Samples of fresh Volvariella volvaceae, dry seeds of Irvingia gabonensis and dry seeds of Beilschmiedia mannii), three traditional vegetables found on the market in Abidjan were studied in relation to their nutrients ...Samples of fresh Volvariella volvaceae, dry seeds of Irvingia gabonensis and dry seeds of Beilschmiedia mannii), three traditional vegetables found on the market in Abidjan were studied in relation to their nutrients composition (protein, fat, carbohydrates), energy value, moisture, ash and minerals (Ca, Na, K, Mg, Fe). The results show that: Volvariella vol- vaceae is mushroom distinguished by its high rate of moisture (81% ± 0.530% fresh matter), high carbohydrate content (79.440% ± 0.24% dry matter) and protein content (17.010% ± 0.04% dry matter) very significant. Mineral composition contains more Na (1.880% ± 0.02% dry matter) and K (1.260% ± 0.12% dry matter). Seed of Irvingia gabonensis is rich in lipid (63.610% ± 0.70% dry matter) but it also contains appreciable levels of carbohydrates (23.250% ± 0.17% dry matter), protein (7.230% ± 0. 80% dry matter) and mineral matter (5.910% ± 0, 30% dry matter). These seeds of Irvingia gabonensis contain more K (0.678% ± 0.01% dry matter) and Ca (0.452% ± 0.09% dry matter). Seed of Beil- schmiedia mannii is rich in carbohydrates (92.080% ± 1.20% dry matter), and has a significant protein content (7.160% ± 0.11% dry matter), its mineral composition contains more than K (0.872% ± 0.05% dry matter).展开更多
Since 1980s achievements and experience in vegetable breeding, seed production, preservation, quality test, packing and marketing in China are reviewed.
Seed germination (in laboratory and field conditions) and vegetative reproduction (by cuttings) of a promising decorative species—Lonicera tatarica L. (Caprifoliaceae Juss.) was studied for the first time in the cond...Seed germination (in laboratory and field conditions) and vegetative reproduction (by cuttings) of a promising decorative species—Lonicera tatarica L. (Caprifoliaceae Juss.) was studied for the first time in the conditions of introduction of the Tashkent Botanical Garden of Uzbekistan. Thus, the optimal temperature for germination of L. tatarica seeds in laboratory conditions is +20°C + 22°C, at which germination was 73%. The germination rate of seeds sown in autumn in the field was 62%, and the germination rate of seeds sown in spring was 71%. It was noted that in greenhouse conditions at an air temperature of 20°C - 22°C and a relative humidity of 49% - 53%, the rootability of cuttings was 75%. It was revealed that the studied species adapted well to the conditions of introduction. Taking into account the effectiveness of vegetative reproduction of L. tatarica, it can be recommended for improving the aesthetic condition and landscaping of cities, landscaping and landscape design.展开更多
Vegetables are important for nutrition and income of rural and urban households.However,vegetable consumption in Uganda is below World Health Organization(WHO)recommended guidelines,partly due to low production.The pe...Vegetables are important for nutrition and income of rural and urban households.However,vegetable consumption in Uganda is below World Health Organization(WHO)recommended guidelines,partly due to low production.The persistent low production arises from poor cultivation methods,low soil fertility,poor quality seed,pests and diseases,among others.This study compared the profitability of improved cultivation methods for African indigenous vegetables(AIVs),i.e.,pure stand and in lines,versus traditional practice(mixing seeds of different AIVs then broadcast),both for leafy and seed production.The AIVs included:Nakati(Solanum aethiopicum L.),Bugga(Amaranthus blitum L.)and Jobyo(Gynadropsis gynandra L.),arranged in completely randomized(CR)design with three replicates.Results showed that Nakati was more profitable when grown for leafy compared to seed production with benefit:cost ratio(BCR)9.2 and 4.0 for leafy and seed,respectively.Bugga for seed was more profitable compared to leafy production(BCR 18.0 and 2.7 for seed and leafy,respectively).Growing Jobyo for seed was more profitable than leafy production(BCR 14.9,2.4 for seed and leafy,respectively).Growing indigenous vegetables(IVs)for seed in mixed broadcast system,out of the three IVs farmers stand to economically maximize benefits for one crop(BCR 0.9,1.7 and 10.2 for Bugga,Nakati and Jobyo,respectively)compared to pure stand and in lines(BCR 18.0,4.2 and 14.9 for Bugga,Nakati and Jobyo,respectively).Thus,famers stand to benefit more if they grow IVs as pure stand and in lines as opposed to mixed and broadcast,whether for leafy or seed production.展开更多
A study was undertaken to quantify screw press-extractable oil in the seed coat of Strychnos madagascariensis(Poir.)fruits harvested from trees in the northern coastal plain of KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa a...A study was undertaken to quantify screw press-extractable oil in the seed coat of Strychnos madagascariensis(Poir.)fruits harvested from trees in the northern coastal plain of KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa and to determine the physiochemical properties and fatty acid composition of the oil.The seed coat constituted 19.36%of the dry fruit biomass and contained w/w 42%oil.Thus,the oil yield of the dried fruit was approx.8.13%.Monounsaturated oleic acid accounted for between ca.70-73%of the total fatty acids in the Strychnos oil.Palmitic acid was present in amounts ranging between 15.05 and 16.27%.Also present,but in smaller amounts were cis linoleic acid(5.76-6.03%),stearic acid(1.64-4.65%),n3 linolenic acid(1.26-1.90%),and palmitoleic acid(1.10-1.65%).The oil contained trace amounts of arachidic acid(0.45-0.54%)and eicosenoic acid(approx.0.325%).Vitamin E was present in appreciable amounts,mostly in the form ofα-tocopherol(approx.5.8-14.4 mg/100 g oil)andβ-tocotrienol(approx.8.1-15.6 mg/100 g oil)homologues.The downside was that the oil had high acid values(161-181.32 mg KOH/g)and free fatty acid content(66-81 g oleic acid/100 g oil).There were 141 volatile compounds detected in the Strychnos oil,the most dominant of which were butyl-butyrate(20%),butyl hexanoate(8.2%)and glycerol(6.1-6.7%).Overall,the results indicate that Strychnos madagascariensis has potential as a source of vegetable oil.展开更多
