant. Moreover, as suggested by the analysis of impulse response functions, a positive shock to tourist expenditure provides positive, substantial and rather long-lived implications regarding productivity and investment decisions.
The effect of initial fattening weight on sustainability of beef cattle production in feedlots
Authors: Demircan V.
Published: November 2013

The aim of this study was to conduct cultural energy (CE) analyses of beef cattle animals with different initial weights. Data were obtained by a questionnaire administered to 100 beef farms selected by stratified random sampling. The beef farms were divided into three groups based on initial animal weights and were analyzed. Initial weights were assigned as light (276 kg, 32 farms). Cultural energy used for feed for the treatments was derived from their lot feed consumption and values from the literature. Transportation energy was included in the analysis. As the objective of the study was to evaluate CE analysis of the feeding systems, energy that the calves had deposited in muscle and fat tissue, when they were purchased was deducted from carcass energy. Total expended CE was highest for the lighter animals (P
Effect of ageing method, ageing period, cooking method and sample thickness on beef textural characteristics
Authors: Panea B. , Sañudo Astiz C. , Olleta J.L. , Civit D.
Published: November 2013

The effect of the ageing method (bone-in or boneless), ageing period (7 or 14 days), cooking method (grilling or water bath preparation) and sample thickness (1, 2 or 4 cm) on the meat texture characteristics of the longissimus thoracis muscle of six young, commercial bulls was measured using a texture analyser incorporating compression and Warner-Bratzler devices. The sarcomere length of the raw meat and cooking losses were also recorded. The ageing method and ageing period had more influence on the textural properties studied than either the cooking method or sample thickness. Cooking losses were, however, mainly influenced by the cooking method. Although the cooking method had no significant effect on meat toughness, the meat tended to be tougher when grilled than when prepared in a water bath. Meat tenderness mainly improved during the first week of storage.
Agromorphological characterization of traditional Spanish sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) and duke cherry (Prunus x gondouinii Rehd.) cultivars
Authors: Pérez Sánchez R. , Gómez Sánchez M.A. , Morales Corts R.
Published: November 2013

Thirty-one traditional cultivars (26 sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), four duke cherry (Prunus x gondouinii Rehd.), and one sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.)) from Sierra de Francia and Arribes del Duero in Central-Western Spain were surveyed and characterized agromorphologically. A total of 37 descriptors, mainly defined by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute and the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants were used to describe flowers, leaves, fruits and the tree itself over a 3 consecutive years. This made possible the unequivocal identification of 25 cultivars. A dendrogram gave a clear separation between the sour, duke and sweet cherry cultivars and showed existing synonymies and homonymies. This work is an important step in the conservation of genetic cherry resources in the province of Salamanca (Spain), which show distinctive and interesting agronomical characters such as low susceptibility to fruit cracking, high levels of soluble solids, early fruit maturity and great rusticity.
A selective PCR-based method for the identification of Phytophthora hibernalis Carne
Authors: Montenegro D. , Aguín O. , Pintos C. , Sainz M.J. , Mansilla J.P.
Published: November 2013

Preharvest and postharvest brown rot of citrus fruit is responsible for important economic losses thoroughout the world. The disease is commonly caused by several species of Phytophthora. In Spain, citrus brown rot is mainly caused by P. citrophthora, but in the last years outbreaks of the disease in lemon and sweet orange caused by P. hibernalis Carne have been recorded in northwestern citrus-growing areas. In this work, a PCR method has been developed for the diagnostic of P. hibernalis either from isolated mycelia or directly from fruit lesions. One specific primer pair, PHIB1 and PHIB2, was designed from the nucleotide sequences of ITS1 and ITS2 regions. The two primers amplified a 407-bp fragment from the genomic DNA of P. hibernalis that was sequenced (Acc. No. AY827556). Results demonstrated that PCR amplification of ITS regions by primers PHIB1 and PHIB2 followed by DNA sequencing can provide a rapid, selective and reliable identification of P. hibernalis.
The influence of 110-Ritcher and SO4 rootstocks on the performance of scions of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Albariño clones
Authors: Boso S. , Santiago J.L. , Martínez M.C.
Published: November 2013

