Scientific Journals of INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria)
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Biotechnological approaches to develop nitrogen-fixing cereals: A review
Full text linkAgricultural yields are often limited by nitrogen (N) availability, especially in countries of the developing world, whereas in industrialized nations the application of chemical N fertilizers has reached unsustainable levels that have resulted in severe environmental consequences. Finding alternatives to inorganic fertilizers is critical for sustainable and secure food production. Although gaseous nitrogen (N2) is abundant in the atmosphere, it cannot be assimilated by most living organisms. Only a selected group of microorganisms termed diazotrophs, have evolved the ability to reduce N2 to generate NH3 in a process known as biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) catalysed by nitrogenase, an oxygen-sensitive enzyme complex. This ability presents an opportunity to improve the nutrition of crop plants, through the introduction into cereal crops of either the N fixing bacteria or the nitrogenase enzyme responsible for N fixation. This review explores three potential approaches to obtain N-fixing cereals: (a) engineering the nitrogenase enzyme to function in plant cells; (b) engineering the legume symbiosis into cereals; and (c) engineering cereals with the capability to associate with N-fixing bacteria
Formamide deionized accelerates the somatic embryogenesis of Cunninghamia lanceolata
Full text linkAim of the study: To improve the efficiency of the somatic embryogenesis (SE) in Cunninghamia lanceolata.
Area of the study: The study was conducted at Nanjing Forestry University (Nanjing, China).
Material and methods: Immature cones of C. lanceolata, genotype 01A1 which was planted in Yangkou State-owned Forest Farm (Fujian, China), were used to induced callus. These calli were used to induce SE, concentration gradients of 0 g/L, 0.01134 g/L, 0.1134 g/L, 1.1134 g/L and 11.34 g/L of FD was added, to explore the optimal concentration for promoting SE of C. lanceolata.
Main results: Low concentration of FD promoted the maturation of somatic embryos, while high concentration of FD lead to browning of embryogenic callus. The seedling rate and rooting number of seedlings induced by different concentrations of FD were significantly different.
Research highlights: This study may aid in the rapid maturation of C. lanceolata somatic embryos and is useful for accelerated C. lanceolata breeding.
Keywords: C. lanceolata; Formamide Deionized; Somatic embryogenesis; Seedling rate.
Abbreviations used: FD (Formamide Deionized), FD0 (the concentration of 0 g/L FD), FD0.01134 (the concentration of 0.01134 g/L FD), FD0.1134 (the concentration of 0.1134 g/L FD), FD1.134 (the concentration of 1.134 g/L FD), FD11.34 (the concentration of 11.34 g/L FD)
Development of a vibrationless sorting system
Full text linkAim of study: Size classification is essential in many industrial processes. Most classical sorting systems use vibrations as a means of classification function. In this study, a vibration-free sorting system called helical cylindrical screen has been developed against the disadvantages of vibrating systems and proposed to be used in the sorting of crop seeds.Area of study: Adana City, Turkey.Material and methods: The movement of the seed mass on the screen surface was formulated and the mass movement along the circular-helical paths was analytically expressed, leading to some operational parameters for evaluation in the screen design. By combining the mass movement parameters with effective separation conditions, an algorithm was obtained against the desired mass flow rate to determine the appropriate values of the design parameters. Experiments were performed on the machine, which was manufactured to sort peanut seeds into two different sizes, small and large.Main results: The results obtained in the experiments (separation efficiency, mass flow rate, effect of grain size on separation efficiency and equilibrium angle) were compared with the theoretical ones. The separation efficiency of the machine (99% and above) was quite good and is not affected at all by the small size ratio contained in the mixtures. The limitations of the theoretical velocities (axis and tangent) of a seed moving on the cylindrical sieve were found to be consistent with those obtained experimentally.Research highlights: The helical cylindrical sieve can be used for other particulate agricultural products with smooth surfaces such as soybeans, kidney beans, peas, etc
Effect of Lidia bulls training on the falling syndrome and the physical activity developed during the show
