Experimental Station

Information on seed viability and understanding of the specific nutritional requirements for asymbiotic seed germination of orchid species are essential for successful production of plantlets for either conservation or commercial breeding programmes. We compared seed viability and in vitro seed germination of three rare and threatened neotropical epiphytic orchid species from the Lycaste genus . Viability was assessed using a Tetrazolium test (TTC) and in vitro germination was evaluated on three culture media [Murashige and Skoog (MS), Knudson C (KC) and basic culture media 1 (BM-1)]. All species exhibited high seed viability (above 70%) but relatively low germination (below 30%) across all media tested. Although seeds germinated on all media tested, MS media showed the highest germination and high-quality plantlets. However, the fact that seed germination did not reach the highest potential, as indicated by the TTC viability test, signifies that further optimisation of in vitro germination media is required. We discuss the reasons behind the gap between viability and germination and suggest avenues for future research. These findings highlight the need for species-specific media optimisation to bridge the gap between seed viability and germination, and to establish effective conservation protocols for these threatened orchids.

Climate-driven shifts in the abundance and distribution of habitat-forming species are transforming how ecosystems produce and cycle carbon, nutrients and energy. Temperate kelp forests are increasingly being replaced by tropical or warm-affinity habitat-forming species like turf seaweeds and corals, i.e. 'tropicalized'. These changes can have cascading effects on associated species such as calcifying organisms, which contribute to sediment generation and carbon cycling via the production of calcium carbonate. This study quantified carbonate production and erosion across a temperate kelp forest and three tropicalized reef states following the 2011 marine heatwave: kelp-turf mix, warmer affinity seaweeds and coral-turf dominance. Results show that gross carbonate production was the highest in coral-turf reefs (1.85 ± 0.65 kg m-2 yr-1), lowest in warmer affinity seaweed reefs (0.04 ± 0.02 kg m-2 yr-1) and intermediate in temperate kelp forests (0.60 ± 0.19 kg m-2 yr-1). These differences were linked to the abundance of corals in coral-turf state and scarce calcifying algae in the warmer affinity seaweed state. Bioerosion played a moderate role in the overall budget, but the dominant bioeroders differed between habitats: urchins in temperate reefs contributed 80% less than parrotfishes in tropicalized reefs. Overall, tropicalization can either increase or decrease carbonate availability, depending on the dominant habitat formers. These shifts may significantly impact inorganic carbon cycling and the structural and functional integrity of coastal reef ecosystems.

A series of functionalized carbon catalysts were synthesized via a bottom-up hydrothermal carbonization of glucose in the presence of inorganic precursors, such as Keggin-type heteropolyacids (HPAs: H3PMo12O40 and H3PW12O40) and transition metals (M: Co and Ni), or both. These materials were evaluated in cellulose conversion using a stepwise process that combined mechanochemical and hydrothermal assistance. The influence of reaction parameters─temperature, milling speed and duration, reaction time, and catalyst loading─on conversion and selectivity was systematically studied. The catalysts exhibited activity in cellulose hydrolysis to glucose, achieving moderate yields under mild conditions: (MoO2/C (38.5%); Co,Ni,HPW/C (38.3%); Co,HPW/C (37.3%); Co/C (34.4%); Co,Ni,MoO2/C (33.4%); Co,MoO2/C (31.8%); CS-COOH (29.8%), and HPW/C (22.5%)). Conversion values indicated a correlation between mechanocatalytic activity and the surface acidity. These findings highlight the potential of such composites as promising heterogeneous acid catalysts. Moreover, their catalytic activity can be enhanced through surface engineering of carbon supports to tailor Brønsted and Lewis acidity, offering distinctive acid site strengths. This integrative strategy provides a cost-effective and safe alternative to conventional acid catalysts, enabling synergistic interactions between Brønsted and Lewis sites for biomass valorization. Ultimately, this approach facilitates the selective production of value-added chemicals, advancing sustainable practices and supporting a circular economy.

