Scientific Journals of INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria)
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Safety and health in forest harvesting operations. Diagnosis and preventive actions. A review
Get PDFAim of study: to review the present state of the art in relation to the main labour risks and the most relevant results of recent studies evaluating the safety and health conditions of the forest harvesting work and better ways to reduce accidents.Area of study: It focuses mainly on developed Countries, where the general concern about work risks prevention, together with the complex idiosyncrasy of forest work in forest harvesting operations, has led to a growing interest from the forest scientific and technical community.Material and Methods: The main bibliographic and Internet references have been identified using common reference analysis tools. Their conclusions and recommendations have been comprehensively summarized.Main results: Collection of the principal references and their most important conclusions relating to the main accident risk factors, their causes and consequences, the means used towards their prevention, both instrumental as well as in the aspects of training and business management, besides the influence of the growing mechanization of logging operations on those risks.Research highlights: Accident risk is higher in forest harvesting than in most other work sectors, and the main risk factors such as experience, age, seasonality, training, protective equipment, mechanization degree, etc. have been identified and studied. The paper summarizes some relevant results, one of the principal being that the proper entrepreneurial risk management is a key factor leading to the success in minimizing labour risks.Key words: labour risk; forestry; accident rates; preventive measures; entrepreneurial risk management.The general concern about labour risks prevention, together with the complex idiosyncrasy of forest work, particularly in forest harvesting operations, has led to a growing interest from the forest scientific and technical community in the analysis of such risks and the design and efficiency evaluation of the preventive measures and the personal protective equipment related to them. The aim of this paper is to review the present state of the art in relation to the main labour risks and accident occurrence analysis methodologies and the most relevant results of recent studies evaluating the safety and health conditions of the forest harvesting work and better ways to reduce labour accidents. It tries to collect the principal references and their most important conclusions relating to the main accident risk factors, their causes and consequences, the means used towards their prevention, both instrumental as well as in the aspects of training and business management, besides the influence of the growing mechanization of logging operations on those risks
The relationship between landscape patterns and human-caused fire occurrence in Spain
Get PDFAim of study: Human settlements and activities have completely modified landscape structure in the Mediterranean region. Vegetation patterns show the interactions between human activities and natural processes on the territory, and allow understanding historical ecological processes and socioeconomic factors. The arrangement of land uses in the rural landscape can be perceived as a proxy for human activities that often lead to the use, and escape, of fire, the most important disturbance in our forest landscapes. In this context, we tried to predict human-caused fire occurrence in a 5-year period by quantifying landscape patterns.Area of study: This study analyses the Spanish territory included in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands (497,166 km2).Material and Methods: We evaluated spatial pattern applying a set of commonly used landscape ecology metrics to landscape windows of 10x10 sq km (4751 units in the UTM grid) overlaid on the Forest Map of Spain, MFE200.Main results: The best logistic regression model obtained included Shannon’s Diversity Index, Mean Patch Edge and Mean Shape Index as explicative variables and the global percentage of correct predictions was 66.3 %.Research highlights: Our results suggested that the highest probability of fire occurrence at that time was associated with areas with a greater diversity of land uses and with more compact patches with fewer edges.Keywords: human-caused wildfires; landscape ecology; logistic regression
Nutrient concentration age dynamics of teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) plantations in Central America
Get PDFAim of study. Appropriate knowledge regarding teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) nutrition is required for a better management of the plantations to attain high productivity and sustainability. This study aims to answer the following questions: How can it be determined if a teak tree suffers a nutrient deficiency before it shows symptoms? Are nutrient concentration decreases in older trees associated with age-related declines in forest productivity?Area of study. Costa Rica and Panama.Material and Methods. Nutrient concentration in different tree tissues (bole, bark, branches and foliage) were measured at different ages using false-time-series in 28 teak plantationsResearch highlights. Foliar N concentration decreases from 2.28 in year 1 to 1.76% in year 19. Foliar Mg concentration increases from 0.23 in year 1 to 