Date May Research Articles

Effects of planting dates on the growth and grain yield of two indigenous varieties of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) in a forest-savanna transition zone of Edo State, Nigeria

Effects of planting dates on the growth and grain yield of two indigenous varieties of pearl millet was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. The experiment was a 2 × 5 factorial scheme fitted into a randomized complete block design with the two varieties of pearl millet (‘Gero Bida’ and ‘Gero Badeggi’) and five planting dates (April, May, June, July and August) replicated three times. The results obtained showed that delays in planting date significantly reduced growth in pearl millet examined. Similar pattern was observed on days to 50 % flowering and grain maturity. Improved growth with early sowing could have allowed increased availability of assimilates that later supported reproductive growth. These assimilates were remobilized under unfavourable climatic condition in the late cropping season to the reproductive structures. ‘Gero Badeggi’ sown in April, had significantly, the highest growth in the measured characters than ‘Gero Bida’ sown in August and other dates. ‘Gero Badeggi’ planted in May had the highest total grain yield (9.33 t ha-1) while ‘Gero Bida’ planted in July had the smallest (4.27 t ha-1). Therefore, ‘Gero Baddegi’ planted in May is a better variety for pearl millet grain production in Ekpoma.

Increasing Labile Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Fractions Require a Change in System, Rather Than Practice

The influence of tillage, carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) inputs and perennialization on labile fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) has been widely investigated, but research on the temporal and depth variation of labile C and N fractions in long‐term agroecosystems representative of the US Corn Belt is lacking. In this study, labile soil fractions as influenced by different agriculture management approaches common in the north‐central United States were characterized through measurements of potentially mineralizable N (PMN), mineralizable C (C‐min), and permanganate oxidizable C (POXC), which are known indicators of the biologically active pool of SOM. Soils were sampled five times in six different cropping systems at the Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial: three annual cropping systems (continuous corn, strip‐till corn–soybean, organic grain) and three forage cropping systems (conventional forage, organic forage, grazed pasture). Across all sampling dates (May–September) and soil depth (0–15 and 15–30 cm), forage‐based cropping systems generally had greater PMN, C‐min, and POXC, with C‐min and PMN expressing the largest differences between forage and grain‐based cropping systems. Labile soil C and N fractions across cropping systems were typically greatest in July or August and were ∼50% greater in the top 0 to 15 cm of soil than the 15 to 30 cm. These results suggest sampling timing and depth for PMN, POXC, and C‐min need to be standardized to optimize their use as soil health indicators and that shifts in the system toward perenniality will be required to increase labile C and N fractions on the highly fertile Mollisols of the US Corn Belt.

Real-world Clinical Outcomes of Pazopanib Immediately After Discontinuation of Immunotherapy for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma.

In the first-line (1L) setting, pazopanib (PAZ) has been recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC). In 2018, immuno-oncology (IO) therapy became a commonly used 1L treatment option for aRCC. We report the real-world clinical outcomes of PAZ after IO therapy for patients with aRCC. We performed a longitudinal, retrospective medical record review study. The included patients were aged≥ 18 years, had initiated second-line and/or beyond PAZ after IO therapy for clear cell aRCC on or before October 2017, and had complete medical records available from the diagnosis of aRCC to the discontinuation of PAZ, death, or the medical record extraction date (May 2018), whichever occurred first. The primary outcome variable was the PAZ duration of therapy. The secondary outcomes were progression-free survival and overall survival since PAZ initiation, the reasons for PAZ discontinuation, and the occurrence of adverse events (AEs). A total of 258 eligible patients had initiated IO therapies before PAZ as follows: nivolumab (68%), nivolumab plus ipilimumab (14%), pembrolizumab (12%), and ipilimumab (3%). Overall, the median PAZ duration of therapy was 13.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.1-16.0 months). The median progression-free survival with PAZ after IO therapy was 13.5 months (95% CI, 11.8 months to not reached). The estimated overall survival rate of PAZ after IO therapy at 6 and 12 months was 93% and 89%, respectively. A total of 109 patients (42%) had reported an AE. The most frequently reported AEs were fatigue (29%) and diarrhea (14%). No additional safety signal of hepatotoxicity was observed (increased aspartate aminotransferase, 5%; increased alanine transaminase, 6%). In the present real-world study, second-line and/or beyond PAZ after previous IO therapy was well-tolerated and effective for patients with aRCC.

