Dry Matter Density Research Articles

Effects of heading date and Epichloë endophyte on persistence of diploid perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). 1. Heading date

Context Data are lacking on the effects of heading date of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) on ryegrass persistence. Aim We aimed to determine the impact of heading date on perennial ryegrass persistence. Method Two mid-heading (Samson, Bronsyn) and two late-heading (One50, Rohan) cultivars, infected with Epichloë endophytes (AR37, nea2/6 or standard toxic), were established in a replicated plot study grazed by cattle in a subtropical environment of the upper North Island of New Zealand. Persistence characteristics were quantified at least five times per annum, over 4 years. Key results Late-heading cultivars had higher yield, nutritive value, perennial ryegrass content in pasture dry matter, ground cover and tiller density than mid-heading cultivars. There were large seasonal impacts on all ryegrass characteristics, with a major decline over summer and recovery during late autumn into early spring, with less recovery in the final year. Overall, there was a strong linear decline in ryegrass content measured during spring (2018–21). Conclusions The two late-heading cultivars were more persistent than the two mid-heading cultivars, although persistence declined over 4 years for all cultivars. Implications Results support industry recommendations of choosing late-heading cultivars for improved pasture quality and persistence.

Physiological Parameters and Quality of Potato under Different Planting Dates

A field experiment was conducted to study the influence of planting dates on physiological parameters and quality of potato cropduring the Rabi seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23. The experiment was laid out with seven different planting dates viz., 15 Sept (D1); 30 Sept (D2); 15 Oct (D3); 30 Oct (D4) (Timely planting); 14 Nov (D5); 29 Nov (D6) and 14 Dec (D7) in randomized block design (RBD) with four replications. The potato (cv. Kufri Mohan) was planted with a seed rate of 3.5 t ha-1 and with a spacing of 60 cm x 20 cm. The recommended dose of chemical fertilizers viz., 180:80:120 kg ha-1N:P2O5:K2O, respectively was applied to the crop. The various physiological parameters viz., crop growth rate, relative growth rate and absolute growth rate; and quality parameters (protein, starch, dry matter and true density) were recorded. The results revealed that the timely planting treatment date (30 Oct) showed significant positive effect on physiological parameters in potato crop whereas effect was at par with respect to the quality parameters under studied planting dates.

57 Dry matter intake in mares fed oat roughage under different preservation forms

Forage conservation in the hay form is commonly used in the feeding of equines, but due to technical difficulties for conservation and availability for the market, forages with different conservation conditions (silage and pre-dried silage) have been provided as alternatives. However, few studies still cover the effects of the different forms of roughage conservation in equine nutrition. This study aimed to evaluate variations in dry matter intake by mares fed with different forms of roughage conservation of the oat plant. In a 3-way Crossover Design, 6 healthy mares, mixed breed, aged between 3 and 13 years, were individually confined in 24m2 bays, with ad libitum water supply. The mares received 3 different treatments: oat hay, conventional oat silage, and pre-dried oat silage. The treatment adaptation period was 18 d, followed by 5 d of data collection. The roughages have been provided ad libitum. For dry matter intake evaluation the quantities of roughage provided, leftovers, and waste for each animal were measured. The animals were dewormed, and a dental examination was also performed before the beginning of the experiment. The collected data were submitted to ANOVA statistical analysis and the Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated. A GLM procedure was performed to compare the diets used. Significant variation was observedbetween treatments (P = 0.0015), in which pre-dried silage and hay showed higher consumption (9.15 kg/DM/day and 9.08 kg/DM/day respectively) compared with conventional silage (7.9 kg/DM/day). The low dry matter (DM) density of conventional silage (25% DM) for about hay (87% DM) and pre-dried silage (46% DM) may have caused greater filling of the gastrointestinal tract of the animal, causing faster satiety and contributed for the consumption variation. Another point to be highlighted is the concentration of organic acids and pH in the silages, in which the conventional silage had a higher acetic acid content (25621.4 mg/kg/DM) which had the lowest pH (4.2), while the pre-dried silage had the lowest pH acid (456.5 mg/kg/DM) and higher pH (5.1), suggesting that conventional silage, more acid, led to its lower consumption, since according to the literature, horses prefer sweeter foods. In the hay, there is an absence of organic acids due to its way of conservation by dehydration. Oat hay and pre-dried oat silage have better dry matter intake compared with conventional oat silage for mares under the evaluated conditions.

