Predicting pasture yield response to nitrogenous fertiliser in Australia using a meta-analysis-derived model, with field validation

Soil Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron J. P. Gourley ◽  
Murray C. Hannah ◽  
Kohleth T. H. Chia
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Independent Field ◽  
Maximal Yield ◽  
Pasture Yield

An improved ability to predict pasture dry matter (DM) yield response to applied nitrogen (N) is a crucial step in determining the production and economic benefits of N fertiliser inputs with associated environmental benefits from reducing inefficient N fertiliser use. Pasture DM yield responses to applied N fertiliser from 920 independent field trial sites were used from a database repository of Australian fertiliser experiments. These data were analysed and a quantitative non-linear mixed-effects model based on the Mitscherlich function was developed. The fitted model provided a good fit to a large body of data (R2 = 0.92), using readily interpretable coefficients, including fixed effects for state by season, phosphorus status and harvest type (initial or residual), and nested random effects for location and trial or subtrial. The model was limited by patchiness of metadata, uneven representation of regions and few very high rates of applied N in the data. Nonetheless, model predictions were comparable with independent spring pasture DM responses to applied N fertiliser from subsequent field studies on three contrasting pastures on commercial dairy farms in Victoria. The final derived model can be used to predict pasture yield response to applied N fertiliser as a proportion of obtainable yield and can be scaled to absolute response using the fitted model estimates of maximal yield or, more usefully, a specified maximal yield by the user. Importantly, the response function exhibits diminishing returns, enabling marginal economic analysis and determination of optimum N fertiliser application rate to a specified pasture.

scholarly journals The development and application of functions describing pasture yield responses to phosphorus, potassium and sulfur in Australia using meta-data analysis and derived soil-test calibration relationships

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (12) ◽  
pp. 1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron J. P. Gourley ◽  
David M. Weaver ◽  
Richard J. Simpson ◽  
Sharon R. Aarons ◽  
Murray M. Hannah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Application Rate ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
National Database ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Soil Test ◽  
Test Interpretation ◽  
Meta Data ◽  
Nutrient Use ◽  
Yield Responses ◽  
Pasture Yield

An improved ability to predict pasture dry matter (DM) yield response to applied phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulfur (S) is a crucial step in determining the production and economic benefits of fertiliser inputs and the environmental benefits associated with efficient nutrient use. The adoption and application of soil testing can make substantial improvements to nutrient use efficiency, but soil test interpretation needs to be based on the best available and most relevant experimental data. This paper reports on the development of improved national and regionally specific soil test–pasture yield response functions and critical soil test P, K and S values for near-maximum growth of improved pastures across Australia. A comprehensive dataset of pasture yield responses to fertiliser applications was collated from field experiments conducted in all improved pasture regions of Australia. The Better Fertiliser Decisions for Pastures (BFDP) database contains data from 3032 experiment sites, 21918 yield response measures and 5548 experiment site years. These data were converted to standard measurement units and compiled within a specifically designed relational database, where the data could be explored and interpreted. Key data included soil and site descriptions, pasture type, fertiliser type and rate, nutrient application rate, DM yield measures and soil test results (i.e. Olsen P, Colwell P, P buffering, Colwell K, Skene K, exchangeable K, CPC S, KCl S). These data were analysed, and quantitative non-linear mixed effects models based upon the Mitscherlich function were developed. Where appropriate, disparate datasets were integrated to derive the most appropriate response relationships for different soil texture and P buffering index classes, as well as interpretation at the regional, state, and national scale. Overall, the fitted models provided a good fit to the large body of data, using readily interpretable coefficients, but were at times limited by patchiness of meta-data and uneven representation of different soil types and regions. The models provided improved predictions of relative pasture yield response to soil nutrient status and can be scaled to absolute yield using a specified maximal yield by the user. Importantly, the response function exhibits diminishing returns, enabling marginal economic analysis and determination of optimum fertiliser application rate to a specific situation. These derived relationships form the basis of national standards for soil test interpretation and fertiliser recommendations for Australian pastures and grazing industries, and are incorporated within the major Australian fertiliser company decision support systems. However, the utility of the national database is limited without a contemporary web-based interface, like that developed for the Better Fertiliser Decisions for Cropping (BFDC) national database. An integrated approach between the BFDP and the BFDC would facilitate the interrogation of the database by advisors and farmers to generate yield response curves relevant to the region and/or pasture system of interest and provides the capacity to accommodate new data in the future.

scholarly journals Contrasting yield responses at varying levels of shade suggest different suitability of crops for dual land-use systems. A meta-analysis.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moritz Laub ◽  
Lisa Pataczek ◽  
Arndt Feuerbacher ◽  
Sabine Zikeli ◽  
Petra Högy
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yield ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
Crop Type ◽  
Crop Types ◽  
Yield Response Curves

