scholarly journals Exploring the Functional Strategies Adopted by Coastal Plants Along an Ecological Gradient Using Morpho-functional Traits

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Ciccarelli ◽  
Cleusa Bona
Keyword(s):  
C4 Photosynthesis ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Strong Interactions ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Ecological Gradient ◽  
Ecological Conditions

AbstractCoastal dunes are characterised by strong interactions between biotic and abiotic factors along a short gradient from the shoreline to the inland region. We carried out an ecological analysis of the vegetation in a protected area of the Italian coast to evaluate the relationships among species abundance, the occurrence of morphoanatomical traits related to leaves, stems, and roots, and soil variables. Three transects were established perpendicular to the shoreline, with 27 plots distributed in the frontal dunes, backdunes, and temporarily wet dune slacks. An analysis based on community-weighted mean values showed that the pioneer communities of the frontal dunes were dominated by ruderals that are well adapted to the harsh ecological conditions of these environments, showing succulent leaves, high limb thickness values, and low values for leaf dry matter content (LDMC). The backdune vegetation was a mosaic of annual herbaceous and perennial shrub communities showing both ruderal and stress-tolerant strategies (clonality, sclerified leaves, high LDMC values, root phenolics) consistent with less extreme ecological conditions. The dune slack areas were dominated by plants showing adaptations to both arid and flooded environments, such as C4 photosynthesis, amphistomatic leaves, and abundant aerenchyma in the roots. The invasive status, C4 photosynthesis, leaf trichomes, and aerenchyma in the roots were significantly correlated with soil humidity, organic matter content, and pH. These results demonstrate the usefulness of anatomical traits (including root system traits) in understanding the functional strategies adopted by plants. Invasive species tended to occupy plots with high levels of soil moisture, suggesting an avoidance strategy for the harsh environmental conditions of coastal sand dunes. Finally, we suggest including information regarding root systems into coastal monitoring programs because they are directly linked to soil parameters useful in coastal dune management and protection.

Exploring the functional strategies adopted by coastal plants along an ecological gradient by means of morpho-functional traits

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Ciccarelli ◽  
Cleusa Bona
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
C4 Photosynthesis ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Strong Interactions ◽  
Ecological Gradient

<p>Coastal dunes are characterised by strong interactions between biotic and abiotic factors along a short gradient from the shoreline to the inland region. We carried out an ecological analysis of the vegetation in a protected area of the Italian coast to evaluate the relationships among species abundance; the occurrence of morphoanatomical traits related to leaves, stems and roots; and soil variables. Three transects were established perpendicular to the shoreline with 27 plots distributed in the frontal dunes, back dunes, and temporarily wet dune slacks.</p><p>The analysis based on community weighted mean values is consistent with the ecological constraints along the shoreline-inland gradient. The front-plots were characterised by the presence of pioneer communities (with succulent leaves as evidenced by the high limb thickness values and the low LDMC values) that are well adapted to the harsh environmental conditions of these habitats. Farther from the sea, the back-plot vegetation was characterised by functional traits (especially high LDMC values) that are consistent with the less-extreme ecological conditions. Last, the slack-plots seemed to be very interesting from a functional point of view. They were dominated by geophytes that had adopted C4 photosynthesis and had amphistomatic leaves and abundant aerenchyma in the roots.</p><p>The native vs. invasive status, C4 photosynthesis, leaf trichomes and aerenchyma in the roots were significantly correlated with soil moisture, organic matter content and pH. These results demonstrate the usefulness of anatomical traits (especially those of the root system) in understanding the functional strategies adopted by plants.</p><p>Last, invasive species tended to occupy plots with high levels of soil moisture, and they were not abundant in the habitats with more arid conditions. These data confirmed that alien species are less adapted to the harsh environmental conditions of coastal sand dunes. Increasing the spatial extent of the study area and integrating other functional traits, such as ecophysiological or regenerative characteristics, into the study may allow the development of a more comprehensive functional framework of the invasion process. All this information can be used to develop appropriate management strategies for coastal dune ecosystems.</p>

scholarly journals Microbiological quality of silage made from by-products of cassava starch extraction and viticulture

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-415
Author(s):  
C.R. Schneider ◽  
M.A. Zambom ◽  
D. Galhardo ◽  
A. Faccenda ◽  
A.S. Avila ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrates ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Storage Times ◽  
By Products

