Accurate single-tree positions from a harvester: a test of two global satellite-based positioning systems

Accurate positioning of single trees registered automatically during harvesting operations opens up new possibilities for reducing the field sampling effort in forest inventories utilising remotely sensed data. In the present study, we propose to use a harvester to collect single-tree data during regular harvest operations and use these data to substitute or supplement traditional measurements on sample plots. Today’s harvesters are capable of recording single-tree information such as species and diameter at breast height, and a cut-to-length harvester was equipped with an integrated accurate positioning system based on real-time kinematic global satellite positioning, as well as a low-cost global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver mounted directly on the harvester head. Positions from 73 trees were evaluated and compared to coordinates obtained using a total station. At the single-tree level, the mean error for the integrated positioning system was 0.94?m. The low-cost GNSS receiver mounted on the harvester head yielded a mean error of 7.00?m. The sub-meter accuracy obtained with the integrated system suggests that data acquired with a harvester using this positioning system may have a great potential as a method for single-tree field data acquisition.     

Recurrent selection in oat for adaptation to diverse environments

In order to test if selection can improve a population's adaptation to diverse environments simultaneously, three cycles of recurrent selection based on grain yield in Iowa, Idaho, and Norway were practiced in an oat (Avena sativaL.) population developed from North American, Scandinavian, and wild species (A. sterilis L.) germplasm sources. Specific objectives were to determine if selection: increased mean yields across environments and within all environments; changed the genetic correlation of yields in different environments; and changed genetic variation for yield within the population. We evaluated 100 to 210 randomly-chosen families from each cycle of selection at three Iowa locations, in Idaho, and in Norway for two years. Grain yield within each location and mean yields across locations increased significantly over cycles of selection. Mean yields across locations expressed as a percent of the original population mean increased at a rate of 2.6% per year. Several families from the third cycle population exhibited both high mean yields across locations and consistently high yields within all locations. Average genetic correlations of yield in different environments were higher in the second cycle than in the original population. A trend of reduced genetic variation and heritability was observed in Iowa only. These results suggest that we successfully improved mean population yield both within and across locations, and yield stability across environments, and in developing families with outstanding adaptation to diverse environments. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Aluminium precipitates formed downstream of springs in a mountainous environment

Areas a few square metres in size, devoid of higher vegetation other than moss, have been mapped at 600–700 m above sea level in the mountains of the western part of central Norway. The moss is covered by a grey precipitate during dry summer periods. The precipitate has been identified by ICP-AES analysis of HNO₃-extract, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as an aluminium(Al)-hydroxide, probably amorphous Al-hydroxide and diaspore (Al(OH)₃), containing 21–25% Al by weight. In comparison, the underlying moraine deposits contain 1.5–3.5% Al by weight. A small spring, where groundwater discharges, is located uphill of each contaminated area. The Al content of the water which emerges from these springs decreases downhill away from the spring and is inversely proportional to the pH. The runoff waters originating at the springs have been modelled using the computer-codes MINTEQA2 and ALCHEMI and are found to be saturated with respect to amorphous Al(OH)₃. This study raises the very important question as to what extent a lower pH in the influent meltwater may leach out more aluminium and possibly lead to the formation of larger amounts of precipitate.     

Nationwide survey of antibodies to bovine coronavirus in bulk milk from Swedish dairy herds.

Bulk milk samples from 2236 dairy herds randomly selected throughout Sweden in proportion to region and herd size were analysed for antibodies to bovine coronavirus (BCV) in an ELISA. The results were expressed as optical density (OD) values and an OD > 0.04 was considered positive. Eighty-nine per cent of the samples were antibody-positive and 52 per cent had high levels of antibodies to BCV (an OD > 0.70). There were significantly higher OD values (P < 0.001) and fewer antibody-negative samples (P < 0.001) from larger herds than from smaller herds. There were also significantly higher OD values and fewer antibody-negative samples from herds in southern Sweden than from herds in northern Sweden (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). These results indicate a higher frequency of BCV infections in larger herds and in herds in southern Sweden.     

