Humid Season Research Articles

Seasonal Variation of Mycorrhizal Association (Root Colonization and Spore Density) in Selected Industrial Sites in Kota District of Rajasthan, India

This paper aims to assess the impact of seasonal variation on mycorrhizal association in selected industrial wastelands in the Kota district of Rajasthan. In the study mycorrhizal association was quantified in terms of percentage root colonization and spore density in three different seasons. The study was conducted during 2019-2021 and the data was collected for 3 seasons; summer (March-June), Rainy (July–October), and winter (November-February) to study the response to variable climatic factors to the root colonization and spore density of mycorrhiza. To determine the significance of variations in AMF spore density and percentage root colonization during different seasons, one-way ANOVA was performed. Results showed that in all the sites maximum mean spore density was observed in the summer (March-June) season but in the case of percentage root colonization, the value was found maximum in the humid season (July-October) in the control site whereas, in the three experimental sites, the maximum root colonization was observed in summer season (march-June). Hence, it may be concluded that hot climatic condition is favourable for mycorrhizal spore formation and root colonization was also favoured by hot climate.

Seasonal differences in intestinal flora are related to rats' intestinal water metabolism.

Many studies have reported obvious seasonal differences in the intestinal flora of rats, and this stable distribution of the seasonal flora helps in maintaining the normal physiological function of the host. However, the mechanism underlying these seasonal differences in intestinal flora remains unclear. To explore the correlation among seasonal factors and intestinal water metabolism and intestinal flora, 20 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into spring, summer, autumn, and winter groups. The environment for the four seasons was simulated using the Balanced Temperature and Humidity Control system. The intestinal water metabolism was evaluated by determining the intestinal transmission function, fecal water content, water content of colonic tissue, and the colonic expression levels of AQP3, AQP4, and AQP8. The composition and relative abundance of intestinal microflora in rats in each season were assessed through 16S rDNA amplifier sequencing, and the relationship between the dominant flora and intestinal water metabolism in each season was analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis. The high temperature and humidity season could lead to an increase in intestinal water metabolism and intestinal water content in rats, whereas the low temperature and humidity season could lead to a decrease, which was closely related to the change in microflora. To explore the molecular mechanism of seasonal changes in intestinal water metabolism, the concentration of colonic 5-HT, VIP, cAMP, and PKA associated with intestinal water metabolism in rats were also examined. Seasonal changes could affect the concentration of colonic 5-HT and VIP in rats, and then regulate AQPs through cAMP/PKA pathway to affect the intestinal water metabolism. These results suggest that seasonal factors affect the level of intestinal water metabolism in rats and result in seasonal differences in intestinal flora.

Outdoor test facilities for the experimental performance evaluation of construction materials and systems: The BeTOP case

Proposing new materials and systems to improve the performance and energy efficiency of buildings is often followed by performance evaluation to monitor how they perform and contribute. Experimental performance characterization of new and existing building materials and systems is crucial to understanding their behaviour in relation to indoor environmental and conditional changes, in addition to outdoor environmental changes. Full-scale experimental test cell facilities have been at the forefront of experimental performance evaluation in building-related research, as they can provide a realistic representation of buildings, which includes environmental conditions, building structure, and operational characteristics. In this paper, the new test cell facility of BeTOP, located in the city of Toronto, Ontario, is introduced as a full-scale experimental facility with the capability of multiple practical tests simultaneously. This paper describes the characteristics of this test cell, including structure details, testing capabilities, system details, previous testing campaigns, and future testing potential. The design of such a full-scale testing facility is shown to be crucial in a continental climate, such as Toronto, to observe the long-term performance of new systems under variable boundary conditions with cold winters and hot and humid summer seasons.

