Small-scale distribution of metazoan meiofauna and sedimentary organic matter in subtidal sandy sediments (Mediterranean Sea)

While variations in sedimentary organic matter (OM) quantity, biochemical composition and nutritional quality as well as in meiofaunal abundance and assemblage composition at the macro- and mesoscale are relatively well known, information about variations at the microscale is much scarcer. To shed some light on this issue, we tested the null hypothesis by which abundance and composition of the meiofaunal assemblages, and the quantity, biochemical composition and nutritional quality of sedimentary organic matter in coastal shallow environments do not vary within a frame of 1 m2. No significant variation within the frame emerged for OM quantity, nutritional quality, biochemical composition and the abundance of meiofaunal assemblages. On the other hand, the composition of meiofaunal assemblages varied significantly within the frame and exhibited a clear segregation of assemblages farther to the shore, as a likely result of local micro-hydrodynamic conditions. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that lipid and protein sedimentary contents had a random distribution, whereas carbohydrate and biopolymeric C contents and meiofaunal total abundance were characterized by a patchy distribution, with discrete peaks within the sub-frame squares (ca. 0.1 m2). Phytopigments showed a spatial positive autocorrelation distribution, following the micro-hydrodynamic pattern, with patches larger than the sub-frame square, but smaller than the entire one (1 m2). Overall, our results suggest that, within 1 m2 of subtidal sandy sediments, three replicates could be sufficient to assess correctly OM attributes and the abundance of meiofauna, but could be possibly inadequate for assessing meiofaunal assemblages’ composition at a finer scale (<1 m2).

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Evaluation of the nutritional quality of Chaetoceros muelleri Schütt (Chaetocerotales: Chaetocerotaceae) and Isochrysis sp. (Isochrysidales: isochrysidaceae) grown outdoors for the larval development of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) (Decapoda: Penaeidae)

Archives of Biological Sciences ◽

10.2298/abs1203963r ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 64 (3) ◽

pp. 963-970 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Erika Rodríguez ◽

José López-Elías ◽

Eduardo Aguirre-Hinojosa ◽

Garza-Aguirre del ◽

Francisco Constantino-Franco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid ◽

Litopenaeus Vannamei ◽

Biochemical Composition ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

Nutritional Value ◽

Larval Survival ◽

Mixed Diet ◽

Chaetoceros Muelleri ◽

Protein Levels

The biomass, proximal composition and fatty acid profile of Isochrysis sp., Chaetoceros muelleri and their mixture, grown under greenhouse conditions, were evaluated. The nutritional value of both species supplied as the monoalgal (Chaetoceros muelleri: Diet I, and Isochrysis sp. Diet II) and mixed diet (Diet III) for larval Litopenaeus vannamei was also assessed on the basis of the development and biochemical composition of the larvae. The highest protein levels were obtained in Diets I and II (40% and 35%, respectively). No significant differences in larval survival were found among the diets; however, larvae fed on Diet II had the lowest mean larval length.

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Ovarian fullness affects biochemical composition and nutritional quality of female swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus

Journal of Food Composition and Analysis ◽

10.1016/j.jfca.2021.104271 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104271

Author(s):

Qiufeng Sun ◽

Xiaodong Jiang ◽

Wenjie Hou ◽

Jie He ◽

David S. Francis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biochemical Composition ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

Portunus Trituberculatus ◽

Swimming Crab

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Raising Soil Organic Matter to Improve Productivity and Nutritional Quality of Food Crops in India

10.1201/9781003102762-10 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 235-258

Author(s):

R. S. Antil ◽

R. P. Narwal ◽

B. R. Singh

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Organic Matter ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

Food Crops ◽

Quality Of Food

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Are biochemical composition parameters of sediment good tools for assessing the environmental quality of estuarine areas in tropical systems?

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315417001795 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 99 (1) ◽

pp. 9-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Fred B. Silva ◽

Janilson F. Silva ◽

Ranilson S. Bezerra ◽

Paulo J. P. Santos

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Environmental Quality ◽

Biochemical Composition ◽

Trophic State ◽

Biotic Index ◽

Anthropogenic Pressure ◽

Eastern Brazil ◽

Initial Stage ◽

Natural Productivity

The present study aims to assess the environmental quality of six estuaries in north-eastern Brazil, using biochemical composition and quantity of organic matter in tropical sediments. Samples were collected monthly during spring low tide from August 2011 to July 2012, in the mid-littoral. Concentrations of organic matter and its biochemical composition reflected the degree of anthropogenic pressure. Although total concentrations of proteins and carbohydrates were similar among estuaries with contrasting levels of anthropogenic pressure, the protein to carbohydrates (PRT : CHO) ratio effectively reflected the trophic state of these areas. PRT : CHO ratios >1 were observed in all studied areas suggesting eutrophic conditions or an initial stage of eutrophication in all of them. Low Chl-a/Phaeo ratios may be associated with the level of eutrophication of each area, however it may also reflect the natural productivity or the presence of mangrove debris. These results were compared with those obtained in previous environmental assessments of the same estuarine areas using the AZTI Marine Biotic Index and monitoring reports showing good agreement. The present study confirmed for the first time in tropical estuarine areas that the biochemical approach can be successfully used to assess the trophic state of the benthic compartment.

