Ionic Ratios and Crop Performance: II. Effects of Interactions amongst Vanadium, Phosphorus, Magnesium and Calcium on Soybean Yield

Because vanadium (V) is easily reduced to a cationic form within plant cells, data from resin-extraction of soil were analysed for evidence of interactions between V and the resin-extractable concentrations of magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) on soybean seed yield. Three varieties, 9091, 9061 and 704, were grown over a 3-year period in a corn–soybean–wheat rotation. Surface soil samples (0–15 cm) were extracted with ion-exchange resins, extracts were analysed by inductively coupled plasma methods (ICP), and the results were regressed against seed yield using SAS PROC STEPWISE analysis using forward selection, backward elimination and maximum R² routines. The seed yield of each variety showed a correlation with a unique set of resin-extractable concentrations of V, phosphorus (P), Mg and Ca, and the V:(V + P), Mg:(Mg + Ca), Mg:(Mg + 1000 V) and Ca:(Ca + 1000 V) ratios. Variety 9091 was most sensitive to the Mg:(Mg + Ca) ratio. Variety 9061 was most sensitive to extractable V and to the V:(V + P) ratio. Variety 704 was sensitive to extractable P, V and Ca and the Mg:(Mg + 1000 V) ratio. For variety 9091, Mg fertilization (not currently practised) may be an economical practice, whereas P fertilization of 704 may not be economical. Each regression technique varied slightly in identification of important factors in seed yield. Concentrations and ratios of resin-extractable elements in soil provide insights into optimal genotype selection and possible management alternatives for a given soil.     

Social, economic and cultural perspectives of European inland fisheries: review of the EIFAC symposium on fisheries and society

The contributions presented at the EIFAC Symposium on Fisheries and Society in 2000 are reviewed. There have been considerable advances in many sectors of inland fisheries over the past decade. Nowadays the value of inland fisheries to society is generally better understood and increasingly recognized. However, it was recognized that the allocation of fishery resources and their management could still be made more effective through more extensive application of the recent approaches and techniques discussed during the Symposium and reviewed in the paper.     

Evaluation of two N cycle models for the prediction of N mineralization from grassland soils in the UK

Abstract. The ability of two nitrogen cycle models, of contrasting complexity, to predict N mineralization from a range of grassland soils in the UK, was evaluated. These were NCYCLE, a simple mass balance model of the N cycle in UK grasslands, and CENTURY, a more complex model simulating long-term C, N, P & S dynamics in grassland ecosystems. The models were tested using field measurements of net N mineralization from a range of grassland soils (differing in soil type, history & management practice), obtained over a 2 year period using a soil core incubation technique. This method was considered to measure the total net release of mineral N from the soil organic matter over a specified time, including N which may have been recycled several times. NCYCLE consistently under-estimated mineralization rates at all sites. By contrast, there was some correlation between CENTURY predictions of net N mineralization and field measurements. This may have reflected the different abilities of the two models to simulate N recycling. Neither model, however, was able to predict adequately the effect of cultivation and reseeding on net N mineralization.     

Factors Affecting the use of Dreissena polymorpha as a Bioindicator: the PCB Pollution in Lake Como (N. Italy)

The aim of this study was to assess the PCB pollutionof the South-Western branch of Lake Como by using thezebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) as abioindicator since its recent reintroduction. Someenvironmental and physiological variables influencingaccumulation processes of organochlorine compounds inDreissena were investigated because climaticfactors may affect life cycle, reproductive stage andage. PCB levels were highest in the soft tissues ofDreissena close to the industrialized area ofComo (2298 ng g^-1 of lipids) and slowly decrease goingnorth, reaching approximately half this value at theclosing section of the lake branch. Nonetheless, thePCB concentrations are well below the dangerous levelsfor the aquatic environment.     

Sinnesphysiologische Untersuchungen an Schmetterlingsraupen und ihre praktische Bedeutung

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Puncture Wounds of the Navicular Bursa in 38 Horses A Retrospective Study

The medical records of 38 horses with puncture wounds of the navicular bursa were reviewed. Only 12 horses had a satisfactory outcome (breeding or riding). Of the remaining 26 horses, 19 were euthanized, five were sold due to persistent severe lameness, one died, and one was lost to long-term follow-up. Different combinations of conservative management prior to surgical debridement and drainage of the navicular bursa were unsuccessful in resolving the condition. Horses that were treated surgically within 1 week of the injury and had a hind leg affected had the best chance of a satisfactory outcome. Additional wound debridement was necessary in 15 horses after initial surgical treatment. The most common complications encountered were navicular bone osteomyelitis and sepsis of the deep digital flexor tendon. Thirteen of 14 horses that had rupture of the deep digital flexor tendon and subluxation of the distal interphalangeal joint had an unsatisfactory outcome. One mare subsequently developed ankylosis of the distal interphalangeal joint and was a useful brood mare. Two horses that had biaxial palmar digital neurectomy because of persistent lameness were later euthanized because of navicular bone fracture and rupture of the deep digital flexor tendon. Results from limited numbers of bacterial cultures and antibiotic sensitivities suggest that penicillin and an aminoglycoside antibiotic should be used as initial antibiotic therapy. Immediate surgical debridement and appropriate antibiotic treatment are recommended as the minimum therapy for penetrating wounds of the navicular bursa in horses.     

Urgency Index Ratios: a Simple Tool for Forest Management

Traditional forest economics deals with regularly-ordered activities.For many reasons, however, choices must often be made amongconflicting operational priorities. In these circumstances,maximizing net discounted revenue per hectare does not maximizeglobal profit. Priorities for action should be chosen in orderof urgency index ratio, defined as the cost of delaying an operationdivided by the units of limited resource needed to undertakethe operation. Forest managers tend to use informal and sometimesconflicting rules to assign priorities among uses of limitedresources. These priorities often differ from those indicatedby urgency index ratio. Urgency index ratio can be determinedby simple calculations based on readily-available data. Theconcept can be extended to include multiple constraints.     

Mid-storage and pre-sowing seed treatments for lettuce and carrot

Mid-storage hydration-dehydration treatments with medium-vigour lettuce seed very effectively reduced physiological deterioration in storage and ultimately showed better field emergence and final yield. Soaking-drying treatment of high-vigour lettuce seed was not effective. Pre-sowing treatment of medium-vigour lettuce seed, though less effective than mid-storage treatment, gave better field performance, but high-vigour seed did not benefit from the treatment. For carrot, both mid-storage and pre-sowing seed treatments proved beneficial, with the former showing better performance than the latter. Unlike lettuce, well-preserved carrot seed responded positively to the pre-sowing treatment.     

Asymmetric illumination contrast: a method of image formation for video light microscopy

Images with high resolution and exceptionally broad gray scale can be obtained by the application of video contrast enhancement to an optimized procedure for imaging transparent objects with oblique rays of illumination. This technique is simple to set up. A conventional microscope with a light source whose position can be adjusted and a video camera with controls for gain and black level are the only essential components. Features such as high resolution, optical sectioning, control of contrast, and operation under low light intensity make this technique preferable, in several instances, to currently used video microscopy techniques.