Optimizing Sowing Date and Nitrogen Fertilizer Level for the New Rice Variety Sakha Super 300

A field trial was performed in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications at the Experimental Farm of Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Kafr ELSheikh, Egypt, during 2018 and 2019 rice growing seasons, to investigate the effect of three sowing dates (May 10th, June 1st and June 20th) and four levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 55, 110 and 165 kg N/ha) on the productivity of Sakha Super 300 variety. The results showed that the sowing date June 1st produced the highest grain yield 10.67 and 10.71 t ha-1 in both seasons. Nitrogen level of 165 kg N ha-1 produced the highest grain yield 10.50 and 10.45 t ha-1 without any significant difference with level of 110 kg N ha-1 in 2018 and 2019 seasons. The interaction between sowing dates and nitrogen levels was highly significant for number of panicles hill-1, panicle length, number of filled grains panicle-1, unfilled grains percentage and 1000-grain weight, as well as grain and straw yield and harvest index in both seasons. Interaction results showed that, the first sowing date (May 10th) with nitrogen level of 110 kg N ha-1 gave the highest grain yield 10.91 and 10.79 t ha-1. On the other hand the second sowing date (June 1st) with nitrogen level of 165 kg N ha-1 gave the highest grain yield 12.03 and 11.92 t ha-1 in 2018 and 2019 seasons. The highest values of accumulated growing degree days (GDD) and photo thermal units (PTU) were recorded when plants sown on May 10th. On the other hand the maximums heat use efficiency (HUE) was achieved when Sakha Super 300 sown on 1st June with application of 165 Kg N ha-1 in both seasons.

Nesting Island Creation for Wading Birds

Many long-legged wading birds such as little blue herons (Egretta caerulea), great blue herons (Ardea herodius), and great egrets (Ardea albus) nest together in large aggregations called breeding colonies. Although different species vary in their habitat preferences, wading birds have several common requirements for nesting. Colony sites must provide protection from predators, nesting materials, and nearby foraging areas (Hafner 2000). In the past, wading birds nested in natural wetland habitats that are becoming increasingly scarce as wetland habitats are continually altered or degraded to accommodate human needs. The future success of wading bird populations may be determined by how well they cope with manipulated foraging and nesting habitats. In this document, we make recommendations on the creation of nesting islands for long-legged wading birds. This document is CIR1473, one of a series of the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date May 2005.
 CIR1473/UW223: Nesting Island Creation for Wading Birds (ufl.edu)

Improving, Restoring, and Managing Wildlife Habitat in Florida: Sources of Technical Assistance for Rural Landowners

This document summarizes sources of information from federal, state, and non-governmental organizations that provide technical assistance to rural landowners interested in managing or restoring habitat for wildlife (Table 1). Additional information regarding conservation and management of wildlife habitat in Florida is available on the University of Florida/IFAS Cooperative Extension Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS). This document is CIR1472, one of a series of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date May 2005. 
 CIR1472/UW218: Improving, Restoring, and Managing Wildlife Habitat in Florida: Sources of Technical Assistance for Rural Landowners (ufl.edu)

Field Diagnosis of Citrus Root Weevil Damage

Root weevils infest citrus groves throughout the citrus growing regions of Florida. Among the eight weevil species that have been identified in Florida citrus groves, five have some potential to cause economic problems for nurserymen and commercial growers. The most important weevil species are Diaprepes root weevil (Diaprepes abbreviatus), southern blue-green citrus root weevil (Pachnaeus litus), and the blue-green citrus root weevil (Pachnaeus opalus). The little leaf notcher (Artipus floridanus) and Fuller rose beetle (Asynonychus godmani) are of less concern, but may be locally important (Fig. 1). This paper will deal with Diaprepes and the blue-green root weevils because they are of major economic importance and frequently occur in citrus groves. This document is HS-1014, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date May 2005.
 HS-1014/HS260: Field Diagnosis of Citrus Root Weevil Damage (ufl.edu)

Floriculture New Crop Update - Report from California Pack Trials 2003

Pack trials are industry events held in early April each year highlighting the new releases in flowering crops for each year. This is an industry event and, generally, not open to the public. Most of the exhibiting companies are not familiar names to the average consumer because by the time the plant is sold at a retail nursery it is tagged by the nursery that produces it, not by the breeder company that created or released the plant. For that reason consumers should use the name of the plant when looking to buy plants listed here, while nurseries should contact their distributors and use the company name to get the correct source. This document is ENH899, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date May 16, 2005.

