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Seeds
Kinds of Seeds Terms modified by Seeds Selected AbstractsPopulation dynamics and gene transfer in genetically modified bacteria in a model microcosmMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 11 2003A. K. Lilley Abstract The horizontal transfer and effects on host fitness of a neutral gene cassette inserted into three different genomic loci of a plant-colonizing pseudomonad was assessed in a model ecosystem. The KX reporter cassette (kanamycin resistance, aph, and catechol 2, 3, dioxygenase, xylE) was introduced on the disarmed transposon mini-Tn5 into: (I) the chromosome of a spontaneous rifampicin resistant mutant Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25R; (II) the chromosome of SBW25R in the presence of a naturally occurring lysogenic-phage (phage ,101); and (III) a naturally occurring plasmid pQBR11 (330 kbp, tra+, Hgr) introduced into SBW25R. These bacteria were applied to Stellaria media (chickweed) plants as seed dressings [c. 5 × 104 colony-forming units (cfu)/seed] and the seedlings planted in 16 microcosm chambers containing model plant and animal communities. Gene transfer to pseudomonads in the phyllosphere and rhizosphere was found only in the plasmid treatment (III). Bacteria in the phage treatment (II) initially declined in density and free phage was detected, but populations partly recovered as the plants matured. Surprisingly, bacteria in the chromosome insertion treatment (I) consistently achieved higher population densities than the unmanipulated control and other treatments. Plasmids were acquired from indigenous bacterial populations in the control and chromosome insertion treatments. Plasmid acquisition, plasmid transfer from inocula and selection for plasmid carrying inocula coincided with plant maturation. [source] Development of emulsion from rhizobial fermented starch industry wastewater for application as Medicago sativa seed coatENGINEERING IN LIFE SCIENCES (ELECTRONIC), Issue 3 2010Rojan Pappy John Abstract Starch industry wastewater was efficiently employed for the production of Sinorhizobium meliloti and the concentrated culture was used for the development of a biofertilizer formulation. Tween-80 (0.02,g/L) acted as the best emulsifier for a Sinorhizobium,canola oil emulsion. The stability of the emulsion and survival of the organism was enhanced by supplementation of xanthan gum at pH 8. The refrigerated condition was most favorable for stability and survival of the microorganism. The survival of microorganism at 4±1°C was 2.78×1010 and 2.01×1010,CFU (colony forming unit)/mL on storage for 1 and 2 months, respectively. The values were higher than the prescribed cell count (×103,CFU/mL) for field application. At 40°C, the survival of bacteria reduced from 3×1010,CFU/mL to 8.1×109 and 8.8×106,CFU/mL in 1 and 2 months, respectively. Emulsion-coated seed was incubated at different temperatures and a cell count of 105,CFU/seed was observed after 2 months of storage at 4°C, which was equal to the highest level of the described requirement (103,105,CFU/seed). Emulsion supplemented with xanthan gum improved the shelf-life under optimized conditions (Sinorhizobium concentrate,,,canola oil (1:1) emulsion with 0.02,g/L Tween-80; storage at pH 8 and temperature 4±1°C) and this emulsion with the required cell count and prolonged viability was used for the pre-inoculation of seed or for in situ soil application. [source] Identification, assessment and intervention,implications of an audit on dyslexia policy and practice in ScotlandDYSLEXIA, Issue 3 2005Gavin Reid Abstract This article reports on research commissioned by the Scottish Executive Education Department (SEED). It aimed to establish the range and extent of policy and provision in the area of specific learning difficulties (SpLD) and dyslexia throughout Scotland. The research was conducted between January and June 2004 by a team from the University of Edinburgh. The information was gathered from a questionnaire sent to all education authorities (100% response rate was achieved). Additional information was also obtained from supplementary interviews and additional materials provided by education authorities. The results indicated that nine education authorities in Scotland (out of 32) have explicit policies on dyslexia and eight authorities have policies on SpLD. It was noted however that most authorities catered for dyslexia and SpLD within a more generic policy framework covering aspects of Special Educational Needs or within documentation on ,effective learning'. In relation to identification thirty-six specific tests, or procedures, were mentioned. Classroom observation, as a procedure was rated high by most authorities. Eleven authorities operated a formal staged process combining identification and intervention. Generally, authorities supported a broader understanding of the role of identification and assessment and the use of standardized tests was only part of a wider assessment process. It was however noted that good practice in identification and intervention was not necessarily dependent on the existence of a dedicated policy on SpLD/dyslexia. Over fifty different intervention strategies/programmes were noted in the responses. Twenty-four authorities indicated that they had developed examples of good practice. The results have implications for teachers and parents as well as those involved in staff development. Pointers are provided for effective practice and the results reflect some of the issues on the current debate on dyslexia particularly relating to early identification. