Aquacrop Model Calibration in Potato and Its Use to Estimate Yield Variability under Field Conditions

AquaCrop model estimates the crop productivity decrease in response to water stress, determining the biomass (B) based on water productivity (WP) and accumulated transpiration (ΣTr);and the yield (Y) is calculated according to B and the harvest index (HI). AquaCrop was evaluated considering different WP values for 2010 late growing season to simulate crop yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Spunta, in a commercial production field of 9 ha located in the green belt of Cordoba city (31°30'S, 64°08'W, 402 m asl), while monitoring in 2009 was used to verify the model. Canopy cover estimation by AquaCrop was adjusted using observed field data obtained from vertical digital photographs acquired at 2.5 m height. WP values of 15.8 and 31.6 (for C3 and C4 species, respectively) and two intermediate values 21 and 26.3 g·mˉ2 were considered to evaluate the model performance. While linear function between observed tuber yields and estimated by AquaCrop had always a correlation coefficient greater than 0.94 (p 0.001), using WP = 26.3 and WP =31.6 g·mˉ2 presented overestimation, whereas with 15.8 g·mˉ2 had an opposite behavior, while WP = 21 g·mˉ2 was the value that produced the lowest estimation error. In addition, soil moisture from this estimated value of WP was highly correlated with measured water content in different areas of production field. The verification test shows that while the model slightly underestimates canopy cover, biomass was overestimated. After setting the coefficients of canopy cover development, the AquaCrop crop model estimated adequately potato yield for high production values that are less affected by lack of water, but in both years showed a tendency to overestimate the lowest yields, as was observed for other crops. Meanwhile, the dispersion between the observed and estimated yield was higher in the verification test because the sampling this year was more random.

Development and mapping of SSR markers linked to resistance-gene homologue clusters in common bean

Common bean is an important but often a disease-susceptible legume crop of temperate,subtropical and tropical regions worldwide. The crop is affected by bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens. The strategy of resistance-gene homologue(RGH) cloning has proven to be an efficient tool for identifying markers and R(resistance) genes associated with resistances to diseases. Microsatellite or SSR markers can be identified by physical association with RGH clones on large-insert DNA clones such as bacterial artificial chromosomes(BACs). Our objectives in this work were to identify RGH-SSR in a BAC library from the Andean genotype G19833 and to test and map any polymorphic markers to identify associations with known positions of disease resistance genes. We developed a set of specific probes designed for clades of common bean RGH genes and then identified positive BAC clones and developed microsatellites from BACs having SSR loci in their end sequences. A total of 629 new RGH-SSRs were identified and named BMr(bean microsatellite RGH-associated markers). A subset of these markers was screened for detecting polymorphism in the genetic mapping population DOR364 × G19833. A genetic map was constructed with a total of 264 markers,among which were 80 RGH loci anchored to single-copy RFLP and SSR markers. Clusters of RGH-SSRs were observed on most of the linkage groups of common bean and in positions associated with R-genes and QTL. The use of these new markers to select for disease resistance is discussed.

Photochemical Efficiency during the Establishment and Consolidation Phases of in Vitro Pinus radiata Micrograft Made from Scions of Different Ontogenetic Age

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the applicability of maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) as an early estimate of P. radiata micrografts viability coming from different position (basal vs. apical) in the ortets. We hypothesize that Fv/Fm variation is a good indicator of micrograft’s viability and phenological stage during micrograft development. The micrografts were established in QL medium supplemented whit 0.1 mg·L-1 IBA and 1 mg·L-1 BAP and cultured at 25°C ± 2°C and 80 μmol photons m-2s-1 of photosynthetic active radiation by 16 h per day. During the establishment and consolidation phase, we found significant differences in Fv/Fm with respect to time and buds positions provenience. During establishment, basal shoot tips have lower Fv/Fm than apical shoot tips, which agrees with the lowest viability (35%). However, during the consolidation phase, the trend changed and basal shoot tips presented higher Fv/Fm than apical shoot tips and showed an increase in ETR and NPQ, with respect to apical shoots and ortet. Although the measurement of fluorescence parameters implies the insertion of the fluorometer sonde in vitro, this implies aseptic considerations, but always conveies a contamination risk. We conclude that fluorescence (Fv/Fm, ETR, NPQ) can be indicators of the micrograft’s development according to the shoot tips position in the ortet and can be useful early-indicators of the scions’ physiological condition during micrograft transition from establishment to consolidation.

