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EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING ON MILK PRODUCTION AND MILK CONTENT OF EWES OF KAZAKH FAT-TAILED SEMI-COARSE-WOOLED BREED
Abstract
Мақалада қазақтың ұяң жүнді құйрықты қойларының сүттілігі мен сүт құрамына қосымша азықтандырудың әсеріне арналған зерттеу нәтижелері келтірілген.Зерттеу нысаны ретінде Қарағанды облысы жағдайында өсірілетін қазақтың ұяң жүнді құйрықты қой тұқымының төрт жастағы саулықтары болды. Жалпы тәжірибеге 30 бас саулық, оның ішінде тәжірибелік топта 15 бас және бақылау тобына 15 бас аналог әдісімен алынған. Тәжірибедегі барлық саулықтар бір жағдайда жайылымда күтіп бағылған. Тәжірибелік топтағы саулықтарға қосымша азық ретінде экструдталған құрамажем тәулігіне бір басқа 300 г беріліп, ал бақылау тобына қосымша азықтар берілмеген. Зерттеу барысында тәжірибеге алынған саулықтар желіндерінің морфологиялық көрсеткіштері тәжірибенің басы мен соңында анықталып, лактацияның 105 күнінен бастап желін өлшемдерінің өзгерістері байқалған. Сауылған сүт мөлшері бойынша лактация басында саулықтардың орташа тәуліктік сауымы бақылау және тәжірибелік топтарына сәйкесінше 1380 және 1400 г құраса, ал тәжірибе соңында сәйкесінше 230 және 260 г болған, яғни зерттеуге алынған топтар бойынша тәжірибе тобының сүттілік көрсеткіші басым болғаны анықталған (P<0,05). Тәжірибедегі саулықтар сүтінің физика-химиялық құрамы бойынша қалыпты норма шегінде болды. Қосымша азықтандырылған саулықтардың сүтіндегі май мөлшері лактация соңына дейін тұрақты болатыны анықталды.
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The fruit and vegetable picking has posed a great challenge on the production and markets during the harvest season. Manual picking cannot fully meet the rapid requirements of each market, mainly due to the high labor-intensive and time-consuming tasks, even the aging and shortage of agricultural labor force in recent years. Alternatively, smart robotics can be an efficient solution to increase the planting areas for the markets in combination with changes in cultivation, preservation, and processing technology. However, some improvements still need to be performed on these picking robots. To document the progress in and current status of this field, this study performed a bibliometric analysis. This analysis evaluated the current performance characteristics of various fruit and vegetable picking robots for better prospects in the future. Five perspectives were proposed covering the robotic arms, end effectors, vision systems, picking environments, and picking performance for the large-scale mechanized production of fruits and vegetables in modern agriculture. The current problems of fruit and vegetable picking robots were summarized. Finally, the outlook of the fruit and vegetable picking robots prospected from four aspects: structured environment for fruit planting, the algorithm of recognition and positioning, picking efficiency, and cost-saving picking robots. This study comprehensively assesses the current research status, thus helping researchers steer their projects or locate potential collaborators. © 2022, Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering. All rights reserved.
In the face of the contradiction between the increasing demand for agricultural products and the sharp reduction of agricultural resources and labor force, agricultural robot technology is developing explosively on the basis of decades of technical and industrial exploration. In view of the complexity and particularity of the development of agricultural robot technology, it is of great value to summarize its development characteristics and make reasonable judgments on its development trend. In this paper, the type of agricultural robot systems was first discussed. From the classification of agricultural robot systems, the development of main types of monitoring robots, non-selective and selective working robots for crop farming, livestock and poultry farming and aquaculture were introduced in detail. Then the scientific research, core technology, and commercialization of different types of agricultural robots were summarized. It is believed that navigation in complex agricultural environments, damage-free robot-crop interaction, and agronomy-robot fusion have high scientific value and significance to promote the revolutionary advances in agricultural robot technology. The characteristics of inter-discipline between agricultural robot technology and new materials, artificial intelligence, bionics, agronomy are research focus. The fast damage-free operation, autonomous navigation for complex environments, target detection for complex backgrounds, and special design for agricultural robots are considered to be the key technology of agricultural robot development, and the development path is given. Finally, robot-crop interaction simulation, big data support, and artificial intelligence are regarded as paths to realize the breakthrough of key agricultural robot technologies. The summary and prospect of this paper are of positive significance to promote the overall development of agricultural robot technology. © 2021, Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering. All rights reserved.
Farm robots may lead to an ecological utopia where swarms of small robots help in overcoming the yield penalties and labor requirements associated with agroecological farming – or a dystopia with large robots cultivating monocultures. Societal discussions and policy action are needed to harness the potential of robots to serve people and the planet. See this link for the full-text: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1dO%7E4cZ3WqeaM
Selfing (self-pollination) is the ultimate form of inbreeding, or mating among close relatives. Selfing can create yield loss when inbreeding depression, defined as a lower survival and reproduction of inbred relative to outbred progeny, is present. To determine the impact of selfing in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), we quantified the selfing rate of 32 alfalfa seed production fields located in three regions, namely, the Pacific Northwest (PNW), the Central Valley of California (CEV), and the Imperial Valley of California (IMP). Selfing rates (the proportion of selfed seeds) varied between 5.3 and 30% with an average of 12.2% over the 32 seed production fields. In both the parents and their progeny, we observed an excess of heterozygotes relative to Hardy–Weinberg expectations. We detected notable levels of inbreeding in parents (0.231 ± 0.007 parental inbreeding coefficient) and progeny (0.229 ± 0.005). There were a 15% decrease in the number of seeds per stem (seed set) and a 13% decline in the number of seeds per pod in selfed relative to outcrossed stems, but negligible inbreeding depression for pods per raceme and seed weight. The number of racemes on selfed stems increased significantly in fields with greater selfing rates, supporting the presence of geitonogamous or among flower selfing. Despite the significant level of inbreeding depression, seed set did not decrease in fields with higher selfing rates, where the greater number of racemes on the selfed stems increased the seed set. The effects of the field selfing rate on the seed yield metrics were mostly indirect with direct effects of the number of racemes per stem. Available data indicate that the majority of selfing in alfalfa is pollinator-mediated, and thus, eliminating selfing in alfalfa seed production would require the selection of self-incompatible varieties, which, by eliminating inbreeding depression, would provide a 15% potential increase in seed yield and an increase in future hay yield.
