Good Fertility Research Articles

<b>Performance of Candidate Varieties of Basmati Rice in Uniform Yield Trials</b>

The primary focus of rice breeding research is now on developing high-yielding rice varieties with early maturing and physio-chemical features, such as improved cooking quality, aroma, and extra-long grain. This shift in focus is driven by the growing global demand for high-quality rice. Using traditional breeding methods to trait pyramid these extremely important traits while maintaining yield and quality is a challenging task. Good grain quality(aromatic), fertilizer responsiveness, and high-yielding varieties can help the farmers in Pakistan to increase their revenue despite global population growth and changing international market patterns. At the Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku (RRI KSK), new, improved, high-yielding, extra-long grain lines with the qualities of early maturity, small stature, and good cooking with aroma are being developed through traditional breeding methods. The present study aimed to assess the genetic variability of these lines in terms of paddy yield and to discover superior high-yielding cultivars suitable for widespread cultivation. There were notable variations in paddy yield among the different entries in the pooled analysis. The highest average paddy yield (5010 Kg/ha) was seen in entry 10640-10-1-1-1, followed by entry 10684-3-1-2 (4990 Kg/ha) and PK 10434-6-2-1 (4550 Kg/ha) and suggested for general cultivation based on their mean paddy yield. A strong positive correlation was seen between the grain thickness grading of over 2.2 mm and the number of panicles per plant. The overall quality of the Uniform Yield Trials of Fine rice samples can be reported as excellent for PK 10306-15-5, PK PB-8 and PK 10678-2-1-1 over check Basmati-515. There will be a simultaneous increase in grain yield with improvements in these qualities.

Feasibility of organic fertilizer from poultry waste

All plant cultivation depends on good fertilization, be it chemical or organic. The general aim of this work is to assess the viability of organic fertilizer made from poultry waste. Its specific objectives are to characterize the chemical and physical properties of organic fertilizer from poultry waste, formulate doses of organic fertilizer from poultry waste, draft a technical scientific methodology for the use of organic fertilizer from poultry waste, propose a technical recommendation on the use of organic fertilizer from poultry waste and create a technical scientific protocol on the use of organic fertilizer from poultry waste. The data collected was submitted to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using the F test (P≤0.05), and regression analysis (P≤0.05) was carried out for the doses of organic fertilizer from poultry waste, with the choice of mathematical models based on the coefficient of determination (R2). The results show that the dose of 310 grams of organic material per square meter of soil (100% of the recommended dose) provides the best results.

Crop Nutrition and Soil Fertility Management in Organic Potato Production Systems

Organic farming is a comprehensive production management system that fosters and improves the health of agroecosystems, encompassing biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a crucial crop in organic farming systems, standing out as one of the most highly demanded organic products on the market. Among all crops, with potatoes, there is a very large yield gap between organic and conventional systems, attributable mainly to its intensive nutrient demands. The present review, considering the most relevant scientific literature worldwide, discusses the contemporary state of knowledge on crop nutrition and soil fertility management in organic potato crop production, analyzing the effects of animal manures, green manures, organic amendments, and biostimulants on organic potato tuber yield and quality. Overall, the main findings show a particular combination is needed to effectively maintain good soil fertility, satisfy the nutritional needs of the crop, and overcome the difference in potato yield between organic and conventional farming methods while meeting consumer demand. This combination entails using an animal manure or leguminous green manure with an organic soil amendment, and even better with a biofertilizer, such as a mycorrhizae-fungus-based one. It also emerged that more targeted studies are needed to select appropriate cultivars for organic potato farming systems to optimize this environmentally friendly production method.

