Search

Your search keyword '"Agriculture (General)"' showing total 14 results
Start Over "Agriculture (General)" Publisher elsevier b.v.
14 results on '"Agriculture (General)"'

1. Effect of pre-germination at varying stages of embryonic growth length on chemical composition and protein profile of Thai rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Author

Warunee Kupkanchanakul, Onanong Naivikul, Motoni Kadowaki, and Masatoshi Kubota

Subjects
0106 biological sciences, Rice protein, Embryonic growth length, Starch, 01 natural sciences, electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), chemistry.chemical_compound, 0404 agricultural biotechnology, Glutelin, Amylose, Oryza sativa L, Food science, lcsh:Agriculture (General), Chemical composition, chemistry.chemical_classification, Oryza sativa, biology, food and beverages, 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences, 040401 food science, Gluten, lcsh:S1-972, Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel, chemistry, Germination, Postharvest, biology.protein, General Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Pre-germination, Bio-modification, 010606 plant biology & botany
Abstract

The effect of pre-germination at varying stages of embryonic growth length (EGL) (0.5–7 mm, for 30–56 h of pre-germination time) on the chemical composition and protein profiles were investigated in three different Thai rice cultivars—SPT1 (waxy), PTT1 (low amylose), and PNL2 (high amylose). Pre-germination at 0.5–1 mm of EGL (first-stage) of all rice led to a significant change in most of the total starch, crude protein, and crude fat contents except in the crude protein content of PNL2 and the crude fat content of SPT1, which significantly changed at 3–7 mm of EGL (malted-stage) and at 2–3 mm of EGL (third-stage), respectively. Analysis of protein profiles from all rice samples indicated that glutelin molecules existed in subunits linked by disulfide bonds. Pre-germination to the second-stage of SPT1 and PTT1, and to the first-stage of PNL2 caused the cleavage of proglutelin (∼51.6 kDa) into acidic-glutelin (∼31.9 kDa) and basic-glutelin (∼17.8 kDa) and also increased the relative concentration of 13 kDa prolamins. Pre-germination of these three rice cultivars at 30 °C for 32–48 h clearly indicated the function as bio-modification of rice proteins, particularly in the reduction of glutelin disulfide bonds. Keywords: Rice protein, Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Pre-germination, Embryonic growth length, Oryza sativa L., Bio-modification

Published
2018

2. Weather shocks and agricultural commercialization in colonial tropical Africa: did cash crops alleviate social distress?

Author

Kostadis J. Papaioannou and Michiel de Haas

Subjects
Economics and Econometrics, Sociology and Political Science, 050204 development studies, media_common.quotation_subject, Cash crop, Geography, Planning and Development, Weather shocks, Economic history, Development, Commercialization, Debt, 0502 economics and business, Development economics, Economics, 050207 economics, Food crisis, S Agriculture (General), Imprisonment, Agrarische en Milieugeschiedenis, media_common, 2. Zero hunger, HB Economic Theory, Agricultural commercialization, business.industry, 05 social sciences, Global warming, 1. No poverty, Building and Construction, Unrest, Rural and Environmental History, Distress, Climate vulnerability, 13. Climate action, Agriculture, Africa, business
Abstract

A rapidly growing body of research examines the ways in which climatic variability influences economic and societal outcomes. This study investigates how weather shocks triggered social distress in British colonial Africa. Further, it intervenes in a long-standing and unsettled debate concerning the effects of agricultural commercialization on the abilities of rural communities to cope with exogenous shocks. We collect qualitative evidence from annual administrative records to explore the mechanisms linking weather extremes to harvest failures and social distress. We also conduct econometric testing on a novel panel dataset of 143 administrative districts across west, south-central, and east Africa in the Interwar Era (1920-39). Our findings are twofold. First, we find robust evidence that rainfall anomalies (both drought and excessive precipitation) are associated with spikes in imprisonment (our proxy for social distress). We argue that the key causal pathway is the loss of agricultural income, which results in higher imprisonment for theft, unrest, debt, and tax default. Second, we find that the impact of weather shocks on distress is partially mitigated by the cultivation of export crops. Our findings suggest that, even in the British colonial context, smallholder export crop cultivation led to higher private incomes as well as greater public investment. Our findings speak to a topic of considerable urgency today as the process of global climate change accelerates, generating more severe and unpredictable climatic extremes. An increased understanding and identification of adaptive and mitigating factors would assist in targeting policy interventions and designing adaptive institutions to support vulnerable rural societies.