Oceanic SACZ produces an abnormally wet 2021/2022 rainy season in South America

The oceanic South Atlantic Convergence Zone (SACZ) has played a major role during South America’s 2021/2022 summer extreme rainy season, being responsible for more than 90% of the precipitation in some regions of Southeast Brazil and in some regions of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (SWA). The summer of 2021/2022 was unique and rare and considered an abnormally humid season as verified by official Brazilian Institutes. First, the unusual number of cases of SACZ episodes (seven), was the highest recorded in the last decade. Second, all the cases that occurred were oceanic SACZ that assumed characteristics of an Atmospheric River and produced an excessively anomalous amount of precipitation during this period. Excess precipitation along with the regions located in mountainous and very uneven relief, which by orographic effects favors high precipitation volumes, were responsible for amplifying the observed impacts, such as landslides and floods that caused several losses to society. We also showed the main effects of coupling and interaction between the waters of the surface layer of the SWA and the atmosphere. Our learning from this study ends with the unprecedented results of how the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) is locally modulated by the sea surface temperature (SST) that lies just below it. Until the present moment, we emphasize that this important mechanism has not been widely highlighted in the literature, showing that even though the ocean is colder than before oceanic SACZ is established, it is still warmer than the overlying air, thus, the ocean continues to be an active source of heat and moisture for the atmosphere and enhances the MABL instability process.

Seasonal Lifting Condensation Level Trends: Implications of Warming and Reforestation in Appalachia’s Deciduous Forest

Lifting condensation level (LCL) has long been used to estimate cloud base heights. However, spatial and temporal patterns of cloud bases embedded within atmospheric currents flowing over mountainous terrain still need to be more adequately described. To advance understanding, hourly observations of barometric pressure and ambient and dew point temperatures from 1948 to 2017 were acquired for seven airports located at 40.21° N (average) and crossing the Allegheny Mountains of the northeastern United States. Daily LCL trends were quantified, and large positive (2.3 m yr−1) and negative (−1.3 m yr−1) LCL trends were found to be greatest near seasonal transition dates (17 April and 9 November 2022). Cool season LCLs (795 m) increased significantly (p < 0.007) at five sites resulting in an average LCL increase of 81 m and implying a deeper and drier sub-cloud layer. Average warm season LCLs (773 m) decreased by 23 m, suggesting a deeper convective cloud layer and less sub-cloud evaporation that may facilitate higher hydrometeor growth and precipitation rates. Collective results indicate divergent seasonally averaged LCLs characterized by more rapid seasonal transitions, warmer and less cloudy cool seasons, and cloudier and more humid warm seasons that may be partly attributable to aggressive reforestation and contribute to more significant rainfall events and higher flood risks.

A synthesis of carcass decomposition studies conducted at a tropical (Aw) taphonomy facility: 2013–2022

Decomposition studies have been conducted in several regions of the world, but relatively few have investigated taphonomy in tropical environments. Even fewer have explored carcass decomposition during multiple tropical seasons, leaving the relationships between season and decomposition in tropical environments poorly understood. Ten decomposition studies using 30 carcasses were conducted in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA to start addressing this knowledge gap. These studies show that some postmortem processes were observed regardless of season. Carcass temperature and chemistry were spatiotemporally variable. Fly larval masses were consistently observed within 3 days (∼75 ADD) postmortem and carcasses lost 60%–90% of mass by 10 days (∼250 ADD) postmortem (Total Body Score ∼26). Season had a significant effect on decomposition, yet the warmest and most humid seasons did not always result in the most rapid and extensive decomposition. Seasonal variation appears to be less pronounced than at other tropical decomposition sites.

Thermal imaging and physiological responses of crossbred goats under different housing system during hot humid season

In order to observe the effect of hot humid (July-August) season on physiological responses and skin surface temperature, eighteen adult female crossbred goats were selected divided equally into three groups i.e. Group I (control), Group II(modified shed) and Group III (open environment) based on their body weight. These animals were fed as per the standard feeding schedule followed at NDRI, Karnal. The average respiration rate of group I, II and III was 76.11±1.03, 67.22±0.06 and 70.49±0.61per minute respectively during morning hours. The RR increased significantly during afternoon over morning values in all the groups due to increase of THI. The rectal temperature of goats during morning hours was 38.73±0.02, 38.57±0.03 and38.68±0.03°C in group I, II and III respectively and no significant change in RT was observed during the afternoon. The overall lowest and highest skin temperature were recorded at the lower part of legs and ears respectively in group I and II, whereas ingroup III the highest skin temperatures was found to be at dorsal and lowest at ventral region of the body. The information generated may serve as normal reference values for crossbred goats under different housing conditions and may be useful for predicting the animal welfare and prognosis of diseases.

