Preliminary characterization of a Moroccan honey with a predominance of Bupleurum spinosum pollen

Honey with Bupleurum spinosum (zandaz) as a main pollen source has not been the subject of previous detailed study. Therefore, twelve Moroccan samples of this honey were subjected to melissopalynological, physicochemical and microbiological quality characterization, as well as antioxidant activity assessment. From a quality point of view, almost all samples were within the limits established by Codex Alimentarius, and/or the European legislation. All samples presented predominance of B. spinosum pollen (more than 48%). Relatively high levels of trehalose (1.3-4.0 g/100 g) and melezitose (1.5-2.8 g/100 g) were detected. Those sugars, not common in monofloral honeys, could be used as an important factor to discriminate zandaz honey. Flavonoid content correlated positively with the honey color, melanoidin and polyphenol content, and negatively with the IC50 values of scavenging ABTS (2,2' - azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) free radicals, while proline amount correlated negatively with IC50 values of nitric oxide scavenging activity and chelating power. This correlation supports the use of anti-oxidant activities as important variables for PCA (principal component analysis). Both components explained 70% from the given data, and showed certain homogeneity upon analyzed samples independent of the region, suggesting the importance of B. spinosum nectar in the resulting honey characteristics.Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia for Research Center [UID/BIM/04773/2013 CBMR 1334, UID/AGR/00239/2013, UID/BIA/04050/2013 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007569)]; ERDF through the COMPETE - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalizacao (POCI

Influência da consociação com diferentes trevos, da rega e da variedade na produção e qualidade do azevém italiano.

Havendo alguma evidência de que as leguminosas podem beneficiar as gramíneas pela transferência de azoto fixado seria de todo o interesse utilizar consociações em vez de azevém em estreme fertilizado com azoto. Como conclusões gerais, podemos referir que a utilização do trevo squarroso, em consociação com o azevém anual, se mostrou vantajosa, comparativamente aos outros trevos, pois mostrou tendência para apresentar valores mais elevados de produção total de matéria seca, proteína bruta e matéria seca digestível. Porém, as máximas produções foram obtidas com o azevém em estreme fertilizado com 100 kg/ha de azoto à sementeira e após cada corte. No ensaio comparativo entre diferentes dotações de rega e sequeiro verificou-se que mesmo a dotação mais baixa (25% da CC) permitiu duplicar o número de cortes. Em face dos resultados desta actividade, pode concluir-se que a rega pode contribuir, de forma muito significativa, para aumentar a produção e melhorar a qualidade da forragem produzida. A existência de regadio na região, ainda que com pouca água, é fundamental para regularizar a curva de produção de erva nas explorações pecuárias pois além de maiores produções, em quantidade e qualidade, o número de cortes também pode duplicar. A decisão de regar ou não vai depender da viabilidade económica. Relativamente à utilização da variedade bianual em vez da anual, parece não haver vantagem em condições de regadio pois, além de se ter revelado menos eficiente a utilizar a água, cresce pouco no Verão devido às elevadas temperaturas não se justificando, por isso, continuar a regar. Sem humidade no solo, a sua persistência é afectada pelo que não se torna viável continuar a explorá-la no ano seguinte. Assim, uma vez que a água é um recurso cada vez mais escasso e caro, parece que a melhor escolha é o azevém anual com o tratamento de rega mais baixo. No entanto, caso não exista água disponível para regar, a variedade bianual parece mais vantajosa

Screening chickpea resistance to water deficits: the yield perspective.

Screening a wide range of germplasm from our major crops (including legumes) to search for genetic variation of traits involved in stress resistance is extremely relevant in the context of predicted increase in aridity in several areas of the world, including the Mediterranean (1,2). On the other hand, the keystone of ‘crop drought resistance’ relies on the effective use by the crop of a limiting water supply (3,4). This can be achieved by choosing the appropriate genotype and/or agronomical practices such as the adjustment of crop phenology to its environment or the use of deficit irrigation. In the framework of the EU project KBBE-2008-212337 ‘Sustainable water use securing food production in dry areas of the Mediterranean region (SWUP-MED)’ we are studying a wide range of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) accessions in two sites (South Portugal and Syria/ICARDA) in what concerns yield potential under limiting and non-limiting soil water and the physiological traits underlying those responses. Chickpea is a widely grown grain legume offering high-quality protein, besides providing an input of N2 into the soil and a disease break in rotation with other crops. However, yield is still low in many of the growing regions, especially when terminal drought is likely to occur (5). We have identified a significant genetic variability in what concerns yield (from 1000 to above 2000kg. ha-1 under rainfed conditions), harvest index (from 25 to 60%) and plant water status under similar available soil water. Phenological differences may play an important role in explaining yield differences in the accessions studied. In addition to yield we will study seed quality traits as affected by the genotype and the environment. Our results will be used to model crop water requirements, predict yields and support breeding efforts (6)

Chickpea genotype adaptation to Mediterranean Environment

Genotypes that fasten their development cycle showed higher grain yield. Earlier start of flowering means higher soil water availability and lower maximum temperatures (middle of April), allowing to set more flowers and pods per plant and consequently higher grain yield. End of flowering started on May 19 in earlier genotypes. On this date the most hydrated genotypes are the ones with the longest growth cycle. On May 19 the genotypes with higher grain yield were at the end of flowering and showed lower predawn water potential. Grain yield showed a good correlation with all yield components except with the 100 Seeds Weight (100SW). End of flowering started on May 19 in earlier genotypes. On this date the most hydrated genotypes are the ones with the longest growth cycle. On May 19 the genotypes with higher grain yield were at the end of flowering and showed lower predawn water potential. Grain yield showed a good correlation with all yield components except with the 100 Seeds Weight (100SW)

SN1987A and the properties of neutrino burst

We reanalyze the neutrino events from SN1987A in IMB and Kamiokande-II (KII) detectors, and compare them with the expectations from simple theoretical models of the neutrino emission. In both detectors the angular distributions are peaked in the forward direction, and the average cosines are 2 sigma above the expected values. Furthermore, the average energy in KII is low if compared with the expectations; but, as we show, the assumption that a few (probably one) events at KII have been caused by elastic scattering is not in contrast with the 'standard' picture of the collapse and yields a more satisfactory distributions in angle and (marginally) in energy. The observations give useful information on the astrophysical parameters of the collapse: in our evaluations, the mean energy of electron antineutrinos is =12-16 MeV, the total energy radiated around (2-3)*1.E53 erg, and there is a hint for a relatively large radiation of non-electronic neutrino species. These properties of the neutrino burst are not in disagreement with those suggested by the current theoretical paradigm, but the data leave wide space to non-standard pictures, especially when neutrino oscillations are included.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure