Photosynthesis and Rubisco kinetics in spring wheat and meadow fescue under conditions of simulated climate change with elevated CO[sub 2] and increased temperatures

Selostus: Kevätvehnän ja nurminadan fotosynteesi ja Rubisco-kinetiikka simuloidun ilmastonmuutoksen eli kohotetun hiilidioksidipitoisuuden ja kohotetun lämpötilan oloissa

Catàleg florístic del Moianès i àrees properes. Primera versió

La següent llista inclou tots els tàxons observats per l'autor en el territori del Moianès i àrees properes (en vermell en el mapa adjunt al final del text) fins al moment, tan espontanis com subespontanis o naturalitzats.Alguns grups complexos resten encara en procés de revisió (gèneres Asplenium, Festuca, Rubus, Hieracium p.p., Ophrys¿). També s'han mantingut espècies àmplies (a nivell de grup) en els casos en que encara falta una revisió definitiva de quins tàxons a nivell infraespecífic són presents al territori. Cal també fer esment del caràcter no exhaustiu de les espècies al·lòctones recollides, especialment de les considerades subespontànies.Pel que fa a la nomenclatura i taxonomia s'ha seguit en la majoaria dels casos la Flora Manual dels Països Catalans (Bolòs et al., 2005). L'índex de raresa utilitzat segueix la següent escala: C: comú; F: freqüent; R: rar; RR: molt rar.

Produtividade e composição de uva e de vinho de videiras consorciadas com plantas de cobertura

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de plantas de cobertura verde sobre a produtividade das videiras e sobre a composição da uva e do vinho. Durante duas safras, foram feitas avaliações de três tipos de consórcio, dois manejos das coberturas e de um tratamento controle, com plantas espontâneas controladas por herbicidas e roçagem. Utilizou-se vinhedo de uvas 'Cabernet Sauvignon', localizado a 1.130 m de altitude, em um Cambissolo Húmico distrófico, em São Joaquim, SC. Os consórcios foram realizados com a sucessão de cultivos anuais de moha (Setaria italica) com azevém (Lolium multiflorum) e de trigo mourisco (Fagopyrum esculentum) com aveia‑branca (Avena sativa), bem como com a planta perene festuca (Fetusca sp.). Os manejos consistiram da transferência ou não do resíduo cultural da linha para a entrelinha. As videiras apresentaram maior produtividade de uva no consórcio com as plantas anuais, em comparação ao tratamento controle, ou com a planta perene festuca. O manejo da cobertura verde não teve influência sobre as variáveis avaliadas. Os consórcios não influenciaram de forma consistente os teores de N da uva nem a composição do mosto, embora, na última safra, o teor de sólidos solúveis totais do mosto tenha sido maior nos tratamentos com consórcio, em comparação ao controle. Além disso, as videiras consorciadas com festuca podem proporcionar vinho com maior teor de antocianinas e polifenóis totais.

Peucedanum schottii Besser ex DC., novedad para la Flora Iberica.

En otoño de 1984 tuvimos la ocasión de recolectar este orófito europeo, con fruto maduro, en la cumbre del macizo calcáreo de la 'Mare de Deu del Mont', próximo a la población de Besalú (Prepirineos orientales). Vive en los rellanos herbosos inclinados, fisuras y oquedades de la cumbre, muy localizado, en pastos mesoxerófilos del Festucion gautieri. Un inventario tomado en el lugar muestra la siguiente composición florística (exp. N, incl. 60°, cobert. 100%): Festuca gautieri 5.5, Peucedanum schottii 2.3, Veronica austriaca subsp. vahlii 1.1, Avenula mirandana 1.1, Cruciata glabra 1.1, Phyteuma orbiculare 1.1, Seseli montanum 1.1, Dianthus seguieri subsp. gautieri 1.1, Galium pinetorum + , Vicia sepium +, Campanula rotundifolia +, Moehringia muscosa +.1, Allium senescens +, Teucrium chamaedrys + , Asperula cynanchica +, Dactylis glomerata + , Dianthus monspeliacus +, Sedum reflexum +, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria subsp. intermedium +.