Understanding epidemiological risk factors is absolutely crucial for minimizing livestock mortality, particularly in sheep farming. A comprehensive study analyzed a decade of data from the Sheep Breeding Research Station, Sandynallah, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, to definitively assess the influence of factors such as age, breed, sex, lambing period, season, weaning period, fecundity and weather parameters on sheep mortality. The results unequivocally showed that 58.6% of the deaths occurred in young sheep, while a staggering 60.7% of the overall mortality was in females. The main lambing period exhibited a significantly higher birth rate and was responsible for a striking 84.8% of the deaths. Notably, summer months accounted for a substantial 49.3% of all mortalities, the highest among all seasons. Pre-weaning lambs experienced an alarming 74.82% of the deaths, compared to a mere 25.18% in the post-weaning period. Furthermore, weather parameters, especially summer and rainfall, were unequivocally established as major contributors to the mortality. In conclusion, this study conclusively found that sheep mortality in a closed nucleus flock was undeniably linked to epidemiological risk factors including young age, female sex, lambing period, summer season, weaning stage and environmental factors like temperature, humidity, wind speed, frost, and rainfall. These findings provide indisputable insights for reducing mortality in similar sheep farming environments.

The quality of Chinese coastal waters is crucial for maintaining environmental health, supporting economic activities, and ensuring public safety. Due to Chinas extensive coastal area, researchers typically focus on analyzing specific regions. In this study, we have gathered data published by the Chinese government and evaluated the water quality of the entire Chinese coastal area. By geographically analyzing changes in water quality over the past six years, we assess the overall trend in Chinese coastal water quality. Additionally, we identify several locations with severe contamination and highlight the reasons behind such pollution. In this research, we concentrate on analyzing six diverse parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), inorganic nitrogen, active phosphate, and petroleum), which are the most significant indicators used in assessing water quality. Furthermore, we employed advanced statistical analysis to evaluate current water quality based on these six chemical factors. Nevertheless, we utilize linear regression to determine the weight of each factor to categorize water into different levels defined by the government. In the end, we provide several suggestions for the Chinese government for their future work in protecting water in Chinese coastal areas.

The aim of the study. To demonstrate the main regularities in the formation of moisturization regime and to determine the impact on the implementation of agropotential and restoration of fertility of chornozem under the effect of crop rotations, fertilization, and tillage in conditions of current climate changes in the central Forest-Steppe. Methods of studies. Field method (to select samples in the depth of chornozem in different study periods), laboratory method (for thermogravimetric determination of the productive moisture reserves during the study period), mathematical, statistical, and comparative evaluative methods (to substantiate the reliability of the obtained moisture reserves in soil and elaboration of statistical models of interactions). Results of studies. On average, in 75 years of observations, the average moisture reserves in a one-meter-deep layer were 61.6 mm in November, and 51.5 mm by the median, that tended to the lower typical value which demonstrated a decrease in autumn moisture reserves. The oscillation coefficients (Коs) and Кvar were 40% and 54.4%. The moisture reserves in April, on average and by the median value, were 156–155 mm at Коs=37% and Кvar=10.3%. The average accumulation of moisture in the one-meter-deep layer in the cold period of the year was 94 mm with the median value of 99 mm, which tended more to the higher typical value (L0.75) at Коs=98% at Кvar=25.3%. In July, the moisture reserves in the one-meter-deep layer were 50.1 mm and by the median value — 45.5 mm which demonstrated tending to the lower typical value (L0.25) and the intensification of drought conditions, when the index of moisturization (Im) was within 0.77–0.88 (weakly arid conditions), and at the maximal typical value of Im=1.13–1.22 (wet conditions) at Кos=65% and Кvar=18.6%. The average loss of moisture from soil in April–July was –105 mm, which corresponded to the median value and tended to the higher typical values of losses (–108...–122 mm) at Кos=33% and Кvar=9.3%, which is a stabilized loss, tending to increase. Between the parameters of productive moisture content and climate indices, there were direct and indirect correlational relations of high correlation rate (R=±0.61–0.95±0.02, R2=37–0.90), and the relations between Im and Dm increased to strong correlation (R=±0.68–0.96±0.03, R2=0.46–0.65). It was found that in the 0–30 cm layer of podzolic chornozem, the average humus content after crop rotation with plowing was 2.34%, under surface tillage, the humus content increased by 0.15% (10 years of surface tillage), and in case of Nо-till, the humus content increased by 0.07–0.08%. In the crop rotation on typical chornozem, the average reserves of С–СО2 in the 0–30 cm layer of chornozem were 273 t/ha, and in the 0–20 cm soil layer — 182 t/ha. The average reserves of С–СО2 under No-till were 19.8 t/ha higher compared to plowing, and the reserves of С–СО2 in the 0–30 cm layer of soil started from 296 t/ha, which was 21–23 t/ha higher compared to plowing. Under surface tillage, the average reserves of С–СО2 were 14 t/ha higher than under plowing. The reserves of sequestered С–СО2 in the 0–30 cm layer corresponded to the interval of values of 285–300 t/ha and was higher than under plowing but tended to decrease compared to Notill. The reserves of С–СО2 in the 0