Fertility and quality of arable soils in Poland: spatial–temporal analysis of long-term monitoring

Soil quality is a globally important issue from the point of view of food production, maintenance of appropriate environmental quality and ecological balance. Assessing its quality and fertility using indices is one of the methods that make it possible to formulate recommendations for good soil management. The aim of the study was, therefore, to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of soil properties in the context of soil quality assessment (SQI) and soil fertility assessment (SFI, SEF, NIV, and SSFI) using the example of a Central European country (Poland). The inverse distance-weighted spatial interpolation technique was used to estimate the spatial distribution of soil quality and fertility indicators. So far, no research has been carried out that would include a comprehensive analysis of soil fertility and quality indicators in such a large research area over many years. The results of 216 points of monitoring the chemistry of arable soils in Poland from the period 1995–2020 for 28 physicochemical soil parameters were considered. The analyses carried out showed significant variability in the properties of the described soils in Poland, as evidenced by the principal component analysis (PCA) and the coefficient of variation (exceptions: bulk density, pH). It was found that heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Cu) were responsible for the deterioration of soil properties. The results obtained for different indices were different (SFI – most soils with good fertility, SEF – high fertility, NIV – soils highly enriched with nutrients, SQI – average soil quality). It was found that the SSFI is the most appropriate indicator among the analyzed indicators for Polish conditions in relation to arable soils, as it is adapted and calibrated to the specifics of this area. The Spearman correlation matrix showed that the largest group of statistically highly significant parameter pairs belonged to heavy metals (Ni/Zn, Zn/Pb, Zn/Cu, Ni/Cu). In contrast, the strongest correlations were recorded for Ni (with effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), Mn, Mgav, Zn, Cu). The assessment revealed limiting factors and temporal trends in the overall evaluation of the quality of the country’s agricultural soils, which are important from the point of view of both sustainable development and agricultural production.

P-060 When is it the sperm’s fault? The incidence of sperm-related poor fertilization after ICSI in 13,859 matched oocyte donation cycles

Abstract Study question What is the true incidence and impact of male factor-related poor fertilization in ICSI cycles when analyzed using matched pairs of high quality donor oocytes? Summary answer In ICSI cycles with donor oocytes, male factor-related poor fertilization occurs in 3.3% of cases and contributes to 86.7% of all poor (<30%) fertilization outcomes. What is known already Opting for oocyte donation is a complex decision for couples, involving significant financial and long-term implications. This decision is typically prompted by presumed female infertility as male fertility diagnostics remain limited. Although ICSI is a highly effective treatment, cases of poor or complete fertilization failure can still occur, even when sperm parameters appear normal. This suggests the presence of unidentified male-related factors. However, the precise incidence of such factors remains poorly understood. This study aims to address this gap, offering a unique perspective, by employing a matched oocyte donation model to investigate the influence of sperm-related factors on fertilization outcomes. Study design, size, duration This retrospective cohort study analyzed 14,928 oocyte donation ICSI cycles, derived from 7,519 ovarian stimulations (OS) of 2,963 unique oocyte donors. The data were from a single center from January 2015 to December 2022. Sibling oocytes from the same OS were utilized for at least two different recipients (n = 13,859), facilitating comparisons under varying paternal conditions. Participants/materials, setting, methods Cases from the same oocyte lot with poor (<30%) and good (>65%) fertilization rates were matched to isolate sperm-related factors influencing fertilization success. Paired t-tests were used to compare outcomes. Ordinary least squares regression was used to isolate variables associated with poor fertilization, such as oocyte status (fresh versus vitrified), sperm origin (partner versus donor) and the presence of severe male factor (defined as a concentration of < 1 million/mL and/or <1% progressive motility). Main results and the role of chance The mean fertilization rate was 73.0% across all cycles analyzed. The incidence of poor fertilization (≤30%) was found to be 3.8% across the entire cohort (532 out of 13,859 cycles). Of these, 86.7% (461/532) cases using the same oocyte lot could be matched to cases with high fertilization rates (>65%) in other recipient cycles (n = 1,441), indicating that poor fertilization was male-related. We observed comparable numbers of inseminated oocytes between matched cases with high and low fertilization (7.23 ± 1.32 and 7.42 ± 1.42, respectively, p = 0.011), while the mean number of fertilized oocytes (1.44 ± 0.77 versus 6.12 ± 1.36, p = <0.001) and mean fertilization rates (20% versus 83%, p < 0.001) differed significantly. Notably, oocyte vitrification and the presence of a severe male factor negatively affected fertilization outcomes (coeff. -0.0898, p < 0.001 and coeff. -0.1500, p < 0.001, respectively). Nevertheless, the majority of poor fertilization cases (92.7%) occurred in the absence of these factors, underscoring the limitations of conventional semen diagnosis tests as predictors of poor fertilization. Across the entire cohort male factor alone accounted for 3.3% (461/13,859) of cycles with <30% fertilization rates. Furthermore, sperm-related factors were the primary cause of poor fertilization outcomes in oocyte donation cycles, accounting for 86.7% of cases. Limitations, reasons for caution Certain variables were not analyzed due to the retrospective nature and extended timeframe of the study. The matched oocyte model may overlook certain non-male factor-related instances of poor fertilization, such as procedural or technical issues. Wider implications of the findings This extensive analysis emphasizes the clinical relevance of male factor in fertilization outcomes, highlighting the need for improved semen diagnosis. It also indicates the importance of considering male-related factors in treatment decisions and shifting the focus from female-centric to more balanced fertility evaluations. Trial registration number Not applicable