The use of rootstocks is widespread in modern viticulture; non-grafted Vitis vinifera vines are now grown in only a handful of places with very specific conditions. Since the need to graft vine-scions onto American rootstocks, a lot of work has been performed in which different aspects of the relationship between the vine and the rootstock have been studied. Despite this there are still many open questions, which remained unanswered. The present paper reports a study performed on five "Albariño" clones (MBG-1, MBG-2, MBG-7, MBG-9 and MBG-10), in which the influence of rootstock type (110- R and SO4) on a number of agronomic variables was examined. The results show that these rootstocks have no influence on many of the variables which were studied (phenology, cluster size and weight, fertility, yield, and berry size and weight), although they do influence variables such as the probable alcohol content, the quantity of free-run juice, must total acidity and weight of pruned wood. Therefore it is possible to conclude, that rootstocks influence agronomic parameters.
Influence of the thermal shock and pre-sprouting on potato tuber yield
Authors: Eremeev V. , Jõudu J. , Lääniste P. , Mäeorg E. , Selge A. , Tsahkna A. , Noormets M.
Published: November 2013

Thermal shock and pre-sprouting increase the initial development of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants, allowing for earlier harvests. Growing early potatoes without pre-sprouting is not economically viable under Nordic climatic conditions. The aim of this research was to determine how seed tuber pre-planting treatments (untreated, thermal shock and pre-sprouting) influence time to emergence, mean tuber weight, the number of tubers per plant, and yield (including yield dynamics). The main findings of this work were that thermal shock shortened the time to emergence by 2-5 days, while pre-sprouting shortened it by 7-12 days. In addition, thermal shock significantly increased the number of tubers produced, although their mean weight was lower than that of the tubers produced by the pre-sprouted plants. The presprouted tubers provided a very early harvest of large tubers; the harvest time for the thermal shock-treated tubers was a little later. The untreated seed tubers were the last to produce harvestable plants.
Irrigation agriculture and groundwater. The case of Miralbueno aquifer (Spain)
Authors: Causapé Valenzuela J.
Published: November 2013

A great number of flood irrigation districts which have low irrigation efficiency due to the high permeability of their soils cannot undertake a generalised changeover to pressurized irrigation systems in the short term. This work seeks to study the effects which the changeover of the irrigation system in the Irrigation District Nº V of Bardenas (Spain) would have on the hydric regime of the Miralbueno aquifer; also to evaluate different alternatives to improve water management based on the use of groundwater. For this, a model of the aquifer was made with the help of the Modflow 2000 software and different scenarios were simulated. The results indicate that generalised conversion to pressurized irrigation systems will cause a decrease in the average phreatic level (1.20 m) and in the volume of water drained by the ditches (49% less). Until this measure is taken, the irrigation efficiency of the agrarian system could be increased notably by intensifying the reuse of groundwater by means of: a) the construction of intercepting drainages to reuse groundwater in flood irrigation again, and b) the construction of appropriately distributed wells for drip irrigation of the current area of vegetables.
Short communication.Automatic inspection of the pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) arils quality by means of computer vision
Authors: Blasco J. , Cubero S. , Alegre-Sosa S. , Gómez-Sanchís J. , Moltó E.
Published: November 2013

With the aim of ensuring the quality and homogenising the colour of commercial batches of pomegranate arils, a new prototype for the automatic inspection of pomegranate arils and their separation into categories by means of air ejectors has been developed. Arils are singulated and transported on conveyor belts. Images of the arils are acquired using two cameras to allow estimation of the quality and are then expelled through different outlets according to the category. New control software were developed that synchronise the advance of the conveyor belts, the acquisition of images and the separation by air ejectors, which also includes mechanisms for the synchronisation and communication between the vision and control computers. A new computer vision system has been developed for the inspection of arils that distinguish between arils and raw material by estimating the colour of the objects and then classify the arils by size and colour. The prototype was tested over a six-month period in a Spanish pomegranate producer, with the inspection of about 5 Mg of product. The new prototype achieves the objective of inspecting and sorting pomegranate arils according to their quality, reaching the performance specifications.
Short communication. Synchronization of ovulation and artificial insemination protocol for Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica) based in progesterone and cloprostenol
Authors: Santiago-Moreno J. , Toledano-Díaz A. , Gómez-Brunet A. , Pulido-Pastor A. , López-Sebastián A.
Published: November 2013

