Significant Differences In Yield Research Articles

Breeding Lines Influence on Growth, Yield and Quality Characteristics of Cutleaf Groundcherry (Physalis angulata L.)

Background: Physalis angulata L. or Cutleaf groundcherry is underutilized crop that has not been widely cultivated and is often considered weeds. Cutleaf groundcherry is rich in nutritional and phytochemical contents, which is beneficial for human health. Information on the growth, yield and quality content of cutleaf groundcherry lines is essential for future development. The objective of this experiment was to determine the variation among the lines of cutleaf groundcherry in growth, yield and fruits quality. Methods: A greenhouse study was conducted in August to December, 2021. Nine lines of cutleaf groundcherry were tested in randomized block design by following the recommended agronomic practcies. Result: The results show that nine lines of cutleaf groundcherry were varied with significant differences in growth, yield and quality characteristics. The line PA-06 was superior to other lines in vegetative growth and total dry weight, yield characteristics, namely fruit weight fruit-1, fruit diameter and fruit weight plant-1. The nine lines had the same as total soluble solids and ascorbic acid, but differences in β-carotene and antioxidant.

Linear dependency of winter wheat yield and nitrogen use efficiency on the pre-anthesis temperature in the lower reach of the Yangtze River

Global warming is expected to enhance the nitrogen (N) absorption capability of crops, which causes a change in nitrogen fertilizer input. However, the impacts of warming and nitrogen application on crop growth, yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) are still unclear. Here, we conducted a 4-year field experiment of nighttime warming before winter wheat anthesis to explore the response of winter wheat yield to warming and the variation in nitrogen use efficiency under different nitrogen application levels (N150: 150 kg·ha−1, N225: 225 kg·ha−1, and N375: 375 kg·ha−1). The results showed that warming shortened the winter wheat vegetative growth period (VGP) by 8.3 days, while it prolonged the reproductive growth period (RGP) by 6.7 days. However, there was no significant difference in the growth period of winter wheat between nitrogen treatments. Meanwhile, warming increased winter wheat yield by increasing the number of effective spikes and grains per spike. Every 1 °C increase in pre-anthesis temperature increased winter wheat yield by 45.48, 55.78 and 60.88 g·m−2 for the N150, N225 and N375 treatments, respectively. There was no significant difference in yield between the N225 and N375 treatments, but the nitrogen partial factor productivity (PFPN) and the nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE) of N225 were significantly higher than those of N375. PFPN and NUtE were positively correlated with pre-anthesis air temperature under different nitrogen treatments. Multiple linear regression showed that a 1.0 °C increase enhanced NUtE by 11.62%, 9.75% and 7.85% for the N150, N225 and N375 treatments, respectively, and enhanced the PFPN by 7.77%, 8.94% and 9.81% respectively. Therefore, we suggest that 225 kg·ha−1 is an appropriate amount of nitrogen application in the lower reach of the Yangtze River under future climate warming.

Coupling a biochar filter to a leach bed reactor for anaerobic digestion of chicken litter

In this study, coupling a biochar-packed anaerobic filter (AF) to a batch leach bed reactor (LBR) is investigated as a pragmatic method for biochar application to enhance high-solids anaerobic digestion of chicken litter. Recirculating leachate through a biochar filter reduced solid retention time by 45 % compared with a batch system without recirculation. The key benefit of biochar over inert filter media was the capability to reduce hydrogen sulfide production by 37 % overall; 25 % in the LBR, and 93 % in the AF. No significant differences in methane yield were observed. Biogas produced in the biochar AF was of higher quality with a maximum hydrogen sulfide content of 188 ppm and peak methane content of 73 %. However, majority of the biogas was produced in the LBR due to poor phase separation. Further research is required to increase biogas production in the AF and/or reduce hydrogen sulfide production in the LBR.

