Endospanin Is a Candidate for Regulating Leptin Sensitivity

The hypothesis advanced is that endospanin, a highly conserved vesicle traffic protein in vertebrates, regulates leptin sensitivity in bone signaling. The effects of leptin on bones are well-studied but without consensus on whether the increases in leptin signaling stimulate bone gain or loss. The bone response may depend on leptin sensitivity, and endospanin is an established modulator of leptin sensitivity. An argument is advanced to develop zebrafish models for specific leptin signaling pathways. Zebrafish have well-developed molecular tools (e.g., CRISPR) and the advantage of non-destructive sampling of bones in the form of scales. Using these tools, experiments are described to substantiate the role of endospanin in zebrafish bone dynamics.

Browse from Three Tree Legumes Increases Forage Production for Cattle in a Silvopastoral System in the Southwest Amazon

Assessing the palatability of forage from locally adapted trees could improve the sustainability of livestock production systems. However, grasses continue to dominate livestock feed across the Amazon. We established a silvopastoral cattle farming system in Peru, comparing three different forage tree species with grass monocultures using a randomised block design. Trees were arranged in alleys of 0.5 × 7.5 m, planted alongside grass, and were directly browsed by cattle. Browse removal was estimated by three methods: destructive sampling, canopy measurements and leaf counts. We found that all three tree species were palatable to cattle. Plots containing trees and grass produced more available forage (mean > 2.2 Mg ha−1) for cattle than the grass monocultures (mean = 1.5 Mg ha−1). Destructive sampling below 1.6 m demonstrated that cattle consumed 99% of the available Erythrina berteroana forage, 75% of the available Inga edulis forage and 80% of the available Leucaena leucocephala forage in 8 days. This research demonstrates methodologies to estimate the intake of locally adapted browse species by cattle and highlights the potential benefits of silvopastoral systems in the Amazon. Planting trees could also benefit animal health and provide ecosystem services such as soil regeneration, enhanced nutrient cycling and carbon capture.

Hydraulic Conductivity Testing and Destructive Sampling of Field-Scale Mine Waste Test Piles

A commingled waste rock and tailings test pile and a waste rock test pile were evaluated to determine saturated hydraulic conductivity and destructively sampled to measure dry density. The commingled test pile contained a mixture of filtered tailings and waste rock blended to isolate waste rock particles as inclusions within the tailings matrix. Test piles were constructed in the shape of truncated 5-m tall pyramids with 25-m base sides and flat 5-m × 5-m top surfaces, and instrumented to monitor water content (and additional geochemical indicator parameters) within the test pile and seepage from the base of the pile. Piles were decommissioned after 26 months of operation. Saturated hydraulic conductivities were measured using sealed double ring infiltrometers (2.4-m square outer-ring and 1-m square inner-ring). Tensiometers and embedded water content sensors were used to measure progression of the wetting front, and the final location of the wetting front in the commingled test pile was directly measured during decommissioning. Field-measured saturated hydraulic conductivities were compared to laboratory-measured results intended to simulate the test piles. Despite having a lower average density, the commingled waste rock and tailings had a hydraulic conductivity approximately 2.5-times lower than the waste rock.

Land cover transitions and effects of transhumance on available forage biomass of rangelands in Benin

This study examined the effects of transhumance pressure on total abavoe-ground biomass and forage availability on rangelands in Benin. We also investigated the implications of land cover transitions on rangelands over a 31-year period. Our work was carried out in three regions of Benin representing distinct phytogeographic regimes: Ketou, Tchaourou, and Sinende. Ground-truthing and biomass sampling of the herbaceous and phanaerophyte strata were carried out between the 2016 peak vegetation period and the onset of the 2017 rainy season. Herbaceous biomass was determined by destructive sampling, and biomass of shrub and trees was estimated using non-destructive sampling and allometric equations. Historical and present-day Landsat data allowed an analysis of land cover change for the 1986–2002 and 2002–2017 periods. Land cover analyses yielded evidence of significant expansion of agricultural areas, especially in the latter period. The data also revealed progressive landscape fragmentation and transformations to a land cover of reduced total phytomass. There were no long-term effects of transhumance on trees, but likely on herbaceous biomass. Land cover changes in the study regions seem primarily the result of population pressure, infrastructural changes, persisting norms, and traditions regarding environmental management and the increasing popularity of livestock keeping as an insurance strategy. Rangeland transformations had negative impacts on transhumant herds’ mobility and forage availability. As rangeland stability and consent between agricultural and pastoral land users are at a tipping point, informed policies, and land use planning that foster compromises among all stakeholders are needed.

