Physiological Stages Research Articles

NUTRIENT REMOVAL BY OFF-SEASON GRAIN SORGHUM AS AFFECTED BY INTERCROPPING WITH RUZIGRASS AND FERTILIZATION LEVELS IN THE BRAZILIAN CERRADO

Sorghum is an off-season crop option in succession to soybean in the Cerrado region, but many producers underestimate the fertilization requirement, which can harm the productive performance of the system as a whole. Aiming to quantify the uptake and export of nutrients by grain sorghum, experiments were carried out in monocropping and intercropping with ruzigrass (Uroclhoa ruziziensis), with three levels of NPK fertilization (control without fertilization; maintenance fertilization; and maintenance + 30%). The experimental design was randomized blocks, with four replications. Sorghum plants were sampled at 33, 67 and 130 days after sowing, corresponding to the eight-leaf, flowering and physiological maturation development stages. The nutrient accumulation throughout the sorghum cycle and the respective extraction and export rates were calculated. Intercropping with ruzigrass reduces grain yield, but does not influence sorghum nutrient accumulation. Fertilization in soil with current high fertility increases biomass and nutrient accumulation, however, without any impact on grain yield. In off-season sorghum crop, nutrient uptake occurs mostly during the vegetative phase. Each ton of grain produced removes the equivalent of 14.5; 5.0; 3.5; 1.1 and 0.5 kg of N, P2O5, K2O, Mg and S, in addition to 2, 2, 25, 9 and 11 g of B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn, respectively. The potential for nutrient removal by grain sorghum cultivation is comparable to the patterns of the off-season maize crop, evidencing the importance of fertilization to replenish the amounts of nutrient exported.

Assessing the effects of Different Biofertilizer Levels on Dry-weight of Wheat and Barley Cultivars at Maturity Stage

The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of biofertilizers on some physiological and agronomical characteristics of different varieties of wheat and barley at the physiological maturity stage in 2021 at the new campus of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. The experiment was a Completely Randomized Factorial Design with two factors; the first factor was the inoculation of biofertilizer at three levels (Barvar-2, Actinomycetes, Barvar-2 + Actinomycetes), and the second factor was wheat and barley at 14 levels (eight varieties of wheat: Marwarid, Gonbad, Karim, Ihsan, Darya, N-91-8, N-91-9, and N-91-17 and six varieties of barley: Mahor, Torkman, Sahra, Boomy, Yusuf, and Lukht) all with three replications. Results indicated that the effect of genotype on all the traits considered in this study (leaf dry weight, stem, root, shoot, and total) was significant at a 1% level of confidence and that barley (Boomy and Sahra cultivars) had higher amounts of dry weight. On the other hand, biofertilizer did not reveal a significant effect on the traits; however, the interaction of genotype and biofertilizer indicated a significant effect on the dry weight of roots, and the highest amount was found in Marwarid genotype and actinomycetes experiment.

Spatiotemporal distribution of roots in a Maize-Kura clover living mulch system: Impact of tillage and fertilizer N source

Kura clover living mulch (KCLM) can be integrated into Midwestern row-crop production systems as a soil and water conservation tool. Rotary zone tillage is currently recommended to establish a clover-free zone for maize seeding in the living mulch, however, this practice is costly and presents a major barrier to producers. Banding anhydrous NH3 in a KCLM, due to its transient caustic impact, may damage clover roots and provide supplemental clover suppression. This experiment aimed to determine the effects of tillage intensity and fertilizer source on maize yield and clover root biomass. Maize was seeded into a KCLM prepared with rotary zone tillage (RZT) or shank strip tillage (ST) and fertilized with ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) or NH3 banded under the tilled zone. Aboveground clover biomass, total root biomass, and soil N were sampled at eight times between tillage and the R4 maize physiological growth stage, and maize and clover roots were differentiated using their 13C isotope signatures. Results indicated that ST achieved adequate clover suppression and grain yields were not affected by tillage or fertilizer treatments. The RZT treatment reduced clover root biomass relative to ST, but fertilizer N source did not affect above or belowground clover biomass pools. Based on the results of this study, we conclude that ST can be used with any form of banded N fertilizer to successfully manage maize in KCLM while maintaining a greater level of clover root biomass than RZT.