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] THE POTENTIAL OF TERMINALIA CATAPPA (TROPICAL ALMOND) SEED AS A SOURCE OF DIETARY PROTEINJOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 3 2004C.A. EZEOKONKWO ABSTRACT The nutritional value of Terminalia catappa seed as a source of dietary protein was investigated. The crude protein content of the seed was high (25.81%). The amino acid analysis showed a good pattern of the essential amino acids (EAA) (in g/16 g N) - leucine (7.32), isoleucine (3.58), valine (2.74), phenylalanine (3.04), tryptophan (0.9), methionine (1.48), lysine (3.39), threonine (2.94), histidine (2.96). Tyrosine (2.12) is the limiting amino acid. The protein quality of the seed was evaluated by in vivo bioassays using weanling male Sprague Dawley rats (50,60 g). The indices of protein quality measured include PER, BV, NPU and TD. There were positive correlation between PER and BV (r = 0.7105), PER and body weight gain (r = 0.9157), PER and nitrogen intake (r = 0.7428). The results showed that T. catappa seed protein has a good pattern of the EAA, is highly digestible, can support growth and positive nitrogen balance and thus has a high dietary protein quality. [source] PREDICTION OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CUMIN SEED USING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKSJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 1 2010M.H. SAIEDIRAD ABSTRACT In this paper, two artificial neural networks (ANNs) are applied to acquire the relationship between the mechanical properties and moisture content of cumin seed, using the data of quasi-static loading test. In establishing these relationship, the moisture content, seed size, loading rate and seed orientation were taken as the inputs of both models. The force and energy required for fracturing of cumin seed, under quasi-static loading were taken as the outputs of two models. The activation function in the output layer of models obeyed a linear output, whereas the activation function in the hidden layers were in the form of a sigmoid function. Adjusting ANN parameters such as learning rate and number of neurons and hidden layers affected the accuracy of force and energy prediction. Comparison of the predicted and experimented data showed that the ANN models used to predict the relationships of mechanical properties of cumin seed have a good learning precision and good generalization, because the root mean square errors of the predicated data by ANNs were rather low (4.6 and 7.7% for the force and energy, respectively). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Cumin seed is generally used as a food additive in the form of powder for imparting flavor to different food preparations and for a variety of medicinal properties. Physical properties of cumin seeds are essential for the design of equipment for handling, harvesting, aeration, drying, storing, grinding and processing. For powder preparation especially the fracture behavior of the seeds are essential. These properties are affected by numerous factors such as size, form and moisture content of the grain and deformation speed. A neural network model was developed that can be used to predict the relationships of mechanical properties. Artificial neural network models are powerful empirical models approach, which can be compared with mathematical models. [source] BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF BORAGE (BORAGO OFFICINALIS L.) SEEDSJOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2009BAYA MHAMDI ABSTRACT Gas chromatography,mass spectrometry analysis of seed Borago officinalis essential oil (EO) revealed the presence of 16 volatile components. ,-Caryophyllene (26%) and p-cymene-8-ol (19.7%) represented the major components, while nonadecane (0.7%) and hexanol (0.7%) were the minor ones. The EO composition was characterized by higher abundance of oxygenated monoterpenes (27.7%), followed by sesquiterpenes (26%). Fatty acid composition showed the predominance of linoleic (35.4%), oleic (24.2%) and ,-linolenic (20.4%) acids. Polyphenols were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography after acid hydrolysis of phenolic acid esters. Six phenolic acids were identified in seed extract and rosmarinic acid was the predominant one with 1.65 mg/g dry matter weight equivalent to 33% of total phenolic acids. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is of great interest because of its medicinal and nutritional properties. In fact, thanks to its characteristic composition in fatty acids, particularly high levels of gamma-linolenic acid in its seed oil, borage has gained importance. The potent consumers of this medicinal plant are hypertensive and hypercholesterolemic people. Borage consumption is also recommended for people suffering from rheumatism and eczema. Unfortunately, the knowledge about antioxidative/antiradical properties of borage is very scanty. So, recently, an extensive investigation was focused on the antioxidant properties of borage extracts. These extracts showed excellent antioxidant properties and their effects were attributed to their phenolic constituents. These antioxidants can be concentrated, either as crude extracts or individual phenolic compounds, to be used in highly unsaturated oils such as marine oils. Furthermore, borage consumption has been reported as a possible gastric cancer protective factor. [source] ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TRYPSIN INHIBITORS FROM SOME THAI LEGUME SEEDSJOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2000SOOTTAWAT BENJAKUL ABSTRACT Trypsin inhibitors from cultivars of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Wasp.), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) and bambara groundnuts (Voandzeia subterranea (L.) Thou) grown in Thailand were isolated and characterized. Extraction of seeds with NaCl rendered a higher recovery of trypsin inhibitor than other solvents tested (P<0.05). The extraction time affected the inhibitor recovery (P<0.05). The extraction time of 3 h was optimum for the recovery of trypsin inhibitor from pigeon and bambara groundnuts, whereas 1 h was optimum for cowpea. Based cn inhibitor activity of zones separated by electrophoresis, the molecular mass of the inhibitor from bambara groundnuts was 13 kDa. Two inhibitory bands were observed for cowpea (10 and 18 kDa) and pigeon pea (15 and 25 kDa). Partial purification of inhibitors was achieved by heat-treatment at 90C for 10 min, followed by ammonium sulfate precipitation with 30,65% saturation. The partially purified inhibitors from four seeds were heat stable up to 30 min at 90C at pH 7.0. The activities were also retained over a wide pH range at 25C but were lost when samples were treated with ,-mercaptoethanol prior to electrophoresis. [source] TWO-PHASE MODELING AND THE QUALITY OF SOYBEAN SEEDS DRIED IN A COUNTER-CURRENT MOVING BED DRIERJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2004A.F. LACERDA ABSTRACT The purpose of the present work is to study the simultaneous heat and mass transfer between air and soybean seeds in a countercurrent moving bed dryer, based on the application of a two-phase model to the drying process. The numerical solution of the model is obtained by using a computational code based on backwards differential formulae. The experimental data of air humidity and temperature and of seed moisture content and temperature at the dryer outlet are compared to the simulated values, showing a good agreement. This work also analyzes the effect of the main process variables (drying air temperature, air relative humidity, air velocity and solids flow rate) on the soybean seeds quality during drying. Empirical equations fitted to the experimental data are proposed for predicting the soybean seed quality (germination, vigor and fissures) as a function of the investigated variables. [source] EFFECTS OF WATER STRESS ON THE PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND MINERAL CONTENTS OF SEEDS OF TWO LUPINS (LUPINUS ALBUS AND LUPINUS MUTABILIS)JOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 4 2005ISABEL MARIA MARQUES SARAIVA DE CARVALHO ABSTRACT Because mineral composition data for lupins subjected to water stress (ws) are incomplete, it is essential to analyze those seeds in order to assess the quality of potential food source for both human and animal nutrition. So, we have performed chemical proximate analysis and determined the mineral profile of seeds from two lupins subjected to ws period and compared with seeds from well-watered (ww) plants. From the above results we can conclude that the values obtained fall within the range of values reported for both species (at ww conditions) and no significant (P > 0.05) differences were found in nutritional composition and mineral content between both lupins. Ws period was responsible for a significant increase in sugar, ash, both macroelements (Ca, Na, K, Mg) and microelements (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu) as well as phytate content. The results obtained are relevant for selection of better mineral nutritive value of seeds from lupin species. [source] INACTIVATION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 ON INOCULATED ALFALFA SEEDS WITH OZONATED WATER UNDER PRESSURE,JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 2 2002RATNA R. SHARMA ABSTRACT Alfalfa seeds inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 (,105 CFU/g) were subjected to low hydrostatic pressure. Seeds immersed in ozonated water at 4C were held at 8 and 12-psi ozone pressure for 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 min. Alternatively, seeds were continuously sparged with ozone for up to 64 min and then held at 12 psi for 5 min. Controls consisted of sparging and pressurization with air. Thirty-two minute treatments of continuous ozone sparging followed by pressurization of seeds at 12 psi for 5 min were repeated with the addition of four surfactants (Tween 20, Tween 80, SPAN 20, and SPAN 80) in the treatment water. Enumeration of E. coli O157:H7 on treated, untreated, and control seeds was done on tryptic soy agar supplemented with 50 ,g/mL of nalidixic acid. The reduction in population of E. coli O157:H7 on seeds treated with the 8 and 12 psi hydrostatic pressure in ozonated water ranged from 0.74 ,1.56 log10 CFU/g and 0.72 , 1.62 log10 CFU/g, respectively. Control treatments carried out with air pressurization of seeds resulted in maximum population reductions of 1.55 log10 and 1.83 log10 CFU/g for 8 and 12 psi, respectively. For seeds treated with continuous ozone sparging (2 , 64 min) followed by pressurization at 12 psi for 5 min, the highest reduction was 2.03 log10 CFU/g. Reductions were, however, not significantly different (P > 0.05) from control treatment (with air) which reduced the populations by 0.57 , 2.19 log10 CFU/g. The presence of surfactants during continuous sparging