Nearly all countries have seed organisations and private seed companies, laws and technical regulations to govern their while the role of the farmers' seed system has formal seed system, run by formal public been mar...Nearly all countries have seed organisations and private seed companies, laws and technical regulations to govern their while the role of the farmers' seed system has formal seed system, run by formal public been marginalised especially in developed countries. Local traditional varieties that are largely taken care of and nurtured by farmers' seed system have also been excluded from the formal seed system. Nowadays, however, it is quite common to see locally-sourced vegetables on supermarket shelves, while an increasing number of consumers visit farmers' market and become aware of local traditional vegetables available only through such channels. It is in this context that many local governments, public agricultural experimental stations and even private seed companies are becoming interested in the use and management of local traditional varieties of vegetables in Japan. The objective of this paper is to elucidate some characteristics of and factors behind the condition, potentiality and limitations of farmers' seed systems vis-a-vis the expected role of public experimental stations and locally-based seed companies, especially when it comes to the use and management of local traditional vegetables and their genetic resources in Japan. This paper is based on our case studies, in which we conducted in some interviews with relevant local actors in addition to literature and statistical surveys.展开更多
The maintenance of sand-fixing vegetation is important for the stability of artificial sand-fixing systems in which seed dispersal plays a key role.Based on field wind tunnel experiments using 11 common plant species ...The maintenance of sand-fixing vegetation is important for the stability of artificial sand-fixing systems in which seed dispersal plays a key role.Based on field wind tunnel experiments using 11 common plant species on the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert,China,we studied the secondary seed dispersal in the fixed and semi-fixed sand dunes as well as in the mobile dunes in order to understand the limitations of vegetation regeneration and the maintenance of its stability.Our results indicated that there were significant variations among the selected 11 plant species in the threshold of wind speed(TWS).The TWS of Caragana korshinskii was the highest among the 11 plant species,whereas that of Echinops gmelinii was the lowest.Seed morphological traits and underlying surface could generally explain the TWS.During the secondary seed dispersal processes,the proportions of seeds that did not disperse(no dispersal)and only dispersed over short distance(short-distance dispersal within the wind tunnel test section)were significantly higher than those of seeds that were buried(including lost seeds)and dispersed over long distance(long-distance dispersal beyond the wind tunnel test section).Compared with other habitats,the mobile dunes were the most difficult places for secondary seed dispersal.Buried seeds were the easiest to be found in the semi-fixed sand dunes,whereas fixed sand dunes were the best sites for seeds that dispersed over long distance.The results of linear mixed models showed that after controlling the dispersal distance,smaller and rounder seeds dispersed farther.Shape index and wind speed were the two significant influencing factors on the burial of seeds.The explanatory power of wind speed,underlying surface,and seed morphological traits on the seeds that did not disperse and dispersed over short distance was far greater than that on the seeds that were buried and dispersed over long distance,implying that the processes and mechanisms of burial and long-distance dispersal are more complex.In summary,most seeds in the study area either did not move,were buried,or dispersed over short distance,promoting local vegetation regeneration.展开更多
Vegetation restoration and reconstruction are effective approaches to desertification control and achieving social and economic sustainability in desert areas.However,the self-succession ability of native plants durin...Vegetation restoration and reconstruction are effective approaches to desertification control and achieving social and economic sustainability in desert areas.However,the self-succession ability of native plants during the later periods of vegetation restoration remains unclear.Therefore,this study was conducted to bridge the knowledge gap by investigating the regeneration dynamics of artificial forest under natural conditions.The information of seed rain and soil seed bank was collected and quantified from an artificial Caragana korshinskii Kom.forest in the Tengger Desert,China.The germination tests were conducted in a laboratory setting.The analysis of species quantity and diversity in seed rain and soil seed bank was conducted to assess the impact of different durations of sand fixation(60,40,and 20 a)on the progress of vegetation restoration and ecological conditions in artificial C.korshinskii forest.The results showed that the top three dominant plant species in seed rain were Echinops gmelinii Turcz.,Eragrostis minor Host.,and Agropyron mongolicum Keng.,and the top three dominant plant species in soil seed bank were E.minor,Chloris virgata Sw.,and E.gmelinii.As restoration period increased,the density of seed rain and soil seed bank increased first and then decreased.While for species richness,as restoration period increased,it gradually increased in seed rain but decreased in soil seed bank.There was a positive correlation between seed rain density and soil seed bank density among all the three restoration periods.The species similarity between seed rain or soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation decreased with the extension of restoration period.The shape of the seeds,specifically those with external appendages such as spines and crown hair,clearly had an effect on their dispersal,then resulting in lower seed density in soil seed bank.In addition,precipitation was a crucial factor in promoting rapid germination,also resulting in lower seed density in soil seed bank.Our findings provide valuable insights for guiding future interventions during the later periods of artificial C.korshinskii forest,such as sowing and restoration efforts using unmanned aerial vehicles.展开更多