Ringing branches reduces fruitlet abscission by promoting PIN1 expression in ‘Orri’ mandarin

• ‘Orri’ mandarin has a low parthenocarpic ability, in accordance with its low CcGA3ox1 gene expression, but the application of GA 3 does not increase fruit set. • Ringing branches performed 35-40 days after anthesis increases fruitlet growth rate. This effect correlates inversely with the fruitlet abscission rate, and positively with cell division, i.e., with the CcCYCA1.1 gene expression in the fruitlet, but not with the GA biosynthesis, i. e., with the CcGA3ox1 gene expression. • Ringing branches significantly increased CcPIN1 gene expression in the fruitlet. • Results suggest that ringing protects the fruitlet abscission zone mediated by polar auxin transport from the fruit, which allows the fruitlet to maintain carbohydrate assimilation and continue growing. Ringing branches is a technique which is widely used to increase the yield of Citrus cultivars with low parthenocarpic ability. When performed during the physiological fruitlet abscission stage it prevents fruitlet drop and increases the number of fruits harvested. This effect has been related with an increased carbohydrate supply, which requires an enhanced photosynthesis efficiency of leafy flowering shoots. Since ringing also reduces vegetative growth, both the number of shoots and the leaves per shoot, the mechanism by which the carbohydrate supply is increased should be revised. Our results show that ringing carried out at this stage maintains the ability of the ovary for cell division mediated by the availability of carbohydrates, as indicated by an increased CcCYCA1.1 expression. But this effect is not linked with an increase in GA 1 biosynthesis ( CcGA3ox1 expression), as this occurs during fruit set; hence, hormones other than gibberellin must be controlling the physiological fruitlet abscission in response to ringing. We found that an increased expression of the auxin efflux carrier CcPIN1 gene suggests that ringing induces the auxin export out of the fruitlet and transport to the abscission zone (AZ-C), thus inhibiting its activation and allowing carbohydrates supply to the fruitlet which, thus, prevents abscission and continues growth.

Natural sugar feeding rates of Anopheles mosquitoes collected by different methods in western Kenya

Attractive targeted sugar baits (ATSBs) are a potential vector control tool that exploits the sugar-feeding behaviour of mosquitoes. We evaluated the sugar-feeding behaviour of Anopheles mosquitoes as part of baseline studies for cluster randomised controlled trials of ATSBs. Mosquitoes were collected indoors and outdoors from two villages in western Kenya using prokopack aspirations, malaise tent traps and ultraviolet (UV) light traps. Individual mosquitoes were subjected to the cold anthrone test to assess the presence of sugar. Overall, 15.7% of collected mosquitoes had fed on natural sugar sources. By species and sex, the proportion sugar-fed was 41.3% and 27.7% in male and female Anopheles funestus, 27.2% and 12.8% in male and female An. arabiensis, and 9.7% and 8.3% in male and female An. coustani, respectively. Sugar-feeding was higher in unfed than blood-fed mosquitoes and higher in male than gravid mosquitoes. Anopheles mosquitoes obtained sugar meals from natural sources during all physiological stages, whether they rest indoors or outdoors. These findings offer a potential avenue to exploit for the control of mosquitoes, particularly with the advent of ATSBs, which have been shown to reduce mosquito densities in other regions.

The description of a new brackish water ciliate species from China, Trachelostyla aestuarina n. sp., with a species key and biogeographic investigation for Trachelostyla (Ciliophora, Sporadotrichida)

The ciliated protists are a diverse group of microbial eukaryotes that play an important role in the functioning of microbial food webs. The genus Trachelostyla Borror, 1972, comprised a few species with a non-twisted distinctly cephalized shape. The overall taxonomy has been challenging for this group, and the understanding of their diversity and distribution is therefore relatively limited. To further investigate this group, we report here on two species from the East China Sea, Trachelostyla aestuarina n. sp. and Trachelostyla caudata Borror, 1972, including their in vivo morphology, infraciliature, and phylogenetic relationships based on 18S rRNA gene sequences. The physiological reorganization stages of the latter were also investigated. T. aestuarina is characterized by a combination of features including a bipartite cell shape, a size of 150–220 × 15–35 μm, scattered cortical granules, and multiple macronuclear nodules (37–55). T. caudata has only 10 cirri in the frontal region, fewer than its congeners; thus, we improved the definition of the genus. The global distribution of Trachelostyla was summarized based on the available literature and a key to the valid species provided. This work improves the overall knowledge of hypotrich biodiversity and provides underpinning for future researchers in global regions for environmental monitoring and resource investigations.