This study describes the effectiveness of a method to synchronize ovulation in Spanish ibex for artificial insemination, based on one previously described for use in domestic goats. Estrus and ovulation were synchronised in eight adult ibex females (aged 3-5 yr old) during the breeding season (January) by intramuscular injection of 25 mg of progesterone in olive oil plus an 100 microg intramuscular of cloprostenol on day 0 followed by a single dose of 100 microg cloprostenol intramuscular 9 days later (day 10). Ibexes were inseminated by laparoscopy with 200 x 10E6 spermatozoa at 52h after the second cloprostenol injection. Two of the eight treated ibex (25%) conceived and carried their pregnancies to term. The protocol described here minimizes animal handling (in contrast to synchronization methods utilizing intravaginal progestins and equine chorionic gonadotropin injections), which greatly facilitates the application of reproductive technologies in Spanish ibex captive breeding programs.
Characterization of technological levels in Mediterranean horticultural greenhouses
Authors: Garcia-Martinez M. C. , Balasch S. , Alcon F. , Fernandez-Zamudio M. A.
Published: November 2013

The technology existing in Spanish horticultural greenhouses is highly diverse; however, low levels predominate. Therefore urgent improvements and conversions are required to increase yields and quality to maintain competitive production. To define the equipment and investment required, it is necessary to establish the current levels of technology and the extent to which it is developing. To do so, information has been collected using a survey based on stratified random sampling in the three most important greenhouse horticultural areas in Spain: Almería, Murcia and Southern Alicante. Based on information from 242 farms, five groups of technological levels with a gradual variation in technology were identified by cluster analysis. Of the five groups, three relate to cultivation in soil and the other two to soilless culture. In this study, we have applied the test for independence in order to relate the levels obtained with certain relevant characteristics of the farm. The results display the usefulness of grouping the greenhouses by levels, and reveal which are the most characteristic components in level formation with their percentage distribution. Thus, current characteristics of technology, and its development, have been identified, and priority assigned to the different components.
An econometric system to assess the economic impact of water restriction policies in Spain
Authors: Recio B. , García-Mouton E. , Castellanos M.T. , Morató M.C. , Ibáñez J.
Published: November 2013

The objective of the Spanish government-funded project GESMO (Gestión integral del acuífero 08.29 Mancha Oriental), is to develop new tools for the evaluation and monitoring of water policies. These tools have to be capable of matching resource exploitation with reserve sustainability, applied to aquifer 08.29 in the Eastern Mancha, Spain. A decision support system (DSS), was developed as part of the GESMO project, that integrates two different systems within one computer application. One, an hydrogeological model, simulates the River Júcar basin and its associated aquifer. The other, an econometric system, is capable of predicting the evolution of regional crop maps, crop yields and crop prices, thus allowing the determination of the regional gross product of crops. This paper describes mainly the economic system of the DSS, a set of econometric models. Those used for crop allocations are the most important for the DSS. The approach followed for the specification of the DSS is proposed as a provisional method based on information from the pre-quota period to estimate likely responses of farmers in a post-quota period. A brief description of the overall structure of the DSS and an example of one of its possible applications are also included in the paper.
Valuation method for land pricing based on two cumulative distribution functions
Authors: Herrerías-Velasco J. M. , Herrerías-Pleguezuelo R.
Published: November 2013

