bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water research paradigm shifts in South Africa
Authors: Siebrits Raymond , Winter Kevin , Jacobs Inga
Published: May 2014

We performed a scientometric analysis of water research publications extracted from four decades of South African related papers to identify paradigms and paradigm shifts within water research in South Africa. Between 1977 and 1991, research publications are dominated by research into technical and engineering solutions, as well as designs and plans to secure water supply. From 1992 to 2001, publications on water pollution, water quality, water resource management and planning are prominent. The second major paradigm is observed from 2001 to 2011 in which the emphasis is on planning, modelling, catchment-scale studies and a multidisciplinary approach to research. Another transition period, towards the end of 2011, is characterised by uncertainty, although it also shows the prominence of key concepts such as participation, governance and politics in water management. The second aim of this study was to identify and prioritise current and future water research questions through the participation of a wide range of researchers from across the country, and to relate these questions to research paradigms, issues and concerns in water in South Africa. Over 1600 questions were collected, reduced in number and then prioritised by specialists in the water sector. The majority (78%) of questions offered by respondents in the South African case study dealt with relatively short- to medium-term research requirements with 47% of questions focused on medium-term issues such as supplying water, service delivery and technical solutions.
Prognostic Value of Interim Positron Emission Tomography in Patients With Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Pellegrini Cinzia , Argnani Lisa , Broccoli Alessandro , Stefoni Vittorio , Derenzini Enrico , Gandolfi Letizia , Casadei Beatrice , Maglie Roberto , Pileri Stefano , Zinzani Pier Luigi
Published: May 2014

The definition of the role of positron emission tomography (PET) in peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) is still under investigation. The purpose of the present observational retrospective study was to assess the early prognostic value of PET after the first three cycles of therapy (PET+3), evaluating visual data in de novo PTCL patients treated in first line with standard chemotherapy and followed by both PET and computed tomography scan. Of 27 PET+3-negative patients, 19 also had a negative PET at the end of treatment (PET+6), whereas 8 of 27 had a positive final one; 6 of 7 PET+3-positive patients had a positive PET+6, whereas only 1 patient had a negative PET+6. Estimated overall survival plotted according to PET+3 results showed 78.6% for negative patients and 21.4% for positive patients at 88.7 months with a significant difference. Patients with negative PET+3 had superior progression-free survival of 72.6% compared with 16.7% of PET+3-positive patients. At the time of this analysis, 17 of 19 (89.5%) patients with negative PET+3 are in continuous complete response (CCR) and only 1 of 7 (14.2%) patients with positive PET+3 is still in CCR. In conclusion, our results indicate that positive PET+3 is predictive of a worse outcome in PTCL, and this significant statistical difference between the two curves could be clinically informative. Larger and prospective studies and harmonization of PET reading criteria are needed.
Safety Profile of Pertuzumab With Trastuzumab and Docetaxel in Patients From Asia With Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer: Results From the Phase III Trial CLEOPATRA
Authors: Swain Sandra M. , Im Young-Hyuck , Im Seock-Ah , Chan Valorie , Miles David , Knott Adam , Clark Emma , Ross Graham , Baselga José
Published: May 2014

Introduction.

We report detailed safety analyses by geographic region from the phase III study CLEOPATRA with pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and docetaxel in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive first-line metastatic breast cancer.

Patients and Methods.

Patients received pertuzumab/placebo at 840 mg in cycle 1 and 420 mg in subsequent cycles, and trastuzumab at 8 mg/kg in cycle 1 and 6 mg/kg in subsequent cycles; docetaxel was initiated at 75 mg/m2. All study drugs were given intravenously, 3 times weekly.

Results.

Docetaxel dose reductions below 75 mg/m2 were more common in patients from Asia (47.0%) than other regions (13.4%); docetaxel dose escalations to 100 mg/m2 were less frequent in Asia (2.4%) than other regions (18.7%). Rates of edema (26.1% and 5.4% for Asia and other regions, respectively), myalgia (42.3%, 14.7%), nail disorder (39.9%, 15.1%), febrile neutropenia (18.6%, 7.1%), upper respiratory tract infection (25.7%, 10.2%), decreased appetite (47.0%, 19.1%), and rash (44.3%, 22.0%) were at least twice as high in Asia as in other regions. Adverse events did not result in a reduction in the median number of study treatment cycles administered in patients from Asia. Efficacy analyses per region showed hazard ratios similar to those of the whole intention-to-treat (ITT) population for progression-free survival (ITT: 0.63; Asia: 0.68; other regions: 0.61) and overall survival (ITT: 0.66; Asia: 0.64; other regions: 0.66).

Conclusion.

