Integration of Stalk Destruction Methods for the Glyphosate Herbicide-Resistant Cotton

The increase in geographical areas used for cultivation of transgenic glyphosate herbicide-resistant cotton has hindered the stalk destruction, compromised the phytosanitary break implementation and consequently increased the population of insect pests and cotton plant pathogens. This study evaluated the efficiency of the combining mechanical and chemical methods in the destruction of transgenic cotton stalk resistant to the glyphosate herbicide. Two experiments were carried out in 2015 and 2016 in Primavera do Leste,-Mato Grosso, Brazil and Luís Eduardo Magalhães, Bahia, Brazil, respectively. The study evaluated different mechanical destruction equipment in combination with the chemical methods. In each environment, a randomized block experiment with four replications was employed. The results of the experiments indicated that the mechanical destruction increased the control efficiency by at least 10% when compared to chemical destruction of the cotton stalk. Chemical destruction with herbicides combined with mechanical destruction methods does not increase the control efficiency of cotton stalks destruction. Furthermore, the application of hormonal herbicides following the mechanical shredding of cotton stalks does not increase the control efficiency of glyphosate-resistant cotton stalk.

Nutritional Potential and Bioactive Compounds in Cereus jamacaru DC: An Multifaceted Cactus From Brazilian Semiarid

Cereus jamacaru DC. is an endemic cactus of the Brazilian semiarid region empirically used by humans for forage, food and medicinal purposes. In this paper, we characterize the physicochemical and phytochemical profile of the C. jamacaru cladode and fruits, outlining their nutritional implications. We evaluate the basic physicochemical characteristic of the fruits and the main classes of chemical compounds present in aqueous and ethanolic extracts from cladode, peel, and pulp of ripe and semi-ripe fruits through qualitatively and quantitatively methods. We analyze the data through descriptive statistics and variance analysis. The fruits have appropriate pH, acidity, and total soluble solid levels for the fruit processing industry and fresh consumption. We identified the presence of saponins, tannins, flavones, flavonols, and xanthones in all samples, but alkaloids and steroids were both detected in cladodes exclusively. The phenolic compound and flavonoid contents vary according to the extraction method and sample class. The cladodes and pulp of ripe fruits have the highest flavonoid levels, while the content of phenolic compounds had a high level in peels of ripe and semi-ripe fruits. The presence of these bioactive compounds implies that C. jamacaru products have relevant pharmacological interest and functionality for human (fruits) and domestic ruminant (cladodes) food. These applications can boost the agricultural-economic exploration of C. jamacaru and contribute to income generation, and improve human and animal nutrition.

Nutritional Quality of Opuntia ssp. at Different Phenological Stages: Implications for Forage Purposes

The study aimed to evaluat the chemical composition of forage cactus cladodes of the genus Opuntia spp. at different stages of phenological development. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with a 4×3 factorial scheme, with four species of cactus (Opuntia stricta Haw, Opuntia undulata Griffiths, Opuntia atropes Rose and Opuntia larreri FAC Weber) and three stages of cladode development (young, intermediate, and mature). The chemical composition of Opuntia cladodes varied according to species and phenological stage. Dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentrations increased, and crude protein (CP) decreased with cladode maturation. The species O. atropes had the lowest levels of organic matter (OM), CP, total carbohydrates, and non-fibrous carbohydrates, as well as the highest values of mineral matter, NDF and ADF. Calcium and phosphorus contents increased with cladodium maturation. The concentrations of boron, copper and manganese were higher in the young and intermediate stages. The cladodes of O. stricta, O. undulata and O. larreri showed better nutritional quality for feeding domestic ruminants. Young and intermediate cladodes are more proteinaceous and less fibrous. These results can be useful in selecting the forage cactus species and in optimizing the use of cladodes for feeding different categories of ruminants in semiarid regions.

