Analysis of Land Suitability for the Development of Porang (Amarphopallus ancophillus ) Plants in Lewa Sub-Regency, East Sumba Regency

Lewa sub-district is one of the sub-districts in East Sumba Regency, which has dry land that can be maximized for the development of porang plants and development purposes; information on the potential of porang plantations is needed. This study aimed to determine the biophysical characteristics of the land and the land suitability class of porang plants. The analytical method used was the matching method by comparing the land characteristics and plant growth requirements and the overlay method. The matching results show that the land characteristics in Lewa Subdistrict are class S1 (Very suitable), covering an area of 26.220,209 ha and Class S2 (quite suitable), covering an area of 3.608,523 ha. Limiting factors in this area are water availability (OA) such as drainage, nutrient retention (nr) such as CEC and pH, and erosion hazards (eh) such as slope.

Pituitary and ovarian hormones: is their plasma concentration affected by litter size in primiparous lactating rabbit does?

Genetic selection in commercial rabbit lines based on litter size has positively improved the number of kits suckling, presumably to weaning. Although it has been proven that the energetic balance of primiparous does is due to the need to satisfy pregnancy, lactation and growth requirements, litter size adjustment from 7 to 12 kits is applied as a routine in commercial rabbit farms. The suckling stimulus provokes a prolactin (PRL) secretion, which in turn can modulate the preovulatory release of luteinising hormone (LH) and, consequently, the ovulatory and productive responses of the does. This study aimed to determine if litter size of prolific primiparous rabbit does during lactation [Group HL, with high litter density (10-12 kits; n=21) and Group LL, with low litter density (7-9 kits; n=29)] influences plasma concentration of PRL. Blood samples from lactating does were taken weekly throughout lactation starting on day 4 post-partum, until day 32 post-partum, before and immediately after suckling. In addition, the does were re-inseminated after weaning (day 32 post-partum), and sampled at 0 and 60 min after induction of ovulation to determine whether litter size affected the peak of LH, progesterone (P4) concentrations and the main productive parameters of their second pregnancy. All hormones were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Statistical analysis of the results revealed that the PRL concentrations of hyperprolific rabbit does before and immediately after a suckling stimulus from 7-9 or 10-12 kits were significanltly different, as we only detected basal levels, with a rise after weaning in both groups. More studies are necessary, delaying blood sampling to later periods of time after the suckling stimulus, in order to conclude whether the peak release of this hormone is altered or not. There were also no differences in plasma LH and progesterone levels after artificial insemination, or in productive performance of these females after their second pregnancy. In conclusion, the litter size adjustment of prolific primiparous rabbits with 7 to 12 kits determines adequate pituitary, ovarian and reproductive responses at second parturition if the does are inseminated after weaning.

Traditional and new raw materials for spirit beverage production

The ethanol production industry is a fast growing branch of the economy in many countries, and there is a rich tradition of spirit beverage production of many unique drinks such as Polish vodka and Starka or Irish and Scotch whisk(e)y, all of which have unique organoleptic features. This variety is possible thanks to different raw materials used for production such as rye, barley or corn and potatoes, as well as technological solutions developed over the generations of manufacturing. Rye deserves a closer look due to its low growth requirements and many different uses as well as its long tradition of cultivation, especially in Poland. On the other hand, manufacturers are currently interested in using new, original raw materials for the production of so-called craft alcohols. Buckwheat is an example of a raw material that can be successfully used in the production of original spirits.

MULTI-LAYER INFERENCE FUZZY TSUKAMOTO DETERMINING LAND SUITABILITY CLASS OF COCOA PLANTS

Determining the land suitability class of plants specifically cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is significant to do because each plant has a different characteristic of growth. This research aims at implementing the algorithm to determine the land suitability class of cocoa plants using the Multi-Layer Inference Fuzzy Tsukamoto (MLIFT). This research uses 18 input variables including 15 non-linguistic variables or crisp and the rest are linguistic ones or fuzzy as the data of growth requirements of cocoa plants. Generally, the algorithm used consists of three main steps those are fuzzification, Tsukamoto inference machine, and defuzzification consisting of three layers. The first layer covers seven inference engines, while each of the second and the third ones only consists of one inference engine. The concept of inference process in Fuzzy Tsukamoto is calculating the weighted average of each result of the nference process. Based on the testing result, it can be concluded that the multi-layer inference Fuzzy Tsukamoto for determining the land suitability class of cocoa plants has an accuracy level amounted 97%.