Evaluation of Trachelium Cultivars as Cut Flowers

Trachelium caeruleum has been grown in the United States as a cut flower for about a decade. Only two cultivars, 'White Umbrella' and 'Purple Umbrella', were readily available for commercial use before 1997, but nine new cultivars became available in the last few years. Comparative performance trials have been lacking for these cultivars in the United States. This trial evaluated 11 cultivars of Trachelium for cut flower production performance (vegetative and flowering characteristics) and postharvest longevity. This document is HS991, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date May 20, 2004.

Maximizing Weed Control in Florida Citrus

The objective of today's weed management program is to suppress and control weeds so that they do not cause damage to the tree, impact yield, or impede grove and harvesting operations. Complete and total elimination of all weeds from the grove floor is not necessary nor warranted. When developing a weed management program, growers must consider: 1) weeds present, 2) stage of weed growth, 3) material selection, 4) amount of herbicide used, 5) application site, method and timing, and 6) herbicide band width. These items are discussed in detail in this document. This document is HS-1007, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date May 2005.

Harvesting: From Manual to Mechanical

Mechanical harvesting and many other improvements in harvesting of Florida citrus have their origins in the mid-1950s. During the 1950s and 1960s, a consistent labor supply for hand harvesting was becoming increasingly difficult to obtain and acreage along with yields of Florida citrus was steadily increasing. These concerns led to the development of a citrus mechanical harvesting program spearheaded by the Florida Department of Citrus, United States Department of Agriculture and the University of Florida. The program sought to develop harvesting systems to remove or aid in the removal of fruit from the trees, thereby reducing the number of hand harvestors needed. Industry interest in mechanical harvesting decreased in the 1980s when the devastating freezes of 1983, 1985 and 1989 decreased acreage and volume of fruit to be harvested. This document is HS-1017, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date May 2005.

Secure Pesticide Storage: Security Against Terrorist Threats

Many farmers and managers of pesticide storage facilities had concerns about biosecurity and agroterrorism even before the Oklahoma City bombing and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on our nation. Businesses that manufacture, reformulate, sell, distribute, transport, store, or apply pesticides have long known the mitigation steps for safety of their workers, customers and communities. In todays age, these efforts may not necessarily be enough. This document is PI-42, one of a series of the Pesticide Information Office, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date May 2005.

Field Identification and Management of Greasy Spot Disease

Greasy spot is a disease that's frequently found in tropical and semitropical regions where citrus cultivars are grown. The disease is caused by Mycosphaerella citri. Symptoms appear as yellow to dark brown to black lesions occurring first on the underside of mature citrus leaves (Fig. 1). As the lesions develop on the underside of the leaves, they become darker and a corresponding chlorotic spot will appear on the upper leaf surface. These yellow (chlorotic) spots occur when infected cells fail to develop chlorophyll. Lesions are more yellowish and diffuse on lemons and grapefruit and more raised and darker on tangerines. Affected leaves fall prematurely from the tree during the fall and winter resulting in reduced tree vigor and yield. Greasy spot also infects the fruit of grapefruit trees producing rind blotch. This document is HS-1016, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date May 2005.
 HS-1016/HS263: Field Identification and Management of Greasy Spot Disease (ufl.edu)

Field Diagnosis and Management of Phytophthora Diseases

Phytophthora species are important soil-borne fungal pathogens worldwide that attack the root systems, trunks, and fruit of citrus trees at any age. Historical reports from Florida indicated Phytophthora was a problem as early as 1876 on sweet orange seedlings. When roots or tree trunks are affected, the foliage turns yellow and exhibits poor growth, leaves drop, twigs die back, and fruit size and yield are reduced. As fungal infection of roots and bark progress, the above-ground symptoms increase in severity. Ultimately, trees may decline and die. These symptoms result from the inability of the tree's fibrous roots to take up nutrients and water from the soil, as well as blockage of movement to the tree's canopy via lateral roots and the trunk. The movement of photosynthates 'downward' is also impaired. The two main species of Phytophthora in Florida are P. nicotianae and P. palmivora. Populations of either Phytophthora spp. in the soil may increase by repeated infection of fibrous roots resulting in rapid reproduction under conditions of high moisture and warm temperatures (75-90°F). This document is HS-1015, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date May 2005.
 HS-1015/HS261: Field Diagnosis and Management of Phytophthora Diseases (ufl.edu)

Good Worker Health and Hygiene Practices: Training Manual for Produce Handlers

The goal of this first Edition of Good Worker Health and Hygiene Practices: Training Manual for Produce Handlers is to provide owners, managers, and/or supervisors in Florida's produce industry a training tool for their workers. Drawn from many sources in the subject area including the FDA-GAPs, FDA-GMPs, FDA Model Food Code, recommendations from the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and other publications from federal government agencies, this manual is designed to be a reference to accompany the other educational materials included in the UF/IFAS Worker Health and Hygiene Training Program. This document is FCS8769, one of a series of the Family, Youth and Community Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date May 9, 2005.