Full text linkAim of study: The aim of this work was to study the effect of different length of physical activity carried out by the bull prior to the show during the final performance of the animal, analyzing the behavior and physical activity displayed in the ring.Area of study: There is no clear scientific evidence of physical capacity improvements during the lidia show or “corrida”, in Lidia cattle, as a result of previous training.Material and methods: A total of 233 bulls from eight farms were studied and classified, on each farm, into three groups according to the length of the training period: group 1 (no training), group 2 (training for 3 months prior to the show) and group 3 (training for 6-9 months prior to the show). Locomotion times or percentage of time the animals moved were quantified, and number of falls, their severity and distribution during the show were registered.Main results: Trained animals performed last phase of the “corrida” show with a significantly longer length compared to untrained animals. Furthermore, they remained longer in motion during the initial phase of the “corrida”. However, trained animals experienced more falls of type 1 and 2 during the last phase (“muleta”).Research highlights: A training period of up to 3 months before the show is positive, providing animals a greater physical performance, improving the quality of the lidia show. However, longer training periods over 3 months prior to the show, can negatively affect the performance of these bulls during the “corrida”
A whole row automatic pick-up device using air force to blow out vegetable plug seedlings
Full text linkAim of study: To develop a whole row automatic pick-up device using air force to blow out plug seedlings, to avoid the damage to seedlings that the current way of seedling picking by needle insertion induces.Area of study: Jiangsu Province, China.Material and methods: We designed a pick-up device which mainly consists of a seedling transporting device, a seedling air loosening device, a seedling clamping device and an automatic control system. The damage rate of seedling was significantly reduced and the success rate of seedling picking was increased by using the new seedling air loosening method and the new designed end-effectors. A prototype of the new pick-up device was produced according to the calculation results, and the performance tests were arranged under actual production conditions in an indoor laboratory.Main results: The calculation showed that when the diameter of the blowhole in air nozzle is 3.5 mm, and the air pressure is between 0.146 MPa and 0.315 MPa, the seedlings can be blown out successfully. Besides, the clamping strain test showed that the new designed end-effector can meet the requirements of seedling picking. The orthogonal test showed that both the air pressure and water content significantly affected the success ratio. The success ratio reached 96.64% when air pressure was 0.4 MPa, water content was 55%-60% and airflow rate was 100%, what meets the current requirements of transplanting.Research highlights: This research can provide some references for the automatic transplanting technology
Influence of overliming vineyard acid soils on the macro-nutritional status of grapevines
Full text linkAim of study: The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of overliming with dolomitic lime on the topsoil and grapevine macro-nutritional levels (both petiole and grape tissues), as well as on berry weight and must quality properties in grapevines growing on an acid soil.Area of study: The study was carried out in the viticultural region of El Bierzo (Spain), one of the main wine protected designation of origin in the northwest of Spain.Material and methods: The effects of overliming were studied in soil parameters, petiole and grape tissues, as well as in must quality during three years (2014-2016). Data analysis was performed using factorial ANOVA (both parametric and non-parametric tests have been used).Main results: The results found on the soil levels of magnesium and phosphorus were mirrored by those shown in petiole and grape tissues. Data suggest that insufficient Mg supply in vineyard acid soils could lead to a lower P vascular movement in vines. Additionally, our findings suggest that a great decrease of K levels in vine tissues as a consequence of overliming, could lead to changes in harvest quality.Research highlights: Overliming with dolomitic limestone in large quantities decreased soil exchangeable K, as well as improved supply of exchangeable Mg and available P. Additionally Mg and P levels in both petiole and grape tissues were significantly affected by overliming
Covid-19 lockdown and wine consumption frequency in Portugal and Spain (Article replaced)
