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Two complementary experiments were completed to assess short-term foraging dynamics, diet quality, and ruminal degradation kinetics of herbage consumed by steers with 3 levels of herbage depletion. Experiment 1 was a behavioral study in which 2 ruminally cannulated steers were allocated to grazing scenarios simulating 3 levels of herbage depletion. These treatments included an ungrazed sward (control), as well as medium and high levels of herbage depletion. Grazing scenarios were sampled for sward surface height and amount of green leaf and stem before being grazed. Foraging dynamics were determined through measurements of bite rate, bite depth, eating step rate, eating distance, potential area consumed while grazing, and bites and intake per eating step. Also, quality of potential herbage consumed was estimated from hand-plucked herbage. In Exp. 2, ruminal degradation kinetics of DM for samples of herbage consumed (masticate) by steers during Exp. 1 were assessed in situ using 5 ruminally cannulated steers. The immediately soluble, degraded, and undegraded DM fractions were determined. The DM disappearance rate and lag times were determined from a nonlinear regression model, and the effective degradability of DM was calculated. Herbage depletion resulted in increased eating steps/minute, as well as the potential area harvested while grazing (P 0.05). Under these experimental conditions, steers adapted their foraging dynamic and were able to sustain diet quality in the short term. These results imply that behavioral adaptations would make diet quality less sensitive to certain levels of herbage depletion.

通过EMS诱变获得一份遗传稳定的水稻黄绿叶突变体 ygl98 ，该突变体整个生育期呈黄绿色。与野生型相比，突变体的叶绿素和类胡萝卜素含量分别下降45.3%和45.6%，有效穗数和结实率分别减少14.4%和10.7%，株高降低7.4%。透射电镜观察表明， ygl98 突变体的叶绿体形状不规则，叶绿体中有许多空的囊泡状结构，类囊体数目减少，每个基粒仅由少数几个类囊体垛叠而成。遗传分析表明， ygl98 的突变性状由1对隐性核基因控制。利用( ygl98 /浙辐802) F 2 作为定位群体，将突变基因定位在第3染色体长臂InDel标记I3和I4之间，遗传距离分别为0.07 cM和0.19 cM，两标记之间的物理距离约为44.2 kb，此区间内包含8个预测基因。基因组序列分析发现， ygl98 突变体在编码镁离子螯合酶ChlD亚基的 OsChlD 基因编码区第1 522碱基处(位于第10外显子)，碱基G突变为碱基A，从而造成编码蛋白序列第508位的丙氨酸(Ala)突变成苏氨酸(Thr)。该基因是已报道的水稻黄绿叶基因 Chlorina-1 的等位基因，但突变体表型有明显区别， Chlorina-1 突变体在2~3周龄幼苗时开始出现黄绿叶，且该黄绿叶性状仅在苗期表现，而 ygl98 突变体整个生育期都表现为黄绿叶，这可能是 OsChlD 基因组序列的突变位点不同造成的。

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is a naturally occurring lipid-soluble quinone that performs multiple functions in all living cells and has become a popular antioxidant supplement, a coadjuvant in the treatment of heart disease, and the object of study for treating neurodegenerative disorders. Although there are many tools for CoQ analysis of microbial and animal samples, there have been relatively few reports of methods for CoQ analysis of green plants. This work describes a method for the routine analysis of coenzyme Q(10) in green leaf tissue of cultivated Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection. The method was applied to the analysis of CoQ(10) in N. tabacum 'KY14' leaves at different stalk positions representing young lanceolate to senescing leaves, and it was found that CoQ(10) increased as leaf position changed down the stalk from 18.69 to 82.68 μg/g fw. The method was also used to observe CoQ(10) in N. tabacum 'NC55' and N. tabacum 'TN90LC' leaves over time, finding that CoQ(10) leaf content remained relatively stable from 3 to 6 weeks but increased in both cultivars at 8 weeks. This method will likely be useful in the analysis of CoQ(10) in the green leaves of other plant species.

Na safra agrícola de 2007 foi instalado um experimento com a cultura do trigo com o objetivo de avaliar a influência do zinco, manganês e molibdênio aplicados juntamente com fungicidas sobre a severidade de doenças e duração da área foliar verde. As aplicações dos fungicidas foram realizadas no final do emborrachamento e no florescimento, e a de micronutrientes, somente no florescimento. Foram analisados os teores de micronutrientes nas folhas, severidade das doenças causadas por Drechslera tritici-repentis eSeptoria tritici, índice SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development), peso hectolítrico, peso de mil grãos, tamanho de espigas, e rendimento de grãos. O uso do epoxiconazol + piraclostrobina proporcionou o melhor controle de D. tritici-repentis e de S. tritici. Produtos com epoxiconazol e piraclostrobina atuaram na fisiologia da planta, incrementando os teores de micronutrientes nos tecidos e prolongando o tempo que o trigo permaneceu com área foliar fotossinteticamente ativa. Epoxiconazol + piraclostrobina, piraclostrobina e epoxiconazol pulverizados associados ou não a micronutrientes, propiciaram aumento do peso hectolítrico, peso de mil grãos e rendimento, quando comparados à testemunha.

Information regarding the extent, timing and magnitude of forest disturbance are key inputs required for accurate estimation of the terrestrial carbon balance. Equally important for studying carbon dynamics is the ability to distinguish the cause or type of forest disturbance occurring on the landscape. Wildfire and timber harvesting are common disturbances occurring in boreal forests, with each having differing carbon consequences (i.e., biomass removed, recovery rates). Development of methods to not only map, but distinguish these types of disturbance with satellite data will depend upon an improved understanding of their distinctive spectral properties. In this study, we mapped wildfires and clearcut harvests occurring in a Landsat time series (LTS) acquired in the boreal plains of Saskatchewan, Canada. This highly accurate reference map (kappa = 0.91) depicting the year and cause of historical disturbances was used to determine the spectral and temporal properties needed to accurately classify fire and clearcut disturbances. The results showed that spectral data from the short-wave infrared (SWIR; e.g., Landsat band 5) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum was most effective at separating fires and clearcut harvests possibly due to differences in structure, shadowing, and amounts of exposed soil left behind by the two disturbance types. Although SWIR data acquired 1 year after disturbance enabled the most accurate discrimination of fires and clearcut harvests, good separation (e.g., kappa ≥ 0.80) could still be achieved with Landsat band 5 and other SWIR-based indices 3 to 4 years after disturbance. Conversely, minimal disturbance responses in near infrared-based indices associated with green leaf area (e.g., NDVI) led to unreliably low classification accuracies regardless of time since disturbance. In addition to exploring the spectral and temporal manifestation of forest disturbance types, we also demonstrate how Landsat change maps which attribute cause of disturbance can be used to help elucidate the social, ecological and carbon consequences associated with wildfire and clearcut harvesting in Canadian boreal forests.

