Scientific Journals of INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria)
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The role of the arbuscular mycorrhiza-associated rhizobacteria in the biocontrol of soilborne phytopathogens: a review
Get PDFThe mutualistic symbiosis of most land plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi has been shown to favor mineral and water nutrition and to increase resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. This review reports the main mechanisms involved in the control of the disease symptoms and of the intraradical proliferation of soilborne phytopathogens by root colonization with AM fungi, with a special emphasis on the role of the rhizobacteria shown to be specifically associated with the AM extraradical network and the mycorrhizosphere (the soil zone with particular characteristics under the influence of the root/AM association). The mycorrhizosphere would constitute an environment conducive to microorganisms antagonistic to pathogen proliferation. Moreover, attempts to identify rhizobacteria from AM structures and/or the mycorrhizosphere often lead to the isolation of organisms showing strong properties of antagonism on various soilborne pathogens. The ability of AM fungi to control soilborne diseases would be strongly related to their capacity to specifically stimulate the establishment of rhizobacteria unfavorable to pathogen development within the mycorrhizosphere before root infection. Current knowledge concerning the mechanisms involved in AM/rhizobacteria interactions are also described in this review
Short communication. Low dietary sodium content affects the digestibility of nutrients and fattening performance in growing rabbits
Get PDFAn experiment was conducted to study the effect of a reduction in dietary sodium content on performance and nutrient digestibility, in rabbits weaned at 25 days of age. Two diets with the same composition and only differing in the supply of sodium chloride content (0.5 or 0%) were used. A reduction on the dietary sodium content from 2.7 to 0.6 g kg–1 DM decreased the ileal and faecal apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and the ileal apparent digestibility of every amino acid studied with the exception of the phenylalanine, and reduced daily weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency. These results indicate that a reduction of the dietary sodium content up to 0.6 g kg–1 DM results excessive and insufficient to assure a correct absorption of nutrients and to maintain the growth performance in growing rabbit
Modelling diameter distributions of Quercus suber L. stands in “Los Alcornocales” Natural Park (Cádiz-Málaga, Spain) by using the two-parameter Weibull function
Get PDFAim of study: The aim of this work was to model diameter distributions of Quercus suber stands. The ultimate goal was to construct models enabling the development of more affordable forest inventory methods. This is the first study of this type on cork oak forests in the area.Area of study: The area of study is “Los Alcornocales” Natural Park (Cádiz-Málaga, Spain).Material and methods: The diameter distributions of 100 permanent plots were modelled with the two-parameter Weibull function. Distribution parameters were fitted with the non-linear regression, maximum likelihood, moment and percentile-based methods. Goodness of fit with the different methods was compared in terms of number of plots rejected by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, bias, mean square error and mean absolute error. The scale and shape parameters in the Weibull function were related to the stand variables by using the parameter prediction model.Main results: The best fitting was obtained with the non-linear regression approach, using as initial values those obtained by maximum likelihood method, the percentage of rejections by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was 2% of the total number of cases. The scale parameter (b) was successfully modelled in terms of the quadratic mean diameter under cork (R2 adj = 0.99). The shape parameter (c) was modelled by using maximum diameter, minimum diameter and plot elevation (R2 adj = 0.40).Research highlights: The proposed model diameter distribution can be a highly useful tool for the inventorying and management of cork oak forests.Key words: maximum likelihood method; moment method; non linear regression approach; parameter prediction model; percentile method; scale parameter; shape parameter
Review. Supporting problem structuring with computer-based tools in participatory forest planning
