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    Effects of Abiotic Stress Associated with Climate Change on Potato Yield and Tuber Quality Under a Multi-environment Trial in New Zealand
    (Springer Nature, 2024-03-06) Siano AB; Roskruge N; Kerckhoffs H; Sofkova-Bobcheva S
    In the 2018/19 growing season, a multi-environment trial in Opiki, Hastings, and Ohakune located in three different regions of the North Island of New Zealand was conducted to evaluate responses of selected potato cultivars to abiotic stress associated with climate change. Heat and drought stresses were evident with supra-optimal temperatures (> 25 °C) in Opiki and Hastings and sub-optimal rainfall (< 500 mm) in Opiki, which influenced the different morpho-physiological characteristics of the potato crop, ultimately affecting yield and tuber quality. These abiotic stresses also increased the incidence of malformation, growth cracks, and second growth in tubers reducing the total and marketable tuber yields by 43% and 45%, respectively. In addition, the genotype × environment analysis showed that Ohakune had the most favourable environmental conditions for potato production since all cultivars in this site had superior marketable tuber yields. ‘Taurus’ was the most stable and adaptable cultivar across trial sites (wide adaptation), whilst ‘Hermes’ and ‘Snowden’ were more adapted under Opiki and Hastings conditions (specific adaptation), respectively. As established in this study, heat and drought stresses have significant effects on the morpho-physiology, yield, and tuber quality of commercial potato cultivars in New Zealand.
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    Genetic variation in surface temperature measured using infra-red thermography and genetic associations with production traits in grazing dairy cattle
    (Taylor and Francis Group, 2024-01-01) Douie JS; Lopez-Villalobos N; Dukkipati VSR; Udy G
    Increasing global temperatures and the incidence of extreme weather conditions will result in heat stress becoming a greater issue in production animals. Genetic selection and breeding for heat-tolerant animals have been promoted as a possible mitigation strategy in dairy cattle. The objectives of this study were to obtain in-field skin temperature measurements of the eye, muzzle and udder using infra-red thermography to examine the genetic variation in skin temperature within cows of a dairy herd and to estimate the genetic correlations between skin temperature and production traits. Thermal images and herd test records were obtained for the dairy herd at Massey University’s dairy farm 1. Estimates of (co)variances were obtained using the JWAS program with univariate and bivariate animal models. The heritability estimates for the eye, muzzle and udder temperature were low to moderate at 0.20, 0.24 and 0.39, respectively. All genetic correlations between production and temperature traits were positive except for eye temperature with milk yield and protein yield which was negative and weak. These results indicate that it may be possible to select for a greater skin temperature, however, these results need to be validated using a larger sample size.
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    Adaptation to exercise for maximal aerobic capacity, submaximal aerobic efficiency, and cardiovascular adjustments : does the addition of heat stress induce greater improvements than exercise alone? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2015) Black, Melissa
    Background: Exercising in a hot environment often feels harder, and puts a greater amount of strain on the body than exercise in cooler temperatures. The extra strain caused by the heat has been utilised and explained extensively in the previous literature, by which training in the heat, and the concurrent physiological adaptations that arise (heat acclimation), has been shown to improve exercise performance in hot environments. It appears that the effect that heat acclimation can have on exercise performance in temperate environments, as opposed to hot, has been relatively overlooked in the literature. The physiological adaptations associated with the extra strain whilst exercising in the heat may not only induce performance benefits in temperate environments, but may also lead to positive resting cardiovascular adjustments. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine what effect exercising with additional heat stress (35°C) has on maximal and submaximal aerobic capacity/performance in a moderate environment (18°C). The physiological adaptations obtained with exercise and additional heat stress was investigated, along with the impact they have on resting cardiovascular measures. Methodology: In a randomised, matched control group study, eighteen moderately active males participated in a maximal and submaximal aerobic test, followed by an 11-day training protocol (five consecutive days, one day rest, six consecutive days) consisting of 60 minutes of incline walking each day on a treadmill at 50% of their 2max in either a hot (35°C, 45% RH) or moderate (18°C, 53% RH) environment. Within four ± one day of completing the training protocol, the maximal and submaximal aerobic tests were repeated. Maximal aerobic capacity was measured in the maximal test; with submaximal 2, heart rate and lactate measured to indicate changes during exercise. Core temperature, heart rate, plasma volume, forearm blood flow, whole body sweat rate, local sweat rate, and perceptual measures were taken throughout the 60 minutes of walking over the 11- day training period, in combination with resting heart rate and blood pressure measures to determine cardiovascular adjustments. Results: Exercise, with or without heat stress improved maximal aerobic capacity by 7.0 ± 0.9 mL·kg- 1·min-1 (p < 0.001), although, additional heat stress did not improve maximal aerobic capacity above exercise alone. The exercise protocol, irrespective of whether in a hot or moderate environment, lowered submaximal heart rate (p = 0.008) and relative 2 (p < 0.001), but had no effect on submaximal blood lactate. The 11-day training protocol lowered resting heart rate (p < 0.001), reduced core temperature (p = 0.039), increased forearm blood flow (p = 0.046), and lowered perceived exertion (p < 0.001) for both groups. Additionally, the heat group had increased whole body sweat rate (p = 0.01), and improved thermal comfort (p = 0.024). The exercise, regardless of environment, appeared to induce resting cardiovascular adjustments, although statistical significance was not reached. Conclusions: Eleven days of exercise at 50% of 2max, regardless of environment, can improve maximal and submaximal performance in a moderate environment and induce positive cardiovascular adjustments. Eleven days of exercise in 35°C can induce heat acclimation, illustrated through an increase in whole body sweat rate, and a reduction in exercising heart rate, core temperature and perceived exertion.