Abstract Despite the large body of research studying crop growth parameters, there is still a lack of systematic assessments on how harvestable yields of different crop types respond to varying levels of shading. However, with the advent of agrivoltaic (AV) systems, a technology that combines energy and food production, and the new focus on agroforestry (AF), shade tolerance is becoming an important parameter for crop production systems. To address this research gap, a meta-analysis with data from two experimental approaches (intercropping and artificial shading with cloths, nets or solar panels) was performed to quantitatively assess the susceptibility of different temperate crop types to increasing levels of shading. Crop type specific yield response curves were estimated as a function of reduction in solar radiation (RSR), by estimating relative crop yields compared to the unshaded controls. Only studies that reported RSR and crop yield per area in temperate and subtropical areas were included. Using a random slope effect for each study, the specific variance components were accounted for. The results suggested a nonlinear relationship between achieved crop yields and RSR for all crop types. Most crops tolerate RSR up to 15%, showing a less than proportionate yield decline. However, significant differences between the response curves of different crop types existed: Berries, fruits and fruity vegetables benefited from shading up to RSR of 30%. Forages, leafy vegetables, tubers/root crops and C3 cereals showed initially less than proportionate crop yield loss. In contrast, maize and grain legumes experienced strong crop yield losses even at low RSR levels. The results provide first indicators for differences in crop type suitability to shading, and thus for AV and AF systems. Detailed yield response curves, as provided in this study, are valuable tools to optimize the output of annual crop components in AV and AF systems.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis about the Effect of Bisphosphonates on the Risk of Skeletal-Related Event in Men with Prostate Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 1604-1612
Author(s):  
Congcong Wu ◽  
Hua Jiang ◽  
Jianghua Chen
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Related Event ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Skeletal Related Event

Background: Although the adjuvant therapy of bisphosphonates in prostate cancer is effective in improving bone mineral density, it is still uncertain whether bisphosphonates could decrease the risk of Skeletal- Related Event (SRE) in patients with prostate cancer. We reviewed and analyzed the effect of different types of bisphosphonates on the risk of SRE, defined as pathological fracture, spinal cord compression, radiation therapy to the bone, surgery to bone, hypercalcemia, bone pain, or death as a result of prostate cancer. Methods: A systemic literature search was conducted on PubMed and related bibliographies. The emphasis during data extraction was laid on the Hazard Ratio (HR) and the corresponding 95% Confidence Interval (CI) from every eligible Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). HR was pooled with the fixed effects model, and preplanned subgroup analyses were performed. Results: 5 RCTs (n = 4651) were included and analyzed finally after screening 51 articles. The meta-analysis of all participants showed no significant decrease in the risk of SRE when adding bisphosphonates to control group (HR = 0.968, 95% CI = 0.874 - 1.072, p = 0.536) with low heterogeneity (I2 = 0.0% (d.f. = 4) p = 0.679). There was no significant improvement on SRE neither in the subgroups with Metastases (M1) or Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (CSPC) (respectively HR = 0.968, 95% CI = 0.874 - 1.072, p = 0.536, I2 = 0.0% (d.f. = 4) p = 0.679; HR = 0.954, 95% CI = 0.837 - 1.088, p = 0.484, I2 = 0.0% (d.f. = 3) p = 0.534). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that bisphosphonates could not statistically significantly reduce the risk of SRE in patients with prostate cancer, neither in the subgroups with M1 or CSPC.

scholarly journals Effect of interventions based on educational technologies on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections in incarcerated women: protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e043373
Author(s):  
Isaiane da Silva Carvalho ◽  
Ryanne Carolynne Marques Gomes Mendes ◽  
Priscila de Oliveira Cabral Melo ◽  
Caroline Ferraz Simões ◽  
Luciana Pedrosa Leal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Incarcerated Women ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
World Health ◽  
Educational Technologies ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

IntroductionPrisons are places with high vulnerability and high risk for the development of sexually transmitted infections. World Health Agencies recommend establishing intervention measures, such as information and education, on the prevention of diseases. Thus, technologies as tools for health education have been used to reduce sexually transmitted infections. However, no systematic review has investigated the effectiveness of these interventions. Therefore, this review’s objective is to examine the effect of educational technologies used for preventing sexually transmitted infections in incarcerated women.Methods and analysisPreferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines will be strictly followed. The following electronic databases will be searched: Scopus; Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health, Education Resources Information Center, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed/Medline, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Randomised clinical trials of interventions that used educational technologies to prevent sexually transmitted infections in incarcerated women will be searched in the databases from the beginning of 2020 until December by two researchers independently. A narrative synthesis will be constructed for all included studies, and if there are sufficient data, a meta-analysis will be performed using the Review Manager software (V.5.3). Continuous results will be presented as the weighted mean difference or the standardised mean difference with 95% CIs. Under the heterogeneity of the included studies, a random-effects or fixed-effects model will be used. The studies’ heterogeneity will be assessed by the I2 method. The sensitivity analysis will be carried out to examine the magnitude of each study’s influence on the general results. A significance level of p≤0.05 will be adopted.Ethics and disclosureEthical approval is not required because no primary data will be collected. The results will be published in journals reviewed by peers.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020163820.

