Variability in Tolerance to Water Stress by \u3cem\u3eHolcus Lanatus\u3c/em\u3e L., \u3cem\u3eBromus Valdivianus\u3c/em\u3e Phil. and \u3cem\u3eAgrostis Capillaris\u3c/em\u3e L. Accessions

Holcus lanatus L. (Hl), Bromus valdivianus Phil. (Bv) and Agrostis capillaris L. (Ac) are frequently present in the naturalised pasture of the Chilean humid region, which has a summer drought with two distinguishable areas according to average summer rainfall: a Northern area (Long summer drought, LSuD: 136-186 mm;) and a Southern area (Short summer drought, SSuD: 186-338 mm). It was hypothesised that plant species have colonised areas with different water deficits during summer through differentiated drought tolerance, which would imply ecotype generation

Impacts of Livestock Preference and Frequency of Grazing on Production and Nutritive Value of Pastures in Chile

Cattle are selective grazers since they only consume some plants or some parts of a plant from the pasture and avoid others. Grazing preference is affected by characteristics of the pasture such as the botanical composition, pasture surface height, herbage mass, phenological stage, digestibility, fibre content, protein and ash content. Three studies were conducted in southern Chile to determine how: 1) grazing preferences of dairy cattle was influenced by pasture mixtures and fertilisation; 2) grazing selectivity was related to tiller features; and 3) grazing leaf-stage influenced pasture quantity and quality. For the first study, fertilised pastures had higher herbage mass, pasture height, Bromus valdivianus, metabolisable energy and crude protein content and had lower fibre content. Grazing time (GT) and bite number (BN) were positively related to metabolisable energy, crude protein content, pre-grazing herbage mass and pasture surface height, explained by the contribution of Lolium perenne and B. valdivianus. For the second study, selective grazing was enhanced by pasture heterogeneity and tiller volume may have favoured grazing probability at a similar nutritive value. For the third study, pastures grazed at a 2.5 leaf-stage yielded a higher herbage mass than those grazed at 1.5 leaf-stage, while increasing leaf-stage decreased pasture quality. Integration of the information on grazing preference and selectivity, and grazing frequency will help to refine grazing management for southern Chile

Competition between \u3cem\u3eLolium perenne\u3c/em\u3e L. and \u3cem\u3eAgrostis capillaris\u3c/em\u3e L. Growing under Different Light Regimes as Response to Fertiliser Addition in a Degraded Pasture

At the field level plants can experience solar irradiance fluctuations caused by cloud cover or canopy shading. The majority of the research in this area has been done on forestry/pastoral systems using artificial structures so that the pasture has the desired light level (Peri et al. 2006). However, the effect of a change from high to low irradiance on the seasonal plant growth and production in a degraded pastoral system has not been previously studied, especially when fluctuating light regimes are involved. The aims of this study were to evaluate tillering dynamics of Lolium perenne L. (Lp) and Agrostis capillaris L. (Ac) in a degraded pasture under different intensities of fluctuating light regimes and also to evaluate the effect of fertiliser addition on plant growth under different levels of light

Carbohydrate to Protein Ratio in Perennial Ryegrass: Effects of Defoliation Stage and Nitrogen Rate

In intensive grass-based systems, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L) grazed at early stages has a high crude protein content (CP) and low water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) relative to animal requirements. This imbalance leads to low nitrogen (N) use efficiency and a large loss of N excreted to the environment (Dijkstra et al. 2011). Previous research has shown the importance of the WSC:PC ratio as a useful factor that determines the improvement of the animal’s performance in terms of nitrogen utilization (Cosgrove et al. 2007). However, little is known about how the management of defoliation at specific growth stages can modify the WSC:CP ratio and other nutritive parameters related to N use efficiency. The objective of this study was to determine the changes of WSC:CP ratio and other nutritive parameters related to N use efficiency in response to nitrogen fertilizer rate and defoliation frequency based on leaf stage

Unravelling metabolic mechanisms behind chloroplast desiccation tolerance: chlorophyllous fern spore as a new promising unicellular model

