Sclerotinia sclerotiorum or white mold is a leading problem in humid-cool temperature regions for crop production in major crops such as soybeans but also in several other important crops, totaling a known 408 crops (Suszkiw, 2007). Leading to an estimated per year income loss in the United States of 252 million dollars (Suszkiw, 2007). Early research to fight this disease problem focused on chemical applications. Due to the complicated application rates, timing, and the associated costs, research to fighting this disease is focusing on other genetic based methods. This led to a research in physical characteristics in plants and also common agronomical practices being studied. The majority of the research know being utilized surrounds genetic mapping (QTL’s) which “Soule et al. (2011) reported 35 quantitative trait loci for physiological resistance (Singh, 2014).” Other breeding efforts have focused on finding resistance in wild or other bean crops and cross breeding the resistance into other crop species (Singh et al., 2014). Finding resistance to white mold could majorly impact bean crops and also lead to other resistance in other crops. White mold is a persistent fungus that can last in the soil for several years waiting for the right conditions to germinate, making white mold a hard disease to not only predict but also fight. This disease persistence comes from several factors including it being systemic in the plant, seed transferable, and its’ long lasting
Stachybotrys Chartarum or more commonly known as Black Mold is by definition a possibly toxic mold that can produce toxins called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are produced by specific strains of mold which when found in food can cause foodborne illness, which in some cases may become fatal. There are varying mycotoxins found within fungi but this is one of the deadlier mycotoxins versus other mycotoxins, trichothecene. Despite the fact that many people do have mold allergies, this isn’t an allergic it is a reaction to trichothecene that is brought into your body by an outside source, breaking cells down. The purpose of this essay to talk about why black mold is such a serious issue, especially in food service and how it may be prevented.
Materials used for this is four pieces of white bread, four plastic ziploc bags, and a source of light and a source of darkness. Our procedure included six steps. First, you needed to acquire your four pieces of bread and four bags. Secondly, place the bread in the four bags. Thirdly, number the bags 1-4. Fourthly, place two bags in a well lit area (windowsill, lamp). Fifth, place the remaining two bags of bread in a dark area (drawer, box). Sixth and finally, record the amount of mold growth every few days for nine days using a data table.
After learning about different types of mold in lab as well as in lecture, my group and I were interested in studying mold more. We wanted to know which fruits from our selected few would rot the most and in which environment would they be most likely to rot or mold in. We learned
Genetically modified crops have become increasingly popular in the last few decades. Despite the fact that they are a controversial topic: we see GMOs as a growing technology that if regulated and tested will have great benefits when it comes to conserving water. One of the ways they are modifying genes is to make the plant more drought tolerant and take less water to germinate. In addition, to produce a better yield while practicing dry land farming and controlled irrigation water conservation. There are studies trying to modify the plants so that they can increase the rate of photosynthesis and depth of root structure. Scientists are also trying to decrease the rate of water loss through transpiration. “Corn, the crop with the highest global production, annually sustains losses on the order of 15 percent of potential yield attributable to drought. As the climate changes as a consequence of global warming, some climates will become more arid, increasing drought and resulting in up to 10 million more lost tons of maize per year. It has been estimated that 25 percent of these losses may be resolved by genetically modifying maize to be more drought tolerant.” (Clive.
