| 1. |
- Alexandersson, Erik, et al.
(author)
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Nordic research infrastructures for plant phenotyping
- 2018
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In: Agricultural and Food Science. - : Agricultural and Food Science. - 1459-6067 .- 1795-1895. ; 27, s. 7-16
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Plant phenomics refers to the systematic study of plant phenotypes. Together with closely monitored, controlled climates, it provides an essential component for the integrated analysis of genotype-phenotype-environment interactions. Currently, several plant growth and phenotyping facilities are under establishment globally, and numerous facilities are already in use. Alongside the development of the research infrastructures, several national and international networks have been established to support shared use of the new methodology. In this review, an overview is given of the Nordic plant phenotyping and climate control facilities. Since many areas of phenomics such as sensor-based phenotyping, image analysis and data standards are still developing, promotion of educational and networking activities is especially important. These facilities and networks will be instrumental in tackling plant breeding and plant protection challenges. They will also provide possibilities to study wild species and their ecological interactions under changing Nordic climate conditions.
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| 2. |
- Andersson, Göran
(author)
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Transcriptome profiling of Finnsheep ovaries during out-of-season breeding period
- 2015
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In: Agricultural and Food Science. - 1459-6067 .- 1795-1895. ; 24, s. 1-9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Finnsheep is one of the most prolific sheep breeds in the world. We sequenced RNA-Seq libraries from the ovaries of Finnsheep ewes collected during out of season breeding period at about 30X sequence coverage. A total of 86966348 and 105587994 reads from two samples were mapped against latest available ovine reference genome (Oarv3.1). The transcriptome assembly revealed 14870 known ovine genes, including the 15 candidate genes for fertility and out-of-season breeding. In this study we successfully used our bioinformatics pipeline to assemble the first ovarian transcriptome of Finnsheep.
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| 3. |
- Andersson, Staffan, et al.
(author)
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Effect of storage time and temperature on stability of bioactive compounds in aseptically packed beverages prepared from rose hips and sea buckthorn berries
- 2015
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In: Agricultural and Food Science. - 1795-1895 .- 1459-6067. ; 24:4, s. 273-288
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rose hips and sea buckthorn berries contain high amounts of beneficial bioactive compounds. In this study the content and stability of natural vitamins and antioxidants were investigated in two fruit beverages made from rose hip powder, sea buckthorn berry puree and white grape juice concentrate, and wheat germ oil in one of the beverages. Beverages were formulated, pasteurised and filled aseptically in Tetra Brik packages and stored up to 35 days at 4 degrees C or 22 degrees C. Samples were analysed for the content of ascorbic acid, carotenoids, major phenolics, tocochromanols, total phenols and total antioxidant capacity as ferric reducing ability. The largest changes occurred during the first 5 days of storage, thereafter mainly ascorbic acid decreased. In the wheat germ oil supplemented beverage, alpha-tocopherol was more rapidly degraded. Negative correlations between the decrease of some carotenoids and tocochromanols, and the increase of some phenolics, suggest relationships of redox reactions specific to the amount of oil supplemented. From the present study we can conclude that additions of oil to beverages should be carefully selected to avoid oxidations of bioactive compounds. Furthermore, packaging of the beverages should be carried out at higher temperatures and thereafter it should be stored at low temperatures (4 degrees C), which decreased oxidation of all bioactive compounds except ascorbic acid.
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| 4. |
- Axelsson, Louise, et al.
(author)
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The meaning of animal well-being- for farmers and dairy farm employees
- 2024
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In: Agricultural and Food Science. - 1459-6067 .- 1795-1895. ; 33, s. 30-39
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Dairy farms in Sweden have undergone a structural change. The number of family farms has decreased, while the number of large dairy farms with employees caring for the animals has increased. This changing situation has created a new farming landscape. From that perspective, it is crucial to gain insight into what factors contribute to the well-being of humans and animals on big dairy farms. Twenty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted on three farms. Farmers and employees were interviewed. The material was analysed using a qualitative approach inspired by qualitative content analysis. For the farmers and employees, animal well-being was central for various reasons and from different perspectives. Despite the differences, the impact of animal well-being was interlinked between the two groups. An increased and deeper understanding of the different perspectives and needs arising from the different roles of farmers and employees can provide new knowledge about factors important for improvinganimal well-being.
