The reverse genetics detection of single base changes in genes of interest, whether induced or endogenous, is an extremely powerful tool for functional genomics. Two major thrusts of research in the grasses are characterizing the function of all the genes in various genomes and then comparing those functions among species. Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes (TILLING) has proven to be a ...

Modern agriculture’s dependence on the intensive use of inputs, such as chemical fertiliser and pesticides, leads to high environmental impacts and, possibly, vulnerability in food security, since most these inputs are imported from other countries. This calls for more sustainable resilient agricultural practices. Diversification crop rotations, e.g. by including perennial leys, enhances provis...

The nutritional image of bovine milk fat has suffered for years because of the association of saturated fatty acids and coronary heart disease. Thus the alteration of fatty acid composition has been a long-term strategy. Forages, even though containing a relatively low level of lipids, are the cheapest and often the major source of beneficial unsaturated fatty acids in ruminant diets. Recent pr...

BACKGROUND Grasses release the most widespread aeroallergens with considerable sensitization rates, while different species produce several pollen concentration peaks throughout the season. This study analyzed the prevalence of grass species in three different European city areas and compared the flowering period of these species with daily pollen concentrations and the symptom loads of grass p...

1. The mechanisms controlling soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) accumulation are crucial for explaining why soils are major terrestrial C sinks. Such mechanisms have been mainly addressed by imposing short-term, step-changes in CO 2 , temperature and N fertilization rates on either monocultures or low-diversity plant assemblages. No studies have addressed the long-term effects of plant functiona...

The purpose of the study was to identify plant compositional constituents that influence forage intake. Emphasis was put on the ratio in vitro digestibility of organic matter (IVDOM):NDF because preliminary work with cattle and a limited number of forages showed the ratio to account for more variation in intake than either IVDOM or NDF alone. The compositional constituents were tested in intake...

Grass carp is an herbivorous species, which is actually popular in Iran. Monogenean parasites, particularly members of the family Dactylogyridae, have been one of the main causes of mortalities in Iranian fish farms and therefore they have been subject of many studies in Iran. The main aim of the present study was to describe morphological and molecular characteristics of monogenean parasites r...