Increase In Relative Yield Research Articles

Characterising the Influence of Genetics on Breast Muscle Myopathies in Broiler Chickens.

This report provides the first estimates of the genetic basis of all key breast muscle myopathies (BMM) in broiler chickens [Deep pectoral myopathy, wooden breast, white striping and spaghetti breast] and their relationship with body weight and breast yield. Data from a pure bred high yielding commercial broiler line were analysed to estimate the genetic parameters using a multivariate animal model with the appropriate fixed effects and permanent environmental effect of the dam. Heritabilities of the BMM ranged from 0.04 to 0.25 and the genetic correlation of the BMM with body weight and breast yield ranged from -0.06 to 0.41. Here we highlight that the genetic variance of BMM accounts for a low proportion of the phenotypic variance and the BMM have a low genetic relationship with performance traits. The large contribution of residual variance to the phenotypic variance for the BBM was >71.5% which indicates the importance of the non-genetic effects on BMM. The data presented also show that the moderate to low genetic influence for the development of BMM can be used, through balanced selection, to reduce the myopathy incidence in the long term. The impact of genetic selection against BMM was tested empirically by comparing the incidence of WB and % breast yield of a commercial broiler with a high generation (HG) broiler. The HG broiler used represents 2 years of genetic improvement compared to the commercial broiler; the HG broiler had an 18.4% relative decrease in WB and a 1.02% relative increase in breast yield compared to the commercial broiler. This paper describes the relationship between the genetic and non-genetic factors influencing BMM highlighting the importance of understanding the non-genetic effects on myopathy incidence. It also shows that the genetic component of BMM can be reduced whilst at the same time improving breast yield as part of balanced breeding goals.

Impact of Irrigation and Fertigation on the Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in a Moderate Climate

In Poland, under conditions of the moderate climate and transition between maritime and continental climates, the average rainfall totals of the growing season are in the range of 350–400 mm; however, they are distinguished by great temporal and spatial variability. Climatological studies demonstrate that the drought frequency is approximately 30%. Therefore, under such conditions, irrigation has a supplementary and intervention nature and is applied only when dry periods occur. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of sprinkler irrigation and increased nitrogen fertilization on the yield and quality of sugar beet roots and yield of sugar. The average increase of the yield under irrigation was 18.1 t·ha−1 which constituted a 22.8% increase in the yield. Furthermore, there was a marked tendency of a higher sugar content in the roots of irrigated plants. The absolute, relative, and unit average sugar beet root yield increases obtained under the influence of sprinkler irrigation and the lack of a significant diversity in the sugar content in roots confirm that irrigation contributed to an appropriate pace of plant growth and development. The increased rate of nitrogen fertilization (N2) of 160 kg N·ha−1 plus an additional 40 kg N·ha−1 resulted in the significantly greater root yields compared to the control (N1) (160 kg N·ha−1), i.e., an average of 7.6 t·ha−1 (9%). Based on the crop-water production function, the maximum root yields were obtained for the N1 rate at a total precipitation and irrigation amount of 382 mm, compared with 367 mm for the N2 rate.

Disruption of MIR396e and MIR396f improves rice yield under nitrogen-deficient conditions.

The microRNA miR396 directly represses GROWTH-REGULATING FACTORs (OsGRFs) and has been implicated in regulating rice yield and in nitrogen assimilation. Overexpressing the miR396 targets OsGRF4 and OsGRF6 improves rice yield via increased grain size and panicle branching, respectively. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to assess the function of miR396 genes in rice. Knockout of MIR396ef (MIR396e and MIR396f), but not other isoforms, enhanced both grain size and panicle branching, resulting in increased grain yield. Importantly, under nitrogen-deficient conditions, mir396ef mutants showed an even higher relative increase in grain yield as well as elevated above-ground biomass. Furthermore, we identified OsGRF8 as a new target of miR396, in addition to the known targets OsGRF4 and OsGRF6. Disruption of the miR396-targeting site in OsGRF8 was sufficient to both enlarge grain size and elongate panicles. Our results suggest that rice-seed and panicle development are regulated by miR396ef-GRF4/6/8-GIF1/2/3 modules and that miR396ef are promising targets of genome editing for breeding environmentally friendly rice varieties that require less nitrogen fertilization.