of water followed by pressurization at 12 psi was not beneficial. None of the treatments adversely affected the germination of the seeds. [source] SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE TREATMENT TO INACTIVATE AEROBIC MICROORGANISMS ON ALFALFA SEEDSJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 4 2001ANGELA M. MAZZONI ABSTRACT The supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) process involves pressurizing CO2 in a chamber which generates liquid phase of carbon dioxide. Pressurized liquid CO2 has a strong extraction capability of organic and inorganic compounds. The recent studies have also demonstrated that antimicrobial effect of SC-CO2 due extraction some cellular components of microorganisms. The efficacy of a supercritical carbon dioxide treatment on alfalfa seeds contaminated with Escherichia coli K12 was tested at 2000, 3000, and 4000 psi at 50C. Samples were treated for 15, 30, and 60 min at each pressure. After pummeling the seed samples in 0.1% peptone water, the initial and final Escherichia coli and total aerobic bacteria on the seeds were determined by plating on 3M Petri Films. After 48 h of incubation at 37 C, the colonies were enumerated. Treated seeds were evaluated in terms of germination characteristics. For aerobic plate count, the effect of pressure in the range of 2000,4000 psi was not statistically significant (p > 0.05) even though 85.6% inactivation was achieved at 4000 psi for 60 min. For E. coli, the reductions for 2000, 3000, and 4000 psi treatments for 15 min were 26.6, 68.1, and 81.3%, respectively. As the time was increased from 15 to 60 min at 4000 psi, the percent E. coli reduction increased from 81.3% to 92.8%. The percent germination for all treatments was over 90%. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the germination rate of treated and untreated seeds. Supercritical carbon dioxide treatments demonstrated a reduction of E. coli K12 and total aerobic counts without affecting the germination characteristics of alfalfa seeds (p < 0.05). This study was a step in the direction of improving safety of alfalfa seeds used to produce fresh sprouts, which have been the cause of several outbreaks. [source] The Role of Research Institutions in Seed,related Disaster Relief: Seeds of Hope Experiences in RwandaDISASTERS, Issue 4 2002Robin A. Buruchara The article describes the efforts of a coalition of agricultural research centres, Seeds of Hope (SOH) in the rebuilding of Rwanda, after the genocide and war of 1994. Research involvement in emergency relief and rehabilitation was unusual at the time and SOH had to forge its unique complementary role. Focusing on crop and variety development and conservation it: provided technical advice to relief agencies on seed procurement; used its baseline ken to assess the effects of war on seed diversity and seed security; made preparations to restore specific germplasm (which, fortunately, proved unnecessary) and spent substantial effort on rebuilding human resource capacity in research as well as basic scientific facilities. The involvement of SOH highlighted the critical, yet very different, roles for research during emergency versus rehabilitation periods and demonstrated the cost effectiveness of building in a diagnostic component , before massive seed or germplasm distributions are programmed. [source] The Need to Look Beyond the Production and Provision of Relief Seed: Experiences from Southern SudanDISASTERS, Issue 4 2002Richard B. Jones Free distribution of seeds in selected areas of southern Sudan has been widespread as a way of increasing food security. Field research in areas targeted for seed relief found that farmer seed systems continue to meet the crop and varietal needs of farmers even following the 1998 famine. Donor investments in seed multiplication of improved sorghum have not been sustained due to a lack of effective demand for the improved seed beyond that created by the relief agencies. The article argues that rather than imposing outside solutions, whether through seed provisioning or seed production enterprises, greater attention needs to be given to building on the strengths of existing farmer systems and designing interventions to alleviate the weaknesses. The case is made to support dynamically the process of farmer experimentation through the informed introduction of new crops and varieties that can potentially reinforce the strength and diversity of local cropping systems. [source] Seed-based systematic discovery of specific transcription factor target genesFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 12 2008Ralf Mrowka Reliable prediction of specific transcription factor target genes is a major challenge in systems biology and functional genomics. Current sequence-based methods yield many false predictions, due to the short and degenerated DNA-binding motifs. Here, we describe a new systematic genome-wide approach, the seed-distribution-distance method, that searches large-scale genome-wide expression data for genes that are similarly expressed as known targets. This method is used to identify genes that are likely targets, allowing sequence-based methods to focus on a subset of genes, giving rise to fewer false-positive predictions. We show by cross-validation that this method is robust in recovering specific target genes. Furthermore, this method identifies genes with typical functions and binding motifs of the seed. The method is illustrated by predicting novel targets