0.34% in year 19. The foliar concentrations of the other nutrients are assumed to be constant with tree age: 1.33% Ca, 0.88% K, 0.16% P, 0.12% S, 130 mg kg-1 Fe, 43 mg kg-1 Mn, 11 mg kg-1 Cu, 32 mg kg-1 Zn and 20 mg kg-1 B. The nutrient concentration values showed can be taken as a reference to evaluate the nutritional status of similar teak plantations in the region. The concentrations of K, Mg and N could be associated with declines in teak plantation productivity as the plantation becomes older. Whether age-related changes in nutrient concentrations are a cause or a consequence of age-related declines in productivity is an issue for future research with the aim of achieving higher growth rates throughout the rotation period.Key words: forest nutrition; age-related decline in productivity; nutrient foliar concentration; nutrient bole concentration; resorption
The recovery of Bt toxin content after temperature stress termination in transgenic cotton
Get PDFThe insecticidal efficacy of Bt cotton under different environments has generated controversy in recent years. The objective of this study was to investigate possible reasons of the conflicting results caused by temperature stress. Two different types of Bt transgenic cotton cultivars (a Bt cultivar, Sikang1, and an hybrid Bt cultivar, Sikang3) were selected. The plants of the two Bt cultivars were exposed to high temperature (37°C), low temperature (18°C), and the control (27°C) for short (24 h) and long (48 h) periods of stress at peak boll stage, and then moved to the glasshouse where the control plants were maintained. The results showed that the leaf insecticidal toxin content fully recovered within 24 h to the level of control after the end of short duration high-temperature treatment, and recovered mostly within 48 h of the termination of 24 h low-temperature stress. Under long duration high temperature treatment the Bt toxin content required longer recovery periods (48 and 72 h for Sikang3 and Sikang1, respectively) to reach the control level. The Bt protein content only recovered partially at 96 h after the end of the long-duration low-temperature stress, and the concentrations of the Cry1Ac protein were 74% and 77% of the corresponding control for Sikang1 and Sikang3, respectively. The different recovery and increase slowly of the leaf nitrogen metabolic rates after ceasing the heat and cold stress may be possible reason for the above difference. In summary, the duration and type of temperature (cold or heat) stress may cause different Bt insecticidal protein recovery rate due to different recovery rate of enzymes
Efecto de la duración del período seco en la posterior producción y reproducción en vacas Holstein
No full textCalving records of Holstein cows from January 1983 to December 2006 comprising 1,190 herds with 384,717 calving events were used to evaluate factors affecting the dry period length and effect of current dry days on the next productive and reproductive performances of Holstein cows. Statistical analyses of dry days, productive and reproductive traits in this study were performed as linear mixed models. Dry period length (DD) of cows was grouped into 14 classes from 130 days. Average DD was 100.46 days in Holstein cows. Primiparous cows had the lowest DD and the mean of DD decreased over the years from 1983 to 2006 and summer calvers had the shortest DD (p <0.001). Cows within the DD classes of 51-60 and 61-70 had the greatest actual milk yield, mature equivalent milk yield, adjusted milk yield, adjusted fat yield, mature equivalent milk yield, adjusted protein yield and mature equivalent protein yield (p <0.05). Also, cows within the DD class of 0-10 had the greatest adjusted fat percentage, mature equivalent fat percentage and adjusted protein percentage (p <0.05). Our current results showed a reduction in calving interval and age at calving after cows had shorter dry days than with other longer dry period lengths (p <0.05). Given the recent advocacy for shortened dry periods, it is worthwhile to emphasize that 51 to 70 DD does provide maximal performance in Holstein cows.El registro de los partos de vacas Holstein desde enero 1983 a diciembre 2006 que comprende 1190 rebaños con 384717 partos, se utilizaron para evaluar los factores que afectan la duración del período seco y el efecto de los actuales días secos en las posteriores producciones y reproducciones de las vacas Holstein iraníes. Los análisis estadísticos de los días secos y características productivas y reproductivas en este estudio se realizaron con modelos lineales mixtos. La duración del período seco (DD) de las vacas se agrupa en 14 clases desde menos de 10 días hasta > 130 días. El promedio de DD fue de 100.46 días en vacas Holstein iraníes. Las vacas primíparas tuvieron el menor DD y la media de DD disminuyó a lo largo de los años de 1983 a 2006 y las de parición de verano tenían el DD más corto (p <0.001). Las vacas dentro de las clases DD de 51-60 y 61-70 tuvieron el mayor rendimiento real de leche, la producción de leche en equivalente-madura, producción de leche ajustada, producción de grasa ajustada, producción de proteína y el rendimiento ajustado a equivalente-madura de proteína (p <0.05 ). Además, las vacas dentro de la clase de 0-10 DD tuvo el mayor porcentaje de grasa ajustada, porcentaje de grasa en equivalente-madura y el porcentaje de proteína ajustado (p <0.05). Nuestros resultados actuales muestran una reducción en el intervalo entre partos y en la edad al parto en las vacas con menor longitud de días secos que en otras con una duración del period seco más largo (p <0.05). Teniendo en cuenta la reciente iniciativa de acortar los períodos secos, vale la pena destacar que con 51 a 70 DD se proporciona un rendimiento máximo en vacas Holstein iraníes
