scholarly journals Local Network Properties of Soil and Rhizosphere Microbial Communities in Potato Plantations Treated with a Biological Product Are Important Predictors of Crop Yield

mSphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabeel Imam ◽  
Ignacio Belda ◽  
Beatriz García-Jiménez ◽  
Adrian J. Duehl ◽  
James R. Doroghazi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens ◽  
Growth Stage ◽  
Local Network ◽  
Biological Product ◽  
Local Networks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Network Properties ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
Properties Of Soil

Our results reinforce the notion that each cultivar on each location recruits a unique microbial community and that these communities are modulated by the vegetative growth stage of the plant. Moreover, inoculation of a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain QST713-based product on potatoes also changed the abundance of specific taxonomic groups and the structure of local networks in those locations where the product caused an increase in the yield.

Spatial proximity and SME strategy in local networks

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 338-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasco Eiriz
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Local Network ◽  
Spatial Proximity ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Organizational Relationships ◽  
Local Networks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Empirically Supported ◽  
Competitive Behaviour ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Local networks of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are founded both on collaborative and competitive inter-organizational relationships within the same network characterised by spatial proximity between firms. This paper aims to propose an original analytical framework to understand how spatial proximity between firms within local networks influences strategy of SMEs. Design/methodology/approach Theories and the existing knowledge were used to develop a preliminary conceptual framework. This preliminary framework was then developed as data collection and analysis were carried out. That is, in the more advanced stages of the research, both the literature and data allowed the design of a more specific analytical framework with the development of theoretical propositions. The data supporting the findings was derived from extensive content analysis of secondary documents from manufacturers, channel agents, industry organisations, public agencies and statistical sources. These data were also used as background briefing for 52 in-depth interviews with 36 senior managers within the sector. Findings An extensive qualitative research carried out in two major local networks of footwear production in Portugal shows that spatial proximity influences the following major variables of SME strategy: offer specialization, market specialization, competitive behaviour and collaborative behaviour. This paper examines the strong subcontracting relationships among manufacturers within each local network, discusses the competitive and collaborative behaviour of firms within their local networks of subcontracting and explains the nature of interaction between them contributing for a better understanding on the impact of spatial proximity on strategy. Practical implications Some management implications can be drawn from this research at the level of the network and of the firm, although both levels are profoundly intertwined. The paper discusses both these implications. Originality/value This research clarifies the relationship between spatial proximity and strategy of SMEs immersed in local networks. In particular, the findings show that, in the context of local networks of footwear production, SME strategy is influenced by spatial proximity between firms in the following characteristics of strategy: offer specialization, market specialization, competitive behaviour and collaborative behaviour. As it was discussed and empirically supported, spatial proximity between firms favour resource mobility, firms' interaction and reduction of transaction costs, which, in turn, impact strategy.

scholarly journals Soil Microbial Composition and Structure Allow Assessment of Biological Product Effectiveness and Crop Yield Prediction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabeel Imam ◽  
Ignacio Belda ◽  
Adrian J. Duehl ◽  
James R. Doroghazi ◽  
Daniel E. Almonacid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens ◽  
Rhizosphere Soil ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Microbiome Composition ◽  
Microbial Inoculant ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the effectiveness and potential mechanism of action of agricultural biological products under different soil profiles and crops will allow more precise product recommendations based on local conditions and will ultimately result in increased crop yield. This study aimed to use bulk and rhizosphere soil’s microbial composition and structure to evaluate the effect of a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain QST713 inoculant on potatoes, and to explore its relationship with crop yield. We implemented NGS and bioinformatics approaches to assess the bacterial and fungal biodiversity in 185 soil samples, distributed over four different time points -from planting to harvest -from three different geographical regions in the United States.In addition to variety, phenological stage of the potato plant and geography being important factors defining the microbiome composition and structure, the microbial inoculant applied as a treatment also had a significant effect. However, treatment preserved the native communities without causing a detectable long-lasting effect on the alpha- and beta-diversity patterns after harvest. Specific taxonomic groups, and most interestingly the structure of the fungal and bacterial communities (measured using co-occurrence and co-exclusion networks), changed after inoculation. Additionally, using information about the application of the microbial inoculant and considering microbiome composition and structure data we were able to train a Random Forest model to estimate if a bulk or rhizosphere soil sample came from a low or high yield block with relatively high accuracy, concluding that the structure of fungal communities is a better estimator of potato yield than the structure of bacterial communities.IMPORTANCEThe manuscript’s results reinforce the notion that each crop variety on each location recruits a unique microbial community and that these communities are modulated by the vegetative growth stage of the plant. Moreover, inoculation of a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain QST713-based product on potatoes also changed specific taxonomic groups and, most interestingly, the structure of local fungal and bacterial networks in bulk and rhizosphere soil. The data obtained, coming from in-field assays performed in three different geographical locations, allowed training a predictive model to estimate the yield of a certain block, identifying microbiome variables -especially those related to microbial community structure- with a higher predictive power than the variety and geography of the block. The methods described here can be replicated to fit new models predicting yield in any other crop, and to evaluate the effect of any Ag-input product in the composition and structure of the soil microbiome.

