Effect of Cytokinins on Micropropagation of Moringa Oleifera Lam. and Genomic Stability Assessment Using Flow-Cytometry

Moringa oleifera Lam. is a multipurpose medicinal plant of the family Moringaceae which has been widely utilized as a pharmaceutical remedy to treat a wide range of diseases. In addition, the tree has several applications in human nutrition as well as livestock feeding. M. oleifera is easily multiplied through epigeal germination (recalcitrant) but seed propagated plants are heterogeneous and take longer to reach fruit-bearing age. As an alternative, branch cuttings have been used but their establishment is erratic and often leads to reduced growth of the mother plant. Thus, to produce superior planting materials, in-vitro propagation has become paramount. As a result, several studies using a limited range of cytokinin have been undertaken to multiply M. oleifera through tissue culture. Otherwise, a study was conducted to examine the effect of five different cytokinins on in-vitro regeneration of this tree species. Results showed that nodal explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and subsequently rooted on basic MS media was the most optimal treatment. Furthermore, acclimatization of plantlets in sterile soil substrate and perlite (1:3;v/v) under transparent polythene sheet for 7 days resulted in survival rate of 100%. Assessment of genetic fidelity using flow cytometry revealed that surface sterilization alongside cytokinin treatments produced plantlets that were genetically stable regardless of the growth regulator used. Thus, the in-vitro protocol developed in this study can be utilized for in-vitro studies and mass propagation of this imperative plant species.

A Digital Twin for Decision Making on Livestock Feeding

Looking for an accurate and cost-effective solution to measure feed inventories, forecast the feed demand and allow feed suppliers to optimize inventories, production batches, and delivery routes.

Of herds and societies—Seasonal aspects of Vinča culture herding and land use practices revealed using sequential stable isotope analysis of animal teeth

Late Neolithic Vinča communities, spread over much of central and northern Balkans during the late sixth to mid-fifth millennium BC and characterised by unusually large and densely population centres, would have required highly organised food production systems. Zooarchaeological analysis indicates that domesticate livestock were herded, but little is known about the seasonal husbandry practices that helped ensure a steady supply of animal products to Vinča farming communities. Here, we present new stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotopic measurements of incremental bioapatite samples from the teeth of domesticated livestock and wild herbivore teeth from two late Neolithic Vinča culture sites: Vinča-Belo brdo and Stubline (Serbia). Our results show a low variation overall within sheep and goats in terms of pasture type that may have been composed of seasonal halophyte plant communities, which have higher δ13C values due to the saline rich growing environments. Cattle feeding strategies were more variable and provided with supplementary forage, such as cut branches or leafy hay, during winter. The sharp distinction in the management of cattle and sheep/goat may be associated with the development of herding strategies that sought to balance livestock feeding behaviours with available forage or, more provocatively, the emergence of household-based control over cattle–an animal that held a central economic and symbolic role in Vinča societies.

Sustainable nitrogen management for housed livestock, manure storage and manure processing

This chapter reviews sustainable nitrogen management for housed livestock, manure storage and manure processing. The chapter begins by discussing the various forms nitrogen can take, focusing specifically on ammonia, nitrous oxide and di-nitrogen. It then goes on to review livestock feeding and housing for dairy and beef cattle, pigs and poultry. The chapter also examines manure storage, treatment and processing by discussing the principles of emissions produced from these processes as well as mitigation measures that can be used. It also addresses the best practices and priority measures for livestock feeding, housing and manure storage, treatment and processing.