Effects of Deadwood on Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in Three Sand-Type Lowland Streams

The objective of the manuscript was to study the effects of dead wood on macroinvertebrates (MI) assemblages occupying different habitat patches. Three streams were studied, with control and wooded sections in each stream from which MI were sampled for all substrate types (wood, fine detritus, gravel, sand). This contribution deals with three German streams Ihle, Nieplitz, and Verlorenwasser, which belong to the stream type 14 (sand-dominated lowland stream) and are located in the landscape unit Fläming. This type of stream, where large wood could be most influential, has been relatively understudied. This study focused on quantifying substrate distribution and macroinvertebrate taxonomy and performing statistical analysis of MI densities with regard to substrate type. The area-specific invertebrate assemblages were differentiated for MI density, dry matter density and taxonomic richness of invertebrates. In addition to macroinvertebrates, a special focus was on aquatic and semi-aquatic insects. There were significant differences between the control and wooden sections. The macroinvertebrate assemblages (individual density, dry matter density and species richness) of the detritus of the wood sections only in the Verlorenwasser was significantly and positively affected (two or three times) by the deadwood. Detritus in the wood sections of the Nieplitz and Verlorenwasser contained more sensitive species like EPT than detritus from the control sections. On the other hand, no significant difference in MI populations were determined for the sand of the wood sections compared to the sand of the control sections. In all water bodies, the wood substrate promoted all investigated indicators of macrozoobenthos as compared to sand of the wood sections. Detritus significantly promoted macrozoobenthos colonization in the wood sections as compared to sand of the Nieplitz and the Verlorenwasser. The MI density and dry matter density in the Ihle was also significantly promoted by detritus, although not significantly with regard species richness. Two significant correlations were also identified. The more sand that was present in the Ihle and the Verlorenwasser, the more the macroinvertebrate assemblages were inhibited. Additionally, the larger the area of detritus in the Ihle and the area of wood in the Nieplitz, the more MI populations were encouraged. The influence of the deadwood position on MI was also investigated, but there was no significant difference. Incline bridges, flow guides and parallel wood position types were settled in similar quality and quantity.

Estimating vertically growing crop above-ground biomass based on UAV remote sensing

The accurate estimation of crop above-ground biomass (AGB) can assist in crop growth monitoring and grain yield prediction. Remote sensing has been widely used for AGB estimation at regional and local scales in recent years. However, optical remote sensing spectral indices (SIs) become saturated at medium-to-high crop covers. The combined use of remote sensing techniques and statistical regression models is not based on an understanding of how crop leaves and vertical organs contribute to the crop AGB. This causes difficulties in measuring the biomass stored in vertical organs (e.g., plant stem, wheat-spike, maize-tassel; abbreviated as AGBv) using optical remote sensing. This study aims to develop an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based vertically growing crop AGB (VGC-AGB) model. We defined Csm (g/m) to describe the crop stem and reproductive organs’ average dry mass content. This was done to improve the estimation of AGBv. The crop leaf area index (LAI, m2/m2), leaf dry matter content (Cm, g/m2), height (Ch, m), and density (Cd, m−2) were used in the VGC-AGB. The VGC-AGB calculated crop leaf AGB (AGBl) using LAI × Cm (g/m2) and AGBv using Cd × Ch × Csm (g/m2). The proposed VGC-AGB (AGB = LAI × Cm + Cd × Ch × Csm) was verified using field and UAV-based hyperspectral datasets of winter-wheat and summer-maize at three growth stages. Our results indicate that UAV-based VGC-AGB (R2 = 0.92–0.93, RMSE = 68.82–75.15 g/m2) is superior to the statistical regression model that is based on remote sensing SIs and CSMs (R2 = 0.77, RMSE = 134.94 g/m2). The results indicate that the UAV-based VGC-AGB supports the analysis of crop photosynthetic product transfers and high-performance UAV-based high-performance non-destructive AGB monitoring.

