Total Amount Of Food Research Articles

Development of protein enriched multigrain wheat flour

Good nutrition requires a satisfactory diet, which is capable of supporting the individual consuming it, in a state of good health by providing the desired nutrients in required amounts. It must provide the right amount of fuel to execute normal physical activity. If the total amount of nutrients provided in the diet is insufficient, a state of under nutrition will develop. The council of food and nutrition American medical association defines nutrition as “the science of foods, the nutrients and the substances there in their action, interaction and balance in relation to health and disease. Nutrition can help prevent disease and promote health, nutrients include proteins, carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals and fats and water. The grain flour in combination with wheat flour made in to chapatti with would provide a diet rich in protein, fiber and carbohydrates.” Entitled Development of Protein Enriched Multigrain Wheat Flour” The study has been taken up as an experimental work. The entire experiment was conducted in the Department of Home Science Gandhigram Rural Institute-Deemed University Gandhigram. Ten grains excluding wheat were selected based their nutritive value wheat, varagu, samai, maize, horsegram, wholegram, bajra, cowpea, brownrice, soyabean, greengram, Multigrain chapathi enriched with protein was developed found significant changes, in taste, and flavor and texture.

Inter-individual variation in provisioning rate, prey size and number, and links to total prey biomass delivered to nestlings in the Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis)

BackgroundIn bird species where offspring growth and survival rely on parents’ food provisioning, parents can maximise their fitness by increasing the quantity and/or the quality of preys delivered to their offspring. Many studies have focused on inter-individual variation in feeding rate, yet this measure may not accurately reflect the total amount of food (i.e. energy) provided by parents if there is large variation in the quantity and quality of preys at each feeding. Here, we explored the relative role of individual (sex, age, body condition), breeding (hatching date, brood size) and environmental (temperature) factors on feeding rate, prey number, size and quality, and their contribution to total prey biomass delivered to the nestlings of 164 Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) parents in 98 nests.ResultsPreys delivered to the nest were mainly larvae (53.6%) and flying insects (45.6%). Feeding rate increased with brood size and age, and was higher in males than females. Mean prey number decreased, but mean prey size increased, as the season progressed and parents feeding their brood with primary larvae brought more preys per visit. Relationships between feeding rate, mean prey number and size remained when taking into account the provisioning quality: parents brought either a large number of small prey or a small number of larger items, and the force of the trade-offs between feeding rate and mean prey number and size depended on the quality of the provisioning of the parents. Whatever the percentage of larvae among preys in the provisioning, the variance in total prey biomass was foremost explained by feeding rate (65.1% to 76.6%) compared to mean prey number (16.4% to 26%) and prey size (2.7% to 4%).ConclusionsOur study shows that variation in feeding rate, prey number, size, but not quality (i.e. percentage of larvae), were influenced by individual factors (sex and age) and breeding decisions (brood size and timing of breeding) and that, whatever the provisioning strategy adopted, feeding rate was the best proxy of the total biomass delivered to the nestlings.

The Influence of Seasonal Water Level Fluctuations on the Soil Nutrients in a Typical Wetland Reserve in Poyang Lake, China

To comprehend the distribution characteristics of the nutrients and the variations in the soil fertility, a total of 23 samples were collected from Nanjishan wetland reserve in the dry season, wet season, and water-recession season. The study area was divided into four areas (A1, A2, A3, and A4) based on the local hydrological conditions, geographical locations, and nutrient load characteristics. The findings showed that the highest concentration of nutrients appeared in A1, followed by A2 due to anthropogenic activities and the sewage discharge along Ganjiang River. Except for the total amounts of nutrients (the total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK)), the nutrient concentrations dropped in the wet season and recovered in the water-recession season. A close association between microorganisms and the soil nutrients was observed. The Integrated Fertility Index (IFI) indicated a significant spatio-temporal variability in the soil fertility. The soil quality was higher in the dry season. The values of the IFI displayed a decreasing trend during the growing season (wet season). The single factor standard index method (SFSI) suggested that the whole area had a potential risk of eutrophication, to which the TN could be considered a main contributor.