The objectives in this work were to study the association between the morphological and productive characteristics in Pennisetum sp. clones, and to identify the morphological characteristics responsible for the productivity in Pennisetum cp. clones. The canonical correlations were evaluated and the path analysis was made from the simple genotypic correlation matrix between the morphological and productive characteristics of eight Pennisetum sp. clones (Taiwan A-146 2.37, Taiwan A-146 2.27, Taiwan-146 2.114, Merker México MX 6.31, Mott, HV-241, Elefante B and IRI-381). The canonical correlations were significant at 1% probability by the Chi-square test. The first pair of canonic factors, with correlation of 0.9999, related the plants with the highest dry matter content to plants with lower leaf area indexes, light perception and leaf angle. The second pair of canonic factors, with correlation of 0.9999, related the plants with the highest dry matter production to the plants with higher basal tiller density, height, and low green leaf number per tiller. The results of the path analysis indicated that the light interception is determinant in dry matter content expression of Pennisetum sp. clones, while the basal tiller density and plant height are responsible for dry matter production in these clones. Os objetivos neste trabalho foram estudar a associação entre características morfológicas e produtivas em clones de Pennisetum sp. e identificar as características morfológicas responsáveis pela produtividade em clones de Pennisetum sp. Foram avaliadas as correlações canônicas e feita análise de trilha a partir da matriz de correlações genotípicas simples entre características morfológicas e produtivas de oito clones de Pennisetum sp. (Taiwan A-146 2.37, Taiwan A-146 2.27, Taiwan-146 2.114, Merker México MX 6.31, Mott, HV-241, Elefante B e IRI-381). As correlações canônicas foram significativas a 1% de probabilidade pelo teste do qui-quadrado. O primeiro par de fatores canônicos, com correlação de 0,9999, associou plantas com maior teor de matéria seca a plantas com menores índices de área foliar, interceptação luminosa e ângulo foliar. O segundo par de fatores canônicos, com correlação de 0,9999, associou plantas com maior produção de matéria seca a plantas com maior densidade de perfilhos basais, altura, e menor número de folhas verdes por perfilho. Os resultados da análise de trilha indicaram que a interceptação luminosa é determinante na expressão do teor de matéria seca de clones de Pennisetum sp., enquanto a densidade de perfilhos basais e a altura da planta são responsáveis pela produção de matéria seca nesses clones.

Hydroponic production of vegetables is becoming more common. In this study hydroponic lettuce, grown by a local distributor, and conventionally and organically field-grown lettuce, purchased at local retail stores were compared by descriptive analysis for taste, odor, visual quality and texture. Five lettuce varieties were compared; Romaine, Green Leaf, Red Leaf, Butter, and Common lettuce. A twenty-three member sensory panel randomly rated the lettuce using a 5 point scale or a 3 point scale for taste, odor, visual quality and texture. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed for each lettuce variety with comparison between those hydroponically, organically or conventionally grown. Overall, panel members equally like the different lettuce samples. The results showed that for each of the five varieties of let-tuces, all lettuces were perceived to be equal in their sensory evaluation for locally grown hydroponic lettuce or pur-chased from local grocery outlets as organically or conventionally grown.

To determine the quality difference in different varieties of leaf lettuces, we investigated the characteristics of 74 varieties of leaf lettuces (55 green and 19 purple varieties). Both domestic and foreign varieties of lettuce were included in this study. We determined six nutritional indicators of these varieties: such as total soluble sugar, starch, cellulose, proteins, and vitamin C. The grey correlation analysis was used to analyze the 74 varieties of leaf lettuces. Thus, the merits of these traits were compared. The results indicate that the purple leaf lettuce P-S23 had grey comprehensive evaluation value of about 0.8, which was the highest among all varieties. For green leaf lettuces G-S68 and G-S10, grey comprehensive evaluation values were less than 0.5. This indicates that nutritional quality and nutritional value of the purple leaf varieties were higher than that of the green leaf varieties. Furthermore, the quality of green varieties of G-S68 and G-S10 were of poor quality, whereas the purple variety P-S23 was most suitable for commercial production.

Hydrodistillation of fresh needles and branches of Taxus baccata L. (Gymnospermae, Taxaceae) yielded 0.02% (w/w) of the essential oil. GC and GC/MS analyses enabled the identification of 62 constituents that accounted for 92.2% of the total oil. The oil was found to mainly consist of components belonging to one of the following classes: terpenoids (28.2%), “green leaf” volatiles (12.0%), carotenoid derived compounds (18.4%) and n-alkanes (18.4%). The major contributors were hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (18.3%), myrtenol (18.3%), (Z)-3-hexenol (6.0%), 3-methyl-2-butenoic acid (5.9%) and tricosane (5.5%). The terpenoid fraction was completely made up of monoterpenoids and diterpenoids (mostly oxygenated derivatives), but, contrary to the oils isolated from other Taxus taxa, no sesqui-terpenoids were identifed.

Summary Objective Periconceptional use of folic acid may effectively reduce the risk of fetal neural tube defects. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the awareness and use of folic acid during periconceptional period in Taiwan. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study was performed at Taiwan Adventist Hospital between March 2008 and December 2008. Data were obtained using a questionnaire from 275 women between 10-12 weeks of gestation. Results About 90% of women reported having ever heard of folic acid, but only 15.6% of women used folic acid before their pregnancy. There was no significant relationship between awareness and use of folic acid and variant sociodemographic factors. Only 41% of women (78/191) understood the recommended dose of folic acid. About 86% of women (170/197) reported they could identify natural folate-rich food and most of them stated green leaf vegetables as the most important natural source of folic acid. Conclusion Only a small proportion of women have used folic acid before their pregnancies. A public health policy or strategy to increase the preconceptional use of folic acid is needed in Taiwan.

The research was conducted in Sumber Sumber Village of Sanankulon District of Blitar, during April 22 to June 16, 2017.The trial used 10 Mott grass poles on each plot with different spacing ie, P0 = 50 x 100 cm, P1 = 75 x 100 cm, P2 = 100 x 100 cm and P3 = 125 x 100 cm. Parameters measured were number of tillers, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, fresh weight and leaf green index. The design used was a complete randomized design (Gazpers, 1991) consisting of 4 treatments of 6 replications.The result of variance showed that the difference of plant spacing had no significant effect (p > 0,05) on productivity including number of tiller, plant height, leaf width, leaf length, fresh weight of green leaf index. Based on the results of research on differences in spacing to the productivity of first defoliation Mott grass then Need further research on the effect of cropping methods on grass growth and productivity.Keywords: plant spacing, Mott grass, productivity.

The present study was conducted to establish relation between total phenol concentration and resistance against leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), Diptera Agromyzidae, which causes severe damage to castor ( Ricinus communis L.) foliage. Crosses were made between leafminer resistant dark purple (RG 1930) and susceptible green leaf (RG 2788) parents and vice-versa. Parents and F 1 , F 2 and F 3 generations were screened against leafminer. Total phenol concentrations in them were estimated. High positive significant correlation was observed between leafminer resistance and total phenol concentration. Dark purple leaf progenies possessed high concentrations of total phenol and were resistant to leafminer whereas green leaf type progenies had low total phenol concentrations and were susceptible. The study clearly established the significant relation between high total phenol concentrations and leafminer resistance in castor and projected that selecting dark purple leaf phenotype in breeding programmes is an effective visual and reliable approach for indirect selection of leafminer resistance.

