Article
Microbiology
Jun Liu, Wen-Yu Qi, Hui Chen, Chao Song, Qiang Li, Shu-Guang Wang
Summary: The study found that selenium nanoparticles exhibited a slow-release effect in soil, promoting the growth of soil microorganisms and enriching soil probiotics. In contrast, selenite converted to a stable and low toxic state in soil, potentially decreasing microbial abundance and diversity.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Han Na Kim, Yeong Ju Seok, Gyung Min Park, Govind Vyavahare, Jin Hee Park
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the growth of pepper plants with different urea applications by monitoring plant-induced electrical signals (PIES). Results showed that the PIES value was lowest in the low urea treatment group and highest in the high urea treatment group. The nutritional content did not correlate with PIES, but PIES was positively associated with pepper biomass and soil EC.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chenmeng Yang, Heng Yao, Yunjie Wu, Guangyi Sun, Wen Yang, Zhonggen Li, Lihai Shang
Summary: Research in Northeast China found that soil selenium deficiency has significantly decreased, but crop products still have low selenium levels due to weak soil-plant transfer. Climate conditions and soil properties were identified as key factors influencing soil selenium distribution, and the challenge remains in ensuring sufficient selenium content in agricultural products for residents in selenium-deficient areas, particularly in China's growing agricultural production environment.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Zhengqing Yuan, Weixiong Long, Ting Liang, Menghan Zhu, Aoyun Zhu, Xiaoyun Luo, Lu Fu, Zhongli Hu, Renshan Zhu, Xianting Wu
Summary: Organic selenium fertilizer can control the selenium content in rice within a relatively safe range and meet the human selenium supplement requirements. Spraying with Se-AAF fertilizer can achieve the highest organic selenium content in rice grains, with selenomethionine as the main selenium species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Le Wang, Fei Gao, Liguang Zhang, Li Zhao, Yan Deng, Hongxia Guo, Lixia Qin, Chuangyun Wang
Summary: The study investigated the efficiency of selenium fertilizer application in dryland maize, finding that applying 150-225 g/ha of selenium significantly increased maize yield, improved grain quality, and enhanced lodging resistance.
Review
Horticulture
Xin Xu, Jinhang Wang, Huihui Wu, Qianhui Yuan, Jiahui Wang, Jun Cui, Aijun Lin
Summary: Selenium biofortification is an effective way to improve tomato fruit quality. The response of tomato quality variables to selenium fertilizer application is influenced by factors such as fertilizer types, application methods, concentrations, and tomato varieties. Different types of selenium fertilizer have different effects on tomato quality variables. Soil fertilization is more effective for improving total soluble solids, sugar-acid ratio, and vitamin C, while leaf spraying is more effective for increasing soluble sugar, titratable acid, and lycopene concentrations. Selenium concentrations between 1-5 mg/L lead to the greatest increases in total soluble solids, vitamin C, and nitrate content, while concentrations exceeding 5 mg/L result in the greatest increases in soluble sugar, titratable acid, and lycopene. Nutritional quality variables of small fruits show greater improvement compared to big fruits.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Joisman Fachini, Cicero Celio de Figueiredo, Ailton Teixeira do Vale, Juscimar da Silva, Daniel Basilio Zandonadi
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of a new K-enriched sewage sludge biochar in pellet and granule forms on soil attributes, nutrition, and chlorophyll content of radish plants. Both biochar-based fertilizers (BBFs) showed good performance in supplying K and other nutrients to the plants. The better supply of K promoted by BBFs also contributed to higher chlorophyll content in the radish crop.
