Use of consumer-grade cameras to assess wheat N status and grain yield

Relationships between (a) fractional Intercepted PAR (fIPAR), and (b) aboveground biomass (Biomass) and (c) grain yield at harvest with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived either from a spectroradiometer or a conventional camera at final grain filling (n = 12).Postprint (published version

Water availability affects the capability of reflectance indices to estimate berry yield and quality attributes in rain-fed vineyards

Remote sensing methods are known to provide estimates of berry quality. However, previous studies have shown that the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) failed to predict berry quality attributes in rain-fed vineyards. This study explores the association of several reflectance indices with vine biophysical characteristics and berry yield and quality attributes and their temporal stability. The study was conducted in rain-fed Chardonnay vineyards located around Masquefa (Penedès region, Catalonia, Spain) over four years. Canopy reflectance, fractional Intercepted Photosynthetic Active Radiation, predawn water potential and canopy temperature at midday were measured at veraison whereas berry yield and quality attributes were determined at harvest. Water availability and vine biophysical attributes showed large temporal stability whereas berry quality attributes were not temporally stable. The capability of reflectance indices to estimate berry quality attributes was subject to the timing and extent of water deficits. The NDVI, the Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI) and the Water Index (WI) provided estimates of berry quality attributes under mild, moderate and severe water deficits, respectively. These results might have potential applications in precision viticulture activities such as selective harvesting according to grape quality attributes and the assessment of ripening.Postprint (published version

In vitro developmental ability of ovine oocytes following intracytoplasmic injection with freeze-dried spermatozoa

Freeze-drying (FD) is a new and alternative method to preserve spermatozoa in refrigeration or at room temperature. Suitable protection is required to maintain the sperm DNA integrity during the whole process and storage. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of rosmarinic acid and storage temperature on the DNA integrity of freeze-dried ram sperm. In addition, we evaluated the in vitro developmental ability to the blastocyst stage of oocytes injected with freeze-dried sperm. Ram sperm was freeze-dried in basic medium and in this medium supplemented with 105¿µM rosmarinic acid. The vials were stored for 1 year at 4¿°C and at room temperature. Frozen sperm was used as control. After rehydration, sperm DNA damage was evaluated, observing that the percentage of spermatozoa with DNA damage decreased significantly in the presence of rosmarinic acid, without differences between the two storage temperatures. Moreover, no differences were observed between the freeze-dried group and the frozen-thawed group in terms of blastocyst formation rate. We proved for the first time that ovine spermatozoa can be lyophilized effectively, stored at room temperature for long term, reconstituted and further injected into oocytes with initial embryo development

El uso partidista de las víctimas de ETA: el caso de Miguel Ángel Blanco

En este trabajo pretendo estudiar cómo los partidos políticos españoles han hecho un uso propagandístico de las víctimas de la banda terrorista ETA y, más concretamente, cómo muchos representantes públicos se han valido de la figura de Miguel Ángel Blanco para sus intereses partidistas y electorales. Para ello, explicaré en qué consiste el uso político de las víctimas de tragedias colectivas y expondré las razones por las que el concejal del Partido Popular ha sido tan ‘utilizado’ para hacer propaganda política. Finalmente, analizaré un acto de homenaje que el PP hizo por el 20 aniversario de su asesinato como ejemplo de ese uso partidista del concejal de Ermua.In this project I expect to study how Spanish political parties have made propagandist use of the terrorist group ETA’s victims and, specifically, how public representatives have used the figure of Miguel Ángel Blanco for their partisan and electoral interests. In order to do this, I will explain what does political use of victims mean and I will explain the reasons why Partido Popular’s city councillor has been so ‘used’ to propaganda purposes. Finally, I will analyze an act of homage that the PP did for the 20th anniversary of his assassination as an example of that partisan use of the councilor of Ermua.Universidad de Sevilla. Doble Grado en Periodismo y Comunicación Audiovisua

Use of reflectance indices to assess vinewater status under mild to moderate water deficits