The Grey-backed Shrike parents adopt brood survival strategy in both the egg and nestling phases

BackgroundGreat diversity exists in the parenting pattern of altricial birds, which has long been considered as an adaptive response to specific environmental conditions but not to their life-history style.MethodsWe examined the egg-laying and nestling-raising pattern of the Grey-backed Shrike (Lanius tephronotus) that breeds only once a year on the Tibetan Plateau. We compared the dietary composition to that of its sympatric competitor, the Brown-cheeked Laughing Thrush (Trochalopteron henrici) that breeds twice a year.ResultsFemale Grey-backed Shrikes produced a fixed clutch size of five, with increasing egg size by their laying sequence. The last offspring in the brood is disadvantageous in the size hierarchy because it hatches later. However, they had the largest fledgling body mass. These findings indicate that Grey-backed Shrikes adopt the brood survival strategy in both the egg and nestling phases. Moreover, males and females exhibit no sexual division in providing parental care as they made an equal contribution to the total amount of food delivered to their brood. This parenting pattern of Grey-backed Shrikes, as well as their dietary items, differ significantly from those of the Brown-cheeked Laughing Thrush.ConclusionsWe suggest that the differentiation in life-history style between sympatric competitors, rather than a behavioral response to specific environmental conditions, plays a decisive role in driving avian parenting strategy diversification.

HPTLC fingerprinting, photopigments, and nutrient analysis of Selinum tenuifolium along the altitudinal gradient

This study aimed to explore phenolic acids, nutrient status, and content of photopigments and their role in the production of secondary metabolites in Selinum tenuifolium collected from different altitudes (2150 m; 2593 m; 3178 m, asl) in Chopta region of Uttarakhand, India. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting, nutrient analysis, and chlorophyll (Chl) content were assessed in various plant parts (leaves, stem, and roots) of S. tenuifolium. HPTLC analysis revealed a number of bands in the methanolic extracts of S. tenuifolium of which two with retention factor (Rf) values, 0.36 pertaining to gallic acid (GA) and 0.58 relating to ferulic acid (FA) indicating their presence in all three plant parts of S. tenuifolium. The elemental analysis (Fe2+, Zn2+, Na + K+ and, Ca2+) of different plant parts reflected the nutrient status of the plant, the total amount of nutrients being highest in stems of plants growing at 3178 m and lowest in roots of plants growing at 2150 m. The photopigments analysis of leaves of S. tenuifolium showed variations in their contents, being maximum at the highest altitude (3178 m) and minimum at the lowest altitude (2150 m). The correlation matrix suggested a strong positive correlation between elements like Na+, K+and Ca+2 with that of carotenoids, and Fe+2 and Zn+2 with that of chlorophyll a + b (Chl a + b). On the other hand, a negative correlation existed between photopigments and phenolic acids probably because the plant enjoys a good nutrient status, and therefore secondary metabolites that are usually triggered during stress need not be produced in high quantities.

The Food Supply of Besieged Leningrad and the Evacuation of the Population by Using Aviation in the Autumn of 1941

The author examined how besieged Leningrad was provided with various cargoes in the period from September to December 1941. During this period, the Moscow and Northern special forces organized the transportation of food, equipment, weapons, and devices by air. The investigation centered on the establishment of the Khvoinaya-Leningrad line with aircraft of the Civil Air Fleet of the USSR, and on the locations of bases on the mainland and in the blocked city. Equally considered is the composition of the aviation groups, the total number of aircraft on the line by month, as well as statistics concerning repair and irrevocable losses. Based on materials from Moscow and St. Petersburg archives, statistical data are presented that characterize the entire process of the air bridge. Reports of the Civil Air Fleet, the Special Northern aviation group, and Leningrad airport, provide generalized data on the results of transport aviation activities in the autumn of 1941, including the number and composition of evacuated skilled workers and members of the civilian population from Leningrad. The analysis revealed the daily volume of goods delivered to the city, including the total amount of food, equipment, weapons, and devices received. Finally, the article reviews the reasons and consequences of the unexpected closure of the established airline and the relocation of the Douglas-type aircraft to Moscow.

The Environmental Impact of the Athlete's Plate Nutrition Education Tool.