NUTRIENT CYCLING IN AGROECOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Edward J. M. Joy, Alexander A. Kalimbira, Joanna Sturgess, Leonard Banda, Gabriella Chiutsi-Phiri, Hastings Manase, Jellita Gondwe, Elaine L. Ferguson, Zione Kalumikiza, Elizabeth H. Bailey, Scott D. Young, Limbanazo Matandika, Joseph Mfutso-Bengo, Kate Millar, Maja Niksic, Lucia Segovia de la Revilla, Blessings H. Likoswe, John C. Phuka, Felix P. Phiri, R. Murray Lark, Dawd Gashu, Simon C. Langley-Evans, E. Louise Ander, Nicola M. Lowe, Alan D. Dangour, Patson C. Nalivata, Martin R. Broadley, Elizabeth Allen
Summary: This study aims to determine whether the consumption of maize flour fortified with selenium through agronomic biofortification can affect the serum selenium concentrations of women and children in rural Malawi.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Jonathan R. De Long, Robin Heinen, Renske Jongen, S. Emilia Hannula, Martine Huberty, Anna M. Kielak, Katja Steinauer, T. Martijn Bezemer
Summary: Plants can alter the performance of the next generation through maternal effects in response to environmental conditions. Plant-soil feedbacks influence soil conditions, which likely create intergenerational effects. Different plant species affect seed quality, and there is a relationship between parent biomass in conditioned soils and offspring germination rates. However, these effects do not change offspring performance on common soil.
ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Saloua Fertahi, Mohamed Ilsouk, Youssef Zeroual, Abdallah Oukarroum, Abdellatif Barakat
Summary: The increasing human population leads to a rise in the demand for food, with fertilizers being crucial for meeting this demand and ensuring global food security. CRFs based on biopolymers, known as CRF@BB, offer a new generation of fertilizers that not only control nutrient release rate, but also improve soil quality and reduce negative effects of conventional fertilizers.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Cristina Lazcano, Holly M. Deniston-Sheets, Craig Stubler, Amanda K. Hodson, Katharine R. Watts, Prince Afriyie, L. Federico Casassa, Jean C. Dodson Peterson
Summary: The study found that different soil management practices in a vineyard affect nematode abundance and community structure, thus influencing the soil food web. Soil in the tractor row showed a more complex food web with higher microbial feeding nematodes, while soil under the vine had more herbivore nematodes, which could be alleviated by organic fertilizers. Changes in nematode community and food web status were strongly linked to soil properties, suggesting that fertilizer management could improve soil health in intensively managed soils.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chenhao Lyu, Jiawei Chen, Lei Li, Zhuqing Zhao, Xinwei Liu
Summary: This study investigated the characteristics of Se enrichment in the water-soil-plant system, as well as the dietary Se status of local residents in seleniferous areas. The results showed that Se in well water mainly came from Se-enriched shales and coals, and the mobility of Se in seleniferous soils was relatively low. The concentration of Se in edible parts of crops varied widely, with cereal plants having a higher Se-enrichment ability than tuber plants. The probable dietary Se intake in high-Se areas has decreased in recent years but still exceeds the permissible value. Reducing cereal-derived dietary Se intake is an important strategy to improve the Se nutrition status in high-Se areas.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yingfen Yang, Chenghu Ye, Wei Zhang, Xiaohong Zhu, Haohao Li, Dehai Yang, Waqar Ahmed, Zhengxiong Zhao
Summary: The study reveals that high dosages of biochar and nitrogen fertilizer significantly enhance the biomass accumulation of tobacco plants and improve soil fertility. The structure and composition of rhizosphere bacterial communities are significantly influenced by different application rates of biochar and nitrogen.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Sonia Mayel, Mahboube Jarrah, Katrin Kuka
Summary: Increasing management intensity in grasslands, such as grazing, mowing, and fertilizer application, has significant impacts on soil quality and yield. Proper management practices can improve soil properties and grassland productivity, while incorrect practices may lead to undesirable consequences. It is important to consider soil attributes and local conditions when choosing management methods to maintain a resilient grassland system.