Allometric equation of local bamboo for estimating carbon sequestration of bamboo riparian forest

The cause of global warming is the increasing carbon concentration arising from industrial activities, burning of fossils, and land-use change. The purpose of this research was to find out the allometric equation to calculate the local bamboo biomass and then to be able to calculate how much carbon sequestration at bamboo riparian forest since this area was rarely being explored. The parameters observed were the height and diameter of the bamboo stem at 1.3 m height of 6 types of local bamboo using destructive sampling, along with the measurement of bamboo weight. The carbon content of the bamboo biomass, litter, and soil was measured to complement the estimation of total carbon sequestration. The results showed that the allometric equation for estimating local bamboo biomass is Y=0.6396 X1.6162 with R2=0.77, obtained from the relationship equations between dry weight and the diameter. Total carbon sequestration of this system ranged between 81 to 215 tons C ha−1.

Mathematical modelling of soybean var. anjasmoro plant growth

Thorough understanding of interactions between all factors involved in soybean plant cultivation process is needed to increase the yield. This study is aimed to determine which interaction has the highest correlation according to the Pearson correlation coefficient, to define a certain model for said interaction, and to confirm the identicality of all samples that were observed using destructive sampling method. After being tested using Pearson correlation coefficient, the highest r value is 0,81 which is between plant height and number of leaves, proving they are highly related. Both parameters were simulated in several different ways until it was found that number of leaves variable is best described as function of plant height variable, the equation is y1 = 0,85x1 + c1 where y1 represents number of leaves and x1 represents plant height. Identicality between all plants is not confirmed, thus destructive sampling method is not recommended to be applied for similar studies.

The use of near infrared spectroscopy to predict foliar nutrient levels of hydroponically grown teak seedlings

Due to a combination of durability, strength, and aesthetically pleasing color, teak ( Tectona grandis L.f.) is globally regarded as a premier timber species. High value, in combination with comprehensive harvesting restrictions from natural populations, has resulted in extensive teak plantation establishment throughout the tropics and subtropics. Plantations directly depend on the production of healthy seedlings. In order to assist growers in efficiently diagnosing teak seedling nutrient issues, a hydroponic nutrient study was conducted at North Carolina State University. The ability to accurately diagnose nutrient disorders prior to the onset of visual symptoms through the use of near infrared (NIR) technology will allow growers to potentially remedy seedling issues before irreversible damage is done. This research utilized two different near infrared (NIR) spectrometers to develop predictive foliar nutrient models for 13 nutrients and then compared the accuracy of the models between the devices. Destructive leaf sampling and laboratory grade NIR spectroscopy scanning was compared to nondestructive sampling coupled with a handheld NIR device used in a greenhouse. Using traditional wet lab foliar analysis results for calibration, nutrient prediction models for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), magnesium (Mg), boron (B), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), sodium (Na), and zinc (Z) were developed using both NIR devices. Models developed using both techniques were good for N, P, and K (R2 > 0.80), while the B model was adequate only with the destructive sampling procedure. Models for the remaining nutrients were not suitable. Although destructive sampling and desktop scanning procedure generally produced models with higher correlations they required work and time for sample preparation that might reduce the value of this NIR approach. The results suggest that both destructive and nondestructive sampling NIR calibrations can be useful to monitor macro nutrient status of teak plants grown in a nursery environment.

