Agricultural Crops Research Articles

A comparison of random forest based models for agricultural crop yield prediction

A comparison of random forest based models for agricultural crop yield prediction

Response of the Northeast China grain market to climate change based on the gravity model approach

Scientific evidence has revealed that climate change negatively affects agricultural crop production both regionally and globally. Previous studies have indicated that the role of climate change is significant in some parts of China. Thus, assessing the impact of the future climate on the grain market is vital for ensuring regional and national food security. In this study, regional climate model (RCM 4.5 and 8.5) simulations were employed to investigate the role of future climate change on a major grain-producing market in China (Northeast China). For this purpose, historical (2004–2017) and future (2020–2076) data were applied in the gravity model to examine the effects of climate change on the Northeast China grain market. The results revealed that the maximum temperature is a crucial climate factor that significantly affects the grain market. The analysis revealed that precipitation was positively related and that the temperature was significantly negatively related to domestic consumption and exports of rice, maize, and soybean. Moreover, the analysis of the RCM (4.5 and 8.5) simulations revealed a negative contribution of the maximum temperature to domestic consumption and export levels. Overall, the analysis enhances our understanding of the impacts of climate change on the Northeast China grain market.

Promoting Nutritional and Sustainable value of Shree Anna (Millets) in India

"Shree Anna (Millets)" stands out as a viable contender in the search for wholesome and sustainable food solutions because it presents a nuanced strategy for tackling today's global food issues as well as the agrarian and nutritional aspects of millets, highlighting their capacity to change perceptions about food production. When it comes to harsh growing conditions, millets—a "nutri-cereals" crop that is compliant with climate change regulations—perform better than other grains like wheat and rice. These grains are meant to provide enough food that is both sufficient and nutritious, while also maximizing climate resilience, minimizing resource demands, and adapting to a variety of ecological conditions. Millets are renowned for their excellent nutritional value, which includes increased concentrations of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc, and B complex vitamins, as well as balanced amino acids, complex carbs with a low GI, dietary fiber, and high-quality unsaturated fat. Additionally, they have a lot of bioactive phytochemicals. Because of these qualities, millets have become a long-term substitute for sustainable food production methods, protecting farmers' livelihoods and food security. The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2023 as the "International Year of Millets" in an effort to increase awareness of millets as a crop and to highlight the importance of nutrient-rich crops for climate resilient agriculture. According to this study, millet grains provide similar and beneficial levels of different nutrients to primary cereal grains.

Analysis of data on phytophotodermatitis caused by contact with the sap of plants of the genus Hogweed (<i>Heracleum</i> L.)

The rapid spread of overgrowth of plants of the genus Hogweed, associated with their use as an agricultural fodder crop, is currently a serious problem for the Russian Federation. This process has a negative impact on the biodiversity of the vegetation cover, destroying natural ecosystems and causing significant economic damage. However, the active spread of hogweeds on the territory of the Russian Federation would not be so catastrophic if it were not for their aggressive properties: in contact with the skin, plant sap causes phytophotodermitis, which is a burn similar to thermal burns of I, II and III degrees. The article considers qualitative and quantitative composition of the main biologically active substances of hogweeds sap and shows that the biologically active substances causing phytophotodermatitis are furanocoumarins. It has been established that the pronounced photosensitizing activity of furanocoumarins is determined by the presence of a furan ring at positions 6,7 and 7,8 of coumarin. Such compounds include psoralen and its main derivatives: xanthotoxin, bergapten, bergamotin, imperatorin, isopimpinellin and angelicin (isopsoralen) and its main derivatives: sfondin, pimpinellin, isobergapten. Substitution of furan ring condensed with coumarin ring as well as change of its position leads to loss of photosensitizing activity. It was determined that the activity of plant sap of the genus Hogweed is in direct dependence on such factors as qualitative and quantitative content of furanocoumarins in the plant sap, the amount of sap and the area of the skin lesion zone, the time of contact of the affected skin areas with the plant sap, the intensity of ultraviolet irradiation and the time of its effect on the affected areas, as well as the peculiarities of each person (e.g., age, skin phototype). The methods of standard therapy of three clinical forms of phytophotodermatitis were analyzed. It was found that currently no specific clinical recommendations for the diagnostics and treatment of phytophotodermatitis resulting from contact with the sap of hogweeds. At the end of the article, the conclusion is formulated that one of current and promising tasks of pharmaceutical technology may be the development of drugs used in the treatment of burns caused by the sap of plants of the genus Hogweed, taking into account the mechanism of action of furanocoumarins.