The field expedition has collected 144 samples at the ecotype level of seven wild alfalfa species, which are the source of adaptive properties. One part of the original seeds has been placed for medium-term storage as the gene pool, and the other part has been sown in the culture to use wild-growing species in recurrent breeding. It has been found that the productivity of wild species is inferior to that of M. sativa L., but they are valuable as a source of adaptation traits: drought tolerance, salt tolerance, and winter hardiness, which are important with the development of recurrent breeding to adapt the crops to the global climate change. The yield of the hybrid plants in the offspring from crossing seven ecotypes of M. falcata L. (yellow-flowered) with M. sativa L. (blue-flowered) using a marker-trait has been established: the hybrid nature of the plants obtained from free entomophilic cross-pollination has been established, and the yield of the hybrid plants has amounted to 61 – 91 %. In the hybrid population obtained from M. sativa sybsp. transoxona, M. falcata L., and M. tianschanica Vass. upon crossing them, 50 best phenotypes have been selected to continue the backcrossing with M. sativa L.
The constant advances in agricultural robotics aim to overcome the challenges imposed by population growth, accelerated urbanization, high competitiveness of high-quality products, environmental preservation and a lack of qualified labor. In this sense, this review paper surveys the main existing applications of agricultural robotic systems for the execution of land preparation before planting, sowing, planting, plant treatment, harvesting, yield estimation and phenotyping. In general, all robots were evaluated according to the following criteria: its locomotion system, what is the final application, if it has sensors, robotic arm and/or computer vision algorithm, what is its development stage and which country and continent they belong. After evaluating all similar characteristics, to expose the research trends, common pitfalls and the characteristics that hinder commercial development, and discover which countries are investing into Research and Development (R&D) in these technologies for the future, four major areas that need future research work for enhancing the state of the art in smart agriculture were highlighted: locomotion systems, sensors, computer vision algorithms and communication technologies. The results of this research suggest that the investment in agricultural robotic systems allows to achieve short—harvest monitoring—and long-term objectives—yield estimation.
Estimations of world population growth urgently require improving the efficiency of agricultural processes, as well as improving safety for people and environmental sustainability, which can be opposing characteristics. Industry is pursuing these objectives by developing the concept of the “intelligent factory” (also referred to as the “smart factory”) and, by studying the similarities between industry and agriculture, we can exploit the achievements attained in industry for agriculture. This article focuses on studying those similarities regarding robotics to advance agriculture toward the concept of “intelligent farms” (smart farms). Thus, this article presents some characteristics that agricultural robots should gain from industrial robots to attain the intelligent farm concept regarding robot morphologies and features as well as communication, computing, and data management techniques. The study, restricted to robotics for outdoor farms due to the fact that robotics for greenhouse farms deserves a specific study, reviews different structures for robot manipulators and mobile robots along with the latest techniques used in intelligent factories to advance the characteristics of robotics for future intelligent farms. This article determines similarities, contrasts, and differences between industrial and field robots and identifies some techniques proven in the industry with an extraordinary potential to be used in outdoor farms such as those derived from methods based on artificial intelligence, cyber-physical systems, Internet of Things, Big Data techniques, and cloud computing procedures. Moreover, different types of robots already in use in industry and services are analyzed and their advantages in agriculture reported (parallel, soft, redundant, and dual manipulators) as well as ground and aerial unmanned robots and multi-robot systems.
Northern Kazakhstan is the main zone of spring wheat cultivation where, 85 % of the cultivated area is located. There is not a single variety resistant to Septoria spot among the varieties approved for use. The frequency of epiphytoties of wheat diseases in the northern part of Kazakhstan is four cases every ten years. During the years of epiphytotic development of brown rust and Septoria spot with the dominance of a particular disease, the yield of spring wheat is reduced by 25 % or more. Knowledge of the species composition of pathogens of Septoria spot allows a more focused approach to the study and creation of varieties of wheat resistant to this disease. The aim of the research is to study the species of Septoria spot pathogens in wheat in Northern Kazakhstan. In 2018–2019, the pathogenic complex of the causative agents of wheat Septoria spot was studied. The collection of leaves affected by Septoria spot was carried out on spring wheat varieties in the steppe, forest-steppe zones of Northern Kazakhstan. The species composition of Septoria pathogens was determined from microscopic preparations from the collected samples; which were represented by three types of septorial fungi: Septoria tritici, Stagonospora nodorum, Stagonospora avenae. In the steppe and forest-steppe zones of Northern Kazakhstan, the dominant species was S. tritici followed by S. nodorum.
Changing climates and associated increased variability pose risks to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivation, with the requirement to establish, survive, and maintain production under water stress. Crop wild relatives (CWR) of alfalfa include populations that have evolved to survive in a number of different, extreme environments, but until recently have had limited use in breeding programs. Here we report on the phenotypic diversity of alfalfa crop wild relatives that were selected to represent extremes in drought tolerance (by sourcing germplasm from environments with extremes in low rainfall, high temperature, shallow soils, and winter freezing) with the aim of providing germplasm with drought tolerance and improved forage yield traits for breeding programs in both warm and cool dry temperate environments. Newly formed hybrids created between M. sativa, M. arborea L. (a woody shrub), and M. truncatula Gaertn. (an annual species from the Mediterranean region) were developed or acquired to introduce new genetic diversity from the tertiary genepool. Preliminary characterization and evaluation was used for taxonomic classification, and to identify wild accessions and pre‐bred (hybrid) lines that offer new diversity for growth habit, seed size, fall dormancy, and forage yield. The accessions and pre‐breeding lines described have been donated to the Australian Pastures Genebank for conservation and distribution.
Yeasts affiliated with the Metschnikowia pulcherrima clade (subclade) of the large ascomycetous genus Metschnikowia frequently turn out to produce the characteristic maroon-red pulcherrimin when tested for pigment production and prove to exert antagonistic effects on many types of microorganisms. The determination of the exact taxonomic position of the strains is hampered by the shortage of distinctive morphological and physiological properties of the species of the clade and the lack of rDNA barcode gaps. The rDNA repeats of the type strains of the species are not homogenized and are assumed to evolve by a birth-and-death mechanism combined with reticulation. The taxonomic division is further hampered by the incomplete biological (reproductive) isolation of the species: certain type strains can be hybridized and genome sequencing revealed chimeric genome structures in certain strains that might have evolved from interspecies hybrids (alloploid genome duplication). Various mechanisms have been proposed for the antimicrobial antagonism. One is related to pulcherrimin production. The diffusible precursor of pulcherrimin, the pulcherriminic acid is secreted by the cells into the environment where it forms the insoluble pulcherrimin with the ferric ions. The lack of free iron caused by the immobilization of ferric ions inhibits the growth of many microorganisms. Recent results of research into the complexity of the taxonomic division of the pulcherrimin-producing Metschnikowia yeasts and the mechanism(s) underlying their antimicrobial antagonism are discussed in this review.
