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Mar 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2637-6075.jpae-25-5464
R. Hodgson BruceCorresponding author
Antarctic krill is an important component of the zooplankton production in the Southern Ocean and is a major food source for baleen whales. The role of commercial fishing and predation by whales on Krill abundance has been investigated here using the innovative ecosystem-based fishery management, EBFM which maintains the krill to whale food web ecosystem stability. The literature indicates the Krill fishery may have been overfished, so it was reduced to the current annual upper limit of 0.62 million tonnes for support other predators of krill, such as seals, penguins and flying sea birds. However, recent literature suggests a moderate reduction in krill catch in the Antarctic Peninsula area due to its importance for whale migration to temperate areas. The Peninsula area catch was estimated to be reduced by about 10% due to additional concerns about climate change effects on krill abundance in the Southern Ocean, reducing overall catch to 0.556 million tonnes, moderately higher than the maximum taken in 2022. Hence, the krill biomass fishing was reduced to allow for predation by baleen whales and other predators, giving a full ecosystem-based fishing mortality similar to that previously estimated to maintain krill production in the Southern Ocean.
Dec 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-21-4018
Gupta RajCorresponding author
Centre for Advancement of Sustainable Agriculture, National Agriculture Science Centre Complex, New Delhi, 110012, India
In India, loss of fertility through soil erosion is primarily a summer monsoons mediated phenomenon. Reversing the land degradation processes contribute to water availability, soil fertility maintenance, adapting to climate change and overall food security. Whereas kharif (monsoon/rainy season crop) foodgrain production largely depends on summer monsoons, the rabi season (post-rainy season/winter crop) rainfall is too little to exert a direct influence. In spite of larger acreage under kharif foodgrain crops, total fertiliser consumption during kharif and rabi seasons is comparable. Negative rainfall anomalies (deficit) adversely affected total fertiliser consumption and their use efficiency. Despite significant differences in fertiliser application rates, the response to applied fertiliser nutrients is almost similar in the two seasons. This implies that nutrient use efficiency (NUE) has a ‘manageable’ and an ‘unmanageable’ component wherein 4R practices are difficult to implement under unfavourable kharif weather conditions. Partial factor productivity of fertilizer nutrients (PFPF) has continuously declined over decades mainly because of depletion of soil organic carbon, imbalanced use of nutrients and inability to maintain soil moisture supplies. These observations plus yield-gap analysis permitted us to conclude that past trends of declining NUE can only be reversed through a shift either in sustainable land management practices or enhancing the genetic yield potential/ biomass of crop cultivars or by combining both and making kharif crop planting independent of monsoons rains through direct dry seeding.
Jul 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4829.jen-20-3480
Brumm PhillipCorresponding author
C5-6 Technologies LLC, 5627 Old Oak Drive, Fitchburg, WI 53711, USA
Conversion of biomass into fermentable sugars is a major requirement for successful and cost-effective biofuels production. The conversion of xylan to sugars requires multiple enzymes including α-glucuronidase. Here we report the cloning, expression, purification and characterization of the α-glucuronidase from Dictyoglomusturgidum(DtuAgu). DtuAgu is an intracellular protein of 685 amino acids and a predicted molecular weight of 79.4 kD. Enzymatic activity was optimum between pH 7.0 and 8.0 and at 85°C. The specific activity of the enzyme was 10 u/mg when measured using mixed aldouronic acids. The specific activity on isolated glucuronoxylan was approximately 20% of the value obtained with xylooligosaccharides. DtuAgu significantly improved xylan conversion to xylose when evaluated using two mixtures of thermostable bacterial enzymes and two sources of xylan. DtuAgu has the potential to be a key player in thermostable enzyme cocktails for the conversion to biomass to biofuels.α
Jul 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-20-3419
JosephThatheyus A.Corresponding author
PG & Research Department of Zoology, The American College, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Lead removal efficiency of the bacterial strain, Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 2423) was tested with 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 ppm of lead in minimal broth for a period of ten days. Samples were tested for the level of lead every two days in each concentration and maximum removal was observed after six days of treatment. With the increase in lead concentration, both biomass and lead removal efficiency showed an increase. When tested with immobilized, dead and live cells, maximum removal was observed for immobilized cells. Among the sugars tested, monosaccharide sugars enhanced the biomass of B. subtilis during lead treatment and the results are discussed.
