19366 research outputs found
Sort by
Exploring efficient extraction methods: Bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties from New Zealand damson plums
No full textThe study determined the best extraction method for phenolic compounds (rutin, catechin, epicatechin, naringenin, neochlorogenic acid, and rosmarinic acid) in the New Zealand damson plums. Accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) using ethanol and water was used to evaluate the solvent efficacy. Further comparisons were made among ASE, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), and a combined method (E + UAE) using water as the solvent. The findings showed that ASE for 40 min was the most effective method for extracting phenolic compounds (1.76 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) compared to other methods (UAE = 1.17, EAE = 1.3, and E + UAE = 1.45 mg/g). The ASE method also resulted in an extract with a higher antioxidant activity than other methods. The extraction time over 40 min decreased the yield regardless of the solvent used. Therefore, the ASE extraction method for 40 min is recommended as the best method for extraction of phenolic compounds from the New Zealand damson plums
Phenological development of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) in New Zealand in response to different climate change scenarios
No full textClimate predictions for New Zealand for the coming decades suggest rising temperatures (+0.7–3 °C), increased diurnal temperature and variable precipitation patterns that differ around the country and with seasons. The most common pattern of annual precipitation indicates the largest increases in the west of the South Island and the largest decreases in the east of the North Island and coastal Marlborough. The phenophases of subterranean clover were estimated and quantified using a thermal time-based model under different climate scenarios based on greenhouse gases and aerosol pathways over the 21st century, known as the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), at two periods (mid and end of the century). The estimated flowering (R3) and post- flowering (R6-R11) date change showed a consistent trend across all districts. The largest date advances (≥ 5 days) were predicted for the three current latest flowering districts (Mackenzie, Queenstown and Central Otago). A reduction of the plant's life cycle, for both ‘Early’ and ‘Late’ maturity cultivars may have undesired consequences for forage yield so genetic material with later flowering dates may be useful. Adaptation strategies to mitigate the future warming effects include using ‘Late’ flowering cultivars and greater use of supplementary feed through summer dry conditions
Beef cattle production systems and constraints among subsistence farmers across the Fijian windward–leeward divide
No full textThe objective of the study was to describe beef production systems and constraints among subsistence farmers across the Fijian windward–leeward divide. Data were collected from a total of 200 beef cattle owners from windward and leeward locations (100 each) using a structured questionnaire. In both geographical regions, the heads of the households were mostly males and married. Cattle were ranked as the most important species of livestock kept in both leeward and windward areas. In both leeward and windward locations, cattle were mainly kept as a source of income and draught power. Challenges to cattle production differed with the production environment. The major challenges faced by cattle farmers in leeward locations were drought and pasture shortage while farmers in windward locations mainly had theft and disease cases. The odds ratio of Hindu farmers practicing tethering as a grazing method was five times higher than Christian farmers (p 60%) and did not control mating. It was concluded that challenges faced by farmers differed with the production environment but feeding and breeding practices were the same across windward and leeward management locations
Assessing land suitability and spatial variability in lucerne yields across New Zealand
No full textLucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is a widely grown perennial legume worldwide which can provide high biomass and protein yields, biological N fixation, deep soil water extraction and a range of ecosystems services relevant to current and future agricultural systems. The potential to expand lucerne beyond its current cultivated areas in New Zealand, and its potential productivity across the country's contrasting climate zones, are currently unknown. To gain such insights, we estimated land suitability and spatial distribution of lucerne above-ground biomass across New Zealand lands considering contrasting growth conditions (rain-fed or irrigated for different soils types) and two simulation methods of different complexity (process- and GIS-based approaches). This aimed to assess yield-estimate spatial patterns and sensitivity to model selection for a wide range of combinations of water supply (i.e. irrigation and soil water storage) across New Zealand climate zones. For example, highly suitable areas for lucerne cultivation, were estimated in ∼21 thousand km² when considering the exclusion of steep slopes, poor soil drainage and excess annual rainfall. The two crop-yield models were applied in response to 30 years of daily historical (1971–2000) weather data downscaled at 5 km resolution on suitable areas. Simulated average lucerne yields ranged from ∼4.5–28 t dry matter/ha per year. Simulations showed a distinct spatial pattern of yield decline from north to south, mainly in response to decreasing temperatures. Temporally, water limited yields were up to 4-fold more variable than under irrigation, depending on the degree of drought stress across different years. Results also unveiled systematic spatial patterns of model uncertainty quantified as yield sensitivity to model selection. For instance, simulated yields were most sensitive to model selection (6–31% of total variability, Ti) within high abiotic-stress environments (e.g. low temperature and limited water supply). Overall, soil type selection accounted for most of yield variability (58–78% Ti), being particularly important in warmer environments with variable seasonal rainfall regimes (e.g. northern regions). As expected, water supply (i.e. rain-fed or irrigated systems) was relatively more impactful on yield (8–20% Ti) for limited rainfall areas, where crops are most drought prone (e.g. east coast and central southern regions). Long-term regional scale comparisons of annual lucerne yield, between 30-year simulated distributions and point-based observations from the AgYields database, helped identify hotspots of yield overestimation. Such insights are useful to guide future research on high yield gap areas (e.g. southern colder and drier locations) and highlight key areas for model improvement (e.g. representation of multiple biotic stresses). Overall, our results provide a first gridded-model assessment of lucerne suitability and yield at national scale and quantify the share of variability explained by key climatic, management and methodological components in spatial analysis studies. These insights can inform future modelling efforts and support agricultural planning that considers the expansion of lucerne and other perennial legumes
The importance of business events for rural women in business
No full textRural communities in the Global North have faced many challenges in recent decades, including a reliance on agriculture or other primary industry which may be in decline, poor infrastructure, an ageing population, outmigration of young/educated/skilled workers, rising unemployment and a lack oC'connectivity" (Bock, 2016; Newton et al., 2004; Siemens, 2010). For business owners in rural areas, challenges include market size, the availability of labour, a lack of time, access to urban centres and infrastructure gaps such as banks and transport networks (Siemens, 2010). While many rural areas now have access to technological infrastructure such as the internet and broadband, it is frequently uneven in terms of speed and reliability (McCoy et al., 2018). Business people considering lifestyle move to a rural area may be dissuaded because of slower broadband speeds and/or intermittent service, thereby limiting entrepreneurial activity and exacerbating the geographical marginalization of rural communities.
