Inoculation and amendment strategies influence switchgrass establishment in degraded soil

Bioenergy feedstock production on degraded land can serve as a means for modulating land competition for food versus energy. Due to little or no agricultural value of degraded soil, fortification of the soil with an organic amendment or inoculum will improve biomass productivity. However, as farmers struggle to rejuvenate their degraded land, there is a need for a quick screening strategy to select the best method of enhancing cellulosic (switchgrass, SG) biomass production in degraded soil. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effects of soil amendment and inoculation strategies on biomass productivities of SG in a reclaimed surface-mined soil (RMS). Experiments were conducted in the greenhouse using moisture replacement microcosms (MRM) to screen strategies for enhancing biomass productivities of SG in a RMS. Strategies included soil amendment with organic by-products (poultry litter, paper mill sludge, and vermicompost), inorganic nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers), or a commercial preparation of endomycorrhizae fungi (AMF, BioVam). Experiments were implemented with ten (10) treatments with six replicates for each treatment. After eight weeks of incubation in MRM systems, inoculation of RMS with AMF produced the highest aboveground and total biomass (0.9 g and 1.77 g per microcosm container) at p \u3c 0.05. The total biomass of commercial AMF significantly (p \u3c 0.05) outperformed all other treatments in the order of AMF \u3e AMF + VC \u3e PMS + N \u3e VC = PMS = PL \u3e PMS + AMF \u3e N + P \u3e ASL \u3e Control. This microcosm screening experiment served as a quick screening to establish that soil enhancement and inoculation strategies can enhance biomass productivities of SG in degraded soil

Assessing Root System Architecture of Wheat Seedlings Using A High-Throughput Root Phenotyping System

Background and aims Root system architecture is a vital part of the plant that has been shown to vary between species and within species based on response to genotypic and/or environmental influences. The root traits of wheat seedlings is critical for the establishment and evidently linked to plant height and seed yield. However, plant breeders have not efficiently developed the role of RSA in wheat selection due to the difficulty of studying root traits. Methods We set up a root phenotyping platform to characterize RSA in 34 wheat accessions. The phenotyping pipeline consists of the germination paper-based moisture replacement system, image capture units, and root-image processing software. The 34 accessions from two different wheat ploidy levels (hexaploids and tetraploids), were characterized in ten replicates. A total of 19 root traits were quantified from the root architecture generated. Results This pipeline allowed for rapid screening of 340 wheat seedlings within 10days. Also, at least one line from each ploidy (6x and 4x) showed significant differences (P \u3c 0.05) in measured traits except in mean seminal count. Our result also showed strong correlation (0.8) between total root length, maximum depth and convex hull area. Conclusions This phenotyping pipeline has the advantage and capacity to increase screening potential at early stages of plant development leading to characterization of wheat seedling traits that can be further examined using QTL analysis in populations generated from the examined accessions

Variation Analysis of Root System Development in Wheat Seedlings Using Root Phenotyping System

Root system architecture is a vital part of the plant that has been shown to vary between species and within species based on response to genotypic and/or environmental influences. The root traits of wheat seedlings are critical for their establishment in soil and evidently linked to plant height and seed yield. However, plant breeders have not efficiently developed the role of RSA in wheat selection due to the difficulty of studying root traits. We set up a root phenotyping platform to characterize RSA in 34 wheat accessions. The phenotyping pipeline consists of the germination paper-based moisture replacement system, image capture units, and root-image processing software. The 34 accessions from two different wheat ploidy levels (hexaploids and tetraploids), were characterized in ten replicates. A total of 19 root traits were quantified from the root architecture generated. This pipeline allowed for rapid screening of 340 wheat seedlings within 10 days. At least one line from each ploidy (6× and 4×) showed significant differences (p \u3c 0.05) in measured traits, except for mean seminal count. Our result also showed a strong correlation (0.8) between total root length, maximum depth and convex hull area. This phenotyping pipeline has the advantage and capacity to increase screening potential at early stages of plant development, leading to the characterization of wheat seedling traits that can be further examined using QTL analysis in populations generated from the examined accessions

An investigation into BIM uptake among contracting firms : an empirical study in Nigeria