Oct 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2638-4469.japb-19-3051
Ahmed Ismail HebatollahCorresponding author
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Triacontanol (TRIA) role in improving growth, physiological activities and tolerance against abiotic stresses has been reported. Yet, the mechanism by which TRIA executes its effects remains elusive. This work therefore studied the possible role of TRIA exogenous application in counteracting the adverse effects of nickel (Ni) treated maize seedlings. Maize seedlings (15-day-old) were grown in washed sand irrigated with nutrient solution provided with 100 μM NiCl2. Two concentrations of TRIA (25 and 50 µM) were applied twice as a foliar spray for Ni-stressed seedlings. Shoot and root growth attributes, Ni content, and antioxidant defence systems of maize seedlings were determined. Ni treatment reduced the shoot and root length and biomass, causing necrosis of the old leaves,greater reduction was shown in the roots. The shoot and root length was negatively correlated with their Ni content, which was consistent with their content of H2O2, but not with their malondialdehyde (MDA) content. As the roots had the greatest Ni content, maximum peroxidase (PX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activity as well as the highest ascorbic acid (ASA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) content were observed in the roots. The Ni-induced deleterious effects were alleviated by foliar application of TRIA concentrations. Also, TRIA treatment minimized root Ni content, whereas it maintained the shoots unharmed by Ni. Such mitigative effects of TRIA are explained by its key role in enhancing antioxidant capacity (expressed as IC50), increased PX and ascorbate oxidase (AO) activity, GSH, and total phenolic contents.
Aug 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-19-2967
S.O AgeleCorresponding author
Department Crop, Soil & Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
A field experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farms of The Federal University of Technology Akure to evaluate the responses of cassava varieties to time of planting in plantain-based intercropping system in the rainforest zone of Nigeria. The objectives were to identify the more compatible cassava variety for intercrop with plantain examine e the appropriate time to introduce cassava varieties into plantain/cassava intercrop and to identify the more compatible cassava variety for intercrop with plantain. The experiment involved the use of two varieties of cassava (TME 419 non branching and TMS 98/0581 moderately branched) planted at spacing of 1 x 1 m into the alleys of false horn plantain variety space at 3 x 2 m. The treatments were sole plantain, sole cassava varieties (TME 419 poorly branched variety and TMS 0581 branching variety), plantain + he respective cassava varieties (TME 419 and TMS 98/0581) at the same time, and plantain + the respective cassava varieties (TME 419 and TMS 98/0581) at 4 weeks after planting>the treatment plot size was 9 m x 6 m. The plantains and the two cassava varieties were planted sole as the control treatments. The introduction of cassava into plantain as intercrop was carried out at different times which were; at the same time with plantain, and at four (4) weeks after planting plantain. Data on growth parameters such as; plant height, pseudo-stem girth, number of leaves were taken for plantains, while plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, number of branches, height at branching were taken for cassava at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks after planting (WAP). Yield parameters such as; bunch weight, number of fingers, number of hands, length of fingers, girth of fingers, weight of hands, weight of fingers were taken for plantains while number of tubers, weight of tubers, girth of tubers, length of tubers, fresh root yield, shoot biomass, were taken for cassava at harvest. The data collected were subjected to statistical analysis. The results showed a higher growth and yield performance for TME419 (49.2 t/ha) and TMS98/0581 (45.7 t/ha) planted sole, and TME 419 (39.5 t/ha) intercropped at planting compared to TMS 98/0581 (24.4 t/ha) intercropped at planting, TME 419 (21.7 t/ha) and TMS 98/0581 (15.7 t/ha) intercropped at 4 week after planting (WAP), respectively. But there was no significant difference (P<0.05) recorded for the growth of plantain, whereas the yield of sole plantain was higher and differed significantly (P<0.05) from the yields of intercropped plantain. All the treatment combinations had land equivalent ratio (LER) and area time equivalent ratio (ATER) greater than 1. Plantain + TME 419 intercropped at the same time recording the highest LER and ATER (1.48 and 1.5) while plantain + TMS 98/0581 had the least 1.11 and 1.14 respectively. The cost benefit analysis for the treatment combinations showed that TME 419 planted sole had the highest return of ₦3.567 per ₦1 invested, TME 419 intercropped at the same time gave a return of ₦3.416 per ₦1 invested, which was greater than other intercropped treatments. Intercropping cassava with plantain at the same time, as well as the use of TME 419 variety gave the best performance in terms of growth, yield, land equivalent ratio, area time equivalent ratio and returns on investment. This combination are recommended for plantain-based intercropping system involving cassava in the study area.
Mar 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-3208.ijli-19-2647
Kobayashi NaotoCorresponding author
Department of Innovative Energy Science and Engineering, Graduate school of Engineering, Chubu University, Japan
In this study, basic cultivation experiments were performed on microalgae Desmodesmus sp, then, the experiment results were deductively expanded, and the use of paddy in the off-season for farmers is advocated. As a result of the continuous culture experiments using 100 mL test tubes, 101.3 mg dry biomass was harvested in the aeration culture using the BG-11 medium. In the aeration culture with mixing CO2, the maximum harvest was obtained under the 10%-CO2 concentration. Considering about CO2 concentration, the condition of 1%-CO2 was superior in CO2 use efficiency. Based on the changes in the pH of the medium, algae such as Desmodesmus sp exchanges ions between the inside of the cell and the surrounding environment, and changes the surrounding environment in order to adapt themselves. In the proforma calculation of second crops in paddy fields, 26.4 million tons dry biomass is harvested in 120 days long of culture a year. Considering that the harvested dry biomass amount, 187 × 106 GJ power energy is obtained by burning them. This amount of energy corresponds to about 5.2% of total electricity.
