The blind pursuit of high yields via increased fertilizer inputs increases the environmental costs. Relay intercropping has advantages for yield, but a strategy for N management is urgently required to decrease N inputs without yield loss in maize-soybean relay intercropping systems (IMS). Experiments were conducted with three levels of N and three planting patterns, and dry matter accumulation...

Many anti-cancer drugs fail in human trials despite showing efficacy in preclinical models. It is clear that the in vitro assays involving 2D monoculture do not reflect the complex extracellular matrix, chemical, and cellular microenvironment of the tumor tissue, and this may explain the failure of 2D models to predict clinical efficacy. We first optimized an in vitro microtumor model using a t...

intercropping systems are one of the best approaches in development of sustainable agriculture. based on this purpose, the present study was conducted to evaluate effect of strip intercropping on maize and bean growth analysis and their yield during 2009. the experiment was set up in a completely randomized block with 3 replications and 6 treatments based on replacement design. the treatments w...

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of the biostimulant Kelpak on true protein and simple sugar contents of Dactylis glomerata and Festulolium braunii at different nitrogen rates. A field experiment was set up as a randomised sub-block design (split-split-plot) with three replicates. The following factors were ha, pure-sown grass species and cultivars (monoculture). Protein co...

Genotypic diversity within host-plant populations has been linked to the diversity of associated arthropod communities, but the temporal dynamics of this relationship, along with the underlying mechanisms, are not well understood. In this study, we employed a common garden experiment that manipulated the number of genotypes within patches of Solidago altissima, tall goldenrod, to contain 1, 3, ...

Rutter, S. M. 2010. Review: Grazing preferences in sheep and cattle: Implications for production, the environment and animal welfare. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 90: 285 293. The evolutionary and domestic ancestors of sheep and cattle will have evolved diet selection behaviours that enabled them to select a diet that met their individual nutrient requirements whilst minimising the risk of being killed t...

In the previous two chapters, we learn about the importance and difficulties of prioritizing areas for conservation (Chapter 11), and the management of endangered species in these habitats (Chapter 12). In this chapter, we discuss the challenges of conserving biodiversity in degraded and modified landscapes with a focus on the tropical terrestrial biome, which is undergoing rapid deforestation ...

-Phragmites austrailis have been commonly planted on sludge treatment wetlands due to its high resistance to sludge waste; thus sludge treatment wetlands are commonly referred to as “reed beds”. Phragmites’ aggressive nature and high productivity allow this invasive plant species to form monoculture stands, alter ecosystem processes, outcompete and replace native species. Thus, native alternati...

Despite experimental evidence for effects of primary producer diversity and consumer species diversity on population and community processes, little is known about how diversity at these multiple trophic levels may interact. We conducted a mesocosm experiment to examine the independent and interactive effects of seagrass Zostera marina genotypic diversity and grazer species diversity on seagras...

It has long been recognized that major drivers of biodiversity loss include both the harvest of wild species and the conversion of habitat for productive purposes. Land that is converted may or may not be lost as habitat for many species. In some cases, monoculture production for example, land conversion reduces the number niches and hence the level of biodiversity. In other cases, it has the o...