A Machine Learning-Based Assessment of Maize Silage Dry Matter Losses by Net-Bags Buried in Farm Bunker Silos

Estimating the dry matter losses (DML) of whole-plant maize (WPM) silage is a priority for sustainable dairy and beef farming. The study aimed to assess this loss of nutrients by using net-bags (n = 36) filled with freshly chopped WPM forage and buried in bunker silos of 12 Italian dairy farms for an ensiling period of 275 days on average. The proximate composition of harvested WPM was submitted to mixed and polynomial regression models and a machine learning classification tree to estimate its ability to predict the WPM silage losses. Dry matter (DM), silage density, and porosity were also assessed. The WPM harvested at over 345 (g kg−1) and a DM density of less than 180 (kg of DM m−3) was related to DML values of over 7%. According to the results of the classification tree algorithm, the WPM harvested (g kg−1 DM) at aNDF higher than 373 and water-soluble carbohydrates lower than 104 preserves for the DML of maize silage. It is likely that the combination of these chemical variables determines the optimal maturity stage of WPM at harvest, allowing a biomass density and a fermentative pattern that limits the DML, especially during the ensiling period.

Assessment of critical period for weeding and yield loss in direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa)

A field experiment was conducted at research farm of Regional Rainfed Lowland Rice Research Station, ICARNational Rice Research Institute, Gerua, Assam during two consecutive boro seasons of 2014–15 and 2015–16 to assess yield losses in direct seeded rice (DSR) under weeding times. There were two DSR establishment techniques (dry and sprouted seeding) in main plots and four weeding times (15, 30, 45 and 60 DAS) in sub plots. It was found that Scirpus juncoides, Echinochloa colona, Cyperus difformis, Cyperus iria, Monochoria vaginalis and Ludwigia octovalvis were the dominant weed species in shallow lowlands. DSR establishment techniques had non-significant effect on weed characteristics as well as growth, yield attributes and productivity of rice. Weed density of individual weed group and dry matter were significantly influenced by weeding times. Weeding at 15 DAS resulted in significantly low weed density and biomass as compared to weeding at 45 and 60 DAS. Growth and yield attributes, viz. plant height, panicles/m2, filled grains/panicle and fertility percentage were significantly higher and subsequently resulted in higher grain and straw yield under early weeding at 15 DAS. The highest grain yield losses due to weeds were calculated with weeding at 60 DAS (20.4%) followed by 45 DAS (15.8%) in DSR. Thus, early weeding in DSR plays an important role to obtain higher productivity of rice and minimise yield loss due to weeds.

Effect of acid based additive treatment of low dry matter grass crops on losses and silage quality in bunker silos

