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Methodology to Determine Fungicide Efficacy Ratings for the EuroBlight Tables – Potato Late or Early Blight
Full text linkLate blight (Phytophthora infestans) and early blight (Alternaria solani) are the most important diseases in potato cultivation. The control of these diseases depends largely on fungicide sprays during the growing season. Fungicides differ in their efficacy to control any pathogen. The use of effective fungicides is necessary for both the control of the disease and to avoid unnecessary sprays. Each active ingredient has its own efficacies and specific characteristics, which are expressed in fungicide products. A EuroBlight fungicide table was set up to provide an overview of the relative ratings for each characteristic for different fungicides used to control late blight or early blight. Until 2007, EuroBlight fungicide ratings were based on the judgement of experts from the crop protection companies and independent researchers. To objectively evaluate the effectiveness of fungicides, harmonised protocols were discussed, and it was proposed that the ratings of fungicides for the EuroBlight fungicide table were to be calculated based on results from field experiments carried out over 2 years and in at least 3 European countries. Fungicide ratings derived from the experiments, which indicate the efficacy of fungicides to control potato late blight (foliar and tuber blight) or early blight, were published on the EuroBlight website from 2008. This paper describes the experimental procedure as well as statistical analyses used to derive the EuroBlight fungicide ratings. The procedure allows ratings to be calculated even although candidate fungicides are tested in different years. Overall, the method developed and validated in this study is robust and provides an objective procedure for deriving numeric ratings for fungicides, not just for potato late blight and early blight, but also for other host–pathosystems
Global sensitivity analysis workflows and rankings: A practical comparison for researchers
Full text linkGlobal sensitivity analysis (GSA) is a recommended step in the use of computer simulation models. GSA quantifies the relative importance of model inputs on outputs (Factor Ranking), identifies inputs that could be fixed, thus simplifying model calibration (Factor Fixing), and pinpoints areas for future data collection (Factor Prioritization). Given the wide variety of GSA methods, choosing between methods can be challenging. We provide a practitioner-focused guide for non-GSA experts that compares both widely and less commonly used GSA methods, discuss implementation and interpretation issues, and propose a workflow. We assess the degree of similarity in Factor Ranking based on a study of three simulators of differing complexity. A critical issue for all methods is specification of parameter ranges. Factor Rankings were generally quite similar based on Kendall’s W. Sobol’ first order and total sensitivity indices were easy to interpret and informative with regression trees providing additional insight into interactions
Longitudinal study of a Scottish beef herd affected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis; monitored by faecal culture, serum ELISA and the interferon-gamma release assay
No full textParatuberculosis is a fatal, enteritis of animals caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). Uptake of MAP by macrophages initiates adaptive immune responses, detected as antigen-specific Interferon- gamma (IFN-γ) release or specific antibodies in peripheral blood. MAP can subvert macrophage killing and there is often a long sub-clinical phase. Diagnosis of paratuberculosis by faecal culture or serum ELISA is problematic, particularly during the subclinical phase. Regimens which rely on these tests, may fail as animals may transmit infection for prolonged periods before their detection. Infected animals may develop early Th1 responses to MAP. Measuring IFN-γ produced in response to mycobacterial antigens may give an early indication of animals infected with MAP. Adaptation of the commercially available Bovigam™ test kit utilizing MAP-specific proteins as stimulants of the cell mediated immune (CMI) response discriminates naturally and experimentally infected animals from uninfected ones. Young animals from farms affected by paratuberculosis, exhibit high responses to purified protein derivative from Mycobacterium avium species (PPDa) and MAP–specific antigens. To determine if specific high CMI responses were diagnostic for paratuberculosis they were compared with the inferred true status of each animal in a latent class analysis. Results from this study indicate that the novel interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) test is a sensitive test of MAP infection but does not indicate which animals are likely to subsequently test positive by the established MAP tests. The IGRA test may have an application as a herd test, determining whether infection exists and to what extent it is present within the herd
Lactobacillus salivarius SNK-6 improves egg quality, yolk nutrient composition, and yolk flavor profile in laying hens via modulation of tissue metabolites and Cecal microbiomes
Full text linkThis study aimed to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus salivarius SNK-6 (L.a-SNK-6) supplementation on the laying performance, egg quality and yolk nutrition composition, including amino acid (AAs), fatty acids, and flavor profile, of Wenshang Barred hens. A total of 432 healthy 40-week-old hens were randomly assigned to three groups with 6 replicates each: control group (CON), a group supplemented with 2.0 × 10 CFU/kg L.a-SNK-6 (T1), and a group supplemented with 2.0 × 10 CFU/kg L.a-SNK-6 (T2). Compared with the CON group, both the T1 and T2 groups showed a reduction in the broken egg rate and increases in serum alkaline phosphatase, calcium (Ca) and calcitonin levels (P < 0.05). These groups also exhibited higher Haugh unit, eggshell strength and eggshell Ca content (P < 0.05). Furthermore, egg yolks from the T1 and T2 groups contained higher levels of α-linolenic acid, and oleic acid than those of the CON group. Total AAs content in the egg yolks was markedly elevated in both T1 and T2 groups, particularly the glutamic acid and aspartic acid (P < 0.05). Twenty volatile compounds that differed significantly among the three groups were identified, including d-limonene and β-pinene. Metabolomic analyses revealed 326, 237, and 108 differential metabolites in plasma, liver, and cecal content, respectively, between the T1 and CON group. These metabolites were significantly enriched in the tryptophan metabolism (map00380) pathway in both plasma and cecal content. 16S rRNA sequencing indicated that cecal microbiome diversity and abundance were higher in T1 group compared with the CON group, although the differences were not statistically significant. Combined analysis showed seventy-five host metabolite-microbiota pairs were significantly correlated (P-adjust < 0.05). Collectively, L.a-SNK-6 supplementation modulated metabolites across multiple host tissues and the cecal microbiome, leading to improved egg quality, enhanced yolk nutrient composition, and alterations in yolk volatile compounds. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Global sensitivity analysis workflows and rankings: A practical comparison for researchers