Body Composition Analysis in Perimenopausal Women Considering the Influence of Vitamin D, Menstruation, Sociodemographic Factors, and Stimulants Used.

(1) The perimenopausal period and menopause are physiological stages of a woman's life, and they may result in the occurrence of many health problems. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of sociodemographic factors related to the use of stimulants and the presence of menstruation and vitamin D concentration in women's health based on the analysis of their body composition parameters. (2) The study was carried out among 191 women. The diagnostic poll method was used, the levels of serum vitamin D were tested, and a body composition analysis was carried out. (3) Correlations between the vitamin D serum concentration and the following factors were established: adipose tissue mass (%) (rho = -0.18; p = 0.011), visceral adipose tissue (rho = -0.18; p = 0.014), BMI (rho = -0.22; p = 0.002), muscle mass (rho = -0.19; p = 0.008), osseous tissue mass (rho = -0.18; p = 0.013), and the phase angle value (rho = -0.2; p = 0.005). A statistically significant correlation between adipose tissue mass (Mdn = 34.4 vs. 32.2; p = 0.018; η2 = 0.029), visceral adipose tissue (Mdn = 8 vs. 6; p = 0.000; η2 = 0.106), and metabolic age (Mdn = 49 vs. 42; p = 0.000; η2 = 0.098) exists. (4) The following conclusions were made: (i) Menstruating women were characterized by increased body composition parameters, especially adipose tissue mass, visceral adipose tissue, and metabolic age. Greater muscle and osseous masses were noted in regularly menstruating women. (ii) A correlation between the vitamin D concentration and body composition parameters in the studied women was observed.

Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase GmPAL1.1 Promotes Seed Vigor under High-Temperature and -Humidity Stress and Enhances Seed Germination under Salt and Drought Stress in Transgenic Arabidopsis

Seed vigor is an important agronomic attribute, essentially associated with crop yield. High-temperature and humidity (HTH) stress directly affects seed development of plants, resulting in the decrease of seed vigor. Therefore, it is particularly important to discover HTH-tolerant genes related to seed vigor. Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.24) is the first rate-limiting enzyme in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway and a key enzyme involved in plant growth and development and environmental adaptation. However, the biological function of PAL in seed vigor remains unknown. Here, GmPAL1.1 was cloned from soybean, and its protein was located in the cytoplasm and cell membrane. GmPAL1.1 was significantly induced by HTH stress in developing seeds. The overexpression of GmPAL1.1 in Arabidopsis (OE) accumulated lower level of ROS in the developing seeds and in the leaves than the WT at the physiological maturity stage under HTH stress, and the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT and flavonoid contents were significantly increased, while MDA production was markedly reduced in the leaves of the OE lines than in those of the WT. The germination rate and viability of mature seeds of the OE lines harvested after HTH stress were higher than those of the WT. Compared to the control, the overexpression of GmPAL1.1 in Arabidopsis enhanced the tolerance to salt and drought stresses during germination. Our results suggested the overexpression of GmPAL1.1 in Arabidopsis promoted seed vigor at the physiological maturation period under HTH stress and increased the seeds' tolerance to salt and drought during germination.

