Water concentration and rate of decrease in shiitake cultivation log during fruiting body development, as measured by MRI.

Large shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes, pileus > 8 cm in diameter) are difficult to cultivate and account for only 3-5% of the total harvest. This study focused on the water absorption process within a log during the growth of fruiting bodies in order to increase the yield of large shiitake mushrooms. Konara oak logs (Quercus serrata, 85-95 mm in diameter, 290 mm in length) were inoculated with shiitake mycelium plugs and nine months later, young fruiting bodies developed, at which point the log was analyzed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) over a period of two weeks.

Enhanced water uptake in the longitudinal direction by shiitake mycelium in shiitake cultivation logs: water content distribution in logs measured by magnetic resonance imaging.

In the cultivation of shiitake mushrooms (), the farmer needs to know the time needed to water in order to adjust the water content of the logs. To study the enhanced water uptake in the longitudinal direction by shiitake mycelium in shiitake cultivation logs, six dried test logs (, diameter of 38 to 48 mm, length of 110 to 118 mm) were used. Three test logs had shiitake mycelium grown on them, and the remaining three test logs had mold generated on them.

Enhanced water uptake in the longitudinal direction by shiitake mycelium in shiitake cultivation logs: increase in effective diffusion coefficient based on mass of liquid water uptake.

Unlabelled: In the cultivation of shiitake mushrooms (), the farmer needs to know the time needed to water in order to adjust the water content of the logs. In this study, six test logs (, diameter of 38-48 mm, length of 110-118 mm) were used, of which some were dried, some had shiitake mycelia grown on them, and some had mold generated on them. Liquid water was supplied to the test logs by placing the longitudinal direction of the test logs along the line of gravity and immersing the bottom of the test logs in water.

Ultrastructure of early-stage infection in browning rhizomes of Indian lotus.

Browning rhizome (also known as "browning tuber disease") in Indian lotus () caused by the nematode is an emerging agronomic problem. In this study, the authors documented the early infection processes of in the apices of young rhizomes of Indian lotus by electron microscopy analysis using an artificial inoculation method. Nematodes were attracted to young rhizome apices, invading them via narrow indentations by 4.

Characterization of physicochemical and digestive properties of starches from various "dainagon" adzuki beans (Vigna angularis) cultivated in Japan.

We investigated the physicochemical properties of starches extracted from Vigna angularis variants Noto-dainagon, Kyoto-dainagon, dainagon, and erimo-type adzuki beans. The particle size was larger in the Noto-dainagon starch than in the other starches, but all starches displayed a C-type crystal structure in the X-ray diffraction analysis. The onset and peak temperatures of gelatinization were approximately 7 °C lower in the Noto-dainagon and Kyoto-dainagon starches than in the dainagon and adzuki bean starches.

A low temperature promotes anthocyanin biosynthesis but does not accelerate endogenous abscisic acid accumulation in red-skinned grapes.

The effect of temperature on the concentrations of anthocyanins and endogenous plant hormones [abscisic acid (ABA), auxin, and cytokinin] were investigated using the detached berries of two related red-skinned cultivars cv. 'Aki Queen' and 'Ruby Roman' of the table grape Vitis labrusca L. × Vitis vinifera L.

Physicochemical Properties of Starches from Lotus Rhizomes Harvested in Different Months.

We investigated the physicochemical properties of starches extracted from 8 lotus ( Gaertn.) rhizomes harvested in different months (September 2012 to May 2013). The physicochemical properties of the lotus starches depended on the harvest date.

Comparison of the Effects of Roasted and Boiled Red Kidney Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on Glucose/Lipid Metabolism and Intestinal Immunity in a High-Fat Diet-Induced Murine Obesity Model.

Consumption of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is associated with beneficial effects on lipid and glucose metabolism; however, the influence of the bean processing method on these health benefits is not well understood. To investigate this, we processed red kidney beans (RKBs), a variety of the common bean, by roasting and boiling and compared the physiological effects of the two preparations in male C57BL/6N mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

MRI visualization of shiitake mycelium growing in woodchip blocks used for shiitake mushroom cultivation.

In order to eliminate woodchip blocks where unwanted fungi have grown and select only blocks where shiitake mycelium are growing well, there is a need to develop a visualization technique for shiitake mycelium growing in woodchip blocks, and MRI is an obvious candidate technique. From the results of measurements of the woodchip bed in a small bottle (26 mm inside diameter) where shiitake mycelium was growing, the T relaxation time constant immediately after inoculation was 77.9 ± 5.

Comparison of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Communities in Soil Samples with and without Tomato Bacterial Wilt Collected from Different Fields.

Biocontrol agents (BCA) effectively suppress soil-borne disease symptoms using natural antagonistic prokaryotes or eukaryotes. The main issue associated with the application of BCA is that disease reduction effects are unstable under different field conditions. In order to identify potentially effective BCA among several fields, we compared prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities in soil with and without tomato bacterial wilt from three different fields, each of which had the same field management and similar soil characteristics.

Physicochemical Properties of Starches from Different Lotus Cultivars in Japan: Shinashirobana cultivar and Kanasumi-line No. 20.

We investigated the physicochemical properties of starches from rhizomes of two lotus ( Gaertn.) cultivars, Shinashirobana cultivar and Kanasumi-line No. 20, harvested at the same farm in Japan.

Mechanism Underlying the Onset of Internal Blue Discoloration in Japanese Radish (Raphanus sativus) Roots.

The internal blue discoloration observed in Japanese radish (Raphanus sativus L.) roots is a physiological phenomenon caused by storage following harvest at approximately 20 °C and poses a serious problem for farmers. Here, we describe the mechanism underlying the onset of internal blue discoloration of three cultivars: Hukuhomare, SC8-260, and Yuto.

Effects of inclusion levels of pelleted silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis Andress.) in the diet on digestibility, chewing activity, ruminal fermentation and blood metabolites in breeding Japanese Black cows.

To examine the effects of inclusion levels of pelleted silvergrass (PS) in the diet on digestibility, ruminal fermentation and nutrient status of breeding Japanese Black cows, four cows were allotted to a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment. Treatments were control fed a diet consisting of 89.4% Sudangrass hay and 10.

The Feeding Behavior of Adult Root-knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) in Rose Balsam and Tomato.

Meloidogyne incognita is a parasitic root-knot nematode that causes considerable yield loss in a wide range of plants. In this study we documented the movement of adult female nematodes for more than 2 hr in micro-slices of infected tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and rose balsam (Impatiens balsamina) plants using light and video microscopy. Stylet thrusting was followed by short pumping actions of the esophagus, dorsal esophageal gland ampulla, and metacorpal bulb.