Despite a higher proportion of docetaxel dose reductions in patients from Asia, survival benefits were comparable between regions. The benefit-risk profile of pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and docetaxel supports this regimen as the first-line therapy for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer from all geographic regions.
Tailoring biocontrol to maximize top‐down effects: on the importance of underlying site fertility
Authors: Hovick Stephen M. , Carson Walter P.
Published: May 2014

The degree to which biocontrol agents impact invasive plants varies widely across landscapes, often for unknown reasons. Understanding this variability can help optimize invasive species management while also informing our understanding of trophic linkages. To address these issues, we tested three hypotheses with contrasting predictions regarding the likelihood of biocontrol success. (1) The biocontrol effort hypothesis: invasive populations are regulated primarily by top‐down effects, predicting that increased biocontrol efforts alone (e.g., more individuals of a given biocontrol agent or more time since agent release) will enhance biocontrol success. (2) The relative fertility hypothesis: invasive populations are regulated primarily by bottom‐up effects, predicting that nutrient enrichment will increase dominance by invasives and thus reduce biocontrol success, regardless of biocontrol efforts. (3) The fertility‐dependent biocontrol effort hypothesis: top‐down effects will only regulate invasive populations if bottom‐up effects are weak. It predicts that greater biocontrol efforts will increase biocontrol success, but only in low‐nutrient sites. To test these hypotheses, we surveyed 46 sites across three states with prior releases of Galerucella beetles, the most common biocontrol agents used against invasive purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).

We found strong support for the fertility‐dependent biocontrol effort hypothesis, as biocontrol success occurred most often with greater biocontrol efforts, but only in low‐fertility sites. This result held for early stage metrics of biocontrol success (higher Galerucella abundance) and ultimate biocontrol outcomes (decreased loosestrife plant size and abundance). Presence of the invasive grass Phalaris arundinacea was also inversely related to loosestrife abundance, suggesting that biocontrol‐based reductions in loosestrife made secondary invasion by P. arundinacea more likely.

Our data suggest that low‐nutrient sites be prioritized for loosestrife biocontrol and that future monitoring account for variation in site fertility or work to mitigate it. We introduce a new framework that integrates our findings with conflicting patterns previously reported from other biocontrol systems, proposing a unimodal relationship whereby nutrient availability enhances biocontrol success in low‐nutrient sites but hampers it in high‐nutrient sites. Our results represent one of the first examples of biocontrol success depending on site fertility, which has the potential to inform biocontrol‐based management decisions across entire regions and among contrasting systems.
Modified Periosteal Releasing Incision for Flap Advancement: A Practical Technique for Tensionless Closure
Authors: Hur Yong , Bui Minh N. , Griffin Terrence J. , Ogata Yumi
Published: May 2014

Introduction: Primary closure of tensionless flap advancement is required during a guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedure. The periosteal releasing incision (PRI) is a commonly used technique for flap advancement. However, excessive use of the PRI technique to gain major flap advancement has consequences, such as swelling, paresthesia, bleeding, and patient discomfort. This case report describes a novel technique, the modified periosteal releasing incision (MPRI), which involves a shallow incision and lateral stretching approach for flap advancement.

Case Presentation: A 63‐year‐old non‐smoking white male presented for implant placement in the posterior mandibular area. Vertical and horizontal bone augmentation using the GBR technique was planned before implant placement because of ridge deficiency. MPRI was used for flap advancement. The flap advancement achieved was >10 mm. Using this technique, a major flap advancement was possible without mental nerve complications.

Conclusions: The MPRI technique introduced in this case report was used successfully when major flap advancement was needed to gain primary closure. The technique can be an alternative to the PRI technique when there is a possibility of damaging the nerve or when flap advancement made by PRI is inadequate, particularly around the mental foramen.
Assessment of Grape Yield and Composition Using Reflectance‐Based Indices in Rainfed Vineyards
Authors: González-Flor Cristina , Serrano Lydia , Gorchs Gil , Pons Josep M.
Published: May 2014

Spectral vegetation indices such as the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) have proved to be useful in estimating berry yield and composition in irrigated vineyards that usually experience mild to moderate water deficits. However, their performance is not clear under rainfed conditions. This study explores the relationships between NDVI and berry yield and composition in rainfed vineyards experiencing mild to moderate water stress with respect to the timing of water deficits. The study was conducted on grape (Vitis vinifera L. ‘Chardonnay’). Biophysical variables such as predawn water potential (Ψp), canopy minus air temperature difference (ΔTm), fractional intercepted photosynthetic active radiation (fIPAR) and canopy reflectance measurements were acquired at veraison and were related to berry yield, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), and maturity index (IMAD) at harvest. In our study, while NDVI provided consistent estimates of TSS (r2 = 0.81) and IMAD (r2 = 0.89) when water deficit conditions had a larger incidence before veraison, the water index (WI)–a reflectance‐based index of water status–was related to TA (r2 = 0.62) and IMAD (r2 = 0.67) under post‐veraison water deficits. Since early and late water deficits (i.e., before and after veraison) have a differential impact on the determinants of vine photosynthetic activity (i.e., leaf area and stomatal conductance), the capability of NDVI to estimate berry yield and composition might be subject to the extent and timing of water deficits in these rain‐fed vineyards.
Nitrogen Rate and Variety Impact Diseases and Yield of Sorghum for Biofuel
Authors: Hagan A. K. , Bowen K. L. , Pegues M. , Jones J.
Published: May 2014