Heterosis and Estimation of General and Specific Combining Ability as Base for Selected Superior Recombination of the Some Crossed Cotton Genotypes

The objective of this study was to determine the general and specific combining abilities and heterosis of some cotton genotypes for yield, its components and fiber traits using line x tester mating design. Nine parents (six line and three testers) were crossed in a line x tester mating design in 2020 season. Nine parents along with their eighteen F1 crosses were studied in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications during 2021 at Sakha. Agricultural. Research. Station. Kafr El-Sheikh, Governorate, Egypt. Based on line x tester analysis, the variance due to genotypes, parents, crosses and parent vs. cross exhibited significant differences (P. 0.01) for most yield, yield components and fiber traits. The variance due to GCA of lines x testers and SCA of line x tester interactions were highly significant for most studied traits, indicating the importance of both additive and non-additive gene actions in controlling these traits. The estimates of GCA and SCA effects revealed that the parent and some crosses were having desirable and significantly GCA and SCA effects, respectively. High mean performances and significantly GCA effects values were observed of line Giza 92, Giza 75 and tester Giza 97 for most studied traits, hence, these parents can be used as for generation superior cotton hybrids. The best values of mean performances, SCA effects and heterosis were found in the combinations Giza 94 x Giza 92, Giza 97 x Suvin for most yield and yield components and the cross Giza 97 x (Giza 75 x Sea) for yield and fiber traits. These crosses are considered as the promising crosses to be used in breeding programs for produce hybrid cotton and improvement for these traits in Egypt.

Efficacy of combined transbronchial lung cryobiopsy and conventional forceps biopsy for lung malignancies: a prospective cohort study

There are few prospective reports of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) for malignant tumors in combination with forceps biopsy. We investigated the clinical parameters in which TBLC is superior to forceps biopsy. This is a prospective cohort study to analyse the efficacy of TBLC for suspected malignancy. TBLC was performed after brushing cytology and forceps biopsy, and the diagnostic yield for TBLC, brushing cytology, and forceps biopsy were examined. Adverse events were defined as those requiring additional procedures. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis was performed in each case of non-small cell lung cancer. Of the 100 patients, malignancy was confirmed in 94 cases. The diagnostic yield for TBLC/forceps biopsy/brushing cytology was 86/81/82% respectively, while the diagnostic yield for all procedures combined was 94%. There was no significant difference in the diagnostic yield between TBLC and forceps biopsy. When comparing the biopsy site, the diagnostic yield for TBLC at the lower lobe was significantly higher than forceps biopsy (P < 0.01). Endobronchial ultrasonography imaging using a guide-sheath did not significantly differ in the diagnostic yield of TBLC. The success rate of NGS for TBLC specimens was 100% (26 cases). Adverse events included two cases of severe bleeding. TBLC of peripheral lesions may improve the diagnostic yield when combined with forceps biopsy and brushing cytology. The diagnostic yield of TBLC was higher at the lower lobes. Furthermore, TBLC provided sufficient specimen quality for NGS.

Identification and Characterization of Circular RNAs (circRNAs) Using RNA-Seq in Two Breeds of Cashmere Goats.

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a type of non-coding RNA generated from back-splicing the reactions of linear RNA. It plays an important role in various cellular and biological processes. However, there are few studies about the regulatory effect of circRNAs on cashmere fiber traits in cashmere goats. In this study, the expression profiles of circRNAs in skin tissue were compared between Liaoning cashmere (LC) goats and Ziwuling black (ZB) goats, with a significant difference in cashmere fiber yield, cashmere fiber diameter, and cashmere fiber color, using RNA-seq. A total of 11,613 circRNAs were expressed in the caprine skin tissue, and their type, chromosomal distribution, and length distribution were characterized. A total of 115 up-regulated circRNAs and 146 down-regulated circRNAs in LC goats were screened compared to ZB goats. The authenticity of 10 differentially expressed circRNAs was validated by detecting their expression levels and the head-to-tail splice junction using RT-PCR and DNA sequencing, respectively. The parent genes of differentially expressed circRNA were mainly enriched in some Gene Ontology (GO) terms and pathways related to cashmere fiber traits, such as the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, which is involved in the regulation of cell promotion, stem cell proliferation, Wnt signaling pathway regulation, epithelial morphogenesis, MAPK signaling pathway, and cell adhesion molecules pathway. Eight differentially expressed circRNAs were further selected to construct a circRNA-miRNA network, and some miRNAs that were previously reported as related to fiber traits were found in the network. This study provides a deep understanding of the roles of circRNAs in the regulation of cashmere fiber traits in cashmere goats and the involvement of differential splicing in phenotypic expression according to breed and region.

