Long Production Cycle Research Articles

An analysis of the welfare of fast-growing and slower-growing strains of broiler chicken

Due to concerns about the welfare of fast-growing (FG) strains of broiler chicken, animal welfare organisations have advocated the use of certain slower-growing (SG) strains that meet key welfare targets under test conditions. However, a widespread transition to SG strains could negatively affect sustainability because these birds tend to have higher feed conversion ratios and longer production cycles. It is important therefore to review the extent and limits of SG welfare improvements under test conditions and on commercial farms, to support the best policy decisions. Following a systematic literature search, 63 source papers were identified. Most reported comparative welfare outcomes for at least one SG strain with at least one FG counterpart, whilst a minority examined the suitability of various SG strains for niche production. The literature review considered different types of study design and accounted for confounding factors such rearing environment and diet. Additionally, a quantitative analysis of effect size for mortality, gait score and contact dermatitis was conducted across studies that had compared birds under similar rearing conditions and that had used SG strains with an average daily growth rate of at least 40g/day. Modern, commercial SG strains performed better on most relevant welfare traits than FG strains. This was the case even when the ‘fairest’ comparisons were made at equivalent bodyweights (when SG birds were older), under matched-environmental conditions, experimentally or on farm. The quantitative analysis found that FG strains had a higher estimated incidence rate ratio for mortality (risk of death over a given period of time) of between 1.69 and 2.16, contact dermatitis affecting 15-25% more birds, and a mean gait score 0.65 points higher than SG strains. FG strains were also less active but other differences in behaviour were inconsistent with some behaviours (e.g. dustbathing) often absent altogether. Growth rate was generally, but not always, predictive of welfare problems. Alternative strategies, such as the slaughter of birds prior to the onset of any welfare decline, could be evaluated in future in terms of welfare improvement and efficiency of production.

Estimativa da temperatura base para cultivares de lisianto em diferentes épocas de plantio

Abstract The objective of this work was to determine the base temperature of six lisianthus cultivars, grown at seven planting seasons in the municipality of Capão do Leão, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The following cultivars were evaluated: DBL Echo Blue, Robella 2 Pink, Excalibur White, Excalibur 2 Blue Picotee, DBL Echo Champagne, and Arena III Red. Base temperature was determined from the air temperature data collected daily, in each planting season, fusing the lowest variability and development ratio methods. The base temperature for lisianthus cultivars is between 14.0 and 15.0ºC, by the lowest variability method, and between 13.9 and 15.0ºC by the development ratio method. The highest thermal accumulation was obseerved in the second planting season (from 11/23/2017 to 02/22/2018) for all cultivars, and lower air temperatures during the growing season resulted in longer production cycles. In the seven planting seasons, the highest base temperature is 15.0ºC, obtained for cultivar Arena III Red, and the is 14°C, for all lisianthus cultivars.

The application of an enhanced salinity-gradient solar pond with nucleation matrix in lithium extraction from Zabuye salt lake in Tibet

The utilization of salinity-gradient solar ponds (SGSPs) to extract lithium from salt lake brine is one of the most direct and effective uses of solar energy. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China is rich in unique solar energy resources, as well as various types of salt lakes with abundant lithium resources. Among them, Zabuye salt lake in Tibet is a typical lithium-rich carbonate salt lake, and it has successfully realized the industrialization of lithium extraction from brine for the first time by using the SGSP. In recent years, with the continuous improvement of lithium resource market, the demand for lithium has further grown. There are some bottleneck problems restricting the lithium carbonate production in the lithium extraction technology with traditional SGSPs, which must be overcome, such as the slower heating rate, smaller heating amplitude, longer production cycle, lower crystallization efficiency and so on. From the angle of green environmental protection and high-efficiency technology, this research focused on the temperature field and salinity field distribution of the traditional SGSP and the special crystallization behavior of lithium carbonate, and carried out experimental research on process optimization in Zabuye mining area. Based on the heterogeneous nucleation theory, the use of an enhanced SGSP with a nucleation matrix for assisting the crystallization of lithium carbonate was proposed. The change of crystallization behavior of lithium carbonate, the influence of matrix materials and the spatial distribution on the crystallization effect were investigated. The results show that the enhanced SGSP with the nucleation matrix has a significant effect of increasing the production of lithium carbonate, and the lithium mixed salt attached to the nucleation matrix is of a higher grade and a lower moisture content. The yield per unit area of lithium carbonate on the nucleation matrix made of the gauze and plastic net is equivalent to that on the slope and bottom of the solar pond, and the grade of lithium carbonate approaches 80 %. The yield per unit area of lithium carbonate on the nucleation matrix made of tumbleweed is about four times as much as is achieved with other materials and the crystallization exceeds expectations. It is concluded that the application of the enhanced SGSP with the nucleation matrix can improve the crystallization efficiency, the output and the grade of lithium carbonate to a certain extent and this optimization technique will provide an important theoretical basis and application support for green, efficient development of lithium resources from salt lake brine.