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a potential bioenergy feedstock, for which the disease threat is unknown. Impact of N rate on aboveground dry matter (ADM), total fermentable sugar concentration (°Bx), total fermentable sugar yield (TFSY), and diseases on sweet, forage, and silage/grain sorghum varieties was evaluated in 2009, 2010, and 2011 on rainfed sites in southwest Alabama. A factorial design arranged in a split plot with four replications of 22, 44, 88, and 132 kg ha−1 N as the main plot and variety as subplots was used. Dale and M81‐E sweet sorghum were grown in all years, SS405 forage and NK300 silage/grain sorghum replaced Sugar Drip sweet and SS1515 silage/grain sorghum in 2010 and 2011, respectively. No significant N rate or N rate × variety interaction for any variable was noted. Variety impacted plant population, ADM, TFSY, and °Bx. Mean ADM and TFSY peaked at 32.0 Mg ha−1 for M81‐E and 3.78 Mg ha−1 for Dale. Despite a lower ADM than M81‐E, Dale had higher °Bx and TFSY. Sugar Drip, SS1515, and NK300 had low biomass and sugar yields. Anthracnose, rough leaf spot, and zonate leaf spot severity differed by variety. Severe anthracnose occurred on SS405 and less so on M81E, while the remaining varieties suffered limited rough leaf spot and/or zonate leaf spot damage. As potential bioenergy feedstocks for the Southeast, Dale and M‐81E had comparable ADM along with higher TFSY and °Bx with restricted disease, while anthracnose poses a significant roadblock to forage sorghum feedstock utilization.
Aerial Remote Sensing of Peanut Ground Cover
Authors: Rajan Nithya , Puppala Naveen , Maas Stephan , Payton Paxton , Nuti Russell
Published: May 2014

Remote sensing is an effective method for estimating ground cover (GC) of crops. In this study, we compared two methods for estimating the GC of peanut (Arachis hypogea L.). The methods are based on two different vegetation indices, perpendicular vegetation index (PVI) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). We also investigated the use of generalized expressions for the bare soil line and 100% GC point for use in evaluating GC using the PVI method. The field was planted to four varieties of peanuts in two different planting patterns (single and twin rows). High resolution red and near infrared (NIR) images of the study field were collected using the Texas Tech Airborne Multispectral Remote Sensing System (TTAMRSS) on three cloud‐free days during the 2009 growing season. Field measurements of GC were used to compare the two approaches (PVI vs. NDVI). Results showed that GC estimated using the PVI method was in good agreement with corresponding observed values over the range of GC values observed in this study (around 35–95% GC). The NDVI‐based method did not perform as well as the PVI‐based method. An additional finding was that general information involving soil and plant canopy reflectance characteristics obtained from previous studies could be used in the PVI‐based method without significant loss of accuracy. These results support the use of the PVI‐based method for estimating GC of field crops, and show that previously obtained information regarding soil and plant reflectance characteristics can be effectively incorporated into this methodology.
Evaluation of Vegetation Indices for Early Assessment of Corn Status and Yield Potential in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Torino Miguel S. , Ortiz Brenda V. , Fulton John P. , Balkcom Kipling S. , Wood C. Wesley
Published: May 2014

The use of crop canopy sensors for variable rate nitrogen (VRN) application in corn (Zea mays L.) production across the southeastern United States implies assessment of corn N status as early as the V6 growth stage. Our goals were to identify vegetation indices (VIs) that best: (i) correlate with plant status variables such as leaf area index (LAI) and leaf chlorophyll (Chl) and (ii) predict corn grain yield at early growth stages. An N fertilization study was conducted between 2010 and 2012 at three Alabama sites. Six N fertilizer rates (0–280 kg N ha−1 on 56 kg N ha−1 increments) were applied at planting. Data collected at V6, V8, V10 vegetative growth stages were leaf Chl, LAI, and spectral reflectance. Data showed that corn N response could be influenced by the rainfall pre‐ and post‐ N application as well as the soil texture. Among 11 vegetation indices evaluated through a canonical correlation analysis, the normalized difference red‐edge (NDRE), Chl index red‐edge [CI (RE)], simple ratio red‐edge [SR (RE)], and inverse simple ratio red‐edge [ISR (RE)] had the strong correlation with plant status variables. Vegetation index‐based corn yield prediction was the lowest at V6 and the highest at V10 stage. At V8 and V10 stages, the yield models based on NDRE, CI (RE), or SR (RE) explained most of yield variation. These results indicated that early season estimation of crop N status and yield potential may be more accurate if red‐edge vegetation indices are used.
Optimizing Plant Density and Plastic Film Mulch to Increase Maize Productivity and Water‐Use Efficiency in Semiarid Areas
Authors: Liu Jianliang , Bu Lingduo , Zhu Lin , Luo Shasha , Chen Xinping , Li Shiqing
Published: May 2014

Increasing crop productivity in semiarid areas is essential for ensuring future food security. We hypothesized that crop yield could be increased by using plastic film mulching to reduce evaporation and increase plant density. A 3‐yr field experiment was conducted on the Loess Plateau of China to evaluate the effects of soil temperature and water content on maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield (GY) and water‐use efficiency (WUE). Film mulching promoted maize growth and development by increasing the soil temperature and water content, particularly during the early growth season. At harvest, the mulched treatments had higher kernel numbers per ear (KN) and greater 1000‐kernel weight (KW) than non‐mulched treatment. Furthermore, mulching allowed the optimum plant population to be increased from 65,000 to 85,000 plants ha−1. Compared with mulching for the entire growing season, removing the film at the silking stage decreased the plant senescence rate and slightly increased the final KN and KW, thus further increasing the GY by 0.6 to 1.2 Mg ha−1. Although the WUE showed no significant difference among the three mulched treatments (34.0–47.2 kg ha−1 mm−1), these values were markedly higher than that in the non‐mulched treatment (20.3–29.6 kg ha−1 mm−1). We conclude that film mulching together with increased plant density can increase semiarid maize yields and water‐use efficiency.
Grain Sorghum Response to Arbuscular Mycorrhiza and Phosphorus Fertilizer under Deficit Irrigation
Authors: Afshar Reza Keshavarz , Jovini Mahya Ansari , Chaichi Mohammad Reza , Hashemi Mosoud
Published: May 2014

