Seed source, seed traits, and frugivore habits: Implications for dispersal quality of two sympatric primates

Determining the chemical composition of seeds of the physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) is of great importance for the species due to the oil content of the seeds (the principal trait of interest). Identifying promising genotypes with selectable seed traits is one of the strategies adopted in breeding the physic nut in order to increase the yield and quality of the oil. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition of seed traits in ten half-sibling progeny of the physic nut, and to identify which progeny have good genetic performance for transmission to the offspring. The experimental design was completely randomised, with ten treatments and four replications. The treatments were represented by seeds from half-sibling progeny in which the carbohydrate, protein and lipid content, and the composition of the fatty acids were evaluated. The genetic parameters and the gains from their selection were predicted for the principal seed traits using mixed-model analysis, including REML (restricted maximum likelihood) and BLUP (best linear unbiased prediction). The physic-nut seeds showed an average dry matter (DM) concentration of 60 mg g-1 carbohydrates, 42 mg g-1 protein and 142 mg g-1 total lipids. Unsaturated fatty acids represented more than 85% of the total fatty acid composition, with the oil classified as oleic-linoleic. Considering the predictions of the genetic parameters, the lipid traits can be selected for the purpose of breeding, resulting in genetic progress in the yield and quality of physic-nut oil.

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Effect of seed source, presprouting and desiccation date on the processing quality of potato tubers for French fry production

Potato Research ◽

10.1007/bf02733683 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 48 (1-2) ◽

pp. 69-84 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J. J. Burke ◽

T. O’donavan ◽

P. Barry

Keyword(s):

Seed Source ◽

Processing Quality ◽

Potato Tubers ◽

French Fry

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The Effect of Seed Source and Post-harvest Practices on Quality of Soybean (Glycine max) Seeds in Busia County

10.52855/rcbu7343 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 17-40

Author(s):

Ochran M. K. ◽

◽

Narla R. D. ◽

Muthomi J. W. ◽

Ochuodho J. O. ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seed Coat ◽

Seed Quality ◽

Soybean Seed ◽

Seed Source ◽

Local Market ◽

Soybean Seeds ◽

Post Harvest ◽

Production Practices ◽

Handling Practices

Majority of farmers growing legumes use and recycle seeds from informal sources for the next crop. The quality of such seeds is unknown and usually leads to accumulation of pest, diseases and reduced yields. This study was carried out to determine production practices and quality of soybean seeds obtained from informal sources in Busia County. A survey was conducted to collect information on source of soybean seeds, production and post-harvest handling practices. Seed samples were collected from farmers, local market and agro-dealers. The seeds were evaluated for purity, seed coat damage, germination, vigour and fungal infection. Majority (48%) of farmers in Busia County used farm saved seeds, 29% and 23% used seeds from community based organizations and local markets, respectively. Most of the farmers (92%) used inappropriate threshing techniques like beating with sticks and about 80% of the farmers did not treat seed either before storage or during planting. Majority (68%) stored soybean for three months only. Seeds from informal sources had low purity, higher seed coat damage and infection as compared to certified seeds. The physical purity of seeds from the informal sources did not meet the recommended standard of 98% however their germination was comparable to 75% germination standard. Farmers therefore, should be advised to adopt use of certified seeds and appropriate handling techniques. Keywords: Soybean, seed source, seed quality, seed production practices

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Species richness matters for the quality of ecosystem services: a test using seed dispersal by frugivorous birds

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2012.0175 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 279 (1740) ◽

pp. 3106-3113 ◽

Cited By ~ 71

Author(s):

Daniel García ◽

Daniel Martínez

Keyword(s):

Seed Dispersal ◽

Frugivorous Birds ◽

Functional Complementarity ◽

Dispersal Quality ◽

Ecological Science ◽

Current Paradigm ◽

Anthropogenic Forest ◽

A Current ◽

Seed Dispersal Quality

The positive link between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is a current paradigm in ecological science. However, little is known of how different attributes of species assemblages condition the quality of many services in real ecosystems affected by human impact. We explore the links between the attributes of a frugivore assemblage and the quantitative and qualitative components of its derived ecosystem service, seed dispersal, along a landscape-scale gradient of anthropogenic forest loss. Both the number and the richness of seeds being dispersed were positively related to frugivore abundance and richness. Seed dispersal quality, determined by the fine-scale spatial patterns of seed deposition, mostly depended on frugivore richness. In fact, richness was the only attribute of the frugivore assemblage affecting the probability of seed dispersal into deforested areas of the landscape. The positive relationships between frugivore richness per se (i.e. independent of frugivore abundance and composition) and all components of seed dispersal suggest the existence of functional complementarity and/or facilitation between frugivores. These links also point to the whole assemblage of frugivores as a conservation target, if we aim to preserve a complete seed dispersal service and, hence, the potential for vegetation regeneration and recovery, in human-impacted landscapes.