The large surface area of bunker silos imposes challenges with heating caused by plant respiration during initial ensiling. This study aimed to explore if application of a formic- and propionic acid-based additive would improve grass silage quality, reduce losses, and increase aerobic stability in bunker silos. At each of three harvests, every second tractor load was filled with either untreated or acid treated precision chopped crop, and ensiled in each of two identical bunker silos, 6 m × 27 m with three 3.5 m high walls, without roof. Each load in both bunker silos was compacted by two packing machines. Initially, an 8.3 t farm tractor worked for 10 min. followed by a 14.5 t wheel loader for 10 min. Silos were filled to approximately half of their capacity.Due to showers during all three harvests, crop dry matter (DM) concentrations were only 195, 186 and 213 g/kg, respectively. During unloading for feeding, silage DM density and DM concentrations were respectively 7% and 5% higher (P < 0.01) in acid treated (A) than in control (C) silage. This was presumably due to early cell rupture caused by the applied acid, and thereby higher effluent release from A than C silage. Additive treatment did not influence the amount of wasted silage. Invisible losses, that included crop respiration, effluent runoff, anaerobic fermentation, aerobic deterioration from the silo face, and gaseous losses were numerically higher in A than C silos on fresh weight basis, but slightly lower on DM basis. The proportion of harvested crop DM that was offered to animals was 837 and 829 g/kg for A and C silage, respectively (NS).Additive treatment reduced the proportion of non-protein N in total N, restricted silage fermentation to lactic and acetic acid, reduced NH3-N-values, and increased ethanol fermentation (P < 0.01). Silage DM intake index was higher for A than C silage (P < 0.001). Aerobic stability was not significantly influenced by additive treatment. The concentration of spores of Clostridium tyrobutyricum in spot silage samples from bunker silo faces was low or moderate, and did not differ according to additive treatment. Silo shoulder and side samples contained, however, significantly higher spore concentrations than mid and top samples.

The impact of different soil water levels on nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake, photosynthetic performance, and sugar distribution of sago palm seedlings

AbstractUnder high soil water levels, an imbalance occurs in the utilization of photosynthate between supporting vegetative growth and storage as starch. This results in a reduction in the density of dry matter in the stem and increased plant size. On the other hand, biomass yield and starch yield are considered to be low. This study examined the response of sago palm (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) seedlings to 50 and 80% soil water levels. To determine the response of the plant, several parameters were observed during the experiment: N, P, and K uptake, leaf photosynthesis, plant morphological growth, and sugar content in plants. It was found that the sago palm was able to show good growth performance under both 50 and 80% soil water levels. However, 50% soil water level is preferable due to trends in N, P, and K uptake, leaf photosynthetic rate, morphological growth performance, and also because no loss of starch is evident in the petiole or root.

Establishment of paiaguas palisadegrass in monoculture or in an integration system with other crops

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive and structural characteristics of Paiaguas palisadegrass established in monoculture and intercropped with agricultural crops in 2018 and 2019. The evaluated treatments were: Paiaguas palisadegrass (PP) in monoculture, PP intercropped with maize, PP intercropped with sorghum, and PP intercropped with soybean. The experimental design used was a randomized block, with 4 replications (plots of 160 m²). Sward height, tiller density, dry mass production, and bulk density of total dry matter, of leaves, of stems, and of dead material were evaluated. The data were analyzed using the Tukey test at 5% probability. The total dry mass was higher in intercropping than in monoculture. Paiaguas palisadegrass intercropped with maize showed lower productions of total dry mass, leaf blade, and stems. The percentage of leaf blades was higher in Paiaguas palisadegrass intercropped in 2018 and in monoculture and intercropped with maize and soybean in 2019. Higher percentages of stems were registered in Paiaguas palisadegrass in monoculture in 2018 and in intercropping with sorghum in 2018 and 2019. In general, higher heights were found in Paiaguas palisadegrass in monoculture and smaller when intercropped with maize. The highest tiller densities were observed in Paiaguas palisadegrass in monoculture and the lowest in Paiaguas palisadegrass intercropped with maize and sorghum. Intercropping with agricultural crops reduces the production of Paiaguas palisadegrass. The accompanying agricultural crops alter the composition of the forage produced by the Paiaguas palisadegrass.