This paper introduces the well-known valuation method based on two cumulative distribution functions (VMTCDF) that presents advantages with respect to other comparative techniques such as classical synthetic, which need a hypothesis of proportionality that is extremely simplifying and quite implausible, and econometric methods, which need databases contrary to VMTCDF that requires very little information. The VMTCDF use a single explicative variable, which summarizes in an index the different external signs that influence the market value of the asset to be assessed. The main aim of this paper is to extend the VMTCDF to find, under uncertainty, the market value of an asset from a two-dimensional vector of the characteristics of this asset. For this reason a new two-dimensional distribution is presented, Pyramidal distribution, which serves as a probabilistic model in the extended VMTCDF, and some of its statistical properties are studied. Finally, a practical application on land pricing illustrates the use of the extended VMTCDF as a tool for asset valuation. The main conclusion to be drawn from this paper is that it is the first step to extend the VMTCDF to the multidimensional case.
Evaluation of risk factors in fatal accidents in agriculture
Authors: Arana I. , Mangado J. , Arnal P. , Arazuri S. , Alfaro J. R. , Jarén C.
Published: November 2013

Many fatal accidents happen in agriculture and some of them are not off icially recorded. The aim of this research was to compare official to real data about fatal accidents in agriculture and to characterize and evaluate the main risk factors associated with them. A comparative study of 388 fatal accidents related to agricultural machinery, occurred in Spain during the last five years, has been conducted. Official records only account for 61.85% of the deaths. Older people are the social group with the highest risk but children and nonfarmers are risk groups too. The main cause of death was the overturn of tractors lacking roll-over protective structures (ROPS) since from 272 fatal overturns detected; only one occurred in tractors equipped with homologated ROPS. Many overturns happened while tractor driving along roads and tracks. Terrain conditions as slopes, ditches and obstacles are also risk factors. A total of eleven risk factors have been characterized but the concurrence of at least two of them is required to cause a fatal accident. Most accidents are caused by the overlapping of three or more risk factors. Therefore, accidents are preventable when trying to circumvent all described risk factors because the probability of concurrence of at least two decreases.
The use of barley as single ingredient in the diet provided during the finishing period may improve the meat quality of heavy pigs from PO Teruel ham (Spain)
Authors: Daza A. , Latorre M. A. , López-Bote C. J.
Published: November 2013

Thirty-two Duroc × (Large White × Landrace) barrows of 86.6 kg of body weight (BW) were used to investigate the effect of diet (control or granulated barley) provided during the finishing period on growth performance, meat quality and costs of production. The control diet consisted in a commercial feedstuff and the granulated barley diet consisted in the use of this cereal as only ingredient. The pigs were assigned to pens in groups of two (eight replicates per treatment) and were slaughtered at 130 kg BW. All the animals received the same feeding and management before the trial. No differences were observed for the growth performance and carcass traits between treatments. Pigs fed granulated barley had higher (P < 0.01) feed conversion ratio but lower production costs per kg of live (P < 0.001) and carcass (P < 0.01) weight than those on the control diet. The intramuscular fat (IMF) percentage in Longissimus dorsi muscle tended to be higher (P = 0.07) and had higher (P < 0.01) C18:1n-9 and total monounsaturated fatty acid (FA) percentages and lower (P < 0.05) C17:0, C17:1, C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3, C20:3n-9, Sn-6, Sn-3 and total polyunsaturated FA proportions in pigs fed granulated barley than in the control pigs. It is concluded that the use of barley as single ingredient in the diet provided during the finishing period of pigs may increase the IMF percentage, the C18:1n-9 proportion in IMF and some colour parameters of meat.
Characterisation and typification of the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) game farms in Spain
Authors: González-Redondo P. , Delgado-Pertíñez M. , Toribio S. , Ruiz F. A. , Mena Y. , Caravaca F. P. , Castel J. M.
Published: November 2013