Expiratory airflow in late adolescence and early adulthood in individuals born very preterm or with very low birthweight compared with controls born at term or with normal birthweight: a meta-analysis of individual participant data

Maximal expiratory airflow peaks early in the third decade of life, then gradually declines with age. The pattern of airflow through adulthood for individuals born very preterm (at <32 weeks' gestation) or with very low birthweight (<1501 g) is unknown. We aimed to compare maximal expiratory airflow in these individuals during late adolescence and early adulthood with that of control individuals born with normal birthweight (>2499 g) or at term. We did a meta-analysis of individual participant data from cohort studies, mostly from the pre-surfactant era. Studies were identified through the Adults born Preterm International Collaboration and by searching PubMed and Embase (search date May 25, 2016). Studies were eligible if they reported on expiratory flow rates beyond 16 years of age in individuals born very preterm or with very low birthweight, as well as controls born at term or with normal birthweight. Studies with highly selected cohorts (eg, only participants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia) or in which few participants were born very preterm or with very low birthweight were excluded. De-identified individual participant data from each cohort were provided by the holders of the original data to a central site, where all the data were pooled into one data file. Any data inconsistencies were resolved by discussion with the individual sites concerned. Individual participant data on expiratory flow variables (FEV1, forced vital capacity [FVC], FEV1/FVC ratio, and forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of FVC [FEF25-75%]) were converted to Z scores and analysed with use of generalised linear mixed models in a one-step approach. Of the 381 studies identified, 11 studies, comprising a total of 935 participants born very preterm or with very low birthweight and 722 controls, were eligible and included in the analysis. Mean age at testing was 21 years (SD 3·4; range 16-33). Mean Z scores were close to zero (as expected) in the control group, but were reduced in the very preterm or very low birthweight group for FEV1 (-0·06 [SD 1·03] vs -0·81 [1·33], mean difference -0·78 [95% CI -0·96 to -0·61], p<0·0001), FVC (-0·15 [0·98] vs -0·38 [1·18], -0·25 [-0·40 to -0·10], p=0·0012), FEV1/FVC ratio (0·14 [1·10] vs -0·64 [1·35], -0·74 [-0·85 to -0·64], p<0·0001), and FEF25-75% (-0·04 [1·10] vs -0·95 [1·47], -0·88 [-1·12 to -0·65], p<0·0001). Similar patterns were observed when we compared the proportions of individuals with values below the fifth percentile. Individuals born very preterm or with very low birthweight are at risk of not reaching their full airway growth potential in adolescence and early adulthood, suggesting an increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in later adulthood. National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia), University of Bergen, Western Norway Regional Authority, National Institute for Health Research (UK), Stichting Astmabestrijding, St Olav's Hospital's Research Fund, Academy of Finland, European Commission, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (USA), Victorian Government's Operational Infrastructure Support Program.

Sexual Function following Laparoscopic versus Transvaginal Closure of the Vaginal Vault after Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial by the Italian Society of Gynecological Endoscopy Using a Validated Questionnaire

Study ObjectiveThe effect of the different types of vaginal cuff closures on posthysterectomy sexual function has not been investigated in depth. We evaluated if there is a difference between transvaginal versus a laparoscopic closure after total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) on female sexual function, using a validated questionnaire. DesignSecondary analysis of a prospective randomized controlled trial. SettingThree academic research centers. PatientsWomen consenting to telephone interviews on their sexual life before and after undergoing TLH were included. InterventionsPatients were randomly assigned to a laparoscopic or transvaginal approach for vaginal cuff closure at the end of TLH for benign indications. Measurements and Main ResultsA validated questionnaire (the Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI]) was used to explore sexuality before and after the operation. Of the 1408 patients enrolled in the primary study, 400 patients were asked to complete the questionnaire. Of them, 182 (41.4%) were eligible and accepted enrollment in the present analysis. No difference was found in terms of pre- and postoperative FSFI scores between groups. Patients with a low preoperative FSFI score (<26.55) had a significantly higher likelihood of having a postoperative sexual disorder (p <.001). Women who received bilateral adnexectomy before menopause and those with postoperative vaginal cuff hematoma had a significantly lower postoperative FSFI score (p = .001 and p = .04, respectively). After multivariable analysis, both variables maintained at least a tendency toward an association with a lower postoperative FSFI score (odds ratio, 2.696; 95% confidence interval, 1.010–7.194; p = 0.048 and p = 0.053; odds ratio, 13.2; 95% confidence interval, .966–180.5, respectively). ConclusionTransvaginal and laparoscopic cuff closures after TLH have similar sexual postoperative outcomes. A patient with sexual problems before TLH is more likely to have a low FSFI score postoperatively. Premenopausal patients undergoing bilateral ovariectomy and those with postoperative vaginal cuff hematoma have a worse postoperative sexual life.(Clinicaltrials.gov, protocol number NCT02453165, registration date May 25, 2015.)

