Cultivar and Tree Density As Key Factors in the Long-Term Performance of Super High-Density Olive Orchards

Super high-density (SHD) olive orchards are rapidly expanding since the first plantation was set up in Spain in the 1990s. Because there are no long-term studies characterizing these systems, it is unknown if densities above a certain threshold could trigger competition among fully-grown trees, compromising their development. Over 14 years we have evaluated the performance of the major olive cultivars currently planted in SHD systems (“Arbequina,” Arbequina IRTA-i·18, “Arbosana,” “Fs-17,” and “Koroneiki”) and nine SHD designs ranging from 780 to 2254 trees ha−1 for the cultivar “Arbequina.” Remarkably, the accumulated fruit and oil production of the five cultivars increased linearly over time. Our data indicated the favorable long-term performance of the evaluated cultivars with an average annual oil production of 2.3 t ha−1. Only “Fs-17” did not perform well to the SHD system in our conditions and it yielded about half (1.2 t ha−1) of the other cultivars. In the density trial for “Arbequina,” both fruit and oil accumulated production increased over time as a function of tree density. Thus, the accumulated oil yield ranged from 16.1 t ha−1 for the lowest density (780 trees ha−1) to 29.9 t ha−1 for the highest (2254 trees ha−1). In addition, we note that the accumulated production per surface unit showed a better correlation with the hedgerow length than the tree density. Thus, the current planting designs of SHD olive orchards can be further improved taking this parameter into account. Despite observations that some irregular patterns of crop distribution have arisen, our olive hedgerows are still fully productive after 14 years of planting. This result contradicts previous experiences that showed declines in production 7 or 8 years after planting due to high vigor, shading, and limited ventilation

Respuesta a herbicidas con diferentes modos de acción (HRAC) en poblaciones de Amaranthus hybridus L. de la Argentina

Amaranthus hybridus L. (yuyo colorado) es actualmente una de las especies maleza más problemáticas en los sistemas de producción de cultivos primavera estivales. Durante diciembre y febrero (2018-2019) se estudió en la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias de la UNR y la Facultad de Agronomía de la UBA, la respuesta a distintos herbicidas de 50 poblaciones de A. hybridus. Los individuos de cada una de las poblaciones estudiadas se obtuvieron a partir de semillas cosechadas en lotes de producción de soja de diferentes áreas de producción, durante la campaña 2017-18. Se evaluó la respuesta a 2,4-D (1140 g e.a. ha-1), dicamba (560 g e.a. ha-1), fomesafén (250 g ha-1), topramezone (34 g ha-1) y glifosato (1080 g e.a. ha-1). Los herbicidas se aplicaron en cabina estática con un volumen de 140 l ha-1 y sobre plantas entre 2 a 6 hojas. A los 30 días de aplicados se cuantificó la supervivencia de individuos para cada tratamiento. En el conjunto de las poblaciones 84% y 76% fueron absolutamente susceptibles (supervivencia 0%) a 2,4-D y dicamba, respectivamente. No se identificaron poblaciones absolutamente susceptibles a los otros herbicidas evaluados. El 43%, 72% y 82% de las poblaciones presentaron supervivencia mayor a 60% a fomesafén, topramezone y glifosato, respectivamente. Más del 90% de las poblaciones presentaron elevados valores de supervivencia a glifosato, sin embargo, siguen encontrándose algunas susceptibles. Las diferencias en los valores de supervivencia permiten inferir la existencia de variabilidad genética para estos modos de acción, sobre la que podrían actuar los herbicidas, promoviendo procesos de selección de resistencia. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren la necesidad prioritaria de aplicar otras prácticas de manejo culturales que conserven la utilidad y la eficacia de los diferentes herbicidas, particularmente de los auxínicos.Amaranthus hybridus L. (pigweed) is currently one of the most problematic weed species in spring-summer crop production systems During December and February (2018-19) the response to different herbicides from fifty populations of A. hybridus was studied at the Faculty of Agronomy (UNR) and the Faculty of Agronomy (UBA). Individuals from each of the studied populations were obtai - ned from seeds harvested in soybean fields from different production areas, during the 2017-18 season. The response to 2,4-D (1140 g e. a.ha-1), Dicamba (560 g e.a. ha-1), Fomesafén (250 g ha-1), Topramezone (34 g ha-1) and Glyphosate (1080 g e.a. ha-1) were evaluated. Herbi - cides were applied in a static cabin with volume of 140 l ha-1 and 30 days after application, the survival of individuals was quantified for each treatment. In all the populations, 84% and 76% were absolutely susceptible (survival 0%) to 2,4-D and Dicamba, respectively. There were not totally susceptible populations to the other herbicides evaluated. The 43%, 72% and 82% of the populations presented survival greater than 60% to fomesafén, topramezone and glyphosate, respectively. More than 90% of the populations presented high glyphosate survival values, however some susceptible ones are still found. The differences in survival values allow us to infer the existence of genetic variability for these modes of action, on which herbicides could act, promoting resistance selection processes. The results obtained suggest the priority to apply management practices that preserve the usefulness and efficacy of different herbicides, particularly auxinics.Fil: Scursoni, Julio Alejandro. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Vila Aiub, Martin Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; ArgentinaFil: Tuesca, Daniel Horacio. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Balassone, Federico Emmanuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Morello, Juan Pablo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Medina Herrera, Daniela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Lescano Martinez, María Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Montero Bulacio, Nicolás. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Crespo, Roberto Javier. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Depetris, María Rosa. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentin

Mudanças religiosas e dinâmicas demográficas: mais além da teoria da secularização. O caso do catolicismo na cidade de Córdoba, Argentina

Este artículo explora críticamente las explicaciones de las dinámicas religiosas en Argentina basadas en la Teoría de la Secularización (TdS). La mayoría de sus referentes usa como variable independiente las relaciones político-institucionales; por eso, la TdS explica lo que sucede con la dirigencia de la institución y las organizaciones intermedias. Esta investigación recoge datos directos de los registros de bautismos durante un siglo en la ciudad de Córdoba (Argentina) y los compara con la tasa de natalidad. Este análisis muestra que eluso de variables político-institucionales no explica adecuadamente lo que sucede con las dinámicas religiosas, medidas en bautismos. La hipótesis propuesta es que las transformaciones religiosas se entienden mejor cuando se aplican variables demográficas.his article critically explores the explanations of religious dynamics in Argentina based on Secularization Theory (TdS). Most scholarship uses political-institutional relations as an independent variable; therefore, TdS focuses on what takes place within the leadership of the institution and intermediate organizations. This research collects data directly from a century of baptism records in the city of Córdoba (Argentina) and compares it with the city’s birth rate. This analysis shows that the use of political-institutional variables fails to adequately explain religious dynamics, as measured in baptisms. The proposed hypothesis is that religious transformations are better understood when demographic variables are applied.Este artigo explora criticamente as explicações das dinâmicas religiosas na Argentina baseadas na Teoria da Secularização (TdS). A maioria de seus referentes usa as relações político-institucionais como variável independente; por isso, a TdS explica o que acontece com a direção da instituição e das organizações intermediárias. Esta pesquisa recolhe dados diretos dos registros de batismos durante um século na cidade de Córdoba (Argentina) e os compara com a taxa de natalidade. Essa análise mostra que o uso de variáveis político-institucionais não explica adequadamente o que acontece com as dinâmicas religiosas, medidas em batismos. A hipótese proposta é que as transformações religiosas são melhor entendidas quando variáveis demográficas são aplicadas.Fil: Morello SJ, Gustavo. Boston College; Estados UnidosFil: Rabbia, Hugo Hernán. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas; Argentina. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Politicas y Relaciones Internacionales; Argentin

Measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum above 4×10184{\times}10^{18} eV using inclined events detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory

A measurement of the cosmic-ray spectrum for energies exceeding $4{\times}10^{18}$ eV is presented, which is based on the analysis of showers with zenith angles greater than $60^{\circ}$ detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2013. The measured spectrum confirms a flux suppression at the highest energies. Above $5.3{\times}10^{18}$ eV, the "ankle", the flux can be described by a power law $E^{-\gamma}$ with index $\gamma=2.70 \pm 0.02 \,\text{(stat)} \pm 0.1\,\text{(sys)}$ followed by a smooth suppression region. For the energy ($E_\text{s}$) at which the spectral flux has fallen to one-half of its extrapolated value in the absence of suppression, we find $E_\text{s}=(5.12\pm0.25\,\text{(stat)}^{+1.0}_{-1.2}\,\text{(sys)}){\times}10^{19}$ eV.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO

Energy Estimation of Cosmic Rays with the Engineering Radio Array of the Pierre Auger Observatory

The Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA) is part of the Pierre Auger Observatory and is used to detect the radio emission of cosmic-ray air showers. These observations are compared to the data of the surface detector stations of the Observatory, which provide well-calibrated information on the cosmic-ray energies and arrival directions. The response of the radio stations in the 30 to 80 MHz regime has been thoroughly calibrated to enable the reconstruction of the incoming electric field. For the latter, the energy deposit per area is determined from the radio pulses at each observer position and is interpolated using a two-dimensional function that takes into account signal asymmetries due to interference between the geomagnetic and charge-excess emission components. The spatial integral over the signal distribution gives a direct measurement of the energy transferred from the primary cosmic ray into radio emission in the AERA frequency range. We measure 15.8 MeV of radiation energy for a 1 EeV air shower arriving perpendicularly to the geomagnetic field. This radiation energy -- corrected for geometrical effects -- is used as a cosmic-ray energy estimator. Performing an absolute energy calibration against the surface-detector information, we observe that this radio-energy estimator scales quadratically with the cosmic-ray energy as expected for coherent emission. We find an energy resolution of the radio reconstruction of 22% for the data set and 17% for a high-quality subset containing only events with at least five radio stations with signal.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO

Measurement of the Radiation Energy in the Radio Signal of Extensive Air Showers as a Universal Estimator of Cosmic-Ray Energy

We measure the energy emitted by extensive air showers in the form of radio emission in the frequency range from 30 to 80 MHz. Exploiting the accurate energy scale of the Pierre Auger Observatory, we obtain a radiation energy of 15.8 \pm 0.7 (stat) \pm 6.7 (sys) MeV for cosmic rays with an energy of 1 EeV arriving perpendicularly to a geomagnetic field of 0.24 G, scaling quadratically with the cosmic-ray energy. A comparison with predictions from state-of-the-art first-principle calculations shows agreement with our measurement. The radiation energy provides direct access to the calorimetric energy in the electromagnetic cascade of extensive air showers. Comparison with our result thus allows the direct calibration of any cosmic-ray radio detector against the well-established energy scale of the Pierre Auger Observatory.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DOI. Supplemental material in the ancillary file

Measurement of the Lifetime Difference Between B_s Mass Eigenstates

We present measurements of the lifetimes and polarization amplitudes for B_s --> J/psi phi and B_d --> J/psi K*0 decays. Lifetimes of the heavy (H) and light (L) mass eigenstates in the B_s system are separately measured for the first time by determining the relative contributions of amplitudes with definite CP as a function of the decay time. Using 203 +/- 15 B_s decays, we obtain tau_L = (1.05 +{0.16}/-{0.13} +/- 0.02) ps and tau_H = (2.07 +{0.58}/-{0.46} +/- 0.03) ps. Expressed in terms of the difference DeltaGamma_s and average Gamma_s, of the decay rates of the two eigenstates, the results are DeltaGamma_s/Gamma_s = (65 +{25}/-{33} +/- 1)%, and DeltaGamma_s = (0.47 +{0.19}/-{0.24} +/- 0.01) inverse ps.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables; as published in Physical Review Letters on 16 March 2005; revisions are for length and typesetting only, no changes in results or conclusion

Combined fit to the spectrum and composition data measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory including magnetic horizon effects

The measurements by the Pierre Auger Observatory of the energy spectrum and mass composition of cosmic rays can be interpreted assuming the presence of two extragalactic source populations, one dominating the flux at energies above a few EeV and the other below. To fit the data ignoring magnetic field effects, the high-energy population needs to accelerate a mixture of nuclei with very hard spectra, at odds with the approximate E$^{-2}$ shape expected from diffusive shock acceleration. The presence of turbulent extragalactic magnetic fields in the region between the closest sources and the Earth can significantly modify the observed CR spectrum with respect to that emitted by the sources, reducing the flux of low-rigidity particles that reach the Earth. We here take into account this magnetic horizon effect in the combined fit of the spectrum and shower depth distributions, exploring the possibility that a spectrum for the high-energy population sources with a shape closer to E$^{-2}$ be able to explain the observations

A search for ultra-high-energy photons at the Pierre Auger Observatory exploiting air-shower universality

The Pierre Auger Observatory is the most sensitive detector to primary photons with energies above ∼0.2 EeV. It measures extensive air showers using a hybrid technique that combines a fluorescence detector (FD) with a ground array of particle detectors (SD). The signatures of a photon-induced air shower are a larger atmospheric depth at the shower maximum (X$_{max}$) and a steeper lateral distribution function, along with a lower number of muons with respect to the bulk of hadron-induced background. Using observables measured by the FD and SD, three photon searches in different energy bands are performed. In particular, between threshold energies of 1-10 EeV, a new analysis technique has been developed by combining the FD-based measurement of X$_{max}$ with the SD signal through a parameter related to its muon content, derived from the universality of the air showers. This technique has led to a better photon/hadron separation and, consequently, to a higher search sensitivity, resulting in a tighter upper limit than before. The outcome of this new analysis is presented here, along with previous results in the energy ranges below 1 EeV and above 10 EeV. From the data collected by the Pierre Auger Observatory in about 15 years of operation, the most stringent constraints on the fraction of photons in the cosmic flux are set over almost three decades in energy