We investigated characteristics (scales and composition) of soil seed banks at eight study sites in the rocky mountain region of Beijing by seed identification and germination monitoring. We also surveyed the vegeta...We investigated characteristics (scales and composition) of soil seed banks at eight study sites in the rocky mountain region of Beijing by seed identification and germination monitoring. We also surveyed the vegetation communities at the eight study sites to explore the role of soil seed banks in vegetation restoration. The storage capacity of soil seed banks at the eight sites ranked from 766.26 to 2461.92 seeds·m?2. A total of 23 plant species were found in soil seed banks, of which 63–80% of seeds were herbs in various soil layers and 60% of seeds were located in the soil layer at 0–5 cm depth. Biodiversity indices indicated clear differences in species diversity of soil seed banks among different plant communities. The species composition of aboveground vegetation showed low similarity with that based on soil seed banks. In the aboveground plant community, the afforestation tree species showed high importance values. The plant species originating from soil seed banks represented natural regeneration, which also showed relatively high importance values. This study suggests that in the rocky mountain region of Beijing the soil seed banks played a key role in the transformation from pure plantation forest to near-natural forest, promoting natural ecological processes, and the role of the seed banks in vegetation restoration was important to the improvement of ecological restoration methods.展开更多
Soil seed banks are a vital part of ecosystems and influence community dynamics and regeneration.Although soil seed banks in different habitats have been reported, how soil seed banks vary with elevational gradients i...Soil seed banks are a vital part of ecosystems and influence community dynamics and regeneration.Although soil seed banks in different habitats have been reported, how soil seed banks vary with elevational gradients in different climatic zones is still unknown. This paper investigates seed density,species composition and nonconstituent species of forest soil seed banks in Yunnan Province, southwest China. Similarity between the soil seed bank and standing vegetation was also examined. We collected soil samples from sites spanning 12 elevations in tropical rain forests, subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests and subalpine coniferous forests, and transported them to a glasshouse for germination trials for species identification. The soil seed banks of tropical and subtropical forests had much higher seed densities and species richness than those of subalpine forests. Seeds of woody species dominated the soil seed banks of tropical and subtropical forests, while herbs dominated those of subalpine forests.The nonconstituent species in the soil seed banks were all herbs and were most abundant in tropical forests, followed by subtropical forests but were completely absent from subalpine forests.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the relation between fruit seeds,plants residuals and appendicitis. Methods:Among cases that underwent appendectomy,the appendicitis cases having fruit seeds and undigested plant residuals in ...Objective:To investigate the relation between fruit seeds,plants residuals and appendicitis. Methods:Among cases that underwent appendectomy,the appendicitis cases having fruit seeds and undigested plant residuals in their etiology were examined retrospectively.Also, histopathological features,age,sex,and parameters of morbidity and mortality were used. Results:Fruit seed was found in one case(0.05%) with presence of pus in appendix lumen, undigested plant residuals in 7 cases(0.35%).It was determined that there were appendix inflammation in 2 of the plant residuals cases,while there were obstruction and lymphoid hyperplasia in the appendix lumen of 5 cases.No mortality was observed.Conclusions:The ratio of acute appendicitis caused by plants is minimal among all appendectomised patients, but avoidence of eating undigested fruit seeds and chewing plants well may help to prevent appendicitis.展开更多
Grassland degradation can alter the structure and function of ecosystem and soil seed bank.Therefore,estimating the role of soil seed bank in vegetation regeneration of degraded grasslands is crucial.We selected grass...Grassland degradation can alter the structure and function of ecosystem and soil seed bank.Therefore,estimating the role of soil seed bank in vegetation regeneration of degraded grasslands is crucial.We selected grasslands with three levels of degradation,namely non-degraded(ND),mildly degraded(MD),and heavily degraded(HD)to analyze the effect of grassland degradation on soil seed bank,as well as the role of soil seed bank on vegetation regeneration of the alpine grasslands,China.Soil samples from each level were collected in May,before seedling emergence,in August,after completion of transient seed bank germination,and in December,after seed dispersal,to determine the seed density and species composition through germination experiment.Result showed that a total of 35 plant species was identified,including 15 species observed in both soil seed bank and above-ground vegetation.A total of 19,15,and 14 species of soil seed bank were identified in December,May,and August,respectively.The most abundant species in soil seed bank were Compositae(5 species),followed by Poaceae(4 species),and Cyperaceae(3 species).Degradation level has no significant impact on species richness and Shannon-Wiener index of soil seed bank.In addition,sampling month and grassland degradation affected soil seed bank density,in which December>May>August,and ND>MD>HD,indicating that density of transient seed bank was greater than persistent seed bank.Soil seed bank density of surface layer(0–5 cm)accounting for 42%–72%of the total density,which was significantly higher than that of deep layer(5–10 cm).Similarity of species composition between vegetation and soil seed bank was low,and it increased with degradation level(ranged from 0.14 to 0.69).We concluded that grassland degradation affects soil seed bank density more than species diversity,and soil seed bank contributed slightly to vegetation regeneration of degraded alpine grassland.Therefore,it is unlikely that degraded alpine meadow can be restored solely through soil seed bank.展开更多