Rapid emergency response to yellow rust epidemics caused by newly introduced lineages of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici in Argentina

Yellow rust (YR), caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is one of the most destructive diseases of wheat worldwide. In 2017, YR emerged in Argentina and spread quickly into three million hectares, causing damage at levels only seen during the severe epidemics during the late 1930s. This widespread occurrence coincided with reports of newly introduced exotic races into the country. Therefore, little was known about actual impact of the disease on yield, reaction of commercial wheat cultivars, efficacy and best timing for fungicide applications. This study addressed these fundamental questions to provide a quick response to the re-emergence of YR in Argentina. Thirty wheat cultivars (short and long cycle) were evaluated for their response to a PstS13 lineage of Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici. The efficacy of one or two fungicide applications for controlling YR was also assessed. Disease severity reached about 50% in the untreated plots at early crop growth stages. Disease and yield data analyses showed that one fungicide application provided effective YR control, but two applications further secured a significant relative increase in yield. Grain yield was negatively correlated with disease severity, and losses reached up to 4,700 kg/ha in the untreated control plots for several varieties. We provide new and important information on the control of and potential yield losses by a new exotic race of Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici introduced to South America.

Feasibility of Sub-Soiling, Mole Drain and Suger Beet Compost Applications to Improve Soil Properties and Production of Sorghum and Barley at Nubaria Area

The current work was conducted in two successive seasons (summer season-2015and winter season-2015/2016) where sorghum and barley ware planted in summer and winter season at the farm of Nubaria Agriculture Research Station (Calcareous soil), Behera Governorate to study improving some soil properties by leaching process and application of compost under mole drain and sub-soiling. At summer season where starting leaching process and cultivating sorghum plant, the obtained results revealed that the reduction in soil salinity through the leaching period (four irrigation gifts each of them was 400 m3/fed. ,the interval between them was 15 days) at the sub-soiling area were 38.88% and 35.24% for 0-30, 30-60 cm soil depths, respectively. While, at mole drain treatment area, they were 41.84% and 41.76% for the same depths. The reductions in soil salinity through sorghum cultivation periods for the same depths at sub-soiling treatment area were 35.34% and 42.43% for 0-30, 30-60 cm depths, respectively and they were 27.32% and 25.59% for the same depths at the mole drain treatment.The total amounts of salts leached from top 60 cm of sub-soiling and mole drain treatments through leached periods were 3532.1 and 4025.8 kg/fed., respectively. While they were 2340.2 and 1483.1 kg/fed. during sorghum cultivation season for the two treatments, respectively. The results indicated also that, sub-soiling and mole drain treatments under open surface drainage lowered the water table level, but sub-soiling seemed to be more effective on lowering the water table level in soil. Sorghum green yields at area treated by sub-soiling varied from 9.76 to 12.83 ton/fed. with an average of 10.97 ton/fed., while they varied from 8.46 to 10.14 with an average 9.25 ton /fed. at other area, (treated by mole drain).At winter season where the effect of applying sugar beet compost on soil properties and barley (C.V. Giza 123) yield was studied, the obtained results indicated that ECe increased from 4.3 to 4.6 dSm-1 ,this increase was 6.5% for both areas in the surface layer (0-30) cm, while at the (30-60) cm depth the data showed that there were little differences in ECe under treated soils. The mean values of total porosity at the sub-soiling area increased from 4.8 to 5.07% for (0-30) and (30-60) cm depth , respectively, while at mole drain treatment the increase was 5.1 and 3.19% for the same above-mentioned depths, respectively. On the other hand, the mean values of bulk density (Pb) showed little decrease 1.57 and 0.78 % at (0-30) and (30-60) cm soil depth, respectively for both treated areas with application 3.0 Ton/fed. compost at both areas under study.The mean values of saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) at the area treated by sub-soiling increased as a result of application compost from 1.39 to1.53 cm/h (9.15% increase) and from 1.33 to 1.5 cm/h (11.33% increase) at (0-30) and (30-60) cm depths, respectively. On the other hand, they increased from 1.38 to 1.44 cm/h (4.17%) and 1.33 to 1.46 cm/h (8.9%) at mole drain treatment. The mean values of the relative increase in barely grain yield which obtained at rate 3 ton/fed. for sub-soiling and mole treatments, the increasing percentages were about 12.66% and15.69 %, respectively. On the other hand, the mean values of the relative increase in straw yield were 10.53 % and 17.85 % for both treatments, respectively.