This article discusses the ways of solving the problems of fruiting and increasing the yields, as well as obtaining high-quality standard seeds from promising seed plants of black saksaul (Haloxylon aphyllum (Minkw.) Iljin). It presents the results of studying the effect of irrigation and the use of fertilizers on the annual growth of the apical shoots of saksaul, and the effect of irrigation on the further stability of seed plants fruiting for sustainable seed supply for reproduction of saksaul deserts and forest amelioration of deserts. The morphological description of the soil by profiles has been given, and the effect of irrigation on the soils of the type II forest conditions has been described.
This study was aimed at resolving the problem of fruiting frequency, increasing the yield and quality of promising black saksaul seed plants by determining the moisture dynamics in the one-meter thick soil layer under saksaul specimens for determining the methods, norms, and time of irrigating seed plants.
Long-term observations show that well-developed specimens of black saksaul have appeared in the last 15 – 20 years on the roadside in some settlements, e.g., Bakbakty, Bakanas, Akkol, Koktal, Karoy, the motor road in village Kanshengel, Topar, Araltobe, Akzhar in the Almaty area, which passes through natural saksaul plantings and the soil with the formation of layered clay, sandy loam, and crushed stone. On the one hand, this was promoted by the presence of layered and well-aerated roadsides of the bulk roadbed, and on the other hand, by additional wetting from the runoff of precipitation from the asphalt pavement.
Naturally, these saksaul plantings growing along the roads alone or in rows give a good yield when fruiting; seed plants may also be identified in these groups
The information that crops offer is turned into profitable decisions only when efficiently managed. Current advances in data management are making Smart Farming grow exponentially as data have become the key element in modern agriculture to help producers with critical decision-making. Valuable advantages appear with objective information acquired through sensors with the aim of maximizing productivity and sustainability. This kind of data-based managed farms rely on data that can increase efficiency by avoiding the misuse of resources and the pollution of the environment. Data-driven agriculture, with the help of robotic solutions incorporating artificial intelligent techniques, sets the grounds for the sustainable agriculture of the future. This paper reviews the current status of advanced farm management systems by revisiting each crucial step, from data acquisition in crop fields to variable rate applications, so that growers can make optimized decisions to save money while protecting the environment and transforming how food will be produced to sustainably match the forthcoming population growth.
The shortage of qualified human labor is a key challenge facing farmers, limiting profit margins and preventing the adoption of sustainable and diversified agroecosystems, such as agroforestry. New technologies in robotics could offer a solution to such limitations. Advances in soft arms and manipulators can enable agricultural robots that can have better reach and dexterity around plants than traditional robots equipped with hard industrial robotic arms. Soft robotic arms and manipulators can be far less expensive to manufacture and significantly lighter than their hard counterparts. Furthermore, they can be simpler to design and manufacture since they rely on fluidic pressurization as the primary mechanisms of operation. However, current soft robotic arms are difficult to design and control, slow to actuate, and have limited payloads. In this paper, we discuss the benefits and challenges of soft robotics technology and what it could mean for sustainable agriculture and agroforestry.
The study shows the results of determining the optimum sowing period and the harvesting phase for obtaining the highest hay quality of barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea). The highest hay yield of barnyard millet was ensured by sowing in the third decade of May with a yield of 4.3 tons/ha. The highest values of crude protein (12.8%), crude fat (1.9%), crude ash (8.5%), soluble carbohydrates (3.8%) and carotene (204 mg/kg) in dry weight were noted in case of sowing in the first decade of June. The content of raw fiber was higher for early sowing periods than for late sowing. In case of sowing in the second decade of May, it was 36.7%, in the third decade of May – 31.7%, and in the first decade of June – 30.2%. It is possible to isolate the shooting phase where the content of crude protein and carotene was 12.2% and 238 mg/kg, respectively. High content of raw fat, ash, and soluble carbohydrates (sugar) was also noted in the earing phase and amounted to 9.7, 12.3 and 12.8%. The more age, the more the fiber amount in dry matter. It was 34.8% in the flowering phase. According to the results of the study, it can be said that the optimal seeding time for barnyard millet is the latest seeding time. The earing phase is the best harvesting phase for obtaining the best yield of barnyard millet.
Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is one of the newly introduced insect pest of tomato in Nepal, which was first detected by Entomology Division, Nepal Agricultural Research Council from a commercial tomato grower of Balaju, Kathmandu on 16 th May 2016. The pest occurs all-round the year within the temperature range of 20-27 ° C, and therefore, the environment of mid hills and plains of Nepal is suitable for sustaining the pest except during the winter season. T. absoluta pest mainly attacks Solanaceous crops, especially evident in tomato, however, it is also found in non-solanaceous crops. Larva of the pest is devastating causing damage in fruit, leaves and stem, and reducing tomato production by 80-100% in open field as well as in plastic house, if no control measures are carried out. Chemicals, like Spinosad, Chlorantraniliprole and Novaluron are recommended in Nepal for controlling this pest, but studies have revealed the inefficacy of chemical control measures due to wide host range, faster reproducing ability and development of pesticide resistance. Therefore, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with mass trapping of the pest using pheromone trap, biological control by predator, parasitoid, entomopathogenic microbes, including cultural practices are imperative for the effective control of this pest.
Digital farming is the practice of modern technologies such as sensors, robotics, and data analysis for shifting from tedious operations to continuously automated processes. This paper reviews some of the latest achievements in agricultural robotics, specifically those that are used for autonomous weed control, field scouting, and harvesting. Object identification, task planning algorithms, digitalization and optimization of sensors are highlighted as some of the facing challenges in the context of digital farming. The concepts of multi-robots, human-robot collaboration, and environment reconstruction from aerial images and ground-based sensors for the creation of virtual farms were highlighted as some of the gateways of digital farming. It was shown that one of the trends and research focuses in agricultural field robotics is towards building a swarm of small scale robots and drones that collaborate together to optimize farming inputs and reveal denied or concealed information. For the case of robotic harvesting, an autonomous framework with several simple axis manipulators can be faster and more efficient than the currently adapted professional expensive manipulators. While robots are becoming the inseparable parts of the modern farms, our conclusion is that it is not realistic to expect an entirely automated farming system in the future.