variables related to structure and marketing. A structured survey was carried out on 63 farms in 2008. A multiple correspondence analysis performed to characterise the farms yielded two dimensions. First dimension explained 45.1% of the variance and included the variables age of the farm and number of pairs in the breeding flock. Second dimension explained 35.9% of the variance and included the variables the farm sells hatching eggs and the farm has a hunting preserve where releasing part of the partridges produced. A cluster analysis differentiated three farm typologies. Farm type 1 included 36 complete-cycle farms mainly established until 1996, most of them having 1 to 999 pairs in the breeding flock. Farm type 2 included 11 farms without breeding flock established since 2003. Farm type 3 included 16 complete cycle farms established between 1997 and 2002, most of them being the highest with 1,000 onwards breeding pairs, and carrying out artificial photoperiod supplementation of the breeding pairs. Half of the farms in this group sell hatching egg, have ever exported partridges, and most of them have a hunting preserve where releasing part of the production. The establishment of red-legged partridge game farms increased until 2002, declining thereafter and shifting towards the second farm type without breeding flock. This alternative poultry production system could have reached its development maturity and is a sub-sector well established in Spain, despite being only four decades old.
Interannual variability and evolution during the montanera period of Holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia Lam.) acorns
Authors: Tejerina D. , García-Torres S. , Cabeza de Vaca M. , Cava R. , Vázquez F. M.
Published: November 2013

Eighty-eight samples of Quercus rotundifolia acorns were analyzed during three consecutive years (2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08) to determine variations in their morphology, sanitary condition, and nutritional composition throughout the same period of montanera (free-range swine-raising system of SW Iberia) and between different years of study. Results showed that morphological characteristics remained constant throughout montanera season. Fungal damage increased, and Curculio sp. and Cydia sp. pests decreased over the course of the montanera season. Dry matter content decreased in both kernel and pericarp (P < 0.001), while the crude fiber and protein contents were not modified. The ash, nitrogen-free extract, and fat contents, however, were also affected by sampling date within a montanera season. With respect to the interannual variability, variations (P < 0.05) were observed in all the variables studied. It is therefore confirmed that there is variability in the sanitary condition and nutritional composition of acorns within the same montanera season and between different years of study. These could explain the differences in the chemical characteristics of Iberian pig tissues from animals raised in different montanera seasons, and even during the same montanera season.
Antimicrobial and miticide activities of Eucalyptus globulus essential oils obtained from different Argentine regions
Authors: Gende L. , Maggi M. , Van Baren C. , Di Leo A. , Bandoni A. , Fritz R. , Eguaras M.
Published: November 2013

The biological activity of Eucalyptus globulus essential oils derived from plant material obtained from different geographic areas was analyzed in in vitro experiments on Paenibacillus larvae, Varroa destructor, and Apis mellifera. The physicochemical properties, composition, antimicrobial, and bioactivity of these essential oils were studied. The bioactivity against P. larvae was analyzed by means of two in vitro techniques (tube dilution and bioautography). Mite and bee lethality were estimated using a complete exposure method test with oils at different concentrations. Essential oils differed in their composition, albeit their similar physicochemical properties. The minimal inhibitory concentrations range for E. globulus essential oil lay between 600-700 µg mL–1 for Mar del Plata and 900-1,200 µg mL–1 for Valle de Conlara essential oils against all P. larvae strains. The bioautography method determined that limonene accounted for the greatest antimicrobial activity with respect to the other compounds. The complete exposure method at 24, 48, and 72 h yielded lower LC50 values for mites exposed to E. globulus essential oils from Conlara. LC50 values for acari after 72 h of treatment with E. globulus from Mar del Plata and Conlara were 47.1 and 11.7 µL capsule–1, respectively; whilst those for bees was > 20 µL capsule–1 for both oils. The E. globulus essential oils tested in this study featured high efficiency against V. destructor, yet their antimicrobial activity against P. larvae proved to be lower, and innocuous to bees. The present experience promotes the use of active compounds for American fouldbrood and Varroosis management.
In vitro antibacterial effect of exotic plants essential oils on the honeybee pathogen Paenibacillus larvae, causal agent of American foulbrood
Authors: Fuselli S. R. , García de la Rosa B. , Eguaras M. J. , Fritz R.
Published: November 2013