Optimization of Fecal Calprotectin Assay for Pig Samples

Fecal calprotectin is a noninvasive marker of gut inflammation and has been widely utilized in human gastrointestinal diagnostics. This marker, however, has not been extensively utilized in porcine samples. The aim of this study was to optimize a protocol for the extraction of porcine fecal calprotectin, and to the best of our knowledge this is the first study to be conducted in this regard. Freshly collected swine fecal samples were used in this study. We determined the variability of three commercial ELISA assays in the recovery of porcine fecal calprotectin. We further studied the effect of dilution factor and roller shaker homogenization on the yield of calprotectin from swine fecal samples. Calprotectin recovery was significantly different(p<0.05) across the three commercial assays with MBS033848 having a greater recovery compared to DAEF-012 and calprest. Fecal calprotectin yield increased with an increase in dilution factor with maximum recovery at 1:250. Furthermore, homogenization of fecal sample extracts using a roller shaker for tubes for 30 min led to a 30.75% relative increase in calprotectin yield. Further increase in shaking time(at 60 min) led to a reduced calprotectin recovery. Calprotectin recovery ratio was 130.8% and 101.4% at 30 min and 60 min homogenization respectively. In our conclusion, we observed that various factors affect the recovery of porcine fecal calprotectin, and therefore the researcher should double check certain parameters in regard to the type of kit, the dilution factor and homogenization time if reliable and reproducible results are to be obtained. Results of the present study provide useful information on a non-invasive protocol to veterinarians and researchers in examining and monitoring swine gut healthusing the fecal calprotectin.

Additive yield response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) to rhizobium inoculation and phosphorus fertilizer across smallholder farms in Ethiopia

The impacts of rhizobium inoculation on growth and yield of chickpea have mainly been tested in experiments conducted in greenhouses or on research stations. We report the response of the crop to inoculation (I) and phosphorus fertilizer (P) application across a large number of smallholder’s farms over four regions of Ethiopia, covering diverse soil fertility and agro-ecological conditions. Increased grain yields due to the soil fertility treatments was evident for 99% target farmers. On average, I and P increased grain yield by 21% and 25% respectively, while the combined application of I and P resulted in a 38% increase. However, observed grain yields on control plots and responses to the treatments on individual farms varied greatly, and relative yield responses (%; yield of P and/I minus control yield, divided by control yield) ranged from 3% to 138%. With the exception of a few extremely poorly yielding locations, average responses to P and I were high across a wide range of control yields, indicating the possibility of boosting chickpea productivity for smallholders with P fertilizer and inoculant technology. Variation in response to rhizobium inoculation was mostly independent of agro-ecology and soil type although it was found to be low on a number of farms with extremely high N contents (%). Assuming that a relative yield increase of 10% due to treatment effects is required to be visible, 71%, 73% and 92% of the farmers observed a yield benefit by applying P, I, and P + I, respectively. The results are discussed with respect to the additive benefits of P fertilizers and rhizobial inoculation and their implications for wide scale promotion of inoculant technology to smallholders.