Periodized nutrition is necessary to optimize training and enhance performance through the season. The Athlete’s Plate (AP) is a nutrition education tool developed to teach athletes how to design their plates depending on training load (e.g., volume × intensity), from easy (E), moderate (M) to hard (H). The AP was validated, confirming its recommendations according to international sports nutrition guidelines. However, the AP had significantly higher protein content than recommended (up to 2.9 ± 0.5 g·kg−1·d−1; p < 0.001 for H male). The aim of this study was to quantify the environmental impact (EnvI) of the AP and to evaluate the influence of meal type, training load, sex and registered dietitian (RD). The nutritional contents of 216 APs created by 12 sport RDs were evaluated using Computrition Software (Hospitality Suite, v. 18.1, Chatsworth, CA, USA). The EnvI of the AP was analyzed by life cycle assessment (LCA) expressed by the total amount of food on the AP, kg, and kcal, according to the Swiss Agricultural Life Cycle Assessment (SALCA) methodology. Higher EnvI is directly associated with higher training load when the total amount of food on the plate is considered for E (5.7 ± 2.9 kg CO2 eq/day); M (6.4 ± 1.5 kg CO2 eq/day); and H (8.0 ± 2.1 kg CO2 eq/day). Global warming potential, exergy and eutrophication are driven by animal protein and mainly beef, while ecotoxicity is influenced by vegetable content on the AP. The EnvI is influenced by the amount of food, training load and sex. This study is the first to report the degree of EnvI in sports nutrition. These results not only raise the need for sustainability education in sports nutrition in general, but also the urgency to modify the AP nutrition education tool to ensure sports nutrition recommendations are met, while not compromising the environment.

The Effect of Leaching Fraction-Based Irrigation on Fertilizer Longevity and Leachate Nutrient Content in a Greenhouse Environment

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of leaching fraction (LF) on the longevity of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) and leachate nutrient content in a pine bark substrate. The effect of LF-based irrigation was evaluated under six target LFs of 0.05, 0.15, 0.25, 0.35, 0.45, and 0.55. The 2.72 L nursery pots were filled with 100% pine bark substrate amended with dolomitic lime at a rate of 2.97 kg/m3 and Harrell’s 16-6-13 POLYON® applied at a rate of 6 g per container. Fertilizer was encased in vinyl-coated fiberglass mesh bags and subdressed 2.5 cm under the substrate surface for recovery at the end of 10 weeks. The total amount of nutrients leached from the container was greater at higher LFs, with twice as much inorganic nitrogen leached at a LF of 0.55 than a 0.15 LF. The amount of dissolved nutrients left in the substrate decreased as the LF treatments increased. There were 29.6% more inorganic nitrogen and 37.7% more phosphorus left in the substrate irrigated with a 0.15 LF as compared to a 0.55 LF. This suggests that at lower LFs, more dissolved nutrients may be available for plant uptake. No differences were seen in the amount of nutrients lost from the CRF or remaining in the prills. Results indicate that reducing the LF did not influence the longevity of POLYON® CRF in a pine bark substrate, but that a lower LF may be useful in reducing nutrient runoff into the environment. Targeting a lower LF also resulted in a larger pool of plant-available nutrients, allowing nursery producers to potentially reduce fertilizer rates.

Potential for Production of Biochar-Based Fertilizers from Olive Mill Waste in Mediterranean Basin Countries: An Initial Assessment for Spain, Tunisia, and Greece

Olive mill wastes continue to be a management challenge due to the large volumes produced, particularly due to their toxicity and impacts on the environment. Thermal conversion through pyrolysis or hydrothermal carbonization techniques can detoxify wastes while conserving nutrient contents. In this work, we produced up-to-date data on olive mill waste flows in Spain, Tunisia, and Greece and characterized representative samples in the laboratory. Assays of thermal conversion of olive mill wastewaters and solid wastes were also performed to understand biochar yields and final properties, and the total quantities of nutrients contained were estimated. Of particular note were the quantities of potassium in Tunisian wastewaters, representing 0.6% of the total mass and an annual flow of approximately 5000 t, and in the Spanish solid wastes, an average of 1.7% of the total mass is potassium, representing an annual flow of approximately 23,000 t. Concerning phosphorus, Spanish solid wastes had the highest contents (0.1%), double that of other countries’ wastes. Annually, olive mill wastes from the three countries are estimated to contain approximately 35 × 103 tons of potassium and 2.6 × 103 tons of phosphorus. With this resource converted to biochar, each year more than 700 km2 of soils could be enriched in 0.2% carbon with biochar at an application rate of 7 t ha−1.