Dendrometric characterization of Cupressus lusitanica mill. planted under Pinus taeda L. shelter in southern Brazil

ABSTRACT Background: We analyzed if C. lusitanica can be planted in a shelterwood system with P. taeda as the shelter stratum. The study was conducted in a 13-yr-old C. lusitanica stand under P. taeda canopy in Southern Brazil. Samples of these trees were measured in terms of diameter at breast height (DBH), total height, individual volume, and crown projection area. The species´ growing space efficiency (GSE) was also analyzed. A 10-meters distance criterion from P. taeda trees was applied to check their influence on C. lusitanica growth behavior through correlation. Results: The 36-yr-old P. taeda trees showed expressive means in the dendrometric variables, compatible with its age (mean DBH of 58 cm, total height 30 m, individual volume of 3.7 m³, and crown projection area of 128 m²). There was a statistically significant effect (p>0.05) of P. taeda cover on C. lusitanica diameter (mean of ~13 cm). Although not significant, an effect of P. taeda canopy was also observed on C. lusitanica height. The two species summed a basal area of 36.5 m² ha-1 and a crown projection area of 34,209.2 m² ha-1. A tendency of increasing GSE with increasing diameter was observed for both species. Conclusion: These results show that a shelterwood with C. lusitanica under P. taeda is possible, but further investigations with longer production cycles and with silvicultural treatments (i.e. thinnings and shelter removal) should be conducted for a better understanding of shelterwood systems with these species in southern Brazil in terms of growth performance and soil use sustainability.

Sugarcane Omics: An Update on the Current Status of Research and Crop Improvement.

Sugarcane is an important crop from Poaceae family, contributing about 80% of the total world’s sucrose with an annual value of around US$150 billion. In addition, sugarcane is utilized as a raw material for the production of bioethanol, which is an alternate source of renewable energy. Moving towards sugarcane omics, a remarkable success has been achieved in gene transfer from a wide variety of plant and non-plant sources to sugarcane, with the accessibility of efficient transformation systems, selectable marker genes, and genetic engineering gears. Genetic engineering techniques make possible to clone and characterize useful genes and also to improve commercially important traits in elite sugarcane clones that subsequently lead to the development of an ideal cultivar. Sugarcane is a complex polyploidy crop, and hence no single technique has been found to be the best for the confirmation of polygenic and phenotypic characteristics. To better understand the application of basic omics in sugarcane regarding agronomic characters and industrial quality traits as well as responses to diverse biotic and abiotic stresses, it is important to explore the physiology, genome structure, functional integrity, and collinearity of sugarcane with other more or less similar crops/plants. Genetic improvements in this crop are hampered by its complex genome, low fertility ratio, longer production cycle, and susceptibility to several biotic and abiotic stresses. Biotechnology interventions are expected to pave the way for addressing these obstacles and improving sugarcane crop. Thus, this review article highlights up to date information with respect to how advanced data of omics (genomics, transcriptomic, proteomics and metabolomics) can be employed to improve sugarcane crops.

Low- and High-Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5 and H7 Spread Risk Assessment Within and Between Australian Commercial Chicken Farms.