Biokaasun tuottaminen ja hyödyntäminen Lappeenrannassa

Lappeenrannassa kerätään ja hyödynnetään tällä hetkellä kaatopaikkakaasua 0,3 milj.m3 vuodessa. Biokaasua voitaisiin tuottaa Lappeenrannassa mädättämällä bioperäisiä jätteitä ja biokaasuntuotantoa varten kasvatettuja energiakasveja. Biokaasuntuotantoon soveltuvia jätteitä ovat erilliskerätty biojäte, jätevedenpuhdistamon jätevesiliete, puutarhajäte, lietelannat ja oljet. Kesannolla olevilla peltoaloilla voitaisiin kasvattaa ruokohelpeä. Biokaasun tuotantoon soveltuvia materiaaleja voitaisiin kerätä 143 000 t/a ja kasvattaa 68 000 t/a. Työssä tarkastellaan vaihtoehtoa, jossa mädätetään vain puhdistamoliete, sekä useita materiaaleja mädättävää yhteismädättämöä, johon liittyen tutkitaan kolmea eri vaihtoehtoa: kunnallisen jätteen mädätystä, kaiken jätteen mädätystä ja jätteen sekä energiakasvien mädätystä. Paras sijoituspaikka mädättämölle olisi jätevedenpuhdistamon läheisyydessä. Jätemateriaalista saataisiin kaasua enintään 12 milj. m3 ja energiakasveista enintään 16 milj. m3. Kaasusta voitaisiin tuottaa energiaa CHP-laitoksessa enintään 184 GWh. Mikäli biokaasun tuotannolla halutaan ensisijaisesti vähentää kasvi-huonekaasupäästöjä, kannattaa kaasu jalostaa ajoneuvopolttoaineeksi. Jalostettu kaasu on mahdollista myös syöttää maakaasuverkostoon. Suurimmat tulot on mahdollista saavuttaa yhdistetyssä sähkön- ja lämmöntuotannossa, mikäli biokaasulle suunniteltu syöttötariffi toteutuu. Muussa tapauksessa suurimmat tulot saadaan jalostamalla biokaasua ajoneuvojen polttoaineeksi.

Potential of plant species for bioremediation of soils applied with imidazolinone herbicides

Imidazolinone herbicides present physicochemical characteristics that allow them to persist longer in environment, with increased chances of soil and water contamination, as well as carryover effects on subsequent crops. Phytoremediation is shown as a promising technique to decontaminate soils polluted by herbicides. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of some winter grown species in removing residuals from soils contaminated with imazethapyr + imazapic and imazapic + imazapyr, using pre-emergence to control weeds in summer grown rice fields. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with four replications. All species were subjected to herbicide application at different doses. Imazethapyr + imazapic and imazapyr + imazapic were applied at doses of 0.0, 1.0 and 2.0 L ha-1, and 0.0, 140 and 280 g ha-1, respectively, in pre-emergence of the species. Brassica napus and Festuca arundinaceae are not tolerant to herbicides, with 100% of phytotoxicity (plant death) for all doses assessed. The herbicide imazapyr + imazapic proved to be less selective, causing the highest phytotoxicity in the species tested. The most tolerant species to the herbicides was Vicia sativa, which may be the most suitable one for phytoremediation programs in areas contaminated with imazethapyr + imazapic and imazapyr + imazapic.

Caracterização físico-química de algumas tuberosas amiláceas

As principais fontes de amido comercial no mundo são o milho, a batata e a mandioca. Entretanto, nos últimos anos vem crescendo o interesse em amidos naturais que possam ser utilizados pela indústria alimentícia. Assim, este trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar, quanto à composição físico-química, açafrão, ahipa, araruta, batata-doce, biri, inhame e mandioquinha-salsa, tuberosas amiláceas potencialmente passíveis de introdução como matérias-primas de interesse comercial. Amostras das tuberosas foram analisadas quanto ao teor de umidade, cinzas, proteína, matéria graxa, açúcares redutores e totais, fibras e amido. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que das tuberosas analisadas as que apresentaram maior teor de amido foram a araruta (Maranta arundinacea), o inhame (Dioscorea sp) e o biri (Canna edulis), sendo que o inhame e o biri apresentaram também o maior rendimento potencial em toneladas de amido/hectare.