Effect of peat, compost (vegetable waste) and traditional practicing media (soil, sand and farmyard manure) alone and in combinations, was examined on the quality of tomato seedlings (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) at Directorate of Vegetable, DHRD, NARC, Islamabad, during 2013-14. Germination and several seedling quality variables, like, days to emergence, shoot length, height, vigor index, dry matter accumulation and benefit cost ratio, were monitored. Maximum germination percentage (95), seedlings shoot length (26.67 cm), seedling height (35 cm), seedling vigor index (3325) and minimum days to emergence (15.33) were observed in T 9 (peat, compost and traditional practicing media in 1:1:1 ratio). Maximum dry matter accumulation (34.80%) was recorded in T 1 (peat). Maximum benefit cost ratio (2.70) is calculated for T 0 : traditional practicing media (soil, sand and farmyard manure in 1:1:1 ratio). Optimum growth of tomato seedlings was observed when peat, compost and traditional practicing media were used in equal proportions.
Plant immunity inducers represent a new and rapidly developing field in plant protection research. In this paper, we discuss recent research on plant immunity inducers and their development and applications in China. Plant immunity inducers include plant immunity-inducing proteins, chitosan oligosaccharides, and microbial inducers. These compounds and microorganisms can trigger defense responses and confer disease resistance in plants. We also describe the mechanisms of plant immunity inducers and how they promote plant health. Furthermore, we summarize the current situation in plant immunity inducer development in China and the global marketplace. Finally, we also deeply analyze the development trends and application prospects of plant immunity inducers in environmental protection and food safety.
Plant pathogens are the main threat for profitable agricultural productivity. Currently, chemical-based pesticides are thought to be an effective and reliable agricultural management measure for controlling pests. Chemical pesticides are highly effective and convenient to use but they are a potential threat for the environment and all kinds of life on earth. Therefore, the use of biological control agents for the management of plant pathogens is considered as a safer and sustainable strategy for safe and profitable agricultural productivity. Bacillus-based biocontrol agents play a fundamental role in the field of biopesticides. Many Bacillus species have proved to be effective against a broad range of plant pathogens. They have been reported as plant growth promoter, systemic resistance inducer, and used for production of a broad range of antimicrobial compounds (lipopeptides, antibiotics and enzymes) and competitors for growth factors (space and nutrients) with other pathogenic microorganisms through colonization. The aim of this article is to present the biocontrol potential of Bacillus species in relation with their antagonizing attributes against plant pathogens. These attributes include production of lipopeptides, antibiotics and enzymes as well as plant growth promotion and systemic induced resistance.
This review presents a comprehensive and systematic study of the field of plant biostimulants and considers the fundamental and innovative principles underlying this technology. The elucidation of the biological basis of biostimulant function is a prerequisite for the development of science-based biostimulant industry and sound regulations governing these compounds. The task of defining the biological basis of biostimulants as a class of compounds, however, is made more complex by the diverse sources of biostimulants present in the market, which include bacteria, fungi, seaweeds, higher plants, animals and humate-containing raw materials, and the wide diversity of industrial processes utilized in their preparation. To distinguish biostimulants from the existing legislative product categories we propose the following definition of a biostimulant as “a formulated product of biological origin that improves plant productivity as a consequence of the novel or emergent properties of the complex of constituents, and not as a sole consequence of the presence of known essential plant nutrients, plant growth regulators, or plant protective compounds.” The definition provided here is important as it emphasizes the principle that biological function can be positively modulated through application of molecules, or mixtures of molecules, for which an explicit mode of action has not been defined. Given the difficulty in determining a “mode of action” for a biostimulant, and recognizing the need for the market in biostimulants to attain legitimacy, we suggest that the focus of biostimulant research and validation should be upon proof of efficacy and safety and the determination of a broad mechanism of action, without a requirement for the determination of a specific mode of action. While there is a clear commercial imperative to rationalize biostimulants as a discrete class of products, there is also a compelling biological case for the science-based development of, and experimentation with biostimulants in the expectation that this may lead to the identification of novel biological molecules and phenomenon, pathways and processes, that would not have been discovered if the category of biostimulants did not exist, or was not considered legitimate.
Healthy seed germination and vigorous seedlings are important in all crops for obtaining bumper yield under harsh environment. The objective of this study was to assess the potential of pre-sowing seed treatments in improving germination and early seedling growth of wheat cultivars. Laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the efficacy of different presowing treatments on seed germination behavior and vigor attributes of four wheat cultivars, Pirsabak-2013, Shahkar-2013, Hashim and Lalma at Agronomy research laboratory, University of Agriculture, Peshawar.Studied treatments include hydropriming (distilled water) and halopriming
with Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (2%) for 24 hours. For seed hardening, seed were soaked in
CAN solution (2%) for 24 hours and drying back to original moisture content at room temperature
and this cycle was repeated twice for 12 hours. Dry/non primed seeds were used as control.
Results revealed that halopriming and seed hardening with CAN solution (2%) improved the rate
of germination in all wheat cultivars and reduced the mean germination time compared to
hydropriming and control treatment. Among vigor evaluation tests, halopriming, seed hardening
and hydropriming treatment were found effective as expressed by final emergence percentage, root
and shoot length and their fresh and dry weight,. Control/non primed seeds gave minimum final
emergence percentage, seedling dry weight and minimum fresh weight of seedling, root and shoot
length. Pirsabak-2013 performed better in all the studied parameters over other cultivars.
This review provides a current summary of plant resistance inducers (PRIs) that have been successfully used in the Solanaceae plant family to protect against pathogens by activating the plant’s own defence. Solanaceous species include many important crops such as potato and tomato. We also present findings regarding the molecular processes after application of PRIs, even if the number of such studies still remains limited in this plant family. In general, there is a lack of patterns regarding the efficiency of induced resistance (IR) both between and within solanaceous species. In many cases, a hypersensitivity-like reaction needs to form in order for the PRI to be efficient. “-Omics” studies have already given insight in the complexity of responses, and can explain some of the differences seen in efficacy of PRIs between and within species as well as towards different pathogens. Finally, examples of field applications of PRIs for solanaceous crops are presented and discussed. We predict that PRIs will play a role in future plant protection strategies in Solanaceae crops if they are combined with other means of disease control in different spatial and temporal combinations.
