Planting in Metallized Reflective Mulch Did Not Significantly Benefit Development of New Hybrid Citrus Seedlings

The U.S. Department of Agriculture citrus scion breeding program is urgently working on developing huanglongbing (HLB; pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus)-tolerant cultivars with excellent fruit quality and productivity when HLB-affected. The slow process of assessing new citrus hybrids is a major impediment to delivery of these much-needed cultivars. We generate thousands of hybrids each year, germinate the seedlings, grow them for 2 years in the greenhouse, plant them at high density in a field where the disease HLB is abundant, grow them for 5 to 10 years, and make selections based on tree performance and fruit quality of these HLB-affected trees. Based on promising reports of accelerated citrus growth when grown in a metallized reflective mulch (MRM) system, we tested the hypothesis that the MRM system may accelerate growth and selection of new hybrid seedlings compared with conventional soil culture (CSC). In the MRM system, tree rows are covered with a layer of metallized plastic film and drip irrigation is installed beneath the plastic. In 2 years of analysis, tree canopy volume was significantly greater with MRM in 2020 (27% greater than CSC) but not in 2021, and MRM tree height was greater in 2021 (7% greater than CSC). Mortality was significantly greater with MRM in both 2020 and 2021(in 2021: 32% vs. 17% under CSC), and MRM trees had more chlorotic leaves. Because of staff limitations, plant debris and soil were not routinely cleared from MRM, thus diminishing any benefit from the reflective surface. Better maintenance might have resulted in more sustained evidence of MRM growth benefits. With the current resource availability, the MRM system does not appear to accelerate the assessment of hybrid seedling trees.

The Analysis of Quality of Work Life and Work Achievement in Department of Agriculture Simalungun Regency

In fact, the work performance of employees does not match the expectations of an agency, and they still encounter low employee performance. As a result of low employee performance, the impact on agency productivity decreases and cannot meet the targets set by the agency, so that the agency suffers losses and experiences obstacles in its development. Meanwhile, for employees who have low work performance, it will hinder the career development and income of the employee.Descriptive analysis is a research method that provides an overview regarding situations and events so that this method intends to Base data accumulation applies.From the results of the analysis with the number of respondents as many as 63 people, the following conclusions are drawn: 1) Job satisfaction has a positive and significant effect on employee performance in Simalungun Regency Agriculture Office. 2) Leaders are expected to improve the promotion appraisal system based on performance and work results. 3) Maintaining the current good condition of employees, who are able to work hard to get awards, a well-developed family atmosphere and an interesting and challenging work atmosphere has been created.

Responsiveness of cauliflower varieties to the use of biocompost and mineral fertilizers

Цветная капуста – одна из наиболее ценных овощных культур по своим питательным и лечебным свойствам. Эта культура отличается высоким содержанием полноценного растительного белка, ее используют как диетический продукт при диабете и заболеваниях желудка, кишечника, печени. Однако выращивание цветной капусты сопряжено с большими проблемами ввиду очень высокой требовательности этой культуры к уровню плодородия почвы, элементам минерального питания, влажности почвы и воздуха. В почвенно-климатических условиях ЦНЗ России уровень урожайности цветной капусты колеблется в пределах 10–20 т/га, в среднем по России – 9,7 т/га, что не всегда компенсирует затраты на ее выращивание. Важнейшее условие повышения урожайности и рентабельности этой культуры – оптимизация питательного режима и внедрение новых высокоурожайных сортов и гибридов. Цель работы: поиск способов оптимизации питания капусты цветной с помощью органических удобрений (компостов) и их комбинаций с минеральными удобрениями. В 2020–2021 годах отделом земледелия и агрохимии ВНИИО-филиале ФГБНУ ФНЦО были проведены комплексные исследования по изучению отзывчивости некоторых сортов и гибридов цветной капусты на применение органических (птичий компост в дозе 6 т/га) и минеральных (N120P120K180) удобрений и их сочетаний, а также по влиянию этих удобрений на качество продукции. Было изучено семь сортов и гибридов капусты цветной отечественной и зарубежной селекции. Результаты исследований показали, что совместное применение минеральных и органических удобрений в наибольшей степени увеличивает продуктивность капусты, в среднем на 30%, в то время как чисто минеральные – на 25%, а чисто органические – на 19%. Совместное применение минеральных и органических удобрений позволяет получать в среднем 28,3 т/га головок цветной капусты, по отдельным сортам и гибридам – от 23,9 до 38,1 т/га. Качество продукции остается хорошим при применении минеральных и органических удобрений как раздельным, так и совместным способами. Cauliflower is one of the most valuable vegetable crops for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Differs in a high content of complete vegetable protein, is a dietary product for diseases of the stomach, intestines, liver and diabetes. However, the cultivation of cauliflower is fraught with great problems due to the very high demands of this crop on the level of soil fertility, elements of mineral nutrition, soil and air moisture. In the soil and climatic conditions of the Central Black Earth Region of Russia, the yield level of cauliflower fluctuates between 10–20 t/ha, on average in Russia 9.7 t/ha, which does not always compensate for the costs of its cultivation. The most important condition for increasing the yield and profitability of this crop is the optimization of the nutritional regime and the introduction of new high-yielding varieties and hybrids. The aim of our work was to find ways to optimize the nutrition of cauliflower using organic fertilizers – composts and their combinations with mineral fertilizers. In this regard, in 2020–2021, the Department of Agriculture and Agrochemistry of the ARRIVG-branch FSBSI FSVC conducted comprehensive studies to study the responsiveness of some varieties and hybrids of cauliflower to the use of organic (bird compost at a dose of 6 t/ha) and mineral (N120P120K180) fertilizers and their combinations, as well as the effect of these fertilizers on product quality. Seven varieties and hybrids of cauliflower of domestic and foreign selection were studied. The research results showed that the combined use of mineral and organic fertilizers to the greatest extent increases the productivity of cabbage, on average by 30%, while purely mineral fertilizers – by 25%, and purely organic – by 19%. The combined use of mineral and organic fertilizers allows to obtain an average of 28.3 t/ha of cauliflower heads; for individual varieties and hybrids from 23.9 to 38.1 t/ha. Product quality remains good when mineral and organic fertilizers are used both separately and jointly.