The case of motivprints: balancing entrepreneurial instinct with managerial approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Kedar Bhatt ◽  
Abhinava S. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Growth Stage ◽  
New Ventures ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Master's Level ◽  
Executive Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Permanent Staff ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities ◽  
Made In

Learning outcomes After studying this case, the students/participants would be able to: discuss important personality traits of an entrepreneur; understand specific challenges faced by a venture as it moves toward higher growth stage; discuss the importance of strategic planning and managerial style as the ventures move from establishment stage to growth stage. Case overview/synopsis The case is about MotivPrints, a two years old venture, offering custom designing and commercial printing to businesses in Gujarat, India. MotivPrints was established by Himanshu Dhadnekar in 2016 and had 85 SME clients and 35 vendors by 2019. Himanshu, a young entrepreneur had been involved in entrepreneurial activities since his school days and was also involved in a couple of business ventures during his MBA. However, he had been flip-flopping as an employee and entrepreneur, as then. At MotivPrints, he handled key responsibilities of developing client networks, generating business, marketing and managing relationship with vendors. With limited support of a team of freelancer associates, no permanent staff for assistance and lack of funds made it imperative for Himanshu to plan for scaling up his venture for survival and growth. Could he envision MotivPrints as a larger entity? If yes, what changes, mandated by growth, were needed to be made in both – the entrepreneur and the organization? Complexity academic level The case can be discussed in the class of entrepreneurship at the master’s level. It can also be used in the entrepreneurship specialization course in the second year of post-graduation. The case can be also be used for young entrepreneurs in an executive development program focusing on new ventures. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS: 3 Entrepreneurship.

scholarly journals Impact of Substratum Surface on Microbial Community Structure and Treatment Performance in Biological Aerated Filters

2013 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lavane Kim ◽  
Eulyn Pagaling ◽  
Yi Y. Zuo ◽  
Tao Yan
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Community Analysis ◽  
Microbial Community Analysis ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Property Change ◽  
And Control ◽  
Start Ups

ABSTRACTThe impact of substratum surface property change on biofilm community structure was investigated using laboratory biological aerated filter (BAF) reactors and molecular microbial community analysis. Two substratum surfaces that differed in surface properties were created via surface coating and used to develop biofilms in test (modified surface) and control (original surface) BAF reactors. Microbial community analysis by 16S rRNA gene-based PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) showed that the surface property change consistently resulted in distinct profiles of microbial populations during replicate reactor start-ups. Pyrosequencing of the bar-coded 16S rRNA gene amplicons surveyed more than 90% of the microbial diversity in the microbial communities and identified 72 unique bacterial species within 19 bacterial orders. Among the 19 orders of bacteria detected,BurkholderialesandRhodocyclalesof theBetaproteobacteriaclass were numerically dominant and accounted for 90.5 to 97.4% of the sequence reads, and their relative abundances in the test and control BAF reactors were different in consistent patterns during the two reactor start-ups. Three of the five dominant bacterial species also showed consistent relative abundance changes between the test and control BAF reactors. The different biofilm microbial communities led to different treatment efficiencies, with consistently higher total organic carbon (TOC) removal in the test reactor than in the control reactor. Further understanding of how surface properties affect biofilm microbial communities and functional performance would enable the rational design of new generations of substrata for the improvement of biofilm-based biological treatment processes.

Suppliers’ local network embeddedness and buyers’ joint innovation

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Hsu Liu ◽  
Lu Jui Chen ◽  
Hung Tai Tsou
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Service Innovation ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Local Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Network Embeddedness ◽  
Embedded Network ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Service Oriented ◽  
Innovation Competence

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of original equipment manufacturing suppliers’ local network embeddedness on buyers’ relative attention and joint innovation through service innovation competence. Design/methodology/approach A structural equation model was analyzed using AMOS 21 with data derived from 165 buyers in the Taiwanese electronics industry. Findings From the buyer perspective, suppliers with embedded network relationships in emerging markets are perceived to be service oriented and to have relative attention and joint innovation that are attractive to buyers. In addition, the findings of empirical testing conducted in this study suggest that perceived exploitative and explorative service innovation competence partially mediate the relationship between perceived network embeddedness and relative attention, while explorative service innovation competence partially mediates the influence of perceived network embeddedness on buyers’ joint innovation. Originality/value This study innovatively employed a buyer perspective to examine the servitization of manufacturing suppliers and the effects of this on the buyer–supplier relationship, providing new insights into the role of service innovation competence as well as important theoretical and managerial implications.