Optimal Effects of Combined Application of Nitrate and Ammonium Nitrogen Fertilizers with a Ratio of 3:1 on Grain Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Maize Sowed in Ridge–Furrow Plastic Film Mulching in Northwest China

Improving water use efficiency is essential for the advancement of agricultural production, particularly in arid and semiarid regions. Two-year field experiments were conducted to study the effects of ridge–furrow (RF) and flat planting (FP) plastic film mulching combined with five different nitrogen (N) fertilizers, N1 (KNO3), the nitrate (NO3−)/ammonium (NH4+) mixtures with different pure nitrogen ratios N2 (1:1), N3 (1:3), and N4 (3:1), and the control N5 (urea) on maize dry matter accumulation, soil water content, grain yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and N partial factor productivity. Our results showed that RF and N4 were more efficient than FP for increasing maize grain yield, WUE, and nitrogen partial factor productivity, and there was a significant interaction for cultivation practices × N formulation. RF and 3:1 NO3−/NH4+ significantly increased grain yield by 14.73% and 13.15%, and 20.07% and 24.14% in 2016 and 2017, respectively, compared to FP and nitrate only. RFN4 produced the highest grain yield in 2016 and 2017 due to the highest dry matter accumulation at filling and physiological maturity stage, ear rows per spike, and row grains per row. Over two growing seasons, the WUE and N partial factor productivity under RFN4 were 18.75% and 29.17% more on average than those of other treatments. Therefore, RFN4 is an effective planting system for increasing the simultaneity of grain yield and WUE for maize production in rain-fed agriculture.

Vaginal Birth at Term - Part 2. Guideline of the DGGG, OEGGG and SGGG (S3-Level, AWMF Registry No. 015/083, December 2020).

Purpose This guideline aims to summarize the current state of knowledge about vaginal birth at term. The guideline focuses on definitions of the physiological stages of labor as well as differentiating between various pathological developments and conditions. It also assesses the need for intervention and the options to avoid interventions. The second part of this guideline presents recommendations and statements on care during the dilation and expulsion stages as well as during the placental/postnatal stage. Methods The German recommendations largely reproduce the recommendations of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) CG190 guideline "Intrapartum care for healthy women and babies". Other international guidelines were also consulted in individual cases when compiling this guideline. In addition, a systematic search and analysis of the literature was carried out using PICO questions where necessary, and other systematic reviews and individual studies were taken into account. For easier comprehension, the assessment tools of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) were used to evaluate the quality of additionally consulted studies. Otherwise, the GRADE system was used for the NICE guideline, and the evidence reports of the IQWiG were used to evaluate the quality of the evidence. Recommendations Recommendations and statements were formulated based on identified evidence and/or a structured consensus.

Vaginal Birth at Term - Part 1. Guideline of the DGGG, OEGGG and SGGG (S3-Level, AWMF Registry No. 015/083, December 2020).

Purpose This guideline aims to summarize the current state of knowledge about vaginal birth at term. The guideline focuses on definitions of the physiological stages of labor as well as differentiating between various pathological developments and conditions. It also assesses the need for intervention and the options to avoid interventions. This first part presents recommendations and statements about patient information and counselling, general patient care, monitoring of patients, pain management and quality control measures for vaginal birth. Methods The German recommendations largely reproduce the recommendations of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) CG 190 guideline "Intrapartum care for healthy women and babies". Other international guidelines were also consulted in specific cases when compiling this guideline. In addition, a systematic search and analysis of the literature was carried out using PICO questions, if this was considered necessary, and other systematic reviews and individual studies were taken into account. For easier comprehension, the assessment tools of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) were used to evaluate the quality of the additionally consulted studies. Otherwise, the GRADE system was used for the NICE guideline and the evidence reports of the IQWiG were used to evaluate the quality of the evidence. Recommendations Recommendations and statements were formulated based on identified evidence and/or a structured consensus.

Deciphering the induction of Listeria monocytogenes into sublethal injury using fluorescence microscopy and RT-qPCR