Reducing nitrogen (N) fertilizer input while sustaining maize yield and alleviating nitrogen leaching is a significant challenge due to economic and practical feasibility, as well as the environmental friendliness of this process. However, it remains unclear whether reducing nitrogen by using a blend of slow/controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer (SCRNF) with urea at an equal nitrogen rate can achieve the desired yield and mitigate nitrogen leaching. A field experiment consisting of four treatments (240 kg·N·hm−2, 100% urea, CK; 240 kg·N·hm−2, 50% N from urea and 50% N from SCRNF, N100%; 192 kg·N·hm−2, 50% N from urea and 50% N from SCRNF under 20% N reduction, NR20%; 144 kg·N·hm−2, 50% N from urea and 50% N from SCRNF under 40% N reduction, NR40%) was conducted in Shanxi from 2019 to 2021. In this study, we explored the effects of a mixture of SCRNF and urea on grain yield, yield components, main agronomic traits, nitrogen partial factor productivity, and content of nitrate/ammonium nitrogen in soil in maize under decreasing amounts of nitrogen fertilization. The results showed that the mixture of SCRNF and urea can improve spring maize yield under reduced nitrogen input, with its yield and yield component factors generally performing better than those of the control. The yield of the NR20% treatment was highest in 2020 and 2021, increasing by 8.8% and 11.7% over CK, respectively; the NR20% and NR40% treatments had no significant impact on the main agronomic traits of spring maize, such as plant height, leaf area, shoot biomass, and SPAD value of the ear leaf, compared with CK; the NR20% and NR40% treatments significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced nitrogen partial factor productivity but reduced nitrate and ammonium nitrogen in 0~200 cm soil over the three years compared with CK. Therefore, reducing nitrogen input by 20% with 50% N from urea and 50% N from biodegradable film-coated urea was an appropriate nitrogen fertilizer management measure for mitigating environmental risks without compromising maize yield in North China.

Radiation-induced lymphopenia (RIL) remains a challenging side effect of radiation therapy that is often associated with poor prognosis and reduced overall survival. Although CD8+ T cells are highly radiosensitive, the dynamics of quantitative and qualitative changes to the CD8+ T cell pool following exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation (IR) remain understudied. Herein, we sought to determine the long-term impact of sublethal whole body irradiation (WBI) on the antigen-inexperienced (Ag-inexperienced) CD8+ T cell pool, comprising naive (TN) and virtual memory (TVM) CD8+ T cells. We show that although both TN and TVM cells gradually regenerated after WBI-induced loss, TN recovery occurred only through de novo thymic production. Despite the numerical restoration, the subset and phenotypic composition of postrecovery Ag-inexperienced CD8+ T cells did not qualitatively recapitulate the pre-WBI state. Specifically, the frequency of TVM cells is increased, especially during the early stages of recovery. Within the TN subset, a lasting overrepresentation of Ly6C+CD122+ cells and an altered TCR clonotype diversity are also observed. Overall, our data highlight the dynamic changes to the Ag-inexperienced CD8+ T cell pool upon recovery from RIL.