of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-,B). Among the new targets is optineurin, which plays a key role in the pathogenesis of acquired blindness caused by adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma. We show experimentally that the optineurin gene and other predicted genes are targets of NF-,B. Thus, our data provide a missing link in the signalling of NF-,B and the damping function of optineurin in signalling feedback of NF-,B. We present a robust and reliable method to enhance the genome-wide prediction of specific transcription factor target genes that exploits the vast amount of expression information available in public databases today. [source] Backhousia citriodora F. Muell.,Rediscovery and chemical characterization of the L -citronellal form and aspects of its breeding systemFLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 5 2001J. C. Doran Abstract The rare L -citronellal form of Backhousia citriodora F. Muell. was first reported in 1950 but attempts to relocate it were unsuccessful until 1996. The quest to relocate trees of this type has been driven by interest in L -citronellal for perfumery. The common, citral form of the species is already under cultivation for oil production in Australia. This paper reports on the rediscovery of the L -citronellal form, first in 1996 in a year-old provenance/progeny trial of B. citriodora in south-eastern Queensland, and then in a natural population on Queensland's Sunshine Coast in 1998. The three L -citronellal trees in the trial gave foliar oil concentrations (g/100 g dry weight) of 3.2, 2.2 and 1.8, respectively, when sampled in November 1996. The same trees sampled in March 1999 gave pale yellow oils consisting of 85,89% citronellal, 6,9% isopulegol isomers with small quantities of citronellol (approx. 3%) and several other compounds. Data on the physicochemical properties of these oils are given in the paper. Seed from a single mature L -citronellal tree gave progeny of both the L -citronellal and citral form in a ratio of approximately 1 : 1. Propagation material from many more plants of the L -citronellal form needs to be collected and assembled in breeding populations. This would form the basis of a selection and breeding programme, should this chemotype show economic potential. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Seed variation among annual ryegrass cultivars in south-eastern USA and the relationship with seedling vigour and forage productionGRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 4 2002B. C. Venuto Abstract Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is grown on more than one million ha in the south-eastern USA each year. Recommended and actual seeding rates vary substantially within the region. The objective of this study was to evaluate variation in seed weight, germination, seedling vigour and seasonal yield performance among annual ryegrass cultivars. During 1997, 1998 and 1999, seed from fourteen commercial cultivars was weighed and germinated to determine numbers of pure live seed (PLS) m,2 before yield evaluation at four locations. Seed from ten cultivars was planted at 0·7 and 2·0 cm depth in a greenhouse study to evaluate relative seedling vigour. Cultivar mean single-seed weight ranged from 2·4 to 4·8 mg in 1997, 1·8 to 4·5 mg in 1998, and 2·6 to 4·6 mg in 1999. Seed germination ranged from 78·8% to 98·0% in 1997, 82·3 to 98·3% in 1998 and 77·8 to 98·3% in 1999. Seed number, PLS m,2, ranged from 675 to 1289 in 1997, 710 to 1550 in 1998, and 717 to 1179 in 1999. Among the ten cultivars evaluated for seedling vigour, seedling weight differed between planting depths and a significant cultivar by year interaction was observed. Seedling weight was highly correlated with seed weight at each seeding depth. The effect of increasing number of PLS m,2 on subsequent yield performance, although small, was consistently negative. These results indicate that target plant populations may be obtained more economically by adjusting seeding rates for seed size differences among cultivars and seed lots of annual ryegrass. [source] Growth and Yield Performance of Some Cotton Cultivars in Xinjiang, China, An Arid Area with Short Growing PeriodJOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE, Issue 3 2004C. Wang Abstract Eleven cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars were evaluated for their growth and yield performance in Shihezi, Xinjiang, China, an area in Central Asia with short growing period in 1999 and 2000. In each cultivar the number of bolls per plant was low and the number of bolls per unit area was high. Each cultivar showed rather high seed and lint yields. The highest lint yield was Xinluzao 10 in both years with 1761 and 1809 kg ha,1. High yield ability of the cultivars in this study was attributed to large number of bolls per unit area with high lint percentage. Seed and lint yields had significant positive correlations with mean net assimilation rate, ratio of reproductive to vegetative organs and mean boll weight at earlier stages of boll growth, suggesting that early boll formation and successive partitioning of dry matter into bolls were important factors for boll growth in this study area. [source] Transmission of cotton seed and boll rotting bacteria by the southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula L.)JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007E.G. Medrano Abstract Aims:, To determine the ability of the southern green stink bug (SGSB) (Nezara viridula L.) to