The science of soil management and crop production, including plant breeding, crop physiology, soil fertility, irrigation systems, pest management, and sustainable farming practices to optimize agricultural yield and quality
5 papersThis study found that in the Indian Himalayas, traditional black pea and barley crops outperformed introduced green peas in survival, flowering, and stem height in a single-year field experiment. Genomic analysis indicated black peas are genetically distinct, suggesting a valuable genetic resource. Nutritional analysis confirmed their high protein and nutrient content.
This study identified several novel genes in peripheral blood immune cells (PBMCs and PMNs) of pregnant Bos indicus heifers that are differentially expressed compared to non-pregnant heifers as early as 18 days after insemination. These genes, including interferon-stimulated genes and others not previously associated with pregnancy, could potentially be used as early pregnancy biomarkers in cattle.
Subclinical endometritis (SCE) cows had a similar uterine microbiome to healthy cows, but clinical endometritis (CE) cows showed distinct dysbiosis, characterized by increased Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria, and Trueperella. This difference persisted across multiple time points postpartum (10, 21, and 35 days in milk), suggesting early establishment and persistence of dysbiosis in CE.
Supplementing beef steer diets with Asparagopsis taxiformis seaweed reduced enteric methane production by up to 80%, with reductions persistent over the 21-week study period. The efficacy of the seaweed increased as the proportion of non-fiber carbohydrates in the diet increased. While DMI decreased in high seaweed groups, ADG was unaffected, leading to improved feed conversion efficiency. No bromoform residues were detected in the meat, but iodine levels increased with seaweed inclusion, albeit remaining far below toxicity limits for humans.
This study investigated the impact of water deficit stress (WDS) on different maize lines. The researchers found that WDS negatively affected yield and other key traits in both drought-tolerant (DT) and non-drought tolerant (NDT) lines, although DT lines generally showed better performance under stress. They identified several traits, including number of leaves, stomatal density, and root characteristics, that may contribute to WDS tolerance in maize.