Impacts of El Nino on renewable energy industry and fishery and aquaculture industry around the pacific

The effects of climate change on the world economy come into view in recent years, in El Nino is one of the most intricate and solid problems in predicting its occurrence and mitigating its effects. Former studies include its impacts on fishery and aquaculture, agriculture and major crops and the renewable energy market. Possible impacts include reproductive failure of fish, worsening well-being of people in coastal consortiums, decreasing production in maize, especially in warmer regions and decreasing efficiency and quantity of wind power production. Observed regions varied from the South American Coast and Peruvian waters to Malaysia, but neither of them compared the differences between each region as their major part. In this paper, fixed effects and dummy variable regression are used to evaluate El Ninos impact on fishery and renewable energy industries and contrast the differences between Japan, the USA and Australia. Results show that El Nino has a clear restraint on both industries but a stable increase in renewable energy production makes the relationship positive. Among the countries, Japan is the most restrained in both industries while the USA is the least affected. Among the different renewable energy sources, solar energy is promoted while hydro energy is restrained.

Fungicide-Loaded Liposomes for the Treatment of Fungal Diseases in Agriculture: An Assessment of Botrytis cinerea.

In this work, liposomes loaded with the fungicide, Fludioxonil (FLUD), for the containment of fungal diseases in agriculture were developed. Three types of vesicles with different compositions were compared: (I) plain vesicles, composed of soy phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol; (II) PEG-coated vesicles, with an additional polyethylene glycol coating; and (III) cationic vesicles, containing didodecyldimethylammonium bromide. Nanometric-sized vesicles were obtained both by the micelle-to-vesicle transition method and by the extrusion technique, and encapsulation efficiency, drug loading content, and Zeta potential were determined for all the samples. The extruded and PEGylated liposomes were the most stable over time and together with the cationic ones showed a significant prolonged FLUD release capacity. The liposomes' biological activity was evaluated on conidial germination, germ tube elongation and colony radial growth of the ascomycete Botrytis cinerea, a phytopathogenic fungus affecting worldwide many important agricultural crops in the field as well as in the postharvest phase. The extruded and PEGylated liposomes showed greater effectiveness in inhibiting germ tube elongation and colony radial growth of the fungal pathogen, even at 0.01 µg·mL-1, the lowest concentration assessed.

Utility of AI Based Soil Testing in Agriculture

ABSTRACT The soil plays crucial role in any kind of agricultural crops. Depending upon the different ingredients of the soil the nature of crops to be farmed is decided.Optimizing agricultural practices is crucial for countries like India to address economic growth and escalating food demands. Historical challenges stemming from diverse weather conditions, geographical variations, conventional farming methods, and economic uncertainties have hindered improved crop yields. The dearth of information on crop yield productivity has also resulted in significant economic losses. In response, the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies such as smart farming, digital agriculture, and Data Analytics has become imperative. These innovations provide valuable insights into factors influencing crop yields, best-fit crops for a certain area, and enabling accurate predictions. With precise crop yield forecasts, farmers can develop tailored cultivation plans, implement efficient crop health monitoring systems, and manage yields effectively, thereby transforming agriculture into a highly profitable venture. This paper delves into the applications of technological advancements in agriculture, focusing on areas such as Digital Agriculture, Crop Management, and Crop Protection, and Data Analytics, with the aim of contributing to the optimization of agricultural practices and bolstering the economic impact of the agricultural sector. KEYWORDS: Agriculture, Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning, crop prediction

Pyroligneous Acid Obtained From Guadua Bamboo (Angustifolia Kunth) in the Management of Stink Bug and Borer of CCN-51 Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao) at The Latitud Cero Research Center

