FB Treatment Research Articles

Solid state fermentation characteristic of rice straw using herbivore s cecum microbes

This study was aimed at identifying highly capable lignolytic microbes from nature for use in Solid State Fermentation (SSF) of rice straw. The SSF silage was prepared in laboratory scale, as the following treatments: uninoculated (control), Lactobacillus plantarum FCC 123 (LP), fiber-degrading fungi (Aspergillus sp.) from horse cecum (FF), and fiber-degrading bacteria (Enterococcus casseliflavus) from buffalo cecum (FB). Incubation was carried out for a month at room temperature. The observed parameters were: organic acids, water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC), microorganism and nutrient composition. Rice straw SSF that was inoculated with LP showed the highest quality of fermentation, indicated by significant highest lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population, and has the lowest of poor bacteria indicators (coliform, aerobic bacteria, and bacilli). The LP treatment also has the highest LAB content and lowest WSC. Among treatments, FB treatment seems to have given a similar result with LP followed by FF. While the chemical composition seems unaffected by treatments. Compared with the fresh material, all fermentation with and without inoculants has reduced neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and increased acid detergent fiber (ADF), but there were no differences among all treatments. Inoculation of both LP and FB could improve rice straw SSF silage quality, but this system could not improve fiber degradation as well as in liquid state fermentation (LSF). Keywords: Microorganism, Organic acid, Silage, Straw, Water soluble carbohydrate

CO-RECYCLING OF SEWAGE SLUDGE AND GARDEN WASTE BIOCHAR: AS A GROWING MEDIUM FOR LANDSCAPE PLANT

Urban greening produces a large amount of garden waste, and the pyrolysis of garden waste into biochar is an effective waste management technology. Biochar has a large specific surface area and soil remediation ability. However, the knowledge about the co-recycling of sewage sludge and garden waste biochar to improve the growth of Monstera deliciosa needs to be highlighted. Therefore, we conducted a pot experiment by applying Ficus altissima litter-derived biochar (FB) at rates of 0, 1.5, and 3.0% (w/w, CK, FB1.5, and FB3) in soil amended with sewage sludge at 50% (w/w), to improve the soil properties, and further analyzed the effects of FB on growth and heavy metals (HMs) uptake of landscape plant M. deliciosa. Results showed in comparison with control setups, the addition of 3% FB treatment in sewage sludge amended soil improved the soil properties and significantly increased M. deliciosa dry weight (86.75%), root: shoot ratio (73.23%), N (99.44%), P (116.13%), K (124.40%), Pb (78.81%), and Cu (159.01%) accumulation respectively. In summary, FB3 treatment achieved the best effects in promoting plant growth and soil remediation. These findings revealed that sewage sludge and garden waste biochar could be recycled as amendments for poor acid soils under restoration, a sustainable development path for urban waste disposal.

The Effect of Biochar and Straw Return on N2O Emissions and Crop Yield: A Three-Year Field Experiment

To evaluate the effects of application of biochar and straw return for consecutive years on N2O emissions and crop yields in North China, a three-year field experiment of applying biochar and straw following a ten-year application was conducted in a wheat–maize rotation system. Four treatments were set up, including F (NPK fertilizer only); FB (NPK fertilizer + 9.0 t·ha−1 biochar); FS (NPK fertilizer + straw); and FSB ((NPK fertilizer + 9.0 t·ha−1 biochar combined with straw). The results showed that compared with the F treatment, the FB treatment significantly reduced soil N2O emissions by 20.2%, while the FS and FSB treatments increased it by 23.7% and 41.4%, respectively. The FB treatment reduced soil N2O emissions by 15.1% in the wheat season and 23.2% in the maize season, respectively. The FS and FSB treatments increased the N2O emissions by 20.7% and 36.7% in the wheat season, respectively, and by 25.5% and 44.2% in the maize season, respectively. In the wheat season, the soil water content (SWC), NO3−-N content and pH were the main influencing factors of the soil N2O emissions. In the maize season, SWC and NO3−-N content were the main influencing factors. In addition, the FB, FS and FSB treatments increased the crop yield by 4.99%, 8.40% and 10.25% compared with the F treatment, respectively. In conclusion, consecutive application of biochar can significantly reduce N2O emissions and improve crop yield. Although FS and FSB treatments can also improve the crop yield, they are not beneficial to suppressing N2O emissions. Therefore, the successive application of biochar is an effective measure to reduce N2O emissions and maintain crop yield.