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| 5. |
- Backlund, Krister, et al.
(author)
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An analytical procedure for determination of sulphur species and isotopes in boreal acid sulphate soils and sediments
- 2005
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In: Agricultural and Food Science. - : Agricultural and Food Science. - 1459-6067 .- 1795-1895. ; 14:1, s. 70-82
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An analytical scheme suitable for boreal acid sulphate (AS) soils and sediments was developed on the basis of existing methods. The presented procedure can be used to quantify and discriminate among acid volatile sulphide, cold chromium reducible sulphur, hot chromium reducible sulphur, elemental sulphur, sulphate sulphur, organic sulphur, total reducible sulphur and total sulphur. The sulphur fractions are recovered as either Ag2S or BaSO4 precipitates and can further be used for isotope analysis. Overlaps between sulphur species are common during speciation, and must be minimized. Some of these overlaps are caused by poor sampling and storage, inappropriate conditions during the distillation, or natural variations in the sample (e.g. Fe3+ interference and grain size). The procedural impact was determined by conducting tests on both artificial and natural samples containing one or several sulphur species. The method is applied on reduced sediment from an AS soil locality (Överpurmo) and a brackish lake (Larsmo Lake) in western Finland and the results, including S-isotopes, are discussed.;
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| 6. |
- Blix Germundsson, Lisa, et al.
(author)
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Collective agency as a leverage point in multi-actor innovation: Two case studies from Swedish horticulture
- 2023
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In: Agricultural and Food Science. - 1459-6067 .- 1795-1895. ; 32, s. 166-178
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study is to investigate how horticultural firms meet their need for innovation within the innovation system. A comparative process ethnography approach was applied to two cases of long-term collaboration between multiple actors in Swedish horticulture. The retrospective reconstruction of the cases through documentation and interviews allowed for triangulation of data in a grounded theory approach. The leverage points of the developing collaborative processes were found to be; having agency and a network approach, the forming of collective agency through social learning, enhancing resource access, and operationalization of results. The concept of leverage points is useful for understanding evolutionary changes in multi-actor collaborations. The use of the concept of collective agency contributes to the understanding of the dynamics of demand articulation, illustrating a reciprocal process between the actors' individual agencies, and evolving over time through their social learning. The results point to a need for policymakers and practitioners to develop a broader understanding of how actors work in the innovation system to enhance knowledge development and innovation.
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| 7. |
- Blomquist, Jens, et al.
(author)
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Long-term effects of liming on crop yield, plant diseases, soil structure and risk of phosphorus leaching
- 2023
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In: Agricultural and Food Science. - 1459-6067 .- 1795-1895. ; 32, s. 139-153
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study examined the long-term effects of applying structure lime (mixture of similar to 80% CaCO3 and 20% Ca(OH)(2)) and ground limestone (CaCO3) on soil aggregate stability and risk of phosphorus (P) losses 5-7 years after liming, incidence of soil-borne diseases and yield in winter wheat (Tritium aestivum), oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris). Lime was applied in 13 field trials in Sweden 2013-2015 and soil characteristics and crop yield were monitored until 2021. Seedbed (0-4 cm depth) aggregate (2-5 mm size) stability was improved to the same extent with both lime treatments compared to the untreated control, sampled 5-7 years after liming. Analyses and estimations of different P fractions (total P, PO4-P and particulate P) in leachate following simulated rainfall events on undisturbed topsoil cores sampled 6-8 years after liming revealed lower total P and particulate P concentrations in both lime treatments compared to the untreated control. Two sugar beet trial sites with soil pH <= 7.2 before liming showed an increase in sugar yield for structure lime and ground limestone as an effect of increased concentration of soil potassium (K-AL) and/or lower Aphanomyces root rot potential compared to the untreated control. Yield of winter wheat was not affected by application of either type of lime at sites with pH >7.2 but yield of oilseed rape decreased after application of structure lime.
