Nutrient Production Research Articles

Study on the Synthesis of Pine Sterol Esters in Solvent-free Systems Catalyzed by Candida rugosa Lipase Immobilized on Hydrophobic Macroporous Resin.

Pine sterol ester is a kind of novel food source nutrient with great advantages in lowering blood cholesterol levels, inhibiting tumors, preventing prostate enlargement, and regulating immunity. Macroporous resins with large specific surface area, stable structures, and various functional groups (epoxy, amino, and octadecyl groups) have been selected for immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) to improve its stability and efficiency in the synthesis of pine sterol esters. A solvent-free strategy using oleic acid (substrate) as an esterification reaction medium is an important alternative for avoiding the use of organic solvents. The immobilization conditions of CRL immobilized on several kinds of commercial macroporous resins were optimized. Fortunately, by adsorption (hydrophobic interaction), a high immobilization efficiency of CRL was obtained using macroporous resins with hydrophobic octadecyl groups with an immobilization efficiency of 86.5%, enzyme loading of 138.5 mg/g and enzyme activity of 34.7 U/g. The results showed that a 95.1% yield could be obtained with a molar ratio of oleic acid to pine sterol of 5:1, an enzyme amount of 6.0 U/g (relative to pine sterol mass) at 50°C for 48 hours. The hydrophobic macroporous resin (ECR8806M) with a large specific surface area and abundant functional groups was used to achieve efficient immobilization of CRL. CRL@ECR8806M is an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of phytosterol esters and has the potential for further large-scale applications. Therefore, this simple, green, and low-cost strategy for lipase immobilization provides new possibilities for the high-efficiency production of pine sterol esters and other food source nutrients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Bioactive Peptides from Edible Mushrooms-The Preparation, Mechanisms, Structure-Activity Relationships and Prospects.

Mushroom bioactive peptides (MBPs) are bioactive peptides extracted directly or indirectly from edible mushrooms. MBPs are known to have antioxidant, anti-aging, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties, and facilitate memory and cognitive improvement, antitumour and anti-diabetes activities, and cholesterol reduction. MBPs exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the MAPK, Keap1-Nrf2-ARE, NF-κB and TNF pathways. In addition, MBPs exert antibacterial, anti-tumour and anti-inflammatory effects by stimulating the proliferation of macrophages. The bioactivities of MBPs are closely related to their molecular weights, charge, amino acid compositions and amino acid sequences. Compared with animal-derived peptides, MBPs are ideal raw materials for healthy and functional products with the advantages of their abundance of resources, safety, low price, and easy-to-achieve large-scale production of valuable nutrients for health maintenance and disease prevention. In this review, the preparation, bioactivities, mechanisms and structure-activity relationships of MBPs were described. The main challenges and prospects of their application in functional products were also discussed. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive perspective of MBPs.

Interactive effect of branch source-sink ratio and leaf aging on photosynthesis in pistachio.

Tree source-sink ratio has a predominant and complex impact on tree performance and can affect multiple physiological processes including vegetative and reproductive growth, water and nutrient use, photosynthesis, and productivity. In this study, we manipulated the branch level source-sink ratio by reduction of photosynthetic activity (partial branch defoliation) or thinning branch fruit load early in the growing season (after fruit set) in pistachio (Pistacia vera) trees. We then characterized the leaf photosynthetic light response curves through leaf aging. In addition, we determined changes in leaf non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) and nitrogen (N) concentrations. In leaves with high source-sink ratios, there was a gradual decrease in maximum net photosynthetic rate (ANmax) over the growing season, while in branches with low source-sink ratios, there was a sharp decline in ANmax in the first two weeks of August. Branches with high-sink showed an up-regulation (increase) in photosynthesis toward the end of July (at 1,500 growing degree days) during the period of rapid kernel growth rate and increased sink strength, with ANmax being about 7 μmol m-1 s-1 higher than in branches with low-sink. In August, low source-sink ratios precipitated leaf senescence, resulting in a drastic ANmax decline, from 25 to 8 μmol m-1 s-1 (70% drop in two weeks). This reduction was associated with the accumulation of NSC in the leaves from 20 to 30 mg g-1. The mechanisms of ANmax reduction differ between the two treatments. Lower photosynthetic rates of 8-10 μmol m-1 s-1 late in the season were associated with lower N levels in high-sink branches, suggesting N remobilization to the kernels. Lower photosynthesis late in the season was associated with lower respiration rates in low-source branches, indicating prioritization of assimilates to storage. These results can facilitate the adaptation of management practices to tree crop load changes in alternate bearing species.