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a highly nutritious food that is an excellent source of protein and is associated with increased coronary health, lower risk of type-2 diabetes, lower risk of breast cancer and a health...Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a highly nutritious food that is an excellent source of protein and is associated with increased coronary health, lower risk of type-2 diabetes, lower risk of breast cancer and a healthy profile of inflammatory biomarkers. The domestic demand for organic peanuts has significantly increased, requiring new breeding efforts to develop peanut varieties adapted to the organic farming system. The use of unmanned aerial system (UAS) has gained scientific attention because of the ability to generate high-throughput phenotypic data. However, it has not been fully investigated for phenotyping agronomic traits of organic peanuts. Peanuts are beneficial for cardio system protection and are widely used. Within the U.S., peanuts are grown in 11 states on roughly 600,000 hectares and averaging 4500 kg/ha. This study’s objective was to test the accuracy of UAS data in the phenotyping pod and seed yield of organic peanuts. UAS data was collected from a field plot with 20 Spanish peanut breeding lines on July 07, 2021 and September 27, 2021. The study was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 blocks. Twenty-five vegetation indices (VIs) were calculated. The analysis of variance showed significant genotypic effects on all 25 vegetation indices for both flights (p < 0.05). The vegetation index Red edge (RE) from the first flight was the most significantly correlated with both pod (r = 0.44) and seed yield (r = 0.64). These results can be used to further advance organic peanut breeding efforts with high-throughput data collection.展开更多
Soil seed bank refers to the sum of upper litter decay and all survival seeds in the soil. It plays a unique role in restoring the surface vegetation and protecting biodiversity. Chinese scholars have carried out exte...Soil seed bank refers to the sum of upper litter decay and all survival seeds in the soil. It plays a unique role in restoring the surface vegetation and protecting biodiversity. Chinese scholars have carried out extensive researches on the soil seed bank,and have obtained considerable achievements. On the basis of reading extensive literature,this paper summarized the current research results and found that the research contents of soil seed bank in China mainly involve the following aspects:( i) research method of soil seed bank;( ii) classification system of soil seed bank;( iii) spatial pattern of soil seed bank;( iv) relationship between soil seed bank and surface vegetation;( v) dynamic characteristic and seedling replanting of soil seed bank;( vi) application of soil seed bank in vegetation restoration. On the basis of the above summary,it came up with existing problems and future research direction of China's soil seed bank from system construction,field observation,disciplinary combination,interference factors,and community succession.展开更多
The application of phthalate plasticizers has been restricted around the world due to their poor migration and potential harm to the human body.Hence,producing functional bio-based plasticizers via exploiting clean an...The application of phthalate plasticizers has been restricted around the world due to their poor migration and potential harm to the human body.Hence,producing functional bio-based plasticizers via exploiting clean and reusable resources meets the satisfaction of current demands.In this study,flame-retardant rubber seed oil-based plasticize(FRP)was prepared via epoxidation reaction and ring opening addition reactions,which was used as a flame-resistant plasticizer for polyvinyl chloride to replace petroleum-based phthalate plasticizer.When DOP was replaced with FRP,the torque of PVC blends increased from 11.4 to 18.4 N⋅m,the LOI value increased from 24.3%for PVC-FRP-0%to 33.1%for PVC-FRP-20.The THR value diminished from 39 MJ/m^(2)(pertaining to PVC-FRC-0)to 22 MJ/m^(2)Tg increased from 23°C to 47°C,the weight loss of plasticized PVC blends significantly reduced from 22.6%to 2.8%in leaching tests.The study provided a new way to prepare flame retardant plasticizer using rubber seed oil as raw material.展开更多
Information on seed vigor of the vegetable crops is always important and necessary due to the increasing demand of high quality seeds for sowing and high-value commercial. The cultivation of these species, conducted i...Information on seed vigor of the vegetable crops is always important and necessary due to the increasing demand of high quality seeds for sowing and high-value commercial. The cultivation of these species, conducted intensively, should be established with seed high potential physiological and health for the development of a more productive and sustainable agriculture. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential physiological of seed lots of radish and coriander. The experiment was conducted at the laboratory of seed analysis and greenhouse of the plant science department of the Federal University of Pelotas in South Brazil. Four radish seed lots, cultivar "Saxa", and four coriander seed lots, cultivar "Verdito" were used. Germination seed test, first count of germination, accelerated aging test, electrical conductivity and seedling emergence were used to evaluate the physiological quality of the lots. The experimental design was completely randomized design with five replications. Means were compared by Tukey test. The accelerated aging test was the most efficient test in assessing the physiological quality for both lots of radish seeds and coriander and this test provide coherent results with seedlings emergence.展开更多