No full textThis article was published on 6 June 2021. It was replaced on 28 June 2021 in: https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2021192R-17697Aim of study: This study aims to analyse how psychological factors related to the Covid-19 lockdown affected the frequency of wine consumption among Iberian consumers.Area of study: To achieve this goal, we used data collected from an online survey in Europe comprising 4489 observations from Portuguese and Spanish samples.Material and methods: Using an ordered probit model, we analysed the wine consumption frequency as a function of a set of explanatory variables related to psychological factors and also sociodemographic variables, motivation-related variables and consumption characterisation.Main results: For Spanish respondents the fear of isolation was a decisive factor in increasing the probability of a higher frequency of wine consumption. Meanwhile, in Portugal, the fear of an economic crisis was the psychological factor leading to a higher consumption frequency.Research highlights: In both countries, psychological factors influenced the frequency of wine consumption during the lockdown due to Covid-19. However, the impact of the Covid-19 crisis has been felt differently in Spain and Portugal. Differences can be observed in both psychological and behavioural attitudes that have influenced the frequency of wine consumption and could also indicate significant cultural differences
User-centred design to promote the effective use of rear-mounted foldable roll-over protective structures (FROPSs): prototype evaluation among novice and expert farmers
Full text linkAim of study: We tested the perceived quality in use of a prototype of a handling supporting device, developed through a user-centred design process intended for rear-mounted foldable rollover protective-structures (FROPSs).Area of study: The study was performed in the Province of Cuneo, which has the largest number of farms and the highest share of utilized agricultural area (UAA) in Piedmont Region, NW Italy.Material and methods: Three groups of users, novice-novice (NN), novice-expert (NE) and expert-expert (EE) were asked to raise two rear-mounted FROPSs: a traditional one and a second one equipped with a supporting device which consisted of a gas spring and a rod. A questionnaire has been used to record the perceived quality in use of both FROPSs (effort, physical discomfort, temporal demand and ease of use) and perceived usefulness and attitudes toward the adoption of the supporting device.Main results: All groups reported less physical effort, more stable postures, higher ease of use in handling the FROPS equipped with the supporting device; NN users, in particular, declared to be willing to adopt the supporting device in the future on their tractors when commercially available.Research highlights: Previous studies reported discomfort in operating the FROPS as the main cause of its improper use. A solution to improve FROPS reachability was developed and tested with users. Benefits were perceived by both novice users and expert users
Effects of salt stress on plant growth, abscisic acid and salicylic acid in own-rooted cultivars of Vitis vinifera L.
Full text linkAim of study: In most areas of vineyards worldwide, cultivars are frequently grafted on specific rootstocks to avoid Daktulosphaira vitifoliae pest attack. Nevertheless, the absence of this pest in Canary Islands allowed the chance to conserve and cultivate traditional or new own-rooted genotypes without the requirement of the rootstocks. To investigate the responses of own-rooted genotypes of Vitis vinifera L. to salt stress conditions, ‘Castellana Negra’ (‘CN’) and ‘Negramoll’ (‘Ne’) were used with the aim to characterize their morphological and physiological responses.Area of study: Canary Islands, Spain.Material and methods: The effects of NaCl stress on growth, abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA) and proline were assessed in ‘CN’ and ‘Ne’ under greenhouse conditions.Main results: In ‘CN’, the decrease of leaf number in stressed plants was lower and started eleven days later than in ‘Ne’. Salt stress also reduced stomatal conductance (gs), although such decrease took place earlier in ‘CN’ than in ‘Ne’. ABA and SA concentrations in ‘CN’ leaves were 2-fold higher than those of ‘Ne’. Salt stress increased leaf ABA and SA content in both genotypes, compared to control. In conclusion, ABA and SA appear to be involved in grapevines responses to salinity and suggest that exogenous SA could be useful to mitigate the stress impacts.Research highlights: ‘CN’ exhibited a better response than ‘Ne’ through the delay of salt injury establishment, and the dissimilar responses between ‘CN’ and ‘Ne’ seem to be associated to the higher accumulation of ABA and SA under salt stress