Modelling a quantitative ensilability index adapted to forages from wet temperate areas
Get PDFForage ensilability mainly depends on dry matter (DM), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and buffer capacity (BC) values at harvest time. According to these parameters, and based on a collection of 208 forages of known ensilability characteristics including short and long term meadows for grazing, italian ryegrass, maize, triticale, soybean, faba bean crops, and samples coming from cereal-legume associations, the objective of this study has been to define a quantitative ensilability index (EI) based on a relationship between DM, WSC and BC contents at harvest date, adapted to the characteristics of fodder from wet temperate areas. For this purpose, a discriminant procedure was used to define this EI based on a linear combination of DM, WSC and BC of forages at harvest time. The quantitative calculated indexes distinguish five successive ranges of ensilability: high ensilability (EI>+28), medium high ensilability (+9<EI<+28), medium ensilability (-28<EI< +9), medium low ensilability (-47<EI<-28) and low ensilability (EI<-47). This quantitative index was externally evaluated and 100% of samples were successfully classified
Short communication. Enhancement of the immune responses to vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease in mice by oral administration of Quillaja saponaria-A and extracts of Cochinchina momordica seed
Get PDFThis study was designed to evaluate the effects of oral administration of extracts from Cochinchina momordica seed (ECMS) or Quillaja saponaria-A (Quil-A) on the immune responses in mice immunized with foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV)-serotype O vaccine. Forty-two imprinting control region (ICR) mice were randomly divided into seven groups of 6 animals in each group, and a dose of 400 μg of Quil-A or ECMS was orally administered for 1,, 2 or 3 days. After that, the animals were subcutaneously immunized twice with FMD vaccine at 3-week intervals and blood samples were collected 2-weeks after boosting for measurement of FMDV-specific IgG and its subclasses. Spleens were collected for lymphocytes proliferation assay. Results indicated that serum FMDV-specific IgG and the IgG subclass responses were significantly enhanced in mice orally administered ECMS or Quil-A when compared with the control group (p<0.05). Lymphocytes proliferation response to FMD vaccine was significantly enhanced by ECMS compared with the control (p<0.05). This study illustrates that ECMS induced immunomodulatory effects and performed better than Quil-A.This study was designed to evaluate the effects of oral administration of extracts from Cochinchina momordica seed (ECMS) or Quillaja saponaria-A (Quil-A) on the immune responses in mice immunized with foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV)-serotype O vaccine. Forty-two imprinting control region (ICR) mice were randomly divided into seven groups of 6 animals in each group, and a dose of 400 μg of Quil-A or ECMS was orally administered for 1,, 2 or 3 days. After that, the animals were subcutaneously immunized twice with FMD vaccine at 3-week intervals and blood samples were collected 2-weeks after boosting for measurement of FMDV-specific IgG and its subclasses. Spleens were collected for lymphocytes proliferation assay. Results indicated that serum FMDV-specific IgG and the IgG subclass responses were significantly enhanced in mice orally administered ECMS or Quil-A when compared with the control group (p<0.05). Lymphocytes proliferation response to FMD vaccine was significantly enhanced by ECMS compared with the control (p<0.05). This study illustrates that ECMS induced immunomodulatory effects and performed better than Quil-A
The influence of non-living mulch, mechanical and thermal treatments on weed population and yield of rainfed fresh-market tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
Get PDFWeed control is often a major limitation for vegetable crops, since compared to arable crops fewer herbicides are available and the crops are more sensitive to weeds. Field experiments were carried out in the province of Pisa (Central Italy) to determine the effect of two different mulches (black biodegradable plastic film and wheat straw) and mechanical and thermal treatments on weed population and yield of rain-fed fresh market tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Rolling harrow, flaming machine and precision hoe for weed control, which were either built, enhanced or modified by the University of Pisa were used separately (mechanical-thermal strategy) or in combination with a straw mulch (mechanical-thermal-straw strategy). These two innovative strategies were compared with the traditional farming system, which uses a biodegradable plastic mulch film. The strategies were compared in terms of machine performance, weed density, total labour requirement, weed dry biomass, and crop fresh yield at harvest. The total operative time for weed control was on average ~25 h ha-1 for the two systems, which included mulching, and over 30 h ha-1 for the mechanical-thermal strategy. The three strategies controlled weeds effectively, with only 30 g m-2 in each treatment. Tomato yield, however, was 35% higher for strategies that included mulching (both biodegradable film and straw)
