The goal of this study was to undertake a microbial investigation of the Historic Huts areas on Ross Island, to gain knowledge of the fungal biodiversity and biochemical framework, focusing on the wood degrading potential of these fungi at both psychrophilic (cold) and mesophilic (moderate) temperatures. Eight hundred and forty nine samples were collected from three Heroic Era Historic Huts of Antarctica, from a variety of substrates but predominantly structural wood. The huts, Discovery Hut at Hut Point, Terra Nova Hut at Cape Evans and Nimrod Hut at Cape Royds, are located on Ross Island and were all assembled in the early 20th century by the Heroic Era explorers to house the expeditions, stores and animals. These wooden huts were abandoned when the expeditions left. The introduction of wood and other organic material to a pristine environment along with the creation of a microclimate within the harsh Antarctica environment created interesting sites for studying fungal diversity, wood decay and fungal cellulase enzymes in an extreme environment. Each hut can be classified as offering different conditions and circumstances for fungal propagules. Of the three huts, Terra Nova Hut is the only hut where there are visible fungal blooms within the hut and it, with Discovery Hut, had the greatest number of samples that contained fungi compared to Nimrod Hut which had the least. Discovery Hut, at less than 500 metres from the United States McMurdo Station, is the most visited by scientist and base staff and has been the most demonstrably affected by human impact of the three huts due to its closeness to the research stations on Ross Island To ensure a full understanding of the fungal diversity of the Historic Hut sites, a variety of sampling techniques were used along with a variety of culture media. Two thousand and seventy six isolates consisting of 1177 filamentous fungi and 899 single celled microorganisms (yeast and bacteria) were isolated; all these cultures were frozen and now form the University of Waikato Antarctic Culture Collection. Five genera dominated the fungal isolates that were identified and these were Cladosporium, Geomyces, Cadophora, Penicillium and Thelebolus. The fungal diversity of these Historic Huts' communities is low but the members present are metabolically active, consistent with other microbial communities in the Antarctic. The Historic Huts and surroundings contain a diverse array of provision in the way of wood and supplies, which provide nutrient sources for fungal growth. Endemic organisms present in the soil could have been enriched by using the introduced nutrient sources as primary and/or second metabolic substrates. In addition, fungi could have been introduced with the wooden huts and supplies when they were brought to Antarctica by the Heroic Era explorers, or introduced in the subsequent years with visitors and conservation work conducted at the sites. These introduced organisms, though, would have had to adapt to the change in climate and conditions posed by the Antarctic in order to survive and be subsequently isolated in this study. A screen for carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) activity was done on a selection of the fungal isolates as the first step to understand the cellulytic potential of the Antarctica fungal community inhabiting the huts. One hundred and six fungal isolates from a total of 404, that were screened were deemed to be CMCase positive, 27 fungal isolates were chosen for further study including quantifying the activity of extracellular endo-1,4-β-glucanase at psychrophilic and mesophilic incubation temperatures. All but one isolate could produce endo-1,4-β-glucanase activity at 4 C and many produced more endo-1,4-β-glucanase activity at 4 C than at 15 C. Cadophora malorum 182, Cadophora malorum 242, Penicillium roquefortii 405, Penicillium roquefortii 408, Geomyces sp. 711, Geomyces sp. 824 and Cladosporium oxysporium 805 were selected for in-depth study of growth characteristics including growth temperature preferences, growth on a variety of cellulose substrates, water activity, and carbon sources, the latter done by using a commercially available microtitre plate containing 95 carbon sources. All seven of the fungal isolates were classified as psychrotolerant and produced, when cultured at either 4 C or at 15 C, cellulase, protease, amylase, xylanase, and pectinase and mannanase enzyme activities. The range of water activity that the Antarctic Penicillium roquefortii isolates could grow at was distinctive when compared with food Penicillium roquefortii isolates. The utilisation of different carbon sources showed that like many studies of Antarctica organism they have a diverse range of enzymatic activity, but interestingly the activity does not differ greatly with incubation temperature with most carbon sources being used or not used at both incubation temperatures tested. Although it took longer for the fungi to grow at the psychrophilic temperatures, the range of carbon sources they utilised was not reduced. The protein composition of the extracellular supernatants was visualised using various electrophoretic and staining techniques. The cellulase activity of the protein bands was visualised by cellulose-containing