Deficit irrigation systems have been considered as practical strategies to overcome shortage of irrigation water in arid and semiarid regions. To assess the response of grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench] to deficit irrigation and whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can moderate drought stress influence on grain yield, a 2‐yr field experiment was conducted using split‐split lay out on a randomized complete block (RCB) design. Irrigation (full and deficit) was assigned to the main plots. Subplots were allocated to two genotypes (Kimiya and Speedeh) and P sources viz: no fertilizer, sole chemical P fertilizer, seed inoculation with AMF and combined fertilizer (50% of the chemical P fertilizer + AMF) were assigned to the sub‐subplots. Results indicated that deficit irrigation reduced grain yield of Kimia and Speedeh by 16 and 26%, respectively, while improving their irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). Grain yield adjustment by sorghum to water stress was mainly through reducing the number of grains per panicle rather than grain mass. Application of all forms of P fertilizer improved grain yield of sorghum; however, under drought stress, plants were more responsive to combined fertilizer and used irrigation water more efficiently. The root colonization percentage was greater in Kimiya than Speedeh under full and deficit irrigation, however, both genotypes showed a lower degree of root colonization under drought conditions. Application of combined fertilizer could be considered as an alternative to chemical P fertilizer when irrigation water is limited.
Winter Oilseed Rape Productivity and Nutritional Quality Responses to Zinc Fertilization
Authors: Wang Yin , Li Jifu , Gao Xiangzhao , Li Xiaokun , Ren Tao , Cong Rihuan , Lu Jianwei
Published: May 2014

Soil Zn is always potentially deficient in Yangtze River Basin (YRB) of China, due to widespread alkaline soils, high soil P, and large Zn removal of high‐yielding oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars. However, Zn fertilizer response of winter oilseed rape in YRB is not clear. Therefore, on‐farm experiments were conducted at six locations to investigate the effects of experimental sites and Zn rates (0 and 6.8 kg Zn ha−1) on plant growth, seed yield and quality, and Zn uptake of oilseed rape (Huashuang no. 5 cultivar). Across all the sites, Zn application increased seed yield by 5.0 to 16.0%, oil yield by 6.2 to 19.5%, and protein yield by 2.3 to 17.7%. Application of Zn fertilizer increased the concentrations of total oil, oleic acid, and linoleic acid in rapeseed, but reduced stearic acid concentration. No differences were observed on protein and linolenic acid concentrations between Zn rates. Total Zn uptake in plants increased by 13.5 to 62.3% with Zn fertilizer applied, while Zn harvest index reduced by 3.4 to 18.5%. Oilseed rape performance varied among sites. The extensive significant Zn × site interactions indicated that Zn response was dependent on the environments we studied. Thus, Zn fertilizer management will probably need to be adjusted at different sites. Our results suggested to apply Zn fertilizer to improve oilseed rape productivity, nutritional quality, and Zn uptake. This study also increased the understanding of the positive effects of Zn on rapeseed oil content and fatty acids composition.
Gibberellic Acid and Salinity Affected Growth and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Castor Bean Plants at Early Growth Stage
Authors: Zhou Guisheng , Nimir Nimir , Lu Shiyuan , Zhai Fuyan , Wang Yonghui
Published: May 2014

Salinity is a severe environmental factor that has limited the growth and productivity of crops. External application of regulating substances is a useful strategy to minimize the inhibitory effects of salinity on seedling growth. A controlled study was conducted to assess the interactive effects of exogenous gibberellic acid (GA3) addition and salinity on plant growth and antioxidant enzymes of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) plants. The 50 mM level did not negatively affect the early growth of castor seedlings. At the 100 mM salinity level, however, seedling growth and physiological parameters were severely affected. Plant height, leaf area, and the weight of root, stem, leaf, and the whole plant was reduced by up to 21.7, 27.9, 33.3, 37.5, 33.2, and 34.5%, respectively. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidases (POD), catalases (CAT), and proline content were also decreased by up to 32.0, 34.3, 53.6, and 212.4% at such a high salinity level. Presoaking seeds with 250 uM GA3 increased plant height, stem diameter, and the weight of leaf and the whole plant by up to 13.3, 7.4, 66.7, and 39.1%, respectively. The activity of SOD and POD and the content of proline and soluble protein were also significantly increased when GA3 was applied at 250 uM. This study indicated that exogenous addition of GA3 at appropriate concentrations can be a useful strategy to promote early seedling growth of castor bean plants grown under saline conditions.
Simulating Cassava Growth and Yield under Potential Conditions in Southern Brazil
Authors: Gabriel Luana Fernandes , Streck Nereu Augusto , Roberti Debora Regina , Chielle Zeferino Genésio , Uhlmann Lilian Osmari , da Silva Michel Rocha , da Silva Stefanía Dalmolin
Published: May 2014