Soil fertility based on mineralogical properties to support sustainable agriculture management

<p>Detailed information on soil mineral composition has been crucial in providing the basis for designing sustainable agricultural practices, as this information offers long-term insights into natural soil fertility. This research aimed to further investigate the characteristics of soil mineral composition as a basis for managing soil fertility. Three soil profiles representing three different parent materials have been examined in the field, and soil samples have been collected for laboratory analysis. Profile 1 originates from the Raung Volcano Rock Formation (Qhvr). Profile 2 originates from the Sukamade Formation (Toms). Profile 3 originates from Puger Formation (Tmp). The presence of Mount Raung volcanic influence results in distinct soil characteristics in Profiles 2 and 3 compared to typical sedimentary and karst rock soils. The sand fraction minerals in all three profiles are predominantly composed of opaque minerals, followed by rock fragments, ferromagnesian mineral series (olivine, augite, hypersthene, and hornblende), plagioclase minerals (anorthite, biotite, and labradorite), iron concretions, epidote, and tourmaline. The clay fraction minerals in all three profiles consist of illite, kaolinite, and quartz. The minerals illite and ferromagnesian groups in all three profiles play a significant role in increasing the availability of potassium, calcium, and magnesium nutrients, thereby reducing the need for fertilizers for these elements. The soils in all three profiles naturally possess good fertility; however, designing a sustainable agricultural system requires consideration of the morphology, landform, and climate of all three profiles.</p>

Evaluation of Various Concentrations of Rumen Waste in making Liquid Organic Fertilizer

Slaughterhouses are known as places to produce meat for human consumption. On the other hand, slaughterhouses produce livestock waste, one of which is rumen. The rumen's high nutrient and microbial content provide an excellent opportunity for its use as liquid organic fertilizer for plant growth and development. However, evaluation of rumen addition concentration during the manufacture of liquid organic fertilizer is still scarce and needs to be carried out. Therefore, this research aims to obtain a suitable rumen addition formulation for making liquid organic fertilizer. Rumen waste was varied in 4 concentrations, namely 20%, 40%, 60% and 80%. Supporting ingredients, such as laos, ginger, turmeric, galangal, and rice washing water, are mixed with the rumen, which is then incubated for 15 days to obtain liquid organic fertilizer. Analysis of total nitrogen content, C/N ratio, total phosphate, total potassium, total microbes, and physical characteristics was carried out to evaluate the quality of liquid organic fertilizer. The results showed that the addition of 80% rumen was able to play a role in producing liquid organic fertilizer with high total nitrogen (2.35%), low C/N ratio (6.05), high total phosphate (1.19%), and high total potassium (1.75%). Furthermore, liquid organic fertilizer made with the addition of 80% rumen contains high total microbes (5.5 x 1010 CFU/mL), is bright brown, yellowish in color, and has an earthy aroma. This research indicates that adding 80% rumen can produce good quality liquid organic fertilizer. This information can be the basis for further research regarding the rumen potency as an ingredient of organic fertilizer.