Pengaruh Pemberian Leguminosa Indigofera sebagai pengganti Konsentrat dalam Ransum Kambing PE terhadap Kualitas Susu, Produksi dan Kecernaan Zat Makanan

This study aims to obtain the results of concentrate substitution by administering Leguminosa indigofera zollingeriana with treatment (10%, 20%, 30%) in the ration on milk quality, milk production, consumption and digestibility of nutrients in PE goats. The experiment was carried out using a randomized block design (RBD) with 4 treatments with 4 replications. These treatments include: Treatment A is field grass 60%: 40% concentrate; Treatment B is 60% field grass: 30% concentrate + 10% I.zollingeriana; Treatment C was 60% field grass: 20% concentrate + 20% I.zollingeriana; Treatment D was 60% field grass: 10% concentrate + 30% I.zollingeriana. Parameters observed were milk quality, production and digestibility of nutrients. The results of the analysis showed that the use of leguminosa indigofera zollingeriana as a substitute for concentrate had no significant effect (P>0.05) on the quality and production of milk and the digestibility of nutrients. The best results were in treatment D with 60% field grass: 10% concentrate + 30% I.zollingeriana.

Altering palmitic acid and stearic acid ratios in the diet of early-lactation Holsteins under heat stress: Feed intake, digestibility, feeding behavior, milk yield and composition, and plasma metabolites

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of varying the ratio of dietary palmitic (C16:0; PA) and stearic (C18:0; SA) acids on nutrient digestibility, production, and blood metabolites of early-lactation Holsteins under mild-to-moderate heat stress. Eight multiparous Holsteins (body weight = 589 ± 45 kg; days in milk = 51 ± 8 d; milk production = 38.5 ± 2.4 kg/d; mean ± standard deviation) were used in a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design (21-d periods inclusive of 7-d data collection). The PA (88.9%)- and SA (88.5%)-enriched fat supplements, either individually or in combination, were added to diets at 2% of dry matter (DM) to formulate the following treatments: (1) 100PA:0SA (100% PA + 0% SA), (2) 66PA:34SA (66% PA + 34% SA), (3) 34PA:66SA (34% PA + 66% SA), and (4) 0PA:100SA (0% PA + 100% SA). Diets offered, in the form of total mixed rations, were formulated to be isonitrogenous (crude protein = 17.2% of DM) and isocaloric (net energy for lactation = 1.69 Mcal/kg DM), with a forage-to-concentrate ratio of 40:60. Ambient temperature-humidity index averaged 72.9 throughout the experiment, suggesting that cows were under mild-to-moderate heat stress. No differences in DM intake across treatments were detected (mean 23.5 ± 0.64 kg/d). Increasing the dietary proportion of SA resulted in a linear decrease in total-tract digestibility of total fatty acids, but organic matter, DM, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein digestibilities were not different across treatments. Decreasing dietary PA-to-SA had no effect on the time spent eating (340 min/d), rumination (460 min/d), and chewing (808 min/d). As dietary PA-to-SA decreased, milk fat concentration and yield decreased linearly, resulting in a linear decrease of 3.5% fat-corrected milk production and milk fat-to-protein ratio. Feed efficiency expressed as kg 3.5% fat-corrected milk/kg DM intake decreased linearly with decreasing the proportion of PA-to-SA in the diet. Treatments had no effect on milk protein and lactose content. A linear increase in de novo and preformed fatty acids was identified as the ratio of PA to SA decreased, while PA and SA concentrations of milk fat decreased and increased linearly, respectively. A linear reduction in blood nonesterified fatty acids and glucose was detected as the ratio of PA to SA decreased. Insulin concentration increased linearly from 10.3 in 100PA:0SA to 13.1 µIU/mL in 0PA:100SA, whereas blood β-hydroxybutyric acid was not different across treatments. In conclusion, the heat-stressed Holsteins in early-lactation phase fed diets richer in PA versus SA produced greater fat-corrected milk and were more efficient in converting feed to fat-corrected milk.