Cassava [Manihot esculenta (L.) Crantz] plays an important role as staple food in the tropics. The GUMCAS model is a process‐based dynamic simulation model for cassava that has been adapted to the Cropping System Model (CSM) framework of DSSAT (DSSAT‐CSM). The objective of this study was to calibrate and evaluate the original GUMCAS model, a modified version of the GUMCAS model, and the current cassava model in DSSAT under potential conditions in the subtropical environment of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The modified original GUMCAS model consisted of three modifications in the code: we included a third independent “clock” in the cassava development for the onset of starch accumulation, we replaced the rate of leaf appearance submodel with the Wang and Engel model, and we modified the leaf senescence submodel. Model calibration was with a field experiment for cultivar Fepagro–RS 13 during the 2011/2012 growing season in Santa Maria, Brazil. Independent data from 16 experiments conducted at four sites in Rio Grande do Sul State were used for testing the performance of the three versions of the cassava model. The original GUMCAS model had the poorest performance, and the modified GUMCAS model slightly improved the predictions of stem and storage root yield compared with the current DSSAT cassava model. The modified GUMCAS model greatly improved the predictions of developmental stages, leaf development, and leaf area growth dynamics compared with the current DSSAT cassava model. Results from this study contribute to our understanding on how a cassava system functions in the subtropics.
Date Pits: Chemical Composition, Nutritional and Medicinal Values, Utilization
Authors: Shi Lu‐E , Zheng Wei , Aleid Salah Mohammed , Tang Zhen‐Xing
Published: May 2014

Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) pits, by‐products of date fruit processing industries, can provide many essential nutrients and potential health benefits to the human body. The chemical composition of date pits includes dietary fiber, fat, protein, minerals, sugar, antioxidants, and phytosterols. Nutritional and medicinal activities of date pits are related to their chemical composition. Many studies indicate that date pits have antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, gastroprotective, antiviral, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and gonadotropic activities. Date pits have shown a potential application in the food, fermentation, chemical, and feed industries. In this paper, we review chemical composition, nutritional and medicinal value, and the utilization of date pits.
Improvement of Oat as a Winter Forage Crop in the Southern United States
Authors: Kim Ki‐Seung , Tinker Nicholas A. , Newell Mark A.
Published: May 2014

Oat (Avena sativaL.) is a cool season annual grass species produced for grain and forage in many countries. The majority of oat cultivars in the United States are spring types grown primarily for grain production. However, in the southern region of the United States, much of the oat production consists of winter types that are grown for grain or animal forage, and in some cases as a dual‐purpose crop. As with other small grain crops used for forage production, the improvement of grazing tolerance, forage yield, and forage quality have not been major goals in U.S. oat breeding programs even though oat forage is a rich source of protein, vitamin B1, phosphorus, iron, and other minerals. However, breeding and research efforts for oat have recently been revitalized because of increased awareness of the positive health benefits associated with oat consumed as a whole grain food. Strengthening the molecular approaches for forage oat breeding in the southern United States could have a large impact on cattle production systems and could increase the production area planted to oat. Although many of the molecular tools developed for the improvement of grain production could be applicable to winter forage oat breeding, the tools are currently an untapped resource within the forage breeding community. The objectives of this manuscript are to examine the production of forage oat, the current state of forage oat breeding, and how molecular tools could aid and strengthen the development of improved forage oat cultivars.
Physiological Behavior of Ethephon in Five Turfgrasses
Authors: Sidhu Sudeep S. , Yu Jialin , McCullough Patrick E.
Published: May 2014

Turfgrass seedhead emergence often warrants plant growth regulator (PGR) use for suppression, but practitioners have limited chemistries available for warm‐season species. Ethephon effectively suppresses turfgrass seedheads, but injury to bermudagrass and seashore paspalum is often excessive. Experiments were conducted to evaluate differential behavior of ethephon in bermudagrass and seashore paspalum, compared with annual bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, and zoysiagrass. In greenhouse experiments, ethephon was most injurious to bermudagrass and seashore paspalum, ranging 19 to 40% from 3 to 28 d after treatment (DAT), while annual bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, and zoysiagrass had less injury, ranging 9 to 21%, across three application rates (1.9, 3.8, or 7.6 kg a.i. ha–1). In laboratory experiments, foliar absorption of 14C‐ethephon generally increased from 24 to 96 h after treatment (HAT), but differences among species were not detected. Creeping bentgrass and zoysiagrass retained >90% of foliar applied 14C in treated leaves, but bermudagrass and seashore paspalum distributed ∼25% more 14C to nontreated shoots. From root absorption, bermudagrass and seashore paspalum distributed ∼25% less 14C to shoots than creeping bentgrass at 72 HAT. Annual bluegrass 14C distribution after foliar and root absorption was similar to all species, except creeping bentgrass. There were no meaningful differences in turfgrass metabolism levels of 14C‐ethephon at 1, 4, or 7 DAT. Results suggest differential levels of distribution after root and shoot absorption could be associated with bermudagrass and seashore paspalum sensitivity to ethephon compared with turfgrasses with less injury potential.
Lignification and Tannin Localization During the Development of Birdsfoot Trefoil Stems
Authors: Hunt Sara R. , MacAdam Jennifer W. , Griggs Thomas C.
Published: May 2014