This study quantified and compared the probability of avian influenza (AI) spread within and between Australian commercial chicken farms via specified spread pathways using scenario tree mathematical modeling. Input values for the models were sourced from scientific literature, expert opinion, and a farm survey conducted during 2015 and 2016 on Australian commercial chicken farms located in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland. Outputs from the models indicate that the probability of no establishment of infection in a shed is the most likely end-point after exposure and infection of low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) in one chicken for all farm types (non-free range meat chicken, free range meat chicken, cage layer, barn layer, and free range layer farms). If LPAI infection is established in a shed, LPAI is more likely to spread to other sheds and beyond the index farm due to a relatively low probability of detection and reporting during LPAI infection compared to high-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) infection. Among farm types, the median probability for HPAI spread between sheds and between farms is higher for layer farms (0.0019, 0.0016, and 0.0031 for cage, barn, and free range layer, respectively) than meat chicken farms (0.00025 and 0.00043 for barn and free range meat chicken, respectively) due to a higher probability of mutation in layer birds, which relates to their longer production cycle. The pathway of LPAI spread between sheds with the highest average median probability was spread via equipment (0.015; 5–95%, 0.0058–0.036) and for HPAI spread between farms, the pathway with the highest average median probability was spread via egg trays (3.70 × 10−5; 5–95%, 1.47 × 10−6–0.00034). As the spread model did not explicitly consider volume and frequency of the spread pathways, these results provide a comparison of spread probabilities per pathway. These findings highlight the importance of performing biosecurity practices to limit spread of the AI virus. The models can be updated as new information on the mechanisms of the AI virus and on the volume and frequency of movements shed-to-shed and of movements between commercial chicken farms becomes available.

Does acidification increase the nitrogen fertilizer replacement value of bio‐based fertilizers?

AbstractAcidification of manure, digestate and their processed derivatives has been proposed as a technique to, amongst others, mitigate ammonia emissions related to application in the field. The current study investigated whether acidification of (1) pig slurry (PS), (2) liquid fraction of pig slurry (LFPS), (3) digestate (DIG), and (4) liquid fraction of digestate (LFDIG) increases their nitrogen (N) fertilizer replacement value (NFRV) as compared to non‐acidified counterparts, a synthetic N fertilizer (calcium ammonium nitrate; CAN) and an unfertilized control. Product performance was evaluated from the perspective of (1) crop development (yield, nutrient uptake, and crop quality assessment) via a pot experiment with Lactuca sativa L. and (2) soil N dynamics [net N release (Nrel,net) and net N mineralization] via a soil incubation experiment. Crop yield of pots receiving bio‐based fertilizers performed ‘on par' with CAN as compared to unfertilized control, implying that bio‐based fertilizers derived from digestate or manure could potentially play a role in replacing synthetic N fertilizers. However, our findings also suggest that acidification did not result in an increased use efficiency of applied N. NFRVs of acidified products were below those of non‐acidified products and CAN, with crop yield on average 6–13% and 11–18% lower compared to non‐acidified products and the CAN treatment, respectively. A possible explanation for lower performance as compared to non‐acidified products could be an inhibitory delay in the Nrel,net, which in our experimental design proved to be negative for crops with short production cycles. This pattern was revealed in the incubation experiments in which Nrel,net in acidified products remained below that of non‐acidified, in this study tentatively attributed to immobilization of mineral N. However, this negative effect on N availability should be reaffirmed in crops with longer production cycles. Finally, some interesting findings with regard to plant composition also warrant further in‐depth investigation, e.g., Zn uptake by lettuce in acidified treatments was significantly higher than that of non‐acidified treatments. This implies that product pre‐treatment may play a future role in biofortification and amelioration of (trace) element composition of crops (arguably for crops with longer production cycles). Improving crop nutritional value by increased uptake of micronutrients is receiving increasing attention.