Bio-derived oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as mixtures of fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel), are promising alternatives for alleviating the adverse effects of fossil fuel consumption on climate change and preventing...Bio-derived oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as mixtures of fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel), are promising alternatives for alleviating the adverse effects of fossil fuel consumption on climate change and preventing petroleum resource depletion. However, the selection of a viable feedstock for competitive biodiesel production remains challenging. Recent studies focusing on Griffonia simplicifolia seeds, the sole plant industrially exploited for 5-hydroxy- tryptophan (5-HTP) extraction, have shown that G. simplicifolia seed oil (GSO) can be solvent-extracted directly from ground seeds or the remaining seed cakes obtained after 5-HTP extraction with quantitative yields. This work documents the conversion of GSO into biodiesel through homogeneous base-catalyzed transesterification. The refractive index and density of the obtained methyl ester mixtures decreased with increasing oil-to-methanol molar ratio, reaction temperature, and time. Under specific conditions, 1.43 wt% FFA oil, 63.5C, 60 min, and 1:9 oil/MeOH molar ratio with 1.2 wt% NaOH or 1.3 wt% KOH as catalysts, optimal reaction conditions were reached. There were no significant differences in the potential for diminution of the refractive index and density between the NaOH and KOH catalysts. The predicted fuel properties based on the fatty acid composition determined by GC-MS showed that G. simplicifolia biodiesel exhibited a cetane index of 50.29, volumetric energy density of 34.97 MJ/L, cloud point of -1.03°C, kinematic viscosity of 4.07 mm<sup>2</sup>/s, and oxidative stability of 0.65 h. Apart from its unfavorable oxidative stability and slightly lower energy density compared to petrodiesel, all other calculated parameters met the current standards. The valorization concept proposed in this study should be integrated into the 5-HTP extraction process, preferably using the remaining dry seed cakes as raw materials to maximize revenue in a bioeconomic and sustainable approach.展开更多
文摘Samples of fresh Volvariella volvaceae, dry seeds of Irvingia gabonensis and dry seeds of Beilschmiedia mannii), three traditional vegetables found on the market in Abidjan were studied in relation to their nutrients composition (protein, fat, carbohydrates), energy value, moisture, ash and minerals (Ca, Na, K, Mg, Fe). The results show that: Volvariella vol- vaceae is mushroom distinguished by its high rate of moisture (81% ± 0.530% fresh matter), high carbohydrate content (79.440% ± 0.24% dry matter) and protein content (17.010% ± 0.04% dry matter) very significant. Mineral composition contains more Na (1.880% ± 0.02% dry matter) and K (1.260% ± 0.12% dry matter). Seed of Irvingia gabonensis is rich in lipid (63.610% ± 0.70% dry matter) but it also contains appreciable levels of carbohydrates (23.250% ± 0.17% dry matter), protein (7.230% ± 0. 80% dry matter) and mineral matter (5.910% ± 0, 30% dry matter). These seeds of Irvingia gabonensis contain more K (0.678% ± 0.01% dry matter) and Ca (0.452% ± 0.09% dry matter). Seed of Beil- schmiedia mannii is rich in carbohydrates (92.080% ± 1.20% dry matter), and has a significant protein content (7.160% ± 0.11% dry matter), its mineral composition contains more than K (0.872% ± 0.05% dry matter).
文摘Since 1980s achievements and experience in vegetable breeding, seed production, preservation, quality test, packing and marketing in China are reviewed.
文摘Seed germination (in laboratory and field conditions) and vegetative reproduction (by cuttings) of a promising decorative species—Lonicera tatarica L. (Caprifoliaceae Juss.) was studied for the first time in the conditions of introduction of the Tashkent Botanical Garden of Uzbekistan. Thus, the optimal temperature for germination of L. tatarica seeds in laboratory conditions is +20°C + 22°C, at which germination was 73%. The germination rate of seeds sown in autumn in the field was 62%, and the germination rate of seeds sown in spring was 71%. It was noted that in greenhouse conditions at an air temperature of 20°C - 22°C and a relative humidity of 49% - 53%, the rootability of cuttings was 75%. It was revealed that the studied species adapted well to the conditions of introduction. Taking into account the effectiveness of vegetative reproduction of L. tatarica, it can be recommended for improving the aesthetic condition and landscaping of cities, landscaping and landscape design.
文摘Vegetables are important for nutrition and income of rural and urban households.However,vegetable consumption in Uganda is below World Health Organization(WHO)recommended guidelines,partly due to low production.The persistent low production arises from poor cultivation methods,low soil fertility,poor quality seed,pests and diseases,among others.This study compared the profitability of improved cultivation methods for African indigenous vegetables(AIVs),i.e.,pure stand and in lines,versus traditional practice(mixing seeds of different AIVs then broadcast),both for leafy and seed production.The AIVs included:Nakati(Solanum aethiopicum L.),Bugga(Amaranthus blitum L.)and Jobyo(Gynadropsis gynandra L.),arranged in completely randomized(CR)design with three replicates.Results showed that Nakati was more profitable when grown for leafy compared to seed production with benefit:cost ratio(BCR)9.2 and 4.0 for leafy and seed,respectively.Bugga for seed was more profitable compared to leafy production(BCR 18.0 and 2.7 for seed and leafy,respectively).Growing Jobyo for seed was more profitable than leafy production(BCR 14.9,2.4 for seed and leafy,respectively).Growing indigenous vegetables(IVs)for seed in mixed broadcast system,out of the three IVs farmers stand to economically maximize benefits for one crop(BCR 0.9,1.7 and 10.2 for Bugga,Nakati and Jobyo,respectively)compared to pure stand and in lines(BCR 18.0,4.2 and 14.9 for Bugga,Nakati and Jobyo,respectively).Thus,famers stand to benefit more if they grow IVs as pure stand and in lines as opposed to mixed and broadcast,whether for leafy or seed production.
基金supported by the National Research Foundation of South Africa[Grant number 98716]and the University of Zululand.