Reviewer Acknowledgements

Journal of Agricultural Studies (JAS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JAS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 9, Number 4Ahmad Reza Pirali Zefrehei, Gorgan Univ. of Agricultural Sci. & Natural Resources, IranAlessandra M. Lima Naoe, Federal University of Tocantins, BrazilAndré Luiz Rodrigues Magalhães, UFAPE, BrazilCamilla H. M. Camargos, University of Campinas, BrazilEmmanuel E. Omeje, University of Nigeria, NigeriaEric Krawczyk, University of Michigan, USAEric Owusu Danquah, CSIR-Crops Research Institute, GhanaJorge A. López, University Tiradentes, BrazilJuliana Nneka Ikpe, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, NigeriaLuh Suriati, Warmadewa University, IndonesiaNkemkanma Vivian Agi, Rivers State University Port Harcourt, NigeriaRaul Pașcalău, Banat's University, RomaniaSaiful Irwan Zubairi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), MalaysiaShakirudeen Abimbola Lawal, University of Cape Town, South AfricaSomaia Alkhair, Alzaeim Alazhari University, SudanToncho Gospodinov Penev, Trakia University, BulgariaZakaria Fouad Abdallah, National Research Centre, EgyptRichard WilliamsEditorial AssistantJournal of Agricultural Studies--------------------------------------Macrothink Institute5348 Vegas Dr.#825Las Vegas, Nevada 89108United StatesPhone: 1-702-953-1852 ext.521Email 1: [email protected] 2: [email protected]: http://jas.macrothink.org

Study of Continuous and Intermittent Drying of Pear Through Mathematical and Diffusion Models

The methods for drying agricultural products are necessary to check the quality of the final product and feasibility of the process. The objective of this study was to perform the drying of pear by continuous and intermittent methods (α = 2/3) at two different temperatures, compare the two methods and describe the processes using mathematical and diffusion models to evaluate the saving of time and effective processing energy. For continuous drying, Page model was the one which best fitted to the experimental data, with highest coefficient of determination and lowest chi-square. Regarding intermittent drying Page model was also the one which best fitted to the experimental data for the two temperatures studied. When comparing the drying methods studied, it was found that intermittent drying produced a similar and considerably better effect on the energy saving aspect, compared with continuous drying: 41.7% at 50 °C and 25.8% at 70 °C. The effect of time intervals with the product out of the dryer, during the intermittent drying process, was reflected in the increase in the diffusion coefficient, so that the transport of moisture occurred more quickly for this type of drying, which contributes to justify the reduction of effective operating time and increased dry product quality.

Determination of Organochlorine Residues in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. WALP) From Selected Markets in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp) is one of the major stale plant protein food crops in Nigeria, but constantly being attacked by insects especially during storage. This has been a major production constraint which usually necessitated the use of synthetic pesticides and chemicals, but comes with the problems of high pesticides residues. In cowpea, only few information or research has been made as regarding the level of pesticides residues, therefore the objective of this study was to identify the awareness level and organochlorine insecticides residue presence trendy to cowpea grains. This study was carried out using a multiple choice questionnaire, in which three markets in Ibadan were selected as the case study due to their population and patronisation. The multiple choice questionnaire was used in getting information as regarding the pesticide used, method of application, duration of storage after pesticide application and level of awareness on the possible side effects of pesticides. Thirty samples of cowpea were collected from the selected three markets for residue analysis which was determined in an analytical laboratory using standard procedures. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that Fumigation, spraying and baiting were the mostly used method of application of pesticides and Aluminium phosphide, Betoxin and Quickphos were the mostly used pesticides during application. Higher percentage (56.67%) of the respondent store the food stuff for less than a month before exposing it to the market for sales, about 53.3% of the respondents shows their ignorance about the health hazard associated with pesticides. Organochlorine pesticide residues were detected in all the samples of cowpea grains examined with highest mean concentration of Endosulfan (0.7500 mg/kg 0.3508).