Full text linkGlobal sensitivity analysis (GSA) is a recommended step in the use of computer simulation models. GSA quantifies the relative importance of model inputs on outputs (Factor Ranking), identifies inputs that could be fixed, thus simplifying model calibration (Factor Fixing), and pinpoints areas for future data collection (Factor Prioritization). Given the wide variety of GSA methods, choosing between methods can be challenging. We provide a practitioner-focused guide for non-GSA experts that compares both widely and less commonly used GSA methods, discuss implementation and interpretation issues, and propose a workflow. We assess the degree of similarity in Factor Ranking based on a study of three simulators of differing complexity. A critical issue for all methods is specification of parameter ranges. Factor Rankings were generally quite similar based on Kendall’s W. Sobol’ first order and total sensitivity indices were easy to interpret and informative with regression trees providing additional insight into interactions
How to understand the psychological drivers of household food waste
No full textWe need to reduce household food waste, but the complexity of its determinants makes this difficult. Here we put forward a model for understanding some of the key behavioural and psychological drivers thought to promote or undermine food waste reduction. The model draws on multiple theories and integrates reflective processes (e.g., the influence of goals and outcome expectancies on planning behaviours) with automatic processes (e.g., habitual behaviours), psychological traits (e.g., self-efficacy and disgust sensitivity) and environmental influences (e.g., stress and time pressure). It leads us to identify two important potential levers for change: promoting shorter term, flexible meal planning and changing the way we feel about food waste.<br/
Friends, Forage, Freedom: A cluster analysis investigating horse management styles and welfare in the UK and Ireland
Full text linkThis study aims to improve the welfare and management of recreational horses by identifying how different management styles affect horse health and behaviour. We examined the management styles of recreational horse owners in the UK and Ireland, focusing on social interaction (friends), access to suitable forage (forage), and unrestricted movement (freedom). We collected 1,501 survey responses, distributed via social media, and summarised the characteristics and management choices of the respondents. Using the Divisive ANAlysis cluster package in R, three distinct management styles were identified. The largest differences between clusters were in turnout, individual stabling, and access to forage. The Horse Centred Management Cluster (HCMC) (n=956) were more likely to provide their horses with 24-hour turnout and access to a forage source, and interaction with 2 or more horses. The Combined Management Cluster (CMC) (n=434) was a combination of different management decisions; such as horses being kept in an individual stable for longer periods and provided with shorter turnout periods (9 or more hours), than the HCMC. The Owner Centred Management Cluster (OCMC) (n=111) provided a more restrictive management style with much less turnout time (typically 0-6 hours), often with no contact with other horses, and less access to a forage source (0-10 hours). We explored associations between management factors (friends, forage, and freedom) and horse welfare-related outputs via owner responses to health and behaviour questions, where behaviour was considered to reflect mental state. The HCMC horses were significantly less likely to exhibit gastrointestinal (GI) issues, lameness issues, handling problems, or antisocial behaviours compared to both other groups. This study highlights how management impacts the health and behaviour of recreational horses and can contribute to the development of guidance on improved management and welfare for recreational horses
Combined effects of resistant rice cultivar and organic fertilizer on plant–soil responses to aboveground brown planthopper
No full textResistant rice cultivar and organic fertilizer suppressed brown planthopper performance. Both factors mitigated BPH-induced declined in plant growth and soil microbial biomass. Organic fertilizer reduced root-feeding nematodes and stabilized soil food web structure. Cultivar and fertilizer acted independently, offering a sustainable pest-nutrient strategy. Plant-herbivore interactions are strongly shaped by plant genotype and soil resource availability, but studies that jointly consider these factors within an integrated aboveground-belowground framework remain limited. This knowledge gap constrains the optimization of cultivar breeding and fertilizer management for sustainable agriculture. We conducted a factorial greenhouse experiment with three factors, brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens Stål) infestation (present/absent), rice cultivar (resistant or susceptible), and fertilizer type (chemical or organic), to test how cultivar and fertilizer affect rice resistance to BPH and, in turn, how BPH alters soil nutrient availability, microbial biomass, and nematode communities through plant-mediated pathways. Both resistant cultivar and organic fertilizer significantly suppressed BPH performance relative to susceptible cultivar and chemical fertilizer. They also mitigated BPH-induced reductions in plant growth, microbial biomass, soil resources, and bacterial- and fungal-feeding nematodes. In contrast, chemical fertilizer exacerbated BPH impacts, particularly on susceptible rice, and promoted root-feeding nematodes. Cultivar and fertilizer independently affected plant and soil responses without showing synergistic interaction. Our findings suggest that combining resistant cultivars with organic fertilizer strengthens resistance to aboveground herbivores and belowground root-feeding nematodes, while enhancing soil resources and food web stability. This integrated strategy provides an effective approach for sustainable pest management and nutrient regulation in rice systems. (Figure presented.)</p