Field Of Agricultural Science Research Articles

Brazilian agricultural research in the Web of Science: a bibliometric study of scientific output and collaboration (2000-2011)

This paper presents an analysis of the scientific output and collaboration of Brazilian agricultural research in the Web of Science (WoS) during 2000-2011. A total of 45,163 documents were retrieved. Data analysis was conducted with the use of the softwares Bibexcel and Pajek. The results indicated that the number of Brazilian articles in the field of agricultural sciences indexed in WoS has increased by 344%; however, the main driver for this growth was the raise in the number of national journals indexed in the database. Although Brazilian articles have been found in 799 journals from 46 countries, 53.5% of the total production was published in national journals with low impact factor. The percentage of articles with multiple authors in the total volume of publications increased from 96.1% in 2000 to 98.4% in 2011. The proportion of articles in collaboration between institutions rose from 47.3%, in 2000, to 64.2%, in 2011. However, there was a decrease in publications with international collaboration from 21.7 % in 2000 to 15.4 % in 2011. The most important collaborative relationships were established with the U.S., France and Germany.

New editorial office

It is my great pleasure and honour to take over as the Editor of Journal of General Plant Pathology as of January 1, 2016. On behalf of the Phytopathological Society of Japan, I extend sincere gratitude to the former editorial team led by Dr. Hisashi Iwai, Kagoshima University, for their tremendous efforts. In keeping with their activities, the new editorial board will take responsibility for maintaining the integrity and further improving the quality of the Journal of General Plant Pathology during the next 2 years. The Phytopathological Society of Japan was founded in 1916 to promote phytopathology and disseminate knowledge of plant diseases and their control in Japan. The Society is proud to be one of the oldest leading academic societies in the field of agricultural science in Japan and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2015. Through the efforts and dedication of its members, it is today an international society. Part of this internationalization process was the launch of the Journal of General Plant Pathology in 1996, the main journal of the Phytopathological Society of Japan. It is important to sustain its remarkable history by continuing to improve the journal, fostering and developing the science of plant pathology and related areas by providing information that is accurate, reliable, and beneficial. The Journal of General Plant Pathology covers all areas of plant pathology: plant diseases and their control, including pathogen identification and characterization, disease physiology and biochemistry, molecular biology, morphology and ultrastructure, genetics, disease transmission, ecology and epidemiology, evolution, chemical and biological control, disease assessment, and other topics relevant to plant pathological disorders. The journal is published every 2 months and welcomes the submission of manuscripts from all areas of plant pathology and related topics. A new editorial system and publication format of the Journal of General Plant Pathology was also established over the 10 years. The Journal launched an online submission and tracking system (https://www.editorialmanage. com/jgpp/) in April 2007, substantially reducing editorial processing and review time and overall time until publication. In recent years, increases in the number of manuscript submissions and downloaded articles has helped raise its Impact Factor from 0.893 in 2013 to 0.966 in 2014. The Journal is also a member of the Committee on Publication of Ethics (COPE). We pledge to continue to develop the journal and to further its position as a leading world publication in the field of plant pathology. We cordially invite you to submit your best research papers to the Journal of General Plant Pathology.

Communication Skills of Agricultural Sciences University Teachers in Iran

This study concerns determining the factors that may influence the communication skill of those university teachers involved in the field of agricultural sciences in Iran. Accordingly, based on a cross-sectional survey method, a conceptual model of communication skill has been devised through reviewing the related literature. Next, the model was revised by the expert panel of the study into a seven-factor model with 58 variables. Then, this revised model was transformed into a questionnaire. Once the expert panel studied, revised and at last confirmed the questionnaire, it was submitted to the subjects, around 234 university teachers of agricultural sciences selected randomly from some main universities in Iran. In order to run Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA), the obtained data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 16.00). Consequently, EFA explained three factors such as naturalness, eloquentness and emotionalness as the main effective ones on teaching agriculture in the universities of Iran. Finally, it is worth mentioning that naturalness comprised six variables, eloquentness was consisted of eight variables and emotionalness concerned three variables.