zymograms, which illustrated that the cellulase complex in all fungi tested was multi-enzyme and differed between species, isolates and temperatures of culturing. The cellulase activity of Cadophora malorum 182 was enriched by purification techniques including ion exchange chromatography and native preparative electrophoresis. The protein complex was not purified to homogeneity, but enriched for a mixture of proteins and the mixture was described as having the following properties; a temperature range of β-1,4-glucan cellobiohydrolase activity from 20 C to 80 C with the optimum activity seen at 60 C, β-1,4-glucan cellobiohydrolase activity that is stable at 4, 25 and 40 C for at least 24 hrs, lost at 50 C and 80 C within 24 hrs and 2 minutes respectively. Along with β-1,4-glucan cellobiohydrolase activity, the protein mixture contained Avicelase, CMCase, xylanase and mannanase activity. The thesis research showed that there was limited fungal diversity in the Historic Huts and artefacts (a total of five dominant genera were identified) but the fungi are actively growing and producing viable spores in the cold of Antarctica and producing the necessary enzymes for degradation of wood. Although the metabolism and growth rate is slower at psychrophilic temperatures, the fungal isolates studied as part of this thesis research could still function enzymatically at cold temperatures and this includes the degradation of wood as evidenced by in vitro wood decay studies examined by scanning electron microscopy where two isolates of one species demonstrated the ability to degrade wood. The cellulase complex of the investigated fungal isolate was multi-enzymed and although the components were not purified to homogeneity, an enriched mixture of proteins had enzyme activity and stability in a broad temperature range, and activity to a variety of cellulosic substrates. This thesis research adds to the knowledge of the fungal biodiversity in the Antarctic and increases the understanding of the biochemical framework, participating in relation to wood decay potential of these Antarctic fungal isolates.

No description available.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is a single-cut, annual legume typically grown for seed. Fenugreek has potential as a forage because it maintains high quality throughout the growing season, and offers the benefits of a legume in a crop rotation. This work aimed to evaluate the growth of two fenugreek genotypes, AAFC F70 and CDC Quatro, in the central AB area over two growing seasons, and to evaluate fenugreek haylage degradation and digestion in dairy cows. In general, the two genotypes were similar in their growth patterns and fenugreek biomass yield was comparable to alfalfa in the same area. Plant quality was sufficient to be used for lactating dairy cows. The digestion studies revealed that while Quatro haylage was comparable to alfalfa haylage, F70 haylage was of lower quality and was not utilized to the same extent by dairy cows as the other two forage types. / Plant Science

There are numerous challenges encountered during the manufacturing and storage of cheese by both the large-scale and artesian producers. One such challenge has been the formation of late gassy defect, which occurs when gas is produced by certain lactic acid bacteria found in the cheese block during storage and aging over a three month time period. Negative consequences of late gas production are slits and cracks in the cheese block and puffy cheese packaging, which cause significant financial losses for manufacturers along with poor consumer acceptance. Lactobacillus wasatchensis is one such lactic acid bacterium shown to produce gas during cheese storage. This bacterium has now been found in cheese samples exhibiting late gas defect in the Midwest and Western states. The goal of this study was to further characterize and understand the growth attributes of Lb. wasatchensis, and thereby gain some understanding on how it enters the cheese vats and if there are possible ways to limit or inhibit its subsequent growth. An additional goal was to determine if we could effectively extract Lb. wasatchensis DNA from cheese samples and visualize using the qPCR molecular technique. If possible, this detection method would allow a faster and more sensitive approach to determining if Lb. wasatchensis is present in cheese blocks, which would help manufacturers know how long they should age their cheeses. It was discovered that Lb. wasatchensis does not survive processing through an industrial heat exchanger and therefore must be entering the cheese vats by other means such as: cross-contamination, biofilm formation or aerosolizing. We also showed growth of Lb. wasatchensis is limited at an increased salt-in-moisture ratio in cheese. Additionally, we found that Lb. wasatchensis DNA can be extracted from cheese and visualized using qPCR, although further experimentation is needed to optimize this method.