The essential oil of fresh aerial parts of Minuartia recurva ssp. recurva obtained by hydrodistillation was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. One hundred fifty-one constituents identified accounted for 95.5% of the total oil. The major components of the oil were: nonanal (9.9%), (Z)-3-hexenol (8.5%), hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (5.3%) and methyl 3-hydroxyoctadecanoate (4.5%). “Green leaf” volatiles constituted the major fraction of the oil (52.9%). Along with methyl 3-hydroxyoctadecanoate, the presence of γ-lactones of palmitic and stearic acids (1.4% and 1.6%, respectively) characterized the oil. These rare plant metabolites have been identified for the first time in the family Caryophyllaceae.

Eight members of the Allium fistulosum L. – shallot (Allium cepa L. Aggregatum group) monosomic addition line (2n = 17, FF + 1A–FF + 8A) proved to be very effective in revealing the effects of single alien chromosomes from A. cepa on the production of polyphenol in the green leaf tissues of A. fistulosum. The determination of polyphenol content in the green leaf tissue of these monosomic additions was carried out monthly from January 2002 to December 2003. Throughout the 2-year period, every monosomic addition accumulated polyphenols in green leaf tissues. Two-way ANOVA revealed significant differences, at the 1% level, in the polyphenol contents of the various monosomic addition types as well as in various months. Dunnett’s test showed that four monosomic additions (FF + 2A, FF + 5A, FF + 6A, and FF + 8A) caused a greater increase in the amount of polyphenol content than did A. fistulosum. The levels of polyphenol accumulation in the remaining four monosomic additions and A. fistulosum were almost the same. A phenylalanine ammonialyase gene of shallot was allocated to chromosome 2A using two sets of the monosomic additions. These results indicate that the genes related to polyphenol production may be located on the 2A, 5A, 6A, and 8A chromosomes of shallot.

Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging is useful as a non-destructive method for evaluating photosynthetic function of plants. A dynamic change in chlorophyll fluorescence intensity, known as the chlorophyll fluorescence induction phenomenon, can be observed by illuminating a dark-adapted green leaf with a stable intensity excitation light. The time course of the chlorophyll fluorescence intensity during this phenomenon, presented as an induction curve, varies depending on the health of the plant. Imaging of the chlorophyll fluorescence induction phenomenon may be used to monitor the health status of plants. In this review, we introduce studies on our chlorophyll fluorescence imaging system for plant health monitoring of tomato crops grown in a greenhouse. We first developed a prototype of the imaging system to confirm performance on detection of artificially induced light stress in a single leaf and whole plant. Based on the successful detection of photosynthetic dysfunction caused by light stress using the prototype, we applied our chlorophyll fluorescence imaging system to measurements of the chlorophyll fluorescence induction curves of tomato crops grown in a semi-commercial greenhouse. Upon comparing the induction curves of 20 tomato crops planted on a north-south lane in the greenhouse, we found two plants with unique induction curve patterns. One of these two plants showed visible symptoms of physiological dysfunction 7 days after measurement. Thus, our chlorophyll fluorescence imaging system appears to be a useful tool for plant health monitoring in horticultural production.

Stay-green in the post-anthesis period is thought to be an efficient drought-tolerance trait in crops, but its effectiveness in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is unknown. Our objectives were to determine whether the stay-green trait exists in rice cultivars in drought-prone areas. Twenty-four cultivars from Japan and Vietnam were grown in pots of 0.08 m in diameter and 1.00 m deep. At heading, irrigation was terminated in half of the pots and continued in the remaining pots. Every four days during the grain-filling period, we measured the leaf green color with a chlorophyll meter (SPAD), the green leaf area (GLA) and the fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSW). The capacity for maintenance of SPAD-value and GLA in desiccated soils was evaluated by determining the ratio of integrated SPAD-value and GLA in desiccated (D) plants to those in irrigated (I) plants (SPADd/I or GLAd/I, respectively). The SPADd/I and GLAd/I in 24 cultivars showed diverse frequency distributions. Cultivars belonging to higher ranges of the distribution in SPADd/I and GLAd/I tended to show higher ratios of plant dry weight at harvest in D to in I plants. SPADd/I and GLAd/I in the grain-filling period were poorly correlated with those in the seedling period in desiccated soils, and hence the capacity for maintenance of green leaves in the grain-filling period would differ from that in the seedling period. These results suggest that the stay-green trait exists as the capacity for maintaining green leaves and benefits dry matter production in desiccated soils in rice cultivars in drought-prone areas.

The variation in force required to break the leaves and pseudostems of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) was measured on twelve New Zealand commercial and pre-release cultivars using a punch and die apparatus which enabled up to 100 simultaneous breaks per sample. Perennial ryegrass cultivars were sampled from 2-year-old pure swards in two studies carried out in spring and autumn. In the first study, the forces required to break old and young leaves, and pseudostems, of six cultivars ranging in heading date and ploidy were compared at a designated morphological stage during spring growth. Force was measured as Newtons (N) mg⁻¹ dry matter (DM) and the difference between the force required to break leaves and pseudostems was significant (P < 0·01). The youngest emerged leaf required a greater force by 0·13 than the oldest green leaf (5·60 and 4·90 N mg⁻¹ DM for young and old leaf respectively). The force required to break leaves (average of young and old leaves) of 5·25 N mg⁻¹ DM was 0·12 greater than the force required to break pseudostems (4·59 N mg⁻¹ DM). This difference was consistent across most cultivars. In the second study, the force required to break leaves of ten cultivars was tested daily over three autumn periods when all cultivars were sampled at a regrowth age of 2 weeks. The cultivar Nevis was used in each period whilst the other cultivars were used in one period. When averaged across periods, cultivars could be separated into three groups of high, medium and low forces required to break leaves. The difference between the means of the high and low groups was 0·33 with a range from 3·29 to 4·91 N mg⁻¹ DM.

To study the effects of storage atmosphere on the main quality attributes of minimally processed leeks, stalks were stored in air, 1, 3 or 5% O 2 in N 2 , 6, 11 or 17% CO 2 in air, or 1% O 2 + 14% CO 2 in N 2 at 6.5 °C for 14 days. In addition, other leeks were subjected to a preprocessing treatment consisting of exposure to air or 1% O 2 + 14% CO 2 at 6.5 °C for 0, 12, or 24 h prior to minimal processing and storage in air or 1% O 2 + 14% CO 2 at 6.5 °C for 14 days. Leaf and root growth, number of newly formed roots, color changes at the basal cut surface as well as on the white and green leaf tissue, fresh weight loss, and enzymatically produced pyruvic acid content were determined. Storage of minimally processed leek stalks in 1% O 2 at 6.5 °C for 14 days minimized leaf and root growth as well as color changes at the center of the basal cut surface, but did not prevent peripheral discoloration of the basal cut surface; the other reduced O 2 and elevated CO 2 treatments were less effective than 1% O 2 in reducing leaf and root growth and cut surface discoloration. Storage in 1% O 2 + 14% CO 2 , however, resulted in an additional beneficial effect compared with 1% O 2 alone by preventing the appearance of peripheral discoloration on the basal cut surface. Exposure to 1% O 2 + 14% CO 2 at 6.5 °C for 12 or 24 h prior to processing did not further contribute to quality maintenance of minimally processed leeks during storage in either air or 1% O 2 + 14% CO 2 at 6.5 °C for 14 days.