Combining deficit irrigation and nutrient amendment enhances the water productivity of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in the tropics

Water availability for irrigation farming is one of the greatest challenges associated with the increasing spatio-temporal effects of climate change and variability on tomato production, especially in tropical regions. This study was conducted to demonstrate the combined effect of irrigation and nutrient management as a water-saving strategy to maximize nutrient and water productivity in tomato production. The research was conducted in a screen house at the CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI), Kumasi, Ghana using the split-plot design in the 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons. The main plot consisted of a single full irrigation at 100% recommended crop water requirement and two deficit irrigation levels (75 and 50% of the crop water requirement). The subplots consisted of two nutrient amendments (inorganic fertilizer and organic compost) and a control (without any nutrient amendment). Data from the research was used to parameterize the DSSAT CCROPGRO model to simulate the interactive effect of irrigation and nutrient management on the yield of tomatoes. Plant height and stem girth did not have a specific influence on tomato yield, but the number of branches had a positive effect on tomato yield. The combined use of inorganic fertilizer and full irrigation was found to improve tomato yield up to 7691.4 and 9009.9 kg/ha whereas treatment with no fertilizer application at 50% deficit irrigation recorded the lowest tomato yield of 1423.9 and 1739.2 kg/ha in 2020 and 2021, respectively. For the two deficit irrigations (50 and 75% ETc), organic compost produced the highest tomato yield. Deficit irrigation recorded higher crop water productivity (CWP) compared to full irrigation. At 50% deficit irrigation, organic compost recorded the highest CWP of 4.54 kg/m3 in 2020 while inorganic fertilizer recorded the highest CWP of 5.52 kg/m3 in 2021. No fertilizer at full irrigation recorded the lowest CWP of 1.37 and 1.67 kg/m3 in 2020 and 2021, respectively. This study has revealed that deficit irrigation with organic compost has the same effect on yield and water productivity as full irrigation with inorganic fertilizer. The strong agreement observed between the measured and simulated yields under the different irrigation and nutrient management shows that the DSSAT CROPGRO tomato model can be used to simulate tomato fruit yield under future climate scenarios. However, the general overestimation of the measured tomato yield shows the limitations of the model to simulate the real-world complexity of cropping systems under controlled conditions. This calls for more research into crop system modeling in controlled environment agriculture.

Performance Evaluation of a Cascade Cropping System

Minimum environmental impact and improved resource efficiency is attainable for soilless cascade systems where the nutrient solution drained from a primary (donor) crop is reused to fertigate a secondary (receiver) crop. However, it is not clear whether the nutrient solution drained from the primary crop can completely satisfy the needs of a secondary crop and if the productivity of the secondary crop is compromised. To test this hypothesis, a prototype soilless cascade system was developed and evaluated. To assess the performance of the system in terms of yield, water and nutrient productivity, a tomato crop was used as the primary crop, while lettuce, spinach and parsley were tested as secondary crops under different drainage management strategies. Measurements of plant growth, crop fresh and dry matter production, leaf chlorophyll and nutrient content, and photosynthesis rate were performed in the secondary crops. In addition, the water productivity and nutrient use efficiency for the fertigation of the primary and secondary crops were recorded. The results showed that the yield of the cascade spinach crop increased by up to 14% compared to the control treatment (monoculture of secondary crop fertigated by standard nutrient solution). The yield of the lettuce and parsley crop was not affected by the reuse of the tomato crop drainage solution. The water productivities of the lettuce, spinach and parsley plants fertigated with pure drainage solution were 50%, 30% and 14% higher than in the control treatment, respectively. The nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency was improved by more than 50% compared to the control treatments.

Impacts of shelterbelt systems on pasture production and soil bacterial and fungal communities in agricultural fields

AbstractIntroductionShelterbelts, which provide protection for livestock and crops against severe weather conditions, have been recognised as important contributors to increased crop yields. Soil microorganisms play important roles in nutrient cycling, soil health and plant performance, thereby exerting significant influence on ecological services in terrestrial ecosystems. However, impacts of shelterbelts on soil microbial communities in pasture ecosystems remain poorly studied.Materials and MethodsHere, we assessed the effect of shelterbelts (composed of Eucalyptus and native shrubs) on the pasture and nutrient productivity as well as soil bacterial and fungal communities at four distances from the shelterbelts with two different heights in two fields during spring and summer by applying amplicon sequencing, physicochemical and nutritional value analyses.ResultsThe results showed that the shelterbelt height, distances from shelterbelts, seasons and their interactive effects substantially affected pasture yield, neutral detergent fibre, metabolisable energy and crude protein yields, but did not increase the pasture productivity in the rows adjacent to the shelterbelts. We also identified that the alpha diversity of bacteria and fungi did not significantly change across distances from the shelterbelts in both fields, but the community structure of soil bacteria and fungi was significantly influenced by distances from the shelterbelts. Interestingly, soil calcium (Ca) and shelterbelts were identified as top predictors of fungal community while soil pH and Ca was key drivers of bacterial community.ConclusionOur study provides novel knowledge in the impact of shelterbelts on pasture and nutritional production and soil microbial communities, which contributes to appropriate application and strategic management of the windbreak systems in agriculture production.