Presencia, primera cuantificación y filogenia del virus de la parálisis aguda israelita (IAPV) de las abejas en Andalucía (España)
No full textThis study aimed to assess the possible relationship between the presence of Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) of honeybees and disease symptoms development at the colony level, to describe the IAPV load in field colonies and to illustrate phylogenetic relationships between IAPV isolates in Andalusia (Spain). Presence and load of IAPV was studied in 96 colonies from all provinces in Andalusia. Epidemiological surveys were performed in all the colonies to assess their sanitary status. IAPV was found in 13.5% of the sampled colonies, and no association was observed between the presence of IAPV and disease symptoms at the colony level. An average IAPV load was established in 4.9•105 genome equivalent copies per bee. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Andalusian isolates belong to a different lineage to a previously described isolate found in Valencia (2010). The results of this study will help us understand the epidemiology and effect of IAPV on Spanish colonies.Los objetivos de este trabajo son estudiar la posible relación entre la presencia del virus de la parálisis aguda israelita (IAPV) de las abejas y la aparición de síntomas a nivel de la colonia, así como describir la carga viral presente en colmenas comerciales e ilustrar las relaciones filogenéticas entre los diferentes aislados de IAPV en la región de Andalucía (España). Andalucía fue elegida para realizar un amplio muestreo de colonias de abejas ya que se trata de la región española con mayor censo de colmenas y la segunda en producción de miel. La presencia y carga de IAPV se estudió en 96 colmenas de todas las provincias de Andalucía. Se realizaron encuestas epidemiológicas en cada colonia para estudiar su estado sanitario. IAPV fue encontrado en el 13.5% de las colmenas muestreadas y no se estableció asociación entre la presencia de IAPV y la presencia de síntomas de enfermedad a nivel de la colonia. La carga viral media de IAPV se estableció en 4.9x105 copias equivalentes de genoma por abeja. El análisis filogenético reveló que los aislados de Andalucía pertenecen a un linaje distinto al del aislado previamente descrito en Valencia en 2010. Los resultados de este estudio ayudarán a entender la epidemiología y efecto de IAPV en las colmenas españolas
Respuesta de dos subproductos de la almendra como substratos en la producción y composición mineral del pimiento dulce
No full textThe use of almond by products as substrate in greenhouses for growing vegetables has a great economic interest. The objective of this work was to assess the use of two almond by-products (almond shell-AS and almond hull-AH), which had been previously conditioned without composting, as substrates for pepper (cv. Caprino F1) production and to study their effects on the yield, fruit size, and fruit mineral content. Physical, physico-chemical, and chemical characteristics of the almond by-products were determined both initially and during the pepper growing season. Initially, all values of the parameters studied ― except sulfur and iron ― differed significantly between the two substrates. During cultivation, the 18 substrate parameters and variables tested - except bulk density - exhibited significant variations with time for AS; the same occurred for AH, exceptions being pH, total nitrogen Nt, N-NH4, bulk density, and manganese. The changes in both substrates for the K, N, and S concentrations were significant. The nutrient levels in AH were higher than for AS. The almond shell and almond hull substrates produced slight decreases in total fruit yield with respect to the control (0.79 and 3.22 for AS and AH, respectively), with a lesser decrease for AS, due to reductions in the number of fruits per plant rather than to reductions in individual fruit weight. The plants grown on the AS and AH substrates showed a decrease in total fruit yield, due to reductions in the number of fruits per plant rather than reductions in individual fruit weight.El objetivo del trabajo es evaluar el efecto de dos subproductos de la almendra (cáscara/endocarpio – AS y corteza/mesocarpio – AH) acondicionados para ser utilizados como substratos para la producción de pimiento dulce en invernadero y estudiar los parámetros de calidad y la composición mineral de los frutos. Los substratos utilizados fueron caracterizados, de la totalidad de parámetros estudiados inicialmente se encontraron diferencias significativas entre ambos subproductos, excepto para azufre y hierro. Durante el desarrollo del cultivo, los 18 parámetros estudiados de ambos substratos mostraron para AS ser significativos con la evolución excepto para la densidad aparente e igual ocurrió para AH con excepción del pH, Nt, N-NH4, la densidad aparente y el Mg. Las variaciones en las concentraciones de K, N y S fueron significativas para ambos substratos. Los niveles de nutrientes en el substrato AH fueron superiores a los de AS. Ambos substratos ensayados dieron lugar una ligera disminución de la producción total de pimiento respecto al control, menor para la cáscara (AS), debido a la reducción del número de frutos por planta respecto a la reducción de peso de los frutos individuales, resultando el substrato AS equivalente al control