Seasonal variation of atmospheric nutrient deposition in the western part of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The chemical composition of rainfall is influenced by natural or anthropogenic factors; the amount of nutrients deposited is increased by the amount of rainfall. This work sought to estimate the amount of nutrients deposited by precipitation in the Pampa biome, the seasonal variation of the chemical composition of rain water, and the origin of nutrients found in the water. Precipitation collectors were installed in the open area to measure precipitation volumes biweekly over 2 years, and the samples were chemically analyzed. Concentrations of nutrients in the rain water increased over winter; however, since there was less precipitation, the total deposition was similar to the other seasons. Correlation analysis using the Pearson coefficient showed a negative correlation between rain volume and ion contents, indicating a dilution effect. The total amount of nutrients from precipitation during the study was 72.7 kg ha-1, representing an average of 36.3 kg ha-1 year-1. The Ca2+ and K+ ions are predominantly of litholical origin, whereas the SO42- and NO3- ions were of anthropogenic origin. The balance between the sum of cations and the sum of anions was shown to be unitary, indicating excellent data validation. The input of these nutrients occurs gradually, avoiding excessive losses, increasing the stock in the soil.

Accounting for Dissolved Organic Nutrients in an SPBEM-2 Model: Validation and Verification

Modern models of the Baltic Sea eutrophication describe only a bioavailable fraction of the nutrient input from land, thus introducing uncertainty into forcing. In order to alleviate this uncertainty, the coupled 3D hydrodynamical-biogeochemical St. Petersburg Eutrophication Model (SPBEM) has been expanded with variables representing dissolved organic nutrients. The model modification involves an explicit description of the labile and refractory fractions of dissolved organic nitrogen and phosphorus, in addition to their particulate forms, represented by the detritus variables. The modified SPBEM-2 allows for a full account of the total amounts of nutrients reported in field measurements and presented in environmental documents. Particularly, a model description of detritus, as the only bulk organic matter variable, has been replaced by more realistic parameterizations with adequate rates of settling and mineralization. The extensive validation and verification of the model performance in the Gulf of Finland from 2009 to 2014, based on over 4000 oceanographic stations, shows that SPBEM-2 plausibly reproduces all the major large-scale features and phenomena of the ecosystem dynamics in the Gulf of Finland, especially in its surface productive layer. These demonstrated capabilities of SPBEM-2 make the model a useful tool, both in studies of biogeochemical interactions and in historical and scenario simulations.

Tree Age Influences Nutrient Partitioning among Annually Removed Aboveground Organs of Peach

The aim of this research was to assess how fruit tree age influences nutrient partitioning patterns in aboveground organs. We selected 6-year-old (mature) and 20-year-old (old) ‘Cresthaven’ peach trees and measured the macronutrient concentrations in organs removed during pruning, thinning, harvesting, and leaf fall for 3 years. Then, we calculated the total amount of nutrients removed at each event and studied the partitioning patterns between mature and old peach trees. The results showed that mature peach trees had higher phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) concentrations in fruit mesocarp and fallen leaves than old trees. When we estimated the total nutrient content, mature peach trees allocated more nitrogen (N), P, K, and calcium (Ca) to pruned wood and harvested fruit but had less N and Ca in senescing leaves compared with old peach trees. The results of this study suggest that the different proportion of organs removed through orchard management practices from trees of different ages as well as the concentration of nutrients in these organs must be considered when estimating nutrient restitution needs and tree nutritional requirements.

Колообіг біомаси й елементів живлення у посівах сої залежно від попередника й основного обробітку ґрунту