Association Between Intestinal Changes and Systemic Cytokines in Mouse Dysbiosis Models

Background/Objective: Gut dysbiosis has been linked with the development of low-grade inflammation in part due to an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines and a decrease in short chain fatty acid production. This project aims to study the effects of antibiotics-driven dysbiosis on host gene expression in murine ilea. Additionally, we will examine the ilea for morphological differences among treatment groups.&#x0D; Methods: Wild-type C57Bl/6J mice were given either an antibiotic (ampicillin, neomycin, vancomycin, or metronidazole) in water or water alone from 5 to 16 weeks of age. Mice were euthanized at 16 weeks, and the ilea were collected. RNA isolation and quantification were performed using the QIAgen RNeasy Lipid Tissue Mini Kit and BioTek Cytation 5 with Take3 plate, respectively.Histology of the ilea will be performed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E) staining.&#x0D; Results: The average RNA yield was 3.91 ± 1.14 μg/mg of tissue, and the average RNA purity, reported as the 260/280 nm ratio, was 2.06 ± 0.02. A Kruskal-Wallis test revealed there was no statistically significant difference in the average RNA yield between experimental groups (p-value = 0.15). Transcriptomes of isolated samples will be sequenced, and results will be analyzed in association with 16S sequencing (Zymo) of bacterial communities of the gut. Based on prior murine studies, we expect upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and downregulation of tight junction proteins, which contribute to inflammation and increased gut permeability.&#x0D; Conclusion and Scientific Impact: At this time, conclusions on the effects of antibiotics- driven dysbiosis on murine ileal gene expression and H&amp;E staining cannot be made as further results and analysis are pending. However, the RNA sequencing and H&amp;E results will be important to examine the impact of changes to the gut microbiome resulting from the administration of various antibiotics and further understand the relationship between antibiotics- driven dysbiosis and the microbe-host relationship

Polymorphisms within Intron-4 and Exon-4 regions of SPP1 gene and their association with milk traits in Gaolao cattle

Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) is an acidic, phosphorylated glycoprotein found in fluids including milk and is involved in development of mammary gland and exhibits impact on milk composition and yield. The aim of study was to reveal SPP1 gene polymorphisms and association with milk traits in Gaolao cattle. Blood was collected from 280 cows and test day milk was recorded. SPP1G1-BsrI locus in intron-IV was polymorphic and frequency of TT genotype was 0.99 and CT was 0.01, respectively. The association of SPP1G1-BsrI polymorphism with milk traits revealed significant difference in Milk yield and SNF% for CT genotype as compared to TT genotype. Sequencing of SPP1G1-BsrI locus-based TT and CT genotypes revealed G-A SNP at 32nd position. The SPP1G5-SSCP locus at exon-4 region was polymorphic with frequency for A pattern as 0.95 and for B patterns as 0.05. The association study, revealed significant differences for SNF% and Lactose% for SPP1G5-SSCP pattern A as compared to pattern B. Direct sequencing of SSCP pattern A and B of SPP1G5-SSCP revealed SNPs A-G at 71st, A-C at 109th and A-C at 208th position and 02 computational SNPs, viz. C-A at 109th position and C-A at 208th position. Identified significant association needs validation in large data sets with records for development of markers for bovine milk traits.

Chondrocyte Isolation from Loose Bodies-An Option for Reducing Donor Site Morbidity for Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation.

