Annals of Agricultural Science最新文献

Biopolymer-coated phosphorus fertilizers have shown promising results in slowing the release of P. However, their dissolution behaviour has been studied mainly in water, and their impacts on soil properties have rarely been addressed. The aim of this study was to compare the dissolution of P from uncoated triple superphosphate (TSP) and biopolymer-coated TSP fertilizers at the surface of cropped Mediterranean soils and to evaluate their impacts on the soil pH and the distributions of several P pools. The experimental treatments were: no fertilizer, uncoated TSP, TSP coated with lignin and TSP coated with lignin and carrageenan. The spatial and temporal variations in the pH of the fertilized soils were investigated using optodes. The concentrations of different pools of P (available P, microbial P), and total P as well as P recovery at different distances from the granules were determined. The coated TSP acidified the soil to a radius of 14 mm around each fertilizer granule, while the acidification spread to 21 mm in the treatment with the uncoated TSP. Moreover, an increase in microbial P was observed in the soil treated with coated TSP, possibly due to the carbon input and the consequent increase in microbial biomass. However, slower P-release was observed from the coated TSP due to the effect of the coating barrier. The P recovery results showed P migration within a 21 mm radius from each granule, and the P recovery from the TSP coated with lignin alone was significantly greater than that from the uncoated TSP treatment.

This study investigated the effects of adding carob molasses at 5 %, 10 %, and 15 % on physicochemical, rheological, and biological activities such as antioxidant, antibacterial and antitumor activities, as well as microbiological and sensory properties of stirred yoghurt samples during the cold storage period. Increasing the concentration of carob molasses increased the content of total solids (TS), titratable acidity, yellowness /blueness values, antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic activity, and overall acceptability. Still, it significantly decreased the samples' ash content and water holding capacity. Furthermore, carob molasses concentration significantly affected on the fat content, viscosity, whiteness, redness /greenness values, molds, and yeast counts. In contrast, it had no significant effect on protein content, pH values, and the count of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus in the stirred yoghurt containing carob molasses. The energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) microanalysis of stirred yoghurt containing carob molasses showed differences in elemental content among samples. The stirred yoghurt fortified with 15 % carob molasses had the highest overall acceptability in the sensory evaluation and exhibited a higher effect in decreasing the viability of the three tested human tumor cell lines compared to the control and other treatments.

Among the plant nutrients, potassium (K) plays a fundamental role in plant physiology and the soil-plant dynamics of various nutrients. Careful rate recommendations for K are needed to ensure that the balance between cationic nutrients and micronutrients is maintained, especially in sandy soils. The current research aimed to evaluate the absorption dynamic of several nutrients by soybean (Glycine max. Merrill.) growing in sandy soil under the application of five rates of K (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 kg ha⁻¹) via potassium chloride (KCl) with five replications. The concentrations of K⁺ in the diagnostic leaves of the soybean plants presented quadratic behavior with the increase in K rate and reached a maximum of 17.74 mg kg⁻¹ at a rate of approximately 81 kg ha⁻¹ K, which was found through a regression test. The leaf concentrations of calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺) decreased linearly with increasing K rate. By contrast, the leaf concentrations of the micronutrients; boron (B) and iron (Fe²⁺) decreased with increasing K rate. Soybean productivity was not influenced by the application of K. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed a clear influence of increasing K rates on the leaf nutritional parameters of soybean plants. The results confirm that the high application of K in sandy soils can disrupt the balance of nutrient uptake by soybean plants.

Rot disease is responsible for serious economic losses related to okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) crops cultivated in Upper Egypt. Colonies with a consistent morphology were isolated from the infected okra stems and leaves and subjected to morphological and molecular examinations. The causal pathogen was identified as Cochliobolus spicifer based on morphological fungus descriptions, as well as on the amplified 28S rDNA and internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) sequences, which showed 99%–100% similarity to the sequences of C. spicifer-CSN-20 strains. The volatile and non-volatile organic compounds (VOCs and n-VOCs, respectively) produced by the endophytic fungi that are associated with the medicinal plant Solenostemma arghel, namely Fusarium solani-F4-1007, Penicillium verrucosum-F2-1006, and Aspergillus terreus-F5-1008, inhibited the growth of the C. spicifer pathogen by 34.2%,31.4%, and 30.5%, respectively. In total,27 VOCs were identified by GC/MS, among which eight were specific to A. terreus-F5-1008, eight to P. verrucosum-F2-1006, and three to F. solani-F4-1007, whereas nine VOCs were commonly produced by the three endophytic fungi. Moreover, F. solani-F4-1007-produced VOCs and n-VOCs exhibited the highest antifungal activity, with 37.27% and 37.1% inhibition against C. spicifer colony growth, respectively. The potent antifungal VOCs produced by F. solani-F4-1007 were identified as 3,4-dihydro-2 h-1,5-(3″-t-butyl) benzodioxepine, 4-(2-hydroxyethyl) phenol, and phenylethyl alcohol using GC/MS. Therefore, F. solani-F4-1007 was tested as a potential biocontrol agent against C. spicifer-CSN-20 using an in-planta assay. Okra plants treated with endophytic F. solani-F4-1007did not show any disease symptoms, whereas those that were not treated with F. solani-F4-1007 exhibited severe disease symptoms when challenged with inoculation of the C. spicifer pathogen. Our results demonstrated the contribution of the endophytic fungus F. solani-F4-1007 as a potential biocontrol agent against the C. spicifer pathogen, to improve okra growth.