Effect of Electrical Conductivity Levels and Hydrogen Peroxide Priming on Nutrient Solution Uptake by Chives in a Hydroponic System

The use of water of high electrical conductivity has become common in hydroponic systems, especially in regions with water scarcity. However, the use of inferior-quality water can affect crop yields. In this scenario, some studies have tested the use of chemical conditioning agents such as hydrogen peroxide to minimize the negative effects of stress on plants. From this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate the action of priming with hydrogen peroxide as a salt stress attenuator on the nutrient solution uptake and productivity of chives in a hydroponic system. The study was conducted in a protected environment with a randomized block design with a split-plot arrangement. The treatments consisted of a main plot consisting of the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 dSm−1) and a subplot with five hydrogen peroxide concentrations (0.0, 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, and 0.60 mM). The increase in the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution reduced bulb length, the solution volume applied, water uptake, total fresh mass, and the solution use efficiency by plants. Throughout the cultivation cycle in the hydroponic system, the consumption of nutrient solution was 459 mm lost by evapotranspiration. Acclimation with 0.60 mM hydrogen peroxide associated with 1 dSm−1 of electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution favors bulb diameter in chives. The increase in electrical conductivity compromises the productive yield of chives.

Productivity-induced redox transition within the Niobrara formation, western Interior seaway, Colorado

Deposition of organic rich shale/marl within the Niobrara Formation during the Coniacian to Santonian Ocean anoxic event (OAE 3) within the Western Interior Seaway presents a unique record of variable organic carbon burial under a greenhouse climate. In order to understand the mechanisms behind the changes from low to high organic carbon burial, and how this high burial rate was sustained for over 3 Ma, productivity within the surface waters and subsequent preservation of organic matter within the sediments were investigated in this study. Based on the multiproxy approach adopted herein, the sedimentary record of the Niobrara Formation in northern Colorado can be separated into two distinct intervals: Interval 1 and Interval 2. Interval 1 is bioturbated, organic lean and oxic, with low to moderate trace metal enrichment except for Mn. Interval 2 is laminated, organic-rich, more enriched in trace metals U, V and Mo, and less enriched in Mn, typical of anoxia during deposition. The transition from oxic to anoxic conditions coincides with greater enrichments in TOC, Cu and Ni, suggesting enhanced productivity is associated with redox transitions within the Niobrara Formation. These local changes in productivity and redox conditions are sudden and coincide with recurring iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P)-rich bentonites, evidence of ash deposition that could have enhanced nutrient supply, productivity and accumulation of organic carbon. Consequently, perturbations of the global carbon cycle associated with OAE 3 were inferred to have occurred in Interval 2.High total Fe, total sulfur, Fe/Al, and trace metal enrichments in Interval 2 are intrinsically linked to prevalence of anoxic bottom-water conditions which enhanced burial of pyrite and organic matter. Results from productivity proxies and Fe–S–C ternary plots show that Fe limitation on pyrite formation under anoxic porewater enhanced organic carbon burial and preservation. This implies Fe enrichment within the sediments favored pyrite formation instead of organic matter sulfidization, leading to a complex relationship between S and organic carbon in the marine sediments during Niobrara deposition.