A study on the evaluation of Indonesian local microbial phytase supplementation and its impact on broiler chicken performance, metabolic energy utilization, ileal histomorphology, and meat and bone mineralization

The effect of local Indonesian microbial phytase, derived from L. plantarum A1-E extracted from the small intestine of Indonesian free-range chickens and C. tropicalis TKd-3 obtained from fermented Indonesian soybean tempe, on growth performance, metabolizable energy, ileal histomorphology, and meat and bone mineralization in broilers is the subject of evaluation in this study. A total of 140 day-old broiler chicks were divided into four treatments, five replicates, and seven chicks in each replicate. The research was carried out for 28 days. The experimental groups consisted of a basal diet without phytase (FA) serving as the negative control, a basal diet supplemented with 500 FTU/kg of L. plantarum A1-E phytase (FB), a basal diet supplemented with 500 FTU/kg of C. tropicalis TKd-3 phytase (FC), and a basal diet with commercial phytase as the positive control (FD). The results revealed that the broiler performance index increased by the FB and FC treatments (P<0.05), and the FC treatment exhibited a tendency to enhance metabolizable energy (P=0.06). The result of ileum histomorphology showed that the FB treatment increased villous height, the ratio of villous height to crypt depth, and villous surface area (P<0.05). The highest mineral content of phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe) in broiler breast meat was obtained in the FB treatment (P<0.05). Furthermore, the highest mineral content of calcium (Ca), P, Mg, zinc (Zn), and Fe in thigh meat was found in the FC treatment (P<0.05). The mineralization of the tibia bone demonstrated that the FB treatment exerted a significant effect (P<0.05) on the P, Mg, and Fe mineral content. In conclusion, the performance index increased due to microbial phytase supplementation. Besides that, L. plantarum A1-E phytase improved the surface area of the villus, the absorption of ileum minerals, the mineral content of breast meat, and minerals deposition in the tibia.

Biochar Addition with Water and Fertilization Reduction Increases Soil Aggregate Stability of 0–60 cm Soil Layer on Greenhouse Eggplant in Mollisols

Biochar application affects the soil organic carbon (SOC) content and distribution, which is relevant to facility agriculture and soil aggregates. However, how the fertilization management of facility agriculture affects the SOC content and aggregate stability at different soil depths in Mollisols is unclear. Intended to provide a basis for developing a reasonable fertilizer amount when adding biochar, the facility vegetable eggplant in Northeast China was used to explore the effects of biochar addition on the distribution and SOC content of whole soils and the organic carbon (OC) content of aggregates of each size in the profile (0–100 cm) of Mollisols. Three treatments were set up: WF (conventional application amounts of water and fertilizer), WFB (conventional application amounts of water and fertilizer and added biochar), and 80%W80%FB (20% water reduction and 20% fertilizer reduction and added biochar). The results demonstrated that the 80%W80%FB treatment significantly increased the SOC content by 56.1% and 34.0% in whole soils at a 0–20 cm soil depth compared to WF and WFB treatments, respectively. Simultaneously, compared with WF and WFB treatments, the significant increase in the OC content of 1–0.25 mm sized aggregates of 81.4–130.2% and 4.3–10.1% and the enhanced proportion of >2 mm sized aggregates of 0.22–16.15- and 0.33–0.83-fold both improved aggregate stability in the 0–20 cm soil layer under the 80%W80%FB treatment, which was proven to result in 32.6% and 30.6% increments in the weight diameter (MWD) value. Therefore, biochar addition with water and fertilizer reductions increases surface soil aggregate stability for greenhouse eggplants in Mollisols.