Despite low net grass growth rates in Ireland between mid-November and February, tissue continuously turns over as new leaves are produced and older leaves senesce. The effects of closing swards from grazing on three dates in autumn (1 September, 20 September and 10 October) on tissue turnover in a perennial ryegrass sward during the winter were examined at two sites in the north-east and south of Ireland. Leaf extension and senescence rates were greater in the south than in the north-east, and were greatest on the earliest closing date at both sites. Leaf appearance and extension rates at both sites were closely correlated with accumulated daily air temperature above 6°C and mean soil temperature. Site-specific factors also influenced tissue flux, possibly including grazing intensity at closing and density of tillers of perennial ryegrass. Swards in the autumn with high herbage masses [>2000 kg dry matter (DM) ha−1 approximately] and high leaf area index (LAI; about 2·5 and above) had the greatest leaf senescence rates and the greatest declines in herbage mass during the winter. Leaf senescence rates per tiller in high LAI swards were correlated positively with amount of leaf per tiller and also the proportion of green leaf in the second youngest expanding leaf lost to senescence. As potentially a complex of interactive factors influences tissue flux in winter, it is proposed that the data from this study be used in conjunction with other data to construct a dynamic model to predict more reliably optimum closing date in autumn for herbage utilization in winter.

Ramularia collo-cygni is now recognized as an important pathogen of barley in Northern Europe and New Zealand. It induces necrotic spotting and premature leaf senescence, leading to loss of green leaf area in crops, and can result in substantial yield losses. The fungus produces a number of anthraquinone toxins called rubellins, which act as host nonspecific toxins with photodynamic activity. These toxins induce lipid peroxidation and are possibly the cause of the chlorosis and necrosis observed in leaves infected with R. collo-cygni. The fact that the fungus can remain latent in barley plants until flowering, coupled with its very slow growth in vitro, makes it difficult to detect in crops. As a result, the epidemiology of this pathogen remains poorly understood. However, the recent development of rapid and reliable PCR methods for specific detection of R. collo-cygni offers the prospect of increased understanding of its epidemiology and improved disease control.

The olfactory responses of adult males and females of the fruit-piercing moth, Oraesia excavata, to lactones as specific components among ripe peach fruit odors were recorded by electroantennogram (EAG) techniques and trap captures in the field. Six lactones (γ-hexalactone, γ-octalactone, δ-octalactone, γ-decalactone, δ-decalactone and γ-dodecalactone) and a green leaf volatile compound (cis-3-hexen-1-ol) as the reference compound for normalization were used to measure EAG responses. The EAG response to γ-hexalactone, shown to be the highest among the six lactones tested, did not reach as high as that to a mixture of five lactones when 10% concentrations (v/v) of the lactones were used. There was no significant difference between males and females in EAG responses to those compounds. In the field experiment, the number of moths captured by traps baited with a mixture of the five lactones (γ-hexalactone, γ-octalactone, γ-decalactone, δ-decalactone and γ-dodecalactone=142 : 7 : 145 : 70 : 28, v/v) was about half that captured with ripe peach fruit; however, the moths were not captured by traps with individual lactones. These results show that O. excavata is attracted by a mixture of lactones, but not by individual lactones, although individual lactones are recognized by antennal receptors.

The objective of our study was to investigate the current status of the use of green leaf juice (GLJ ; made from kale,young barley leaf etc) among consumers and patients visiting drugstores,with regard to reasons for using GLJ,overall perception of safety and efficacy of GLJ,and the need for information on such dietary supplements.Between February and March 2006,a total of 563 consumers and patients visiting 68 drugstores owned by Tsuruha Inc.,in Hokkaido,Tohoku,and Kanto districts completed the questionnaire.The results showed that GLJ use was substantially higher among elderly people (65 years old and above) and people under long-term treatment with antihypertensives,antiallergics or antidiabetics.Though 33.2% of GLJ users thought it was effective,55% were uncertain about its effectiveness.Adverse events had been experienced by 2.4% of GLJ users.Other findings were that 55.5% of the respondents were taking GLJ daily and 27% had not read the precautions in the package insert.The present investigation showed that the major users of GLJ were elderly persons (of 65 years and above) who were taking medications.It is thus important for medical staff to routinely ask such patients if they are using any dietary supplements in order to collect evidence for their potential benefits or harm they could do,and to provide information on them in consideration of differences in literacy levels.

Saussurea grandicapitulata, a new species of Saussurea, was repodrted in the Taebaek Mountains. It has peculiar morphological characters, easily distinguisable from other Saussurea in Korea and Japan; robust plant size, pale green leaf beneath, purplish brown-cobwebby hairs on petioles of radical and lower cauline leaves, few heads with not so long pedicel, big globose involucres with brown-cobwebby hairs, and often recurved long phyllaries. S. grandicapitula is an endemic species to Korea which was differentiated in consequence of adaptation to heavy snowy environment of the Taebaek Mountains.

A mechanistic understanding of perchlorate ( $$ {\text{ClO}}^{ - }_{4} $$ ) entry into plants is important for establishing the human health risk associated with consumption of contaminated produce and for assessing the effectiveness of $$ {\text{ClO}}^{ - }_{4} $$ phytoremediation. To determine whether common soil anions affect $$ {\text{ClO}}^{ - }_{4} $$ uptake and accumulation in higher plants, a series of competition experiments using lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) were conducted between $$ {\text{ClO}}^{ - }_{4} $$ (50 nM) and $$ {\text{NO}}^{ - }_{3} $$ (4–12 mM), $$ {\text{SO}}^{{2 - }}_{4} $$ (1–10 mM), or Cl− (5–15 mM) in hydroponic solution. The effects of $$ {\text{HCO}}^{ - }_{3} $$ (0–5 mM) and pH (5.5–7.5) on $$ {\text{ClO}}^{ - }_{4} $$ uptake were also examined. Increasing $$ {\text{NO}}^{ - }_{3} $$ in solution significantly reduced the amount of $$ {\text{ClO}}^{ - }_{4} $$ taken up by green leaf, butter head, and crisphead lettuces. Sulfate and Cl− had no significant effects on $$ {\text{ClO}}^{ - }_{4} $$ uptake in lettuce over the concentrations tested. Increasing pH significantly reduced the amount of $$ {\text{ClO}}^{ - }_{4} $$ taken up by crisphead and green leaf lettuces, whereas increasing $$ {\text{HCO}}^{ - }_{3} $$ significantly reduced $$ {\text{ClO}}^{ - }_{4} $$ uptake in butter head lettuce. The inhibition by $$ {\text{NO}}^{ - }_{3} $$ across all lettuce genotypes suggests that $$ {\text{ClO}}^{ - }_{4} $$ may share an ion carrier with $$ {\text{NO}}^{ - }_{3} $$ , and the decrease in uptake with increasing pH or $$ {\text{HCO}}^{ - }_{3} $$ provides macroscopic evidence for $$ {{\text{ClO}}^{ - }_{4} } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{\text{ClO}}^{ - }_{4} } {{\text{H}}^{ + } }}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {{\text{H}}^{ + } } $$ cotransport across the plasma membrane.

Motivated by the operational use of remote sensing in various agricultural crop studies, this study evaluates the application and utility of remote sensing-based techniques in yield prediction and waterlogging assessment of tea plantation land in the Assam State of India. The potential of widely used vegetation indices like NDVI and SR (simple ratio) and the recently proposed TVI has been evaluated for the prediction of green leaf tea yield and made tea yield based on image-derived leaf area index (LAI), along with weather parameters. It was observed that the yield model based on the TVI showed the highest correlation (R2 = 0.83) with green leaf tea yield. The NDVI-and SR-based models suffered non-responsiveness when the yield approached maximum. The NDVI and SR showed saturation when the LAI exceeded a magnitude of 4. However, the TVI responded well, even when the LAI exceeded 5, and thus has potential use in the estimation of the LAI of dense vegetation such as some crops and forest where it generally exceeds the threshold value of 4. An attempt was made for the innovative application of TCT and NDWI in the mapping of waterlogging in tea plantation land. The NDWI in conjunction with TCT offered fairly good accuracy (87%) in the delineation of tea areas prone to waterlogging. This observation indicates the potential of NDWI and TCT in mapping waterlogged areas where the soil has considerable vegetation cover.

The carbohydrate concentration of old and young sugarcane plants, either virus-free or infected by sugarcane yellow leaf virus, was compared. Internode lengths and fresh weights of symptomatic plants were reduced, but not the sucrose concentrations. Starch and sucrose concentration in green leaf tops of mature (18 months old) was the highest in asymptomatic plants followed by symptomatic, and then by virus-free plants. Carbohydrates increased during daytime by 5–20%. The carbohydrate concentration in leaves of young, 6 months old plants was much lower than in mature plants and it increased to 500% during daytime. Asymptomatic leaves had a higher level of carbohydrates, especially starch, from late afternoon until the end of the night, suggesting a reduction of assimilate export.

In contrast to the increasing trend in farm size found in most agricultural sectors, the absolute number of producers and relative share of total production from small farms growing green leaf tea in Sri Lanka have increased significantly over time. The boom in peasant production and the corresponding decline in plantations are due to the same general drivers explaining the increase in farm size elsewhere. Government programs and price effects that reduced revenue uncertainty and relative costs of production have enhanced the competitive position of small farmers relative to large estates.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:47:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-29452007000300004.pdf: 207487 bytes, checksum: 8ed5a1c439b8fad023db6280626a6cfc (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:47:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-29452007000300004.pdf: 207487 bytes, checksum: 8ed5a1c439b8fad023db6280626a6cfc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-01-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T17:48:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452007000300004.pdf: 207487 bytes, checksum: 8ed5a1c439b8fad023db6280626a6cfc (MD5) S0100-29452007000300004.pdf.txt: 18612 bytes, checksum: 196a158cccb95071f4635fa531752a40 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-01-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:19:39Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452007000300004.pdf: 207487 bytes, checksum: 8ed5a1c439b8fad023db6280626a6cfc (MD5) S0100-29452007000300004.pdf.txt: 18612 bytes, checksum: 196a158cccb95071f4635fa531752a40 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:19:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452007000300004.pdf: 207487 bytes, checksum: 8ed5a1c439b8fad023db6280626a6cfc (MD5) S0100-29452007000300004.pdf.txt: 18612 bytes, checksum: 196a158cccb95071f4635fa531752a40 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-01-01 Objetivou-se, com o trabalho, avaliar dois métodos de estimativa da área foliar, em plantas de laranja Pêra, pela análise da imagem digital obtida com scanner e câmera fotográfica digital. Para determinar a área das folhas, um grupo de discos foi colocado sobre um leitor de scanner, sendo que a imagem obtida foi armazenada. Os mesmos grupos de discos foram fixados sobre cartolina branca e fotografados com câmera fotográfica digital. As imagens obtidas da câmera fotográfica e do scanner foram processadas utilizando ferramentas de um editor de imagem que permite a contagem de pixels de determinada cor, no caso verde. Para a comparação dos métodos, os discos foram submetidos a integrador óptico de área foliar modelo LICOR-3100, utilizando os mesmos agrupamentos. Foram coletadas 20 folhas (cinco em cada quadrante da planta) por parcela de um experimento para comparação de fertilizantes comerciais e doses de zinco, aplicados via foliar, em plantas de sete anos de idade. O experimento foi composto de sete tratamentos e quatro repetições, num total de 28 parcelas. Os dois métodos apresentaram alta correlação com a área estimada pelo integrador óptico de área, considerado como método de referência. O método da análise da imagem obtida com câmera fotográfica, na resolução de 5.0 megapixel, foi mais precisa quando comparada à área estimada pelo integrador óptico de área. This work had as purpose to evaluate two methods of the estimative of leaf area, in Pêra orange plants, by the digital image analysis obtained with scanner and digital camera. To determine the leaf area, one group of discs was placed on a reading scanner and the image obtained was stored. The same groups of discs were fixed over a white paper and photographed with a digital camera. The images obtained from the digital camera and the scanner was processed utilizing an image editor's tool that allows the pixels counting of a specific color, in this case green. To compare these two methods the discs were submitted to an optic integrator of green leaf, LICOR-3100 model, utilizing the same groups. It was collected 20 leaves (five in each square of the plant) for each parcel of one experiment to compare commercial fertilizers and Zn doses, applied by leaves spraying, in seven years old Pêra orange plants. The experiment comprehended seven treatments and four replications with a total of 28 parcels. The two methods presented high correlation with the estimated area considering the optic integrator of area the reference method. The analysis of the image obtained from the photographic camera, with 5.0 megapixel of resolution, had more precision when compared with the estimated area by the optic integrator. UNESP UNESP Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas Departamento de Recursos Naturais/ Ciência do Solo UNESP Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas Departamento de Produção Vegetal/Horticultura UNESP UNESP Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas Departamento de Recursos Naturais/ Ciência do Solo UNESP Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas Departamento de Produção Vegetal/Horticultura

Multispectral data can meet many of the information requirements of site-specific farming. Examples from the literature are presented where multispectral data has been applied to agricultural management problems. Some of the examples are illustrated using remotely sensed estimates of green leaf area index for a cotton field during the 1994 growing season.