Genetic sources for forage kale breeding

Листовая капуста, объединяющая две группы разновидностей в составе вида капуста огородная (Brassica oleracea L.), имеет многоцелевое использование: в качестве ценного сочного корма для всех видов сельскохозяйственных животных и птицы, а также пищевое и декоративное. Широкое генетическое разнообразие культуры структурировано в 18 агроэкологических сортотипов. В последние годы культура в качестве кормовой незаслуженно забыта в России. Настоящая статья посвящена изучению хозяйственно ценных признаков 46 образцов листовой капусты из мировой коллекции генетических ресурсов ВИР им. Н. И. Вавилова при выращивании в Северо-Западном регионе РФ (г. Пушкин) в 2014–2020 годах. Установлены источники признаков продуктивности (массы растения, доли, высоты и диаметра стеблей, числа листьев, ветвистости): Schnitt Gelber Butter, Максилла, Lacta, Col Forrajera, местный сорт Черногории к-384 (урожайность 132–180 т/га при размещении 30 тыс. растений на 1 га). Выявлена устойчивость или высокая толерантность изученных сортообразцов листовой капусты к поражению болезнями (килой, пероноспорозом, альтернариозом, сосудистым бактериозом). Установлено, что к листогрызущим вредителям (капустной моли и капустной совке, а также к капустной мухе) устойчивы главным образом курчаволистные сорта различного происхождения и местные плосколистные сорта из Испании и Абхазии. Выделены источники высокого содержания аскорбиновой кислоты и пигментов (хлорофиллов, каротиноидов, антоцианов): главным образом местные и тёмноокрашенные сорта, включая сорт пальмовидной капусты с тёмно-зелёными листьями и гибрид листовой и брюссельской капусты с тёмно-фиолетовыми листьями. По комплексу ценных признаков выделены старый российский сорт Мозговая синяя сиверская, испанский местный сорт Berza alta, немецкий курчаволистный сорт Gruner halbhoher. Кормовая капуста заслуживает возвращения в рацион животных и, соответственно, расширения площадей её возделывания в РФ. Brassica oleracea L. convar. acephala (DC.) Alef. and B. oleracea L. convar. fruticosa (Metzg.) Alef. can be used as a valuable fresh forage for livestock and poultry, food or ornamental plants. High genetic diversity of these crops is represented by 18 genotypes adapted to various environments. Unfortunately, over the last years these plants were not used in livestock feeding. The report deals with economically important traits of 46 kale genotypes obtained from the N. I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR). The crop was cultivated in the north-west of Russia (Pushkin) in 2014–2020. Such genotypes as Schnitt Gelber Butter, “Maksilla”, Lacta, Col Forrajera, and k-384 had the best characteristics (plant mass, proportion, height and diameter of stems, leaf number and lateral development), leading to productivity of 132–180 t ha-1 when seeding 30 thousand plants per 1 ha). Genotypes showed high resistance to various diseases (clubroot, mildew, Alternaria leaf spot, black rot). Curly kale as well as genotypes from Spain and Abkhazia had high tolerance to diamondback moth, cabbage moth, and cabbage fly. The sources of high content of ascorbic acid, chlorophylls, carotenoids, and anthocyanins were identified: mainly local dark-colored varieties. “Mozgovaya sinyaya siverskaya”, Berza alta, Gruner halbhoher had a number of economically important traits. Kale is recommended for livestock feeding, and therefore the area of its cultivation should be increased in Russia.

Антропология холода: естественные низкие температуры в традиционной системе жизнеобеспечения якутов (XIX в. – 30-е гг. ХХ в.)