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of exotic plants essential oils to potentially control Paenibacillus larvae, the causal agent of American foulbrood disease (AFB) were determined. AFB represents one of the main plagues that affect the colonies of honeybees Apis mellifera L. with high negative impact on beekeepers worldwide. Essential oils tested were niaouli (Melaleuca viridiflora) and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) from Myrtaceae, and citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) and palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) from Gramineae. The components of the essential oils were identified by SPME-GC/MS analysis. The antimicrobial activity of the oils against P. larvae was determined by the broth microdilution method. In vitro assays of M. viridiflora and C. nardus oils showed the inhibition of the bacterial strains at the lowest concentrations tested, with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) mean value about 320 mg L–1 for both oils, respectively. This property could be attributed to the kind and percentage of the components of the oils. Terpinen-4-ol (29.09%), a-pinene (21.63%) and limonene (17.4%) were predominant in M. viridiflora, while limonene (24.74%), citronelal (24.61%) and geraniol (15.79%) were the bulk of C. nardus. The use of these essential oils contributes to the screening of alternative natural compounds to control AFB in the apiaries; toxicological risks and other undesirable effects would be avoided as resistance factors, developed by the indiscriminate use of antibiotics.
Forage yield and quality of intercropped corn and soybean in narrow strips
Authors: Reta Sánchez D. G. , Espinosa Silva J. T. , Palomo Gil A. , Serrato Corona J. S. , Cueto Wong J. A. , Gaytán Mascorro A.
Published: November 2013

Maize-soybean intercropping can increase forage quality with no detrimental effect on dry matter (DM) yield. The objective of this study was to compare corn-soybean intercrop in narrow strips with corn as monocrop in terms of DM yield and forage quality. This study was conducted in Matamoros, Coahuila (Mexico) in 2006 and 2007. Intercrops were established in rows spaced 0.50 m apart, evaluating alternate corn-soybean strips with one, two, three, and four rows per crop, and a treatment using an alternate twin-row planting pattern per crop, with a 1.0-m row-spacing. As control treatments, monocrops of corn in rows 0.76 m apart and soybean in rows 0.50 m apart were evaluated. A randomized complete block design with four replications was employed. Corn-soybean intercrop produced DM yields similar to those of monocropped corn due to higher corn yields in border rows adjacent to soybean. Crude protein (CP) yields per hectare in intercrop treatments were higher (27.5 to 42.8%) than those of monocropped corn, due to greater CP concentrations in intercrops (16 to 21 g kg–1). When soybean was harvested at the beginning maturity stage (R7), neutral detergent fiber concentration was reduced by 60 to 63 g kg–1 in corn-soybean intercropping compared to corn monocrop. Acid detergent fiber was not altered by intercropping. Results indicate that maize-soybean intercrop in narrow strips can provide forage quality advantages without affecting yield.
Seasonal and temporal evolution of nutrient composition of pastures grown on remediated and non remediated soils affected by trace element contamination (Guadiamar Valley, SW Spain)
Authors: Madejón P. , Domínguez M. T. , Murillo J. M.
Published: November 2013

Elevated trace element concentrations in soils can affect the solubility and uptake of essential elements, resulting in nutrient deficiencies in plant tissues. The present paper deals with nutrient composition of pastures established on polluted and remediated soils (Green Corridor of the Guadiamar river Valley), in order to check the potential nutritional disorders that could derive from the soil pollution. In addition, nutrient composition of a representative grass, Cynodon dactylon, collected in 1999 and 2008 was compared in remediated and non-remediated sites of the polluted area. In general, nutrient concentrations of pastures were similar or even higher in polluted sites compared to 'control' sites. Therefore, the estimated potential ingestion of main nutrients by horses (the most abundant animals in the area) was also greater in the polluted and remediated soils and covered their nutritional requirements (more than 300 (N), 70 (S), 35 (P), 400 (K), 175 (Ca) and 30 (Mg) mg kg–1 body weight day –1 in spring and autumn). Temporal evolution of nutrients and physiological ratios (N/S, Ca/P, K/Na, K/Ca+Mg) in C. dactylon showed a significant variation from 1999 to 2008, especially in the non-remediated area, leading to a recovery of the nutritional quality of this grass. The reasonable nutritional quality of pastures and the absence of negative interactions between nutrients and trace elements seem to indicate a stabilisation of soil pollutants in the affected area.
The effect of moisture content on physical and mechanical
Authors: Kibar H. , Öztürk T. , Esen E.
Published: November 2013