Effect of fluid properties on ultrasound assisted liquid-liquid extraction in a microchannel

When immiscible liquids are subjected to an ultrasonic field, they form emulsions. This principle has been used to improve the mass transfer characteristics of a liquid-liquid extraction process in microreactor systems. The formation of emulsion and its characteristics are prominently dependent on the properties of the liquids used and this also holds true for emulsion brought about by ultrasound. This paper focuses on the properties of fluids that are reported to have an influence on the cavitation behaviour, namely viscosity, interfacial tension and vapour pressure. These properties were examined by changing the solvent of the organic phase in the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate. The study is performed by comparing pairs of solvents that are different in one property but similar in the other two. The pairs selected are toluene – chlorobenzene for viscosity, toluene – methyl Isobutyl ketone for interfacial tension and methyl isobutyl ketone – 2-Methyl tetrahydrofuran for vapour pressure effects. A qualitative study was performed with a high-speed camera in flow to understand the emulsification initiation mechanisms and behaviours. These findings were further explored by performing the sonicated emulsion in a batch-sonicated reactor. The quantitative analysis of the fluid properties was evaluated and compared based on the relative percentage increase in yield upon sonication with respect to their individual silent conditions. The quantitative results were further supported by the quantification of the emulsion performed with an FBRM probe. The results indicate a two times improvement in yield with solvent of lower viscosity as 2 times more droplets were formed in the emulsion. Both the solvent systems with higher interfacial tension and vapour pressure had an improved yield of 1.4 times owing to larger number of droplets formed.

Climate change impacts on crop yields, land use and environment in response to crop sowing dates and thermal time requirements

Impacts of climate change on European agricultural production, land use and the environment depend on its impact on crop yields. However, many impact studies assume that crop management remains unchanged in future scenarios, while farmers may adapt their sowing dates and cultivar thermal time requirements to minimize yield losses or realize yield gains. The main objective of this study was to investigate the sensitivity of climate change impacts on European crop yields, land use, production and environmental variables to adaptations in crops sowing dates and varieties' thermal time requirements. A crop, economic and environmental model were coupled in an integrated assessment modelling approach for six important crops, for 27 countries of the European Union (EU27) to assess results of three SRES climate change scenarios to 2050. Crop yields under climate change were simulated considering three different management cases; (i) no change in crop management from baseline conditions (NoAd), (ii) adaptation of sowing date and thermal time requirements to give highest yields to 2050 (Opt) and (iii) a more conservative adaptation of sowing date and thermal time requirements (Act). Averaged across EU27, relative changes in water-limited crop yields due to climate change and increased CO2 varied between −6 and +21% considering NoAd management, whereas impacts with Opt management varied between +12 and +53%, and those under Act management between −2 and +27%. However, relative yield increases under climate change increased to +17 and +51% when technology progress was also considered. Importantly, the sensitivity to crop management assumptions of land use, production and environmental impacts were less pronounced than for crop yields due to the influence of corresponding market, farm resource and land allocation adjustments along the model chain acting via economic optimization of yields. We conclude that assumptions about crop sowing dates and thermal time requirements affect impact variables but to a different extent and generally decreasing for variables affected by economic drivers.

Understanding variability in the benefits of N2-fixation in soybean-maize rotations on smallholder farmers’ fields in Malawi

Soybean production can contribute to the nitrogen economy of smallholder farming systems, but our understanding of factors explaining variability in nitrogen fixation and rotational benefits across farms and regions is limited. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) was quantified with the natural abundance method in 150 farmer-managed soybean plots under different varieties and inputs in Dowa, Mchinji and Salima districts of Malawi. Soybean yielded on average 1.2tha−1 grain and the above-ground biomass at mid pod filling (R5.5) was 2.8tha−1 and contained in total 63kgha−1 nitrogen derived from the atmosphere (Ndfa). Locally sourced varieties obtained a larger %Ndfa (65%) than the ‘improved’ variety Nasoko (53%). The %Ndfa was positively associated with soil sand content, sowing date, plant population and biomass accumulation, but it was not affected by inoculation with rhizobia or the combination of inoculation and NPK fertiliser application. Quantities of N2 fixed differed between regions and years, and was enhanced by applying inoculant and fertiliser together, leading to more biomass accumulation and larger grain yields. Soil available P and exchangeable K contents also increased the total amount of N2 fixed. In a related trial, continuous maize yields were compared with maize following soybean in 53 farmer-managed fields. Average yield in continuous maize was 2.5tha−1, while maize after soybean produced 3.5tha−1 (139% of continuous maize). Farmers with higher maize yields, who applied external nutrient inputs, and with a larger value of household assets achieved greater yield responses to rotation with soybean. A relative yield increase of more than 10% was observed on 59, 90 and 77% of the fields in Dowa, Mchinji and Salima respectively. We conclude that fields of soybean and maize that receive adequate nutrient inputs and good management to ensure good yields benefit most in terms of quantities of N2 fixed by the legume and the yield response of the following maize crop. The results suggest that the promotion of soybean-maize rotations should be done through an integrated approach including the promotion of appropriate soil and crop management techniques. Furthermore, they suggest that wealthier households are more likely to apply adequate nutrient inputs and good crop management practices and are likely to receive larger maize yield responses to the incorporation of soybean.