O experimento foi conduzido na FZEA/USP – Pirassununga/SP de dezembro de 2002 a março de 2003, em uma área de 26,7 ha formada de capim-braquiarão. O objetivo foi avaliar as características morfofisiológicas durante a fase recuperação da planta forrageira após o pastejo. A pastagem foi submetida a quatro intensidades de pastejo representadas por níveis de oferta de forragem (5, 10, 15 e 20% - kg MS/100 kg peso animal.dia), utilizando-se o método de lotação rotacionada, sendo sete dias de ocupação e vinte e oito dias de descanso. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos completos e casualizados, com quatro repetições. Foram avaliadas as seguintes respostas: (1) características morfogênicas: intervalo de aparecimento foliar (IApF), taxa de aparecimento foliar (TApF), taxa de alongamento foliar (TAlF), taxa de senescência foliar (TSenF), taxa de alongamento de colmo (TAlC); e (2) características estruturais: número de folhas vivas por perfilho (NFVP), comprimento de folhas verdes por perfilhos (CFVP), comprimento médio de folhas verdes por perfilho (CMFVP) e comprimento de colmo (CC), dinâmica de perfilhamento, englobando, percentagem de perfilhos decapitados (PPD), número de perfilhos basais remanescentes (NPBR), número de perfilhos aéreos remanescentes (NPAR), número de perfilhos basais novos (NPBN), número de perfilhos aéreos novos (NPAN), densidade populacional de perfilhos (DPP), peso médio de perfilho seco, (PMPS) e peso médio de perfilho verde (PMVP). Pastagens submetidas a menor intensidade de pastejo apresentam maior TSenF. As condições climáticas que favorecem o processo de florescimento foram determinantes nessa TSenF. O avanço na estação de crescimento interferiu de forma negativa na TApF, aumentando automaticamente o IApF. A TAlF teve pouca influência dos tratamentos de OF, exceto na condição inicial de manejo, período de avaliação 1 (PAv.1). Nos PAv. o aumento do NFVP esteve relacionado com a diminuição de seu comprimento médio. O CC aumentou com o avançar dos PAv. A maior intensidade de pastejo condicionou o aumento na PPD, a maior DPP e o menor PMPS e PMPV. As condições climáticas tiveram papel importante na sobrevivência e aumento dos NPBR nos PAv.. A sobrevivência dos NPAR esteve condicionada aos efeitos da OF. Condições de maior intensidade de pastejo favoreceu o aparecimento de NPBN e NPAN. No avançar dos PAv., o pastejo leniente provocou diminuição do surgimento do NPAN, embora tenham aumentado durante o período de rebrotação. The experiment was conducted in the FZEA/USP - Pirassununga/SP from December/2002 to March/2003, in a pasture of signal grass of 26.7 ha. The objective was evaluated the morphophysiological characteristics during regrowth of the plant after grazing. The pasture was submitted at grazing intensities represented by four levels of herbage allowance (5, 10, 15 and 20% - kg DM/100 kg weight animal.day), using rotational stocking method, being seven days of occupation and twenty and eight days of interval of grazing. The experimental design was in complete randomised block, with four replications. The evaluated responses were: (1) morphogenetics characteristics: leaf appearance interval (LApI), leaf appearance rate (LApR), leaf elongation rate (LElR), leaf senescence rate (LSenR), stem elongation rate (SElR); e (2) structural characteristics: number of live leaves (NLL), length of green leaf (LGL), length average green leaf (LAGL) and length of stems (LS), dynamics of tillering, percentage of decapitated tiller (PDT), number of remaining basal tiller (NRBT), number of remaining aerial tiller (NRAT), number of new basal tiller (NNBT), number of new aerial tiller (NNAT), population density of tiller (PDT), dry average weight for tiller, (DAWT) and green average weight for tiller (GAWT). Pasture submitted to lenient grazing presented higher LSenR. The climatic conditions that favour flowering process were determinant in LSenR. The advance in growth station influenced negatively in the LApR and increased automatically the LApI. The HA had little influence on the LAIR, except in the initial condition of management, period of evaluation 1 (PAv.1). In the PAv. the increase of the NLL was related with the reduction of its average length. The LS increased with advancing of the PAv.. The highest grazing intensity conditioned the increase in the PDT, the biggest PDT and lowest DAWT and GAWT. The climatic conditions were important in the survival and increase of the NRBT in the PAv.. The survival of the NRAT was conditioned to the effect of the HA. The highest grazing intensity favoured the appearance of NNBT and NNAT. With the advance of the PAv., the lenient grazing provoked reduction of the NNAT emergence, even so has increased during regrowth period.

There is increasing interest in using hyperspectral data for quantitative characterization of vegetation in spatial and temporal scopes. Many spectral indices are being developed to improve vegetation sensitivity by minimizing the background influence. The chlorophyll absorption continuum index (CACI) is such a measure to calculate the spectral continuum on which the analyses are based on the area of the troughs spanned by the spectral continuum. However, different values of CACI were obtained in this method because different positions of continuums were determined by different users. Furthermore, the sensitivity of CACI to agronomic parameters such as green leaf chlorophyll density (GLCD) has been reduced because the fixed positions of continuums are determined when the red edge shifted with the change in GLCD. A modified chlorophyll absorption continuum index (MCACI) is presented in this article. The red edge inflection point (REIP) replaces the maximum reflectance point (MRP) in near-infrared (NIR) shoulder on the CACI continuum. This MCACI has been proved to increase the sensitivity and predictive power of GLCD.

Growth of grass herbage in Ireland is highly seasonal with little or no net growth from November to February. As a result, feed demand exceeds grass supply during late autumn, winter and early spring. At low stocking rates [≤2 livestock units (LU) ha−1], there is potential to defer some of the herbage grown in autumn to support winter grazing. This study examined the effects of four autumn-closing dates and four winter-grazing dates in successive years on the accumulation of herbage mass and on tiller density in winter and subsequent herbage production at two sites in Ireland, one in the south and one in the north-east. Closing swards from grazing in early and mid-September (north-east and south of Ireland respectively) provided swards with >2 t DM ha−1 and a proportion of green leaf >0·65–0·70 of the herbage mass above 4 cm, with a crude protein (CP) concentration of >230 g kg−1 DM and dry matter digestibility (DMD) of >0·700. The effects of autumn-closing date and winter-grazing date on herbage production in the subsequent year varied between the two sites. There was no significant effect of autumn-closing date in the north-eastern site whereas in the south earlier autumn closing reduced the herbage mass in late March by up to 0·34 t DM ha−1 and delaying winter grazing reduced the herbage mass in late March by up to 0·85 t DM ha−1. The effects of later grazing dates in winter on herbage mass continued into the summer at the southern site, reducing the herbage mass for the period from late March to July by up to 2 t DM ha−1. The effects of imposing treatments in successive years did not follow a consistent pattern and year-to-year variation was most likely linked to meteorological conditions.

To determine the impact of seasonal steer grazing on annual CO 2 fluxes of annually burned native tallgrass prairie, we used relaxed eddy accumulation on adjacent pastures of grazed and ungrazed tallgrass prairie from 1998 to 2001. Fluxes of CO 2 were measured almost continuously from immediately following burning through the burn date the following year. Aboveground biomass and leaf area were determined by clipping biweekly during the growing season. Carbon lost because of burning was estimated by clipping immediately prior to burning. Soil CO 2 flux was measured biweekly each year using portable chambers. Steers were stocked at twice the normal season-long stocking rate (0.81 ha steer −1 ) for the first half of the grazing season (∼ May 1 to July 15) and the area was left ungrazed the remainder of the year. That system of grazing is termed “intensive-early stocking.” During the early growing season, grazing reduced net carbon exchange relative to the reduction in green leaf area, but as the growing season progressed on the grazed area, regrowth produced younger leaves that had an apparent higher photosynthetic efficiency. Despite a substantially greater green leaf area on the ungrazed area, greater positive net carbon flux occurred on the grazed area during the late season. Net CO 2 exchange efficiency was greatest when grazing utilization was highest. We conclude that with grazing the reduced ecosystem respiration, the open canopy architecture, and the presence of young, highly photosynthetic leaves are responsible for the increased net carbon exchange efficiency. Both GR and UG tallgrass prairie appeared to be carbon-storage neutral for the 3 years of data collection (1998 ungrazed: -31 g C·m −2 , 1998 grazed: -5 g C·m −2 ; 1999 ungrazed: -40 g C·m −2 , 1999 grazed: -11 g C·m −2 ; 2000 ungrazed: +66 g C·m −2 , 2000 grazed: 0 g C·m −2 ).