Using UAV Borne, Multi-Spectral Imaging for the Field Phenotyping of Shoot Biomass, Leaf Area Index and Height of West African Sorghum Varieties under Two Contrasted Water Conditions

Meeting food demand for the growing population will require an increase to crop production despite climate changes and, more particularly, severe drought episodes. Sorghum is one of the cereals most adapted to drought that feed millions of people around the world. Valorizing its genetic diversity for crop improvement can benefit from extensive phenotyping. The current methods to evaluate plant biomass, leaves area and plants height involve destructive sampling and are not practical in breeding. Phenotyping relying on drone based imagery is a powerful approach in this context. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a high throughput field phenotyping method of sorghum growth traits under contrasted water conditions relying on drone based imagery. Experiments were conducted in Bambey (Senegal) in 2018 and 2019, to test the ability of multi-spectral sensing technologies on-board a UAV platform to calculate various vegetation indices to estimate plants characteristics. In total, ten (10) contrasted varieties of West African sorghum collection were selected and arranged in a randomized complete block design with three (3) replicates and two (2) water treatments (well-watered and drought stress). This study focused on plant biomass, leaf area index (LAI) and the plant height that were measured weekly from emergence to maturity. Drone flights were performed just before each destructive sampling and images were taken by multi-spectral and visible cameras. UAV-derived vegetation indices exhibited their capacity of estimating LAI and biomass in the 2018 calibration data set, in particular: normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI), corrected transformed vegetation index (CTVI), seconded modified soil-adjusted vegetation index (MSAVI2), green normalize difference vegetation index (GNDVI), and simple ratio (SR) (r2 of 0.8 and 0.6 for LAI and biomass, respectively). Developed models were validated with 2019 data, showing a good performance (r2 of 0.92 and 0.91 for LAI and biomass accordingly). Results were also promising regarding plant height estimation (RMSE = 9.88 cm). Regression plots between the image-based estimation and the measured plant height showed a r2 of 0.83. The validation results were similar between water treatments. This study is the first successful application of drone based imagery for phenotyping sorghum growth and development in a West African context characterized by severe drought occurrence. The developed approach could be used as a decision support tool for breeding programs and as a tool to increase the throughput of sorghum genetic diversity characterization for adaptive traits.

Higher Biochar Rate Can Be Efficient in Reducing Nitrogen Mineralization and Nitrification in the Excessive Compost-Fertilized Soils

The effects of a high biochar rate on soil carbon mineralization, when co-applied with excessive compost, have been reported in previous studies, but there is a dearth of studies focusing on soil nitrogen. In order to ascertain the positive or snegative effects of a higher biochar rate on excessive compost, compost (5 wt. %) and three slow pyrolysis (>700 °C) biochars (formosan ash (Fraxinus formosana Hayata), ash biochar; makino bamboo (Phyllostachys makino Hayata), bamboo biochar; and lead tree (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de. Wit), lead tree biochar) were applied (0, 2 and 5 wt. %) to three soils (one Oxisols and two Inceptisols). Destructive sampling occurred at 1, 3, 7, 28, 56, 84, 140, 196, 294, and 400 days to monitor for changes in soil chemistry. The overall results showed that, compared to the other rates, the 5% biochar application rate significantly reduced the concentrations of inorganic N (NO3−-N + NH4+-N) in the following, decreasing order: lead tree biochar > bamboo biochar > ash biochar. The soil response in terms of ammonium and nitrate followed a similar declining trend in the three soils throughout the incubation periods, with this effect increasing in tandem with the biochar application rate. Over time, the soil NO3−-N increased, probably due to the excessive compost N mineralization; however, the levels of soil NO3−-N in the sample undergoing the 5% biochar application rate remained the lowest, to a significant degree. The soils’ original properties determined the degree of ammonium and nitrate reduction after biochar addition. To reduce soil NO3−-N pollution and increase the efficiency of compost fertilizer use, a high rate of biochar application (especially with that pyrolyzed at high temperatures (>700 °C)) to excessively compost-fertilized soils is highly recommended.