The main concern behind most types of mold is respiratory health and can be especially dangerous to individuals with pre existing respiratory illnesses and also childs, kids and teenagers still in the developmental phases. Troubles breathing, coughing and sore throats are all basic effects mold can have on the body including other allergy type symptoms such as nasal irritation causing sneezing, runny or stuffy noses. Mold also opens people up to becoming more susceptible to fungal infections with can be deadly. Long term exposure to black mold can cause more severe reactions such as nausea, vomiting and bleeding and chances are at the point it has already damaged the house too. Water is often the main catalyst in the growth of mold as it is often all a mold spore needs to reproduce. Water covers the majority of the earth, makes up the majority organic compounds and is essential to life. It is in the air we breathe, the houses we live in and can be hard to control. It can form on windows, pipes and many other materials when the conditions are right and this often goes unchecked. Pipes can drip water from spots we generally don't even see to begin with into even harder spots to reach. Water can also travel in the form of steam and condensation into the smallest nooks and crannies of a house. It can soak into carpets, drywall and other porous materials that will
clip_image002Outline the role of photosynthesis in transforming light energy to chemical energy (including raw materials needed for this process)
Mold will never develop in a dry area with proper air circulation. It needs warm conditions and a supply of continuing moisture. Often, by the time it
The idea of changing natural processes to produce an “ideal” crop raises concern amongst environmentalists. Extracting bacteria from soil and inserting it into an entirely different species may appear unethical because of the changing of natural processes. Genetic engineering promotes producing a type of crop that is not susceptible to pests, but carries the risk of decreasing genetic variation (Green Peace). Once a crop is perfected, farmers then mass produce that specific crop, and the different variations of the crop are lost (Green Peace). Another concern regarding the use of the Bt protein is the increased risk of allergies (Smith). The transgenic protein comes from bacteria in the soil, and thus raises the concern of allergic reactions to the corn. Consumers are worried that the cry protein injected into Bt corn could have allergies unknown to them because of the cry protein’s characteristic of an extended digestion time. Consumers are also skeptical that genes of this antibiotic resistance could somehow be introduced to other bacteria in the soil, and possibly infect consumers with this bacteria. A major ethical concern of genetically modified crops, specifically Bt corn, is the lack of knowledge of the long term effects these crops have on humans and other organisms. Consumers are uninformed about the
Molds are eukaryotic (taxonomic group that includes organisms composed of one or more cells with visible nuclei and organelles) micro-organisms that are decomposers of dead organic material such as leaves, wood and plants. Mold grows by the extension of hyphae, which are considered to be tiny root hairs that extend across surfaces. In this way, small colonies of mold can expand to cover many square feet of material and it can also create spores that allow mold to inhabit the air and spread across various locations. (Moreau, 1974, p.125). The spores and hair-like bodies of individual mold colonies are too small for humans to detect without a microscope. These spores can survive in various conditions, such as hot, cold, dry and moist, and allows mold to grow. When spores are released they can be carried by air or water to new locations. According to Christensen (1975), some spores are so small that they are more affected by air currents than by gravity as it allows them to reach further locations. When spores land on a damp surface that has food and oxygen available, and the proper temperature, they will start to grow. Mold spores are ubiquitous in nature and are present everywhere, in outside air as well as indoor air. Wherever there is decomposing organic material mold and its spores are also present, which makes it
The subject of black mold gathered a lot of attention in the late 1990’s. Up to that time, little attention had been given to this topic and there were few government regulations regarding black mold.
Many farmers in Canada have welcomed major crop plants produced by genetic engineering. Four major transgenic crops including canola, corn, soy and sugar beet have been approved for commercial production in Canada (Canada & Agency, 2015). Transgenic organisms offer a range of benefits in the agricultural applications. Over many years, transgenic organisms have helped increase crop productivity by introducing drought tolerance and disease resistance to crops. Today, scientist has been able to select genes for disease resistant from other organism and relocate them to essential crops. For example, in the 1980, researchers from University of Hawaii teamed up with Cornell University to develop a papaya cultivar resistant to papaya
Genetic modification technology could be applied in producing other products as well as food. In India, Bacillus thuringensis (Bt) cotton is an example of a commercial product of GMPs. Bt cotton is designed to be more resistant to pesticides and insect pest. The main benefit of Bt cotton is that providing many job opportunities for cotton-producing households. Bt cotton could produce higher profits for farmers in addition to indirect benefits to the local economy. Because of its benefits, it is used in almost 90% of the country’s total cotton
Modern technology is already being used in agriculture. The best example is the use of gene technology or what’s popularly known as agricultural biotechnology in developing drought and herbicide resistant crops. Through genetic engineering, scientists have been able to introduce traits into existing genes to make crops resistant to drought and herbicides. One good example is the use of Bacillus Thuringiensis, commonly known as Bt. Bacillus Thuringiensis, is a bacterium that dwells in soil. It acts as a reservoir “of cry toxins and cry genes for production of biological insecticides and insect-resistant genetically modified crops.”
For the last several decades, the world has been plagued by widespread starvation and poverty. Economies are failing in numerous countries, and developing nations struggle to feed their inhabitants. As a result of the world’s mounting overpopulation, food has become scarce and resources are rapidly dwindling. However, modern science has provided a solution: agricultural biotechnology. Genetically engineered crops represent the bright future of agriculture. Crops like cotton, corn, and soybeans can have genes inserted or deleted into their cell membranes; this modification facilitates pest and virus resistance, drought tolerance, and even provides nutritional enhancement. Genetically altered crops produce much higher
The information gathered in this experiment may be relevant to those individuals who contend with food borne molds at home, or professionally. Because the rate of mold growth can vary depending