Loose bodies (LBs) from patients with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) are usually removed and discarded during surgical treatment of the defect. In this study, we address the question of whether these LBs contain sufficient viable and functional chondrocytes that could serve as a source for autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and how the required prolonged in vitro expansion affects their phenotype. Chondrocytes were isolated from LBs of 18 patients and compared with control chondrocyte from non-weight-bearing joint regions (n = 7) and bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs, n = 6) obtained during primary arthroplasty. No significant differences in the initial cell yield per isolation and the expression of the chondrocyte progenitor cell markers CD44 + /CD146+ were found between chondrocyte populations from LBs (LB-CH) and control patients (Ctrl-CH). During long-term expansion, LB-CH exhibited comparable viability and proliferation rates to control cells and no ultimate cell cycle arrest was observed within 12 passages respectively 15.3 ± 1.1 mean cumulative populations doublings (CPD). The chondrogenic differentiation potential was comparable between LB-CH and Ctrl-CH, but both groups showed a significantly higher ability to form a hyaline cartilage matrix in vitro than BMSC. Our data suggest that LBs are a promising cell source for obtaining qualitatively and quantitatively suitable chondrocytes for therapeutic applications, thereby circumventing donor site morbidity as a consequence of the biopsies required for the current ACI procedure.

Guided Bronchoscopy for the Evaluation of Pulmonary Lesions: An Updated Meta-analysis

Guided bronchoscopy is increasingly used to diagnose peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs). A meta-analysis published in 2012 demonstrated a pooled diagnostic yield of 70%; however, recent publications have documented yields as low as 40%and as high as 90%. Has the diagnostic yield of guided bronchoscopy in patients with PPLs improved over the past decade? A comprehensive search was performed of studies evaluating the diagnostic yield of differing bronchoscopic technologies used to reach PPLs. Study quality was assessed using the Quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy of studies (QUADAS-2) assessment tool. Number of lesions, type of technology used, overall diagnostic yield, and yield by size were extracted. Adverse events were recorded. Meta-analytic techniques were used to summarize findings across all studies. A total of 16,389 lesions from 126 studies were included. There was no significant difference in diagnostic yield prior to 2012 (39 studies; 3,052 lesions; yield 70.5%) vsafter 2012 (87 studies; 13,535 lesions; yield 69.2%) (P > .05). Additionally, there was no significant difference in yield when comparing different technologies. Studies with low risk of overall bias had a lower diagnostic yield than those with high risk of bias (66%vs71%, respectively; P= .018). Lesion size > 2cm, presence of bronchus sign, and reports with a high prevalence of malignancy in the study population were associated with significantly higher diagnostic yield. Significant (P< .0001) between-study heterogeneity was also noted. Despite the reported advances in bronchoscopic technology to diagnose PPLs, the diagnostic yield of guided bronchoscopy has not improved.

Two microbial consortia obtained through purposive acclimatization as biological additives to relieve ammonia inhibition in anaerobic digestion

Ammonia inhibition is a challenging issue in the anaerobic digestion (AD) of nitrogen-rich substrates and hinders the energy recovery from organic wastes. Bioaugmentation is promising strategy to stabilize AD systems with high ammonia concentration. The composition of microbial consortia often determines their effectiveness in bioaugmentation. Up to now, the effect of various microbial consortia as biological additives on the AD systems is not fully understood. In this study, two microbial consortia (syntrophic microbial consortium, MC, and hydrogenotrophic methanogen consortium, SS) were obtained through two domestication methods, and were applied in a nitrogen-rich AD system. The results showed that the MC and SS treatments could restore AD performance within 21 days and 83 days, respectively. The recovery of digestion performance depended on the methanogenic archaea Methanospirillum, Methanothermobacter, and Methanoculleus in the early and later stages. Analysis of the 13C isotope indicated that both MC and SS enhanced the hydrogenotrophic pathway. The KEGG analysis showed that the MC not only promoted the key enzyme genes in the hydrogenotrophic pathway but also had a positive effect on the related enzyme genes of propionate and butyrate degradation, which was affected by the abundant short-chain fatty acids degrading bacteria, such as Syntrophomonas, Syntrophobacter, and Tissierella in the MC. After recovery of digestion performance, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in methane yield between the MS and SS treatments. Therefore, the best intervention period for bioaugmentation is when the digestion performance of the AD system is unstable.