The objective of this study was to investigate some physical and mechanical properties of Osmancık-97 rice variety widespread cultivated in Turkey in order to determine needed designing parameters for handling and storage facilities. In this study, some physical and mechanical properties were evaluated as a function of moisture content in the range of 10-14% d.b. Length, width, thickness, arithmetic and geometric mean diameter ranged from 8.27 to 9.01 mm, 3.10 to 3.48 mm, 2.05 to 2.26 mm, 4.47 to 4.92 mm, 3.75 to 4.13 mm, respectively as the moisture content increased; sphericity, grain volume, surface area, true density and porosity increased from 43 to 45%, 130.97 to 160.32 mm 3, 38.68 to 46.91 mm2, 939.0 to 962.1 kg m–3, and 36.61 to 41.97%; bulk density decreased from 595.5 to 560.5 kg m–3; the angle of internal friction increased linearly from 29.70° to 32.53° with the increase of moisture content; the static coefficient of friction increased from 0.764 to 0.972, 0.524 to 0.702 and 0.576 to 0.764 for concrete, galvanized steel and wood surfaces, respectively; the poisson ratio and pressure ratio decreased linearly with the increase of moisture content. The data obtained from the study will be useful in the structural design of rice bin to calculate loads on bins from the stored material.
Physiological variability and in vitro antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea causing botrytis gray mold of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Authors: Hosen M. I. , Ahmed A. U. , Islam M. R.
Published: November 2013

Physiological variability was studied in 10 isolates of Botrytis cinerea causing botrytis gray mold of chickpea, collected from diverse agro climatic areas in Bangladesh. The optimum temperature and pH for the best mycelial radial growth of B. cinerea were 20°C and 4.5, respectively. The mycelial radial growth increased with the temperature up to 20°C thereafter it decreased gradually up to 30°C and no growth was observed at 35°C. Chickpea dextrose agar (CDA) medium supported the highest mycelial radial growth (79.17 mm). The quickest (in 5 days) sclerotia initiation was recorded on chickpea destrose agar and lentil dextrose agar (LDA) culture media while the highest number of spores (2.5104 mL–1) were recorded on LDA medium. The antagonist Trichoderma harzianum was found to be a good bio-control agent against B. cinerea. Among the seven fungicides Bavistin® 50 WP (Carbendazim), CP-Zim 50 WP (Carbendazim), Sunphanate 70 WP (Thiophanate methyl) and Rovral 50 WP (Iprodione) were the most effective to inhibit the mycelial radial growth of B. cinerea at 500 mg L–1 concentration.
Seasonal and annual trends in field populations of Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, in Mediterranean citrus groves: comparison of two geographic areas in eastern Spain
Authors: Martínez-Ferrer M. T. , Navarro C. , Campos J. M. , Marzal C. , Fibla J. M. , Bargues L. , Garcia-Marí F.
Published: November 2013

Seasonal and annual trends in Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) populations were analyzed to determine the factors that influence population fluctuations in the field. Adult flies were monitored along 2003-07 in two citrus areas in eastern Spain with similar climate, Valencia and Tarragona. Adults were present throughout the study period, even in winter. The initial annual population increase was related to previous winter and spring temperatures. Captures started to increase in April-May and usually reached a peak in July. This peak corresponded to the maximum capture period in Valencia, but not in Tarragona, where there was usually a second peak in autumn, with capture levels similar to the first peak. Gravid females were found throughout the year, even in overwintering populations of medfly. The availability of other host fruit species in the vicinity of the citrus groves may explain the differences in annual abundance and distribution of captures between the two areas studied.
Water relation response to soil chilling of six olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars with different frost resistance
Authors: Pérez-López D. , Gijón M. C. , Mariño J. , Moriana A.
Published: November 2013