COVER CROPS IN THE OFF-SEASON IN THE WEED MANAGEMENT AT NOTILLAGE AREA

ABSTRACT Cover crops can provide suppression of weeds and together with chemical control make the proper management of weeds in agricultural areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cover crop cultivation during the off-season on weed development in a no-tillage area. The experimental design was in randomized blocks scheme with six treatments and four replications. The treatments were: fallow (control), millet (Pennisetum glaucum) + crotalaria (Crotalaria spectabilis + C. juncea + C. ochroleuca), millet + pigeon pea (Cajanus cajans), millet + Urochloa ruziziensis, millet + Urochloa ruziziensis + pigeon pea and millet + buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum. The evaluations were done at 30, 75 and 225 days after sowing of the cover crops (DAS). The main growth weed species in the area were Cenchrus echinathus, Euphorbia heterophylla and Digitaria insularis. Fallow treatment showed greater number of weed species with density of 184 plants m-2, 9.0 species and with 527.8 g m-2 of dry matter mass at 225 DAS. In all treatments verified reduction in the density and mass of weeds dry matter compared to the fallow, with average of 30 plants m-2, 5.8 species and 7.9 g m-2 at 225 DAS, respectively. The use of cover crops is an important strategy for weed control in agricultural areas.

Role of organic and ceramic biomaterials on bone healing and regeneration: An experimental study with significant value in translational tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

We investigated the role of various biomaterials on cell viability and in healing of an experimentally induced femoral bone hole model in rats. Cell viability and cytotoxicity of gelatin (Gel; 50 µg/µl), chitosan (Chi; 20 µg/µl), hydroxyapatite (HA; 50 µg/µl), nanohydroxyapatite (nHA; 10 µg/µl), three-calcium phosphate (TCP; 50 µg/µl) and strontium carbonate (Sr; 10 µg/µl) were evaluated on hADSCs via MTT assay. In vivo femoral drill-bone hole model was produced in rats that were either left untreated or treated with autograft, Gel, Chi, HA, nHA, TCP and Sr, respectively. The animals were euthanized after 30 days. Their bone holes were evaluated by gross-pathology, histopathology, SEM and radiography. Also, their dry matter, bone ash and mineral density were measured. Both the Gel and Chi showed cytotoxicity, while nHA had no role on cytotoxicity and cell-viability. All the HA, TCP and Sr significantly improved cell viability when compared to controls (P<0.05). Both the Gel and Chi had no role on osteoconduction and osteoinduction. Compared to HA, nHA showed superior role in increasing new bone formation, mineral density and ash (P<0.05). In contrast to HA and nHA, both the TCP and Sr showed superior morphological, radiographical and biochemical properties on bone healing (P<0.05). TCP and Sr showed the most effective osteoconduction and osteoinduction, respectively. In the Sr group, the most mature type of osteons formed. Various biomaterials have different in vivo efficacy during bone regeneration. TCP was found to be the best material for osteoconduction and Sr for osteoinduction.

Compaction of chopped material in a mini silo

The aim of the study was to explain the effect of pressure and compaction time, number of layers and compaction cycles of biomass from six energy plant species intended for silage on the density of mini silos as well as energy consumption and compaction indicators. A mathematical model was developed to predict the silage density against changed process factors. Chopped biomass was compacted in four layers using three cycles at 17–63 kPa pressure and 6–10 s per cycle. The greatest changes in compacted density were achieved in the first cycle of the first layer. At subsequent stages, the recompression curves were steeper, and more stable and higher densities were obtained. For giant knotweed the required silage dry matter density of 225 kg m−3 was achieved for plants at the physiological maturity stage, with a lower moisture content of 23.6%, than that obtained for plants harvested in June. The silage density was greater for deciduous plants (Virginia mallow and Jerusalem artichoke, but not giant knotweed) than that for grasses (miscanthus, Spartina pectinata, and big bluestem); this result was due to the lower moisture and to differences in the structure of the shoots. Silage density describes the model well in terms of pressure, number of layers, compaction time, particle size and dry matter.

