Scientific Journals of INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria)
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Gaseous nitrogen losses from pig slurry fertilisation: can they be reduced with additives in a wheat crop?
Full text linkAim of the study: The use of pig slurry as fertiliser is associated with gaseous nitrogen (N) losses, especially ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O), leading to environmental problems and a reduction of its fertiliser value. This study evaluates, in an irrigated wheat crop, the effect of different additives mixed with pig slurry to decrease NH3 and N2O losses.Area of study: Middle Ebro valley, SpainMaterials and methods: The treatments were: i) non-N-fertilised control, ii) pig slurry (PS), iii) pig slurry with the urease inhibitor monocarbamide dihydrogen sulphate (PS-UI), iv) pig slurry with a microbial activator in development (PS-A), and v) pig slurry with the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (PS-NI). Pig slurry was applied at a target rate of 120 kg NH4+-N ha-1. Ammonia volatilisation was measured using semi-opened static chambers after treatments application at presowing 2016 and side-dressing 2017. Nitrous oxide emissions were measured using static closed chambers after treatments application at the 2017 and 2018 side-dressing.Main results: Ammonia volatilisation was estimated to be 7-9% and 19-23% of NH4+-N applied after presowing and side-dressing applications, respectively. Additives were not able to reduce NH3 emissions in any application moment. PS-NI was the only treatment being effective in reducing N2O emissions, 70% respect to those in PS treatment. Crop yield parameters were not affected by the application of the additives because of the no effect of additives controlling NH3 losses and the low contribution of N2O losses to the N balance (<1 kg N2O-N ha-1).Research highlights: The use of 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate would be recommended from an environmental perspective, although without grain yield benefits
Antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and hepatomodulatory effects of aqueous extracts of Petiveria alliacea root and leaf on growing pullets
Full text linkAim of study: To evaluate antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and hepatomodulatory effects of aqueous extracts of Petiveria alliacea L. (Guinea hen weed) root and leaf on growing pullets.Area of study: Abeokuta, Nigeria.Material and methods: Two hundred and eighty eight eight-weeks-old Isa-brown pullets were divided into eight treatments which consisted in birds administered root extracts or leaf extracts at four different concentrations (0, 15, 30 and 45 ɡ/L). Each treatment was replicated three times with 12 pullets per replicate.Main results: Oocyst counts was lower (p<0.05) in pullets administered root extract (78.42 opɡ) compared with leaf extract (103.58 opɡ). Oocyst counts was lower (p<0.05) in pullets administered 30 and 45 ɡ/L root or leaf extract compared with other treatments. Bacteria counts reduced (p<0.05) in pullets administered root extract compared with leaf extract. Pullets administered 45 ɡ/L root extract recorded lowest (p<0.05) bacteria count. Bursa and thymus weights increased in pullets administered root or leaf extract compared with the control. Pullets administered 30 and 45 ɡ/L root or leaf extract had highest (p<0.05) antibody titre against Newcastle disease vaccine 8.80, 8.86, 8.74 and 8.80 (log2) respectively. There was fatty infiltration in liver of control birds, while hepatocytes appeared normal in liver of pullets administered P. alliacea extracts.Research highlights: P. alliacea root and leaf extracts at 45 ɡ/L performed best as antimicrobial, immune-stimulating and hepato-protective agent in pullets. This study highlights P. allicaea as a valuable antimicrobial and immunostimulating agent in poultry production
Characterization of wood popularly known as “Louros” in the Brazilian amazon by visible spectroscopy and CIELAB parameters