ONION PLANT GROWTH AND YIELD AS AFFECTED BY NITROGEN, POTASSIUM AND SULPHUR COMBINATIONS UNDER EL-ARISH REGION CONDITIONS

A field experiment was carried out at The Experimental Farm of Fac. Environ. Agric. Sci., Arish University, North Sinai, Egypt, during the winter seasons of 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 to study the effect of different combinations among nitrogen, potassium and sulphur levels on growth, yield, and pungency of onion (Allium cepa L.) cv. White Sweet Spanish compared to control (recommended doses of N, K and S). The results indicated that application of 150% N+ 75% K2O+ 200% S of recommended dose was the best treatment wherein increased fresh weight of leaves, bulbs and total fresh weight as well as the dry weight of the same previous parameters and photosynthetic pigments in the 1st season. Concerning yield and its components, application of 150% N+ 75% K2O+200% S was the best treatment for increasing the total yield and its components compared to the recommendation treatment and the other treatments. The previous treatment recorded increases of total relative yield by 131.42% and 115.77% in 1stand 2nd seasons, respectively compared to control treatment (recommended dose); increment in marketable yield by 130.95% and 112.08% in 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively; increase in relative yield of both 1st and 2nd grades which increased by 131.04% , 115.22% for the 1st grade in both seasons, respectively, and by 127.89 and 111.77% for the sum of 1st + 2nd grades in the 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively, while application of 150% N+ 75%K2O + 100% S recorded the lowest value of bulb pungency.

Development of Improved Radiation Drive Environment for High Foot Implosions at the National Ignition Facility.

Analyses of high foot implosions show that performance is limited by the radiation drive environment, i.e., the hohlraum. Reported here are significant improvements in the radiation environment, which result in an enhancement in implosion performance. Using a longer, larger case-to-capsule ratio hohlraum at lower gas fill density improves the symmetry control of a high foot implosion. Moreover, for the first time, these hohlraums produce reduced levels of hot electrons, generated by laser-plasma interactions, which are at levels comparable to near-vacuum hohlraums, and well within specifications. Further, there is a noteworthy increase in laser energy coupling to the hohlraum, and discrepancies with simulated radiation production are markedly reduced. At fixed laser energy, high foot implosions driven with this improved hohlraum have achieved a 1.4×increase in stagnation pressure, with an accompanying relative increase in fusion yield of 50% as compared to a reference experiment with the same laser energy.

Photophysical Characterization of Enhanced 6-Methylisoxanthopterin Fluorescence in Duplex DNA.