文摘A study was undertaken to quantify screw press-extractable oil in the seed coat of Strychnos madagascariensis(Poir.)fruits harvested from trees in the northern coastal plain of KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa and to determine the physiochemical properties and fatty acid composition of the oil.The seed coat constituted 19.36%of the dry fruit biomass and contained w/w 42%oil.Thus,the oil yield of the dried fruit was approx.8.13%.Monounsaturated oleic acid accounted for between ca.70-73%of the total fatty acids in the Strychnos oil.Palmitic acid was present in amounts ranging between 15.05 and 16.27%.Also present,but in smaller amounts were cis linoleic acid(5.76-6.03%),stearic acid(1.64-4.65%),n3 linolenic acid(1.26-1.90%),and palmitoleic acid(1.10-1.65%).The oil contained trace amounts of arachidic acid(0.45-0.54%)and eicosenoic acid(approx.0.325%).Vitamin E was present in appreciable amounts,mostly in the form ofα-tocopherol(approx.5.8-14.4 mg/100 g oil)andβ-tocotrienol(approx.8.1-15.6 mg/100 g oil)homologues.The downside was that the oil had high acid values(161-181.32 mg KOH/g)and free fatty acid content(66-81 g oleic acid/100 g oil).There were 141 volatile compounds detected in the Strychnos oil,the most dominant of which were butyl-butyrate(20%),butyl hexanoate(8.2%)and glycerol(6.1-6.7%).Overall,the results indicate that Strychnos madagascariensis has potential as a source of vegetable oil.
文摘Nearly all countries have seed organisations and private seed companies, laws and technical regulations to govern their while the role of the farmers' seed system has formal seed system, run by formal public been marginalised especially in developed countries. Local traditional varieties that are largely taken care of and nurtured by farmers' seed system have also been excluded from the formal seed system. Nowadays, however, it is quite common to see locally-sourced vegetables on supermarket shelves, while an increasing number of consumers visit farmers' market and become aware of local traditional vegetables available only through such channels. It is in this context that many local governments, public agricultural experimental stations and even private seed companies are becoming interested in the use and management of local traditional varieties of vegetables in Japan. The objective of this paper is to elucidate some characteristics of and factors behind the condition, potentiality and limitations of farmers' seed systems vis-a-vis the expected role of public experimental stations and locally-based seed companies, especially when it comes to the use and management of local traditional vegetables and their genetic resources in Japan. This paper is based on our case studies, in which we conducted in some interviews with relevant local actors in addition to literature and statistical surveys.
基金supported by the Key R&D Program of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region,China(2021BEG03008)the Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region,China(2021AAC03083).
文摘The maintenance of sand-fixing vegetation is important for the stability of artificial sand-fixing systems in which seed dispersal plays a key role.Based on field wind tunnel experiments using 11 common plant species on the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert,China,we studied the secondary seed dispersal in the fixed and semi-fixed sand dunes as well as in the mobile dunes in order to understand the limitations of vegetation regeneration and the maintenance of its stability.Our results indicated that there were significant variations among the selected 11 plant species in the threshold of wind speed(TWS).The TWS of Caragana korshinskii was the highest among the 11 plant species,whereas that of Echinops gmelinii was the lowest.Seed morphological traits and underlying surface could generally explain the TWS.During the secondary seed dispersal processes,the proportions of seeds that did not disperse(no dispersal)and only dispersed over short distance(short-distance dispersal within the wind tunnel test section)were significantly higher than those of seeds that were buried(including lost seeds)and dispersed over long distance(long-distance dispersal beyond the wind tunnel test section).Compared with other habitats,the mobile dunes were the most difficult places for secondary seed dispersal.Buried seeds were the easiest to be found in the semi-fixed sand dunes,whereas fixed sand dunes were the best sites for seeds that dispersed over long distance.The results of linear mixed models showed that after controlling the dispersal distance,smaller and rounder seeds dispersed farther.Shape index and wind speed were the two significant influencing factors on the burial of seeds.The explanatory power of wind speed,underlying surface,and seed morphological traits on the seeds that did not disperse and dispersed over short distance was far greater than that on the seeds that were buried and dispersed over long distance,implying that the processes and mechanisms of burial and long-distance dispersal are more complex.In summary,most seeds in the study area either did not move,were buried,or dispersed over short distance,promoting local vegetation regeneration.
基金funded by the General Project of Key R&D Plan of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region,China(2021BEG03008,2022BEG02012)the Science and Technology Innovation Leading Talent Project of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region(2021GKLRLX13)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31760707).
文摘Vegetation restoration and reconstruction are effective approaches to desertification control and achieving social and economic sustainability in desert areas.However,the self-succession ability of native plants during the later periods of vegetation restoration remains unclear.Therefore,this study was conducted to bridge the knowledge gap by investigating the regeneration dynamics of artificial forest under natural conditions.The information of seed rain and soil seed bank was collected and quantified from an artificial Caragana korshinskii Kom.forest in the Tengger Desert,China.The germination tests were conducted in a laboratory setting.The analysis of species quantity and diversity in seed rain and soil seed bank was conducted to assess the impact of different durations of sand fixation(60,40,and 20 a)on the progress of vegetation restoration and ecological conditions in artificial C.korshinskii forest.The results showed that the top three dominant plant species in seed rain were Echinops gmelinii Turcz.,Eragrostis minor Host.,and Agropyron mongolicum Keng.,and the top three dominant plant species in soil seed bank were E.minor,Chloris virgata Sw.,and E.gmelinii.As restoration period increased,the density of seed rain and soil seed bank increased first and then decreased.While for species richness,as restoration period increased,it gradually increased in seed rain but decreased in soil seed bank.There was a positive correlation between seed rain density and soil seed bank density among all the three restoration periods.The species similarity between seed rain or soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation decreased with the extension of restoration period.The shape of the seeds,specifically those with external appendages such as spines and crown hair,clearly had an effect on their dispersal,then resulting in lower seed density in soil seed bank.In addition,precipitation was a crucial factor in promoting rapid germination,also resulting in lower seed density in soil seed bank.Our findings provide valuable insights for guiding future interventions during the later periods of artificial C.korshinskii forest,such as sowing and restoration efforts using unmanned aerial vehicles.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (31071817)the Funding Project for Academic Human Resources Development in Institutions of Higher Learning under the Jurisdiction of Beijing Municipality(PXM20090142076309)
文摘We investigated characteristics (scales and composition) of soil seed banks at eight study sites in the rocky mountain region of Beijing by seed identification and germination monitoring. We also surveyed the vegetation communities at the eight study sites to explore the role of soil seed banks in vegetation restoration. The storage capacity of soil seed banks at the eight sites ranked from 766.26 to 2461.92 seeds·m?2. A total of 23 plant species were found in soil seed banks, of which 63–80% of seeds were herbs in various soil layers and 60% of seeds were located in the soil layer at 0–5 cm depth. Biodiversity indices indicated clear differences in species diversity of soil seed banks among different plant communities. The species composition of aboveground vegetation showed low similarity with that based on soil seed banks. In the aboveground plant community, the afforestation tree species showed high importance values. The plant species originating from soil seed banks represented natural regeneration, which also showed relatively high importance values. This study suggests that in the rocky mountain region of Beijing the soil seed banks played a key role in the transformation from pure plantation forest to near-natural forest, promoting natural ecological processes, and the role of the seed banks in vegetation restoration was important to the improvement of ecological restoration methods.