Product regulation of potassium catalyzed pyrolysis of Chinese Baijiu grains: Towards the production of combustible gases and the reduction of tar formation

Engineering-scale conversion and utilization of Chinese baijiu grains (BG) is imperative for the sustainable development of Chinese Baijiu industry. In this study, we developed a facile catalytic pyrolysis of BG using potassium acetate and investigated the proportions of the solid, liquid, and gaseous products at different temperatures and catalyst loadings. Both parameters affected the product proportions, and the highest combustible gas content (83.3 % of total gaseous products) was observed with 1.0 mol/L potassium acetate at 800 °C. The catalyst also affected the proportion of liquid products. In particular, the bio-oil quality improved and the tar content decreased owing to a decrease in long-chain aliphatic acid and ester contents (<10 % of the total liquid products with 1.0 mol/L potassium acetate at 800 °C) and an increase in hydrocarbon content. In addition, the oxygenated groups in the biochar obtained after pyrolysis were bonded to K via K–O bonds, thus making K@biochar a good controlled-release potassium fertilizer. We believe that our catalytic strategy, which has the abovementioned multiple favorable outcomes, could promote commercial-scale valorization of BG.

Mineralogical Characteristics of Soils in Southern Taraba State Northeast, Nigeria

Mineralogy of fadama soils of southern Taraba state was carried alongside its influence on the soil’s physical and chemical properties. The three local government areas selected for this study were Ibi, Wukari and Donga. The mineralogical compositions of the soils were evaluated using the clay fraction. X- ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed ibi had quartz (21%), microcline (47%) and kaolinite (25%), Wukari Tsukundi had quartz (17%), microcline (20%) and kaolinite (32%), phlogopite (15.4%) and gibbsite (23%) while Donga had mineral composition of quartz (20%), microcline (33%) and kaolinite (47%) and therefore the clay minerals are interstratified (mixed mineralogy). The soil textures in these mapping units (MUs) are sandy clay loam (SCL), loam sand (LS) and sandy loam (SL) in the Ap horizons of pedons I, 2 and 3 respectively. The subsurface horizons are Silt Loam, SCL and LS. The silt clay ratio (SCR) indicated that the soils are relatively young soils with reserved weatherable minerals, mean SCR were 1.40, 1.50 and 4.00 in pedons 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The acidity decreased as the profile depth increased and it was moderately acidic soil with pH(KCl) ranged from 5.92- 4.75 for pedons. The delta pH (\(\Delta\)pH) of the soils showed all negative values; this indicated that the soil colloids contained appreciable silicate clay minerals with relatively constant surface charge while C/N ratios indicated advanced stage of organic matter decomposition. Percentage Al saturation to the TEA stood at 15%, 19% and 9% for pedons I, 2 and 3 respectively, The exchangeable Ca constitutes above 70 % of the total exchangeable bases (TEB). The percentage base saturation (%BS), was largely dominated by exchangeable cations in moderately to very high rating and their mean values are 80%, 77% and 74% for pedons I, 2 and 3 respectively. The arrays of minerals are at different stages of weathering- quartz and phlogopite at moderate stage of weathering, microcline at minimal stage of weathering while kaolinite and gibbsite are at intense weathering stages. These minimally and moderately weathered soils are generally considered to be of good fertility status. The soils were classified as Alfisols/Entisols mix.