The article analyzes the main laws of the biological cycle of soybean plant biomass, and the parameters of recirculation of nutrients depending on the method and depth of the primary tillage and various preceding crops. It was found that the share of biomass alienated from the field with soybean harvest, depending on the various preceding crops and the primary tillage varied from 31,6 to 32,8 %, which in absolute terms ranged from 1,93 to 3,25 t/ha, and received to the soil with plant residues: from 3,97 to 6,67 t/ha or from 67,2 to 68,4 %. The largest amount of nutrients from 310,2 to 420,5 kg/ha of NPK is involved in soybean crops placed after cereals (winter wheat and spring barley) in the variant of cultivated without soil tillage by 20-22 cm (chisel-deep-tiller), and the lowest after corn for grain from 251,1 to 302,9 kg / ha NPK obtained in the variant during plowing by 20-22 cm. The largest share in the total amount of nutrients in soybean biomass belongs to nitrogen from 61,6 to 65,3 %, the share of phosphorus varies from 12,4 to 14,4 %, and potassium from 20,3 to 25,7 %. The amount of nutrients returned to the soil with plant residues, in relation to their content in the biomass ranges from 41.7 to 55.4% nitrogen, 11,1-14,7 phosphorus and 30,0-46,9 % potassium. It was found that the largest amount of nitrogen enters the soil with crop residues in the variant of soybean placement after soybean and main tillage (disc harrow) by 12-14 cm – 55,4 %. The share of phosphorus was 14,7 %, potassium – 29,8 %. When growing soybeans after cereals, corn for grain and sunflower, the intake of nitrogen in the soil with plant residues was 41,7-42,8 %, phosphorus 11,1-11,2 %, potassium 45,8-46,9 %. The lowest percentage of nitrogen removal - 69.5-69.6% was for the placement of soybeans after soybeans. Although for the removal of phosphorus (14,3%) and potassium – (16,1%) the option of placing soybeans after cereals, corn and sunflower prevailed, where these indicators were respectively (13,0-13,1 %) and (14,5- 14,7 %).

Virtual reality (VR) as a new tool for nutrition and behaviour research. A review of four studies.

AbstractIntroductionFor nutrition and behaviour experiments, researchers often desire to change visual properties of food items. However, such changes can lead to unwanted side-effects in textural or sensory properties. With VR technology, research in food science and nutrition can draw from a novel range of possibilities that allow specific changes in visual features without altering other properties.MethodStudy 1 (99 participants): While wearing VR glasses, participants received two banana juices. In the virtual environment, one was coloured yellow (its real appearance) and one was brownish (indicating aging). All participants viewed both juices, either one or the other first, and the juice they tasted was the same in both cases.Study 2 (100 participants): Participants were divided into a disgust and control condition. Wearing VR glasses, those in the control condition saw chocolate appear on the table and were asked to try it. Those in the disgust condition saw a dog excrete the chocolate as feces before being asked to try it.Study 3 (50 participants): In the virtual environment, participants saw a disgusting buffet containing carrots, pasta, and meat. They were then asked to serve themselves a plate for lunch.Study 4 (100 participants): Building on previous sensory studies, participants saw in the virtual environment two juices and a cake, either in the correct or wrong colour. They were asked to try the product, identify the dominant flavour, and rate it for liking and sweetness.Results and DiscussionStudy 1: With increasing presence, participants tended to give higher disgust scores to the brown juice (r = .24, p &lt; 0.05).Study 2: Four percent of participants refused consumption in the neutral condition compared to 26% in the disgust condition. With χ2(1) = 9.49, p &gt; 0.01, the chi-square test revealed a significant association between the experimental condition and participants’ willingness to eat the chocolate.Study 3: The total quantity of food that participants scooped onto their plates was significantly correlated with their presence (r = -0.37, p &lt; 0.01) and their state disgust (r = -0.35, p &lt; 0.05).Study 4: We were able to replicate previous findings.In summary, our studies assessed a new technology for usability in food research. Our results provided evidence that VR is a promising tool in the study of nutrition and behaviour.

Effect of mushrooms on obesity in animal models: study protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundObesity and its consequences are worldwide epidemic problem; therefore, studies with strategies and mechanisms that favor weight loss to improve outcomes in health are necessary. Effects of mushrooms on body weight are uncertain. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the efficacy of mushrooms in weight loss in animal preclinical models.MethodThis is a systematic review of preclinical studies of animal models of obesity (any type of non-aquatic mammal), which were exposed to edible and medicinal mushrooms orally in comparison with the control. The following databases will be used: MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, BIOSIS, SCOPUS, and gray literature. There will be no restriction of language, date, or publication status. The primary outcome will be body weight loss. And the secondary outcomes include the total amount of food consumed by the animals, analysis of metabolic parameters, inflammatory mediators, mortality for any causes, and any adverse effect reported. A team of reviewers will select, in pairs and independently, the titles and abstracts, extract data from qualifying studies, and assess bias risk (using SYstematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation SYRCLE’s risk of bias tool and the Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies (CAMARADES) checklist). The standardized mean difference (SMD) will be calculated to measure treatment effect, with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The heterogeneity between-study will be calculated by I2 inconsistency values and Cochran’s Q statistical test, where I2 > 50% and/or p < 0.10 suggest high heterogeneity meta-analyses of random effects will be conducted as possible.DiscussionAlthough many experimental studies about the effects of mushrooms on obesity have already been published, there is still no consensus in the literature. This study will provide evidences of preclinical research on mushrooms and their relation to body weight loss in animal models of obesity, being non-aquatic mammals. Also, this systematic review will show the limitations and strengths of the studies available in the literature, as well as it will to encourage the financing of new studies by public health managers and governmental entities.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO (CRD42019125299).

