Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research
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2067 research outputs found
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Short communication: Zizyphus fruit fly (Carpomya incompleta (Becker), Diptera: Tephritidae) is expanding its range in Europe
No full textAim of study: To identify a new pest of jujube reported by the farmers in Spain.
Area of study: The Iberian Peninsula (Spain).
Material and methods: The insects were identified according to the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and the main morphological features of this tephritid species, including the ocellar seta, the mesonotum and apical crossband in winds.
Main results: Based on morphological characterization the insects were identified as Carpomya incompleta (Becker) (Diptera: Tephritidae), which was confirmed by the phylogenetic analysis with more than 94% of identity. Besides, the distance analysis showed very low intraspecific divergence in C. incompleta sequences.
Research highlights: We report the presence of the zizyphus fruit fly in Spain for the first time. This presence has been reported to the Early Warning Systems on Alien Invasive Species of the Andalusian Government (Spain)
Microencapsulated biofertilizer formulation: product development and effect on growth of green pepper seedlings
No full textAim of the study: This study aimed to formulate a novel, commercially applicable biofertilizer, to optimize the microencapsulation procedure of Bacillus subtilis NCIM 2063 and examine the stability and phytostimulatory effects of obtained formulation.
Area of the study: Southestern Serbia.
Material and methods: Microbial powder formulations were prepared using spray drying with maltodextrin as a carrier. The spray drying conditions were set according to Box-Benkhen experimental desing. The effect of the formulation was tested on green pepper (Capsicum annuum) seeds in controled conditions.
Main results: Response surface models were developed. All of the models were statistically significant, adequately fitted and reproducible. The maximum achieved values of viability and yield in a formulation were 1.99·109 CFU/g and 96.8%, respectively, whilst the driest formulation had 1.44% moisture. The following optimum conditions were proposed for the spray drying procedure: an inlet air temperature of 133 °C, maltodextrin concentration of 50 g/L and a feed flow rate of 6.5 mL/min. The obtained microbial formulation had a high survival rate after being stored at room temperature over a 1--year period. Its application on green pepper seeds had beneficial effect on plant height, leaf dry weight and chlorophyll content of the seedlings.
Research highlights: B. subtilis was successfully microencapsulated on maltodextrin as a carrier. Interaction effects between the process variables were fully explained and statistically significant models were developed. In addition to biocontrol properties formulation had a phytostimulatory effect, excellent stability and satisfactory physical properties
Biochemical and physiological response of borage to seed priming and water deficit: antioxidant enzymes, osmolytes, photosynthetic pigments, and fluorescence parameters
No full textAim of study: To investigate the general response patterns of the borage plant to water fluctuations from a biochemical and physiological perspective.
Area of study: East Azerbaijan Province of Iran during the period 2012 and 2013.
Material and methods: The study investigated the effects of irrigation (after 60, 90, 120 and 150 mm evaporation) and priming (unprimed, and primed seeds with water, 1% KNO3 and 1% KH2PO4) on the antioxidant enzymes, osmolytes, photosynthetic pigments, and fluorescence parameters of borage using a split-plot experimental design.
Main results: The statistical analyses showed no effect of seed priming on all evaluated traits other than than extracellular superoxide dismutase SOD3 activity where it was significantly enhanced by seed pretreatment with 1% KNO3 and 1% KH2PO4. However, irrigations after 120 and 150 mm evaporation increased Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1), SOD2, and SOD3, soluble sugars, and initial fluorescence (F0). The mean contents of Ch a, Ch b, and Ch a+Ch b under mild, moderate and severe water deficit were significantly higher than those under normal irrigation. Severe drought stress gave the highest carotenoids content and quantum yield baseline parameter (F0/Fm) of borage leaves. However, water limitation decreased Chl a/Chl b ratio, maximum primary yield of photosystem II (Fv/F0), and maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm).
Research highlights: Based on these findings, it is postulated that the increase in soluble sugars and SOD activity under stress, and the accumulation of carotenoids under severe water limitation indirectly enhance the tolerance of borage plants to drought stress
A new approach for variable rate fertilization based on direct read of soil map image
No full textAim of study: To develop a methodology for variable rate (VR) fertilization with less complexity in practice for variable rate fertilization.
Area of study: Northwest of Iran.