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Horticulture, Forestry, and Recreation Resources / Jack D. Fry / ‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) has been the predominant cultivar in the transition zone of the U.S. since its release in 1952, primarily because of its good freezing tolerance. However, it is slow to establish and recover after sod harvest, and has poor shade tolerance. I evaluated ‘Meyer’, some commonly used cultivars, and 18 progeny from crosses of ‘Emerald’ (Z. japonica × Z. tenuifolia Willd. ex Thiele) × Z. japonica or Z. matrella (L.) Merr. × Z. japonica for stolon growth characteristics; sod tensile strength and recovery after harvest; shade resistance; freezing tolerance and its relationship to autumn color retention; and the potential influence of dehydrin and chitinase gene expression in freezing tolerance. After planting vegetative plugs, rates of stolon initiation (r = 0.66 in 2007, r = 0.94 in 2008) and elongation (r = 0.66 in 2007, r = 0.53 in 2008) were positively correlated (P < 0.05) with zoysiagrass coverage. At 60 days after sod harvest, recovery growth coverage ranged from 17% to 97% and a progeny from Z. matrella × Meyer (97% coverage) demonstrated superior sod recovery growth to Meyer (38% coverage). Under 68% silver maple (Acer saccharinum L.) tree shade, stolon number was reduced 38 to 95% and stolon length 9 to 70% compared to turf in full sun. Several progeny from crosses between Emerald or a Z. matrella x Z. japonica produced more and/or longer stolons than Meyer in the shade, suggesting potential for increased shade tolerance. Autumn color in October and November, 2007 was positively correlated (r = 0.44 and r = 0.58, P < 0.01) with the lethal temperature killing 50% of tillers (LT50) in December, 2007. All grasses except Cavalier and one progeny were equivalent to Meyer in freezing tolerance with LT50s ranging from -0.2 to -12.2 oC. Dehydrin-like (11.9, 23, 44.3, and 66.3 kDa) and chitinase (26.9 kDa) gene expression increased with cold acclimation and was similar among all grasses. In general, some new zoysiagrass progeny exhibited superior growth and/or stress tolerances compared to Meyer, which bodes well for potential release of a new cultivar for use in the transition zone.

Submitted by (lucia.rodrigues@ufrpe.br) on 2017-05-09T15:47:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Nubia Michelle Vieira da Silva.pdf: 1519635 bytes, checksum: 28fb82a2e5ac497c9fefcd231c2cf135 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-09T15:47:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Nubia Michelle Vieira da Silva.pdf: 1519635 bytes, checksum: 28fb82a2e5ac497c9fefcd231c2cf135 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-06-23 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / This study aimed to avaluate the relationship the polymorphism from the leptin gene (LEP), specifically exon 2, and from the microsatellite of the growth hormone receptor (GHRSSR) with the weight and weaning characteristics of animal breeds Anglo-Nubian, and Boer, to identify useful markers for selecting goats of high genetic merit. It was obtained the allele frequencies and heterozygosity with the Toolkit (PARK, 2001). The test for the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was performed with GenePop program according to Rousset (2008), and showed that the markers were in desequilibrium in populations. Observed heterozygosity values for LEP were greater than expected and all animals showed the same electrophoretic pattern with two alleles (150 and 152 bp). It was detected with GHR locus five alleles ranging from 90 to 125 bp examined in populations. The genotypes influence of polymorphic fragments of GHR and leptin on animals development was evaluated using the birth weight (BW) and weaning (PD), by analysis of variance and mean test with the GLM procedure of (SAS, 1999). The genotypes showed a significant effect on birth weight (BW) and weaning (PD). It is necessary to study of these polymorphisms on a larger sample of animals to confirm the effect on growth characteristics. / Objetivou-se estudar a relação entre o polimorfismo no gene da Leptina (LEP), especificamente o éxon 2, e o microssatélite do receptor do hormônio do crescimento (SSRGHR) com as características de peso ao nascer e desmame em caprinos das raças Anglo- Nubiana e Boer, a fim de identificar marcadores que possam ser úteis na seleção desses animais de elevado mérito genético. Foram obtidas as frequências alélicas e a heterozigosidade com auxílio do programa Toolkit (PARK, 2001). O teste para o equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg foi feito com auxílio do GENEPOP,conforme Rousset (2008), no qual os marcadores se mostraram em desequilíbrio para as populações. Para a LEP, os valores de heterozigosidade observada foram bem maiores do que os esperados e todos os animais apresentaram o mesmo padrão eletroforétrico com dois alelos (150 e 152 pb). No loco do ghr observaram-se cinco alelos com tamanho variando de 90 a 125 pb. Para verificar a influência dos genótipos dos fragmentos polimórficos do ghr e da leptina sobre o desenvolvimento dos animais foram utilizados os pesos ao nascer (PN) e ao desmame (PD), para os quais foi feito análise de variância e teste de médias com auxílio do procedimento GLM do programa (SAS, 1999). Observou-se um efeito significativo dos genótipos do ghr sobre os pesos ao nascer (PN) e à desmame (PD). Sugere-se então, um estudo destes polimorfismos em maior número de animais para confirmação do efeito sobre características de crescimento.