Published
2017

3. Genotype by environment interactions in identifying cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) resistant to cassava brown streak disease

Author

Masinde, Emily A., Mkamillo, Geoffrey, Ogendo, Joshua O., Hillocks, Rory, Mulwa, Richard M. S., Kimata, Bernadetta, Maruthi, Midatharahally N., Masinde, Emily A., Mkamillo, Geoffrey, Ogendo, Joshua O., Hillocks, Rory, Mulwa, Richard M. S., Kimata, Bernadetta, and Maruthi, Midatharahally N.

Abstract

Cassava landraces were evaluated for resistance to cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) for two cropping seasons at a disease hotspot area in Naliendele, Tanzania. Based on reactions to CBSD, several landraces including Chimaje, Mfaransa and Supa B were considered to be resistant to the disease while Kikwada, Mbuyu, and Nyoka were tolerant. ANOVA revealed that the largest sum of squares (SS) (41.9–86.7%) was attributed to the genotype of the cassava landraces, while a smaller proportion of SS (8.1–38.2%) was due to genotype by environment interactions for all traits tested, which included disease symptoms, root weight, number of roots per plant and dry matter content. Environment accounted for the smallest effect (0.01–26.3%), however, the mean squares was nonetheless significant for a few genotypes, which indicated that their disease expression was indeed influenced by the environment. Increased CBSD severity was associated with low temperatures and rainfall. Increased rainfall towards harvesting led to higher root weight but lower dry matter content in the first cropping season. Correlation analysis showed that the presence of CBSD symptoms reduces the amount of usable roots, total root weight, and root dry matter content. Many resistant/tolerant landraces also had high root weight and dry matter content, and they can be used by farmers to reduce CBSD losses. The landraces described here form novel sources of CBSD resistance that can be used for breeding disease-resistant cassava varieties with superior agronomic characteristics.

Published
2017

4. The significance of climate in the pollinator dynamics of a tropical agroforestry system

Author

Arnold, S. E. J, Bridgemohan, P, Perry, G. B., Spinelli, G. R., Pierre, B., Murray, F., Haughton, C., Dockery, O., Grey, L., Murphy, S. T., Belmain, S. R., Stevenson, P. C., Arnold, S. E. J, Bridgemohan, P, Perry, G. B., Spinelli, G. R., Pierre, B., Murray, F., Haughton, C., Dockery, O., Grey, L., Murphy, S. T., Belmain, S. R., and Stevenson, P. C.

Abstract

Even though many globally important tropical agroforestry crops are partially or completely dependent on insect pollination, the conditions influencing pollinator abundance in these systems are often incompletely understood. This is particularly the case for cocoa midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), which are essential for cocoa pollination and thus yield, but agro-ecological management frequently neglects them. We report the first assessment of cocoa midge population dynamics from two Caribbean countries across a full year, and relate this to seasonal climate variables. We used static suction traps along transects to sample insects monthly, from six cocoa farms across three Caribbean islands, with a particular focus on known pollinators of cocoa. A total of over 87,000 insects were captured, including more than 1800 cocoa midges. Midges were present in all months of the survey and on all sites, but typically comprised less than 2% of the total insects caught. At least twelve different species of cocoa midges were identified from this survey. The previous month’s rainfall positively predicted cocoa midge absolute abundance and further analysis also revealed a relationship between rainfall and relative midge abundance. In particular, during drought periods, midge numbers were very low, consistent with their larval ecology. Humidity and mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures did not relate to midge abundance. Rainfall negatively influenced the Shannon-Weaver index. The findings highlight the possible threat of droughts to cocoa pollination services and the importance of proactive farm management to support them.