Yield, Yield Components and Nutritional Traits Values of Biofortified Sorghum Hybrids in Mali

To assess the adaptation, yield potential, nutrient content and to identify the traits contributing directly and indirectly to yield increase, a two years’ study was conducted in four locations. Thus, a total of 28 F1 hybrids from two females and 14 male parents, were developed and used in this study along with the parents and four commercial hybrids. Seven (7) hybrids were identified with grain yield ranging from 4015 to 4624 kg-1ha; heading from 64 to 92 days; iron content from 8.63 to 91.15 ppm; Zinc content from 8.14 to 28.71 ppm; lysine content from 2.73 to 5.61 mg/100g; threonine content from 2.50 to 6.28 mg/100g. For both phenotypic and genotypic levels, a significant correlation on grain yield through plant height, panicle length, primary branch per panicle, grain number per panicle and number of whorls per panicle were found. Based on the path analysis, positive and significant direct and indirect effect of correlation were observed in this work for a cycle, grain quality, panicle length, primary branch per panicle, grain number per panicle and number of whorls per panicle at the phenotypic level.

Perceptions of Successful Veterinary School Applicants: Assessment Data to Improve Student Success

Admission to colleges of veterinary medicine has become increasingly more competitive through the years. The increased number of applicants require students and the programs they are attending to help students distinguish themselves in the applicant pool. Many students understand the importance of the science related coursework early on in their undergraduate career. The soft skills along with mentoring have been shown to be important for applicant success. Time management skills can be some of the most vital skills for undergraduate students to practice before matriculation to veterinary school. In addition, group skills and conflict resolution are perceived as important among veterinary alumni and students. Mentoring is critical throughout the education process. The personal aspects and professional guidance given by professors make for the most successful advising of undergraduate pre-veterinary students. Results indicated that students could benefit from communication skills being included throughout the curriculum, especially in context of veterinary science courses.

Lean Practices in the Process of New Product Development: Case of Study in a Food Industry Cooperative in Brazil

This article presents a case study of employees' perception of Lean Manufacturing in the development process of new products at a Food Industry Cooperative in Brazil. A survey was applied in all areas of the company to measure the perception and understanding of employees regarding Lean Management and Lean Thinking. Also, to understand their knowledge of the principles and practices in developing new products in the company. The results showed that 76% of the responding employees have some understanding of lean management. It also shows low engagement by stakeholders and the board in the new product development process stages and weak integration between areas, such as environmental, engineering, and finance. On the other hand, RD& area presented higher engagement, with 90% of its staff supporting this process.

Estimation of the Required Bio-fuels Substituting Petroleum-based Fuels in Vehicles in the Island of Crete, Greece

The required bio-fuels for substituting petroleum-based fuels in vehicles in the island of Crete, Greece have been estimated. The quantities of gasoline and diesel oil currently used in vehicles in Crete as well as their GHG emissions have been calculated. The quantities of bio-ethanol and bio-diesel substituting 14% of them, according to the EU goal for 2030, have been evaluated. The necessary land area for cultivating energy crops producing the required bio-fuels has been also calculated. The total quantity of gasoline and diesel oil used in vehicles in 2020 in Crete has been estimated at 273,231 tons while their CO2 emissions at 886,702 tons. The bio-ethanol required for substituting 14% of the annual gasoline consumption has been calculated at 29,709 tons while the bio-diesel required for substituting 14% of the annual diesel oil consumption at 24,802 tons. The necessary land area cultivated with sugar beet producing the abovementioned quantity of bio-ethanol has been estimated at 7,427 ha while the necessary land area cultivated with rape seed producing the abovementioned quantity of bio-diesel has been estimated at 24,802 ha. The overall necessary land area, at 32,229 ha, corresponds at 3.81% of the total area in Crete. Energy crops have not been cultivated so far in Crete while the land availability is limited. It is proposed that apart from using bio-fuels in conventional vehicles equipped with ICEs different options for reducing GHG emissions in transportation, including the use of electric vehicles, should be considered in Crete.