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Scots Pines With Tolerance to Melampsora pinitorqua and Diplodia sapinea Show Distinct Metabolic Profiles
Get PDFDiplodia sapinea causes Diplodia tip blight (DTB) and is recognised as an opportunistic necrotrophic pathogen affecting conifers. While DTB is associated with abiotic stress, the impact of biotic stress in the host on D. sapinea's lifestyle shift is unknown. Observed co-occurrences of D. sapinea and Melampsora pinitorqua, causing pine twisting rust on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), instigated an investigation into their interaction with and influence on the defence mechanisms of the host. We hypothesised that M. pinitorqua infections predispose the trees to D. sapinea by stressing the host and altering the shoot metabolites. Pines in a plantation were sampled over time to study pathogen biomass and host metabolites. Symptoms of both pathogens were consistent over years, and the preceding season's symptoms affected the metabolic profiles pre-infection and M. pinitorqua's proliferation. Symptoms of M. pinitorqua altered shoot metabolites more than fungal biomass, with co-symptomatic trees exhibiting elevated M. pinitorqua biomass. Specific phenolic compounds had a strong positive association with the shoot symptom x D. sapinea interaction. D. sapinea's biomass presymptoms was independent of previous disease symptoms and infection by M. pinitorqua. Some trees showed disease tolerance, with delayed rust infections and minimal DTB symptoms. Further investigations on this trait are needed
Alternativizing markets: the framing of moral commerce
Get PDFHow are moral markets organized? While previous research has shown that moral markets combine conventional and alternative elements, it has failed to explain how these hybridizations can ensure the organization of moral markets. To this end, we take an economic-sociological approach using ethnographic materials from a study of Swedish Reko-rings, a direct-to-customer market for local foods, to analyse how actors address the key coordination problems of value, competition and cooperation. The analysis shows how participants of these markets enact an ‘alternative framing’, emphasizing economic certainty as instrumental for moral certainty, which enables them to develop and implement ‘alternativized’ solutions to market coordination problems. Thereby, participants make economic and moral values certain by making the former instrumental for the latter. We advance previous research by showing that moral markets require not just hybridization, but hybridization guided by a specific economic-moral framing that enables these markets to avoid co-option
Investigating the Effect of Syringe Infiltration on Nicotiana tabacum (Tobacco)
Get PDFPlant infiltration techniques, particularly agroinfiltration, have transformed plant science and biotechnology by enabling transient gene expression for genetic engineering of plants or genomic studies. Recently, the use of infiltration has expanded to introduce nanomaterials and polymers in plants to enable nonnative functionalities. Despite its wide use, the impact of the infiltration process per se on plant physiology needs to be better understood. This study investigates the effect of syringe infiltration, a commonly employed technique in plants, using a typical infiltration buffer solution. Noninvasive and real-time monitoring methods, including high-resolution thermal imaging and a porometer/fluorometer, were used to study the physiological responses and stress levels of the infiltrated plants. Our results revealed localized cell damage at the infiltration site due to syringe compression, but the overall cell viability and tissue integrity were largely unaffected. Thermography showed a temporary temperature increase of the leaves and stomatal conductance alterations postinfiltration, with leaf recovery in 3-6 days. Additionally, fluorescence measurements indicated a 6% decrease in maximum quantum efficiency (F v/F m) and a 34% decrease in photosystem II (Phi PSII) quantum yield, persisting for 5 days after infiltration, suggesting sustained photosystem efficiency changes. Our work highlights the need to consider the effect of infiltration when performing biological studies and aims to facilitate the optimization of protocols commonly used in plant science and biotechnology
Agro-Waste Biochar Conversion into a Fish Feed Additive: Assessing its Effects on the Health and Performance of Cyprinus carpio
Get PDFManaging agro-waste effectively and sustainably is a significant challenge today. In this study, various waste-derived biochar (BC) derived from agricultural origins such as cotton, wheat, corn, grass, household and green wastes, were used as supplements in the various fish meal formulation. Cyprinus carpio fishes were fed with the different diets to investigate their effects on growth, nutrient and mineral digestibility, hematology and body composition. A basal diet of sunflower meal was fed for a period of 60 days. Seven experimental diets were prepared, consisting of a control diet and six test diets, each containing 2% of a distinct biochar sources: household waste (HW), cotton stick (CS), green waste (Gw) wheat straw (WS), corn cob (CC), and grass waste (GW). There were 15 fingerlings in each tank; with three replicas of each test diet and they were fed at 5% with respect to the body weight. The findings demonstrated that supplementing with CCBC substantially (p < 0.05) increased the growth performance, digestibility and carcass of Common carp, C. carpio, while HWBC showed negative results. The highest efficiency in mineral absorption was observed in the test fishes when with the supplementation of 2% corn cob biochar (CCBC) in the diet. Moreover, the fish blood profiles showed significant improvements (p < 0.05) when fed with CCBC. Conclusively, CCBC was found to be the most effective supplementation for improving growth, hematology, carcass, digestibility, and mineral status of C. carpio
Light competition affects how tree growth and survival respond to climate
Get PDFCompetition between individuals is a key process that drives tree growth and survival in forests. Ecological theories predict that the effect of competition should be weaker in stressful environments. However, quantitative studies have failed to reach a consensus on the direction of the interaction between climate and competition. In this study, we demonstrate that this interaction appears clearly when we explicitly focus on light competition. We analysed the effect of light competition on tree growth and survival along both temperature and aridity gradients for the 33 major European tree species. We collected forest inventories from nine European countries, encompassing over 1 million trees from Spain to Scandinavia. We used species-specific crown allometric equations to connect this extensive database to the SamsaraLight ray tracing model and to calculate a tree-based light competition index from the light intercepted by the tree crown. Within a given species' climatic niche, the effect of light competition on tree growth and survival decreased towards both the dry and cold margins, supporting the stress gradient hypothesis. Climate mainly affected tree growth in light, with slower growth in drier or colder conditions. In contrast, for survival, climate mainly affected trees in shade, with better survival in the dry or cold stress margins. Among species, the mean sensitivity of tree growth and survival to light competition decreased with increasing mean aridity niche and shade tolerance of the species. Synthesis. Our study emphasises the importance of considering species-specific interactions between light competition and climate on tree growth and survival. The impact of climate change on an individual tree is likely to depend on its light competition status within the forest stand, as well as its species-specific climatic niche and shade tolerance.La comp & eacute;tition entre individus est un processus cl & eacute; qui d & eacute;termine la croissance et la survie des arbres des for & ecirc;ts. Les th & eacute;ories & eacute;cologiques pr & eacute;voient que l'effet de la comp & eacute;tition devrait & ecirc;tre plus faible dans les environnements stressants. Cependant, les & eacute;tudes quantitatives ne sont pas parvenues & agrave; un consensus sur la direction de l'interaction entre climat et comp & eacute;tition. Dans cette & eacute;tude, nous d & eacute;montrons que cette interaction appara & icirc;t clairement lorsque nous nous concentrons explicitement sur la comp & eacute;tition pour la lumi & egrave;re. Nous avons analys & eacute; l'effet de la comp & eacute;tition pour la lumi & egrave;re sur la croissance et la survie des arbres le long des gradients de temp & eacute;rature et d'aridit & eacute; pour les 33 principales esp & egrave;ces d'arbres europ & eacute;ennes. Nous avons rassembl & eacute; des inventaires forestiers de neuf pays europ & eacute;ens, couvrant plus d'un million d'arbres de l'Espagne & agrave; la Scandinavie. Nous avons utilis & eacute; des & eacute;quations allom & eacute;triques de houppiers sp & eacute;cifiques & agrave; chaque esp & egrave;ce pour relier cette vaste base de donn & eacute;es au mod & egrave;le de tra & ccedil;age de rayons lumineux SamsaraLight. Cela nous a permis de calculer un indice de comp & eacute;tition pour la lumi & egrave;re, bas & eacute; sur la lumi & egrave;re intercept & eacute;e par le houppier de l'arbre. Au