12903 research outputs found
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Investigation and improvement of live Blue Swimmer Crab handling in NSW
No full textThis report presents pivotal findings from an in-depth investigation into optimising live handling practices for the commercial Blue Swimmer Crab (Portunus armatus) industry in New South Wales (NSW), with the overarching goal of unlocking high-value live trade opportunities. Initiated in 2019, the research was conducted by an experienced team of scientists at the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in Coopers Plains, Brisbane. The primary objective was to develop effective handling protocols to improve the survival rates of Blue Swimmer Crabs from capture to market, thereby increasing the volume and quality of crabs available for sale. The study combined extensive literature review, laboratory trials and stakeholder engagement to provide a practical framework for fishers wishing to pursue the live Blue Swimmer Crab market, focusing on methods to reduce stress, minimise mortalities and maximise marketable yields
Using Crop Competition to Suppress Weeds
No full textAn often-overlooked weed management tactic is the use of competitive crops to suppress in-crop weeds. Increased crop competition can be achieved by narrowing row spacing, increasing crop density and/or the use of more competitive crop species and cultivars
Epidemiology and molecular characterisation of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from chicken meat
No full textEnsuring the safety of poultry products is critical for public health, particularly due to the rising concern of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in foodborne pathogens. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from broiler chicken meat samples collected from live bird markets (LBMs) and supermarkets (SMs) in the Chattogram Metropolitan Area (CMA), Bangladesh. A total of 430 samples, comprising 215 liver and 215 muscle samples, were collected between October 2020 and February 2021 from nine LBMs and five SMs. Samples were processed and cultured, and E. coli was isolated and identified through phenotypic and molecular techniques, including PCR targeting the uidA and uspA genes. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was conducted using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion techniques with seven antibiotics from six distinct antimicrobial classes. The study found an overall prevalence of 56.28% (95% CI: 51.56–60.89) for E. coli. The prevalence in LBMs (58.33%) was higher than in SMs (54.80%), with liver samples showing a slightly higher rate of contamination (63.33% in LBMs, 55.20% in SMs) compared to muscle samples. AMR profiling revealed high resistance rates to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (88.84%), tetracycline (86.78%), and ampicillin (82.23%). Conversely, cephalexin (63.64%) and gentamicin (57.02%) had the highest susceptibility rates. A significant proportion (84.71%) of isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR), with some isolates resistant to up to six classes of antimicrobial. The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index ranged from 0.14 to 1.00, indicating substantial antimicrobial exposure. PCR analysis confirmed the presence of the blaTEM gene in all ampicillin-resistant isolates, while 75.35% of sulfamethoxazole-resistant isolates carried the sul2 gene. Correlation analysis revealed a strong association between phenotypic resistance to ampicillin and the presence of the blaTEM gene (r = 1), along with a moderate correlation between sul2 and resistance to sulfamethoxazole (r = 0.5). These findings highlight the widespread presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli in broiler meat, posing a significant public health concern
Economics of ameliorating soil constraints – on farm research
No full text• On farm research trials are an important supplement to intensive experimental (small plot) research with conclusions from both types of research informing our understanding of how to close the yield gap in constrained soils
• Yield responses in on farm trials were generally lower than those observed in small plot studies with somewhat similar interventions
• Lower responses were likely related to inadequate underlying nutrition, as evidenced by the large responses to organic nutrient additions and deep P placements in more northern sites
• The benefits of ripping, nutrition or organic matter are likely to be shorter-lived compared with calcium additions • Identifying the appropriate rate and placement/depth to intervene remains an outstanding, yet critical, knowledge gap