Research has been carried out on rural business owners (see, for example, Bock, 2016; McCoy et al., 2018; Siemens, 2010) and on women in the agricultural sector in rural areas (Haslam McKenzie, 1998; Sattler Weber, 2007). Other studies have investigated festivals and other community events in rural areas, finding they often have beneficial social outcomes, and can contribute to building and supporting the communities that host them (see for example Derrett, 2003; Gibson & Connell, 2015; Jepson, 2019; Mahon & HyyryEiinen, 2019; Sage & Flores, 2019) . However, there is a significant gap in our understanding of the nexus of rural women, business owners and business events, and this chapter aims to shed light on this overlooked area of critical event studies
Identification and pathogenicity of Botryosphaeriaceae species associated with blackcurrant dieback in New Zealand
No full textWorldwide, fungal species belonging to the Botryosphaeriaceae are major pathogens causing dieback of many horticultural crops including blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum) resulting in significant economic losses. The species of Botryosphaeriaceae associated with the dieback of blackcurrant in New Zealand is unknown. Isolations were carried out from symptomatic plant tissues collected from different blackcurrant orchards in the main growing areas of Canterbury and Tasman, New Zealand. For one site, grapevines growing in an adjacent vineyard were also sampled. The pathogenicity of three representative isolates from the species recovered were determined on detached blackcurrant shoots by inoculating wounds with mycelial plugs. Botryosphaeriaceae species were recovered from plant samples from all four orchards sampled. Of the 79 Botryosphaeriaceae isolates recovered D. seriata (45 isolates) and D. mutila (22 isolates) were the most prevalent species, with N. australe (7 isolates), N. cryptoaustrale (4 isolates) and one isolate of Diplodia sapinea also recovered. Isolates identified as D. seriata, D. mutila, N. australe and N. cryptoaustrale were recovered from symptomatic grapevine tissues sampled from the adjacent vineyard and all but N. cryptoaustrale were found in the blackcurrant crop adjacent to this vineyard. All isolates from all species were pathogenic, with D. sapinea (52.7 mm), N. australe (40.8-55.0 mm) and N. cryptoaustrale (38.7-47.3 mm) the most pathogenic producing the
longest lesions compared with D. seriata (15.6-28.0 mm) and D. mutila (28.9-34.9 mm). This is the first study on the identification and pathogenicity of species of Botryosphaeriaceae from blackcurrant orchards in New Zealand
Phosphorus and iron-oxide transport from a hydrologically isolated grassland hillslope
No full textDissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) loss from agricultural soils can negatively affect water quality. Shallow subsurface pathways can dominate P losses in grassland soils, especially in wetter months when waterlogging is common. This study investigated the processes controlling intra- and inter-event and seasonal DRP losses from poorly drained permanent grassland hillslope plots. Temporal flow related water samples were taken from surface runoff and subsurface (in-field pipe) discharge, analysed, and related to the likelihood of anaerobic conditions and redoximorphic species including nitrate (NO3−) over time. Subsurface drainage accounted for 89% of total losses. Simple linear regression and correlation matrices showed positive relationships between DRP and iron and soil moisture deficit; and negative relationships between these three factors and NO3− concentrations in drainage. These data indicate that waterlogging and low NO3− concentrations control the release of P in drainage, potentially via reductive dissolution. The relationship between DRP and metal release was less obvious in surface runoff, as nutrients gathered from P-rich topsoil camoflaged redox reactions. The data suggest a threshold in NO3− concentrations that could exacerbate P losses, even in low P soils. Knowledge of how nutrients interact with soil drainage throughout the year can be used to better time soil N and P inputs via, for example, fertiliser or grazing to avoid to excessive P loss that could harm water quality
Reshaping Christchurch’s public transport system: The potential of transit orientated development and rail : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Planning at Lincoln University
No full textChristchurch, New Zealand, is a city with a seemingly forgotten rail history. The city once had an intricate tram system that served much of the city which was removed and sealed over in the 1950s, and a heavy rail system that serviced much of the surrounding Canterbury townships and the South Island which has served only tourists since 1970. This abandoning of the rail network that once shaped the region was due to the rapid uptake of private vehicle usage which was more convenient and cheaper than rail. In recent years studies into the feasibility of reinstating public rail transport have received significant interest from local government and public due to growing concerns about climate change and the city’s urban sprawl. This research will investigate the potential of a public rail network in the Greater Christchurch region of New Zealand and will provide further analysis Rapid Mass Transit options in the region.
