Indigenous Technical Knowledge based Rainfall Prediction: A Review

Indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) is the actual knowledge of a given population that reflects the experiences based on tradition and includes more recent experiences with modern technologies. Traditionally, farmers have used traditional knowledge to understand weather and climate patterns in order to make decisions about crop and irrigation cycles. This knowledge has been gained through many decades of experience and has been passed on from previous generations. The present study was undertaken with the objective of collection and documenting the indigenous technical knowledge of farmers regarding rainfall prediction based on abiotic and biotic factors which is being practiced generation after generation. Here in this paper an effort has been made to collect the abiotic and biotic factors predicting rainfall, as a part of ICAR sponsored NASF ad-hoc research project entitled “Developing climate resilient adaptive strategies for empowerment of farmers” which has been implemented in University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad from 2019 to 2022. Various indigenous technical knowledge are collected by analyzing the journals and newsletters, deep interaction with the farmers of study area, contacting the local resource persons and documenting oral histories without scientific validation. The study found that traditional methods of rainfall forecasting can be utilized for the purpose of short-term and long-term seasonal rainfall predictions by local communities. All available abiotic and biotic indigenous rainfall forecasting techniques may serve as alternative to modern technologies.

Assessing Tolerance to the Hydrodynamic Exposure of Posidonia oceanica Seedlings Anchored to Rocky Substrates

Among a suite of abiotic and biotic factors, the hydrodynamic regime strongly influences the success of seagrass recruitment through sexual propagules. Uprooting of propagules by drag forces exerted by currents and waves is one of the main causes for the failed establishment and the consequent recruitment. Substrate type and stability play a key role in determining the success of colonization through sexual propagules, as seedling establishment probabilities proved to be significantly higher on rocky bottoms than on unstable unconsolidated substrates. In this research, the current and wave flow intensity that Posidonia oceanica seedlings anchored to rocky substrates can withstand before uprooting were evaluated and the influence of substrate complexity on seedling anchorage success and anchorage strength was investigated. P. oceanica seedlings withstood the current velocity of 70 cm s–1 and increased orbital flow velocities up to 25 cm s–1. Seedling adhesion strength ranged from 3.92 to 29.42 N. Results of the present study corroborate the hypothesis that substrate complexity at scales relevant to the size of propagules is a crucial feature for P. oceanica seedling establishment. The intensity of unidirectional and oscillatory flow that seedlings can withstand without being dislodged assessed in this study support the hypothesis that P. oceanica sexual propagules, once adhered to a consolidated substrate, are able to tolerate high hydrodynamic stress. The results of the present study contribute to re-evaluation of the habitat requirements of P. oceanica, assessing the range of hydrodynamic conditions that this species can tolerate during the early stages of its life history.

Cultured flora of the Dendrological Park “Askania Nova”: a current state and main factors of influence

The paper describes the composition of introduced species that form the collection fund of the Dendrological Park «Askania Nova», groups of arboreal plants are identified in connection with their ecological resistance. Information about the influence of abiotic and biotic factors on plant life is given, pest-resistant species are proposed for use. The tendencies of transformation of phytocenotic structure of the old park' s stands are noted. The directions of work on preservation of collection plantations and rare plants of different protection levels are described.

Benefic organisms in agricultural crops: Towards a safety and healthy food in response to COVID-19 and future syndemics

<p>A population with an adequate immunity is key to reduce the effects of COVID-19. Moreover, a healthy diet and an innocuous environment are factors for an adequate immunity. Healthier and more innocuous foods could be obtained with the extensive use of beneficial organisms on agricultural crops, helping reduce the use of agrochemicals and increasing the tolerance of plants to stress caused by abiotic and biotic factors. Nitrogen-fixating bacteria or free-living bacteria, mycorrhizae, endosymbiotic microorganisms, endophytes, entomopathogenic fungi and bacteria, pest predators and parasitoids, hyper parasitic viruses of pests and pathogens are some of the organisms that can induce the natural suppression of parasites, fixate nitrogen and optimize the capture of nutrients and water, among other ecosystemic benefits. This revision presents functions and properties of beneficial organisms and proposals are made for their use to benefit farmers and consumers, with the intention of contributing to the productive processes towards a sustainable agriculture.</p>