scholarly journals Statin use and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2020-139172
Author(s):  
Rimesh Pal ◽  
Mainak Banerjee ◽  
Urmila Yadav ◽  
Sukrita Bhattacharjee
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Adjusted Risk ◽  
Risk Estimates ◽  
Statin Use

PurposeObservations studies have shown that prior use of statins is associated with a reduced risk of adverse clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. However, the available data are limited, inconsistent and conflicting. Besides, no randomised controlled trial exists in this regard. Hence, the present meta-analysis was conducted to provide an updated summary and collate the effect of statin use on clinical outcomes in COVID-19 using unadjusted and adjusted risk estimates.MethodsPubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were systematically searched using appropriate keywords till December 18 2020, to identify observational studies reporting clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients using statins versus those not using statins. Prior and in-hospital use of statins were considered. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Unadjusted and adjusted pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% CIs were calculated.ResultsWe included 14 observational studies pooling data retrieved from 19 988 patients with COVID-19. All the studies were of high/moderate quality. Pooled analysis of unadjusted data showed that statin use was not associated with improved clinical outcomes (OR 1.02; 95% CI 0.69 to 1.50, p=0.94, I2=94%, random-effects model). However, on pooling adjusted risk estimates, the use of statin was found to significantly reduce the risk of adverse outcomes (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.41 to 0.63, p<0.0005, I2=0%, fixed-effects model).ConclusionsStatin use is associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Individuals with multiple comorbidities on statin therapy should be encouraged to continue the drug amid the ongoing pandemic.

scholarly journals Independent evolution towards larger body size in the distinctive Faroe Island mice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Wilches ◽  
William H Beluch ◽  
Ellen McConnell ◽  
Diethard Tautz ◽  
Yingguang Frank Chan
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Laboratory Mouse ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Size Variation ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Island Population ◽  
Multiple Loci

Abstract Most phenotypic traits in nature involve the collective action of many genes. Traits that evolve repeatedly are particularly useful for understanding how selection may act on changing trait values. In mice, large body size has evolved repeatedly on islands and under artificial selection in the laboratory. Identifying the loci and genes involved in this process may shed light on the evolution of complex, polygenic traits. Here, we have mapped the genetic basis of body size variation by making a genetic cross between mice from the Faroe Islands, which are among the largest and most distinctive natural populations of mice in the world, and a laboratory mouse strain selected for small body size, SM/J. Using this F2 intercross of 841 animals, we have identified 111 loci controlling various aspects of body size, weight and growth hormone levels. By comparing against other studies, including the use of a joint meta-analysis, we found that the loci involved in the evolution of large size in the Faroese mice were largely independent from those of a different island population or other laboratory strains. We hypothesize that colonization bottleneck, historical hybridization, or the redundancy between multiple loci have resulted in the Faroese mice achieving an outwardly similar phenotype through a distinct evolutionary path.

scholarly journals Association of bisphenol A with puberty timing: a meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Meng ◽  
Yunping Zhou ◽  
Yunxia Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Bisphenol A ◽  
Confidence Intervals ◽  
Random Effects ◽  
Strong Correlation ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effects Models ◽  
Study Heterogeneity ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Prevalence Ratios

AbstractObjectivesThe results of existing studies on bisphenol A (BPA) and puberty timing did not reach a consensus. Thereby we performed this meta-analytic study to explore the association between BPA exposure in urine and puberty timing.MethodsMeta-analysis of the pooled odds ratios (OR), prevalence ratios (PR) or hazards ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated and estimated using fixed-effects or random-effects models based on between-study heterogeneity.ResultsA total of 10 studies involving 5621 subjects were finally included. The meta-analysis showed that BPA exposure was weakly associated with thelarche (PR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93–0.99), while no association was found between BPA exposure and menarche (HR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.89–1.12; OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.73–1.43), and pubarche (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.79–1.26; PR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.95–1.05).ConclusionsThere was no strong correlation between BPA exposure and puberty timing. Further studies with large sample sizes are needed to verify the relationship between BPA and puberty timing.

