Genetic Determinants for Metal Tolerance and Antimicrobial Resistance Detected in Bacteria Isolated from Soils of Olive Tree Farms

Copper-derived compounds are often used in olive tree farms. In a previous study, a collection of bacterial strains isolated from olive tree farms were identified and tested for phenotypic antimicrobial resistance and heavy metal tolerance. The aim of this work was to study the genetic determinants of resistance and to evaluate the co-occurrence of metal tolerance and antibiotic resistance genes. Both metal tolerance and antibiotic resistance genes (including beta-lactamase genes) were detected in the bacterial strains from Cu-treated soils. A high percentage of the strains positive for metal tolerance genes also carried antibiotic resistance genes, especially for genes involved in resistances to beta-lactams and tetracycline. Significant associations were detected between genes involved in copper tolerance and genes coding for beta-lactamases or tetracycline resistance mechanisms. A significant association was also detected between zntA (coding for a Zn(II)-translocating P-type ATPase) and tetC genes. In conclusion, bacteria from soils of Cu-treated olive farms may carry both metal tolerance and antibiotic resistance genes. The positive associations detected between metal tolerance genes and antibiotic resistance genes suggests co-selection of such genetic traits by exposure to metals.

GREEN MARKETING MIX BERPENGARUH TERHADAP KEPUTUSAN PEMBELIAN PRODUK BIG TREE FARMS DI LOTUS FOOD SERVICES

The green marketing mix approach is believed to be able to increase the integration of environmental issues in all aspects of company activities. This study aims to determine the effect of green marketing mix variables (green product, green price, green place and green promotion) on purchasing decisions for Big Tree Frams products. The research sample was determined by a purposive sampling method of 125 consumers. Data collection was carried out by distributing questionnaires to consumers of Big Tree Farms products at Lotus Food Services Jimbaran, Badung. The data analysis technique in this study used multiple linear regression analysis. The conclusions from the results of the study are, Green marketing mix (green product, green price, green place and green promotion) has a positive and partially significant effect on the purchasing decisions of Big Tree Frams products at Lotus Food Services Jimbaran, Badung. Keyword : Green Marketing Mix,Buying Decision

Soil Erosion in Endangered Chestnut Tree Farms of Rural Areas (Navezuelas, Cáceres, Spain)

The municipality of Navezuelas (Cáceres, Spain) is regionally known for the cultivation of chestnut trees on steep slopes, which form a landscape of bocage dominated by small farms (family property). Nowadays, this traditional system is endangered, on one hand, as consequence of ageing, depopulation and land abandonment, and on the other hand, due to the reduction of rainfall, tree diseases and changes in land management that are provoking land degradation processes little studied so far. Soil erosion is probably the most important process since farmers need to keep large patches of bare soil (particularly beneath the trees) in autumn in order to facilitate the collection of chestnuts from the ground. Therefore, the main goal of this research was to study soil erosion in chestnut tree farms aimed at verifying whether it is a remarkable process. To achieve this goal, 18 erosion plots (≈2 m2 in size) were installed to quantify soil and water losses in paired plots (open vs. tree) within a farm of 5 ha with chestnut trees planted in different times (1960s vs. 1990s). Total rainfall per event, runoff coefficient, the percentage of bare soil and tree cover and the concentration of sediments were quantified after each significant event in each plot during the whole hydrologic year 2017/2018. The results showed average values of bare soil above 50% during the harvesting (October–November) and above 40% in winter when sheep were introduced to eat the remains of the harvest. Tree cover followed a natural cycle of deciduous trees excepting an occasional pruning. Regarding soil erosion the highest rates were observed in open spaces within the part of the farm with younger trees (av. 57.1 g m-2 yr-1, range: 35.6–87.3 g m-2 yr-2) and the lowest one beneath the trees within the part with older trees (av. 3.4 g m-2 yr-2, range: 0.4–22.7 g m-2 yr-2). In fact, the highest single valued quantified was 67.2 g m-2 in an event of 37.5 l m-2 in October (≈100% bare soil). Obviously, these erosion rates were positively correlated with the runoff coefficient (r: 0.755, p < 0.001) that averaged 8.5% in the open spaces near the youngest trees. Our findings suggest soil erosion is not a problematic process yet in Navezuelas and confirm the protector effect of trees avoiding soil erosion. Nevertheless, they are only preliminary results measured during a relative dry year (626.9 l m-2, ≈60% out of a normal year).