Winged bean [Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.] is a neglected and underutilized crop in Thailand, and yet is locally important throughout much of Asia and in some parts of Africa. In Thailand, winged bean cultivars are landrace selections that are mainly grown in home gardens across the country. In this study, the genetic diversity and population structure of 60 domestic (Thai) and 64 imported winged bean accessions were assessed via their comparative morphological traits and 13 gene-based simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The 13 markers generated 36 alleles in total with an average of 2.77 alleles per marker, and overall gene diversity of 0.47. The gene diversity of the Thai and imported winged bean accessions was comparable with values of 0.42 and 0.49, respectively. The estimated out-crossing rate was relatively high, at 16.28%. STRUCTURE, phylogenetic, and principal coordinate analyses consistently revealed the separate yet intermingled attributes of several accessions, which demonstrated their similar genetic diversity of the Thai and imported winged beans. The Thai and imported winged bean populations were comparable in days to flowering, pod length and seed size. Majority of the Thai and imported winged bean accessions showed the same qualitative traits, including leaf shape, flower color, pod color and pod shape. These suggested the winged bean growers' similar preferences and selection of winged beans in different geographical regions. The admixture within the genetic base of the winged bean indicates the need for the management of future breeding programs.

The study was carried out to establish soil map. Land evaluation was made according to MicroLEIS models. The study area is Naghamish valley, North Western coast of Egypt. The study indicated that the study area could be distinguished into seven landforms. Twenty-two soil profiles, spatially distributed upon Sentinel-2A satellite image classification to represent the landforms of wadi Naghamish's basin. They were morphologically described, their chemical and physical properties were determined, and their diagnostic characteristics were pointed. Results point out, in terms of topography, profile depth and soil texture, ten soil units could be identified. The study area could be distinguished into five sub great soil groups. Cervatana model reveals that 64.25% of soils are considered non-productive, 22.64% is moderately capable, whereas only 0.54% and 2.64% of the total area range from excellent to good capable land for agricultural production, respectively. The rest of the area occupying 9.94% is associated with urban settlement and escarpment landform units. At subclass level, there are S3l and S3r, referring to moderate capability with slight constraint severity and S3lr specifying those affected by severe soil constraints and erosion risk. Regarding soil suitability for some selected crops, the results of Almagra model indicated that the soils formed on the coastal plain vary from suitable to marginally suitable, in contradiction of soils formed on the wadi course, piedmont plain and tableland of plateau vary from marginally suitable to unsuitable in general for most tested crop as affected by limiting factors related to very shallow to shallow depth, high lime content, light soil texture and very poor to poor drainage.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) contribute to the fermentation of non-dairy cereal products such as rice milk and produce economic products like yoghurt and cheese. These bacteria also have a cytotoxicity activity against cancer cells. The current study intends to use Lactobacillus strains to ferment broken rice milk and produce financial yoghurt products, as well as to assess the growth, physicochemical properties alteration, sensory characteristics, and cytotoxicity of final products. This study indicated that the fermentation of broken rice milk for 8 h by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 14917 and milk yoghurt cultures were more favorable than by Lc. casei DSM 20011, and L. acidophilus ATCC20552, which gave high viability (8.9 Log CFU/mL), specific growth rate (0.181, and 0.203 h⁻¹) and doubling time (3.83 and 3.41 h), respectively. Also, they dropped in pH values into ranged from 4.2 to 4.4, and increased in total titratable acidity and the acetic and lactic acids contents (0.82 and1.26 mg/L, respectively). The highest acidification rate (V_max) was 0.006 and 0.007, and pH U/min, the maximum acidification time (T_max) was 4 h and the time to reach pH 4.6 (T_e) was 5 h and 4 h for sample fermented by Lpb. plantarum and milk yoghurt cultures, respectively. Under refrigerated storage at 5 °C, the rice yoghurt seems to get a shelf life of 12 days. The sensory qualities of LAB rice yoghurt were satisfactory, and it was not toxic (safe) on OEC normal cells (IC₅₀ = ranged between 445.9 and 537.9 μg/mL) and cytotoxic on CaCo-2 colon cancer cells (IC₅₀ = ranged between 107.8 and167.8 μg/mL). The yoghurt rice included a lot of vitamin B₆ and B₁, but not much vitamin B₂ or C. As a result, this product is high in nutritional value.