A formação de Licenciados em Ciências Agrícolas/Agrárias: o conhecimento e suas conexões

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984644413683Este trabalho visa identificar os perfis de formação dos licenciados de Ciências Agrícolas/Agrárias e os objetivos dos cursos que formam estes profissionais no Brasil. Neste estudo exploratório, os dados foram coletados através da Internet no site do MEC e das Instituições de Ensino Superior. O perfil geralmente proposto na formação do professor em Ciências Agrícolas/Agrícolas é amplo, com atuação em diferentes campos das Ciências Agrárias com finalidades econômicas, mas com atenção às questões sócio-políticas e culturais presentes no meio rural brasileiro. Percebe-se a intenção de formar licenciados que atendam alguns aspectos ou demandas regionais e que estejam preparados para as questões da atualidade. Destaca-se a preocupação com o desenvolvimento de algumas competências importantes na formação do profissional que irá atuar na educação escolar.

The mechanisms of agricultural sciences, education and business integration

The current state of the agrarian economy of Ukraine requires a new system of innovative development of the agricultural sector and deepening the cooperation of central and local executive authorities to address the issues of functioning and development of agricultural education and science. The aim of this study is to develop an up-to-date organizational and economic mechanism of integration of agricultural sciences, education and business in Ukraine. Achieving the aims of the study was carried out using the methods of synthesis and comparative method, as well as the institutional approach framework. It permitted to take into consideration the complex nature of the relationship in the fields of agricultural sciences, education and business. An article covers the conceptual and practical framework of scientific integration of education and production and defines the institutional peculiarities of creation and functioning of an educational research and production cluster using as an example the experience of Zhytomyr National Agroecological University.

Rhetorical Structure of Research Articles in Agricultural Science

Although the rhetorical structure of research articles (RA) has been extensively examined from individual sections to complete IMRD sections regarding different disciplines, no research has been addressed to the overall rhetorical structure of RAs as a whole entity in the field of agricultural science. In this study, we analyzed 45 agricultural science RAs, using Kanoksilapatham’s (2005) model as an analytical tool. A sixteen-move structure was identified, 3 for the Introduction section, 5 for the Methods section, 4 for the Results section and 4 for the Discussion section, respectively. The rhetorical structure found in this study extends and refines previous models. In particular, the occurrences of moves in the sections of Methods and Results appear to be discipline-dependent. These results seem to indicate that the rhetorical structure of agricultural science RAs tend to have their own pattern, so that this study should benefit non-native scientists in general and non-native scientists in agricultural science in particular, not only allowing them to understand RAs better, but also helping them in their competition for international publication.

Characterization and Differentiation into Adipocytes and Myocytes of Porcine Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) could differentiate into various cell types including adipocytes and myocytes, which had important scientific significance not only in the field of tissue regeneration, but also in the field of agricultural science. In an attempt to exhibit the characterization and differentiation into adipocytes and myocytes of porcine BMSCs, we isolated and purified porcine BMSCs by red blood cell lysis method and percoll gradient centrifugation. The purified cells presented a stretched fibroblast-like phenotype when adhered to the culture plate. The results of flow cytometry analysis and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that the isolated cells were positive for mesenchymal surface markers CD29, CD44 and negative for hematopoietic markers CD45 and the adhesion molecules CD31. Cells were induced to differentiate into adipocytes with adipogenic medium containing insulin, dexamethasone, oleate and octanoate. Oil Red O staining demonstrated that the porcine BMSCs successfully differentiated to adipocytes. Moreover, the findings of real-time PCR and Western blotting indicated that the induced cells expressed adipogenic marker genes (PPAR-γ, C/EBP-α, perilipin, aP2) mRNA or proteins (PPAR-γ, perilipin, aP2). On the other hand, porcine BMSCs were induced into myoctyes with myogenic medium supplemented with 5-azacytidine, basic fibroblast growth factor, chick embryo extract and horse serum. Morphological observation by hochest 33342 staining showed that the induced cells presented as multi-nucleus muscular tube structure. And myogenic marker genes (Myf5, desmin) mRNA or proteins (Myf5, MyoD, myogenin, desmin) were found in the induced cells. In addition, the results of immunofluorescence staining revealed that myogenic marker (Myf5, MyoD, myogenin, desmin, S-MyHC) proteins was positive in the induced cells. Above all, these results suggested that the isolated porcine BMSCs were not only consistent with the characterization of mesenchymal stem cells, but also exhibited the multipotential capacity to form adipocytes and myocytes, which provided the basis to investigate the regulation mechanism involved in the selective differentiation of porcine BMSCs.