Full text linkAim of study: The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of colorimetry to discriminate wood from the “louros” group, in particular to contribute to a database of Brazilian native species for future application in logging control actions.Area of study: The wooden discs were collected in a Sustainable Forest Management Area (AMFS) belonging to two extractivist communities, Paraiso and Arimum, both in the “Green Forever” Extractivist Reserve, in the municipality of Porto de Moz, Pará state, Brazil.Material and methods: Colorimetric evaluation was carried out based on data from the CIEL*a*b* system, analyzed using PCA and ANOVA in a completely randomized design in a two-factor scheme.Main results: PCA produced some evidence of color patterns and some parameters may be more useful in caracterization. Longitudinal surfaces were more indicated for this group caracterization. The data from CIEL*a*b* system produce helpful information for distinction of wood from “louros” group, and so, the colorimetric technique can be an auxiliary tool for separation of this group, complementary to other techniques as wood anatomy.Research highlights: Correct discrimination of wood from “louros” group in commerce control; Brazilian native species.Keywords: Species distinction; Lauraceae; Proteaceae; color parameters.Abbreviations used: Comission International de L’Eclairage: CIE, Sustainable Forest Management Area: AMFS, Ministry of the Environment: MMA, Chico Mendes Institute: ICMBio, Authorization and Biodiversity Information System: SISBIO, National System for Genetic Heritage Management: SisGen, Analysis of variance: ANOVA, Principal Component Analysis: PCA, Aniba sp.: PR, Euplassa sp.: LB, Roupala sp.: LV, Ocotea sp.: LR, Ocotea sp.: LPI, Mezilaurus sp.: IT, Mezilaurus sp.: ITA
Tree species consistent co-occurrence in seasonal tropical forests: an approach through association rules analysis
Full text linkAim of study: Aassessing the existence of consistent co-occurrence between tree species that characterize seasonal tropical forests, using the association rules analysis (ARA), that is a novel data mining methodology; and evaluate evaluating the taxonomic and functional similarities between associated species.Area of study: forty-four seasonal forest sites with permanent plots (40.2 ha of total sample) located in Southeast Brazil, from which we obtained species occurrences.Material and methods: we applied association rules analysis (ARA) to the dataset of species occurrence in sites considering the criteria of support equal to or greater than 0.63 and confidence equal to or greater than 0.8 to obtain the first set of associations rules between pairs of species. This set was then submitted to Fisher’s criteria exact p-value less than 0.05, lift equal to or greater than 1.1 and coverage equal to or greater than 0.63. We considered these criteria to be able to select non-random and consistent occurring associations.Main results: We obtained a final result of 238 rules for semideciduous forest and 11 rules for deciduous forests, composed of species characteristic of vegetation types. Co-occurrences are formed mainly by non-confamilial species, which have similar functional characteristics (potential size and wood density). There is a difference in the importance of co-occurrence between forest types, which tends to be less in deciduous forests.Research highlights: The results point to out the feasibility of applying ARA to ecological datasets as a tool for detecting ecological patterns of coexistence between species and the ecosystems functioning.Keywords: data mining; coexistence; semideciduous forests; deciduous forests; biotic interaction.
The structure of consumer decision-making and sensory innovations in wine labeling
Full text linkAim of study: To understand how a consumer’s decision-making process on wine choice varies when faced with labels introducing either a scratch-and-sniff strip or a Thermo-sensitive indicator as a novelty.
Area of study: Navarre (Spain).
Material and methods: This study applies the laddering survey method based on means-end chain theory to link product attributes to consumption benefits and values pursued.
Main results: In the context of these sensory innovations in labeling, the brand name of a product ceases to be of importance in this sector, with the new label becoming the relevant issue, associated with quality and aspects related to social wine consumption. In addition to this, these innovations make the decision-making process more complex by including more aspects of consumers’ personalities.
Research highlights: For innovative labeling introducing sensory cues, the complexity of consumers’ selection process increases, the wine brand loses importance and the label design gains importance as a signal of quality. Labeling innovations could be a great opportunity for wine companies with low marketplace positioning to improve their position and obtain better results in a highly competitive market
Sources of phenotypic variation of wood density and relationships with mean growth in two Eucalyptus species in Argentina
Full text linkAims of the study: To describe the radial patterns of wood density, and to identify their main sources of variation, and the potential tradeoffs with mean tree growth, in two Eucalyptus species.
Area of study: Mesopotamian (Corrientes and Entre Ríos provinces) and Pampean region (Buenos Aires province) of Argentina.