transmit Pantoea agglomerans into cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) bolls. Methods and Results:, An SGSB laboratory colony was kept on fresh green beans. A P. agglomerans variant resistant to rifampicin (Rif) (strain Sc 1-R) was used as the opportunistic cotton pathogen. Adult insects were individually provided green beans that were sterilized and then soaked in either sterile water or in a suspension of strain Sc 1-R. Insects were individually caged with an unopened greenhouse-grown cotton boll. After 2 days, live SGSB were collected, surfaced sterilized, ground, serially diluted, and then plated on nonselective media and media amended with Rif. Exterior and interior evidence of feeding on bolls was recorded 2 weeks after exposure to insects. Seed and lint tissue were harvested, ground, serially diluted, and then plated on media with and without Rif. Bacteria were recovered on nonselective media from all insects, and from seed and lint with signs of insect feeding at concentrations ranging from 102 to 109 CFU g,1 tissue. The Sc 1-R strain was isolated only from insects exposed to the marked strain and from seed and lint of respective bolls showing signs of insect feeding. Evidence of insect feeding on the exterior wall of the carpel was not always apparent (47%), whereas feeding was always observed (100%) on the interior wall in association with bacterial infections of seed and lint. Conclusions:,Nezara viridula readily ingested the opportunistic P. agglomerans strain Sc 1-R and transmitted it into unopened cotton bolls. Infections by the transmitted Sc 1-R strain caused rotting of the entire locule that masked internal carpel wounds incurred by insect feeding. Bacteria were recovered from penetration points by insects not exposed to the pathogen, but locule damage was limited to the area surrounding the feeding site (c. 3 mm). Significance and Impact of the Study:, This is the first study that demonstrates the ability of SGSB to acquire and transmit plant pathogenic bacteria into cotton bolls. [source] Antilisterial Activity and Consumer Acceptance of Irradiated Chicken Breast Meat Vacuum-Infused with Grape Seed and Green Tea Extracts and Tartaric AcidJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 7 2010K.F. Over Abstract:, Contamination of poultry with pathogenic bacteria contributes to human foodborne disease, causes damage to industry brand names, and has a significant economic impact on the food industry in the form of both damage to industry brand names and losses associated with recalls. Irradiation is a safe and effective means of decontaminating poultry products, but the maximum dose strengths allowed negatively impact poultry sensory quality characteristics. The 1st objective of this study was to investigate the potential interactive inhibitory effects of natural antimicrobials as components of a vacuum-marination in addition to various dose levels of irradiation. Tartaric acid (TA) at 2 levels and grape seed (GS) and green tea (GT) extracts were combined, vacuum-infused into chicken breast fillets, and irradiated at 1, 2, and 3 kGy by electron beam irradiation. The 2nd objective was to use a consumer test group to evaluate TA and plant extract infusion into chicken breast fillets with and without irradiation at 2 kGy on overall impression, flavor, texture, appearance, and tenderness. The results showed that samples vacuum-infused with TA at 37.5 and 75.0 mM and irradiated at 1 kGy significantly reduced Listeria monocytogenes (L.m.) levels by 2 and 3 log CFU/g compared to the control after 12 d of refrigerated storage. Vacuum-infusion of TA at 37.5 and 75.0 mM at 2 and 3 kGy irradiation, reduced L.m. to near nondetectable levels. The addition of TA and GS and GT to chicken breast fillets with and without irradiation did not significantly impact consumer preference, tenderness, appearance, or flavor. The addition of tartaric acid and natural plant extracts to chicken marinades could contribute to the prevention of L.m. contamination. [source] Analysis of Mycelial Growth Rates and RAPD-PCR Profiles in a Population of Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici Originating from Wheat Plants Grown from Fungicide-treated SeedJOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2005Z. Weber Abstract Linear mycelial growth rates of 70 isolates of Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici on agar medium amended or unamended with the fungicide silthiofam were not correlated. Mycelial growth rate was not influenced by the fungicide applied to the seed of the plants from, which the isolates originated. DNA polymorphism determined by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) polymerase chain reaction was used to assess genetic variation among isolates. Thirty RAPD markers generated with five arbitrary 10-mer primers revealed DNA polymorphism suitable for assessing variability in this fungal population. Cluster analysis of RAPD data identified two groups at the 54% similarity level. There was a significant relationship between the presence of 11 markers and sensitivity to silthiofam. [source] Comparison of Three Culture Methods for the Intensive Culture of Northern Quahog Seed, Mercenaria mercenariaJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 1 2001Timothy J. Pfeiffer A number of approaches have been utilized for growing bivalve hatchery seed (1 mm) to a size suitable for field planting (< 8 mm) but few have been directly compared. This study evaluated the growth and survival