Caffeine, total amino acids, water extract and moisture content are considered to be quality indicators for leaf teas and teabags. These analyses were examined in 20 leaf teas and 36 teabags sampled from Australian supermarkets. About 70% of the analysed samples showed a moisture content higher than Vie maximum accepted level, 6.5%, for tea storage and marketing by the tea industries and traders. Water appropriate extract of 15 samples out of 36 teabags was lower than that of the teas without teabags, which indicates that the quality of the paper used for teabags needs to be evaluated. Moreover, one of the black leaf tea samples was found to have a water extract below the lower limit of international standards. Four green and black teas of the same brand, claimed to contain less than 3% caffeine, were found to have 3-4%, the same as the other samples analysed in this study. The mean total contents of amino acids were 2.50% and 1.76% in black leaf teas and the teabags, respectively, whereas they were 3.44% and 2.28% in green leaf teas and the teabags, respectively. Furthermore, the weights of 28 teabags out of 36 samples were found to lie outside of the proposed +/- 2% variation accepted by the tea industries and traders, and 4 samples showed even larger variation, 10% being out of the proposed weights. This investigation also showed that the solubility of caffeine and water extract was affected by the permeability of teabags, whereas total amino acids were very variable. These results suggest that an efficient and practical quality control system for both imported and Australian-made teas in the Australian supermarkets should be developed, implemented and enforced. Chemical analysis should be a part of the system for establishing an objective assessment for the quality control. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tillering is a core constituent of plant architecture, and influences light interception to affect plant and crop performance. Near-isogenic lines (NILs) varying for a tiller inhibition (tin) gene and representing two genetic backgrounds were investigated for tillering dynamics, organ size distribution, leaf area, light interception, red: far-red ratio, and chlorophyll content. Tillering ceased earlier in the tin lines to reduce the frequencies of later primary and secondary tillers compared to the free-tillering NILs, and demonstrated the genetically lower tillering plasticity of tin-containing lines. The distribution of organ sizes along shoots varied between NILs contrasting for tin. Internode elongation commenced at a lower phytomer, and the peduncle was shorter in the tin lines. The flag leaves of tin lines were larger, and the longest leaf blades were observed at higher phytomers in the tin than in free-tillering lines. Total leaf area was reduced in tin lines, and non-tin lines invested more leaf area at mid-canopy height. The tiller economy (ratio of seed-bearing shoots to numbers of shoots produced) was 10% greater in the tin lines (0.73‐0.76) compared to the free-tillering sisters (0.62‐0.63). At maximum tiller number, the red: far-red ratio (light quality stimulus that is thought to induce the cessation of tillering) at the plant-base was 0.18‐0.22 in tin lines and 0.09‐0.11 in free-tillering lines at levels of photosynthetic active radiation of 49‐53% and 30‐33%, respectively. The tin lines intercepted less radiation compared to their free-tillering sisters once genotypic differences in tiller numbers had established, and maintained green leaf area in the lower canopy later into the season. Greater light extinction coefficients (k )i ntin lines prior to, but reduced k after, spike emergence indicated that differences in light interception between NILs contrasting in tin cannot be explained by leaf area alone but that geometric and optical canopy properties contributed. The careful characterization of specifically-developed NILs is refining the development of a physiology-based model for tillering to improve understanding of the value of architectural traits for use in cereal improvement.

To investigate effects of green-leaf nutrient status on senesced-leaf nutrient concentrations and resorption efficiency, we developed a database of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations in green and senesced leaves from 92 published studies. We fit power functions (i.e., [nutrient]sen = A [nutrient]grB) separately for N and P. The database encompassed 297 perennial species of different life-forms. Across these divergent species and conditions, a major control on senesced-leaf nutrient concentration was green-leaf nutrient status; nutrient concentrations in senesced leaves were positively associated with green-leaf nutrient concentrations (r2 values from 51% to 84%). Within-species variation as well as species differences contributed to the overall variation in nutrient concentrations. Moreover, N and P resorption efficiency decreased, respectively, with increased N and P green-leaf status; fitted power functions indicated that a disproportionate amount of nutrient remained in senesced leaves of h...

This study was conducted to compare the dietary and blood lipids between type 2 diabetes subjects and non diabetes subjects living in Cameroon. Dietary intakes were significantly higher in non diabetic men compared to diabetic men but not significantly higher in diabetic women compared to diabetic women. Dietary fiber was significantly higher in diabetic men and women compared to non diabetic subjects. Type 2 diabetic patients of both sexes had a triglyceridemia level higher than non diabetic patients. However Type 2 diabetic men had a cholesterolemia level lower than non diabetic men and there was no difference between cholesterolemia of type 2 diabetic women and non diabetic women. It was concluded that type 2 diabetic subjects are consuming diets that are varied and nutritionally adequate for a healthy adult. To optimize nutrition therapy of type 2 diabetic subjects in Cameroon, recommendations should emphasize on traditional dishes which are mainly constitutes of tubers, fruits, cereals and green leaf vegetables.

Avaliou-se o efeito de diferentes estruturas da pastagem, provocadas pela imposição de dois níveis (tratamentos) de biomassa de lâminas foliares verdes (MSFV) 350 e 600 kg/ha de matéria seca (MS) sobre o comportamento de pastejo dos animais em pastagem consorciada de aveia preta (Avena strigosa Schreb.) e azevém anual (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). As atividades dos animais foram registradas nos meses de agosto e setembro, em períodos de 24 horas consecutivas, por observadores treinados. Nas horas do dia em que o pastejo é mais intenso, foram avaliados o tempo de permanência nas estações de pastejo, a distância entre as estações alimentares e a freqüência com que os animais permaneciam em um sítio de pastejo. Houve preferência marcante por sítios localizados nos quadrantes de cada potreiro mais próximos dos bebedouros/fontes de água. O tempo de permanência dos animais nas estações de pastejo e a distância entre elas foram similares entre os dois tratamentos. O tratamento de 350 kg/ha de MS de lâminas foliares verdes não se constituiu como um nível de biomassa que afeta o tempo de permanência nas estações de pastejo. The effect of different pasture structures imposed by treatments of green leaf lamina biomass (GLLB) levels of 350 and 600 kg/ha of dry matter (MS), over animals grazing behaviour was evaluated in this experiment. The pasture was oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). Animals activities were recorded in August and September, in 24 consecutive hours, by trained observers. In the hours of the day in which grazing were more intense, grazing stations remaining time, distance between feed stations and the frequency of remaining in each grazing site were recorded. Preference for sites located nearest to drinking points were found, in each paddock. Distances between feeding stations and time of remaining in these were similar for both treatments. The treatment with 350 kg/ha of DM of GLLB was not a biomass level that affect remaining time in grazing stations.