Se sustituye el preprint por el postprint el 23-11-2020Fern spores are unicellular structures produced by the sporophyte generation that give rise to the haploid gametophyte. When released from the sporangium, spores are desiccation tolerant (DT) in the royal fern (Osmunda regalis) and contain fully developed chloroplasts. As a consequence this type of spores are called chlorophyllous spores (CS). Upon transfer to germination conditions, CS initiate a process of imbibition that suppress DT in 72h, before the germination starts. In parallel to such change in DT, thylakoids undergo a profound remodelling in composition and function. Firstly, sustained quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence is relaxed, giving rise to photochemically active CS, while lipid composition shifts from that of a resting structure to a metabolically active cell. Basically trigalactolipids decreased in favour of monogalactolipids, with a parallel desaturation of fatty acids. Storage lipids such as triacylglycerol were quickly depleted. These results highlight the importance of the structure of thylakoids lipid as a key to protect membrane integrity during desiccation, together with the saturation of fatty acids and the constitutive chlorophyll quenching to prevent oxidative damage. The CS used here, in which the same cell shifts from DT to sensitive strategy in 72h, reveal its their potential as unicellular models for future studies on DT.This work was funded by (i) the Basque Government (research project UPV/EHU IT-1018-16; and Predoctoral Fellowship to MLP); (ii) the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) and the ERDF (FEDER) (research project CTM2014-53902-C2-2-P, and Juan de la Cierva-Incorporation fellowship IJCI-2014-22489 to BFM)

Uso de compost que incluyen cenizas de biomasa para el cultivo de sandía

5 páginas.-- 4 tablas.-- 10 referenciasLa biomasa representa entre el 8 y el 15% del suministro energético mundial como electricidad, calor y combustibles para transporte, y podría contribuir hasta un 33-50% del consumo de energía primaria en 2050. Buena parte de esta energía se obtiene por combustión directa de biomasa generando 476 millones de toneladas de cenizas. Por el contrario de las cenizas derivadas del carbón, las cenizas de biomasa están libres de elementos contaminantes y en el caso de las de biomasa derivada de productos agrícolas y agroindustriales suelen presentar concentraciones apreciables de elementos fertilizantes como K, Mg, además de Ca por lo que su ciclo puede completarse si son reutilizadas en agricultura en lugar de depositadas en vertedero. En el presente trabajo se estudia el uso de un compost mixto de residuos agroindustriales y cenizas de orujo de aceituna como enmienda en un cultivo de sandía (Citrullus lanatus variedad Augusta). Como comparación se usaron tratamientos con el mismo compost de residuos agroindustriales o con fertilización mineral sólo (Control, 220 kg K2O ha-1 como KCl). El compost con cenizas se aplicó a una dosis de 10.000 kg ha-1 y el compost sin cenizas a la dosis de 20.000 kg ha-1. Cada tratamiento se efectuó por cuadruplicado, cultivando la sandía al aire libre. Se determinaron las propiedades del suelo y el rendimiento y estado nutricional del cultivo. Los resultados indican que la inclusión de este tipo de cenizas en las enmiendas de cultivos exigentes nutrientes como potasio puede ser ventajosa, ya que se mantiene la producción del tratamiento control (alrededor de 100000 kg ha-1) pero con mayor tamaño del fruto (más 1,3 kg/fruto en el tratamiento con cenizas).Este trabajo se ha realizado en el marco del proyecto CTQ2013-46804-C2-1-R financiado por el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad y ha sido parcialmente financiado por el programa FEDER de la Junta de Andalucía. Los autores agradecen a la empresa Fertiormont por la cesión de los productos.Peer reviewe

Preliminary results of the effect of temperature and relative humidity on milk yield and components in Payoya breed goats

Un total de 81625 registros mensuales de 8380 hembras de la raza Payoya paridas en 18 ganaderías entre 2004 y 2007 fueron estudiados aplicando diferentes modelos lineales, con el objetivo de estimar los posibles efectos de un índice que combina Temperatura y Humedad Relativa (THI), sobre las variables de producción de leche y sus características físico-químicas. Los primeros resultados indicaron que existe una zona de termoneutralidad (THI entre 13 y 22) en la cual no se han evidenciado claramente los efectos del estrés térmico. Para valores de THI>22 se creó una función fT para estimar los componentes genéticos generales y los debidos al estrés térmico. Las correlaciones genéticas fueron -0.342 y -0.320 entre producción de leche y la fT indicando un antagonismo entre ambas características. Por último, se pudo poner de manifiesto la existencia de una variabilidad genética importante para capacidad de adaptación frente al estrés térmico. Estos resultados pueden brindar importantes beneficios a los criadores de la raza caprina PayoyaProduction data included 81625 test-day records of 8380 dairy goats (Payoya breed) from 18 flocks collected from 2004 to 2007. The traits analyzed were daily milk yield and milk composition, using different linear models, to determine the effect of increasing temperature-humidity index (THI) on these traits. The results report that the range between 13 and 22 for THI is the thermoneutral zone of the animals. The genetic correlations between the general additive effect and the additive effect of heat tolerance were negative (-0,342 to -0,320) to THI>22. Therefore, milk yield is antagonistic with heat tolerance. However, the genetic variability to heat tolerance could report important profits to dairy goat breeders if they consider the greater or smaller adaptability to the environmental conditions as a selection criteri

