Biochar is colonized by select arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agricultural soils.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonize biochar in soils, yet the processes governing their colonization and growth in biochar are not well characterized. Biochar amendment improves soil health by increasing soil carbon, decreasing bulk density, and improving soil water retention, all of which can increase yield and alleviate environmental stress on crops. Biochar is often applied with nutrient addition, impacting mycorrhizal communities.

Influence of temperature and pH on induction of Shiga toxin in .

Shiga toxin-producing strains represent pathogenic group that is of concern in food production. The present study evaluated forty-eight isolates (11 with intact gene, while remaining isolates presented only -fragments) for Shiga toxin production. The four most expressive -producers (O26, O103, O145, and O157) were selected to evaluate effects of pH (3.

Effects of Heating, Pelleting, and Feed Matrix on Apparent Concentrations of Cereal Ergot Alkaloids in Relation to Growth Performance and Welfare Parameters of Backgrounding Beef Steers.

As the contamination of cereal grains with ergot has been increasing in Western Canada, studies were undertaken to evaluate the impacts of heating (60, 80, 120, or 190 °C) alone or in combination with pelleting on concentrations of ergot alkaloids. Fifteen samples of ergot-contaminated grain from Alberta and Saskatchewan were assayed for R and S epimers of six alkaloids (ergocryptine, ergocristine, ergocornine, ergometrine, ergosine, and ergotamine) using HPLC MS/MS. Five samples with distinct alkaloid profiles were then selected for heating and pelleting studies.