Scientific Journals of INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria)
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Black truffle cultivation: a global reality
Get PDFAim of study: In recent decades the cultivation of the black truffle Tuber melanosporum has expanded across all the Mediterranean-climate regions, but also to other regions outside the European standard for the species. We aim to describe the current extent of T. melanosporum cultivation.Area of study: Tuber melanosporum plantations in Europe, the Mediterranean basin, Australia, New Zealand, China, America and South Africa.Material and Methods: The socioeconomic impact of T. melanosporum cultivation, the way in which the current situation has been achieved and the knowledge needed for its progress are reviewed.Research highlights: T. melanosporum has been successfully cultivated in several countries outside its natural area, but many practices are still empirical and thus yields cannot be guaranteed. The recent advances in molecular techniques and genome science are helping to overcome some of the difficulties traditionally constraining truffle research. The role of truffles as a transitional element between agricultural and forestry activities makes its cultivation a paradigm of sustainable rural development.Keywords: Tuber melanosporum; Europe; Australia; New Zealand; Chile; USA
Replacement of steel cable with synthetic rope in mountain logging operations in Castanea sativa Mill. coppice stands
Get PDFAim of the study: The objective of this study was to evaluate skidding from stump area to roadside with a tracked skidder (Caterpillar 3DG XL) using two different types of cable (steel or synthetic).Area of study: NW of Spain.Material and methods: A time study was performed to calculate productivity for the two types of cable and two regression models were fitted to predict the productive and cycle time of the tracked skidder.Research highlights: An increase of 12.53% in productivity (m3/SMH) and improvements in working conditions using synthetic rope were found.Keywords: Chestnut; synthetic rope; time study; tracked skidder
European Mixed Forests: definition and research perspectives
Get PDFAim of study: We aim at (i) developing a reference definition of mixed forests in order to harmonize comparative research in mixed forests and (ii) review the research perspectives in mixed forests.Area of study: The definition is developed in Europe but can be tested worldwide.Material and Methods: Review of existent definitions of mixed forests based and literature review encompassing dynamics, management and economic valuation of mixed forests.Main results: A mixed forest is defined as a forest unit, excluding linear formations, where at least two tree species coexist at any developmental stage, sharing common resources (light, water, and/or soil nutrients). The presence of each of the component species is normally quantified as a proportion of the number of stems or of basal area, although volume, biomass or canopy cover as well as proportions by occupied stand area may be used for specific objectives. A variety of structures and patterns of mixtures can occur, and the interactions between the component species and their relative proportions may change over time.The research perspectives identified are (i) species interactions and responses to hazards, (ii) the concept of maximum density in mixed forests, (iii) conversion of monocultures to mixed-species forest and (iv) economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by mixed forests.Research highlights: The definition is considered a high-level one which encompasses previous attempts to define mixed forests. Current fields of research indicate that gradient studies, experimental design approaches, and model simulations are key topics providing new research opportunities.Keywords: COST Action; EuMIXFOR; mixed-species forests; admixtures of species
Short Communication. Effect of phosphorus nutrition and grain position within maize cob on grain phosphorus accumulation
No full textNutritional status of grains may vary due to external nutrient supply and their position within parent maize cob. Phosphorus (P) is the least mobile nutrient in the soil and therefore newly growing seedlings are largely dependent on the stored grain P contents which are accumulated during the crop maturity period. Objective of this study was to access the effects of different P applications and grain positions on P and dry matter contents in grains. Phosphorus application and grain position has significant (p<0.05) effects on P contents in grains whereas dry weight and P content are highly correlated. Grain weight and P contents decreased linearly from base to apical position possibly due to flow of nutrients from base towards apical position within cob. Significantly higher grain dry weight (0.35±0.01 g) and P contents (962±57 µg P) are recorded in high P application (92.50 kg ha-1) rate on base position whereas minimum grain dry weight (0.14±0.01 g) and P contents (219±11 µg P) were recorded on apical grain position in low P application (5.60 kg ha-1) rate. The results suggest that for better seedling P nutrition especially in soils of low inherent P, maize grains should be selected from base or middle position where maximum dry weight and P contents are concentrated to support the seedlings to reach at growth at which roots are capable of external P uptake