Dec 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-18-2475
Kumar Srivastava RajeshCorresponding author
Department of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Technology, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management, (GITAM) (Deemed to be University), Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam (A.P.), India.
Callus and biomass culture of Catharanthus roseus L. were established to check for the presence of total alkaloid and its subsequent yield. Various treatments like strength of nutrient salts, sucrose concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators (PGR’s) were applied to both MS and B5 in agar as well as suspension medium to test their effects on enhanced alkaloid content and its yield. There was no significant difference in any of the observable parameters of fresh wt, dry wt, alkaloid content, production, productivity and yield if the culture were treated similarly in both types of media formulations (MS or B5 salts). Physical state (agar solidified or the liquid suspension) of the medium had significant effect on all the parameters particular on fresh wt, alkaloid content and yields. Although, the fresh wt. and dry wt. of biomass in suspension culture was 2-3 times less than that of callus obtained from agar medium. However, the alkaloid content and yield was 2-3 times higher in suspension culture compared to agar medium in similar treatments. The highest alkaloid content observed was 5.67mg/g dwt in B5 suspension medium containing 3% sucrose and modified with 0.5mg/l 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) + 1 mg/l Kinetin (KIN) + 2mg/l α- naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). The combined effects of these factors on the enhanced production of total alkaloids were expected to contain higher yield of anticancer vinblastine and vincristine in the cell suspension culture system.
Nov 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-6622.ijar-18-2463
Miégoué EmileCorresponding author
University of Dschang, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Production Animal Nutrition and production Research Unit B.P. 222 Dschang, Cameroun
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the substitution of fishmeal by Lima bean flouron the growth performance, survival rate and feed cost of Clariasgariepinusbetween March and May 2018 within the AIO ICG of the Batié District. It also aimed to contribute to the development of alternative sources of animal protein on a global scale. For this purpose, 300 fry of Clariasgariepinuswith an average weight of 3 ± 1.41g were divided into five batches and fed three times a day with rations corresponding to 5% of their ichthyobiomass. The rations R0, R25 R50, R75 and R100 respectively corresponded to the substitution rates of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of fish meal by that of Lima bean. The physic-chemical characteristics of the water (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrites and nitrates) were measured daily. The following results were obtained: The highest weight gains were obtained with the rations R25 (20.56 ± 0.40 g), R50 (20.64 ± 0.32 g), R75 (20.98 ± 0.46 g) and the lowest with the rations of R100 (16.21 ± 0.28 g). The highest average daily gain were 0.36 ± 0.02 g; 0.37 ± 0.01 g ; 0.38 ± 0.01 g respectively for the R0, R50 and R75 rations and the lowest with R100 (0.29 ± 0.01 g). The highest value of the specific growth rate (2.47 ± 0.07%) was obtained with the ration R0 and the lowest (1.61%) with the ration R100. The consumption index reached its highest and lowest values with the rations R100 (4.74 ± 0.42) and R50 (3.57 ± 0.43) respectively, compared to the value of the ration R0 (3.31 ± 0.37) for this parameter. Concerning the condition factor K, the highest value was recorded with the R50 diet (1.11 ± 0.49) while the lowest value was obtained with the R75 diet (0.95 ± 0.45). The cost of producing one kilogram of food was higher with the R25 ration (504.59 FCFA) and lower with the R100 ration (443.20 FCFA). Our results revealed that incorporating 75% Lima bean flour into the feed increases the growth performance of Clariasgariepinus fry and reduces the cost of food production.
Aug 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2638-4469.japb-17-1534
Sharma NiveditaCorresponding author
Microbiology research laboratory, Deptt. of Basic sciences, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni (Solan) Himachal Pradesh 173230.
Algae are a class of photosynthetic organisms found in both marine and freshwaters habitats. As these organisms have a short doubling time, they are considered among fastest growing creatures. They have different pathways to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide and to efficiently utilize the nutrients to convert it into biomass. In few years, a focus has been shifted towards these organisms due to their food and fuel production capability. In fuel industry algae biofuels have been emerged as a clean, nature friendly, cost effective solution to other fuels. Algae fuels are categorized into bio-ethanol, biogas, bio-hydrogen, biodiesel and bio-oil. Algae as a food have been explored for different applications as in production of single cell proteins, pigments, bioactive substances, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. The present review has been prepared to throw a light on enormous applications of algae as food and fuel and also to provide some information about different commercially available algae products.