The relationship between the water relations of six olive cultivars exposed to different soil temperatures (14 0.1, 9.9 0.1 and 5.8 0.2°C) and their inherent frost resistance (as determined by two different methods) was investigated. Soil chilling was achieved by introducing pots of olive plants into water baths. The water relations of these plants were compared to those of plants kept under conditions of room temperature. The cultivars Frantoio, Picual and Changlot Real began to show significant dehydration below 14°C, while Cornicabra, Arbequina and Ascolana Tenera showed this below 10°C. This response is probably due to delayed stomatal closure. Only Cornicabra and Picual showed a significant reduction in leaf conductance (below 10°C and 6°C respectively). This absence of stomatal control led to a significantly greater dehydration in Ascolana Tenera. These variations in response to the soil chilling temperature suggest that different mechanisms may be at work, and indicate that would be necessary to study the influence of rootstock in the frost resistance of olive plants. The variations recorded grouped the cultivars as either resistant (Cornicabra), tolerant (Picual, Ascolana Tenera and Arbequina), or sensitive (Frantoio and Changlot Real). This classification is in line with the frost resistance reported for these cultivars in the literature, and with the results obtained in the present work using the stomatal density and ion leakage methods of determining such resistance.
Response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) yield to zinc, boron and molybdenum application under pot conditions
Authors: Valenciano J. B. , Boto A. , Marcelo V.
Published: November 2013

Spain is the main chickpea (Cicer arietinum) producing country in Europe, despite there are few studies on micronutrient application to chickpea. The response of chickpea to the applications of Zn, B and Mo was studied in pot experiments with natural conditions and acidic soils in northwest Spain from 2006 to 2008 following a factorial statistical pattern (5 × 2 × 2) with three replicates. Five concentrations of Zn (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg Zn pot–1), two concentrations of B (0 and 2 mg B pot–1), and two concentrations of Mo (0 and 2 mg Mo pot–1) were added to the pots. Chickpea responded to the Zn, B and Mo applications. There were differences between soils. The mature plants fertilized with Zn, with B and with Mo had a greater total dry matter production. Harvest Index (HI) improved with the Zn application and with the Mo application. The highest HI was obtained with the Zn4× B2 × Mo2 treatment (60.30%) while the smallest HI was obtained with the Zn0 × B0 × Mo0 treatment (47.65%). The Zn, B and Mo applications improved seed yield, mainly due to the number of pods per plant. This was the yield component that had the most influence on, and the most correlation with seed yield. The highest seed yield was obtained from the Zn4 × B2 × Mo2 treatment (4.00 g plant–1) while the lowest was obtained from the Zn0 × B0 × Mo0 treatment (2.31 g plant–1). There was a low interaction between the three micronutrients. The Zn application was more efficient when it was applied with both B and Mo.
Utilização da análise estatística multivariada no tratamento de dados aplicados a matérias-primas cerâmicas
Authors: Christofoletti Sergio Ricardo , Thomazella Helber Roberto , Moreno Maria Margarida Torres , Masson Marcos Roberto
Published: November 2013

O trabalho mostra a aplicação de técnicas estatísticas multivariadas (análise hierárquica de agrupamentos e análise de componentes principais), a partir da análise de sete variáveis cerâmicas (perda ao fogo, retração linear de queima, retração linear total, tensão de ruptura à flexão, absorção de água, porosidade aparente e densidade aparente) em amostras de três minas de argila da unidade geológica Formação Corumbataí, fonte de matéria-prima para as indústrias cerâmicas do Pólo de Santa Gertrudes/Cordeirópolis/Rio Claro. Com a aplicação da análise estatística multivariada de agrupamento, as amostras foram subdivididas em três grupos, apresentando características geológicas similares, sendo a variável densidade aparente (DA) a maior responsável pela variabilidade do conjunto (0.832 %), seguida pela perda ao fogo (0.776 %). Observou-se que existe uma estreita relação entre os grupos encontrados e as características geológicas identificadas nos trabalhos de campo.