of northern quahog seed in three different culture systems and two different stocking densities. The three systems were: 1) a stacked-tray unit with downward water flow; 2) traditional upweller culture units with water flowing upward without seed bed expansion; and 3) upweller culture units with water flowing upward at fluidization velocities to provide seed bed expansion. The two stocking densities were 1.0 and 3.0 g whole wet weight clam/cm2 respectively. During each trial period the seed clams were fed a 1% daily ration (% dry weight algae per wet weight clam per day) of the cultured diatom Chaetoceros muelleri. After 14 d of culture at the 1.0 g whole wet weight/cm2 stocking density, seed clams (4.4 ± 0.6 mm initial shell length) under fluidized-flow condition exhibited better growth (0.54/d), and a greater final shell length (5.9 ± 1.0 mm). At the high density stocking conditions, after 28 d of culture, seed clams (4.2 ± 0.6 mm initial shell length) in the fluidized-flow culture conditions again exhibited better growth rate (0.031/d) and a greater final shell length (6.0 ± 1.0 mm). The preliminary evaluation of fluidized-flow for seed clam culture in land-based nurseries indicates its potential as a suitable alternative to raceway, downwelling, or traditional forced-flow culture methods. [source] Within and between population genetic variation for zinc accumulation in Arabidopsis halleriNEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 1 2002Mark R. Macnair Summary ,,Hyperaccumulator plants in the field show significant variation in the metal concentration in their aerial parts, but little is known of the causes of this variation. This paper investigates the role of soil zinc (Zn) concentration and genetic variation in causing between and within population variation in Zn accumulation in Arabidopsis halleri. ,,Seed from 17 populations of A. halleri collected in central Europe were grown under standard conditions at three external Zn concentrations and tested for Zn concentration in the leaves. ,,Between population variation was highest at low external zinc concentrations. At 10 µm Zn some plants had very low leaf Zn concentrations, and were indistinguishable from nonaccumulators. However, at higher Zn concentrations, all plants showed hyperaccumulation. There were no differences in the accumulating abilities of populations from sites with different degrees of contamination. ,,Heritability of accumulation, determined for individual families from three populations, was quite high (25,50%), indicating that selection for increased accumulating ability should be possible, although selection would be easier at low external Zn concentrations. The Zn concentration of field collected plants was affected partly by plant genotype but not by the total soil Zn around their roots. [source] Developmental Anatomy and Morphology of the Ovule and Seed of Heliconia (Heliconiaceae, Zingiberales)PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2006D. G. Simão Abstract: The developmental anatomy and morphology of the ovule and seed in several species of Heliconia were investigated as part of an embryological study of the Heliconiaceae and to provide a better understanding of their relationships with the other families of the Zingiberales. Heliconia species have an ovule primordium with an outer integument of both dermal and subdermal origin. The archesporial cell is divided into a megasporocyte and a single parietal cell, which in turn are divided only anticlinally to form a single parietal layer, disintegrating later during gametogenesis. The embryo sac was fully developed prior to anthesis. In the developing seed, the endosperm was nuclear, with wall formation in the globular stage; a nucellar pad was observed during embryo development, but later became compressed. The ripe fruit contained seeds enveloped by a lignified endocarp that formed the pyrenes, with each pyrene having an operculum at the basal end; the embryo was considered to be differentiated. Most of these characteristics are shared with other Zingiberales, although the derivation of the operculum from the funicle and the formation of the main mechanical layer by the endocarp are unique to the Heliconiaceae. [source] Lowering seed gossypol content in glanded cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) linesPLANT BREEDING, Issue 6 2008G. B. Romano Abstract Cottonseed is a rich source of high quality protein, but its value as an animal feed is limited by gossypol, a toxic polyphenolic compound contained in glands located throughout the plant. This compound helps protect the plant from pests. Totally glandless varieties have been developed, but not adopted as these plants are left vulnerable to pests. This study describes a breeding strategy to decrease the levels of gossypol in the seed while maintaining a high enough concentration of toxin in vegetative plant parts to offer protection from pests. Preliminary studies indicated that crosses between varieties with different gland densities and distributions produced a range of glanding patterns. By selecting within the resulting progeny, we have identified F7 generation progeny that have <0.30% total gossypol in the seed, while still possessing glands at critical locations on the vegetative plant parts. These new lines will be a valuable source of germplasm for developing low seed gossypol varieties. Seed from these varieties would provide a new source of inexpensive protein for animal feeding rations. [source] Ecological and