Losses and grass silage quality in bunker silos compacted by tractor versus wheel loader

The study aimed to explore whether an increase in bunker silage density obtained by turning to a heavier packing machine than a farm size tractor would reduce losses and improve grass silage quality and aerobic stability. At each of three harvests, two bunkers were packed with either a 14.5 t wheel loader (WL) or an 8.3 t tractor (T). For comparison with the bunker silages, silage was produced simultaneously in round bales with high and low chamber pressure and wrapped immediately or after delay, and in laboratory silos.Compaction with WL increased silage dry matter (DM) density by 9 % compared with T, from 204 to 222 kg DM/m3. On average for three harvests, DM recovered as silage, or lost, was almost identical for the two packing treatments, with 870 g/kg of harvested DM recovered as feed offered to animals, 55 g/kg as wasted silage, and 75 g/kg as invisible losses due to respiration, effluent, fermentation and aerobic deterioration. However, in the harvest with lowest crop DM content, 266 g/kg, invisible DM losses with WL exceeded losses with T by 46 g/kg, of which the main portion was assumed to be caused by more effluent squeezed out by the WL. In the harvest with highest crop DM, 332 g/kg, invisible DM losses with T exceeded losses with WL by 43 g/kg, of which the main portion was assumed to be caused by poorer compaction with T, and therefore higher respiration and aerobic deterioration losses. Wasted silage DM was lower in bales than in bunkers (P = 0.004). The proportion of offered silage DM from poorly compacted bales sealed after delay (867 g/kg) was similar to that of bunkers, whereas the proportion of offered silage DM from well compacted and immediately sealed bales (963 g/kg) was similar to that of laboratory silos.Significant increases in protein bound in the neutral detergent and acid detergent fiber fractions were found in bales sealed after delay where temperatures had rised to 47 °C at wrapping. Similar levels of fiber bound protein were found in bunker silage, suggesting that they were also heated during filling. Spot samples from bunker silo shoulders were more infected by yeasts, moulds and Clostridium tyrobutyricum than samples from mid in bunkers and from bales. No differences in losses, silage composition or aerobic stability were observed between bunker silo packing with WL or T on average over three harvests.

The influence of different carrier agents and drying techniques on physical and chemical characterization of Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) microencapsulation powder

Fruit powders can become a new and innovative direction of using the potential of Japanese quince (JQ) fruit in an affordable form. Therefore, physical (dry matter, true and bulk density, porosity and color) and chemical parameters of JQ juice powders obtained by using different carrier agents and drying techniques were evaluated. The juice was mixed with maltodextrin, inulin and a mixture of both in different proportions and dried using freeze, spray, and vacuum (50, 70, and 90 °C) drying techniques. The identification and quantification of phenolic compounds in JQ juice powders were performed by LC–PDA–QTOF–MS and UPLC-PDA, respectively, while antioxidant capacity was measured using ABTS, FRAP and ORAC assays. In addition, enzymatic in vitro inhibition tests of α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, acetylcholinesterase and 15-lipoxygenase were performed. Among the drying techniques applied, freeze-drying resulted in the highest retention of polyphenols, while among the carrier agents maltodextrin was found to be the best biopolymer for obtaining high-quality fruit powder and also ensured powders with the lowest content of undesirable hydroxymethylfurfural.

The Effects of The Oxytocin Hormone Induction on The Value of The Composition of Etawah Crossbred Goat Milk

This study aims to see the extent of influence of oxytocin hormone induction on the nutritional composition of milk in the Etawah Crossbred goat. This research was conducted in December 2018 in Syiah Kuala District, Banda Aceh, Indonesia. The examined parameters were the levels of fat, nonfat dry matter (BKTL), protein content, lactose content and milk density. The research used 18 Etawah goats and oxytocin hormone. A statistical unpaired t test indicated a highly significant influence (P &lt;0.01) on the increase of milk fat injected with oxytocin hormone, i.e. 4.86% or 37.2% or higher than that without hormone injection. The milk density results showed a significant effect (P &lt;0.05) on the decrease in goat milk density (28.81% ) which was lower by 10.65% from that without hormone treatment. The level of nonfat dry matter (BKTL), protein content and lactose content had no effect (P&gt; 0.05) in milk, i.e. 8.39%, 3.91% and 3.76%, respectively. In conclusion, hormone oxytocin injection had a highly significant effect on increasing milk fat levels and significantly affected the decrease in milk density but did not affect the level of nonfat dry matter (BKTL), lactose and protein.