scholarly journals Complete Genome Sequences of Three Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Strains That Inhibit the Growth of Listeria monocytogenes In Vitro

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (25) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thao D. Tran ◽  
Steven Huynh ◽  
Craig T. Parker ◽  
Robert Hnasko ◽  
Lisa Gorski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Growth Inhibition ◽  
Complete Genome ◽  
Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens ◽  
Gene Clusters ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Multiple Gene ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT Here, we report the complete genome sequences of three Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains isolated from alfalfa, almond drupes, and grapes that inhibited the growth of Listeria monocytogenes strain 2011L-2857 in vitro. We also report multiple gene clusters encoding secondary metabolites that may be responsible for the growth inhibition of L. monocytogenes.

scholarly journals Streptomycin-Induced Inflammation Enhances Escherichia coli Gut Colonization Through Nitrate Respiration

mBio ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alanna M. Spees ◽  
Tamding Wangdi ◽  
Christopher A. Lopez ◽  
Dawn D. Kingsbury ◽  
Mariana N. Xavier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Microbial Community ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Anaerobic Bacteria ◽  
Nitrate Respiration ◽  
Colonization Resistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Gut Colonization ◽  
Facultative Anaerobic Bacteria

ABSTRACTTreatment with streptomycin enhances the growth of human commensalEscherichia coliisolates in the mouse intestine, suggesting that the resident microbial community (microbiota) can inhibit the growth of invading microbes, a phenomenon known as “colonization resistance.” However, the precise mechanisms by which streptomycin treatment lowers colonization resistance remain obscure. Here we show that streptomycin treatment rendered mice more susceptible to the development of chemically induced colitis, raising the possibility that the antibiotic might lower colonization resistance by changing mucosal immune responses rather than by preventing microbe-microbe interactions. Investigation of the underlying mechanism revealed a mild inflammatory infiltrate in the cecal mucosa of streptomycin-treated mice, which was accompanied by elevated expression ofNos2, the gene that encodes inducible nitric oxide synthase. In turn, this inflammatory response enhanced the luminal growth ofE. coliby nitrate respiration in aNos2-dependent fashion. These data identify low-level intestinal inflammation as one of the factors responsible for the loss of resistance toE. colicolonization after streptomycin treatment.IMPORTANCEOur intestine is host to a complex microbial community that confers benefits by educating the immune system and providing niche protection. Perturbation of intestinal communities by streptomycin treatment lowers “colonization resistance” through unknown mechanisms. Here we show that streptomycin increases the inflammatory tone of the intestinal mucosa, thereby making the bowel more susceptible to dextran sulfate sodium treatment and boosting theNos2-dependent growth of commensalEscherichia coliby nitrate respiration. These data point to the generation of alternative electron acceptors as a by-product of the inflammatory host response as an important factor responsible for lowering resistance to colonization by facultative anaerobic bacteria such asE. coli.

Determinants of the level of foreign subsidiaries’ localization of Korean MNCs and performance in China

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-21
Author(s):  
Byoung-Goo Kim ◽  
Gyu-Bae Kim
Keyword(s):  
Survey Data ◽  
Empirical Analysis ◽  
Corporate Culture ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Local Network ◽  
Foreign Subsidiary ◽  
Foreign Subsidiaries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Network Embeddedness ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze what effects the headquarters’ (HQ) business strategy and corporate culture, the local network embeddedness of the foreign subsidiary, and HQ-subsidiary communication have on the staff localization of foreign subsidiaries. The authors carry out empirical analysis on how localization of foreign subsidiaries ultimately affects the performance of foreign subsidiaries. Design/methodology/approach This study is an empirical analysis on the determinants of staff localization and the relationship between staff localization and corporate performance. In this study, the five hypotheses were proposed and tested using survey data. The authors randomly selected a total of 800 companies as subjects and conducted a survey. The final 222 survey data including HQs and subsidiaries were used for empirical analysis. The statistical analyses such as reliability test, factor analysis and regression were used. Findings This study shows that there was a higher level of staff localization by the foreign subsidiary when the investment goal was market-oriented investment, the Korean foreign subsidiary had stronger local network embeddedness and there was better HQ-subsidiary communication. In addition, the relationship between localization and subsidiary performance shows an inverted U-shape. Such results will give various implications to companies. Originality/value The research that takes a multilayered consideration on factors of the HQ, subsidiaries, and the HQ-subsidiary relationship is rare. To overcome such limitations, this study carried out a survey in order to find more in-depth decision factors. Specifically, this study analyzed the effects of three large aspects of investment goals and corporate culture from the aspect of the HQ, local network embeddedness from the aspect of foreign subsidiaries, and the level of HQ-subsidiary communication from the aspect of HQ-subsidiary relations, and how they affect staff localization.