Effectiveness of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the protection of olive plants against oxidative stress induced by drought
Get PDFOlive trees are often subjected to a long dry season with low water availability which induces oxidative stress. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of native Rhizophagus manihotis (Rma) and non-native Funneliformis mosseae (Fmo) arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (AMF) in enhancing olive protection against oxidative stress induced by water deficit. Olive plantlets, cv. Picholine marocaine, were inoculated (AM-plants) or not (NM-plants) with Rma or Fmo and subjected to well-watered (75% of field capacity) or water-stressed (25% of field capacity) conditions. After two months, obtained results showed that water stress significantly decreased growth and biomass production of NM-plants, but AMF alleviated the detrimental effects of water deficit on the growth of olive plants. Inoculation with Rma increased shoot height by 120%, root length by 56%, fresh weight by 170% (shoot) and 210% (root), and dry weight by 220% (shoot) and 220% (root) compared to NM-plants. AM colonization enhanced drought tolerance in terms of protection against oxidative stress. Mycorrhizal plants showed lower levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage (EL) than NM-plants. Rma colonization decreased two times H2O2, 2.6 times MDA and two times EL levels compared to NM-plants. This protective effect seems to be due to the enhanced activities of superoxide dismutase (534 U mg-1 protein), catalase (298 U mg-1 protein), guaiacol peroxidase (47 U mg-1 protein), and ascorbate peroxidase (305 U mg-1 protein) which were highest in Rma-plants. Moreover, Rma-plants showed the lowest oxidative damage to lipid and highest soluble protein content. Thus, the native AMF Rma ought to be considered as a biological tool for enhancing olive tolerance to drought
Short communication. Milk yield and composition, dry matter intake and blood parameters of Holstein cows fed ensiled apple pomace co-ensiled with broiler litter
No full textThe present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of ensiled mixed apple pomace and broiler litter (EAPBL) on milk yield (MY) and composition, dry matter intake (DMI) and blood parameters at early lactation cow. Four multiparous early-lactating Holstein dairy cows were used in a 4×4 Latin square design including 4 periods and 4 experimental diets. The cows were fed diets containing 0 (control), 15, 30 and 45% of EAPBL, respectively. The highest DMI (p<0.05) was observed in cows fed diets containing 15 and 30% of EAPBL. Milk production was lower (p<0.05) in cows fed 0% EAPBL than in the other experimental groups. Diet including 45% of EAPBL increased (p<0.05) blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen concentration. Inclusion of EAPBL on dairy cows rations might efficiently cause an improvement on MY, milk composition and DMI
Non-systemic fungal endophytes in Carex brevicollis may influence the toxicity of the sedge to livestock
Get PDFThe sedge Carex brevicollis is a common component of semi-natural grasslands and forests in temperate mountains of Central and Southern Europe. The consumption of this species causes a severe toxicity to livestock, associated to high plant concentrations of the β-carbolic alkaloid brevicolline. This research was started to ascertain the origin of this toxicity. An exploratory survey of alkaloid content in plants growing in contrasting habitats (grasslands/forests) did not contribute to find a pattern of the variable contents of brevicolline in plants, and led us to address other possibilities, such as a potential role of fungal endophytism. Systemic, vertically-transmitted endophytes producers of herbivore-deterrent alkaloids are known to infect many known forage grasses. We did not detect systemic endophytes in C. brevicollis, but the sedge harboured a rich community of non-systemic fungi. To test experimentally whether non-systemic endophytes influenced the synthesis of the alkaloid, 24 plants were submitted to a fungicide treatment to remove the fungal assemblage, and the offspring ramets were analysed for alkaloid content. Brevicolline was the major β-carbolic alkaloid detected, and the contents were at least five times lower in the new ramets that developed from fungicide-treated plants than in the untreated plants. This result, although not conclusive about the primary source of the alkaloid (a plant or a fungal product) indicates that fungal endophytes may affect the contents of the toxic brevicolline in this sedge