Serum antibody profile and reproductive performance during two consecutive pregnancies of cows naturally infected with Neospora caninum.

The objective of this study was to record how the antibody levels change over time during pregnancy in dairy cows naturally infected with the protozoan parasite Neospora caninum, and relate this to the reproductive performance. Eighteen cows with antibodies to N. caninum were serum sampled monthly during their first pregnancy and 13 of them were also followed for a second pregnancy. In all, five pregnancies ended in abortion and two in stillbirth. Antibodies to N. caninum in serum were demonstrated by immune stimulating complex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iscom ELISA). The N. caninum antibody titres remained well above the 1:100 cut-off limit for the test used during 2 years in all cows. In the non-aborting cows, mean values of antibody titres to N. caninum rose 1.5-2.5 dilution steps to reach a plateau 4-5 months before parturition, and thereafter decreased from 2 months before parturition. These changes were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The same pattern was seen in the aborting cows. The consistent pattern of rise in antibody titres observed during both pregnancies in all cows indicated a reactivation rather than a reinfection of the parasite at mid-gestation.     

Multiplex qPCR assay for simultaneous quantification of CYP51-S524T and SdhC-H152R substitutions in European populations of Zymoseptoria tritici

Demethylation inhibitor (DMI) and succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicides are currently relied upon for the control of septoria tritici blotch (STB) in European wheat fields. However, multiple mutations have occurred over time in the genes encoding the targeted proteins that have led to a practical loss of fungicide efficacies. Among the different amino acid substitutions in Zymoseptoria tritici associated with resistance to these fungicides, S524T in CYP51 (DMI target) and H152R in SdhC (SDHI target) are regarded as conferring the highest resistance factors to DMI and SDHI, respectively. To facilitate further studies on the monitoring and selection of these substitutions in Z. tritici populations, a multiplex allele-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay allowing for estimation of both allele frequencies in bulk DNA matrices was developed. The assay was then used on complex DNA samples originating from a spore trap network set up in Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, and Ireland in 2017 and 2018, as well as on leaf samples with symptoms. The S524T allele was present in all field samples and its proportion was significantly higher in Ireland than in Belgium, whereas the proportion of H152R was only sporadically present in both countries. The frequency of S524T varied greatly in the airborne inoculum of all four countries; however, the H152R allele was never detected in the airborne inoculum. The method developed in this study can be readily adopted by other laboratories and used for multiple applications including resistance monitoring in field populations of Z. tritici.     

The involvement of Aeromonas salmonicida virulence factors in bacterial translocation across the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), intestine

The pathogenic bacterium Aeromonas salmonicida is the causative agent of furunculosis, a lethal disease in salmonids. The mode of lateral transmission has not been conclusively defined, but A. salmonicida is able to translocate across the intestinal epithelium of salmonids, making the intestinal route a probable candidate. This study investigated some of the virulence mechanisms used by the bacteria to promote translocation. Intestinal segments were placed in modified Ussing chambers to investigate epithelial functions during exposure to bacterial factors. The factors were: extracellular products (ECP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or live or heat-inactivated A. salmonicida. Fluorescein isothiocynate (FITC)-labelling enabled detection of translocated bacteria by fluorometry. Live A. salmonicida translocated to a greater degree than heat-inactivated bacteria, suggesting that the bacteria utilize a heat sensitive surface-bound virulence factor which promotes translocation. The epithelium was negatively affected by ECP, manifested as decreased net ion transport, indicating a disturbance in ion channels or cell metabolism. LPS did not affect the epithelium in vitro when administered on the luminal side of the intestinal segment, but significantly increased epithelial translocation of fluorescent bacterial-sized microspheres when administered on the serosal side. This is suggested to be caused by increased transcellular transport, as the paracellular permeability was unaffected indicating maintained epithelial integrity.