Promotion of hair growth by Lactobacillus and fermented traditional Korean berry in C57BL/6 mice

Hair loss is the state of losing hair from the scalp or entire body when new hair does not replace the hair that has fallen out. Currently, remedies such as oral finasteride and topical minoxidil are commonly used. However, these drugs may have temporary effects and cause side effects such as depression, irregular heartbeat and weight gain when used long term. Therefore, an alternative hair growth promoting agent is needed. The hair follicle undergoes anagen, catagen, and telogen phase which affect hair growth, and this hair-growth cycle is regulated by growth factors, cytokines, and hormones. Some studies reported that the gut microbiome (GM) regulates the transition between the hair growth cycle by producing hair growth-related factors and nutrients. Also, inflammation by GM affects the cascade of the inflammation in the hair follicle, which may lead to hair growth arrest. Previous studies showed strains of Lactobacillus (LAB) have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects in an HT-29 human colon epithelial cell model and an HaCaT human keratinocyte cell model. Also, traditional Korean berry has anti-inflammatory effects in an HT-29 model. Thus, LAB and fermented traditional Korean berry by LAB (FB) may promote hair growth by regulating gut microbiome. This study investigated the effect of LAB and FB on hair growth in vivo. Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used for evaluating the hair growth-promoting effects of the LAB and FB. The dorsal hair of mice was depilated, and they were orally treated with LAB at 1010 CFU/kg and FB at 250mg/kg daily for 22 days. As a result, the hair re-growth rate was significantly increased in LAB and FB groups compared with the control group. In the histological analysis of skin, FB increased the number of hair follicle and subcutaneous fat layer thickness. The mRNA expression levels of hair growth-related growth factors such as VEGF and IGF-1 are significantly increased in colon and skin. Moreover, Treatment of LAB and FB changed the composition of the microbiome and short chain fatty acids in mice. Altogether, LAB and FB supplementation may promote hair growth by regulating growth factors and altering gut microbiota compositions. In conclusion, strain of LAB and FB are potential novel approaches for hair growth promotion. This work was supported by Korea Testing Laboratory This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

The effect of post-harvest treatment of field beans on dairy cow performance and nutrient utilisation

Field beans (FB, Vicia Faba) is a crop which can be grown within Northern and Western areas of Europe, and which has potential to partially replace imported protein ingredients in ruminant rations. However, in these regions beans are frequently harvested with a moisture content in excess of 16%, and as such must be treated to prevent mould growth. This study was designed to examine the impact of moist preservation of FB using propionic acid, and the extent of physical treatment of dried FB, on dairy cow performance and nutrient utilisation. Eighteen mid-lactation Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were used in a three-period (each of four weeks duration) change-over design experiment. The FB crop used in the experiment (Var. Boxer) was harvested at a moisture content of approximately 25%. Three treatments, each comprising a different post-harvest treatment of FB, were examined. Following harvest, approximately 2/3 of the FB crop was dried at 80°C for four hours to achieve a moisture content of 16%, before being left to cool. Dried FB were then either coarsely rolled (Dry-CR) or finely milled (Dry-FM). The remaining 1/3 of the undried FB crop was coarsely rolled and the beans then treated with propionic acid at a rate of 20 litres/ton fresh beans (Moist-P). Cows on all three treatments were offered a mixed ration comprising grass silage and concentrates (forage: concentrate ratio of 60: 40 on a dry matter basis). The concentrate component of the diet comprised a common ‘pre-mix’ representing 65% of the concentrate on a DM basis, with the remaining 35% of concentrate on a DM basis comprising FB (either dry coarsely rolled, dry finely milled or moist acid treated). The experimental concentrates were designed to achieve an intake of FB of approximately 3.5 kg per day with each treatment. At the end of the 12 week experimental period, 4 cows from each treatment were subjected to a ration digestibility evaluation. Treatment had no effect on dry matter intakes, milk production or milk composition. Similarly, live weight and body condition score were unaffected by treatment (P>0.05). None of the digestibility coefficients examined was affected by treatment. Cows offered the Moist-P diet had a higher milk energy/gross energy intake, and a higher milk nitrogen/nitrogen intake, although this appears to have been driven largely by differences in intakes. The results have demonstrated that acid preservation of moist FB is equally as effective as conventional drying of beans, while degree of processing post drying (coarsely rolled vs finely milled) had no effect on subsequent cow performance.

