Effect of barley straw biochar application on greenhouse gas emissions from upland soil for Chinese cabbage cultivation in short-term laboratory experiments

Chinese cabbage was cultivated in upland soil with the addition of biochar in order to investigate the potential for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Barley straw biochar(BSB) was introduced in a Wagner pot(1/5000a) in amounts of 0(BSB0, control), 100(BSB100), 300(BSB300), and 500(BSB500) kg 10a^(-1). After the addition of BSB into the upland soil, carbon dioxide(CO_2) emission increased while methane(CH_4) and nitrous oxide(N_2O) emissions decreased. The highest CO2 flux was measured for the BSB500 sample,(84.6 g m^(-2)) followed by BSB300, BSB100, and BSB0 in decreasing order. Relative to those of control, the total CH_4 flux and N_2O flux for the BSB500 treatment were lower by 31.6% and 26.1%, respectively. The global warming potential(GWP) of the treatment without biochar was 281.4 g CO_2 m-2 and those for treatments with biochar were in the range from 194.1 to 224.9 g CO_2 m^(-2). Therefore, introducing BSB into upland soil to cultivate Chinese cabbages can reduce the global warming potential.

Oleic acid Stimulates the Formation of Adipocyte-Like Cells from Bovine Satellite Cells via <i>G-Protein Coupled Receptor 43</i>and <i>CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein Beta</i>

Numerous physiological and pathological processes are controlled by free fatty acids, which act as signaling molecules in mammals. We hypothesized that oleic acid (Ole) might stimulate the formation of satellite-cell-derived intramuscular adipose tissue. The role of Ole as a ligand of G-protein-coupled receptor 43 (GPR43) was previously identified. Thus, the objective of the current study was to determine the effect of Ole on GPR43 and factors related to the adipogenic differentiation of bovine satellite cells (BSC). Treatments of 100 μM and 500 μM Ole tended to induce greater (P < 0.10) mRNA expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) compared to all other doses. The mRNA abundance of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) was not altered (P > 0.10) by treatment. The addition of 100 μM and 500 μM of Ole upregulated (P < 0.05) GPR43 mRNA expression. Protein level of GPR43 was increased (P < 0.05) by 100 μM of Ole treatments. Addition of Ole to BSC cultures induced transformation of myogenic cells into adipocyte-like cells that formed cytoplasmic lipid droplets. Increased expression of C/EBPβ in response to Ole might suppress myogenic differentiation. After the treatment of cells with Ole, increased expression of GPR43 could lead to phosphorylation of 5’ AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα). Altogether, the results indicated that increased Ole might stimulate adipose tissue accumulation within the skeletal muscle of cattle by promoting adipogenic differentiation and activation of GPR43 in satellite cells.

Screening for Drought-Tolerant and Low-Input Responsive Upland Rice Landraces

Productivity potentials of upland rice landraces (URLs) are continuously compromised by scanty water supply due to competing priorities for irrigations and fluctuations in agro-ecological conditions peculiar to low-input farming systems. A growing demand for rice amidst decline in productive agricultural areas plunges into an urgent contribution of marginal areas critical in attaining food sufficiency among Filipino households. Agronomic performances of URLs locally found in Catanduanes province, Philippines were evaluated in a replicated trial utilizing three URLs: Kamanang [1], Kadari [2] and Bulaw [3]. The experimental set-up was closely monitored for consistent dry moisture content and zero fertilizer application. Results were significant for traditional upland landraces: Kamanang and Kadari, scored in terms of higher germination rate, increment plant height and the number of tillers during the vegetative stage. Leaf color gradations, although statistically not significant across cultivars, were suggestive of varying adaptive performance between traditional cultivars subjected to low-input system. Putative low-input responsive lines indicated by the higher survival percentage and overall agronomic responses were selected from the study site. Screened lines took part of the advance population which would be potentially able to tolerate poor soil conditions (i.e. poor storehouse of water and nutrients) especially in areas with edaphological constraints and changing rainfall distribution pattern. The development of putative drought tolerant lines among URLs forms the most economical solution implicated to areas with limited access to agricultural interventions.

A Potential Weed Control Using Robotic Implement

The research was conducted to develop a robot that can navigate a paddy in between rows or hills which were transplanted by the machine transplanter with equal distance. An initial prototype robotic battery-type weeder was manufactured and tested to navigate and control weeds in rice paddy fields, but a speed was so slow, and thus second engine-type prototype was developed. A working acreage for weed control has been attained at and up to 0.8 ha/day. Small and young weed seedlings were uprooted and destroyed by passive devices in between rows as well as hills. This robot was smoothly navigated in between rows on behalf of the guidance under camera and sensor systems and control weeds with mechanical by the use of implements such as passive rotary weeders and then weeds would be cut and buried into the soils. Also muddy water was generated during operation which was none penetrated by light for weed germination to occur. The authors concluded that the robotic was an effective alternative implement to control weeds in lowland rice paddy as long as this tool was systematically introduced into the rice fields at three time intervals, viz. 15-20 days, 25-30days, and 35-40 days after transplanting of rice seedlings.