Influences of nitrogen fertilization and harvest time on combustion quality of four perennial grasses in a semi-arid Mediterranean climate

In order to develop sustainable biomass production, bioenergy crops should have both high biomass productivity and good combustion quality. In this study, we investigated the effects of different N fertilization rates (0, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha–1y–1) and harvest times (autumn and winter) on the chemical compositions of 4 promising bioenergy crops (miscanthus, switchgrass, giant reed, and bulbous canary grass) in southern Turkey, over 3 growing seasons. All of the crops tested in the study showed a positive response to N fertilization. However, N fertilization significantly decreased the Si content in all of crops. Moreover, in miscanthus, switchgrass, and bulbous canary grass, the lignin content was considerably increased by 100 kg N ha–1y–1, while additional N fertilizer rates did not cause any further significant increases in the lignin content. On the other hand, the winter harvest significantly reduced all of the mineral contents (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, and Si) in miscanthus, switchgrass, and giant reed, while the opposite trend was observed for bulbous canary grass. Our results may indicate that miscanthus had a better combustion quality than the other crops because it generally had the lowest mineral contents and highest Ca/K and Si/K ratios. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.British Association for PsychopharmacologyWe wish to thank the Scientific Research Project Unit of the Cukurova University (BAP), Adana, Turkey for their funding of this research, under project No. ZF2013D19

Effects of mixture ratio and row spacing in Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannonica Crantz.) and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) intercropping system on yield and quality under semiarid climate conditions

This study was conducted at the Middle Kizilirmak basin of Turkey (40°20'N, 33°58'E, elevation 550 m), during the 2011–2012 and 2012–2013 growing seasons, to determine the effects of different mixture ratios (sole Hungarian vetch (HV), annual ryegrass (AR); 80%HV+20%AR, 60%HV+40%AR, 40%HV+60%AR, and 20%HV+80%AR) and row spacings (20, 30, and 40 cm) on the forage yield and quality of the HV and AR intercropping system. The experiment was planned in a randomized complete block design, where a split-plot arrangement of mixture ratios was considered as the main plot with the row spacings considered as subplots. According to the mean of 2 years, the different mixture ratios and row spacings had a statistically significant effect on all of the properties. At the end of the research, among the different mixture ratios and row spacing interactions, the highest green herbage yield (33.4 t ha–1), hay yield (7.5 t ha–1), lowest neutral detergent fiber (52.2%), and crude ash (7.8%) rates were obtained from the 60%HV+40%AR mixture and 30-cm row spacing interaction. The highest crude protein (CP) rate (17%), CP yield (1156 kg ha–1) and ADF (39.5%) ratios were obtained from the 80%HV+20%AR mixture and 30-cm row spacing interaction. The highest RFV value (107) was obtained from the 80%HV+20%AR mixture and 20-cm row spacing interaction. These results show that increasing the HV ratio in the mixture has positive effects on the yield and quality, whereas raising the row spacing has adverse effects on the forage values. Therefore, 80%HV+20%AR or 60%HV+40%AR with a 30-cm row spacing interaction can be suggested for forage production in an HV and AR intercropping system. © 2014, Society of Field Crops Science. All Rights Reserved

Morphological response and ion regulation in maize (Zea mays L.) varieties under salt stress

A screening study was conducted in order to determine the genotypic differences of 20 maize varieties, and to evaluate the mechanism of ion regulation under salt stress conditions. The study was arranged in a completely randomized plot design with 4 replications under controlled conditions in 2013. Seeds were planted in plastic pots with a mixture of peatperlite at a ratio of 2:1. At 27 days after sowing, the salt (NaCI) treatment was started. The varieties were classified according to the severity of the leaf damage symptoms, using symptoms score of 1-5. The fresh and dry shoot weights, fresh and dry root weight, leaf number, plant height, stem diameter, relative water content, and the shoot and root concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium, and chlorine were also investigated. The varieties exposed to 250 mM NaCI application developed different mechanisms to be protected against toxic effects of Na ion. Salt tolerant varieties limited Na accumulation and acted selectively among ions. K and Ca concentrations were high in shoot and root in which Na concentration was low, and tolerant varieties had higher K/Na and Ca/Na ratios than sensitive varieties. In conclusion, the maize varieties showed a wide variation in their response to salt stress. Reliable and effective screening parameters, such as scale, shoot and root freshdry weight, ion content, for determination of salt tolerance level of the maize varieties were discussed. Overall findings suggest that PG 1661, Ada 523, Colonia, PG Pasha, and PG 1610 varieties were more tolerant varieties than the other ones

Salinity stress effect on morphological and physiological properties in giant reed (Arundo donax L.) [Kargı Kamışı (arundo donax L.)’nda tuz stresinin morfolojik ve fizyolojik Özelliklere etkisi]

Salinity is a significant abiotic stress factor that threatens agriculture in both arid and semiarid environments, affecting over 20% of the world’s irrigated land. In the present study, we have investigated that effects of different salinity levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mM NaCl) in giant reed (Arundo donax L.). Salt treatment was started as 50 mM and this concentration was increased day after day, and finally 250 mM concentration of NaCl was applied until harvest time. Stress responses of the giant reed were measured in early plant development stage. In conclusion, the giant reed showed large variation in their response to salt tolerance in different salt levels. The morphological parameters were reduced with increasing salt concentrations; important decreases occurred with 100 mM NaCl and the lowest values were obtained with 250 mM. The highest 0-5 symptoms score were determined in 250 mM levels. The fresh and dry weight, fresh and dry root weight decreased 27-60% and 13-77% compared to control groups, respectively. While the relative water content was obtained 85% in control plants, this parameter decreased 52.5% ration in 250 mM salt level. The increasing salt stress caused decreasing in chlorophyll content. With increasing of salt levels, Na ion content increased on the other hand K and Ca ions contents diminished. The results obtained from this experiment show that high salinity reduced plant growth and development in giant reed. In these levels, 150 mM NaCl concentration was determined at critical dose for plant development. © 2019, Centenary University. All rights reserved