Haloxylon ammodendron is a desert shrub used extensively in China for restoring degraded dry lands. An understanding of the water source used by H. ammodendron plantations is critical achieving sustainable vegetation restoration. We measured mortality, shoot size, and rooting depth in 5-, 10-, 20-, and 40-years-old H. ammodendron plantations. We examined stable isotopic ratios of oxygen (δ18O) in precipitation, groundwater, and soil water in different soil layers and seasons, and in plant stem water to determine water sources at different shrub ages. We found that water acquisition patterns in H. ammodendron plantations differed with plantation age and season. Thus, the main water source for 5-year-old shrubs was shallow soil water. Water sources of 10-year-old shrubs shifted depending on the soil water conditions during the season. Although their tap roots could absorb deep soil water, the plantation main water sources were from soil water, and about 50% of water originated from shallow and mid soil. This pattern might occur because main water sources in these plantations were changeable over time. The 20- and 40-year-old shrubs acquired water mainly from permanent groundwater. We conclude that the main water source of a young H. ammodendron plantation was soil water recharged by precipitation. However, when roots reached sufficient depth, water originated mainly from the deep soil water, especially in the dry season. The deeply rooted 20- and 40-year-old shrubs have the ability to exploit a deep and reliable water source. To achieve sustainability in these plantations, we recommend a reduction in the initial density of H. ammodendron in the desert-oasis ecotone to decelerate the consumption of shallow soil water during plantation establishment.
The Republic of Kazakhstan is a major wheat-producing and wheat-exporting country. The aim of this chapter is to analyse the potential future development trajectories of wheat production in Kazakhstan by predicting probable climatic and weather conditions, and modelling the future perspectives of wheat production and exports based on a system-dynamic approach. The simulation results show that, over the long term, the agro-ecological status of wheat production in Kazakhstan will deteriorate. The climate will become warmer and dryer, and the frequencies of drought periods and extreme weather events will increase. If inputs are not used more intensively and if management practices are not adapted, wheat yields in Kazakhstan may decline. The simulation results indicate that, despite the expected deterioration in growing conditions, wheat production in Kazakhstan has the potential to increase by up to 33 % by 2035. However, the country’s export potential is likely to decline as a result of an expected expansion in the domestic consumption of wheat for food and feed.
Efficiency increase of resources through automation of agriculture requires more information about the production process, as well as process and machinery status. Sensors are necessary for monitoring the status and condition of production by recognizing the surrounding structures such as objects, field structures, natural or artificial markers, and obstacles. Currently, three dimensional (3-D) sensors are economically affordable and technologically advanced to a great extent, so a breakthrough is already possible if enough research projects are commercialized. The aim of this review paper is to investigate the state-of-the-art of 3-D vision systems in agriculture, and the role and value that only 3-D data can have to provide information about environmental structures based on the recent progress in optical 3-D sensors. The structure of this research consists of an overview of the different optical 3-D vision techniques, based on the basic principles. Afterwards, their application in agriculture are reviewed. The main focus lays on vehicle navigation, and crop and animal husbandry. The depth dimension brought by 3-D sensors provides key information that greatly facilitates the implementation of automation and robotics in agriculture.
Sudan grass is the most potentially productive crop for cultivation in droughty conditions, as it is notable for high drought-resistance and nutrition value. Wide spread occurrence of Sudan grass in arable fodder cropping of North Kazakhstan requires more advanced study of its biological peculiarities and agricultural engineering methods in soil-climatic conditions, specific for this region. At the present time, the impact of sowing dates on chemical composition of Sudan grass plants is understudied. The article deals with the analysis of chemical composition of Sudan grass plants in the stage of cut-sample ripeness, its dependency on sowing dates and its impact on herbage feeding qualities.
Ten lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) genotypes were grown at Southeast Anatolia region of Turkey. The broadsense heritability was estimated for plant height, number of stems and pods per plant, seed yield, biological yield, 100-seed weight, days to flowering and maturity. The heritability for days to flowering and maturity, 1000 seed weight and number of seeds plant-1 were estimated as 71%, 80%, 98% and 70%, respectively. The heritability of plant height was quite small (16%); indicating that this trait is depend heavily on the variation available in the source material and of the effects of climate and weather.
Currently, the technological processes of preparation of alfalfa as fodder in the rice crop rotation in the districts of Kyzylorda region and the coefficient of technical readiness of equipment used for mechanization does not exceed 0,7 and the load per unit of equipment is 1.2-1.6 times higher than the norm. The article considers the interaction between the technical means of preparation of alfalfa as fodder and the probable nature of the processed material and the factors influencing the external environment, taking into account the interrelationships between them. In order to substantiate the technology of alfalfa preparation, the general service theory (GPP), probability theory, reliability theory were used. Experimental studies were conducted in irrigated fields of Kyzylorda oblast and using natural experiments, time calculations and simulation models developed using experiments. The results of the research were processed using the methods of probability theory and mathematical statistics. On the basis of natural and computational experiments of technology of preparation, transportation and storage of fodder, analytical dependences of performance indicators of the main natural and technological factors characterizing operating conditions of system are defined. operating modes allow to increase the efficiency of production processes of preparation, transportation and storage of fodder in real production conditions.
Soil sodicity is a major ecological problem in the western Songnen Plain of Northeast China and rice cultivation is the main approach used to mitigate saline-sodic soils. However, rice cultivation alone may not be the most effective practice. This study aimed to investigate the combined effects of annual tillage and rice cultivation with either phosphogypsum or farmyard manure on soil salinity, mineral status, and concentration of heavy metals in saline-sodic paddy fields. Treatments were: 1) untreated (no amendments), untilled, and uncultivated (no rice) saline-sodic native grasslands (UG); 2) untreated, tilled, rice-cultivated paddy fields (PFU); 3) tilled, rice-cultivated, amended paddy fields with phosphogypsum (PFPG); and 4) tilled, rice-cultivated, amended paddy fields with farmyard manure (PFFM). The effectiveness of these treatments on soil improvement was evaluated after a 10-year field experiment. Compared to the UG control, the 0–20 cm topsoil layer of PFU, PFPG, and PFFM had respective decreases in Na⁺ concentrations of 42.9%, 61.5%, and 60.9%; in CO3²⁻ + HCO3⁻ concentrations of 18.9%, 63.2%, and 57.9%; in Cl⁻ concentration of 64.6%, 75.7%, and 79.9%; in pH units of 0.57, 1.05, and 1.30; in soil electrical conductivity (EC1:5) of 18.3%, 49.1%, and 48.3%; and in exchange sodium percentage (ESP) of 47.2%, 66.9%, and 72.5%. Also, the 0–20 cm topsoil layer of PFPG and PFFM had its concentrations of soil organic matter (SOM), available nitrogen (AN), and available phosphorus (AP) significantly (P < 0.05) increased compared to the UG control. However, the concentrations of five heavy metals (As, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Hg) were kept within a safe range in saline-sodic paddy fields amended with phosphogypsum or farmyard manure and were far below the environmental quality standard held for Chinese soils. Therefore, phosphogypsum and farmyard manure significantly decreased soil salinity and sodicity while increased soil fertility and SOM. Because these amendments are locally available and affordable to farmers, their use is deemed suitable for large-scale soil reclamation and the mitigation of salinity and sodicity in soils destined for rice cultivation in Northeast China.