Effectiveness of biopesticides against oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi L.

The present experiment was carried out on efficacy of microbial and botanical pesticides against aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.) and conducted during Rabi season of 2019-20 on Oat crop at the field of All India Coordinated Research Project on Forage Crops and Utilization at MPKV, Rahuri Dist-Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. Oats crops are heavily attacked by aphid. Three entomopathogenic fungi were tested for their efficacy at different concentrations and compared with neem based biopesticide, with a view to find out most effective treatment (s) against oat aphid. Among the biopesticide and their different concentration the treatment of Lecanicillium lecanii fb L. lecanii 2x108 cfu/gm @5gm/lit gave effective aphid control. Whereas L. lecanii fb M. anisopliae 2x108 cfu/gm @5gm/lit and M. anisopilae fb M. anisopilae 2x108 cfu/gm @5gm/lit next proved to be effective in controlling aphids.

Potential Mechanism of Dermal Wound Treatment With Preparations From the Skin Gel of Arabian Gulf Catfish: A Unique Furan Fatty Acid (F6) and Cholesta-3,5-Diene (S5) Recruit Neutrophils and Fibroblasts to Promote Wound Healing.

Preparations from Arabian Gulf catfish (Arius bilineatus, Val) epidermal gel secretion (PCEGS) effectively heal chronic wounds in diabetic patients. However, specific lipid components of PCEGS that are responsible for various aspects of wound healing are unknown. Here, we report for the first time that, i) a unique preparation containing only proteins and lipids (Fraction B, FB), derived from the PCEGS accelerated the healing of experimental dermal wounds in female rats (transdermal punch biopsy) in vivo. Histological analyses showed that topical treatment of these wounds with FB promoted the migration of fibroblasts, facilitated the production of extracellular matrix (collagen, fibronectin), induced capillary formation and recruitment of immune cells, and accelerated overall wound healing by day 4 (tested at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 10 days; n=15 for vehicle; n=15 for FB treatment), ii) the lipids responsible for different stages of wound healing were separated into a protein-free bioactive lipid fraction, Ft, which contained a few common long-chain fatty acids, a unique furan fatty acid (F6) and a cholesterol metabolite, cholesta-3,5-diene (S5). Ft (the partially purified lipid fraction of PCEGS), and F6 and S5 present in Ft, proved to be bioactive for wound healing in human dermal fibroblasts. Ft increased the production and extracellular deposition of collagen and fibronectin, ex vivo, iii) Ft and its subcomponents, pure F6 and S5, also promoted human dermal fibroblast migration into the scratch wound gaps, ex vivo, iv) Ft, F6, and S5 promoted the recruitment of neutrophils (Green fluorescence protein labeled) to the site of injury in the transected tailfins of transgenic zebrafish, in vivo, v) Ft, but not F6 or S5, promoted the regeneration of tissues at the wound site in the transgenic zebrafish tailfin, in vivo. Therefore, we conclude that lipid fraction Ft from PCEGS contains the components necessary to promote complete wound healing, and F6 and S5 are responsible for promoting fibroblast and neutrophil recruitment to the site of wounds.