Polysaccharides in Agro-Industrial Biomass Residues

The large-scale industrial use of polysaccharides to obtain energy is one of the most discussed subjects in science. However, modern concepts of biorefinery have promoted the diversification of the use of these polymers in several bioproducts incorporating concepts of sustainability and the circular economy. This work summarizes the major sources of agro-industrial residues, physico-chemical properties, and recent application trends of cellulose, chitin, hyaluronic acid, inulin, and pectin. These macromolecules were selected due to their industrial importance and valuable functional and biological applications that have aroused market interests, such as for the production of medicines, cosmetics, and sustainable packaging. Estimations of global industrial residue production based on major crop data from the United States Department of Agriculture were performed for cellulose content from maize, rice, and wheat, showing that these residues may contain up to 18%, 44%, and 35% of cellulose and 45%, 22%, and 22% of hemicellulose, respectively. The United States (~32%), China (~20%), and the European Union (~18%) are the main countries producing cellulose and hemicellulose-rich residues from maize, rice, and wheat crops, respectively. Pectin and inulin are commonly obtained from fruit (~30%) and vegetable (~28%) residues, while chitin and hyaluronic acid are primarily found in animal waste, e.g., seafood (~3%) and poultry (~4%).

Geographic determinants of colorectal cancer in Louisiana

Purpose Currently, rural residents in the United States (US) experience a greater cancer burden for tobacco-related cancers and cancers that can be prevented by screening. We aim to characterize geographic determinants of colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence in Louisiana due to rural residence and other known geographic risk factors, area socioeconomic status (SES), and cultural region (Acadian or French-speaking). Methods Primary colorectal cancer diagnosed among adults 30 years and older in 2008–2017 were obtained from the Louisiana Tumor Registry. Population and social and economic data were obtained from US Census American Community Survey. Rural areas were defined using US Department of Agriculture 2010 rural–urban commuting area codes. Estimates of relative risk (RR) were obtained from multilevel binomial regression models of incidence. Results The study population was 16.1% rural, 18.4% low SES, and 17.9% Acadian. Risk of CRC was greater among rural white residents (RR Women: 1.09(1.02–1.16), RR Men: 1.11(1.04–1.18)). Low SES was associated with increased CRC for all demographic groups, with excess risk ranging from 8% in Black men (RR: 1.08(1.01–1.16)) to 16% in white men (RR: 1.16(1.08–1.24)). Increased risk in the Acadian region was greatest for Black men (RR: 1.21(1.10–1.33)) and women (RR: 1.21(1.09–1.33)). Rural–urban disparities in CRC were no longer significant after controlling for SES and Acadian region. Conclusion SES remains a significant determinant of CRC disparities in Louisiana and may contribute to observed rural–urban disparities in the state. While the intersectionality of CRC risk factors is complex, we have confirmed a robust regional disparity for the Acadian region of Louisiana.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE US IMPORTATION SEASONALITY OF WOODEN MOLDINGS MADE OUT OF BRAZILIAN AND CHILEAN CONIFERS

Conifer wood moldings are classified as high value-added wood products and are used for several purposes in civil construction. Brazil is the world’s leading exporter of this product and the United States are its main destination market. It is very important to analyze the behavior of such importations and exportations to set strategies to obtain or increase the competitive advantage and improve the commercialization of these products. The objective of this study was to analyze the US importation seasonality of conifer wood moldings from Brazil and Chile, the main competitor of the Brazilian product in the US market. To write this paper, monthly data of the quantity of US importations of Brazilian and Chilean moldings from the period of 2011 to 2017 were collected from the database of the United States Department of Agriculture/Foreign Agricultural Service. The methodology proposed by Hoffman (2006) was employed to calculate the seasonal and seasonality indexes. The results indicated that the US importation of conifer wood moldings, both from Brazil and Chile, have a seasonal behavior, with great variation of the seasonal index.