Caracterización fisicoquímica de almidones de tubérculos cultivados en Yucatán, México

Se realizó la evaluación de las propiedades fisicoquímicas y funcionales de almidones de tubérculos: makal (Xanthosoma yucatanensis), camote (Ipomea batata), yuca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) y sagú (Marantha arundinacea). El tamaño promedio de los gránulos de almidón varió de 10,6 a 16,5 µm. La amilosa fue de 23,6, 19,6, 17,0 y 22,7%, para el makal, camote, yuca y sagú. Las temperaturas de gelatinización fueron de 78,4, 61,3, 65,2 y 74,9 °C, respectivamente. El almidón de yuca fue el que presentó mayor poder de hinchamiento y solubilidad. La viscosidad máxima fue para el almidón de yuca. El almidón de camote presentó la mayor claridad de gel (51,8%) y el de makal, la menor (10,9%). El almidón de yuca fue el más elástico (36,2%). Los almidones de makal y de sagú pueden ser utilizados en productos que requieren altas temperaturas de procesamiento. Los almidones de camote y de yuca pueden ser incluidos en sistemas alimenticios como espesantes, estabilizantes y gelificantes en alimentos refrigerados y congelados.

Grass-endophyte coevolution and ploidy levels in fescues

ABSTRACT Fescues consist of wild and cultivated grasses that have adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions. They are an excellent model species for evolutionary ecology studies that investigate symbiosis and polyploidization and their effects on plant performance. First, they are frequently infected with symbiotic endophytic fungi known to affect a plant’s ability to cope with biotic and abiotic environmental factors. Second, fescue species have been reported to have substantial intraspecific variation in their ploidy level and morphology. In my thesis, I examined large-scale generalizations for frequency of polyploidy and endophyte infections and their effects on plant morphology. As a model species, I selected red (Festuca rubra) and viviparous sheep’s (F. vivipara) fescues. They are closely related, but they differ in terms of distribution and endophyte infection frequency. I investigated the biogeographic pattern and population biology of 29 red and 12 viviparous sheep’s fescue populations across ≈300 latitudes in Europe (400-690 N). To examine plant ploidy levels, I implemented time- and cost-efficient plate-based high throughput flow cytometric analysis. This efficient procedure enabled me to analyze over 1000 red fescue individuals. I found three ploidy levels among them: overall 84 %, 9 % and 7 % of the red fescue plants were hexaploid, tetraploid and octoploid, respectively. However, all viviparous sheep’s fescue plants were tetraploid. Ploidy level of red fescue appeared to some extent follow gradients in latitude and primary production as suggested by previous studies, but these results could be explained better by taking the sampling design and local adaptation into account. Three Spanish populations were mostly tetraploids and one high elevation population in northernmost Finland (Halti) was octoploid, while most other populations (25 sites) were dominated by hexaploids. Endophyte infection frequencies of wild fescue populations varied from 0 to 81 % in red fescue populations and from 0 to 30 % in viviparous sheep’s fescue populations. No gradients with latitude or primary production of the sites were detected. As taxonomy of red fescues is somewhat unclear, I also studied morphology, ploidy variation and endophyte status of proposed subspecies of European red fescues. Contrary to previous literature, different ploidy levels occurred in the same subspecies. In addition to wild fescues, I also used two agronomically important cultivars of meadow and tall fescue (Schedonorus phoenix and S. pratensis). As grass-legume mixtures have an agronomic advantage over monocultures in meadows, I carried out a mixture/competition experiment with fescues and red clover to find that species composition, nutrient availability and endophyte status together determined the total biomass yield that was higher in mixtures compared to monocultures. The results of this thesis demonstrate the importance of local biotic and abiotic factors such as grazing gradients and habitat types, rather than suggested general global geographical or environmental factors on grass polyploidization or its association with symbiotic endophytic fungi. I conclude that variation in endophyte infection frequencies and ploidy levels of wild fescues support the geographic mosaic theory of coevolution. Historical incidents, e.g., glaciation and present local factors, rather than ploidy or endophyte status, determine fescue morphology.