Get PDFAim of study: This review presents the state-of-art of using computerized techniques for problem structuring (PS) in participatory forest planning. Frequency and modes of using different computerized tool types and their contribution for planning processes as well as critical observations are described, followed by recommendations on how to better integrate PS with the use of forest decision support systems.Area of study: The reviewed research cases are from Asia, Europe, North-America, Africa and Australia.Materials and methods: Via Scopus search and screening of abstracts, 32 research articles from years 2002–2011 were selected for review. Explicit and implicit evidence of using computerized tools for PS was recorded and assessed with content-driven qualitative analysis.Main results: GIS and forest-specific simulation tools were the most prevalent software types whereas cognitive modelling software and spreadsheet and calculation tools were less frequently used, followed by multi-criteria and interactive tools. The typical use type was to provide outputs of simulation–optimization or spatial analysis to negotiation situations or to compile summaries or illustrations afterwards; using software during group negotiation to foster interaction was observed only in a few cases.Research highlights: Expertise in both decision support systems and group learning is needed to better integrate PS and computerized decision analysis. From the knowledge management perspective, it is recommended to consider how the results of PS – e.g. conceptual models – could be stored into a problem perception database, and how PS and decision making could be streamlined by retrievals from such systems.Keywords: facilitated modeling; group negotiation; knowledge management; natural resource management; PSM; soft OR; stakeholders
A decision support system for a multi stakeholder’s decision process in a Portuguese National Forest
Get PDFAim of study: In this paper, we present a decision support system (DSS) to support decision making where different stakeholders have to generate landscape and forest level strategic plans. We further present an interactive approach that may take advantage of a posteriori preference modelling (i.e. Pareto frontier technique) to facilitate the specification of the levels of achievement of various objectives.Area of study: The approach was applied to one planning cycle of a real world study case, the Leiria National Forest in Portugal. The Leiria National Forest, a managed area of approximately eleven thousand hectares in which 8,679 hectares are even aged stands of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait) aimed at the production of wood.Material and methods: The interactive approach, at first, tries to generate Pareto efficient frontiers for different objectives. Then, multiple decision makers are involved in the process to seek an agreement towards the definition of a consensual strategic plan.Main results: The system developed in this article integrates an information management subsystem, a module to generate alternative management regimes, growth model routines and a decision module that generates and solves mathematical formulations. It also provides a module to display reports and view the resulting solutions (management plans). We also build the Pareto frontier for different criteria. The results show that the proposed DSS can help solve strategic planning problems subject to sustainable management constraints where people organize themselves and participate jointly to manage their natural resources.Research highlights: The interactive approach facilitates the involvement of multiple stakeholders in the decision making process.Keywords: decision support system; participatory planning; linear programming; mixed integer goal programming; sustainable forest management
Characterization of wildland-urban interfaces for fire prevention in the province of Valencia (Spain)
Get PDFAim of study. The present study is the first attempt to characterize and map wildland-urban interfaces (WUIs) in eastern Spain (province of Valencia) and its relationship with wildfire occurrence. Area of study. The study area is located in eastern Spain in the province of Valencia. The area covers 246,426 ha and includes four administrative departments comprising 86 municipalities.Material and methods. The methodology integrates housing density and vegetation aggregation for large-scale fire prevention using the WUImap ® ARC GIS tool. A PLS model was developed to relate wildfire occurrence and WUI typologies.Main results. The results show that 21% of housing can be considered as WUIs, highlighting the high degree of fire hazard in the study area. The PLS model shows that the 4 typologies outside of WUI present lower significance than most of WUI typologies. The types of WUI most related to fire occurrence (Number of Fires and Area Burned) are Insolated and Scattered housing with Low or High vegetation aggregation. The type Insolated housing with low aggregation presents the highest significance to explain wildfire occurrence.Research highlights: A significant relationship between wildfire occurrence the study area and WUI has been demonstrated. The obtained results verify the ability of WUImap tool in classifying large-scale administrative departments and its suitability for application to prioritize preventive actions in the Mediterranean areasKey words: Housing density; PLS (Partial Least Squares) model; vegetation aggregation; WUImap
Abundancia de artrópodos epigeos en parcelas con diferentes cultivos