scholarly journals Emergent properties in microbiome networks reveal the anthropogenic disturbance of farming practices in vineyard soil fungal communities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rüdiger Ortiz-Álvarez ◽  
Hector Ortega-Arranz ◽  
Vicente J. Ontiveros ◽  
Charles Ravarani ◽  
Alberto Acedo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small World ◽  
Fungal Communities ◽  
Local Network ◽  
Emergent Properties ◽  
Farming Practices ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Vineyard Soil ◽  
Global Agriculture ◽  
Network Properties ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAgro-ecosystems are human-managed natural systems, and therefore are subject to generalized ecological rules. A deeper understanding of the factors impacting on the biotic component of ecosystem stability is needed for promoting the sustainability and productivity of global agriculture. Here we propose a method to determine ecological emergent properties through the inference of network properties in local microbial communities, and to use them as biomarkers of the anthropogenic impact of different farming practices on vineyard soil ecosystem functioning. In a dataset of 350 vineyard soil samples from USA and Spain we observed that fungal communities ranged from random to small-world network arrangements with differential levels of niche specialization. Some of the network properties studied were strongly correlated, defining patterns of ecological emergent properties that are influenced by the intensification level of the crop management. Low-intervention practices (from organic to biodynamic approaches) promoted densely clustered networks, describing an equilibrium state based on mixed (generalist-collaborative) communities. Contrary, in conventionally managed vineyards, we observed highly modular (niche-specialized) low clustered communities, supported by a higher degree of selection (more co-exclusion proportion). We also found that, although geographic factors can explain the different fungal community arrangements in both countries, the relationship between network properties in local fungal communities better capture the impact of farming practices regardless of the location. Thus, we hypothesize that local network properties can be globally used to evaluate the effect of ecosystem disturbances in crops, but also in when evaluating the effect of clinical interventions or to compare microbiomes of healthy vs. disturbed conditions.

scholarly journals The Chthonomonas calidirosea Genome Is Highly Conserved across Geographic Locations and Distinct Chemical and Microbial Environments in New Zealand's Taupō Volcanic Zone

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (12) ◽  
pp. 3572-3581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin C. Lee ◽  
Matthew B. Stott ◽  
Peter F. Dunfield ◽  
Curtis Huttenhower ◽  
Ian R. McDonald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Genomic Sequence ◽  
Geographic Distance ◽  
Taupo Volcanic Zone ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Volcanic Zone ◽  
Carbohydrate Utilization ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Selection ◽  
Stochastic Dispersal

ABSTRACTChthonomonas calidiroseaT49Tis a low-abundance, carbohydrate-scavenging, and thermophilic soil bacterium with a seemingly disorganized genome. We hypothesized that theC. calidiroseagenome would be highly responsive to local selection pressure, resulting in the divergence of its genomic content, genome organization, and carbohydrate utilization phenotype across environments. We tested this hypothesis by sequencing the genomes of fourC. calidiroseaisolates obtained from four separate geothermal fields in the Taupō Volcanic Zone, New Zealand. For each isolation site, we measured physicochemical attributes and defined the associated microbial community by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Despite their ecological and geographical isolation, the genome sequences showed low divergence (maximum, 1.17%). Isolate-specific variations included single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), restriction-modification systems, and mobile elements but few major deletions and no major rearrangements. The 50-fold variation inC. calidirosearelative abundance among the four sites correlated with site environmental characteristics but not with differences in genomic content. Conversely, the carbohydrate utilization profiles of theC. calidiroseaisolates corresponded to the inferred isolate phylogenies, which only partially paralleled the geographical relationships among the sample sites. Genomic sequence conservation does not entirely parallel geographic distance, suggesting that stochastic dispersal and localized extinction, which allow for rapid population homogenization with little restriction by geographical barriers, are possible mechanisms ofC. calidiroseadistribution. This dispersal and extinction mechanism is likely not limited toC. calidiroseabut may shape the populations and genomes of many other low-abundance free-living taxa.IMPORTANCEThis study compares the genomic sequence variations and metabolisms of four strains ofChthonomonas calidirosea, a rare thermophilic bacterium from the phylumArmatimonadetes. It additionally compares the microbial communities and chemistry of each of the geographically distinct sites from which the fourC. calidiroseastrains were isolated.C. calidiroseawas previously reported to possess a highly disorganized genome, but it was unclear whether this reflected rapid evolution. Here, we show that each isolation site has a distinct chemistry and microbial community, but despite this, theC. calidiroseagenome is highly conserved across all isolation sites. Furthermore, genomic sequence differences only partially paralleled geographic distance, suggesting thatC. calidiroseagenotypes are not primarily determined by adaptive evolution. Instead, the presence ofC. calidiroseamay be driven by stochastic dispersal and localized extinction. This ecological mechanism may apply to many other low-abundance taxa.

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