Scientific Journals of INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria)
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Modeling pesticide translocation injected by endotherapy into the stem of coconut tree (Cocos nucifera L.)
No full textAim of study: To present a mathematical model to simulate the translocation of pesticides injected into coconut trees. Pesticide residues in water and coconut pulp were also evaluated.
Area of study: The data were obtained in coconut plants of the Itaporanga Experimental Field, located in the Municipality of Itaporanga d'Ajuda, Sergipe State, Brazil.
Material and methods: To estimate the effect of pesticide site-sap coefficients and retardation factors on translocation and its phytosanitary behavior and risk of contamination of coconut fruits, the stipe was modeled by a classic dispersion-advection equation. The pesticides cyproconazole, azoxystrobin, dimethoate, imidacloprid, metalaxyl, and thiamethoxam were injected into the coconut palm stipe. The method used to extract pesticide residues from pulp, water and coconut sap samples was based on the QuEChERS methodology with modifications.
Main results: Simulations showed that (i) the pesticides dimethoate, metalaxyl, and thiamethoxan were the active ingredients showing the greatest potential for translocation in the sap of the coconut tree stem; (ii) the pesticides imidacloprid and metalaxyl translocated upward in the stipe, and more rapidly than pesticides abamectin and cyproconazole, which moved slower to the aerial part of coconut plants. In chromatography analysis, no pesticide residues were quantified in water and coconut fruit pulp samples of coconut trees injected with pesticides, after the evaluated intervals.
Research highlights: The proposed model allowed us to observe that the translocation is inversely proportional to the sorption of the pesticide in the stem of coconut trees
Weed flora in crop rotation and winter wheat monoculture
No full textAim of study: The goal of the study described in this manuscript was to evaluate qualitative and quantitative changes in weed flora infesting winter wheat stands grown in crop rotation and wheat monoculture.
Area of study: South-eastern Poland, Europe (2018-2020).
Material and methods: The experiment was established in the system of randomized blocks (25 m x 6 m) in three replications. Winter wheat was sown in (1) crop rotation (CR): potato – winter wheat – peas – winter barley; and (2) in monoculture (MON). Weed infestation was evaluated in two terms: (1) at the tillering stage and (2) at the waxy maturity stage of winter wheat.
Main results: The number and air-dry weight of weeds evaluated in both terms were higher in MON than in CR. Before wheat harvest, its plots in MON were massively infested by Apera spica-venti and significantly populated by Avena fatua and Anthemis arvensis. In this evaluation term, the weeds of the upper and middle levels accounted for 88.4% of the whole weed community in CR and for 97.7% in MON. In both terms of evaluation, greater biodiversity of the weed community was observed in CR than in MON.
Research highlights: Indicators used to assess the weed flora in crop rotation and monoculture, i.e. weed species composition, number and air-dry weight of weeds, weed distribution in wheat crop levels, and Shannon-Wiener's diversity index
Exploring the economic impact of carbonic fertilisation in greenhouses in western Almería (Spain)
No full textAim of study: To assess the economic viability of implementing carbon fertilisation (CF) on the Campo de Dalías greenhouse agricultural sector.
Area of study: Agricultural area of Campo de Dalías (Southeast of Spain), the highest density of greenhouses for horticulture in Europe, with an area of 21,285 ha of greenhouses, spread over an entire area of 33,000 ha.
Material and methods: Based on the technology currently used in the Campo de Dalías, we estimated the impact of introducing technology that could incorporate CF (multi-span greenhouses) and that of CF itself. The main indicators analysed were value added, employment, gross output, and input use, and especially water consumption.
Main results: The results show an improvement in the most important indicators analysed, making CF an economically viable technique that will help the development process of the agricultural sector in Campo de Dalías.
Research highlights: Campo de Dalias production competes in Central European markets with others coming from areas with lower costs (North Africa) or those with higher technical standards (mainly the Netherlands). Species traditionally grown in the Campo de Dalías greenhouses have disappeared due to their low profitability. Technological innovation is the only way out to prevent this important sector from continuing losing value
Pathogenesis of domestic pigs submitted to mycobacterial sensitizations previous to experimental infection with Mycobacterium bovis
No full textAim of study: To demonstrate the virulence of a Mycobacterium bovis local pig isolate in order to contribute to a better understanding of the pathological and immunological consequences of M. bovis infection in previous sensitized animals.
Area of study: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Material and methods: One group of ten pigs received two oral doses of killed M. bovis suspension and a comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CIT) (multiple sensitized) and then was infected with the M. bovis strain. Another group only received the CIT (single sensitized) and the infective dose. Humoral immune response was followed monthly, and gross pathology, histopathological and bacteriological analysis were performed at necropsy 100 days after infection.
Main results: M. bovis oral infection induced lesions and allowed bacterial growth in most of the animals. Previous sensitization with killed M. bovis suspension slightly raised the intensity of the response, as the multiple sensitized group showed higher lesion scores and humoral response.
Research highlights: Although the differences in lesion scores were not statistically significant, oral route infection after sensitization can modify the course of infections towards a fast development of lesions with a higher fibrotic component suggestive of increased resistance to infection in the right conditions
Reproductive physiology and sexual compatibility of the Spanish olive variety ‘Arbequina’ cultivated in Montenegro
No full textAim of study: One of the newly introduced olive varieties in Montenegro is the Spanish olive (Olea europaea L.) variety ‘Arbequina’. The aim of this work was to study the changes in the reproductive physiology of the cultivar 'Arbequina' in conditions of Montenegro.