Evaluation of fodder cropping sequences under Tarai region of Uttarakhand

Field experiments were carried out to record the performance of twelve cropping sequences in randomized complete block design with three replications during 2015-16 and 2016-17 at Pantnagar. Different cropping sequences were assessed for fodder and nutrient yields, production and land use efficiency, profitability and soil organic carbon sequestration. Study revealed that hybrid Napier + berseem cropping sequence (CS ) had higher 12 green fodder (185.8%) and dry fodder (306.7%) yields than commonly practiced single cut sorghum + cowpea-oat + berseem-single cut sorghum + cowpea cropping sequence (CS ). This also had significantly higher digestible 1 dry matter (77.3 t ha-1), crude protein (11.4 t ha-1) and mineral (10.0 t ha-1) yields than CS . Production efficiency with 1 this treatment was 1.33 and 0.40 t ha-1 day-1 in terms of green and dry fodder yields, respectively against 0.53 and 0.11 t ha-1 day-1, which was observed in CS . CS was the most profitable cropping sequence showing 285.6, 235.1 1 12 and 222.2% higher net return, B:C ratio and economic efficiency, respectively than commonly followed cropping sequence (CS ). However, CS and CS were at par with respect to soil organic carbon sequestration. So hybrid 1 12 1 Napier + berseem cropping sequence (CS ) could be recommended for Tarai region.

Algae Extract Increases Seed Production of Soybean Plants and Alters Nitrogen Metabolism

Algae extract biostimulants increase nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and productivity in several crops. However, there is still a gap in the knowledge of the mechanisms of action of algae extracts on nitrogen plant metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a commercial Ascophyllum nodosum algae extract on nitrogen metabolism in nodulating soybean plants and their productivity. Two concentrations of algae extract (0.25% and 0.50%) were used, which were applied via seeds and leaf spray. Seeds were treated at sowing, and plants were sprayed twice at two vegetative phenological stages. Plants were harvested at the R5 phenological stage for leaf biochemical and enzyme activity analyses and leaf and root gene expression analyses. The experiment was carried out a second time to evaluate productivity. There was an increase in leaf and stem biomass, number of pods and seeds, weight of pods and seeds, and productivity in plants treated with both concentrations. Biochemical analysis showed increased amino acid content in leaves after extract application. No marked differences were found regarding the parameters related to nitrogen metabolism when the data were analysed individually. However, principal component analysis and gene expression heatmaps supported the conclusion that N metabolism was affected by algae extract application, leading to higher seed production.

Revolutionizing gut health: exploring the role of gut microbiota and the potential of microbiome-based therapies in lower gastrointestinal diseases

The gut microbiota comprises a collection of microorganisms residing in the human digestive system, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These microbes have critical roles in food breakdown, immune system regulation, and the production of essential nutrients. Several lower gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and colorectal cancer, have been associated with dysbiosis, which refers to an imbalance in the gut microbiota. Additionally, the gut microbiome and its microbial compounds affect disease development and the host’s immune response. Alterations in the gut-brain axis microbiome are also implicated in lower GI diseases. Therefore, microbiome-based therapies that regulate the gut microbiota (e.g., fecal microbiota transplantation and probiotics) are essential for the prevention and treatment of these diseases. This review aims to highlight the significance of gut microbiota and microbiome-based therapies in managing lower GI diseases.

Plant litter predicts the changing trajectories of plant communities following grazing exclusion

AbstractLitter decomposition is a key component of global biogeochemical cycles that affects the availability of soil nutrients for plant productivity. Significant variations in litter decomposability between plant taxa are attributed to diverse functional traits including litter quality, plant nutrient production, and nutrient resorption efficiency which should influence the ecological fitness of plants in the community. However, no reports to date have explored the relationships between litter decomposition and plant community dynamics, that is, plant succession and interspecific competition. We conducted a litter decomposition experiment that focused on 21 plant species in an alpine meadow. The litter decomposition rates of these species were compared with their initial litter quality and nutrient use efficiencies to examine whether the plant litter indicators of the community structures were altered following grazing exclusion. We found that among these 21 plant species, those with higher nutrient use efficiencies had a lower litter decomposition rate. Meanwhile, lower decomposition rates were correlated with higher plant importance values, and this correlation became stronger over time in plant communities following grazing exclusion, except for dominant species. Our results suggested that litter decomposability can be used to predict the changing trajectories of plant communities following grazing exclusion, except for dominant species.