Time and Doses of Bacillus Subtilis in Leaf Application of Bean Plants

Common beans P. vulgaris is an important food in the diet of the Brazilian population. Currently the use of microorganisms, such as B. subtillis, has been increasing significantly as an alternative to improve productivity of beans. The objective of this research was to identify the ideal dose of the commercial product (Panta Premium) based on B. subtilis, the best time and doses for leaf application, grain yield and its components and seed quality of bean. The statistical design was randomized blocks arranged in a factorial scheme (3 x 6) with four replicates. Three application times (V3, V4, and R5 stages) and six doses of the inoculant based on B. subtilis - strain UFMT Pant001 (0, 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 mL per ha-1) were assessed. The number of pods per plant, number of grains per plant, number of grains per pod, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, seed germination, vigor test, first germination count, and accelerated aging test were evaluated. That the 1000-grain weight was not influenced by the different doses and times of B. subtilis application. Positive linear regression with an increase in the number of pods per plant as the dose of inoculant (mL ha-1) increased when applied at the R5 stage. V3 and V4 stages, there was a linear increase (43,1 e 28,4% respectively) in the number of grains per plant as the dose of B. subtilis increased. At the R5 stage, as seen at the V3 and V4 stages, there is a linear behavior where the number of grains per plant increases as the dose of the inoculant based on B. subtilis increases. the results show that both the dose and the time of application of B. subtilis showed influence on the physiological quality of the seed. The increasing doses of B. subtilis strain UFMT Pant001 increased grain yield compared to the control. The leaf application of Bacillus subtilis strain UFMT Pant001 at stage R5 increased the number of pods and grains per plant and grain yield, regardless of the dose. The leaf application of B. subtilis strain UFMT Pant001 increased the physiological quality of the seeds, attributed to the good fertility of the soil at the site.

Strategi Pengembangan Padi Organik di Kabupaten Tasikmalaya

The development of organic rice has long been echoed in Indonesia as a sustainable agriculture system to produce healthy food and be environmentally friendly. The lower productivity of organic rice compared to conventional rice, less competitive marketing of organic rice, and limited availability of organic fertilizers in the field are the main reasons for the low adoption and development of organic rice by farmers, such as in the upland organic rice development area in Cipatujah, Tasikmalaya Regency. Socialization of organic rice cultivation techniques through organic fertilizer field schools and organic rice technical culture demonstration plots are efforts to increase farmers' adoption of organic rice. The field school is focused on making good quality organic fertilizer formulations in solid and liquid forms. In contrast, the organic rice cultivation demonstration plot aims to determine the dose of organic fertilizer to support optimal growth and productivity of organic rice plants. The solid organic fertilizer formulation produces good quality organic fertilizer with a pH of 8,54-8,71, C-organic content of 27,87-28,63%, C/N ratio of 18,96 – 21,60, and macronutrient contents (N+P2O5+K2O) of 4,67 – 5,13%. Liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) formulations have not produced excellent quality LOF, primarily related to the low pH (pH &lt;4) and low macronutrient contents (N+P2O5+K2O) of 0,49-2,16%. The growth of organic rice plants with a dose of 3 tons/ha (organic rice I) and 6 tons/ha (organic rice II) is slower than conventional rice (chemical fertilizer). At the same time, plant growth of organic rice III (dose 9 tons/ha) was better than conventional rice in terms of number of tillers and plant height.

Signatures of positive selection after the introduction of genomic selection in the Finnish Ayrshire population