Datos sobre el tesorillo tardorromano de monedas de El Pedregal (Chantada, Lugo)

Se presentan los datos sobre el contexto de aparición del Tesorillo Tardorromano de monedas de bronce de El Pedregal, descubierto a raíz de unas obras de canalización. Se ha realizado un estudio sobre una pequeña muestra entre las monedas mejor conservadas de las más de 10.000 monedas que lo componían, identificando la cronología y el metal empleado. En los análisis de composición se ha utilizado la técnica no destructiva de espectrometría por fluorescencia de rayos X.The paper deals with the archaeological context of the hoard of Late Roman bronze coins found in El Pedregal after some public works. The hoard contains more than ten thousand coins. A small group choosen among the better preserved coins has been studied to define the chronology and the metal used. Non-destructive x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry was used for elemental analysis

Organizational life cycle assessment: suitability for higher education institutions with environmental management systems

[EN] Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the suitability of organizational life cycle assessments (O-LCAs) for higher education institutions (HEIs) with special attention to the benefits and particularities of those adopting environmental management systems (EMSs) verified according to Environmental Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). Methods A thorough analysis following ISO/TS 14072 and UNEP Guidance was carried out using the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) EMS verified by the EMAS for guiding principles to develop the methodological proposal. The self-sufficiency of UPV EMS for developing an O-LCA was tested at the university pilot unit. The four steps of the O-LCA were applied to the pilot. Results and discussion A reporting organization, the organization to be studied (boundaries and scope), was defined in consideration of the environmental units (EU) of the EMS. Operational control was selected as a consolidation method. Reporting flows and system boundaries are also discussed. A three-scope scheme of the GHG protocol is introduced and combined with the ISO 14072 boundary definition to support better alignment with the HEI structure. For the life cycle inventory analysis, a mechanism for identifying activities and processes as well as their material and energy flows is proposed in consideration of the particularities of HEIs. A procedure for the prioritization of data collection efforts and cutoffs was developed. The procedure integrates current EMAS actions based on the significance of environmental aspects combined with the influence of reporting organizations under their control. Impact categories focus on midpoint indicators along with an additional inventory level indicator as part of the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). Unfortunately, due to a lack of quality data available, LCIA can only be assessed in part with little interest in outcomes. Partial results are presented. Conclusions An EMS verified by EMAS is proven to be useful in the assessment of O-LCA for HEIs. However, EMAS requirements do not ensure the availability of all data needed to develop an O-LCA. An accounting system should complement a lack of data if it is properly structured. Considerable efforts are required to obtain an accurate result. EMS and the accounting system may be able to provide information that supports an O-LCA approach based on a coherent prioritization of data collection efforts and cutoff procedures along with a set of justified impact category indicators. Overall, organization managers must be in favor of such an assessment to meet the requirements of successful implementation.Lo-Iacono-Ferreira, VG.; Torregrosa López, JI.; Capuz-Rizo, SF. (2017). Organizational life cycle assessment: suitability for higher education institutions with environmental management systems. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 22(12):1928-1943. doi:10.1007/s11367-017-1289-8S192819432212Braunschweig A (2014) GHG-balances and LCA: applying the concept of scopes in organisational LCAs. E2 Management Consulting http://www.e2mc.com Accessed 1 July 2016Clift R, Wright L (2000) Relationships between environmental impacts and added value along the supply chain. Technol Forecast Soc 65(3):281–295Cortese AD (2003) The critical role of higher education in creating a sustainable future. Planning for higher education. Retrived from http://www.aashe.org/documents/resources/pdf/Cortese_PHE.pdf . Accessed 1 June 2016Curran MA (2017) Goal and scope definition in life cycle assessment. Springer. doi: 10.1007/978—94-024-0855-3Disterheft A, da Silva Caeiro SSF, Ramos MR, de Miranda Azeiteiro UM (2012) Environmental Management Systems (EMS) implementation processes and practices in European higher education institutions—top-down versus participatory approaches. J Clean Prod 31:80–90Draucker L (2013) GHG Protocol: moving Corporate Accounting Beyond GHGs. Abstract Book: SETAC North American 34th Annual Meeting, Nashville, USAEC (2013) European Commission Organization Environmental Footprint Guide. European Commission-Joint Research Centre-Institute for Environment and Sustainability http://eur-lex.europa.eu/JOHtml.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:124:SOM:EN:HTML Accessed 1 June 2016EC (2016) European Commission Environment. Eco-Management and Audit Scheme http://ec.europa.eu/environment/emas/ Accessed 1 June 2016Finkbeiner M, Wiedemann M, Saur K (1998) A comprehensive approach towards product and organisation related environmental management tools. Int J Life Cycle Assess 3(3):169–178Fleischer G, Gerner K, Kunst H, Lichtenvort K, Rebitzer G (2001) A semi-quantitative method for the impact assessment of emissions within a simplified life cycle assessment. Int J Life Cycle Assess 6(3):149–156GRI (2005) GRI Boundary Protocol. Global Reporting Initiative. https://www.globalreporting.org/resourcelibrary/GRI-Boundary-Protocol.pdf Accessed 1 June 2016Hauschild MZ, Huijbregts MA (2015) Introducing life cycle impact assessment. In: Hauschild MZ, Huijbregts MAJ (eds) Life cycle impact assessment, LCA compendium—the complete world of life cycle assessment. Springer Science+Business Media, Dordrecht 2015. doi: 10.1007/978-94-017-9744-3_1Hellweg S, Milà i Canals L (2014) Emerging approaches, challenges and opportunities in life cycle assessment. Science 344(6188):1109–1113Hochschorner E, Finnveden G (2003) Evaluation of two simplified life cycle assessment methods. Int J Life Cycle Assess 8(3):119–128Huang YA, Lenzen M, Weber CL, Murray J, Matthews HS (2009) The role of input-output analysis for the screening of corporate carbon footprints. Econ Systems Res 21(3):217–242ISO (2004) Environmental management systems—requirements with guidance for use ISO 14001: 2004. 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Environ Sci Technol 29(9):420A–426ALife Cycle Initiative (2016) http://www.lifecycleinitiative.org/ Accessed 22 June 2016Lo-Iacono-Ferreira V, Torregrosa-López JI, Lora García J, Bastante-Ceca MJ, Capuz-Rizo SF (2011) Study of the inclusion of life cycle assessment impact categories in ecological footprint. XV International Congress of Project Engineering. ISBN: 978-84-615-4543-8Lo-Iacono-Ferreira VG, Torregrosa-López JI, Capuz-Rizo SF (2016a) Use of life cycle assessment methodology in the analysis of ecological footprint assessment results to evaluate the environmental performance of universities. J Clean Prod 133:43–53Lo-Iacono-Ferreira VG, Capuz-Rizo SF, Torregrosa-López JI (2016b) Ecological Footprint Assessment of Higher Education applying Life Cycle Assessment framework. Case study: Universitat Politència de València. 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Key Performance Indicators to optimize the environmental performance of Higher Education Institutions with environmental management system - A case study of Universitat Politècnica de València