Morpho-Molecular Characterization of Ditylenchus dipsaci and Alternatives for Its Management in Green Onion Allium fistulosum Crops from Colombia

Green onion is one of the most consumed vegetables in Colombia. However, its production is negatively affected by the nematode Ditylenchus. To determine the species of the nematode, as well as to propose management strategies for its control, in the present study the morphological, morphometric, and molecular characterization of the phytonematode was carried out and was used to evaluate the effect of immersion of the propagation material in water hot, application of a commercial strain of Purpureocillium lilacinum and the application of an agrochemical with insecticidal-nematicidal action to control the phytosanitary problem under field conditions. The morphological and morphometric characteristics of the nematode were similar to those reported for the type and reference populations of D. dipsaci. Based on sequences of the D2-D3 segment and Internal Transcribed Spacer-ITS of the rRNA, the presence of D. dipsaci in green onion crops in Colombia was confirmed. The application of P. lilacinum statistically showed an efficient control of D. dipsaci, at the same time that presented the highest yield, in relation to the other evaluated treatments (P ≤ 0.05).

Inhibition of <i>Ehrlichia canis</i>and <i>Babesia canis</i>transmission among ticks fed together on dogs vaccinated with Bm86 antigen

GAVAC (Heber Biotec S.A, Havana, Cuba) is a commercially available vaccine developed with the Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus Bm86 recombinant antigen. Bm86 is a “concealed” antigen that is present in the plasmatic membrane of tick gut epithelial cells with unknown function so far. It is well known that after vaccination in the last fifteen years in Cuba, there was a significant decrease of babesiosis (Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina) and anaplasmosis (Anaplasma marginale) in cattle. A reduced transmission capacity of ticks fed on tick-immune animals and humans has been reported for several tick-borne pathogens. Recent experiments have demonstrated that an anti-tick vaccine may contribute to the control of tick-borne pathogens not only by decreasing the exposure of susceptible hosts to ticks, but also by reducing the vector capacity of ticks. In this study, the potential of Bm86 vaccination to interfere with pathogen transmission among ticks was evaluated by using as experimental model the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus and the tickborne Babesia canis and Ehrlichia canis pathogens. Dogs, vaccinated and not vaccinated, were infested with pathogen-infected ticks and noninfected nymphs of R. sanguineus. After feeding, the pathogen transmission to newly molted adults from co-feeding uninfected nymphs was studied by conventional PCR and qPCR. Results suggest that the anti-Bm86 antibodies could be able to block the transmission of B. canis and/or E. canis from infected to non-infected ticks.

Effect of laccase from Trametes versicolor on the oxidative stability of edible vegetable oils

The increasing demand of natural food from consumers has limited the use of traditional methods to control the oxidation of lipids,such as synthetic antioxidants and hydrogenation.Besides,it has been reported that the use of enzymes is efficient to eliminate dissolved oxygen in foods such as vegetable oils.Laccase is a polyphenol oxidase and the reduction of oxygen to water is accompanied by the oxidation,typically,of a phenolic substrate.Laccase have become important,industrially relevant enzymes that can be used for a number of diverse applications such waste detoxification,textile dye transformation,food technologic uses,biosensor and analytical applications,bioethanol production,among others.The target of this study was to evaluate the effect of laccase enzyme from Trametes versicolor,on the oxidative stability of sesame,chia,peanut and sunflower oils,measured through the peroxide value(PV)and conjugated dienes(K232)and trienes(K270).The samples of oil with laccase showed higher PV,K232 and K270 than their corresponding controls,under the conditions evaluated(room temperature and 60◦C).The results suggest that fungal laccase has an unexpected pro-oxidant effect on vegetable oils,possibly promoted by products derived from the oxidation of phenols by enzymatic action.

Climate change and infectious disease: a review of evidence and research trends

Background Climate change presents an imminent threat to almost all biological systems across the globe.In recent years there have been a series of studies showing how changes in climate can impact infectious disease transmission.Many of these publications focus on simulations based on in silico data,shadowing empirical research based on feld and laboratory data.A synthesis work of empirical climate change and infectious disease research is still lacking.Methods We conducted a systemic review of research from 2015 to 2020 period on climate change and infectious diseases to identify major trends and current gaps of research.Literature was sourced from Web of Science and PubMed literary repositories using a key word search,and was reviewed using a delineated inclusion criteria by a team of reviewers.Results Our review revealed that both taxonomic and geographic biases are present in climate and infectious disease research,specifcally with regard to types of disease transmission and localities studied.Empirical investigations on vector-borne diseases associated with mosquitoes comprised the majority of research on the climate change and infectious disease literature.Furthermore,demographic trends in the institutions and individuals published revealed research bias towards research conducted across temperate,high-income countries.We also identifed key trends in funding sources for most resent literature and a discrepancy in the gender identities of publishing authors which may refect current systemic inequities in the scientifc feld.Conclusions Future research lines on climate change and infectious diseases should considered diseases of direct transmission(non-vector-borne)and more research efort in the tropics.Inclusion of local research in low-and middle-income countries was generally neglected.Research on climate change and infectious disease has failed to be socially inclusive,geographically balanced,and broad in terms of the disease systems studied,limiting our capacities to better understand the actual efects of climate change on health.

Morpho-Anatomy of the Echium plantagineum L. (Boraginaceae) Diaspores in Relation with Water Uptake and Germination

Echium plantagineum(Boraginaceae)is native of the Mediterranean regions,has been introduced and become widespread within the American continent(North to South),South Africa,New Zealand and Australia.This plant has seed dormancy,aggressively spreads to infest vast areas of predominantly agricultural land and is considered a toxic weed to livestock.The objectives of this research were:(i)to study the morpho-anatomy of the diaspores of E.plantagineum;(ii)to identify the pathway of water uptake;and(iii)to characterize the germination and the seedling.The morpho-anatomical studies were carried out analyzing semi-permanent slides of transverse and longitudinal sections of the fruits,seeds and seedlings.Histological,histochemical and conventional staining techniques by using stereoscopic,optical and scanning electron microscopy were applied.In the diaspores,the water uptake pathway was determined by fast green staining,germination tests were performed and the morpho-anatomy of seedlings was analyzed.The diaspores showed acrescent calyx surrounding the fruit,composed by 4 rough tuberculate mericarpids.Each indehiscent mericarpid encloses an exalbuminous seed with a thin coat and a spatulate embryo with folded coty-ledons.Water uptake took place through the vascular trace“protuberance”in the cicatrix of the mericarpid,which triggers the germination process.Germination was epigeal,the cotyledons were photosynthetically active at the emergence,and a rudimentary developed gemmula was observed.Germination percentage was 66.5%.The macrosclereids of the pericarp functions as an obstacle to water uptake,which is overcome when the mericarpid is detached from the gynobase,and the protuberance that acts as a water uptake path is exposed,leading to germination.The morpho-anatomical characteristics of diaspore,explain the successful dispersal for this aggressive weed,and provide important information in relation to the necessary care for its control.

Impacts of fire severity and cattle grazing on early plant dynamics in old-growth Araucaria-Nothofagus forests

Background: Fire has historically shaped the dynamics of Araucaria araucana-Nothofagus pumilio forests in the Andean region of South America. Nevertheless, human disturbances and stronger drought events have resulted in increased occurrence and severity of wildfires. Regardless of their conservation relevance, the initial response to fire of Araucaria-Nothofagus forests has not been well documented. Through this research we tested the hypothesis that plant composition of Araucaria-Nothofagus forest after fire will initially differ in its recovery depending on fire severity, but over time, plant similarity will increase among areas with different levels of fire severity. The study was carried out in old-growth Araucaria-Nothofagus forests in south-central Chile(38°S) that were burned in 2015. We studied vegetation response to three levels of fire severity(low(LS), moderate(MS) and high(HS) severity), also including an adjacent unburned forest(UN), which were assessed one, two and three years after fire. We also evaluated the impact of cattle on plant recovery after fire. We measured species richness, abundance, plant diversity and origin of all vascular plant species.Results: Species richness and plant abundance responded differently to fire severity. Time-since-fire had a significant effect on plant richness and abundance. Plant composition within LS areas was similar to UN areas, but MS and HS areas were significantly less diverse compared to UN and LS. In absence of other major disturbances, similarity in plant composition tended to increase over time across the different levels of fire severity, becoming more similar to UN. We also found a synergetic effect of cattle and fire on species richness. This interaction promotes the establishment of nonnative species and limits the recovery of native species following fire.Conclusions: Fire severity had a significant impact on the plant community of old-growth Araucaria-Nothofagus forests,especially in areas of high fire severity, where the native tree N. pumilio was completely absent. Nevertheless,plant communities can recover gradually, depending on fire severity, time-since-fire, and the absence of cattle grazing. Management actions should include the exclusion of cattle within fire-affected areas and afforestation with N. pumilio in areas high fire severity due to its unsuccessful recruitment after fire.

Six forests in one:Tree species diversity in the Bosque Protector Chongón Colonche,a lowland mountain range in coastal Ecuadorian

Tropical mountain ranges shape the structure of tree communities and promote highly diverse natural habitats.The“Bosque Protector Chong on-Colonche”(BPCC),an 86,000-ha mountain formation situated on the coast of Ecuador,is biogeographically important for the region by connecting floristic elements of the wet Choco and the dry Tumbesian forests.Our understanding of the factors that model tree and palm diversity and distribution in this mountain range are limited.We measured and identified all trees and palms(DBH≥10 cm)in 289 plots of0.2 ha,distributed throughout BPCC.We used generalized linear models to explain the relationship between forest diversity and structure and climatic variables(temperature,rain,aridity),and altitude.We then used cluster and non-metric multidimensional scale(NMDS)analyses to search for distinct forest communities within the BPCC.Variance partition(varpart)was used to determine which predictor variables best explained these distinct forest communities.A species indicator analysis identified the species most likely to define these distinct forest communities.Finally,we carried out a niche modeling approach to identify the potential distribution of these forest communities within BPCC.In total,we identified 220 tree and palm species in our survey.The average number of species per plot was 17.8±5.8,ranging from 3 to 40 species.Classification methods sorted the 289study plots into six different forest communities,three communities in the dry forest and three in the semi-humid Garúa forest.Precipitation and temperature,but not altitude or aridity,explained floristic composition.These results emphasize the high but little cataloged diversity in the lowland mountain rainforests of coastal Ecuador.

Thermal Conditions in Córdoba City, Argentina, during 1960-2010 Period

The present work analyzes daily minimum (Tmin) and maximum (Tmax) temperature series from Córdoba Observatory weather station, which is located near the center of the city of Córdoba, Argentina, and from the Pajas Blancas and Pilar observatories, in order to have a reference counterpart of regional climate. The air temperature in Córdoba city during 1960-2010 period shows lower/higher frequency of Tmin categories lower/higher than 15°C, with respect to rural thermal conditions. Tmax categories higher/lower than 30°C, in turn, presented higher/lower frequency in the city. While the mean annual Tmin showed a significant positive trend in the entire region in the study period, Tmax presented no significant changes over time. The difference between urban and rural thermal regimes remained uniform throughout the study period, so the process of urbanization does not seem to have changed the Urban heat island status measure from Córdoba Observatory, even though the population of the metropolis has doubled. Although nocturnal thermal conditions have changed over the period, particularly in urban areas, there has been no change in the regime of extreme daytime temperatures across the region. The annual mean Tmin increase is not monotonic, but presents a significant positive partial trend until a breakpoint around 1990, and then becomes neutral or negative and loses significance. For the annual mean Tmax, the partial trend slopes are not significant in any case, so the variation of annual mean thermal amplitude is due mainly to the increase of the Tmin, probably associated with increased rainfall in the region.

Proximate composition and seed lipid components of “kabuli”-type chickpea (<i>Cicer arietinum</i>L.) from Argentina

Chickpea is an important pulse crop with a wide range of potential nutritional benefits because of its chemical composition. The purpose of the current work was to provide the chemical composition of “kabuli”-type chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) developed in Argentina for nutritional purpose. Protein, oil and ash contents, fatty acid, tocopherol and mineral element compositions were studied. Among the studied genotypes, protein content ranged from 18.46 to 24.46 g/100g, oil content ranged from 5.68 to 9.01 g/100g and ash from 3.55 to 4.46 g/100g. Linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids were the most abundant fatty acids. The average oleic-to-linoleic ratio was 0.62 and average iodine value was 117.82. Tocopherols, well-established natural antioxidants, were found in chickpea seeds in relatively similar amounts across all genotypes. Mineral element analysis showed that chickpea was rich in macronutrients such as K, P, Mg and Ca. The nutritional composition of chickpea genotypes developed and grown in Argentina provides useful information for breeding programs, food marketing and consumers and establishes chickpea as component of a balanced human diet.

Effect of Electric Field on the Kinetics of Growth of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in a Hydroponic System

The implementation of alternative harvest systems which are able to accelerate the kinetics of growth of plants, is extremely important to decrease the time of crop. In this sense, Electro-Hydroponic culture, i.e., the application of an electric field in the nutrient solution of the hydroponic culture emerges as an alternative and interesting harvest system. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of the electric field applying different intensities of direct current (DC) at the galvanostatic regime (50, 37.5, 25 and 12.5 mA) on the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) plants in hydroponic culture. Fifty lettuce plants were used in a nutrient solution, from which 4 groups composed of ten lettuces each one, were subjected at 12.5, 25, 37.5 and 50 mA, respectively. A fifth group of ten lettuces was used as a reference test, i.e., without application of DC. The experiments were carried out during 16 days. The results reveal that the kinetics of growth of the lettuce is dependent on the applied current;actually it is observed an increase in the foliate area of the plants cultivated in the presence of DC than that obtained in the reference test. Furthermore, the plants subjected at 12.5 mA, revealed an increase in the foliate area of 65.3% and 73.2% in comparison with the reference test.

Nutrimental diagnosis of avocado(Persea americana Mill.)“Haas”,soil fertility and water quality in Cuernavaca,Morelos,Mexico

In two contrasting agricultural ecohabitats (agrohabitats) in the avocado production area in the municipality of Cuernavaca, Morelos, an analysis of nutrimental status, soil fertility and water quality was conducted to measure soil fertility levels and to determine the nutrimental state of the trees. The “Hass” variety avocado groves studied had an average age of 8 years;the first grove was planted in an acrisol soil (1700 to 1900 meters above mean sea level [mamsl]);the second, in an andosol soil (1200 to 1700 mamsl). In each agrohabitat, tests were performed to determine the soil’s physical and chemical characteristics. The physical and chemical characteristics of the soils of this zone differ as do the nutrimental states of the avocado trees in the two agrohabitats. The trees showed excessive concentration of Ca, Fe, S, Z and Mg. The indices of Deviation from Optimal Percentage (DOP) in the two agrohabitats showed different nutrimental requirements;nevertheless, they were low and very near to zero, 14.218 and 13.350 respectively. The water used for the agricultural irrigation was low in salinity and sodium content and thus may be used for the agricultural irrigation without restrictions.

Life Cycle Assessment of Hydrogel Used in Hydroponics for the Impatiens New Guinea Production

The environmental impact on the planet leads to the search of new processes that are friendly with the environment and obtaining high quality products. In this sense, green chemistry is used in the generation of products through processes that do not affect the planet. In many of these processes and in general, the use of water has been depleted this resource of vital importance for the survival of living things. In Mexico, 77% of water is used in agriculture;14% in the public supply;5% in the thermoelectric plants and 4% in the industry. In research presented, hydroponics is essential in the process and is defined as a technique used to reduce excessive water consumption, by providing the necessary nutrients, in addition to preventing soil erosion by allowing the growth of plants without use of ground. The potassium polyacrylate is a super-absorbent polymer (Hydrogel) capable of absorbing water up to 500 times of its weight and has a life span of 10 years. When mixed with a substrate, the required nutrient solution potassium polyacrylate allows to lengthen the interval watering and thus reducing the consumption of water from plants. Morelos is the largest producer of ornamental plants in the country, due to its privileged climate and location. In the present work using the hydroponic methodology, we planted cuttings of Bethlehem New Guinea (Impatiens New Guinea) in a substrate made by 60% of coconut fiber, 20% tepojal, 20% ground sheet mixed with polymer of potassium (20 g per litre), 400 ml of Steiner nutrient solution in concentrations of 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%, varying the interval of 3-, 6-, 8- and 10-day watering. The variables considered are: concentration of chlorophyll, the plant height, leaf area, number of stems and weight dry total. The 12 principles of green chemistry applied to hydroponics using polyacrylate of potassium as part of the substrate in Bethlehem New Guinea (Impatiens New Guinea) to determine the analysis of life cycle (LCA), doing the balance of inputs and outputs of the system, and the stages of the LCA. Finally the SimaPro software was used to measure the environmental impact of the use of the polymer in hydroponics by varying the watering interval and the concentration of the Steiner solution, entering data for the concentration of Steiner, and the volume of water used. With the results obtained by measurement of weight dry total and concentration of Steiner solution and using the Software SimaPro, Steiner saw that the solution with the concentration of 60% using potassium polyacrylate as part of the hydroponic substrate in Bethlehem New Guinea and in the range of 10 days to water generated less environmental impact. On the other hand, in the same figure, it is determined that the Steiner solutions with concentrations of 80 and 100% generate a bigger environmental impact, due to the saturation of the solutions.

Revealing the complexity of vampire bat rabies "spillover transmission"

Background The term virus'spillover’embodies a highly complex phenomenon and is often used to refer to viral transmission from a primary reservoir host to a new,naïve yet susceptible and permissive host species.Spillover transmission can result in a virus becoming pathogenic,causing disease and death to the new host if successful infection and transmission takes place.Main text The scientific literature across diverse disciplines has used the terms virus spillover,spillover transmission,cross-species transmission,and host shift almost indistinctly to imply the complex process of establishment of a virus from an original host(source/donor)to a naïve host(recipient),which have close or distant taxonomic or evolutionary ties.Spillover transmission may result in unsuccessful onward transmission,if the virus dies off before propagation.Alternatively,successful viral establishment in the new host can occur if subsequent secondary transmission among individuals of the same novel species and among other sympatric susceptible species occurred.As such,virus spillover transmission is a common yet highly complex phenomenon that encompasses multiple subtle stages that can be deconstructed to be studied separately to better understand the drivers of disease emergence.Rabies virus(RABV)is a well-documented viral pathogen which still inflicts heavy impact on humans,companion animals,wildlife,and livestock throughout Latin America due substantial spatial temporal and ecological—natural and expansional—overlap with several virus reservoir hosts.Thereby,the rabies disease system represents a robust avenue through which the drivers and uncertainties surrounding spillover transmission can be unravel at its different subtle stages to better understand how they may be affected by coarse,medium,and fine scale variables.Conclusions The continued study of viral spillover transmission necessitates the elucidation of its complexities to better assess the cross-scale impacts of ecological forces linked to the propensity of spillover success.Improving capacities to reconstruct and predict spillover transmission would prevent public health impacts on those most at risk populations across the globe.

Effect of full-fat sunflower or flaxseed seeds dietary inclusion on performance,egg yolk fatty acid profile and egg quality in laying hens

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the dietary inclusion of full-fat flaxseed of full-fat sunflower seeds on performance parameters,egg quality parameters and egg yolk fatty acid profile in laying hens.A total of 150 Babcock Brown hens at 27 weeks of age were distributed in 3 experimental treatments,as follows:T1,control;T2,diet containing 13.5% full-fat whole flaxseed seeds;and T3,diet containing 13.5% full-fat ground sunflower seeds.Feed and water were provided ad libitum and the experiment lasted for 8 weeks.No significant differences were found on egg quality parameters,but total egg production and rate of lay were significantly(P <0.05) lower in the group receiving sunflower seeds compared with the control,and significant differences(P <0.05) in egg yolk saturated,monounsaturated,polyunsaturated,omega-6(n-6) and omega-3(n-3) fatty acids were observed,as well as in the n-6:n-3 ratio.The results show that the dietary inclusion of 13.5% flaxseed full-fat seeds significantly increases the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA) content in the eggs and lowers the n-6:n-3 ratio without affecting performance parameters.Inclusion of full-fat sunflower seeds increases the n-6 PUFA content but affects total egg production and rate of lay.Further studies are needed to determine the level of inclusion of full-fat sunflower seeds that does not affect performance.

Gluten-free flour fermented with autochthonous starters for sourdough production:Effect of the fermentation process

Refined rice flour and wholegrain quinoa and buckwheat flours were used to prepare gluten-free sourdoughs.Two autochthonous LAB strains were isolated,one from quinoa (Limosilactobacillus fermentum Q3) and the other from buckwheat (Lim.fermentum T5).Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC8014 was used as a reference starter.Two fermentation processes were evaluated,a single-step process (30℃,24 h) named SD1,and a daily refreshment process (backslopping for 10 days) named SD2.Sourdoughs were freeze-dried prior to analyses.Pasting properties,pentosan and polyphenol contents,and antioxidant activity were analysed.Flour properties were significantly modified by fermentation.Polyphenol extractability increased during fermentation,which resulted in a higher antioxidant capacity,mainly through a reducing mechanism.Q3 and T5 strains produced the most remarkable modifications of flour properties.Differences were found between both fermentation processes,mainly as a result of the development of different microbiota.The single-step fermentation (SD1) showed to be a simple and appropriate method for improving flour properties.

Diversity and host assemblage of avian haemosporidians in different terrestrial ecoregions of Peru

Characterizing the diversity and structure of host–parasite communities is crucial to understandingtheir eco-evolutionary dynamics.Malaria and related haemosporidian parasites are responsible forfitness loss and mortality in bird species worldwide.However,despite exhibiting the greatest ornithologicalbiodiversity,avian haemosporidians from Neotropical regions are quite unexplored.Here,we analyze the genetic diversity of bird haemosporidian parasites(Plasmodium andHaemoproteus)in 1,336 individuals belonging to 206 bird species to explore for differences in diversityof parasite lineages and bird species across 5 well-differentiated Peruvian ecoregions.Wedetected 70 different haemosporidian lineages infecting 74 bird species.We showed that 25 out ofthe 70 haplotypes had not been previously recorded.Moreover,we also identified 81 new host–parasite interactions representing new host records for these haemosporidian parasites.Our outcomesrevealed that the effective diversity(as well as the richness,abundance,and Shannon–Weaver index)for both birds and parasite lineages was higher in Amazon basin ecoregions.Furthermore,we also showed that ecoregions with greater diversity of bird species also had highparasite richness,hence suggesting that host community is crucial in explaining parasite richness.Generalist parasites were found in ecoregions with lower bird diversity,implying that the abundanceand richness of hosts may shape the exploitation strategy followed by haemosporidian parasites.These outcomes reveal that Neotropical region is a major reservoir of unidentified haemosporidianlineages.Further studies analyzing host distribution and specificity of these parasites inthe tropics will provide important knowledge about phylogenetic relationships,phylogeography,and patterns of evolution and distribution of haemosporidian parasites.

Driving factors of tree biomass and soil carbon pool in xerophytic forests of northeastern Argentina

Background The conversion of forests into agricultural lands can be a threat because the forests carbon stored could be a source of emissions. The capacity to improve the predictions on the consequences of land use change depends on the identification of factors that influence carbon pools. We investigated the key driving factors of tree biomass and soil carbon pools in xerophytic forests in northeastern Argentina. Based on analyses of forest structure variables and abiotic factors (topography and soil properties) from 18 mature forests, we evaluated carbon pools using uniand multivariate (redundancy analysis) methods. Results The total carbon pool was estimated at 102.4 ± 24.0 Mg ha−1. Soil organic carbon storage is the single largest carbon pool relative to tree biomass, representing 73.1% of total carbon. Tree canopy cover and basal area were positively correlated with biomass carbon pool (r = 0.77 and r = 0.73, p < 0.001, respectively), proving to be significant drivers of carbon storage in this compartment. Slope, soil clay content and cation-exchange capacity had a better explanation for the variability in soil carbon pools, and all showed significant positive correlations with soil carbon pools (r = 0.64, 0.60 and 0.50;p < 0.05, respectively). The vertisols showed a 27.8% higher soil carbon stock than alfisols. Conclusions The relevance of our study stems from a dearth of information on carbon pools and their drivers in xerophytic forests, and in particular, the importance of this ecosystems’ type for Argentina, because they cover 81.9% of native forest area. Basal area and tree canopy cover exert a strong effect on the carbon pool in tree biomass but not in the soil. The results suggests that there is a potentially major SOC accumulation in forests located in slightly sloping areas and soils with higher topsoil clay content, such as vertisols. This could provide an important reference for implementing forestry carbon sink projects.