Effet des macrophytes aquatiques sur le traitement d’eau contaminée à l’ACC et au PCP

L’objectif principal de ce projet est d’évaluer le potentiel d’un système de marais filtrants combinés pour le traitement d’un lixiviat contaminé aux agents de préservations du bois - l’arséniate de cuivre chromaté (ACC) et le pentachlorophénol (PCP) - en portant une attention particulière au rôle des plantes. Pour ce faire, une expérience en pot faisant varier la concentration d’exposition de quatre espèces de macrophyte (Typha angustifolia, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis americanus et Phragmites australis australis) a été effectuée. Le suivi de quatre marais filtrants à écoulement horizontal sous-surfacique, plantés d’une des quatre espèces de macrophyte et d’un bassin planté de saules (Salix Miyabeana SX67) a également été réalisé. La résistance des plantes au milieu contaminé, la capacité de bioaccumulation des macrophytes et les efficacités de traitement des différents systèmes ont été analysés. Nos résultats montrent que la concentration d’exposition n’influence pas la capacité des plantes à croître en milieu contaminé. Par contre, il existe une relation dose-réponse entre la concentration d’exposition et la capacité de bioaccumulation des macrophytes. Les quatre marais pilotes ont tous des efficacités de traitements supérieures à 55% en 2013 et 82% en 2014 pour les contaminants à l’étude. Le bassin de saule a la capacité théorique d’évapotranspirer jusqu’à 1200 L par jour. De plus, ses efficacités de traitements sont supérieures à 59% pour tous les composés à l’étude. L’utilisation de marais filtrants pour le traitement d’un lixiviat contaminé aux agents de préservations du bois est donc une alternative intéressante aux méthodes de traitement conventionnel.

Plants growing on contaminated and brownfield sites appropriate for use in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development terrestrial plant growth test

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Terrestrial plant test is often used for the ecological risk assessment of contaminated land. However, its origins in plant protection product testing mean that the species recommended in the OECD guidelines are unlikely to occur on contaminated land. Six alternative species were tested on contaminated soils from a former Zn smelter and a metal fragmentizer with elevated concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. The response of the alternative species was compared to two species recommended by the OECD; Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass) and Trifolium pratense (red clover). Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) and Poa annua (annual meadow-grass) had low emergence rates in the control soil so may be considered unsuitable. Festuca rubra (chewings fescue), Holcus lanatus (Yorkshire fog), Senecio vulgaris (common groundsel), and Verbascum thapsus (great mullein) offer good alternatives to the OECD species. In particular, H. lanatus and S. vulgaris were more sensitive to the soils with moderate concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn than the OECD species.

Effect of condensed tannins from tropical legumes on the activity of fibrolytic enzymes from the rumen fungus Neocallimastyx hurleyensis

A study was conducted to assess the effect of condensed tannins on the activity of fibrolytic enzymes from the anaerobic rumen fungus, Neocallimastix hurleyensis and a recombinant ferulic acid esterase (FAE) from the aerobic fungus Aspergillus niger. Condensed tannins were extracted from the tropical legumes Desmodium ovalifolium, Flemingia macrophylla, Leucaena leticocephala, Leucaena pallida, Calliandra calothyrsus and Clitoria fairchildiana and incubated in fungal enzyme mixtures or with the recombinant FAE. In most cases, the greatest reductions in enzyme activities were observed with tannins purified from D. ovalifolium and F macrophylla and the least with tannins from L leucocephala. Thus, whereas 40 mu g ml(-1) of condensed tannins from C. calothyrsus and L. leucocephala were needed to halve the activity of N. hurleyensis carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase), just 5.5 mu g ml(-1) of the same tannins were required to inhibit 50% of xylanase activity. The beta-D-glucosidase and beta-D-Xylosidase enzymes were less sensitive to tannin inhibition and concentrations greater than 100 mu g ml(-1) were required to reduce their activity by 50%. In other assays, the inhibitory effect of condensed tannins when added to incubation mixtures containing particulate substrates (the primary cell walls of E arundinacea) or when bound to these substrate was compared. Substrate-associated tannins were more effective in preventing fibrolytic activities than tannins added directly to incubations solutions. It was concluded that condensed tannins from tropical legumes can inhibit fibrolytic enzyme activities, although the extent of the effect was dependent on the tannin, the nature of its association with the substrate and the enzyme involved. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PGR forum: serving the crop wild relative user community