The monitoring of vine water status is of interest for irrigation management in order toimprove water use while optimizing both berry yield and quality. Remote-sensing techniques mightprovide accurate, rapid, and non-destructive estimates of vine water statusPeer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Progesterone improves porcine in vitro fertilisation system

In an effort to improve the quality of in vitro produced porcine embryos, the effect of progestagens — progesterone analogues — on the in vitro developmental competence of porcine oocytes was studied. A total of 1421 in vitro matured oocytes, from 4 replicates, were inseminated with frozen-thawed spermatozoa. Progestagens were added to late maturation and embryo cultures (10 IU/ml). Fertilisation success (pre-maturation, penetration, monospermy and efficiency) and nuclear maturation were evaluated. There were no differences among prematuration rates between groups (P = 0.221). Penetration rates were higher (P < 0.001) in the presence of progestagens (75.0%) as compared to the control (51.7%). However, no differences were observed in monospermy percentages (P = 0.246). The results indicated that supplementation with progestagens increased the efficiency of the in vitro fertilisation system (P < 0.001). An additional beneficial effect was observed in nuclear maturation with progestagens (P = 0.035). In summary, progestagen supplementation is an important factor to improve the in vitro fertilisation procedure

Hemp yields and its rotation effects on wheat under rainfed mediterranean conditions

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has a low impact on the environment requiring few added resources, and has multiple downstream applications. Th ere is little information on hemp biomass, seed yields, and response to NPK fertilization under humid rainfed Mediterranean conditions. Moreover, the eff ects of hemp on subsequent wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops have not been determined. To address these issues, we performed a fi eld study for 6 yr in Catalonia (northeastern Spain). Hemp treatments included: hemp monoculture, unfertilized hemp succeeding wheat, and NPK-fertilized hemp succeeding wheat. In turn, wheat treatments included: wheat monoculture, fi rst-, second-, and third-year wheat succeeding unfertilized hemp, and fi rst-, second-, and third-year wheat succeeding NPK-fertilized hemp. Th e hemp biomass yields (5340–10,090 kg ha–1) were similar to or lower than those achieved in other European regions whereas the hemp seed yields were relatively high (604–1434 kg ha–1). Both the biomass yield and seed yield greatly increased with NPK fertilization. Th e rotation eff ects of hemp on the sub-sequent wheat crops increased the wheat yield by 1368 and 155 kg ha–1 in the fi rst and second years, respectively, but in the third year the yield was similar to the wheat monoculture. Th e benefi cial eff ects of hemp on wheat therefore appear to last for 2 yr. We conclude that dual-purpose hemp (harvested for fi ber and seed) is an excellent predecessor for wheat, improving the sustainability of cereal-based cropping systems under humid rainfed Mediterranean conditions

Fate of aluminium released by sacrificial anodes – Contamination of marine sediments by environmentally available compounds

International audienc

Fertilisation rate obtained with frozen-thawed boar semen supplemented with rosmarinic acid using a single insemination timed according to vulvar skin temperature changes

Artificial insemination (AI) of sows with frozen-thawed semen usually results in lower pregnancy rates and litter sizes than the use of liquid preserved semen. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of vulvar skin temperature changes as a predictor of ovulation in sows and determined the fertility rates obtained after AI with frozen-thawed semen supplemented with rosmarinic acid (RA). Semen was collected from mature boars and cryopreserved in experimental extenders supplemented with or without 105 μM of RA. Multiparous sows were inseminated with a single dose of semen when vulvar skin temperature decreased to a value below 35 °C. Intrauterine insemination was performed using 1.5 × 109 spermatozoa. The sows were slaughtered 48 h after AI and the embryos and oocytes were recovered from the oviducts. Total and progressive motility, viability and acrosome integrity were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in RA-supplemented semen samples compared with the control. Fertilisation occurred in all sows inseminated in the study, although there were no significant differences between the experimental groups. Sows inseminated with RA-supplemented semen showed a slight increase in the number of embryos recovered as compared to sows inseminated with control semen. In conclusion, insemination according to vulvar skin temperature changes resulted in successful fertilisation in all sows, although supplementation of the freezing media with RA did not improve the fertilising ability of frozen-thawed boar sperm