Emergence and spread of Japanese encephalitis virus genotype IV in a novel ecosystem: Australia, 2021-2022
No full textAn unprecedented outbreak of the mosquito-borne Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) occurred in south-eastern Australia in 2022. The outbreak was caused by a novel lineage of JEV genotype IV, which first emerged in Northern Australia in 2021, and resulted in 45 human cases, including 7 deaths, and over 80 infected piggeries during 2021 and 2022. We analyzed 166 whole genomes of JEV from field collected mosquitoes (n=9), humans (n=2), and farmed (n=136) and feral pigs (n=19). The majority of outbreak sequences clustered into two genetically distinct lineages (clades A and B), separated by three formative single nucleotide polymorphisms, which were circulating between February 2021 and August 2022. Both lineages were detected in mosquito and pig samples, while only clade A was detected in the human samples sequenced. We conclude that clades A and B were likely to have been circulating prior to the outbreak. A lack of spatial-temporal phylogenetic structure suggests a rapid dispersal of the outbreak lineages in largely JEV naïve vertebrate populations and competent mosquito vector populations. Ongoing surveillance and genomic characterization of new detections is required to monitor the spread of JEV, the emergence of alternative JEV genotypes or lineages, as well as changes in the viral ecology
Back to the future – site, science and sustainability
No full textInter-annual rainfall variability across Queensland, Australia, is among the highest in the world. This variability coupled with episodic periods of drought and flood and highly variable forage supply pose major challenges for grazing management in Queensland. Since the mid-1990s, researchers have successfully used historical and current pasture data with the GRASP biophysical model to simulate pasture growth in the grazing lands of northern Australia. The FORAGE online system provides a unique combination of pasture modelling (GRASP model), remote sensing and climate forecasts to support grazing land and environmental management decisions. Here we look ‘back to the future’ to build on previous research, transfer our past knowledge and experience in modelling grazing systems to new researchers, and use the traditional, highly valued but resource-intensive site data to improve the GRASP land type models used in the FORAGE decision support system. Four fenced sites were established in regionally dominant Brigalow softwood scrub and Brigalow blackbutt buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris cvv. Biloela, Gayndah) pastures. We use detailed soil, pasture and rainfall measurements collected over three years (2020 – 2022) to represent key biological and physical pasture processes in the GRASP model. Across the years, the sites varied in rainfall (3 – 138% above long-term median), average buffel grass dominance (69 – 98% of total yield), peak pasture yield (2742 – 4343 DM kg ha-1) and sward nitrogen yield (19 – 34 kg N ha-1). We use this data to improve the FORAGE modelled estimates of long-term buffel grass pasture productivity in the broader Brigalow softwood and Blackbutt land type pastures in central Queensland. This will inform grazing and environmental land management decisions that promote both sustainable natural resource use in grazing lands and profitable grazing industries
Feeling the heat: a retrospective investigation of thermal load impacts on calf loss
No full textNorthern Australia’s beef industry annually experiences high heat loads and variable pasture conditions, yet their impact on reproductive wastage remains relatively unquantified. This study analysed retrospective herd data (26,903 cow-production years; 17 herds) to identify predictors of foetal and calf loss (FCL) in northern Australia, integrating climatic, pasture, and animal-level variables. Multilevel logistic regression revealed animal class, lactation status, relative pasture utilisation rate, body condition score and calving period as major factors. Counterintuitively, monthly heat stress indices (CCI) showed no direct association (p=0.59), potentially masked by monthly averaging or its effect moderated by other factors contained in the model. These results further underscore the importance of grazing and nutritional management in mitigating reproductive losses in northern beef cattle herds
A review of the evidence linking management and soil carbon sequestration in rangelands
No full textWhile the agronomic benefits of organic matter in soils have long been established, debate continues regarding the potential for increasing carbon storage in soils to help combat anthropogenic climate change. Of all the world’s biomes, rangelands have arguably the highest expectations, and the greatest uncertainty, for soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, i.e. removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere via photosynthesis and securely storing the assimilated carbon in soil. Our review of evidence for persistent increases in SOC stocks following implementation of new management strategies showed significant methodological limitations and inconsistencies in reported outcomes. A major challenge is that detection and attribution of management impacts are difficult in low productivity, high diversity rangelands where 90% or more of sampled differences in SOC stocks may be determined by climate and soil factors. Caution is needed in interpreting results, but strategies with more consistent evidence for SOC sequestration include over-sowing forage legumes into grass pastures, conversion from cropping to permanent pasture and avoiding prolonged high grazing intensity. Our analysis did not find evidence for significant, persistent increases in SOC stocks with the implementation of other livestock management options (e.g. rotational grazing). We conclude from the available evidence that the potential for SOC sequestration in rangelands is likely modest. However, uncertainty is high, and we recommend research priorities to improve data and understanding of SOC in rangelands for production and environmental benefits
Fungal Planet description sheets: 1781–1866
No full textNovel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Argentina , Septoria reinamora on leaf spots of Mutisia spinosa . Australia , Cortinarius albofolliculus on mossy soil, Cortinarius descensoriformis among leaf litter, Cortinarius kaki among leaf litter, Cortinarius lissosporus in leaf litter, Cortinarius malogranatus in leaf litter, Cortinarius meletlac on soil in mixed forest, Cortinarius sebosioides in long decayed wood litter, Helicogermslita australiensis as an endophyte from healthy leaves of Archontophoenix cunninghamiana , Puccinia clemensiorum on culms of Eleocharis ochrostachys , Puccinia geethae on leaves of Cyperus brevifolius , Puccinia marjaniae on leaves of Nymphoides indica , Puccinia scleriae-rugosae on leaves of Scleria rugosa . Brazil , Dactylaria calliandrae on living leaf of Calliandra tweediei, Mucor cerradoensis from soil, Musicillium palmae on living leaves of unidentified palm species, Neodendryphiella agapanthi from stalks of Agapanthus praecox , Parafusicladium riodejaneiroanum on living leaves of native bamboo, Parapenidiella melastomatis on living leaves of unidentified Melastomataceae , Pararamichloridium ouropretoense on living leaves of unidentified Poaceae , Pentagonomyces endophyticus (incl. Pentagonomyces gen. nov. ) as endophytic from roots of Musa acuminata , Polyschema endophytica from healthy roots of coffee plant, Purimyces endophyticus as root endophyte of Cattleya locatellii , Ramularia rhododendri on living leaves of Rhododendron sp., Staphylotrichum soli from soil, Trichoderma sexdentis from leaves inside a nest of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa , Wiesneriomyces soli from soil. France , Cosmospora nemaniae on dead or effete stromata of Nemania cf . colliculosa , Inocybe alnobetulae in subalpine green alder stands, Stylonectria hygrophila on dead twigs of Betula pubescens. Germany , Coniochaeta corticalis from bark humus, Coniochaeta fermentaria from fermentation residues from biogas plants, Coniochaeta fibricola from softwood fibres, Coniochaeta weberae from bark humus, Inocybe canicularis on calcareous to more acidic soil with conifers. Iceland , Inocybe islandica associated with Dryas octopetala . India , Vishniacozyma indica on dead twigs. Iran , Botryotrichum lycii on rotten leaf of Lycium depressum. Italy , Cuphophyllus dolomiticus among Salix retusa , Salix reticulata and Dryas octopetala , Inocybe subentolomospora on moss with the presence of Alnus incana , Populus nigra and Salix spp . Malaysia , Catenulostroma pellitae on leaf spots of Eucalyptus pellita . Mexico , Colletotrichum mexicanus from fruit of Persea americana cv. Hass. New Caledonia (France) , Cortinarius caeloculus , Cortinarius luteigemellus and Cortinarius perpensus on soil under Nothofagus aequilateralis . New Zealand , Cytospora braithwaitei on branch of Malus domestica . Pakistan , Callistosporium