The global warming potential of straw-return can be reduced by application of straw-decomposing microbial inoculants and biochar in rice-wheat production systems

Straw-return methods that neither negatively impact yield nor bring environmental risk are ideal patterns. To attain this goal, it is necessary to conduct field observation to evaluate the environmental influence of different straw-return methods. Therefore, we conducted a 2-year field study in 2015–2017 to investigate the emissions of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) and the changes in topsoil (0–20 cm) organic carbon (SOC) density in a typical Chinese rice-wheat rotation in the Eastern China. These measurements allowed a complete greenhouse gas accounting (net GWP and GHGI) of five treatments including: FP (no straw, plus fertilizer), FS (wheat straw plus fertilizer), FB (straw-derived biochar plus fertilizer), FSDI (wheat straw with straw-decomposing microbial inoculants plus fertilizer) and CK (control: no straw, no fertilizer). Average annual SOC sequestration rates were estimated to be 0.20, 0.97, 1.97 and 1.87 t C ha−1 yr−1 (0–20 cm) for the FP, FS, FB and FSDI treatments respectively. Relative to the FP treatment, the FS and FSDI treatments increased CH4 emissions by 12.4 and 17.9% respectively, but decreased N2O emissions by 19.1 and 26.6%. Conversely, the FB treatment decreased CH4 emission by 7.2% and increased N2O emission by 10.9% compared to FP. FB increased grain yield, but FS and FSDI did not. Compared to the net GWP (11.6 t CO2-eq ha−1 yr−1) and GHGI (1.20 kg CO2-eq kg−1 grain) of FP, the FS, FB and FSDI treatments reduced net GWP by 12.6, 59.9 and 34.6% and GHGI by 10.5, 65.8 and 37.7% respectively. In rice-wheat systems of eastern China, the environmentally beneficial effects of returning wheat straw can be greatly enhanced by application of straw-decomposing microbial inoculants or by applying straw-derived biochar.

Ear, nose, and throat foreign bodies in adults: A population-based study in Taiwan

This study performed a population-based analysis in the managements of adult ear, nose, and throat FBs in Taiwan. The Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 were used, which comprises 1,000,000 beneficiaries randomly sampled in 2000 with a follow-up period from 2000 to 2013. Patients aged >18 years with ear, nose, or throat FB were identified according to the International Codes of Diseases. In total, 94,312 adults with ear (n=21,786), nose (n=1007), throat (n=62,986), airway (n=419), or esophageal (n=8114) FB were identified. Emergency department visits were most common among patients with esophageal or airway FB (33.3% and 25.1%, respectively). X-rays were most commonly performed for patients with esophageal FB (44.8%), and computed tomography (CT) was most commonly used for those with airway FB (4.3%). Hospitalization rate was the highest among patients with airway FB (7.4%), followed by those with esophageal (3.0%) and nose (0.7%) FB. Patients with airway FBs corresponded with the highest rate of intensive care unit stay (58.1%), longest hospital stay (10.5 days), and highest in-hospital mortality rate (25.8%). A multiple logistic regression model indicated that old age, medical comorbidities, undergoing CT, and airway or esophageal FB were associated with hospitalization among adults with FB. Disparities were identified in the treatment of ear, nose, and throat FB in adults. This study provides population-based data that may serve as a reference for otolaryngologists in clinical FB management.

The Effects of Fine Bubble Treatments on the Sterilization of <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157 : H7

To evaluate the bactericidal property of Fine Bubbles (hereafter, FB), we added a bacterial solution to a solution with or without FB prepared from a nonsterilizing surfactant solution using a mechanical aerating homogenizer. Then, we examined the change in the number of viable bacteria. Our results revealed no changes in the number of viable bacteria owing to the presence or absence of FB, and therefore, the bactericidal effect of FB under these experimental conditions could not be confirmed. Next, an FB solution prepared from a sterilized cationic surfactant solution was added to a bacterial solution. The results demonstrated a decrease in the number of viable bacteria with the addition of the surfactant; however, there was no change in the number of viable bacteria irrespective of whether FB was used. Specifically, no improvement in the bactericidal property of the cationic surfactant owing to the use of FB could be observed. Furthermore, using an FB generation apparatus consisting of a pressurized tank and a circulation tank, and inoculated filter paper and cut lettuce as carriers, we examined the bactericidal effects of air FB and ozone FB treatment on decontamination of E. coli O157: H7. Consequently, although the bactericidal effect of FB in the circulation tank was confirmed, the effect differed depending on the carrier; the bactericidal effect was revealed to be enhanced by increasing dissolved ozone concentration in the pressurized tank due to pressurization, not by FB.