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SOME EFFECTS OF PROCESSING AND SEED SOURCE ON THE NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF RAPESEED MEAL

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas76-098 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 56 (4) ◽

pp. 809-816 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

J. M. BELL ◽

T. F. SHARBY ◽

G. SARWAR

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Protein Quality ◽

Protein Digestibility ◽

Rapeseed Meal ◽

Seed Source ◽

Feeding Experiments ◽

Three Samples ◽

Processing Plants ◽

Lower Protein

Rapeseed meals (RSM), B. campestris L. (cv. Span), derived from a pooled seed source processed in three different Canadian pre-press solvent-extraction processing plants were compared with RSM derived from B. campestris Canadian seed and a B. napus RSM derived from European seed, the latter two meals being processed in The Netherlands. Amino acid, glucosinolate and proximate analyses were conducted. Feeding experiments with mice revealed no differences in weight gains, feed intakes, digestibility of energy or protein, efficiency of feed utilization or protein quality among the three samples of Canadian-processed Span RSM, and the responses equalled those obtained with soybean meal. RSM processed in The Netherlands and derived from Canadian seed equalled the Canadian-processed Span RSM except for a significantly (P = 0.05) lower digestibility of protein. The Netherlands-processed B. napus RSM proved to be inferior and resulted in slower growth and lower protein digestibility. Swine fed the same five RSM samples in typical swine rations but at lower levels of RSM (7.5 and 15.0%) than those (9.1 and 10.1; 19.9 and 22.5; and 30.9 and 34.9%) in the mouse tests showed a reduction in daily gain (P = 0.05) for 15% RSM compared to 7.5% and a tendency for the B. napus RSM from The Netherlands to be inferior (P > 0.05). It is suggested that differences in myrosinase inactivation during processing, the higher oxazolidinethione content characteristic of B. napus RSM, and possible overheating during the toasting phase of RSM production were responsible for the differences observed.

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Microorganisms in Biostimulants

European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety ◽

10.9734/ejnfs/2019/v9i330074 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 310-311

Author(s):

Erik Joner ◽

Eystein Skjerve ◽

Leif Sundheim ◽

Arne Tronsmo ◽

Yngvild Wastson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

N Fixation ◽

Nutrient Utilisation ◽

Wide Range ◽

Dispersal Quality ◽

Environment Agency ◽

Product Rules

In March 2016, the EU Commission presented a proposal for new regulations on fertilising material. The regulation includes product rules for a wide range of organic and inorganic products. Microbial biostimulants is one of the categories of products that are included. Biostimulants, in the draft EU regulation, are defined as fertilising materials that affect nutrient processes independently of the product's own nutrient content and with the purpose of improving nutrient utilisation, tolerance for abiotic stress or quality of the crop. Positive list in which species of these bacterial genera are listed: Azotobacter spp, Rhizobium spp., Azospirillum spp and Mycorrhizal fungi are a part of the regulation. Since the import and use of these organisms are the responsibility of both the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the Norwegian Environment Agency, they asked VKM to submit a joint report on effects on health (humans, plants and animals), biodiversity and dispersal, quality of agricultural land and on soil environment. Conclusions: Health risks: Based upon our literature review, we have found no indication of any specific diseases in plants, animals or humans induced by the discussed microorganisms. A few reported cases of human disease are caused through wound infections or injections in immunocompromised patients. These represent a situation where any microorganism may induce infections and is not specific for the agents discussed in this report. In summary, the risk of any disease caused by the discussed microorganisms is considered negligible. Environmental risks: In soil the biodiversity, competition, adaptation and functional redundancy of microorganisms are extremely high. This means that introduced microorganisms have a very small chance for establishing, and even less so for affecting biodiversity and soil functioning. Introduction of nitrogen fixing species or fungi that can transport P to plants (mycorrhiza) will lead to an increase in the primary production. However, even a large increased activity for these processes will not outcompete naturally occurring symbiotic N-fixation or growth of inherently non-mycorrhizal plant species. Thus, the risks associated with introduced non-pathogenic microorganisms are very low.

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