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In addition to leaves, photosynthesis can occur in other green plant organs, including developing seeds of many crops. While the majority of studies examining photosynthesis are concentrated on the leaf level, the role of other green tissues in the production of total photoassimilates has been largely overlooked. The present work studies the photosynthetic behavior of leaves and non-foliar (pericarps, coats, and cotyledons) organs of pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants at the middle stage of seed maturation. The Chl a fluorescence transient was examined based on OJIP kinetics using the FluorPen FP 110. A discrepancy was observed between the performance index (PIABS) for foliar and non-foliar plant tissues, with the highest level noted in the leaves. The number of absorbed photons (ABS) and captured energy flow (TRo) per reaction center (RC) were elevated in the non-foliar tissues, which resulted in a faster reduction in QA. Conversely, the energy dissipation flux per RC (DIo/RC and PHI_Do) indicated an increase in the overall dissipation potential of active reaction centers of photosystem II. This phenomenon was attributed to the presence of a higher number of inactive RCs in tissues that had developed under low light intensity. Furthermore, the expression of genes associated with proteins and enzymes that regulate ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCo) activity was observed, including chaperonins Cpn60α and Cpn60β, RuBisCO activase, as well as phosphoribulokinase. The expression of these genes was found to differ between foliar and non-foliar tissues, indicating that the activation state of RuBisCO may be modified in response to light intensity. Overall, the present study provides insights into the mechanisms by which non-foliar green tissues of plants adapt to efficient light capture and utilization under low light conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tarwi (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet) is a key crop for Andean indigenous communities, offering proteins and fats. Both the pods and seeds of tarwi are consumed, either in their tender (immature) state or as dried, fully ripe seeds. Tarwi, like other Lupinus species, contains high alkaloid levels in its fruits and seeds that must be removed before consumption. This study evaluated the fat, protein, fibre, and alkaloid contents of four cultivars at five maturity stages ranging from 180 to 212 days after sowing. Samples of the pods and the seeds were analysed to determine their colour and protein, crude fibre, fat, and alkaloid contents. The results showed that while the protein concentration in the pods decreased as the fruits matured, the protein content in the seeds increased, reaching approximately 41%. Moreover, the pods exhibited a significant decrease in alcohol content, with the values dropping below 1% at the senescent (dry) stage for all the cultivars. In contrast, the alkaloid levels in the seeds remained stable from 196 days after sowing in the Guaranguito, Andean, and Ecuadorian cultivars, with concentrations around 4%. The present study showed that as the pods matured, their overall protein content decreased, while their seed protein content increased to around 41%. The alkaloid levels in the pods dropped below 1% in the dry stage, while the seed alkaloid levels remained stable at around 4% in the Guaranguito, Andean, and Ecuadorian cultivars after 196 days. However, in the Peruvian cultivar, the alkaloid content remained constant starting from 188 days after sowing, with concentrations just over 3%. This result suggests that as the pods mature, their alkaloid content decreases, while the alkaloid levels in the seeds stabilise from around 188 to 196 days after seeding. Consequently, the alkaloid contents found in the seeds likely originate from other aerial parts of the plant and are not significantly increased by the pods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea mosquito bug (TMB), Helopeltis theivora is a most serious pest on cocoa worldwide that inflicts huge economic losses under epidemic situations. Laboratory colonies are necessary to perform year-round research to develop suitable management strategies for this pest. This study aimed to establish a population of TMB on suitable cocoa-feeding substrates under laboratory conditions. We used green cocoa pods and tender shoots as a food substrate and compared the biological parameters of H. theivora between them. The adult females preferred to lay more eggs on pods (32.20 ± 1.86 eggs/female) either singly or in a small group, and low fecundity was observed on shoots (20.75 ± 1.16 eggs/female). Meanwhile, egg hatching was highest on pods (92.48 ± 2.91%) than on shoots (74.08 ± 3.73%). This pest consists of five nymphal instars and the total nymphal duration was 13.53 ± 1.26 and 14.73 ± 0.85 days on pods and shoots, respectively. In addition, the per cent survival of H. theivora was highest on pods (78.66 ± 3.46) and lowest on shoots (51.85 ± 2.33). Significant differences were recorded in adult longevity and the mean life span of males and females were 13.17 ± 1.58 and 16.63 ± 1.64 days on pods; 11.10 ± 1.41 and 14.36 ± 1.53 days on shoots, respectively. Further, females lived longer than males in both substrates. Although, TMB will survive both on pods and tender shoots; rearing on pods could be more suitable and reliable to establish a sizable population of H. theivora under laboratory conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted at the Crop Research Farm (CRF), Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj, U.P, India, during the Kharif season of 2023. The experiment was replicated three times according to a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments. Three different concentrations of phosphorus (40, 50, and 60 kg/ha) and micronutrients (0.5% FeSO4, 0.5% ZnSO4, and 0.2% Borax) were administered as a topical spray to the leaves. A control group was treated with a mixture of 20:60:40 kg N:P:K/ha. Phosphorus application at a rate of 60 kg/ha and foliar spray of ZnSO4 at 0.5% (treatment 8) resulted in the highest plant dry weight of 35.54 g, crop growth rate of 25.14 g/m²/day, number of pods per plant of 21.50, number of kernels per pod of 2.13, highest test weight of 365.33 g, seed yield of 3552.10 kg/ha, and B:C ratio of 2.43. The effect of applying a higher quantity of phosphorus, specifically 60 kg/ha, together with a foliar spray of ZnSO4 at 0.5%, on the growth and yield of groundnut was found to be superior compared to the control treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bioaccessibility of total flavonoids, catechin, epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin, rutin, quercetin, isoquercetin, and kaempferol, and changes in antioxidant activities in fresh and mature fava bean seeds during simulating gastrointestinal conditions has been investigated. The portion of bioaccessible flavonoids potentially available for further uptake varies between pods. Flavonoids of mature and fresh seeds after the gastric phase, intestinal phase, and dialysable fraction, simulating bioaccessible flavonoids, were 6.62% and 1.78%, respectively, compared with no-digested pods. Total antioxidant capacities in the bioaccessible fractions were significantly lower than the control. Furthermore, potential bioactivity as a PPAR-gamma antagonist was evaluated, where epigallocatechin gallate presents at -9.50 Kcal/mol vs. -6.53 Kcal/mol, present in troglitazone. These results highlighted that gastrointestinal digestion may substantially affect the absorption of flavonoids in mature and green fava beans and present a potential bioactivity against obesity.