Detecting responses to treatment with fenofibrate in pedigrees

BackgroundFenofibrate (Fb) is a known treatment for elevated triglyceride (TG) levels. The Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet Network (GOLDN) study was designed to investigate potential contributors to the effects of Fb on TG levels. Here, we summarize the analyses of 8 papers whose authors had access to the GOLDN data and were grouped together because they pursued investigations into Fb treatment responses as part of GAW20. These papers report explorations of a variety of genetics, epigenetics, and study design questions. Data regarding treatment with 160 mg of micronized Fb per day for 3 weeks included pretreatment and posttreatment TG and methylation levels (ML) at approximately 450,000 epigenetic markers (cytosine-phosphate-guanine [CpG] sites). In addition, approximately 1 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped or imputed in each of the study participants, drawn from 188 pedigrees.ResultsThe analyses of a variety of subsets of the GOLDN data used a number of analytic approaches such as linear mixed models, a kernel score test, penalized regression, and artificial neural networks.ConclusionsResults indicate that (a) CpG ML are responsive to Fb; (b) CpG ML should be included in models predicting the TG level responses to Fb; (c) common and rare variants are associated with TG responses to Fb; (d) the interactions of common variants and CpG ML should be included in models predicting the TG response; and (e) sample size is a critical factor in the successful construction of predictive models representing the response to Fb.

A Retrospective Analysis of Lung Volume and Cardiac Dose in Left-Sided Whole Breast Radiotherapy

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess the variability of lung volume and characterize its relationship with heart dose in women with left-sided breast cancer receiving whole breast radiotherapy. Materials and methodsFree-breathing (FB) computed tomography scans of female left-sided breast cancer patients were retrospectively reviewed. Dose and volume parameters for the lung, heart, and left anterior descending coronary artery were collected from the FB treatment plans of 47 patients treated in FB (PTFB) and 41 patients who exceeded institutional heart dose limits (≥10 cc of heart receiving V50%) and required the breath-hold technique using the active breathing coordinator (ABC) device (PTABC). A two-tailed Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation test were performed for statistical analysis. ResultsVolume of the heart and left anterior descending artery were similar between the groups (P = .102 and P = .548, respectively). Total left lung volume in FB state was significantly smaller for the PTABC group (996.9 cc; standard deviation, 253.1) when compared with the PTFB group (1,207.8 cc standard deviation, 32; P < .001). Mean and maximum heart dose, heart V50%, V30 Gy, and V10 Gy decreased with increasing left lung volume for all patients (P < .001). There was an inverse relationship between left lung volume and mean heart dose (R = −0.586, P < .001). ConclusionsPatients requiring ABC have smaller left lung volumes during FB state. Future study to assess lung volume in conjunction with other anatomic parameters in the development of an ABC screening tool is warranted.

Effects of feedback-assisted treatment on post-treatment outcome for eating disordered inpatients: A follow-up study

AbstractOnly one randomized clinical trial (RCT) has examined feedback-assisted (Fb) treatment in an inpatient eating disordered population. Results from this study suggested that those who received Fb treatment were more likely to recover than participants in the treatment-as-usual condition; however, long-term effects of this treatment have not been investigated. This is especially pertinent in eating disordered populations, where outcomes tend to be poor and course of illness chronic. In the current study, fifty-three women from the aforementioned RCT were contacted three to four years after leaving inpatient care to assess their current distress level and psychological functioning. Results suggested no significant difference between treatment conditions. The vast majority of women sought out multiple forms of treatment over the follow-up period, regardless of treatment condition. This is consistent with past research suggesting that women with more severe pathology (i.e. those requiring inpatient trea...

