Towards optimal use of phosphorus fertiliser

This is the final version. Available on open access from Nature Research via the DOI in this recordData availability: The dataset analysed during the current study is available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.Because phosphorus (P) is one of the most limiting nutrients in agricultural systems, P fertilisation is essential to feed the world. However, declining P reserves demand far more effective use of this crucial resource. Here, we use meta-analysis to synthesize yield responses to P fertilisation in grasslands, the most common type of agricultural land, to identify under which conditions P fertilisation is most effective. Yield responses to P fertilisation were 40–100% higher in (a) tropical vs temperate regions; (b) grass/legume mixtures vs grass monocultures; and (c) soil pH of 5–6 vs other pHs. The agronomic efficiency of P fertilisation decreased for greater P application rates. Moreover, soils with low P availability reacted disproportionately strong to fertilisation. Hence, low fertiliser application rates to P-deficient soils result in stronger absolute yield benefits than high rates applied to soils with a higher P status. Overall, our results suggest that optimising P fertiliser use is key to sustainable intensification of agricultural systems.De Heus b.v

Synthesizing the evidence of nitrous oxide mitigation practices in agroecosystems

This is the final version. Available from IOP Publishing via the DOI in this record. Data availability statement: The data that support the findings of this study are openly available at the following URL/DOI: https:// doi.org/10.17605/osf.io/2fjhw.Code availability statement: The code to reproduce the findings of this study is openly available at the following URL/DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/osf.io/2fjhw. The synthesized data after curation is provided (Supplementary data).Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from agricultural soils are the main source of atmospheric N2O, a potent greenhouse gas and key ozone-depleting substance. Several agricultural practices with potential to mitigate N2O emissions have been tested worldwide. However, to guide policymaking for reducing N2O emissions from agricultural soils, it is necessary to better understand the overall performance and variability of mitigation practices and identify those requiring further investigation. We performed a systematic review and a second-order meta-analysis to assess the abatement efficiency of N2O mitigation practices from agricultural soils. We used 27 meta-analyses including 41 effect sizes based on 1119 primary studies. Technology-driven solutions (e.g. enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, drip irrigation, and biochar) and optimization of fertilizer rate have considerable mitigation potential. Agroecological mitigation practices (e.g. organic fertilizer and reduced tillage), while potentially contributing to soil quality and carbon storage, may enhance N2O emissions and only lead to reductions under certain pedoclimatic and farming conditions. Other mitigation practices (e.g. lime amendment or crop residue removal) led to marginal N2O decreases. Despite the variable mitigation potential, evidencing the context-dependency of N2O reductions and tradeoffs, several mitigation practices may maintain or increase crop production, representing relevant alternatives for policymaking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and safeguard food security.Danish Council for Independent ResearchDanish Council for Independent ResearchEU H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action

Comparative descriptions of eggs from three species of Rhodnius (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

The authors describe and compare the morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of eggs from the three most recent described species of the genus Rhodnius Stål, 1859, which have not previously been studied. These species are Rhodnius colombiensis (Mejia, Galvão & Jurberg 1999), Rhodnius milesi (Carcavallo, Rocha, Galvão & Jurberg 2001) and Rhodnius stali (Lent, Jurberg & Galvão 1993). The results revealed that there are similarities in the exochorial architecture of optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy; these include the predominance of hexagonal cells that are common to all Rhodnius species and variable degrees of lateral flattening, which is common not only to species of this genus, but also to the Rhodniini tribe. Differences in overall colour, the presence of a collar in R. milesi, a longitudinal bevel in R. stali and the precise length of R. colombiensis can be useful distinguishing features. As a result of this study, the key for egg identification proposed by Barata in 1981 can be updated.European Community - Chagas Disease Intervention ActivitiesCNPqCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES

The effect of a sports chiropractic manual therapy intervention on the prevention of back pain, hamstring and lower limb injuries in semi-elite Australian Rules footballers: a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hamstring injuries are the most common injury in Australian Rules football. It was the aims to investigate whether a sports chiropractic manual therapy intervention protocol provided in addition to the current best practice management could prevent the occurrence of and weeks missed due to hamstring and other lower-limb injuries at the semi-elite level of Australian football.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty male subjects were assessed for eligibility with 59 meeting entry requirements and randomly allocated to an intervention (n = 29) or control group (n = 30), being matched for age and hamstring injury history. Twenty-eight intervention and 29 control group participants completed the trial. Both groups received the current best practice medical and sports science management, which acted as the control. Additionally, the intervention group received a sports chiropractic intervention. Treatment for the intervention group was individually determined and could involve manipulation/mobilization and/or soft tissue therapies to the spine and extremity. Minimum scheduling was: 1 treatment per week for 6 weeks, 1 treatment per fortnight for 3 months, 1 treatment per month for the remainder of the season (3 months). The main outcome measure was an injury surveillance with a missed match injury definition.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After 24 matches there was no statistical significant difference between the groups for the incidence of hamstring injury (OR:0.116, 95% CI:0.013-1.019, p = 0.051) and primary non-contact knee injury (OR:0.116, 95% CI:0.013-1.019, p = 0.051). The difference for primary lower-limb muscle strains was significant (OR:0.097, 95%CI:0.011-0.839, p = 0.025). There was no significant difference for weeks missed due to hamstring injury (4 v14, χ2:1.12, p = 0.29) and lower-limb muscle strains (4 v 21, χ2:2.66, p = 0.10). A significant difference in weeks missed due to non-contact knee injury was noted (1 v 24, χ2:6.70, p = 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study demonstrated a trend towards lower limb injury prevention with a significant reduction in primary lower limb muscle strains and weeks missed due to non-contact knee injuries through the addition of a sports chiropractic intervention to the current best practice management.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>The study was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12608000533392).</p

Hidden Sylvatic Foci of the Main Vector of Chagas Disease Triatoma infestans: Threats to the Vector Elimination Campaign?

Triatoma infestans, a highly domesticated species and historically the main vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, is the target of an insecticide-based elimination program in the southern cone countries of South America since 1991. Only limited success has been achieved in the Gran Chaco region due to repeated reinfestations. We conducted full-coverage spraying of pyrethroid insecticides of all houses in a well-defined rural area in northwestern Argentina, followed by intense monitoring of house reinfestation and searches for triatomine bugs in sylvatic habitats during the next two years, to establish the putative sources of new bug colonies. We found low-density sylvatic foci of T. infestans in trees located within the species' flight range from the nearest infested house detected before control interventions. Using multiple methods (fine-resolution satellite imagery, geographic information systems, spatial statistics, genetic markers and wing geometric morphometry), we corroborated the species identity of the sylvatic bugs as T. infestans and found they were indistinguishable from or closely related to local domestic or peridomestic bug populations. Two sylvatic foci were spatially associated to the nearest peridomestic bug populations found before interventions. Sylvatic habitats harbor hidden foci of T. infestans that may represent a threat to vector suppression attempts