Materials and methods: A software was developed to read a soil map image pixel-by-pixel to provide the required information to tailor the fertilizer rate, regardless of which software was used for map generation. A total of 78 soil samples were collected and analyzed for soil potassium, and the results were used to generate an actual map including zones ranging from 70 to 190 kg/ha. The application rates were evaluated based on 50 deposition pans and compared with those calculated from the actual map. Based on the lag time in fertilization, three applied maps were also generated.
Main results: The correlation coefficients found between the application rates computed based on the original soil samples and posted the locations of the sample points on the applied maps were 0.95, 0.95, and 0.94, over the ravel speeds of 6, 7, and 8 km/h, respectively. The results showed there is a correlation coefficient of 0.96 with an RMSE of 1.88 kg/ha, where the application rates computed from deposition pans compared with the corresponding location on the actual map. All applied maps were identical to the actual map. The results showed that the VR fertilization based on a direct read of a map image operated as expected.
Research highlights: Fertilizer application was based on the direct read of map image. This study highlights also the need of new approaches in programing for simplicity of precision agriculture
English
No full textAim of the study: To investigate potential differences in ovarian structures relative to serum metabolite and mineral concentrations at mating. Also, body condition score (BCS), serum metabolites, and mineral profiling at mating were compared between pregnant and non-pregnant goats.
Area of study: Hot zone of northern Mexico (26 °N).
Material and methods: Mixed-breed goats (n= 89) on arid rangeland were exposed to bucks during the non-breeding season. Ovarian structures were recorded at mating and ten days after breeding using ultrasonography. Pregnancy was detected at 30 and 120 days post-mating. BCS, blood metabolites, and minerals were determined at mating.
Main results: Pregnant goats had higher BCS at mating than non-pregnant goats. The mean serum glucose concentration was higher (p<0.05) for pregnant goats than that for non-pregnant ones (87.3 ± 12.1 vs. 74.4 ± 11.6 mg/dL). Significantly lower (p<0.01) serum urea nitrogen levels at mating were recorded in non-pregnant (10.7 ± 3.5 mg/dL) than in pregnant goats (12.4 ± 3.7 mg/dL). Lower serum glucose (72.2 ± 6.9 vs. 89.4 ± 11.2) and higher non-esterified fatty acids concentrations (NEFA; 0.43 ± 0.23 vs. 0.18 ± 0.12) were significantly associated (p<0.05) with pregnancy loss. Higher serum total protein concentrations were associated with a greater number and larger ovulatory follicles. High serum phosphorus was significantly associated with larger ovulatory follicles. Goats with ovulatory follicles ≥7.6 mm were more likely (p<0.05) to get pregnant than goats with smaller ovulatory follicles.
Research highlights: Monitoring BCS, serum glucose, blood urea nitrogen, and NEFA could be used to identify goats at risk for infertility
Influence of production system and feeds on performance, carcass traits and estimated energy balance of autochthonous Gochu Asturcelta pigs
No full textAim of study: To assess the effects of rearing system (extensive, ES; semi-extensive, SES) and feeds (grazed woodland, acorns, chestnuts, compound feed) on the performance, carcass traits and energetic balance of autochthonous Gochu Asturcelta pigs.
Area of study: Asturias (Spain).
Material and methods: In two successive years, a total of 58 immunocastrated Gochu Asturcelta pigs (25 females, 33 males), with an initial weight of 93.39 ± 3.36 kg and mean age of 6.82 ± 0.24 months, were randomly divided between ES and SES plots from July to December. ES pigs grazed woodland, acorns (Quercus robur L.) and chestnuts (Castanea sativa Mill.) and they were given additionally 1.5 kg compound-feed/pig·day. SES animals received only 2.5 kg compound-feed/pig·day. Chemical composition and metabolizable energy (ME) of feeds, energetic balance, growth performances and pig carcass traits were analysed.
Main results: Acorns and chestnuts were both very close in their chemical composition, except for the polyphenol content and profile, and had a lower omega-6/omega-3 ratio than compound feeds. Live weight for the ES pigs was 25% lower and carcass weight 30% lower than for SES pigs (p<0.001). Total ME requirement (MJ/day) was lower in ES than in SES pigs.