Effect of boron supplementation during peripartum period on colostrum yield and composition and carry over effect on calf health in crossbred karan fries cows during hot humid season

Effect of boron supplementation during peripartum period on colostrum yield and composition and carry over effect on calf health in crossbred karan fries cows during hot humid season

Subrecent charophyte flora from Çeşmealti (Izmir Gulf, Western Turkey): Palaeoecological implications

A charophyte assemblage from lower Holocene sediments in Çeşmealtı (Izmir Gulf, Turkey) is described and illustrated for the first time here. This assemblage is composed of well-preserved gyrogonites and oospores of Lamprothamnium papulosum, which occur in association with seeds of Ruppia cf. maritima and up to eight ostracod species and 22 benthic foraminiferal taxa. The fossil assemblage was extracted from five clay intervals of the SK-2 borehole. The presence of monospecific assemblages of L. papulosum indicates that very shallow (up to 1 m deep), brackish, alkaline, and oligotrophic waters prevailed in the gulf under strong seasonality (marked cyclical changes in humidity and/or temperature). The dominance of germinated gyrogonites suggests that the water salinity of the lagoon decreased during the humid season, reaching at least 10‰. The associated ostracod fauna supports the palaeoenvironmental conditions inferred from the flora. Despite the gulf receiving considerable freshwater input, it remained semiconnected to the sea, as indicated by the diverse foraminifera assemblage. The availability of freshwater in the Izmir Gulf during the early Holocene Climatic Optimum, between ∼9000 and 5000 years BP, might have played an important role for the first human settlements in the area dating back 5500 years BP.

Histological Studies in Vegetative and Reproductive Mango Buds

The present study was conducted on ten mango cultivars namely Alphonso, Bangalora, Kalepad, Himayuddin, Sendura, Mulgoa, Neelum, Rumani, Banganapalli and Swarnarekha and seasons are main and off-season at Kanyakumari and Tenkasi. The stem along with bud sample was collected during the month of October and November and conducted to examine the relation between internal structure of leafy and reproductive bud. During main season. Among ten mango cultivars, Bangalora and Swarnarekha have well developed at kanyakumar during main season for stage I, whereas Tenkasi, Alphonso and Bangalora well developed buds during the main season in stage I was observed. During off-season observed at kanyakumari Neelum and Alphonso had well developed for vegetative bud in stage I. At Tenkasi cultivars Kalapad and Bangalora had well developed for vegetative bud in stage I. The climatic factors prevailing at Kanyakumari during the main and off seasons for the months of August to September low temperature (190C to 210C) and high humidity (85 to 90%) and main season for the month of October to November, low temperature (210C to 230C) and humidity (80 to 85%). Whereas reproductive stage observed mango cultivars, Alphonso, Bangalora, Kalapad, Neelum and Swarnarekha had well developed reproductive buds in stage II & III during main season at kanyakumari. During off-season, cultivars of Himampasand, Kalapad, Alphoso, Neelum and Swarnarekha had well developed reproductive bud for stag II & III was favoured different stages of bud differentiation in the ten cultivars of mango.

Seasonal effect on semen quality of Limousine and Simmental bulls

This study aimed to determine the effect of breed and season on the semen quality of AI bulls. The material used was n= 78,648 records of ejaculated semen from 85 Limousine and 88 Simmental bulls collected between period 2010 and 2020. Semen qualities evaluated in the study were: ejaculate vol-ume (Vol), pH, individual sperm motility (ISM), sperm concentration (SC), and post-thawing motility (PTM). The data was analyzed by using a MIXED model with breeds and seasons as fixed effects and animals as random effects. The seasons were significant (p<0,05) on Vol, ISM, SC, and PTM, then the interaction between season and breed was affected on Vol, SC, and PTM. Simmental bulls generally showed better semen qualities than Limousine bulls. Further, the same result showed significant differ-ences in each season. The Vol, ISM, SC, and PTM of Simmental were 6.48 ± 1.26, 64.22 ± 1.16, 1,108 ± 0.46, and 42.19 ± 0.38, respectively. The increase of Vol and SC in the humid season has not propor-tionally affected ISM.