Chilling temperature stress is the largest factor affecting tomato performance. Under these conditions, tomato cultivations require protection from cold and frost waves. A field study was conducted to investigate the effect of three wheat sowing dates (November 1st; November 15th and December 1st), and three wheat seeding rates of 25, 37.5, and 50 % of the normal seeding rate (142.8 kg seeds/ha) on the following aspects: yield and yield components of both crops, land equivalent ratio (LER), area time equivalent ratio (ATER), and economic return. The results revealed that intercropping wheat with tomato in mid-November, coupled with a 50 % seeding rate, produced the highest values of fruit setting (%), yield components, and total fruit yield/ha of tomato during both seasons. The climatic conditions prevailing on November 15th favored the increase of grain, straw yield/ha, and yield components compared to the other sowing dates. The density of the wheat seeding rate at 50 % produced the highest grain and straw yield/ha. In addition, intercropping wheat with tomato at a 50 % seeding rate on November 15th led to the highest values of LER (1.77 and 1.80) and ATER (1.35 and 1.36) and increased the net return by 106.6 and 112.0 % compared to the sole tomato cultivation in 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively. These results indicate that intercropping wheat with tomato on November 15th at a 50 % seeding rate can better protect tomato plants from chilling and frost waves.

Yam production along the West African yam belt is challenged with deteriorating soil fertility and unavailability of stakes, resulting in decreased yam productivity, and farmers' livelihood. This study evaluated resource use and yam productivity in pigeonpea-yam cropping systems in Ghana's forest and forest-savannah transition zones from 2017 through 2019 cropping seasons. Pigeonpea was established either in an alley or as a border during the 2017 cropping season, while yam was cultivated in 2018 and 2019. A split-plot design of cropping system (yam planted in alleys of pigeonpea—PA; yam planted with pigeonpea as a border—PB and sole yam) as main-plot treatments and chemical fertilizer (0–0–0; 23–23–30; 45–45–60 N-P₂O₅-K₂O kg ha⁻¹) as subplot treatments were used for the study. Productivity data on pigeonpea and yam were collected. The results revealed significantly higher leafy biomass and correspondent higher N content and N due to fixation in PA fields than PB fields in both locations and seasons. The presence of the pigeonpea and its biomass resulted in a significant suppression of ridge erosion and weeds, while soil moisture and nutrients improved, resulting in increased yam tuber productivity than in sole yam production. Further, planting yam with pigeonpea and half (23–23–30 N-P₂O₅-K₂O kg ha⁻¹) the recommended fertilizer rate significantly improved tuber yield and productivity than planting sole yam with full recommended fertilizer level in both locations and seasons. Promoting and adopting the pigeonpea-yam cropping system could sustain soil fertility, provide readily available stakes to address the constraint of deforestation and land degradation associated with yam production.

Feed additives are routinely used for improving poultry health and production worldwide. Chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) is a relatively new feed additive that is a derivative of chitosan, a non-toxic linear polysaccharide with many biological functions. To investigate the efficacy of COS on gut morphology and serum biochemical profile (lipid, protein, glucose, creatinine and enzymes), a total of 180 day-old broiler chicks (n = 45) were allocated into allocated to 1 of 4 groups: control (T0) and treatment groups (T1, T2 and T3) fed basal diet supplemented with increasing amounts of COS for 35 days. Our findings showed that dietary COS supplementation had positive effects on the body weight and body weight gain in the treatment groups. Villus height and width, ratio of villus height and crypts depth, and tunica mucosa thickness of duodenum increased (P > 0.05) in the treatment groups (T1 and T2), whereas crypts depth of duodenum and cecum were decreased in the treatment groups (T1 and T2) compared to the control group; treatment group 3 (T3), however, was almost similar to the control group. In the case of cecum, tunica mucosa thickness, length and width of mucosal folds showed similar results as duodenum. The population and size of intestinal glands and lymphocytic infiltration in the mucosa were increased considerably in the treatment groups (T1 and T2) than control group. Total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and VLDL cholesterol levels were significantly lowered in the treatment group 2 (T2) than control group or other COS treated groups (P < 0.05), although HDL cholesterol level was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in all of the treatment groups, but substantially higher in the group treatment groups 1 and 3 (T1 and T3) compared to control group. Total serum protein, albumin, and globulin were gradually increased in all of the treatment groups along with the increasing dose rates. The liver and kidney functions (ALT, AST and creatinine) were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected due to COS supplementation. These results suggest that COS has a dose-dependent response to improve gut morphology and health physiology in broilers; low to medium doses are more favorable for safe poultry production as it enhances growth performance, increases villus surface area, reduces undesirable cholesterols and positively affects the blood glucose and protein levels. These results would be helpful in exploring the efficacy of COS as a potential feed additive for safe poultry meat production, which is a time-demanding issue for the poultry industry from the consumers' point of view.