The Finnish Ayrshire (FAY) belongs to the Nordic Red breeds and is characterized by high milk yield, high milk components, good fertility, and functional conformation. The FAY breeding program is based on genomic selection. Despite the benefits of selection on breeding values, autozygosity in the genome may increase due to selection, and increased autozygosity may cause inbreeding depression in selected traits. However, there is lack of studies concerning selection signatures in the FAY after genomic selection introduction. The aim of this study was to identify signatures of selection in FAY after the introduction of genomic selection. Genomic data included 45,834 SNPs. The genotyped animals were divided into 2 groups: animals born before genomic selection introduction (6,108 cows) and animals born after genomic selection introduction (47,361 cows). We identified the selection signatures using 3 complementary methods: 2 based on identification of selection signatures from runs of homozygosity (ROH) islands and one based on the decay of site-specific extended haplotype between populations at SNP sites (Rsb). In total, we identified 34 ROH islands on chromosomes 1, 3, 6, 8, 12-15, 17, 19, 22, and 26 in FAY animals born before genomic selection (between 1980 and 2011) and 30 ROH islands on chromosomes 1-3, 13-17, 22, and 25-26 in FAY animals born after genomic selection introduction (between 2015 and 2020). We additionally detected 22 ΔROH islands on chromosomes 2-3, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 25-26. Finally, a total of 31 Rsb regions on chromosomes 2, 3, 14, 18, 20, and 25 were identified. Based on the results, genomic selection has favored certain alleles and haplotypes on genomic regions related to traits relevant in the FAY breeding program: milk production, fertility, growth, beef production traits, and feed efficiency. Several genes related to these traits, e.g., PLA2G4A, MECR, CHUK, COX15, RICTOR, SHISA9, and SEMA4G overlapped or partially overlapped the observed selection signature regions. The association of genotypes within these regions and their effects on traits relevant in the FAY breeding program should be studied and genetic regions undergoing selection monitored in the FAY population.

77 years of uninterrupted agricultural research in Suceava

In 1946, by decision no. 1933 of the Ministry of Agriculture, the first agricultural research unit in the northern part of Moldova (the Suceava Experimental Agricultural Station, currently the Suceava Agricultural Research and Development Station) was established, as a necessity for the development of agriculture in Bucovina. After three years of operation in the submontane area from Ilisesti (19 km from Suceava), by decision no. 564249 of August 24 of the same ministry, the resort was transferred to Suceava. The area where the cantonment is located is individualized by specific pedoclimatic conditions, characterized by thermal restrictions, the non-uniformity of the hydrological regime — from insufficient to excessive — and by a great diversity of soil types, from soils with low fertility to those with good fertility. The consequence of this ecological diversity was, from the beginning, the need to diversify the concern related to research activity in response to solving the main problems of agriculture in the Suceava Plateau. If in the year of establishment (1946) the concerns were directed towards the cultivation of potatoes, meadows and fodder plants, over time it can be seen by following the evolution of concerns and the way of achieving the basic objectives of agricultural research, in Suceava, a continuous expansion of the problem areas addressed as well as the amplification of their complexity.

Ovarian reserve and fertility parameters in post-pubertal females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: a case-control study.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by impaired activity of the enzyme required for cortisol and aldosterone production, resulting in increased adrenal androgen synthesis. Factors affecting fertility in CAH patients include ambiguous genitalia and their complications, excessive androgen secretion, adrenal progesterone hypersecretion, and various psychosocial factors. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level is used to assess ovarian reserve in women. A few data on serum AMH levels in CAH patients are available in the literature. The aim of the study was to evaluate ovarian reserve in a group of post-menarche females diagnosed with CAH by measuring serum AMH level and assessing the number of antral follicles sonographically. A case-control study was conducted on 17 post-pubertal CAH females and 17 age-matched healthy female controls; the mean age of the patient group was 15.09±3.55 years ranging from 11 to 24 years, while the mean age of the control group was 16.04±3.72 years ranging from 12 to 25 years, the mean post-menarchal age of the patients group was 3.29±1.37 years ranging from 1 to 6 years while the mean post-menarchal age of the control group was 4.13±1.62 years ranging from 1 to 9 years. The degree of hirsutism was compared between the two groups according to the modified Ferriman-Gallwey score, clitoral length was assessed using a digital caliber. Serum levels of adrenal androgens in addition to basal levels of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, progesterone, and serum AMH were measured in both groups. Patients had smaller uterine volumes, and smaller ovarian volumes but a comparable number of antral follicles and comparable serum AMH levels relative to controls. Good compliance with treatment in patients with CAH results in good hormonal control, low risk of PCOS, good fertility parameters, and a good ovarian reserve.