New editorial office

We are pleased to announce that the editorial baton has been passed to my colleagues and me from the editorial office led by Dr. Kazusato Ohshima (Saga University). As of January 1, 2014, we will assume responsibility for the editorial work for the Journal of General Plant Pathology. The editorial system and publication format of the Journal of General Plant Pathology have undergone various changes over the last 7 years. The Journal of General Plant Pathology launched an online submission and tracking system (https://www.editorialmanager.com/jgpp/) in April 2007, substantially reducing editorial processing and review time and overall time until publication. I am pleased with this progress and to announce to Society members that the impact factor of the Journal of General Plant Pathology in the 2013 fiscal year is now 0.893. These advances have resulted from the work of earlier editors and their colleagues, most of whom are members of the Phytopathological Society of Japan (PSJ). The Journal of General Plant Pathology covers all areas of plant pathology: plant diseases and their control, including pathogen identification and characterization, disease physiology and biochemistry, molecular biology, morphology and ultrastructure, genetics, disease transmission, ecology and epidemiology, evolution, chemical and biological control, disease assessment, and other topics relevant to plant pathological disorders. The journal is published every 2 months and welcomes the submission of manuscripts from all areas of plant pathology and related topics. The PSJ was founded in 1916 and is esteemed as one of the oldest and leading academic societies in the field of agricultural science in Japan. And in 2015, the PSJ will celebrate its 100th anniversary. In July 2013, we began publishing invited, commemorative reviews in each issue to celebrate the history of the Society by showcasing important research of Japanese plant pathologists. These reviews will continue into 2014 and should contribute to future advancements in agriculture and plant pathology. As the PSJ continues to evolve an international scientific organization devoted to the study of plant diseases and their control, we, the members of the Editorial Board, during our 2-year tenure will work to ensure that the journal continues to advance the Society and our science. We cordially invite you to submit your research papers to the Journal of General Plant Pathology.

Finite element modelling of the mechanical behaviour of onion epidermis with incorporation of nonlinear properties of cell walls and real tissue geometry

In the field of agricultural sciences, numerical modelling has proven to be a valuable tool in finding solutions to practical and scientific issues. In the present study a computational model of plant tissue that incorporates micro-scale geometrical features was developed to provide qualitative and quantitative predictions of the mechanical properties of onion (Allium cepa) epidermis. The simulations of cellular structure behaviour under various mechanical load conditions were carried out using the finite element method (FEM). The models were validated against experimental data from a tensile test of the real tissue strips. The models showed capabilities of simulating large strains (up to 25%) with nonlinear behaviour and produced force-strain curves that closely matched the experimental data. Also, a new insight into the relationship between microstructure and mechanical behaviour was provided for this type of material. The incorporation of the real microstructure resulted in a qualitative improvement of the mechanical characteristics obtained from FEM models of plant tissues. The ability to directly simulate the impact of changes in turgor pressure was limited due to the semi-three dimensional representation of tissue. The general behaviour of tissue resulting from the changes in turgor was approximated using the semi-solid protoplast that replaced the cells liquid. On the basis of a sensitivity analysis it was concluded that the validity of the results provided by the model is largely dependent on accurate measurements of cell wall thickness.

Farming system design to feed the changing world. A review

Agricultural production is unstable as a result of complex, dynamic and interrelated factors such as climate, markets and public policy that are beyond farmers’ control. Farmers must therefore develop new farming systems incorporating innovations in objectives, organization and practices adapted to changing production contexts. As a consequence, agronomists have expanded the “farming system design” field of research. A variety of quantitative and qualitative design approaches have been developed to support the analysis of current farming systems and the design and evaluation of alternatives. A comprehensive literature assessment is lacking for this emerging field of agricultural science. Here we review 41 farming system design approaches using computer models. Our main findings are the following: (1) the reviewed literature do not make reference to the theoretical approaches from the field of design science. (2) Two categories of farming system approaches can be distinguished: optimisation approaches, and participatory and simulation-based approaches. These two categories are connected to two of the main design science theories. (3) For optimisation approaches, farming system design is mainly seen as a problem-solving process. Emphasis is placed on the computational exploration of the solution space by a problem-solving algorithm. (4) For participatory and simulation-based approaches, conceptualization of the design problem is central to the farming system design process. The subsequent exploration of the solution space relies on the creativity of humans. (5) Optimisation approaches, and participatory and simulation-based approaches are oriented towards the development of exploitative rather than exploratory innovations. Exploitative innovations involve the exploitation of available knowledge while exploration innovations build on knowledge created in the course of the design process.