Analytical modeling of mercury injection in high-rank coalbed methane reservoirs based on pores and microfractures: a case study of the upper carboniferous Taiyuan Formation in the Heshun block of the Qinshui Basin, central China

The coalbed gas reservoirs in the Qinshui Basin in central China are highly heterogeneous; thus, the reservoir characteristics are difficult to assess. Research on the pore structure of a reservoir can provide a basis for understanding the occurrence and seepage mechanisms of coal reservoirs, rock physics modeling and the formulation of rational development plans. Therefore, the pore structure characteristics of the coalbed gas reservoirs in the high rank bituminous coal in the No. 15 coal seam of the Carboniferous Taiyuan Group in the Heshun coalbed methane (CBM) blocks in the northeastern Qinshui Basin were analyzed based on pressure mercury and scanning electron microscopy data. The results showed that the effective porosity system of the coal reservoir was mainly composed of pores and microfractures and that the pore throat configuration of the coal reservoir was composed of pores and microthroats. A model was developed based on the porosity and microfractures of the high rank coal rock and the mercury injection and drainage curves. The mercury injection curve model and the coal permeability are well correlated and were more reliable for the analysis of coal and rock pore system connectivity than the mercury drainage curve model. Coal rocks with developed microfractures are highly permeable; the production levels are often high during the initial drainage stages, but they decrease rapidly. A significant portion of the natural gas remains in the strata and cannot be exploited; therefore, the ultimate recovery is rather low. Coal samples with underdeveloped microfractures have lower permeabilities. While the initial production levels are lower, the production cycle is longer, and the ultimate recovery is higher. Therefore, the initial production levels of coal reservoirs with poorly developed microfractures in some regions of China may be low. However, over the long term, due to their higher ultimate recoveries and longer production cycles, the total gas production levels will increase. This understanding can provide an important reference for developing appropriate CBM development plans.

Prediction of marine shale gas production in South China based on drilling workload analysis

The marine shale gas resource in South China is abundant, but the existing conventional methods cannot meet the needs of predicting the future production development of shale gas. With the marine shale of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Fm in this region as an example and based on its development potential, the development features of the existing shale gas resources were analyzed. It is considered that the Longmaxi shale gas accumulation zones in the Sichuan Basin and its neighboring areas contain resources of about 17.4 × 1012 m3 and recoverable resources of about 2.9 × 1012 m3. In particular, the shale gas above 3500 m underground is the main body for recent development targets, with a potential production scale about 300 × 108 m3. On this basis, the development features of foreign and domestic shale gas wells were studied and the drilling workload analytical method for the prediction of shale gas production was established: (1) the initial production of a single well can be used to characterize the productivity of the shale gas well, and its test production is approximate to its initial production. Due to the similarity of decline rate among shale gas wells, the single-well estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) value of a single well can be roughly speculated from its initial production, thus the production scale of a shale gas field can be speculated according to the analysis of drilling workload; (2) currently, the expected test production of South China marine shale gas is 17.6 × 104 m3/d, and the predicted single-well EUR value is roughly 1.5 × 108 m3. It is concluded that the marine shale gas in South China represents high initial production of a single well, high declining rate, longer production cycle and the drilling workload is closely related with the production of a shale gas field. Therefore, the analysis of drilling workload shows better applicability to the evaluation of shale gas production. Based on this method, the shale gas production of the Sichuan Basin and its neighboring area in 2020 was estimated to be about 200 × 108 m3.

How to Effectively Manage and Reduce Emissions in Sulfuric Acid Plants Using State-of-the-art MECS® Catalysts

Major sulfuric acid plant producers worldwide have installed MECS® Catalyst since the 1920s. Over the past 90 years, the dedicated Research and Development team at MECS, Inc. (MECS) has evolved catalyst from pellets to energy-saving rings to low-emission cesium-promoted catalyst. As energy savings and environmental concerns create new operational and design challenges for sulfuric acid plants, innovations in catalyst technology provide the solution. This paper will detail the MECS® Catalyst portfolio of vanadium-based and cesium-promoted catalysts for sulfuric acid, including the latest innovations, GEAR® catalyst and improved formulation cesium catalyst. The benefits of lower SO2 emissions, increased acid production, energy savings, and longer production cycles through utilization of these contemporary catalyst products will be explored. The effective performance of MECS® Catalysts will be highlighted through several case studies that demonstrate low SO2 emissions.