The research was conducted from October 2013 to March 2014 by using the method applied in the current ichthyology study by GV Nikolski, Pravdin IF, OF Xakun, NA Buskaia and Mai Dinh Yen. Fish samples were collected in the coastal area of Quang Binh province. The study results showed that Gerres filamentosus (Cuvier, 1829) had the length romf 52mm to 230mm, corresponding to the weight from 4g to 185g. The age structure of the fish was simple that consisted of four age groups (0+ - 3+), the annual growth rate was relatively fast, the growth equation following Von Bertalanffy was as: Lt = 234.4 x [1- e-0.35 (t + 0.996)], Wt = 373.4 x [1-e-0.0244 (t + 0.2388)] 3.0676. / Nghiên cứu được thực hiện từ tháng 10 năm 2013 đến tháng 3 năm 2014 bằng những phương pháp đang được áp dụng trong các nghiên cứu ngư loại hiện nay của G.V. Nikolski, I. F. Pravdin, O. F. Xakun, N. A. Buskaia và Mai Đình Yên, mẫu cá được thu tại vùng ven biển của tỉnh Quảng Bình. Kết quả nghiên cứu đã cho thấy cá Móm gai dài có chiều dài dao động từ 52mm – 230mm, tương ứng với khối lượng từ 4g – 185g. Cấu trúc tuổi cá Móm gai dài đơn giản, gồm 4 nhóm tuổi (0+ - 3+), tốc độ tăng trưởng hàng năm tương đối nhanh, phương trình sinh trưởng theo Von Bertalanffy có dạng Lt = 234,4 x [1-e-0,35(t + 0,996)], Wt = 373,4 x [1-e-0,0244(t + 0,2388)]3,0676.

Forest management practices emphasizing stand structural complexity are of interest across the northern forest region of the United States because of their potential to enhance carbon storage. Our research is nested within a long-term study evaluating how silvicultural treatments promoting late-successional forest characteristics affect aboveground biomass development in northern hardwood forests. We are testing the hypothesis that biomass development (carbon storage) will be greater in structural complexity enhancement (SCE) treatments when compared to conventional uneven-aged treatments. SCE treatments were compared against selection systems (single-tree and group) modified to retain elevated structure. Manipulations and controls were replicated across 2-hectare treatment units at two study areas in Vermont, USA. Data on aboveground biomass pools (live trees and coarse woody material, standing dead and downed wood) were collected pre- and post-harvest then again a decade later in 2013. Species group-specific allometric equations were used to estimate live and standing dead biomass and downed log biomass was estimated volumetrically. We used Forest Vegetation Simulator to project "no-treatment" baselines specific to treatment units, allowing measured carbon responses to be normalized relative to differences in site-specific characteristics and pre-treatment conditions. Results indicate that 10 years post-harvest biomass development and carbon storage were greatest in SCE treatments compared to conventional treatments, with the greatest increases in coarse woody material (CWM) pools. Structural complexity enhancement treatments contained 12.67 Mg ha-1 carbon in CWM compared to 6.62 Mg ha-1 in conventional treatments and 8.84 Mg ha-1 in areas with no treatment. Percentage differences between post-harvest carbon and baseline values indicate that carbon pool values in SCE treatments returned closest to pre-harvest or untreated levels over conventional treatments. Total carbon storage in SCE aboveground pools was 15.90% below baseline conditions compared to 44.94% less in conventionally treated areas (P = 0.006). Results from CART models indicated treatment as the strongest predictor of aboveground C storage followed by site-specific variables, suggesting a strong influence of both on carbon pools. Structural enhancement treatments have potential to increase carbon storage in managed northern hardwoods based on these results. They offer an alternative for sustainable management integrating carbon, associated climate change mitigation benefits, and late-successional forest structure.