基金supported by the National Key Basic Research Program of China (2014CB954100)Yunnan Provincial Foundation of Science and Technology (2014GA003)the QueenslandChinese Academy of Sciences Biotechnology Fund(GJHZ1130)
文摘Soil seed banks are a vital part of ecosystems and influence community dynamics and regeneration.Although soil seed banks in different habitats have been reported, how soil seed banks vary with elevational gradients in different climatic zones is still unknown. This paper investigates seed density,species composition and nonconstituent species of forest soil seed banks in Yunnan Province, southwest China. Similarity between the soil seed bank and standing vegetation was also examined. We collected soil samples from sites spanning 12 elevations in tropical rain forests, subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests and subalpine coniferous forests, and transported them to a glasshouse for germination trials for species identification. The soil seed banks of tropical and subtropical forests had much higher seed densities and species richness than those of subalpine forests. Seeds of woody species dominated the soil seed banks of tropical and subtropical forests, while herbs dominated those of subalpine forests.The nonconstituent species in the soil seed banks were all herbs and were most abundant in tropical forests, followed by subtropical forests but were completely absent from subalpine forests.
文摘Objective:To investigate the relation between fruit seeds,plants residuals and appendicitis. Methods:Among cases that underwent appendectomy,the appendicitis cases having fruit seeds and undigested plant residuals in their etiology were examined retrospectively.Also, histopathological features,age,sex,and parameters of morbidity and mortality were used. Results:Fruit seed was found in one case(0.05%) with presence of pus in appendix lumen, undigested plant residuals in 7 cases(0.35%).It was determined that there were appendix inflammation in 2 of the plant residuals cases,while there were obstruction and lymphoid hyperplasia in the appendix lumen of 5 cases.No mortality was observed.Conclusions:The ratio of acute appendicitis caused by plants is minimal among all appendectomised patients, but avoidence of eating undigested fruit seeds and chewing plants well may help to prevent appendicitis.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31960279)the Science and Technology Program of Gansu Province, China (21JR11RA018)+1 种基金the Special Project for Central Universities to Build World-class Universities/Disciplines, and Characteristic Development GuidanceProgram for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University of Ministry of Education, China (IRT_17R88)
文摘Grassland degradation can alter the structure and function of ecosystem and soil seed bank.Therefore,estimating the role of soil seed bank in vegetation regeneration of degraded grasslands is crucial.We selected grasslands with three levels of degradation,namely non-degraded(ND),mildly degraded(MD),and heavily degraded(HD)to analyze the effect of grassland degradation on soil seed bank,as well as the role of soil seed bank on vegetation regeneration of the alpine grasslands,China.Soil samples from each level were collected in May,before seedling emergence,in August,after completion of transient seed bank germination,and in December,after seed dispersal,to determine the seed density and species composition through germination experiment.Result showed that a total of 35 plant species was identified,including 15 species observed in both soil seed bank and above-ground vegetation.A total of 19,15,and 14 species of soil seed bank were identified in December,May,and August,respectively.The most abundant species in soil seed bank were Compositae(5 species),followed by Poaceae(4 species),and Cyperaceae(3 species).Degradation level has no significant impact on species richness and Shannon-Wiener index of soil seed bank.In addition,sampling month and grassland degradation affected soil seed bank density,in which December>May>August,and ND>MD>HD,indicating that density of transient seed bank was greater than persistent seed bank.Soil seed bank density of surface layer(0–5 cm)accounting for 42%–72%of the total density,which was significantly higher than that of deep layer(5–10 cm).Similarity of species composition between vegetation and soil seed bank was low,and it increased with degradation level(ranged from 0.14 to 0.69).We concluded that grassland degradation affects soil seed bank density more than species diversity,and soil seed bank contributed slightly to vegetation regeneration of degraded alpine grassland.Therefore,it is unlikely that degraded alpine meadow can be restored solely through soil seed bank.