Temperature rise in March induces forced maturity in wheat
(Triticum aestivum L.), which generally reduces the grain-filling
period under North Indian conditions. A field experiment was
conducted at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana,
India, during 2015–16 and 2016–17 to evaluate the effect of
salicylic acid on plant growth, physiological parameters, and
grain yield of two wheat cultivars sown at different dates.
A split-split-plot design was used, with sowing dates
(November 5, November 20, and December 5) as main plots,
wheat cultivars (WH1105, PBW677) as sub-plots, and salicylic
acid foliar treatments (control, water spray, salicylic acid 75 and
100 mg l−1) as sub-sub plots. The highest tiller count, atLEAFchlorophyll
index, pollen viability, number of grains ear−1,
1000-grain weight, biological and grain yield were recorded
for the November 5 sowing date. Salicylic acid foliar application
at 75 and 100 mg l−1 increased the grain-filling period,
improved the normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI),
pollen viability, number of grains ear−1, proline content, 1000-
grain weight, and grain yield. We concluded that wheat cultivars
WH1105 and PBW677 can be grown successfully by sowing
early (November 5) and that foliar application of salicylic
acid at 75 mg l−1 can improve the wheat grain yield under
North Indian conditions.
Phosphogypsum (PG) affects many soil attributes, but its long-term effects on soil structure and physical properties remain unclear. We evaluated the residual effects of PG and induced soil compaction on selected soil chemical and physical attributes, and on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) yield. The experiment was initiated on a Typic Hapludox soil using a split-plot design with four replicates. In November (2009), PG at rates of 3, 6, 9, 12 Mg ha−1 was broadcast on the soil surface. In November (2012), traffic compaction was applied to the soil and the treatments were wheel-track (WTR), between wheel tracks (BWT) and no traffic/reference (REF) zones. Compaction was applied with a four-wheel-drive tractor with 2.4 and 3.6 Mg on the front and rear axles, respectively, at field water capacity (FC). Common bean was sown in February (2013) and its yield was assessed at physiological maturity. Forty-two months after application of traffic treatments, the 0.0−0.1 and 0.1−0.2 m soil layers were sampled. Phosphogypsum decreased exchangeable acidity and Al3+ concentrations, and increased pH and Ca2+ in both soil layers, as well as SO42- in the 0.1−0.2 m layer. Despite increasing water-dispersible clay (WDC), PG decreased aggregate tensile strength (TS) at the WTR and BWT zones. Phosphogypsum rates increased organic carbon concentrations in soil aggregates. Machinery traffic increased the values of WDC and TS, but also decreased common bean yield. PG application alleviated the negative impacts of wheel traffic on TS. We conclude that the residual effect of PG can positively affect soil chemical and physical attributes and contribute to alleviate the impacts of machinery traffic.
Changes in rice tillage systems have been taking place in the sense of seeking alternatives to reduce environmental impacts and promote improved yield. Direct-seeded rice technology reduces water consumption and methane emissions. However, in this cropping system, the natural effect of flooding on soil pH is lost because the area is maintained unflooded after seedling emergence until the crop reaches tillering stage. Consequently, it is unclear whether acidity in the topsoil and subsoil within this period affects nutrient availability and rice grain yield. Our study evaluated the effects of dolomitic lime and phosphogypsum applications on soil chemical attributes, plant nutrition, and grain yield in direct-seeded flooded rice. Two field experiments were conducted under different conditions of soil acidity. The main trial was conducted during three consecutive growing seasons from 2013 to 2016. A complementary trial was conducted in 2017 for only one rice harvest, in order to investigate the short-term effects of lime and phosphogypsum application. For both experiments, lime was incorporated into the topsoil at 0, 0.5-, 1-, and 1.5-times the recommended rate for flooded rice, according to SMP buffer method, and phosphogypsum was applied to the soil surface at 0, 2, 4, and 6 Mg ha⁻¹. Liming alleviated topsoil acidity, causing an increase in soil pH and the exchangeable Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ contents, and a reduction in exchangeable Al³⁺ content. An increase in soil exchangeable Ca²⁺ content and a decrease in soil exchangeable Al⁺³ content also occurred at 0.20–0.40 m depth at 35 months after liming. Despite alleviating the soil acidity, lime application did not improve the rice grain yield. Phosphogypsum application increased Ca²⁺ and SO4-S availability throughout the soil profile (0–0.60 m), as well as the phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and sulfur levels of rice flag leaves and the grain yield. A promising short-term effect on rice yield was obtained, as well as a residual effect that lasted for at least three years after phosphogypsum addition. Overall, a phosphogypsum rate of ∼4 Mg ha⁻¹ increased rice yield by 10–11%. Although a possible involvement in acid-subsoil amelioration on rice yield response to phosphogypsum is difficult to exclude entirely, it is more probable that yield benefits imparted by phosphogypsum resulted from increased SO4–S availability throughout the soil profile. We conclude that, although liming is of no advantage, the use of phosphogypsum improves the performance of direct-seeded rice.