The adaptive response of bacterial cells to changing environmental conditions depends on the behavior of single cells within the population. Exposure of Listeria monocytogenes to sublethal acidic conditions in foods or in the gastrointestinal track of the host may induce injuries relevant to difficult physiological states within the dormancy continuum. In this study, exposure to acidic conditions (acetic-AA and hydrochloric acid-HCl adjusted to pH 3.0, 2.7, 2.5 at 20 °C for 5 h) was used to evaluate injury of L. monocytogenes, Scott A strain. To differentiate the resistant sub-population from the total, Tryptic Soy Agar with 0.6 % Yeast Extract (TSAYE) supplemented or not with 5 % NaCl were comparatively used. Sublethally injured cells were detected by comparing plate counts with fluorescence microscopy, using combinations of CFDA (viability) and Propidium-Iodide (death). Effect of acid stress on the relative transcription of clpP, mazE, mazF, relA, gadC, gadD, gadB, sigB, inlA and prfA upon transition of total population into different physiological stages was evaluated through RT-qPCR. AA treated cells showed measurable logarithmic reduction at pH 2.7 and 2.5, while there was a significant percentage of CFDA−/PI+ cells. Evaluation of the potentially culturable population on TSAYE, from the percentage of CFDA/PI-stained cells, revealed that unstained cells represented a non-culturable sub-population. Exposure to Ringer's solution pH 2.7, adjusted with AA, resulted in higher percentages of non-esterase active with membrane integrity cells (CFDA−/PI−) compared to the percentages of the enumerated culturable cells on TSAYE after 4 and 5 h. Under the same conditions, after 1 h of exposure macroscopic observation revealed size colony variations (SCVs) of the total population (CFU on TSAYE). L. monocytogenes retained its culturability after hydrochloric acid exposure, while cells remained metabolically active (CFDA+). However, a stochastic change in cell's shape, was detected after exposure to pH 3.0 and 2.5, adjusted with HCl, for 2 h at 20 °C. A pattern of gene up-regulation was observed during treatment with AA pH 2.7 and HCl pH 3.0 at the 3rd h of exposure. Deciphering L. monocytogenes sublethal injury sheds light into the physiological and molecular characteristics of this state and provides the food science community with quantitative data to improve risk assessment.

4 Developing a Dry Matter Intake Prediction Equation for Grazing Animals based on Real-Time Enteric Emissions Measurements

Abstract Cattle dry matter intake (DMI) is an essential component of calculating cattle stocking rates, determining nutrient requirements, and evaluating grazing efficiency. Cattle DMI and digestion of forages impact enteric greenhouse gas (CO2e) emissions. Enteric emissions include methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), that are eructated by ruminants. The amount of methane produced is affected by consumption, quality, and type of feedstuffs. Intake of grazing animals varies on environmental factors and physiological stage. Additionally, increased GHG levels indicate energy loss during the rumen fermentation process. However, there may be a silver lining to enteric GHG emissions to predict DMI of grazing animals since they are highly correlated with DMI and forage composition. There is limited data on the relationship of DMI and GHG on extensive rangeland systems. Obtaining data for beef cattle DMI and enteric emissions on forage-based diets similar to extensive rangelands is needed to develop an equation capable of predicting DMI for grazing cattle. Therefore, our objective was to determine the relationship between CH4, CO2, oxygen (O2), and hydrogen (H2) emissions and DMI of dry beef cows to develop a mathematical model that predicts grazing DMI from enteric emissions. The predictive equation or precision system model (PSM; Menendez et al., 2022) was developed using data from two feeding trials that were conducted using GreenFeed, SmartFeed Pro, and SmartScale (C-Lock Inc. Rapid City, SD). This study was conducted at the SDSU Cottonwood Field Station (Cottonwood, SD). The two feeding trials consisted of dry beef cows (n=10) receiving low (8% CP) or high (15% CP) quality grass hay using a 14-day adaptation period and a 14-day period of data collection. Regression, artificial neural network, and dynamic-mechanistic models were developed using these data and assessed to identify a model that accurately and precisely predicts forage DMI for dry beef cows on pasture. Model evaluation of the machine learning algorithms used a training, testing, and cross-validation scheme to determine model accuracy. Evaluation of mechanistic models used the Model Evaluation System (MES; Tedeschi, 2006) to measure accuracy (mean bias, Cb, RMSEP), precision (R2, MEF, CCC), and screening for systematic errors. This study successfully integrated three precision technologies which improve research capabilities on extensive rangeland systems through precision enhanced data collection. Deploying a precision-based DMI algorithm enhances research-based capabilities to manage range beef cattle on an individual level by more precisely setting stocking rates, providing supplementation, and evaluating individual animal efficiency; ultimately leading to lower cost, optimized resources, and enhanced environmental sustainability. Further, the enteric emissions data collected fills a gap for missing GHG data of dry beef cows in maintenance phase in semi-arid western South Dakota rangelands.