Stem dry matter accumulation is correlated with a decline in digestibility in both birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L. [BFT]) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and the shear force required to harvest mature BFT stems can inhibit BFT grazing by ruminants. Decline in digestibility and increase in shear force are both correlated with increase in stem lignin content. Alfalfa stem development has been well documented, and our objective was to analyze stem development, lignification and tannin in BFT stems using alfalfa as a benchmark. The sixth internode from the base of ten BFT and two alfalfa control plants was sampled from 3 to 15 wk of stem regrowth in midsummer. Lignification occurred primarily in stem secondary xylem and was apparent in the xylary ring of Internode 6 by 5 wk of regrowth. The xylary ring reached maximum thickness by 7.5 wk of regrowth in both BFT and alfalfa but developed at a more rapid rate and to a greater thickness in BFT. Flowering in BFT began at 5.5 wk of regrowth, and full bloom was reached by 6.5 wk of regrowth. The number of cells containing tannin remained constant with stem development, which would decrease stem tannin concentration with internode maturation. Internode 6 of BFT is located 60 to 120 mm from the base of stems, within the recommended cutting height of 75 mm, with sufficient leaves and branches at subtending nodes to support shoot regrowth. These data relate growth and lignification in lower stems of BFT to grazing management recommendations.
Molecular Mapping of Stripe Rust Resistance in Hard Red Winter Wheat TAM 111 Adapted to the U.S. High Plains
Authors: Basnet Bhoja R. , Ibrahim Amir M. H. , Chen Xianming , Singh Ravi P. , Mason Esten R. , Bowden Robert L. , Liu Shuyu , Hays Dirk B. , Devkota Ravindra N. , Subramanian Nithya K. , Rudd Jackie C.
Published: May 2014

Stripe rust, also known as yellow rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici Erikss. (Pst), is one of the most important foliar diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the United States and other parts of the world. To investigate the genetic basis of resistance conferred by the winter wheat cultivar ‘TAM 111’, a mapping population of 124 F5 and F6 derived recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed from the cross of ‘TAM 112’/TAM 111 was evaluated against Pst populations in eight environments in the United States and against predominant race PST‐100 in the greenhouse. The RIL population was further genotyped with Diversity Arrays Technology, simple sequence repeats and sequence tagged sites markers. A major quantitative trait locus (QTL), QYr.tam‐2BL, was identified on the long arm of chromosome 2B, which is found to be associated with resistance to stripe rust in TAM 111. QYr.tam‐2BL was identified in five out of the eight environments (Arkansas 2012, Arizona 2010, Castroville, TX, 2010, Mt. Vernon, WA, 2010 and Pullman, WA, 2011) as well as in the greenhouse, and explained 13 to 63% of the total phenotypic variation in severity across the environments. The QTL was also detected in seedling and adult plant stages with race PST‐100 under controlled greenhouse conditions. Based on the available evidence, QYr.tam‐2BL probably represents a previously uncharacterized gene on 2BL. Minor QTL on chromosomes 1A, 2A, 6B, and 7D were also detected inconsistently across environments. Because the effectiveness of QYr.tam‐2BL was observed to be environmentally dependent and probably race‐specific, it is suggested to combine this locus with effective major genes or adult plant resistance genes to increase its usefulness.
MlUM15: an Aegilops neglecta‐derived Powdery Mildew Resistance Gene in Common Wheat
Authors: Worthington Margaret , Lyerly Jeanette , Petersen Stine , Brown‐Guedira Gina , Marshall David , Cowger Christina , Parks Ryan , Murphy J. P.
Published: May 2014

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is a major fungal disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Host plant resistance is a reliable, economical, and environmentally benign form of disease prevention. The identification of molecular markers linked with resistance genes can facilitate marker‐assisted selection and enable breeders to pyramid several major genes for powdery mildew resistance in a single cultivar. The wheat germplasm line NC09BGTUM15 (NC‐UM15) possesses the first powdery mildew resistance gene introgressed from Aegilops neglecta Req. ex Bertol. Greenhouse and field evaluations of F2:3 families derived from a cross between NC‐UM15 and the susceptible cultivar ‘Saluda’ indicated that a single dominant gene, temporarily designated MlUM15, conferred resistance to powdery mildew. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) showed that several simple sequence repeat (SSR), sequence tag site (STS), and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers specific to chromosome 7AL segregated with the resistance gene. The most likely marker order was Xwmc525/IWA8057‐0.7 cM‐Xcfa2257‐0.4 cM‐ MlUM15 −0.8 cM‐Xcfa2240‐2.8 cM‐Xmag2185‐3.4cM‐IWA2929‐5.4 cM‐ IWA4434. The multiallelic Pm1 locus and several temporarily‐designated genes map to this region of chromosome 7AL. Detached‐leaf tests revealed that NC‐UM15 had a different disease response pattern from genotypes carrying Pm37, five temporarily‐designed genes in the region, and all alleles of the Pm1 complex except Pm1b. The MlUM15‐resistance gene is most likely a novel source of powdery mildew resistance. However, allelism tests with Pm1 and further detached‐leaf tests will be required to elucidate the relationship between MlUM15 and other Pm loci in the distal region of 7AL.
Micromesh Fabric Pollination Bags for Switchgrass
Authors: Vogel K. P. , Sarath G. , Mitchell R. B.
Published: May 2014