Integrating a mini catchment with mulching for soil water management in a sloping jujube orchard on the semiarid Loess Plateau of China

Abstract. Conserving more soil water is of great importance to the sustainability of arid and semiarid orchards. Here we integrated fish-scale pits, semicircular mini-catchments for hill slope runoff collection, with mulches to test their effects on soil water storage in a 12-year-old dryland jujube orchard on the Loess Plateau of China, by using soil water measurements from April 2013 to November 2014. This experiment included four treatments: fish-scale pits with branch mulching (FB), fish-scale pits with straw mulching (FS), fish-scale pits without mulching (F), and bare land treatment (CK). Soil water was measured using the TRIME®-IPH time-domain reflectometer (TDR) tool in 20 cm intervals down to a depth of 180 cm, and was measured once every 2 weeks in the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. The results showed that fish-scale pits with mulching were better in soil water conservation. Average soil water storage (SWS, for short) of FB at soil layer depths of 0–180 cm increased by 14.23 % (2013) and 21.81 % (2014), respectively, compared to CK, but only increased by 4.82 % (2013) and 5.34 % (2014), respectively, for the F treatment. The degree of soil water compensation, WS, was employed here to represent to what extent soil water was recharged from precipitation at the end of the rainy season relative to that at the beginning of the rainy season. A positive (negative) WS larger (lower) soil water content at the end of rainy season than at the beginning. For the treatment of FB, the values of WS over the entire soil profile were greater than 0; for the treatment of F, negative values of WS were observed in depths of 60–100 cm in both years. However, the bare land treatment showed negative values in depths of 40–180 cm. This indicated that integrating fish-scale pits with mulching could significantly increase soil water storage by increasing infiltration and decreasing evaporation, and it showed greater soil water storage and degree of soil water compensation compared to fish-scale pits alone. Since the branches used for mulching here were trimmed jujube branches, the cost of mulching materials was largely reduced. Therefore, integration of fish-scale pits with branch mulching is recommended in orchards for soil water conservation on the Loess Plateau and potentially for other regions.

Increased Dryland Winter Wheat Yields by Nitrogen Fertilizer Topdressing and its Relationship to Soil Moisture, Available N, P and K in Northwestern China

ABSTRACTWinter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in northwestern China as a monoculture is hampered by unfertile soil and drought. With the fast-developing Chinese chemical fertilizer industry, many farmers now use more nitrogen (N) fertilizer as topdressing for winter wheat in early spring, in addition to a basal dose of N fertilizer applied in the previous autumn at seeding time. The objective of this study was to evaluate the increase in grain yield of dryland winter wheat by early spring N fertilizer topdressing, and its relationship to soil moisture, available N, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Field experiments with no N fertilizer topdressing (Fb) and N fertilizer topdressing (Fb+t) treatments were carried out over two growing seasons at 54 site-years to assess the relationship between increase in winter wheat grain yield by early spring N fertilizer topdressing and soil moisture, available N, P and K in Changwu county, Shaanxi province, China. Compared to Fb treatment, the Fb+t treatment produced grain yields lower at 10 site-years, and increased by <10% at 21 site-years and by >10% at 23 site-years. The results indicated that topdressing N fertilizer could increase wheat grain yield when soil nitrate-N accumulation in the 0–20, 20–40 and 40–60 cm depths was less than 121.7, 36.4 and 24.1 kg N ha−1, and soil moisture content in the 40–60, 60–80 and 80–100 cm depths was more than 15.7%, 16.7% and 16.9%, respectively. The findings also suggested that it is not necessary to analyze soil for ammonium-N, available P and K before topdressing N fertilizer. It is necessary to analyze 0–60 cm soil profile for nitrate-N and 40–100 cm depth for soil moisture before topdressing N fertilizer for winter wheat in dryland areas of northwestern China.