Materials and methods: Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus viminalis, growing in genetic trials installed in two sites per species were studied. X-ray wood microdensity profiles were developed from core samples. Each profile was proportionally divided in 10 sections. Mean, maximum, minimum and the standard deviation of wood density, for each section were computed. Mean annual growth was used to study the relationships with wood microdensity variables. A linear mixed-effects model computed the significance of different sources of phenotypic variation. Pearson´s correlation computed the relationships between variables.
Main results: The pattern of radial variation in E. grandis showed a decrease in wood density from pith to bark, mainly due to the decrease in minimum wood density, while in E. viminalis, wood density increased towards the outer wood. In both species, the standard deviation of the wood density increased along the radial profile from pith to bark. Significant variation in wood density was explained by site, provenance and clone/family effects. In E. grandis mean, maximum and minimum wood density were negatively correlated with mean growth, whereas in E. viminalis correlations were positive but close to zero.
Research highlights: Both the pattern of radial variation of wood density and the relationship between wood density and mean growth were different in the studied Eucalyptus species, and they varied within species depending on the site they were growing and genetic provenance.
Keywords: wood microdensity profile; wood properties; wood products; phenotypic plasticity; Eucalyptus grandis; Eucalyptus viminalis
Nonstructural carbohydrates, carbon and nitrogen concentrations in fine roots of Quercus variabilis secondary forests after two different periods of regeneration
Full text linkAim of study: Quercus variabilis is a sclerophyllous oak with strong resprouting capabilities and whose regeneration is facilitated by the development of stump shoots following disturbance. During secondary forest regeneration, fine roots are important organs relative to changes in stand characteristics. Here, we aimed to provide novel insights into the chemical composition variations in roots with seasonality and root order hierarchy in a Q. variabilis forest at different periods of regeneration.Area of study: The forest is located next to the Baxianshan National Reserve in the southern part of the Yanshan Mountains, Tianjin, China.Materials and methods: Six plots were established in stands with either eight or 40 years of regeneration for the repeated sampling of fine roots during the growing season of 2019. All roots were classified by branch order. The first three root orders were collected to analyse the concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrate, carbon, and nitrogen.Main results: Short-term regeneration stands showed a reduction in soil moisture and an increase in soil temperature because of the lower canopy cover, compared to long-term stands. Soluble sugar and starch were lower in roots of short-term stands than in those of long-term stands, and the decreasing ratio of both parameters was observed in short-term stands. Less carbon and greater nitrogen concentrations of fine roots were found in short-term stands than in long-term stands, which resulted in weaker C/N ratio values. Nonstructural carbohydrate was stored more in higher order roots than terminal roots and presented greater sensitivity to forest regeneration. Redundancy discriminate analysis demonstrated that the nonstructural carbohydrate concentrations in roots were affected positively by canopy cover and negatively by soil temperature.Research highlights: The seasonal dynamics and branch allocation of chemical reserves in fine roots varied in the different periods of forest regeneration because of the discrepancy between the canopy cover and soil traits. Less nonstructural carbohydrate and a lower C/N ratio at the onset of forest regeneration may elevate the risk of root death.Keywords: soluble sugar; starch; forest regeneration; root order; C/N ratio; redundancy discriminate analysis
Forest canopy gaps offer a window into the future:The case of subtropical coastal forests within an urban matrix in South Africa
Full text linkAim of the study: Alien and indigenous species emergence patterns within canopy gaps in urban subtropical forests are poorly understood. This study compared canopy gap floristics in relation to abiotic and physical characteristics across three subtropical urban forests differing in disturbance history.Area of study: Three Northern Coastal Forests of varying disturbance histories located in coastal subtropical urban KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa (SA).Materials and methods: Closed canopy (n = 15 quadrats per forest ) and four gaps (n = 12 quadrats per forest) from three size classes (‘small’ < 25 m2, ‘medium’ 25 - 45 m2; ‘large’ > 45 m2) were surveyed for the primary least disturbed (PLD), primary highly disturbed (PHD) and transitional highly disturbed (THD) forests using classical vegetation sampling techniques. Soil moisture content and air temperature were measured within each gap.Main results: Cumulatively all forest gaps hosted 198 