This study evaluated silages made with varying proportions of viticulture by-products (VC) and starch extraction from cassava (CSE). It attempted to determine the effects of these proportions on the microbial population, fermentative losses, and chemical composition. The treatments were specified as the proportions of VC in the silage (0 g/kg, 250 g/kg, 500 g/kg, 750 g/kg, and 1000 g/kg). Silages were  evaluated before (0) and after 1, 3, 7, 15, 30, and 60 days of ensiling. The experimental design was completely randomized with five  treatments, six storage times and four replications. The increased level of VC in the silage enhanced its dry matter content, ammonia  nitrogen (NH3-N), and buffering capacity, and reduced organic matter content. Fifteen days after ensiling, additional VC increased the concentration of soluble carbohydrates. The increased level of VC decreased the count of Clostridium spp. and lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The incidence of yeasts and enterobacteria was low in all treatments at all time points. Over time, losses as effluent and gases increased. Use of increasing proportions from VC in silage made with CSE increased the contents of dry matter and soluble carbohydrates and  reduced the fermentative losses of the silage. The increased amount of VC also favoured pH reduction and reduced the proliferation of undesirable yeasts, while increasing the population of LAB.

scholarly journals Distribution of Taraxacum microspecies along soil property gradients in salt and brackish meadows on the Polish Baltic coast

2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beata Bosiacka ◽  
Helena Więcław ◽  
Paweł Marciniuk ◽  
Marek Podlasiński
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Property ◽  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Vegetation Patterns ◽  
Baltic Coast ◽  
Coastal Meadows

Abstract The vegetation of protected salt meadows along the Baltic coast is fairly well known; however, dandelions have been so far treated as a collective species. The aim of our study was to examine the microspecies diversity of the genus Taraxacum in Polish salt and brackish coastal meadows and to analyse soil property preferences of the dandelion microspecies identified. In addition, we analysed the relations between soil properties and vegetation patterns in dandelion-supporting coastal meadows (by canonical correspondence analysis). The salt and brackish meadows along the Polish Baltic coast we visited were found to support a total of 27 dandelion microspecies representing 5 sections. Analysis of vegetation patterns showed all the soil parameters (C:N ratio, organic matter content, pH, concentration of Mg, P, K, electrolytic conductivity of the saturated soil extract ECe) to explain 32.07% of the total variance in the species data. The maximum abundance of most dandelion microspecies was associated with the highest soil fertility, moderate pH values and organic matter content, and with the lowest magnesium content and soil salinity. The exceptions were T. latissimum, T. stenoglossum, T. pulchrifolium and T. lucidum the occur-rence of which was related to the lowest soil fertility and the highest salinity. In addition, several microspecies (T. leptodon, T. gentile, T. haematicum, T. fusciflorum and T. balticum) were observed at moderate C:N ratios and ECe. Four other microspecies (T. infestum, T. cordatum, T. hamatum, T. sertatum) occurred at the lowest pH and organic matter content. The information obtained increases the still insufficient body of knowledge on ecological spectra of individual dandelion microspecies, hence their potential indicator properties.

scholarly journals Effects on nutrient availability in agricultural soils following the application of slurry amended with additives

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vito Abbruzzese
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Total N ◽  
Inorganic Fertiliser

In many farm systems, both inorganic and organic fertilisers, including manure and slurry, are applied to the soil to replenish nutrient offtake in agricultural products and additional nutrient losses to soil as well as surface water and groundwater. With respect to sole reliance on inorganic fertilisers, the use of manure/slurry as a nutrient resource offers important benefits, including the reuse and recycling of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) within farming systems as well as a reduction in the reliance on agricultural production on finite inorganic fertiliser reserves. There is increasing interest in the extent to which additives can enhance the nutrient value of slurry/manure. However, little is known about the impacts of these amended slurries/manures on the quantity and composition of N and P within agricultural and pasture soils. We report data from incubation experiments in which soils received a range of treatments, including the application of livestock slurry that had received a mixture of commercial additives. Our experiments were designed to understand how slurry that has received additives ultimately affects nutrient availability in organic, clay-loam and sandy-loam grassland soils. The addition of the additives to slurry resulted in a slight increase or no difference in total solids, pH, total N, ammonium-N, total P, total potassium, total magnesium and total sodium compared to the untreated counterpart. We considered the effects of our treatments on a range of agronomically important soil parameters, including Olsen-P, mineral-N, available-K, pH and organic matter content. This experiment aimed to understand the extent to which soil fertility could be enhanced through the application of slurries/manures that have received additives. The application of both amended and unamended slurry treatments on soil led to higher values of NH4-N, available-K, available Mg and pH than the addition of inorganic fertiliser. In addition, no substantial differences were observed between the treatment of the three soils with unamended and amended slurry.

scholarly journals Biotic and abiotic factors associated with soil suppressiveness to Rhizoctonia solani

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Ghini ◽  
Marcelo Augusto Boechat Morandi
Keyword(s):  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Fluorescein Diacetate ◽  
Soil Suppressiveness ◽  
Fluorescent Pseudomonas ◽  
Undisturbed Forest ◽  
Abiotic Variables