khalidii on humus soil, Entoloma lilacinum on litter in conifer forest, Laccaria decolorans on litter in broad-leaved subtropical forest. Poland , Pseudoneoconiothyrium modrzynanum from resin of Larix decidua ssp. polonica , Tuberculiforma enigmatica isolated from sooty mould community on Quercus robur leaves. Portugal , Clavulus hemisphaericus (incl. Clavulus gen. nov. ) on mossy slopes and under Laurus leaf litter, Entoloma daegae on sandy, granitic soil, Hygrocybe aurantiocitrina under laurel forest, Hygrocybe sanguineolutea gregarious in laurel forest, Hygrocybe vulcanica on mossy areas of laurel forest areas, Pachyphlodes algarvensis on sandy soil under Cistus salvifolius , Quercus suber and Pinus pinea. South Africa , Amycosphaerella podalyriae on leaf of Podalyria calyptrata , Erythrobasidium eucalypti from the gut of Gonipterus sp., Letendraea goniomae on leaves of Gonioma kamassi , Pezicula brabeji and Sphaerulina brabeji on twigs of Brabejum stellatifolium , Stachybotrys conicosiae on dead flower head of Conicosia elongata , Talaromyces ignescens from soil. Spain , Cortinarius phaeobrunneus on soil under Quercus ilex and Q. faginea , Inocybe pini-halepensis among grass and fallen leaves of Pinus halepensis , Inocybe subporcorum in sandy soils under Quercus ilex subsp. ballota and Pinus pinaster , Mycena morenoi on dead leaves of Betula pubescens and Salix atrocinerea , Pachyphlodes iberica on clayey and loamy soil under Quercus ilex and Quercus rotundifolia , Ramariopsis coronata in laurel forest. Switzerland , Inocybe minata in a bog on very wet acidic soil with Salix spp. and Betula spp. Thailand , Hypocrella khonsanitii on scale insects ( Coccidae ), Petchiella hymenopterorum on hymenopteran pupae in the nest ( Hymenoptera ). Trinidad and Tobago , Neodevriesia maravalensis from office swab. Türkiye , Russula anatolica under Quercus vulcanica. UK , Paracylindrosporium dactylorhizae (incl. Paracylindrosporium gen. nov .) on leaf spots of Dactylorhiza sp., Niesslia hepworthiae and Niesslia libertiae on living leaves of Libertia grandiflora. Ukraine , Lichenohendersonia cetrariae on thallus of terricolous Cetraria aculeata . USA , Atromagnispora indianensis (incl. Atromagnispora gen. nov. ) on submerged wood in a freshwater stream, Cytospora michiganensis from utility room (settle plate), Exophiala aeris from air (settle plate), Hongoboletus americanus from mixed pine-hardwood forest, Lorrainsmithia pennsylvanica from bedroom, air, Superstratomyces massachusettsanus from lyse buffer. Vietnam , Aspergillus halopiscium on dry marine anchovy Stolephorus commersonnii. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes
50-Years of hybrid pigeonpea research and development: The gains and hiccups
No full textTo smash the low-yield plateau in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.], a hybrid breeding programme was launched in 1974. Now 50 years of its research and development have been completed and this manuscript takes stock of its accomplishments, hiccups, present status, and future plans. This programme got wings when pigeonpea breeders successfully bred cytoplasmic nuclear male sterility (CMS) systems, and following this, six hybrids with 30- 50% standard heterosis were released. To realize the true value of hybrids and commercialize them, a strong seed quality control system is necessary. Traditionally, the genetic truthfulness of hybrid seeds is assessed through a standard “Grow-out Test (GoT)”. This involves sowing the freshly harvested hybrid seeds and assessing their progenies for a dominant quality determining phenotypic marker. Pigeonpea, being a short-day species, its plants flower only when the day length is around 10-11 h. Since the pigeonpea crop is harvested under increasing photo-periods, the sowing of hybrid seeds, soon after the harvest will not produce flowers under the prevailing long summer days and this will not allow the required assessment of their progenies. Due to this sole reason, the GoT could not be applied to the released photo-sensitive hybrids. This leaves breeders with no option except to look for some alternative seed quality control system. In this context, the application of molecular markers to discriminate between true hybrids and off-types appeared to be the right way. At present molecular marker-based quality testing kits are available to assist seed producers in controlling the purity of hybrid seeds. We believe that in future a follow-up hybrid promotional programme with new technologies would help in breaking the low-yield plateau and enhance the national pigeonpea production