Male Melolontha cockchafers are known to use green leaf volatiles induced by female feeding on host plants for their mate location. Earlier studies of the response of the European cockchafer, Melolontha melolontha L. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), to different green leaf aldehydes, alcohols, and acetates revealed that only green leaf alcohols were attractive to males in the field. Females were not attracted at all by these volatiles. Here, we present a study that aimed to elucidate the structure-activity relationships of aliphatic alcohols. Both behavioural and physiological responses were studied in male and female M. melolontha by field tests and electroantennography. The compounds tested were saturated aliphatic alcohols with chain lengths between five and eight carbon atoms. Furthermore, the cockchafer's response to six-carbon alcohols with (E)-2-, (E)-3-, (Z)-2-, (Z)-3-, and (Z)-4-configurated double bonds was tested. All compounds elicited dose-dependent responses on the antennae of both sexes. In general, males showed a stronger normalized EAG response to the stimuli than females. However, only the naturally occurring six-carbon alcohols, i.e., 1-hexanol (E )-2-, (Z)-3, and (E)-3-hexen-1-ol were attractive to M. melolontha males in the field. Females were not attracted to any of the tested compounds, confirming previous results on the olfactory orientation of Melolontha cockchafers.

Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr. is a medicinal liana found in the Western Ghats of Southern India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Malaysia. Water and methanol extracts prepared from the stem of C. fenestratum were evaluated for cytotoxicity on L929 fibroblast cells. Berberine taken for the cytotoxic evaluatin was obtained through cell suspension cultures established from young green leaf segments. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazol)-2,5-diphenyl-2H tetrazolium bromide) assay was performed to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity. Berberine present in the water and methanol extract was determined by RP-HPLC. Methanol extracts demonstrated better inhibitory effects on cultured L929 cells followed by purified berberine from cell suspension cultures and water extracts. Only 15.33% of the cells was metabolically active at 200 μg/ml methanol extract while 23.57% of the cells was active at 200 μg/ml berberine. Increased inhibitory effect of methanol extracts over berberine demonstrates the occurrence of other cytotoxic principles along with main active principle berberine or other factors enhancing the cytotoxic effect of berberine.

Green leaf proportion is an important factor affecting nutritive value, ingestive behavior and forage intake. Determination of green leaf proportion by hand separation of plant samples is time consuming and expensive. The aim of this work was to establish whether a stable relationship exists between the proportion of green leaf blade and total mass of harvestable forage in ungrazed kleingrass ( Panicum coloratum L.) cv. Verde. The study was carried out during four consecutive growing seasons in an established pasture of kleingrass. During two growing seasons, 90 kg N ha-1 was applied. Forage samples were collected at biweekly intervals and separated into leaf blades, stems (inclusive of leaf sheaths), and senescent material. Regression analysis indicated a consistent relationship (y = 0.70x-0.41, R2 = 0.84, P< 0.001, n = 180) between the proportion of green leaf blade and total mass of harvestable forage in ungrazed kleingrass, even under varying environmental conditions of rainfall and N availability. Thus, total harvestable forage might be used to predict the green leaf proportion of kleingrass in contrasting environments, and used as an easy-to-measure indicator of green leaf proportion that would permit a balance of forage quality and quantity in kleingrass.

Leaf and root samples were collected from experimental blocks treated with different levels of nitrogen and potassium (NK) and analyzed for nitrate reductase (NR) activity. It was inferred that in a tea shoot consisting of three leaves and a bud, the NR activity was higher in first leaf followed by third leaf and feeder roots. Increase in NR activity was noted due to the increase in N or K fertilizer doses. There existed a significant correlation between green leaf yield and NR activity recorded at first and second harvesting rounds after manuring. Activity observed at the Anamallais was slightly higher than that seen in the Nilgiris. The activity was maximum on the seventh day after fertilizer application and it was considerably high up to 28th day, which revealed that the minimum interval between two successive NK fertilizer applications should be one month. The N:K2O ratio 1:1 appears to be optimum when 300/450 kg of N as urea (or) K2O as muriate of potash ha−1 yr−1 was used.

The retention of dead leaves covering the trunks of 8‐year‐old trees of Cordyline australis (cabbage tree, ti kouka) was significantly different between 28 wild populations from a 12° latitudinal range in New Zealand when grown under uniform garden conditions at Mt Albert, Auckland (36°53'S, 174°43'E) and Lincoln, Canterbury (43°38'S, 172°29'E). Particularly at Lincoln, trees of populations originating from south of latitude 38°45' mostly had trunks fully covered by dead leaves at the time of observation. Temperatures recorded at Lincoln at heights of 1.40 m and 0.05 m showed that chilling on the trunk surface was reduced by a cover of dead leaves, particularly at 0.05 m during radiation frosts. This effect was separated from the shelter effect of the green leaf tufts of trees and shelter between trees in the experimental plantation. The adaptive function of the retention of dead leaves on the trunk of C. australis in frost‐prone locations in southern New Zealand is considered with reference to o...

Six S5 lines of maize, previously identified as having contrasting responses to nitrogen (N) supply, were used to carry out a complete series of diallel crosses. The resulting 15 hybrids were grown in a field at two N levels. The general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were estimated using the method 4, model I analysis of Griffing for grain yield kernel weight, grain number, harvest index, green leaf number, ear leaf area, N utilization efficiency, total plant N, grain N content, anthesis-silking interval, chlorophyll content and prolificacy. For the majority of the traits, GCA was more important than SCA and there was an increase of non-additive effects under low N. Significant interactions were observed between GCA and N levels for grain yield, grain number and chlorophyll content, indicating the selection of different lines for each N level. The lines with the largest effects of N supply per se on grain yield, were those with the largest effects of GCA for this trait. This association indicates that the response of the lines to N supply, should be considered in breeding programmes in order to achieve acceptable hybrids for environments with both high and low N.

For the first time, a biomass electronic junction functioning as a conventional electronic diode inside green leaves of Vinka-rosa and Plumeria rubra mass structure has been experimentally predicted and studied. The experimental diode demonstrated appropriate conventional electronic diode characteristics. The predicted diode junctions were operated for forward and reverse dc voltage biases in the range of ±1 to 10 and 1 to 30 V respectively. The studies revealed a strong functional dependence on the water content of the green leaf. These studies are sequential to the very recently reported research work of Kosta et al. on bioelectronics and soilelectronics. The study speculatively forecasts the beginning of a new revolutionary era of green biomass electronic circuitry.

Mid-season drought is a factor frequently limiting crop production in the moist to dry savannah zones of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Ten cowpea genotypes were subjected to a cycle of drought at flowering followed by re-watering to study variation in drought performance and recovery. Drought caused a reduction in leaf assimilation rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance with genotypic variances of 75.4, 57.9, and 83.3 %, respectively. Only genotypic variance in stomatal conductance increased appreciably under drought. Reductions in leaf water potential as a consequence of drought positively correlated with a decline in assimilation rate, which was associated with stomatal closure. One week after re-watering, the three gas exchange parameters of stressed plants recovered fully and attained values 10–30 % higher than the well-watered plants with increased genotypic variability. Reductions in the total dry matter during the drought interval varied from 11 to 50 % among genotypes, but were of minor importance for the total dry matter at maturity. After stress, the gain in dry matter varied considerably among the stressed genotypes, with stressed plants showing higher gain than the unstressed plants during this interval. This was associated with increased availability of assimilates due to enhanced green leaf area duration after stress release. Variability in drought recovery among genotypes was found, and appears to be more important for final yield than responses during drought.