Crop management may modify soil characteristics, and as a consequence, alter incidence of diseases caused by soilborne pathogens. This study evaluated the suppressiveness to R. solani in 59 soil samples from a microbasin. Soil sampling areas included undisturbed forest, pasture and fallow ground areas, annual crops, perennial crops, and ploughed soil. The soil samples were characterized according to abiotic variables (pH; electrical conductivity; organic matter content; N total; P; K; Ca; Mg; Al; H; S; Na; Fe; Mn; Cu; Zn; B; cation exchange capacity; sum of bases and base saturation) and biotic variables (total microbial activity evaluated by the CO2 evolution and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis; culturable bacterial, fungal, actinomycetes, protozoa, fluorescent Pseudomonas and Fusarium spp. communities). The contribution and relationships of these variables to suppression to R. solani were assessed by path analysis. When all samples were analyzed together, only abiotic variables correlated with suppression of R. solani, but the entire set of variables explained only 51% of the total variation. However, when samples were grouped and analyzed by vegetation cover, the set of evaluated variables in all cases accounted for more than 90% of the variation in suppression of the pathogen. In highly suppressive soils of forest and pasture/fallow ground areas, several abiotic variables and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis correlated with suppression of R. solani and the set of variables explained more than 98% of suppressiveness.

scholarly journals The influence of organic matter content and media compaction on the dispersal of entomopathogenic nematodes with different foraging strategies

Parasitology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 144 (14) ◽  
pp. 1956-1963 ◽  
Author(s):  
APOSTOLOS KAPRANAS ◽  
ABIGAIL M. D. MAHER ◽  
CHRISTINE T. GRIFFIN
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Entomopathogenic Nematode ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Steinernema Feltiae ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Infective Juvenile ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Biological Pest Control ◽  
Species Specific

SUMMARYIn laboratory experiments, we investigated how media with varying ratio of peat:sand and two levels of compaction influence dispersal success of entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species with different foraging strategies: Steinernema carpocapsae (ambusher), Heterorhabditis downesi (cruiser) and Steinernema feltiae (intermediate). Success was measured by the numbers of nematodes moving through a 4 cm column and invading a wax moth larva. We found that both compaction and increasing peat content generally decreased EPN infective juvenile (IJ) success for all three species. Of the three species, H. downesi was the least affected by peat content, and S. carpocapsae was the most adversely influenced by compaction. In addition, sex ratios of the invading IJs of the two Steinernema species were differentially influenced by peat content, and in the case of S. feltiae, sex ratio was also affected by compaction. This indicates that dispersal of male and female IJs is differentially affected by soil parameters and that this differentiation is species-specific. In conclusion, our study shows that organic matter: sand ratio and soil compaction have a marked influence on EPN foraging behaviour with implications for harnessing them as biological pest control agents.

Comparison of Transflectance and Reflectance to Analyse Hog Manures

2005 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Saeys ◽  
J. Xing ◽  
J. De Baerdemaeker ◽  
H. Ramon
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Nir Spectroscopy ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Ammonium Nitrogen ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Total N ◽  
Sample Presentation

In this study, the reflectance and transflectance sample presentation mode were compared for the analysis of the nutrient content of hog ( Sus domesticus) manure using visible and near infrared (vis-NIR) spectroscopy. A total of 194 hog manures, which were collected in the spring of 2004 from farms in the northern part of Belgium, were assayed by conventional wet chemical analysis and spectroscopy for the following constituents: dry matter content (DM), organic matter content (OM), pH, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (Ntot), ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N), phosphorus (P), potash (K), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na) and magnesium (Mg). Samples were scanned with a Foss NIRSystems Model 6500 scanning monochromator in reflectance and transflectance mode, respectively. A ceramic reference was measured in between the two modes. The monochromator was equipped with a DCFA sample presentation unit and ranges from 400 to 2498 nm. Partial least squares regression was employed to relate the spectral information to the nutrient content. The PLS models were calibrated for both sample presentation modes using leave-one-out cross-validation. The results of this study showed that the transflectance mode performed better than the reflectance mode. From the transflectance measurements, very good quantitative predictions for total N, good quantitative predictions for K, DM and OM, approximate predictions for NH4-N, P and Mg, very approximate predictions for Ca and a discrimination between high and low values for Na were obtained. pH was not predictable. The reflectance measurements were able to provide good quantitative predictions for total N and K, approximate quantitative predictions for NH4-N, very approximate predictions for DM, OM, P and Mg and discrimination between high and low values for Ca. Na was even less predictable and pH might be unpredictable.

scholarly journals Comparative Chemical Characterisation of Soils at Cypripedium Calceolus Sites in Latvia

2017 ◽  
Vol 71 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 43-51
Author(s):  
Dace Kļaviņa ◽  
Anita Osvalde
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Nutrient Concentration ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Organic Soils ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cypripedium Calceolus