Broiler Production Goals - Important Numbers

Producing a profitable broiler requires that certain standards be met, some even before the chicks are placed on the farm and during the grow-out. The most important principle is to set the best quality fertile eggs in the machines and ensure that all eggs have been handled properly. It is preferred not to hold the eggs more than three days and the egg room must have the right temperature and humidity during storage to avoid killing or weakening the blastoderm. The longer the eggs are kept in storage the poorer the chick vigor, quality and hatch. This document is VM134, one of a series of the Veterinary Medicine-Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date May 16, 2005. &#x0D; VM134/VM099: Broiler Production Goals—Important Numbers (ufl.edu)

Real-world clinical outcomes of pazopanib immediately following immunotherapy discontinuation for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma.

573 Background: In the first-line setting (1L), pazopanib (PAZ) is recommended by NCCN for treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC). In 2018, immuno-oncology (IO) therapy became commonly used 1L treatment option for aRCC. This study reports real-world clinical outcomes of PAZ following IO therapy among aRCC patients (pts) in an evolving treatment landscape. Methods: This retrospective chart review study used medical record data collected by medical oncologists. Included pts were those ≥ 18 at initiation of IO therapy who initiated 2L+ PAZ for clear cell aRCC before November 2017, and had complete medical records from the diagnosis of aRCC to discontinuation of PAZ, death, or the chart extraction date (May 2018), whichever occurred first. Primary outcome was PAZ duration of therapy (DOT). Secondary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) since PAZ initiation, reasons for PAZ discontinuation, and adverse events (AEs). Time-to-event outcomes were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. Results: 258 eligible pts initiated the IO therapies before PAZ as follows: nivolumab (NIVO) (68%), NIVO+ipilimumab (IPI) (14%), pembrolizumab (12%), and IPI (3%). Ninety-seven (38%), 56 (22%), and 92 (36%) pts were grouped as favorable, intermediate, or poor risk by Heng criteria, respectively. Overall, the median PAZ DOT was 13.4 months (Ms) (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.1-16.0). When stratified by lines of therapy, pts who received PAZ as 2L (n=182) or 3L+ (n=76) had DOT of 13.4 Ms (95% CI 11.1-NR) and 9.6 Ms (95% CI 6.2-NR), respectively. The PFS and OS outcomes are shown in the Table. One hundred-nine (42%) pts reported an AE. The most frequently (&gt;10%) reported AEs were fatigue (29%), diarrhea (14%), decreased appetite (14%), and hypertension (13%). Conclusions: In this real-world study, 2+L PAZ following prior IO therapy was well-tolerated, effective, and non-cross-resistant with IO therapy for aRCC pts. [Table: see text]

Decreased mean platelet volume predicts poor prognosis in metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with first-line chemotherapy: results from mCRC biomarker study

BackgroundMetastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is a major cause of death of malignant tumor and the valuable prognostic biomarker for chemotherapy is crucial in decreasing mortality. Previous studies have proved the prognostic value of the mean platelet volume (MPV) in survival of primary operable CRC patients. However, the prognostic impact of MPV in mCRC is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to clarify the prognostic role of MPV in mCRC undergoing standard first-line chemotherapy.MethodsFrom January 2012 to December 2016, we conducted a retrospective clinical study included 264 mCRC patients (NCT03532711). All the enrolled patients received the standard oxaliplatin-based or irinotecan-based chemotherapy. The association between the baseline MPV and clinicopathological features were examined.ResultsUnivariate analysis revealed that decreased MPV, the platelet counts (PLT), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the platelet crit (PCT) were significantly associated with inferior overall survival (OS) (p < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, elevated PLR was significant prognostic factors for OS, with hazard ratios of (HR:1.006, 95% CI:1.001–1.011, p = 0.01) while MPV was not, respectively (p < 0.05).ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that the baseline MPV level may act as a predictive factor for survival in mCRC patients undergoing standard chemotherapy.Trial registrationThis study was retrospectively registered in date May the 20th 2018. The registration number (TRN) of this study was NCT03532711.