8 Impact of Increasing Level of Milk Production on Cow and Calf Performance in the Nebraska Sandhills

Abstract Selection for increased milk production across the United States has resulted in variable cow and calf productivity responses. The calf growth response variability may be due to the relationship between calf milk and forage intake, which nursing and grazing behavior may help explain. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of increasing level of milk production on cow body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), reproductive performance, calf growth, nursing, and grazing behaviors in the Nebraska Sandhills. In a 2-yr study, data were collected on 118 mature crossbred cow-calf pairs from March- and May-calving herds. On approximately 30, 60, 90, 120, and 210 d postpartum, individual cow 24-h milk yield was estimated through weigh-suckle-weigh techniques. Cow BW and BCS were collected 14 d prior to calving, weekly from d 30 through breeding, and at weaning. Calf BW was recorded at each milking. Calf nursing and grazing behaviors were determined during 3-wk periods at EARLY (65.4 ± 10.0 d) and LATE (162 ± 22.3 d) lactation using high frequency (1 hz) global positioning system (GPS) data collected with neck collars. Milk area under the curve values were calculated to determine total milk production during lactation for each cow and all response variables were analyzed using linear regression analysis. Cow BW, BW change, and reproductive performance were not (P > 0.12) associated with total milk production, except for a tendency (P = 0.09) for lower BW at breeding with increased milk production. At weaning, cow BCS was negatively associated (P = 0.02) with increasing milk production but was not associated at any other physiological stage. Calf percent of time spent grazing was not affected (P = 0.33) by increasing dam milk production. However, percent of time nursing exhibited a tendency (P = 0.10) to decrease with increasing dam milk production. Pre-weaning calf BW was positively associated (P < 0.01) with increased milk production at each weigh date. A positive association of calf average daily gain (ADG) with increasing dam milk production was observed (P < 0.04) from birth to age 120 d with only a tendency (P = 0.09) for a positive association observed from age 120 d to weaning. However, steer ADG in the finishing phase was not associated (P = 0.63) with level of dam milk production. In this study and environmental conditions, increasing milk production had a positive increase in calf growth during the pre-weaning phase without any negative impact reproduction.

Serum progesterone and oxytocinase, and endometrial and luteal gene expression in pregnant, nonpregnant, oxytocin, carbetocin and meclofenamic acid treated mares

Our objectives were to examine changes in endometrial and luteal gene expression during estrus, diestrus, pregnancy and treatments to induce luteolysis and putatively induce luteostasis. Groups were: Diestrus (DIEST), Estrus (ESTR), Pregnant (PREG), Oxytocin (OXY), Carbetocin (CARB), and Meclofenamic acid (MFA). Blood was obtained from day (D)12 to D15 for measurement of oxytocinase, also referred to as leucyl-cysteinyl aminopeptidase (LNPEP) and progesterone. Luteal biopsies were obtained on D12 and D15 and an endometrial biopsy on D15. Real-time RT-PCR was performed for the following genes: PGR, ESR1, OXTR,OXT, LNPEP, PTGS2, PTGFR, PLA2G2C, PTGES, SLC2A4, and SLC2A1. Regarding serum LNPEP, PREG and OXY (p-value<0.001) had higher concentrations than DIEST mares. Endometrial PTGES expression was higher (p-value <0.04) in DIEST, PREG and OXY than other groups. Endometrium from ESTR had increased expression of OXT (p-value < 0.02) compared to MFA and OXY mares. Carbetocin treatment: decreased serum progesterone and LNPEP; increased endometrial PLA2G2C; decreased endometrial PTGES; and decreased luteal aromatase and PTGES. Treatment with MFA: decreased endometrial PLA2G2C, increased endometrial PTGES; and resulted in less OXTR and OXT luteal abundance on D12 compared to D15. Endometrial and luteal expression of LNPEP is affected by physiologic stage and treatment and is involved in luteal function and pregnancy recognition pathways through effects on oxytocin and prostaglandin synthesis in the horse.