Published
2017

5. Simultaneous production of L-lactic acid with high optical activity and a soil amendment with food waste that demonstrates plant growth promoting activity

Author

Vichien, Kitpreechavanich, Arisa, Hayami, Anfal Talek, Fui, Clament Seung Chin, Yukihiro, Tashiro, Kenji, Sakai, Vichien, Kitpreechavanich, Arisa, Hayami, Anfal Talek, Fui, Clament Seung Chin, Yukihiro, Tashiro, and Kenji, Sakai

Abstract

A unique method to produce highly optically-active L-lactic acid and soil amendments that promote plant growth from food waste was proposed. Three Bacillus strains Bacillus subtilis KBKU21, B. subtilis N3-9 and Bacillus coagulans T27, were used. Strain KBKU21 accumulated 36.9 g/L L-lactic acid with 95.7% optical activity and 98.2% L-lactic acid selectivity when fermented at 43°C for 84 h in a model kitchen refuse (MKR) medium. Residual precipitate fraction (anaerobically-fermented MKR (AFM) compost) analysis revealed 4.60%, 0.70% and 0.75% of nitrogen (as N), phosphorous (as P2O5), and potassium (as K2O), respectively. Additionally, the carbon to nitrogen ratio decreased from 13.3 to 10.6. AFM compost with KBKU21 promoted plant growth parameters, including leaf length, plant height and fresh weight of Brassica rapa (Komatsuna), than that by chemical fertilizers or commercial compost. The concept provides an incentive for the complete recycling of food waste, contributing towards a sustainable production system.

Published
2016

6. Influence of continuous exposure to gaseous ozone on the quality of red bell peppers, cucumbers and zucchini

Author

Glowacz, Marcin, Colgan, Richard, Rees, Deborah, Glowacz, Marcin, Colgan, Richard, and Rees, Deborah

Abstract

The effect of continuous exposure to ozone on quality changes during the storage of red bell peppers, cucumbers and zucchini was investigated. Peppers were stored at 14 °C and were exposed to ozone at 0.1 and 0.3 μmol mol−1, while cucumbers and zucchini were stored at 12 and 8 °C, respectively, and exposed to ozone at 0.1 μmol mol−1. The content of fructose (2.75 g/100 g FW) and glucose (2.00 g/100 g FW) in red bell peppers exposed to ozone at 0.1 μmol mol−1 was increased by 8 and 7%, respectively, when compared to controls. Continuous exposure to ozone at 0.3 μmol mol−1, on the other hand, had no effect on fructose (2.52 g/100 g FW) and glucose (1.88 g/100 g FW) content. The content of vitamin C was significantly enhanced in red bell peppers exposed to ozone at 0.1 and 0.3 μmol mol−1 after 7 d of storage, however, this effect was not maintained. After 14 d, vitamin C content in peppers exposed to ozone at 0.1 μmol mol−1 was not significantly different from the control, whereas it was reduced at 0.3 μmol mol−1. Total phenolics content was increased in peppers exposed to ozone at 0.1 μmol mol−1, but was unaffected at 0.3 μmol mol−1. Continuous exposure of red bell peppers to ozone at 0.1 and 0.3 μmol mol−1 had no significant effect on weight loss, texture and colour. In cucumbers and zucchini, continuous exposure to ozone at 0.1 μmol mol−1 reduced weight loss by more than 40% and improved texture maintenance, while having no significant effect on their biochemistry. The findings from this study suggest that continuous exposure to ozone at 0.1 μmol mol−1 is a promising method for shelf-life extension of cucumbers and zucchini. Even though in red bell peppers continuously exposed to ozone at 0.1 μmol mol−1 sugars and phenolics content was increased, further work is still needed to better understand the exact mechanism of ozone action and its potential for the industrial use.