The Euro-Mediterranean region is an important centre for the diversity of crop wild relatives. Crops, such as oats (Avena sativa), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), apple (Malus domestica), annual meadow grass (Festuca pratensis), white clover (Trifolium repens), arnica (Arnica montana), asparagus (Asparagus officinalis), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), and sage (Salvia officinalis) etc., all have wild relatives in the region. The European Community funded project, PGR Forum (www.pgrforum.org) is building an online information system to provide access to crop wild relative data to a broad user community; including plant breeders, protected area managers, policy-makers, conservationists, taxonomists and the wider public. The system will include data on uses, geographical distribution, biology, population and habitat information, threats (including IUCN Red List assessments) and conservation actions. This information is vital for the continued sustainable utilisation and conservation of crop wild relatives. Two major databases have been utilised as the backbone to a Euro-Mediterranean crop wild relative catalogue, which forms the core of the information system: Euro+Med PlantBase (www.euromed.org.uk) and Mansfeld’s World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops (http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de). By matching the genera found within the two databases, a preliminary list of crop wild relatives has been produced. Around 20,000 of the 30,000+ species listed in Euro+Med PlantBase can be considered crop wild relatives, i.e. those species found within the same genus as a crop. The list is currently being refined by implementing a priority ranking system based on the degree of relatedness of taxa to the associated crop.

Caracterização físico-química de algumas tuberosas amiláceas

As principais fontes de amido comercial no mundo são o milho, a batata e a mandioca. Entretanto, nos últimos anos vem crescendo o interesse em amidos naturais que possam ser utilizados pela indústria alimentícia. Assim, este trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar, quanto à composição físico-química, açafrão, ahipa, araruta, batata-doce, biri, inhame e mandioquinha-salsa, tuberosas amiláceas potencialmente passíveis de introdução como matérias-primas de interesse comercial. Amostras das tuberosas foram analisadas quanto ao teor de umidade, cinzas, proteína, matéria graxa, açúcares redutores e totais, fibras e amido. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que das tuberosas analisadas as que apresentaram maior teor de amido foram a araruta (Maranta arundinacea), o inhame (Dioscorea sp) e o biri (Canna edulis), sendo que o inhame e o biri apresentaram também o maior rendimento potencial em toneladas de amido/hectare.

REDUCING NUISANCE CANADA GOOSE PROBLEMS THROUGH HABITAT MANIPULATION

Urban populations of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) cause considerable problems when large numbers congregate in parks, playing fields, and backyards. In most cases, geese are drawn to these sites to feed on the lawns. I tested whether geese have feeding preferences for different grass species. Captive Canada geese preferred Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and disliked tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae) over colonial bentgrass (Agrostis tenuis cv. Highland), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), and red fescue (Festuca rubra). They refused to eat some other ground covers such as pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) and English ivy (Hedera helix). These results suggest that goose numbers at problem sites could be reduced by changing the ground cover. I also compared the characteristics of foraging sites used by geese to other foraging sites that geese avoided. Occupied sites were more open so that geese had clearer visibility and greater ease in taking off and landing. This suggests that goose numbers at problem sites also could be reduced by planting tall trees to make it harder for the geese to fly away, and planting bushes and hedges to obstruct a goose's visibility.