Évolution et sensibilité aux aléas des résultats technico-économiques des exploitations de bovins allaitants selon les profils de production


 
 
 
 Les éleveurs de bovins sont confrontés à une évolution continue du contexte socio-économique et à des conditions climatiques et économiques aléatoires. Nous cherchons à déterminer à travers une analyse statistique si des exploitations disposant de plus grandes sources de flexibilité sont moins sensibles à ces aléas et si leurs revenus moyens s’en ressentent.
 A partir des données technico-économiques d’un panel de 55 exploitations du bassin Charolais sur la période 1987-2007, nous avons dégagé trois profils de production sur la base de critères relatifs à l’engraissement des mâles et au chargement. Des cycles de production plus longs confèrent une plus grande diversité d’animaux commercialisables à court terme et un faible chargement diminue les risques de pénurie en fourrages. Nos analyses montrent que ce sont les éleveurs avec le chargement le plus élevé qui ajustent le plus leurs itinéraires de production via la complémentation des animaux et la part des surfaces en prairies fauchées, et, qui ont les résultats économiques les plus sensibles aux aléas climatiques. Les éleveurs engraissant le plus d’animaux ont eu des revenus moins sensibles aux aléas de prix. Il n’y a en revanche pas de différences significatives de revenus moyens selon les profils. L’analyse des évolutions de long terme révèle que les éleveurs ont tous modifié leur exploitation via l’agrandissement, l’intensification de la production à l’animal et la diminution de la part des mâles engraissés. Les exploitations les moins chargées semblent aller vers une extensification encore plus prononcée de la gestion des surfaces fourragères.
 
 
 

Degradation and Nitrogen Release of Zein-based Bioplastic Containers

Abstract Environmental problems caused by petroleum-based plastics have led to interest in alternatives made from biodegradable polymers (bioplastics), but little effort has been made to evaluate horticultural containers made from these materials. We hypothesized the stability and longevity of containers made from polymers of the hydrophobic corn (Zea mays L.) protein, zein, is sufficient to make commercial use of zein-based containers feasible. Our objectives were to fabricate containers from zein, to determine longevity under conditions typical of horticultural production, and to identify limitations of the containers that might be overcome by further research. Zein-based, bioplastic containers of two wall thicknesses were filled with either a peat-based, soilless potting substrate or with coarse perlite and irrigated every 2 or 4 days. After 10 weeks, weight loss of containers was determined as a measure of their degradation. Containers filled previously with soilless substrate lost nearly twice as much weight as containers filled with perlite, and irrigation every 4 days led to greater weight loss than irrigation every 2 days. The containers released nitrogen (N) as they degraded; as much as 208 mg N·kg−1 was present in leachate after irrigation with water. In a second experiment, to simulate the potential practice of installing plants in the landscape without container removal, bioplastic containers of two sidewall thicknesses were filled with the soilless potting substrate and planted in either drained or saturated field soil, and the two substrates were either sterilized (autoclaved) or nonsterilized. After 12 weeks, containers in drained soils had greater weight loss than containers in saturated soils regardless of substrate sterilization treatment. Zein-based, bioplastic containers appear suitable for crops having production cycles of ≤ 3 months, and the containers will decompose and release N if installed with plants in the landscape. Further research is needed to increase the longevity of zein-based containers for crops with longer production cycles. In addition, the influence of containers made from zein on plant growth needs to be determined, and potential effects of degrading containers installed in the landscape on the establishment of transplants warrant investigation.

Genetic and phenotypic correlations in plantain-banana euploid hybrids

The objective of this work was to determine intraclass correlations for growth and yield traits, as well as associations between them, in segregating hybrids. Diploid, triploid and tetraploid hybrids were obtained from triploid-diploid crosses between plantains and bananas. These hybrids were evaluated as plants and as ratoon crops on a humid forest site. Significant differences between ploidy within crosses were observed for most traits. The tetraploids were taller, had longer production cycles but a shorter fruit filling time, and heavier bunches than the diploids. There were significant differences between clones of the same ploidy within crosses. Hence, individual selection within ploidy will be effective for the improvement of plantain. Most of the bunch and fruit traits were positively and significantly associated, especially at the tetraploid level. Selection for large fruit at the diploid and tetraploid levels may lead to heavy fruits, thereby resulting in hybrids bearing heavy bunches. Significant and positive correlations between plant height and bunch weight at the tetraploid level suggest that selection of dwarf plantains with heavy bunches may be difficult.