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The effect of maturity and leafiness on the intake and digestibility of alfalfas and grasses fed to sheep

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600024230 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 73 (1) ◽

pp. 145-154 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

J. E. Troelsen ◽

J. B. Campbell

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Grass Species ◽

Digestible Organic Matter ◽

Voluntary Intake ◽

Alfalfa Varieties ◽

The Relationship ◽

Time Of Harvest

SUMMARYThe effect of maturity on the nutritional quality of hay from two alfalfa varieties and four grass species was studied. Each hay was harvested at six different stages of growth, chopped in 4–6 cm lengths, and fed to sheep in quantities of 10% in excess of voluntary intake. The relationship between intake (Y) and digestibility (X) of dry matter was best expressed by regressions of the form: Y = a + b1X + b2X2. The rate of intake declined 1·5 g daily per kg0·75 of body weight per unit decrease in digestibility percentage, and was the same for both alfalfa and grass hays. However, the intake of alfalfa hay was about 10% higher than that of the grass hays of similar digestibility. No differences in the relationship between intake and digestibility (P < 0·05) were observed between the two alfalfa varieties or between the four grass species. When the nutritional quality was expressed as voluntary intake of digestible organic matter daily per kg0·75 of body weight, and time of harvest as day-number of the year, the difference in quality between the six kinds of hay was very small or absent at the beginning of the season (immature to prebloom) and increased toward maturity (dough stage to seed ripe). The decline in quality of alfalfa hay was slower than that of grass hay, and ceased at the mature to overripe stage. On the average, voluntary intake of digestible organic matter declined 0·29 g daily for each day delay in harvest time; this decline varied from 1·2% of the daily intake of digestible organic matter in the beginning of the season to 0·6% at the mature stage. Time of harvest ‘accounted for’ 77–89% of the variation in the quality of the hays. The confounded effect of maturity and leanness on the nutritional quality of the hays was expressed best by concave, second degree polynomial regressions. On the average a unit decline in percent leaves corresponded to a decline of 0·58 g and 0·73 g respectively in the daily intake of digestible organic matter from alfalfa and grass hay. This varied from over 1 g early in the season to less than one tenth of a gram late in the season. The confounded effect of leafiness and growth stage ‘accounted for’ over 75% of the variability in nutritional quality. The relationship between intake and digestibility of the alfalfa and grass hays was used to illustrate how voluntary intake of metabolizable energy (percent of requirement for maintenance) from hay of pure or mixed species may be predicted from in vitro digestibility.

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Yield and Nutritional Quality of Sweet Lupine (Lupinus angustifolius) Grown in Midaltitudes of Lemo District, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia

International Journal of Agronomy ◽

10.1155/2021/6674452 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Fikadu T. Riga ◽

Kassa S. Retta ◽

Melkamu B. Derseh

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Chemical Composition ◽

Seed Yield ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Lupinus Angustifolius ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber

The study was conducted to determine the yield and nutritional quality of sweet lupine (Lupinus angustifolius.) grown in midaltitude of Lemo District, Southern Ethiopia. The yield and nutritive value of sweet lupine in terms of quantity and quality was conducted using a factorial experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments for the study were two sweet lupine varieties (Vitabore and Sanabore), two locations (Upper Gana and Jewe Kebeles, and six levels of planting spacing: 30 cm × 7 cm (S1), 40 cm × 7 cm (S2), 30 cm × 15 cm (S3), 40 cm × 15 cm (S4), 30 cm × 20 cm (S5), and 40 cm × 20 cm (S6)). The yield, chemical composition, and digestibility among parameters were studied. Sweet lupine varieties in Upper Gana Kebele gave the highest green forage yield (39.58 t/ha) and forage dry matter (4.84 t/ha) at 30 cm × 7 cm planting spacing, respectively. Seed yield (SYD) (t/ha) was highly affected ( P < 0.01 ) by location. The maximum seed (2.98 t/ha) yield was observed in Upper Gana Kebele with the minimum (2.15 t/ha) at Jewe Kebele. The forage in Jewe Kebele gave the highest organic matter (OM) (87.01%) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) (37.50%) content at a stage of 100% flowering. Sweet lupine forage in Upper Gana Kebele gave the highest crude protein (CP) content (23.11%) while the highest forage CP content was recorded at a planting space of 40 cm × 20 cm (23.67%). Sweet lupine forage gave the maximum in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) (69.10%) at a spacing of 40 cm × 20 cm in Upper Gana. The highest CP (29.11%) content and IVOMD (80.49%) of seed were recorded in Upper Gana Kebele. The overall result of this study suggested that green forage yield and forage dry matter yield are affected by location, planting spacing, and stage of flowering, whereas the chemical composition of sweet lupine forage was affected by location and variety interaction (dry matter and acid detergent fiber), location and stage of flowering interaction (OM, ADF and total ash), location (CP, metabolizable energy (ME), and IVOMD), planting spacing (CP and IVOMD), and stage of flowering (CP and ME). On the other hand, sweet lupine seed yield, seed CP, and IVOMD were affected by location. The large differences in yield and nutritive values observed among sweet lupine varieties, growth environment, planting spacing, and their interactions entail consideration of these factors for appropriate utilization of sweet lupine as a feed resource for livestock.

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