Concentrated biogas slurry and biogas residue can improve the yield and quality of pepper.

The organic fertilizer (biogas slurry and biogas residues) was produced by the self-developed integrated device of "Pressure swirl / inclined plate sedimentation separation pretreatment (P/I) combined with ultrafiltration / reverse osmosis two stages membrane separation (UF/RO)". The paper focuses on the effect of concentrated biogas slurry and biogas residue produced by this technology on the yield and quality (vitamin C, soluble sugar, protein and nitrate content) of pepper as organic fertilizer compared with chemical fertilizer. The concentrated biogas slurry and biogas residue separated by this technology contained active substances such as N, P, K, trace elements and humic acids with stable composition and potential for good fertilization efficiency. The experiment of seed soaking for pepper sprouting confirmed the best effect of seed soaking with a concentration of 80% biogas slurry. Compared with chemical fertilizer treatment, the application of concentrated biogas slurry and biogas residue can improve the yield and quality of pepper, which is related to the nutrient elements in concentrated digestate. Meanwhile, the results of pepper cultivation trials show that the base fertilizer treatment of biogas residue is best with 2000kg/667m2 and foliar spraying of 75% biogas slurry. The results strongly demonstrate the great potential of the concentrated biogas slurry and biogas residue produced by the self-developed digestate concentration technology for pepper cultivation.

Application of Biomass Smoldering for Rural Building Heating in China: Strengths and Challenges.

Biomass smoldering for rural building heating could be a potential choice for bioenergy utilization in China to reduce the pollution caused by agroresidues open burning and to satisfy the increased demand of rural building heating. Its strengths include low pretreatment, transportation, and storage fees of fuel; ease of operation; good fertilizer characteristics of ash; use of latent heat of water vapor; pollution reduction; reduction of pests, weeds, and plant diseases on the farm; etc. However, controls of the burn rate and the gas emission are two challenges of the application, and related solutions of these challenges are discussed.

Relict of riparian floodplain forests: Natural distribution and ecology of Ulmus laevis in Switzerland

European white elm (Ulmus laevis Pallas) is a typical species of riparian forest. In Switzerland, at the margin of its distribution range, this tree is rare and poorly known. Its naturalness was often debated, and the species was seen most often as only cultivated. We aimed to clarify its status, ecology and distribution with extensive field work and surveys in Switzerland, as well as historical investigations. Ulmus laevis has a scattered distribution along large rivers and lakes of Switzerland. It is found mainly on coarse, moderately calcareous soils with good fertility. It generally occurs in hardwood riparian forests and occasionally in softwood forests in more dynamic systems. Our findings indicate that U. laevis grows naturally in Switzerland. However, the channelization of the large rivers and stabilization of water levels of the main lakes during the 19th century have altered the alluvial dynamics necessary for U. laevis’ natural regeneration and thus its long-term survival. Therefore, U. laevis occurs today mainly as a relict species in ancient floodplain forests with altered dynamics. In this context, regeneration occurs only to a very limited extent and is scarcely sufficient for species persistence. With a total population of less than 1000 naturally occurring individuals, it belongs to the rarest and most threatened trees of Switzerland. By demonstrating the fact that this species was actually present originally in this country, we exemplify the need for a multi-faceted approach to answering questions on the original occurrence versus introduced character of a species, which is very important in regard to land use planning, conservation, and wise use of local plant resources.