species. Equivalent number of species (Hill numbers from H = 0 to H = 2) were constantly higher in the PHD forest followed by the PLD forest and lowest in the THD forest. Alien and indigenous plant density were negatively correlated. Species richness was positively correlated with gap size and soil moisture content, and negatively correlated with air temperature.Research highlights: Gap floristic patterns are influenced by size, abiotic factors, disturbance and forest successional status. Floristic, abiotic and physical characteristics of gaps should be monitored within urban forests as these can influence gap infilling in terms of rate, species composition, and alien-indigenous plant interactions across the forest. This can inform management interventions such as species reintroduction and alien clearing.Keywords: conservation; disturbance; gaps; management; Northern Coastal Forest; subtropical; species richness.Abbreviations: SA: South Africa; KZN: KwaZulu-Natal; PLD: Primary Least Disturbed forest; PHD: Primary Highly Disturbed forest; THD: Transitional Highly Disturbed forest; IOCB: Indian Ocean Coastal Belt; New POSA: New Plants of southern Africa website; NEMBA: National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act
Near-infrared spectroscopy for the distinction of wood and charcoal from Fabaceae species: comparison of ANN, KNN AND SVM models
Full text linkAim of study: The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of NIR spectroscopy to differentiate Fabaceae species native to Araucaria forest fragments.Area of study; Trees of the evaluated species were collected from an Araucaria forest stand in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, in the region to be flooded by the São Roque hydroelectric project.Material and methods: Discs of three species (Inga vera, Machaerium paraguariense and Muellera campestris) were collected at 1.30 meters from the ground. They were sectioned to cover radial variation of the wood (regions near bark, intermediate and near pith). After wood analysis, the same samples were carbonized. Six spectra were obtained from each specimen of wood and charcoal. The original and second derivative spectra, principal component statistics and classification models (Artificial Neural Network: ANN, Support Vector Machines with kernel radial basis function: SVM and k-Nearest Neighbors: k-NN) were investigated.Main results: Visual analysis of spectra was not efficient for species differentiation, so three NIR classification models for species discrimination were tested. The best results were obtained with the use of k-NN for both wood and charcoal and ANN for wood analysis. In all situations, second derivative NIR spectra produced better results.Research highlights: Correct discrimination of wood and charcoal species for control of illegal logging was achieved. Fabaceae species in an Araucaria forest stand were correctly identified.Keywords: Araucaria forest; identification of species; classification models.Abbreviations used: Near infrared: NIR, Lages Herbarium of Santa Catarina State University: LUSC, Principal component analysis: PCA, artificial neural network: ANN, support vector machines with kernel radial basis function: SVM, k-nearest neighbors: k-NN
Improving the accuracy of wood moisture content estimation in four European softwoods from Spain
Full text linkAim of study: To obtain improved models to predict, with an error of less than ± 2.0%, the gravimetric moisture content in four different softwoods commonly present in the Spanish and European markets, based on electrical resistance measurements. This improved moisture content estimation is useful not only for assessing the quality of wood products, especially in the case of laminated products, during the transformation and delivery process, but also for accurately monitoring the evolution of moisture in wood present in bridges and buildings, which is of great importance for its maintenance and service life improvement.Area of study: The study was carried out on samples of Scots, laricio, radiata and maritime pines of Spanish provenances.Material and methods: On 50x50x20 mm3 solid wood samples (36 per species, 9 per condition), conditioned at 20ºC (±05ºC) and 40±5%, 65±5%, 80±5% or 90±5% Relative Humidity (RH), electrical resistance and oven-dry moisture content was measured. The Samuelsson's model was fitted to data to explain the relationship between the two variables. The accuracy of the model was evaluated by the use of an external sample.Main results: With the proposed mathematical functions the wood moisture content can be estimated with an error of ±0.9% in the four species, confirming the effectiveness of this nondestructive methodology for accurate estimation and monitoring of moisture content.Research highlights: our results allow the improvement of the moisture content estimation technique by resistance-type methodologies.Keywords: Resistance-type moisture meter; species correction.Abbreviations used: MC: Moisture content; RH: relative Humidity; R: electrical resistance; RP: wood electrical resistance measured parallel to the grain; RT: electrical resistance measured perpendicular (transversally) to the grain; GM-MC: gravimetrically measured moisture content