evolutionary trends in wetlands: Evidence from seeds and seed banks in New South Wales, Australia and New Jersey, USAPLANT SPECIES BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2000Mary A. Leck Abstract Aquatic plants include a variety of life forms and functional groups that are adapted to diverse wetland habitats. Both similarities and differences in seed and seed-bank characteristics were discovered in comparisons of Australian (New South Wales) temporary upland wetlands with a North American (New Jersey) tidal freshwater marsh having both natural and constructed wetlands. In the former, flooding and drying are unpredictable and in the latter water levels vary diurnally and substrate is constantly moist. The hydrologic regimen provides the overriding selective force, with climate an important second factor. Other factors related to water level, such as oxygen availability, temperature and light, vary spatially and temporally, influencing germination processes, germination rates and seedling establishment. Seed and seed-bank characteristics (size, desiccation and inundation tolerance, germination cues and seed-bank longevity and depletion) differ, with the Australian temporary wetland being more similar to the small-seeded persistent seed bank of the constructed wetland site than to the natural tidal freshwater site with its larger seeds, transient seed bank and seasonal spring germination. Some non-spring germination can occur in the tidal constructed wetland if the soil is disturbed. In contrast, seeds in the temporary Australian wetlands germinated in response to wet/dry cycles rather than to season. Functional groups (e.g. submerged, amphibious) are more diverse in the Australian temporary wetlands, where all species tolerate drying. We suggest that the amphibious zone, with its hydrologic gradient, is the site of selection pressure determining establishment of wetland plants from seed. In this zone, multiple selective factors vary spatially and temporally. [source] A Seed-Based Diffusion Route to Monodisperse Intermetallic CuAu Nanocrystals,ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE, Issue 16 2010Wei Chen Frisch legiert: Monodisperse intermetallische CuAu- und Cu3Au-Nanokristalle (NCs) mit einstellbarer Größe wurden ausgehend von Au-NCs nach einem Diffusionsverfahren hergestellt. Der Transfer einer Festphasenreaktion in die Lösungsphase erleichtert die homogene Diffusion der Reaktanten und führt zu einer Zeit- und Energieersparnis. [source] New Stigmastane Steroids Constituents from Rice Hulls of Oryza sativa and Inhibitory Activity on Radish SeedCHEMINFORM, Issue 21 2006Ill-Min Chung Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF. [source] Water-Soluble Constituents of Amomum Seed.CHEMINFORM, Issue 49 2003Junichi Kitajima Abstract For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text. [source] Protein Fractionation of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) Leaf, Flower and Seed by Capillary Electrophoresis and Its Potential for Variety IdentificationCHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2010Sirithon Siriamornpun Abstract The proteins of different faction of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] were fractionated by capillary electrophoresis (CE). The extracting solvent system was one of the most critical factors in the optimization exercise. To improve reproducibility, seed samples needed to be defatted with chloroform/methanol (V:V=2:1) as preferred prior to protein extraction. Proteins were extracted from seeds, leaves and flowers with 50% aqueous 1-propanol and separated on a 50 (m×20 cm fused silica capillary column using a UV detector at 200 nm. Separation was conducted at constant voltage (10 kV, 40°C), using iminodiacetic acid (pH 2.5) containing 0.05% hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and 20% acetonitile. The results showed that proteins extracted from all fraction of cowpea were successfully separated by CE in less than 20 min. Seed extracts provided the greatest number of eluted protein peaks, followed by flower and leaf, respectively. The seed-protein extracts provided unique CE patterns for different varieties; hence the seed was the tissue chosen as being most suitable for variety identification. As a result, an optimized procedure was developed to provide rapid identification of cowpea varieties, based on capillary electrophoregram patterns. [source] Supercritical Fluid,Liquid,Solid (SFLS) Synthesis of Si and Ge Nanowires Seeded by Colloidal Metal Nanocrystals,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 5 2003T. Hanrath Abstract Semiconductor nanowires, 5 to 20 nm in diameter and micrometers in length, appear to be promising candidates for a variety of new technologies, including computing, memory, and sensor applications. Suitable for these applications, silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge) nanowires ranging from 4 to 30 nm in diameter and micrometers in length can be produced in high temperature supercritical fluids by thermally degrading organosilane or organogermane precursors in the presence of organic-monolayer-protected gold nanocrystals. Although gas phase vapor,liquid,solid (VLS) methods can be used to produce a variety of different nanowire materials, high temperature supercritical fluids provide wire size control through nanocrystal size selection prior to synthesis, and high product yields due to the high precursor solubility. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||