Literature was reviewed on the current and previous rail proposals for the Greater Christchurch region as well as reviewing successful rail projects internationally. Key informant semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of the Christchurch City Council/Greater Christchurch Partnership, Environment Canterbury and The Ministry of Transport to ascertain the key barriers and enablers of implementing a rail system in Christchurch. A quantitative analysis calculated the possible ridership numbers of an comprehensive Greater Christchurch region was also conducted using ArcGis, Census Commuter Data with Excel-based equations. This helped create a key research finding of an upper limit of 376,063 daily trips or 137,262,995 yearly trips that could be moved by rail between the catchments as defined within ArcGis.
Other key findings highlight the importance of transit orientated development (TOD) in the success of rail whilst highlighting the success of new rail is at the expense of other transportation modes such as private vehicles. This suggests restricting cars in densified zones such as the central city being key to influencing a mode shift. Additionally, a change in mindset is also needed from the public to adopt public transport and from planners to find better ways of examining the potential success of rail through Cost-benefit analysis
Nutrifermentics: Pioneering next generation fermented products
No full textNutrifermentics” is a new concept we have developed to describe an approach to fermentation focused on understanding how specific dietary compounds impact on the epigenetic regulation of microbial strains. We use this knowledge to develop microbial strains for food and beverage production without resorting to genetic modification. Our innovative approach, rooted in epigenetics, allows us to modify the metabolomic profile of fermented products without directly altering the DNA of the involved microbes. This cutting-edge technique has already shown promising results in alcohol fermentation and wine production.
Here, we investigated the epigenetic responses (changes in DNA methylation levels) of the probiotic gut bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus, which is widely used in yogurt making, to dietary epigenetically-active compounds such as genistein. These epigenetic changes altered the metabolomic profile and produced beneficial primary and secondary metabolites, including antimicrobial compounds like 3-phenyllactic acid and health-promoting substances like trehalose.
Moreover, this study demonstrated that individual genes or loci, such as those responsible for melibiose production which was upregulated 8 fold, can be altered without resorting to genetic modification methods such as CRISPR, thus highlighting the plethora of biotechnology applications for this technology.
This in-depth multiomic analysis of the effect of certain dietary compounds on epigenetics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics in the probiotic gut bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus, provides useful insights into the role of dietary compounds on the fermentative capability of bacteria. Furthermore, this study has shown that dietary epigenetic compounds can be used to alter the microbes used in the fermentation process, ultimately leading to the development of sustainable and non-GMO fermented products
Can the presence of a fungal volatile organic compound improve plant resilience to abiotic stress? : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University
No full textClimate change is a matter of increasing concern, as the severity, duration, and area affected by drought have steadily risen since the 1970s. These changes have severely affected the agricultural industry, as drought stress is a major contributor to crop loss. Therefore, it is crucial to develop new strategies to address this problem.
Seed coating shows the potential to mitigate the challenges faced by the agricultural industry, as it provides physical and physiological properties to seeds, helping alleviate both biotic and abiotic stress. This research aims to evaluate the protective effect of the fungal volatile (FVOC) organic compound when applied via polymer seed coating. The FVOC seed coating treatment's effects were assessed regarding plant emergence, resilience to drought stress, and transgenerational stress adaptations. By conducting a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis, it was possible to identify the transcriptional changes induced by the presence of the FVOC molecule. The application of the FVOC led to significant changes in gene expression in plants under drought-stress conditions, enabling them to cope more effectively with stress. Moreover, when plants grown from FVOC-treated seeds were exposed to a second round of drought stress, they exhibited a more specific and refined response to this stress.
Moreover, when the second-generation plants derived from FVOC-treated seeds were exposed to drought, they exhibited improved resilience to environmental stress. This observation strongly suggests the occurrence of transgenerational changes. The drought stress initially triggered these changes in the first-generation plants and was further enhanced by the presence of the FVOC molecule. Subsequently, these changes were transmitted to the second generation, resulting in enhanced resilience plants