Fortification of sweet potato progenies for enhanced root dry matter and micro-nutrient density through genetic recombination

Experiment was conducted in the rainforest agro-eco-zone of Southeastern Nigeria under rain fed condition at the sweet potato breeding ground of National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Nigeria to generate 10,000 botanical seeds for further evaluation for high root yield, dry matter and micro-nutrient content, to identify high flowering parent(s) and to select compatible parent(s) for further genetic recombination. The treatment which consisted of 14 parents of bi-parental crossing was laid out in a randomized complete block design with seven parents, each per plot per block and replicated three times while the other seven parents were maintained in different plots as pollen donors. Data collected were on: total number of emerged flowers visually counted, total number of flowers covered, total number of flowers pollinated, total number of capsules formed, total number of flowers aborted, total number of seeds obtained from crosses, number of good seeds, number of unfilled seeds, percentage of good seeds. Data collected were statistically analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 15.0). Differences between means were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA) while means separation was done using standard error of difference means at 5% probability. The results obtained showed that despite the seemingly high total number of flowers produced from the controlled crosses (14520), only 17.4% of this figure yielded good seeds. The objective of realizing 10,000 botanical seeds through the hand pollination was not achieved as a result of high flower abortion arising probably from moisture stress which was severe during seed filling. The variety Tio-joe gave the highest flower production of 2334. The relatively high number of capsules of 347obtained from the cross between UMUSPO 3 and NRSP/2 indicated high compatibility between the two parents which suggested that the two parents could be used for further recombination for micro-nutrient enhancement.

Application of amylase rich flours of corn and sweet potato to the reduction of consistency of cassava and corn gruels

The aim of this work is to improve the flow velocities and energy density of the gruels. To lead this study, flours of cassava, sweet potato, and corns have been using. The method consist in characterization of different flours and evaluate the effect of incorporation of amylase rich flours on the gruels consistency, concentration in dry matter and energy density. Of these different analyses, it comes out again that nutritional composition, functional, and physical properties depend on the nature and the treatment applied on the flours. These parameters also affect the amylases activities. The results show that after incorporation of different amylases rich flours, we have observed a strong increase in the flow velocity close to 450 mm/30 s, an increase in the concentrations in dry matter of the gruels to more than 20 g of DM and an increase in the energy density by factors understood between 1.2 and 5.48. Practical applications In developing countries, weaning foods are essentially rich in starch, which swells during the cooking and gives a viscous character, indigested, and difficult to swallow by the child. This terrible observation leads mothers to dilute these gruels. This dilution solves the viscosity problem but affects the nutritional and energy value of these gruels already devoid of proteins and lipids. The Cameroonian flora is full of a multitude of plants such as new varieties of corn, cassava, and sweet potato that could help solve this problem. This led us to evaluate the effect of the incorporation of sweet potato and germinated corn flour as a source of amylase on the energy density, consistency, and nutritional value of corn and cassava gruels.

Leaf functional trait variation in a humid temperate forest, and relationships with juvenile tree light requirements.