A Novel Tree Height Extraction Approach for Individual Trees by Combining TLS and UAV Image-Based Point Cloud Integration

Research Highlights: This study carried out a feasibility analysis on the tree height extraction of a planted coniferous forest with high canopy density by combining terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) image–based point cloud data at small and midsize tree farms. Background and Objectives: Tree height is an important factor for forest resource surveys. This information plays an important role in forest structure evaluation and forest stock estimation. The objectives of this study were to solve the problem of underestimating tree height and to guarantee the precision of tree height extraction in medium and high-density planted coniferous forests. Materials and Methods: This study developed a novel individual tree localization (ITL)-based tree height extraction method to obtain preliminary results in a planted coniferous forest plots with 107 trees (Metasequoia). Then, the final accurate results were achieved based on the canopy height model (CHM) and CHM seed points (CSP). Results: The registration accuracy of the TLS and UAV image-based point cloud data reached 6 cm. The authors optimized the precision of tree height extraction using the ITL-based method by improving CHM resolution from 0.2 m to 0.1 m. Due to the overlapping of forest canopies, the CSP method failed to delineate all individual tree crowns in medium to high-density forest stands with the matching rates of about 75%. However, the accuracy of CSP-based tree height extraction showed obvious advantages compared with the ITL-based method. Conclusion: The proposed method provided a solid foundation for dynamically monitoring forest resources in a high-accuracy and low-cost way, especially in planted tree farms.

Developing A Simple Water Use Model of Ilex x ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ from Liners to Four Meter Tall Trees

To meet minimum spring flows, water management districts in Florida sought to make both agriculture and urban landscapes water efficient, which includes tree farms. Ilex spp. (holly) trees are endemic to Central Florida and among the most popular landscape trees for their hardness, bright colors and go-anywhere size. To provide a basis for irrigation allocations both during production and in landscapes, daily actual evapotranspiration (ETA) for three holly trees were measured with weighing lysimeters over 5.75 years, beginning with rooted cuttings and continuing until trees averaged 4.3 meters in height. Empirical models were derived to calculate ETA based on crown horizontal projected area or trunk caliper, adjusted daily by changes in evapotranspiration (ETo). Average ETA to produce these hollies was 20 432 L cumulative over 5.75 years.

A Survey of Phytophthora spp. Associated with Abies in U.S. Christmas Tree Farms

Multiple Phytophthora spp. are known to cause Phytophthora root rot (PRR) on Abies spp. Varying host susceptibilities and regional differences in Phytophthora community compositions complicate disease avoidance and management for Christmas tree growers and conifer nurseries. A survey of 32 Christmas tree farms in seven U.S. states representing four major Christmas tree production regions was conducted in 2012 to 2013 to characterize current distributions of root-rotting Phytophthora spp. and assess host responses to disease. Symptomatic tissues from lesion margins on roots and crowns were plated on selective medium to recover Phytophthora Cultures were identified by DNA sequencing of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer and mitochondrial cox I regions. Phytophthora cambivora was the prominent PRR species in western Washington and Oregon, while P. cinnamomi was prevalent in California and North Carolina. In the eastern United States, the undescribed P. taxon kelmania was isolated frequently and was capable of killing fir species considered tolerant of PRR. Completion of Koch’s postulates confirmed pathogenicity of 12 previously unpublished Phytophthora–fir associations that were observed during this survey. Information regarding regional pathogen species prevalence and relative host susceptibilities will facilitate disease prevention by improving site management strategies for Phytophthora suppression.