Thermosynechococcus sp. CL-1 cultivation for Zn removal in swine wastewater with simultaneous CO2 fixation and macromolecules accumulation

Treatment of swine wastewater via cultivation of photosynthetic microorganism is highly promising due to the benefits in nutrient utilization, cost reduction, high efficiency, and production of various bioproducts. Besides, photosynthetic microorganisms are also acknowledged for their high tolerance toward extreme growth conditions, including the presence of heavy metals. This study assessed the tolerance of Thermosynechococcus sp. CL-1 (TCL-1) in the cultivation using swine wastewater for CO2 fixation, Zn removal, and production of lipid, protein, and carbohydrate. Addition of 113.2 mM dissolved inorganic carbon was also set for simulation of almost saturated CO2 content in a chemical scrubbing wastewater after CO2 absorption process. Experiment was conducted in a 1 L flat panel photobioreactor for 12 h periods, under illumination of various light intensities, and compared with the performance in modified Fitzgerald medium. TCL-1 cultivation under 1000 μE/m2/s light intensity provided the optimum growth condition in swine wastewater which led to high biomass productivity (55.69 mg/L/h) and CO2 fixation rate (91.8 mg/L/h). TCL-1 in this cultivation also removed 62.5 % Zn content from swine wastewater and bioadsorption route was detected as the major elimination process. The rapid utilization of nitrogen compounds in swine wastewater resulted in the dominant production of protein reached to 59.5 ± 3.1%dwc.

Impact of soil fertility characteristics on artificial fertility gradient approach developed using sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in Alfisols

In the advent of precision agriculture, applying fertilizer based on soil testing is a crucial tool to prescribe nutrient levels for crops, to increase nutrient use efficiency and production. A field experiment was conducted in a farmer's field in the Dindigul district, Southern agro-climatic zone of Tamil Nadu to ascertain the effect of artificial soil fertility gradient method on soil fertility, green fodder production of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) (var. CO 30) and nutrient absorption. A fertility gradient technique has been investigated to produce fertilizer recommendations for location-specific in red soils (Alfisols, Typic Rhodustalf). The experimental field was separated into three equal strips: strip I, II, and III, which received applications of the three graded levels of ertilizer N0P0K0, N1P1K1, and N2P2K2, respectively. Urea, single super phosphate, and muriate of potash fertilizers, respectively, were used to apply NPK. As a gradient crop, S. bicolor was raised. The N1 level was set based on the general fertilizer recommendation of feed sorghum, while the P1 and K1 values were set based on the soil’s ability to fix 100 kg ha-1 of phosphorus and 100 kg ha-1 of potassium, respectively. Plant samples were taken at harvest time, and their NPK content and nutrient uptake were determined. With addition of graded doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer in Strip I, II & III increased the soil's available N, P & K status substantially in the order of Strip I<II<III and minimize the heterogeneity in the soil population , management strategies employed, and prevailing climate conditions to induce fertility variations in the same field. The outcomes showed that sorghum crop yields for fodder (Strip III – 25.01 t ha-1) and NPK uptake were significantly impacted by the application of graded amounts of NPK fertilizers.

Potential Applications of Silicate Solubilizing Bacteria and Potassium Silicate on Sugarcane Crop under Drought Condition

The decline of soil nutrient status and productivity of crops, and restoration of soil health is a key global concern. Crop yields are reduced by soil degradation, which endangers the world's food supply. Crop yields and soil health are further decreased by improper fertilizers use in conjunction with intense cropping. A wide variety of plants, particularly monocotyledonous crops can collect significant levels of silicon in their organs showing the benefits of silicon in terms of growth, biomass, and yield, whereas most dicots are unable to accumulate enough Si under their epidermal system. In the present investigation, treatment of applying silica solubilizer at a rate of 12.5 kg with 50 kg FYM/ha in soil with sett treatment of 0.5% K2SiO3,2.5% urea and potash foliar spray in a specified time showed a significant result in all the growth and yield parameters tested when plant and its ratoon were in drought condition.

Optimization Method of Whole Wheat Flour, Soybean Flour, Oyster Meat Powder for Nutrient- Dense Composite Flour