Triticale potential model in the conditions of the Amur region

The need for research is due to the growing demands of the region's animal husbandry in fodder grain. The goal is to establish the average and maximum values of the main economic indicators of triticale varieties in various zones of the region. The experiments were carried out in 2012–2016 on the fields of the zonal State Variety Testing Stations of the Amur Region. Soils are typical of zones. Meteorological conditions during the growing season of triticale are different. Triticale varieties were studied: Karmen St, Grebeshok, Rovnya, Ukro and Yarilo. Late-ripening varieties in all zones of the region form a high stem. Location of triticale varieties by grain threshing Karmen&gt; Rovnya&gt; Grebeshok and Yarilo&gt; Ukro. The largest mass of 1000 grains - 53.6 g and a yield of 5.36 t/ha is formed by the Karmen variety in the south of the region. Yarilo gives the highest yield in the central zone, and Rovnya in the northern zone. The increase in yield of Yarilo and Rovnya varieties compared to the control ranged from 0.13 to 0.16 t/ha, or from 4.2 to 5.2%. The smallest significant difference in yield for varieties was 5.4–15.8%. In the central zone of the region, the Yarilo variety significantly exceeds the standard by 0.69 t/ha, or 28.3%, in the north, the Grebeshok and Ukro varieties are significantly inferior to the standard by 0.16 and 0.33 t/ha, or 5.6 and 11.5%. The genetic series of the yield potential of varieties in the area of Karmen&gt; Yarilo&gt; Rovnya&gt;Grebeshok &gt; Ukro. A model of factors determining the adaptive potential of triticale in the Amur region is proposed.

Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Tanaman Kakao (Theobroma cacao L.) Terhadap Pemupukan Pada Lahan Tropika Basah

The purpose of this research was to determine the growth and yield of cocoa plants on fertilization on wet tropical land. The research was located on the land of Badak Mekar Village, Muara Badak District, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan in 2016-2019.The research method was a randomized block design (RBD) with 4 repetitions.&#x0D; Phase I research: factorial experiment with NPK Phonska fertilizer (N) included 3 levels: n0 = 0 kg plant-1); n1 = 0.25 kg plant-1; n2 = 0.5 kg plant-1 and goat manure (k) included 3 levels: k0 = 0 kg plant-1; k1 = 2.5 kg plant-1; k2 = 5.0 kg plant-1. Phase II research: factorial experiment with SP-36 fertilizer (p) included 3 levels: p0 = 0 kg plant-1; p1 = 0.25 kg plant-1; p2 = 0.5 kg plant-1 and KCl fertilizer (k) included 3 levels: k0 = 0 kg plant-1; k1 = 0.25 kg plant-1; k2 = 0.5 kg plant-1. Phase III research: factorial experiment with SP-36 fertilizer (p) included 3 levels: p0 = 0 kg plant-1; p1 = 0.4 kg plant-1; p2 = 0.8 kg plant-1 and goat manure (k) included 3 levels: k0 = 0 kg plant-1; k1 = 7.5 kg plant-1; k2 = 15 kg plant-1. Observation variable phase I research : increase in plant height at 6 months and 18 months after treatment (bsp), increase in stem diameter at 6 and 18 bsp, increase in number of leaves at 6 months of age and yield of cocoa pods.&#x0D; Observation variable phase II research: plant height increase at 3 bsp and 6 bsp, stem circumference at 3 bsp and 6 bsp, yield of cocoa pods, pest and disease attack intensity on cocoa pods. Observation variable phase III research: 1) yield of cocoa pods 2) pest and disease attack intensity on cocoa pods 3) analysis of soil chemical properties: pH, C-organic, N, P, K, alkaline cations, acid cations, cation exchange capacity and base saturation, 4) analysis soil microbes.&#x0D; Data analysis with variance and if significantly different will be Tested for Least Significant Difference (LSD) at the 5% level. Analysis of soil chemical characteristics with the criteria of soil chemical properties Bogor Soil Research Center (PPT) 1983.&#x0D; The results of phase I research: the NPK Phonska fertilizer treatment was very significantly different in the height increase of plants aged 6 bsp and 18 bsp, the increase in the number of leaves aged 6 bsp. The best dose of NPK Phonska fertilization is 0.5 kg of plant-1 (n2). The results of phase II research: the SP-36 fertilizer treatment was very significantly different for all observation variables. The best dose for SP-36 fertilization is 0.5 kg plant-1 (p2). Intensity of pest attack with light damage category and intensity of disease attack with medium damage category on cocoa pods. The results of phase III research: the treatment of SP-36 fertilizer, goat manure and combination of SP-36 fertilizer and goat manure had no significant difference in yield of cocoa pod. The intensity of pest attacks included moderate damage and the intensity of disease attacks included light damage to cocoa pods. The results of the analysis of soil chemical properties were acid soil pH, moderate organic C content, high C/N ratio, low N content, low P content and high K content. The results of soil microbial analysis identified Azotobacteraceae bacteria and Trichoderma fungi.&#x0D;

Effect of Irrigation Scheduling Methods on Maize Grain Yield and Nitrate Leaching in Central Minnesota

Highlights Four irrigation scheduling methods were compared for maize yield vs nitrate-N losses. Yield was similar with SM, CB, and EPIC, and lower for IMA irrigation scheduling. Nitrate-N leaching losses were highly dependent on precipitation as well as on the rate and frequency of irrigation. IMA and EPIC methods should be adopted with further calibration. ABSTRACT. Coarse-textured soils in the Great Lakes states have limited water holding capacity, which makes irrigation essential to obtain optimum yields for maize; however, excess irrigation has the potential to contaminate ground and surface water resources through deep seepage of applied fertilizers, making irrigation management critical. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of different strategies for agricultural irrigation water management on maize grain yield and nitrate leaching losses. In this three-year study (2019-2021), the following four irrigation scheduling strategies were compared under continuous maize cropping systems at two sites in Central Minnesota, Becker and Westport: (1) soil moisture monitoring using soil moisture sensors (SM), (2) checkbook method of irrigation scheduling (CB), (3) irrigation management assistant tool (IMA), and (4) EPIC model auto-irrigation (EPIC). Overall, in comparison to the CB method (highest irrigation method), the SM, IMA, and EPIC methods recommended 2.58%, 51.05%, and 9.27% less water in irrigation, respectively. In terms of grain yield, no significant differences were observed between irrigation treatments at the Becker site. The average maize grain yield at the Becker site was 12.02, 11.97, 11.76, and 10.62 Mg/ha, for SM, CB, EPIC, and IMA treatments, respectively. However, in the drier 2021 season, a grain yield loss of 30%, 27%, and 21% was observed under IMA when compared to SM, CB, and EPIC methods, respectively, at the Becker site. At the Westport site, on average, no significant difference in yield was obtained between SM, CB, and EPIC, however, yield under IMA treatment was significantly lower (12%) than CB. The results suggest that nitrate leaching losses can be significantly reduced by altering the rate and frequency of irrigation. IMA treatment resulted in significantly lower nitrate leaching (62%) than the CB method, reducing nitrate leaching from 35.86 kg/ha to 13.71 kg/ha at the Westport site. No significant differences in nitrate leaching were observed at the Becker site because the impact of precipitation superseded the impact of irrigation. Results from this study can aid in the adoption and further development of less labor-intensive and more accurate methods of irrigation scheduling in coarse-textured soils of Great Lakes states. Keywords: Coarse textured soils, Crop evapotranspiration, Irrigation scheduling methods, Maize grain yield, Nitrate-N leaching, Water quality, Water quantity.

Parametros de seleção para aumento na produtividade e qualidade de tomatillo

ABSTRACT The extended use of the same variety by farmers over successive generations and reuse of the “seeds” caused natural variability that can be a magnificent opportunity for genetic improvement of tomatillo. Two successive seasons were accomplished to select genotypes with good performance from a heterogeneous population of the local tomatillo “Balady”. The results revealed significant differences in early yield as fruit number and average fruit weight over the original population. Additionally, the results revealed a highly significant correlation between fruit set percentage and total soluble solids (TSS) at 60 days and the marketable yield with fruit length and TSS at 60 days. In conclusion, the path analysis along with heritability and selection genetic gain showed that early yield and fruit set are the two most critical component traits for fruit yield in tomatillo. In addition, the average fruit weight showed a low indirect effect on fruit yield per plant. Twenty promising genotypes were selected as a kernel for pure line development through further breeding programs.

Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterial Consoprtia as a Strategy Towards Crop Growth and Fitness of Little Millet (Panicum sumatranse L.)

Little millet, a minor cereal cultivated in semi-arid regions of India, is renowned for its nutraceutical properties. The endophytic plant growth-promoting bacterial (PGPB) communities help crop plants increase growth and health, endure stress tolerance, and enhance nutrient availability. Seed biotiztion with these endophytic PGPBs can facilitate the host plant to develop a defense against pathogens and challenging environments. Thus the present study aimed to biotize the little millet seeds (var. ATL1) with PGPBs, viz., Bacillus albus LRS2, Alcaligenes faecalis LSB6, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LAS10 and Bacillus velezensis LLB10 and to evaluate their efficiency by developing as a consortia of these isolates for improved plant growth and development. The seeds were biotized with all the strains individually and as consortia to evaluate their plant growth attributes in vitro and in vivo. The results showed significant differences in vegetative growth parameters and yield attributes compared with the control over consortia biotized seeds. During the panicle initiation stage (27 DAS), the shoot length (59.2, cm), root length (13.9 cm), total plant biomass (1.46 g), number of productive tillers plant-1 (5), panicle length (13.2 cm) and 1000 grain weight (5.12 g), grain yield plant-1 (28.45 g), straw yield (36.21 g) registered more in consortia biotized plants compared to non-biotized plant maintained as control. Thus, the present study confirmed that the inoculation of little millet seeds with the Consortia of indigenous strains could promote plant growth and productivity. Further, the Vol 110|10-12 inoculant can be recommended as a novel bio-inoculant for enhancing crop health and sustainable production in little millet.

Sheep grazing

Context An accession of the annual legume Trigonella balansae Boiss. &amp; Reuter. has been selected for commercial release in Australia. Aims As part of a duty-of-care assessment, we tested the hypothesis that sheep grazing the trigonella accession will have liveweight, condition scores and wool production similar to those of sheep grazing two widely adopted annual legumes, subterranean clover (subclover, Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Dalkeith) and French serradella (Ornithopus sativus Brot. cv. Erica). We also hypothesised that sheep grazing the three legumes will have similar meat quality and health, as indicated by blood plasma panel analysis. Methods Wethers (n = 6) grazed plots (n = 4) of three pasture species. Liveweight, condition scores and wool growth were measured, and a subset of animals were subject to blood sampling to assess health. Consumer sensory taste analysis was used to assess meat eating quality from two sheep per plot. Forage biomass, dry-matter digestibility, crude protein, fibre, mineral content and isoflavones were measured across the plant’s lifecycle. Key results There were no significant differences in liveweight, wool growth, wool yield or condition score that were associated with pasture species during the grazing period. There were differences in dry-matter digestibility, minerals and crude protein content of the pastures over time. As trigonella matured, it did not meet the minimum sulfur, phosphorus, manganese, molybdenum and copper requirements for mature sheep. We found some differences in indications of animal health; however, there were no significant systematic detrimental differences between sheep grazing trigonella and the other two species. In total, 2 of 24 individual sheep grazing trigonella had more than two plasma indicators of liver damage. There were no differences in meat tenderness, juiciness, flavour and overall consumer acceptability. Conclusions The data supported the hypotheses. Under the conditions of this experiment, the pasture legumes had the same relative feeding value. Some care must be taken in interpreting the outcome as the trigonellacomprised only 18% of the dry matter on offer at the termination of grazing. Implications Results of this study will be considered during the commercialisation process for T. balansae.

Evaluation of Improved Cowpea Genotypes for Yield and Resistance to Scab Disease in Uganda

Cowpea is one of the most important legume food crops in Uganda. However, grain yields as low as 400 kg ha−1 have been recorded in farmers’ fields despite a grain yield potential of 3,000 kg ha−1. Cowpea scab is a major production constraint, causing yield losses of up to 100%. Three hundred ninety (390) improved cowpea genotypes were evaluated for yield and scab resistance for one (1) year at NaSARRI, Serere, Uganda using an alpha lattice design with two replications. The analysis of variance showed significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) for grain yield, scab severity, incidence, and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) among genotypes, seasons, and for genotypes by seasons interactions. The mean grain yield of 981.6 kg ha−1 was recorded across the cowpea genotypes with genotype, TVU-1280 having the highest grain yield of 1790.8 Kg ha−1. The cowpea genotypes; 1195K-1093-5-A, TVU-2968, SanZi, Taef-14-inhaca.E, TVU-205-8 and TVU-13485 had low scab severity(range:8.0 - 9.0).Cowpea genotypes; Taef-14-inhaca.E(33.7%), TVU-14633(26.7%), TVU-151144(30.6%), and Cosiriele (31.4%), had low scab incidence. Low AUDPC (range: 788.8-883.5) was observed in cowpea genotypes; 1195K-1093-5-A (775.0), TVU2968(788.8), TVU-14633-A (883.8), and TVU-13388 (857.5). Grain yield had a significant negative correlation with AUDPC (r = −0.2279, p &lt; 0.001) and scab severity (−0.600, p &lt; 0.001). Scab severity showed a strong significant and positive correlation with AUDPC (r = 0.6873, p &lt; 0.001). The cowpea genotypes; 1195K−1093−5−A, TVU−2968, TVU−15114, SanZi, and Taef−14− inhaca.E could be used as breeding lines for introgressing scab resistance into cultivars with farmer preferred traits.

Optimizing the pre-analytical phase for accurate HPV detection in skin disorders: insights from a cutaneous warts case study.

In previous years, several cutaneous disorders have been associated with human papillomavirus (HPV); however, the exact role of HPV remains largely unknown. The lack of optimization and standardization of the pre-analytical phase forms a major obstacle. The aim of this study was to develop an accurate/patient-friendly sampling method for skin disorders, with cutaneous warts as a case study. Various sample processing techniques, pre-treatment protocols and DNA extraction methods were evaluated. Several sampling methods were examined, that is, skin scrapings, swabs and a tape-based method. Quantification of DNA yield was achieved by beta-globin real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and a wart-associated HPV genotyping qPCR was used to determine the HPV prevalence. All samples tested positive for beta-globin. Skin scrapings had significantly higher yield than both swab and tape-based methods (p < 0.01), the latter two did not significantly differ from each other (p > 0.05). No significant difference in DNA yield was found between cotton and flocked swabs (p > 0.05). All swabs were HPV positive, and although there were some discrepancies in HPV prevalence between both swabs, an overall good strength of agreement was found [κ = 0.77, 95% CI (0.71-0.83)]. Although skin scrapings produced the highest DNA yield, patient discomfort was an important limitation of this method. Considering that in combination with our optimized DNA extraction procedure, all samples gave valid results with the less invasive swab methods preferred. Standardization of the pre-analytical phase is the first step in establishing a link between HPV and specific skin disorders and may have significant downstream diagnostic as well as therapeutic implications.

Does Antibiotic Treatment Before Bone Biopsy Affect the Identification of Bacterial Pathogens From Bone Culture?

There is a common belief and practice that any exposure to oral or parenteral antibiotics prior to bone biopsy makes culture results unreliable. The aim of this article was to evaluate the effect of antibiotic exposure on bacterial yield in DFO microbiology specimens. The authors retrospectively evaluated 114 patients with DFO confirmed by histology. The primary outcome measurement was the proportion of bone biopsies with positive bacterial cultures. There was no statistically significant difference in culture yield in patients who received antibiotics (77.9%) and patients who did not (85.7%, P = .58). This study demonstrates that there were no differences in bacterial yield whether antibiotics were withheld or administered before bone cultures were obtained. The duration of antibiotic use prior to bone biopsy did not change the bacterial yield.