GRASS AND FORAGE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jun Li, Piet N. L. Lens, Ivet Ferrer, Gijs Du Laing
Summary: This study evaluated the use of selenium-enriched microalgae biomass and extract as biostimulants and biofertilizers for beans, showing positive effects on seed germination, growth, and selenium concentration in the beans. The results indicate that selenium-enriched microalgae can be a potential sustainable approach to improve crop yield and selenium content in regions with selenium deficiency.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Samira El Otmani, Youssef Chebli, Mouad Chentouf, Jean-Luc Hornick, Jean-Francois Cabaraux
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of olive cake and cactus cladodes diet incorporation on goat milk production and quality. Results showed that incorporation of olive cake and cactus cladodes had minimal impact on milk quality and could be introduced in goat diets for improved production.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alain Hambuckers, Simon de Harenne, Eberth Rocha Ledezma, Lilian Zuniga Zeballos, Louis Francois
Summary: SDMs are commonly used with climate to predict animal distribution changes, while neglecting other components of the niche evolution. DVMs respond to CO2 concentration and may produce more conservative results than SDMs in modeling plant resources for animals under future climates.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Gwennan Giraud, Sebastian Sosa, Alain Hambuckers, Stefan Deleuze, I. Nengah Wandia, Marie-Claude Huynen, Pascal Poncin, Fany Brotcorne
Summary: Research on wild long-tailed macaques in Indonesia showed that females with young infants stayed in closer proximity to protect their young ones, while reducing direct grooming interactions to prevent risks like kidnapping. Sterilization did not negatively affect female social integration, and sterilized females even had more partners and better group connectivity in certain social networks compared to intact females.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Youssef Chebli, Samira El Otmani, Jean-Luc Hornick, Abdelhafid Keli, Jerome Bindelle, Mouad Chentouf, Jean-Francois Cabaraux
Summary: This study used GPS and sensor technologies to investigate the grazing behavior and energy balance of goats in forest rangelands. The results showed that the grazing behavior and energy requirements of goats were influenced by seasonal changes, and the use of GPS collars and leg sensors proved to be an effective method for studying their grazing activities.
Article
Biology
Mourad Boumenir, Jean-Luc Hornick, Bernard Taminiau, Georges Daube, Fany Brotcorne, Mokrane Iguer-Ouada, Nassim Moula
Summary: The study characterized the faecal microbiota of Barbary macaques, revealing the presence of 209 bacterial genera from 17 phyla. The impact of tourist food provisioning was significant, altering the microbiota profile and potentially increasing the risks of obesity and illness.
Article
Forestry
Alain Hambuckers, Franck Trolliet, Marie Dury, Alexandra-Jane Henrot, Kristof Porteman, Yassine El Hasnaoui, Jan Van den Bulcke, Tom De Mil, Cecile C. Remy, Rachid Cheddadi, Louis Francois
Summary: Improving model-based predictions of plant species under projected climate is crucial for biodiversity conservation. This study focused on the acclimation of Cedrus atlantica to climate and found that specific leaf area, leaf C:N and sapwood C:N varied in response to climate. Parameterizing the model with these climate-dependent traits improved the simulation of tree growth and net primary productivity. Quantifying the influence of climate on traits and incorporating these variations into models can enhance our understanding of the effects of climate change on species dynamics and distributions.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Francoise Lessire, Jean-Luc Hornick, Isabelle Dufrasne
Summary: Several strategies, including increasing concentrate allocation and shortening the minimum milking interval (MMI), can improve traffic and milk yield in a pasture-based automatic milking system. The combination of high concentrate allocation and short MMI can enhance the efficiency of milking and reduce the number of refused milkings.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Youssef Chebli, Samira El Otmani, Jean-Luc Hornick, Jerome Bindelle, Jean-Francois Cabaraux, Mouad Chentouf
Summary: This study utilized advanced electronic sensors to investigate the grazing activity and protein-energy requirements of dairy goats in a Mediterranean woodland, finding that grazing time was shorter in summer and protein-energy intake often insufficient. The combination of GPS collars and accelerometers provided valuable insights for goat-feeding strategies.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ayao Missohou, Basse Kabore, Laurence Flori, Simplice Bosco Ayssiwede, Jean-Luc Hornick, Marianne Raes, Jean-Francois Cabaraux
Summary: This study reported the genetic parameters of four Senegalese sheep breeds and their relationship with global sheep breeds. The results provided insights into genetic conservation and adaptability of these breeds in the Senegalese context. The study also revealed the contribution of Senegalese sheep breeds to global genetic diversity and the development of Caribbean sheep breeds.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Nikita Gavrilitchenko, Eva Gazagne, Nicolas Vandewalle, Johann Delcourt, Alain Hambuckers
Summary: In the context of climate change and forest degradation, animal-mediated seed dispersal is crucial for tree colonization potential. This study presents an innovative mathematical model that accurately simulates the movement of wild-ranging primates. The model can improve seed dispersal models and predict tree species distribution changes under future climate scenarios. Conservation efforts in the tropics should consider the close relationship between tree species and animals.