Objective: The research aimed to establish the effect of pyroligneous acid extracted from guadua bamboo (Angustifolia kunth) for controlling the cacao mirid bug (Monalonion dissimulatum Dist.) and the cacao borer "mazorquero del cacao" Carmenta foraseminis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) in CCN-51 cacao cultivation. Theoretical Framework: This section presents the main concepts and theories supporting the research. Pyroligneous acid or "wood vinegar" is prominently highlighted, providing a solid foundation for understanding the context of the research. Method: The research was conducted at the Latitud 0 Experimental Station of Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí, located in Parroquia Cojimíes, Cantón Pedernales, Manabí province, geographically situated between the coordinates Latitude, South 0°04’12” and Longitude West 80°03’0” at an altitude of 6 meters above sea level. A Randomized Complete Block Design in a Factorial Arrangement A x B (3x2+1) was used with the factors: 30%, 40%, and 50% doses of pyroligneous acid and times 0 and 30 days, plus a control without applications. Results and Discussion: The results showed that the best dose was 50% PA with 21.33 dead mirid bugs affecting the pods. For borers, the 0-day period produced the highest control with 10.75 borers after the first application with a 50% PA dose. For the times, the 30-day period resulted in 5.94 mortality in the first application. The 40% PA dose and the 30-day period produced 9.50 dead larvae. Borer mortality after the second application achieved the highest efficacy with the 40% PA dose, recording a mortality of 2.62 larvae compared to 1.11 live ones. When these factors interacted, the 50% PA dose with the 30-day period responded favorably with 4.25 dead borers compared to 1.01 dead ones. Implications of the Research: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing information on how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of various agricultural crops. These implications could encompass not only cacao crops but related crops as well. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by establishing a management strategy for the cacao mirid bug and borer. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by the effect of pyroligneous acid on the cacao mirid bug and borer.

Effects of different levels of irrigation suppression and fertigation on potato yield

With the limitation in the availability of water for agriculture and the high costs of fertilizers, it is necessary to adopt strategies for water and nutritional management of agricultural crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphological and physiological characteristics and productivity of potato under the influence of suppression of irrigation and fertigation in Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. The experiment was carried out in randomized blocks, conducted in the field, using a 3 x 2 factorial scheme. Different times of irrigation suppression were studied at 80, 90 and 100 days after planting, along with forms of fertigation, following the rate of crop absorption and equivalent fertigation. The imposition of irrigation suppression at 100 days, linked to fertigation following the rate of crop absorption, showed a positive effect on the aerial fresh mass of the potato variety studied, especially promoting the increase in productivity, which was 47.82 t ha-1, and efficiency in water use, which was 10.53 kg of tubers per cubic meter of water. This observation indicates that the application of fertilizers, in sync with the needs of the crop, can improve the efficiency of water use and increase productivity. These findings highlight the importance of integrated strategies to optimize potato cultivation and make it more resistant to adversity, seeking a more sustainable and productive agriculture.

Plants suspected to contain bio insecticidal agents against mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Indonesia

Mealybugs (Insecta; Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are the important pest of agricultural crops and ornamental plants worldwide, including in Indonesia. Beside their high invasive nature and high economic impact, mealybugs are difficult to control so that the presence of this insect is of serious concern. That is why research to find effective ways to control and eradicate mealybugs is continuously being carried out in many countries including Indonesia. This paper presents the results of research on the search for natural ingredients from plants that can be developed into bioinsecticides against mealybugs conducted in Indonesia in the last 20 years. The data were compiled by searching relevance papers containing researches done in Indonesia, by Indonesian researchers that have been published both in national and international journals that can be accessed using Google search engine. The result is as follows. There are three genera of mealybugs that are of the greatest concern because of the high losses they cause, namely: Planococcus, Pseudoccus, and Paracoccus. There are 19 plant species that have been reported as a potential source of insecticides against mealybugs including Allium sativum, Anonna squamosa, Areca catechu, Azadirachta indica, Barringtonia asiatica, Carica papaya, Cassia spectabilis, Cinnamomum burmannii, Cymbopogon nardus, Eucalypus sp., Gliricidia sepium, Lantana camara, Moringa oleifera, Nicotiana tabacum, Piper betel, Piper retrofractum, Reutealis trisperma, and Tephrosia vogelii.

Strategic Model for Mangrove Forest Resource Management in Boalemo District, Gorontalo Province

Mangrove forest destruction in Boalemo Regency has increased significantly over the past decade. The condition of mangrove forests has been degraded due to the pressure of population growth, especially in coastal areas. Damage to mangrove forest resources is certainly very dangerous to the ecosystem of fisheries resources, biodiversity and destroys the stability of coastal forests that support the protection of inland and rural agricultural crops. The purpose of this research is to design a model of sustainable mangrove forest resource management strategy in Boalemo District, Gorontalo Province, so that it can be applied as a policy in improving and optimizing mangrove forest resource management efforts in Gorontalo Province. The method used is Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM). The results showed that there are thirteen sub-elements of program requirements needed to build the model, of the thirteen elements of program requirements there are no sub-elements that occupy quadrant I, in quadrant II there are two sub-elements and in quadrant III there are six sub-elements, in quadrant IV is occupied by five sub-elements which are key elements to build a mangrove forest resource management strategy model.