Area of study: Comparative experimental plots were established in two areas in Montenegro, the coastal region of Ulcinj and the inland region of Podgorica.
Material and methods: The research was conducted at four experimental sites (UL1 and UL2 in Ulcinj; PG1 and PG2, in Podgorica) over four years. Flowering phenophases, inflorescence characteristics, and inflorescence architecture were assessed. Pollination trials consisted of open-pollination, self-pollination, and cross-pollination of ‘Arbequina’ with several olive varieties, resulting in an assessment of fruit set.
Main results: A high level of fruit set (6.75%) in ‘Arbequina’ in open-pollination was recorded in the multi-varietal orchard (PG2). A much lower fruit set was found in the mono-varietal hedgerow orchards (0.75% in PG1 and 0.33% in UL2). The fruit set was very low in the mono-varietal orchards in self-pollination trials, ranging from 0.01% (PG1) to 0.06% (UL1).
Research highlights: These results confirm that ‘Arbequina’ is a self-incompatible variety, which is crucial both for farmers in establishing new plantations and for scientists in future research. Some of the 11 olive varieties cross-pollinated with the ‘Arbequina’ variety displayed pollinating potential, which needs to be proven with paternity tests. Despite the differences between experimental sites and areas, ‘Arbequina’ exhibited high reproductive potential, confirmed by many perfect flowers
The effect of stand characteristics on soil organic carbon content in spruce and deciduous stands
No full textAim of study: To determine the effects of stand characteristics, which closely relate to forest management practices, on the soil organic carbon (SOC) content in the organic (O) and surface mineral (A) soil horizons in spruce and deciduous stands, and to show SOC dynamics during the life of production stands.
Area of study: Spruce and deciduous stands located throughout the Czech Republic.
Material and methods: The effects of age, density of stocking and canopy of stand on SOC content in the O and A horizons, and the difference between categories of variables and the trends of SOC were evaluated in spruce and deciduous stands (401 plots) at lower and middle elevations.
Main results: SOC content changed during the life of stands. In spruce stands, a decreasing trend of SOC with stand age was found in the A horizon. In deciduous stands, SOC content was higher overall in the A horizon, fluctuating slightly with stand age, but more balanced during the life of stands. Based on the results, in terms of management of dying spruce stands and carbon sequestration, felling should be carried out in the age group of 81-120 years in spruce stands, whereas in deciduous stands felling should take place in older stands (141 years and more). Density of stocking and canopy of stand had no substantial effect of SOC content.
Research highlights: Deciduous stands have the potential to replace dying spruce stands at lower elevation in terms of carbon sequestration
Genomic evaluation of binary traits in dairy cattle by considering genotype × environment interactions
No full textAim of study: To assess genotype by environment (G×E) interaction via single- and multi-trait animal models for binary traits in dairy cattle.
Area of study: University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
Material and methods: Phenotypic and genomic data were simulated considering a binary trait in four environments as different correlated traits. Heritabilities of 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 were considered to mimic the genetic variation of the binary trait in different environments. Eight scenarios resulted from combining the number of QTLs (60 or 300), LD level (high or low), and incidence of the binary trait (10% or 30%) were simulated to compare the accuracy of predictions. For all scenarios, 1667 markers per chromosome (depicting a 50K SNP chip) were randomly spaced over 30 chromosomes. Multi-trait animal models were applied to take account of G×E interaction and to predict the genomic breeding value in different environments. Prediction accuracies obtained from the single- and multi-trait animal models were compared.
Main results: In the models with G×E interaction, the largest accuracy of 0.401 was obtained in high LD scenario with 60 QTLs, and incidence of 30% for the fourth environment. The lowest accuracy of 0.190 was achieved in low LD scenario with 300 QTLs and incidence of 10% for the first environment.
Research highlights: Genomic selection with high prediction accuracy can be possible by considering the G×E interaction during the genetic improvement programs in dairy cattle
Effect of a veterinary antibiotic on the growth of regularly consumed Lebanese plants
No full textAim of study: To investigate the effect of a combined commercial veterinary antibiotic, commonly sold, in different concentrations, on Lens culinaris Medik., Cicer arietinum L., Eruca sativa Mill. and Lepidium sativum L., on germination rates, plant growth traits and rhizospheric bacterial size and diversity.
Area of study: Lebanon, soil origin from South Lebanon.
Material and methods: The antibiotic phytotoxicity was assayed using seed germination and plant growth tests in a pot experiment conducted in a controlled glasshouse. Rhizospheric bacteria were isolated and identified by assisted laser desorption/ionization spectrometry (MALDI-TOF).
Main results: The antibiotic used was species-dependent and negatively affected the plant growth variables causing decrease in root growth and total biomass weight. Regarding crop species, the antibiotic impact was dose-dependent. Arugula and cress were found to be the most sensitive in the tested concentrations, affecting their productivity. In lentil and chickpea, the effects disappeared after the fourth and the first week respectively. In addition, root microbial community was negatively affected in the first 4 weeks in lentil and chickpea. A diversity of growth promoting rhizobacterial genera were identified where some rhizospheric bacteria were more sensitive, while others were resistant to the used antibiotic concentrations.
Research highlights: Results highlight the presence of resistant bacteria even in virgin soils. They implicate that the presence of antibiotics in soil leads to biomass reduction in leafy species decreasing the productive capacity of the crops and draw attention to possible transmission to humans consuming these leaves