[EN] Environmental performance is becoming increasingly important to organizational decision-making boards. As with other organizations, Higher Education Institutions concerned with environmental performance require tools to help develop appropriate policies and programs. Key Performance Indicators are typically a component of economic and financial decision-making. Defining Key Performance Indicators for relevant environmental aspects of an institution can be seen as a step toward integrating environmental issues into overall management. In this paper, a methodology is proposed to define environmental Key Performance Indicators for Higher Education Institutions with a robust Environmental Management System (International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certified or Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) verified), and this methodology is coupled with a validation system based on meta-performance evaluation indicators. The proposal is based on the relative significance of various environmental aspects and the degree of operational control that an organization has over each aspect. The methodology is developed to be easy to applied, minimum time and resource consumption) and integrate in an existent Environmental Management System. It starts with a standard procedure to define the organization allowing its application to any type of Higher Education Institution. Additionally, a list of over 140 environmental indicators, described and classified, is offered. An environmental unit, Escuela Politecnica Superior de Alcoy (EPSA), of Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, EMAS verified, is used as a case study. From the study, seven Key Performance Indicators are defined, and three of these are fully assessed. Energy consumption, waste management treatment, and greenhouse gas emissions are the key elements of these three indicators. Institutions with robust Environmental Management Systems have significant advantages in identifying relevant environmental aspects and defining goals to begin defining Key Performance Indicators. However, Environmental Management Systems do not themselves ensure that data are available, nor that they are of the quality desired. In the case study, additional resources are required to generate Key Performance Indicators to assess significant environmental aspects. Securing those additional resources would benefit both the Environmental Management System and the organizational decision-makers. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Lo-Iacono-Ferreira, VG.; Capuz-Rizo, SF.; Torregrosa López, JI. (2018). Key Performance Indicators to optimize the environmental performance of Higher Education Institutions with environmental management system - A case study of Universitat Politècnica de València. Journal of Cleaner Production. 178:846-865. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.184S84686517