Competition of electrogens with methanogens for hydrogen in bioanodes

Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) can provide an energy efficient way to recover nutrients from wastewaters. However, the electron donors available in wastewater are often not sufficient to recover the total amount of nutrients. This work investigates hydrogen (H2) as an additional substrate for bioanodes. This hydrogen can be produced in the fermentation of complex organic waste or could be recycled from the cathode. Understanding how to influence the competition of electroactive microorganisms (EAM) with methanogens for H2 gas from different sources is key to successful application of H2 as additional electron donor in bioelectrochemical nutrient recovery. Ethanol (EtOH) was used as model compound for complex wastewaters since it is fermented into both acetate and H2. EtOH was efficiently converted into electricity (e−) by a syntrophic biofilm. Total recovered charge from 1 mM EtOH was 20% higher than for the same amount of acetate. This means that H2 from EtOH fermentation was converted by EAM into electricity. Low EtOH concentrations (1 mM) led to higher conversion efficiencies into electricity than higher concentrations (5 and 10 mM). Thermodynamic calculations show this correlates with a higher energy gain for electrogens compared to methanogens at low H2 concentrations. Cumulatively adding 1 mM EtOH without medium exchange (14 times in 14 days) resulted in stable conversion of H2 to e− (67%–77% e−) rather than methane. With H2 gas as electron donor, 68 ± 2% H2 was converted into e− with no carbon source added, and still 53 ± 5% to e− when 50 mM bicarbonate was provided. These results show that under the provided conditions, electrogens can outcompete methanogens for H2 as additional electron donor in MECs for nutrient recovery.

Parameters of biological circulation of phytomass and nutritional elements in crop rotations

The research shows, that an increase of phytocoenoses provided an increase of phytomass volume in the biological cycle from 63.5 to 114.3 t/ha. The yield of phytomass in a crop rotation, different in structure and set of crops, was as follows: for four-field and five-field crop rotation - 63.5-86.7 t/ha, six field - 89.4, seven-field - 96.9, and eight-field - 114.3 t/ha. The optimization of the ratio of grain, technical and fodder crops allowed us to regulate quantitative parameters of crops’ phytomass, which was alienated from agrocoenosis. The yield of the main products, alienated from the field was, as follows: in four-field crop rotation -20.7 t/ha, five-field - 26.6, six-field -37.8, seven field -28.4 and eight field - 41.3 t/ha, which was 32.6%, 30.7%, 42.3%, 29.3% and 36.1%,respectively. The rest returned to the soil with by-products and crop remains. The total amount of nutrients (NPK) in the phytomass, involved in the circulation, was within the range for four-field crop rotation (100% of grain crops) – 1.814 kg/ha, five-field (80% grain and 20% technical) – 2.368 kg/hectare, six-field (66.8% of cereals, 33.2% of technical ones) - 2,599 kg/ha, seven-field (57.2% of cereals and 42.8% of technical) - 2.956 kg/ha, eight-field (62.5% of cereals, 25.0 % of technical, 12.5% of fodder) –3.491 kg/ha.