Sowing properties of sunflower seeds of Talento hybrid under the influence of a modified plant growth regulator

The improvement of agricultural crop cultivation technologies enables the production of high sunflower yields with high-quality indicators. One such element is pre-sowing seed treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a plant growth regulator supplemented with calcium on the sowing properties of sunflower seeds. The experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions. For pre-sowing seed treatment, a semi-synthetic film-forming agent with an anti-stress effect was used, which was modified with Ca2+ ions in the form of calcium chloride. It was established that the encrustation of sunflower seed with a growth regulator stimulates germination processes and activates the initial stages of sunflower organogenesis. This increases the indicators of germinative vigour and germination capacity. Adding calcium to the plant growth regulator contributes to a further increase in the indicators of germinative vigour and seed germination capacity of sunflowers by 5.4% and 7.7%, respectively, compared to the control. At the same time, the hypocotyl length increased by 1.51 times compared to the control, while the root length increased by 1.37 times. The accumulation of organic substances in sunflower seedlings is characterised by an increase in dry matter. When calcium was added to the plant growth regulator, a more intensive accumulation of dry matter in the hypocotyl and root was observed compared to the control and the variant using only the growth regulator. The establishment of a ranking range indicated that, based on the parameters studied, the optimal treatment option for the pre-sowing treatment of sunflower seeds is the application of a plant growth regulator containing calcium ions at a concentration of 1.0 g/L. The use of this preparation is relevant and promising for studying the formation of sunflower plant productivity with increased quality indicators under field conditions

Aspects of the joint cultivation of <i>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i> and <i>Bacillus aryabhattai</i> for the intensification of growth-stimulating substances synthesis

Growth-stimulating properties of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B-11265 and Bacillus aryabhattai B-13192 strains were studied, and the possibility of their co-cultivation for activity intensification was evaluated. The strains under study were found to be able to synthesize indolyl-3-acetic and gibberellic acids, siderophores: B. amyloliquefaciens B-11265 in the amount of 5.23 µg/ml, 1.05 mg/ml, 46.15%; B. aryabhattai B-13192 – 3.07 µg/ml, 0.84 mg/ml, 35.50%, respectively. The research results showed that the strains were biocompatible and did not inhibit each other's development, allowing them to be included in the same consortium. Joint cultivation of the strains showed that the ratio of microorganisms in the nutrient substrate has a significant effect on the yield of the target substances. At the ratio of B. amyloliquefacien and B. aryabhattai 1 : 1, inhibition of indolyl-3-acetic acid synthesis was observed; ratios of 2 : 3 and 3 : 2 led to a decrease in gibberellic acid production. It was found that three (B. amyloliquefacien) to one (B. aryabhattai) was the optimal ratio to increase the yield of the target substances compared to the average values characteristic of individual strains. In this variant, the synthesis of growth-stimulating substances by the consortium was: indolyl-3-acetic acid – 5.31 μg/ml, gibberellic acid – 1.23 mg/ml, siderophores – 51.27%. The results obtained indicate the high potential of the engineered consortium for agricultural applications. However, in order to develop a growth-stimulating preparation based on it, it is necessary to conduct a number of additional studies aimed at investigating the effect of the strain on agricultural crops in laboratory and field experiments.

Differential drivers on the occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes in agricultural soils and crops: Evidence from the different fertilization regimes

Organic fertilizer application caused bacterial resistance contamination in farming systems has been widely documented, and long-term fertilization will exacerbate the migration of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) to crops and humans. However, it remains unclear whether a combined pattern of chemical and organic fertilizer application can arrest the high prevalence of ARGs in soil-crop. Here we investigated the ARGs occurrence under different fertilization regimes, and explored the mechanisms by which micro-ecological shifts and geochemical factors in modulating the ARGs fate in soil and crop. The results showed that the soil ARGs abundance was highest under 100% organic fertilizer, while the highest ARGs abundance in crops was observed at 100% chemical fertilizer. Application of organic fertilizers with more than 50% ration intensified the soil accumulation and migration of tetA, sul1, sul2 and macA genes. And, multidrug_transporter, macA and sul1 were co-shared in soil and crop, where ARGs potential hosts differed complete in the two, suggesting that these ARGs may be transferred across media by horizontal transfer. Procrustes analysis revealed that soil microbial community was significantly correlated with ARG hosts, and soil microbial evolutionary pathway was congruent with antibiotic resistance, suggesting that fertilizers affect soil ARGs abundance mainly by altering soil microbial composition and their ecological evolutionary trajectories. While, no significant correlation was observed between endophytes and crop ARG host. Structural equations demonstrated that soil nutrients and crop growth characteristics contributed largely to the prevalence of crop ARGs. This outcome will provide new insights into the high prevalence of ARGs in soil and crop, and offer fertilizer recommendations for effectively curbing antibiotic-resistance contamination in farming systems.

