Effect of Fruit Pruning and Potassium Application on Growth and Production of Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis).

This study aims to determine the effect of fruit pruning and application of Potassium on the growth and production of strawberry plants (Fragaria chiolensis). This study used a randomized block design (RBD) with 2 factors. The first factor was fruit pruning consisting of 4 levels: P0 = No pruning, P1 = 1 pruning, P2 = 2 pruning, P3 = 3 pruning. The second factor is Potassium fertilizer consisting of 4 levels: K0 = 0 g/plant, K1 = 2 g/plant, K2 = 4 g/plant, K3 = 6 g/plant. The observed variables were plant height (cm), flowering age (days), Fruit Weight (g), Fruit Volume (cm3), Sugar Content (%), Plant Wet Weight (g), and Plant Dry Weight (g). The results showed that pruning three fruits/plant increased plant height, fruit weight, fruit volume, sugar content, fresh weight and dry weight. Applying potassium fertilizer up to a dose of 6 g/plant can increase plant height, flowering time, fruit weight, fruit volume, sugar content, and wet and dry weight. Meanwhile, the interaction between fruit pruning and potassium application had no significant effect on all observed parameters.This study aims to determine the effect of fruit pruning and the application of Potassium on the growth and production of strawberry plants (Fragaria chiolensis). This study used a randomized block design (RBD) with two factors. The first factor was fruit pruning consisting of 4 levels: P0 = No pruning, P1 = 1 pruning, P2 = 2 pruning, P3 = 3 pruning. The second factor is Potassium fertilizer consisting of 4 levels: K0 = 0 g/plant, K1 = 2 g/plant, K2 = 4 g/plant, and K3 = 6 g/plant. The results showed that pruning 3 fruits/plant increased plant height, fruit weight, fruit volume, sugar content, fresh weight, and dry weight. Applying potassium fertilizer up to a dose of 6 g/plant can increase plant height, flowering time, fruit weight, fruit volume, sugar content, wet weight, and dry weight. The interaction between fruit pruning and potassium application had no significant effect on all observed parameters

Strategi pengembangan agrowisata jeruk petik sendiri di Kecamatan Merek Kabupaten Karo

Agrotourism is a series of tourism activities that develop agricultural activities as the main target of tourism. Agritourism covers various aspects of agriculture, including natural landscapes, agricultural activities, diversity in agricultural production, agricultural technology, and agricultural customs prevailing. The research purpose was to analyze and identify internal and external factors and develop appropriate strategies for orange self-picking agrotourism. The research was carried out in orange self-picked agrotourism in Merek District, Karo Regency, North Sumatra Province purposively. The research sample was 40 samples. Data analysis was carried out using the IFE (Internal Factor Evaluation), EFE (External Factor Evaluation) matrix, SWOT matrix, and AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Processes). The research results determined the 12 internal factors and 12 external factors. In addition, there were 13 strategies for developing the orange self-picking agrotourism.Agrowisata adalah serangkaian aktivitas pariwisata yang mengembangkan aktivitas pertanian sebagai sasaran utama wisata. Agriwisata mencakup berbagai aspek pertanian antara lain pemandangan alam, kegiatan pertanian, keberagaman dalam produksi pertanian, teknologi pertanian, dan adat istiadat di bidang pertanian yang  berlaku di suatu wilayah. Tujuan penelitian adalah melakukan analisis dan identifikasi terhadap faktor internal dan eksternal, dan pengembangan strategi yang sesuai untuk agrowisata jeruk petik sendiri. Penelitian dilakanakan di agrowisata jeruk petik sendiri di Kecamatan Merek, Kabupaten Karo, Provinsi Sumatera Utara secara purposive. Sampel penelitian sebanyak 40 sampel. Analisis data dilakukan menerapkan matriks IFE (Internal Factor Evaluation), EFE (External Factor Evaluation), matriks SWOT, dan Hasil penelitian ini menemukan 12 faktor internal dan 12 faktor eksternal. Selain itu didapatkan 13 strategi pengembangan agrowisata jeruk petik sendiri

Pengaruh aplikasi pupuk hayati mikoriza dan pupuk fosfor terhadap produksi tanaman kedelai (Glycine max L. Meriil)