An experiment was conducted at the Crop Research Farm (CRF), Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj, U.P, India, during the Kharif season of 2023. The experiment was replicated three times according to a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments. Three different concentrations of phosphorus (40, 50, and 60 kg/ha) and micronutrients (0.5% FeSO4, 0.5% ZnSO4, and 0.2% Borax) were administered as a topical spray to the leaves. A control group was treated with a mixture of 20:60:40 kg N:P:K/ha. Phosphorus application at a rate of 60 kg/ha and foliar spray of ZnSO₄ at 0.5% (treatment 8) resulted in the highest plant dry weight of 35.54 g, crop growth rate of 25.14 g/m²/day, number of pods per plant of 21.50, number of kernels per pod of 2.13, highest test weight of 365.33 g, seed yield of 3552.10 kg/ha, and B:C ratio of 2.43. The effect of applying a higher quantity of phosphorus, specifically 60 kg/ha, together with a foliar spray of ZnSO₄ at 0.5%, on the growth and yield of groundnut was found to be superior compared to the control treatment.

The low production of domestic soybeans is due to the decreasing amount of productive land, so the cultivation of soybeans can be done by utilizing dry land. One type of dryland soil is grumusol soil, which is a less fertile soil and requires improvement through and applying biochar and organic fertilizers. Biochar is expected to increase water availability, thereby increasing nutrient absorption. The research was conducted by experiment with a randomized completed block design (RCBD) two-factor treatment. The treatments are biochar (without biochar as control, biochar of coconut shell, rice husk, and Strobilanthes cusia waste) and organic fertilizer (without fertilizer as control, chicken, cow, and goat manure). Each combination treatment, as an experiment unit, was replicated three times. The results showed that the types of biochar and organic fertilizer do not affect the growth and yield of soybeans. The application of types of biochar alone does not affect the soybean yield, but the various organic fertilizers alone can increase the yield of soybeans. Cow organic fertilizer was able to increase the total pods (31.68%), the number of seeds per plant (29.33%), and the stuffed pods (24.11%).

Tarwi (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet) is a key crop for Andean indigenous communities, offering proteins and fats. Both the pods and seeds of tarwi are consumed, either in their tender (immature) state or as dried, fully ripe seeds. Tarwi, like other Lupinus species, contains high alkaloid levels in its fruits and seeds that must be removed before consumption. This study evaluated the fat, protein, fibre, and alkaloid contents of four cultivars at five maturity stages ranging from 180 to 212 days after sowing. Samples of the pods and the seeds were analysed to determine their colour and protein, crude fibre, fat, and alkaloid contents. The results showed that while the protein concentration in the pods decreased as the fruits matured, the protein content in the seeds increased, reaching approximately 41%. Moreover, the pods exhibited a significant decrease in alcohol content, with the values dropping below 1% at the senescent (dry) stage for all the cultivars. In contrast, the alkaloid levels in the seeds remained stable from 196 days after sowing in the Guaranguito, Andean, and Ecuadorian cultivars, with concentrations around 4%. The present study showed that as the pods matured, their overall protein content decreased, while their seed protein content increased to around 41%. The alkaloid levels in the pods dropped below 1% in the dry stage, while the seed alkaloid levels remained stable at around 4% in the Guaranguito, Andean, and Ecuadorian cultivars after 196 days. However, in the Peruvian cultivar, the alkaloid content remained constant starting from 188 days after sowing, with concentrations just over 3%. This result suggests that as the pods mature, their alkaloid content decreases, while the alkaloid levels in the seeds stabilise from around 188 to 196 days after seeding. Consequently, the alkaloid contents found in the seeds likely originate from other aerial parts of the plant and are not significantly increased by the pods.

A factorial experiment was carried out in the Jisr Diyala region, east of Baghdad, to study a comparison of the types of organic fertilizers in interaction with the levels of phosphate fertilizer and the quality of irrigation water on some soil properties and yield of broad bean(Vicia faba L), using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) according to the split- split plot arrangement, and with three replications. Three factors were used, the first factor is water quality (well water and Diyala River water, I1 and I2) and the second is two types of organic fertilizers (control, sludge and sheep waste by 5 Mg ha-1, M0, M1 and M2) and the third is the addition of three levels of phosphorus (0, 80 and 160 kg ha-1, P0, P1, and P2) respectively. Seeds of faba bean (Vicia faba L.), cultivar Luz-de-otoho, were sown in winter season 2022, and analyzes were made for some physical and chemical properties of the soil after harvest. The results showed that the type of organic fertilizers had an effect on some chemical properties of the soil after harvest, as the electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil after harvest decreased significantly. The highest decrease was in the treatment I2M2P2, which amounted to 2.74 dS m –1, with a decrease of 52.10% compared to treatment (I1M0P0). The degree of soil reaction (pH) also decreased significantly, and the highest decrease was for treatment I1M2P2 at 7.41, with a decrease 3.89% compared to treatment (I2M0P0) . While the organic carbon increased significantly, and the highest significant increase was for the treatment I2M2P2 at 17.10 g Kgt -1, with an increase rate of 179.87% compared to treatment (I1M0P0). It was found that there was a significant effect on the dry pods weight, as the highest significant increase occurred when for the treatment I2M2P2 at 33.95 g plant-1, with an increase of 141.12% compared to treatment (I1M0P0) . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low production of domestic soybeans is due to the decreasing amount of productive land, so the cultivation of soybeans can be done by utilizing dry land. One type of dryland soil is grumusol soil, which is a less fertile soil and requires improvement through and applying biochar and organic fertilizers. Biochar is expected to increase water availability, thereby increasing nutrient absorption. The research was conducted by experiment with a randomized completed block design (RCBD) two-factor treatment. The treatments are biochar (without biochar as control, biochar of coconut shell, rice husk, and Strobilanthes cusia waste) and organic fertilizer (without fertilizer as control, chicken, cow, and goat manure). Each combination treatment, as an experiment unit, was replicated three times. The results showed that the types of biochar and organic fertilizer do not affect the growth and yield of soybeans. The application of types of biochar alone does not affect the soybean yield, but the various organic fertilizers alone can increase the yield of soybeans. Cow organic fertilizer was able to increase the total pods (31.68%), the number of seeds per plant (29.33%), and the stuffed pods (24.11%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Global warming and climate change are driving an alarming increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme climate events, such as droughts, heat waves, and their combination, inflicting heavy losses to agricultural production. Recent studies revealed that the transcriptomic responses of different crops to water deficit (WD) or heat stress (HS) are very different from that to a combination of WD + HS. In addition, it was found that the effects of WD, HS, and WD + HS are significantly more devastating when these stresses occur during the reproductive growth phase of crops, compared to vegetative growth. As the molecular responses of different reproductive and vegetative tissues of plants to WD, HS, or WD + HS could be different from each other and these differences could impact many current and future attempts to enhance the resilience of crops to climate change through breeding and/or engineering, we conducted a transcriptomic analysis of different soybean (Glycine max) tissues to WD, HS, and WD + HS. Here we present a reference transcriptomic dataset that includes the response of soybean leaf, pod, anther, stigma, ovary, and sepal to WD, HS, and WD + HS conditions. Mining this dataset for the expression pattern of different stress response transcripts revealed that each tissue had a unique transcriptomic response to each of the different stress conditions. This finding is important as it suggests that enhancing the overall resilience of crops to climate change could require a coordinated approach that simultaneously alters the expression of different groups of transcripts in different tissues in a stress‐specific manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pertumbuhan dan produksi kacang bogor sangat beragam tergantung lingkungan dan jenis aksesi yang ditanam. Kacang bogor dengan asal aksesi dan warna testa berbeda diduga memiliki daya tumbuh dan hasil yang berbeda. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pertumbuhan dan hasil delapan aksesi kacang bogor asal Sukabumi dan Bogor yang berbeda warna testanya. Penelitian dilaksanakan pada Bulan Maret-Agustus 2023 di Sukaresmi, Megamendung-Bogor (±610 m dpl). Penelitian menggunakan rancangan acak kelompok faktor tunggal. Faktor yang diuji adalah 8 aksesi kacang bogor asal Sukabumi dan Bogor dengan warna testa berbeda (Waluran kuning, Jampang Tengah PB hitam, Jampang Pabuaran hitam, Jampang Pabuaran kuning, Cibenda hitam, Jampang Tengah hitam, Babakan Sadeng hitam, dan Babakan Sadeng Kuning). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan hampir semua karakter yang diamati nyata dipengaruhi oleh aksesi kacang bogor, kecuali karakter daya tumbuh, tinggi tanaman 5 MST, jumlah daun 3 MST, luas daun, dan bobot 100 biji. Aksesi Jampang Tengah hitam memiliki potensi untuk dikembangkan karena pertumbuhan dan hasilnya relatif lebih unggul, seperti pada karakter tinggi tanaman 3 dan 16 MST, diameter kanopi 3 MST, bobot brangkasan, jumlah cabang, jumlah polong total dan bernas, bobot polong polong total segar dan kering, serta bobot polong bernas segar dan kering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was developed in the areas of the Jucaibama's Agricultural Experiment Station perteneciente to Investigaciones's Institute Agricultural Jorge Dimitrov. The objective was to evaluate the behavior of the yield and some of its components, nine cultivars of soybean, in the little rainy epoch on a mellow Fluvisol soil. Nine soybean cultivars were used (IS-36, William-82, Brillante, Vencedora, IS-1, DT-99, Duocrop, IS-27, IS-24), the sow accomplished in the month of December in 0.70 m between furrows and 0.05 m between plants. Plots of land of four furrows of five meters in length, for a total area of 14 m2 were utilized, in a design at blocks at random with four replies. An analysis of variance of double classification and the multiple comparison of stockings was executed by means of Tukey's test for p=0.05. Different answers between cultivars in all the evaluated variables were observed and all cultivars showed superior yields to 1 t ha-1, with values that oscillated between 1.05 and 1.86 t ha-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The cost of poultry feed directly impacts production yield. The search for feed formulations based on less expensive products is, therefore, an alternative to improve the profits of producers. This study was conducted in Maradi at the Regional Center for Agronomic Research of the National Institute of Agronomic Research of Niger to assess the effect of roasted Faidherbia albida pods on the zootechnical performance of Isa Brown laying chickens. Materials and methods: A total of 200 Isa Brown laying chickens, aged 21 weeks, were randomly assigned to four feeding groups with five replicates each. The chickens were housed in a 5 m × 10 m building, with 10 chickens per replicate in blocks of 1.71 m². The building featured ventilation, natural lighting, and bedding made from peanut shells. Apart from the control feed (F0), the experimental feeds contained 5% (F5), 10% (F10), and 15% (F15) crushed pods of Faidherbia albida roasted at 110°C. Millet and wheat bran were the main energy sources, while fishmeal and groundnut cake provided protein. Water was provided ad libitum to all chickens. The feed was distributed over 2 months. Results: The results showed that feed ingestion increased significantly with F10 compared to the control, while consumption remained comparable among the control, F15, and F5 groups. The incorporation of roasted Faidherbia albida pods led to a significant decrease in the feed conversion ratio, with a significant difference among the treatments. The best feed conversion ratio was obtained with the F5, followed by the control. Conclusion: The inclusion of Faidherbia albida in the chicken diet is beneficial for egg production. The optimal incorporation rate for roasted pods of Faidherbia albida was determined to be 10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study intended to evaluate the potential industrial applications of various Acacia species (Acacia melanoxylon, Acacia longifolia, Acacia cyclops, Acacia retinodes, Acacia pycnantha, Acacia mearnsii, and Acacia dealbata) by examining their chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, a comprehensive analysis successfully identified targeted compounds, including flavonoids (flavonols/flavones) and phenolic acids, such as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ellagic acid. Additionally, p-coumaric acid was specifically identified and quantified within the hydroxycinnamic aldehydes. This comprehensive characterization provides valuable insights into the chemical profiles of the studied species. Among the studied species, A. pycnantha exhibited a higher concentration of total phenolic compounds, including