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| 8. |
- Blomquist, Jens, et al.
(author)
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Site characteristics determine the duration of structure liming effects on clay soil
- 2022
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In: Agricultural and Food Science. - : Agricultural and Food Science. - 1459-6067 .- 1795-1895. ; 31, s. 136-148
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Adding carbonated or non-carbonated lime to clay soils can lead to changes in aggregate stability. In Sweden, 'struc-ture liming' with a mixed product (normally 80-85% calcium carbonate and 15-20% calcium hydroxide) is subsidised through environmental schemes to increase aggregate stability, thereby mitigating losses of particulate phosphorus (PP). This study assessed the effects of structure liming on aggregate stability in eight clay soils in southern Swe-den, using turbidity as a proxy for aggregate stability. Turbidity in leachate from simulated rain events performed on aggregates (2-5 mm) in the laboratory was measured one and six years after application of four treatments 0, 4, 8 and 16 t ha-1 of a mixed structure liming product. The effect on turbidity was analysed for all application rates, but also as the contrast between the unlimed control and the mean of the limed treatments, to identify the gen-eral effect. A significant effect of structure liming on turbidity was found after one year. The effect decreased over time, but was still detectable after six years. However, there was a significant interaction between trial and treat-ment, indicating different reactions on different soils and suggesting that not all clay soils are suitable for structure liming if the desired objective is to lower the risk of PP losses. Clay content, initial pH and mineralogy may explain the different responses to structure liming. These findings show a need for a site-specific structure liming strategy. As a tentative recommendation, soils with a minimum clay content of approximately 25-30% and pH <7 should be preferred for structure liming.
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| 9. |
- Blomquist, Jens, et al.
(author)
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Timing and conditions modify the effect of structure liming on clay soil
- 2021
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In: Agricultural and Food Science. - : Agricultural and Food Science. - 1459-6067 .- 1795-1895. ; 30, s. 96-107
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Two dates (early, normal) for application and incorporation of structure lime to clay soil were examined at four field sites, to test whether early liming had more favourable effects on aggregate stability. Aggregate size distribution measurements revealed a finer tilth at the early liming date (20 August) than the normal date (14 September). Aggregate stability estimated one year later, using as a proxy turbidity in leachate from 2-5 mm aggregates subjected to two simulated rainfall events, was significantly improved (11% lower turbidity) with early compared with normal liming date. Three years after structure liming, soil structural stability measurements on lysimeters (15 cm high, inner diameter 18 cm) subjected to repeated simulated rainfall events showed no significant differences in turbidity in leachate between the early and normal liming dates. However, there was a strong interaction between liming date and site indicating different reactions at different sites. Our results suggest that early spreading and incorporation can improve the success of structure liming, but only if soil conditions are favourable.
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| 10. |
- Båth, Klara, et al.
(author)
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Microbiota of an unpasteurised cellar-stored goat cheese from northern Sweden
- 2012
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In: Agricultural and Food Science. - Helsinki, Finland : M T T / Agrifood Research Finland. - 1459-6067 .- 1795-1895. ; 21:2, s. 197-203
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This qualitative study reports on lactic acid bacteria (LAB), yeasts and moulds isolated from three artisanal Swedish cellar-stored goat cheeses aged for 1, 3 and 5 months. Starter culture LAB dominated in the younger cheeses, and Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides, common in raw goats' milk, had persisted from the unpasteurised milk into all the cheeses. Non-starter LAB dominated in the 5 month cheese, in particular, Lactobacillus sakei, a meat-associated LAB not previously isolated from cheese. Debaryomyces hansenii, and Penicillium and Mucor species were dominant among the yeasts and moulds, respectively. The cheese rind was not formed primarily from Penicillium species as in traditional cheeses such as Camembert - rather, mycelium from Mucor mucedo contributed to rind formation. Mould species known to produce sterigmatocystin, aflatoxins or ochratoxin A in cheese were not isolated in this study; growth of mycotoxigenic Aspergilli may have been inhibited by the cool conditions in the earth-cellar (4-6 degrees C).
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