scholarly journals Association of UCP1 and UCP2 variants with diabetic retinopathy susceptibility in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients: a meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xujia Liu ◽  
Zehua Jiang ◽  
Guihua Zhang ◽  
Tsz Kin Ng ◽  
Zhenggen Wu
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Fixed Effects Models ◽  
Type 2 Dm ◽  
Subgroup Analyses

Abstract Background Genetic association of uncoupling proteins (UCPs) variants with the susceptibility of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients has been reported but with controversy. Here we aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to confirm the association of different UCPs variants with DR. Methods Three databases (Medline Ovid, Embase Ovid and CENTRAL) were applied in the literature search. Five genetic models, including allelic, homozygous, heterozygous, dominant and recessive models, were evaluated. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated under the random or fixed-effects models. Subgroup analyses, publication bias and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Results Eleven studies on 2 UCPs variants (UCP1 rs1800592 and UCP2 rs659366) were included. Our meta-analysis showed that UCP1 rs1800592 was not associated with DR in type-2 DM patients, and UCP2 rs659366 also showed no association with DR. In the subgroup analyses on the stage of DR, allele G of UCP1 rs1800592 significantly increased the susceptibility of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in type-2 DM patients in the allelic (OR = 1.26, P = 0.03) and homozygous models (OR = 1.60, P = 0.04). Subgroup analysis on ethnicity did not found any significant association of rs1800592 and rs659366 with DR. Conclusion Our meta-analysis confirmed the association of UCP1 rs1800592 variant with PDR in patients with type-2 DM, suggesting its potential as a genetic marker for PDR prediction in population screening.

scholarly journals Rainwater Harvesting Potentials in Commercial Buildings in Dhaka: Reliability and Economic Analysis

Hydrology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Md. Rezaul Karim ◽  
B. M. Sadman Sakib ◽  
Sk. Sadman Sakib ◽  
Monzur Alam Imteaz
Keyword(s):  
Water Demand ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Commercial Buildings ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Rainwater Tank ◽  
Catchment Areas

Despite numerous studies on residential rainwater tank, studies on commercial rainwater tank are scarce. Corporate authorities pay little heed on this sustainable feature. With the aim of encouraging corporate authorities, this study presents the feasibility and economic benefits of rainwater harvesting (RWH) in commercial buildings in the capital city of Bangladesh, where water authority struggles to maintain town water supply. The analysis was conducted using a daily water balance model under three climate scenarios (wet, dry and normal year) for five commercial buildings having catchment areas varying from 315 to 776 m2 and the storage tank capacity varying from 100 to 600 m3. It was found that for a water demand of 30 L per capita per day (lpcd), about 11% to 19% and 16% to 26.80% of the annual water demand can be supplemented by rainwater harvesting under the normal year and wet year climate conditions, respectively. The payback periods are found to be very short, only 2.25 to 3.75 years and benefit–cost (B/C) ratios are more than 1.0, even for building having the smallest catchment area (i.e., 315 m2) and no significant overflow would occur during monsoon, which leads to both economic and environmental benefits. Though the findings cannot be translated to other cities as those are dependent on factors like water price, interest rate, rainfall amount and pattern, however other cities having significant rainfall amounts should conduct similar studies to expedite implementations of widescale rainwater harvesting.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Regional-Scale Optimal K Rate Based on Sustainable Apple Yield and High-Efficiency K Use in Loess Plateau and Bohai Bay of China: A Meta-Analysis

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1368
Author(s):  
Wenzheng Tang ◽  
Wene Wang ◽  
Dianyu Chen ◽  
Ningbo Cui ◽  
Haosheng Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Loess Plateau ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Bohai Bay ◽  
The Loess Plateau ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Relationship Model

In order to meet the growing food demand of the global population and maintain sustainable soil fertility, there is an urgent need to optimize fertilizer application amount in agricultural production practices. Most of the existing studies on the optimal K rates for apple orchards were based on case studies and lack information on optimizing K-fertilizer management on a regional scale. Here, we used the method of combining meta-analysis with the K application rate-yield relationship model to quantify and summarize the optimal K rates of the Loess Plateau and Bohai Bay regions in China. We built a dataset based on 159 observations obtained from 18 peer-reviewed literature studies distributed in 15 different research sites and evaluated the regional-scale optimal K rates for apple production. The results showed that the linear plus platform model was more suitable for estimating the regional-scale optimal K rates, which were 208.33 and 176.61 kg K ha−1 for the Loess Plateau and Bohai Bay regions of China, respectively. Compared with high K application rates, the optimal K rates increased K use efficiency by 45.88–68.57%, with almost no yield losses. The optimal K rates also enhanced the yield by 6.30% compared with the low K application rates.

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