METABOLITES AND SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS IN DIFFERENT BULLS FERTILITY

This study was investigated the relationship between Holstein bulls' fertility with some biomarkers (amino، fatty، and organic acids) and semen characteristics. The study included exploring the relationship among the fertility of Holstein bulls، several biomarkers، and semen characteristics in straws (20-25 straws/bull) preserved for three years. The cows were artificially inseminated (9-10 cows/bull) from semen. Based on the fertility rate، the bulls were divided into three groups، the first bulls of medium fertility (˂65%)، the second of good fertility (65-79%)، and the third of high fertility (&gt;80%). The semen characteristics were evaluated، and the concentration of some amino acids and organic fatty acids was measured in the seminal plasma of bulls using gas chromatography and HPLC. The results revealed significant differences in the fertility rate among the different groups of bulls in favor of the highly fertile bulls. The results did not show any differences in most of the characteristics of the semen، except for a significant increase in the percentage of live sperm in good bulls compared to highly fertile ones. There were no significant differences for all the concentrations of carboxylic and most amino and fatty acids concentrations، except for an increase in the concentration of glycine acid (P˂0.05) and a decrease in the concentration of omega 9 (P˂0.05) in the highly fertile bulls compared to the medium fertile ones. In conclusion، glycine and omega-9 in the seminal plasma of bulls can be regarded as biomarkers of their fertility and the level of carboxylic acids (volatile fatty acids) can be adopted as an indicator of semen quality or energy level in the diet

Efficient recovery of phosphate from urine using magnesite modified corn straw biochar and its potential application as fertilizer

Conventional phosphate fertilization is costly, carbon intensive, induces water pollution, and depletes natural phosphate ores, calling for alternative circular sources such as recycling phosphate from urine. However, actual phosphate adsorbents are moderately efficient and generate additional waste. Magnesite-modified biochar was synthesized by co-pyrolysis of corn straw and magnesite, which was used to adsorb phosphate in simulated urine. We compared the properties with other magnesium-based biochar materials and conducted pot experiments to assess feasibility of the saturated magnesite-modified biochar using as an alternative phosphate fertilizer. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of magnesite-modified biochar for phosphate in urine was 176.16 mg/g, with the primary adsorption mechanisms involving electrostatic attraction and ligand exchange. Pot experiments showed that after 21 days, the germination rate and plant height of plants were 5.0–5.8 and 9.4–10.0 times respectively higher than those of plants in soil without biochar application. Overall, the prepared magnesite-modified biochar promises as an adsorbent with dual benefits in water treatment and phosphorus recovery. The saturated magnesite-modified biochar is proved as a good alternative phosphate fertilizer with carbon fixation, emission reduction and phosphorus cycling functions.

Discoid excision for colorectal endometriosis associated infertility: A balance between fertility outcomes and complication rates

ObjectiveThe objective of our study was to study the impact of discoid excision for deep endometriosis (DE) with colorectal involvement on fertility outcomes. Methods49 patients with a desire for pregnancy treated with discoid excision for colorectal endometriosis in our endometriosis expert center between January 2015 and August 2020 were selected from our prospectively maintained database. Indications for surgery were either infertility and / or pelvic pain. Postoperative complications were graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Fertility outcomes, both spontaneous and post-ART pregnancies, were analyzed. ResultsAmong the 49 patients who underwent discoid excision exclusively (no other digestive resection) with a desire to conceive, 25 had a pregnancy after surgery and 24 did not. Double discoid excision was performed in 6.1 % of the cases (3/49). A colpectomy was performed in 12.2 % of the patients (6/49), and a protective stoma in 12.2 % (6/49). Fenestration of endometriomas was performed in 28.6 % of the patients (14/49), and parametrectomy in 40.8 % (20/49). The postoperative complication rate was 24.5 % (12/49) including 10.2 % (5/49) grade I, 12.2 % (6/49) grade II, and 2 % (1/49) grade III. Prior to surgery, 28 (57.1 %) patients had infertility including 13 (52 %) that successfully conceived following surgery and 15 (62.5 %) that remain infertile. Spontaneous pregnancy was achieved in 60 % (15/25) of infertile patients’ prior surgery. The live-birth rate in patients conceiving spontaneously was 75 % (12/16). ConclusionOur results support that discoid excision is safe and associated with good fertility outcomes. Whether first-line surgery using discoid excision is superior to first-line ART remains to be determined.