The Eucalyptus grandis chloroplast proteome: Seasonal variations in leaf development.

Chloroplast metabolism is very sensitive to environmental fluctuations and is intimately related to plant leaf development. Characterization of the chloroplast proteome dynamics can contribute to a better understanding on plant adaptation to different climate scenarios and leaf development processes. Herein, we carried out a discovery-driven analysis of the Eucalyptus grandis chloroplast proteome during leaf maturation and throughout different seasons of the year. The chloroplast proteome from young leaves differed the most from all assessed samples. Most upregulated proteins identified in mature and young leaves were those related to catabolic-redox signaling and biogenesis processes, respectively. Seasonal dynamics revealed unique proteome features in the fall and spring periods. The most abundant chloroplast protein in humid (wet) seasons (spring and summer) was a small subunit of RuBisCO, while in the dry periods (fall and winter) the proteins that showed the most pronounced accumulation were associated with photo-oxidative damage, Calvin cycle, shikimate pathway, and detoxification. Our investigation of the chloroplast proteome dynamics during leaf development revealed significant alterations in relation to the maturation event. Our findings also suggest that transition seasons induced the most pronounced chloroplast proteome changes over the year. This study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding on the subcellular mechanisms that lead to plant leaf adaptation and ultimately gives more insights into Eucalyptus grandis phenology.

Screening South American Potato Landraces and Potato Wild Relatives for Novel Sources of Late Blight Resistance.

Late blight (LB) caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans is one of the most important biotic constraints for potato production worldwide. This study assessed 508 accessions (79 wild potato species and 429 landraces from a cultivated core collection) held at the International Potato Center genebank for resistance to LB. One P. infestans isolate belonging to the EC-1 lineage, which is currently the predominant type of P. infestans in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, was used in whole plant assays under greenhouse conditions. Novel sources of resistance to LB were found in accessions of Solanum albornozii, S. andreanum, S. lesteri, S. longiconicum, S. morelliforme, S. stenophyllidium, S. mochiquense, S. cajamarquense, and S. huancabambense. All of these species are endemic to South America and thus could provide novel sources of resistance for potato breeding programs. We found that the level of resistance to LB in wild species and potato landraces cannot be predicted from altitude and bioclimatic variables of the locations where the accessions were collected. The high percentage (73%) of potato landraces susceptible to LB in our study suggests the importance of implementing disease control measures, including planting susceptible genotypes in less humid areas and seasons or switching to genotypes identified as resistant. In addition, this study points out a high risk of genetic erosion in potato biodiversity at high altitudes of the Andes due to susceptibility to LB in the native landraces, which has been exacerbated by climatic change that favors the development of LB in those regions.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Risk factors of the introduction and spread of goat pox virus in the Republic of Chad

Goat pox is a highly contagious disease. The infectious agent is a virus belonging to the poxviridae family and the Capripoxvirus genus. This virus is resistant and can survive up to six months in dried scabs. The disease is usually spread by direct contact between healthy and sick animals because the infectious agent is found in nasal and ocular secretions through which it is eliminated. Nodules and scabs also contain large amounts of virus particles. Airborne transmission has also been observed, for example by inhalation of fumes from scabs, or indirect transmission through soiled objects/equipments or insect bites. Typical symptoms are lumps in the lips, eyes, nose, udder, genitals and the area around them. These nodules turn into vesicles, burst and form scabs. Other characteristic symptoms are fever, salivation, discharge from nose and eyes, and labored breathing. The disease exists in countries in North Africa and countries in South of the Sahara, Asia and Eastern Europe. In the Republic of Chad, outbreaks of poxviruses have been recorded for several years. At present, their existence is no longer in doubt. Unfortunately, no in-depth study has been carried out and statistical data from the Veterinary Services are lacking. Goat pox, one of the most widespread pox viruses, appears periodically. This disease is prevalent both in the cold dry season (December, January-February) and in the hot humid season (June-July) with variable mortality. Based on bibliographic data, this manuscript summarizes the different risk factors of introduction, contamination, transmission and spread of goat pox virus.