Role of woody biochar and fungal-bacterial co-inoculation on enzyme activity and metal immobilization in serpentine soil

In this study, we investigated the effect of biochar (BC) and fungal bacterial co-inoculation (FB) on soil enzymatic activity and immobilization of heavy metals in serpentine soil in Sri Lanka. A pot experiment was conducted with tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) at 1, 2.5, and 5 % (w/w) BC ratios. Polyphenol oxidase, catalase and dehydrogenase activities were determined by idometric, potassium permanganate oxidisable, and spectrophotometric methods, respectively. Heavy metal concentrations were assessed by 0.01 M CaCl2 and sequential extraction methods. An increase in BC application reduced polyphenol oxidase, dehydrogenase, and catalase activity. The application of FB increased soil dehydrogenase activity, with the maximum activity found in 1 % BC700 + FB treatment. Moreover, the CaCl2 extractable metals (Ni, Mn, and Cr) in 5 % BC700 amended soil decreased by 92, 94, and 100 %, respectively, compared to the control. Sequential extraction showed that the exchangeable concentrations of Ni, Mn, and Cr decreased by 55, 70, and 80 % in 5 % BC700, respectively. Results suggest that the addition of BC to serpentine soil immobilizes heavy metals and decreases soil enzymatic activities. The addition of FB to serpentine soil improves plant growth by mitigating heavy metal toxicity and enhancing soil enzymatic activities.

Effect of IAA produced by Klebsiella oxytoca Rs-5 on cotton growth under salt stress

Klebsiella oxytoca Rs-5 isolated with ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) deaminase activity as the sole nitrogen source could obviously promote cotton seedling growth under salt stress and produce phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The amount of IAA produced by the strain Rs-5 was measured, and the effect of IAA on cotton growth under salt stress was studied. Different treatments were set to treat cotton seeds with fermentation broth containing strain Rs-5 (FB), strain Rs-5, fermentation broth with bacteria removed (FB-NB), fermentation broth without bacteria or IAA (FB-NB-NI) and single IAA solutions (SI) according to the IAA concentration after strain Rs-5 culturing of 48, 72 and 120 h. The germination rate, dry weight, plant height, root length and malondialdehyde (MDA), proline and endogenous IAA content in roots were determined. The results showed that both IAA produced by strain Rs-5 and the strain were effective in promoting cotton growth under salt stress. The growth and ability to resist salt stress of cotton seedlings were increased with the enhancement of IAA concentration. The treatment of FB containing bacteria and IAA at 120 h obtained the best state of cotton growth, when the IAA content was the highest in the fermentation broth (42.14 μg·L(-1)). The germination rate, dry weight, plant height and root length were increased by 29.4%, 24.3%, 27.2% and 27.2% , respectively, compared to the saline control. The strain Rs-5 and/or IAA could obviously reduce the MDA and proline content and increase the endogenous IAA content in cotton seedlings. However, the efficacy of other components in the fermentation broth was inconspicuous.

Red ginseng extract protects against aflatoxin B 1 and fumonisins-induced hepatic pre-cancerous lesions in rats

The current study was conducted to evaluate the chemoprevention effects of ginseng extract (GE) against pre-cancerous lesions in female Sprague–Dawley rats treated with aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1) and fumonisin (FB). Six experimental groups treated for 12 weeks and included: the control group; the GE alone-treated group (150 mg/kg b.w); the group treated orally with AFB 1 (17 μg/kg b.w) during the first 2 weeks and fed FB-contaminated diet (250 mg/kg diet) during the 6th to 8th weeks; the group treated with GE during the mycotoxin protocol and continued till week 10; the group treated with GE 2 weeks before AFB 1 administration and continued till the end of FB treatment and the group treated with GE for 4 weeks after the toxin protocol stopped. The sequential mycotoxins treatment induced significant changes in serum biochemical parameters accompanied by severe histological and histochemical changes of the liver tissue. Treatment with GE during, before or after the treatment with the mycotoxins improved all biochemical parameters and histological picture of the liver. Moreover, treatment with GE after the administration of the mycotoxins was found to be more effective. It could be concluded that GE has a protective effects as pre-cancerous lesions and therapeutic effects as well.