Soybean is a universal food and feed crop. Soybean protein is close to animal protein in its amino acid composition. Soybean is an excellent precursor for many crops. After soybean, suffi cient nitrogen remains in the soil, which reduces the need for pre-sowing mineral fertilizer for the crop. The purpose of the researches is to determine the economic, biological and selection value of early ripening soybean varieties in the forest-steppe zone of the Trans-Urals. In the forest-steppe zone of the Trans-Ural region, collection samples of soybean were tested for economic, biological and selection characteristics. A comprehensive assessment of precocious soybean varieties on economic and valuable characteristics and yield for environmental plasticity and stability, as well as the correlation between yield and quality indicators of soybean seeds and elements of its structure has been established. Soybean varieties that are adaptive to local natural and climatic conditions have been identifi ed such as: Kasatka, Chera 1, Krasnoobskaya, SibNIIK-315 as sources of valuable traits for further use in breeding and agricultural production. These same soybean varieties were the most cost-eff ective, where the level of profi tability was from 265,0 to 306,3 %. Due to the high yield (from 2,18 to 2,43 t/ha), these varieties provided the highest collection of protein and fat (from 0,87 to 0,95 t/ha), and due to the high protein content in the grain, they provided the lowest prime-cost of this valuable product in soybean (from 5710 to 6360 Rub/t). Early ripening soybean varieties have the highest fat collection per 1 ha (0,40–0,43 t) and the lowest prime-cost (32 250–34 670 Rub/t). Other varieties showed lower yields and as a result were less cost-eff ective. Soybean cultivation in the Tyumen region is economically profi table with the seeds yield of 0,9 t/ha.
Seed is a key input for improving crop production and productivity. Increasing the quality of seeds can increase the yield potential of the crop by significant folds and thus, is one of the most economical and efficient inputs to agricultural development. Generation and transfer of improved technologies are critical prerequisites for agricultural development particularly for an agrarian based economy such as of Ethiopian. In Ethiopia, for instance, a unit increase in GDP derived from agriculture has a potential of reducing poverty annually by 1.66% as compared to 0.73% poverty reduction expected from non-agricultural sector. Agriculture, particularly crop farming, has a greater effect on both the rural and the urban poor who spend more than a half of their incomes on food. When there are different seed sources available and farmers get access to them there is high probability of adoption of improved varieties .An enhanced seed availability though formal or informal or both sources will improve smallholder farmer’s access to seed and enhance improved variety adoption. In practice, whenever a farmer is talking about getting a new seed it implies that she or he is deciding to adopt a new variety. The ultimate goal of a farm household in a risk prone agro-ecology is to obtain seed with characteristics suitable to farmers’ agro-ecological and socio-economic condition. Similarly, seed is pivotal in the improvement of food security and farm household livelihood.
Background . The collection of wild yellow alfalfas from the Medicago falcata s.l. complex maintained at the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) is a unique genetic stock collected while exploring the ex-USSR territories from 1924 to 2018. It includes Medicago falcata L. proper, M. borealis Grossh., M. romanica Prod., M. quasifalcata Sinsk., M. difalcata Sinsk., and M. glandulosa David. Gap analysis makes it possible to assess the sufficiency of VIR’s collecting efforts in a certain locality or administrative unit and plan further collecting activities to ensure comprehensive conservation of sickle alfalfa genetic diversity.
Material and methods . Databases of the Perennial Forage Crop Genetic Resources Department at VIR, and digital maps of administrative subdivisions of Russia and neighboring countries served as the research material. The ex-USSR administrative subdivisions were accepted as operational units. For each of them, the number of ser. Falcatae Vass. species and the number of accessions per administrative subdivision were taken into account. Statistical data processing included construction of frequency tables and differentiated mapping.
Results . The coordinates of collection sites were identified for 446 accessions. Collections of six wild species within the studied complex were analyzed across the ex-USSR space, and in more detail in Krasnodar Territory.
Conclusion . The target areas were identified for further collecting activities. For Russia, the prioritized regions where the collection could be replenished are the northern frontier of the area of sickle alfalfa distribution in the European part and its eastern borderline in Siberia, both characterized by extreme environmental conditions. To increase the geographic diversity of the collection, additional collecting efforts are required, along with mobilization of accessions from the neighboring countries.
Tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a main tomato crop pest in the Americas, Europe, and Africa and can cause up to 100% yield loss in tomato crops. The larvae feed on the leaf mesophyll, which makes their control difficult. Therefore, it is essential to detect this pest before it starts to feed, which can be done by assessing egg density. Sampling plans are an essential part of integrated pest management programs, and despite the importance of T. absoluta to tomato crops and the need for early decision making to control it. The aim of this study was to determine a conventional sampling plan to assess the density of T. absoluta eggs in commercial tomato fields, allowing farmers to manage the pest before it causes economic losses. To establish a sampling plan, the sampling unit, the number of samples, the time required to sample, and the cost of sampling was determined. For this purpose, the number of eggs of T. absoluta in 24 commercial tomato fields was counted. The sampling unit for the assessment of the eggs of the pest were the two leaves located in the transition between the apical and middle sections of tomato plants (relative variance <25%). The data of the egg densities were adjusted to the negative binomial distribution and presented a common aggregation parameter (Kcommon = 0.4460), which allows us to generate a sampling plan that can be used for both vegetative and reproductive plant stages. The sampling plans consisted of evaluating T. absoluta egg density in 64 plants per field. The time required for sampling varied from 49 min to 1 h 21 min, depending on the field size (i.e. fields from 1 to 10 ha). The cost of sampling was less than US $3.00 for different field sizes. In conclusion, the sampling plan determined in this study is feasible because it is fast and affordable, and it can be used in tomato fields of different sizes and phenological stages.
This study aimed to determine the effects of Metschnikowia pulcherrima yeast on storage quality of ‘Tainong’ mango, and elucidate it’s possible anti–disease mechanism. The results showed that M. pulcherrima could inhibit the changes in peel colour, fruit firmness, the contents of total soluble solids, total acid and vitamin C, and maintain the storage quality of mango fruits. An investigation of the mechanism showed that M. pulcherrima competed not only for the primary carbon source, but also for living space with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. In addition, M. pulcherrima promoted the activities of defence-related enzymes, including ß-1,3-glucanase(GLU) and chitinase (CHT), and secreted a small amount of antimicrobial substances composed of volatile and nonvolatile anti-fungal compounds.
The results strongly demonstrated that antagonistic yeast M. pulcherrima could be applied as a biocontrol agent for deducing the spoilage and decay of mango fruit.
