Abstract: The present disclosure provides an endophyte, Serendipita vermifera ssp. bescii (“S. bescii”), uses thereof and methods incorporating the use thereof for enhancement of plant performance, particularly the use of S. bescii with phosphite as a phosphorous source. The present disclosure also provides methods for detecting the presence of and identifying S. bescii.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel endophyte, Serendipita vermifera ssp. bescii (“S. bescii”), uses thereof and methods incorporating the use thereof for enhancement of plant performance. The present disclosure also provides methods for detecting the presence of and identifying S. bescii.

Abstract: A system for trapping animals includes a cable and an enclosure adapted to be suspended above a trap area by the cable. A release mechanism includes a pivotable member, and the pivotable member is configured to rotate about a pivot support between an engaged position and a released position. The pivotable member in the engaged position supports the cable to hold the enclosure in a suspended position, and the pivotable member in the released position releases the cable to allow the enclosure to fall from the suspended position and enclose the trap area. The system further includes an actuator, which in an extended position holds the pivotable member in the engaged position. In a retracted position, the actuator releases the pivotable member to allow the pivotable member to rotate into the released position.

Abstract: Some illustrative embodiments of a system for estimating forage growth at an area of interest may include a mobile support, a laser sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor. The laser sensor and the ultrasonic sensor may each be supported by the mobile support, and may each be configured to sense the forage growth at the area of interest. The laser sensor may generate laser forage data corresponding to the forage growth, and the ultrasonic sensor may generate ultrasonic forage data corresponding to the forage growth. A measured forage growth value may be determined as a function of the laser forage data and the ultrasonic forage data.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for increasing plant seed yield or seed size through reduced expression of a BS1 gene. Also provided are plants with increased seed yield or seed size comprising reduced expression of a BS1 gene produced by such methods.

Abstract: A system for trapping animals includes a cable and an enclosure adapted to be suspended above a trap area by the cable. A release mechanism includes a pivotable member, and the pivotable member is configured to rotate about a pivot support between an engaged position and a released position. The pivotable member in the engaged position supports the cable to hold the enclosure in a suspended position, and the pivotable member in the released position releases the cable to allow the enclosure to fall from the suspended position and enclose the trap area. The system further includes an actuator, which in an extended position holds the pivotable member in the engaged position. In a retracted position, the actuator releases the pivotable member to allow the pivotable member to rotate into the released position.