The research was conducted from October 2013 to March 2014 by using the method applied in the current ichthyology study by GV Nikolski, Pravdin IF, OF Xakun, NA Buskaia and Mai Dinh Yen. Fish samples were collected in the coastal area of Quang Binh province. The study results showed that Gerres filamentosus (Cuvier, 1829) had the length romf 52mm to 230mm, corresponding to the weight from 4g to 185g. The age structure of the fish was simple that consisted of four age groups (0+ - 3+), the annual growth rate was relatively fast, the growth equation following Von Bertalanffy was as: Lt = 234.4 x [1- e-0.35 (t + 0.996)], Wt = 373.4 x [1-e-0.0244 (t + 0.2388)] 3.0676. / Nghiên cứu được thực hiện từ tháng 10 năm 2013 đến tháng 3 năm 2014 bằng những phương pháp đang được áp dụng trong các nghiên cứu ngư loại hiện nay của G.V. Nikolski, I. F. Pravdin, O. F. Xakun, N. A. Buskaia và Mai Đình Yên, mẫu cá được thu tại vùng ven biển của tỉnh Quảng Bình. Kết quả nghiên cứu đã cho thấy cá Móm gai dài có chiều dài dao động từ 52mm – 230mm, tương ứng với khối lượng từ 4g – 185g. Cấu trúc tuổi cá Móm gai dài đơn giản, gồm 4 nhóm tuổi (0+ - 3+), tốc độ tăng trưởng hàng năm tương đối nhanh, phương trình sinh trưởng theo Von Bertalanffy có dạng Lt = 234,4 x [1-e-0,35(t + 0,996)], Wt = 373,4 x [1-e-0,0244(t + 0,2388)]3,0676.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:39:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 3353008 bytes, checksum: 78686b70f2516da973341b63fed089b2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-21 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Among the factors that difficult the expansion of the area cultivated with organic corn is the control of weeds. On this crop system only the cultural and mechanical control methods are allowed, which most of the times are little efficient and not adequate to the direct planting system. On this work the efficiency of weed clearing was evaluated (Bidens pilosa and Commelina benghalensis) about the physiological and growth characteristics of corn plants. Three experiments were conducted: the first one evaluated the influence of weed clearing over the growth of corn plants; the second one evaluated the effects of clearings on the development of B. pilosa and C. benghalensis species; and the third evaluated the effect of clearings over the physiological characteristics of corn crops. When in competition without using clearings, C. benghalensis did not interfere on the radicular dry mass rate and on the relationship aerial part/radicular system of corn plants. On the opposite, B. pilosa species, when in competition with corn crops, affected all evaluated characteristics, except the crop stalk diameter. Two clearings of weeds provided the biggest benefits to the culture. It was not observed the influence of corn plants over the development of B. pilosa plants, for the evaluated characteristics. However, corn plants affected the accumulation of root dry matter mass and seeds from C. benghalensis plants. Two clearings reduced the interference of B. pilosa and C. benghalensis weeds over the morphological characteristics of corn (total dry matter mass, aerial part/radicular system rate, radicular mass rate and foliar mass rate). Still, these clearings did not influence the physiological aspects (photosyntetical rate, stomatal conductance, internal carbon/external carbon rate, carbon consumed, transpiration and efficiency of water use) evaluated on corn plants in competition with weeds. The C. benghalensis species reduced the photosyntethic rate and the transpiration of corn plants when in competition with this culture. / Dentre os fatores que dificultam a expansão da área cultivada com milho orgânico destaca-se o controle das plantas daninhas. Neste sistema de cultivo são permitidos apenas os métodos de controle culturais e mecânicos, que na maioria das vezes são pouco eficientes e não adequados ao sistema de plantio direto. Neste trabalho avaliou-se a eficiência da roçada das plantas daninhas (Bidens pilosa e Commelina benghalensis) sobre as características fisiológicas e de crescimento de plantas de milho. Foram conduzidos três experimentos: no primeiro avaliou-se a influência da roçada das plantas daninhas sobre o crescimento das plantas de milho; no segundo, os efeitos da roçada no desenvolvimento das espécies B. pilosa e C. benghalensis; e no terceiro, o efeito da roçada sobre as características fisiológicas da cultura do milho. Quando em competição sem uso de roçadas, a C. benghalensis não interferiu na razão de massa seca radicular e na relação parte aérea/sistema radicular das plantas de milho. Ao contrário, a espécie B. pilosa, quando em competição com plantas de milho, afetou todas as características avaliadas, exceto o diâmetro do colmo da cultura. Duas roçadas das plantas daninhas proporcionaram os maiores benefícios à cultura. Não se observou influência das plantas de milho sobre o desenvolvimento das plantas de B. pilosa, para as características avaliadas. Entretanto, as plantas de milho afetaram o acúmulo de massa da matéria seca da raiz e das sementes de plantas de C. benghalensis. Duas roçadas reduziram a interferência das plantas daninhas B. pilosa e C. benghalensis nas características morfológicas do milho (massa da matéria seca total, razão parte aérea/sistema radicular, razão de massa radicular e razão de massa foliar). Todavia, essas roçadas não influenciaram os aspectos fisiológicos (taxa fotossintética, condutância estomática, razão carbono interno/carbono externo, carbono consumido, transpiração e eficiência do uso da água) avaliados nas plantas de milho em competição com as plantas daninhas. A espécie C. benghalensis reduziu a taxa fotossintética e a transpiração de plantas de milho quando em competição com esta cultura.