This study aims to determine the production of soybeans with the application of mycorrhizal biological fertilizers and P fertilizers on the production of soybeans (Glycine max L. Meriil). This experiment was carried out at the Experimental Garden of the Faculty of Agriculture, Indonesian Methodist University, from August–October 2018. This study used a Randomized Block Design (RAK) consisting of Mycorrhiza (M) namely M0: 0 g/plant (control); M1: 5 g/plant; M2: 10 g/plant; M3: 15g/plant and Fertilizer (P), namely P0: 0 g/plant (control); P1:0.25 g/plant; P2: 0.5 g/plant; P3: 0.75 g/plant. All treatment combinations were 12 combinations and each treatment combination was repeated 3 times. Variables observed in this study include: flowering age (days); seed production per sample (g); seed production per plot (g); dry weight of 100 seeds (g). The experimental results showed that the interaction between mycorrhizal application and application of NPK fertilizer had a significant effect on seed production per sample, seed production per plot, dry weight of 100 seeds and not significantly different with flowering age. The highest seed production per sample was found in the M3P3 treatment of 26.32 g, the highest seed production per plot was found in the M3P2 treatment of 161.80 g and the highest dry weight of 100 seeds was found in the M3P3 treatment of 25.60 g. The mycorrhizal biofertilizer application treatment showed that the fastest flowering time was found in the M3 treatment, namely 36.58 days and 36.92 days in the P (P3) fertilizer treatment.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui produksi tanaman kedelai dengan aplikasi pupuk hayati mikoriza dan pupuk fosfor terhadap produksi tanaman kedelai (Glycine max L. Meriil). Percobaan ini dilaksanakan di Kebun Percobaan Fakultas Pertanian, Universitas Methodist Indonesia, dari bulan Agustus–Oktober 2018. Penelitian ini menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) yang terdiri dari dosis mikoriza (M) yaitu M0: 0 g/tanaman (kontrol); M1: 5 g/tanaman; M2: 10 g/tanaman; M3: 15g/tanaman dan Pupuk P (P) yaitu P0: 0 g/tanaman (kontrol); P1:0,25 g/tanaman; P2: 0,5 g/tanaman; P3: 0,75 g/tanaman. Seluruh kombinasi perlakuan adalah sebanyak 12 kombinasi dan tiap kombinasi perlakuan diulang sebanyak 3 kali. Peubah amatan yang dilakukan dalam penelitian ini antara lain: umur berbunga (hari); produksi biji per sampel (g); produksi biji per plot (g); bobot kering 100 biji (g). Hasil percobaan menunjukkan bahwa Interaksi antara aplikasi mikoriza dan pemberian pupuk NPK berpengaruh nyata pada produksi biji per sampel, produksi biji per plot, bobot kering 100 biji dan berbeda tidak nyata dengan umur berbunga. Produksi biji per sampel tertinggi terdapat pada perlakuan M3P3 sebesar 26,32 g, produksi biji per plot tertinggi terdapat pada perlakuan M3P2 sebesar 161,80 g dan bobot kering 100 biji tertinggi terdapat pada perlakuan M3P3 sebesar 25,60 g. Perlakuan aplikasi pupuk hayati mikoriza menunjukkan waktu tercepat berbunga terdapat pada perlakuan M3 yaitu 36,58 hari dan 36,92 hari pada perlakuan pupuk P (P3)

A fresh look at the evolution and diversification of photochemical reaction centers

In this review, I reexamine the origin and diversification of photochemical reaction centers based on the known phylogenetic relations of the core subunits, and with the aid of sequence and structural alignments. I show, for example, that the protein folds at the C-terminus of the D1 and D2 subunits of Photosystem II, which are essential for the coordination of the water-oxidizing complex, were already in place in the most ancestral Type II reaction center subunit. I then evaluate the evolution of reaction centers in the context of the rise and expansion of the different groups of bacteria based on recent large-scale phylogenetic analyses. I find that the Heliobacteriaceae family of Firmicutes appears to be the earliest branching of the known groups of phototrophic bacteria; however, the origin of photochemical reaction centers and chlorophyll synthesis cannot be placed in this group. Moreover, it becomes evident that the Acidobacteria and the Proteobacteria shared a more recent common phototrophic ancestor, and this is also likely for the Chloroflexi and the Cyanobacteria. Finally, I argue that the discrepancies among the phylogenies of the reaction center proteins, chlorophyll synthesis enzymes, and the species tree of bacteria are best explained if both types of photochemical reaction centers evolved before the diversification of the known phyla of phototrophic bacteria. The primordial phototrophic ancestor must have had both Type I and Type II reaction centers

Acceptability and Use of the Diaphragm and Replens® Lubricant Gel for HIV Prevention in Southern Africa

The acceptability and use of the diaphragm and lubricant gel were assessed as part of a large randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of the methods in women’s HIV acquisition. 2,452 intervention-arm women were enrolled at five Southern African clinics and followed quarterly for 12–24 months. Acceptability and use data were collected by face-to-face interviews at Month 3 and Exit. Participants were “very comfortable” with the physical mechanics of diaphragm use throughout the trial, and approval of the gel consistency, quantity and the applicator was high. At Exit, consistent disclosure of use (AOR 1.97, 95% CI: 1.10–3.55); an overall high diaphragm rating (AOR 1.84, 95% CI: 1.45–2.34) and perception of partner approval (AOR 1.75, 95% CI: 1.35–2.26) were the most significant acceptability factors independently associated with consistent use. Despite being female-initiated, disclosure of use to male partners and his perceived approval of the products were factors significantly associated with their consistent use

Pelvic organ prolapse and collagen-associated disorders

Contains fulltext : 109010.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and other disorders, such as varicose veins and joint hypermobility, have been associated with changes in collagen strength and metabolism. We hypothesized that these various disorders were more prevalent in both POP patients and their family members. METHODS: In this study, the prevalence of various collagen-associated disorders, including POP, was compared between POP patients (n = 110) and control patients (n = 100) and their first and second degree family members. RESULTS: POP patients reported a higher prevalence of varicose veins, joint hypermobility and rectal prolapse and were more likely to have family members with POP as compared to the control group (p < 0.01). In contrast, the family members of the POP group did not report a higher prevalence of collagen-associated disorders compared to the family members of the control group (p = 0.82). CONCLUSIONS: POP and other collagen-associated disorders may have a common aetiology, originating at the molecular level of the collagens.1 maart 201

The nucleoporin ALADIN regulates Aurora A localization to ensure robust mitotic spindle formation

The formation of the mitotic spindle is a complex process that requires massive cellular reorganization. Regulation by mitotic kinases controls this entire process. One of these mitotic controllers is Aurora A kinase, which is itself highly regulated. In this study, we show that the nuclear pore protein ALADIN is a novel spatial regulator of Aurora A. Without ALADIN, Aurora A spreads from centrosomes onto spindle microtubules, which affects the distribution of a subset of microtubule regulators and slows spindle assembly and chromosome alignment. ALADIN interacts with inactive Aurora A and is recruited to the spindle pole after Aurora A inhibition. Of interest, mutations in ALADIN cause triple A syndrome. We find that some of the mitotic phenotypes that we observe after ALADIN depletion also occur in cells from triple A syndrome patients, which raises the possibility that mitotic errors may underlie part of the etiology of this syndrome