Aim: To study the production of Nutrient – Dense Composite Flour from the blends of whole wheat flour, soybean flour (full fat) and oyster meat powder.
 Study Design: The study was design using the D-optimal combination design of Response Surface Methodology (RSM).
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Department of Food, Nutrition and Home Science, University of Port Harcourt (Processing of raw materials) and the Department of Food Technology, Federal Institute of industrial research Oshodi, Lagos (Analysis of raw materials) between October 2021 and August 2022.
 Methodology: The raw materials were each processed to have wholesome flours, and then they were combined according to the matrix generated, which had ranges of 70 – 100%, 0 – 22%, and 0 – 8% for whole wheat flour (WWF), soybean flour (SBF) and oyster meat powder (OMP) respectively.
 Results: The design was used to assess the significance (5% probability) of the moisture, fat, and protein content, which ranged from 8.09 to 11.37%, 1.80 to 8.52% and 9.70 to 19.07% respectively; the water absorption (72.00 - 79.10BU), dough stability (9.3 - 17.5BU) and mixing tolerance index (25 - 50BU); and lightness and yellowness, which ranged from 65.48 - 83.2 and 13.77 - 23.58 respectively, of the flour blends. Protein content, water absorption dough stability, and mixing tolerance index were prioritized while moisture content, fat content, and yellowness were minimized for the numerical optimization of the responses. This study highlights the possibilities of utilizing non-conventional raw materials in the production of composite flour with balance nutritional and baking qualities.
 Conclusion: The best flour combination was 72.51% whole wheat flour, 19.63% soybean flour, and 7.86% oyster meat powder.

Understanding Snail Mucus Biosynthesis and Shell Biomineralisation through Genomic Data Mining of the Reconstructed Carbohydrate and Glycan Metabolic Pathways of the Giant African Snail (Achatina fulica).

The giant African snail (Order Stylommatophora: Family Achatinidae), Achatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822), is the most significant and invasive land snail pest. The ecological adaptability of this snail involves high growth rate, reproductive capacity, and shell and mucus production, driven by several biochemical processes and metabolism. The available genomic information for A. fulica provides excellent opportunities to hinder the underlying processes of adaptation, mainly carbohydrate and glycan metabolic pathways toward the shell and mucus formation. The authors analysed the 1.78 Gb draft genomic contigs of A. fulica to identify enzyme-coding genes and reconstruct biochemical pathways related to the carbohydrate and glycan metabolism using a designed bioinformatic workflow. Three hundred and seventy-seven enzymes involved in the carbohydrate and glycan metabolic pathways were identified based on the KEGG pathway reference in combination with protein sequence comparison, structural analysis, and manual curation. Fourteen complete pathways of carbohydrate metabolism and seven complete pathways of glycan metabolism supported the nutrient acquisition and production of the mucus proteoglycans. Increased copy numbers of amylases, cellulases, and chitinases highlighted the snail advantage in food consumption and fast growth rate. The ascorbate biosynthesis pathway identified from the carbohydrate metabolic pathways of A. fulica was involved in the shell biomineralisation process in association with the collagen protein network, carbonic anhydrases, tyrosinases, and several ion transporters. Thus, our bioinformatic workflow was able to reconstruct carbohydrate metabolism, mucus biosynthesis, and shell biomineralisation pathways from the A. fulica genome and transcriptome data. These findings could reveal several evolutionary advantages of the A. fulica snail, and will benefit the discovery of valuable enzymes for industrial and medical applications.

Mutual Effect of Gypsum and Potassium on Nutrient Productivity in the Alfalfa-Grass Sward-A Case Study.

It was assumed that the production of alfalfa in soils naturally poor in available nutrients, such as potassium (K) and calcium (Ca), depends on the use of fertilizers. This hypothesis was validated in an experiment with an alfalfa-grass mixture carried out in 2012, 2013 and 2014 on soil formed from loamy sand that had a low content of available Ca and K. The two-factor experiment consisted of two levels of applied gypsum as a source of Ca (0, 500 kg ha-1) and five levels of PK fertilizers (absolute control, P60K0, P60K30, P60K60 and P60K120). The total yield of the sward was determined by the main seasons of alfalfa-grass sward use. Gypsum application increased the yield by 1.0 t ha-1. The highest yield of 14.9 t ha-1 was obtained on the plot fertilized with P60K120. Based on the nutrient content in the sward, it was shown that the main yield predictor was the content of K in the first cut of sward use. The reliable yield predictors, based on the total accumulation of nutrients in the sward, turned out to be K, Mg and Fe. The nutritional quality of the alfalfa-grass fodder, based on the K/Ca + Mg ratio, depended mainly on the season of the sward use, which was substantially deteriorated by the K fertilizer. Gypsum did not control this process. The productivity of the nutrients taken up by the sward depended on the accumulated K. Its yield-forming effect was significantly limited by manganese deficiency. The use of gypsum positively affected the uptake of micronutrients, consequently increasing their unit productivity, especially of manganese. Optimization of the production of alfalfa-grass mixtures in soils poor in basic nutrients requires micronutrients to be taken into account. Their uptake by plants can be limited by high doses of basic fertilizers.