catechin, myricetin, quercetin, and coniferaldehyde. Furthermore, A. pycnantha displayed notable antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae, E. coli, S. Typhimurium, and B. cereus. The identified compounds in Acacia pods and their shown antibacterial activities exhibit promising potential for future applications. Moreover, vibrational spectroscopy was a reliable method for distinguishing between species. These significant findings enhance our understanding of Acacia species and their potential for various industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crotalaria pumila Ort. is a legume native to Mexico with little information about its forage potential based on its profile of accumulation during the summer, so a study was carried out with the aim of determining the total yield and the yield by component during 2021 to generate base information to decide regarding the possibility of the species as a forage species. In an area with spontaneous C. pumila, nine weekly samplings were carried out, in which we determined the total yield and yield by components: leaf, stem, flower, and pods, their proportional contribution to the total and number per plant and plant height. The statistical analysis was for a completely randomized design with three repetitions, the independent variable was the number of days elapsed in the summer. As the summer progressed, total and pod yields increased (p< 0.05), stem yield remained constant (p> 0.05), and leaf yield (p< 0.05) and the number of leaves per plant decreased, the increase in pod yield occurred with an increase (p< 0.05) in the number of pods per plant. The high pod yield made it possible to ensure a natural reseeding of C. pumila. The total yield ranged from 9 to just over 20 t ha-1. The conclusion is that based on the total yield, Crotalaria pumila can be a forage species option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prosopis juliflora is a xerophytic, nitrogen‐fixing plant distributed in arid and semi‐arid regions. The fruits of this plant are pods, which have seeds inside, and both pods and seeds have high nutritional value and bioactive potential. Different derivatives can be obtained from the pods and seeds: flour, starch, syrup, protein concentrate, and gums. This review aims to gather information from the literature on P. juliflora. It focuses on the nutritional value, bioactive activity, and technological application of pods, seeds, and their derivatives, highlighting their use in human nutrition and new research perspectives. The pod of P. juliflora can be used in several ways, as it has high levels of nutrients. It is used as a food supplement; it has antimicrobial effects and phytochemicals associated with other bioactive activity. Among the pod derivatives, flour is the most studied and can be widely used in bakery products. The seed of P. juliflora also has high nutritional potential and bioactive activity. Among its other derivatives, the gum stands out and can be used for various purposes in the food industry. To expand the use of pods, seeds, and their derivatives in human nutrition, further studies are needed on chemical composition, bioactive activity, toxicity, and nutritional, bioactive, technological, and sensory effects of their application in food products. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a joint effort involving scientists from academia, industry and regulatory agencies, ECETOC's activities in Omics have led to conceptual proposals for: (1) A framework that assures data quality for reporting and inclusion of Omics data in regulatory assessments; and (2) an approach to robustly quantify these data, prior to interpretation for regulatory use. In continuation of these activities this workshop explored and identified areas of need to facilitate robust interpretation of such data in the context of deriving points of departure (POD) for risk assessment and determining an adverse change from normal variation. ECETOC was amongst the first to systematically explore the application of Omics methods, now incorporated into the group of methods known as New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), to regulatory toxicology. This support has been in the form of both projects (primarily with CEFIC/LRI) and workshops. Outputs have led to projects included in the workplan of the Extended Advisory Group on Molecular Screening and Toxicogenomics (EAGMST) group of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and to the drafting of OECD Guidance Documents for Omics data reporting, with potentially more to follow on data transformation and interpretation. The current workshop was the last in a series of technical methods development workshops, with a sub-focus on the derivation of a POD from Omics data. Workshop presentations demonstrated that Omics data developed within robust frameworks for both scientific data generation and analysis can be used to derive a POD. The issue of noise in the data was discussed as an important consideration for identifying robust Omics changes and deriving a POD. Such variability or "noise" can comprise technical or biological variation within a dataset and should clearly be distinguished from homeostatic responses. Adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) were considered a useful framework on which to assemble Omics methods, and a number of case examples were presented in illustration of this point. What is apparent is that high dimension data will always be subject to varying processing pipelines and hence interpretation, depending on the context they are used in. Yet, they can provide valuable input for regulatory toxicology, with the pre-condition being robust methods for the collection and processing of data together with a comprehensive description how the data were interpreted, and conclusions reached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some authors have already evaluated the effects of foliar fertilizer application in peanut crop but but it is not a consolidated practice for this crop, especially with regard to the time of application of leaf fertilizers. This study aimed to verify the influence of foliar application of nutrients (N, P, K, S, B, Cu, and Fe) in two growth stages of the peanut crop. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme, being 4 fertilizer rates (0, 500, 1000 and 2000 g ha−1) applied in two crop growth stages (V6 and R1). At the stage of grain maturation, plant height, shoot dry weight, number of total grains, number of pods with one and two grains, harvest index and peanut yield were determined. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at p < 0.05 probability of error. The analysis of variance did not show a level of significance for the factors. The application of foliar fertilizer linearly increased plant height when applied in V6 and when applied in R6 there was a quadratic increase where the highest plant height was observed at the dose of 1000 g ha−1. There was no influence of foliar fertilization on the productive characteristics of peanut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the potential of Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) for affecting yield contributing factors and Nitrate Reductase Activity, an experiment was conducted on four Vigna mungo genotypes. The four mash bean genotypes, 80, 88, 97, and ES-1, were examined against Indole Acetic Acid concentrations of 25, 50, 75, 10, 12, and 150.0 mgL-1. Plants were grown in pots which were randomly placed in the Botanical garden of Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan. Pakistan. Four replicates of each treatment were developed and evaluated. Aforementioned amounts of Indole Acetic Acid were sprayed thrice, with intervals of ten days each. Ist spray was conducted at twenty days after germination. Nitrate Reductase Activity, grains number fruit-1, legumes number plant-1, and plant total yield were the traits chosen for study. After ten days of completion of three sprays of Indole Acetic Acid, Nitrate Reductase Activity (NRA) in the leaves was evaluated, and yield plant-1 and its contributing factors were noted when the crop reached at its physiological maturity. Typically, an exponential increase in the number of grains, legume per plant, total yield, and Nitrate Reductase Activity (NRA) was seen as Indole Acetic Acid concentration increased from 75.0 to 125.0 mgL-1. By using a statistical technique, it was found that the responses of different genotypes to Indole Acetic Acid concentrations varied. MASH 97 was proved to be the most influenced in term of total yield plant-1, the number of grains plants-1, and the Nitrate Reductase Activity (NRA). While, MASH ES-1 performance lagged behind all other genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current experiment aimed to determine the effects of the growing site on the chemical composition and fermentation parameters of carob pods. Carob pods from ten different trees were hand harvested from seven different growing sites namely; Silifke, Akdeniz, Tarsus, Aydincik, Taşucu, Toroslar and Gülnar in Mersin, Turkey in 2019 and oven dried at 50°C for three days. After drying, the carob pods were ground through a 1 mm-wide sieve for analysis and in vitro gas production (GP) testing. The growing site had a significant effect on the chemical composition, GP, and digestion values of carob pods. The crude ash (CA), crude protein (CP), ether extracts (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and condensed tannin (CT) contents of carob pods ranged from 2.49 to 3.51%, 5.58 to 9.14%, 2.88 to 3.38%, 17.67 to 28.03%, 11.17 to 17.94%, and 1.98 to 5.05%, respectively. The GP, methane (CH4) (mL), percentage of CH4, metabolizable energy (ME), and organic matter digestibility (OMD) ranged from 95.66 to 123.0 mL g-1 DM, 16.23 to 20.12 mL g-1 DM, 15.69 to 16.96%, 8.24 to 9.72 MJ kg-1 DM, and 54.53 to 63.40%, respectively. The GP, CH4 production, and ME contents of carob pods obtained from Silifke, Akdeniz, Tarsus, and Tasucu were significantly higher than those from the other growing sites, whereas the OMD of carob pods from Silifke and Tarsus was significantly higher than that from the other sites. The true digestible substrate (TDS), microbial protein yield (MPY), efficiency of microbial protein yield (EMPY), and true substrate digestibility (TSD) of carob pods ranged from 319.54 to 469.62 mg, 109.07 to 207.09 mg, 32.34 to 44.10%, and 68.43 to 96.11%, respectively. The TDS, MPY, EMPY, and TSD of carob pods from Tasucu were significantly higher than those from the other sites. The current study revealed valuable insight regarding the chemical composition and fermentation parameters of carob pods grown at different sites. Carop pods can be used in sheep diets to meet the energy requirement of mature sheep for maintenance and lactation whereas protein supplementation is essential when incorporating carob pods into the diets of lactating sheep to fulfill their dietary requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was carried out in the experimental field cultivated with peanuts at Research Development Station for Plant Culture on Sands in the period 2019-2021. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different harvest times on some elements of productivity and yield in peanuts grown under sandy soil conditions. The experiment was monofactorial with three harvest periods: 153, 163, 173 and 183 days after sowing (DAS). The Viviana variety was used for sowing. The results showed that the number of mature pods per plant was higher in the late harvest. The pod yield over the three years increased from 3805 kg/ha to 4710 kg/ha when the harvest was delayed from 153 days after sowing (DAS) to 173 days after sowing (DAS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research on the effect of seed positions within the pod on some growth indices of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) was conducted at the Western Farm of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture during 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons. It was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. The treatments comprised the seed positions of distal position, middle position and proximal position. Results of the research showed that fluted pumpkin stands with the longest vines of 4.72 and 5.89 cm; highest number of leaves of 48.77 and 44.29 as well as highest germination percentage of 35.25 and 35.00% in 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons were recorded by seeds located within the distal position of the pod. Similarly, days to 50% flowering of 75.50% and 76.00% in both cropping seasons revealed that seeds within the proximal position produced stands that gave early flowers over distal and middle positions which recorded late flowering. From the results therefore, seeds within the distal positions of fluted pumpkin pod gave stands with improved growth indices and are therefore recommended for the cultivation of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F.).

In Central European cropping systems, there is increasing interest in winter faba bean (Vicia faba L. minor), which is traditionally used as a spring crop. But limited knowledge on yield and yield formation and optimum seeding rate exist. Therefore, the purpose of this assessment was to compare soil coverage, yield and yield components of two winter faba bean varieties (Diva and Hiverna) with a spring faba bean (Alexia) with two seeding rates (SR), 25 versus 50 germinable seeds m−2 (S), in a two-year field experiment under Pannonian climate conditions in eastern Austria. Both winter faba bean varieties produced a high grain yield with 25 S, whereas that of Alexia tended to be higher with 50 S. The grain yield of Diva and Hiverna was with 25 S and that of Diva also with 50 S higher than that of Alexia. The higher SR caused in winter faba beans a higher intraspecific competition resulting in less stems plant−1. Pod density of Alexia was higher with 50 S compared to 25 S, while grains pod−1 and thousand kernel weight of all three varieties were not affected by SR. Results show that winter faba bean can be sown in Central Europe with lower seeding rates compared to spring faba bean without suffering a grain yield loss.