文摘Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a highly nutritious food that is an excellent source of protein and is associated with increased coronary health, lower risk of type-2 diabetes, lower risk of breast cancer and a healthy profile of inflammatory biomarkers. The domestic demand for organic peanuts has significantly increased, requiring new breeding efforts to develop peanut varieties adapted to the organic farming system. The use of unmanned aerial system (UAS) has gained scientific attention because of the ability to generate high-throughput phenotypic data. However, it has not been fully investigated for phenotyping agronomic traits of organic peanuts. Peanuts are beneficial for cardio system protection and are widely used. Within the U.S., peanuts are grown in 11 states on roughly 600,000 hectares and averaging 4500 kg/ha. This study’s objective was to test the accuracy of UAS data in the phenotyping pod and seed yield of organic peanuts. UAS data was collected from a field plot with 20 Spanish peanut breeding lines on July 07, 2021 and September 27, 2021. The study was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 blocks. Twenty-five vegetation indices (VIs) were calculated. The analysis of variance showed significant genotypic effects on all 25 vegetation indices for both flights (p < 0.05). The vegetation index Red edge (RE) from the first flight was the most significantly correlated with both pod (r = 0.44) and seed yield (r = 0.64). These results can be used to further advance organic peanut breeding efforts with high-throughput data collection.
基金Supported by Project of Natural Science Foundation of Tibet Autonomous Region(2016ZR-15-40)
文摘Soil seed bank refers to the sum of upper litter decay and all survival seeds in the soil. It plays a unique role in restoring the surface vegetation and protecting biodiversity. Chinese scholars have carried out extensive researches on the soil seed bank,and have obtained considerable achievements. On the basis of reading extensive literature,this paper summarized the current research results and found that the research contents of soil seed bank in China mainly involve the following aspects:( i) research method of soil seed bank;( ii) classification system of soil seed bank;( iii) spatial pattern of soil seed bank;( iv) relationship between soil seed bank and surface vegetation;( v) dynamic characteristic and seedling replanting of soil seed bank;( vi) application of soil seed bank in vegetation restoration. On the basis of the above summary,it came up with existing problems and future research direction of China's soil seed bank from system construction,field observation,disciplinary combination,interference factors,and community succession.
基金funded by the Science and Technology Project of Henan Province(202102310593)and Science and Technology Project of Kaifeng City(2002003).
文摘The application of phthalate plasticizers has been restricted around the world due to their poor migration and potential harm to the human body.Hence,producing functional bio-based plasticizers via exploiting clean and reusable resources meets the satisfaction of current demands.In this study,flame-retardant rubber seed oil-based plasticize(FRP)was prepared via epoxidation reaction and ring opening addition reactions,which was used as a flame-resistant plasticizer for polyvinyl chloride to replace petroleum-based phthalate plasticizer.When DOP was replaced with FRP,the torque of PVC blends increased from 11.4 to 18.4 N⋅m,the LOI value increased from 24.3%for PVC-FRP-0%to 33.1%for PVC-FRP-20.The THR value diminished from 39 MJ/m^(2)(pertaining to PVC-FRC-0)to 22 MJ/m^(2)Tg increased from 23°C to 47°C,the weight loss of plasticized PVC blends significantly reduced from 22.6%to 2.8%in leaching tests.The study provided a new way to prepare flame retardant plasticizer using rubber seed oil as raw material.
文摘Information on seed vigor of the vegetable crops is always important and necessary due to the increasing demand of high quality seeds for sowing and high-value commercial. The cultivation of these species, conducted intensively, should be established with seed high potential physiological and health for the development of a more productive and sustainable agriculture. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential physiological of seed lots of radish and coriander. The experiment was conducted at the laboratory of seed analysis and greenhouse of the plant science department of the Federal University of Pelotas in South Brazil. Four radish seed lots, cultivar "Saxa", and four coriander seed lots, cultivar "Verdito" were used. Germination seed test, first count of germination, accelerated aging test, electrical conductivity and seedling emergence were used to evaluate the physiological quality of the lots. The experimental design was completely randomized design with five replications. Means were compared by Tukey test. The accelerated aging test was the most efficient test in assessing the physiological quality for both lots of radish seeds and coriander and this test provide coherent results with seedlings emergence.
文摘Bio-derived oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as mixtures of fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel), are promising alternatives for alleviating the adverse effects of fossil fuel consumption on climate change and preventing petroleum resource depletion. However, the selection of a viable feedstock for competitive biodiesel production remains challenging. Recent studies focusing on Griffonia simplicifolia seeds, the sole plant industrially exploited for 5-hydroxy- tryptophan (5-HTP) extraction, have shown that G. simplicifolia seed oil (GSO) can be solvent-extracted directly from ground seeds or the remaining seed cakes obtained after 5-HTP extraction with quantitative yields. This work documents the conversion of GSO into biodiesel through homogeneous base-catalyzed transesterification. The refractive index and density of the obtained methyl ester mixtures decreased with increasing oil-to-methanol molar ratio, reaction temperature, and time. Under specific conditions, 1.43 wt% FFA oil, 63.5C, 60 min, and 1:9 oil/MeOH molar ratio with 1.2 wt% NaOH or 1.3 wt% KOH as catalysts, optimal reaction conditions were reached. There were no significant differences in the potential for diminution of the refractive index and density between the NaOH and KOH catalysts. The predicted fuel properties based on the fatty acid composition determined by GC-MS showed that G. simplicifolia biodiesel exhibited a cetane index of 50.29, volumetric energy density of 34.97 MJ/L, cloud point of -1.03°C, kinematic viscosity of 4.07 mm<sup>2</sup>/s, and oxidative stability of 0.65 h. Apart from its unfavorable oxidative stability and slightly lower energy density compared to petrodiesel, all other calculated parameters met the current standards. The valorization concept proposed in this study should be integrated into the 5-HTP extraction process, preferably using the remaining dry seed cakes as raw materials to maximize revenue in a bioeconomic and sustainable approach.