Population Structure and Phylogeny of Some U.S. Peach Cultivars

Peach (Prunus persica) cultivars maintained at the U.S. Department of Agriculture program at Byron, GA, have never been characterized with any molecular markers. In this study, 20 microsatellite markers were used to genotype 112 cultivars and the data were analyzed to discern their population structure and phylogenetic relationships. STRUCTURE simulations revealed four K clusters and broad genetic admixture among the cultivars. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) showed the cultivar groups from western, northeastern, and southeastern U.S. states were adjacent to each other except cultivars from Michigan (close to most southeastern state groups) and Florida (most distant from the other groups). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that these cultivars had no obvious PCA partitioning boundaries. The intertwined distribution in both PCoA and PCA partitions suggested many of them were genetically closely related to each other largely because most shared same ancestral parentages. Most pairwise distance means within and between the cultivar groups were relatively low, suggesting close phylogenetic relations among those cultivars, as were demonstrated in the phylogenetic tree. Limiting factors and perspectives relevant to peach breeding are discussed.

The future: towards agenda 2063.

This chapter discusses the foreseeable future of agriculture in Africa, which has a major contribution to make in terms of food security, and also in terms of economic, social and environmental development. The changing climate in Africa already calls for the adoption of the best alternative agricultural production strategy that can deliver both productivity and ecosystem services. This chapter also highlights important findings from the book such as the new expertise and experience in Conservation Agriculture (CA) that has been gained, especially during the last decade. Research, training, farmer innovation and the increasing agricultural investments in institution building mean that CA now holds greater promise of serving as a sustainable pillar in the implementation of Agenda 2063. Also included in this chapter is a transcription of the speech of the Director General of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Mr Mzamo Michael Mlenganaduring during the official opening of the Congress, wherein he called for a greater contribution by CA and the multi-stakeholder CA community of practice towards Agenda 2063.

Comparative analysis of the competitiveness of Beninese and Brazilian cotton exports in international trade from 2006 to 2018

This study aims to analyze the competitiveness and orientation of Brazilian and Beninese cotton exports in international trade from 2006 to 2018. The cotton category in this article refers to “neither carded nor combed” (HS: 5201). To measure competitiveness, we chose to calculate the Revealed Comparative Advantage Index (RCAI) and Symmetric Revealed Comparative Advantage Index (SRCAI), proposed by Balassa (1965) and Laursen (1998) respectively. The Regional Orientation Index (ROI), proposed by Yeats (1997), of cotton for Asia and EU-28 is used. The data were collected from the International Trade Center (ITC) /Trade Map and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The results found indicate that the Brazilian’s and Beninese’s cotton has been increasing values and above the unit showing its competitiveness in the international market. In addition, Benin was more competitive than Brazil because it has, on average, a higher SRCAI than Brazil (0.99 and 0.7 respectively). Concerning the ROI, it was found that Brazilian and Beninese cotton exports are strongly directed towards Asia, the main consumer market for Beninese and Brazilian cotton. As for the EU-28, both Benin and Brazil do not direct their cotton sales to this economic block.

Temporal trends in intake category data for animal shelter and rescue organizations in Colorado from 2008 to 2018

OBJECTIVE To investigate trends in animal shelter and rescue organization intake for dogs and cats in Colorado from 2008 to 2018. SAMPLE 482 animal shelters and rescue organizations that reported annual intake data to the State of Colorado Department of Agriculture for 1,086,630 dogs and 702,333 cats. PROCEDURES Total intake, intake for each of 5 Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act categories (stray, owner surrender, intrastate transfer, interstate transfer, or other), and community-based intake (total intake after exclusion of transfers) of dogs and cats were assessed in total and for each organization type (shelter or rescue organization). The number taken in per year, number taken in/1,000 capita (human residents)/y, and number in each intake category as a percentage of total intake for the same species per year were analyzed with linear regression models. RESULTS Trend lines indicated that total dog intake increased over the study period, but there was no change when these data were adjusted for the human population. Cat intake decreased over time according to both of these measures. Total community-based intake decreased, whereas total intake by interstate transfer from other organizations increased for both species during the study period. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Increased transfer of dogs and cats across state lines into regions with low community-based shelter intake suggested that regional and national animal disease trends could potentially impact disease profiles for recipient areas. Findings supported efforts toward collecting animal shelter and rescue organization intake and outcome data across larger systems.