Natural vegetation management to conserve biodiversity and soil water in olive orchards
Get PDFThe combined impact of soil tillage intensification and expansion of olive farming is resulting in soil degradation and biodiversity decline. We hypothesized that, instead of tilling, mowing to control the natural vegetation in spring can increase biodiversity and improve soil quality. We compared the effects of natural vegetation mowing (NVM) with those of tillage (NVT) on plant community composition and cover, soil water content and resistance to penetration, and olive yield over an 8-year period, in a Mediterranean rainfed olive orchard. NVM had an average of 28 more species and showed a strong positive correlation with Poaceae and Fabaceae, and also with geophytes and hemicryptophytes. In contrast, NVT was negatively correlated with species richness and diversity, with perennial life forms, and positively correlated with Convolvulaceae. Proportions of grass and straw cover in spring were higher in NVM from the beginning of the study (average difference was about 20%). In autumn, grass cover became higher in NVM than in NVT from year five (13% more) and straw cover from year two (30% more). Olive production did not differ between treatments in any of the years. Soil water was higher in NVM, at both soil depths, particularly in mid-summer and after the first autumn rains (1 to 2%). Soil resistance to penetration was 1 Mpa higher in NVM than in NVT. As compared to conventional tillage, natural vegetation cover mowed in spring seems to be an effective management practice to improve the overall rainfed olive orchard biodiversity and soil quality, without affecting production
Displacement of Aphytis chrysomphali by Aphytis melinus, parasitoids of the California red scale, in the Iberian Peninsula
Get PDFParasitoids are the main natural enemies of the California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) and on occasion can regulate their populations. To increase their effectiveness, inoculative or augmentative releases of parasitoids are promoted. Previous to the implementation of any release strategy an important and necessary step is to acquire knowledge on the parasitoid fauna associated with this key phytophagous pest. Parasitoids were surveyed and quantified in Spanish citrus orchards between 2005 and 2009. Aphytis melinus DeBach (87.1%) resulted as the dominant species, followed by Aphytis chrysomphali (Mercet) (15.9%), Encarsia perniciosi (Tower) (2.4%) and Aphycus hederaceus (Westwood) (0.004%). Overall, higher levels of parasitism were recorded in fruit than in twigs. Scales in fruit were parasitized at similar levels by the different parasitoid species whereas E. perniciosi was more active in twigs. Data eventually reveal the recent displacement of A. chrysomphali by A. melinus. The implications of these results on the biological control of A. aurantii are discussed and this information will be useful in the decision of IPM strategies for this pest
Metabolic level recognition of progesterone in dairy Holstein cows using probabilistic models
Get PDFAdministration of exogenous progesterone is widely used in hormonal protocols for estrous (re)synchronization of dairy cattle without regarding pharmacological issues for dose calculation. This happens because it is difficult to estimate the metabolic level of progesterone for each individual cow before administration. In the present contribution, progesterone pharmacokinetics has been determined in lactating Holstein cows with different milk production yields. A Bayesian approach has been implemented to build two probabilistic progesterone pharmacokinetic models for high and low yield dairy cows. Such models are based on a one-compartment Hill structure. Posterior probabilistic models have been structurally set up and parametric probability density functions have been empirically estimated. Moreover, a global sensitivity analysis has been done to know sensitivity profile of each model. Finally, posterior probabilistic models have adequately recognized cow’s progesterone metabolic level in a validation set when Kullback-Leibler based indices were used. These results suggest that milk yield may be a good index for estimating pharmacokinetic level of progesterone