Leaf area index (LAI) is a key input in models describing biosphere processes and has widely been used in monitoring crop growth and in yield estimation. In this study, a hybrid inversion method is developed to estimate LAI values of winter oilseed rape during growth using high spatial resolution optical satellite data covering a test site located in southeast China. Based on PROSAIL (coupling ...

To meet the increasing need for bioenergy several raw materials have to be considered for the production of e.g. bioethanol and biogas. In this study, three lignocellulosic raw materials were studied, i.e. (1) winter rye straw (Secale cereale L), (2) oilseed rape straw (Brassica napus L.) and (3) faba bean straw (Viciafaba L.). Their composition with regard to cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, ...

This paper is the third in a series designed to demonstrate the application of rigorous, systematic hazard identification techniques to ecological systems. Here we use Hierarchical Holographic Modelling to identify the potential ecological hazards associated with the commercial release of herbicide tolerant oilseed rape. Hierarchical Holographic Models decompose complex systems into a series of...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Mounting concerns about balancing food security with the environmental impacts of agro-chemical use underpin the need to better understand the mechanisms by which crop plants, particularly during the vulnerable seedling stage, attract or repel herbivores. METHODS The feeding preferences of the mollusc Helix aspersa were determined for several oilseed rape (Brassica napus) ...

BACKGROUND Over-reliance on convenience foods, including ready-meals, has been suggested as one contributor to obesity. Little research has systematically explored the nutritional content of supermarket ready-meals. We described the nutritional content and cost of UK supermarket ready-meals. METHODS We conducted a survey of supermarket own-brand chilled and frozen ready-meals available in bra...

Despite the fact that Meals-on-Wheels have both nutritional and social aspects, research on the social objectives of the service is lacking. This study set out to develop an understanding of the social objectives of Meals-on-Wheels and to explore the extent to which they are met by Ireland's Meals-on-Wheels services. A literature review suggested that Meals-on-Wheels services can potentially me...

Ten diabetic patients were given test meals at breakfast and lunch on successive days to compare the acute glycaemic responses to meals either high (65%) (HC) or extremely low (12%) in carbohydrate; the latter was very high (71%) in fat (HF). The meals were isocaloric and fibre content, though higher in HC, was within the range of the average British intake for both diets. The mean fasting bloo...