Pollination bags for making controlled crosses between switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) plants were made from a polyester micromesh fabric with a mesh size of 41 µm, which is smaller than the mean reported 43 µm diameter of switchgrass pollen. When used in paired‐plant crosses between switchgrass plants, the mean amount of seed produced per plant was about 1 g, or approximately 800 seeds, which was significantly greater than the 10 to 250 seeds produced previously in paired‐plant crosses of switchgrass using paper pollination bags. The four‐ to tenfold increase in seed produced per cross enables the progeny of the crosses to be evaluated in larger numbers in genetic studies and in replicated space‐transplanted or seeded sward evaluation trials. The micromesh pollination bags cost about $15 each because of fabric costs but could be reused for 10 or more pollination seasons at an annual cost per cross of about $1.50 or less.
Optimizing Phosphorus Fertilization Promotes Dry Matter Accumulation and P Remobilization in Oilseed Flax
Authors: Xie Yaping , Niu Junyi , Gan Yantai , Gao Yuhong , Li Airong
Published: May 2014

Improving nutrient management is critical to increase nutrient use efficiency, promote translocation of photoassimilates to sinks, and increase crop yield. In this study, we determined the effects of phosphorus (P) fertilization on dry matter (DM) and P accumulation, partitioning and remobilization from vegetative tissues to the grains in oilseed flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). We hypothesized that P accumulation and remobilization depended on the level of P supply and varied with vegetative tissues. The cultivar Baxuan 3 was sown under low P (LP, 15 kg P ha−1), moderate P (MP, 30 kg P ha−1), and high P (HP, 45 kg P ha−1) conditions along with a zero P control in a randomized complete block design, with three replicates, in 2011 and 2012. At mid‐anthesis, leaf DM (average 1970 kg ha−1) and stem DM (average 1826 kg ha−1) were more than 20 times that of the nongrain reproductive DM (77 kg ha−1); as plants grew to maturity, the DM in the stem and nongrain reproductive parts increased but leaf DM decreased. Compared with the control, oilseed flax grown under the LP, MP, and HP conditions increased leaf DM by 76%, stem DM by 46%, nongrain reproductive DM by 39%, and improved grain yield by an average of 45%. The fertilized oilseed flax increased the P translocation from vegetative tissues to the grains by 150% in 2011 and 201% in 2012. The P content in leaves reached the peak at anthesis and then decreased rapidly to maturity, whereas P contents in the stem and nongrain reproductive parts increased gradually and reached the peak at maturity, showing that leaves are the major contributor to the grain P, whereas the stem and nongrain reproductive parts are stronger P‐demanding organs in oilseed flax. We suggest that advanced techniques, such as 32P labeling, may be used to further quantify the amount of P remobilized from the stems and nongrain reproductive parts to the grain.
Optimizing Resource Allocation for Multistage Selection in Plant Breeding with R PackageSelectiongain
Authors: Mi Xuefei , Utz H. Friedrich , Technow Frank , Melchinger Albrecht E.
Published: May 2014

Most plant‐breeding programs involve multistage selection, but hitherto no flexible and computationally efficient software has been freely available for calculating the selection gain and optimizing the allocation of resources under these conditions. Here we describe the use of the newly‐developed R packageselectiongainthat enables (i) calculation of the selection gain for up to 20 selection stages and (ii) a grid search of the optimum allocation of resources (number of candidates, locations, and testers) for given costs and correlations among the selection criteria in each stage. The capabilities of our software are demonstrated with an example taken from the literature on selecting doubled haploid lines in maize across three stages.
Hybrid Breeding Skewed the Allelic Frequencies of Molecular Variants Derived from the Restorer of fertility 1 Locus for Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.)
Authors: Taguchi Kazunori , Hiyama Hajime , Yui‐Kurino Rika , Muramatsu Aki , Mikami Tetsuo , Kubo Tomohiko
Published: May 2014

Hybrid breeding of crops may involve the selection of reproductive traits, such as cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), whose expression is controlled by cytoplasm and nuclear gene(s). Intense selection of a single cytoplasm and the consequent lack of cytoplasmic divergence is a potential danger, the so‐called genetic vulnerability. However, little is known about the relationship between hybrid breeding and the diversity of nuclear genes that suppress the expression of CMS, termed restorer of fertility (Rf). Despite the multi‐allelic nature of Rf at the molecular level, a common Rf variant was previously found to predominate in sugar beet maintainer lines that were selected for a specific genotype for propagating the CMS line. The question was raised as to the frequency of the common Rf variant before the hybrid breeding era. As the origin of Japanese maintainer lines can be genealogically traced back to seven nonhybrid cultivars, we investigated the allelic diversity of Rf in the seven cultivars using molecular markers. Our results indicated that Rf diversity differs among the cultivars but exceeds that of the maintainers in total, and the common variant in the maintainers is infrequent in all of the cultivars. Therefore, maintainer selection has involved selecting a small number of Rf variants in the founder population in Japan.
Supplemental Irrigation Requirements of Zoysiagrass and Bermudagrass Cultivars
Authors: Wherley B. , Heitholt J. , Chandra A. , Skulkaew P.
Published: May 2014