Research highlights: The productive and carcass parameters observed are a consequence of a lower energy intake for pigs in ES than in SES, it being necessary to drastically reduce the stocking rate to increase weight gain and to improve carcass traits when Gochu Asturcelta pigs are reared in ES
Short communication: Virulence of barley leaf rust in the South of Russia in 2017-2019
No full textAim of study: To analyze the structure of Puccinia hordei populations by virulence in southern Russia during 2017-2019.
Area of study: South of Russia, the leading Russian region for barley production where barley leaf rust is an important foliar disease.
Material and methods: Uredinial samples of P. hordei were collected at the production sites of winter barley in the south of Russia. Single uredinial isolates (total 95) were tested for virulence with 17 differentials with Rph resistance genes.
Main results: No isolates were found virulent to the host line with the Rph13 gene. There was a decrease in the number of fungal isolates virulent to the host lines with Rph5 and Rph7 genes. In 2017 and 2019, isolates containing a large number of virulence alleles (from 11 to 15) prevailed. In 2018, isolates with low (1-5) and medium (6-10) frequency of virulent alleles prevailed, as well as avirulent isolates. The values of the Nei index via diversity showed high similarity of the pathogen populations in 2017-2018 (N = 0.05) and minor differences in 2017-2019 and 2018-2019 (N = 0.13 and 0.16, respectively). The greatest frequency of virulence alleles in accordance with the Nei (Hs) index was noted for the 2018 population (Hs = 0.36). For the 2017 and 2019 populations, this indicator was on average Hs = 0.29 and 0.20, respectively.
Research highlights: Analysis of genetics of the P. hordei population is important for the strategy of varietal distribution in the region and development of rust-resistant cultivars
Optimal design and experimental verification of a four-claw seedling pick-up mechanism using the hybrid PSO-SA algorithm
No full textAim of study: To develop a novel four-claw seedling pick-up mechanism to integrate penetration and clamping into one process, realizing picking up seedlings stably and efficiently.
Material and methods: A brushless DC servo motor characterized by small size, large torque, and high control precision was adopted to realize precise control for speed and clamping force through control algorithms. An optimization model was derived according to the requirements of picking up seedlings. The parameter optimization of the seedling pick-up mechanism is a complex multi-parameter and nonlinear optimization problem. The hybrid PSO-SA algorithm was used to solve the model, and the optimal parameters of the mechanism were obtained.
Main results: The dynamic simulation was conducted, and the results showed that the optimized mechanism could meet the trajectory, acceleration, and clamping force requirement for picking up seedlings. The performance tests showed that the success ratio in picking up seedlings reached 84.46%, indicating the feasibility of the four-claw seedling pick-up mechanism for automatic transplanting machines.
Research highlights: The four-claw seedling pick-up mechanism can be used in the automatic transplanting machine. Additionally, the hybrid PSO-SA algorithm can achieve promising results in solving the optimization problem of the seedling pick-up mechanism
Effect of a veterinary antibiotic on the growth of regularly consumed Lebanese plants
No full textAim of study: To investigate the effect of a combined commercial veterinary antibiotic, commonly sold, in different concentrations, on Lens culinaris Medik., Cicer arietinum L., Eruca sativa Mill. and Lepidium sativum L., on germination rates, plant growth traits and rhizospheric bacterial size and diversity.
Area of study: Lebanon, soil origin from South Lebanon.
Material and methods: The antibiotic phytotoxicity was assayed using seed germination and plant growth tests in a pot experiment conducted in a controlled glasshouse. Rhizospheric bacteria were isolated and identified by assisted laser desorption/ionization spectrometry (MALDI-TOF).
Main results: The antibiotic used was species-dependent and negatively affected the plant growth variables causing decrease in root growth and total biomass weight. Regarding crop species, the antibiotic impact was dose-dependent. Arugula and cress were found to be the most sensitive in the tested concentrations, affecting their productivity. In lentil and chickpea, the effects disappeared after the fourth and the first week respectively. In addition, root microbial community was negatively affected in the first 4 weeks in lentil and chickpea. A diversity of growth promoting rhizobacterial genera were identified where some rhizospheric bacteria were more sensitive, while others were resistant to the used antibiotic concentrations.
Research highlights: Results highlight the presence of resistant bacteria even in virgin soils. They implicate that the presence of antibiotics in soil leads to biomass reduction in leafy species decreasing the productive capacity of the crops and draw attention to possible transmission to humans consuming these leaves