THE only single-source guide to the latest science, nutrition, and applications of all the non-bovine milks consumed around the world. Featuring contributions by an international team of dairy and nutrition experts, this second edition of the popular Handbook of Milk of Non-Bovine Mammals provides comprehensive coverage of milk and dairy products derived from all non-bovine dairy species. Milks derived from domesticated dairy species other than the cow are an essential dietary component for many countries around the world. Especially in developing and under-developed countries, milks from secondary dairy species are essential sources of nutrition for the humanity. Due to the unavailability of cow milk and the low consumption of meat, the milks of non-bovine species such as goat, buffalo, sheep, horse, camel, Zebu, Yak, mare and reindeer are critical daily food sources of protein, phosphate and calcium. Furthermore, because of hypoallergenic properties of certain species milk including goats, mare and camel are increasingly recommended as substitutes in diets for those who suffer from cow milk allergies. This book: Discusses key aspects of non-bovine milk production, including raw milk production in various regions worldwide. Describes the compositional, nutritional, therapeutic, physio-chemical, and microbiological characteristics of all non-bovine milks. Addresses processing technologies as well as various approaches to the distribution and consumption of manufactured milk products. Expounds characteristics of non-bovine species milks relative to those of human milk, including nutritional, allergenic, immunological, health and cultural factors. Features six new chapters, including one focusing on the use of non-bovine species milk components in the manufacture of infant formula products. Thoroughly updated and revised to reflect the many advances that have occurred in the dairy industry since the publication of the acclaimed first edition, Handbook of Milk of Non-Bovine Mammals, 2nd Edition is an essential reference for dairy scientists, nutritionists, food chemists, animal scientists, allergy specialists, health professionals, and allied professionals.
Postharvest decay caused by fungal pathogens is one of the most important factors causing economic losses for the worldwide industry of fresh horticultural produce. Despite the positive results of the use of conventional chemical fungicides, alternatives for decay control are needed because of increasing important concerns related to their massive and continued use. Low-toxicity chemical alternatives evaluated for control of postharvest diseases of temperate, subtropical and tropical fruit, and fruit-like vegetables are reviewed in this chapter. These compounds should have suitable antifungal activity while showing known and very low toxicological effects on mammals and impact on the environment. In addition, they should be exempt from residue tolerances on agricultural commodities. Authorities confirm these characteristics by approving them as food additives or preservatives or as generally regarded as safe (GRAS) substances. Among those of synthetic origin, the most important are inorganic or organic salts, e.g. carbonates, sorbates, benzoates, paraben salts, etc., and composite edible coatings formulated with antifungal ingredients. Hydrocolloids (polysaccharides such as cellulose derivatives, alginates, pectins, or gums, and various plant proteins) and food-grade lipids are the main components of the matrix of composite coatings. Interesting antifungal ingredients include GRAS salts, essential oils, and antagonistic microorganisms. Low-toxicity chemicals of natural origin include plant extracts, including essential oils, antifungal peptides and small proteins, and coatings based on chitosan or plant gels like those from Aloe spp. Efficacy and overall performance, advantages, disadvantages, limitations, and potential combined use of these chemical alternatives in hurdle technologies for postharvest decay control are discussed.
Both classical isolation methods and new deep-sequencing methods have revealed that Actinobacteria, and specifically Streptomycetaceae, constitute a substantial part of the bacterial communities in and around plant roots. Here we discuss the advantages of the majority of this versatile and diverse group of microorganisms for plant health and growth as demonstrated by their contribution to disease-suppressive soils, their antifungal and antibacterial activities, their ability to produce volatile compounds, and their capacity to enhance plant biomass. Although much is still to be discovered about the colonization strategies and molecular interactions between plant roots and these microorganisms, they are destined to become important players in the field of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria for agriculture.
Postharvest decay caused by fungal pathogens is one of the most important factors causing economic losses for the worldwide industry of fresh horticultural produce. Despite the positive results of the use of conventional chemical fungicides, alternatives for decay control are needed because of increasing concerns related to their widespread and continued use. Low-toxicity chemical alternatives evaluated for control of postharvest diseases of temperate, subtropical and tropical fruit, and fruit-like vegetables are reviewed. These compounds should have acceptable antifungal activity with known and very low toxicological effects on mammals and minimal impact on the environment. In addition, they should be exempt from residue tolerances on agricultural commodities. Authorities confirm these characteristics by approving them as food additives or preservatives or as generally regarded as safe (GRAS) substances. Among these, the most important are inorganic or organic salts, e.g. carbonates, sorbates, benzoates, paraben salts, etc., and composite edible coatings formulated with antifungal ingredients. Hydrocolloids (polysaccharides such as cellulose derivatives, alginates, pectins, or gums, and various plant proteins) and food-grade lipids are the main components of the matrix of composite coatings. Interesting antifungal ingredients for edible coatings include GRAS salts, essential oils, and antagonistic microorganisms. Low-toxicity chemicals of natural origin include plant extracts and essential oils, antifungal peptides and small proteins, and coatings based on chitosan or plant gels like those from Aloe spp. Efficacy and overall performance, advantages, disadvantages, limitations, and potential combinations of these alternatives in hurdle technologies for postharvest decay control are discussed.
Plant hormones play a crucial role in controlling the way in which plants grow and develop. While metabolism provides the power and building blocks for plant life, it is the hormones that regulate the speed of growth of the individual parts and integrate them to produce the form that we recognize as a plant. This book is a description of these natural chemicals: how they are synthesized and metabolized, how they act at both the organismal and molecular levels, how we measure them, a description of some of the roles they play in regulating plant growth and development, and the prospects for the genetic engineering of hormone levels or responses in crop plants. This is an updated revision of the third edition of the highly acclaimed text. Thirty-three chapters, including two totally new chapters plus four chapter updates, written by a group of fifty-five international experts, provide the latest information on Plant Hormones, particularly with reference to such new topics as signal transduction, brassinosteroids, responses to disease, and expansins. The book is not a conference proceedings but a selected collection of carefully integrated and illustrated reviews describing our knowledge of plant hormones and the experimental work that is the foundation of this information. The Revised 3rd Edition adds important information that has emerged since the original publication of the 3rd edition. This includes information on the receptors for auxin, gibberellin, abscisic acid and jasmonates, in addition to new chapters on strigolactones, the branching hormones, and florigen, the flowering hormone. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V. All rights reserved.
By using Ripley' s K(r) function and fractal dimension, this paper studied the spatial pattern and fractal characteristics of four ecotypes Haloxylan ammodendron population at different development stages in Gurbantonggut desert. Of the four ecotypes, soil ecotype clumped in 1-18 m scale, while sand, saline soil and gravel ecotypes clumped in all scales, suggesting that desert plant could adapt a habitat via clumping. The spatial pattern of H. ammodendron population differed with its development stage. Seedlings and saplings clumped, while adult trees showed random distribution. Compared with Ripley's K(r) function, correlation dimension could reflect the ability of spatial occupation, but couldn' t directly reflect the clump or not clump in arid area. Moreover, the dimension was susceptible to the number and size of H. ammodendron.