New editorial office

It is an immense pleasure and honour to take over as the Editor of Journal of General Plant Pathology as of January 1, 2012. The baton has been passed to me and my colleagues from the former editorial office led by Prof Tetsuro Okuno (Kyoto University), who has done so much to develop the journal. The editorial system and publication format of the Journal of General Plant Pathology have undergone various changes over the last 5 years. The Journal of General Plant Pathology launched an online submission and tracking system (https://www.editorialmanager.com/jgpp/) in April 2007. The system substantially reduces the editorial processing and review time and should result in a reduction of overall publication time. I am happy to announce that the impact factor of the Journal of General Plant Pathology, which was released for the first time in 2011, was 0.687. This results from the work of earlier editors and their colleagues, most of whom are members of the Phytopathological Society of Japan. The Journal of General Plant Pathology covers all areas of plant pathology: plant diseases and their control, including pathogen characterization, identification of pathogens, disease physiology and biochemistry, molecular biology, morphology and ultrastructure, genetics, disease transmission, ecology and epidemiology, evolution, chemical and biological control, disease assessment, and other topics relevant to plant pathological disorders. The journal is published every 2 months and welcomes the submission of manuscripts from all areas of plant pathology and related topics. The Phytopathological Society of Japan was founded in 1916 to promote and spread knowledge of plant diseases and their control in Japan, but has grown to become an international society. The society is proud to be one of the oldest leading academic societies in the field of agricultural science in Japan. In August 2011, our society had 1385 members including 16 overseas members, and in addition 271 student members. Part of the internationalization process has been the launch of the Journal of General Plant Pathology, the main journal of the Phytopathological Society of Japan. As my colleagues and I assume editorial responsibility for the Journal of General Plant Pathology, we hope to continue its remarkable history while continuing to improve the journal, fostering and developing the science of plant pathology and related areas by providing information that is accurate, reliable, and beneficial. I look forward to working with both the Associate Editors inside and outside of Japan, and the editorial office over the next 2 years. We intend to develop the journal and to maintain its position as a world leading publication in the field of plant pathology. I cordially invite you to submit your research papers to the Journal of General Plant Pathology.

A pragmatic approach to the macro-structure and metadiscoursal features of research article introductions in the field of Agricultural Sciences

Using Swales’ (1990, 2004) Create-A-Research-Space model (CARS) as an investigative tool and Hyland’s (2005) model of metadiscourse, this article reports on a pragmatic two-level rhetorical analysis of the constituent moves and steps of research article introductions and focuses on the identification and mapping of the metadiscoursal features most frequently employed to signal such moves. Findings reveal that the application of Swales’ CARS models shows no radical departure from the traditionally prescribed M1 + M2 + M3 rhetorical pattern, and unveil the existence of particular step combinational patterns to achieve different communicative purposes. On the one hand, a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the metadiscourse in the moves indicates that evidentials, transition markers and code glosses are the most pervasive interactive categories. On the other hand, interactional metadiscourse is best reflected through the use of hedges and boosters. It is through a balanced combination of these two types of metadiscoursal features that writers manage to guide readers through the argumentative nature of the introduction to position themselves within the wider research context while abiding by the politeness conventions that underlie academic writing. This study has pedagogical implications for the writing practices of native and non-native researchers and contributes to the widening of current research on the genre of the RA.