The structure and dynamic motions of bases in DNA duplexes and other constructs are important for understanding mechanisms of selectivity and recognition of DNA-binding proteins. The fluorescent guanine analogue, 6-methylisoxanthopterin 6-MI, is well suited to this purpose as it exhibits an unexpected 3- to 4-fold increase in relative quantum yield upon duplex formation when incorporated into the following sequences: ATFAA, AAFTA, or ATFTA (where F represents 6-MI). To better understand some of the factors leading to the 6-MI fluorescence increase upon duplex formation, we characterized the effect of local sequence and structural perturbations on 6-MI photophysics through temperature melts, quantum yield measurements, fluorescence quenching assays, and fluorescence lifetime measurements. By examining 21 sequences we have determined that the duplex-enhanced fluorescence (DEF) depends on the composition of bases adjacent to 6-MI and the presence of adenines at locations n ± 2 from the probe. Investigation of duplex stability and local solvent accessibility measurements support a model in which the DEF arises from a constrained geometry of 6-MI in the duplex, which remains H-bonded to cytosine, stacked with adjacent bases and inaccessible to quenchers. Perturbation of DNA structure through the introduction of an unpaired base 3' to 6-MI or a mismatched basepair increases 6-MI dynamic motion leading to fluorescence quenching and a reduction in quantum yield. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest the enhanced fluorescence results from a greater degree of twist at the X-F step relative to the quenched duplexes examined. These results point to a model where adenine residues located at n ± 2 from 6-MI induce a structural geometry with greater twist in the duplex that hinders local motion reducing dynamic quenching and producing an increase in 6-MI fluorescence.

Site-directed mutagenesis of α-L-rhamnosidase from Alternaria sp. L1 to enhance synthesis yield of reverse hydrolysis based on rational design.

The α-L-rhamnosidase catalyzes the hydrolytic release of rhamnose from polysaccharides and glycosides and is widely used due to its applications in a variety of industrial processes. Our previous work reported that a wild-type α-L-rhamnosidase (RhaL1) from Alternaria sp. L1 could synthesize rhamnose-containing chemicals (RCCs) though reverse hydrolysis reaction with inexpensive rhamnose as glycosyl donor. To enhance the yield of reverse hydrolysis reaction and to determine the amino acid residues essential for the catalytic activity of RhaL1, site-directed mutagenesis of 11 residues was performed in this study. Through rationally designed mutations, the critical amino acid residues which may form direct or solvent-mediated hydrogen bonds with donor rhamnose (Asp252, Asp257, Asp264, Glu530, Arg548, His553, and Trp555) and may form the hydrophobic pocket in stabilizing donor (Trp261, Tyr302, Tyr316, and Trp369) in active-site of RhaL1 were analyzed, and three positive mutants (W261Y, Y302F, and Y316F) with improved product yield stood out. From the three positive variants, mutant W261Y accelerated the reverse hydrolysis with a prominent increase (43.7%) in relative yield compared to the wild-type enzyme. Based on the 3D structural modeling, we supposed that the improved yield of mutant W261Y is due to the adjustment of the spatial position of the putative catalytic acid residue Asp257. Mutant W261Y also exhibited a shift in the pH-activity profile in hydrolysis reaction, indicating that introducing of a polar residue in the active site cavity may affect the catalysis behavior of the enzyme.

Effects of cerium nitrate on the growth and physiological characteristics in Cyclocarya paliurus seedlings

Field studies were conducted to examine the effects of cerium on the growth and physiological characteristics of Cyclocarya paliurus seedlings by spraying the foliage with different concentrations of cerium nitrate. Optimal concentrations of cerium nitrate improved the relative growth yield of seedling height and stems and the soluble protein and sugar content of the leaves. Cerium nitrate also increased the concentration of secondary metabolites including triterpenoids, quercetin and kaempferol, mineral elements K, P, Mg, Mn, Fe and Cu, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) in the leaves. The effects of cerium nitrate on these indices were dose dependent. A concentration of 0.20 mmol/L was optimal to promote the relative growth yield of seedling height, contents of soluble sugar, kaempferol, K, P, Cu, and activities of PAL, SOD, and POX, significantly increased by 54.61%, 14.71%, 55.19%, 105.2%, 74.5%, 133.3%, 80.48%, 25.35% and 22.54%, respectively, as compared with the control. However, the maximal increase in relative growth yield of stems, contents of triterpenoid, quercetin, Mg, Mn, and Fe was attained at 1.00 mmol/L treatment, which significantly increased by 87.00%, 80.56%, 452.44%, 93.2%, 29.4%, and 133.9%, respectively, compared with control check (CK). Correlation analysis revealed positive relationships between activities of PAL, SOD and contents of triterpenoid, quercetin and kaempferol within a certain concentration range of cerium nitrate. These results suggested that an appropriate concentration of cerium not only was effective in the improvement of physiological function of C. paliurus, but also increased seedling resistance. Moreover, it stimulated the synthesis of medicinal components in leaves.