Miscanthus, switchgrass, giant reed, and bulbous canary grass as potential bioenergy crops in a semi-arid Mediterranean environment

Perennial grasses have received particular attention as bioenergy crops in recent years due to their high biomass productivity and environmental benefits. The objective of the present study was to compare four perennial grasses: miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus Keng), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), giant reed (Arundo donax L.), and bulbous canary grass (Phalaris aquatica L.) in terms of biomass yield, energy balance, and biomass quality under four nitrogen fertilization rates (0, 100, 150, 200 kg ha–1y–1) and 2 harvest times (autumn, winter) over three growing seasons in the Mediterranean environment of Turkey. The crop biomass and net energy yields were optimized with none or 100 kg ha–1 y–1 N input in the study. Although the winter harvest resulted in significant yield reductions in all of the grass species, it improved the biomass quality of miscanthus, switchgrass, and giant reed due to reduced moisture and ash contents. On the contrary, the autumn harvest resulted in a considerably lower moisture and ash contents in bulbous canary grass, mainly because of leaf defoliation the during summer dormancy period. Giant reed produced the highest average biomass yield (between 12.86 and 36.78 t ha–1) over the three years, followed by miscanthus (between 12.75 and 23.54 t ha–1), switchgrass (between 11.88 and 18.91 t ha–1), and bulbous canary grass (between 5.21 and 10.83 t ha–1). On the other hand, bulbous canary grass provided the highest average energy ratio (19.7–64.5) over the three years, due mainly to a lack of energy input for irrigation. These results suggest that satisfactory biomass production can be achievable from miscanthus, switchgrass, and giant reed in the semi-arid Mediterranean environment under adequate moist conditions, but the irrigation requirement increases the energy cost, thus decreasing the energy ratio. In this respect, bulbous canary grass may be evaluated as an alternative bioenergy crop in the dry marginal lands of Mediterranean for sustainable biomass production. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.British Association for PsychopharmacologyWe wish to thank the Scientific Research Project Unit of the Cukurova University (BAP), Adana, Turkey for their funding of this research, under project No. ZF2013D19

Effects of different organic materials on forage yield and nutrient uptake of silage maize (Zea mays L.)

The use of organic materials as a source of nutrients on agricultural lands ameliorates soil physical properties as well as being an environmentally friendly way of disposing of their wastes. This study was conducted to determine effects of three organic materials (poultry litter, cattle manure, leonardite) on yield and nutrient uptake of silage maize. Poultry litter and cattle manure were applied based on phosphorus (P) or nitrogen (N) requirements of the crop whereas leonardite was applied only one dose (500 kg ha-1) and also combined with three inorganic fertilizer doses (100%, 75%, 50% of recommended inorganic fertilizer dose). According to the results, the highest green herbage yield and nutrient uptake values were observed in LEO-100 whereas N-based treatments significantly decreased yield and nutrient uptake of silage maize. The use of organic materials as a combination with inorganic fertilizer in silage maize cultivation is highly beneficial for sustainable forage production. © 2016 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Effects of different organic materials on forage yield and quality of silage maize (Zea mays L.)

This study was conducted at the experimental area of the Field Crops Department of Çukurova University (37°01'N, 35°18'E) in the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons to determine the effects of sole or combined applications of 3 organic materials (poultry litter, cattle manure, and leonardite) with supplemental inorganic fertilizer on the forage yield and quality of silage maize. The field trial was arranged in a complete randomized block design with 3 replications. Poultry litter (PL) and cattle manure (CM) were applied based on P or N requirements (PL-P, PL-N, CM-P, and CM-N) of the crop, whereas leonardite was applied in only 1 dose (500 kg ha-1) and was also combined with 3 inorganic fertilizer doses (100%, 75%, and 50% of the recommended inorganic fertilizer dose, called LEO-100, LEO-75, and LEO-50, respectively). The results show that the highest values of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) yields (18.3 t ha-1 and 1652 kg ha-1, respectively) were observed in LEO-100, whereas the lowest (11.2 t ha-1 and 758 kg ha-1, respectively) were observed in PL-N. In terms of forage quality parameters (CP, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and relative feed value), the P-based poultry litter and cattle manure treatments (PL-P and CM-P) gave similar results to conventional fertilization treatment, whereas the N-based treatments (PL-N and CM-N) significantly decreased forage quality. The combined use of organic materials with inorganic fertilizers instead of a conventional fertilization regime may be effective in maintaining forage supply but N-based treatments have the risk of restricting forage production from silage maize. © TÜBİTAK

Genetic correlation between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and schizophrenia

We have previously shown higher-than-expected rates of schizophrenia in relatives of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), suggesting an aetiological relationship between the diseases. Here, we investigate the genetic relationship between ALS and schizophrenia using genome-wide association study data from over 100,000 unique individuals. Using linkage disequilibrium score regression, we estimate the genetic correlation between ALS and schizophrenia to be 14.3% (7.05-21.6; P=1 × 10) with schizophrenia polygenic risk scores explaining up to 0.12% of the variance in ALS (P=8.4 × 10). A modest increase in comorbidity of ALS and schizophrenia is expected given these findings (odds ratio 1.08-1.26) but this would require very large studies to observe epidemiologically. We identify five potential novel ALS-associated loci using conditional false discovery rate analysis. It is likely that shared neurobiological mechanisms between these two disorders will engender novel hypotheses in future preclinical and clinical studies