sein de la niche climatique d'une esp & egrave;ce, l'effet de la comp & eacute;tition pour la lumi & egrave;re sur la croissance et la survie des arbres diminue vers la marge aride et la marge froide, soutenant l'hypoth & egrave;se du gradient de stress. Le climat affecte principalement la croissance des arbres en pleine lumi & egrave;re, avec une croissance plus lente dans des conditions plus arides ou plus froides. En revanche, pour la survie, le climat affecte principalement les arbres & agrave; l'ombre, avec une meilleure survie dans les marges stressantes aride ou froide. Lorsque l'on compare les esp & egrave;ces entre elles, la sensibilit & eacute; moyenne de la croissance et de la survie des arbres & agrave; la comp & eacute;tition pour la lumi & egrave;re diminue avec l'augmentation de l'aridit & eacute; de la niche climatique moyenne et de la tol & eacute;rance & agrave; l'ombre des esp & egrave;ces. Synth & egrave;se. Notre & eacute;tude souligne l'importance de prendre en compte l'interaction entre comp & eacute;tition pour la lumi & egrave;re et climat pour mieux pr & eacute;dire la croissance et la survie des arbres. L'impact du changement climatique sur un arbre d & eacute;pendra probablement de son statut de comp & eacute;tition pour la lumi & egrave;re au sein du peuplement forestier, ainsi que de la niche climatique et de la tol & eacute;rance & agrave; l'ombre de l'esp & egrave;ce
Biogeochemical patterns vary with hydrogeomorphology in riparian soils along a boreal headwater stream
Get PDFRiparian zones are important ecological interfaces, acting as control points for biogeochemical cycling in landscapes. Yet we know relatively little about how the local hydrogeomorphic structure of riparian zones shapes the belowground microbial processes that underpin C and nutrient cycles. Here we assessed how topographically driven variation in riparian hydrogeomorphology along a boreal stream influences resource accumulation, microbial biomass and community composition, and extracellular enzyme activity in soils at the land-water interface. We found that riparian interfaces with lower average groundwater levels supported soils with greater organic matter content and capacity to generate solutes at the land-water interface. By contrast, microbial biomass in soils was elevated at interface sites with the greatest variability in groundwater level, whereas the fungal:bacterial ratio was lowest at sites with persistently high groundwater levels. Extracellular enzyme activities also varied with local hydrogeomorphology, but these responses were distinct among targeted enzymes. Specifically, patterns for some enzymes (beta-glucosidase and protease) were linked to soil properties (e.g., soil % loss on ignition, C:N), whereas others (cellulase and peroxidase) were more influenced by local hydrological variability. Collectively, our study shows how variation in the hydrogeomorphic template can drive heterogeneity in the capacity of riparian soils to store resources and support microbial activity along small streams. In combination with variation in local hydrologic connectivity, this heterogeneity adds complexity to the mechanisms regulating solute production, transformation, and exchange at the land-water interface
Unveiling the potential of organic farming in mitigating beef losses in Sweden
Get PDFCONTEXT Food loss is a major problem, as it reduces food system efficiency. Loss of animals is of particular importance, as animal production generally has higher environmental impact. OBJECTIVE The objectives were to estimate beef loss rates on Swedish organic and conventional dairy and beef farms, to determine which system is better, and to calculate the food saving potential of assigning the loss rate of the best-performing system to the other.METHODS A material flow analysis based on data from the central register of bovine animals and slaughter weight statistics was performed. The flows included numbers and carcass weights of animals, grouped by breed, sex, age, and management system leaving farms for different destinations.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Organic farms lost on average 7.4 % of the yearly initial beef production, compared to the 19 % higher 8.8 % for conventional farms. Due to widely different conditions, comparisons between organic and conventional management should primarily be made per animal group. All animal groups had lower loss rates in the organic than in the conventional system. The food saving potential of ascribing organic loss rates to the conventional animals was 1300 tons of beef per year, equivalent to 10 % of all Swedish farm-level beef losses.SIGNIFICANCE Organic dairy and beef farming could be a food loss intervention capable of a notable loss reduction. The results also revealed that there is no goal conflict between increased organic production and reduced food loss in Swedish beef production