Get PDFThe study of soil arthropods can provide valuable information how ecosystems respond to different management practices. The objective was to assess the total abundance, richness, and composition of epiedaphic arthropods in different agrosystems from southwestern Spain. Six sites with different agricultural uses were selected: olive grove, vineyards, olive grove with vineyards, wheat fields, fallows (150-300 m long), and abandoned vineyards. Crops were managed in extensive. Field margins were used as reference habitats. At the seven sites a total of 30 pitfall traps were arranged in a 10 × 3 grid. Traps were arranged to short (SD, 1 m), medium (MD, 6 m) and large (LD, 11 m) distance to the field margins in the middle of selected plots. Pitfall traps captured a total of 11,992 edaphic arthropods belonging to 11 different taxa. Soil fauna was numerically dominated by Formicidae (26.60%), Coleoptera (19.77%), and Aranae (16.76%). The higher number of soil arthropods were captured in the field margins followed by the abandoned vineyard. Significant differences were found between sites for total abundance, and zones. However, no significant differences for total abundance were found between months (April-July). Richness and diversity was highest in field margins and abandoned vineyards. Significant differences were found for these variables between sites. Our results suggest that agricultural intensification affects soil arthropods in Tierra de Barros area, a taxonomic group with an important role in the functioning of agricultural ecosystems.El estudio de los artrópodos puede aportar información de interés de cómo los ecosistemas responden a las diferentes prácticas de manejo del suelo. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la abundancia, la riqueza y la composición de artrópodos epigeos en diferentes agrosistemas del suroeste de España. Se seleccionaron seis parcelas con diferentes usos agrícolas: olivar, viñedo, plantación mixta de viñedo-olivar, cereal, barbecho y viñedo abandonado, utilizándose los linderos como sistemas de referencia. En cada parcela se colocaron 30 trampas de caída en una cuadrícula de 10 × 3, de modo que cada línea de trampas quedó colocada a una distancia corta (SD, 1 m), media (MD, 6 m) o grande (LD, 11 m) de los linderos. Se capturaron un total de 11.992 artrópodos edáficos, pertenecientes a 11 taxa diferentes. Numéricamente la fauna del suelo estaba dominada por Formicidae (26,60%), Coleoptera (19,77%) y Aranae (16,76%). El mayor número de artrópodos se capturó en los linderos y en la viña abandonada, encontrándose diferencias significativas en la abundancia entre las diferentes parcelas y las zonas donde se ubicaron las líneas de trampas. Sin embargo, no se encontraron diferencias entre los distintos meses estudiados (abril-julio). La riqueza y la diversidad fue mayor en los linderos y en la viña abandonada, encontrándose diferencias entre parcelas para estas variables. Nuestros resultados sugieren que la intensificación de la agricultura afecta a los artrópodos en Tierra de Barros, un grupo taxonómico con un importante papel en el funcionamiento de los ecosistemas agrícolas
Diseño y construcción de un lisímetro de pesada en una plantación de almendros
Get PDFEffective water management is essential to ensure the sustainability of irrigated agriculture. The accurate determination of crop water requirements is the first step in this task. This paper describes the building of a one-tree weighing lysimeter (3m x 3m and 2.15m depth) located in an almond orchard (Prunus dulcis “Guara”), inside the experimental farm “Alameda del Obispo” in Córdoba, Spain, to measure orchard evapotranspiration (ETc). Following a review on lysimetry, the description of the construction of the weighing lysimeter is provided in detail, including considerations relative to system resolution and wind effects on the measurements. Finally, some preliminary results of the evaporation and transpiration of young almond trees are presented demonstrating that lysimetry in orchards provides accurate ET values needed to determine irrigation water requirements.Un manejo del agua eficiente es esencial para asegurar la sostenibilidad de la agricultura de regadío. La primera tarea en este proceso es la determinación precisa de las necesidades hídricas de los cultivos. Este artículo describe la construcción de un lisímetro de pesada para la medida de la evapotranspiración (ETc) del almendro (Prunus dulcis cv. Guara). El lisímetro está ubicado en la finca “Alameda del Obispo” en Córdoba, España, en el interior de una plantación de 5 ha, con unas dimensiones de 3 × 3 m y 2,15 m de profundidad y contiene un árbol. Partiendo de una revisión sobre lisimetría, se describe en detalle la construcción del lisímetro, incluyendo aspectos relacionados con la resolución y el efecto del viento sobre las medidas. Finalmente, se describen algunos resultados preliminares de evaporación y transpiración de almendros jóvenes, demostrando que la lisimetría para cultivos leñosos permite obtener valores precisos de ET, necesarios para la correcta determinación de las necesidades de agua de estos cultivos
Resistencia de varios cultivares de fresa frente a tres patógenos diferentes
Get PDFIn addition to the agronomical characteristics of strawberries (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.), strawberry breeding programs should take into account its resistance to pathogens. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the resistance of strawberry cultivars against crown and root rot caused by Phytophthora cactorum (Lebert & Cohn) J. Schröt., Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb. and V. albo-atrum Reinke et Berth., and angular leaf spot caused by Xanthomonas fragariae Kennedy and King, all of which are important diseases in strawberry plant nurseries in Spain. Ten strawberry cultivars were used for resistance testing against P. cactorum; nine cultivars were used for resistance testing against V. dahliae and V. albo-atrum; and eight strawberry cultivars were used for resistance testing against two strains of X. fragariae, IVIA349.9a and NCPPB 1469. These assays were conducted under greenhouse conditions for P. cactorum, and under growth chamber conditions for V.dahliae and V. albo-atrum and X. fragariae. ‘Sabrosa’, was classified as being resistant to P. cactorum and V.dahliae and V. albo-atrum and only ‘Sieger’ was classified as being resistant to both strains of X. fragariae. These results emphasize the importance of screening for disease resistance before using strawberry cultivars in commercial strawberry production in Spain.Los programas de mejora de la fresa (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) deberían tener en cuenta, además de las características agronómicas de la fresa, su resistencia a patógenos. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue evaluar la resistencia de varios cultivares de fresa contra la podredumbre de corona y radicular causada por Phytophthora cactorum (Lebert and Cohn) J. Schröt., la Verticilosis causada por Verticillium dahliae Kleb. y V. albo-atrum Reinke et Berth., y la mancha angular causada por Xanthomonas fragariae Kennedy and King, todas las cuales son importantes enfermedades en los viveros de fresa en España. Diez cultivares de fresa, se utilizaron para evaluar la resistencia frente a P. cactorum; nueve cultivares se utilizaron para evaluar la resistencia frente a V. dahliae y V. albo-atrum y ocho cultivares fueron utilizados para probar la resistencia frente a dos cepas de X. fragariae, IVIA349.9a y NCPPB 1469. Estos ensayos se realizaron en condiciones de invernadero en el caso de P. cactorum, y en condiciones de cámara de crecimiento en los casos de V.dahliae y V. albo-atrum y X. fragariae. 'Sabrosa' fue clasificada como resistente a P. cactorum y V.dahliae y V. albo-atrum, mientras que sólo 'Sieger' se clasificó como resistente a ambas cepas de X. fragariae. Estos resultados señalan la importancia de evaluar la resistencia de los cultivares de fresa a las diferentes enfermedades presentes en España antes de utilizarlos en la producción comercial de fresas en España
Mediciones no paramétricas corregidas y sin corregir en ensayos multiambientales de estabilidad con trigo duro
Get PDFThis study was done to evaluate yield stability of 20 improved durum wheat genotypes (G1 to G20). Tests were done in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications for 3 years at 5 sites in multi-environment trials. Data were analyzed with the five nonparametric stability measurements of Thennarasu (NP) according to ranks of corrected and uncorrected procedures. Results for the combined analysis of variance for environment (E), genotype (G) and GE interaction was significant, suggesting different responses of the various genotypes in the study and the requirement of yield stability analysis. In this study, low values determined by uncorrected NPs (UNP2, UNP3, and UNP4) were associated with high mean yield, but other nonparametric stability measurements were not positively correlated with mean yield and were thus characterized as having a static concept of stability. Although, according to both corrected and uncorrected stability parameters, genotypes G7, G8, G13 and G14 were stable but only G7 flowing to G8 had high mean yields. Results of the factor analysis, Spearman's rank correlation and the bootstrap resampling procedure of the nonparametric stability measurements and mean yield indicated that using ranks of uncorrected data would be useful for simultaneous selection for both mean high yield and stability. In conclusion, according to results of these different nonparametric stability measurements, genotype G7 is recommended for commercial release as a favorable durum wheat genotype for the environmental conditions in Iran.Se estudió la estabilidad del rendimiento de 20 genotipos mejorados (G1-G20) de trigo duro en un diseño en bloques completos al azar con 4 repeticiones de 3 años en 5 ambientes diferentes. Los datos fueron analizados con las cinco medidas de estabilidad no paramétricas de Thennarasu (NP), de acuerdo a los rangos de los procedimientos corregidos y sin corregir. El análisis de varianza combinado para los ambientes (E), los genotipos (G) y la interacción GE fue significativo, lo que sugiere una respuesta diferencial de los genotipos y la necesidad de analizar el rendimiento de la estabilidad. En este estudio, se asociaron valores bajos de NP no corregidos (UNP2, UNP3 y UNP4) con un elevado rendimiento medio, pero las otras medidas no paramétricas de estabilidad no se correlacionaron positivamente con el rendimiento medio y se consideraron como concepto estático de estabilidad. Sin embargo, de acuerdo con los parámetros de estabilidad, tanto corregidos como sin corregir, los genotipos G7, G8, G13 y G14 se mantuvieron estables, pero solamente G7 y G8 tuvieron un elevado rendimiento medio. Los resultados del análisis factorial, de la correlación de Spearman y del procedimiento bootstrap de nuevo muestreo de las mediciones de estabilidad no paramétricas y la media de rendimiento, indicaron que sería útil utilizar datos incorrectos no corregidos para seleccionar de forma simultánea elevados rendimientos y estabilidad. En conclusión, de acuerdo con los resultados de las diferentes mediciones de estabilidad no paramétricas, se recomienda el genotipo G7 de trigo duro para su uso comercial como el más favorable en Irán