Published
2015

7. Performance of broiler contract farmers: A case study in Perak, Malaysia

Author

Majid, Rasak, Hassan, Sallahuddin, Majid, Rasak, and Hassan, Sallahuddin

Abstract

Contract broiler farming is one the system used to increase poultry production in Malaysia.Broiler contract farmers (BCF) participate in this system for having some benefits.This paper has evaluated economic performance of the BCFs in Perak.An economic evaluation of 60 BCFs was conducted in Perak to determine the performance of the system using economic performance analysis.Panel regression model was used in the analysis. This model involves price per bird (PRM) as dependent variable and size of farm (SOF), feed conversion rate (FCR), average body weight(ABW), average marketing age (AMA), mortality rate (MOR), and rearing housing system (DU).The results show that all variables, except SOF, are significantly influence the performance of BCF at five percent level of significance.

Published
2014
Full Text
View/download PDF

8. Weather shocks and agricultural commercialization in colonial tropical Africa: did cash crops alleviate social distress?

Author

Papaioannou, Kostadis J., de Haas, Michiel, Papaioannou, Kostadis J., and de Haas, Michiel

Abstract

A rapidly growing body of research examines the ways in which climatic variability influence economic and societal outcomes. This study investigates how weather shocks triggered social distress in British colonial Africa. Further, it intervenes in a long-standing and unsettled debate concerning the effects of agricultural commercialization on the abilities of rural communities to cope with exogenous shocks. We collect qualitative evidence from annual administrative records to explore the mechanisms linking weather extremes to harvest failures and social distress. We also conduct econometric testing on a novel panel dataset of 143 administrative districts across west, south-central and east Africa in the Interwar Era (1920-1939). Our findings are twofold. First, we find robust evidence that rainfall anomalies (both drought and excessive precipitation) are associated with spikes in imprisonment (our proxy for social distress). We argue that the key causal pathway is the loss of agricultural income, which results in higher imprisonment for theft, unrest, debt and tax default. Second, we find that the impact of weather shocks on distress is partially mitigated by the cultivation of export crops. Our findings suggest that, even in the British colonial context, smallholder export crop cultivation led to higher private incomes as well as greater public investment. Our findings speak to a topic of considerable urgency today as the process of global climate change accelerates, generating more severe and unpredictable climatic extremes. An increased understanding and identification of adaptive and mitigating factors, would assist in targeting policy interventions and designing adaptive institutions to support vulnerable rural societies.

9. Age-related changes in circulating INSL3 concentrations and their associations with ovarian conditions in Japanese Black beef cattle.

Author

Wimalarathne, H.D.A., Nakamura, Y., Ishizaka, K., Silva, B.D.K., Sasakura, K., Shimada, M., Kibushi, M., Sakase, M., and Kawate, N.

Subjects
*BEEF cattle, *HEIFERS, *OVARIAN follicle, *ESTRUS, *DOMESTIC animals, *LUTEAL phase, *CALVES
Abstract