Article
Ecology
Johann Delcourt, Alain Hambuckers, Didier Vangeluwe, Pascal Poncin
Summary: A reinforcement programme was developed since 2017 to save the endangered black grouse population in High Fens Natural Park, Belgium. An analysis of past data was conducted to understand the causes of the population decline. The analysis revealed that fox density, specifically due to an increase in predation by red fox, played a significant role in the population decline. Climate models failed to explain this modification in the population dynamic.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Eva Gazagne, Russell J. J. Gray, Radoslaw Ratajszczak, Fany Brotcorne, Alain Hambuckers
Summary: Monitoring the population size of threatened primate species is crucial for conservation, and drones with TIR and RGB sensors have proven to be effective tools. This pilot study in Vietnam successfully detected, counted, and identified endangered langur and gibbon species using a drone equipped with both sensors. TIR imagery enabled higher detection rates and accurate counts were achieved after four flights. Additionally, inconspicuous behaviors such as foraging and play were recorded. This study highlights the potential of using thermal drones for effective population monitoring.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Assia Aberbour, Leghel Touazi, Amine Benberkane, Sofiane Aissanou, Anjum Sherasiya, Mokrane Iguer-Ouada, Jean Luc Hornick, Nassim Moula
Summary: This study investigated the effects of different concentrations of air sac injected rosemary essential oil on hatching rate, relative chick weight at hatching, and embryonic mortality rate in quail eggs. The concentration of 3 mu L/egg showed a toxic effect on embryonic development, leading to higher post-injection mortality rate compared to the 1 mu L/egg concentration. However, injecting 1 mu L/egg of oil had positive effects on hatching and relative chick weight.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Soumaya Boukrouh, Ali Noutfia, Nassim Moula, Claire Avril, Jean-Luc Hornick, Mouad Chentouf, Jean-Francois Cabaraux
Summary: Sulla flexuosa, a phenolic-rich legume, can be used as an alternative feed resource for goats without affecting milk production or physicochemical composition. Incorporating a higher amount of Sulla flexuosa in the diet improves antioxidant capacity and introduces healthier fatty acids in milk. Therefore, Sulla flexuosa can be used as an interesting alternative forage in goat diets.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alain Hambuckers, Johann Delcourt, Bryan Leborgne, Jennifer R. A. Cahill
Summary: Ensuring connectivity between rural and urban areas is crucial for nature protection. In this study conducted in Cochabamba, Bolivia, we examined the effectiveness of artificial green corridors for bird populations. Comparing natural corridors with preserved vegetation and artificial corridors consisting of parks and gardens, we found that green corridors supported more common and heavier bird species with lower beak depth/mass, while urban noise had a significant impact on species composition. Our findings suggest that green corridors can effectively maintain bird populations, although noise remains a limiting factor for both types of corridors.