Kubernetes is an open-source container management tool which automates container deployment, container load balancing and container(de)scaling, including Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA), Vertical Pod Autoscaler (VPA). HPA enables flawless operation, interactively scaling the number of resource units, or pods, without downtime. Default Resource Metrics, such as CPU and memory use of host machines and pods, are monitored by Kubernetes. Cloud Computing has emerged as a platform for individuals beside the corporate sector. It provides cost-effective infrastructure, platform and software services in a shared environment. On the other hand, the emergence of industry 4.0 brought new challenges for the adaptability and infusion of cloud computing. As the global work environment is adapting constituents of industry 4.0 in terms of robotics, artificial intelligence and IoT devices, it is becoming eminent that one emerging challenge is collaborative schematics. Provision of such autonomous mechanism that can develop, manage and operationalize digital resources like CoBots to perform tasks in a distributed and collaborative cloud environment for optimized utilization of resources, ensuring schedule completion. Collaborative schematics are also linked with Bigdata management produced by large scale industry 4.0 setups. Different use cases and simulation results showed a significant improvement in Pod CPU utilization, latency, and throughput over Kubernetes environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prosopis species (mesquite trees) provide one of the main Non-Timber Forest Products of the Monte Desert and their pods have played an important role as a source of livelihood for the inhabitants of most arid regions of America. Our goals for this study were to analyze the morphological variability of P. flexuosa (mesquite) fruits and the chemical-nutritional properties (moisture content, ash, total protein, total lipids, total crude fiber, soluble sugars and total carbohydrates) of the endocarp-free flour in eight provenances distributed along the latitudinal gradient of the Monte desert (Pipanaco, Fiambalá, Chilecito, Telteca, Montecaseros, Las Catitas, Ñacuñán and San Rafael). The fruits were collected from locations isolated from each other by mountain ranges or by a distance of more than 100 km. A latitudinal differentiation in fruit morphology was observed between the locations. Those from the northernmost location (latitude 27° 58' - 29° 29' S) differed in their morphological characteristics in that they were longer, and therefore have more knots and seeds than the fruits of the southernmost populations (latitude 32° 22' - 35° 18' S). However, there was no observed effect of geographical location on the chemical characterization of the flour. Only the total fat content was higher in the southern population. P. flexuosa flour from Mendoza contained high levels of soluble sugars and carbohydrates in Telteca, which could be related to the water stress tolerance of mesquite trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study intended to evaluate the potential industrial applications of various Acacia species (Acacia melanoxylon, Acacia longifolia, Acacia cyclops, Acacia retinodes, Acacia pycnantha, Acacia mearnsii, and Acacia dealbata) by examining their chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, a comprehensive analysis successfully identified targeted compounds, including flavonoids (flavonols/flavones) and phenolic acids, such as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ellagic acid. Additionally, p-coumaric acid was specifically identified and quantified within the hydroxycinnamic aldehydes. This comprehensive characterization provides valuable insights into the chemical profiles of the studied species. Among the studied species, A. pycnantha exhibited a higher concentration of total phenolic compounds, including catechin, myricetin, quercetin, and coniferaldehyde. Furthermore, A. pycnantha displayed notable antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae, E. coli, S. Typhimurium, and B. cereus. The identified compounds in Acacia pods and their shown antibacterial activities exhibit promising potential for future applications. Moreover, vibrational spectroscopy was a reliable method for distinguishing between species. These significant findings enhance our understanding of Acacia species and their potential for various industrial applications.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is a perennial species originating from sub-Saharan Africa. Cowpea has long been cultivated in Indonesia and is classified as a species tolerant of drought and acid soil. Cowpea shows its adaptation to acidic soil (pH = 4.83) by being able to produce 50% to 60% of the seed weight under optimum conditions. This enhances the potential of cowpea to be used and developed as one of the current food options. This research was carried out to optimise of cowpea productivity by studying the relationship between the source and sink of cowpea. This research was conducted from December 2020 to March 2021 at the Cikabayan experimental station, Bogor Agricultural University. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized block design. Four cowpea varieties were evaluated, “Albina”, “Arghavan”, and “Uno”. The measured parameters consisted of photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, plant growth rate, the net assimilation rate of the number of pods, pod weight, number of seeds per pod, dry seed weight, the weight of 100-seeds, and productivity. The cowpea varieties did not show significant differences in the rate of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, plant growth rate, and net assimilation rate. Photosynthesis rate in the three cowpea varieties ranged from 29.20 to 31.77 mol. m⁻².s⁻1 at 50% flowering, and from 17.01 to 19.79 mol.m⁻².s⁻1 at the first harvest. The three cowpea varieties in this study showed no differences in their source-sink capacity and productivity.

Cocoa and cupuassu are evergreen Amazonian trees belonging to the genus Theobroma, with morphologically distinct fruits, including pods and beans. These beans are generally used for agri-food and cosmetics and have high fat and carbohydrates contents. The beans also contain interesting bioactive compounds, among which are polyphenols and methylxanthines thought to be responsible for various health benefits such as protective abilities against cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders and other metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Although these pods represent 50–80% of the whole fruit and provide a rich source of proteins, they are regularly eliminated during the cocoa and cupuassu transformation process. The purpose of this work is to provide an overview of recent research on cocoa and cupuassu pods and beans, with emphasis on their chemical composition, bioavailability, and pharmacological properties. According to the literature, pods and beans from cocoa and cupuassu are promising ecological and healthy resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work was designed to investigate the effects of different extraction processes, namely ultrasonic-assisted, supercritical fluid, microwave-assisted and Soxhlet applied to carob pods. The total phenolic quantification and the antioxidant activity were assessed by the means of rapid in vitro spectrophotometric assays; the phenolic profile was identified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The results revealed that the phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity varied significantly with the nature of the extraction process. The content of total phenolic compounds ranged from 11.55 to 34.38 mg GAE/g DW; the content of total flavonoids varied from 3.50 to 10.53 mg QE/g DW, and the content of condensed tannins fluctuated from 3.30 to 6.55 mg CE/ g DW. All extracts performed differently on antioxidant activity when determined by the DPPH assay producing a dose-dependent response, with IC50 extended from 11.33 to 6.07 µg/mL. HPLC analysis enabled the identification of nine compounds. As a function of the studied extraction methods, the phenolic compound contents were positively correlated with antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze fruit characteristics, genetic diversity, and in vitro spread of mesquite genotypes (Prosopis laevigata (Humb. & Bonpl.) ex Willd.) from the plains of Ojuelos-Aguascalientes, Mexico. Design/Methodology/Approach: Fruit and leaf samples were collected from 20 mesquite genotypes to analyze and extract DNA to determine their diversity using RAPDs. Simultaneously, in vitro spread tests were performed. Results: The Ojuelos de Jalisco genotype stood out for the weight of its fruits, while La Presa genotype stood out for its degrees Brix. Genotypes were grouped according to their best growth condition for their genetic analysis. In in vitro spread, AG3 with IBA allowed stem/shoot elongation and root formation; meanwhile, AgNO3 prevents leaf fall, allowing rooting and transfer to the soil. Study Implications/Limitations: This study about mesquite (P. laevigata) was limited to the plains of OjuelosAguascalientes. Findings/Conclusions: Mesquite plants from the Ojuelos-Aguascalientes subregion, Mexico, were identified and georeferenced; likewise, a methodology for its in vitro spread was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adaptive capabilities of pea specimens regarding some quantitative characteristics were assessed. Ten garden pea genotypes were used, three of them (Echo-af., Kazino-af. and line 22/16-af.) had afila leaf type, while the other seven (Marsy-n., Plovdiv-n., line 22/16-n., Shugar dwarf-n., Vecherniza-n., line B4/34-n. and line 1/17-n.) normal leaf type. The highest adaptive capacity was showed by: Marsi (41.94) and Plovdiv (20.70) in terms of total number of pods per plant; Casino-af. (225.80), Plovdiv (85.44) and Shugar duarf (42.50) with regard to weight of pods per plant; Plovdiv (28.42), Shugar duarf (17.46) and Marsi (13.64) concerning weight of green grains per plant; Marsi (551.22), Vechernitza (46.94) and Casino-af. (40.25) for