Scientific achievements in Siberian agriculture and their development

A historical review of the formation and development of scientific farming in Siberia is given. The main achievements of the leading research institutes of the region are highlighted. The contribution of Siberian scientists to the development of scientific farming, including its constituent directions, is shown. It presents almost 100 years of development of research on agriculture - from the Omsk experimental farm (XIX century), agricultural experimental stations - to modern federal scientific centers. The evolution of farming from individual crop cultivation techniques to the formation of zonal and then adaptive-landscape farming systems and modern agro-technologies is demonstrated. Examples of completed scientific developments on farming, ready for implementation in production, the number of which runs into thousands, are given. Implementation of knowledge-intensive agro-technologies guarantees grain production in Siberia up to 25-30 million tons, sustainable development of farming, stable food supply and high return on non-renewable resources. The evolution of plant protection from individual methods against the most dangerous pests to the formation of integrated systems that take into account the phytosanitary state of agrocenoses and agro-ecological conditions of agricultural crops cultivation is shown. The most important techniques to optimize the relationship between the crop and pests are the selection of plant species and varieties resistant to their effects, optimization of mineral nutrition of plants and sowing dates. At present, the development of scientific farming is associated with the design of adaptive-landscape farming systems, selection and support of agro-technologies, rational use of land resources, improvement of approaches to the conservation and reproduction of soil fertility, soil treatment systems, fertilizers and integrated plant protection, formation of adaptive crop rotations, research of technological and biological processes in the cultivation of crops, use of GIS-technologies, remote sensing, and the use of remote sensing.

Exogenous variable driven deep learning models for improved price forecasting of TOP crops in India

Accurately predicting agricultural commodity prices is crucial for India's economy. Traditional parametric models struggle with stringent assumptions, while machine learning (ML) approaches, though data-driven, lack automatic feature extraction. Deep learning (DL) models, with advanced feature extraction and predictive abilities, offer a promising solution. However, their application to agricultural price data ignored the exogenous factors. Hence, the study explored advanced versions of the well-known univariate models, NBEATSX and TransformerX. The research employed price data for essential crops like Tomato, Onion, and Potato (TOP) from major Indian markets and complemented it with corresponding weather data (precipitation and temperature). To provide a comprehensive analysis, the study also evaluated traditional statistical methods (ARIMAX and MLR) and a suite of ML algorithms (ANN, SVR, RFR, and XGBoost). The performance of these models was rigorously evaluated using error metrics like RMSE, MAE, sMAPE, MASE and QL. The findings were significant indicating DL models, particularly when augmented with exogenous variables, consistently outshone other methods with NBEATSX and TransformerX showing an average RMSE of 110.33 and 135.33, MAE of 60.08 and 74.92, sMAPE of 22.14 and 24.00, MASE of 1.02 and 1.32 and QL of 30.04 and 34.07, respectively. They exhibited lower error metrics, as compare to the statistical and ML models underscoring their effectiveness and potential in agricultural crop price forecasting. This study not only bridged a crucial research gap but also highlighted the robust potential of DL models in enhancing the accuracy of agricultural commodity price predictions in India.

Bio-efficacy of Solanum torvum (Sw.) against agricultural pest Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Recently, Spodoptera litura (Fab.) has emerged as a significant threat to the environment. Because of the pest's ability to spread, pesticides are often applied to agricultural crops. By combining certain plant extracts with other compounds, both a reduction in insect infestation and an increase in production could be achieved. The antifeedant, larvicidal and histological effects of Solanum torvum (Sw.) leaf extracts were investigated against S. litura. The study found that the ethyl acetate leaf extract showed a significant antifeedant effect against S. litura of (86.16%) at 5% concentration. Ethyl acetate extract showed larvicidal activity against S. litura of 88.21% and the LC50 value was 2.05%. Exposure of larvae to ethyl acetate leaf extract resulted in significant histological damage, particularly affecting epithelial, goblet and digestive cells. The results suggest that the inclusion of these plant extracts in integrated pest management approaches can promote sustainable and environmentally friendly pest control methods in agriculture.