Potential distribution of Croton guatemalensis: a model with reproductive biology data

Background: The inclusion of information on the phenology of any given species can significantly improve the resulting of potential distribution models. Scientific literature does not provide up-to-date information on the abiotic and biotic factors that determine the distribution of Croton guatemalensis, a species native to communities in south Mexico. For the first time, the potential distribution of C. guatemalensis was determined using a model which includes reproductive biology data. Questions: Which bioclimatic and climatic variables most contribute to the distribution of C. guatemalensis? Does reproductive biology data contribute significantly to the prediction of the species distribution? Studied species/Mathematical model: Croton guatemalensis/ Maximum Entropy Modeling Study area and dates: Chiapas, Mexico, January - December 2020. Methods: The MaxEnt 4.4.4 algorithm was used, incorporating 16 variables, including bioclimatic, climatic and elevation. In addition, a habitat suitability layer was built. Results: The model presented a precision of AUC = 0.964 ± 0.004. Eight variables contributed to explain 86.5 % of the potential distribution of the species. According to their contribution to the model, the most important were the seasonality of precipitation, habitat suitability, elevation and April solar radiation. The species was found in the physiographic regions Central America South Mountain Range Subprovince, Central Depression of Chiapas Discontinuity, and Altos de Chiapas Subprovince. Conclusions: The inclusion reproductive biology data of C. guatemalensis contributed to improve the model. This information allows the development of more effective management and conservation plans by identifying the precise regions in which the species is found.

Factors Limiting the Range Extension of Corals into High-Latitude Reef Regions

Reef-building corals show a marked decrease in total species richness from the tropics to high latitude regions. Several hypotheses have been proposed to account for this pattern in the context of abiotic and biotic factors, including temperature thresholds, light limitation, aragonite saturation, nutrient or sediment loads, larval dispersal constraints, competition with macro-algae or other invertebrates, and availability of suitable settlement cues or micro-algal symbionts. Surprisingly, there is a paucity of data supporting several of these hypotheses. Given the immense pressures faced by corals in the Anthropocene, it is critical to understand the factors limiting their distribution in order to predict potential range expansions and the role that high latitude reefs can play as refuges from climate change. This review examines these factors and outlines critical research areas to address knowledge gaps in our understanding of light/temperature interactions, coral-Symbiodiniaceae associations, settlement cues, and competition in high latitude reefs.

Biocrust Research in China: Recent Progress and Application in Land Degradation Control

Desert ecosystems are generally considered lifeless habitats characterised by extreme environmental conditions, yet they are successfully colonised by various biocrust nonvascular communities. A biocrust is not only an important ecosystem engineer and a bioindicator of desert ecological restoration but also plays a vital role in linking surficial abiotic and biotic factors. Thus, extensive research has been conducted on biocrusts in critical dryland zones. However, few studies have been conducted in the vast temperate deserts of China prior to the beginning of this century. We reviewed the research on biocrusts conducted in China since 2000, which firstly focused on the eco-physiological responses of biocrusts to species composition, abiotic stresses, and anthropological disturbances. Further, research on the spatial distributions of biocrusts as well as their succession at different spatial scales, and relationships with vascular plants and soil biomes (especially underlying mechanisms of seed retention, germination, establishment and survival of vascular plants during biocrust succession, and creation of suitable niches and food webs for soil animals and microorganisms) was analysed. Additionally, studies emphasising on the contribution of biocrusts to ecological and hydrological processes in deserts as well as their applications in the cultivation and inoculation of nonvascular plants for land degradation control and ecological restoration were assessed. Finally, recent research on biocrusts was evaluated to propose future emerging research themes and new frontiers.

