Agriculture and Ecology

Plant photoreceptors, called “phytochromes” contain bilin chromophore. Light triggers the conversion between the red light-absorbing form, Pr, and the far-red-light-absorbing form, Pfr of bilin. A chemical construct  induced  plant development in absence of light. [1]

Dr. Eric A Davidson writes that meat consumption must be reduced. Fertiliser use and management of manure must change to avoid that the targets of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will not be met. [1]

Rauth et al 2012 report that prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos, measured in umbilical cord blood,  is associated with neurobehavioural deficits in humans and animals. Affected are, alertness, emotions, control of impulse and social relationship. Rauth and colleagues found in their study more than  4,39 Pikogramm Chlorpyrifos/gram umbelical blood., which is   even rather low, compared to samples of the blood bank of Cincinnati whhich present an average 9,9 Pikogramm pro Gramm. [1]

Scientists call for 50% reduction in mean per capita meat consumption in the developed world [1]

Jourdain et al. 2007 analysed the influence of wild bird migration routes and risk for pathogen dispersion. Birds can move fast over large distances, such as the the arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea), which travels  up to 50,000 km between Antarctica and northern Scandinavia during a period of one year. During their migration birds carry pathogens that can be transmitted between species at breeding, wintering, and stopover places. [1]

Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) spread into 11 countries in the sub-Saharan Africa region reducing yields of  bananas and plantains (Musa spp.) crops. Nucleotide sequences of DNA-S and DNA-R of BBTV isolates from these countries are genetically identical to the 'South Pacific' phylogroup which include Australia, Egypt, South Asia and South Pacific.  [1]

Rice stripe virus (RSV) is a member of the Tenuivirus genus. It causes chlorotic stripes, chlorosis, moderate stunting and loss of vigour.  Severe infections cause the leaves of the plant to develop brown to grey necrotic streaks. If infection is massive the plant dies. The virus occurs in rice, maize, wheat, oat, foxtail millet and wild grasses of the family Gramineae. It does not infect members of other families.

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules which have very few nucleotides (an average of 22). MiRNA genes are located in the intergenic regions of the plant genome. They regulate the post-transcriptional expression of proteins in plants and animals. MiRNAs are likely to be involved in most biological processes. [1]

Mining increases water scarcity in Ecuador endangering food security of the region. Rural population  from all parts of Ecuador claim that the traditional usage of natural water resources is the basis of their existence. The free access to natural and clean water resources is considered a human right, which was even stipulated in the constitution of Ecuador in 2008. [1]

Canada is the world’s third largest wheat exporter and a major player in global agriculture. The Canadian Wheat Board (CWB), established in 1935, is the only authorised buyer at the Canadian wheat and barley export markets. The Conservative government will put an end to the CWB’s monopoly by August. Glencore is eager to enter the Canadian market of the staple foods. [1]