number of nodules. The selection value of the genotype was more pronounced in: Shugar duarf (13.09), line B4-34 (13.09) and line 22/16-n. (10.69) in terms of the total number of pods; for Marsi (69.66), Shugar duarf (40.81) and line 22/16-n. (38.51) regarding number of nodules. All genotypes were found stable and slightly variable in the weight of nodules, but did not have high breeding value. The best combination of both adaptability and productivity for most of the traits was found in the genotypes Marsi, Kazino-af., Plovdiv and Shugar duarf, which can be used in the combinative breeding to create adaptive and highly productive genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pioneer plants are found in the former limestone mining area, and there are bacteria in their root systems. These bacteria can be used as biofertilizers. This study aims to find out the use of indigenous PGPR in ex-mining limestone land to be able to increase the yield of pea (Arachis hypogaea L.) var. Tuban. This research was an experimental study with 5 treatments applying indigenous PGPR at concentrations of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% and consist of 5 replications. Stages of research include planting peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) var. Tuban by adding indigenous PGPR with the same dose and source in an environment with sufficient sunlight. The parameters observed were biomass, pithy weight, empty pod weight, wet weight, dry weight, pH, and temperature of the planting medium for peanuts. In this study, the results showed that the concentration of PGPR 25% had a significant effect on the dry weight of peanuts and doesn’t had significant effect on biomass. Meanwhile, the provision of PGPR with different concentrations did not have a significant effect on the temperature and pH of the lime mining soil planting media

Youth and young adult (YYA) vaping is an escalating public health concern. Due to their sleek designs, desirable flavors, and high nicotine concentrations, pod-based devices currently hold the largest e-cigarette market share. The major contribution of pod-based devices to the vaping epidemic substantiates studying differences in perceptions and experiences between YYAs for pod and non-pod devices. Such evidence is imperative in hopes of developing device-specific interventions to decelerate e-cigarette use, which to date is limited. To address aforementioned gaps, nicotine-based e-cigarette users residing in Canada [N = 403, 53.6% male, mean age = 18.3 years (SD = 1.9), pod users = 62.5%] were surveyed using open-ended questions. Responses to each question were coded by topic. Using these codes, differences between YYA (youth versus young adults) use of each device type (pods and non-pod devices) were quantitatively examined for each topic and underlying categories. Youth non-pod users frequently reported nicotine rush and enhancement more frequently and positive social aspects less frequently than young adult non-pod users. Youth pod users reported more exposure to buying and selling vaping content on social media than young adult pod users. The novel findings of this study highlight the need for considering differences among YYA users of each device-type in developing policies and interventions. Policies in the form of reducing nicotine concentration and alternative coping strategy interventions will likely work for youth non-pod users, yet de-normalizing vaping through social marketing distinctively benefits young adult counterparts. Additionally, regulating social media in both user- and industry-generated forms is key for youth pod users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Central European cropping systems, there is increasing interest in winter faba bean (Vicia faba L. minor), which is traditionally used as a spring crop. But limited knowledge on yield and yield formation and optimum seeding rate exist. Therefore, the purpose of this assessment was to compare soil coverage, yield and yield components of two winter faba bean varieties (Diva and Hiverna) with a spring faba bean (Alexia) with two seeding rates (SR), 25 versus 50 germinable seeds m−2 (S), in a two-year field experiment under Pannonian climate conditions in eastern Austria. Both winter faba bean varieties produced a high grain yield with 25 S, whereas that of Alexia tended to be higher with 50 S. The grain yield of Diva and Hiverna was with 25 S and that of Diva also with 50 S higher than that of Alexia. The higher SR caused in winter faba beans a higher intraspecific competition resulting in less stems plant−1. Pod density of Alexia was higher with 50 S compared to 25 S, while grains pod−1 and thousand kernel weight of all three varieties were not affected by SR. Results show that winter faba bean can be sown in Central Europe with lower seeding rates compared to spring faba bean without suffering a grain yield loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybeans, a very valuable nutritious and cultivated plant, have recently received special attention for the improvement of new varieties. Their adaptability is increasing given the relatively large diversity of environmental conditions. Mainly the new varieties are distinguished both by the increased production of grains and by the contents in active principles as high as possible. At the same time, soybeans provide the current level required for the sustainable structure of crops on a farm. The Raluca TD variety, studied for its specific morphological characters, is one of the newest creations. Even in the conditions with recent dry periods, this variety has formed plants with heights of over 65 cm, with a total plant weight of 30 g. 3-4 branches have formed on a soybean stalk. Each plant formed 40-50 pods, weighing 15 g and 60 berries that weighed 7-10 g. The bean was 6.8 mm long, 5.8-6 mm thick, and the absolute weight of the berries was 120 g. Significantly positive correlations were obtained between these morphological characters in most cases. Insignificant situations were between the length of the grain with the other characters, between the thickness of the grain with the other characters - with two negative exceptions. The mass of one thousand berries was positively correlated with the weight of the berries on a plant and the size of the berries. The variability of the determined characters was reduced to the height of the plants and the size of the grains, average values were to the number, the grains from one pod and high values to the other characters, mainly due to the existence of the dry bottom. However, the Raluca TD variety, with improved morphological characteristics, proved to be a good adaptability to the zonal cultivation conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have shown that the analysis of morphological traits in soybeans could provide new directions in the breeding process. Having a rich genetic diversity, the plant manifest itself in close connection with the concrete conditions in the crop environment. In the present study, two early soybean varieties were compared: Cristina TD and Onix, which are recommended by their performance in farm conditions. In both varieties, some new directions have been found, these being recently improved, namely through improved morphological characters. In the comparison between the two varieties, the plants had a height of 69 cm in Cristina TD and 65 cm in Onix. In the same order the wieght of the average plant was 24 g to 27 g, with a number of about 4 branches. The number of pods on a plant was 31 (Cristina TD) to 40 (Onix), weighing 12 g and 15 g. The number of beans on an average plant was 67 to 85, weighing 6.9 g at 8.5 g, the number of grains in a pod was approximately equal to 2.13-2.15. the grain had the length in favor of the Cristina TD variety, 7.1 mm to 6.7 mm for Onix, and the grain thickness ranged between 5.3 and 5.5 mm. The mass of one thousand grains exceeded 100 g in Cristina TD (104.5 g) and was below 100 g in Onix (98.4 g). The number of grains and their weight were positively correlated with the other characters in both varieties, while the mass of one thousand grains depended more on the weight of the grains and their thickness in the Cristina TD variety. The study of the morphological characters of the two new soybeans varieties demonstrated a good adaptability in the conditions of the white luvicsoil from the south of the territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Attempts to utilise growth factors (GF) such as bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) to treat osteoarthritis (OA) in the clinic have not secured widespread adoption. However, the novel crystalline GF formulation called PODS offers new perspectives. This study investigated the hypothesis that Polyhedrin Delivery System (PODS) BMP-2 and PODS BMP-7, compared with conventional BMP-2 and BMP-7 increase capacity for cartilage repair. Design: Sustained release from PODS BMP-2 and PODS BMP-7 and their effects on OA patient-derived cells as well as a chondrocyte cell line were first assessed in vitro. Here, extra cellular matrix (ECM) protein gene expression and actual ECM deposition were measured and compared to the effect achieved with conventional, soluble BMPs. Subsequently, in an established murine model of cartilage regeneration of the knee joint, changes were traced over 8 weeks and scored with two metrics, modified Pineda and Mankin. Results: Both crystalline PODS BMP formulations strongly induced proliferation in primary as well as immortal cell line chondrocytes, outperforming conventional soluble BMP-2 and BMP-7. Furthermore, ECM-producing genes were upregulated and the production of ECM could be demonstrated. In the murine cartilage regeneration model, both PODS BMP-2 and PODS-BMP-7 improved cartilage repair assessed with both histological scoring methods. Conclusions: This study showed that the sustained release of GF from PODS BMPs is effective in promoting chondrogenesis in vitro. The small animal data suggests that this novel approach of delivering therapeutic proteins sustainably and locally to the knee has promise for developing future disease-modifying therapies of OA.