Remote sensing estimation of the biomass of floating Ulva prolifera and analysis of the main factors driving the interannual variability of the biomass in the Yellow Sea

Since 2007, green tide blooms with Ulva prolifera as the dominant species have occurred every summer in the Yellow Sea. Biomass is a critical parameter used to describe the severity of green tide blooms. In this study, we analyzed the relationships between several indices (normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), floating algae index (FAI), ratio vegetation index (RVI), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), ocean surface algal bloom index (OSABI), Korea Ocean Satellite Center (KOSC) approach) and the biomass per unit area of Ulva prolifera by using the in situ measurements from a water tank experiment. EVI, NDVI, and FAI showed strong exponential relationships with Ulva prolifera biomass per unit area. In order to apply the relationships to satellite remote sensing data, the impacts of the atmosphere (different aerosol optical depth at 550 nm) and mixed pixels to the relationships were analyzed. The results show that atmosphere has little effect on the relationship between EVI and Ulva prolifera biomass per unit area with R2 = 0.94 and APD (the average percentage deviation) = 19.55% when EVI is calculated from Rrc (Rayleigh-corrected reflectance), and R2 = 0.95 and APD = 17.53% when EVI is calculated from Rtoa (top-of-atmosphere reflectance). Due to the low sensitivity to the atmosphere, the EVI relationship can be directly utilized in the top-of-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance without atmospheric correction. In addition, the EVI was slightly affected by mixed pixels with the APD only increased by ~10%. The EVI relationship was then applied to a long MODIS image time series to obtain the maximal total biomass of floating Ulva prolifera in the Yellow Sea from 2007 to 2016. The results showed that the maximum and minimum total biomass occurred in 2016 (~1.17 million tons) and 2012 (~0.074 million tons), respectively. The main factors that caused the inter-annual biomass variability were analyzed. The total amount of nutrients from Sheyang River which was the largest river on the northern coast of Jiangsu Province, and Porphyra cultivation in the Radial Sand Ridges of Jiangsu Province had both strong correlation with Ulva prolifera total biomass.

PGR and Its Application Method Affect Number and Length of Runners Produced in ‘Maehyang’ and ‘Sulhyang’ Strawberries

Vegetative propagation using runner plants is an important method to expand the cultivation area for the strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). However, excessively long runners need an increased total amount of nutrients and energy to receive elongation from mother plants, which may lead to poor growth or reduced output. The use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) is an adoptable way to solve such problems. The objectives of this experiment were to study the effects of PGRs and their application methods on the growth and development of runners, runner plants, and mother plants, and also to find effective ways to control the number and length of runners without harmful side effects. Chlormequat chloride (CCC), 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), and ethephon (ETH) at a concentration of 100 mg·L−1 were applied via three different methods: injection into crowns, medium drench, and foliar spray. The results showed that BA injection into crowns was the most effective combination among all treatments, which prominently shortened the length of runners and increased the number of runners and leaves on a single plant. Furthermore, plants with BA solution injection tended to produce stronger runners with higher fresh and dry weights, without affecting the health states of mother plants. The ETH solution seemed to have toxic effects on plants, by leading many dead leaves and weak runners, and increased activities of antioxidant enzymes. Other than the injection method, the other two application methods of the CCC solution did not significantly affect the growth and development of both cultivars. Runner plants grown for 30 days were not affected by any treatments, and they were in similar conditions. Overall, BA injection into crowns is recommended for controlling the number and length of strawberry runners.

Influence of Soil Nutrient Heterogeneity and Competition on Sprouting and Ramets Growth of Alternanthera philoxeroides

Environmental heterogeneity and plant competition influence plant vegetative sprouting and ramets growth. Many major invasive plants reproduce largely or exclusively by vegetative propagation. The terrestrial invasive Alternanthera philoxeroides mainly regenerates from fleshy roots. Here, it is tested whether resource heterogeneity and intraspecific competition influence the fleshy root sprouting and ramet growth of this species. Four or twelve similar‐sized fleshy roots of A. philoxeroides are grown in two soil substrates that are either homogeneous or heterogeneous but have the same total amount of nutrients. After 6 months, the sprouting and ramet growth traits (i.e., ramet number, leaf traits, biomass and biomass allocation) are analyzed. The fleshy root density significantly affects the sprouting and ramet growth traits, but the soil nutrient heterogeneity does not. The sprouting and ramet growth traits decrease in the treatments with high densities of fleshy roots. These results suggest that intraspecific competition has a greater influence on the root sprouting and ramet growth of the invasive terrestrial A. philoxeroides than soil nutrient heterogeneity. Thus, intraspecific competition can limit the establishment of terrestrial A. philoxeroides.