The species-rich arborescent assemblages of humid tropical forests encompass much of the known range of the leaf economics spectrum, often including >20-fold variation in leaf lifespan. This suite of traits underpins a life-history continuum from fast-growing pioneers to slow-growing shade-tolerant species. Less is known about the range of leaf traits in humid temperate forests, and there are conflicting reports about relationships of these traits with the light requirements of temperate evergreen angiosperms. Here I quantify the range of leaf functional traits in a New Zealand temperate evergreen forest, and relationships of these traits with light requirements of juvenile trees and shrubs. Foliage turnover of saplings of 19 evergreen angiosperms growing beneath gaps (12–29% canopy openness) and in understories (1.2–2.9%) was measured over 12 months. Dry mass per area (LMA), dry matter content, thickness, density and nitrogen content (N) of leaves were also measured. Species minimum light requirements were indexed as the 10th percentile of the distribution of saplings in relation to canopy openness. Interspecific variation of leaf lifespan was ∼6-fold in gaps (0.6 to 3.8 yrs), and ∼11-fold in the understorey (0.7 to 7.7 yrs). Six small tree and shrub species are effectively leaf-exchangers, with leaf lifespans of c.1 year in gaps—albeit usually longer in the shade. Interspecific variation in other leaf traits was 2.5 to 4-fold. Lifespans and LMA of both sun and shade leaves were negatively correlated with species light requirements i.e., positively correlated with shade tolerance. However, light environment (gap vs shade) explained about the same amount of variation in LMA as species’ identity did. Species light requirements were not significantly correlated with leaf N, dry matter content, density or thickness—except for a marginally significant correlation with dry matter content of shade leaves. Species light requirements were thus less consistently related to leaf structural traits than appears to be the case in humid tropical forests. Whereas the wide interspecific variation in leaf economic traits of tropical rainforest species outweighs plastic response to light availability, temperate evergreen woody angiosperms appear to occupy a narrower range of the leaf economic spectrum. Standardization of the light environments in which LMA is measured is vital in comparative studies of humid temperate forest evergreens, because of countergradient responses of this trait to light, and because of the relative magnitudes of plastic and interspecific variation in LMA in these forests.

Functional diversity and composition of Caatinga woody flora are negatively impacted by chronic anthropogenic disturbance

Abstract Tropical plant assemblages can be taxonomically and phylogenetically impoverished by chronic anthropogenic disturbance (CAD), such as firewood collection and extensive grazing. However, to what extent the functional dimension responds to CAD is still unclear. Such knowledge is urgently required for predicting, preventing or even reversing the impacts of CAD. Chronic anthropogenic disturbance may operate as an ecological filter by selecting functional trait values (e.g. low wood density), thereby altering the functional composition and diversity of plant assemblages. We tested this hypothesis using 29 woody plant assemblages across three ontogenetic stages (seedlings, saplings and adults) in a 220‐km2 landscape of the Caatinga, northeast Brazil. We adopted a CAD index consisting of four indicators (proximity to urban centre and houses and the density of both people and livestock) and tested how well it explained the functional diversity and effect sizes (richness, evenness and dispersion) and composition (community‐weighted mean). Chronic anthropogenic disturbance affected several functional metrics across the three ontogenetic stages. However, CAD effects were stronger in adult communities by negatively affecting functional richness, dispersion and their effect sizes. CAD also altered the functional composition of leaf mass per area, woody density and leaf area of adult assemblages. Sapling communities were affected in terms of functional composition (leaf area, leaf dry matter and wood density), with positive and negative effects, while seedling assemblages responded positively to CAD only in terms of functional evenness and its effect size. Some changes in functional metrics were influenced by dominant Euphorbiaceae species across ontogenetic stages, especially in terms of leaf area and woody density. Synthesis. Chronic anthropogenic disturbance is an important driver of plant‐community functional organization across ontogenetic stages in the Caatinga. Adult assemblages are particularly sensitive and tend to lose functional niche space and support more acquisitive rather than conservative strategies as chronic anthropogenic disturbance increases. The proliferation of Euphorbiaceae disturbance‐adapted species can explain part of the community responses to chronic anthropogenic disturbance. Our findings highlight the ecological effects of chronic anthropogenic disturbance and show that it is a key influence on tropical biotas. Changes in plant functional traits associated with plant resource use are likely to affect ecosystem functioning and services provided by Caatinga.