Plant Suppression and Termination Methods to Maintain Intermediate Wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) Grain Yield

Intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth &amp; D.R. Dewey; IWG) is a perennial sod-forming grass undergoing domesticated for use as a dual-use grain and forage crop with potential environmental benefits. IWG plant populations increase with stand age, which has been associated with reductions in grain yields after the second production year, thus management techniques are needed to maintain grain yields over time. We measured the effects of two between-row plant termination methods (cultivation and herbicide application) and two within-row suppression methods (burning and mowing), applied at different IWG physiological stages during the growing season. We measured IWG grain and straw yield, root biomass, and weed biomass. Treatments were initiated after the second year of grain harvest and applied for two consecutive years in southeast Minnesota. Grain yields were highest in production year 2 preceding any treatment application and declined in years 3 and 4 by 82% and 57% compared to year 2, respectively, across all management treatments. Termination methods reduced between-row IWG biomass and grain by up to 82% and 91% compared to the control but had no effect on within-row or total grain yield. Fall burning suppression treatments mitigated the negative effects of some termination treatments on grain yield and increased total straw yield. Spring mowing suppression treatments reduced grain and straw yield by 42% and 34%, respectively, compared to the control. Controls had minimal weed biomass while the termination treatments increased weed biomass, especially termination treatments that included herbicide application. No treatments sustained grain yields, but positive effects of some treatments were observed on total biomass and weeds and could be considered by growers.

COVID-19 vaccination in adults with congenital heart disease: results of 1-year prospective study

Abstract Background Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are a vulnerable population. Routine vaccination is the only strategy to prevent a life-threatening infection. However, concerns on the cardiac safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines have been raised. Aim To assess safety and efficacy of available COVID-19 vaccines in ACHD patients. Methods Data on COVID-19 infection and vaccines including booster doses and any suspected or confirmed adverse events were prospectively collected for all ACHD patients attending our tertiary centre from the beginning of the vaccination campaign (March 2021). A group of 75 healthy volunteers, matched per age and sex, was included for comparison. Antispike IgG titre was routinely obtained at the ACHD clinic. Patients' attitude towards COVID-19 was explored with a questionnaire. Results As of February 2022, 498 ACHD patients (36.7±16 years, 54% male,69% with moderate-complex defects, 48% with advanced physiological stage) were enrolled. Four hundred and sixty-one (92%) were fully vaccinated: the type of vaccine was Pfizer-BioNTech for 399 (86%) patients, Moderna for 20 (4%) and AstraZeneca for 26 (6%), 9 received a mixed vaccine regimen (2%). Forty-two (9%) had a history of previous COVID-19 infection and therefore received only one dose. Two-hundred and sixty-nine (58%) patients received a booster dose. Adverse events were mainly mild and transient. One patient complaining of chest pain following administration of mRNA-based vaccination was diagnosed with acute pericarditis, which made full remission after appropriate therapy. Two patients reported a non-specific increment of inflammatory markers. No other severe adverse events were reported. Thirty-seven (7%) refused COVID-19 vaccination being scared of potential cardiac/extra-cardiac adverse events. Among those not-vaccinated, 9 (24%) had a history of previous mild COVID-19 infection. IgG titre was measured in 243 patients at 1915 [835–5934] BAU/ml, which was significantly higher compared to controls (1196 [827–2048] BAU/ml, p=0.002). Three ACHD patients contracted COVID-19 infection after the first dose, while 65 (14%) fully vaccinated patients tested positive for COVID-19, all with mild to moderate symptoms. COVID-19 symptoms duration was significantly longer in case of infection before vaccination (10 [2.7–15] vs 3 [1.2–7], p=0.03). One Fontan patient was tested positive for COVID-19 twice, before and after COVID-19 vaccination, requiring hospitalization in both cases. Four hundred and seven patients completed the questionnaire: 128 (31%) declared to be scared of potential cardiac effects of the vaccine and that the discussion with the ACHD cardiologist was crucial to decide to undergo COVID-19 vaccination. Conclusions Our data provide real-world evidence on COVID-19 vaccines safety and efficacy in ACHD patients. Patients' education from the ACHD team may play a key role in vaccine acceptance in this vulnerable population. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Matrix Organization Analysis Using Grey Relational Analysis

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Yield of summer maize hybrids with different growth duration determined by light and temperature resource use efficiency from silking to physiological maturity stage.