IN MEMORY OF DOCTOR OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, PROFESSOR SVITLANA IGNATOVA

Problem. Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Svitlana Oleksandrivna Ignatova dedicated her entire life to several scientific institutions in Odesa: V. Ye. Tairov Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking (1964–1970), All-Union Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute (1970–1991), the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute – National Center of Seed and Cultivar Investigation (1991–1999 and 2012–2018), and the South Plant Biotechnological Center of the Ukrainian Academy of Agrarian Sciences (2000–2012). Her life and work were inextricably linked to the development of agricultural biotechnology in Ukraine. Aim. The purpose of our research was to honor the memory of Professor S. O. Ignatova, to highlight the main biographical data and the results of her scientific and pedagogical activities. Results. S. O. Ignatova fruitfully worked on theoretical and applied problems of agricultural crops biotechnology and was a pioneer in the use of achievements in Ukraine regarding the successful application in the selection process of the source material obtained by in vitro methods of tissue, organ and cell culture. Under the leadership of Svitlana Oleksandrivna, the principles and complete technology of accelerated production of linear varieties of barley and wheat with the use of haploproducers were developed. The barley varieties – Odessky 115th and Prairie, which were sown on a large area in Ukraine, were created using this technology. The great attention of S. O. Ignatova was devoted to the training of scientific personnel (graduate students, interns and students). Conclusions. S. O. Ignatova’s scientific legacy was a long-term fundamental research in the biotechnology of major agricultural crops, which was a significant contribution to the development of advanced areas of Ukrainian and world science. Svitlana Oleksandrivna was the author of more than 300 scientific works, including monographs, patents, scientific and methodological manuals, methodological recommendations, author’s certificates and publications in leading scientific journals. The life story of S. O. Ignatova is continued by her students, remembering the bright image of their professor – an energetic, determined and inspired woman.

Automatic and Semi-automatic Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is the most commonly used method for solving multi-criteria decision-making problems worldwide. Although AHP offers many advantages for problems with several alternatives and criteria, the pairwise comparisons require considerable effort. State-of-the-art methodologies have demonstrated that AHP is suitable for automating decisions on tabular data. Considering it, this paper proposes a new approach to decision-making in both automated and semi-automated ways. For the automated approach, formulas are proposed for the normalization and computation of criteria weights. For the semi-automated approach, functions are proposed to convert normalized tabular data into values on the Saaty scale. These values are then used to automatically construct pairwise comparison matrices. This approach allows decision-makers to generate such matrices when necessary, thereby minimizing or even eliminating the effort required for pairwise comparisons. Simulations demonstrate the differences obtained depending on the use of the conversion function. Comparisons with state-of-the-art methods reveal that the proposed approach is compatible with existing methodologies. The viability of the proposed methodology is also explored through problems of selecting genotypes/varieties of agricultural crops, showing its viability in real problems. The obtained results show that the proposed approach produces results similar to other decision-making methods.

Increased intake of tree forage by moose is associated with intake of crops rich in nonstructural carbohydrates.

Animals representing a wide range of taxonomic groups are known to select specific food combinations to achieve a nutritionally balanced diet. The nutrient balancing hypothesis suggests that, when given the opportunity, animals select foods to achieve a particular target nutrient balance, and that balancing occurs between meals and between days. For wild ruminants who inhabit landscapes dominated by human land use, nutritionally imbalanced diets can result from ingesting agricultural crops rich in starch and sugar (nonstructural carbohydrates [NCs]), which can be provided to them by people as supplementary feeds. Here, we test the nutrient balancing hypothesis by assessing potential effects that the ingestion of such crops by Alces alces (moose) may have on forage intake. We predicted that moose compensate for an imbalanced intake of excess NC by selecting tree forage with macro-nutritional content better suited for their rumen microbiome during wintertime. We applied DNA metabarcoding to identify plants in fecal and rumen content from the same moose during winter in Sweden. We found that the concentration of NC-rich crops in feces predicted the presence of Picea abies (Norway spruce) in rumen samples. The finding is consistent with the prediction that moose use tree forage as a nutritionally complementary resource to balance their intake of NC-rich foods, and that they ingested P. abies in particular (normally a forage rarely eaten by moose) because it was the most readily available tree. Our finding sheds new light on the foraging behavior of a model species in herbivore ecology, and on how habitat alterations by humans may change the behavior of wildlife.