Goals. The study aims to determine the influence of a complex of cryogenic factors (snow, ice, permafrost, cold in general) on traditional household and sociocultural practices of the Yakuts including benefits that some representatives of this ethnic group have learned to derive from winter climatological conditions. Materials and Methods. The work analyzes archival materials, scientific literature and the author’s field data. The most important elements of the methodological toolkit are sociocultural analysis and basic principles of cryosophy that suggest analysis of the phenomena of the ‘cold world’ in terms of their resource potential. Results. The paper shows positions (impacts) of low temperatures and accompanying phenomena when it comes to choose a place of location for a winter settlement and layout a farmstead (availability of a reservoir that does not freeze over the winter to its bottom, relative remoteness of permafrost soils from the surface, creation of open spaces for a better view, etc.), and the former’s influence on the architecture and functionality of residential and household buildings. The work introduces certain characteristics of deep freeze practices used for storing and cooking food, employment of cryogenic phenomena and processes for sanitary and hygienic purposes. Special insight is made into the significance of ‘cold’ practices in household activities. Specifically, the study shows that in farming and cattle breeding cryogenic phenomena were used for irrigation of agriculturally used areas, livestock feeding and threshing arrangements. Moreover, the specific climatic regime made it possible to apply quite a range of unique approaches to fishing and hunting. However, one of the most important results obtained during this study is the conclusion — confirmed by definite examples — that the Yakuts practiced conscious control over cryogenic processes in household activities. Conclusions. Based on the above, the paper concludes it is largely due to cold that a big complex of elements of the traditional life sustenance system of the Yakuts had emerged — to further essentially shape the latter’s most representative ethnocultural features.

Review on Structure, Functional and Nutritional Composition of Barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Barley is a resilient plant, tolerant of a range of conditions, which may have been cultivated since 15 000 BC (Fast & Caldwell, 2000). Cultivated barley, Hordeum vulgare, is mainly grown for animal feed, especially for pigs, for malting and brewing in the manufacture of beer, and distilling in whisky manufacture. A small amount of barley is used for food. Barley is one of the leading grain crops produced in the world with growing worldwide recognized as a source of food and many valuable nutritional components that enrich the human diet. Barley grain is used primarily for malting and livestock feeding, and the straw is also an important feedstuff when more desirable forages are not available

Introducing Mediterranean Lupins in Lambs’ Diets: Effects on Growth and Digestibility

Lupins are suitable candidates to replace soybean meal in livestock feeding in the Mediterranean area, presenting a solution for the European Union’s dependence on soybean importations. This study aimed to assess the effect of incorporating Lupinus albus and Lupinus luteus into Churra da Terra Quente lambs’ diets on growth performance and digestibility. Two trials were conducted over two years. In trial 1, two experimental diets containing 50 g/kg Lupinus albus and 50 g/kg Lupinus luteus were tested. In trial 2, lambs were fed with diets containing higher incorporations of Lupinus luteus (100, 150, and 200 g/kg: LL10, LL15, and LL20, respectively). Total dry matter, hay dry matter, and crude protein intake were calculated, as well as average daily gains. At the end of the growth trials, dry matter, organic matter, and NDF digestibility was determined. Incorporating 50 g/kg of lupins did not affect (p > 0.05) the performance. Lambs fed on LL20 diets presented the lowest HDMI and CPI values (p < 0.05). The highest intakes (p < 0.05) were observed from LL15 lambs. No differences were found in apparent digestibility coefficients between diets (p > 0.05), except for NDF digestibility which was highest (p < 0.05) for LL20. The optimum level of lupin inclusion in lambs’ diets seems to be 150 g/kg.

Repression of barley cathepsins, HvPap-19 and HvPap-1, differentially alters grain composition and delays germination

During barley germination, cysteine-proteases are essential in the mobilization of storage compounds providing peptides and amino acids to sustain embryo growth until photosynthesis is completely established. Knock-down barley plants, generated by artificial microRNA, for the cathepsins B- and F-like, HvPap-19 and HvPap-1 genes, respectively, showed less cysteine protease activities and consequently lower protein degradation. The functional redundancy between proteases triggered an enzymatic compensation associated with an increase in serine-protease activities in both knock-down grains, which was not sufficient to maintain germination rates and behaviour. Concomitantly, these transgenic lines showed alterations in the accumulation of protein and carbohydrates in the grain. While the total amount of protein increased in both transgenic lines, the starch content decreased in HvPap-1 knock-down lines and the sucrose concentration was reduced in silenced HvPap-19 grains. Consequently, phenotypes of HvPap-1 and HvPap-19 artificial microRNA lines showed a delay in the grain germination process. These data expand the potential of exploring the properties of barley proteases to be selectively modified and used for brewing or livestock feeding industry.