Intra- and interspecies competition of blackgrass and wheat in the context of herbicidal resistance and environmental conditions in Poland

Blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.), one of the most aggressive grass weeds in Europe, is also a strong competitor of crops. This study aimed to assess the impact of environmental conditions on the competition between (1) ACC-ase and ALS herbicide-resistant (BR) and herbicide-susceptible (BS) blackgrass biotypes, (2) BR and winter wheat cv. Arkadia (W), and (3) BS and W. In the replacement series model, the experiment was conducted at seven sites across Poland during two seasons (2018/19 and 2019/20). In the BR-BS experiment, the BS biotype was in majority more competitive toward the BR biotype. However, in the regime of optimal hydrothermal conditions and at a higher sand content in the soil we observed a higher competitiveness of BR towards BS. The combined interactions between W and BR or BS were also affected by environmental conditions, i.e., soil texture and hydrothermal coefficient, as explained by PCA and k-means cluster analysis. At most sites, W was more competitive toward both BS and BR, which could result from earlier emergence of W in relation to B in majority of sites. Except for two cases, located on heavy, clay soils, during humid seasons, where B was more competitive toward W. We summarize that blackgrass competitiveness towards other biotypes and wheat depends to some extent on environmental conditions; however, the phenomenon should be explored in more detail.

Studies on Growth and Yield of Forage Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) var. GAFB-4as Influenced by Nitrogen and Weed Management

Background: Pearl millet is an important staple food in arid and semi-arid tropics of Asia and Africa. Low productivity and susceptibility due to weed population are the major causes for declining a productivity of millets in India. As the pearl millet is grown predominantly in the hot and humid rainy season, weeds deprive these crops of vital nutrients and moisture and bring down the production.
 Objective: Study the impact of nitrogen and weed management on the growth, yield, and quality of Forage Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) Var. GAFB-4.
 Methods: A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2021, at crop research farm of Department of Agronomy at Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj in North Eastern plains of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. under Randomized block design comprising of 9 treatments of which treatments (T1-T9) with different combination of nitrogen along with weed management which are replicated thrice.
 Conclusion: The treatment of 80 kg/ha nitrogen+ atrazine was recorded. Plant height (200.52 cm), plant dry weight (51.59gm), weed density (6.00), green fodder yield (28.42 t/ha) Because the findings are based on research conducted during a single season, they may be repeated for further confirmation.

A first assessment of the biocidal efficacy of plant essential oils against lichens on stone cultural heritage, and the importance of evaluating suitable application protocols

Plant essential oils (EOs) are increasingly considered as potential tools to control biodeterioration of stone cultural heritage. The application of EOs was indeed shown to devitalize photo- and hetero-trophic constituents of lithobiontic biofilms, but their effects on lichens, which are other remarkable biodeteriogens of stone surfaces, is still unexplored. In this work, we analyzed the biocidal efficacy of a commercial mixture of essential oils (Syzygium aromaticum, Thymbra capitata, Cinnamomum zeylanicum) against crustose lichen species on stone walls in Persepolis (Iran) and Saluzzo (Italy), in semi-arid and temperate bioclimatic areas, respectively. In the former site (ST1), the efficacy of EOs, quaternary ammonium and isothiazolinone biocides, applied with cellulose poultice, was compared against Acarospora cervina, Calogaya biatorina and Protoparmeliopsis usbekica. In the latter (ST2), the efficacy of different protocols to apply EOs was compared against Candelariella vitellina and Protoparmeliopsis muralis. The devitalization effect was evaluated by measuring chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters of lichen thalli (basal fluorescence, F0, and maximum quantum efficiency, Fv/Fm) and with epifluorescence microscopy. In ST1, EOs poultice application remarkably affected lichen vitality, determining in all the targets a decrease of Fv/Fm values similar or even higher than that observed for the other biocidal products. F0 values and epifluorescence microscopy, however, indicated some persistence of viable cells in A. cervina and P. usbekica. Incomplete hydration and metabolic activation of thalli during EOs application, also related to anatomical traits, may account for such partial resistance of these species of semi-arid areas. In ST2, the zeroing of Fv/Fm and a strong decrease of F0 indicated the devitalization of both the target species when EOs were applied with cellulose poultice, and also when the EOs application by brush (requiring a minor quantity of product) was combined with the immediate covering of the surface with a paper tissue, a second EOs supply and the final covering with a plastic film. Both these application protocols assured a prolonged wet condition of the surface -at least in the humid autumn climate of the temperate ST2-, and thus the metabolic activity of thalli and their susceptibility to the chemicals. The simple EOs application by brush, even if combined with the plastic film covering, was instead ineffective, likely due to the lower product supply and thallus hydration. In conclusion, the biocidal potency of EOs was also confirmed for lichens, although some species-specific resistance may be encountered, as in the case of A. cervina and P. usbekica in ST1. The set up of the application protocol, particularly with respect to the assurance of thallus hydration, was shown as crucial to make the EOs treatments effective and should be taken into particular care when targeting lichens of semi-arid areas and, in general, to plan interventions in favourable, more humid seasons.