Purpose – Building Information Modeling (BIM) is vital in the performance improvement of contracting firms. Thus, there is a need to stimulate its implementation in the construction sector with a view to meeting the competitive demands of the industry. However, there have been very few studies on BIM implementation among contracting firms in Nigeria. Hence, this study examines the current BIM uptake among Nigerian contracting firms, assesses the barriers to BIM implementation, and examines ways of improving BIM implementation within these contracting firms. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey was conducted on contracting firms (comprising small, medium and large sized firms) in Lagos, Nigeria. The obtained data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. These included percentage, mean score, standard deviation, the Kruskal-Wallis test and factor analysis. Findings – The study revealed the current state of BIM implementation among contracting firms in Nigeria in terms of their knowledge of BIM, their usage of BIM as well as the BIM software adopted. Furthermore, the study identified 25 barriers to BIM implementation in contracting firms and identified 15 ways to improve BIM implementation in contracting firms. The relative importance of both the identified barriers and the ways for improving BIM implementation was gauged among contracting firms comprising small, medium and large sized firms. The result of the Kruskal-Wallis test revealed that, except for two (out of 25) identified barriers, and one (out of 15) identified ways of improving BIM implementation in contracting firms, there is no significant statistical difference in the perceptions of the three respondents’ groups. The result of the factor analysis categorized the identified 25 barriers into seven main factors. Practical implications – The study provides empirical evidence on the barriers to BIM implementation and the ways of improving its implementation among contracting firms; thereby providing a better insight of the Nigerian construction industry’s BIM environment. Originality/value – The study’s findings can positively inform the decisions of construction stakeholders to formulate strategies capable of improving BIM implementation in the construction industry at large

Detection of novel allelic variations in soybean mutant population using Tilling by Sequencing

One of the most important tools in genetic improvement is mutagenesis, which is a useful tool to induce genetic and phenotypic variation for trait improvement and discovery of novel genes. JTN-5203 (MG V) mutant population was generated using an induced ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis and was used for detection of induced mutations in FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B genes using reverse genetics approach. Optimum concentration of EMS was used to treat 15,000 bulk JTN-5203 seeds producing 1,820 M2 population. DNA was extracted, normalized, and pooled from these individuals. Specific primers were designed from FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B genes that are involved in the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway for further analysis using next-generation sequencing. High throughput mutation discovery through TILLING-by-Sequencing approach was used to detect novel allelic variations in this population. Several mutations and allelic variations with high impacts were detected for FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B. This includes GC to AT transition mutations in FAD2-1A (20%) and FAD2-1B (69%). Mutation density for this population is estimated to be about 1/136kb. Through mutagenesis and high-throughput sequencing technologies, novel alleles underlying the mutations observed in mutants with reduced polyunsaturated fatty acids will be identified, and these mutants can be further used in breeding soybean lines with improved fatty acid profile, thereby developing heart-healthy-soybeans

Development and Phenotypic Screening of an Ethyl Methane Sulfonate Mutant Population in Soybean

Soybean is an important oil-producing crop in the Fabaceae family and there are increasing demands for soybean oil and other soybean products. Genetic improvement of soybean is needed to increase its production. In order to provide genetic diversity and resources for identifying important genes, a new ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) mutagenized soybean population was generated using the newly released germplasm, JTN-5203 (maturity group V). Treatment of soybean seeds with 60 mM EMS concentration was found to be suitable for inducing mutation. A total of 1,820 M1 individuals were produced from 15,000 treated seeds. The resulting M2 population was planted in the field for phenotyping. After harvest, seed traits including total oil, protein, starch, moisture content, fatty acid and amino acid compositions were measured by NIR. Phenotypic variations observed in this population include changes in leaf morphology, plant architecture, seed compositions, and yield. Of most interest, we identified plants with increased amounts of total protein (50% vs. 41% for control) and plants with higher amounts of total oil (25% vs. 21.2% control). Similarly, we identified plants with increases in oleic acid content and decreases in linoleic acid and linolenic acid. This EMS mutant population will be used for further studies including screening for various traits such as amino acid pathways, allergens, phytic acids, and other important soybean agronomic traits. In addition, these mutant individuals will be evaluated in the next generation to assess the heritability. Beneficial traits from these mutants can be exploited for future soybean breeding programs. This germplasm can also be used for discovering novel mutant alleles and for functional gene expression analysis using reverse genetics tools such as TILLING

Effects of Organic Amendments and Commercial Mycorrhizal Fungi on Switchgrass Biomass Production in Degraded Soils