Municipal water restrictions have become commonplace throughout much of the southern United States. The objectives of this 2‐yr study were to (i) determine supplemental irrigation requirements necessary for achieving acceptable quality in 15 zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica and Zoysia matrella) and bermudagrass (Cynodon ssp.) cultivars when managed under a 2 d/wk irrigation frequency, (ii) determine the effects of mowing height on irrigation requirements, and (iii) evaluate root development differences between the species and cultivars at the completion of the study. A linear gradient irrigation system (LGIS) was used to provide an irrigation gradient across field plots. Plots were evaluated along the gradient six times over two summers to determine the level of supplemental irrigation, relative to reference evapotranspiration (ETo), necessary for maintaining acceptable visual quality. The fine‐textured, sports‐type bermudagrass cultivars required the least supplemental irrigation (∼10 to 15% × ETo) to maintain acceptable quality in the study. The medium‐textured amenity bermudagrasses and Japanese lawngrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) cultivars required similar but somewhat greater irrigation requirements (∼15 to 20% × ETo) than the fine‐textured bermudagrasses. Manilagrass cultivars (Z. matrella) required the highest supplemental irrigation requirements (∼25 to 33% × ETo) for maintaining acceptable appearance within 2 d/wk irrigation regime. Mowing height did not consistently affect irrigation requirements for either group of bermudagrass but affected the Zoysia species differently. Tall mowing heights generally reduced irrigation requirements in Z. japonica but increased irrigation requirements for Z. matrella cultivars. While few intraspecific root development differences occurred within the 0 to 25 cm soil depth, Z. matrella root development was limited relative to bermudagrass and Z. japonica cultivars within deeper (25–50 cm) soil, which may have contributed to the higher irrigation requirements for the species. The results emphasize differences in supplemental irrigation levels needed for maintaining acceptable appearance among warm‐season turfgrass species and cultivars during 2 d/wk irrigation.
Diversity in Apomictic Populations of Paspalum simplex Morong
Authors: Brugnoli E.A. , Urbani M.H. , Quarin C.L. , Zilli A.L. , Martínez E.J. , Acuña C.A.
Published: May 2014

Paspalum is considered a genetic model for studying the sources of genotypic variability and breeding techniques in apomictic plants. Paspalum simplex is a warm‐season forage grass that well represents the genus since it contains different ploidy levels and apomixis is linked to polyploidy. The objective was to evaluate the diversity present within and among apomictic polyploid populations of P. simplex. Germplasm was collected from 17 sites covering the species’ region of natural distribution. The diversity present at the molecular level within and among populations was evaluated using ISSR markers. Variability for agronomic traits was also evaluated by cultivating all populations into the field. The 17 analyzed populations were all polyploid, including 13 pure tetraploid, and 4 mixed tetraploid‐hexaploid with predominance of the tetraploid cytotype. Most of the diversity was present among polyploid populations (85% of the total variation), and there was not a correlation between genetic and geographical distances. The within‐population diversity was low for most populations with the exception of one of them. Each genotype was restricted to a single location. Variability for initial growth, spring and fall growth, and the extent of the vegetative phase was observed within and among polyploid populations. The within‐population variation for these phenotypic traits was mainly due to the presence of one or a few off‐type plants. A highly genotype‐specific colonization of new sites appears to occur in P. simplex, and then apomixis mediates the formation of uniform populations.
The Evolution of Dental Materials for Hybrid Prosthesis
Authors: Gonzalez Jorge
Published: May 2014

Since the immemorial, the replacement of missing teeth has been a medical and cosmetic necessity for human kind. Nowadays, middle-aged population groups have experienced improved oral health, as compared to previous generations, and the percentage of edentulous adults can be expected to further decline. However, with the continued increase in the number of older adult population, it is anticipated that the need for some form of full-mouth restoration might increase from 53.8 million in 1991 to 61 million in 2020 [1]. Denture prosthetics has undergone many development stages since the first dentures were fabricated. The introduction of computer-aided design/computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) has resulted in a more accurate manufacturing of prosthetic frameworks, greater accuracy of dental restorations, and in particular, implant supported prosthesis.
Knowledge, attitudes and behavior of children in relation to oral health
Authors: Davidovic Bojana , Ivanovic Mirjana , Jankovic Svjetlana , Lecic Jelena
Published: May 2014

Background/Aim. Health education plays a very important role in maintaining
health of individuals. Good oral health, as a part of general health, is
largely dependent on the level of knowledge, attitudes and habits that
children already have. The aim of this study is to examine the level of
knowledge and habits in children regarding oral hygiene, diet and bad habits.
Methods. The study included 506 school children aged 12 and 15 years in three
towns (Foca, Cajnice, Kalinovik, Bosnia and Herzegovina). The survey was
conducted in order to assess knowledge, attitudes and habits that children
have in relation to their own oral health. Results. Most respondents stated
that they began to brush their teeth at the age of 4, while a smaller number
linked beginning of tooth brushing to the start of school. The parents more
often help the boys during tooth brushing. A total of 54.9% of children brush
their teeth after every meal, while 40.1% of them brush teeth only once
during the day. Twelve year olds brush their teeth more often, especially
after a meal. A total of 92.5% of children had never used fluoride tablets
nor are the tablets recommended to them by anyone. More than half of the
children (61.7%) visited the dentist for the first time before starting
school that is on the regular examination that is performed upon enrollment
to school. A pain as a reason for dental visits was present in 43.9%, while
the preventive check in only 31.4% of the children. Conclusion. Children
included in this study, particularly 15-year-olds, are quite well informed
about teeth brushing frequency and proper selection of tools for hygiene
maintenance, but this knowledge is not applied. Girls are more responsible
for their own health, and come regularly to the preventive dental checkups.