Isolation and Biochemical Characterization of Six Anaerobic Fungal Strains from Zoo Animal Feces

Anaerobic fungi are prime candidates for the conversion of agricultural waste products to biofuels. Despite the increasing interest in these organisms, their growth requirements and metabolism remain largely unknown. The isolation of five strains of anaerobic fungi and their identification as Neocallimastix cameroonii, Caecomyces spec., Orpinomyces joyonii, Pecoramyces ruminantium, and Khoyollomyces ramosus, is described. The phylogeny supports the reassignment of Neocallimastix californiae and Neocallimastix lanati to Neocallimastix cameroonii and points towards the redesignation of Cyllamyces as a species of Caecomyces. All isolated strains including strain A252, which was described previously as Aestipascuomyces dubliciliberans, were further grown on different carbon sources and the produced metabolites were analyzed; hydrogen, acetate, formate, lactate, and succinate were the main products. Orpinomyces joyonii was lacking succinate production and Khoyollomyces ramosus was not able to produce lactate under the studied conditions. The results further suggested a sequential production of metabolites with a preference for hydrogen, acetate, and formate. By comparing fungal growth on monosaccharides or on the straw, a higher hydrogen production was noticed on the latter. Possible reactions to elevated sugar concentrations by anaerobic fungi are discussed.

Advances in soilless cultivation of tomatoes and other fruit vegetables

Fruit vegetables are a rich nutritive source for the human diet and highly appreciated for their taste. Tomato, sweet pepper or cucumber crops have specific growth requirements linked to their physiology and their architecture (plant bearing fruits). Soilless culture system (SCS) are characterized by high performance, product quality and profitability for growers and solves agronomical issues such as input use efficiencies and out-of-season production. Recent advances in soilless cultivation of fruit vegetables are reviewed in this chapter: from climate and nutrients requirements to ‘speaking plant’-based approaches and establishment of fruit quality.

Variables Affecting the Recovery of Acanthamoeba Trophozoites

While the results of Acanthamoeba testing have been extensively published, laboratories conducting such testing are left to develop their own methods in the absence of a standardized methodology. The wide disparity of methods has resulted in equally inconsistent reported results for contact lens care (CLC) products. This study’s objective was to determine the source of these discrepancies by evaluating basic Acanthamoeba biology and their impact on antimicrobial efficacy testing, including the ability of a recovery method to stimulate a single trophozoite to proliferate. Antimicrobial efficacy testing was conducted using well-published Acanthamoeba strains, storage conditions, and growth-based recovery methods. To identify variables that influence results, test solutions with low Acanthamoeba disinfection rates were utilized to prevent differences from being masked by high log reductions. In addition, single-cell proliferation assays were executed to understand the growth requirements to stimulate trophozoite propagation in two recovery methods. These studies indicated that both nutrient density (>106 CFU) and the length of plate incubation (at least 14 days) could significantly influence the accurate recovery of trophozoites. Together, this study emphasizes the need to understand how Acanthamoeba trophozoites biology can impact test methods to create divergent results.

Cross-Feeding of a Toxic Metabolite in a Synthetic Lignocellulose-Degrading Microbial Community

The recalcitrance of complex organic polymers such as lignocellulose is one of the major obstacles to sustainable energy production from plant biomass, and the generation of toxic intermediates can negatively impact the efficiency of microbial lignocellulose degradation. Here, we describe the development of a model microbial consortium for studying lignocellulose degradation, with the specific goal of mitigating the production of the toxin formaldehyde during the breakdown of methoxylated aromatic compounds. Included are Pseudomonas putida, a lignin degrader; Cellulomonas fimi, a cellulose degrader; and sometimes Yarrowia lipolytica, an oleaginous yeast. Unique to our system is the inclusion of Methylorubrum extorquens, a methylotroph capable of using formaldehyde for growth. We developed a defined minimal “Model Lignocellulose” growth medium for reproducible coculture experiments. We demonstrated that the formaldehyde produced by P. putida growing on vanillic acid can exceed the minimum inhibitory concentration for C. fimi, and, furthermore, that the presence of M. extorquens lowers those concentrations. We also uncovered unexpected ecological dynamics, including resource competition, and interspecies differences in growth requirements and toxin sensitivities. Finally, we introduced the possibility for a mutualistic interaction between C. fimi and M. extorquens through metabolite exchange. This study lays the foundation to enable future work incorporating metabolomic analysis and modeling, genetic engineering, and laboratory evolution, on a model system that is appropriate both for fundamental eco-evolutionary studies and for the optimization of efficiency and yield in microbially-mediated biomass transformation.