Information on circulating levels of insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) in female domesticated animals is limited, as their concentrations are significantly lower than in males. The objectives of the present study were to 1) develop a sandwich time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) with higher detectability to measure blood INSL3 concentrations in female cattle, 2) determine INSL3 concentrations in female cattle among age groups and reproductive conditions, and 3) explore associations between INSL3 levels and ultrasonographic ovarian measurements. Blood was collected repeatedly from Japanese Black beef female calves (n = 12; 0－8 mo), heifers (n = 10; 10－26 mo), and cows (n = 20; 27－200 mo). Blood was taken from the cows (n = 13) at follicular, post-ovulatory, and luteal phases, and from cows with follicular cysts (n = 12). Ultrasonography of ovaries was conducted in the calves (n = 12) and the cows without ovarian diseases (n = 9). The ovarian area, as well as the number and diameters of antral follicles ≥ 2 mm, were determined in each ovary. The proposed method detected a difference in plasma INSL3 between calves (0.01 ng/mL) and heifers (0.18 ng/mL). However, the conventional assay showed similar levels for calves and heifers (1.82 vs 2.07 ng/mL). Plasma INSL3 and testosterone concentrations increased from calves to heifers (P < 0.0001), but only INSL3 rose from heifers to cows (P < 0.0001). INSL3 and testosterone concentrations did not change across the estrus cycle in cows, and the levels of both hormones in follicular cystic cows did not differ from those in the follicular phase. Ovarian area, maximal and average follicular diameters, and total volume of all follicles per animal were higher in cows than calves (P < 0.001). Plasma INSL3 concentrations correlated positively with the total volumes of all follicles in calves (P < 0.05) and cows (P < 0.05), whereas testosterone concentrations did not correlate with ovarian follicular measurements. In conclusion, plasma INSL3 concentrations measured by the proposed sandwich TRFIA showed a clear increase from female calves to cows in beef cattle. These results suggest that circulating levels of INSL3, but not of testosterone, are associated with the total volume of all antral follicles in both ovaries per animal in female cattle. • Sandwich bovine INSL3 immunoassay was developed with higher sensitivity in plasma. • INSL3 concentrations increased from calves to heifers and from heifers to cows. • INSL3 concentrations correlated with total volume of all follicles in each animal. • Blood INSL3 levels can be a biomarker of ovarian follicular total volume in cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2023
Full Text
View/download PDF

12. Multianalyte profiling of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in liquid commercial products.

Author

Favreau, Philippe, Poncioni-Rothlisberger, Chantal, Place, Benjamin J., Bouchex-Bellomie, Harold, Weber, Andreas, Tremp, Josef, Field, Jennifer A., and Kohler, Marcel

Subjects
*AQUEOUS solutions, *FLUOROALKYL compounds, *SURFACE tension, *CARBOXYLIC acids, *LUBRICATION & lubricants
Abstract

The chemical properties of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) make them widespread for use in a number of industrial and commercial products to confer water and oil-repellency characteristics and to reduce surface tension e.g. in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). Some PFASs, especially perfluoroctane sulfonate, and several perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids, are known to cause significant human and environmental negative impact. Our knowledge on the content of PFASs in products remains scarce due to limited information available, thus impeding any precise assessment of human exposure and environmental release upon use. This study aimed at analyzing a wide variety of liquid products (n = 194) likely to contain PFASs, including impregnating agents, lubricants, cleansers, polishes, AFFFs and other industrial products. By means of LC- and GC-MS/MS analytical techniques, 24 PFASs (from 41 targeted PFASs) were detected and quantified in 55% of samples. PFAS quantification and profiling was found to be consumer product specific. PFASs were mostly detected in AFFF (90%) and impregnating agents (60%) with mainly ionic and neutral species, respectively. In particular, the fluorotelomer alcohols 6:2, 8:2 and 10:2 FTOHs were detected in 40–50% of impregnating agents. Further investigation by Fast Atom Bombardment Mass Spectrometry (FAB-MS) on a set of AFFF samples allowed the characterization of 8 different PFAS classes as major components in these formulations. Results demonstrated that numerous and diversified PFAS are currently used in specific commercial products, implying significant human exposure and environmental release that necessitate further research concerning their toxicological impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2017
Full Text
View/download PDF

13. Fetal gender prediction based on maternal plasma testosterone and insulin-like peptide 3 concentrations at midgestation and late gestation in cattle.

Author

Kibushi, M., Kawate, N., Kaminogo, Y., Hannan, M.A., Weerakoon, W.W.P.N., Sakase, M., Fukushima, M., Seyama, T., Inaba, T., and Tamada, H.

