Pearl Millet Genetic Traits Shape Rhizobacterial Diversity and Modulate Rhizosphere Aggregation.

Root exudation contributes to soil carbon allocation and also to microbial C and energy supply, which subsequently impacts soil aggregation around roots. Biologically-driven soil structural formation is an important driver of soil fertility. Plant genetic determinants of exudation and more generally of factors promoting rhizosphere soil aggregation are largely unknown.

Potential of Sahelian Native Shrub Materials to Suppress the Spiral Nematode Helicotylenchus dihystera.

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a drought-tolerant cereal commonly grown for grain and fodder in arid areas throughout the world. Senegalese millet fields are infested with Helicotylenchus. The native evergreen woody shrub Piliostigma reticulatum is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa.

Association of shifting populations in the root zone microbiome of millet with enhanced crop productivity in the Sahel region (Africa).

This study characterized specific changes in the millet root zone microbiome stimulated by long-term woody-shrub intercropping at different sites in Senegal. At the two study sites, intercropping with woody shrubs and shrub residue resulted in a significant increase in millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.

A fecal test for assessing phosphorus overfeeding on dairy farms: evaluation using extensive farm data.

Managing P on dairy farms requires the assessment and monitoring of P status of the animals so that potential overfeeding may be minimized. Numerous published studies have demonstrated that for lactating dairy cows, increasing P concentrations in diets led to greater P excretion in feces. More recent work reported that inorganic P (P(i)) in 0.

A novel test for measuring and managing potential phosphorus loss from dairy cattle feces.

Pollution of waters resulting from phosphorus (P) runoff from agricultural land receiving long-term manure application is one of the most serious threats to water quality in many regions of the world. Of various approaches to alleviate the problem, reducing P surplus on animal farms through optimizing P intake and minimizing P excretion in manure offers a great opportunity. Here, we present a fecal P test method that has the potential to identify over-feeding of P in dairy cattle.

Phosphorus concentration and solubility in dairy feces: variability and affecting factors.

Recent data from phosphorus (P) feeding trials have demonstrated that P concentration in dairy feces is directly affected by P levels in diets and that farm P surpluses as well as potential environmental losses can be reduced through dietary manipulation. The current study was conducted to examine the variability of fecal P under farm conditions and to elucidate factors affecting the concentration and solubility of fecal P. Feed and fecal samples from >30 commercial dairies in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions were analyzed.