Were Pleistocene proglacial lakes biological deserts? Insights from varved clays in Lithuania

Varved clays from a Late Pleistocene proglacial lake in the Pašaminė sections (Lithuania) contain diverse organic matter of different origin, i.e. aquatic and allogenous macerals of the groups of liptinite, vitrinite and inertinite (their average contributions are 55%, 13.5% and 31.5%, respectively). The contents of TOC and TN vary from 0.51% to 1.01% and from 0.06% to 0.13%, respectively. Particulate organic matter could constitute the beginning of food chain for invertebrates represented by the trace fossils Cochlichnus anguineus , Glaciichnium liebegastensis , Gordia carickensis , Gordia isp., Helminthoidichnites isp., and Warvichnium ulbrichi . The accumulation of organic matter was higher during summers, as suggested by co-occurrence of TOC and quartz supplied to the lake mostly during ice melting. River inflow during humid seasons fed the lake and facilitated proliferation of algae, whereas, aeolian transportation of mineral (e.g., fine-grained quartz) and organic detritus (semifusinite) can be related to dry periods and the wildfires in vegetated areas. In spite of common thesis that Quaternary proglacial lakes were biological deserts, the Late Pleistocene proglacial lake is characterized by a food chain which starts at least from algae living in the lake and particulate organic matter transported from glaciated and non-glaciated, vegetated areas. • Varved clays from a proglacial lake contain organic matter. • Particulate organic matter could constitute the beginning of food chain for invertebrates. • Aeolian transportation of mineral and organic debris can be related to dry periods. • River inflow during humid seasons fed the lake and facilitated proliferation of algae.

Improvement in Reproductive Performance of Boron Supplemented Karan Fries Cows During Hot and Humid Season

Improvement in Reproductive Performance of Boron Supplemented Karan Fries Cows During Hot and Humid Season

Ecological Study of the Active Ciliate Community from Bromeliads during the Humid Season in Different Types of Forests of the Mexican Neotropics

Bromeliads are a Neotropical family of monocots, colonized by several families of ciliates, with some species that inhabit only this type of microecosystems. Ecological factors such as the presence of water, plant volume, seasonality and predators, have been recognized as important factors, which play a role in the ciliate community structure in tank bromeliads. The objective of this study is to describe different communities of active ciliates from epiphytic and terrestrial bromeliads that inhabit the dry tropical forest, montane cloud forest, oak forest and semideciduous tropical forest in the Mexican Neotropics during the humid season of the year 2016. We found 22 species of active ciliates. A higher richness of ciliate species was found in the bromeliads of the montane cloud forest. Based on statistical tests, we determine that the pH and water temperature, plant diameter, its distance above the ground and altitude above sea level in relation to ciliate abundance explain <50% of the variation; however, the combination of plant diameter and its distance above the ground shows a positive effect in relation to ciliate abundance. We provide new evidence that bromeliads that inhabit mountains and lowland forests in a larger geographic area host ciliate communities with different species composition.