Abstract The main aim of the study was to evaluate the soil chemical characteristics of Cypripedium calceolus sites in Latvia for understanding of the species ecology, and its conservation problems and possibilities. Soil for 27 C. calceolus sites in Latvia was analysed during 2007-2015. The concentration of plant available essential nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, B), soil pH, electrical conductivity and concentration of organic matter were determined. Nutrient concentration of C. calceolus leaf samples from six sites were determined. The results demonstrated high heterogeneity in soil chemical composition with high variation for Ca, Mg, and Mn. The results suggest some relationship between soil organic matter content and size of the orchid population. Soil pH and Ca concentration did not affect the size and vitality of C. calceolus populations in Latvia. There was no significant correlation between nutrient concentration in soil and C. calceolus leaves suggesting strong impact of other soil-related factors in determining the availability of nutrients. In general, the levels of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn concentrations in C. calceolus leaves were adequate or slightly decreased for successful orchid growth. The study showed deficiency of S, Cu, and B in the vast majority of leaf samples. C. calceolus sites in Latvia occur mainly on organic soils or mineral soils with high content of organic matter. There was a weak positive correlation (r = 0.21) observed only between total number of ramets of C. calceolus in site and Ca concentration in the soil, suggesting that soil properties are not a main factor affecting species abundance in the site.

Tyramide-FISH mapping of single genes for development of an integrated recombination and cytogenetic map of chromosome 5 of Allium cepa

Genome ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitry Romanov ◽  
Mikhail Divashuk ◽  
Michael J. Havey ◽  
Ludmila Khrustaleva
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Detection Sensitivity ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Chromosome 5 ◽  
Cytogenetic Map ◽  
Physical Maps ◽  
Target Dna

Chromosome 5 of onion carries major quantitative trait loci (QTL) that control dry-matter content, pungency and storability of bulbs, amounts and types of epicuticular waxes, and resistances to abiotic factors, all of which are of interest to breeders. SNPs, SSRs, and RFLPs in expressed regions of the onion genome have been genetically mapped, and we used these clones and sequences from the NCBI database to develop DNA probes for in situ hybridization to integrate the genetic and physical maps of onion chromosome 5. We produced genomic amplicons from expressed regions of the onion genome that carried both exons and introns in order to increase the hybridization specificity of the probes and to enlarge the target DNA sizes. Tyramide-FISH technique was used to increase the detection sensitivity of relatively short target DNA regions, which range from 950 to 2100 bp. Through the integration of genetic and chromosomal maps, we were able to estimate the distribution of recombination events along onion chromosome 5. We demonstrated the efficiency of chromosomal in situ mapping of exon–intron genomic clones for the extremely large genome of onion.

scholarly journals New varieties and hybrids of potato recommended for cultivation in the middle taiga zone of european north-east*

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. T. Chebotarev ◽  
A. A. Yudin ◽  
P. I. Konkin ◽  
A. V. Oblizov
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Middle Taiga ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Taiga Zone ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Potato Tubers ◽  
Potato Varieties ◽  
North East

In 2014-2017 in terms of the Republic of Komi conducted a comparative test of two varieties (Saranac and Memory Field) and hybrids (1603-7 and 1657-7) potatoes. The soil of experimental plot is sod-podzolic, light loam, highly cultivated. Agrochemical soil parameters: humus-3,0-4,1%; pH -5,7 – 6,6; P2O5 – 500-595 mg/kg of soil, K2O-130-170 mg/kg of soil. On the sod-podzolic wellcultivated soil, the yield of potato tubers on the 60-65 day from the planting period, on average for 4 years, amounted to 5.1-11.4 t/ha, while the yield of control potato varieties (Luck and Nevsky) was 7.6–9.9 t/ha.The highest yield on the 60-65 day was obtained from hybrid 1657-7 – 11.4 t / ha and exceeded the control varieties by 50.0% and 15.1%, respectively. Varieties of Saranac and Memory Field it was 10.2–8.9 t/ha. 90-95 day, from the date of planting, the average yield of varieties and hybrids of potatoes amounted to 26.2–38,0 t/ha. The highest yields of potato tubers obtained from the hybrid 1657-7 – 38,0 t/ha, a fairly high yield of potatoes was the varieties Saranac – at 33.9 MT/ha and Memory Field – 32.0 t/ha. dry matter content in tubers of potato varieties: Saranac – 21,7 %, P Field 23,4%, in the control potato varieties it was 20.8 and 21.3%. The amount of starch in tubers of potato varieties: Saranac -15,5%, P Field – of 15.6%, control varieties: the Luck of 14.5%, and a budget of 14.5%. According to the content of vitamin C, the best was a hybrid of 1657-12, 5%, in varieties: Zyryanets and P. Polevoy amount of vitamin C was 10.0 and 10.8%, in control varieties: Luck – 9.5%, Nevsky – 14.0%.

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