Subjects
*TESTOSTERONE, *PEPTIDES, *GESTATIONAL age, *FETUS, *CATTLE reproduction
Abstract

We compared maternal plasma testosterone and insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) concentrations between dams carrying a male versus female fetus from early to late gestation and examined the application of maternal hormonal concentrations to fetal gender prediction in dairy and beef cattle. Blood samples were collected from Holstein cows or heifers (N = 31) and Japanese Black beef cows (N = 33) at 1-month intervals at 2 to 8 months of gestation. Fetal gender was confirmed by visual observation of external genitalia of calves just after birth. Plasma testosterone and INSL3 concentrations were determined by enzyme-immunoassay. Fetal genders were judged based on cutoff values of maternal testosterone and INSL3 concentrations (male, if it was ≥ cutoff value; female, if < cutoff value), which we set for each hormone at each gestational month using receiver operating characteristic curves. Plasma testosterone concentrations were higher for dams with a male fetus than those with a female at 4, 5, 7, and 8 months for the dairy cattle (P < 0.05) and at 4, 5, 6, and 8 months for the beef cows (P < 0.05). Plasma INSL3 concentrations were higher for dams with a male fetus than those with a female at 2 and 6 months for the dairy cattle (P < 0.05) and at 4 to 8 months for the beef cows (P < 0.05). The predictive values and detection rates for fetal gender prediction based on maternal testosterone concentrations were 75.8% to 79.3% for dairy cattle at 5 and 7 months and for beef cows at 5 and 6 months, whereas those values by maternal INSL3 concentrations were 71.0% to 72.4% for the dairy cattle at 6 months and beef cows at 4 and 8 months. When multiple time points of testosterone and INSL3 concentrations at several midgestation and late gestation months were considered for fetal gender prediction, predictive values were 89.3% (5–7 months) and 85.7% to 88.0% (4–6, 8 months) for the dairy and beef breeds, respectively. Maternal testosterone and INSL3 concentrations in dams carrying a male fetus were higher than those carrying a female at midgestation and/or late gestation in Holstein and Japanese Black beef cattle. Nearly, 80% accuracy was obtained for fetal gender prediction by a single time point of maternal plasma testosterone concentrations at midgestation. Nearly 90% accuracy for the prediction was obtained when multiple time points of testosterone and INSL3 concentrations from midgestation to late gestation were considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2016
Full Text
View/download PDF

14. A method to evaluate the combined effect of tree species composition and woodland structure on indicator birds.

Author

Dondina, O., Orioli, V., Massimino, D., Pinoli, G., and Bani, L.

Subjects
*PLANT species, *CHEMICAL composition of plants, *FORESTS & forestry, *BIOINDICATORS, *BIRD ecology, *FOREST conservation
Abstract

Providing quantitative management guidelines is essential for an effective conservation of forest-dependent animal communities. Traditional forest practices at the stand scale simultaneously alter both physical and floristic features with a negative effect on ecosystem processes. Thus, we tested and proposed a method to define forestry prescriptions taking into account the combined effect of woodland structure and tree species composition on the presence of four bird indicator species (Marsh Tit Poecile palustris , European Nuthatch Sitta europaea , Short-toed Tree-creeper Certhya brachydactyla and Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus ). The study was carried out in Lombardy (Northern Italy), from 2002 to 2005. By using a stratified cluster sampling design, we recorded Basal Area, one hundred tree trunk diameters at breast height (DBH) and tree species in 160 sampling plots, grouped in 23 sampling areas. In each plot we also performed a bird survey using the point count method. We analyzed data using Multimodel Inference and Model Averaging on Generalized Linear Mixed Models, with species presence/absence as the response variable, sampling area as a random factor and forest covariates as fixed factors. In order to test our method, we compared it with other two traditional approaches, which consider structural and tree floristic variables separately. Model comparison showed that our method performed better than traditional ones, in both the evaluation and validation processes. Based on our main results, in deciduous mixed forest where the exploitation demand is limited, we recommend maintaining at least 65 trees/ha with DBH > 45 cm. In particular, we advise keeping 70 trees/ha with DBH > 50 cm in chestnut forests and 300 trees/ha with DBH 20–30 cm in oak forests. Conversely, in more exploited oak forests, we advise maintaining at least 670 trees/ha with DBH 15–30 cm in chestnut forests and 100 trees/ha with DBH 10–15 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2015
Full Text
View/download PDF

Catalog

Books, media, physical & digital resources
See catalog results