In order to explore the physiological mechanism of different yield of summer maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids with different growth duration, a field experiment was conducted to study the growth stage, leaf photosynthetic characteristics, dry matter accumulation (DMA), transport and distribution characteristics and yield of the early maturity hybrid Denghai 518 (DH518) and the mid-late maturity hybrid Denghai 605 (DH605) from 2017 to 2021. The results showed that the yield of DH605 was significantly higher than that of DH518. The growth period of DH518 was 7-10 days shorter and the days of the growth stage of the sowing-silking stage (R1) were 5-6 days shorter compared to that of DH605. The contribution to grain dry matter by leaf and stalk dry matter remobilization (DMRC) of DH518 was significantly higher than that of DH605. There was a significant negative correlation between pre-silking growth days and harvest index (HI). The 13C distribution to grains of DH518 was significantly higher than that of DH605, and the HI and the corresponding contribution of HI to yield was also higher than that of DH605. The light and temperature resource use efficiency from silking to physiological maturity stage of DH605 was significantly higher than that of DH518. The yield per GDD of DH605 increased by 7.25% than that of DH518. At post-silking, the duration of higher leaf area index (DLAI) (>56 days) and active photosynthesis duration (APD) (>50 days) of DH605 were longer compared with that of DH518, and the average plant growth rate was 7.15% higher than that of DH518, which significantly increased the DMA of DH605. Therefore, the significant reduction of DH518 yield compared with DH605 was not due to the shortening of the growth stage of sowing-R1, but the lower light and temperature resource use efficiency from silking to physiological maturity stage.

Crossbreeding Rootstocks Improve Nitrogen Efficiency of Grafted Watermelon by Inducing Leaf Physiological and Root Morphological Responses

This is the first hydroponic study that evaluated the role of the heterotic plant characters of crossbreeding progenies and accessions which were used as rootstock for watermelon (scion) to improve the nitrogen (N) efficiency of this crop by grafting. The target of the research was to evaluate if grafting could enhance the nitrogen efficiency of watermelon through examining the responses of heterotic plant characters of crossbreeding rootstocks in the shoot development at the agronomical stage, root developments at the morphological stage, and leaf growth at various physiological stages. A hydroponic experiment was conducted by using an aerated deep-water culture (DWC) system in a well-equipped growth chamber of Erciyes University’s Plant Physiology Laboratory located at Kayseri, Türkiye. A watermelon cultivar Crimson Tide (CT) was grafted onto watermelon cultivars of Calhoun Gray (CG), Charleston Gray (Cha. G), and accessions of PI 296341 and PI 271769, the crossbreed progenies of Calhoun Gray × PI 296341, Calhoun Gray × PI 271769, and Charleston Gray × PI 296341. Plants were grown in 8 L plastic containers filled continuously with aired stock nutrient solution under two nitrogen (N) doses (low dose N: 0.3 mM unit N, and high dose N: 3.0 mM unit N) in a completely randomized block design (RBD) which was replicated three times, for six weeks. The grafted plants usually showed a higher crop growth performance than the self-grafted control plants, illustrating that nitrogen efficiency was significantly enhanced with respect to rootstocks of crossbreed progenies under a low N dose and high N dose. The N efficiency of grafted watermelon (CT) was improved by the high manifestation of heterosis in some root morphological characters (vigor root development and active root mechanism) of some of the crossbreeding rootstocks (Calhoun Gray × PI 271769) particularly in low-N conditions. Additionally, some of the crossbreeding rootstocks (Charleston Gray × PI 296341) exhibited high heterosis, which led to improving the N efficiency of grafted watermelon (CT) by inducing leaf physiological responses under high N supply. This clearly indicated that heterosis plays a crucial role in exploiting the genetic diversity in the N efficiency of watermelon. Therefore, these heterotic plant traits may be vital for the selection and breeding of nitrogen-efficient rootstocks for both small-scale and large-scale commercial farming in the nearby future.