Ghost peaks observed after atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization experiments may disclose new ionization mechanism of matrix-assisted hypersonic velocity impact ionization.

Understanding the mechanisms of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) promises improvements in the sensitivity and specificity of many established applications in the field of mass spectrometry. This paper reports a serendipitous observation of a significant ion yield in a post-ionization experiment conducted after the sample had been removed from a standard atmospheric pressure (AP)-MALDI source. This post-ionization is interpreted in terms of collisions of microparticles moving with a hypersonic velocity into a solid surface. Calculations show that the thermal energy released during such collisions is close to that absorbed by the top matrix layer in traditional MALDI. The microparticles, containing both the matrix and analytes, could be detached from a film produced inside the inlet capillary during the sample ablation and accelerated by the flow rushing through the capillary. These observations contribute some new perspective to ion formation in both laser and laser-less matrix-assisted ionization. An AP-MALDI ion source hyphenated with a three-stage high-pressure ion funnel system was utilized for peptide mass analysis. After the laser had been turned off and the MALDI sample removed, ions were detected during a gradual reduction of the background pressure in the first funnel. The constant-rate pressure reduction led to the reproducible appearance of different singly and doubly charged peptide peaks in mass spectra taken a few seconds after the end of the MALDI analysis of a dried-droplet spot. The ion yield as well as the mass range of ions observed with a significant delay after a completion of the primary MALDI analysis depended primarily on the background pressure inside the first funnel. The production of ions in this post-ionization step was exclusively observed during the pressure drop. A lower matrix background and significant increase in relative yield of double-protonated ions are reported. The observations were partially consistent with a model of the supersonic jet from the inlet capillary accelerating detached particles to kinetic energies suitable for matrix-assisted hypersonic-velocity impact ionization.

Energizing eukaryotic cell-free protein synthesis with glucose metabolism

Eukaryotic cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) is limited by the dependence on costly high-energy phosphate compounds and exogenous enzymes to power protein synthesis (e.g., creatine phosphate and creatine kinase, CrP/CrK). Here, we report the ability to use glucose as a secondary energy substrate to regenerate ATP in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae crude extract CFPS platform. We observed synthesis of 3.64±0.35μgmL−1 active luciferase in batch reactions with 16mM glucose and 25mM phosphate, resulting in a 16% increase in relative protein yield (μg protein/$ reagents) compared to the CrP/CrK system. Our demonstration provides the foundation for development of cost-effective eukaryotic CFPS platforms.

EFFECT OF LIQUID CATTLE MANURE ON SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND CORN GROWTH IN NORTHERN GREECE