A field experiment was conducted at the experimental fields in the collage of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, Iraq during the period from mid. March 2019 to to end of July 2020. The main objective was to find out the effect of humic acid (HA) concentration (0, 1, 2 and 3 cm³.L-1) and three stages of foliar application (vegetative, growth, flowers buds emergence and 50% flowering) on seeds yield and its components of alfalfa local variety. Layout of the experiment was R.C.B.D arranged in split-plot, with three replications. Foliar application stages were used as main-plots, while humic acid concentrations were used as sub-plots. Results showed that spraying of HA at conc. 3 cm³.L- 1 resulted in a significant increment in number of florets per raceme and number of pods per raceme, in contrast, % of florets abortion in and 1000 seeds weight were not significantly influenced by HA conc. and spraying stages. Highest number of the stems.m-2, number of racemes per stem, seed set and seeds yield (441.0) Kg.ha-1 were obtained from plants sprayed with HA at conc. 3 cm³.L-1. Plants sprayed at vegetative growth produce highest number of stems.m-2 number of raceme per stem, number of seeds per pod and seeds yield (423.6) Kg.ha-1. There was high positive correlation between seeds yield and each of, number of stems.m-2, number of pods per raceme and number of raceme per stem (+0.88**, +0.70** and +0.82**) respectively. There was a significant interaction between HA concentration and spraying stages on seeds yield. The higher seeds yield (485.) Kg.ha-1 was obtained when alfalfa plants were sprayed with HA at the conc. of 2 cm³.L-1 in vegetative growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Soybean is a key crop in many countries, being used from human food to the animal industry due to its nutritional properties. Financially, the grain chain moves large sums of money into the economy of producing countries. However, like other agricultural commodities around the world, it can have its final yield seriously compromised by abiotic environmental stressors, like drought. As flowers imply in pods and in grains inside it to minimize damages caused by water restriction, researchers have focused on understanding flowering-process related genes and their interactions. Here a review dedicated to the soybean flowering process and gene network involved in it is presented, describing gene interactions and how genes act in this complex mechanism, also ruled by environmental triggers such as day-light and circadian cycle. The objective was to gather information and insights on the soybean flowering process, aiming to provide knowledge useful to assist in the development of drought-tolerant soybean lines, minimizing losses due to delays or anticipation of flowering and, consequently, restraining financial and productivity losses.

The transition from hospital to home or community is a vulnerable time for patients and families, who face risks associated with misunderstanding instructions about medications, self-monitoring and when to seek emergency care. The quality of the discharge process can have a significant impact on patient confidence, overall patient experience, ability to manage health at home, and hospital readmission rates. Patient Oriented Discharge Summary (PODS) is a standardized form and set of process changes, utilized to overcome communication barriers faced at discharge. We implemented PODS in two Acute Medicine units of a tertiary care hospital in western Canada and used a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the four process changes (PODS form, use of teach-back, engagement of caregivers in discharge teaching, follow-up phone calls). Evaluation showed that 60% of patients received PODS and 87% found the form helpful. There was a large increase in the percentage of patients who felt adequately prepared at the time of discharge, and a 10% increase in the number of patients who rated their overall hospital experience positively. Healthcare providers reported that using PODS they were more confident that patients were adequately prepared to return home. The update of PODS on the implementation units has been sustained at 60% for 18 months. Implementation of the PODS form and process can be accomplished with an interdisciplinary team, leadership support and by working closely with Patient Family Partners. PODS can improve the discharge process even in the complex urban acute medical environment in ways that offer wide-reaching benefits. Experience Framework This article is associated with the Quality & Clinical Excellence lens of The Beryl Institute Experience Framework (https://www.theberylinstitute.org/ExperienceFramework). Access other PXJ articles related to this lens. Access other resources related to this lens.

Cocoa and cupuassu are evergreen Amazonian trees belonging to the genus Theobroma, with morphologically distinct fruits, including pods and beans. These beans are generally used for agri-food and cosmetics and have high fat and carbohydrates contents. The beans also contain interesting bioactive compounds, among which are polyphenols and methylxanthines thought to be responsible for various health benefits such as protective abilities against cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders and other metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Although these pods represent 50–80% of the whole fruit and provide a rich source of proteins, they are regularly eliminated during the cocoa and cupuassu transformation process. The purpose of this work is to provide an overview of recent research on cocoa and cupuassu pods and beans, with emphasis on their chemical composition, bioavailability, and pharmacological properties. According to the literature, pods and beans from cocoa and cupuassu are promising ecological and healthy resources.