New editorial office

It is our pleasure to announce that the baton has been passed to me and my colleagues from the former editorial office led by Dr. Ichiro Uyeda (Hokkaido University), and we have assumed responsibility for editorial work for the Journal of General Plant Pathology as of January 1, 2008. The editorial system and publication format of the Journal of General Plant Pathology have undergone various changes over the last 8 years. The Phytopathological Society of Japan initiated the publication of the Journal of General Plant Pathology (vol. 66) as an international journal in 2000, replacing the former journal title, the Annals of the Phytopathological Society of Japan, and made Springer Japan its publisher in January 2003 (vol. 69). In April 2007, the Journal of General Plant Pathology launched an online submission and tracking system (http://www.editorialmanager.com/jgpp/). The new system substantially reduces the editorial processing and review time and should result in a reduction of overall publication time. The Journal of General Plant Pathology covers all areas of plant pathology: plant diseases and their control, including pathogen characterization, identification of pathogens, disease physiology and biochemistry, molecular biology, morphology and ultrastructure, genetics, disease transmission, ecology and epidemiology, chemical and biological control, disease assessment, and other topics relevant to plant pathological disorders. The journal is published every 2 months and welcomes submissions of manuscripts from all areas of plant pathology and areas related to plant pathology. The Phytopathological Society of Japan was founded in 1916 and is esteemed as one of the oldest and leading academic societies in the field of agricultural science in Japan. The society has been changing to become an international scientific organization devoted to the study of plant diseases and their control. Part of that process has been the launch of the Journal of General Plant Pathology, the main journal of the Phytopathological Society of Japan. As we assume editorial responsibility for the Journal of General Plant Pathology, we hope to continue its remarkable history while continuing to improve the journal, fostering and developing the science of plant pathology and related areas by providing information that is accurate, reliable, and beneficial. Toward that end, we cordially invite you to submit your research papers to the Journal of General Plant Pathology.

A Review of Research on Information Seeking Behaviour of Agricultural Scientists: International Perspectives

Information seeking behaviour is an essential component in the designing and developing of need based information centres for meeting the information requirements of users. The undertaken study is an output of doctorate research in which a comprehensive review research scanned in international context in the field of agricultural sciences. The study covers various facets related to information seeking behaviour, findings and their conceptual meanings. It includes about sixty five researches undertaken by foreign researchers in the agriculture sector. The findings of the studies are organised into various categories i.e., theories of information seeking; information needs; users characteristics; information browsing; information seeking; and information seeking behaviour. http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dbit.26.2.3677

An overview of 49 volumes of the Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science

(2003). An overview of 49 volumes of the Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science. NJAS: Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences: Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 119-131.

Status report of Indian scientific institutions/universities in the field of agricultural sciences on the basis of Indian Science Abstracts, 1990

119 Abstract. Describes the status of Indian scientific institutions/universities and their involvement in the developing areas of agricultural sciences. The analysis is based on the research output reported in various Indian agricultural journals of institutions/universities/learned societies/as­ sociations, etc., as recorded in Indian Science Abstracts 1990.

A PRACTICAL METHOD OF ESTIMATING DISEASE RESISTANCE IN CROP PLANTS

The need for the control of plant diseases is being increasingly recognized all over the world and a variety of preventive anc curative methods have been discovered and developed during the las century. The discovery of fungicides in the form of seed steeps, spray fluids and dusts, marks a distinct advance in agricultural science. But suci direct methods of disease control are at best palliatives of a temporary nature that their limitations are sufficiently patent to the farmer as well a: to the student of agriculture. Such methods are, moreover, found to be practicable and economical in so few cases that their successful application is bound to be restricted to a limited number of crop diseases even in the most agriculturally developed countries. Growing demand for disease resistant stock. The utilization of natura resistance as an indirect means of fighting pests and diseases is rapidly gaining popularity in the field of agricultural science. Consequently, plant pathologists all over the world are directing their efforts to exploit this avenue as the surest and, in the long run, the cheapest method of disease control. As instances of the achievements of scientists in producing plants resistant to diseases may be mentioned, blight-resistant potatoes, rust- resistant wheats, wilt-proof cottons, mosaic-free sugarcanes, canker-resis- tant apples, mildew-resistant roses, wilt-free melons, leaf-disease-resistant coffees, etc. These and several other achievements in this line have created an ever-growing demand for breeding crop plants which possess the natural resistance against almost every conceivable kind of disease.