SUMMARYThe impact of liquid cattle (Bos taurusL.) manure, applied to soil at common rates and for several years, on certain plant parameters and soil properties has not been studied extensively. The objectives of this study were: a) to assess the effects of manure application on corn (Zea maysL.) yield, macro- and micronutrient concentrations and uptake, in a three-year (2006–2008) field experiment conducted in northern Greece and b) to evaluate the 11-year effect of manure application on soil fertility (particularly on micronutrients avialability) and chemical properties (especially on organic C and total N content). The field experiment of this study had been used in a similar fertilisation experiment since 1996. The treatments, which were applied on the same plots each year over the 11-year period, were: (i) soil incorporation of liquid dairy cattle manure before sowing, at a rate equal to the common N-P inorganic fertilisation for each crop (based on manure's total N and P content); (ii) application of the common inorganic N-P fertilisation for each crop before sowing; (iii) identical to ii, but with split application of the N fertilisers; (iv) no fertilisation (control). Corn dry aboveground biomass yield at the R3 growth stage and grain yield, N, P, K concentrations and macro- and micronutrients uptake increased (p≤ 0.05) upon manure addition at levels similar to or higher than the inorganic fertilisation treatments. The relative increase in grain yield during the three-year period ranged between 63–75% for manure treatment and 50–75% for both inorganic fertilisation treatments. After 11 years of manure application, organic C, total N, and available NO3-N, P, K, Cu, Zn, Mn, and B increased (p≤ 0.05) in the surface soil (0–30 cm). However, no trend of nutrient build up was evident through years (except for Zn). Surprisingly, salinity and available NO3-N in the 60–90 cm soil depth of the manure-treated plots were lower (p≤ 0.05) than that of the inorganic fertilisation treatments and similar to control. Electrical conductivity was 1.76, 3.05, 2.96 and 1.36 dS m−1, for manure treatment, the two inorganic fertilisation treatments and control, respectively, whereas the respective NO3-N concentrations were 7.7, 44.6, 55.1 and 8.3 mg kg−1. Conclusively, repeated application of liquid cattle manure into the soil, at rates comparable to the common inorganic fertilisation for 11 years, can enhance crop yield and macronutrient concentrations in plant tissues and uptake, at levels similar to the inorganic fertilisation. In addition, it can increase micronutrients plant uptake and maintain soil fertility with respect to both macro- and micronutrients and increase soil organic C and total N, without either causing nutrient build up or increasing soil salinity and NO3−accumulation in the deeper soil layers.

Crop Damage from Sclerotinia Crown Rot and Risk Factors in Pyrethrum.

Sclerotinia crown rot, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and S. minor, is a prevalent disease in pyrethrum fields in Australia. Management involves fungicide applications during the rosette stage of plant development from autumn to early spring in fields approaching first harvest. However, estimates of crop damage and the efficacy of these tactics are poorly understood; therefore, plots were established in 86 pyrethrum fields in Tasmania, Australia during 2010 to 2012 to quantify these and to identify risk factors for disease outbreaks. On average, commercial management for Sclerotinia crown rot reduced disease incidence 43 to 67% compared with nontreated plots. There was a weak but significant relationship between relative increase in flower yield when fungicides were applied and the incidence of crown rot (R2 = 0.09, P = 0.006), although the mean number of flowers produced was similar regardless of fungicide applications. Flower yield was positively associated with canopy density in spring (S = 0.39, P = 0.001). Moreover, canopy density in spring was linked by both direct and indirect effects to canopy density during autumn and winter which, in turn, were associated with planting date and previous rain events. Modeling canopy density and disease incidence in autumn correctly categorized disease incidence in spring relative to a threshold of 2% in 72% of fields. In a subset of 22 fields monitored over 2 years, canopy density in the autumn following the first harvest had a negative relationship with Sclerotinia crown rot incidence the preceding year (R2 = 0.23, P = 0.006). On average, however, current commercial management efforts provided only small increases in flower yield in the current season and appear best targeted to fields with well-developed plant canopies and Sclerotinia crown rot present during early autumn.

Production functions of irrigated coffee under different planting densities

The aim of this study was to evaluate criteria for irrigation and planting densities best suited to coffee growing to maximize yield. The experiment was conducted in an area of the Department of Agriculture, Federal University of Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in a randomized complete block design with split-plots and four replications. Planting was carried out using healthy coffee seedlings of the Ruby MG-1192 cultivar. It was observed that the use of irrigation provided for significant increases in processed coffee yield in high density planting from 10,000 to 20,000 plants ha-1. Irrigations based on tensions from 60 kPa to 100 kPa are sufficient to meet the water requirements of coffee in dense plantings, but the increase in the number of plants from 10,000 to 20,000 compromises the sustainability of the crop through the disproportionate increase in water consumption for irrigation, with small increases in yield. For the irrigation tension of 60 kPa, the relative increase in yield outweighs the other criteria for irrigation, with 13,750 plants ha-1 being the number of plants indicated.