A Self-Reproducing Population of Common Carp Cyprinus carpio at 59°16'N in Sweden
Get PDFIn this brief report, we report on the occurrence of young-of-the-year common carp, as well as older juveniles, in a golf course irrigation pond in Stockholm County, Sweden (59 degrees 16 ' 40.4 '' N 18 degrees 28 ' 0.6 '' E). This documents a case of natural reproduction of the regularly stocked non-native carp in Swedish waters, near the northern limit for the stocking operations. Stocking of common carp in Sweden is generally conducted under assumptions that reproduction is not possible due to low spring-time water temperatures not meeting the reproductive requirements of common carp. Our observation suggests that risks for ecological impacts through the establishment of self-reproducing populations of common carp can be higher than previously assumed. We recommend that this observation is considered when deciding on permits for future carp stocking in Sweden
Green space management for biodiversity: Swedish Managers' experience of implementation and influence
No full textThe global biodiversity crisis requires multifaceted approaches across several contexts to reduce the speed of the decline and potentially enhance biodiversity. Management of green spaces, including municipal parks, housing areas and cemeteries, can strengthen these efforts. This paper reports the results of a workshop with 33 green space managers from tactical and operational levels, with eight facilitating researchers, on central aspects influencing management for biodiversity. Workshop participants shared their contextual experiences and ranked 16 predefined aspects that affect green space management for biodiversity. Prioritisation of biodiversity in politics and governance, its priority internally in the organisation and nature's overall priority in society emerged as important factors. Access to economic resources, laws and regulations, and communication both within organisations and with the public were much discussed. Meadow establishment and maintenance, deadwood handling and plant selection were concrete examples of the work where knowledge about biodiversity could also play a role. Green space management holds promising yet untapped potentials for enhancing biodiversity. This article serves as a starting point for further research in this field
Killing them softly
No full textThe time spent at the slaughterhouse represents a relatively short period in an animal’s life, yet it holds substantial relevance for animal welfare. Thereto, slaughterhouse businesses are profit-driven and must maintain an efficient process flow whilst producing high-quality products that meet societal expectations. The overall aim of this thesis was to map animal welfare-related aspects during the slaughter of pigs and cattle and assess the economic relevance of animal welfare improvements for slaughterhouse businesses. This research is primarily conducted from a Swedish perspective, but it also holds international relevance. Using an interdisciplinary approach that combines animal science and production economics, the work develops a theoretical economic model for animal welfare at slaughter, includes on-site slaughterhouse observations, analyses post-mortem meat inspection data, and simulates the economic effects of improved animal welfare at slaughter. The results show that process flow and personnel-related aspects are key factors for slaughterhouses in the decision-making process of investing in animal welfare improvements. Stunning efficiency in both pigs and cattle varied widely between slaughterhouses, and longer stun-to-stick intervals were associated with inadequate stun quality and the likelihood of re-stunning. The occurrence of traumatic injuries was linked to higher condemnation rates, resulting in both direct and indirect economic effects on slaughterhouse operations. Economic simulations revealed that the prevalence of stun failures had implications for both animal welfare and economic outcomes. These simulations demonstrated that the primary drivers of net benefit change for improving stunning efficiency were costs related to labour and investments in new stunning equipment in both pig and cattle slaughterhouses. This thesis concludes that animal welfare and economic outcomes at slaughter are interconnected, often favourable, indicating that animal welfare should not be solely treated as a cost. The results provide an empirical basis for understanding the complex connections between animal welfare and economic outcomes, offering insights for decisions on slaughterhouse, authority and policy level