Bioenergy feedstock production on degraded land can serve as a means for modulating land competition for food versus energy. However, as farmers struggle to rejuvenate their degraded land, there is a need for a quick screening strategy to select the best method of enhancing cellulosic (switchgrass, SG) biomass production in degraded soil as well as understand the effect of method of enhancement on soil and water quality. Therefore, the goal of this study is to evaluate the effects of soil amendment and inoculation strategies on biomass productivities of SG in degraded soil. First, experiments were conducted in the greenhouse using moisture replacement microcosms (MRM) to screen strategies for enhancing biomass productivities of SG in degraded soils. Second, critical drivers of organic nutrients decomposition in the soil are soil microbial communities and understanding their role in plant-soil-microbe interaction for enhancement of plant productivity is mostly unstudied. Mesocosm experiment was set up using the top five treatment (commercial mycorrhizal fungi - AMF, paper mill sludge with nitrogen - PMS+N, vermicompost - VC, AMF +VC, and AMF + PMS) from the microcosm experiment. The mesocosm experiment was set up to investigate the response of soil microbial communities (SMCs) and SG productivity to the application of organic amendments, AMF inoculation and their combined applications in degraded soils. Rhizospheric soil samples were collected from each SG shoot harvested. Canonical correlation analysis indicated that most probable number was associated with increased total nitrogen, soil organic carbon and large macroaggregate. The SMCs in mesocosm experiment correlated positively with physicochemical properties. Lastly, metabarcoding analysis of SMCs in rhizospheric soil samples using methods ranging from DNA extraction, PCR-based amplification to next-generation sequencing was carried out for bacterial and fungal diversities. The 16S rRNA and ITS profiling of the extracted gDNA showed higher microbial diversity in reclaimed surface-mined soil than McBribe soil. The SMC was positively correlated with the root productivity and heavy metal concentrations in soil leachate. In conclusion, the effect of organic amendments increased the SG root productivity in degraded soil and trace elements in the leachate. Assessing the economic, environmental, and agricultural impact, the treatment AMF + PMS+N was the best treatment that improved the soil

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and exogenous glutathione mitigate coal fly ash (CFA)-induced phytotoxicity in CFA-contaminated soil

Coal fly ash (CFA) makes a bulk of the coal combustion wastes generated from coal-fired power plants. There are several environmental mishaps due to coal ash spills around the world and in the United States. Management of CFA-polluted sites has proven inefficient resulting in soil infiltration, leaching, and phytotoxicity. This study assessed the mitigation strategies for CFA-induced phytotoxicity using biological [arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)] and chemical [exogenous glutathione (GSH)] agents. Indices of phytotoxicity include seed germination, plant morphometrics, lipid peroxidation and genomic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in switchgrass plant (Panicum virgatum). Experiments include laboratory screening (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% w/w CFA/soil) and greenhouse pot study (0, 7.5 and 15% w/w CFA/soil) culturing switchgrass plant in Armour silt loam soil co-applied with AMF (Rhizophagus clarus) and GSH. Experiments showed that CFA exposure caused a concentration-dependent increase in seed germination. 10% CFA increased seedling growth while 15 and 20% CFA decreased seedling growth and induced leaf chlorosis. Furthermore, CFA (7.5 and 15%) in the 90-d pot study significantly (p \u3c 0.05) impaired plant growth, induced lipid peroxidation and reduced genomic dsDNA. However, the incorporation of AMF or GSH enhanced seed germination, plant growth, and/or genomic dsDNA, reduced lipid peroxidation and prevented leaf chlorosis in CFA-exposed switchgrass plant. This study demonstrates that AMF and GSH have the potential to mitigate CFA-induced phytotoxicity. These biological and chemical strategies could be further harnessed for efficient utilization of switchgrass plant in the phytoremediation of CFA contaminated soil environment while simultaneously limiting CFA-induced phytotoxicity

An investigation into BIM uptake among contracting firms : an empirical study in Nigeria

Purpose: Building information modeling (BIM) is vital in the performance improvement of contracting firms. Thus, there is a need to stimulate its implementation in the construction sector with a view to meeting the competitive demands of the industry. However, there have been very few studies on BIM implementation among contracting firms in Nigeria. Hence, this study aims to examine the current BIM uptake among Nigerian contracting firms, assess the barriers to BIM implementation and examine the ways of improving BIM implementation within these contracting firms. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire survey was conducted on contracting firms (comprising small-, medium- and large-sized firms) in Lagos, Nigeria. The obtained data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. These included percentage, mean score, standard deviation, the Kruskal–Wallis test and factor analysis. Findings: This study revealed the current state of BIM implementation among contracting firms in Nigeria in terms of their knowledge of BIM, their usage of BIM as well as the BIM software adopted. Furthermore, the study identified 25 barriers to BIM implementation in contracting firms and identified 15 ways to improve BIM implementation in contracting firms. The relative importance of both the identified barriers and the ways for improving BIM implementation was gauged among contracting firms comprising small-, medium- and large-sized firms. The result of the Kruskal–Wallis test revealed that, except for two (out of 25) identified barriers, and one (out of 15) identified ways of improving BIM implementation in contracting firms, there is no significant statistical difference in the perceptions of the three respondents’ groups. The result of the factor analysis categorized the identified 25 barriers into seven main factors. Practical implications: This study provides empirical evidence on the barriers to BIM implementation and the ways of improving its implementation among contracting firms, thereby providing a better insight of the Nigerian construction industry’s BIM environment. Originality/value: This study’s findings can positively inform the decisions of construction stakeholders to formulate strategies capable of improving BIM implementation in the construction industry at large