TypiCal but DeliCate Ca++re: Dissecting the Essence of Calcium Signaling Network as a Robust Response Coordinator of Versatile Abiotic and Biotic Stimuli in Plants

Plant growth, development, and ultimately crop productivity are largely impacted by the interaction of plants with different abiotic and biotic factors throughout their life cycle. Perception of different abiotic stresses, such as salt, cold, drought, heat, and heavy metals, and interaction with beneficial and harmful biotic agents by plants lead to transient, sustained, or oscillatory changes of [calcium ion, Ca2+]cyt within the cell. Significant progress has been made in the decoding of Ca2+ signatures into downstream responses to modulate differential developmental and physiological responses in the whole plant. Ca2+ sensor proteins, mainly calmodulins (CaMs), calmodulin-like proteins (CMLs), and others, such as Ca2+-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs), calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs), and calmodulin-binding transcription activators (CAMTAs) have played critical roles in coupling the specific stress stimulus with an appropriate response. This review summarizes the current understanding of the Ca2+ influx and efflux system in plant cells and various Ca2+ binding protein-mediated signal transduction pathways that are delicately orchestrated to mitigate abiotic and biotic stresses. The probable interactions of different components of Ca2+ sensor relays and Ca2+ sensor responders in response to various external stimuli have been described diagrammatically focusing on established pathways and latest developments. Present comprehensive insight into key components of the Ca2+ signaling toolkit in plants can provide an innovative framework for biotechnological manipulations toward crop improvability in near future.

Tuberculosis Pathology of Fraxinus Excelsior L. in Ukraine: Symptomatology, Etiology, Pathogenesis

Given the forestry, the ecological and economic value of forests with the participation of Fraxinus excelsior and taking into account the intensive deterioration of their phytosanitary status in modern conditions, a comprehensive study of symptoms, causes, and pathogenesis of ash tuberculosis with further development of effective protection measures, including using biological products based on Bacillus sp. and other myco- and microorganisms, is a particularly relevant area of research. The aim of the research is to identify negative abiotic and biotic factors in the pathology of F. excelsior. In the process of research general scientific and special research methods were used (microbiological, mycological, phytopathological, entomological, and silvicultural-ecological methods). It is emphasized that the pathology of the common ash is a multifaceted phenomenon with interrelated processes of infectious and non-infectious nature, which in recent years has led to epiphytic dieback and now has a tendency to increase. It has been established that tuberculosis of F. excelsior is the most common and harmful disease within the study region and causes more economic than environmental damage. Bacteria of the genera Pseudomonas sp., Erwinia sp., and Xanthomonas sp., as well as micromycetes, which mainly take the place of the concomitant mycobiota. There are five stages (phases) of the development of tuberculosis pathology, which differ significantly in symptoms. The species composition of harmful insects has been identified. It is shown that hydrothermal stress is a catalyst for the epiphytic dieback of common ash. Direct dependence of the spread of tuberculosis on the share of ash in the stands of different age groups was revealed. In the study area, tuberculosis reaches epiphytotics on F. excelsior, especially at a young age. The expediency of distinguishing the causes and pathological processes associated with ash tuberculosis is indicated, so as not to confuse the disease-catalyzing factors and the factors that lead to the complete degradation of ash stands

The history, etiology, and management of ginseng replant disease: a Canadian perspective in review

Ginseng replant disease (GRD) has had a major impact on the American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) industry in Canada and is a threat to its survival. With only 150 yr of domestic ginseng cultivation, GRD and its effect on the industry in North America is well documented compared with replant diseases in other crops. However, minimal research has been published on the etiology and management of GRD. Research and observations of replant diseases of the major commercial Panax species worldwide are presented to propose mechanisms of GRD and potential management options. The available evidence suggests the specific involvement of the soil-borne fungus Ilyonectria mors-panacis (A.A. Hildebr.) A. Cabral & Crous combined with an unknown host-related factor as the ultimate cause of GRD, since other proposed mechanisms seem unlikely to have occurred in the diversity of regions where GRD is reported. Other abiotic and biotic factors influencing the severity of the disease are also likely to be involved. Given the lack of clarity in the scientific literature between problems associated with continuous cultivation of ginseng and true replant disease, a definition of GRD is proposed. The development of an effective and economical management regime will require a better understanding of the mechanisms of GRD. Potential management options include reducing ginseng debris after harvest of the first crop, preplant testing to identify low-risk sites for replanting, fumigation, alternative disinfestation techniques, and fungicides (including biofungicides) targeting I. mors-panacis.